05:32 ISW: Ukrainian tanks are in Kursk 10 kilometers behind the Russian border
Ukrainian troops have reportedly advanced up to ten kilometers into the Russian region of Kursk, according to an assessment by the Institute for the Study of War (ISW). Footage of armored vehicles behind the border confirms this. Ukrainian forces are said to have breached at least two Russian defensive lines and a fortress. According to a Russian source, the Ukrainians have captured 45 square kilometers in the Kursk region since the start of the operation on August 6, the ISW reports. Russian authorities declared a state of emergency in the region yesterday.
02:30 Ukraine raises threshold for prison sentence in petty theft casesPresident Selenskyj has signed a new law that reclassifies petty theft as an administrative offense, punishable by fines, instead of a criminal offense. This means that thefts valued at up to around 67 euros will no longer result in a prison sentence. Previously, the threshold for petty theft was around 6.7 euros. This change is due to the martial law currently in effect since the Russian invasion, which previously carried a prison sentence of up to eight years for looting and theft. For example, a case of stealing diapers from a supermarket in Rivne, Ukraine, in January 2023, valued at around eight euros, would no longer result in a prison sentence. However, the perpetrator in this case still received a prison sentence of over three years.
00:27 Klingbeil: Deployment of US missiles in Germany is correctSPD leader Lars Klingbeil has defended plans to deploy long-range US weapons in Germany against criticism from within his own party. "This deployment is right because it helps us to defend ourselves if Russia were to consider attacking us," Klingbeil told the Redaktionsnetzwerk Deutschland. It is part of credible deterrence. At the NATO summit in July, the White House and the German government announced that the US would station weapons systems in Germany from 2026 that can reach deep into Russia. These include Tomahawk cruise missiles, SM-6 missiles, and new hypersonic weapons. There are critical voices within the SPD, with parliamentary group leader Rolf Mützenich warning of the risk of military escalation.
22:38 Human rights activist Orlow wants to fight for Russian prisonersOleg Orlov, the Moscow human rights activist released in a prisoner exchange between Russia and Western states, plans to continue his civil rights work in exile. "Memorial cannot be destroyed," the 71-year-old said at a press conference at the Center for Liberal Modernity in Berlin. The organization Memorial, which he co-founded and which was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize, advocates for political prisoners in Russia. Orlov estimates that at least 800 political prisoners are still being held in Russia - conservatively estimated. Orlov finds his new role in exile in Germany difficult, as he would prefer to be in his homeland but fears prosecution. He hopes to be able to advocate for the release of more political prisoners in exile, including eight critically ill prisoners. "When it turned out that these people were not on the list, we were very disappointed - we who were exchanged," Orlov said. Memorial continues to work in Russia despite repression, but also from abroad.
21:30 Not Dead Yet? Known Russian Propagandist InjuredRussian propagandist Eugenio Poddubnyj was injured in the Kursk region. State TV channel VGTRK reports on Telegram that Poddubnyj was injured in an attack by a Ukrainian drone in the Kursk region and was taken to the hospital. Earlier, numerous Russian media had reported Poddubnyj's death. Eugenio Poddubnyj is one of Russia's most well-known "war correspondents". His Telegram channel has around 734,000 followers. Preliminary reports suggest he was filming a report on the fighting in the Kursk region today.
20:41 Emergency Declared in Region KurskAn emergency has been declared in the Russian region of Kursk amid a Ukrainian ground offensive. Governor Alexei Smirnov announced this in a Telegram post. Ukraine has advanced deep into Russian territory near Kursk in a counterattack. According to the Russian Defense Ministry, the offensive began on Tuesday and reached the northwest of the city of Sudja on Wednesday.
20:14 Fighting Nearby: Russia Reinforces Protection of Kursk NPPDue to Ukraine's advance into the Russian border region of Kursk, Russia's National Guard is reinforcing the protection of the Kursk NPP. Additional forces are also being deployed to combat sabotage and reconnaissance units in the Kursk and Belgorod regions, the agency said. This is happening in cooperation with the Russian border troops and the army. The nuclear power plant with four units and a capacity of almost two gigawatts is located only about 60 kilometers from the Ukrainian border. The day before, Ukrainian troops supported by tanks and artillery crossed the Russian border from the Sumy region at Sudja. Unconfirmed reports suggest they advanced up to 15 kilometers towards the NPP.
19:38 Attacks in Kursk Region: European Gas Price Hits Yearly HighThe price of European natural gas has risen to its highest level this year. The benchmark TTF contract for delivery next month rose by 5.7 percent to 38.78 euros per megawatt hour (MWh) in Amsterdam. Market participants are pointing to Ukraine's attacks on the Russian Kursk region. The fighting is reportedly taking place near Sudja, an important gas injection point for Europe. This gas is transported through Ukrainian pipelines to Western Europe. As reported by the Bloomberg news agency, the Gazprom company is currently still assuming normal gas supplies.
19:08 Ukraine Evacuates Border Areas with Russian KurskGiven the heavy fighting in the Russian Kursk region, Ukrainian authorities have ordered the evacuation of more settlements in the neighboring Sumy region. The measures affect 23 settlements, said the military governor of Sumy, Vladimir Artyukh, on Ukrainian television. About 6,000 people, including over 400 children and adolescents, are to be moved to safety from the border area. The day before, Ukrainian troops launched an advance across the Ukrainian-Russian border towards the city of Sudja in the Kursk region, advancing several kilometers into Russian territory. Moscow spoke of around 1,000 Ukrainian soldiers equipped with heavy equipment. Kyiv has not yet commented on the events. Due to regular Russian shelling of border areas, local authorities had already ordered evacuations from a ten-kilometer-wide area along the border in May.
You can find all previous developments here.
In response to the ongoing conflict in the Kursk region, there have been calls for increased cybersecurity measures to protect critical infrastructure from potential cyberwar attacks. For instance, the Russian state-owned energy company, Gazprom, could become a target, given its strategic importance in supplying gas to Europe.
Additionally, cyberwarfare could also impact the dissemination of information, as seen during the conflict, where disinformation and falsified reports have been used to manipulate public opinion and sow confusion. This makes it crucial for reliable sources to uphold their ethical standards and fact-check information to combat misinformation.
