The United States announced on Thursday, September 5, the prosecution of five Russian military intelligence agents, for their alleged involvement in cyberattacks targeting Ukrainian government sites in preparation for Russia’s 2022 invasion. Along with another Russian citizen already charged in June, they are referred to as “responsible for the series of destructive computer attacks commonly referred to as Whispergate”which targeted “Ukrainian civilian infrastructure and IT systems with no connection to the military or national defense”according to the US Assistant Attorney General for National Security. Follow our live stream.
Emmanuel Macron spoke by telephone with Volodymyr Zelensky. Emmanuel Macron offered his condolences after the strike on Poltava, and reiterated Paris’ support for kyiv and “the roadmap of the Bürgenstock Summit” for a “just and lasting peace that restores Ukraine’s legitimate rights,” according to a statement from the Elysée. Volodymyr Zelensky explained on Telegram that he had reaffirmed Ukraine’s need for military equipment and its desire to be able to strike deep into Russian territory.
The death toll from the Russian strike in Poltava rises to 55. Some 328 other people were injured in the Russian strike on Tuesday in Poltava, in the centre of the country, according to a new report. The Interior Ministry announced that the “Emergency and rescue operations at the scene of the attack have been completed”According to emergency services, more than 2,000 tonnes of debris have been cleared.
Ukrainian parliament approves appointment of new foreign minister Andriy Sybiga replaces the iconic Dmytro Kuleba, as part of a major government reshuffle. No reason has been officially given for the dismissal of Dmytro Kuleba. Less publicized, Andriy Sybiga, 49, who was notably ambassador to Turkey from 2016 to 2021, is nevertheless seen as a heavyweight in Ukrainian diplomacy. The President Volodymyr Zelensky limited himself to saying that Ukraine had “need new energy” after two and a half years of war with Russia.
Donbass, Russia’s “priority”. The conquest of Donbass in eastern Ukraine is “the number one priority” for Russia, Vladimir Putin said on Thursday. “The enemy’s objective”by attacking the Russian region of Kursk, “was to make us nervous and agitated to redeploy our troops from one area to another and stop our offensive in key areas, especially in Donbass, the liberation of which is our number one priority”the Russian president said at an economic forum in the Russian Far East. In the Kursk region, “Our armed forces have stabilized the situation and have begun to gradually expel” the Ukrainian army, he added.
Vladimir Putin says he is ready for negotiations. The Russian president said on Thursday that he was ready to hold talks with kyiv on the basis of those in spring 2022, if Ukraine requests them. Moscow had until recently ruled out any discussions due to the Ukrainian offensive in August against the Kursk region. “If a desire to negotiate emerges” in Ukraine, we will not refuse”he added.