11:28 Mangott on arms shipments: Kretschmer "accept that Ukraine is losing"
Ukrainian soldiers have breached Russian territory. With their advance into Kursk, Ukraine aims to demonstrate that Russia "cannot protect its citizens in border regions," says Gerhard Mangott, a political scientist. He also notes that he does not believe Ukraine can sustain its presence in the region indefinitely.
10:53 Video allegedly shows Russian troop strength in KurskThe Russian Ministry of Defense has published another video purporting to show an increase in military presence in the region. The footage shows tanks taking up positions to destroy Ukrainian troops. The authenticity of the footage cannot be independently verified. The ministry also reports numerous Ukrainian drone attacks repelled in the Kursk area.
10:29 Russian nuclear corporation: Nuclear power plant in Kursk operating normallyFighting between Russian and Ukrainian forces is ongoing near a nuclear power plant in the Russian region of Kursk. Despite the continued clashes, operations are "normal," according to the operator, Russian state-owned company Rosatom, as reported by Reuters. Earlier, the nuclear corporation had evacuated workers from the construction site of two new reactors at the Kursk nuclear power plant due to the advance of Ukrainian troops.
09:57 Ukrainian intelligence: Magura V5 destroys Russian boat in Black SeaSoldiers of the Ukrainian intelligence agency HUR have attacked the Russian navy off the northwest coast of the Crimea peninsula, which is occupied by Russia. The Ukrainian intelligence service reports that a sea drone of the Magura V5 type sank a Russian patrol boat of the type KS-701 "Tunets" off the coast near the settlement of Chornomorske in the west of Crimea. Three other Russian military boats were reportedly damaged. The Ukrainian intelligence service has posted a video of the attack on social media.
09:19 ISW: Russia not redeploying frontline units from Eastern Ukraine to KurskThe Russian military may not be redeploying its forces from the front in Eastern Ukraine to the contested Russian border region of Kursk, as doing so could disrupt its own offensive in eastern Ukraine, according to the latest report by the Institute for the Study of War (ISW). ISW analysts suggest it would likely take additional time for these units to arrive in the Kursk region. Instead, the Russian military appears to be relying on the troops already stationed in Kursk to halt the ongoing Ukrainian advance. Additionally, the Russian military is reportedly deploying conscripts from the military intelligence agency Glawnoje Raswedywatelnoje Uprawlenije (GRU) and Spetsnaz, including the Wagner mercenary group and the Kadyrovtsy, according to reports cited by the analysts.
08:35 Ukraine publishes figures on Russian lossesThe Ukrainian General Staff has published new figures on Russian troop losses in Ukraine. According to these figures, Russia has lost approximately 589,700 soldiers in Ukraine since February 24, 2022, with a daily loss of 1,160. A report from Kyiv claims that on the last day of fighting, seven tanks, 69 artillery systems, and two air defense systems were destroyed. Since the start of the large-scale attack, Russia has reportedly lost 8,441 tanks, 16,605 artillery systems, 366 aircraft, 327 helicopters, 13,325 drones, 28 ships, and one submarine. Western estimates suggest lower losses, but these are likely to be minimum figures.
07:40 Russia: Su-34 fighter-bomber reportedly hits Ukrainian forces in Russian KurskA Russian Su-34 fighter-bomber has reportedly attacked and hit Ukrainian forces in the Russian border region of Kursk, according to the Russian Defense Ministry on Telegram. The ministry claims that the air strike was carried out using an ODAB-500 bomb. The Russian forces continue to repel the Ukrainian surprise advance in the Kursk region, with the air strike intended to push back the Ukrainian offensive. A video showing the deployment of the fighter jet has been published on the Telegram channel of the Russian Defense Ministry.
06:48 Kyiv accountant stopped with millions in carUkrainian investigators have discovered over 4.7 million euros in undeclared cash in the trunk of a company accountant's car. "The woman could not explain the origin of the money," the Economic Crime Investigation Bureau in Kyiv region reported. Photos show investigators standing by an open trunk filled with cash bundles. The company in question had supplied food worth over 320 million euros to the Ukrainian army in 2022 and 2023 alone, with tax liability reduced through a fictitious loan. Investigations are ongoing for large-scale money laundering and tax evasion, with penalties of up to eight years in prison.
06:10 Ukraine evacuates 28 villages near Sumy borderVolunteers in the northern Sumy border region are helping residents and their pets leave the border area. According to local governor Volodymyr Artiukh, 28 villages in a ten-kilometer-wide zone along the Russian border are being evacuated. Ukrainian police report that 20,000 people must leave their homes.
05:30 Kyiv Inscribes "Glory to Ukraine!" on New BanknotesThe Ukrainian central bank is supplementing the design of all Ukrainian banknotes with the national motto "Glory to Ukraine! Glory to the Heroes!". Money, the central bank chief Andrij Pyschnyj says in a statement from Kyiv, is not just a measure of value and a means of payment, but also a symbol of the state that everyone holds daily. "To honor the resilience of our people and to commemorate this turning point in the formation of the Ukrainian nation, we are adding our motto to all banknotes, which is heard throughout the world," Pyschnyj said. The change is to honor the upcoming 33rd Independence Day on August 24, it was reported. The process will begin with the 1000 (around 22.3 Euro) and 500 Hryvnia banknotes, followed by all other denominations of 200, 100, 50, and 20 Hryvnia. The motto will be placed in the top right corner of the banknotes, with the rest of the design remaining unchanged. The patriotic motto "Glory to Ukraine!" dates back to the emerging Ukrainian national movement at the end of the 19th century and has a complex history. In the form of "Glory to Ukraine! Glory to the Heroes!", it was used by Ukrainian nationalists who collaborated with the Nazis. The greeting remained present in the Ukrainian independence movement against the Soviet Union.
04:37 Report: Russia Plans to Block WhatsAppIn its action against internet services (see entry 22:33), Russia is reportedly planning to block WhatsApp, the news site "Kyiv Independent" reports. According to the report, Moscow has made preparations to block the messaging app. WhatsApp could be blocked in Russia as early as autumn, the independent Russian publication Verstka reports, citing sources at the Russian IT company VK, which is developing an application to replace WhatsApp. In July, the Kremlin-linked media outlet Gazeta.ru reported that the Russian government was planning to fully block YouTube in September. However, Kremlin spokesman Dmitri Peskov denied these alleged plans.
04:05 US Approves Additional Military Aid for Kyiv Worth $125 MillionThe US is providing additional military aid to Ukraine worth $125 million (around $114 million). The aid package, according to the spokesperson for the National Security Council, John Kirby, underscores "our unwavering support for Ukraine as it continues to defend itself against Russian aggression". US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said the aid would include air defense interceptors, ammunition for rocket systems and artillery, multi-purpose radars, and anti-armor weapons, and would come from US stockpiles. The equipment, Blinken added, would help Ukraine protect its troops, population, and cities from Russian attacks and strengthen its capabilities across the front.
03:19 Russia Claims to Have Issued 2.2 Million Passports in Occupied Ukrainian RegionsRussia claims to have issued 2.2 million passports in the Ukrainian regions occupied by its invasion. Since October 2020, these have been distributed in Saporischschja, Donezk, Luhansk, and Cherson, the Russian interior ministry said. These claims cannot be independently verified. In the past, there have been repeated reports of Russian authorities systematically forcing people to accept these passports.
02:30 IAEA warns of nuclear accident at power plant due to fighting in Kursk regionThe International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) warns of potential fighting near a nuclear power plant in the Kursk region of western Russia, following Ukraine's large-scale offensive in the area. "At this point, I urge all parties to exercise maximum restraint to avoid a nuclear accident that could have severe radiological consequences," IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi said, referring to fighting near the Kursk nuclear power plant. He is "in personal contact with the relevant authorities of both countries." The Kursk NPP is located near the city of Kursk, about 100 kilometers from the Russian-Ukrainian border. The state-owned Russian news agency RIA Novosti reported, citing the press service of the power plant, that "everything is normal" at the facility with usual radiation levels. However, residents of Kursk are currently without power. According to regional governor Alexei Smirnov, a power plant was set on fire by falling debris from intercepted Ukrainian drones.
01:55 Russia implements anti-terror measures in Kursk, Belgorod, and BryanskRussian media reports that Russia is implementing anti-terror measures in three regions bordering Ukraine. According to a report by the RIA news agency, the measures include possible evacuation of residents, traffic restrictions in certain areas, increased security at sensitive locations, and wiretapping of phones and other communication devices. Local authorities and the National Anti-Terrorism Committee report that these anti-terror regulations apply to the regions of Kursk, Belgorod, and Bryansk, according to the news agency.
00:36 Nouripour on country leaders: Cowardice doesn't bring peace in UkraineGreen Party leader Omid Nouripour criticizes the minister-presidents of Brandenburg, Thuringia, and Saxony for their recent statements on Ukraine policy. Dietmar Woidke, Bodo Ramelow, and Michael Kretschmer are "running away from reality," says Nouripour to the German editorial network (RND). "They act as if one can achieve peace by burying one's head in the sand. But: Cowardice doesn't bring peace." Woidke says he has good contacts with Russia and can mediate. However, "it's strange that this only occurs to him two and a half years after the start of the war and a few weeks before the state election," says Nouripour. Ramelow calls for a non-aggression pact with Russia. However, such a pact was initiated by Germany 85 years ago and brought great suffering to other European countries, the Green politician adds. Kretschmer, meanwhile, acts "as if he doesn't know that only Putin can quickly end this war." Kretschmer had called for a reduction in military aid to Ukraine and advocated for diplomatic initiatives in the Ukraine conflict.
00:13 July deadliest month for civilians in Ukraine since October 2022According to the United Nations, more Ukrainian civilians have died from Russian shelling in July than in any other month since October 2022. "The high number of casualties in July continues an alarming trend since March 2024," the UN Human Rights Monitoring Mission in Ukraine (HRMMU) reports.
23:43 Construction Workers Withdrawn from Kursk NPPDue to the advancement of Ukrainian troops in the Russian region of Kursk, workers are being temporarily withdrawn from the construction site of two new nuclear reactors at the Kursk Nuclear Power Plant (NPP). Atomstroiexport, a subsidiary of the state-owned Russian nuclear corporation Rosatom, announced the reduction in the number of construction workers. Other specialists continue their work as planned. The Kursk NPP in the city of Kursk has been repeatedly mentioned as a potential target of the Ukrainian offensive that began on Tuesday, although it is approximately 60 kilometers from the border. Unconfirmed reports suggest that Ukrainian troops have advanced up to 30 kilometers into Russian territory. The Russian National Guard has reportedly reinforced the protection of the power plant following the announcement of the Ukrainian offensive. The NPP is currently building two new reactors to replace the two oldest, already decommissioned blocks of the plant. Two additional reactors are currently in operation.
23:11 Ukraine Takes Control of Gazprom Facility in Kursk RegionAccording to a video published by Ukrainian media, Ukrainian soldiers have taken control of a facility belonging to the gas company Gazprom in the Russian region of Kursk. The facility in the city of Sudzha and the city itself have been captured, according to Ukrainian soldiers in the video.
22:33 Russia Blocks Encrypted Chat Service SignalIn its crackdown on foreign internet services, Russia has also blocked the encrypted chat service Signal, citing alleged legal violations. Roskomnadzor, the Russian communications regulator, stated that Signal is not complying with legal measures necessary to counter terrorism and extremism. Throughout the day, complaints from Signal users in Russia have been accumulating that the messaging service is unavailable. Portals like Sboj.rf, which collect reports of outages, reported around 2,000 complaints. Developed in the United States, Signal is valued by its users for its high level of security. On Thursday, Russian users also complained about YouTube's slow performance and difficulties in downloading videos. Russian authorities have not provided an official explanation for this. However, they have previously stated their intention to target the popular video service for allegedly refusing to remove extremist videos. Russia has already blocked large social networks with U.S. ownership, such as X and Facebook, which can only be accessed via protected connections (VPN). Even before the invasion of Ukraine, Moscow had made preparations for a possible internet shutdown in the country. Since the start of the war in 2022, Roskomnadzor has blocked thousands of websites that are not approved by the Russian government.
You can read about previous developments here.
11:15 Military operations intensify in Kursk regionFurther video evidence emerges showing a potential escalation of military operations in the Kursk region, with multiple Ukrainian drone attacks reportedly repelled by the Russian Ministry of Defense.
10:00 Russia reinforces border security amid Ukrainian advanceWith tensions rising, Russia strengthens its border security in regions like Kursk, implementing measures such as traffic restrictions and increased surveillance, citing potential acts of terrorism.
