It can be resumed only after the situation around the terrorist attack in Sevastopol has been clarifiedTraffic along the grain security corridor has been suspended after the terrorist attack in Sevastopol, which was committed by Ukraine, the Russian Defense Ministry said on October 31.
Russian President Vladimir Putin later confirmed this decision. Experts note that the so-called grain deal did not bring Russia any economic or political dividends and it would be logical to terminate it. Also on this day, all measures for conscription of citizens for military service within the framework of partial mobilization were stopped. At the front, the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation repulsed enemy attacks in the main strategic directions and inflicted massive strikes on the objects of the military and energy infrastructure of Ukraine.
The corridor led to a dead end
Movement along the security corridor defined by the Black Sea Initiative has been suspended "until the situation around the terrorist action committed by Ukraine on October 29 against warships and civilian vessels in Sevastopol is clarified," the Russian Defense Ministry said in a statement. The military department stressed that the Russian Federation, as the main participant in these agreements, does not withdraw from them, but suspends their operation.
"In this regard, the movement of ships along the security corridor is unacceptable, since the Ukrainian leadership and the command of the Armed Forces of Ukraine use it to conduct military operations against the Russian Federation," the Russian Defense Ministry noted.
They added that in the current conditions, there can be no question of guaranteeing the security of any object in the specified direction "until the Ukrainian side accepts additional obligations not to use this route for military purposes." Later, this position was confirmed by the head of state. At a press conference in Sochi following the results of trilateral talks with the leaders of Armenia and Azerbaijan, Vladimir Putin stressed that Ukraine must ensure that there will be no threats to civilian vessels in the Black Sea.
— If Ukraine hits grain ships, then we will be to blame as guarantors of the safety of civil courts, — the President of the Russian Federation explained.
The position of the Russian side was brought to the attention of UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres and the UN Security Council. The Initiative for the Safe Transportation of Grain and Food from the Ports of Ukraine (the "Black Sea Initiative")" — and its implementation were carried out through the mediation of the Secretary General.
Photo: RIA Novosti/Maxim Durnev
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It is noted that the Russian Federation counts on the assistance of the international organization in obtaining guarantees from Ukraine on the non-use of the humanitarian corridor and Ukrainian ports designated for the export of agricultural products for conducting military operations against Russia.
On the same day, Sergei Shoigu held telephone talks with Turkish Defense Minister Hulusi Akar. They also discussed the suspension by the Russian side of the implementation of agreements on the export of agricultural products from Ukrainian ports.
According to former UN Deputy Secretary General Sergei Ordzhonikidze, this agreement causes political damage to the Russian Federation and does not give anything economically.
"We did this, probably in response to the request of the UN Secretary General and Turkey," he said. — It was good will on our part. We did not expect to receive any dividends. But we also did not expect that there were serious problems behind this deal, which were prepared by Western countries and Ukraine. In particular, sabotage against the Russian fleet. The fact that marine drones passed through the sea corridors for the transportation of grain suggests that this operation was planned in advance. Most likely, it was done by Western intelligence agencies.
The decision to suspend the implementation of the agreement is quite logical, the diplomat noted.
— We have to wait for explanations: how these diversions were carried out through the corridors allocated for sea transportation, — he continued. — I think we have nothing to do in this deal. Ukraine receives economic dividends from it. Politically, it is also not profitable for us — we thus recognized the problem of exporting Ukrainian grain. And as a result, the obligations assumed by both the UN Secretary General and Turkey — they have not fulfilled anything. It's time to abandon this deal. Apart from the terrorist drones launched in Sevastopol, we have received nothing from her.
For volunteers only
The Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation has declared all activities within the framework of partial mobilization related to conscription of citizens from the reserve to be completed. All the personnel of the military commissariats involved are ordered to return to their duties as normal. The preparation and delivery of summonses are stopped, the military department reported.
On behalf of Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu, the General Staff of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation sent instructions to the commanders of the military districts and the Northern Fleet to report on the completion of partial mobilization measures.
— The further work of military enlistment offices for recruitment into the ranks of the armed forces will be organized by accepting volunteers and candidates for military contract service, — stressed the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation.
Photo: IZVESTIA/Dmitry Korotaev
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On the evening of October 31, Vladimir Putin also announced the end of the mobilization.
— 260 thousand of the partially mobilized people do not participate in hostilities, but are being trained, and this is the end of the mobilization, — the President of the Russian Federation stressed at a press conference in Sochi.
He noted that he intends to clarify the need for a special decree.
— I will talk to lawyers about whether it is necessary to complete the mobilization by decree, but it has been completed, the point has been set, — the head of state assured.
On the verge of collapse
On October 31, the Russian Armed Forces continued to strike with high-precision long-range air and sea-based weapons at the facilities of the military administration and the energy system of Ukraine.
— The goals of the strikes have been achieved. All designated facilities have been hit," said the official representative of the Ministry of Defense, Lieutenant General Igor Konashenkov.
It is enough to inflict one or two more massive strikes on the energy system of Ukraine so that it acquires a focal character, military expert Vladislav Shurygin believes.
— Already the first wave of strikes on October 10 showed that the power system is vulnerable, — he told Izvestia. — Ukraine has stated that 40% of the country's energy complex has failed, but in fact, I think about 15%. Moreover, they managed to compensate for these losses with redundant, underutilized capacities, and somewhere to introduce rolling blackouts.
Photo: commons.wikimedia.org/Victor Vizu
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The strike on October 31 destroyed a large number of overflow stations in Ukraine, which breaks up the unified energy system of the country, the expert noted.
— There is a new problem here — nuclear power plants can generate electricity, but they cannot deliver it to the consumer of the power grid, — he believes. — For this reason, it is necessary to reduce the capacity of nuclear power plants, which then you will not increase quickly. This suggests that Ukraine is on the verge of collapse, which could bring down the entire civilization in the area around the Dnieper. For this, one powerful blow is enough.
Mercenaries suffer losses
On this day, enemy attacks were repulsed in the main strategic directions. So, on Kupyansk, units of Russian troops defeated two company tactical groups of the VFU and two formations of foreign mercenaries. More than 110 servicemen and militants, one tank, three armored fighting vehicles, two pickups and two cars were destroyed.
In the Red-Liman direction, the enemy tried to conduct offensive operations with three company tactical groups. All attacks were repelled. More than 170 servicemen, three tanks, five armored fighting vehicles and nine cars were destroyed.
In the Donetsk direction, units of the Russian army continued active operations. During the day, more than 60 servicemen, a tank, two armored combat vehicles and two cars were destroyed, the military department said.
Photo: IZVESTIA/Dmitry Korotaev
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On Nikolaevo-Krivoy Rog, four attempts to break through the VFU by company tactical groups were stopped. The enemy is thrown back to their original positions. More than 70 servicemen and mercenaries, five armored combat vehicles, seven cars and one German self-propelled artillery Panzerhaubitze-2000 were destroyed.
During the day, operational-tactical, army aviation, missile troops and artillery of Russia hit eight control points of the VFU, four ammunition depots, 57 artillery units in firing positions and 136 areas of concentration of troops. During the day, the air defense forces shot down 13 UAVs, four HIMARS and Alder multiple rocket launchers, as well as seven HARM anti-radar missiles in the areas of the settlements of Novaya Kakhovka and Antonovka of the Kherson region.
In total, since the beginning of the special military operation, 328 aircraft, 167 helicopters, 2393 unmanned aerial vehicles, 384 anti-aircraft missile systems, 6213 tanks and other armored combat vehicles, 879 multiple rocket launchers, 3540 field artillery and mortars, as well as 6920 units of special military vehicles have been destroyed, Igor Konashenkov listed.
The New Guard
On October 31, the President of Russia awarded the honorary title of "Guards" to the 232nd rocket Artillery Brigade. The decree of the head of state states that the unit received it for "mass heroism and bravery, fortitude and courage shown by the brigade's personnel in combat operations to protect the Fatherland and state interests in armed conflicts."
The Russian Defense Ministry told about the servicemen who showed courage and dedication in the battles.
The supply column of Senior Sergeant Kirill Maksimenko was attacked by saboteurs. He killed three militants. A few days later, the VFU attacked the unit. Maksimenko personally eliminated more than five nationalists, after which they retreated, the military department said.
Photo: commons.wikimedia.org/Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation
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Senior Lieutenant Dmitry Murashov and his platoon supported Russian units with fire when a group of saboteurs tried to break deep into the settlement. Skilfully guiding his subordinates, Dmitry prevented a breakthrough. The servicemen destroyed four armored personnel carriers and more than 15 militants. The surviving saboteurs fled.
"The bold and decisive actions of Dmitry Murashov and his subordinates made it possible to stop the activities of Ukrainian saboteurs in the liberated settlement," the military department noted.
Lieutenant Alexander Uvarov, together with his platoon, provided communication between the battalion tactical group and the command. During the offensive, his unit came under enemy fire, and a fragment of a mine damaged the equipment. Alexander promptly repaired all the damage and re-configured the equipment, which made it possible to ensure stable control of the BTGR in battle and repel the attack of the nationalists, the Russian Defense Ministry noted.
Andrey Fedorov
Bogdan Stepovoy
