17:38 Russians make 26 attempts to break through the Ukrainian defensive lines
Beyond the clashes in the Ukrainian push into Russian territory around Kursk, Russian troops have continued their attacks in the east of Ukraine. The main areas of combat were around Torez and Pokrovsk, according to the Ukrainian General Staff in Kyiv. The heaviest fighting was registered at Pokrovsk on the outskirts of the Donbass. In total, Russian units made 26 attempts since the morning to break through Ukrainian defensive lines, all of which were repelled. Independent confirmation of these reports is not possible. At Torez, Russian troops once again attempted to advance towards the village of Niu York (New York), but these attacks were also repulsed. Additionally, the city of Torez was targeted by Russian air strikes.
17:10 Meeting of Abbas and Putin announced for Monday in MoscowPalestinian President Mahmoud Abbas will visit Moscow from August 12 to 14 and is expected to meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin on August 13, according to Palestinian Ambassador to Russia Abdel Hafiz Nofal, as reported by the Russian state news agency TASS. "The President will arrive on August 12 in the evening. It is expected that he will meet with President Putin on Tuesday, and before that, Mahmoud Abbas will lay flowers at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Moscow. The President will depart on August 14. But 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 country close to us. We need to consult," said Nofal.
16:36 Bodies fully identified: Three girls among the dead in Russian attack on supermarketThe identification of those killed in a Russian missile strike on Konstantinovka in the Donetsk region has been completed by the prosecutor's office. It is now known that among the dead are three children - three girls aged 9, 11, and 16. On Friday, Russia carried out a missile strike on a shopping center in the center of Konstantinovka, killing 14 people and injuring 44 more. 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 form of a white triangle on the vehicles - apparently a sign that these are part of the Ukrainian army's push into Kursk. After the incursion of Ukrainian troops, fighting continues in the Russian border region of Kursk. The battles have been ongoing for the sixth consecutive day. The Ministry of Defense in Moscow 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 BorderThe Ukrainian State Border Guard Service spokesperson, Andrii Demtschenko, states that Ukraine has not observed any additional Belarusian troops near the border, despite Minsk's claims of reinforcement. This 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 Gomel and Mozyr directions to be strengthened, including the deployment of Polonez rocket systems and Iskander ballistic missile complexes. The area borders the Kyiv, Chernihiv, and Sumy regions in Ukraine. "The situation at the border is fully under control. We are not registering any movement of equipment or personnel near our border," says Demtschenko.
14:43 Expert on Kursk Offensive: "Surprise Attack Benefits Kyiv"Defense and security expert Michael Clarke tells U.S. broadcaster Sky that Ukraine launched a "completely surprising" attack against Russia in the Kursk region this week. According to Clarke, everything indicates that Ukraine is "winning this battle as much as possible." "They have not only launched a surprise attack - they have launched an attack of complete astonishment. They have surprised 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 information has been given about Ukraine's objectives, but Clarke says that Kyiv undoubtedly hopes to draw good units of the Russian army and relieve pressure on Ukrainian frontlines elsewhere. There are indications that Moscow is withdrawing its better units from the south of Ukraine, including from the areas of Chassiv Yar and Pokrovsk. "Russia will do everything necessary to eliminate this breach," says Clarke. "Putin cannot let this pass."
14:04 Kyiv: Incursion into Russian Territory Aims to "Destabilize" RussiaThe incursion of Ukrainian troops into the western Russian border region of Kursk aims to "destabilize" Russia, according to Ukrainian security officials cited by the AFP news agency. "We are on the offensive," says a Ukrainian security official. "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 Announces Harsh Response to Attacks on Kursk Border RegionFollowing new Ukrainian attacks on the Russian border region of Kursk, Moscow has announced a harsh response. "A harsh reaction from the Russian armed forces will not be long in coming," states Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova on the Telegram messaging service. She promises to hold accountable those responsible for the "crimes" in Kursk.
13:05 Belarus: Video Purports to Show Tank Transport to Ukraine BorderThe Belarusian Ministry of Defense has published on social media footage showing several tanks being loaded onto a train. The post preceding it states that units are being put on alert. The reinforcement of troops at the border between Belarus and Ukraine is a reaction to the alleged incursion of Ukrainian combat drones into Belarusian airspace.
12:48 Ukraine: 53 Russian Drones DestroyedUkraine claims to have shot down 53 out of 57 drones in the latest Russian attack. The drones were destroyed over various parts of the country, according to the air force of the Ukrainian capital, Kyiv. Russia also used four North Korean rockets, it is reported.
12:20 Russia: Lancet Drone Destroys Ukrainian Tank in KurskThe Russian Ministry of Defense claims to have destroyed a Ukrainian tank in the Kursk region using a Lancet drone. The ministry shared this information on Telegram and published a video purporting to show the destruction of the Ukrainian forces' tank.
11:53 Zelensky: Russia Uses North Korean Rocket Against KyivUkrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky expressed his condolences on the X platform to the family and relatives of the victims of the deadly Russian air strike on Kyiv. According to preliminary information, 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 Does Well to Remain a Blusterer"ntv reporter Nadja Kriewald explains that Putin has been trying to draw Belarus into the active war zone for years and does not expect this to happen anytime soon.
10:41 Ukraine Wants to Destroy Russia's Military InfrastructureAfter a new deadly Russian air strike near Kyiv, Ukraine wants to permanently destroy Russia's military infrastructure to stop the killing of civilians. The head of the presidential office, Andrij Jermak, said in Kyiv that it is necessary to deprive the enemy of the ability to kill. He published 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," Jermak said about the Russian war of aggression. Ukraine hopes for a swift approval from Western allies to use long-range rockets, including against Russian territory.
10:22 Emergency Ministry Delivers Aid to Border Region of KurskThe Russian Emergency Ministry has delivered humanitarian aid to the contested border region of Kursk. This was announced by the ministry. Tents, blankets, mobile generators, hygiene items, food, and drinking water have been sent to the region in convoys. 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 Fire AgainRussian forces have reportedly shelled the eastern Ukrainian city of Kramatorsk in the Donetsk region for the second day in a row. This was written by the Ukrainian governor of Donetsk, Vadym Lysychenko, on Telegram. Infrastructure facilities were hit in the attacks, and four people were injured. Kramatorsk is the administrative center of the Ukrainian-controlled parts of the Donetsk region. The Russian military controls eastern parts of the region.
08:59 Ukraine Releases Figures on Russian LossesThe Ukrainian General Staff has published new loss figures for Russian troops in Ukraine. According to them, Russia has lost around 590,920 soldiers in the war against Ukraine since February 24, 2022. In just 24 hours, the number of losses was 1,220. According to a report from Kyiv, six tanks, 58 artillery systems, and 27 drones were destroyed among other things on the last day of fighting. Overall, Russia has lost 8,447 tanks, 16,663 artillery systems, and 366 aircraft, 328 helicopters, 13,399 drones, 28 ships, and one submarine, according to Ukraine. Western estimates give lower loss figures - but these are only minimum values.
08:07 Russia: Massive Drone Attacks in Russian Border Regions of Belgorod and VoronezhIn the night, Ukrainian forces attacked not only the Russian region of Kursk (see entry 01:51) but also the surrounding Russian regions of Voronezh and Belgorod with drones and rockets. This was reported by the governors of Voronezh and Belgorod 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. According to Gusev, there were no injuries. There were drone attacks in several settlements in Belgorod. Vyacheslav Gladkov, governor of the Belgorod region, wrote on Telegram. In two places, there were explosions and fires. There were no injuries.
07:32 Rescue Service: Two Dead After Russian Attack on Kyiv RegionAs a result of a Russian rocket attack (see entry 00:27), a 35-year-old man and his four-year-old son were killed in a suburb of the Ukrainian capital Kyiv, according to the state rescue service. Three other people were seriously injured. Rocket debris fell on private homes in Brovary east of Kyiv in the evening, the rescuers wrote on Telegram. Father and son were trapped under the rubble of a building.
07:04 Russia: Russian Su-25 Jet Allegedly Hits Ukrainian Forces in Russian Kursk
A Russian combat aircraft of the Su-25 type reportedly attacked and hit Ukrainian forces in the border region of the Russian Kursk region, according to the Russian Ministry of Defense on Telegram. The Russian Ministry of Defense said the attack was carried out using unguided aerial rockets. The Russian Ministry of Defense also stated that the crew performed an air force missile defense maneuver, triggered heat-seeking, and returned to the airbase. A video showing the combat aircraft's deployment was published on the Telegram channel of the Ministry of Defense. The Su-25 aircraft 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 Region
The Kremlin has likely decided to declare an anti-terrorist operation instead of martial law to downplay the Ukrainian invasion in the Kursk region and prevent panic or backlash at home, according to a report by the Institute for the Study of War (ISW). Analysts suggest that this indicates the Kremlin's unwillingness to take more drastic measures in response to the situation.
05:38 Orthodox Church with Moscow Ties May be Banned
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy hinted in his evening video address on Saturday that the government plans to strengthen "our Ukrainian spiritual independence," implying that the leadership may ban the Orthodox Church with ties to Moscow. Since the Russian troops' invasion of Ukraine, the number of members in the other independent church has been growing. However, the Moscow-linked minority church still maintains its influence, with the Ukrainian government accusing it of supporting the invasion and attempting to poison public opinion.
03:50 ISW: Ukrainians Hold and Advance on Positions
Geolocated 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 beyond their previously confirmed positions, according to the Institute for the Study of War (ISW).
01:51 Russia: Injuries Reported in Kursk City from Ukrainian Rocket
At least 13 people, including two severely injured, were hurt by debris from a downed Ukrainian rocket in the Russian city of Kursk, according to the acting governor of the border region.
00:27 Explosions Heard in Ukrainian Capital Kyiv
Several explosions were heard in the Ukrainian capital Kyiv, with AFP journalists reporting the blasts in the city center and east. The Ukrainian air force stated that two Russian rockets 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 the USA, UK, and FranceThe Ukraine may soon receive additional long-range weapons to maintain its defense against Russian aggression. In his evening video address, President Zelensky said: "We also await 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 been trying to convince Germany to supply Taurus long-range missiles, but Chancellor Olaf Scholz had rejected this.
22:17 Ukraine Suspects 28 Officials of Embezzling Defense Budget FundsThe Ukrainian Prosecutor General's Office, along 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 to embezzle funds from the defense budget of Ukraine. The Prosecutor General's Office reported that the total damage to the state amounts to over 1.5 billion Hryvnia, approximately 33,000 Euros. According to the investigation, employees of the Ministry of Defense, military units, joint ventures, regional military administrations, city administrations, and directors of companies in many regions of Ukraine were involved in the embezzlement. 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.
In light of the ongoing military operations between Russian and Ukrainian forces, a potential topic for discussion between Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas and Russian President Vladimir Putin could involve Russia's position and possible contributions to resolving the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
In the aftermath of the Russian missile strike on Konstantinovka in the Donetsk region, there may be calls for further military operations or responses to protect civilians and ensure accountability for the civilian casualties caused by the attack.
