At 17:25,Former Russian Foreign Minister Kosyrev expresses that Putin will persist in assaulting nations, aiming for humiliation.
17:04 Taurus Controversy Renewed: Coalition Politicians Advocate for Delivery of Long-Range ArmsPoliticians from the coalition parties are advocating for Ukraine to be granted permission to use long-range weapons against targets within Russia. "We must aid Ukraine, alongside other European states, the UK, and the US, in annihilating military installations on Russian soil," says FDP politician Marie-Agnes Strack-Zimmermann, as reported by "Der Spiegel." She continues, "This also means that Germany must finally deliver the Taurus. The Taurus was specifically engineered for this purpose – to incapacitate military targets prior to their ability to launch heavy assaults." Green politician Toni Hofreiter shares a similar viewpoint. "To guarantee the sustainable reconstruction of damaged infrastructure, the utilization of long-range weapons against Russian launch sites is imperative," asserts the Green party member.
16:35 Intense Fights in Kurachove - Ukraine Reports Extensive AssaultsAs per Ukrainian accounts, Russian forces are escalating their attacks in eastern Ukraine near the disputed city of Kurachove. The most intense fighting this month has occurred here, according to the Kyiv government. Simultaneously, Russian troops are advancing towards the town of Pokrovsk, an important railway hub around 33 kilometers north of Kurachove. Russia aims to establish new front lines, disrupt Ukrainian logistics, and take control of the remainder of the eastern Donetsk region. The Ukrainian military reports repelling 64 attacks near Kurachove and 36 near Pokrovsk within the past 24 hours. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky commends his troops for maintaining their positions in Pokrovsk and Kurachove, describing these as the two most challenging sectors on the eastern front.
15:56 Ukrainian Actions 1,900 Kilometers from Border? Russian Region Shuts Down AirspaceAuthorities in the northern Russian region of Murmansk are once again reporting a supposed threat from Ukrainian drones. As a safety measure, airspace is being closed, writes Governor Andrei Chibis on Telegram. The region is approximately 1,900 kilometers from Ukraine. The aviation authority Rosaviatsiya has temporarily suspended takeoffs and landings at Murmansk and Apatity airports due to security reasons. The high north of Russia houses the Northern Fleet and an airbase from which strategic bombers take off to strike Ukraine.
15:22 British Ministry Outlines - Russia Now in Possession of These Iranian MissilesThe British Ministry of Defence has disclosed details regarding the Iranian missiles apparently given to Russia. According to information, these are short-range ballistic missiles of the Fath-360 type, also known as BM-120. First introduced in 2020, these missiles can carry a 150-kilogram warhead up to 120 kilometers and hit their target with an estimated precision of 30 meters. The daily intelligence report from the London defense ministry reveals that Russia's ability to perform precise strikes against Ukrainian military or civilian targets near the front has been strengthened.
14:45 Poland Has Yet to Provide Funds for the Czech Artillery PlanAccording to Polish media outlet Gazeta Wyborcza, Poland has not yet contributed funds for the Czech artillery initiative, which aims to acquire shells for Ukraine using funds from several Western partners. Germany is said to be the leading and quickest financier. If all goes according to plan, Ukraine is expected to receive 100,000 rounds this month, with a target of 500,000 by the end of 2024 and even more in 2025. Russia's involvement in the market is causing problems, according to reports from Prague.
14:20 Pistorius sees Legality in Approval of Extended-Range Weapons for Ukraine by NATO PartnersFederal Defense Minister Pistorius considers the possible approval by NATO partners for Ukraine to use extended-range weapons against targets within Russia to be legally justified. He stated that the USA and UK have the right to choose what weapons they supply "considering international law." Regarding Russian President Putin's warnings that NATO would then be at war with his country, Pistorius said, "Putin's threats are Putin's threats. There's not much more to say. He threatens whenever he wants to, and he incites whenever he deems it necessary."
13:57 Zelenskyy Announces Return of 49 Prisoners of WarUkrainian President Zelenskyy has announced the return of 49 prisoners of war from Russia, including former fighters from the Mariupol steel plant Azovstal, which was besieged by the Russian army in the spring of 2022. "49 Ukrainians have returned home," the head of state said, sharing photos of soldiers and servicewomen wrapped in Ukrainian national flags. According to Zelenskyy, they are members of the army, national guard, national police, border guard, and civilians. Initially, Zelenskyy did not specify whether the return was the result of a prisoner exchange with Russia. Ukrainian media reports suggest that 23 of the 49 returnees are women.
13:46 Tusk responds to Putin's Threats: "Don't Assume Too Much"Poland's Prime Minister Donald Tusk is not concerned about the recent threats from Vladimir Putin concerning long-range weapons targeting Russia. While the situation in Ukraine and on the Ukrainian-Russian front must be taken seriously, Tusk says, "I wouldn't assume too much into the latest statements by President Putin." Instead, these statements reflect the tough position of the Russian military on the frontline. Putin had previously stated that the West would be directly fighting Russia if it allowed Ukraine to attack Russian territory with long-range rockets produced in Ukraine.
13:21 Beijing Suggests Negotiations as Sole Solution for Conflicts like Ukraine and Gaza Chinese Defense Minister Dong Jun, during an international security forum in Beijing, proposes "negotiations" as the only solution for disputes such as those in Ukraine and the Gaza Strip. He suggests that to "resolve the crisis in Ukraine and the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, fostering peace and negotiations is the only viable option."
12:58 Oil and Gas Play Crucial Role in Scholz's Central Asia Expedition The German government intends to increase oil imports from Kazakhstan. A government representative states, ahead of Chancellor Olaf Scholz's trip to Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan starting Sunday, "We are open to the potential expansion of oil supplies from Kazakhstan." They aim to provide various supply options for the PCK refinery in Schwedt, with more oil from Kazakhstan being one option. However, they also require alternative options considering that Kazakh oil is transported through Russian pipelines to Germany, thereby giving Moscow leverage. After Russia's invasion of Ukraine, Germany ceased importing Russian oil. Scholz's journey will also focus on gas supplies from Central Asia. "We must obtain gas from somewhere, and that's where Central Asia comes into play due to its abundant gas resources."
12:26 France Requests Meeting with Iranian Diplomat in Response to Missile Allegations France has demanded a meeting with Iran's diplomatic representative at the Foreign Ministry in Paris. The move follows reports suggesting that Russia has received ballistic missiles from Iran, which could potentially be deployed in Ukraine within weeks. US Secretary of State Antony Blinken previously made this claim, but Iran denies it.
12:03 Pentagon Downplays Russian Counteroffensive in Kursk The Pentagon views Russia's counteroffensive in Kursk as "marginal." Pentagon spokesperson Pat Ryder stated Thursday, "We've noticed Russian units attempting some type of counteroffensive in the Kursk region. However, at this stage, I would categorize it as marginal, but we are keeping a close eye on the situation." The Russian Defense Ministry claims its soldiers have recaptured ten villages, but these claims remain unverified. The Ukrainian army launched an offensive in the Russian border region of Kursk approximately five weeks ago, allegedly capturing around 100 Russian villages and over 1,200 square kilometers since then.
11:38 Ukrainian Air Force Reports Successful Drone Defenses, Despite Damage The Ukrainian air force claims to have shot down 24 out of 26 drones the previous night. In the Odessa region, one person sustained injuries, and 20 homes were damaged. Meanwhile, in the Mykolajiw region, drone debris ignited a fire at a food processing facility, according to regional authorities. Additionally, energy infrastructure in the Iwano-Frankiwsk region was damaged.
11:16 Shoigu Meets with Kim in Pyongyang Russian Security Council Secretary Sergei Shoigu convened with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un in Pyongyang. The meetings were described as taking place in a "unique atmosphere of trust and camaraderie," the Russian Security Council reported. These discussions are expected to make a significant contribution to the implementation of the defense pact signed by Kim and Russian President Vladimir Putin in June. The pact provides for reciprocal assistance in the event of aggression against one of the signatories. However, Western powers accuse Moscow of employing North Korean rockets and artillery shells in Ukraine, necessitating additional ammunition for Russia's ongoing offensive in Ukraine. To that end, Russia has turned to countries like China, Iran, and North Korea.
10:46 Russian Parliamentary Leader Accuses NATO of Waging War Against Russia Russian Parliament Chairman Vyacheslav Volodin claims that NATO is actively participating in the fighting in Ukraine. "They are waging war against our country," Volodin said on Telegram. He suggests that NATO is guiding Ukrainian forces in selectively targeting Russian cities for attacks, orchestrating military deployments, and generally issuing commands to the Ukrainian government.
10:17 Munz on Putin's War Threat to NATO: It's Just Rhetoric In Western circles, concerns persist that allowing Ukraine to conduct long-range strikes against Russian territory might lead to escalation. Precisely this scenario was once again threatened by Russian President Vladimir Putin. However, ntv correspondent Rainer Munz believes that there is little substance behind Putin's warnings.
Germany and Lithuania have finalized plans for the deployment of a combat-ready brigade within Lithuania, a NATO member in the Baltic region. Defense Minister Boris Pistorius and his Lithuanian counterpart Laurynas Kasciunas signed the agreement in Berlin. According to the defense ministry, the agreement reinforces NATO's presence and clarifies the legal status of German troops and civilian personnel in Lithuania. This move is intended to provide legal certainty. The agreement covers various aspects such as residency rights, tax laws, education, health regulations, traffic rules, and public safety, among others. The intention is to establish a legal framework allowing for the establishment of German schools and kindergartens in Lithuania. The brigade is expected to be operational by 2027. Read more here.
08:56 Russia Evicts British Diplomats
Russia has expelled six British diplomats based on allegations of espionage. The Russian Federal Security Service (FSB) claims that the British Foreign Office in London is coordinating efforts to escalate political and military tensions. Russia intends to weaken itself strategically against Ukraine, as mentioned by Maria Zakharova, a spokesperson for the Russian Foreign Ministry. In response, the British Foreign Office has dismissed these accusations as unsubstantiated. Russia's expulsion is a reprisal for the UK's actions in response to alleged Russian activities in Europe and the UK.
Read more here.
08:31 Putin Issues Warning to the West Regarding Long-Range Weapons
Ukrainian President Zelenskyy has urged the use of long-range missiles against Russian military targets for some time now. As a result, the US and UK have decided to reassess this situation together. Shortly after, Russian President Putin issued a warning to the West.
08:03 Russia Offers to Share Insights on Western Weapons
Russia is prepared to share its knowledge about Western weapons gained from the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. Russian Deputy Defense Minister Alexander Fomin made this statement at a security conference in China. Russia aims to share this knowledge with its allies, as Russian weapons have become proficient in countering Western weapons during the conflict.
07:34 SBU Announces Arrests: Men Allegedly Set Fire to Military Vehicles in Kyiv
Five individuals are suspected of setting fatal fires to military vehicles in Kyiv at the behest of a Russian intelligence agency. All suspects were arrested, as reported by the SBU, Ukraine's Security Service. According to SBU, the men are accused of setting fire to five military vehicles and distributing leaflets to smear the military. The suspects, hailing from various Ukrainian regions, had come to Kyiv in search of work and were contacted by Russian agents via Telegram for quick payouts. The men also recorded their actions for the promised compensation, but in the end, no payment was made.
07:05 Ukrainian Rabbi Mourns Adoptive Son Killed in ConflictUkrainian Chief Rabbi Moshe Asman mourns the loss of his adoptive son, Anton Samborskij, who died in the Ukrainian conflict. Thousands of soldiers, veterans, and others paid their respects at a memorial service in Kyiv on Thursday. Samborskij, 32, vanished at the end of July, and his demise was confirmed several weeks later. In May, Samborskij became a father, Rabbi Asman shared on social media. He was drafted a few weeks later. Asman spoke to his son for the last time on July 17.
06:29 Japan Reports Incident Involving Russian Fighter JetsJapan's military deployed fighter jets on Thursday in response to two Russian planes that circled Japan's territory. The Russian planes did not enter Japanese airspace, Defense Ministry officials reported. The Russian planes, identified as Tu-142, flew from the sea towards the southern region of Okinawa, and remained there from morning until afternoon. Japan scrambled its defense aircraft in response and defended its territory. The Russian planes then flew northwards, crossing the disputed Kurile islands.
06:07 Moscow: US Adopts Containment Policy Against Russia and ChinaRussian Deputy Defense Minister Alexander Fomin stated at a security conference in China that the US is implementing a containment policy against Russia and China. According to the Russian news agency TASS, Moscow and Beijing are advocating for a fair, multilateral world order based on equality and mutual respect. However, the West is planning for conflicts in Asia by establishing new security blocs in the region.
05:27 Ukrainian Cargo Ship Suffers Alleged Russian Air StrikeThe Ukrainian Navy has provided updates on a reported Russian air strike on a civilian cargo ship in the Black Sea. A Tu-22 bomber is suspected of firing a Ch-22 anti-ship missile at the ship, which was located outside Ukrainian territorial waters. The ship, flying under the flag of Saint Kitts and Nevis, was en route to Egypt with a cargo of wheat from the Ukrainian port of Chornomorsk. The BBC reported that the ship was in Romania's exclusive economic zone. Additionally, a Ch-31 missile, used for electronic warfare, was fired instead of a Ch-22 with substantial explosive power intended for aircraft carriers.
A Moldovan soldier unfortunately passed away under uncertain circumstances while performing duties at the boundary with the separatist area of Transnistria. As per the Ministry of Defense of Moldova, the soldier was critically wounded by a shot from his own weapon during his duty hours. Law enforcement officials and forensic experts are now investigating this incident. Moldovan soldiers, along with separatist Transnistrian troops and Russian troops, have been stationed at this boundary since a dispute in 1992 following the collapse of the Soviet Union. Moldova has reaffirmed its commitment towards integrating Transnistria into its territory. Incidents at this boundary are quite rare.
02:18 UK Prime Minister: "No Intentions of Escalating Conflict with Russia"
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer disagrees with Russian President Putin's assertion that the West's provision of long-range weapons equals NATO involvement in the conflict. Starmer believes Ukraine has the right to self-defense, and the UK stands in solidarity with this right by offering training opportunities. However, he clarifies that the UK does not wish to instigate a conflict with Russia, and peace is its ultimate goal. Read more here.
01:09 Former US Ambassador: Harris May Show More Strong Support for Ukraine
Former US Ambassador to Ukraine, William B. Taylor, thinks that Democratic presidential candidate Kamala Harris, if elected, may display more decisive support for Ukraine compared to the present president Biden. Harris has already demonstrated her stance in certain areas, including the HIMARS, Abrams, and F-16 fighter jets, notes Taylor from an event at the American University in Kyiv. Biden has taken a more cautious approach, particularly when it comes to allowing Ukraine to strike deep into Russian territory. Taylor anticipates a more proactive stance from Harris, mainly due to her expected appointment of a new foreign policy team in the White House.
00:27 Zelensky Praises Estonia for Military Aid
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky welcomes Estonian President Alar Karis in Kyiv and appreciates Estonia's military aid. Estonia, a Baltic EU and NATO member, promises to allocate 0.25% of its annual GDP towards Ukraine's defense needs. The discussion also covered reconstruction and Ukraine's EU aspirations. Meanwhile, Latvian Prime Minister Evika Siliņa also pledged further assistance during her meeting with Zelensky.
23:19 BND Need Not Disclose Military Assessment to Journalist
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The Federal Intelligence Service (BND) is not bound by law to share its military assessment on Ukraine's military victory with a news journalist or reveal the specific discussions, decide the Federal Administrative Court in Leipzig. The media that participated in such discussions are not obliged to disclose their participation as well. However, the BND must supply information on the number of confidential individual background discussions regarding Ukraine's military situation this year. The journalist, from a prominent daily newspaper, filed an urgent application following a newspaper article in May, which reported that a CDU politician alleged the BND was spreading a negative military assessment of Ukraine with the intention to sway public opinion.
22:06 German Politicians Support Use of Long-Range Weapons Against Russia
Politicians from the coalition support the authorization of Ukraine to employ long-range weapons against Russian targets. SPD foreign policy expert Michael Roth informs T-Online that it is appropriate and consistent with international law to target Russian military targets with long-range Western missiles, naming potential targets like airfields, command centers, or launch bases. SPD politician Faber emphasizes that authorizing long-range weapons to strike Russian military airports like ATACMS and Storm Shadow is long overdue for Ukraine's protection. Green politician Hofreiter stresses that "Russia daily terrorizes the Ukrainian civilian population with rocket attacks on hospitals, residential buildings, and electrical supply." To effectively safeguard the Ukrainian civilian populace, the army must be authorized to strike Russian military bases with long-range weapons.
21:35 Vance Discusses Trump's Ideas for Resolving Ukrainian Conflict
Republican vice-presidential candidate J.D. Vance suggests that Donald Trump's plan to end the Russian conflict may involve the creation of a demilitarized zone between Ukraine and Russia. In an interview with television producer Shawn Ryan, Vance explains that Trump could bring together Russians, Ukrainians, and Europeans for dialogues to explore peacemaking prospects. Vance believes that Trump could reach a settlement quickly. Trump is renowned for his affinity towards Russian President Vladimir Putin and his frequent criticism of US aid to Ukraine. The former president claims he could end the conflict within 24 hours if re-elected, but offers no specifics on his strategy.
21:03 "We are Russians. God is with us" - Extremist Demonstration in St. Petersburg
There is no room for refutation, neither confirmation: "We are Russians. God is with us," roar numerous Russian nationalists and extremists making their way through St. Petersburg. They repeatedly chant: "Forward, Russians!" The occasion for their gathering is the commemoration of the transfer of relics of Alexander Nevsky, celebrated as a national hero and saint in the Orthodox Church.
20:28 Russian Propagandist Speaks: "The Optimal Limit is the Atlantic Ocean"Renowned Russian TV personality Vladimir Solovyov expresses his viewpoint, suggesting that Russia should extend beyond Ukraine's conquest. He states, "I believe that the optimal boundary is the Atlantic Ocean. A natural barrier." For our troops, he recommends locations such as Berlin, Lisbon, and Madrid. Adding to his thoughts, he remarks, "And how splendid they looked in Paris." When reminded of the population issue, he replies, "We have the Belarusian brethren on our side." Alternatively, China could be considered.
20:01 British Volunteers Brace for WinterIn several Ukrainian homes still standing against shelling, windows have been destroyed - a challenging scenario as winter approaches. The British non-governmental organization "Insulate Ukraine" is taking action: they visit war zones and install emergency window replacements.
Read all prior developments here.
This sentence can be added: The coalition's advocacy for long-range weapons could potentially lead to greater military operations against Russian targets.
Another sentence could be: To effectively counter Russian advances, the use of long-range weapons in military operations becomes a strategic necessity.
