Hotel in Mykolaivka, Donetsk oblast destroyed by Russians

The Russian forces launched an attack on the town of Mykolaivka in the Donetsk region, resulting in the destruction of a hotel building. The assault involved four guided bombs, targeting civilians, according to the State Emergency Service of Ukraine (SES).

On the evening of September 7, a four-story hotel in Mykolaivka, located in the Kramatorsk district, was partially destroyed by an airstrike. During the rescue operations, SES teams recovered the bodies of two individuals from the rubble.

101 tons of debris from the destroyed structure were cleared during the operations, which have now been completed.

A correspondent from Radio Svoboda, present at the scene, reported that the hotel was occupied by animal volunteers from Kharkiv who had come to the area to provide free sterilization and vaccination services for animals.

According to the CIA director says there was a genuine risk of Russia's use of nuclear weapons in 2022

At the Financial Times' Weekend festival in London, CIA Director Bill Burns stated that he believed there was a "genuine risk" of Russia using tactical nuclear weapons during the first months of its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022. Burns specifically referenced the fall of 2022, around the time of Ukrainian counteroffensives in the Kharkiv and Kherson regions, as a period when this risk was particularly acute.

Following these Ukrainian counteroffensives, the U.S. took the threat seriously and rigorously prepared for the possibility of Russia deploying strategic or tactical nuclear weapons. According to a March report from CNN, U.S. officials were concerned that Russia might use reports of Ukraine allegedly planning to use a "dirty bomb" as a pretext for a nuclear attack. This concern prompted U.S. President Joe Biden to send Burns to Turkey in November 2022 to meet with Sergei Naryshkin, the head of Russia's Foreign Intelligence Service, to convey the severe consequences that would follow any escalation involving nuclear weapons.

Burns emphasized that while Russia's nuclear threats should not intimidate or bully the West, they must be taken seriously. Russian President Vladimir Putin and other officials have repeatedly stated that Russia is "prepared" for a nuclear conflict and could use its nuclear arsenal if deemed necessary. The Federation of American Scientists (FAS) reported in March that Russia has the largest nuclear arsenal in the world, with a total inventory of 5,580 nuclear warheads.

Burns' remarks highlight the ongoing concern over Russia's potential use of nuclear weapons and the importance of remaining vigilant against such threats while navigating the broader conflict.

Ukraine is building underground weapons factories - Zelensky

During the Ambrosetti International Economic Forum in Italy on Sept. 7, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy revealed that Ukraine is constructing underground facilities for weapons production to ensure a steady supply of arms for its military, even in the event of delays in receiving foreign military aid. Zelenskyy emphasized the importance of these facilities in enabling Ukrainian soldiers to defend the country amid ongoing Russian aggression.

Zelenskyy also highlighted Ukraine's advancements in developing new drones and missiles, designed to "return the war to Russian territory." He expressed confidence that these measures would eventually compel Russian President Vladimir Putin to seek peace.

Zelenskyy's visit to Italy, where he met with business leaders and Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, followed his trip to Germany. In Germany, Zelenskyy secured additional military support during the 24th Ramstein group meeting and held discussions with Chancellor Olaf Scholz.

Addressing the ongoing threat from Russian missile and drone strikes, Zelenskyy underscored the urgency of bolstering Ukraine's defenses. Recent Russian attacks on Ukrainian cities like Kharkiv, Poltava, and Lviv have intensified the need for robust air defense systems.

As of June 2024, Italy has committed 1.7 billion euros ($1.8 billion) in economic and military aid to Ukraine, according to the Kiel Institute for the World Economy (IfW Kiel). Italy, holding the Group of Seven (G7) presidency in 2024, announced a $50 billion loan for Ukraine funded by proceeds from frozen Russian assets. The country will also host the 2025 Recovery Conference, bringing together officials from 77 nations and representatives from 500 companies.