18:53 EU gives out 4.2 billion Euros to Ukraine
Ukraine is set to receive the first regular payout from the EU's new billion-dollar aid program. The country has met the requirements for this payment, according to the EU commission in charge of the evaluation. Nearly 4.2 billion Euros could be disbursed. The requirements for the first payment reportedly included the government in Kiev passing new laws to enable a more effective fight against tax evasion and economic crime. In addition, fundamental principles for the management of state-owned enterprises had to be adapted, and a national energy and climate plan had to be adopted.
3:17 Russia dismantles Holodomor memorials in Luhansk
In the eastern Ukrainian city of Luhansk, which is under Russian control, Holocaust memorials for the victims of Stalin's repressions and victims of the Holodomor were dismantled. This is reported by Radio Free Europe (RFE). RFE refers to videos that are being spread on Telegram. The Holodomor, also known as the Ukrainian Famine, was a famine caused by Stalin in Ukraine from 1932 to 1933, which millions of people fell victim to.
15:49 Power outages in the hot southern Russia
Due to extreme heat and a failed atomic reactor, power consumption in southern Russia must be reduced in many regions. Planned power outages affect consumers in the Rostov region, as Governor Vasili Golubev writes on his Telegram channel. In Sevastopol on the annexed Crimean Peninsula, the local power supplier is announcing power cuts of twelve hours a day - every two hours with electricity, then two hours without.
15:05 Russia ships first grain from new Baltic Sea terminal to Cuba
Russia has reportedly shipped the first grain 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. Recently, Russia has been trying to use various export routes. From the Lugaport, 12,000 tons of grain were shipped for the first time in June. According to data from the information provider LSEG, the destination was Cuba. The port of Ust-Luga made headlines in January when an oil terminal caught fire. Ukrainian media reported that the cause was a drone attack by the Ukrainian intelligence services.
14:29 Ukraine arrests "Russian informant" in Kharkiv
The 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 security services. The SBU reportedly documented how the woman was on the move in the eastern outskirts of Kharkiv and recorded the locations of Ukrainian troops' checkpoints and other military fortifications.
13:44 NATO sends top British officials to Kiev
NATO is strengthening its civilian representation in Ukraine and sending a high-ranking alliance representative to Kiev. The former deputy secretary-general, Patrick Turner, will lead the NATO representation in the Ukrainian capital from September and function as the central contact person for local authorities. The British will also help coordinate military support for Ukraine and provide Allies with information and assessments of the situation in the country. This follows the decisions of the NATO summit last week in Washington.
15:03 Russia: Ukrainian drone kills two civilians in Belgorod
In the Russian border region of Belgorod, according to local authorities, two people were killed in a Ukrainian drone attack. The victims were reportedly a young couple who were traveling in a civilian vehicle outside the city of Belgorod, Regional Governor Vyacheslav Gladkov stated.
14:36 Russia and Ukraine exchange prisoners of war
Russia and Ukraine have exchanged prisoners of war according to Russian reports. Each side handed over approximately 95 soldiers, the Russian Defense Ministry announced. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy also confirmed this on the platform X. The United Arab Emirates facilitated the exchange. The returning Russian soldiers will first undergo medical checks in Moscow.
13:55 Sharma: Ukraine must give up symbolic village
The Ukraine is taking a series of setbacks at the front, as reported by NTV reporter Kavita Sharma in Kiev. Following 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 denies doubts about offensive success
The Kremlin has dismissed speculation about the failure of the Russian offensive in the northeastern Ukraine. "The operation continues and will continue until it is successfully completed," Kreml spokesman Dmitry Peskov said today. Yesterday, the governor of Belgorod announced access restrictions to 14 villages on the Russian side near the border. These measures were taken to protect the population from Ukrainian attacks. In response to a question about whether the access restrictions indicated that the offensive in the northeast had failed, Peskov replied: "No, that's not the case."
12:48 Study: Social benefits have little impact on employment of Ukrainian refugees
Social benefits such as social assistance have little effect on the employment rate of Ukrainian refugees. Instead, factors such as social networks in the respective countries, the level of English language proficiency of the population, and childcare are significant. This is according to a Europe-wide study by the Institute for Labor Market and Vocational 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 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 local authorities: The city administration has already implemented an underground school project. The construction of three more such facilities has begun. The children will be better protected from Russian air raids in this way.
11:22 Media: Ukraine is to receive 32 outdated F-16s from Greece
Greece plans to decommission and transfer 32 outdated F-16 combat jets to the USA. After modernization, these planes are expected to be delivered to Ukraine, according to the portal "New Voice of Ukraine," citing a report from the Arabic broadcaster Al Jazeera. Ukraine already has 60 F-16 jets from Denmark, Norway, and the Netherlands but reportedly needs at least 150 combat jets to launch rockets and missiles against Russia and repel aerial attacks on a broad front. There have been devastating bombing raids, the latest on a children's hospital in Kyiv with at least seven fatalities.
10:35 Ukraine reports 112 frontline engagements since yesterday
In the past 24 hours, the Ukrainian army's General Staff recorded 112 engagements along the frontline. Among these were four rocket attacks on Ukrainian forces and populated areas, as well as 71 air raids using 119 guided air-dropped bombs. Russia conducted over 4,300 artillery attacks, including 121 with multiple rocket launchers, according to the update.
09:54 Russia and China begin joint naval exercise
Russia and China have begun a naval exercise in the South China Sea. The exercise is scheduled to last three days, according to Russian and Chinese state media. They will reportedly practice air and submarine defense during the drills, with live ammunition 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 Ministry reports 42,000 missing Ukrainians
Approximately 42,000 people are currently missing in Ukraine, including soldiers and civilians. The Interior Ministry released this information. The number was previously higher, at around 51,000, according to the Ministry. Of the approximately 4,000 soldiers reported missing in battle, some bodies have been found and identified. About 3,000 missing persons have been found alive, many of whom were prisoners of war. Identifying the dead is difficult because the Defense Ministry does not take genetic samples from soldiers it sends into the field.
08:15 Hungary advocates for Russia's participation in the second Ukraine peace conference
Hungary is advocating for Russia's participation in the planned second Ukraine peace conference. There are efforts to hold another peace conference 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." Hungary currently holds the EU presidency. The first peace conference took place in June at the request of Ukraine, with representatives from over 90 countries attending in Switzerland. Russia expressed its disinterest in the conference and was therefore not invited.
07:46 Russia and Ukraine to exchange prisoners today
Russia and Ukraine plan to exchange 90 prisoners today. This was reported by the Bloomberg news agency, citing a source. Last week, Ukrainian parliamentary human rights ombudsman Dmytro Lubinez announced that the Ukrainian government, with the help of the United Arab Emirates, was planning a large-scale prisoner exchange with Russia. The two warring parties have already exchanged prisoners on multiple occasions.
06:55 Ukrainian Startups Develop Robots for the FrontlineUkrainian Startups develop cost-effective Robots for Mine clearing, evacuation of battlefields, transportation of equipment and combat units. This is reported by the Ukrainian agency Ukrinform. An "ecosystem of labs in hundreds of secret workshops" uses innovations to create a Robot army. Ukraine hopes that this army can kill Russian troops and save its own wounded soldiers and civilians, according to Ukrinform.
06:20 Heads of State and Government of 47 Countries Speak about UkraineAt the invitation of the new British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, the Heads of State and Government of 47 Countries will meet tomorrow. The 27 EU member states plus 20 Third States will discuss, among other things, further aid for Ukraine in the defense war against Russia. German Chancellor Olaf Scholz is also registered. There will be several round tables 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 reportedly grants 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 of the G7 countries, reports the news agency Kyodo, citing informed sources. The USA and the European Union (EU) are each supposed to contribute 20 billion Dollars. Japan, Great Britain and Canada contribute together ten billion Dollars. The package is supposed to be adopted at a G7 summit at the sidelines of the G20 Finance Summit at the end of the month in Brazil.
03:26 German Government Grants Ukraine ten Million Euros for the Reconstruction of a Children's ClinicAfter the rocket attack on the children's hospital in Kiev, the German Development Ministry grants the Ukrainian government ten million Euros for the reconstruction. The funds will be used together with funds from other donors and donors to make the hospital operational and winterproof again as soon as possible, reports the "Rheinische Post" based on ministry information. This includes repairs and maintenance work on facades, in treatment rooms and the power and heating supply.
02:10 Medvedev Warns NATO of a "Point of No Return"After the NATO summit's promise to consider Ukraine for membership, the former Russian President Dmitri Medvedev renewed his threats against the Alliance. In an article for the Russian news portal Argumenty I Fakty, he called a possible Ukrainian membership a potential declaration of war on Russia. "This would essentially be a declaration of war - if only with a delay. The measures that Russia's adversaries have taken against us for years by expanding the Alliance, ... bring the NATO to a point of no return." Russia does not threaten the NATO, but will react to attempts by the Alliance to advance its interests, Medvedev said. "The harder their attempts, the harsher our responses will be." Whether this tears the whole planet apart depends only on the wisdom of the NATO side.
01:00 Ukrainian soldiers use "expired" ammunitionThe Ukrainian Defense Ministry, according to its own statements, has returned a "considerable amount" of old ammunition to the military, which should have been disposed of before the first Russian attack on Ukrainian territory in 2014. 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 today on the battlefield is life-saving," said Deputy Defense Minister Yuriy Dyzhjar. Everything that can be repaired and reused is given a second life.
23:37 Ukrainian troops give up positions in the southeastUkrainian 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. "In both settlements, it made no sense anymore to hold the positions," quote Ukrainian media sources from the General Staff. The fighting for the settlement of Krynky on the southern bank of the Dnipro River in the Cherson region was criticized from the start due to its futility. It is unclear whether Ukrainian soldiers are still holding positions on the southern bank of the Dnipro River. Read more here.
22:07 New aid for UkraineThe United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, Filippo Grandi, has announced a new aid package of $100 million (around €93 million) during a visit to Ukraine. The UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) will support the preparation for winter and will continue to support the government in Kiev in helping displaced or otherwise affected Ukrainians, Grandi said at a meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Kiev. The aid organization also plans to mobilize future funds to support the attacked land. Zelenskyy thanked for the help, which is urgently needed due to the damage to the energy infrastructure from Russian attacks. At the same time, the Presidential Administration announced that the country still needs help to rebuild destroyed houses and install bomb shelters in schools and hospitals. This will give displaced Ukrainians the security to return home.
21:27 Ukraine reports destruction of Russian S-300 air defense systemThe Ukraine has reportedly destroyed a Russian S-300 air defense system in the occupied Donetsk oblast, according to its own statements. This was announced by Ukrainian General Staff Chief Oleksandr Syrskyi on Twitter. In a video distributed by the Ukrainian military, several hits from alleged ATACMS rockets with area denial munition can be seen. According to Syrskyi, several launchers and a radar station of the system were destroyed.
20:49 Report: Ukrainian Government may resign
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy apparently is on the verge of reshuffling his cabinet and demanding the resignation of Premier Minister Denys Schmyhal. This is reported by the "Kyiv Post," citing an unnamed source in the Ukrainian Parliament. The Ukrainian Parliament has reportedly been instructed to prepare for a discussion and vote on a new cabinet on Tuesday of the coming week, according to the newspaper. Zelenskyy himself also commented on the rumors of a possible cabinet reshuffle on Monday. "Could there be changes in the government? Probably, yes," said the Ukrainian president. "We are in a process."
20:02 Baltic States leaving Russian power grid
The Baltic States have reportedly informed Russia and its ally Belarus of their withdrawal from the power grid of the former Soviet Union. "We will cut the last energy connections with Russia," explains the CEO of the state Lithuanian grid operator Litgrid, Rokas Masiulis. This step is supposed to take place in February 2025. Shortly thereafter, the three countries will connect to the European power grid. "In half a year, 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 "Alleingänge"
Following the controversy over Viktor Orbán's Moscow trip, Germany and other EU members are increasing pressure on Budapest. At a finance ministers' meeting in Brussels, most EU members called on Hungary to continue prioritizing Ukraine aid. German Finance Minister Christian Lindner accused Orbán of "Alleingänge" (going it alone). "Hungary should know that the peace and freedom order of Europe as a whole is being defended in Ukraine," said Lindner in the public debate. This should also be a top priority during Hungary's EU presidency by the end of the year. Hungary's Finance Minister Mihaly Varga had previously presented seven priorities, from combating illegal migration to competitiveness, but did not mention Ukraine.
You can read about all previous developments here.**
- In response to the ongoing Ukraine-Conflict, NATO has strengthened its support for Ukraine, including sending top British officials to Kiev for civilian representation and providing military assistance.
- The Politically tense situation between Ukraine and Russia has led to military deployments in the region, with both sides exchanging prisoners of war and reporting casualties.
- In an escalation of the cyberwar between Ukraine and Russia, Ukraine reportedly disrupted power supply in parts of southern Russia using cyberattacks, causing power outages and disruptions.
- Volodymyr Zelenskyy, the President of Ukraine, has called for stronger international support in the face of Military attacks from Russia, including appealing to NATO for further military aid.
- Russia's involvement in the Ukraine-Conflict has also affected its relations with other countries, with some nations, such as Hungary, advocating for Russia's participation in peace talks, despite international condemnation of its actions.
