meetings between Ukraine and Biden will take place at Ramstein at 14:22
13:56 Lithuania to Obtain German Leopard 2 Tanks for New Military Division
Lithuania is planning to purchase Leopard 2 main battle tanks from Germany for an upcoming division in its army. The potential agreement may be finalized in November, following a decision from the National Security Council, as mentioned by Defense Minister Laurynas Kasciunas. He did not disclose the number of tanks or the variant, as these are manufactured in Germany. Lithuania, a NATO and EU member, shares borders with Russia's Kaliningrad exclave and an ally, Belarus. The country views the Ukrainian conflict as a direct threat to its national security and is strengthening its military forces by establishing a new division, which will include a tank battalion. In the future, a German armored brigade will also be stationed permanently in Lithuania.
13:20 Discord at Risk of Complete Blockage in Russia
The popular communication platform Discord may experience a full ban in Russia within the next few days. This information stems from a Russian newspaper report, which cites an industry insider familiar with the situation. The Russian media watchdog is reportedly contemplating this action due to suspected violations of Russian law, although no specific charges have been mentioned. Russian users have previously complained about service disruptions on Discord at the beginning of the month. According to the Moscow Times, an estimated 29 to 40 million people in Russia use Discord, making it particularly popular among gamers, students, and cryptocurrency traders.
13:04 No Approval for Long-Range Weapons: "Biden Warned by Intelligence Agencies Prior to Decision"
US President Biden has pledged a new billion-dollar aid package for Ukraine. However, the US has not agreed to remove restrictions on weapons supplied from the West, allowing attacks on deep Russian targets. Political scientist Thomas Jäger offers an explanation.
12:36 US Citizen in Russia Accused of "Mercenary Activities"
According to the Russian state news agency RIA Novosti, a US citizen has been accused of "mercenary activities" in Russia since Friday. The 72-year-old, identified as Stefan Hubbard from Michigan, who has lived in Ukraine since 2014, is alleged to have fought as a mercenary on Ukraine's side during the armed conflict. The report did not specify when or where the US citizen was arrested.
12:01 Kryvyj Rih: Russian Rocket Strikes Police StationReports from Ukraine suggest further Russian attacks. A rocket hit a police station in Kryvyj Rih this morning, according to local authorities. One female body was found under the debris, and at least five others were injured. Rescue teams are still searching for survivors. Residential buildings were also damaged. The regional prosecutor's office in Dnipropetrovsk published photos of the rocket attacks in Kryvyj Rih.
11:27 Possible Intrusion into Romanian Airspace by Russian DroneRomanian defense ministry reports indicate that a Russian drone may have briefly entered Romania's airspace last night. The drone could have crossed into Romanian airspace for less than three minutes in the border region. The drone was reportedly involved in an attack on the southern Ukrainian city of Izmail.
10:57 Fritz: USA Delivers First Glide Bombs to UkrainePresident Zelensky is scheduled to travel to the USA to present his "victory plan" and request additional military aid. Biden has managed to secure a weapons package valued at nearly $8 billion for Ukraine. According to ntv reporter Gordian Fritz, this is a significant increase compared to previous deliveries.
10:20 Report: US Intelligence Agencies Warn of Severe Repercussions if Ukraine Is Allowed to Use Long-Range MissilesUS intelligence agencies anticipate severe consequences if Ukraine is given the go-ahead by the West to launch long-range missiles at Russian targets, according to a New York Times report based on an unpublished intelligence analysis. Russia is allegedly planning assaults on European facilities, including arson and sabotage, as well as potentially lethal attacks on US and European military aid points. The report indicates that Russian attacks are not expected to be overt but rather carried out through covert intelligence operations. The assessment also suggests that Ukraine does not have enough long-range missiles to significantly impact the course of the war.
09:57 Munz on New Putin Threat: Resource Export Ban "Would Not Affect West Significantly"Russia hints at imposing consequences on the USA if long-range weapons are authorized for use against Russian targets. President Putin is reportedly considering trade restrictions on strategic resources, such as uranium, as a response from the West. ntv reporter Munz explains the background and implications.
08:40 Ukrainian Navy puzzled by mysterious Russian construction An unknown Russian construction near the Crimean Bridge has the Ukrainian Navy scratching their heads. According to Ukrainian TV, spoken word from Navy spokesman Dmytro Pletenchuk, the construction is underway. However, its purpose remains unclear. "It could be a defensive installation, or perhaps another crossing, but it's too early to make any definite conclusions," Pletenchuk said. He casts doubt on the Russians completing it due to the worsening weather conditions. "They frequently try to add new structures to the Kerch Strait, with the intention of building various hydrotechnical structures or barriers. But after each storm, they end up stranded on the shore," Pletenchuk explained. The bridge connects Russia to the Crimean peninsula, which Russia forcibly annexed from Ukraine.
08:08 Southern Ukrainian city under attack, several fatalities The city of Ismajil in southern Ukraine was under attack this morning. Per the governor of the Odessa region, Oleh Kiper, three individuals lost their lives in a Russian drone strike. The victims were all elderly, including a woman in her 90s. Additionally, eleven people, including a child, were injured. Kiper also reported damage to buildings and vehicles, and several fires. The city of Ismajil is located near the border with Romania. [Click here for more info.]
07:40 Roth advocates for enhanced European arms aid to Ukraine SPD foreign policy expert Michael Roth is advocating for increased European arms support for Ukraine. "Larger European nations need to take on a significant military role to ensure Ukraine remains a free and democratic nation," Roth said in a conversation with the "Tagesspiegel." "It's high time we mobilize all resources to put Ukraine in the best possible position for potential negotiations," Roth continued. He believes that "those who want to end the war as quickly as possible must provide Ukraine with the necessary means." Military strength and diplomacy, according to Roth, are two sides of the same coin. "Russia will only be receptive to negotiation if Putin is convinced that victory over Ukraine is unattainable."
07:09 Baerbock defends Western arms support to Ukraine, warns against waning support Foreign Minister Baerbock defends the Western arms deliveries to Ukraine and issues a cautionary note against wavering support for Kyiv. "The notion that there would be no conflict and no casualties in Ukraine absent defensive weapons is as simple as it is false," Baerbock declared on Thursday at the UN General Debate in New York. "If Russia halts its attack, the war will end. If Ukraine ceases defending itself, it will be over for Ukraine." President Putin responded to an invitation to a peace conference in June by bombing a children's hospital. As long as Putin is unwilling to engage in talks, she emphasizes that ceasing our support would mean "that hospitals in Ukraine and their children will be defenceless. It would result in additional war crimes, potentially in other countries as well." Baerbock emphasized that Russia has "always challenged the inviolability of the Baltic states and Poland's borders."
06:45 Golob cautions against hasty decisions on long-range weapons for Ukraine Slovenia's government advises against making premature conclusions regarding the utilization of long-range Western weapons on Russian soil, given Germany's skepticism. "It's not always wise to rule out certain topics outright at the outset," said Prime Minister Robert Golob on the sidelines of the UN General Debate in New York. "It's a tricky issue, but I think all possibilities should be explored and then the most suitable option for the current situation should be chosen," Golob responded when asked about the use of long-range cruise missiles. Thus far, Germany and the US have primarily opposed this. Chancellor Olaf Scholz recently ruled out the delivery of long-range precision weapons to Ukraine in the future.
06:11 Baerbock urges Iran to halt backing for Russia's aggression against Ukraine Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock implores Iran to cease its support for Russia's aggression against Ukraine and halt the transfer of ballistic missiles and drones. The Foreign Office announced this on its platform X. Baerbock had discussions 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 will take place in Trump Tower in Manhattan, Trump announced. Zelenskyy, who had meetings with President Joe Biden on Thursday, extended his stay in the US to meet with Trump. Prior to his trip, Zelenskyy expressed his desire to meet with Trump, Biden, and Vice President Kamala Harris to present his "plan for victory" to end the war in Ukraine. Click here for additional information.
04:25 Harris pledges support to Zelensky and subtly warns against Trump
U.S. Presidential hopeful Harris guarantees assistance to Ukrainian President Zelensky and cautions against a triumph for an unnamed rival. "My unwavering support for Ukraine's people remains steadfast. (...) I will persist in backing Ukraine and work diligently to ensure Ukraine emerges victorious in this conflict and lives in peace and prosperity," Harris expresses during Zelensky's visit to Washington. She emphasizes that a resolution to the conflict can't be reached without Ukraine. However, she reveals there are "certain individuals" in the U.S. who aim for such an outcome. Their objective is to coerce Ukraine into relinquishing substantial territories, accepting neutrality, and renouncing protection from other nations. These suggestions, she states, are remarkably similar to those from Russian leader Putin and symbolize capitulation.
02:08 Ukraine Records Assaults West of Kherson
Russian forces frequently bombarded the village of Tomyna Balka west of Ukrainian-controlled Kherson on Thursday, as reported by the region's governor, Prokrudin. A woman was fatally wounded and another person was harmed in the attack, as reported on Telegram.
00:55 UK Adds More Self-Propelled Artillery to Ukraine's Arsenal
The UK will provide another set of self-propelled artillery systems, AS90s, to Ukraine's military. Ten of these systems have already been delivered, with six more set to follow in the coming weeks, according to the UK's Ministry of Defense.
23:33 UN: Lack of Funds to Aid Ukrainians This Winter
The UN acknowledges insufficient funds to assist individuals in Ukraine this winter, as per their own account. "The funding level of organizations like ours is unacceptably low for this time of year," states Karolina Lindholm Billing, the Ukraine coordinator for the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR). The UNHCR currently has only 47% of the necessary funds to support the millions of Ukrainians displaced or impacted by the conflict, compared to 70% at this time last year.
22:13 Biden: U.S. to Enhance Aid to Ukraine
President Biden announces the U.S. will intensify its aid to Ukraine during his remaining term in office. This move will strengthen Kyiv's bargaining stance, Biden claims before a meeting with Ukrainian President Zelensky in Washington. Biden's term concludes in January, and he may be succeeded by either his vice president, Kamala Harris, or Republican Donald Trump, who is predicted to curtail U.S. engagement with Ukraine.
21:34 Ukraine: Russia Preparing to Step Up Attacks in Saporizhzhia Region
According to Ukrainian intelligence reports, Russian troops are poised to escalate their attack activities in the Saporizhzhia region shortly. "The situation in the conflict zone in the Saporizhzhia region is showing a trend towards escalation," a spokesperson for troops stationed in southern Ukraine comments on national television. "In the past 24 hours, there were five [Russian] attacks, and we can expect this number to rise, as our information indicates that the enemy is gathering attack groups near the settlement of Pryiutne." The spokesperson also highlights that the Russian side has acquired light armored vehicles, suggesting they are planning offensive operations.
21:00 Biden in Meeting with Zelensky: Russia Will Not Gain the Upper Hand
At the onset of their meeting in Washington, US President Biden reassures Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky of continued U.S. support. "Russia will not secure the upper hand, Ukraine will," Biden says as he welcomes his Ukrainian counterpart to the Oval Office at the White House: "And we will stand by your side every step of the way." Read more here.
You can review all previous developments here.
The European Union, being a part of which Lithuania is, may also express its concern over the boost in Russia's military capabilities, given its border with Russia's Kaliningrad exclave.
Following the potential agreement between Lithuania and Germany for Leopard 2 tanks, Germany could potentially provide additional military support to the European Union, especially in light of its escalating tensions with Russia.
