At 23:10, ex-US commander Hodges and other individuals urge Biden to take strong measures against Russia.
In an openly expressed appeal, numerous ex-military personnel and experts implore President Joe Biden to take decisive actions to bring an end to the conflict in support of Ukraine and prepare for possible threats from China. Notable names in this group include former US forces in Europe commander Ben Hodges and former NATO deputy commander German Army Lieutenant General Gert-Johannes Hagemann. They call for aggressive actions against Russia and a watchful eye on China. They propose the removal of restrictions on the employment of Western weaponry for attacking "military and logistical targets" on Russian territory. Additionally, they advocate for the delivery of 300 Abrams tanks and 1000 armored vehicles to Ukraine, as well as an extensive arms and technology embargo against Russia, China, Iran, North Korea, Belarus, and Azerbaijan. They also suggest the expansion of NATO beyond its current borders, including Japan, Australia, South Korea, the Philippines, and any other democratic nation expressing interest, such as Argentina.
23:45 Russian Security Services Inspect Overseas Journalists over Kursk IncidentThe Russian security agency, the FSB, is investigating three more foreign news correspondents due to their reporting in areas under Ukrainian control in the Russian border region of Kursk. Affected journalists include Kathryn Diss and Fletcher Yeung from the Australian broadcast network ABC News, as well as Romanian journalist Mircea Barbu. These individuals are accused of unlawfully crossing the Russian border, according to Russian news outlet RIA Novosti. The consequences for these journalists could potentially lead to a five-year prison sentence. However, it has been reported that none of these journalists are currently present in Russia. Several international media outlets, including Deutsche Welle (Germany), CNN (USA), and Rai (Italy), have shared reports from the occupied Ukrainian territories in Kursk.
20:35 White House Dismisses Allegations Against Zelenskyy as "Political Stunt"The White House refutes accusations from Republican lawmakers suggesting that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy illegally interfered in the US election campaign by visiting a weapons factory. Press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre calls these claims a "political stunt" and encourages the Republicans to "move on." The visit request was made by the Ukrainian delegation, which was granted and facilitated by the Department of Defense. "It's normal," says Jean-Pierre. Zelenskyy's tour of the factory in Pennsylvania, which produces urgently needed 155mm artillery shells for Ukraine, was attended by several Democrats, including Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro. The Republicans, in response, have launched an investigation, with the Speaker of the House of Representatives requesting that Zelenskyy "dismiss" the Ukrainian ambassador to the US.
20:09 China and Brazil Openly Criticize Russian Nuclear ThreatChina, Brazil, and several other countries have strongly warned against the use or the threat of using nuclear weapons against Ukraine. In a joint statement, they call for the elimination of any use or threat of nuclear, chemical, or biological weapons. Twelve countries convey their "serious concern" regarding the threat of "escalation" in Ukraine, urging that civilian infrastructure, including peaceful nuclear facilities, should not be targeted during military operations. The statement was issued in response to threats made by Russian President Vladimir Putin this week, indicating that Russia could potentially use nuclear weapons if there are severe air attacks on Russian territory, or if an attack is supported by a nuclear power, which would be considered a "joint" aggression. Zelenskyy had also accused Russia of aiming to attack Ukrainian nuclear reactors.
19:32 German Authorities Seize Illegal Russian TV Streaming ServiceDespite an EU-wide ban, a couple residing in Karlsruhe offered Russian TV channels through the internet. The suspects, aged 37 and 42, have been charged with providing several sanctioned Russian TV channels. The couple is believed to have earned around 120,000 euros from the service, which will likely be confiscated. Search warrants were executed, leading to the seizure of technical equipment, written evidence, and 40,000 euros in cash. The internet address used for accessing the illegal IP-TV service was also seized. The suspects are currently at large. Conviction would result in at least a year in prison.
19:06 Video Shared: "This Place Has Become a City of the Dead"The city of Pokrovsk in the Donetsk Oblast has suffered under intense Russian army attacks for several weeks. Most residents have left the city, while Ukrainian troops remain due to the strategic importance of military railway lines passing through the area.
18:51 Trump post-meet with Zelenskyj: "It's a puzzling predicament"Following a meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and US presidential candidate Donald Trump in New York, the Republican puts forth a cautiously optimistic stance on ending the ongoing war. "It's a puzzling predicament," he shares, "but we'll solve it." Trump reiterates his well-known stance that he offers a solution for the Ukraine conflict. Known for his opposition to US billion-dollar aid to Kyiv, if reelected, Trump could potentially overhaul the US Ukraine policy entirely. Trump has urged the leadership in Kyiv on multiple occasions to sign a deal with Russia and has heavily criticized Zelensky. Prior to the meeting, Trump expressed his appreciation for his relationship with both Zelensky and Russian President Putin.
17:56 More German job opportunities for Ukrainian refugeesThe employment landscape for Ukrainian refugees in Germany is growing increasingly prosperous. Over 8,500 Ukrainian citizens managed to secure employment or self-employment and began apprenticeships in September 2022 alone, as reported by Federal Minister of Labor Hubertus Heil (SPD). This figure represents a surge compared to September 2021, with more than double the tally of employed citizens. "These statistics prove that our initiative is bearing fruit," Heil acknowledges. The initiative provides refugees with job placements following their integration courses and gaining basic German language proficiency. As of July 2022, approximately 266,000 of the approximately 700,000 employed Ukrainian refugees of working age in Germany were employed; 213,000 were subject to social security contributions, and 53,000 were engaged in mini-jobs. Recognizing foreign professional qualifications remains a challenge, as per the German Employment Agency.
17:20 Russian forces seize more territories in DonbassThe eastern Ukrainian frontline is witnessing Russian military advances, with the reported capture of two more settlements in the Donbass region. Marynivka and Ukrajinka have reportedly been occupied, as per the Russian Defense Ministry. These claims remain unverified by the Ukrainian military command. The Ukrainian General Staff's morning report on Friday describes Marynivka as a battleground, while Ukrajinka has been marked as Russia-controlled for several days by Ukrainian military observers. Both locations lie within the Donetsk region, near the intermediary cities of Pokrovsk, Kurakhove, and Vuhledar. Russian troops have managed to gain ground in this region over the past few months, and the defending forces are grappling with a shortage of soldiers and resources.
16:43 Zelensky Sits Down with Trump in New York: "Shared Goal"During his visit to the US, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky meets with Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump for a talk in New York. Expressing shared views on ending the Ukraine conflict, Zelensky declares, "Our goal is to stop the war." Zelensky and the former president meet at the Trump Tower in Manhattan. Trump has long advocated for US billion-dollar aid to Ukraine but has urged the leadership in Kyiv to negotiate a deal with Russia. Critics argue that the former president is surrendering to Ukraine and mirrors Russian President Vladimir Putin's stance. The last meeting between the two individuals took place around 5 years ago. Zelensky met with US President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris in Washington on Thursday.
16:02 Kyiv Imposes Higher Taxes on Its Citizens due to War FundingUkrainian Finance Minister Serhiy Marchenko labels the tax hikes under discussion in parliament as a "compulsory action." With a proposed increase in a war levy from 1.5 to 5 percent, Kyiv expects to bring in around 1.2 billion euros in 2022, and almost 3 billion euros in 2023. "The economy will be impacted," admits Marchenko, but "other options are nearly depleted." Revenues from new domestic bonds would only suffice to pay off existing debts. Foreign financial aid is becoming increasingly uncertain. In the first quarter of 2022, Ukraine received only approximately 10% of the required financial aid, with the provisions being delayed by Republican obstruction in the US Congress. Despite this, Kyiv anticipates receiving over 37 billion euros in 2022 and 34.5 billion euros in 2023 from foreign sources. "However, the payments will not necessarily remain stable," warns Marchenko.
15:24 Norway Limits Ukrainian Refugee AsylumNorway will no longer automatically grant asylum to Ukrainian refugees. The Oslo administration will now review each case individually for Ukrainians arriving from the western part of the country. The western region, considered relatively safe by Norwegian authorities, will be subjected to an individual asylum review procedure. Following Russia's invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, Norwegian authorities provided Ukrainians with collective protection, and asylum was granted automatically to them. Since then, Norway has welcomed around 85,000 Ukrainian refugees, surpassing any other Nordic country. According to the Oslo government, the majority of these refugees arrived from the western region of Ukraine.
14:51 Russia Gears Up for Upcoming ConscriptionAs per the British military intelligence service, the next Russian conscription is scheduled for October 1. All combat-ready Russians under 30 are required to serve a year in the military. So far, conscripts have not been deployed in Ukraine but have been stationed in the Russian region of Kursk, aiming to drive out Ukrainian units. However, some families have voiced concerns that their sons have been sent into battle with less than four months of training. In accordance with Russian law, conscripts should only be dispatched to a conflict zone after completing four months of training and specialization.
14:22 Germany to Host Ukraine Support Meeting with BidenThe meeting of countries supporting Ukraine during US President Joe Biden's visit to Germany will take place on October 12 at the US Air Force base in Ramstein, Rhineland-Palatinate. This was announced by government spokesman Steffen Hebestreit. Germany intends to host the meeting of the so-called Contact Group for the Defense of Ukraine together with the USA. In this gathering, more than 50 states come together to coordinate support for Ukraine. It remains uncertain whether Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy will attend the meeting in person.
13:56 Lithuania Enters Talks to Acquire German Leopard 2 TanksLithuania is in negotiations to purchase Leopard 2 battle tanks for its newly forming division. The contract could be finalized in November after the National Security Council makes a decision, says Defense Minister Laurynas Kasciunas. He failed to mention the number of tanks or the specific tank variant. Lithuania, a NATO and EU country, shares borders with the Russian exclave of Kaliningrad and Russia's ally Belarus. The Ukrainian conflict is viewed as a threat to national security, prompting the Lithuanian government to heavily arm its army and establish a new military division, including a tank battalion. A permanent German Armed Forces mechanized brigade is also planned to be stationed in Lithuania.
13:20 Discord May Be Completely Blocked in RussiaThe communication platform Discord could potentially be banned in Russia in the near future. This claim was made by the Russian newspaper "Kommersant" and cited sources within Russia's gaming industry. The Russian media oversight body is considering this move due to alleged violations of local laws. No specific accusations have been leveled against Discord in the newspaper report. Russian users had reported issues with Discord earlier this month. Approximately 29 to 40 million active users in Russia use Discord, particularly popular among gamers, students, and cryptocurrency traders.
13:04 Biden's Aid Package to Ukraine Excludes Long-Range WeaponsUS President Biden has committed another billion-dollar aid package to Ukraine. However, America has yet to comply with Ukrainian President Selenskyy's request to lift restrictions on weapons supplied from the West for attacks deep into Russian territory. Political scientist Thomas Jäger explains the reasoning.
12:36 US Citizen Accused of 'Mercenary' Activities in RussiaRIA Novosti, the Russian state news agency, reported that a US citizen was charged on Friday with alleged "mercenary activities" in Russia. The US citizen, Stefan Hubbard from Michigan, has been living in Ukraine since 2014. No details were provided regarding the location and timing of his arrest. According to RIA Novosti, Hubbard appeared in a Moscow court, brought there by the military police.
12:01 Attacks on Kryvyj Rih and Dnipro in Southern and Central UkraineReports from the south and center of Ukraine indicate new attacks. A rocket hit a police station in Kryvyj Rih this morning, according to local authorities. A woman was found dead under the debris, and at least five others were injured. Rescue teams are still searching for survivors. Buildings in the residential area have been damaged. The Dnipropetrovsk Regional Prosecutor's Office published photos of the rocket strikes in Kryvyj Rih. Another attack took place in the city of Dnipro last night, striking an industrial facility. At least eight people were injured during Russian air strikes in the Kherson region, as reported by local authorities.
11:27 Possible Intrusion of NATO Airspace by Russian DroneA Russian drone may have briefly entered Romanian airspace last night, as reported by the Romanian Defense Ministry. It is believed that the drone "briefly crossed Romanian airspace for less than three minutes" in the border area. The drone reportedly participated in an attack on Izmail, Ukraine, early Friday morning. According to Ukrainian authorities, Izmail was targeted by a drone attack, claiming three lives and injuring more than a dozen people. The Ukrainian air force claims they shot down 24 of 32 Russian attack drones last night.
10:20 Intelligence Report: Severe Consequences Anticipated if Ukraine Utilizes Long-Range Missiles Against Russia according to a report from the "New York Times", US intelligence agencies foresee potential repercussions if Ukraine were to utilize Western long-range missiles to strike deep within Russian territory. Approval from the West for this action could lead to severe retaliation, such as potential lethal attacks on American and European military bases, sabotage, and arson of European facilities. The agencies also believe that Ukraine does not possess an adequate supply of long-range missiles to substantially alter the course of the war. This assessment, as per the "New York Times", might contribute to the complexity of the decision for US President Biden.
09:57 Munz Discusses New Putin Threat: Resource Export Restriction "Minimally Affects the West" Russia has threatened the US with consequences in response to giving approval to the use of long-range weapons against targets in Russia. President Putin is contemplating certain export restrictions on strategic resources, like uranium, as retaliation against the West. ntv reporter Munz explains the background and implications.
Read more here.
08:40 Ukrainian Navy Speculates about Russian Structure Near Crimea Bridge An unidentified Russian structure near the Crimea Bridge is perplexing the Ukrainian Navy. Dmytro Pletenchuk, Ukrainian Navy spokesman, states that the structure is under construction, as reported by "The Kyiv Independent" on Ukrainian television. Its purpose remains unclear. "It might be a defensive installation, it might be another crossing, but it's still premature to draw conclusions," Pletenchuk stated. He believes the Russians will not complete it due to the deteriorating weather conditions. "They keep trying to place something new in the Kerch Strait to construct various hydrotechnical structures or barriers, but after each storm, they end up on the shore." The bridge connects Russia to the Ukrainian peninsula of Crimea, which Russia annexed.
08:08 Ukrainian City Near Romania Attacked, Multiple Casualties The city of Ismajil in southern Ukraine was attacked. Three individuals were killed in the Russian drone attack this morning, according to the governor of the Odessa Oblast, Oleh Kiper. All victims were elderly, including a woman in her 90s. Eleven others, including a child, were injured. Kiper also reported damaged buildings and cars as well as several fires. The city of Ismajil is located on the border with Romania, with the northern mouth of the Danube River marking the border. Learn more here.
07:40 Roth Urges for More Military Aid to Ukraine to Facilitate Negotiations SPD foreign policy expert Michael Roth is advocating for increased European military aid to Ukraine. "Particularly, the larger European countries need to significantly enhance their military support to ensure that Ukraine remains a free and democratic nation," Roth told the "Tagesspiegel". "Now is the time to finally mobilize all resources to position Ukraine optimally for potential negotiations." The chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee in the Bundestag argues: "Anyone who wants to end the war quickly must equip Ukraine adequately." Military strength and diplomacy are two sides of the same coin. "Russia will only be receptive to negotiations if Putin is convinced that a victory over Ukraine is unattainable."
07:09 Baerbock Defends Western Arms Deliveries to Ukraine, Warns Against Waning Support Foreign Minister Baerbock defends Western arms deliveries to Ukraine and cautions against waning support for Kyiv. "The notion that there would be no fighting or deaths in Ukraine without defensive weapons is as simple as it is incorrect," Baerbock says Thursday in the UN General Assembly Debate in New York. "If Russia halts its attack, the war is over. If Ukraine ceases defending itself, it means the end of Ukraine." Russian President Putin responded to an invitation for a peace conference in June with a bombing of a children's hospital. As long as Putin is unwilling to engage in negotiations, ceasing our support would mean "that the hospitals in Ukraine and their children would be left defenseless. It would imply more war crimes, possibly also in other countries." Baerbock emphasizes that Russia has "persistently tested the inviolability of the borders of the Baltic states and Poland."
06:45 Slovenia: Long-Range Western Weapons for Kyiv Should Not Be Ruled Out Prematurely Slovenia's government advises against hasty decisions on utilizing long-range Western weapons on Russian territory due to German uncertainty. "It's not usually strategic to rule out certain topics prior to discussion," states Prime Minister Robert Golob on the sidelines of the UN General Debate in New York. "It's a difficult topic, but I believe all options should be explored and then the most suitable option for the current situation should be chosen," Golob replies to a question about the use of long-range cruise missiles. Germany and the USA have been particularly hesitant on this matter. Chancellor Olaf Scholz recently ruled out the provision of long-range precision weapons to Ukraine even in the future.
06:01 Trump Arranges Meeting with ZelenskyFormer US leader Donald Trump sets a meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on a Friday in New York. The discussion is scheduled to happen at Trump Tower in Manhattan, Trump reveals. Zelensky, who met with President Joe Biden the previous day, allegedly prolongs his stay in the US to meet Trump. Prior to visiting the US, Zelensky expressed interest in meeting Trump, Biden, and Vice President Kamala Harris to present his "victory plan" to put an end to the conflict in Ukraine. More details here.
04:25 Harris Assures Support to Zelensky, Implies Opposition to Trump Victory
Democratic presidential nominee Kamala Harris vows support to Ukrainian President Zelensky and indirectly hints at opposition to a Trump win. "My loyalty to the Ukrainian people remains steadfast. (...) I will consistently stand by Ukraine and work towards ensuring Ukraine triumphs in this war and lives in peace and prosperity," Harris reminds during Zelensky's visit to Washington. She warns that peace in Ukraine cannot be achieved without Ukrainian involvement. However, some within the US desire this, their goal being to force Ukraine to relinquish significant territories, accept neutrality, and abandon international safety guarantees from other nations. These suggestions mirror those of Kremlin leader Putin, indicating surrender.
02:08 Ukraine Reports Incidents in Kherson Region's Tomyna Balka
Russian troops allegedly shelled the Tomyna Balka settlement, located west of the Ukrainian-held city of Kherson, on Thursday, according to the region's governor, Prokrudin. A woman was reportedly killed, and another person sustained injuries in the attack, as documented on Telegram.
00:55 UK Provides More AS90 Artillery Systems to Ukrainian Forces
The UK will provide additional AS90 self-propelled artillery systems to the Ukrainian defense forces. Ten of these systems have already been delivered, with six more to be dispatched in the following weeks, as reported by the UK's Ministry of Defense.
23:33 UN Struggles to Finance Ukrainian Aid this Winter
The United Nations admits lacking the necessary funds to aid people in Ukraine during this winter season. "Our organizations' funding level is less than ideal for this period," mentions Karolina Lindholm Billing, the UNHCR's Ukraine coordinator. The UNHCR currently possesses only 47% of the required funds to assist the displaced or impacted Ukrainians due to the war. At this time last year, the UNHCR was 70% funded.
22:13 Biden Confirms Increased US Aid to Ukraine
President Joe Biden reveals plans to boost US aid to Ukraine until the end of his term. This move aims to strengthen Ukraine's negotiation position in Kyiv, Biden states before his meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in Washington. Biden's term ends in January, with potential successors including Vice President Kamala Harris or Republican Donald Trump, who might reduce US interaction with Ukraine.
21:34 Ukraine Warns of Intensified Russian Attacks in Saporizhzhia Region
Ukrainian intelligence suggests Russian troops are likely to escalate attacks in the Saporizhzhia region. "There's a heightened trend of escalation in the combat zone in the Saporizhzhia region," says a spokesperson from southern Ukraine's military forces. "Within the past 24 hours, there were five [Russian] attacks, but the frequency could rise as our data indicates the adversary is gathering strike forces near the [settlement] Pryiutne." The spokesperson also noted Russian servicemen received light armored vehicles, suggesting preparations for offensive operations.
21:00 Biden and Zelensky in Washington Meeting: Ukraine's Triumph, Not Russia's
At their meeting in Washington, US President Joe Biden reassured Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky of ongoing US support. "Ukraine will prevail, not Russia," Biden declared as he welcomed Zelensky to the Oval Office at the White House: "And we will stand with you every step of the way." More details here.
You can catch up on previous developments here.
here.
After the United States considers the appeals from former military personnel and experts to take decisive actions against Russia, it is crucial to consider the potential implications of this policy shift on international relations, particularly China.
Given the escalating tensions between Russia and Ukraine, it's worth noting that other nations, such as China and Brazil, have taken a strong stance against the use or threat of nuclear weapons in Ukraine. These countries, along with others, are urging the elimination of any use of such weapons and expressing serious concerns over potential escalations.
The global community should pay close attention to these concerns and work towards de-escalating the conflict in Ukraine, avoiding any actions that could potentially escalate tensions further and lead to unintended consequences.
