At 13:51, it's alleged that two Russian cargo vessels reportedly entered Belarus.
13:11 Russian Fuel Depot in Adygea Destroyed after Air Force Base AttackThe Ukrainian authorities have acknowledged an assault on a Russian air force base situated in the southern Caucasus region of Adygea. A fuel and lubricant facility at the Maykop base was decimated and set ablaze, as stated by Andriy Kowalenko, the leader of the Ukrainian center for combating disinformation. Previously, Ukrainian media had reported an attack on a military airport. The nearby Maykop suburb was allegedly attacked by hostile drones, as per local authorities.
12:35 Ukrainian War Funding Boosted by Tax IncreaseThe Ukrainian legislature has augmented taxes to support the ongoing war efforts. The primary modification involves elevating the 2014-introduced war levy on income-dependent workers from 1.5% to 5%. However, this elevation will not apply to soldiers.
12:08 Ukraine Denies Rumors of Ceasefire readinessUkrainian presidential advisor, Dmytro Lytwyn, has dismissed media reports suggesting Ukrainian President Zelenskyy is open to a ceasefire along the front line in exchange for Western security guarantees. Ukrainian media reported Lytwyn's denial.
11:49 Zelenskyy Meets with Starmer and Rutte in LondonUkrainian President Zelenskyy has arrived at the British government's headquarters in London. He will engage with UK government representatives and NATO officials to discuss his strategies for the subsequent stage of the war against Russia. His itinerary includes meetings with Prime Minister Keir Starmer and NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte, followed by trips to Berlin and Paris for discussions.
11:21 German Machinery Widely Used by Russian Military SuppliersAs per an SWR investigation, German manufacturers are extensively utilizing their machinery by Russian military suppliers. More than 30 German manufacturers, primarily based in Baden-Württemberg, exported machines to Russia last year, with around 300 German-made machines delivered to the aggressor. In two-thirds of instances, the machinery was shipped through Turkey. The German manufacturers stated that they were unaware of this and adhered to sanctions.
10:57 Injuries and 29 Damaged Buildings in Zaporizhzhia after Russian AttacksUkrainian authorities have reported four casualties and 29 damaged structures in Zaporizhzhia as a result of this morning's Russian airstrikes. Russia appears to have utilized guided bombs, as claimed by the Ukrainian police. While the city remains under Ukrainian control, the Russian military has taken over the nearby nuclear power plant. Russia has proclaimed the entire region as a part of its territory and strives to seize control with heavy attacks.
10:22 Military Airport in Caucasus Region Reportedly Targeted
Ukrainian media coverage suggests an attack on a military airport in the southern Russian Caucasus region of Adygea. However, the extent of the damage varies in various reports. Earlier this morning, local authorities reported the evacuation of the adjacent village of Rodnikovy due to a fire.
09:37 Video Evidence Shows Explosions at Russian Drone Facility
Video evidence portrays intense explosions and fiery blasts at the site of yesterday's assault on a drone facility in the southern Russian region of Krasnodar. The facility reportedly housed approximately 400 drones from the Iranian Shahed type.
08:53 Su-57 Fighter Jet Production Halt in Russia, Report Says
According to a Telegraph report, manufacturing of the stealth fighter jet Sukhoi Su-57 in Russia has almost ceased. Ukrainian analysts from Frontline Insight attribute the slowdown to a lack of components, particularly electronics, due to Western sanctions.
08:29 Over 90 Ukrainian Drones Downed by Russia, Claims Russian Ministry
The Russian Ministry of Defense declares having shot down 92 Ukrainian drones during the night, as reported by the Kyiv Independent. Of these, 47 were intercepted over the southern region of Krasnodar, where Ukraine allegedly destroyed a drone facility housing around 400 drones the previous day.
07:57 Economist: Reduce Dependence on U.S. Arms Industry
Kiel economist Moritz Schularick advocates for a comprehensive overhaul of German military spending. "If we exempt defense spending from the debt brake, we can extensively build up capacities over the long term," says Schularick, president of the Kiel Institute for the World Economy. He proposes that the federal government's special fund of over 100 billion euros is inadequate. "Special funds usually provide little relief, amounting to just a small fraction of what we actually need and not a lasting source of funding." Germany must strive to reduce its reliance on the U.S. arms industry, according to Schularick. "These are facets that we should foster domestically."
07:41 Russia Recruits African Women to Build Drones for Ukraine War
Approximately 200 women from Africa are constructing drones in Russia for the use in the Ukraine war, according to AP reports. These women were lured with job offers on social media promising free flights, money, and foreign adventure. Upon arrival, they discovered they had to work in a weapons factory, assembling Iranian-developed drones used to attack Ukraine.
Authorities in the southern Russian region of Adygeya report that a village has been evacuated due to a fire caused by a drone attack. The village of Rodnikovy was affected, with no casualties reported. The incident occurred on the outskirts of the city of Maykop, nearby a military airport. In recent weeks, tensions between Russia and Ukraine have escalated, with Ukraine intensifying its attacks on targets deep inside Russian territory in an attempt to weaken the logistics of Russian invasion troops. In June, Ukraine targeted a fuel depot in the Adygeya region.
According to US estimates, Ukraine can maintain the territory it claims in the Russian region of Kursk for at least several months, if not longer. This is reported by the financial news agency Bloomberg, citing high-ranking US officials. The officials, who wished to remain anonymous, said that Ukraine has not faced significant problems in supplying the region, as Russian forces have only launched limited counterattacks and focused instead on advances in eastern Ukraine. The officials also said that Kyiv's forces now have a more stable supply of artillery ammunition, thanks in part to the efforts of their allies, after months of shortages.
Two pro-Russian activists say they have been banned from entering Germany for 20 years. Elena Kolbasnikowa said in a video posted on Telegram that she and her partner Max Schlund received a letter from the Cologne city administration stating that they posed a threat to Germany's security. The couple had organized pro-Kremlin demonstrations in Germany since the start of Russia's war against Ukraine. An investigation published last year identified them as key figures of pro-Moscow sentiment in Germany and revealed that they had received financial support from a Russian government agency. In June, they announced through their lawyer that they had moved to Russia. Neither the Cologne public prosecutor's office nor the city administration has commented on the case so far.
Former US soldier Trevor Reed has been convicted in absentia by a Russian court for his military service in Ukraine, according to Russian authorities. The Russian Investigative Committee said that Reed had joined the Ukrainian army as a volunteer mercenary in 2023 and was sentenced to 14.5 years in prison for "mercenary activities." He was reportedly serving in the Donetsk region. The US State Department announced in July 2022 that Reed, who was released in a prisoner swap in April 2022, had been injured while fighting in Ukraine.
Ukrainian news portal "Ukrajinska Prawda" (Ukrainian Truth) has complained of pressure from the presidential office in Kyiv. The portal said there have been attempts to influence its editorial policy, including a ban on speaking with its journalists and exclusion from events. There have also been attempts to pressure companies not to advertise on the site. The portal did not provide specific examples. The editorial staff said they would make any future attempts at interference by presidential office employees public.
Kiev's mayor, Vitali Klitschko, called for peace for Ukraine during celebrations marking the 35th anniversary of the peaceful revolution in Leipzig. His country faces a challenging winter, he said during a peace prayer at the Nikolaikirche. Many cities and communities in Ukraine are destroyed. In a prayer, Klitschko expressed hope for peace. Leipzig is a partner city of Kiev.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is visiting Germany, France, Britain, and Italy this week for talks about the Russian war against his country. Today, Thursday, at 3 pm, Zelensky will be received by French President Emmanuel Macron for a "bilateral meeting," according to Paris. Zelensky said at a press conference with Croatian Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic that he will also meet with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer in the coming days. A meeting in Italy with Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni is also planned. On Friday morning, Zelensky will be received by Pope Francis in the Vatican.
At least six people have died and eleven others were injured, seven severely, in a Russian rocket attack on the southern Ukrainian port city of Odessa, according to official reports. "The enemy's target was once again the port infrastructure," the military governor of the region, Oleh Kiper, wrote on Telegram. According to his statements, a civilian container ship flying the Panamanian flag was hit. The victims are Ukrainian citizens. According to Kiper, this is the third attack on a civilian ship in the last four days, an attempt by Russia to block the grain corridor established by Ukraine.
10:58 Russian Court Slaps Activist with Decade-Long SentenceA Russian court slapped an activist with a 12-year imprisonment on Wednesday. The activist, named Eugene Mishchenko, was accused of aiding a pro-Ukrainian group, which is considered illegal in Russia. Mishchenko allegedly provided information to the outlawed Russian Freedom Legion, a group primarily made up of Russian Putin critics based in Ukraine. According to RIA Novosti, a state news agency, Mishchenko is part of a group that commemorates the 2015 murder of Boris Nemtsov, a Kremlin critic, on a bridge in Moscow. The group, known as "Nemtsov Bridge," often places flowers and lights candles at the site where Nemtsov was killed. The police consistently remove the makeshift memorial. The verdict against Mishchenko was handed down on Nemtsov's 65th birthday.
18:59 "Uniting Europe": Zelensky Urges EU to Accept Democratic NationsUkrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is pushing for the European Union (EU) to bring together all democratic nations in Europe. Speaking at a summit in Croatia with Balkan leaders, Zelensky stated, "Despite the many tensions, it's crucial that our unity in Europe remains as stable as possible." He also signed an agreement with Croatia focusing on defense and mine clearance. Zelensky emphasized the importance of EU expansion, arguing, "If Europe isn't united today, it won't be peaceful. So, the ongoing accession processes should result in acceptance." Zelensky's call for EU membership extends not only to Ukraine, which began accession talks in June, but also to several Balkan countries that have been waiting for EU membership for years.
18:25 Kyiv Claims to Blow Up Russian Drone Depot in KrasnodarThe Ukrainian military claims to have successfully attacked and destroyed a drone depot in the Russian region of Krasnodar. Following a direct hit, a second explosion was reported by the General Staff in Kyiv, which stated around 400 Iranian-type Shahed drones were stored in the targeted building. "The destruction of the Shahed drone depot will significantly reduce Russia's capacity to terrorize residents of Ukrainian cities and villages," said the General Staff in Kyiv. Russian authorities acknowledged a fire in a nearby warehouse, with about 800 square meters on fire, near the village of Oktyabrsky. However, no cause for the fire or the objects stored there were revealed by the operational headquarters in the Krasnodar Territory.
17:51 Twelve Countries Call for Russia's Withdrawal from Ukrainian TerritoriesTwelve countries in Southeast Europe, along with Turkey, have demanded Russia's withdrawal from all occupied territories in Ukraine as a prerequisite for peace. They endorsed Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky's peace plan and supported Ukraine's bid to join NATO. This was stated in the final declaration of their summit in Dubrovnik, Croatia, which was signed by the leaders, including Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic, who is known for his delicate balance between the West and Russia. Vucic managed to have a demand for sanctions against Russia removed from the final declaration, as reported by Croatian media.
You can catch up on previous developments here.)
Following the destruction of the Russian air force base in Adygea, there have been reports of an attack on a military airport in the same region. The Ukrainian authorities have not confirmed this, but locals claim hostile drones attacked the nearby Maykop suburb.
In response to the ongoing war efforts, the Ukrainian legislature has increased taxes, with the primary modification being a rise in the war levy from 1.5% to 5% for income-dependent workers. This increase, however, does not apply to soldiers.
