Ukraine and Russia: in favour of initiatives aimed at a negotiated solution

But whilst military pressure on Russian territory is mounting, Western concern is also growing over a possible escalation of the conflict on another front: that of hybrid warfare. According to the Wall Street Journal, Moscow is in fact stepping up its campaign of sabotage, cyber-attacks and covert operations against European countries that support Ukraine. Underlying this strategy is said to be a growing asymmetry between the two sides.

The Kremlin is reportedly seeking to target not only Ukraine but also the support system that ensures its economic and military resilience. “They see that Ukraine can survive and continue to fight thanks to access to external resources and solidarity, and that is precisely what they want to disrupt or undermine,” explained Sergey Lagodinsky, a German MEP of Russian origin.

Among the incidents that have caught the attention of Western intelligence agencies are the discovery of a drone laden with explosives in the vicinity of Leipzig-Halle Airport in Germany, cyber-attacks against Polish railway infrastructure, and a series of explosions affecting European defence-related facilities.

Ukrainian drones have struck Yekaterinburg, in the Urals. This was reported by Denis Pasler, governor of the Sverdlovsk region, on his Makh channel. “Drone strikes and debris have hit residential buildings and a logistics centre. There are no reports of casualties as yet. Fires have been reported. All emergency services are responding. Evacuation operations for residents are under way,” the governor said.

Cooperation between Russia and China “is developing successfully across all sectors, including the economy. We are implementing major projects in the energy, industrial, space, transport and logistics sectors”. This was stated by Russian President Vladimir Putin during a meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping in Bishkek, as reported by Interfax. The Russian head of state noted that the first regular voyage of a Chinese container ship along the Northern Sea Route began in mid-August. Putin emphasised that mutual supplies of agricultural products have grown by 34 per cent. “Digital innovations, including in artificial intelligence technologies, are opening up new opportunities for the economic development of our countries,” said Putin, adding that Russia intends to work together with China in this direction. “Today, in a difficult geopolitical situation, the global partnership and strategic cooperation between Russia and China serve as a model for inter-state relations. They are based on strong traditions of friendship, respect for sovereignty, equality and mutual benefit,” Putin emphasised.