At 22:01, Zelenskyy seeks authorization from the West to launch strikes on Russian air bases
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has once again urged Western allies to permit the use of weapons provided for strikes against Russian targets. After a Russian strike on a Kharkiv high-rise, Zelensky mentioned in a video message that the only way to halt this "terror" is for Ukraine to have direct attacking capabilities against Russian air force bases.
21:02 Fatalities and Wounded in Kharkiv Following Russian Airstrike
A Russian airstrike on Kharkiv, Ukraine's northeastern city, resulted in one woman's death and numerous civilian injuries, as per official records. Zelensky reported on his Telegram channel that a residential building was damaged. By nightfall, authorities reported one fatality and 42 injuries. Several children were among the wounded, according to Mayor Ihor Terechov. Emergency crews were still operating in the evening, putting out a fire that erupted between the ninth and twelfth floors following the explosion and looking for more survivors. In the evening, they discovered the deceased woman under the debris (see additionally from 20:36).
20:36 Injuries Tally Rises in Russian Assault on Kharkiv
The number of wounded in Kharkiv, Ukraine's second-largest city, has consistently increased due to a Russian attack. Mayor Ihor Terechov confirmed that at least 41 individuals were injured. Initially, the count was revised multiple times (see entries from 17:54 and 15:25). Terechov reported that a Russian guided bomb impacted a residential building on a Sunday afternoon. A fire ensued and engulfed four stories. Twelve additional structures also sustained damage.
20:11 Zelensky Outlines Victory Strategy in Talk with Appropriate Journalist
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has announced that he will present a victory plan in the United States. In an interview with renowned American journalist Fareed Zakaria, Zelensky revealed that he would soon present a victory plan in the United States. "I've prepared several key points, four of which are essential," Zelensky explained. These points pertain to security, Ukraine's geopolitical standing, military assistance, and economic assistance to Ukraine, according to Zelensky, without providing specifics. The realization of these points, Zelensky stressed, hinges solely on US President Joe Biden, not Russian President Vladimir Putin. A date for Zelensky's Washington visit has not been set, but it's anticipated around the UN General Assembly's end in late September.
19:49 Zelensky Takes Issue with Weapon Shortages Again, Blaming US Congress
Zelensky claimed that Ukraine lacks enough weapons to fully equip its forces. "We need to equip 14 brigades, but with the provided weapons, we can only equip four," the Ukrainian president told an American journalist, portions of which were subsequently released on Telegram and in Ukrainian media. He attributed this deficit to delayed deliveries. Deliveries of US weapons were obstructed in the US Congress for several months at the beginning of the year, according to Zelensky. "We've exhausted all of our reserves," Zelensky stated, referring to both storage facilities and reserve units. "We've exhausted all of the weapons we had left." The reserve units now need to be re-equipped, he emphasized. Zelensky has repeatedly highlighted that promised military aid from allies often arrives with substantial delays, making it more challenging to wage the war, especially in the defense of hotly contested eastern Ukraine regions.
19:03 Starmer and Maloney to Deliberate on Ukrainian Utilization of Long-Range Weapons on Russian Territory
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni are scheduled to discuss a proposal on Monday that would enable Ukraine to utilize British Storm Shadow cruise missiles with extended ranges on Russian territory. This was reported by US news outlet Bloomberg, citing unnamed sources. Starmer's trip to Rome comes shortly after his meeting with US President Joe Biden in Washington. So far, Biden has resisted such a move due to fears of escalating the conflict. As per the report, British officials will be engaging in discussions with their French and German counterparts in the coming days about the plan.
17:54 Officially Reported Increase in Wounded in Russian Strikes on Residential Building in Kharkiv
A Russian airstrike on the Ukrainian city of Kharkiv in the northeast has left numerous civilians with injuries, according to official records. Zelensky reported on his Telegram channel that a residential building was damaged. Mayor Ihor Terechov stated that 35 individuals were wounded, including several children. Previously, 28 injuries were reported (see entry from 15:25). Firefighters were still on the scene in the afternoon to extinguish the fire that erupted between the ninth and twelfth floors following the explosion and search for more survivors.
Kharkiv, which had a population of more than one million before Putin's Kremlin-ordered invasion, was one of Ukraine's most heavily shelled cities. Russian troops have repeatedly attacked Kharkiv with artillery and rockets, and most recently with guided missiles, which Ruthlessly release from planes while still within Russian territory.
According to official reports, the Ukrainian Air Force has struck and demolished a barracks structure utilized by the Russian military in the western Russian region of Kursk. This operation reportedly occurred in retaliation to a Russian assault on a military school in Poltava. The precise location of the building was not disclosed, and there were no initial reports of casualties. A drone-recorded video was published by the pro-Ukrainian Kherson group, and the Russian side has yet to respond to this incident. The Ukrainian account of the incident cannot be independently verified at this time. In the Russian attack on a building in Poltava, which housing a communications school, 53 people were killed and 288 were injured. Since the launch of an offensive in the Kursk region in early August, the Ukrainian military claims to have captured around 1300 square kilometers of Russian territory.
16:08 "Despotistic Authoritarian": British Foreign Secretary Rebukes Putin's Threats as "Posturing"
In the midst of the controversy surrounding the potential loosening of restraints on Ukraine's use of Western weapons against Russian targets, British Foreign Secretary David Lammy has rebuffed warnings from Russian President Vladimir Putin. "There's a lot of bluster. That's his tactic. He threats with tanks, he threats with missiles, he threats with nuclear weapons," Lammy told the BBC. Despite Putin's threats, Lammy asserts, "we must not be sidetracked," and he labels the Russian president as a "despotistic authoritarian." When asked if Putin is lying when he threatens a nuclear war, Lammy responds, "What Putin is doing is trying to sow confusion. It's all posturing."
15:25 At Least 28 Injured in Kharkiv by Guided Bomb
At least 28 people, including three children, were injured when a guided bomb struck a high-rise building in Kharkiv, northeastern Ukraine. "The explosion caused a fire in a residential high-rise," explained Governor Oleh Syniehubov on Telegram. Infrastructure components of the city were also affected (see also entries from 09:46 and 07:03).
14:55 Moscow Issues Warning to Washington Over Sanctions against Russian State Broadcaster RTMoscow strongly condemns US sanctions against state-owned Russian TV channel RT and issues a threat in response. "The US government's actions will not go unanswered," says Maria Zakharova, spokeswoman for the Russian Foreign Ministry, according to the official website of the agency. Analysts interpret this comment as a warning to American journalists still operating in Russia. In March 2023, Russia arrested US correspondent Evan Gershkovich on charges of espionage. The Wall Street Journal journalist was detained for 16 months before being released as part of a swap. Both Gershkovich and the newspaper deny the charges. Zakharova accuses the US of censorship and an attack on press freedom. With its actions against RT, Washington has started "another wave of constraints against Russian media and journalists," she says. The US government had previously levied serious allegations against RT, accusing it of meddling in the sovereign affairs of countries around the world.
14:28 Iran's President Journeys to Russia for BRICS SummitIran is strengthening its partnership with Russia and will participate in the BRICS summit. President Massoud Peshkeian will travel to Kazan on the Volga, according to Russian media reports, citing the Iranian ambassador to Moscow, Kasem Jalali. Jalali also announced a bilateral meeting with Russian President Putin during the summit from October 22 to 24. A comprehensive cooperation agreement is planned. US Secretary of State Antony Blinken has accused the Islamic Republic of supplying Russia with missiles for use in Ukraine. Tehran denies this.
13:55 New Foreign Minister in Kyiv Warns: Don't Heed Putin's ThreatsUkraine's Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiha urges allies to disregard Russian President Vladimir Putin's threats. He explains that Putin's objective is to undermine support for Ukraine. "Instead, allies should bolster it," Sybiha writes on X. "Putin's threats don't work." He highlights that Putin has warned of unpredictable consequences on numerous occasions but never followed through. This was the case when the West started supplying weapons to Ukraine, when Finland and Sweden joined NATO, and when Ukraine received its first F-16 fighter jets, the minister adds. "When faced with resilience, Putin retreats and devises ways to explain it to his people."
13:30 "German Taurus stance viewed as stubbornness"The controversy surrounding the delivery of German Taurus cruise missiles to Ukraine continues to intensify, but Chancellor Scholz makes it clear that he will not approve the weapon. This stance is not well-received in Ukraine, as reported by ntv correspondent Kavita Sharma.
13:03 Governor: Couple Killed in Russian Missile Strike Near OdessaAt least two people were killed in a Russian missile strike on suburbs of the city of Odessa, Ukrainian authorities report. The couple was killed on Saturday evening, the regional governor informs. Another person was wounded. Preliminary findings suggest that a cluster munition warhead was used. The Ukrainian air force reports that two missiles hit the suburbs.
12:28 Ukraine: Bridge and Command Center Demolished
The Ukrainian military claims to have destroyed a bridge built by the Russians. The location of the bridge is not specified by the General Staff of the Army. In total, six enemy concentration areas were struck the previous day, either by air or artillery. Besides the bridge, an artillery system was also damaged. The Ukrainians also report a hit on a command and control center.
Thousands of combatants are engaged in hostilities in Ukraine against Russian forces, resulting in job vacancies, particularly in traditional male-dominated sectors. Consequently, women are becoming increasingly popular candidates, and many are receiving retraining. The ntv foreign report examines some of these women in the south of the country and near Kyiv.
11:25 Ischinger Advocates for loosening Weapon Restrictions for Ukraine
Former Munich Security Conference head Wolfgang Ischinger supports easing the constraints on Ukraine's deployment of Western weapons. "It would be simpler and clearer for everyone if we simply declared: We commit Ukraine to utilizing the weapon systems we supply solely within the framework compatible with international law," Ischinger told the "Süddeutsche Zeitung". This means that hospitals cannot be targeted, an activity the Russians have been engaged in consistently. Only military objectives such as airports or launch sites can be targeted – even on Russian territory, for instance, to halt assaults using guided bombs.
10:53 Prisoner Swap Rises Following Kursk Offensive
The increased exchange of POWs between Ukraine and Russia in recent weeks seems linked to the Ukrainian offensive in Kursk, according to analysts. This offensive started on August 6. Since then, there have been three exchanges involving a combined total of 267 prisoners from each side, as per the Institute for the Study of War (ISW) in its analysis. In contrast, between January 1 and August 6, prisoner swaps occurred three times – amounting to over 800 Ukrainian and Russian prisoners. Ukrainian authorities have reportedly stated that the incursion into Kursk has bolstered Ukraine's negotiating power in prisoner exchanges with Russia, after the Kremlin had repeatedly rejected Ukraine's efforts to negotiate a prisoner exchange.
10:16 Britons: Russians Progress on Eastern Front
Russian soldiers continue to advance along the eastern Ukrainian front, making incremental progress around Wuhledar and south of the logistics center Pokrovsk, according to the British Ministry of Defense. However, the Russians have not made significant progress towards Pokrovsk itself in the previous week.
09:46 Ukraine Reporting Drone and Missile Assaults
Ukraine's air force claims it was attacked by Russia with 14 drones during the night. Ten of them were knocked down by air defenses. A guided missile was also intercepted. Additionally, Russia is said to have launched two ballistic missiles. The air force fails to provide details on the outcome of the attacks or any potential casualties or damage. The authorities in the Charkiv region reported fires due to Russian shelling and damage to several buildings in the city of Charkiv.
09:10 Facial Recognition Payment Expanding in More Russian Subways: Human Rights Activist Warns of "Significant" RisksHuman rights advocates express concerns over Russia expanding a subway payment system utilizing facial recognition. Radio Free Europe / Radio Liberty, funded by the U.S., reports that the "Face Pay" method, available in Moscow for three years, is being introduced in six additional cities, including Kazan, where passengers can enroll for the system. To pay, they glance into a camera-equipped device at the turnstile, as reported by Russian media. Plans are also underway to offer the method in all Russian subways next year. The report notes that in Moscow, street surveillance cameras have been used to detain suspected participants in government-critical protests and journalists covering them. Lawyer Andrei Fedorkov, who works with the banned Russian human rights organization Memorial to support political prisoners, fears that "Face Pay" could also be used for this purpose, seeing "significant" risks in the payment system and believing it "could become another powerful tool for surveillance and control of citizens."
08:02 Russian Air Defense Downs 29 Drones Over TerritoryThe Russian air defense system has reportedly shot down 29 drones over several regions, as per the Ministry of Defense in Moscow. The drones were launched from Ukraine, with most intercepted over the Bryansk region, which shares a border with Ukraine.
07:31 Stegner Justifies Appearance at Anti-Weapons Delivery ProtestSPD foreign policy spokesman Ralf Stegner justifies his planned attendance at a protest where Sahra Wagenknecht, co-founder of the Left Party, will also speak. Stegner clarifies that he is not appearing with anyone and will express his views as a Social Democrat. He notes that there are other speakers whose opinions he does not share and various calls whose content he does not endorse. "As long as fascists, anti-Semites, and racists are excluded, I support freedom of speech." The "national demonstration for peace" on October 3 in Berlin was called by an initiative called "Never Again War - Lay Down Your Arms." The initiative demands negotiations for the immediate cessation of wars in Ukraine and the Gaza Strip, and "no weapons deliveries to Ukraine, Israel, and the rest of the world." The initiative also criticizes the course of the SPD-led federal government, which it claims is arming "more than ever before." Criticism of the demo came from SPD foreign policy spokesman Michael Roth, who said, "That Russia and Hamas are not branded as warmongers in any way is a disgrace." FDP MEP Marie-Agnes Strack-Zimmermann wrote about Stegner's planned appearance, "This is really harming your party and government." Read more about this here.
07:03 Kharkiv under Assault Once MoreThe Russian military bombarded Kharkiv once more during the night, as reported by Ukrainian authorities. The regional governor mentioned that a medical facility building was damaged, and a blaze erupted in an academic institution after it was struck by a rocket launcher. Fortunately, no casualties were reported. Kharkiv consistently endures some of the most frequent shelling and is located approximately 30 kilometers from the Russian border.
06:29 Russian Soldier Numbers in Kursk Appear to Have Increased Since OffensiveAccording to the Institute for the Study of War's analysis, the Ukrainian counteroffensive seems to be causing a bottleneck for Russian forces: As a result of this offensive, the Russian military command has been compelled to shift troops from Ukraine to the Kursk region and deploy freshly trained Russian forces to Kursk rather than to the Ukrainian frontline. Initially, there were estimated to be 11,000 Russian soldiers based in Kursk, while Ukrainian estimates now put the number of soldiers between 30,000 and 45,000.
05:11 Zelensky's Advisor: Ukraine Starts Producing 155-mm Artillery ShellsA Ukrainian authority informed the Kyiv Independent that Ukraine has begun manufacturing 155-mm artillery shells. Oleksandr Kamyshin, the previous Minister of Strategic Industries and now President Volodymyr Zelensky's external advisor, declared that the output of defense supplies had increased under his tenure and will triple by year's end. "We're not quitting," he said.
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03:04 Biden's Advisor: U.S. President to Support Ukraine Throughout Remaining TermAccording to Biden's national security advisor Jake Sullivan, the U.S. President will use his remaining term to help Ukraine secure the strongest possible position in its conflict with Russia. Sullivan stated at the Yalta European Strategy (YES) conference in Kyiv that Biden aims to place Ukraine in the greatest possible position to succeed in the next four months.
01:43 Alleged Call to Action by Former British Politicians for Ukraine to Use Long-Range Missiles Against RussiaFive former British defense ministers and former Prime Minister Boris Johnson are said to have urged Labour leader Keir Starmer to allow Ukraine to use long-range missiles in Russian territory, despite the absence of U.S. support. The Sunday Times reports that they warned the current Prime Minister that any further delay would simply embolden President Putin.
00:52 Ukraine's Intelligence Chief: North Korea Pose the Greatest Threat from Russia's AlliesUkrainian intelligence chief Kyrylo Budanov, speaking at the Yalta European Strategy (YES) conference in Kyiv, identified North Korea as posing the greatest threat to Ukraine among Russia's allies. Budanov claimed that North Korea's military support for Russia, including large ammunition shipments, was intensifying the fighting in Ukraine. North Korea's leader Kim Jong Un had announced plans to strengthen ties with Russia following their meeting with Russian Security Council Secretary Sergei Shoigu on Friday. Ukrainian intelligence is monitoring North Korea's weapon shipments to Russia and is concerned about their effect on the battlefield. "There's a direct link. They're providing vast amounts of artillery, which is alarming," Budanov added. Read more here.
23:21 Ukraine: Russia Predicted to Face Recruitment Issues from Mid-2025Ukrainian intelligence chief Kyrylo Budanov predicted that Russia may face recruitment difficulties starting halfway through the following year. By summer 2025, Budanov stated at a conference in Kyiv, the Moscow government will be forced to choose between declaring mobilization or scaling back military operations. This development could be significant for Russia. At the moment, there is no comment from the Russian government.
22:20 Scholz Labels Russian Attack on Ukraine as 'Absurd'German Chancellor Olaf Scholz accused Russian President Vladimir Putin, in his words, of recklessly gambling away Russia's future by attacking Ukraine. "The war is also absurd from Russia's perspective," Scholz said at a citizen dialogue in Prenzlau, Germany. Scholz claimed that Putin is sending hundreds of thousands of Russian soldiers to suffer heavy injuries and casualties while devastating Russia's economic ties with several countries worldwide. "And Ukraine will have a stronger army than it had before," Scholz added, expressing the intention of Germany to continue supporting Ukraine, both militarily and financially, to prevent it from collapse and to prevent a significant breach of international law in Europe. "Putin is jeopardizing Russia's future," Scholz concluded. A peaceful resolution can only be achieved if Russia acknowledges that Ukraine is not a vassal state.
22:01 Mixed Success for Ukrainian Troops in Kursk RegionUkrainian forces reportedly captured additional territory in their push into the western Russian region of Kursk, but Russian counterattacks resulted in Ukrainian forces withdrawing from certain areas, according to pro-government Ukrainian military sources. Ukrainian units allegedly seized three more settlements, but Russian counterattacks pushed back Ukrainian troops near the village of Snagost. A vast incursion into Ukrainian defense lines is evident in a Deep State map. These reports cannot yet be independently verified, but Ukrainian forces reportedly seized about 1,300 square kilometers and approximately 100 settlements, including the town of Sudzha, in early August, according to their own statements. This week marked the Russian military's first serious effort to expel Ukrainian forces.
21:41 USA: Delays in Aid to Ukraine Due to Complex LogisticsThe hold-ups in supplying American military aid to Ukraine are attributed to intricate logistics problems, as per the USA's assertion. Jake Sullivan, the White House's national security advisor, stated this while in Kyiv, Ukraine. He clarified that it's not an issue of political will but rather the complexity and difficulty involved in delivering the required materials to the front lines. During the Yalta European Strategy (YES) conference in Kyiv, Sullivan expressed this via video link, suggesting that America should do more and strive to improve in light of Ukraine's challenges. Biden aims to make the most of his remaining time in office to place Ukraine in a favorable position to overcome, asserts Sullivan. A meeting between Biden and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is scheduled at the UN General Assembly in New York later in September, as Sullivan announced.
20:57 Scholz Seeks Trials for Nord Stream Pipeline Saboteurs in GermanyOlaf Scholz labels the sabotage of the Nord Stream pipeline's pipes in the Baltic Sea as a "terrorist act." Scholz, the German Chancellor, intends to prosecute the perpetrators in German courts. During a citizen dialogue in Brandenburg's Prenzlau as an SPD MP, Scholz emphasized that all security authorities and the Federal Public Prosecutor must investigate the case without bias or interference. "Nothing will be hushed up," he declared. Scholz aims to bring those responsible to trial, if they can be apprehended, in a German court. Scholz also refuted rumors that the German government has abandoned Russian natural gas, stating that Russia cut off supply through the Nord Stream 1 pipeline. The subsequent price surge, the state-controlled gas prices, and the pursuit of alternative gas sources have cost Germany over 100 billion euros. The pipeline explosions occurred only after Russia had already ceased supplying Western Europe through the Baltic Sea. In August, the Federal Public Prosecutor issued an arrest warrant against a Ukrainian citizen for the sabotage act.
20:24 G7 Criticizes Iran for Providing Rockets to RussiaFollowing allegations of Iranian rocket supplies to Russia, the G7 economic powers condemn this delivery with strong words. Despite international calls for the supplies to cease, Iran persists in arming Russia, thereby escalating its military support for Russia's invasion of Ukraine, as declared in a joint statement by the foreign ministers of Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the UK, the US, and the EU's High Representative. Russia uses Iranian weapons to target Ukrainian civilians and critical infrastructure. Reports indicate that Russia has obtained ballistic missiles from Iran. Iran denies these allegations. The joint statement, published by Italy's G7 presidency, demands that Iran halt all support for Russia's illegal and unjustified war against Ukraine and cease delivering ballistic missiles, drones, and technology posing a threat to Ukraine and global and European security. The statement also vows to hold Iran accountable for its unacceptable support for Russia's illegal war in Ukraine, which undermines global security. Germany, France, and the UK have already imposed sanctions on Iran, while the EU is preparing stricter penalties. Learn more here.
19:41 Kremlin: Putin Supports Freedom of Speech and InformationRussia's President Vladimir Putin underlines the importance of freedom of speech and information. According to Putin, who addressed participants of the media summit of the BRICS countries in Moscow, this protection is critical during the evolving multipolar world. Putin said, "It's particularly important to protect the principles of information reliability at a time when the intricate process of multipolarity is developing." To ensure a fair world order, media plays an essential role in providing people with an "objective and unbiased picture of the world." However, in Russia's authoritarian regime, freedom of speech and media does not exist. Independent media have been banned and suppressed, and government opponents face persecution by the justice system. The Russian agency TASS, which has been operational since 1904 (first under different names), serves as the government's mouthpiece.
19:20 Scholz Rejects Future Delivery of Long-Range Precision Weapons to UkraineFederal Chancellor Olaf Scholz has ruled out supplying long-range precision weapons to Ukraine, even if other allies take such decisions. Scholz confirmed this decision during a citizens' dialogue in Prenzlau, Brandenburg, regarding the delivery of Taurus cruise missiles with a range capable of reaching Moscow from Ukraine (approximately 500 kilometers). "This is a no," Scholz stated. He also mentioned that Germany would not approve the deployment of other weapons with such reach. Scholz's statement reverses a position he expressed in July, when he hinted at the possible delivery of long-range weapons to Ukraine. You can review other developments here.
The European Union could play a significant role in condemning the Russian airstrike on Kharkiv, given its stance against unprovoked attacks on civilian areas.
In light of Volodymyr Zelensky's request for more weapons to counter Russian attacks, the European Union could expedite the delivery of defensive equipment to Ukraine to uphold its commitment to Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity.
