10:46: The Head of Russia's Parliament Declares: NATO is Engaging in Military Conflict Against Our Nation
Russian Parliament Chief, Vyacheslav Volodin, Accuses NATO of Partaking in Ukraine's Conflict. According to Volodin, posted on Telegram, NATO is participating in the fighting against Russia in Ukraine. He proposes that NATO is selecting Russian cities for attacks, coordinating military moves with the Ukrainian army, and essentially commanding the Ukrainian government in Kyiv.
10:17 on Putin's War Threat to NATO: "Putin's Statement Seems Unconvincing on Morning TV" In the West, there are concerns that enabling Ukraine to conduct long-range assaults on Russian territory could result in escalation. Indeed, Russian President Vladimir Putin has once again threatened such action. ntv correspondent Rainer Munz offers several reasons why Putin's aggression might not hold water.
09:42: Belarus Opposition Leader in Grave Condition Imprisoned Belarusian opposition leader Maria Kalesnikava is reported to be in critical state, as stated by her sister. She has been held under inhumane circumstances for four years, now she weighs only 45 kg at a height of 1.75 meters, Tatjana Chomitsch shares, based on info from former prisoners. "I believe this is a crucial moment, as no one can endure such conditions for long," she states, accusing authorities of psychologically and physically torturing her sister. Belarus' Interior Ministry fails to address a request for information about Kalesnikava's detention conditions. The 42-year-old, who became a symbol of resistance following protests against Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko in 2020, is serving an 11-year sentence for alleged attempts to seize power.
09:20 Agreement Signed for Lithuanian Brigade Deployment in Lithuania Germany and Lithuania have signed an agreement to arrange deployment details of a combat-ready brigade in NATO-member Lithuania. Defense Minister Boris Pistorius and his Lithuanian counterpart Laurynas Kasciunas sealed the agreement in Berlin. The agreement strengthens the NATO Status of Forces Agreement, clarifying the legal status of German soldiers and civilian workers in Lithuania, the Defense Ministry disclosed. Its purpose is to ensure legal clarity, regulating residence rights, taxation, education system, public health supervision, traffic, and public safety. For example, it establishes the legal ground for creating German schools and kindergartens in Lithuania. The brigade is expected to become operational by 2027.
08:56: Britain Expels Six Diplomats over Spying Allegations Russia has expelled six British diplomats for espionage reasons. The FSB intelligence agency claims to have evidence that the British Foreign Office is orchestrating military and political escalation with the aim of ensuring Russia's defeat in the Ukraine conflict. Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova alleges that the British embassy is intentionally causing harm to the Russian people, as reported by TASS news agency. This action may be related to discussions about whether Britain and the US should approve Ukraine's use of long-range weapons against Russia. British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak is scheduled to meet with President Biden at the White House later today.
08:31: Putin Warns NATO over Involvement in Ukraine Conflict Ukrainian President Zelensky has been seeking the deployment of long-range missiles against Russian military targets for some time now. The US and UK are now contemplating this idea. In response, Putin delivered a stern warning to the West.
08:03: Russia Offers Intelligence on Western Weapons Russia is offering to share its insights about Western weapons gained during the Ukraine conflict. Russian Deputy Defense Minister Alexander Fomin mentioned this during a security conference in China. He explained that Russia has amassed valuable experience in combating various Western weapons, and is prepared to share its knowledge with partners. The fighting, he added, has led to the development of modern combat strategies. According to him, Russian weapons are capable of neutralizing Western weapons.
07:34: Ukraine's Security Service Announces Arrests Five men were arrested for setting fire to military vehicles in Kyiv, on behalf of a Russian intelligence agency, according to Ukraine's security service. They are accused of burning five military vehicles and disseminating leaflets intended to discredit the military. The men, originally hailing from different regions of Ukraine, came to the capital seeking work and were contacted by Russian agents via Telegram, in exchange for quick money. They documented their actions with mobile phone recordings, expecting the promised compensation, which never materialized.
07:05: Ukraine's Chief Rabbi Mourns Adoptive Son Killed in War Ukraine's Chief Rabbi Moshe Reuven Azman is in mourning following the death of his adoptive son, Anton Samborskij, during the Russian invasion. A funeral service was held for Samborskij in Kyiv on Thursday. He was reported missing at the end of July, and his demise was confirmed after a prolonged absence. Samborskij became a father in May, Rabbi Azman shared on social media. He adopted Samborskij when he was ten, who was left as an orphan. Samborskij was drafted a few weeks later, and Azman spoke to him on July 17.
06:29 Japan Scrambles Jets over Russian Aircraft Approach Japan dispatched fighter jets on Thursday after two Russian planes circled near the country. The Russian planes didn't breach Japanese airspace, the Defense Ministry indicated. These aircraft, identified as Tu-142s, flew from the sea towards Okinawa's southern region throughout the morning and afternoon, the ministry stated. Consequently, "we swiftly deployed Air Self-Defense Force fighter jets in emergency response," the ministry remarked. The Russian planes ended their flight in the north, also traversing the disputed Kuriles region between Japan and Russia. Earlier this week, Russian and Chinese naval vessels commenced joint exercises in the Sea of Japan. These exercises are component of a vast naval drill. Russian military aircraft last circled Japan in 2019.
06:07 Russia: USA Pushes Exclusionary Policy Against Russia and China Russian Deputy Defense Minister Alexander Fomin suggested at a security conference in China that the USA is promoting an exclusionary policy against Russia and China. Tass, the Russian news agency, reported this statement. According to Tass, Fomin claimed that Russia and China advocate for a just, multilateral world order centered on equality and mutual respect, while the West prepares for conflicts in Asia by forming new security alliances in the region.
05:27 Black Sea Incident: Merchant Ship Hit by Possible Russian Missile The Ukrainian Navy released details about a suspected Russian airstrike on a freighter in the Black Sea. According to the reports, a Tu-22 bomber probably launched a Ch-22 anti-ship missile at the ship. The freighter, representing the Caribbean nation of St. Kitts and Nevis, was moving from Ukraine's southern port of Chornomorsk to Egypt, transporting wheat. A BBC report mentioned that the freighter was situated within Romania's exclusive economic zone at that time. It also suggested that a Ch-31 missile, intended for radar jamming, was employed instead, carrying significantly less explosive power than the Ch-22 air-to-surface missiles designed to challenge aircraft carriers.
03:19 Demarcation Line Incident: Moldovan Soldier Dies A Moldovan soldier passed away under unclear circumstances while performing duty at the demarcation line with the separatist region of Transnistria. The Ministry of Defense of the Republic of Moldova announced that the soldier succumbed to a shot from his own weapon while fulfilling his duties at his post. Police and forensic examiners are now investigating this event. Moldovan, separatist Transnistrian soldiers, and Russian troops are stationed at the separation line between the two entities, with Russian troops having been there since a conflict in 1992 following the Soviet Union's collapse. Moldova pledges to reintegrate Transnistria into its territory. Such incidents at the separation line are rare.
02:18 UK Prime Minister: "No Intention to Provoke Russia" UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer debunked Russian President Putin's claim that the West providing long-range weapons for offensive operations deep into Russian territory constitutes NATO's involvement in the war. "Ukraine has the right to self-defense," said Starmer. The UK endorses this right and provides instructional opportunities within this context. "But we are not looking to provoke Russia - that's not our aim whatsoever," underscored the UK Prime Minister. Read more here.
01:09 Former US Ambassador in Kyiv: Harris Would Likely Take a Tough Stance on Ukraine Former US Ambassador to Ukraine, William B. Taylor, believes that Democratic presidential candidate Kamala Harris would, if elected, take a stronger stance on Ukraine than the present incumbent, Biden. She has already demonstrated this in certain issues, Taylor said during an event at the American University in Kyiv. Biden has been more cautious in certain decisions, such as the supply of HIMARS, Abrams, and F-16 fighter jets. Currently, he is also hesitant about allowing Ukraine to launch strikes deep into Russia. Taylor anticipates a more robust approach from Harris, also because of the likelihood of her bringing in a fresh foreign policy team to the White House.
00:27 Zelensky Welcomes Estonia's Military Aid Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky meets with Estonian President Alar Karis in Kyiv, thanking him for military aid. The Baltic EU and NATO member has allocated 0.25% of its annual GDP to support Ukraine's defense requirements. Their conversation also tackled reconstruction and Ukraine's EU ambitions. In addition, Latvian Prime Minister, Evika Silina, vowed further support after meeting with Zelensky.
23:19 BND Not Required to Disclose Assessment on Ukraine to Journalist The Federal Intelligence Service (BND) is not bound to inform a journalist whether it attributed a military victory for Ukraine as challenging or impossible in private discussions, according to a decision by the Federal Administrative Court in Leipzig. The BND also doesn't have to disclose which media outlets participated in these private discussions. However, the BND must share information on the number of confidential individual private discussions on the military situation in Ukraine this year. The journalist's request for an interim order was mostly denied. The court's decision was based on a newspaper article from May, in which a CDU politician was quoted as saying that the BND was intentionally spreading a negative assessment of the military situation in Ukraine to influence public opinion.
22:06 German Politicians Support Use of Long-Range Weapons Against Russia
Politicians from the traffic light coalition agree that Kyiv should be allowed to utilize long-range weapons against Russian targets. According to SPD foreign policy expert Michael Roth, speaking to T-Online, this is the right and legal move to finally strike military targets in Russia with long-range Western missiles. Potential targets include military airfields, command centers, and launch bases, from which attacks on civilian Ukrainian targets are orchestrated and can be most effectively halted. The chairman of the defense committee, Marcus Faber, of the FDP, agrees that authorization to bomb Russian military airports with long-range weapons like ATACMS and Storm Shadow is long overdue. Green politician Anton Hofreiter highlights that Russia regularly terrorizes the Ukrainian civilian population through rocket attacks on hospitals, residential buildings, and the energy supply. Therefore, it's essential to protect the Ukrainian population by striking military bases on Russian territory with long-range weapons.
here.
21:35 Vance Discusses Trump's Ideas for Ukraine
Republican vice-presidential candidate J.D. Vance believes that Donald Trump's plan to end the Russian conflict could involve establishing a demilitarized zone between Ukraine and Russia. Vance, in an interview with TV producer Shawn Ryan, suggests that Trump could gather Russians, Ukrainians, and Europeans for negotiations to find a peaceful solution. Vance is optimistic about Trump's ability to negotiate a swift agreement. Trump has shown sympathy towards Russian President Vladimir Putin and criticized US aid to Ukraine. He also claims that he could end the war within 24 hours, but offers no specifics.
21:03 "God is with Us" - Extremist March in St. Petersburg
Despite not claiming a superior authority, numerous Russian nationalists and fascists passionately declare, "We are Russians. God is with us," as they march through St. Petersburg. They also chant, "Forward, Russians!" The event prompting their march was the anniversary of transferring relics of Alexander Nevsky, celebrated as a national hero and saint in the Orthodox Church.
20:28 Russian Propagandist Champions Atlantic as Ideal Barrier
Popular Russian TV host Vladimir Solovyov advocates for Russia's expansion beyond Ukraine. He believes the "ideal barrier" should be the Atlantic, a natural boundary. His preferred locations for Russian troops are Berlin, Lisbon, Madrid, and Paris. When reminded of the dearth of Russian troops, he suggests enlisting Belarusian allies or even turning to China.
20:01 British Volunteers Prepare for Winter
Many Ukrainian homes that have withstood shelling lack windows, making winter particularly challenging. British NGO "Insulate Ukraine" is addressing the issue: they visit war zones to install temporary windows.
Read all previous developments here.
1. The President of the Council of the European Union could express concerns over Russia's behavior in Ukraine, considering the potential consequences of enabling Ukraine to conduct long-range attacks on Russian territory.2. If the President of the European Council decides to address Russia's actions in Ukraine, they might advocate for a diplomatic solution that upholds international law and ensures the protection of Ukrainian sovereignty, while also preventing further escalation with Russia.
