11:07 Pentagon Suggests Challenges in Russia's Ability to Counter Kursk Situation
According to the U.S. Department of Defense, Russia is having a tough time responding to Ukraine's counterattack in the Kursk region. Pentagon spokesperson Pat Ryder in Washington notices indications of a few Russian units being deployed to the area, but overall, he says Russia is truly struggling. Ryder highlights that Ukraine has successfully put Russia on the defensive. When asked if Washington is endorsing Ukraine's progress, Ryder does not directly reply but instead points towards Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, who has stated that the purpose is to create a buffer zone. Ryder mentions their communications with Kyiv to acquire more details about the exact aims.
At 22:10, Zelenskyy underlines the need for balance between mobilizing troops and preserving the war-torn economy. During his tour of an industrial plant in Kropywnyzkyi in central Ukraine, Zelenskyy answers a worker's query by stating that occupied jobs are essential for soldiers' salaries and Ukraine's defense efforts.
Ukraine claims an additional 28 to 35 kilometers of progress in the Russian region of Kursk as per its records. Army Chief Oleksandr Syrsky announces this in a televised statement, adding that Russia is reinforcing its positions there with troops from other regions and is also deploying units to Pokrovsk in eastern Ukraine, where intense fighting has recently occurred. Russia has yet to comment.
Russian President Vladimir Putin visits Chechnya after a prolonged absence of 13 years to meet with strongman Ramzan Kadyrov. Photos released by the RIA Novosti news agency show Putin shaking hands with Kadyrov in Grozny, followed by Putin placing his arm around Kadyrov's shoulder and embracing him before they both depart in a limousine. Kadyrov mentions a "packed schedule" of events and mentions Putin's energy levels despite the grueling day's work.
Scholz expresses astonishment at the claims that Germany is not backing Ukraine sufficiently. This year, Ukraine receives more than seven billion euros, more than any other European country, Scholz says on the Sat1 TV channel. In 2023, it will be four billion euros from the federal budget, more than any other European country as well. Alongside this, there are the 50 billion dollars Western G7 countries make possible with the aid of frozen Russian assets. "That's a lot of money, that's an immense amount of money," Scholz emphasizes.
On the 20th anniversary of the Beslan school siege, Russian President Vladimir Putin drew parallels between the attack then and the current Ukrainian military operation in the Russian border region of Kursk. Putin referred to the siege as when Russia fought "terrorists" and now needed to "fight those who commit crimes in the Kursk region."
The Russian Orthodox Church has criticized the ban on the pro-Russian Ukrainian Orthodox Church, which was passed by the Ukrainian parliament. It described the action as an "illegal act" and a "severe violation of the principles of religious freedom and human rights," according to Vladimir Legoida, the church's spokesperson. He warned that implementing this law could lead to "massive violence against millions of believers." Patriarch Kirill of the Russian Orthodox Church also voiced his concerns, stating that "we are living in challenging times when many have turned against us, not because we are bad, but only because we are different." Earlier, Kyiv's legislators had approved a bill to ban religious organizations with links to Moscow.
U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin has invited the Ukraine Contact Group for another meeting at the US airbase Ramstein in Rhineland-Palatinate, Germany. The conference will be held on September 6, the most significant US airbase outside the U.S. announced. Defense ministers and military officials will once again discuss stronger support for Ukraine. The contact group consists of approximately 50 states, including Germany. As with previous gatherings, non-NATO countries were also invited.
The Russian military has established three fresh formations to safeguard the border with Ukraine, Defense Minister Andrei Belousov revealed. The formations carry the names Kursk, Belgorod, and Bryansk. Two weeks prior, thousands of Ukrainian soldiers advanced into the Russian region of Kursk and presently control the seized territories.
A major blaze has engulfed an oil depot in the Russian town of Proletarsk following a Ukrainian drone strike. The flames remain uncontrolled, with firefighters still struggling to put it out two days later. Satellite imagery reveals the scale of the devastation.
17:36 Is Russia Constructing a Second Bridge beside the Crimean Bridge?Recent satellite images suggest that Russia might be building a second bridge adjacent to the 19-kilometer long Kerch Bridge, which connects the Russian mainland with Crimea. The online source "Ukrajinska Prawda" reports a "concurrent construction" which appears to be a bridge. Websites like ntv.de corroborate this information by comparing satellite images from June, July, and August, revealing ongoing construction. According to "Ukrajinska Prawda", the Russians are implementing measures to safeguard both the new construction and the repeatedly targeted Kerch Bridge from potential attacks.
16:36 Moscow Encourages Residents in Kursk to Deactivate Dating Apps and Surveillance CamerasThe Russian Ministry of Internal Affairs has suggested to residents of three regions adjacent to Ukraine to disable dating apps and surveillance cameras. The ministry asserted that the adversary is actively identifying IP addresses on the territory and remotely connecting to unsecured cameras monitoring various aspects including private farms, strategically important roads, and highways. The ministry also recommended avoiding online dating services as they can serve as sources of information collection.
16:20 Russia Confirms 17 Civilian Casualties within a Week in KurskThe Russian news agency TASS informed, citing emergency services, that the Ukrainian attack in Kursk, killing 17 civilians inside a week. Additionally, 235 civilians experienced injuries.
15:54 Reporter describes Rapid Russian Attack on Pokrovsk Frontntv reporter Nadja Kriewald from eastern Ukraine reported, "Yesterday, there were 63 attacks led by Russian troops on the Pokrovsk front." She conversed with rescue workers who were on their way to evacuate a Ukrainian village, but the evacuation mission was reportedly annulled - the Russian army had already seized control of the location.
15:33 Russia Accuses US of Illegally Sending Journalists to KurskRussia has summoned a high-ranking US diplomat. The Russian Foreign Ministry informed US Charge d'Affaires Stephanie Holmes that American journalists had entered Kursk unlawfully, where Ukrainian forces initiated an offensive two weeks ago. Russia intends to prosecute them, it stated.
15:10 German Government Commissioner Observes Russian Propaganda in East GermanyThe German government's commissioner for eastern Germany, Carsten Schneider from the SPD, expressed disbelief at some Germans' perceptions regarding Ukraine. "It's appalling to see how some individuals, either in east or west Germany, voice opinions about Ukraine and the Ukrainians," he told the newspapers of the New Berlin Editorial Society. "Unfortunately, Russian propaganda is effectively disseminated, particularly in eastern Germany," Schneider added. He emphasized the critical rescue struggle of Ukraine, calling it a matter of the country's very survival. Certain radical politicians, such as the AfD and BSW, have exceeded these bounds, Schneider stated.
14:48 Ukrainian Commander Blames Deficit in Ammunition for Russian ProgressAccording to a Ukrainian commander cited by the "Financial Times", the Russian advance in eastern Ukraine is partly due to Kiev redirecting resources northwards. His troops require rationing shells for their weapons - this is the first time since the US Congress halted aid to Ukraine. The ammunition was redistributed to the troops who invaded the Russian region of Kursk.
14:26 Kremlin Expert Names Kursk Incursion as a Catalyst for Moscow Power ShiftsKremlin expert Rainer Munz posits that the Ukrainian incursion into Kursk could speed up or at least expose the generational shift within Moscow's power structures. However, the authority of the Russian president remains unaffected.
14:01 Following Russian Assault on Ternopil: Authorities Issue Warning over High Chlorine Levels in AirAfter a Russian strike on an industrial site in Ternopil, western Ukraine, local authorities have issued a warning over elevated levels of chlorine in the air. As reported by the Ukrainian newspaper "Kyiv Independent", Oksana Chaichuk, head of the regional center for disease control and prevention, advised residents to minimize outdoor exposure and maintain closed windows. The chlorine concentration in the air was found to be four to ten times higher than usual, Chaichuk stated at a press conference. The night-time attack targeted a fuel and lubricant depot, resulting in a fire at an unidentified facility. No casualties or injuries were reported due to the attack.
13:39 Moscow Claims Capture of New York Town in Donetsk by Russian TroopsRussian forces reportedly seized the town of New York in the Donetsk region of eastern Ukraine, as claimed by the Russian Ministry of Defense. The troops supposedly took control of "one of the largest settlements situated near Torez, the strategically crucial logistics center of Nowgorodskoje," the ministry declared, employing the Soviet-era name. The moniker New York, derived from German settlers, was subsequently changed to Nowgorodskoje in 1951, but it was reinstated in 2021 following efforts by Ukrainian activists. The village is located about six kilometers south of Torez, which has endured Russian attacks for weeks.
22:23 Ukrainian parliament enacts ban on Russia-aligned churchThe Ukrainian administration is proceeding with a prohibition against the Russia-aligned Ukrainian Orthodox Church. As indicated by parliamentarians, the legislature in Kyiv has approved a bill aimed at this end, initially prohibiting the Russian Orthodox Church from operating within Ukrainian territory. There are plans to ban religious organizations affiliated with the Russian Orthodox Church as well, but this would require judicial confirmation. The Ukrainian administration accuses the local Ukrainian church minority of being a means for Russian influence in the country and a supporter of Ukraine's invasion.
20:51 Firefighters confront oil depot inferno in Russian Rostov
Over 500 firefighters are currently battling a significant blaze at an oil depot in the Russian region of Rostov, now on its third day. The fire originated from a Ukrainian drone strike, as per Proletarsk's head, Valery Gornitsky, as reported by news agency TASS. "The fire spans an area of 10,000 square meters, with multiple diesel tanks in flames," said Gornitsky. "There's no explosion risk, no threat to people, and no evacuations are necessary," he added. Four firefighting aircraft and over 520 firefighters are engaged in the operation. Gornitsky noted that aircraft are essential since vehicles cannot approach the fire due to the intense heat. So far, at least 41 firefighters have been injured with 18 hospitalized.
20:08 Industrial facility impacted in Ukrainian Ternopil during bombings
In the latest Russian bombardments of Ukraine's energy infrastructure, an industrial facility and a fuel tank were struck in the Ternopil region, according to authorities. Ukrainian television broadcast massive black smoke plumes rising over Ternopil, with local authorities encouraging residents to remain indoors. Over 90 firefighters are involved in the extinguishing efforts, with the situation under control, according to Ternopil's regional administration.
19:41 Former Russian diplomat Bondarev critiques Putin: a "feeble pretender"
Russian President Vladimir Putin is behaving like a "feeble pretender," stated Boris Bondarev, a former Russian diplomat, in a guest commentary for ntv.de. Putin's alleged ability to overpower any adversary has been challenged since the commencement of the invasion of Ukraine. The swift takeover within a few days never materialized. Moscow also appeared utterly taken aback and overpowered by the Ukrainian attack on the Russian region of Kursk recently. "Putin is at a loss when confronted with a severe threat and doesn't know what to do. He's not even acting like a cornered animal prepared to fight back, but like a feeble pretender," said Bondarev. The ex-diplomat, who broke away from the Putin regime in protest against the war, also severely criticized Western politicians for their stance prohibiting Ukraine from utilizing delivered weapons on Russian territory. "One must confront Putin with forceful language," he asserted, dismissing Western concerns regarding "escalation" as baseless.
19:13 Ukraine reports five civilian casualties, over 20 injuries in Russian attacks
Over the past 24 hours, five civilians have been killed and at least 22 wounded, including a child, in Russian attacks in Ukraine, regional authorities reported in the morning, according to "Kyiv Independent."
18:37 Russian fuel depot in flames: Satellite image shows fire's magnitude
Ukraine struck a significant fuel depot in Proletarsk in southern Russia with drones on Sunday morning. The fire had not yet been extinguished a day later, with over 40 firefighters injured, as per regional authorities. Satellite images also reveal the extent of the blaze.
Ukraine has used drones to target several Russian refineries and oil facilities in recent months, aiming to hinder the supply of fuel to enemy troops and decrease Russia's oil industry earnings.
18:16 Kyiv announces over 1300 Russian soldiers "neutralized" in a dayOfficial figures from Kyiv indicate high casualties on the Russian side: 1330 Russian soldiers were killed or incapacitated within a day, as per the Ukrainian Ministry of Defense. A total of 601,800 Russian soldiers have reportedly been "neutralized" since the war's initiation in February 2022. The ministry reports that the enemy has also lost five more tanks (8518 in total). Since the outset of the Russian invasion, Ukraine has reported the destruction or capture of over 16,500 armored vehicles and over 13,800 drones by the Russian military. These figures cannot be independently verified, and Moscow remains tight-lipped about its own losses in Ukraine.
17:47 Biden defends Ukraine's resistance: No president should "submit to dictators""No president should submit to dictators," said Joe Biden at the Democratic National Convention's first night, as reported by the "Kyiv Independent". "Putin believed he could seize Kyiv within three days. Three years later, Ukraine remains free." Biden contrasted his record as an advocate for a strong NATO and a free Ukraine to that of former President Donald Trump, who had praised Russian President Vladimir Putin. "No commander-in-chief should ever submit to dictators," Biden asserted.
17:31 Russia bombards Ukraine with overnight airstrikesRussia has once again targeted Ukraine with overnight airstrikes, according to the Ukrainian military. Nine regions in the center, north, and south of the country were struck, with three missiles and 25 drones shot down, the Ukrainian air force reported on Telegram. This was the fifth missile assault on Kyiv this month, the military remarked. There were 41 air raid alerts in Kyiv in August. The military claimed to have repelled a drone attack on Kyiv yesterday.
07:52 Military response: Thwarted Russian missile assault on Kyiv - no harm reported yetRussian forces made another assault on Kyiv this morning from the northern front, as reported by the city's military administration via Telegram. Initial reports indicate that Kyiv was targeted from the north, possibly utilizing ballistic missiles like the Iskander-K. This marks the fifth such missile attack on Kyiv this month! Lucky for the city, air defense forces were successful in destroying the missiles on the outskirts. As of now, no damage or casualties have been reported in Kyiv.
07:38 Belarus: Lukashenko orders additional troops and aircraft to Ukrainian borderBelarus has dispatched extra air defense troops and aircraft to its border with Ukraine, as disclosed by Major General Andrei Lukyanovich of the Belarusian air defense forces, as mentioned in the Ukrainian newspaper "Kyiv Independent." This announcement comes following Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko's announcement that he had mobilized a third of the country's army to the border this summer. Lukashenko explained that the troop buildup along the border was due to a misunderstanding between Belarus and Ukraine. In a nationwide television appearance, Lukyanovich mentioned the deployment of planes, surface-to-air missiles, and technical units to the border. However, Kyiv has yet to confirm Lukyanovich's claims about further Belarusian troops and weapons at the border.
07:24 ISW: Russia shifts 5,000 troops to Kursk Region
Thanks to the Ukrainian troops' advance in the Kursk region, Russia has been compelled to withdraw troops from other frontlines to that area, according to the U.S. Institute for the Study of War (ISW). "Russian forces have sent additional troops to the Kursk Oblast since the initiation of the Ukrainian offensive and have likely redeployed over 5,000 soldiers to the region," analysts say.
06:54 Zelensky: Second peace summit in Ukraine must take place before year's end
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has pushed for the second peace summit in Ukraine to take place this year, speaking at a meeting of foreign diplomatic missions in Ukraine. "I consider the initial summit a significant achievement for Ukraine. I am grateful to all who made it happen. Now we are preparing for the second peace summit, and it is crucial that it occurs this year," he explained.
06:22 Ukraine: Russia bombards Kyiv with another airstrike
Russia has continued to bombard Kyiv with nighttime attacks, according to Ukrainian reports. Air defense forces were mobilized to confront another Russian aerial bombardment on Kyiv in the early morning hours, as per the official Telegram statements of the Ukrainian capital's military administration. Witnesses reported explosions reminiscent of air defense systems being activated.
05:11 Kyiv reports a spate of drone attacks in distant regions
Overnight, several drone attacks were reported in various Ukrainian provinces distant from the frontlines, based on air defense reports. The areas of Sumy, Poltava, Kherson, and Mykolaiv were targeted. Air defense was also activated in the vicinity of Kyiv. Local authorities urged citizens to seek shelter. At this point, there have been no reported damages.
02:23 USA reinforces support for Kyiv - Discussion on Kursk Offensive
Despite the Ukrainian counteroffensive in the Russian sector of Kursk, the USA remains dedicated to backing Kyiv. As stated by a US Department of Defense spokesperson, "US President Joe Biden has reiterated that we will persistently support Ukraine and stay by their side for as long as required." The USA continues to prioritize assisting Kyiv with military equipment. US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin reassured Ukrainian counterpart Rustem Umerow of continued US support in a conversation, the spokesperson added. During the conversation, Austin gained a better understanding of Ukraine's objectives with the counteroffensive.
01:07 Germany supplies another Iris-T system
Germany has delivered another military package to Ukraine. According to the Ministry of Defense's overview page, the latest shipments include, among other things, a third Iris-T short-range air defense system. The package also includes several thousand rounds of artillery ammunition, drones, an Armored Engineering Vehicle 2, and hundreds of rifles along with their ammunition.
00:20 Zelensky: Most significant achievement in capturing Russian troops
As per President Volodymyr Zelensky, Ukraine's offensive in the Russian sector of Kursk has been their largest success in capturing Russian soldiers since the onset of the conflict. Addressing Ukrainian diplomats, he stated that these Russian prisoners of war would eventually be exchanged for Ukrainian captives. Preliminary estimates indicate that Russia has detained more Ukrainian citizens than they have captured.
22:21 Chechen Commander: Kursk Fighters "Go to Paradise"
Apti Alaudinov, the leader of the Russian-opposing Chechen Achmat regiment, has reportedly encouraged Russian conscripts to join the frontlines in Kursk, stating in a video that those who fall in the region "will find their way to paradise."
21:58 Zelensky: Infiltration Eliminated Russia's Boundary Line Concept due to being deemed implausible, the Ukrainian infiltration into Russian territory remained concealed, as per Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, according to the newspaper "Pravda." Recently, several nations predicted that the infiltration would transgress Russia's most crucial boundary line. However, Zelensky expressed, "Russia's boundary line concept has disintegrated in the vicinity of Sushcha these days."
21:38 Lithuania Commences German Army Support Base Construction Lithuania has initiated construction on a base for German soldiers. By the year's end in 2027, it will accommodate approximately 4,000 German soldiers. This will be the primary permanent foreign deployment of the German army since World War II. Germany pledged to station troops in the NATO and EU member state bordering Russia last year. Lithuanian Defense Minister Raimundas Karoblis anticipates the construction cost to surpass a billion euros.
21:15 Czech President: NATO Admission Possible for Partially Occupied Ukraine Czech President Petr Pavel supports the notion of Ukraine joining NATO despite parts of its territory being occupied. He speculates that Ukraine might reach a peace agreement with Russia in the approaching years, Pavel informed news site "Novinky." Such a pact may let Russia keep control over portions of Ukrainian territory without "democratic nations" acknowledging the border modification. This tentative border could then allow "us to accept Ukraine into NATO within the territory it commands at that time," Pavel stated. Germany also became a NATO member in 1955 while still partially controlled by the Soviet Union.
20:57 Ukrainian Forces Approach Russian Pontoon Bridge by 12 Kilometers Ukrainian forces claim they have seized the town of Wyschnewka, in the Russian region of Kursk, according to X's war observers. This places them roughly 12 kilometers distant from the floating bridge over the Seim River, now the only apparent retreat or supply option for the Russian army.
20:36 Pokrovsk Administration Maintains Optimism The military administration of eastern Ukrainian city Pokrovsk faces uncertainty as advancing Russian troops draw near: "They are progressing towards Pokrovsk's outskirts. It's not a secret," said Pokrovsk's information department head to the "Washington Post." "Hopefully, the enemy will halt somewhere near Pokrovsk's borders, and our troops will repel them," she added. Should the city fall, it would be the most significant population center seized by the Russians since Bachmut in May 2023.
Catch up on earlier events here.
(Note: The URL in the last sentence is a placeholder and should be replaced with the actual link.)
- The ongoing conflict in Ukraine has led some experts to suggest that Russia is engaged in a form of cyberwar, using digital means to disrupt Ukrainian infrastructure and communications.
- In response to the Ukrainian counterattack in the Kursk region, Russia has been accused of deploying units equipped with cyberwar capabilities, aiming to gain an upper hand in the digital battlefield.
