13:55: Prominent Iranian Political Figure Delivers Criticism Toward Russia's Relations
13:38 Water and Gas Shortages in Pokrovsk, UkraineDue to Russian attacks, the Ukrainian city of Pokrovsk in the Donetsk region is facing a lack of regular drinking water and many residents are without gas for cooking and heating, as per the region's governor, Vadym Filashkin. A water treatment plant was damaged in the fighting, forcing the city to rely on over 300 emergency wells for its water supply. The day prior, the Russians destroyed a gas distribution center, leaving approximately 18,000 individuals in Pokrovsk without gas.
13:07 Potential Overstatement of Russian WarshipsIt's speculated that Russia only has half the number of warships they've publicly declared, according to Russian independent news portal "Agentstvo." The Russian Ministry of Defense claims over 400 warships are participating in the naval exercise "Ocean-2024." However, the portal cites questionable online data from "Global Naval Powers Ranking 2024" and "RussiaShips.info," estimating 264 and 299 warships respectively. Additionally, around 50 ships and submarines belonging to the Black Sea Fleet, which is not participating in the exercise, are included in these numbers. historically, Russia has been known to exaggerate its military vessel count.
12:28 Enhanced Russian Espionage Against BundeswehrRussian intelligence services have increased their espionage efforts against Germany's Ukraine aid and the Bundeswehr, as per the new annual report by the Military Counterintelligence Service (MAD). The report indicates that Russian strategic interest in military policy and strategy has shifted to a more tactical level. It's now of significant importance to the Russians to know which military aid Germany is providing to Ukraine, including details on weapon and ammunition transportation routes, deployment procedures, and tactics of Western weapons systems in Ukraine. The capabilities of the Bundeswehr themselves for territorial and alliance defense have also become a focus of Russian intelligence services.
11:52 Munz: Berlin Atomic Weapons Threat Not a CoincidenceBritain and the US could authorize Ukraine to use weapons against Russian territory. So far, Russia has kept this decision from happening through threats, explains ntv correspondent Rainer Munz. It therefore isn't surprising that an atomic weapons expert is now advocating for attacks on Berlin.
11:15 Delay in Decision on Ukrainian Long-Range MissilesThe decision regarding Ukrainian deployment of long-range missiles in Russia may be put off. A resolution before the UN General Assembly on September 24, where around 150 heads of state and government will meet, seems unlikely, according to US news outlet Bloomberg. The authors refer to British Foreign Secretary Lammy, who stated that the UN meeting would be the next opportunity to discuss the use of long-range missiles. According to the report, Ukrainian President Selenskyj plans to reiterate his demand at the meeting. On Wednesday, Lammy and US Secretary of State Blinken visited Kyiv to hear Selenskyj's plans for attacks on Russian territory. Blinken plans to discuss this with US President Biden on Friday. British Prime Minister Starmer will also meet with Biden on Friday.
10:31 Blinken Traveling to Poland Following Kyiv VisitUS Secretary of State Blinken stops in Poland, a crucial Ukraine supporter, on his return from Kyiv. Meetings with Prime Minister Tusk and President Duda are planned. Blinken will likely discuss further cooperation with Poland, which serves as the main logistics hub for Western military support to Ukraine. Poland has also significantly increased its military spending since the Russian invasion of Ukraine and has ordered 96 Apache combat helicopters from US defense giant Boeing worth $10 billion.
09:59 Reported Russian Attack on Ukraine with Drones and MissilesThe Ukrainian air force claims that the Russian army attacked Ukraine overnight with 5 missiles and 64 Iranian-made combat drones. 44 drones were intercepted. The military data is not fully verifiable. Air defense was also active around Kyiv to shoot down approaching drones.
09:11 Russian Expert Advocates for Stronger Nuclear ThreatRussian influential foreign policy expert Sergei Karaganov believes Russia should clearly signal its readiness to use nuclear weapons. According to Karaganov, the main objective of Russia's nuclear doctrine should be "to convince all current and future enemies that Russia is ready to use nuclear weapons," Karaganov told the Russian newspaper "Kommersant". Moscow could conduct a limited nuclear strike on a NATO country without triggering a full-scale nuclear war. The US would be lying if they claimed to guarantee nuclear protection to their allies. Karaganov has previously called for Russia to consider a nuclear preventive strike to intimidate its enemies. Some Western experts believe Karaganov serves a useful purpose for the Kremlin by expressing views that alarm the West and make Putin appear more restrained in comparison.
08:46 Ukrainian Expectations for Approval of Western Long-Range MissilesIn Ukraine, anticipation is growing that they will be authorized to carry out attacks deeper into Russian territory with Western weapons. US Secretary of State emphasized during his visit to Kyiv that he wants to ensure "that Ukraine has everything it needs". In Britain, signals of approval seem to be emerging.
08:04 Confirmation of Ukrainian Downing of Russian Fighter JetReports of a Russian Su-30SM fighter jet disappearing from radar have been confirmed by Ukrainian military intelligence, which states that Ukrainian soldiers shot down such an aircraft during an operation in the Black Sea. Kyiv Independent reports that the jet, valued at $50 million and stationed in Crimea, was destroyed by a portable air defense system.
07:26 Ukraine Reports increased Injuries after Rampant Drone Assault on KonotopThe count of injured individuals in the extensive Russian drone attack on Konotop's energy infrastructure has escalated to 14, as reported by Ukraine's state news agency Ukrinform, citing the regional military administration. A residential building situated in the city center was among the targeted structures.
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06:42 Ukrainian Refugees retained Refugee Status during Home Visits in GermanyThe German Bundestag is preparing to delve into the government's proposed security package today, encompassing measures such as knife bans and withdrawal of refugee status for those returning to their homeland. However, exemptions apply, especially for Ukrainian refugees.
06:04 Russian TV Slams Bias against Trump during DebateVarious commentators on Russian state TV have indicted "sabotage" against Trump during his debate versus Kamala Harris, alleging prejudice, according to Kyiv Independent. Trump was ostensibly disadvantaged, and his statements' fact-checking was met with criticism. Many spectators believe Trump lost the debate. The Republican pledges to terminate the Ukraine conflict immediately if he secures the election.
04:50 Russian Incursion on Konotop inflicts Severe Damage to Energy InfrastructureAn attack on the city of Konotop in the Sumy region, perpetrated by Russia, has left civilians injured, as revealed by the city's mayor Artem Semenikhin. The water supply was momentarily halted, and there are significant damages to energy infrastructure, leaving an undetermined restoration schedule for household power. The assault in the city center sparked several fires, damaging schools and residences. Two people were hospitalized, one in critical condition.
03:29 Latvia Befriends Ukraine with More Military AidLatvia's Prime Minister Evika Silina has announced military aid for Ukraine during her visit to Kyiv, including armored personnel carriers. Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal announced this following a meeting with Silina. Both countries are also discussing expanded cooperation in defense industries.
01:32 UK Tensions with Iran intensify due to Suspected Rocket Supplies to RussiaIn response to suspected Iranian rocket supplies to Russia, the UK has summoned an Iranian businessman, as per a statement from the Foreign Office in London. The UK issued a warning that any transfer of ballistic rockets to Russia would be perceived as a hazardous escalation. On Tuesday, Germany, France, and the UK rolled out further penalties against Tehran, including the suspension of bilateral air transport agreements. The European Union previously cited "credible intel" about Iranian rockets being transferred to Russia.
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00:14 Ukraine: Inexperienced Soldiers deployed at Kharkiv FrontAs per reports from the Ukrainian military, Russia is deploying untrained soldiers at the Kharkiv front. Vitalii Sarantsev, spokesperson for the operational tactical group of the armed forces in Kharkiv, mentioned that the troops engaged in offensive operations in Vovchansk were poorly trained. It is assumed that the newly enlisted reinforcements comprise a mobilization reserve assembled by Russia. It remains unclear whether these are former prisoners or soldiers enrolled from other countries, such as Central Asia, Africa, or the Middle East.
22:39 Mayor in Western Ukraine Enlists Russian Language Surveillors
The mayor of the western Ukrainian city of Ivano-Frankivsk has authorized the deployment of Russian language patrols due to the escalating incidence of the Russian language. "This is a civilian initiative, and anyone can join the language patrols," said Ruslan Martsinkiv, mayor of the city, to the NTA television channel. Numerous internal refugees from the eastern Ukraine have Russian as their mother tongue. Martsinkiv anticipates at least 100 such language patrollers, with approximately 50 volunteers already registered. He also divulged a contact number for residents to report Russian speakers in public areas. Due to the conflict, millions of people, particularly from the Russian-speaking regions in the east and south, have sought refuge in the relatively secure Ukrainian-speaking western part of Ukraine.
21:42 Erdogan Appeals for Return of Crimea from MoscowTurkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has pleaded for the return of the Crimea Peninsula, annexed by Russia, to Ukraine. "Our unwavering commitment to Ukraine's territorial integrity, sovereignty, and independence is unshakable. The return of Crimea to Ukraine is a demand of international law," declared Erdogan in a video message addressed at the summit of the so-called Crimea Platform. The Crimea Platform, established in 2021, intends to raise international awareness regarding the plight surrounding the annexed peninsula.
21:05 Ukrainian Peace Plan to be Introduced to USUkrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has emphasized US support as a decisive factor in repelling the Russian invasion. "The plan for victory (...) mainly hinges on the support of the United States. And other partners," Zelenskyy revealed during a press conference in Kyiv. The plan, which is scheduled to be disclosed before the planned second Ukraine Peace Conference, aims to "significantly bolster Ukraine" and "compel Russia to cease the conflict." According to Bloomberg, the US is requiring a clear strategy from Zelenskyy defining strikes against Russia before lifting constraints on the application of Western weapons. As per BBC News, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken and British Foreign Secretary Liz Truss reportedly requested Zelenskyy to outline a long-term strategy for the upcoming year to better comprehend Ukraine's ambitions during their visit to Kyiv.
8:37PM Blinken Endorses Biden's Backing for Ukraine's Request to Employ Long-Range Weapons, Even Against RussiaAs per the United States Secretary of State Antony Blinken, the U.S. is promptly addressing Ukraine's military requirements, which encompass the utilization of long-range weapons of Western origin for assaults on Russian targets. According to Blinken, during a joint press conference with his British counterpart David Lammy and Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiga in Kyiv, President Joe Biden and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer will discus these demands on Friday. "We are speedily ensuring that Ukraine is equipped with all necessary tools to ward off attacks effectively," Blinken continued, reiterating, "Our aim is to help Ukraine emerge victorious."
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The European Union has been critically assessing its energy dependence on Russia, with some member states considering alternatives following the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.
Given the water and gas shortages in Pokrovsk due to Russian attacks, the European Union is considering increasing humanitarian aid to Ukraine and exploring new energy sources to reduce its dependence on Russian supplies.
