19:35: Allegations of Gold Smuggling: Criminal Proceedings Against German Nationals in Russia
In Russia, a criminal probe is ongoing regarding a German individual suspected of smuggling gold. The 58-year-old German national was allegedly attempting to illegally bring "13 kilograms of premium gold bars" into the country, as per the Russian customs service. A criminal charge has been filed. The authorities have refrained from disclosing the man's identity. The man was reportedly apprehended by officials in the Pskov region, bordering Belarus, Latvia, and Estonia. The estimated value of the gold bars is over 90 million rubles (approximately 900,000 euros). Customs officers and Russian FSB personnel prevented the illegal importation of the gold. The whereabouts of the suspect are currently undisclosed. If convicted, he faces up to five years in prison and a fine of up to one million rubles.
19:05 Ukraine: 102 missiles intercepted in "largest air raid"The heaviest Russian air attack on Ukraine since the conflict began in February 2022, according to Ukrainian sources, involved over a hundred missiles and drones, as stated by Ukrainian Air Force Commander Mykola Oleschchuk on Telegram. 102 of the 127 Russian missiles were intercepted and destroyed, along with 99 of 109 drones. This coordinated strike marked the "largest air raid" so far.**
18:40 Zelensky sends reinforcements to PokrovskUkrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has announced the deployment of additional reinforcements to Pokrovsk's vicinity. He disclosed that he had received updates from the military's leadership on the region's situation, according to Telegram.**
18:10 Macron: Arrest of Telegram CEO "not a political decision"French authorities acknowledged the investigation into Telegram's founder Pavel Durov two days after his arrest. French President Emmanuel Macron tweeted, "The arrest occurred within the scope of an ongoing judicial investigation." "This was not a politically motivated decision." The courts have the ultimate say in this matter.**
17:42 Report: 15-year-old sentenced to prison in Russia for "terrorism"A 15-year-old student in Russia has been sentenced to prison for expressing support for Ukraine, as reported. According to Russian opposition media outlet Mediazona, a court in Khabarovsk sentenced the teenager to 4.5 years in a juvenile detention center for "membership in a terrorist organization" and "planning a terrorist act." The verdict was passed on August 16, but only became public recently. The boy's grandmother suspects he was encouraged by Russian security services. The boy had openly expressed his support for Ukraine to his classmates and on social media.**
17:13 Governor: Dam Attack Caused No Significant DamageThe governor declared that the Russian attack on a dam near Kyiv had no major consequences. Assuming there are no further attacks or air raid alerts, the dam's road will be reopened later this afternoon, as indicated by Ruslan Kravchenko to the Ukrainian service of Radio Liberty.**
16:46 Ukrainian Defense Minister Vows Response to AttacksUkrainian Defense Minister Rustem Ummerov has pledged a retaliation to the massive Russian assaults on Ukraine. "Ukraine is crafting its response. Our country's weaponry," he noted, quoting the Defense Ministry on X. He also urged Western allies to strengthen Ukraine's long-range capabilities and remove restrictions on attacks on Russian military bases.**
16:12 Wagner Group Claims: No Mercenaries in Ukraine CurrentlyThe Wagner Group affirms that its mercenaries are not currently participating in the conflict alongside Russian forces in Ukraine. They are solely operating in Belarus and Africa, according to a statement published on Telegram, as reported by "Kyiv Independent." Wagner mercenaries are not affiliated with the Russian National Guard or the Russian Defense Ministry, the group maintains. As of now, Wagner is not contributing to the Russian invasion of Ukraine, the group claims.**
15:40 Second Longest Air Raid in Kyiv Since War CommencedDue to the massive Russian attacks on Ukraine, an air raid warning in Kyiv persisted for 7 hours and 46 minutes. This is the second longest air raid warning in the capital since the Russian invasion's beginning, according to journalist Denis Trubetskoy. The longest lasted for nine minutes more, he writes on X. According to former advisor to the Ukrainian Interior Minister, Anton Gerashchenko, the air raid warning in certain Ukrainian regions lasted up to ten hours.**
15:15 Russia Reports Counterattack in KurskRussian forces reportedly attacked Ukrainian troops at over a dozen locations along the frontline in the Russian region of Kursk, as claimed by the Russian Defense Ministry. Ukrainian attacks were also repelled at seven other locations in Kursk. Furthermore, Ukrainian troops were shelled at fifteen locations in the Sumy region, which borders Russian Kursk.**
14:55 IAEA Director to Prioritize Inspection of Nuclear Power Plant in KurskThe Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), Rafael Grossi, has prioritized an inspection of the Kursk nuclear power plant in the Russian oblast of the same name, where Ukrainian troops have infiltrated. Grossi stated the situation was critical and that nuclear facilities' safety must not be compromised. The inspection is scheduled for Tuesday. Thousands of Ukrainian soldiers infiltrated Kursk in a surprise attack on August 6.**
14:47 Blaze at Russia's Largest Oil Refinery in OmskA blaze has ignited at Russia's largest oil refinery situated in the city of Omsk, as reported by the refinery's operator Gazprom. They announced via a statement that the fire is being managed and was detected by the plant's built-in safety system. Production activities continue uninterrupted. Seven workers sustained injuries in the fire, according to the Russian news agency TASS. Unfortunately, one of them has passed away, as per the Interfax agency. Initially, only two injuries were reported.
14:32 Russian Forces Declare Attacks on Western Weapons and Ammunition StocksRussian troops have allegedly attacked gas compressor stations and power transformers in Ukraine, claimed the Ministry of Defense in Moscow. The energy centers were targeted by drones and missiles, the ministry stated, serving the Ukrainian military-industrial complex with electricity. Moreover, Western weapons and ammunition stored in two Ukrainian airfields were also attacked.
14:09 Washington Post Report: Over 240 Russian Soldiers Captured in KurskSince their unexpected incursion into the Russian region of Kursk in early August, Ukrainian troops have reportedly captured more than 240 Russian soldiers, according to a report by the Washington Post. The newspaper analyzed more than 130 photographs and videos recorded since the incursion of August 6, most of which were captured by Ukrainian soldiers and posted online. The analysis also included photographs taken by a Washington Post photographer from a prison where Russian soldiers imprisoned in Ukraine are said to be detained. "The authentic images show at least 247 captive Russian soldiers, supporting the claims of Ukrainian authorities that hundreds of Russian soldiers were captured during the incursion," the report states. Many young military recruits appeared to have surrendered without any resistance.
13:43 Unidentified Object Enters Polish Airspace, Search is Still OngoingAn object entered Polish airspace and presumably landed on Polish territory during Russia's assault on Ukraine, reported the Polish state news agency PAP, citing the army's operations command. The hunt for the object, which was not a rocket, remains active. "During the large-scale attack on Ukrainian territory on Monday, an object likely entered Polish territory," General Maciej Klisz, the operational commander of the armed forces, communicated to Polsat News. The Guardian reported, citing a military spokesperson, that the object was presumably a drone.
13:21 Alleged Russian Missile Strikes Dam North of KyivA dam located north of Kyiv was reportedly struck by a Russian missile during a massive air attack on Ukraine, according to Ukrainian media. Yaroslav Trofimov of the Wall Street Journal shared a video, featuring part of the hydroelectric power plant on fire. "If the dam fails, millions living downstream may perish," Trofimov wrote. No official reports of structural damage have been released yet.
12:57 Zelensky Speaks of "Heaviest Attacks" by Russia
Russia, as per Ukrainian reports, utilized more than 100 missiles and nearly 100 drones in the recent massive attack. "This was one of the heaviest attacks," noted Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in a video message posted on Telegram. While the Russian Ministry of Defense claims they struck all targeted objectives using massive attacks on Ukrainian infrastructure on Telegram, Zelensky described it as "a combined attack, involving more than 100 missiles of various types and around 100 Shahed drones of Iranian origin." The Russian Ministry of Defense proclaimed a "massive strike with high-precision long-range weapons" on "important energy infrastructure facilities."
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12:38 Kyiv Calls for West to Permit Assaults on Russian TerritoryUkraine is petitioning the West for authorization to employ weapons for strikes deep into Russian territory. "Such a decision would hasten the end of Russian terror," wrote Andriy Yermak, the chief of staff of President Volodymyr Zelensky, on Telegram.
12:09 Kremlin Diplomat: Ceasefire Negotiations with Ukraine meaningless
Russia considers negotiations with Ukraine concerning a ceasefire to be insignificant. The incursion of Ukrainian troops into the Russian border region of Kursk is untenable, stated Dmitri Peskov, spokesperson for the Russian presidential administration. No ceasefire talks have taken place. The topic is no longer relevant.
11:41 Munz: "Belarusian Army is Primarily a Show of Force"
Dictator Lukashenko is rallying tens of thousands of soldiers on the border with Ukraine, a development that has sparked concern within the nation. However, according to ntv correspondent Rainer Munz, this is solely for demonstrative purposes rather than an actual threat.
11:25 Sources: Suggestions of Russian Sabotage Behind Geilenkirchen Alarm
Intelligence evidence pointing towards a potential threat from a Russian sabotage act utilizing a drone prompted the temporary escalation of security levels at the NATO air base in Geilenkirchen near Aachen, according to German security sources. There was a credible warning from a foreign intelligence agency about probable Russian sabotage against the NATO base, the sources mentioned.
More information can be discovered here.
The fuel storage facility in Proletarsk, situated in southern Russia, has been engulfed in flames for over a week, as depicted by the most recent satellite images from NASA's FIRMS fire and forest monitoring system. The origin of this fire, which encompasses over 70 individual fuel tanks, can be traced back to a Ukrainian drone assault that took place in the early hours of August 17th. Unverified sources suggest that yet another attack transpired on Friday morning. The regional authorities of Rostov have declared an emergency situation within the Proletarsk district. TASS, the state news agency, reported on August 24th that 47 firefighters had sustained injuries from the blaze.
10:50 Poland Deploys Military Aircraft
Following a series of Russian assaults too close to the Polish border, the Polish military dispatched interceptors this morning, as reported by the PAP news agency. Foreign aircraft were also involved in the operation. The Ukrainian air force claims that the Russian army temporarily stationed 11 long-range bombers Tu-95, armed with missiles, in this region. Moreover, hypersonic Kinzhal missiles were launched at Ukraine, and the country was targeted from the Black Sea.
10:22 Ukrainian Soldier Engages Russian Missile with Machine Gun
This morning, Ukrainian air defense troops, stationed in the western Transcarpathia region, allegedly fired at a Russian cruise missile utilizing a machine gun mounted on a vehicle. Governor Viktor Mykyta shared a related video on social media. Mykyta claimed that the missile was aimed at the Transcarpathia region from the adjoining Lviv region and was neutralized by the 650th separate anti-aircraft machine gun battalion. The authenticity of the video was verified by the RTL/ntv fact-checking team. However, it remains unverified what type of missile was destroyed. According to the "Kyiv Independent," it was not the machine gun that brought about the missile's demise, but rather an air defense missile dispatched by the Ukrainian armed forces, as stated by the former spokesman of the air force, Yuriy Ihnat.
10:03 Various Ukrainian Regions Bombarded by Russia - Infrastructure Targeted
More than half of Ukraine's administrative regions were assaulted by Russia this morning, as announced by Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal. "Today, 15 administrative regions have been subjected to heavy Russian fire. The adversary employed various weapons: drones, missiles, Kinzhal hypersonic missiles. Casualties have been reported," Shmyhal stated on Telegram. According to Ukrainian reports, energy infrastructure in four administrative regions was damaged. Authorities in Zaporizhzhia, Sumy, Rivne, and Lviv reported that their regions' energy infrastructure was targeted. In certain districts of Kyiv, electricity and water supplies were disrupted, as per Mayor Vitali Klitschko.
09:40 ISW: Russian Forces Transferred from Lesser Priority Fronts in Ukraine to Kursk
The Russian military is believed to be continuing to redeploy troops from less crucial sectors on the Ukrainian front to the Kursk region, according to experts at the Institute for the Study of War (ISW). Commanders of the Russian 810th Marine Infantry Brigade, 155th Marine Infantry Brigade, 11th Airborne Brigade (VDV), 56th VDV Regiment (7th VDV Division), and 51st VDV Regiment (106th VDV Division) reportedly briefed Russian President Vladimir Putin over the weekend on combat operations in Russian territories adjoining Ukraine. The ISW's current situation report suggests that the Kursk region is likely the site of interest. The ISW has observed components of the 810th Marine Infantry Brigade, 155th Marine Infantry Brigade, and 11th VDV Brigade operating in the Kursk region and has received indications that the Russian military leadership recently transferred elements of the 56th VDV Regiment from the Robotyne area in western Zaporizhzhia to the border region. The Russian military leadership appears to be resisting operational pressure to withdraw forces from crucial offensive operations aimed at capturing Pokrovsk in the Donetsk region, according to the experts.
09:14 First Casualties Reported from Russian Air Strikes
At least three individuals have perished as a result of Russian air strikes, as per Ukrainian authorities. Reports of casualties have been received in Luzk in the west of the country, Dnipro in the east, and Zaporizhzhia in the south. Luzk Mayor Ihor Polischchuk reported that a multi-family dwelling was struck by "the enemy's attack" and one person was killed. The governors of the Odessa, Zaporizhzhia, and Kharkiv regions announced explosions in their regions on Telegram and urged individuals to seek shelter. Earlier, Poltava region governor Filipp Pronin reported that five individuals were wounded in an attack on an industrial facility.
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08:50 Ukraine Monitors Belarusian Troop Movements: "Belarus Entry into War Would Strain Front"
Ukraine is vigilantly observing the concentration of Belarusian troops in the vicinity of their shared border. The current troop concentration is larger than previous instances, and Belarus's entry into the conflict could lead to devastating consequences, as explained by ntv reporter Nadja Kriewald.
08:22 Explosions Rock Several Ukrainian Cities - Power Blackout in Kyiv
Ukrainian cities echoed with explosions following a significant Russian air assault (as per the 07:24 entry). The "Kyiv Independent" reported that sirens blared across the nation around 6:00 AM local time. Kyiv experienced the first blasts around 8:30 AM, followed by more detonations. Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko stated that power failures occurred in "several districts" of the capital, and there were also water supply issues on the right side of the city. Explosions were reported in Kharkiv, Odessa, Vinnytsia, Zaporizhzhia, Kremenchuk, Dnipro, Khmelnytskyi, Kropyvnytskyi, and Kryvyi Rih.
07:53 Moscow: Russian Defense Ministry Claims Destruction of 20 Ukrainian DronesRussian air defense reportedly took down 20 drones headed towards Russian territory during the night, according to the Moscow Ministry of Defense. Nine were shot down over Saratov, three over Kursk, and two each over Belgorod, Bryansk, and Tula. One drone was detected over the Oryol and Ryazan regions.
07:24 Russia Initiates Major Air Assault on UkraineUkraine is currently undergoing a massive attack, as per various sources. "Explosions in Kyiv at this moment as Ukraine faces a massive Russian rocket and drone attack from land, air, and sea," reports the "Kyiv Post" at X. Military analyst Nico Lange notes that Russia is firing rockets from Black Sea ships and 11 Tu-95 bombers. The Russian air assault on Ukraine is substantial. Explosions are reported in multiple cities.
07:07 Kharkov: Chechen Commander Claims Ukrainian Equipment DestructionThe Chechen special forces "Achmat" and the 2nd Special Forces Brigade claim to have wrecked two armored personnel carriers, five armored combat vehicles, and one light tank of French design (AMR) in the Kursk region during the preceding day, reporting the Russian state news agency TASS, citing General-Major Apti Alaudinov, the commander. Over the past day, they also eliminated a unit of automatic grenade launchers and a mortar, and damaged a gun, he said. "Our troops have inflicted significant losses on the Ukrainian military through attacks on these facilities." Alaudinov mentioned that the advance of Ukrainian forces has been stopped. "The enemy is indeed trying to advance, but without success. We have already begun to destroy the enemy in several areas and seized some settlements. I believe this work will continue every day."
06:41 North Korea: Kim Jong Un Calls for More Kamikaze DronesNorth Korean leader Kim Jong Un has urged the development and production of additional kamikaze drones as an "essential part of war preparations," according to a report from the state news agency KCNA. Kamikaze drones are unmanned aerial vehicles equipped with explosives that guide themselves towards enemy targets. Russia often uses Iranian Shahed drones of this type in Ukraine. North Korea and Russia have strengthened their military cooperation. The drone test took place on Saturday in response to heightened tensions with neighboring South Korea, as per KCNA, with photos showing white flying objects with X-shaped wings heading towards tank targets and detonating. The target objects are modeled after South Korean K-2 tanks, according to the South Korean news agency Yonhap.
06:34 Ukraine: 1140 Russian Soldiers Reportedly Killed or WoundedUkrainian military sources claim that 1140 Russian soldiers have been either killed or wounded within the last 24 hours. This brings the overall number of Russian military personnel "eliminated" since the beginning of the conflict to 608,820. These statistics cannot be independently authenticated. Meanwhile, four Russian tanks, 17 armored vehicles, 47 artillery systems, one multiple rocket launcher, one air defense system, and 39 drones have been damaged or destroyed.
06:12 Kyiv Warns Minsk Against "Tragic Mistakes"Ukraine demands that Belarus withdraw its large troop contingents and military equipment from their shared border. In a statement from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ukraine urges Minsk to refrain from hostile actions and withdraw its troops from the border area. Ukraine warns Belarus against making "tragic mistakes" under external pressure from Moscow. Belarus has yet to respond. According to Ukrainian reports, the troops deployed at the border include Belarusian special forces and ex-Wagner soldiers. The equipment includes tanks, artillery, air defense systems, and engineering tools stationed in the Gomel region on Ukraine's northern border. The statement also mentions that Ukraine has never engaged in hostile actions against the Belarusian people and has no intentions of doing so in the future.
05:46 Russian Governor Reports Property Damage from Drone DebrisThe governor of the Russian region of Saratov reports that several houses in Saratov and Engels cities have suffered damage as a result of debris from downed Ukrainian drones. Emergency services are currently on the scene. Engels houses a strategic bomber base in Russia.
03:52 Air Defense Reports Drone Attack on KyivUkrainian military sources report that air defense systems are active in the Kyiv region to repel Russian drone attacks. "Enemy drone movement detected: Air defense systems in the region are active," the regional military administration reports on Telegram. No information is available yet on potential casualties or damage.
00:19 Zelensky Labels Rocket Assault on Reuters Team as "Completely Intentional"During his last speech, Ukrainian President Zelensky elaborated on the lethal rocket strike against Reuters staff members in Kramatorsk's eastern part. A Reuters employee met their demise, and two others sustained injuries during the rocket assault on a hotel. The identification of the deceased revealed him as British ex-soldier Ryan Evans, who joined Reuters in 2022, providing insights on security matters in Ukraine, Israel, and Parisian Olympics. Zelensky expressed his sympathies towards Evans' family and friends, asserting that a common city hotel was razed to the ground by a Russian Iskander missile, and this incident was "completely intentional, meticulously planned." Upon hearing this, the Ukrainian Prosecutor General's Office launched an inquiry via Telegram. The attack took place on Saturday at 22:35 local time. Reuters remains uncertain if the missile was fired from Russian territory or if the hotel was intentionally selected as the target. Thus far, Russia has remained unresponsive to this incident.
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After the heavy Russian air attack on Ukraine, there are growing concerns about potential cyberwarfare threats. According to intelligence reports, Russian hackers have been targeting critical infrastructure in Ukraine, attempting to disrupt communication and power systems. If successful, this cyberwarfare could have severe consequences, including blackouts, disruptions to emergency services, and hindrances in coordinating a response to further military attacks.
In light of these threats, Ukrainian cybersecurity experts have been racing against the clock to strengthen defenses and prevent a breakdown of their internet and power infrastructure. They are working tirelessly to identify vulnerabilities, patch weaknesses, and develop contingency plans in case of a cyberattack. The international community has pledged support, offering tools, expertise, and assistance to bolster Ukraine's cyber defenses.
Ukraine's cyber warriors must remain vigilant and prepared, as the likelihood of cyberwarfare escalation in the ongoing conflict remains high. The consequences of a successful cyberattack could be dire, making every effort to securing their digital frontlines critical for the Ukrainian people and their ongoing struggle against Russian aggression.
