SEPTEMBER 2024
September 2
Russia Will Amend Nuclear Weapons Doctrine
Russian threats to use nuclear weapons are a tactic to keep America out of the war. Russia is amending its doctrine on the use of nuclear weapons as a response to perceived Western involvement in the Ukraine war. The comments came at a time when Russia is battling an incursion into its Kursk region by Ukrainian troops and amid growing attacks on Russian territory by Kyiv using Western weapons. The previous nuclear weapon accord signed by Vladimir Putin in 2020 outlines nuclear weapons as a means of deterrence and an “extreme and compelled measure.”
September 3
International Community Criticizes Mongolia
Ukraine’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs criticised Mongolia for failing to arrest Putin who arrived in the country on Monday. The International Criminal Court (ICC) issued an arrest warrant for Putin on war crimes charges last year. It obliges the court’s 124 member states to arrest the Russian president and transfer him to The Hague for trial if he sets foot on their territory. Mongolia is an ICC member. Ukrainian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Heorhii Tykhyi said Mongolia’s failure to detain Putin was “a heavy blow to the International Criminal Court and the system of criminal law.”
Romania to Donate Patriot Missile System to Ukraine
Romania has approved sending one of the nation’s two Patriot Arm Defense Systems to Ukraine. The bill has been passed onto the upper house of parliament and once President Klaus Iohannis signs the bill into law, the government will issue an order for the donation to go ahead. Romania decided to donate one of its two operational Patriot systems – one of five such systems and other strategic air defence units pledged by NATO states to Kyiv – on condition that allies replace it with another Patriot system at a later date.
September 4
Zelensky Asks Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau to Advocate for Ukraine Amongst Western Allies
During a cu_people_phone call between Ukrainian President Zelensky and Canadian Prime Minister Trudeau, the Ukrainian state asked Canada to advocate for the Ukrainian use of Western weapons to strike military targets inside Russia.
September 5
Switzerland WIll Provide Asylum to Ukrainian Refugees Until at least 2026
The Swiss government has decided to extend the S protection status of people from Ukraine until March 4, 2026. The government opted for an cu_people_phone_ext because the situation in Ukraine has not yet stabilised. Given the need for further action in the field of integration, particularly in the workplace, the government has also extended the support measures. These focus on language acquisition and access to training and the job market.
September 6
Putin Comments on the Success and Objective of Kursk Incursion
President Vladimir Putin said on Thursday that Ukraine’s incursion into the Russian region of Kursk had failed to slow Russia’s advance in eastern Ukraine and had weakened Kyiv’s defences along the frontline. Putin, speaking at the Eastern Economic Forum in Vladivostok, said that Russian forces were now gradually pushing Ukrainian soldiers out of Kursk. Ukraine had weakened its defences elsewhere and allowed Russia to accelerate its push into the eastern Donbas area.
Andrii Sybiha Approved as Ukraine’s New Foreign Minister
Andrii Sybiha takes over from Dmytro Kuleba as Ukraine’s Foreign Minister, who had led the foreign ministry since 2020 but was ousted as President Volodymyr Zelensky began the biggest reshuffle of government roles since Russia launched its full-scale invasion in February of 2022. Sybiha was earlier the deputy chief of staff for Zelensky, before being promoted to first deputy minister for foreign affairs in April.
650 Missiles Ready to be sent to Ukraine by the United Kingdom
The United Kingdom has pledged to send 650 Lightweight Multirole Missiles (LMM) to Ukraine. The package is primarily funded through the UK’s £3 billion a year financial package for Ukraine, and contributions from Norway through the International Fund for Ukraine (IFU) and follows the Prime Minister and Defence Secretary’s commitment to stand by Ukraine will continue for as long as it takes.
September 7
The US Warns Iran over Transfer of Ballistic Missiles to Russia
A representative of the White House National Security Council, responding to VOA’s request for comments on recent reports of the Islamic Republic’s delivery of ballistic missiles to Russia, warned that such actions would have consequences for the Iranian government. In a statement, spokesperson Sean Savett wrote, “We are aware of these concerning reports, and the transfer would represent a dramatic escalation in Iran’s support for Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine.” Savett said that the United States has been warning about the “deepening security partnership between Moscow and Tehran” since the onset of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
Canadian Filmmakers Documentary “Russians at War” Labelled ‘Propaganda’ Amidst Criticism
Ukrainian politicians and cultural figures criticised the screening of a Canadian filmmaker’s war documentary as propaganda. Anastasia Trofimova presented at the Venice Film Festival “Russians at War”, in which she embedded with a Russian battalion as it advanced across eastern Ukraine after Moscow launched its invasion in February 2022. The screening sparked outrage across Ukrainian cultural and political circles against what many consider a pro-Kremlin film that seeks to justify Moscow’s assault.
September 9
Sweden Provides Ukraine with Another Defence Package Valued at $445million
Sweden will send its 17th aid package to Ukraine with further military support totalling 4.6 billion Swedish crowns ($443 million), Defence Minister Pal Jonson said on Monday. The new package will include ammunition for infantry fighting vehicles already donated by Sweden, as well as purchases that would facilitate a transfer of Gripen fighter jets in the future, though no such transfer has been decided on yet.
Report Warns European Union Buying too Much Defence Equipment Abroad
A report on EU Competitiveness warned that tEU member states are too reliant on purchasing defence equipment from abroad, with roughly two-thirds of the supplies coming from the United States. This is viewed as a failure to invest in joint military projects. The 27 member states are also failing to make the best use of Europe’s research and development capacities to modernize their armed forces. The report comes as the EU continues to struggle to find enough weapons and ammunition to help Ukraine survive the full-scale Russian invasion, and kickstart Europe’s defence industry.
September 10
Trump and Harris Clash Over US Policy in Ukraine
During the presidential debate, former President Donald Trump skirted around a direct question about his desire for Ukraine to win its war against Russia. This emphasises concerns that a second Trump administration could suspend military support for Kyiv. Trump continued and said that if elected, he would negotiate a deal even before becoming president and suggested the United States was “playing with World War Three.” Democratic presidential candidate, Kamala Harris, quickly responded to Trump’s remarks, saying that if Trump had been president during the invasion, then “Putin would be sitting in Kyiv with his eyes on the rest of Europe.”
September 12
American State Secretary Announces $700 Million More in Aid for Ukraine
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, during his visit to Kyiv, unveiled more than $700 million in humanitarian aid to support the nation in its fight against Russia. The finaical aid package includes $325 million dedicated for energy sector assistance for Ukraine to repair Ukraine’s power grid, which has been damaged by Russian attacks. Nearly $290 million will provide humanitarian support, including shelter, food and winter supplies for displaced Ukrainians and refugees. An additional $102 million will be used for demining efforts, helping to clear landmines and unexploded ordnance left by Russian forces.
Iran’s Foreign Minister Commends Allegations of Missile Transfers
Iran’s Foreign Minister, Abbas Araghchi, spoke out against allegations made by Western countries that Tehran has supplied ballistic missiles to Russia for use against Ukraine. Araghchi claimed that the US and its allies were acting on “faulty intelligence”. The foreign minister also called the US, the UK, France and Germany “sanctions addicts”, referring to announcements on Tuesday that they would be punishing the alleged transfers of missiles to Russia with sanctions, including on national carrier Iran Air.
September 13
US General Said Russian Counter-Offensive in Kursk is Marginal
Russia recently launched a counterattack in the Kursk region, which has been partially held by Ukrainian forces since the start of the cross-border incursion on August 6. This Russian-led counteroffensive is “marginal” at this stage said Pentagon spokesperson, Major General Pat Ryder. The Russian Defense Ministry has claimed that Russian soldiers have regained control of ten settlements as of September 12 but no Western sources can verify these claims.
British Prime Minister and American President to Meet and Discuss Western Weapons Striking Ukraine
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and United States President Joe Biden will meet in Washington, DC, on Friday and are expected to discuss whether to let Ukraine use Western-supplied long-range missiles against Russia – something that Kyiv has long been pushing for. Vyacheslav Volodin, the chairman of Russia’s State Duma, the lower house of parliament, has accused NATO of being a party to military action in Ukraine, suggesting it was already heavily involved in military decision-making. Volodin’s comments came after Russian President Vladimir Putin warned that the West would be directly fighting with Russia if it allowed Ukraine to strike Russian territory with Western-made long-range missiles, a move he said would alter the nature of the conflict.
September 17
Russian Forces Captured the Ukrainian City of Ukrainsk in Eastern Donetsk
Russian forces captured the Ukrainian town of Ukrainsk in the eastern Donetsk region on Tuesday as they advanced westwards in a bid to take the whole of the Donbas, Russian state-run RIA news agency and pro-Russian war bloggers reported. The General Staff of Ukraine’s military, in a late evening report, said nothing about Ukrainsk changing hands, referring to it as one of several localities under Russian attack. It said 34 assaults had been recorded near the town of Pokrovsk. In August Russia advanced at its fastest monthly pace in two years according to open-source maps.
Germany’s Foreign Minister Announced an Additional $111million in Aid for Winter
German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock has promised to step up aid to Ukraine ahead of the frigid winter months. The announcement came as Russian forces continued attacks on critical energy infrastructure in Ukraine’s Sumy border region.
September 19
America Wants More Information on How Ukraine Would Use Western Weapons to Strike Russia
US officials told The Associated Press news agency that Washington wants more detailed information about how Kyiv plans to use the Western-supplied long-range weapons it says are necessary for strikes deep inside Russia, and how they would fit into its broader strategy for the war.
September 20
Russian Attacks on Ukrainian Energy Sector Violation of International Law
The United Nations Human Rights Monitory Mission in Ukraine released the findings of their study that Russian attacks against the Ukrainian energy sector, which have increased in scale and frequency, violate international humanitarian law.
European Parliament Adopts Non-Binding Agreement Over Western Weapon Usage
The European Parliament voted and adopted a non-binding agreement calling for EU member states to allow Ukraine to utilise Western weapons to strike Russia. Following the vote, Vyacheslav Volodin, speaker of Russia’s lower house of parliament and a close ally of Putin, warned Western governments of nuclear war if they approved of the weapons’ use.
Russia Drone Production Increase
Russian President Vladimir Putin stated that Russian drone production will be increased by ten times, increasing the amount of total drones produced to a total of 1.4 million.
September 21
Russia Casualties Hit 70,000
According to the BBC and an independent Russian news source Mediazona, approximately 70,000 Russian casualties have occurred since the full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022. The total was calculated from publicly available information and official reports, however, the BBC believes the actual number of casualties to be much higher.
European Commission Provides Ukraine with $39million
On a visit to Kyiv, the president of the European Commission, President Ursula von der Leyen announced the European Union would lend Ukraine as much as $39million backed by revenues from frozen Russian assets to help the country “keep warm” in the upcoming winter.
September 22
Ukraine Strikes Two Russian Ammunition Depots
Ukraine has announced that it has struck two Russian munition depots in the Krasnodar and Tver regions. This demonstrates Ukraine’s capability and willingness to strike targets deep inside Russia.
September 23
Ukraine in Talks to Secure More Fighter Jets
The Defence Minister of Ukraine, Rustem Umarov, announced that Kyiv is in talks with European partners to secure the Swedish-made Gripen and European-made Eurofighter Typhoon jets.
September 24
American “Decisive Actions” Could End Russian Aggression Towards Ukraine
Ukrainian President Zelensky said that “decisive action” by the United States could quicken the end of Russia’s aggression towards Ukraine. This appeal comes as Zelenksy plans a trip to the United States to seek approval to use Western weapons to strike Russia.
Rights in Russia Deteriorating
The Special Rapporteur of the UN, Mariana Katzarova told reporters that the rights situation in Russia has worsened in the past year. This comes amid a “state-sponsored system of fear and punishment” as arbitrary arrests have increased and prison conditions have worsened. It is estimated that there are currently more than 1,300 political prisoners in Russia. Katzarova also said that there is evidence to suggest that pardoned Russian convicts that have served in Ukraine for reduced sentences have committed offences such as rape and murder once returning home from the front. It is estimated that 170,000 violent criminals have been recruited to serve in Ukraine.
September 25
Putin to Chair a Meeting on Nuclear Deterrence
Vladimir Putin will chair an upcoming meeting of the Russian Security Council on nuclear deterrence. This is in response to further escalation of the war as Moscow weighs its response to Ukraine’s requests to the West for allowance to utilise their weapons to strike deep into Russia.
September 26
Two Ukrainian Villages in the Donetsk Captured
The Russian Ministry of Defense said its forces had captured the Ukrainian villages of Hostre and Hryhorivka in the eastern Donetsk region. These two villages are just outside the major Ukrainian army stronghold of Vuhledar. The General Staff of Ukraine’s military reported clashes in the Vuhledar area and the mayor of Vuhledar reported reconnaissance groups in the town.
Donald Trump Makes Comments Regarding Ukraine’s Defense
Donald Trump said that Ukraine should have made concessions to Putin in early 2022 instead of going to war. At a rally in North Carolina Trump also said that even “the worst deal would’ve been better than what we have now.”
Russian Nuclear Threshold Amended
Russian President Putin has lowered the threshold for a Russian nuclear response. Moscow will now consider any attack by a non-nuclear country supported by a nuclear country as a joint offence. Putin did not directly name or address Ukraine.
September 28
Russia Developing Attack Drone with Chinese Backing
Reports have emerged that Russia and China are engaged in developing a new attack drone program for the war in Ukraine. This report is deeply concerning for the EU and complicates China’s official stance of neutrality with the direct support of Russia’s war operation.
September 30
Ukraine to Unveil ‘Victory Plan’ to the Public
Ukrainian authorities had promised to only unveil the ‘victory plan’ after consultation with Western powers. After many rounds of consultation between Ukraine and Western nations, Zelensky and Yermak are ready to release the non-sensitive parts of the victory plan to the public.
Putin Says All Goals in Ukraine Will Be Accomplished
Upon the second anniversary of “Reunification Day,” Putin repeated his justifications for invading Ukraine and the annexation of four regions with the rhetoric of neo-Nazism and dictatorship that will isolate Ukraine from its historic homeland of Russia. Putin also criticised “Western elites” who “turned Ukraine into their colony, a military base aimed at Russia” and who fanned “hate, radical nationalism… hostility to everything Russian.” Putin finished his address by saying, “Today, we are fighting for a secure, prosperous future for our children and grandchildren.”