Germany must gain greater resilience, particularly in the face of the threat posed by Russia, which "is waging a shadow war against us." This was underlined by Martin Jäger, president of the Federal Intelligence Service (Bnd), during a public hearing of the Bundestag's Parliamentary Control Committee on Intelligence. A war made for example of attempts at intimidation, against which - Jäger stated - the intelligence services represent "the first line of defence".
According to the Financial Times, Estonia is strengthening its defense and moving troops to the border with Russia in view of a possible future conflict with Moscow. Meanwhile, Russian raids on Ukraine continue. The response from Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov: "Our Ministry of Defense and other relevant agencies possess the necessary intelligence potential to adequately monitor and assess the situation along our borders."
One person was killed and six injured following a double rocket attack by Russian forces with Banderol missiles in the industrial district of Kharkiv. A Russian drone hit an energy infrastructure in the Poltava region, leaving around 22 thousand people without electricity. At the moment no victims have been reported.
Yesterday, a surprise visit by German Chancellor Merz to Kiev under Russian bombs: "Ukraine needs all our support".
"We will not give in to Russia's intimidation or escalation, which must have no illusions: time is against it." French President Emmanuel Macron wrote this on
"Despite finding itself in a stalemate at the front, Russia stubbornly refuses all calls for a ceasefire and makes the irresponsible choice to intensify attacks against infrastructure and civilian targets, in violation of the most fundamental principles of international humanitarian law," writes the Elysée leader.
"France and Europe will continue to assume their responsibilities to support Ukraine and seek every possible way to protect civilians, achieve a reduction in hostilities and promote the idea of a just and lasting peace, respecting Ukraine's rights and strengthening security on our continent", he adds. "With President Zelensky we took stock of the concrete support we can offer to help Ukraine intercept drones and counter Russian aggression", concludes Macron.
Russia is demonstrating its intention to resort to acts of sabotage and murder, said Sinan Selen, president of the domestic intelligence service (formally called the Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution, BfV). Actions attributed to Moscow include disinformation campaigns and attempted attacks, such as the one at Leipzig airport in August, when a drone packed with explosives was found next to a Ukrainian cargo plane. "We have already achieved some successes in countering these threats", added Selen, warning however that the situation is undergoing an escalation, which is why - he underlined - the German intelligence services must align their capabilities with those of other European partner services.
The Media Freedom Coalition, a partnership between countries that collaborate to promote media freedom at home and abroad, of which Italy is also a member, has signed a document calling on the Russian authorities to bring to justice those responsible for the assassination of Anna Politkovskaya, including those who ordered it. "On October 7, twenty years ago, the investigative journalist and correspondent of Novaya Gazeta was murdered in Moscow - the document recalls - following her journalistic reports, including those on human rights violations in Chechnya".
"Over the past 12 months, Russia has repeatedly threatened the security of EU member states. Russia is increasingly turning hybrid threats into hybrid attacks. This escalation cannot be accepted, and Russia must abandon this dangerous course." This was declared by the President of the European Council, Antonio Costa, in his speech at the opening ceremony of the academic year of the College of Europe in Natolin, Poland. “These developments underline the need to strengthen our defense readiness, accelerate our defense agenda and do more together to counter these threats,” he adds.
The fifth winter of the war in Ukraine promises to be the season of "total war". Paolo Gentiloni writes this in an editorial in Repubblica, according to which "Russia will try to paralyze the economic and civil infrastructure of the invaded country by aiming to wear down its resistance and sow terror among the population. Ukraine will try to resist again, despite everything. In any case we must know that total war is no longer a classic war of attrition, it is a dramatic prospect".
Three ambulances and a Lada Iskra were donated by the Russian city of St. Petersburg to Cuban health centers. Russian Ambassador Viktor Koronelli declared that "after a long and difficult journey, these vehicles arrived in Cuba despite the inhumane commercial, economic, financial and energy blockade imposed by the United States government."
