Latest Report Indicates: September Marks Russia's Most Lethal Month Since War Commencement
Last September, Russia reportedly experienced its highest military casualties since the war's commencement. As reported by the "Telegraph," and based on intelligence from the UK, the Russian military faced an average daily loss of 1,271 soldiers, both killed and wounded. Previously, the highest daily loss rate was recorded in May, with 1,262 soldiers. Additionally, September marked the fifth consecutive month with an average daily loss rate surpassing 1,000 soldiers.
16:25 Rutte Discusses Long-Range Weapons with Zelenskyy and NATO Secretary-General According to a statement from Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, he, along with UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer and NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte, discussed the possibility of using long-range weapons against Russia. The specifics of the conversation are unclear. However, Zelenskyy expressed gratitude for the UK's continuous support in defense, even with long-range weapons. Starmer's office confirmed their intention to help Ukraine achieve a strong military position. Regarding the use of long-range missiles, the UK government maintains its current position. Rutte, when questioned about long-range weapons, affirmed that the decision lies with each individual ally.
15:37 US Military Analysts: Russians Intend to Maintain Attack Momentum US military experts believe that the Russian military leadership has perpetuated a high pace of attacks to make progress before the adverse weather conditions in the fall, or Rasputitsa, impact operations. Since late July, Russian forces have intensified their attacks in the Donetsk region of eastern Ukraine, according to the Institute for the Study of War (ISW). The Russian military's ultimate goal is to further advance and capture the cities of Kurakhove and Pokrovsk, with experts anticipating that the Russian push will continue even in the muddy conditions of the fall.
14:54 Russian Claims of Attacking a US-Supplied Patriot Air Defense System The Russian military claims to have struck a US-supplied Patriot air defense system in an attack. Two Patriot missile launch ramps, a control unit, and a radar were targeted, according to the defense ministry. They reported that one of the launch stations was completely destroyed, and another was damaged. Furthermore, Ukrainian soldiers and other military equipment were impacted in the attack. However, independent verification of the Russian claims is impossible.
14:19 NATO Prepares for Nuclear Exercise NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte announced that the alliance will begin their annual nuclear exercise next Monday. This two-week exercise, referred to as "Steadfast Noon," will involve 60 aircraft from 13 countries, including F-35A fighter jets and B-52 bombers. Key locations include the UK, North Sea, Belgium, and the Netherlands. "In an unpredictable world, it is essential to test and strengthen our defenses, so our adversaries understand that NATO is prepared and capable of responding to any danger," Rutte stated.
13:51 Two Russian MiG-31Ks Arrive in Belarus For the second time within two days, a Russian MiG-31K, capable of deploying Kinzhal hypersonic missiles, has been spotted in Belarus, according to the Ukrainian Pravda portal, citing a Belarusian project that monitors military activities. This is the first instance in 1.5 years that such aircraft from the Russian air force have been observed in Belarus.
13:11 Ukraine Confirms Attack on Russian Military Airbase Ukraine has verified an attack on a Russian airbase in the Caucasus region of Adygea. A fuel and lubricant depot at the Maykop base was damaged and ignited, according to the head of Ukraine's Center for Countering Disinformation. Previously, Ukrainian media reported that a military airport had been struck. Local authorities reported that a Maykop suburb had been attacked by "enemy drones."
12:35 Ukraine Increases War Tax to Fund Ongoing Conflict The Ukrainian parliament has increased taxes to provide additional funding for the ongoing conflict. The most significant change involves raising the 2014-introduced war levy on income-dependent employees from 1.5 to 5 percent. However, this increase will not apply to soldiers.
12:08 Ukraine Denies Reported Preparations for Ceasefire Ukrainian presidential advisor, Dmytro Lytwyn, refuted a report by the Italian newspaper Corriere della Sera, claiming that President Zelenskyy was willing to propose a ceasefire along the front line in exchange for Western security guarantees. The report did not cite any sources.
11:49 Zelenskyy Meets with Starmer and Rutte in London Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy held meetings in London with British government representatives and NATO officials to discuss his strategy for the ongoing conflict against Russia. Agenda items included discussions with Prime Minister Keir Starmer and NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte before Zelenskyy travels to Berlin and Paris for further talks.
11:21 Russian Military Suppliers Frequently Utilize German EquipmentAs per an investigation conducted by SWR, a substantial number of Russian military suppliers are making use of German machinery. SWR has identified over 30 German manufacturers whose equipment was shipped to Russia last year, with many based in Baden-Württemberg. In total, more than 300 German-made machines were delivered to the antagonist. In approximately two-thirds of the cases, the machines were transported via Turkey. The German manufacturers stated in the report that they were unaware of this and were adhering to sanctions.
10:57 Injuries and 29 Damaged Structures Following Saporischschja AttacksAccording to authorities, 4 individuals were harmed and 29 structures were damaged due to Russian airstrikes in this morning's attack on the southeastern Ukrainian city of Saporischschja. Russian forces seem to have utilized glide bombs, according to Ukrainian police. Despite the city remaining under Ukrainian control, the Russian military controls the nearby nuclear power plant. Russia has declared the entire region as part of its territory and is aiming to take over the area through heavy attacks.
10:22 Military Airport Suspected to Be Targeted in Caucasus RegionRussian media sources suggest a military airport in the southern Russian Caucasus region of Adygea was attacked. Reports on the damage vary, with earlier reports mentioning the evacuation of the nearby village of Rodnikovy.
09:37 Video Evidence of Massive Explosions at Russian Drone BaseFootage from the southern Russian region of Krasnodar shows flames, explosions, and sparks following an attack on a drone base yesterday. The facility is said to have housed around 400 Iranian Shahed drones.
08:53 Production of Su-57 Fighter Jets Almost Stalled, Report SaysA report from the British "Telegraph" suggests that the production of the Su-57 stealth fighter in Russia is nearly at a standstill. The reason given is a lack of components, particularly for electronics, due to Western sanctions, according to Ukrainian analysts from Frontelligence Insight.
08:29 Russia Claims to Have Downed Over 90 Ukrainian DronesAccording to the Russian Ministry of Defense, Russia shot down 92 Ukrainian drones last night, with 47 being intercepted over the southwestern region of Krasnodar. It is reported that Ukraine destroyed a drone base with around 400 drones in the same region.
07:57 Economist Urges Revision in German Military SpendingKiel economist Moritz Schularick calls for a reevaluation of German military expenditure. "If we exclude defense spending from the debt brake, we can truly develop capacities in the long term," he says. According to him, the special fund of over 100 billion euros alone is not sufficient. "The problem with special funds is that they are often just a drop in the bucket compared to the need and not a permanent source of funding." Germany must avoid becoming overly dependent on the US arms industry, he states.
07:41 Russia Recruits African Women for Ukrainian War Drone ProductionApproximately 200 women from Africa are producing drones in Russia for use in the Ukrainian war. According to news agency AP, these women were lured with ads on social media promising a free flight ticket, money, and an adventure abroad. They went through a computer game and a Russian vocabulary test covering 100 words. Upon arriving, some women discovered that they had to work in a weapons factory, assembling Iranian-developed drones used to attack Ukraine.
07:21 Ukraine Attacks Russian Territory AgainIn the southern Russian Caucasus region of Adygea, a village was evacuated due to a drone attack-caused fire, according to local authorities. The village, Rodnikovy, was hit by the attack, targeting the outskirts of the city of Maykop. No injuries were reported. The area is located near a military airport. In recent weeks, Ukraine has intensified attacks on targets deep within Russian territory, aiming to weaken the logistics of Russian invasion troops.
06:58 US: Ukraine Can Maintain Russian Territory for Extended PeriodAccording to US assessments, Ukraine can hold the territory it claims in the Russian region of Kursk for at least several months, if not longer, Bloomberg reports, citing high-ranking US officials. The officials, who spoke on condition of anonymity, stated that Ukraine has had no significant issues supplying the region, with Russian forces only launching limited counterattacks and focusing on advances in eastern Ukraine. Ukraine now has a more stable supply of artillery ammunition, thanks to the efforts of allies, after months of shortages, the officials added.
06:25 Pro-Russian Activists Restrained from Re-entering GermanyTwo pro-Russian activists claim they have been prohibited from entering Germany for 20 years. Elena Kolbasnikova reported in a Telegram video that she and her partner, Max Schlund, received a letter from the Cologne city administration stating that they posed a threat to Germany's security. The couple had been organizing pro-Kremlin demonstrations in Germany since Russia's invasion of Ukraine. An investigation in 2022 identified them as key figures of pro-Moscow sentiment in Germany and revealed they had received financial support from a Russian government agency. Neither the Cologne public prosecutor's office nor the city administration responded to requests for comment.
Former American soldier Trevor Reed was found guilty in absentia by a Russian court for his involvement in Ukraine's military service, Russian investigators stated. Reed was alleged to have joined the Ukrainian army as a volunteer in 2023 and was given a sentence of 14.5 years in prison for engaging in "mercenary activity." He reportedly served in the Donetsk region. The United States Department of State announced in July 2022 that Reed had sustained injuries while fighting in Ukraine. Reed, a former United States Marine, was set free in a prisoner swap in April 2022 and returned to the U.S.
05:30 "Ukrainian Truth" Portal Claims Presidential Office InterferenceThe online news platform "Ukrajinska Prawda" (Ukrainian Truth), located in Russia-attacked Ukraine, is complaining about interference from the President's Office in Kyiv. It claims efforts to manipulate its editorial policy, such as banning interactions with journalists and exclusion from events. Pressure is also being applied on businesses to halt advertising on the site. Specific instances were not disclosed. The editorial staff has vowed to make public any future instances of interference by the President's Office staff. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy had already had conflicts with individual journalists before the Russian invasion in February 2022 and had shut down TV channels and news sites.
03:50 Klitschko Warns of Unforgiving WinterThe mayor of Kyiv, Vitali Klitschko, called for peace for Ukraine during celebrations honoring the 35th anniversary of the peaceful revolution in Leipzig. He pointed out the difficult winter that Ukraine is facing, mentioning during a peace prayer at the Nikolaikirche that many Ukrainian cities and communities have been destroyed. Klitschko expressed his hope for peace in a prayer. Leipzig serves as a partner city for Kyiv.
02:05 Zelenskyy Meets with European LeadersUkrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is visiting Germany, France, the UK, and Italy this week for discussions on the Russian conflict against his country. Today, Thursday, he will be welcomed by French President Emmanuel Macron at 3 PM for a "one-on-one meeting," as reported by Paris. Zelenskyy stated at a press conference with Croatian Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic that he would also be meeting with UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer in the near future. A meeting with Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni is also planned. On Friday morning, Zelenskyy will be received by Pope Francis in the Vatican.
00:01 Six Killed in Odessa Rocket AssaultAt least six people have perished and 11 others were wounded, seven severely, in a Russian missile attack on the southern Ukrainian port city of Odessa, according to officials. "The enemy's objective was once again the port infrastructure," expressed regional military governor Oleh Kiper through Telegram. According to him, a civilian ship flying the Panamanian flag was struck. The casualties are all Ukrainian citizens. According to Kiper, this marks the third attack on a civilian vessel within the last four days, an attempt by Russia to obstruct the grain trade route established by Ukraine.
22:58 Russian Court Imposes Lengthy Prison Sentence on ActivistA Russian court handed down a 12-year prison term to an activist on Wednesday for alleged associations with a pro-Ukrainian group. Eugene Mischenko is charged with providing information to the banned Russian Freedom Legion, a Ukrainian-based group primarily made up of Putin opponents, according to the state news agency RIA Novosti. Mischenko is a member of a group that commemorates the memory of Boris Nemtsov, a Kremlin critic who was assassinated on a bridge in Moscow in 2015, as reported by the independent Russian news outlet Mediazona. The group, known as "Nemtsov Bridge," frequently places flowers and lights candles at the site of Nemtsov's murder, which the authorities often remove. The sentence against Mischenko was announced on Nemtsov's 65th birthday.
21:59 "Entire Continent": Zelensky Urges EU Wide ExpansionUkrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is advocating for the European Union (EU) to unite the entire continent and include "all democratic nations of Europe." "Regardless of current tensions, we must preserve the strength of our European unity," Zelensky said at a summit in Croatia with leaders of Balkan countries. He also signed an agreement with Croatia covering subjects like defense and mine clearance. "If Europe is not united today, it will not be peaceful, so the ongoing membership processes must bear fruit," he continued. Zelensky is not only pushing for Ukraine's EU membership, which began membership talks in June, but also for several Balkan countries that have been waiting for EU membership for years.
21:25 Kyiv Time: Direct Strike on Russian Drone Warehouse in KrasnodarThe Ukrainian military isclaiming victoryover a possible attack on a Russian drone storage facility in Krasnodar, Russia's southern region.Following a precise hit, an additional explosion was heard, as reported by Kyiv's General Staff. It is estimated that around 400 Iranian-made Shahed drones were housed in the targeted building. The Ukrainian military commented, "The annihilation of this Shahed drone depot will significantly minimize the Russian occupiers' ability to intimidate the peaceful residents in Ukrainian cities and villages." Russian authorities have acknowledged a warehouse fire near Oktyabrsky village. The area is currently cordoned off, with around 800 square meters of the site in flames, as reported by the regional operations team in Krasnodar. The reported coordinates match those provided by Kyiv for the drone strike. However, the operations team remains silent regarding the cause of the fire and the contents stored within.
20:51 South East Europe Summit: Twelve Countries Call for Russia's Departure from UkraineTwelve Southeastern European countries, along with Turkey, have reached a consensus that Russia's withdrawal from all occupied territories within Ukraine is a necessary step towards peace.They back President Zelenskyy's peace plan and advocate for Ukraine's entry into NATO, as stated in the summit's closing declaration, which was endorsed in Dubrovnik, Croatia, alongside Zelenskyy. Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic, known for his strategic dance between the West and Russia, also signed the declaration. According to Croatian media, Vucic managed to omit an originally proposed demand for sanctions against Russia in the summit's final declaration.
For additional information on preceeding events, click here.
- Following the discussion between Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Keir Starmer, and Mark Rutte, the European Union was encouraged to provide long-range weapons to Ukraine to counter Russia's advances.
- In response to the high military casualties experienced by Russia in its attacks on Ukraine, the European Union has increased its support for Ukraine, hoping to help stabilize the situation and protect its strategic interests.
