17:56 Conclusion of Gas Passage via Ukraine: German Government Remains Unfazed
17:23 Chemical Weapons Allegations: UK Slaps Sanctions on Russian Military Unit
due to accusations of employing chemical weapons in the Ukrainian conflict, the UK has imposed sanctions on the related military unit of Russia. British Foreign Secretary David Lammy asserts that the UK will not "turn a blind eye" as Russian President Vladimir Putin and his regime "brazenly violate international law, including the Chemical Weapons Convention." London alleges Moscow's use of chlorine picrin, an agent that harms lungs and causes severe eye and skin irritation.
16:51 MI5 Warns of Increasing Russian Interference
The head of the United Kingdom's domestic spy agency, MI5, issues a stern warning regarding intensifying Russian interference in European security. According to Ken McCallum, in his yearly speech on the nation's threat level in London, Russian spies aim to instigate "enduring disorder" on British and European streets. The Kremlin's associates seek to strike "in the misguided belief" that this will undermine the West's resolve in the Ukrainian conflict, as detailed to the "Telegraph" newspaper. Although the expulsion of numerous Russian diplomats on suspected espionage charges has weakened Russia's ability to inflict harm, Russia and other nations such as Iran are increasingly relying on criminals for their nefarious purposes.
16:20 Kharkiv Air Strike: 21 Individuals Injured
At least 21 people were wounded in a Russian airstrike on the eastern Ukrainian city of Kharkiv, as reported by authorities. 17 of the victims are receiving medical treatment, as confirmed by Mayor Ihor Terechow on Telegram. Several impact sites were observed on the property of a civilian company in the industrially concentrated southeast area of the city, sparking a fire. The weapon used in the attack is still under investigation; initial reports suggested rockets. The area is approximately 30 kilometers from the Russian border.
15:45 Hungary Delays $50 Billion Loan for Kyiv until November Elections
Hungary is contemplating postponing a $50 billion loan agreed upon by the G7 nations for Ukraine until after the November United States presidential election. According to Hungarian Finance Minister Mihaly Varga, the nation will only consider extending EU sanctions against Russia required for the loan's funding once the U.S. government's stance on the matter becomes clear. The loan's funding is projected to come from proceeds from frozen Russian assets. The U.S. and European Union aim to contribute approximately $20 billion each, while Canada, Britain, and Japan will provide the remaining $10 billion.
15:13 Stoltenberg Takes Helm of Munich Security Conference
The appointment of former NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg as the head of the Munich Security Conference (MSC) has been confirmed. Stoltenberg describes this as "an immense honor" on the X platform. MSC Foundation Council President Wolfgang Ischinger expresses his delight, praising Stoltenberg's "global standing and extensive experience" that will further boost the conference's influence. Stoltenberg relinquished his position at NATO to former Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte in early October. Ischinger also thanks outgoing MSC chair, Christoph Heusgen, for his three-year tenure. The 61st edition of the security conference, led by Heusgen, will take place in February.
14:42 Russian Advance Continues in Ukraine: Two Villages Taken
Russian forces have allegedly captured two more villages in eastern Ukraine, as reported by the Russian military. The villages of Sorjane and Solota Nyva in the Donetsk region have been "liberated," the ministry stated. These gains improved the army's tactical position. Both villages are approximately 30 and 70 kilometers, respectively, from Pokrovsk. The Russian military has nearly daily reported territorial gains in its drive toward the strategically important city. Last week, Moscow seized the long-disputed city of Vuhledar in the Donetsk region.
14:17 Reuss Cabal Primed to Call Putin as Witness
Documents seized from the office and residence of the chief suspect, Heinrich XIII Prince Reuss, have become the focus in the Reichsbürger group's trial. Because some of the documents reference contacts with Russia, defense attorneys suggest calling Russian President Vladimir Putin as a witness. A letter penned by Reuss reads: "The empire of 1918 has not vanished," and "the German Reich remains in existence." A meeting protocol of the "Transition Council," intended to assume governmental responsibilities following a planned coup, was revealed. An email exchange also discusses attaining "recognition of sovereign member states of the Reich." Reuss wrote that Putin was "informed about my activities." A co-defendant's lawyer now advocates for Putin's testimony.
13:43 Reports of Chistilin's Arrest: 'Russian World' Ideologist
Ukrainian intelligence services, along with Moldovan law enforcement agencies, have reportedly apprehended Dmytro Chistilin, an ideologue of the "Russian World" and the Ukrainian invasion. The Belarusian opposition site Nexta and "Ukrainski Nationalnyj Nowini" have reported the arrest. Chistilin, an associate of Vladimir Putin's former advisor Sergei Glazyev—who supported the annexation of eastern Ukraine—is believed to have prepared analytical materials justifying the invasion for the Kremlin. He is also alleged to have supported Russian security services and penned publications aimed at "information sabotage against Ukraine." If found guilty, Chistilin faces life imprisonment, as per Nexta's reports.
13:07 Five Individuals from Different Nations Wounded in Odessa IncidentAn incident involving a civilian vessel in Odessa, Ukraine, has resulted in the unfortunate demise of a 60-year-old local and injured five non-native individuals. These injured individuals are associated with the ship, which flies under the Palauan flag. Their nationalities have yet to be disclosed. Regarding the deceased, he was employed with a logistics firm.
12:40 EPP Leader Criticizes Orbán's "Conflict Prolongation Journey"Criticism towards Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán is abound in the European Parliament. Manfred Weber, the head of the conservative European People's Party (EPP), has deemed the Hungarian EU presidency as a complete letdown. He Accuses Orbán, a conservative nationalist, of distancing himself within Europe due to his favorable stance towards Russia. Orbán's initial visit to meet Russian President Vladimir Putin at the commencement of the Hungarian presidency in late June, labelled as a "peace mission," is criticized by Weber as a "conflict prolongation journey," intended to compromise EU unity with Ukraine.
12:17 Ukraine Receives 122 Metric Tons of Ammunition from Slovakia Despite Government Opposition122 metric tons of ammunition, financed through a Slovakian crowdfunding campaign, have been delivered to Ukraine. Slovakian daily "Noviny" reports that six vehicles carrying the ammunition have reached Ukraine, where the Ukrainian military will manage its distribution and use. The successful "Ammunition for Ukraine" campaign raised nearly 4.5 million euros in donations after the Slovakian government, headed by Prime Minister Robert Fico, declined to participate in the Czech artillery drive. Approximately 70,000 Slovakians participated in this donation campaign.
11:58 Biden Visit: Berlin Anticipates Clear Statement for Additional Military AidSources suggest a "substantial working visit" from US President Joe Biden during his scheduled trip to Germany on Friday and Saturday. The meeting with the support group for Ukraine, scheduled for Saturday at the US base in Rhineland-Palatinate, is expected to broadcast a "strong message" for further military aid to the attacked country.
11:35 Embargo Violation: Luxury Limousine Dealer Accused of Selling Vehicles to RussiaA car dealer from Königswinter in North Rhine-Westphalia faces accusations of selling an extensive collection of luxury limousines to Russia, infringing upon the existing embargo. The investigative bodies of Bonn and Essen allege that the dealer exploited loopholes to sell cars worth over four million euros to Russians. The Bonn public prosecutor's office and the Zollfahndungsamt Essen reportedly seized two luxury limousines and a bank account during a raid at the end of September. The investigation continues.
10:56 Casualties in Russian Assault on KharkivAn assault on an industrial district in Kharkiv, eastern Ukraine, left 11 people injured, including three critically wounded individuals, one of whom is a minor. Infrastructure was additionally damaged. The attack resulted in a devastating fire that engulfed parts of Kharkiv, as reported by the city's mayor Ihor Terekhov. The Kharkiv region shares a border with Russia and experiences near-daily shelling.
10:22 Amidst Reports of Further Explosions, Oil Terminal on Crimea Still AblazeA fire has persisted at the oil terminal near Feodosia, Russian-occupied Crimea, for the second consecutive day. Both satellite imagery and ground reports confirm the ongoing incident on the oil farm's premises. The fire has allegedly spread across an area of approximately 2500 square meters, with further tank farms reportedly exploding in the evening and at night. The Ukrainian military announced yesterday that they carried out a planned attack on the oil terminal in the early hours of Monday. Based on their assessment, the oil terminal is the largest transshipment facility for oil products in Crimea, which Russia illegally annexed in 2014, and served as a fuel source for their military operations.
09:54 France to Deliver Mirage 2000 Fighter Jets to Ukraine in Early 2025Ukraine will receive its first batch of Mirage 2000 fighter jets from France in the first quarter of 2025, as per the announcement by French Defense Minister Sebastien Lecornu. The jets will be equipped with air-to-ground combat capabilities and electronic warfare defenses. Lecornu noted that training for Ukrainian pilots and mechanics has been ongoing. French President Emmanuel Macron had announced in June that France would provide Ukraine with an unspecified number of Mirage 2000-5 aircraft to reinforce their air force.
09:23 Russian Coal Industry in TurmoilThe Russian coal industry, one of the largest contributors to the nation's economy with over half a million workers, is currently undergoing a deep crisis, according to the "Moscow Times." Loss of Western markets, reduced demand in "friendly" nations, and losses exceeding several billion dollars have forced coal companies to drastically reduce production. Rosstat, the Russian statistical agency, reports that coal production in Russia decreased by 6.7 percent year-on-year in July, marking the lowest volume since the pandemic in 2020. The West's sanctions are considered the primary challenge for the coal industry, Janis Kluge of the German Institute for International and Security Affairs mentions.
Moscow once more accuses NATO of plotting against Russia, with Deputy Foreign Minister Alexander Grushko stating to state news agency RIA Novosti that NATO members have ceased hiding their intent to prepare for a potential armed conflict with Russia. NATO is implementing regional defense plans and defining specific tasks for all military commands within the bloc. Additionally, there are continuous preparations for possible military actions against Russia. Military budgets are escalating, and economies are becoming militarized. Moreover, NATO's confrontational rhetoric and mounting tension towards Russia continue to increase. Russia justifies its war against Ukraine, in part, due to the possibility of NATO membership, which the country was far from achieving. In fact, as a result of the war, NATO has expanded its membership with Sweden and Finland joining the transatlantic defense alliance out of concern for further Russian aggression.
08:35 North Koreans Possibly Engaging in Combat in Ukraine
South Korean reports suggest that it is highly probable that North Korean soldiers are participating in combat alongside Russian troops in Ukraine. These claims were made by South Korean Defense Minister Kim Yong Hyun during a parliamentary session in Seoul. Kim stated that Ukrainian reports of six North Korean military officers being killed in eastern Ukraine are likely to be accurate. According to mutually agreed agreements between Moscow and Pyongyang, the situation resembles a military alliance.
08:17 Cyber Attack Disables Russian Court System on Putin's Birthday
On the eve of Russian leader Vladimir Putin's birthday, Ukraine's military intelligence (HUR) and the "VO Team" activist group allegedly hacked the Russian state system "Pravosudie," which handles electronic document flow for all Russian courts. The attack reportedly disrupted the work of the courts, email systems of departments, and official websites. As a result of the cyberattack, personal data of users and internal documents were obtained from the system. Russians are now unable to file complaints or view court hearing dates, as the court websites are not functioning.
07:42 War Affects Putin Personally - No More Vacations in Sochi Residence
The war against Ukraine is impacting Russian leader Vladimir Putin personally, according to independent Russian media company Proekt. Putin has reportedly stopped visiting his residence in Sochi due to concerns about potential drone attacks. Despite spending at least 30 days a year at the Bocharov Ruchey residence since its renovation for the 2014 Olympics in Sochi, Putin has not returned since March. Proekt's investigation suggests that Putin feels threatened after several drone attacks on Sochi last fall. This concern has also resulted in Putin canceling his annual birthday celebration with Alina Kabaeva, his long-term partner and alleged mother of his two sons, in the Black Sea residence.
07:07 Governor Offers Record Bonus to Encourage Russians to Join the Army
The governor of the Belgorod region, Vyacheslav Gladkov, has promised residents of the region a record-breaking one-time bonus of 3 million rubles, equivalent to $31,200, for joining the military. Payments will be made to anyone who enlists in the Belgorod region, regardless of their place of birth. The Russian authorities aim to encourage more Russians to join the military to replace high losses.
06:36 Russian Missile hits Civilian Ship in Odessa Port
Local authorities in Ukraine's city of Odessa report that a civilian ship flying under the flag of the island state of Palau was hit by a Russian missile in the port. One Ukrainian was killed, and five foreign nationals were injured in the attack. This is the second attack on a civilian ship in the Odessa region's ports within the past few days. The port of Odessa serves as a major hub, especially for Ukrainian grain. It has been frequently targeted by the Russian army.
06:05 Harris Rules Out Meeting with Putin Without Ukraine's Involvement
US Presidential candidate Kamala Harris has declared that she will not engage in peace talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin without Ukraine's participation if she assumes office. Harris stated on CBS's "60 Minutes" that the Ukrainian government must have a say in the future of Ukraine. The Biden administration has previously rejected any talks with Putin. Harris also criticized her Republican opponent Donald Trump's Ukraine policy, describing it as a "surrender" to Russian aggression against Ukraine that began in February 2022. "If Donald Trump were president, Putin would be in Kyiv by now," Harris said, referring to Trump's claim to end the war on his first day in office.
Russian troops are pushing towards the fringes of Torez, an eastern Ukrainian city located at the frontline, as per the Ukrainian military. The situation is volatile, with skirmishes breaking out at every entrance to the city, according to Anastasia Bobownikova, spokesperson for the Operational Tactical Group "Luhansk", speaking to Ukrainian state television. This advance follows less than a week after Vuhledar fell. Currently, Russian forces control about a fifth of Ukrainian territory, and they've been targeting Torez since August. Successfully capturing Torez would bring Russian President Vladimir Putin closer to his ambition of seizing the Donbass region. Ukrainian military analysts warn that the loss of Torez could jeopardize vital supply lines for Ukrainian forces.
03:30 Russian Court Seeks Italian Reporters' ExtraditionA Russian court mandates the detention of two Italian journalists for reporting from Ukrainian-controlled regions in Russia's Kursk region. The Kursk court demands the extradition of Simone Traini and Stefania Battistini, who are currently out of Russia. Both RAI journalists are accused of crossing the border illegally to film a report in Kursk. Upon entering Russia, the two journalists traveled in a Ukrainian military vehicle to Sudcha, the court communicated via Telegram. If extradited, they would be held pending trial, the court announced. Facing up to five years in prison according to Russian law, the duo.
23:44 Zelensky Urges Increased Weapon Deliveries to UkrainePresident Volodymyr Zelensky calls on allies to boost weapon deliveries before a high-level Ukraine Contact Group meeting in Ramstein. Zelensky emphasizes the need for frontline supplies, brigade equipment, and long-range weapons for the approaching autumn months. His goal is to persuade partners to enhance their assistance and positions in Ramstein, emphasizing the "urgent necessity" of such measures, he said. He urged allies to establish their visions for the war's end, Ukraine's role in global security architecture, and collaborative actions to bring a conclusion to the conflict.
21:20 US Citizen Sentenced Again to Russian Labor CampIn the Russian city of Voronezh, a US citizen who completed an earlier prison term has been given an additional 7-year sentence in a labor camp. Robert Gilman served time in prison in 2022 for attacking a policeman in an inebriated state. In prison, he allegedly assaulted guards and an investigator. The US has experienced frequent arrests of its citizens in recent years in Russia.
20:50 Kherson Under Attack: Children InjuredAt least 20 people were reported injured in a Russian air strike on Kherson, as local authorities claimed. Russian forces bombarded Kherson with KAB bombs, which struck both near the coast and in the city's north. The youngest victims, aged 3 and 5, were among the injured, while at least six multi-story buildings were damaged by the blast waves, the regional prosecutor announced.
You can catch up on previous developments here.
Despite the ongoing sanctions and international criticism, Russia continues to be accused of using chemical weapons in the ongoing Ukrainian conflict. This time, London claims that Moscow has employed chlorine picrin, a harmful agent causing lung damage, severe eye and skin irritation, against Ukrainian forces. These allegations further strain relations between the UK and Russia, with the UK refusing to turn a blind eye to Russia's alleged violations of international law.
