17:24 Scholz highlights Russia's persistent objection to the deployment of long-range weaponry
16:57 Hofreiter Warns of additional "tens of thousands of refugees" from Ukraine
Anton Hofreiter, the chairman of the European Affairs Committee in the Bundestag, is urging for joint action with Poland, given the upcoming border control enhancements in Germany. Hofreiter, a Green politician, shares his concerns about the potential influx of refugees from Ukraine due to Russia's aggressive war. He tells the "Tagesspiegel" that if we fail to consistently support Ukraine, we should prepare for tens of thousands of refugees in the coming years. Hofreiter calls for a unified European approach to migration policy, arguing that individual border controls by each EU member state would lead to the EU's demise. He anticipates close cooperation between Federal Chancellor Olaf Scholz and Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk.
16:32 British Intelligence Showcases Destroyed Bridges by Ukraine in Kursk Region
The British intelligence service has publicized images of bridges over the Seim River damaged by the Ukrainian army during their operation in the Kursk region. According to the British Ministry of Defense's statement on X, Ukraine is persistently disrupting Russian logistics in the Kursk region through a series of attacks, which have destroyed several road and ponton bridges over the Seym River. The images were captured in mid and late August. Ukraine launched its offensive in the Russian region of Kursk on August 6, managing to advance several kilometers into Russian territory.
16:05 Casualties in Ukrainian Attack on Belgorod Region
Reports indicate that at least five people were injured in a Ukrainian attack on the southern Russian region of Belgorod. Governor Vyacheslav Gladkov confirmed that several shells hit a stretch of road between Belgorod and Shebekino, resulting in injuries to four individuals and damage to multiple vehicles. A woman was also injured in the nearby village of Vosnesenskoye when a drone struck a private house. These events remain unverified at this time. Russia has a history of targeting civilian infrastructure in neighboring Ukraine. The Ukrainian city of Kharkiv, approximately 30 kilometers from the border, is one of the most frequently attacked cities. The Ukrainian military, including artillery and drones, frequently targets sites in the southern Russian region of Belgorod across the border. Russia's offensive against Kharkiv aimed to establish a buffer zone, but Russian advances have since stalled.
15:44 Exclusive Access to a Converted Medical Train Treating Ukrainian Injured
A special medical train is being deployed in Ukraine to expedite the treatment of wounded individuals. A CNN team was granted access to this train, which plays a crucial role in providing immediate care to injured civilians.
15:26 Michael Douglas Visits Children in Kyiv
Hollywood star Michael Douglas visited the "Iron Land" children's area at Kyiv Central Station on Friday. The Ukrainian state railway company, Ukrzaliznytsia, announced the news on Facebook, reporting that Douglas interacted with passengers during his visit. Earlier, he met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, his wife Olena, and their son Dylan in his capacity as UN ambassador.
14:49 Ukrainian Request for Weapons Approval: "Biden's Position Remains Unchanged"
Retired Colonel Ralph Thiele expects discussions surrounding Taurus delivery approvals to be reignited due to the potential for Ukrainian long-range attacks on Russia. Thiele believes that the United States will maintain their stance on the matter.
13:58 Zelensky Confirms Return of Another 103 War Prisoners
Ukraine has confirmed a prisoner exchange with Russia. Zelensky announced that 103 individuals have been returned to Ukraine from Russian captivity. Among the returning group are soldiers, national guard, border guard, and police forces, all of whom served in various Ukrainian regions, including Kyiv, Donetsk, Luhansk, Saporischschja, Kharkiv, and Mariupol, as well as the Azovstal plant.
13:38 United States Approves Sale of Advanced Fighter Jets to Romania
The United States government has approved the sale of 32 advanced F-35 fighter jets to Romania, a NATO ally and neighbor to Ukraine. U.S. Ambassador to Bucharest Kathleen Kavalec highlighted the significance of Romania as a central ally, committed to ensuring security and stability in the Black Sea region and beyond. The acquisition of these stealth, multi-role combat aircraft from Lockheed Martin will enhance Romania's formidable air defense capabilities. Deliveries are scheduled to begin in 2031, with the total deal valued at up to $7.2 billion.
13:02 Russia: Over 200 War Prisoners Exchanged with Ukraine
According to Russian reports, over 200 prisoners of war have been exchanged between Russia and Ukraine. Both sides released 103 individuals, according to the Russian defense ministry's statement on Telegram. The Russian soldiers, who were captured in Kursk where Ukrainian troops advanced in August, are currently in Belarus, receiving psychological and medical support, the ministry revealed. It's unclear whether the Ukrainian side has confirmed these Russian statements regarding the exchange. On Friday, Ukrainian President Zelensky announced the return of 49 war prisoners from Russia. It remains unclear if these individuals were part of the exchange mentioned by Russia.
12:50 Russia declares victory over another village in Eastern UkraineIn eastern Ukraine, the Russian forces boast about capturing another village. The Russian defense ministry states, "The village of Yelannoe Pervoe (Yelanne Perche in Ukrainian) has been subdued." The small village is situated near the strategically significant city of Pokrovsk, which is under threat due to the Russian advance. The Russian army has been making significant strides in the Donetsk region in recent weeks. Russian President Vladimir Putin recently reiterated that the main objective of the Russian army is to seize the industrially vital Donbass region, which encompasses Donetsk.
12:21 Medvedev warns of doom for KyivRussian ex-president Dmitri Medvedev issues a grim warning to Ukraine's capital, Kyiv. Russia holds legitimate reasons to use nuclear weapons, Medvedev claims, due to Ukraine's advances into the Russian region of Kursk. Despite this, Russia has yet to resort to such measures. In response to Ukraine's usage of long-range Western missiles, Russia could potentially reduce Kyiv to "a colossal molten zone," utilizing newer, non-nuclear Russian weaponry. Medvedev serves as the deputy chairman of the Russian Security Council and has frequently resorted to harsh rhetoric against the West and Ukraine.
11:50 Heating up in KurachoveThe most intense fighting in Eastern Ukraine is currently taking place around the city of Kurachove. The controversial decision to deploy European long-range weapons is causing discontent among the people. ntv reporter Kavita Sharma provides updates from Dnipro.
11:12 Drone attacks leave a trail of destruction in Odessa's Black Sea regionFurther details of the night's large-scale drone attack are emerging: The Ukrainian air force reports that Russia launched a total of 76 combat drones. Of these, 72 drones were shot down. The Ukrainian air force remains silent on the aftermath of the attack. The governor of Odessa's Black Sea region reports substantial destruction. Several buildings in a suburb of Odessa's regional capital were damaged due to drone debris. In the Ismajil district, where Ukraine ships part of its grain, warehouse buildings were hit. In Kyiv, debris fell in several places, according to official reports. A municipal company was struck, but no fire ignited.
10:31 Stoltenberg reveals false map display during last-ditch talksOutgoing NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg speaks about the final diplomatic attempts right before the onset of the war in February 2022, to deter Russia from invading Ukraine. The NATO-Russia Council's final meeting, which Stoltenberg presided over, took place in January. The Russians demanded that all NATO troops be withdrawn from the eastern front, he told the "Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung." "That was completely unacceptable, but I believe in dialogue. Therefore, we sat down with them one more time." At the meeting, the two Russian deputy foreign and defense ministers presented maps, allegedly demonstrating how Russia was encircled by NATO. However, even these maps contained errors. Denmark, for instance, was marked as neither NATO nor Russian territory. Stoltenberg is uncertain whether this was a sign of poor preparation or a deliberate misinformation tactic. Looking back, Stoltenberg regrets that NATO and its allies did not do more to strengthen Ukraine's military preparedness earlier. "If Ukraine had been militarily stronger, Russia's attack threshold would have been higher. Whether it would have been high enough is unknowable."
10:03 Strengthening ties with Lithuania: A German combat brigade to be stationedGermany and Lithuania sign an agreement ensuring that a combat-ready German brigade will be stationed in the Baltic NATO state. Military expert Thomas Wiegold discusses the background and significance of the agreement in an interview with ntv.
09:28 Kim eyes closer ties with MoscowNorth Korean leader Kim Jong Un has reportedly pledged to bolster cooperation with Russia, according to state media. After talks between Kim and Russian Security Council chief Sergei Shoigu in North Korea, North Korean state media reports that there have been extensive discussions on "deepening the strategic dialogue between the two countries and strengthening cooperation to defend their respective security interests," as well as the regional and international situation. Ukraine, the US, and South Korea accuse North Korea of providing Russia with weapons and missiles for the Ukraine conflict. Pyongyang denies these accusations as "ridiculous."
08:59 Exporting powerful weapons to Ukraine? Starmer and Biden to discuss again at the UN General AssemblyThere will soon be a discussion on whether Ukraine can deploy advanced Western weapons against Russian targets. British Prime Minister Starmer announced this after a meeting with US President Biden, during which they postponed a decision on the matter. Biden and Starmer will discuss it at the UN General Assembly in New York next week "with a larger group of people," Starmer says. British media report that Biden is prepared to approve Ukraine's use of British and French missiles equipped with US technology - but not US-made missiles.
08:23 Zelensky on Trump's suggestion: "Election talk is election talk" US presidential candidate Donald Trump has boasted multiple times about his ability to end the conflict in Ukraine within a day, yet failing to present a clear strategy. During an interview with CNN, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is queried about his interpretation of Trump's statement. "I struggle to comprehend it today, as I'm unaware of the specifics and the implications," Zelensky replies, in an interview set to air on Sunday. He asserts that the US is amidst election season, adding, "And election talk is election talk. Sometimes, it's not entirely genuine." Zelensky also mentions his conversation with Trump two months prior, where Trump assured him of support for Ukraine. Zelensky described the encounter as positive.
07:27 ISW: Russia Requires More Troops in Kursk to Oust Ukrainians Russia's offensive in the Kursk region continues, yet the Institute for the Study of War (ISW) has not deemed it a full-scale operation aimed at entirely driving out the Ukrainians. The ISW, based in Washington, contends that Russian authorities have mostly relied on undertrained and poorly equipped conscripts, as well as small fragments of the regular Russian military and other security forces, in the border region. In its assessment, the think tank states, "A potential Russian counterattack to reclaim territory seized by Ukrainian forces in the Kursk Oblast will likely necessitate additional personnel and resources - more so if the majority of the units currently deployed lack combat expertise."
06:49 Ukraine Swarmed by Drone Attacks All Night
As per the Ukrainian military, Russia has bombarded Ukraine with Shahed drones throughout the night. The Russian military launched numerous swarms of attack drones, according to the Ukrainian air force's reports. Air raid alerts were sounded in almost all regions of the country, including Odessa. The navy reported downing nine drones in Odessa. Explosions were heard in Odessa, although no injuries have been reported as yet.
06:13 Mützenich Proposes Global Peace Contact Group
SPD parliamentary group leader Rolf Mützenich has proposed establishing a global peace contact group to stimulate peace talks in the Ukraine conflict. "In my opinion, now is the appropriate time for Western allies to initiate a contact group to kickstart a process," Mützenich told the "Rheinische Post." "German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky concur that this is an opportune moment to intensify efforts for peace negotiations, and to include Russia in the following peace summit." Mützenich, when asked about the potential members of such a contact group, speculated that nations such as China, India, Turkey, and Brazil could take responsibility. "These countries' sentiments lean toward viewing Russian aggression as a burden. Therefore, the contact group's work could indeed be promising, and it could play a significant mediating role."
05:41 Insiders: EU Explores New Methods for Extending Russia Sanctions
EU diplomats suggest that the EU Commission is contemplating three distinct options for how Russia sanctions could be extended in the future. These potential scenarios were discussed with European diplomats on Friday, according to multiple sources. The impetus stems from the frozen assets of Russia's central bank, which play a significant role in granting a $50 billion loan from G7 nations to Ukraine. These assets have been frozen since the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
03:40 Klitschko: Drone Debris Hits Kyiv BuildingsKyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko reported via the Telegram messaging app that drone debris struck a building in the Ukrainian capital. The debris fell on a municipal building in Kyiv's Obolon district, north of the city center, early in the morning. Klitschko stated that rescue services were on their way to the scene. Previously, Klitschko had reported the operation of air defense units in the capital.
01:35 Kim Jong Un Pledges More Cooperation with Russia
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has promised Russian Security Council Secretary Sergei Shoigu increased collaboration. According to state news agency KCNA, the two leaders had a "comprehensive exchange of opinions" during Shoigu's visit to Pyongyang, leading to a satisfactory agreement on matters like closer "cooperation to safeguard mutual security interests." Shoigu, who served as Russian defense minister until May, had initiated closer ties between North Korea and Russia during his visit to Pyongyang last July.
23:36 Zelensky to Present "Victory Plan" to Biden in SeptemberUkrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has announced a meeting with US President Joe Biden in September, stating, "I will present the plan for victory." In an appearance in Kyiv, the head of state explained that it involves a coordinated system of actions to provide Ukraine with an adequate military force to guide the war towards a peaceful resolution. "Such wars of conquest can be brought to a just conclusion through several means: either the occupying army is forced out by force or through diplomacy," Zelensky clarified. This would ensure the genuine independence of the country. Nevertheless, Kyiv relies on US support for a strong position.
10:59 Shift in Russian Assault Moves SouthIntense combat persists in the east of the nation, as per the Ukrainian military. The General Staff in Kiev reported 115 engagements in their evening briefing. They noted that "the most intense situation today was towards Kurachove," adding that the enemy was also active near Lyman and Pokrovsk. Kurachove is a small town south of Pokrovsk. Although Pokrovsk was previously the primary attack zone for Russian forces, they have only made minimal territorial gains there recently. Instead, they have expanded their assault line southwards to capture the mining town of Hirnyk, situated near Kurachove.
10:18 Ukraine's Pressure on Kursk Yields Favorable Outcome, as Per ZelenskyAccording to President Volodymyr Zelensky, Ukraine's penetration into the Russian region of Kursk has yielded the desired results. The enemy has been held back in the Charkiv region, and the Russian advance in Donetsk has slowed down, he claimed. Despite Russia's counterattack in Kursk, they have yet to secure any substantial victories. Analysts had earlier expressed skepticism about the repositioning of large Russian troop formations from Donetsk and other areas to Kursk. Russia allegedly has reclaimed 10 out of 100 occupied settlements.
09:46 Zelensky's Harsh Remarks Against Allies' Fear of Aiding UkraineUkrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky accused the West of harboring "fear" when it comes to offering aid for Ukraine in downing Russian missiles. He questioned, "If the allies join forces to shoot down missiles and drones in the Middle East, why doesn't the West still not approve joint actions to intercept Russian missiles and Iranian Shaheds over Ukrainian skies?" Zelensky brought up this issue at a conference in Kiew, claiming it to be a "shameful" situation for the democratic world.
09:30 Over 8000 Iranian Drones Deployed by Russia Against Ukraine Since War's OutsetAs per information from the Ukrainian government, Russia has put 8060 Iranian Shahed drones into operation against Ukraine since the onset of the conflict. Updates from Iran or Russia on this matter are not available at the moment. Ukraine had initially accused the Iranian government of supplying kamikaze drones to Russia back in autumn 2022.
08:43 Uncertainty Over Long-Range Weapons for Ukraine by USAIn Washington, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and US President Joe Biden are scheduled to meet for discussions. There's a buzz over potential announcements concerning the authorization of long-range weapons for Ukraine. British media outlet "The Guardian" suggests that Ukraine has been given permission to utilize Storm-Shadow missiles. However, no announcements are expected on this matter during the current meeting. John Kirby, the Communications Director of the National Security Council, stated, "I wouldn't anticipate any announcements today about the deployment of long-range weapons within Russia - definitely not from the US." He revealed that talks are ongoing about "the type of capabilities to be offered to Ukraine" with the UK, France, and other allies. He evaded giving a clear answer when asked about any potential changes.
You can review past developments [here].
The President of the Council, Anton Hofreiter, is advocating for a unified European approach to migration policy in response to the potential influx of refugees from Ukraine due to the ongoing conflict. If the situation continues, Hofreiter anticipates that Germany and other EU member states will need to prepare for tens of thousands of refugees in the coming years.
In the context of the European Affairs Committee in the Bundestag, Hofreiter is urging for joint action with Poland to manage border control enhancements in Germany, as he shares concerns about the impact of Russia's aggressive war on Ukraine.
