Autumn conscription will begin today (October 1) in most parts of Russia – including the four Ukrainian regions Moscow illegally annexed one year ago.
The Kremlin considers the regions of Luhansk, Donetsk, Kherson and Zaporizhzhia – which are occupied by Russian troops and controlled by Russian-installed governors – part of the Russian Federation territory in the wake of last year’s sham referendums, recognised by no country but Syria and North Korea.
Vladimir Putin, whose nation continues to suffer losses on the battlefield in Ukraine, doesn’t plan to send conscripted personnel in what the Kremlin addresses as its “new regions” to fight in the Kremlin’s war against Ukraine, Russia’s Defense Ministry announced.
Rear Admiral Vladimir Tsimlyansky, Deputy Chief of Russia’s Main Organisational and Mobilisation Directorate, said last week upon speaking about the new move: “Military personnel undergoing military service upon conscription will not be sent to the points of deployment of units of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation in the new regions of the Russian Federation: Donetsk and Luhansk people’s republics, Kherson and Zaporizhzhia regions or to participate there in carrying out the tasks of a special military operation.”
The official also added Russia is not planning a “further mobilisation”, despite Putin’s order issued last year to boost its professional and conscripted combat personnel by more than 30 percent.
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Ukraine honours the veterans and fallen
Ukrainians fell silent at 9am local time to pay tribute to those who gave their lives for Ukraine in the ongoing war against Russia and honour veterans.
Security expert Maria Avdeeva published on X, formerly Twitter, a brief clip showing the minute of silence being announced in the city of Kharkiv.
She wrote: “Minute of silence to remember those who gave their lives for Ukraine, who could have lived had Russia not started this war.”
Ms Avdeeva added the country is today marking Defenders Day, as she said: “Today, Ukraine honours its Defenders. Glory to the heroes.”
‘Ukrainian drones’ shot down in Russian region
Five drones flying over the Smolensk region, which neighbours Belarus, were shot down today by Russia’s air defence and electronic warfare forces, Russian news agency RIA reported the local governor claiming.
The official alleged the drones were Ukrainian.
Kyiv has rarely claimed responsibility for military actions carried out outside of its internationally recognised borders.
Biden urges US lawmakers to approve Ukraine aid
Overnight, the US narrowly avoided a federal shutdown.
But the approved deal that averted the crisis left out the $24bn in military aid to Ukraine wanted by US President Joe Biden.
Hours later, Mr Biden is urging Congress to aprove the military assistance to the war-torn country as soon as possible.
Welcoming the agreement, Mr Biden said: “We cannot under any circumstances allow American support for Ukraine to be interrupted.”
Referring to Republican House leader Kevin McCarthy, he added: “I fully expect the Speaker will keep his commitment to the people of Ukraine and secure passage of the support needed to help Ukraine at this critical moment.”
One killed in Russian shelling of Zaporizhzhia region
The head of the Zaporizhzhia regional military administration, Yuriy Malashko, announced a Russian strike on Sunday that killed a 61-year-old resident and left a 66-year-old woman wounded.
Russia set to ramp up defence spending next year
The latest British MoD’s intelligence update on the war in Ukraine shared that, in documents seemingly leaked by Russia’s Finance Ministry, is suggested the Kremlin is to raise next year to approximately 30 percent of total public expenditure its defence spending.
The assessment read: “Full details on Russian defence spending are always classified, but these figures suggest that Russia is preparing for multiple further years of fighting in Ukraine.”
Good morning
Good morning from London. I’m Alice Scarsi, I’ll be bringing you all the latest developments on the war in Ukraine. Please feel free to get in touch with me as I work if you have a story or tips to share! Your thoughts are always welcome.
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