Russian President Vladimir Putin is responding to Western sanctions with his own. His blockade of gas and grain supplies has caused food and energy crises elsewhere. Guests: Vendeline von Bredow (The Economist), Prof. Kwesi Aning (security expert), Vladimir Esipov (DW)

Analysts say Russia may be seeking to take over Ukraine's second largest city, Kharkiv. Meanwhile, Ukraine's Volodymyr Zelenskyy fired his head of state security and his prosecutor general. Follow DW for more.

The US Department of Defense believes Russia is installing proxy officials in order to seize Ukrainian land. A bridge in the Russian-controlled Kherson region was reportedly damaged by shelling. DW rounds up the latest.

Gas supplies to Europe from Russia through the pipeline had been shut off for 10 days of scheduled maintenance. The flow has now restarted but at far below maximum capacity.

Germany's foreign minister told DW that Moscow's justification for focusing on territory beyond the Donbas does not stack up. She also said Berlin must not leave itself open to blackmail from other states.

US intelligence services have said Russia's military has lost 15,000 troops so far in its war on Ukraine. Meanwhile, the mayor of Ukraine's Kharkiv reported Russian shelling in the city. Follow DW for more.

Ukraine and Russia have signed "mirror" deals which will allow Kyiv to resume exports of grain through the Black Sea. The agreement will allow millions of tonnes of grain, currently trapped in Ukraine by the war, to be exported.

As the war enters its sixth month, the Ukrainian president vows his forces will "inflict the highest possible damage on the enemy." Russia said the Odesa strikes hit military installations. DW rounds up the latest.

Energy ministers from the EU are to discuss a plan to cut gas use across the bloc amid fears Russia could stop supplies. But some say the current watered-down proposal will not be enough to prepare for winter.

Russia's Gazprom said it would again reduce gas deliveries through Nord Stream 1 by 20% for 'repairs,' cutting the current flow in half. The new blow to supply comes as Europe scrambles to store gas for winter.

Gas warfare? Gazprom announces further cuts in gas flow to EU.

Ukraine's navy said work had resumed at three ports following a UN-brokered grain export deal. Meanwhile, Ukraine struck a bridge over the Dnieper river on a significant Russian resupply route. DW rounds up the latest.