NATO's facility in Geilenkirchen issues an alert at 16:20
Clear at NATO Air Base Geilenkirchen: The NATO Air Base Geilenkirchen's security level has been lowered again, the base's spokesperson confirms. This is following a previous escalation to the second-highest level due to a potential threat. With this change, the airport's security measures revert back to those in place since the start of the Ukraine war. The spokesperson refrains from discussing the nature of the threat. This second-highest level in NATO terminology signifies an incident or evidence of a possible terrorist attack against the alliance. As a safety measure, most staff were sent home temporarily.
16:01 Federal Prosecutor Examining Released German National Rico Krieger Germania's Federal Prosecutor's Office is conducting an investigation into Rico Krieger, a local national freed from Belarusian detention in a prisoner swap. According to the office, the investigation centers around accusations of causing an explosion. Krieger was sentenced to death in Belarus on charges of terrorism and mercenary activities, but ultimately received a pardon and was handed over to Germany. Die Welt am Sonntag alleges that Krieger sought to enlist with the "Kastus Kalinouski Regiment" in Ukraine, a Belarusian volunteer group aiding the Ukrainian military against the Russian invasion. Because of this, he was reportedly apprehended by the Belarusian secret service. Krieger denies these claims.
15:44 Modi Suggests Negotiations to Zelenskyy to End War Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi recommends Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to engage in talks with Russia to put an end to the conflict during his visit to Kyiv. Modi pledges to function as a "mediator" to facilitate peace. "The resolution can only be found through discussions and diplomacy, and we should initiate this process promptly," Modi says. He encourages both parties to come together to find a way out of the predicament, without explicitly demanding troop withdrawal from Russia. More details here.
15:22 Wagner Group Disintegrating a Year Following Prigozhin's Death According to British evaluations, a year after the death of the Wagner Group's Russian commander Yevgeny Prigozhin, his private army is progressively fragmenting. Since the plane crash, numerous key figures have departed the group, the British Ministry of Defense reveals. "Compared to its 2023 peak of 50,000 personnel, Wagner now likely has around 5,000 personnel remaining in its deployments in Belarus and Africa," the ministry states. Many former Wagner fighters have reportedly switched to the Russian military or Ministry of Defense-controlled paramilitary units, military analysts report. One year ago today, Prigozhin passed away in a plane crash, two months after inciting rebellion against Russia's military leadership. All nine other individuals on the plane also lost their lives.
14:38 ISW: Ukrainian Advance Forces Russian Troop Redistribution Due to Ukrainian military progress in the western Russian province of Kursk, Moscow is said to be redistributing troops from the southern Ukrainian region it previously invaded, as assessed by experts at the U.S. Institute for the Study of War (ISW). The Russian military has reportedly dispatched certain units from the southern Ukrainian region of Zaporizhzhia to reinforce defenses in Kursk, with online postings from redeployed soldiers serving as proof. However, Russia tends to preserve the main axis of its assault in the eastern Ukrainian region of Donetsk.
13:59 German Ukraine Aid Trust Eroding Due to Budget Dispute The budget conflict within the German government is markedly diminishing trust in the dependability of German aid to Ukraine, according to security expert Christian Mölling of the German Society for International Cooperation. He refers to the discussions about limiting German aid and instead providing Ukraine with interest-free loans from frozen Russian assets. Mölling states in the "Die Lage" podcast by Stern, "Germany has really blundered, causing considerable international damage." He explains that no one is certain if or when this strategy will work, and the process of delivering the aid to Ukraine remains unclear.
13:31 Modi Consoles Zelenskyy with Hug in Kyiv Visit Just a few weeks after his controversial embrace with Russian President Vladimir Putin, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi also consoles Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky with a hug. Modi pays tribute at a memorial for deceased Ukrainian children with Zelensky, where he lays a teddy bear. India, the world's most populous nation, retains its official neutrality in the conflict, does not enact Western sanctions against Moscow, and repeatedly advocates for a diplomacy-focused solution, but has yet to put forth concrete proposals.
13:03 Maritime Route to Crimea Remains Shut Follows Ukrainian Attack A day after a Ukrainian assault, the Russian port of Kavkaz, crucial for supplying Crimea, remains out of bounds for ferry traffic. Russia's transport ministry announces that ferry services will resume following cleanup completion. Kavkaz is situated in the Strait of Kerch, connecting the Black Sea and the Sea of Azov. The Russian-occupied Crimea is visible from Kavkaz, making it one of the Black Sea's key transit hubs for fuel and ammunition supplies to Crimea.
12:18 Russia Insider: "Eventually, We'll Figure Out How Putin Will Strike Back"Russian President Vladimir Putin seems rather reserved in response to Ukraine's military gains in Kursk, as per Russian political analyst Ekaterina Schulmann. She notes that this is a typical response from Putin when faced with unwelcome news. Other Russia experts suggest that the Kremlin is currently evaluating potential retaliation moves. Alexander Gabuev, director of the Carnegie Russia-Eurasia Center in Berlin, cautions, "At some point, we'll realize how Putin will retaliate."
11:37 Russian Oil Depot in Proletarsk Still Smoldering
The Russian oil depot in Proletarsk, located in the southern Russian region of Rostov, is still emitting smoke. As per NASA's Fire Monitoring Program, the facility is still ablaze today. Moreover, the Telegram channel Baza, which is close to Russian investigative authorities, also reports that the fire is still active. According to Baza, the depot was hit again by a Ukrainian drone last night.
11:00 "Ukraine Looks to Symbolically Wrap Arms Around Modi"
While India, being a BRICS member, maintains close ties with Russia, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is now welcoming Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, with Kyiv hopeful of mediation to end the conflict. According to ntv reporter Nadja Kriewald, the Ukrainians are more eager than ever for peace talks due to the Kherson offensive.
10:30 Ukrainian Air Defense in Action Across Multiple Regions
The Ukrainian military claims to have downed 14 out of 16 Russian attack drones launched overnight. The airforce reported that the air defense system was operational in the regions of Cherkassy, Kirovohrad, Poltava, and Sumy.
10:00 Ukraine Speaks on Sinking of Ferry in Kavkaz
The Ukrainian navy provides commentary on the destruction of a ferry in the Russian port of Kavkaz. "Another undeniable military target has been neutralized," says navy spokesman Dmytro Pletenchuk on Ukrainian television. The ferry was intended to supply the enemy with fuel. The ferry has sunk, causing the port to cease operations. Local authorities report that the attack took place on Thursday, resulting in a fire on the ferry. The port of Kavkaz, located on the Black Sea, provides fuel, among other things, to Crimea, which Russia annexed from Ukraine in 2014.
09:30 Russian Ambassador: "No Buffer Zone on Russian Land"
Russian Ambassador to the US, Anatoly Antonov, responds to the Kherson offensive and Kyiv's declared goal of establishing a buffer zone there. "Impossible. There will be no buffer zone on Russian territory," TASS state news agency quotes him. Simultaneously, he warns that Moscow will not consult Washington to expel Ukrainian forces from the Kherson region. He accuses the US of "continuously testing the patience of the Russians" and attempting "to provoke us into taking emotional, hasty decisions."
09:00 Online Assessment Shows: Discontent with Putin Increasing in Russia
Given that Ukrainian troops have advanced into Russian territory for the past two weeks, negative sentiments towards President Vladimir Putin seem to be escalating across Russia. An assessment by FilterLabs AI, reported by the "New York Times," suggests that many online contributors blame the Ukrainian advance on the Russian government and Putin in particular. "Putin's response to the incursion was, at best, inadequate, and at worst, offensive," says Jonathan Teubner, CEO of FilterLabs. The company monitors attitudes in Russia by analyzing social media.
08:30 Modi Arrives in KyivIndian Prime Minister Narendra Modi is presently in Ukraine, as confirmed by both Indian and Ukrainian media. He is scheduled to meet with President Volodymyr Zelensky. Ukraine seeks India's support as it plays a significant role in global politics. However, Kyiv has reservations about India's declared neutrality. In July, Modi visited Moscow, and images of their meeting, demonstrating their embrace, were distressing in Ukraine and various Western countries.
07:55 Russia's Threat on Nuclear Plant Attacks: Just BlusterRussian President Vladimir Putin accuses Ukraine of attempting to attack the nuclear power plant in Kursk. However, ntv reporter Rainer Munz assesses the risk of a nuclear incident resulting from the war.
07:25 China and Belarus Agree to Strengthen Cooperation, Including SecurityChina and Belarus have agreed to intensify cooperation in sectors such as trade, security, energy, and finance, as per a joint statement following a meeting between Chinese Premier Li Qiang and Belarusian Premier Roman Golovchenko. Both countries also aim to enhance cooperation in industrial supply chains and make trade easier for both parties. China is Belarus' second-largest trading partner and the largest in Asia.
07:00 Ukrainian Army Laments Poorly Trained RecruitsUkrainian commanders and soldiers complain about the inadequate training of new soldiers and Russia's clear advantage in the air and ammunition at the eastern front. "Some people refuse to shoot. They see an enemy in a firing position in a trench and refuse to open fire. That's why our men are dying," says a battalion commander from the 47th Brigade. "If they don't use their weapons, they're worthless." Since May, when the government enacted a controversial mobilization law, tens of thousands of fighters have reportedly been drafted each month, with the largest demand in the infantry. However, there are logistical challenges in training, equipping, and compensating so many new individuals.
06:35 Moscow: US to Lift All Weapons Restrictions for Ukraine According to Russia's ambassador to the US, Russia believes that the United States will soon remove all limitations on the use of weapons given to Ukraine. As reported by the RIA news agency, Ambassador Anatoly Antonov stated, "The current administration acts like someone who extends one hand while hiding a knife behind their back with the other." They are preparing the ground to eliminate all existing limitations at some point without second thoughts. Antonov expressed that a serious dialogue with the US is only possible if they cease their "hostile" behavior towards Russia. He also mentioned that a meeting between Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and US Secretary of State Antony Blinken during the UN General Assembly next month is unlikely.
06:09 Harris: Trump Encouraged Putin to Invade Europe Democratic presidential candidate Kamala Harris has publicly endorsed NATO and pledged to continue supporting Ukraine, which is under attack from Russia. "I will stand strongly by Ukraine and our NATO allies," she said in her speech concluding the Democratic Party convention in Chicago. Her Republican opponent, Donald Trump, had threatened to abandon NATO, she stated. He had also urged Russian President Vladimir Putin to invade Europe.
05:38 Head of Network Agency: "Federal Government Still on High Alert" Despite fully stocked gas storage facilities, the president of the Federal Network Agency, Klaus Müller, advises caution in gas consumption. "The federal government is still on high alert. We must still be careful," Müller told the Augsburger Allgemeine. He also pointed out that the Ukrainian army's advance into Russian territory may exacerbate the situation. "Not the natural gas infrastructure itself is contested, but the area around this infrastructure is a war zone on both sides," Müller told the newspaper. This includes the Gazprom gas station in Sudzha, which is situated just a few kilometers from the Ukrainian border on Russian territory and is a vital distribution point for natural gas exported to Europe.
04:40 Modi Visits Kyiv: "No Problem Can Be Solved on the Battlefield" Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to visit Ukraine for the first time today. A meeting with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is planned in the capital Kyiv, as announced by the Indian Ministry of External Affairs. India maintains a neutral stance on the Russian invasion, does not impose western sanctions on Moscow, and has become one of the largest buyers of cheap Russian oil on the global market. New Delhi consistently advocates for a resolution through dialogue. "India is firmly convinced that no problem can be solved on the battlefield. The loss of innocent lives on battlefields is the greatest challenge for humanity," Modi said on Thursday during a visit to Poland. Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk encouraged Modi to play a mediating role in the conflict.
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03:31 Circles: USA to Send New Military Aid According to government sources, the USA plans to send additional military aid to Ukraine worth approximately $125 million. The latest aid package includes rockets for air defense, ammunition for Himars multiple rocket launchers, Javelin rockets, and a variety of other weapons, equipment, and vehicles, the sources said, speaking on condition of anonymity. The official announcement is expected today, Friday, one day before Ukraine's Independence Day. The weapons will come from Pentagon stockpiles, allowing for quick delivery.
02:12 Ukraine Reports 53 Russian Attacks Near Pokrovsk in One Day The Ukrainian military reported a total of 53 Russian attacks near the city of Pokrovsk in the east of the country throughout Thursday. The capture of Pokrovsk remains the main goal of Russian forces in Ukraine, according to a statement from the General Staff. There has been no statement from the Russian government so far. According to the available information, Russian troops have been gradually advancing on Pokrovsk in recent days.
01:16 SPD Leader: Without weapons deliveries, Ukraine would be "eliminated" Just before the state elections in Thuringia and Saxony, SPD chairwoman Saskia Esken reaffirms the military support for Ukraine against Russia. Chancellor Olaf Scholz is committed to a just and sustainable peace, Esken told the Funke media group newspapers. "As long as Putin does not abandon his war aims against Ukraine, peace cannot be achieved diplomatically." Esken links her statements with criticism of the BSW party leader Sahra Wagenknecht. "If, like Frau Wagenknecht and others, we were to stop delivering weapons to Ukraine today, the country would be invaded tomorrow and eliminated the day after. That would have catastrophic consequences for security throughout Europe, which would certainly not lead to less armament and not to peace."
23:56 Ukraine fears worst winter in its history Given the destruction of Ukraine's power and energy infrastructure by Russian attacks, the country is expecting a severe and dark winter. "We are facing the hardest winter in our history," says Ukrainian Energy Minister Herman Haluschtschenko in a video conference. This winter will be even harder than the previous one, as the damage from ongoing Russian attacks has accumulated. The Russian army is using various weapons in combined attacks to cause the maximum amount of destruction, he says. In a mild winter, electricity consumption is about 18 gigawatts, in a cold one it is 19 gigawatts. Moreover, reserves of one gigawatt must be created, says Haluschtschenko. Russian attacks have destroyed around 9 gigawatts of capacity.
10:08 NATO Enhances Security at Geilenkirchen Airbase Due to potential dangers, NATO boosts its security level at the airbase located in Geilenkirchen, North Rhine-Westphalia. Those not essential for deployment have been asked to leave their posts, as confirmed by a base representative. The escalation is based on classified intel suggesting possible threats. "There's no need to panic; this is just a precautionary measure to ensure we maintain our crucial operations," the representative assures. Police presence on the premises has been reported. Additional details, like the number of deployed troops, remain undisclosed.
20:07 Ukraine Reports an Attack on Kursk Support Hub The Ukrainian military reports a new attack on Russian troops situated in the Kursk region. According to Air Force Commander Mykola Oleshchuk, they utilized precision-guided American bombs to strike a Russian support center in the afternoon. "We took out a drone command center, radio-electronic combat unit, equipment, weapons, and as many as 40 Russian military personnel," Oleshchuk explains in a supposed video showcasing the attack.
19:43 Swiss Peace Conference Holds Its First Post-Meeting According to Ukraine, a first post-meeting was held following the Peace Conference in Switzerland in June. Over 40 nations and organizations gathered in a virtual session for this initial follow-up gathering. Subsequent working group meetings are planned.
You can explore all earlier events here.
The lowering of the security level at NATO Air Base Geilenkirchen does not necessarily indicate a decrease in potential threats. Despite the return to previous security measures, the base remains vigilant in the face of persistent threats.
Regarding the investigation of Rico Krieger, it's important to note that German authorities are looking into allegations of causing an explosion, which could potentially have ties to terrorist activities or mercenary activities. The exact nature of the incident and Krieger's involvement are under scrutiny by federal prosecutors.
