Commission spokesperson Wigand: "We will not fall into the trap and we will not amplify tactics based on intimidation and alarmism." The Kremlin tones down and says that the warning to NATO about the possible Russian reaction with "all its arsenal" in case of attempts to block Kaliningrad, "should not be interpreted as a confrontational statement". The Assembly of the Council of Europe "urges all member states to recognize the full extent of the threat posed by Russia's attacks".
"We reiterate our position on Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine. Regarding the communication to NATO, NATO has reacted clearly and we welcome this reaction. Of course we condemn Russia's irresponsible nuclear rhetoric. We will not fall into the Russian trap and we will not amplify Moscow's tactics based on intimidation and alarmism," EU Commission spokesman Christian Wigand said in the press briefing, on Russia's declaration to NATO that it is ready to use the "entire arsenal" after alleged exercises to simulate the isolation of Kaliningrad.
The Atlantic alliance responded by denouncing "threats" from Moscow. Meanwhile, the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe "urges all member states to recognize the full extent of the threat posed by Russia's attacks against them and to take coordinated and effective measures in response." The request is contained in a resolution voted unanimously.
Massive attack by Russian forces on Sumy: two people were killed and fifteen injured. This was reported by Ukrinform, citing a statement from the regional military administration. A new wave of bombings also hit Kiev. A drone fell on a school in the Solomenskyi neighborhood, explained the capital's mayor, Vitali Klitschko, and a fire broke out. The over 100 students and 60 teachers had found shelter in the institute's shelter.
"Russian scoundrels continue to attack life in our country, Ukrainian children and our schools. Russia must be held to account fully for all this and must receive a response to their attacks," Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said in a post on X. Ukrainian forces hit a ship considered "a target" in the Black Sea and some targets in Russia, namely "a launch and storage base for attack drones" in the Oriol region, an oil facility in the Samara region and a warehouse with military supplies in the Bryansk region. Zelensky reported this.
A Russian drone struck the ground around the Kiev nuclear research institute that houses a small nuclear reactor, without causing damage. This was reported by the Ukrainian Nuclear Safety Agency. Last night, "a Russian drone hit the area of the Nuclear Research Institute, where the test reactor is located", dating back to Soviet times, and caused a fire, the State Administration for Nuclear Regulation said, adding that "the reactor and its" safety systems "were not damaged" and no increase in radioactivity was detected.
The British government has announced yet another package of sanctions against Russia, one of the finished under the new leadership of Andy Burnham, against the backdrop of the war in Ukraine: sanctions that target, according to London, both the so-called "shadow fleet" accused of helping Moscow to circumvent Western trade sanctions, and "the disinformation network" attributed to the Kremlin, and people and structures involved in the alleged "deportation of Ukrainian children". The new package specifically concerns 23 individuals and 8 cargo or support ships.
Two Russian drones hit a major bridge connecting the eastern and western parts of Kiev. This was announced by the mayor of the Ukrainian capital, Vitali Klitschko. The drones hit the support section of the Southern Bridge (Pivdennyi Mist), Klitschko wrote on Telegram, adding that "at the moment, subway services and public surface transport crossing the bridge have been suspended."
Russia's warning to NATO about the possible reaction of Moscow with its entire arsenal in case of attempts to block Kaliningrad, "should not be interpreted as a confrontational statement". Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said this, quoted by Tass.
The meeting with Ukrainian prisoners of war in Russia was among the highlights of the three-day mission (from 28 to 30 September) that Cardinal Matteo Zuppi, the Pope's special envoy for humanitarian issues and president of the Italian Episcopal Conference, made in Moscow. “I was able to speak personally with some of the prisoners, to verify their conditions and bring them the support, closeness and accompaniment of Pope Leo, in the hope that they will soon be able to return to their homes,” said the cardinal speaking to local media.
Russian attacks on Ukrainian energy infrastructure have caused power outages in several regions. The network operator Ukrenergo made this known, urging citizens to limit consumption. Moscow's forces also hit a school in Kiev, President Volodymyr Zelensky said, as Russia steps up raids on the capital ahead of another winter of war.
