Ukraine updates: Germany's Scholz rejects long-range weapons

Before meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in New York, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz said there are "good reason" behind Germany's refusal to send Ukraine weapons that could reach deep into Russian territory. 

Zelenskyy has appealed repeatedly for Western allies to allow the use of weapons that could strike Russian targets far from the front lines. 

Meanwhile, Russian war bloggers and media have reported advances in the Donetsk region, with fresh righting outside the Ukrainian town of Vuhledar.

And at least one person was killed and several others were injured by Russian strikes on Zaporizhzhia overnight into Tuesday. 

Here are the main headlines from Russia's war in Ukraine on Tuesday, September 24, 2024:

09/24/2024September 24, 2024

One dead in Zaporizhzhia as Russia, Ukraine trade strikes

At least one person was killed and several others were injured in Russian strikes on the Ukrainian city of Zaporizhzhia overnight.

"One man died and another six people were injured including a 13-year-old girl and a 15-year-old boy as a result of Russian attacks on Zaporizhzhia," the region's governor Ivan Fedorov said on Telegram.

Ukraine's air force said Russia launched at least 88 drones — most of which were shot down — plus four missiles.

Meanwhile, Russia's air force downed 13 Ukrainian drones overnight, according to Russian state media.

Six drones were reportedly shot down each over the Belgorod and Kursk regions, while one was downed over the Bryansk region.

Two civilians were wounded by Ukrainian strikes in the Russian-annexed part of Donetsk, according to Russian-installed local officials.

09/24/2024September 24, 2024

Scholz rejects long-range missiles for Ukraine

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz reiterated that Germany would not supply Ukraine with long-range missiles on Monday.

Scholz said the German government had already made "a few decisions" regarding military support for Ukraine "that are very clear to me."

The German leader also said Germany would keep restrictions that prevent Ukraine from firing missiles deep into Russian territory.

"That is not compatible with my personal stance ... We will not do that. And we have good reasons for it," said Scholz, who is in New York City for the UN General Assembly.

Ukraine has asked its allies to supply long-range weapons in order to push back against Russian forces.

But the German government has repeatedly declined to supply Ukraine with Taurus cruise missiles, which has a range greater than 500 kilometers (310 miles).

Some opposition figures in Germany have called on Germany to change its position, especially since the US, Britain and France have already supplied Ukraine with cruise missiles that have a range up to 300 kilometers.

09/24/2024September 24, 2024

Russian forces enter Donetsk town of Vuhledar: reports

The town of Vuhledar seen in November 2023Image: Ozge Elif Kizil/Anadolu/picture alliance

Russian forces have begun advancing into the eastern Ukrainian town of Vuhledar in the Donetsk region, according to Russian state media and several pro-Russian war bloggers on Tuesday.

The hilltop town is regarded by some as a stronghold because it has so far resisted Russian capture since the invasion in 2022.

"Russian units have entered Vuhledar — the storm of the town has begun," said Yuri Podolyaka, a Ukrainian-born, pro-Russian military blogger.

Meanwhile, Russian state media was targeted by a pincer movement with fighting underway in the east of the town.

Ukraine's general staff confirmed on Tuesday that Russia had made attempts to capture Ukrainian positions near Pavlivka and Vuhledar. However, no further details were supplied.

09/24/2024September 24, 2024

Rougly 60% of parts in Russian weapons came via China: Ukraine

Ukrainian presidential advisor Vladyslav Vlasiuk said that around 60% of foreign parts found in Russian weapons on the battlefield in Ukraine came via China.

"If you take all the usual types of weapons and count the foreign made components – about 60% would be coming from China. We have had lengthy discussions with some manufacturers about this," Vlasiuk told reporters on Tuesday.

"The PRC (China) is the biggest problem I would say."

Vlasiuk said parts used in drones, missiles and surveillance tech have also come from the United States, the Netherlands, Japan and Switzerland, among others.

09/24/2024September 24, 2024

Zelenskyy: 'We are closer to the end of the war'

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy believes the end of the war is closer than many people think, he said in an interview with American broadcaster ABC.

"I think that we are closer to the peace than we think," Zelenskyy was quoted as saying. "We are closer to the end of the war." 

In the interview, he urged the US to continue its strong support for Ukraine.

Afterwards, in a post on Telegram, Zelenskyy said Washington could take decisive action to help end the war in Ukraine

"Now, at the end of the year, we have a real opportunity to strengthen cooperation between Ukraine and the United States," he said.

"Decisive action now could hasten the just end of Russian aggression against Ukraine next year." 

09/24/2024September 24, 2024

Trump: Zelenskyy wants Democrats to win US election

US Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump has claimed that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy wants the Democrats to win the upcoming election.

"I think Zelenskyy is the greatest salesman in history. Every time he comes into the country, he walks away with $60 billion," Trump said at a campaign rally in western Pennsylvania.

"He wants them to win this election so badly, but I would do differently — I will work out peace."

In a statement emailed to the Reuters news agency, the Harris campaign slammed Trump for not having said he wants Ukraine to win the war.

zc/wmr (AFP, AP, dpa, Reuters)