1 hour ago
'Russia has grown increasingly reckless,' Nato's Rutte says
Rutte continues by warning that “Russia has grown increasingly reckless.”
“We have seen more drones and missiles crossing into our airspace along our eastern flank, creating increased risk. We have also seen an increase in malign activities targeting our territory directly, whether there’s fires set in factories producing defence equipment for Ukraine, or indeed the Russian hybrid attack in Leipzig.”
He offers Nato’s solidarity with Germany.
He says “the danger Russia poses is clear,” with Nato “working round the clock to keep our people safe.”
“If Russia thinks we will be divided by the threats, or if they think we will be deterred from supporting Ukraine, they are mistaken. Our unity is unshaken.”
<div id=\"gv-atom-all-strikes\" class=\"atom-root svelte-a91dmw\" style=\"--size: 600\"><h2 class=\"vis-chart-headline\">Ukrainian strikes are reaching further into Russia</h2> <p class=\"vis-chart-standfirst svelte-2b3i1h\">Deep (+200km) missile and drone strikes by Ukraine over time, grouped by\n 20km area</p> <div class=\"map-grid svelte-a91dmw\"><img src=\"https://interactive.guim.co.uk/atoms/2026/08/ukraine-missile-war/assets/sync/basemap-square.20260827-163851-63e53a8b.jpeg\" alt=\"\"/> <canvas></canvas> <svg class=\"marks svelte-a91dmw\" viewBox=\"0 0 600 600\" preserveAspectRatio=\"xMidYMid slice\"><g class=\"country svelte-7s2wsj\" transform=\"translate(309.1469047575647, 190.95905636804557)\"><text text-anchor=\"middle\" class=\"svelte-7s2wsj\">Russia</text></g><g class=\"country svelte-7s2wsj\" transform=\"translate(117.96985684887078, 428.68355941972584)\"><text text-anchor=\"middle\" class=\"svelte-7s2wsj\">Ukraine</text></g> </svg></div> <p class=\"vis-chart-source svelte-2b3i1h\">Guardian graphic. Source: ACLED, ISW. Notes: hatched area shows Ukrainian\n territory controlled by Russia as of August 2026. Excludes strikes less than\n 200km from this front. Excludes intercepted strikes.</p></div>"},{"_type":"model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement","html":"<p><strong>Reliable figures for the number of drone flights are hard to obtain</strong> but Ukraine is already capable of launching several hundred a day, and military sources say the country is chasing a target of 1,000 drones in an effort to hurt Russia’s economy.</p>","elementId":"cbc59faa-9a26-4c0b-902a-2e35e2d28438"},{"_type":"model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement","html":"<p><strong>Ukraine’s commercial airspace has been closed since the beginning of the full scale invasion in February 2022</strong> because Russia has been able to strike targets throughout the country, making airports unsafe for civilians.</p>","elementId":"04e3a600-9bc4-4a56-9ca3-9c2255f7fcf8"},{"_type":"model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.RichLinkBlockElement","prefix":"Related: ","text":"Russian airspace becoming unsafe for commercial airlines, Zelenskyy says","elementId":"f8b51c70-f74e-444b-9cd0-38cad2bd61b3","role":"thumbnail","url":"https://www.theguardian.com/world/2026/sep/02/russian-airspace-unsafe-commercial-airlines-zelenskyy"}],"attributes":{"pinned":false,"keyEvent":true,"summary":false},"blockCreatedOn":1788345211000,"blockCreatedOnDisplay":"06.33 EDT","blockLastUpdated":1788345373000,"blockLastUpdatedDisplay":"06.36 EDT","blockFirstPublished":1788345373000,"blockFirstPublishedDisplay":"06.36 EDT","blockFirstPublishedDisplayNoTimezone":"06.36","title":"Russian airspace becoming unsafe for commercial airlines, Zelenskyy says","contributors":[],"primaryDateLine":"Wed 2 Sep 2026 08.34 EDT","secondaryDateLine":"First published on Wed 2 Sep 2026 03.33 EDT"},{"id":"6a97eec18f08fad6f7abfa6a","elements":[{"_type":"model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement","html":"<p><strong>German police have opened a investigation into yesterday’s attempt to disrupt the operation of a power substation near Brandenburg.</strong></p>","elementId":"cd9c6899-4e4a-4348-b522-14c479d47e38"},{"_type":"model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement","html":"<p><a href=\"https://polizei.brandenburg.de/pressemeldung/medieninformation-bzgl-des-anschlags-in-/5711687\">In a statement</a>, Brandenburg police said they were leading a probe <strong>on suspicion of attempting to disrupt public services,</strong> causing an explosion and damaging critical infrastructure as well as <strong>forming a terrorist organisation</strong></p>","elementId":"1540ae83-acb8-4002-b561-2e468b28a43d"},{"_type":"model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement","html":"<p>Searches around the substation continue.</p>","elementId":"24aaa8b4-962c-40b2-88d1-ee531fda12ac"},{"_type":"model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement","html":"<p>“<strong>Further information cannot be released at this time</strong> in order not to jeopardise the ongoing investigation,” it said.</p>","elementId":"4ab42240-42df-4a6f-a24c-10a078ac952b"},{"_type":"model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement","html":"<p><strong>There is currently no indication of who could be behind the incident,</strong> with <a href=\"https://www.theguardian.com/world/germany\" data-component=\"auto-linked-tag\">Germany</a> on high alert over possible Russian sabotage, but also due to previous activity of suspected left-wing militants.</p>","elementId":"805cf6ce-9ef1-476f-bfbf-cd09746b4c1b"}],"attributes":{"pinned":false,"keyEvent":true,"summary":false},"blockCreatedOn":1788341953000,"blockCreatedOnDisplay":"05.39 EDT","blockLastUpdated":1788342246000,"blockLastUpdatedDisplay":"05.44 EDT","blockFirstPublished":1788342246000,"blockFirstPublishedDisplay":"05.44 EDT","blockFirstPublishedDisplayNoTimezone":"05.44","title":"Germany steps up probe into Brandenburg substation incident","contributors":[],"primaryDateLine":"Wed 2 Sep 2026 08.34 EDT","secondaryDateLine":"First published on Wed 2 Sep 2026 03.33 EDT"},{"id":"6a97ea688f08fad6f7abfa3d","elements":[{"_type":"model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement","html":"<p>Meanwhile, <strong>Russian president Vladimir Putin said the German decision to attribute the drone attack to <a href=\"https://www.theguardian.com/world/russia\" data-component=\"auto-linked-tag\">Russia</a> was “a grave mistake,” as he attempted to question the evidence behind the decision.</strong></p>","elementId":"73ac41a0-1863-4ea3-b137-acd15d9f5a42"},{"_type":"model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement","html":"<p>He also suggested that Berlin was blaming Russia to distract from its own domestic problems.</p>","elementId":"81dc5310-4fd9-4a57-8fa9-85ddd78039dd"},{"_type":"model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement","html":"<p>Former president <strong>Dmitry Medvedev</strong> lashed out against the German government on Telegram, accusing it of “neo-Nazi, rabidly Russophobic” policy and saying “they deserve a direct strike against all German facilities manufacturing military hardware” for <a href=\"https://www.theguardian.com/world/ukraine\" data-component=\"auto-linked-tag\">Ukraine</a>.</p>","elementId":"7be8ad05-3646-47eb-8c63-f48ea080d6a4"},{"_type":"model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement","html":"<p>In an angry outburst <a href=\"https://t.me/medvedev_telegram/659\">on Telegram</a>, Medvedev also appeared to suggest that a train carrying European leaders to Kyiv could become a target for Russian strikes if Ukraine were to follow through on its warnings about closing skies above Russia.</p>","elementId":"4a1758ea-825d-455d-b747-900ed9d63358"},{"_type":"model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.RichLinkBlockElement","prefix":"Related: ","text":"Russian airspace becoming unsafe for commercial airlines, Zelenskyy says","elementId":"ae73f651-84a6-4493-80e4-dbd75d5a3a07","role":"thumbnail","url":"https://www.theguardian.com/world/2026/sep/02/russian-airspace-unsafe-commercial-airlines-zelenskyy"},{"_type":"model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement","html":"<p>“Every act of terror has its sponsors. At present, that’s the leaders of western nations, primarily European ones, and they frequently travel to Kyiv by train,” he said.</p>","elementId":"bc82c241-e925-4231-9dbc-1667c43baf0f"}],"attributes":{"pinned":false,"keyEvent":true,"summary":false},"blockCreatedOn":1788340840000,"blockCreatedOnDisplay":"05.20 EDT","blockLastUpdated":1788344342000,"blockLastUpdatedDisplay":"06.19 EDT","blockFirstPublished":1788341185000,"blockFirstPublishedDisplay":"05.26 EDT","blockFirstPublishedDisplayNoTimezone":"05.26","title":"Germany's move to blame Russia for Leipzig drone incident 'a grave mistake,' Putin says","contributors":[],"primaryDateLine":"Wed 2 Sep 2026 08.34 EDT","secondaryDateLine":"First published on Wed 2 Sep 2026 03.33 EDT"},{"id":"6a97e3c28f08fad6f7abfa12","elements":[{"_type":"model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement","html":"<p><em>in Palermo</em></p>","elementId":"35a9acb0-1aac-463e-9637-05db8847f60c"},{"_type":"model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement","html":"<p><strong>After the EU said it was seriously considering using frozen Russian assets to support Kyiv following the hybrid drone attack in <a href=\"https://www.theguardian.com/world/germany\" data-component=\"auto-linked-tag\">Germany</a>, Italy’s foreign minister, Antonio Tajani, said on Wednesday Rome was not opposed to the idea, joining countries including the Netherlands, Spain and 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Tondo","imageUrl":"https://i.guim.co.uk/img/uploads/2018/10/08/Lorenzo_Tondo.jpg?width=300&quality=85&auto=format&fit=max&s=b1cd3e3695fe069a5dd82feff34b77ae"}],"primaryDateLine":"Wed 2 Sep 2026 08.34 EDT","secondaryDateLine":"First published on Wed 2 Sep 2026 03.33 EDT"},{"id":"6a97dc468f08b75e8aebd44b","elements":[{"_type":"model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement","html":"<p><strong>Ukraine’s foreign minister Andrii Sybiha said on Wednesday it was a “fair approach” to renew talks on using Russian frozen assets for <a href=\"https://www.theguardian.com/world/ukraine\" data-component=\"auto-linked-tag\">Ukraine</a>.</strong></p>","elementId":"579ff618-f6bb-4017-94c3-21996e304428"},{"_type":"model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement","html":"<p>“I think this is a fair approach to start serious discussion how we could use immobilised frozen assets,” Sybiha said at a meeting of EU foreign ministers in Ireland, quoted by 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is “impressed by the strong European support” for Berlin’s decision to attribute the Leipzig attack to <a href=\"https://www.theguardian.com/world/russia\" data-component=\"auto-linked-tag\">Russia</a>, with “a great deal of unity” from colleagues.</strong></p>","elementId":"b2b5022e-fba3-48d7-9a7e-6ed191278afd"},{"_type":"model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement","html":"<p>“It is very important that <strong>Russia clearly sees that <a href=\"https://www.theguardian.com/world/europe-news\" data-component=\"auto-linked-tag\">Europe</a> stands together,</strong>” he says.</p>","elementId":"5bffc494-bc7a-4de2-8c6a-f2965895bbb5"},{"_type":"model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement","html":"<p>He says Russia “must understand” that its approach will not work.</p>","elementId":"2f9ebe47-c144-47b4-95f5-0aa0a00eebd1"},{"_type":"model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement","html":"<p>He says the German decision to attribute the attack to Russia was “a well-founded opinion and judgment.”</p>","elementId":"158b59e3-6b77-4c67-92b6-19f41a2af76b"},{"_type":"model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement","html":"<p><strong>“Russia must now live with the consequences,”</strong> he says, pointing to “necessary and appropriate response” proposed yesterday.</p>","elementId":"1aa5ac05-5d4e-40a7-974a-ec2de1644ee3"},{"_type":"model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement","html":"<p>Wadephul says that <strong>in the coming weeks the EU will be working on expanding its sanctions,</strong> which would target “a large number of individuals.”</p>","elementId":"e60378df-4c7f-4c23-b94c-7dbaa6254bb9"}],"attributes":{"pinned":false,"keyEvent":true,"summary":false},"blockCreatedOn":1788335081000,"blockCreatedOnDisplay":"03.44 EDT","blockLastUpdated":1788335117000,"blockLastUpdatedDisplay":"03.45 EDT","blockFirstPublished":1788335117000,"blockFirstPublishedDisplay":"03.45 EDT","blockFirstPublishedDisplayNoTimezone":"03.45","title":"Russia 'must live with consequences' of its actions, German minister says","contributors":[],"primaryDateLine":"Wed 2 Sep 2026 08.34 EDT","secondaryDateLine":"First published on Wed 2 Sep 2026 03.33 EDT"},{"id":"6a97d06a8f08f08ddc702cbe","elements":[{"_type":"model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement","html":"<p>Separately, <strong>German police are also investigating another attempt to disrupt the country’s energy grid, this time at a electricity substation in Bergheim in the west of the country.</strong></p>","elementId":"e8a7881c-dfb6-4677-a296-9f5d72be8ed5"},{"_type":"model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement","html":"<p>A local police spokesperson said <strong>they are “not assuming a technical failure but a deliberate act,”</strong> without revealing more details. The region’s power supply was not affected.</p>","elementId":"32f99d7b-052c-46cc-bd30-e9f56cfa1a59"},{"_type":"model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement","html":"<p>Again, like with yesterday’s incident at a substation near a coal-fired power plant in Brandenburg, <strong>the issue of attribution here is not straightforward.</strong></p>","elementId":"ccfba41b-a446-4870-aba9-d9c680da2b73"},{"_type":"model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement","html":"<p>AFP notes that <strong>German authorities are on high alert</strong> for attacks on vital infrastructure after Berlin blamed Russia for an attempted drone attack on a Ukrainian cargo plane at Leipzig/Halle airport last month and ordered a series of measures in response.</p>","elementId":"bb63a153-786c-4dab-9094-a9f7ffc4e18a"},{"_type":"model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement","html":"<p>But Germany’s electricity grid has been hit by attacks before, including by suspected left-wing militants.</p>","elementId":"5fc324a1-4c1f-4206-9559-e1b3ff4ac72f"},{"_type":"model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement","html":"<p>Again, <strong>I will keep an eye on updates on this.</strong></p>","elementId":"456462fc-0af0-4bf2-a467-4dbb441ec47a"}],"attributes":{"pinned":false,"keyEvent":true,"summary":false},"blockCreatedOn":1788334414000,"blockCreatedOnDisplay":"03.33 EDT","blockLastUpdated":1788334478000,"blockLastUpdatedDisplay":"03.34 EDT","blockFirstPublished":1788334478000,"blockFirstPublishedDisplay":"03.34 EDT","blockFirstPublishedDisplayNoTimezone":"03.34","title":"Germany investigating suspected attempt to disrupt power grid at another substation","contributors":[],"primaryDateLine":"Wed 2 Sep 2026 08.34 EDT","secondaryDateLine":"First published on Wed 2 Sep 2026 03.33 EDT"},{"id":"6a97cce68f08f08ddc702cac","elements":[{"_type":"model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement","html":"<p><strong>Two people were injured after an unknown object exploded near a train station in the southern German city of Augsburg.</strong></p>","elementId":"46a37268-3e16-4d1c-84a6-b11df280d58d"},{"_type":"model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement","html":"<p>A separate suspicious object was later found nearby, prompting police to temporarily suspend train services and close the station.</p>","elementId":"ed127a49-ed7f-468e-ada9-428e44369b4d"},{"_type":"model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement","html":"<p>But, and that’s an <em>important</em> caveat, <strong>local media are reporting that the incident may be linked to organised crime</strong> rather than anything else, though authorities are yet to confirm a motive.</p>","elementId":"a0006a74-670c-433e-a39c-ecad7d83c69c"},{"_type":"model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement","html":"<p>I will keep an eye on this for you.</p>","elementId":"aa305c71-8c82-4a2b-bc0d-761040ae2fb3"}],"attributes":{"pinned":false,"keyEvent":true,"summary":false},"blockCreatedOn":1788334414000,"blockCreatedOnDisplay":"03.33 EDT","blockLastUpdated":1788334454000,"blockLastUpdatedDisplay":"03.34 EDT","blockFirstPublished":1788334454000,"blockFirstPublishedDisplay":"03.34 EDT","blockFirstPublishedDisplayNoTimezone":"03.34","title":"Two people injured after an explosion near Augsburg train station","contributors":[],"primaryDateLine":"Wed 2 Sep 2026 08.34 EDT","secondaryDateLine":"First published on Wed 2 Sep 2026 03.33 EDT"},{"id":"6a97c6dd8f08fad6f7abf972","elements":[{"_type":"model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement","html":"<p><strong>EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas said Russia’s attempted drone attack at Leipzig airport last month “had all the hallmarks of state sponsored terrorism,” as she prepares to lead talks on the bloc’s political 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foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas addresses reporters in County Wicklow, Ireland.","caption":"EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas addresses reporters in County Wicklow, Ireland.","credit":"Photograph: Anadolu/Getty Images"}},{"_type":"model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement","html":"<p>She said <strong>the incident should serve as a “wake-up call”</strong> for those countries that have been dragging their feet on further sanctions against Russia. “If we want to end this war, we all have to focus our efforts, take it to a new level,” she said.</p>","elementId":"f735419b-80a3-4704-b026-4f0ce6250104"},{"_type":"model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement","html":"<p>Separately, the EU and France have summoned top Russian officials to protest against the attack.</p>","elementId":"8e18a4da-8264-4112-bfa6-3c841ae2adf5"},{"_type":"model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.RichLinkBlockElement","prefix":"Related: ","text":"Germany blames Russia for drone attack at Leipzig airport","elementId":"d8af54f1-3e97-4265-979a-273e0672ba6a","role":"thumbnail","url":"https://www.theguardian.com/world/2026/sep/01/germany-blames-russia-drone-attack-leipzig-airport"},{"_type":"model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement","html":"<p>Kallas said the discussions will also look at <strong>how the EU can further help Ukraine</strong> when “Russia is escalating and killing the civilians and causing as much harm as they can.”</p>","elementId":"49ad8519-7e64-41d7-9db4-103a236b5e59"},{"_type":"model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement","html":"<p>Later today, European Commission president <strong>Ursula von der Leyen</strong> will separately meet with Nato’s <strong>Mark Rutte</strong>,<strong> </strong>with the Leipzig incident and Ukraine also set to dominate their talks.</p>","elementId":"f2d26fca-e3b4-4a32-a463-d57fcae3548d"},{"_type":"model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement","html":"<p>I will bring you all the details here.</p>","elementId":"b9206c59-10bd-4973-8d4f-72b756ded3b5"},{"_type":"model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement","html":"<p>Elsewhere, Dutch prime minister <strong>Rob Jetten</strong> will host French president <strong>Emmanuel Macron</strong> today, who is then expected in Britain for talks with PM <strong>Andy Burnham.</strong></p>","elementId":"4c5d4a6b-778e-49a4-a7e7-9d4a35e5fcbb"},{"_type":"model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement","html":"<p>It’s <strong>Wednesday, 2 September 2026</strong>, it’s <strong>Jakub Krupa</strong> here, and this is <strong>Europe Live</strong>.</p>","elementId":"ad7b5b62-e749-4691-b1b7-f4097e8325c1"},{"_type":"model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement","html":"<p><strong>Good morning.</strong></p>","elementId":"0a0f7143-adab-43bc-b958-c9cae7f7ecc2"}],"attributes":{"pinned":false,"keyEvent":true,"summary":false},"blockCreatedOn":1788334414000,"blockCreatedOnDisplay":"03.33 EDT","blockLastUpdated":1788333264000,"blockLastUpdatedDisplay":"03.14 EDT","blockFirstPublished":1788334414000,"blockFirstPublishedDisplay":"03.33 EDT","blockFirstPublishedDisplayNoTimezone":"03.33","title":"Morning opening: EU holds talks on response to Leipzig attack","contributors":[{"name":"Jakub Krupa","imageUrl":"https://i.guim.co.uk/img/uploads/2025/01/22/Jakub_Krupa.jpg?width=300&quality=85&auto=format&fit=max&s=41cc9981ec7b067e2d3b5391c5a68a4f","largeImageUrl":"https://i.guim.co.uk/img/uploads/2025/01/22/Jakub_Krupa.png?width=300&quality=85&auto=format&fit=max&s=4a039a2b765744058f3c2c677268513e"}],"primaryDateLine":"Wed 2 Sep 2026 08.34 EDT","secondaryDateLine":"First published on Wed 2 Sep 2026 03.33 EDT"}],"id":"key-events-carousel-mobile","renderingTarget":"Web","serverTime":1788352546201}"> Key events 17m ago German media: two suspects with ties to Russia identified over planned Leipzig attack 1h ago Ukraine finalising drone deal with Germany, Zelenskyy says after talks with Merz 1h ago Madise elected Estonia's next president 2h ago 'Russia has grown increasingly reckless,' Nato's Rutte says 2h ago 'Every loophole Russia exploits is one we must close,' EU's von der Leyen says 2h ago EU, Nato 'will not just maintain pressure on Russia; we will increase it,' von der Leyen says 2h ago Leipzig attack 'marks a new escalation on EU soil', von der Leyen says 2h ago EU's von der Leyen and Nato's Rutte brief media on alleged Russia sabotage, Ukraine 2h ago Russian airspace becoming unsafe for commercial airlines, Zelenskyy says 3h ago Germany steps up probe into Brandenburg substation incident 3h ago Germany's move to blame Russia for Leipzig drone incident 'a grave mistake,' Putin says 4h ago Italy not opposed to using frozen Russian assets to support Ukraine, minister says 4h ago Restarting talks on frozen Russian assets 'a fair approach,' Ukrainian minister says 5h ago Russia's attempts to divide Europe will fail, UK's Miliband says 5h ago Russia 'must live with consequences' of its actions, German minister says 5h ago Germany investigating suspected attempt to disrupt power grid at another substation 5h ago Two people injured after an explosion near Augsburg train station 5h ago Morning opening: EU holds talks on response to Leipzig attack
Ukraine has officially notified the Civil Aviation Organization that Russia’s airspace is not safe for civilian aviation, Reuters reports.
Earlier Volodymyr Zelenskyy, while insisting there was no intention to directly threaten civilian flights, said “We want to warn every airline that uses Russian airspace, every insurer, and everyone who still uses Russia’s key airports: Russian airspace is becoming completely unsafe.”
AP reports, citing local officials, that Russian strikes on the city of Dnipro in central Ukraine have killed a man and a woman. The assault hit food warehouses belonging to a retail chain, wounding at least six people, said Oleksandr Hanzha, head of the Dnipropetrovsk regional military administration.
German media: two suspects with ties to Russia identified over planned Leipzig attack
Süddeutsche Zeitung in Germany is reporting that two suspects have been identified in the attempted attack on cargo planes at Leipzig Airport.
It states that “According to information from the Süddeutsche Zeitung, NDR, and WDR, investigators are certain they have identified two suspects in connection with the planned attack” and that the two men are “a Russian-born man with a Latvian passport and a man from Belarus with a Russian passport, both known to authorities.”
Reuters has a quick snap that in Moscow, Russia has summoned the German ambassador.
Ukraine finalising drone deal with Germany, Zelenskyy says after talks with Merz
Ukraine’s president Volodymyr Zelenskyy has said Ukraine is finalising its drone deal with Germany after his talks with chancellor Friedrich Merz earlier today.
After speaking with Merz via a video conference, Zelenskyy said the pair discussed Russia’s drone attack in Leipzig, which he warned is “yet another Russian escalation.”
“Friedrich briefed me on the measures taken.
For my part, I assured him that Ukraine is ready to help – with expertise, experience, or in other areas where Germany may need it.
Our teams are already finalising the text of the Drone Deal, and this will, among other things, definitely provide both Germany and Ukraine with additional defence capabilities. We discussed the substance of the agreement and when we will be able to sign it.”
Madise elected Estonia's next president
Meanwhile, Estonia’s leading constitutional lawyer Ülle Madise has been elected the country’s next president, set to take over from Alar Karis on 12 October.
Madise, 51, has been Estonia’s human rights and constitutionality ombudsman since 2015.
She will be Estonia’s second female president, after Kersti Kaljulaid who served in the post between 2016 and 2021.
The two leaders take no questions and wrap their press conference up after statements.
That’s a shame as there are no doubts many questions that could be asked here, including on the US’s apparent reluctance to name Russia as the country behind the Leipzig attack (12:00).
'Russia has grown increasingly reckless,' Nato's Rutte says
Rutte continues by warning that “Russia has grown increasingly reckless.”
“We have seen more drones and missiles crossing into our airspace along our eastern flank, creating increased risk. We have also seen an increase in malign activities targeting our territory directly, whether there’s fires set in factories producing defence equipment for Ukraine, or indeed the Russian hybrid attack in Leipzig.”
He offers Nato’s solidarity with Germany.
He says “the danger Russia poses is clear,” with Nato “working round the clock to keep our people safe.”
“If Russia thinks we will be divided by the threats, or if they think we will be deterred from supporting Ukraine, they are mistaken. Our unity is unshaken.”
Rutte is speaking next.
He says he agrees with von der Leyen on all points.
He says it’s clear that “allies are united in their commitment to each other, to our collective defence,” as he goes through his usual spiel on increase defence spending in recent years.
'Every loophole Russia exploits is one we must close,' EU's von der Leyen says
von der Leyen says that EU sanctions have weakened Russia’s economy, but more needs to be done.
“We can more use more sanctions and have them ready to impose as soon as such dangerous, life threatening acts are attributed. Every loophole Russia exploits is one we must close.”
She also repeatedly says the EU will continue supporting Ukraine, with a new payment request from Kyiv to pay for Ukrainian air defence systems.
She says the EU is working closely with Nato to “mobilise its defence surge even sooner” than previously anticipated.
“We will continue, we will prevail and we will deter anyone who attacks our freedom and our security.”
EU, Nato 'will not just maintain pressure on Russia; we will increase it,' von der Leyen says
von der Leyen continues by saying that the Leipzig attack fits “a broader pattern of increasingly dangerous incidents,” including “repeated incursions in our airspace, drones that paralyse our airports, and interference with our critical infrastructure.”
“Europeans are faced with the hard truth that this is the new normal. We have to step up, and that means being ready to respond to Russia’s recklessness faster and better.”
She says the EU will support any member state that Russia targets.
“Europe and Nato will not just maintain our pressure on Russia, we will increase it.”
Leipzig attack 'marks a new escalation on EU soil', von der Leyen says
von der Leyen opens the press conference.
She says their meeting is to discuss the German government’s decision to name Russia as responsible for the Leipzig drone attack.
She says that had the attack succeeded, it would have caused significant damage and possibly loss of life.
“So I want to be very clear about what this was. This was an attack using military grade material carried out by Russian operatives on European Union soil. We will not tolerate it. We stand in full solidarity with Germany.
If the intention was to make us think twice about supporting Ukraine, I can tell you it has only strengthened my resolve. Intimidation will not work.”
She says the Leipzig attack “marks a new escalation on EU soil, directly attributed to Russia.”
Jakub Krupa
Von der Leyen and Rutte are here now.
I will bring you the quotes shortly.
EU's von der Leyen and Nato's Rutte brief media on alleged Russia sabotage, Ukraine
European Commission’s president Ursula von der Leyen and Nato’s secretary general Mark Rutte are about to address the press.
They are expected to give their statements in response to Germany’s decision to formally blame Moscow for the attempted Leipzig drone attack last month.
You can follow along here:
Obviously, I will bring you the key lines here, too.
Russian airspace becoming unsafe for commercial airlines, Zelenskyy says
Dan Sabbagh in Kyiv and Pjotr Sauer
Volodymyr Zelenskyy has said Russia’s airspace is becoming unsafe for commercial airlines, as Vladimir Putin promised to step up strikes against Ukraine’s energy facilities in the run-up to winter.
The Ukrainian president said there was no intention to directly threaten civilian flights, but the growing number of Ukrainian attack drones flying into the country would have to be “taken into account” by the aviation industry.
“We want to warn every airline that uses Russian airspace, every insurer, and everyone who still uses Russia’s key airports: Russian airspace is becoming completely unsafe,” he said in a statement.
A rapid escalation of Ukrainian military capability in the past few months has allowed the country’s forces to strike locations deep inside Russia.
Reliable figures for the number of drone flights are hard to obtain but Ukraine is already capable of launching several hundred a day, and military sources say the country is chasing a target of 1,000 drones in an effort to hurt Russia’s economy.
Ukraine’s commercial airspace has been closed since the beginning of the full scale invasion in February 2022 because Russia has been able to strike targets throughout the country, making airports unsafe for civilians.
US ambassador to Nato Matthew Whitaker offered the US solidarity with Germany “in the face of efforts to cause harm and chaos on Nato territory” – but without naming the country or party behind these efforts.
In a statement, he said:
“The United States stands in solidarity with Germany and all Allies in the face of efforts to cause harm and chaos on Nato territory.
We remain committed to Nato’s collective defense and clear-eyed about the need for Allies to increase their capabilities to deter all threats to the Alliance.”
Alexander Throm, who heads German parliament’s domestic affairs committee, told Reuters the number of disruptive incidents before this weekend’s election in the state of Saxony-Anhalt was “extremely suspicious“.
Opinion polls suggest the AfD, an anti-immigrant party with strong support in the east, could win power for the first time at state level.
The party has called for an end to German support for Ukraine and a resumption of energy agreements with Moscow that provided Germany with cheap oil and gas until supplies were halted in 2022, when Russia invaded Ukraine.
