U.S. Secretary of State and their British counterpart declare plan for journey to Kiev
Blinken and Lammy to Visit Ukraine Amidst Escalating Russian Aggression U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken and his British counterpart, David Lammy, will venture to Ukraine later in the week. They made this announcement during a news conference, which followed Blinken's discussions in London. Blinken viewed the visit as crucial for Ukraine, as Russia intensifies its attacks against civilians, vital infrastructure, and the Ukrainian military. He stated, "We're witnessing Russia escalate its hostilities against cities, people, and, in particular, energy infrastructure ahead of the freezing months."
21:36 Zelensky Criticizes Passive Diplomacy Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has urged his diplomats to be more proactive in advocating for Ukraine, which has been under attack from Russia. In his evening address, Zelensky emphasized the need for Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiha to reform Ukrainian diplomacy to enable a more immediate response to challenges. Earlier, Zelensky formally introduced Sybiha as the new minister at the Foreign Ministry. He stressed the importance of Europe showing more support for Ukraine and strengthening ties with Latin America, Africa, and Asia. "We must fully utilize the potential of our strategic relations with the United States," Zelensky said in Kyiv.
20:57 Landmines Hinder Ukraine's Economic Growth Research indicates that landmines are hampering Ukraine's Gross Domestic Product (GDP) by around $11.2 billion annually, equivalent to 5.6% of the nation's wealth, based on its 2021 economic output. The study revealed that regional tax revenues decreased by $1.1 billion due to mines, and Ukrainian exports dropped by approximately $8.9 billion. Data from the Ministry of Agriculture demonstrates that 2.5% of arable land has become mined and unusable. The World Bank estimates that about $34.6 billion would be required to safely remove the mines from Ukraine.
20:11 Ukraine Prepares for Harsh Winter The Ukrainian government anticipates that the impending winter will be the most demanding since the onset of the conflict, given the damage to the energy sector. Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal stated in Kyiv that guaranteeing a stable energy supply during the upcoming heating season would be a formidable challenge. "We've managed to navigate three heating seasons," he said. "But the approaching winter will not be any easier, perhaps even more difficult." Ukraine is receiving energy sector equipment from various countries worldwide, and efforts are being made to restore damaged power plants. To bolster the energy system's resilience, the system will be reorganized to be more decentralized, and critical infrastructures will be granted more autonomy.
19:27 Baerbock Unimpressed by Peace Talk Proposals German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock expresses doubts about new peace negotiations with Russian President Vladimir Putin to put an end to nearly two-and-a-half years of conflict against Ukraine. Unfortunately, every peace initiative proposed by the Russian side has resulted in "further terror, more suffering, and more deaths," according to Baerbock during a meeting with her Indian counterpart Subrahmanyam Jaishankar in Berlin. Putin's response has been to "continue destroying Ukraine instead of negotiating." Baerbock warns against naivety, as the Russian conflict is multifaceted.
18:43 Russia Finds Strength in Kyiv's Drone Attacks Following Ukrainian drone attacks, the Kremlin feels reinforced in its military strategy. "We must continue the military special operation to protect ourselves from such incidents," Kremlin spokesman Dmitri Peskow informed Russian news agencies. A woman passed away in a residential building during the night's assaults. Despite daily civilian casualties in Ukraine due to Russian drone or rocket attacks, Peskow described the fatal Ukrainian strike as "the essence of the Kyiv regime."
18:07 First Civilian Death in Moscow Region due to Ukrainian Attacks Massive Ukrainian drone attacks resulted in the first civilian death in the Moscow region since the conflict against Russia started. Regional governor Andrei Vorobyov announced on Telegram that a 46-year-old woman died after a drone hit a residential building in Ramenskoye, on the southwestern outskirts of the capital.
17:23 Putin Emphasizes Russia's Preparedness to Repel Military Aggression In his speech to participants of the strategic exercise "Ocean-2024," Russian President Vladimir Putin underscored the importance of Russia being prepared to repel any potential military aggression from any direction. "Russia must be prepared for all eventualities. Our armed forces must reliably protect the sovereignty and national interests of Russia and repel any military aggression from all directions, including in oceanic and maritime areas," the president was quoted by the Russian news agency TASS. He added that "the navy plays a key role in accomplishing this mission."
16:51 Germany, France, and Britain criticize Iran's rocket delivery to RussiaGermany, France, and the UK criticize Iran for providing ballistic missiles to Russia. They declare in a joint statement, "This is another escalation of Iran's military support for Russia's aggressive war against Ukraine." If these missiles reach European territory, they may worsen the suffering of Ukrainians. This action is an escalation from both Iran and Russia and poses a direct danger to European security. The governments have warned Iran against such actions and will now implement sanctions, such as halting bilateral air transportation agreements. Iran Air is also a target of these sanctions. Moreover, penalties will be imposed on individuals and organizations involved in this process. Previously, the US claimed that Iran had supplied weapons to Russia for its war in Ukraine and imposed new sanctions on Tehran.
16:32 Shoigu opposes peace talks with Ukraine until Ukrainian troops leave Russian territorySergei Shoigu, Russian Security Council Secretary, rejects peace negotiations with Ukraine until Ukrainian forces withdraw from Russian territory. "Since we haven't kicked them out of our land, we won't be engaging in talks with them," Shoigu explains to Russian state television. Since August, Ukraine has been carrying out an offensive in the Russian region of Kursk, making it the first time since the war's start that Ukrainian troops have ventured onto Russian soil. Shoigu views this attack on Kursk as an attempt by Ukraine to force Russia into concessions and withdraw its troops from Donbass.
16:04 Former prison guard now commanding troops in Ukrainian forceTo maintain a steady supply of troops, both Russia and Ukraine are recruiting prisoners for the front. Oleksandr, a former prison guard, is now leading the 59th Brigade. "They'll do whatever it takes to survive," he states. In a video, the men discuss their dangerous deployment.
15:38 Russian military has plans to expel Ukrainian troops from Kursk regionThe Russian military has a plan to push back Ukrainian forces from the Russian border region of Kursk, asserts Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskow. "Certainly, the military has all the necessary strategies, but I don't believe these strategies can be discussed publicly," he said in response to questions about when Ukrainian troops will be ousted from Russian territory. Ukrainian troops launched a massive attack on Kursk on August 6, resulting in large areas now under Ukrainian control.
15:13 Latvia extends security measures at border with Belarus to end of the yearLatvia, a Baltic EU and NATO member, has chosen to prolong the enhanced border protection with neighboring Belarus until the year's end due to sustained high levels of illegal border crossings. Riga's government made this decision taking into account Russia's war against Ukraine, which is backed by the authoritarian government in Minsk. This measure increases the authority of border guards in six eastern regions of the Baltic EU and NATO nation.
14:47 Ukraine boosts weapon production by doubling production in the first eight monthsUkraine has significantly increased its weapon production in 2024, according to official statistics. Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal announced in Kyiv, "In the first eight months of 2024, we have doubled our weapon production compared to 2023." Ukraine aims to manufacture over a million drones by the end of the year. "We are making progress. The drone production is growing," said Shmyhal.
14:23 Military expert praises Chancellor Scholz's "smart move" for proposing peace talks with RussiaChancellor Scholz proposes peace negotiations with Russia, a move that has sparked strong criticism from some political circles. However, military expert Ralph Thiele supports the Chancellor's initiative and urges prompt action, warning that Ukraine could face a breakthrough in its defense lines after the Kursk offensive.
13:52 Researchers from Kiel Institute of World Economy state: Germany's defense spending "completely inadequate" considering Russian threatScientists at the Kiel Institute of World Economy assert that Germany's defense budget is "completely inadequate" given the threat posed by Russia. "Despite the 'turning point' rhetoric, the gap between Germany's and Russia's military capabilities is widening," the institute explains. The researchers advocate for a permanent defense budget of at least 100 billion euros. "Russia is becoming an increasingly significant threat to NATO, while we are making slow progress with the necessary reinforcements for deterrence," says study author Guntram Wolff. Currently, the German government is barely managing to replace the weapons sent to Ukraine. Stocks of air defense systems and heavy artillery howitzers are even depleted.
12:25 Difference in tactics between Putin and Lavrov revealed by Ukraine's plea for Western weapons on Russian soilUkraine has continued to ask the EU and US for permission to use weapons on Russian territory. Now, the Netherlands has granted permission, including promised fighter jets.
12:59 Russia claims capture of four more villages in Donetsk regionRussia's military claims to have seized control of four more villages in the Donetsk region of eastern Ukraine. The Southern Detachment took Krasnohoriwka and Hryhoriwka, the Eastern Detachment Wodiane, and the Central Detachment Halyzynivka, the Russian Ministry of Defense reports. These assertions cannot be independently confirmed. Ukrainian military analysts have identified at least three of the affected villages - all except Hryhoriwka - as under Ukrainian control. Donetsk is facing intense military pressure.
12:20 Moscow Sticks to One Communication Partner In June, a peace conference took place in Switzerland, excluding Russia. However, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz expresses willingness for talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin. But how does Putin's administration respond? Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov demonstrates diplomatic efforts, but not towards Europe, as reported by ntv correspondent Rainer Munz.
11:50 Kyiv: Russia Gradually Embraces Chemical Weapons Use Ukrainian officials alarm that Russian forces in Ukraine are increasingly utilizing chemical weapons. The Ukrainian military command shares on Facebook that Russian forces employed ammunition containing hazardous chemicals and chemical warfare agents 447 times in August alone, and a staggering 4,035 times between February 15, 2023, and August 24, 2024. The Ukrainian military command also asserts that Russian troops are supplying prohibited chemical warfare agent ammunition and employing unknown chemical compounds. It further states: "Russia thus flagrantly violates the rules of warfare and disregards the norms and commitments of the Convention on the Prohibition of the Development, Production, Stockpiling and Use of Chemical Weapons and on Their Destruction."
11:19 Kyiv Presidential Office: Authorization for Attacks on Russian Depots Desired The head of the Ukrainian presidential office reiterates Ukraine's request to its Western allies for permission to attack targets deep within Russian territory. Andriy Yermak explains that they need the ability to target rocket depots in Russia. "Defense is not escalation," Yermak writes on Telegram. "It's about using Western weapons to prevent terror." Western countries hesitate to approve Ukraine's use of the supplied weapons on Russian territory, citing concerns about being drawn into the war.
10:53 Injuries and Destruction - Russian Strikes with Multiple Drones and Missiles In Russian drone and missile attacks, at least three individuals were injured, as reported by local authorities. Structures were damaged, and fires broke out, they reported. Air defense shot down 38 of 46 Russian drones over 13 regions during the nighttime attack, the air force reported on Telegram. Russia also utilized two missiles in its attack. Energy facilities in eight Ukrainian regions were also targeted, the energy ministry in Kyiv reported, resulting in disruptions to high-voltage lines and substations.
10:27 Loss of Iconic Status: Putin's Children's Rights Commissioner Marries Oligarch For years, Maria Lwowa-Belova was often considered the personification of the Russian woman, having been married to an Orthodox priest since 2003. Together, they propagated in Russian propaganda media conservative values, Christian faith, and their experiences raising numerous children. She also managed to get herself, along with Kremlin leader Vladimir Putin, indicted by the International Criminal Court in 2023 for the illegal deportation of children from Ukraine. However, it appears her devotion to tradition, and especially her priest husband, may not be as strong as previously thought. Independent portal Verstka reports that she has married oligarch Konstantin Malofeew, with whom she had been in a relationship for some time. This relationship maintains some orthodoxy, as Malofeew is the founder of the Kremlin-linked Christian TV station Tsargrad TV and a fervent advocate for monarchy and the Russian war.
09:59 Ukraine Launches Assault on Moscow A woman is reportedly killed in a Ukrainian drone attack on Moscow, according to the region's governor. Videos show explosions in residential areas. Russian sources claim that 144 drones were intercepted.
09:32 Russia's Fleet Commences 'Ocean-2024' Exercises Russia's navy commences its strategic 'Ocean-2024' maneuvers in various water regions of the world's largest country by area. Over 400 warships, including submarines, and over 90,000 personnel from different naval units will participate in the exercises, which will take place in the Pacific Ocean, the Arctic Ocean, the Baltic Sea, the Caspian Sea, and the Mediterranean Sea, where Russia has a base in the Syrian port city of Tartus, the defense ministry in Moscow said.
09:10 Tragedy in Oil Pipeline Fire in Russian Region of Orenburg Two lives have been lost in a fire at an oil pipeline in the Russian region of Orenburg, as reported by TASS news agency. An investigation into the cause of the fire is underway. The exact time the fire started is not yet known. Unverified rumors about the incident had already circulated on certain Russian Telegram channels on Monday.
08:43 Negotiations on Hold: Shoigu Rules Out Talks for Now Russia will not enter into negotiations with Ukraine until its troops withdraw from Russian territories, as reported by TASS news agency, citing Russian Security Council Secretary Sergei Shoigu. Earlier, Kremlin spokesman Peskov had also ruled out negotiations.
08:14 Moscow Airports Restore Operations After Temporary Pause Flights have resumed at Moscow's Domodedovo, Sheremetyevo, and Vnukovo airports, as confirmed by Russia's aviation authority Rosaviatsiya on Telegram. Flights were temporarily suspended due to Ukrainian drone attacks in the Moscow region.
07:43 Scholz Sets Prerequisites for Russian Attendance at Peace SummitGerman Chancellor Olaf Scholz establishes conditions for Russian involvement in a potential Ukraine peace conference. At an SPD gathering late Monday, Scholz underlines the need for Russia to provide military backing for Ukraine against the hostile entity Russia, alongside probing options to extricate themselves from this conflict scenario. Scholz shares a desire, like Ukraine's leadership, for another peace conference, open to Russia, he remarks. "That's evidently not feasible if the individual invited maintains their intent to proceed with hostilities," Scholz mentions, acknowledging Russian President Vladimir Putin. Putin himself has shown interest in acquiring more Ukrainian territory in exchange for a peaceful outlook. "I believe we require what consistently proves crucial in politics: clarity, steadfastness, and determination. That's what it takes to safeguard peace and security in Europe," the Chancellor stresses.
07:18 Fico Slams Fascism within Ukrainian Military - Kyiv ProtestUkraine confronts accusations by pro-Russian Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico. As reported by Reuters, Fico has urged Kyiv to purge its military of "fascism." In a Ukrainian Foreign Ministry statement, it indicates that Ukrainian soldiers protect their families, houses, land, Europe, and the free world against Russian aggressors bearing the 'Z' symbol, which symbolizes the fascist aesthetics of contemporary Russia. The ministry also contends that the Ukrainian people endured "millions of casualties" battling Nazism in the 20th century. Fico's "fascism" allegation resurfaces Russian propaganda commonly labeling Ukraine's leadership as Nazis. Notably, far-right parties garnered merely 2.4% in the 2019 Ukrainian election. Historian Timothy Snyder, however, detects fascist tendencies within Putin's system.
06:56 Vorobyov Amends Casualty Figures in Moscow Drone AttackIn a Ukrainian drone assault on Russia's capital Moscow, one woman perishes and three civilians are injured, according to Moscow region governor Andrei Vorobyov, via Telegram. Previously, he reported a child's demise, which he could not substantiate. About 43 individuals are presently billeted in shelters, Vorobyov reports.
06:25 Greenpeace to Control Environmental Infractions by Russia in KyivGreenpeace renews an office in Kyiv. Its objective is to expedite reconstruction ventures in Ukraine and chronicled environmental crimes ensuing from the Russian invasion, the environmental organization discloses. They are already collaborating with local environmental associations for this purpose. "Our mission is to contribute to Ukraine's eco-friendly reconstruction of social infrastructure through renewable energy sources, like solar and wind power," says the new office manager, Natalia Hosak. Greenpeace frequently brings attention to environmental damages in Ukraine induced by the Russian invasion. Among other matters, the organization analyzes the situation at the Russian-occupied Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant.
06:02 Russian Reports Child Mortality in Moscow Region due to Ukrainian Drone AttackFollowing a Ukrainian drone strike in the Moscow region, Russian reports indicate a child's demise. Moscow region governor Andrei Vorobyov announced on Telegram that at least 14 Ukrainian drones were obstructed in the capital region overnight. One of these drones triggered a fire, being extinguished by firefighters. "Unfortunately, a nine-year-old child passed away," Vorobyov acknowledged. The interception of another drone in the capital region reportedly injured at least one person upon drone debris hitting a residential dwelling. Moscow mayor Sergei Sobyanin initially asserted that 11 drones had been disrupted near the Russian capital.
05:31 Ukrainian Defense Forces Repel Drone Assault on KyivAs reported by the Ukrainian military administration of the capital via Telegram, Ukrainian air defense forces thwarted a Russian drone attack on Kyiv.
04:36 Russia: Drone Debris Impacts Fuel and Energy Complex in Tula RegionAccording to the Russian news agency TASS, debris from a shot-down drone in the Tula region through Russian air defense fell on a fuel and energy complex. "There were no casualties," TASS cited Tula officials as saying. The operational procedure and delivery of resources to consumers remained undisturbed, and the incident is under control.
03:29 Ukrainian Drones Hit Moscow AreaFollowing the Russian air defense's downing of two Ukrainian drones over Moscow's Domodedovo district, emergency services have been deployed to the incident site, according to Moscow mayor Sergei Sobyanin. Details concerning potential damage or casualties have not been disclosed. The Domodedovo district, approximately 50 kilometers south of the Kremlin, accommodates one of Moscow's largest airports.
02:17 Russian Air Defense Destroys Drone Directed at MoscowRussian air defense units have annihilated a drone heading towards the Russian capital, as per Moscow mayor Sergei Sobyanin. "According to preliminary data, no damages or casualties were reported where the debris fell," Sobyanin revealed on Telegram. There's been no statement from the Ukrainian side.
00:12 Zelensky Thanks Sweden for New Aid PackageUkrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky appreciates Sweden for a defense aid package worth $445 million. "This vital support, encompassing air defense systems, anti-tank weapons, and funding to address Ukraine's urgent needs, will strengthen our defensive abilities," Zelensky conveyed on Twitter. Swedish media reports indicated the package also included spare parts for Gripen fighter jets to prepare for a potential future delivery of the aircraft.
22:17 German Foreign Ministry: Russia poses "maximum danger" to tranquility straight at NATO's eastern edgeAfter the invasion of Russian drones into Latvia and Romania, the German Foreign Ministry has identified Russia, under President Vladimir Putin, as "the maximum danger to peace and stability." "Regrettably, Putin's Russia is currently the maximum danger to peace and stability directly at NATO's eastern edge," the ministry pens on X. "This has been proven, in part, by the recent drone incidents in Romania and Latvia." "We work in harmony with our alliance partners and stand by their side," the Foreign Ministry continues in relation to the drones. Over the weekend, NATO and EU members Latvia and Romania each reported the intrusion of a Russian drone into their territories.
21:42 US remains vague on claims of Iranian rocket deliveries to RussiaThe US government remains uncertain about reports that Iran has dispatched ballistic rockets to Russia, according to John Kirby, US government's national security spokesperson.
21:28 Zelensky advocates for timely execution of aid agreements with the WestUkrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has urged for expeditious execution of aid agreements with the West. "The fate of the war hinges directly on the efficiency of logistics in deliveries and complete fulfillment of all promises by our partners," Zelensky mentioned in his evening video message. Weapons and equipment must arrive promptly to be effective. "What should arrive in September should reach our troops in September."
20:52 Russian opposition politician cautions against granting Putin a "dignified departure" from the Ukraine conflictProminent Russian opposition politician Vladimir Kara-Mursa advises the West against granting Russian President Vladimir Putin a "dignified departure" from the Ukraine conflict. "It is crucial that Vladimir Putin does not emerge victorious from the war against Ukraine," says Kara-Mursa. "It is crucial that Vladimir Putin does not find a dignified departure from this war in Ukraine." Nearly a month following his release in a prisoner swap, Kara-Mursa maintains that he understands the weariness about the war in Western societies. Nonetheless, Putin must "be defeated." He adds, "If, God forbid, the Putin regime is able to portray the outcome of this war as a victory for itself and retain power, we will be discussing another conflict or another catastrophe in a year or 18 months."
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The European Union could play a crucial role in providing more support to Ukraine, as President Zelensky emphasized in his address. Himself stressing the importance of strengthening ties with Latin America, Africa, and Asia, Zelensky urged Europe to show more support for Ukraine.
In light of the European Union's potential role in aiding Ukraine, the visit of Blinken and Lammy to Ukraine later in the week is significant. Their discussions may lead to increased support from the European Union, as Russia intensifies its attacks and Ukraine prepares for a harsh winter.
