14:54 Kiev: Over 1200 Russian soldiers eliminated in one day
Personnel Losses on the Russian Side Remain High: According to Official Figures from Kiev, 1,190 Russian Soldiers Died or Can No Longer Fight Within One DayAccording to official figures from Kiev, Russian personnel losses remain high: Within one day, 1,190 Russian soldiers reportedly died or could no longer fight. The Ukrainian Defense Ministry reports that since the start of the war in February 2022, a total of 574,690 Russian soldiers have been "eliminated." The Defense Ministry's daily reports on Russian losses indicate that the enemy has lost an additional 13 tanks (8344). Since the beginning of the Russian invasion, Ukraine has counted over 16,000 armored vehicles and around 12,800 drones that are no longer in the possession of the Russian military or have been destroyed. These figures cannot be independently verified. Moscow itself keeps information on its own losses in Ukraine to itself.
14:28 Zelensky: Russia Fired Over 700 Guided Air Bombs and Over 100 Drones of Type Shahed on Ukraine in the Past WeekRussian forces reportedly fired over 700 guided air bombs and more than 100 Shahed drones on Ukraine in the past week, according to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, citing regional authorities in a Telegram post. Yesterday alone, eleven people were killed and forty-one were injured in Russian air raids on four Ukrainian regions. The Ukrainians are "suffering daily under Russian terror" and "deserve a fair and reliable protection from it." Zelensky called on allies to arm Kiev with long-range weapons and air defense equipment. He added that "every concrete decision by partners to strengthen our forces can save lives."
14:01 Report: F-16 Fighter Jets May Not Significantly Alter the Course of the WarThe first F-16 fighter jets are expected to arrive in Ukraine in the coming weeks, but Ukrainian and Western officials warn that they may not have a significant impact on the course of the war, as Russia continues to make gains on the battlefield. The Washington Post reports that Ukraine will only receive a small number of F-16 fighter jets, while Russia has a large number of air defense systems that can shoot them down. This means that the first F-16 fighter jets to arrive in Ukraine are likely to be used to strengthen Ukrainian air defense, rather than attacking Russian ground troops.
According to the Washington Post, it is unlikely that the fighter jets will initially be stationed near the front lines and therefore will not be able to intercept Russian military aircraft. Officials refused to disclose how many F-16 fighter jets will be provided to Ukraine this year, but it is not expected to be more than approximately 20, which is the size of a squadron.
13:44 Ukraine Confirms Attack on Oil Refinery in KurskThe Ukrainian military staff confirmed in social media that they had attacked a Russian oil depot in the Kursk region. The Ukrainian Security Service (SBU) and the Ukrainian military reportedly attacked the Polyova oil depot in cooperation. Previously, local authorities in Kursk reported a drone attack that caused fires at several locations. According to the local governor Alexei Smirnov, firefighters were still working to extinguish three fuel tanks in the morning. (Source 1) (Source 2) (Source 3)
13:20 Authorities: Eight injured after Russian shelling of two apartment buildings in Nikopol
During the Russian shelling of the Ukrainian city of Nikopol in the Dnipro region, eight people have been injured, including children. This was reported by "RBC-Ukraine" citing the State Emergency Service (SES) of Ukraine. "Eight residents of two multi-story buildings, including two children, were injured during the enemy shelling of Nikopol", the statement reads. The injured were taken to the hospital by rescue teams and the Red Cross, according to the SES.
13:01 Russia reports capture of two locations in Donetsk
Russia has captured two locations in the Donetsk region. They are Prohres and Evheniwka in the east of Ukraine, Russian news agencies reported, citing the Russian Defense Ministry.
12:44 Ukraine accuses Russia of killing 564 children since start of war
Russia is accused of killing 564 children and injuring at least 1487 since the start of its aggression in Ukraine, reported the Ukrainian news agency "Ukrinform" citing the Office of the General Prosecutor.
12:24 Lindner counters Pistorius in discussion about defense budget
Finance Minister Christian Lindner defended his position on defense spending in a tussle. "We have achieved the two-percent NATO target for the first time since many, many years", says the FDP chief in an interview with the ARD "Hauptstadtstudio". We are doing more than France and Italy. In the coming years, at least two percent of the economic output will continue to be made available for security. "Now I have to turn the stick around: It's not the case that everything the Defense Minister says is automatically justified and correct." Lindner emphasizes that it's about tax money and the efficiency of funding allocation. "Mr. Pistorius has a 100-billion-euro special program for the enhancement of the armed forces, which none of his predecessors had. That's how you can work, and that's how you have to earn money", says Lindner.
12:01 Putin threatens response to US missiles in Germany
Due to plans to station US long-range missiles in Germany, Russian President Vladimir Putin threatened a reaction at the large naval parade in St. Petersburg. Russia will respond "symmetrically" if the plans are implemented and will no longer feel bound by the earlier prohibition on land-based atomic medium-range missiles. The INF Treaty prohibiting these weapons has been invalid since the US withdrawal in 2019. According to Putin, Russia had so far imposed a moratorium and adhered to the agreements. The US, on the other hand, has long complained about Russian violations of the treaty. In a speech to sailors from Russia, China, Algeria, and India, Putin said the US could trigger a missile crisis reminiscent of the Cold War. "The flight time of such missiles, which could be armed with nuclear warheads in the future, to targets on our territory will be approximately ten minutes", Putin said.
11:14 Authorities: Russians seize over 500 housing units in Luhansk
In the so-called "Luhansk People's Republic," Russian occupiers have illegally seized 514 housing units from evacuated locals, according to the Ukrainian news agency "Ukrinform." The information comes from a Telegram message by the head of the regional administration of Luhansk, Artem Lysohord. These are objects that are subject to the "nationalization process," which begins 30 days after discovery, Lysohord writes, adding that a large part of the land seized by the occupation authorities will be nationalized.
10:45 Explosions reported in Kharkiv - Air alarm declared in other Ukrainian regions
Suspilne.media, the Ukrainian broadcasting corporation, reports two explosions in Kharkiv in the morning. Shortly after, the head of the regional military administration, Oleg Sinegubov, reports on his Telegram channel about two missile attacks by the Russians. The type of missiles is being determined. According to the news portal "RBC-Ukraine," air alarm has been declared in some regions of Ukraine. This applies to Donetsk, Kharkiv, Sumy, Chernihiv, Poltava, and Dnipro. A threat from missiles cannot be ruled out in these regions.
10:07 Governor reports 5 dead, 15 injured from Russian shelling in Donetsk region
Five civilians were killed and 15 others were injured by Russian shelling in the eastern Ukrainian region of Donetsk on Saturday, according to the regional governor Vadym Filashkin on Telegram. Five residents of the region Donetsk were killed. Three of them in Iwaniwka, one in Kostiantyniwka, and one in Toretsk. Another 15 people in the region were injured during the day, Filashkin writes. Since the beginning of the Russian offensive war in February 2022, according to the Ukrainian news agency "Ukrinform," 2110 civilians have been killed and 5515 injured in the Donetsk region. These figures do not include the victims in Mariupol and Volnovakha.
09:46 IfW President: German fiscal policy is "security risk for Europe"
The President of the Kiel Institute for the World Economy (IfW), Moritz Schularick, calls on the German government to significantly increase spending for security and defense - and criticizes the coalition's budget compromise. "The German government is currently making an irrational fiscal policy for what the country needs," Schularick says in an interview with t-online. "Not only that, but the fiscal policy is and remains a security risk for Europe." A future special fund for the Bundeswehr should be "significantly larger than the current one with its size of 100 billion euros," the economist continues. "Just to close the budget gap in the next ten years, we are probably talking about a volume of 250 to 300 billion euros."
And even then, it is clear: "Even with all these additional expenditures, Germany would still be spending proportionally less for the military than Poland, Norway, or the USA, which have not reduced their investments to the same extent in the past two decades." In total, Germany would need expenditures of around 3 to 3.5 percent of the Gross Domestic Product to deter Putin's Russia with "strength and determination."
09:15 Expert: Donetsk region is "inevitably" lost for Ukraine (Thiele on ntv)
Ukrainian forces are under particular pressure from Russian attacks in the Donetsk region. Military expert Ralf Thiele sees no way for Ukraine to hold the region Donetsk in the future. The Russians are "inch by inch" advancing and the Ukrainians are retreating. The region is "inevitably" lost for Ukraine, Thiele says on ntv. "It's sadly inevitable when you have to say that," the military expert adds. The region is either on the negotiation table or on the "real" table. This means, either there will be a ceasefire agreement or a surrender ceasefire, Thiele explains. These are the alternatives he sees. But in both cases, the region "is the end of the day lost," Thiele adds.
08:52 Ukraine reports 1180 Russian casualties in 24 hours
Russia has lost approximately 574,690 soldiers in Ukraine between February 24, 2022, and July 27, 2024, according to the Ukrainian military. Among them are 1180 fatalities or injuries in the past 24 hours. The Ukrainian military announced this in its daily update on Facebook. In addition, Russian losses include: 8344 tanks, 16,095 armored combat vehicles, 15,936 artillery systems, 11,271 multiple rocket launchers, 906 air defense systems, and 2,405 missile systems. The Russian army has also lost 363 combat aircraft, 326 helicopters, 12,766 tactical unmanned aerial systems, 28 warships/cutters, 1 submarine, 21,572 vehicles and tankers, and 2,671 pieces of special equipment since the beginning of their offensive war, it was reported.
08:16 Thiele on the situation at the front: Ukrainians are "de facto on a step-by-step retreat"
The situation in the contested areas in the east of the country is not good for Ukraine, according to military expert Ralf Thiele. The military is trying to prevent a Russian breakthrough - but at the cost of a retreat. The military expert fears that Ukraine will lose the region Donetsk in every scenario.
08:00 Kursk reports fire in fuel depot under control
A Ukrainian drone attack has set a fuel depot in the region of Kursk on fire, according to local Russian authorities. However, the fire was quickly brought under control, writes the regional governor Alexei Smirnov on Telegram. There were no injuries reported, he adds.
07:44 TASS: Russians destroy howitzer and Ukrainian ammunition depot in the region of Cherson
Russian paratrooper drones destroy a howitzer M-777 and a Ukrainian ammunition depot for field artillery on the eastern bank of the Dnieper River in the region of Cherson, according to the state Russian news agency TASS, citing the Russian Defense Ministry. After the drones were launched, the shrapnel penetrated the front line along the riverbank. Simultaneously, a reconnaissance drone identified as targets a 155-mm howitzer M-777 and a field ammunition depot for field artillery. Through a direct hit, the ammunition depot was destroyed and the howitzer was disabled, the statement reads.
07:11 Ukrainian Minister: Olympiad participation is "our victory"
The participation of Ukraine in the Olympics is seen as a strong symbol and an opportunity by Sport Minister Vadym Bidny to draw international attention to the situation in the country following the start of the Russian armed attack on it. "It is a symbolic act and a sign that Ukraine is a strong country with resilient people," Bidny said at the opening of the Ukrainian house in Paris. It is very important that Russia is represented in Paris with only a small team of 15 neutral athletes. Russia as a nation was expelled from the International Olympic Committee due to the armed attack. "There is no Russian flag here. There is a Ukrainian flag. That is our victory," Bidny added.
It is now the task of the Olympic team to bring the international community together and speak to the people who normally don't listen to politicians. The participation is a strong signal that Ukraine not only survived but also has the will to win.
06:58 Russia reports downing of Ukrainian drones
The Russian air defense shoots down seven Ukrainian drones, according to their own statements. Five were over the Belgorod region and two over the Kursk region, the Russian Defense Ministry reported on Telegram.
06:36 Governor: Oil depot in Kursk is on fire after drone attackIn the night, explosions occur in the Kursk region of Russia due to a drone attack. In an oil depot and several areas, fires break out, Kursk region governor Alexei Smirnov reports on Telegram and the channel Baza. The air defense forces are "on alert," the Russian official writes and urges the residents of the region to "stay alert." At least two fires have broken out, one in the Medvenka district and one in the Kursk district, it is reported. In an oil storage facility in the village of Polyova, a fire is said to have been caused, according to the Shot channel on Telegram. Witnesses report hearing "several strong explosions" near the oil depot at night. In addition, there was an explosion in the town of Sudzha and a house in the Medva district was on fire, it is reported.
05:41 Linnemann raises question of refugee cash transfers from Ukrainians
CDU General Secretary Carsten Linnemann raises the question of cash transfers to refugee Ukrainian women and men in an interview with Funke media. "We need to discuss why more than 50 percent of the Ukrainians work in many European countries, but only 25 percent in Germany," he says. There are clearly missing incentives for quick employment. "But if there is a performance, it is linked to a counter-performance. That includes taking up work."
04:49 Ukraine: Over 75 percent of wounded soldiers return to duty
In Ukraine, the proportion of soldiers who return to duty after rehabilitation, according to Deputy Defense Minister Natalia Kalmykova, is reported to be very high. "We have a very high percentage of high-quality rehabilitation measures and returnees to duty. This is also acknowledged by our Western partners," she said according to the Interfax news agency. Kalmykova speaks of over 75 percent of the wounded.
03:13 ISW: Ukrainians regain positions near Toretsk, north of DonetskAccording to the Institute for the Study of War (ISW), Ukrainian forces have reportedly retaken positions near Toretsk, north of Donetsk. This is indicated by geolocated footage. The Russian side is said to have continued its offensive operations in the area.
01:08 Ukraine reports multiple fatalities after Russian shelling - including a childAccording to Ukrainian authorities, at least five civilians were killed in Russian attacks in various regions of Ukraine yesterday. In the region of Kherson, there were three fatalities. In the northeastern border region of Sumy, a 14-year-old boy was killed and 12 others were injured in a rocket attack on the town of Hluchiw. In the region of Kharkiv, a man was killed by Russian fire in a residential building.
23:46 Russia reports capture of additional village in UkraineRussia claims to have captured another village in eastern Ukraine. The village of Losuwatske in the Donezk region is "liberated," according to the Russian Defense Ministry in its daily report. The village is located about 25 kilometers east of the city of Pokrovsk in the area where the Russian army has made relatively quick progress in recent months. Ukraine has not confirmed the capture.
22:23 Blinken threatens China with "measures" over continued support of Russian defense industryUS Secretary of State Antony Blinken warned China that the US would take "measures" if Beijing continued to support Russia's defense industry. This was reported by the Ukrainian newspaper "Kyiv Independent". Blinken met with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi in Laos, shortly after his Ukrainian counterpart Dmytro Kuleba held talks with Wang during his first visit to China since the war began. "The minister reaffirmed his serious concern over China's support for the PRC's defense industrial base and made it clear that the United States would continue to take appropriate measures if the PRC did not address this threat to European security," Miller said.
You can read about earlier developments here.**
- Despite the high losses, Russia continues its military deployment in Ukraine, with their Defense Ministry reporting daily losses of troops and military equipment.
- In response to the high personnel losses, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky called on NATO allies to provide Kiev with long-range weapons and air defense equipment.
- The ongoing Ukraine-Conflict has seen Russia launch cyberwar attacks against Ukraine, with reports of drone attacks on critical infrastructure.
- The attack on Ukraine has resulted in significant casualties and damage, with estimates of over 574,690 Russian soldiers eliminated since the start of the war in February 2022.
- The Ukrainian military has confirmed an attack on a Russian oil refinery in the Kursk region, further escalating tensions between the two countries.
