UNITED24 Media Telegram Highlights
Russian Military Drone Crashes in Latvia
On Saturday, a Russian military drone crashed in Latvia’s Rezekne region, according to the Latvian Ministry of Defense.
China's top diplomat, Wang Yi, will visit Russia on September 11-12, according to the Chinese Foreign Ministry. Invited by Russian Security Council Secretary Sergei Shoigu, Wang Yi, a member of the Communist Party's Politburo and head of the Central Commission for Foreign Affairs, will attend the 14th BRICS Meeting of senior security officials and national security advisors in St. Petersburg.
China to Continue Efforts for Political Settlement in Ukraine Conflict, Says President Xi Jinping [Any results of these efforts are so far not notable]
Ukraine Developing “Drone Catcher” Systems to Combat Shaheds
Ukrainian engineers are working on several “drone catcher” systems and aim to start producing “Shahed killers” by 2025, according to Bild.
The project has three stages: kamikaze quadcopters, aircraft-type kamikaze drones, and “Shahed killers.”
The first stage is already in progress, with small drones reprogrammed for air combat, taking down around 50 Russian UAVs weekly. However, quadcopters have limited range, so the second stage involves creating fixed-wing drones, or “interceptors,” capable of pursuing enemy UAVs up to 60 km away.
The third stage aims to develop drones that can intercept and destroy Shahed-type UAVs, with speeds of at least 200 km/h and ranges of 200-500 km. Ukraine hopes to reach this stage by 2025.
Ukraine Develops High-Precision Glide Bomb for Strikes on Russian Military Targets
Ukraine has developed its own high-precision glide bomb, which Forbes reports could become a “key weapon” for targeting Russian military facilities.
A prototype was recently captured on video during tests by a Ukrainian fighter jet. The bomb features a rocket booster, retractable wings, and a GPS system, with a range of up to 65 km.
Russia Sends LNG Tanker Through Arctic to Asia for the First Time
For the first time, Russia has sent a liquefied natural gas (LNG) tanker through the Arctic to Asia, despite the risks posed by floating ice floes. The tanker, Everest Energy, is 21 years old and sails under the flag of Palau. However, due to U.S. sanctions, many countries are revoking flag rights for vessels carrying Russian energy resources, making passage through key shipping routes increasingly difficult.
This attempt to navigate the Arctic seems to be Russia's effort to establish a new route. However, it's unlikely to become a regular option, as September is the easiest month for Arctic shipping, and colder months will make the route much more challenging.
As a result of the damage received after previous strikes on the Crimean bridge, the structural elements of the bridge are degrading, which leads to the collapse of its individual parts, — ATESH
The Swedish government has unveiled a new military aid package for Ukraine valued at SEK 4.6 billion (approximately EUR 400 million). This assistance is designed to address Ukraine's most urgent military needs and to support future operations. The package includes equipment donations, direct purchases, specialized equipment kits, and financial support, demonstrating Sweden's ongoing commitment to aiding Ukraine in its defense efforts.
EU May Suspend Funding to Slovakia Over Democratic Norm Violations, — Bloomberg
The European Commission is considering suspending funding to Slovakia due to Prime Minister Robert Fico's decision to abolish the special prosecutor's office, which handled corruption cases related to EU funds, according to Bloomberg sources. The process is still in the early stages and requires approval from European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen.
EU funds account for around 80% of Slovakia's public investments, and losing this support could significantly harm the country's economy, which is already dealing with budget deficits.
The Commission is exploring the use of the conditionality mechanism, which allows the EU to freeze funds when its investments are at risk. This could affect part of the €12.8 billion allocated to Slovakia. Additionally, the Commission may seek the return of all or part of the €2.7 billion in Covid-19 recovery grants, as the creation of the special prosecutor’s office was a condition for receiving those funds
Payment Difficulties Hit Russians Holding Yuan Savings, — Moscow Times
Russians who chose to keep part of their savings in yuan are now facing rising costs for transferring their funds, as Russian banks have sharply increased tariffs for yuan transfers. According to Moscow Times, several banks now charge over 6% in fees for such transfers.
The increased tariffs are a consequence of difficulties in making payments in Chinese currency, exacerbated by U.S. threats of secondary sanctions on foreign banks assisting Russia. This situation has led some Russians to extend their deposits with the same bank or withdraw cash to avoid losing their savings. Additionally, one of Russia's largest brokers has recently stopped allowing yuan withdrawals from accounts.
Google prohibits the registration of new accounts for Russian numbers, as a result of the new package of US sanctions, Russian media reported