Fallout from ‘shameful’ shootout in Kyiv intensifies as Ukrainian intelligence service doubles down on claims
Ukraine’s Security Service (SBU) has maintained the claims which resulted in an armed confrontation between the country’s military intelligence agency (HUR) on Wednesday.
The SBU had formally accused Stepan Kaplunov, deputy commander of the anti-Kremlin Russian Volunteer Corps (RVC), of operating as an agent for Moscow’s Federal Security Service (FSB).
According to the SBU, Kaplunov was recruited to organize an FSB-ordered assassination of a prominent Russian opposition figure who was traveling to Kyiv for Ukraine’s Independence Day celebrations.
Investigators allege he was also tasked with targeting Ukrainian Defense Forces personnel in exchange for monetary compensation.
Suha Kidwai3 September 2026 20:00
Denmark intelligence warns of Russian threat amid Kremlin-linked attacks in Germany
The Danish Security and Intelligence Service (PET) has said that Russian intelligence is actively attempting to recruit Danish citizens.
PET counter-intelligence chief Emil Græsholm has confirmed that authorities have uncovered specific Russian plans targeting companies involved in military support for Kyiv.
According to PET, recruits, who are being found over online platforms, are tasked with taking photographs of logistics facilities, warehouses, and transport routes to help prepare physical strikes.
The disclosure comes as German investigators expand their probe into last month’s attempted explosive drone attack at Leipzig/Halle Airport.
Suha Kidwai3 September 2026 19:00
Trump warns of weakening US firepower
President Donald Trump has said that the US is “stockpiling” weapons after making a dig at his predecessor Joe Biden for providing munitions to Ukraine.
“We are stockpiling and preparing for any contingency that could happen. We are taking them for ourselves, the USA, rather than selling them to others, but the sales to Allies will soon again, begin,” he wrote in a post on Truth Social on Thursday.
‘Also, please let it be known, that the Biden Administration gave far more Munitions away to Ukraine, at no cost to them, whatsoever, than we have used in Iran. Hundreds of Billions of Dollars was given to Ukraine and Nato, free of charge, that Europe would have paid for — If they were only asked, but we will be asking for that money, though somewhat belatedly! Thank you for your attention to this matter.”
Maira Butt3 September 2026 18:30
Putin indicates chance to end the war in rare move
Vladimir Putin has said that a chance remains to reach a negotiated settlement to end the war in Ukraine.
Putin at the Eastern Economic Forum in Vladivostok (Reuters)
Speaking at the Eastern Economic Forum in Vladivostok on Thursday, Putin expressed gratitude to international partners for their willingness to assist mediation efforts.
“Is there a chance? In my view, yes, there is,” Putin said during the plenary session.
However, Putin warned that recent Ukrainian drone activity and strikes on commercial shipping severely complicate diplomatic prospects, framing the actions as “state terrorism.”
The president’s remarks follow months of stalled U.S.-mediated negotiations, as both sides escalate long-range strikes against energy infrastructure and maritime trade routes.
Suha Kidwai3 September 2026 18:00
Top general linked to Kyiv children’s hospital attack ‘shot in the head’, according to Russian media
Russian media has reported that Major General Nikolai Varpakhovich, a service member who was linked to an attack on a children’s hospital in Kyiv, has been seriously injured in a shooting.
SotaVision said that a bullet struck Varpakhovich in the abdomen and a second in the face.
He is the commander of the 22nd Heavy Bomber Aviation Division of the Russian Aerospace Forces.
Russia’s top investigative body said it has opened a criminal probe into attempted murder and arms trafficking after “an attempt on the life of a serviceman” in the city of Engels.
“Cartridge casings and bullets from a firearm were recovered at the scene,” the Investigative Committee said in a statement, according to the Moscow Times.
Ukraine’s security services said that investigation established that Varpakhovich had issued a combat order to carry out the missile strike on the National Children’s Specialised Hospital in Kyiv in July 2024.
(Russian Ministry of Defense)
Maira Butt3 September 2026 17:39
Ukraine signals ‘new dynamic’ in peace talks, calls US role essential
Ukrainian foreign minister Andrii Sybiha has said that peace efforts to end the war are entering an active new diplomatic phase, urging observers to “follow the news” as engagement resumes across global capitals.
Speaking in Kyiv on Thursday, the minister emphasised that diplomacy must play an increasingly active role in ending Russian aggression.
Sybiha stressed that achieving progress without direct U.S. involvement is “unrealistic,” and confirmed that Zelensky recently held discussions with Washington’s negotiating team.
Suha Kidwai3 September 2026 17:00
Estonia holds emergency meeting after €70 million Ukraine ammunition scam
Estonian prime minister Kristen Michal has convened an emergency cabinet meeting following the resignation of defence minister Hanno Pevkur amid mass scandal.
The scandal saw a staggering €70 million ($81 million) of public funds, meant for Ukraine, sent to a sham company.
A report revealed that Estonia had transferred tens of millions in EU advance payments to a company that had never produced or sold a single artillery shell.
Estonian prosecutors have now launched a criminal investigation into defence procurement practices in the country.
Pevkur stepped down on Wednesday evening, taking political responsibility for the failed deal while maintaining he was not directly involved in contract negotiations.
Suha Kidwai3 September 2026 16:00
Russia to close German cultural centres as bilateral tensions rise
Russia will close all branches of Germany’s Goethe-Institut in Moscow, St. Petersburg, and Yekaterinburg, foreign minister Sergey Lavrov.
The tit-for-tat measure follows Berlin’s decision to shut down the Russian House cultural centre in Berlin and a Russian consulate in Bonn.
Moscow has denied targeting Germany as hybrid attacks across Europe escalate (AP)
Germany had ordered the closures after accusing Moscow of orchestrating an attempted drone attack targeting Ukrainian cargo aircraft at Leipzig/Halle Airport last month — a claim Russian officials continue to call “baseless.”
Lavrov has warned the move effectively marks “the end of Germany’s cultural presence in Russia,” as diplomatic relations between Moscow and European wear thin.
Suha Kidwai3 September 2026 15:15
Kyiv welcomes Indian leaders to discuss co-operation
Ukraine’s foreign minister Andrii Sybiha has met with his Indian counterpart in Kyiv on Thursday.
The meeting marks the first standalone bilateral visit by an Indian foreign minister to Ukraine.
The landmark diplomatic meeting occurred amid escalating Russian air strikes targeting Ukrainian infrastructure, civil shipping, and major cities.
In a post on X, Sybiha commended New Delhi’s stance, welcoming Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s appeal to move toward ending the war while affirming Ukraine’s readiness for diplomacy.
The two ministers discussed multiple issues, including global food security, and improving cooperation in pharmaceuticals, technology, and infrastructure.
Suha Kidwai3 September 2026 14:45
Ukraine’s navy hits Russian vessel in Sochi
Ukraine’s navy has confirmed it has hit a Russian vessel in the Black Sea port city of Sochi, on Thursday.
Kyiv has claimed the ship it was supporting Moscow’s war effort.
The vessel, Nefrit, is reported to have been supporting oil and gas operations, servicing offshore facilities, transporting cargo and personnel, and carrying out underwater engineering work, Ukraine’s navy said in a post on Telegram.
“[The vessel’s] activities constitute direct support for the enemy’s war economy,” Kyiv added.
Suha Kidwai3 September 2026 14:00