22:09 BSW MEP De Masi calls for "a ceasefire and negotiations as soon as possible"
21:50 Authorities in the Kursk region report at least five civilian deaths
Russian troops have been fighting Ukrainian forces for the third day in a row, according to statements from Moscow. Russian forces and border guards are preventing Ukrainian units from advancing deeper into Kursk, the Russian Defense Ministry reports. Simultaneously, the Russian army is attacking Ukrainian forces attempting to retreat from the Ukrainian border region of Sumy. The Russian Health Ministry reports that since the start of the Ukrainian advance, 66 civilians have been injured, including nine children. Authorities in the Kursk region report at least five civilian deaths, including two paramedics. Ukraine has not yet commented on the advance.
21:30 EU Foreign Minister Borrell: Lukashenko regime involved in illegal deportation of Ukrainian children
The Belarusian regime is complicit in Russia's war against Ukraine, according to EU Foreign Minister Josep Borrell in Brussels. Alongside political, military, and logistical support, Belarus has contributed to the illegal deportation of Ukrainian children from temporarily occupied areas of Ukraine. Since 2021, the regime has also orchestrated migration pressure on the EU's external borders, according to a statement from the European External Action Service.
20:58 Robot dogs to assist Ukrainian soldiers in war against Russia
Robot dogs are being used to support and relieve Ukrainian soldiers in their war against Russia. A specialist from a British military solutions company, who wished to remain anonymous and went by "Yuri," demonstrated the "BAD One" robot model at a secret location in Ukraine. The four-legged robot can run, jump, and sit via remote control commands. Soldiers sent on reconnaissance missions are "usually very well-trained, very experienced people" who are "constantly exposed to risks," Yuri said. The robot can replace these soldiers, potentially saving lives. The robot's battery lasts for two to three hours, according to Yuri. It can be used to detect mines and scout Russian positions, or carry up to seven kilograms of ammunition or medical supplies to the front. Yuri could not say how many robots are currently in use in Ukraine or where, but he is confident that the dogs make a difference in operations and improve soldiers' safety.
20:20 Zelensky: Russia must feel the consequences of the war it startedFollowing the Ukrainian army's advance into the Russian region of Kursk, Volodymyr Zelensky has stated that Russia must feel the consequences of the war it initiated. Russia brought the war to Ukraine, and now it should "feel what it has done," said the Ukrainian president in his daily address. However, Zelensky did not directly mention the Ukrainian troops' push 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 said he has received three reports from the commander-in-chief, Oleksandr Syrsky, stating that the military actions are "efficient" 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 gain a better position in future peace negotiations.
20:05 Zelensky praises army's ability to surpriseVolodymyr Zelensky praised the Ukrainian army for its ability to "surprise." However, the Ukrainian president did not mention the fighting in the Russian region of Kursk. In the border-adjacent region, Russian troops have been trying to repel a Ukrainian offensive for three days. There has been no official statement from the Ukrainian side on this matter so far.
19:44 Russian military blog reports western part of Sochi in Kursk region under Ukrainian controlThe Ukrainian army has been making steady gains, advancing into the Russian region of Kursk for the third day in a row. While Russian civil authorities in Kursk and the Ministry of Defense in Moscow officially stated that the Ukrainian advance has been stopped, a different picture is painted by the Russian military blog Rybar, which is close to the ministry. According to Rybar, the Ukrainians are continuing their push, bringing in reinforcements at night and fortifying their positions. The blog reports that the western part of the town of Sochi is under Ukrainian control, with fighting ongoing in the eastern part of the town. Additionally, the Ukrainians are said to have advanced north towards Anastasyevka and northeast towards Korenovo. However, local reports suggest no Ukrainian presence in Sochi itself, with only reports of skirmishes and artillery fire north and west of the town. Unconfirmed reports suggest that Ukrainian reconnaissance units have also advanced towards the Kursk nuclear power plant and were spotted near Anastasyevka.
19:04 SPD to discuss US missile deployment in SeptemberThe defense spokesman for the SPD parliamentary group, Wolfgang Hellmich, has announced a debate on the deployment of long-range US missiles in Germany in the Bundestag. "It's important that we consider all aspects of this crucial topic, take citizens' concerns seriously, and address any information gaps," Hellmich told the Funke media group. "We will address this issue in the faction and in the Bundestag as a whole 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 US will deploy long-range weapons systems like Tomahawk cruise missiles in Germany from 2026, capable of reaching targets in Russia. Many German citizens view this decision critically, according to polls.
18:19 US woman faces 15 years in Russian prison for allegedly collecting money for Ukrainian militaryRussian prosecutors are seeking a 15-year prison sentence for a Russian-American woman accused of high treason, according to state media. Ksenia Khavana was arrested in Yekaterinburg in February on suspicion of collecting money for the Ukrainian military. She reportedly pleaded guilty to the charges during a closed-door trial on Wednesday. Her lawyer, Mikhail Muskalov, told the Interfax news agency that prosecutors have requested a 15-year sentence, and a verdict is expected on August 15. Khavana is said to have obtained US citizenship after marrying an American and moving to Los Angeles. She had traveled to Russia to visit family members. An activist group claims that the charges against Khavana stem from a $51 (around €47) donation she made to a US charity organization supporting Ukraine. Russia has enacted laws since its deployment of troops to Ukraine in February 2022 that criminalize criticism of its actions there, raising concerns that Russia may target US citizens for arrest.
17:54 Moscow reports Ukrainian losses in fighting in Kursk regionRussian General Staff Chief Valery Gerasimov told President Vladimir Putin during a video conference that around 100 Ukrainian soldiers were killed and more than 200 injured in the fighting. Russian news agencies reported this. Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said 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 regarding potential use of German weapons in KurskSPD foreign policy expert Ralf Stegner expresses caution regarding the possible use of German weapons in the Ukrainian advance. "With regard to the defense of Ukraine against the Russian invasion, there was an exceptional situation at the border when the city of Kharkiv had to be defended against attacks beyond the nearby border," says Stegner to "Handelsblatt". "This did not imply a general shift in strategy regarding the handling of weapons supplied from Germany." The German government had allowed Ukraine, after a lengthy debate in late May, to use weapons supplied by it 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, according to estimates by experts at the Institute for the Study of War (ISW) in the US. The ISW 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. Russian reports claim that "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 "current 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 Ukrainian advance is targeting 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 allows "pressure to be taken off the front at other points because Russia has to bind or redeploy forces to Kursk," says Kiesewetter to "Tagesspiegel". The Ukrainian advance is "clearly permissible under international law in the sense 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 in the city of Kostyantynivka in the eastern Ukrainian region of Donetsk, according to local authorities. The attack in the morning hit a residential area, regional governor Vadym Fyshchyn reported on Telegram. Donetsk is a hotspot of the fighting. The parts of the region controlled by Ukraine are regularly subjected to Russian shelling. The Russian troops are trying to advance on the strategically important logistics hub city of Pokrovsk. Four people were killed in a Russian attack in Donetsk on Wednesday.
15:36 Russia: Fighting continues after Ukrainian advance into Kursk regionFighting in the border region has continued for the third day, according to reports from Moscow. 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 trying 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 be used in advances onto Russian territory," the BSW chairwoman said.
Chancellor Olaf Scholz had promised that Germany would not become a party to the war. However, "he first allowed the Ukraine to shoot at Russian territory with German weapons," Wagenknecht criticized. "Is the federal government now also approving the Ukraine's 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," the BSW party leader added. "The risk of a major European war is becoming greater and greater."
14:45 Chairman of the Defense Committee: Ukraine can use German weapons in KurskThe chairman of the Defense Committee in the Bundestag, Marcus Faber, sees no problem with Ukraine using German-supplied weapons in its current advance onto Russian territory. "Once delivered to Ukraine, they are Ukrainian weapons," the FDP politician told the Funke media group. This applies to "any material," including the Leopard 2 battle tank. "With the Russian attack on Ukraine, the territory of both states has become a war zone," Faber explained his position. "The use of weapons is subject to the provisions of international law."
14:24 Ukraine calls on Mexico to arrest Putin at Sheinbaum's inaugurationThe 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 this office in the Latin American country. "We trust that the Mexican government will comply with the international arrest warrant and hand over the named (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 major outage of the platform. According to the sboy.rf service, over 15,000 complaints have been registered regarding the video hosting service. Complaints came from people in Moscow, St. Petersburg, Nizhny Novgorod, Yekaterinburg, Ufa, Saratov, Samara, Krasnodar, the occupied Crimea, and several other regions. Users reported being able to access YouTube only through virtual private networks (VPNs). Even Reuters reporters in Russia were unable to access YouTube. However, the website was still available on some mobile devices. YouTube is the last Western platform still 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 advance of Ukrainian troops into the Russian region of Kursk in the context of the right to self-defense. "We believe that Ukraine is conducting a lawful defensive war against illegal aggression," says a spokesperson for EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell in Brussels. The right to self-defense includes the right to attack the enemy on its own 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, have recently crossed the Russian border from the Sumy region at Sudzha and, according to reports, taken control of several villages. Russian reports suggest 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. This was announced by the Ukrainian project "Khochu nayti" 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", among the captives are both conscripts and contract soldiers. "There is also information about the dead, whose bodies were not taken away by their comrades during the retreat," the statement says. The project published drone footage allegedly showing the capture of more than 30 Russian soldiers. Other videos on social networks show dozens of Russian soldiers surrendering in the Kursk region. The total number of Russian soldiers captured since the Ukrainian offensive in the region is currently unclear.
12:18 Gazprom: Gas Transit Running Normally Despite Fighting in Kursk Region
Gazprom reports that gas exports through the Kursk border region, which has been targeted by Ukraine, are running largely normally. Today, around 37.3 million cubic meters of natural gas is expected to be transported, the company announced in Moscow. This is five percent less than the previous day, according to the state-run Russian news agency TASS. Ukrainian troops have reportedly taken control of the city of Sudscha, which also hosts a key gas pipeline hub heading towards 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 Sudscha in the Kursk region has reportedly been captured by Ukrainian forces, according to pro-Russian military blogger Yuri Podolyaka on his Telegram channel. The town, located nine kilometers from the Ukrainian border, is now fully occupied by Ukrainian troops, Podolyaka writes. "Sudscha is essentially lost for us. This is an important logistics hub," he continues. Ukrainian forces are reportedly advancing north towards Lgow. "In general, the situation is difficult and deteriorating, although the pace of the Ukrainian offensive has noticeably slowed down."
11:04 Munz: Kursk Incursion 'Completely Surprised' Moscow
Initially, the situation remains unclear, but it is later confirmed: Ukrainian fighters are attacking on Russian territory. The incursion in the Kursk region has "completely surprised" Moscow, reports ntv correspondent Rainer Munz. However, there may be more to the attack than just a diversionary maneuver.
10:48 Russia: Situation in Kursk Under Control After Ukrainian Incursion
Russian forces have been engaged in fighting with infiltrating Ukrainian troops in the Kursk Oblast for the third consecutive day. The situation is "stable and under control," according to the vice-governor of the border region, as reported by the state-run Russian news agency RIA Novosti. Around 3,000 people have been evacuated to safety. Russian troops are actively fighting against Ukrainian units in the Sudscha 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.
10:18 Kriewald on New Offensive: "Ukrainians Advance 15 Kilometers into Kursk Region"
The Ukrainian army's advance into the Russian Kursk region has caused a stir in Moscow. Ukrainian soldiers are reported to have advanced up to 15 kilometers, and there are reports of dozens of prisoners of war. ntv reporter Nadja Kriewald reports from Odessa on the background of the offensive.
09:35 UN: Russians Torture 95% of Ukrainian POWsUN human rights monitoring mission in Ukraine (HRMMU) chief Danielle Bell reveals in an interview with Dutch broadcaster NOS that Russian penal colony staff are already torturing Ukrainian POWs during initial interrogations. She adds that torture is "widespread and systematic" in Russian captivity. Bell claims that 95% of Ukrainian POWs in Russian custody are being tortured, with prisoners allegedly 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 former POWs after their release. The UN mission also has direct access to Russian POWs and can assess the conditions of the detention facilities.
08:49 Estonia Implements Enhanced Border Controls with RussiaEstonia begins full border controls at its eastern EU border with Russia, as decided by the Baltic NATO country's government in early August. From August 8, all persons and cargo crossing the border will be subject to checks at the road and rail border crossings in Narva, Koidula, and Luhamaa. Previously, passenger and vehicle checks were random and risk-based. Prime Minister Kaja Kallas states that the tightening of controls 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 Publishes Russian Casualty FiguresUkraine's General Staff publishes new casualty figures for Russian forces in Ukraine. As of February 24, 2022, Russia has reportedly lost around 587,510 soldiers in Ukraine, with 1,140 losses in the past 24 hours. According to the Kyiv report, two tanks, 36 artillery systems, 81 drones, and one helicopter were also destroyed. Since the start of the large-scale invasion, Russia has reportedly lost a total of 8,431 tanks, 16,487 artillery systems, 366 aircraft, 327 helicopters, 13,293 drones, 28 ships, and one submarine. Western estimates put the losses lower, though these are likely minimum figures.
07:32 Medvedev Threatens Escalation of Russian Invasion in UkraineRussian Security Council Deputy Chairman Dmitry Medvedev threatens to escalate the invasion of Ukraine in response to Ukrainian advances in the Russian border region of Kursk. The Russian military operation should no longer be limited to securing territories Russia considers its own, says the former president. Instead, military forces should push towards the cities of Odessa, Kharkiv, Dnipro, Mykolaiv, Kyiv, and beyond. The advance will only stop when Russia deems it advantageous. Russian reports claim that Ukrainian troops have advanced deep into Russian territory in the region, with intense fighting reported. The region has been placed under a state of emergency.
07:05 Russia: 14 Ukrainian aerial objects destroyed over Kursk and BelgorodRussian air defense forces destroyed fourteen unmanned Ukrainian aerial objects over the Belgorod region and two over the Kursk region overnight, 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 the border areas of the Kursk region. According to the latest reports from the Russian General Staff, clashes continue in border areas. An emergency situation has been declared in Kursk (see entries 19:08, 19:38, and 20:41), and residents are being evacuated.
06:25 Ukraine issues air alert due to Russian MiG-31K attackThe Ukrainian Air Force has issued an air alert across the entire country. The Ukrainian Air Force attributes the air attack warning 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 can carry hypersonic missiles like the Kh-47M2 Kinzhal.
05:32 ISW: Ukrainian armored vehicles ten kilometers behind Russian border in KurskAccording to an analysis by the Institute for the Study of War (ISW), Ukrainian troops have advanced up to ten kilometers into the Russian region of Kursk. This was confirmed by footage of armored vehicles behind the border. Ukrainian forces have reportedly breached at least two Russian defensive lines and a fortress. According to a Russian source, Ukrainians have captured 45 square kilometers in the Kursk region since the start of the operation on August 6, the ISW writes. Russian authorities declared an emergency situation over the region yesterday.
02:30 Ukraine raises threshold for prison sentence in petty theft casesIn Ukraine, thefts of minor value will no longer result in a prison sentence. President Zelensky has signed a corresponding bill that reclassifies thefts valued at up to around 67 euros as administrative offenses, punishable by fines. Previously, the threshold for petty theft was around 6.7 euros. The change is due to the martial law in effect since the Russian invasion, which provides for up to eight years in prison for looting and theft. An example cited in the draft law was a theft of baby diapers from a supermarket in the western Ukrainian city of Rivne in January 2023, valued at around 8 euros. Such an offense will no longer result in a prison sentence. However, the perpetrator in this case still received a prison sentence of over three years.
00:27 Klingbeil: Stationing of US missiles in Germany is correctSPD leader Lars Klingbeil defends plans for the stationing of 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 NATO summit in July, the White House and the German government announced that the US would again station weapons systems in Germany from 2026 that can reach far into Russia. Named were Tomahawk cruise missiles, SM-6 missiles, and new hypersonic weapons. There are critical voices within the SPD, including the parliamentary group 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 being held in Russia - conservatively estimated. His new role in exile in Germany is difficult for Orlow, as he told the story. He would rather be in his homeland, but fears prosecution. Orlow now hopes that he can use his exile 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 well-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 was taken to hospital. Previously, numerous Russian media had reported the death of Poddubny in agreement. Yevgeny Poddubny is one of the best-known Russian "war correspondents" of Russia. His Telegram channel has around 734,000 followers. Preliminary information suggests that 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. The governor of the region, Alexei Smirnov, announced this in a Telegram post. Ukraine has advanced deep into Russian territory near 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 SecurityDue to Ukraine's advance into the Russian border region of Kursk, Russia's National Guard is reinforcing the security of the AKW Kursk nuclear power plant. Additionally, extra forces have been deployed to combat sabotage and reconnaissance units in the Kursk and Belgorod regions, the agency reports. This is being done in cooperation with Russian border troops and the army. The nuclear power plant, with four units and a capacity of nearly two gigawatts, is located just over 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 in Amsterdam by 5.7 percent to 38.78 euros per megawatt hour (MWh). Market participants are pointing to Ukraine's attacks on the Russian region of Kursk. The fighting is reportedly taking place near Sudzha, an important gas injection point that supplies Europe via Ukrainian pipelines. Gazprom is currently reporting normal gas supplies.
19:08 Ukraine Evacuates Border Areas Amid Fighting in 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, according to Sumy's military governor, Vladimir Artjuch, on Ukrainian television. Around 6,000 people, including over 400 children and teenagers, are to be moved to safety from the border area. The day before, Ukrainian troops launched an advance across the Ukrainian-Russian border towards the city of Sudzha in the Kursk region, penetrating several kilometers into Russian territory. Moscow reported around 1,000 Ukrainian soldiers equipped with heavy machinery. Kyiv has not yet commented on the events. Earlier, local authorities had ordered evacuations from a 10-kilometer border zone due to regular Russian shelling of border areas.
You can read all previous developments here.
The President of the Council in the European Union could express concern over the involvement of Belarus in Russia's war against Ukraine and its role in the illegal deportation of Ukrainian children.
Given that the current text discusses the advance of Ukrainian troops into the Russian region of Kursk, another possible sentence could be: The President of the Council could call for the respect of international law and territorial integrity in light of the Ukrainian advance into Russian territory.
