21:10 After the sabotage alarm at the Bundeswehr: the CDU sees the Ministry of Defense in the duty
18:24 Police and State Protection are investigating a security incident at the waterworks of the Cologne-Wahn Air Force Base due to suspicion of sabotage against the German Armed Forces. "Abnormal water values" and then a hole in the fence were detected, a spokesperson for the German Armed Forces in Cologne said in front of the base. CDU defense politician Serap Güler now sees the Ministry of Defense as responsible for clarifying open questions: "The ministry must now immediately clarify how an outsider was able to gain access to supposedly well-guarded military bases," she told Spiegel. "At the same time, it is commendable that the incidents were detected early," said Güler (see also entries from 18:55 and 18:24).
20:51 Rating agency sees increasing risk of asset seizures for Western banks in RussiaWestern banks still operating in Russia must prepare for the possibility of asset seizures there, according to the rating agency Scope. The risk of this is increasing, the Berlin-based credit watchdogs said. Business transactions that cannot be completed due to international sanctions expose banks to a higher risk of such court rulings. Recently, a Russian court awarded assets of Commerzbank to a Russian company as compensation. Assets of Deutsche Bank and Italian UniCredit have already been seized there by court order. Russia is increasingly responding to the sanctions imposed by Western countries due to the Russian invasion of Ukraine with retaliatory measures. Many companies operating there have already had to accept the seizure or attachment of assets. Companies that want to withdraw from Russia have to sell their businesses to Russian companies at significant discounts. The European Central Bank (ECB) has been putting pressure on banks still operating in Russia for some time to reduce their engagements there. It has, among other things, urged institutions with significant engagements there to accelerate the reduction of risks and demanded clear plans for the reduction of business in Russia and for an exit from the Russian market.
20:29 Zelensky: We adhere to humanitarian lawThe Ukrainian troops advancing into the western Russian region of Kursk are strictly adhering to international conventions and humanitarian law, according to President Volodymyr Zelensky. This was discussed at a meeting of the Ukrainian leadership, Zelensky reported on Twitter. Humanitarian aid has been prepared for the civilian population in the occupied areas, and access for representatives of international organizations will be permitted. The emphasis on adhering to humanitarian law refers back to atrocities committed by Russian troops during their advance on Kyiv nearly two and a half years ago. Numerous civilians were killed indiscriminately in the Kyiv suburb of Bucha before the Russian military had to retreat from that area. According to reports from the Ukrainian agency Unian, it was decided at the government meeting to allow international organizations access to the occupied areas in western Russia. These include the International Committee of the Red Cross, the United Nations, and other international organizations in the service of humanitarian aid.
20:05 Convicted in Nemtsov Murder Case Volunteers for Russian War EffortOne of the convicted individuals in the case of the murdered Kremlin critic Boris Nemtsov has reportedly volunteered for service in the war zone in Ukraine, according to official statements. The exile-based, Kremlin-critical newspaper "Novaya Gazeta" reports that the convict is currently stationed in the Russian-occupied city of Mariupol. However, he is said to be on leave in his home region of Chechnya in the North Caucasus at the moment. After signing up for service, he was pardoned and released in March, the state-run Russian news agency TASS reported, citing the Russian justice system. He reportedly signed a one-year contract with the Ministry of Defense to perform tasks in the area of the military special operation - the official term for the war in Russia.
Former Deputy Prime Minister Nemtsov was shot dead near the Kremlin in 2015. A Moscow court convicted the suspected murderer and four accomplices from the North Caucasus region to lengthy prison terms in 2017. The murder of Nemtsov, a vocal critic of Russian President Vladimir Putin, remains shrouded in mystery, with his family alleging that the masterminds have never been properly investigated.
19:50 Zelensky: Ukraine Achieves Strategic Goals in Kursk - Russia DisagreesUkrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky claims that his country has achieved its strategic goals in its push into the Russian region of Kursk, according to his nightly address on Telegram. However, the Russian military maintains that its units, supported by air force, drones, and artillery, have thwarted attempts by mobile enemy groups to advance deep into Russian territory using armored vehicles. The army statement further claims that Ukrainian forces suffered heavy losses.
19:30 Freed Russian Activist Plans to Marry in GermanySasha Skochilenko, a Russian activist who was arrested for distributing anti-war messages in 2022 and sentenced to seven years in prison, was released in a prisoner exchange and arrived in Germany, where she can openly live with her partner Sonya Subbotina.
18:55 Possible Sabotage against German Armed Forces: Russia SuspectedThe German Armed Forces have cordoned off and searched two of their bases in North Rhine-Westphalia due to suspected sabotage. At the Cologne-Wahn air base, there are suspicions of manipulations to the internal drinking water system, the military announced. At the Geilenkirchen base, an intruder was reportedly repelled, but subsequent water tests showed no anomalies. The chairman of the Defense Committee in the German Bundestag, Marcus Faber, pointed the finger at Russia for the possible sabotage incidents (see entry from 18:24). Similarly, the chairman of the Parliamentary Control Panel of the German Bundestag, Konstantin von Notz, told Welt TV that the suspicion of a Russian sabotage action is "a concrete working hypothesis for the investigations."
18:24 Possible Sabotage at the German Armed Forces: Chairman of the Defense Committee Suspects RussiaFollowing the possible sabotage incidents in two German Armed Forces barracks, the chairman of the Defense Committee in the Bundestag, Marcus Faber, points the finger at Russia. "Given the temporal proximity of the incidents in the two barracks, one can suspect that an adversary actor is demonstrating their sabotage capabilities here," Faber told the "Bild" newspaper. "The actor with the greatest interest in doing so is Putin," he added, referring to the Russian president. However, further investigations must confirm this suspicion, Faber said. Both the German Armed Forces base in Cologne-Wahn and the NATO support point in Geilenkirchen were targets of suspected sabotage activities.
18:00 Likely Companies from Over 120 Countries: Russia Seeks New Partners at Arms FairIn the Moscow region, rows of tanks, combat aircraft, and firearms are on display: at an international arms fair, the Defense Ministry is signing new arms deals with foreign partners worth an estimated five billion euros.
17:40 After Prisoner Exchange: Poland Charges Freed Man with EspionageA Russian-Spanish dual national suspected of being a GRU agent is being prosecuted for espionage in Poland. Pavel R., better known as Pablo G., was arrested in the Polish city of Przemysl near the Ukrainian border on February 28, 2022, just days after the start of Russia's invasion of Ukraine. He had been posing as a freelance journalist from Spain and writing reports for Spanish media. He was held in Poland until he was part of a prisoner exchange with Russia on August 1. According to the prosecution, R. is suspected of committing a criminal offense related to espionage, which carries a prison sentence of three to 15 years. It was not clear whether R. would be tried in absentia. The authorities did not provide details on further proceedings.
17:27 Report: Russian Justice Opens Over 10,000 Cases for "Insulting" the ArmySince the start of the Ukraine war in February 2022, Russian justice has opened more than 10,000 cases for "insulting" the army, the independent Russian news portal Mediazona reports on its website. The tenth thousandth case was filed in court in the first week of August, the report says. Most cases were reported in the first months of the war, with 5,614 cases by the end of 2022, and another 2,997 in 2023, bringing the total to 8,590 by the end of last year. So far this year, 1,410 cases have been opened. Mediazona counted the cases based on data from Russian courts. The cases are based on a law that punishes "insulting" the armed forces with fines of up to 50,000 rubles (around 500 euros). A second offense within a year can result in a five-year prison sentence. If the justice system finds that the "insult" led to injuries, deaths, or a significant disruption of public order, prison sentences of up to seven years can be imposed.
17:08 Kyiv Reports Downing of Su-34 Fighter-Bomber in Kursk RegionUkrainian forces have destroyed a Russian Su-34 fighter-bomber in the Kursk region, according to "Ukrainska Pravda," citing a statement from the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. "Last night, the forces and means of the anti-aircraft missile troops of the Ukrainian Air Force destroyed a Russian Su-34 fighter-bomber during a combat mission in the Kursk region (Russia)," the Ukrainian online newspaper quoted the explanation.
16:50 Kyiv Aims to Create 'Buffer Zone' in Kursk RegionThe Ukrainian army, in its offensive in the Russian border region of Kursk, aims to establish a "buffer zone" to protect its population, according to its own statements. "The creation of a buffer zone in the Kursk region is a step to protect our population on the border from daily enemy fire," Interior Minister Ihor Klimenko said on the Telegram messaging service. Kyiv also announced plans to open a humanitarian corridor in the region. "Our forces are preparing to open a humanitarian corridor for the evacuation of civilians, both towards Russia and towards Ukraine," Deputy Prime Minister Iryna Vereshchuk also said on Telegram.
16:30 Authority, Corruption, Propaganda: Does the Kursk Offensive Threaten Putin's Power Structure?Internationally, politicians are surprised by Ukraine's push into the Kursk region. Russia also seems caught off guard, with the Kremlin seemingly still formulating a response. Does this mean a crack in Vladimir Putin's power structure?
15:59 Report: Ukraine Launches 'Largest Attack' on Russian Air Bases Since War BeganLong-range drones of the Ukrainian Security Service (SBU) and Ukrainian defense forces launched the largest attack on Russian military air bases in Voronezh, Kursk, Novoselytsia, and Borisoglebsk overnight, according to the Ukrainian national news agency "Ukrinform," citing a source at the SBU. The attack was reportedly effective and the largest since the start of the war. Its aim was to prevent Russia from using these air bases for missile attacks on the front line and Ukrainian cities.
15:36 German Government: Ukraine Support Unrelated to Nord StreamThe current findings of the investigation into the attack on the Nord Stream gas pipelines do not change Germany's support for Ukraine, said Wolfgang Büchner, deputy government spokesman, in response to journalists' questions in Berlin. "Investigations are being conducted according to the rule of law, regardless of the person involved and completely independent of the outcome of such investigations," he said. The investigation has no influence on whether and to what extent Germany will continue to support Ukraine in the future, as it "does not change the fact that Russia is waging a war of aggression against Ukraine in violation of international law," Büchner added. The clarification of the act of sabotage is a top priority for the German government, the spokesman said. He declined to evaluate whether Polish authorities are cooperating sufficiently in this regard.
15:10 Kursk Offensive Progresses: "Advance Brings Ukraine No Closer to Peace"Ukraine's offensive in the Kursk region surprises Putin and Russia. Thousands are evacuated, and Russia seems not to have found the right military response yet. Security expert Gerhard Mangott sees no decisive advantage for Ukraine - on the contrary.
14:50 Russia Extends Oil Export BanRussia extends the existing oil export ban. The step is to stabilize fuel prices in the country, which have recently risen sharply again, the Moscow government explains. The ban will apply from September 1 to the end of the year. It is due to a "period of sustained seasonal demand and planned repairs in oil refineries," it is said further. Russia had taken such a measure for the first time in the fall of 2023 in response to rising fuel prices. The export ban was then suspended again in November. At the beginning of the year, Moscow announced a six-month oil export ban from March 1, which was then suspended between mid-May and late July, citing "saturation of the domestic market." It is now in effect again and is being extended beyond August.
14:19 Drones Accompany Ground Offensive: Ukrainians Film Themselves Far Behind Russian BorderThe Ukrainian ground offensive on Russian soil has so far been a major success for Ukraine. Ukrainian soldiers film themselves renaming a Russian village 100 kilometers behind the border. President Selenskyj uses this development for a confident message.
13:52 Ukraine: Russian City of Sudscha Fully Under ControlThe city of Sudscha in the Russian Kursk Oblast is fully under Ukrainian control, according to Ukrainian military chief Olexander Syrskyj. "The search and destruction of the enemy in the town of Sudscha is complete," he says in a video conference with President Volodymyr Selenskyj. Footage is published on the president's Telegram channel. The pipeline that supplies Russian gas from West Siberia to Slovakia and other EU countries via Ukraine runs through Sudscha. Sudscha has around 6,000 inhabitants.
13:31 Russian National Guard Reinforces Security at Kursk NPPThe Russian National Guard, Rosgwardija, is reinforcing security at the Kursk NPP. Special attention is being paid to defending against Ukrainian drones, it says. The Ukrainian military entered the border-adjacent oblast on August 6 and claims to have brought more than 1,000 square kilometers under its control. This cannot be independently verified. The NPP is located about 30 kilometers west of the city of Kursk and is operated by the state corporation Rosenergoatom.
13:06 Selenskyj: Steadily Advancing in Russian Oblast KurskAccording to President Volodymyr Selenskyj, Ukrainian troops are steadily advancing in the Russian Oblast Kursk. They have moved one to two kilometers in various directions within 24 hours, the Ukrainian head of state says in a video conference with military chief Olexander Syrskyj. The latter explains that Ukrainian units captured 100 Russian soldiers on Wednesday.
12:43 Kriewald: Ukraine is "under significant pressure in the Donetsk region"The Ukraine maintains its pressure on the Russian region of Kursk. However, while it records military successes there, the Russians continue to advance in the eastern Ukrainian combat zone of Donetsk. ntv reporter Nadja Kriewald reports from Kyiv on the current situation in the Ukraine war.
12:12 Ukrainian soldiers remove Russian flag from building in SudschaUkrainian state television shows footage of Ukrainian soldiers removing a Russian flag from a public building in Sudscha. In the video, taken on Wednesday, three soldiers can be seen pulling down the flag while shouting "Glory to Ukraine!" Sudscha is located in the Russian region of Kursk, which borders Ukraine. In recent days, the Ukrainian military has reported advances, but it was unclear which side controlled Sudscha. The city is where the pipeline runs that Russia uses to supply gas from West Siberia to Slovakia and other EU countries via Ukraine.
11:45 Russia puts peace talks on holdRussia has put peace talks on hold after the Ukrainian attack on the region of Kursk, according to the Russian Foreign Ministry. Special envoy Rodion Miroschnik told the state-run TASS news agency that Ukraine's attack on Kursk has effectively "frozen" any potential peace talks for the foreseeable future. The Ukrainian military surprised Russia by entering the border region on August 6 and claiming to have taken control of over 1000 square kilometers.
11:09 Why Belarus is sending tanks to the front in RussiaBelarus is reportedly moving military equipment to the Russian region of Kursk, raising questions about whether the country is joining the Ukraine war. However, ntv Russia correspondent Rainer Munz believes that Belarusian President Lukashenko's actions are intended to do the opposite.
10:46 Russia attacks energy facilities in UkraineRussian forces have attacked energy facilities in northern and southern Ukraine, according to the power grid operator Ukrenergo. An installation in the south was shelled on Wednesday morning, and Russian drones were fired at another installation in the north overnight, causing temporary power outages for consumers in parts of the Chernihiv region.
10:03 Chief of Staff Jermak meets with US diplomat O'BrianAndriy Yermak, Chief of Staff to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, met with high-ranking US diplomat James O'Brian. The two discussed the situation on the battlefield and security agreements, according to the Ukrainian presidential administration. O'Brian is responsible for European and Eurasian affairs in the US Department of State.
09:17 Expert: Chernobyl Scenario Possible in Kursk NPPA Chernobyl-like scenario in the Kursk Nuclear Power Plant (KNPP) cannot be completely ruled out, says Dmytro Humeniuk, an expert in safety analysis at the State Scientific and Technical Center for Nuclear and Radiation Safety, to Radio NV. The KNPP has the same reactor type as the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant, which increases the possibility of a Chernobyl-like scenario, he explains. Humeniuk believes that taking the KNPP is not the goal of the Ukrainian military's invasion, as it is a complex process and the plant could suffer damage without proper maintenance. "It's not enough to capture it, it must also be operated. Therefore, the capture of the Kursk NPP cannot be a goal."
08:48 Biden: Kursk Offensive is 'Real Dilemma' for PutinThe Ukrainian offensive in the Russian region of Kursk is a "real dilemma" for Russian President Vladimir Putin, according to US President Joe Biden. The US is in constant contact with Ukraine. He did not want to say more about the push.
08:19 Russia Reports Shooting Down of 117 Drones and Four MissilesThe Ministry of Defense in Moscow reports the shooting down of 117 drones and four missiles fired from Ukraine at Russian regions. 37 drones were destroyed over the Kursk and Voronezh regions each. The ministry does not provide information on whether any drones were not intercepted and what damage may have occurred.
07:32 Problem Solver Djumin: Putin Sends His Lifesaver to KurskAlexei Gennadyevich Djumin is to lead Russia's "anti-terror operation" in Kursk, the "Moscow Times" reports, citing Russian military bloggers. President Putin has tasked Djumin with solving coordination problems in the region. Last week, there were conflicting statements about the situation in Kursk. General Gerasimov had presented the situation in a meeting as much more positive than it actually was, the report says. This led Putin to take action. The need to bring in Djumin underscores "the scale of the disaster in inter-agency cooperation," the report says. The former chief of the security staff belongs to Putin's inner circle and is known as a problem solver capable of handling coordination, combat, and civilian administration issues. Djumin himself reportedly once saved Putin from a bear.
06:59 Zelensky: Advance in Kursk Brings Us Closer to Our GoalUkrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky sees his country's military forces gaining momentum in light of their advance in the Russian region. "Ukraine can achieve its goals, defend its interests, and protect its independence," Zelensky says in a video message. The Ukrainian army has taken 74 settlements in the Kursk region - twice as many as claimed by the Russian side. Neither claim is verifiable.
06:30 "Upon Urgent Request" - Belarus Sends Military Equipment to KurskBelarusian dictator Alexander Lukashenko orders the delivery of Belarusian military equipment to Russian forces to support operations in the Kursk region. Belarusian news agency Belnovosti reports. The latest delivery is in response to an "urgent request from the Russian side" due to losses and equipment shortages in the Kursk region and other areas, according to an unnamed source in the country's defense ministry.
05:57 Governor of Belgorod Declares State of EmergencyThe governor of the Russian city of Belgorod declares a state of emergency. He reports daily shelling by Ukrainian forces that destroys homes and kills and injures civilians. "The situation in our Belgorod region remains extremely difficult and tense due to shelling by Ukrainian forces," writes Governor Vyacheslav Gladkov on Telegram, adding that a state of emergency will be declared on a regional level starting Wednesday. Russia should now declare a state of emergency for the region.
05:34 Russian Governors Report Air StrikesThe governors of the Russian oblasts of Kursk, Lipetsk, and Voronezh report drone and missile strikes on their regions. Russian Telegram channels report a fire in Voronezh that locals say was caused by a drone attack on a military airport. No official statements have been made. In Kursk, Governor Alexei Smirnov says the air defense shot down four missiles. An air alert was also sounded in Lipetsk.
04:08 EU Commission Transfers €4.2 Billion to UkraineThe EU Commission pays around €4.2 billion to Ukraine, which is under attack from Russia. "To keep the Ukrainian state running while it fights for its survival," writes Commission President Ursula von der Leyen on X. Europe stands firmly with Ukraine. The funds are part of the so-called Ukraine Facility. This EU aid program, adopted in early February, will enable financial assistance of €50 billion by the end of 2027, with €33 billion in loans and the rest in grants. EU countries gave the green light for the payment last week. With these financial resources, the EU aims to support Ukraine in rebuilding the country, modernizing it, and implementing key reforms for EU accession.
03:40 Kremlin Advises Russian Scientists Not to Publish with Foreign Publishers
The Russian Ministry of Education and Science has advised scientists not to submit articles to the Dutch publisher Elsevier, which specializes in publishing scientific and medical research, or other "similar foreign organizations," according to the state news agency Iswestija. Elsevier and other scientific publishers had announced in March 2022 that Russian and Belarusian researchers could still submit articles for publication, but that the sale of their journals to Russian organizations would be suspended due to the invasion of Ukraine. One of Russia's leading universities, the University of the Friendship of the Peoples, had already banned its employees from publishing in Elsevier research journals. The vice-rector for strategic communication, Elena Apasova, claimed that Elsevier had "transferred the fees paid by authors for the publication of articles to support Ukraine." In late January, Novaya Gazeta Europe estimated that at least 2,500 Russian scientists had left the country since the start of the invasion, as it had become much harder for many researchers to participate in international projects and publish in scientific journals.
02:51 US Official: Ukraine Aims to Force Russia to Withdraw Troops
A high-ranking US government official told Reuters that the Ukrainian advance into the Russian region of Kursk could be an attempt to force Russia to withdraw its troops from Ukraine. By pushing its military forces across the border, Ukraine is now forcing Russia to defend its own territory, which could lead to a weakening of Russian forces within Ukraine, according to the Washington assessment.
01:24 US: Not Involved in Ukrainian Incursion into Russia
The US is not involved in any way in the planning or preparation of the Ukrainian military's advance into Russian territory, according to a statement by Vedant Patel, deputy spokesperson for the US Department of State. The US is a key ally of Ukraine and has been providing the country, which was invaded by Russia in February 2022, with weapons and ammunition.
00:18 Russia Sanctions: Customs Raids Two Companies in Berlin
In Berlin, customs officials raided two companies suspected of violating EU Russia sanctions. Around 100 officers from the Central Unit for Sanctions Enforcement searched a building complex at the order of the competent regional court, the Federal Customs Administration announced. Both companies are subject to EU sanctions, freezing the assets of listed natural or legal persons. "There is suspicion of violations of the law on the enforcement of economic sanctions," the customs office said. The search was aimed at securing the building complex in the district of Tempelhof-Schöneberg and searching for assets. Interrogations were also conducted and evidence was seized. According to media reports, the companies searched are two unnamed Russian logistics companies.
23:59 Fitch Downgrades Ukraine Rating FurtherFitch Ratings has downgraded Ukraine's creditworthiness to "RD" from the previous "C". The U.S. credit watchdog attributed this move to the expiration of a payment deadline for interest on a $750 million bond due in 2026, which was due on August 1. "RD" in Fitch's rating system stands for "Restricted Default", roughly translating to "restricted default". No statement from the government in Kyiv has been issued yet.
23:08 Russia Reports Two Dead in Ukrainian Shelling in LysychanskAccording to Russian reports, two people have been killed in Ukrainian shelling in the eastern Ukrainian city of Lysychansk. The state-owned Russian news agency TASS reported this, citing local authorities who are under Russian control. Earlier, Russian-installed administrators had spoken of more than 30 injured.
22:11 Russia Moves Evacuees from Kursk to Occupied UkraineFollowing Ukraine's advance into the Russian region of Kursk, local authorities plan to move evacuees to an occupied area in Ukraine. Kursk's acting governor, Alexei Smirnov, announced this on Telegram, saying he had discussed this solution with the governor of the Zaporizhzhia region, Yevgeny Balitsky. Balitsky proposed using sanatoriums and pension facilities on the Sea of Azov for accommodation. "In the coming days, we will form the first transports to bring people to the temporary shelters in the Zaporizhzhia region," Smirnov said. Russia annexed the Ukrainian region of Zaporizhzhia in the fall of 2022 and had already installed Balitsky, a Moscow-loyal figure, as its governor. While Russia does not fully control the region, it has occupied the access to the Sea of Azov, where sanatoriums still exist.
**21:37 Moscow's UN Envoy: After Kursk Attack, Putin Withdraws 'Generous' Peace Offer'Vladimir Putin's "generous" peace offer is no longer on the table after Ukraine's incursion into the Russian border region of Kursk, a Kremlin official said. Dmitri Polyanskiy, Russia's deputy UN envoy, said at a meeting at the organization's headquarters: "In June, Russia made a generous offer to Ukraine, but a week ago, the Zelensky regime chose escalation and attacked the Kursk region," he continued, "the offer is no longer on the table." "This is a step Ukraine will regret later," he added. Russia said it is ready for peace talks "tomorrow" if Ukrainian troops withdraw from the regions of Zaporizhzhia, Kherson, Donetsk, and Luhansk, and if Ukraine abandons its plan to join NATO. If Ukraine agrees, Russia will stop firing and start negotiations, Putin said. However, Ukraine, NATO, and the Pentagon rejected the offer. Kyiv described it as "a complete fabrication".
21:08 Assessment aims to confirm over 300 Russians captured in Kursk
An assessment aims to confirm that Ukrainian forces have captured at least 303 Russian soldiers during the offensive in the Kursk region. The list was created by an Austrian X-user based on videos from social media. He also lists another 15 prisoners of war but notes his uncertainty about the accuracy of these figures. The data is incomplete as not all prisoners of war are documented in videos. Ukrainian army chief Olexander Syrskyj reports "hundreds" of Russian prisoners of war in his daily briefing to the Ukrainian president. Social media reports have even mentioned up to 2000 captured Russians in the Kursk region. Many of the captured Russians are unusually young, which the X-user suggests could make them more valuable for a prisoner exchange than men from poor backgrounds and remote Russian regions.
20:36 Moscow recognizes gravity of situation, reportedly moves troops from Kaliningrad to Kursk
According to Lithuanian defense minister Laurynas Kasciunas, Russia is moving troops from Kaliningrad to the Kursk region, where Ukrainian soldiers continue to advance. He announced this during a meeting with Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky in Kyiv, as shown in a video on Zelensky's Telegram channel. Russia has not yet commented on this. Earlier, the U.S. magazine Politico reported that the Russian military had ordered a small number of soldiers from the occupied Ukrainian regions of Kherson and Zaporizhzhia to Kursk. Moscow has not confirmed this.
20:10 Russia continues to make progress in Donetsk, battle for Toretsk underway
The situation around the city of Toretsk in the Donetsk region remains challenging for Ukrainian forces. Russian soldiers continue to attack, with fighting already taking place on the outskirts of the city. The Russians are also deploying sabotage groups within the city, according to Oleksandr Bordiian, deputy spokesman for the 32nd mechanized brigade of the Ukrainian armed forces, in an interview with Radio Liberty. However, Bordiian also noted an increase in the number of Russian soldiers surrendering last week. There is still no significant relief, such as from the Ukrainian offensive in the Russian region of Kursk. While the intensity of ground attacks has decreased, the Russians have compensated by increasing air strikes with guided bombs. According to the Ukrainian general staff, the intensity of Russian attacks in the Donetsk region has not decreased. They reported 52 attacks within 24 hours in the region around the city of Pokrovsk.
19:34 "How can Russia escalate further?"
Carlo Masala sees the threat from Moscow of a harsh counterstroke against Ukrainian advances on its own territory as an empty threat. He argues that the Russian army is already acting with extreme brutality, and a nuclear attack is unlikely.
19:01 More Casualties Than New Soldiers: Is Moscow Secretly Recruiting? The Russian army appears to be struggling to replenish its ranks with new soldiers to keep up with losses at the front. According to the U.S. news agency Bloomberg, citing unnamed sources close to the Kremlin and the Russian Ministry of Defense, these are the heaviest losses since the invasion began. The need to fill military reserves has become even more urgent due to Ukraine's incursion into the border regions of the Russian regions of Kursk and Belgorod. Bloomberg reports that Russia may be forced to consider a new mobilization. Officials could present this as a rotation to give military personnel at the front a break, with the plan potentially being announced by the end of this year, according to the sources. A person familiar with the situation told Bloomberg that regional authorities are currently unable to meet more than a third of their conscription quotas on average. On July 31, Russian President Vladimir Putin had already increased the signing bonus for new recruits to fight in Ukraine from 195,000 (1955 euros) to 400,000 (4011 euros) rubles. You can read all previous developments here.
The Ministry of Defense in Germany, led by The President of the Council, needs to clarify how an outsider was able to gain access to the well-guarded military bases following the suspected sabotage incident at the Cologne-Wahn Air Force Base.
In view of the increasing risk of asset seizures for Western banks in Russia, The President of the Council within the German government should ensure the German finance ministry provides guidance and support to banks operating there to reduce associated risks.
