15:45 Exclusion of Public from Trial Involving Navalny's Legal Counsel
15:18 Trial of Navalny's Lawyers Closed to Public in Petushki
The judge managing the trial against three law representatives of the late Russian critic of the Kremlin, Alexey Navalny, in Petushki swiftly barred the public from attending. The judge cited a warning from law enforcement about potential disturbances from supporters of Navalny as justification. The three lawyers are being charged for their affiliation with an alleged extremist organization - the Anti-Corruption Foundation, led by Navalny.
15:18 Naval and Air Confrontation in the Black Sea
Sources indicate that Ukraine and Russia are involved in a navy and air skirmish in the Black Sea. Ukraine's military intelligence claims a Russian Su-30 fighter was taken down using a portable air defense system during aquatic operations. However, Kyiv has not provided further details regarding the incident on Wednesday evening. Meanwhile, the Russian Ministry of Defense has reported a failed Ukrainian attack on a Russian drilling platform in the Black Sea through fast watercraft. The attempt resulted in eight out of 14 watercraft being destroyed, with the other vehicles fleeing. There's no mention of losing an aircraft in Moscow, but military blog Rybar reported a Su-30 was shot down during the Ukrainian repulsion.
14:54 Ukrainian Soldiers: "We Can't Bear This War Anymore"
Ukrainian troops must exploit their limited supplies of weaponry effectively. German reporter Kavita Sharma witnessed the struggle firsthand at the battleground: outdated Soviet weapons with limited ammunition and a small collection of superior modern Western weapons.
14:23 Zelensky: Russia Starts Counteroffensive in Kursk
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky declared that Russia has undertaken a counteroffensive in the Russian border region of Kursk. In a press conference in Kyiv, Zelensky emphasized that this response by the Russian army aligns with Ukrainian strategy without providing any additional information. The Russian Ministry of Defense reports on Telegram that Russian operatives have taken control of ten communities in the Kursk region within two days.
13:55 Top Iranian Politician Criticizes Russia Relations
Conservative, high-ranking Iranian political figure Ali Motahari provides uncharacteristic criticism of Tehran's relations with Russia in a post on the X platform. Motahari highlights the new sanctions imposed on Iran by Germany, France, and the UK as a result of its alleged provision of ballistic missiles to Russia. Denying any involvement in this matter, Iran's Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a stern rebuke.
13:38 Pokrovsk City in Ukraine Faces Water and Gas Shortages
Following Russian attacks, the Ukrainian city of Pokrovsk in the Donetsk region has experienced disruptions in its regular water supply and many residents have been left without gas for cooking and heating, as per Governor of the region, Vadym Filashkin. A water treatment plant was severely damaged in recent clashes, and the city now relies on more than 300 emergency drilling wells for drinking water. In addition, a gas distribution center was bombed by the Russians on the previous day, leaving 18,000 people in Pokrovsk without gas.
13:07 Russia Claimed Warship Numbers Exaggerated
Reports suggest that Russia underestimates its own fleet of warships by half, according to independent Russian news outlet "Agentstvo". Online sources such as the "Global Naval Powers Ranking 2024" and "RussiaShips.info" estimate that around 50 warships and submarines, part of the Black Sea Fleet, are currently inactive. This is not the first time Russia has been accused of inflating the size of its military forces.
12:28 Russian Spy Activities Against German Military Intensify
According to Germany's Military Counterintelligence Service (MAD), Russian intelligence services have escalated their espionage against German military aid to Ukraine and the German military itself. The Kremlin is now seeking crucial details regarding the German military's assistance to Ukraine, including the transportation routes and deployment methods, as well as the tactics adopted by Western weapons systems in Ukraine. The ability of the German military to protect its territory and alliances is now under scrutiny.
11:52 Threat of Atomic Weapons Against Berlin Not a Random Incident
With the possibility of allowing Ukraine to employ weapons against Russian territory, Britain and the US, it is not surprising that an atomic weapons expert is now advocating for attacks on Berlin.
11:15 Delay in Decision Regarding Long-Range Missiles for Ukraine
A definitive decision concerning the use of long-range missiles by Ukraine against Russian territory might take longer than anticipated. A decision before the UN General Assembly on September 24 is considered unlikely after reports from US medium Bloomberg. The authors cite British Foreign Secretary Lammy, who expressed that the UN meeting would present the next available opportunity to discuss the use of long-range missiles. According to the report, Ukrainian President Selenskyj plans to reiterate his demand at the meeting. During their visit to Kyiv on Wednesday, Lammy and US Secretary of State Blinken reportedly discussed Selenskyj's intentions to attack Russian territory. Blinken plans to raise this topic with US President Biden on Friday. British Prime Minister Starmer will also engage with Biden on Friday.
10:31 Blinken Stops in Poland After Kyiv VisitSecretary of State Antony Blinken is stopping over in Poland, a strong ally of Ukraine, on his way back from Kyiv. He's due to meet with Prime Minister Tusk and President Duda. Blinken is expected to discuss further collaboration with Poland, which serves as the primary logistics center for Western military aid to Ukraine. Since the Russian invasion of Ukraine, Poland has substantially boosted its military expenditure and ordered 96 Apache attack helicopters from U.S. defense manufacturer Boeing, worth $10 billion.
09:59 Ukraine Reports 5 Russian Missiles and 64 Drone Attacks from IranThe Ukrainian air force alleges that the Russian military attacked Ukraine overnight with 5 missiles and 64 drones of Iranian origin. 44 drones were reportedly intercepted. The military reports cannot be validated in detail. Air defense was also active near Kyiv to intercept approaching drones.
09:11 Russian Expert Advocates for Increased Nuclear DeterrentRussian foreign policy expert Sergei Karaganov advocates for a clearer message from Russia suggesting its readiness to use nuclear weapons. The primary aim of Russia's nuclear policy should be "to convince all current and future adversaries that Russia is prepared to use nuclear weapons," Karaganov told Russian newspaper Kommersant. Karaganov suggests Russia could execute a limited nuclear strike on a NATO nation without triggering all-out nuclear war. The U.S. would be dishonest if they claimed to guarantee nuclear protection for their allies, according to Karaganov, who has previously advocated for a preemptive nuclear strike to deter enemies. Some Western experts argue that Karaganov serves a useful function for the Kremlin by expressing opinions that distress the West, making Putin appear more moderate by comparison.
08:46 Ukraine Ambitions to Use Western Long-Range MissilesThere's growing optimism in Ukraine that they may be given permission to use Western weapons to strike deeper into Russian territory in the future. During his visit to Kyiv, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken emphasized the importance of ensuring "that Ukraine has what it needs". In Britain, signs of approval are already apparent:
08:04 Ukrainian Intelligence Reports Downing of Russian Fighter JetFollowing rumors from the previous day that a Russian Su-30SM fighter jet had gone missing from radar, the Ukrainian military intelligence service now claims that Ukrainian troops shot down such an aircraft during a Black Sea operation. The Kyiv Independent reports this development. The aircraft, estimated to be worth $50 million, was stationed in the Crimean peninsula and was reportedly destroyed by a portable air defense system.
07:26 Konotop Damage Report After Massive Drone AttackThe number of casualties in the massive Russian drone attack overnight on the energy infrastructure of the city of Konotop in the Sumy region has risen to 14, according to the Ukrainian state news agency Ukrinform, citing the local military administration. Among other impacts, a residential building in the city center was reportedly hit.
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06:42 Ukrainian Refugees in Germany Retain Protected Status on Home VisitsThe German Bundestag is set to discuss for the first time today the proposed security package of the German government, which includes withdrawal of asylum status for those who return home. However, exceptions exist, such as for Ukrainian refugees.
06:04 Russian Media Accuses Trump of Disadvantage in TV DebateMultiple commentators on Russian state television have charged "sabotage" against Trump in his TV debate against Kamala Harris, according to the Kyiv Independent. Trump was "disadvantaged," they claimed. The fact-checking of Trump's statements was criticized. Many viewed Trump as having lost the debate. Trump has stated that if he wins the election, he will immediately end the Ukraine conflict.
04:50 Konotop Energy Infrastructure Damage due to Russian AttackA Russian attack on the city of Konotop in the Sumy region has left several civilians injured. According to Mayor Artem Semenikhin, the city's water supply was temporarily cut off. There is also damage to the energy infrastructure, and it is undetermined when residential areas will have power restored. After the attack in the city center, several fires broke out, and school and residential buildings were damaged. Two individuals were hospitalized, one of them in critical condition.
03:29 More Military Aid from Latvia to UkraineLatvian Prime Minister Evika Siliņa announced a support package for Ukraine during her visit to Kyiv. It will include armored personnel carriers. Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal reported this after the meeting with Siliņa. Apart from defense industry collaboration discussions, both nations are also considering expanding defense cooperation.
01:32 UK Summons Iranian Businessman Over Alleged Rocket Deliveries to RussiaIn response to suspected rocket deliveries from Iran to Russia, the UK has summoned an Iranian businessman, as reported by the Foreign Office in London. "The UK government has made it clear that any transfer of ballistic missiles to Russia would be considered a dangerous escalation, provoking an appropriate response," the statement said. On Tuesday, Germany, France, and the UK announced additional sanctions against Tehran in response to the alleged rocket deliveries, including the suspension of bilateral air transport agreements. The European Union had previously cited "reliable information" about the delivery of Iranian rockets to Russia.
00:14 Ukraine: Russia Deploying Novice Soldiers at VovchanskAs per information from Ukrainian military officials, Russia is deploying troops with little combat experience at the Kharkiv front. Vitalii Sarantsev, the spokesperson for the operational tactical group in Kharkiv's armed forces, confirmed that the troops participating in the assault operations in Vovchansk are poorly trained. It's suspected that the recent reinforcements are a mobilization reserve conscripted by Russia. However, it remains unclear if these new arrivals are ex-prisoners or soldiers recruited from other countries, such as Central Asia, Africa, or the Middle East.
22:39 Mayor in Western Ukraine Introduces Russian-Speaking PatrolsThe mayor of the western Ukrainian city of Ivano-Frankivsk, Ruslan Martsinkiv, has announced the establishment of patrols to monitor the growing use of the Russian language. "This is a community initiative, and anyone can become a language monitor," Martsinkiv communicated to the NTA TV channel. Due to the conflict, numerous internal refugees from the eastern Ukraine have Russian as their mother tongue. Martsinkiv predicts at least 100 such language controllers, with around 50 volunteers already registered. He also shared a contact number for citizens to report Russian speakers in public spaces. The ongoing conflict has forced millions of people, particularly from the Russian-speaking regions in the east and south, to seek refuge in the Ukrainian-speaking, relatively safe western part of Ukraine.
21:42 Erdogan Calls for Crimea's Return from MoscowTurkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has pleaded for the return of the Crimean peninsula, annexed by Russia, to Ukraine. "Our commitment to Ukraine's territorial integrity, sovereignty, and independence remains unwavering. The restoration of Crimea to Ukraine is a legal requirement," Erdogan emphasized in a video message during the Crimea Platform summit. The Crimea Platform, established in 2021, aims to raise international awareness about the situation surrounding the annexed peninsula.
21:05 Report: Kyiv to Present Military Strategy to USUkrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has highlighted US support as crucial to Ukraine's resistance against the Russian invasion. "The path to victory (...) depends mainly on US support, along with other allies," Zelenskyy stated during a press conference in Kyiv. The detailed plan, set to be presented at the potential second Ukraine Peace Conference, aims to "significantly strengthen Ukraine" and "force Russia to end the war." According to Bloomberg, the US is requiring a clear battle strategy from Zelenskyy before lifting restrictions on the use of Western weaponry. US Secretary of State Blinken and British Foreign Secretary Lammy are reportedly planning to discuss a long-term strategy for the coming year with Zelenskyy to better comprehend Ukraine's aims.
20:37 Blinken Reveals Biden's Position on Using Weapons Against RussiaUS Secretary of State Antony Blinken has revealed that the US is accelerating efforts to provide Ukraine with long-range weapons for attacks on Russian targets. US President Joe Biden and UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer will discuss this matter on Friday, Blinken said during a joint press conference with his British counterpart David Lammy and Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrij Sybiga in Kyiv. "We are working diligently to ensure Ukraine has sufficient tools to defend itself effectively," Blinken affirmed, adding, "Our goal is for Ukraine to triumph."
You can catch up on all prior developments here.
15:18 Military Operations in the Black Sea EscalateDespite the ongoing trial against Navalny's lawyers in Petushki, tensions in Eastern Europe continue to rise as sources indicate that Ukraine and Russia are involved in a navy and air skirmish in the Black Sea.
15:18 Russian Military Reports in Black Sea and Navalny's TrialWhile the trial against Navalny's lawyers is closed to the public in Petushki, the Russian Ministry of Defense reports a failed Ukrainian attack on a Russian drilling platform in the Black Sea through fast watercraft, with Russian military blog Rybar reporting a Su-30 shot down during the Ukrainian repulsion.
