13:25: Two Pass Away, Multiple Wounded from Russian Assaults
Two individuals perished as a result of Russian strikes across the previous day, while 22 more individuals sustained injuries in Donetsk, Kharkiv, Kherson, and Dnipro. A bus was also targeted in Nikopol, resulting in four injured individuals after sustaining drone damage and setting the vehicle ablaze.
In an official statement by German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, he responded to the favorable sentiment displayed by Russian President Vladimir Putin towards the far-right nationalist party, Alternative für Deutschland (AfD). "It's genuinely embarrassing for you to receive such glowing praise from the Russian president today," Scholz said. Previously, the AfD members had interrupted his statement. "You've worked hard to deserve that, and the citizens will make their evaluations." While speaking to foreign journalists, Putin voiced Russia's cooperation intentions with the AfD. "We will work with everyone who wants to collaborate with Russia," he stated. "We see no indications of neo-Nazism within the actions of the AfD."
NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg called for the deliverance of uninterrupted military assistance to Ukraine. "There can't be any more delays or shortfalls in supplying military support to Ukraine," he remarked during a conference alongside Finnish President Alexander Stubb in Helsinki. The attacked nation necessitates dependability and regularity in its NATO allies.
Ukraine requested a boost in training positions for its F-16 fighter jet pilots. The country is desiring a larger capacity for its pilots to accommodate the impending jet transfers. "We currently have 30 pilots who can start their training in the United States immediately," representatives from Ukraine conveyed. However, the US claimed that only twelve positions were available in their training program situated at Arizona. Similar complications with training placements were reported from Denmark and Romania.
The Institute for the Study of War (ISW) reported the commencement of Ukrainian counterattacks in the vicinity of Vovchansk, a city adjacent to the Russian-Ukrainian border. Per Ukrainian General Staff Chief Oleksandr Syrskyi, the Ukrainian forces are striving to inflict maximum losses on the invading Russian troops, prevent gains, and gradually retake territory. Russian military bloggers asserted that these attempts intensified around Vovchansk on Wednesday.
The Ukrainian Military Intelligence (HUR) allegedly obliterated a Russian ship in the Black Sea. HUR spokesperson Andriy Yusov shared this news with "Kyiv Independent," stating, "Another hostile vessel was destroyed last night in the Black Sea. The special operation by the Main Intelligence Directorate (HUR) succeeded in achieving 'minus one' enemy ship."
Acclaimed Ukrainian writer and recipient of the Peace Prize of the German Book Trade, Serhiy Zhadan, joined the Ukrainian armed forces. "I have enlisted in the 13th Brigade of the National Guard of Ukraine, Chartia. I am participating in the training. I'm fighting for Ukraine," he posted online. In addition, he published an image of himself in camouflage with an automatic weapon.
Chancellor Olaf Scholz underlined that Ukraine is permitted to use the bestowed weapons for offensive operations against Russian positions within the Russian borders in order to protect itself from attacks orchestrated from these locations. "Ukraine has the right to defend itself from such attacks on its territories, cities, and citizens," he reiterated. "Any assaults, like the ones in the Kharkiv region, can be countered with the weapons provided by us and our allies as long as they comply with global legal mandates. We have assessed the potential risks."
08:56 Russia Reports Shooting Down 13 Ukrainian Drones: The Russian Defense Ministry reports that it has shot down 13 Ukrainian drones over the annexed Crimean Peninsula. They also claim to have destroyed another six objects over the Belgorod region and an anti-ship missile over the Rostov region. However, these claims cannot be independently verified. Ukraine has also claimed that it has destroyed Russian drones (see entry at 06:54).
08:23 Ukraine: Russian Casualties Reach 515,000 Soldiers: Ukraine says that the Russian invaders have lost 515,000 soldiers during their attack on Ukraine. In the last 24 hours, Russian losses increased by 1,300 soldiers, according to the Ukrainian General Staff. Additionally, 22 tanks and 48 artillery systems were destroyed, along with an anti-aircraft system and 40 armored personnel carriers. These figures cannot be independently verified.
07:55 Ukrainian Drone Attack on Russian Refinery: According to Russian reports, work at a refinery in southern Russia has been disrupted following a Ukrainian drone attack. A fire broke out at the refinery in Novoshakhtinsk, causing production to be halted but no casualties reported. The refinery in Novoshakhtinsk is considered one of the most important oil refineries in southern Russia and is often targeted by Ukrainian attacks.
07:22 KNDS: Replacing Parts for Ukraine: The head of defense company KNDS, Ralf Ketzel, says it was not foreseeable that the repair work in Ukraine would take years. Only about 10% of the repairs are done by them, while the rest of the repairs are done at the front. He says that it is not easy to obtain spare parts for heavy military equipment. Ketzel also comments that if the government wants to become battle-ready, this issue should be considered.
06:54 Ukraine Shoots Down 17 Russian Combat Drones: Ukrainian defenders have repelled a Russian drone attack, shooting down 17 out of 18 Shahed drones over the regions of Mykolaiv, Kherson, Zaporizhzhia, and Khmelnytskyi. The regions of Dnipro were also attacked with two Iskander missiles, but their fate is unknown as the Ukrainian army has not confirmed whether they were shot down.
06:25 Russia Threatens Deployment of Long-Range Missiles: Putin warns that if Ukraine allows the use of long-range weapons on Russian territory, Russia will deploy high-tech long-range missiles near the countries that allow Ukraine to use such weapons. He mentions specific American ATACMS, as well as British and French missile systems. The Russian president suggests these missiles could be stationed near those neighboring countries.
05:52 KNDS Unable to Quickly Provide Material to Ukraine: The managing director of the German weapons manufacturer KNDS, Ralf Ketzel, believes that his company is unable to provide Ukraine with more material quickly. "The ability to deliver quickly has now been exhausted," he says. If the government had realized earlier that this would be a long war, they could have made a strategic decision and delivered more material at present.
04:22 Russia Plans to Expand Relations with the Taliban: President Putin advocates expanding Russia's relations with the Taliban, who are currently in power in Afghanistan. Russia considers it important to face reality. Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov had previously announced Moscow's plan to remove the Taliban from the list of banned terrorist organizations, where they have been listed since 2003.
03:32 Nawalny's Widow: "Free Speech will Overcome the Propaganda Poison": Julia Nawalnaja and the foundation of the late Russian opposition leader Alexei Nawalny were awarded the Freedom Prize by the German broadcaster Deutsche Welle. Nawalnaja has confirmed that she and the foundation will continue the work of her husband, who died under mysterious circumstances in a Siberian prison. She warns that Putin murdered her husband, but his ideas will not be silenced. Nawalnaja also cautions Europeans against falling for Russian disinformation and false experts in the run-up to the European elections.
02:44 Russia Reports Fire at Oil Refinery: A fire has broken out at a Russian refinery, according to Russian reports. The refinery in Novoshakhtinsk, considered one of the most important oil refineries in southern Russia, was attacked by Ukrainian drones. The production at the plant was halted, but there are no casualties.
According to Russian news sources, a blaze has erupted at an oil complex in the Russian town of Novoshakhtinsk. Prior to this, several explosions had taken place. The governor of the region bordering Ukraine, Rostov, shares information about a drone attack, and emergency services are currently at the scene. Previously, this oil refinery experienced a Ukrainian drone strike in March.
01:24: US Expects Russian Military Activities in the Caribbean
The USA anticipates that Russia will participate in military exercises in the Caribbean. According to a US government spokesperson, they expect Russia to engage in more extensive naval and air force practices near the US this summer. These activities would be viewed as part of routine naval operations and would not present a direct threat to the US. It's about Russia showcasing its capacity to wield global power. However, the US Navy will keep an eye on these exercises.
00:04: Putin Supports Russian Coordination with AfD
Russian President Putin defends interactions between Russian officials and AfD politicians. "We will communicate with anyone who wishes to connect with Russia," Putin says during a meeting with representatives from prominent international news agencies in St. Petersburg. "We see no indications of neo-Nazism in the actions of the AfD," remarks the Kremlin chief regarding the party, which is seen as a right-wing extremist group in certain areas. There are no "formalized ties" with the German opposition group. But if someone advocates for cordial relationships with Russia, Moscow will render its support.
23:29: Putin: Russian Incursion into NATO Territory is "Nonsense"
Kremlin head Putin dismisses the fear of a Russian incursion into NATO territory as "nonsense." "Have you genuinely gone nuts? Are you as ignorant as this table? Who came up with the notion that Russia wants to attack NATO? It's nonsense, get it?" Putin remarked. He also debunked the allegation that he threatened with "some form of atomic weapon." "Did I suggest using nuclear weapons? You did."
22:20: Putin: Ready for Probing into Killed AFP Journalist Arman Soldin
Russian President Vladimir Putin is prepared to explore the circumstances surrounding the death of AFP journalist Arman Soldin. "We will do whatever we can," Putin stated at a gathering with journalists from international news organizations in St. Petersburg (refer to entry 21:25, 20:58, and 20:18). "We are prepared to get involved. However, I'm unaware of how it will play out in practice, as he perished in a war zone." The Kremlin previously announced that Russia could not probe Soldin's demise as he was situated in an area controlled by Ukraine. The video journalist Soldin was fatally struck by a rocket attack near the contested Ukrainian city of Bachmut on May 9, 2023. At the time, he was reporting on Ukrainian soldiers close to the front.
21:51 Lavrov Seeks Fresh Partners in Africa
As per Russian news media, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov declared, during his visit to Burkina Faso, that Moscow would deliver extra military equipment and trainers to Burkina Faso in order to strengthen the country's defense potential. Since the Russian invasion of Ukraine, Lavrov has visited Africa 9 times. This trip is part of a broader diplomatic campaign by the Kremlin: Russia is attempting to forge new connections. "Ever since our first encounters between our countries," quoted the Russian news agency TASS Lavrov, "Russia and Burkina Faso have collaborated closely in all fields, including the growth of military and military-technical relations." Russian gains a partner for military aid who does not support the war but also does not condemn it.
21:25 Putin Anticipates No Significant Shift in US Policy Towards Russia Post-Election
Russian President Vladimir Putin anticipates no profound shift in Washington's strategy towards Russia following the US presidential election. "For us, the outcome holds little significance," Putin disclosed at a press conference in St. Petersburg. Russia will work with whomever is chosen by US citizens. Earlier, Putin had indicated that he preferred incumbent Joe Biden's victory since he is more predictable. Putin also judged the legal proceedings against former President Donald Trump, who is challenging Biden on November 5.
20:58 Putin: Over 6,000 Ukrainians Detained in Russian Captivity
Vladimir Putin estimated the number of Ukrainian prisoners of war in the midst of the more than two-year-long invasion in the neighboring country to be more than 6,000. The number is substantially greater than that of Russian troops and officers detained in Ukraine. The Ukrainian authorities possess 1,348 Russians in detention, while Russia has 6,365 prisoners from the neighboring nation. This information could not be validated independently. Putin responded to a query about Russian losses in the war by stating that neither warring party provides precise figures on this. But the numbers are in a similar proportion as with the prisoners. He also claimed that Ukraine has incurred much higher losses than Russia in the war. However, the Ukrainian side asserts that significantly more Russians than their own soldiers lost their lives in the conflict.
20:18 Putin Warns Against German Weapons in Ukraine-Russia Conflict
Russian President Vladimir Putin cautioned against Ukrainian troops using German weapons against targets within Russia. Putin shared this warning during a meeting with representatives from major international news agencies in St. Petersburg. The German's sending of tanks to Ukraine last year left a surprising impact on individuals in Russia. If Ukraine were to now use missiles to attack Russian targets, it would deteriorate Russian-German relations significantly, he added.
This event took place during the 27th St. Petersburg International Economic Forum, held at the Lakhta Center of the gas company Gazprom. This is the first significant international gathering organized by Putin since he initiated the war with Ukraine.
For more details on the situation, check out these resources:https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-61166814
Read also:
- In response to the ongoing Ukraine conflict, Nato has expressed its support for continued military aid to Ukraine, with Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg urging for uninterrupted provision of military assistance.
- Volodymyr Zelensky, the President of Ukraine, has appealed for an increase in training positions for Ukrainian F-16 fighter jet pilots, as the country prepares for the pending transfer of these aircraft.
- The military operations of Russia in Ukraine have escalated, resulting in multiple casualties and damages, including the destruction of a Russian ship in the Black Sea by Ukrainian military intelligence.
- The conflict in Ukraine has prompted international concern, with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz reaffirming Ukraine's right to defend itself, including the use of provided weapons for offensive operations within Russian borders, to protect against attacks orchestrated from these locations.
