France calls in Iranian diplomatic representatives for a meeting
12:03 For the Pentagon, Russian counteroffensive in Kursk remains insignificant thus farThe Pentagon isn't impressed by Russia's counteroffensive in Kursk. According to Pentagon spokesperson Pat Ryder, on Thursday, "We've seen Russian forces attempting some sort of counteroffensive in the Kursk region." At the moment, Ryder considers it insignificant, but they're keeping a close eye on it. The Russian Ministry of Defense claims its troops have recaptured ten settlements. However, this has yet to be confirmed. About five weeks ago, the Ukrainian army initiated an offensive in the Russian border region of Kursk, asserting the capture of approximately 100 Russian villages and nearly 1,300 square kilometers since then.
11:38 Despite numerous drone downings, drone attacks result in damageThe Ukrainian air force claims to have shot down 24 out of 26 drones overnight. In the Odessa region, one person was hurt, and 20 houses were damaged. Meanwhile, in the Mykolajiw region, drone debris triggered a fire at a food processing plant, as reported by regional authorities. The Ministry of Energy also reports damage to the power infrastructure in the Iwano-Frankiwsk region.
11:16 Kim receives Shoigu in PyongyangRussian Security Council Secretary Sergei Shoigu held meetings with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un in Pyongyang. The Russian Security Council states that these meetings took place in a unique atmosphere of mutual trust and friendship. Per the Russian Security Council, these talks will make a significant contribution to carrying out the defense pact signed by Kim and Kremlin chief Vladimir Putin in June. Putin mentions that this pact stipulates mutual aid in response to aggression against either party. Western nations accuse Moscow of employing North Korean rockets and artillery shells in Ukraine. In order to advance its operations in Ukraine, Russia needs more ammunition and is therefore engaging with countries such as China, Iran, and North Korea.
10:46 Russian parliamentary leader: NATO orchestrates war against our countryRussian parliament speaker Vyacheslav Volodin claims that NATO is actively involved in the fighting in Ukraine. Volodin wrote on Telegram, "They are waging war against our country." He suggests that NATO is aiding Ukraine in selecting Russian cities for attacks, coordinating military operations with the Ukrainian army, and generally directing the Kyiv government.
10:17 Munz on Putin's war threat to NATO: "Putin's statement fails to make headlines outside the evening news"There are concerns in the West that allowing Ukraine to conduct long-range attacks on Russian territory could trigger an escalation. Exactly this is what Kremlin chief Vladimir Putin is again threatening. Rainer Munz, an ntv correspondent, sees several reasons why Putin's threats may lack substance.
09:42 Family: Imprisoned Opposition Leader in Belarus critically illBelarusian opposition leader Maria Kalesnikava is in a critical condition, according to her sister. She claims Kalesnikava, who has been detained for four years, now weighs only 45 kg (approximately 99 lbs) at a height of 1.75 meters (5' 9"). Tatjana Chomitsch says former prisoners informed her of inhumane conditions and psychological as well as physical torture. The Belarusian Ministry of Internal Affairs did not respond to requests about Kalesnikava's detention conditions. Kalesnikava has become a symbol of resistance following the protests against Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko in 2020. She is serving an 11-year prison sentence for allegedly plotting a coup.
09:20 Agreement on the Deployment of the Lithuanian Brigade SignedGermany and Lithuania have finalized an agreement governing the logistics of deploying a combat-ready brigade in the NATO member state of Lithuania. Defense Minister Boris Pistorius and his Lithuanian counterpart Laurynas Kasciunas signed the agreement in Berlin. The agreement helps clarify the legal status of German soldiers and civilian workers in Lithuania, providing them with legal assurance. The agreement covers various aspects, such as residency rights, tax rules, the school system, public health oversight, road traffic, and public safety. It lays the groundwork for establishing German schools and kindergartens in Lithuania. The brigade is expected to become operational by 2027. Read more here.
08:56 Russia Expels Six British DiplomatsRussia has ejected six British diplomats on charges of spying. The FSB intelligence agency claims to possess documents showing that the British Foreign Office orchestrates both political and military escalation. Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova accuses the British embassy of harming the Russian people, according to TASS news agency. The British Foreign Office dismisses the allegations as baseless. Russia's expulsion of British diplomats is in response to British measures following alleged Russian activities in Europe and the United Kingdom, the BBC reports.
08:31 Weapon Release would equate to NATO's involvement in the war for PutinUkrainian President Zelenskyy has long urged the release of long-range missiles for attacks on Russian military targets. The US and the UK are now planning to review this matter. Putin swiftly employs intimidating language toward the West in response.
08:03 Russia Offers Insights on Overpowering Western WeaponsRussia is extending an invitation to share its lessons learned in tackling diverse Western weaponry with its partners. This disclosure was made by Russian Deputy Defense Minister Alexander Fomin during a security gathering in China. According to the Russian press agency RIA, these insights were obtained during the conflicts in Ukraine, leading to advances in modern warfare. Russia is open to sharing this acquired knowledge with its allies. The battles have led to the neutralization of Western weapons using Russian technology.
07:34 Domestic Security Agency Confirms Arrests: Individuals Accused of Arson Attacks in Kyiv on Behalf of RussiaFive individuals are suspected of conducting arson attacks in Kyiv on behalf of a Russian intelligence agency. These arrests were announced by the Ukrainian domestic security agency. The suspects allegedly set fire to five military vehicles and distributed leaflets designed to discredit the military. Based on the domestic security agency's report, these individuals hailed from various Ukrainian regions and relocated to Kyiv in search of work. During their quest for temporary income, they were contacted by Russian agents via Telegram. The individuals also recorded their activities on their phones, expecting financial compensation, which never materialized.
07:05 Chief Rabbi of Ukraine Grieves Over Adopted Son Killed in ConflictThe Chief Rabbi of Ukraine, Moshe Asman, is mourning the loss of his adopted son, Anton Samborskij, who perished during the Russian invasion. A memorial service, attended by soldiers, veterans, and others, was held in Kyiv to honor the 32-year-old, who went missing at the end of July, and later confirmed dead after weeks of uncertainty. Samborskij became a father to a daughter in May, Rabbi Asman shared on social media. He had adopted Samborskij as a 10-year-old orphan. The last conversation between the father and son took place on July 17th.
06:29 Japan Describes Encounter with Russian Fighter JetsJapan's military deployed fighter jets on Thursday following the approach of two Russian aircraft towards the island nation. According to the Defense Ministry, the Russian jets did not breach Japanese airspace, moving instead from the sea towards the southern region of Okinawa from morning to afternoon. In response, "we called upon the Air Self-Defense Force to mobilize fighter jets on an emergency basis," the ministry reported. The Russian jets concluded their journey in the north, crossing over the disputed Kuriles, an area contested between Japan and Russia. Earlier in the week, Russian and Chinese warships initiated joint exercises in the Sea of Japan, a part of a large-scale naval exercise. Russian warplanes had previously circled Japan in 2019. Check out further information here.
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06:07 Moscow: US Adopts Containment Strategy Against Russia and ChinaRussia's Deputy Defense Minister, Alexander Fomin, stated during a security conference in China that the U.S. is pursuing a strategy of containment against Russia and China. TASS, a Russian press agency, shared this information. In Fomin's words, both Russia and China advocate for the establishment of a fair, multi-polar world order built on equality and mutual respect, while the West readies for possible conflicts in Asia by establishing new security blocs in the region.
05:27 Ukraine: Civil Merchant Ship Struck by Anti-ship MissileThe Ukrainian Navy revealed fresh details concerning a suspected Russian aerial attack against a civilian merchant ship in the Black Sea. According to their report, a Tu-22 bomber likely fired a Ch-22 anti-ship missile at the vessel. The ship, bearing the flag of the Caribbean nation of St. Kitts and Nevis, was situated beyond Ukrainian territorial waters when the incident took place. On its way from the Ukrainian port of Chornomorsk to Egypt, carrying wheat as cargo, the vessel encountered this threat. According to a BBC report, the merchant ship was in the Romanian exclusive economic zone at the time. Alternatively, a Ch-31 missile, less powerful and employed for radar suppression, was used instead, according to this report.
03:19 Incident at Demarcation Line: Moldovan Soldier's Fatal ShootingA Moldovan soldier died under unclear circumstances while performing his duties at the demarcation line separating Moldova from the separatist region of Transnistria. The Ministry of Defense of the Republic of Moldova disclosed that the soldier was fatally wounded by a shot from his own weapon while carrying out his responsibilities at his post. A police investigation and forensic examination are now underway to establish the facts of the incident. Soldiers from Moldova, the separatist region of Transnistria, and Russian troops have maintained a presence at the demarcation line since a 1992 conflict, following the disintegration of the Soviet Union. Moldova is committed to reintegrating Transnistria into its territory. Incidents at the demarcation line are uncommon.
02:18 UK Prime Minister: "No Intent to Engage in Conflict with Russia"UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer contradicts Russian President Putin's claim that the Western provision of long-range weapons, enabling attacks deep into Russian territory, amounts to NATO's involvement in the conflict. "Ukraine has the right to self-defense," Starmer emphasizes. The UK unequivocally supports this right by offering training opportunities in related contexts. "However, we are not seeking a conflict with Russia - this is not our intent in any way," the UK Prime Minister reiterated. Learn more here.
01:09 Former US Ambassador to Kyiv: Harris would likely take a more assertive stance towards UkraineFormer US Ambassador to Ukraine, William B. Taylor, predicts that if elected, Democratic presidential candidate Kamala Harris would take a more assertive stance towards Ukraine compared to the current President Biden. Harris has shown this inclination in certain matters, as Taylor pointed out during an event at the American University in Kyiv. According to Taylor, Biden has been hesitant in some aspects, such as those concerning HIMARS, Abrams, and F-16 fighter jets. Moreover, Biden is currently cautious about allowing Ukraine to initiate attacks deep into Russia. Taylor anticipates a more assertive approach from Harris, potentially due to the expected changes she would bring to the White House's foreign policy team.
00:27 Zelensky thanks Estonia for military aidUkrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky welcomes Estonian President Alar Karis in Kyiv, extending his gratitude for the military support. Estonia, being a member of both the EU and NATO, has committed to allocating 0.25% of its annual GDP to support Ukraine's defense needs. The discussions between the two leaders also covered rebuilding efforts and Ukraine's aspirations to join the EU. Meanwhile, Latvian Prime Minister Evika Siliņa pledged further support during a meeting with Zelensky.
23:19 BND not required to share assessment with journalistThe Federal Intelligence Service (BND) is not obligated to inform a journalist whether it considered a military victory for Ukraine as difficult or impossible in confidential discussions. The Federal Administrative Court in Leipzig ruled this, also denying the journalist's request for disclosure of the media outlets participating in these discussions. However, the BND is required to provide information on the number of confidential individual background discussions on the military situation in Ukraine this year. The journalist filed an emergency application following a newspaper article from May, which reported that a CDU politician claimed the BND was spreading a negative assessment of the military situation in Ukraine to influence public opinion.
22:06 German Politicians Support Use of Long-Range Weapons Against RussiaPoliticians from Germany's coalition government support authorizing Kyiv to use long-range weapons against targets in Russia. SPD foreign policy expert Michael Roth told T-Online that it is justified and in accordance with international law to "finally attack military targets in Russia with long-range Western rockets." Roth suggested military airfields, command centers, or launch bases as potential targets, which he believes are sources of "cruel attacks on civilian Ukrainian targets." FDP defense committee chairman Marcus Faber also supports the idea, stating that it is long overdue to allow "Russian military airports to be targeted with long-range weapons like ATACMS and Storm Shadow." Green politician Anton Hofreiter emphasized that Russia continually terrorizes the Ukrainian civilian population with rocket attacks on hospitals, residential buildings, and energy infrastructure. To effectively protect the Ukrainian civilian population, he believes the army should be authorized to target military bases on Russian territory with long-range weapons.
21:35 Vance Discusses Trump's Ideas for UkraineRepublican vice-presidential candidate J.D. Vance believes that Donald Trump's plan to bring an end to the war in Ukraine might include establishing a demilitarized zone between Ukraine and Russia. Explaining this in an interview with TV producer Shawn Ryan, Vance suggests that Trump could gather Russians, Ukrainians, and Europeans at the negotiating table to discuss potential peace solutions. "He could reach a deal quickly," Vance concluded. Trump is known for his sympathetic sentiment towards Russian President Vladimir Putin and his criticism of US aid to Ukraine. The former president also claims to have the ability to end the war within 24 hours if elected, though he has not provided further details of his plan.
21:03 "We are Russians. God is with us" - Fascist March in St. PetersburgVarious Russian nationalists and fascists, shouting "We are Russians. God is with us," led a march through St. Petersburg. The occasion was the anniversary of the transfer of relics of Alexander Nevsky, who is regarded as a national hero and saint of the Orthodox Church. Repeatedly, they chanted, "Forward, Russians!"
20:28 Kremlin Propagandist: "The ideal barrier is the Atlantic"Russian TV host Vladimir Solovyov believes Russia should expand beyond Ukraine's borders. "I think the optimal boundary is the Atlantic. A natural barrier," says the Kremlin propagandist. "The best location for our troops - Berlin, Lisbon, Madrid. And how beautiful they looked in Paris." When reminded of Russia's limited population, he suggests bringing in Belarusians as allies, or even turning to China.
20:01 British Volunteers Prepare for WinterIn many Ukrainian homes that have managed to withstand the shelling, windows are missing – a concerning situation as winter approaches. The British NGO "Insulate Ukraine" is addressing this issue, visiting war zones to install temporary windows.
The European Union has expressed concerns over Russia's actions in Ukraine and its potential implications for the region. In response to Russia's recent activities, the European Union has implemented sanctions against Russian officials and businesses.
Germany, as a member of the European Union, has also pledged its support to Ukraine, signing an agreement to deploy a combat-ready brigade in Lithuania, a NATO member state, to help strengthen the collective defense capability of the alliance.
