18:47 Ukraine again hits helicopter with drone
18:22 Russian Oligarch Condemns War as "Crazy"
A Russian billionaire, Oleg Deripaska, has drawn heavy criticism in Russia for his surprisingly blunt condemnation of the war against Ukraine. In an interview with the Japanese newspaper "Nikkei Asia," Deripaska called for an "immediate, unconditional ceasefire." "If you want to end the war, you have to stop the shelling first," he said this week on the sidelines of an economic conference in Japan, where he participated as an official representative of Russia. He described the violent conflict as "crazy." Russian philosopher Alexander Dugin, considered one of the key ideologists of this war, then sharply criticized the businessman. "This is a stab in the back of our forces and support for the terrorists of the Ukrainian army, which have infiltrated the Kursk region," Dugin explained via the Telegram messaging service.
17:54 Strack-Zimmermann Defends Ukrainian Attack on "Enemy on Its Territory"
The chair of the Defense Committee in the European Parliament, Marie-Agnes Strack-Zimmermann, defends the use of Western weapons on Russian territory by the Ukrainian army: "The Ukrainians are sticking to all the agreements they've made with the donor countries," says the FDP politician to the Funke media group's newspapers. Regardless, Ukraine has the right to self-defense. "This includes the right to attack the enemy on its own territory," emphasizes Strack-Zimmermann. She is glad that the EU is fully behind Ukraine's efforts to restore its territorial integrity and sovereignty and combat Russia's illegal aggression.
17:21 Expert: German-supplied Tanks Involved in Attacks
British security and defense expert Michael Clarke explains that tanks produced in Germany or the US are being deployed in the Kursk region. "It looks like the Ukrainians have obviously decided to support the push. And within about 48 hours, they've done it with some quite large units," Clarke said on Sky News. These include tanks and armored vehicles provided by the US and Germany. Whether vehicles from British production are also being used remains unclear, according to Sky News.
16:55 CDU Foreign Policy Figures Oppose KretschmerCDU foreign policy figures criticize Saxony's Minister President Michael Kretschmer for his demand to reduce military aid to Ukraine. "Germany has a great responsibility to stand by a country that Germany itself invaded during World War II," says Johann Wadephul, deputy chairman of the CDU parliamentary group in the Bundestag, to "Spiegel". "We stand on the side of freedom, and we will live up to our responsibility. That is the clear and unwavering position of the Union," emphasizes the CDU politician. Jürgen Hardt, foreign policy spokesman of the Union faction, confirms: "The CDU/CSU faction in the German Bundestag has a unanimous opinion on this. We fear that Putin will only be ready for eye-level negotiations when he sees that he could suffer a serious defeat in the war against Ukraine." For this, Kyiv must again go on the offensive in the defense of its state territory. "For that, Ukraine still needs military equipment from the free world," says Hardt.
16:28 Mexico Refuses to Arrest Putin During VisitThe Mexican government states that it will not arrest Russian President Vladimir Putin if he comes to the inauguration of the new Mexican head of state. Ukraine had made a corresponding request. "We cannot do that," says Mexican President Andrés Manuel López Obrador before journalists and adds that "it is not our task."
15:57 Gressel: Ukraine "Probably Wants to Occupy Territory Longer"According to Gustav Gressel, the attack on the Russian Kursk is not a "pinprick" like previous attacks behind the border. The military expert estimates that Ukrainian troops are binding Russian forces and at the same time gaining an advantage in possible negotiations over territories.
15:33 Death Toll Rises: Twelve Dead After Rocket Attack on SupermarketIn the eastern Ukrainian city of Kostjantyniwka, at least twelve people were killed and 44 injured in a Russian rocket attack, according to official figures. "A strike by Russian terrorists on an ordinary supermarket and a post office. People are under the rubble," writes President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Telegram. Rescue operations are ongoing. The head of state expressed his condolences to the relatives of the victims. According to the Interior Ministry, a fire broke out over an area of around 1,000 square meters. Kostjantyniwka is only about ten kilometers from the front line between Ukrainian and Russian troops. (see entry at 12:34)
15:10 Faber: Kretschmer's Behavior "Disgusts Me"For his proposal to reduce weapons aid to Ukraine, Saxony's Minister President Michael Kretschmer receives criticism from the Bundestag. "It disgusts me how a Minister President uses the survival struggle of the Ukrainians for his regional election campaign," says the chairman of the Defense Committee, Markus Faber. German weapons deliveries would help Ukraine defend itself. They would not do this out of war lust, "but because they don't want to live in a big Bucha where the Russian army is randomly killing, torturing, and raping," Faber adds.
14:41 ISW: Ukraine has operationally surprised Russia in Kursk
The lack of a coherent Russian response to the Ukrainian incursion into the Kursk region and the reported pace of the Ukrainian advance suggest that Ukrainian forces have achieved an operational surprise along the border with Russia. This is according to the latest report by the Institute for the Study of War (ISW). Over the past one and a half years of the Ukraine war, it has been difficult for both sides to surprise the enemy due to the partially unclear battlefield in Ukraine. Analysts say the Kremlin will try to retake the Russian territory in the Kursk region seized by Ukrainian forces. Further advancement of Ukraine into Russia would be a strategic blow to Russian President Vladimir Putin's long-standing efforts to stabilize and secure Russia and Russia's geopolitical revival.
14:14 Kretschmer wants to cut Ukraine arms aid
Saxony's Minister President Michael Kretschmer has called for a reduction in arms aid to Ukraine amid the federal budget dispute. "We can no longer take up funds for weapons for Ukraine that are used up and bring nothing," Kretschmer told the German Editorial Network. "Everything must be in proportion. Support yes, but we can see that we are reaching our limits." Kretschmer points to the growth of the budget in recent years. "Before the corona crisis in 2019, we had a budget volume of 344 billion euros. We are now at 480 billion euros and yet the traffic light coalition cannot agree on the budget," criticizes the CDU politician. "That shows that everything is out of control. Citizens' money around 50 billion euros, migration dozens of billions, arms aid tens of billions. That won't work."
13:52 Ukraine: Police order evacuation of around 20,000 people in border region Sumy
Ukrainian authorities have issued an evacuation order for around 20,000 people in the eastern region of Sumy, which borders Russia. The order affects 28 locations under "enemy fire," the police explained on the Telegram online service. Local security forces are already in place to accompany the measure. The Sumy region borders the Russian region of Kursk, into which Ukrainian troops entered on Tuesday.
13:22 Russia reinforces troops in contested border region Kursk
After the advance of Ukrainian troops into the southern Russian border region of Kursk, the Defense Ministry in Moscow is sending units to reinforce its troops. Columns with Grad multiple rocket launchers, artillery, and tanks are being deployed to the region, the Interfax news agency reported, citing the ministry. According to local authorities, fighting with the invading Ukrainian troops is ongoing. "Fighting continues some dozen kilometers" from the city of Kursk and the Kursk nuclear power plant, a local official said on the Telegram short messaging service.
12:57 Mangott on Kyiv's Goals in Kursk: "Third Reason: Humbling Slap for Putin"Observers suspect that Ukraine's attack on Russian territory is an attempt to capture territory as leverage in negotiations. Political scientist Gerhard Mangott believes that Kyiv's forces are unlikely to hold onto territories for long, but he suspects other motives behind the incursion.
12:34 Zelensky: Four Dead After Russian Attack on Supermarket in KonstantinovkaAt least four people were killed and 24 injured in a Russian artillery attack on the city of Konstantinovka in the contested Donetsk region of eastern Ukraine, according to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on the platform X. Rescue and recovery efforts are ongoing. The governor of Donetsk, Vadym Filashkin, reported that the city came under Russian artillery fire. Images shared by the governor on Telegram show thick black smoke rising from the destroyed building. Radio NV published images of the burning supermarket and the surrounding destruction. The exact consequences of the attack are still unclear. "The attack on the supermarket in Konstantinovka is another case of Russian terror. War against civilians is all they can do," said the head of the presidential office, Andriy Yermak, on Telegram. Konstantinovka is regularly targeted by Russian forces. In September 2023, a Russian attack on a local market in Konstantinovka left 17 dead and over 30 injured.
11:53 Russian Emergency Ministry Declares Emergency in KurskThe Russian Emergency Ministry has declared a federal emergency in the Kursk region bordering Ukraine. According to the Moscow government, Russian forces are continuing to repel the advance of Ukrainian units in Kursk. The state news agency RIA reported this, citing the defense ministry. Around a thousand Ukrainian soldiers were said to have entered the area on Tuesday, according to Russian reports.
11:32 Video Shows Burnt Russian Military Trucks in KurskA video published on social media and verified by Reuters shows a convoy of burnt Russian military trucks in the Russian region of Kursk. The vehicles are seen along a highway. The video shows around 15 trucks, including one marked with the letter Z, which is the symbol used in Russia for its "special military operation" in Ukraine. Reuters was able to verify the location in the video as the village of Oktyabr'skoe based on buildings, trees, and roadways. However, it was not possible to determine exactly when the video was taken.
10:55 Media: Chain Reaction in Russian Lipetsk Destroys 700 BombsA drone attack on a military airport in the Russian region of Lipetsk triggered a chain reaction that destroyed more than 700 bombs, according to a source from the Ukrainian intelligence agency "The Kyiv Independent". Earlier, Russian authorities had reported that a drone attack in the region had caused a fire at a military airport and damaged an energy facility. The source told "The Kyiv Independent" that the airport was storing fighter jets and helicopters. It is not known how many were damaged or destroyed in the attack.
10:35 Kyiv Claims Attack on Military Airbase in LipetskThe Ukrainian military reports that it attacked a military airbase in the Russian region of Lipetsk overnight. The strike damaged stocks of guided bombs, causing a large fire and several explosions, according to a Telegram message from the Ukrainian military. The airbase hosts Russian combat aircraft including Su-34, Su-35, and MiG-31 models. Lipetsk is located east of the border region of Kursk, deeper into Russia's interior.
10:08 Munz: "Russians Unable to Counterattack"Since Russia's invasion on February 24, 2022, Ukraine has been defending its territory. However, for the past three days, Ukrainian troops have also targeted the border region of Kursk in Russia. ntv-Moscow correspondent Rainer Munz explains why this surprise offensive presents several challenges for the Russian military leadership.
09:44 Human Rights Activist: Russia Regressing to Stalinist TimesOleg Orlov, a human rights activist released in a prisoner exchange from Russian detention, criticizes the extent of repression in today's Russia in an interview with news agency AP. Orlov says that under Russian President Vladimir Putin, people are imprisoned for criticizing authorities, a practice not seen since the time of Soviet dictator Josef Stalin. "We're sliding back into Stalinist times," says Orlov, co-chair of Memorial, one of Russia's oldest and most renowned human rights organizations, awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2022. Orlov was sentenced to two and a half years in prison in February for criticizing Russia's war in Ukraine in an article. His release in the prisoner exchange between Russia, Belarus, and several Western countries surprised him completely.
09:00 Ukraine Releases Figures on Russian LossesThe Ukrainian General Staff has published new casualty figures for Russian troops in Ukraine. Since February 24, 2022, Russia has reportedly lost around 588,540 soldiers in Ukraine, with 1,030 losses in the past 24 hours alone. According to a Kyiv report, 3 tanks, 49 artillery systems, and 2 air defense systems were also destroyed. Overall, Ukraine claims Russia has lost 8,434 tanks, 16,536 artillery systems, 366 aircraft, 327 helicopters, 13,325 drones, 28 ships, and one submarine since the start of the large-scale invasion. Western estimates suggest lower casualty figures, but these are also likely minimums.
08:19 Media: Mass Fires in Rylsk, Kursk RegionStrong explosions and mass fires were reported overnight in the city of Rylsk in the Russian region of Kursk, according to "The Kyiv Independent," citing reports on Russian-language Telegram channels. Residents in the village of Stepanovka reportedly heard four explosions. The cause of the explosions is unknown. Rylsk is located around 35 kilometers from the Russian-Ukraine border.
07:37 Russia: Emergency Declared After Drone Attack on Military AirbaseMassive explosions have occurred following a Ukrainian drone attack on a military airbase near Lipetsk. Governor Igor Artamonov announced on Telegram that an emergency has been declared in the city of Lipetsk to address the aftermath of the explosions. Four villages around the military airport have been evacuated. Public transportation in Lipetsk and surrounding areas has been stopped. Six people were injured as a result of the attacks.
06:52 Media: Explosion After Ukrainian Attack on CrimeaAn explosion has occurred on the Russian-occupied Ukrainian peninsula of Crimea, according to "Ukrainska Pravda" citing Telegram reports. Mikhail Razvozhayev, the Russian governor of the city of Sevastopol, wrote on Telegram that the forces of the Black Sea Fleet and air defense have repelled an attack by Ukrainian forces on Sevastopol, destroying three drones. Additionally, the Russian air defense is said to have shot down a Ukrainian Neptune sea-launched cruise missile over the sea near Sevastopol. The Telegram channel "CrimeaWind" reports on shots and a heavy explosion in Tschornomorskyi, as well as the work of the Russian air defense in the area of the Belbek airport. A black smoke column was reported to have risen over the airport, and a strong smell of fire was reported in the coastal area of the city, according to the Telegram channel "CrimeaWind" citing subscribers. There are no reports yet on possible casualties.
06:05 Media: Fire on Military Airbase in Russian Region of LipetskA fire has broken out on a military airbase in the Russian region of Lipetsk, according to Russian news agencies RIA Novosti and TASS. The cause of the fire is not yet known. Shortly before, the local governor announced evacuations due to a "massive" drone attack near the city of Lipetsk, which caused explosions and power outages, according to Igor Artamonov on Telegram. An emergency has been declared in the Lipetsk district, and four villages are being evacuated. Some of the villages mentioned are located near an air force base outside the city. No casualties have been reported, according to his report. Ukrainian authorities have not reported any attacks on the region. Lipetsk is located approximately 300 kilometers from the Ukrainian border.
05:02 Putin May Not Have Known About Ukrainian Troop BuildupValery Gerasimov, chief of the Russian General Staff, may have ignored intelligence warnings that Ukrainian forces were gathering near the border with the Kursk Oblast, Bloomberg reports citing a source close to the Kremlin. Ukrainian forces crossed the border into the Kursk Oblast on August 6, bringing the fighting onto Russian territory. According to the report, Ukrainian forces began gathering near the border with the Kursk region two weeks before the start of their offensive. Russian President Vladimir Putin was not informed about the troop buildup.
03:21 Due to US Missiles: Half of Germans Fear Escalation with RussiaThe German and US governments have agreed that the US will station long-range weapon systems like Tomahawk cruise missiles in Germany from 2026, capable of reaching targets in Russia. A survey by Civey for the Funke media group finds that 50 percent of Germans expect further escalation of the conflict with Russia. 38 percent do not believe the plans will lead to further escalation, while 12 percent are undecided. 44 percent view the stationing positively, while 42 percent view it negatively, with 14 percent undecided.
01:14 Minister-President Kretschmer Calls for Reduction in Weapons Aid to UkraineSaxony's Minister-President Michael Kretschmer is calling for a reduction in weapons aid to Ukraine, given the federal budget. "We can't keep providing funds for weapons to Ukraine that are being used up and aren't achieving anything. Everything must be in proportion," Kretschmer told the German Press Agency. "We should support Ukraine, but we're reaching our limits." He points to the budget increase in recent years. "Before the COVID-19 crisis in 2019, our budget was 344 billion euros. Now it's 480 billion, and yet the coalition can't agree on the budget," Kretschmer said.
23:35 Kiesewetter: Ukrainian Offensive Legally and Strategically JustifiedCDU foreign policy expert Roderich Kiesewetter sees the latest Ukrainian military offensive on Russian territory as legally and strategically justified. The surprise move by Ukraine is "clearly legally justified under the right to self-defense" and "militarily sensible," Kiesewetter told the Tagesspiegel. The Ukrainian troops' advance aims to tie down Russian forces in the Kursk region and inflict significant losses, relieving pressure on other fronts, he said.
22:30 Pentagon: Ukrainian Incursion into Kursk Region Aligns with US PolicyThe US Department of Defense's deputy press secretary, Sabrina Singh, said the Ukrainian incursion into the Russian region of Kursk aligns with US policy, according to the news portal Kyiv Independent. Asked if Ukraine can use US-supplied weapons, Singh said the US has "supported Ukraine from the start in defending against attacks coming across the border." The Kursk region borders the Ukrainian region of Sumy, which has been under daily Russian attacks since its liberation in April 2022. Ukraine is taking measures to protect itself from attacks and operating within the framework of US policy, using US weapons, systems, and capabilities, Singh said.
22:09 BSW MEP De Masi calls for "as soon as possible ceasefire and negotiations"
Following the Ukrainian troops' advance into Kursk, BSW MEP Fabio De Masi calls for "as soon as possible a ceasefire and negotiations". The Ukraine has "major difficulties defending its own territory", De Masi told the "Tagesspiegel". Advances "deep into Russian territory" only make sense "if the goal of Ukraine is a stronger escalation dynamic". The risks are immense, the Euro MP said. "Consider, for example, the Russian nuclear power plant in the region. Russia is a nuclear power and has the escalation dominance".
21:50 Authorities in Kursk region report at least five civilian deaths
Russian troops, according to Moscow, have been fighting for the third day against a Ukrainian incursion across the border. The Russian military and border guards are preventing Ukrainian units from advancing further into Kursk, the Russian Defense Ministry said. At the same time, the Russian army is attacking Ukrainian forces attempting to retreat from the Ukrainian border region of Sumy. According to the Russian Health Ministry, 66 civilians have been injured since the beginning of the Ukrainian incursion, including nine children. Authorities in the Kursk region report at least five civilian deaths, including two paramedics. Ukraine has not yet commented on the incursion.
21:30 EU foreign policy chief Borrell: Lukashenko regime involved in illegal deportation of Ukrainian children
The Belarusian regime is complicit in Russia's war against Ukraine, according to EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell in Brussels. In addition to political, military, and logistical support, Belarus has contributed to the illegal deportation of Ukrainian children from temporarily occupied areas of Ukraine. Since 2021, the regime has also orchestrated migration pressure on the EU's external borders, according to a statement from the European External Action Service.
You can read all previous developments here.
The Ukrainian conflict continues to be a source of controversy, with some individuals advocating for peace while others defend actions taken against Russia. For instance, Russian billionaire Oleg Deripaska criticized the war as "crazy" and called for an immediate ceasefire, while Marie-Agnes Strack-Zimmermann, chair of the Defense Committee in the European Parliament, defended the use of Western weapons by Ukrainian forces in self-defense and to restore territorial integrity.
