At 20:52, a blast harms a railway bridge located in Russia's Samara region.
19:52 A Russian railway bridge is damaged by an explosion. The infrastructure supporting the train tracks on this bridge in an unspecified region of Russia has been affected, as stated by the Russian Telegram news channel Baza. It is reported that an "unknown explosive device" exploded around 13:30 local time near the city of Kinel. As a result, train traffic over the bridge has been temporarily halted, as confirmed by the state-owned Russian news agency RIA Novosti.
20:02 Accusations of Western Isolation of Kaliningrad Nikolai Patrushev, an advisor to Russian President Vladimir Putin, accuses the West of attempting to isolate the Russian exclave of Kaliningrad. During a meeting in the city, Patrushev claims that Western states are "significantly obstructing" the transportation of freight and passengers to the region due to the imposition of sanctions. In response, Moscow intends to redirect the majority of the road and rail cargo traffic between Kaliningrad and the Russian mainland to sea routes, according to Patrushev's statement.
19:10 Rejection of Global Cooperation by Russian Foreign Minister Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov delivers a blunt rejection of the potential resumption of international relations. "What type of global collaboration can we effectively discuss when the West has disregarded the irrefutable foundations of globalization that it has long advocated for, on this very platform," Lavrov states before the United Nations General Assembly in New York. He also implies a British-American conspiracy to dismantle Russia, citing the existence of secret plans to destroy the former Soviet Union as early as 1945. According to Lavrov, today's Anglo-Saxon strategists are openly pursuing their goal of defeating Russia through the support of an illegitimate Nazi regime in Kyiv, while simultaneously preparing Europe for potential self-destruction.
18:22 Ukrainian Supreme Court Judge Killed in Russian Drone Attack A Supreme Court judge for Ukraine has been killed in a Russian drone assault. The 61-year-old Leonid Lobojko lost his life when his private vehicle was struck by a drone in a suburb of the eastern Ukrainian city of Kharkiv, as confirmed by the regional military administrator Oleh Synyehubov on Telegram. Besides, three women inside the car sustained serious injuries. Lobojko was in the region to distribute humanitarian aid. The Supreme Court officially confirmed Lobojko's death on Facebook and expressed condolences to his family.
17:28 Preparations for Russian Attacks in Saporizhzhia Region According to Ukrainian sources, Russian troops are preparing offensive operations in the southern region of Saporizhzhia. Spokesperson for the Ukrainian Southern Command, Vladyslav Voloshin, reports that Moscow is "concentrating personnel" in a particular area, including near the occupied village of Pryjutne. He adds that the Russian troops in the region have also obtained 25 light buggies, which can be utilized by small infantry groups for assaults. Voloshin predicts the possibility of attack actions in the direction of Saporizhzhia in the near future, though more significant forces would be required for a substantial offensive, he mentions.
16:36 Death of Russian Drone Center Chief Near Moscow The Ukrainian military intelligence unit HUR claims the death of Colonel Alexei Kolomeitsev in the city of Kolomna, located in the Moscow region. According to the intelligence agency, Kolomeitsev served as the head of the 924th State Center (Military Unit No. 20924), responsible for the education and preparation of specialists in drone operations for the Russian Ministry of Defense. The Ukrainian authorities emphasize Kolomeitsev's involvement in war crimes against Ukraine.
15:50 Call for EU Financial Assistance for Border Security by Baltic States and Poland The Baltic States of Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, and Poland plan to request financial aid from the EU to construct bunkers, barriers, and military installations at their borders with Russia and Belarus. "The urgency of developing a defensive line stems from the security situation," Estonian Defense Minister Hanno Pevkur asserts. This project is in line with NATO's revised defense strategy. "It is of utmost importance to synchronize our efforts with Poland," Pevkur adds. In January, the three Baltic States announced the project of a "Baltic Defense Line," while Poland made a similar announcement in May with the "Eastern Shield" initiative.
15:12 Russia's Readiness to Sue Over Nord Stream Sabotage Russia declares its readiness to bring the sabotage of the Nord Stream pipelines to trial. The country has filed "preliminary lawsuits" against Germany, Denmark, Sweden, and Switzerland based on international agreements against terrorism, a Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson states. If the issue is not resolved in this phase, Russia intends to bring the case before the International Court of Justice, the spokesperson mentions, adding that the West will not be able to evade responsibility for this matter.
14:26 NATO Official: Kursk Incursion Places Putin in PredicamentNATO Military Committee Chair, Admiral Robert Bauer, suggests that the Ukrainian intrusion into the Russian region of Kursk poses a strategic challenge for Russian leader Vladimir Putin. "For the first time since 1941, a foreign power has established a presence on Russian soil," Bauer states in an interview with Interfax Ukraine. "This is a strategic issue for Russia. Additionally, it brings operational concerns, as supply lines run through Kursk." From a strategic perspective, Kyiv is instigating a "strategic quandary" for Moscow. "If Putin declares he's defending the homeland, but Ukraine remains on Russian soil, he fails in his mission," Bauer concludes.
13:44 Ukraine: Death Toll Rises to Nine in Sumy After Russian Drone StrikeReports from Ukraine suggest that the death toll from a Russian drone strike in Sumy has increased to nine. The number of injured currently stands at 11, with 113 patients having been evacuated from the affected hospital. Earlier today, a Russian assault claimed a life and damaged several floors of a clinic. Evacuations of patients and staff ensued, with emergency services and police arriving at the scene to assist. Russia launched another air assault at the same time. Following an earlier report of eight fatalities, Ukrainian President Zelenskyy commented on X.
12:56 Blinken Ponders Zelensky's StrategyU.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken is examining the Ukrainian "victory strategy" presented by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to U.S. President Joe Biden during their White House meeting. Among other elements, Zelensky requested Biden's permission to employ Western weapons for long-range strikes on Russian military objectives. Blinken declared that the U.S. government and Ukraine's allies are currently reviewing the plan's details and may consider "further actions" to bolster Ukraine's chances of victory. Blinken advocates for a more robust stance in the Ukraine conflict at the White House, albeit not implemented by the President.
12:25 London: Ongoing Assaults on Healthcare Facilities in UkraineThe British Ministry of Defense reports over 2000 attacks on Ukrainian healthcare facilities since Russia invaded its neighbor in February 2022. Staff have been targeted 235 times. Just last July, the Russian army bombarded a children's hospital in Kyiv. Attacks on Ukraine's healthcare system by Moscow have resulted in 176 fatalities, the ministry states.
11:48 Ukraine Reports Four Dead After Police Headquarters AttackThe death toll following a Russian attack on the police headquarters in Kryvyi Rih, Ukraine, has risen to four. A police officer remains trapped under the debris, and rescue efforts to locate survivors continue, according to the Ukrainian Ministry of Internal Affairs. The rocket attack on Kryvyi Rih represents the second such attack on Ukrainian police in two days.
10:58 Military Analyst: Russian Counterattack in Kursk Gains GroundAustralian military strategist Mick Ryan reports that the Russian counterattack near Kursk has made progress. In August, Ukrainian forces crossed the border into the Russian region of Kursk and seized territory. After an initial element of surprise, the Russians are mounting opposition. While gaining ground at a slower pace, they are making headway, Ryan explains. A potential Ukrainian incursion west of the Russian counterattack may have posed a threat to the Russians' flank security and potentially cut off hundreds of Russian troops, according to Ryan, citing data from the U.S. Institute for the Study of War (ISW).
10:30 Ukrainian Air Force: 69 Drone Attacks RepelledThe Ukrainian air force details that the Russian army deployed 73 combat drones and 4 rockets against Ukraine overnight on Saturday. Ukraine intercepted 69 drones and 2 rockets. The number of fatalities from a Russian drone attack on a hospital in the Sumy Oblast has risen to 7.
09:52 Dialogue Resumes: Zelensky and Trump Meet After Five-Year PauseExchanges between Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky have recommenced following a five-year hiatus. Trump had recently criticized U.S. aid to Ukraine.
09:39 ISW: Few Long-range Attacks on Russia Could Deteriorate War OutcomeAccording to the Institute for the Study of War (ISW), although a few successful long-range attacks by Ukraine could significantly alter the war's trajectory, Russian authorities are investing considerable resources to sway Western opinion regarding Ukraine's use of Western weapons for long-range strikes on Russian facilities. The U.S. continues to reject permitting Ukraine to launch high-range attacks on Russian territory.
09:18 Kyiv's General Staff: Over 1400 Russian Casualties Since YesterdayAccording to the Ukrainian General Staff, Russian forces sustained another 1470 casualties in the previous 24 hours, either killed or wounded. Since the full-scale invasion two and a half years ago, the Russian military has suffered over 650,640 losses, including 42 armored combat vehicles, 14 tanks, 62 drones, and 55 artillery systems.
08:57 Ukraine: Russian Assault on Hospital Leaves Six DeadRussian aggressors have targeted a healthcare facility in Sumy, as per Ukrainian sources. Six individuals succumbed to the attack, as per the Sumy Oblast's military authority's statement. The attack was apparently conducted using Shahed drones, with subsequent drone strikes on a residential area and the hospital. Rescue services were in the process of evacuating patients and staff when the attacks occurred. Additionally, the air force reported that Russian forces had dropped guided missiles on the Sumy Oblast.
08:21 Goldschmidt Warns of Baldic Sea's Threat from Russian Crude OilEnvironment Minister Tobias Goldschmidt of Schleswig-Holstein warns of the potential hazards impending on the Baltic coastline due to Russian oil exports. He cited Greenpeace's allegations of Russian crude oil shipments via the Baltic Sea as the basis for his concerns. The Russian government, Goldschmidt argued, is blatantly disregarding the oil embargo imposed due to its military actions against Ukraine. Several Western nations suspect Russia of using subpar vessels to skirt EU sanctions resulting from the conflict. "The risk of an oil spill," Goldschmidt cautioned, "is escalating. This oil would primarily make its way to our shores, from Fehmarn to Eckernförde."
07:52 Ukrainian Troops Fend Off Intense Attacks in PokrovskRussian and Ukrainian forces are continuing their hostilities in eastern Ukraine. The vicinity of Pokrovsk has once again become the epicenter of conflicts, with Russian forces relentlessly assaulting it for months. In its daily report, Kyiv's General Staff revealed that 19 Russian advances aimed at breaching Ukrainian defense lines were repelled throughout the day. "Ukrainian defenders are holding their ground," the report declared. Russian forces are attempting to encircle the city from various directions and neutralize Ukrainian counteroffensives. Intense fighting also persisted in the region surrounding Kurachove. Ukrainian sources reported that 17 Russian offensives were thwarted during the day. However, the warzone accounts cannot be independently validated.
07:41 Zelensky Views US Visit as a SuccessUkrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky did not secure the extensive use of Western weaponry during his US visit. Regardless, he expressed optimism about the outcome. "Every dialogue proceeded as required," he stated in a video address on X platform. Zelensky's Ukrainian peace plan was presented in America. "Our teams must now execute each stage and every decision," he emphasized. In Washington, Zelensky interacted with US President Joe Biden, Vice President Kamala Harris, and Republican presidential contender Donald Trump. The latter pledged that the conflict would come to an end swiftly if he was elected.
06:56 Qatar Advocates for the Return of Abducted Ukrainian ChildrenBased on Ukrainian reports, nine children had recently been rescued from Russian captivity (see entry from 02:18). Many of these children had lost one or both parents due to the conflict and were handed over to their grandparents, according to Dmytro Lubinez, Ukraine's Human Rights Ombudsman. Authorities in Qatar are currently in negotiations to recover more children. They have received a list containing the details of 751 children, whose documentation has already been prepared, Lubinez explained. According to Ukrainian authorities, approximately 20,000 children have been illegally kidnapped to Russia since the war began, and only a few hundred of them have been returned home so far.
06:27 Blinken Accuses China of Aiding Russian Armament IndustryUS Secretary of State Antony Blinken emphasized to Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi the US's concerns regarding China's support for the Russian arms industry. "If China claims to seek peace and an end to the conflict on one hand," Blinken said during a press conference, "but then enables its corporations to perpetuate Putin's aggression on the other, it doesn't make sense." Wang confirmed that China has always prioritized dialogue and peace in resolving the Ukraine conflict, as per the Chinese Foreign Ministry's statement.
05:31 Ukrainian Troops Reportedly Kill Two Russian Soldiers on Jet Ski with DroneUkrainian forces appear to have simultaneously eliminated two Russian soldiers on a jet ski using a drone, as reported by the pro-Ukrainian publication Defense Express. A video posted by activist Serhiy Sternenko depicts the drone, armed with an explosive charge, striking the jet ski. The Russians were navigating the Dnipro River on the jet ski during the incident.
02:18 Nine Youngsters Reunited with Ukraine After Russian CaptivityNine adolescents, who had been captured by Russia following the conflict, have now returned to their homeland. This reunion took place on Friday, with the assistance of Qatar, acting as a peacemaker, as per Dmytro Lubinez, Ukraine's human rights commissioner. As he communicated on Telegram, these individuals were between 13 and 17 years old, with a 20-year-old man also involved. This successful event occurred within the framework of an action plan and under the mediation of Qatar's Gulf state. Initially, the information was not independently confirmed. These youngsters were separated from their families or guardians by the occupiers, hailing from places such as Kherson, Zaporizhzhia, or Luhansk, as Lubinez further reported.
00:31 Lukashenko: "Assault on Belarus is World War III's Starting Point"The leader of Belarus' former Soviet republic, Alexander Lukashenko, imputes NATO of harboring attack plans against his country and warns that nuclear weapons would be utilized in response. In a speech at Minsk before students, Lukashenko stated, "An assault on Belarus initiates World War III," as reported by the state news agency Belta. In the event that such an assault occurs, both Belarus and Russia would deploy nuclear weapons, according to Lukashenko. He also acknowledges Vladimir Putin, the Kremlin chief, for Russia's recent alteration in its nuclear doctrine. Lukashenko alleges in his speech that NATO has concrete plans to attack Belarus. "Americans and Poles have already positioned themselves along the border, primarily on the Polish side," he says. They are prepared and will respond immediately. Despite not having nuclear weapons itself, tactical nuclear weapons from Russia have been situated on Belarusian territory since the end of 2023.
23:10 Former US Commander and Others Urge Bold Actions from Biden Against RussiaA significant number of former military officials and specialists are urging U.S. President Joe Biden to implement decisive actions to stop the conflict in Ukraine's best interest and to confront a potential threat from China. Among these figures are Ben Hodges, former commander of U.S. forces in Europe, and Gert-Johannes Hagemann, a former NATO deputy commander. They advocate for actions against Russia and also in relation to China. They urge the removal of constraints on the use of Western weapons against Russian targets to permit attacks on "military and logistical targets" within Russian territory. Furthermore, they call for the dispatch of 300 Abrams tanks and 1000 armored personnel carriers to Ukraine together with a comprehensive weapons and technology embargo against Russia, China, Iran, North Korea, Belarus, and Azerbaijan. They also suggest the expansion of NATO beyond transatlantic borders to encompass Japan, Australia, South Korea, the Philippines, and any other democratic nation that desires membership.
22:15 Russian Security Agency Targets International Journalists Over Kursk CoverageThe Russian domestic security agency FSB is investigating three more international reporters because of their reporting from areas under the control of the Ukrainian army in Russia's border region of Kursk. Affected are Kathryn Diss and Fletcher Yeung from the Australian broadcaster ABC News, as well as Romanian journalist Mircea Barbu, who are accused of crossing the Russian border illegally, as reported by the Russian news agency RIA Novosti. The journalists face up to five years in prison. However, it appears that none of the three are currently in Russia. Numerous international media outlets, including the German broadcaster Deutsche Welle, the US news channel CNN, and the Italian broadcaster Rai, have reported from the occupied areas in Kursk.
21:35 White House Counters GOP Allegations Against ZelenskyThe White House refutes accusations put forth by Republican lawmakers that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky unlawfully meddled in the U.S. election campaign by visiting a munitions factory. Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre dismissed the claim as a "political stunt," and urged Republicans to terminate their inquiry. The Ukrainian delegation had made the request, and the Department of Defense had arranged the transportation. "This is standard procedure," said Jean-Pierre. Zelensky visited the manufacturing facility in the state of Pennsylvania as part of his multi-day tour of the U.S. There, 155mm artillery shells essential for Ukraine's defense were being produced. Several Democrats, including Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro, were also present. Republican lawmakers subsequently launched an investigation, and the House Speaker demanded that Zelensky "dismiss" the Ukrainian ambassador to the U.S. in a letter.
21:09 China, Brazil and Other Countries Oppose Russian Nuclear Weapon ThreatChina, Brazil, as well as other nations, express concern over the use or threat of nuclear weapons against Ukraine. "We condemn the use or threat of use of weapons of mass destruction, especially nuclear weapons, in addition to chemical and biological weapons," a joint statement reads. Twelve countries express their "deep concern" over the potential for "escalation" in Ukraine: "Civilian infrastructure, including nuclear facilities and other energy installations, should not be the target of military operations." This appeal was made in response to this week's threats from Russian President Vladimir Putin. Putin stated that Russia could employ nuclear weapons in the face of severe air attacks on Russian territory and might consider any attack supported by a nuclear power as joint aggression. Zelensky also declared that Russia plans to target Ukrainian nuclear reactors.
15:50 In response to the security situation, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, and Poland are planning to request financial aid from the EU to construct military installations at their borders with Russia and Belarus. This initiative aligns with NATO's revised defense strategy.
20:02 Nikolai Patrushev, an advisor to Russian President Vladimir Putin, accuses Western states of significantly obstructing the transportation of freight and passengers to the Russian exclave of Kaliningrad due to the imposition of sanctions. As a result, Moscow intends to redirect the majority of the road and rail cargo traffic between Kaliningrad and the Russian mainland to sea routes.
