Italy will stage a conference focusing on Ukraine's reconstruction in July 2025.
11:53 Italy to Host Ukraine Rebuild Conference in July 2025Italy will organize a rebuilding conference for Ukraine in July 2025. The conference, intended to rejuvenate Ukraine, will take place on July 10 and 11, 2025, as announced by Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni following discussions with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in Rome. "Ukraine ain't alone, and we're gon' stick with 'em as long as necessary," she said.
20:20 Strangers to Soon Get Officer Ranks in Ukrainian ArmyForeigners will soon be eligible for officer positions within the Ukrainian military forces. The Ukrainian parliament has endorsed modifications to a corresponding law. Until now, foreign volunteers could only serve as soldiers or sergeants. "The main idea is to permit the recruitment of foreigners not just as soldiers and sergeants but also as officers," wrote MP Oleksii Honcharenko on Telegram.
20:04 Attack on Patriot System: Kyiv Dismisses Severe DamageThe Russian army has allegedly attacked Patriot launchers in Ukraine, but caused no substantial damage, according to Ukrainian sources. Only "a few equipment pieces got damaged, but without being completely destroyed," stated the spokesperson of the Ukrainian air force, Yuriy Ignat. The affected Patriot unit remains active. A Ukrainian military blogger also reported that the damage was minimal. Citing the Ukrainian air force, the blogger reported on Telegram that the Russian assault hit a Patriot unit in the city of Pavlograd in the Dnipropetrovsk region. (See entry from 14:04.)
19:42 War Blogger Reports Russian Training Aircraft CrashA Russian military training plane is reported to have collided in the Volgograd region. According to the well-known Russian war blogger Ilya Tumanoff on his Telegram channel, the incident occurred during a training session. The crew reportedly managed to escape and is now in a clinic. The crash's reason was technical complications.
18:06 Ukrainian Journalist Dies in Russian Captivity Just Before ReleaseUkrainian journalist Victoria Roshchyna has passed away in Russian captivity. This was confirmed by the head of the Ukrainian coordination team for prisoners of war, Petro Jazenko, on Ukrainian TV news. The conditions leading to her death are unclear as of yet. The journalist was about to be exchanged. "Her transfer from Taganrog to Moscow was a step towards organizing her release," said Jazenko. According to media reports, the captive was on an extended hunger strike.
17:34 Shooting Incident in Moscow: Kadyrov Threatens Russian Politicians with RevengeChechen leader Ramzan Kadyrov threatens three Russian politicians from North Caucasus with revenge. In a speech to officers of the security forces in Grozny, he accused them of orchestrating an assassination attempt on him. The video of his speech was published by Kadyrov on Telegram. The root cause is a business rivalry concerned with Russia's largest e-commerce platform, Wildberries. This escalated into a shooting incident in Moscow in September, claiming two lives. Kadyrov's threats are directed towards two politicians from neighboring Dagestan: Suleiman Kerimov, senator in the Russian Federation Council, and Riswan Kurbanov, deputy in the State Duma in Moscow. The third person mentioned by the Chechen leader is Duma deputy Bekhan Barakhoev from the neighboring republic of Ingushetia.
17:02 NATO Chief Rutte: Not Worried About Possible Trump ComebackNew NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte advises alliance members to stay composed about the potential return of former US President Donald Trump. The Republican presidential candidate is aware that Ukraine's defensive conflict against Russia also pertains to "the safety and security of the USA," claims Rutte in London. According to him, "Trump agrees with me that this fight in Ukraine isn't just about Ukraine, but also about the 'future security of the United States'."
16:30 Field Commander Shares Ukrainian Officers' MistakesA field commander of the 28th mechanized brigade of the Ukrainian military shares frequent blunders made by higher officers on the frontline in an interview. "The most severe mistakes usually happen during rotations or when switching positions," says the commander of a combat unit known as "Kurt" to the Ukrainian news agency RBC Ukraine. "A few commanders don't plan properly, and moving a unit to a new position is a substantial operation." Unfortunately, many commanders within the army aren't capable of handling the tasks they've been assigned. "We encountered instances where commanders merely pointed at a map, and when we arrived to replace another unit belonging to another brigade, they had already left. The enemy had taken control, and we were under fire," says "Kurt." Such unprofessional conduct often results in lost positions, personnel, and equipment.
17:27 Moscow denies involvement of North Korean soldiers Moscow has dismissed rumors of using North Korean soldiers in its assault on Ukraine. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitri Peskov declared, "This appears to be another fabricated news story." Last week, the Ukrainian newspaper "Kyiv Post" reported that six North Korean soldiers lost their lives in a Ukrainian rocket strike on Russian-controlled territory in Donetsk. South Korean Defense Minister Kim Yong Hyun later suggested it was plausible. However, Andriy Kowalenko, head of the Ukrainian military's disinformation countermeasures center, revealed that the number of North Korean soldiers in Ukraine is minimal, focusing mainly on a small squad of laborers.
16:51 Deadliest Month for Russia since War commencement September reportedly marked the deadliest month for Russia since the war started. According to the "Telegraph," citing British intelligence, the daily loss rate of Russian soldiers reached an average of 1,271 killed and wounded soldiers per day. Previously, the highest daily loss rate was in May, with 1,262 soldiers. September was the fifth consecutive month recording an average daily loss rate exceeding 1,000 soldiers.
16:25 Rutte discusses long-range weapons with Zelenskyy and Rutte Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy discussed the potential use of long-range weapons against Russia with UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer and NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte, as reported by Mr. Zelenskyy. The specifics of the discussion are unclear. Mr. Zelenskyy stated, "I thank the United Kingdom for its ongoing support of our country in defense, including long-range weapons." Mr. Starmer expressed Britain's aim to strengthen Ukraine. He added, "No war has ever been won using a single weapon. Regarding Storm Shadow missiles, there have been no changes in the UK government's stance on the use of long-range missiles." Mr. Rutte mentioned, "We discussed this matter today, but ultimately, it's an individual decision for each participating country."
15:37 US experts: Russians seek to maintain attack momentum According to US military analysts, the Russian military leadership has ordered Russian forces to maintain a high rate of attacks to gain ground before the adverse weather conditions in the autumn, namely "Rasputitsa," affect the operations. Since late July, Russian forces have increased their pace of attacks in the Donetsk region of eastern Ukraine, as stated in a new analysis by US think tank the Institute for the Study of War (ISW). The Russian military leadership may be planning an intensified push to advance further and capture the towns of Kurakhove and Pokrovsk. Analysts predict that the Russians will persist in their drive, despite the poorer conditions, but its effectiveness will decrease. The ISW anticipates that the current Russian offensive will peak in the upcoming months, although this does not indicate the end of the offensive in eastern Ukraine during the autumn and winter seasons.
14:54 Moscow: Patriot System hit in air strike The Russian military claims to have struck a US-supplied Patriot air defense system, according to the Russian Defense Ministry. Two Patriot launch ramps, a control unit, and a radar were demolished, the ministry announced. Russian military officials reported that one Patriot launch station was destroyed and another was damaged. In addition, Ukrainian troops and other military equipment were hit during the attack. The validity of the Russian statement regarding the attack cannot be independently verified.
14:19 NATO initiates Nuclear Exercise NATO will commence its annual nuclear exercise next Monday, according to NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte. The two-week exercise, "Steadfast Noon," will involve 60 aircraft from 13 nations, including F-35A fighter jets and B-52 bombers. Key regions will be the UK, the North Sea, Belgium, and the Netherlands. "In an unpredictable world, it is essential to test and strengthen our defense so that our adversaries comprehend that NATO is prepared and able to respond to any threat," Rutte stated.
13:51 Two Russian MiG-31Ks arrive in Belarus Two MiG-31Ks, capable of deploying Kinzhal hypersonic missiles, have reportedly landed in Belarus from Russia, as reported by Ukrainian Pravda, citing a Belarusian project that monitors military activities. This is the first time such jet fighters from the Russian air force have been present in Belarus in one and a half years.
13:11 Ukraine confirms attack on Russian military airbase Ukraine has confirmed an attack on a military airport in the southern Russian Caucasus region of Adygea. A fuel and lubricant storage facility at the base in Maykop was destroyed and set alight, according to the head of the Ukrainian center for disinformation countermeasures, Andriy Kowalenko. Previously, Ukrainian media reported that a military airbase had been hit. Local authorities claimed that a neighbourhood near Maykop was assaulted by "enemy drones."
12:35 Ukraine increases war tax The Ukrainian parliament has hiked taxes to fund the war further. The primary enhancement is an increase in the 2014-introduced war levy on income-dependent workers from 1.5% to 5%. However, this exemption does not apply to military personnel.
12:08 Ukraine denies preparation for truce report A Ukrainian presidential advisor, Dmytro Lytwyn, has refuted a Corriere della Sera report claiming that President Zelensky is prepared to negotiate a truce along the front line in exchange for Western safety guarantees. Mr. Lytwyn stated that this is not the case.
11:49 Zelensky Holds Talks with Starmer and Rutte in LondonUkrainian President Zelensky has journeyed to London to converse with British government officials and NATO leaders about his strategy for continued combat against Russia. He will engage with Prime Minister Keir Starmer and NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte before proceeding to Berlin and Paris for further discussions.
11:19 Uncovered: German Machines Used by Russian Military SuppliersExaminations conducted by SWR have exposed that German machines are extensively used by Russian military suppliers. The broadcaster identified more than 30 German manufacturers whose machinery was imported to Russia last year, with many of the facilities situated in Baden-Württemberg. In total, over 300 German-made machines have been delivered to the adversary. In approximately two-thirds of the instances, the machines were transported to Russia via Turkey. The German manufacturers expressed their ignorance of these activities, asserting they were adhering to sanctions.
10:34 Injuries and 29 Structural Damages in Saporizhzhia Following AttacksAccording to authorities, this morning's Russian airstrikes in the southeastern Ukrainian city of Saporizhzhia resulted in injuries to 4 individuals and damage to 29 buildings. Russian forces reportedly used glide bombs, as per Ukrainian police reports. Although the metropolis remains under Ukrainian control, the Russian military claims control over the neighboring nuclear power plant. Russia has declared the entire region to be part of its state territory and is attempting to seize the area through intense attacks.
10:01 Military Airport Allegedly Hit in Southern Caucasus RegionRumors in Ukrainian media suggest that a military airport in the Russian Caucasus region's southern Adygea region was targeted in an attack. Various reports have been published on the extent of the damage. This morning, local authorities reported the evacuation of the nearby village of Rodnikovy.
09:16 Catastrophic Explosions at Russian Drone Warehouse Captured on VideoFootage from the Russian region of Krasnodar shows flames, explosions, and sparks at a drone warehouse attack recorded yesterday. The structure, reportedly housing around 400 Iranian-type Shahed drones, was estimated to have been severely impacted.
08:33 Report Indicates Production of Su-57 Fighter Jets Nearly HaltsA recent report from the British "Telegraph" suggests that the production of the stealth fighter Su-57 in Russia has virtually stopped. This alleged halt is attributed to a lack of vital components, particularly electronic elements, due to Western sanctions, according to Ukrainian analysts from Frontline Insight.
08:07 Russia asserts Interception of Over 90 Ukrainian DronesAccording to the Russian Ministry of Defense, Russia intercepted and downed 92 Ukrainian drones last night, as reported by the Kyiv Independent. Among these, 47 were detected over the southern region of Krasnodar, where Ukraine has been said to have destroyed a drone warehouse containing around 400 drones.
07:35 Renowned Economist Calls for Rebalance in Military SpendingEminent economist Moritz Schularick advocates for a substantial shift in German military expenditure. "If we exempt defense spending from the debt constraint, we can truly establish long-term capacities," states the Kiel Institute for the World Economy's president. The federal special fund of over 100 billion euros alone is insufficient, he adds. "The issue with special funds is that they often only represent a small fraction of the requirements and not an ongoing source of financing." Germany should avoid becoming excessively reliant on the US arms industry, he advises. "These are aspects we ought to develop at home."
07:03 Russia Attracts African Women to Build Drones in NationApproximately 200 women from Africa are constructing drones in Russia to be used in the Ukrainian conflict. Affected women confided to AP news agency that they were enticed with social media posts promising a free flight ticket, financial compensation, and an exciting adventure abroad. They were required to complete a computer game and a Russian vocabulary test covering 100 words. Some women discovered upon arrival that they would be working in a weapons factory instead of a hospitality-related student program, as originally advertised. There, they were tasked with assembling drones developed in Iran, which are now being used to attack Ukraine.
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06:44 Ukraine Launches series of Attacks on Deep Russia TerritoriesThe village of Rodnikovy in the southern Russian Caucasus region of Adygea has been evacuated due to a fire caused by a drone attack, as per authorities. The village was targeted, with no reported casualties, regional authorities revealed on Telegram. The attack focused on the outskirts of the city of Maykop, near a military airport. Over the past few weeks, Ukraine has escalated attacks on targets deep within Russia to deter the logistics of Russian occupation forces. In June, Ukraine attacked a fuel depot in the Adygea region.
06:11 US Estimates that Ukraine Can Maintain Russian Territory in Kursk for Extended PeriodAs per US assessments, Ukraine can preserve the territories it currently holds in the Russian region of Kursk for several months, if not longer. This information was disclosed by financial news agency Bloomberg, citing senior US officials. Ukraine has not faced significant challenges in supplying this area, as Russian forces have only engaged in limited counterattacks, focusing instead on advances in eastern Ukraine. Ukrainian forces now maintain a steady supply of artillery ammunition, thanks, in part, to their allies' efforts, ending months of shortages, the officials stated.
06:25 German Authorities Prohibit Entry of Pro-Russian AdvocatesTwo pro-Russian advocates claim they're barred from entering Germany. Elena Kolbasnikova communicated via a Telegram video that she and her partner Max Schlund received a 20-year entry ban from the Cologne city administration. The German authorities view them as a threat to their country's safety. The couple consistently staged pro-Kremlin rallies in Germany since the Russian invasion of Ukraine. A 2021 investigation identified them as significant figures pushing pro-Moscow sentiments in Germany, and they received funding from a Russian government agency. In June, they reportedly relocated to Russia. The Cologne prosecutor's office and city administration initially declined to comment on the matter.
06:04 Russian Courts Condemns Former US Soldier for Foreign Military ServiceFormer US soldier Trevor Reed was convicted in absentia by a Russian court for his service in Ukraine. Russia accused Reed of enlisting with the Ukrainian military as a mercenary in 2023, according to their Investigative Committee. He was sentenced to 14.5 years in prison on mercenary charges. According to the committee, Reed was deployed to the Donetsk region with the Ukrainian army. In July 2022, the US State Department confirmed his injury during combat in Ukraine. Reed was released in April 2022 and returned to the USA.
05:30 Ukrainian News Portal Reports Pressure from Government OfficeUkrainian news site "Ukrajinska Prawda" (Ukrainian Truth) claimed they faced pressure from the government office in Kyiv. They alleged attempts to influence their editorial policy, including refusing interviews with their journalists and excluding them from events. Companies are also reportedly being pressured to halt their advertising on the site. No specific instances were outlined. The editorial team announced they'll publicly reveal any further attempts at influence by government office employees. Prior to the Russian invasion in February 2022, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy had disputes with several journalists and shut down TV channels and news sites.
03:50 Klitschko Expresses Concerns over Challenging WinterKiev Mayor Vitali Klitschko urged peace for Ukraine during celebrations marking the 35th anniversary of the peaceful revolution in Leipzig. His country will face a difficult winter, he expressed during a peace prayer at the Nikolaikirche. Many Ukrainian towns and communities have been destroyed. In a prayer, Klitschko hoped for peace. Leipzig is a partner city of Kiev.
02:05 Zelensky Plans Meetings with European LeadersUkrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is scheduled to meet with the leaders of Germany, France, Britain, and Italy this week to discuss the Russian war against his country. Today, he will engage with French President Emmanuel Macron at 3 pm for private talks, according to Paris. Zelensky informed a joint press conference with Croatian Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic that he will also meet with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer in the coming days. A meeting with Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni is also planned. Tomorrow morning, Zelenskyy will hold talks with Pope Francis at the Vatican.
00:01 Casualties Reported in Russian Attack on OdessaAt least six people have been killed and 11 injured, seven seriously, in a Russian rocket attack on the southern Ukrainian port city of Odessa, as per official reports. "The enemy targeted the port sector once again," wrote the military governor of the region, Oleh Kiper, on Telegram. A civilian container ship flagged under Panama was hit, according to his statement. The casualties are Ukrainian citizens. Kiper claimed it was the third attack on a civilian vessel in the last four days, an effort by Russia to obstruct the grain corridor set up by Ukraine.
22:58 Russian Courts Jails Activist for Years for Alleged SupportA Russian court sentenced an activist to 12 years in prison on Wednesday due to suspected support for a pro-Ukrainian group. Eugene Mishchenko is accused of providing information to the banned Russian Liberty Legion, which is primarily composed of Russian Putin opponents based in Ukraine, according to the state news agency RIA Novosti. Mishchenko is part of a group that honors the memory of Boris Nemtsov, a Kremlin critic slain on a bridge in Moscow in 2015, as reported by the independent Russian news portal Mediazona. The group, often referred to as "Nemtsov Bridge," regularly lays flowers and lights candles at the site where Nemtsov was killed. Officials frequently remove the makeshift memorial. The verdict against Mishchenko coincided with Nemtsov's 65th birthday.
21:59 "United Europe": Zelensky Calls for EU Expansion and UnityUkrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is advocating for the European Union (EU) to unite the entire continent and induct "all democratic nations of Europe." "Despite numerous tensions, we must maintain the strength of our European unity as much as possible," Zelensky said at a summit in Croatia with heads of state and government from Balkan countries. He also signed an agreement with Croatia covering defense and mine clearance. "If Europe isn't united today, it won't be peaceful, so ongoing accession procedures must result in completion," he continued. Zelensky isn't only advocating for Ukraine's EU membership, which began accession talks in June, but also for several Balkan countries that have waited for EU membership for years.
21:25 Kyiv Time: Russian Drone Hub in Krasnodar Reportedly DamagedThe Ukrainian military claims to have struck and supposedly wiped out a drone warehouse in the Russian region of Krasnodar's south. A subsequent blast was reported following a direct hit, as reported by the General Staff in Kyiv. The targeted facility housed around 400 drones of the Iranian type, Shahed. "The obliteration of the Shahed drone facility will significantly diminish the Russian occupiers' capability to terrorize the civilian inhabitants of Ukrainian cities and villages," they stated. Russian officials have confirmed a blaze in a nearby warehouse in Oktyabrsky village. The area has been sealed off, with approximately 800 square meters of the site on fire, as reported by the regional operations team in Krasnodar. The reported coordinates correspond with those provided by Kyiv for the drone attack. However, the operations team fails to mention the source or the items stored within.
20:51 Southeast Summit: Twelve Nations Require Russian Exit from Ukraine
Twelve Southeastern countries, Turkey included, have concurred that Russia's withdrawal from all occupied territories in Ukraine is a necessity for peace. They backed Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's peace plan and endorsed Ukraine's NATO membership. This is stated in the summit's final declaration in Dubrovnik, Croatia, signed by all attendees, including Zelenskyy. Serbia's President Aleksandar Vucic, renowned for his act of balancing between the West and Russia, also put his signature on the declaration. As per Croatian media, Vucic managed to remove from the final declaration's text an originally proposed demand for sanctions against Russia.
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The European Union could express its support for Italy's initiative to rebuild Ukraine, as they often collaborate on international issues.The Ukrainian military might seek potential partnerships with the European Union for their rebuilding efforts, given their shared values and mutual interest in peace and stability.
