At 22:25, Ukraine offers aid to adjacent nations during flood situations
Ukraine Offers Swift Response Units to Aid Flood-Stricken Neighbors
Ukraine has dispatched its emergency response teams to aid Moldova, Poland, Romania, Slovakia, Hungary, and the Czech Republic in handling their flooding issues. Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha, appointed recently, announced on social media that he had extended this help at President Zelenskyy's command and in conjunction with Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal.
22:01 Zelenskyy Pleads for Allied Sanction to Target Russian Air Bases
Ukrainian President Zelenskyy reinforced his plea to Western allies to authorize Kyiv to utilize the weapons they've supplied for strikes on specific Russian targets. Following a Russian assault on a high-rise in Kharkiv, Zelenskyy remarked in a video message that the sole tactic to halt this "terror" involves Ukraine's capacity to directly attack Russian air bases.
21:02 Tragic Casualties in Kharkiv from Russian Air Strike
A Russian air strike on the eastern Ukrainian city of Kharkiv resulted in the death of one woman and wounded numerous civilians, according to official reports. President Zelenskyy shared on his Telegram channel that a residential high-rise was impacted. By nightfall, authorities reported one casualty and 42 injuries. Mayer Ihor Terechov disclosed that among the injured, several children were included. Rescue teams continued to work into the evening to extinguish the fire that erupted between the ninth and twelfth floors due to the bomb impact and to locate further victims. During the evening, they discovered a woman's body trapped beneath the rubble (see also entry from 20:36).
20:36 Mayoral Update on Kharkiv Casualties After Russian Attack
The number of injured following a Russian attack on second-largest Ukrainian city, Kharkiv, has escalated further. As per the mayor, a minimum of 41 individuals have sustained injuries. Previously, the injury count was revised upward (see entries from 17:54 and 15:25). A Russian guided bomb hit a multi-story residential building on Sunday afternoon, Mayor Ihor Terechov shared. The fire spread and engulfed four floors. Additionally, twelve other buildings were damaged.
20:11 Zelenskyy Outlines Victory Strategy for Washington
Ukrainian President Zelenskyy plans to reveal a victory strategy in Washington. In a conversation with renowned US journalist Fareed Zakaria, Zelenskyy pledged to discuss a victory plan in Washington soon. "I have organized four key elements," Zelenskyy said. These aspects relate to security, Ukraine's geopolitical position, military support, and economic support for Ukraine. The success of these aspects, Zelenskyy emphasized, depends solely on US President Joe Biden, not Russian President Vladimir Putin. Although a specific date for Zelenskyy's visit to Washington remains undetermined, a scheduling around the UN General Assembly at the end of September is expected.
19:49 Zelensky Again Laments Insufficient Weapon Stockpiles, Blames US CongressUkrainian President Zelenskyy expressed concerns over the deficiency of weapons to fully arm Ukrainian troops. "We require resources to outfit fourteen brigades, but with the supplied weapons, we can only outfit four," said Zelensky in an interview with a US journalist, parts of which were published on Telegram and in Ukrainian media. He attributed this shortage to delivery delays. During the time when US weapon deliveries were obstructed in the US Congress for months at the beginning of the year, Ukraine had already depleted all its reserves. "We utilized all the weapons we had in stores, both in depots and in reserve units," explains Zelensky. "We spent all the weapons we had." Currently, these reserve units need to be re-equipped, he emphasized. Zelensky has repeatedly underlined that promised military aid from allies occasionally arrives with significant delays, making the conduct of the war, particularly the defense of heavily contested regions in eastern Ukraine, more difficult.
19:03 Starmer and Maloney to Debate Permitting Ukrainian Use of Long-Range Weapons on Russian SoilBritish Prime Minister Keir Starmer and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni will discuss a proposal on Monday concerning permission for Ukraine to employ British Storm Shadow cruise missiles with extended range on Russian soil. This is reported by the US news portal Bloomberg, citing sources familiar with the situation. Starmer's visit to Rome comes a few days after his meeting with US President Joe Biden in Washington. To date, Biden has opposed such a move due to fears of intensifying the conflict. According to the report, British officials plan to engage in talks with their French and German counterparts in the coming days regarding the plan.
Kharkiv was the second-largest city in Ukraine before the aggression sanctioned by Putin, the leader of the Kremlin, with over a million residents. At the beginning of the conflict, Moscow tried to seize the city, located just about 30 kilometers from the border, but failed. Since then, Kharkiv has been one of the most bombarded cities in Ukraine. Russian troops have continuously attacked Kharkiv with artillery and rockets, and more recently with guided bombs, which are launched from aircraft while still within Russian territory.
16:56 Ukrainian Air Force Annihilates Russian Barracks in Kursk Strike
Based on official statements, the Ukrainian Air Force has reportedly targeted and annihilated a barracks utilized by the Russian military in the western Russian area of Kursk. The operation was said to be a retaliation for a Russian attack on a military academy in Poltava. The specific location of the building was not disclosed, and there were no immediate reports of casualties. A video allegedly captured by a drone was shared by the pro-Ukrainian Kherson group. The Russian side has yet to respond to the attack. The Ukrainian side's claims cannot be independently confirmed at this time. In the Russian assault on a building in Poltava, which was reportedly housing a communications school, 53 individuals perished, and 298 were injured. The Ukrainian military claims to have taken control of approximately 1300 square kilometers of Russian territory as part of its offensive in the Kursk region, which began in early August.
16:08 "Imperialist Autocrat": British Foreign Secretary Laughs Off Putin's Threats as Empty Words
In the context of discussions regarding easing restraints on Ukraine's deployment of Western weapons against Russian targets, British Foreign Secretary David Lammy has brushed off threats from Russian President Vladimir Putin. "There's a lot of chatter. That's his style. He threatens with tanks, he threats with missiles, he threatens with nuclear weapons," Lammy told the BBC. Despite Putin's threats, Lammy contends, "we should not be discouraged from our goals," and he labels Putin as an "imperialist autocrat." When asked if Putin is lying when he threatens a nuclear war, Lammy replies, "What Putin is doing is trying to cloud the situation. That's just empty talk."
15:25 At Least 28 Wounded in Kharkiv by Guided Bomb
At least 28 individuals, including three children, were injured when a guided bomb hit a high-rise building in Kharkiv, northeastern Ukraine. "The impact caused a fire in a residential high-rise," explained Governor Oleh Syniehubov on Telegram. Components of the city's infrastructure were also damaged (see also entries from 09:46 and 07:03).
14:55 Moscow Warns Washington Over Sanctions Against Russian State Broadcaster RTMoscow strongly condemns US sanctions against state-owned Russian television channel RT and threatens retaliatory measures. "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. Experts interpret this as a warning to American journalists still working in Russia. In March 2023, Russia arrested US reporter Evan Gershkovich on charges of espionage. The Wall Street Journal correspondent was held for 16 months before being released in a prisoner exchange. Both Gershkovich and the newspaper have continually denied the allegations. Zakharova accuses the US of censorship and an assault on press freedom. With its actions against the RT group, Washington has initiated "another wave of restrictions against Russian media and journalists," she claims. The US government had previously levied serious accusations against RT and charged the media group with interfering in the sovereign affairs of countries worldwide.
14:28 Iran's President to Visit Russia for BRICS SummitIran is tightening its relationship with Russia and will participate in the BRICS summit. President Massoud Peschkani is scheduled to 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 Advises: Don't Trust Putin's War WarningsUkraine's Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiha urges the international community not to be influenced by Russian President Vladimir Putin's warnings. He asserts that Putin's aim is to weaken support for Ukraine. "Instead, allies should bolster it," Sybiha writes on X. "Putin's threats don't work." He recalls that Putin has warned of unpredictable outcomes numerous times but has never followed through. This was the case when the West started providing weapons to Ukraine following the start of the war, when Finland and Sweden joined NATO, and when Ukraine received its first F-16 fighter jets, the minister continues. "When confronted with resilience, Putin retreats and finds ways to justify it to his people."
13:03 Governor: Duo Perishes in Rocket Assault in OdessaAt least two individuals met their demise and one sustained injuries due to a Russian rocket assault on Odessa's outskirts, as per Ukrainian sources. The couple lost their lives on Saturday night, as per the local governor's identification. Preliminary investigations hint at the usage of a prohibited munition containing cluster bombs. The Ukrainian air force conveys that two rockets hit the city outskirts.
12:28 Ukraine: Bridge and Command Center BombardedThe Ukrainian military claims to have destroyed a strategic railroad bridge constructed by the Russians. CSAT (General Staff of the Army) fails to specify the bridge's location. Yesterday, a total of six enemy assemblies were targeted, either by air or artillery strikes. Alongside the railroad bridge, an artillery system was annihilated. Reports of damage to a command and control center were also made.
11:58 Ukrainian Ladies Disarm Mines in FieldsWith hundreds of thousands of soldiers fighting against Russian forces in Ukraine, a labor scarcity has emerged in traditional male professions. Consequently, women are being recruited to fill the gap. Many are retraining, as depicted in several reports, such as one sponsored by ntv, which features women in the southeast of Ukraine and near Kyiv.
11:25 Ischinger Suggests Loosening Arms Limitations for UkraineWolfgang Ischinger, a former head of the Munich Security Conference, advocates for relaxing the restrictions on Ukraine's use of Western weapons. Ischinger believes that implementing this decision would make it clearer for everyone that Ukraine would utilize the weapons systems provided by the West exclusively within the confines of international law. This, in turn, would protect hospitals from attacks, a practice regularly engaged in by the Russians. Only military targets, such as airports and launch sites, would be permitted to be attacked. Even targets on Russian territory, such as launch sites for glide bombs, could be targeted to prevent hostile actions.
10:53 Prisoner Swaps Increase After Kursk OperationsRecent prisoner exchanges between Ukraine and Russia may be linked to Ukraine's offensive in Kursk, according to observers. This operation started on August 6. Since then, there have been three prisoner swaps, totaling 267 individuals from both sides. In comparison, only three exchanges took place between January 1 and August 6, with a combined total of approximately 800 prisoners. Ukrainian officials reported that the incursion into Kursk had bolstered Ukraine's bargaining power in negotiating prisoner swaps with Russia, after the Kremlin had consistently rejected Ukrainian attempts to negotiate an exchange.
10:16 Britons: Russian Troops Gain Ground on Eastern FrontRussian forces continue to gain ground in eastern Ukraine, slowly progressing in the vicinity of Wuhledar and southeast of Pokrowsk, according to intelligence from the British Ministry of Defense. Despite their advancement, Russian troops have not pushed significantly closer to Pokrowsk in the past week.
09:46 Ukraine Denounces Drone and Missile AttacksUkraine's air force alleges that it was assaulted by Russia with 14 drones overnight. Ten drones were shot down by air defenses, and one guided missile was intercepted. Additionally, two ballistic missiles were fired, but the air force did not provide updates on their whereabouts or any casualties or damages resulting from the attacks. In Charkiv, authorities reported fires due to Russian shelling, as well as damage to several buildings in the city of Charkiv.
09:10 Face Recognition Payments Expanding in More Russian Subways: Human Rights Advocate Warns of Potential HazardsHuman rights activists express concerns about the expansion of a subway payment system relying on face recognition in more Russian cities. Radio Free Europe / Radio Liberty, a US-funded organization, reports that "Face Pay," a service available in Moscow for three years, is now being introduced as an option in six more cities, including Kazan, where passengers can register for the system. To pay, passengers look into a camera-equipped device at the turnstile. Plans are in place to extend the method to all Russian subways by next year. The report highlights that in Moscow, surveillance cameras have previously been used to apprehend individuals involved in anti-government protests and journalists covering them. Andrei Fedorkov, a lawyer associated with the banned Russian human rights organization Memorial, emphasizes that "Face Pay" could potentially serve as an additional tool for monitoring and controlling citizens, attributing "significant risks" to this possibility.
07:31 Stegner Justifies Attending Anti-Weapons Delivery Protest with Sahra Wagenknecht SPD foreign policy expert Ralf Stegner justifies his planned participation at a protest where Sahra Wagenknecht, co-founder of the Left Party, is speaking. He emphasizes that he's attending independently and will present his views as a Social Democrat. He acknowledges there are other speakers whose beliefs he doesn't share, and certain appeals with content he doesn't endorse. As long as extremists, anti-Semites, and racists are excluded, he backs free speech. The protest, titled "Never Again War - Lay Down Your Weapons," is set for October 3 in Berlin. It advocates for immediate peace talks to end wars in Ukraine and Gaza, and halts in weapons deliveries to Ukraine, Israel, or elsewhere. The initiative also criticizes the SPD-led federal government for excessive arming. Criticism of the protest surfaced from SPD foreign policy expert Michael Roth, who said, "It's a disgrace that Russia and Hamas aren't labeled as warmongers in any way." FDP MEP Marie-Agnes Strack-Zimmermann voiced concerns over Stegner's planned appearance, stating, "This is seriously damaging to one's own party and government." Read more about this here.
07:03 Kharkiv Under Siege AgainUkrainian authorities declare that Kharkiv was attacked by Russian forces overnight. The regional governor reveals a building on a hospital campus was damaged, and a fire erupted at an educational institution after being struck by a rocket launcher. However, no injuries were reported. Kharkiv, a heavily shelled city, lies only about 30 kilometers from the Russian border.
06:29 Ukrainian Offensive Increasingly Ties Russian PersonnelThe Ukrainian counteroffensive is reportedly binding more personnel on the Russian side, according to Institute for the Study of War assessment. The offensive has forced the Russian military leadership to redeploy units from Ukraine to the Kursk region and deploy newly formed troops from Russia in Kursk instead of at the front in Ukraine. Originally, 11,000 Russian soldiers were stationed in Kursk, but now, Ukrainian estimates suggest 30,000 to 45,000 soldiers are there.
05:11 Zelensky Advisor: Ukraine Begins Production of 155-mm Artillery ShellsA Ukrainian official told the Kyiv Independent that Ukraine has started manufacturing 155-mm artillery shells. Oleksandr Kamyshin, an external advisor to President Volodymyr Zelensky, confirmed that defense production in Ukraine has doubled under his leadership and will triple by the end of the year.
03:04 Biden Advisor: President to Boost Ukraine's Position in Conflict with RussiaJoe Biden's national security adviser, Jake Sullivan, disclosed that the U.S. President plans to utilize his remaining term to help Ukraine assume a stronger position in its conflict with Russia. Speaking at the Yalta European Strategy (YES) conference in Kyiv, Sullivan highlighted Biden's desire to put Ukraine in the best possible position to succeed in the next four months.
01:43 Former British Politicians Urge Labour Leader to Allow Ukraine to Use Long-Range MissilesFive former British defense ministers and Boris Johnson, the former Prime Minister, reportedly urged Labour leader Keir Starmer to permit Ukraine to employ long-range missiles on Russian territory, without the need for U.S. support. The Sunday Times reports they warned Starmer that further delays would merely encourage President Putin.
00:52 Ukrainian Intelligence Chief: North Korea is Primary Threat from Russia's AlliesUkrainian intelligence chief Kyrylo Budanov stated that North Korea poses the greatest threat among Russia's allies during a conference in Kyiv. He noted that North Korea's military backing for Russia, including substantial supplies of ammunition, contributes significantly to the intensity of the combat. Budanov also noted that they monitor weapons deliveries from Pyongyang to Moscow and can observe their impact on the battlefield.
23:21 Ukraine Forecasts Recruitment Challenges for Russia by Mid-2025
According to Ukraine's evaluation, Russia may face recruitment challenges starting mid-next year. By summer 2025, Moscow will be confronted with a predicament, says Ukrainian intelligence chief Kyrylo Budanov at a conference in Kyiv - either to declare conscription or to scale back the hostilities in some way. This could mark a turning point for Russia. Moscow has yet to comment on this.
22:20 Scholz: Russian Attack on Ukraine is 'foolhardy'
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz criticizes Russian President Vladimir Putin for jeopardizing Russia's future through his attack on Ukraine. "The attack is foolhardy from Russia's perspective," he states at a citizen dialogue as an SPD member of the German Bundestag in Brandenburg's Prenzlau. For his imperialistic ambitions, Putin is dispatching hundreds of thousands of Russian soldiers to face substantial casualties and death, and damaging Russia's economic relations with numerous countries worldwide. "And Ukraine will have a more powerful army than before," Scholz adds. Germany will continue to support Ukraine militarily to prevent its collapse and to ensure that blatant law violations in Europe cannot succeed. "Putin is destroying Russia's future." A peaceful resolution can only be achieved if Russia acknowledges that Ukraine is not a vassal state.
Ukrainian forces make strides in the western Russian region of Kursk, capturing an additional three settlements per reports from pro-government Ukrainian military channel Deep State. However, Russian counterattacks push Ukrainian troops back around the village of Snagost, resulting in a notable penetration into Ukrainian defensive lines. These claims are yet to be independently verified. In early August, Ukrainian troops reached the Russian border region near Kursk, seizing around 1,300 square kilometers and approximately 100 settlements, including the town of Sudzha. Observations suggest limited territorial gains. Russian forces initiated their first significant pushback effort this week, with the objective of expelling Ukrainian troops.
21:41 USA: Aid Delays in Ukraine Due to Logistical Challenges
Delays in US military aid to Ukraine are attributed to "challenging logistics," as stated by the US. According to Jake Sullivan, National Security Advisor at the White House, in Kyiv, the holdup is not a result of insufficient political will but rather the intricacies of delivering aid to the front lines. The US recognizes that it must "do more and be better" in assisting Ukraine in its challenges, as announced by Sullivan. Biden is resolved to use the remainder of his presidency to strengthen Ukraine's position for success. Biden and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy are set to meet at the UN General Assembly in New York later this month.
20:57 Scholz: German Trials for Pipeline Saboteurs
The sabotage of the Nord Stream pipeline's pipes in the Baltic Sea is labeled as "terrorist act" by Chancellor Olaf Scholz. Scholz pledges to bring the culprits to a German court if they are apprehended. He asserts that all security agencies and the Federal Public Prosecutor will be instructed to investigate without prejudice. He further rebuts the misconception that the German government has abandoned Russian natural gas consumption, acknowledging that it was Russia that halted gas supplies via the Nord Stream 1 pipeline. The resultant price surge, price caps, and pursuit of additional gas sources have incurred Germany over 100 billion euros in expenses. The explosions on the pipeline transpired after Russia had already ceased shipping gas to Western Europe through the Baltic Sea. This month, the Federal Public Prosecutor issued a first arrest warrant against a Ukrainian citizen in connection with the sabotage.
20:24 G7 Denounce Iranian Rocket Supplies to Russia
Following reports of Iranian rocket deliveries to Russia, the G7 economic powers denounce the weapon shipments strongly. Despite global demands to halt the transfers, Iran persists in furnishing Moscow with armaments, fuelling Russia's military engagement in Ukraine, according to a joint statement by the foreign ministers of Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the UK, the US, and the EU's High Representative. Russia deploys Iranian weapons to kill Ukrainian civilians and attack critical infrastructure. Recently, the UK and the US reported that Russia obtained ballistic missiles from Iran. The Iranian government refutes these allegations. "Iran must promptly halt any backing for Russia's illegal and unjustified war against Ukraine and cease the delivery of ballistic missiles, drones, and related technology that pose a direct danger to the Ukrainian people and global and European security," the statement disseminated by Italy's G7 presidency asserts. "We remain steadfast in our determination 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 against Iran, and the EU is also considering harsher penalties. Read more here.
19:41 Putin Supports Freedom of Speech and Information
In a speech to the BRICS media summit in Moscow commemorating TASS's 120th anniversary, President Vladimir Putin emphasizes the importance of promoting freedom of speech and disseminating reliable information. "True freedom of speech, which encompasses divergent perspectives, facilitates the discovery of compromises and the achievement of shared solutions for world issues," Putin remarks. Media plays an essential role in forging a fair and impartial portrayal of the world, contributing to a just world order. In reality, Russia lacks freedom of speech and media, as the government suppresses media outlets that challenge the government's narrative or persecutes opposition figures through the legal system. TASS, the Russian agency, has been in operation since 1904, altering names and functions throughout its history, and is widely considered the government's mouthpiece.
19:20 Scholz Stands Firm on No to Supplying Taurus MissilesGermany's Federal Chancellor Olaf Scholz has reaffirmed his stance against furnishing long-range precision weapons to Ukraine, disregarding any decisions made by alliance companions. In a public engagement in the Brandenburg town of Prenzlau, he restated his objection to delivering Taurus cruise missiles, capable of reaching from Ukraine to Moscow (approximately 500 kilometers), due to the risk of "significant escalation." "I've said no to that," Scholz stated, "And this also applies to other weapons that could reach that far." He added, "This situation remains the same. Even if other countries take a different approach" (see entry from 17:24). The farthest weapon Germany has supplied to Ukraine is the Mars II rocket launcher, capable of striking targets 84 kilometers away.
here.
You can catch up on previous developments here.)
The Commission, led by Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha, announced its involvement in offering swift response units to aid flood-stricken neighboring countries, a decision made at President Zelenskyy's command.
Following recent developments, it is of utmost importance for The Commission to intensify its efforts to secure much-needed weapons for Ukraine to fully arm its troops and effectively counter Russian aggression.
