Sweden readies for potential conflict: substantial funding increases for civilian defense
Sweden is boosting its civil defense budget by over twice as much over the next three years, aiming to maintain essential societal functions in the event of war. The Swedish government noted that lessons learned from the Ukraine conflict underscore the importance of safeguarding key societal sectors. Civil Defense Minister Carl-Oskar Bohlin announced a 2 billion kronor increase in the budget this year, raising it to 8.5 billion kronor, equivalent to 740 million euros. By 2028, the annual budget aims to reach 15 billion kronor. Bohlin cited the continuation of a serious and persistent security situation as the reason for these increased expenditures.
18:39 Putin warns NATO of entering into war with Russia if it grants Ukraine long-range weaponry approval
Russian President Vladimir Putin warned that if NATO allies authorize Ukraine to employ long-range weaponry against Russian targets, they would be drawn into a conflict with Russia. Putin emphasized that such an action would designate NASO as an engaged combatant in the Ukraine conflict. The Russian president made these remarks during an interview with a state television correspondent. Ukraine has continued to seek Western approval to utilize their assets for strikes within Russia, citing the need to prevent provocations from the nation. Russia's army has been relentlessly attacking Ukraine's infrastructure for several months.
18:07 Zelensky denounces Chinese-Brazilian peace initiative as 'damaging'
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky dismissed the Chinese-Brazilian peace initiative as "detrimental," stating that it lacked genuine engagement with Ukraine. Zelensky expressed his skepticism about the proposal during an interview with Brazilian media organization Metropoles. "How can we accept 'here is our proposal' without even consulting us first?" Zelensky said. The Chinese and Brazilian governments proposed an international peace forum in May, which was endorsed by Russia and Ukraine. However, Zelensky criticized the lack of involvement from Ukraine in the proposal's development.
17:40 Ukraine accuses Russia of striking a grain-carrying ship
Ukrainian officials accused Russia of attacking a grain-carrying ship in the Black Sea, despite the vessel leaving Ukrainian waters at the time of the event. President Zelensky described the event as a "brazen assault on maritime freedom and international food security." The ship was bound for Egypt and reportedly sustained no casualties. A Ukrainian navy spokesperson confirmed that the vessel was not within the defined grain transport corridor in Ukrainian territorial waters at the time of the attack, instead being in Romania's maritime economic zone. A Romanian navy representative also confirmed that the ship was not within their territorial waters.
17:12 Xi to visit Russia again in October
Chinese President Xi Jinping will return to Russia for an international summit in October, during which he will hold high-level discussions with Russian President Vladimir Putin. Xi is expected to participate in the BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa) summit set to take place in Kazan. Both leaders praised the strong relationship between their nations and acknowledged the positive growth of their bilateral connection during today's meeting in St. Petersburg. Xi expressed his agreement to attend the BRICS gathering at the invitation of President Putin.
16:50 US prepares to modify military aid for Ukraine
Secretary of State Antony Blinken stated that the United States is open to adjusting its military assistance to Ukraine as required, offering a cautious appeal to the ongoing crisis. Blinken expressed this intention during a press conference in Warsaw, Poland, while affirming that there have been ongoing conversations with his peers regarding adjustments to the existing support structure if necessary. Blinken further detailed discussions with UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy in Kyiv that offered insights into Ukraine's analyzed battlefield scenario and identified potential needs, which will be integral in further enhancing assistance.
16:35 Stoltenberg appointed to head Munich Security Conference to succeed Heusgen in 2025
NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg will take over the role of chairman of the Munich Security Conference in February 2025. Stoltenberg will succeed the incumbent Christoph Heusgen, who has served in the capacity since 2022 and enjoys a long-standing history of advising Chancellor Angela Merkel on foreign policy matters. Heusgen has decided to step down, with Wolfgang Ischinger continuing in his role as president of the security conference's board. Stoltenberg is scheduled to relinquish his post at NATO on October 1 to make way for the new Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte to assume command.
15:45 Public Barred from Navalny's Lawyers' TrialThe judge overseeing the criminal trial against the lawyers of imprisoned Kremlin critic Alexey Navalny in the Russian town of Petushki swiftly excluded the public from the trial. She cited a police warning of potential disruptions by Navalny supporters as justification. The lawyers in question, Vadim Kobzev, Alexei Lipzer, and Igor Sergunin, are charged with being part of an extremist organization - a reference to the anti-corruption organization established by Navalny.
15:18 Azov Sea ConfrontationReports suggest that Ukraine and Russia are embroiled in a naval and aerial altercation in the Azov Sea. Ukraine's military intelligence claims that a Russian Su-30 fighter jet was downed by a portable anti-aircraft weapon during an operation at sea. Further information on the incident on Tuesday night is lacking from Kyiv. Meanwhile, Russia's Defense Ministry alleges that Ukraine attempted to assault a Russian drilling platform in the Azov Sea utilizing fast boats, resulting in eight of the 14 boats being destroyed. The remaining boats withdrew. The loss of an aircraft was not acknowledged by Moscow, although the military blog Rybar reported that a Su-30 was shot down while defending against the Ukrainian assault.
14:54 Ukrainian Soldiers: "We've Had Enough of This War"Ukrainian soldiers are urged to use their limited resources wisely in battle, as reported by ntv reporter Kavita Sharma in the field. Old Soviet weapons with limited ammunition and the few, yet superior, new Western weapons are available to them.
14:23 Zelensky: Russia Launches Counteroffensive in KurskVladimir Putin, the Russian president, is said to have initiated a counteroffensive in Kursk, Russia's border region, as per Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. According to Zelensky's statement at a press conference in Kyiv, this move corresponds to Ukraine's military strategy. The Russian Defense Ministry claims that Russian troops have retaken ten settlements in the Kursk region within two days.
13:55 Iranian Politician Criticizes Russia RelationsA high-ranking Iranian politician has expressed uncommon criticism of its country's ties with Russia in light of new sanctions and diplomatic tensions. On the X platform, Ali Motahari, a former Iranian parliament vice-president, sees the recently imposed sanctions by Germany, France, and Britain as a result of Iran's alleged supply of ballistic missiles to Russia. However, Iran's Foreign Ministry vehemently denies these claims.
13:38 Pokrovsk City's Water and Gas CrisisAfter Russian attacks, the water supply in the Ukrainian city of Pokrovsk, located in the Donetsk region, is disrupted. The city is now relying on more than 300 emergency wells for drinking water, according to Governor Vadym Filashkin. The energy crisis is also affecting many residents, who are now lacking gas for cooking and heating, after a gas distribution center was destroyed the day before, leaving 18,000 residents in Pokrovsk without gas.
13:07 Russia's Exaggerated Warship Count
Reports suggest that Russia may have only half the number of warships that it officially claims. According to the Russian independent news portal "Agentstvo," the Russian Ministry of Defense claims more than 400 warships are participating in the exercise "Ocean-2024." However, the portal cites difficult-to-verify data from the projects "Global Naval Powers Ranking 2024" and "RussiaShips.info," which suggest 264 and 299 warships respectively. Additionally, around 50 ships and submarines belonging to the Black Sea Fleet, which is not participating in the exercise, are included in these numbers. Russia is accused of inflating its fleet size in the past.
12:28 Russian Espionage Against Bundeswehr Intensifies
Russian intelligence agencies are allegedly escalating their espionage efforts against German Ukraine aid and the Bundeswehr, according to the annual report by the Military Counterintelligence Service (MAD). The report indicates that Russia's strategic interest in military strategy has shifted to the operational level. Russia is now chiefly interested in information regarding the military aid Germany provides to Ukraine, including transport routes for weapons and ammunition, deployment procedures, and the tactics of Western weapons systems in Ukraine. Furthermore, the capabilities of the Bundeswehr itself for territorial defense and alliance defense have captured the attention of Russian intelligence agencies.
11:52 Munz: "Nuclear Weapons on Berlin" Threat Not Coincidental
Britain and the USA may grant Ukraine authorization to use weapons against Russian territory. It is not surprising, then, that an atomic weapon specialist has suggested an attack on Berlin, as reported by ntv correspondent Rainer Munz.
A potential decision on Ukraine deploying Western long-range missiles in Russian territory might take some time. It's unlikely that a decision will be made before the UN General Assembly on September 24, where around 150 heads of state and government will gather. British Foreign Secretary Lammy stated that the UN meeting would provide the next opportunity to discuss long-range missiles, according to Bloomberg. 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 striking Russian territory. Blinken intends to discuss this with US President Biden on Friday, and British Prime Minister Starmer will also meet with Biden on the same day.
10:31 Blinken Arrives in Poland on Return from Kyiv
As he returns from Kyiv, US Secretary of State Blinken stops in Poland, an important ally of Ukraine. He is scheduled to meet with Prime Minister Tusk and President Duda. Blinken will likely discuss further cooperation with Poland, which serves as the main logistics hub for Western military support to Ukraine. Since the Russian invasion of Ukraine, Poland has boosted its military spending and ordered 96 Apache combat helicopters from US defense conglomerate Boeing, worth $10 billion.
09:59 Ukraine reports 64 Russian drones and 5 missiles overnight
The Ukrainian air force reported that Russian forces attacked Ukraine overnight with 5 missiles and 64 combat drones of Iranian origin. 44 drones were intercepted. The military reports are not thoroughly verified in detail. The air defense was also active near Kyiv to shoot down approaching drones.
09:11 Russian expert calls for stronger nuclear threat posture
Russian foreign policy expert Sergei Karaganov believes that Russia should clearly communicate its readiness to use nuclear weapons. The main purpose of Russia's nuclear doctrine should be to convince all current and future enemies that Russia is ready to use nuclear weapons, he told the Russian newspaper Kommersant. Moscow could conduct a limited nuclear strike on a NATO country without initiating a full-scale nuclear war, he said. The US would be lying if they claimed to guarantee nuclear protection to their allies. Karaganov has previously suggested that Russia should 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 alarm the West and make Putin seem more reasonable in comparison.
08:46 Ukraine hopes for US approval of Western long-range missiles
Confidence is rising in Ukraine that they may soon be authorized to launch attacks deeper into Russian territory using Western weapons. US Secretary of State stressed during his visit to Kyiv that he wants to ensure "that Ukraine has everything it needs". In the UK, there are already signs pointing towards approval:
08:04 Ukrainian intelligence reports shootdown of Russian fighter jet
Following reports of a missing Russian Su-30SM fighter jet from radar, the Ukrainian military intelligence now claims that Ukrainian soldiers have shot down such an aircraft during an operation in the Black Sea. Kyiv Independent reports. The fighter jet, valued at $50 million and based in Crimea, was apparently destroyed by a portable air defense system.
07:26 Konotop attack leaves over a dozen injured
The number of injured in the massive Russian drone attack on Konotop's energy infrastructure overnight has increased to 14. The state-run Ukrainian news agency Ukrinform reports, citing the regional military administration. Among other things, a residential building in the city center was reportedly hit.
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06:42 Ukrainians in Germany retain their protected status for home visits
The German Bundestag will debate the government's planned security package for the first time today, which includes measures such as knife bans and withdrawal of refugee status for those who travel to their home countries. However, exceptions apply, such as refugees from Ukraine.
06:04 Russian TV accuses Trump of disadvantage in TV debate
Several commentators on Russian state television have accused "sabotage" against Trump during his TV debate against Kamala Harris, as reported by Kyiv Independent. Trump was "disadvantaged", they said. The fact-checking of Trump's statements was criticized. Many observers believed Trump had lost the debate. The Republican has announced that if he wins the election, he will immediately end the Ukraine war.
04:50 Konotop: Severe Damage to Energy Infrastructure
A Russian attack on Konotop in the Sumy region has left several civilians injured. According to Mayor Artem Semenikhin, the city's water supply was temporarily disrupted. There is also severe damage to energy infrastructure, and it is uncertain when private households will have power again. After the attack in the city center, there were several fires, and school and residential buildings were damaged. Two people were hospitalized, one of whom is in critical condition.
03:29 Latvia Boosts Military Aid to Ukraine
Latvia's Prime Minister, Evika Silina, has announced a military aid package for Ukraine during her visit to Kyiv. It will include armored personnel carriers. Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal announced this following his meeting with Silina. According to Shmyhal, both countries are also discussing an expansion of cooperation in the defense industry.
01:32 UK Challenges Iranian Businessman Over Alleged Missile Deliveries to RussiaFollowing suspicions of missile deliveries from Iran to Russia, the UK has summoned an Iranian businessman, as per a statement issued by the Foreign Office in London. The UK government has indicated that such missile transfers to Russia would be viewed as a potentially dangerous escalation and may prompt a significant response. On Tuesday, Germany, France, and the UK imposed fresh sanctions against Tehran due to the alleged missile shipments, including the suspension of bilateral air transport agreements. The European Union revealed "reliable evidence" of Iranian missiles being delivered to Russia on Monday.
00:14 Ukraine: Russia Deploys Inexperienced Troops in VovchanskAccording to information from the Ukrainian military, Russia is deploying poorly trained soldiers in the Kharkiv front. Vitalii Sarantsev, spokesperson for the operational tactical group of the armed forces in Kharkiv, revealed that the forces involved in the Vovchansk attack are inadequately prepared. It is believed that these new reinforcements are a mobilization reserve assembled by Russia. The origins of these troops, whether they are ex-prisoners or soldiers drafted from other countries like Central Asia, Africa, or the Middle East, remain uncertain.
22:39 Mayor in Western Ukraine Establishes Patrols for Russian Language UsageThe mayor of the western Ukrainian city of Ivano-Frankivsk has announced the formation of patrols to monitor an increase in the use of the Russian language. "This is a civic initiative, and anyone can become a linguistic inspector," said Mayor Ruslan Martsinkiv in an interview with NTA. The influx of internal refugees from eastern Ukraine, many of whom speak Russian as their native language, has been a contributing factor to this increase. Martsinkiv anticipates at least 100 such language controllers, with around 50 volunteers already registered. He provided a contact number for citizens to report Russian speakers in public spaces.
21:42 Erdogan Urges Return of Crimea from Moscow to UkraineTurkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan advocates for the restitution of the Crimean Peninsula, annexed by Russia, to Ukraine. "Our commitment to Ukraine's territorial integrity, sovereignty, and independence remains unwavering. The return of Crimea to Ukraine is a demand in accordance with international law," Erdogan noted in a video address marking the Crimea Platform summit. The Crimea Platform, founded in 2021, aims to boost global recognition of the situation surrounding the annexed peninsula.
21:05 Report: Kyiv Prepares Military Plan for Presentation to the USUkrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy regards US backing as a crucial element in repelling the Russian invasion. "Our strategy for victory (...) relies primarily on US backing. As well as support from other partners," Zelenskyy stated during a press conference in Kyiv. The plan, to be outlined in detail before the second Ukraine Peace Conference, seeks to reinforce Ukraine significantly and compel Russia to end the conflict. According to Bloomberg, the US is seeking a clear battle strategy from Zelenskyy before loosening restrictions on the deployment of Western weapons. US Secretary of State Blinken and British Foreign Secretary Lammy reportedly discussed a long-term strategy for 2023 during their visit to Kyiv to better understand Ukraine's objectives.
20:37 Blinken Clarifies Biden's Stand on Weapon Use Against RussiaUS Secretary of State Antony Blinken affirmed that they are actively addressing Ukraine's military needs, including the use of Western-supplied long-range weapons for attacks against Russian targets. Blinken, along with US President Joe Biden and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, will discuss these demands during their meeting on Friday, Blinken revealed during a joint press conference with his British counterpart David Lammy, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrij Sybiga, in Kyiv. "We are making every effort to ensure that Ukraine has the necessary means to defend itself effectively," Blinken stated, concluding, "We want Ukraine to succeed."
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- The European Union expressed concern about the escalating tensions between Russia and Ukraine, calling on both sides to respect international law and de-escalate the situation.
- In an effort to align its defense strategy with the standards of the European Union, Sweden is significantly increasing its civil defense budget to enhance its resilience and capability in the event of a potential conflict.
