At 09:46, Ukraine announces assaults by drones and missiles
09:10: Expansion of Facial Recognition Payment System in Russian Subways Sparks Concerns from Human Rights ActivistsHuman rights advocates are expressing worry over the expansion of a facial recognition payment system in Russian subways. Radio Free Europe / Radio Liberty, funded by the United States, shares that the "Face Pay" system, initially introduced in Moscow three years ago, is now being presented as an option in six additional cities, such as Kazan. Passengers can enroll in the system at turnstiles equipped with cameras for payment, as reported in Russian media. Plans are also in the works to implement this system in all Russian subway systems next year. It's noted that in Moscow, street cameras have previously been used to apprehend individuals suspected of participating in anti-government protests and journalists covering them. Lawyer Andrei Fedorkov, who supports political prisoners through banned Russian human rights organization Memorial, expresses concern about the potential misuse of "Face Pay" for these purposes and views the system as presenting "significant" risks with the potential to become another tool for surveillance and citizen control.
08:02: Russian Air Defense Shoots Down 29 Drones Over Several RegionsAccording to the Ministry of Defense in Moscow, 29 drones have been shot down across various Russian territories. The majority of the drones were launched from Ukraine, primarily over the Bryansk region, which borders Ukraine.
07:31: Stegner Defends Upcoming Protest Appearance Amidst CriticismsGerman SPD foreign policy expert Ralf Stegner defends his planned participation in a demonstration, where he will share the stage with Sahra Wagenknecht, co-founder of the Left Party. Stegner clarifies that he is not aligned with specific speakers and will present his views as a social democrat. He emphasizes that his appearance supports freedom of opinion as long as "fascists, anti-Semites, and racists are excluded." The "national demonstration for peace" is scheduled for October 3 in Berlin, which calls for negotiations to halt wars in Ukraine and Gaza and a halt to weapons delivery to Ukraine, Israel, and other countries. Critics of the SPD-led federal government's policy of increased armament expressed disapproval. SPD foreign policy expert Michael Roth argued that "Russia and Hamas are not identified as warmongers is a disgrace" while FDP MEP Marie-Agnes Strack-Zimmermann called Stegner's participation a "harmful move" for his party and government. For more information, click here.
07:03 Kharkiv Under Attack Again
Ukrainian authorities report that Kharkiv is under attack again from the Russian military. A hospital building on campus has sustained damage, and a fire broke out at an educational institution after being struck by a rocket launcher. No casualties have been reported. As the second-largest city in Ukraine, Kharkiv is located about 30 kilometers from the border with Russia and is frequently shelled.
06:29 Russian Troop Presence in Kursk Likely Increased since OffensiveAs Ukraine's counteroffensive forces tie up Russian personnel, it appears that the Russian military leadership is redeploying troops from Ukraine to the Kursk region while deploying new formations from Russia into Kursk instead of focusing on the frontline in Ukraine, the Institute for the Study of War suggests. The initial troop strength in the Kursk region amounted to 11,000 Russian troops, but currently, observers estimate a presence of 30,000 to 45,000 soldiers.
05:11 Ukraine Begins Production of 155-mm Artillery ShellsA Ukrainian official informed the "Kyiv Independent" that Ukraine has started manufacturing 155-mm artillery shells. Former Minister of Strategic Industries Oleksandr Kamyshin, now an advisor to President Volodymyr Zelensky, reportedly stated that the production of defense materials had doubled during his tenure, with plans for tripling production by the year's end.
03:04 Biden Aide: President to Focus on Ukraine Policy through Remaining TermAn advisor to the White House, Jake Sullivan, announced that US President Joe Biden plans to prioritize aiding Ukraine in its conflict with Russia during his remaining term in office. Sullivan stated that Biden wants to "position Ukraine for success" in the next few months at the Yalta European Strategy (YES) conference held in Kyiv, Ukraine.
01:43 Report: Former British Politicians Advocate for Allowing Ukraine to Use Long-Range Missiles on Russian TerritoryFive former British defense ministers and former Prime Minister Boris Johnson allegedly urged Labour leader Keir Starmer to allow Ukraine to use long-range missiles on Russian territory, bypassing the need for US support. They feared that any delay would only encourage Russian President Vladimir Putin, according to the Sunday Times.
00:52 Intelligence Chief: North Korea is Russia's "most significant" challenge to UkraineFrom among Russia's allies, North Korea poses the most significant challenge to Ukraine, as per the Ukrainian intelligence chief. "Among these allies of Russia, North Korea stands out as our major issue," stated Kyrylo Budanov at the Yalta European Strategy (YES) conference in Kyiv. Budanov further commented that North Korea's military aid to Russia, including large quantities of ammunition, is "dramatically escalating the conflict." In response to a question about support from Russia's other allies such as Iran and China, Budanov said North Korean leader Kim Jong Un had announced plans to strengthen ties with Russia during his meeting with Russian Security Council Secretary Sergei Shoigu on Friday. Kyiv is closely monitoring Pyongyang's weapons shipments to Moscow and recognizes their impact on the battlefield. "There's a direct connection. They're providing, and it's concerning, a massive amount of artillery," Budanov added. Check it out here.
23:21 Ukraine: Russia to face manpower issues from mid-2025Russia may face manpower issues from the middle of next year, according to Ukraine. The Moscow government will likely face a decision by the summer of 2025, says Ukrainian intelligence chief Kyrylo Budanov at a conference in Kyiv – "either call for conscription or somehow reduce the intensity of hostilities." Moscow has yet to comment on this.
22:20 Chancellor Scholz: Russian attack on Ukraine is "stupid"German Chancellor Olaf Scholz accuses Russian President Vladimir Putin of betting away Russia's future by attacking Ukraine. "The attack on Ukraine is just plain stupid, even from Russia's perspective," he says at a citizens' dialogue as an SPD member of the German Bundestag in the Brandenburg town of Prenzlau. For his imperialistic ambitions, Putin is sending hundreds of thousands of Russian soldiers to face injury and death, and damaging Russia's economic relations with many countries around the world. "And Ukraine will have a stronger army than it did before," Scholz adds. Germany will continue to support Ukraine militarily to prevent the invaded country from collapsing and to ensure that a clear breach of the rules in Europe does not succeed. "Putin is jeopardizing Russia's future." A peaceful resolution can only be achieved if Russia acknowledges that Ukraine is not a vassal state.
22:01 Fluctuating Successes in Kursk Region BattlesUkrainian forces are making territorial gains in their push into the western Russian region of Kursk but are also losing ground to Russian counterattacks. According to the pro-government Ukrainian military channel Deep State, Ukrainian units have captured three more settlements. However, Russian counterattacks have pushed Ukrainian troops back around the village of Snagost. A map published by Deep State shows a significant breach in Ukrainian defensive lines. These reports cannot yet be independently verified. In early August, Ukrainian troops advanced into the Russian border region near Kursk, claiming to have taken control of around 1,300 square kilometers and over 100 settlements, including the town of Sudcha. Experts suggest smaller territorial gains. This week, the Russian military made its first serious effort to drive out Ukrainian troops.
21:41 USA: Delays in Aid to Ukraine Due to "Logistical" ChallengesThe delays in US military aid to Ukraine are due to "logistical difficulties," according to US officials. "This is not a question of political will," says Jake Sullivan, the national security advisor to the White House, during a video appearance at the Yalta European Strategy (YES) conference in Kyiv. "This is a question of complex logistics to deliver this material to the front," Sullivan says. Despite these challenges, the US must "do more and do it better" for Ukraine, Sullivan acknowledges. US President Joe Biden is "committed" to using the remaining time in his presidency to "place Ukraine in the best possible position to win," Sullivan says. Biden and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky will meet at the UN General Assembly later this month.
20:57 Scholz: Wants to Prosecute Those Behind Nord Stream Pipeline Sabotage in GermanyGerman Chancellor Olaf Scholz has described the sabotage of the Nord Stream pipelines as a "terrorist act" and intends to prosecute those responsible in Germany. He has instructed all relevant security authorities and the federal prosecutor's office to conduct an unbiased investigation, he said during a citizens' dialogue as an SPD member of parliament in Brandenburg's Prenzlau. "We are determined to bring those responsible to justice in a German court if we can apprehend them," Scholz said. He also dismissed as a "blatant lie" the claim that the German government had renounced Russian natural gas. Instead, he said, Russia had halted gas supplies through the Nord Stream 1 pipeline. The subsequent price surge, price caps, and search for alternative gas supplies have cost Germany "over 100 billion euros," Scholz said. The pipeline explosions occurred only after Russia had already severed gas supplies to Western Europe through the Baltic Sea. In August, the federal prosecutor's office issued an arrest warrant for a Ukrainian citizen in connection with the sabotage act.
Critics of Iran's president may find humor in his statements: Reports of Iranian rocket deliveries to Russia have led to severe criticisms from the G7 nations. Despite numerous international pleas to halt these shipments, Tehran persists in arming Russia, thereby enhancing Iran's military backing for Russia's war 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 using Iranian weapons to kill Ukrainian civilians and assault key infrastructure. Britain and the US recently reported that Russia had obtained ballistic missiles from Iran. Tehran denied the accusations. "Iran must immediately cease all support for Russia's illegal and unjustifiable war against Ukraine and stop supplying ballistic missiles, drones, and related technology. These pose a direct threat to the Ukrainian people and European and international security," the statement read. "We remain steadfast in our resolve to hold Iran accountable for its unacceptable backing for Russia's illegal war in Ukraine, which compromises global security."
19:41 Putin Declares Support for Free Speech
This claim could be met with skepticism by his imprisoned critics: Russian President Vladimir Putin stressed the significance of free speech and information. "Given the ongoing development of multipolarity, it is crucial to protect the principles of information accuracy," Putin said in a video message to attendees of the media summit of the Brics countries in Moscow, commemorating the 120th anniversary of state news agency TASS. "True free speech, which allows for diverse opinions, fosters the search for compromises and joint solutions to global issues," Putin added. Media plays a significant role in constructing a fair global order, offering people "an impartial and unbiased view of the world." However, free speech and media does not exist in authoritarian Russia. Independent media outlets have been prohibited and shut down, and government adversaries are targeted by the judicial system. The Russian agency TASS began operations in 1904, initially under various names and titles. It is now the largest news agency in the country and serves as the government's mouthpiece.
19:20 Scholz Firmly Refuses Delivery of Taurus Cruise MissilesChancellor Olaf Scholz has dismissed the possibility of delivering long-range precision weapons to Ukraine in the future, even in light of decisions made by allies. At a citizen dialogue in the Brandenburg town of Prenzlau, he reiterated his opposition to delivering Taurus cruise missiles, which have a range from Ukraine to Moscow (around 500 kilometers), citing the risk of "major escalation" they would bring. "I said no to that. And this stance applies to other weapons capable of reaching such distances as well," Scholz stated. "This remains the case. Even if other countries make different decisions" (see also entry from 17:24). The farthest-reach weapon Germany has provided to Ukraine is the Mars II rocket launcher, which can strike targets 84 kilometers away.
Read all previous developments [here].
Using the information provided in the text, here are two sentences that contain the word 'Cyberwar':
- Human rights advocates express concern that the expansion of facial recognition payment systems in Russian subways could potentially lead to cyber vulnerabilities, making the system susceptible to cyberattacks and misuse, especially given Russia's history of cyberwarfare.
- In response to criticisms from German SPD foreign policy expert Ralf Stegner, some analysts argue that participating in protests alongside controversial figures could expose protesters to potential cyberwarfare, as Russia has previously employed such tactics to discredit and intimidate its opposition.
