+++ News in the Ukraine War +++: US Congress passes law for Russia sanctions

In the USA, after the Senate, the House of Representatives also voted for a sanctions law to put more pressure on Russia over the Ukraine war. In addition to direct punitive measures against Russian politicians and companies, the law is intended to curb Russian oil and gas exports, which Russia uses to finance its war of aggression. House Democrats voted for the bill with a bipartisan majority of 262 to 159. Seven Republican representatives voted against it, so Democratic votes were also necessary for a majority.

The law is now being signed by US President Donald Trump, who had previously indicated his approval. The Senate had already approved the law with a clear majority last month. The project bears the name of Senator and Trump confidant Lindsey Graham, who died in July and was instrumental in pushing it forward.

Among other things, the law authorizes Trump to impose sanctions on the five largest buyers of Russian energy sources - as well as the five countries that help Russia the most in evading energy sanctions. This could further strain US trade relations with China and India, which purchase large quantities of Russian oil.

First, the five largest buyers of Russian energy will be targeted in the year before the law comes into force. The tariffs on imports from these countries into the USA can therefore be up to 100 percent. The amount can be adjusted over time depending on a country's efforts to move away from Russian oil and gas. Who the five largest importers are should be determined every 180 days.

At the same time, there should be exceptions for countries whose imports accounted for less than 15 percent of Russian natural gas exports in a twelve-month period. There should also be exceptions for those who take measures to reduce these purchases. “Our European allies are not affected here,” emphasized Democratic Senator Richard Blumenthal in mid-July. In addition to the Russia sanctions, the law also sets the framework for an extension of sanctions against Iran until 2031. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky had already welcomed the Russia sanctions law in August when it passed the Senate. (dpa)

Russia has fired ballistic missiles at Ukraine again after a break of several nights. According to military-affiliated Telegram channels, up to six converted Zircon anti-ship missiles were used against the capital Kyiv. A dpa reporter heard several heavy explosions in the city. At least eleven people were injured, wrote Mayor Vitali Klitschko on the Telegram platform. According to the military administration, a ten-year-old child was among the injured.

According to Klitschko, there was damage to, among other things, office buildings, a warehouse and a residential building. According to media reports, there were problems with the water supply in some districts on the eastern bank of the Dnipro. According to the Ukrainian Air Force, the major cities of Dnipro and Zaporizhia in the south were also attacked with ballistic missiles.

For its part, Ukraine attacked targets in Russia with combat drones, according to reports from Telegram channels. These included the city of Rostov in the south of the country and the city of Yaroslav northeast of Moscow. Several Russian airports had to temporarily restrict operations, as the Rosawiatsiya aviation authority announced. (dpa)

The Ukrainian authorities reported an attack on the port city of Odessa in the south of the country. The Odessa military administration said on Telegram that a 19-story residential building in the Black Sea city had been damaged in attacks. Several floors were destroyed. (afp)

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is expecting new Western support packages, including anti-aircraft weapons. “We are preparing new meetings with our partners in the USA,” said the head of state in a video message. The discussions will focus on steps towards peace with war enemy Russia, the problems of the Ukrainian energy industry, food security and weapons. Discussions are also planned about the Freyja ballistic missile defense system, which is currently being developed.

Zelensky is expected to speak at the United Nations annual general debate in New York next week. The Ukrainian had already announced on Tuesday that he would meet French President Emmanuel Macron in the USA. Zelensky is also pushing for talks with US President Donald Trump in New York. It should also be about a possible partial ceasefire for attacks on energy facilities and at sea. Since February 2022, Ukraine has been defending itself against a large-scale Russian invasion with Western support. (dpa)

A warehouse in Kiev containing the assets of the media company “Kvartal 95,” co-founded by President Volodymyr Zelensky, was destroyed in a Russian drone attack. “As a result, we have lost a large amount of sets, costumes and items that have been part of our concerts, television shows, films and series for twenty years,” the company said on Facebook. These are not just simple things, but the history of the “Kvartal”.

There were no injuries in the attack in the Ukrainian capital on Wednesday night. The production studio's comedy troupe's shows would still continue "with or without props." “Because laughter is also a part of life today,” the message said. Life goes on.

The drone attack also hit a warehouse belonging to Zelensky's wife Olena's charity fund with humanitarian aid supplies. “It burned down completely,” the organization said on Facebook. Emergency generators, medical equipment, but also household appliances, notebooks and tablets were destroyed. The items were intended for the education of children as well as for hospitals, educational institutions and families. (dpa)

NATO has rejected Russia's claim that the military alliance doubts the German findings on the drone discovery of explosives at the airport in Leipzig/Halle. “The Russian secret service’s claim that NATO found no evidence of Russian involvement in the drone incident in Leipzig is absurd,” said a spokesman when asked by the German Press Agency.

Like Germany, NATO intelligence experts came to the conclusion that Russia was behind the hybrid attack on August 4th. “Russia has demonstrably repeatedly tried to destabilize allied states and dissuade us from supporting Ukraine,” the alliance spokesman added. Russia's reckless actions are dangerous. But they will not be dissuaded from continuing to support Ukraine. (dpa)

Russian leader Vladimir Putin portrays the upcoming parliamentary election as a symbol of unity in his warring country. “Participation in the elections is our common contribution to Russia’s victory,” he said in a video address. The election should show “that there are millions of people behind our fighters, that we are a united people,” said Putin. He assumes that the “most worthy candidates” will win.

From September 18th to 20th, more than 110 million Russians are called to vote for 450 deputies for the new State Duma in Moscow. The opposition is not allowed. After the anti-war Yabloko party was excluded, a total of ten parties loyal to the Kremlin are on the ballot. In addition to the ruling party United Russia, whose victory is considered certain, four other parties loyal to the system are currently represented in parliament.

Against Ukraine's wishes, the election will also be held for the first time in the Russian-controlled parts of the annexed Ukrainian regions of Luhansk, Donetsk, Zaporizhia and Kherson. In addition to the Duma election, representatives for regional parliaments will also be elected in eight regions. According to the election management, a total of around 2,200 elections are underway at various state levels. (dpa)

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has contradicted US President Donald Trump's claim that Ukraine and Russia had agreed to stop attacks on each other's energy facilities. Zelensky told US broadcaster CBS News that Ukraine was ready for such an agreement if Russia stopped attacking Ukrainian energy facilities.

Trump said in a post on social media on Monday that an agreement had been reached. He did not give any details. Previous attempts to negotiate at least a limited ceasefire had repeatedly failed within a few hours. Both sides then accused each other of violating the agreement.

Zelensky said a possible energy truce was discussed at a recent meeting in Kiev with Trump envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner. He made it clear: “If the Russians are ready for a ceasefire in the energy sector, that means that there will be no more attacks on energy facilities at all.” (ap)