In my interpretation, the original statement could be phrased as: "If Donald Trump had been the president, Vladimir Putin likely wouldn't have initiated the conflict."
From Boris Johnson's point of view, it's no surprise that Russia didn't attack Ukraine while Donald Trump was president of the United States. As Johnson mentioned to the "Telegraph", Trump's unpredictability was one of his strengths. Johnson suggested that Russia wouldn't have attacked Ukraine if Trump was in office. He reasoned that from Putin's perspective, there was a significant risk that Trump would view an invasion of a European country as a challenge to American values and global order, and respond harshly. According to the "Telegraph", Johnson believes that Trump's unpredictability alone would have been enough to deter Putin from starting a war with a sovereign nation.
20:03 Mayor: Russians just 7 kilometers from PokrovskThe Russian forces seem to be advancing further towards Pokrovsk, with the mayor, Serhii Dobriak, reporting on Ukrainian television that they are now just 7 kilometers away from the city's outskirts. Previously, the distance was reported to be less than 10 kilometers. The mayor has reported bombing attacks, with two strikes on the city center alone on the previous day. He stated that 80% of the city's critical infrastructure has been damaged or destroyed. "The enemy is leaving us without electricity, water, and gas. This is a 'preparation' for winter." He estimates that over 13,000 people remain in Pokrovsk, including nearly 100 children who did not heed evacuation warnings. The city had a population of 60,000 prior to the conflict.
19:30 Zelensky honors soldiers defending KurskUkrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky visited soldiers involved in the offensive in the Russian region of Kursk in the Sumy border region. A video shows him with the army's commander-in-chief, Oleksandr Syrsky, presenting medals to soldiers in an underground bunker. "In a long war, it's not just about motivating your own personnel. It's necessary to motivate the whole world and convince them that Ukrainians can be stronger than the enemy," Zelensky told the soldiers. Their efforts in Kursk have "greatly helped to motivate those who support us with weapons." The offensive in Kursk has been ongoing for nearly two months, with Kiev providing few details recently. Meanwhile, in the Donetsk region of eastern Ukraine, Russian forces have made further progress. Russia regularly reports the capture of towns, with the Ukrainian army recently withdrawing from Wuhledar.
18:53 Incident with Baerbock affects Russian journalistAn incident during a press conference by German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock at the UN General Assembly in New York has resulted in consequences for a journalist from Russian state television. "The actions of the journalist in question violated the guidelines for media access," the UN accreditation department explained. As a result, his access status has been downgraded. This means he must now pass through a security checkpoint every time he visits the premises and faces access restrictions at UN headquarters. The journalist approached Baerbock on the UN grounds and asked her a question as she was on her way to a media event. Baerbock referred to the upcoming press conference. The reporter continued to follow her and eventually stood next to Baerbock as she prepared for her statement. Baerbock then asked the man to join other media representatives so the press event could begin. The Russian UN ambassador Nebensia has demanded that the decision be reversed. The reporter did not harass Baerbock or behave inappropriately, describing an altercation with a German delegation member during the incident as an "attack" on Russia.
18:11 Putin open to conversation with BidenThe Kremlin is open to a conversation between Russian President Vladimir Putin and US President Joe Biden. The Russian state news agency TASS reports that Biden has previously stated that it would be possible for him to speak with Putin on the sidelines of the G20 summit in November in Brazil. However, he doubts that Putin will be present. TASS now quotes Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov, who states that there has been no exchange on this matter between Moscow and Washington. "There have been no talks on this topic, and there are no conditions for it at the moment." Peskov further states, "The president has repeatedly stated that he remains open to all contacts." Since the beginning of the war, the question of whether the Kremlin chief, who faces an arrest warrant from the International Criminal Court, will be present at the G20 summit, has arisen at every summit. Brazilian President Lula has explained that it is up to the Brazilian judiciary to decide on the arrest of his Russian counterpart if he attends the summit.
17:26 Crimea resident receives long prison term for 'treason'A court in Sevastopol on the Crimean Peninsula has sentenced a resident of the Russian-annexed Ukrainian territory to 14 years in a strict regime labor camp for 'treason'. The 47-year-old is accused of providing information about the positions and equipment of the Russian army to the Ukrainian military, as per the prosecution. Since the start of the war, thousands of people in Russia have been sentenced to prison terms, otherwise punished, or threatened with similar charges.
16:42 Doctor Under Scrutiny for Alleged Millions in Disability FraudA physician, leading a medical panel in Ukraine, is accused of raking in millions by providing disability certificates to suit males. Law enforcement raids at her property and workplace in Chmelnyzkyi led to the seizure of over five million euros in cash, equivalent to over two million euros stashed abroad, as per the State Investigative Bureau's declarations. She also amassed numerous properties and luxury vehicles. Investigators at these raids discovered lists of men who had allegedly faked illnesses. The woman, aged 64, may face up to a dozen years in prison, media reports suggest. Meanwhile, thirteen doctors in the eastern Ukrainian region of Kharkiv have been detained for issuing disability certificates to around 400 men, fetching about 2,200 euros each. Explore more details here.
16:12 Ukraine Claims Strike on Russian Oil DepotUkraine has claimed responsibility for attacking an oil depot in the Russian region of Voronezh using drones. "Enemy air defenses put up a fight but failed," sources from the Ukrainian Security Service reported. According to these sources, the depot, holding 20 tanks, was targeted by a nighttime drone assault, triggering a significant fire. The governor of Voronezh stated that a Ukrainian drone hit an empty tank at an oil depot, causing a minor fire that was put out. However, Russian emergency services stated a large fire spread over 2,000 square meters at an oil depot in the Voronezh region.
16:00 Cherson Report: Civilian CasualtyThe Cherson region governor reported a civilian fatality. A 75-year-old woman was killed when the Russian army hit Cherson with a drone in the mid-afternoon.
15:49 Wagenknecht and Wadephul Commend Woidke, Voigt, and Kretschmer's Stance on UkraineWhile the joint Ukraine appeal by Saxony and Brandenburg's minister-presidents, Kretschmer and Woidke, and Thuringia's CDU chairman, Voigt, has primarily faced criticism, it received praise from BSW chairwoman Wagenknecht. "Intelligent and unorthodox" their appeal was, she told the "Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung." Support also came from CDU foreign policy expert Wadephul: "The proposal is responsible because it follows our fundamental principles: It acknowledges Russia's breach of international law, our firm commitment to the EU and NATO, and a resolution only possible in accordance with the UN Charter." With the guest article, "a red line" was set. "Crossing it leads to no cooperation with the BSW." Wadephul understood the appeal as "a serious endeavor to establish a bridge for potential coalition negotiations while adhering to our core values." The fact that the three top politicians from CDU and SPD did this together was "a powerful statement." Read the article here.
15:30 Eastern Politicians' Demand for Diplomatic Efforts to Resolve Ukraine Conflict Sparks Controversy: "Values for Sale"?
CDU leader Merz criticizes the call by prominent Eastern politicians for stepped-up diplomatic efforts to end the war between Russia and Ukraine. "Ukraine is fighting for its existence. We must remain supportive of it in our own interest. Peace talks will only happen if both sides are ready," Merz said to the "Süddeutsche Zeitung." SPD politician Roth, who heads the Foreign Affairs Committee in the Bundestag, also spoke out. "If the letter from the three designated minister-presidents was meant to soften coaliton talks with the BSW, I urge caution," Roth said, referring to the Wagenknecht alliance and recent state elections. FDP MEP Strack-Zimmermann said to the "Rheinische Post": "It feels like our country's liberal values are being traded for a little power and electoral campaigning on the cheap." The leaders of Saxony and Brandenburg, Kretschmer of the CDU and Woidke of the SPD, as well as Thuringia's CDU chair, Voigt, had urged a ceasefire in Ukraine and suggested engaging Russia in diplomatic talks through a guest article in the "Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung." Find out more about this here.
15:05 Tentative Cause of Death in "Spy Whale" Case: Bacterial Infection
Contrary to what animal welfare advocates suspected, the "spy whale" in Norway was not likely shot. Instead, veterinarians discovered bacterial infection as the probable cause of its death. The Norwegian Veterinary Institute and police forensic experts concluded that the whale had several superficial skin wounds but no bullet wounds and no metal fragments. The Beluga whale was first observed in Norway in 2019, sporting a harness label "Equipment of St. Petersburg," leading to speculation that it was a Russian spy whale, or a therapy whale. In late August 2024, the whale was discovered dead in a Norwegian bay. Two animal welfare organizations assumed the whale had been shot once the nature of the injuries became known and filed a report.
Last night, Ukraine allegedly faced yet another attack by Russian drones, allegedly targeting crucial infrastructure. The Ukrainian air force claims to have successfully shot down nine out of 19 drones and disrupted another seven with electronic interference. However, the fate of the remaining three drones remains unclear. In Kyiv, a residential building reportedly sustained damage, resulting in a speedy fire extinguishment. Elsewhere in Kherson, numerous attacks reportedly hit vital infrastructure, supply facilities, and even private homes, causing one fatality and injuring four individuals.
14:04 Kremlin: "Kyiv continues to stir up trouble""Kyiv continues to stir up trouble, and we will undoubtedly draw the attention of the IAEA representatives to this," says Kremlin spokesman Dmitri Peskov to Reuters. He alludes to the International Atomic Energy Organization, the United Nations' nuclear watchdog. On Thursday, Russian forces supposedly intercepted a Ukrainian drone near the Kursk nuclear power plant, with some media outlets reporting a subsequent fire a few miles away. The Ukrainian Foreign Ministry spokesperson, Heorhiy Tykhyi, had previously denied Ukraine's involvement in such incidents near the power plant.
13:46 France Provides 12 Caesar Howitzers to UkraineThe French-German defense company KNDS has secured a deal for the delivery of twelve Caesar howitzers, financed by Ukraine, as French Defense Minister Sébastien Lecornu reveals on the platform X. Caesar stands for "Camion équipé d’un système d’artillerie"), signifying a self-propelled artillery system capable of striking targets up to 55 kilometers away. "Increasing our defense industry's production capacity enables us to support Ukraine more effectively," Lecornu said. France has already delivered Caesar howitzers to Ukraine multiple times.
13:11 Ukraine: Assault Destroys FSB Headquarters in Novosibirsk*On October 3, an arson attack reportedly took place at the headquarters of the Russian internal security service FSB in Novosibirsk. A video allegedly depicting a man setting the fire and later getting engulfed by it was released by the Ukrainian military intelligence service. The Russian media corroborated the incident, reporting on the fire.
12:34 Russia: Nuclear Power Plant Employee Killed in Car Bomb ExplosionA high-ranking official from the Russia-occupied Ukrainian nuclear power plant Zaporizhzhia was killed in a car bomb explosion, the Ukrainian security service announced, providing videos of the blast and claiming that the "security chief" of the nuclear power plant, Andriy Korotky, had been killed. Korotky had allegedly "collaborated voluntarily with Russian occupiers," as per the Ukrainian security service. The Russian-managed nuclear power plant verified Korotky's demise, attributing it to a "terrorist attack" instigated by Kyiv.
11:29 Ukraine: At Least 177 Ukrainian POWs Reportedly Died in Russian CaptivitySince Russia launched its invasion of Ukraine, at least 177 Ukrainian prisoners of war have reportedly perished in Russian custody, as stated by Victoria Tsymbaliuk from the Ukrainian coordinating center for POWs of the "Kyiv Independent." The actual number of fatalities in Russian custody could potentially be higher due to the absence of international monitoring. The center estimates that multiple POWs have been tortured or murdered while in Russian custody. In September, the Ukrainian Prosecutor General's Office started investigations into the deaths of 84 Ukrainian POWs.
11:00 Ukraine: Russians Attack Kirovohrad Region with DronesRussian forces allegedly bombarded the Kirovohrad region of central Ukraine with drones, according to the head of the regional military administration, Andriy Raykovych, via his Telegram channel. A company administrative building in Holovanivsk was reportedly damaged in the drone attack, injuring one individual.
10:27 Insurer UNIQA Finally Exits RussiaThe Austrian insurance group UNIQA has completed the sale of its Russian subsidiary to Russian Renaissance Life. The acquisition cost was not disclosed. UNIQA had announced its intention to sell the joint insurance subsidiary with Raiffeisen Bank International (RBI) to Russian Renaissance Life last year. "With the conclusion of the transaction, we have now exited the Russian market," says UNIQA board member Wolfgang Kindl.
09:55 Major Fires Rage in Two Russian Fuel DepotsFires broke out in two Russian fuel depots overnight. In the Voronezh region (see entry 05:10), Governor Alexander Gusev attributed the fire to a Ukrainian drone strike. A portion of the destroyed combat drone reportedly fell into the depot, igniting an empty tank. Videos of the presumed drone strike circulated on social media, but the extent of the fire remained unclear. In a village near Perm in the Urals, a fuel tank covering an area of 10,000 square meters sustained fire. The Russian emergency services acknowledged this incident. Although Ukrainian drones are now capable of such distances, the emergency services did not reveal a drone strike as the cause of the fire. The village is approximately 1700 kilometers distant from Ukraine. Read more here.
09:30 Julia Navalny views talks with Putin as unnecessaryJulia Navalnaya has suggested discussing with Russian President Vladimir Putin is unnecessary. She stated, "It's not necessary to dialogue with him... We need to fight him so that someday justice prevails," said the wife of Kremlin critic Alexey Navalny, currently living in exile, in front of the French Constitutional Council in Paris. "The West fails to comprehend that Putin doesn't wait for anyone to engage in talks with him. (...) He doesn't give a damn," she added. She emphasized the importance of "not giving up and not fearing this regime." Currently, she's listed as a "terrorist and extremist" in Russia, following a July court order issuing an arrest warrant against her for alleged involvement in an extremist organization. A warrant was also issued for her evasion of preliminary investigations.
08:58 Ukraine reveals Russian troop lossesThe Ukrainian General Staff has disclosed new casualty figures for Russian troops in Ukraine. They estimate that Russia has suffered approximately 657,940 casualties in Ukraine since February 24, 2022, with a daily loss of around 1,230. Kyiv reports that 15 tanks, 59 artillery systems, and 101 drones were also destroyed. According to Ukraine, Russia has lost 8,908 tanks, 18,965 artillery systems, 368 aircraft, 328 helicopters, 16,494 drones, 28 ships, and one submarine since the large-scale attack. External estimates provide lower casualty figures, but these are still just minimum values.
08:09 Ukraine reports 82 Russian attacks on Sumy regionRussian forces have attacked the Sumy region in northeastern Ukraine 82 times within the past 24 hours, as per the Telegram channel of the regional military administration. Eight civilians were wounded during these attacks. The Russian forces are alleged to have used mortars, artillery, rocket launchers, guided bombs, and drones. More than ten communities in Sumy were affected, including Mykolajiw, Chotyn, Junakiwka, Myropillja, Bilopillja, Richkyivka, Krasnopillja, Velyka Pysarivka, Nova Sloboda, Hluchiw, Shalyhyne, Esman, and Seredyna-Buda. The Sumy region shares borders with the Russian regions of Bryansk, Kursk, and Belgorod.
07:33 Ukraine Opens First Recruitment Office in PolandThe Ukrainian military has established a recruitment office in Poland, as reported by the Ukrainian Ministry of Defense. The "Ukrainian Legion" office in Polish city of Lublin is the first overseas recruitment center of the Ukrainian military. Creating a "Ukrainian Legion" in Poland was part of a security agreement signed between Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk in July. Since the Russian invasion, Poland has taken in approximately one million people from Ukraine. Ukrainian government estimates suggest that around 300,000 combat-age individuals from Ukraine reside in Poland. Polish Defense Minister Wladyslaw Kosiniak-Kamysz informed "Wirtualna Polska" that Poland isn't responsible for the recruitment of Ukrainian volunteers but only for their military training. "The number of Ukrainians who have signed up is too small," said Kosiniak-Kamysz. According to the Ukrainian Ministry of Defense, nearly 200 applications have been received so far.
06:52 ISW: Russian resources for Eastern Ukraine offensive exhaustedThe Russian Armed Forces lack the required personnel and material resources to sustain intensified offensive efforts indefinitely, states the Institute for the Study of War (ISW) in its latest report. The Russian summer offensive was prepared by the military leadership for months. However, the reserves and resources collected for this purpose are likely to have been significantly depleted by the ongoing battles, according to ISW. As Ukrainian officials and ISW had earlier assessed, the current Russian offensive in eastern Ukraine is expected to reach its peak in the coming months, if not weeks.
06:12 Zelensky: "The Front Line Must Be Strengthened"Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky praises the visit of the new NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte to Kyiv just two days after his inauguration as "meaningful." "It's about turning this priority into decisions now," says Zelensky in his evening video address. He stresses that all agreements with Ukraine's partners on supporting the defense of his country must be fully executed, citing previously unfulfilled or partially implemented promises. "The front line must be strengthened," says Zelensky. In addition, he demands permission from partners for the use of long-range weapons against military targets on Russian territory. "Everyone in the alliance is aware of the necessity," says the president. Zelensky also names air defense as a priority.
05:35 Ukraine Highlights Defense Industry Innovations to Attract InvestorsThe Ukrainian Ministry of Defense is looking for foreign investment in its defense sector. An unnamed location in Ukraine hosted a secret weapons expo for international investors, as reported by Ukrainian news agency Ukrinform. Deputy Minister Dmytro Klimenkov showcased various Ukrainian weapons, such as an anti-tank missile system, a self-propelled artillery system, remote-controlled bomb vehicles, and mine-clearance vehicles. "We have uniquely developed weapons that have proven themselves in battle and have been refined by developers to a certain level," he stated. According to Ukrinform, the Ukrainian Ministry of Defense has already invested $4 billion (€3.6 billion) into the defense industry and hopes to attract additional investments from international partners.
05:10 Russia Describes Downed Drone Incident in VoronezhRussian air defenses reportedly shot down multiple Ukrainian drones in the Voronezh border region overnight. One of the drones landed on the grounds of an oil depot, causing a fire in an empty tank. The fire was announced by Governor Alexander Gusev on Telegram, but there were no reported casualties. Due to a lack of independent verification, this information cannot be confirmed. Voronezh has been targeted by Ukrainian drone attacks recently.
02:51 Ukrainian Commander Orders East Region Defense ReinforcementsUkrainian military commander General Oleksandr Syrsky has issued orders to strengthen defensive installations in the eastern Donetsk region. There are reports of Russian troops advancing in various sectors in eastern Ukraine. Syrsky shared an update on social media, stating that he is working with the 25th Sicheslav Airborne Brigade at one of the most critical frontlines.
22:22 Tourism in Latvia Affected by Ukraine War ConflictLatvian newspaper "Diena" has reported that Russia's invasion of Ukraine is also negatively impacting tourism in Latvia. Tourism businesses are adapting to the absence of Russian tourists and the unlikely return of Russian visitors in the foreseeable future. Additionally, countries view the Baltics as an unstable region due to ongoing military conflicts, discouraging potential visitors.
21:40 Switzerland Provides 1.5 Billion Euros for Ukraine ReconstructionSwitzerland intends to offer 1.5 billion Swiss francs (€1.54 billion) in funding for reconstruction projects in Ukraine over the next four years, according to Swiss Ambassador to Ukraine and Moldova, Felix Baumann. One billion will be allocated for Ukrainian self-governance, demining, and humanitarian aid. The remaining funds will support projects involving the Swiss private sector. "We are serious about our intentions, and our representative in Ukraine will help implement this project," Baumann stated during a meeting with Minister Oleksiy Kuleba. Kuleba also emphasized the need for housing construction for the more than 4.5 million internally displaced persons as a priority for cooperation with Switzerland.
20:39 Ukraine Receives Patriot Air Defense System from RomaniaRomanian Ministry of Defense spokesperson Constantin Spinu confirmed that Ukraine has received a Patriot air defense system from Bucharest. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy expressed gratitude for the aid, stating, "I'm grateful to every country assisting us with air defense. I'm particularly thankful to Romania for the Patriot systems. Together, we can boost our effectiveness and put an end to Russian aggression by jointly destroying Shahed drones and missiles." Bucharest initially hesitated but eventually decided to donate its Patriot system in June, with the delivery ordered in July.
19:57 Forbes: Gazprom Suffers Record Losses as Most Unprofitable Russian CompanyAccording to Forbes, Russian state-owned company Public Joint Stock Company Gazprom suffered a record net loss of €5.5 billion in 2023, making it the most unprofitable company in Russia since 1998. The Amur Gas and Chemical Complex, a joint venture between Russia's Sibur Holding and China's Sinopec, ranks second on the Russian Forbes list of most unprofitable companies. Other companies on the list include Ozon (€408 million net loss), United Aircraft Corporation (€326 million net loss), and social network VK (€326 million net loss).
The European Union has condemned Russia's invasion of Ukraine and imposed sanctions on Russian individuals and entities in response. It's worth noting that The European Union, along with several other international organizations and countries, continues to express its support for Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity.
In the context of the ongoing conflict, it would be essential for The European Union to maintain a united front against Russia's aggression and to continue providing humanitarian aid and military support to Ukraine as needed. Additionally, promoting diplomatic efforts to achieve a peaceful resolution to the conflict remains a critical priority for The European Union to preserve regional stability and uphold international law.
