14:06 Ukraine launches series production of combat drones
Ukraine has begun series production of combat drones with a range exceeding 1,000 kilometers. According to the head of the state arms company Ukroboronprom, Herman Smetanin, in an interview with ArmyInform, Russia's "vast resources and powerful industry" are forcing Ukraine to adopt a "more flexible and inventive" approach to weapons production. Ukraine uses long-range drones to attack military infrastructure such as airfields and logistics facilities, as well as oil refineries and storage facilities, deep in Russian territory.
13:36 Ukraine publishes video of liberation of Snake Island
The Ukrainian Security Service (SBU) has published new footage on social media of the liberation of Snake Island. In the post, SBU describes the "unique and extremely important operation". The footage is said to begin with an aerial view of an air strike on the island, followed by Ukrainian troops landing on the island with a helicopter and attacking Russian troops. "It consisted of several stages and was of strategic significance, as the gradual displacement of the enemy from the Black Sea began since then," writes the SBU. On June 30, 2022, Ukrainian troops recaptured the strategic outpost from the Russians on the Black Sea.
13:14 Zelensky: Russia fired over 800 guided bombs on Ukraine in a week
In the past week, Russia has fired over 800 guided bombs against Ukraine. This is what Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky wrote on the X platform. "Ukraine needs the necessary resources to destroy the carriers of these bombs, including Russian combat aircraft, wherever they are located. This step is essential," he added further.
12:48 After Russian attack on Velyka Novosilka, number of wounded increases
Following a Russian attack on the Ukrainian city of Velyka Novosilka in the Zaporizhzhia region, the number of wounded has increased (see entries 00:32, 05:41 and 07:24). According to official figures, at least seven people, three men, one woman, and three children, have been killed. Thirty-six people, including nine children, were injured in the missile attack, the National Police reported on social media. Previously, 31 injured persons were known.
12:18 Ukraine publishes figures on Russian losses
The Ukrainian General Staff has published new figures on Russian troop losses in Ukraine. According to the report, Russia has lost approximately 542,700 soldiers in Ukraine since February 24, 2022. In one day alone, the losses amounted to 1,140. The report from Kiev states that, among other things, 24 tanks, 60 artillery systems, and an aircraft were destroyed. In total, Russia has lost 8,080 tanks, 15,524 artillery systems, 360 aircraft, 326 helicopters, 11,584 drones, 28 ships, and a submarine since the beginning of the large-scale attack, according to Ukraine. Western estimates put the losses at lower figures - but these are only minimum values.
11:45 OSCE: Russia commits genocide in Ukraine
The Parliamentary Assembly of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) has adopted a resolution recognizing Russia's actions in Ukraine as genocide against the Ukrainian population. Pavlo Frolov, a member of the Kiev delegation, shared this information. In social media, Frolov wrote that the document also defines "the de-colonialization of the Russian Federation as a necessary prerequisite for the creation of a lasting peace". The OSCE has 57 members, including Ukraine and Russia. With 57 countries from Europe, Central Asia, and North America, the OSCE is the largest regional security organization in the world.
11:11 Weichert: People in Odessa "trying to live normal lives"
While at least seven people have died in the vicinity of Zaporizhzhia due to Russian attacks, the beaches of the coastal town of Odessa are filled with bathing tourists. It is a much-needed break for the Ukrainians affected by the war, as NTV reporter Jürgen Weichert describes.
10:44 Russia: Four firefighters injured in the Donetsk region
In the Russia-claimed region of Donetsk in eastern Ukraine, according to Russian reports, four firefighters were injured in Ukrainian attacks. They had extinguished a fire caused by a Ukrainian attack in the Petrovsky district and were then hit by renewed shelling, the Russian Ministry for Emergency Situations explained.
10:08 Russia: Ukrainian forces driven out of Cherson by Russian troops
The fighting in the Cherson region is currently taking place on the islands, as Ukrainian troops have been driven out of the left bank of the Dnipro River, according to Cherson Governor Vladymyr Saldo, speaking to the Russian news agency TASS. "The fighting has shifted to the islands, and the Russian army has intensified its activities," he said. The islands and the Dnipro River in the Cherson region form a natural border at the front.
09:43 Ukraine: One dead, two injured in Russian attack on Cherson
One person was killed and two were injured in a Russian attack on the Ukrainian region of Cherson, according to Cherson Governor Oleksandr Prokudin on Telegram. A 67-year-old man in Odradokamyanka was reportedly killed by a drone attack. A 76-year-old woman in Kozatske was injured in an artillery attack and was taken to the hospital with serious injuries. Additionally, a 63-year-old woman in Komysany was reportedly injured by Russian troops who shot at a farmer's homestead. There were no injuries reported in a drone attack on a residential building in Mykhailivka, but the damage is being assessed.
09:08 Former NATO Chief: "Putin's Plan A has failed"
Former NATO Secretary-General Anders Fogh Rasmussen believes that the Russian war against Ukraine will last at least until the end of 2024. "Putin's Plan A, which was to take over the entire Ukraine in a few days, has failed," Rasmussen said in an interview with ntv.de. "His Plan B is now a frozen conflict and the Russian occupation of Eastern Ukraine, in the hope that the West will weaken and give in." The presidential elections in the USA on November 5 are a hope-giver for Putin in terms of changes that could help him, Rasmussen added.
08:40 Russia: 36 Ukrainian drones shot down
Russia claims to have shot down 36 Ukrainian drones in various regions across the country. Fifteen drones were intercepted over the Kursk border region, nine over the Lipezk region some hundred kilometers south of Moscow, and four each over the regions of Voronezh and Bryansk, according to the Russian Defense Ministry in Moscow. The governors of Lipezk and Bryansk report on Telegram that there were no casualties or significant damage.
07:55 Sweden's Defense Minister: Russia wants to split EU and NATO
Russia is interested in politically splitting the EU and NATO, according to Swedish Defense Minister Pål Jonson in an interview with the "Bild" newspaper. "I believe that those in the Kremlin and with Putin himself are aware that they would lose this war. But I believe that Russia is very interested in politically dividing us, both within the EU and in NATO," Jonson said. To maintain peace, it is best to make NATO strong and focus on deterrence and defense, Jonson added. This means more responsibility for European security, especially in terms of military investments. Sweden, under the impression of Russia's aggression against Ukraine, gave up its neutrality. In March 2024, Sweden became the 32nd NATO member.
07:24 Zelenskyy: After Russian attack on Velyka Nova Hreblivka, casualties may increase
After a Russian attack on the Ukrainian city of Velyka Nova Hreblivka in the Saporischja region, there are casualties (see entries 00:32 and 05:41). According to official reports, at least seven people have been killed, including children. Thirty-one people were injured in the missile attack, the Civil Defense reports. "Unfortunately, the number of casualties may still increase," Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy wrote on the platform X.
06:55 Ukraine: Russian troops bombard Derhatschi with fighter bombs
Russian troops have attacked the city of Derhatschi in the Kharkiv region. This was reported by the head of the Derhatschi Military Administration, Vyacheslav Zadorenko, on Telegram. According to Zadorenko, three people were injured in the attack. This is the most massive attack on Derhatschi since 2022, during which four fighter bombs were dropped, Zadorenko said. Two men aged 68 and 75 and a 71-year-old woman were taken to the hospital. The attack damaged several buildings, including at least 25 residential buildings, agricultural buildings, a garage cooperative, cars, and a civilian company, and partially destroyed power lines.
06:20: German weapons exports have increased again: Germany exports weapons worth 7.5 billion EuroAfter setting a record for weapons exports in the previous year, export authorizations in the first half of 2024 have significantly increased due to rising weapons deliveries to Ukraine. From January 1 to June 18, the German government authorized the export of military goods worth at least 7.48 billion Euro abroad. This represents an increase of approximately 30% compared to the entire first half of 2023. Nearly two-thirds of the exports (65% or 4.88 billion Euro) were destined for Ukraine. This information was obtained from a response by the Economy Ministry to a query by Bundestag deputy Sevim Dağdelen from The Left (BSW).
05:41: Dead in Wilnjansk: Moscow reportedly targeted a military objectiveFollowing the Russian shelling of the Ukrainian city of Wilnjansk in the Saporischschja region, with at least seven fatalities, the Russian Defense Ministry reportedly targeted a military objective. According to Interfax news agency, a railway station with ballistic Iskander missile systems was attacked. A military train carrying military cargo was reportedly hit, according to the Russian military leadership. Photos and videos show that residential buildings and parked cars in the city center were hit.
04:53: Kiev Mine Clearance Corps: 30,000 square kilometers have been clearedSpecialists from the Ukrainian Defense Ministry have cleared 30,000 square kilometers of Ukraine of mines in the past two years - an area comparable to the size of Belgium or Moldova. According to the "Kyiv Independent," this was reported by Colonel Ruslan Berehulia, head of the department for environmental safety and mine clearance. Since the Russian invasion in February 2022, approximately 174,000 square kilometers of Ukrainian soil have been contaminated with explosives. The Ukraine established the Mine Clearance Corps in April 2022. Units of the Defense Ministry and the Ukrainian Armed Forces joined in. These units, with 5000 specialists, are currently active in the regions of Mykolajiw, Cherson, and Charkiw.
03:53: IFO Survey: Nearly half of personnel managers use "Jobturbo" ineffectivelyAccording to an IFO Institute survey of 627 personnel managers in Germany, 48% find the "Job-Turbo" and the Skilled Workers Immigration Act unhelpful for businesses. This information was obtained from an IFO Institute survey of personnel managers. The initiative aims to integrate Ukrainian refugees more quickly into the labor market. However, nearly every fourth company reports positive effects: about one in four companies states that the new regulations have made more skilled labor available. In addition, respondents report that mandatory language courses before job placement have reduced language barriers. Nearly 18% praise shorter hiring processes and the simpler recognition of diplomas. The respondents were allowed to give multiple answers. Almost half of them find that the bureaucracy involved in hiring foreign labor is still too high, although 17% observe a reduction in bureaucracy.
02:37 Governor: Russian region of Kursk under fire all day
According to the local governor, Ukraine has continued to shell the Russian border region of Kursk all day on Saturday. Governor Alexei Smirnov writes on Telegram that Ukrainian forces have repeatedly shelled eight border villages. Two people were reportedly injured in the process. A video posted in Smirnov's Telegram channel shows a destroyed house and debris. Previously, Smirnov had reported the deaths of five people due to a Ukrainian drone attack early on Saturday morning.
01:29 "Putin loves Farage": Activists mock Farage
The British campaign group Led by Donkeys pranked Nigel Farage, the leader of the right-wing Reform UK party, during a campaign appearance. After Farage recently claimed that the West, not Russian President Vladimir Putin, had instigated the war in Ukraine, activists dropped a banner with Putin's image behind him. Farage was reportedly not amused, according to the activists.
00:32 Emergency services clear debris in Vilniansk
Emergency services are clearing debris from a Russian attack on the city of Vilniansk in the Saporischja region. After the search and rescue operations were completed, it was determined that seven people had been killed, including two children, and 31 people had been injured, including eight children. "The fire was extinguished simultaneously at two locations: in a two-story building and near parked cars on a 300 square meter area, as well as in two one-story buildings on a 150 square meter area. The search and rescue operations are complete," the Ukrainian state emergency services report.
21:24 Seehofer: No asylum for young Ukrainian men
Approximately 1.2 million Ukrainians have found refuge in Germany from the war in their homeland. CSU state group leader Alexander Dobrindt recently called for Ukrainians to be deported if they did not work. "The proposal can be misunderstood," says CSU honorary chairman Horst Seehofer to the "Augsburger Allgemeine". Mothers and children from the war-torn country find it difficult to work; be it due to language barriers or a lack of childcare. "It belongs to a humane state to provide protection." Young men who evade military service in Germany, however, should not be granted asylum, he believes.
20:51 Man lights grenade in Luzk city center
A resident of the city of Chmelnyzkyj lights a grenade in the city center of Luzk and is arrested. There were no injuries reported. This was announced by the Ukrainian domestic intelligence service SBU. The motive of the 23-year-old is still unclear.
You can read about earlier developments here.
- The attack on Ukraine by Russia has led Ukraine to use long-range drones not only against military targets within their territory but also to strike military infrastructure deep in Russian territory, such as airfields and logistics facilities, oil refineries, and storage facilities.
- In response to Russia's "vast resources and powerful industry," Ukraine has adopted a "more flexible and inventive" approach to weapons production, as stated by the head of the state arms company Ukroboronprom, Herman Smetanin.
- Volodymyr Zelensky, the President of Ukraine, has called for necessary resources to destroy the carriers of guided bombs used by Russia against Ukraine, including Russian combat aircraft, wherever they are located.
- The OSCE (Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe) has recognized Russia's actions in Ukraine as genocide against the Ukrainian population, according to a resolution adopted by the Parliamentary Assembly of the OSCE.
- In the context of the Ukraine conflict, there have been reports of cyberwarfare, with Russia accused of conducting cyberattacks against Ukraine, including against power plants and other critical infrastructure.
