Drones on Russia
Russia's war has been raging for nine and a half months, for the past nine and a half months it has been largely confined to the territory of Ukraine - since Monday it's over.
Two
Russian air bases
were
hit by drones
, there were explosions.
According to the Russians, three soldiers were killed and four injured.
Although Ukraine did not claim responsibility for the attacks, their handwriting was still recognizable.
Who else should be responsible for this operation?
The war has a new caesura.
So far, the division of roles was clear: Russia was the aggressor, Ukraine defended itself with ample help from its allies and also reconquered occupied territories.
Now, however, military installations far from the border, deep in Russia's interior, have been attacked.
A successful maneuver from the Ukrainian point of view: the enemy was hit where he was helping direct his attack, which violated international law.
Despite my understanding of the Ukrainian warfare, I have an uneasy feeling: is the war now spreading further into Russian territory?
Is that still offensive defense or already revenge?
And above all:
How will Putin react?
In an apparently initial reaction, Moscow launched
attacks on Ukraine
shortly after the drone strikes .
According to the military there, 17 targets were hit and between 60 and 70 missiles were intercepted.
Russia had fired the missiles from the Black and Caspian Seas, among other places.
If one believes the descriptions of those who follow Russia's activities in detail, then the Russian leadership must have been very surprised at the military actions Ukraine is capable of.
At the same time, concerns are growing among Western security advisers that Putin might launch a massive counterattack.
There are currently no signs of what this could look like, they say.
But one cannot imagine that Putin would leave this disgrace unanswered.
Attacks on Russian military bases in core Russia: What is behind the drone attacks on Russia?
You can find more news and background information on the war in Ukraine here:
Recent developments:
Washington comments on the alleged Ukrainian attacks in Russia.
Tehran could soon deliver more drones to the Kremlin.
And: Trouble about the Soviet monument in Lithuania.
The overview.
“We have to win the war”:
the army pushed back, attacks on military bases – things are not going well for Vladimir Putin.
The Kremlin boss is trying to exude composure, while some citizens are already doing target practice for urban warfare.
The video.
The formerly optimistic channel:
The independent Russian TV channel Dozhd has problems with emigration - Latvia has just revoked its license.
But not only Russia needs the transmitter, but also Europe.
This is how Hungary is blackmailing the EU with aid to Ukraine:
Hungary is blocking an EU aid package worth 18 billion euros for Ukraine – apparently in order to force the Europeans to release funding for Budapest.
Will Hungary's Prime Minister Orbán get away with it?
Why Scholz and Co. are speeding up the Western Balkans:
For the first time, an EU-Western Balkans summit is taking place in the Western Balkans.
There is little time for explosive issues such as EU accession or refugee routes.
At least: Clear words against Russia can be found in the final document.
Forgotten Conference
At my former employer, the »Stern«, there has been a wonderful column »What does it actually do?« for ages: Personalities whose great moments are long gone tell what they have done and experienced since they disappeared from the public eye.
The question came to me when I read the announcement of the
Islam Conference
, which
is taking place at the Federal Ministry of the Interior this afternoon
.
160 representatives of Muslim life, ministries, states, municipalities, churches, Jewish life and science talk about Muslim life in Germany - and how the dialogue between non-Muslims and Muslims can be improved.
Sounds good.
But what does that do?
The
idea goes back to Wolfgang Schäuble, who
called the conference together for the first time in 2006 as Minister of the Interior.
There were
successes, but also a lot of criticism
.
It was once said that foreign governments would influence the talks through religious organizations.
Another time that the federal government does not respond to the proposals of the conference.
Others lacked a clear purpose.
So what's the point?
I asked Nancy Faeser, the host Home Secretary.
She says: »Talking to each other instead of about each other is one of the most important achievements of the German Islam Conference.« The conference is »the central forum for dialogue and cooperation between the state and Muslims in Germany«.
It is now important to her to "represent the diversity of Muslim life," says Faeser.
"Because Muslim life in Germany has become more colorful in recent years: new initiatives and forums have emerged, young people and Muslim women in particular are organizing themselves and making their voices heard."
Specifically, today it is about improved participation by Muslims and the Muslim community.
And about imam training, which could still be improved.
Debate on training at the Islam Conference (2020): German imams should prevent the radicalization of believers
Corona déjà vu
Bavaria and Saxony-Anhalt are abolishing the mask requirement in local public transport.
That's good news and bad news.
The bad: We feel transported back to the worst phase of the corona pandemic, when countries used their creative power and each country did what it wanted.
In the end, a
patchwork of different corona measures was
created.
Hardly anyone understood that.
It could be something like that again now.
For example, anyone who will soon be taking the regional train from Stuttgart to Bavaria can take off their mask shortly after Neu-Ulm.
If he takes the ICE, he must wear a mask at all times.
Life could be so easy.
The good news: Bavaria and Saxony-Anhalt
are adapting the rules to reality
.
The acceptance of the mask requirement is falling, people are rightly asking the question: Why is it compulsory on the train but not on the plane?
Why is Germany stricter than most other countries when it comes to measures?
Karl Lauterbach, Minister of Health, says that you have to be careful in winter because of the new variant of the virus, because of other viruses, out of consideration for vulnerable groups.
Sometimes he seems to forget that the
imposition of a duty is an exception, not the rule
- and must therefore be justified in detail.
But that will be difficult given the low number of infections and hospitals that are not collapsing - with the exception of the children's hospitals.
Mask, obligation to isolate, tests: An overview of the new corona rules of the federal states
Here is the current quiz of the day
Today's starting question: Where is Twitter's headquarters located?
Loser of the day...
...
are all those who try to make quick political capital out of the terrible bloody deed in Illerkirchberg.
It's the worst thing you can do to the victims, the two girls, and their families.
Of course, everything has to be on the table in this case: that the perpetrator, an Eritrean, lived in a refugee shelter.
Questions have to be asked: Was the man isolated, that is, poorly integrated?
Were there signs of violence or a mental health issue that no one reported?
Did he have acquaintances?
It becomes dangerous if the case is misused to question the refugee issue in general.
When it is claimed, for example, that the government is concerned about protecting refugees, but not about protecting its own population.
Behind this is the idea of immigrating men from countries like Eritrea, who basically pose a potential danger to life.
A conspiracy-like thesis.
Act of violence in Illerkirchberg: A village is looking for explanations
The latest news from the night
Democrat Warnock wins runoff election in the US state of Georgia:
It was about the last vacant seat in the US Senate, and it was extremely close until the end: Democratic candidate Raphael Warnock wins in Georgia – making governing more comfortable for President Joe Biden.
Minister of Education calls for performance bonuses for teachers:
German schools lack staff.
In order for that to change, Bettina Stark-Watzinger proposes "performance-based payment" - and receives support from the President of the German Teachers' Association.
US federal judge dismisses lawsuit against Saudi crown prince in Khashoggi murder case:
The widow of the murdered journalist had sued – but a judge in the US now referred to Mohammed bin Salman's legal immunity.
The SPIEGEL + recommendations for today
This is how the protest movement in Iran came about:
the death of a young Kurdish woman triggers an uprising the likes of which the Islamic Republic of Iran has never seen before.
Tens of thousands protest against the country's leadership - which reacts brutally.
Why founders are now staying away from the old master:
Internet billionaire Oliver Samwer shaped the German digital scene like no other.
But Samwer's successes are a long time ago, the problems are piling up - and the doubts among potential financiers.
The subjunctive does not score goals:
the captain of the national soccer team plays an outstanding European Championship.
She only missed the final because of an injury.
The pop curse has struck again.
»You should stay away from that if you need something for small children«:
What are the benefits of nasal moisturizers?
Pharmacist Bettina Sauer from Stiftung Warentest says which products are recommended and which active ingredients can even be dangerous.
I wish you a good morning!
Yours, Martin Knobbe
