At eight in the evening, German military aircraft react to Russian aerial activity in the Baltic Sea.
Today, German fighter jets were dispatched to monitor Russian planes. A Tu-142 Bear reconnaissance aircraft, accompanied by an unaccounted-for Su-30, was spotted by the German military on location X. The Eurofighters, on alert in Laage and Lielvarde, Lithuania, intervened to escort the Russian jets. Such incidents involving Russian aircraft have recurred frequently in recent months.
19:32 Osatschuk Discusses Potential Arms Release: "Essential to Ending the Conflict"Ukraine has been advocating for long-range missiles to be deployed against Russia's mainland for some time. The UK and the US are currently considering this option. Colonel Osatschuk shares his perspective on why Ukraine could benefit from this action in the ongoing war:
19:06 Zelensky Suggests Inviting Russia to Peace Talks in Switzerland - The Final Decision Lies with RussiaAccording to Ukrainian President Zelensky, Russia will be invited to a peace summit in Switzerland this November. This information was reported, among others, by "Le Monde". Both Kyiv and Western allies have consistently backed Russian participation in the past. However, it remains uncertain whether Russia will accept the invitation. High-level officials have repeatedly rejected such a proposition. Furthermore, Russia persists in demanding the fulfillment of all its war goals in Ukraine or imposing unacceptable negotiating terms that would amount to Ukraine's submission.
18:40 Lange Questions Kremlin Threats: "Shouldn't Overreact to Putin's Statements"After the potential delivery of long-range weapons to Ukraine, Putin warns the West. Security expert Lange deems "the usual psychological tactics" to be at play in these statements. However, he is taken aback by the recent interpretation of Putin's statements by the Federal Chancellor:
18:07 EU Contemplates New Sanctions against Iran - Following Reports of Missile TransfersIn light of rumors of Iranian missile shipments to Russia, the 27 EU member states are contemplating new sanctions against Tehran. "The European Union has unambiguously warned Iran against transferring ballistic missiles to Russia," as stated in a press release. The transfer is a direct threat to security and constitutes a significant escalation. The reaction will be swift and comprehensive, including restrictions for Iran's aviation sector. The Foreign Office stated that Germany is currently actively consulting with its EU and international partners on implementing new sanctions, including the possibility of a flight or landing ban.
17:25 Former Russian Foreign Minister Kosyrev Warns West of Further Russian Aggression - "Goal: Humiliate and Discredit the US and NATO"Former Russian Foreign Minister Andrei Kosyrev cautions the West of potential further Russian aggression. "If supported in Ukraine, Putin, convinced of NATO's weakness and cowardice, will strike at Baltic NATO states before receiving any guarantees from NATO," Kosyrev asserts, sharing his belief that Putin's objective is neither territory nor all, but rather the humiliation and disgrace of the US and NATO.
17:04 Coalition Politicians Press for Delivery of Long-Range Weapons to Ukraine
Coalition party politicians are advocating for Ukraine's use of long-range weapons to strike targets within Russian territory. "We must empower Ukraine, together with other European nations, the UK, and the US, to destroy military objectives on Russian territory," asserts FDP politician Marie-Agnes Strack-Zimmermann, according to "Der Spiegel". She continues, "This also involves Germany providing the Taurus. After all, the Taurus was specifically designed to disable military installations before they can launch heavy assaults." Green politician Toni Hofreiter shares a similar view. "The employment of long-range weapons for combating Russian launch sites is indispensable for the long-term restoration of damaged energy facilities."
16:35 Intense Fighting in Kurachove - Ukraine Reports Severe AttacksRussian forces are reportedly intensifying their assaults in eastern Ukraine near the disputed city of Kurachove, with the heaviest conflicts this month taking place, according to the Ukrainian government. Additionally, Russian forces are making their way towards Pokrovsk, a vital railway hub around 33 kilometers north of Kurachove, to open new fronts, disrupt Ukrainian logistics, and ultimately seize control of the eastern Donetsk region. The Ukrainian armed forces have repelled 64 attacks near Kurachove and 36 near Pokrovsk in the previous 24 hours, according to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. He praises his troops for maintaining their positions in Pokrovsk and Kurachove, acknowledging them as the two most challenging sectors in the eastern conflict zone.
15:56 Ukrainian Attacks 1,900 km from Border? Russian Region Closes AirspaceAuthorities in the northern Russian region of Murmansk have suspended all flights in and out of its airports due to concerns over potential Ukrainian drone attacks, according to Governor Andrei Chibis. The region is approximately 1,900 kilometers from the Ukrainian border. The Federal Air Transport Agency, Rosaviatsiya, has temporarily halted takeoffs and landings at Murmansk and Apatity airports due to security reasons. The Murmansk region is home to the Northern Fleet and an airbase from which strategic bombers are launched towards Ukraine.
The United Kingdom's Ministry of Defence has revealed details of the reported Iranian missiles provided to Russia. These missiles are short-range ballistic weapons of the Fath-360 type, also known as the BM-120. First introduced in 2020, these missiles can carry a 150 kg warhead up to 120 km and have an alleged accuracy of 30 meters. The report suggests that this will enhance Russia's ability to deliver precise strikes against Ukrainian military or civilian infrastructure near the front.
14:45 It appears Poland has yet to offer financial support for the Czech artillery projectAs per media reports from Gazeta Wyborcza, Poland has not provided any funding for the Czech artillery initiative, a collaborative effort funded by several Western partners to supply ammunition worldwide for Ukraine. Germany is reportedly the main and quickest financer. According to the plan, Ukraine will receive 100,000 shells this month, and the goal is to amass a total of 500,000 shells by the end of 2024, with additional supplies in 2025. Meanwhile, Russia is reportedly causing difficulties in the market, as per sources in Prague.
14:20 Pistorius believes the use of long-range weapons against Russian targets could be legally justified under international lawGerman Defense Minister Pistorius believes that the potential approval of long-range weapons for Ukraine to attack Russian targets may be legally permissible under international law. He emphasizes that it is for the United States and Britain to decide, given the weapons they have supplied. In response to Putin's warnings that NATO would then be at war with Russia, Pistorius states: "Putin's threats are Putin's threats. There isn't much more to be said about that. He makes threats whenever he wishes and acts whenever he thinks it's right."
13:57 Zelenskyy announces the return of 49 prisoners of war from RussiaUkrainian President Zelenskyy announces the homecoming of 49 prisoners of war from Russia, including former fighters from the Mariupol steel plant Azovstal, which was encircled by the Russian army during the spring of 2022. "49 Ukrainians have returned home," the president explains, sharing photos of soldiers and servicewomen wrapped in Ukrainian flags. These returnees are reportedly members of the army, national guard, national police, border guard, and civilians. According to Ukrainian media, 23 of the 49 are women. The president does not initially specify whether the return is the result of a prisoner exchange with Russia.
13:46 Tusk downplays Putin's threats regarding long-range weapons against Russian targetsPolish Prime Minister Donald Tusk is unconcerned about Putin's latest threats regarding long-range weapons against Russian targets. While he acknowledges the importance of events in Ukraine and on the Ukrainian-Russian front, he adds that "I would not overemphasize the recent statements by President Putin." These statements, he suggests, illustrate the challenges facing the Russian military on the front. Putin previously warned that the West would be at war with Russia if it allowed Ukraine to attack Russian territory with long-range rockets produced in the West.
13:21 Dong Jun of China advocates for peace negotiations as the sole solution to conflicts like UkraineChinese Defense Minister Dong Jun emphasizes negotiation as the only means to resolve conflicts similar to those in Ukraine and the Gaza Strip at an international security forum in Beijing. He asserts that "Promoting peace and negotiations is the only way to resolve the crisis in Ukraine and the Israeli-Palestinian conflict."
12:58 Kazakhstan oil imports are highlighted in Scholz's Central Asia tripThe German government is looking to increase oil imports from Kazakhstan. "We welcome the potential expansion of oil supplies from Kazakhstan," a government representative noted ahead of Chancellor Olaf Scholz's trip to Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan beginning on Sunday. The goal is to provide alternative oil sources for the PCK refinery in Schwedt, with additional oil from Kazakhstan being one of the options. However, other options are necessary, considering that Kazakh oil relies on Russian pipelines to reach Germany, giving Moscow leverage. Following Russia's attack on Ukraine, Germany suspended imports of Russian oil. Scholz's visit will also focus on gas supplies from Central Asia. In response to requests for new gas-fired power plant tenders, it's clear: "We need to secure gas from someplace, and Central Asia is rich in that regard," the representative stated.
12:26 France summons the Iranian ambassador due to reported missile deliveries to RussiaFrance has summoned the Iranian diplomatic representative to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Paris. The reason for this summoning is the reported delivery of ballistic missiles to Russia. US Secretary of State Antony Blinken recently stated that Russia had received missiles from Iran, which are expected to be deployed in Ukraine in the coming weeks. Iran denies these claims.
12:03 The Pentagon views Russia's counteroffensive in Kursk as insignificantThe Pentagon claims that Russia's counteroffensive in Kursk is only marginally successful. "We've noticed Russian units attempting some sort of counteroffensive in the Kursk region," Pentagon spokesperson Pat Ryder said Thursday. "At present, I would say it's marginal, but of course, we're keeping a close eye on it." The Russian Ministry of Defense asserts that its soldiers have retaken ten settlements. This has not been independently verified. The Ukrainian army initiated the offensive in the Russian border region of Kursk around five weeks ago, claiming to have capturing approximately 100 Russian villages and nearly 1,300 square kilometers since then.
11:38 Drone Strikes Still Causing Damage Despite Multiple Interceptions Despite intercepting 24 out of 26 drones overnight, Ukraine's air force reports damage. In the Odessa region, a single individual sustained injuries, and 20 residences were damaged. Drone debris sparked a fire at a food processing plant in the Mykolaiv region. The energy infrastructure in the Ivano-Frankivsk region also suffered damage, as per the Ministry of Energy's account.
11:16 Shoigu Meets with Kim in Friendly Pyongyang Discussions The Russian Security Council Secretary, Sergei Shoigu, held talks with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un in Pyongyang. These discussions transpired in a "distinctively trusting and amicable atmosphere," as per the Russian Security Council's statement. The conversations are anticipated to significantly contribute to implementing the defense agreement covered in the June pact between Kim and Vladimir Putin, the Kremlin chief. The agreement stipulates mutual aid in response to aggression against either party, as per Putin. Western forces accuse Moscow of utilizing North Korean rockets and artillery shells in Ukraine. To sustain its offensive in Ukraine, Russia reportedly seeks to source more ammunition by reaching out to nations such as China, Iran, and North Korea.
10:46 NATO Accused of Waging War against Russia by Parliament Chief The chairman of the Russian parliament, Vyacheslav Volodin, accuses NATO of actively participating in the conflict in Ukraine. He suggests that NATO is directing attacks against Russian cities, coordinating military deployments with the Ukrainian army, and providing orders to the Kyiv government through these means.
10:17 Low Importance Attributed to Putin's War Threat by Western Analyst Apprehensions exist within the West that backing Ukraine in launching long-range strikes upon Russian territory could escalate the conflict further. Precisely this was the subject of another Putin warning. Rainer Munz, an ntv correspondent, presents several reasons for discrediting the weight behind Putin's assertions.
09:42 Critical Health Condition of Imprisoned Belarusian Opposition Leader The imprisoned Belarusian opposition leader, Maria Kolesnikova, is reportedly in critical condition by her sister. She has endured poor living conditions for four years and now weighs only 45 kg at a height of 1.75 meters, as indicated by Tatiana Chomitsh, who garnered her information from former prisoners. "I believe this represents a critical juncture, as the human body cannot endure such conditions for an extended period," Chomitsh claims. She accuses the Belarusian authorities of inflicting psychological and physical torture upon her sister. The Belarusian Interior Ministry fails to respond to inquiries regarding Kolesnikova's detention conditions. Kolesnikova, who has served an 11-year prison sentence for alleged power-grab conspiracy plans, is a symbol of resistance since the protests against Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko in 2020.
09:20 Bilateral Agreement Signed for Deployment of Lithuanian Brigade Germany and Lithuania have officially ratified an agreement to establish the specifics of a combat-ready brigade's deployment in the Baltic NATO country of Lithuania. Defense Minister Boris Pistorius and his Lithuanian counterpart Laurynas Kasciunas pen the agreement in Berlin. This agreement extends the NATO Status of Forces Agreement, clarifying the legal status of German soldiers and civilians in Lithuania to ensure legal certainty. It covers matters such as residency rights, tax legislation, educational institutions, public health monitoring, vehicle traffic, and public safety. By these means, it sets the legal foundation for the establishment of German schools and kindergartens in Lithuania. The brigade's enlistment is estimated to occur by 2027.
08:56 Expulsion of British Diplomats by Russia Over Espionage Charges Russia has expelled six British diplomats, alleging espionage. The FSB secret service claims to have unearthed incriminating documents indicating that the London Foreign Office orchestrates political and military escalation against Russia. The British Foreign Office denies these allegations, labeling them "baseless." Russia's retaliation follows Western responses that followed alleged Russian "actions in Europe and the United Kingdom."
08:31 Warning Issued by Kremlin against NATO Involvement in Ukraine Ukrainian President Zelensky has persistently urged NATO to consider deploying long-range missiles against Russian military targets. The US and UK are reportedly deliberating on this possibility. Russia swiftly responds, with Putin issuing a stern warning to the Western alliance.
08:03 Offer Extended by Russia to Share Intel on Western Weapons Russia extends an offer to its allies, sharing its insights gained from combating Western weapons. Russian Deputy Defense Minister Alexander Fomin made these remarks at a security conference in China. He claimed that Russia has accumulated vast knowledge on countering various Western armaments, as reported by the Russian news agency RIA. Fomin also mentioned that the evolution of modern warfare has led to the development of weapons capable of combating Western arms.
07:05 Rabbi Moshe Azman Grieves Lost Adopted Son in Ukraine WarUkraine's main rabbi, Moshe Azman, is mourning his adopted son's demise, Anton Samborsky, who perished in the Russian conflict. Held in Kyiv on Thursday, a memorial ceremony highlighted the presence of soldiers, veterans, and fellow attendees. News broke out about Samborsky's disappearance towards the end of July, and his passing was subsequently confirmed several weeks later. His newborn daughter joined him as a father just weeks prior to being enlisted. Rabbi Azman last scheduled a call with his son on July 17.
06:29 Japan Summons Russian Military Aircraft ApproachJapan mobilized fighter jets on Thursday following two Russian aircraft circling around its airspace. The Tu-142s aircraft, originating from the sea, flew towards Okinawa in the southern region, but the Defense Ministry confirmed that they didn't infringe on Japanese airspace. As a response, Japan deployed its Air Self-Defense Force. The Tu-142s eventually ended their journey in the north, traversing the disputed Kuril Islands territory between Japan and Russia. This week, Russian and Chinese warships commenced joint exercises in the Sea of Japan, part of a large-scale naval drill. This event marks the latest in a series of Russian military aircraft encounters surrounding Japan, while the previous occurrence took place in 2019.
06:07 Moscow Claims US Pursues Containment Policy Against Russia and ChinaDeputy Russian Defense Minister Alexander Fomin alleges at a security conference in China that the US follows a containment policy against Russia and China. The Russian news agency Tass reported the information. In the agency's view, Fomin declares that Moscow and Beijing support the formation of a fair, multi-polar world order based on equal opportunities and mutual respect, while the West engineers conflicts in Asia by establishing new security pacts within the region.
05:27 Ukraine Accuses Russia of Attacking Civic FreighterThe Ukrainian Navy discloses new facts about alleged Russian airstrikes against a civilian freighter in the Black Sea. According to the sources, a Tu-22 bomber likely deployed a Ch-22 anti-ship missile at the freighter. The freighter, under the flag of St. Kitts and Nevis, sailed outside Ukrainian territorial waters and transported wheat to Egypt. According to BBC reports, the freighter was within Romania's exclusive economic zone, and a less powerful Ch-31 missile, used for radar suppression, was used instead.
03:19 Unexpected Trooper Fatal Shooting at Demarcation Line in MoldovaMoldovian trooper perished in unclear circumstances while performing duties at the demarcation line with the separatist Transnistria region. The Moldovan Ministry of Defense clarified that the trooper sustained fatal wounds from his own weapon while carrying out his duties at his post. Police and forensic experts are now investigating the unfortunate incident. Since the 1992 conflict following the Soviet Union's crash, Moldovan soldiers, Transnistria separatists, and Russian troops have been stationed at the demarcation line. Incidents like this are exceptionally rare.
02:18 UK Leader Rejects Putin's War Claims, Underscores Ukraine's Right to Self-DefenseUK Prime Minister Keir Starmer denies Russian President Putin's statement attributing NATO's role in the War. "Ukraine has the right to defend itself," asserts Starmer, and the UK completely supports that right. Training opportunities are provided in this context. However, Starmer underscores the UK's intention to avoid conflict with Russia. Further details here.
01:09 Taylor Piaces Higher Expectations on Harris's Ukraine SupportFormer US Ambassador to Ukraine, William B. Taylor anticipates that Kamala Harris will offer more dynamic support for Ukraine than Biden if she becomes president. Harris has demonstrated a more assertive approach in specific areas, according to Taylor, who addressed an event at the American University in Kyiv. Biden has proven more cautious with HIMARS, Abrams, F-16 fighter jets, and allowing Ukraine to strike deep into Russia. Taylor foresees a more robust approach from Harris, in part due to the prospect of a new foreign policy team in the White House.
00:27 Zelensky Praises Estonia's Military AidUkrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky greets Estonian President Alar Karis in Kyiv, recognizing their military aid. Estonia has vowed to allocate 0.25% of its annual GDP to Ukraine's defense needs, reportedly. While in Kyiv, Zelensky also discussed the nation's reconstruction and EU aspirations with Karis. Meanwhile, Latvia's Prime Minister, Evika Siliņa, declared additional support during a meeting with Zelensky.
23:19 BND Not Required to Disclose Analysis on Ukraine to JournalistThe German Intelligence Service (BND) is not obligated to disclose to a journalist whether it described a military victory for Ukraine as challenging or impossible in private discussions, as ruled by the Administrative Court in Leipzig. The BND is also not required to disclose which media outlets were part of these private discussions, at least for now. However, the BND must provide details on the number of confidential individual background discussions on the military situation in Ukraine this year. The journalist's request for a temporary injunction was largely denied. The court's decision was based on a newspaper article from May, which reported that a CDU politician alleged that the BND intentionally presented a negative assessment of the military situation in Ukraine to influence public opinion.
22:06 Coalition Politicians Advocate for Use of Long-Range Weapons Against Russia
Politicians from the traffic light coalition support allowing Kyiv to target military sites in Russia with long-range weapons. "It's the right thing to do and it's also in accordance with international law to finally attack military targets in Russia with long-range Western missiles," says SPD foreign policy expert Michael Roth to T-Online. Roth mentions military airfields, command centers, or launch sites as potential targets in Russia for these long-range weapons. From these bases, "the treacherous attacks on civilian Ukrainian targets are launched," and these attacks can be most effectively stopped there. The chairman of the defense committee, Marcus Faber of the FDP, states that the approval to "destroy Russian military airports with long-range weapons like ATACMS and Storm Shadow is long overdue." Green politician Anton Hofreiter stresses that "Russia terrorizes the Ukrainian civilian population daily with rocket attacks on hospitals, residential buildings, and the energy supply." To effectively protect the Ukrainian civilian population, the army must be allowed to hit military bases on Russian territory with long-range weapons.
21:35 Vance Comments on Trump's Ukraine Ideas
According to Republican vice-presidential candidate J.D. Vance, Donald Trump's plan to end the Russian war could involve establishing a demilitarized zone between Ukraine and Russia. As Vance explains in an interview with television producer Shawn Ryan, Trump could bring Russians, Ukrainians, and Europeans to the negotiating table to "discover what a peaceful solution might look like." "I think he could strike a deal quickly," Vance says. Trump is known for his open sympathy for Russian President Vladimir Putin and his frequent criticism of US aid to Ukraine. The former president also claims he could end the war within 24 hours if elected, but he does not provide details of his plan.
21:03 "We are Russians. God is with us" - Fascist Rally in St. Petersburg
They can't be challenged or contradicted: "We are Russians. God is with us," chant numerous Russian nationalists and fascists during their march through St. Petersburg. And repeatedly, they shout: "Forward, Russians!" The occasion for their march is 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 Kremlin Propagandist: "The Ideal Barrier is the Atlantic"
Popular Russian television host Vladimir Solovyov believes Russia should not limit itself to conquering Ukraine. "I think the ideal barrier is the Atlantic. A natural barrier," says the Kremlin propagandist. "The ideal location for our troops - Berlin, Lisbon, Madrid. And how attractive they look in Paris." When reminded by a discussion participant that there aren't that many Russians, he says, "The Belarusian brothers are with us." Otherwise, one could also turn to China.
20:01 British Volunteers Prepare for WinterMany Ukrainian homes that have so far managed to withstand shelling lack windows, a disastrous situation on the eve of winter. The British NGO "Insulate Ukraine" is addressing this issue by traveling to conflict zones and installing temporary windows.
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Read all previous developments here.
In response to the potential deployment of long-range missiles by Ukraine, the European Union may need to reevaluate its stance towards Russia.
Given the escalating tensions between Russia and Ukraine, it is crucial for the European Union to consider the potential implications of its actions on The European Union's relationship with Russia.
