Page 36 - RusRPTNov23

Illegitimate United Russia party representative killed in car bomb in Kherson Oblast. Vladimir Malov, a member of Russia's ruling United Russia party, was killed in a car bomb explosion in the city of Nova Kakhovka in Kherson Oblast, Russian state-run media RIA Novosti claimed.
Russian Orthodox Church runs private military companies to train fighters for Ukraine deployment. The Church receives funding for these activities from financial and industrial groups close to the Russian state, the SBU said. These funds are reportedly donated as "charitable contributions" for "construction of churches."
● War
On October 17, the Armed Forces of Ukraine used US-supplied ATACMS ballistic missiles to strike Russian airfields near occupied Berdyansk (Zaporizhzhya Oblast) and Luhansk. At least 9 helicopters and numerous other pieces of military equipment, including enemy air defences, were destroyed.
● Weapons
Russia admits most of its drones come from China. Many of the drones that Russia uses against Ukraine appear to have been purchased from China. The specific percentage is not clear. At the same time, the Russian govt wants to increase local production of unmanned aerial vehicles by ~40% by 2025 for which it wants to spend more than $500 million. "Today, (our) drones are mostly all from the People's Republic of China," Finance Minister Anton Siluanov said at the meeting of the State Duma's Budget and Taxes Committee.
NATO to hold nuclear exercises as Russia plans to withdraw from test ban treaty. NATO will conduct a major exercise involving fighter jets capable of carrying nuclear warheads, though live bombs will not be involved in the drill, the alliance said on Oct. 12.
Slovakia halts military aid to Ukraine following election. The Slovak defence Ministry had prepared a new assistance package for Ukraine that President Zuzana Čaputová could have signed while Fico's predecessor was still in office. However, the president declined, saying the parliamentary elections must be respected.
Europe must reduce defence reliance on US. "The dominant role of NATO as a security provider must no longer mean that Europe neglects its defence obligations," Czech President Petr Pavel said at the College of Europe in Bruges.
36 RUSSIA Country Report November 2023 www.intellinews.com