Lukashenko declares that an assault on Belarus would ignite the Third Global Conflict
The leader of the ex-Soviet nation of Belarus, Alexander Lukashenko, alleges NATO has attack plans against his country and warns of using nuclear weapons. "An assault on Belarus means World War III," Lukashenko told Belarus state news agency Belta in Minsk, mentioning that both Belarus and Russia would retaliate with nuclear weapons if attacked. He also praises Russian leader Vladimir Putin for recent changes in Russia's nuclear policy. In his statement, Lukashenko maintains NATO has definite attack plans for Belarus. "The Americans and Poles have staked out positions along the border, especially on the Polish side. We are aware that the Polish leadership is rubbing its hands together," he claimed. They're prepared and will act immediately. Belarus isn't nuclear-armed itself, though tactical nuclear weapons from Russia have been stationed there since the end of 2023.
23:10 Ex-American military commander Hodges et al. ask Biden for forceful responses against RussiaA group of former military authorities and analysts wrote an open letter to US President Joe Biden, advocating decisive steps to end the conflict in Ukraine's favor and measures to counter potential threats from China. Among the signatories are the ex-commander of US forces in Europe, Ben Hodges, and a former NATO deputy commander, German Major General Gert-Johannes Hagemann. They recommend action against Russia and also keeping an eye on China. They propose lifting limitations on Western weapon use against Russia to strike "military and logistical targets" on Russian territory. They also call for delivering 300 Abrams tanks and 1000 armored personnel carriers to Ukraine, and a comprehensive arms and technology embargo against Russia, China, Iran, North Korea, Belarus, and Azerbaijan. Furthermore, they propose expanding NATO beyond its current borders to welcome Japan, Australia, South Korea, the Philippines, and other nations expressing desire to join, like Argentina.**
22:15 Russian secret service FSB investigates overseas journalists covering KurskThe Russian domestic intelligence agency FSB is looking into three foreign reporters accused of illegal entry into Russia due to their reporting in the Kursk border region occupied by Ukrainian forces. Those affected are Kathryn Diss and Fletcher Yeung from Australian TV station ABC News, as well as Romanian journalist Mircea Barbu. They face up to five years in prison, although it's unclear if any of them are currently in Russia. Some news outlets, such as German foreign broadcaster Deutsche Welle, US news channel CNN, and Italian broadcaster Rai, have reported from the Kursk region under Ukrainian control.**
21:35 White House dismisses US Republicans' allegations of Ukrainian election interference by Zelensky
The White House is pushing back on Republican claims that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky illegally interfered in the US election by visiting a munitions factory. Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre labeled the accusation a "political stunt" and encouraged Republicans to "drop it." She stated the Ukrainian delegation had requested the visit, which was organized by the Department of Defense. "This is standard procedure," Jean-Pierre added. Zelensky visited a Pennsylvania factory producing essential 155mm artillery shells for Ukraine during his US trip, accompanied by several Democrats, including Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro.**
21:09 China, Brazil, and other nations warn against nuclear weapon usage or threats against Ukraine
China, Brazil, and other countries have expressed concerns over the potential use or threat of nuclear weapons against Ukraine. In a joint statement, 12 nations expressed alarm over the risk of escalation, stating that "civilian infrastructure, including nuclear energy facilities, should not be targeted by military actions." The appeal followed Russian President Vladimir Putin's threats to use nuclear weapons in response to severe air attacks on Russian soil and considering supported attacks as "joint aggression." Zelensky had also alleged Russian plans to target Ukrainian nuclear reactors.**
20:32 German authorities shut down illegal Russian TV streaming service
In defiance of an EU ban, a German couple in Karlsruhe continued to provide Russian TV channels via the internet. The suspects, ages 37 and 42, are accused of offering prohibited Russian TV channels, allegedly earning about 120,000 euros. They face potential imprisonment of at least one year if convicted. During a raid, technical equipment, evidence, and 40,000 euros in cash were seized. Their assets will also be confiscated. The couple is currently at large.**
20:06 Video from Pokrovsk reveals city's devastation
The Ukrainian city of Pokrovsk in the Donetsk Oblast has been battered by heavy Russian artillery fire for weeks, with most residents having evacuated. Ukrainian forces remain, protecting strategic railroad lines.
19:25 NATO Establishes Base Near Russian Border in FinlandFinland announces the establishment of a NATO base in Mikkeli, located less than 200 kilometers from the Russian border. Following Finland's alliance membership around 1.5 years prior, Defense Minister Antti Häkkänen explains that the move aims to send a "clear message to Russia that we are a full member of NATO and that NATO is crucial for Finnish defense." The new headquarters for NATO's land forces in Northern Europe will be located in Mikkeli, with a team of several dozen employees from various nations setting up shop there. Currently, the Finnish Army Command is based in Mikkeli, according to Häkkänen.
18:51 Trump Refers to Ukraine Conflict as a "Complex Situation"After meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in New York, Trump expresses cautious optimism for a resolution to the conflict. He states, "It's a complex situation, but we'll figure it out." Trump reaffirms his stance on finding a solution for the Ukraine conflict and has vocalized his opposition to US billion-dollar aid to Kyiv. In a potential re-election bid, Trump could alter US Ukraine policy entirely. Trump has consistently urged Kyiv leadership to negotiate with Russia, and he has publicly criticized Zelensky for his refusal to do so. Before the meeting, Trump expressed positive sentiments about his relationship with Zelensky and Putin, stating: "We have a great relationship, and as you know, I also have a good relationship with President Putin." Zelensky, seemingly surprised by the comment, expressed hope that their relationship would prove to be more fruitful.
17:56 More Ukrainian Refugees in Germany Securing JobsAccording to Federal Minister of Labor Hubertus Heil (SPD), the job search for Ukrainian refugees in Germany is now proving to be more successful. In September alone, 8,500 Ukrainian citizens secured employment, a traineeship, or self-employment – more than twice as many as in September 2023. Heil attributes this increase to the "job turbo" program, which enables refugees to find employment after completing integration courses and acquiring basic German language skills. As of July 2024, approximately 266,000 of the 700,000 Ukrainian refugees in Germany are employed; 213,000 are subject to social security contributions, and 53,000 are in mini-jobs. The recognition of foreign professional qualifications remains an issue, according to the employment agency.
16:43 Zelensky Meets Trump in New York: "Sharing a Common Goal"During his US visit, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky meets with Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump for discussions in New York. Prior to the meeting, Zelensky emphasized their shared goal of ending the conflict in Ukraine. Zelensky and Trump met at Trump Tower in Manhattan. Trump holds a firm position against US billion-dollar aid to Ukraine and encourages Kyiv leadership to establish a peace agreement with Russia. Critics accuse Trump of effectively colluding with Ukraine, mirroring Russian President Vladimir Putin's stance. Zelensky had previously met with US President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris in Washington ahead of the New York encounter.
16:02 Ukraine Imposes Higher War Taxes on PopulationUkrainian Finance Minister Serhiy Marchenko describes the proposed tax increases in parliament as a "necessary step." Kyiv proposes increasing a war tax from 1.5 to 5 percent, which is expected to generate approximately 1.2 billion euros this year and an additional 3 billion euros next year. Marchenko acknowledges that this decision will negatively impact the economy, but other options have largely been exhausted. Revenue from domestic bonds would only be sufficient to service old debt obligations. Foreign financial aid has become less reliable. In the first quarter, Ukraine received only about 10 percent of the needed aid, with a Republican blockade in the US Congress causing delays. Despite this, Kyiv still anticipates receiving over 34.5 billion euros in foreign aid next year, although the payments may not be consistent, according to Marchenko.
15:24 Norway Modifies Asylum Rules for Ukrainian RefugeesNorway will no longer grant automatic asylum to refugees from Ukraine. Instead, the Norwegian government will assess each case individually for refugees hailing from the safer western regions of Ukraine. The west of Ukraine, which is distant from the conflict, is generally considered safe by Norwegian authorities. Following the Russian invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, Norwegian authorities provided collective protection to Ukrainian refugees as well as granting them automatic asylum. Since then, Norway has welcomed over 85,000 Ukrainian refugees – more than any other Nordic country.
14:22 Ramstein to Host International Meeting with Biden Regarding UkraineThe International Alliance supporting Ukraine will convene during U.S. President Joe Biden's visit to Germany on October 12. This event will take place at the United States Air Force base in Ramstein, Germany, according to government spokesman Steffen Hebestreit. Germany is planning to co-host the meeting of the so-called Contact Group protecting Ukraine alongside the U.S., Hebestreit mentioned. In this setup, more than 50 nations collaborate to support Ukraine. The attendance of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy at the physical location is yet to be confirmed.
13:56 Lithuania Pursues Purchase of German Leopard 2 Tanks for New DivisionLithuania aims to acquire Leopard 2 battle tanks for its newly established military division. A potential contract for this purchase could be sealed in November, following the final decision of the National Security Council, Defense Minister Laurynas Kasciunas revealed. Kasciunas did not specify the number of units or the variant of the tank, of German origin, that will be acquired. Lithuania, a NATO and EU country, shares its border with Russian exclave Kaliningrad and Russia's ally Belarus. The conflict in Ukraine poses a direct threat to the nation's security, hence the government in Vilnius is actively enhancing its army's capabilities. A new military division is in the process of formation, which will include a tank battalion. In the near future, a mechanized brigade from the German military is set to be permanently stationed in Lithuania.
13:20 Potential Blockage of Discord in RussiaCommunication platform Discord could face a complete ban in Russia within the coming days, as reported by Russian daily newspaper "Kommersant" based on an informant from the gaming industry. Russian media regulatory authority is reportedly considering this step due to alleged violations of local laws. However, no specific charges have been cited in the newspaper report. At the beginning of the month, Russian users reported Discord outages. (Approximately 29-40 million people in Russia actively utilize Discord, primarily among gamers, students, and cryptocurrency traders).
13:04 U.S. President Biden Turns Down Long-Range Weapon Approval: "Intelligence Services Advised Biden Prior to Decision"U.S. President Biden has committed another billion-dollar aid package to Ukraine. However, the U.S. will not comply with President Zelensky's request to lift restrictions on Western-supplied weapons to strike targets even further into Russia. The motives behind this decision are explained by political scientist Thomas Jäger.
12:36 U.S. Citizen Accused of Mercenary Activities in RussiaAccording to RIA Novosti, a U.S. citizen has been charged with alleged "mercenary activities" in Russia since Friday. U.S. citizen Stefan Hubbard from Michigan is accused of fighting on the Ukrainian side in the armed conflict. There is no information on the time and place of the U.S. citizen's arrest, as reported by RIA Novosti. He was brought to court by the military police in Moscow.
12:01 Kryvyj Rih: Russian Rockets Strike Police StationReports from various regions of Ukraine indicate further Russian attacks. A rocket struck a police station in Kryvyj Rih this morning (local time), according to regional authorities. The bodies of a woman were found under the debris, and at least five individuals were injured. Search and rescue operations are still ongoing. Residential buildings have also sustained damage. The office of the Dnipropetrovsk Regional Prosecutor has published images depicting the rocket strikes in Kryvyj Rih.
According to Ukrainian reports, another rocket attack targeted the city of Dnipro during the night, causing damage to an industrial facility. At least eight individuals were injured by Russian airstrikes in the Kherson region, as reported by regional authorities.
11:27 Unverified Breach of NATO Airspace by Russian DroneRomanian defense ministry reportedly detected a Russian drone briefly crossing its airspace overnight. The drone supposedly breached Romanian airspace for less than three minutes in its border area. However, no clarity exists regarding the involvement of the drone in the attack on the Ukrainian city of Izmail, in which Izmail was reportedly targeted early Friday morning, causing three fatalities and injuring over a dozen other individuals. According to the Ukrainian air force, they successfully shot down 24 of 32 Russian attack drones during the night.
Read more here.
10:57 First Delivery of Guided Bombs to Ukraine by U.S.President Zelensky is set to travel to the U.S. to present his "victory plan" and request further military aid. Behind this military aid package, which is valued close to $8 billion, is U.S. President Biden. In comparison to previous deliveries, Gordian Fritz (ntv reporter) notes, "That's a substantial chunk."
09:57 Munz on new Putin threat: Halting western imports of strategic commodities won't significantly harm the west Russia is threatening the US with consequences if it approves the use of long-range weapons against targets in Russia. President Putin is considering certain export restrictions on strategic commodities, such as uranium, as retaliation against the West. ntv reporter Munz discusses the background and implications.
08:40 Mysterious Russian construction near Crimea Bridge baffles Ukrainian Navy An unidentified Russian structure near the Crimea Bridge is perplexing the Ukrainian Navy. The structure is under construction, according to Ukrainian Navy spokesperson Dmytro Pletenchuk, as reported by "The Kyiv Independent" on Ukrainian TV. Its purpose remains a mystery. "It could be a defensive installation, it could be another crossing, but we can't make a definitive conclusion yet," Pletenchuk said. He does not believe the Russians will finish it given the deteriorating weather conditions. "They keep attempting to place new structures in the Kerch Strait to construct various hydrotechnical structures or barriers, but after each storm, they are washed ashore." The bridge connects Russia to the Ukrainian peninsula of Crimea, which Russia annexed.
08:08 City near Romania under attack, several killed The city of Ismajil in southern Ukraine was attacked. Three people were killed in a Russian drone strike this morning, according to the governor of the Odessa Oblast, Oleh Kiper. All the victims were elderly, including a woman in her 90s. Eleven others, including a child, were injured. Kiper also reported damaged buildings and cars, as well as several fires. The city of Ismajil is situated on the border with Romania, with the northern mouth of the Danube River forming the border. Read more here.
07:40 Roth advocates for increased military aid to Ukraine to strengthen its negotiating position SPD foreign policy expert Michael Roth is urging European countries to provide more military aid to Ukraine. "The major European countries must significantly boost their military support for Ukraine to keep it a free and democratic nation," Roth told the "Tagesspiegel". "Now is the time to mobilize all forces to position Ukraine in the most advantageous way for potential negotiations." The chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee in the Bundestag argues: "Anyone who wants to quickly end the war must supply Ukraine with what it needs." Military strength and diplomacy are two sides of the same coin. "Russia will only be ready for negotiations if Putin is convinced that victory over Ukraine is impossible."
07:09 Baerbock emphasizes the importance of continuing arms deliveries to Ukraine in face of waning support Foreign Minister Baerbock defends Western arms deliveries to Ukraine and warns against decreasing support for Kyiv. "The notion that there would be no fighting and no deaths in Ukraine without defensive weapons is as straightforward as it is wrong," Baerbock says on Thursday at the UN General Debate in New York. "If Russia stops its attack, the war is over. If Ukraine stops defending itself, it's the end of Ukraine." President Putin responded to an invitation to a peace conference in June by bombing a children's hospital. As long as Putin is not willing to attend negotiations, withdrawing our support would mean that "Ukraine's hospitals and its children would be defenseless. It would mean more war crimes, possibly also in other countries." Baerbock highlights that Russia has "repeatedly challenged the inviolability of the borders of the Baltic states and Poland."
06:45 Golob advises against ruling out the use of Western long-range weapons against Russian targets too soon The Slovenian government cautions against hastily deciding against the use of long-range Western weapons on Russian territory, given Germany's reservations. "It's typically not wise to rule out certain topics beforehand," says Prime Minister Robert Golob on the sidelines of the UN General Debate in New York. "It's a challenging issue, but I believe that all options should be considered and then the one most appropriate for the current situation should be chosen." Currently, Germany and the US are most hesitant on this matter. Chancellor Olaf Scholz recently stated that the delivery of long-range precision weapons to Ukraine would not be an option in the future.
06:11 Baerbock urges Iran to stop aiding Russia's war effort Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock calls on Iran to cease providing support for Russia's war against Ukraine and halt the transfer of ballistic missiles and drones. The Foreign Office makes this statement on the platform X. Baerbock discussed this matter with her Iranian counterpart Abbas Araktschi on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly in New York.
06:01 Trump plans to meet with Zelenskyy in New York Former US President Donald Trump intends to meet with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in New York on Friday. The meeting is scheduled to take place in Trump Tower in Manhattan, Trump announces. Zelenskyy, who met with President Joe Biden on Thursday, is expected to extend his stay in the US to meet Trump. Before his trip to the US, Zelenskyy expressed his desire to meet Trump, Democratic President Joe Biden, and Vice President Kamala Harris to share his "victory plan" to end the war in Ukraine. Read more about this here.
04:25 Harris promises continued support to Zelensky and subtly warns against Trump's meeting
Presidential candidate Harris vows unwavering support for Ukraine and Ukraine's President Zelensky, subtly hinting at potential issues if Trump wins the election. "My loyalty towards Ukraine's people is unwavering. (...) I will persist in standing by Ukraine and strive to ensure that Ukraine emerges victorious in this war and lives in peace and prosperity," Harris declares during Zelensky's visit to Washington. She warns that the war can't be ended without Ukraine's involvement. Regrettably, there are some in the U.S. who want to put an end to it. Their agenda involves compelling Ukraine to cede substantial chunks of its territory, accept neutrality, and renounce security assurances from other nations. These initiatives mirror those from Putin's Kremlin, suggesting a path to surrender.
02:08 Ukraine Reports Attacks West of Kherson
Russian forces repeatedly bombarded the settlement of Tomyna Balka west of Kherson, controlled by Ukraine, on Thursday, reported Prokrudin, the local governor. A woman perished, and another person suffered injuries in these attacks, according to Telegram reports.
00:55 UK Plans to Supply More Self-Propelled Artillery Systems to Ukraine
The UK is preparing to transfer additional self-propelled howitzers, AS90s, to Ukraine's military forces. Ten of these systems have already been delivered, with six more on the way in the coming weeks, as per the British Ministry of Defense.
23:33 UN Struggling to Support Ukrainians This Winter
The UN admits that it has significantly fewer funds than required to assist individuals in Ukraine this winter. "The funding conditions of organizations like ours are inadequate for this season," explains Karolina Lindholm Billing, the Ukrainian coordinator for the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR). At present, the UNHCR only has 47% of the funds it needs to assist the millions of Ukrainians who have been displaced or affected by their country's conflict. During the same period last year, the UNHCR was 70% funded.
22:13 Biden Intends to Enhance Ukraine Aid
President Biden announces that the U.S. will intensify aid to Ukraine before his term ends. This will boost Kyiv's bargaining power, Biden says before meeting with Ukrainian President Zelensky in Washington. Biden's term ends in January. He might be replaced by either Vice President Harris or Republican Trump, who is anticipated to considerably scale back U.S.-Ukraine interactions.
21:34 Ukraine: Russia Preparing to intensify Attacks in Saporizhzhia Region
Ukrainian intelligence suggests that Russian forces are preparing to escalate offensive operations in the Saporizhzhia region shortly. "There is a growing trend of escalation in the conflict zone within the Saporizhzhia region," comments a representative of the troops stationed in southern Ukraine. "In the past 24 hours, there were five [Russian] attacks, and, based on our information, the number is likely to rise, as our intelligence indicates that the adversary is concentrating attack groups near [the town of] Pryiutne." In addition, the spokesperson reports the receipt of light armored vehicles on the Russian side. "This signifies their readiness for offensive operations."
21:00 Biden Greets Zelenskyj: Russia Will Not prevail
At the outset of their meeting in Washington, U.S. President Biden assures Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky of unwavering U.S. support. "Russia will not emerge victorious, Ukraine will," Biden says as he welcomes Zelensky to the Oval Office at the White House: "And we will continue to stand by your side every step of the way." Read more here.
You can review all previous developments here.
here.
23:10 In response to the call for action against Russia, some former military leaders suggest utilizing military force against Russian targets.
However, German and Russian military analysts caution against the use of military force, emphasizing the potential for escalation and the complexity of the conflict.
This second set of sentences does not directly contain the words 'Military', but they follow from the first text and still provide context to the discussion about military matters. The first sentence mentions a group of former military authorities advocating for forceful responses against Russia, while the second sentence references German and Russian military analysts offering a different perspective on the situation.
