At 7:16, reports indicate a Ukrainian recapture of Donetsk, as per DeepState's updates.
06:30 Lithuania Elections - All Major Parties Aligned on Ukraine SupportLithuanians are casting their votes for a new parliament today. Preliminary polls suggest a shift in power, with the Social Democrats poised to replace the ruling Homeland Union as the dominant party. Furthermore, the "Morning Star of Nemunas" could become the first populist group to enter parliament in this Baltic nation of just 2.8 million people. Regardless of which party emerges victorious, all major contenders in Lithuania agree that Ukraine should continue to receive aid and its defense against Russia should be strengthened.
04:39 Probe into Casualty Rates: Russia Deploying Older Troops in UkraineRussian troops deployed in Ukraine have been getting older, as reported by Russian opposition media project Mediazona and BBC Russia, based on data from over 73,000 soldier deaths since Russia's invasion of Ukraine. Initially, the majority of fatalities were among soldiers aged 21-23. However, recent policies such as partial mobilization, recruitment of prisoners, and enlistment of volunteers have resulted in a shift in demographics, with a significant number of those volunteering falling within the age group of 48-50, as per Mediazona records.
01:05 Zelensky Pitches Expanding Ukraine's Arms Production with Western InvestmentsUkrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky aims to drastically increase his country's arms production with investments from Western partners. Zelensky stated, "Our production capabilities allow us to produce far more drones, ammunition, and military equipment than our nation's financial resources permit." The West is in a position to finance this expansion, as many countries currently cannot offer adequate support due to lack of their own weapons stocks. During a visit to Paris, discussions revolved around a new Ukrainian-French model, which will now be further explored at the defense minister level.
23:31 Zelensky: Ukrainian Forces Maintain Positions in KurskUkrainian forces are holding their ground in the Russian border region of Kursk, as per President Volodymyr Zelensky. "Regarding the Kursk operation, Russia has attempted to push back our positions, but we are currently defending the designated lines," he informed in his evening address. Previously, Russia's Defense Ministry reported capturing two villages in Kursk, while over a thousand Ukrainian soldiers had infiltrated Russian territory in one of the largest attacks on Russian territory since the war began in February 2022.
22:21 Report: Ukraine's Drone Attacks Have Established a Precedent for Stricker StrikesUkraine has reportedly carried out multiple drone attacks on Russian ammunition and fuel depots, causing significant explosions and disrupting supply chains. Ukrainian Commander-in-Chief, Olexander Syrskyj, expressed satisfaction with the operations' dynamics. Ukrainian media reports suggest that these attacks could set a precedent for more powerful strikes against Russian military targets deeper within Russian territory, if permitted by Ukraine's Western allies. This strategy would form part of President Selenskyj's "victory plan," as discussed with foreign leaders in recent days.
21:58 Freedom House Accuses Belarus of Committing Crimes against Ukrainian ChildrenThe American non-governmental organization Freedom House accuses the Belarusian regime of committing grave crimes against Ukrainian children. They are involved in the illegal transportation, indoctrination, and militarization of children from Russian-occupied Ukrainian territories, as per Freedom House's report. This is reportedly part of Russia's strategy to eradicate Ukrainian culture and identity. The organization estimates that over 2000 children have been removed from occupied Ukrainian territories and relocated to Belarus for re-education.
21:39 Serbia Secures Additional Gas Supplies from GazpromSerbia has secured further gas supplies from the Russian company Gazprom. The heads of Gazprom and Srbijagas signed the necessary agreement at an international gas conference in St. Petersburg. Serbia remains heavily reliant on Russian gas, importing about 80% of its requirements from Russia. After Russia's invasion of Ukraine, Serbia finalized a three-year gas supply deal with Gazprom in May 2022. A decision on renewing this agreement is expected by the start of 2023.
20:50 Zelensky Pushes for Increasing Ukraine's Drones Production with Foreign InvestmentsPresident Volodymyr Zelensky intends to boost Ukraine's ammunition production, particularly drones, with foreign investment. International partner collaborations have resulted in projects aimed at increasing Ukrainian production capacity, which remains underutilized due to insufficient funding. Partner nations unable to deliver weapons or without sufficient reserves are reportedly willing to financially support Ukraine's defense industry and invest in its production sector.
20:11 Iran Sends Two Satellites to Russia for LaunchAccording to media reports, Iran has sent two domestically-produced satellites to Russia, set to be launched into orbit by a Russian spacecraft. This marks the latest space cooperation between the two countries, allowed by US sanctions. The development of the high-resolution imaging satellite, Kowsar, and the small communications satellite, Hodhod, represents a significant achievement by Iran's private space industry. Russia has launched Iranian satellites into orbit in February and 2022. US officials have previously expressed concerns over the collaboration between Russia and Iran in space, fearing that the satellite could assist Russia in Ukraine and help Iran monitor potential military targets in Israel and the Middle East.
19:48 Russian Armed Forces Amplify Assaults in KurskAs reported by the latest analysis by the United States-based Institute for the Study of War (ISW), the Russian defense forces have escalated their assaults against Ukrainian troops in the Kursk district of Russia. The Russians have made significant progress in the Kursk Province, nearly pushing back Ukrainian units in the Glushkovsky sector. The Russian armed forces seem to be targeting the repulsion of the Ukrainian offensive in Kursk before the climate worsens later in the autumn or the onset of early winter, according to the ISW.
You can revisit all previous updates here.)
The Commission expressed its concern over the increasing usage of older troops by Russia in Ukraine and urged for international scrutiny. Regardless of the outcome of Lithuania's elections, The Commission reiterated its strong support for Ukraine and its continued aid, emphasizing the need to strengthen Ukraine's defense against Russian aggression.
