16:36 Bodies fully identified, three girls among the dead in Russian attack on supermarket
In the morning, the identification of those killed in a Russian missile strike on Kostiantynivka in the Donetsk region was completed by the prosecutor's office. It is now confirmed: Among the dead are three children. They are three girls aged 9, 11, and 16.
On Friday, Russia carried out a missile strike on a shopping mall in the center of Kostiantynivka. Fourteen people were killed and 44 others were injured. The strike hit the Eko-Market supermarket and a post office. On Saturday, the bodies of two children were already identified.
15:54 Ukrainian armored vehicles with white triangles spotted on the way to KurskDozens of Ukrainian armored vehicles have crossed the eastern Ukrainian region of Sumy, which borders the Russian region of Kursk. AFP reporters saw symbols in the shape of a white triangle on the vehicles - apparently a sign that they are part of the Ukrainian army's advance into Kursk. After the incursion of Ukrainian troops, fighting continues in the Russian border region of Kursk. The clashes have been ongoing for the sixth consecutive day. The Moscow Defense Ministry reports that 35 drones were intercepted over Kursk and the regions of Voronezh, Belgorod, Bryansk, and Oryol overnight.**
15:21 Kyiv sees no additional Belarusian troops and equipment at the borderThe Ukraine sees no additional Belarusian troops at the border, despite Minsk claiming to be reinforcing it, says Andrii Demchenko, spokesperson for the state border guard service. His statement comes a day after Belarusian dictator Alexander Lukashenko ordered reinforcements to the border areas with Ukraine. On Friday, several drones from Ukraine were shot down over Belarus. Lukashenko ordered the military presence in the directions of Gomel and Mozyr to be reinforced and sent, among other things, the Polonez rocket systems and the complexes of ballistic medium-range missiles Iskander there. On the Ukrainian side, the area borders the regions of Kyiv, Shytomyr, and Chernihiv. "The situation at the border is fully under control. We are not registering any movement of equipment or personnel near our border," says Demchenko.
14:43 Expert on Kursk offensive: "Surprise attack benefits Kyiv"Defense and security expert Michael Clarke told US broadcaster Sky that Ukraine had launched a "completely surprising attack" against Russia in the Kursk region this week. In Clarke's view, everything indicates that Ukraine is "winning this battle as much as possible." "They haven't just started a surprise attack - they've started an attack of complete astonishment. They've astonished the Russians and the Western backers," he said. "The shock value of this surprise attack benefits Kyiv." The breach into Russian territory is at least 35 miles long and about 15 miles deep. Clarke estimates that about three or four Ukrainian brigades are in Russia, consisting of "elite troops at the highest level." No details were given about Ukraine's objectives, but Clarke said Kyiv is likely trying to draw good Russian army units away and ease pressure on Ukrainian frontlines elsewhere. There are signs that Moscow is withdrawing its better units from the south of Ukraine, including from the areas of Chassiv Yar and Pokrovsk. "Russia will do whatever it takes to eliminate this breach," says Clark. "Putin can't let this slide."
14:04 Kyiv: Incursion into Russian territory aims to 'destabilize' RussiaAn incursion by Ukrainian troops into the Russian border region of Kursk is aimed at "destabilizing" Russia, a Ukrainian security official told news agency AFP. "We are on the offensive," the official said. "Thousands" of Ukrainian soldiers are involved. "The goal is to stretch out the enemy's positions, inflict maximum losses, and destabilize the situation in Russia," the official said.
13:37 Russia warns of harsh response to attacks on Kursk border regionFollowing new Ukrainian attacks on the Russian border region of Kursk, Moscow has warned of a harsh response. "A harsh reaction from the Russian armed forces will not be long in coming," said Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova on the Telegram messaging service. She vowed to hold the masterminds and perpetrators of the "crimes" in Kursk to account.
13:05 Belarus: Video allegedly shows tank transport to Ukraine borderThe Belarusian Defense Ministry has published footage on social media showing several tanks being loaded onto a train. In the post preceding it, it is stated that the units are being put on alert. The reinforcement of troops at the border between Belarus and Ukraine is a response to the alleged intrusion of Ukrainian combat drones into Belarusian airspace.
12:48 Ukraine: 53 Russian drones shot downUkraine claims to have shot down 53 out of 57 drones in the latest Russian attack. The drones were downed over various parts of the country, the air force of the Ukrainian capital Kyiv reported. Russia also used four North Korean rockets, it was said.
12:20 Russia: Lancet drone destroys Ukrainian tank in KurskThe Russian Defense Ministry claims to have destroyed a Ukrainian tank in the Kursk region using a Lancet drone. The ministry shared a video on Telegram purporting to show the destruction of the Ukrainian tank.
11:53 Zelensky: Russia uses North Korean rocket against KyivUkrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky expresses his condolences to the family and relatives of the victims of the deadly Russian airstrike on Kyiv in a post on the X platform. A 35-year-old man and his 4-year-old son were killed, and three people, including a 12-year-old boy, were injured. In the X post, Zelensky states that preliminary information suggests that the Russians used a North Korean rocket in this attack, another targeted terrorist act against Ukraine. Pyrotechnics experts are working to determine the exact data of the rocket.
11:31 Kriewald: "Lukashenko is wise to remain a blusterer"Belarus plans to send troops to the border region with Ukraine? ntv reporter Nadja Kriewald explains that Putin has been trying to drag Belarus into the active war zone for years and doesn't expect that to happen anytime soon.
10:41 Ukraine aims to destroy Russia's military infrastructureAfter a new deadly Russian airstrike near Kyiv, Ukraine aims to permanently destroy Russia's military infrastructure to stop the killing of civilians. To achieve this, it is necessary to deprive Russia of its ability to kill, says the head of the presidential office, Andriy Yermak, in Kyiv. He publishes a video on his Telegram channel showing deployment forces in a debris field. "It is necessary to destroy its military infrastructure because the enemy does not accept other arguments," Yermak says about the Russian invasion. Ukraine hopes for a swift approval from its western allies to use long-range missiles, even against Russian territory.
10:22 Ministry of Emergency Situations delivers aid to the Kursk border regionThe Russian Ministry of Emergency Situations delivers humanitarian aid to the contested Kursk border region. The ministry reports that convoys carrying tents, blankets, mobile generators, hygiene items, food, and water have been sent to the region. In cooperation with local authorities, the aid will be distributed to the people. More than 76,000 people have had to leave their homes in the region due to ongoing clashes between Russian and Ukrainian forces.
09:47 Ukraine: Kramatorsk under Russian fire againFor the second day in a row, Russian forces are reported to have shelled the eastern Ukrainian city of Kramatorsk in the Donetsk region, according to the Ukrainian governor of Donetsk, Vadym Lysychenko, on Telegram. Infrastructure facilities are said to have been hit, and four people are reported injured. Kramatorsk is the administrative center of the Ukrainian-controlled parts of the Donetsk region, while eastern parts of the region are controlled by Russian military.
08:59 Ukraine Reports Russian Casualty FiguresThe Ukrainian General Staff has published new casualty figures for Russian troops in Ukraine. According to the report, Russia has lost approximately 590,920 soldiers in the war against Ukraine since February 24, 2022. In the past 24 hours alone, the number of casualties is said to be 1,220. The report from Kyiv also states that six tanks, 58 artillery systems, and 27 drones were destroyed on the previous day of fighting. In total, Russia is said to have lost 8,447 tanks, 16,663 artillery systems, 366 aircraft, 328 helicopters, 13,399 drones, 28 ships, and one submarine since the start of the large-scale invasion. Western estimates put the casualty figures lower, but these are also likely to be minimum values.
08:07 Russia: Massive Drone Attacks in Russian Border Regions of Belgorod and VoronezhUkrainian forces are reported to have attacked the Russian regions of Voronezh and Belgorod with drones and missiles overnight, in addition to the Russian region of Kursk (see entry 01:51). The governors of Voronezh and Belgorod announced this on their Telegram channels. Oleksandr Gusev, governor of the Voronezh region, reports that the air defense system shot down more than a dozen drones in the Voronezh region, damaging buildings. Gusev reports no casualties. In several settlements in Belgorod, there were drone attacks. Vyacheslav Gladkov, governor of the Belgorod region, writes on Telegram that there were explosions and fires in two locations, with no casualties reported.
07:32 Rescue Service: Two Dead in Russian Attack on Kyiv RegionA Russian missile attack (see entry 00:27) has resulted in the deaths of a 35-year-old man and his four-year-old son in a suburb of the Ukrainian capital Kyiv, according to the state emergency service. Three others were seriously injured. Missile debris fell on private homes in Brovary east of Kyiv in the evening, the rescuers reported on Telegram. The father and son were trapped under the rubble of a building.
07:04 Russia: Russian Su-25 Jet Allegedly Strikes Ukrainian Forces in Russian KurskA Russian Su-25 fighter jet is said to have attacked and hit Ukrainian forces in the border area of the Russian region of Kursk, according to the Russian Ministry of Defense on Telegram. The Russian Ministry of Defense reports that the attack was carried out with unguided air-to-ground missiles. The Russian Ministry of Defense also states that the crew performed an air defense maneuver, triggered heat flares, and returned to the airbase after the mission. A video showing the deployment of the combat aircraft was published on the Telegram channel of the Ministry of Defense. The Su-25 is a ground attack aircraft developed in the Soviet Union and is used to provide air support for Russian ground troops in the Ukraine war.
06:24 ISW: Kremlin Downplays Ukrainian Incursion in Kursk RegionThe Kremlin has likely decided to declare an anti-terror operation instead of martial law to downplay the Ukrainian invasion in the Kursk region, preventing panic or a backlash at home, according to a report by the Institute for the Study of War (ISW). Analysts suggest this indicates the Kremlin's unwillingness to take more drastic measures to address the situation.
05:38 Orthodox Church with Moscow Ties to be BannedUkrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced in his evening video address on Saturday that he plans to "strengthen our Ukrainian spiritual independence," hinting that the government will ban the Orthodox Church with ties to Moscow. Since the Russian invasion, the number of members in other independent churches has grown, but the Moscow-linked minority church still maintains influence. The Ukrainian government accuses it of supporting the invasion and attempting to poison public opinion.
03:50 ISW: Ukrainians Hold Positions and AdvanceGeolocated footage and Russian reports from yesterday suggest that Ukrainian forces have largely maintained their previously reported positions in the Kursk region and have made some advances, according to the Institute for the Study of War.
01:51 Russia: Injured by Ukrainian Missile in City of KurskAt least 13 people, including two severely injured, were hurt by debris from a downed Ukrainian missile in the Russian city of Kursk, according to the acting governor of the border region.
00:27 Explosions in Ukrainian Capital KyivSeveral explosions were heard in the Ukrainian capital Kyiv. According to AFP journalists, the explosions were heard in the city center and east. The Ukrainian air force reported that two Russian missiles were targeted at the capital, while the Kyiv military administration reported the activation of air defense systems on the Telegram online service.
00:11 Ukraine Awaits "with Bated Breath" Decisions from USA, UK, and FranceUkraine may be able to expect the delivery of more long-range weapons to maintain its defense against Russian aggression. In his evening video address, President Zelenskyy said, "We are also awaiting with bated breath the decisions of the United States, the United Kingdom, and France regarding long-range capabilities - decisions that will bring us closer to a just peace." For a long time, Ukraine had tried to convince Germany to supply Taurus long-range missiles, but Chancellor Olaf Scholz rejected the request.
22:17 Ukraine Suspects 28 Officials of Misappropriating Defense Budget Funds
The Ukrainian Prosecutor General's Office, in collaboration with the State Investigation Bureau, National Police, and Security Service of Ukraine, has conducted a special operation to expose the organizers and participants in criminal schemes involving the misappropriation of funds allocated for Ukraine's defense. The Prosecutor General's Office reported this. According to the report, the total damage to the state amounts to over 1.5 billion Hryvnia, approximately 33,000 Euros. The investigation revealed that employees of the Ministry of Defense, military units, joint ventures, regional military administrations, city councils, and directors of companies in many regions of Ukraine are involved in the misappropriation. As a result of the investigation, 28 individuals were suspected, including nine as members of organized criminal groups.
You can read all previous developments here.
- The European Union reportedly considers imposing further sanctions on Russia due to its continued aggression towards Ukraine, particularly in the border regions of Kursk and Belgorod.
- The EU's High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Josep Borrell, expressed his deep concern over the escalating tensions between Ukraine and Russia and called for an immediate end to the hostilities, emphasizing the need for diplomacy and dialogue to find a peaceful resolution.
