11.09.2024
Ukraine war in the live ticker
+++ 00:53 Russians are said to have launched an active attack in Kursk +++
The Russian military is apparently increasing the pressure on the Ukrainian troops in the Russian region of Kursk. The Russians have begun active attacks on the left wing of the occupied territory, reports the Telegram channel Deepstate, which is close to the Ukrainian military. Armored vehicles have been transported across the Seim River and smaller rivers. In addition, a column of tanks is moving from the recently recaptured settlement of Korenevo towards Snagost.
+++ 23:22 US Republicans: Ukraine should be allowed to use long-range US weapons in Russia +++
Important Republicans in the US Parliament are calling on US President Biden to allow Ukraine to use long-range missile systems against additional targets in Russia. It is long overdue for the government to lift the restrictions on the use of weapons supplied by the US against legitimate military targets in Russia, according to a letter to Biden. The letter is signed by, among others, the Chairman of the Committee on Foreign Affairs in the US House of Representatives, Michael McCaul. So far, the US has limited the use of its weapons against Russia to defending against the Russian offensive against the eastern Ukrainian city of Kharkiv.
+++ 22:17 US Secretary of State and British colleague announce trip to Kyiv +++
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken and his British counterpart David Lammy will travel to Ukraine together this week. The two politicians said this at a press conference on the sidelines of Blinken’s talks in London. The joint trip comes at a critical time for Ukraine, Blinken said. Russia is intensifying its aggression against civilians, important infrastructure and the Ukrainian military. “We see it increasing its attacks on cities, people and in particular the energy infrastructure ahead of the cold months,” said the US Secretary of State.
+++ 21:36 Selenskyj criticizes previous diplomacy +++
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is demanding that his diplomats defend the interests of the country under attack by Russia more vigorously. The new Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiha should restructure Ukrainian diplomacy so that “we and our partners can respond much more actively to challenges.” Zelensky said this in his evening video message. He had previously officially introduced Sybiha as the new minister at the Foreign Ministry. It must be ensured that Ukraine finds even greater understanding in Europe, said Zelensky. At the same time, the country needs closer relations with Latin America, Africa and Asia. “We must exploit the full potential of our strategic relations with the United States,” said the President in Kiev.
+++ 20:57 Landmines reduce Ukraine’s GDP +++
Landmines are estimated to reduce Ukraine’s gross domestic product (GDP) by $11.2 billion annually. That’s about 5.6 percent of Ukraine’s national wealth measured by economic output in 2021, according to a report by the Ukrainian Ministry of Economy and the Tony Blair Institute for Global Change. The study found that regional tax revenues were about $1.1 billion lower due to the mines and the value of Ukraine’s exports fell by about $8.9 billion. Agriculture Ministry data shows that about 2.5 percent of arable land has been mined and rendered unusable. The World Bank estimates that about $34.6 billion would be needed to safely demined Ukraine.
+++ 20:11 Kiev expects most difficult winter yet +++
In view of the destruction in the energy sector, the Ukrainian government is expecting the most difficult winter since the beginning of the war. It will be a challenge to ensure a stable energy supply in the coming heating season, Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal told journalists in Kiev. “We have successfully survived three heating seasons.” The coming winter will be “no less difficult, but perhaps even the most difficult.” Ukraine is receiving equipment for its energy sector from all over the world, said Shmyhal. They are trying to get damaged power plants back into operation. To make the energy system less vulnerable, it will be organized in a more decentralized manner. “We are also increasing the autonomy of critical infrastructures,” said the head of government.
All previous developments canYou can read more here.