At 21:35, Vance expresses his thoughts on Trump's views regarding Ukraine
According to the Republican vice presidential candidate Mike Pence's counterpart, J.D. Vance, Donald Trump's proposed solution to end the Russian conflict with Ukraine might involve establishing a demilitarized zone between the two nations. Vance expounded on this in an interview with popular TV producer Shawn Ryan, suggesting that Trump could potentially gather Russians, Ukrainians, and Europeans at the negotiating table to explore the possibility of a peaceful resolution. Trump is recognized for his empathetic stance towards Russian President Vladimir Putin and his frequent criticisms of U.S. aid to Ukraine. Moreover, Trump has boasted about terminating the conflict within 24 hours of taking office, although he has yet to detail his strategy.
21:03 "God is with us, we are Russians" - Prevalent Fascist rally in St. PetersburgThe group cannot be challenged or disputed, rallying with fervor, "God is with us, we are Russians," echo numerous Russian nationalists and fascists in St. Petersburg. Their chants persistently declare, "Forward, Russians!" They mark the commemoration of the transition of Alexander Nevsky's relics, recognized as a national hero and a saint of the Orthodox Church.
20:28 Propagandist advocate: "The ideal barrier is the Atlantic"Renowned Russian TV host Vladimir Solovyov contends that Russia should not stop its expansion in Ukraine. "In my opinion, the ideal barrier is the Atlantic. A natural barrier," states Solovyov, the Kremlin propagandist. He suggests an ideal location for Russian troops - Berlin, Lisbon, Madrid. "And how beautiful they looked in Paris," he muses. When reminded about the scarcity of Russians, he replies, "The Belarusian brothers are with us." Should this not be an option, one could turn to China instead.
20:01 Winter readiness by British volunteers in UkraineMany Ukrainian houses, resilient against shelling to this point, now present the disastrous absence of windows - an unfortunate situation in the eve of winter. The U.K.-based NGO "Insulate Ukraine" is addressing this predicament by making their way to war zones and installing temporary windows.
19:34 Trapped miners in Donetsk150 miners are entangled in the Dobropillia mine due to a power outage brought on by Russian assaults in the Donetsk region, as reported by "The Kyiv Independent" and Ukraine's miners' union head Mychailo Volynets. The city of Dobropillia, previously home to over 28,000 residents before the conflict, is located approximately 20 kilometers north of Pokrovsk, a primary focus of Russian troops in recent times. Russian bombardments have disrupted the power supply of Dobropillia and surrounding towns, including coal mines. The power outage is causing the mines to fill with gas and flood, according to the report. The union head asserts that the situation in the region remains "difficult."
19:08 Sweden set to increase defense spendingSweden plans to double its investment in civil defense over the subsequent three years to prepare for possible conflict. "The insights from the Ukrainian conflict demonstrate the necessity to ensure the continuity of society's critical sectors," proclaimed the Swedish government. Swedish defense minister Carl-Oskar Bohlin announced an increase in the civil defense budget for this year to 8.5 billion kronor (equivalent to 740 million euros), and a projected annual budget of 15 billion kronor by 2028. "The security situation remains precarious and remains so in the foreseeable future," Bohlin stated.
18:39 Putin: NATO would be 'at war' with Russia if it supports Ukraine's use of long-range weaponsRussian President Vladimir Putin suggested that if the Western world agrees to Ukraine's utilization of long-range weapons against targets within Russia, it would equate to NATO being "at war" with Russia. "This would fundamentally alter the nature of the conflict. It would imply that NATO nations are at war with Russia," Putin explained to a state TV journalist. If this determination is made, "this would represent nothing less than direct NATO involvement in the Ukrainian conflict." Russian representatives have consistently weighed in on similar sentiments since Russia initiated its invasion of Ukraine. Whether it involves tanks, fighter jets, or missiles, there have been countless warnings from Moscow about escalations, transformations in the nature of war, or even nuclear threats. Ukraine has sought permission from the Western world to utilize Western long-range weapons to strike targets within Russia with the intention of curtailing attacks from that region. Russian military operations have systematically targeted Ukraine's infrastructure for months.
18:07 Zelenskyy dismisses Chinese-Brazilian peace initiative as 'counterproductive'Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy denounced a Chinese-Brazilian peace initiative, deeming it "counterproductive." "It's just a political statement," Zelenskyy told Brazilian media company Metropoles. "How can you proclaim 'here's our initiative' without consultating us in any way?" China and Brazil proposed an international peace conference in May. Zelenskyy questioned, "What is the purpose of this theater?" Unlike Moscow, Kyiv was not consulted prior to the proposal.
17:12 Xi Jinping to Head to Russia Once More
Chinese President Xi Jinping is planning a trip to Russia in October. He'll participate in a gathering of the BRICS group of nations, announced Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi. Today, Wang is holding talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin in St. Petersburg. Both leaders commended the relationship between China and Russia. Wang mentioned that Xi had graciously accepted Putin's invitation to the BRICS summit in Kazan. Putin indicated they'd also have a one-on-one meeting to discuss their relations, which are "advancing effectively."
16:50 U.S. Prepared to Modify Military Assistance for Ukraine
U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken stated that the U.S. is ready to alter its military support for Ukraine as necessary. At a press conference in Warsaw, Blinken was questioned about if the U.S. has granted permission for Ukraine to target Russian targets using Western weapons. He answered: "Let me tell you we will continue to do what we've been doing: we will adjust, we will adapt, if required, including regarding Ukraine's available tools." Blinken reported having "fruitful and detailed" conversations with his British counterpart David Lammy in Kyiv the previous day, gaining insights into the Ukrainians' perspective and their needs. These will be taken into account. "And if necessary, we will adapt."
16:35 New Role for NATO Chief Stoltenberg
NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg will take on the position of chairman for the Munich Security Conference. The Norwegian will take charge after the security conference in February 2025. Christoph Heusgen, who assumed the post in 2022 and was a long-time foreign policy advisor to Chancellor Angela Merkel, is planning to step down as chairman. At the same time, the long-standing former chairman Wolfgang Ischinger will remain president of the foundation's board. Stoltenberg will step down as NATO Secretary General in October, handing over his job to Mark Rutte, former Dutch prime minister.
16:11 Three Red Cross Employees Killed in Ukraine
Three Ukrainian workers from the Red Cross were killed in a Russian attack, as reported by Ukrainian authorities. The incident took place in a village in the disputed region of Donetsk, the Ukrainian prosecutor general's office stated on Telegram. Two other employees were hospitalized, one in critical condition. "Another act of , Russian barbarism. Today, the aggressor attacked vehicles from the humanitarian mission of the International Committee of the Red Cross in the Donetsk region," Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy wrote on Twitter. Ukrainian Human Rights Ombudsman Dmytro Lubinets requested that the ICRC formally acknowledge the breach of Geneva Conventions norms by Russia!
15:45 Public Access Denied in Trial Against Navalny's LawyersIn the trial against the three lawyers of the deceased Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny in the Russian town of Petushki, the judge quickly closes the courtroom to the public for the cases of Vadim Kobsev, Alexei Lipzer, and Igor Sergunin. She cites a police warning about alleged provocations by Navalny supporters as the reason. The three lawyers are accused of belonging to an extremist organization - specifically, Alexei Navalny's Anti-Corruption Foundation.
15:18 Naval Activity in the Black SeaUkraine and Russia are reportedly involved in a naval and air skirmish in the Black Sea. Ukraine's military intelligence reports that a Russian Su-30 fighter jet was downed using a portable air defense weapon during a special operation at sea (see entry at 08:04). No further details about the operation on Tuesday night were given from Kyiv. In the meantime, Russia's Defense Ministry reports that a failed Ukrainian attempt to attack a Russian drilling platform in the Black Sea using high-speed boats resulted in eight of the 14 boats being shot down and sunk. The remaining boats retreated. No mention of the loss of an aircraft was made in Moscow, but the military blog Rybar reports that a Su-30 was downed while fending off the Ukrainian attack.
14:54 Ukrainian Soldiers: "We're Tired of This War"Ukrainian soldiers must employ their scarce weapons tactically and prudently. ntv reporter Kavita Sharma witnessed this firsthand: aging Soviet weapons with minimal ammunition and the few, but superior, newer Western weapons.
14:23 Zelensky: Russia Commences Counteroffensive in KurskAccording to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, Russia has initiated a counteroffensive in the Russian border region of Kursk. This response by the Russian military "follows Ukraine's plan," Zelensky said at a press conference in Kyiv, without providing additional details. Russia's Defense Ministry reports that Russian units have recaptured ten settlements in the Kursk region within two days.
13:38 Pokrovsk, Ukrainian City in Donetsk, Struggling with Water and Gas SupplyFollowing assaults, the Ukrainian city of Pokrovsk in the Donetsk region is experiencing a shortage of regular drinking water sources and numerous residents lack gas for cooking and heating, as indicated by the local governor. A water purification facility was damaged in recent skirmishes, prompting the city to rely on over 300 emergency wells for drinking water, Vadym Filashkin, the governor, mentioned. Furthermore, the Russians destroyed a gas distribution center the previous day, leaving 18,000 residents in Pokrovsk without gas.
13:07 Russia's Alleged Exaggeration of Warship NumbersIt is speculated that Russia owns approximately half the number of warships they claim, according to a post by the independent Russian news outlet "Agentstvo". The report bases these assumptions on unverified data from online sources "Global Naval Powers Ranking 2024" and "RussiaShips.info", which report 264 and 299 warships respectively. The report also mentions that around 50 ships and submarines belong to the Black Sea Fleet, which is not taking part in the exercises. Russia has frequently been accused of overstating its military's size in the past.
12:28 Russia Increases Espionage Against Bundeswehr and Ukraine AidRussian intelligence agencies have escalated their surveillance of Germany's Ukraine aid and the Bundeswehr, as mentioned in the Military Counterintelligence Service (MAD) yearly report. The report highlights that Russian services are now concentrating more on tactical military aspects and policy, showcasing a heightened interest in information related to the military assistance Germany provides to Ukraine, including the transportation routes, deployment methods, and tactics of Western weapons in Ukraine. The Bundeswehr's own capabilities for territorial and alliance defense are also once again a focus of Russian intelligence operations.
11:52 Increasing Threat of Atomic Attacks on Berlin Not a SurpriseAccording to ntv correspondent Rainer Munz, the likelihood of Britain and the US giving Ukraine authorization to employ weapons against Russian territory has grown, which isn't unexpected considering the recent nuclear weapons expert proposing attacks on Berlin.
11:15 Decision on Western Long-Range Missiles in Ukraine to be DelayedA resolution regarding the Ukrainian utilization of Western long-range missiles against Russian territory might take longer to reach, as suggested by the US medium Bloomberg. The authors also mention that it's unlikely a decision will be made before the UN General Assembly meeting on September 24, where around 150 world leaders will convene. Ukrainian President Selenskyj plans to reiterate his demand at the meeting, following recent meetings with US Secretary of State Blinken and US President Biden.
10:31 Ukrainian Forces Report Nighttime Attack by 5 Missiles and 64 DronesThe Ukrainian air force reports that the Russian military attacked Ukraine with 5 missiles and 64 Iranian-made drones the previous night. 44 drones were intercepted. The military reports are not entirely trustworthy. Air defense units were also active in Kyiv to combat approaching drones.
09:11 Russian Expert Suggests Stronger Nuclear Threat PostureRussian foreign policy specialist Sergei Karaganov believes that Russia should potentially present a stronger signal showing its readiness to use nuclear weapons. The primary aim of Russia's nuclear strategy should be "to convince all present and future adversaries that Russia is prepared to use nuclear weapons," Karaganov stated to Russian newspaper Kommersant. Moscow could theoretically initiate a limited nuclear strike on a NATO country without provoking a full-scale nuclear war, he claimed. The US would be misleading if they claim to protect their allies with nuclear defenses. Karaganov has previously suggested that Russia consider a nuclear preemptive strike intended to intimidate its adversaries. Some Western experts consider Karaganov a valuable asset to the Kremlin as his remarks serve to alarm the West, making Putin appear more moderate.
08:46 Ukraine Excited about US Approval to Use Western Long-Range MissilesHopes are growing in Ukraine that they might soon be given approval to launch attacks deep into Russian territory with Western weapons. US Secretary of State Antony Blinken highlighted during his visit to Kyiv that he aims to ensure "Ukraine has everything it requires". Signs point towards approval from the UK:
08:04 Ukrainian Intelligence Reports Downing of Russian Fighter JetFollowing reports of a Russian Su-30SM fighter jet disappearing from radar a day ago, Ukrainian military intelligence now claims that Ukrainian soldiers shot down such an aircraft during a Black Sea operation. Kyiv Independent reports that the fighter jet, valued at $50 million and based in Crimea, was destroyed with a portable air defense system.
07:26 Ukraine Reports Over a Dozen Casualties Following Major Drone Attack on KonotopThe number of casualties resulting from the significant Russian drone attack on Konotop's energy infrastructure in the Sumy region has increased to 14, as per information from the Ukrainian state news agency Ukrinform, which cited the local military administration. Furthermore, it was reported that a building in the city center was hit.
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06:42 Ukrainian Residents in Germany Maintain Protected Status on Home VisitsThe German Bundestag is set to debate the proposed security package from the federal government for the first time today, which encompasses knife bans and the withdrawal of asylum status for those returning to their home countries. However, certain exceptions apply, such as for refugees from Ukraine.
06:04 Russian Media Accuses Trump of Disadvantage During TV DebateSeveral analysts on Russian state television have claimed that "sabotage" was directed against Trump during his debate against Kamala Harris, as reported by Kyiv Independent. It was alleged that Trump was disadvantaged. The scrutiny of Trump's statements received significant criticism. Many spectators believed Trump had lost the debate. In the event of a Trump victory in the elections, he has announced that he will immediately end the Ukraine conflict.
04:50 Konotop Suffers Significant Damage After Russian AttackA recent Russian attack on Konotop in the Sumy region has left several civilians injured. As per the mayor Artem Semenikhin, the city's water supply was briefly interrupted. There are also severe damages to the energy infrastructure, and it is uncertain when private households will have electricity again. Following the attack in the city center, several fires broke out, damaging schools and residential buildings. Two people were transported to the hospital, one of whom is in critical condition.
03:29 Latvia Provides Additional Military Aid to UkraineLatvia's Prime Minister Evika Silina announced a package of military aid for Ukraine during her visit to Kyiv. It will include armored personnel carriers. This was revealed by Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Schmyhal following a meeting with Silina. According to Schmyhal, both nations are also discussing an expansion of cooperation in the defense industry.
01:32 UK Summons Iranian Businessman Over Alleged Missile Deliveries to RussiaIn the wake of suspected missile deliveries from Iran to Russia, the UK has summoned an Iranian businessman. "Any transfer of ballistic missiles to Russia would be seen as a dangerous escalation and would warrant a strong response," according to a statement from the Foreign Office in London. On Tuesday, Germany, France, and the UK announced further sanctions against Iran in response to the suspected missile shipments - specifically, the suspension of bilateral air transport agreements. The European Union referred to "credible evidence" on Monday regarding the supply of Iranian missiles to Russia.
00:14 Ukraine: Russia Deploys Inexperienced Soldiers at VovchanskAccording to information from the Ukrainian military, Russia is deploying soldiers without combat experience at the Kharkiv front. As per Vitalii Sarantsev, spokesman for the operational tactical group of the Armed Forces in Kharkiv, the units involved in the attack operations in Vovchansk are poorly trained, with some speculation that the new reinforcements are a mobilization reserve raised by Russia. It remains unclear if they are former prisoners or soldiers recruited from other countries, such as Central Asia, Africa, or the Middle East.
22:39 Mayor in Western Ukraine Introduces Russian-Speaking PatrollersThe mayor of the western Ukrainian city of Ivano-Frankivsk has announced patrolling to monitor the increasing use of Russian. "This is a civic initiative, and anyone can become a language inspector," states the mayor of the city, Ruslan Martsinkiv, to the TV channel NTA. Many internal refugees from eastern Ukraine have Russian as their native language. Martsinkiv anticipates at least 100 such language controllers, with around 50 volunteers currently registered. He also mentioned the number of a hotline where citizens can report Russian speakers in public spaces. Due to the conflict, millions of people have fled to the relatively safe Ukrainian-speaking west of Ukraine.
21:42 Erdogan Calls for Return of Crimea from RussiaTurkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan is demanding the return of the Crimea peninsula, annexed by Russia, to Ukraine. "Our unwavering support for Ukraine's territorial integrity, sovereignty, and independence includes the demand for the return of Crimea," says Erdogan in a video message on the occasion of the Crimea Platform summit. The Crimea Platform, established in 2021, aims to raise international awareness of the situation surrounding the annexed peninsula.
21:05 Report: Kyiv to Present Military Plan to USAUkrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy considers US assistance as crucial to repelling the Russian invasion. "The success plan (...) primarily depends on American support, as well as support from other partners," says Zelenskyy at a press conference in Kyiv. This plan, which is scheduled to be presented before the planned Ukraine Peace Conference, aims to "significantly strengthen Ukraine" and "compel Russia to end the conflict." According to Bloomberg, the US is demanding a clear strategy from Zelenskyy for strikes against Russia before relaxing restrictions on the use of Western weapons. US Secretary of State Blinken and British Foreign Secretary Lammy were said to have visited Kyiv to discuss a long-term plan for the coming year to better understand Ukraine's objectives.
20:37 Blinken Discusses Biden's Approach on Russia Arms UseUnited States Secretary of State Antony Blinken mentions that the US is actively trying to meet Ukraine's military requirements, which include employing long-range weapons supplied by the West for striking objectives within Russia. Joe Biden, the President of the United States, and Keir Starmer, the Prime Minister of Britain, will touch upon these requirements during their meeting on Friday, as per Blinken's statement at a joint press conference alongside British Foreign Secretary David Lammy and Andrij Sybiga, the Ukrainian Foreign Minister, in Kyiv. "We're pushing hard to make sure Ukraine is fully equipped to protect itself efficiently," Blinken stated, further adding, "Our goal is for Ukraine to emerge victorious."
For further background information, check out the previous updates here.
The European Union could potentially be involved in negotiations to find a peaceful resolution to the conflict between Russia and Ukraine, as suggested by Donald Trump's proposed solution.
Despite tensions between Russia and Western nations, Chinese President Xi Jinping is planning a trip to Russia in October to participate in a BRICS summit, showing a continued effort to maintain diplomatic relations.
