Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania are developing emergency action plans that include the evacuation of hundreds of thousands of people in the event of a Russian military buildup or attack. This is a response to Russia's massive military spending and its invasion of Ukraine.
Leading Russian industrial companies, including railways, car manufacturers, and metallurgical enterprises, are reducing working weeks or sending employees on forced leave. This is happening due to the slowdown of the military economy, stagnation of domestic demand, and declining exports.
The European Parliament adopted a resolution condemning Russia's violations of EU airspace and interference with infrastructure, demanding coordinated action and sanctions. The resolution calls for the creation of a European Defense Union and cooperation with Ukraine.
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced that after Ukrainian strikes, Russia has a gasoline deficit of up to 20% of its needs, which led to a ban on gasoline and diesel exports. Russia has increased gasoline imports from Belarus sixfold and abolished import duties, and also imports fuel from China.
In September, Belarus quadrupled its rail shipments of gasoline to Russia, reaching 40,000 metric tons. This occurred amidst a fuel shortage in Russia, caused by Ukrainian strikes on energy infrastructure.
Lithuania is lowering the level of physical protection for Belarusian opposition figure Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya, transferring her protection to the Criminal Police Bureau. This decision, which came into force on October 1, was made based on a risk assessment and will allow for a review of security costs, which previously reached one million euros per year.
Former adviser to the Office of the President of Ukraine, Oleksiy Arestovych, has been declared internationally wanted for the second time in Russia on charges of terrorism and spreading fakes about the Russian army. He was also added to the list of terrorists and extremists, and two criminal cases have been opened against him in Ukraine.
The General Directorate of Intelligence of the Taliban movement is tightening control over the activities of Russian and Belarusian agents in Afghanistan. Taliban special services suspect them of attempting to provoke tensions between East and West.
81 international observers will work in the local elections in Georgia on October 4, which is significantly less than 1024 in 2021. The OSCE and reputable local NGOs refused to observe due to late invitation and legislative restrictions.
The Ministry of Justice of Ukraine has filed a lawsuit with the HACC against the Belarusian JSC "Gomselmash" for the production of components for "Geran-2" (Shahed-type) kamikaze drones. The Ministry of Justice demands the seizure of corporate rights in several Ukrainian LLCs and property rights to trademarks.
Law enforcement officers in Kyiv exposed a citizen of Belarus who was storing a significant amount of narcotic substances with the intention of further distribution.
Russian President Vladimir Putin stated that North Korea, BRICS, and other “neutral countries” made efforts for a peaceful resolution of the conflict in Ukraine. He noted that the actions of these countries differ from the behavior of Europe and the United States under the administration of former President Joe Biden.
Polish border guards stopped a Russian boat that was drifting 300 meters from a gas pipeline near Szczecin. The incident occurred at 6:37 a.m. on Wednesday, with Prime Minister Tusk reporting daily provocations in the region.
The Foreign Intelligence Service of Ukraine reported that Belarus has resumed gasoline supplies to Russia through the St. Petersburg Exchange after an almost year-long hiatus. This comes amid high demand in Russia and an increase in sales of petroleum products. Simultaneously, Belarus and Russia are deepening their military-industrial cooperation.
The Polish Prime Minister stated that Russia's victory in Ukraine would mean the end for his country and Europe. He recalled incidents involving Russian UAVs and attempts to illegally cross the border with Belarus.
A bill has been registered in the Verkhovna Rada to rename Ukrainian coins from "kopek" to "shah. " This is intended to restore historical justice and de-Sovietize monetary circulation.
The Estonian Ministry of Foreign Affairs warns citizens against traveling to Belarus due to documented cases of interrogations and detentions, as well as difficulties with consular assistance. Since May 20, 2024, there have been no diplomats or a consul at the Belarusian diplomatic mission in Estonia.
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy commented on the words of self-proclaimed Belarusian president Alexander Lukashenka about an alleged "peace deal beneficial for Ukraine. " He stated that Lukashenka "lives in his own world."
The National Guard captured a citizen of Belarus who fought for Russia, choosing war instead of prison. He fought for three days and voluntarily surrendered, expressing readiness to switch to Ukraine's side.
Ukraine considers the decision of the General Assembly of the International Paralympic Committee not to extend the partial suspension of the national Paralympic committees of Belarus and Russia to be shameful. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Youth and Sports state that this encourages Russian aggression and terror, drawing sports into politics.
The International Paralympic Committee has lifted the partial suspension of Russia and Belarus, restoring their full membership rights. The decision was made at the IPC General Assembly in Seoul, despite Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
Belarus has officially deployed Russian Oreshnik missile systems, capable of carrying nuclear weapons, on its territory, as announced by the country's Foreign Minister Maksim Ryzhenkov. Andriy Kovalenko, head of the Center for Countering Disinformation at the National Security and Defense Council of Ukraine, called this an information operation by Russia, pointing to a failed launch of the system.
European Commissioner for Defense Andrius Kubilius emphasized the need for the EU to develop additional capabilities to combat drones. He noted that this requires drawing on Ukraine's experience, as well as focusing on drone detection and the use of traditional artillery.
Belarus plans to build a new nuclear power plant in the east of the country to supply electricity to Russian-controlled territories of Ukraine, as stated by Lukashenka during talks with Putin. Putin noted that financing is not a problem if there is a consumer willing to pay for electricity.
Poland resumed traffic at border crossings with Belarus on September 25, but urges its citizens to refrain from traveling and to leave Belarus. The Polish Foreign Ministry warns of possible difficulties with evacuation and border closures in case of a worsening situation.
Belarusian dictator Alexander Lukashenka stated that the Russian Oreshnik missile system is already on its way to Belarus.
The European Commission has rejected the demand by EU lawmakers to confiscate 200 billion euros of frozen Russian central bank assets. This would violate international law and risk widespread retaliatory measures from Moscow.
Poland plans to change its legislation to allow its military to act independently against Russian drones over Ukraine, removing bureaucratic restrictions from 2022. A Ministry of Defense bill, submitted in June, would allow drones to be shot down without NATO and EU approval.
Turkey has deployed an advanced AWACS radar aircraft to Lithuania to bolster defenses in the Baltic region following Russian airspace violations. The mission will last until Thursday, with the aircraft capable of detecting low-flying objects.
Andriy Demchenko, spokesman for the State Border Guard Service, stated that Russian troops left Belarus after joint exercises. However, the threat from this direction for Ukraine does not disappear, so the Defense Forces remain vigilant.
