Family Members Hunt for Absentee Conscript in Kursk
17:19 Alert for Mysterious Drones in Brunsbüttel: German Military Aids InvestigatorsThe German military is aiding investigations into strange drone flights over industrial facilities in Schleswig-Holstein. A representative from the Territorial Command stated that, after receiving a request for aid from the police, the military is providing radar data. Covestro and Holcim, a chemical company and a Swiss construction firm respectively, have also chosen to contribute to the investigation. Covestro has reported detecting drone flights. These companies are part of a group of chemical, energy, and logistics firms situated in the ChemCoast Park industrial area in Brunsbüttel. The State Prosecutor's Office in Flensburg is looking into the mysterious drone flights over the industrial sites on the grounds of suspected espionage with the intention to cause sabotage.
16:51 Civilian Casualties Continue: Eight Lives Lost in Russian AttacksRegrettably, innocent lives keep getting taken: Eight people have been killed in Russian attacks, as reported by Ukrainian authorities. Two deaths occurred in Sumy, a region bordering Russia. Three fatalities were reported in Kharkiv. Three deaths were also documented from Donetsk and Kherson.
16:20 Geilenkirchen NATO Hub Announces All ClearThe NATO air base in Geilenkirchen has given the all-clear. Previously, the security level was increased to the second-highest level due to a potential threat the previous evening. The security measures at the airport have now returned to the levels that have been maintained since the beginning of the conflict in Ukraine. Despite this, the NATO base did not mention any specifics about the nature of the threat. The second-highest security level in NATO terms indicates that an incident has taken place, or there's evidence of a suspected terrorist action against the alliance. As a precaution, many employees were sent home.
16:01 Federal Prosecutor Investigates Released Rico KriegerThe German Federal Prosecutor's Office is examining German national Rico Krieger, who was released from Belarusian captivity during an exchange of prisoners. A spokesperson confirmed that the investigation was initiated based on initial suspicions of utilizing explosives to cause an explosion. Krieger was previously sentenced to death by Belarus for charges related to terrorism and mercenary activities, but later pardoned and exchanged for prisoners. According to "Die Welt am Sonntag," Krieger is alleged to have expressed interest in joining the "Kastus Kalinouski Regiment" in Ukraine, a Belarusian volunteer force supporting Ukrainian forces as they resist the Russian invasion. Krieger denies the allegations.
15:44 Modi Urges Zelenskyy to Engage in Dialogue with MoscowIndian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has urged Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to hold talks with Russia to end the war. During his visit to Kyiv, Modi offered to serve as a "friend" to facilitate peace. "The key to resolving the issue can only be found through dialogue and diplomacy. We should start moving towards that goal without delay," Modi said. He encouraged both sides to jointly find a way out of the predicament, without demanding the withdrawal of Russian troops. Read more here.
15:22 Wagner Group Struggles One Year After Prigozhin's DeathOne year following the death of Russian mercenary leader Yevgeny Prigozhin, his private army, Wagner, is now divided, as per British evaluations. Since Prigozhin's plane crash, many prominent figures have left the group, according to the United Kingdom's Ministry of Defense. "Compared to its peak of 50,000 personnel in 2023, Wagner now likely has around 5,000 personnel in its remaining deployments in Belarus and Africa," the ministry said. Many former Wagner fighters are believed to have joined the Russian army or paramilitary groups under the control of the defense ministry. Today marks the one-year anniversary of Prigozhin's death in a plane crash, following his attempted coup against Russia's military leadership two months earlier. All nine other passengers on the jet also perished. Read more here.
14:38 ISW: Kyiv's Advance Forces Moscow to Move TroopsDue to Ukrainian forces progressing in the Russian region of Kursk, Moscow is reportedly transferring troops from the occupied Ukrainian region of Saporischschja, according to analyses by the U.S. Institute for the Study of War (ISW). The Russian military leadership is said to be moving some units to reinforce the defense of Kursk, citing entries on social media made by deployed soldiers. However, Russia is allegedly endeavoring to avoid weakening its principal axis of attack in the Ukrainian region of Donetsk. Read more here.
13:59 Trust in German Ukraine Aid Declining, Expert ClaimsThe budget conflict in the German government is significantly impacting trust in the reliability of German aid to Ukraine, as noted by security expert Christian Mölling from the German Society for International Politics. He points to discussions about potentially restricting German aid to Ukraine and instead financing its support through interest from frozen Russian assets. "Germany has essentially shot itself in the foot with this idea, causing substantial international criticism," Mölling says during the "Stern" podcast "The Situation." He questions if and when this approach will yield results, adding, "The problem is: the money hasn't been received yet, and the implementation of how to distribute it to Ukraine is also not entirely clear."
13:29 Modi Offers Greetings to Zelensky in Kyiv Connecting Following his questionable greeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi also extends a warm welcome to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. Modi joins Zelensky at a memorial commemorating fallen Ukrainian children, where he places a soft toy. India, recognized as the world's most populous nation, voluntarily remains impartial during the conflict, abstaining from participating in western sanctions against Moscow and consistently advocating for dialogue-driven conflict resolution. Yet, concrete solutions have yet to emerge.
12:58 Shipping Lane to Crimea Remains Shut Down One day following a Ukrainian assault, the Russian port of Kavkaz, crucial for supporting Crimea, continues to bar ferries. According to Russia's transportation ministry, ferry operations will restart once cleanup is completed. Kavkaz is strategically located in the Strait of Kerch, connecting the Black Sea and the Sea of Azov. The Crimea, currently under Russian control, can be seen from Kavkaz, making it a significant transit hub in the Black Sea. Fuel and ammunition are shipped to Crimea through this harbor.
11:52 Russian Academic: "Eventually, Putin Will Have His Reckoning" Russian President Vladimir Putin appears to be hesitant in the face of Ukrainian military successes in Kursk. "This is his common response in such situations," remarks Russian political analyst Ekaterina Schulmann. "He hides until the situation stabilizes, then carries on as if nothing has happened." Several other Russia analysts believe that the Kremlin is currently considering potential countermeasures. Generally, Putin takes time when making such decisions, they say. "Eventually, Putin will have his day of reckoning," warns Alexander Gabuev, director of the Carnegie Russia-Eurasia Center in Berlin.
11:21 Fire Still Raging at Russian Oil Depot in Proletarsk The Russian oil depot in Proletarsk, located in the southern Rostov region, continues to burn. According to NASA's Fire Information for Resource Management System (FIRMS), the facility is still in flames today. The Telegram channel Baza, affiliated with Russian law enforcement, also reports that the fire is ongoing. Baza claims that the depot was struck again by a Ukrainian drone the previous night.
11:08 Ukraine Aims to Establish a Figurative Connection with Modi Although as a BRICS member, India is closely allied with Russia, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is now welcoming Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, with Kyiv expecting mediation to put an end to the conflict. Due to the Kursk offensive, the Ukrainians have grown increasingly interested in peace talks, according to ntv reporter Nadja Kriewald.
10:40 Ukrainian Defense Forces Report Success Against Russian Drone Attacks The Ukrainian military claims to have successfully overwhelmed 14 out of 16 Russian attack drones deployed across the night. "Our air defense systems were active in the regions of Cherkassy, Kirovohrad, Poltava, and Sumy," reports the air force.
10:12 Ukrainian Military Comments on Sunken Ferry in Kavkaz The Ukrainian Navy responds to the destruction of a ferry in the Russian port of Kavkaz. "A clearly military objective has been eliminated," says Navy spokesperson Dmytro Pletentschuk, sharing his thoughts on Ukrainian television. The ferry was intended to transport fuel to enemy forces. The ferry has sunk, and the port is currently nonoperational. Local authorities have reported that the attack occurred on Thursday, with the ferry catching fire.
09:40 Russian Diplomat: "No Buffer Zone on Russian Territory Will Be Tolerated" Russian Ambassador to the US Anatoly Antonov addresses the Kursk offensive and Kyiv's intention of establishing a buffer zone in that region. "That's impossible," asserts TASS, quoting him. Concurrently, he warns against cooperation with Western powers to expel Ukrainian forces from the Kursk region. He accuses Western nations of "continually testing Russian patience" and attempting to provoke "emotionally charged, hasty decisions."
09:05 Online Analysis Suggests Dissatisfaction with Putin Spreading in Russia It is not surprising: Following Ukrainian troops' advance onto Russian territory two weeks ago, discontent towards President Vladimir Putin appears to be growing across Russia. According to an analysis by FilterLabs AI, reported by the "New York Times," many online contributors view the Ukrainian advance as a failure of the Russian government and Putin, in particular. "Putin's reaction to the incursion was at best inadequate and at worst inappropriate," says Jonathan Teubner, CEO of FilterLabs. The company monitors Russian sentiment using social media data analysis.
08:30 Modi Arrives in Kyiv to Meet with Zelensky Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has currently touched down in Ukraine, according to Indian and Ukrainian media outlets. A meeting with President Volodymyr Zelensky is scheduled. Kyiv seeks Indian support due to its significant global influence, while also harboring doubts about India's declared neutrality. In July, the Indian prime minister visited Moscow. Images of Modi and Russian President Vladimir Putin embracing caused consternation in Ukraine and various Western countries.
07:58 Russian Warning Regarding Nuclear Power Plant Attacks "More Empty Talk" Russian President Vladimir Putin accuses Ukraine of planning an attack on the nuclear power plant in Kursk. The actual danger of a nuclear disaster due to the conflict is assessed by ntv-reporter Rainer Munz.
07:33 China and Belarus Agree on Enhanced Cooperation - Covering SecurityChina and Belarus have agreed to enhance cooperation in sectors like trade, security, energy, and finance, as per a joint statement issued following a meeting between Chinese Premier Li Qiang and Belarusian Premier Roman Golovchenko. Both nations also aim to boost cooperation in industrial supply chains and improve trade facilitation to reduce costs for both parties. China is Belarus' second-largest trading partner and the leading one in Asia.
07:05 Ukrainian Army Criticizes Inadequately Trained Recruits and Russia's Air SuperiorityUkrainian military commanders and soldiers lament the inadequate training of new recruits and Russia's significant advantage in the air and ammunition at the eastern front. "Some individuals refuse to fire. They spot the enemy in a ready position in the trench, but fail to return fire. That's why our men are losing their lives," says a battalion commander of the 47th Brigade. "If they don't utilize their weapons, they're useless." In May, the government enacted a contentious mobilization law. Since then, reportedly thousands of soldiers have been drafted each month, with the highest demand in infantry. However, challenges arise in training, equipping, and paying so many new individuals.
06:35 Moscow: US Plans to Lift All Restrictions on Weapons Supplied to UkraineAccording to the Russian Ambassador to the US, Russia anticipates that the United States will soon lift all restrictions on the utilization of weapons provided to Ukraine. As reported by the RIA news agency, Ambassador Anatoly Antonov stated, "The current administration behaves like someone who extends one hand and conceals a dagger with the other." They are preparing to eliminate all existing restrictions at some point without considering the consequences. Antonov suggests that a genuine dialogue with the US is only possible if they cease their "hostile" policy towards Russia. He also emphasizes that a meeting between Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and US Secretary of State Antony Blinken during the UN General Assembly next month is unlikely.
06:09 Harris: Trump Urged Putin to Invade EuropeDemocratic presidential candidate Kamala Harris reaffirms her support for NATO and promises continued backing for Ukraine, which is under assault from Russia. "I will stand steadfastly with Ukraine and our NATO allies," she says in her speech at the Democratic National Convention in Chicago. Her Republican opponent, Donald Trump, however, threatened to abandon NATO and encouraged Russian President Vladimir Putin to invade Europe.
05:38 President of the Network Agency: "German Government Remains Alert"
In spite of well-stocked gas storage facilities, Klaus Müller, President of the Federal Network Agency, continues to urge caution in gas consumption. "The German government remains on high alert. We must remain vigilant," Müller told the "Augsburg General". He also referred to the Ukrainian army's advance into Russian territory, which could worsen the situation. "Not the gas infrastructure itself is contested, but the area around this infrastructure is a war zone on both sides," Müller said to the newspaper. This includes the Gazprom gas station in Sudzha, which is located just a few kilometers from the Ukrainian border on Russian territory and is a vital distribution point for gas exported to Europe.
04:40 Modi Visits Kyiv: "No Issue Can Be Resolved on the Battlefield"
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to visit Ukraine for the first time today. A meeting with President Volodymyr Zelensky is planned in the capital Kyiv, as announced by the Indian Ministry of External Affairs. India maintains a neutral stance on the Russian invasion, does not impose western sanctions on Moscow, and has become one of the world's largest buyers of cheap Russian oil. New Delhi consistently advocates for a resolution through dialogue. "India is firmly convinced that no issue can be resolved on the battlefield. The loss of innocent lives on battlefields is the greatest challenge for humanity," Modi said during a visit to Poland on Thursday. Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk urged Modi to act as a mediator in the conflict.
03:31 Sources: US to Send New Military Aid to Ukraine
According to government sources, the US is set to send additional military aid to Ukraine, valued at around $125 million. The latest aid package includes air defense missiles, ammunition for M142 HIMARS multiple rocket launchers, Javelin missiles, and a range of other weapons, equipment, and vehicles, the sources said, speaking on condition of anonymity. The official announcement is expected today, a day before Ukraine's Independence Day. The weapons will come from Pentagon stocks, enabling swift delivery.
02:12 Ukraine Reports 53 Russian Attacks Near Pokrovsk in a Day
The Ukrainian military reported a total of 53 Russian attacks near the city of Pokrovsk in the east of the country throughout Thursday. The capture of Pokrovsk remains the main objective of Russian forces in Ukraine, according to a statement from the General Staff. No statement from the Russian government has been made yet. Based on available information, Russian troops have been gradually advancing on Pokrovsk in recent days.
1:16 SPD Leader: Without military aid, Ukraine would be eliminated Before the state elections in Thuringia and Saxony, SPD leader Saskia Esken reaffirms Germany's military support for Ukraine against Russia. Chancellor Olaf Scholz is working towards a fair and sustainable peace, Esken tells the Funke media group's newspapers. "But as long as Putin continues his aggressive tactics against Ukraine, peace can't be achieved diplomatically." Esken connects her words to the criticism of the Left Party's co-leader Sahra Wagenknecht. "If, as Frau Wagenknecht and others urge, we were to halt military aid to Ukraine today, the country would be invaded tomorrow and erased from the map the day after. This would lead to disastrous consequences for Europe's security, not to less armament and certainly not to peace."
23:56 Ukraine prepares for worst winter in record Due to the devastation of Ukraine's electricity and energy infrastructure by Russian attacks, the country is preparing for one of its coldest and darkest winters ever. "We're facing our toughest winter yet," says Ukrainian Energy Minister Herman Haluschtschenko in a video conference. This winter will be even more challenging than the previous one due to the accumulated damage caused by Russian attacks. The Russian army is using a variety of weapons in coordinated attacks to inflict as much damage as possible, he explains. In a mild winter, energy consumption is around 18 gigawatts, in a cold one, it's 19 gigawatts. Additionally, reserves of one gigawatt need to be created, says Haluschtschenko. Russian attacks have damaged around 9 gigawatts of capacity.
23:08 NATO increases security level at Geilenkirchen airbase Due to a potential threat, NATO has raised its security level at the airbase in Geilenkirchen, North Rhine-Westphalia. All non-essential staff have been sent home, a spokesperson for the base says. The decision is based on intelligence data indicating a possible threat. "This is not a cause for alarm and is a precautionary measure to ensure we can continue our critical operations," they say. Police confirm they are on the scene. Further details and the number of deployed personnel are not being disclosed.
22:07 Ukraine reports attack on Kursk logistics point The Ukrainian military reports another attack on Russian troops in the Kursk region. Using precision-guided US bombs, they attacked a Russian logistics point in the afternoon, explains the air force commander, Mykola Oleshchuk. "A drone control center, a radio-electronic warfare unit, equipment, weapons, and up to 40 Russian military personnel were targeted," Oleshchuk writes alongside a video supposedly showing the attack.
21:43 First follow-up meeting after Swiss peace summit After the peace summit in Switzerland in June, the first follow-up meeting has taken place, according to Ukraine. Representatives from over 40 states and organizations participated in the virtual session. Further such meetings of working groups are planned.
You can read all previous developments here.
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The ongoing Ukrainian conflict has attracted global attention, with various nations offering their support. For instance, German military aid is being utilized to investigate mysterious drone flights over industrial facilities in Schleswig-Holstein, suspected of espionage with the intention to cause sabotage. Meanwhile, in another part of the world, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi urges Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to engage in dialogue with Russia to end the war, playing the role of a potential mediator.
