• Kiev: “Wagner has returned to Bakhmut.” Zelensky appoints Shevchenko as his advisor
• Nord Stream: What do we know a year later? The sailboat Andromeda is the key to the mystery
• Alexei Navalny must spend a year in a single punishment cell
• Controversy over Zelensky’s homage to former SS politician Peskov: Kiev ideology confirmed
• Podolyak: “Our goal is to isolate Crimea: without this base, the Russians will lose”
9:44 a.m. – Von der Leyen: “The EU must adapt to a more dangerous world”
“Russia’s war against Ukraine has shown that Europe urgently needs to adapt to a more dangerous and unstable geostrategic and geopolitical environment,” said the President of the EU Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, on the sidelines of the EPP summit in Split. “We have witnessed Russia’s powerful energy blackmail, which has tested our energy system, but thanks to a very decisive and united response, we have reduced our dependence on Russian fossil fuels. War levels, but we know that they remain structurally high,” commented the Commission President.
9:25 a.m. – Kiev: “The majority of our counteroffensive continues on foot”
The bulk of the Ukrainian counteroffensive will be conducted “on foot,” said the head of Ukrainian military intelligence, Kyrylo Budanov. “Unfortunately, most of our offensives now take place on foot,” Budanov said in an interview with the Wall Street Journal, adding that the same was true of the Russian offensive last fall, when “the use of heavy armor was minimal, everyone it was.” “Making war” on foot.
The Ukrainian counteroffensive began on June 4th. Kiev has sent brigades into battle trained by NATO instructors and armed with Western equipment, including Leopard and Challenger tanks. Three months later, Russian President Vladimir Putin said that Kiev’s move had failed and that Ukraine had suffered around 71,000 victims. Several Western officials have also acknowledged that the Ukrainian counteroffensive has so far been unsuccessful.
09:00 – Putin: “We are working on new nuclear weapons”
The Russian atomic energy agency Rosatom is working on “creating advanced weapons that can maintain strategic balance in the world,” Russian President Vladimir Putin was quoted as saying by the Ria Novosti agency.
“It is gratifying that today the employees of Rosatom, employees of specialized companies and research centers continue the wonderful traditions of their predecessors,” Putin said. They actively solve problems related to the introduction of innovative technologies in the energy and space sector, nuclear medicine, ecology and the modernization of the nuclear icebreaker fleet. “You are taking part in the development of advanced weapons that can maintain strategic balance in the world,” Putin said in his congratulatory speech to nuclear industry employees. “It is important to continue the path of deepening international cooperation and expanding mutually beneficial contacts with conscientious and reliable partners abroad,” the president added.
8:56 a.m. – The Guardian: “The Iranian drones used by the Russians contain European-made components”
According to the Guardian’s indiscretion, also reported by ISW, the Iranian drones used by the Russians in Ukraine contain European-made components despite the sanctions.
08:07 a.m. – Russian air defense systems intercept a drone over Bryansk
Russian air defense systems intercepted a Ukrainian aircraft drone over the Bryansk region, the Russian Defense Ministry said on Thursday. Earlier, the governor of the Bryansk region, Alexander Bogomaz, said that electronic weapons had repelled a Ukrainian aircraft drone approaching Bryansk.
“This morning, an attempt by the Kiev regime to carry out a terrorist attack using a flying UAV against targets on the territory of Russia was stopped.” The air defense forces on duty intercepted a Ukrainian unmanned aerial vehicle on the territory of the Bryansk region,” said a statement from the Ministry.
8:05 a.m. – Kiev: “31 drones shot down in massive Russian attack”
The Ukrainian military said Russia launched a “massive” drone attack overnight and that 31 of the 39 aircraft used were destroyed by Kiev’s forces. Russian unmanned aerial vehicles were intercepted over the coastal regions of the Black Sea and inland, Nataliya Gumenyuk, spokeswoman for the Ukrainian Military Southern Command, said on Telegram. The Ukrainian General Staff said in its daily update that “39 Shahed-136/131 fighter jets” were involved in the attack and that air defenses destroyed 31 of them. Meanwhile, Sergiy Lysak, governor of the Dnipropetrovsk region, stated that Russian forces fired “almost 20 shells” into the Nikopol district overnight, with no injuries or casualties reported.
7:58 a.m. – Lavrov: “We are ready to negotiate, taking into account the interests of Russian security.”
The Russians are “ready to negotiate” to find a solution to the crisis in Ukraine, but “taking into account the reality on the ground” and “Russian security interests.” Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said this in an interview with the Tass news agency. “Our position remains valid: we are ready to negotiate, but taking into account the realities that have developed as a result of the earthquake and taking into account our position, which is known to everyone,” that is, “our interests, the interests of ours.” Security, the interest in preventing the creation of a hostile force on the borders of Russia and the Nazi regime,” Lavrov said. Because this force, he argued, “openly declared the goal of exterminating everything Russian in these territories, both in Crimea and in Novorossia.”
7:55 a.m. – The French Defense Minister visits Kiev
French Armed Forces Minister Sébastien Lecornu, accompanied by defense industrialists, arrived in Kiev to discuss the development of French aid to Ukraine and industrial partnerships in a conflict that will continue. For their part, representatives of around twenty French companies specializing in the production of armored vehicles, artillery, drones, IT and demining products must discuss and sign partnerships with Ukrainian industry. This involves, for example, expanding local production of spare parts for the maintenance of devices delivered from France.
7:41 a.m. – Russians destroy a bridge over the Oskil River near Kupjanks
Russian attack on the Oskil River near Kupyansk in the Kharkiv region. A Su-34 bomber dropped a bomb and destroyed a bridge.
6:54 a.m. – Kiev: “Over 30 drones destroyed in Russian attack in the south”
Ukrainian air defense destroyed more than thirty drones this night in a Russian attack in the Odessa and Mykolaiv regions in the south of the country, said Natalya Gumenyuk, spokeswoman for the Ukrainian army’s Southern Command. “That night, several groups of attack drones were fired” in these regions, Gumenyuk specified, speaking of “a massive attack.” “The work of the air defense was very effective,” he added. More than 30 drones were destroyed. The Air Force will provide more precise estimates. “The enemy does not stop attacking, does not stop applying pressure and is looking for new tactics, especially through the use of massive attacks,” Gumenyuk continued. Russian forces regularly target the southern Ukrainian region bordering the Black Sea, home to port infrastructure crucial to maritime trade.
05:02 – USA, DeSantis: “Stop issuing blank checks to Ukraine”
“It is in our interest to end the war in Ukraine. If I am elected president, I will no longer issue blank checks to Kiev. We have to take care of the American people.” Ron DeSantis said this at the second debate of the Republican candidates in the 2024 presidential primaries. “When I am in the White House, I will protect American sovereignty,” he added.
3:49 a.m. – Zelensky: “Powerful new measures to strengthen security”
The Ukrainian government is working on new “powerful measures” to strengthen national security. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said this in a video message on Telegram, adding that the nation “will be stronger” and have “greater defense capabilities.”
“We have no alternative but to be stronger,” the president added. “Whoever strengthens the state, whoever becomes stronger, whoever contributes to the fight against the enemy and achieves results for Ukraine, all this brings us closer to our goal.”
3:15 a.m. – Podolyak: “Our goal is to isolate Crimea: without this base, the Russians will lose.”
MykhailoPodolyak, your counteroffensive appears to be at a virtual standstill on the very long land front while you are achieving success with the bombings in Crimea. Is that your feeling too?
(from Andrea Nicastro, our correspondent) “We have tactical objectives in different sectors of the front and a strategic objective is to eliminate Crimea’s ability to supply the troops at the front.” We are succeeding here, that’s true. We planned the attack in three phases. Destroy radio and electronic communications systems and radar antennas to open the skies over the Black Sea. And we are at an excellent point. The second stage is the destruction of the Russian Black Sea Fleet or at least its removal from Crimea. And we succeed. The third phase will consist of compromising the army’s logistical infrastructure: barracks, group bases, food, fuel and ammunition depots, transport routes including the Kerch Bridge. That’s why our attacks on Crimea will increase again.”
03:00 a.m. – The Military Point | Nord Stream mystery: What do we know a year later? The sailboat Andromeda is the key to the story
(By Andrea Marinelli and Guido Olimpio) A year later, Nord Stream “hides” a mystery. Investigators say little in public and distill information with revelations to the media. According to German media research, the main suspects remain the Ukrainians, even if other perpetrators have not been ruled out.
The sailboat Andromeda, chartered in Germany, is the key to the story. The commando of five men and one woman used it to reach the pipes of the gas pipeline, which were then damaged by a series of explosions – perhaps four – on September 26, 2022. It is believed to be a 15 meter long boat with plenty of space and a stern platform to be sufficient for the mission. On board, investigators found residues of Hmx explosives, which can also be used in the water. Few experts expressed doubts and suggested that they might have used more appropriate means and elements.
Read the full military stance here.
02.42 – Podolyak: “Wagner’s return? Just media impact, it doesn’t exist anymore.”
Mykhailo Podolyak, adviser to Ukrainian President Zelensky, downplays the news reported by CNN (and confirmed by Kiev) about Wagner’s return to eastern Ukraine. “Wagner no longer exists. “It ended with the liquidation of Prigozhin and Utkin, the looting of the facility by the Shoigu-Gerasimov group and the purge of the leadership of the organization,” he explained on X. Podolyak explained that today there are only “former militants of the terrorist group” There are scattered in all directions: between Africa, civil and criminal life in the regions of Russia or a contract with the Russian Ministry of Defense that for a short time plugs the Russian hole in the direction of Bakhmut. The media impact of this event is therefore greater than its actual meaning.”
02:16 a.m. – “Wagner has returned to Bakhmut with new commanders”
The Russian mercenaries of the Wagner Group are back in Bakhmut, a city in eastern Ukraine that they captured after fierce attacks until the militia marched on Moscow last June. This was reported by CNN, which collected information from Ukrainian drone pilots fighting for the city, the symbol of the war: “Yes, Wagner is also here (in Bakhmut, editor’s note), they returned, they quickly got theirs Commanders changed and they come back.” The Ukrainian military told the US broadcaster that the presence of the militia founded by Yevgeny Prigozhin was partly intended to make up for the lack of Russian soldiers.
Confirmation of Wagner’s presence in Bakhmut and eastern Ukraine came from the head of the press service of the Eastern Group of the Ukrainian Armed Forces, Ilya Yevlash: “We are talking about about 500 militiamen, part of a formation of about 8,000 mercenaries who were there.” Camp in Belarus, and who are currently negotiating contracts with the Russian Ministry of Defense. RBC-Ukraine reports about it. Adding: “As before, they will not pose a significant threat since their leader Prigozhin is no longer there. “These people may be among the most highly trained soldiers in the Russian army, but they will not pose a significant threat or a game-changer.”
– Ukrainian soldiers near Andriivka, photo from September 21 (Ap)
1:54 a.m. – Kiev, Russian bombs on Donetsk region, one man killed
Russian forces shelled settlements north of the Donetsk region, killing one person and wounding four others. The Ukrainian regional prosecutor’s office announced this on Facebook. “The aggressor state’s armed units carried out bomb attacks on settlements in the north of the region. There was particularly shelling in Kostiantynivka, Toretsk and Kalynivka. According to preliminary information, the occupiers used guided and high-explosive bombs and tanks against the civilian population,” we read in the prosecutor’s statement, which also clarifies that “one of the local residents was killed” and “four other civilians – women.” The 61-, 76- and 81-year-olds, as well as a 36-year-old man, who were outside during the bombing suffered injuries of varying severity.” Ultimately, more than two dozen private homes as well as gas and electricity lines were destroyed and damaged.
1:04 a.m. – “Nawalny moved to solitary confinement for a year.” An opponent reports it
The Russian opponent Alexei Navalny is being moved to a solitary cell for a period of twelve months because of “incorrigibility”, an isolation regime, so to speak: Navalny himself announced this on his Telegram profile. “I feel like a rock star on the verge of depression who has reached the top of the charts and has nothing else to fight for.” On the other hand, I didn’t fly up, I fell down, and as you know, I can “They always knock you down there from below,” he concluded.
00:48 – Kremlin: “Zelensky’s homage to a former SS man is a confirmation of the Kiev ideology”
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky’s tribute to an SS veteran during his visit to the Canadian Parliament “once again confirms the Nazi ideology of the Kiev regime.” Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said this, referring to the honor paid in the chamber to Ukrainian-Canadian citizen Yaroslav Hunka, who fought for the SS in World War II. An affair that subsequently led to the resignation of the Speaker of the Canadian House of Commons, Anthony Rota. “The Kiev regime’s dependence on Nazi ideology is nothing new, it is something we have been talking about for a long time,” Peskov explained. “The fact that Zelensky also applauded the permanent fascist confirms this once again. “Of course, one can only feel pity for the memory of Ukrainian veterans who fought against fascism, including Zelensky’s grandfather.”