18:55 Finance Minister: Delays in US aid contribute to Ukraine's budget deficit
Delays in US Military Aid Contribute to Ukraine's Rapidly Rising Budget Deficit
Ukraine's Finance Minister Serhiy Marchenko tells the Financial Times in an interview that delays in US military aid have contributed to the country's rapidly rising budget deficit this year. Other government officials estimate the deficit at nearly a quarter of the country's GDP, or $43.5 billion, equivalent to around €40 million. The minister's admission about the challenging situation with military spending comes as Russian troops continue to advance across the frontline in the Donbass. Ukrainian soldiers on the ground report shortages of personnel, ammunition, and military equipment, making the defense of Ukrainian-held cities increasingly difficult. Marchenko says that the disbursement of US military aid is proceeding "slowly," more than three months after Congress approved direct military aid to Ukraine totaling $27 billion, including $13.8 billion for the purchase of modern weapons and another $13.8 billion for the purchase of US defense systems.
18:21 Governor Reports Four Injured in Russian City Strike
In the night, Ukrainian forces allegedly attacked not only the Russian region of Kursk but also the surrounding regions of Voronezh and Belgorod with drones and rockets (see entry 08:07). Governor Vyacheslav Gladkov reports that four people were injured in an attack on a city in Belgorod, including three men with shrapnel wounds who were taken to a hospital in Shebekino. Their condition is stable. The strike also damaged a residential building, a bus stop, and a bus, Gladkov says.
17:38 Russians Attempt to Break Ukrainian Defenses 26 Times near Pokrovsk
Separate from the fighting around the Ukrainian push into Russian territory near 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 near Pokrovsk on the outskirts of the Donbass, with Russian units attempting to break through Ukrainian defenses 26 times since the morning. All attacks were repelled. Independent confirmation of these reports is not possible. Near Torez, Russian troops once again attempted to advance towards the settlement of Niu York (New York), with these attacks also being repelled. Additionally, the city of Torez was targeted by Russian air strikes.
17:10 Abbas and Putin to Meet in Moscow on Monday
Palestinian 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 state-run Russian news agency TASS. "The President will arrive in the evening on August 12. It is expected that he will 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. But of course, there will also be a meeting with the Arab ambassadors," Nofal emphasizes. 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," Nofal says.
16:36 Bodies fully identified: Three girls among dead in Russian strike on supermarketThis morning, the prosecutor's office completed the identification of those killed in a Russian missile attack on Kostiantynivka in the Donetsk region. It is now confirmed that three children are among the dead. They are three girls aged 9, 11, and 16.On Friday, Russia carried out a missile strike on a shopping center in the center of Kostiantynivka. Fourteen people were killed and 44 others injured. The attack hit the Eko-Market supermarket and a post office. The bodies of two children had already been identified on Saturday.
15:54 Ukrainian armored vehicles with white triangles spotted on 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 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 clashes have been ongoing for the sixth consecutive day. The Moscow Defense Ministry reports that 35 drones were intercepted over Kursk and the regions of Voronezh, Belgorod, Bryansk, and Oryol overnight.
15:21 Kyiv sees no additional Belarusian troops and equipment at borderThe Ukraine sees no additional Belarusian troops at the border, despite Minsk claiming to reinforce it, says Andrii Demchenko, spokesperson for the state border guard service. 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 to be reinforced in the directions of Gomel and Mozyr, including sending the Polonez rocket systems and the complexes of ballistic medium-range missiles Iskander there. On the Ukrainian side, the area borders the Kyiv, Zhytomyr, 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," says Demchenko.
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 much 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 ease 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 whatever it takes to eliminate this breach," says Clark. "Putin can't let this slide."
14:04 Kyiv: Incursion into Russian territory aims to 'destabilize' RussiaAn incursion by Ukrainian troops into the Russian border region of Kursk is aimed at "destabilizing" Russia, a Ukrainian security official tells news agency AFP. "We are on the offensive," the official says. "Thousands" of Ukrainian soldiers are involved. "The goal is to disperse the enemy's positions, inflict maximum losses, and destabilize the situation in Russia," the official 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. The post preceding 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 incursion 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 downed over various parts of the country, the air force of the Ukrainian 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 claims to have 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 Kyiv
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky expresses his condolences on the deadly Russian airstrike on Kyiv in a post on the X platform. The attack killed a 35-year-old man and his four-year-old son, and injured three people, including a 12-year-old boy. In the X post, Zelensky states, "Preliminary information suggests that 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 loudmouth"
Belarus planning to send troops to the border region with Ukraine? ntv reporter Nadja Kriewald explains that Putin has been trying to drag 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 infrastructure
After a new deadly Russian airstrike near Kyiv, Ukraine aims to permanently destroy Russia's military infrastructure to stop the killing of civilians. The head of the presidential office, Andriy Yermak, says in Kyiv that it is necessary to deprive Russia of its ability to kill. He publishes 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," Yermak says about the Russian war of aggression. Ukraine hopes for a quick permission from Western allies to use longer-range rockets, even against Russian territory.
10:22 Emergency Ministry delivers aid to the Kursk border region
The Russian Emergency Ministry delivers humanitarian aid to the contested Kursk border region. The ministry reports that convoys have sent tents, blankets, mobile generators, hygiene items, food, and drinking water to the region. In cooperation with the 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 Russian fire again
Russian forces are reported to have shelled the eastern Ukrainian city of Kramatorsk in the Donetsk region for the second day in a row, according to the Ukrainian governor of Donetsk, Vadym Lysychenko, on Telegram. Infrastructure facilities are said to have been hit, and four people are reported injured. Kramatorsk is the administrative center of the Ukrainian-controlled parts of the Donetsk region. Eastern parts of the region are controlled by the Russian military.
08:59 Ukraine Publishes Figures on Russian LossesThe 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 just 24 hours, the number of losses reached 1,220. According to a report from Kyiv, six tanks, 58 artillery systems, and 27 drones were destroyed on the previous day of combat. Overall, Russia has lost 8,447 tanks, 16,663 artillery systems, 366 aircraft, 328 helicopters, 13,399 drones, 28 ships, and one submarine in the large-scale attack, according to Ukraine. Western estimates suggest lower casualty figures, but these are also only minimum values.
08:07 Russia: Massive Drone Strikes in Russian Border Regions of Belgorod and VoronezhUkrainian forces are reported to have attacked the Russian regions of Voronezh and Belgorod with drones and missiles in addition to Kursk (see entry 01:51) overnight. The governors of Voronezh and Belgorod announced this on their Telegram channels. Oleksandr Gusev, governor of the Voronezh region, reports that the air defense system shot down more than a dozen drones in the Voronezh region, causing damage to buildings. Gusev reports no injuries. There were drone strikes in several settlements in Belgorod, according to Vyacheslav Gladkov, governor of the Belgorod region, on Telegram. Explosions and fires occurred in two locations, with no injuries reported.
07:32 Rescue Service: Two Dead After Russian Attack on Kyiv RegionA Russian missile attack (see entry 00:27) has resulted in the deaths of 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 seriously injured. Missile debris fell on private homes in Brovary east of Kyiv in the evening, the rescuers reported on Telegram. 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 combat aircraft of the Su-25 type is said to have 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 reports that the attack was carried out with unguided air-to-air missiles. The Russian Ministry of Defense also states that the crew performed a missile defense maneuver, triggered heat flares, and returned to the airbase after the mission. A video showing the deployment of the combat aircraft 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 used for air support of 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 counter-reaction at home, the Institute for the Study of War (ISW) reports in a recent analysis. The analysts suggest that the Kremlin is not ready to take more drastic measures to address the situation.
05:38 Orthodox Church with Moscow ties may be bannedUkrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy hinted in his Saturday evening video address that the government plans to strengthen "our Ukrainian spiritual independence." This indicates that the leadership may ban the Orthodox Church with ties to Moscow. Since the Russian troops' invasion, the number of members in the other independent church has grown, but the Moscow-linked minority church still maintains its influence. The Ukrainian government accuses it of supporting the invasion and attempting to poison public opinion.
03:50 ISW: Ukrainians holding positions and advancingGeolocated 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 lines, according to the Institute for the Study of War (ISW).
01:51 Russia: Injured by Ukrainian missile in Kursk cityAt least 13 people, including two severely injured, were hurt by debris from a downed Ukrainian missile in the Russian city of Kursk, the acting governor of the border region reported.
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 city center and east. The Ukrainian air force stated 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 anticipation" decisions from USA, UK, and FranceUkraine may expect the delivery of more long-range weapons to maintain its defense against Russian aggression. In his evening video address, President Zelenskyy said, "We also await with anticipation the decisions of the United States, the United Kingdom, and France regarding long-range capabilities - decisions that will bring us closer to a fair peace." For a long time, Ukraine has been trying to convince Germany to supply Taurus long-range missiles, which Chancellor Olaf Scholz has rejected.
22:17 Ukraine Suspects 28 Officials of Embezzling Defense Budget Funds
The 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 embezzlement of funds allocated for Ukraine's defense. The Prosecutor General's Office reported that the total damage to the state amounts to over 1.5 billion Hryvnia, approximately €33 million. According to the investigation, employees of the Ministry of Defense, military units, joint ventures, regional military administrations, city councils, and company directors in various regions of Ukraine were involved in the embezzlement. As a result of the investigation, 28 individuals were suspected, including nine members of organized criminal groups.
You can read all previous developments here.**
The European Union has expressed concern over the increasing tensions between Ukraine and Russia, calling for an immediate de-escalation of the conflict. The delayed disbursement of military aid from the United States has put additional pressure on Ukraine's already substantial budget deficit, which is estimated to be nearly a quarter of the country's GDP, according to Ukrainian Finance Minister Serhiy Marchenko.
Despite the challenges, the European Union has pledged its continued support to Ukraine, with high-level officials expressing solidarity and offering assistance in various forms to help the country weather the crisis. The European Union's stance on this issue underscores its commitment to upholding peace and stability in the region and promoting democratic principles and values.
