15:21 Putin claims Ukraine launched an attack on Russia's nuclear power facility
14:50 IAEA Boss Plans Visit to Kursk Nuclear PlantThe boss of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), Rafael Grossi, is planning to visit the Russian nuclear power plant in Kursk next week. The IAEA confirms this date. In early August, Ukraine launched a significant offensive in the Russian region of Kursk. Rosatom, the Russian state nuclear energy corporation, then warned of a threat to the NPP from Ukrainian attacks, which is located about 100 kilometers from the Ukrainian border.
14:21 Russia: 115,000 People Evacuated from Threatened Regions115,000 people have been evacuated from threatened Russian regions near the Ukrainian border, according to Russia's deputy prime minister, Denis Manturov. He discusses this at a meeting with President Vladimir Putin and top administrators, noting that the damage to agriculture and industry due to the Ukrainian offensive is now being assessed. "I have gathered you to discuss the current developments in Russia's border areas," Putin says at the start of the meeting.
14:00 Tusk: India Could Mediate in Ukraine ConflictPolish Prime Minister Donald Tusk sees potential in India's mediating role in the Ukraine conflict. "I am very pleased that the Prime Minister has reaffirmed his readiness to personally commit to a peaceful, fair, and swift end to the conflict," Tusk says in Warsaw after talks with Modi. Modi's mediation offer is particularly important because he will travel from Poland to Kyiv to meet Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. India maintains neutrality towards the Russian invasion and does not support Western sanctions against Moscow.
13:40 "Doesn't currently look like a 'limited' Kursk incursion"German Chancellor Olaf Scholz presumes that the Ukrainian advance in Russia will be "a spatially and temporally limited operation." According to observations by ntv correspondent Nadja Kriewald, there is currently nothing to suggest this. "On the contrary," she says in her current situation report from Sumy in eastern Ukraine.
13:20 Several Russian Military Aircraft Destroyed in Attacks on SawaslejkaSeveral Russian aircraft were reportedly destroyed in Ukrainian attacks on the airbase Sawaslejka. Suspilne, the Ukrainian public broadcaster, reports this, citing information from the security service. According to this, a MiG-31K supersonic interceptor and two Il-76 strategic airlifters were destroyed, and about five aircraft, probably MiG-31K/I, were damaged in an attack on August 16. In an attack on August 13, a fuel and lubricant depot was hit, and another MiG-31K/I was damaged.
13:06 Russian Intelligence Agency Investigates CNN JournalistsThe Russian domestic intelligence agency FSB has initiated criminal investigations against several foreign journalists due to reports in the Russian region of Kursk, where Ukrainian troops control several settlements. Investigations have been launched against a CNN reporter and two Ukrainian journalists for "illegal border crossing," according to the FSB. The agency announced that it will soon issue international arrest warrants. The three journalists face up to five years in prison in Russia. Recently, American journalist Evan Gershkovich was able to return to his homeland as part of a prisoner exchange after being sentenced to 16 years in a labor camp for alleged spying.
12:34 Zelensky in Border Region: "Exchange Fund" ReplenishedUkrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky visited the border region of Sumy in northeastern Ukraine, from where Ukrainian troops advanced into Russia more than two weeks ago. He reported that another town had been taken in the Kursk region and that the "exchange fund" had been replenished, referring to the capture of Russian soldiers for a future exchange of Ukrainian prisoners in Russian captivity. Zelensky stressed that since the Kursk offensive, attacks on Sumy and the number of civilian deaths there had decreased. He published a video showing him with the commander-in-chief of the Ukrainian troops, Olexander Syrskyj, who informed him about the reinforcement of troops in the east of Ukraine, where Russia is continuing its advance.
12:06 Critical Infrastructure Spied On? Report of Alleged Russian Drones in BrunsbüttelThe "Bild" newspaper reports that alleged Russian drones have been spotted overhead in the largest industrial park in Schleswig-Holstein. In recent days, drones have been seen flying over the decommissioned nuclear power plant and the LNG terminal in Brunsbüttel at high speeds, violating the flight ban zone multiple times. The public prosecutor's office in Flensburg is investigating the case for suspected espionage with the aim of sabotage. Internally, police report that an enemy object, presumably a military drone, has been detected. According to "Bild," the drones are allegedly operated by Russian agents and may be launched from civilian ships in the North Sea. Read more here.
11:40 U.S. Embassy in Kyiv Warns of Looming Air AttacksThe American embassy in Kyiv has issued an alert about an enhanced threat of air assaults in the approaching days, just before Ukraine's Independence Day on August 24th. The embassy's website indicates that Russia is likely to launch attacks utilizing drones and missiles within the said period and over the weekend. The day marks Ukraine's 33rd anniversary of severing ties with the Soviet Union. Since the onset of the conflict in Ukraine over two and a half years ago, this celebration has gained even more meaning for Ukrainians.
Lately, Ukrainian soldiers unexpectedly penetrated Russian territory in the border region of Kursk, a move that Russian President Vladimir Putin denounced as a provocation, and threatening a retaliatory response.
11:13 Explosions Reported at Russian Military Base in VolgogradA fire erupts at a military base in the Russian town of Marinovka, located in the Volgograd region. The residents reported hearing powerful blasts. Local authorities suspect a Ukrainian drone strike as the source of the fire, but no casualties were reported.
10:41 Kursk: Concrete Shelters Constructed to Protect CiviliansThe Russian authorities are installing prefabricated concrete bunkers in the Kursk border region to safeguard the local populace. The governor of Kursk, Alexey Smirnov, announced the plan on Telegram, stating that these structures will be set up at high-traffic locations such as bus stops. Smirnov released a photo showing the delivery of one of these modules. The bunkers will also be erected in two additional locations, including Kursk, next to the regional nuclear power plant, which Moscow has accused Ukraine of targeting, a claim Ukraine denies.
10:10 Ukrainian Forces Repel Russian Assaults near KurskUkrainian forces report over forty strikes by Russian troops in the vicinity of Pokrovsk, most of which they managed to deflect. Ukrainian President Zelensky vows to reinforce troops in the area. The offensive in the Kursk region continues.
09:42 Russian Air Defense Foils Multiple Ukrainian AirstrikesAccording to official Russian reports, the Russian military intercepted several Ukrainian aerial assaults in the western part of the country. The governor of Volgograd claimed that nearly all of the drones were destroyed in an attack near Marinovka (see entry at 07:30). In the Kursk border region, the governor of Kursk claimed that two Ukrainian missiles and one drone were downed by Russian air defense. The governor of Rostov reported that a five-drone assault was thwarted. Ukrainian drones were also supposedly brought down in the Volgograd, Voronezh, and Bryansk regions.
09:09 Ukrainian Military Seeks Authorization to Use Long-Range Weapons Against Russian TargetsUkrainian Defense Minister Rustem Umerov discussed the situation at the front and the U.S.'s policy on the use of long-range weapons against Russian targets with a bipartisan delegation of the U.S. House of Representatives in Kyiv. Umerov emphasized the necessity of acquiring permission from their allies to use long-range weapons against targets in Russia, stating that this move would safeguard Ukraine's peaceful cities and villages.
08:36 Mark Hamill and Timothy Snyder Launch Campaign for Mine-Clearing Robots in UkraineFamous Star Wars actor Mark Hamill and Eastern Europe expert Timothy Snyder have launched the "Safe Terrain" campaign to raise funds for mine-clearing robots for use in Ukraine. Their goal is to raise $441,000 through this initiative. These robots will enable safe mine clearance in difficult-to-reach locations, thereby reducing the risk to human operators. "Russia has committed one of its most egregious crimes in Ukraine by scattering millions of landmines," says Snyder.
08:01 Kremlin Encourages Russians to Adapt to 'New Normal'The incursion of Ukrainian forces at Kursk presents a challenge to Moscow's propaganda. In an effort to calm the increasingly concerned public, the Kremlin is attempting to prepare Russians for a 'new reality' and 'new normal.' The Russian government advises the public to channel their anxieties and shock into positive pursuits, such as mobilizing aid for the Kursk region. Most Meduza-interviewed officials are confident that the fighting in the Kursk region will continue for several months. The Russian government source, who shared this outlook, stresses that this is a "quite optimistic perspective – if everything goes well."
07:30 Fire at Military Facility in Volgograd ConfirmedRussian authorities have confirmed reports that a military facility in the southern Russian region of Volgograd was set ablaze following a Ukrainian drone assault. The regional governor, Andrei Bocharov, announced via Telegram that the drone suspectedly crashed into the facility. No fatalities were reported. Bocharov did not specify which military facility was targeted, but mentioned that the village of Marinovka was struck in the attack, where Russia maintains an airbase.
06:56 McMaster: Putin Manipulated Trump's Ego and InsecuritiesFormer U.S. Security Adviser, General Herbert Raymond McMaster, believes Russian President Vladimir Putin successfully manipulated former U.S. President Donald Trump. According to McMaster's book "At War With Ourselves: My Tour of Duty in the Trump White House," as reported by "The Guardian," Putin exploited Trump's ego and insecurities with excessive flattery. Putin labeled Trump as 'an extraordinary person, extraordinarily talented.' By doing so, Putin allegedly exerted a near-hypnotic influence on Trump. McMaster functioned as Trump's security advisor for roughly a year and reportedly warned Trump: "Mr. President, he's the world's finest liar." McMaster suggested that Putin was confident he could 'play' with Trump, aiming for a softening of sanctions and an expeditious withdraw of U.S. troops from Syria and Afghanistan.
06:20 Reports of Explosions at Russian Airbase in VolgogradExplosions were reportedly heard in the Russian city of Kalach on the Don in the Volgograd region overnight. Numerous Russian Telegram channels reported these incidents, suggesting that they were the result of a drone assault. A fire broke out at a nearby airbase. The Volgograd region is approximately 900 kilometers southeast of Moscow. The probable target was likely the Marinovka airbase in the village of Oktyabrskiy, approximately 20 kilometers from Kalach on the Don. Locals reported hearing six to ten loud explosions, accompanied by the distinct sounds of drones, based on Telegram reports.
05:44 Klingbeil: Germany Will Provide Additional Funding for Ukraine if NecessarySPD leader Lars Klingbeil has guaranteed further financial support for Ukraine. In the instance that it becomes impossible to make the intended billions of Russian assets frozen for Ukraine available, Germany will offer additional funds, Klingbeil stated in the podcast of deputy "Bild" editor-in-chief Paul Ronzheimer. It is vital to avoid reaching the point where it is declared: "There's no more money left for Ukraine." In such a case, "of course, we are obliged to examine where the money will come from in Germany," Klingbeil added. "We bear a responsibility towards Ukraine. Solutions must be found, and we will find them."
04:27 Ukrainian Intelligence on Drone Strikes in RussiaThe Ukrainian military intelligence service HUR has commented on the goal of the drone attacks that occurred in Russia during the night. They were aimed at the Moscow airport Ostafyevo, the Millerovo airbase in the Rostov region, and a radio communications center, HUR chief Kyrylo Budanow informed "The War Zone." About 50 drones were supposedly involved. The extent of any damage is currently being assessed. Russian authorities reported in the morning that they had shot down 45 drones over Russian territory.
03:09 Bulletproof Vests and Helmets for Poll Workers in Russian ElectionsFor the early regional elections scheduled in the disputed Russian border region of Kursk, Russia plans to equip poll workers with bulletproof vests and helmets. Furthermore, additional polling stations will be established in other regions of the country to accommodate people who fled the region, according to Tatjana Malachowa, head of the regional election commission, based on Russian news sources. The region is under a state of emergency, with elections scheduled from September 6 to 8 in numerous regions of Russia, involving governors and regional parliaments. The central election commission in Moscow allowed citizens in border regions to vote early, including in Kursk, Belgorod, and Bryansk.
01:34 Fico: Western Democracies Apply Pressure on Foreign Policy DeviantsSlovak Prime Minister Robert Fico complains of experiencing pressure from the unified opinion in Western democracies. Individuals who diverge from this consensus in crucial foreign policy matters are allegedly arbitrarily pressured and threatened with isolation by Western democracies, Fico stated in a declaration commemorating the 1968 Moscow invasion anniversary. Fico likened the violent suppression of the "Prague Spring" in 1968 by Warsaw Pact troops to what he perceives as present-day pressure in Europe. Fico opposes EU military aid to Ukraine and faces accusations of being pro-Russian as a result.
00:12 Ukraine Reports 46 Russian Attacks Near Pokrovsk in One DayUkraine reports 46 Russian attacks along the frontline near Pokrovsk in the eastern part of the country throughout the day. Twenty-four of these were successfully repelled, the General Staff reports. As of 9 pm CET, fights are still ongoing at the remaining two sections. In the skirmishes, 238 Russian soldiers are reportedly dead or wounded. No information is provided on Ukrainian casualties. Russia has yet to respond.
22:59 Russia: Averted Ukrainian Infiltration in BryanskRussia alleges to have halted an intrusion led by Ukrainian "spies" into its Bryansk border area, which shares a boundary with Kursk. The Ukrainian "surveillance and sabotage squad" was thwarted by the Russian Federal Security Service (FSB) and the Russian military, as per the Bryansk region's governor, Alexander Bogomaz. "They've encountered their end," he declared. The scenario is now "under control."
21:45 Zelensky: Ukraine Anticipates Swift Billion-Dollar Aid DispensationUkrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky expects the immediate release of the promised billion-dollar aid by the West, which will also be derived from the sale of confiscated Russian state assets. Despite various political explanations from Kyiv's allies, more will emerge, Zelensky asserted in his night-time video address. "But we necessitate a practical framework." Ukraine requires funds derived from the Russian assets to deter the aggressor Russia. "The aforementioned discussions have persisted for too long, and we are now in dire need of decisive action." The seven significant Western industrialized nations (G7) agreed during their congress in June to provide financial assistance to Kyiv. A substantial loan of $50 billion is scheduled to be secured by revenues from frozen Russian assets.
21:12 Putin Praise for Closely Knit Trade Relations with ChinaRussian President Vladimir Putin commends the strengthening of cooperation with China, expressing, "Our trade relations are burgeoning (...). The priority both administrations assign to trade and economic relations is yielding results," during a meeting with Chinese Premier Li Qiang at the Kremlin. China and Russia have extensive joint economic plans and humanitarian initiatives, Putin continues. Li supposedly affirms that China-Russia relations are at an "unprecedented zenith." The strategic partnership between Russia and China has deepened since Russia's invasion of Ukraine. For Russia, China serves as a crucial trading partner due to Western sanctions.
20:56 Appeal Denied: Former Russian Deputy Defense Minister Remains IncarceratedFormer Russian Deputy Defense Minister Dmitri Bulgakov remains remanded in custody for corruption charges. His plea for home detention under stringent supervision and his appeal against his detention have been dismissed, according to the Russian state news agency TASS. Bulgakov was in charge of arms procurement for the Russian military before his dismissal. The Moscow court additionally authorized the detention of two presumed associates of Bulgakov. Their company reportedly received nine contracts from Bulgakov between 2022 and 2024, resulting in losses of around 50 million rubles (approximately 500,000 euros).
20:30 Ukraine Bolsters Forces in PokrovskAs per Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Ukraine is reinforcing troops in the contentious Pokrovsk region in eastern Ukraine. He states in a televised address that they are cognizant of the Russian troops' strategy there. Concurrently, the Ukrainian offensive in the Russian region of Kursk proceeds, with certain territories falling under Ukrainian control. Zelenskyy provides no specifics.
20:00 Ukrainians in Hungary Face Shelter Evictions after DecreeIn response to Hungary's decree refusing general refugee status to Ukrainian refugees, numerous Ukrainians in Hungary are facing eviction from their shelters. Private refugee shelters have already begun to expel Ukrainians, according to the Migration Aid organization. In Kocs, north of Budapest, approximately 120 refugees, mainly Roma women and children from the western Ukrainian region of Transcarpathia with a large Hungarian minority, are being evicted under police supervision.
You can review all previous developments here.
The European Union has expressed concern over the escalating tensions between Ukraine and Russia, with European leaders urging for a peaceful resolution to the conflict.
The European Union's High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Josep Borrell, has called for an immediate de-escalation of hostilities in the Kursk region and urged both sides to return to the negotiating table. Borrell also emphasized the importance of respecting international law and upholding territorial integrity.
