EU Chief Calls Nord Stream Attack "Sabotage", Warns Of "Strongest Possible Response"

"European Commission chief Ursula von der Leyen confirmed the Nord Stream pipeline

system leaks were caused by "sabotage," and warned of the "strongest possible response" should active European energy infrastructure be attacked. '

Earlier, Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen described the three separate leaks on NS1 and NS2 as "deliberate acts," adding: "It’s hard to imagine that it’s accidental."

On Monday, Swedish seismologists reported the detection of underwater explosions - shortly after which large patches of roiling gas could be seen on the surface in the same area.

And while Poland's former Defense Minister appeared to thank the United States for the attack (a perfectly good explanation for which we're sure is will be offered), Poland's PM, Mateusz Morawiecki, laid the blame on Russia for targeting the pipelines - suggesting that the attack was an attempt to escalate the Ukraine conflict." ZeroHedge

Moldova considers sanctions for citizens who fight for Russia in Ukraine

"Moldova may revoke the citizenship of its nationals who go to fight for Russia in Ukraine
after being called up because they also hold Russian passports......Russia has had peacekeeping troops stationed in Transdniestria since the early 1990s when an armed conflict saw pro-Russian separatists wrest most of the region from Moldovan control." yahoo

Kyiv implements aspects of language law, making Ukrainian mandatory on websites

"Kyiv began to enforce aspects of a language law that makes it mandatory for websites in the
country to be in Ukrainian." UkrainianWeekly

US speaks out on claims of ‘sabotage’ on Russia’s Nord Stream

"Commenting on reports that the Nord Stream 1 and 2 pipelines have been disabled by
sabotage or deliberate attacks, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Tuesday said such an attack is “in no one’s interest.” He added, however, that the current situation represents an opportunity for Europe." RT

Four regions vote to join Russia

"The Donetsk and Lugansk People’s Republics (LPR and DPR) along with Kherson Region
and part of Zaporozhye Region in southern Ukraine have voted to join Russia in referendums that were held between September 23 and 27." RT

U.S. Blew Up Russian Gas Pipelines Nord Stream 1 & 2, Says Former Polish Defense Minister

"A former Polish Defense Minister, Radek Sikorski, has attributed to the United States the
sabotage of two pipelines, Nord Stream 1 and 2, which carry natural gas from Russia to Germany." ZH

 

 

Kremlin says no decision to seal Russia’s borders amid chaos

"The Kremlin says no decision has been taken on whether to seal Russia’s borders to stop an
exodus of military-aged men fleeing the country after days of chaotic scenes during partial mobilization for its war in Ukraine." AlJazeera

 

Gunman attacks Russian military center; protests over mobilization

"A man opened fire at a Siberian military recruitment office on Monday — the latest sign of
unrest within Russia after President Vladimir Putin announced a military mobilization affecting up to 300,000 reservists from around the country....." WP

Russian methanol industry shutting down

"Suspension of trade with customers in Europe and a drop in domestic demand are forcing
producers to dramatically reduce output and sell their produce to China at a knockdown price.....Methanol, the simplest alcohol, can be obtained from natural gas and has a variety of industrial uses. It's a chemical building block for plastics, paints and building materials and also widely used in the car industry and as a fuel....Methanol producers want to avoid closing plants completely as restarting them would be costly, however, some factories have already been partially shuttered." RT

 

Kremlin spokesman's son refuses to join Russian army in prank call Access to the comments

"The son of Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov refused to join Russia's army in a prank call
with opposition activists. The hoax was conducted live by Dmitri Nizovtsev, host of "People's Politics" YouTube channel that was created by supporters of jailed Russian opposition figure Alexei Navalny.

The viral stunt was released online shortly after Russian President Vladimir Putin announced a "partial mobilisation". ....But the 32-year-old implied that he would refuse to be enlisted, stating "of course, I won't come tomorrow at 10:00.....I have no problem defending my homeland - but I need to understand the expediency of my appearance there, I am talking about certain political nuances." EuroNews

 

Sri Lankans describe abuse as Russian captives in Ukraine

"A group of Sri Lankans held captive by Russian forces in an agricultural factory in eastern Ukraine has alleged torture for months before escaping on foot as the Russians withdrew from the Kharkiv region.

Group was captured at a checkpoint near Ukraine’s Kupiansk city and Russian troops shot one in the foot and beat them with rifle butts." AlJazeera

Odesa bombed by Iranian drones

"Ukraine says the southern port city of Odesa was hit by Iranian-made drones, two days after a similar Russian attack reportedly killed two civilians. Iran denies its drones are used in the conflict." AlJazeera

Russian Lawmakers Approve Long Jail Terms for Military Surrender, Refusal to Serve

"Russian lawmakers passed sweeping legislation Tuesday introducing jail terms of up to 15 years for wartime acts, including surrendering, as the country’s forces face major battlefield setbacks nearly seven months after invading Ukraine.

Voluntary surrender and looting are punished by 10 and 15 years in prison, respectively, with “mobilization, martial law and wartime” listed as aggravating circumstances.

Desertion during mobilization or wartime will be punished by up to 10 years." MT

How a fully-fledged war between two ex-Soviet states could threaten stability in Central Asia

"While the leaders of more than 20 major Asian countries – – held talks in the ancient city of
Samarkand only a few hundred kilometers away, large-scale hostilities erupted on the border between Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan, last week. As their presidents also participated in the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) summit, the conflict erupted with the use of heavy weapons and claimed hundreds of lives. 

It all began on Wednesday, when the Kyrgyz border service discovered their Tajik counterparts had taken up combat positions on part of the state border, thus nullifying previously reached agreements. In response to the demand to leave the territory, they opened fire. Fighting with the use of heavy weapons continued for several days." RT

Tens of Thousands Rally Across Russia in Support of Referendums in Donbass, Zaporozhye and Kherson

"Tens of thousands of people are rallying across Russia on September 23 in support of the
ongoing referendums in the Donetsk and Lugansk People's Republics, as well as the liberated territories of the Zaporozhye and Kherson regions.

People in the Donbass republics as well as the two regions are voting on whether to join Russia. The votes are being held on September 23-27." Sputnik