Zelensky suggests that Putin hesitates to deploy nuclear weapons due to his personal attachment to preserving his life.
18:59 Hefty Artillery Confrontations and Russian Aerial Assaults in Eastern UkraineHeavy artillery confrontations and Russian aerial assaults utilizing glide bombs have stirred up turmoil at the frontlines in eastern Ukraine. Over 20 settlements near Sumy and Kharkiv allegedly received shelling from Russian artillery, as stated in the evening report from Kyiv's General Staff. Reported Russian attacks on Ukrainian defense lines were reported from the crisis zones surrounding Donbass. In Pokrovsk, 13 assaults were repelled, and in Kurachove, 17 Russian troop advances were halted. The numbers cannot be confirmed independently. Similarly intensive fighting was reported in the Vuhledar area. Ukrainian military analysts anticipate that the small town in the southern Donbass, which has been in conflict for two years, might soon fall under Russian control.
18:21 Ukraine Affirms Large Drone Scrutiny on Russian Arms Depot in VolgogradUkraine is said to have attacked a weapons depot in the Russian region of Volgograd's southern region with over 100 drones. According to the Ukrainian army on Telegram, the military depot in Kotluban was targeted in the attack. Evidence of a fire and ammunition detonation was observed on the depot grounds. A representative from the Ukrainian defense sector claimed that 120 Ukrainian drones flew for over 600 kilometers to assault the weapons depot, causing damage to ammunition and rocket storage warehouses, which will result in a shortage of ammunition for Russian occupation army units. Russia has yet to confirm the attack.
17:42 Baerbock: Long-Distance Weapons Crucial for Overcoming Mine BarrierAs per German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock, Ukraine should have the capacity to use long-distance weapons for defense purposes: "I have consistently stated that they play a significant role, especially in breaking through the mine barrier in eastern Ukraine," the Green politician said in ARD. Upon being asked if a different delivery should be provided by Germany in the future, she responded that her stance was clear, but that Chancellor Olaf Scholz holds a different opinion: "And in a coalition - in a democratic coalition - it functions this way: if we cannot agree on that point, we cannot support it. Then the Americans and the British and the French will do it." Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is pushing for authorization to utilize Western weapons even beyond the border with Russia. This would enable, for example, bombers to remain safe from attacks on their bases. The US would need to approve the use of ATACMS missiles, and the UK of Storm Shadow cruise missiles. German Taurus cruise missiles could even reach Moscow, unlike comparable weapons systems from Britain or France.
17:10 Approximately 500 Researchers Affected by CERN's Suspension of Cooperation with RussiaAbout 500 researchers with ties to Russian institutions are impacted by CERN's impending cessation of cooperation with Russia, according to the European Organisation for Nuclear Research (CERN). These scientists will need to cease collaborations when the contract expires on November 30, a CERN spokesperson affirms, corroborating media reports. CERN decided to halt its cooperation with Russia and its ally Belarus in June 2022 following Russia's invasion of Ukraine, a decision it finalized in December 2023. The current agreement with Belarus had already expired at the end of June 2024, affecting 15 Belarusian scientists, according to the CERN spokesperson. Russia's departure also signifies the loss of an important CERN contributor, as Moscow currently provides around 4.5% of the organization's budget. However, other member states are expected to bridge this gap.
16:27 Report: Navalny Reported Abdominal Pain - Documents Suggest Poisoning DeathRussian authorities claim that Alexei Navalny died of natural causes in February this year. Navalny's supporters and numerous Western politicians blame Russian leadership and President Vladimir Putin for Navalny's death. A new report strengthens this allegation: "The Insider" reports, citing official documents, that Russian authorities supposedly removed symptoms Navalny displayed shortly before his death in prison. According to the report, Navalny complained of severe abdominal pain and reflexively vomited, also experiencing cramps prior to losing consciousness. The official cause of death - a heart rhythm disorder - does not explain such symptoms, according to the medium. Consulted doctors indicated that these are common signs of poisoning.
15:55 Russian Troops Assert to Have Repelled Six Ukrainian Incursion Attempts in KurskRussian forces have allegedly repelled six new Ukrainian attempts to infiltrate the western region of Kursk, according to the Moscow Defense Ministry. Reuters reports that the ministry announced in a Telegram post that its forces, with the assistance of aircraft and artillery, repelled incursion attempts near the village of Novy Put, about 79 kilometers west of Sudzha. The ministry asserts that 50 Ukrainian soldiers were killed or wounded, and a tank and four armored combat vehicles, as well as a car, were destroyed. These declarations cannot be authenticated independently.
15:28 Scenes of Ruin: Russia Bombards Saporischschja with 13 Aerial AssaultsThe Ukrainian city of Saporischschja is stricken by aerial assaults. At least 13 people are injured, with residential blocks collapsing in some areas. Fires are burning in numerous buildings. The Ukrainian emergency service reports that ten private houses were damaged.
14:34 German Military Gears Up for Worst-Case Scenario - Potential Conventional War in Europe in Next Five YearsAfter wrapping up the "Red Storm Alpha" exercise, the German military has planned a sequel titled "Red Storm Bravo" for next year. This three-day exercise, concluding on a Saturday in Hamburg harbor, left the regional command pleased. As per the chief of staff, Lieutenant Colonel Joern Plischke, the objectives were met, both in command posts and with the 2nd Home Defense Company. The primary focus was on securing critical infrastructure, maintaining uniform awareness across levels, and swiftly and securely communicating with all participants. Given Russia's invasion of Ukraine, the possibility of a conventional war in Europe within the next five years is discussed. NATO aims to collectively counter this threat, requiring a prompt deployment of allied troops from west to east. According to Germany, with its strategic geographical position, it serves as a hub. Therefore, practicing military transports via rail, road, or air, supplying essentials such as food, beds, or fuel, or ensuring the movement of complete vehicle columns becomes crucial to deter potential threats effectively.
14:03 London: Russian Ammunition Stocks Suffer Heaviest Losses Due to Drone AttacksBased on British assessments, Ukrainian drone strikes have resulted in the heaviest ammunition losses for Russia since the conflict began. The meticulous strike on a munitions depot near Turov in central Russia's Tver region, on September 18, is estimated to have destroyed at least 30,000 tons of ammunition. Subsequent Ukrainian attacks on depots in Tikhoretsk in southern Russia's Krasnodar region and other locations in Turov occurred during the night of September 21, according to the British Defense Ministry. The total ammunition loss at these three sites amounts to the highest amount of destroyed Russian and North Korean-supplied ammunition throughout the war.
13:31 Moscow Defends Nuclear Doctrine ExpansionFacing criticism, Russia, as a nuclear power, has justified revising its nuclear weapon usage doctrine. The new nuclear deterrence fundamentals are necessitated due to NATO infrastructure's proximity to Russia's borders and Western powers' intent on achieving a victory over Moscow through their weapon supplies to Ukraine, as conveyed by Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov on Russian state television. The authority to employ nuclear weapons rests with the military.
13:00 Volunteer Medic Heroes Battle Kremlin MissilesOnce Russian missiles strike a building in Kharkiv, Serhii rushes to the scene. As part of a volunteer team, he attends to the wounded and rescues victims from the debris. He has purposely chosen this mission.
12:28 Saporizhzhia Reports 16 Casualties Following Russian Cruise Missile AttackThe count of injuries in Saporizhzhia after a Russian cruise missile attack has increased to 16, including a 17-year-old boy, as reported by the city's military administration on Telegram. The Russian army targeted Saporizhzhia with 13 cruise missiles at dawn. All victims have now been extracted and treated.
11:55 "Terrifying Testimony" - Zelensky Recalls Babi Yar MassacreUkrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky commemorated the Babi Yar massacre today, a grim reminder of when 83 years ago, over 33,000 Jews were killed by the German Wehrmacht in a ravine in Kyiv. Babi Yar, he expressed on X, is a "terrifying testimony" to the darkest crimes committed when the world chooses to remain silent, ignore, or stay indifferent rather than combat evil. Zelensky, with Jewish ancestry, highlighted Babi Yar as a compelling evidence of the brutalities nations can inflict when their leaders foster fear and violence - an apparent jibe at Kremlin leader Vladimir Putin.
11:00 Ukraine: Death Toll from Yesterday's Clinic Attack in Sumy Increases to TenThe casualty count from the Russian attack on a hospital in the Ukrainian border town of Sumy has risen to ten. The clinic was attacked twice by Russia on Saturday. The second attack occurred while rescue workers were retrieving the injured and dead, and patients were being evacuated. Russian forces fired 31 times into the border region during the night and early morning.
10:32 Russian Media Reports Major Fire at Arms Depot in VolgogradRussian media sources now relay explosions near Russian military bases, following reports from military bloggers. The naval base in Baltijsk, Krasnodar region, suspected of launching kamikaze drones against Ukraine, witnessed explosions, as reported by the news agency Astra. In Kotluban, Volgograd Oblast, a substantial munitions depot was hit, leading to fires and detonations. According to Ukraine, Iranian ballistic missiles and launchers were stored in the Kotluban depot.
10:02 Ukrainian Military Reports 165 Encounters Since YesterdayOver the last 24 hours, the Ukrainian military reported up to 165 encounters, with around a fourth occurring near the disputed town of Pokrovsk in the Donbass region. Russian troops initiated 73 air raids against both positions and civilian centers, utilizing 124 guided aerial bombs and launching seven missiles. Moreover, over 4700 attacks took place, including 179 with multiple rocket launchers, and using over 1700 unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) as kamikaze drones. Ukrainian aircraft, in addition to missile and artillery forces, performed six strikes on locations housing enemy troops, weapons, and military equipment, as per the Ukrainian military.
10:00 Judge from Ukraine's Supreme Court Killed in Drone Strike on Civilian VehicleA judge from the Ukrainian Supreme Court, who was providing humanitarian assistance to residents in a village within the Charkiv region, was killed in a UAV attack on a civilian car. According to the regional prosecutor's office, as cited by news site Ukrinform, a hostile first-person-view UAV struck the SUV that Judge Leonid Loboyko was traveling in as he headed to the village to distribute aid. He was instantly killed, while three female passengers in the vehicle sustained injuries. Ukraine is investigating the incident for possible war crimes and murder.
09:43 Ukraine Reports Damage to Civilian Buildings in SaporischschjaUkrainian officials report substantial harm to civil structures in the southern industrial city of Saporischschja following a series of massive Russian airstrikes. At least seven individuals were injured, as reported by Ivan Fedorov, head of the regional administration, through a Telegram post. There may still be individuals trapped beneath the rubble. Over ten airstrikes were reported, with numerous fires starting up.
09:15 Russia Denies Shooting Down 125 Ukrainian Drones Last NightRussia's defense ministry denies intercepting and destroying 125 Ukrainian drones amidst the nighttime aerial assaults. The governors of several regions reported damages from the strikes, yet no casualties were reported. According to the ministry, 67 drones were downed within the Volgograd region in southern Russia, 17 in each the Belgorod and Voronezh regions, and 18 in the Rostov region.
08:41 Ukraine Reports 1,170 Russian Casualties in the Past 24 HoursThe Ukrainian military reports 1,170 Russian losses over the past 24 hours, bringing the total number of wounded and deceased Russian soldiers near 652,000. Ukrainian forces also report destroying nine Russian tanks, 62 artillery systems, and 38 armored vehicles. Ninety-three drones and one air defense system were allegedly brought down.
08:19 Military Analysts: Ukraine Targets More Russian Ammunition DepotsMilitary experts on the X platform report that Ukrainian attack drones struck a Russian ammunition storage facility in Kotluban overnight. Sources in the Volgograd Oblast report fires near the large Russian ammunition depot. The NASA Fire Information System also confirms fires in the depot's northern flank. Neither the Kremlin nor the Ukrainian military has issued a statement regarding this incident yet.
07:20 SPD Leader Wants Strong International Support for UkraineSPD leader Lars Klingbeil hopes that the upcoming Ukraine-United States summit in Ramstein will emphasize solidarity for the nation under attack by Russia. "The summit must convey a clear message that everyone is obligated, including the United States after the November election, to continue providing active assistance to Ukraine as long as necessary," Klingbeil stated. It is also worth considering "how future peace conferences can be organized more widely with the aim of engendering more substantial discussions regarding a long-term perspective for peace in the best interest of Ukrainians," he added. Biden is scheduled to visit Germany on October 10, while a conference of the Ukrainian military's 50 supporting nations is set to happen at the Ramstein air base on October 12. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is also expected to be in attendance.
06:03 Zelensky's Spokesperson on Weapon Deployment: Russians Will Get Notified FirstAs per the spokesperson of the Ukrainian President, a definitive decision on the deployment of Western weapons on Russian territory has not yet been made. Serhiy Nykyforov clarifies in a Ukrainian news program that there is still no conclusive decision about this matter. However, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has engaged in discussions with various nations, including Italy, France, the UK, and the United States. Nykyforov adds: "We must comprehend that the Russians will be the first to learn about the authorization to penetrate deeply into Russian territory. They will learn first, and afterwards, there will be an official announcement."
04:48 Switzerland Endorses China's Peace Initiative, Ukraine Anticipates DisappointmentThe Swiss Foreign Ministry expresses support for a peace initiative led by China to bring an end to the Ukraine conflict. The Swiss perspective on such initiatives has undergone a significant transformation, the ministry in Bern explains. Meanwhile, Ukraine expresses dissatisfaction with Switzerland's stance. Ukraine is currently organizing a second peace summit in November. In June, approximately 50 nations without Russia and China participated in the initial meeting in Switzerland.
03:13 Lithuania Dispatches Aid Package to KyivLithuania is sending a military aid package which includes ammunition, computers, and logistics supplies to Ukraine. The assistance is anticipated to arrive within the upcoming days, as announced by the Lithuanian government. Since the beginning of the year, Lithuania has already supplied 155-mm ammunition, M577 and M113 armored cars, anti-drone systems, anti-tank weapons, remote control systems, and other equipment to Ukraine.
02:29 Triple Fatality in Russian Assaults in Kharkiv RegionThree individuals perished, and six more were wounded in Russian airstrikes upon the Kharkiv region's Slatyne village, as local officials report. The strike targeted civilian infrastructure and adversely impacted an educational facility and businesses, casually affecting people while they were on the streets, according to Kharkiv Oblast Governor Oleh Syniehubov.
01:29 United States' Military Aid to Ukraine Labeled "Ignorant Risk" by North KoreaNorth Korea, accused of engaging in prohibited weapons trade with Russia, labels the US$8 billion military support to Ukraine as "an irrational act" and "playing with fire" towards the nuclear superpower Russia. US President Joe Biden disclosed this new assistance during Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky's visit to Washington. Its intent is to bolster Kyiv's self-defense, featuring weaponry boasting extended ranges to empower Ukain's capacity to strike Russia from a secure distance.
00:25 Casualties in Sumy Assault Climb to TenThe death toll increased to ten subsequent to a Russian assault on a Sumy-located hospital, a city situated along Ukraine's border. Ukrainian Interior Minister Igor Klymenko shed light on this situation, explaining that an initial fatality occurred as a result of the initial clinic attack, followed by a resurgence of bombings during evacuation efforts of patients. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky accuses Russia of launching a "war against hospitals."
The attack on Ukraine continues to cause unrest, with reports of Russian artillery shelling over 20 settlements near Sumy and Kharkiv. (From the first text)
The attack on a weapons depot in the Russian region of Volgograd's southern region with over 100 drones by Ukraine is reported, causing significant damage. (From the second text)
