UNITED24 Media Telegram Highlights
NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte warned that Russia may pose a direct threat to the Alliance within five years.
“Russia has joined forces with China, North Korea and Iran. They are expanding their military forces and capabilities. Putin’s military machine is accelerating, not slowing down,” Rutte said.
He noted that Russia is rebuilding its forces with Chinese technology and ramping up weapons production.
“Just talking about ammunition, Russia produces as much in three months as all NATO countries produce in a year,” he added.
Russians now producing 2,700 Shaheds and 2,500 UAV decoys monthly, — HUR
Russia is manufacturing approximately 2,700 Shahed drones and 2,500 UAV simulators each month, according to Ukraine’s Defence Intelligence (HUR). Just a year ago, Russian monthly production of Shaheds was estimated at no more than 500.
Russia to produce UAVs in North Korea — Ukraine’s intelligence chief
Russia has reached an agreement with North Korea to use its facilities for manufacturing Harpy-type drones and Shahed-136 “Geran” analogues, according to Kyrylo Budanov, head of Ukraine’s Defence Intelligence (GUR), in an interview with The War Zone.
Zelenskyy: Fiercest battles in Pokrovsk, Kursk direction, and Sumy border
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said the most intense fighting is taking place in the Pokrovsk direction, the area of the Kursk operation, and along the border of the Sumy region.
“Everywhere, Russian tactics are the same: they do not count losses and try to advance, storm Ukrainian positions, and gain at least a meter,” he said.
Drone strike sparks fire at Russian military electronics plant in Cheboksary
A fire broke out at JSC VNDIR-Progress in the city of Cheboksary, Chuvash Republic, following a drone strike. The plant, which manufactures Comet receivers used to shield Russian drones from Ukrainian electronic warfare, has suspended operations.
Russian forces are constructing concrete shelters for military aircraft at the Saki airfield in temporarily occupied Crimea, according to reports.
NATO jets intercept two Russian reconnaissance aircraft over Baltics
NATO fighter jets took off from a base in Malbork to intercept and escort two Russian spy planes over the Baltic Sea. The Russian aircraft had taken off from the Kaliningrad region and were not transmitting identification signals.
Russia may test NATO’s resolve — German intelligence chief
There are people in Moscow who do not believe NATO’s Article 5 works and would like to test the Alliance’s strength, said Bruno Kahl, head of Germany’s Federal Intelligence Service (BND), in an interview with N-TV.
He warned against underestimating Russia’s expansionist ambitions, stating that intelligence indicates the war in Ukraine is only “the first step on the path to the West.”
“Russia wants to kick America out of Europe and will use any means to do so,” Kahl said. “It doesn’t need to launch a full-scale bombing campaign or deploy armored forces. It’s enough to send ‘little green men’ to Estonia to protect so-called oppressed Russian minorities.”
He said Moscow believes this would force the U.S. president to decide whether to send troops across the Atlantic and risk American casualties — a test for the Alliance.
“We must be aware of this and act as a strong deterrent so that Putin doesn’t even think about an attack,” he added.
NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte also warned that Russia could attempt to use force against the Alliance within five years and urged members “not to deceive themselves,” saying the entire Alliance now represents NATO’s “eastern border.”
Orbán: Russia too weak to threaten NATO, but Ukraine “will lose the war”
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán said he does not see a real military threat from Russia to NATO, arguing that Moscow has failed to achieve its goals in Ukraine.
Prisoner exchange underway, to continue in stages, — President Zelenskyy
A prisoner exchange began today and will continue in several stages in the coming days, Ukrainian officials reported.
Among those being returned are wounded and seriously injured individuals, as well as servicemembers under the age of 25.
Ukrainian POW shows signs of torture after release
A Ukrainian soldier recently released from Russian captivity displayed signs of severe torture. His body bore multiple mutilations and a burned inscription reading: “Glory to Russia.”