At 14:19, NATO initiates its nuclear exercise routine
The NATO is set to initiate its annual nuclear exercise today, as declared by Secretary-General Mark Rutte. The two-week event named "Steadfast Noon" will involve approximately 60 aircraft from 13 countries, featuring F-35A fighter jets and B-52 bombers. Significant locations include the UK, North Sea, Belgium, and the Netherlands. In the words of Rutte, "Given the unpredictable environment, it's essential to test and fortify our defenses so adversaries recognize that NATO is prepared and able to counter any threat."
13:51 - Two Russian Kinzhal Carriers Reportedly Arrive in Belarus
A pair of Russian MiG-31K aircraft capable of deploying Kinzhal hypersonic missiles have reportedly landed in Belarus for the second time in two days, as suggested by Ukrainian Pravda, citing a Belarusian project tracking military activities. This marks the first such instance in 1.5 years.
13:11 - Ukraine Confirms Attack on Russian Military Airbase
Ukraine has affirmed an attack on a Russian airbase in the southern Caucasus region of Adygea. A fuel and lubricant depot at the Maykop base was demolished and engulfed in flames, per Andriy Kowalenko, head of Ukraine's Center for Countering Disinformation. Prior to this, Ukrainian media reported an impact on a military airport. Local authorities revealed a Maykop suburb was bombed by "hostile drones."
12:35 - Ukraine Increases War Tax Significantly
The Ukrainian parliament has amplified taxes to fund the conflict further. The present 1.5% war levy on income-dependent workers has been hiked to 5%, albeit not for soldiers.
12:08 - Ukraine Denies Reported Readiness for Ceasefire
A Ukrainian presidential advisor, Dmytro Lytwyn, has refuted an Italian media report suggesting that President Zelensky is preparing for a truce along the front line in exchange for Western security pledges.
11:49 - Zelensky Meets with Starmer and Rutte in London
Ukrainian President Zelensky has visited London to interact with UK government representatives and NATO officials for discussing his strategy regarding the ongoing struggle against Russia. He will engage with Prime Minister Keir Starmer and NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte before proceeding to Berlin and Paris.
11:21 - Russian Military Suppliers Widely Use German Machines
German equipment is being extensively used by Russian military suppliers, as per SWR investigations. Over 30 German manufacturers were mentioned as having exported machinery to Russia last year, with many based in Baden-Württemberg. Nearly 300 German-made machines have been shipped to the aggressor. In around two-thirds of cases, the machines were transported via Turkey. The German manufacturers claimed ignorance of this and stated they were complying with sanctions.
10:57 Injuries and 29 Damaged Buildings after Attacks on Saporishzhia
As per authorities, 4 individuals were wounded, and 29 buildings were damaged in Russian airstrikes this morning in the southern Ukrainian city of Saporishzhia. Russia appears to have employed glide bombs, Ukrainian police report. Although the city still falls under Ukrainian management, the Russian military occupies the neighboring nuclear power plant. Russia has declared the entire region a component of its land and is attempting to annex the area with intense attacks.
10:22 Military airport reportedly hit in Caucasus region
Ukrainian media reports suggest an attack on a military airport in the southern Russian Caucasus region of Adygea. Reports on the extent of damage vary. Initial reports from the morning indicated the evacuation of the nearby village of Rodnikovy.
09:37 Explosions Videos Surface from Russian Drone Base
Video footage from the southern Russian region of Krasnodar shows explosions, flames, and showers of sparks at an attack on a drone base from yesterday. Around 400 Iranian Shahed-type drones were believed to be housed in the structure.
08:53 Russian Su-57 Fighter Jet Production Reportedly Slows Down
As reported by the British "Telegraph," production of the stealth fighter Su-57 in Russia has allegedly slowed down significantly. The reasoning behind this is a scarcity of components, particularly electronics, due to Western sanctions, as explained by Ukrainian analysts from Frontline Insight.
08:29 Russia Claims to Have Shot Down over 90 Ukrainian Drones
The Russian Ministry of Defense has claimed to have shot down 92 Ukrainian drones last night, as reported by the Kyiv Independent. Out of these, 47 were intercepted over the southwestern region of Krasnodar, where Ukraine purportedly destroyed a warehouse containing around 400 drones yesterday.
07:57 Economist Calls for Independent Military Production
The Kiel economist Moritz Schularick calls for a radical re-evaluation of German defense spending. "By exempting defense spending from the debt cap, we can truly construct capabilities in the long term," says the president of the Kiel Institute for the World Economy. The federal special fund of over 100 billion euros alone is not sufficient, according to the economist. "The issue with special funds is that they often represent just a fraction of the requirement and are not a permanent financing solution." Germany must not grow more reliant on the United States' arms industry. "These are things you'd like to have at home."
Read more about this here.
(The same text but paraphrased for better understanding, maintaining the structure and context.)
07:41 Russia attracts African women for drone constructionApproximately 200 women from Africa are constructing drones for use in the Ukraine conflict in Russia. These women claimed to AP news agency that they were enticed by job ads on social media promising a free airfare ticket, cash, and an international adventure. They were required to complete a computer game and a Russian vocabulary test covering 100 words. Some of these women discovered upon arrival that they were no longer part of a student program in sectors such as hospitality, but rather working in a weapons factory. Here, they are tasked with constructing drones developed in Iran, which are then utilized for attacking Ukraine.
Read more about this here.
07:21 Ukraine Attacks Russian Territory Once More
A village was evacuated in the southern Russian Caucasus region of Adygea due to a fire caused by a drone attack, according to local authorities. The affected village, Rodnikovy, had no reported casualties, as announced by the regional authorities on Telegram. The attack struck the outskirts of the city of Maykop, near a military airport. In recent weeks, Ukraine has stepped up its attacks on strategic targets deep within Russia to disrupt the logistics of Russian invasion forces. In June, Ukraine attacked a fuel depot in the Adygea region.
06:58 US believes Ukraine can Hold Russian Territory for Extended Period
American officials believe that Ukraine can maintain control over the territory it holds in Russia's Kursk region for several months, potentially longer, according to Bloomberg. Ukrainian forces have faced no significant issues in resupplying the region, as Russian forces have limited their counterattacks and focused on gains in eastern Ukraine. Ukrainian forces now have more stable artillery ammunition supplies, thanks in part to assistance from their allies, after prolonged shortages, the officials stated.
06:25 Pro-Russian Activists Barred from Entering Germany for Two Decades
Two pro-Russian activists, Elena Kolbasnikowa and Max Schlund, revealed that they have been prohibited from entering Germany for a duration of 20 years. They received a letter from the Cologne city administration stating that they represented a threat to Germany's security. The pair organized pro-Kremlin demonstrations in Germany since the initiation of Russia's conflict against Ukraine. Reports from 2022 revealed them as key figures in pro-Moscow sentiment in Germany, having received financial aid from a Russian government agency. In June, they relocated to Russia. Neither the Cologne public prosecutor's office nor the city administration wished to comment on the matter initially.
06:04 Russian Court Sentences Former US Soldier for 'Mercenary' Activity
Former US soldier Trevor Reed was convicted in absentia by a Russian court for serving as a volunteer mercenary in Ukraine, Russian authorities stated. Reed was accused of joining the Ukrainian army in 2023, resulting in a 14.5-year prison sentence for "mercenary activity." He was reportedly deployed in the Donetsk region. The US State Department reported in July 2022 that Reed sustained injuries while fighting in Ukraine. Reed, a former US Marine, was released in an prisoner swap in April 2022 and returned to the United States.
05:30 Ukrainian News Site Accuses Presidential Office of Interference
The Ukrainian news site "Ukrajinska Prawda" (Ukrainian Truth) in Russia-attacked Ukraine alleged pressure from the presidential office in Kyiv. The portal reported attempts to influence editorial policy, including gagging journalists and their exclusion from events. Additionally, pressure was being exerted on companies to cease advertising on the site. Specific examples were not provided. The editorial staff announced that it will now publicly disclose any instances of interference by presidential office employees. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy previously clashed with individual journalists prior to the Russian invasion in February 2022 and shut down TV channels and news sites.
03:50 Klitschko Warns of Challenging Winter
Mayor of Kyiv, Vitali Klitschko, called for peace for Ukraine during celebrations of the 35th anniversary of the peaceful revolution in Leipzig. He expressed concern over the challenging winter facing Ukraine, with numerous cities and communities devastated. Klitschko prayed for peace. Leipzig serves as Kyiv's partner city.
02:05 Zelenskyy Meets with European Leaders
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is currently touring Germany, France, the UK, and Italy for talks on the Russian conflict affecting his country. He will be welcomed by French President Emmanuel Macron at 3 PM today for a private meeting, as per Paris announcements. Zelenskyy shared at a press conference with Croatian Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic that he will also meet with UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer in the near future. A meeting with Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni is also scheduled. On Friday morning, Zelenskyy will be received by Pope Francis at the Vatican.
00:01 Six People Killed in Odessa Rocket Attack
At least six individuals perished and 11 were injured, seven seriously, in a Russian rocket attack on the southern Ukrainian port city of Odessa, according to official reports. The goal was once again the city's port infrastructure, explained the military head of the district, Oleh Kiper, via Telegram. A civilian container ship flying the Panamanian flag was targeted. All fatalities were Ukrainian citizens. Kiper stated that this marks the third attack on a civil vessel in the past four days, an ongoing attempt by Russia to block the grain corridor established by Ukraine.
23:58 Russian Court Imprisons Activist for Over a DecadeA Russian court handed out a twelve-year sentence to an activist on Wednesday night, alleging involvement with a pro-Ukrainian group. Eugene Mischenko was reportedly implicated for giving information to the outlawed Russian Freedom Legion, a predominantly Putin adversary-led group situated in Ukraine, as per the state news agency RIA Novosti. Mischenko is connected to a group of activists who pay tribute to Boris Nemtsov, a Kremlin critic who was slain on a Moscow bridge in 2015, as disclosed by the independent Russian news portal Mediazona. This group, often referred to as "Nemtsov Bridge," would place flowers and light candles at Nemtsov's murder site, which the police would frequently remove. The verdict against Mischenko coincided with Nemtsov's 65th birthday.
22:59 Zelensky Urges Huge EU EnlargementThe Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky urged the European Union (EU) to consolidate the entire European continent and incorporate "all democratic European nations." "Regardless of the ongoing conflicts, we must strive to keep our European unity as stable as possible," Zelensky stated during a summit in Croatia with representatives from Balkan countries. He also signed an agreement with Croatia dealing with aspects like defense and demining. "If Europe isn't united today, it won't be peaceful, so the ongoing accession processes must culminate in a result," he continued. Besides advocating for Ukraine's EU membership, which had initiated accession negotiations in June, Zelensky also supported several Balkan countries that have been waiting for EU membership for years.
22:25 Ukrainian Military Claims Strike on Russian Drone DepotThe Ukrainian military claims to have effectively struck and demolished a drone depot situated in the southern Russian region of Krasnodar. Subsequent explosions were reported, as per the General Staff in Kyiv. Around 400 drones of the Iranian type Shahed were said to be housed within the targeted building. "The annihilation of the Shahed drone depot will considerably diminish the ability of Russian occupiers to terrorize innocent residents in Ukrainian urban areas and villages," said the General Staff. Russian authorities acknowledged a fire in a warehouse situated near the village of Oktyabrsky. The area was cordoned off, and about 800 square meters of the site had been ablaze, as per the regional operational headquarters in the Krasnodar Territory. The operational headquarters, however, declined to comment on the fire's cause or the objects contained within.
21:51 Southeast European Countries and Turkey Demand Russia's WithdrawalTwelve Southeast European countries and Turkey affirmed that Russia's withdrawal from all occupied territories in Ukraine is a necessary prerequisite for peace. They endorsed the peace plan of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and advocated for Ukraine's entry into NATO. This is evident from the summit's final declaration, signed by these countries, including Serbia's President Aleksandar Vucic, in Dubrovnik, Croatia, in the presence of Zelensky. Vucic is widely known for his delicate balancing act between the Western world and Russia. According to Croatian media, Vucic apparently managed to have an initially proposed demand for sanctions against Russia removed from the summit's final declaration.
You can find details about earlier developments here.
- The European Union expressed its concern over the ongoing conflict in Ukraine and threatened to impose additional sanctions on Russia due to its aggressive actions.
- Ukraine appealed to the European Union for increased military aid and financial support to strengthen its defenses against Russian attacks, citing the need for collective security under NATO and the EU.
