At 19:41, Russian leader Putin asserts his endorsement of free expression of thoughts.
Russian President Vladimir Putin underscored the importance of free speech and dependable information in a video message to participants at the Brics nations' media summit in Moscow, held to commemorate the 120th anniversary of state news agency Tass. "In this era of intricate multilateral development, it's particularly vital to safeguard the principles of factual reliability," Putin stated. "Unrestricted freedom of speech, permitting diverse viewpoints, paves the way for the exploration of compromises and shared solutions to global issues," he furthered. Media serves a crucial role in constructing a fair global order by supplying individuals with an unbiased and impartial view of the world. Regrettably, in authoritarian Russia, free speech and media freedom have been non-existent for years. Independent media outlets have been prohibited and shut down, while government critics are targeted by the legal system. Tass, founded in 1904 under various names and titles, is now the country's largest news agency and serves as the government's mouthpiece.
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz has persistently ruled out the provision of long-range precision weapons to Ukraine in the future, regardless of other alliance partners' decisions. At a citizens' dialogue in the Brandenburg town of Prenzlau, he reiterated his stance against supplying Taurus cruise missiles, whose range extends from Ukraine to Moscow (approximately 500 kilometers), due to the risk of significant escalation. "I've said no to that, and that, of course, holds true for other weapons with that range as well," Scholz emphasized. The farthest-reaching weapon Germany has delivered to Ukraine is the Mars II rocket launcher, which can strike targets 84 kilometers away.
NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg expressed that NATO could have done more to prevent Russia's invasion of Ukraine by offering more military aid. In an interview with the "FAZ," he stated, "Now we're providing military equipment for a war; then we could have provided military equipment to prevent the war." He described the day the war began as the worst of his ten-year tenure. Stoltenberg will step down as NATO Secretary-General on October 1, to be succeeded by former Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte.
Chancellor Olaf Scholz is optimistic about achieving clarity regarding the ownership structure of the PCK refinery in Schwedt by the end of the year. During a citizen dialogue in the Brandenburg town of Prenzlau, he commented, "We hope that everything will be clear by the end of the year." The German government has made it clear to the Russian co-owner Rosneft that its stake must be sold. The government is updated on the current "plausible" negotiations and is aware of who is engaging with whom and about what, including a potential investor from Qatar. Furthermore, Kazakhstan is providing oil to Schwedt via a Russian pipeline, replacing Russian oil after the Russian invasion of Ukraine. The German government extended the trusteeship for the Rosneft shares by another six months in early September to facilitate negotiations. Expropriation of the Russian stake is deemed a legally complex endeavor.
Chancellor Olaf Scholz reaffirmed that Ukraine will not be allowed to utilize weapons supplied by Germany with greater range for attacks on targets deep within Russia. "That remains the case," he said during a citizen dialogue in the Brandenburg town of Prenzlau. "I will adhere to my position, even if other countries choose otherwise," he added, referring to the United States. "I will not do that because I deem it an issue."
Anton Hofreiter, Chairman of the Bundestag's European Affairs Committee, cautioned of additional "hundreds of thousands of refugees" from Ukraine due to the upcoming expansion of border controls at Germany's national borders. "If we do not maintain consistent support for Ukraine, we must prepare for hundreds of thousands of refugees from the Russian war of aggression in the coming years," the Green Party politician told the "Tagesspiegel," referencing Poland's Prime Minister Donald Tusk's criticism of the additional controls at Germany's external borders. Hofreiter advocates for a European solution to migration policy. He warns that if each member state were to impose its own border controls, it would mark the end of the EU. He anticipates that Chancellor Olaf Scholz and Tusk will continue to collaborate closely in the future.
The British intelligence service has published images of bridges over the Seim River that were destroyed by the Ukrainian army during its operation in the Kursk region. "Ukraine continues to impede Russian logistics in the Kursk region through a series of attacks that have destroyed road and ponton bridges over the Seym River," the British Ministry of Defense wrote on X. The images were taken in mid- and late August. Ukraine launched its offensive in the Russian region of Kursk on August 6 and was able to advance several kilometers into Russian territory.
On August 23, a number of people were injured during a Ukrainian attack on the Belgorod region.
Several individuals have been harmed in a Ukrainian attack on the Russian region of Belgorod, as per official reports. Governor Vyacheslav Gladkov shares that multiple explosions struck a road stretch between Belgorod and Shebekino, injuring four people and damaging numerous vehicles. In the nearby village of Vosnesenkovka, a woman was wounded when a drone struck a private residence. At present, these reports cannot be authenticated independently. Russia frequently targets civilian areas in neighboring Ukraine, with Kharkiv, a Ukrainian city situated approximately 30 kilometers from the border, being one of the most frequently bombarded locations. Ukrainian artillery and military drones frequently attack areas in the Russian Belgorod region across the border. Russia initiated an offensive against Kharkiv during the summer, aiming to create a buffer zone; however, Russian assaults slowed down a few kilometers behind the border.
15:44 Exclusive Access: Mobile Hospital Treats Wounded Ukrainians
Many Ukrainian healthcare facilities have been damaged, forcing medical professionals to work tirelessly around the clock. To expedite treatments for the wounded, a specialized train is utilized, alongside other resources. A CNN team was granted access to this train.
15:26 Hollywood Celebrity Michael Douglas Visits Children in Kyiv
American actor Michael Douglas visited the "Iron Land" children's area at Kyiv Central Station on Friday. This information was shared on Facebook by the state-owned Ukrainian railway company Ukrzaliznytsia. According to their post, the renowned star walked through the station, engaging with passengers. Earlier, he met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and his spouse Olena, serving as a UN ambassador, alongside his son Dylan.
14:49 Kyiv Presses for Weapon Approval: "Biden Seems Unlikely to Change His Mind"
Retired Colonel Ralph Thiele predicts that the discussion over Ukrainian long-range attacks on Russia will likely resurrect the debate about Taurus deliveries. The military expert presumes that the USA will maintain their stance.
13:58 Zelensky Verifies Return of Another 103 War Prisoners
Ukraine has confirmed a prisoner exchange with Russia. Another 103 individuals have returned from Russian captivity to Ukraine, as stated by President Zelensky. Among them are soldiers and personnel from the National Guard, border guard, and police. They are defenders of the regions of Kyiv, Donetsk, Luhansk, Saporischschja, Kharkiv, as well as the city of Mariupol and the Azovstal plant.
13:38 USA Consents to Sell Advanced Fighter Jets to Romania
The US government has approved the sale of $7.2 billion worth of advanced F-35 fighter jets to Romania, a NATO member and neighbor of Ukraine. US Ambassador to Bucharest Kathleen Kavalec clarified: "Romania is a critical ally in the NATO alliance, committed to security and stability in the Black Sea region and beyond." With the acquisition of stealth multi-role combat aircraft from manufacturer Lockheed Martin, Romania will gain "unprecedented air defense capabilities," Kavalec noted. The first delivery is planned for 2031.
13:02 Russia: Over 200 POWs Exchanged with Ukraine
Russia and Ukraine have exchanged more than 200 prisoners of war, according to Russian officials. Each side has released 103 individuals, the Russian defense ministry announced. The Russian soldiers are currently receiving psychological and medical aid in Belarus, as per a Telegram message. The ministry specified that the exchanged Russian soldiers were captured in Kursk. Ukrainian troops had invaded the Russian region in August. The Ukrainian side has not yet acknowledged the Russian statements regarding the exchange. On Friday, Ukrainian President Zelenskyy announced the return of 49 prisoners from Russia. It is not clear if these individuals were part of the exchange confirmed by Russia.
12:50 Russia Announces Capture of Another Village in Eastern Ukraine
In eastern Ukraine, the Russian military claims to have seized another village. "The village of Yelannoe Pervoe (Yelanne Perche in Ukrainian) has been liberated," the Russian defense ministry declared. The small village lies in the vicinity of the strategically significant city of Pokrovsk, which is under threat due to the Russian advance. The Russian army has made notable progress in the Donetsk region in recent weeks. Russian President Vladimir Putin recently reiterated that the primary objective of the Russian army is to capture the industrially essential Donbass region, which includes Donetsk.
12:21 "Melted Patch" - Medvedev Threatens Destruction of Kyiv
Russian former president Dmitry Medvedev threatens to transform Kyiv, the Ukrainian capital, into a "giant melted spot" using modern Russian non-nuclear weapons. He suggests that Russia already has a legitimate reason to utilize nuclear weapons due to Ukraine's advance into the Russian region of Kursk, even though it has thus far chosen not to. Medvedev, who serves as deputy chairman of the Russian Security Council, has frequently employed strong language against the West and Ukraine.
11:50 Sharma: "Intense Fighting Persists in Kurachove"
Intense battles in eastern Ukraine currently focus on the city of Kurachove, according to ntv reporter Kavita Sharma reporting from Dnipro. The decision to employ European long-range weapons is causing frustration among the local population.
11:12 Drones Cause Damage in Black Sea Region of OdessaNew information is coming to light about the large-scale drone attack that occurred during the night: Russia launched a total of 76 combat drones, as reported by the Ukrainian air force. Out of these, 72 were successfully taken down. The Ukrainian air force did not disclose details regarding the extent of the damage caused by the attack. The governor of the Black Sea region of Odessa confirmed significant damage. Some buildings in a suburban area of Odessa's regional capital were damaged due to debris from the drones. Warehouses in the Ismajil district, which serves as a transportation hub for Ukraine's grain exports, were also hit. In Kyiv, various government buildings reportedly sustained damage from falling debris, but no fires were reported.
10:31 Stoltenberg on Pre-War Diplomacy: Russians Presented Incorrect NATO MapsOutgoing NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg, in an interview, speaks about the negotiations held prior to the war in February 2022, with the intention of deterring Russia from invading Ukraine. The final meeting of the NATO-Russia Council, presided over by Stoltenberg, took place in January. The Russians demanded the withdrawal of all NATO troops from the eastern part of the alliance, Stoltenberg shared with the "Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung". "This was absolutely unacceptable, but I believe in dialogue. That's why we continued to negotiate." At this gathering, Russia's deputy foreign and defense ministers asserted that there were no war plans and that their country was under threat from Ukraine. They even showed maps, allegedly to demonstrate how Russia was surrounded by NATO. However, even these maps contained inaccuracies; for example, Denmark was not marked as NATO territory. Stoltenberg remains unsure if the inaccuracies were due to poor preparation or intentional. Looking back, Stoltenberg regrets that NATO and its allies did not provide greater military support to Ukraine earlier. "If Ukraine had been militarily stronger, the threshold for Russia's attack would have been higher. Whether it would have been high enough, we will never know."
10:03 Wiegold on German Combat Brigade Agreements with LithuaniaGermany and Lithuania sign a government agreement: It guarantees Lithuania that a combat-ready German brigade will be stationed in the country. Military expert Thomas Wiegold discusses the background and significance of the agreement in an interview with ntv.
09:28 Kim's Ambitions for Strengthening Relations with MoscowNorth Korean leader Kim Jong Un is reported to have expressed intentions to strengthen cooperation with Russia, according to state media. After holding talks with Russian Security Council chief Sergei Shoigu in North Korea, North Korean media reported that an in-depth discussion took place on "expanding the strategic dialogue between the two countries and strengthening cooperation to protect mutual security interests, as well as the regional and international situation." Ukraine, the US, and South Korea accuse North Korea of supplying Russia with weapons and missiles for the Ukraine war. Pyongyang denies these accusations as "preposterous."
08:59 Potential Use of Advanced Weapons for Ukraine by the WestDiscussions surrounding the availability of advanced weapons for Ukraine to target Russian targets are forthcoming. British Prime Minister Starmer announced this after a meeting with US President Biden, during which they delayed making a decision on the issue. Biden and Starmer will discuss it at the UN General Assembly in New York next week with a larger group of people, according to Starmer. British media suggest that Biden is willing to permit Ukraine to utilize British and French rockets with US technology, but not US-manufactured rockets.
08:23 Zelensky on Trump's Hypothetical War-Ending Plan: "Campaign Promises Are Campaign Promises"Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky was asked during a CNN interview about his interpretation of Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump's repeated claims that he could end the war in Ukraine in a day, without providing a clear plan. "I don't comprehend it today because I don't have access to the details of what he refers to," Zelensky responded in the interview that aired on Sunday. Zelensky explains that the US is in the midst of an election campaign. "And campaign promises are campaign promises," he stressed. "At times, they may not be very realistic." Zelensky mentioned that he had spoken with Trump two months ago, during which Trump offered his support for Ukraine, stating that the conversation went well.
07:27 ISW: Russia Needs More Troops in Kursk to Displace Ukrainian ForcesThe Institute for the Study of War (ISW) in Washington noted that Russia's counterattacks in the Kursk region have yet to materialize into a large-scale operation aimed at expelling Ukrainian forces. The ISW reports that, thus far, Russia has primarily relied on poorly trained and equipped conscripts, along with small units of the regular Russian military and other security forces in the border region. According to the ISW's assessment, a Russian counteroffensive to retake the territory seized by Ukrainian forces in the Kursk Oblast will likely require more personnel and resources than Russia has already amassed in this region—especially if the majority of the deployed units lack combat experience.
06:49 Ukraine Suffers From Drone AttacksAs reported by the Ukrainian military, Russia launched several waves of drone attacks against Ukraine throughout the night. Russian forces started multiple groups of drone assaults, as reported by the Ukrainian Air Force. Alerts were activated in almost every region of the country, including the Odessa region. The navy reported downing nine drones in the area. Explosions were heard in Odessa, but there have been no reported casualties as of yet.
06:13 Mützenich suggests international peace initiative groupSPD parliamentary group leader Rolf Mützenich has suggested forming an international group to initiate a peace initiative in the ongoing Ukraine conflict. "In my opinion, it's high time for the Western allies to instigate a group to start the process," he told the "Rheinische Post". "German Chancellor and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky agree that now is an apt time to escalate efforts for peace talks, and that Russia should be included in the next peace summit." When questioned about potential members of such a group, Mützenich mentioned countries like China, India, Turkey, and Brazil as taking responsibility. "In these countries, the sentiment is growing that the Russian invasion can become a burden." Therefore, the role of a contact group "could indeed be promising," and it could play a significant mediating part.
05:41 EU Contemplates New Strategy for Sanctions RenewalSources within the EU Commission are contemplating three possibilities for future sanction extensions against Russia, according to diplomats. These possibilities were shared with European diplomats on Friday. The rationale behind this is the frozen Russian central bank assets, which play a significant role in granting a $50 billion loan from the G7 nations to Ukraine. These assets have been frozen since the Russian attack on Ukraine.
03:40 Klitschko Reports Drone debris Impact in KyivKyiv's mayor, Vitali Klitschko, notified via the Telegram messaging app about the impact of drone debris on a city building in the Obolon district of the Ukrainian capital, north of the city center. Emergency services are on their way to the location, Klitschko wrote further. Earlier, the mayor had stated that air defense units were operating in the city.
01:35 Kim Jong Un and Shoigu Discuss Closer CooperationNorth Korean leader Kim Jong Un has promised Russian Security Council Secretary Sergei Shoigu closer cooperation. According to the state news agency KCNA, the two men held a thorough discussion during Shoigu's visit to Pyongyang, reaching a satisfying consensus on matters such as strengthening "cooperation in safeguarding mutual security interests". Shoigu, who transitioned out of his post as Defense Minister in May, fostered closer relations between North Korea and Russia with a visit to Pyongyang in July of last year.
23:36 Zelenskyy to Present "Victory Plan" to Biden in SeptemberUkrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has confirmed a meeting with US President Joe Biden in September. "I will present the plan for victory," the head of state said during an appearance in the Ukrainian capital of Kyiv. This plan revolves around a system of interdependent decisions that will equip Ukraine with sufficient strength to navigate the war towards peace. "Armed conquests can be brought to a just end in various ways: either the occupying army is expelled by force or through diplomacy," Zelenskyy explained. This will ensure Ukraine's true independence. However, Kyiv's position relies on US support for the required strength.
22:59 Russia Alters Attack Direction SouthwardHeavy fighting persists in the east of the country, according to the Ukrainian military. There were 115 skirmishes, the General Staff in Kyiv reported in its evening situation report. "The most intense situation today was in the direction of Kurachove, besides the enemy was also active in the direction of Lyman and Pokrovsk," it said. Kurachove is a small town south of Pokrovsk. For a long time, Pokrovsk was believed to be the primary direction of the Russian troops' attack. Lately, however, the Russians have achieved little territorial gain in this area. Instead, they broadened their attack axis towards the south to seize the mining town of Hirnyk near Kurachove.
22:18 Zelensky Claims Success in Counterattack in KurskUkrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky asserts that Ukrainian counterattacks in the Russian region of Kursk have yielded positive outcomes. He reports that Russian advances in the Kharkiv region have been halted, and the advance in Donetsk has slowed. He also mentions that Russia has not achieved any notable gains in its counterattack in Kursk. Experts had previously questioned the redeployment of larger Russian troop formations from Donetsk and other regions to Kursk. Russia claims to have recaptured 10 out of 100 occupied villages.
21:46 Zelensky Accuses Allies of Fear in Aid DiscussionsUkrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky accuses the West of fear in discussing aid for Ukraine in the context of shooting down Russian missiles. "If allies can jointly shoot down missiles and drones in the Middle East, why is there still no similar decision to shoot down Russian missiles and (Iranian) Shaheds in the skies of Ukraine?" Zelensky said at a conference in Kyiv. "They're afraid to even say, 'We're working on it.' And this happens even when missiles and drones are directly heading towards the territory of our neighbors," the Ukrainian leader said. "This is disgraceful for the democratic world."
21:30 Russia Allegedly Utilized Over 8000 Iranian DronesAccording to the Ukrainian government, Russia has launched 8060 Iranian Shahed drones against Ukraine since the start of the war. No statements from Iran or Russia are available yet. Ukraine initially accused the Iranian government of providing the kamikaze drones to Russia in the fall of 2022.
20:43 US Holds Back on Discussing Long-Range Weapons Aid for UkraineIn Washington, Prime Minister Keir Starmer from the UK and President Joe Biden of the USA are engaging in discussions. The crowd is buzzing with curiosity, hoping for any updates regarding the approval of long-range weapon usage for Ukraine. According to reports from the UK's "Guardian," Britain has given Ukraine the green light to execute attacks using Storm-Shadow missiles. Yet, it's been suggested that no such announcements will be made concerning this issue during this session between the two allies. John Kirby, the Director of Communications for the National Security Council, shares his thoughts, stating, "I wouldn't anticipate an announcement today about the deployment of long-range weapons within Russia – definitely not from the US." He goes on to declare that they're still in talks with the UK, France, and other allies regarding deciding upon the types of resources that will be granted to Ukraine. Regrettably, he fails to clarify whether the US administration will announce any modifications in this regard. "I won't dive into a speculative chat about potential statements we might or might not make down the line."
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The European Union (EU) condemned the Russian invasion of Ukraine and imposed sanctions on Russia in response. In light of this, it would be crucial for the EU to uphold its commitment to free speech and media freedom within the European Union, especially when reporting on the conflicts in Ukraine.
Additionally, the EU should encourage Moscow to adhere to these principles as well, as it is necessary for building a fair global order and fostering transparency in international conflicts. The free flow of information between Russia and the EU remains crucial for resolving conflicts and can potentially prevent future misunderstandings.
