Ukraine ticker Criminal Court: Mongolia has disregarded Putin's arrest warrant +++ Kiev: First North Korean troops deployed in Kursk

On February 24, 2022, Russia began its large-scale war of aggression against the whole of Ukraine in violation of international law. The front line has remained virtually unchanged since fall 2022. Almost 18 percent of Ukraine is occupied by Russian troops. An end to the war is not in sight. The developments in the ticker.

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2.39 a.m.

Criminal Court: Mongolia has disregarded Putin's arrest warrant

The International Criminal Court (ICC) accuses Mongolia of failing to arrest Russian President Vladimir Putin during his visit in early September despite an international arrest warrant. Mongolia failed to comply with the Court's request to arrest the Kremlin leader, criticized the authority in The Hague, Netherlands.

"Member states and those who recognize the jurisdiction of the Court are obliged to arrest and extradite persons who are the subject of an arrest warrant issued by the ICC, regardless of their official position or nationality," it continued. Due to the serious case of Mongolia's lack of cooperation with the Court, the Chamber referred the matter to the Assembly of Member States.

Mongolia recognizes the ICC. In March 2023, the ICC issued an international arrest warrant against Putin because, in the court's opinion, he is responsible for the abduction of Ukrainian children to Russia during the war of aggression against Ukraine. According to Ukrainian sources, thousands of children were allegedly taken to Russia or to Russian-occupied areas of Ukraine. Russia rejects the accusations.

The head of the Kremlin should actually have been arrested in Mongolia. However, the sparsely populated country with a population of just 3.4 million is surrounded by the superpowers Russia and China and strives to maintain a balanced relationship with both powerful neighbors and the West. An arrest of Putin was considered unlikely due to the economic dependence on both neighboring states.

Putin visited Mongolia at the beginning of September. The occasion was the 85th anniversary of a battle in which Mongolian and Soviet troops repelled the Japanese in 1939. The Kremlin leader was obviously testing out for the first time whether he could visit a country that would actually have to extradite him without any consequences.

10 p.m.

UN Secretary-General's trip to Russia draws criticism

UN Secretary-General António Guterres has drawn sharp criticism during a visit to Russia for a handshake with Kremlin leader Vladimir Putin and a warm embrace with Belarusian ruler Alexander Lukashenko. "It's the third year of war, and the UN Secretary-General has shaken hands with a murderer," wrote Putin opponent Yulia Navalnaya on the short message service X. She holds Putin responsible not only for the death of her husband Alexei Navalny in a Russian prison camp, but also for the Russian war of aggression against Ukraine.

It was the third year of the war, and the UN Secretary-General was shaking hands with a murderer pic.twitter.com/BpjsThSKsw

— Yulia Navalnaya (@yulia_navalnaya) October 24, 2024

Putin has been issued with an arrest warrant by the International Criminal Court in The Hague for alleged war crimes. Guterres also met Lukashenko, widely regarded as Europe's last dictator, at the summit of emerging economies with Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa (Brics) organized by Putin this year. During a meeting, there was an apparently warm embrace with the 70-year-old, as can be seen on a video from the Belarusian state channel Pul Pervovo on Telegram.

Lukashenko also presented the 75-year-old with a sculpture of storks, which are considered a symbol of peace in Belarus. Eastern Europe expert Janis Kluge from the German Institute for International and Security Affairs in Berlin wrote about Guterres on X: "Can someone take the old man home? He seems to be confused and these people are taking advantage of him." Lukashenko also supports Putin in his war against Ukraine. The leadership in Kiev had also sharply criticized Guterres for the trip.

Sleepwalking into the dictator's embrace. Remember that Lukashenko allowed Russian troops to attack Ukraine from the North, enabling the atrocities that happened in Bucha and Irpin. pic.twitter.com/PFVKnIAAr8

— Janis Kluge (@jakluge) October 24, 2024

A United Nations statement said that Guterres had emphasized in a conversation with Putin that the Russian war of aggression against Ukraine was a violation of the UN Charter and international law. The United Nations is committed to a just peace, the statement continued.

Putin celebrated the summit with representatives from more than 30 countries as a historic event on the way to a new multipolar world order without Western dominance. In addition to Guterres, other guests at the summit also called for a just peace in Ukraine.

8.12 p.m.

Scholz rejects Zelensky's request for an invitation to join Nato

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz (SPD) has rejected Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky's request for an invitation to join NATO. The NATO states had "described a perspective" for Ukraine, Scholz said in the ZDF program "maybrit illner", which will be broadcast on Thursday evening. "But I believe that there is currently no need for a new decision beyond this decision."

It is important to realize that "a country at war cannot become a NATO member", the Chancellor emphasized. "Everyone knows that, there is no disagreement about that." An invitation is currently not a pending process. Because "an invitation to NATO is normally linked to membership quite quickly".

Scholz reiterated his line of taking a prudent course to ensure that the conflict does not turn into a war between Russia and NATO. He also reiterated his rejection of the delivery of long-range Taurus cruise missiles, which could hit targets far into Russian territory. "I think that's wrong," he said. He would not supply weapons that he thought would contribute to an escalation. "This is something that everyone in Germany can rely on. I will not act rashly."

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and Slovak President Peter Pellegrini agree that Ukraine's NATO membership is currently unrealistic. During Pellegrini's visit to Berlin, they discussed the need for a more pragmatic approach to the war in Ukraine and its future.… pic.twitter.com/Yr4C48MkuA

— NOELREPORTS 🇪🇺 🇺🇦 (@NOELreports) October 24, 2024

7.30 pm

EU states warn North Korea against troop support for Russia

The EU states are warning North Korea against direct involvement in Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine. The involvement of North Korean troops would be a unilateral hostile act with serious consequences for peace and security in Europe and worldwide, according to a declaration published by the EU's foreign affairs representative on behalf of the 27 countries. It would therefore constitute a serious violation of international law, including the most fundamental principles of the United Nations Charter.

With regard to Russia, the statement says that the country's deepened military cooperation with North Korea shows that it is not sincerely interested in a just, comprehensive and lasting peace, despite its stated willingness to negotiate. Russia is escalating and desperately seeking any possible help for its war - including from actors that seriously disrupt global peace and security.

19:13

Putin responds to question about North Koreans: "It's our business"

Kremlin leader Vladimir Putin has answered questions about the reports of thousands of North Korean soldiers in Russia evasively, but does not see this as a problem. Russia has ratified a treaty on a strategic partnership with North Korea, the president said at a press conference in Kazan. It contains a passage on mutual military assistance. "We have never doubted that the North Korean leadership takes our agreements seriously. What and how we will do within the framework of this article is our business," said Putin.

Negotiations on the form of the article were still necessary, he said. It remained to be seen how this would develop. Putin responded to a question from a US journalist who referred to the satellite images of North Korean troop deployments. "The images are a serious matter. If there are images, then that means they reflect something," Putin said. He did not become any clearer.

Putin also said that the West had not only been providing Kiev with weapons and satellite information for a long time; Western states were also deploying trainers and officers in Ukraine to support the country's armed forces. According to Putin's reasoning, Russia would therefore also be entitled to call on help from other states.

6.32 pm

Ukrainian secret service: First North Korean troops deployed in Kursk

According to Ukrainian intelligence, North Korean soldiers have already been deployed in the Russian region of Kursk, which borders Ukraine. "The first units of the North Korean army, which were trained at training grounds in eastern Russia, have already arrived in the combat zone," explained the Ukrainian military intelligence service on Thursday. Their appearance was registered on Wednesday in the Kursk region, it added. Around 12,000 North Korean soldiers, including 500 officers and three generals, are said to be in Russia.

‼️ BREAKING: The first units of the DPR military have already arrived in the combat zone

This was reported by The Main Directorate of Intelligence of Ukraine's Defense Ministry.

In particular, on October 23, the appearance of North Korean soldiers was recorded in Kursk Region… pic.twitter.com/s69BRwQzPF

— NEXTA (@nexta_tv) October 24, 2024

5.17 p.m.

Arrests after millions found in Kiev authorities

The Ukrainian army constantly needs new soldiers for the defensive battle against Russia. However, many Ukrainian men do not want to go to war and prefer to buy their freedom instead: In the Ukrainian capital Kiev, employees of a district army replacement office have collected large bribes to do so.

During house searches, the equivalent of over one million francs in cash was found, according to the State Investigation Bureau. Eleven luxury cars with a total value of almost one million francs were also confiscated.

Three employees of the district military replacement office in the Kiev district of Holossiiv were arrested, including the head of the draft board and three civilians. Unwilling conscripts paid the equivalent of between 1,700 and over 12,000 francs for certificates of unfitness for military service.

A good 1000 men are said to have bought their way out of the army in this way. Two other officials are also alleged to have manipulated the military register, allowing conscripts to leave the country. All suspects face up to 15 years in prison.

10.49 a.m.

South Korea does not rule out arms deliveries to Ukraine

South Korea's Foreign Minister Cho Tae Yul has announced that the South Korean government cannot remain inactive in the face of the deployment of North Korean troops to Russia.

"I don't think we are in a position where we can stand idly by if this ends up becoming a threat to our security," Cho said during a parliamentary hearing in Seoul, according to Yonhap.

When asked by a member of parliament whether the South Korean government would also consider direct arms deliveries to Ukraine, the top diplomat replied that all options were on the table.

10.31 a.m.

Ukrainian military speaks of "difficult situation" on eastern front

The Ukrainian army is under heavy pressure from the attacking Russian troops on the front in the east of the country. The General Staff in Kiev spoke of a "difficult situation" in its morning report. The Russian army is using its superiority in soldiers and material for non-stop attacks.

The mining town of Selydowe in the Donetsk region, which had 23,000 inhabitants before the war, was named as the focus of the attacks. Ukrainian military observers reported that the Russians had entered the town. Russian telegram channels showed pictures of the Russian flag flying on a high-rise building in Selydowe. The town of Kurakhivka, a few kilometers to the south, is also at great risk.

🇷🇺🇺🇦 Front Południowo-Wschodni:
1/2
Rosjanie zdobyli spory obszar na południe od Sełydowe. Oznacza to, że sytuacja obrońców tego miasta jeszcze bardziej się pogorszyła.
Jest to konsekwencja wcześniejszego zdobycia Ukrainska. Od tego momentu Rosjaniehttps://t.co/cuXWcJCqLr pic.twitter.com/KdoYI3k92E

— Roman o Wojnie (@Roman_o_Wojnie) October 23, 2024

According to military sources in Moscow, the Russian army destroyed a supply line across the Oskil River near the Kupyansk-Vuslovy railroad junction in the Kharkiv region. This information could not be independently verified. However, it would mean that the Ukrainian troops on the eastern side of the river can hardly be supplied any more.

6.27 a.m.

Seoul: North Korea's troops in Russia are "cannon fodder mercenaries"

South Korea's Defense Minister Kim Yong Hyun has described North Korean soldiers who are said to be in Russia as "cannon fodder mercenaries". He also accused North Korea's ruler Kim Jong-un of selling his army "for an illegal war of aggression", as reported by Yonhap.

"When troops are dispatched abroad, they normally abide by their country's chain of command and proudly carry out their activities in their military uniform, insignia and flag," Yonhap quoted the South Korean defense minister as saying during a parliamentary hearing before South Korean MPs. However, North Korea is disguised with a Russian uniform and acts under Russian military command without any operational authority.

According to South Korean intelligence, North Korea is said to have already sent a total of 3,000 soldiers there. The troops are therefore located in military facilities in Russia, where they are presumably being prepared for deployment against Ukraine. According to the US government, it also has reliable information that North Korean troops are in Russia. What they are doing there remains to be seen, said US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin.

4.55 a.m.

Russian Foreign Ministry insults Selensykj as a complete idiot

Moscow has responded with an insult after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky wore a T-shirt with the inscription "make russia small again" in his evening video message - probably a reference to Donald Trump's MAGA slogan "Make America Great Again".

The spokesperson for the Russian Foreign Ministry, Maria Zakharova, posted a photo of this on Telegram and called Zelensky a "complete idiot".

3.31 a.m.

Red Cross: Office in Donetsk destroyed in Russian attack

According to the Ukrainian Red Cross, an office of the aid organization was destroyed in a Russian attack in eastern Ukraine. It was located in a cultural center in the city of Kurakhove in the Donetsk region, according to the Red Cross. None of the staff or volunteers were injured. The organization stated that it condemned attacks on civilian objects and humanitarian organizations.

Thursday, October 24, 2024, 0.15 a.m.

EU paves the way for billions in new loans to Ukraine

Shortly after the breakthrough in negotiations with the USA, the Council of the European Union has approved the plans for the new billion-euro loans planned for Ukraine. The adopted legal texts stipulate in particular that interest income from assets of the Russian central bank frozen in the EU will be used to repay the loans. These will in future be passed on to Ukraine in the form of financial aid, as the EU member states' representatives explained late on Wednesday evening.

As part of the sanctions imposed by the EU against Russia, around 210 billion euros in assets of the Russian central bank have been frozen since February 2022. The extraordinary interest income from this is currently estimated at up to 2.5 to 3 billion euros per year.

Shortly before the EU's decision, the USA had announced that it would contribute 20 billion dollars to a loan package of up to 50 billion euros from the Group of the Major Western Industrialized Nations (G7). The EU had previously announced a maximum contribution of 35 billion euros (37.8 billion dollars), although according to German Finance Minister Christian Lindner, a loan of 18 billion euros is now planned for the time being. A further 10 billion dollars are to be provided by the UK, Canada and Japan.

According to information from Wednesday evening, the EU loan is to be disbursed this year. The maximum term is 45 years.

23.55 hrs

Romania's army checks suspicious missiles on the border with Ukraine

Suspicious flying objects have once again been spotted near the border with Ukraine in the NATO country of Romania. In connection with possible Russian attacks in neighboring Ukraine, an air alert was also triggered there. The radar system of the Romanian air force registered the two missiles about half an hour apart, according to the Ministry of Defense in Bucharest.

Two Romanian F-16 fighter jets had taken off to observe the objects, but had not made visual contact with them. The ministry added that it would investigate whether parts of these objects had crashed. It was initially unclear whether the objects were Russian drones. Bucharest had informed its NATO partners about the incident.

The first object was spotted by radar near the town of Chilia Veche on the Danube. The Ukrainian town of Kililja lies on the opposite bank. The missile flew westwards towards the city of Tulcea and disappeared from the radar 12 kilometers northeast of the city. The second object was registered a good 50 kilometers further south near Lake Razim, flew another 40 kilometers south and disappeared from radar near Jurilovca.

At the same time, the Civil Protection Unit (ISU) in the region northwest of the Danube Delta city of Tulcea declared an air alert and warned the population by text message that it was possible that "objects could fall from the airspace" in the near future due to feared Russian attacks on targets in Ukraine. The security authorities in Romania had issued corresponding warnings, according to the ISU.

There have already been several incidents of this kind in the region in question since the start of the Russian war of aggression against Ukraine, always in connection with Russian attacks on Ukrainian ports on the Danube. These are located just a few hundred meters from the border with Romania. The army has subsequently found debris from Russian drones on Romanian soil on several occasions.

Last week, Romania's air force also spotted two suspicious flying objects that had flown into Romanian airspace from the Black Sea. It is unclear whether these were Russian drones. NATO had accused Russia of violating Romanian airspace in connection with one of these incidents.

23:10

Ruling party hopes for a landslide victory in Georgian election

Ahead of the landmark parliamentary elections in the South Caucasus republic of Georgia, the ruling Georgian Dream party has reaffirmed its hopes of a landslide victory this Saturday at a final rally. In the capital Tbilisi, party founder and honorary chairman Bidzina Ivanishvili also accused the largest opposition party, the United National Movement, of tens of thousands of crimes during its time in government until 2012. He once again emphasized that he would have the party banned if he were to win a two-thirds majority. The pro-European opposition is also hoping for a victory.

Georgian Dream had organized buses to transport people from the country's Black Sea regions, some of which were far away, to the capital. The event was accompanied by security measures. "We want peace, we want higher incomes and we fully support our government," said one of the participants at the rally.

Many are describing the parliamentary elections scheduled for Saturday in the former Soviet republic as groundbreaking. Georgia has been a candidate for EU membership since the end of 2023, but the process has been put on hold due to the passing of controversial laws. The Georgian Dream party, which has been in power since 2012, pushed through a law to tighten control of civil society in the face of massive protests. Critics speak of a "Russian law". The rights of homosexuals and other sexual minorities were also curtailed. The EU accuses the country's leadership of pursuing an anti-European course.

Last Sunday, tens of thousands of people demonstrated on Freedom Square in favor of rapprochement with the European Union. The opposition in the country with a population of around 3.7 million is fragmented.

10.29 p.m.

Selenskyj thanks G7 states for fresh billions

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyi has thanked his Western allies for the billions in new aid. The 50 billion dollars from the G7 states will help Ukraine with its defense and resilience, as Zelensky said in his evening video message broadcast in Kiev. He was wearing a T-shirt with the inscription "make russia small again". The spokesperson for the Russian Foreign Ministry, Maria Zakharova, posted a photo of this on Telegram and called Zelensky a "complete idiot".

Zelensky emphasized that the money had to flow this year in order to help Ukraine in its almost 1,000-day defense against the Russian war of aggression. The group of seven major economic nations includes the USA, Canada, Germany, Italy, France, Great Britain and Japan. The USA alone will provide 20 billion dollars, the EU states 20 billion dollars and the UK, Canada and Japan 10 billion dollars.

Russia is to pay for this indirectly. The loan is secured by interest income from frozen Russian state assets. This is part of a package agreed by the G7 states and representatives of the European Union at a summit in June.

Russia has described the freezing of its assets abroad and the siphoning off of interest income as robbery that "will not go unpunished". Kremlin leader Vladimir Putin will also take questions from the media this Thursday at the conclusion of the Brics summit of emerging industrial nations in Kazan and is expected to once again comment on his war against Ukraine.

21.44 hrs

Renewed air alert on Romania's border with Ukraine

Another air alert has been triggered in the NATO country of Romania in connection with possible Russian attacks in neighboring Ukraine. The country's civil protection (ISU) informed the population of the region northwest of the Danube city of Tulcea by text message that it is possible that "objects could fall from the airspace" in the near future.

It is advisable to seek out cellars or other air raid shelters. The security authorities in Romania had issued corresponding warnings, according to the ISU. The Ministry of Defense in Bucharest did not initially comment on this.

Since the beginning of the Russian war of aggression against Ukraine, there have already been several such incidents in the region in question, always in connection with Russian attacks on Ukrainian ports on the Danube. These are located just a few hundred meters from the border with Romania. The army has subsequently found debris from Russian drones on Romanian soil on several occasions.

Last week, Romania's air force also spotted two suspicious flying objects that had flown into Romanian airspace from the Black Sea. It is unclear whether these were Russian drones. NATO had accused Russia of violating Romanian airspace in connection with one of these incidents.

20:33

Ukrainian Red Cross: Office in Donetsk region destroyed by Russian attack

A Red Cross office in the eastern Ukrainian region of Donetsk has been destroyed in a Russian attack, according to the aid organization. The Russian attack targeted the city of Kurakhove, as the Ukrainian Red Cross announced on Facebook. A cultural center in which the Red Cross office responsible for the Marinka district was located was also hit.

"Fortunately, none of the staff or volunteers were injured," it continued. The technology and other material in the office had also been destroyed. The attack on the office violated international humanitarian law, the Ukrainian Red Cross added.

Kurakhove is located west of the city of Donetsk and south of Pokrovsk, an important logistical base for the Ukrainian army, towards which Russian troops are advancing. Almost all residents have left Kurakhove.

In the neighboring northern Ukrainian region of Kharkiv, the authorities called on families to leave the village of Borova. The village is located between Isjum and the embattled city of Kupjansk, where around 10,000 residents had already been evacuated last week due to the ongoing Russian attacks.

Kupyansk was initially captured by Russian troops after the start of Moscow's war of aggression against Ukraine in February 2022, before Ukrainian troops recaptured the city around six months later. Repeated Russian attacks have severely damaged numerous buildings in Kupjansk and dozens of civilians have been killed.

Russian troops have been advancing in the east of the country for months and have now regained control of dozens of towns. Fighting also continued elsewhere on Wednesday. According to the regional governor, two people were killed in a drone attack in the southern city of Zaporizhia. According to the regional governor, two people were killed in bomb attacks in the Kherson region.

6.56 pm

Indian head of government meets Chinese President Xi

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping have held their first bilateral meeting in five years on the sidelines of the Brics summit in Russia. Details of the content of the talks were not known. The Indian Ministry of External Affairs announced a media conference.

The meeting took place a few days after the announcement of a border agreement between the two neighboring countries, which is intended to end a conflict that has been going on for four years, according to the Indian Ministry of External Affairs. Both countries had agreed to a deal to resume military patrols along their disputed border in the Himalayas. A deadly clash had occurred there in 2020. China confirmed the agreement and said both sides had agreed on solutions regarding their border.

Modi and Xi last met in southern India in October 2019, months before military clashes broke out on their disputed border. There has been no formal bilateral meeting since then. Chinese President Xi did not attend the G20 summit of leading economies and developing countries hosted by India in New Delhi last year.

3.55 pm

G7 agree on 50 billion dollar loan for Ukraine

The Group of Seven (G7), the seven major Western industrialized nations, has granted Ukraine a loan of 50 billion dollars (approx. 43.4 billion Swiss francs), secured by interest income from frozen Russian state assets. 20 billion of this should come from the USA, said Daleep Singh, the White House's deputy national security adviser for international economic affairs, on Wednesday. The remaining 30 billion dollars will be contributed by the European Union, Great Britain, Canada and Japan. "To be clear, nothing like this has ever been done before," Singh emphasized.

3:15 p.m.

USA confirm: North Korean troops in Russia

The US government has confirmed that North Korean troops are in Russia. US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said this to journalists on the fringes of a visit to Rome. "What exactly are they doing there? That remains to be seen," he said. "If they intend to participate in this war on behalf of Russia, then that is a very, very serious problem," the Pentagon chief emphasized with regard to the Russian war of aggression against Ukraine. This would not only have an impact in Europe, but also on the situation in the Indo-Pacific, he warned. Austin gave no further details.

1.46 pm

Berlin and London concerned about North Korean soldiers in Russia

Germany and Great Britain are very concerned about reports that North Korean soldiers are training in Russia for a possible deployment in Ukraine. German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius and his British counterpart John Healey made this clear at a joint press conference in London.

Pistorius said that there was little information so far, for example about the number of North Korean soldiers and their possible deployment. Nevertheless, it was a "new quality and a kind of escalation" in Russia's war against Ukraine, said the SPD politician. North Korea's support for Russia also had further international implications. He added: "I am quite concerned about the development."

"We both absolutely condemn this potential escalation," said Healey. It was highly likely that North Korea had sent soldiers to Russia. However, it is not clear whether they are already taking part in the fighting. Nevertheless, Healey described the development as a shocking escalation on Pyongyang's part and a sign of Russia's desperation in seeking support from a country like North Korea.

14:09

Putin brags about successes in Ukraine at Brics summit

According to the Kremlin, Russian President Vladimir Putin emphasized the successes of his army in the war against Ukraine to his interlocutors at the Brics summit.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said that the Ukraine crisis - as he called it - had played a role in all of Putin's bilateral meetings. "He emphasized the unwillingness of the Ukrainian side to hold any talks and the very, very positive dynamic for the Russian armed forces on the front," said Peskov, according to Russian agency reports.

The Kremlin leader spoke individually with the heads of state or government from China, India, South Africa and Egypt at the summit in Kazan on Tuesday.

2.02 pm

Allegedly 3000 North Korean soldiers already in Russia

According to the South Korean secret service, North Korea is said to have already sent a total of 3000 soldiers to Russia.

As reported by the official news agency Yonhap, the NIS (National Intelligence Service) made the statements during a closed session of the South Korean parliament. According to the report, the troops are located in military facilities in Russia, where they are presumably being prepared for deployment against Ukraine.

The NIS also assumes that North Korea will send a total of 10,000 soldiers to Russia by December.

11.46 am

Putin: Great interest in Brics in the Global South

At the Brics summit of emerging industrial nations, Russian President Vladimir Putin spoke of the desire of many countries in the Global South to join the organization.

There are more than 30 countries that want to join the alliance, Putin said in the Russian city of Kazan. Brics, which is named after the first member states Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa, has also included Iran, Egypt, Ethiopia and the United Arab Emirates since this year. However, according to the Kremlin, more than 20 heads of state and government have traveled to Kazan, mainly from Africa, Latin America and Asia.

"It would undoubtedly be wrong to ignore the unprecedented interest of the countries of the Global South and East in strengthening contacts with the Brics," said Putin, but added that an expansion should not be at the expense of the efficiency of the alliance.

6.15 a.m.

Ukraine expects first soldiers from North Korea in Kursk today

The head of the Ukrainian military intelligence service HUR, Kyrylo Budanov, expects the first North Korean soldiers to arrive at the front in Kursk, Russia, today. Budanov told the military blog "The War Zone". There is still no more precise information about the exact number of fighters and their equipment. North Korea rejects reports that it is entering the war alongside Russia.

5:20 a.m.

India's Modi offers to mediate with Putin

At the Brics Group meeting in Kazan, Russia, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi once again offered Kremlin leader Putin mediation in the Ukraine conflict. "We fully support the restoration of peace and stability as soon as possible," said Modi. India has not yet emerged as a mediator - unlike the United Arab Emirates, which recently joined Brics and has mediated several prisoner exchanges. According to Kremlin spokesman Peskov, Ukraine was also the subject of Putin's meeting with his most important guest, Chinese head of state Xi Jinping. Peskov does not say what specifically was discussed.

1.30 a.m.

Expansion of Nato-Ukraine command in Wiesbaden makes progress

According to Secretary General Mark Rutte, the establishment of the new NATO-Ukraine Command in Wiesbaden, Germany, is making progress. He believes that it could be fully operational by the end of the year, said the Dutchman on the fringes of a meeting with Estonian Prime Minister Kristen Michal in Tallinn. They are working very hard on this and many allies have already provided personnel. The establishment of the new Nato-Ukraine command with the name NSATU (Nato Security Assistance and Training for Ukraine) was decided at the alliance summit in Washington in the summer.

0.20 p.m.

Germany and the UK move closer together on defense

Germany and the UK want to work much more closely together on defense in the future. Federal Defense Minister Boris Pistorius (SPD) and his British counterpart John Healey want to seal this with a new agreement between the two countries in London this Wednesday, as announced by the German government.

The so-called Trinity House Agreement contains "concrete key projects for cooperation in all dimensions - air, land, sea, space and cyber". The jointly planned projects are also open to other allies and EU partners such as France, according to the press release.

The agreement includes, for example, German reconnaissance aircraft designed to detect submarines being stationed in Scotland in future in order to monitor the North Atlantic from there. Among other things, this is intended to better protect submarine cables from sabotage.

The German arms manufacturer Rheinmetall wants to build a new plant in the UK for the production of artillery barrels. Together with other allies, the two countries want to develop new and better long-range weapons and drones that can communicate with and be used by manned combat aircraft.

The two countries want to join forces on NATO's eastern flank and share logistics, storage and supply, according to the press release. The German Armed Forces have committed to deploying a brigade to Lithuania, while British troops are already stationed in Estonia. Sea-King helicopters, which Germany has handed over to Ukraine, are to be equipped with modern weapons.

In times of ever-increasing threats, particularly from Russia, Europe must invest more in its security, it was said, justifying the increased cooperation. "We are thus making a joint contribution to strengthening the European pillar within NATO," said Pistorius according to the press release.

For London, the aim is also likely to be to put its relationship with Europe, which has been damaged by Brexit, back on a new footing. British Defense Minister Healey praised the agreement as a "milestone" in the relationship with Germany and as a significant strengthening of security in Europe.

21.48 hrs

Estonia in favor of higher NATO target for military spending

Estonia's head of government Kristen Michal has called on the NATO partners to agree on a higher target for defense spending by the 2025 NATO summit in The Hague. "All allies should spend at least 2.5 percent," he said after a meeting with Nato Secretary General Mark Rutte in Tallinn. The previously official NATO target that each country should spend at least two percent of its gross domestic product (GDP) on defense each year "no longer corresponds to the reality of today's security situation".

The NATO states should therefore make the 2.5 percent a common goal. This would be "a signal to our opponents and our allies that our resolve should not be put to the test", emphasized Michal.

Estonia, with its 1.2 million inhabitants, borders Russia to the east. The Baltic state feels threatened by the Russian invasion of Ukraine more than two and a half years ago. The government in Tallinn is allocating 3.4 percent of its economic output to defense spending this year.

9.43 pm

Lindner: EU wants to contribute 18 billion to Ukraine loan

According to German Finance Minister Christian Lindner, the EU wants to contribute around 18 billion euros to an international loan to Ukraine. "This week we are on the verge of a breakthrough in our support for Ukraine," said the FDP leader during a visit to New York. He was grateful that the USA was likely to contribute 20 billion dollars. "This also clears the way for support from the European Union in the order of 18 billion euros."

At issue is a 50 billion dollar loan agreed by the seven major Western industrialized nations (G7) at a summit in June, which will be backed by interest income from frozen Russian assets. The parties are expected to reach an agreement by the end of the week.

21:24

Selensky calls for international pressure on North Korea

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyi is calling for international pressure on the leadership in Pyongyang due to possible combat operations by North Korean soldiers on Russia's side. "If North Korea can interfere in the war in Europe, then the pressure on this regime is definitely not enough," said Selenskyj in a video message. "It is clear that Pyongyang, like Moscow, does not count people and does not respect human lives." Such an expansion of the Russian war of aggression must be stopped, he said

20:01

Kremlin: Putin and Xi spoke about Ukraine and the West

According to the Kremlin, Russia's head of state Vladimir Putin and his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping spoke at length about the war in Ukraine and relations with the West at the Brics summit of emerging industrial nations. "As they are attacking both our interests and the interests of China, there were topics for exchange," Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said on Russian television, referring to the Western states. In matters of international politics, Moscow and Beijing have similar views and approaches.

Peskov characterized the conversation between Putin and Xi Jinping as concrete, but gave only vague details about the content. With regard to the war of aggression launched by Russia against Ukraine, he merely said that both leaders had "devoted quite a bit of time" to the topic, without going into details.

18:38

Poland accuses Russia of sabotage and closes consulate

The Polish government has ordered the closure of one of the three Russian consulates in the country. The background to this is Moscow's hybrid warfare against Poland and its allies, which includes sabotage and arson attacks, said Polish Foreign Minister Radek Sikorski on Tuesday. The employees of the consulate were no longer wanted in the country. Poland reserves the right to take further measures if these actions do not cease.

The spokesperson for the Russian Foreign Ministry, Maria Zakharova, promised a severe reaction from Russia to the closure of the consulate general in Poznan. Russia also operates consulates in Gdansk and Krakow.

Sikorski referred to the arrest of a Ukrainian citizen who had admitted to having been incited by Russian agents to carry out an arson attack in Wroclaw. The man is currently awaiting trial. Sikorski said that around 20 sabotage suspects were being investigated in Poland.

In an interview with the private television station TVN, Sikorski said that Russia was carrying out such arson attacks throughout Europe. "Putin must be deterred."

18:16

Putin: Relationship with China a stabilizing factor for the world

Russian President Vladimir Putin has described relations with China as an anchor of stability for a world marked by conflict. On the international stage, the relationship between Moscow and Beijing is "one of the most important stabilizing factors", Putin said on Tuesday as he welcomed head of state Xi Jinping at the Brics summit in Kazan, Russia. Putin promised China a further expansion of "coordination in all multilateral forums in the interests of global stability and a just world order".

Xi also referred to "tectonic upheavals" that have not been seen for centuries with regard to the previously Western-dominated world order. Against this backdrop, Chinese-Russian relations had reached an unprecedented level, Xi said.

5.42 pm

USA wants to contribute 20 billion dollars to Ukraine loan

The US government is planning to support Ukraine in its fight against Russia with a loan of around 20 billion dollars. "I would say that we will probably be able to contribute 20 billion dollars to the G7 countries' 50 billion package," said US Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen.

Specifically, this concerns a loan of 50 billion US dollars (approx. 43 billion Swiss francs), which the seven major Western industrialized nations (G7) agreed at a summit in June and which is secured by interest income from frozen Russian assets.

17:20

Zelenskyi expects NATO invitation soon after US election

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky expects progress towards an invitation to join the NATO military alliance after the US elections in early November. "Not because of the change of president, but because the USA's attention is now focused on the elections," said the head of state, according to a report by the Interfax-Ukraine news agency. The USA now wanted to avoid unnecessary risks and was therefore holding back with clear statements.

The Ukrainian president assumes that there is already a broad consensus regarding a NATO invitation to his country during the war with Russia. France, Great Britain and Italy would grant Kiev's request.

"With regard to Germany's reaction, the situation today depends to a large extent on the United States," said Selenskyj. A coordinated position between Washington and Berlin on the Ukraine accession issue could also convince skeptics such as Hungary and Slovakia. "We all have to work a lot with the German side," said the President. But the USA would tip the scales. The invitation would only be extended to Ukraine within its 1991 borders.

16.01 hrs

Putin wants to build Brics into a center of power

Kremlin leader Vladimir Putin wants to swear the Brics alliance to stronger cooperation, particularly in the financial sector.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov denied that Moscow's aim was to use Brics to combat the dominance of the US dollar on world markets. However, Putin had previously repeatedly criticized the dominance of the US currency and announced only a few weeks ago that he wanted to establish an independent payment and clearing system within Brics.

This is particularly relevant for Moscow in light of the war of aggression against Ukraine: as a result of the war, Western industrialized nations have imposed sanctions against Russia, which have hit the country's financial sector particularly hard. For example, Russia was cut off from the international payment information service Swift and access to dollars and euros was restricted. Putin therefore repeated the proposal to settle bilateral trade in national currencies in Kazan during several talks with his foreign guests, such as South Africa's President Cyril Ramaphosa.

However, Putin also sees the Brics as a political alliance. He is striving to build a new world order without the dominance of the West. At the same time, however, he also emphasized that the Brics alliance, which now also includes Iran, Egypt, Ethiopia and the United Arab Emirates, is not directed against anyone.

China and India, by far the two most populous states, are part of the Brics. According to the Kremlin, this also gives the alliance moral authority, as it speaks for the majority of the world's population.

The addition of new members is intended to give the organization further weight. In total, more than 20 heads of state and government have arrived. Russia sees them as potential candidates for membership. The rapprochement of NATO member Turkey is interesting in this respect. Its President Recep Tayyip Erdogan also flew to Kazan.

However, China's head of state and party leader Xi Jinping is regarded as the most important guest. China's backing is important for Putin's continued warfare in Ukraine. Like Moscow, Beijing is also interested in breaking the dominance of the West and sees the Brics as a possible instrument for this.

08.15 am

Dead after Russian drone attacks on Sumy

At least three people have been killed by Russian drone attacks in the north-eastern Ukrainian city of Sumy. "In the morning, the enemy hit a multi-storey residential building and objects of critical infrastructure," the military administration of the region announced on Telegram. A total of 25 Russian combat drones were shot down.

Ukraine has been defending itself against a Russian invasion for more than two and a half years. Since the Ukrainian advance into the neighboring Russian region of Kursk in August, the Sumy region has increasingly been the target of Russian attacks from the air.

5.10 a.m.

Poland demands access to secret annexes of Zelenskyi's victory plan

Poland's Deputy Foreign Minister Wladyslaw Bartoszewski has stated in an interview with the Polish news agency PAP that Warsaw wants to examine the secret annexes to the victory plan presented by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyi last week. When presenting the victory plan, Zelenskyi pointed out that the full text would not be published and that only selected partners who were essential for its implementation would be given access to the secret annexes of certain sections. Bartoszewski explained that Poland was not one of the countries that had received full information about the plan. "When Germany talked about sending helmets to the Ukrainians, we sent 320 tanks. So our contribution was obviously significant," emphasized the Polish Deputy Foreign Minister. "For this reason, I can say with full conviction that we should have access to these files," he explains.

4.56 p.m.

In the shadow of war, Putin invites to Brics summit

Two and a half years after his order to attack Ukraine, Russian President Vladimir Putin presents himself as host to allied and neutral states at the summit meeting of the so-called Brics Group. Until Thursday, 24 foreign heads of state and government are expected in Kazan, capital of the Muslim-dominated republic of Tatarstan on the Volga. The abbreviation Brics stands for the initials of the first five members of the group of emerging industrial nations: Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa.

The most important guest in Kazan is Chinese head of state Xi Jinping, with whom Putin will hold bilateral talks on Tuesday. According to Putin's advisor Yuri Ushakov, 36 countries are represented. Ukraine will also be a topic in the Kremlin leader's talks with guests such as UN Secretary-General António Guterres, Ushakov announced.

Putin wants to stand up to the G7 states with the Brics group. He sees the group of states as an opportunity to break the dominance of the USA in international politics and build a new multipolar world order. Following the founding members, the United Arab Emirates, Egypt, Ethiopia and Iran have now also joined the group of states. NATO member Turkey wants to participate in Kazan as an interested party.

At the summit, Russia hopes to promote financial cooperation in particular. An alternative to the Western system of financial data exchange, Swift, and the establishment of a joint bank are the main aims, Putin announced before the summit. However, not all Brics members follow the Kremlin leader's anti-Western course. Countries such as India and Brazil maintain foreign policy and economic cooperation in many directions.

Hardly any of the countries represented have condemned the Russian war of aggression against Ukraine. Iran even supports Russia militarily, while China provides Russia with backing and access to weapons-grade technology. At the same time, Brics members China, Brazil and South Africa have each made their own proposals for an end to the fighting in Ukraine. However, none of them deviate much from the Russian position; for Kiev, the proposals are all unacceptable. The United Arab Emirates has mediated the exchange of prisoners between Russia and Ukraine several times behind the scenes.

The summit in Kazan, which has been dressed up for the occasion, is taking place under enormous security precautions. Parts of the city are cordoned off for the conference. To empty the streets during the summit, children have been sent on extended vacations and many employees are working from home.

Tuesday, October 22, 2024, 2:02 a.m.

UK announces billion-euro loan for Ukraine

The UK wants to support Ukraine in its fight against Russia with a billion-euro loan. The UK is planning a loan of the equivalent of 2.55 billion Swiss francs, which will be financed from profits from frozen Russian assets, the British news agency PA reported. The money is the British contribution to a 50 billion dollar loan package agreed by the G7 group.

The money could be used to finance air defense, artillery and other military equipment, PA reported. Finance Minister Rachel Reeves has promised Ukraine her country's unwavering support.

The seven major Western industrialized nations (G7) had agreed new financial aid for Kiev at a summit in June. The loan of 50 billion dollars is to be secured by interest income from frozen Russian assets. The G7 includes the USA, Canada, the UK, Italy, Japan, France and Germany. Representatives of the EU also take part in meetings of the G7 group.

21:51

Selenskyj calls on soldiers in Kursk to persevere

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has called on his soldiers to hold out on the conquered bridgehead in the Russian region of Kursk. Contrary to many reports that Russian troops are pushing the Ukrainians back there, Zelenskyi said: "We are holding our ground and I thank every soldier for their bravery."

As the President said in his evening video message, he had discussed the situation with Commander-in-Chief Olexander Syrskyi and Chief of General Staff Anatoly Barhylevych. "We must not forget that the Kursk operation serves a strategic purpose. The war must return to the area from which it started. This is the case when a buffer zone is created on the territory of the aggressor," said Selensky.

With the surprising advance at the beginning of August, Ukraine had brought the ground war onto Russian territory for the first time. The Kursk operation enabled Ukraine to take prisoners and exchange them for its own soldiers from Russian captivity, said Selensky. The fighting in the Kursk region was continuing, the Ukrainian General Staff announced in its report for Monday evening.

7.27 pm

US Secretary of Defense pledges new military aid in Kiev

During a visit to Kiev, US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin has announced further military aid for Ukraine worth 400 million dollars. "I traveled to Ukraine for the fourth time as Secretary of Defense to show that the United States, along with the international community, continues to stand with Ukraine," Austin wrote on Platform X.

Austin met with President Volodymyr Zelenskyi and Defense Minister Rustem Umyerov in the Ukrainian capital. According to the US Department of Defense, the package includes ammunition for Himars rocket launchers, artillery ammunition and mortar shells. Additional M113 armored personnel carriers, small arms and related ammunition will also be provided.

5.35 p.m.

Moldova: EU course narrowly accepted

In a referendum in the former Soviet republic of Moldova, the population has voted by a wafer-thin majority in favor of anchoring the EU course in the constitution. According to the electoral commission, 50.46 percent of participants voted in favor of amending the constitution after all ballot papers had been counted.

3.09 pm

Dead in Zaporizhia after Russian missile strike

At least two people have been killed in a Russian missile attack in the south-eastern Ukrainian industrial city of Zaporizhia. At least 15 others were injured, according to Governor Ivan Fedorov.

a monday morning in Zaporizhzhia, Ukraine where russians turned to dust a kindergarten. genocide is russian culture pic.twitter.com/3iN3c0hhdK

— вареничок.eristavi 🇺🇦🏳️‍🌈 (@maksymeristavi) October 21, 2024

Ballistic missiles fired by the Russian military hit a residential area. There was damage to over 30 buildings, Fedorov wrote. Infrastructure facilities were also damaged. The front line between Russian and Ukrainian troops runs just under 30 kilometers southeast of Zaporizhia.

2.08 p.m.

North Koreans in Putin's army "considerable escalation" for Nato

Nato is concerned about the possible involvement of North Korean troops in the Russian war of aggression against Ukraine. "If North Korea were to send troops to fight alongside Russia in Ukraine, this would represent a significant escalation," said Nato Secretary General Mark Rutte after talks with South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol.

On October 18, Yeol announced that according to his country's intelligence service, North Korean troops were already in Russia. According to the information, around 1,500 soldiers were transported in Russian ships to Vladivostok, where they are presumably being prepared for deployment in the Ukraine war.

⚡️⚡️⚡️ North Korea 🇰🇵 has joined Russia 🇷🇺 & Iran’s 🇮🇷 war against Ukraine 🇺🇦 - a fact now confirmed by South Korean 🇰🇷 intelligence.

In this video, North Korean soldiers are being fitted with Russian uniforms.

👉 The West must wake up: We are at war. We must defeat this evil. pic.twitter.com/yFWDbso4JX

— Jason Jay Smart (@officejjsmart) October 18, 2024

In total, North Korea is said to have decided to send around 12,000 soldiers for support, including special units. A spokeswoman for the Federal Foreign Office told journalists in Berlin that they have been observing ever closer cooperation between Russia and North Korea for some time and are urging North Korea to refrain from any form of support for Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine.

"It is also somewhat desperate when North Korean capabilities now have to be invoked," she added. "And that this would be a form of escalation is of course perfectly clear." Rutte had said on 18 October after a meeting of defense ministers of the alliance states in Brussels that it was not yet possible to confirm the active involvement of North Korean soldiers in the war.

12.40 pm

Update Moldova: New EU course approved

In a referendum, the people of the former Soviet republic of Moldova have voted by a narrow majority in favor of enshrining the goal of EU accession in the constitution. This was announced by the electoral authority.

12.30 p.m.

Russia demands proof of election manipulation

Russia has called on the pro-Western Moldovan President Maia Sandu to provide evidence of election manipulation from abroad, which she complains about. The allegations are quite serious, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told Russian news agencies.

"If she says that she got too few votes because of some criminal gangs, she should present the evidence," Peskov said. Rather, the preliminary results showed that many people in the former Soviet republic did not agree with Sandu's policies.

Sandu won the first round of the presidential election, according to the election commission in Chisinau. However, the 52-year-old will have to run in a run-off election on November 3 against former Prosecutor General Alexandru Stoianoglo from the Socialist Party of pro-Russian ex-president Igor Dodon.

Sandu had complained during the night about an unprecedented attack on the election by anti-democratic forces and stated, for example, that 300,000 votes had been bought with millions of euros by criminal groups in collusion with a foreign power. She did not give any details.

Kremlin spokesman Peskov accused Sandu's government of an unfree election campaign because the pro-Russian opposition had been deprived of opportunities for agitation. Several Russian-language media had been blocked in the country.

Despite bans and the persecution of pro-Russian forces, it had become clear that many Moldovans did not support Sandu's policies, said Peskov. "That deserves attention." The ex-Soviet republic, which is a candidate for EU membership, is traditionally torn between Russia and the West.

11.30 a.m.

Again: Oligarch falls to his death from a window

Another Russian oligarch has fallen to his death from a window: Mikhail Rogachev has fallen from the tenth floor of his Moscow apartment and died, according to the Telegraph. According to Russian media, the fall is being treated as a suicide.

BREAKING:

The Russian oligarch and former vice-president of the oil giant Yukos, Mikhail Rogachev, mysteriously died yesterday after falling out of a window of his 11th-floor apartment in Moscow. pic.twitter.com/njRcKVPu6D

— Visegrád 24 (@visegrad24) October 20, 2024

The 64-year-old was once vice-president of the oil giant Yukos until it was nationalized. He then worked for the investment company Onexim Group before joining the mining company Norilsk Nickel.

Rogachev's body was apparently found by an agent of the foreign intelligence service SWR on October 19.

11.16 a.m.

Update Moldova: Wafer-thin majority in favor of EU course

In a referendum in the former Soviet republic of Moldova, after almost all votes had been counted, the people apparently voted by a wafer-thin majority in favor of anchoring the EU course in the constitution.

After 98.3 percent of the ballot papers had been counted, 50.08 percent of participants voted in favor of the amendment to the constitution, in which the pro-European course is to be irrevocably enshrined as a strategic goal, according to the electoral commission. Around 49.92 percent were against.

In view of the predictably extremely close outcome of the election, however, the final result could still differ from the count in the morning. Previously, it had long looked as if the opponents were ahead.

During the night, President Maia Sandu had complained of massive electoral fraud. She left open whether she would recognize the result. The 52-year-old came first among the eleven candidates in the presidential election held at the same time, but fell short of an absolute majority and will therefore have to go to a run-off on November 3.

10.57 a.m.

South Korea now also wants to send troops

Because Russia apparently wants to deploy North Korean soldiers in the war against Ukraine, Seoul and Kiev are spinning together on the other side, reports PimNews from South Korea.

"With Ukrainian President Zelensky showing great concern over North Korea's attempt to deploy troops, it is very likely that he has asked the South Korean government to send a military support group or specialized personnel," a source said.

According to an intelligence official, Seoul is considering "sending an appropriate number of personnel consisting of experts" to Ukraine. They are to help Kiev - for example if North Koreans are caught or desert. They are also to support the Ukrainian army in fighting these troops.

According to Kim Soo-kyung, Vice Minister for Reunification, the North Korean soldiers could be deployed in Kursk.

9.20 a.m.

South Korea summons Russian ambassador

South Korea's foreign ministry has summoned the Russian ambassador to Seoul. At the meeting, Vice Foreign Minister Kim Hong Kyun conveyed his regrets to diplomat Georgy Zinoviev about the deployment of North Korean soldiers to Russia, as reported by the Yonhap news agency.

Zinoviev made no statement to journalists present after the meeting at the Foreign Ministry. On October 18, South Korea's National Intelligence Service (NIS) accused the North Korean army of sending around 1,500 soldiers to support Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine.

According to the NIS, the soldiers have been transported in Russian ships to Vladivostok, where they are presumably being prepared for deployment in the war in Ukraine. In total, North Korea is said to have decided to send around 12,000 soldiers for support, including special forces.

As the NIS also reported, the soldiers are to be given Russian uniforms and false identities in order to conceal their true origins. The secret service based its information on satellite images and facial recognition software, which was used in cooperation with the Ukrainian secret service.

North Korean soldiers at one of the russian military training grounds.

The head of the Ukrainian Defense Intelligence, Budanov, says that the first 2,600 North Korean troops will be sent to the Kursk region by November 1. pic.twitter.com/FmsaaAzSxb

— Serhii Sternenko ✙ (@sternenko) October 18, 2024

South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol spoke of a serious security threat "not only to our country but also to the international community".

9 a.m.

Huge corruption scandal rocks Ukraine

Following a major case of fraud and corruption in the judiciary and healthcare system, even by Ukrainian standards, Zelenskyi also announced a special meeting of the National Security and Defense Council in his video message. In the western Ukrainian region of Khmelnytskyi, authorities had launched an investigation into almost 50 public prosecutors who had allegedly bought themselves a disabled status in order to avoid going to war, for example.

When something like this happens, the country does not need external enemies, said Selenskyj. "This is really an internal enemy." He called on the secret service and the general prosecutor's office to take firm action. The scandal shook the country after an investigative journalist made the machinations public.

According to the media report, the public prosecutors probably also received disability pensions. According to the report, some had already obtained this classification before the start of the war because it made it more difficult to dismiss them and give them preferential treatment for promotions.

Zelenskyy: I am waiting for the SSU’s reaction regarding the corruption scandals in MSEC • ANTIKOR ... https://t.co/dXnFwTOrdA

— ANTIKOR (@antikorua) October 20, 2024

The scandal was triggered by the arrest of the head of the medical-social expert commission for assessing degrees of disability in the Khmelnytskyi region at the beginning of October. The woman, who sat on the regional council for Zelenskyi's party, is said to have classified thousands of Ukrainians as disabled and unfit for military service in exchange for bribes.

The equivalent of over five million euros in cash was confiscated during house searches. Millions more were discovered in accounts abroad and elsewhere. The doctor's son also managed the pension fund in the region and was therefore responsible for the payment of special pensions.

A photo showed him lying on a bed with bundles of dollars. The investigations that have been launched should not be limited to the public prosecutor's office in the Khmelnytskyi region, but should also extend to other public prosecutor's offices.

votre Ukraine ? voilà à quoi sert la vache à lait européenne, aux pourritures😡
encore un cas corruption😡
5 millions USD en espèces chez une députée régionale de Khmelnitsky en vendant de faux certificats
l'ampleur de la corruption dans ce pays n'est qu'une goutte d'eau .😡 pic.twitter.com/kV0EWsAuFA

— patrick (@patcollectors1) October 21, 2024

According to the non-governmental organization Transparency International, Ukraine, which is striving to join the EU and NATO, is one of the most corrupt countries in Europe after Russia. In the course of the Russian war of aggression, which has been going on for more than two and a half years, scandals have been uncovered time and again, not least involving the military.

Following the Russian invasion in February 2022, mobilization was ordered in Ukraine. Men of military age between 18 and 60 are only allowed to leave the country in exceptional cases. In contrast, people who have been invalided out due to a disability can leave the country just as freely as their sole guardians.

8.42 a.m.

US Secretary of Defense makes a surprise visit to Kiev

US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin has arrived unannounced for talks in the Ukrainian capital Kiev. "I have traveled to Ukraine for the fourth time as Secretary of Defense to show that the United States, along with the international community, continues to stand with Ukraine," Austin wrote on the X platform.

I’m back in Ukraine for the fourth time as Secretary of Defense, demonstrating that the United States, alongside the international community, continues to stand by Ukraine. pic.twitter.com/0gCwAqqEpK

— Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III (@SecDef) October 21, 2024

According to media reports, talks are planned with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and Defense Minister Rustem Umyerov on further arms deliveries, among other things. The USA is the largest military and financial supporter of the Eastern European country since the start of the Russian war of aggression in February 2022.

6.36 am

Fateful election in Moldova: Complaints of manipulation

In the presidential election in the former Soviet republic of Moldova, the pro-Western president Maia Sandu has complained of an unprecedented attack on the vote by anti-democratic forces. Criminal groups, together with a foreign power, had attempted to destabilize the situation in Moldova.

The country's leadership, which is striving to join the EU, sees Russia as the greatest threat to the republic's stability. There is evidence that 300,000 votes were bought, Sandu said during an appearance in the capital Chisinau last night. Tens of millions of euros had been spent to spread lies and propaganda.

"We are dealing with an unprecedented attack on freedom and democracy in our country," Sandu was quoted as saying by local media. She wants to wait for the final result and then make decisions.

The 52-year-old did not give any details. However, Moldovan security forces had already uncovered voter bribery and pro-Russian disinformation in the country of around 2.5 million inhabitants, which lies between Ukraine, which is under attack from Russia, and the EU member state Romania, before the elections.

Sandu is running for a second term in office. After more than 90 percent of the ballot papers had been counted, she fell short of an absolute majority with around 39 percent of the votes and would therefore have to go into a run-off in two weeks' time. Her opponent will most likely be former Prosecutor General Alexandru Stoianoglo, who received around 28% of the vote and is running for the traditionally strong Socialist Party of pro-Russian former President Igor Dodon. A total of eleven candidates were running.

A referendum ran parallel to the presidential election in the country, which is an official candidate for EU membership. Sandu's aim is to have the country's EU course irrevocably enshrined in the constitution as a strategic goal.

After more than 98% of the votes had been counted, it appeared that the majority were in favor of the constitutional amendment. The opposite had been expected.

5.11 a.m.

According to Schmyhal, Ukrainian anger was due to "misunderstanding"

According to Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Schmyhal, the anger towards Switzerland over the Sino-Brazilian peace plan was due to a "misunderstanding". He said that he did not doubt Switzerland's support on the road to peace.

In an interview with the "Neue Zürcher Zeitung" on Monday, Schmyhal said that a Swiss representative had attended an event organized by Brazil and China as an observer on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly. The representative did not agree to the negotiation plan. "We have clarified this issue. It was a misunderstanding," said the Ukrainian Prime Minister.

There was no doubt that Switzerland supported the path to peace on the basis of the UN Charter and international law. Everyone was convinced that a compromise had to be found with Brazil, China and India for the next peace summit.

Schmyhal wanted to point out that Ukraine was grateful to Switzerland "for organizing the Bürgenstock Conference and supporting President Zelensky's peace formula." He discussed this with the President of the Swiss Confederation, Viola Amherd, and Foreign Minister Ignazio Cassis last Thursday. Schmyhal was in Lausanne as part of the conference on demining in Ukraine.

At the end of September, Ukraine expressed its displeasure at Switzerland's support for a peace plan presented by China and Brazil to end the Russian-Ukrainian war. "All initiatives that do not contain a clear reference to the UN Charter and do not guarantee the full restoration of Ukraine's territorial integrity are unacceptable," the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Kiev wrote in a commentary.

Switzerland supports the initiative by China and Brazil because it calls for a ceasefire and a political solution to the conflict, a spokesperson for the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA) told the Keystone-SDA news agency.

4 a.m.

Eyewitnesses: Explosions shake Kiev

Heavy explosions have reportedly been heard again in the Ukrainian capital Kiev. Eyewitnesses reported several loud detonations. The exact effects and possible damage of the attacks were initially unclear.

The reports came less than three hours after a previous Russian airstrike. Kiev's mayor Vitali Klitschko had previously called on the population to exercise caution via the short message service Telegram. "Stay in the shelters." The Ukrainian air defenses were deployed to fend off the Russian attack.

2.10 a.m.

Three countries forge fighter jet coalition

In view of the war in Ukraine and the many new conflict scenarios around the world, Japan, Great Britain and Italy want to accelerate the joint development of a next-generation fighter aircraft.

The defence ministers of the three countries announced that a trilateral intergovernmental organization would be established by the end of the year to work with the manufacturers of the aircraft. The three countries agreed to jointly produce a new fighter aircraft in 2022, which should be operational by 2035. This is due to concerns about a growing threat from Russia, North Korea and China.

Monday, October 21, 2024, 1:46 am

Moldova's president deplores unprecedented election manipulation

In the presidential election in the former Soviet republic of Moldova, pro-Western President Maia Sandu has lamented an unprecedented attack on the vote by anti-democratic forces. Criminal groups, together with a foreign power, had attempted to destabilize the situation in Moldova. The country's leadership, which is striving to join the EU, sees Russia as the greatest threat to the republic's stability.

There is evidence that 300,000 votes were bought, Sandu said during an appearance in the capital Chisinau last night. Tens of millions of euros had been spent to spread lies and propaganda. "We are dealing with an unprecedented attack on freedom and democracy in our country," Sandu was quoted as saying by local media. She said she wanted to wait for the final result and then make decisions. The 52-year-old did not give any details. However, Moldovan security forces had already uncovered voter bribery and pro-Russian disinformation in the country of around 2.5 million inhabitants, which lies between Ukraine, which is under attack from Russia, and the EU member state Romania, before the election.

Sandu is running for a second term in office. After counting more than 90 percent of the ballot papers, she fell short of an absolute majority with around 39 percent of the votes and would therefore have to go into a run-off in two weeks' time. Her opponent will most likely be former Prosecutor General Alexandru Stoianoglo, who received around 28% of the vote and is running for the traditionally strong Socialist Party of pro-Russian former President Igor Dodon. A total of eleven candidates were running.

A referendum ran parallel to the presidential election in the country, which is an official candidate for EU membership. Sandu's aim is to have the country's EU course irrevocably enshrined in the constitution as a strategic goal. After more than 92% of the votes had been counted, it appeared that the majority had spoken out against the constitutional amendment. The opposite had been expected.

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