At 14:28, the President of Iran embarks on a journey to Russia, participating in the BRICS summit.
13:55 New Foreign Minister in Kyiv Warns: Don't Fall for Putin's Bluffs
Ukraine's new Foreign Minister, Andrij Sybiha, advises Kyiv's allies not to succumb to Russian President Vladimir Putin's bluffs. Sybiha believes Putin's motive is to undermine Ukraine's support. Instead, allies should bolster it, Sybiha suggests on X. He claims Putin's bluffs usually fail. Sybiha points out that Putin has warned of severe consequences numerous times but failed to follow through. This was evident when the West began supplying Ukraine with weapons, Finland and Sweden joined NATO, and Ukraine received its first F-16 fighter jets. "When confronted with strength, Putin retreats and finds ways to justify it to his people," the Foreign Minister adds.
13:30 "German Stance on Taurus Missiles Sparks Controversy"
The dispute over the delivery of German Taurus cruise missiles to Ukraine is intensifying, but Chancellor Scholz remains firm against approving the weapon, as reported by ntv's Kavita Sharma.
13:03 Governor: Couple Dies in Rocket Strike in Odessa
At least two individuals were killed in a Russian rocket strike on Odessa's outskirts, according to Ukrainian sources. The deceased couple was found on Saturday evening, as announced by the regional governor. One more person was injured. Preliminary data suggests that an outlawed cluster munition was used. The Ukrainian air force reports that two missiles struck the outskirts.
12:28 Ukraine: Bridge and Command Center Eliminated
Ukrainian military sources report that they have destroyed a Russian-built bridge. The location of the bridge was not specified by the Ukrainian army's General Staff. In total, six enemy concentration areas were hit the previous day, either by air or artillery. Apart from the bridge, an artillery system was also eliminated. A strike was also reported on a command and control center.
11:58 Ukrainian Women Demolish Landmines
The ongoing war between Russian troops and Ukrainian soldiers has left labor force gaps, particularly in traditional male-dominated sectors. As a result, women are increasingly sought after, leading many to retrain. NTV's foreign report covers some of these women in the southeastern part of the country and near Kyiv.
11:25 Ischinger Suggests Lightening Arms Restrictions for Ukraine
Wolfgang Ischinger, the former head of the Munich Security Conference, proposes reducing the constraints on Ukraine's use of Western weapons. "It would be clearer and less complicated if we simply stated: We commit Ukraine to utilizing the weapons systems we provide within the permitted boundaries set by international law," Ischinger told the "Süddeutsche Zeitung." This implies not targeting medical facilities, which the Russians frequently assault, but only military objectives like airports or missile bases, even if they are located on Russian territory to prevent attacks with guided missiles.
10:53 Prisoner Swaps Surge Between Ukraine and Russia Post-Kursk Offensive
The surge in prisoner swaps between Ukraine and Russia might be linked to Ukraine's offensive in Kursk, as per observers. This offensive began on August 6. Since then, there have been three exchanges involving a combined total of 267 prisoners from both sides, the International Institute for the Study of War (ISW) reports. Compared to the previous six months (January 1 – August 6), there were only three prisoner swaps, resulting in slightly over 400 Ukrainian and Russian detainees being exchanged. According to Ukrainian officials, Kursk's incursion fortified Ukraine's bargaining power in prisoner swaps with Russia, as they remained persistent in negotiating an exchange throughout.
10:16 British: Russians Progressing Slowly on Eastern Front
Russian troops continue to advance on the east Ukrainian front, making little progress in the area surrounding Wuhledar and southeast of the logging center Pokrovsk, as per the British Ministry of Defense. However, the Russians have not made any notable progress towards Pokrovsk itself in the last week.
09:46 Ukraine Reports Drone and Missile Attacks
Ukraine's air force reports that Russia launched 14 drones overnight, 10 of which were shot down by air defense. One guided missile was also intercepted. Additionally, two ballistic missiles were fired but no information on their outcome or any damage or casualties was provided. Authorities in the Kharkiv region acknowledged fires caused by Russian shelling, as well as damage to numerous buildings in Kharkiv.
09:10 Expansion of Facial Recognition Payment System in Russian Subways Alarms Human Rights Activists
Human rights activists express concerns over Russia's expansion of a facial recognition-based subway payment system. Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, funded by the US, reports that the "Face Pay" method, in use in Moscow for three years, is being introduced in six additional cities, including Kazan, allowing passengers to register and pay using a camera-equipped device at the turnstile. Plans are underway to roll out the method across all Russian subways next year. The report highlights that in Moscow, surveillance cameras have been used to detain protesters and journalists. Human rights lawyer Andrei Fedorkov, who works with the banned Russian human rights organization Memorial to support political prisoners, expresses concerns over the payment system and believes it could serve as another powerful tool for monitoring and controlling citizens.
08:02 Moscow: 29 Unmanned Aerial Vehicles Downed Over Russian TerritoryRussia's air defense forces have reportedly taken down 29 unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) across various regions, as per the Ministry of Defense in Moscow. The UAVs were reportedly launched from Ukraine, with the majority being intercepted over the Bryansk region, which shares a border with Ukraine.
07:31 Stegner Justifies Attending Anti-Weapons Delivery ProtestSPD foreign policy expert Ralf Stegner justifies his planned participation in a demonstration, where Sahra Wagenknecht, the founder of the Left Party, will also speak. Stegner clarifies that he is speaking on his own behalf as a Social Democrat, and not in alliance with anyone else. He acknowledges that there are other speakers whose views he does not share and numerous appeals whose content he does not endorse. "As long as fascists, anti-Semites, and racists are excluded, I support freedom of speech." The "national demonstration for peace" on October 3 in Berlin was organized by an initiative called "Never Again War - Lay Down Your Arms." It advocates for negotiations to cease conflicts in Ukraine and the Gaza Strip, and "no further arms deliveries to Ukraine, Israel, and the world." The initiative also criticizes the SPD-led federal government for being more armed than ever before. Criticism of the demonstration came from SPD foreign policy spokesman Michael Roth, who opined, "Russia and Hamas are not labeled as war instigators in any way, which is a disgrace." FDP MEP Marie-Agnes Strack-Zimmermann commented on Stegner's participation, "This is truly damaging to his own party and government." Read more here.
07:03 Kharkiv Under Threat AgainKharkiv was bombarded again by the Russian military, as per Ukrainian authorities. According to the regional governor, a building on a hospital campus was damaged, and a fire broke out at an educational institution following a strike by a rocket launcher. Fortunately, no casualties were reported. The city has been bombarded frequently and is situated about 30 kilometers from the Russian border.
06:29 Estimated Russian Troop Increase in Kursk RegionThe Ukrainian counteroffensive seems to be causing personnel issues on the Russian side: According to the think tank Institute for the Study of War, the counteroffensive has forced the Russian military leadership to redeploy units from Ukraine to the Kursk region and deploy newly formed troops from Russia to Kursk instead of at the front in Ukraine. Initially, there were 11,000 Russian troops stationed in Kursk, but now, the Ukrainians estimate between 30,000 and 45,000 troops.
05:11 Ukraine Begins Production of 155-mm Artillery ShellsUkraine has commenced the production of 155-mm artillery shells, as per a Ukrainian official, who told the Kyiv Independent. Oleksandr Kamyshin, the former Minister of Strategic Industries and current external advisor to President Volodymyr Zelensky, stated that defense materials production has been doubled under his leadership and is expected to triple by the end of this year.
03:04 Biden's Remaining Term Dedicated to Strengthening Ukraine's PositionUS President Joe Biden intends to utilize the remainder of his term to help Ukraine attain the best possible position in its conflict with Russia, according to his national security advisor, Jake Sullivan. At the Yalta European Strategy (YES) conference in Kyiv, Sullivan explained that Biden wants to put Ukraine in the best possible position to succeed within the next four months.
01:43 British Politicians Urge Keir Starmer to Allow Ukraine to Use Long-Range Missiles on Russian TerritoryFive former British defense ministers and former Prime Minister Boris Johnson have reportedly recommended Labour leader Keir Starmer to permit Ukraine to utilize long-range missiles on Russian territory, even without US support. The Sunday Times reveals that they warned the current prime minister that "any further delay would embolden President Putin."
00:52 Ukraine's Intelligence Chief Identifies North Korea as the Greatest Threat from Russia's AlliesUkraine's intelligence chief Kyrylo Budanov has stated that North Korea poses the greatest threat to Ukraine among Russia's allies. Speaking at the Yalta European Strategy (YES) conference in Kyiv, Budanov pointed out that North Korea's military support for Russia, including a significant amount of ammunition, is "significantly impacting the intensity of the fights." He also mentioned that North Korean leader Kim Jong Un had recently strengthened his relations with Russia.
23:21 Ukraine: Russia to Experience Recruitment Challenges by Mid-2025
According to Ukraine, Russia may face recruitment problems by mid-2025, as per Ukrainian intelligence chief Kyrylo Budanov at a conference in Kyiv, "the Moscow government may be faced with a predicament: either declare mobilization or decrease the conflict's intensity." This could be crucial for Russia. As of now, there is no statement from the Russian government.
22:20 Scholz Denounces Russian Attack on Ukraine as 'Stupid'
Olaf Scholz, the German Chancellor, lambasts Vladimir Putin for recklessly endangering Russia's future by invading Ukraine. At a public discussion in Prenzlau, Brandenburg, Scholz, an SPD parliamentarian, labels Putin's war actions as "stupid" from Russia's perspective. Putin's imperialistic ambitions lead him to send thousands of Russian soldiers into harm's way, resulting in severe injuries and fatalities. Moreover, Putin's actions damage Russia's economic connections with numerous nations. Scholz concludes that Ukraine will emerge with a stronger military force than before. Germany will continue to militarily support Ukraine to prevent its collapse and to prevent an egregious disregard for European regulations from succeeding. Scholz condemns Putin's actions, stating that Russia's future is being squandered. A peaceful resolution can only be achieved if Russia acknowledges that Ukraine is not a subjugated state.
22:01 Varied Successes Reported in Battles Around Kursk
Ukrainian troops make progress in their offensive into the western Russian region of Kursk but also suffer setbacks due to Russian counterattacks. The pro-government Ukrainian military channel Deep State claims that Ukrainian forces capture three more settlements. However, Russian counterattacks force Ukrainian troops to retreat from around the village of Snagost. Deep State's map shows a significant Russian incursion into Ukrainian defensive lines. These occurrences cannot be confirmed independently at this moment. In early August, Ukrainian troops penetrated the Russian border region of Kursk and, as reported, secured around 1,300 square kilometers and approximately 100 settlements, including the town of Sudzha. Experts estimate smaller territorial gains. This week, Russian forces made their first major effort to expel Ukrainian troops.
21:41 USA: Delays in Aid to Ukraine Due to Logistical Issues
The delayed delivery of US military aid to Ukraine is a result of complex logistics, according to the US. Jake Sullivan, the White House's national security advisor, at the Yalta European Strategy (YES) conference in Kyiv, states that this is not a question of political will but rather logistical problems to deliver the necessary supplies to the conflict zone. Despite the difficulties facing Ukraine, Sullivan asserts that the US must "do more" and "do it better." US President Joe Biden is "determined" to employ the remaining time in his presidency to put Ukraine in the best possible position to emerge victorious. Biden and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy will meet at the UN General Assembly in New York at the end of September, as announced by Sullivan.
20:57 Scholz: Support for Trying Saboteurs of the Nord Stream Pipeline in Germany
Olaf Scholz, the German Chancellor, labels the sabotage of the Nord Stream pipeline's pipes in the Baltic Sea as a "terrorist act." Scholz wants to bring the perpetrators to trial in Germany. He declares this decision at a public discussion as an SPD MP in the Brandenburg town of Prenzlau. "I have instructed all relevant security agencies and the Federal Public Prosecutor to investigate without exception," he stresses, "nothing will be concealed." He adds that he wants to bring those responsible to trial in a German court if they can be apprehended. Scholz also comments that it is a "big lie" that the federal government has renounced Russian natural gas. It was Russia that shut off the gas supply through the Nord Stream 1 pipeline. The subsequent price surge, state subsidies, and the search for other gas sources have cost Germany "over 100 billion euros." The pipeline explosions occurred after Russia had already halted supplying Western Europe through the Baltic Sea. In August, the Federal Public Prosecutor issued an arrest warrant for a Ukrainian citizen accused of the sabotage act.
20:24 G7 Criticize Iranian Rocket Supplies to Russia
The G7's influential democracies strongly condemn the provision of rockets from Iran to Russia following reports of such supplies. Despite repeated international calls to halt these deliveries, Iran continues to supply Russia with weapons, contributing to an escalation of Iran's military support for Russia's invasion of 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 utilizing Iranian weapons to kill Ukrainian civilians and attack critical infrastructure. The most recent instance involves the United Kingdom and the US, who accuse Russia of receiving ballistic missiles from Iran. Iran denies these allegations. The statement, released by Italy's G7 presidency, calls on Iran to immediately stop all support for Russia's unjustified and illegal war against Ukraine and to cease the supply of ballistic missiles, drones, and related technology that pose a direct threat to the Ukrainian people and European and international security. "We remain committed to holding Iran accountable for its unacceptable support for Russia's illegal war in Ukraine, which undermines global security." Germany, France, and the UK have already imposed new sanctions on Iran, while the EU is also planning to impose more stringent penalties. Read more here.
19:41 Putin Proclaims Advocacy for Speech Liberties, Amidst Irony Despite the potential irony, Russia's leader, President Vladimir Putin, advocates for the significance of speech freedoms and data integrity. In a video address to attendees of the BRICS media summit in Moscow, marking TASS's 120th anniversary, Putin voices, "Given the intricate process of multipolarity's emergence, it's crucial to defend information authenticity." He further explains, "Authentic free speech, expressing diverse viewpoints, fosters the quest for compromises and collaborative problem-solving globally." Media acts as a pivotal factor in shaping a fair international order, providing people with an "unbiased, objective perspective of the world." However, freedoms of speech and media have been absent in Russia's authoritarian rule for years. Media that challenge the government are prohibited and silenced. Critics are targeted by the judiciary. Since 1904, TASS, the Russian agency, has been active under different names and titles. Often perceived as the government's spokesperson, it is the country's largest media organization.
19:20 Scholz Rejects Plans for Future Taurus Missile Deliveries to Ukraine Federal Chancellor Olaf Scholz has abruptly dismissed any future plans for dispatching long-range precision ordnances to Ukraine. This stance remains unchanged regardless of any decisions made by alliance partners. While addressing a citizens' dialogue in Prenzlau, Brandenburg, Scholz explicitly denied supplying Taurus cruise missiles capable of reaching Moscow from Ukraine (approximately 500 kilometers). He reinforces, "I've rejected that. And the same applies to other weaponry with such a range." This stance persists, even in the face of different choices made by other nations. The farthest weapon supplied by Germany to Ukraine has been the Mars II rocket launcher, with a Limited range of 84 kilometers.
You can catch up on previous events here.
The German government, despite facing criticism, continues to refuse approval for the delivery of Taurus cruise missiles to Ukraine, citing reasons not disclosed to the public.
In light of the ongoing conflict, the Military should remain vigilant to counter any potential threats or bluffs from hostile nations, learning from past experiences where their bluffs usually fail.
