The highly unusual decision to have the #EuropeanCommission president and other top officials of the body boycott the meetings was made “in light of recent developments marking the start of the Hungarian (EU) presidency”, commission spokesperson #EricMamer posted on Monday on X. #Russia #Ukraine

Top #EU officials to boycott informal meetings hosted by #Hungary
https://www.theguardian.com/world/article/2024/jul/15/top-eu-officials-to-boycott-informal-meetings-hosted-by-hungary

In the middle of a #HeatWave too.
---
The nuclear power unit was allegedly shut down automatically due to turbogenerator malfunctions.

The Rostov Nuclear Power Plant has four power units. It is the largest station in southern Russia, with a capacity of 4 GW and provides about 75% of the electricity production in the #Rostov region. #Ukraine

#PowerOutages begin in #Russia and #Crimea due to major failure at #RostovNPP
https://newsukraine.rbc.ua/news/power-outages-begin-in-russia-and-crimea-1721148553.html

German aid to Ukraine will be cut to 4 billion euros ($4.35 billion) in 2025 from around 8 billion euros in 2024, according to a draft of the 2025 budget seen by #Reuters.

Germany hopes Ukraine will be able to meet the bulk of its military needs with the $50 billion in loans from the proceeds of frozen Russian assets approved by the #G7.

#Germany to halve military aid for #Ukraine despite possible #Trump #WhiteHouse
https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/germany-halve-military-aid-ukraine-despite-possible-trump-white-house-2024-07-17/

Just like France.
---
#UrsulaVonDerLeyen has been voted in for a second term as #EuropeanCommission president, winning an emphatic victory as mainstream groups in the #EuropeanParliament united to deny a win for #AntiEU and #ExtremeRight forces.

In the end, 401 MEPs voted in her favour, 284 against, 15 abstained and seven votes were void. She needed 360 votes to be re-elected. #EU #Europe #Ukraine

Ursula von der Leyen wins second term as European Commission president
https://www.theguardian.com/world/article/2024/jul/18/ursula-von-der-leyen-wins-second-term-european-commission-president

The Ukrainian president was invited to become the first foreign leader to speak at a British Cabinet meeting since #BillClinton in 1997, in a show of solidarity with #Kyiv from the new #LabourGovernment.

#Zelenskyy told #Starmer and his senior ministers that being able to strike inside Russian territory would help prevent attacks on residential areas in #Ukraine. #Russia

Zelenskyy calls on Starmer to approve missiles
https://www.politico.eu/article/volodymyr-zelenskyy-keir-starmer-approve-missile-ukraine-uk-russia-war/?utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS_Syndication&utm_source=press.coop

#Kyiv last month adopted #sanctions blocking the transit of #PipelineCrude sold by #Moscow’s largest private oil firm, #Lukoil, to #CentralEurope, sparking fears of supply shortages in #Budapest and #Bratislava.

#EU ‘ready’ to negotiate as #Hungary-#Ukraine oil row boils over
https://www.politico.eu/article/european-union-hungary-ukraine-oil-lukoil-russia-war-slovakia/

"We cannot just finish because (if we do) #Ukraine is unable to defend itself and it has to surrender. And the Russian troops will be in the Polish border and Ukraine will become a second #Belarus. Do you want this kind of ending the war? No." #EU

If we don't support Ukraine, Ukraine will fall in a matter of days,' says #JosepBorrell
https://www.euronews.com/my-europe/2023/05/05/if-we-dont-support-ukraine-ukraine-will-fall-in-a-matter-of-days-says-josep-borrell

In a significant move, #China has declared a ban on exporting unregulated #CivilianDrones that could serve #military or #terrorist purposes. This decision follows heightened Western criticism over China's position in the #Russia-#Ukraine conflict.

China to Ban Export of Unregulated Civilian Drones Amid Scrutiny Over Russia-Ukraine Conflict
https://www.devdiscourse.com/article/law-order/3036924-china-to-ban-export-of-unregulated-civilian-drones-amid-scrutiny-over-russia-ukraine-conflict

They're desperate for manpower. Putin is even throwing in the Chechen barrier troops into the frontlines
---
The new sign-on bonus is more than double the lump-sum payment of 195,000 rubles ($2,200) the federal government has offered new recruits to fight in #Ukraine since September 2022. #Russia

#Putin doubles army sign-on bonus, offering new recruits $4,600 to fight in Ukraine
https://meduza.io/en/news/2024/07/31/putin-doubles-army-sign-on-bonus-offering-new-recruits-4-600-to-fight-in-ukraine

The F-16s provided to #Ukraine in the coming weeks cannot deliver instant air superiority over #Russia’s robust Russian air defenses, but they will allow #Kyiv to transition to a Western-style air force and better employ U.S. munitions, the U.S. Air Force’s top general in Europe said July 30. #F16

F-16s Not a ‘Golden Bullet’ for #Ukraine, But They Are an Upgrade, USAFE’s Hecker Says
https://www.airandspaceforces.com/ukraine-master-f-16s-good-start-usaf-general-europe/

Vladimir Kara Murza was among the 16 prisoners the Kremlin released.
---
Even during his trial, #KaraMurza voiced confidence that #Putin's reign would end and #Russia would be free.

"The day will come when the darkness over our country will dissipate, when those who kindled and unleashed this war — rather than those who tried to stop it — will be recognized as criminals," he said to the court.

#UkraineWar #Ukraine

Poisoned and jailed: Kremlin critic Kara-Murza
https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2024/08/02/world/politics/kremlin-critic-kara-murza/

The Ukrainian military said it launched a successful strike against a Russian #submarine on Friday and damaged an #S400 air defense system in occupied #Crimea.

"In the port of #Sevastopol, the submarine of the Russian #BlackSea fleet 'Rostov-on-Don' was successfully attacked."

#Ukraine claims sinking of #Russia submarine in Sevastopol
https://www.politico.eu/article/russia-submarine-sunk-by-ukraine-military-claims/?utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS_Syndication&utm_source=press.coop

A very balanced article on a pretty thorny reality.
---
The backlash to the first set of public comments by some of those released in last week's historic #PrisonerExchange is a stark indication of the chasm between #Kyiv and #Russia's #AntiWar opposition.

Freed Russian Anti-War Politicians Trigger Backlash in #Ukraine
https://www.kyivpost.com/post/36926

#UkrainianForces staged an overnight ambush on a #RussianConvoy 25 miles inside the international border in #Russia’s #Kursk province, as the #Kremlin declared a federal emergency and said it was transferring extra forces to try to snuff out a four-day incursion that has badly damaged its credibility.

#KurskIncursion

#Ukraine ambushes Russian convoy in Kursk as Kremlin declares emergency
https://www.theguardian.com/world/article/2024/aug/09/ukraine-ambushes-russian-convoy-in-kursk-as-kremlin-declares-federal-emergency

“The unfolding events demonstrate the extent to which #Moscow has deeply depended on sanctuary in Russian territory to wage its war against #Ukraine,” Barros told CNN. “#Russia has undermanned its borders and border fortifications, relying on its perception of safety because it has not felt vulnerable.”

#KurskIncursion

Doing the least obvious thing’: Ukraine embarrasses #Putin with surprise assault on southern Russia
https://edition.cnn.com/2024/08/10/europe/ukraine-putin-embarrasses-surprise-assault-analysis-intl/index.html

#Russia’s army had said about 1,000 Ukrainian troops were deployed in the cross-border incursion that began on Tuesday and appeared to catch the #Kremlin off guard, allowing #Ukraine’s forces to penetrate Russian defensive lines.

Asked whether the 1,000 figure was correct, the official said: “It is a lot more … Thousands.”

Ukraine aims to ‘destabilise Russia’ with thousands of troops in #KurskIncursion
https://www.theguardian.com/world/article/2024/aug/11/thousands-of-ukrainian-troops-aim-to-destabilise-russia-with-kursk-incursion

#Russia urged more civilians to flee an intensifying Ukrainian assault Monday after a stunning incursion that has seen #Kyiv's forces advance some 20 miles and seize back the initiative in the 2½ year war.

On the 7th day of the #KurskIncursion, residents in parts of neighboring #Belgorod were also urged to flee their homes.

#Kursk

Russia evacuates another border region as #Ukraine advances after surprise incursion
https://www.nbcnews.com/news/world/russia-evacuates-belgorod-kursk-incursion-fire-nuclear-plant-rcna166172

#Ukraine said on Tuesday it had no interest in occupying territory in #Russia’s #Kursk region and that its major cross-border incursion would complicate Russian military logistics and its ability to send more units to fight in Ukraine’s east.

#KurskIncursion

Ukraine says it has no interest in occupying Kursk region
https://www.theguardian.com/world/live/2024/aug/13/russia-ukraine-war-kursk-incursion-volodymyr-zelenskiy-vladimir-putin-latest-news-updates?page=with:block-66bb62198f0896e2bbd0ba22#block-66bb62198f0896e2bbd0ba22

#Ukraine launched a surprise incursion with armour and infantry into the #Kursk and #Belgorod regions of #Russia on 6 August, involving thousands of troops amounting to 14 brigades.

The advance brings #Kyiv’s forces closer to key supply lines inside #Russia supporting Russia’s ongoing offensive in eastern Ukraine.

#KurskIncursion

Ukraine’s incursion into Russia explained in maps, footage and photos
https://www.theguardian.com/world/article/2024/aug/13/ukraines-incursion-into-russia-explained-in-maps-footage-and-photos

Lukashenko is living on borrowed time.
---
#Russia has asked #Belarus to transfer some of their equipment after #Ukraine's successful #KurskIncursion, as it faced an acute shortage of weapons there and in other areas.

While back in 2022, #Lukashenko was able to transfer equipment to Russia from warehouses, now he is forced to give away equipment from his active military units.

Lukashenko transfers military equipment from his own active units to Russia - Media
https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/world/lukashenko-transfers-military-equipment-from-his-own-active-units-to-russia-media/ar-AA1oJzcE?ocid=emmx-mmx-feeds&PC=EMMX01

#Germany has issued a European #ArrestWarrant against a #Ukrainian diving instructor who allegedly was part of a team that blew up the #NordStream gas pipelines.

German investigators believe that the man, last known to have lived in #Poland, was one of the divers who planted #ExplosiveDevices on pipelines running from #Russia to #Germany under the #BalticSea in September 2022.

#Ukraine

Germany has issued arrest warrant for diver over Nord Stream explosions
https://www.theguardian.com/world/article/2024/aug/14/germany-has-issued-arrest-warrant-for-diver-over-nord-stream-explosions-says-report

The #RussianAirForce has redirected much of its firepower at the Ukrainian #KurskIncursion corps—lobbing as many as 50 KAB #GlideBombs every day at the corps’ bases in #SumyOblast, right across the border from Kursk.

But #Ukraine has an air force, too—and satellite-guided glide bombs with at least as much range and precision as the Russians’ KABs.

Ukrainian Jets Join The Invasion Of Russia’s Kursk Oblast—And Blow Up A Russian Command Post
https://www.forbes.com/sites/davidaxe/2024/08/13/ukrainian-jets-join-the-invasion-of-russias-kursk-oblast-and-blow-up-a-russian-command-post/

Since the invasion of #Ukraine, #Russia and its trade partners have skirted sanctions by using smaller banks and other payment modes or non-US dollar currencies to circumvent the West's ban of some #RussianBanks from the widely-used #SWIFT messaging system.

However last December, the #US approved secondary sanctions targeting financial institutions that were helping Russia - closing that loophole.

Nearly all Chinese banks are refusing to process payments from Russia
https://www.msn.com/en-us/money/companies/nearly-all-chinese-banks-are-refusing-to-process-payments-from-russia-report-says/ar-AA1oLZjY?ocid=emmx-mmx-feeds&PC=EMMX01

The Ukrainian offensive has displaced thousands of people and allowed #Kyiv to establish its first toehold in #Russia since that country’s full-scale invasion of #Ukraine in February 2022.

#KurskIncursion

The first major foreign military invasion of Russia since #WorldWarII has also embarrassed the #Kremlin

On Russia’s Border, Fear and Defiance: ‘No One Will Chase Us Out of Here’
https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/world/on-russia-s-border-fear-and-defiance-no-one-will-chase-us-out-of-here/ar-AA1oP0hm?ocid=emmx-mmx-feeds&PC=EMMX01

She donated 51 dollars.
---
Van Heerden (her partner) had feared “it might be dangerous for her to go” onto #Russia on her own “with everything going on with the war in #Ukraine, but she reassured me that she was Russian and that everything would be fine.”

#KseniaKarelina: Ballerina jailed in Russia for 12 years after donating to #UkraineCharity
https://www.msn.com/en-au/news/other/ksenia-karelina-ballerina-jailed-in-russia-for-12-years-after-donating-to-ukraine-charity/ar-AA1oQdhl

The town had a prewar population of around 5,000 people, the Associated Press reported. It holds a measuring station for Russian #NaturalGas that flows through Ukrainian pipelines.

#KurskIncursion #Ukraine

#Zelenskiy says Ukrainian forces have taken full control of #Sudzha in #Kursk
https://www.theguardian.com/world/live/2024/aug/15/russia-ukraine-war-live-kursk-evacuations-nord-stream?page=with:block-66be00978f0863723e8d6eda#block-66be00978f0863723e8d6eda

Over the past week, the #UkrainianArmy has captured dozens of settlements in #Russia’s #Kursk region, including the city of #Sudzha While regional authorities claim that thousands of civilians were evacuated, many locals say they were left to fend for themselves.

#Russia #Ukraine #KurskIncursion

'A crime against their own people’ A Sudzha resident on how the Russian authorities stood by silently as civilians fled the Ukrainian advance
https://meduza.io/en/feature/2024/08/15/a-crime-against-their-own-people

Bodies decomposing in the street. Bullet-marked civilian cars lining the road. Half of Lenin’s face blown away from the statue on the square. Streets littered with shrapnel. Locals huddling in a bomb shelter.

The smell of death, in buildings torn open.

It is a scene achingly familiar to #Ukraine, yet until now alien to #Russia.

#KurskIncursion

'We don’t know what’s happening’: Fear and confusion in #Kursk as Russian residents take shelter and Ukraine advances
https://edition.cnn.com/2024/08/16/europe/sudzha-russia-ukraine-streets-intl-latam/index.html

#Russia's gas sales have withered because of the ongoing war in #Ukraine, and President Vladimir #Putin has since sought to expand the country's foothold in #China and other markets. #Mongolia

China Ally Hints Putin-Xi Pipeline Plan Is Going Nowhere
https://www.msn.com/en-us/money/companies/china-ally-hints-putin-xi-pipeline-plan-is-going-nowhere/ar-AA1p6kAb?ocid=emmx-mmx-feeds&PC=EMMX01

#UkrainianForces are trying to expand their bridgehead in the #Kursk region, after a surprise incursion two weeks ago. An estimated 2,000 to 3,000 #RussianConscripts are now stuck in a pocket south of the river in the #Glushkovsky district. Some civilians have escaped the area on small boats.

#KurskIncursion #Ukraine

Fierce fighting in #Russia as Ukrainian forces attempt to seize more territory
https://www.theguardian.com/world/article/2024/aug/20/fierce-fighting-russia-ukrainian-forces-attempt-seize-more-territory

#Ukraine’s daring invasion of the #Kursk and #Belgorod Oblasts in Russia has Belarusian President Aleksandr #Lukashenko feeling the heat. After all, the #Kremlin puppet has been in cahoots with Russian President Vladimir #Putin’s special military operation from the outset. Is he next?

Opinion: How much longer does he have? Putin’s clock is ticking for Lukashenko in #Belarus.
https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/world/opinion-how-much-longer-does-he-have-putin-s-clock-is-ticking-for-lukashenko-in-belarus/ar-AA1pggE2?ocid=emmx-mmx-feeds&PC=EMMX01

In a meeting #Modi called “friendly” and “historic”, the Indian PM said #India is ready to make proactive contributions to bring about peace and told #Zelenskiy that dialogue should be opened without wasting any time, with both side sitting together to find a way out of the conflict.

#India

Modi tells Zelenskiy he is ready to play personal role 'as a friend' to bring peace to #Ukraine
https://www.theguardian.com/world/live/2024/aug/23/russia-ukraine-war-live-narendra-modi-volodymyr-zelenskiy-latest-news?page=with:block-66c875ae8f0855397f4ae678#block-66c875ae8f0855397f4ae678

President Volodymr #Zelensky signed into law a bill banning religious groups with ties to #Russia Saturday, #Ukraine’s Independence Day. The bill’s main target is the #UkrainianOrthodoxChurch (UOC) which has historically been linked to the #RussianOrthodoxChurch, also known as the #MoscowPatriarchate.

Ukraine’s president signs law banning Russia-linked religious groups
https://edition.cnn.com/2024/08/24/europe/ukraine-zelensky-orthodox-church-ban-intl/index.html

#PavelDurov, billionaire co-founder and chief executive of the #Telegram messaging app, was arrested at the #Bourget airport outside #Paris on Saturday evening, TF1 TV said, citing an unnamed source.

Durov was travelling aboard his private jet, TF1 said on its website, adding he had been targeted by an arrest warrant in #France

#Russia #Ukraine

Telegram app founder Pavel Durov reportedly arrested at French airport
https://www.theguardian.com/media/article/2024/aug/24/telegram-app-founder-pavel-durov-arrested-at-french-airport

#KYIV - #Ukraine's Volodymyr #Zelensky said on Aug 27 that the war with #Russia would eventually end in dialogue, but that Kyiv had to be in a strong position and that he would present a plan to US President #JoeBiden and his two potential successors.

Ukraine's Zelensky to present plan to #Biden to end war with Russia
https://www.straitstimes.com/asia/ukraines-zelenskiy-to-present-plan-to-biden-to-end-war-with-russia

Russian Foreign Minister #SergeiLavrov on Tuesday said relations with #France are at their “lowest” level following the arrest of #Telegram CEO #PavelDurov at an airport outside Paris on Saturday. The arrest has prompted a stream of condemnations from those in power in #Russia – even though the #Kremlin itself tried to ban Telegram in 2018. #Ukraine

Free speech and ‘homeland’: #Moscow's ‘opportunistic’ response to Telegram boss Durov’s arrest
https://www.france24.com/en/europe/20240827-free-speech-and-homeland-kremlin-opportunistic-response-to-telegram-boss-pavel-durov-arrest-in-france

Ahead of a meeting with his #EU counterparts in #Brussels, Ukrainian foreign minister #DmytroKuleba said long-term security for #Europe began with “short-term bold decisions for Ukraine”.

#Ukraine wanted permission to use western weapons to strike “legitimate military targets” in the depths of #Russia, mainly airfields used to launch bombers, he said.

Ukraine steps up calls at Brussels summit for use of western weapons inside Russia
https://www.theguardian.com/world/live/2024/aug/29/russia-ukraine-war-live-belgorod-eu-ministers-kuleba?page=with:block-66d02fe58f08b036ea3f4acb#block-66d02fe58f08b036ea3f4acb

The Ukrainian military had brigades to spare as the Russian assault on #Pokrovsk accelerated in August. But rather than reinforce in the east, the general staff in #Kyiv sent some or all of eight brigades across the border into #Russia’s #Kursk Oblast, initiating a surprise counter-invasion that has captured 400 square miles of the oblast. #Ukraine

In February, 31 #M1Abrams Tanks Stood Between The Russians And Pokrovsk. Today, Maybe Half Are Left. | #DavidAxe
https://www.forbes.com/sites/davidaxe/2024/08/31/in-february-31-m-1-abrams-tanks-stood-between-the-russians-and-pokrovsk-today-maybe-half-are-left/

#Scholz is under pressure at home after all three parties in his centre-left coalition suffered painful losses in two regional state elections one week ago, while groups seeking better relations with #Moscow won more votes.

Nationalist party Alternative for Germany (#AfD) and new anti-establishment party BSW both booked record gains. #Russia

#Germany's Scholz calls for renewed push for peace in #Ukraine
https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/world/germanys-scholz-calls-for-renewed-push-for-peace-in-ukraine/ar-AA1qczx3

#Ukraine’s president, Volodymyr #Zelenskiy, has been pushing for months for permission to use the missiles, including during talks this week with #Lammy and #Blinken.

British sources say #London and #Washington have decided to allow Ukraine to use long-range missiles, but are not yet willing to announce it. #StormShadow #Russia #Biden #Starmer

#JoeBiden dismisses Russian threats during meeting with #KeirStarmer

https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2024/sep/14/joe-biden-dismisses-russian-threats-during-meeting-with-keir-starmer#img-1