EU Chief’s GPS Flight Blocking Tale Backfires as Russia Ramps Up Strikes on Kyiv and Other Ukrainian Cities
Von der Leyen’s “circling jet” story unravels under scrutiny, while Ukraine reels from its heaviest Russian assault yet—raising urgent questions about Western support and air defense shortfalls
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and her media team are facing uncomfortable questions after investigative journalist Christo Grozev debunked parts of her widely reported “GPS jamming” ordeal over Bulgaria last week. Contrary to headlines claiming her jet circled for an hour and pilots relied on paper maps, flight data and radio transmissions suggest the aircraft landed fairly routinely after about 10 minutes using standard systems. By embellishing the narrative, critics warn, it may have handed fresh ammunition to Kremlin disinformation artists. (On September 5, EU spokesperson Arianna Podesta faced intense press questioning from journalists in Brussels who asked whether the plane did indeed circle for an hour and whether maps were used). She insisted there was GPS jamming - but refused to be drawn in on the questions of delays and methods used to land the aircraft. Bulgarian authorities, meanwhile, walked back their initial accusation and said they did not plan to investigate the incident further).
The controversy comes amid Ukraine’s most intense night of missile and drone strikes since the war began—more than 800 munitions unleashed, with Kyiv taking the brunt. For the first time, it is believed a government building in the capital’s restricted district was hit, rattling officials and highlighting gaps in air defense. President Zelensky has repeatedly said Ukraine needs at least two dozen Patriot systems, yet Washington insists supplies are limited.
Meanwhile, Ukrainians remain frustrated with what they see as Western leaders’ reliance on statements of “outrage” instead of decisive action. Many point to the painfully slow delivery of tanks, fighter jets, and sanctions packages that might have blunted Moscow’s war machine earlier. In southern Mykolaiv, daily survival remains precarious: residents have endured nearly three years without running water, while men risk detention at distribution points by aggressive recruitment patrols.
The twin stories—media spin in Brussels and brutal reality in Ukraine—underscore a dangerous disconnect. As Grozev put it, the truth doesn’t need embellishment. Precision matters, because exaggeration only fuels the disinformation fire at a time when Ukrainians can least afford it.
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Russia launched more than 800 drones and missiles at Ukrainian targets overnight, with at least one strike damaging the government’s main building in Kyiv. “For the first time, the government building, roof and upper floors were damaged due to an enemy attack,” said Ukrainian Prime Minister Yulia Svyrydenko on the Telegram messaging app on Sunday. In total, more than 800 drones and 13 missiles were fired at buildings in Kyiv, Odesa, Kremenchuk, Kryvyi Rih and Zaporizhzhia, Ukrainian officials said. Several people were reported killed across the country, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said on X. Twenty-six of Ukraine’s allies pledged to provide security guarantees for postwar Ukraine in a meeting in Paris on Thursday, serving as a nudge to U.S. President Donald Trump to step up as well. The European Union is preparing a new package of sanctions, the 19th since the start of Russia’s war against Ukraine. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said they would “come forward soon” with that package - Politico
Haunting new video revealed the terrifying moment a homeless ex-con allegedly fatally stabbed a 23-year-old Ukrainian refugee in what police said was a random attack on a Charlotte, North Carolina light rail train. Iryna Zarutska, who fled war-torn Ukraine for a safer life in America, was on the Lynx Blue Line just before 10 p.m. Aug. 22 when she was ambushed, according to the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department. The surveillance footage, released Friday by the Charlotte Area Transit System or CATS, shows Zarutska boarding the train in her pizzeria uniform at 9:46 p.m. and sitting, looking at her phone, unaware of the danger behind her. Just four minutes later, 34-year-old Decarlos Brown Jr. allegedly whips out a folding knife and lunges forward, stabbing her three times, at least once in the neck, police said. The chilling video then appears to show Brown then walking through the rail car, stripping off his sweatshirt and waiting by the doors — as passengers began to notice blood dripping from him. Zarutska, who grabbed her neck as blood spilled onto the train floor, collapsed in her seat and was pronounced dead on the light rail, investigators said. Police said Brown got off at the next stop, where a folding knife was later recovered near the platform. He was treated at a hospital for a cut on his hand before being taken into custody on a murder charge. It took six minutes for police to respond, according to Spectrum News, which noted transit security guards were on the train, but in the car ahead of Zarutska’s when she was attacked. Brown — who has multiple arrests dating back to 2011 — was charged with first-degree murder, according to CMPD. His record includes larceny, robbery with a dangerous weapon and communicating threats, according to court records obtained by The Post - NY Post
The Israeli army issued evacuation orders and targeted high-rise buildings in Gaza City on Saturday, urging Palestinians to flee south ahead of an escalating offensive to seize the city of nearly 1 million. Aid groups warn that a large-scale evacuation would exacerbate the humanitarian crisis in Gaza City, which the world’s leading hunger watchdog announced last month was officially suffering from famine as a result of Israeli restrictions on food aid. Most Palestinian families have been repeatedly displaced in the nearly two-year-long war and say they have nowhere left to go. The Israeli military has previously bombed tent encampments designated as humanitarian zones. Israeli military spokesperson Avichay Adraee called on Palestinians to flee to southern Gaza, announcing on social media that the army had redrawn the borders of a humanitarian zone to encompass the overcrowded encampment of Muwasi and parts of the southern city of Khan Younis. Aid groups have raised alarm about woefully inadequate shelter, sanitation, water and food in Muwasi. Months of Israeli bombardment have decimated civilian infrastructure in Khan Younis. The Israeli military said it would work to provide field hospitals, water pipelines and food supplies within its humanitarian zone - AP
South Korean workers detained during a massive immigration raid in Georgia Thursday will be returned to South Korea on a chartered flight following negotiations, an official announced Sunday. “Negotiations for the release of the detained workers have been concluded, after swift responses by the relevant ministries, business agencies, and companies,” said South Korean Presidential Chief of Staff Kang Hoon-sik. “However, some administrative procedures remain, and once they’re completed, a chartered plane will depart to bring back our citizens,” he added. The workers were among 475 detained Thursday during a large-scale immigration raid at the Hyundai Metaplant in Ellabell, Georgia, which houses an electric vehicle battery plant jointly operated by South Korea-based companies Hyundai and LG Energy Solution. About 300 of those detained are South Korean, officials said. Plant owner LG Energy Solutions said it was suspending most of its business trips to the US, “Currently traveling employees are advised to immediately return home or remain at their accommodations, considering their current work status,” a statement read - CNN
A leading medical adviser to anti-vax Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is claiming that King Charles and Kate Middleton may have developed cancer from the COVID-19 vaccine. It was announced last year that Charles and his daughter-in-law, the Princess of Wales, were being treated for cancer. Dr. Aseem Malhotra—the controversial British cardiologist who advises the RFK Jr.-linked activist group MAHA Action—says he believes they could have developed cancer from the COVID mRNA vaccine, citing discredited studies that have also been promoted by senior Department of Health and Human Services adviser Steven Hatfill, who became infamous for pushing hydroxychloroquine when he was part of the first Trump administration. The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the U.S Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and the National Cancer Institute (NCI), among other credible medical organizations, have all stated that there is no evidence COVID-19 vaccines cause cancer, or make developing cancer any more likely. Despite this, Malhotra was expected to say during a speech at the annual conference of Nigel Farage’s MAGA-inspired Reform Party on Saturday: “We have several published mechanisms of how the mRNA vaccine can increase the risk of cancer confirmed by… Steven Hatfill. “This is also supported by one of Britain’s most eminent oncologists, Angus Dalgleish, who is happy for me to share today that he believes it is highly likely members of the Royal Family developed cancer because of the COVID jab.” Malhotra—who has received criticism for repeatedly making claims that are not backed by scientific consensus, but whose views have brought him close to Kennedy—was due to make the unfounded statement about the royals during his speech at the Reform conference in Birmingham, England - Daily Beast
Modi’s decision not to attend the 3 September parade reveals that any improvement in Sino-Indian ties remains superficial. That’s according to commentary by Jin Canrong (金灿荣), Professor, School of International Studies, Renmin University of China. The recent shift in tone stems largely from Washington raising tariffs on India to 50% and Trump’s “public humiliation of India” over the conflict with Pakistan. However, he wrote, China has always relied on its own strength to face the US and has no need to “cooperate with India” to do so. Moreover, Modi’s “Made in India” initiative shows that India’s self-confidence remains high while strategic wariness towards Beijing persists.
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