The Pentagon deems the Russian counter-attack in Kursk as having minimal impact thus far.
11:38 Despite Numerous Interceptions: Drone Raids Lead to Damages
Ukrainian forces declare to have shot down 24 out of 26 drones during the nighttime. Consequences include one injury in the Odessa region and damage to 20 houses, while a blaze was sparked at a food processing facility in Mykolayiv due to drone residue, as reported by local authorities. The Ministry of Energy mentions damages to the energy infrastructure within the Ivano-Frankivsk region.
11:16 Kim Meets with Shoigu in Pyongyang
Russian Security Council Secretary Sergei Shoigu had a meeting with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un in Pyongyang. The meeting was described as taking place under an "unusual environment of confidence and friendship," according to statements by the Russian Security Council. This will supposedly have a "significant impact" on the implementation of the defense agreement that Kim Jong Un and Russian President Vladimir Putin signed in June. Putin explains that the agreement involves "mutual aid in case of aggression against one of the contracting parties." Critics point to Russia supposedly providing North Korea with rockets and artillery shells for use in Ukraine. Russia is increasing its ammunition supply from countries like China, Iran, and North Korea to sustain its Ukrainian offensive.
10:46 Russian Parliamentary Leader: NATO is Actively Involved in the Ukraine Conflict
Russian parliament chair Vyacheslav Volodin accuses NATO of participating directly in the Ukrainian conflict, writing on Telegram, "They are waging war against our country." He alleges that NATO is helping Ukraine select targets for attacks, coordinating operations with the Ukrainian military, and giving orders to the Ukrainian government.
10:17 Munz on Putin's Threat to NATO: "Putin's Statements Don't Even Make the Morning News"
Concerns in the West exist that allowing Ukraine to launch long-range attacks on Russian territory could lead to escalation, a scenario which Russian President Vladimir Putin is once again threatening. However, ntv correspondent Rainer Munz suggests that there is little substance behind Putin's aggressive rhetoric.
09:42 Family: Opposition Leader in Belarus in Critical Condition
Belarusian opposition leader Maria Kalesnikava is reportedly in critical condition according to her sister. She has been held under harsh conditions for four years, being only 45 kg in weight at 1.75 meters in height, according to her sister Tatjana Chomitsch, who relays information from former prisoners. Chomitsch believes "this is a critical moment as no one can survive such conditions for long," implying that authorities are both psychologically and physically torturing her sister. Belarus' Interior Ministry does not respond to requests for information about Kalesnikava's current detention conditions. Incarcerated since 2020 protests against Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko, Kalesnikava is serving an 11-year sentence for alleged conspiracy to seize power.
09:20 Agreement to Deploy Lithuanian Brigade Signed
Germany and Lithuania have reached an agreement on stationing a combat-ready brigade within NATO member Lithuania. Defense Ministers Boris Pistorius and Laurynas Kasciunas concluded the agreement in Berlin. The agreement will clarify the legal status of German soldiers and civilians in Lithuania, providing legal security. Issues like residency, taxation, schooling, public health, traffic, and public safety are all dealt with within the agreement. It will also serve as the legal foundation for opening German schools and kindergartens in Lithuania. The brigade is anticipated to be operational by 2027. Read more here.
08:56 Russia Kicks out Six British Diplomats on Espionage Allegations
Russia has removed six British diplomats on the basis of espionage charges. The FSB claims to have documents proving that the British Foreign Ministry is orchestrating political and military escalation. The Russian Foreign Ministry's spokeswoman Maria Zakharova accuses the British embassy of deliberately harming the Russian people, according to Tass News Agency. The UK Foreign Office denies the allegations as "completely baseless." Russia's response follows British actions taken in response to alleged Russian state-sponsored activities in Europe and the UK, as stated by BBC.
08:31 Ukrainian President Calls for Release of Long-Range Missiles to Strike Russian Military Bases
Ukrainian President Zelenskyy has been advocating for the elimination of long-range missiles to target Russian military bases for quite some time. The US and UK are now contemplating this in collaboration. Kremlin chief Putin immediately responds with a menacing message to the West.
08:03 Russia Offers Insights into Neutralizing Western Weapons in Ukraine
Russia is willing to share insights gained from combating various Western weapons during the Ukrainian conflict, according to Russian Deputy Defense Minister Alexander Fomin, who spoke at a security conference in China. Fomin explains that Russian weapons are now capable of overpowering Western-made weapons.
07:05 Rabbi Moshe Asman Grieves Over Adopted Son's Death in ConflictIn Ukraine, Rabbi Moshe Asman is mourning his adoptive son, Anton Samborskij, who met his end in the ongoing Russian invasion. A funeral service attracted mourners like soldiers, veterans, and others, held in Kyiv last Thursday. Samborskij, aged 32, was reported missing toward the end of July, and his passing was confirmed following weeks of uncertainty. Samborskij became a father in May, as Rabbi Asman announced on social media. Back then, he had taken Samborskij in, being an orphan at just ten years old. Their last conversation took place on July 17th.
06:29 Japanese Defense Ministry Reports Unusual Activity by Russian JetsOn Thursday, Japanese fighter jets were scrambled in response to two Russian aircraft that circled the nation. The Russian planes did not violate Japan's airspace, as reported by the defense ministry. These Tu-142 planes made their way from the sea towards Okinawa, hovering in the vicinity from morning until afternoon. Japan deployed fighter jets to counteract this unusual activity, citing their emergency response protocols. The rugged flights of the Russian jets ended in the north, passing through the disputed Kuriles region. Recently, Russian and Chinese warships participated in joint exercises in the Sea of Japan, adding to this situation. These maritime drills are part of a larger naval operation. Russian aircraft circling Japan had previously occurred in 2019. More info here.
06:07 Fomin: US Boosts tensions by perpetuating Containment Policy against Russia and ChinaRussia's deputy defense minister, Alexander Fomin, asserts that the United States promotes a containment policy to antagonize Russia and China. According to Russian news agency TASS, Fomin spoke during a security conference in China. Moscow and Beijing support world order, embracing equality and reciprocity, while the West insists on destabilization in Asia. The West intends to engender new security alliances to contain Russia and China.
05:27 Confirmation of Missile Strike on Cargo Ship in the Black SeaThe Ukrainian Navy has publicized details concerning a potential Russian air raid on a cargo vessel in the Black Sea. A Tu-22 bomber supposedly launched a Ch-22 anti-ship missile against the ship. St. Kitts and Nevis, a Caribbean country, flagged the freighter, which was reportedly located outside of Ukraine's territorial waters at that time. It was en route from Ukrainian port of Chornomorsk to Egypt, loaded with wheat. BBC News indicates that the ship was cruising in Romanian's exclusive economic zone, as claimed by some sources. The report alleges that a Ch-31 radar-jamming missile, less potent than Ch-22's, was utilized instead.
03:19 Tragic Situation at Demarcation Line: Moldovan Soldier PerishesA Moldovan soldier has succumbed to mysterious circumstances while on duty along the demarcation line with the Transnistrian secession region. The Moldovan Ministry of Defense revealed that the soldier was fatally wounded by a shot from his own weapon while fulfilling his duties at his post. Authorities initiated a thorough investigation. The area had been shared by Moldovan soldiers, rebels from Transnistria, and Russian troops since the 1992 conflict. Moldova has made it clear that Transnistria is to be an integral part of its territory. Such incidents at the demarcation line are incredibly rare.
02:18 British Prime Minister Refutes Putin's Claims on Weapons DeliveriesBritish Prime Minister Keir Starmer dismissed Russian President Putin's allegation that the West's arming of Ukraine for assaults deep into Russian territory signifies NATO's involvement in the conflict. "Ukraine has a right to defend itself," Starmer noted. The United Kingdom consistently backs this right, offering targeted training. However, they have no intention of inciting conflict with Russia.
01:09 Ambassador Taylor expects a 'More Aggressive' Harris Policy for UkraineAccording to former US Ambassador to Ukraine William B. Taylor, if Kamala Harris claimed the presidency, she would likely pursue a more forceful stance on Ukraine than incumbent Joe Biden does currently. Harris' strong support for Ukraine has been demonstrated in specific instances, according to Taylor, who spoke during an event at the American University in Kyiv. In his view, despite Biden's careful approach, Harris might introduce a fresh foreign policy team to the White House, hinting at a more competitive posture towards Russia.
00:27 Zelensky Thanks Estonia for Military AidDuring his meeting with Estonian President Alar Karis in Kyiv, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky expressed gratitude for Estonia's military aid. Estonia allotted 0.25% of its annual GDP to support Ukraine's defense sector. The talks centered around reconstruction and Ukraine's aspirations for EU membership, as well as future cooperation with Latvia. Latvian Prime Minister Evika Siliņa also promised further support at a meeting with Zelensky.
10:19 BND not required to disclose military assessment to journalistThe Federal Intelligence Service (BND) is not legally obligated to divulge whether it characterized a military victory for Ukraine as challenging or impossible in private discussions. Furthermore, the BND is not required to disclose which media outlets partook in these discussions, according to a ruling by the Federal Administrative Court in Leipzig. The journalist's petition for a temporary injunction is largely dismissed. However, the BND is obligated to disclose the number of confidential individual background discussions relating to the military situation in Ukraine this year. The urgent plea was made by a newspaper editor. The court cited a newspaper article from May as the basis, which reported that a CDU politician claimed the BND deliberately spread a negative assessment of the military situation in Ukraine to sway public opinion.
19:06 Coalition politicians support usage of long-range weapons against RussiaPoliticians from the traffic light coalition support permitting Kyiv to employ long-range weapons against targets within Russia. SPD foreign policy expert Michael Roth asserts on T-Online that it is just and aligns with international law to finally attack military targets in Russia with long-range Western missiles. Roth suggests military airfields, command centers, or launch bases as potential targets in Russia for long-range weapons, as these are the locations from which "brutal assaults on civilian Ukrainian targets" are conducted and can be most effectively thwarted there. The chairman of the defense committee, Marcus Faber of the FDP, claims that the authorization to "eliminate Russian military airports with long-range weapons such as ATACMS and Storm Shadow is long overdue". Green politician Anton Hofreiter underscores that "Russia terrorizes the Ukrainian civilian population daily with rocket attacks on hospitals, residential buildings, and the energy supply". To effectively safeguard the Ukrainian civilian population, the army must be permitted to target military installations on Russian territory with long-range weapons.
18:35 Vance comments on Trump's Ukraine ideasAccording to Republican vice-presidential nominee J.D. Vance, Donald Trump's proposal to end the Russian conflict could include the establishment of a demilitarized zone between Ukraine and Russia. As Vance explained in an interview with TV producer Shawn Ryan, Trump could bring together Russians, Ukrainians, and Europeans to the negotiating table to "ascertain what a peaceful solution might entail". "I think he could reach a deal very quickly," Vance said. Trump is known for his open empathy towards Russian President Vladimir Putin and his constant criticism of US aid to Ukraine. The former president also claims he could end the conflict within 24 hours if elected. However, he does not provide details of his plan.
18:03 "We are Russians. God is with us" - Fascist rally in St. PetersburgThey cannot claim a higher authority, but neither can they deny it: "We are Russians. God is with us," shout numerous Russian nationalists and fascists marching through St. Petersburg. And again and again, they chant: "Forward, Russians!" The occasion of their march is the anniversary of the transfer of relics of Alexander Nevsky, celebrated as a national hero and saint of the Orthodox Church.
17:28 Kremlin propagandist: "The ideal barrier is the Atlantic"According to popular Russian TV host Vladimir Solovyov, Russia should not stop at the annexation of Ukraine. "I think the ideal barrier is the Atlantic. A natural barrier," says the Kremlin propagandist. The ideal location for our troops - Berlin, Lisbon, Madrid. "And how beautiful they looked in Paris," he adds. When reminded by a discussant that there aren't that many Russians, he says, "The Belarusian brothers are with us." Otherwise, one could also turn to China.
17:01 British volunteers prepare for winterIn numerous Ukrainian homes that have withstood the shelling so far, windows are missing - a disastrous situation on the eve of winter. The British NGO "Insulate Ukraine" is addressing this: They travel to war zones and install temporary windows.
You can review all previous developments here**.
The European Union expresses concern over Russia's escalating actions in Ukraine, urging for a de-escalation of tensions.
In response to the Ukrainian crisis, the European Union has announced plans to provide additional humanitarian aid and strengthen its support for Ukraine's defense and energy infrastructure.
