22:16 Belarus' military threatens to use tactical nuclear weapons
The Chief of the General Staff of Belarus, Pawlo Murawejko, threatens to use tactical atomic weapons if he sees Belarus' "Sovereignty" and "Independence" in danger. This was reported by the Belarusian state agency BelTA. "We have learned how to handle these weapons," he reportedly said. In addition, he announced that Belarus would become a full member of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization in a few days. Other members of the organization, which describes itself as a partnership against terrorism, separatism, and extremism, include Russia, China, India, and six other countries in Eurasia.
21:33 Kiev reports rocket attack from the northAn air alarm sounds in the capital Kiev and in other northern oblasts. The cause is rockets from the north, but the Ukrainian armed forces report that their air defense prevented their landing. Falling rocket parts then hit a 14-story residential building and caused a fire, according to Kiev's mayor Vitali Klitschko. At least two residents were injured, ten were evacuated to safety.
20:42 Kiev: More than 14,000 civilians in Russian captivityTen freed civilians were received in Kiev on the previous Saturday. More than 14,000 civilians are still being held in Russian captivity, according to the Human Rights Ombudsman of Ukraine, Dmytro Lubinets. Three categories of Ukrainians are being held by the Russians: children, prisoners of war, and civilians. The return of civilians is Lubinets' assessment complicated. Ukraine has no ability to carry out exchanges, and there is no legal procedure. Kiev is still working on the return of 20,000 children and tens of thousands of Ukrainians who are missing. In the case of children, the Vatican may be able to 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, according to President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. In 2022, the agreement was mediated by the United Nations and Turkey. It had a decisive role in containing a global increase in food prices, which were partly caused by the invasion. 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 were injured, including an 8-month-old child. This was reported by the governor of the Oblast Kharkiv. Rescue workers are reportedly looking for further possible victims. Eight cars 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 announced that Russia had used over 800 guided air bombs against Ukraine in the past week.
18:43 Moscow: Two places in Donetsk captured
Russia captures two more villages in the east of Ukraine. According to the Russian news agency RIA, quoting the Russian Defense Ministry in Moscow, the locations are the settlements of Spirne and Nowoolexandriwka in the Donetsk region.
18:20 Ukraine: Russian fighter jet, Cruise missiles and hundreds of drones destroyed
The Ukrainian commander of ground troops, Oleksandr Pavliuk, publishes a balance of air defense in June. The defenders registered the shooting down of a Russian Su-25 fighter jet, as well as three Cruise missiles. In total, they shot down 296 drones in the past month. "Under conditions of intense hostilities," the Ukrainians managed to shoot down a "significant number" of tactical drones from the sky, Pavliuk writes.
17:27 Zelensky: Trump's possible peace plan "bad idea"
Donald Trump, the Republican Party's designated presidential candidate in the US, has repeatedly claimed that he could end the Ukraine war "in 24 hours" if he wins the November election. Now, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky 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," says Zelensky in an interview with the "Philadelphia Inquirer": "Perhaps it would even be better in an hour." Giving up one's own territory to Russia is not new. The problem with Russian President Vladimir Putin will not be solved by that. He must be kept within bounds, as he is relying on "pseudo victories."
16:49 Men attack Ukrainian border guards with machetes
A Ukrainian border guard is killed by two men with a machete in Ukraine. The second man was wounded, reports the news portal "Ukrajinska Pravda," citing Ukrainian authorities. The incident occurred on a Saturday evening at the border with Romania. The motive is unknown. However, due to the war, men of military age try to leave the country illegally to avoid being drafted and sent to the front. Previously, 17 men were detained at the Hungarian border who wanted to illegally leave the Ukraine and pay their helpers between 3000 and 12,000 US dollars for a successful exit.
16:14 More injured and damage after rocket attack on Vilniansk
After the lethal Russian rocket attack on civilians in Vilniansk, 75 people report damaged or destroyed property. The police in the Saporischschja region document "the crimes of the Russian army," the authorities report. 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 were killed in the attack on Saturday, including a woman and three children.
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 Sobtschak published a short video, which she claims shows the US rapper looking out from the roof of the famous shopping center Gum over Red Square. According to Sobtschak, West is in Moscow to celebrate the 40th birthday of his friend Goscha Rubtschinski, 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 of British military flights
This year, Russia has disrupted the GPS navigation system on 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 disregard and another proof that it has become an out-of-control 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, are conducting a series of attacks on Russian companies. According to the Ministry, hackers have destroyed over 100 terabytes of data from OrbitSoft, a software developer working with the Russian army. They also deleted data on eight servers from Orient Systems, a supplier of navigation devices for Russian military manufacturers, particularly for manufacturers of unmanned aerial vehicles. They also deleted the data of 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 IslandThe 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 weekIn the past week, Russia has fired over 800 guided bombs against Ukraine, according to 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 writes further.
12:48 After Russian attack on Velyka Novosilka, number of wounded increasesThe number of wounded in the Ukrainian city of Velyka Novosilka in the Zaporizhzhia region has further increased following a Russian attack. According to official figures, at least seven people, including three men, a woman, and three children, have been killed. Thirty-six people, among them nine children, were injured in the missile attack, according to the National Police via social media. Previously, 31 injured persons were known.
12:18 Ukraine publishes figures on Russian lossesThe Ukrainian General Staff has published new figures on Russian losses in Ukraine. According to this, Russia has lost approximately 542,700 soldiers 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 also destroyed. In total, Russia has allegedly 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 give lower loss figures - which are also only minimum values.
11:45 OSCE: Russia commits genocide in UkraineThe 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, announced this on social media. Frolov writes in social media that 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 Zaporizhia 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 reported by NTV reporter Jürgen Weichert.
10:44 Russia: Four firefighters injured in the Donezk regionIn the Russia-claimed region of Donezk in eastern Ukraine, according to Russian reports, four firefighters were injured in Ukrainian attacks. They had extinguished a fire caused by a Ukrainian attack in the Petrovski district and were then hit by new shelling, the Russian Emergency Situations Ministry stated.
10:08 Russia: Ukrainian forces driven back from 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 said. The islands and the Dnipro River in the Kherson region form a natural frontier.
09:43 Ukraine: One dead, two injured in Russian attack on ChersonA man was killed and two people were injured in a Russian attack on the Ukrainian region of Cherson, according to Cherson Governor Oleksandr Prokudin 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 severe injuries. Additionally, a 63-year-old woman in Komysany was reportedly injured by Russian troops who shot up a farm. There were no injuries reported in a drone attack on a residential building in Mykhailivka, and the damage is currently being assessed.
09:08 Ex-NATO chief: "Putin's Plan A has failed"The 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 benefit him.
08:40 Russia: 36 Ukrainian drones shot downRussia claims to have shot down 36 Ukrainian drones in various regions throughout the country. Fifteen drones were intercepted over the border region of Kursk, nine over the region of Lipetsk some hundreds of kilometers south of Moscow, and four each over the regions of Voronezh and Bryansk, according to the Russian Defense Ministry in Moscow. The governors of Lipetsk and Bryansk reported on Telegram that there were no casualties or significant 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, Pal 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 splitting us, both within the EU and in NATO", says Jonson. To maintain peace, it is best to make NATO strong and focus on deterrence and defense. According to Jonson, more responsibility for European security means investing more in military forces. Sweden, under the impression of Russia's aggression in Ukraine, gave up its neutrality. In March 2024, Sweden became the 32nd NATO member.
07:24 Zelensky: Death toll may rise after Russian attack on Velyka Nova Basanova
Following a Russian attack on the Ukrainian city of Velyka Nova Basanova 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", writes Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on the platform X.
06:55 Ukraine: Russian troops bombard Derhachi
Russian troops have attacked the city of Derhachi in the Kharkiv region. This was announced by the head of the Derhachi Military Administration, Vyacheslav Zadorenko, on Telegram. According to Zadorenko, three people were injured. This is the most massive attack on Derhachi since 2022, during which four aerial bombs were dropped. Two men aged 68 and 75 and a 71-year-old woman were hospitalized. 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 further increasing arms deliveries to Ukraine. From January 1 to June 18, the German government authorized the export of military goods for at least 7.48 billion Euros abroad. Compared to the entire first half of 2023, this represents an increase of around 30 percent. Almost two-thirds of the exports (65 percent or 4.88 billion Euros) were destined for Ukraine. This is evident from an answer by the Federal Ministry of Economics to a question by Bundestag member Sevim Dağdelen from the Left Party (Die Linke).
05:41 In Wilnjansk, Ukraine: Moscow reportedly targeted a military objectiveAccording to the Russian Defense Ministry, the Russian shelling of the Ukrainian city of Wilnjansk in the Saporischja region resulted in at least seven deaths. Interfax news agency reported from Moscow's statement that a railway station with ballistic Iskander-Raketen was attacked. A military train carrying 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 Kiev Mine Clearance Corps: 30,000 square kilometers have been 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. The Kyiv Independent reports with reference to Colonel Ruslan Berehulia, head of the Environmental Safety and Mine Clearance Department. 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 Clearance Corps in April 2022. Units of the Defense Ministry and the Ukrainian Armed Forces joined by 2024. These units, with 5000 specialists, are currently active in the regions of Mykolajiw, Cherson and Charkiw.
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: more skilled workers are available. In addition, language courses before job placement have led to fewer language barriers. 18% praise the 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 local governor Alexej Smirnow's statements on Telegram, Ukraine continued to shell the Russian border region of Kursk all day on Saturday. Smirnow writes that Ukrainian forces attacked eight border villages repeatedly. Two people were injured. A video Smirnow posted in his Telegram channel shows a destroyed house and debris. Earlier, Smirnow reported the death of five people due to 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 and not Russian President Vladimir Putin had provoked the war in Ukraine, activists dropped a banner with Putin's image behind him. Farage was not pleased, the activists write laconically.
00:32 Emergency services work through the rubble in Vilniansk
Emergency services are clearing the rubble of a Russian attack on the city of Vilniansk in the Saporischja region. After the search and rescue operations are completed, it is determined: 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 the expulsion of Ukrainians who 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 found it difficult to work; be it due to lacking language skills or a lack of childcare. "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 Chief of the General Staff of Belarus, Pawlo Murawejko, has warned of using tactical atomic weapons if Belarus' sovereignty and independence are threatened, and he mentioned that Belarus is joining the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, which includes Russia and other countries.
- In the Ukraine conflict, there have been reports of a rocket attack from the north, causing damage to a residential building in Kiev and injuring at least two residents, as well as ongoing military operations and attacks on Ukraine by Russia.
- President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has stated that Ukraine plans no direct negotiations with Russia but could use the model of a trilateral agreement to address the conflict, and there are ongoing negotiations for the return of civilians being held in Russian captivity.
- Cyberwarfare has also been a part of the Ukraine conflict, with reports of Ukrainian hackers sabotaging Russian systems and destroying data from Russian military suppliers.
- Volodymyr Selensky, the President of Ukraine, has criticized Donald Trump's possible peace plan for Ukraine as a "bad idea" if it involves making territorial concessions to Russia, and there have been continued efforts to defend against and counter Russian attacks on Ukraine.
