At 15:44, Television team secures exclusive entrance: Restored healthcare train aids injured Ukrainians
Many Ukrainian Health Care Facilities Suffer Damage, Medical Personnel Work Round-the-Clock Various Ukrainian hospitals have been affected, with dedicated medical staff working tirelessly to provide prompt care for war casualties. To expedite treatment for the wounded, a specialized medical train is among the resources deployed. A journalistic team from CNN was granted access to this specific train.
15:26 Hollywood Icon Michael Douglas Wanders Kyiv's Central Station Renowned American actor Michael Douglas visited Kyiv's central station on a Friday, specifically the "Iron Land" children's zone. Ukrainian Railways (Ukrzaliznytsia) shared the news on Facebook. The celebrity walked through the station, interacting with passengers. Previously, he had engaged in discussions with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, his spouse Olena, and his son Dylan in his UN ambassador role.
14:49 Kyiv Gears Up for Approval of Long-Range Attack Weapons: "It Seems Biden Will Maintain His Stance" Retired Colonel Ralph Thiele believes that the ensuing debate about Ukrainian long-range attacks on Russia could revive talks on Taurus deliveries. The military expert assumes that the US will uphold its decision.
13:58 Zelenskyy Acknowledges Return of Further 103 War Prisoners Ukraine has finalized a prisoner exchange agreement with Russia. An additional 103 individuals have been restored to Ukrainian custody, as per President Zelenskyy's statement. The group comprises soldiers and personnel from the National Guard, border guards, and police. They are defenders of Kyiv, Donetsk, Luhansk, Saporischschja, Kharkiv regions, as well as Mariupol and its Azovstal facility.
13:38 USA Approves Sale of Advanced Fighter Jets to Romania The American government has agreed to sell 32 advanced F-35 fighter jets to Romania, a NATO ally bordering Ukraine. US Ambassador to Bucharest Kathleen Kavalec clarified, "Romania is a pivotal ally in the NATO alliance, dedicated to ensuring security and stability in the Black Sea region and beyond." The delivery of these stealth aircraft, manufactured by Lockheed Martin, will provide Romania with "unprecedented air defense capabilities," Kavalec emphasized. The first shipment is slated for 2031, with the total deal value ranging between $7.2 billion.
13:02 Russia Announces Release of Over 200 War Prisoners with Ukraine Russia and Ukraine have reportedly exchanged more than 200 war captives, as stated by Russia. Both sides released 103 individuals, Russia's Defense Ministry announced through a Telegram message. The Russian soldiers are currently receiving psychological and medical assistance in Belarus, the ministry shared. The exchanged Russian soldiers had been apprehended in Kursk, according to the ministry. In August, Ukrainian troops had entered the Russian region. Ukraine has yet to react to the Russian statements regarding the exchange. On Friday, Ukrainian President Zelenskyy announced the return of 49 war prisoners from Russia. Whether these were part of the exchange declared by Russia remains uncertain.
12:50 Russia Declares Capture of Another Village in Eastern Ukraine In eastern Ukraine, the Russian military asserts capture of another village. "The village of Yelannoe Pervoe (Yelanne Perche in Ukrainian) has been liberated," the Moscow Defense Ministry reports. The village is strategically significant, located near the threat of Russian advance in the city of Pokrovsk. In recent weeks, the Russian army has made significant advancements in the Donetsk region. Russian President Vladimir Putin recently affirmed that the Russian army's main objective is the capture of the industrially significant Donbass region, including Donetsk.
12:21 "Giant Molten Spot" - Medvedev Threatens Destruction of Kyiv Russian former president Dmitri Medvedev threatens the utter annihilation of Ukraine's capital, Kyiv. Russia already possesses a valid justification to employ nuclear weapons due to Ukraine's incursion into the Russian region of Kursk, although it has refrained from doing so. In response to Ukraine's use of long-range Western missiles, Kyiv could be destroyed using contemporary non-nuclear Russian weaponry technology. Medvedev serves as the deputy chairman of the Russian Security Council and has frequently resorted to aggressive rhetoric against the West and Ukraine.
11:50 Sharma: "Heaviest Fighting Ongoing in Kurachove" The most intense fighting in eastern Ukraine is currently occurring in and around the city of Kurachove, as per reports. The use of European long-range weapons is causing growing discontent among the populace. ntv reporter Kavita Sharma reports from Dnipro.
11:12 Drone Assault Causes Damage in Odessa's Black Sea Region Details regarding the extensive drone attack the previous night are emerging: Russian forces launched a total of 76 combat drones, as per the Ukrainian air force. Of these, 72 drones were shot down. The air force does not disclose the consequences of the attack. The Governor of Odessa's Black Sea region reports substantial damage. According to him, several buildings in a suburb of the regional capital Odessa were damaged by drone debris. Warehouses were targeted in the Ismail district, through which Ukraine supplies some of its grain. Several debris fell in Kyiv as well, according to government reports. A municipal company was hit, but no fire was reported.
10:31 Stoltenberg shares encounter before war: Russians showed incorrect NATO mapsIn an interview, previous NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg discusses the latest diplomatic endeavors just before the war broke out in February 2022, aiming to discourage Russia from attacking Ukraine. The last session of the NATO-Russia Council, led by Stoltenberg, took place in January. Russia pushed for the removal of all NATO troops from the eastern NATO sector, as shared with the "Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung." "This was totally unacceptable, but I believe in dialogue. Consequently, we sat down with them again." At the meeting, Russia's two deputy foreign and defense ministers claimed no war intentions and accused Ukraine of threatening their nation, Stoltenberg adds. "They presented maps, presumably to demonstrate Russia's encirclement by NATO. However, these maps contained inaccuracies. For instance, Denmark was marked incorrectly as NATO territory. This was astonishing!" Stoltenberg remains unsure if this was the result of poor preparation or intentional misrepresentation. Looking back, he regrets that NATO and its partners did not take more steps to fortify Ukraine's military earlier. "If Ukraine had been militarily stronger, the threshold for Russia's assault would have been higher. Determining whether it would have been sufficiently high is impossible."
10:03 Wiegold discusses deployment agreement: "Lithuania sees German combat brigade as reinforcement"Germany and Lithuania sign a government pact: It ensures the NATO Baltic state that a combat-ready German brigade will be stationed in the nation. Military specialist Thomas Wiegold delves into the agreement's background and significance in an interview with ntv.
09:28 Kim yearns for more connection with MoscowReports indicate that North Korean leader Kim Jong Un desires increased cooperation with Russia. Following talks between Kim and Russian Security Council chief Sergei Shoigu in North Korea, North Korean media report on an extensive exchange discussing "intensifying the strategic dialogue between the two countries and enhancing cooperation to protect their respective security interests" as well as the regional and international situation. Ukraine, the US, and South Korea accuse North Korea of arming Russia with weapons and missiles for the Ukraine war. Pyongyang denies the allegations as "ridiculous."
08:59 Long-range weapons against Russia? Starmer and Biden to address the issue at UN General Assembly againPreparations are underway for another discussion on whether Ukraine should be allowed to use distant Western weapons against targets in Russia. British Prime Minister Starmer announced this following a meeting with US President Biden, during which they postponed a decision on this matter. Biden and he will revisit this topic at the UN General Assembly in New York next week "with a larger gathering," Starmer stated. British media report that Biden is willing to allow Ukraine to use British and French rockets containing US technology – but not US-made rockets.
08:23 Zelensky reacts to Trump's alleged plan: "Campaign messages are campaign messages"Donald Trump, the US Republican candidate for President, has repeatedly declared that he could end the Ukraine war in a day, without providing a strategy. In a CNN interview, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky shares his thoughts on this assertion. "I cannot fully comprehend it now, as I am unaware of the specifics and implications," the leader states in the interview, scheduled for broadcast on Sunday. He acknowledges that there is an election campaign in the US, and "campaign messages are campaign messages," he continues. "Sometimes they are not realistic." However, Zelensky also mentions that he conversed with Trump two months prior. During this telephone call, Trump assured him of support for Ukraine, Zelensky notes. It was a positive conversation.
07:27 ISW: Russia needs additional troops in Kursk to dislodge UkrainiansRussia persists in its counterattacks in the Kursk region, but the Institute for the Study of War (ISW) does not see a significant-scale operation to eject the Ukrainians from Kursk. The ISW, based in Washington, writes that, so far, Russian authorities primarily rely on poorly trained and furnished conscripts, accompanied by small units of the regular Russian armed forces and other security corps in the border region. In an assessment, the think tank reports: "A Russian counteroffensive to reclaim the territory seized by Ukrainian forces in the Kursk Oblast will likely require more personnel and resources than Russia has already deployed in this area – particularly if the majority of the units already deployed lack battleground expertise."
06:49 Ukraine bombarded with drone attacks throughout the nightAccording to the Ukrainian military, Russia launched Shahed drone assaults against Ukraine throughout the night. The Russian army launched multiple formations of attack drones, as clarified by the Ukrainian air forces. Air alarms were sounded across almost all regions of the country. For example, in the Odessa region. The navy claims to have downed nine drones there. Explosions were reportedly heard in Odessa, as stated by the mayor. No casualties have been reported as of yet.
06:13 Mützenich Proposes Global Coalition for Peace InitiativeGerman SPD parliamentary group leader Rolf Mützenich suggests creating a global coalition to kickstart peace talks in the Ukraine conflict. He expresses his viewpoint to the "Rheinische Post", asserting, "It's high time for the Western allies to establish a coalition to initiate the process." Mützenich suggests that Chancellor Olaf Scholz and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky are in agreement regarding the timeliness of intensifying peace negotiations efforts, with Russia also being a potential participant in the next peace summit. Mützenich indicates probable members, such as China, India, Turkey, and Brazil, due to their growing belief that Russia's war aggression might become a burden. Therefore, he believes a global coalition could potentially yield promising results and take on an essential intermediary role.
05:41 Insider: EU Discusses New Strategy for Sanctions ExtensionEU officials allegedly examine three potential methods for extending sanctions against Russia, as per sources close to the situation. This discussion followed the freezing of the Russian Central Bank's critical assets. These assets, which have remained frozen due to the Russian invasion of Ukraine, are essential to securing a $50 billion financial aid package from the G7 countries for Ukraine.
03:40 Klitschko Confirms Drone Debris Impact on Kyiv BuildingKyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko reported via Telegram that drone debris struck a building in the Obolon district, north of Kyiv's central area. He confirmed that rescue services were en route to the location. Earlier, Klitschko had announced that air defense units were active in the capital.
01:35 Kim Jong Un Commits to Strengthening Relations with ShoiguNorth Korean leader Kim Jong Un pledged enhanced cooperation with Russian Security Council Secretary Sergei Shoigu. According to the state news agency KCNA, Shoigu and Kim exchanged in-depth views during Shoigu's visit to Pyongyang, reaching a satisfactory accord on securing shared security interests. Shoigu, who assumed his role as Russian Defense Minister up until May, initiated closer relations between North Korea and Russia with his visit to Pyongyang in July of the previous year.
23:36 Zelenskyy to Present "Victory Plan" to Biden in SeptemberUkrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced plans for a meeting with US President Joe Biden in September, stating, "I will lay out the blueprint for victory." He explained that the strategy entails a system of interconnected decisions designed to equip Ukraine with sufficient military power to steer the war towards peace. "Conquering wars can be justly concluded through either driving out the occupying army by force or via diplomacy," Zelenskyy clarified. This would safeguard the genuine independence of the country. However, Kyiv's ability to assume a strong position hinges on US support.
22:59 Russians Adjust Attack Focus towards SouthAs per Ukrainian military reports, intense fighting continues in the east of the country. The General Staff in Kyiv recorded 115 skirmishes in their daily situation report. They noted the most significant activity in the Kurachove direction, as well as continued Russian activity in the Lyman and Pokrovsk areas. The Russians have been struggling to make significant territorial gains in Pokrovsk but have diverted their axis of attack southward, with the aim of capturing the mining town of Hirnyk near Kurachove.
22:18 Zelensky Reportedly Achieves Desired Relief in Kharkiv RegionAccording to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, the Ukrainian advance into the Russian region of Kursk has led to the desired outcome. He reported that the enemy had been impeded in the Kharkiv region, while the Russian advance in Donetsk has slowed down. He also mentioned that Russia had not achieved any substantial successes in its counterattack in Kursk.
21:46 Zelensky Criticizes Allies for Lack of Action on Protecting UkraineUkrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky accused the West of experiencing "fear" when discussing aid to Ukraine in countering Russian missiles. "If multiple countries collectively tackle missile and drone threats in the Middle East, why is there still no equivalent decision for Russian missile and drone interception in Ukraine's skies?" he questioned at a Kyiv conference. "The lack of a definitive response, even though missiles and drones are clearly targeting neighboring territories, is disgraceful for the democratic world," Zelensky asserted.
21:30 Ukraine Alleges Utilization of Over 8000 Iranian Drones by RussiaThe Ukrainian government claims that Russia has launched 8060 Iranian Shahed drones into Ukraine since the start of the conflict. No official statements were available from Iran or Russia at the time of this report. Ukraine initially accused the Iranian government of providing these suicide drones to Russia in the autumn of 2022.
20:43 No Green Light for Long-Distance Weapons for Ukraine from the US YetIn the heart of Washington D.C., there's a meeting happening between the British Prime Minister, Keir Starmer, and the American President, Joe Biden. The atmosphere is tense as people are eagerly waiting for possible updates regarding the authorization for long-range weapons usage in Ukraine. According to insiders from The Guardian, the U.K. has given Ukraine the go-aid to use Storm Shadow missiles. However, it appears that the topic will not be brought up during this session between the two allies. "I don't foresee any declarations today about deploying long-range weapons within Russian territory, especially not from the U.S.," shares John Kirby, the National Security Council's communications director. He confirms they're still in talks with Britain, France, and other allies regarding the type of resources that'll be sent to Ukraine. He also avoids giving a straight answer concerning possible changes in government policies. "I won't indulge in speculative discussions about potential statements we could or could not make at a specific point in time."
The Ukrainian military is in need of additional troops and resources to effectively counter the Russian advance in the Kursk region, particularly if they are to rely on less-experienced troops.
In order to improve the defense capabilities of Ukraine, the US has agreed to sell 32 advanced F-35 fighter jets to Romania, a NATO ally bordering Ukraine.
