20:51 The Foreign Ministry issues a critique on the assaults targeting Ukraine's essential supplies.
Foreign Office Criticizes Russian Assaults on UkraineThe Foreign Office expresses disapproval of Russia's latest attacks on Ukraine. As stated, "Once again, Putin's Russia is peppering Ukraine's lifelines with rockets. Through large-scale assaults on energy infrastructure, they're aiming to decimate supplies," the Foreign Office commented on X. unswerving support from Germany for Ukraine remains.
20:23 Selenskyj Accuses Russia of Targeting Civilians with Cluster BombsPost the intense Russian bombardment of Ukraine, President Selenskyj reveals hindrances in repairing damaged facilities. He discloses, "In certain areas, the rogue state has bombarded civilian targets with cluster munitions," he asserted after a meeting with the military leadership. Prior to commencing repairs in the energy sector, the cluster bombs need to be dismantled, he suggests.
19:58 Conflict Intensifies Around Pokrovsk in UkraineAs reported by the Ukrainian Armed Forces' General Staff, "intense combat" is taking place around Pokrovsk. Russian forces reportedly made 38 attempts in a day to storm Ukrainian positions near the strategic logistics center. Clashes have occurred at 14 locations, it is reported. The situation remains volatile.
19:35 Criminal Charges for Gold Smuggling in RussiaRussian authorities have instigated criminal proceedings against a German citizen accused of gold smuggling. The 58-year-old German national is alleged to have attempted to bring "13 kilograms of superior quality gold bars" into the country illegally in his motorhome. A "criminal case has been launched." The authorities refuse to disclose the suspect's identity. The incident took place in the Pskov region, which borders Belarus, Latvia, and Estonia. The gold bars' total value is estimated to be over 90 million rubles (around 900,000 euros). Customs officials and agents from the Russian security service FSB thwarted the illegal import of the gold. The authorities have not revealed the suspect's current location. Conviction would result in up to five years in prison and a fine of up to one million rubles.
19:05 Ukraine: 102 Missiles Intercepted in "Largest Air Attack"The most recent Russian air attack on Ukraine reportedly marks the largest attack of the entire ongoing war that commenced in February 2022, according to Ukrainian reports. The Russian Armed Forces launched over a hundred missiles and drones, explains the Ukrainian Air Force Commander, Mykola Oleschuk, on Telegram. 102 of the 127 Russian missiles were intercepted and destroyed, as well as 99 of 109 drones. This combined attack was "the largest air attack."
18:40 Selenskyj Deploys More Troops to PokrovskUkrainian President Selenskyj announces additional reinforcements for troops heading towards Pokrovsk. He has been briefed on the regional situation by the military leadership, explains Selenskyj on Telegram. The Pokrovsk region in eastern Ukraine has been a focal point of intense fighting following Russian advances for weeks.
18:10 Macron: Telegram CEO Arrest not PoliticalTwo days after the detention of Telegram founder Pavel Durov, France confirms the case. "The arrest occurred within the context of an ongoing judicial investigation," writes French President Emmanuel Macron on X. "This was not a political decision." The courts hold final authority in this matter.
17:42 Minor Convicted for "Terrorism" Support in RussiaA 15-year-old student in Russia has been sentenced to prison for expressing support for Ukraine, according to a report. As reported by Russian opposition media outlet Mediazona, a court in the east city of Khabarovsk sentenced him to 4.5 years in a juvenile detention center for "membership in a terrorist organization" and "preparations for a terrorist act." The verdict was reportedly issued on August 16 but only made public now. The boy's grandmother told Mediazona that she believes her grandson was lured by the Russian security services. The boy had repeatedly voiced his support for Ukraine to his classmates and on social media. The case revolved around a Telegram video showing the boy throwing Molotov cocktails against an abandoned building's wall with two other teenagers.
17:13 Governor: Dam Attack Caused no Major DamageThe Russian attack on a dam near Kyiv resulted in no significant damage, according to the region's governor. Once no further attacks or air raid warnings emerge, the road on the dam will reopen later in the afternoon, Ruslan Kravchenko informed the Ukrainian service of Radio Liberty.
16:46 Ukrainian Defense Minister Outlines Response to AttacksUkrainian Defense Minister Rustem Ummerov has announced a response to the widespread Russian attacks on his country. "Ukraine is preparing its retaliation. Weapons of our own production," the defense ministry quoted him on X. He also asked Western allies to strengthen Ukraine's long-range capabilities and withdraw restrictions on attacks on military facilities in Russia.
16:12 Wagner Group Denies Presence in UkraineThe Wagner Group claims its mercenaries are no longer engaged alongside the Russian army in Ukraine. They are solely active in Belarus and Africa, according to a Telegram statement, as reported by "Kyiv Independent." Wagner mercenaries are neither a part of the Russian National Guard nor the Russian Ministry of Defense, the group maintains. "Presently," Wagner is not engaging in the Russian invasion of Ukraine, the group asserts. Any alterations in the situation will be announced.
15:15 Russian Forces Counterattack in KurskRussian soldiers have launched attacks against Ukrainian troops at over a dozen different locations along the frontline in the Russian region of Kursk, as per the Russian Ministry of Defense in Moscow. Conversely, Ukrainian attacks were repelled at seven different locations within Kursk. In addition, Ukrainian forces situated in the Sumy region, which is on the Ukrainian side and borders Russian Kursk, were targeted with shelling at sixteen separate locations.
14:55 IAEA Chief Oversees NPP Inspection in KurskThe Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), Rafael Grossi, is spearheading the inspection of the Kursk Nuclear Power Plant located in the eponymous Russian Oblast, where Ukrainian troops have entered. Grossi stated on the 8th that the situation is grave. "I repeat: The safety of nuclear facilities must not be compromised under any circumstance." The inspection is set to take place on Tuesday. Thousands of Ukrainian soldiers entered Kursk unexpectedly on August 6th.
14:47 Fire Breaks Out at Russia's Largest Oil RefineryA fire has erupted at Russia's largest oil refinery in the city of Omsk, as per the refinery operator Gazprom. Gazprom announced in a statement that the fire is under control, and operations continue as usual. "The fire at the Omsk refinery is now under control. The automatic safety system within the facility detected a fire in the technical equipment," the statement read. Seven workers were injured in the fire, according to the Russian news agency TASS. One of the injured individuals later passed away, as reported by Interfax agency. Initially, only two injuries were reported.
14:32 Russia Claims To Have Attacked Western Weapons and Ammunition Storage SitesThe Russian Ministry of Defense alleges that Russian troops have targeted gas compressor stations and power transformers in Ukraine. The energy infrastructure facilities, which supplied the Ukrainian military-industrial complex with electricity, were attacked using drones and missiles. Western weapons and ammunition stored at two Ukrainian airfields were also targeted.
14:09 Washington Post Reports Over 247 Russian Soldiers Captured in KurskSince their surprise incursion into the Russian region of Kursk at the beginning of August, Ukrainian troops have reportedly captured more than 240 Russian soldiers, according to a report published by The Washington Post. The newspaper analyzed over 130 photos and videos taken since the beginning of the incursion on August 6th. Most of the footage was allegedly filmed by Ukrainian soldiers and shared on social media. The analysis also included photos taken by a newspaper photographer from a prison in Ukraine where captured Russian soldiers are reportedly being held. "The authenticated images show at least 247 Russian prisoners, supporting the assertions of Ukrainian authorities that hundreds of Russian soldiers were captured during the incursion," the newspaper writes. According to the report, a significant number of young military personnel were captured, who apparently surrendered without resistance.
13:43 Object Enters Polish Airspace and Likely Lands on Polish TerritoryDuring the Russian attack on Ukraine, an object seems to have entered Polish airspace and likely landed on Polish territory. The Polish army's operations command reported this to the state news agency PAP, citing the operation's commander. The object, which was not a rocket, is currently being searched for. "During the massive attack on Ukrainian territory on Monday, an object likely entered Polish territory," General Maciej Klisz, the operational commander of the armed forces, told Polsat News. The "Guardian" reports, citing an army spokesperson, that the object is likely a drone.
13:21 Alleged Russian Rocket Hits Dam North of KyivIn the extensive air attack on Ukraine this morning, a dam north of Kyiv was reportedly struck by a Russian rocket, according to Ukrainian media reports. A video shared by journalist Yaroslav Trofimov of the "Wall Street Journal," among others, shows parts of the hydroelectric power plant on fire. "If the dam breaks, millions of people downstream could die," Trofimov wrote. Official reports regarding the damage to the structure are not yet available.
12:57 Zelenskyy Labels Attack 'One of the Most Severe' by RussiaRussia used more than 100 rockets and nearly 100 drones in the latest massive attack, according to Ukrainian reports. "This was one of the most severe attacks," said Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in a video message posted on Telegram. The Russian Ministry of Defense, meanwhile, claims on Telegram to have hit "all targeted infrastructure facilities" in massive attacks on Ukrainian infrastructure. Zelenskyy explained that it was a "combined" attack, involving more than 100 rockets of various types and around 100 Shahed drones of Iranian origin. The Russian Ministry of Defense speaks of a "massive strike with high-precision long-range weapons" on "important energy infrastructure facilities".
12:38 Kyiv Urges West to Allow Attacks on Russian TerritoryUkraine is urging the West to permit the employment of weapons for attacks deep into Russian territory. "Such a decision would bring an end to Russian terror more quickly," wrote the chief of staff of President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Andriy Yermak, on Telegram.
12:09 Kremlin Spokesperson Says Talks with Ukraine are IrrelevantRussia regards negotiations with Ukraine over a ceasefire as mostly irrelevant. The incursion of Ukrainian forces into the Russian border region of Kursk is unacceptable, said Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov. There must be a response. There have been no talks about a ceasefire, and the topic is no longer relevant.
11:41 Munz: "Belarusian military isn't really formidable"Leader Lukashenko assembles thousands of troops at the border with Ukraine, causing unease among the country's observers. However, as reported by Rainer Munz, a correspondent for ntv, this is more of a display of power rather than a genuine threat.
11:25 Circles: Intimation of Russian Sabotage Before Geilenkirchen AlertSecurity reports indicated a potential danger from a Russian sabotage operation using a drone, which resulted in a temporary heightened security at the NATO airbase in Geilenkirchen near Aachen. A significant warning came from a foreign intelligence agency of Russian sabotage plans against the NATO base.
Read more about this here.
11:20 Satellite Images: Russians Can't Put Out Fire in Proletarsk Fuel DepotMore than a week after its ignition, the blaze at the Proletarsk fuel depot in southern Russia continues, as evidenced by current satellite data from NASA's FIRMS fire monitoring system. The depot, which houses over 70 tanks, was set ablaze by a Ukrainian drone strike on the night of August 18.
Unconfirmed reports suggest another attack occurred on Friday morning. The Proletarsk district's regional authorities declared a state of emergency. By Wednesday, 47 firefighters had sustained injuries due to the fire, as per the state news agency TASS.
10:50 Poland Takes to the SkiesThe Ukraine-adjacent Poland was also affected by the nearby Russian attacks. Polish military interceptors were launched, as reported by the PAP news agency, due to the proximity of Russian assaults to the Polish border. Other allied aircraft were also involved in the operation. According to the Ukrainian air force, Russia deployed 11 long-range Tu-95 bombers capable of carrying cruise missiles and fired hypersonic Kinzhal missiles at Ukraine. The country was also bombarded from the Black Sea.
10:22 Ukrainian Soldier Fires at Russian Missile with Machine GunA Ukrainian soldier from an air defense unit reportedly fired at a Russian cruise missile with a machine gun mounted on a truck in western Transcarpathia early this morning, as per Governor Viktor Mykyta's social media post. The missile targeted the region from Lviv and was shot down by the 650th separate anti-aircraft machine gun battalion, according to Mykyta's declaration. The RTL/ntv confirmation team affirmed the authenticity of the video. However, the specific type of missile was not independently confirmed to have been shot down. According to "The Kyiv Independent," a Ukrainian air defense missile, not the machine gun fire, was responsible for the interception, as reported by the former air force spokesperson, Yuriy Ignat.
10:03 15 Ukrainian Regions Assaulted by Russia - Energy Infrastructure Targeted
More than half of Ukraine's regions have been assaulted by Russia, as reported by Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal's early morning update. "Today, a massive Russian assault struck 15 regions. The enemy employed a range of weapons: drones, missiles, hypersonic missiles. Casualties and injuries have been reported," Shmyhal wrote on Telegram. According to Ukrainian sources, energy infrastructure in four regions was targeted. Authorities in Zaporizhzhia, Sumy, Rivne, and Lviv reported on Telegram that energy infrastructure in their areas was under attack. In certain regions of Kyiv, electricity and water provision were affected, as per Mayor Vitali Klitschko.
09:40 ISW: Russia Moves Troops to Kursk Possibly From Less significant Fronts in Ukraine
The Russian military likely continues to dispatch troops from less essential sections of the Ukrainian front to the Kursk region, according to analysts 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) allegedly briefed Russian President Vladimir Putin over the weekend regarding war operations in Russian territories bordering Ukraine. This seems to refer to the Kursk region, as the U.S. think tank noted in its current situation report. The ISW has observed elements of the 810th Marine Infantry Brigade, 155th Marine Infantry Brigade, and 11th VDV Brigade engaged in the Kursk region, and has received information that the Russian military leadership recently relocated elements of the 56th VDV Regiment from the Robotyne area in western Saporizhzhia to the border region. The Russian military leadership allegedly resists operational pressure to withdraw forces from priority offensive efforts to seize Pokrovsk in the Donetsk region, the experts claimed.
09:14 First Casualties Reported from Massive Russian Barrage
At least three people have perished in Russian air raids, as reported by Ukrainian authorities. Reports of fatalities have emerged in Luzk in the west, Dnipro in the east, and Zaporizhzhia in the south. Luzk Mayor Ihor Polischchuk stated that a multi-story building was struck by an "enemy attack" and resulted in one death. The regional governors of Odessa, Zaporizhzhia, and Kharkiv reported explosions in their areas via Telegram and encouraged citizens to seek safe shelter. Earlier, the governor of the central Poltava region, Filip Pronin, reported that five people were injured in an attack on an industrial facility.
Read more here.
Ukraine is keeping a cautious eye on the gathering of Belarusian troops close to their mutual border. This gathering is bigger than previous ones, and if Belarus decides to join the conflict, the consequences could be severe, as explained by ntv reporter Nadja Kriewald.
08:22 Explosions Shake Several Ukrainian Cities - Power Outage in KyivExplosions are being heard in several Ukrainian cities due to a large-scale Russian air attack (see entry at 07:24). Across the nation, air raid sirens sounded near 6 AM local time. The first explosions were reported in Kyiv at around 8:30 AM, with more following. Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko reports that power is out in various districts of the capital, and there are also issues with water supply on the right side of the city. Explosions have also been reported in Kharkiv, Odessa, Vinnytsia, Zaporizhzhia, Kremenchuk, Dnipro, Khmelnytskyi, Kropyvnytskyi, and Kryvyi Rih.
07:53 Moscow: Claims to Have Shot Down 20 Ukrainian DronesRussian air defense has reportedly intercepted 20 drones aimed at Russian territory from Ukraine, according to the Russian Ministry of Defense. Nine of these drones were intercepted over the Saratov region, three over Kursk, and two each over Belgorod, Bryansk, and Tula. One drone was detected over the regions of Oryol and Ryazan.
07:24 Russia Launches Intense Air Strike on UkraineUkraine is currently under intense attack, as reported by various sources. "Explosions in Kyiv at this moment as Ukraine is under a massive Russian missile and drone attack from land, air, and sea," reports the "Kyiv Post" at X. Military expert Nico Lange writes that Russia is firing missiles from ships in the Black Sea and from 11 Tu-95 bombers, and is using drones and ballistic missiles. "The Russian air attack on Ukraine is intense." Explosions are being heard in several cities.
07:07 Chechen Commander Reports Ukrainian Casualties in KurskFighters from the Chechen special forces "Achmat" and the 2nd Special Forces Brigade claim to have destroyed two armored vehicles, five armored fighting vehicles, and one light tank of French origin (AMR) in the Kursk region over the past day, according to the Russian state news agency TASS, citing Commander General-Major Apti Alaudinov. "Over the past day, we have also eliminated a unit of automatic grenade launchers and a mortar, and destroyed a gun," he said. "Our people have inflicted heavy losses on the Ukrainian troops through these attacks on military facilities." Alaudinov stated that the advance of Ukrainian troops has been halted. "The enemy is indeed trying to advance, but without success. We have already begun to destroy the enemy in several areas and liberate some settlements. I believe that this work will continue every day."
06:41 North Korea: Kim Jong Un Calls for Increased Production of Kamikaze DronesNorth Korea's leader Kim Jong Un has called for the development and production of more kamikaze drones as a vital part of war preparations, according to a report by the state news agency KCNA. He made this statement during a test of domestically developed drones. Kamikaze drones refer to unmanned aerial vehicles equipped with explosives that are guided towards enemy targets. Russia frequently uses Iranian drones of the Shahed type in Ukraine. North Korea and Russia have strengthened their military ties. The drone test reportedly took place on Saturday amid growing tensions with neighboring South Korea. Official photos show white flying objects with X-shaped wings flying towards tank targets and exploding. According to the South Korean news agency Yonhap, the target objects are modeled after South Korean K-2 tanks.
06:34 Ukraine: 1,140 Russian Soldiers 'Eliminated' in 24 HoursAccording to Ukrainian military reports, 1,140 Russian soldiers have been killed or wounded in the past 24 hours, bringing the total number of "eliminated" Russian military personnel since the start of the war to 608,820. These figures cannot be independently verified. Recently, four Russian tanks, 17 armored vehicles, 47 artillery systems, one multiple rocket launcher, one air defense system, and 39 drones have been destroyed.
06:12 Kyiv Warns Minsk Against 'Regrettable Decisions'Ukraine demands that Belarus withdraw its large troop contingents and military equipment from their shared border. In a statement from the Foreign Ministry, the government in Minsk is urged to refrain from hostile actions and withdraw its troops from the border region. Ukraine warns Belarus not to make "regrettable decisions" under Moscow's pressure. Belarus has yet to respond. According to Ukrainian reports, among the troops at the border are Belarusian special units and former Wagner mercenaries. The equipment includes tanks, artillery, air defense systems, and engineering equipment stationed in the Gomel region along the northern border of Ukraine. The statement also notes that Ukraine has "never undertaken hostile actions against the Belarusian people and will not do so in the future."
05:46 Russian Governor Reports Damage from Drone DebrisIn the Russian region of Saratov, several houses have been damaged by debris from shot-down Ukrainian drones, according to the regional governor. The cities of Saratov and Engels are affected, with all emergency services deployed. Engels hosts a strategic bomber base of Russia.
03:52 Alert for Drone Incursion in KyivSources suggest that Kyiv's air defense systems are engaged in warding off Russian drone assaults. As per a report on Telegram from the local military administration, "Unidentified drone activity detected! Air defense systems in the area are mobilized." As of now, there's no information available regarding potential damage or casualties.
00:19 Zelensky Labels Reuters Team Attack as "Precise and Malicious"
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky spoke about the lethal rocket strike on Reuters journalists in his nightly address. The incident at an eastern Ukrainian hotel in Kramatorsk claimed the life of one employee and left two others injured, according to Reuters. The deceased was identified as Ryan Evans, a 38-year-old British ex-soldier, who had been with Reuters since 2022, offering security guidance to journalists in Ukraine, Israel, and Paris Olympics. Zelensky stated that a "typical city hotel" was obliterated by a Russian Iskander rocket. He portrayed the attack as "precisely targeted, meticulously planned." "My sympathies to the family and friends." The Ukrainian Prosecutor General's Office initiated a preliminary probe on Telegram. The attack happened on Saturday at 22:35 local time. Reuters is yet to affirm whether the rocket was fired by Russia or if the hotel was specifically targeted. No Russian commentary is available.
Reviewall earlier updateshere.
The European Union expresses concern over Russia's actions against Ukraine, standing in solidarity with the country.The European Union strongly condemns Russia's attack on Ukraine's energy infrastructure, which is a clear violation of international law and poses a significant threat to civilian lives.
