UNITED24 Media Telegram Highlights
Zelenskyy has refuted the Wall Street Journal’s report, which claimed that Ukraine’s military has lost up to 80,000 soldiers. Zelenskyy stated that the actual number is much lower.
The United States is working to provide Ukraine with the capability to target Russian positions from where they are shelling Ukrainian cities and infrastructure, according to Michael Carpenter, senior director for European affairs at the US National Security Council.
Meanwhile, The Times speculates that the US and UK may discreetly allow Ukraine to use Storm Shadow missiles for strikes deep into Russian territory, without making any formal public announcement.
Sanctioned shadow fleet tankers have resumed exporting Russian oil, as reported by Bloomberg. These vessels, previously idling for months near Russian ports due to sanctions from the U.S., EU, and the UK, have started to move again, exporting oil primarily to China and India.
At least 17 tankers, according to ship tracking data, have departed from Russian ports carrying crude oil or petroleum products since April. This process has notably accelerated in August and is expected to increase even more in September. The tankers, once discreet about their destinations, are now openly listing China and India as their end points.
Currently, 11 sanctioned tankers are stationed in the Pacific port of Kozmino, seven near Ust-Luga in the Baltic Sea, and several more in the Black Sea and Murmansk, awaiting further action.
The U.S. is bolstering its naval and military presence near Alaska in response to increased Russian and Chinese activity in the region, as reported by Politico. Over the past month, the U.S. Navy deployed the USS Sterett destroyer near Alaska’s coast, while army units armed with long-range missile systems have landed on a remote Alaskan island. Fighter jets and other aircraft stationed in Alaska have also been put on high alert.
Russia recently conducted an unsuccessful test of the RS-28 "Sarmat" intercontinental missile, which allegedly ended in failure. The missile possibly exploded inside the mine, causing a large crater and severe damage to the test site. The failure may have occurred during the missile's refueling process.
The "Sarmat" strategic missile complex officially entered combat duty on September 1, 2023. However, it has experienced at least four failed tests, with the only successful one occurring in April 2022. The RS-28 "Sarmat" is a key component of Russia's strategic nuclear modernization program.
Antonov expects the confiscation of a Russian An-124 "Ruslan" aircraft that has been grounded in Canada since February 2022.
The European Union has opened the Office of Defense Innovations in Ukraine, according to the Ministry of Digital Transformation of Ukraine. This move marks a significant milestone in advancing Ukraine's Defense Tech market, providing greater opportunities and investment for Ukrainian companies.
The Red Cross mission in Viryliubivka came under attack, involving both artillery fire and a Lancet drone, which is exclusively used by Russian forces, according to the Office of the Prosecutor General of Ukraine.
Recent drone attack on a military base in Toropka, Tver region, has significantly impacted Russia's ammunition supplies, according to Colonel Ants Kiviselg, head of the intelligence center of the Estonian Defense Forces. He stated that the strike destroyed around 750,000 munitions, weighing a total of 30,000 tons.
Given that the Russian military uses approximately 10,000 rounds per week, this represents a critical loss of supplies intended to last two to three months.
Ukraine has the capacity to produce more than several million drones annually, according to Defense Minister Rustem Umerov. In an interview on the "Edyny Novyni" telethon, Umerov stated that while the government had announced plans to purchase over a million drones this year, Ukraine's manufacturing capabilities actually surpass this figure. He clarified that production is funded both by the state budget and international partners.
Zelenskyy Urges Rapid Action on Arms Supplies to Counter Russia’s Growing Production
Zelenskyy noted that Russia currently operates 30 key Soviet-era factories, which are ramping up weapons production despite sanctions. In comparison, the European Union has about 42 factories producing military equipment, generating 1.5 times more than Russia. However, the president pointed out that Ukraine has received fewer arms than its adversary.
He cautioned that if action is not taken soon, Russia’s production could match or surpass Europe’s, with additional support from countries like Iran and North Korea. Zelenskyy underscored the need for rapid decisions to equip Ukraine now, emphasizing that waiting until later would make it significantly harder to maintain a competitive edge over Russia in 2025.
TikTok has blocked 37 accounts associated with the Russian propaganda agency Sputnik and the profile of RT International, following accusations from the U.S. of Russian interference in elections. The blocked accounts include 11 from “far abroad” and 26 from “near abroad.” Among the restricted accounts are Sputnik International, Sputnik Serbia, Sputnik Afrique, Sputnik Brasil, Sputnik Armenia, Sputnik Belarus, and others.