Ukraine Russia war latest: Putin ‘considers coming face to face with world leaders’ at G20 summit

Russian President Vladimir Putin is considering attending the G20 summit in person, a Kremlin source has claimed.

The summit is scheduled to take place in New Delhi, India in September and will focus on the theme “One Earth, One Family, One Future”.

But Putin did not rule out his participation, the Kremlin official said NBC Newsto “get back on the world stage” ahead of next year’s elections.

Likewise, the official claimed that Putin is interested in winning over countries that do not steadfastly support Russia in its invasion of Ukraine.

As world leaders condemned the Russian invasion of Ukraine, Putin did not attend the Bali event in 2022.

Ukrainian forces broke through Russia’s defenses after launching a surprise attack across the Dnipro River.

The river separates liberated Ukrainian territory on one side and Russian-occupied lands on the other, and has served as part of the frontline in southern Ukraine for months.

Russian military bloggers said that up to seven boats, each with up to six soldiers on board, appeared on the Russian-held shore under cover of darkness and advanced 800m.

Blogger Trinadtsatyi wrote to more than 150,000 followers on the messaging app Telegram that several Russian soldiers were said to have been killed or captured in the raid. Pictures circulated on social media that apparently showed captured soldiers.

Chris Stevenson has more.

Since Vladimir Putin came to power as Russian president 23 years ago, few things have shaken his leadership more than the Wagner mercenaries as they stormed towards Moscow.

The “army within an army” that had for months ruthlessly spearheaded some of the bloodiest fighting on Ukraine’s eastern flank was now on the verge of unleashing a war within a war – this time against the Kremlin.

But the Russian president was spared that when the mutiny was stopped about 125 miles from the capital by a deal between the mercenary group’s leader, Yevgeny Prigozhin, and Putin – brokered by Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko.

Prigozhin himself was due to travel to Belarus – although he has since been pictured in Russia – with an invitation to Wagner fighters to meet in Belarus.

Maryam Zakir-Hussain reports.

A Russian missile hit a hotel in the Ukrainian city of Zaporizhia last night, killing one and injuring 16.

According to state police, an Iskander missile hit the city at 7:20 p.m. local time. Authorities said at least four children were among the 16 injured.

“Zaporizhia. The city suffers daily from Russian shelling. A fire broke out in a civilian building after the occupying forces hit it with a rocket,” said Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

UN nations staff used the hotel when working in the city, Denise Brown, the humanitarian coordinator for Ukraine, said in an emailed statement.

“I am appalled by the news that a hotel in Zaporizhia, which is often used by United Nations staff and our NGO colleagues to support people affected by the war, was recently hit by a Russian attack in Zaporizhia,” she said.

“I have stayed at this hotel every time I have visited Zaporizhia.”

The Polish government announced it plans to deploy an additional 2,000 troops on the border with Belarus, twice the number requested by the Border Patrol Agency, as fears of illegal migration mount.

In an interview with the state news agency PAP, Deputy Interior Minister Maciej Wasik announced the decision and accused the Belarusian authorities of organizing illegal migration.

He said migratory pressure on the Polish-Belarusian border area is increasing, although not comparable to the situation two years ago.

Russian air defense systems shot down two drones en route to Moscow on Thursday for the second straight day, officials said. The attack disrupted flights at two international airports as Ukraine appeared to step up its attack on Russian soil.

According to Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin and the Russian Defense Ministry, which blamed Ukraine for the attack, a drone was shot down in the Kaluga region, southwest of Moscow, and another near a major Moscow ring road.

No casualties or damage were initially reported.

According to Russian news agencies, Domodedovo Airport, south of the city, halted air traffic for more than two hours, and Vnukovo Airport, southwest of the city, halted air traffic for more than two and a half hours, diverting some incoming planes to other airports.

President Joe Biden will ask Congress on Thursday to provide more than $13 billion in emergency aid to Ukraine, according to a source The Associated Press.

The last such request from the White House in November was granted, and what’s more – Congress approved more than Biden requested. But this time there is a different dynamic.

Political divisions have widened over the issue, and the Republican-led House of Representatives is under intense pressure to show support for party leader Donald Trump, who is very skeptical about the war. And American support for these efforts is slowly fading.

Zelensky shared footage of a damaged church at the site of the attack on Telegram, with fire still burning in the courtyard.

“Another attack by Russian terrorists. So far, three people have been reported dead. My condolences to the families,” the post reads.

“The rescue operation is underway. All victims are provided with the necessary assistance. And this war crime of Russia will certainly be punished. And the response to Russian terrorists will be on the front lines – thanks to our heroic warriors.”

Mary Dejevsky writes: “Whatever happened UkraineSpring counter-offensive? For almost half a year, this prospect was eagerly awaited inside and outside Ukraine, as it would determine the course of the conflict and, as many hoped, cause Russian troops to withdraw. Well, not so much.

As summer gives way to fall, some basic counteroffensive questions hang in the air. Was it there and gone? Did it even happen? If yes, what was the plan? And will similar conversations come with the arrival of Spring 2024?”