Explosive Revelations: Ukraine's Covert Arms Operation and Daring River Raid - Here's the Unfiltered Truth

Ukraine's stagnant counteroffensive has received a much-needed boost in the past week with the covert delivery of American weapons and a successful raid across the river. Ukrainians in the east assert that they have inflicted significant casualties on Russian forces attempting to surround a besieged city.

Meanwhile in the capital Kyiv, Ukrainian parliamentarians are looking to expunge Russian influence from the church.

Here is what you need to know.

Surprise arrival of US Army Tactical Missile System (ATACMS)

On Tuesday, a covert shipment of advanced ATACMS missiles from the United States targeted airfields in the occupied Berdiansk region alongside the Azov Sea and in Luhansk, located in eastern Ukraine. This well-executed operation resulted in the destruction of Russian helicopters and a significant munitions storage facility.

Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, Gen. Valerii Zaluzhnyi, shared a video showcasing the impressive missile batteries in action. In the caption, he expressed his gratitude to Ukrainian soldiers for their service and thanked the partners for their support. The introduction of ATACMS came as a much-needed boost to both the battlefield and public morale, particularly given the uncertain US funding situation for Ukraine.

Ukraine has been asking for the missile system for months. Its still unclear when the weapons were delivered or when the decision to supply them was made.

An early version of an Army Tactical Missile System is tested December 14, 2021, at White Sands Missile Range in New Mexico.

John Hamilton/US Army

The missiles, known for their 100-mile range, are expected to have a significant impact on Russian positioning. Analysts anticipate that Moscow will be compelled to deploy aerial assets farther away, resulting in reduced operational capacity. The delivery of ATACMS was widely interpreted by Ukrainians as a show of support from the US. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky expressed his appreciation for the missiles in a tweet following a conversation with US President Joe Biden, emphasizing their effective utilization on the battlefield by Ukrainian warriors.

Battles in the east

Avdiivka in the Donetsk region is currently witnessing intense combat, with Russia persistently encircling the city. Ukraine asserts that it has inflicted significant damage upon Russian military personnel and equipment.

Russian forces have initiated multiple attacks that were successfully fended off by the heavily fortified Ukrainian troops in the region.

According to the Ukrainian military, Thursday witnessed the destruction of a larger number of Russian personnel and tanks than any other day since the beginning of the war. Independent verification of Ukrainian allegations regarding Russian casualties is not possible for CNN. Nonetheless, video footage shared by unofficial Ukrainian military sources depicts fierce combat and significant damage to military equipment. President Zelensky described the losses suffered by the Russian forces in Avdiivka as "catastrophic."

The objective of Russia, as suggested by analysts, is to surround the city and seize control of a strategically elevated area close to an industrial facility. Such a position would grant Russia significant influence over Ukrainian supply routes.

Smoke rises above the area of the front line town of Avdiivka on October 18, 2023, amid the ongoing Russian military action in Ukraine.

Stringer/AFP/Getty Images

Avdiivka has been subjected to numerous Russian attacks and has been at the forefront of the conflict in eastern Ukraine since 2014. The embattled city is currently home to over 1,600 civilians, as reported by local officials.

Cross-river operation in Kherson

There is limited official information available regarding Ukraine's most recent cross-river operation. However, pro-Kremlin military bloggers have reported that Ukrainian troops have seemingly crossed the Dnipro River into the Russian-occupied Kherson region.

According to the renowned Russian military blogger WarGonzo, combat has been ongoing on the eastern bank of the Dnipro River near the coastal village of Krynky. WarGonzo speculates that Ukrainian forces are attempting to establish a stronghold and bring in reinforcements to advance their efforts in the area controlled by the Russian army. Russian bloggers previously alleged that Ukrainian military units had crossed the river, breaching Russian defenses and making incursions into the villages of Poyma and Pishchanivka on the eastern bank.

Kyiv has refrained from making an official statement regarding the cross-river operations taking place in the region. Previously, Ukraine has conducted missions on the eastern side of the Dnipro River in Kherson. In June, Ukrainian forces initially established a foothold on the Russian-controlled side of the river near the Antonivsky Bridge, and they have continued to undertake subsequent missions throughout the summer.

Men stand outside a house destroyed in the Russian rocket attack that took place Wednesday morning, October 18, Obukhivka, Dnipropetrovsk Region, central Ukraine.

Mykola Miakshykov/Ukrinform/Sipa USA

Church matters

Ukrainian legislators have approved an initial bill aimed at reducing Russian influence on religion. The proposed legislation aims to prohibit religious organizations from functioning in Ukraine if their leadership is based outside Ukraine in a country involved in armed aggression against Ukraine.

The bill received 267 votes in favor and 15 votes against during its initial reading.

Although the bill does not explicitly mention the Ukrainian Orthodox Church (UOC), its implications are evident. Kyiv perceives the UOC as a manifestation of the Russian Orthodox Church (ROC) and Moscow's sway in Ukraine.

Call-sign 'Muzykant' believes the danger he incurs on these missions is worth it because people in Crimea are waiting for them.

Vasco Cotovio/CNN

Ukraine's special forces use daring raids and distraction tactics in bid to free Crimea

The UOC asserts that it has severed its connections with the Moscow-based church since the extensive invasion. However, an expert panel appointed by the Ukrainian government "did not uncover any documents or actions suggesting the UOC's transition into a religious institution autonomous from the ROC."

A clergy member of the UOC criticized the proposed legislation as "outrageous" and denounced lawmakers for manipulating religion for "political machinations."

According to Metropolitan Klyment, a representative of the UOC, the Ukrainian parliament did not ban anyone on the day in question. However, they did pass a controversial bill with numerous provocative provisions that go against the Constitution. In order for the draft to be enacted as a law, it must undergo a second round of voting in parliament and be signed by Zelensky.