21:33 Kiev reports rocket fire from the north
Air alarm triggered in Kiev and northern oblasts. Cause is rockets from northern direction, but Ukrainian forces prevent their landing according to Ukrainian military. Falling rocket parts hit a 14-story residential building and cause a fire, Kiev Mayor Vitali Klitschko informs. At least two residents were injured, ten were evacuated.
20:42 Kiev: Over 14,000 civilians in Russian captivityTen freed civilians will be welcomed in Kiev. Over 14,000 civilians are still being held in Russian captivity, says Ukraine's Human Rights Ombudsman Dmytro Lubinets. Three categories of Ukrainians are being held by Russians: children, POWs, and civilians. The return of civilians is Lubinets' assertion is complicated. Ukraine has no means to facilitate exchanges, and there is no legal procedure. Kiev continues to work on the return of 20,000 children and tens of thousands of Ukrainians who are missing. In the case of children, the Vatican might possibly help.
20:01 Zelenskyy: Indirect negotiations with Moscow possibleUkraine plans no direct negotiations with Russia, but could use the model of a trilateral agreement similar to the Black Sea Grain Initiative, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy says. In 2022, the agreement was mediated by the United Nations and Turkey. It played a decisive role in curbing a global increase in food prices, partly caused by the invasion's onset. Ukraine signed the agreement with Turkey, while the United Nations signed it, and Russia signed its own corresponding agreement with the same intermediaries.
19:21 Russian guided bomb hits post office in KharkivA Russian guided bomb explodes at a post office in Kharkiv, killing one civilian. Nine others are injured, including an 8-month-old child. This is reported by the governor of the Kharkiv region. Rescuers are looking for additional potential victims. Eight vehicles parked near the depot were destroyed. The building belongs to Nova Poshta, the largest private postal service in Ukraine. "All shift workers were in the bomb shelter and were not injured," the company reports. Previously, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy had stated that Russia had used over 800 guided air bombs against Ukraine in the past week.
18:43 Moscow: Two villages in Donetsk capturedRussia captures two more villages in eastern Ukraine. This concerns the settlements Spirne and Nowoolexandriwka in the Donetsk region, reports the Russian news agency RIA Novosti, citing the Russian Defense Ministry in Moscow.
18:20 Ukraine: Russian combat aircraft, Cruise missiles and hundreds of drones destroyed
The Ukrainian commander of ground troops, Oleksandr Pavliuk, has published a balance of air defense in June. The defenders reportedly registered the shooting down of a Russian Su-25 combat aircraft, as well as three Cruise missiles. In addition, they shot down a total of 296 drones in the past month. "Under circumstances of intense hostilities," Pavliuk wrote, "the Ukrainians could have taken down a significant number of tactical drones from the sky."
17:27 Zelenskyy: Trump's possible peace plan in 24 hours "a bad idea"
Donald Trump, the nominated presidential candidate of the US Republicans, has repeatedly claimed that he would end the Ukraine war "in 24 hours" if he wins the November election. Now Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy says he doesn't know how to end the conflict in 24 hours, but if the plan involves making territorial concessions to Russia, then it's a "bad idea." "If Trump has such a model, then everyone would want to end the war," Zelenskyy told the Philadelphia Inquirer in an interview: "Perhaps it could even be done in an hour." Giving up one's own territory to Russia is not new. Putin will not solve the problem. He must be shown his limits, as he is reliant on "pseudo victories."
16:49 Men attack Ukrainian border guards with machetes
A Ukrainian border guard is seriously injured after an attack by two men with a machete in Ukraine. One of the attackers was killed by a shot from the border guard. The second man was injured, reports the news portal "Ukrajinska Pravda," citing Ukrainian authorities. The incident reportedly occurred on a Saturday evening at the border with Romania. The motive is unknown. However, due to the war, men of military age have been trying to leave the country illegally to avoid being drafted and sent to the front. Previously, 17 men were arrested at the Hungarian border who, according to authorities, were trying to illegally leave Ukraine and were offering their helpers between 3,000 and 12,000 US dollars for a successful exit.
16:14 More casualties and damage after rocket attack on Vilniansk
After the deadly Russian rocket attack on civilians in Vilniansk, 75 people report damaged or destroyed property. The police in the Saporischja region document "the crimes of the Russian army," according to the authorities. The number of registered injured from the attack has risen to 38, including nine children. A mobile aid station is in operation. At least seven people, including a woman and three children, were killed in the attack on Saturday.
15:51 Controversial Kanye West reportedly in Moscow
The controversial US rapper Kanye West is reportedly in Moscow on a private visit according to Russian media. "That's great news, he's in the heart of the capital", quotes the state news agency Tass producer Jana Rudkowskaja. Former Russian presidential candidate Xenia Sobtschaka published a short video, which she claims shows the US rapper looking out from the roof of the famous shopping mall Gum from the Red Square. According to Sobtschaka, West is in Moscow to celebrate the 40th birthday of his friend Goscha Rubchinski, a renowned Russian fashion designer. West has expressed his admiration for Russian President Vladimir Putin in the past. In the US, the musician is now an outcast in the entertainment industry due to his antisemitic and pro-Hitler statements.
15:24 Russia disrupting GPS signals for British military flights
This year, Russia has disrupted the GPS navigation system for hundreds of British military flights of the Royal Air Force (RAF) over Eastern Europe, according to a data analysis by the British "Telegraph". More than one in four transport and surveillance flights in the first four months of the year 2024 were affected by active GPS disruptions. This illustrates the extent of Russian interference in aviation. "This is another example of Russia's recklessness and another proof that it has become an uncontrollable hostile state", quotes British Defense Minister Grant Shapps. Between January and April, 142 out of 504 transport and surveillance flights of the RAF over Eastern Europe experienced GPS disruptions.
14:41 Ukrainian hackers sabotage Russian systems
Activists, in collaboration with experts from the Ukrainian Defense Ministry, have carried out a series of attacks on Russian companies. According to the Ministry, hackers destroyed over 100 terabytes of data from OrbitSoft, a software developer that works with the Russian army. They also deleted data on eight servers from Orient Systems, a supplier of navigation equipment for Russian military manufacturers, particularly for unmanned aerial vehicle manufacturers. They also deleted data from an Internet provider in Nizhny Novgorod and sent messages to all subscribers about an "inevitable retaliation" for Russia's war.
14:06 Ukraine starts mass production of combat drones
Ukraine has begun mass production of combat drones with a range of over 1,000 kilometers. According to the head of the state arms manufacturer Ukroboronprom. In an interview with ArmyInform, Herman Smetanin says that Russia's "huge resources and powerful industry" force Kiev to adopt a "more flexible and inventive" approach to weapons production. Ukraine uses long-range drones to attack military infrastructure such as airfields and logistics facilities, as well as oil refineries and depots deep in Russian territory.
13:36 SBU publishes video of the liberation of Snake Island
The Ukrainian Security Service (SBU) has published new footage on social media of the liberation of Snake Island. In the post, SBU describes the "unique and extremely important operation". The video material is supposed to begin with an aerial view of an air raid on the island, before Ukrainian troops land on it with a helicopter and attack Russian troops. "It consisted of several stages and was of strategic importance, as the gradual displacement of the enemy from the Black Sea began since then", writes the SBU. On June 30, 2022, Ukrainian troops repelled the Russian troops' retreat from the strategic outpost on the Black Sea.
13:14 Zelenskyy: Russia fires over 800 guided bombs on Ukraine in a week
In the past week, Russia has fired over 800 guided bombs against Ukraine, writes Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on the platform X. "The Ukraine needs the necessary resources to destroy the carriers of these bombs, including Russian combat aircraft, wherever they are located. This step is essential", he further writes.
12:48 After Russian attack on Velyka Novosilka, number of wounded increases
The number of wounded in the Ukrainian city of Velyka Novosilka in the Zaporizhzhia region, following a Russian attack, has further increased (see entries 00:32, 05:41 and 07:24). According to official reports, at least seven people, three men, one woman, and three children, have been killed. Thirty-six people, including nine children, were injured in the missile attack, the National Police reports on social media. Previously, there were 31 injured.
12:18 Ukraine publishes figures on Russian losses
The Ukrainian General Staff has published new figures on Russian losses in Ukraine. According to this, Russia has lost approximately 542,700 soldiers in Ukraine since February 24, 2022. Alone within 24 hours, the losses amounted to 1,140. According to the report from Kiev, 24 tanks, 60 artillery systems, and an aircraft were destroyed. In total, Russia has lost 8,080 tanks, 15,524 artillery systems, and 360 aircraft, 326 helicopters, 11,584 drones, 28 ships, and a submarine since the beginning of the large-scale attack. Western estimates mention lower loss figures - these are also only minimum values.
11:45 OSCE: Russia commits genocide in Ukraine
The Parliamentary Assembly of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) has passed a resolution recognizing Russia's actions in Ukraine as genocide against the Ukrainian population. Pavlo Frolov, a member of the Kiev delegation, reports this on social media. According to Frolov, the document also defines "the denazification of the Russian Federation as a necessary prerequisite for the creation of a lasting peace". The OSCE has 57 member states, including Ukraine and Russia. With 57 countries from Europe, Central Asia, and North America, the OSCE is the largest regional security organization in the world.
11:11 Weichert: People in Odessa "trying to live normal lives"While at least seven people have died in the vicinity of Zaporizhzhia due to Russian attacks, the beaches of the coastal city Odessa are filled with bathing tourists. It is a much-needed respite for the Ukrainians affected by the war, as NTV reporter Jurgen Weichert describes.
10:44 Russia: Four firefighters injured in the Donesk regionIn the Russia-claimed region of Donesk in eastern Ukraine, according to Russian reports, four firefighters were injured in Ukrainian attacks. They had put out a fire caused by a Ukrainian attack in the Petrowski district and were then hit by renewed shelling, the Russian Ministry for Emergency Situations explains.
10:08 Russia: Ukrainian forces driven back from the left bank in KhersonThe fighting in the Kherson region is currently taking place on the islands, as Ukrainian troops have been driven back from the left bank of the Dnipro, Kherson Governor Vladymyr Saldo told the Russian news agency TASS. "The fighting has shifted to the islands, and the Russian army has intensified its activities," he says. The islands and the Dnipro River in the Kherson region form a natural border at the front.
09:43 Ukraine: One dead, two injured in Russian attack on ChersonIn the Ukrainian region of Cherson, one person was killed and two were injured in a Russian attack, Governor Oleksandr Prokudin announced on Telegram. A 67-year-old man in Odradokamyanka was reportedly killed by a drone attack. A 76-year-old woman in Kozatske was injured in an artillery attack and was taken to the hospital with serious injuries. Additionally, a 63-year-old woman was reportedly injured by Russian troops who fired on a farm in Komysany. There were no injuries reported in a drone attack on a residential building in Mykhailivka, and the damage is currently being assessed.
09:08 Former NATO chief: "Putin's Plan A has failed"Former NATO Secretary-General Anders Fogh Rasmussen believes that the Russian war against Ukraine will continue for at least the rest of 2024. "Putin's Plan A, which was to conquer all of Ukraine in just a few days, has failed," Rasmussen told ntv.de in an interview. "His Plan B is now a frozen conflict and the Russian occupation of eastern Ukraine, in the hope that the West will weaken and give in." The presidential elections in the United States on November 5 are particularly significant for Putin in terms of potential changes that could help him.
08:40 Russia: 36 Ukrainian drones shot downRussia claims to have shot down 36 Ukrainian drones in various regions in the south of the country. 15 drones were intercepted over the border region of Kursk, nine over the region of Lipezk several hundred kilometers south of Moscow, and four each over the regions of Voronezh and Bryansk, the Russian Defense Ministry in Moscow reports. The governors of Lipezk and Bryansk announced on Telegram that there were no injuries or major damage.
07:55 Swedish Defense Minister: Russia intends to split EU and NATO
Russia has an interest in politically splitting the EU and NATO. This is what the Swedish Defense Minister, Pål Jonson, stated in an interview with the "Bild" newspaper. "I believe that those in the Kremlin and with Putin himself are aware that they would lose this war. But I believe that Russia is very interested in politically dividing us, both within the EU and in NATO", Jonson said. To maintain peace, it is best to strengthen NATO and focus on deterrence and defense. According to Jonson, this means investing more in security for Europe, particularly in military forces. Sweden, under the impression of the Russian aggression in Ukraine, gave up its neutrality. In March 2024, Sweden became the 32nd NATO member.
07:24 Zelenskyy: Death toll may rise after Russian attack on Velyka Nova Hrebenka
Following a Russian attack on the Ukrainian city of Velyka Nova Hrebenka in the region of Zaporizhzhia, the death toll may still rise. According to official reports, at least seven people have been killed, including children. Thirty-one people were injured in the rocket attack, as reported by the civil defense. "Unfortunately, the number of casualties may still increase," wrote Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on the platform X.
06:55 Ukraine: Russian troops bomb Derhachiv
Russian troops have attacked the city of Derhachiv in the Kharkiv region. This was reported by the head of the Derhachiv Military Administration, Vyacheslav Zadorenko, on Telegram. According to Zadorenko, three people were injured. This is the most massive attack on Derhachiv since 2022, during which four air bombs were dropped. Two men aged 68 and 75, and a 71-year-old woman, were taken to the hospital. According to Zadorenko, the shelling damaged several buildings, including at least 25 residential buildings, agricultural buildings, a garage cooperative, cars, and a civilian enterprise, and partially destroyed power lines.
06:20 Arms exports have increased again: Germany exports weapons for 7.5 billion Euros
Following a record year for arms exports in the previous year, arms export authorizations have significantly increased in the first half of 2024 due to increasing arms deliveries to Ukraine. According to the Federal Government's response to a parliamentary inquiry by Bundestag member Sevim Dağdelen from the Left Party (Die Linke), the Federal Government authorized the export of military goods for at least 7.48 billion Euros abroad from January 1 to June 18. This represents an increase of approximately 30% compared to the entire first half of 2023. Nearly two-thirds of the exports (65% or 4.88 billion Euros) were destined for Ukraine.
05:41 In Wilnjansk, Ukraine: Moscow had military target in sightAccording to the Russian Defense Ministry, a military target was attacked in the Ukrainian city of Wilnjansk in the Saporischja region, resulting in at least seven deaths. Interfax news agency reported from Moscow's announcement that a railway station with ballistic Iskander-Raketen was attacked. A military train loaded with military cargo was hit, according to the Russian military leadership. Photos and videos show that residential buildings and parked cars in the city center were hit.
04:53 Kyiv's Mine-Clearing Corps: 30,000 square kilometers clearedSpecialists from the Ukrainian Defense Ministry have cleared 30,000 square kilometers of Ukraine from mines in the past two years - an area comparable to the size of Belgium or Moldova. According to the "Kyiv Independent," this was reported by Colonel Ruslan Berehulia, head of the department for environmental safety and mine clearance. Since the Russian invasion in February 2022, approximately 174,000 square kilometers of Ukrainian land have been contaminated with explosives. The Ukraine established the Mine-Clearing Corps in April 2022. Units of the Ministry of Defense and the Ukrainian Armed Forces joined by 2024. These units, with 5000 specialists, are currently active in the regions of Mykolajiw, Cherson, and Kharkiv.
03:53 IFO Survey: Nearly half of personnel managers use "Jobturbo"According to a survey by the Munich IFO Institute among 627 personnel managers in Germany, 48% find the "Job-Turbo" and the Skilled Labor Immigration Act unhelpful for businesses. The initiative aims to integrate Ukrainian refugees more quickly into the labor market. However, nearly every fourth company reports positive effects: about one in four companies states that more skilled labor is available through the new regulations. In addition, they mention that language courses before job placement have reduced language barriers. 18% praise shorter hiring procedures and the simpler recognition of diplomas. Nearly half of the respondents find that the bureaucracy for hiring foreign labor is still too high, although 17% also observe a bureaucracy reduction.
02:37 Governor: Russian region of Kursk under fire all dayAccording to the local governor, Ukraine continued to shell the Russian border region of Kursk all day on Saturday. Governor Alexei Smirnov writes on Telegram that Ukrainian forces attacked eight border villages repeatedly. Two people were injured. A video Smirnov posted on his Telegram channel shows a destroyed house and debris. Earlier, Smirnov reported five deaths from a Ukrainian drone attack in the early hours of Saturday morning.
01:29 "Putin loves Farage": Activists mock Farage
The British campaign group Led by Donkeys pranked the leader of the right-wing Reform UK party, Nigel Farage, during a campaign appearance. After Farage recently claimed that the West, not Russian President Vladimir Putin, had provoked the war in Ukraine, activists dropped a banner with Putin's image behind him. Farage was not amused, the activists write laconically.
00:32 Emergency services work through the debris in Vilniansk
Emergency services are clearing the debris of a Russian attack on the city of Vilniansk in the Saporischja region. After completing the search and rescue operations, it is determined that seven people were killed, including two children, and 31 people were injured, including eight children. "The fire was extinguished simultaneously at two locations: in a two-story building and near parked cars on a 300 square meter area, as well as in two one-story buildings on a 150 square meter area. The search and rescue operations are completed," the Ukrainian state emergency service reports.
21:24 Seehofer: No asylum for young Ukrainian men
Approximately 1.2 million Ukrainians have found refuge in Germany from the war in their homeland. CSU state group leader Alexander Dobrindt called for Ukrainians to be deported if they do not work. "The proposal can be misunderstood," says CSU honorary chairman Horst Seehofer to the "Augsburger Allgemeine". Mothers and children from the war-torn land have a hard time working; be it due to lack of language skills or a lack of kindergarten places. "It belongs to a humane state to provide protection." Young men who evade military service in Germany, however, should not be granted asylum, he means.
20:51 Man lights grenade in Luzk city center
A resident of the city of Chmelnyzkyj lights a grenade in the city center of Luzk and is arrested. There are no injuries reported. This is reported by the Ukrainian domestic intelligence service SBU. The motive of the 23-year-old is still unclear.
You can read about earlier developments here.
- The Ukrainian military successfully prevented a potential attack on Kiev and surrounding areas by intercepting rockets launched from the northern direction.
- As a result of a Russian attack, a residential building in Kiev was hit by falling rocket parts, causing a fire and injuring at least two residents.
- Volodymyr Zelenskyy, the President of Ukraine, suggests indirect negotiations with Russia, using the Black Sea Grain Initiative as a model to curb food price inflation and release Ukrainian civilians in Russian captivity.
- The Russian military has reportedly captured two more villages in Eastern Ukraine, Spirne and Nowoolexandriwka, in the Donetsk region.
- In response to the ongoing Ukraine conflict, NATO intensifies cyberwarfare efforts against Russia, aiming to disrupt Russian military operations and political influence.
