Numerous mineworkers encounter predicament within Donetsk
15:08 150 Miners Stranded in Dobropillia Mine due to Power Outage from Russian Assaults
150 miners are stranded in Dobropillia's mine due to a power outage triggered by Russian attacks in the Donetsk region. This information comes from the "Kyiv Independent" citing Mychailo Volynets, the head of the Ukrainian miners' trade union. The city of Dobropillia, once home to around 28,000 residents before the conflict, is situated approximately 20 kilometers north of Pokrovsk. Recent months have seen Dobropillia become a significant target for Russian troops. Russian assaults have hampered Dobropillia's power supply and surrounding settlements, including coal mines. According to reports, the power failure is resulting in the mining areas being flooded and gassed. Volynets adds that the situation in the region remains challenging.
17:08 Sweden Bolsters Civil Defense Funding in Anticipation of War
Sweden is planning to expand its civil defense budget by 100% over the next three years to prepare for potential conflicts. The government in Stockholm stated that lessons from the Ukraine war underscore the importance of ensuring that crucial parts of society can operate smoothly. Civil Defense Minister Carl-Oskar Bohlin announced that the country's budget for civil defense will be increased by two billion kronor, reaching 8.5 billion kronor, equivalent to 740 million euros, this year. By 2028, an annual budget of 15 billion kronor is aimed for. Bohlin said, "The security situation remains severe and is expected to continue in the near future."
16:39 Putin: NATO Would Engage in War with Russia if West Approves Ukraine's Use of Long-Range Weapons
Russian President Vladimir Putin argued that if the West permits Ukraine to deploy long-range weapons against targets within Russia, it would imply that NATO is "at war" with Russia. "Granting permission for Ukraine to employ long-range weapons against Russian targets would dramatically alter the nature of the conflict. It would imply that NATO countries are involved in the war in Ukraine," Putin told a state TV reporter. If such a choice is made, "this would not be anything less than direct participation of NATO countries in the Ukrainian conflict." Ukraine has been seeking the West's approval to use Western long-range weapons against Russian targets for some time now. Russian forces have been relentlessly attacking Ukraine's infrastructure for months.
16:07 Zelensky Labels Chinese-Brazilian Peace Initiative 'Destructive'
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has dismissed the Chinese-Brazilian peace initiative. Zelensky characterized it as "destructive, it's merely a political statement." Zelensky shared his views with Brazilian media outlet Metropoles. "How can you propose 'here is our initiative' when you haven't even consulted with us first?" Zelensky said. China and Brazil proposed an international peace conference in May. "What purpose does this serve?" Zelensky inquired. Unlike Russia, Ukraine was not consulted prior to the proposal's announcement.
17:40 Ukraine: Russian Missile Strikes Grain Ship
Based on Ukrainian reports, a Russian missile has struck a civilian ship carrying grain from Ukraine. President Volodymyr Zelensky stated that the ship had departed Ukrainian waters in the Black Sea at the time of impact. Foreign Minister Andrij Sybiha described it as a "deliberate attack on maritime navigation freedom and global food security." According to Zelensky, the ship was en route to Egypt and there were no casualties. A spokesperson for the Ukrainian Navy stated that the grain ship was not within the Ukrainian grain trade corridor at the time of the strike. Instead, it was in Romania's maritime economic zone. A spokesperson for the Romanian Navy clarified that the ship was not within Romanian territorial waters.
17:12 Chinese President to Visit Russia Again
Chinese President Xi Jinping is scheduled to visit Russia in October. Xi is attending the BRICS group's summit, confirmed Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi. Wang is meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin in St. Petersburg today. Both leaders praised the relationship between China and Russia. Wang stated that Xi had graciously accepted Putin's invitation to attend the BRICS summit in Kazan, while Putin praised the progress in their bilateral relations.
16:50 US Ready to "Tweak" Military Aid for Ukraine
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken announced that the US is prepared to adjust military support for Ukraine as needed. During a press conference in Warsaw, Blinken was asked if the US had given Ukraine the go-ahead to attack targets within Russia using Western weapons. Blinken responded: "I can inform you that we will persist in doing what we have been doing: we will modify, we will adapt, if necessary, including when it comes to the tools available to Ukraine." Blinken said he had held "constructive" discussions with his British counterpart David Lammy in Kyiv on Wednesday and received insights about how the Ukrainians were analyzing the battlefield and determining their needs. These aspects would be considered. "And if necessary, we will adjust."
16:35 New Role for NATO Chief Stoltenberg
NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg will take on the role of chairman of the Munich Security Conference. The Norwegian will assume this position after the security conference in February 2025. Christoph Heusgen, who assumed the role in 2022 and previously served as Chancellor Angela Merkel's foreign policy advisor, will step down as chairman, while the longest-serving former chairman Wolfgang Ischinger will remain the foundation's board of trustees president. Stoltenberg will relinquish his post as NATO Secretary General to former Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte in October after ten years.
16:11 Three Humanitarian Workers Killed in UkraineIn a hostile attack by Russian forces, three Ukrainian humanitarian workers from the Red Cross were tragically killed, as reported by Ukrainian sources. This incident took place in a village located in the disputed region of Donetsk, as announced by the Ukrainian Prosecutor General's Office via Telegram. Two additional workers were rushed to the hospital, with one of them in critical condition. "Another dreadful act of aggression. Today, the aggressor targeted the humanitarian vehicles of the International Committee of the Red Cross in the Donetsk region," wrote Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyj on his platform. Dmytro Lubinets, the Ukrainian human rights commissioner, urged the ICRC to officially recognize Russia's violation of the Geneva Conventions' standards.
15:45 Public Barred from Trial of Navalny's LawyersThe presiding judge swiftly closed the courtroom during the trial of three lawyers representing jailed Kremlin critic Alexey Navalny in Petushki, Russia. She claimed that a potential provocation by Navalny supporters was the reason for her decision to exclude the public. The defendants, Vadim Kobzev, Alexei Lipzer, and Igor Sergunin, are accused of belonging to an extremist organization, referencing the anti-corruption fund that Navalny founded.
15:18 Sea conflict in the Black SeaUkraine and Russia were engaged in a naval and aerial confrontation in the Black Sea, according to various accounts. The Ukrainian military intelligence service reported that a Russian Su-30 fighter jet was downed using a portable surface-to-air missile system during a special operation at sea. No further information regarding the incident on Tuesday night was made available in Kyiv. However, the Russian Ministry of Defense reported a foiled Ukrainian attempt to attack a Russian drilling platform in the Black Sea with high-speed motorboats on Wednesday. Eight of the 14 boats were reportedly destroyed, while the others retreated. No mention of an aircraft loss was mentioned in Moscow. However, Russian military blog Rybar, affiliated with the Russian Ministry of Defense, reported that a Su-30 was shot down in defending against the Ukrainian attack.
14:54 Exhausted Ukrainian Soldiers Emphasize End to ConflictUkrainian soldiers must use their limited resources effectively and wisely. Kavita Sharma, an ntv reporter, witnessed this firsthand during her coverage at the frontline: worn-out Soviet weapons with little ammunition, as well as a scarcity of top-tier, newer Western weapons.
14:23 Zelenskyj: Russia Launches Counteroffensive in KurskRussia has initiated a counteroffensive in the Russian border region of Kursk, according to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyj. This offensive "aligns with the Ukrainian plan," Zelenskyj stated at a press conference in Kyiv, without providing additional details. The Russian Ministry of Defense announced via Telegram that Russian troops had liberated ten settlements in the Kursk region within two days.
13:55 Criticism of Iranian-Russia Relations by Iranian PoliticianA high-ranking Iranian politician expressed an unusual critique of Iran's relationship with Russia in light of new sanctions and growing diplomatic tensions. In a post on a social media platform, Ali Motahari, a former vice-president of the Iranian parliament, referred to the sanctions imposed by Germany, France, and the UK against Iran's provision of ballistic missiles to Russia. Iran's Foreign Ministry strongly denied these allegations.
13:38 Pokrovsk City in Donetsk Region Experiences Water and Gas ShortagesFollowing Russian attacks, the city of Pokrovsk in the Donetsk region of Ukraine has suffered from a disrupted water supply and a lack of gas for cooking and heating. The city's water treatment facility was recently damaged in the fighting, leaving it dependent on more than 300 emergency wells for its water supply. Additionally, a gas distribution center was destroyed by Russian forces the previous day, leaving 18,000 residents of Pokrovsk without gas.
13:07 Questionable Report on Russia's Warship CountRussia possibly has only half as many warships as claimed by their Ministry of Defense, according to a report by the Russian independent news portal "Agentstvo." While the Russian Ministry of Defense estimates that over 400 warships are participating in the large-scale military exercise "Ocean-2024," independent online databases suggest figures ranging from 264 to 299 warships. The Black Sea Fleet, which is not participating in the exercise, also has around 50 ships and submarines. Russia has previously been accused of exaggerating the size of its military forces.
12:28 Russian Espionage against Bundeswehr IntensifiesRussian intelligence services have intensified their espionage activities against German Ukraine aid and the Bundeswehr, according to the Military Counterintelligence Service's (MAD) new annual report. The Russians' strategic interest in military policy and strategy has shifted to the tactical level. They are now deeply interested in information about the military aid that Germany is providing to Ukraine, including the transportation routes and deployment procedures of weapons and ammunition. The tactical capabilities of the Bundeswehr itself for territorial and alliance defense have also become a primary focus for Russian intelligence services.
11:52 Munz: Threat of Atomic Weapons in Berlin Not UnforeseenThe UK and the US could approve the use of weapons against Russian territory by Ukraine. The Kremlin has thus far successfully prevented this decision through threats, as explained by ntv correspondent Rainer Munz. As a result, it is not surprising that an atomic weapons specialist has now called for an attack on Berlin.
11:15 Report: Delay in Decision on Ukrainian Deployment of Long-Range Missiles for Two More WeeksThe decision on deploying Ukrainian Western long-range missiles in Russia may take a little longer. A decision before the UN General Assembly on September 24, with around 150 heads of state and government, seems unlikely, as suggested by the US medium Bloomberg. The authors attribute this to British Foreign Secretary Lammy, who mentioned the UN meeting as the next opportunity to discuss the use of long-range missiles. According to the report, Ukrainian President Zelenskyy plans to reiterate his demand at the meeting. On Wednesday, Lammy and US Secretary of State Blinken visited Kyiv to discuss Selenskyy's plans for attacks on Russian territory. Blinken plans to discuss this with US President Biden on Friday while British Prime Minister Starmer will also meet with Biden on Friday.
10:31 Blinken Pays a Visit to Poland on Return from KyivU.S. Secretary of State Blinken stops by in Poland, a key supporter of Ukraine, on his return from Kyiv. Planned meetings with Prime Minister Tusk and President Duda are scheduled. Blinken is expected to discuss further cooperation with Poland, which serves as the main logistics gateway for Western military support to Ukraine. Poland has significantly increased its military spending since the Russian invasion of Ukraine and has ordered 96 Apache combat helicopters from U.S. defense giant Boeing worth $10 billion.
09:59 Ukraine Reports 64 Russian Drones and 5 Missiles in Night AttacksUkraine's air force reports that Russia attacked Ukraine overnight with 5 missiles and 64 Iranian-made combat drones. 44 drones were intercepted. Military reports are not fully detail-verified. Air defense was also active around Kyiv to shoot down approaching drones.
09:11 Russian Expert Advocates Stronger Nuclear Threat PostureRussian influential foreign policy expert Sergei Karaganov suggests Russia should clearly indicate its readiness to use nuclear weapons. According to Karaganov, published in Russian newspaper Kommersant, the primary goal of Russia's nuclear doctrine should be to convince "all current and future enemies that Russia is ready to use nuclear weapons," Karaganov said. Moscow could conduct a limited nuclear strike on a NATO country without causing a full-scale nuclear war, he added. The U.S. would be misleading if it claimed to guarantee nuclear protection for its allies, Karaganov mentioned. Karaganov has previously advocated for Russia to consider a nuclear preventive strike to intimidate its enemies. Some Western experts believe Karaganov serves a beneficial role for the Kremlin by expressing views that worry the West and make Putin appear more restrained by comparison.
08:46 Ukraine Hopes for U.S. Approval for Western Long-Range Missiles optimism is growing in Ukraine about soon getting permission to launch attacks deep into Russian territory using Western weapons. During his visit to Kyiv, U.S. Secretary of State emphasized he wants to ensure "Ukraine has everything it needs". In the UK, signs already point to a green light:
08:04 Ukrainian Intelligence Reports Downing of Russian Fighter JetFollowing yesterday's reports of a Russian Su-30SM fighter jet disappearing from radar, Ukraine's military intelligence now reports that Ukrainian soldiers have shot down such an aircraft during an operation in the Black Sea. Kyiv Independent reports. The fighter jet, worth $50 million, based on the Crimean peninsula, was reportedly destroyed by a portable air defense system.
07:26 Ukrainian City of Konotop Suffers Massive Drone Attack, Dozens InjuredThe number of injured in the massive Russian drone attack on the energy infrastructure of the city of Konotop in the Sumy region has risen to 14. State news agency Ukrinform reports, citing the regional military administration. Among them, a residential building in the city center was hit.
06:42 Ukrainians in Germany Retain Protected Status on Home VisitsThe Bundestag is debating for the first time today the proposed federal government security package, which includes bans on knives and the withdrawal of refugee status for those who travel to their home countries. However, exceptions apply, like to refugees from Ukraine.
06:04 Russian State TV Accuses Trump of Disadvantage in TV DebateSeveral commentators on Russian state television have accused "sabotage" against Trump in his TV debate against Kamala Harris, as reported by Kyiv Independent. Trump was "disadvantaged," they say. The fact-checking of Trump's statements was harshly criticized. Trump lost the debate, according to many observers. Trump promised that if he wins the election, he will immediately end the Ukraine war.
04:50 Russian Attack on Konotop: Severe Damage to Energy InfrastructureSeveral civilians were injured in a Russian attack on the city of Konotop in the Sumy region. According to the mayor, Artem Semenikhin, the water supply in the city was temporarily interrupted. There are also severe damages to the energy infrastructure, and it is unclear when private households will have electricity again. After the attack in the city center, there were several fires, school and residential buildings were damaged. Two people were taken to the hospital, one of whom is in critical condition.
03:29 Latvia Sends More Military Aid to UkraineLatvia's Prime Minister, Evika Siliņa, announces a package of military support for Ukraine during her visit to Kyiv. It will include armored personnel carriers. This was announced by Ukrainian Prime Minister, Denys Shmyhal, on X after the meeting with Siliņa. According to Shmyhal, both countries are also discussing an expansion of cooperation in the defense industry.
01:32 UK Convenes Iranian Businessman over Suspected Missile Sales to RussiaUnder allegations of Iran supplying ballistic missiles to Russia, the UK has called in an Iranian businessman, as stated by the Foreign Office in London. "The British government has made it clear that any missile transfer to Russia would be perceived as a dangerous escalation and would trigger a firm response," the statement declared. On Tuesday, Germany, France, and the UK imposed more sanctions on Tehran due to the suspected missile deliveries, specifically the suspension of bilateral air transport agreements. Previously, the European Union had reported "reliable information" about Iranian missiles being transported to Russia.
00:14 Ukraine: Russia Deploys Untrained Soldiers in VovchanskAccording to accounts from the Ukrainian military, Russia is deploying untrained soldiers on the Kharkiv front. Vitalii Sarantsev, spokesperson for the operational tactical group of the armed forces in Kharkiv, reported that the troops involved in the attack operations in Vovchansk are poorly trained. It's said that the recent reinforcements sent by Russia are a mobilization reserve assembled by the government. It's still uncertain if these troops are ex-convicts or enlisted from other nations, such as Central Asia, Africa, or the Middle East.
22:39 Mayor in Western Ukraine Recruits Russian-Speaking InspectorsThe mayor of the western Ukrainian city of Iwano-Frankiwsk announced the deployment of language patrols due to the increasing use of Russian. "This is a citizen-led initiative, and anyone can join as a language inspector," says the mayor of the city, Ruslan Marzinkiw, in an interview with TV channel NTA. Many internal refugees from eastern Ukraine, whose native language is Russian, have settled in the city. Marzinkiw expects at least 100 such language controllers, with around 50 volunteers already registered. A hotline number for citizens to report Russian speakers in public spaces was also mentioned. Due to the war, millions of people, primarily from the Russian-speaking areas in the east and south, have fled to the relatively safe Ukrainian-speaking west of Ukraine.
21:42 Erdogan Requests Return of Crimea from RussiaTurkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan demands the return of the Crimea peninsula, annexed by Russia, to Ukraine. "Our unwavering support for Ukraine's territorial integrity, sovereignty, and independence includes the return of Crimea to Ukraine," says Erdogan in a video message at the Crimea Platform summit. With the Crimea Platform, established in 2021, Ukraine aims to draw more international attention to the situation surrounding the annexed peninsula.
21:05 Report: Kyiv to Unveil Military Strategies to USAUkrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy considers the support from the USA as crucial in repelling the Russian invasion war. "The plan for victory (...) heavily relies on the support of the USA and other partners," Zelenskyy declared at a press conference in Kyiv. The strategic plan, which Zelenskyy will reveal at the planned second Ukraine Peace Conference, seeks to "significantly strengthen Ukraine" and "force Russia to end the war." According to Bloomberg, the USA is pressing Zelenskyy for a detailed strategy for attacking Russia before lifting restrictions on the use of Western weapons. US Secretary of State Blinken and British Foreign Secretary Lammy were reportedly scheduled to discuss a long-term plan for the upcoming year with Zelenskyy in Kyiv to better understand Ukraine's goals.
20:37 Blinken Explains Biden's Position on Weapon Use in RussiaAccording to US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, the USA is actively working to meet Ukraine's military requirements, which include using Western-supplied long-range weapons to strike targets in Russia. US President Joe Biden and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer will discuss these requirements during their meeting on Friday, according to Blinken at a joint press conference with David Lammy, his British counterpart, and Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrij Sybiga in Kyiv. "We are working diligently to ensure that Ukraine has all the necessary means to defend itself effectively," Blinken said, and reiterated, "We want Ukraine to triumph."
The European Union could potentially provide aid or support to the stranded miners in Dobropillia due to the power outage caused by Russian assaults.
Sweden's decision to bolster its civil defense budget might be influenced by the ongoing conflict in Ukraine and the lessons learned from it.
