17:28 Ukraine: Russia readies assaults in the Saporishya region
According to Ukrainian sources, Russian troops are priming for offensive operations in the southern region of Zaporizhzhia. As reported by the Ukrainian Military's Southern Command spokesperson, Vladislav Voloshin, Moscow is amassing personnel near the occupied village of Pryjutne. Furthermore, Voloshin stated that Russian troops in the area have acquired 25 light buggies, which may be utilized for assaults by small infantry units. Voloshin commented, "This suggests we're gearing up for offensive actions towards Zaporizhzhia in the near future.", though he indicated that additional forces would be required for a full-scale offensive.
16:36 Kyiv Unveils Demise of Russian Drone Center Director Near Moscow
The Ukrainian military intelligence service, HUR, has announced the passing of Russian Colonel Alexei Kolomeitsev in Kolomna, Moscow region. Kolomeitsev served as the head of the 924th State Center (Military Unit No. 20924) for unmanned aerial vehicles within the Russian Ministry of Defense. This unit is responsible for the training of drone specialists for combat operations, including Shahed drones. HUR underlines that Kolomeitsev was involved in war crimes against Ukraine.
15:50 Baltic States and Poland Petition EU Funding for Border Security
NATO member states Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, and Poland have proposed to the EU for financial support in constructing fortifications, barriers, and military camps along their borders with Russia and Belarus. Estonia's defense minister Hanno Pevkur remarked, "The necessity of a (Baltic) defense line arises from the security situation." This measure supports the new NATO defense concept. Pevkur added, "It is crucial to coordinate our actions with Poland." In January, the Baltic states announced the "Baltic Defense Line" project. Poland announced the "Eastern Shield" project in May.
15:12 Russia Prepared to Sue Over Nord Stream Explosions
Russia has declared its readiness to bring the sabotage of the Nord Stream pipelines to court. The Russian Foreign Ministry has filed "pre-trial claims" against Germany, Denmark, Sweden, and Switzerland, basing them on international anti-terrorism agreements. If the dispute isn't resolved in this phase, Russia intends to bring the matter before the International Court of Justice and argue that the West would not be able to "sweep the case under the rug."
14:26 NATO Officer Assesses Kursk Offensive as Strategic Challenge for Putin
NATO Military Committee Chairman, Admiral Robert Bauer, believes that Ukraine's offensive in the Russian region of Kursk poses a strategic predicament for Kremlin leader Vladimir Putin. "For the first time since 1941, a foreign power is on Russian territory," Bauer told Interfax Ukraine in an interview. "This is a strategic problem for Russia, and it also presents operational challenges, as logistics lines run through Kursk." On a strategic level, Kyiv is creating a "strategic dilemma" for Moscow. "If Putin asserts he is defending the motherland, he is not successful because Ukraine is now on Russian territory," Bauer said.
13:44 Ukraine Reports Eight Dead in Sumy Following Double Drone Strike
The death toll from an enemy drone attack on Sumy has climbed to eight, according to Ukrainian sources, with eleven people injured. 113 patients were evacuated from the attacked hospital. Earlier today, a Russian strike killed one person and severely damaged the roof of multiple hospital floors. The evacuation of patients and personnel was initiated. Rescue services and police were dispatched to the area to aid the affected. Russia then launched another air assault.
12:56 Blinken Reviews Zelensky's "Victory Plan" Presented to Biden
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken is assessing the Ukrainian "victory plan" presented to US President Joe Biden by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky during their White House meeting. Among other things, Zelensky once again asked for authorization to utilize Western weapons for extended-range attacks on Russian military targets. Blinken has now called for a review of the plan's specifics and determination of "additional measures" if necessary to aide Ukraine in attaining victory. Despite the Secretary of State's calls for a more confrontational stance, it has not yet been implemented by the President.
12:25 London: More Than 2000 Attacks on Ukrainian Healthcare Facilities Since War Began
The British Ministry of Defense has reported 2013 attacks on Ukrainian healthcare facilities since Russia's invasion in February 2022. Staff have suffered 235 incidents. In July, the Russian army targeted a children's hospital in Kyiv. Since the outbreak of the war, Russian assaults on Ukraine's healthcare system have accounted for 176 deaths, the ministry said.
11:48 Ukraine Reports Three Dead After Police Headquarters Attack
The death toll from a Russian attack on the police headquarters in the Ukrainian city of Kryvyi Rih has escalated to three members of the Ukraine's police force. A police officer is still believed to be trapped beneath the rubble, and rescue efforts are ongoing, as per the Ukrainian Ministry of Internal Affairs. This marks the second police headquarters attack in two days in Ukraine.
Australian military strategist Mick Ryan suggests that the Russian counteroffensive near Kursk is yielding more victories. In August, Ukrainian troops crossed the border into Kursk's Russian territory and occupied some land. Initially taken aback, the Russians are now pushing back. Although they're progressing at a slower rate, Ryan states, they're gradually retaking territory. A Ukrainian offensive in the western part of the Russian counterattack could have potentially compromised the Russians' flank security and isolated hundreds of troops, according to Ryan, citing data from the US Institute for the Study of War (ISW).
10:30 Ukrainian Air Force: 69 Drone Assaults Repelled
The Ukrainian air force alleges that the Russian army deployed 73 combat drones and 4 missiles against Ukraine throughout Saturday night. Despite these attacks, Ukraine was able to intercept 69 drones and 2 missiles. The casualties from a Russian drone strike on a hospital in Sumy Oblast have climbed to seven.
09:52 Balance of US Visit: Zelensky Meddled with Trump
After a five-year estrangement, negotiations between Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky are back on the table. Trump had recently criticized the US aiding Ukraine heavily.
09:39 ISW: Limited Long-Range Attacks by Ukraine Could Make a Mark on War's Course
Experts at the Institute for the Study of War (ISW) advise that even a few successful long-range attacks by Ukraine could alter the course of the war significantly. They note that Russian authorities seem to be actively trying to sway Western opinion on whether Ukraine should be permitted to deploy long-range attacks on Russian military facilities using Western weapons, expressing concern that such attacks could exert considerable operational pressure on the Russian offensive. Yet, the US continues to refuse to let Ukraine launch long-range attacks on Russian territory.
09:18 Ukrainian General Staff: Approximately 1500 Russian Casualties in Last 24 Hours
According to the Ukrainian General Staff, Russian forces suffered an additional 1470 casualties (killed or wounded) in the last 24 hours, bringing the total to 650,640 since the full-scale invasion began two and a half years ago. Since yesterday, the Russians also lost 42 armored combat vehicles, 14 tanks, 62 drones, and 55 artillery systems.
08:57 Ukraine: Russians Attacked Clinic, Six Killed
Russian forces launched an attack on a hospital in Sumy, resulting in six fatalities, according to Ukrainian sources. The military government of Sumy Oblast reported that the assault was carried out using Shahed drones, followed by another drone assault on a residential area and another on the hospital. At that moment, rescue teams were evacuating patients and staff. The air force also reported that Russian forces had dropped guided bombs on Sumy Oblast.
08:21 Goldschmidt Warns of Threat to Baltic Coast from Russian Oil
Following Greenpeace's accusations about Russian oil exports via the Baltic Sea, Schleswig-Holstein's Environment Minister Tobias Goldschmidt raises concerns about potential dangers to the Baltic coast from tankers. "The Russian regime is shamelessly violating the oil embargo imposed on it following the Russian aggression against Ukraine," said the Green politician. This conflict is endangering the ailing seas. Several Western nations accuse Russia of circumventing EU sanctions due to the aggression by using poorly seaworthy ships. "The risk of an oil spill is increasing," warns Goldschmidt. "And this oil would primarily end up on our beaches, from Fehmarn to Eckernförde."
07:52 Ukrainians Repel Hefty Russian Attacks in Pokrovsk
Ukrainian and Russian forces are still engaged in intense conflict in eastern Ukraine. The region surrounding Pokrovsk, which has been subject to Russian attacks for months, was once again the focal point of clashes the previous day. According to the Ukrainian General Staff, 19 Russian advances on Ukrainian defense lines were repelled throughout the day. "Ukrainian defenders are maintaining their positions," their statement noted. Russian troops are attempting to approach the city from various directions and obstinate Ukrainian counterattacks. Heavy fighting also continued in the area surrounding Kurakhove. According to Ukrainian reports, approximately 17 Russian attacks were thwarted during the day. It's worth noting that these reports cannot be confirmed independently.
07:41 Zelensky Views US Visit as Constructive
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky saw his trip to the US as a success, even though he did not secure broad approval for the extensive use of Western weapons. "Each discussion proceeded as it should have," he stated in a video message on the X platform. The Ukrainian peace plan was introduced in America. "Now, our teams must work on the implementation of every step and decision," he added. In Washington, Zelensky met with US President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris, as well as the Democratic presidential candidate, to advocate for ongoing support for Ukraine's defense against Russia. He also held talks with former US President Donald Trump in New York, who claimed that if he were elected, the conflict would conclude swiftly.
Numerous youngsters, recently freed from Russian captivity, are part of the several thousand Ukrainian children abducted throughout the conflict, stated Ukrainian authorities. Many of these children have tragically lost one or both parents due to the war and are now living with their grandparents. Authorities in Qatar are currently working on the return of more children, having been given a list of 751 children whose paperwork is already complete, as revealed by Dmytro Lubinets, the Ukrainian Parliament Commissioner for Human Rights. Since the war commenced, around 20,000 children have been taken illegally to Russia, with only a handful making their way back home so far.
06:27 Blinken Accuses China of Aiding Russian Weapons Industry
United States Secretary of State Antony Blinken expressed his concerns to Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi regarding China's support for Russia's arms industry. Blinken argued that if Beijing declares its desire for peace and an end to the conflict, yet lets its companies aid Putin's aggression, those two sentiments do not coexist. Wang, in turn, stated that China's stance on the Ukraine conflict emphasizes the necessity for peace through dialogue, as reported by the Chinese Foreign Ministry.
05:31 Ukrainian Forces Eliminate Russian Soldiers on Jet Ski with DroneUkrainian forces allegedly eliminated two Russian soldiers aboard a jet ski by using a drone. This information comes from the pro-Ukrainian portal Defense Express. As shown in a shared video by activist Serhiy Sternenko, the Russians were traveling on the Dnipro River when a drone rigged with an explosive payload attacked their jet ski.
04:10 Mediazona: Over 71,000 Russian Soldiers Killed in UkraineIndependent Russian news portal Mediazona reports that over 71,000 Russian soldiers have lost their lives in Ukraine. Since mid-September, roughly 2,000 more soldiers have died in the conflict. Mediazona suggests that the actual casualty figures are likely much higher, as the information they use comes from public sources such as obituaries, social media posts by relatives, regional media outlets, and announcements from local authorities.
02:18 Nine Children Having Been Taken to Russia Return to UkraineNine children who were taken to Russia during the conflict have returned to their home country. They returned to Ukraine on Friday, with the help of Qatar acting as a mediator, according to Ukrainian Ombudsman Dmitro Lubinez. He shared the news on Telegram, stating that the children ranged in age from 13 to 17 years old, and a 20-year-old man was also involved. The return was a part of a prearranged plan and was facilitated by the Gulf state of Qatar. Unfortunately, at the time of the report, the information could not be independently verified. Lubinez revealed that the children had been separated from their parents or guardians by the occupiers and came from regions like Kherson, Zaporizhzhia, or Luhansk.
00:31 Lukashenko: "An Attack on Belarus Means World War III"Belarusian leader Alexander Lukashenko accuses NATO of having plans to attack his country and threatens to use nuclear weapons in response. "An attack on Belarus means World War III," the Belarusian leader told the state news agency Belta during an appearance before students in Minsk. Both Belarus and its ally Russia would use nuclear weapons in such a scenario. Lukashenko also praised Russian President Vladimir Putin for the recent change in Russia's nuclear doctrine. In his speech, Lukashenko claims that NATO has concrete plans to attack Belarus. "Americans and Poles have already positioned themselves along the border, especially on the Polish side. We know that the Polish leadership is already rubbing its hands," he says. Belarus is not a nuclear power itself, but tactical nuclear weapons from Russia have been stationed on its territory since the end of 2023.
23:10 Former US Commander Hodges and Others Urge Biden to Act Against RussiaA group of former military personnel and experts have signed an open letter to US President Joe Biden, appealing for firm action to end the conflict in favor of Ukraine and address potential threats from China. Among the signatories are former commander of US forces in Europe, Ben Hodges, and former NATO deputy commander and German Army Major General Gert-Johannes Hagemann. They propose measures against Russia and in response to China, including lifting restrictions on the use of Western weapons against Russia to target "military and logistical targets" on Russian territory. They also demand the provision of 300 Abrams tanks and 1000 armored fighting vehicles to Ukraine, as well as a comprehensive arms and technology embargo against Russia, China, Iran, North Korea, Belarus, and Azerbaijan. Additionally, they advocate for expanding NATO beyond transatlantic borders to include Japan, Australia, South Korea, the Philippines, and "any other democratic country that expresses its desire to join," such as Argentina.
22:15 Russian Intelligence Investigates International Journalists Over KurskThe Russian Federal Security Service (FSB) is investigating three more foreign journalists for reporting from areas in the Russian border region of Kursk under control of the Ukrainian army. According to the Russian news agency RIA Novosti, the journalists affected are Kathryn Diss and Fletcher Yeung from the Australian broadcaster ABC News, and Romanian journalist Mircea Barbu. They are accused of crossing the Russian border illegally and face up to five years in prison. However, all three journalists are reportedly not in Russia. Several international media outlets, like the German broadcaster Deutsche Welle, the US news channel CNN, and the Italian broadcaster Rai, have covered the occupied areas in Kursk.
21:35 White House Slams GOP for 'Tactless Move' Regarding Zelenskyy's VisitThe White House has debunked Republican claims that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy illegally meddled in the US election by visiting an ammo factory. Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre referred to the allegation as a "tactless move" and encouraged Republicans to let it go. She explained that the Ukrainian team had sought out the visit, which was arranged by the Department of Defense. "That's usual procedure," Jean-Pierre noted. During his prolonged trip across the US, Zelenskyy also toured a manufacturing site in Pennsylvania, where crucial 155mm artillery shells, desperately required by Ukraine, are manufactured. Several Democrats, including Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro, were among the visitors. After the tour, Republican legislators instigated an inquiry, and the House Speaker demanded that Zelenskyy dismiss the Ukrainian ambassador to the US in a letter.
21:09 Multinational voices raise Alarm against Russian Nuclear ThreatChina, Brazil, and various other nations have expressed alarm over the potential usage or threat of nuclear weapons against Ukraine. A joint statement declared, "We advocate for the abandonment of the use or threat of weapons of mass destruction, specifically, nuclear, chemical, and biological weapons." Twelve countries manifested their "serious worries" over the possibility of conflict's "escalation" in Ukraine: "Civilian infrastructure, encompassing peaceful nuclear facilities and other energy facilities, should not be the target of military operations." This warning follows escalating threats from Russian President Vladimir Putin this week. He remarked that Russia might employ nuclear weapons in the event of extreme aerial attacks on Russian land and that any offensive backed by a nuclear power would be construed as a "shared" aggression. Zelensky had likewise alleged that Russia was planning an assault on Ukrainian nuclear reactors.
**Refer to all previous occurrences here.
In light of the Russian troops preparing for offensive operations in Zaporizhzhia, the Baltic States and Poland have petitioned the EU for funding to strengthen their border security, citing the need to protect against potential threats from Russia and Belarus.
The Russian Foreign Ministry's plans to sue Germany, Denmark, Sweden, and Switzerland over the Nord Stream pipeline explosions could be viewed as a response to the attack on Ukraine, further escalating tensions between Russia and the West.
