Around 28 individuals sustain injuries in Kharkiv due to a guided aerial attack.
14:55 Russia Slams US for Sanctions Against RT, Warns Retaliation
Russia has strongly condemned the US sanctions imposed on its state-owned television channel RT and hinted at potential retaliation. Maria Zakharova, the spokesperson for the Russian Foreign Ministry, stated this on the ministry's official website. The actions of the US government, Zakharova claimed, will not go unanswered. Experts believe this statement is a warning to American journalists still operating in Russia. In March 2023, Russia detained US journalist Evan Gershkovich on charges of spying. Gershkovich, a correspondent for the renowned "Wall Street Journal," spent 16 months in custody before being released in a prisoner swap. Both Gershkovich and the newspaper have consistently denied the accusations. Zakharova now accuses the US of censorship and an assault on press freedom. She alleges that Washington is initiating "another wave of restrictions against Russian media and journalists" with its actions against RT group.
14:28 Iran's President Headed to Russia for BRICS Summit
Iran is strengthening its partnership with Russia and will partake in the BRICS summit. As reported by Russian media citing the Iranian ambassador to Moscow, Kasem Jalali, President Massud Peseschkian will journey to Kazan on the Volga. Jalali also announced a bilateral meeting with Russian President Putin during the summit from October 22 to 24. A comprehensive cooperation agreement is planned. US Secretary of State Antony Blinken has implicated the Islamic Republic in supplying Russia with missiles for use in Ukraine. Tehran denies these allegations.
13:55 New Ukrainian Foreign Minister Issues Warning: Don't Trust Putin's Threats
Ukraine's Foreign Minister Andrij Sybiha has urged the country's allies not to be swayed by Russian President Vladimir Putin's threats. According to Sybiha, Putin's objective is to weaken support for Ukraine. "Instead, allies should bolster their support," Sybiha wrote on X. He reiterated that Putin's threats have not proven effective. He pointed out that Putin has frequently warned of unforeseen consequences but has never followed through on these threats. This was the case when the West started supplying weapons to Ukraine after the conflict commenced, when Finland and Sweden joined NATO, and when Ukraine received its first F-16 fighter jets, the foreign minister continued. "When met with strength, Putin retreats and devises strategies to explain this to his people."
13:30 German Taurus Stance Criticized as Stubborn
The discussion over providing German Taurus cruise missiles to Ukraine is once again gaining traction - but Chancellor Scholz remains firm on his decision not to approve the arms delivery. This stance is not well-received in Ukraine, as reported by ntv correspondent Kavita Sharma.
13:03 Couple Killed in Russian Rocket Attack Near Odessa
A Russian rocket attack on the outskirts of the city of Odessa resulted in the death of at least two individuals, according to Ukrainian reports. The victims from Saturday evening were a couple, the regional governor announced. Another person was injured. Preliminary findings suggest that a warhead containing prohibited cluster munitions was utilized. The Ukrainian air forces report that two rockets hit the outskirts.
12:28 Ukrainian Military Claims to Destroy Pontoon Bridge and Command Center
The Ukrainian military asserts to have destroyed a pontoon bridge constructed by the Russians. The location of the bridge is not specified by the General Staff of the army. Six enemy concentration areas were targeted from the air or with artillery on the previous day, it is reported. Besides the pontoon bridge, an artillery system was also destroyed. Another hit was reported on a command and control center.
11:58 Ukrainian Women Remove Landmines from Farms
Hundreds of thousands of soldiers are engaged in combat against Russian troops in Ukraine, leading to labor shortages, particularly in traditionally male roles. As a result, women are increasingly in demand, and many are retraining for new occupations. The ntv foreign report visits some of these women in the southeast of the country and near Kiev.
11:25 Calls for Easing Restrictions on Ukraine's Use of Western Weapons
Wolfgang Ischinger, the former head of the Munich Security Conference, advocates for relaxing the limitations on Ukraine's utilization of Western weapons. "It would be clearer and simpler for everyone if we simply declared: We commit Ukraine to using the weapons systems we provide solely within the scope of international law," Ischinger told the "Süddeutsche Zeitung". This means that medical facilities could not be targeted, "which the Russians have been doing repeatedly". Only military targets such as airports or launch bases could be attacked - even on Russian territory, for example, to prevent attacks with glide bombs.
10:53 Increase in Prisoner Exchanges Following Kursk Offensive
The frequent exchange of prisoners between Ukraine and Russia in recent days is likely linked to the Ukrainian offensive in Kursk, according to analysts. This offensive began on August 6. Since then, there have been three operations in which a total of 267 prisoners from each side were exchanged, as reported by the Institute for the Study of War (ISW) in its analysis. In comparison, between January 1 and August 6, there were only three prisoner exchanges - a combined total of slightly more than 400 Ukrainians and 400 Russians. Ukrainian officials claimed that the incursion into Kursk had strengthened Ukraine's negotiating power in the exchange of prisoners with Russia, after the Kremlin had consistently refused Ukraine's attempts to negotiate a prisoner swap.
10:16 Russian Troops Steadily Advancing on Eastern Front, British Ministry of Defense Reports
Russian troops are continuing their offensive on the eastern front, making gradual progress near Wuhledar and south-east of the logistics center Pokrovsk, according to the British Ministry of Defense. However, the Russians have not made significant progress towards Pokrovsk itself in the last week.
09:46 Ukraine Faces Drone and Missile AssaultUkraine's air force reports enduring 14 drone attacks from Russia during the previous night. Ten of these drones were viciously eliminated by air defenses. Moreover, one guided missile was skillfully intercepted. The air force remained cryptic about the fate of these two missiles and any potential casualties or damage caused by the assault. Authorities in Kharkiv revealed fires due to Russian shelling, as well as damage to various structures in Kharkiv city.
09:10 Russia Intensifies Facial Recognition Payment System in Subways, Human Rights Activist Warns of Surveillance ConcernsThe expansion of Russia's facial recognition payment system in subways is causing unease among human rights activists. The system, named "Face Pay," has been operational in Moscow for three years and is now being launched in six additional cities, such as Kazan. Passengers can now register for the system by gazing into a camera-mounted device at the turnstile, as detailed by Russian media. The intention is to also introduce this method in all Russian subway systems by next year. Andrei Fedorkov, a lawyer collaborating with the outlawed Russian human rights organization Memorial to support political prisoners, raises concerns about "significant" risks. He fears that the system could become an additional tool for monitoring and controlling citizens.
08:02 Dozen of Drones Downed Over Russian TerritoryRussia's air defense successfully extinguished 29 drones over various regions during the night, according to Moscow's defense ministry. The drones were launched from Ukraine. The majority of the drones were brought down over the Bryansk region, which borders Ukraine.
07:31 Stegner Defends Participation in Protest, Critics Slam His Choice of EventSPD foreign policy expert Ralf Stegner plans to attend a demonstration where Sahra Wagenknecht, co-founder of the Left Party, is also due to speak. Stegner clarified that he is not joining forces with anyone and will express his views as a Social Democrat at the event. He stated that there are other speakers whose perspectives he disagree with and various calls whose content he does not endorse. "As long as fascists, anti-Semites, and racists remain excluded, I support freedom of speech." The demonstration, titled "Never Again War - Lay Down Your Weapons," was organized to call for immediate negotiations to halt the wars in Ukraine and Gaza Strip, as well as an end to weapons deliveries to Ukraine, Israel, and the world. Critics, including SPD foreign policy expert Michael Roth and FDP MEP Marie-Agnes Strack-Zimmermann, lambasted Stegner's decision to participate.
07:03 Kharkiv Under Repeated shellingUkrainian authorities reported that Kharkiv is once more under attack. The city's governor announced that a building on a hospital campus had been harmed, and an educational institution suffered a fire after being struck by a rocket launcher. No injuries were reported. Kharkiv is often bombarded, and it lies just 30 kilometers from the Russian border.
06:29 Russian Presence in Kursk Region Possibly IncreasedThe Ukrainian counteroffensive appears to have forced an accumulation of troops on the Russian side, as evaluated by the Institute for the Study of War. The offensive has resulted in the redistribution of Russian military units from Ukraine to the Kursk region and the deployment of fresh forces from Russia to Kursk instead of the frontline in Ukraine. In August's early stages, there were 11,000 Russian soldiers stationed in the Kursk region, with current estimates ranging between 30,000 and 45,000 soldiers.
05:11 Ukraine Affirms Production of 155-mm Artillery ShellsUkraine has commenced producing 155-mm artillery shells, as confirmed by a government official, according to the Ukrainian newspaper "Kyiv Independent." Former Minister of Strategic Industries Oleksandr Kamyshin, now an external advisor to President Volodymyr Zelensky, asserted that the output of defense products has doubled under his supervision. He also projected a tripling of production by the year's end.
03:04 Biden Advisor Divulges Focus on Ukraine for Remaining TermA key advisor to U.S. President Joe Biden stated that the president intends to employ the remainder of his term aiding Ukraine in achieving its strongest possible position in its conflict with Russia. Jake Sullivan, the White House National Security Advisor, declared at the Yalta European Strategy (YES) conference in Kyiv that Biden aims to put Ukraine in the best possible position to succeed in the next four months.
01:43 Report: Former British Politicians Advocate Long-Range Missiles for Ukraine in RussiaFive former British defense ministers and ex-Prime Minister Boris Johnson reportedly advocated allowing Ukraine to utilize long-range missiles on Russian territory, according to a newspaper report. They warned the current Prime Minister of the potential risk of further delay, stating that it would embolden Russian President Putin.
According to Ukrainian intelligence, North Korea poses the most significant threat among Russia's allies. As per their analysis, amongst all Russia's allies, North Korea is their foremost issue. Ukrainian intelligence chief Kyrylo Budanow, speaking at the Yalta European Strategy (YES) conference in Kyiv, stated, "Amongst all these allies of Russia, North Korea is our biggest problem." North Korea's military assistance to Russia, including a substantial amount of ammunition, is exacerbating the conflict, Budanow explained in response to a question about the support of Russia's allies like Iran and China. North Korean leader Kim Jong Un announced plans to strengthen ties with Russia during his meetings with Russian Security Council Secretary Sergei Shoigu. Kyiv is monitoring North Korea's weapons shipments to Moscow and has observed their impact on the battlefield. "There's a direct link. They're supplying vast amounts of artillery, which is concerning," Budanow added.
According to Ukraine, Russia may confront recruitment issues from mid-2025. Ukrainian spy chief Kyrylo Budanow predicted during a conference in Kyiv that Moscow will face a dilemma in the summer of 2025. Either they will declare mobilization or reduce the intensity of hostilities, Budanow suggested. This decision could potentially be decisive for Russia, but Moscow has yet to release an official statement.
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz criticizes Russian President Vladimir Putin for wagering Russia's future on the attack against Ukraine. Scholz addressed a citizens' dialog in Brandenburg's Prenzlau and condemned Putin's attack on Ukraine as "ultra-stupid." Putin's imperialistic aspirations are leading him to send vast numbers of Russian soldiers to severe injury and death. Moreover, Putin's actions are damaging Russia's economic relations with various countries worldwide. "And Ukraine will have a stronger army than it had before," Scholz concluded. Germany will continue to support Ukraine militarily to prevent the attacked country from collapsing and to prevent an outright violation of rules in Europe from succeeding. "Putin is ruining his country's future," Scholz added. A peaceful resolution can only be achieved if Russia acknowledges that Ukraine is not a vassal state.
Ukrainian forces are making progress in their offensive against the western Russian region of Kursk but are also encountering setbacks due to Russian counterattacks. According to the pro-government Ukrainian military channel Deep State, Ukrainian units have captured three more settlements. However, Russian counterattacks are pushing back Ukrainian troops around the village of Snagost, resulting in a significant breach in Ukrainian defense lines, as depicted on a map published by Deep State. These developments cannot be independently verified at present. In early August, Ukrainian troops had advanced into the Russian border region of Kursk, claiming to have captured around 1,300 square kilometers and about 100 settlements, including the town of Sudcha. Military analysts suggest that the territorial gains have been limited. This week, the Russian military made its first serious attempt to repel Ukrainian troops.
Delays in US military aid to Ukraine are due to "difficult logistics," as per US officials. National security advisor to the White House Jake Sullivan dismissed any suggestion of a lack of political will during a video appearance at the Yalta European Strategy (YES) conference in Kyiv. Instead, Sullivan emphasized the challenges in delivering the aid to the front line. Despite the hurdles, the US is committed to providing more aid to Ukraine, Sullivan acknowledges. US President Joe Biden plans to meet Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy at the UN General Assembly in New York later this month to discuss further support.
Olaf Scholz has accused the sabotage of the Nord Stream pipelines in the Baltic Sea as a "terrorist act." The German Chancellor has instructed all security authorities and the Federal Public Prosecutor's Office to investigate the incident impartially. Scholz also dismisses the claim that the German government has abandoned its reliance on Russian natural gas as a "big, fat lie." Germany has incurred significant financial losses due to Russia's actions, with costs exceeding 100 billion euros. The pipeline explosions took place only after Russia had stopped 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.
Reports indicating Iran providing Russia with rockets have prompted the wealthy democracies of the G7 to fiercely criticize the weapon supply. Despite numerous appeals to halt such deliveries, Iran persists in arming Russia, intensifying its military backing for Russia's invasion of Ukraine, as stated by a unified declaration from the foreign ministers of Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the UK, the USA, and the EU's High Representative. Russia is allegedly utilizing Iranian weapons to eliminate Ukrainian civilians and attack crucial infrastructure. Lately, the UK and USA mentioned receiving ballistic missiles from Iran, with Iran refuting the claims. The declaration released by Italy's G7 presidency advises, "Iran must cease all support for Russia's unlawful and unjustified war against Ukraine immediately and cease providing ballistic missiles, drones, and related technology, which directly endanger the Ukrainian people and European and international security." The statement concludes, "We remain resolute in holding Iran accountable for its unacceptable support for Russia's illegal war in Ukraine, which harms global security." Germany, France, and the UK have already implemented new sanctions on Iran, and the EU is considering stiffer penalties.
19:41 Kremlin Head Putin Claims Defense of Free Speech
In a move that may confound his imprisoned critics: Russian President Vladimir Putin underscores the value of free speech and information. "At a time when the intricate process of multipolarity is unfolding, it is particularly imperative to safeguard the principles of information authenticity," Putin remarks to participants of the media summit of the Brics countries in Moscow, commemorating the 120th anniversary of the state news agency Tass. "True freedom of speech, catering to diverse opinions, facilitates the pursuit of compromises and collective solutions to the world's problems," Putin adds. Media plays a significant role in constructing a fair world order, by offering "individuals an unbiased and impartial perspective of the world." However, free speech and media do not exist within Russia's autocratic rule. Independent media have been banned and shut down, and government opponents aresubjected to persecution by the legal system. Established in 1904, Tass, Russia's largest news agency, has functioned as the government's mouthpiece.
19:20 Scholz Rules Out Delivery of Taurus Cruise MissilesChancellor Olaf Scholz has rejected the future delivery of long-range precision weapons to Ukraine, despite decisions from alliance partners. At a citizens' dialogue in the Brandenburg town of Prenzlau, he confirmed his opposition to the supply of Taurus cruise missiles, with a range from Ukraine to Moscow (around 500 kilometers), stating that it would bring a significant risk of escalation. "I said no to that. And that, of course, applies to any other weapons capable of reaching such distances," says Scholz. "That remains the case. (.) Even if other countries make a different decision" (see also entry from 17:24). The longest-range weapon Germany has delivered to Ukraine so far is the Mars II rocket launcher, capable of striking targets 84 kilometers away.
You can access all prior updates [here].
The President of the Council in Russia, likely referring to the head of the Russian Council of Federation, might express support for Maria Zakharova's claims about US censorship and an assault on press freedom in response to the sanctions against RT.
Or, referring to the BRICS summit, the President of the Council of Iran would welcome the participation of Iran's President Massud Peseschkian in the summit and discuss potential bilateral agreements with Russian President Putin.
