21:53 Zelensky accuses Russia of setting fire to Saporizhskaya nuclear power plant
21:38 Fire in Cooling System of Zaporizhzhia NPP
According to Russian reports, a fire has broken out in the cooling system of the occupied Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant in Enerhodar, southeastern Ukraine. The region's Russian-appointed governor, Yevgeny Balitsky, claims that a Ukrainian attack on the plant's surroundings preceded the incident. However, he assures that there is no danger as all blocks of the NPP are shut down, and radiation levels are normal.
21:11 Zelensky: Each Individual Russian Missile Strike on Border Region Deserves "Proportional Response"
In his video address, President Volodymyr Zelensky says that each Russian missile strike launched from Russian border regions deserves a "proportional response." Russian forces fired over 50 drones and four missiles at Ukraine overnight. A missile strike in the Kyiv Oblast killed a father and his four-year-old son. "The Russians launched them from the Voronezh region," says Zelensky, referring to the ballistic missiles. "We register all the places from which the Russian army is striking, including the Belgorod region, the Kursk region, and other regions. ... We record each missile impact, and each of these strikes deserves a proportional response."
20:17 Russia Calls Ukrainian Offensive in Kursk "Barbaric"
The Russian Ministry of Defense describes the Ukrainian offensive in the Kursk region as "barbaric" and claims it is militarily pointless. Ukraine has occupied several dozen square kilometers of Russian territory without claiming it. However, Russia controls over 100,000 square kilometers of internationally recognized Ukrainian territory. It is suspected that the offensive aims to draw Russian elite units away from Ukrainian frontlines.
19:29 Commander of German Armed Forces: Germany Must Be Prepared for War with Russia in Five Years
Michael Gissing, commander of the Hamburg regional command of the German Armed Forces, says in an interview with "Welt" that Germany should be prepared for a large-scale military conflict with Russia in five years. After Russia's invasion of Ukraine, Germany has increased its military budget and pushed forward the expansion of its defense industry. "In Germany, we are still miles away from perceiving an external threat, unlike, for example, people in the Baltic states or Poland," said Gissing. "But my inner clock as a soldier tells me that we must be resilient as a society in five years to withstand a military threat from abroad."
18:55 Finance Minister: Delays in US Aid Contribute to Ukraine's Budget Deficit
Delays in US military aid have contributed to Ukraine's rapidly rising budget deficit this year, Ukrainian Finance Minister Serhiy Marchenko told the Financial Times in an interview. Other government officials have estimated the deficit at nearly a quarter of the country's GDP, or $43.5 billion, equivalent to around €40 million. The minister's admission of the difficult situation with military spending comes as Russian troops continue to advance over the frontline in the Donbass. Ukrainian soldiers on the ground report shortages of personnel, ammunition, and military equipment, making the defense of the cities held by Ukraine increasingly challenging. Marchenko said that the disbursement of US military aid is proceeding "slowly," more than three months after Congress approved direct military aid for Ukraine worth $27 billion, including $13.8 billion for the purchase of modern weapons and another $13.8 billion for the purchase of US defense systems.
18:21 Governor Reports Four Injured in Russian City Strike
In the night, Ukrainian forces allegedly attacked not only the Russian region of Kursk but also the surrounding regions of Voronezh and Belgorod with drones and rockets (see entry 08:07). According to Governor Vyacheslav Gladkov, an attack on a city in Belgorod injured four people, including three men with shrapnel wounds who were taken to a hospital in Shebekino. Their condition is said to be stable. The strike also damaged a residential building, a bus stop, and a bus, Gladkov said.
17:38 Russians Attempt to Break Ukrainian Defenses 26 Times Near Pokrovsk
Separate from the fighting around Ukraine's push into Russian territory near Kursk, Russian troops continued their attacks in the east of Ukraine. The main areas of combat were around Torez and Pokrovsk, according to the Ukrainian General Staff in Kyiv. The heaviest fighting was registered near Pokrovsk on the outskirts of the Donbass. Russian units made 26 attempts since the morning to break through Ukrainian defenses, all of which were repelled. Independent confirmation of these reports is not possible. Near Torez, Russian troops once again attempted to advance towards the settlement of Niu York (New York), which was also repelled. Additionally, the city of Torez was targeted by Russian air strikes.
17:10 Abbas and Putin Meeting Announced for Monday in MoscowPalestinian President Mahmoud Abbas will visit Moscow from August 12 to 14 and is expected to meet Russian President Vladimir Putin on August 13. This was reported by the Palestinian ambassador to Russia, Abdel Hafiz Nofal, to the state-owned Russian news agency TASS. "The President will arrive in the evening of August 12. It is expected that he will meet with President Putin on Tuesday, and before that, Mahmoud Abbas will lay flowers at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Moscow. The President will leave on August 14. But of course, there will also be a meeting with the Arab ambassadors," Nofal emphasized. According to the diplomat, the Palestinian-Israeli conflict will be the main topic of the talks. "The situation in Gaza. They will discuss the role of Russia and what can be done. We have a very difficult situation, and Russia is a country close to us. We need to consult," said Nofal.
16:36 Complete Identification of Bodies: Three Girls Among Dead in Russian Attack on SupermarketIn the morning, the identification of the people killed in a Russian missile strike on Kostjantyniwka in the Donetsk region was completed by the prosecutor's office. It is now known that among the dead are three children. They are three girls aged 9, 11, and 16. On Friday, Russia carried out a missile strike on a shopping center in the center of Kostjantyniwka. This resulted in 14 deaths and 44 injuries. The attack particularly affected the Eko-Market supermarket and a post office. On Saturday, the bodies of two children had already been identified.
15:54 Ukrainian Armored Vehicles with White Triangles Spotted on Way to KurskDozens of Ukrainian armored vehicles have crossed the eastern Ukrainian region of Sumy, which borders the Russian region of Kursk. AFP reporters saw symbols in the form of a white triangle on the vehicles - apparently a sign that they are part of the advance of the Ukrainian army into Kursk. After the incursion of Ukrainian troops, fighting continues in the Russian border region of Kursk. The fighting has been going on for the sixth consecutive day today, Sunday. The Ministry of Defense in Moscow reports that 35 drones were intercepted over Kursk and the regions of Voronezh, Belgorod, Bryansk, and Oryol overnight.
15:21 Kyiv Does Not Register Additional Belarusian Troops and Equipment at BorderUkraine has not seen any additional Belarusian troops at the border, despite Minsk claiming to be reinforcing the border, says the spokesperson of the state border guard service, Andrii Demtschenko. His statement comes a day after Belarusian dictator Alexander Lukashenko ordered the reinforcement of troops in the border areas with Ukraine. On Friday, several drones from Ukraine were shot down over Belarus. Lukashenko ordered the reinforcement of military presence in the directions of Gomel and Mozyr and the deployment of systems such as Polonez and Iskander complexes of ballistic medium-range missiles there. On the Ukrainian side, this area borders the Kiew, Shytomyr, and Chernihiv regions. "The situation at the border is fully under control. We are not registering any movement of equipment or personnel near our border," says Demtschenko.
14:43 Expert on Kursk Offensive: "Surprise attack benefits Kyiv"Defense and security expert Michael Clarke tells US broadcaster Sky that Ukraine has launched a "completely surprising attack" against Russia in the Kursk region this week. According to Clarke, everything indicates that Ukraine is "winning this battle as much as possible." "They have not only started a surprise attack - they have started an attack of complete astonishment. They have astonished the Russians and the Western backers," he says. "The shock value of this surprise attack benefits Kyiv." The breach into Russian territory is at least 35 miles long and about 15 miles deep. Clarke estimates that about three or four Ukrainian brigades are in Russia, which are "elite troops at the highest level." No details were given about Ukraine's objectives. But Clarke says that Kyiv is likely hoping to draw good units of the Russian army and ease pressure on Ukrainian frontlines elsewhere. There are indications that Moscow is withdrawing its better units from the south of Ukraine, including from the areas of Chassiv Yar and Pokrovsk. "Russia will do everything necessary to eliminate this breach," says Clark. "Putin cannot let this pass."
14:04 Kyiv: Incursion into Russian territory aims to 'destabilize' RussiaAn incursion by Ukrainian troops into the Russian border region of Kursk aims to "destabilize" Russia, according to Kyiv. "We are on the offensive," a Ukrainian security official tells news agency AFP. "Thousands" of Ukrainian soldiers are involved. "The goal is to disperse the enemy's positions, inflict maximum losses, and destabilize the situation in Russia," he says.
13:37 Russia announces harsh response to attacks on Kursk border regionFollowing new Ukrainian attacks on the Russian border region of Kursk, Moscow has announced a harsh response. "A harsh reaction from the Russian armed forces will not be long in coming," says Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova on the Telegram messaging service. She announces that those behind and those responsible for the "crimes" in Kursk will be held to account.
13:05 Belarus: Video reportedly shows tank transport to Ukraine borderThe Belarusian Defense Ministry has published footage on social media showing several tanks being loaded onto a train. In the post immediately before, it says that units are being put on alert. The reinforcement of troops at the border between Belarus and Ukraine is a response to the alleged incursion of Ukrainian combat drones into Belarusian airspace.
12:48 Ukraine: 53 Russian drones destroyedUkraine says it has shot down 53 out of 57 drones in the latest Russian attack. The drones were destroyed over various parts of the country, the air force of the Ukrainian capital Kyiv reports. Russia has also used four North Korean rockets, it says.
12:20 Russia: Lancet drone destroys Ukrainian tank in KurskThe Russian Defense Ministry says it has destroyed a Ukrainian tank in the Kursk region using a Lancet drone. The ministry published a video on Telegram purporting to show the destruction of the Ukrainian tank.
11:53 Zelensky: Russia uses North Korean rocket against Kyiv
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky expresses his condolences to the family and relatives of the deceased in a post on the X platform following the deadly Russian air strike on Kyiv. A 35-year-old man and his 4-year-old son were killed, and three people, including a 12-year-old boy, were injured. In the X post, Zelensky writes, "Preliminary information suggests that the Russians used a North Korean rocket in this attack - another deliberate act of terrorism against Ukraine." Pyrotechnics experts are working to determine the exact data of the rocket.
11:31 Kriewald: "Lukashenko is wise to stay a loudmouth"
Is Belarus planning to send troops to the border region with Ukraine? ntv reporter Nadja Kriewald explains that Putin has been trying to involve Belarus in the active war since years and doesn't expect it to happen anytime soon.
10:41 Ukraine wants to destroy Russia's military infrastructure
After a new deadly Russian air strike near Kyiv, Ukraine wants to permanently destroy Russia's military infrastructure to stop the killing of civilians. The head of the presidential office, Andrij Jermak, says in Kyiv that it is necessary to deprive Russia of its ability to kill. He publishes a video on his Telegram channel showing deployment forces in a debris field. "It is necessary to destroy its military infrastructure because the enemy does not accept other arguments," Jermak says about the Russian war. Ukraine hopes for a quick approval from western allies to use long-range rockets even against Russian territory.
10:22 Emergency Ministry delivers aid to the border region of Kursk
The Russian Emergency Ministry delivers humanitarian aid to the contested border region of Kursk. The ministry reports that convoys of tents, blankets, mobile generators, hygiene items, food, and drinking water have been sent to the region. In cooperation with the authorities, the aid will be distributed to the people. More than 76,000 people have had to leave their homes in the region due to ongoing clashes between Russian and Ukrainian forces.
09:47 Ukraine: Kramatorsk under Russian fire again
On the second day in a row, Russian forces are reported to have shelled the eastern Ukrainian city of Kramatorsk in the Donetsk region. The Ukrainian governor of Donetsk, Wadym Filaschkin, writes on Telegram. Infrastructure facilities are said to have been hit. Four people are reported injured. Kramatorsk is the administrative center of the Ukrainian-controlled parts of the Donetsk region. The eastern parts of the region are controlled by the Russian military.
08:59 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 around 590,920 soldiers in its war against Ukraine since February 24, 2022. In the last 24 hours alone, the number of losses was 1,220. According to a report from Kyiv, six tanks, 58 artillery systems, and 27 drones were destroyed on the previous day of fighting. In total, Russia has lost 8,447 tanks, 16,663 artillery systems, 366 aircraft, 328 helicopters, 13,399 drones, 28 ships, and one submarine since the start of the large-scale invasion, according to Ukraine. Western estimates put the losses lower, but these are also likely to be minimum figures.
08:07 Russia: Massive Drone Strikes in Russian Border Regions of Belgorod and VoronezhUkrainian forces are reported to have attacked the Russian regions of Voronezh and Belgorod with drones and missiles overnight, in addition to the Russian region of Kursk (see entry 01:51). The governors of Voronezh and Belgorod announced this on their Telegram channels. Oleksandr Gusev, governor of the Voronezh region, reported that the air defense system shot down more than a dozen drones in the Voronezh region, damaging buildings. Gusev reported no casualties. In several settlements in Belgorod, there were drone attacks, according to Vyacheslav Gladkov, governor of the Belgorod region, on Telegram. There were explosions and fires in two locations, but no casualties were reported.
07:32 Rescue Service: Two Dead After Russian Strike on Kyiv RegionA Russian missile strike (see entry 00:27) has killed a 35-year-old man and his four-year-old son in a suburb of the Ukrainian capital Kyiv, according to the state emergency service. Three others were seriously injured. Missile debris fell on private homes in Brovary east of Kyiv in the evening, the rescuers reported on Telegram. The father and son were trapped under the rubble of a building.
07:04 Russia: Russian Su-25 Jet Allegedly Strikes Ukrainian Forces in Russian KurskA Russian Su-25 fighter jet is reported to have attacked and hit Ukrainian forces in the border area of the Russian region of Kursk, according to the Russian defense ministry on Telegram. The Russian defense ministry said the attack was carried out with unguided air-to-air missiles. The Russian defense ministry also said that the crew performed an air defense maneuver, triggered heat flares, and returned to the airbase after the mission. A video showing the fighter jet's mission was published on the Telegram channel of the defense ministry. The Su-25 is a ground-attack aircraft developed in the Soviet Union and is used to provide air support for Russian ground troops in the Ukraine conflict.
06:24 ISW: Kremlin Downplays Ukrainian Incursion in Kursk RegionThe Kremlin has likely decided to declare an anti-terror operation instead of martial law to downplay the Ukrainian incursion in the Kursk region, aiming to prevent panic or a backlash at home, the Institute for the Study of War (ISW) reports in its latest assessment. Analysts suggest this indicates the Kremlin's unwillingness to resort to more drastic measures.
05:38 Orthodox Church with Moscow Ties to be BannedUkrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy hinted in his Saturday evening video address that the government plans to strengthen "our Ukrainian spiritual independence," suggesting it will ban the Moscow-linked branch of the Orthodox Church. Since the Russian invasion, the number of followers of the independent church has grown, while the Moscow-linked minority church maintains its influence. The Ukrainian government accuses it of supporting the invasion and attempting to poison public opinion.
03:50 ISW: Ukrainians Hold Positions and AdvanceGeolocated footage and Russian reports from yesterday indicate that Ukrainian forces have largely maintained their previously reported positions in the Kursk region and have made some advances, according to the Institute for the Study of War (ISW).
01:51 Russia: Injured by Ukrainian Missile in City of KurskAt least 13 people, including two severely injured, were hurt by debris from a downed Ukrainian missile in the Russian city of Kursk, the acting governor of the border region reports.
00:27 Explosions in Ukrainian Capital KyivSeveral explosions were heard in the Ukrainian capital Kyiv. According to AFP journalists, the explosions were heard in the city center and east. The Ukrainian air force stated that two Russian missiles were targeted at the capital, while the Kyiv military administration reported the activation of air defense systems on the Telegram online service.
00:11 Ukraine Awaits "With Bated Breath" Decisions from US, UK, and FranceUkraine may be able to expect the delivery of more long-range weapons to sustain its defense against Russian aggression. In his evening video address, President Zelenskyy stated: "We are also awaiting with bated breath the decisions of the United States, the United Kingdom, and France regarding long-range capabilities - decisions that will bring us closer to a fair peace." For a long time, Ukraine had been trying to convince Germany to supply Taurus long-range missiles, but German Chancellor Olaf Scholz rejected the request.
22:17 Ukraine Suspects 28 Officials of Embezzling Defense Budget Funds
The Ukrainian Prosecutor General's Office, in collaboration with the State Investigation Bureau, National Police, and Security Service of Ukraine, conducted a special operation to expose the organizers and participants in criminal schemes involving the embezzlement of funds allocated for Ukraine's defense. The Prosecutor General's Office reported this. According to the report, the total damage to the state amounts to over 1.5 billion Hryvnia, approximately 33 million Euros. The investigation revealed that employees of the Ministry of Defense, military units, joint ventures, regional military administrations, city councils, and directors of companies in many regions of Ukraine were involved in the embezzlement. As a result of the investigation, 28 individuals were suspected, including nine members of organized criminal groups.
You can read all previous developments here.
The European Union has expressed concern over the escalating conflict in Ukraine, calling for an immediate end to hostilities and respect for international law.
In response to the incursion of Ukrainian troops into Russian territory near Kursk, the European Union reiterated its support for Ukraine's territorial integrity and sovereignty, while urging restraint and dialogue to resolve the crisis.
