07:37 Russia: State of emergency after attack on military airfield
6:52 AM - Media: Explosion After Ukrainian Attack on Crimea
An explosion has occurred on the Russian-occupied Ukrainian peninsula of Crimea, according to "Ukrainska Pravda" citing Telegram reports. The Russian governor of the city of Sevastopol, Mikhail Razvozhayev, writes on Telegram that the forces of the Black Sea Fleet and air defense have repelled an attack by Ukrainian forces on Sevastopol, destroying three drones in the process. Additionally, the Russian air defense has reportedly shot down a Ukrainian Neptune sea-launched cruise missile over the sea near Sevastopol. The Telegram channel "CrimeaWind" reports on shots and a heavy explosion in Chornomorskyi, as well as the work of the Russian air defense in the area of the Belbek airport. A black smoke column was reportedly rising over the airport, and there was a strong smell of fire in the coastal area of the city, according to the Telegram channel "CrimeaWind" citing subscribers. There are no reports yet on possible casualties.
6:05 AM - Media: Fire at Military Airport in Russian Region of Lipetsk
A fire has broken out at a military airport in the Russian region of Lipetsk, according to Russian news agencies RIA Novosti and TASS. The cause of the fire has not been immediately reported. Shortly before, the local governor announced evacuations due to a "massive" drone attack near the city of Lipetsk, which caused explosions and power outages, according to Igor Artamonov on Telegram. The state of emergency has been declared in the Lipetsk district, and four villages are being evacuated. Some of the villages mentioned are located near an airbase outside the city. No casualties have been reported, according to his statement. Ukrainian authorities have not reported any attacks on the region. Lipetsk is located approximately 300 kilometers away from the Ukrainian border.
5:02 AM - Putin Allegedly Unaware of Ukrainian Troops Buildup
Valery Gerasimov, chief of the Russian General Staff, may have ignored intelligence warnings that Ukrainian forces were gathering near the border with the Kursk Oblast, Bloomberg reports citing a source close to the Kremlin. Ukrainian forces crossed the border into the Kursk Oblast on August 6, and fighting has since spilled over onto Russian territory. According to the report, Ukrainian forces began gathering near the border with the Kursk region two weeks before the start of their offensive. Russian President Vladimir Putin was not informed about the troop buildup.
03:21 Due to US Missiles: Half of Germans Fear Escalation of Conflict with RussiaThe German and US governments have agreed that the US will station long-range weapon systems like Tomahawk cruise missiles in Germany from 2026, capable of reaching targets in Russia. A survey by Civey for the Funke media group found that 50 percent of Germans expect further escalation of the conflict with Russia as a result. 38 percent do not believe this will happen, while 12 percent are undecided. 44 percent view the stationing positively, while 42 percent view it negatively, with 14 percent undecided.
01:14 Minister-President Kretschmer Calls for Reduction in Weapons Aid to UkraineSaxony's Minister-President Michael Kretschmer has called for a reduction in weapons aid to Ukraine, given the federal budget. "We can no longer afford to provide weapons to Ukraine that will be used up and achieve nothing. Everything must be in proportion," he told the German editorial network. "Support yes, but we see that we are reaching our limits." Kretschmer pointed to the increase in the budget in recent years. "Before the COVID-19 crisis in 2019, we had a budget volume of 344 billion euros. Now we're at 480 billion, and yet the traffic light coalition can't agree on the budget. That shows that everything is out of control."
23:35 Kiesewetter: Ukrainian Offensive is Legally and Strategically JustifiedCDU foreign policy expert Roderich Kiesewetter sees the recent Ukrainian military offensive on Russian territory as legally and strategically justified. The surprise move by Ukraine is "clearly legal under international law, in line with the right to self-defense," and "militarily strategic," he told the "Tagesspiegel." The Ukrainian troops' advance in the Kursk region aims to tie down Russian forces and inflict significant losses, thereby relieving pressure on other fronts. "Russia has to bind or redeploy forces to Kursk," he said.
22:30 Pentagon: Ukrainian Offensive in Kursk Region Aligns with US PolicyThe Ukrainian incursion into the Russian Kursk region is "in line with our policy," said Pentagon spokesperson Sabrina Singh, according to the "Kyiv Independent." When asked if Ukraine can use US-supplied weapons, Singh said the US has "supported Ukraine from the start in defending against attacks coming from the border." The Kursk region borders the Ukrainian Sumy region, which has been under daily Russian attacks since its liberation in April 2022. Ukraine is taking measures "to protect itself from attacks" and is operating "within the framework of US policy, using our weapons, systems, and capabilities," Singh said.
22:09 BSW MEP De Masi demands "as soon as possible ceasefire and negotiations"
Following the advance of Ukrainian troops into Kursk, BSW MEP Fabio De Masi demands "as soon as possible a ceasefire and negotiations". The Ukraine has "major problems defending its own territory," De Masi told the "Tagesspiegel". Advances "deep into Russian territory" only make sense "if the goal of Ukraine is a stronger escalation dynamic," he said. The risks are enormous, the MEP added. "Consider, for example, the Russian nuclear power plant in the region. Russia is a nuclear power and has the escalation dominance."
21:50 Authorities in Kursk region report at least five civilian deaths
Russian troops have been fighting for the third day against a Ukrainian incursion across the border, according to Moscow. Russian forces and border guards are preventing Ukrainian units from advancing further into Kursk, the Russian Defense Ministry said. Meanwhile, the Russian army is attacking Ukrainian forces attempting to retreat from the Ukrainian border region of Sumy. The Russian Health Ministry said 66 civilians have been injured since the start of the Ukrainian incursion, including nine children. Authorities in the Kursk region reported at least five civilian deaths, including two medics. Ukraine has not yet commented on the incursion.
21:30 EU's Borrell: Lukashenko regime involved in illegal deportation of Ukrainian children
The Belarusian regime is complicit in Russia's war against Ukraine, according to EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell. Alongside political, military, and logistical support, Belarus has contributed to the illegal deportation of Ukrainian children from temporarily occupied areas of Ukraine. Since 2021, the regime has also orchestrated migration pressure on the EU's external borders, according to a statement from the European External Action Service.
You can read all previous developments here.
In the context of increasing tensions between Ukraine and Russia, there are concerns that cyberwarfare could be the next frontier. If the ongoing conflict escalates further, a potential cyberattack on critical infrastructure in both countries could significantly impact their economies and population. Russia, known for its advanced cyber capabilities, could potentially target Ukrainian institutions or utilities, while Ukraine could retaliate or seek support from international allies with strong cyber defense capacities.
Moreover, the involvement of third parties, such as hacktivist groups or private companies, could further complicate the situation and introduce an element of uncertainty. It is essential for both countries to prioritize cybersecurity, strengthen their defenses, and cooperate with international organizations to mitigate the risks and consequences of a potential cyberwar.
