Belarus
Tunnels that could have been used for illegal migration and the infiltration of saboteurs were discovered in Latvia and Lithuania. The Baltic countries are strengthening security measures and seeking joint solutions.
Serbia plans to join the Schengen Area by the end of 2027, which would lead to the introduction of visas for Russian citizens. The government has formed a working group, but President Vučić previously denied that visa-free travel would be canceled.
An Austrian company from Vienna supplied equipment for the production of engines for Russian missiles and fighter jets by falsifying certificates. A 28-year-old Belarusian citizen has been detained; the damage amounts to €3.3 million.
Ukrainian troops are strengthening their positions in the Chernobyl Exclusion Zone by setting up checkpoints, trenches, and anti-drone nets. This is related to its proximity to Belarus and the risk of new attacks.
Lithuanian border guards found an unfinished underground tunnel near the village of Latežeris. This is already the third such case in two weeks; the tunnel did not have an exit on the Lithuanian side.
State Border Guard Service spokesperson Andrii Demchenko reported that the enemy plans an incursion into Chernihiv region to distract the Armed Forces of Ukraine. Currently, there are no active actions by Russians near the border, but fortification of positions is ongoing.
Belarus has begun forming the 37th separate airborne assault brigade near Gomel, 40 km from the Ukrainian border. Commander of the Special Operations Forces Oleksandr Illiukevych announced the recruitment of a battalion and support units.
Latvian Minister of the Interior Jānis Dombrava announced the closure of the border with Belarus. A failure of information systems occurred at the Paternieki border checkpoint, making border control impossible.
Ukrainian drones attack Wildberries logistics centers, threatening financial problems for the company and its creditors. The marketplace's debts reach 1.3 trillion rubles, and the strikes could increase pressure on the Russian economy.
Russia imported 30,000 tons of AI-92 gasoline from Morocco due to a fuel shortage caused by Ukrainian drone attacks on refineries. The supplier was Lukoil.
Former MP Viktor Medvedchuk has been notified of suspicion of encroachment on the territorial integrity of Ukraine. According to the investigation, he conducted an anti-Ukrainian campaign and called for the liquidation of the state.
Russian agricultural sector faces diesel shortage due to damage to refineries, threatening the harvest. The Ministry of Agriculture has reduced preferential lending, worsening the situation for farmers.
Turkish Airlines returns flights to Minsk from September 21. It will fly six times a week on the Istanbul-Minsk route.
At the UN Security Council meeting, a new wave of Russian shelling of civilian infrastructure and attacks on Black Sea ports was condemned. Diplomats emphasized the increase in civilian casualties and the threat to food security.
The Government of Montenegro has decided to introduce a visa regime for citizens of Russia, Belarus, China, Saudi Arabia and Turkey from November 1. This was done to harmonize the country's visa policy with EU rules.
Lithuania's Ministry of Foreign Affairs proposes to ban the purchase of real estate near strategic objects and to deny entry to individuals who support aggression against Ukraine. It also plans to introduce a mandatory declaration for entry for educational, cultural, or sports events.
Latvian Minister of Transport Rihards Kozlovskis stated that signs pointing to Russia and Belarus are unnecessary. There are 235 such signs on the country's highways, and the cost of replacement is estimated at 120 thousand euros.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Belarus transmitted to Poland information about the alleged preparation of a terrorist attack against the children of a Belarusian activist. According to the Minsk authorities, the attack is being prepared by a convicted person who is in Poland.
The Foreign Intelligence Service reports that the Kremlin fears the domestic political situation ahead of the State Duma elections. Only 15-24% of Russians support the war, while 64-67% favor peace negotiations.
Lithuanian Defense Minister Robertas Kaunas stated that the Kremlin may consider the Baltic countries and Poland as the next target for escalation. Experts consider Estonia the most vulnerable due to military resources and geography.
The Verkhovna Rada has started reviewing the candidacy of Serhiy Koretsky for the position of Prime Minister. Prior to this, the parliament adopted an appeal to the IOC regarding the extension of the suspension of athletes from russia and belarus.
The IHF Council has lifted restrictions for the national teams of Russia and Belarus, allowing the use of national symbols. The federation expressed solidarity with Ukraine and condemned the war.
According to the SZR, the number of bachelor's students in Belarus has almost quadrupled since 2020. The authorities compensate for the labor shortage by orienting students toward blue-collar professions.
The President of Ukraine recorded four repeaters in the Gomel and Brest regions of Belarus, which are used for drone attacks. Kyiv demands that Minsk dismantle the equipment.
President Zelenskyy stated that repeaters for adjusting Russian drone attacks on Ukraine are operating on the territory of Belarus. He called on Lukashenko to turn them off within a week, otherwise the Armed Forces of Ukraine will do it.
EU leaders confirmed unwavering support for Ukraine and expect the first payment of 90 billion euros loan by the end of June. They are also determined to increase pressure on russia and welcome progress in establishing a Special Tribunal.
The coalition agreement provides for the long-term deployment of US units and defense spending at 5% of GDP. The government will also continue its support for Ukraine.
Latvian Prime Minister proposes that the EU appoint a representative for negotiations with the Russian Federation. Europe wants to have its own mandate to participate in the process of ending the war.
The SBU intercepted a Russian document denying a UAF attack on a bus in the Bryansk region. The Russian military did not record any drones during the incident.
Ombudsman Dmytro Lubinets stated that Ukraine was not involved in the attack on a bus in the Bryansk region. He called the incident a likely Russian provocation and contacted the Belarusian side.