19:38 Attacks in Kursk region: European gas price rises to year high
The price of European natural gas has risen to its highest level this year. The benchmark futures contract TTF for delivery in a month increased in Amsterdam by 5.7 percent to 38.78 euros per megawatt hour (MWh). Market participants are pointing to the attacks by Ukraine on the Russian region of Kursk. The fighting is reportedly taking place near Sudzha, an important injection point for natural gas that flows through Ukrainian pipelines to Western Europe. As reported by the news agency Bloomberg, the Gazprom company is currently still assuming normal gas supplies.
19:08 Ukraine evacuates border areas with Russian KurskIn light of heavy fighting in the Russian region of Kursk, Ukrainian authorities have ordered evacuations from further settlements in the neighboring region of Sumy. The measures affect 23 settlements, according to the military governor of Sumy, Volodymyr Artjuch, on Ukrainian television. Around 6,000 people, including more than 400 children and adolescents, are to be taken to safety from the border region. The day before, Ukrainian troops had made a push across the Ukrainian-Russian border towards the city of Sudzha in the Kursk region and had advanced several kilometers onto Russian territory. Moscow spoke of around 1,000 Ukrainian soldiers equipped with heavy equipment. Kyiv has not yet commented on the events. Due to regular Russian shelling of border areas, local authorities had already ordered evacuations from an area within 10 kilometers of the border in May.
18:31 Jachin criticizes forced releaseThe Russian opposition figure Ilya Yashin, who was also released in the prisoner exchange, criticizes his forced release in an interview with "Der Spiegel": "I was not exchanged, I was violently expelled from my country." He wanted to stay in Russia, regardless of the risks. In Russia, the word of an opposition figure weighs more than abroad. "It's hardly comprehensible that many of my innocent comrades are still behind bars." Yashin tells how he tried to deter other prisoners from going to war during his imprisonment. He managed to dissuade three, but 30 went to the front. "For the prisoners, the war became a game of Russian roulette. Big money, high risk." It's hard to counter that. Yashin regrets that the price for his freedom was the release of a murderer. "In Russia, people will continue to be put in prison to be exchanged later for criminals and spies."
17:55 Kara-Mursa: Earlier exchange could have kept Navalny aliveIn an interview with "Die Zeit", Kara-Mursa also says that he believes that the opposition figure Alexei Navalny, who died in a penal colony in February, might still be alive if the exchange had happened earlier. "I can't help but think: If everything had happened a bit faster and more smoothly, if the German government had had fewer obstacles to overcome, if it had had to react less to criticism and hadn't had to convince so many people that this step was necessary, then Alexei might have been sitting with us on the plane."
17:43 Kara-Mursa: "I was certain they would shoot me in the woods"Russian opposition politician Vladimir Kara-Mursa, freed in the large-scale prisoner exchange on August 1st and brought to Germany, told the "Zeit" in an interview that he was certain until the last moment before his release that "I was being taken to my execution". On the night of July 27th to 28th, his cell door was opened, he recalls. "The prison director and a convoy of men in civilian clothes were there. They said: You have 20 minutes to pack. I was certain they would take me to the woods and shoot me. But they took me to the airport."
17:12 Record: Ukrainian border guards stop truck with 48 conscriptsUkrainian border guards have prevented 48 conscripts from fleeing into the Moldovan region of Transnistria, controlled by pro-Russian forces, in the south of the country. The number sets a new record, the authority reports. Drone footage shows several groups of men boarding the truck's cargo bed one after another, and the truck later being stopped by border guards. The arrests took place in the Odessa region near the village of Chornaya, about ten kilometers from the border. The men are said to have each paid the smuggler the equivalent of over 3,300 euros. They now face not only a fine for attempted illegal border crossing but also conscription into the Ukrainian army.
16:21 Russia: Up to 1,000 Ukrainians involved in border attackAccording to the Russian General Staff, "up to 1,000" Ukrainian soldiers were involved in the attack on the border region of Kursk in western Russia. Russian Chief of Staff Valery Gerasimov announced this at a meeting with President Putin, broadcast on Russian television, after the attack began the previous day. "The deep penetration of the enemy into the territory was stopped by air and artillery strikes," Gerasimov said further.
16:02 Von der Leyen: 108 billion euros in aid provided since war beganAccording to the President of the European Union, Ursula von der Leyen, the EU has provided 108 billion euros in aid to Ukraine since the start of the large-scale war. "The EU has been standing by Ukraine since the first day of the Russian war of aggression," she writes on X. "Ukraine will prevail in this survival struggle. And the EU will stand by Ukraine and its people as long as necessary," it continues.
15:32 Report: Ukrainian Soldier Killed in Russian CaptivityOleksandr Ischtschenko, a soldier of the Azov Brigade, who died nine days ago in Russian captivity, was likely killed. The 55-year-old Ukrainian died from blunt force trauma to the chest. "Kyiv Independent" reports, citing a forensic report published by the deputy commander of the Azov Brigade, Sviatoslav Palamar, who described Ischtschenko's death as "another brutal murder of a Ukrainian POW." The report revealed that the soldier's death was due to multiple rib fractures and shock. Ischtschenko, 55, was from Mariupol and joined the Azov Brigade shortly after the invasion began. He was captured during the fighting in Mariupol in 2022. He was one of the 24 Ukrainians charged in a sham trial by Russia last year and was being held in a prison in Rostov-on-Don.
14:44 Attacks on Kursk: Putin Calls it a 'Large-scale Provocation'Amid ongoing Ukrainian attacks on the Russian border region of Kursk, Putin accuses Kyiv of a "large-scale provocation." "As you know, the Kyiv regime has carried out another large-scale provocation," Putin said during a televised meeting with government officials. Ukraine is "indiscriminately firing various types of weapons at civilian buildings, homes, and ambulances."
14:25 Russian Defense Ministry Confirms Ongoing Combat Operations in KurskThe Russian Defense Ministry confirms ongoing combat operations in Kursk. "The operation to destroy the groups of the Armed Forces of Ukraine is continuing," the ministry said in a statement. Clashes took place in border settlements on Russian territory against Ukrainian infiltrators. Yesterday, the ministry claimed that an attempt to break through the border had failed. Now, it says that a deep incursion on Russian territory has been prevented. According to the ministry, soldiers are fighting alongside border guards against the infiltrators in the area.
13:35 Russia: Thousands Flee Kursk - Putin Takes ControlThousands of people have fled the border towns attacked by the Ukrainian side in the Russian region of Kursk, according to official figures. The citizens left their homes in private vehicles, said Alexei Smirnov, the acting governor, in a video message. Additionally, 200 people were evacuated from the shelled settlements in transport vehicles and buses. Smirnov said he had spoken with President Vladimir Putin by phone overnight, and the president had taken the situation under personal control. Emergency shelters with around 2,500 places have been set up, and psychologists are on duty.
12:57 "Hidden by Occupiers" - Partisan Group Reports Discovery of Legendary Ship in CrimeaThe pro-Ukrainian partisan group Atesh, active in the Russian-occupied Crimea, claims to have discovered two Russian ships. They are said to be landing ships of project 775, many of which Ukraine has already sunk or damaged. "The occupiers hide their ships in the bays, hoping to save them," Atesh writes on Telegram. The two 775s are said to be located in the Kilen Bay. One of them is the well-known "Konstantin Olshansky" in Ukraine, which was captured and stolen by the Russians in 2014. The legendary ship has a tumultuous history among both conflict parties and was reportedly damaged in an attack a few months ago. It previously served as a storage ship for spare parts. The partisan group states that they have shared the location information with the Ukrainian armed forces. "There is no doubt that more ships will sink in the near future."
12:24 Russian Military Blogger Sentenced to Long Prison TermIn Russia, military blogger Andrei Kurshin has been sentenced to six and a half years in a labor camp. He was found guilty of spreading false information about the armed forces, the Investigative Committee reports. Kurshin ran the Telegram channel "Moscow Calling," which supported the goals of Russia's war against Ukraine. However, he criticized the way the military leadership conducted the campaign. Analysts from the Institute for the Study of War described Kurshin at the time of his arrest in August 2023 as an "ultranationalist on the extreme fringe" who had crossed the boundaries of acceptable criticism of Russia's war efforts.
11:38 British Intelligence Comments on Sinking of Russian Navy SubmarineThe British Ministry of Defence has released an intelligence update on the sinking of the Russian submarine "Rostov-on-Don" off Crimea a few days ago. "Unlike some reports, the submarine was likely not fully repaired from an earlier attack on Crimea in September 2023," it says from London. The latest attack is "likely to be the last chapter for the submarine, as it is likely to be more economically viable to build a replacement submarine." The intelligence service speaks of a morale boost for Ukrainian forces from the attack. However, it is unlikely to have significant impact on Russia's long-range attacks on Ukraine from the Black Sea Fleet. "The attack, however, underscores the increasing risks to Russian forces in Crimea and will likely force Russia to reassess all plans to redeploy significant naval forces to the peninsula."
11:03 Strategy Shift or Diversion? Ukraine "Unnerves the Enemy" with Unclear Kursk SituationThe Ukrainian military is facing significant pressure, particularly in the Donetsk region, where the Russians are "advancing every day," as reported by ntv correspondent Nadja Kriewald. Meanwhile, there are reports of Ukrainian advances in the north, but Kyiv is keeping the details quiet.
10:34 Moscow Reports Injuries from Ukrainian Incursion into Russian Region KurskAccording to Russia's Health Ministry, 24 people have been injured, including six children, in the Ukrainian attack on the border region of Kursk, Russia's state news agency Interfax reports, citing the ministry.
10:07 Russia Launches Drone Attack - Ukraine Reports Perfect Hit RateUkraine's air force claims to have shot down and destroyed 30 Russian drones, all of which were launched by Russian forces overnight against targets in seven regions, the Ukrainian air force said on Telegram.
09:29 ISW: Russia's Ex-Defense Minister Shoigu "Grossly Exaggerates" Territorial GainsRussia's ex-defense minister, Sergei Shoigu, claims that Kremlin forces have captured 420 square kilometers of Ukrainian territory since June 14. However, the Institute for the Study of War (ISW) dismisses this as "grossly exaggerated," estimating the figure at 290 square kilometers, or about 0.05% of Ukraine's total territory of around 600,000 square kilometers. ISW notes that Russian military leadership has repeatedly inflated its territorial gains in Ukraine, often claiming to have captured entirely destroyed villages. Despite recent setbacks, Russia's overall advance remains slow, with Ukrainian forces frequently withdrawing from areas to protect soldiers.
08:55 Russia: Kursk Targeted Again by Ukrainian Air StrikesOne day after Ukrainian attacks on the Russian region of Kursk left several dead, the region was again targeted by Ukrainian air strikes, according to regional authorities. Two Ukrainian missiles were shot down by air defense systems, regional governor Alexei Smirnov said on Telegram. Yesterday, Russia reported attempted attacks by Ukrainian forces in Kursk, involving around 300 soldiers, 11 tanks, and about 20 other armored vehicles, according to Russia's defense ministry.
08:22 Russia Reports Downed Drones in Several Border RegionsRussia's air defense systems intercepted 11 Ukrainian drones over Russian territory overnight, according to Russia's defense ministry. The affected regions are Kursk, Voronezh, Belgorod, and Rostov, all of which border Ukraine, state news agency RIA reports.
07:47 Pro-Ukrainian Channel Deepstate Aims to Contact Ukrainian Units in Russian KurskThe pro-Ukrainian military channel Deepstate hints at a possible incursion into the Russian border region of Kursk, stating that it is monitoring the situation closely and maintaining contact with some units. However, it refrains from providing updates to avoid interfering with the decisions of military leaders, whose choices could determine the fate of many.
07:06 Alleged Attack on Russian Region Kursk: Speculations about Right-Wing Russian Unit
Russian military bloggers claim that the alleged incursion of Ukrainian troops onto Russian territory involved the Russian Volunteer Corps (RVC). The Institute for the Study of War (ISW) finds no confirmation of this, and a source from the Ukrainian military intelligence service told the media Voice of Ukraine that the RVC was not involved. The Russian Volunteer Corps consists of Russian right-wing extremists and nationalists fighting on the Ukrainian side against Russia. In Kyiv, however, they have distanced themselves from the group in the past and stressed that it acts independently. The RVC has occasionally drawn attention with alleged incursions into Russian border regions, which critics have mainly seen as media stunts. According to ISW, another similar unit, the Legion for Freedom of Russia, has not commented on a possible involvement. Both groups often report their actions on their Telegram channels, but there are no indications of involvement in Kursk.
06:23 Ukrainian Troops Allegedly Entered Russian Territory: Possible Attack Raises Many Questions
The alleged incursion of Ukrainian troops onto Russian territory in the border region of Kursk remains shrouded in mystery. According to the Institute for the Study of War (ISW), geolocated images show damaged and abandoned armored vehicles about seven kilometers north of the border. However, ISW cannot confirm whether these armored vehicles are Russian, Ukrainian, or both. Similarly, the Russian Ministry of Defense's claim that the Chechen Achmat special unit was involved in repelling the attack cannot be confirmed. "Russian military bloggers published images allegedly showing the aftermath of the Ukrainian raids, although most of the damage shown in the images is due to routine Ukrainian shelling and does not indicate ground activity in the area."
05:52 Ukraine Orders One Million Drones
According to President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Ukraine is stepping up the production of drones as an important tool for warfare. "We have already ordered one million drones from our manufacturers for this year," Zelenskyy said in his evening video address. Next year, it should be significantly more. "We are not disclosing all the details at this time, but our production capacity for drones is increasing steadily, and we are working with partners to invest in our drone production." The increased use of unmanned aerial vehicles is due to the refusal of Western partners to allow the Ukrainian military to use the heavy weapons they have supplied against targets on Russian territory.
05:06 Russia Reports Five Civilian Deaths in Clashes in Kursk
According to Russian reports, five civilians, including two medics, were killed in a clash with Ukrainian soldiers in the Russian border region of Kursk. There are also at least 20 injured, the region's governor, Alexei Smirnov, reported on Telegram. Two missiles were also fired over the region early in the morning.
02:30 Niger Cuts Diplomatic Ties with UkraineFollowing neighboring Mali, Niger has also severed diplomatic ties with Ukraine. The reason cited is alleged Ukrainian support for a rebel attack in Mali. In late July, Tuareg rebels claimed to have killed at least 84 Russian Wagner mercenaries and 47 Malian soldiers. They then released a photo purporting to show them with the Ukrainian flag. However, investigations by the independent Russian investigative portal iStories suggest this is a manipulated image. Ukrainian Foreign Minister Kuleba is currently touring southern African states and Mauritius to rally support for Kyiv's stance against Russia. Meanwhile, Russia is expanding its influence in Sahel states through the Wagner Group.
23:23 Russia: Ukrainian Attack on Kursk RepelledRussia claims to have repelled Ukrainian advances into the Russian region of Kursk. "After suffering significant losses, the remnants of the sabotage group retreated to Ukrainian territory," the Moscow Defense Ministry reports. Russia used artillery, combat aircraft, and drones to fend off the attack. Ukrainian military authorities in the Sumy region, on the other side of the border with Kursk, claim Ukrainian forces destroyed a Russian ballistic missile, two drones, and a helicopter in the region. However, the Ukrainian General Staff's regular update does not report any Ukrainian attacks in the border region.
22:22 Kremlin Pressure - Activist Ends Protest for Return of Russian SoldiersUnder increasing pressure from the Kremlin, a leading activist in the campaign for the return of Russian soldiers from the front has stepped back from public appearances. Maria Andreyeva, one of the leaders of the group "Put Domoy" (Return Home), told AFP news agency she would go into hiding. She said she had been designated an "foreign agent," a status that not only strips individuals of their rights but also deprives them of their livelihood. The group "Put Domoy" consists of wives and mothers who regularly urge Russian President Vladimir Putin to bring their men and sons back from Ukraine. After initially tolerating or ignoring the protesters, the Kremlin is now increasingly cracking down on them.
21:39 Zelensky: Ukraine Boosts Funding for Missile ProgramUkrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky says additional funds have been allocated for the country's domestic missile program. The aim, he wrote on Telegram, is to reduce the gap with Russia, which possesses a range of long-range weapons. "Additional funds have been allocated for our missile program. More domestically produced missiles are coming," he said, without providing further details. In July, the Ukrainian leader said Kyiv was working to reduce its dependence on missiles supplied by its allies, including those for air defense.
20:54 Russian Spy Couple Gives Interview After ReleaseUpon their return to Russia as part of a large-scale prisoner swap, a Russian spy couple speaks publicly for the first time. "When I saw the honor guard from the window of the plane, I had to cry," Anna Dulzewa said in an interview on Russian state television, describing the moment of her return to Russia. Dulzewa and her husband Artiom lived in Slovenia as Russian spies for five years. They were arrested in 2022. "We told the children that we are Russians, that they are Russians, and that we are the Dulzews," said Anna Dulzewa, who reportedly only spoke Spanish with her children. Dulzewa said she wants to "continue serving Russia."
20:04 Moscow Declares Moldovan Diplomat 'Persona Non Grata'In response to the expulsion of a Russian diplomat over a spy scandal, Moscow says it has declared a Moldovan diplomat persona non grata. The Russian Foreign Ministry said it had summoned the ambassador of the Republic of Moldova to protest "persistent unfriendly steps" by Chisinau against Moscow. A member of the Moldovan embassy in Russia has been declared persona non grata. Last week, Chisinau accused an employee of an unnamed embassy in the country of communicating with two officials suspected of conspiring against the Moldovan government and passing information abroad. The Russian diplomat was later expelled from the country.
19:15 Shoigu: Window for Negotiations Closing for KyivFormer Russian Defense Minister Sergey Shoigu urges Ukraine to start peace talks. "The window of opportunity for Ukraine is getting smaller," the Security Council secretary said on state television. The longer Ukraine delays, the more territory it will lose, he added. Moscow has insisted that talks can only proceed if Ukraine cedes a fifth of its territory and abandons plans to join NATO. Ukraine rejects this.
Catch up on previous developments here.
- The escalating situation in the Russian region of Kursk has raised concerns about potential cyberwarfare, with experts suggesting that any disruptions to energy infrastructure could be an intentional act of cyberwarfare by an adversary seeking to destabilize supplies.
- The increase in tensions and military activities in the Kursk region underscores the potential for cyberwarfare to escalate further, with both Russia and Ukraine possessing significant cyber capabilities that could be used to disrupt critical infrastructure in retaliation for real-world actions.
