18:38 Observed Enhancement in Russian Oil Transit via Ukraine, According to Reports
July: Russia Boosts Oil Export Through Ukraine by Half, Confirms Kyiv Analyst
Russia reportedly boosted its oil exports through Ukraine by half in July, according to Kyiv-based analyst firm ExPro. The amount of Russian oil flowing through the "Friendship" pipeline into EU countries jumped to 1.09 million tonnes from 540,000 tonnes in June, the company reported. Previously, Hungary and Slovakia had complained about Ukraine limiting oil flow, warning of potential fuel shortages from September. However, EU Vice-President Valdis Dombrovskis criticized both countries for not adequately seeking alternatives to Russian oil supplies, which have been under embargo since Russia's invasion of Ukraine. Hungary, Slovakia, and the Czech Republic currently enjoy exemptions.
17:56 Relatives Hunt for Missing Soldiers in Kursk
Numerous Russian conscripts have gone missing or been captured following the Ukrainian counteroffensive in the Kursk region, according to media reports. At least 81 conscripts are missing, with another 38 identified as prisoners in videos released by Ukrainian military, according to the Russian service of the BBC. The data is based on pleas from family members of the recruits. Initially, Russian President Vladimir Putin had promised that only contract soldiers and volunteers would be deployed in the war zone. However, the Kremlin considers the defense of Kursk not to be part of the so-called "military special operation." Russia does not disclose its losses in Kursk.
17:19 Authorities Probe into Suspicious Drones Over Industrial Site
German authorities are investigating suspicious drone flights over industrial facilities in Schleswig-Holstein. The German military is providing radar data to assist the investigation, following a police request for help. Chemical firm Covestro and Swiss construction company Holcim have also offered their support. Covestro confirms having detected drone activity. The companies are located within the ChemCoast Park in Brunsbüttel and are under investigation for potential espionage and sabotage.
16:51 Civilians Lose Lives in Daily Russian Attacks
Daily civilian casualties continue: Eight civilians lost their lives in Russian attacks, according to Ukrainian authorities. Two people died in the Sumy region, while three were killed in the Kharkiv region. Another three deaths were reported in the Donetsk and Kherson regions.
16:20 NATO Base in Geilenkirchen Clears Security Alert
After raising the security level to its second-highest level due to a potential threat, NATO airbase in Geilenkirchen lowered it again. The spokesperson for the base did not disclose the nature of the threat. The second-highest security level in NATO jargon indicates an event or evidence of an impending terrorist action against the alliance. As a precaution, many personnel were sent home.
16:01 Federal Prosecutor Probes Freed German National
The German Federal Prosecutor's Office is investigating Rico Krieger, a German national freed from detention in Belarus as part of a prisoner exchange, for allegations of causing explosions. Krieger was sentenced to death in Belarus for terrorism and mercenary activities but was later pardoned and handed over to Germany. Krieger denies the accusations. According to "Die Welt am Sonntag," Krieger had applied to join the "Kastus Kalinouski Regiment" in Ukraine, a Belarusian volunteer unit supporting Ukrainian forces against the Russian invasion.
15:44 Modi Urges Zelenskyy for Negotiations with Russia
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi urged Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to engage in talks with Russia to end the war. Modi visited Kyiv as a "friend" and proposed a peaceful resolution. "The solution lies in dialogue and diplomacy; we should act swiftly in that direction," Modi said. Both sides should sit down to find a way out of this crisis, without demanding the withdrawal of Russian troops.
15:22 Wagner Group Splits Following Prigozhin's Death
British assessments suggest that Russia's private army Wagner has fractured one year after the death of its leader Yevgeny Prigozhin. Since the plane crash, leading Wagner figures have departed the group. The British Defense Ministry reported that Wagner's strength had shrunk from 50,000 personnel in 2023 to approximately 5,000 in its current deployments in Belarus and Africa. Many former Wagner fighters have moved to the Russian army or defense ministry-controlled units. Prigozhin died in the crash of his private jet after inciting a mutiny against Russian military leadership two months earlier. All nine other persons on the plane also perished.
14:38 ISW: Kyiv Forces Push Moscow to Shift Troops Due to the push of Ukrainian forces in the western Russian region of Kursk, analysts estimate that Moscow is moving troops out of the neighboring nation it invaded initially. The Russian military reportedly transferredsome units from the southeastern Ukrainian region of Zaporizhzhia to strengthen the defense of Kursk, according to the U.S. Institute for the Study of War (ISW). They refer to posts by deployed soldiers on social media. However, Russia is reportedly attempting to maintain the main front in the eastern Ukrainian region of Donetsk unscathed. Dive deeper into this topic here.
13:59 Security Expert: German Ukraine Aid Credibility under Threat The budget dispute in the German government is putting a significant damper on trust in the dependability of German aid to Ukraine, says security expert Christian Mölling from the German Council on Foreign Relations. He mentions the talk of potentially limiting German aid to Ukraine and replacing it with interest-free loans from frozen Russian assets instead. "Germany has really shot itself in the foot with this idea, leading to considerable international backlash," Mölling says on the "Die Lage" podcast of Stern. No one knows when or if this plan will work, he adds. "The problem is: the money hasn't been handed over yet, and the blueprint for giving it to Ukraine is still unclear."
13:31 Modi Embraces Zelensky in Kyiv Visit Weeks after his controversial handshake with Russian President Vladimir Putin, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi also clasps hands with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. Modi visits a memorial for Ukrainian children lost in the war alongside Zelensky, where he places a teddy bear. India, the most populous nation in the world, maintains an official neutral stance in the conflict. It does not apply Western sanctions on Russia and continually advocates for dialogue to resolve the conflict, although it has yet to present concrete proposals.
13:03 Crucial Ferry Link to Crimea Suspended A day following a Ukrainian attack, the Russian port of Kavkaz, vital for supplying Crimea, remains closed to ferries. Russia's transport ministry says ferry service will resume once cleanup work is completed. Kavkaz is located in the Strait of Kerch, connecting the Black Sea and the Sea of Azov. Crimea, annexed by Russia from Ukraine in 2014, is visible from Kavkaz, making it one of the Black Sea's crucial transit hubs. Fuel and ammunition are sent to Crimea through this port.
12:20 Putin Russia Expert: "Eventually, Putin's Revenge Strategy Will Surface" Russian President Vladimir Putin appears anxious in the face of Ukrainian military successes in Kursk, according to Russian political analyst Ekaterina Schulmann. "This is his typical reaction in such situations," she says. "He disappears until the situation settles, then acts like everything's okay again." Other Russia analysts believe the Kremlin is currently assessing options for a counterattack. Putin is known for taking his time when making such decisions, they say. "Eventually, we'll find out how Putin plans his revenge," warns Alexander Gabuev, director of the Carnegie Russia-Eurasia Center in Berlin.
11:41 Russian Fuel Depot in Proletarsk Still Ablaze
The Russian fuel depot in Proletarsk in the southern Russian region of Rostov continues to burn. According to NASA's Fire Monitoring Program, the facility is still on fire today, and the Telegram channel Baza, close to Russian investigative authorities, reports that the fire is still raging. According to Baza, the depot was hit again by a Ukrainian drone last night.
11:12 Ukraine Hopes for a Symbolic Embrace with Modi
Although India, as a BRICS member, stands firmly with Russia, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky now receives Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Kyiv. They hope for mediation to bring an end to the war in Kyiv. Due to the Kharkiv offensive, the Ukrainians are "more interested than ever in peace negotiations," says ntv reporter Nadja Kriewald.
10:45 Ukrainian Air Defense System Active in Multiple Regions
The Ukrainian military claims to have destroyed 14 out of 16 Russian attack drones launched last night. "The air defense system was active in the regions of Cherkassy, Kirovohrad, Poltava, and Sumy," the air force reports.
10:16 Ukraine Comments on Sunken Ferry in Kavkaz
The Ukrainian Navy responds to the destruction of a ferry in the Russian port of Kavkaz. "Another unquestionably military target has been eliminated," Navy spokesman Dmytro Pletentschuk says on Ukrainian television. The ferry was to supply the enemy with fuel. The ferry has sunk, and the port is currently inaccessible. Local authorities report that the attack took place on Thursday, with the ferry catching fire. The port of Kavkaz on the Black Sea supplies, among other places, the Crimea, which Russia annexed from Ukraine in 2014, with fuel.
09:44 Russian Ambassador: "No Buffer Zone on Russian Territory"
Russian Ambassador to the USA Anatoly Antonov chats about the Kharkiv offensive and Kyiv's plan for an buffer zone there: "Nah, can't happen. No buffer zone is forming on Russian land," mentions TASS news agency, citing him. Meanwhile, he throws a warning that Russia won't seek Washington's approval to push out Ukrainian forces from the Kursk region. He tags the USA as constantly pushing Russia's patience to its limits and trying to prod Moscow into making rash, emotional decisions.
09:10 Online Scrutiny Shows: Dissatisfaction with Putin Increasing in Russia
It's not surprising: Since Ukrainian forces moved into Russian land two weeks ago, discontent towards President Vladimir Putin seems to be surging across Russia. A study by FilterLabs AI, shared by the "New York Times," suggests that numerous online contributors view Ukraine's advance as a failure of the Russian government and Putin specifically. "Putin's response to the intrusion was at best inadequate and at worst obnoxious," says Jonathan Teubner, FilterLabs CEO. The company monitors attitudes in Russia by examining social media.
08:36 Modi is in KyivIndian Prime Minister Narendra Modi is presently in Ukraine, as per reports from Indian and Ukrainian media. He's scheduling a meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. Ukraine seeks India's backing, being a powerful global voice, but also harbors reservations about its professed neutrality. In July, Modi paid a visit to Moscow. Photos of him embracing Russian President Vladimir Putin unsettled Ukraine and many Western countries.
08:05 Russia Claims Nuclear Plant Attack is "False Alarm"Russian President Vladimir Putin suspects Ukraine of planning to assault the nuclear power plant in Kursk. However, ntv reporter Rainer Munz weighs in on the actual probability of a nuclear disaster due to the war.
07:33 China and Belarus Forge Stronger Partnership, Also in SecurityChina and Belarus have agreed to intensify cooperation in fields like trade, security, energy, and finance, as per a joint statement after a meeting between Chinese Premier Li Qiang and Belarusian Premier Roman Golovchenko. They also aim to beef up cooperation in industrial supply chains and improve trade facilitation to cut costs for both parties. China is Belarus' second-largest trading partner and its top partner in Asia.
07:05 Ukrainian Soldiers Lament Inexperienced Recruits and Supremacy of Russian Air PowerUkrainian commanders and soldiers are voicing concerns about the shoddy training of new recruits and Russia's dominance in the air and ammo at the eastern front. "Some fear firing. They spot the enemy in firing position in the trench and don't open fire. That's why our men are falling," says a commander of the 47th Brigade. "If they don't use the weapon, they're useless." In May, the government introduced a controversial mobilization law, and since then, tens of thousands of fighters have been drafted each month, with the highest demand in infantry. Nevertheless, there are logistical challenges in training, equipping, and paying so many new people.
06:35 Moscow Believes USA will Relax Weapons Use Restrictions for UkraineAs per Russian ambassador to the USA, Russia suspects that the USA will soon scrap all limitations on using weapons provided to Ukraine. Anatoly Antonov, as quoted by the RIA news agency, stated, "The current administration acts like a person who extends one hand but hides a dagger behind their back with the other." They're setting the stage to jettison all restrictions at some point without giving it much thought. Antonov suggests that meaningful dialogue with the USA is only feasible if they renounce their "adversarial" approach towards Russia. He also mentioned that a meeting between Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and USA Secretary of State Antony Blinken at the UN General Assembly next month is unlikely.
06:09 Harris: Trump Egged on Putin to Invade Europe
Democratic presidential nominee Kamala Harris has unequivocally pledged her support to NATO and vowed to continue backing Ukraine, which is under siege from Russia. "I'll confront Russia boldly and support Ukraine fervently," she said in her speech at the Democratic Party convention in Chicago. Her Republican competitor, Donald Trump, however, had threatened to leave NATO, she asserted. He also allegedly urged Russian President Vladimir Putin to invade Europe.
05:38 Network Agency Chief: "Federal Government Remains on High Alert"
Despite full gas storage, the president of the Network Agency, Klaus Müller, insists on caution in gas usage. "The federal government remains on high alert. We must still exercise vigilance," Müller told the Augsburger Allgemeine. He also referred to the Ukrainian army's incursion into Russian land, which might worsen the situation. "Not just the gas infrastructure itself is contested, but the area surrounding this infrastructure is a war zone on both sides," Müller told the newspaper. This includes the Gazprom gas station in Sudzha, which is located a few kilometers from the Ukrainian border on Russian soil and is a vital distribution point for gas exported to Europe.
Today, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi is making his first visit to Ukraine. He's scheduled to meet with President Volodymyr Zelensky in Kyiv, as announced by India's Ministry of External Affairs earlier. India has been maintaining a neutral stance on the Russian invasion, refusing to impose western sanctions on Moscow and becoming one of the largest purchasers of cheap Russian oil worldwide. India consistently advocates for a peaceful resolution to the conflict through dialogue. Modi stated during a visit to Poland that "no problem can be solved on the battlefield. The loss of innocent lives on battlefields is humanity's greatest challenge." Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk urged Modi to play a mediating role in the conflict.
03:31 Sources: US Plans to Send Additional Military Aid Worth $125 Million
Government officials have revealed that the US intends to send another $125 million worth of military aid to Ukraine. This latest package includes air defense missiles, ammunition for M142 HIMARS multiple rocket launchers, Javelin missiles, and various other weapons, equipment, and vehicles. The officials spoke anonymously, and the official announcement is expected today, one day before Ukraine's Independence Day. Delivery of the weapons is expected to be fast, as they'll come from Pentagon stocks.
02:12 Ukraine Reports 53 Russian Attacks Near Pokrovsk in a Day
The Ukrainian military reported 53 Russian attacks on the frontline near Pokrovsk in eastern Ukraine throughout Thursday. The city's capture remains the primary goal of Russian forces, according to the General Staff. There's been no statement from Moscow regarding these attacks as of yet. Information indicates that Russian troops have been progressively moving towards Pokrovsk in recent days.
01:16 SPD Leader: Without Weapons Deliveries, Ukraine Would Disappear
Just prior to state elections in Thuringia and Saxony, SPD chairwoman Saskia Esken reiterated her support for Ukraine in its fight against Russia. Chancellor Olaf Scholz is working towards a peaceful resolution, Esken told Funke media group newspapers. However, she believes that "as long as Putin continues his aggressive actions against Ukraine, peace cannot be achieved through diplomacy." Esken linked her remarks to criticism of BSW party leader Sahra Wagenknecht, stating that "if we were to cease delivering weapons to Ukraine today, the country would be conquered tomorrow and disappear the day after. And this would have catastrophic consequences for European security, which would certainly not lead to less militarization and would not bring about peace."
23:56 Ukraine Fears Its Worst Winter Ever
Following Russian attacks that have destroyed a significant portion of Ukraine's power and energy infrastructure, the country is bracing for one of its coldest and darkest winters on record. Ukrainian Energy Minister Herman Haluschtschenko emphasized this in a video conference, stating that "we are facing our harshest winter ever." This winter is expected to be even more challenging than the previous one due to the damage caused by the ongoing Russian attacks. Haluschtschenko further mentioned that the Russian military is employing various weapons in a coordinated attack approach to cause as much destruction as possible. In colder climates, electricity consumption is roughly 19 gigawatts, and an additional gigawatt of reserves must be created; however, Russian attacks have destroyed approximately 9 gigawatts of capacity.
23:08 NATO Increases Security Level at Geilenkirchen Airbase
Due to an apparent threat, NATO has heightened its security level at the airbase in Geilenkirchen, North Rhine-Westphalia. Non-essential personnel have been sent home as a precautionary measure, allowing critical operations to continue. An unnamed spokesperson highlighted that "this is not a cause for concern and is a preventative measure to ensure that we can continue our important duties." Law enforcement officials are on the scene, although further details, such as the number of deployed forces, are not being disclosed.
22:07 Ukraine Reports Strike Against Kursk Support Point
The Ukrainian military has reported another attack on Russian troops in the Kursk region. On Thursday afternoon, they launched precision-guided US bombs against a Russian support point, according to the commander of the air forces, Mykola Oleshchuk. The targeted site included a drone command post, a radio-electronic combat unit, equipment, weapons, and around 40 Russian military personnel. A video showing the attack was also shared by Oleshchuk.
21:43 Swiss Peace Summit Holds First Follow-up Meeting
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Following the Peace Summit in Switzerland in June, the first follow-up meeting took place, as reported by Ukraine. Participants from more than 40 nations and organizations attended the virtual meeting. Subsequent meetings involving working groups are planned for the future.
You can access all previous developments here.
In light of the ongoing conflict, the Kremlin is reportedly reassessing its military presence in the Kursk region due to pressure from Ukrainian forces. This strategic shift comes as Russian conscripts have gone missing or been captured in the region, with at least 81 reported missing and 38 identified as prisoners. These developments have put a strain on Russia's military operations in the area.
Furthermore, the Russian military has been experiencing challenges in maintaining its troops and resources. The Kremlin has reportedly been shifting units from the southeastern Ukrainian region of Zaporizhzhia to strengthen its defense in Kursk. However, these moves have not gone unnoticed, and analysts believe that Moscow is attempting to maintain a strong presence in the eastern Ukrainian region of Donetsk.
