Musk remotely deactivates Cybertruck.
Chechen President Claims Elon Musk Remotely Disabled His Cybertruck RemotelyChechen President Ramsan Kadyrov has claimed that Tesla CEO Elon Musk remotely disabled his Cybertruck. Kadyrov had previously bragged about owning a Tesla Cybertruck on his Telegram channel, where he had installed a machine gun. He had boasted about receiving the "Cyberbeast" from Musk, but Musk has since denied giving Kadyrov the truck. Now, Kadyrov has accused Musk on Telegram, saying, "This is disrespectful. How could you do this, Elon? Is this your style?"
20:42 Zelensky: Russian Attack Potential Reduces Due to Kursk IncursionUkrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has noted that the incursion into the Russian region of Kursk has forced Moscow to redeploy 40,000 soldiers there, reducing Russia's attack potential on the Donetsk front. Zelensky made this statement in his nightly address. Ukraine had advanced into Russia last month.
20:17 Zelensky to Meet Biden, Harris, and Trump During U.S. VisitU.S. President Joe Biden will welcome Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky at the White House in Washington next week. The meeting is scheduled for Thursday, according to U.S. government sources. Zelensky will also meet separately with U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris, who is running as the Democratic candidate in the November election. Zelensky had previously announced his plan to present a "Plan for Victory" to Biden in the war against Russia. Before his visit to Washington, Zelensky will speak at the UN General Assembly in New York and hold side meetings. He also plans to meet with members of the U.S. Congress and former U.S. President and Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump, who is running against Harris in the November election. Details of the planned meeting with Trump were not immediately available.
19:52 Stoltenberg on Peace Prospects: Putin Must Find the Price Too HighJust before stepping down as NATO Secretary General, Jens Stoltenberg stressed that military support for Ukraine should pressure Russian President Vladimir Putin into negotiations. "I don't think Putin will change his mind about Ukraine," says Stoltenberg. However, he believes that one can change Putin's calculations, "because there's a limit to how much he's willing to pay." According to Stoltenberg, military support for Ukraine increases the likelihood of persuading Putin to agree to a peace deal in which Ukraine appears as a sovereign, independent nation. "Then it's up to Ukraine and Russia to negotiate," says Stoltenberg. NATO must enable Ukraine to convey the message that Putin cannot win on the battlefield because the price is too high. Stoltenberg will hand over his position as NATO Secretary General to former Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte on October 1 and is reportedly set to become the head of the Munich Security Conference.
19:07 Russia Reportedly Places Explosives on Its Own DamsRussian forces are reportedly placing explosives on dams in its own territory around the city of Belgorod, according to a spokesperson for the Ukrainian military. Military spokesperson Vitali Sarantsev suspects that Russian forces could blow up the dams to slow down a potential advance of Ukrainian forces. Another theory from Sarantsev is that Russia wants to blame Ukraine for the explosions and accuse it of causing environmental damage. These claims cannot be verified. Belgorod is located about 25 kilometers from the Ukrainian border, making it one of the Russian cities most affected by Moscow's war against Ukraine.
18:36 Ukrainian Protests Against Russia War Film at Zurich FestivalDespite protests from Ukraine, the Zurich Film Festival has included a controversial documentary about Russian soldiers in the Ukraine war in its program. ""Russians at war" is an anti-war film in which soldiers openly criticize Putin and Moscow's war," the organizers justify their decision on the X platform. Previously, the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry had called on the festival leadership not to show the film. "We condemn any attempt to give Russia a cultural stage on which it can whitewash its war crimes while Russian troops continue to commit atrocities against Ukrainians," it said. The film festival takes place in the Swiss metropolis of Zurich for the 20th time from October 3 to 13. "Russians at war" has already been shown at the film festival in Venice and despite protests in Toronto.
18:17 Power Outages in Ukraine Could Last Up to 18 Hours in WinterAccording to a UN report, daily power outages in Ukraine in the winter could last between 4 and 18 hours. "Winter will be very harsh," says Daniel Bell, chair of the UN investigation, according to "Ukrajinska Prawda". "New attacks that result in permanent outages could have catastrophic consequences." Experts from the UN inspected power plants and spoke with experts and representatives of energy companies for the report. The power outages are a consequence of repeated Russian attacks on Ukraine's energy supply. According to "Ukrajinska Prawda", 73% of thermal power plants were out of operation in June 2024. While Russian attacks in the winter of 2022 mainly targeted power transmission facilities, since March 2024, power generation facilities have been the main target.
EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen is set to meet with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Kyiv on Friday. The meeting's agenda includes discussing assistance to Ukraine in maintaining its energy supply prior to winter. Since the initiation of Russia's invasion, the Kremlin has reportedly targeted Ukraine's energy infrastructure, aiming to leave the nation in darkness, as per von der Leyen's assertions. "Considering our friendship and partnership with Ukraine, it is our responsibility to do everything in our power to keep the lights burning," she stated. The heating season commences in two weeks, and von der Leyen assured that the EU is prepared to bolster its support for Ukraine during this period.
17:33 Fatal Attack on Senior Care Facility in Sumy Reports UkraineAs reported by "Kyiv Independent" quoting the Ukrainian Ministry of Internal Affairs, Russian forces attacked a senior care facility in Sumy's city center. One inhabitant was declared dead, and at least twelve others sustained injuries. According to Governor Volodymyr Artiukh, 211 individuals resided in the facility. The attack resulted in partial destruction of two floors, and a total of 147 people were evacuated without any missing individuals being reported.
16:50 Justification for Payment to Ukrainian Refugees' Basic Allowance by Germany's CommissionerDaniel Terzenbach, Germany's commissioner for integrating refugees into the labor market, has defended the payment of basic allowances to Ukrainian refugees. He explained, "This was a political decision to include refugees from Ukraine in the basic security system." In light of recent criticisms over state payments to Ukrainian war refugees, he believed this was an appropriate approach. Since June 2022, refugees from Ukraine have been granted basic security benefits in Germany, which were subsequently renamed citizens' allowance.
16:15 Putin: Russia to Increase Domestic Drone Production by TenfoldAccording to President Vladimir Putin, Russia aims to boost its domestic drone production by tenfold this year. Reuters reports that nearly 1.4 million drones are expected to be produced, in contrast to around 140,000 produced last year. Russia, as well as Ukraine, have been procuring drones abroad while simultaneously enhancing their domestic production. Drones have become an essential weapon in the prolonged Russian invasion of Ukraine, primarily used for reconnaissance and targeting infantry, armored vehicles, and strategic rear targets.
15:39 Ukrainian Parliament Removes Controversial MP from CommitteeThe Ukrainian parliament has unanimously decided to remove MP Marjana Besuhla from her position as deputy chair of the parliamentary committee for national security and defense. Besuhla, who has been embroiled in numerous controversies, frequently receives media attention due to her sharp criticism of the former and current military leadership. In July, she was removed as head of the subcommittee for civilian oversight of the military, citing her speaking out about military problems as the cause. Subsequently, she left President Zelenskyy's party, "Servant of the People."
14:57 European Parliament Urges EU to Enable Ukraine to Deploy Western Weapons Against Russian Targets
The European Parliament is advocating for EU member states to allow Ukraine to utilize Western weapons against military targets situated on Russian territory. The parliament suggests that Ukraine should be fully capable of defending itself, but this goal cannot be achieved without removing restrictions. The parliamentarians in Strasbourg have endorsed a non-binding resolution in this regard, with 425 votes in favor, 131 against, and 63 abstentions. The parliament appeals to all EU states to enhance their aid to Ukraine and expedite weapons deliveries, while also calling for sanctions against Russia and its supporters, as well as regulations to compensate Ukraine for seized Russian state assets damaged by combat.
14:30 Suspect Arrested Following Shooting Incident at Wildberries HeadquartersAfter a shooting incident that resulted in two fatalities and multiple injuries at Wildberries' headquarters, the perpetrator, who is the husband of the company's founder, Tatjana Bakaltschuk, has been apprehended by authorities. Lawyers for Vladislav Bakaltschuk state that he is being investigated for murder, attempted murder, assault on a security officer, and unlawful occupation of a position. However, he refutes all accusations. According to Forbes magazine, Tatjana Bakaltschuk ranks as Russia's wealthiest woman. She alleges that on Wednesday, a group led by her husband Vladislav attempted to seize control of Wildberries, which was met with resistance by the security guards. A confrontation resulted in shots being fired.
13:58 Russian Military Declares Capture of Another Village in Eastern UkraineThe Russian military claims to have seized another village in Eastern Ukraine's Donetsk region. The village of Georgiyevka has reportedly been captured, as per the defense ministry in Moscow. In recent weeks, the ministry has frequently announced military successes on the front line, where Ukrainian troops appear to be under considerable pressure. However, the current focus of Russian troops seems to be on capturing the strategically vital city of Pokrovsk for Ukraine, whose downfall would constitute a significant blow to Kyiv. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy had previously mentioned a "very difficult" situation on the front line in Eastern Ukraine.
The Russian soldiers, supposedly liberating Donbass from "Nazis" as per Kremlin's claims, are finding a less welcoming reception than anticipated. According to Rossia 1's broadcast, a soldier finds a noticeable difference in his assignment between Kursk and Bachmut. The people's attitude towards them is a stark contrast: "Here, it's basically like home, they love us. There, their attitude was significantly different."
13:09 Over 300 Ukrainian Towns Get New Identities
The Ukrainian parliament has rechristened a total of 327 localities within the country. The purpose behind this move, as mentioned by one of the bill's authors, Roman Losynskyj, on Facebook, is to disassociate the nation from Soviet and Russian roots. He called it a "historic decision," and further renamings are expected to follow. According to deputy Yaroslav Zhelezniak, 281 parliamentarians voted in favor of the legislation.
12:35 von der Leyen Ventures to Ukraine with Promises Galore
EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen is scheduled to visit Ukraine on Friday. During her meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Kyiv, she will discuss European assistance for the country's energy supply in the coming winter. The EU has pledged an additional 160 million euros for the repair of damaged power plants, 60 million euros for heaters and additional equipment for displaced persons' shelters, and 100 million euros for the repair of heat power plants and installation of new solar plants in Ukraine. Part of the funding will come from the revenues generated from frozen Russian assets within the EU.
12:10 Catastrophic Explosions Hit Russian Ammunition Depot
The Ukrainian military appears to have struck a massive Russian ammunition depot lying 500 kilometers beyond the border. The ensuing explosions are colossal, and are even detectable on the seismic scale, reports ntv correspondent Rainer Munz from Moscow. He also explained the depot's significance for Russia.
11:50 Germany May Allocate Extra 400 Million Euros for Military Aid this Year
Despite a challenging financial situation, the German government plans to release an extra 392 million euros in military aid for Ukraine this year. This is clear from a letter penned by Finance State Secretary Florian Toncar to the Budget Committee of the Bundestag. The FDP politician referred to an unexpected requirement reported by the German Ministry of Defense and the precarious situation in Ukraine in its conflict against Russia. The funds will be utilized primarily for the procurement of military equipment from Germany's defense industry. The recent advancements of Russian forces have exacerbated Ukraine's situation. They have suffered "significant material losses" due to an increased Russian superiority in artillery and the use of guided bombs. The probability of Ukraine succumbing without a substantially increased support during its defensive struggle is high.
11:32 Energy Suppliers Take a Beating: This Winter Will Be a "Tough Testament"
The International Energy Agency (IEA) urged Ukraine's partners to bolster its energy supply ahead of the coming winter. Due to recurring attacks by Russia on Ukrainian power plants, heating plants, and transmission networks, Ukraine's energy infrastructure is currently under immense strain. Power outages and disruptions to the water supply occur routinely. The situation may worsen as the days become shorter and colder, leading to further disruptions in the power supply to hospitals, schools, and other vital facilities. Heat supply to Ukrainian cities is also at risk. Ukraine's partners must intensify the protection of energy infrastructure against attacks and cyberattacks. This winter will be "by far the toughest trial" faced by Ukraine's energy system, said IEA Director Fatih Birol.
10:58 Moscow Will Retract Rehabilitation of Thousands of Stalin's Victims
Russia has taken back the rehabilitation of over 4,000 individuals who faced purges under Soviet dictator Josef Stalin. According to Prosecutor General's Office spokesperson Andrei Ivanov, many of these individuals were rehabilitated in the 1990s and early 2000s, but were reportedly collaborators with the Nazis during World War II. The individuals, both male and female, had received rehabilitation in the past, but Russia has now revoked it. Josef Stalin controlled Moscow from the mid-1920s until his demise in 1953, and various waves of repression and purges took the lives of millions of Soviet citizens. Show trials were commonplace.
09:58 Kyiv Confirmates Downing of All Russian DronesUkraine's air defense forces claim to have successfully brought down all 42 drones that Russia had launched towards the country during the night. Moreover, they managed to intercept one out of four missiles used in the attack. Air defense systems were activated in nine different Ukrainian regions. The Governor of Kharkiv, Oleh Synyehubov, reported six people getting injured in Kupiansk, eight kilometers away from the frontline, due to a Russian strike. Infrastructure, including a school, a kindergarten, and ten residential buildings, were damaged in Kharkiv. Damage to an educational institution was also reported from the Cherkassy region.
09:30 Russia Stresses Capture of Two Villages in KurskRussia's armed forces are presumably making progress in their offensive against the Ukrainian forces that had infiltrated Kursk, as per a high-ranking military commander. The villages of Nikolayevka-Darivka and Darivka, located west of the Russian border region, were allegedly recaptured by Russian forces. This move allows Russian forces to potentially target the logistics center for Ukrainian troops in Sverdlova. Major General Apti Alaudinov stated, "Our entire front has advanced." Ukrainian forces reportedly entered Kursk at the beginning of August, with Russia launching its counteroffensive at the beginning of September. Meanwhile, Russian forces are also allegedly making headway in the eastern part of Ukraine, as per Alaudinov.
09:01 Indian Munitions Slip Through to Ukraine Despite Russian ObjectionsDespite objections from Moscow, Indian artillery shells are reportedly making their way to Ukraine via roundabout routes, with New Delhi failing to intervene in halting the trade, according to Reuters, citing sources from Indian and European governments, defense industry representatives, and customs data. The transfer of ammunition has been ongoing for over a year to support Ukraine's defense. European countries, including Italy and the Czech Republic, reportedly purchase the artillery shells and then redirect them to Ukraine.
08:25 TASS Discloses New Corruption Case in Russian Defense MinistryThe Russian authorities have detained the head of the tank service section in the Central Military District on allegations of accepting a massive bribe. This information was reported by the state news agency TASS. Denis Putilov is suspected of accepting a bribe of $107,000, in return for repair and maintenance contracts for military vehicles. This case is the latest in a series of corruption scandals involving high-ranking Russian military officials since Andrei Belousov took over as Russian Defense Minister in April 2024. Corruption investigations within the Russian Defense Ministry have continued for several months.
07:52 Putin Extends Food Embargo for another Two YearsOn August 24, 2024, Russian President Vladimir Putin extended the 2014 embargo on agricultural products from Western countries by another two years – from Jan 1, 2025 to Dec 31, 2026. According to the state news agency TASS, the embargo, introduced in response to "unfriendly actions by the West," has been in effect in Russia since August 2014. It covers products from the US, EU, Australia, and Ukraine, among others.
07:22 Russian Shelling in SaporizhzhiaAn elderly woman lost her life, and two others were injured in Russian shelling in the southeastern Ukrainian region of Saporizhzhia, as reported by regional authorities, according to Governor Ivan Fedorov on Telegram. Russian forces reportedly shelled the region over 160 times in the past 24 hours, resulting in damage to infrastructure and residential buildings. The region has been largely occupied by Russian troops.
06:50 Kyiv Reports Death of Over 500 Children in WarSince the onset of the full-scale invasion, Russian hostilities have claimed the lives of over 500 Ukrainian children and injured over 1,600, as per the statement of Dmytro Lubinets, the Ukrainian parliamentary human rights ombudsman, on Telegram. "Officially, 1,609 children have been wounded, and 575 have been killed. However, the actual number may be much higher, given that data from temporarily occupied territories is not available," stated Lubinets. "The Russian Federation recklessly and systematically violates the Geneva Conventions related to the protection of civilians during warfare and the treatment of prisoners of war."
06:16 Zelensky Plans Meeting with HarrisU.S. Vice President and Democratic presidential candidate Kamala Harris plans to meet with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in Washington D.C. next week, according to Bloomberg. Zelensky is expected to meet with U.S. President Joe Biden in New York during the UN General Assembly from Sept. 24 to 30. During his trip, Zelensky is aiming to discuss NATO and EU membership, economic and security agreements, and the continued supply of modern weapons, as part of his "victory plan." He also intends to present his strategic plans to Harris and Trump.
05:44 Moscow Seeks Closer Ties with PakistanRussia and Pakistan have agreed to boost bilateral trade and strengthen economic cooperation, as announced by Russian Deputy Prime Minister Alexei Overchuk and Pakistani Foreign Minister Mohammad Ishaq Dar in Islamabad. Russia also committed to supporting Pakistan's bid to join the international alliance BRICS. Despite facing increasing economic isolation due to Western sanctions following its invasion of Ukraine, trade between Moscow and Islamabad has risen to $1 billion in 2023. The countries aim to further develop their economic ties, despite the constraints imposed by sanctions, as per Dar during a media briefing.
04:48 Eastern Front Pressure Intense according to Kyiv General StaffThe General Staff in Kyiv describes the fighting, specifically in the region between Pokrovsk and Kurachove, as intense in their evening situation report. Over half of the over 150 Russian attacks during the day have taken place in this sector, with several attacks still ongoing.
03:48 French Fighter Jets Being Altered for UkraineFrench Mirage 2000-5 fighter jets bound for Ukraine are being modified to strike ground targets, according to the French newspaper "Sud Ouest". The news report details the modifications being made at the Cazaux air base, which also include alterations to the aircraft. The Mirage 2000 is a multirole aircraft developed in the late 70s and introduced in 1984. The 2000-5 version features improved radar systems and can carry external fuel tanks, extending its range significantly.
02:48 Trump Might Meet ZelenskyyRepublican presidential candidate Donald Trump expresses that he is "likely" to meet with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, who is scheduled to travel to the US next week to speak at a UN Security Council session about the war in his country. "Probably yes," Trump responds to a reporter's question, without providing additional information.
01:39 US Plans to Enhance Oil ReservesUnder President Joe Biden, the US government intends to increase strategic oil reserves. The US aims to purchase up to six million barrels of oil, the Energy Department announces. This would be the largest replenishment of stockpiles since a significant release in 2022. The oil is scheduled to be delivered between February and May 2025. In response to high gasoline prices resulting from Russia's invasion of Ukraine, the US government sold large amounts of oil from its strategic reserve in 2022 to reduce market prices, marking the "largest oil reserve release in history".
00:34 Zelenskyy Urges expedited Air Defense DeliveriesUkrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy appeals to Western partners to expedite deliveries to strengthen air defense, stating during his evening video address, "Not all commitments made at the Washington summit on air defense have been fulfilled yet." He emphasizes the importance of an efficient air defense system, especially as autumn begins, with regular Russian attacks on energy and heat supply infrastructure.
00:02 Eastern NATO Countries Push for Joint NATO Response to Russian Airspace ViolationsDefense ministers from eastern NATO member states advocate for a collective NATO response to airspace violations by Russian drones and missiles. Nine NATO member states along its eastern border expressed "deep concern" about recurrent incursions of Russian weaponry into their airspace and urged a "joint NATO response." They also underscored the necessity to upgrade capabilities for identifying, distinguishing, and if necessary, intercepting low-flying and sluggish objects.
23:25 Putin Orders Troop Increase; Moscow and Leningrad Military Districts to be ReinforcedRussian President Vladimir Putin has instructed an increase in active soldiers to 1.5 million. In a meeting with military experts, he emphasized that it's essential for the armed forces to have well-trained soldiers. Earlier that week, he signed a decree to augment troops by 180,000. According to the president, the newly established military districts of Moscow and Leningrad will receive particular reinforcement. This marks the third troop increase ordered by Putin since Russia's large-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.
22:24 British Military Advisor: War is 'Catastrophe' for KremlinRussia's war in Ukraine is a "disaster for the Kremlin," according to British military advisor Nicholas Aucott, speaking at the Forum for Security Cooperation in Vienna, as reported by the Ukrainian news agency "Ukrinform." Factors such as the Ukrainian counteroffensive in Kherson and the devastation of a quarter of the Russian Black Sea Fleet have contributed to a "Russian military catastrophe." The effective utilization of Ukrainian maneuver warfare contrasts drastically with Russia's 'slaughterhouse' tactics.
22:04 Zelenskyy: 'Victory Plan' Completely PreparedAll aspects of the 'victory plan' that Ukraine will present to the US have been developed, says Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. He is scheduled to discuss the plan with US President Joe Biden during his visit to the US later this month. While Zelenskyy remains secretive about the details, he mentions that the plan consists of four primary points and a fifth point related to the post-war situation. The Ukrainian advance into the Russian region of Kursk is also part of the strategy, according to Zelenskyy.
You can review all preceding developments here.
The Ukrainian President has expressed concern about potential power outages in Ukraine during winter, which could last up to 18 hours, due to repeated Russian attacks on Ukraine's energy infrastructure. (from EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen is set to meet with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Kyiv on Friday)
In the context of the Ukrainian conflict, it would be important for international aid to focus on strengthening Ukraine's energy infrastructure and ensuring its energy security during winter. (based on the information in the first sentence)
Another perspective is that the conflict in Ukraine has led to significant damage to Ukraine's energy infrastructure, making it vulnerable to power outages during winter, especially with repeated attacks from Russia. (also based on the information in the first sentence)
