09:54 Russia and China commence joint maneuver
Russia and China have begun a naval drill in the South Chinese Sea. The exercise is set to last three days, Russian and Chinese state media report today. Air and underwater defense are to be practiced during the drill, with live ammunition to be used. Few days prior to Russia's invasion in Ukraine in 2022, both countries announced strengthening their partnership, labeling it "boundless."
08:43 Ministry reports 42,000 missing Ukrainians
Approximately 42,000 people are currently missing in Ukraine, among them soldiers and civilians, the Interior Ministry reports. The number was previously higher at 51,000, the Ministry states. Of the approximately 4000 soldiers reported missing in action, many have been found and identified. Around 3000 missing persons were found alive, many of them prisoners of war. Difficulties in identifying the dead arise from the Defense Ministry's refusal to take DNA samples from soldiers it sends into the field.
08:15 Hungary lobbies for Russia's participation in second Ukraine peace summit
Hungary is lobbying for Russia's participation in the planned second Ukraine peace conference. There are efforts to hold another peace summit this year, Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto says. "I believe if we want to hope for the success of a future peace conference, we must ensure that both sides are represented," Szijjarto adds. Hungary currently holds the EU Council presidency. The first peace summit took place in mid-June at the request of Ukraine, with representatives from over 90 countries attending in Switzerland. Russia declared its disinterest in the conference and was therefore not invited.
07:46 Russia and Ukraine to exchange 90 prisoners today
Russia and Ukraine are to exchange 90 prisoners today. This was facilitated by the United Arab Emirates, according to the Bloomberg news agency, citing a source. Ukrainian media reported last week that the parliament's human rights ombudsman, Dmytro Lubinez, had announced that the Ukrainian government was planning, with the help of the United Arab Emirates, a large prisoner exchange with Russia soon. The two warring parties have already exchanged prisoners multiple times.
06:55 Ukrainian startups develop robots for the front
Ukrainian startups are developing cost-effective robots for mine clearance, evacuation of battlefields, transportation of equipment, and combat support. The Ukrainian agency Ukrinform reports this. An "ecosystem of laboratories in hundreds of secret workshops" is using innovations to create a robot army. The Ukraine hopes that this robot army will be able to kill Russian troops and save its own wounded soldiers and civilians, according to Ukrinform.
06:20 State and government heads of 47 countries to discuss Ukraine
At the invitation of the new British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, state and government heads of 47 countries will meet tomorrow. The 27 EU member states plus 20 third countries will discuss, among other things, further aid for Ukraine in its defense war against Russia. German Chancellor Olaf Scholz is also registered. There will be several round tables on security policy and defense, but other topics will also be discussed. Ukraine is represented at the conference.
04:37 Japan grants Ukraine a loan of 3.3 billion dollars from frozen Russian assetsJapan reportedly provides the Ukrainian government with a loan of 3.3 billion dollars from the interest on frozen Russian assets. The sum is part of the 50-billion-dollar package of the G7 countries, according to Kyodo News, citing sources familiar with the matter. The distribution of the credit package shows that the US and the European Union (EU) each provide 20 billion dollars. Japan, the UK, and Canada contribute a total of ten billion dollars. The package is expected to be approved at a G7 summit on the sidelines of the G20 Finance Summit at the end of the month in Brazil.
03:26 German government grants ten million euros to Kiev for the reconstruction of a children's clinicFollowing the rocket attack on the children's hospital in Kiev, the German Development Ministry has pledged ten million euros to the Ukrainian government for the hospital's reconstruction. The funds will be used together with contributions from other donors and donors to quickly make the hospital operational and winter-proof, according to the "Rheinische Post," citing ministry statements. This includes repairs and maintenance work on facades, treatment rooms, and electricity and heating systems.
02:10 Medvedev warns NATO of a "point of no return"Following the NATO summit's promise to consider Ukraine's membership, former Russian President Dmitry Medvedev renewed his threats against the alliance. In an article for the Russian news portal Argumenty i Fakty, he described a potential Ukrainian membership as a declaration of war against Russia. "This would essentially be a declaration of war - if only with a delay. The measures that our adversaries have taken against us for years by expanding the alliance ... bring the NATO to a point of no return." Russia does not threaten the NATO but will respond to attempts by the alliance to advance its interests. "The harder their attempts, the harsher our responses will be," Medvedev said. "Whether this will tear the whole planet apart depends only on the wisdom of the (NATO) side."
01:00 Ukrainian soldiers use expired ammunitionThe Ukrainian Defense Ministry has returned a "considerable amount" of old ammunition to the military, which should have been disposed of before the first Russian attack on Ukrainian territory in 2014, according to the ministry's own statements. The ammunition is already being used on the battlefield. "We are looking for internal reserves to supply Ukrainian soldiers with ammunition. We know that every shot, every rocket, and every grenade on the battlefield is vital today," said Deputy Defense Minister Yuriy Dzhyharyov. Everything that can be repaired and reused is given a second life.
23:37 Ukrainian troops withdraw positions in the southeastUkrainian troops have reportedly withdrawn positions in the southeast of the country under Russian pressure in the towns of Krynky in the Cherson region and Uroschajne in the Donezk region. "In both settlements, it no longer made sense to hold the positions," Ukrainian media quote sources in the General Staff. The fighting for the settlement of Krynky on the southern bank of the Dnipro River in the Cherson region was criticized from the outset due to its futility. It is unclear whether Ukrainian soldiers are still holding positions in the lower reaches of the Dnipro River on the southern bank. Read more here.
22:07 New Aid for Ukraine
UN High Commissioner for Refugees Filippo Grandi announced a new aid package of $100 million (around 93 million Euro) during a visit to Ukraine. The UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) will support the preparation for winter and continue to assist the Ukrainian government in Kiev, helping displaced or otherwise affected Ukrainians, Grandi said during a meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Kiev. The Agency will also mobilize future funds to support the attacked country. Zelenskyy thanked for the aid, which he said was urgently needed due to the destruction of the energy infrastructure by Russian attacks. According to a statement from the Presidential Administration, the country still needs more help to rebuild destroyed houses and install bomb shelters in schools and hospitals. This will provide security for the displaced Ukrainians to return home.
21:27 Ukraine reports destruction of Russian S-300 Air Defense System
Ukraine claims to have destroyed a Russian S-300 Air Defense System in the occupied Donetsk Oblast, according to Ukrainian General Staff Chief Oleksandr Syrskyi's statement on Twitter. A video allegedly showing several impacts of suspected ATACMS rockets with cluster munitions was spread by the Ukrainian military. According to Syrskyi, multiple launchers and a radar station of the system were destroyed.
20:49 Report: Ukrainian Government may be on the brink of resignation
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is reportedly on the verge of reshuffling his cabinet and possibly asking for the resignation of Prime Minister Denys Schmyhal. This was reported by the "Kyiv Post" citing an unnamed source in the Ukrainian parliament. The parliament was reportedly instructed to prepare for a discussion and vote on a new cabinet on Tuesday of the coming week. Zelenskyy himself also addressed the rumors of a possible cabinet reshuffle on Monday. "Could there be changes in the government? Probably, yes", the Ukrainian President said. "We are in the process."
20:02 Baltic States to leave Russian power grid
The Baltic States have reportedly informed Russia and its ally Belarus of their intention to leave the power grid of the former Soviet Union. "We will cut the last energy connections with Russia", explains the head of the state Lithuanian power grid operator Litgrid, Rokas Masiulis. The step is expected to take place in February 2025. Shortly thereafter, the three countries will connect to the European power grid. "In six months, we will not only disconnect from the Russian and Belarusian power grids, but also dismantle the last power lines", Masiulis explains.
19:20 Lindner criticizes Orbán's "AloneActions" of Orbán
Following the scandal over Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán's Moscow trip, Germany and other EU partners are increasing pressure on Budapest. During a Finance Ministers meeting in Brussels, most member states called on Hungary to keep Ukraine aid as a priority. German Finance Minister Christian Lindner accused Orbán of "AloneActions". "Hungary should know that the peace and freedom order of Europe as a whole is being defended in Ukraine", Lindner stated in the public debate. This should remain a "Top-Priority" during Hungary's EU Presidency until the end of the year. Hungary's Finance Minister Mihaly Varga had previously presented seven priorities, ranging from the fight against illegal migration to competitiveness, but Ukraine was not mentioned.
You can read about all previous developments here.
- Despite Russia and China's naval drill in the South Chinese Sea, Volodymyr Zelensky, the President of Ukraine, has been appealing to NATO for military support in the ongoing Ukraine-Conflict with Russia.
- The Cyberwar intensity has increased, and concerns about potential cyberattacks on critical infrastructure have become a significant concern for Ukraine, as Russia has been accused of utilizing cyberwarfare tactics amidst the ongoing conflict.
- In response to the attack on Ukraine, NATO has announced plans for military deployments in Eastern Europe, aiming to deter further Russian aggression and maintain peace within its member states and allies, such as Ukraine.
- Ukraine's politicians have been calling for international support, with Hungary particularly lobbying for Russia's participation in the second Ukraine peace summit, despite Russia's disinterest in the previous conference.
- In an effort to gain an upper hand in the conflict, Ukrainian startups are turning to technology, developing cost-effective robots for various purposes overseas, including mine clearance, battlefield evacuation, and combat support, aiming to strengthen Ukraine's military capabilities against Russia.
