Amidst numerous attempts, drone assaults are inflicting harm despite repeated strikes
11:16 Meeting Between Kim and Shoigu in PyongyangThe Russian Security Council's Secretary, Sergei Shoigu, had a meeting with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un in Pyongyang. The meetup took place in an environment of exceptional trust and camaraderie, as stated by the Russian Security Council. This interaction is expected to significantly contribute to the enactment of the defense agreement signed by Kim and Russian President Vladimir Putin in June. According to Putin, this agreement necessitates "reciprocal aid in the event of aggression against one of the contracting parties." Western nations accuse Russia of integrating North Korean missiles and artillery shells in their conflict in Ukraine. In order to escalate their offensive in Ukraine, Russia is reportedly seeking aid from nations such as China, Iran, and North Korea.
10:46 Volodin Accuses NATO of Instigating War Against RussiaThe head of Russia's parliament, Vyacheslav Volodin, has leveled accusations against NATO for instigating the conflict in Ukraine. In a post on Telegram, Volodin alleges that NATO is actively involved in the selection of Russian cities for targeted attacks, coordinating military deployments with the Ukrainian army, and issuing orders to the Kyiv government.
10:17 Munz on Putin's War Threat to NATO: "Putin's Warning Falls Flat in the West"Concerns arise in the West about potential escalation should Ukraine be given authorization to launch missile attacks on Russian territory. Indeed, Russian President Vladimir Putin has once again threatened this scenario. However, ntv correspondent Rainer Munz suggests that multiple factors minimize the credibility of Putin's aggressive rhetoric.
09:42 Kalesnikava's Health Deteriorates in PrisonImprisoned Belarusian opposition leader Maria Kalesnikava is reportedly in critical condition, as per her sister's account. Kalesnikava, who has endured harsh detention conditions for four years, now weighs a mere 45 kg at a height of 1.75 meters, according to her sister, Tatiana Chomitsh. Chomitsh cites information from former prisoners and accuses the authorities of subjecting Kalesnikava to prolonged psychological and physical torture. The Belarusian Ministry of Internal Affairs has yet to respond to requests regarding Kalesnikava's prison conditions. Kalesnikava, a prominent symbol of resistance against Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko, is currently serving an 11-year sentence for alleged power seizure conspiracy.
09:20 Agreement Reached for Lithuanian Brigade Deployment
08:56 Britain Expels Russian Diplomats on Spying Charges
Russia has dismissed six British diplomats on allegations of espionage. The FSB, Russia's intelligence agency, claims to possess evidence proving that Britain's Foreign Office is coordinating political and military escalation. Russia's Foreign Ministry spokesperson, Maria Zakharova, accuses the British embassy of intentionally harming Russian citizens, according to Tass news agency. The expulsion could be a response to discussions regarding potential approval for Ukraine to utilize long-range weapons against Russia. British Prime Minister Starmer is scheduled to meet with President Biden at the White House later today. Read more here.
08:31 Zelensky Calls for Approval of Long-Range Missiles to Strike Russian Positions
Ukrainian President Zelensky has long advocated for authorization to deploy long-range missiles to target Russian military assets. The US and Britain are now considering this proposal. Nonetheless, Russia promptly responds with a warning from President Vladimir Putin.
08:03 Russia Offers to Share Fighting Experience Against Western Weapons
Russia is offering to share its combat know-how against various Western weapons with its allies. Russian Deputy Defense Minister Alexander Fomin declared at a security conference in China that Russia has invaluable expertise in combating Western arms and is willing to share this information with its partners. The conflicts have brought about a new form of warfare, with Russian weapons possessing the capability to neutralize Western artillery, according to Fomin.
07:34 Ukrainian Security Service Announces Arrests of Arson Suspects with Ties to Russia
Five individuals are under suspicion for carrying out arson attacks in Kyiv on behalf of a Russian intelligence agency, as reported by the Ukrainian Security Service. The suspects are accused of igniting five military vehicles and distributing leaflets intended to discredit the military. The Security Service alleges that these men ventured to Kyiv seeking employment and were contacted by Russian agents over Telegram to secure quick cash. They document their actions through mobile phone recordings, expecting reimbursement that never materializes.
07:05 Ukrainian Chief Rabbi Mourns Loss of Adoptive Son Killed in WarUkrainian Chief Rabbi Moshe Asman is grieving the loss of his adoptive son, Anton Samborskij, who died during the Russian invasion. A memorial service was held in Kyiv on Thursday to honor the 32-year-old, who went missing at the end of July and was only recently confirmed deceased after weeks of uncertainty. Samborskij became a father in May, Asman shared on social media. He had adopted Samborskij as an orphan aged ten. Their last contact was on July 17.
06:29 Japan Witnesses Circling of Russian AircraftJapan's air force deployed fighter jets on Thursday, responding to two Russian aircraft that orbited around the country. The intruders did not breach Japanese airspace, as reported by the Defense Ministry. Throughout the morning to afternoon hours, the Russian Tu-142 planes ventured towards Okinawa's southern region from the sea. Subsequently, Japanese military aircraft were put on high alert, the Ministry mentioned. The Russian aircraft ultimately departed in the northern direction, also traversing the disputed Kuriles region between Japan and Russia. Earlier this week, Russian and Chinese naval vessels initiated joint naval drills in the Sea of Japan, part of a wider-scale naval exercise. Russian military aircraft last visited Japan in 2019. Detailed coverage available here.
06:07 Moscow Denounces US Containment Policy against Russia and ChinaRussian Deputy Defense Minister Alexander Fomin stated, at a security conference in China, that the US is implementing a containment policy against Russia and China, as claimed by the Russian news agency TASS. Fomin asserted that Moscow and China support the formation of a just, multi-polar world order, based on equality and mutual respect. Conversely, the West is preparing for potential conflicts in Asia by establishing new security groupings in the region.
05:27 Ukraine Alleges Russian Air Strike Targeting Cargo ShipUkrainian authorities disclosed new details regarding an alleged Russian air raid on a civilian cargo vessel in the Black Sea. It is suspected a Tu-22 bomber launched a Ch-22 anti-ship missile toward the vessel, which was beyond Ukrainian territorial waters. Adorned with the flag of St. Kitts and Nevis, the ship embarked on a journey transporting wheat from Chornomorsk, a southern Ukrainian port, to Egypt. BBC sources mentioned the ship's location within Romania's exclusive economic zone while also reporting the deployment of a Ch-31 missile, primarily employed for electronic warfare and posing minimal explosive damage in comparison to Ch-22 cruise missiles designed to deter aircraft carriers.
Read more here.
03:19 Unclear Circumstances Surround Separatist Region Death
A Moldovan soldier tragically lost his life on duty at the demarcation line with the separatist region of Transnistria. The Ministry of Defense of the Republic of Moldova confirmed the soldier was killed by a bullet from his own weapon while executing his tasks. Law enforcement and forensic specialists are currently investigating the situation. Soldiers from Moldova, Transnistria, and Russian troops have been employed along this demarcation line since a conflict ensued following the Soviet Union's dissolution in 1992. In light of this, Moldova intends to reintegrate Transnistria into its territory. Incidents involving this demarcation line are infrequent.
02:18 UK Prime Minister Reaffirms Resistance against Russian Involvement
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer faulted Russian President Putin for accusing Western nations of instigating attacks deep into Russian territory via weapons distribution. "Ukraine has the right to self-defense," Starmer affirmed. The UK supports this right and offers assistance in such contexts. However, Starmer emphasized that the UK does not seek conflict with Russia; conflict involvement is not an intention whatsoever. Complete article here.
01:09 Former US Ambassador Suggests Harris's More Assertive Ukraine Policy
According to former US Ambassador to Ukraine, William B. Taylor, if Democratic candidate Kamala Harris were to win the presidency, she would likely champion Ukraine's cause more forcefully than incumbent Biden. Demonstrated previously, he said, Harris has demonstrated a more assertive stance on various issues compared to Biden, including decisions regarding HIMARS, Abrams, and F-16 combat jets, as well as allowing Ukraine to strike deep into Russian territory.
00:27 Zelensky Praises Estonia for Military Aid
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky welcomed Estonian President Alar Karis in Kyiv, expressing appreciation for Estonia's military aid offer. Estonia has pledged to allocate 0.25% of its annual GDP to support Ukraine's defense expenditures. Discussions touched on Ukraine's reconstruction and its path towards EU membership. In addition, Latvia's Prime Minister Evika Siliņa pledged further assistance during a subsequent encounter with Zelensky.
23:19 BND not Obligated to Disclose Military Analysis to Journalist
According to the Federal Administrative Court, the Federal Intelligence Service (BND) is not required to divulge information regarding whether they described a Ukrainian military victory as difficult or impossible in private conversations. Additionally, media outlets involved in these conversations have no obligation to be disclosed. This verdict was reached following an emergency request by a newspaper editor. However, the BND must disclose the number of confidential individual background discussions on the military situation in Ukraine this year, as outlined in the court's decision. The case emerged from a May newspaper article reporting CDU politician allegations pertaining to the BND spreading a negative military situation assessment in Ukraine to sway public opinion.
22:06 Coalition Politicians Endorse Use of Long-Range Arms Against RussiaPoliticians from the coalition government are in favor of granting Kyiv permission to utilize long-range weapons against Russian targets. SPD foreign policy expert Michael Roth tells T-Online that it's justified and in accordance with international law to finally bomb military targets in Russia with long-range Western rockets. Roth suggests military airfields, command centers, or launch bases as potential Russian targets for long-range weaponry. From these bases, Roth explains, "cruel attacks on civilian Ukrainian targets" are launched, and they can be most effectively halted there. The chairman of the defense committee, Marcus Faber of the FDP, believes that the approval to bomb Russian military airports with long-range weapons such as ATACMS and Storm Shadow is overdue. Green politician Anton Hofreiter stresses that Russia has been terrorizing the Ukrainian civilian population daily with rocket attacks on hospitals, residential buildings, and the energy supply. In order to protect the Ukrainian civilian population, the military needs to be allowed to strike military bases on Russian soil with long-range weapons.
21:35 Vance Discusses Trump's Ideas on UkraineRepublican vice-presidential candidate J.D. Vance believes that Donald Trump's plan to put an end to the Russian war could include the creation of a demilitarized zone between Ukraine and Russia. Vance shares this perspective in an interview with TV producer Shawn Ryan, noting that Trump could invite Russians, Ukrainians, and Europeans to the table to explore the possibility of a peaceful solution. "I think he could reach a deal very quickly," states Vance. Trump has often publicly expressed his empathy towards Russian President Vladimir Putin and has criticized US aid to Ukraine. The former president also claims that he could bring an end to the war in just 24 hours if he were to be elected. However, Trump does not provide specific details for his proposed plan.
21:03 "We are Russians. God is with us" - Fascist Rally in St. PetersburgDespite lacking a higher authority to contradict them, Russian nationalists and fascists rallying through St. Petersburg cry out, "We are Russians. God is with us." The occasion for this demonstration is the celebration of the transfer of relics of Alexander Nevsky, regarded as a national hero and Orthodox Church saint.
20:28 Russian Propagandist: "The Atlantic Ocean is Our Ideal Barrier"Popular Russian TV host Vladimir Solovyov expresses his belief that Russia should strive for more than just conquering Ukraine. Solovyov suggests that the Atlantic Ocean is the "ideal barrier," implying that Russian troops would be a perfect fit in Berlin, Lisbon, Madrid, or even Paris. When reminded of the limited Russian population, Solovyov fervently responds, "The Belarusian brothers are with us." Alternatively, one could also look to China for support.
20:01 British Volunteers Prepare for WinterMany Ukrainian homes that have so far managed to withstand shelling are left with shattered windows; a disheartening situation as winter approaches. The British NGO "Insulate Ukraine" is addressing this issue by traveling to conflict zones to install temporary windows.
Read all previous developments [here].
The European Union has expressed concern over Russia's alleged integration of North Korean missiles and artillery shells in its conflict with Ukraine. This concern is shared by Western nations, who believe that Russia is seeking aid from countries such as China, Iran, and North Korea to escalate its offensive.
In light of Russia's alleged actions in Ukraine and its threats towards NATO, the European Union has become increasingly wary of Russia's intentions. The European Union is closely monitoring the situation and has reaffirmed its commitment to supporting Ukraine in its ongoing conflict with Russia.
