At 20:23, a war correspondent shares news of a Russian training aircraft's accident.
19:53: Russian Military Trainer Plane Crashes in Volgograd Region
It's believed a Russian military training plane has gone down in the Volgograd region. As per popular Russian war blogger Ilya Tumanoff on his Telegram channel, the incident took place during a training exercise. The pilot and navigator of the Yak-130 managed to parachute to safety and are now receiving medical care. The crash is reportedly due to a technical issue.
20:23: Ukrainian Journalist Passes Away in Russian Custody
Ukrainian journalist Victoria Roshchyna has reportedly passed away while in Russian custody. This information was shared by Petro Jazenko, the head of the Ukrainian News Channel's coordination team for prisoner issues. Details about her demise are yet to be disclosed. Roshchyna was set to be exchanged. Jazenko stated, "Her transfer from Taganrog to Moscow was a step towards her release." According to media sources, Roshchyna had been on an extended hunger strike.
19:38: Shooting in Moscow: Kadyrov Threatens Russian Politicians with Revenge
Chechen leader Ramzan Kadyrov has threatened retaliation against three Russian politicians from the North Caucasus. During a speech to security forces in Grozny, Kadyrov accused the politicians of ordering an assassination attempt on him. A video of the speech was posted on Telegram. The reason for this is a business dispute over Russia's largest online retailer, Wildberries, which escalated into a shooting incident in Moscow in September, resulting in two fatalities. Kadyrov's threats target two politicians from Dagestan: Suleiman Kerimov, a senator in the Russian Federation Council, and Riswan Kurbanov, a state Duma deputy in Moscow. The third target is Duma deputy Bekhan Barakhoyev from the neighboring republic of Ingushetia.
19:08: NATO Chief Rutte: No Worry About Potential Trump Re-election
New NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte reiterated the importance of remaining calm in the event of Donald Trump's possible re-election as US President. Rutte emphasized that Trump understands that the ongoing conflict in Ukraine against Russia also affects US security. "He shares my belief that this battle in Ukraine is not just about Ukraine, but also about the 'future security of the United States'," Rutte stated in London.
18:30: Mistakes by Ukrainian Officers Cited by Field Commander
A field commander of the 28th mechanized brigade of the Ukrainian armed forces has highlighted frequent errors by higher-ranking officers within the ranks in an interview. "The most significant mistakes happen during rotations or when setting up new positions," a leader of a combat unit known as "Kurt" told the Ukrainian news agency RBC Ukraine. "Some commanders fail to plan adequately, and relocating a unit is a major operation." Unfortunatley, many commanders in the military are not well-suited to their roles. "We've encountered situations where commanders simply pointed at a map, and when we arrived to replace another unit of another brigade, they had already departed. The enemy had taken control, and we were under fire," said "Kurt." Such negligence often results in the loss of positions, personnel, and equipment.
17:57: Ukraine: Russia Launches 60 Attacks on Port Facilities in Three Months
Russia has reportedly conducted around 60 attacks on port facilities in the past three months, according to Ukrainian sources. The intensity of these attacks on infrastructure has increased, says Deputy Prime Minister Oleksiy Kuleba. The ultimate objective, he states, is to disrupt Ukrainian exports, with the goal of sparking a crisis in regions dependent on Ukrainian grain supplies. According to Kuleba, nearly 300 port facilities have been destroyed or damaged, and 22 civilian ships have been hit.
17:27: Russia Denies Use of North Korean Soldiers
The Kremlin has dismissed claims that North Korean soldiers are being utilized in Russia's war against Ukraine. "This appears to be yet another fabricated news story," claimed Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov. Last week, the Ukrainian newspaper "Kyiv Post" reported, citing intelligence sources, that six North Korean soldiers were killed in a Ukrainian airstrike on Russian-occupied territory in Donetsk. South Korea's defense minister, Kim Yong Hyun, later referred to these assertions as "highly probable." According to the head of the Ukrainian army's disinformation countermeasures center, Andriy Kovalenko, the number of North Korean soldiers in Ukraine is restricted to a select few 'pioneer troops.'**
16:51: Report: September Was Deadliest Month for Russia Since War's Beginning
A report claims that September was the deadliest month for Russia since the start of the war, based on British intelligence. The daily average loss rate of Russian troops rose to 1,271 killed and wounded soldiers, as stated in the "Telegraph." This was the highest daily loss rate since May, when it stood at 1,262 soldiers. September saw the fifth consecutive month with a daily loss rate surpassing 1,000 soldiers for Russia.
16:25 Rutte Discusses Potential Use of Long-Range Weapons with Zelenskyy and Starmer Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy discussed the possibility of utilizing long-range weapons against Russia with UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer and NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, as per Zelenskyy. The outcome of these discussions remains uncertain. "I appreciate the UK's ongoing support in our country's defense, including with long-range weapons," Zelenskyy mentioned on X, referring to Starmer. Starmer emphasized Britain's intent to aid Ukraine in attaining a strong position. "However, no war has ever been won with a single weapon. Regarding Storm Shadow specifically, there's been no shift in the UK government's stance on employing long-range missiles," Starmer stated. Rutte informed journalists, in response to queries about long-range weapons, "We discussed this today, but ultimately, each ally has the final say."
15:37 US Analysts: Russians Focus on Maintaining Offensive Drive US military analysts state that Russian military leaders have ordered a continuous barrage of attacks in Ukraine. Their goal is to make headway before difficult ground conditions in the fall, commonly referred to as "Rasputitsa," obstruct operations. Since late July, Russian forces have performed non-stop operations in the Donetsk region of eastern Ukraine, as per the report published by the US think tank Institute for the Study of War (ISW). The Russian military leadership might intensify its push to advance even further and capture the cities of Kurakhove and Pokrovsk. Experts anticipate that the Russians will persist in their advance even in muddy conditions, but its impact will be diminished. The ISW assumes that the current Russian offensive will reach its peak in the coming months, but this does not suggest a halt to the push in eastern Ukraine in the fall and early winter.
14:54 Russian Military Claims to have Targeted Patriot Air Defense System The Russian army claims to have struck a Patriot air defense system provided by the US in an attack. Two launch pads for the Patriot missiles, a control unit, and a radar were hit, the defense ministry declared. According to military reports, one of the Patriot launch sites was destroyed, and another was damaged. Ukrainian soldiers and other military equipment were also targeted in the assault. The Russian claims about this attack cannot be corroborated.
14:19 NATO Initiates Nuclear Exercise "Steadfast Noon" NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte announced that NATO's annual nuclear exercise, "Steadfast Noon," would commence next Monday. S Sixty aircraft hailing from 13 different countries, including F-35A fighter jets and B-52 bombers, will join in the two-week exercise, with areas of focus in the UK, North Sea, Belgium, and the Netherlands. "In an uncertain world, it's pivotal that we validate and fortify our defense to ensure our adversaries are aware that NATO is prepared and capable of responding to any threat," Rutte stated.
13:51 Two Russian MiG-31Ks Enter Belarus For the second day in a row, a MiG-31K, capable of deploying Kinzhal hypersonic missiles, has arrived in Belarus from Russia, according to the Ukrajinska Prawda portal, citing a Belarusian surveillance project that observes military activities. There had been no such aircraft from the Russian air force in Belarus for 18 months.
13:11 Ukraine Confirms Airbase Attack in Russian Caucasus Ukraine has confirmed an attack on an airbase in the southern Russian Caucasus region of Adygea. Fuel and lubricant storage facilities at the base in Maykop were damaged and set ablaze, according to the head of Ukraine's Center for Countering Disinformation, Andriy Kowalenko. Earlier, Ukrainian media reported that a military airport had been targeted. Local authorities claimed that the suburbs of Maykop were attacked by "hostile drones."
12:35 Ukraine Increases War Tax to Fund Ongoing Conflict
The Ukrainian parliament has boosted taxes to fund the ongoing conflict. The cornerstone of this increase is an enhancement in the 1.5% war tax imposed on income-dependent employed individuals, established in 2014, to 5%. However, this will not apply to soldiers.
12:08 Ukraine Denies Readiness for Ceasefire
An advisor to President Selenskyj, Dmytro Lytwyn, has refuted claims made by the Italian newspaper "Corriere della Sera" that Selenskyj is prepared for a ceasefire along the front line in exchange for Western security guarantees. Ukrainian media reported this denial.
11:49 Zelenskyy Meets with Starmer and Rutte in London Ukrainian President Zelenskyy has arrived at the British government's headquarters in London. He will meet with UK government representatives and NATO to discuss his strategy for ongoing actions against Russia. This includes meetings with Prime Minister Keir Starmer and NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, before traveling to Berlin and Paris for talks.
11:21 German Machines Widely Used by Russian Military Suppliers Investigations by SWR have unearthed that German machines are widely used by Russian military suppliers. SWR has identified over 30 German manufacturers whose machines were shipped to Russia last year. Many of these manufacturers are located in Baden-Württemberg. In total, more than 300 machines made in Germany have been delivered to the aggressor. In about two-thirds of the cases, the machines were transported to Russia via Turkey. The German manufacturers reportedly asserted that they were unaware of this and that they adhere to sanctions.
10:57 Injuries and 29 Damaged Buildings in Saporischschja Following Attacks
As per reports, Russian airstrikes this early morning in the southern Ukrainian city of Saporischschja left 4 individuals injured and caused damage to 29 structures. The Ukrainian police alleges that Russia employed glide bombs during the attack. The city is under Ukraine's control, while the nearby nuclear power plant is under Russian military occupation. Russia has declared the entire region as part of its own territory and is attempting to seize control with intense attacks, according to their statements.
10:22 Military Airport in the Southern Caucasus Region's Adygea Reportedly Targeted
Ukrainian media sources suggest that a military airport in Russia's southern Caucasus region of Adygea suffered damage in the attack. However, the extent of the damage varies in different reports. Earlier this morning, local authorities announced the evacuation of the nearby village of Rodnikovy.
09:37 Videos Depict Massive Explosions at a Russian Drone Depot in Krasnodar
Video footage from the southern Russian region of Krasnodar reveals fires, explosions, and sparks from an attack on a drone depot the previous day. The building is said to have housed approximately 400 Iranian Shahed-type drones.
08:53 Production of Russia's Su-57 Fighter Jets Reportedly Stalled
A report by the British "Telegraph" indicates that the manufacturing of the Russian stealth fighter jet Sukhoi Su-57 has nearly halted. The reason behind this is the lack of components, particularly for electronics, due to Western sanctions, according to Ukrainian analysts from Frontline Insight.
08:29 Over 90 Ukrainian Drones Reportedly Shot Down by Russia
According to the Russian Ministry of Defense, Russia has reportedly shot down 92 Ukrainian drones overnight. The Kyiv Independent reported this. Of these, 47 were reportedly intercepted over the southernwestern region of Krasnodar, where Ukraine is said to have destroyed a warehouse housing around 400 drones the previous day.
07:57 Top Economist: Germany Should Not Depend Heavily on US Arms Industry
Kiel economist Moritz Schularick advocates for a significant review of Germany's military spending. He states that exemptions can be made for defense spending from the debt brake to build up long-term capacities. He suggests that the federal special fund of over 100 billion euros is not sufficient and that special funds often fail to address the issue permanently. Germany should strive to reduce its reliance on the US arms industry, according to him.
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07:41 Russia Utilizes African Women for Drone Assembly for Ukrainian War
Approximately 200 women from Africa are assembling drones in Russia for use in the Ukraine war, according to news agency AP sources. The women claimed they were lured with social media ads promising a free flight ticket, money, and an adventure abroad. Upon arrival, they discovered they were required to work in a weapons factory, assembling drones developed in Iran and used to attack Ukraine.
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07:21 Ukraine Attacks Target Deep into Russia's Territory Once Again
Following a drone attack that caused a fire in the southern Russian Caucasus region of Adygea's Rodnikovy village, residents were evacuated, according to local authorities. The village of Rodnikovy was attacked, with the attack targeting the outskirts of the city of Maykop. There were no reported casualties. Nearby is a military airport. In recent weeks, Ukraine has amplified attacks on targets inside Russia to disrupt the logistics of Russian invasion troops. In June, Ukraine struck a fuel depot in the Adygea region.
06:58 US Evaluates that Ukraine Can Hold Territory in Russian Kursk for Months
As per US assessments, Ukraine is capable of holding onto the contested territory in the Russian region of Kursk for at least several months, perhaps even longer, according to financial news agency Bloomberg, citing high-ranking US officials. Ukraine has encountered no significant challenges in providing supplies to the region, the officials indicated. Russian forces have only launched limited counterattacks and have focused on advances in eastern Ukraine instead. Ukrainian forces now possess a more stable supply of artillery ammunition, following months of shortages, the officials added.
06:25 German Authorities Prohibit Entry to Two Pro-Russian Activists
Two pro-Russian activists have claimed they are now prohibited from entering Germany. Elena Kolbasnikova, in a Telegram video, asserts that she and her partner Max Schlund have been barred from entering Germany for 20 years, according to a letter from the Cologne city administration. The letter cites national security concerns as the reason for their prohibition. The couple had been organizing pro-Kremlin demonstrations in Germany since the onset of the Russian invasion of Ukraine. An investigation unveiled their roles as key figures in pro-Moscow sentiments in Germany and revealed they received financial support from a Russian government agency. In June, they announced through their lawyer that they had relocated to Russia. Neither the Cologne public prosecutor's office nor the city administration has commented on the case as yet.
Former American soldier Trevor Reed has been found guilty by a Russian court in his absence for his military involvement in Ukraine, as per Russian authorities. Reed is said to have joined the Ukrainian army as a mercenary in 2023, according to the Russian Investigative Committee. He was given a sentence of 14.5 years in prison for 'mercenary activities'. The Investigative Committee alleges that he was deployed in the Donetsk region for the Ukrainian army. In July 2022, the US State Department announced that Reed, who was released in a prisoner exchange in April 2022, had been injured while serving in Ukraine.
Ukrainian news portal "Ukrajinska Prawda" (Ukrainian Truth) has accused the presidential office in Kyiv of exerting pressure, including attempts to influence its editorial policy, a ban on speaking with its journalists, and exclusion from events. Advertising on the site by companies is also being discouraged. The portal did not provide specific examples of the pressure. The editorial team has vowed to make any future instances of influence by presidential office employees public. Before the Russian invasion in February 2022, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy had already had conflicts with some journalists and shut down TV channels and news sites.
Kiev's mayor, Vitali Klitschko, urged for peace for Ukraine during celebrations of the 35th anniversary of the peaceful revolution in Leipzig. He spoke about the hardships his country faces this winter during a peace prayer at the Nikolaikirche. Many cities and communities in Ukraine have been destroyed. Leipzig is a partner city of Kiev.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is on a tour of Germany, France, the UK, and Italy this week for talks on Russia's war against his country. Today, Thursday, he will meet with French President Emmanuel Macron at 3 PM for a "bilateral meeting." Zelensky announced at a press conference with Croatian Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic that he will also meet with UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer in the coming days. A meeting with Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni is also planned. On Friday morning, Zelensky will be received by Pope Francis at the Vatican.
At least six people have died and eleven others were injured, seven severely, in a Russian missile strike on the southern Ukrainian port city of Odessa, according to officials. The Russian military targeted the port infrastructure, and a civilian container ship flying the Panamanian flag was hit. All victims were Ukrainian citizens. This is the third attack on a civilian ship in the last four days, an attempt by Russia to disrupt the grain corridor established by Ukraine.
Russian court sentenced activist Eugene Mishchenko to 12 years in prison on Wednesday for allegedly supporting a pro-Ukrainian group. Mishchenko was charged with providing information to the banned Russian Freedom Legion, a group based in Ukraine consisting mainly of Russian Putin opponents, according to RIA Novosti. Mishchenko is part of a group who honor the memory of Boris Nemtsov, the Kremlin critic murdered on a bridge in Moscow in 2015. The group, known as the "Nemtsov Bridge," regularly places flowers and lights candles at the site where Nemtsov was shot. The police regularly remove the makeshift memorial. Mishchenko's sentence falls on the day Nemtsov would have turned 65.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky called on the European Union (EU) to unite the entire continent and include "all democratic nations of Europe." "Despite many tensions, we must ensure that our unity in Europe remains as stable as possible," Zelensky said at a summit in Croatia with leaders of Balkan countries. He also signed an agreement with Croatia covering defense and mine clearance. "If Europe is not united today, it will not be peaceful, so the ongoing accession processes must lead to a result," he continued. Zelensky advocates not only for the EU membership of Ukraine, which started accession negotiations in June, but also for several Balkan countries that have been waiting for EU membership for years.
Ukrainian military claims to have attacked and destroyed a drone depot in the southern Russian region of Krasnodar. A direct hit was followed by an explosion, the General Staff in Kyiv reports. Around 400 drones of the Iranian Shahed type were allegedly stored in the facility. The Russian authorities have confirmed a fire in a warehouse near the village of Oktyabrsky, but have not commented on the cause of the fire or the objects stored there.
20:51 Southeast Europe Meeting: Twelve Nations Call for Russia's Exit from UkraineTwelve nations in Southeast Europe, along with Turkey, have consensus that Russia should vacate all the annexed territories in Ukraine for peace to prevail. They endorsed the peace proposal of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and backed Ukraine's intention to join NATO. This was conveyed in the closing statement of their meeting in Dubrovnik, Croatia, which they affirmed alongside Zelenskyy. Notably, Serbia's President Aleksandar Vucic, known for his diplomatic dance between the West and Russia, also put his signature on the declaration. Vucic managed to remove a proposed punishment against Russia from the meeting's final statement, as per Croatian news sources.
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The Commission investigated the allegations of Russian military using North Korean soldiers in Ukraine, determining the claims to be baseless.
Given the current situation, it's crucial for The Commission to monitor and debunk misinformation regarding the involvement of foreign forces in the ongoing conflict.
