China and Brazil Voice Concerns Over Russia's Threat to Utilize Nuclear Weapons
19:25 NATO establishes command center close to Russian border
Finland announces the formation of a NATO command center in Mikkeli, located less than 200 kilometers from the Russian border. Almost a year and a half after joining the alliance, Finland sends a "signal to Russia that we are a full member of NATO and that NATO plays a significant role in Finnish defense," says Defense Minister Antti Häkkänen. The new North Europe headquarters for the alliance's land forces will be constructed in Mikkeli, with numerous employees from various countries set to be stationed there. The Finnish Army headquarters is already situated in Mikkeli, Häkkänen adds.
19:06 Video from Pokrovsk: "You've turned this city into a ghost town"
The city of Pokrovsk in the Donetsk Oblast has been under heavy Russian army attacks for weeks. Most of the residents have already evacuated the area. Ukrainian forces remain, as strategic railway lines run through the city.
18:32 German authorities shut down illegal Russian TV streaming service
Despite the EU ban, a couple from Karlsruhe offered various sanctioned Russian TV channels through the internet, reports the customs office. The suspects are a 37-year-old German man and his 42-year-old Ukrainian wife. The couple is accused of providing various sanctioned Russian TV channels. They are believed to have earned around 120,000 euros through the streaming service. The couple is currently on the run, and a conviction could result in a prison sentence of at least one year.
China, Brazil, and other countries urge against using or threatening nuclear weapons against Ukraine
"We call for the abandonment of the use or threat of weapons of mass destruction, particularly nuclear, chemical, and biological weapons," a joint statement reads. Twelve nations express their "deep concern" about the risk of "escalation" in Ukraine: "Civilian infrastructure, including peaceful nuclear facilities and other energy facilities, should not be the target of military operations." The appeal comes after Russian President Vladimir Putin's threats this week. He declared that Russia could employ nuclear weapons in the event of severe air attacks on Russian territory and that any attack supported by a nuclear power could be considered a "joint" aggression. Zelenskyy had also claimed that Russia was planning to attack Ukrainian nuclear reactors.
18:51 Trump expresses hope for ending the war after meeting with ZelenskyAfter a meeting between Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and US presidential candidate Donald Trump in New York, the Republican offers a cautious optimistic perspective on ending the conflict. "It's a complex puzzle," he says, "but we'll figure it out." Trump reaffirms his well-known stance that he has a solution for the Ukraine conflict. The former president is a strong critic of US billion-dollar aid to Kyiv and could potentially change US Ukraine policy entirely if re-elected. Trump has repeatedly pressured the leadership in Kyiv to sign a deal with Russia and has heavily criticized Zelensky. Before today's meeting, Trump said about his relationship with Zelensky: "We have a good relationship, and as you know, I also have a good relationship with President Putin." Zelensky responded, surprised, that he hoped their relationship was the stronger one.
17:56 More Ukrainian refugees in Germany securing employmentThe employment search for Ukrainian refugees in Germany is becoming increasingly successful. In September alone, 8,500 Ukrainian nationals found employment, started an apprenticeship, or began self-employment, according to Federal Minister of Labor Hubertus Heil (SPD). This is more than double the number from September 2023: "These numbers show that the job boost is clearly effective," Heil says. The "job boost" enables refugees to be placed in jobs following the completion of an integration course and the acquisition of basic German language skills. As of July 2024, around 266,000 of the approximately 700,000 Ukrainian refugees in Germany were employed; 213,000 of them were subject to social security contributions, and 53,000 were in mini-jobs. However, there are still challenges with the recognition of foreign professional qualifications, according to the Federal Employment Agency.
17:20 Russian forces claim capture of towns in DonbassThe Russian military is making progress on the frontlines in eastern Ukraine and has reportedly seized two additional settlements in the industrial region of Donbass. The villages of Marynivka and the town of Ukrajinka have been occupied, according to the Russian Ministry of Defense. There has been no confirmation from the Ukrainian military command. The Ukrainian general staff report for Friday morning describes Marynivka as contested. The situation is clearer with Ukrajinka, which has been marked as Russian-controlled by Ukrainian military observers for days. Both locations are in the Donetsk region on the front lines between the larger cities of Pokrovsk, Kurakhove, and Vuhledar. Russian troops have gained ground in this area over the past few months. The defenders are feeling the strain with insufficient troops and supplies.
16:43 Zelensky Holds Talks with Trump in New York: "Shared Goal"During his trip to the United States, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky meets with Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump for a conversation in New York. "We share the belief that the conflict in Ukraine needs to end," Zelensky states before the meeting. Zelensky and the former president interact at Trump Tower in Manhattan. Trump is a well-known critic of the United States' billion-dollar aid to Ukraine and advises the leadership in Kyiv to negotiate a deal with Russia. Critics accuse the former president of essentially yielding to Ukraine, adopting the stance of Russian President Vladimir Putin. The last time they met was about five years prior. Zelensky had already discussed matters with US President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris in Washington on Thursday.
16:02 Kyiv Forced to Levy Higher War Taxes on CitizensUkrainian Finance Minister Serhiy Marchenko describes the tax hikes under consideration in parliament as a "compulsory measure." Kyiv contemplates increasing a war tax from 1.5 to 5 percent. This year, this is expected to generate approximately 1.2 billion euros, and next year around 3 billion euros. "This decision will impact the economy, but all other alternative options are virtually exhausted," the minister explains. Revenue from new domestic bonds would only be enough to service existing bond debts. Foreign financial aid is becoming less secure. In the first quarter, Ukraine only obtained about 10 percent of the necessary foreign aid. Republican obstruction in the US Congress delayed its provision. Despite this, Kyiv still anticipates over 34.5 billion euros from abroad next year. "However, that does not imply these payments will be stable," cautions Marchenko.
15:24 Norway Cancels Automatic Asylum for Ukrainian RefugeesNorway will no longer automatically grant asylum to refugees from Ukraine. The Oslo government states that they will now decide on individual cases for Ukrainians coming from the western part of the country. The western part of Ukraine, which is located far from the frontlines, is generally considered safe by Norwegian authorities. After the Russian invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, Norwegian authorities granted Ukrainian refugees "collective protection" and automatically granted them asylum. Since then, the 5.6 million-strong country has welcomed around 85,000 Ukrainians, more than any other Nordic country, according to the Oslo government.
14:51 Russian Military Prepares for New DraftThe next Russian conscription date is October 1, according to British military intelligence. All combat-capable Russians under the age of 30 must serve a year in the military. So far, conscripts have not been fighting in Ukraine but have been deployed in the Russian region of Kursk, from which Ukrainian units are to be expelled. Some Russian families have reportedly complained that their sons had to fight with less than four months of training. According to Russian law, conscripts may only be sent to a conflict zone after four months of training and specialization.
14:22 Ramstein to Host Meeting with Biden for Ukraine SupportThe gathering of nations supporting Ukraine during US President Joe Biden's visit to Germany will take place on October 12 at the US Air Force base in Ramstein, Rhineland-Palatinate. This was announced by government spokesman Steffen Hebestreit. According to him, Germany is planning to host the meeting of the so-called Contact Group for the Defense of Ukraine together with the USA. "In this format, more than 50 states come together to coordinate support for Ukraine," says Hebestreit. Whether Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy will be present in person is uncertain.
13:56 Lithuania Plans to Acquire German Leopard 2 Tanks for New DivisionLithuania intends to acquire Leopard 2 battle tanks for a new division of its army. The contract for this could be finalized in November, after the National Security Council makes a final decision, says Defense Minister Laurynas Kasciunas. He does not specify the number of units or which variant of the tank, produced in Germany, is involved. The NATO and EU country Lithuania borders the Russian exclave of Kaliningrad and Russia's ally Belarus. The war in Ukraine is viewed as a direct threat to national security in Lithuania. As a result, the government in Vilnius is heavily arming its army. Among other things, a new military division is to be established, which will also include a tank battalion. In the future, a mechanized brigade of the German Armed Forces is to be permanently stationed in Lithuania.
13:20 Discord May be Completely Blocked in RussiaThe communication platform Discord may be completely blocked in Russia in the near future. This is reported by the Russian daily newspaper "Kommersant" and refers to a source from the gaming industry who is familiar with the situation. The Russian media supervisory authority is considering this step due to alleged violations of Russian law, it says. No particular charges are mentioned in the newspaper report. Already at the beginning of the month, Russian users reported difficulties with Discord. According to the "Moscow Times", between 29 and 40 million people in Russia use Discord actively. The platform is particularly popular among gamers, students, and cryptocurrency traders.
13:04 No Approval for Long-Range Weapons: "Biden Warned by Intelligence Services Before Decision"US President Biden has promised another package of billion-dollar aid to Ukraine. However, the United States is not agreeing to lift restrictions on Western-supplied weapons to also attack targets deep inside Russia. Why, explains political scientist Thomas Jäger.
12:36 American in Russia Accused of "Mercenary Activities"As reported by the state news agency RIA Novosti, an American has been accused of "mercenary activities" in Russia since last Friday. The 72-year-old is alleged to have "fought as a mercenary on the side of Ukraine in the armed conflict," according to the agency. The accused individual is identified as American citizen Stefan Hubbard, hailing from the state of Michigan. He has been residing in Ukraine since 2014. The report does not specify when or where the American was taken into custody. RIA Novosti states that the American was escorted to court in Moscow by the military police.
12:01 Kryvyj Rih: Russian Missile Strikes Police StationReports from the south and central regions of Ukraine suggest further Russian attacks. A missile hit a police station in Kryvyj Rih this morning, as per local authorities. The remains of a woman were found buried under the debris, and at least five others were injured. Emergency services are still working to locate survivors. Residential buildings were also affected. The Dnipropetrovsk Regional Prosecutor's Office has published photographs of the missile strikes in Kryvyj Rih.
According to Ukrainian reports, there was another missile attack on the city of Dnipro last night, causing damage to an industrial facility. At least eight people suffered injuries in Russian aerial bombardments in the Kherson region, as reported by local authorities.
11:27 Potential Intrusion of NATO Airspace by Russian DroneA Russian drone might have briefly entered Romanian airspace overnight, according to the Romanian Defense Ministry. It is possible that the drone "for a very short period, less than three minutes," crossed Romanian airspace in the border area. The drone was reportedly involved in an attack on the southern Ukrainian city of Izmail. Ukrainian authorities claim that Izmail was targeted by a drone attack early Friday morning, resulting in the death of three individuals and several injuries. The Ukrainian air force claims to have shot down 24 of 32 Russian attack drones overnight.
10:57 Delivery of Guided Bombs to Ukraine by USPresident Zelensky is traveling to the US to present his "victory plan" and request additional military aid. Biden has sealed a weapons package for Ukraine worth nearly $8 billion. Compared to previous deliveries, "that's a significant portion," says ntv reporter Gordian Fritz.
10:20 US Intelligence Agencies Anticipate Severe Retaliation if Ukraine Uses Long-Range MissilesUS intelligence agencies anticipate significant repercussions if Ukraine utilizes Western long-range missiles to strike deep within Russia, according to a report by the "New York Times," citing an unreleased intelligence assessment. Approval to do so from the West may result in severe retaliation, potentially including deadly attacks on US and European military support installations. The agencies also consider covert intelligence operations as a potential response from Russia. The "New York Times" reports that US intelligence agencies believe Ukraine does not possess sufficient long-range missiles to significantly alter the course of the conflict. The decision for US President Biden is reportedly challenging due to the uncertain outcome and high risk involved.
09:57 Munz on new Putin threat: Resource Export "Won't Hurt the West Much"Russia threatens the US with consequences if it permits the use of long-range weapons against Russian targets. President Putin is considering certain export restrictions on strategic resources, including uranium, as retaliation against the West. ntv reporter Munz explains the background and implications.
08:40 Ukrainian Navy Perplexed by Russian Structure near Crimean BridgeAn unidentified Russian structure near the Crimean Bridge is puzzling the Ukrainian Navy. The structure is under construction, according to Ukrainian Navy spokesperson Dmytro Pletenchuk, as reported by "The Kyiv Independent" on Ukrainian TV. Its purpose is unknown. "It could be a defensive installation, it could be another crossing, but it's still too early to draw conclusions," Pletenchuk stated. He doesn't believe the Russians will complete it given the worsening weather conditions. "They keep trying to place something new in the Kerch Strait to construct various hydrotechnical structures or barriers, but after each storm, they end up on the shore." The bridge connects Russia to the Ukrainian Crimean Peninsula, which Russia annexed.
08:08 Ukrainian City on the Romanian Border Under Attack, Multiple CasualtiesThe city of Ismajil in southern Ukraine was attacked. Three individuals were killed in a Russian drone attack this morning, as per the governor of the Odessa Oblast, Oleh Kiper. All the victims were elderly, including a woman in her 90s. Eleven others, including a child, were injured. Kiper also reported damaged buildings and vehicles, as well as several fires. The city of Ismajil is situated on the border with Romania, with the northern mouth of the Danube River forming the border. [Read more here.]
07:40 To facilitate negotiations: SPD foreign policy expert Roth advocates for "significantly more" military aidSPD foreign policy expert Michael Roth is advocating for more European military aid for Ukraine. "Especially the major European countries need to contribute militarily significantly more to ensure that Ukraine remains a free and democratic country," Roth told the "Tagesspiegel." "Now is the time to finally mobilize all available resources to put Ukraine in the best position for potential negotiations." The chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee in the Bundestag argues: "Whoever wants to end the war as quickly as possible must provide Ukraine with what it needs." Military strength and diplomacy are two sides of the same coin. "Russia will only be ready for negotiations if Putin is convinced that a victory over Ukraine is impossible."
07:09 Baerbock: Without our aid, hospitals and children would be vulnerableGerman Foreign Minister Baerbock justifies the delivery of weapons to Ukraine and warns against decreasing support for Kyiv. She states that the notion that there would be no conflict or fatalities in Ukraine without defensive weapons is purely fictitious. "If Russia ceases its aggression, the war ends. If Ukraine stops defending itself, that's the end of Ukraine," Baerbock declares during the UN General Debate in New York on Thursday. Russian President Putin, in response to an invitation to a peace conference in June, retaliated with the bombing of a children's hospital. As long as Putin is unwilling to negotiate, discontinuing aid would imply "that the hospitals of Ukraine and its children would be vulnerable. It would mean more war crimes, potentially even in other countries." Baerbock highlights that Russia has repeatedly violated the inviolability of the borders of the Baltic states and Poland.
06:45 Slovenia: Long-range weapons for Kyiv should not be dismissedThe Slovenian government cautions against premature decisions on using long-range Western weapons on Russian territory due to German skepticism and US resistance. Prime Minister Robert Golob states, "It's not wise to say something is off-limits before discussing it." He believes that all options should be considered at this stage and the most suitable one chosen for the current situation.
06:11 Baerbock asks Iran to halt support for Russia's warGerman Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock urges Iran to stop aiding Russia's war against Ukraine and prohibit the transfer of ballistic missiles and drones. The German Foreign Office made this announcement on the platform X. Baerbock discussed this matter with her Iranian counterpart Abbas Araktschi at the UN General Assembly in New York.
06:01 Trump plans to meet with ZelenskyFormer US President Trump intends to meet with Ukrainian President Zelensky on Friday in New York. The meeting will take place at Trump Tower in Manhattan, according to Trump. Zelensky will remain in the US beyond his Thursday meeting with President Joe Biden to meet with Trump. Before his US visit, Zelensky had expressed his desire to meet Trump, Biden, and Vice President Kamala Harris to present his "victory plan" to end the war in Ukraine.
04:25 Harris Vows Support for Zelensky and Warns Against an Unnamed Opponent
Democratic presidential candidate Harris pledges support for Ukrainian President Zelensky and cautions against a triumph of an unnamed opponent. "My backing for the people of Ukraine is unwavering. (...) I will continue to stand by Ukraine and work to ensure that Ukraine prevails in this conflict and lives in safety and prosperity," she says during Zelensky's visit to Washington. She expresses concern that the war cannot be concluded without the involvement of Ukraine. However, there are some in the US who seek to impose an end to the war by compelling Ukraine to cede significant portions of its territory, accept neutrality, and forsake security guarantees from other countries. These proposals mirror those of Kremlin leader Putin, she contends, and constitute an invitation for surrender.
02:08 Ukraine Reports Shelling West of Kherson
Russian forces repeatedly targeted the settlement of Tomyna Balka west of the Ukrainian-controlled city of Kherson on Thursday, according to regional governor Prokrudin. A woman was killed, and another individual was injured, as reported on Telegram.
00:55 UK to Deliver More Self-Propelled Artillery Systems to Ukraine
The UK will dispatch another batch of self-propelled AS90 artillery systems to Ukraine's defense forces. A total of 10 such systems have already been delivered to Ukraine, with six more expected in the coming weeks, as announced by the British Ministry of Defense.
23:33 UN Struggling to Provide Aid to Ukrainians in Winter
The UN acknowledges that it lacks sufficient funds to support Ukrainians this winter. "Organizations like ours are significantly underfunded at this time of year," says Karolina Lindholm Billing, the UN Refugee Agency's (UNHCR) representative in Ukraine. The UNHCR currently has only 47 percent of the funds required to assist the millions displaced or affected by the war in Ukraine. Last year at this time, the UNHCR was 70 percent funded.
22:13 Biden: US to Enhance Aid to Ukraine
President Joe Biden vows to intensify US aid to Ukraine during his remaining tenure in office. He believes this will strengthen Ukraine's position in negotiations. Biden's term ends in January. He could be succeeded by either his vice president, Kamala Harris, or Republican President Donald Trump, who is expected to significantly scale back US involvement with Ukraine.
21:34 Ukraine: Russia Preparing to Intensify Attacks in Saporizhzhia Region
As per intel from Ukrainian sources, Russian forces are predicted to ramp up assaults in the Saporizhzhia region imminently. "There's a shift towards intensifying the conflict in the combat zone sector within the Saporizhzhia region," a representative of the troops deployed in southern Ukraine shares on national broadcast. "Over the past 24 hours, we've witnessed five [Russian] assaults, and it's likely this number will escalate, as our data suggests the adversary is amassing attack squads in proximity to Pryiutne." Moreover, the spokesperson mentions the arrival of light armored vehicles on the Russian side. "This signals their readiness for offensive operations."
21:00 Biden and Zelensky in Meeting: Russia Won't Take the Lead
At the outset of their meeting in Washington, President Joe Biden pledged undying US support to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. "Ukraine will prevail over Russia, not the other way around," Biden declared as he acknowledged Zelensky's arrival to the Oval Office at the White House. "And we'll be by your side every step of the journey."
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The President of the Council plays a vital role in the formation of the NATO command center in Mikkeli, as they provide guidance and oversight during its establishment.
With the new NATO command center located near the Russian border, the President of the Council plays a crucial role in ensuring that Finland sends a clear message to Russia, underscoring Finnish commitment to NATO and its defense strategies.
