Black Sea Fleet Commander Suddenly Appears, North Korea Expels US Soldiers Who Crossed Border

Ukraine launched a strong attack in Zaporizhzhia, China criticized the US's restrictive measures, the French Ambassador left Niger... are some notable international news in the past 24 hours.

The commander of the Black Sea Fleet, General Viktor Sokolov, who was said to have been 'destroyed' by Ukraine, suddenly appeared in a video on the TV channel of the Russian Defense Ministry, September 27. (Source: TASS)

The World & Vietnam Newspaper highlights some of the day's international news highlights.

* Russian Black Sea Fleet Commander Suddenly Appears in Video: A television channel run by the Russian Defense Ministry aired a video interview with Black Sea Fleet Commander Viktor Sokolov on September 27, days after Ukraine announced that he had been killed in a missile attack on the Russian naval headquarters in Crimea. In the video, the commander said that the Russian Black Sea Fleet is operating successfully. It is unclear whether the remarks in the clip were made after the Ukrainian missile attack on September 22.

On the same day, Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said: “It is clear that the attack was planned in advance and used Western intelligence, NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organization) satellite equipment and reconnaissance aircraft.” According to her, the missile attack was carried out “in close coordination with the US and British intelligence agencies.”

Ukraine said on September 25 that it had killed the commander of Russia's Black Sea Fleet in a missile attack last week on a Russian naval base in Crimea. "34 officers were killed, including the commander of the Black Sea Fleet. Another 105 were injured. The Russian naval headquarters is beyond repair," Ukraine's special forces said on social media. (AFP/Reuters)

* Ukraine launches a strong offensive in Zaporizhzhia : On the evening of September 26, the commander of the Tavria group of the Armed Forces of Ukraine (VSU) Alexander Tarnavsky announced that there would soon be “good” news from the Zaporizhzhia front, where the VSU counterattack is taking place in Rabotino-Verbovoe in the Orekhovsky direction.

That same evening, information began to appear on the Internet about a significant attack by the VSU in the direction of the village of Verbovoye. Later, the Russian side reported that the attack had been repelled. According to Ukrainian sources, fighting is taking place to the east and southeast of Verbovoye. On the other hand, Ukrainian sources said that Russian reserve units are allegedly moving to this area.

Meanwhile, information from the representative of the pro-Russian government council of Zaporizhzhia province, Mr. Vladimir Rogov, said that in the early morning of September 27, the VSU began an active attack with a large number of armored vehicles and 4 companies.

Earlier, on September 26, the Telegram page “WarGonzo” quoted war correspondents as saying that after heavy shelling, the VSU had advanced to the northern outskirts of Novoprokopovka. Detachments were also moving from the northeast, trying to break through the Russian defenses through the forest belts. (TASS)

* China criticizes US economic restrictions : On September 27, a spokesperson for the Chinese Ministry of Commerce said that Beijing firmly opposes Washington's recent addition of some Chinese entities to the US export control list, because of so-called military activities or relations with Iran or Russia. According to the spokesperson, the US has exaggerated the concept of national security, abused export control measures, and used state power to restrict non-US enterprises and individuals, all of which are typical acts of economic restrictions and unilateral bullying.

The official also said the US should immediately correct its wrongdoings and stop “groundless suppression” of Chinese companies and individuals, stressing that China will firmly defend its legitimate rights and interests. (Xinhua)

South Asia

* New Delhi emphasizes its stance on the Indo-Pacific : On September 26, in his opening speech at the 13th Indo-Pacific Military Commanders' Conference (IPACC) in New Delhi, Indian Defense Minister Rajnath Singh reiterated his opposition to hegemonic behavior, saying that "India supports a free, open, inclusive and rules-based Indo-Pacific." He also called for coordinated efforts and collective intelligence to address complex issues here, while maximizing the region's potential to ensure a prosperous, secure and inclusive future.

According to Minister Rajnath, the Indo-Pacific is facing a complex web of security challenges, including border disputes and piracy. India supports a free, open, inclusive and rules-based Indo-Pacific while pursuing shared security and prosperity.

At the same time, he identified “Neighbourhood First” as the cornerstone of Indian culture. India’s approach to the region is defined by its “Act East Policy”. Minister Rajnath reiterated Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of engaging the Indo-Pacific region based on five principles: Respect, Dialogue, Cooperation, Peace and Prosperity.

Besides, Minister Rajnath added that the Indian government’s efforts towards building strong military partnerships with friendly countries underscores the country’s commitment to not only safeguarding national interests but also addressing global challenges faced by all parties. He referred to the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) as a prime example of an international agreement that establishes a legal framework for maritime activities and addresses issues arising from overlapping “concerns” of countries. (VNA)

Northeast Asia

* North Korea expels US soldier who illegally crossed the border : On September 27, KCNA (North Korea) reported that Pyongyang decided to expel US soldier Travis King, who confessed that he illegally entered the Northeast Asian country.

Earlier, announcing the final results of the investigation into Travis King's defection in July, KCNA said that this person had negative feelings about the inhumane and racist treatment in the US military. However, KCNA did not specify how Travis King would be deported. Previously, Pyongyang had said that Travis King wanted asylum in North Korea or elsewhere for similar reasons. (KCNA)

Central Asia

* Azerbaijan arrests former top Karabakh official : On September 27, RBC (Russia) reported that Azerbaijani security forces arrested Ruben Vardanyan, a former top official in the separatist Armenian government in Nagorno-Karabakh, as he tried to leave the region. This information was provided by his wife. Mr. Vardanyan was the head of the separatist Karabakh government from November 2022 to February 2023. Mr. Vardanyan has not yet responded to this information. (Reuters)

* More than 400 people killed in Azerbaijan's attack : On September 27, Azerbaijan announced that 192 soldiers and one civilian were killed in a lightning attack last week against Armenian separatists in the Nagorno-Karabakh region.

Meanwhile, Azerbaijan's health ministry said more than 500 soldiers were also wounded in the day-long operation. The total death toll from the attack now stands at more than 400, after Armenian separatists updated the death toll to 213.

On the same day, Armenia said 42,500 refugees from Nagorno-Karabakh had arrived in the country since Azerbaijan's blitzkrieg, making up a third of the population of the breakaway territory with an ethnic Armenian majority. (AFP)

* Germany calls on Azerbaijan to allow international observers to Karabakh : German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock on September 27 called on Baku to allow international observers to access Nagorno-Karabakh. She also said: "I have decided to step up humanitarian aid once again and increase additional funding to the International Committee of the Red Cross from 2 to 5 million euros ($5.28 million)." (Reuters)

Europe

* Russia : OSCE faces the most serious existential threat : On September 27, speaking to RIA Novosti (Russia), Permanent Representative of Russia to the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) Alexander Lukashevich said: "OSCE faces the most serious existential threat since its establishment. The basic pillars of the organization's activities are being systematically destroyed. In this situation, Russia is trying to save the OSCE without destroying it." (Sputnik)

* Poland warns of border situation with Germany : On September 26, Polish Government spokesman Piotr Muller said that the country "is considering some control measures on the Polish-German border" due to the influx of migrants from Italy.

Poland's move comes after German Chancellor Olaf Scholz called on Warsaw on September 23 to clarify allegations of a visa scandal at the Polish Foreign Ministry. Germany also announced it would implement stronger border controls with Poland and the Czech Republic to combat human trafficking.

Earlier in the day, Poland inspected several vehicles entering from Slovakia. According to Polish Interior Minister Mariusz Kaminski, the country's border guards suspected that the vehicles could be carrying illegal migrants.

Slovakia is also facing a surge in illegal migration. According to the country's Interior Ministry, this year alone, the country has arrested more than 27,000 illegal migrants, a nine-fold increase compared to 2022. (VNA)

America

* US, Chile strengthen relations : On September 26, the press release of the US State Department after the 2023 Political-Military Dialogue between officials of the two countries stated: "The dialogue reaffirmed our commitment to a close bilateral political-military relationship with Chile, identified areas of security mutual interest, and deepened our partnership in the areas of maritime security, peacekeeping operations, defense, and strategic trade, as well as information sharing."

US Assistant Secretary of State for Political-Military Affairs Jessica Lewis, along with other officials from the US Departments of State and Defense attended the event. Meanwhile, Chilean Foreign Ministry Secretary for Foreign Affairs Alex Wetzig and Director of International Security and Humanitarian Affairs Ignacio Llanos attended the dialogue.

The dialogue follows an announcement last November in which the two countries' foreign ministries announced their intention to restart the Political-Military Dialogue in 2023 and hold a Space Security Dialogue to address defense and security challenges. (Sputnik)

Middle East-Africa

* Clashes continue between Israeli and Lebanese soldiers : On September 27, the Lebanese Army announced that its soldiers continued to clash with the Israeli Armed Forces (IDF) in the shared border area. Accordingly, the announcement said that the Israeli side fired smoke grenades at a Lebanese patrol escorting workers to dismantle “violating” structures erected by Israel north of the Green Line, the border dividing the two countries. In response, the Lebanese side fired back with smoke grenades.

Tensions have flared along the Israel-Lebanon border, which is monitored by a United Nations peacekeeping force, over the past few months, not just over the territorial dispute. Militant groups, including Hezbollah, have repeatedly fired rockets into Israel in protest over the Palestinian issue.

The IDF and UN representatives have not yet commented on the above conflict.

Earlier on September 23, clashes also broke out between the IDF and the Lebanese army near the shared border when several Beirut vehicles were said to have entered the territory of the Jewish state. (Times of Israel)

* French ambassador leaves Niger : Two security sources said early on September 27 that the French ambassador to Niger left the West African country, a month after the local military government ordered his expulsion. Earlier on August 31, Niger's military government ordered Ambassador Sylvain Itte to leave the West African country within 48 hours in response to actions by the French government that they said were "against Niger's interests". According to Niger's military government, police were instructed to expel Ambassador Sylvain Itte. Earlier, Niger's military government announced that Ambassador Sylvain Itte no longer enjoyed diplomatic immunity. (Reuters)

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