a company with a ukranian army suffers heavy losses in the hurst on reagan as kiev tries for weeks to break through. russian defences. this as the region prepares for a referendum to join russia, moscow and kiev exchange prisoners of war with russian soldiers being squat for ukrainian service men, including members of the as all battalion. also ahead. we must, mister president, treat all conflicts across the globe with equal indignation.

south africa speaker at the un general assembly accuses the west of double standards that says the u. s. criticized as russia for violating un principles, according to them. south africa is strengthening military cooperation with russia as the country host, the largest military expo on the continent with from. * moscow to the world. this is our tanner national. i'm rachel blevins and here are the top stories this hour. we begin with the latest from the conflict in ukraine where kiev has once again shelled 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 damaged, emergency services, i've reported that some people were injured for 4 stays at a bar,

jews by local civilians to cross our river was also hit earlier. local journalist said russian millet missile defense system intercepted or rocket tack on this city . this comes as the region prepares for a referendum on becoming a part of the russian federation. meanwhile, the ukraine army is trying to conduct a major offensive with a push into her son. however, as the russian defense ministry has been reporting for several weeks now, the efforts have been unsuccessful and he is losing thousands of soldiers. there are t moran garcia brings us this report. amassed ukrainian military formation, almost 300 troops, backed by dozens of tanks and armored vehicles. launch as a surprise attack on a russian held village in camps on region. but the defenders were waiting.

ah rockets, me, fowls, shells rained down on the ukrainian offensive bodies, piled the fields quickly, stools and turns into a route before him. veran, those who could get away, 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 by with bowlin. their morale is broken and the prisoners confirm this. so they say they don't want to fight. yesterday, he was a plumber. today's, he's given a gun and told to fight, or they don't want to fight. they don't know how to do 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. i can go under its own power, as for i'm initial mother 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 ukrainian troops as they retreated after another unsuccessful attack . here saw in 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 if surrendered in the are now prisoners say that they were civilians off to work and rover and in kiev where they were drafted and give it a simple choice either their property positions or confiscated or they choose to serve. no 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 for 3 weeks. he have remains undeterred, throwing more men than material into the meat grinder, in the desperate bead to secure a meaningful victory on these front. how many ukrainian soldiers die for key of victory here is seemingly irrelevant or at gas div arti, from gifts on region elsewhere appear, w exchange between moscow and key was held according to various sources, $55.00 russian military service men were swapped for more than $200.00 ukrainian soldiers, their released russian troops landed wednesday at

a military airport near moscow. members have been notorious and neo nazi as our battalion captured during the siege, mario full were among the exchange. meanwhile, earlier on wednesday evening, media reports claims several western mercenaries including 2 british adam rock and national, who had previously been sutton for that to death for war crimes and had done those for were handed over in saudi arabia. while addressing the un general assembly, the south african speaker lashes out at the west saying devil standards should not be acceptable while tackling regional conflicts wishes. not ignore, longstanding conflicts such as that of the people of palestine. israel must be held accountable for its destructive actions that of significantly impaired the possibility of a 2 state solution. similarly,

we cannot ignore the decades long struggle for so determination of the people of western sahara. we must, mister president, treat all conflicts across the globe with equal indignation, no matter what color o creed of the people affected it. that was the leader of south africa speaking before the united nations pointing to some of the ha ha chrissy around western leaders that continue to highlight the situation in ukraine while ignoring the suffering going on in other conflicts and a violation of territorial integrity taking place in many countries now representative of serbia pointed to a situation regarding his country where the united states 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 the simply a matter of russia violating the territorial integrity of the ukraine. russia has shamelessly violated the court. tenants of the united nations charter no more important than 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 referendum and which they will vote on the question of whether or not they join with the russian federation. so the way binding

presented it and 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 of all rights attorney, robert patillo, who says a 2 tier system providing difference as the rules for certain countries is wrong. think that we have to take as an international community and understanding. we need to have the same standards across the board. are there cannot be a one set of rules where the united states and great britain, i am the nato allies and the 2nd cetera. and the 2nd set of rule for the, all the other countries of the earth on the only way for these international organizations do have legitimacy, is of, if they are truly neutral, they are truly fair minded. are you, we cannot continue to have a 2 tier system and international law international organizations. otherwise you will continue to see all smaller nations and non nato nations or defect from these

organizations really do not feel they'll get fair treatment. he heard person bite into they talk about the idea of allowing the african nations caribbean nations to have representatives on the permanent security council will veto power. but as of right now, most of those 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 real rules based order right now, is all about making sure that the money interest, stay in power to make shorted the nation, are basically one world war 2 are continue to have, has more power over the world. i think that as a disquieting situation for the majority of nations that are trying to move from, quote, unquote, developing and to be in to self sufficiency restaurant. meanwhile, bottom, arizona and the address, the un general assembly with a good man to seize russian asses and passed the person over the key. yeah,

we'll be talking more on this later on in the program as accusations fly towards russia, the west itself has been less than loyal to the un charter than it keeps saving. the invasion of iraq and the occupation of syria are only a couple of examples where it b u. s. and doesn't respect the rules that they want. others to follow? r t 's. maria phenomena has more news about 4 regions and ukraine getting ready to hold referendums. on join in russia came in thick and fast. what also quickly followed was the reaction from the west. 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. 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 sovereignty of

numerous nations. how many times have we heard them warning or urge, and 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 are 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 sovereign nation for conducting their own independent policy. is that not 10 up front to the principles of sovereignty for sullivan? and is he not concerned about washington being accused of stealing? an estimated 80 percent of sir is daily oil output. the sovereignty not apply to syria and its natural resources, but all that goes unnoticed, while every russian step is condemned, hillson rushes invasion of ukraine as a conduct the tramples the philosophy and principles of the un charter. it 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 charter point of view, it was illegal, the unprovoked and illegal in a asian 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 a tax and continued presence in syria. it's murdering of iranian commander. silly money, all in violation of the un charter leaving 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 chart 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 when costs of a seceded from serbia, it was supported by the us 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 harrison 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 it's pick and choose approach when it comes to respecting sovereignty,

self determination or international law. there is a popular, sane 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 deer and shows current like the bible, those who are was support a certain passage you when it's convenient for them. and when their actions contradicted, well, then they ignore that passage. i would say the u. s. has violated the quote, the charter if the charter means allowing people self determination, which it does on numerous occasions when it's suited centrist to do so. and that's what empires do. and the u. s. is no different than the british empire and the, you know, the french and others before it. and it's behaving empirically. and it is increasingly aggressive. the nat regarding their voting will be held from september 23rd to the

27th and for areas through ganske and on that's per public's and the don bass, as well as the her son and jasper osi regions. now we will have special coverage on the referendums, in these regions which get underway on friday as locals, though on whether they want to become part of russia. you can read more on our website and stay tuned right here to our to international aah. who's

an exceptional opportunity? this is how south africa is. president korea ranma fossa has branded the biggest military expo on the continent held in the country's capital city of for toria, with hundreds of companies participating in the event. the african aerospace and defense expert will run until sunday. the format will include the trade show alongside ariel displays parallel meetings and conferences, briefing the media on wednesday, south africa, minister of defense. it gives opportunities for companies from across the globe to work together. are to use corolla that lot brings us is report 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 their 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 or security hardware, even further consistency. the budget of the defense force has been cut from africa . it is at its lowest. that is what our problem is. even if the economy, cruise 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 be fine. that's all 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, they were 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 in the region 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 bricks as

a developmental pattern. but to put bricks, a site this deal with russia. if you go into any part of africa, the africans from c 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's relationship with russia. spence from miss hood is mindy, by the way, i'm alive because they sent foot to the am submitted to camps this expo a trex over a 100000 people 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 turn the handshakes into deals and business. i'm glad i will. if i

thought for ality in pretoria elsewhere in africa and a bed to tackle growing concerned over electronic waste like old laptops, t v, 's and phones. the 1st ever waste management company to offer e waste. recycling services has opened in ghana. with respect to this campaign are launched, they seeks to extend education and the benefits of recycling to our communities. our community recycling beans will be placed at selected, empty, and service centers across the country by reducing waste, lowering greenhouse gas emissions, and saving energy at home at work and on the road. we save the environment and our continent. ghana has become something of the world's dumping ground when it comes to e waste. but it comes with huge risk to people's health. ah .

24 wood big so to come with the chest noble feet, flip the chest, he said to the pin. for the 3rd, i come to wait to march from the farther it was 70 to us with more water in my head, i had the corso that he did end up with the explore or the 150 problem

for electronic with it can be trying generation no transfer, i can pass it to my child, and my daughter can muscle closet. i reiterated before you, my pleasure of improving other things in the country and making a fraud. the prima city in the, in africa ukrainian president vladimir zalinski, gave an online address to the un general assembly where he demanded the international community, sees russian assets and passed the proceeds over to key at ukraine will

appeal to the un general assembly to support an international compensation mechanism, we count on your support or actually pay for the war with is essence. it's also the punishment. this is one of the most terrible punishments for russian officials who value money, a bomb every batch. russian said assets have been on the agenda versus $300000000000.00 worth, were frozen by western countries. now ukraine has suggested taking possession of it, its partnership with the u. s. and other european countries. however, current legislation only allows the assets to be frozen and not to be handed over to other countries. but recently the u. s. department of justice asked congress to legalize the transfer to ukraine as compensation for damages

crosswise. now, the independent political analyst, our sondra, bruno, to discuss the matter. alessandro is great to have you on the show today. now, what do you think of the ukrainian president speech and of course, his call to confiscate russian assets. thank you, rachel. i think that, well, i expected such a request because the un general assembly is the perfect venue for this kind of problem. and particularly from zelinski himself. this is fully coherent with what we've seen so far. and of course the u. s. has withheld funds and distributed them for other purposes before really, iraq was one of the cases in the us still hold up again. fun. i believe.

8 or 7000000000. i forgot the exact number, but which it still hasn't returned to i've gone, it's done despite the fact that they've withdrawn from the country. so this was the expected move. how realistic it is for the un to 1st of all, the us. we're probably not vote in favor of it. if you take a full general assembly vote, they won't have the numbers. but i think one of the most other interesting requests that, apart from the money, which is even bigger was the fact that russia is vito power be removed from the un security council. which, of course, would defy the entire mechanism of how this county came to be given that russia is one of the big winners of world war 2, if not the biggest winner to do that. the

requests that the lensky has made are excessive. to put it mildly now when it comes to really zelinski in his relationship with the west to say that they have been support would be an understatement. so how do you expect the west to react to the latest demands and really everything that has happened at the general assembly so far? well, i expect the you are the, the west to continue. what shall we call it? grovelling over in this situation, they will certainly pretend to go along with the request making it and many us politicians in particular. well the, you, but i think the u. s. is where this will play out the most in congress will make such requests and the issue

will be brought up. and probably i do expect a partial transfer or fund because the, the west has been transferring so much already to finance the entire ukraine. the response that they are running out of funds of their own said they're running out of equipment. many countries have to replenish their armed forces in europe because they sent so much equipment to ukraine. so i do think said the, the requests will be taken into consideration at least at the partial level, because it's good politics. that said, there are many things happening in the background. of course we have, the mobile is ation of $300000.00 russian reservists. and what that means, and we have the referenda in don't ask. and the other republics that are

let's say, the russian speaking republics of ukraine, which already in russian control. and i think that move combined the, the mobile is ation. and the reference is our efforts my moscow to consolidate their position and to give them a strong negotiating position when to finally to try to bring this conflict to an end. otherwise it could last much longer. and the longer it last, the, the more risk that the west will use russian funds to continue to supply ukraine with equipment if not to give them directly to you. certainly a lot of moving parts here, policy analysts alessandra bruno, thank you so much for your time and for breaking all that down for us.