22:10 Ukraine reports Russian attack on the port of Odessa
21:50 Pistorius urges vigilance after security incidents at the German Armed Forces
Defense Minister Boris Pistorius advises increased alertness following security incidents at the German Air Force base in Cologne-Wahn and the NATO support site in Geilenkirchen. "We reacted swiftly at both locations, sealed off access points, intensified controls, involved investigative authorities, and ordered lab tests. These incidents show that we must remain vigilant," Pistorius told Der Spiegel. "Of course, we are reviewing our security measures and adjusting them as necessary. This process has already begun," the SPD politician emphasized. There are currently no indications of a connection between the two incidents in Cologne-Wahn and Geilenkirchen. "Now we must await further investigation results and act prudently. We rely on our proven cooperation with the relevant investigative authorities," Pistorius said (see also entries from 21:10, 18:55, and 18:24).
21:30 Austria: Prosecutor files first charges in Russia spy scandal
The Austrian prosecutor's office has filed charges for the first time against former constitutional protection agent Egisto Ott. The charges include espionage for Russia. Ott is accused, among other things, of having commissioned another employee, as a civil servant in the Ministry of the Interior in Vienna, to obtain information about the participants of a meeting of European intelligence services on behalf of an MP from the right-wing populist FPÖ party. Both Ott and the former FPÖ MP Hans-Jörg Jenewein are charged with violating official secrets, which carries a potential prison sentence of up to three years. A trial date has not yet been set. Specifically, Ott is accused of having provided Jenewein with the names of several intelligence officers, thereby endangering, among other things, "the maintenance of public national security and the success of future intelligence activities." Jenewein is also accused of having passed on confidential documents from the parliament, to which he had access through his participation in the investigative committee on the so-called Ibiza affair.
21:10 After Sabotage Alarm at Bundeswehr: CDU sees Defense Ministry ResponsiblePolice and state protection are investigating a security incident at the waterworks of the German Air Force Base in Cologne-Wahn due to suspected sabotage against the Bundeswehr. "Abnormal water values" and then a hole in the fence were discovered, a spokesperson for the Bundeswehr in Cologne said in front of the base. CDU defense politician Serap Güler now sees the Ministry of Defense responsible for clearing up open questions: "The ministry must now immediately clarify how an outsider was able to gain access to supposedly well-protected Bundeswehr barracks," she told "Der 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 Seizure Risk for Western Banks in RussiaWestern banks still operating in Russia must prepare for the possible seizure of assets there, according to the rating agency Scope. The risk of this is increasing, the Berlin-based credit watchdogs said. Business transactions that could not be completed due to international sanctions expose banks to a greater risk of such court rulings. Recently, a Russian court awarded Russian company compensation for damages from Commerzbank. Assets of Deutsche Bank and Italian UniCredit have already been seized by court order. Russia is now increasingly responding to 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 exit plans from the Russian market.
20:29 Zelensky: Adhering to Humanitarian LawThe Ukrainian troops, according to President Volodymyr Zelensky, are strictly adhering to international conventions and humanitarian law in their advance into the western Russian region of Kursk. This was discussed at a meeting of the Ukrainian leadership, Zelensky reported on X. Humanitarian aid has been prepared for the civilian population in the occupied areas, and access for representatives of international organizations will be allowed. The emphasis on adhering to humanitarian law goes 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 news 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 assassination of Kremlin critic Boris Nemtsov has reportedly volunteered for service in the war zone in Ukraine, according to official statements. The internet edition of the Kremlin-critical newspaper "Novaya Gazeta," which operates in exile in Europe, reports that the convict is currently stationed in the Russian-occupied city of Mariupol. However, he is currently said to be on vacation in his home in the Russian republic of Chechnya in the North Caucasus. After signing up for service, he was reportedly pardoned and released in March, the state-run Russian news agency TASS reported, citing the Russian justice system. He is said to have signed a one-year contract with the Ministry of Defense to perform tasks in the area of the military special operation - the term used for the war in official Russian language.
Former Vice-Premier Nemtsov was shot dead near the Kremlin in 2015. A Moscow court convicted the alleged mastermind and four accomplices from the North Caucasus to long prison terms in 2017. The murder of Nemtsov remains shrouded in many questions. His family has complained that the masterminds were never truly sought. Nemtsov was one of the sharpest critics of Russian President Vladimir Putin.
19:50 Zelensky: Ukraine Achieves Strategic Goals in Kursk - Moscow DisagreesAccording to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, Ukraine is achieving its strategic goals in its offensive in the Russian region of Kursk. In his nightly address on Telegram, Zelensky states that they are making good progress. Meanwhile, the Russian military claims that its units, supported by the air force, drones, and artillery, have thwarted attempts by mobile enemy groups to advance deep into Russian territory with armored vehicles. The army statement further claims that heavy losses have been inflicted on the Ukrainian side.
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, has been released to Germany as part of a prisoner exchange. She can now live openly with her partner Sonya Subbotina in Germany.
18:55 Possible Sabotage Against German Armed Forces: Russia Suspected by Greens PoliticianThe German Armed Forces have sealed off and searched two of their bases in North Rhine-Westphalia due to suspected sabotage. There is a suspicion of manipulation of the internal drinking water supply at the Cologne-Wahn air base, as the Armed Forces announced. At the Geilenkirchen base, an intruder was reportedly repelled, but no anomalies were found in the drinking water. The chairman of the Defense Committee of the German Bundestag, Marcus Faber, points the finger at Russia for the possible acts of sabotage (see entry at 18:24). Similarly, the chairman of the Parliamentary Control Panel of the German Bundestag, Konstantin von Notz, suggests that Russia could be behind the suspected sabotage actions. "Of course, the suspicion arises that this could be a Russian sabotage action," he told Welt TV. This is a "concrete working hypothesis" for the investigations, said the Green politician.
18:24 Possible Sabotage at German Armed Forces: Chairman of Defense Committee Suspects RussiaFollowing the possible acts of sabotage in two German Armed Forces barracks, Marcus Faber, chairman of the Defense Committee in the Bundestag, points the finger at Russia. "Given the temporal proximity of the incidents in the two barracks, one can assume that a hostile actor is attempting to demonstrate their sabotage capabilities here," Faber told Bild. "The actor with the greatest interest 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 targeted by suspected acts of sabotage.
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, reportedly worth around five billion euros.
17:40 After Prisoner Exchange: Poland Charges Freed Man with EspionageA Russian-Spanish national, Pavel R., also known as Pablo G., has been charged with espionage in Poland. He was arrested in the Polish city of Przemysl near the Ukrainian border on February 28, 2022, just days after the start of the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Posing as a freelance journalist from Spain, he wrote 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 being a GRU agent. He is accused of committing a criminal offense related to espionage, punishable by three to 15 years in prison. It was unclear whether the trial would take place in his absence. No further details were provided by the authorities.
17:27 Report: Justice Opens Over 10,000 Cases for 'Insulting' the Russian ArmySince the start of the Ukraine war in February 2022, Russian justice has opened more than 10,000 cases for 'insulting' the army, according to media reports. "The ten-thousandth case was filed in court in the first week of August," Mediazona reported on its website. Most cases were reported in the first months of the war, with 5,614 cases by the end of 2022. In 2023, around 3,000 more cases were opened, bringing the total to 8,590 by the end of last year. So far this year, 1,410 cases have been opened. Mediazona counted these cases based on data from Russian courts. The basis for these cases is a law that imposes fines of up to 50,000 rubles (around 500 euros) for 'insulting' the armed forces. A second offense within a year can result in a five-year prison sentence. If the 'insult' leads to injuries, deaths, or 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 air defense missile troops of the Ukrainian Air Force in the Kursk region (Russia) destroyed a Russian Su-34 fighter-bomber during a combat mission," the Ukrainian online newspaper quoted the explanation.
16:50 Kyiv Aims to Create 'Buffer Zone' in Kursk RegionThe Ukrainian army is seeking to establish a "buffer zone" in the Russian border region of Kursk 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 shelling," 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 advance into the Kursk region. Russia also seems caught off guard, with the Kremlin seemingly still without 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 Start of WarLong-range drones of the Security Service of Ukraine (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 planned and effective, the largest since the start of the war. Its aim is to prevent Russia from using these air bases for guided missile attacks on the front line and Ukrainian cities, the report said.
15:36 German Government: Ukraine Support Unrelated to Nord StreamThe initial 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 Berlin. He stressed that the investigations are being conducted "according to the rule of law and without regard to persons, and completely independently of the outcome of such investigations." The investigations have no influence on whether and to what extent Germany will continue to support Ukraine in the future, he added. "They do not change the fact that Russia is waging a war of aggression against Ukraine in violation of international law," he said. The clarification of the act of sabotage is a top priority for the federal government, Büchner 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 war-winning advantage for Ukraine - quite the opposite.
14:50 Russia Extends Oil Export BanRussia extends the existing oil export ban. The move is to stabilize fuel prices in the country, which have recently risen sharply again, the Moscow government explains. The ban applies 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 first taken such a measure in the fall of 2023 in response to rising fuel prices. In November, the export ban was then suspended. 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 Zelenskyy uses this development to send a confident message.
13:52 Ukraine: Russian City of Sudzha Fully Under ControlThe city of Sudzha in the Russian Kursk Oblast is fully under Ukrainian control, according to Ukrainian military chief Olexander Syrsky. "The search and destruction of the enemy in the town of Sudzha is complete," he says in a video conference with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. Footage is published on the president's Telegram channel. The pipeline that supplies Russian gas from West Siberia via Ukraine to Slovakia and other EU countries runs through Sudzha, which has around 6,000 inhabitants.
13:31 Russian National Guard Reinforces Security at Kursk NPPThe Russian National Guard, Rosgwardiya, is reinforcing security at the Kursk Nuclear Power Plant. Special attention is being paid to defending against Ukrainian drones, it said. 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, which cannot be independently verified. The NPP is located about 30 kilometers west of the city of Kursk and is operated by state corporation Rosenergoatom.
13:06 Zelenskyy: Steadily Advancing in Russian Oblast KurskAccording to President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, 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 Syrsky. The latter reports that Ukrainian units captured 100 Russian soldiers on Wednesday.
12:43 Kriewald: Ukraine is "under significant pressure in the Donetsk region"The Ukraine maintains pressure on the Russian region of Kursk, but while it records military successes there, Russian forces continue to advance in the eastern Ukrainian combat zone of Donetsk. ntv reporter Nadja Kriewald reports on the current situation in the Ukraine war from Kyiv.
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, shot on Wednesday, a three-story building and 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 following 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 bears responsibility for this, as its attack on Kursk has effectively put any peace talks "on ice for the long term." The Ukrainian military surprised everyone by invading the Russian border region on August 6 and claiming to have taken control of more than 1,000 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 leader Alexander Lukashenko has exactly the opposite intention with this move.
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. On Wednesday morning, a facility in the south was shelled, Ukrenergo said on Telegram. Russian drones also targeted another facility 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'Brien. The two discussed the situation on the battlefield and security agreements, the Ukrainian presidential administration said. O'Brien is responsible for European and Eurasian affairs in the US Department of State.
09:17 Expert: Tschernobyl Scenario Also Possible in Kursk NPPA Tschernobyl scenario in the Kursk Nuclear Power Plant (KNPP) cannot be completely ruled out, says Dmytro Humeniuk, expert for safety analyses in 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 the takeover of the KNPP is not the goal of the Ukrainian Armed Forces' invasion, as it is a complex process and the plant could lead to possible damages without proper maintenance. "It's not enough to capture it, it must also be operated. Therefore, the takeover of the Kursk NPP cannot be a goal."
08:48 Biden: Kursk Offensive is "Real Dilemma" for PutinThe Ukrainian offensive in the Russian Oblast Kursk is a "real dilemma" for Russian President Vladimir Putin, according to US President Joe Biden. The US is in constant exchange with Ukraine. He does not want to say more about the advance.
08:19 Russia Reports Downing of 117 Drones and Four MissilesThe Ministry of Defense in Moscow reports the downing 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 Troubleshooter Djumin: Putin Sends His Lifesaver to KurskAlexei Gennadyevich Djumin is to lead the Russian "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 prompted Putin to act. The need to bring in Djumin underscores "the scale of the disaster in cross-agency cooperation," the report says. The former chief of the security staff belongs to Putin's inner circle and is considered a troubleshooter capable of solving coordination, combat, and civilian administration issues. Djumin reportedly even once saved Putin from a bear, according to his own statements.
06:59 Zelensky: Advance in Kursk Brings Us Closer to Our GoalUkrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky sees the country's armed forces gaining momentum in light of the advance in the Russian region. "Ukraine can achieve its goals, defend its interests, and protect its independence," says Zelensky in a video message. The Ukrainian army has now taken 74 settlements in the Kursk region - twice as many as claimed by the Russian side. Neither claim is verifiable.
06:30 "On urgent request" - Belarus sends military equipment to KurskBelarusian dictator Alexander Lukashenko has ordered the delivery of Belarusian military equipment to Russian forces to support the area around Kursk. This is reported by the Belarusian news agency Belnovosti, citing an unnamed source in the country's defense ministry. The latest delivery is in response to an "urgent request from the Russian side" due to losses and shortages of equipment in the Kursk region and other areas.
05:57 Governor of Belgorod declares state of emergencyThe governor of the Russian city of Belgorod has declared a state of emergency. He reports daily shelling by Ukrainian forces that destroys houses and kills and injures civilians. "The situation in our Belgorod region remains extremely difficult and tense due to shelling by Ukrainian forces," Governor Vyacheslav Gladkov writes on Telegram, adding that a state of emergency will be declared on a regional level from Wednesday. He calls on Russia to declare a state of emergency for the region.
05:34 Russian governors report air attacksThe governors of the Russian oblasts of Kursk, Lipetsk, and Voronezh report drone and missile attacks on their regions. Russian Telegram channels report a fire in Voronezh that locals say was caused by a drone attack on a military airport. There have been no official statements on this yet. 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 euros to UkraineThe EU Commission has paid around 4.2 billion euros to Ukraine, which is under attack from Russia. "This money is to keep the Ukrainian state running while it fights for its survival," writes Commission President Ursula von der Leyen on X. Europe stands firmly by Ukraine's side. The funds are part of the so-called Ukraine Facility. This EU aid program was decided on at the beginning of February and will make financial aid of 50 billion euros possible until the end of 2027. Of this, 33 billion euros will be in the form of loans, and the rest as grants. Last week, EU countries gave the green light for the payment. With this financial aid, the EU wants to support the Ukrainian state, for example, in rebuilding the country, modernizing it, and implementing important 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 Dutch publisher Elsevier, which specializes in publishing scientific and medical research, or other "similar foreign organizations," according to 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 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 more difficult 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 senior US government official told Reuters news agency 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 into Russian territory, Ukraine is now forcing Russia to defend its own territory, which could weaken Russian forces within Ukraine, according to the assessment from Washington.
01:24 US Not Involved in Ukrainian Advance 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 of the US Department of State. The US is a key ally of Ukraine, providing the country, which was invaded by Russia in February 2022, with weapons and ammunition.
00:18 Russia Sanctions: Customs Raid Two Firms in Berlin
In Berlin, customs officers raided two companies suspected of violating EU Russia sanctions. Around 100 enforcement officers from the Central Office for the Implementation of Sanctions searched a building complex, the General Customs Directorate in the capital announced. Both companies are subject to EU sanctions. Assets and funds of listed natural or legal persons are frozen. "There is suspicion of violations of the law on the enforcement of economic sanctions," the customs office explained. The search was aimed at "securing the building complex in the district of Tempelhof-Schöneberg and searching for assets." Interrogations were also carried out and evidence seized. According to media reports, the searched companies are two unnamed Russian logistics firms.
23:59 Fitch Downgrades Ukraine Rating FurtherFitch Ratings has downgraded Ukraine's creditworthiness to "RD" from the previous "C" rating. The U.S. credit watchers cited the expiration of a payment deadline for interest on a $750 million bond with a maturity date in 2026 as the reason for the downgrade. The payment was due on August 1. "RD" in Fitch's rating system stands for "Restricted Default," roughly translating to "restricted default" in English. No statement from the government in Kyiv has been issued yet.
23:08 Russia Reports Two Dead in Lysychansk from Ukrainian ShellingAccording to Russian reports, two people have been killed in the city of Lysychansk in eastern Ukraine due to Ukrainian shelling. The state-owned Russian news agency TASS reported this, citing local authorities who are under Russian control. Earlier, Russia-installed administrators had spoken of more than 30 injured.
22:11 Russia to Move Evacuees from Kursk to Occupied UkraineAfter Ukraine's advance into the Russian region of Kursk, local authorities there plan to move evacuees to a Russian-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 pensions on the Sea of Azov for accommodation. "In the coming days, we will form the first transports to bring people to the temporary accommodation centers 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 puppet, as governor before that. While Moscow does not fully control the region, it has occupied the access to the Sea of Azov, where there are still sanatoriums today.
**21:37 Moscow's UN Envoy: After Kursk Attack, Putin Withdraws 'Generous' Peace Offer'After Ukraine's incursion into the Russian border region of Kursk, Vladimir Putin's "generous" peace offer is no longer on the table, a Kremlin official said. Dmitri Polyanskiy, Russia's deputy representative to the UN, said at a meeting at the organization's headquarters: "In June, Russia made a generous offer to Ukraine, but last week, the Zelensky regime chose escalation and attacked the Kursk region," he continued, "the offer is no longer on the table." "This is a step that Ukraine will regret later," he added. Russia stated that 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 the fire and start negotiations, Putin said. However, Ukraine, NATO, and the Pentagon rejected the offer. Kyiv described it as "a complete fabrication."
21:08 Evaluation claims over 300 Russians captured in Kursk
An evaluation claims that Ukrainian forces have captured at least 303 Russian soldiers during the offensive in the Kursk region. The list was compiled by an Austrian X-user based on videos on social media. He also lists 15 more prisoners of war but notes his uncertainty about these figures. The data is incomplete as not all prisoners of war are documented in videos. Ukrainian army chief Olexander Syrskyj reported "hundreds" of Russian prisoners of war in his daily briefing to the Ukrainian president. Social media discussions even mentioned up to 2000 captured Russians in the Kursk region. Many of the newly captured Russians are very young, which, according to the X-user, 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 - troops from Kaliningrad reportedly moved to Kursk
According to Lithuanian reports, Russia is moving troops from Kaliningrad to the Kursk region, where Ukrainian soldiers continue to advance. Lithuanian defense minister Laurynas Kasciunas announced this during a meeting with Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky in Kyiv, as shown in a video on his Telegram channel. Russia has not yet commented on this. Earlier, the US magazine Politico reported that the Russian military had reportedly ordered soldiers from the occupied Ukrainian regions of Kherson and Zaporizhzhia to Kursk in small numbers. Moscow has not confirmed this.
20:10 Situation in Donetsk remains challenging for Ukraine - Battle for Torez underway
The situation around the city of Torez in the Donetsk region remains difficult for Ukrainian troops. Russian soldiers continue to attack, with fighting already taking place on the outskirts of the city. The Russians are also deploying sabotage groups in the city, according to Oleksandr Bordiian, deputy spokesperson for the 32nd mechanized brigade of the Ukrainian armed forces, in an interview with Radio Liberty. However, Bordiian also noted that the number of Russian soldiers surrendering has increased over the past week. No significant relief, such as from the Ukrainian offensive in the Russian region of Kursk, has been felt yet. "As for ground attacks, their intensity has somewhat decreased," said Bordiian. However, the Russian armed forces have compensated for this by intensifying air attacks with guided bombs. According to the Ukrainian general staff, the intensity of Russian attacks in the Donetsk region has not decreased. A total of 52 attacks were recorded in the Pokrovsk area alone within 24 hours.
19:34 "How can Russia escalate further?"
Carlo Masala believes Moscow's threat of a harsh counterattack against Ukrainian advances on its own territory is an empty threat. 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 Ramping Up Recruitment? The Russian army is reportedly struggling to replenish its ranks with new soldiers to keep up with losses at the front. According to U.S. news agency Bloomberg, citing unnamed sources close to the Kremlin and the Russian Defense Ministry, these are the heaviest losses since the invasion began. The need to fill military reserves has been exacerbated by Ukraine's incursion into the border regions of the Russian regions of Kursk and Belgorod. Russia may be forced to consider a new mobilization, Bloomberg reports. Officials could present this as a rotation to give military personnel at the front a break, with the plan potentially announced by the end of this year, the sources said. 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 USD) to 400,000 (4011 USD) rubles.
Read all previous developments here.
- Following the incidents, Defense Minister Pistorius emphasizes the need to review and adjust security measures at German military bases, stating, "We are reviewing our security measures and adjusting them as necessary."
- In light of the suspected sabotage incidents, Marcus Faber, chairman of the Defense Committee in the Bundestag, points to Russia as a possible suspect, stating, "Given the temporal proximity of the incidents in the two barracks, one can assume that a hostile actor is attempting to demonstrate their sabotage capabilities here."
