Anticipated Strong Response from U.S. Intelligence if Long-Range Missiles are Given Permission
US intelligence agencies anticipate substantial risks if Ukraine launches long-range missiles into Russia's core regions. Such approval from the West might prompt severe retaliatory actions, according to an unpublished intelligence analysis revealed by the "New York Times." The intel agencies reportedly examine various Russian reactions, such as arson and sabotage against European facilities, along with potentially lethal assaults against US and European military assistance bases. While such actions by Russia are not anticipated, covert operations are more likely. The "New York Times" also states that US intelligence believes Ukraine lacks sufficient long-range missiles to significantly alter the conflict's course. The assessment suggests a high risk with an uncertain outcome at substantial cost, which may be part of the reason President Biden finds the decision challenging.
09:57 Munz on New Putin Threat: Commodity Export Ban "Won't Hurt West Much"
Russia threatens retaliation against the West if long-range missiles are utilized against targets in Russia. President Putin is considering restricting export of strategic commodities, including uranium, as a response to the West. ntv reporter Munz explains the context and implications.
08:40 Ukrainian Navy Baffled by Russian Construction Near Crimea Bridge
An unidentified Russian construction near the Crimea Bridge is perplexing the Ukrainian Navy. According to Ukrainian TV, citing Navy spokesman Dmytro Pletenchuk of "The Kyiv Independent," the purpose of the structure under construction is unknown. "It could be a defensive installation, a new crossing, but it's premature to draw conclusions," Pletenchuk stated. The Navy spokesman believes the Russians won't complete it given the deteriorating weather conditions. "They keep attempting to place something new in the Kerch Strait to construct various hydrotechnical structures or barriers, but after each storm, they end up on the shore." The bridge links Russia to the Ukrainian Crimean peninsula, which Russia annexed.
08:08 Ukrainian Town on Romanian Border Attacked, Several Killed
The town of Ismajil in southern Ukraine was hit by a Russian drone attack. Three people were killed this morning, according to the governor of the Odessa Oblast, Oleh Kiper. All fatalities were seniors, including a woman in her 90s. Eleven others, including a child, were wounded. The town of Ismajil is situated on the border with Romania, with the northern mouth of the Danube River forming the boundary.
07:40 To Secure Negotiations: SPD Foreign Policy Expert Roth Calls for "Substantially More" Military Aid
SPD foreign policy expert Michael Roth is pushing for more military aid from Europe for Ukraine. "Larger European countries need to do much more militarily to ensure that Ukraine remains a free and democratic country," Roth said in the "Tagesspiegel." "Now it's time to finally mobilize all forces to put Ukraine in the best possible position for potential negotiations." The chairperson of the Foreign Affairs Committee in the Bundestag argues: "Whoever wants to end the war as soon as possible must provide Ukraine with the necessary support." Deterrence and diplomacy are two sides of the same coin. "Russia will only be ready for negotiations if Putin is convinced that a victory over Ukraine is impossible."
07:09 Baerbock: Without Our Support, Hospitals and Children Would Be Vulnerable
Federal Foreign Minister Baerbock defends Western military aid to Ukraine and warns against reduced support for Kyiv. "The idea that there would be no fighting and no dying in Ukraine if there were no defensive weapons is as simple as it is false," Baerbock said on Thursday during the UN General Debate in New York. "If Russia stops its attack, the war is over. If Ukraine stops defending itself, it's over for Ukraine." Russian President Putin has responded to an invitation to a peace conference in June with the bombing of a children's hospital. As long as Putin refuses to attend the negotiation table, ending aid would mean leaving the Ukrainian hospitals and children without defense. "It would mean more war crimes, possibly also in other countries." Baerbock stresses that Russia has "tampered with the inviolability of the borders of the Baltic states and Poland numerous times."
06:45 Slovenia: Should Not Rule Out Precision Weapons for Kyiv
The Slovenian government advises against making hasty decisions on the use of long-range Western weapons against Russian territory, considering German skepticism. "It's generally not the best tactic to rule out some topics at the outset," Prime Minister Robert Golob said on the sidelines of the UN General Debate in New York. "It's a thorny issue, but I believe at this stage, all options should be discussed, and then the one that is most suitable for the current situation should be chosen." So far, particularly Germany and the US have been hesitant on the issue. Chancellor Olaf Scholz recently ruled out the provision of long-range precision weapons to Ukraine even in the future.
06:01 Trump Arranges Meeting with ZelenskyFormer United States President Donald Trump has scheduled a meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky this coming Friday in New York City. The encounter is slated to take place at Trump Tower in Manhattan, as Trump mentioned. Zelensky, following his meeting with President Joe Biden on Thursday, has prolonged his stay in the U.S. for the chance to meet with Trump. Prior to his trip to the U.S., Zelensky voiced his interest in meeting with both Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris, as well as Trump, to present his "victory strategy" aimed at ending the conflict in Ukraine. Check it out further here.
04:25 Harris Offers Support to Zelensky and Warns Against TrumpDemocratic Presidential candidate Kamala Harris pledged support to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and cautioned against a Trump presidency, without explicitly mentioning his name. "My commitment to the people of Ukraine remains resolute. (...) I will remain a staunch ally to Ukraine and work diligently to ensure Ukraine triumphs in this dispute and enjoys safety and prosperity," Harris stated during a visit from Zelensky in Washington. She voiced concern that a resolution to the conflict cannot be reached without Ukraine's involvement. However, there are some individuals within the U.S. that aspire to do so. Their objective is to compel Ukraine to relinquish vast territories, adopt neutrality, and abandon security guarantees from external countries. These proposals closely mirror those presented by Russian President Putin, implying a concession of defeat.
02:08 Ukraine Reports Shelling West of KhersonRussian troops repeatedly bombarded the settlement of Tomyna Balka situated west of the Ukrainian-controlled city of Kherson on Thursday, according to regional governor Prokrudin. A woman succumbed to her injuries, and another person was hurt, he reported via Telegram.
00:55 UK Provides More Artillery Systems to Ukrainian DefenseThe United Kingdom will disburse an additional batch of self-propelled artillery systems, AS90s, to the Ukrainian defense forces. Ten such systems have already been delivered to Ukraine, with another six expected within the next few weeks, as announced by the British Ministry of Defense.
23:33 UN Struggles with Funding to Help Ukrainians this WinterThe United Nations acknowledges a severe funding shortage to aid Ukrainians during the winter months. "Our funding levels are inadequate at this point in time," said Karolina Lindholm Billing, UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR)'s representative in Ukraine. The UNHCR now possesses only 47 percent of the resources necessary to support the millions displaced or impacted by the war in Ukraine. At this time last year, the UNHCR was 70 percent funded.
22:13 Biden Vows Intensified Aid to UkrainePresident Joe Biden asserted the US will ramp up its support for Ukraine during the remaining part of his tenure. This escalation in assistance is expected to bolster the bargaining power of the Ukrainian Government in Kyiv, according to Biden, who held a meeting with his Ukrainian counterpart, Volodymyr Zelensky, before their encounter in Washington. Biden's term expires in January. His successor may either be Vice President Kamala Harris or Republican Donald Trump, who is rumored to drastically reduce US engagement with Ukraine.
21:34 Ukraine: Russia Prepares to Enhance Attacks in Zaporizhzhia RegionBased on Ukrainian intelligence reports, Russian forces are anticipated to amplify their offensive activities in the Zaporizhzhia region. "There's a tendency towards escalation in the conflict zone sector in the Zaporizhzhia region," stated a representative for troops stationed in southern Ukraine on national television. "Over the past 24 hours, there were five Russian attacks. We can predict that this number may increase, as our intel indicates that the enemy is assembling attack forces near the [settlement] Pryiutne." Additionally, the representative reported the arrival of light armored vehicles. "This implies they are preparing for offensive operations."
21:00 Biden Meets Zelensky: Russia will not prevailAt the outset of their gathering in Washington, US President Joe Biden reassured Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky of unwavering US support. "Russia will not emerge victorious, Ukraine will," Biden declared as he welcomed his Ukrainian counterpart into the Oval Office at the White House: "And we will accompany you every step of the way." Explore this development further here.
You can read about previous developmentshere**.
The United Nations is struggling with funding to aid Ukrainians during the winter months, due to a severe funding shortage, as stated by UNHCR representative Karolina Lindholm Billing in Ukraine.
During his meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, US President Joe Biden vowed to intensify aid to Ukraine for the remaining part of his tenure, aiming to bolster the bargaining power of the Ukrainian Government in Kyiv.
