Beijing views negotiations as the sole avenue for resolving the Ukraine conflict.
12:58 Oil and Gas Play Significant Role in Scholz's Central Asia Journey
The German administration aims to boost oil imports from Kazakhstan. A government representative expressed, "We're open to the possibility of expanding oil supplies from Kazakhstan." Before Chancellor Olaf Scholz's voyage to Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan, beginning on Sunday, this statement was made. The goal is to offer various options for the PCK refinery in Schwedt, such as increased oil imports from Kazakhstan. However, additional alternatives are necessary due to Kazakh oil being transported through Russian pipelines to Germany, giving Moscow leverage. After Russia's invasion of Ukraine, Germany stopped sourcing Russian oil. Scholz's trip will also focus on obtaining gas supplies from Central Asia. As new gas power plants are being tendered, an official stated, "We need to get gas from somewhere, and Central Asia is quite abundant in that resource."
12:26 France Issues Summons to Iranian Diplomat
France has summoned the Iranian diplomat assigned to the French Foreign Ministry in Paris. Diplomatic sources indicated that the provision of ballistic missiles to Russia was the reason for the summons. US Secretary of State Antony Blinken had earlier mentioned that Russia had received missiles from Iran, which were anticipated to be deployed in Ukraine in the near future. Iran has since denied these claims.
12:03 Pentagon Views Russian Counteroffensive in Kursk as 'Less Impactful'
The Pentagon is dismissive of Russia's counteroffensive in Kursk. "We've noticed Russian units attempting a counteroffensive in the Kursk region," Pentagon spokesperson Pat Ryder stated on Thursday. "At present, I would characterize it as marginal, but we continually monitor the situation." The Russian Ministry of Defense claims that its troops have recaptured ten settlements. This claim, however, has not been independently confirmed. The Ukrainian army initiated the offensive in the Russian border region of Kursk around five weeks ago, asserting that it had seized about 100 Russian villages and nearly 1,300 square kilometers since then.
11:38 Despite Many Interceptions: Drone Attacks Cause Damage
The Ukrainian air force claims to have shot down 24 out of 26 drones overnight. In the Odessa region, one person was injured, and 20 houses were damaged, while in the Mykolajiw region, drone debris ignited a fire at a food processing plant, as per regional authorities. The Ministry of Energy reports damage to the energy infrastructure in the Iwano-Frankiwsk region.
11:16 Kim Meets with Shoigu in PyongyangThe Russian Security Council Secretary, Sergei Shoigu, met with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un in Pyongyang. The meetings took place in a "trusting and friendly atmosphere," as stated by the Russian Security Council. The conversation will have a substantial impact on the implementation of the defense pact signed by Kim and Kremlin head Vladimir Putin in June. According to Putin, the pact provides for "mutual assistance in the event of aggression against either party." The West alleges that Moscow is utilizing North Korean rockets and artillery shells in Ukraine. To advance its offensive in Ukraine, Russia necessitates additional ammunition. Consequently, Russia is approaching countries such as China, Iran, and North Korea.
10:46 Russian Parliamentary Leader: NATO Directs War Against Our CountryThe Chairman of the Russian Parliament, Vyacheslav Volodin, accuses NATO of instigating the fighting in Ukraine. "They are waging war against our country," Volodin wrote on Telegram. He suggests that NATO is aiding Ukraine in selecting Russian cities for attacks, coordinating military deployments with the Ukrainian army, and providing instructions to the Ukrainian government.
10:17 Munz on Putin's War Threat to NATO: "Putin's Statement Doesn't Even Make the Morning News"There are concerns in the West that allowing Ukraine to launch long-range attacks on Russian territory could provoke escalation. Indeed, Russian President Vladimir Putin has once again made such a threat. However, ntv correspondent Rainer Munz contends that Putin's warnings may lack substance.
09:42 Family: Opposition Leader in Belarus in Critical ConditionImprisoned Belarusian opposition leader Maria Kolesnikova is in a critical state, according to her sister. She has been held under harsh conditions for four years, now weighing only 45 kg at 1.75 meters tall, Tatyana Khomitsa reveals, citing information from former prisoners. "I believe this is a critical moment, as no one can survive such conditions for long." She accuses the authorities of mistreating her sister both psychologically and physically. The Belarusian Interior Ministry does not respond to a request regarding Kolesnikova's detention conditions. The 42-year-old, who has been a symbol of resistance since the protests against Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko in 2020, is serving an 11-year prison sentence for allegedly plotting a coup.
09:20 Agreement on Lithuanian Brigade's Stationing SignedGermany and Lithuania have signed an agreement regulating the deployment of a combat-ready brigade in Lithuania, a Baltic NATO member nation. Defense Minister Boris Pistorius and his Lithuanian counterpart Laurynas Kasciunas signed the agreement in Berlin. The agreement supplements the NATO Status of Forces Agreement, providing legal clarity on the status of German soldiers and civilian employees in Lithuania. The agreement aims to provide legal certainty, regulating residential rights, tax law, the school system, public health supervision, road traffic, and public safety. For instance, it establishes the legal basis for setting up German schools and kindergartens in Lithuania. The brigade is expected to be operational by 2027. Read more here.
08:56 Russia Expels British Diplomats
Russia has kicked out six British diplomats due to alleged spying activities. The FSB claims to have evidence showing that the British Foreign Office is organizing political and military escalation. Russia's Foreign Ministry accuses the British embassy of intentionally harming the Russian people, as per the Tass news agency. The British Foreign Office denies these accusations as baseless. This move by Russia is reportedly a reaction to actions taken by the UK, which were triggered by Russian activities in Europe and the UK, according to the BBC.
08:31 Approval of Weapons Could Lead to NATO's Involvement for Putin
Ukrainian President Selenskyj has been advocating for the authorization of long-range missiles against Russian military targets for some time now. The US and UK are now discussing this matter. Putin quickly retaliates with a warning to the West.
08:03 Russia Offers to Teach Western Weapons Techniques
Russia is offering to share its knowledge on how to combat Western weapons with its allies. Russian Deputy Defense Minister Alexander Fomin mentioned this at a security conference in China. They claim to have unique insights on this matter, as per the Russian news agency RIA. Russia is willing to share this knowledge with its partners, Fomin said. The conflicts have led to a form of modern warfare, he added, and Russian weapons are capable of neutralizing Western weapons.
07:34 Domestic Security Agency Announces Arrests: Men Started Fires in Kyiv for Russia
Five men have been arrested for setting fires in Kyiv on behalf of a Russian intelligence agency, according to Ukraine's domestic security agency. The men are accused of torching five military vehicles and distributing leaflets to discredit the military. According to the domestic security agency, the men had traveled to Kyiv from different parts of Ukraine seeking employment, and were approached by Russian agents via Telegram looking for quick money. The men also documented their actions on their phones to receive the promised payment, but never received it.
07:05 Chief Rabbi of Ukraine Grieves over Son's Death in War
The chief rabbi of Ukraine, Moshe Azman, is mourning the loss of his adopted son, who was killed during the Russian invasion. Soldiers, veterans, and others attended a funeral service in Kyiv to pay their respects to Anton Samborsky. The 32-year-old was reported missing at the end of July, and his death was confirmed after several weeks of uncertainty. Samborsky became a father to a daughter in May, Rabbi Azman wrote on social media. He adopted Samborsky as a 10-year-old orphan. The last time he spoke to his son was on July 17.
06:29 Japan Describes Encounter with Russian Fighter Jets
Japan dispatched fighter jets on Thursday after two Russian airplanes came close to the Japanese island country. The Russian planes did not enter Japanese airspace, the Defense Ministry explained. For several hours, the planes, which were reportedly Tu-142s, flew near the southern region of Okinawa, it was reported. In response, Japan's Air Self-Defense Force was sent out as an emergency measure, the ministry said. The Russian planes eventually flew away to the north. The ministry also reported that they had crossed the Kuriles, an area that is the subject of a territorial dispute between Japan and Russia. Earlier this week, Russian and Chinese warships began joint exercises in the Sea of Japan. The exercises are part of a large-scale naval exercise. Previously, Russian military aircraft had circled over Japan in 2019. Read more about this here.
06:07 Moscow: USA Engages in Containment Policy Against Russia and China
Russian Deputy Defense Minister Alexander Fomin stated at a security conference in China that the USA is implementing a containment policy against Russia and China. This was reported by the Russian news agency Tass. Fomin reportedly said that Moscow and Beijing support the creation of a fair, multipolar world order based on equality and mutual respect, while the West is preparing for wars in Asia by forming new security blocs in the region.
05:27 Ukraine: Civilian Freighter Hit by Anti-Ship Missile
The Ukrainian Navy reported new details about a Russian air strike on a civilian freighter in the Black Sea. According to them, a Tu-22 bomber likely fired a Ch-22 anti-ship missile at the ship. The freighter, registering under the Caribbean nation of St. Kitts and Nevis, was en route from the Ukrainian port of Chornomorsk to Egypt with a load of wheat. According to a BBC report, the freighter was in Romania's exclusive economic zone at the time. It was also reported that a Ch-31 missile, used for radar jamming, was used instead of a Ch-22, which has significantly less explosive power than the Ch-22 cruise missiles designed to target aircraft carriers.
03:19 Tragedy at Border Divide: Moldovan Soldier PerishesA Moldovan soldier met an unfortunate end under questionable circumstances while performing his duties at the border divide with the separatist region of Transnistria. The Ministry of Defense of the Republic of Moldova confirmed that the soldier was fatally wounded by a shot from his own firearm during his shift at his post. Authorities, including police and forensic experts, are now investigating the incident. Soldiers from both Moldova and Transnistria, alongside Russian troops, are stationed at this border divide, which has been a hotspot since the conflict erupted following the demise of the Soviet Union in 1992. Moldova remains committed to incorporating Transnistria back into its territory. Incidents at this border divide are notably uncommon.
02:18 UK PM: "We're Not Poking Bear Russia"
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer denies Russian President Putin's assertion that Western nations' provision of sophisticated weaponry for Ukraine's defense equates to NATO involvement. "Ukraine has the right to defend itself," Starmer proclaimed. The UK fully supports this right, even offering training opportunities in this context. "However, we are not looking to instigate a conflict with Russia -- that's not our goal," Starmer stressed. Dive further into this topic here.
01:09 Ex-US Ambassador to Kyiv: Harris Might "Forcefully" Back Ukraine
Former US Ambassador to Ukraine, William B. Taylor, believes Democratic presidential candidate Kamala Harris would display a more "assertive" stance towards Ukraine if elected than current incumbent Biden. She has previously exhibited such support in certain areas, as Taylor pointed out during an event at the American University in Kyiv. Biden, on the other hand, has moved at a slower pace on some decisions, such as those concerning HIMARS, Abrams tanks, and F-16 fighter jets. Furthermore, he remains cautious about allowing Ukraine to conduct attacks deep into Russian territory. Taylor forecasts a more "forceful" approach from Harris, in part due to a predicted shift in the White House's foreign policy team.
00:27 Zelensky Honors Estonia for Military Aid
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky welcomed Estonian President Alar Karis to Kyiv, expressing gratitude for the Baltic EU and NATO member's military aid. Estonia has promised to allocate 0.25% of its annual GDP towards Ukraine's defense needs. The meeting also covered reconstruction projects and Ukraine's EU aspirations. Moreover, Latvian Prime Minister Evika Siliņa pledged further assistance during a meeting with Zelensky.
23:19 BND Need Not Share Opinion on Ukraine with Journalist
The Federal Intelligence Service (BND) is under no obligation to inform a journalist whether they classified a Ukrainian military success as challenging or impossible in private discussions. The BND is also not required to reveal which media outlets took part in these private discussions. However, the BND is expected to disclose the total number of confidential individual background discussions focusing on the military situation in Ukraine that occurred this year. The journalist's request for a temporary injunction was predominantly rejected. The court's decision was largely based on a newspaper article published in May, which quoted a CDU politician accusing the BND of negatively influencing public opinion via deliberate misinformation regarding the military situation in Ukraine.
22:06 Politicians Endorse U.S. Long-Range Weapon Use Against Russia
Members of Germany's coalition government advocate for permitting Ukraine to utilize long-range weapons against Russian targets. According to SPD foreign policy expert Michael Roth, attacking Russian military targets with long-range Western missiles is both justifiable and compliant with international law. Roth identifies military airfields, command centers, and launch facilities as potential targets for these long-range weapons in Russia. He maintains that these sites are responsible for launching "flagrant attacks on civilian Ukrainian targets." Faber, chair of the defense committee in the FDP, believes it is past due to authorize attacks on Russian military airports with long-range weapons such as ATACMS and Storm Shadow. Green Party politician Anton Hofreiter emphasizes that Russia continues to terrorize Ukraine's civilian population daily with rocket attacks on hospitals, residential buildings, and energy infrastructure. To effectively safeguard Ukraine's civilian population, the army must be authorized to strike military bases on Russian territory with long-range weapons.
21:35 Vance Discusses Trump's Ukraine Plans
Republican vice-presidential candidate J.D. Vance hypothesizes that Donald Trump's strategy to end the Russian conflict could involve establishing a demilitarized zone between Ukraine and Russia. As Vance explained during an interview with TV producer Shawn Ryan, Trump may be able to bring together Russians, Ukrainians, and European nations to "explore the possibility of a peaceful resolution." "I think he could reach an agreement very quickly," says Vance. Trump is known for his favorable sentiments towards Russian President Vladimir Putin and his criticism of U.S. aid to Ukraine. The former president has also claimed he could end the conflict within 24 hours if re-elected, albeit without providing specifics.
21:03 "God is with Us. We are Russians" - Fascist Rally in St. Petersburg
No higher authority exists to challenge or contradict them: "God is with Us. We are Russians," chants a multitude of Russian nationalists and extremists as they march through St. Petersburg. They repetitively cry: "Onward, Russians!" Their march coincides with the celebration of Alexander Nevsky's relic transfer anniversary, considered a national hero and Orthodox Church saint.
Vladimir Solovyov, a well-known Russian TV personality, advocates for Russia pushing beyond Ukraine's boundaries. He shares, "I reckon the best boundary is the Atlantic. A natural one at that." In Solovyov's perspective, optimal locations for Russian troops include Berlin, Lisbon, and Madrid. And he sure does appreciate the view from Paris. When suggested that Russians aren't numerous enough, he counters with, "The Belarusian pals are with us." Alternatively, one could consider China.
20:01 British Buddies Get Winter-ReadyMany Ukrainian homes, still standing amidst shelling, are lacking windows, which is a serious issue approaching winter. The British organization "Wrap Up Ukraine" is addressing this challenge by venturing into war zones to install temporary window solutions.
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Remember all prior happenings here.
The European Union could potentially play a role in Chancellor Scholz's negotiations for increased oil imports from Kazakhstan, as Germany seeks new sources of energy due to its reliance on Russian pipelines being disrupted.
During his trip to Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan, Scholz may also discuss the possibility of securing gas supplies from Central Asia to mitigate Russia's influence on Germany's energy sector.
