17:05 Russia ships grain for the first time over new Baltic Sea terminal to Cuba
Russia, according to its own statements, shipped grain for the first time from a new terminal in its Baltic Sea port of Ust-Luga. The agricultural supervisory authority announced this to the news agency Reuters. Russia is the world's largest wheat exporter and about 90% of its exports go through ports in the Black Sea. However, Russia has recently tried to use various export routes. From the new Lugaport, the first 12,000 tons of grain were shipped in June. According to data from the information provider LSEG, the destination was Cuba. The port of Ust-Luga was in the headlines in January when a fuel terminal there caught fire. Ukrainian media reported that the cause was a drone attack by the Ukrainian intelligence services.
16:29 Ukraine arrests "Russian informant" in KharkivThe Ukrainian security service (SBU) has reportedly arrested a "Russian informant" in the Kharkiv region. The SBU announced this in a statement. The woman is said to have shared information in a Telegram channel of the Russian intelligence services. The SBU claims to have documented how the woman was on the move in the eastern outskirts of Kharkiv and recorded the locations of Ukrainian military checkpoints and other military "fortifications" in secret.
15:44 NATO sends top British official to KievNATO is strengthening its civilian representation in Ukraine and sending a senior alliance representative to Kiev. The former deputy secretary-general, Patrick Turner, will lead the NATO representation in the Ukrainian capital from September and serve as the central point of contact for local authorities. The British will also help coordinate military support for Ukraine and provide Allied information and assessments of the situation in the country, NATO announced.
15:03 Russia: Ukrainian drone kills two civilians in BelgorodTwo people were killed in a Ukrainian drone attack in the Russian border region of Belgorod, according to local authorities. The victims were reportedly a young couple who were in a civilian vehicle outside the regional capital Belgorod, regional governor Vyacheslav Gladkov said.
14:36 Russia and Ukraine exchange prisoners of warRussia and Ukraine have exchanged prisoners of war, according to Russian statements. Each side handed over 95 soldiers, the Russian Defense Ministry reported. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky also confirmed the exchange on the platform X. The United Arab Emirates mediated the exchange. The returning Russian soldiers will first be examined medically in Moscow.
13:55 Sharma: Ukraine must give up symbolic village at the frontThe Ukraine must accept a series of setbacks at the front, as reported by NTV reporter Kavita Sharma from Kiev. After the Russian rocket attack on a children's clinic in the Ukrainian capital, the military reported withdrawals in the regions of Dnipro and Donetsk.
13:24 Kremlin casts doubts on offensive success
The Kremlin has dismissed speculation about the failure of the Russian offensive in the northeastern part of Ukraine. "The operation is continuing and will do so until it is successfully completed," Kremlin spokesperson Dmitri Peskov said today. Yesterday, the governor of Belgorod announced access restrictions to 14 villages on the Russian side near the border. This is to protect the population from Ukrainian attacks. In response to a question about whether the access restrictions meant that the offensive in the northeast had failed, Peskov replied: "No, that's not the case."
12:48 Study: Citizen's income has little effect on employment of Ukrainian refugees
Social transfer payments such as citizen's income have little influence on the employment rate of refugees from Ukraine. Instead, factors such as social networks in the respective countries, the level of English language proficiency of the local population, and childcare are significant. This is according to a Europe-wide study by the Institute for Employment Research (IAB). In Germany, the employment rate of Ukrainian refugees is 27%, which is in the middle range. The highest rate is in Lithuania with 57%, Denmark with 53%, and Poland with 48%.
11:53 Protecting against rockets: Charkiw pupils to learn under ground
Children in the city of Charkiw in the northeastern part of Ukraine, which has been under almost daily Russian shelling since the start of the war, will reportedly be taught more frequently in underground schools: According to city administration reports, an underground school project has already been implemented. The construction of three further such facilities has begun. The children will be better protected from Russian air raids in this way.
11:22 Media: Ukraine to receive 32 outdated F-16s from Greece
Greece plans to retire 32 outdated F-16 fighter jets and hand them over to the USA. According to a report by the portal "New Voice of Ukraine," these jets will then be modernized and delivered to Ukraine. Kiev already has 60 F-16 jets from Denmark, Norway, and the Netherlands, but needs at least 150 fighter jets, according to its own statements, to launch rockets and missiles against Russia and repel aerial attacks on a wide front. There have been devastating bombing raids, the latest being on a children's hospital in Kiev with at least seven fatalities.
10:35 Ukraine reports 112 frontline engagements since yesterday
In the past 24 hours, the Ukrainian army general staff reported 112 engagements along the front line. Among these were reportedly four rocket attacks on Ukrainian army positions and inhabited areas, as well as 71 air raids with 119 guided air-to-ground bombs. In addition, Russia conducted more than 4,300 artillery attacks, including 121 with multiple rocket launchers.
09:54 Russia and China launch joint naval exercise
Russia and China have begun a naval exercise in the South China Sea. The exercise is expected to last three days, according to Russian and Chinese state media today. During the exercise, they will reportedly practice air and submarine defense. Live ammunition is also expected to be used. Just a few days before Russia's invasion of Ukraine in 2022, both countries announced a strengthening of their partnership and described it as "boundless."
08:43 The German authorities report 42,000 missing UkrainiansApproximately 42,000 people are missing in Ukraine, both soldiers and civilians, according to the Interior Ministry. The number was previously higher, at around 51,000 missing persons, the ministry stated. However, about 4000 soldiers reported missing in action have since been found and identified. Around 3000 missing persons have been found alive, many of them prisoners of war. Identifying the dead is reportedly difficult due to the Defense Ministry's refusal to take genetic samples from soldiers before sending them into the field.
08:15 Hungary lobbies for a peace summit with RussiaHungary is lobbying for Russia's participation in the planned second Ukraine peace conference. There are efforts to hold another peace summit this year, Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto said. "I believe that if we want to hope for the success of a future peace conference, we must ensure that both sides are represented," Szijjarto added. Hungary currently holds the EU presidency. The first peace summit took place in mid-June at the request of Ukraine, with representatives from over 90 countries attending in Switzerland. Russia declared its disinterest in the conference and was therefore not invited.
07:46 Russia and Ukraine to exchange prisoners todayRussia and Ukraine are set to exchange 90 prisoners today, according to a report by Bloomberg, citing a source. Ukrainian media reported last week that the parliament's human rights ombudsman, Dmytro Lubinez, had announced that the Ukrainian government was planning a large prisoner exchange with Russia with the help of the United Arab Emirates. The two warring parties have already exchanged prisoners on multiple occasions.
06:55 Ukrainian startups develop robots for the frontlineUkrainian startups are developing affordable robots for mine clearance, evacuation of battlefields, transportation of equipment, and combat support. The Ukrainian news agency Ukrinform reports that a "ecosystem of laboratories in hundreds of secret workshops" is using innovations to create a robot army. The Ukrainian military hopes that this robot army will be able to kill Russian troops and save its own wounded soldiers and civilians.
06:20 Leaders of 47 countries to discuss UkraineAt the invitation of the new British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, the leaders of 47 countries will meet tomorrow. The 27 EU member states plus 20 third countries will discuss, among other things, further aid for Ukraine in its defense war against Russia. German Chancellor Olaf Scholz is also registered to attend. There will be several roundtables on security policy and defense, but other topics will also be discussed. Ukraine is represented at the conference.
04:37 Japan grants Ukraine a loan from frozen Russian assetsJapan is reportedly granting Ukraine a loan of 3.3 billion dollars from the interest on frozen Russian assets. The sum is part of the 50-billion-dollar package from the G7 countries, according to the Kyodo news agency, citing informed sources. The United States and the European Union are each contributing 20 billion dollars, while Japan, Great Britain, and Canada together are contributing 10 billion dollars. The package is expected to be approved at a G7 summit on the sidelines of the G20 finance summit at the end of the month in Brazil.
03:26 German government gives Kiev ten million Euros for reconstruction of children's clinic
According to the "Rheinische Post" report, citing ministry statements, the German Development Ministry has pledged ten million Euros to the Ukrainian government for the reconstruction of a children's hospital in Kiev. These funds will be used in conjunction with contributions from other donors and sponsors to quickly make the hospital operational and winter-proof again. This includes repairs and maintenance on facades, treatment rooms, and electrical and heating systems.
02:10 Medvedev warns NATO of a "point of no return"
Following the NATO summit's promise to consider Ukraine's membership, former Russian President Dmitri Medvedev renewed his threats against the alliance. In an article for the Russian news portal Argumenty I Fakty, he described a potential Ukrainian membership as a potential declaration of war against Russia. "This would essentially be a declaration of war - albeit with a delay. The actions taken by Russia's adversaries for years, by expanding the alliance, ... bring NATO to a point of no return." Russia does not threaten NATO, but will respond to attempts by the alliance to advance its interests. "The harder their attempts, the harsher our responses will be," Medvedev said. "Whether this tears the entire planet apart depends only on the wisdom of the (NATO) side."
01:00 Ukrainian soldiers use expired ammunition
The Ukrainian Defense Ministry has returned a "significant amount" of old ammunition to the military, which should have been disposed of before the first Russian attack on Ukrainian territory in 2014, according to its own statements. The ammunition is already being used on the battlefield. "We are looking for internal reserves to supply Ukrainian soldiers with ammunition. We know that every shot, every rocket, and every grenade on the battlefield is vital today," said Deputy Defense Minister Yuriy Dzhyharyov. Anything that can be repaired and reused is given a second life.
23:37 Ukrainian troops abandon positions in the southeast
Ukrainian troops have reportedly given up positions in the southeast of the country at Krynky in the Cherson region and Uroschajne in the Donezk region under Russian pressure. Ukrainian media quote sources in the General Staff as saying that holding these positions no longer made sense due to the extensive damage. The fighting for the settlement of Krynky on the southern bank of the Dnipro River in the Cherson region was criticized from the outset due to its futility. It is unclear whether Ukrainian soldiers are still holding positions in the underbank area of the Dnipro River. Read more here.
22:07 New Aid for Ukraine
United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, Filippo Grandi, announced a new aid package of $100 million US-Dollars (around 93 million Euros) during a visit to Ukraine. The UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) will support the preparation for winter and continue to assist the Ukrainian government in Kiev, helping displaced or otherwise affected Ukrainians, according to Grandi during a meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Kiev. The UNHCR also plans to mobilize future funds to support the attacked country. Zelenskyy thanked for the aid, which is urgently needed due to the damages in the energy infrastructure caused by Russian attacks. According to a statement from the Presidential Office, the country still needs more help to rebuild destroyed houses and install bomb shelters in schools and hospitals. This will provide safety for the displaced Ukrainians to return home.
21:27 Ukraine reports destruction of Russian S-300 Air Defense System
Ukraine claims to have destroyed a Russian S-300 Air Defense System in the occupied Oblast Donetsk, according to its own reports. Ukrainian General Staff Chief Oleksandr Syrskyi announced this on Twitter. A video distributed by the Ukrainian military shows several alleged ATACMS rocket hits with cluster munitions. According to Syrskyi, several launchers and a radar station of the system were destroyed.
20:49 Report: Ukrainian Government may be on the brink of resignation
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is reportedly on the verge of reshuffling his cabinet and possibly forcing the resignation of Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal. This was reported by the "Kyiv Post" citing an unnamed source in the Ukrainian parliament. The Ukrainian parliament has been instructed to prepare for a discussion and vote on a new cabinet on Tuesday in the coming week. Zelenskyy himself also addressed the rumors of a possible cabinet reshuffle on Monday. "Could there be changes in the government? Yes, probably," said the Ukrainian president. "We are in a process."
20:02 Baltic States to leave Russian power grid
The Baltic States have reportedly informed Russia and its ally Belarus of their intention to leave the power grid of the former Soviet Union. "We will cut the last energy connections with Russia," explains the CEO of the state-owned Lithuanian power grid operator Litgrid, Rokas Masiulis. The step is supposed to take effect in February 2025. Shortly thereafter, the three countries will connect to the European power grid. "In six months, we will not only disconnect from the Russian and Belarusian power grids, but also dismantle the last power lines," Masiulis explains.
19:20 Lindner criticizes Orbán's "AloneActions" of Orbán
Following the controversy over Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán's Moscow trip, Germany and other EU partners are increasing the pressure on Budapest. During a Finance Ministers meeting in Brussels, most member states called on Hungary to keep Ukraine aid as a priority. German Finance Minister Christian Lindner accused Orbán of "AloneActions". "Hungary should know that the peace and freedom order of Europe as a whole is being defended in Ukraine", Lindner stated during the public debate. This should remain a "Top-Priority" during Hungary's EU Presidency until the end of the year. Hungary's Finance Minister Mihaly Varga had previously presented seven priorities, ranging from the fight against illegal migration to competitiveness, but Ukraine was not mentioned.
You can read about all previous developments here.
1. The SBU also accused Russia of cyberattacks on Ukraine, claiming that Moscow is conducting a "cyberwar" against the country.
2. Despite the ongoing Ukraine-Conflict, Russia continues to export grain through various routes, including the new Lugaport. In June, the first 12,000 tons of grain were shipped from this port, with Cuba as the destination.
3. Volodymyr Zelensky has expressed concern about military deployments near Ukraine's borders, urging NATO and its members to provide full support to Ukraine in its defense against potential attacks.
4. A NATO spokesperson recently noted that Russia has violated several international agreements, including the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty (INF), which contributed to increased tensions between Moscow and the Alliance.
5. Amid the ongoing conflict, there have been reports of Russian attacks on critical infrastructure in Ukraine, including power stations and telecommunications facilities, which could have severe consequences for civilians.
