AP The head of Ukraine’s atomic energy company has accused Russia of trying to “hijack” Europe’s largest nuclear power plant by cutting it off from Ukraine’s electricity grid and leaving it on the brink of a radiation disaster. The Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant has been without an external source of electricity since Monday and receives power for its own safety systems from the only one of its six reactors that remains operational, Enerhoatom head Petro Kotin told The Associated Press. “We are trying to keep this unit running as long as possible, but eventually it will have to be shut down and then the station will switch to diesel generators,” he said, adding that such generators are “the station’s last line of defense before a radiation accident. “ — Associated Press
Japan and India agree to boost military cooperation
Japan’s Foreign Minister Yoshimasa Hayashi (L) and India’s Defense Minister Rajnath Singh attend a press conference at the Iikura Hotel in Tokyo on September 8, 2022. Rodrigo Reyes Marin | AFP | Getty Images Japan and India have agreed to expand military cooperation by holding more joint exercises and pursuing the joint development of defense equipment such as unmanned vehicles amid rising tensions with China and Russia in the region. Japanese Foreign Minister Yoshimasa Hayashi said there was “a growing need” for India and Japan to step up security cooperation. He noted Russia’s war in Ukraine, China’s increasingly assertive actions, including escalating tensions over Taiwan, and North Korea’s missile and nuclear threats. Hayashi and Japanese Defense Minister Yasukazu Hamada held talks along with their Indian counterparts, Subrahmanyam Jaishankar and Rajnat Singh, in Tokyo. — Associated Press
4 nations bordering Russia to limit Russian tourists
A women’s souvenir shop in Budva, Montenegro’s main summer tourist destination, May 24, 2022. Stevo Vasilievich Reuters Four European countries bordering Russia will take regional measures this month to restrict Russian residents from entering Europe’s visa-free zone by land because they are “increasingly concerned about the significant and growing influx of Russian citizens”. “We believe that this is becoming a serious threat to our public security and to the common Schengen area,” said Estonian Prime Minister Kaja Kallas. “There are people who come with the aim of undermining the security of our countries.” Poland and the three Baltic countries — Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania — agreed to a joint regional approach with “the political will and firm intention to introduce national temporary measures for Russian citizens holding EU visas.” Such measures should be in force in each of the four countries by September 19. — Associated Press
Five ships are set to depart Ukraine carrying 83,241 metric tons of agricultural products
An aerial view of the ‘Glory’ names an empty grain ship as representatives of Russia, Ukraine, Turkey and the United Nations (UN) Joint Coordination Center (JCC) conduct a vessel inspection in Istanbul, Turkey on August 09, 2022. Ali Atmaca | Anadolu Agency | Getty Images The agency that oversees the export of agricultural products from Ukraine said it had approved five ships to leave the besieged country. The Joint Coordination Center, an initiative of Ukraine, Russia, the United Nations and Turkey, said the ships were carrying 83,241 metric tons of grain and other food products. The ships are expected to depart on Friday and are bound for China, Italy and Turkey. — Amanda Macias
Blinken meets Patron, Ukraine’s bomb-sniffing hero
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken (C) holds his Jack Russell Terrier Patron landmine detector dog during his visit to a children’s hospital in Kyiv on September 8, 2022. (Images) Genya Savilov | AFP | Getty Images US Secretary of State Antony Blinken greeted Ukraine’s most famous dog, Patron, a 2-year-old Jack Russell who has detected hundreds of land mines since the start of the Russian invasion. The patron saint has become a national symbol of political resistance and mobilization, inspiring fan art and accepting a medal of honor from Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy earlier this year. Blinken also visited a children’s hospital in Kyiv during his visit, which was not publicly announced until after Blinken landed in the war-torn country. U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken gives a gift to Marina, 6, from the Kherson region, during his visit to a children’s hospital in Kyiv on September 8, 2022. Genya Savilov | Afp | Getty Images
Here’s what the latest US arms package for Ukraine includes
US M142 High Mobility Artillery Rocket Launchers (HIMARS) fire a salvo during the ‘African Lion’ military exercise in the Grier Labouihi region of southeastern Morocco on June 9, 2021. Fadel Senna | AFP | Getty Images The US has announced its 20th security aid package to Ukraine worth about $675 million. The latest arms package brings the US commitment to more than $14.5 billion since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in late February.
Additional munitions for High Mobility Artillery Missile Systems or HIMARS 1,000 rounds of 155mm Remote Anti-Armor Mine Systems Four 105mm aircraft and 36,000 105mm artillery shells Additional high-velocity anti-radiation missiles 100 armored multipurpose high mobility wheeled vehicles 1,500,000 rounds of small arms ammunition More than 5,000 anti-armor systems Additional grenade launchers and small arms 50 armored medical care vehicles Night vision devices and other field equipment
— Amanda Macias
Blinken announces $2.8 billion in military aid to Ukraine during surprise visit to Kyiv
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken (R) receives from Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky (L) a Prince Yaroslav the Wise 2nd degree medal during their meeting in Kyiv on September 8, 2022. Genya Savilov | AFP | Getty Images Secretary of State Anthony Blinken announced an additional $2.8 billion in military aid to Ukraine during a surprise visit to Kyiv. The majority of the funds, about $2.2 billion, will fund long-term investments for Ukraine and 18 other allies. “These funds will help our allies and partners who have provided security assistance to Ukraine supplement their capabilities,” a State Department spokesman said. The remaining funds of about $675 million will come in the form of weapons and military equipment directly from US arsenals. “Ukraine’s outstanding frontline defenders continue to fight courageously for their country’s freedom, and President Biden is clear that we will stand by the people of Ukraine for as long as it takes,” Blinken said in a statement announcing the additional funding. “I reiterated this message to President Zelensky and his team today in Kyiv, which remains ̶ and will remain ̶ the capital of a sovereign, independent Ukraine,” he added. — Amanda Macias
Biden to hold call with allies on Ukraine, White House says
U.S. President Joe Biden speaks by phone with his Ukrainian counterpart Volodymyr Zelensky in the Oval Office at the White House in Washington, DC on December 9, 2021. Nicholas Kamm | AFP | Getty Images President Joe Biden will speak with allies and partners to discuss additional ways to help Ukraine. The White House said Biden would “underline our continued support for Ukraine as it defends itself against Russian aggression.” The call with allies comes as US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin meets the Defense Contact Group for Ukraine in Germany. The group, a coalition of nearly 40 countries that support Ukraine’s military needs, has met four times in the past. The group will discuss additional ways to provide security assistance to Ukraine as Russia’s war enters its seventh month. — Amanda Macias.
Blinken makes an unannounced visit to Kyiv
U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken gives a gift to Marina, 6, from the Kherson region, during his visit to a children’s hospital in Kyiv on September 8, 2022. Genya Savilov | Afp | Getty Images US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken is in Kyiv on Thursday on a previously unannounced trip to the country. It is the third trip to the country since the war began in February. Blinken is meeting various officials during the visit, which was unannounced for security reasons. He visited a children’s hospital on Thursday morning, meeting children and families affected by the war. Blinken then met with Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba. Earlier today, the US approved an additional $675 million arms package for Ukraine with Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin confirming the aid during a visit to Germany. US Secretary of State Antony Blinken (C) holds his Jack Russell Terrier Patron landmine detector dog during his visit to a children’s hospital in Kyiv on September 8, 2022. (Images) Genya Savilov | AFP | Getty Images The latest package includes more GMLRS, (Guided Multiple Launch Rocket Systems), howitzers, ammunition, Humvees, armored ambulances, anti-tank systems among other equipment. Austin reiterated the U.S. commitment to Ukraine, saying the country is in it “for the long haul.” A State Department official said earlier that Blinken would announce on Thursday a further $2 billion in military funding for Ukraine and 18 of its neighbors “including both our NATO allies and other regional security partners most at risk from a future Russian attack.” .” — Holly Elliott
The US announces a further $675 million in military aid to Ukraine
The US approved an additional $675 million arms package for Ukraine with Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin confirming the aid during a visit to Germany, where defense ministers are gathering for a meeting of the Ukraine Defense Group to discuss the war. Austin said the President…
