At 13:57, Zelenskyy declared the release of 49 captives of war
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has announced the return of 49 captives from Russia, including previous combatants from the Mariupol steel plant Azovstal, which was under siege by the Russian military in the spring of 2022. Zelensky proclaimed, "49 Ukrainians have returned home," with photos of soldiers and servicewomen being wrapped in Ukrainian national flags. Zelensky stated that these individuals were members of the military, national guard, national police, border guard, and civilians. Ukrainian media reports indicate that 23 of the returned individuals are women. Zelensky did not initially disclose whether the return was a result of a prisoner exchange with Russia.
Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk is not overly concerned by the recent threats from Vladimir Putin regarding long-range weapons aimed at targets in Russia. While acknowledging the gravity of the situation in Ukraine and along the Ukrainian-Russian border, Tusk contends, "I would not overestimate the significance of the latest statements by President Putin." According to Tusk, these statements reflect the difficult situation that the Russian military is facing on the frontline. Putin had previously suggested that if the West allowed Ukraine to attack Russian territory with long-range rockets of its production, the West would directly be fighting Russia.
Chinese Defense Minister Wei Fenghe, at an international security forum in Beijing, advocates for "negotiations" as the only possible solution to conflicts like those in Ukraine and the Gaza Strip. Wei believes that "the crisis in Ukraine and the Israeli-Palestinian conflict can only be resolved through peace and negotiations."
The German government is aiming to increase oil imports from Kazakhstan. A government official, preluding Chancellor Olaf Scholz's upcoming trip to Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan, states, "We welcome the potential expansion of oil supplies from Kazakhstan." The aim is to provide the PCK refinery in Schwedt with multiple supply options, with more oil from Kazakhstan being one of them. However, they are also in need of alternative options, considering that Kazakh oil flows through Russian pipelines to Germany, giving Moscow leverage. Since the Russian invasion of Ukraine, Germany has ceased imports of Russian oil. During Scholz's visit, gas supplies from Central Asia will be a significant topic of discussion.
France has summoned the Iranian diplomatic representative to the French Foreign Ministry in Paris. The reason, according to diplomatic sources, is the delivery of ballistic rockets to Russia. US Secretary of State Antony Blinken had previously asserted that Russia had received rockets from Iran, which were to be deployed in Ukraine in the coming weeks. However, Iran denies these allegations.
The Pentagon regards Russia's counteroffensive in Kursk as "relative." Pentagon spokesperson Pat Ryder stated on Thursday, "We have observed Russian units attempting to launch a counteroffensive in the Kursk region. At present, I would characterize it as modest, but we are monitoring it closely." The Russian Ministry of Defense claimed that Russian soldiers had reclaimed ten settlements. This claim remains unverified. The Ukrainian army initiated the offensive in the Russian border region of Kursk approximately five weeks ago, reporting the capture of around 100 Russian villages and almost 1300 square kilometers since then.
Ukraine's air force reported the shooting down of 24 out of 26 drones overnight. In the Odessa region, one individual was injured, and 20 houses were damaged, while in the Mykolajiw region, drone debris caused a fire at a food processing plant. According to the Ministry of Energy, energy infrastructure in the Iwano-Frankiwsk region was harmed.
Russian Security Council Secretary Sergei Shoigu met with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un in Pyongyang. The meetings transpired "in a distinctive atmosphere of trust and camaraderie," according to the Russian Security Council. The talks are anticipated to make a substantial contribution to the execution of the defense pact signed by Kim and Russian President Vladimir Putin in June. The agreement stipulates mutual aid in the event of aggression against either contracting party, according to Putin. Critics accuse Russia of leveraging North Korean rockets and artillery shells in Ukraine. To propel its offensive in Ukraine, Russia is seeking additional ammunition, motivating it to approach countries such as China, Iran, and North Korea.
Russian parliament speaker Vyacheslav Volodin levels accusations against NATO, alleging that the Western military alliance is actively participating in the conflict in Ukraine. "They are waging a war against our country," Volodin wrote on Telegram. He suggests that NATO is aiding Ukraine in selecting Russian cities to attack, coordinating military operations, and generally issuing orders to the government in Kyiv.
10:17 Munz on Putin's War Threat to NATO: "Putin's statement fails to make the morning news headlines"In the western world, there are concerns that allowing Ukraine to initiate long-range attacks on Russian soil could lead to an escalation. Indeed, Russian President Vladimir Putin has once again issued this threat. Nevertheless, ntv correspondent Rainer Munz believes there may be little meat behind Putin's belligerent stance.
09:42 Family: Imprisoned Opposition Leader in Belarus Critically Ill
The Belarusian opposition leader Maria Kalesnikava is in a critical condition, her sister claims. She has been detained under inhumane conditions for four years, weighing only 45 kg at 1.75 meters, says Tatjana Chomitsch, citing information from former prisoners. "I believe this is a critical moment, as no one can endure such conditions for a long period," she says, accusing the authorities of subjecting her sister to psychological and physical torture. Belarus' Interior Ministry does not respond to a request about Kalesnikava's living conditions. The 42-year-old has become a symbol of resistance since the 2020 protests against Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko and is serving an 11-year prison sentence for alleged conspiracy to seize power.
09:20 Agreement Signed for Lithuanian Brigade Stationing
Germany and Lithuania have signed a government agreement to manage the details of a combat-ready brigade stationed in the Baltic NATO country. The Defense Minister, Boris Pistorius, and his Lithuanian counterpart, Laurynas Kasciunas, signed the agreement in Berlin. The agreement builds on the NATO Status of Forces Agreement, clarifying the legal status of German soldiers and civilian employees in Lithuania, according to the Defense Ministry. It lays the groundwork for the establishment of German schools and kindergartens in Lithuania, among other things. The brigade is projected to become operational by 2027. Read more here.
08:56 Russia Expels British Diplomats for Spying Allegations
Russia has expelled six British diplomats on suspicion of espionage. The FSB claims they have evidence of the Foreign Office coordinating political and military escalation in an attempt to secure Russia's strategic defeat in the war against Ukraine. Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova accuses the British embassy of intentionally harming the Russian people, according to the TASS news agency. The British Foreign Office dismisses the accusations as "baseless." Russia's expulsion is a response to British actions following state-sponsored Russian activities in Europe and the United Kingdom, according to a BBC statement.
08:31 Putin Warns the West: Approval of Long-Range Missiles Would Directly Involve NATO in the Conflict
Ukrainian President Zelenskyy has long been pushing for the approval of long-range missiles to target Russian military objectives. Now, the US and UK are preparing to review this request together. Kremlin chief Putin responds with a warning to the West.
08:03 Russia Will Share Knowledge on Western Weapons to its Allies
Russia is offering to share its experiences in combating various Western weapons with its partners. Russian deputy defense minister, Alexander Fomin, stated at a security conference in China that the Ukraine war has provided unique insights, according to the Russian news agency RIA. Russia is willing to share this knowledge with its allies. The conflict has led to a new era of warfare, with Russian weapons capable of countering Western weapons.
07:34 Domestic Intelligence Agency Announces Arrests: Men Carried Out Arson Attacks in Kyiv on Behalf of Russian IntelligenceFive men are accused of carrying out arson attacks in Kyiv on behalf of a Russian intelligence agency, claims the Ukrainian domestic intelligence agency. The men are accused of setting fire to five military vehicles and distributing leaflets aimed at discrediting the military. The suspected arsonists were contacted by Russian agents through Telegram in search of quick money and recorded their actions on their phones for promised payment, which never materialized.
07:05 Chief Rabbi of Ukraine Mourns the Death of His Adopted Son in the WarThe chief rabbi of Ukraine, Moshe Asman, is mourning the loss of his adopted son, Anton Samborskij, who was killed during the Russian invasion of Ukraine. A funeral service was attended by soldiers, veterans, and others to pay their respects to the 32-year-old, who was reported missing in late July and whose death was confirmed weeks later. Asman adopted Samborskij as a 10-year-old orphan and fostered a bond with him. Samborskij became a father to a daughter in May, Asman wrote on social media. He joined the military a few weeks later and last spoke to his father on July 17.
Read more here.
06:29 Japan Details Incident Involving Russian Fighter JetsJapan's military scrambled fighter jets after two Russian aircraft circled the island nation. The Russian jets did not enter Japanese airspace, according to the Defense Ministry. The Tu-142 planes flew from the sea towards the southern region of Okinawa from morning to afternoon. In response, "we mobilized fighter jets from the Air Self-Defense Force on an emergency basis," the ministry said. The Russian jets eventually departed to the north and also crossed the Kuriles, an area disputed between Japan and Russia. Earlier this week, Russian and Chinese warships initiated joint exercises in the Sea of Japan, part of a larger-scale naval drill. Russian military aircraft last circled Japan in 2019. Read more here.
05:27 Black Sea Incident: Cargo Ship AttackedThe Ukrainian navy shared details about an assumed Russian air assault on a maritime cargo vessel in the Black Sea. As per their claims, a Tu-22 plane presumably launched a Ch-22 anti-ship missile at the vessel. Despite being under the flag of St. Kitts and Nevis, the cargo ship was situated outside Ukrainian territorial waters. It was heading from the Ukrainian port of Chornomorsk to Egypt, carrying wheat. According to a BBC report, the ship was actually in Romania's exclusive economic zone at the time. Another report suggested that a Ch-31 missile, used for radar interruption and carrying less explosive power than the Ch-22, was employed instead.
03:19 Tragic Incident at Border: Moldovan Soldier KilledA Moldovan soldier met a tragic end under mysterious circumstances while performing his duty at the demarcation line with the separatist region of Transnistria. The Republic of Moldova's Ministry of Defense reported that the soldier was fatally wounded by a bullet from his own weapon during his duty hours at his post. Authorities, including police and forensic experts, are now investigating the incident. Forces from both Moldova and Transnistria, along with Russian troops, have been stationed at the separation line since a conflict in 1992 following the Soviet Union's collapse. Moldova has pledged to reintegrate Transnistria into its territory. Incidents at the separation line are uncommon.
02:18 UK Prime Minister: "No Conflict Desire with Russia"UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer refuted Russian President Putin's assertion that Western provision of long-range weapons for attacks deep into Russian territory signified NATO's involvement in the war. Starmer stated, "Ukraine has the right to self-defense." The UK completely supports this right and provides training opportunities in this regard. "However, we are not pursuing a conflict with Russia - that is not our intention at all," emphasized Starmer. Further details.
01:09 Former US Ambassador to Kyiv: Harris May Be More SupportiveFormer US Ambassador to Ukraine, William B. Taylor, believes that Democratic presidential candidate Kamala Harris, if elected, would be "more supportive" of Ukraine than the current office-holder, Biden. Harris has already demonstrated her stance in certain matters, Taylor mentioned at an event at the American University in Kyiv. Biden has been more cautious in decisions related to HIMARS, Abrams, and F-16 fighter jets, and he is currently hesitant about allowing Ukraine to launch attacks deep into Russia. Taylor expects a "more supportive" approach from Harris, mainly due to the likelihood of a new foreign policy team in the White House.
00:27 Zelensky Thanks Estonia for Military AidUkrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky welcomes Estonian President Alar Karis in Kyiv, expressing gratitude for the military aid. Estonia, a Baltic EU and NATO member, has agreed to allocate 0.25% of its annual GDP for Ukraine's defense needs. Apart from discussions about reconstruction and Ukraine's EU aspirations, Latvian Prime Minister Evika Siliņa also promised additional support during a meeting with Zelensky.
23:19 BND Not Required to Inform Journalist about Military AssessmentThe Federal Intelligence Service (BND) is not obligated to inform a journalist whether it labeled a military victory for Ukraine as difficult or impossible in backdoor discussions. Additionally, the BND is not obligated to disclose which media outlets participated in these discussions, according to a ruling from the Federal Administrative Court in Leipzig. The journalist's emergency application was largely rejected, but the BND must disclose the number of confidential individual background discussions regarding the military situation in Ukraine this year. The emergency application was lodged by a newspaper editor, reporting a CDU politician's statement, suggesting that the BND was intentionally disseminating a negative assessment of the military situation in Ukraine to influence public opinion.
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22:06 Coalition Politicians Champion Use of Long-Range Weapons against RussiaPoliticians from the coalition government support granting Kyiv authorization to utilize long-range weapons against targets in Russia. SPD foreign policy expert Michael Roth affirmed on T-Online that it is both correct and legal to finally attack Russian military targets with long-range Western missiles. Roth suggested military airfields, command centers, or launch bases as potential targets in Russia for long-range weapons. These bases, he claimed, are responsible for initiating "cruel attacks on civilian Ukrainian targets." It is essential to halt these attacks by targeting their bases, he emphasized. Moreover, the chairman of the Defense Committee, Marcus Faber of the FDP, advocated for approving the use of Russian military airports for long-range weapons like ATACMS and Storm Shadow. Green Party politician Anton Hofreiter stressed that "Russia is terrorizing the Ukrainian civilian population daily with rocket attacks on hospitals, residential buildings, and energy supply." To effectively protect the civilians of Ukraine, the army should be permitted to strike military bases in Russian territory with long-range weapons.
21:35 Vance Discusses Trump's Proposed Ukrainian Peace PlanAs per Republican vice-presidential candidate J.D. Vance, Donald Trump's approach to ending the conflict in Ukraine might involve creating a demilitarized zone between Ukraine and Russia. During an interview with television producer Shawn Ryan, Vance suggested that Trump could bring together Russians, Ukrainians, and Europeans to discuss potential peaceful solutions. Vance expressed confidence in Trump's ability to negotiate a deal swiftly, stating, "I think he could reach a deal very quickly." Trump's history of public support for Russian President Vladimir Putin and criticism of U.S. aid to Ukraine is well-known. Trump has also claimed he could end the conflict within a day if elected, but has remained vague about his specific plan.
21:03 "We are Russians, God is on Our Side" - Fascist Rally in St. PetersburgThe Russian nationalists and fascists marching through St. Petersburg shout with unquestionable certainty, "We are Russians, God is on Our Side." They continue to chant, "Forward, Russians!" Their march commemorates the anniversary of Alexander Nevsky's relic transfer, celebrated as both a national hero and an Orthodox Church saint.
20:28 Solovyov, the Kremlin Propagandist, Suggests Europe as Next TargetPopular Russian TV host Vladimir Solovyov believes Russia should not stop at Ukraine's conquest. "I believe the ideal barrier is the Atlantic," says the Kremlin propagandist. "Our troops would fit perfectly in Berlin, Lisbon, Madrid, and Paris. And what a sight they made in Paris." In response to a reminder about the lack of a significant Russian population in Europe, Solovyov mentions the Belarusian allies. Alternatively, he suggests turning to China.
20:01 British Aid Workers Prepare for Winter in UkraineMany Ukrainian homes that have withstood shelling so far are missing windows, a challenging situation approaching winter. The British NGO "Insulate Ukraine" is addressing this issue. They travel to conflict zones to install temporary windows.
Catch up on previous events here.
The military played a significant role in the conflict in Ukraine, with members from various branches, including the military, national guard, national police, and border guard, being among the 49 captives returned by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky from Russian custody.
The military also continues to face threats on the Ukrainian-Russian border, as evidenced by the Russian President Vladimir Putin's warnings that the West's approval of long-range missiles for Ukraine could directly involve NATO in the conflict.
