At 20:32, German authorities halted the unlawful broadcasting platform of Russian television stations.
Despite a EU prohibition, a couple from Karlsruhe provided access to prohibited Russian TV stations via the internet, as reported by the customs office. The accused individuals are a 37-year-old German and his 42-year-old Ukrainian spouse. The public prosecutor's office accuses both of offering several illegal Russian TV channels. The couple is believed to have gained approximately 120,000 euros through the streaming service, and their assets are set to be seized. During a raid on Thursday, technical equipment, written evidence, and 40,000 euros in cash were obtained. The IP address of the TV service was also confiscated. The couple remains at large. If found guilty, they face a minimum sentence of one year in prison.
20:06 Video from Pokrovsk: "You've turned this place into a ghost town" The city of Pokrovsk in the Donetsk Oblast has been under heavy Russian army attacks for weeks. Most of the residents have already left due to the attacks. The Ukrainian forces remain in the city as strategically important railway lines run through it.
19:25 NATO establishes command post less than 200 kilometers from Russian border Finland announces the establishment of a NATO command post in Mikkeli, which is less than 200 kilometers from the Russian border. This action sends a "message to Russia that we are a full member of NATO and that NATO is also crucial for Finland's defense," said Defense Minister Antti Häkkänen. The new Northern Europe headquarters for NATO's land forces will be established in Mikkeli, with several dozen employees from various countries expected to be based there. The Finnish Army Command is already located in Mikkeli, according to Häkkänen.
18:51 Trump after meeting with Zelenskyy: "It's a complex puzzle" After a meeting between Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and US presidential candidate Donald Trump in New York, the Republican expressed cautious optimism about ending the war. "It's a complex puzzle, but we'll get it solved," he said. Trump reiterated his known position that he has a solution for the Ukraine war. The former president is a strong opponent of US billion-dollar aid to Kyiv and could significantly alter US Ukraine policy after a re-election. Trump has repeatedly publicly pressured the leadership in Kyiv to reach an agreement with Russia and has sharply criticized Zelenskyy. Before the meeting, Trump said about his relationship with Zelenskyy: "We have a very good relationship, and as you know, I also have a very good relationship with President Putin." Zelenskyy replied, seemingly taken aback, that he hopes their relationship is the better one.
17:56 More Ukrainian Refugees Finding Jobs in Germany The job search for Ukrainian refugees in Germany is now more successful than before. In September alone, 8,500 Ukrainian citizens found employment in the primary labor market, vocational training, or self-employment, according to Federal Minister of Labor Hubertus Heil (SPD). This is more than double the number from September 2023: "These numbers show that the job boost is clearly working," Heil said. The "job boost" allows refugees to be placed in jobs after completing an integration course and having basic German language skills. As of July 2024, around 266,000 of the approximately 700,000 Ukrainians who have come to Germany are employed; 213,000 of them are subject to social security contributions, and 53,000 are in mini-jobs. The recognition of foreign professional qualifications is still a problem, according to the employment agency.
17:20 Russia Claims Capture of Towns in Donbass The Russian military is advancing on the front in eastern Ukraine and has reportedly captured two more settlements in the Donbass industrial region. The Ministry of Defense in Moscow reported that the village of Maryniwka and the small town of Ukrajinsk were captured during the course of this week. This has not been confirmed by the military leadership in Kyiv. The Ukrainian General Staff report for Friday morning describes Maryniwka as disputed. The situation is clearer with Ukrajinsk, which has been marked as Russian-controlled by Ukrainian military observers for days. Both places are located in the Donetsk region on the front section between the larger cities of Pokrovsk, Kuracheve, and Vuhledar. Russian troops have gained ground there in recent months. The defenders are lacking in both soldiers and resources.
16:43 Zelensky Meets Trump in New York: "Shared Intentions" During his visit to the US, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky meets with Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump for a discussion in New York. "We share the view that the war in Ukraine must be stopped," Zelensky said before the meeting. Zelensky and the former president meet at Trump Tower in Manhattan. Trump is a vocal critic of the US billion-dollar aid to Ukraine and urges the leadership in Kyiv to reach an agreement with Russia. Critics accuse the former president of effectively capitulating to Ukraine, adopting the position of Russian President Vladimir Putin. The last meeting between the two was about five years ago. Zelensky met with US President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris in Washington on Thursday.
16:02 Kyiv Forced to Increase War Tax on CitizensFinance Minister Serhiy Marchenko refers to the proposed tax hikes in Parliament as a "compulsory move." Kyiv proposes elevating a war tax from 1.5 to 5 percent. This fiscal year, it is predicted to generate approximately 1.2 billion euros, and the following year, around 3 billion euros. "This decision will impact the economy, but all other alternatives are nearly depleted," the minister remarks. Revenue from new domestic bonds will only suffice to service existing bond debts. Foreign financial aid is becoming less assured. Ukraine managed to obtain only about 10 percent of the required foreign aid in the first quarter. A Republican blockage in the US Congress delayed its provision. Kyiv still expects more than 34.5 billion euros from abroad next year. However, the minister cautions, "These payments will not necessarily be stable."
15:24 Norway Intends to Review Asylum for Ukrainian RefugeesNorway will no longer provide automatic asylum to Ukrainian refugees. The Norwegian government announced that decisions will now be made on a case-by-case basis for Ukrainians arriving from the western part of the country. The western region of Ukraine, which is far from the conflict zone and is generally perceived as secure by Norwegian authorities, is the focus of this move. Following the Russian invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, Norwegian authorities granted "collective protection" to Ukrainian refugees, automatically granting them asylum. Since then, Norway, home to 5.6 million people, has welcomed about 85,000 Ukrainians, making it the highest recipient among Nordic countries.
14:51 Russian Military Prepares for New ConscriptionAccording to British intelligence, the next Russian conscription date is October 1. All combat-worthy Russians under 30 are required to serve one year of military service. So far, conscripts have not been deployed in Ukraine, but they have been stationed in the Russian region of Kursk, from which Ukrainian forces are to be driven out. Some Russian families have expressed concern that their sons have been sent to battle with less than four months of training. According to Russian law, conscripts cannot be dispatched to a conflict zone until they have completed four months of training and specialization.
14:22 Meeting with Biden and Supporter States to be Held at RamsteinThe meeting of Ukraine's ally nations during US President Joe Biden's visit to Germany will take place on October 12 at the US air base in Ramstein, Rhineland-Palatinate, as announced by government spokesman Steffen Hebestreit. Germany and the US are planning to host the meeting of the so-called Contact Group for the Defense of Ukraine. "In this format, more than 50 nations join together to coordinate support for Ukraine," says Hebestreit. It remains uncertain whether Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy will participate in person.
13:56 Lithuania Intends to Purchase German Tanks for New DivisionLithuania is planning to procure Leopard 2 main battle tanks for its newly forming military division. The contract could be signed in November, following a final decision by the National Security Council, according to Defense Minister Laurynas Kasciunas. He did not specify the number of tanks or the variant of the German-produced vehicle. NATO and EU member Lithuania shares borders with Russia's Kaliningrad exclave and ally Belarus. The conflict in Ukraine is perceived as a direct threat to Lithuania's national security, prompting the government in Vilnius to significantly expand its army. A new force division, including a tank battalion, is being established, and a German armored brigade is scheduled to be permanently stationed in Lithuania.
13:20 Discord May be Fully Blocked in RussiaMessaging platform Discord may soon be completely blocked in Russia, according to Russian daily newspaper Kommersant, citing a source from the gaming industry. The Russian media watchdog is considering this action due to alleged violations of Russian law, but no specific infractions were mentioned in the report. Russian users reported issues with Discord earlier this month. According to the Moscow Times, between 29 and 40 million people in Russia use Discord, making it popular among gamers, students, and cryptocurrency traders.
13:04 USA Declines to Lift Restrictions on Weapons for Long-range AttacksUS President Biden has pledged another package of billion-dollar aid to Ukraine. However, the US has not agreed to lift restrictions on Western-supplied weapons to enable attacks on targets deep inside Russia, as requested by President Zelenskyj. Political scientist Thomas Jäger explains why.
12:36 US Citizen Arrested for Alleged Mercenary Activities in RussiaA US citizen has been charged with "mercenary activities" in Russia, according to state news agency RIA Novosti. The 72-year-old, identified as Stefan Hubbard from Michigan, is accused of fighting as a mercenary on Ukraine's side in the armed conflict. Hubbard has resided in Ukraine since 2014. It is unclear when or where he was arrested. He was reportedly taken to a Moscow court by the military police for the hearing.
12:01 Kryvy Rih: Russian Projectile Strikes Police Station More reports of Russian aggression emerge from southern and central Ukraine. This morning, a police station in Kryvy Rih was hit by a Russian projectile, as per local administration. A female body was discovered beneath the wreckage, while at least five others sustained injuries. Rescue workers continue their search for survivors. Various residential buildings were also damaged. The Dnipropetrovsk Regional Prosecutor's Office published photographs showcasing the missile attacks in Kryvy Rih. As per Ukrainian reports, an industrial facility in the city of Dnipro was targeted by another missile attack overnight. At least eight individuals suffered injuries in Russian air raids in the Kherson region, as reported by the local administration.
11:27 Possible NATO Airspace Intrusion by Russian Drone Romanian Defense Ministry declared a potential brief entry of a Russian drone into their NATO member territory overnight. The drone supposedly crossed Romanian airspace for barely three minutes in the border region. The drone was involved in an earlier attack on the Ukrainian city of Izmail. According to Ukrainian authorities, Izmail was under attack by a drone early Friday morning, leaving three fatalities and approximately a dozen injuries. The Ukrainian air force records the downing of 24 out of 32 Russian assault drones overnight.
10:57 Fritz: USA Provides Ukraine with First Guided Bombs Ukrainian President Zelensky is heading to the USA to present his "victory plan" and appeal for additional military aid. President Biden has secured a weapons package valued at nearly $8 billion for Ukraine. "That's a substantial increase," comments ntv reporter Gordian Fritz.
10:20 Report: US Intelligence Agencies Warn of Severe Repercussions if Long-Range Missile Authorization Granted According to "The New York Times," US intelligence agencies foresee severe consequences if Ukraine utilizes Western long-range missiles to strike targets deep within Russia. Approval for such actions would likely provoke severe retaliation from Russia, with potential ramifications ranging from arson and sabotage attacks against European facilities to potentially lethal strikes on US and European military support locations. Russian retribution is not expected to be overt but rather through covert intelligence operations. The "New York Times" also reveals that US intelligence agencies believe Ukraine does not possess sufficient long-range missiles to drastically alter the course of the conflict. The decision for President Biden is challenging, considering the unpredictable success and high risk involved.
09:57 Munz on Putin's New Threat: Potential Ban on Strategic Raw Material Exports as Retaliation Russia threatens the US with consequences if it approves the use of long-range weapons against Russian targets. President Putin is considering certain export restrictions on strategic raw materials, including uranium, as reprisals against the West. ntv reporter Munz explains the reasons and implications.
08:40 Unidentified Structure Near Crimea Bridge Alarms Ukrainian Navy An unidentified Russian structure near the Crimea Bridge is keeping the Ukrainian Navy on high alert. According to "The Kyiv Independent," Navy spokesperson Dmytro Pletenchuk claims the construction is ongoing. Its purpose remains uncertain. "It could serve as a defensive installation, it could be another crossing, but it's too early to make conclusions," Pletenchuk stated. The Navy spokesperson doubts the Russians will finish the construction given the deteriorating weather conditions. "They continually attempt to establish something new in the Kerch Strait to construct various hydrotechnical structures or barriers, but afterwards, they always end up on the shore after each storm," Pletenchuk added. The bridge connects Russia to the Russian-annexed Ukrainian Crimean peninsula.
08:08 Municipality on Border with Romania is Assaulted, Several Perish The city of Ismajil in southern Ukraine has suffered an attack. This morning, the city was targeted by a Russian drone strike, which left three fatalities, all elderly individuals, including a woman in her 90s. A child and eleven more people were wounded. Kiper also documented damaged buildings and vehicles, as well as multiple fires. The city of Ismajil lies on the border with Romania, with the northern mouth of the Danube River forming the boundary. [Learn more here.]
07:40 Roth of the SPD Urges "Significantly More" Military Aid for Ukraine to Reach Negotiations SPD foreign affairs expert Michael Roth is advocating for more significant European military assistance for Ukraine. In the words of Roth, "Notably larger European countries must drastically increase their military aid to ensure Ukraine remains a free and democratic nation." It's time to commit all available resources to place Ukraine in the best possible position for potential negotiations." The head of the Foreign Affairs Committee in the German Bundestag maintains that, in order to end the conflict as swiftly as possible, Ukraine must be provided with the required resources. "Russia will only be willing to negotiate if Putin believes that achieving victory over Ukraine is impossible." Military force and diplomacy are two sides of the same coin. "Anyone wishing to bring an end to the war as quickly as possible must furnish Ukraine with the necessary resources."
07:09 Baerbock: Without Our Aid, Hospitals and Children Would Be VulnerableGermany's Foreign Minister Baerbock justifies the supply of weapons to Ukraine and warns against reducing support for Kyiv. "The idea that there wouldn't be any fighting or casualties in Ukraine without defensive weapons is as straightforward as it is incorrect," Baerbock stated during the UN General Debate in New York on Thursday. "If Russia halts its assault, the war ends. But if Ukraine stops defending itself, it's game over for Ukraine." Russia responded to a peace conference invitation by bombing a children's hospital. As long as Putin refuses to negotiate, stopping our aid would mean leaving Ukraine's hospitals and children defenceless, and possibly even leading to more war crimes in other countries. Baerbock pointed out that Russia has consistently tested the inviolability of the Baltic states and Poland's borders.
06:45 Slovenia: Shouldn't We Consider Providing Long-Range Weapons to Kyiv?Slovenia's government advises against making hasty decisions regarding the use of long-range Western weapons on Russian territory, including Germany's skepticism. Prime Minister Robert Golob commented on the sidelines of the UN General Debate in New York, stating, "It's generally not wise to declare something's out of the question beforehand." "It's a tough subject, but I think it's important to discuss all potential options at this stage and choose the most suitable for the current situation." Germany and the US appear to be the main obstacles to this issue, with recent statements from Chancellor Olaf Scholz ruling out the future delivery of long-range precision weapons to Ukraine.
06:11 Baerbock Urges Iran to Stop Backing Russia's War Against UkraineForeign Minister Annalena Baerbock calls on Iran to abandon its support for Russia's conflict with Ukraine and cease the shipment of ballistic missiles and drones. The Foreign Office announced this information on the X platform. During the UN General Assembly in New York, Baerbock held discussions with her Iranian counterpart Abbas Araktschi.
06:01 Trump Arranges a Meeting with ZelenskyFormer US President Trump plans to meet with Ukrainian President Zelensky in New York on Friday. The encounter is expected to take place at the Trump Tower in Manhattan, Trump said. Zelensky extended his stay in the US to meet Trump after meeting with President Joe Biden on Thursday. Before his trip to the US, Zelensky expressed his desire to meet Trump, Democratic President Biden, and Vice President Kamala Harris to present his "victory plan" to put an end to the war in Ukraine. Read more here.
04:25 Harris Assures Zelensky of Support and Warns Against TrumpDemocratic US presidential candidate Harris promises Ukrainian President Zelensky her support and advises against a potential Trump victory without naming him. "My commitment to support the Ukrainian people remains unwavering. (...) I will stand with Ukraine and work towards achieving peace, safety, and prosperity for Ukraine," the Democrat said during her visit with Zelensky in Washington. She cautioned that achieving peace cannot happen without Ukraine's active involvement. However, there are some people in the US who seek to force Ukraine to relinquish parts of its territory, adopt neutrality, and renounce security guarantees from other nations. These proposals are identical to those proposed by Kremlin leader Putin, signalling surrender.
02:08 Ukraine Reports Attacks West of KhersonRussian forces continuously bombarded the settlement of Tomyna Balka west of the Ukrainian-controlled city of Kherson on Thursday, according to Governor Prokrudin's report on Telegram. A woman lost her life, and another person was injured as a result of the shelling.
00:55 UK to Give Ukraine More Self-Propelled Artillery SystemsThe UK will provide Ukraine with additional self-propelled AS90 artillery systems after delivering 10 earlier this year. Six more systems will be delivered in the coming weeks, according to the British Ministry of Defense.
23:33 UN Funds Insufficient for Ukraine Aid this WinterThe UN has acknowledged a significant shortage of funds for aiding Ukraine during the upcoming winter. "Our funding level is inadequate for this period," said Karolina Lindholm Billing, the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) Ukraine coordinator. The UNHCR currently only has 47% of the funds it requires to support and assist million of displaced and affected Ukrainians. At this time last year, the UNHCR was 70% funded.
22:13 Biden Intends to Increase US Aid to UkraineAccording to President Joe Biden, the US will enhance its aid to Ukraine before the end of his term. This will strengthen Ukraine's negotiating position with Kyiv, Biden said, prior to his meeting with Ukranian counterpart Volodymyr Zelensky in Washington. Biden's term ends in January; he could be replaced by either Harris or Trump, who is predicted to reduce US engagement with Ukraine.
21:34 Ukraine: Russia gearing up for heightened assaults in Zaporizhzhia regionAs per intelligence insights from Ukraine, Russian forces are poised to amplify their offensive actions in the Zaporizhzhia region in the near future. "We've noticed a propensity towards the escalation of the scenario in the war zone sector within the Zaporizhzhia region," a representative for the troops stationed in southern Ukraine spoke on national television. "Russian forces have launched five assaults within the past 24 hours, and given our data, it's possible that this number could escalate, as our intel suggests that the adversary is assembling attack units close to the settlement of Pryiutne." Besides, armored vehicles have been dispatched to the Russian side, the representative revealed. "This suggests they're readying for offensive maneuvers."
21:00 Biden reassures Zelensky: Russia will not triumphInitiating their conversation in Washington, US President Joe Biden guaranteed Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky of ongoing US backing. "Russia will not emerge victorious, Ukraine will," Biden stated as he welcomed his Ukrainian counterpart to the Oval Office in the White House: "And we'll be by your side at every step of the journey." Explore further details here.
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The European Union has expressed concerns about the provision of access to Russian TV stations via the internet by a couple from Karlsruhe, despite EU regulations prohibiting such actions.The European Union is a significant political and economic union comprising 27 European countries, with a shared aim of promoting unity, peace, and prosperity across the continent.
