LIVE UKRAINE. Moscow says it is expanding its anti-aircraft defenses – “That’s spitting in the soldier’s face”: Ukraine smothers criticism of counter-offensive | Home

Moscow has its anti-aircraft defenses have expanded in recent weeks, as the Russian capital is increasingly targeted by Ukrainian drone strikes. That claimed mayor Sergey Sobyanin Thursday nightthe Russian news agency Interfax reported.

“This year we have done a lot to protect Moscow from drones and attempted attacks,” said Sobjanin. The past few weeks additional anti-aircraft guns installedsometimes even daily, he further emphasized.

Russia claims it is shooting down many Ukrainian drones over Moscow, but independent observers question that. Unmanned aerial vehicles have repeatedly caused damage in the city center in recent weeks.

The resumption of the deal for the export of Ukrainian grain according to Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, essential for global food security and stability in the Black Sea region. The Ukrainian grain deal was co-negotiated by Ankara and unilaterally blown up by Moscow in mid-July.

“We have reiterated our belief that the resumption of the agreement will allow to restore stability in the two domainssaid the Turkish minister, during a joint press conference with his Russian counterpart Sergey Lavrov in Moscow.

Fidan went to Russia for the visit of the Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan to prepare. According to Turkish media, Erdogan will travel to Sochi in Russia on September 4 to speak with Russian President Vladimir Putin on the resumption of the grain agreement.

Russia pulled out of the grain deal, which allowed Ukrainian grain to be shipped through the Black Sea despite the war, as long as its terms were not met. Moscow wants Western sanctions to be eased so that it can export its own grain more easily.

Ukraine currently depends on land routes and a river port for the export of the grain, which severely limits export volumes. Turkey is trying to revive the deal, hoping it will be a springboard for wider peace negotiations between Kiev and Moscow.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has stated in an interview with the Portuguese public broadcaster that Ukraine requires about 160 fighter jets for an effective air force. Currently, the country has already been promised 50 to 60.

Denmark, the Netherlands and Norway have already agreed to send F-16s to Ukraine.

The Ukrainian foreign minister Dmytro Cooleba has Thursday lashed out at critics who questioned the strategy of the counter-offensive or the slow progress in liberating Russian-occupied territory in the east of the country. That is “spit in the face of the Ukrainian soldier”, says Koeleba.

Criticizing the slow pace of the counter-offensive is tantamount to spitting in the face of the Ukrainian soldier who sacrifices his life every day, advances and liberates Ukrainian territory mile by mile. “I would recommend to all critics to shut up, come to Ukraine and try to free one centimeter yourself.”

Koeleba was speaking at a joint press briefing with his Spanish counterpart José Manuel Albares Bueno on the sidelines of an informal meeting of European Union foreign ministers in Toledo. There he did a new call on Member States to supply armsespecially tanks, armored vehicles and anti-aircraft systems.

Koeleba also urged again that the countries that have F-16slike Belgium, not just training for Ukrainian pilots, but following the example of the Netherlands, Denmark and Norway actual fighter jets would to deliver.

Finally, Germany was specifically asked to send long-range missiles. “There is no objective argument against that decision,” said Koeleba. “That makes sense in every way because it helps us counteroffensive and it helps end the war faster.”