The situation in the morning - Ukraine too must remain committed to humanity in the war

Unworthy

Ukraine now has a problem that wartime democracies generally have.

They cannot, or at least should not, do everything they deem necessary militarily.

Even in times of war, democracies remain committed to humanity in a special way.

According to research in the combat zones, Amnesty International accuses Ukraine of maintaining military bases in populated residential areas, including in schools and hospitals.

In addition, weapon systems would be used from there.

This endangers the population, since the military attracts enemy fire.

Needless to say, Russia nefariously started this war and does not shrink from war crimes.

This is not about a comparison with Russia.

It's about the standards of democracies, and Ukraine wants to be part of that circle.

It's a shame that a presidential aide immediately defamed Amnesty as Russia's accomplice instead of announcing that the allegations would be investigated.

That is not worthy of a democracy.

• Amnesty International has criticized Ukraine's conduct of the war

You can find more news and background information on the war in Ukraine here:

• Selenskyj attacks Amnesty, artillery attack on Kharkiv - that happened at night:

  Kiev refuses criticism from Amnesty International: The human rights group makes such statements as a helper of terrorists.

  And: Russia's President receives a visit to Sochi.

  The overview.

• Investigators arrest suspected Russia supporters:

  A 31-year-old German is said to have spread propaganda for Russia on Telegram.

  Apparently he wanted to go to war himself.

  But it won't come to that.

War winner Erdoğan

No politician has benefited from the war in Ukraine as much as Turkish President Erdoğan.

Today he travels to Sochi to meet his Russian counterpart Putin.

Erdoğan is the last top politician in a NATO country to meet Putin in person.

That gets him attention, and Turkey has also made a name for itself with attempts to mediate between Ukraine and Russia.

The fact that Russia only grants free passage to grain carriers from Ukraine if they are searched for weapons in Istanbul gives Turkey a role in supplying the southern world with food.

And since Putin hardly has any friends on the international stage, it may be easier for Erdoğan to assert his interests in places where Russia and Turkey have problems with each other, for example in Syria.

What helps Erdoğan most is that his new role distracts from the repressive conditions in his own country.

• Three more grain carriers are scheduled to leave Ukraine on Friday

grotesque punishment

Anyone who sees Brittney Griner's face in photos recognizes the horror, sadness and wonder of a person who accidentally gets caught up in the mill of world events.

The US professional basketball player was caught leaving Russia with mild drugs and was sentenced yesterday to nine years in prison, a grotesquely high sentence.

Griner is a gift for Putin to show off the US.

She could be released if the Americans release Russian criminals in return.

There was also talk of the Germans letting the so-called Tiergarten murderer go.

He shot an alleged enemy of the regime in Berlin on behalf of a Russian secret service.

Of course, that would be a crooked deal that contradicts any understanding of justice.

But is that crucial?

In this case, I would rather someone escape their just punishment than face an unjust punishment.

• Brittney Griner sentenced to nine years in prison

At the campfire

Tonight the campfire will blaze, today, finally, finally, the Bundesliga season 22/23 begins with the game Eintracht Frankfurt against Bayern Munich.

Football is "the last remaining campfire in society," says Donata Hopfen, head of the German Football League, in an interview in today's "Süddeutsche Zeitung".

A campfire means that the majority of Germans sit together, take part and have a say.

The television thriller »Tatort« also claims to be the last campfire.

Compared to the Bundesliga, he has the advantage that you don't know how the story will end.

On the other hand, it seems already clear who will be the German champion.

In a dpa survey, all coaches and managers of the Bundesliga clubs bet on Munich.

It would be the 11th title in a row, the 33rd overall.

Being bored around the campfire doesn't even appeal to me as a Bayern fan.

• Major construction site - but also Bayern hunters? 

Here is the current quiz of the day

The starting question today: Some stand, others hang or swim: Which of these three animals likes to lie down to sleep like humans?

Loser of the day...

...is Goethe, I'm so sorry.

In 2024, Bavaria will be the last federal state to say goodbye to »Faust« as compulsory reading in high schools.

Teachers can of course continue to treat the piece in class.

The Faust used to be the campfire for the educated classes in Germany.

Everyone had to read it, everyone could have a say.

That didn't make the world any better, and it would be too much to ask of a book as wonderful as Faust is.

Duty and culture don't go together anyway.

It is the job of culture to ensure diversity and to constantly produce something new.

And if you are interested in culture, you will eventually come to your fist.

• Goethe for beginners 

The latest news from the night

• Despite extreme caution – Lauterbach infected with corona virus:

  The Minister of Health has tested positive for the corona virus.

  According to the ministry, the 59-year-old has mild symptoms.

• America's best-known conspiracy ideologue has to pay millions in damages:

  After a verdict, Alex Jones has to compensate the parents of one of the victims of the Sandy Hook massacre.

  More penalties are likely to follow.

• US declares national emergency over monkeypox:

  The number of monkeypox infections in the US has increased to 6,600.

  The declaration of a health emergency should allow funds to be released to fight the virus.

The SPIEGEL + recommendations for today

• Sun king or impostor?:

  If Markus Söder has his way, then Bavaria is a shining example in the energy transition.

  In almost all statistics, he sees the Free State nationwide ahead.

  His numbers in the fact check. 

• "Israeli society has lost faith that the conflict can be resolved":

  Israel's government only came into office to prevent Benjamin Netanyahu.

  After their failure, the former prime minister suspected of corruption could soon return.

  Researcher Yossi Yonah considers his country almost ungovernable. 

• "Be an egoist and practice ruthless cherry picking":

  Here comes a deadly serious message from the year 2022 for 2060: What I'm already advising myself for my senior life. 

• »Are you sure you want to build this car?«:

  Roberto Giolito stole the Fiat Multipla, mocked as a glass case with a fat crease.

  Here the designer explains why he still stands by his creation – privately but drives an SUV. 

I wish you a good start into the day.

Yours, Dirk Kurbjuweit