Ukraine says Russian ships are unable to operate in part of Black Sea near drilling platforms
From CNN's Yulia Kesaieva
In this July 2023 photo, sailors stand at attention on the deck of a Russian Black Sea Fleet warship during the Navy Day celebrations in the port city of Novorossiysk. Stringer/AFP/Getty Images
The Russian Black Sea fleet is now unable to operate in the area around drilling platforms near Crimea that the Ukrainians seized earlier this week, according to the Ukrainian Navy.
The platforms are known as the Boyko Towers.
“There is still a threat from the air in the area where these towers are located, as Russian aviation continues their presence there," said Dmytro Pletenchuk, a spokesperson for the Ukrainian Navy.
However, Pletenchuk said that Ukrainian coastal artillery as well as man-portable air defense systems (MANPADS) and missile systems meant that the Russian fleet “cannot approach these towers.”
Some background: Ukraine said Monday that it had regained control of the Boyko Towers. They have been controlled by the Russians since soon after the annexation of Crimea in 2014.
Defence Intelligence of Ukraine said the towers had been used by the Russians as helicopter landing sites and for the deployment of radar equipment.
11:20 a.m. ET, September 12, 2023
Top oversight official will brief Senate GOP tomorrow on Ukraine aid, McConnell announces
From CNN's Morgan Rimmer
Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell Speaks to reporters after a closed-door GOP strategy meeting, at the Capitol in Washington D.C., on September 6. J. Scott Applewhite/AP
A top oversight official is expected to address the Senate Republican conference on Wednesday, Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell announced. The lawmaker is pushing back on arguments against Ukraine aid, focusing on the “misconception” that there is a lack of oversight into how American resources are used in the war.
"Tomorrow, my colleagues will have an opportunity to learn even more. At my request, the Inspector General for the Pentagon and State Department and US AID will come to brief Republican senators on the state have their own independent oversight assistance efforts," McConnell said.
He argued that “Ukraine is not Iraq or Afghanistan. It is a modern democracy firmly committed to integration with the West,” and that government corruption in Ukraine has plummeted during the conflict.
McConnell added that American officials like diplomats and military officers have returned to Kyiv and "their presence allows for more oversight and accountability of our systems."
"Through these coalition efforts, we have unprecedented insight into how nearly 30 types of Western weapons systems and vehicles are being used by Ukraine, often down to the serial number," he said.
10:44 a.m. ET, September 12, 2023
Russian missiles targeted civilian cargo ship in August, UK intelligence claims
From CNN's Oliver Briscoe
A civilian ship was deliberately shot at in the Black Sea in August, according to British intelligence that made public.
Several Russian missiles were headed for a Liberian-flagged cargo ship last month, the United Kingdom Foreign Office said in a statement. The attack on August 24 was thwarted by the Ukrainian Air Force.
“Putin is trying to win a war he will not win, and these attacks show just how desperate he is,” said Foreign Secretary James Cleverly.
Two Kh-59 guided missiles, fired from a Su-34 aircraft, and two Kalibr cruise missiles, fired from a small missile ship, were shot down over Ukraine’s Odesa region.
9:54 a.m. ET, September 12, 2023
Ukraine targets Enerhodar, a Russian-occupied city next to Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant, with more drone attacks
From CNN's Yulia Kesaieva
There’s been another drone attack on the Russian-occupied city of Enerhodar, which is adjacent to the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant. It’s at least the third in a month.
Ukrainian Defense Intelligence said one drone was targeted at an event being held in an office being used by the occupiers as a passport office.
“As a result of the hit, a fire broke out in the room, and several ambulance crews arrived at the building,” it said.
Almost simultaneously, Defense Intelligence claimed, a radio communication center, located on the technical floor of a 14-story building, was also hit.
Another drone was targeted at accommodation used by Russian officers.
On Monday, a Russian-appointed official in Zaporizhzhia, Vladimir Rogov, said the Ukrainians had struck Enerhodar four times.
“Two UAVs hit a residential apartment building, the third one - the passport office. Another one exploded just minutes ago,” he said.
Other local channels confirmed the attacks, saying they took place late on Monday afternoon. They also claimed that several drones were successfully eliminated.
There’s been no official word on casualties.
10:51 a.m. ET, September 12, 2023
Kim Jong Un meets Russian officials, state media reports
From CNN's Anna Chernova
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un meets with Russian Minister of Natural Resources and Environment Alexander Kozlov upon his arrival in Khasan in the Primorsky region, Russia, in this still image from video published on September 12. Oleg Kozhemyako/Telegram/Reuters
The North Korean leader Kim Jong Un began his visit to Russia Tuesday by meeting senior officials in Khasan, according to state media Russia 24.
Kim met with Oleg Kozhemyako, the governor of the Primorsky Krai region that borders North Korea, as well as Alexander Kozlov, Russian minister of natural resources, it reported.
“A visit of this level is a good message for the most active development of broad ties and direct contacts with colleagues from the DPRK,” Kozhemyako said.
10:48 a.m. ET, September 12, 2023
Video shows Kim Jong Un arriving at Russian train station, just over border from North Korea
From CNN's Katharina Krebs
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un steps down from his train in Russia and is greeted by Russian officials in the Primorsky region, Russia, in this still image from video published September 12. Alexander Kozlov/Telegram/Reuters
Video footage has shown North Korean leader Kim Jong Un disembarking his private armored train at Khasan station in Russia's Far East early Tuesday morning local time. Khasan lies on the banks of the Tumen River, near the point where the borders of North Korea, Russia and China converge.
Kim was greeted by Russian officials, a guard of honor and a military band, Russian state media TASS reported.
More context: The train was traveling north through Primorsky Krai in the Far East region of the country, Russian state news agency RIA reported earlier Tuesday.
Russia’s Far East region is a massive swath of territory that shares land borders with China, North Korea and Mongolia. According to South Korean news agency Yonhap, the train appears to be moving toward a more northerly destination than the eastern port of Vladivostok, toward Khabarovsk province bordering China instead, citing multiple local sources in Vladivostok.
Russian President Vladimir Putin was in Vladivostok, the biggest city in Primorsky Krai, Tuesday for the Eastern Economic Forum, where he gave an address touting Russia’s trade opportunities with countries in Asia Pacific.
CNN's Helen Regan, Gawon Bae, Jake Kwon, Jessie Yeung, Brad Lendon and Rob Picheta contributed reporting to this post.
8:53 a.m. ET, September 12, 2023
Here’s what you need to know about the expected Kim-Putin meeting and other top headlines in the Ukraine war
From CNN staff
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has arrived in Russia ahead of an expected meeting with President Vladimir Putin that could have huge implications for the war in Ukraine. Although it is not yet known where exactly Kim is headed, the United States has warned for weeks about what will likely be discussed – a potential arms deal – as Moscow seeks more weapons to bolster its invasion.
Meanwhile, Putin made wide-ranging comments at Tuesday's Eastern Economic Forum, where he addressed peace negotiations with Ukraine, Russia’s latest recruitment drive and even next year’s US presidential election.
Here are the latest developments:
Kim in Russia: The North Korean leader's heavily armored private train crossed the country's northern border into Russia ahead of his anticipated summit with Putin, state media reported Tuesday. Among Kim’s delegation are some of North Korea’s top military and political brass – including Foreign Minister Choe Son Hui and Ri Pyong Chol, who has been sanctioned by the United States and United Nations for his role in leading North Korea’s ballistic missile programs. Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu is set to participate in the discussions between Putin and Kim, according to Russian state media – although it is unclear when, or where, they will begin.
US raises alarm: The US National Security Council warned last month – before reports of a meeting between the two leaders first emerged – that Russia and North Korea were “actively advancing” their negotiations over a potential deal that could provide Moscow with weapons for its war on Ukraine. CNN’s Brad Lendon has looked into the impact that North Korean weapons could have on the battlefield in Ukraine – and why Russia’s faltering invasion could turn into a win for North Korea.
Potential peace negotiations: Speaking at the Eastern Economic Forum in Russia's far eastern city of Vladivostok, Putin discussed several issues relating to his full-scale invasion of Ukraine – including the possibility of peace talks to bring the war to an end. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has long voiced his concerns about negotiating with Putin, and pointed to his record of reneging on agreements. Last year, Zelensky signed a decree declaring the prospect of any talks with Putin “impossible.” Speaking Tuesday, Putin said Zelensky will have to cancel the decree if the war is to be ended through negotiations.
“Day of Reunification”: Putin submitted a draft proposal to Russia’s State Duma to establish a “Day of Reunification” for Russia and the illegally annexed Ukrainian territories. The draft proses that the day be observed on September 30 – the date last year that Putin proclaimed that Moscow will recognize four Ukrainian regions as Russian territory. They are Luhansk and Donetsk – home to two Russian-backed breakaway republics where fighting has been ongoing since 2014 – as well as Kherson and Zaporizhzhia, two southern regions occupied by Russian forces since early last year.
US presidential election: Putin also described the criminal prosecutions faced by former US President Donald Trump as “the persecution of a political rival for political reasons.” He said the cases brought against Trump were “good” for Russia, as they show the “rottenness of the American system, which cannot pretend to teach others about democracy.” His comments came after top US and European officials have expressed concern that Putin is “trying to hold out” until the 2024 election, in the hope that a defeat for President Joe Biden will lead the US to curtail its support for Ukraine and improve Russia’s position.
7:09 a.m. ET, September 12, 2023
South Korea calls on Russia to "act responsibly" as permanent member of UN Security Council
From CNN's Gawon Bae
Seoul has called on Russia to “act responsibly” as a permanent member of the UN Security Council, an official from South Korea’s presidential office said on Tuesday, ahead of an expected meeting between Russian President Vladimir Putin and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un.
The comments come as the US government warned that Russia and North Korea are "actively advancing" their negotiations over a potential arms deal.
“Our government has been understanding the overall situation well, independently and by cooperating with allies and partner nations, and making full preparations,” a South Korean presidential official said.
“Many countries are watching the summit between North Korea, which is under UN sanctions, and Russia, a permanent member of the UN Security Council, with a bit of concern for various reasons, but as the president has stated, we hope Russia will act responsibly as a permanent member of the UN Security Council," the official added.
7:04 a.m. ET, September 12, 2023
Putin criticizes US for sending cluster munitions and depleted uranium shells to Ukraine
From CNN’s Anna Chernova
Russian President Vladimir Putin speaks during the Eastern Economic Forum in Vladivostok on Tuesday. Getty Images
Speaking at the Eastern Economic Forum in Vladivostok, Putin said that the US stance on cluster munitions was inconsistent.
“Quite recently, the US administration believed that the use of cluster munitions was a war crime. They talked about it publicly. Now they themselves supply cluster munitions to the combat zone in Ukraine,” he said.
“Of course, it does damage to us," Putin went on. "The same thing happens with depleted uranium; the area is being contaminated. (This is) bad, very bad.”
What are cluster munitions? Cluster munitions are canisters that carry tens to hundreds of smaller bomblets, known as submunitions. The canisters can be dropped from aircraft, launched from missiles or fired from artillery, naval guns or rocket launchers.
The canisters break open at a prescribed height, and the bomblets inside spread out over that area. They are fused by a timer to explode closer to or on the ground.
Both the Ukrainians and the Russians have used cluster bombs since the full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. But their use is controversial, due to the potential harm they can do to civilians.
What is depleted uranium? Depleted uranium is what is left over when most of the highly radioactive isotopes of uranium have been stripped out of the metal for use in nuclear fuel or nuclear weapons.
It is far less radioactive than enriched uranium and unable to produce a nuclear reaction. But depleted uranium is extremely dense, making it a highly effective projectile.
The US announced this month that it would send depleted uranium shells to Ukraine. The 120mm rounds can be fired from the US-made Abrams M1 tanks that are set to arrive on the frontlines this fall.
