BCritical intelligence services see the tightening of a Russian law on “foreign agents” as a precautionary measure by the Kremlin in view of possible domestic resistance to the Ukraine war. “The Kremlin is believed to be acting pre-emptively to avoid greater popular opposition as the war continues and increasingly impacts the daily lives of Russians,” the Defense Ministry’s daily briefing said on Wednesday.
In June, Russia decided to significantly tighten the already widely criticized law on “foreign agents”, which is due to come into force at the beginning of December. Any organization or individual that is supported from abroad or is under any form of “foreign influence” can now be declared a “foreign agent”. Until now, the law stipulated that non-governmental organizations could only be declared “foreign agents” if they financed themselves with funds from abroad.
Since the beginning of the Russian war of aggression against Ukraine at the end of February, the British Ministry of Defense has published daily information on the course of the war, citing intelligence information. In doing so, the British government wants to both counter the Russian portrayal and keep allies in line. Moscow accuses London of a disinformation campaign.
All developments in the live ticker:
09:20 – Fire in Russian oil storage facility on the border with Ukraine
A fire broke out in an oil storage facility in the Russian region of Briansk on the border with Ukraine. The fire affected a camp in the Surashsky region, Governor Alexander Bogomas announced on the Internet. Rescue workers and the fire brigade are on site. He did not provide any information about the cause of the fire. There are no reports of victims.
According to the governor, an area of 1800 square meters was affected by the fire. More than 80 people were involved in putting out the fire. The Russian news agency Tass later reported that the fire had now spread to an area of 4,000 square meters.
9:02 a.m. – According to its own statements: Ukrainian army repels Russian attacks in Donbass
According to the Ukrainian army, it has fended off an advance of Russian troops in six locations in eastern Donbass. This was announced by the General Staff in Kyiv. All sections of the front in the Luhansk and Donetsk regions were under fire from Russian artillery, it said. However, the military information could not be independently verified. Fierce fighting has long been reported from the Donbass, although the course of the front has hardly changed in recent weeks.
According to the civil Ukrainian administration, 30 Russian artillery shells were fired on Wednesday night at the city of Nikopol in the Dnipropetrovsk region. Nikopol is located in southern Ukraine on the Dnipro River, which forms the front line there.
08:20 – The current situation in Ukraine
The current situation in Ukraine
Source: Infographic WORLD
6:24 a.m. – Scholz: The offer of the Patriot delivery to Poland is still on the table
According to Olaf Scholz, the offer to the NATO partner Poland to provide German Patriot air defense systems still exists. “Our offer to the Polish government to protect our own country is still there.” The Polish government had suggested that Germany should station the Patriot systems in Ukraine.
In a conversation with him, Volodymyr Zelenskyy thanked him for the German arms deliveries so far, Scholz said in Berlin, but did not respond to Warsaw’s suggestion. “We have just launched new delivery options for the Cheetah and will continue to work on providing the very efficient Iris T,” he said, referring to the anti-aircraft gun tank and anti-aircraft system already delivered to Ukraine . Scholz did not give any details.
06:00 – Ukraine reports numerous Russian airstrikes on infrastructure
According to the Ukrainian General Staff, Russia has shelled numerous objects of civilian infrastructure in Ukraine. According to a statement from the military leadership in Kyiv, a total of 26 airstrikes and one rocket attack were registered. “And there is still a risk that the enemy will launch missile attacks on critical infrastructure facilities deep in the rear.” available”.
On Tuesday, Ukraine demanded Patriot air defense systems from NATO, such as Germany has, among others. Patriots need Ukraine “most urgently,” said Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba on the sidelines of the NATO foreign ministers’ meeting in Bucharest, without explicitly naming Germany.
05:59 – Macron arrived in Washington for a state visit
French President Emmanuel Macron has arrived in Washington for a state visit. Macron and his wife Brigitte landed at Andrews Air Force Base in Maryland on Tuesday evening. For Joe Biden, Macron is the first state guest since taking office in January 2021. The White House is thus returning to the diplomatic pomp that had to be dispensed with due to the corona pandemic.
At their White House meeting scheduled for Thursday, Macron and Biden are likely to address a variety of issues: Iran’s nuclear program, China’s growing influence in the Indo-Pacific region and concerns about the security situation in the Sahel, according to US and French government circles. But the two are likely to be most concerned with the Russian war against Ukraine. Both Biden and Macron are keen to maintain economic and military aid to the government in Kyiv.
04:59 – Ukraine finalizes digital trade deal with UK
Great Britain and Ukraine have agreed on a digital trade agreement. “This agreement means our businesses and governments can work even more together, giving Ukrainians access to essential goods and services that digital trade offers,” said UK Trade Secretary Kemi Badenoch. It will help protect jobs, livelihoods and families now and in Ukraine’s post-war period. The agreement covers areas such as simplifying digital border processes, cross-border data flows, electronic transactions and electronic signatures. This is the first agreement of this kind for Ukraine since the beginning of the war.
01:34 – Governor: Ukraine attacks power plant in Russia’s Kursk region
Russia has accused Ukraine of attacking a power plant in Russia’s Kursk Oblast. “A total of about eleven rockets were fired. A power plant was hit,” the governor of the region wrote on Telegram. That is why there are partial power cuts in the Sudzha and Korenevo districts. The districts are located on the north-eastern border of Ukraine. There was no immediate information about possible injuries or casualties, he added. The reports could not be independently verified. Ukraine has not yet claimed responsibility for the attacks. Russian authorities have repeatedly accused the government in Kyiv of attacking targets such as power lines, fuel and ammunition depots in regions bordering Ukraine.
1:00 am – Finland’s Prime Minister calls for more weapons for Ukraine
Finnish Prime Minister Sanna Marin has called for more arms and other support for Russia-invaded Ukraine. One must ensure that Ukraine wins the war, Marin said in Auckland. It was the first visit by a Finnish head of government to New Zealand.
When asked by a reporter what kind of soft power smaller states like Finland and New Zealand could wield, Sarin replied: “We need hard power when it comes to Ukraine.” The country needs weapons, financial and humanitarian support. “And we have to make sure that the refugees fleeing Ukraine are welcome in Europe.”
Sanna Marin wants to make sure Ukraine wins the war
Source: AP/Andrew Medichini
11:22 p.m. – Ukraine reports difficult situation at the front
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has reported on a difficult situation at the front. “Despite extremely high losses, the occupiers are still trying to advance in the Donetsk region, to gain a foothold in the Luhansk region, to penetrate into the Kharkiv region,” he said in his evening video address. “They are planning something in the south.” The information cannot be independently verified.
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