By the year's end, Scholz anticipates securing clarification regarding the PCK refinery issue in Sweden.
Olaf Scholz is pushing for clarity on PCK refinery ownership structure by year-endChancellor Olaf Scholz is anticipating a clear picture regarding the ownership structure of the PCK refinery in Schwedt by year's end. "We're hoping for clarity by year's end," Scholz remarked during a town hall meeting in Prenzlau, Brandenburg. The German government has made it clear to Russian co-owner Rosneft that the stake held in trust must be sold. The government is keeping tabs on the ongoing "plausible" negotiations. "We know who's talking to who and what's being discussed," the SPD politician remarked, alluding to a potential Qatari investor. Additionally, Kazakhstan is providing oil to Schwedt via a Russian pipeline, replacing Russian oil following Russia's invasion of Ukraine. The federal government initially extended the trusteeship for Rosneft shares for another six months in early September, taking negotiations into consideration. The alternative would be to nationalize the Russian stake, which is considered legally complex.
17:24 Scholz affirms opposition to expanded Russian weapons useChancellor Olaf Scholz has reiterated that Ukraine will not be permitted to utilize weapons supplied by Germany with greater reach for attacks on Russian interior targets. "That's still the case," Scholz said during a town hall meeting in Prenzlau, Brandenburg. "I'll stick to my position, even if other nations take a different stance," Scholz added, referring to the USA. "I won't do that because I consider it problematic."
16:57 Hofreiter warns of additional "tens of thousands of refugees" from UkraineGiven the impending enhancement of border controls in Germany, the chairman of the Bundestag's European Affairs Committee, Anton Hofreiter, is advocating for a collaborative approach with Poland. "If we fail to consistently support Ukraine, we must expect tens of thousands of refugees from the Russian invasion in Ukraine's future," Hofreiter told the "Tagesspiegel," citing Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk's criticism of additional border controls at Germany's external borders. Hofreiter calls for a European solution to migration policy. He fears that the EU would disintegrate if each member state introduced its own border controls. Hofreiter expects Chancellor Scholz and Tusk to continue working closely together.
16:32 British intelligence reveals Ukrainian bridge destruction in Kursk regionThe British intelligence agency has released images of bridges over the Seim River that were destroyed by the Ukrainian army during its operation in the Kursk region. "Ukraine is hindering Russian logistics in the Kursk region by carrying out a series of attacks, during which roads and ponton bridges over the Seym River were destroyed," the British Ministry of Defence stated on X. The images were captured in mid to late August. Ukraine launched its offensive in the Russian region of Kursk on 6 August and advanced several kilometers into Russian territory.
16:05 Injuries reported in Ukrainian attack on Belgorod regionAt least five individuals have reportedly been injured in a Ukrainian attack on the Russian region of Belgorod, as per official reports. Governor Vyacheslav Gladkov reports that several shells struck a stretch of road between Belgorod and Shebekino, injuring four people and damaging numerous vehicles. In the nearby Vosnesenskoye village, a woman was injured after a drone struck a private residence. These incidents cannot be independently corroborated at this time. Russia frequently targets civilian areas in neighboring Ukraine. One of the most frequently struck cities is Kharkiv, approximately 30 kilometers from the border. Ukrainian artillery and military drones frequently target areas in the Russian Belgorod region across the border. Russia started an offensive against Kharkiv during the summer with the intention of creating a buffer zone, but Russian attacks have stalled a few kilometers behind the border.
15:44 Exclusive Access: Medical Train Treats Wounded UkrainiansMany Ukrainian hospitals have been damaged, and medical personnel are working tirelessly. To provide prompt care to the wounded, a special train is being utilized. A CNN team was granted access to this train.
15:26 Hollywood Star Michael Douglas Visits Children in KyivAmerican actor Michael Douglas visited the "Iron Land" children's area at Kyiv Central Station on Friday. This was announced on Facebook by the state-owned Ukrainian Railways company Ukrzaliznytsia. According to the report, Douglas toured the station, speaking with passengers. Earlier, in his capacity as a UN ambassador, he met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and his wife Olena, as well as his son Dylan.
14:49 Kyiv Seeks Approval for Weapon Use: "Biden Appears Unlikely to Change His Mind"Retired Colonel Ralph Thiele anticipates that the controversy over Ukrainian long-range attacks on Russia will rekindle discussions on Taurus deliveries. Thiele assumes that the USA will maintain its position.
13:58 Zelensky Confirms Return of Another 103 War PrisonersUkraine has confirmed a prisoner exchange with Russia. Another 103 individuals have returned from Russian captivity to Ukraine, according to President Zelensky. Among them are soldiers and forces from the National Guard, border guards, and police. They are defenders of the regions of Kyiv, Donetsk, Luhansk, Saporizhzhia, Kharkiv, as well as the city of Mariupol and the Azovstal plant.
13:38 USA Approves Sale of Advanced Fighter Jets to Romania
The United States has given the green light for a $7.2 billion sale of 32 top-tier F-35 fighter jets to Romania, a close NATO ally and neighbor of Ukraine. U.S. Ambassador to Bucharest, Kathleen Kavalec, explains the move by stating, "Romania is a pivotal ally within the NATO alliance, recognized for its dedication to security and stability in the Black Sea region and beyond." With these cutting-edge, multi-role combat aircraft from Lockheed Martin, Romania is set to acquire "unmatched air defense capabilities," Kavalec adds. Delivery of the first aircraft is scheduled for 2031.
13:02 Russia Releases Over 200 Captured Troops to Ukraine
According to reports originating in Moscow, Russia and Ukraine have exchanged 200 prisoners of war. Both sides released 103 prisoners, the Russian Ministry of Defense announced on Telegram. Currently, the freed Russian soldiers are receiving psychological and medical aid in Belarus, where they were captured in Kursk. The Ukrainian response to these remarks has not been clear. Ukrainian President Zelensky announced the return of 49 captured troops last Friday, but it is unclear if these individuals were part of the exchange.
12:50 Capture of Another Village in Eastern Ukraine by Russian Forces
In eastern Ukraine, Russian military forces claim they have captured another village, the Moscow Defense Ministry announced. "The village of Yelannoe Pervoe (Yelanne Perche in Ukrainian) has been liberated," the statement suggested. The small village lies near the strategically significant city of Pokrovsk, which is under threat from the Russian advance. Russian forces have made rapid progress in the Donetsk region in recent weeks. President Putin recently reiterated his intention to capture the industrially vital Donbass region, which includes Donetsk.
12:21 Medvedev Threatens Kyiv with Nuclear War
Russian former President Dmitry Medvedev has made ominous threats to target Ukraine's capital Kyiv with nuclear weapons. While acknowledging Russia has reason to use nuclear weapons due to Ukraine's actions in Kursk, he says they have chosen not to do so yet. In response to the use of Western long-range missiles, Russia could also utilize newer, non-nuclear weaponry to achieve similar outcomes, Medvedev stated. Medvedev, the deputy chairman of the Russian Security Council, has frequently spoken out against both the West and Ukraine with great fervor.
11:50 Intense Fighting in Kurachove
Currently, intense fighting is focused around the city of Kurachove in eastern Ukraine, according to ntv reporter Kavita Sharma, reporting from Dnipro. Frustration is rising among the population due to Europe providing Ukraine with long-range weapons.
11:12 Overnight Drone Attacks Result in Damage in Odessa's Black Sea Region
The Ukrainian Air Force has revealed details about the large-scale drone attack that occurred overnight: Russia launched a total of 76 combat drones, 72 of which were shot down. The force did not provide information regarding the outcomes of the attack. Odessa's regional governor reported significant damage due to drone debris scattered across various residential locations. Buildings in a suburb of the regional capital Odessa and warehouses in the Ismajil district were among the structures hit. In Kyiv, government buildings were reportedly damaged by drone debris, although no fire was ignited.
10:31 Stoltenberg Recalls Falsified NATO Territory Maps During Final Diplomatic Efforts
NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg reflects on the last diplomatic efforts made before the start of Russia's war against Ukraine in February 2022. During the final meeting of the NATO-Russia Council in January, Russia requested the withdrawal of all NATO troops from the eastern part of the alliance, deemed "completely unacceptable." Stoltenberg, advocating for dialogue, agreed to a subsequent meeting. During the encounter, Russian officials claimed there were no war plans and their land was under threat by Ukraine. They presented maps illustrating how they were surrounded by NATO, although these contained inaccuracies – failing to mark Denmark as part of NATO territory. Stoltenberg remains uncertain whether this was due to poor preparation or calculated deception. Looking back, he regrets that NATO and its allies did not do enough to bolster Ukraine's military forces earlier. "Had Ukraine been militarily stronger, the point of invasion by Russia would have been more difficult to reach. Whether it would have been sufficient, we'll never know."
10:03 Germany Deploys Combat Brigade to Lithuania
Germany and Lithuania have signed an agreement to station a combat-ready German brigade within the NATO member state, as reported by ntv military expert Thomas Wiegold.
09:28 Kim Eager to Strengthen Relations with Moscow
After talks with Russian Security Council Chairman Sergei Shoigu in North Korea, Kim Jong-un has pledged to fortify cooperation between the two nations. According to North Korean state media, discussions concerned intensifying strategic dialogue between the two nations and strengthening mutual security interests, as well as the intricate regional and international situation. However, Kyiv, Washington, and Seoul accuse Pyongyang of supplying Russia with weaponry and missiles for the Ukrainian conflict, an allegation Pyongyang denies as "preposterous."
08:59 Potential Wide-Range Weapons against Russia? Starmer and Biden to Re-discuss at UN General AssemblyThere's going to be another talk about if Ukraine can utilize heavy-duty Western weapons against Russian targets. British PM Starmer mentioned this following a meeting with US President Biden, where they had postponed a decision on the matter. Biden and Starmer will discuss this issue at the UN General Assembly in New York next week with a larger crowd. British media reports hint at Biden being willing to allow Ukraine to use British and French rockets equipped with US tech, but not American-made rockets themselves.
08:23 Zelensky on Trump's Alleged Plan: "Campaign Promises are Campaign Promises"Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump has repeatedly claimed he could end the Ukraine war in a day, but never presented a plan. When asked about this in a CNN interview, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky responded, "I can't interpret it today as I'm unaware of the specifics of what he means and what he implies." Zelensky believes the US is in campaign mode. "And campaign promises are campaign promises," he added. "Sometimes they're not very practical." However, Zelensky also mentioned speaking with Trump two months ago, during which Trump assured him of support for Ukraine, describing the conversation as positive.
07:27 ISW: Russia Needs More Troops in Kursk to Outmaneuver UkrainiansRussia continues its counterattacks in the Kursk region, but the Institute for the Study of War (ISW) hasn't recognized a full-scale operation to completely push out the Ukrainians from Kursk. The ISW, based in Washington, states that so far, Russian authorities have relied mainly on inexperienced conscripts and small parts of the regular Russian armed forces and other security forces in the border region. The think tank says, "For a Russian counteroffensive to retake the territory captured by Ukrainian forces in the Kursk Oblast, Russia would likely need more personnel and resources than it has currently assembled in this area - especially if most of the units already deployed are low on combat experience."
06:49 Ukraine Under Assault by Drone AttacksThe Ukrainian military asserts that Russia attacked Ukraine with Shahed drones throughout the night. The Russian army deployed several drone strike groups, according to the Ukrainian air force. Air alerts were reported across nearly every region of the country, for example, in the Odessa region. The navy claimed shooting down nine drones there. In Odessa city, explosions were heard, as reported by the mayor. No casualties have been recorded as yet.
06:13 Mützenich Proposes International Peace Initiative GroupSPD parliamentary group leader Rolf Mützenich has proposed an international contact group to spark a peace initiative in the Ukraine war. "In my view, it's now time for the Western allies to instigate a contact group to initiate a process," he told the "Rheinische Post." "The German Chancellor and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky agree that we should now intensify efforts for peace talks, and that Russia should also be included in the next peace summit." Asked about possible members of such a contact group, Mützenich mentioned countries like China, India, Turkey, and Brazil as potential candidates. "The belief that the Russian war of aggression may become a burden is growing in these countries," he added. "Therefore, the work of a contact group could indeed be beneficial, and it could play a critical mediation role."
05:41 EU Considering New Approach to Sanctions ExtensionEU diplomats are reportedly assessing three potential methods for future sanctions extension against Russia. These scenarios were presented to European diplomats on Friday, as per several sources. The rationale behind this is the frozen assets of the Russian Central Bank, which are crucial for the 50-billion-dollar mega-credit agreement between the G7 countries and Ukraine. These assets have been frozen since the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
03:40 Klitschko: Drone Debris Lands on Kyiv BuildingsKyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko reported via the Telegram messaging app about drone debris hitting a building in the Obolon district north of the city center early in the morning. He stated that rescue services were heading to the scene. Earlier, the mayor had revealed that air defense units were active in the capital.
01:35 Kim Jong Un Pledges More Cooperation with ShoiguNorth Korean leader Kim Jong Un has pledged stronger cooperation with Russian Security Council Secretary Sergei Shoigu. According to the state news agency KCNA, the two leaders had an in-depth conversation during Shoigu's visit to Pyongyang and reached a satisfactory agreement on matters such as stronger "cooperation for mutual security interests." Shoigu, who was still the Russian Defense Minister until May, had initiated closer relationships between North Korea and Russia with a visit to Pyongyang in July 2021.
11:36 Zelenskyy to Unveil 'Victory Strategy' to Biden in SeptemberUkrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has scheduled a meeting with American President Joe Biden for September. "I will present my strategy for victory," Zelenskyy declared during an appearance in Kyiv's capital. This strategy entails a series of interconnected decisions that would bolster Ukraine's military strength, steering the conflict towards peace. "Wars of annexation can conclude equitably via two methods: either by forcing out the invading forces or via diplomacy," Zelenskyy clarified. This would secure Ukraine's genuine autonomy. However, Kyiv relies on US support to maintain a robust stance.
21:19 Russia Alters Offensive Direction Towards SouthIntense fighting continues in Ukraine's eastern region, according to Ukrainian military reports. The General Staff reported 115 engagements in its evening situation update. "The most volatile situation today transpired in the direction of Kurachove. Besides this, the enemy was also active in the direction of Lyman and Pokrovsk," it stated. Kurachove is a small town located south of Pokrovsk. Pokrovsk had previously been the primary target for Russian troops' advance. However, the Russians have only managed minimal territorial gains in this area recently. Instead, they have expanded their offensive axis towards the south to capture the mining town of Hirnyk near Kurachove.
21:02 Zelensky: Counteroffensive in Kursk results in Positive OutcomesUkrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky asserts that Ukraine's counteroffensive in Russia's Kursk region has yielded the desired outcome. He maintains that the enemy has been repelled in the Kharkiv region, and the Russian advance has slowed in Donetsk. He also highlights that Russia has not made significant inroads during its counteroffensive in Kursk. Experts had earlier doubted the redeployment of larger Russian troop formations from Donetsk and other regions to Kursk. Russia claims to have recaptured 10 out of 100 occupied villages.
20:34 "Fear in the West" - Harsh Words from Zelenskyy about AlliesUkrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky accuses the West of harboring "fear" when discussing assistance to Ukraine in counteracting Russian missiles. "If allies can collaborate to intercept missiles and drones in the Middle East, why has no similar decision been made to counter Russian missiles and Iranian Shaheds in Ukraine's skies?" Zelensky asked at a Kyiv conference. "They refuse to even acknowledge 'we're working on it'. Even when missiles and drones are on a direct path towards the territory of our neighbors," the Ukrainian leader lamented. "This is disgraceful for the democratic world."
20:00 Russia has Deployed Over 8000 Iranian DronesAs per Kyiv's government, Russia has launched 8060 Iranian Shahed drones against Ukraine since the start of the conflict. There have been no official statements from Iran or Russia yet. Ukraine first implicated Iran's government in supplying the kamikaze drones to Russia in the autumn of 2022.
19:17 US Evades Questions on Approval of Long-Range Weapons for UkraineIn Washington, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and US President Joe Biden are holding talks. A great deal of curiosity surrounds potential announcements concerning the authorization of long-range weapons for Ukraine. Sources from the British "Guardian" suggest that Kiev has been authorized to conduct attacks using Storm Shadow missiles. However, no official announcements are expected on this matter during today's meeting. "I wouldn't anticipate an announcement today about utilizing long-range weapons inside Russia—certainly not from the US," says John Kirby, head of communication for the National Security Council. He only indicates that discussions with Britain, France, and other allies are ongoing regarding "the types of capabilities that will be made available to Ukraine." He also remains evasive regarding a clear answer on whether any changes will be announced by the US government. "I won't engage in a speculative discussion about what we might or might not say at a certain point."
The European Union is closely monitoring the situation in Ukraine, as a potential Qatari investor has shown interest in purchasing Russia's stake in the PCK refinery in Schwedt, which has been held in trust by the German government.
Chancellor Olaf Scholz has made it clear that the German government will continue to oversee the negotiations between Rosneft and potential investors, with a focus on ensuring a fair and transparent process for all parties involved.
