At 23:19, the BND is not obligated to disclose their evaluation regarding Ukraine to journalists.
BND Has No Obligation to Disclose Military Assessment of Ukraine's Victory
The Federal Intelligence Service (BND) is not required to reveal whether it deemed a military triumph for Ukraine as challenging or impossible in private discussions. The media participating in these private discussions are not obligated to be disclosed, as per a ruling by the Federal Administrative Court in Leipzig. The journalist's request for a temporary injunction was largely denied. However, the BND must disclose the number of confidential background discussions regarding the military situation in Ukraine this year. The journalist, an editor of a daily newspaper, filed the urgent application. The court cited a newspaper article from May as the reason, where a CDU politician was reported to have claimed that the BND was intentionally spreading a negative assessment of Ukraine's military situation to sway public opinion.
22:06 Coalition Politicians Support Use of Long-Range Weapons Against Russian Targets
Politicians from the traffic light coalition advocate for allowing Kyiv to target military sites in Russia with long-range Western missiles. SPD foreign policy spokesman Michael Roth tells T-Online that it's just and in accordance with international law to finally attack Russian military targets with long-range missiles. Roth mentions military airfields, command centers, or launch bases as potential Russian targets for long-range weapons. From these bases, "cruel attacks on civilian Ukrainian targets" are launched and can be effectively stopped there. The chairman of the defense committee, Marcus Faber of the FDP, states that the approval to strike Russian military airports with long-range weapons like ATACMS and Storm Shadow is long overdue. Green politician Anton Hofreiter emphasizes that Russia terrorizes the Ukrainian civilian population daily with rocket attacks on hospitals, residential buildings, and the energy supply. To protect the Ukrainian civilian population, the army must be allowed to attack Russian military bases with long-range weapons.
21:35 Vance Discusses Trump's Ukraine War Plans
Republican vice-presidential candidate J.D. Vance believes Donald Trump's plan to end the Russian war may involve establishing a demilitarized zone between Ukraine and Russia. Vance explains during an interview with TV producer Shawn Ryan that Trump could bring Russians, Ukrainians, and Europeans to the negotiating table to discover what a peaceful solution could look like. "I think he could reach a deal quickly," says Vance. Trump is known for his sympathetic view of Russian President Vladimir Putin and his criticism of US aid to Ukraine. The former president also claims he could end the war within 24 hours if elected, but does not provide details of his plan.
21:03 Nationalist Rally in St. Petersburg
"We are Russians. God is with us," shout numerous Russian nationalists and fascists marching through St. Petersburg. They constantly chant, "Forward, Russians!" Their march coincides with the anniversary of the transfer of the relics of Alexander Nevsky, who is celebrated as a national hero and saint of the Orthodox Church.
20:28 Solovyov's Expansionist IdeasPopular Russian TV host Vladimir Solovyov suggests Russia should not stop at the conquest of Ukraine. "I think the ideal barrier is the Atlantic. A natural barrier," said the Kremlin propagandist. "The perfect place for our troops - Berlin, Lisbon, Madrid. And how beautiful they looked in Paris." Reminded that there aren't many Russians, he replies, "The Belarusian brothers are with us." Otherwise, Russia could turn to China.
20:01 British Volunteers Prepare for WinterWindows are missing in many Ukrainian homes that have survived the bombardment - a worrying situation, approaching winter. The British NGO "Insulate Ukraine" is taking action: they travel to conflict zones and install temporary windows.
19:34 Miners Trapped in Donetsk Due to Power Outage150 miners are trapped in the Dobropillia mine due to a power outage caused by Russian attacks in the Donetsk region. This is reported by the "Kyiv Independent" and refers to Mychailo Volynets, the head of the Ukrainian miners' union. The city of Dobropillia, which had about 28,000 inhabitants before the war, lies approximately 20 kilometers north of Pokrovsk. This was a primary target for Russian troops in recent months. Russian attacks have disrupted the power supply of Dobropillia and nearby settlements, including coal mines. The power outage is causing the gassing and flooding of mines, according to the report. Union chief Volynets adds that the situation in the region remains "difficult".
19:08 Sweden Increases Civil Defense BudgetSweden aims to double its civil defense spending over the next three years to prepare for war. "The lessons from the Ukraine war show that it's essential to ensure the functioning of the key areas of society," the Swedish government said. Civil defense minister Carl-Oskar Bohlin states that Sweden will increase the civil defense budget by two billion crowns to a total of 8.5 billion crowns, equivalent to 740 million euros, this year. By 2028, a 15 billion crown annual budget is targeted. "The security situation remains serious and will remain so in the foreseeable future," said Bohlin.
18:39 Putin: NATO in Conflict with Russia if West Endorses Ukraine's Use of Long-Range WeaponsRussian President Vladimir Putin asserted that if the Western powers endorse Ukraine's utilization of long-range weapons against Russian targets, it would signify that NATO is in a state of conflict with Russia. Putin explained to a state TV reporter, "This would drastically alter the character of the conflict. It would imply that NATO nations are at war with Russia." If this decision is made, Putin added, "this would amount to nothing less than direct involvement of NATO countries in the Ukrainian war." In the past, Russian representatives have consistently maintained this stance. Whether it's tanks, airplanes, or missiles: since Russia commenced its attack on Ukraine, Moscow has issued numerous warnings about escalations, changes in the nature of the conflict, or even nuclear threats. Ukraine has been seeking Western approval to use foreign long-range weapons to strike targets inside Russia for some time now. For months, Russia has launched relentless attacks on Ukraine's infrastructure.
18:07 Zelensky Dismisses Chinese-Brazilian Peace Initiative as DetrimentalUkrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has dismissed a Chinese-Brazilian peace initiative. In an interview with Brazilian media outlet Metropoles, Zelensky characterized the proposal as "damaging, it's merely a political statement". He questioned, "Why propose 'this is our initiative' without even consulting us?" China and Brazil had called for an international peace conference in May. Zelensky inquired, "What is the intention behind this act?" Unlike Moscow, Kyiv was not consulted prior to the proposal.
17:40 Ukraine: Russian Missile Hits Grain ShipA Russian missile is reported to have struck a civilian ship carrying grain from Ukraine, according to Ukrainian sources. President Volodymyr Zelensky announced that the ship had departed from Ukrainian waters in the Black Sea at the time of the strike. Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiha condemned the attack as "a daring assault on the freedom of navigation and global food security". Zelensky confirmed that the ship was destined for Egypt and there were no casualties. A spokesperson for the Ukrainian navy stated that the grain ship was not in the Ukrainian grain corridor at the time of the strike, but was within Romania's maritime economic zone. A spokesperson for the Romanian navy clarified that the ship was not in Romanian territorial waters.
17:12 Chinese President to Visit Russia AgainChinese President Xi Jinping is set to visit Russia once more in October. Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi confirmed that Xi will attend the BRICS summit in the city of Kazan. Wang is currently in St. Petersburg to meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin. Both leaders lauded the relationship between China and Russia. Xi has "heartily accepted" Putin's invitation to the BRICS summit, Wang said. Putin affirmed that he and Xi would also discuss aspects of their relationship that are "progressing quite satisfactorily" during a private meeting.
16:50 US Prepared to "Adjust" Military Assistance for UkraineUS Secretary of State Antony Blinken has declared that the US is prepared to modify military assistance for Ukraine as required. When asked at a press conference in Warsaw if the US had given the go-ahead for Ukraine to target Russian territory with Western weapons, Blinken responded, "What we're doing is continuously doing exactly what we've been doing: We're adjusting, we're adapting, as necessary, including with regard to the capabilities that are available to Ukraine." Blinken stated that he had fruitful discussions with his British counterpart David Lammy in Kyiv on Wednesday and obtained information about how the Ukrainians are evaluating the battlefield and their needs. He added, "And if necessary, we will adjust."
16:35 New Role for NATO Chief StoltenbergNATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg is set to become the new chairman of the Munich Security Conference. The Norwegian will assume the position after the security conference in February 2025. Christoph Heusgen, who assumed the role in 2022 and was formerly a long-time foreign policy advisor to Chancellor Angela Merkel, will step down as chairman, while the long-standing former chairman Wolfgang Ischinger will remain president of the foundation's board of trustees. Stoltenberg will relinquish his post as NATO Secretary General in October to the former Dutch prime minister Mark Rutte.
16:11 Three Red Cross Workers Killed in UkraineAccording to Ukrainian reports, three Ukrainian Red Cross workers were killed in a Russian attack. The incident took place in a village in the disputed region of Donetsk, as per the Ukrainian prosecutor general's office, which detailed the incident on Telegram. Two other workers were hospitalized, one in critical condition. "Another Russian war crime. Today, the occupier attacked vehicles of the International Committee of the Red Cross's humanitarian mission in the Donetsk region," Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky wrote on Twitter. Ukrainian Human Rights Ombudsman Dmytro Lubinets appealed to the ICRC, "The @ICRC must officially acknowledge Russia's violation of the Geneva Conventions!"
15:18 Conflict in the Black Sea According to various sources, Ukraine and Russia are apparently engaged in a naval and aerial skirmish in the Black Sea. The Ukrainian military intelligence reported that a Russian Su-30 fighter jet was brought down by a portable air defense system during an operation at sea (as mentioned at 08:04). Details about the operation on Tuesday night were not disclosed in Kyiv. The Russian defense ministry, however, confirmed on Wednesday that an attempt by Ukraine to attack a Russian drilling platform in the Black Sea with high-speed boats was thwarted. Out of the 14 boats, 8 were hit and sunk, while the others retreated. There was no mention of a downed aircraft from Moscow. However, the military blog Rybar reported that a Su-30 was shot down while repelling the Ukrainian attack.
14:23 Zelensky: Russian Counteroffensive in Kursk Region As claimed by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, Russia initiated a counteroffensive in the Russian border region of Kursk. This is in line with Ukraine's strategic plans, Zelensky said at a press conference in Kyiv without providing additional information. According to the Russian Ministry of Defense, Russian forces liberated ten settlements in the Kursk region within two days.
13:55 Criticism of Russia Relations from Iran's Top Politician A prominent Iranian politician has criticized his country's relations with Russia due to recent sanctions and diplomatic tensions. In a post on the X platform, Ali Motahari, a former vice-president of the parliament, brought up the sanctions imposed by Germany, France, and Britain due to Iran's alleged supply of ballistic missiles to Russia. Iran's Ministry of Foreign Affairs denies these missile deliveries.
13:38 Water and Gas Supply Issues in Pokrovsk, Ukraine Following Russian attacks, the city of Pokrovsk in the Ukrainian region of Donetsk is experiencing water and gas supply problems. Many residents lack regular drinking water and gas for cooking and heating, according to the governor of the region, Vadym Filashkin. Recently, a water treatment plant was damaged in the fighting, and the city relies on more than 300 emergency wells for its water supply. Additonally, the Russians destroyed a gas distribution center yesterday, leaving 18,000 people in Pokrovsk without gas.
13:07 Russia Overstates Number of Warships A report by the independent Russian news portal "Agentstvo" suggests that Russia may have only half as many warships as claimed. The Russian Ministry of Defense reports that over 400 warships are participating in the large-scale military exercise "Ocean-2024." However, data from the projects "Global Naval Powers Ranking 2024" and "RussiaShips.info" indicate there are 264 and 299 warships, respectively, with around 50 ships and submarines belonging to the Black Sea Fleet, which is not participating in the exercise. Russia has previously been accused of exaggerating the size of its military forces.
12:28 Increased Russian Espionage Against Bundeswehr Russian intelligence services have reportedly intensified their espionage activities against German Ukraine aid and the Bundeswehr, according to the new annual report by the Military Counterintelligence Service (MAD). This strategic interest has shifted increasingly to the tactical level, focusing on military aid provided by Germany to Ukraine, routes of weapons and ammunition transports, deployment procedures, and tactics of Western weapons systems in Ukraine.
11:52 Delay in Decision on Long-Range Missiles for Ukraine A decision on the use of Western long-range missiles in Russia by Ukraine may be postponed until two weeks. A decision before the UN General Assembly on September 24, which will gather around 150 heads of state and government, is unlikely, according to the US medium Bloomberg. The authors refer to British Foreign Minister Lammy, who stated that the UN meeting will be the next opportunity to discuss the use of long-range missiles. According to the report, Ukrainian President Selenskyj plans to reiterate his demand at the meeting.
11:15 Blinken Transits Poland on Return from Kyiv US Secretary of State Blinken is expected to stop in Poland, an important ally of Ukraine, on his way back from Kyiv. Meetings with Prime Minister Tusk and President Duda are planned. Blinken is likely to discuss further cooperation with Poland, the main logistics hub for Western military support to Ukraine. Poland has also significantly increased its military spending since the Russian invasion of Ukraine and has ordered 96 Apache combat helicopters from US defense giant Boeing worth ten billion dollars.
10:03 Ukraine Records 64 Russian Drones, 5 Missiles in Overnight AttackThe Ukrainian air force reports an assault on Ukraine overnight by the Russian army, involving 5 missiles and 64 Iranian-origin combat drones. Around 44 drones were intercepted. However, the military reports are not extensively verifiable. Air defense was also active several times near Kyiv to shoot down approaching drones.
10:24 Russian Analyst Propounds Harder Nuclear Threat PostureRussian foreign policy expert Sergei Karaganov suggests that Russia should send a clear message of its readiness to utilize nuclear weapons. He believes the main goal of Russia's nuclear strategy should be to "convey to all current and prospective enemies that Russia is prepared to use nuclear weapons." Karaganov tells Russian newspaper "Kommersant" that Russia could execute a limited nuclear strike on a NATO country without triggering a full-scale nuclear war. The US would be dishonest if it asserted to guarantee nuclear protection for its allies. Karaganov has previously advocated for Russia to ponder a nuclear pre-emptive strike to deter adversaries. Some Western analysts believe Karaganov serves a beneficial role for the Kremlin by voicing views that alarm the West, making Putin appear more restrained in comparison.
09:58 Ukraine Anticipates US Approval for Western Long-Range MissilesIn Ukraine, anticipation is growing that they will soon be authorized to conduct strikes deeper into Russian territory using Western weapons. US Secretary of State indicated during his visit to Kyiv that he aims to ensure that "Ukraine has everything it needs". There are already evident signs of approval in Britain.
09:32 Ukrainian Intelligence Confirms Downing of Russian Fighter JetReports of a Russian Su-30SM fighter jet disappearing from radar have been confirmed by the Ukrainian military intelligence. They claim that Ukrainian troops downed such an aircraft during a Black Sea operation. The fighter jet, valued at $50 million, was stationed on the Crimean peninsula. It was reportedly destroyed by a portable air defense system.
08:58 Ukraine Reports Over a Dozen Injured in Massive Drone Strike on KonotopThe number of injured in the severe Russian drone attack on Konotop's energy infrastructure in the Sumy region has risen to 14. This is reported by the Ukrainian state news agency Ukrinform, citing the regional military administration. Among other things, a residential building in the city center was reportedly hit.
More details can be found here.
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07:44 Ukrainians in Germany Maintain Protected Status on Home VisitsThe German Bundestag will discuss the federal government's proposed security package today, which includes provisions for asylum seekers to lose their protected status if they travel to their home country. However, exceptions apply, such as to refugees from Ukraine.
06:48 Russian Channel Accuses Bias Against Trump in DebateSeveral commentators on Russian state television have accused "interference" against Trump in his debate with Kamala Harris, as reported by Kyiv Independent. Trump was allegedly disadvantaged. Criticism was leveled at the fact-checking of Trump's statements. Trump was reportedly deemed to have lost the debate by many observers. Trump has announced that he would immediately end the Ukraine conflict if he wins the election.
04:20 Russian Attack on Konotop Causes Severe Damage to Energy InfrastructureSeveral civilians were injured in a Russian attack on Konotop in the Sumy region. According to the mayor Artem Semenikhin, the water supply in the city was temporarily cut off. There is also extensive damage to the energy infrastructure, and it is unclear when private households will have electricity again. After the center city attack, there were several fires, school and residential buildings were damaged. Two people were taken to the hospital, one in critical condition.
02:38 Latvia Sends More Military Aid to UkraineLatvia's Prime Minister Evika Siliņa declares a package of military assistance for Ukraine during her visit to Kyiv. It will include armored personnel carriers. This was announced by the Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal after the meeting with Siliņa. According to Shmyhal, both countries are also discussing an expansion of cooperation in the defense industry.
12:16 UK Summons Iranian Businessman Over Suspected Rocket Supply to RussiaIn response to suspected Iranian rocket supplies to Russia, the UK has summoned an Iranian businessman, according to a statement from the Foreign Office in London. "The UK government has made it clear that any transfer of ballistic rockets to Russia would be considered a dangerous escalation and would result in a firm response," the statement said. On Tuesday, Germany, France, and the UK announced further sanctions against Tehran over the suspected rocket supplies, particularly the suspension of bilateral air transport agreements. The European Union had previously cited "credible information" about the supply of Iranian rockets to Russia.
10:00 Russia Deploys Inexperienced Soldiers at Kharkiv FrontAccording to reports from the Ukrainian military, Russia is deploying soldiers without combat experience at the Kharkiv front. According to Vitalii Sarantsev, spokesperson for the operational tactical group of the forces in Kharkiv, the units involved in the attack operations in Vovchansk are poorly trained: it is assumed that the newly arrived reinforcements are a mobilization reserve assembled by Russia. It is still unclear whether these are former prisoners or soldiers recruited from other countries, such as Central Asia, Africa, or the Middle East.
20:23 Mayor in Western Ukraine Appoints Russian-Speaking Inspectors
In the west Ukrainian city of Ivano-Frankivsk, the mayor has announced the commencement of patrols to scrutinize the escalating usage of the Russian language. This is a community-driven initiative, and anyone can join as a linguistic overseer, according to Mayor Ruslan Martsinkiv, speaking to NTA TV channel. Many displaced individuals from the eastern Ukraine, who hail from Russian-speaking regions, now reside in this city. Anticipating at least 100 such language monitors, Martsinkiv has already registered around 50 volunteers. A hotline has also been established for citizens to report Russian speakers in public spaces due to the ongoing conflict. The exodus of people, particularly from the Russian-speaking regions in the east and south, has resulted in millions seeking refuge in relatively safe Ukrainian-speaking western Ukraine.
21:42 Erdogan Calls for Crimea's Return from Russia to Ukraine
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has urged Russia to restore Crimea, annexed in 2014, to Ukraine. Invoking international law, Erdogan asserted, "Our commitment to Ukraine's territorial integrity, sovereignty, and independence remains firm. Returning Crimea to Ukraine is a demand prescribed by international law." This statement was made during the Crimea Platform summit, which Kyiv established to draw global attention to the plight of the annexed peninsula.
21:05 Report: Zelenskyy to Present Military Strategy to USA
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has accentuated America's significant role in helping Ukraine resist the Russian invasion. "The blueprint for victory (...) largely depends on America's support, as well as that of other allies," said Zelenskyy at a news conference in Kyiv. The strategy, set to be presented in detail before the second Ukraine Peace Conference, aims to reinforce Ukraine and force Russia to conclude the war. Bloomberg alleges that the USA is pressuring Zelenskyy for a definitive plan of action against Russia before lifting restrictions on weapon usage from the West. In Kyiv, US Secretary of State Blinken and British Foreign Secretary Lammy are reportedly seeking a long-term strategy from Zelenskyy for the upcoming year to better comprehend Ukraine's objectives.
20:37 Blinken Confirms Biden's Position on Ukraine's Weapon Supply
American Secretary of State Antony Blinken has affirmed that they are working diligently to meet Ukraine's military requirements, including the use of long-range weapons supplied by the West for attacks on Russian targets. A meeting between US President Joe Biden and UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer will discuss these demands, as per Blinken during a joint press conference with UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba, in Kyiv. "We're working expeditiously to ensure that Ukraine can defend itself effectively," Blinken stated, reiterating, "We desire Ukraine's victory."
You can explore the entire chronology of the Russo-Ukrainian War here.
The Commission may be consulted regarding the potential use of long-range weapons by Ukraine against Russian targets, as was the case with the British government.
The Commission, in its role as an advisory body, could provide insights on the legal and strategic implications of such a move.
