16:14 More injured and destruction after rocket attack on Vilniansk
After the lethal Russian rocket attack on civilians in Wilniansk, 75 people report damaged or destroyed property. The police in the Saporischja region document "the crimes of the Russian army," according to the statement from the authorities. The number of registered injured from the attack has increased to 38, among them are nine children. A mobile aid station is in operation. At least seven people were killed in the attack on Saturday, among them a woman and three children.
15:51 Controversial Kanye West reportedly in Moscow for a friend's birthday
The controversial US rapper Kanye West is reportedly in Moscow on a private visit, according to Russian media. "That's great news, he's in the heart of the capital," quotes the state news agency Tass the producer Yana Rudkovskaya. Former Russian presidential candidate Xenia Sobchak has published a short video, which she claims shows West looking out from the roof of the famous shopping center GUM on Red Square. According to Sobchak, West is in Moscow to celebrate the 40th birthday of his friend Gosha Rubchinskiy, a well-known Russian fashion designer. West has expressed his admiration for Russian President Vladimir Putin in the past. In the US, the musician is now an outcast in the entertainment industry due to his antisemitic and pro-Hitler statements.
15:24 Russia disrupting GPS signals for British military flights
This year, Russia has disrupted the GPS signals for hundreds of British military flights of the Royal Air Force (RAF) over Europe. An analysis of thousands of flights reveals that over a quarter of transport and surveillance flights in the first four months of the year 2024 were affected by active GPS disruptions, reports the British Telegraph. This illustrates the extent of Russian interference in aviation. "This is another example of Russia's disregard and another proof that it is a hostile state out of control," is quoted by the British Defense Minister Grant Shapps. Between January and April, 142 out of 504 transport and surveillance flights of the RAF over Europe were affected by GPS disruptions.
14:41 Ukrainian hackers sabotage Russian systems
Activists, in collaboration with experts from the Ukrainian Defense Ministry, are carrying out a series of attacks on Russian companies. According to the Ministry, hackers have destroyed over 100 Terabytes of data from OrbitSoft, a software developer who works with the Russian army. They have also deleted data on eight servers from Orient Systems, a supplier of navigation devices for Russian military manufacturers, particularly for unmanned aerial vehicle manufacturers. They have also deleted the data of an Internet provider in Nizhny Novgorod and sent messages to all subscribers about an "inevitable retaliation" for Russia's war.
14:06 Ukraine starts serial production of combat drones
Ukraine has begun serial production of combat drones with a range of over 1,000 kilometers. This was stated by the head of the state arms company Ukroboronprom, Herman Smetanin, in an interview with ArmyInform. In the interview, Smetanin explains that Russia's "huge resources and powerful industry" forced Kiev 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 depots 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 importance, as the gradual displacement of the enemy from the Black Sea began since then," the SBU writes. On June 30, 2022, Ukrainian troops had repelled the Russian troops from the strategic outpost 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 was written by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky 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 further writes.
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 reports, 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 people were known.
12:18 Ukraine releases figures on Russian losses
The Ukrainian General Staff has released 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. According to the report from Kiev, 24 tanks, 60 artillery systems, and an aircraft were destroyed. In total, Russia has lost 8,080 tanks, 15,524 artillery systems, and 360 aircraft, 326 helicopters, 11,584 drones, 28 ships, and a submarine, according to the Ukrainian General Staff. Western estimates put the loss figures much lower - but these are only minimum values.
11:45 OSCE: Russia is committing genocide in Ukraine
The Parliamentary Assembly of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) has passed 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 permanent peace". The OSCE has 57 members, including Ukraine and Russia. With 57 countries from Europe, Central Asia, and North America, the OSCE is the world's largest regional security organization.
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 respite for the Ukrainians affected by the war, as NTV reporter Jürgen Weichert describes.
10:44 Russia: Four firefighters injured in the Donezk region
In the region of Donezk, which Russia claims, Russian sources report that 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 Emergency Situations Ministry explains.
10:08 Russia: Ukrainian forces driven out of Cherson from the left bank
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, Cherson Governor Vladymyr Saldo told the Russian news agency TASS. "The fighting has shifted to the islands, and the Russian army has intensified its activities," he says. 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, Governor Oleksandr Prokudin reported 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 severe injuries. Additionally, a 63-year-old woman in Komysany was reportedly injured by Russian troops who shot up a farm. There were no injuries reported in a drone attack on a residential building in Mykhailivka, but the damage is currently 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 for the rest of the year 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 for 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 different regions across the country. Fifteen drones were intercepted over the border region of Kursk, nine over the region of Lipezk some hundred kilometers south of Moscow, and four each over the regions of Voronezh and Bryansk, the Russian Defense Ministry in Moscow announced. The governors of Lipezk and Bryansk reported on Telegram that there were no casualties or major damages.
07:55 Sweden's Defense Minister: Russia wants to split EU and NATO
Russia is interested in politically splitting the EU and NATO. This is what the Swedish Defense Minister Pål Jonson said in an interview with the "Bild" newspaper. "I believe that the Kremlin and 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 investing more in military forces. Sweden, under the impression of Russia's aggressive war on Ukraine, gave up its neutrality. In March 2024, Sweden became the 32nd NATO member.
07:24 Zelenskyy: After Russian attack on Velyka Nova Hrebenivka, the death toll may rise
After a Russian attack on the Ukrainian town of Velyka Nova Hrebenivka in the region of Zaporizhia, the death toll may rise. According to official figures, at least seven people have been killed, among them children. Thirty-one people were injured in the missile attack, the Civil Defense reported. "Unfortunately, the number of victims 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 Ukrainian city of Derhatschi in the region of Kharkiv. This was reported by the head of the military administration of Derhatschi, 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. Two men, aged 68 and 75, and a 71-year-old woman were taken to the hospital. According to Zadorenko, several buildings were damaged, including at least 25 residential buildings, agricultural buildings, a garage cooperative, cars, and a civilian enterprise. Parts of the power lines were also destroyed.
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 continuing 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 over 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 (Die Linke).
05:41: Dead in Vilnjansk: Moscow targeted a military objectiveFollowing the Russian shelling of the Ukrainian city of Vilnjansk in the Saporischja region, which reportedly resulted in at least seven deaths, the Russian Defense Ministry claims that a military objective was targeted. According to Interfax news agency, a railway station with ballistic Iskander missiles was attacked, and a military train carrying military cargo was hit. The Russian military leadership also claims that residential buildings and parked cars in the city center were struck.
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, citing Colonel Ruslan Berehulia, head of the department for environmental safety and mine clearance, approximately 174,000 square kilometers of Ukrainian soil have been contaminated with explosives since the Russian invasion in February 2022. The Ukraine established the Mine Clearance Corps in April 2022. Units from the Defense Ministry and the Ukrainian Armed Forces have since joined. These units, consisting of 5,000 specialists, are currently active in the regions of Mykolajiw, Cherson, and Kharkiv.
03:53: IFO Survey: Almost half of personnel managers use "Jobturbo" ineffectivelyAccording to a survey by the Munich IFO Institute among 627 personnel managers in Germany, 48% find the "Job-Turbo" and the Skilled Workers Immigration Act unhelpful for businesses. This information was obtained from the survey. The initiative aims to integrate Ukrainian refugees more quickly into the labor market. However, nearly every fourth company reports positive effects: approximately one in four firms indicate that the new regulations have made more skilled labor available. Additionally, respondents mention the benefits of mandatory language courses before job placement and shorter hiring procedures. Nearly one in six personnel managers praise the simplified recognition of diplomas. The respondents were allowed to give multiple answers. Almost half of them find that the bureaucracy involved in hiring foreign labor remains too high, although 17% also observe a reduction in bureaucracy.
02:37 Governor: Russian region of Kursk under fire all day
According to the local governor, Ukraine continued to shell the Russian border region of Kursk all day on Saturday. Governor Alexei Smirnov writes on Telegram that Ukrainian forces had repeatedly targeted 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 chief of the right-wing Reform UK party, during a campaign appearance. After Farage recently claimed that the West, not Russian President Vladimir Putin, had provoked the war in Ukraine, activists dropped a banner with Putin's image behind him. Farage was reportedly unamused, according to the activists.
00:32 Emergency services clear debris in Vilnianskyi
Emergency services are clearing debris from a Russian attack on the city of Vilnianskyi in the Zaporizhzhia region. According to the Ukrainian state emergency service, seven people were killed, including two children, and 31 people were 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 service reports.
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 called for the expulsion of Ukrainians who do not work. "The proposal can be misunderstood," says CSU honorary chairman Horst Seehofer to the "Augsburger Allgemeine." Mothers and children from the war zone found it difficult to work; be it due to a lack of language skills or a lack of kindergarten places. "It belongs to a humane state to provide protection." Young men who evaded military service in Germany, however, should not be granted asylum, according to him.
20:51 Man lights grenade in Luzk city center
A resident of the city of Khmelnytskyi lights a grenade in the city center of Luzk and is arrested. No injuries were reported. The Ukrainian Security Service (SBU) reports this. The motive of the 23-year-old is unclear.
You can read about earlier developments here.
- The Russian military continues its attacks on Ukraine, with over 800 guided bombs fired at the country within a week according to President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
- In response to Russian aggression, Ukrainian hackers have launched a series of attacks on Russian companies, causing significant damage to data and systems.
- Despite the ongoing conflict, some regions in Ukraine, such as Odessa, are trying to return to normality, with tourists enjoying the beaches.
- Russia has been accused of committing genocide in Ukraine by the Parliamentary Assembly of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE).
- NATO Chief Anders Fogh Rasmussen believes that Russia's war against Ukraine will continue for the rest of the year, as Putin seeks to divide the EU and NATO.
