15:30 Eastern Politicians in Ukraine's Appeal Face Backlash: "Integrity is Being Sacrificed to Preserve Power at the Rough Table"
16:15 Autopsy reveals possible reason behind "spy whale" demise in Norway
Despite claims from animal rights advocates, the so-called "spy whale" in Norway likely wasn't harmed by gunfire. A thorough examination of the beluga whale revealed that bacterial infection was most likely the cause of its death. The infection might have stemmed from a mouth injury, according to police, referencing the autopsy report. Norwegian Veterinary Institute and police investigators concluded that the whale had superficial skin wounds, which weren't gunshot wounds. No bullets or metal debris were discovered. The whale was first spotted in Norway in 2019 with a harness carrying a camera labeled "Equipment of St. Petersburg", leading to rumors of it being a Russian secret agent or therapy whale. In late August 2024, the whale was found lifeless in a Norwegian fjord. Two animal welfare organizations, speculating on the nature of the wounds, believed the whale may have been shot and filed a complaint.
14:33 Repeated drone assaults: Kyiv reports damage
Ukrainian military reports frequent drone attacks throughout the previous night. Critical infrastructure was the focus of the attack, according to Ukrainian forces. They claim to have shot down nine out of 19 drones and jammed seven more. No information about the remaining three drones is provided. Kiev Mayor Vitali Klitschko announced damages to a residential building in the capital. Quick response by firefighters put out the fire. In the Kherson region's southern part, the local governor reported various infrastructure attacks, supply centers, and 35 personal households. One fatality and four injuries were reported.
15:05 CDU leader Friedrich Merz criticizes East politicians' push for stronger diplomatic efforts in Russia-Ukraine conflict
Merz, CDU head, criticized Eastern politicians who advocate for more diplomatic efforts to end the conflict between Russia and Ukraine. "Ukraine is in a life-threatening situation. To continue supporting it is in our own benefit. Peace negotiations will only take place when both sides are prepared," Merz spoke to the Süddeutsche Zeitung. Michael Roth, Foreign Affairs Committee chair in the Bundestag, also criticized the approach. "If the East politicians' letter intended to ease coalition negotiations with the BSW, I advise caution," Roth said, referring to the alliance between Sahra Wagenknecht and recent state elections. FDP MEP Marie-Agnes Strack-Zimmermann told the Rheinische Post, "It seems like our country's liberal values are being compromised for a bit of power preservation and election campaigning." The heads of Saxony and Brandenburg, Michael Kretschmer (CDU) and Dietmar Woidke (SPD), along with Thuringian CDU chief Mario Voigt, had written a guest article in the Frankfurter Allgemeinen Zeitung, advocating for a ceasefire in Ukraine and urging the federal government to involve Russia in talks.
14:04 Kremlin: "Kyiv is playing with fire"
Kremlin spokesperson Dmitri Peskov stated, "Kyiv continues to play with fire, which we will naturally draw the attention of the IAEA to," according to Reuters. He was referring to the International Atomic Energy Organization, the UN's nuclear oversight body. Russian troops claimed that they had intercepted a Ukrainian drone near the Kursk nuclear power plant on Thursday, and some media outlets reported that a fire had occurred several miles away. The Ukrainian Foreign Ministry spokesperson, Heorhiy Tykhyi, had earlier denied Ukrainian involvement in firing near the plant.
13:46 France sends twelve Caesar howitzers to Ukraine
The Franco-German defense company KNDS sealed a contract for 12 Caesar howitzers, funded by Ukraine, as per French Defense Minister Sébastien Lecornu on the X platform. Caesar stands for "Camion équipé d'un système d'artillerie), representing a self-propelled artillery system capable of hitting targets up to 55 kilometers away. "Boosting our defense industry's production capacity helps in supporting Ukraine," Lecornu said. France has previously provided Caesar howitzers to Ukraine on several occasions.
13:11 Ukraine: Attack demolishes FSB headquarters in Novosibirsk
An arson attack occurred on September 3 at the FSB's headquarters in Novosibirsk, Russia. A clip from Ukrainian military intelligence supposedly shows a man igniting the fire and getting engulfed in flames. Russian media confirm the incident.
12:34 Russia: Nuclear Power Plant Worker Eliminated by Car ExplosionA prominent figure at the Russian-controlled Ukrainian nuclear power plant, Zaporizhzhia, has been eliminated in a car bombing incident. The Ukrainian intelligence service posts a video showing the detonation of a car and reveals that the "head of security" of the nuclear power plant, Andriy Korotky, has been eliminated. Korotky was characterized as a "war criminal," having willingly collaborated with the Russian occupiers, according to the intelligence service. He denounced pro-Ukrainian employees of the nuclear power plant. The pro-Russian administration of the nuclear power plant confirms Korotky's death and attributes it to a "terrorist attack ordered by Kyiv." The nuclear power plant's director, Yuri Chernichuk, condemns the "reckless" attack, calling for retribution. According to Russia's Investigative Committee, an explosive device was planted beneath Korotky's car at his residence, detonating as he departed.
11:29 Ukraine: Over 177 Ukrainian POWs Have Perished in Russian Captivity Since InvasionSince the initiation of Russia's invasion of Ukraine, at least 177 Ukrainian prisoners of war have met their end in Russian captivity, as reported by Victoria Tsymbaliuk from the Ukrainian coordinating center for POWs at "The Kyiv Independent." Tsymbaliuk suggests that the actual number of casualties in Russian captivity could be considerably higher due to the absence of international monitoring. "Not all remains are returned, and many bodies go unacknowledged as captives by Russia," she adds. Numerous accounts of tortured or murdered Ukrainian POWs in Russian captivity have surfaced. In September, the Prosecutor General's Office launched investigations into the execution of 84 Ukrainian POWs.
11:00 Ukraine: Russians Assault Kirovohrad Region with DronesRussian forces have assaulted the Kirovohrad region in central Ukraine with drones, as per the leader of the regional military administration, Andriy Raykovych, via his Telegram channel. A company administrative building in Holovaniwsk sustained damage during the drone attack, injuring one individual.
10:27 Insurer UNIQA Exits Russia for GoodThe Austrian insurance corporation, UNIQA, has finalized the sale of its Russian subsidiary to Russian Renaissance Life. The transaction price was undisclosed. UNIQA had announced more than a year ago its intention to sell the joint insurance venture with Raiffeisen Bank International (RBI) to Russian Renaissance Life. "With the completion of the transaction, we have finally departed the Russian market," says UNIQA board member Wolfgang Kindl.
09:55 Flames Rage in Two Russian Fuel Storage FacilitiesFires erupted in two Russian fuel storage depots earlier tonight. In the Voronezh region (see entry 05:10), Governor Alexander Gusev attributes the blaze to a Ukrainian drone strike, posting on Telegram that remnants of an intercepted combat drone descended into the depot and ignited an empty tank. Footage of the alleged drone strike circulated on social media, but the severity of the fire couldn't be ascertained from the footage. In a Russian village near Perm in the Ural Mountains, a fuel tank covering an area of 10,000 square meters is likewise ablaze. Russian emergency services reported this. Although Ukrainian drones now have the capability to cover such distances, the emergency services did not specifically mention a drone strike. The village is located approximately 1,700 kilometers away from Ukraine.
09:30 Julia Navalnaya Deems Negotiations with Putin UnneededJulia Navalnaya has expressed her belief that talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin are unnecessary. "There's no need to engage him (...). We must confront him so that someday justice will prevail," says the widow of Kremlin critic Alexey Navalny before the French Constitutional Council in Paris. "The West doesn't grasp that Putin doesn't await anyone to negotiate with him. (...) He is completely indifferent to this," she added. She emphasized the importance "not to yield and not to be fearful of this regime." She was added to a list of "terrorists and extremists" in Russia in July. Just before that, a Russian court had issued an arrest warrant against her for "association with an extremist organization." She was listed as a fugitive for evading preliminary investigations.
08:09 Ukraine Reports 82 Russian Assaults on Sumy RegionOver the past 24 hours, Russian forces have launched attacks on the Sumy region in northeastern Ukraine a staggering 82 times, as per the Telegram channel of the regional military administration. Regrettably, eight individuals sustained injuries during these assaults. The Russian military is claimed to have utilized mortars, artillery, rocket launchers, guided bombs, and drones in these attacks. According to the military administration, over ten communities in Sumy were impacted, including Mykolajiw, Chotyn, Junakiwka, Myropillja, Bilopillja, Richkyvka, Krasnopillja, Velika Pysarivka, Nova Sloboda, Hluchiw, Shalyhyne, Esman, and Seredyna-Buda. The Sumy region shares borders with the Russian regions of Bryansk, Kursk, and Belgorod.
07:33 Ukraine Establishes First Recruitment Center in PolandThe Ukrainian military has inaugurated its first overseas recruitment center in the Polish city of Lublin, as reported by the Ukrainian Ministry of Defense. Known as the "Ukrainian Legion" office, this center represents the inaugural foreign recruitment center for the Ukrainian military. The establishment of a "Ukrainian Legion" in Poland was part of a security agreement signed between Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk in July. With the Russian invasion, Poland has taken in nearly a million individuals from Ukraine. As per Ukrainian government estimates, around 300,000 individuals of fighting age from Ukraine reside in Poland. Polish Defense Minister Wladyslaw Kosiniak-Kamysz informed the portal "Wirtualna Polska" that Poland is not responsible for the recruitment of Ukrainian volunteers, but merely for their military training. "The number of Ukrainians who have enrolled is too small," said Kosiniak-Kamysz. The Ukrainian Ministry of Defense has reportedly received almost 200 applications to date.
06:52 ISW: Russian Resources Scarce for Eastern Ukraine OffensiveThe Russian armed forces lack the required personnel and material resources to maintain intensified offensive efforts indefinitely, as stated in a report by the Institute for the Study of War (ISW). The Russian summer offensive, meticulously orchestrated by the Russian military leadership, had been in the making for months. However, the stocks and resources amassed for this purpose might have been severely depleted by the prolonged skirmishes of the recent past, according to ISW. As assessed by Ukrainian officials and ISW, the ongoing Russian offensive in eastern Ukraine is expected to reach its peak in the coming months, if not weeks.
06:12 Zelensky: "Strengthen the Front Line"Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky hailed the recent visit of the new NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte to Kyiv as "significant." "Now it's about converting this priority into action," Zelensky said in his evening video address. Emphasizing the necessity of implementing all agreements with Ukraine's partners regarding supporting the defense of his country, Zelensky called for the fortification of the front line. He also demanded authorization from allies to strike military targets on Russian territory with long-range weapons. "Everyone in the alliance is aware of the need," said the president. Zelensky also pointed to air defense as another priority.
05:35 Ukraine Seeks Foreign Investors for Defense IndustryThe Ukrainian Ministry of Defense is actively seeking foreign investors for its defense industry. A private arms exhibition was arranged for potential foreign investors at an undisclosed location in Ukraine, as reported by the agency Ukrinform. Ukrainian Deputy Minister Dmytro Klimenkov showcased a collection of Ukrainian weapons, including an anti-tank missile system, a self-propelled artillery system, kamikaze vehicles, and mine-clearing vehicles. "We possess unique inventions that have already been battle-tested and refined by developers to a certain standard," he stated. According to Ukrinform, the Ukrainian Ministry of Defense has already invested $4 billion (€3.6 billion) in the defense industry and aims to attract additional international investments.
05:10 Moscow: Downed Drone Ignites Empty Oil TankRussian air defense reportedly shot down several Ukrainian drones overnight in the Voronezh border region, according to official reports. One of these drones landed on the premises of an oil depot, causing an empty tank to burst into flames, as announced by Governor Alexander Gusev via Telegram. Initial reports suggest no injuries. The account cannot be independently verified. Voronezh has been targeted by Ukrainian drone strikes on several occasions in recent days.
02:51 Kyiv Reinforces Eastern DefenseUkrainian Armed Forces Commander General Oleksandr Syrsky has ordered the reinforcement of defensive installations in the eastern region of Donetsk. Russian forces are reportedly advancing in various sectors across eastern Ukraine. Syrsky announced on social media that he is working alongside the 25th Sicheslav Airborne Brigade at "one of the most strategic front lines."
22:22 Tourism in Latvia Affected by WarThe conflict in Ukraine is also impacting tourism in Latvia, as reported by the Latvian newspaper "Diena" today. Businesses catering to tourism have adapted to the absence of Russian tourists, while potential visitors from other countries also perceive the Baltics as a risky region situated near military conflicts.
21:40 Switzerland Commits 1.5 Billion Swiss Francs to Ukraine's Reconstruction) Switzerland will doled out CHF 1.5 billion (approx. €1.54 billion) for reconstruction projects in Ukraine over the next four years, as announced by Swiss Ambassador Felix Baumann. One billion francs will be assigned to Ukrainian self-governance sectors, mine clearance, and humanitarian aid. The remaining amount will be channeled towards reconstruction programs involving the Swiss private sector, as per the Ukrainian Ministry of Communities and Territories Development. "To underscore our commitment, our envoy will be stationed here and will oversee this project's execution," Baumann stated during a meeting with Minister Oleksiy Kuleba. Kuleba also highlighted the construction of housing for Ukraine's over 4.5 million internally displaced persons as a top priority for collaboration with Switzerland.
20:39 Ukraine Receives Patriot Air Defense System from Romania) Ukraine has acquired a Patriot air defense system from Romanian authorities, confirmed spokesperson Constantin Spinu of the Romanian Ministry of Defense to Radio Free Europe. "I express my gratitude to every nation contributing to our air defense. My deepest appreciation goes to Romania for their Patriot systems. Together, we can amplify our effectiveness - we can thwart Russian aggression by jointly decimating Shahed drones and missiles," stated President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in his Wednesday evening address. After initial reservations, Romanian officials decided in June to donate one of their Patriots. The Romanian administration issued the delivery orders last month.
19:57 Forbes: Gazprom Becomes Russia's Most Financially Unviable Company) Russian conglomerate Public Joint Stock Company Gazprom suffered its first net loss in a quarter-century in 2023, totaling an unprecedented €5.5 billion, according to business publication Forbes. The Amur Gas and Chemicals Complex, a joint venture between Russian Sibur Holding and Chinese Sinopec, ranks second in the Russian Forbes list of the most financially unstable companies. Also among the top five financially faltering Russian companies are Ozon (€408 million net loss), United Aircraft Corporation (€326 million net loss), and social network VK (€326 million net loss).
Review all previous happenings.
The autopsy report on the "spy whale" revealed that The President of the Council of Norwegian Veterinary Institute and police investigators found superficial skin wounds on the whale, which were not gunshot wounds. The President of the Council also confirmed that no bullets or metal debris were discovered, debunking claims of gunfire harming the whale.
