14:21 Ministry of Internal Affairs warns of Russian influence on state elections
13:42 Luftwaffe: Russian IL-20M reconnaissance aircraft spotted off Rügen
A Russian reconnaissance aircraft flew into international airspace over the Baltic Sea without contacting air traffic control. Aircraft from the German and Swedish air forces, as well as NATO air policing in the Baltics, took off on Friday evening and escorted the Russian aircraft, an IL-20M, the air force said. The maritime reconnaissance aircraft was traveling in the airspace off the island of Rügen "without a flight plan and contact with civilian air traffic control." Reports of non-communicating Russian military aircraft in international airspace over the Baltic Sea have been nearly weekly in recent times, a spokesman for the air force said. However, this is usually not pursued if they do not behave suspiciously or quickly return to Russian airspace. In mid-June, a Russian SU-24 bomber flew over the Swedish Baltic Sea island of Gotland, which is about 350 kilometers from the Russian exclave of Kaliningrad.
13:06 Lukashenko: Objects fired from Ukraine over Belarus destroyed
According to Belarusian reports, the armed forces of the country have destroyed several flying objects over Belarusian territory. They are believed to be drones that were launched from Ukraine, Belarusian state news agency Belta quoted Alexander Lukashenko, the president of the Russia-aligned country. In the past, Lukashenko has repeatedly spoken of alleged provocations from Ukraine and then given the all-clear. Belarus claims it is not involved in the fighting in Ukraine.
12:43 Ukraine: Three civilians killed in Russian attacks in eastern Ukraine
According to Ukrainian reports, three people have been killed in Russian missile attacks in eastern Ukraine. One person was killed and several injured in an attack on the eastern Ukrainian city of Kramatorsk in the Donetsk region, the governor of the region, Vadym Filaschkin, wrote on Telegram. The missile hit a building of critical infrastructure and severely damaged it. Two people were killed in an attack on a private house in the Kharkiv region, the police reported.
12:00 Ukraine: Major fire rages in Kherson after Russian attack
Due to a Russian attack, a major fire has broken out in the southern Ukrainian region of Kherson, the Kherson Regional Administration reported on Telegram. The fire started on an open area outside the city of Kherson. Due to strong winds, the smoke spread quickly and engulfed almost the entire city of Kherson. According to the Kherson Regional Administration, the fire brigade is on the scene to extinguish the fire.
11:28 Mangott on arms deliveries: Kretschmer "accepts that Ukraine might lose"Ukrainian soldiers have infiltrated Russia. With their advance into Kursk, Ukraine aims to demonstrate that Russia "cannot protect its citizens in border regions," says political scientist Gerhard Mangott. He also emphasizes that he does not believe Ukraine can sustain its presence in the region in the long term.
10:53 Video supposedly shows Russian troop strength in KurskThe Russian Ministry of Defense has published another video, supposedly showing an increase in military presence in the region. The footage shows tanks taking up combat positions to destroy Ukrainian troops. The authenticity of the footage cannot be independently verified. The ministry also reports numerous intercepted Ukrainian drone attacks in the Kursk area.
10:29 Russian nuclear corporation: Nuclear power plant in Kursk operating normallyFighting between Russian and Ukrainian forces is taking place near a nuclear power plant in the Russian region of Kursk. Despite ongoing clashes, the plant is operating "normally," according to the operator, Russian state-owned company Rosatom, in a statement to Reuters. Earlier, the nuclear corporation had withdrawn workers from the construction site of two new reactors at the Kursk nuclear power plant due to the advancement of Ukrainian troops in the area.
09:57 Ukrainian intelligence: Magura V5 destroys Russian boat in Black SeaSoldiers of the Ukrainian intelligence service HUR have attacked the Russian navy off the coast of the Russian-occupied Crimean Peninsula. The attack took place near the settlement of Chornomorske on the western coast of Crimea. According to Ukrainian intelligence, a sea drone of the Magura V5 type sank a Russian patrol boat of the type KS-701 "Tunets." Three other Russian military boats were reportedly damaged. Ukrainian intelligence has posted a video on social media purporting to show the attack.
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 this 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 already stationed troops to halt the ongoing Ukrainian advance, while also deploying conscripts from the military intelligence agency Glawnoje Raswedywatelnoje Uprawlenije (GRU) and special forces, 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 casualty figures for Russian troops 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 invasion, 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 casualty figures, but these are likely to be minimum values.
07:40 Russia: Su-34 Fighter-Bomber Strikes Ukrainian Forces in Russian KurskA Russian Su-34 fighter-bomber has reportedly struck Ukrainian forces in the Russian border region of Kursk, according to the Russian Ministry of Defense on Telegram. The air strike was carried out using an ODAB-500 bomb, and the Russian forces continue to repel the Ukrainian surprise offensive in the Kursk region. The air strike was intended to push back the Ukrainian advance, according to the Russian Ministry of Defense. A video showing the deployment of the fighter aircraft was published on the Telegram channel of the Ministry of Defense.
06:48 Kyiv Accountant Stopped with Millions in CashUkrainian 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 reported. Images 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, with tax liability reduced through a fictional loan. Investigations are ongoing for large-scale money laundering and tax evasion, with penalties of up to eight years in prison for those involved.
06:10 Ukraine Evacuates 28 Villages in Sumy Border RegionUkrainian volunteers are helping villagers and their pets leave the northern border region of Sumy. According to local governor Vladimir Artyukh, 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, it says, is not just a measure of value and means of payment, but also a symbol of the state, held daily by everyone, according to Central Bank chief Andrij Pyshnyj in a statement from Kyiv. "To honor the resilience of our people and this turning point in the formation of the Ukrainian nation, in which we live today, we are adding our motto to all banknotes, heard throughout the world," said Pyshnyj. The change is to honor the upcoming 33rd Independence Day on August 24th, it is said. It will begin with the banknotes for 1000 (around 22.3 Euro) and 500 Hryvnia. All other denominations of 200, 100, 50, and 20 Hryvnia will follow. The motto will be placed in the top right corner of the banknotes. The rest of the appearance of the notes will remain unchanged. The patriotic motto "Glory to Ukraine!" dates back to the emerging Ukrainian national movement at the end of the 19th century. It has a tumultuous history. In the form "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, according to the news site "Kyiv Independent". Moscow has allegedly prepared to block the messaging app. WhatsApp could be blocked in Russia in the fall, according to the independent Russian publication Verstka, citing sources at the Russian IT company VK, which is developing an application to replace WhatsApp. The Kremlin-affiliated media outlet Gazeta.ru reported in July that the Russian government was planning to fully block YouTube in September. However, Kremlin spokesman Dmitri Peskov denied these alleged plans.
04:05 USA Approves Additional Military Aid for Kyiv Worth $125 MillionThe USA has approved additional military aid for Kyiv worth $125 million (around $114 million). The aid package underscores "our unwavering support for Ukraine as it continues to defend itself against Russian aggression," said John Kirby, spokesperson for the National Security Council, before journalists. 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-tank weapons, and would come from US stockpiles. The equipment, he said, would help Ukraine protect its troops, population, and cities from Russian attacks and strengthen its capabilities across the entire 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, according to the Russian Ministry of Internal Affairs. These claims cannot be independently verified. In the past, there have been repeated reports that Russian authorities have systematically forced people to accept these passports.
02:30 IAEA warns of nuclear accident at Kursk NPP due to fighting in the regionThe International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) warns of fighting near the Kursk Nuclear Power Plant (NPP) in western Russia following a major Ukrainian offensive in the region. "At this point, I urge all parties to exercise maximum restraint to avoid a nuclear accident with potentially severe radiological consequences," IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi said, referring to fighting near the Kursk NPP. 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 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 news agency RIA, the measures include possible evacuation of residents, traffic restrictions in certain areas, reinforced security at sensitive locations, and wiretapping of phones and other communication means. According to local authorities and the National Anti-Terrorism Committee, the anti-terror regulations apply to the regions of Kursk, Belgorod, and Bryansk, the news agency reported.
00:36 Nouripour on country leaders: Cowardice does not 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 Redaktionsnetzwerk Deutschland (RND). "They act as if peace can be achieved by burying one's head in the sand. But: Cowardice does not bring peace." Woidke says he has good contacts with Russia and can mediate. However, it is "strange that it 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 demands 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 added. Kretschmer, meanwhile, acts "as if he does not know that only Putin can end this war quickly." 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) said.
23:43 Construction Workers Pulled from Kursk NPPDue to the advancement of Ukrainian troops in the Russian region of Kursk, workers are being withdrawn from the construction site of two new nuclear reactors at the Kursk Nuclear Power Plant. Atomstroiexport, a subsidiary of the state-owned Russian nuclear corporation Rosatom, announced that the number of construction workers will be temporarily reduced. 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 about 60 kilometers from the border. Unconfirmed reports suggest that Ukrainian troops have advanced up to 30 kilometers into Russian territory. After the announcement of the Ukrainian offensive, the Russian National Guard reportedly reinforced the protection of the power plant. The plant is currently building two new reactors to replace the two oldest, already decommissioned blocks, and has two more reactors 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 relevant authority in Moscow, stated that Signal is not complying with legal measures necessary to counter terrorism and extremism. Throughout the day, there have been numerous complaints from Signal users in Russia that the messaging service is unavailable. Portals like Sboj.rf, which collect reports of outages, reported around 2000 complaints. Signal was developed in the US and is valued by its users for its secure communication capabilities. On Thursday, Russian users also complained about YouTube's slow performance and difficulties in downloading videos. The Russian authorities have not provided an official explanation for this. However, they have previously stated that they have the extremely popular video service in their sights because it allegedly refuses to remove extremist videos. Russia has already blocked large social networks with US 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 beginning of the war in 2022, Roskomnadzor has blocked thousands of websites that are not approved by the Russian authorities.
You can read all previous developments here.
The Ukrainian conflict continues to cause tension in the region, with reports of objects being fired from Ukraine over Belarus, leading to Belarusian military action. This follows the destructive Russian attacks in eastern Ukraine, resulting in civilian casualties. In contrast, the Russian reconnaissance aircraft spotted off Rügen was escorted by NATO forces, demonstrating a different response to potential Russian aggression in European airspace.
