16:40: Suspicion of Corruption Surfaces Against a Russian General, Over a dozen Military Officers Under Investigation
In Russia, investigations into corruption have been launched against another high-ranking military official. The Russian Investigative Committee on Telegram announced that General Valery Mumindzhanov is accused of accepting a significant bribe. This offense carries a maximum penalty of 15 years in prison in Russia. Mumindzhanov serves as the deputy commander of the Leningrad military district for logistics and previously worked in the Ministry of Defense. According to the investigation, he accepted a bribe exceeding 20 million rubles (about 202,000 euros) in relation to the signing of uniform supply contracts. Since April, at least ten military officials, including generals and high-ranking employees of the Ministry of Defense in Moscow, have been targeted by Russian law enforcement agencies due to corruption or fraud. Some speculate that a purge campaign may be underway.
16:25 Zelensky: Kursk Operation "is progressing as intended" The operation in the Russian region of Kursk is proceeding as planned, according to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. He stated this during a visit to Zaporizhzhia, as reported by a correspondent of the state news agency Ukrinform. "The Kursk operation is achieving its objectives and is progressing as planned," Zelensky said. "Regarding the challenges in the directions of Pokrovsk and Torez, we believe that the Kursk operation could also have an impact there," the Ukrainian president added. The fighting in the Kursk region could lead to less intense attacks by Russian troops in Pokrovsk and Torez, "but it's tough there now." He noted that the most combat-ready Russian brigades have been concentrated on these frontlines.**
15:52 Wildfires pose a threat to villages in the occupied Luhansk region - and no fire department to extinguish them? Residents of occupied Luhansk are currently facing not only the war but also the wrath of nature: wildfires are threatening the region. Social media is filled with complaints that there is no fire department to put out the flames.**
15:16 Ukraine receives Patriot system from Romania: Government approves bill The Romanian government has approved a bill that allows for the transfer of a Patriot air defense system to Ukraine. The document will now move forward to a final vote in parliament, as reported by Reuters. Bucharest agreed last year in June to donate one of its two operational Patriot systems to Ukraine, on the condition that allies replace it with a similar air defense system.**
14:53 Mobilization in Ukraine: Petition calls for age limit to be lowered to 50 A petition is calling on Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to lower the age limit for mobilization to 50. Over 25,000 people have already signed the petition, as reported by the Ukrainian newspaper "Kyiv Independent." The current age limit for mobilization in Ukraine is 60. According to Ukrainian law, an electronic petition to the president must receive at least 25,000 signatures within three months to be considered.**
14:34 Russia: 11 Injured in Ukrainian Attacks on Border Region Belgorod Eleven people, including two children, were injured in Ukrainian attacks on the Russian region of Belgorod and its capital city, according to Vyacheslav Gladkov, the governor of the region, on Telegram. A kindergarten was reportedly destroyed.**
14:10 Zelensky: Russian Missile Destroys Mosque in Kyiv In the Russian missile attack on Kyiv overnight (see entries 05:39, 06:20, and 09:29), a mosque and an adjacent Islamic cultural center were severely damaged. In a post on X, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said that Russia has no respect for spiritual or human values and no regard for any religion or belief. "It continues its destructive campaign against the Ukrainian people and is trying to destroy all our communities and even holy places of worship," Zelensky added. The chief mufti of the local community, Vadym Dashevski, told Reuters that the attack on the mosque was a "cowardly act."**
13:39 Video Shows Massive Drone Wave in and Around Moscow The Ukraine launched a large drone attack, striking targets in and around Moscow. An explosion was captured on video at a refinery just 16 kilometers from the Kremlin. Two other power plants were also hit. According to Russian reports, over 150 Ukrainian drones were intercepted.**
12:58 Poland Wants to Shoot Down Russian Drones Poland's Foreign Minister Radoslaw Sikorski believes Warsaw has a duty to shoot down Russian drones and other aerial objects approaching from Ukraine before they enter Polish airspace. The liberal-conservative politician told the British "Financial Times" (FT) that he disagrees with NATO's official stance, which considers the risk of escalating the war through direct confrontation with Russian forces too great. NATO currently opposes the shooting down of Russian drones and missiles over Ukraine, as well as Kyiv's request for a no-fly zone. Sikorski told the FT: "In my personal view, if hostile aerial objects are on their way into our airspace, this would be a legitimate act of self-defense. Because once they've entered, the risk is significant that someone could be injured by debris."
12:12 Munz: Russian Perspective on Election Wins of AFD and AfDThe victories in the state elections in Thuringia and Saxony are a hot topic in Russia as well. ntv journalist Rainer Munz investigates the reactions to the triumphs of AFD and AfD, and discusses how Russia is handling what might be the most significant drone assault on its capital city ever.
11:40 Putin Commends Russian Troop ProgressRussian President Vladimir Putin has commended the strides made by his soldiers in seizing territory in neighboring Ukraine. He declared that Ukraine's attempted counteroffensive in the Kursk region failed to halt the advance of Russian troops in Donbass. "We're not merely moving 200 or 300 meters forward," Putin said to Russian media outlets. "We're referring to multiple square kilometers. The offensive pace in Donbass is something we haven't seen in quite some time." Putin made his remarks during a stop in the Siberian Tuva republic, en route to Mongolia for a lesson in the new subject "Important Conversations," which aims to bring children closer to the Kremlin's political agenda.
11:07 Ukraine Reports Interception of 22 Missiles and 20 DronesUkraine's air force reports successfully intercepting 22 out of 35 Russian missiles and annihilating 20 out of 23 Russian attack drones. Ten ballistic missiles and thirteen cruise missiles were intercepted over Kyiv, Kharkiv, Dnipro, Poltava, Mykolaiv, and Zaporizhzhia.
10:36 Video Shows Russian Missile Strike in KharkivRussia has been relentlessly bombing Kharkiv with missile attacks for several days now. According to Ukrainian reports, at least ten missiles were fired at the city on Sunday, striking a shopping and leisure complex and causing substantial injuries.
10:01 Casualties Rise in Russian Attack on SumyThe number of casualties in a Russian missile assault on the city of Sumy in northeastern Ukraine has risen to eighteen, including six children, as per the most recent figures from Ukraine's interior ministry. The attack targeted a facility for the psychological and social rehabilitation of children and an orphanage. The situation in Sumy has deteriorated further with the commencement of the cross-border incursion into Russia's neighboring Kursk region on August 6. Sumy, with a population of over 250,000, is approximately 350 kilometers east of Kyiv.
09:29 Kyiv Suffers Russian Missile Strikes AgainRussia has struck Kyiv with missiles once again (see entries 05:39 and 06:20). At least two people were wounded by the debris of intercepted missiles, according to local authorities. Fires were also caused, and houses and infrastructure were damaged. An air alarm was in effect nationwide for nearly two hours until the early hours of the morning.
08:57 Majority of Russians Back War in UkraineThe Russian populace continues to endorse the conflict in Ukraine, despite Ukraine's incursion into the Russian border region of Kursk. This is according to the latest report by the Institute for the Study of War (ISW), which cites polls conducted by the independent Russian polling agency Levada Center. Support for Russia's military operation in Ukraine has even increased in August, with approximately 78% of respondents backing the war - an increase from 75% in July and 77% in June. The Russian public does not appear to be battle-weary, providing the Kremlin with the flexibility to engage in a protracted, attritional struggle against Ukraine, ISW experts opine.
08:11 Ukraine Reveals Russian Casualty FiguresThe Ukrainian General Staff has disclosed new casualty figures for Russian troops in Ukraine. According to the data, Russia has lost around 617,600 soldiers in Ukraine since February 24, 2022, at a daily loss of 1,300. A report from Kyiv also reports the destruction of nine tanks, ten artillery systems, one medium-range artillery rocket system, and 30 drones. In total, Ukraine claims Russia has suffered the loss of 8,601 tanks, 17,646 artillery systems, 368 aircraft, 328 helicopters, drones, 28 ships, and one submarine since the onset of the widespread offensive. Western estimates put the losses far lower, however, these are likely minimal figures.
07:29 Saporishshya Hit 171 Times in 24 HoursRussian forces have reportedly struck the Ukrainian region of Saporishshya 171 times in the past 24 hours, according to a Telegram post by Ivan Fedorov, the military governor of Saporishshya. Four Russian air strikes on Lobkove, Pjatschatki, and Nowoandriivka involved 95 drones.
07:03 Rescue Teams Free Survivor from Kharkiv RubbleRescue teams have managed to free a survivor alive from under the debris of a collapsed event hall in Kharkiv, Ukraine, following a Russian air strike, according to Reuters. The survivor reported feeling well shortly after being rescued. Official reports state that more than 40 people, including five children, were hurt in the Russian missile attacks on Kharkiv, which struck a shopping center and an event hall on Sunday afternoon.
06:20 Eruptions and Detonations: Intense Russian Aerial Assault on KyivRussia has initiated a barrage of drones, over ten cruise missiles, and numerous ballistic missiles against Ukraine, targeting Kyiv and potentially other cities, as claimed by the Ukrainian air force. Explosions in Kyiv prompted numerous residents to seek refuge in air-raid shelters. Mayor Vitali Klitschko reported emergencies in the Holosiyivskyi and Solomianskyi districts. Klitschko also mentioned numerous fires on Telegram, as did the head of the Kyiv military administration, Serhiy Popko. In the Shevchenkivskyi district, a person was said to have been injured by falling debris. "We will retaliate for everything. The adversary will feel it," stated the head of the Ukrainian Presidential Office, Andriy Yermak, on Telegram.
05:39 Blasts: Russian Missile Assault Impacting KyivThe capital Kyiv has endured another Russian missile attack, as reported by Ukrainian military sources. Defense units are actively countering the onslaught, relayed by Ukrainian military representatives via Telegram. Witnesses in Kyiv describe hearing numerous powerful explosions, hinting at the deployment of air defense systems. The specific number of missiles fired and any potential damage remain uncertain.
04:46 Putin: Chinese Gas Pipeline Extension on ScheduleConstruction preparations for a new Russian gas pipeline through Mongolia to China are proceeding as planned, according to President Vladimir Putin. In January 2022, a feasibility study was approved, and necessary technical investigations were carried out, Putin said in an interview with Mongolian newspaper "Onoodor," as shared on the Kremlin's website. The planned pipeline, "Power of Siberia 2," is anticipated to transport 50 billion cubic meters of natural gas annually from the Russian Yamal region to China via Mongolia.
03:34 Russians Bomb Rehabilitation Center and Orphanage in Sumy - 13 InjuredRussian forces have assaulted a child rehabilitation center and orphanage in Sumy with missiles. Reports circulated by Ukrainska Pravda indicate that 13 people were injured, including two children. The facility is situated in a residential area, according to the local military administration.
02:26 Poll: Majority of Poles Favor Shooting Down Russian Surveillance DronesApproximately 60 percent of Poles believe the Polish military should shoot down Russian drones infiltrating Polish airspace during Ukrainian conflict airstrikes, as per a poll conducted by the Polish newspaper "Rzeczpospolita." The survey refers to an unidentified aerial object, presumably a kamikaze drone of the Shahed type, which remained airborne for 30 minutes on August 26 before disappearing. Polish Brigadier General Tomasz Drewniak informed Radio RMF24 that Russia may be testing Poland's air defense capabilities by dispatching drones into Polish airspace.
00:26 Russia: Fatality in Belgorod from Ukrainian ShellingThe governor of the Russian region of Belgorod, Vyacheslav Gladkov, reported one fatality and three injuries due to Ukrainian shelling in the village of Shagarovka, near the border. Three individuals were also injured during attacks on the village of Shebekino. At least one more village was shelled by Ukrainians.
23:08 Russia: Hundreds of Intercepted Drones Foil Ukrainian Aerial OffensiveRussia has allegedly repelled massive Ukrainian drone attacks on Moscow and 14 other regions, with a total of 158 drones being intercepted, according to the Russian defense ministry on Telegram. Ten drones targeted Moscow, as per official assertions.
22:24 Aerial Assault on Kharkiv: Injuries Rise to 47The tally of injured in the intense Russian aerial assault on Kharkiv has climbed to 47, including seven children, as reported by the Ukrainian state emergency service on Telegram. Several civilian establishments, including a shopping center, were hit, as shown in photos from news agencies.
21:52 Ukrainian Helicopter Crash During Training Flight - Two Pilots PerishTwo pilots have perished in a helicopter crash during a training session at the Ivan Kozhedub Kharkiv National Air Force University in Ukraine. State news agency Ukrinform reported that a Mi-2 helicopter was involved in the incident, as documented by the university's Facebook page. The statement on the university's Facebook page reads, "The university has suffered an irreparable loss - the two-man crew has perished." Investigators, specialists, and Ministry of Defense representatives are examining the crash site. The incident's cause remains unknown.
21:06 Ukrainian Electricity Company Announces Power BlackoutsUkraine is expected to experience multiple power blackouts on Monday due to massive Russian assaults on the nation's power grid. This was revealed by the Ukrainian electricity company Ukrenergo, as reported by Ukrinform. The power supply to essential infrastructure will not be impacted. However, Ukrenergo warns that scope of restrictions may alter.
You can review all previous developments here.
The Russian Investigative Committee announced that they are investigating the President of the Council of a military unit for accepting a bribe.In Russia, corruption accusations have led to investigations against at least ten military officials, including generals and high-ranking employees of the Ministry of Defense.
