02/09/2024
Ukraine war in the live ticker
+++ 03:00 Putin: WSJ journalist Gershkovich could be released in exchange +++
In an interview with US presenter Tucker Carlson, Russian President Putin promises the release of Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich, who is accused of espionage in Russia – but demands something in return: “We are ready to solve the problem, but “There are certain conditions that are being discussed between the intelligence services. I believe an agreement can be reached,” Putin said. In return, Moscow could demand the release of Vadim Krasikov from Germany. The “Tiergarten Murderer” shot a Georgian in Berlin in broad daylight in 2019 and was therefore sentenced to life imprisonment in 2021.
+++ 01:10 Putin rules out attacks on Latvia and Poland +++
Russian President Putin says he is not planning an attack on Poland or Latvia. “We have no interest in Poland, Latvia or anywhere else,” says Putin in an interview with right-wing US presenter Tucker Carlson, which has been online since midnight. “Why would we do that? We simply have no interest in it.” A Russian attack on the countries is “absolutely impossible.” Carlson had previously asked the Russian president whether there could be a scenario in which “you send Russian soldiers to Poland.” Putin replies: “Only in one case: if Poland attacks Russia.”
+++ 23:51 RIA: Talks between Russia and UN on grain exports possible +++
According to a report by Russian news agency RIA, representatives from Russia and the United Nations could meet later this month for further talks on facilitating Russian agricultural and fertilizer exports. RIA cites Russian UN envoy Gennady Gatilov in the report. Russia has blamed a lack of progress in facilitating its own exports for the collapse of last year’s grain deal. The grain agreement was intended to allow grain exports from Ukrainian ports.
+++ 22:14 USA: Will work effectively with new army chief +++
The US will work effectively with the new Ukrainian army chief, the US Department of Defense says. Olexsandr Syrskyj is an experienced and successful commander. We have already had experience with him.
+++ 21:44 HRW: At least 8,000 dead in Mariupol, number of unreported cases significantly higher +++
According to Human Rights Watch, at least 8,000 people have been killed in the months-long siege of the Ukrainian port city of Mariupol by Russian troops as a result of fighting or war-related causes, according to Human Rights Watch. The human rights organization said the total number of deaths could be significantly higher than the figure given, as some graves contained multiple bodies and some sites may not have been identified. The estimate is based on satellite and other images of burial sites. Ukraine says tens of thousands have been killed but cannot give an exact number because it has no access to the city, which is now under Russian control.
Here you can watch the HRW film about the destruction of Mariupol by Russian forces:
+++ 21:05 Ukraine and Russia exchange prisoners +++
The Russian Defense Ministry reports the exchange of 100 more prisoners of war with Ukraine. The ministry explains that the Russian soldiers returned from “the area controlled by the Kiev regime” after negotiations. In return, 100 Ukrainian prisoners were released. Last week, both sides exchanged around 200 prisoners of war. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyj confirmed the prisoner exchange and said that over a hundred soldiers had returned from Russian captivity. Most of them defended the port city of Mariupol, which was conquered by Russia, he writes on Telegram.
+++ 20:24 Ukraine is recruiting fighters on the other side of the world +++
A professional soldier in Colombia earns $600. Since the end of the civil war, the job has hardly had a future. Much larger amounts of money are available on the front in Ukraine. Many follow the call. This is also a problem for relatives. The states do not even have embassies in each other’s countries.
+++ 19:40 Bundeswehr Inspector General travels to Ukraine with a delegation +++
The Inspector General of the Bundeswehr, Carsten Breuer, traveled to Ukraine with a high-ranking delegation. As a spokeswoman for the Federal Ministry of Defense confirmed to the AFP news agency, Breuer is currently in Ukraine for talks at the invitation of the recently deposed Ukrainian army chief Valeriy Saluschnyj. Breuer will be accompanied by, among others, the head of the Ukraine Special Staff in the ministry, Major General Christian Freuding. The aim of the talks is “to further exchange information about current defense needs and future military challenges,” says the ministry spokeswoman.
You can read all previous developments here.