Kim welcomes Shoigu in Pyongyang at 10:46
09:20 Lithuanian Brigade Deployment Agreement Signed
The Lithuanian and German governments have sealed a deal to establish the necessary framework for deploying a fully equipped brigade within Lithuania, part of the Baltic NATO nation. Defense Minister Boris Pistorius and Laurynas Kasciunas, his Lithuanian counterpart, put their signatures on the agreement in Berlin. According to the Defense Ministry, this new agreement serves to amplify the NATO Status of Forces Agreement, clarifying the legal standing of German soldiers and civilians in Lithuania, thereby offering a sense of legal security. The agreement covers issues such as residence rights, tax legislation, education, healthcare, traffic regulations, and public safety, among others. For instance, it sets the foundation for establishing German schools and kindergartens in Lithuania. The brigade is anticipated to commence operations by 2027.
09:42 Kalesnikava's Family Expresses Concern over Opposition Leader's Health
Maria Kalesnikava, the Belarusian opposition leader's sister, has expressed concern over her well-being. Tatjana Chomitsch revealed that Kalesnikava has been kept in deplorable conditions for four years, weighing only 45 kg at 1.75 meters tall. Chomitsch shares that she has received information from former detainees, alleging that Kalesnikava's situation is critical, as no one can survive such conditions for a long time. She accuses the authorities of subjecting her sister to both psychological and physical torture. The Belarus Interior Ministry did not respond to a request for comment on Kalesnikava's harsh treatment. Kalesnikava, 42, has served as a potent symbol of resistance ever since the 2020 protests against Belarus' President Alexander Lukashenko, and was subsequently sentenced to an 11-year term for supposedly plotting a coup.
10:17 Munz on Putin's War Threat: "Putin's Blunder Doesn't Make Morning Headlines"
Fears of escalation stirred by Russian President Vladimir Putin's repeated threats against Ukraine, in case the country is allowed to launch long-range attacks on Russian territory, have been intensifying. However, correspondent from ntv Rainer Munz points out several reasons as to why Putin's saber-rattling hasn't garnered much attention.
10:46 Volodin Blames NATO for Waging War Against Russia
Russian Parliament Speaker Vyacheslav Volodin has accused NATO of being actively involved in the ongoing conflicts in Ukraine. "They are waging war against us," he noted in a message on Telegram. He implies that NATO is assisting Ukraine in selecting Russian cities as targets for attacks, coordinating military deployments with the Ukrainian army, and issuing orders to the Ukrainian government.
08:56 British Diplomats expelled from Russia on Spy Charges
Russian authorities have expelled six British diplomats citing evidence of espionage activities. The FSB intelligence service claims that the Foreign Office in London is masterminding a political and military escalation, with the aim of weakening Russia in its war against Ukraine. Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova alleged that the British embassy has been intentionally causing harm to the Russian people. The expulsion of these diplomats may be connected to discussions regarding the potential provision of long-range weapons to Ukraine by Britain and the US. British Prime Minister Starmer is scheduled to meet with U.S. President Biden later today.
08:31 Ukrainian President Demands Release of Long-Range Missiles
Ukrainian President Zelensky has been advocating for the release of long-range missiles for several weeks now to strike Russian military positions. The US and UK are scheduled to discuss this matter. Russian President Putin has not hesitated in responding with a stern warning to the West.
08:03 Russia Offers to Share Weapons Expertise with Allies
Russia has offered to share its experiences in combating various Western weapons with its allies. Russian Deputy Defense Minister Alexander Fomin pointed this out at a security conference in China, according to the Russian news agency RIA. He stated that Russia has in-depth knowledge regarding the combating of different Western weapons and is more than ready to share this expertise with its partners. The conflicts have led to the advent of modern warfare, with Russian weapons capable of neutralizing their Western counterparts.
07:34 Individuals Arrested for Burning Military Vehicles in Kyiv
Five individuals have been apprehended for setting fire to military vehicles in Kyiv, in a bid to discredit the military, on behalf of a Russian intelligence service. According to the Ukrainian domestic intelligence service, the men came from various portions of Ukraine to seek employment in the capital, and were contacted by Russian agents via Telegram for quick cash. They recorded their actions on their phones to get the payment, but failed to do so.
07:05 Rabbi Asman Lamenting the Loss of Adopted Son in War
The Ukrainian Chief Rabbi Moshe Asman is mourning the demise of his adoptive son, who lost his life during the Russian invasion. A funeral service held in Kyiv on Thursday honored Anton Samborskij, 32, who was reported missing at the end of July, and his death was ultimately confirmed after a prolonged wait. Samborskij became a father to a daughter in May, Rabbi Asman posted on social media. He adopted Samborskij as an orphan when he was 10 years old. He last spoke to his son on July 17.
06:29 Japan Scrambles Fighter Jets Over Russian aircraft Near OkinawaJapan's air force scrambled fighter jets on Thursday after two Russian planes circled its territory. The Russian aircraft, Tu-142s, did not invade Japanese airspace, according to the Defense Ministry. Throughout the day, the planes flew from the sea towards Okinawa's southern region, the ministry said further. In response, "we deployed fighter jets from the Air Self-Defense Force in an emergency capacity," the ministry announced. The Russian aircraft eventually departed to the north. The Defense Ministry also reported that the planes crossed the Kuriles, a disputed region between Japan and Russia. Earlier this week, Russian and Chinese warships started joint exercises in the Sea of Japan. These exercises are part of a major naval exercise. The last time Russian military planes circled Japan was in 2019. For more details, click here.
06:07 Russia Claims US Pursues Containment Policy Against It and ChinaRussia's Deputy Defense Minister, Alexander Fomin, stated at a China security conference that the US is pursuing a containment policy against Russia and China. The statement was reported by the Russian news agency Tass. Fomin informed Tass that Russia and China support the creation of a fair, multi-polar world order based on equality and mutual respect. However, the West prepares for wars in Asia by establishing new security blocs in the region, he claimed.
05:27 Ukraine Reports Russian Air Strike on Cargo Ship in Black SeaThe Ukrainian Navy provided additional information about an alleged Russian air attack on a civilian cargo ship in the Black Sea. According to them, a Tu-22 bomber probably launched a Ch-22 anti-ship missile at the ship. The vessel, under the flag of the Caribbean nation of St. Kitts and Nevis, was sailing from the Ukrainian port of Chornomorsk to Egypt with a cargo of wheat. A BBC report stated that, at the time, the cargo ship was in Romania's exclusive economic zone. Instead of a Ch-22 cruise missile, designed to target aircraft carriers, a less powerful Ch-31 missile, used for radar suppression, was reportedly used, the report added.
03:19 Unclear Circumstances Surround Moldovan Soldier's Death at Demarcation LineA Moldovan soldier died under unclear circumstances while on duty at the separation line with the Transnistrian separatist region. The Ministry of Defense of the Republic of Moldova informed that it appeared the soldier had been fatally wounded by a bullet from his own weapon while carrying out his duties at his post. Police and medical professionals are now examining the situation, the ministry further reported. Soldiers from both Moldova and Transnistria, in addition to Russian troops, are stationed at the separation line between the two sides since a conflict in 1992 following the fall of the Soviet Union. Incidents at the separation line are rare.
02:18 UK PM Assures No NATO Involvement in Ukraine Conflict
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer contested Russian President Putin's allegation that the West's provision of advanced weapons to Ukraine for attacks deep into Russian territory represented NATO involvement. "Ukraine has the right to self-defense," Starmer said, emphasizing that the UK supports this right and offers training opportunities in this context. However, the UK does not seek conflict with Russia, Starmer reiterated. Read more here.
01:09 US Ambassador to Kyiv Expects Democrat Kamala Harris to Support Ukraine More Aggressively
Former US Ambassador to Ukraine, William B. Taylor, believes that if Democrat presidential candidate Kamala Harris is elected, she would likely be more supportive of Ukraine than incumbent Joe Biden. Harris's stance has been more assertive in certain areas, Taylor stated at an event at the American University in Kyiv. Since Biden, Harris has been more prompt in making decisions regarding HIMARS, Abrams, and F-16 fighter jets. Currently, Biden is also cautious about enabling Ukraine to launch attacks deep into Russian territory. Taylor expects a more aggressive policy from Harris, likely due to potential changes in the White House's foreign policy team.
00:27 Ukrainian President Thanks Estonia for Military Aid
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky welcomed Estonian President Alar Karis to Kyiv, expressing his gratitude for Estonia's military aid. The Baltic EU and NATO member nation has committed 0.25% of its annual GDP to supporting Ukraine's defense needs. The talks covered reconstruction and Ukraine's aspirations to join the EU. Meanwhile, Latvian Prime Minister Evika Siliņa also vowed further assistance during a meeting with Zelensky.
23:19 German Court Rules BND Not Required to Disclose Information on Ukraine Assessment
The German Federal Intelligence Service (BND) is not obligated to disclose whether it described a Ukrainian military victory as difficult or impossible to a journalist in secret talks, the Federal Administrative Court in Leipzig ruled. The BND does not have to reveal which media participated in these private talks, either. However, it must disclose the number of confidential individual background talks the BND had on Ukraine's military situation this year, the court ruled. The journalist's request for an interim injunction was primarily denied based on a newspaper article from May, which claimed that a CDU politician asserted that the BND was deliberately disseminating negative evaluations of the military situation in Ukraine to shape public opinion.
22:06 Coalition Politicians Advocate for Long-Range Weapon Use Against RussiaPoliticians from the traffic light coalition advocate for Kyiv's permission to use long-range weapons against Russian targets. SPD foreign policy expert Michael Roth tells T-Online that it's appropriate and in line with international law to finally attack military targets in Russia with long-range Western rockets. Roth suggests military airfields, command centers, or launch bases as potential Russian targets for long-range weapons, as these are where "brutal attacks on civilian Ukrainian targets" are launched from. The chairman of the defense committee, Marcus Faber of the FDP, agrees that it's past due for authorization to "strike Russian military airports with long-range weapons like ATACMS and Storm Shadow." Green politician Anton Hofreiter emphasizes that Russia terrorizes the Ukrainian civilian population daily with rocket attacks on hospitals, residential buildings, and the energy supply. To effectively protect the Ukrainian civilian population, the army must be allowed to hit military bases on Russian territory with long-range weapons.
21:35 Vance Discusses Trump's Ukraine IdeasRepublican vice-presidential candidate J.D. Vance suggests that Donald Trump's plan to end the Russian conflict might involve establishing a demilitarized zone between Ukraine and Russia. In an interview with TV producer Shawn Ryan, Vance explains that Trump could bring together Russians, Ukrainians, and Europeans to "discuss what a peaceful solution could look like." Vance believes Trump could reach an agreement swiftly. Trump is known for his pro-Russian President Vladimir Putin sympathies and repeated criticism of US aid to Ukraine. Trump also claims he could end the war within 24 hours if elected, but he doesn't provide specifics.
21:03 "God is With Us. We are Russians" - Fascist Procession in St. PetersburgThey can't dispute their claim, and she can't argue against them: "God is with us. We are Russians," shout numerous Russian nationalists and fascists marching through St. Petersburg. Repeatedly, they chant: "Forward, Russians!" The occasion for their procession is the anniversary of the transfer of relics of Alexander Nevsky, honored as a national hero and Orthodox Church saint.
20:28 Russian Propagandist: "The Atlantic is the Ideal Barrier"In the opinion of popular Russian TV host Vladimir Solovyov, Russia should not stop at Ukraine's conquest. "I believe the ideal barrier is the Atlantic. A natural barrier," says the Kremlin propagandist. The perfect location for our troops - Berlin, Lisbon, Madrid. And aren't they striking in Paris?" When reminded by a discussant that there aren't that many Russians, he replies: "The Belarusian brothers are with us." Alternatively, one could also look to China.
20:01 British Volunteers Get Ready for WinterMany Ukrainian homes that have endured shelling so far lack windows, creating a serious problem as winter approaches. To address this, the British NGO "Insulate Ukraine" is traveling to war zones to install temporary windows.
Read all previous developments here.
Despite the agreement signed by Lithuania and Germany to deploy a brigade, tensions remain high in the region, with Russian President Vladimir Putin repeatedly threatening Ukraine with war if it is allowed to launch long-range attacks on Russian territory.
The attack on Ukraine by Russia has resulted in concerns over the well-being of Belarusian opposition leader Maria Kalesnikava, who has been kept in deplorable conditions for four years and is allegedly being subjected to both psychological and physical torture by authorities.
