17:10 Abbas and Putin meeting announced in Moscow on Monday
Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas to Visit Moscow from August 12 to 14 and Likely Meet Russian President Vladimir Putin on August 13
Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas will visit Moscow from August 12 to 14 and is expected to meet Russian President Vladimir Putin on August 13, according to Palestinian Ambassador to Russia Abdel Hafiz Nofal, who told the state-run Russian news agency TASS. "The President will arrive in the evening on August 12. He is expected to meet with President Putin on Tuesday, and beforehand, Mahmoud Abbas will lay flowers at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Moscow. The President will depart on August 14. Of course, there will also be a meeting with the Arab ambassadors," Nofal emphasized. According to the diplomat, the Palestinian-Israeli conflict will be the main topic of the talks. "The situation in Gaza. They will discuss the role of Russia and what can be done. We have a very difficult situation, and Russia is a friendly country. We need to consult," Nofal said.
16:36 All Bodies Identified: Three Girls Among Dead in Russian Attack on Supermarket
The identification of those killed in a Russian missile attack on Kostyantynivka in the Donetsk region has been completed by the prosecutor's office. It has been confirmed that among the dead are three children - three girls aged 9, 11, and 16. On Friday, Russia carried out a missile attack on a shopping center in the center of Kostiantynivka, killing 14 people and injuring 44 more. The attack hit the Eko-Market supermarket and a post office. Two children's bodies had already been identified on Saturday.
15:54 Ukrainian Armored Vehicles with White Triangles Spotted on Way to Kursk
Dozens 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 form of a white triangle on the vehicles, apparently indicating that they are part of the Ukrainian army's advance into Kursk. Fighting continues in the Russian border region of Kursk after the incursion of Ukrainian troops. The fighting has been ongoing for the sixth consecutive day. The Russian Defense Ministry reports that 35 drones were intercepted over Kursk and the regions of Voronezh, Belgorod, Bryansk, and Oryol overnight.
15:21 Kyiv Reports No Additional Belarusian Troops and Equipment at Border
Ukraine has not seen any additional Belarusian troops at the border, despite Minsk's claims of reinforcing the border, says spokesman for the state border guard service Andrii Demtschenko. 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 medium-range ballistic missiles Iskander there. On the Ukrainian side, the area borders the Kyiv, Shytomyr, and Chernihiv regions. "The situation at the border is fully under control. We are not registering any movement of equipment or personnel near our border," Demtschenko said.
14:43 Expert on Kursk offensive: "Surprise attack benefits Kyiv"Defense and security expert Michael Clarke tells U.S. broadcaster Sky that Ukraine has 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 far 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 says. "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 says Kyiv is likely hoping to draw good units of the Russian army and relieve pressure on Ukrainian frontlines elsewhere. There are indications that Moscow is pulling its better units out of the south of Ukraine, including from the areas of Chassiv Yar and Pokrovsk. "Russia will do everything necessary to eliminate this breach," says Clark. "Putin can't let this pass."
14:04 Kyiv: Incursion into Russian territory aims to 'destabilize' RussiaAn incursion by Ukrainian troops into the western Russian border region of Kursk aims to "destabilize" Russia, according to Kyiv. "We are on the offensive," says a Ukrainian security official to news agency AFP. "Thousands" of Ukrainian soldiers are involved. "The goal is to disperse the enemy's positions, inflict maximum losses, and destabilize the situation in Russia," he says.
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 Russian forces will not be long in coming," says Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova on the Telegram messaging service. She warns that those behind and those responsible for the "crimes" in Kursk will be held accountable.
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 immediately before, it says 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 says it has shot down 53 out of 57 drones in the latest Russian attack. The drones were destroyed over various parts of the country, the air force of Ukraine's capital Kyiv reports. Russia also used four North Korean rockets, it says.
12:20 Russia: Lancet drone destroys Ukrainian tank in KurskThe Russian Defense Ministry says it has destroyed a Ukrainian tank in the Kursk region using a Lancet drone. The ministry published 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 in a deadly Russian airstrike on Kyiv. 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 his X post, Zelensky states, "Preliminary information suggests that the Russians used a North Korean rocket in this attack - another deliberate act of terror against Ukraine." Pyrotechnics experts are working to determine the exact data of the rocket.
11:31 Kriewald: "Lukashenko is wise to remain a braggart"Belarus plans to send troops to the border region with Ukraine? ntv reporter Nadja Kriewald explains that Putin has been trying to draw 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. Andrij Jermak, head of the presidential office, says in Kyiv, "It is necessary to destroy its military infrastructure because the enemy does not accept other arguments." Ukraine hopes for a swift approval from western allies to use longer-range rockets, even against Russian territory.
10:22 Ministry of Emergency Situations delivers aid to border region of KurskThe Russian Ministry of Emergency Situations delivers humanitarian aid to the contested border region of Kursk. Tents, blankets, mobile generators, hygiene items, food, and water are sent to the region. The aid will be distributed to people in collaboration with local authorities. Over 76,000 people have had to leave their homes due to ongoing clashes between Russian and Ukrainian forces.
09:47 Ukraine: Kramatorsk under Russian fire againRussian forces are reported to have shelled the eastern Ukrainian city of Kramatorsk in the Donetsk region for the second day in a row. The region's governor, Vadym Filaschkin, writes on Telegram that infrastructure facilities were hit, and four people were injured. Kramatorsk is the administrative center of the Ukrainian-controlled parts of the Donetsk region, while the eastern parts 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 data, Russia has lost approximately 590,920 soldiers in its war against Ukraine since February 24, 2022. In the past 24 hours alone, the number of casualties is reported to be 1,220. A report from Kyiv claims that on the last day of fighting, six tanks, 58 artillery systems, and 27 drones were destroyed. Since the start of the large-scale invasion, Russia has reportedly lost a total of 8,447 tanks, 16,663 artillery systems, 366 aircraft, 328 helicopters, 13,399 drones, 28 ships, and one submarine, according to Ukraine. Western estimates put the casualty figures lower, but these are also likely to be minimum values.
08:07 Russia: Massive Drone Strikes in Russian Border Regions of Belgorod and VoronezhUkrainian forces reportedly 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, reported that the air defense system shot down more than a dozen drones in the Voronezh region, damaging buildings. Gusev stated that there were no casualties. In several settlements in Belgorod, there were reports of drone strikes. Vyacheslav Gladkov, governor of the Belgorod region, wrote on Telegram that there were explosions and fires in two locations, with no reported injuries.
07:32 Rescue Service: Two Dead After Russian Strike on Kyiv RegionA Russian missile strike (see entry 00:27) killed 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 reportedly 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 reportedly 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 stated that the attack was carried out using unguided air-to-ground missiles. The Russian Ministry of Defense also stated that the crew performed an air force missile defense maneuver, triggered heat flares, and returned to the airbase. A video showing the fighter jet's deployment was published on the Telegram channel of the Ministry of Defense. The Su-25 fighter type is a ground attack aircraft developed in the Soviet Union and is currently being 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 resort to harsher measures.
05:38 Orthodox Church with Moscow Ties to be Banned?In his evening video address on Saturday, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky hinted at strengthening "our Ukrainian spiritual independence," implying that the government plans to ban the Moscow-linked branch of the Orthodox Church. Since the Russian invasion, the number of members in the other independent church 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 indicate 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 center and east of the city. 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 US, 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 Zelensky 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 FundsThe Ukrainian Prosecutor General's Office, in collaboration with the State Investigation Bureau, National Police, and Security Service of Ukraine, 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 were involved in the misappropriation. As a result of the investigation, 28 individuals were suspected, including nine members of organized criminal groups.
You can read all previous developments here.
(Note: The original text was already in English, so the translation remains the same.)
The European Union may express concerns over the ongoing conflict in Ukraine and the potential impact on regional stability. The Palestinian President's visit to Moscow could also include discussions about the Palestinian-Israeli conflict with Russian leadership.
