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Stay on top of Russia-Ukraine war 09-05-2024 developments on the ground with KyivPost fact-based news, exclusive video footage, photos and updated war maps.
Ukraine began its offensive in the Kursk region, aiming to force Russia to shift its forces from the Donetsk region. However, Russian troop numbers in the Pokrovsk sector have not decreased.
Russia has moved 60,000 military personnel to the Kursk region in response to the Armed Forces of Ukraine offensive, Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky said in an interview with NBC News.
He said that one of Ukraine’s offensive goals was to draw Russian troops into the area.
Serbia’s Deputy Prime Minister Aleksandar Vulin described his country as an “ally of Russia” on Wednesday, as he met Putin on the sidelines of an economic forum in Vladivostok.
The EU on Thursday warned Serbia that keeping strong ties with Moscow was “not compatible” with its aspiration to join the bloc, after a top government official met with Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Serbia’s Deputy Prime Minister Aleksandar Vulin described his country as an “ally of Russia” on Wednesday, as he met Putin on the sidelines of an economic forum in Vladivostok.
Russian President Vladimir Putin said Moscow aimed to capture the entirety of Ukraine’s Donbas and surprisingly, voiced his support for US Democrat presidential nominee Kamala Harris.
Russian President Vladimir Putin said the Kremlin is pushing to occupy the entirety of Ukraine’s Donbas region, claimed that Kyiv weakened its defense by attacking Kursk, and surprisingly, voiced his support for US Democrat presidential nominee Kamala Harris – perhaps with a hint of irony.
Speaking to an audience at Thursday’s Eastern Economic Forum, in the far eastern port city of Vladivostok, Putin claimed he was open to peace talks, a notion some Russian officials recently described as “impossible” after the Kursk incursion.
Drones, play a lead role in the war in Ukraine but the early reliance on off-the-shelf Chinese machines has gone. Domestic technology and techniques are now at the forefront of today’s “Drone Wars.”
Drones play an increasingly important role in modern warfare. They are used at all levels – as short-range scouts, long-range reconnaissance tools, bombers, and as kamikaze aircraft. The Armed Forces of Ukraine (AFU) use them extensively and in such large numbers that Russian forces are unable to keep pace with the rates of destruction of its armored vehicles.
The Russians have also learnt the value of drones which they actively deploy to support their offensive operations in the Donbas and other parts of the battlefield.
The abrupt changes this week in Ukraine’s government raise a number of questions about the direction the country is heading.
We know that Ukraine is at war, and its leader and his closest and most trusted aides need to be trusted and respected. But that should not mean that, even in these abnormal times, anything goes, and that the very basic principles related to democracy, openness and accountability, can be flouted.
The manner in which the removal, replacement, or redeployment of some of the country’s senior officials has just been carried out is unfitting for a country that is a democracy and is waging a war against Russia’s imperialistic despotism in democracy’s name.
The EU is closely monitoring personnel changes in Ukraine’s Cabinet of Ministers and hopes for continued strong cooperation.
The Verkhovna Rada appointed new ministers for Foreign Affairs and Justice amid a significant government reshuffle on Thursday, Sept. 5, lawmaker Yaroslav Zheleznyak reported on Telegram.
This week, the Cabinet of Ministers has seen a major personnel overhaul, with several ministers resigning and others transitioning to new roles.
A Ukrainian aerial scout told Kyiv Post that while the technology shows promise, several challenges are still being addressed – such as accurate targeting, limited ammunition, and rapid reloading.
A video showing a Ukrainian FPV drone, reportedly equipped for the first time with an AK-74 assault rifle, firing at Russian positions in the Donetsk region has been circulating on social media.
The footage was released by the “Wild Hornets” unit, a group of volunteers that manufactures FPV attack kamikaze drones for the Armed Forces of Ukraine (AFU) on a volunteer basis.
Russian news site reports that property insurance rates against terrorist acts and sabotage have gone through the roof, particularly in border areas while demand for cover has grown too.
Companies seeking insurance for operations in Russia have seen a sharp increase in the insurance rates for commercial entities and reductions in liability limits because of Ukrainian drone attacks, Moscow’s state news agency Kommersant reported on Thursday.
According to its reporting, some companies operating in Russia can’t obtain any coverage, particularly in the regions bordering Ukraine, where the risks are high enough that more and more insurance companies will not issue protective policies.
The world in focus, as seen by a Canadian leading global affairs analyst, writer and speaker, in his review of international media.
Consumer goods giant Unilever has received Russian government approval to sell its assets in Russia, the RBC business daily reported on Wednesday, citing unnamed sources familiar with the matter. Unilever and Russia's finance ministry declined to comment - Reuters
Ukrainian lawmakers began voting in Kyiv on September 4 on the possible dismissals of cabinet members and other senior officials after a spate of resignations tendered in the past 24 hours that followed President Volodymyr Zelenskiy's suggestion of a looming government shake-up. Deputies dismissed one deputy prime minister and three ministers, but the session did not take up the fate of one of the highest-profile resignations, that of Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba. Kuleba, one of the main faces of Kyiv's efforts to gird international support since Russia's unprovoked invasion of Ukraine began in February 2022, submitted his resignation earlier in the day. Commenting on Kuleba's and the rest of the 22-member cabinet's futures, Zelenskiy said on September 4 that "we need new energy, and these steps relate to strengthening our state in various areas." Parliament speaker Ruslan Stefanchuk informed the public of Kuleba's resignation, as well as those a day earlier of two deputy prime ministers and three cabinet ministers as part of what could be the biggest cabinet overhaul since Russia's full-scale invasion began 36 months ago. - RFE/RL
The Netherlands will increase its defence budget by 2.4 billion euros ($2.7 billion) to 24 billion euros, the government announced in its annual defence memorandum.
The Dutch government announced a multi-billion-euro boost in its defence spending Thursday, investing in tanks, jet fighters, and frigates to bolster the NATO alliance against "ruthless Russian aggression."
The Netherlands will increase its defence budget by 2.4 billion euros ($2.7 billion) to 24 billion euros, the government announced in its annual defence memorandum.
Videos circulating on the internet show small groups of protestors holding Ukrainian flags and anti-war banners during Russian President Vladimir Putin’s visit to Mongolia.
Mongolian police detained protestors on Tuesday, Sept. 3, near Ulaanbaatar’s Government Palace upon Russian leader Vladimir Putin’s official visit to the country.
Videos circulating on the internet show local protestors unfurling a long Ukrainian flag on an empty street, some holding anti-war placards and banners addressing Putin as a war criminal, before they were surrounded by local police and later arrested.
Russian President Putin often comments on political and social issues in the United States, often in a mocking way.
Russian President Vladimir Putin said Thursday he supported Kamala Harris in November's US presidential election, an apparent wry remark a day after the United States issued indictments accusing Moscow of vote interference.
Putin often comments on political and social issues in the United States, often in a mocking way.
Shortly after Serbia announced a $3 billion deal to buy 12 French Rafale multi-purpose fighter aircraft, there were rumors that Belgrade would provide MiG-29 warplanes to Ukraine.
In a move that signaled a shift away from reliance on Russia for weapons supplies, Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić announced the completion of a €2.7 billion ($3 billion) contract to buy 12 French Dassault Rafale fighter aircraft on Aug. 29.
The deal, which had previously been flagged during a visit to Paris in April and took almost two years to finalize, was announced during a joint news conference in Belgrade with French President Emmanuel Macron, who was on a two-day visit to Serbia.
His resignation is part of a larger government reshuffle, with several top officials also stepping down earlier in the week.
Ukraine's parliament accepted the resignation of Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba on Thursday, Sept. 5. Kuleba, well-known in the West for advocating Kyiv's positions and requesting military aid to defend against Russia.
"Parliament dismisses Dmytro Kuleba from the post of Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine," lawmaker Yaroslav Zheleznyak said, adding 240 lawmakers had voted to accept his resignation.
Novorossiysk, which has become one of the main bases of Russia’s Black Sea Fleet after it was driven out of Crimea by Ukrainian strikes, was hit by maritime drones overnight.
In the early hours of Thursday, Sept 5, unmanned surface vessels (USV) maritime drones attacked the port of Novorossiysk, according to Mayor Andrey Kravchenko.
Novorossiysk is one of Russia's key ports on the Black Sea which holds strategic importance for the country’s military logistics.
Over the first day of voting, lawmakers voted for a change of the Minister for Strategic Industries, Environmental Protection, Justice, and Eurointegration.
Ukraine’s parliament, the Verkhovna Rada, approved the resignation of Minister for Strategic Industries Oleksandr Kamyshin, the Minister of Justice Denys Maliuska, the Minister of European Integration Olha Stefanishyna, and the Minister of Environmental Protection Ruslan Strilets on Wednesday, Sept. 4.
Out of seven submitted resignations announced by the parliament speaker Ruslan Stefanchuk, Ukrainian lawmakers agreed to four.
The ongoing government reshuffle is the most significant shake-up to Ukraine's civilian leadership since Russia invaded two and a half years ago.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said Wednesday his government needed "new energy" during a major reshuffle that saw Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba and several others hand in their resignation.
The ongoing government reshuffle is the most significant shake-up to Ukraine's civilian leadership since Russia invaded two and a half years ago.
Two fighter jets were scrambled from Baranovichi airfield to intercept the drones. The first fighter was deployed around 1:30 a.m., followed by another at 2:20 a.m.
In the early hours of the morning, Russian “Shahed” kamikaze drones were shot down over the city of Gomel, Belarus, according to reports from Belaruski Gayun. Explosions were heard in the region, with two blasts recorded at 1:34 a.m. and 1:36 a.m.
Belaruski Gayun also noted that fighter jets were scrambled from Baranovichi airfield to intercept the drones. The first fighter was deployed around 1:30 a.m., followed by another at 2:20 a.m.
As a state that recognises the ICC's authority, the onus was on Mongolia to arrest the Russian autocrat. Europe's press evaluates the situation.
Despite the warrant for his arrest issued by the International Criminal Court in The Hague, Russian President Vladimir Putin has travelled to Mongolia. Putin was received by President Uchnaagiin Chürelsüch and a guard of honour in Ulaanbaatar on Tuesday. As a state that recognises the ICC's authority, the onus was on Mongolia to arrest the Russian autocrat. Europe's press evaluates the situation.
A betrayal of kidnapped Ukrainian children
The 43-year-old -- Ukraine's youngest ever foreign minister when President Volodymyr Zelensky appointed him in 2020 -- is the best-known figure to be on the way out in a major government reshuffle.
Dmytro Kuleba -- who offered to resign as Ukraine's top diplomat Wednesday -- tirelessly toured the world pleading for more military support and for Kyiv to be given the green light to strike targets deep inside Russia.
The 43-year-old -- Ukraine's youngest ever foreign minister when President Volodymyr Zelensky appointed him in 2020 -- is the best-known figure to be on the way out in a major government reshuffle.
Leaked Russian state documents reveal Moscow secretly acquired sensitive goods from India to support its war in Ukraine, bypassing Western sanctions, according to a Financial Times report.
Russia has secretly obtained sensitive goods from India and explored setting up facilities there to secure components for its war effort, according to a report by the Financial Times (FT) based on leaked Russian state correspondence.
In October 2022, Moscow’s industry and trade ministry, which oversees defense production in support of Vladimir Putin’s invasion of Ukraine, drafted confidential plans to spend approximately Rs82bn ($1bn at the time) on obtaining critical electronics through covert channels. These plans aimed to evade detection by Western governments.
War in Ukraine - Latest update, key takeaways and map from the Institute for the Study of War on September 4, 2024
Key Takeaways from the ISW:
Tech giant Yahoo has appointed Valeri Liborski, a tech specialist originally from Ukraine with experience in Amazon and Microsoft, to head the company’s global engineering team.
Yahoo, a US-based tech company and web service provider, has appointed Valeri Liborski, a tech engineer originally from Ukraine, where he also grew up, as its chief technology officer (CTO).
Talks to provide Ukraine with the Joint Air-to-Surface Standoff Missiles (JASSM) were reportedly in place, though actual deliveries might take months.
US officials said Joint Air-to-Surface Standoff Missiles (JASSM) might be included in Washington’s autumn aid package for Ukraine, Reuters reported Tuesday, Aug. 3.
Speaking anonymously in an unauthorized discussion, three sources told Reuters that Washington was close to an agreement but has yet to finalize its decision to allow deep strikes with long-range air-to-ground weapons.
US indicts two Russians on election-meddling charges; Death toll rises to 53 in Poltava attack, 65 still in critical condition; Report: Russian economy to plummet due to sanctions and labor shortage.
The Financial Times reported Wednesday that the Russian Central Bank is forecasting a drop of nearly four percent in the country’s GDP after this year, blaming labor shortages and the increasing effects of Western sanctions.
The International Monetary Fund issued a report with similar projections, echoing observations that government and private consumer demand has outpaced supply for most goods.
