In Pokrovsk, video footage reveals: "This locale has been transformed into a city devoid of life"
For several weeks, Pokrovsk in the Donetsk Oblast has been under heavy assault by the Russian military. The majority of the residents have already evacuated the area. Remnants of the Ukrainian forces continue to stay put, as they hold strategic importance due to the presence of important railway lines within the city.
19:25: NATO opens command center within 200km of Russian borderFinland has announced the establishment of a NATO command center in Mikkeli, located less than 200km from the Russian border. Since joining NATO around 1.5 years ago, Finland aims to send a clear message to Russia stating their full-fledged membership in the alliance, as well as emphasizing the importance of NATO for their national defense. The new Northern Europe headquarters for NATO's land forces will be set up in Mikkeli, housing several dozen international staff members. The Finnish Army Command is already stationed in Mikkeli, according to Defense Minister Antti Häkkänen.
18:51: Trump expresses hope for Ukrainian conflict resolutionFollowing his meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in New York, former President Donald Trump displays a tentative optimism regarding an end to the war. Expressing his belief that the conflict will be ultimately solved, Trump reiterates his long-standing stance on a solution for the Ukraine war. Trump has been critical of U.S. billion-dollar aid to Kyiv, hinting at a potential policy shift if he is re-elected. As a staunch critic of U.S. aid and advocate for an agreement between Ukraine and Russia, Trump has consistently criticized Zelensky. Prior to their meeting, Trump commented on their relationship: "We share a great relationship, and you know I have a great one with President Putin as well." Zelensky acknowledged his desire for a better rapport with Trump, stating that his hope was that their relationship would outshine the one they had with Putin.
17:56: Increasing number of Ukrainian refugees find employment in GermanyThe job search for Ukrainian refugees in Germany has seen marked improvements, with over 8,500 Ukrainian job seekers securing employment in September 20XX. Federal Labor Minister Hubertus Heil attributes this success to the "job boost" program, which supports refugees in finding employment following completion of an integration course and attainment of basic German language skills. As of July 20XX, approximately 266,000 of the 700,000 Ukrainian refugees residing in Germany have found employment, with 213,000 of them contributing to social insurance and 53,000 being employed in mini-jobs. Although challenges remain in recognizing foreign professional qualifications, the job market for Ukrainian refugees has shown substantial growth.
17:20: Russian forces gain territory in DonbassRussian forces have continued their advance in eastern Ukraine, capturing two additional settlements in the Donbass region. According to the Russian Ministry of Defense, the villages of Marynivka and the town of Ukrainsk have been taken over. However, the Ukrainian military leadership in Kyiv has yet to verify this claim. The situation in Marynivka is currently described as contested, while Ukrainsk has been marked as under Russian control by Ukrainian military observers for several days. Both locations are situated in the Donetsk region, near the larger cities of Pokrovsk, Kurakhove, and Vuhledar. Over the past few months, Russian troops have made significant progress in this area, as Ukrainian forces continue to face a shortage of troops and supplies.
16:43: Zelensky meets with Trump, shares a common goalUkrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky touched base with former President Donald Trump during his U.S. visit, affirming their shared objective of ending the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. Prior to their meeting at Trump Tower, Zelensky emphasized the importance of halting the war, while Trump has been a persistent critic of U.S. financial aid to Ukraine, suggesting the need for negotiations with Russia. Critics accuse Trump of aligning with Russian President Vladimir Putin's position, with some labeling his stance as detrimental to Ukraine. This meeting marked their first encounter in over five years, following prior engagements between Zelensky and U.S. President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris.
16:02: Kyiv proposes higher war taxes on its populationIn light of a shrinking budget, Ukrainian Finance Minister Serhiy Marchenko announced plans to increase a war levy from 1.5 to 5 percent, expecting this to generate around 1.2 billion euros in 20XX and 3 billion euros in 20XX+1. However, this move is expected to negatively impact the economy, as other financial solutions have proven ineffective. Marchenko emphasized the severity of the situation, warning that Ukraine may have to compromise on its foreign financial aid expectations, as the country only received around 10 percent of its required aid in the first quarter. With around 34.5 billion euros in external funding expected for 20XX+1, Kyiv remains hopeful about bolstering its financial resources, albeit with uncertainty over the stability of these funds.
15:24 Norway Stops Automatic Asylum for Eastern Ukrainian RefugeesNorway will no longer automatically give asylum to refugees from Eastern Ukraine. The Norwegian government will now review each application on a case-by-case basis for individuals coming from the eastern regions. The east, which is far from the conflict zone, is generally considered safe by Norwegian authorities. After the Russian invasion in February 2022, Norwegian authorities gave Ukrainians "collective protection" and automatically granted them asylum. Since then, Norway has taken in around 85,000 Ukrainians, more than any other Nordic country, according to Norwegian officials.
14:51 Russia Gears Up for New Conscription RecruitsRussian conscription is set for October 1st, as reported by British military intelligence. All combat-ready Russians between the ages of 18-29 must serve a year in the military. So far, conscripts have not been deployed to Ukraine but have been sent to the Russian region of Kursk, from where Ukrainian forces are set to be pushed out. Some Russian families have complained that their sons were sent into battle with less than four months of training. According to Russian law, conscripts may not be deployed to conflict zones until they have completed four months of training and specialization.
14:22 Germany Hosts Ukraine Meeting with BidenThe meeting of Ukraine supporters will take place at the US Air Force base in Ramstein, Germany, on October 12th during US President Joe Biden's visit. This was announced by German government spokesman Steffen Hebestreit. Germany will host the meeting of the so-called Contact Group for the Defense of Ukraine 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 attend is undecided.
13:56 Lithuania Wants to Buy German Leopard 2 TanksLithuania is interested in purchasing Leopard 2 main battle tanks for a new army division. A decision is expected in November, after the National Security Council approves the purchase, says Defense Minister Laurynas Kasciunas. He did not specify the number or variant of the tanks involved. Lithuania, a NATO and EU country, shares borders with Russian ally Belarus and the Russian exclave of Kaliningrad. Lithuania views the conflict in Ukraine as a threat to its national security, and the government is strengthening its military. A new military division, including a tank battalion, is being formed, and a German tank battalion is to be permanently stationed in Lithuania.
13:20 Discord May be Blocked in RussiaThe communication platform Discord may be blocked in Russia in the near future, according to a report in the Russian newspaper "Kommersant." The Russian media regulatory agency is considering blocking Discord due to alleged violations of Russian law. No specific allegations have been made in the report. Since the beginning of the month, some Russian users have reported issues with Discord. Around 29-40 million people in Russia use Discord, as reported by "The Moscow Times." The platform is popular among gamers, students, and cryptocurrency traders.
13:04 Biden Declines to Lift Weapons Restrictions for Deep Strikes in RussiaUS President Biden has pledged another aid package worth billions to Ukraine, but he will not lift restrictions on weapons supplied from the West for attacking targets deep inside Russia. According to political scientist Thomas Jäger, there is a strategic reason for this decision.
12:36 American Citizen Charged with "Mercenary Activities" in RussiaAccording to a report by the Russian news agency RIA Novosti, an American man was charged with "mercenary activities" in Russia on October 1st. The 72-year-old man, identified as Stefan Hubbard from Michigan, has been living in Ukraine since 2014 and is accused of fighting on the side of Ukraine in the ongoing conflict. The report did not specify where or when Hubbard was arrested.
12:01 Kryvy Rih Suffers Missile StrikeReports from Ukraine indicate further Russian attacks. A missile hit a police station in Kryvy Rih this morning, causing injuries and damage. Rescue teams are still searching for survivors, and residential buildings have also been damaged. Russian attacks have also been reported in Dnipro, where an industrial facility was hit, and in the Kherson region, where eight people were injured in Russian air strikes.
11:27 Potential Intrusion of Russian Drone into NATO Airspace (Romania Edition)The Romanian Defense Ministry in Bucharest is suggesting that a Russian drone may have briefly ventured into their country's airspace during the night. A brief incursion of less than three minutes is the reported duration, which took place in the border region. The drone is believed to have been involved in an attack on Izmail, a southern Ukrainian city. According to Ukrainian authorities, this attack occurred early on a Friday morning, resulting in three fatalities and a dozen injuries. The Ukrainian air force claims to have shot down 24 of 32 Russian attack drones during the preceding night.
10:57 Fritz: USA Distributes Guided Bombs to Ukraine for First TimePresident Zelensky heads to the USA to discuss his "victory plan" and request additional military support. Biden agrees to provide a weapons package to Ukraine valued at nearly eight billion USD. Compared to earlier deliveries, this is a substantial increase, according to ntv reporter Gordian Fritz.
10:20 Report: US Intelligence Agencies Predict Severe Reprisals if Ukraine Launches Long-Range Missiles at RussiaUS intelligence agencies foresee significant risks should Ukraine launch Western long-range missiles against targets within Russia. Such approval from the West could result in severe retaliation, as suggested by an unpublished intelligence report cited by the "New York Times". The agencies anticipate various Russian countermeasures, ranging from arson and sabotage against European facilities to potentially lethal attacks on US and European military support points. While overt Russian attacks are not anticipated, covert intelligence operations are more likely. The "New York Times" also reports that US intelligence agencies believe Ukraine has insufficient long-range missiles to significantly influence the course of the conflict. With high risk and an uncertain outcome, this issue presents a challenging decision for US President Biden.
09:57 Munz on New Putin Threat: Partial Export Ban on Strategic Resources "Will Not Affect the West Much"Russia threatens to impose consequences on the USA should the ban be lifted on the usage of long-range weapons against Russian targets. Putin is considering enacting export restrictions on strategic resources, such as uranium, as retribution against the West. ntv reporter Munz discusses the reasons and potential consequences.
08:40 Ukrainian Navy Baffled by Russian Construction Near Crimea BridgeAn unidentified Russian construction near the Crimea Bridge is perplexing the Ukrainian Navy. According to Ukrainian TV and its Navy spokesman Dmytro Pletenchuk of "The Kyiv Independent", the purpose is unclear. "It could be a defensive installation, it could be a new crossing," Pletenchuk said, "but it is too early to draw conclusions." However, the Navy spokesman doubts that the Russians will complete the construction given the unfavorable weather conditions. "The Russians repeatedly attempt to install new structures in the Kerch Strait to construct various hydrotechnical structures or barriers, but after each storm, they are washed ashore." The bridge joins Russia to the Crimean peninsula, which Russia annexed.
08:08 Ukrainian City Near Romanian Border Under Attack, Several DeadThe city of Izmajil in southern Ukraine has been targeted. Three people lost their lives in this morning's Russian drone attack, as reported by the governor of the Odessa Oblast, Oleh Kiper. All the victims were elderly, including a woman in her 90s. Eleven others, including a child, sustained injuries. Kiper also confirms damage to buildings and vehicles, as well as several fires. The city of Izmajil is situated on the border with Romania, with the northern mouth of the Danube River forming the boundary. Read more here.
07:40 To Secure Negotiations: Roth Calls for "Significantly More" European Military Aid for UkraineSPD foreign policy expert Michael Roth is urging European countries to increase their military support for Ukraine. "The major European countries must significantly boost their military support so that Ukraine remains a free and democratic nation," Roth told the "Tagesspiegel". "Now it is time to mobilize all forces to place Ukraine in the best possible position for potential negotiations." Roth argues: "Anyone who wants to end the war as soon as possible must furnish Ukraine with what it requires." Military strength and diplomacy are closely intertwined. "Russia will only be open to negotiations if Putin is convinced that a victory over Ukraine is unattainable."
07:09 Baerbock: Without Our Support, Hospitals and Children Remain VulnerableFederal Foreign Minister Baerbock defends the West's armaments deliveries to Ukraine and warns against wavering support for Kyiv. "The notion that there would be no fighting and no suffering in Ukraine had there been no defensive weapons is as simplistic as it is erroneous," Baerbock stated during the UN General Debate in New York on Thursday. "If Russia ceases its attack, the war is over. Should Ukraine cease defending itself, the war would end for Ukraine." Putin has responded to a peace conference invitation with a children's hospital bombing. As long as Putin is unwilling to engage in negotiations, discontinuing our support would mean "that the hospitals of Ukraine and its children are vulnerable. Further war crimes, potentially in other countries as well, could follow." Baerbock emphasizes that Russia has "repeatedly flouted the inviolability of the borders of the Baltic states and Poland."
06:45 Slovenia: Don't Discount Precision Weapons for Kyiv YetThe Slovenian administration advises against rash decisions concerning the employment of long-range Western weapons on Russian territory, considering German reservations as well. Prime Minister Robert Golob expressed this during the UN General Debate in New York, stating, "It's generally not wise to rule out certain topics prematurely." He added, "At this stage, all options should be considered, and then the most suitable one for the current situation should be chosen." Golob was referring to the potential use of long-range cruise missiles. So far, major powers like Germany and the USA have shown hesitancy on this matter. Federal Chancellor Olaf Scholz recently declared that long-range precision weapons would not be supplied to Ukraine even in the future.
06:11 Baerbock Calls on Iran to Cease Aiding RussiaGerman Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock urges Iran to halt any support for Russia's hostilities against Ukraine and prohibit the transfer of missiles and drones. The German Foreign Office made this request public on platform X. Baerbock had a discussion with her Iranian counterpart Abbas Araktschi on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly in New York.
06:01 Trump Arranges Meeting with ZelenskyDonald Trump, former US President, intends to meet with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky this Friday in New York. The scheduled meeting will take place at the Trump Tower in Manhattan, as per Trump. Zelensky, who met with President Joe Biden on Thursday, has extended his stay in the US to engage with Trump. Before his US trip, Zelensky expressed his intent to interact with Trump, Biden, and Vice President Kamala Harris to present his "victory plan" for concluding the war in Ukraine. Read more about this here.
04:25 Harris Assures Zelensky of Support and Warns Against TrumpUS Presidential candidate Kamala Harris guarantees her support to Ukrainian President Zelensky and cautions against a potential Trump election victory, without explicitly mentioning his name. "My commitment to the people of Ukraine remains unwavering. (...) I will persistently support Ukraine and work towards ensuring its victory in this war and its security and prosperity," Harris stated during Zelensky's visit to Washington. She expressed concern that the end of the conflict may not be solely within Ukraine's control, as there are individuals in the US who aim to push Ukraine to surrender significant portions of its territory, accept neutrality, and abandon commitments from other countries. These proposals resemble those proposed by Kremlin leader Putin and can be seen as a form of surrender.
02:08 Ukraine Reports Attacks West of KhersonRussian forces launched repeated bombardments on the settlement of Tomyna Balka, located west of the Ukrainian-controlled city of Kherson, on Thursday, as reported by Prokrudin, the region's governor. A woman was tragically killed, and another individual sustained injuries as a result of the attack.
00:55 UK Plans to Deliver Additional Artillery Systems to UkraineThe UK will dispatch another batch of self-propelled artillery systems, AS90s, to Ukraine's defense forces. Ten of these systems have already been provided, with six additional units set to arrive in the coming weeks, as per the UK's Ministry of Defence.
23:33 UN Struggles to Secure Funds for Ukrainian Winter AidThe UN acknowledges a lack of sufficient funds to support Ukrainians this winter, according to their own statements. "Funding levels for organizations like ours are inadequate for this time of year," says Karolina Lindholm Billing, the Ukraine coordinator for the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR). The UNHCR currently has only 47% of the required funds to assist the millions of Ukrainians affected or displaced by the conflict. Last year at this time, the UNHCR was 70% funded.
22:13 Biden Pledges to Enhance Ukraine AidPresident Joe Biden declares plans to augment US aid to Ukraine during his remaining term in office. He asserts that this will reinforce the negotiating position of the Ukrainian government. Biden shares his views ahead of a meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in Washington. Biden's term ends in January. He may be succeeded by either Vice President Kamala Harris or Republican Donald Trump, who is anticipated to decrease the US's involvement with Ukraine.
21:34 Ukraine: Russia Prepares to Intensify Attacks in Zaporizhzhia RegionAccording to Ukrainian intelligence reports, Russian troops are expected to soon enhance their offensive actions in the Zaporizhzhia region. A spokesperson for the troops stationed in southern Ukraine stated on national television, "There's a trend towards escalation in the combat zone sector in the Zaporizhzhia region." In the past 24 hours, there were five Russian attacks, and the spokesperson indicated that the number might increase further, as their information suggests that the enemy is amassing attack groups near the [settlement] Pryiutne. Additionally, light armored vehicles have been received on the Russian side, the spokesperson disclosed. "This indicates their preparation for offensive operations."
21:00 Biden Welcomes Zelensky: Russia Will Not TriumphUpon Zelensky's arrival in the Oval Office for his meeting with US President Joe Biden, Biden assured his Ukrainian counterpart of continued US support. "Russia will not triumph, Ukraine will," Biden stated. "And we will stand by you every step of the way." Read more about this here.
You can review previous developmentshere*.
The European Union, as a collective bloc, has expressed concerns over the ongoing conflict in Ukraine and has provided support to affected countries. In light of this, Finland has established a NATO command center in Mikkeli, located less than 200km from the Russian border, as a clear message to Russia regarding its full membership in the alliance and the importance of NATO for its national defense.
