18:59 Intense shelling of artillery and aerial assaults by Russia in eastern Ukraine
Fierce artillery clashes and Russian airstrikes utilizing guided bombs are causing turmoil on Ukraine's eastern front. Around 20 settlements close to Sumy and Kharkiv have been struck by Russian artillery, as reported by the General Staff in Kyiv in their evening report. Numerous Russian attacks on Ukrainian defense lines have been reported from the crisis zones surrounding Donbass. At Pokrovsk, 13 assaults were thwarted, and at Kurachove, 17 Russian troop advancements were halted. However, these figures are yet to be verified independently. Intense combat was also reported in the Vuhledar area. Ukrainian military experts worry that the contested town in the southern Donbass section, which has been under dispute for two years, could soon be overtaken by Russian troops.
18:21 Report: Major Drone Attack on Russian Arms Depot in Volgograd The Ukrainian army claims to have attacked a weapons depot in the southern Russian region of Volgograd with more than 100 drones, as per their announcement on Telegram. The military installation in Kotluban was hit, and a fire along with the detonation of ammunition was observed on the site. A representative from the Ukrainian defense sector stated that the 120 Ukrainian drones flew over 600 kilometers to attack the weapons depot, causing damage to "munition and rocket warehouses." This deficiency in ammunition will affect the Russian occupation army units. Russia has yet to confirm this attack.**
17:42 Baerbock: Long-range Weapons Vital for Overcoming Mine Belt German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock believes that Ukraine should also be permitted to utilize long-range weapons for self-defense: "I have always emphasized that they are important, particularly for overcoming the mine belt in eastern Ukraine," she said in an ARD interview. When asked if something different would be provided by Germany in the future, she replied, "I have made my position clear. Chancellor Olaf Scholz holds a different viewpoint. In a coalition, if we cannot agree on a point, we cannot support it. That's what the Americans, the British, and the French do." Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is pushing for the approval of the use of Western weapons, even hundreds of kilometers beyond the Russian border. He aims to be able to target support points with bombers, among other things. For this to happen, the US would have to approve the usage of ATACMS missiles, and Britain would have to approve the usage of Storm Shadow cruise missiles. German Taurus cruise missiles could even reach Moscow, unlike their counterparts from Britain or France.**
17:10 Over 500 Researchers Affected by CERN's Suspension of Cooperation with Russia Around 500 researchers connected to Russian institutions are affected by CERN's impending suspension of cooperation with Russia, according to the European Organization for Nuclear Research (CERN). These researchers must cease their collaboration once their contract expires on November 30, as confirmed by a CERN spokesperson, aligning with media reports. CERN decided to end its cooperation with Russia and its ally Belarus in June 2022 following Russia's invasion of Ukraine, a decision they finalized in December 2023. The current agreement with Belarus had already expired at the end of June 2024, impacting 15 Belarusian scientists, according to the CERN spokesperson. Russia's departure also means the loss of an important CERN contributor, as Moscow currently provides around 4.5% of the organization's budget. However, CERN states that other member states will compensate for this shortfall.**
16:27 Report: Navalny Reported Abdominal Pain - Documents Suggest Death by Poisoning Russian authorities claim that Alexey Navalny died of natural causes in February of this year. Navalny's supporters and numerous Western politicians accuse the Russian leadership and President Vladimir Putin of Navalny's death. A new report corroborates this theory: As reported by "The Insider" using official documents, Russian authorities allegedly removed indications of symptoms Navalny experienced immediately before his death in prison. Navalny reportedly complained of severe abdominal pain and reflexively vomited, experiencing cramps before losing consciousness. The official cause of death, a heart arrhythmia, does not explain these symptoms, according to the medium. Consulted doctors suggested that these symptoms are typical of poisoning. Navalny had previously been poisoned with the nerve agent Novichok in 2020 and narrowly escaped death.**
15:55 Russian Troops Allege Repelling Six Ukrainian Incursion Attempts in Kursk Russian forces claim to have repelled six fresh Ukrainian attempts to enter the western region of Kursk, as reported by the Moscow Defense Ministry. Reuters reports that the ministry stated in a Telegram post that their forces, with air and artillery support, repelled attempts to enter the region near the village of Novy Put, about 79 kilometers west of Sudzha. Russian forces claim to have killed and injured 50 Ukrainian soldiers, destroyed a tank and four armored combat vehicles, and a car. However, these claims cannot be verified independently.**
15:28 Distressing Images: Russia Strikes Zaporischschja with 13 Air Strikes The Ukrainian city of Zaporischschja is subjected to air strikes, injuring at least 13 people and causing some residential blocks to collapse. Fires rage in numerous buildings. The Ukrainian emergency service reports that ten private homes were damaged.**
14:56 German Military Prepares for Worst-Case Scenario - Traditional War in Europe Could Occur Within Five YearsFollowing the completion of the "Red Storm Alpha" exercise, the German Military has planned a continuation next year, to be named "Red Storm Bravo". The three-day event, which concluded on Saturday in the Hamburg harbor, left the regional command pleased. "The training objectives, both in the command post and with the 2nd Home Defense Company, have been met," explains the chief of staff, Lieutenant Colonel Joern Plischke. The purpose of the exercise was to safeguard essential infrastructure, maintain the same level of awareness at all levels, and communicate swiftly and securely with all participants of the exercise. Given Russia's invasion of Ukraine, the likelihood of a conventional war in Europe within the next five years is suggested. The NATO aims to unite in countering this. To accomplish this, a rapid deployment of allied troops from west to east is crucial. "Due to its strategic location, Germany serves as a hub. Consequently, the organization of military transportation by rail, road, or air, the provision of food, beds, or fuel, or the security of entire vehicle columns must be practiced to convincingly deter," explains the German Military.
14:27 London: Russia Experiences Heaviest Ammunition Losses Since War Starts Due to Drone AttacksUkrainian drone assaults are believed to have caused the heaviest ammunition losses on Russian stockpiles since the onset of the war, as per a British assessment. A strike on a munitions depot near the town of Turov in central Russia's Tver region on September 18 likely destroyed at least 30,000 tons of ammunition, the British Ministry of Defence stated in its regular intelligence update. There were further Ukrainian assaults on depots in Tikhoretsk in southern Russia's Krasnodar region and other areas in Turov on the night of September 21, the ministry added. The combined tonnage of ammunition destroyed at the three sites marks the most significant loss of Russian and North Korean-supplied ammunition throughout the war.
13:57 Moscow Defends Amendments to Nuclear DoctrineRussia, a nuclear country, has defended alterations to its nuclear deterrence strategy against criticism. The new nuclear defense fundamentals are necessary since NATO infrastructure is drawing closer to Russia's borders and Western powers are attempting to secure a victory over Moscow through their weapon supplies to Ukraine, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said on Russian state television. The decision on the use of nuclear weapons will be left to the military.
13:19 Volunteer Medical Staff Oppose Kremlin MissilesWhenever Russian missiles strike a building in Kharkiv, Serhii is promptly on the scene. As part of a team of volunteer helpers, he treats the wounded and attempts to rescue individuals from the debris. He has deliberately chosen this task.
12:42 Saporizhzhia Reports 16 Casualties Following Russian Missile AttackThe number of injured in Saporizhzhia following a Russian missile attack has risen to 16, including a 17-year-old boy, the city's military administration reported on Telegram. The Russian military attacked Saprozhzhia with 13 cruise missiles early in the morning. All victims have now been rescued and treated.
11:50 "Terrible Emblem" - Zelensky Commemorates Babyn Yar MassacreUkrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky today remembers the Babyn Yar massacre, where over 33,000 Jews were killed by the German Wehrmacht in a ravine in Kyiv 83 years ago. Babyn Yar, he says on the X platform, is "a terrible symbol demonstrating that the most heinous crimes are committed when the world elects to ignore, stay silent, or remain indifferent instead of standing against evil." Zelensky, who is of Jewish descent, implies that governments, like that of Russian President Vladimir Putin, are capable of such atrocities when their leaders resort to intimidation and violence.
11:16 Ukraine: Death Toll from Yesterday's Clinic Attack in Sumy Rises to TenThe death toll from the Russian attack on a hospital in Ukraine's border city of Sumy has risen to ten. The clinic was struck twice on Saturday, with the second attack occurring as rescue workers were retrieving the injured and deceased, and patients were being evacuated. Russian forces launched 31 assaults on the border district overnight and in the early morning hours.
10:42 Russian Media Reports Major Fire at Arms Depot in VolgogradRussian media is now reporting explosions near Russian military bases, following reports from military bloggers. Explosions occurred near the naval base in Baltijsk, Krasnodar region, from where Russia launches kamikaze drones against Ukraine. Astra news agency reports a major ammunition depot hit in Kotluban, Volgograd Oblast, with explosions followed by a major fire and detonations. Ukrainian sources claim the depot in Kotluban stored Iranian ballistic missiles and launchers.
09:57 Ukrainian Military Reports 165 Encounters Since YesterdayThe Ukrainian Military recorded up to 165 encounters since yesterday, with more than a quarter occurring around the disputed town of Pokrovsk in the Donbass. Russian troops executed 73 air strikes against targets and population centers, employing 124 guided aerial bombs. They also launched seven missiles and conducted over 4700 attacks, including 179 multiple rocket launcher attacks, and introduced over 1700 kamikaze drones. Ukrainian aircraft, missile, and artillery forces executed six strikes on locations concentrating enemy personnel, weapons, and military equipment.
09:17 Ukraine: Prominent Judge Expires in Russian Assault on Civilian VehicleA prominent judge from the Supreme Court, who was offering humanitarian aid to inhabitants of a village within the Kharkiv region, met his demise in a drone assault on a civilian automobile. The Ukrinform news site reports that Leonid Loboyko was driving the SUV to deliver aid when it was struck by an adversary first-person-view drone, resulting in his immediate demise. Three women in the vehicle suffered injuries. Ukraine is examining the situation as a war crime and homicide.
08:55 Ukraine Announces Injuries Post Assaults on ZaporizhzhiaUkrainian officials report substantial damage to civilian structures in the southern industrial city of Zaporizhzhia subsequent to recent massive Russian airstrikes. At least seven individuals have sustained injuries, as per Ivan Fedorov, head of the regional administration, in a Telegram post. It's possible that more individuals are still trapped under the debris. Over ten airstrikes were recorded, with several fires noted.
08:27 Russia Claims to Have Downed 125 Ukrainian Drones YesterdayRussia's defense ministry claims to have intercepted and annihilated 125 Ukrainian drones yesterday. The governors of various regions reported damage from the attacks yet no casualties. According to the ministry, 67 drones were shot down over the Volgograd region in southern Russia, 17 each over the Belgorod and Voronezh regions, and 18 over the Rostov region.
07:42 Ukraine Reports 1170 Russian Casualties in the Last 24 HoursThe Ukrainian General Staff reports 1170 Russian casualties in the past 24 hours, increasing the total number of wounded and deceased Russian soldiers to around 652,000. Additionally, the Ukrainians report the destruction of nine Russian tanks, 62 artillery systems, and 38 armored vehicles. Ninety-three drones and one air defense system were also brought down.
07:22 Military Analysts: Ukraine Attacks More Russian Ammunition DepotsMilitary experts on the X platform state that Ukrainian attack drones struck a Russian arms depot in Kotluban last night. Local sources report fires near the large Russian ammunition depot in the Volgograd Oblast. The NASA Fire Information System also reports fires at the northern flank of the depot. So far, neither the Kremlin nor the Ukrainian General Staff have commented on this.
06:54 Klingbeil Calls for Consistency in Support for UkraineSPD leader Lars Klingbeil hopes that the upcoming Ukraine summit with US President Joe Biden in Ramstein will send a clear message of solidarity to Ukraine, which has been attacked by Russia. "The conference must again make it unmistakably clear that everyone has the duty to continue actively supporting Ukraine, including the United States after the November election, for as long as necessary," said Klingbeil. It's crucial to also consider "how future peace conferences can be set up more broadly to finally talk more meaningfully about a perspective for peace in the interest of the Ukrainian people." Biden is expected to pay his first bilateral visit as president to Germany on October 10. On October 12, a conference of the 50 countries that are militarily supporting Ukraine will take place at the US air base in Ramstein - for the first time at the highest level. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is also expected to participate.
05:42 Zelensky's spokesperson on Arms Delivery: Russians Will Be the First to KnowAccording to the spokesperson for the Ukrainian president, no definitive decision has been made yet regarding the deployment of Western weapons on Russian territory. Serhiy Nykyforov explains in the Ukrainian news program 24/7 that there is "no definitive, clear decision" on this matter. However, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has "held talks with all parties involved in this decision - Italy, France, the UK, and of course, the US." Zelensky's spokesperson adds, "We must understand that the Russians will be the first to discover about the authorization to penetrate deeply into Russian territory. They will be the first to know, and then there will be an official announcement."
04:45 Switzerland Favors China's Peace Plan, Kyiv DispleasedThe Swiss Foreign Ministry has expressed its support for a peace plan led by China to bring an end to the Ukraine war. The Swiss view on such initiatives has dramatically changed, the ministry in Bern explains. From Kyiv, it is said that the Swiss stance is disappointing. Ukraine is currently preparing for a second peace summit in November. In June, numerous countries that do not include Russia or China participated in a first meeting in Switzerland.
03:29 Lithuania Sends Aid Package to KyivLithuania is dispatching a military aid package that contains ammunition, computers, and logistics supplies to Ukraine. The aid is anticipated to arrive there this week, the Lithuanian government shares. According to Vilnius, Lithuania has already delivered 155-mm ammunition, M577 and M113 armored vehicles, anti-drone systems, anti-tank weapons, remote control systems, and other equipment since the beginning of this year.
01:29 North Korea Labels US Ukraine Aid as Foolhardy Act North Korea, under scrutiny for allegedly transporting prohibited weapons to Russia, views the $8 billion worth of US military aid given to Ukraine as a "significant blunder" and a risky endeavor against nuclear powerhouse Russia. This aid, announced by US President Joe Biden during the visit of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, is intended to fortify Kyiv's self-defense capabilities, including weapons with enhanced range to enable Ukraine to counterattack Russia from a secure distance.
00:25 Sumy Assault Death Toll Climbs to Ten The death toll from Russia's strike on a health facility in the Ukrainian border region of Sumy has surged to ten. According to Ukrainian Interior Minister Igor Klymenko, an initial fatality was reported during the initial bombing of the clinic. During the evacuation process, the hospital was attacked again. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky accuses Russia of engaging in a "war on hospitals."
The President of the Council in Kyiv, as mentioned in the evening report, has yet to comment on the intensifying combat in the Vuhledar area and the concerns about Russian troops potentially overtaking the contested town.
In the context of the German Military preparing for a worst-case scenario, the President of the Council in Germany could play a crucial role in decision-making regarding the deployment of troops in response to a potential conventional war in Europe within the next five years.
