+++ News in the Ukraine War +++: Estonia accuses Russia of arson attacks on arms manufacturers

According to the government in Tallinn, a suspected arson attack on an arms manufacturer in Estonia was carried out on Russian orders. This was announced by Prime Minister Kristen Michal, citing the results of investigations by the security authorities of the Baltic EU and NATO country that borders Russia. The Estonian Foreign Ministry therefore summoned the charge d’affaires of the Russian embassy. “Today we can say with certainty that the arson attack on the Milrem Robotics defense company on the night of August 14-15 was an act of sabotage ordered by the Russian secret services,” Michal said.

“The Estonian domestic intelligence service came to this conclusion after a thorough evaluation of the information collected.” The suspected perpetrators were arrested. Russia rejected the Estonian allegations. The accusations are unfounded, ill-considered and should not be taken seriously, said Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov, according to the Russian state agency Tass. (dpa)

NATO has firmly rejected a Russian warning of a serious military escalation around the Russian enclave of Kaliningrad. After a letter from the Russian government, NATO spokeswoman Allison Hart also made it clear that NATO is a defensive alliance and that none of the alliance's activities or exercises pose a threat to any part of Russia. She was responding to a letter sent to NATO via the Russian embassy in Belgium in which Russia accused NATO of an "unprecedented escalation of the military-political situation around the Russian Kaliningrad region" and extremely provocative public statements by representatives of NATO member states. The text of the letter was available to the German Press Agency. NATO member states are also asked to “refrain from further destabilizing and escalating measures in order to avoid a large-scale confrontation.”

NATO assumes that the Russian letter is in particular a response to an air maneuver carried out in mid-August. According to military circles, the aim was to show that NATO would be able to control the Kaliningrad exclave in the event of a military aggression by Russia against alliance territory. The Polish Ministry of Defense spoke of a demonstration of the alliance's rapid response capabilities. With a view to the Russian saber-rattling, NATO spokeswoman Hart said on Tuesday: “We strongly condemn the threat of force, including any irresponsible nuclear rhetoric.” (dpa)

Ukrainian Defense Minister Yevheniy Khmara has canceled a trip to Germany planned for Tuesday. Chmara will not travel to Germany and Norway as planned “due to the situation in Ukraine and the intensification of Russian attacks,” his ministry said on Tuesday. The attacks required “immediate action and rapid countermeasures” from the minister. A meeting between Chmara and his German colleague Boris Pistorius (SPD) was planned for Tuesday afternoon. This should have been about further supporting Ukraine with financial aid and weapons. “The discussions with our partners will take place in a different form and we are grateful to them for their support,” it said in Kiev. (afp)

NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte has described Russia's campaign of hybrid attacks in Europe as "failed". With its “ruthless campaign of hostile actions against NATO allies,” Moscow is trying to “weaken their resolve and stop our support for Ukraine,” Rutte said on Monday in Brussels in the presence of Lithuanian Prime Minister Mindaugas Sinkevicius. He called on NATO countries to “stay calm, carry on and support Ukraine.”

“Russia is failing,” emphasized Rutte. “It fails on the battlefield in Ukraine, and it fails to undermine our unity and our support for Ukraine.” “Hybrid” activities mean disguised aggressive actions – for example cyber attacks, drone attacks, sabotage of submarine cables or the targeted use of migration. European countries assume that Moscow wants to unsettle Ukraine's Western supporters in this way. (afp)

Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul has called for more alliance solidarity from Slovakia in the measures against Russia. In a joint statement, both countries reaffirmed their “comprehensive support for Ukraine,” said the CDU politician at a meeting with his Slovak colleague Juraj Blanar in the capital Bratislava. For the German Foreign Minister, this also includes decoupling from Russian energy supplies.

All partners must “stand up together” for this, he said to Blanar. “More pressure” needs to be put on Russia: “Russia shows no willingness for peace,” while Ukraine has “repeatedly declared its willingness,” emphasized Wadephul. Without naming Slovakia directly, Wadephul said it would be "not only lack of solidarity, it would be irresponsible" to question that the greatest threat to Europe is "Putin's bellicose imperialism." The EU cannot afford blockages by individual member states, for example in the case of sanctions. (dpa)

According to President Volodymyr Zelenskyj, Ukraine also fended off ballistic missiles during Russian attacks. Zelensky wrote this on social media and thanked his country's American and Norwegian partners for a Nasams-type air defense system. He also thanked Germany and France for their anti-aircraft support. It is important that such packages continue to be delivered, he wrote and accused Russia of escalation.

Knowing that Ukraine lacks interceptor missiles, Moscow is increasingly relying on ballistic missile attacks. These are particularly difficult to defend against due to their high speed. Jet-powered drones are also causing problems for Kiev's anti-aircraft defense system. Zelensky repeatedly draws attention to his country's lack of anti-aircraft defenses. (dpa)

Poland's Prime Minister Donald Tusk now considers Russian attacks in the Ukrainian border region with his country to be a permanent situation. Polish Air Force fighter jets would take off every night because Russia's attacks in this region had taken on a "permanent character," Tusk told a cabinet meeting in Warsaw. His country faces difficult weeks and months ahead. According to Polish government information, on Monday there was another drone attack on Ukrainian territory not far from the Dorohusk-Jahodyn border crossing.

According to Ukrainian information, during the attack the drone damaged a border control building with its pressure wave. In the past two weeks, Russian drones have repeatedly attacked targets in Ukraine near the same border crossing. A passenger train from Kyiv to Warsaw was also attacked there. Poland's government accuses Russia of intensifying the war in Ukraine. (dpa)

According to its Secretary General Mark Rutte, NATO will not let Russia dissuade it from continuing to support Ukraine. “Russia continues its ruthless campaign of hostile actions against NATO,” Rutte told reporters in Brussels. "It is trying to weaken our resolve and stop our support for Ukraine. But it will not succeed... Our message to Moscow is clear: we will do more for Ukraine, not less." (rtr)

Blanar agreed in principle with the condemnation of the Russian war of aggression against Ukraine. Moscow's war of aggression is a gross violation of international law and unacceptable. On the other hand, Slovakia sticks to its stance that there can be no military solution to the war in neighboring Ukraine. It is inevitable to enter into dialogue with Russia: “Russia will not disappear from the map.”

Russia ‌will increase its military spending in 2027 to a new high since the start of the war in Ukraine. Spending of 17.1 trillion rubles (around 178 billion euros) is planned, according to government documents available to the Reuters news agency on Monday. This corresponds to an increase of around 27 percent compared to the originally estimated budget of 13.5 trillion rubles. Overall, defense spending is expected to amount to 50 trillion rubles in the next three years. 12.1 trillion rubles were originally earmarked for defense in 2026, but the actual amount is classified. In addition, parts of military spending can be recorded in other areas of the budget.

Rising military spending is putting a strain on the Russian budget. According to the documents, the government doubled its budget deficit forecast in 2026 to 3.2 percent of gross domestic product (GDP), from a previous forecast of 1.6 percent. Total spending is expected to rise by 13.2 percent to 48.6 trillion rubles in 2026, or 20.9 percent of GDP. In order to finance the deficit, the government is planning tax increases for 2027. Among other things, a new special tax for metals and mining companies is expected to bring in around 200 billion rubles annually. The draft budget is due to be presented to Parliament by October 1st. (rtr)

Pope Leo XIV continues to oppose a military solution to the Ukraine conflict. In a press conference on the flight from Metz to Rome on Monday evening, he said that the church must represent its teaching, which is against the promotion of violence, hatred and weapons. He complained that some political leaders are currently even talking about the possibility of using nuclear weapons, the use of which would destroy an enormous number of human lives. The willingness to build more and more weapons only increases tensions and could lead to further wars.

Like his predecessor Francis (2013-2025), Leo Everyone hoped for a voice that could show a different path. The Church must be this voice by standing up for human dignity and the right to life for all, said the Pope. She is the one who invites Russia and Ukraine and other countries to come together, start a dialogue and look for ways to solve the problems without wars. “This may seem ineffective at times, but we will continue to invite dialogue and proclaim the Gospel,” said Leo XIV (kna).

According to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, North Korea is preparing to send another 10,000 soldiers to Russia. More than 8,000 North Korean soldiers are already on Russian territory, Zelensky said on Monday, citing “new data.” The soldiers would be “selected for training and subsequent deployment in Russia.”

Zelensky's comments come at a time of diplomatic tensions with South Korea. Last week, the government in Seoul expressed anger over Zelensky's announcement that Ukraine had handed over two captured North Korean soldiers to South Korea. According to Seoul, confidentiality was agreed for the handover. In August, Zelensky said that up to 50,000 North Korean soldiers could be sent to fight in Russia. In this context, he called on South Korea to support Ukrainian air defense.

Ukraine and South Korea estimate that North Korea has sent between 14,000 and 15,000 troops to support Russia since 2024. Most of them are stationed in the Kursk region of Russia. In addition, according to Ukrainian and independent ‌estimates, Pyongyang has delivered millions of ‌artillery shells and rockets to Russia. (rtr)

The Russian military continues its heavy attacks on the Ukrainian capital Kyiv. The Ukrainian Air Force warned overnight of a ballistic missile threat in the region. Explosions were reportedly heard in Kyiv. Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko reported on Telegram about damage in several parts of the capital.

In the Solomyanka district, an administration building was hit and rocket debris fell into the courtyard of a residential building, Klitschko said. A building at an educational institution was also hit and there was a fire. A fire broke out in a three-story non-residential building in the central Pechersk district.

There had already been a series of Russian attacks on the Ukrainian capital over the course of the day. According to official information, a clinic was also hit. Previously, the building of the Academy of Sciences had been hit. According to information from the evening, there were two fatalities. Mayor Klitschko said 24 people were injured in Russian attacks in the capital during the day. (dpa)

Due to delays in receiving aid, Ukraine says it is postponing some expenditure, including reconstruction work. The government will ultimately implement these projects, “but for now all resources must flow into important areas,” said Prime Minister Serhiy Koretsky on the Telegram online service on Monday. The priority is defense and social services.

Korezky described the public finance situation as difficult. “Part of the planned international financing has not yet been received, partly due to Ukraine's failure to fulfill certain commitments made to international partners on time,” he added. Expenses that were not a priority would be put on hold. This applies to new construction, reconstruction or major repairs that are not of critical importance, as well as to improvements in public spaces such as parks and public squares.

The Russian war of aggression, which has been ongoing for more than four years, has hit the Ukrainian economy hard, causing billions of dollars in damage and a huge financial hole in Kyiv. The Ukrainian government has announced that it will seek an additional $53 billion (46.6 billion euros) in foreign aid next year from the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank, among others, to close the financial gap. Next year, the Ukrainian government plans to spend two thirds of its budget on defense spending. (afp)

Russian President Vladimir Putin signed a decree on Monday that will increase the number of soldiers in the army by an additional 15,500 soldiers. “The permissible personnel strength of the Russian Armed Forces is set at 2,441,630 people, including 1,550,500 military personnel,” the decree said. Putin did not give a reason. He had already announced an increase in the size of the army in March, June and July.

In the war with Ukraine, Russia is only making a few gains in territory. Kyiv has repeatedly accused Moscow of preparing a wave of conscription. Putin called this “disinformation”. He last ordered a mobilization of reservists in 2022. At that time, the Russian army had suffered setbacks at the front. (afp)

According to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, Russia has already begun additional mobilization. “They (the Russians) are also planning to increasingly involve foreigners,” Zelensky said in his evening video address, citing findings from Ukrainian secret services. For months there has been speculation about a new mobilization in Russia to compensate for the recent heavy losses on the front lines in Ukraine. Kremlin leader Vladimir Putin has so far categorically rejected such fears.

There is also new information about the presence of North Korean soldiers in Russia. “There are currently more than 8,000 North Korean soldiers on Russian territory,” Zelensky said. “In addition, the deployment of a contingent of another 10,000 soldiers is being prepared - these will be selected to undergo training and then be deployed to Russia.”

Russia is paying for this, among other things, with technologies, and in return for this help, the production of “Shahed” attack drones has begun on North Korean territory with Russian technical support. “This is how evil spreads, and this is how a threat to life in one part of the world spreads to other parts of the world.” (dpa)

According to the government in Warsaw, there was another drone attack not far from a border crossing in the Ukrainian border region with Poland. "Another attack by Russia on western Ukraine. A jet-powered drone hit the Ukrainian side about two kilometers from the border crossing with Poland in Dorohusk," wrote Poland's Defense Minister Wladyslaw Kosiniak-Kamysz on Platform X. The airspace over Poland was therefore not violated.

As the High Command of the Polish Armed Forces announced, an air alert was raised in the region around Lublin in southeastern Poland during Russian air strikes against western Ukraine. This was lifted again after a quarter of an hour. According to Ukrainian information, the drone damaged the border control post building with the blast wave from the explosion. “There are no reports of injuries or deaths,” Roman Romanyuk, head of the Volyn oblast administration, wrote on Telegram. He asked residents of the region to stay in shelters. (dpa)

Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul believes that further meetings with Russia only make sense under certain conditions after the conversation with his Russian colleague Sergei Lavrov. “Follow-up meetings only make sense if Russia is seriously prepared to negotiate,” said the CDU politician at a meeting with his Dutch colleague Tom Berendsen in The Hague when asked whether there should be further talks, for example between Chancellor Friedrich Merz (CDU) and Russian President Vladimir Putin.

“The reaction that I have now heard publicly from Mr Lavrov shows no serious willingness to talk at this point in time,” said Wadephul. All those who had repeatedly called for direct talks to finally be held with Russia now see that “direct talks are of no use if the interlocutor insists on a fundamental position for further warfare.” He added: "As long as that is the case, I don't think we need to continue the conversation." (dpa)

The Ukrainian military says it has gained ground on the front in eastern Ukraine. A military unit said on Monday that it had recaptured another 51 square kilometers from the Russians. This means that a total of 176 square kilometers have been regained since the “Operation Vivaldi” offensive began several months ago. The offensive affects part of the 1,250 kilometer long front. The military unit said that to break through Russian defenses in the eastern Ukrainian region of Donetsk, it converted Soviet-era armored personnel carriers into kamikaze vehicles that blew up Russian fortresses.

The Russian side initially did not comment on the Ukrainian information. The numerically superior Russian military has long been trying to bring the Donetsk region completely under its control. The Russian Defense Ministry said Russian soldiers captured the village of Novovoyane in Donetsk and the village of Ulanove in the northern Ukrainian region of Sumy. The statements from Ukraine and Russia could not be independently verified. The Russian war of aggression against Ukraine has been going on since February 2022. (ap)