At 20:34, Ukraine declares the destruction of a Russian bomber, providing images showing the remnants.
19:54 Expert: "Ukraine unlikely to surpass Russia in troops" To gain an edge on the battlefield against Russia, Ukraine must employ "out-of-the-box" strategies, suggests Dmytro Schmajlo, co-founder and executive director of the Kyiv-based think tank "Ukrainian Security and Cooperation Center". This involves long-range attacks. Employing such artillery and missile blasts, Ukraine managed to dismantle Russian logistics and bases for months during the autumn 2022 counteroffensive, forcing Russian troops out of parts of the Kherson and Kharkiv regions. "It's unlikely that Ukraine can rival Russia when it comes to manpower," Schmajlo opines. The focus, therefore, should be on hindering enemy supply lines and striking at the "core of the military-industrial complex". Presently, Ukraine is employing its locally developed long-range drones to bomb targets far within Russian territory, more than 1,000 kilometers away. According to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, this demonstrates Ukraine's ability to launch attacks on Russian soil; however, Western weapons with extended ranges could cause substantial damage. The Western alliance is hesitant to authorize the use of such weapons due to concerns about intensifying the conflict. According to Schmajlo, their deployment could have a significant impact at the frontlines in Ukraine's favor within a few months.
19:20 Röttgen: "Solution will be political, but necessitates military foundation" CDU foreign policy expert Röttgen lowers expectations for a swift peace. "Diplomacy has a chance again only when Putin acknowledges that he won't accomplish anything through war," Röttgen tells "Der Spiegel". "The West is doing too little to prompt this realization," he accuses. "The solution will be political. But it requires a military basis: Not the recapture of all Ukrainian territories, but rather that Ukraine gains the military advantage until Putin understands: There's nothing more to gain through war." For this, Ukraine needs consistent and effective support.
18:36 Ukraine: Over half a million explosives defused Ukrainian demining teams have unearthed and neutralized over 533,200 explosive devices since the commencement of Russia's full-scale invasion, according to an Emergency Service report. They have demined 148,858 hectares of land of mines and 4,018 aerial bombs. In the past 24 hours alone, state emergency service units responded to 173 calls and neutralized and disposed of 293 explosive devices, including two aerial bombs. The areas most affected were Kharkiv (35,815 times), Kherson (16,560 times), Donetsk (14,826 times), Kyiv (11,393 times), Mykolaiv (9,360 times), Chernihiv (6,948 times), and Sumy (4,425 times). Ukraine boasts the most mined country in the world. Ukrainian Ministry of Defense specialists have cleared 30,000 square kilometers of mines in the past two years – an area equivalent to Belgium or Moldova. Since 2022, around 174,000 square kilometers of Ukrainian land has been contaminated with explosives.
17:54 Stoltenberg: Ukraine could join alliance despite Russian occupation So far, the rule is: Ukraine can join NATO in the long term, but only after the war against Russia is over. Ukraine desires control of its entire territory for that. Now, Jens Stoltenberg, the recently retired former Secretary General of the defense alliance, suggests a way for Kyiv to join earlier. The Ukrainian territory considered NATO territory "does not necessarily have to be the internationally recognized border." "You need a line that triggers Article 5, and Ukraine must control all the territory up to that border." Article 5 is the defense clause, where other states are obligated to militarily defend the member. West Germany viewed East Germany as part of a larger Germany, Stoltenberg said. "But NATO solely protected West Germany." And the US provides security guarantees to Japan, not for the Russian-controlled Kurile Islands, which Japan considers its own territory. Ukraine applied for NATO membership in 2022. Currently, about one-fifth of Ukrainian territory is under Russian control.
17:19 Röttgen criticizes Scholz's "fear rhetoric" CDU foreign policy expert Norbert Röttgen accuses Federal Chancellor Olaf Scholz of the waning desire within society to continue aiding Ukraine with weapons. Scholz's "fear rhetoric" is responsible, Röttgen told the "Spiegel" in an interview. "Scholz consistently dismisses measures to assist as too risky, portraying Ukraine's self-defense as the escalation and not the Russian attack." To adopt the intimidation rhetoric of the warlord and convey it to the Germans with the authority of the Chancellor is irresponsible, Röttgen criticizes. "A Chancellor should not be governed by fear. He should not base his political actions on fear."
16:44 Ukraine Anticipates Imminent Russian Assault on Major City of ZaporizhzhiaUkrainian military leaders suspect that Russian troops are planning an imminent assault towards the significant city of Zaporizhzhia. This attack's primary objective, as suggested by a regional military representative, Vladislav Voloshin, is to disrupt supply lines to the eastern defensive sectors around Donbass. "The situation here is tough, as indicated by the ongoing 'counter-battery warfare', shelling of our positions, and attacks on our lines," Voloshin explains. Counter-battery warfare refers to the targeted artillery strikes on identified enemy artillery positions. Furthermore, there are intense aerial and missile attacks on this frontline section south of Zaporizhzhia: "The situation here is quite chaotic." In the Zaporizhzhia region, Russian troops have seized control of the southern area, including the namesake nuclear power plant, but not the city itself.
16:17 Allegations: Russia Downs its Own Advanced Stealth DroneRussian forces allegedly lost a cutting-edge stealth drone in Ukrainian airspace, according to various pro-Russian and pro-Ukrainian Telegram channels. The unmanned combat aircraft, of the S-70 Okhotnik type, crashed in the Donetsk region, according to an unnamed Ukrainian air force member. The S-70 dropped cluster bombs on Ukrainian positions before being downed by friendly Russian fire to prevent capture. This advanced drone is capable of carrying up to 2,000 kilograms of weaponry and is expected to begin mass production later this year, Russian reports state.
15:44 Report: Over Half of Russia's Artillery Munitions Come from North KoreaHalf of all artillery shells utilized by Russia in Ukraine are sourced from North Korea, "The Times" claims, citing Western intelligence services. Pyongyang reportedly supplies around 3 million shells to Moscow annually, with a high likelihood of defective ammunition. Despite this, these shipped shells have significantly contributed to Russia's advance in eastern Ukraine, most recently in Wuhledar's capture in the Donetsk region. As Russia's munitions stockpiles diminish due to extensive usage in Ukraine, North Korea has emerged as Russia's leading external arms supplier. In August, South Korean news agency Yonhap reported that North Korea had received technology from Russia in exchange for artillery shells, which may aid North Korea's deployment of spy satellites, as well as tanks and aircraft. In June, the two countries signed a military defense agreement.
15:16 Russia Employs Unspecified Drones Against UkraineBesides Shahed-type drones, the Russian military has been increasingly utilizing unidentified drone models against Ukraine, according to former air force spokesman Yuriy Ihnat, who spoke to the "Kyiv Independent." Ihnat did not disclose the type of these drones. Russia has escalated its drone attacks in recent weeks, launching daily assaults on Ukrainian cities and towns throughout September, a first since the full-scale invasion. This trend has persisted into October.
14:51 Kara-Mursa and Wife Receive Prestigious Human Rights AwardRussian Kremlin critic Vladimir Kara-Mursa and his wife Yevgeniya have been honored with the human rights prize of the Bruno Kreisky Foundation in Vienna. The couple advocates for the release of additional detainees in Russia, including Moscow district council member Alexey Gorinov and Siberian journalist Maria Ponomarenko, whose survival hinges on this release. Both have been convicted of criticizing Russia's invasion of Ukraine and sentenced to lengthy prison terms. Vladimir Kara-Mursa himself had previously spent a significant amount of time in Russian prison and was released in August as part of a prisoner exchange. The Kara-Mursas urge more active engagement from Western politicians: "When there's a real struggle between good and evil, dictators unite and threaten the survival of democracy worldwide, you can't be neutral," says Yevgeniya Kara-Mursa.
14:23 Concerns over Long-Range Missiles? Russia Allegedly Moves Personnel and EquipmentThe partisan group Atesh, operating in Russian-occupied areas of Ukraine, reports the relocation of military equipment and personnel to secure locations in Mariupol. "Due to the potential threat of long-range missiles from the Ukrainian army, Russian military commanders are seriously concerned about the safety of their troops and have no other option but to change their positions," the group claims. They aim to uncover movement routes and disseminate this information to the Ukrainian army.
13:45 "Enormous Efforts" - Ukraine Aims to Recapture Gas PlatformsThe Ukrainian state border guard has published a video of an operation with the military intelligence service to reclaim gas platforms in the Black Sea nearby Snake Island. "With enormous efforts, we have seized and regained control over some of these strategically significant facilities that serve as our naval fortresses. If we retain them, we can control a substantial portion of the water area and bolster our defense," the caption states.
13:18 Russian Prosecutors Seek Seven Years for 72-Year-Old AmericanRussian prosecutors have demanded seven years in prison for a 72-year-old American for his involvement in Ukraine's defense against Russia's war. He is to serve his sentence in a facility for hardened criminals, Russian news agency Interfax reports, citing the prosecution's plea. The prosecution has taken into account the man's age and confession as mitigating factors. The trial is taking place behind closed doors. Reports indicate that the American, hailing from Michigan, has resided in Ukraine since 2014. After Russia's invasion of the country, he joined a territorial defense battalion in the eastern Ukrainian city of Izium. The city, located in the Kharkiv region, was later taken over by Russian troops. The American was apprehended in April 2022 during the fighting.
12:50 Popular Russian Propaganda Channel Removed from X PlatformOne of the most widely recognized Russian propaganda channels, known as Rybar, is no longer accessible on the X platform. With over 1.3 million subscribers, the channel announced on Telegram that it has been blocked and expressed frustration towards Elon Musk. The reasons behind the removal remain a mystery. Rybar positions itself as the "most frequently quoted Russian Telegram channel in foreign media," and specializes in military analysis, information warfare, and visual propaganda.
12:03 Unconfirmed Reports of Russian Combat Jet DownedThere may have been a Russian combat jet that was brought down, as suggested by circulating social media content, including by the Eastern European outlet Nexta. However, official confirmation is yet to be provided. The jet reportedly went down over Kostyantynivka. Ukrainian journalist Illia Ponomarenko hypothesized that it could be a case of friendly fire.
11:44 TASS Reports Russian Troops Capture Village in Eastern UkraineRussian troops are said to have seized control of the village of Schelanne Druhe in eastern Ukraine, as reported by the Russian defense ministry and state news agency TASS. The village is located in the Donetsk region, which is partially controlled by Russia. As with other combat situation claims, it is challenging to independently confirm such occurrences.
11:32 Merz Proposes Contact Group for Post-War OrderUnion Chancellor candidate Friedrich Merz has proposed a collaboration between Germany, France, the UK, and Poland to develop proposals for a European post-war order following the Ukraine conflict. "Two essential conditions for cooperation and proposal development are indispensable: proposals should never be presented by Germany alone, but always collaboratively with these European partners. Also, there should never be an impression that the political map of Europe is being redrawn over the heads of Eastern and Central European states, particularly Ukraine," Merz wrote in a newsletter.
11:15 Ukraine Outlines Strategy for Upcoming Ramstein MeetingPresident Zelenskyj will present his "victory plan" during the 25th Ramstein meeting, scheduled to take place at the head of state and government level for the first time next week. The plan will outline specific, actionable steps towards a peaceful resolution to the conflict. The presentation follows images of modern weapons such as fighter jets, tanks, and artillery, accompanied by footage of allegedly destroyed Russian ammunition depots, which can help limit Russia's ability to sustain its invasion.
10:42 Chinese Companies Expanding in Russia at the Expense of Economic SovereigntyThe former President of the National Bank of Ukraine, Kyrylo Shevchenko, has pointed out figures showing that Chinese companies are increasingly exerting control over the Russian economy. This year, 34% of newly registered companies are Chinese-owned, compared to 13% in 2021. Monthly registrations have risen to 200, with wholesale making up 26% of turnover. "The dominance of companies in key sectors such as car sales undermines Russia's economic sovereignty," Shevchenko states.
10:08 Call for More Diplomatic Engagement Sparks OutrageGerman politician Anton Hofreiter has criticized the call by Saxony and Brandenburg's Minister-Presidents, Mikhail Kretschmer and Dietmar Woidke, and Thuringia's CDU Chief Mario Voigt for greater diplomatic engagement in the Ukraine conflict as "unwise in many ways." Hofreiter argues that "this weakens support for Ukraine – at least in public perception– and encircles Putin to continue the war." Critics claim that the politicians are attempting to appease the BSW in order to form coalitions in the three eastern German states. Kretschmer, Woidke, and Voigt proposed a ceasefire in Ukraine and urged the federal government to bring Russia to the negotiation table in a guest article for the FAZ. The Russian side has repeatedly demanded conditions that amount to a dictate for Ukraine, while also insisting on pursuing all war objectives.
09:31 Left Party Member Regret Participation in "Peace Demonstration" in BerlinThe Russian invasion of Ukraine, resulting in tens of thousands of fatalities, has caused a rift among some left-wing political circles. Some downplay or even deny Russia's guilt, while others see Ukraine's submission to Russian invaders as acceptable. Left Party member Max S. from Saxony-Anhalt expressed regret for attending the recent "peace march" in Berlin, in a Facebook post. He criticized the booing and whistling of SPD politician Ralf Stegner who spoke about an aggressive war, and felt shocked by "war-mongerer" calls from BSW members. "Ukraine has the right to self-defense," he states. "Individuals who label the aggressor should not be condemned in a 'peace movement'." He has announced that he would not participate in another "peace demonstration."
08:49 Ex-NATO Chief Admits Inadequate Weapon Support for UkraineFormer NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg acknowledges that Ukraine wasn't adequately equipped with weaponry. During an interview with the "Financial Times," he confesses, "I think it's obvious that we should've provided them with more weapons prior to the invasion, and we should've supplied them with more advanced weapons post-invasion. I take responsibility for my part in this." He also discloses that there was a significant debate before the Russian invasion in February 2022 about whether to arm Kyiv. Majorities of allies were opposed to it at the time - "they were petrified of the repercussions."
08:07 Ukrainian Drones Attack Russian Region VoronezhAs reported by Governor Alexander Gusev of the Voronezh region, Ukrainian drone assaults occurred throughout the night. Several businesses, speculated to produce civilian goods, were targeted. There's one reported injury and a fire has commenced, Gusev reported. Fires are also noticeable in unverified social media videos. Russian authorities usually downplay the impact of Ukrainian attacks.
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07:31 Russian Defense Ministry Releases Bizarre Anti-Drone Training VideoThe Russian Defense Ministry has posted a video featuring Russian soldiers learning to evade drone attacks. Drones are a considerable threat on the battlefield. The most effective tactic to counter them is utilizing electronic jammers. If jammers are unavailable or unsuccessful, there are limited methods to protect against them. Deliberately shooting down a drone with an infantry weapon is difficult, shotguns are the most suitable. The Russian video shows a soldier dodging an attack by rolling on the ground with a log. Another soldier flings his rifle skyward and strikes a drone with it. Similar scenarios are present in numerous frontline videos, where the drones typically explode.
06:45 OSINT Specialist Reveals Extreme Russian Troop Losses in PokrovskData shared by an OSINT expert from the Oryx project reflects Russia's brutal warfare, involving mass forced storming attacks. According to these data, Kremlin's troops are experiencing catastrophic losses in the current war's epicenter - towards Pokrovsk - far surpassing those of Ukraine. The number of destroyed, abandoned, damaged, and captured tanks over the past year is 539 on the Russian side and 92 on the Ukrainian side. In military terminology, an attacker needs a triple superiority to successfully fight defenders. Despite armored combat vehicles like APCs, the disparities are significant: 1020 to 138. Former US Marine Rob Lee from the Foreign Policy Research Institute describes these losses as " unprecedentedly high". OSINT experts typically gather their data from freely accessible online image and video material. Consequently, the actual losses are likely even higher.
06:06 UK Ambassador Saluschnyj Argues Against Reducing Conscription AgeFormer Ukrainian military commander and current UK ambassador Valery Saluschnyj believes that Ukraine should not reduce the conscription age. He considers the 18-25 age group to be Ukraine's future, and the conscription age should only be lowered as a last resort, according to UNIAN news agency, citing Bukvy. "The 18-25 age group should be protected as much as possible. That's why I always opposed the mobilization not applying to people under 25 when I was commander, because we need Ukraine in 20 and 30 years," Saluschnyj stated. Other voices in Ukraine advocate for lowering the conscription age to recruit more soldiers.
05:29 Second Attempt: Ukrainian Volunteer Legion to Establish in PolandDeputy Defense Minister Paweł Zalewski declared on Friday that the Ukrainian consulate in Lublin has begun recruiting Ukrainian volunteers living in Poland to be trained by the Polish armed forces. Defense Minister Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz mentioned that Poland was prepared to start training in September, but a lack of volunteers delayed the commencement: "At that time, not enough volunteers were forthcoming. As far as I know, Ukraine has now initiated steps to disseminate information, recruit, and promote this process, which means we can anticipate results," Kosiniak-Kamysz told local news outlet Wnp.pl. The legion was presented in July as a voluntary military unit composed of Ukrainian men living in Poland and trained by the Polish armed forces.
04:00 Ex-NATO Chief Regrets West's Delay in Providing Weapons to UkraineIn an interview with the "Financial Times," former NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg confessed that the postponement in providing weapons to Ukraine during his tenure as the alliance's chief is his most significant regret. It could have substantially bolstered Ukraine's defenses. "If there's one thing I regret the most, and what I now perceive much more clearly, is that we should've provided Ukraine with far more military support much sooner," Stoltenberg admitted. "The provision of lethal weapons was a contentious debate. Most allies were opposed to it prior to the invasion... they were afraid of the repercussions. I'm pleased with the support we rendered, but it would have been a significant boon if we had begun earlier. It may have prevented the invasion or at least made it significantly more challenging for them to execute their plans," Stoltenberg added.
01:59 Massive Casualties for Russian Elite Units in Wuhledar ClashesAs reported by BBC News on Friday, Russian elite troops have endured four times as many casualties in the year-long conflict near Wuhledar in the Donetsk region as they did in the ten-year spell of the Second Chechen War. The Ukrainian forces declared their retreat from the crucial settlement in the Donetsk region on Wednesday following Russian troops' conquest of the city's outskirts and penetration into Wuhledar itself. The Russian military's 155th and 40th elite brigades, famously known as the "Black Berets," took part in the city's siege. The BBC disclosed that at least 211 marines from the 155th Brigade perished, with 42 still missing, far surpassing the unit's casualties during the protracted Second Chechen War (1999-2009). BBC reporters also confirmed the deaths of 72 soldiers from the 40th Brigade.
23:30 Domestic Opposition Figures in Belarus Sentenced for Sabotage Acts - up to 25 Years in CustodyA Belarusian court has sentenced twelve opposition activists to prison sentences ranging from 2 to 25 years for alleged involvement in a sabotage incident on a Russian military aircraft in February 2023. The court in Minsk declared the twelve accused guilty of participating in the "terrorist act," according to prosecution claims. Only five of the convicted are physically present in Belarus; the remaining individuals were tried in absentia. Among those convicted abroad is the suspected mastermind of the incident, Nikolai Schwets, who was sentenced to 25 years in prison. He had absconded Belarus in the summer as part of a prisoner exchange with Ukraine. In February 2023, pro-Ukrainian activists declared the destruction of a Russian military aircraft at the Matschulischtschi airport near Minsk. The aircraft in question was an A-50 reconnaissance plane.
21:56 Russian Ministry's Plans to Recruit 225,000 Contract Soldiers within Three YearsRussia's Defense Ministry is reportedly looking to recruit at least 225,000 contract soldiers over the subsequent three years, claims the independent Russian online media outlet "Important Stories." This emerges from the draft budget for the years 2025 to 2027. Around $335 million USD is allocated for one-time payments upon contract signing annually.
21:07 Romanian Territory Hosts Russian Drone DebrisNATO member Romania has uncovered remnants of a Russian drone on its territory. The Ministry of Defense announced the finding of drone fragments near the Litcov Canal, a close proximity to the Ukrainian border. The Ministry is investigating the matter. A week prior, there was an incident involving a Russian drone. The drone might have momentarily breached Romanian airspace, the ministry explained. The drone was possibly involved in an assault on the southern Ukrainian city of Ismajil. The city is situated on the Danube, across which lies Romania.
21:00 Johnson: If Trump Were President, Putin Wouldn't Have Invaded UkraineFormer British Prime Minister Boris Johnson opines that Russia did not invade Ukraine while Donald Trump was the US President due to no coincidence. "One of Trump's strengths is his sheer unpredictability," Johnson told the "Telegraph." He proposes that Russia would not have invaded Ukraine if Trump had been president. "From the Kremlin's perspective, there was a genuine apprehension that Trump might perceive an attack on a European country as an affront to America and the world order, prompting him to take decisive action." According to the "Telegraph," Johnson attributes Trump's unpredictability alone as enough to discourage Vladimir Putin from risking war with a sovereign nation.
20:02 Mayor: Russians Merely 7 Kilometers from PokrovskRussian forces are reportedly advancing towards Pokrovsk, now only 7 kilometers away from the city limits, according to Mayor Serhii Dobriak on Ukrainian television. Previously, they were only about 10 kilometers away. The mayor reports shelling, with two attacks on the city center alone the previous day. He indicates that 80% of the city's critical infrastructure has been damaged or annihilated. "The enemy leaves us without electricity, water, and gas. This is a 'preparation' for winter." He estimates that more than 13,000 people remain in Pokrovsk, including nearly 100 children who did not evacuate. The city's pre-war population was 60,000.
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Despite Ukraine's unlikely ability to surpass Russia in troops, using out-of-the-box strategies like long-range attacks could yield significant benefits. For instance, Ukraine's employment of long-range drones to target Russian soil has proven effective and could be further enhanced with Western weapons with extended ranges.
While Ukraine is employing local solutions to hindering enemy supply lines and striking at the enemy's "core of the military-industrial complex", Western allies are hesitant to authorize the use of such weapons due to concerns about intensifying the conflict. However, according to Schmajlo, their deployment could have a significant impact at the frontlines in Ukraine's favor within a few months.
