21:41 USA: Ukraine aid postponements stem from logistical complications
Hold-ups in American Military Aid to Ukraine Due to "Intricate Logistics"
As per American officials, the hold-ups in American military aid to Ukraine are due to "intricate logistics." Jake Sullivan, the National Security Advisor to the White House, stated in Kyiv, Ukraine, "This isn't an issue of political will. It's an issue of intricate and challenging logistics to deliver this material to the front." Sullivan made these remarks at the Yalta European Strategy (YES) conference, which he attended virtually. Given the difficulties faced by Ukraine, Sullivan acknowledged that the U.S. needs to "do more and be better." President Joe Biden is committed to utilizing his remaining time in office to "put Ukraine in the best position possible to win," Sullivan declared. Biden and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky will meet at the UN General Assembly in New York at the end of September.
20:57 Scholz: Seeks Justice for Pipeline Saboteurs in Germany
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz labeled the sabotage of the Nord Stream pipeline as "an act of terrorism." He seeks those responsible to be brought to justice in Germany. Addressing a citizens' dialogue as an SPD MP in Brandenburg's Prenzlau, Scholz said, "I have made a deliberate decision, which is to instruct all security authorities and the Federal Public Prosecutor's Office to investigate without exception. Nothing will be concealed." He added, "We seek to bring those responsible, if we can apprehend them, to a court in Germany." Scholz also dismissed as "a giant, false claim" the allegation that the German government had renounced Russian natural gas. He emphasized that it was Russia that had halted gas supplies through the Nord Stream 1 pipeline. The subsequent price surge, price caps, and search for alternate gas sources have cost Germany "over 100 billion euros." The explosions on the pipeline only occurred after Russia had already ceased supplying Western Europe through the Baltic Sea. In August, the Federal Public Prosecutor's Office issued an arrest warrant against a Ukrainian citizen in connection with the sabotage act.
20:24 G7 Condemns Iranian Rockets Supplied to Russia
Reports of Iran supplying Russia with rockets have prompted the G7's economically powerful democracies to strongly condemn the arms provision. Despite multiple international requests to halt these deliveries, Tehran persists in arming Moscow, further escalating Iran's military backing for Russia's conflict against Ukraine, according to a joint statement by the foreign ministers of Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the UK, the US, and the EU's high representative. Russia is utilizing Iranian weapons to kill Ukrainian civilians and attack vital infrastructure. Lately, the UK and US reported that Russia had received ballistic missiles from Iran, which Tehran denied. The Italian G7 presidency's statement reads, "Iran must immediately halt all support for Russia's illegal and unjustified war against Ukraine and cease the supply of ballistic missiles, drones, and associated technology, which pose a direct threat to the Ukrainian people and European and international security." The statement continues, "We remain determined to hold Iran accountable for its unacceptable support for Russia's illegal war in Ukraine, which undermines global security." Germany, France, and the UK have already imposed new sanctions on Iran, and the EU is considering more stringent penalties.
19:41 Kremlin Chief Putin Declares Support for Free Speech
Despite his incarcerated critics finding this amusing: Russian President Vladimir Putin underscores the significance of freedom of speech and information. "In a time when the complex process of multipolarity is developing, it is particularly important to protect the principles of information reliability," Putin says in a video message to participants of the Brics countries' media summit in Moscow, marking the 120th anniversary of the state agency TASS. "True freedom of speech, representing diverse opinions, fosters the search for compromises and common solutions to the world's problems," Putin continues. He adds that media play a pivotal role in constructing a fair world order, offering people "an objective and impartial picture of the world." However, freedom of speech and media does not exist in Russia's authoritarian regime. Non-government-affiliated media have been banned and shut down, and government opponents are persecuted by the judicial system. TASS, founded in 1904, is now Russia's largest news agency and is considered the government's mouthpiece.
19:20 Scholz Reaffirms No to Delivery of Taurus Cruise MissilesChancellor Olaf Scholz has reiterated his opposition to delivering long-range precision weapons to Ukraine in the future, irrespective of decisions by alliance partners. At a citizen dialogue in the Brandenburg town of Prenzlau, he reaffirmed his no to delivering Taurus cruise missiles with a range extending from Ukraine to Moscow (around 500 kilometers), citing the "significant risk of escalation" this would entail. "I said no to that. And that, of course, also applies to other weapons that could reach that far," Scholz said. "That remains the case. Even if other countries make different decisions." (See also entry from 17:24.) The farthest-reaching weapon Germany has supplied to Ukraine is the Mars II rocket launcher, which can hit targets 84 kilometers away.
18:29 Stoltenberg: NATO Could've Offered More Arms to Prevent Russian Invasion in UkraineNATO Chief Jens Stoltenberg mentions in an interview with "FAZ" that NATO could've given Ukraine more weapons to ward off a Russian invasion. "Now we're supplying military equipment for a war; we could've supplied military equipment to avoid the war," Stoltenberg says. He considers the day the conflict kicked off as the darkest in his ten-year term. Stoltenberg will step down and hand over to former Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte on October 1, marking the end of his tenure.
17:50 Scholz Hopes for Clear Decision on PCK Refinery Ownership by Year-EndGerman Chancellor Olaf Scholz hopes for an agreement on the future ownership of the PCK refinery in Schwedt by the end of the year. "We are hoping for clarity by year-end," Scholz stated during a citizen dialogue in the Brandenburg town of Prenzlau. He spoke about pressing Rosneft, the Russian co-owner, to sell its stake, and mentioned ongoing discussions. "We know who is speaking with whom and about what," Scholz said, referring to potential Qatari investments. Moreover, Kazakhstan is now supplying oil to Schwedt via a Russian pipeline, replacing Russian oil post-Ukraine attack. Scholz initially extended trusteeship of Rosneft shares for another half-year, anticipating negotiations. Expropriation of Russian stake is deemed legally complicated.
17:24 Scholz: No Long-Range Weapons against Deep Targets in RussiaChancellor Olaf Scholz reiterated that Germany-supplied weapons cannot be used for deep-target assaults in Russia. "That persists," Scholz said during a citizen dialogue in Prenzlau. "I will stick to this stance, even if other nations make diverse decisions," he remarked, referring to the U.S. stance.
16:57 Hofreiter Warns of Additional "Tens of Thousands" of Refugees from UkraineIn light of stepped-up border controls in Germany, Bundestag European Affairs Committee Chairperson Anton Hofreiter appeals for a collaborative approach with Poland, among others. "If we don't maintain dedicated support for Ukraine, we should expect tens of thousands of refugees from Russia's war aggression in the coming years," Hofreiter stated to "Tagesspiegel," citing Polish PM Donald Tusk's criticism of enhanced border checks. Hofreiter advocates for a European migration policy solution. He warns against unilateral border checks by each member state, as it would signify the gradual disintegration of EU. Hofreiter anticipates close coordination between Scholz and Tusk in the future.
16:32 British Intelligence Shows Destroyed Ukraine Bridges in Kursk RegionBritish intelligence reveals pictures of bridges over the Seim River, destroyed by Ukraine's military during operations in the Kursk region. "Ukraine obstructs Russian logistics in the Kursk region by carrying out a series of attacks in which roads and floating bridges over the Seym River were damaged," the British Defense Ministry wrote on their X-site. The images were obtained in mid-August and late August. Ukraine initiated its attack on the Russian region of Kursk on August 6, forging several kilometers into Russian territory.
16:05 Injuries Reported in Ukrainian Attack on Belgorod RegionAt least five individuals were injured in a Ukrainian assault on the southern Russian area of Belgorod, as per official reports. Governor Vyacheslav Gladkov announced that several projectiles struck a stretch of road connecting Belgorod and Shebekino, injuring four people and damaging various vehicles. A woman was hurt in the nearby village of Vosnesenkovka when a drone hit a private house. As of now, the reports remain unverified. Russia often targets civilian centers in neighboring Ukraine. Among the most frequently attacked cities is Kharkiv, located about 30 kilometers from the border. Ukrainian artillery and drones commonly attack regions in the southern Russian area of Belgorod across the border. Since the summer, Russia has launched an offensive against Kharkiv, aiming to establish a buffer zone. However, Russian assaults remain a few kilometers behind the border.
15:44 Exclusive Access: Equipped Medical Train Treats Wounded UkrainiansMultiple Ukrainian hospitals have sustained damage, medical staff works round the clock. To expedite wounded treatment, a specialized train is utilized, among other things. A CNN team was granted access to this train.
15:26 Hollywood Star Michael Douglas Visits Children in KyivAmerican actor Michael Douglas visited the children's area "Iron Land" at Kyiv Central Station on Friday. Ukrainian state-owned rail operator Ukrzaliznytsia reported this on Facebook. According to the post, Douglas conversed with passengers and inspected the children's area. Prior to the visit, Douglas met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and his wife Olena in his capacity as a UN ambassador, accompanied by his son Dylan.
14:49 Kyiv seeks permission for long-range attacks: "Seems like Biden won't sway"Retired Colonel Ralph Thiele anticipates that the topic of Ukrainian long-range assaults on Russia will rekindle debate over Taurus deliveries. The military analyst predicts that the U.S. will stick to their stance.
13:58 Zelensky validates release of another 103 POWsUkraine confirms a prisoner swap with Russia. Another 103 individuals have been released from Russian captivity and have returned to Ukraine, as per President Zelensky's posts. Among them are soldiers, national guard, border guard, and law enforcement personnel. They are defenders of the Kyiv, Donetsk, Luhansk, Zaporizhzhia, Kharkiv regions, as well as the cities of Mariupol and Azovstal plant.
13:38 U.S. greenlights sale of cutting-edge fighters to RomaniaThe U.S. administration has endorsed the $1 billion deal to export 32 advanced F-35 fighter jets to Romania, a NATO ally sharing a border with Ukraine. U.S. Ambassador to Bucharest, Kathleen Kavalec, comments: "Romania serves as a vital ally in the NATO alliance, consistently advocating for security and stability in the Black Sea region and beyond." With the procurement of these stealth, multirole combat aircraft from Lockheed Martin, Romania will achieve "unmatched air defense capabilities," as per Kavalec's statement. The first delivery is scheduled for 2031. The estimated cost of the deal ranges between $6.8 billion and $7.2 billion.
13:02 Russia reveals exchange of more than 200 POWs with UkraineRussia and Ukraine have completed the exchange of over 200 POWs, states the Russian Defense Ministry. Each side has released 103 individuals, according to the ministry announcement on Telegram. The Russian soldiers are currently undergoing psychological and medical support in Belarus, as reported by the ministry statement. The captured Russian soldiers hail from Kursk, where they were held following Ukrainian troops' advance into the Russian region in August. The Ukrainian side has yet to respond to Russia's statements concerning the exchange. On Friday, President Zelensky announced the delivery of 49 POWs from Russia. There's uncertainty as to whether these individuals were part of the exchange now announced by Russia.
12:50 Russia declares capture of another town in eastern UkraineIn eastern Ukraine, the Russian military has allegedly seized another settlement. "The village of Yelannoe Pervoe (Yelanne Perche in Ukrainian) has been seized," the Moscow Defense Ministry quotes. The small village lies near the strategically significant city of Pokrovsk, which faces threats due to the Russian advance. The Russian troops have made rapid progress in the Donetsk region in recent weeks. Russian President Vladimir Putin recently reiterated that the primary objective of the Russian military is the capture of the industrially vital Donbass region, comprising Donetsk.
12:21 "Massive lava-like patch" - Medvedev warns Kyiv's destructionRussian ex-president Dmitri Medvedev threatens the complete annihilation of Kyiv. Russia possesses grounds to employ nuclear weapons due to Ukraine's invasion of the Russian Kursk region, although it has yet to do so. In reaction to Ukraine's use of long-range Western rockets, Russia could transform Kyiv into "an expansive lava-like patch" using advanced non-nuclear Russian weaponry, as opined by Medvedev. The former Russian Security Council chairman frequently employs sharp language against the West and Ukraine.
11:50 Sharma: "Intense fighting rages in Kurakhove"Intense combat near Kurakhove, a city in eastern Ukraine, has peaked. The usage of European long-range weapons has caused frustration among the population. ntv reporter Kavita Sharma broadcasts from Dnipro.
11:12 Drone strikes inflict damage in Odessa's Black Sea regionInformation about the extensive drone attack that took place earlier in the night in Odessa's Black Sea region is emerging. Ukraine claims that Russia launched a total of 76 combat drones. Out of these, 72 drones were shot down. The Ukrainian air force does not disclose details about the attack's aftermath. The Odessa region's governor reports substantial damage. In a suburban district of Odessa's regional capital, several buildings were harmed by drone debris. In the Ismajil district, through which Ukraine ships some of its grain, warehouse structures were struck. In Kyiv, several debris parts fell, according to authorities' reports. A municipal company was impacted, but no fire engulfed the building.
10:31 Stoltenberg reveals Russian deception: Showcased incorrect NATO territory maps Former NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg discusses the final diplomatic attempts before the 2022 Ukrainian conflict began. In January, the latest NATO-Russia Council meeting, which Stoltenberg presided over, took place. Russia demanded NATO to withdraw all troops from its eastern region, an unacceptable proposition for them. Encouraging dialogue, they engaged with the Russians once more. Russian deputy foreign and defense ministers asserted that no war plans were in the works and their nation was threatened by Ukraine, Stoltenberg explains further. "They presented maps, allegedly to highlight how Russia was encircled by NATO. Incredibly, these maps misrepresented NATO territory, such as classifying Denmark as non-NATO territory," he added, unsure if it was due to poor preparation or intent. Reflecting back, Stoltenberg regrets that stronger military support wasn't provided to Ukraine earlier. "Had Ukraine been militarily stronger, the invasion threshold for Russia would have been steeper. Whether it would have been high enough, remains uncertain."
10:03 Lithuania expects support from German combat brigade Lithuania and Germany reach an agreement: The Baltic NATO state is guaranteed a combat-ready German brigade's presence in the nation. Military expert Thomas Wiegold evaluates the deal's origins and implications in an interview with ntv.
09:28 Kim-Shoigu talks result in commitment to strengthen cooperation with Moscow State media reports North Korean leader Kim Jong Un's pledge to enhance cooperation with Russia following discussions with Russian Security Council Chief Sergei Shoigu in North Korea. The meeting discussed "deepening strategic dialogue between the two countries and strengthening cooperation to protect their respective security interests," along with regional and international topics. Ukraine, the US, and South Korea accuse North Korea of supplying Russia with weapons and missiles for the Ukrainian war, which Pyongyang denies as "baseless."
08:59 Starmer and Biden to review extended-range weapon usage for Ukraine at UN General Assembly There will be a reevaluation of whether Ukraine should utilize extended-range Western weapons against targets in Russia, British Prime Minister Starmer mentioned following a meeting with US President Biden. They postponed a decision on this matter. Starmer and Biden will examine this issue at the UN General Assembly in New York next week, involving a larger group of individuals, Starmer stated. BBC reports that Biden is open to permitting Ukraine to utilize British and French rockets equipped with US technology but not US-made rockets.
08:23 Selenskyj responds to Trump's alleged plan: Election campaign messages are not realistic US Republican presidential contender Donald Trump frequently claimed he could end the Ukraine conflict in a day, not presenting a plan. When asked about his interpretation of Trump's statement, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Selenskyj said, "Today, I can't comprehend it due to the absence of detailed information." Selenskyj noted that there is an ongoing US election campaign. "Campaign messages are campaign messages," he added, further commenting that some messages might not be realistic. However, Selenskyj also conceded that he spoke to Trump two months ago, who had pledged support for Ukraine.
07:27 ISW highlights Russian personnel shortage for large-scale counteroffensive in Kursk ISW, a think tank based in Washington, reports that while Russia continues counterattacks in the Kursk region, they do not yet see a substantial operation to expel Ukrainians completely. Russian authorities have primarily relied on poorly-trained and poorly-equipped conscripts, along with small sections of the standard Russian military, to accomplish their objectives. ISW assesses that "a Russian counteroffensive to recapture the territory previously seized by Ukrainian forces in the Kursk Oblast will likely necessitate a larger concentration of staff and material than what has already been deployed in this region—particularly if the majority of the units currently in place lack combat experience."
06:49 Ukraine under attack by Shahed drones According to Ukrainian military reports, Russia has been conducting nighttime attacks on Ukraine using Shahed drones. Russian troops released multiple groups of assault drones, which triggered air raid alerts across the nation, including the Odessa region. The navy claimed to have shot down nine drones near Odessa, with no injuries reported so far. Explosions were heard in the Odessa city center.
06:13 Mützenich calls for an international peace initiative contact group SPD parliamentary group leader Rolf Mützenich advocates for an international peace initiative contact group to act in the Ukraine war. "Given my perspective, I believe now is the appropriate time for Western allies to establish a contact group that will initiate a peace initiative," Mützenich told the "Rheinische Post." Both German Chancellor and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky agreed that now is an opportune moment to intensify efforts for peace negotiations, with Russia's participation in the next peace summit. Asked about the prospective members of such a contact group, Mützenich mentioned countries like China, India, Turkey, and Brazil as potential participants. "Considering the growing conviction that the Russian attack war can become a burden in these countries, the work of a contact group could potentially yield promising results and play a significant role in mediation."
05:41 EU Contemplates Alternative Methods for Prolonging Sanctions Against Russia
Based on information from diplomats, the EU Commission is pondering over three potential approaches for extending sanctions against Russia in the future. These options were presented to European diplomats during a meeting on Friday, a few sources mentioned. The rationale behind this discussion stems from the frozen funds of the Russian central bank, which have been instrumental in securing a 50 billion dollar loan from G7 countries to Ukraine. These funds have been frozen following Russia's invasion of Ukraine.
03:40 Drone Debris Hits Kyiv City Structures
Mayor of Kyiv, Vitali Klitschko, communicated through the Telegram messaging service about the incident involving drone debris that landed on a municipal building in the Kyiv district of Obolon, situated north of the city center. The scene is now being handled by the emergency services, Klitschko added. Earlier, the mayor had disclosed that air defense systems were operational in the city center.
01:35 Closer Collaboration Promised by Kim Jong Un to Shoigu
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has expressed his commitment to enhanced cooperation with Russian Security Council Secretary Sergei Shoigu. According to a report from state news agency KCNA, the two leaders engaged in an in-depth conversation during Shoigu's visit to Pyongyang, culminating in an agreement to strengthen cooperation on safeguarding mutual security interests. Shoigu, who was Russian Defense Minister until May, had initiated a closer relationship between North Korea and Russia last July through a trip to Pyongyang.
23:36 Zelensky to Share "Victory Strategy" with Biden in SeptemberUkrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has scheduled a meeting with US President Joe Biden for September, expressing his intention to share a "victory strategy." During an appearance in Kyiv, the President explained it would entail a interconnected set of decisions designed to equip the country with sufficient resources to guide the war towards peace. "Conquering wars can be brought to a just conclusion in various ways: either by forcing the occupying forces to retreat or through diplomacy," Zelensky elaborated. This would ensure Ukraine's true autonomy. However, Kyiv relies on US assistance for the necessary strong stance.
22:59 Russian Offensive Shifts Focus to SouthHeavy fighting persists in the country's east, as per the Ukrainian military. The General Staff in Kyiv reported 115 engagements in its evening update. "The most intense confrontations took place near Kurachove, with the enemy also active in the direction of Lyman and Pokrovsk," it stated. Kurachove is a small town south of Pokrovsk. Pokrovsk had previously been perceived as the primary objective of the Russian troops' advance. However, the Russians have obtained only limited territorial gains in this region. Instead, they have expanded their attack front to capture the mining town of Hirnyk, situated near Kurachove.
22:18 Zelensky: Advance into Kursk Brings Desired ReliefUkraine's advancement into the Russian oblast of Kursk is yielding the desired consequences, as per President Volodymyr Zelensky. In the Charkiv region, the enemy has been repelled, and in Donetsk, the Russian advance has slowed down, he said. Russia has yet to achieve any significant victories in its counteroffensive in Kursk. Experts had earlier expressed doubts about the deployment of larger Russian military units from Donetsk and other areas to Kursk. Russia claims to have recaptured 10 of the 100 occupied villages.
21:46 "West Fears" - Blunt Words from Zelensky Regarding AlliesUkrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky accused the West of possessing "fear" when discussing aid for Ukraine in the interception of Russian missiles. "If the allies collaborate to shoot down missiles and drones in the Middle East, why is there still no similar decision to shoot down Russian missiles and (Iranian) Shaheds in the skies over Ukraine?" Zelensky posed at a conference in Kyiv. "They are reluctant to even voice: 'We are working on it.' And this is the case even when missiles and drones are headed towards the territory of our neighbors," the Ukrainian president concluded. This is "embarrassing for the democratic world."
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21:30 Russia Deploys More Than 8000 Iranian DronesAccording to the Ukrainian government, Russia has launched 8060 Iranian Shahed drones against Ukraine since the onset of the war. No official statements from Iran or Russia are available at present. Ukraine initially accused the Iranian government of supplying kamikaze drones to Russia in the fall of 2022.
20:43 Stalling on Long-Range Weapons for Ukraine: USA Evades InterrogationsIn Washington, Prime Minister Keir Starmer of Britain and President Joe Biden of the USA are set to convene for discussions. The public is eager to learn if there will be any announcements concerning the approval of long-range weapons for Ukraine. As per reports from the British "Guardian", Ukraine has been given the green light to utilize Storm-Shadow missiles by the UK. Yet, it's been stated that neither side will bring up this subject during today's gathering. As John Kirby, the spokesperson for the National Security Council's Communications Department, puts it, "I wouldn't count on an announcement today about the deployment of long-range weapons inside Russia – absolutely not from the US." He merely mentions that they are still deliberating "the sorts of capabilities that will be given to Ukraine" alongside the UK, France, and other allies. Moreover, he avoids giving a definitive answer when confronted about potential changes in US policy. "I won't engage in a speculative debate about what we may or may not say at a later time."
You can browse all previous events here.
The American military aid to Ukraine being delayed due to intricate logistics does not change the fact that the attack on Ukraine is a matter of international concern. Despite this, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz seeks justice for those responsible for sabotaging the Nord Stream pipeline in Germany.
Despite Germany's opposition to delivering long-range weapons to Ukraine, the G7 strongly condemns Iran for supplying Russia with rockets for its conflict against Ukraine. The G7 states that Iran must immediately halt all support for Russia's illegal and unjustified war against Ukraine.
