20:58 Robot dogs to relieve Ukrainian soldiers in the war
19:44 Russian military blog sees West of Sudja in Kursk region under Ukrainian controlThe Ukrainian army continues its surprising offensive into the Russian region of Kursk for the third day, making territorial gains. While official Russian civil authorities in Kursk and the Ministry of Defense in Moscow claim that the Ukrainian advance has been halted, a Russian military blog close to the ministry, Rybar, paints a different picture. According to Rybar, the Ukrainians are pushing forward, reinforcing their positions at night, and beginning to fortify them. The blog reports that the western part of the town of Sudja is under Ukrainian control, with fighting ongoing in the eastern part. Additionally, the Ukrainians have advanced north towards Anastassejewka and northeast towards Korenovo.
19:44 Russian military blog reports West of Sudja in Kursk region under Ukrainian controlThe Ukrainian army's surprise offensive into the Russian region of Kursk continues for the third day, making territorial gains. While official Russian civil authorities in Kursk and the Ministry of Defense in Moscow claim that the Ukrainian advance has been stopped, a Russian military blog close to the ministry, Rybar, presents a different picture. According to Rybar, the Ukrainians are pushing forward, reinforcing their positions at night, and beginning to fortify them. The blog reports that the western part of the town of Sudja is under Ukrainian control, with fighting ongoing in the eastern part. Additionally, the Ukrainians have advanced north towards Anastassejewka and northeast towards Korenovo.
20:05 Zelensky praises Ukrainian army's ability to surpriseUkrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky praises his army's ability to "surprise," but makes no mention of the fighting in the Russian region of Kursk. Russian troops have been trying to fend off a Ukrainian offensive in the border region for three days, but there has been no official statement from the Ukrainian side so far.
20:20 Zelensky: Russia must feel consequences of war it startedFollowing the Ukrainian army's push into the Russian region of Kursk, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky states that Russia must feel the consequences of the war it started. "Russia brought the war to Ukraine, now it must feel what it has done," Zelensky says in his daily address. However, he does not directly mention the Ukrainian troops' advance into Kursk. Neither have other Ukrainian officials commented on the Ukrainian army's offensive that began on Tuesday. Thousands of people have been evacuated on both sides of the border. Zelensky reports receiving three reports from the military commander, Oleksandr Syrsky, stating that the military actions are "effective" and "exactly what the country needs now." Some observers believe that the unprecedented advance of the Ukrainian army into Kursk aims to occupy Russian territory to strengthen its position in future peace negotiations.
Local reports suggest there is no Ukrainian presence in Sochi itself. Only to the north and west of the city are there reports of shootings and artillery fire. Unconfirmed reports suggest that Ukrainian reconnaissance units have advanced towards the Kursk nuclear power plant and have been spotted in Anastasevka.
19:04 SPD to discuss stationing of US missiles in SeptemberThe defense spokesman for the SPD parliamentary group, Wolfgang Hellmich, has announced a debate on the stationing of long-range US missiles in Germany in the Bundestag. "It's important that we consider everything with this significant issue, take the concerns of citizens seriously, and address information gaps," Hellmich told the Funke media group. "We will deal with the topic in the faction and in the Bundestag overall after the parliamentary summer break in September to meet the existing information and discussion needs." The federal government and the US government have agreed that the USA will station long-range weapons systems such as Tomahawk cruise missiles in Germany from 2026, which can reach targets in Russia. Many German citizens view the decision critically, according to polls.
18:19 Russian prosecutor seeks 15-year sentence for US-Russian woman accused of aiding UkraineA Russian state media report says the prosecutor is seeking a 15-year prison sentence for a Russian-American woman accused of high treason. Ksenia Khavana was arrested in Yekaterinburg in February. She was accused of collecting money for the Ukrainian military. In a closed-door trial on Wednesday, she reportedly pleaded guilty to the charges. News agency Interfax reports today, citing her lawyer Mikhail Muskalov, that the prosecutor has requested a 15-year sentence. The verdict is expected on August 15. Khavana is said to have become a US citizen after marrying an American and moving to Los Angeles. She had come to Russia to visit family members. An activist group says the charges against Khavana stem from a $51 (around €47) donation to a US charity organization active in Ukraine. Russia has enacted laws since the deployment of troops to Ukraine in February 2022 that criminalize criticism of its actions there. Concerns have increased that Russia could target US citizens for arrest.
17:54 Moscow reports Ukrainian losses in fighting in Kursk regionThe chief of the Russian General Staff, Valery Gerasimov, told President Vladimir Putin during a video conference that about 100 Ukrainian soldiers were killed and more than 200 others were injured in the fighting. Russian news agencies report. Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova says that at least two people were killed - a paramedic and an ambulance driver - and 24 others were injured in Ukrainian shelling.
17:28 Stegner expresses caution about potential use of German weapons in KurskSPD foreign policy expert Ralf Stegner expresses caution about the potential use of German weapons in the Ukrainian push. "Regarding the defense of Ukraine against the Russian invasion, there was an exceptional situation at the border when the city of Kharkiv was under great threat from attacks beyond the nearby border," Stegner told the "Handelsblatt". "This did not imply a general shift in strategy regarding the handling of weapons delivered from Germany." The German government had allowed Ukraine, after a lengthy debate in late May, to use weapons it had received against targets in Russia. However, this only applied to the Russian border region near Kharkiv.
17:00 ISW: Ukraine advances kilometers into Russian territoryThe Ukrainian army has made significant progress in its offensive in the western Russian region of Kursk since Tuesday morning, according to estimates by experts at the Institute for the Study of War (ISW) in the US. The institute states that the advance is "up to ten kilometers," while Russian military blogger Yuri Podolyaka reports that Ukraine has advanced more than 25 kilometers. Ukrainian President's advisor Mykhailo Podolyak described the situation in western Russia as a consequence of Russia's "aggression" against Ukraine. According to Russian reports, "up to a thousand" Ukrainian soldiers, as well as dozens of tanks and armored vehicles, are involved in the attack. So far, at least five civilians have been killed and 31 injured. The ISW further states that the "currently confirmed extent and location of Ukrainian advances in the Kursk region (...) indicate that Ukrainian forces have breached at least two Russian defensive lines and a position." The goal appears to be a key Russian army supply hub near the town of Sudzha, eight kilometers from the border.
16:28 Kiesewetter calls Ukrainian advance in Kursk "militarily strategic"CDU foreign policy expert Roderich Kiesewetter described the Ukrainian advance in Kursk as "militarily strategic". This could "relieve pressure on the front at other points because Russia has to tie up or redeploy forces there," Kiesewetter told the "Tagesspiegel". The Ukrainian advance is "self-evidently legally permissible in terms of the right of self-defense" (see also entries from 14:45 and 15:07).
15:57 Ukraine: Two dead in Russian attack in DonetskAt least two people were killed in a Russian artillery attack on the city of Kostyantynivka in the eastern Ukrainian region of Donetsk, local authorities reported. The morning attack hit a residential area, regional governor Vadym Finkelstein said on Telegram. Donetsk is a hotspot of the conflict. The parts of the region controlled by Ukraine are regularly targeted by Russian fire. Russian troops are trying to advance on the industrial and mining city of Pokrovsk, a strategically important logistics hub. Four people were killed in a Russian attack in Donetsk on Wednesday.
15:36 Russia: Clashes continue after Ukrainian advance into Kursk Fighting continues for a third day in the border region, according to Moscow, after Ukrainian troops pushed into the Russian territory of Kursk. Russian 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. 15:07 Wagenknecht warns against use of German weapons in Russia: "Red line" Sahra Wagenknecht has warned against the use of German weapons in the Ukrainian advance into Russian territory. "This is a highly dangerous development," she told the Funke media group. "The Federal Chancellor must call the Ukrainian President and demand that no German weapons are used in advances onto Russian territory," the BSW chairwoman demanded. While Chancellor Olaf Scholz had promised that Germany would not become a party to the war, he had initially approved the use of German weapons to shoot at Russian territory, Wagenknecht criticized. "Is the federal government now also allowing the Ukraine to advance into Russia with German weapons? That would be the next red line to be crossed," she added. The federal government is drawing Germany ever deeper into the war, she continued, increasing the risk of a major European war. 14:45 Chairman of the Defense Committee: Ukraine can use German weapons in Kursk Marcus Faber, chairman of the Defense Committee in the Bundestag, does not see a problem with Ukraine using German-supplied weapons in its current advance on Russian territory. "Upon delivery to Ukraine, they become Ukrainian weapons," he told the Funke media group. This applies to all material, including the Leopard 2 battle tank, Faber said. "With the Russian attack on Ukraine, the territory of both states has become a war zone," he explained. "The use of weapons is governed by the rules of international law." 14:24 Ukraine calls on Mexico to arrest Putin at Sheinbaum's inauguration The Ukrainian embassy in Mexico has called on the Mexican government to arrest Russian President Vladimir Putin if he attends the inauguration of elected President Claudia Sheinbaum. Sheinbaum will assume the presidency on October 1, 2024, becoming the first woman to hold the office in the Latin American country. "We trust that the Mexican government will comply with the international arrest warrant and hand over the aforementioned (Putin) to the judicial authorities of the United Nations in The Hague," the embassy said. In March 2023, the International Criminal Court (ICC) issued an arrest warrant for Putin for the war crime of deporting Ukrainian children to Russia following Moscow's invasion in early 2022. Juan Ramon de la Fuente, who was elected as Sheinbaum's foreign minister, explained that it is "standard protocol" to invite the heads of state of all countries with which Mexico has diplomatic relations, including Russia, to the inauguration.
13:50 Monitoring Services: Russian Users Can No Longer Open YouTube
Users in Russia are unable to open YouTube on their computers and mobile devices. Internet monitoring services downdetector.su, Failure Detector, and sboy.rf are reporting a significant outage of the YouTube platform. According to the sboy.rf service, over 15,000 complaints have been registered regarding the video hosting service. Complaints came from individuals in Moscow, St. Petersburg, Nizhny Novgorod, Yekaterinburg, Ufa, Saratov, Samara, Krasnodar, the occupied Crimea, and several other regions. Users reported that they could only access YouTube through virtual private networks (VPNs). Even Reuters reporters in Russia were unable to access YouTube, although the website was still available on some mobile devices. YouTube is the last remaining western platform accessible in Russia, making it the last bastion of free expression. According to Decoder, over 90 million users in Russia access YouTube monthly, placing it at the top of video and streaming platforms. In mid-July, Russian media reported that the Russian government planned to block YouTube in September.
13:24 EU: Ukraine Engages in "Lawful Defensive War" in Russian Kursk
The EU views the Ukrainian troops' push into the Russian region of Kursk as part of the right to self-defense. "We believe that Ukraine is engaged in a lawful defensive war against illegal aggression," said a spokesperson for EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell in Brussels. The right to self-defense includes the right to attack the enemy on their territory. The EU fully supports Ukraine's efforts to restore its territorial integrity and sovereignty and combat illegal Russian aggression. Ukrainian troops, supported by tanks and artillery, recently crossed the Russian border from the Sumy region at Sudzha and reportedly took control of several villages. Russian reports indicate that around 1,000 Ukrainian soldiers are involved in the operation.
12:43 Ukraine: Dozens of Russian Soldiers Captured in Kursk
After Ukrainian forces entered the Russian region of Kursk, "many" Russian soldiers were reportedly captured. The Ukrainian project "Khochu nayti" announced this on Telegram. The humanitarian project, launched in January 2024 by the Ukrainian military intelligence, serves as a coordination center for Russian prisoners of war in Ukraine. It aims to help military personnel of the Russian army find their relatives. According to "Khochu nayti", both conscripts and contract soldiers are among the captives. "There are also reports of deaths, whose bodies were not removed by their comrades during the retreat," the statement said. The project published drone footage allegedly showing the capture of more than 30 Russian soldiers. Other videos on social media show dozens of Russian soldiers surrendering in the Kursk region. The total number of Russian soldiers captured since the Ukrainian offensive in the region remains unclear.
12:18 Gazprom: Gas Transit Runs Normally Despite Fighting in Kursk Region
Gazprom reports that gas transit through the Kursk border region, targeted by Ukraine, is running largely normally. Around 37.3 million cubic meters of natural gas are expected to be transported today, the company announced in Moscow. This is five percent less than the day before, according to Russia's state news agency Tass. Ukrainian troops have reportedly taken control of the city of Sudja, at least partially, including a key gas pipeline measurement station en route to Western Europe. In 2023, despite the ongoing war, 14.6 billion cubic meters of natural gas were transported to the European Union via this route.
11:37 Military Blogger: Russia Loses 'Important Logistics Hub' to Ukraine
The Russian city of Sudja in the Kursk region has reportedly been taken by Ukrainian forces, according to pro-Russian military blogger Yuri Podolyaka on his Telegram channel. The town, nine kilometers from the Ukrainian border, is now full of Ukrainian soldiers, Podolyaka writes. "Sudja is essentially lost for us. It's a significant logistics hub," he adds. Ukrainian forces are reportedly advancing north towards Lgov. "Overall, the situation is difficult and deteriorating, despite the noticeable slowdown in the pace of the Ukrainian offensive."
11:04 Munz: Kursk Incursion 'Completely Surprised' Moscow
Initially, the situation remains unclear, but it's later confirmed: Ukrainian fighters attack on Russian territory. The incursion in the Kursk region has "completely surprised" Moscow, reports ntv correspondent Rainer Munz. However, there's more to this attack than just a diversionary maneuver.
10:48 Russia: Situation in Kursk After Ukrainian Incursion 'Under Control'
Russian forces have been engaged in fighting with infiltrating Ukrainian troops in the Kursk Oblast for the third day in a row. The situation is "stable and under control," according to the vice-governor of the border region, as reported by Russia's state news agency RIA Novosti. Around 3,000 people have been evacuated to safety. Russian troops are actively fighting against Ukrainian units in the Sudja district and pushing them back, according to local authorities cited by the news agency Tass. Four people have been killed in the Ukrainian attacks. The Ukrainian military has not yet commented on the offensive in Kursk. Several pro-Russian military bloggers also report ongoing fighting.
09:35 UN: Russians Torture 95% of Ukrainian POWsRussian prison camp staff are allegedly torturing Ukrainian prisoners of war (POWs) from the very first interrogations. Furthermore, torture is widespread and systematic in Russian captivity, according to Danielle Bell, head of the UN Human Rights Monitoring Mission in Ukraine (HRMMU), in an interview with Dutch broadcaster NOS. She claims that the Russian Federation has tortured 95% of Ukrainian POWs in their prisons. Ukrainian POWs are reportedly beaten with metal rods and sticks, stripped naked, and subjected to electric shocks. "This is undoubtedly the worst I've seen in my 20-year career," Bell says. Information about Ukrainian prisoners in Russia is primarily gathered through interviews with Ukrainian POWs after their release. Simultaneously, the UN mission has direct access to Russian POWs and can assess the prison conditions.
08:49 Estonia Introduces Enhanced Border Controls with RussiaEstonia is introducing full customs controls at its eastern EU border with Russia. The government of the Baltic NATO state decided on this in early August. From August 8, all persons crossing the border to Russia, as well as all cargo, will be subject to inspection. The controls at the road and rail border crossings in Narva, Koidula, and Luhamaa will be gradually introduced. Previously, passenger and vehicle checks were random and risk-based. With the tightening, Prime Minister Kristen Michal aims to prevent the transit and transport of EU-sanctioned goods through Estonia and strengthen the country's security. The border between Russia and Estonia is 294 kilometers long.
08:11 Ukraine Releases Figures on Russian LossesThe Ukrainian General Staff has published new loss figures for Russian troops in Ukraine. According to the report, Russia has lost around 587,510 soldiers in Ukraine since February 24, 2022, with 1,140 losses in the past 24 hours alone. Additionally, two tanks, 36 artillery systems, 81 drones, and one helicopter have been destroyed. In total, Russia has lost 8,431 tanks, 16,487 artillery systems, 366 aircraft, 327 helicopters, 13,293 drones, 28 ships, and one submarine since the start of the large-scale invasion. Western estimates suggest lower loss figures, but these are likely minimums.
07:32 Medvedev Threatens Escalation of Russian Invasion in UkraineDmitri Medvedev, deputy chairman of the Russian Security Council, has threatened to escalate the invasion in Ukraine in response to the Ukrainian advance into the Russian border region of Kursk. The Russian military operation should no longer be limited to securing territories in Ukraine that Russia considers its own, says the former president. Instead, the armed forces should push towards the cities of Odessa, Kharkiv, Dnipro, Mykolaiv, Kyiv, and beyond. The advance will only stop when Russia deems it advantageous. Ukrainian troops have reportedly advanced deep into Russian territory in the region during a counteroffensive, with heavy fighting reported. The region has been put under a state of emergency.
07:05 Russia: 14 Ukrainian aerial objects destroyed over Kursk and Belgorod
Russian air defense forces destroyed 14 unmanned Ukrainian aerial objects overnight, eight over the Belgorod region and two over the Kursk region, according to the Russian Ministry of Defense on Telegram. Air defense systems shot down six drones and five other missiles over the Kursk region, said regional governor Alexei Smirnov. In the early morning of August 6, Ukrainian forces attacked border areas of the Kursk region. According to the latest reports from the Russian General Staff, there are still clashes in border areas. An emergency situation has been declared in Kursk (see entries at 19:08, 19:38, and 20:41), and residents are being evacuated.
06:25 Ukraine declares air alert due to Russian MiG-31K attack
The Ukrainian Air Force has declared an air alert across the entire country due to a missile threat from a Russian MiG-31K. This aircraft type is a Soviet-era interceptor named after the Mikoyan-Gurevich aircraft manufacturer and is capable of carrying hypersonic Kinzhal missiles.
05:32 ISW: Ukrainian armored vehicles ten kilometers behind Russian border in Kursk
According to an assessment by the Institute for the Study of War (ISW), Ukrainian troops have advanced up to ten kilometers into the Russian region of Kursk. This is confirmed by footage of armored vehicles behind the border. Ukrainian forces have reportedly breached at least two Russian defensive lines and a fortress. A Russian source claims that Ukrainian forces have captured 45 square kilometers in the Kursk region since the start of the operation on August 6. Russian authorities declared a state of emergency in the region yesterday.
02:30 Ukraine raises threshold for prison sentence in petty theft
President Zelensky has signed a law raising the threshold for petty theft in Ukraine, so that thefts valued at up to approximately €67 will now be treated as administrative offenses and fined, instead of carrying a prison sentence. Previously, the threshold was around €6.7. This change is due to the martial law imposed since the Russian invasion, which carries prison sentences of up to eight years for looting and theft. An example given in the draft law was a theft of baby diapers from a supermarket in Rivne, western Ukraine, in January 2023, valued at around €8. The thief in this case received a prison sentence of over three years.
00:27 Klingbeil: Stationing of US missiles in Germany is correctSPD leader Lars Klingbeil defends plans to station long-range US weapons in Germany against criticism from within his own party. "This stationing is correct because it helps us to defend ourselves in case Russia gets the idea to attack us," Klingbeil told the German editorial network. It is part of credible deterrence. At the margins of the NATO summit in July, the White House and the German government announced that the USA would again station weapons systems in Germany from 2026 that reach far into Russia. Named were Tomahawk cruise missiles, SM-6 missiles, and new hypersonic weapons. There are critical voices within the SPD, including faction leader Rolf Mützenich, who warns of the risk of military escalation.
22:38 Human rights activist Orlow wants to fight for Russian prisonersOleg Orlow, the Moscow human rights activist released in a prisoner exchange between Russia and Western states, wants to continue his civil rights work in exile. "Memorial cannot be destroyed," the 71-year-old said at a press conference at the Center for Liberal Modernity in Berlin. The organization he co-founded, Memorial, which was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize, also advocates for political prisoners in Russia. Orlow estimates that at least 800 political prisoners are still incarcerated in Russia - conservatively estimated. His new role in exile in Germany is difficult for Orlow, who would prefer to be in his homeland but fears prosecution. Orlow now hopes to be able to advocate for the release of more political prisoners, including eight who are seriously ill. "When it turned out that these people were not on the list, we were very disappointed - we who were exchanged." Memorial continues to work in Russia despite repression, but also from abroad.
21:30 Not dead after all? Known Russian propagandist injuredThe known Russian propagandist Yevgeny Poddubny was injured in the Kursk region. The state television company VGTRK reports on Telegram that Poddubny was injured in an attack by a Ukrainian drone in the Kursk region and taken to hospital. Previously, numerous Russian media had reported the death of Poddubny in agreement. Yevgeny Poddubny is one of the most famous Russian "war correspondents". His Telegram channel has around 734,000 followers. According to preliminary information, he was filming a report on the fighting in the Kursk region on Wednesday.
20:41 Region Kursk declares state of emergencyIn the Russian region of Kursk, a state of emergency has been declared amid a Ukrainian ground offensive. This was announced by the governor of the region, Alexei Smirnov, in a Telegram post. Ukraine has advanced far onto Russian territory in Kursk in a counterattack. The offensive began on Tuesday, according to the Russian Ministry of Defense, and reached the northwest of the city of Sudzha on Wednesday.
20:14 Clashes Nearby: Russia Bolsters AKW Kursk ProtectionDue to Ukrainian advances into the Russian border region of Kursk, the Russian National Guard is reinforcing the protection of the AKW Kursk nuclear power plant. Additionally, extra forces are being deployed to combat sabotage and reconnaissance units in the Kursk and Belgorod regions, the agency reports. This is happening in cooperation with Russian border troops and the army. The nuclear power plant, with four blocks and a capacity of almost two gigawatts, is located only about 60 kilometers from the Ukrainian border. The day before, Ukrainian troops supported by tanks and artillery crossed the Russian border from the Sumy region at Sudzha, reportedly advancing up to 15 kilometers towards the nuclear power plant.
19:38 Attacks in Kursk Region: European Gas Price Hits Yearly HighThe price of European natural gas has risen to its highest level this year. The leading TTF futures contract for delivery next month increased by 5.7 percent to 38.78 euros per megawatt hour (MWh) in Amsterdam. Market participants are pointing to the attacks by Ukraine on the Russian region of Kursk. The clashes are reportedly taking place near Sudzha, an important gas injection point that supplies Western Europe through Ukrainian pipelines. Gazprom is currently reporting normal gas supplies.
19:08 Ukraine Evacuates Border Areas Near Russian KurskAmid heavy fighting in the Russian Kursk region, Ukrainian authorities have ordered the evacuation of more settlements in the neighboring Sumy region. The measures affect 23 settlements, said the military governor of Sumy, Volodymyr Artjuch, on Ukrainian television. About 6,000 people, including over 400 children and adolescents, are to be moved to safety from the border area. The day before, Ukrainian troops launched an incursion across the Ukrainian-Russian border towards the city of Sudzha in the Kursk region, advancing several kilometers onto Russian territory. Moscow reported around 1,000 Ukrainian soldiers equipped with heavy machinery. Kyiv has not yet commented on the events. Due to regular Russian shelling of border areas, local authorities had already ordered evacuations from a 10-kilometer-wide border zone in May.
You can read about all previous developments here.
20:45 EU Shows Support for Ukrainian Control in Kursk RegionIn response to the developments in the Kursk region, the European Union has expressed its support for the Ukrainian control, stating that Ukraine is engaged in a lawful defensive war against illegal aggression.
21:00 The European Union Calls on Russia to Withdraw from KurskGiven that the Ukrainian army has been making territorial gains in the Kursk region, the European Union has called on Russia to withdraw its forces from the region and respect Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity.
