During the Ukrainian military operation in Russia’s Kursk Oblast, launched in August 2024, the Russians have lost nearly 8,000 soldiers. The Ukrainian Air Assault Forces also reported the destruction or damage of a significant amount of Russian equipment and weapons, including 58 tanks, 162 infantry fighting vehicles, and 136 artillery systems, among others. Furthermore, Ukrainian forces captured roughly 300 Russian soldiers and seized multiple military assets such as 9 tanks and 4 armoured personnel carriers.
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A video purported to depict voter fraud in Georgia has been debunked as fake and stated to be the product of “Russian influence actors” by U.S. intelligence officials. They warned that attempts to undermine the upcoming elections may persist, with Russia expected to create and release further media content that looks to undermine trust in the integrity of the U.S. electoral system. The video, developed by Russian disinformation network Storm-1516 (aka CopyCop), claimed to show a Haitian immigrant intending to vote multiple times using several fake Georgia IDs. The original video has since been taken offline but versions continue to be shared. Intelligence chiefs announced that another manufactured video falsely accusing someone associated with the Democratic candidate of taking a bribe from a U.S. performer has also been attributed to Russia.
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Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has implored western allies to devise robust strategies for aiding Ukraine as it braces for combat with North Korean soldiers on their soil. The plea surfaced as it was revealed that these troops are expected to fight with their Russian cohorts, with an estimated 8,000 North Korean forces having arrived in Russia’s Kursk Oblast for participation in the war. While these forces are yet to engage in warfare, President Zelensky foresees this occurring in a matter of days. As Zelensky calls for new military alliances, such as an Asian Security Alliance between Japan, South Korea and possibly China, to counter the Russia-North Korea collaboration, he urges the West and international institutions to react strongly to Putin’s testing of global reactions with the military build-up at Ukraine’s border.
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Major General Alexander Ogloblin, former head of Russia’s military communications department, has been arrested for allegedly accepting a bribe of 10 million rubles ($103,000) from a telecommunications company to secure defense ministry contracts. Ogloblin had already been sentenced to four and a half years for embezzlement in February 2022 but was released early after implicating his former superior, Vadim Shamarin, in his testimony. His second arrest comes following statements against him by Shamarin, as part of a plea deal with investigators. Shamarin was accused of receiving procurement kickbacks. The arrest is seen as a crackdown on serving and former defense officials linked to former defense minister Sergei Shoigu.
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Russia’s torture of Ukrainian civilians and captives of war is a crime against humanity, according to the UN. The ongoing investigations are examining the use of violent practices and sexual violence as a form of torture at Ukrainian detention centres controlled by Russians. Detainees reported “routinely harsh practices” as well as violent treatment during interrogations, with surveillance cameras used to observe them. The investigators say the authorities took no action to stop the torture or ill-treatment, and evidence suggests that the Russian authorities acted intentionally to torture civilians and prisoners of war, constituting a coordinated state policy.
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Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has criticised the inadequate reaction of western allies to the involvement of North Korean troops in Russia’s conflict with Ukraine. The US and South Korea have called on China to use its influence over Russia and North Korea to prevent escalation. Anton Blinken, the US Secretary of State, said around 8,000 North Korean troops are currently stationed in Russia on the border with Ukraine, with the belief that Russia is preparing to deploy them. China has so far remained silent on the situation. Meanwhile, Russian forces have reportedly captured another village in eastern Ukraine.
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The US has imposed sanctions on 19 privately-owned firms from India and two Indian nationals, claiming they have assisted Russia’s war efforts in Ukraine. The action puts further strain on the US-India relationship, already burdened by allegations that India had plotted to assassinate a Sikh separatist on US soil. The firms are accused of exporting microelectronics and other dual-use goods to Russia, aiding in its weapons systems. The move aims to prevent third-country evasion of sanctions. The companies named are Ascend Aviation India, Mask Trans, TSMD Global and Futrevo, all of which allegedly supplied critical components to Russia.
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A Russian court has fined Google two undecillion roubles ($20 undecillion), a fine that is significantly larger than Google’s worth and the world’s total GDP. The fine, which is constantly increasing, has been imposed because Google restricted Russian state media channels on YouTube. Google has not yet responded to the fine.
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Hungarian Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó is facing criticism for his planned participation in a security forum in Minsk, where he will engage with senior officials from Russia, Belarus and Syria. Observers are lambasting Hungary, a NATO member, for its growing relationship with Russia while the latter continues to wage war on Ukraine. French MEP Nathalie Loiseau criticised Hungary’s government, stating, “the Hungarian government never wastes an opportunity to shame us.”
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South Korea’s UN ambassador, Joonkook Hwang, warned that North Korean soldiers sent to aid Russia in Ukraine will end up as “cannon fodder” and their pay will go directly to North Korean leader Kim Jong-un. Russia has reportedly been struggling to find enough manpower for its military, resorting to substantial signing bonuses and conscripting prisoners, and has turned to allies like North Korea and Iran for help. Hwang, speaking at a UN Security Council briefing, echoed comments made by the US and Ukraine about Russia’s tactics in the war. Reports suggest North Korea has sent thousands of troops to aid Russia in its war against Ukraine.
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John Q. Hosedrinker