a sudden into them, a ukrainian army suffers heavy losses and the hearse on region. kiev tries for weeks to break through. russian defences this as the region prepared for a referendum to join russia. also ahead. we must, mister president, treat all conflicts across the globe with equal indignation. south africa speaker lashes out at the west at the un general assembly, pointing out that no double standard should be acceptable while tackling regional

conflicts. and the west pressures moscow, more and more, refusing to look in the mirror and hear its own criticism, condemning russia as upcoming referenda with from last out to the world. this is our t international. i'm rachel blevins and here are the top stories this hour. we began with the latest from the conflict in ukraine where key it has once again showed the city of her song, which is in the south of the country. here is the latest footage from there. as you can see, a local fire station has been heavily damage. emergency services have reported that some people were injured report states that a barge used by local civilians to cross or river was also hit earlier. local journalists said russian missile defense systems intercepted

a rocket attack on the city. this comes as the region prepares for a referendum on becoming part of the russian federation. meanwhile, the ukrainian army is trying to conduct a major offensive weather push into her san. however, as the russian defense ministry has been reporting for several weeks now, the efforts have been unsuccessful, and kia is losing thousands of soldiers. there are teas, moran garcia, brings us this report. a mast ukrainian military formation. almost 300 troops, backed by dozens of tanks and armored vehicles. launches a surprise attack on a russian held village in camps on region. but the defenders were waiting. ah

rocket me solved. shells rained down on the ukrainian offensive bodies pile the fields quickly, stools and turns into a route before them ran those who could get away and they left behind their dead and wounded. they also abandoned their vehicles, armored personnel carriers, fire support vehicles and a tank all of this in just one battle. they would look by those in their morale is broken and the prisoners confirmed this. so they say they don't want to fight. yesterday he was a plumber in today's he's given a gun and told to fight or they don't want to fight. they don't know how to earn due to security concerns. we have been asked not to name the settlement where the battle took place. it is still too dangerous to visit, but abandoned ukrainian, arma is already being hauled away as a trophy vehicle, ukrainian btr 3 you abandoned several days ago by ukrainian soldiers,

who were driven to attack russian positions failed, and left behind. all their belongings lost amounts of ammunition, clothes, gear weapons. but inside it is entirely inside. it is entirely intact. the thermal side, snyde vision, everything's in working order. the vehicle can go under its own power. as for i munition more they barely expended any so quick was their retreat in this one battle, which lasted just hours. ukraine lost 17 tanks and armored vehicles. 120 ukrainian soldiers and mercenaries were killed and left behind among them polish citizens. their identification documents were found amongst the corpses by me

a b and p 2 vehicle also a trophy vehicle, captured from you canyon troops, as they retreated after another unsuccessful attack. here san province is rapidly turning into a graveyard for ukrainian soldiers who had drafted and are now being driven to attack enforced well defended russian positions. and they are being driven to attack most of the soldiers that have been captured here, that of surrendered in the are now prisoners say that they were civilians off to work and drove warren in kiev where they were drafted and give it a simple choice either the property and positions confiscated or they choose to serve the matter of days they're thrown at well defended russian positions morale as well. there isn't much to speak of the captured soldiers, all say the same thing that if they refuse orders to go to attack or if they attempt to surrender or retreat that they are shot by nationalists who are always

in the rear. always watching them to make sure that they don't surrender despite these heavy losses repeated along the heaps on front the 3 weeks he have remains undeterred, throwing more men and material into the meat grinder, the desperate bead to secure a meaningful victory on this front. how many ukrainian soldiers die for key of victory here is seemingly irrelevant for i'd gazda of arti from his son region. elsewhere a p o w exchange between moscow and kiev was held according to various sources. $55.00 russian military service men were swapped for more than $200.00 ukrainian soldiers. their release russian troops landed wednesday at the military airport near moscow. members of the notorious, neo nazi as a battalion captured during the siege of mario were among the exchange. meanwhile,

earlier on wednesday evening, media reports claimed several western mercenaries including cube british and moroccan national, who had previously been sent to death for war crimes. if i had done that, score were handed over in saudi arabia while addressing the un general assembly, the south african speaker lashes out at the wes thing. double standards should not be acceptable while tackling regional conflicts. we should not ignore longstanding conflicts such as that of the people of palestine. israel must be held accountable for its destructive actions that is significantly impaired the possibility of a 2 state solution. similarly, we cannot ignore all the decades long struggle for sir determination of the people of western sahara. we must, mister president,

treat all conflicts across the globe with equal indignation. no matter how, what color, o creed of the people affected if that was the leader of south africa speaking before the united nations pointing to some of the ha, ha christie around western leaders that continue to highlight the situation in ukraine while ignoring the suffering going on in other conflicts and the violation of territorial integrity taking place in many countries, now representative of serbia pointed to a situation regarding his country. where are the ide state and western leaders are really revealing their hypocrisy. this is the serbian president. we ask for a clear answer to the question. i've been asking my interlocutors leaders of many countries for years. what is the difference between the sovereignty and territorial integrity of ukraine and sovereignty and territorial integrity of serbia, which was grossly violated and for virtue provided international recognition and

legitimacy at least some a few. this shed light on the hypocrisy of biden, at the un, hammering home this belief that what is taking place is all is simply a matter of russia violating the territorial integrity of ukraine. russia has shamelessly violated the court. tenants of the united nations charter no more important. then the clear prohibition against countries taking the territory of their neighbor by force. no one threatened russia and no one other than russia sought conflict. currently, these regions are preparing for referendums and which they will vote on the question of whether or not they join with the russian federation. so the way biden presented it in his speech today at the united nations general assembly. the way he presented it isn't matching reality, it simply isn't the way things are taking place. this is

a typical oversimplification of a very complicated international situation to serve the narrative, backing us foreign policy. we spoke to civil rights attorney, robert patillo, who says a 2 tier system providing different sets of rules for certain countries is wrong. think that we have to take as an international communities and understand that we need to have the same standards across the board. there cannot be a one set of rules where the united states and great britain, i am, the nato allies and a 2nd cetera. and the 2nd set of rule for the all the other countries on earth, on the only way for the international organizations do have legitimacy is of, if they are truly neutral, they are truly fair minded. a. we cannot continue to have a 2 tier system in the international law international organizations. otherwise we'll continue to see all smaller nations and non nato nations. a defect from these organizations really do not feel don't get fair treatment. he heard the person bite into, they talked about the idea of allowing the african nations brewbay nations to have

representatives on department of security council will veto power. but as of right now, most little small nations have no voice at all. the people will pals fancy, have the ability to simply vote on statehood and have it recognized by the international community and that be the end of it. if we're talking about international democracy in rooms based order right now, is all about making sure that the money interest stay in power to make shorter the nations. and basically one world war 2 are continued to have has more power over the world. i think that as a dis, widen situation for the majority of nations that are trying to move and quote, unquote, developing and to be into self sufficiency dress. the challenges of our time while there is some back and forth from world leaders on the right of self determination, us national security advisor jake sullivan took time to say he considers the upcoming referendums and a front to be united nations charter. these referenda, or an affront to the principles of sovereignty and territorial integrity that

underpin the international system and let fly at the heart of the united nations charter. and while this pressure from the west is growing, some say the hypocrisy is becoming all too apparent. our cheese maria phenomena has more. thank sullivan's claims of carrying about sovereignty would probably be more convincing if he didn't stand behind a lectern, where numerous american officials have undermined the suffering tea of numerous nations. how many times have we heard them warning or urge in other southern states to follow along with washington's policy? if a country decides to engage in with russia where there are sanctions, then they are break, breaking those sanctions. they're breaking our sanctions. and in some cases they're breaking un sanctions. yes, there are consequences to countries that actively attempt to circumvent or back fill the sanctions threatening, illegal and unilateral sanctions against as stubborn nation for conducting their

own independent policy. is that not 10 affronts to the principles of sovereignty for sullivan? and is he not concerned about washington being accused of stealing? an estimated 80 percent of series daily oil output. the sovereignty not apply to syria and its natural resources, but all that goes unnoticed while every russian step is condemned. helium rushes invasion of ukraine is a conduct the tramples, the philosophy and principles of the un charter. yet should never be tolerated. the un charter, the sacred foundation of the international organization that the west, as a former un secretary general himself, one stated, has repeatedly trampled on. i have indicated it us led war in iraq was not in conformity with the un charter. from our point of view. and from the charger point of view, it was illegal. the unprovoked and illegal invasion of iraq is just one example of how the u. s. has been less than loyal to the charter. it now claims to be crucial

to world order. you asked lead bombings of yugoslavia and libya. it's attacks and continued presence in syria. it's murdering of iranian commander. silly mani all in violation of the un charter lee the devastation behind in iraq alone. it's estimated that around $200000.00 civilians were killed or hayes the un charter only there to be conveniently called upon when you are strategic enemies on to biding by it. and when it comes to the upcoming referendums, there is one aspect of the char to the west, certainly seems to have forgotten. that's the right to self determination. the purposes of the united nations are to develop friendly relations among nations based on respect for the principle of equal rights and self determination of people . the international community supports they saw tickle of the un charter so much that to en costs over seceded from serbia. it was supported by the u. s. and over

100 other nations. and this policy continues with washington and its western allies insisting on ty, one's right to determine its own future. why shouldn't those in the don boss and had saw ends up at osha, have their say after 8 long years? is it because they're hoping to join a country? the u. s. has publicly stated it wants to see weekend. can the west really not see its pick and choose approach when it comes to respecting sovereignty, self determination, or international law, something president potent has drawn attention to before you go to the ceremony, left, you seeking to preserve their domination. some countries have been working consistently to replace the existing global architecture that relies on the central role of the united nations with a rules based order. but it is not clear who invented these rules and what they are, but i will be lumen you. but there is a popular saying rules for thee and not for me. if only the west itself respected

the rules they want others to follow. one would be more willing to believe in the sincerity of their reaction. now, the voting will be held from september 23rd to the 27th and 4 areas lugens and are not republics. and the don bass as well as the hearse on ends up or, or she regions. we will have special coverage on the referendum in these regions, which gets under way on friday, as locals vote on whether they want to become part of russia. you can read more on our website and stay tuned to r t international. ah ah ah

and accept handle opportunity, this is how south africa is. president korea grama fossa has branded the biggest military expo on the continent held in the country's capital city of pretoria, with hundreds of companies participating in the event ortiz corolla. that law brings us this report from the exhibition africa, aerospace and defense sector is the most important defense marketing event in south africa, generals and security decision makers from around the world meets here every other year in the capital city of south africa to showcase their military hardway underscoring why is sub saharan africa is

a growth region for military and defense sector. africa are currently expanding and bolstering them military and policing capabilities. but the military budgets of african countries have traditionally taken a backseat to developmental concerns. and the impact of coven 19 has eroded their capacity to buy arms as security hardware, even further consistency, the budget of the defense force has been cut in south africa. it is at its lowest. that is what our problem is. even if the economy grows loan, if you keep to the promise that we made to ourselves, that would never go beyond 2 percent of the g. d p. for the defense, we will defy on we looking for 2 percent of the g d p. that will enable us to recruit the young people that we need to be could be italian neighbor less to

resuscitate our defense industry. that will enable us to fix all of our prem equipment that we need to fix. but it will also enable us to do everything and to play a role in better integration and in the continued the russians. the conglomerate is also among the exhibitors. here they are also looking to expand their presence in africa with a showcase at this. yes. export. even though they didn't have a spokesperson available on the day, russia has a friend in many african countries, especially in the south african defense minister. we're loyal to our relationship with bricks because we're looking at breaks as a developmental pattern. but to put excite this deal with russia. if you go into any part of africa, the africans from see to you will ask you

a question. who did they ever corner nice? did they give us financial aid and take possession of our country? now? south africa relationship with russia spends promise. what is mindy pay? dewey i my life because the st foot to the in submitted to camps this expo a trex over a 100000 people. busy in it's 5 day period and both that impressive agile. there are many of line meetings happening here between decision makers that will hopefully tend to have shakes into deals and business. i'm glad i will. if i thought for ality in pretoria, the head of the world's largest oil giant saudi aramco said that the e use plans to resolve the energy crisis won't get the job done. adding that the

real reason behind the market meltdown is an under investment in fossil fuels, not their ration operation in ukraine. freezing we're capping energy bills, might help consumers in the short term, but it does not address the real causes and is not the long term solution and taxing companies when you want them to increase. production is clearly not helpful . the conflict in ukraine has certainly intensified the effects of the energy crisis, but it is not the root cause. sadly, even if the conflict stopped today, as we all wish, the crisis would not end. the statement comes ahead of the german chancellor's visit to saudi arabia the saturday, which is part of his to day trip to the gulf region. germany is economic minister robert back said he expects off shoals to sign contracts for liquefied natural gas . this as the country searches for replacements for energy supplies from russia.

meanwhile, the u. s. continues to promote the idea of price caps being harmless for europe. as senators continue to push for the passage of a bill, which would applying new sanctions to any party buying russian fossil fuels at a higher price than the $1.00 set by the wes international oil economists, mendosa lama believes that price capping is a destructive measure in the current crisis, kathy, and as well as the tone and friends with a price is, in fact it will be, should be good, where i'm the investment and try to hire out of branches. and we have now a surprise, a bit of a price of russian as well as the

g 7 countries. i'm trying to do a lot of that with them by cutting supplies, 2 sections, and the price that i'm in supplies to come to china. with that i don't see a way supplies as ukrainian forces swept into towns and har coverage in earlier this month. headlines over a mass grave and calls for russia to face war crimes. charges were echoed throughout the western media. get the story isn't as clear cut as that our teeth nicky. aaron has more. it was an image that for the media became a symbol of is young suffering, a hand allegedly showing signs of torture with

a bracelets and the colors of the ukrainian flag and in letters next to it, the word genocide. but that powerful picture doesn't tell the whole story. the hand belong to a 36 year old ukrainian soldier, something confirmed by both local authorities and the victims own wife. it became known that the hand with blue yellow bracelets from the burial in is him, was part of the body of a military man from nickel poll oaks on a sofa, a resident of nichol recognized her husband, sir. yes, sofa. when exxon is sold a photo of the hand, she did not doubt for a 2nd that it was her husband's. she recognised the tattoos and the bracelets. the ground has gone from under my feet. she says, crying so not a civilian, rounded up and shot in a mass pit, but a soldier most likely killed during the heavy fighting that occurred in the spring . there. a fallen ukrainian soldier who was then buried by the russian military.

and he wasn't the 1st, moscow has consistently tried to coordinate with key f, the removal of ukrainian force is killed in action, but with no success. so the owner has fallen on russian soldiers who film and document the burying of the bodies. and almost always, as in india, they are buried in individual graves with crosses and even names. not a mass pit as headlines suggest. yes, it's true that his is just one of hundreds of bodies there. but it's also true that it's unclear how the others died. some reports such as this one in the daily telegraph, say that allegations of torture can't be verified. the telegraph did not see any evidence of that skill of death during a visit on thursday, grigory denied knowledge of any war crimes. we didn't interact with them and they didn't interact with us. he said of the russians from what i know there was a detentions executions, torture perhaps that report was why ukraine's human life phone. but one is now not allowing any journalists to enter the scene on the pretext of safety. political

interest when we are finished securing the area you as journalists will be allowed to enter, be assured that you will all be allowed to enter this area. we are working to ensure your safety and about a large number of trip wires with attached grenades were found on site. well, that's despite the fact that certain reporters had previously been granted access without any problems. namely from radio free europe, current time tv outlets, both funded by the us government. we've also heard from residence in is, you know, who claimed, contrary to the narrative, it wasn't the russians targeting the city for months on end. who has been showing my home for the past 5 months? i couldn't even go out into my yard. who has been doing this? that's the question. and who show the market? i want to know who's been shutting my home. we should have looked to the sky to see who it was known as denying that there are bodies and is the claims of a genocide. did not hollywood reports from the ground. all those small pieces of

evidence that independent observers have managed to see and continued efforts by key f and many in the media would seem to be a cynical attempt to politicize. what is, undeniably a tragedy. a successful rocket launch from the russian by conner, cosmo drone took place and conflicts down it's carrying a crew, russian and american astronauts to the international space station. the trip comes after a new bilateral agreement was signed to resume space slides on the orbiting laboratory . our t, steve sweeney reports. we are incredibly lucky to be witnessing a historic moment and we can hear the roar the end is that we have left off. mm. ah, a quite spectacular moment. and you can hear the excitement on the roar of the

crowd as a witness. the launch of the toys a mess. 22. now the successful launch of the so use m. s 22 rocket is a historic occasion. now the flight is led by the russian cosmonaut. come on the sag i pro copier, and he's joined by fellow russian flight engineer to meet she petted at also on board of course is the nasa astronaut, frank rivera, who is of salvador and descent. and he's making his 1st mission to the international space station. this is steve sweeney for r t international from by can or in kazakhstan, that's all for now. be sure to check out our t dot com for all and believe is breaking news. and at days we'll see right back here at the top of the hour. ah, ah

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