20:52 Video shows Ukrainian HIMARS attack on Russian column in Kursk
20:38 Iran to Deliver Hundreds of Missiles to Russia
Iran is set to supply Russia with hundreds of ballistic missiles in the near future, according to European intelligence sources cited by Reuters. Dozens of Russian military personnel are already being trained in Iran to handle the ballistic short-range missile system Fath-360, the sources said. While Moscow has its own ballistic missiles, the delivery of Fath-360 could enable Russia to use a larger portion of its arsenal for targets far from the frontline, with Iranian warheads used for shorter-range targets. A spokesman for the U.S. National Security Council said the U.S. government and its NATO allies and G7 partners are prepared for a swift and stern response if Iran proceeds with such transfers. The Russian Ministry of Defense did not respond to a request for comment.
20:27 Schmid Defends Ukraine Aid After Kretschmer's Proposal
The call by Saxony's Minister President Michael Kretschmer for a reduction in military aid to Ukraine has been criticized by the SPD. The SPD's foreign affairs spokesman, Nils Schmid, told the Tagesspiegel that Ukraine is defending itself against "a violation of international law by Russia on its territory." Russia could end the war at any time by withdrawing from Ukraine, Schmid said. "For Ukraine, however, ending its self-defense would mean losing its territory and sovereignty, as well as continued oppression of its population. Mr. Kretschmer is aware of this," the SPD politician added. Earlier, Kretschmer had called for a reduction in military aid to Ukraine, citing the dispute over the federal budget for 2025 in his conversation with the Redaktionsnetzwerk Deutschland (RND).
19:56 Ukrainian Troops Attack Russian Positions on Dnipro Peninsula
The Ukrainian military intelligence service reports a successful attack on Russian positions on the Kinburn Peninsula on the Russian-occupied Dnipro shore. According to Ukrainian reports, 30 Russian soldiers and six armored vehicles were destroyed. The Kinburn Peninsula is located at the mouth of the Dnipro, south of Kherson. A video published by the intelligence service shows troops landing by boat and attacks with kamikaze drones. The intelligence service's claims cannot be independently verified. Russia claims to have repelled the attacks, saying that some Ukrainians were stopped by mines and the rest by small arms fire.
19:43 New Sanctions against BelarusFollowing the EU, the USA, Canada, and the UK have imposed further sanctions on individuals and companies in Belarus. The new US sanctions announced by the US Treasury Department in Washington target 19 individuals and 14 companies, as well as the aircraft of Belarusian strongman Alexander Lukashenko. Notably affected are companies in the aerospace, logistics, and electronics sectors, along with their leadership, who have attempted to circumvent existing sanctions to acquire components for military equipment for Russia. Canada has sanctioned ten individuals and six companies, while the UK has targeted three individuals and three companies. Earlier this week, the EU also imposed new sanctions on Belarus, expanding the sanctions list that began four years ago following the disputed re-election of Lukashenko.
19:20 Ukraine Orders Special Rescue Stations from RheinmetallRheinmetall has received another order from the Ukrainian Ministry of Defense for the delivery of two rescue stations. The defense conglomerate announced this. The containerized rescue station for on-site operation is referred to as a "Forward Surgical Team (FST)" by the manufacturer. The five interconnected and expandable containers include a reception and triage area, an X-ray shelter, an operating room preparation area, an operating room shelter, and an intensive care unit. These can be deployed near the front lines and are scheduled for delivery by the end of 2023 or early 2024.
18:47 Ukraine Strikes Another Helicopter with DroneA First-Person-View (FPV) drone controlled by the Ukrainian Security Service (SBU) has struck another Russian military helicopter in the Kursk region. The "Kyiv Independent" reports this, citing a security source. The targeted aircraft was a Mi-8 transport helicopter. It is unclear whether the helicopter was destroyed or forced to crash as a result of the strike. Just a few days ago, Ukraine shot down a Mi-28 helicopter with a drone.
18:22 Russian Oligarch Calls War "Crazy"Russian billionaire Oleg Deripaska has drawn heavy criticism in Russia with his surprisingly blunt condemnation of the war against Ukraine. In an interview with the Japanese newspaper "Nikkei Asia," Deripaska called for an "immediate, unconditional ceasefire." "If you want to end the war, you must first stop the shelling," he said this week on the sidelines of an economic conference in Japan, where he participated as an official representative of Russia. He described the violent conflict as "crazy." Russian philosopher Alexander Dugin, considered one of the main ideologists of this war, sharply criticized the businessman. "This is a stab in the back of our troops and support for the terrorists of the Ukrainian army, who have infiltrated the Kursk region," Dugin explained on the Telegram messaging service.
17:54 Strack-Zimmermann Defends Ukrainian Attack on "Enemy on Its Own Territory"The chair of the Defense Committee in the European Parliament, Marie-Agnes Strack-Zimmermann, defends the use of Western weapons on Russian territory by the Ukrainian army: "The Ukrainians are adhering to all agreements set by the donor countries," says the FDP politician to the Funke media group newspapers. Regardless, Ukraine has the right to self-defense. "This includes the right to attack the enemy on its own territory," emphasizes Strack-Zimmermann. She is pleased that the EU fully supports Ukraine's efforts to restore its territorial integrity and sovereignty and combat Russia's illegal aggression, she adds.
17:21 Expert: German-supplied Tanks Involved in AttacksBritish security and defense expert Michael Clarke explains that tanks produced in Germany or the US are being used in the Kursk region. "It appears the Ukrainians have obviously decided to support the advance. And within about 48 hours, they've done so with some quite large units," Clarke says on Sky News. Among them are tanks and armored vehicles provided by the US and Germany. Whether vehicles from British production are also being used is unclear, Sky News reports.
16:55 CDU Foreign Policy Experts Rebuke KretschmerCDU foreign policy experts criticize Saxony's Minister-President Michael Kretschmer for his demand to reduce military aid to Ukraine. "Germany has a great responsibility to stand by a country that itself was invaded in World War II," says Johann Wadephul, deputy faction leader of the CDU in the Bundestag, to "Der Spiegel". "We stand on the side of freedom, and we will fulfill our responsibility. That is the clear and unwavering position of the Union," the CDU politician emphasizes. Jürgen Hardt, spokesman on foreign affairs for the Union faction, confirms: "The CDU/CSU faction in the German Bundestag has a united opinion on this. We fear that Putin will only be ready for negotiations on an equal footing if he sees that he could suffer a serious defeat in the war against Ukraine." For this, Kyiv needs to go back on the offensive in defending its territory. "For this, Ukraine still needs military equipment from the free world," says Hardt.
16:28 Mexico Refuses to Arrest Putin During VisitThe Mexican government states that it will not arrest Russian President Vladimir Putin when he attends the inauguration of the new Mexican head of state. Ukraine had made such a request. "We cannot do that," says Mexican President Andrés Manuel López Obrador before journalists and adds that "it is not our task".
15:57 Gressel: Ukraine "Likely to Occupy Territory Longer"According to Gustav Gressel, the attack on the Russian Kursk is not a "pinprick" like previous attacks behind the border. The military expert estimates that Ukrainian troops are both binding Russian forces and gaining an advantage in possible negotiations over territories.
15:33 Death toll rises: Twelve dead after rocket attack on supermarketA Russian rocket attack in the eastern Ukrainian city of Kostjantyniwka has resulted in at least twelve deaths and 44 injuries, according to official reports. "A strike by Russian terrorists on an ordinary supermarket and a post office. People are trapped under the rubble," President Volodymyr Zelenskyy writes on Telegram. Rescue operations are ongoing. The head of state expressed his condolences to the victims' families. According to the interior ministry, a fire broke out over an area of about 1,000 square meters. Kostjantyniwka is only about ten kilometers from the front line between Ukrainian and Russian troops. (see entry at 12:34)
15:10 Faber: Kretschmer's behavior "disgusts me"Saxon Minister President Michael Kretschmer's proposal to reduce military aid to Ukraine has sparked criticism from the Bundestag. "It disgusts me how a Minister President is using the survival struggle of Ukrainian women and men for his regional election campaign," says Markus Faber, chairman of the Defense Committee. German weapons deliveries would help Ukraine defend itself, not out of warlust, "but because they don't want to live in a big Bucha where the Russian army is randomly killing, torturing, and raping," Faber adds.
14:41 ISW: Ukraine operationally surprised Russia in KurskThe lack of a coherent Russian response to Ukraine's incursion into the Kursk region and the reported pace of Ukraine's advance suggest that Ukrainian forces have achieved operational surprise along the border with Russia, according to the latest report by the Institute for the Study of War (ISW). In the past one and a half years of the Ukraine war, it has been difficult for both sides to surprise the enemy due to the partly unclear battlefield in Ukraine. Analysts say the Kremlin will try to retake the Russian territory in the Kursk region captured by Ukrainian forces. Further advancement of Ukraine into Russia would be a strategic blow to Russian President Vladimir Putin's long-term efforts to stabilize and secure Russia and its geopolitical revival.
14:14 Kretschmer calls for reduction in Ukraine military aidSaxon Minister President Michael Kretschmer has called for a reduction in military aid to Ukraine amid the federal budget dispute. "We can no longer afford to provide weapons to Ukraine that will be used up and won't make a difference," Kretschmer told the German Press Agency. "Everything must be in proportion. Support yes, but we can see that we are reaching our limits." Kretschmer points to the growth of the budget in recent years. "Before the corona crisis in 2019, we had a budget volume of 344 billion euros. Now we are at 480 billion, and yet the traffic light coalition cannot agree on the budget," the CDU politician criticized. "That shows that everything is out of control. Citizen's money around 50 billion, migration dozens of billions, military aid tens of billions. That won't work."
13:52 Ukraine: Police Orders Evacuation of Around 20,000 People in Border Region SumyUkrainian authorities have issued an evacuation order for around 20,000 people in the eastern region of Sumy, bordering Russia. The order affects 28 locations under "enemy fire," the police said on the Telegram service. Local security forces are already in place to assist with the measure. The region of Sumy borders the Russian region of Kursk, where Ukrainian forces entered on Tuesday.
13:22 Russia Reinforces Troops in Contested Border Region of KurskAfter Ukrainian troops entered the southern Russian border region of Kursk, the Defense Ministry in Moscow is sending units to reinforce its forces. Columns of Grad multiple rocket launchers, artillery, and tanks are being deployed to the region, the Interfax news agency reported, citing the ministry. Local authorities said fighting with the invading Ukrainian troops continues. "Fighting is ongoing some dozen kilometers from the city of Kursk and the Kursk nuclear power plant," a local official said on Telegram.
12:57 Mangott on Kyiv's Goals in Kursk: "Third Reason: Humiliating Slap in the Face for Putin"Observers suspect that Ukraine's attack on Russian territory is an attempt to capture territory as bargaining leverage. Political scientist Gerhard Mangott does not believe Kyiv's troops will succeed in holding onto territory but suggests other motives behind the incursion.
12:34 Zelensky: Four Dead After Russian Attack on Supermarket in KostjantyniwkaAt least four people were killed and 24 injured in a Russian artillery attack on the city of Kostjantyniwka in the contested eastern Ukrainian region of Donetsk, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky wrote on the X platform. Rescue and recovery efforts are ongoing. The governor of Donetsk, Vadym Filaschkin, said the city came under Russian artillery fire. Images published by the governor on Telegram show thick black smoke rising from the destroyed building. Radio NV published images of the burning supermarket and surrounding destruction. The exact consequences of the attack are still unclear. "The attack on the supermarket in Kostjantyniwka is another case of Russian terror. War against civilians is all they know," said the head of the presidential office, Andriy Yermak, on Telegram. Kostjantyniwka is regularly targeted by Russian forces. In a Russian attack on a local market in Kostjantyniwka in September 2023, 17 people were killed and over 30 injured.
11:53 Russian Emergency Ministry Declares State of Emergency in KurskThe Russian Emergency Ministry has declared a federal state of emergency for the Kursk region on the border with Ukraine. According to the Moscow government, Russian forces in Kursk continue to repel the advance of Ukrainian units. The state-run RIA news agency reported this, citing the Defense Ministry. Around a thousand Ukrainian soldiers entered the region on Tuesday, according to Russian reports.
11:32 Video Shows Burnt Russian Military Trucks in KurskA video published on social media and verified by Reuters shows a convoy of burnt Russian military trucks in the Russian region of Kursk. The vehicles are seen along a highway, with around 15 trucks visible, including one marked with the letter 'Z', the symbol used in Russia to represent its "special military operation" in Ukraine. Reuters verified the location in the video as the village of Oktyabr'skoe by matching buildings, trees, and road layouts. However, the exact time the video was taken could not be determined.
10:55 Media: Chain Reaction in Russian Lipetsk Destroys 700 BombsA drone strike on a military airport in the Russian region of Lipetsk is said to have caused a chain reaction, destroying over 700 bombs, according to a source from the Ukrainian intelligence agency "The Kyiv Independent". Russian authorities had previously reported that a drone strike had caused a fire at a military airport, damaging an energy facility. The source told "The Kyiv Independent" that the airport was storing combat jets and helicopters. It is unknown how many were damaged or destroyed in the attack.
10:35 Kyiv Claims Attack on Military Airport in LipetskThe Ukrainian military has claimed to have attacked a military airport in the Russian region of Lipetsk overnight. The strike damaged stocks of guided bombs, causing a large fire and several explosions, according to a Telegram message from the Ukrainian military. The airport is said to house Russian combat aircraft including Su-34, Su-35, and MiG-31 models. Lipetsk is located east of the border region of Kursk, further inland in Russia.
10:08 Munz: "Russians Can't Go on the Counteroffensive"Since the Russian invasion on February 24, 2022, Ukraine has been defending its territory. However, for the past three days, Ukrainian troops have also been attacking in the border region of Kursk, Russia. ntv Moscow correspondent Rainer Munz explains why this surprise offensive poses several problems for the Russian military leadership.
09:44 Human Rights Activist: Russia Regressing to Stalinist TimesOleg Orlov, a human rights activist released in a prisoner exchange from Russian detention, criticizes the extent of repression in today's Russia in an interview with news agency AP. Orlov says that under Russian President Vladimir Putin, people are imprisoned for criticizing authorities, something not seen since the time of Soviet dictator Josef Stalin. "We're sliding back into Stalinist times," says the co-chair of Memorial, one of Russia's oldest and best-known human rights organizations, which was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2022. Orlov was sentenced to two and a half years in prison in February for criticizing Russia's war in Ukraine in an article. His release in the prisoner exchange between Russia, Belarus, and several Western countries surprised him completely.
09:00 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 588,540 soldiers in Ukraine since February 24, 2022, with a daily loss of 1,030. A report from Kyiv also states that 3 tanks, 49 artillery systems, and 2 air defense systems were destroyed. In total, Russia has lost 8,434 tanks, 16,536 artillery systems, 366 aircraft, 327 helicopters, 13,325 drones, 28 ships, and one submarine since the start of the large-scale invasion, according to Ukrainian figures. Western estimates suggest lower casualty figures, but these are likely to be minimum values.
08:19 Media: Mass Fires in Rylsk, Kursk RegionIntense explosions and mass fires were reported overnight in the city of Rylsk in the Russian region of Kursk, according to "The Kyiv Independent," citing reports on Russian-language Telegram channels. Residents of the village of Stepanovka reported hearing four explosions. The cause of the explosions is unknown. The city of Rylsk is located approximately 35 kilometers from the Russian-Ukrainian border.
07:37 Russia: State of Emergency After Drone Attack on Military AirbaseA state of emergency has been declared in the city of Lipezk following a Ukrainian drone attack on a military airbase in the area, Governor Igor Artamonov announced on Telegram. Four villages around the military airport have been evacuated. Public transportation in Lipezk and surrounding areas has been suspended. Six people were injured as a result of the attacks.
06:52 Media: Explosion After Ukrainian Attack on CrimeaAn explosion occurred on the Russian-occupied Ukrainian peninsula of Crimea, according to "Ukrainska Pravda," citing Telegram reports. The Russian governor of the city of Sevastopol, Mikhail Razvozhayev, wrote on Telegram that the forces of the Black Sea Fleet and air defense repelled an attack by Ukrainian forces on Sevastopol, destroying three drones. Additionally, the Russian air defense shot down a Ukrainian Neptune sea-launched cruise missile over the sea near Sevastopol. The Telegram channel "Crimeawind" reported shots and a powerful explosion in Chornomorskyi, as well as the work of Russian air defense in the area of the Belbek airport. A black smoke column was seen rising over the airport, and a strong smell of fire was reported in the coastal area of the city, according to the Telegram channel "Crimeawind." No information on possible casualties has been reported yet.
06:05 News: Fire at military airport in Russian region of LipetskA fire has broken out at a military airport in the Russian region of Lipetsk, according to Russian news agencies Ria Novosti and Tass. The cause of the fire is not yet known. Shortly before, the local governor announced evacuations due to a "massive" drone attack near the city of Lipetsk. The attack caused explosions and disrupted power supply, Igor Artamonov wrote on Telegram. An emergency situation has been declared in the Lipetsk district and four villages are being evacuated. Some of these villages are located near an airbase outside the city. No casualties have been reported. Ukrainian authorities had not reported any attacks on the region. Lipetsk is approximately 300 kilometers away from the Ukrainian border.
05:02 Putin may not have known about Ukrainian troop buildupValery Gerasimov, chief of the Russian General Staff, may have ignored intelligence warnings about Ukrainian forces gathering near the border with the Kursk Oblast, Bloomberg reports, citing a source close to the Kremlin. Ukrainian forces crossed the border into the Kursk Oblast on August 6, bringing the fight onto Russian territory. According to the report, Ukrainian forces began gathering near the border with the Kursk region two weeks before the start of their offensive. Russian President Vladimir Putin was not informed about the troop buildup.
03:21 Half of Germans fear conflict with Russia will escalate due to US missilesThe German and US governments have agreed that the US will station long-range weapon systems like Tomahawk cruise missiles in Germany from 2026, capable of reaching targets in Russia. Half of Germans expect this deployment to further escalate the conflict with Russia. 50 percent of respondents in a Civey survey for the Funke media group agree with this statement. 38 percent do not believe the plans will lead to further escalation, while 12 percent are undecided. 44 percent view the deployment positively, while 42 percent have a negative view, and 14 percent are undecided.
01:14 Minister President Kretschmer calls for reduction in weapons aid to UkraineSaxony's Minister President Michael Kretschmer is calling for a reduction in weapons aid to Ukraine, also considering the federal budget. "We can no longer afford to provide funds for weapons to Ukraine that will be used up and achieve nothing. Everything must be in proportion," the CDU politician told the German Press Agency. "Support yes, but we can see that we are reaching our limits." Kretschmer points to the increase in the budget in recent years. "Before the COVID-19 crisis in 2019, we had a budget volume of 344 billion euros. Now we are at 480 billion, and yet the traffic light coalition cannot agree on the budget. This shows that everything is out of control."
23:35 Kiesewetter: Ukrainian Advance is Lawful and Sensible
CDU foreign policy expert Roderich Kiesewetter sees the latest Ukrainian military offensive on Russian territory as covered by international law. The surprise move by Ukraine is "clearly lawful under the right to self-defense" and "militarily strategic," he told the "Tagesspiegel." According to the assessment of the CDU defense expert, the advance of Ukrainian troops aims to tie down Russian forces in the Kursk region and inflict significant losses on them. "This can ease pressure on other fronts because Russia has to tie down or redeploy forces to Kursk," he said.
22:30 Pentagon: Ukraine's Advance into Kursk Region Aligns with US Policy
The incursion of Ukraine into the Russian region of Kursk is "in line with our policy," said Pentagon spokesperson Sabrina Singh, according to the news portal "Kyiv Independent" at a press conference. When asked if Ukraine can use weapons supplied by the US, Singh replied that the US "has supported Ukraine from the start in defending against attacks coming from the border." The Kursk region borders the Ukrainian region of Sumy for over 245 kilometers, which has been subjected to daily Russian attacks since its liberation in April 2022. Ukraine is taking measures "to protect itself from attacks" and is operating "within the framework of US policy, using our weapons, our systems, and our capabilities," Singh said.
Singh said it's up to Ukraine to speak about its own operations. When asked how far into Russian territory Ukraine can attack, Singh said the US "does not support long-range attacks." However, she refused to specify the exact distance. "I'm not going to draw a circular map of where they can strike and where not, but we have been very clear with the Ukrainians," she said.
22:09 BSW MEP De Masi Calls for "Ceasefire and Negotiations as Soon as Possible"
Following the advance of Ukrainian troops into Kursk, BSW MEP Fabio De Masi called for "a ceasefire and negotiations as soon as possible." Ukraine has "major problems defending its own territory," he told the "Tagesspiegel." Advances "deep into Russian territory" only make sense "if Ukraine's goal is to strengthen the escalation dynamic." The risks are immense, said the Euro politician. "Consider, for example, the Russian nuclear power plant in the region. Russia is a nuclear power and has the escalation dominance."
21:50 Authorities in the Kursk region report at least five civilian deaths
Russian forces have been battling a Ukrainian incursion across the border for the third consecutive day, according to reports from Moscow. Russian military forces and border guards are preventing Ukrainian units from advancing further into Kursk, the Russian Defense Ministry said. Meanwhile, the Russian army is attacking Ukrainian forces attempting to retreat from the Ukrainian border region of Sumy. The Russian Health Ministry reports that since the start of the Ukrainian incursion, 66 civilians have been injured, including nine children. Authorities in the Kursk region report at least five civilian deaths, including two paramedics. Ukraine has not yet commented on the incursion.
21:30 EU Foreign Policy Chief Borrell: Lukashenko regime involved in illegal deportation of Ukrainian children
The Belarusian regime is complicit in Russia's attack on Ukraine, according to EU Foreign Policy Chief Josep Borrell in Brussels. Alongside political, military, and logistical support, Belarus has contributed to the illegal deportation of Ukrainian children from temporarily occupied areas of Ukraine. Since 2021, the regime has also orchestrated migration pressure on the EU's external borders, according to a statement from the European External Action Service.
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In light of the tensions between Russia and its neighboring countries, the topic of cyberwarfare becomes increasingly relevant. While the provided text does not directly mention cyberwarfare, here are two sentences that could come after the text, focusing on this topic:
- As the conflict between Russia and its neighboring nations intensifies, concerns about potential cyberattacks and digital espionage are on the rise, with experts warning of the possibility of a large-scale "cyberwar" between the involved parties.
- In response to the escalating geopolitical tension, international organizations and cybersecurity agencies are actively collaborating to enhance their preparedness against potential cyber threats, emphasizing the importance of digital resilience and information security in times of conflict.
