22:30 Pentagon: Ukraine's advance into the Kursk region in line with US policy
The Ukrainian incursion into the Russian region of Kursk is "in line with our policy," says the deputy spokesperson of the U.S. Department of Defense, Sabrina Singh, according to the news portal "Kyiv Independent" at a press conference. In response to a question about whether the Ukraine can use weapons supplied by the USA, Singh states that the USA "has been supporting Ukraine from the start to defend against attacks coming from across the border." The Kursk region borders the Ukrainian region of Sumy over 245 kilometers, which has been subjected to daily Russian attacks since its liberation in April 2022. Ukraine is taking measures "to protect against attacks" and is operating "within the framework of U.S. policy, where they can use our weapons, our systems, and our capabilities," says Singh.
Singh says it is up to Ukraine "to speak about their own operations." When asked how far into Russian territory Ukraine is allowed to attack, Singh says that the USA "does not support long-range attacks." However, she refuses to specify the exact distance. "I won't draw a circular map of where they can strike and where not, but we have been very clear with the Ukrainians," she says.
22:09 BSW MEP De Masi calls for "weapons silence and negotiations as soon as possible"Following the advance of Ukrainian troops into Kursk, BSW MEP Fabio De Masi calls for "weapons silence and negotiations as soon as possible." Ukraine has "major problems defending its own territory," says De Masi to "Tagesspiegel." Advances "deep into Russian territory" only make sense "if the goal of Ukraine is to strengthen the escalation dynamic." The risks are enormous, says the Euro politician. "Consider, for example, the Russian nuclear power plant in the region. Russia is a nuclear power and has the escalation dominance."
21:50 Authorities in the Kursk region report at least five dead civiliansRussian troops have been fighting against a Ukrainian incursion across the border for the third day in a row, according to reports from Moscow. Russian forces and border guards are preventing Ukrainian units from advancing further into Kursk, the Russian Ministry of Defense reports. At the same time, the Russian army is attacking Ukrainian forces attempting to retreat from the Ukrainian border region of Sumy. According to the Russian Ministry of Health, 66 civilians have been injured since the start of the Ukrainian incursion, including nine children. Authorities in the Kursk region report at least five dead civilians, including two paramedics. Ukraine has not yet commented on the incursion.
21:30 EU High Representative Borrell: Lukashenko regime involved in illegal deportation of Ukrainian childrenThe Belarusian regime is complicit in Russia's war against Ukraine, according to EU High Representative Josep Borrell in Brussels. In addition to political, military, and logistical support, Belarus has contributed to the illegal deportation of Ukrainian children from temporarily occupied territories in 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 Support Ukrainian Soldiers in War
Robot dogs are set to assist and relieve Ukrainian soldiers in the war against Russia. A specialist from a British military solutions company, who wished to remain anonymous and introduced himself as "Yuri," demonstrated the "BAD One" robot model at a secret location in Ukraine. The four-legged robot can run, jump, and move via remote control. Yuri stated that soldiers sent on reconnaissance missions are "usually very well-trained, very experienced people" who are "constantly exposed to risks." The use of these robots could replace soldiers and thus save lives. The robot's battery has a runtime of two to three hours, allowing it to be used for tasks such as mine detection, scouting Russian positions, or transporting up to seven kilograms of ammunition or medical supplies to the front. Yuri could not disclose the number or locations of the robots currently in use in Ukraine but expressed confidence that they are making a difference in missions and soldier safety.
20:20 Zelensky: Russia Must Feel the Consequences of the War It Started
Following the Ukrainian army's advance into the Russian region of Kursk, Volodymyr Zelensky 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 did other Ukrainian officials comment on the Ukrainian army's offensive that began on Tuesday. Thousands of people were evacuated on both sides of the border. Zelensky reported receiving three reports from the military commander, Oleksandr Syrsky, describing the actions as "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 strengthen its position in future peace negotiations.
20:05 Zelensky Praises Army's Ability to Surprise
Volodymyr Zelensky praised the Ukrainian army for its ability to "surprise." However, the Ukrainian president made no mention of 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 yet.
19:44 Russian Military Blog Reports Western Part of Sudja in Kursk Region Under Ukrainian Control
The Ukrainian army has continued its surprise offensive across the border into the Russian region of Kursk for the third day, making territorial gains. While Russian civil authorities in Kursk and the Ministry of Defense in Moscow officially stated that the Ukrainian advance has been stopped, the Russian military blog Rybar, which is close to the ministry, paints a different picture. According to Rybar, Ukrainians are still advancing, bringing in reserves at night and fortifying their positions. The blog reports that the western part of the town of Sudja is under Ukrainian control, with fighting ongoing in the eastern part. Additionally, Ukrainians have advanced northward towards Anastasevka and northeast towards Korenovo.
Local reports suggest there is no Ukrainian presence in Sochi itself. Only to the north and west of the city are there reports of shootings and artillery fire. Unconfirmed reports suggest that Ukrainian reconnaissance units have also advanced towards the Kursk nuclear power plant and have been sighted in Anastasyevka.
19:04 SPD to discuss US missile deployment in September
The defense policy 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 everything on this crucial issue, take the concerns of citizens seriously, and address any information gaps," Hellmich told the Funke media group. "We will address this topic 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 German and US governments have agreed that the US will deploy long-range weapons systems such as 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-American woman faces 15 years in prison in Russia for allegedly collecting money for Ukrainian military
The Russian prosecutor's office is reportedly seeking a 15-year prison sentence for a Russian-American woman accused of high treason. Ksenia Khavana was arrested in Yekaterinburg in February. She was accused of collecting money for the Ukrainian military. During a closed-door trial on Wednesday, she reportedly pleaded guilty to the charges. News agency Interfax reports that the prosecutor has requested a 15-year sentence, citing Khavana's lawyer Mikhail Muskalov. The verdict is expected on August 15. Khavana is said to have become a US citizen after marrying an American and moving to Los Angeles. She had traveled to Russia to visit relatives. An activist group claims that the charges against Khavana stem from a $51 (around €47) donation to a US charity organization active in Ukraine. Russia has enacted laws since the deployment of troops to Ukraine in February 2022 that criminalize criticism of its actions there. Concerns have increased that Russia could target US citizens for arrest.
17:54 Moscow reports Ukrainian losses in fighting in Kursk region
Russian Chief of General Staff Valery Gerasimov told President Vladimir Putin during a video conference that about 100 Ukrainian soldiers were killed and more than 200 others were injured in the fighting. Russian news agencies report. 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 about potential use of German weapons in KurskSPD foreign policy expert Ralf Stegner expresses caution about the potential use of German weapons in the Ukrainian advance. "Regarding the defense of Ukraine against the Russian invasion, there was an exceptional situation in the border area when the city of Kharkiv had to be defended against attacks beyond the nearby border," Stegner tells "Handelsblatt". "This did not imply a general shift in strategy regarding the handling of weapons delivered from Germany." The German government had allowed Ukraine, after a long 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 since Tuesday morning, according to estimates by experts at the Institute for the Study of War (ISW) in the US. The institute reports advances of "up to ten kilometers," while Russian military blogger Yuri Podolyaka claims the Ukraine has advanced more than 25 kilometers. Ukrainian President's advisor Mykhailo Podolyak described the situation in western Russia as a result of Russia's "aggression" against Ukraine. According to Russian reports, "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 another 31 injured. ISW further states that the "current extent and location of Ukrainian advances in the Kursk region (...) suggest 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 describes the Ukrainian advance in Kursk as "militarily strategic". This allows "pressure to be taken off other parts of the front, as Russia has to bind or redeploy forces to Kursk," Kiesewetter tells "Tagesspiegel". The Ukrainian advance is "self-evidently legally permissible in terms 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 have been killed in a Russian artillery attack on 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 reports on Telegram. Donetsk is a hotspot of the fighting. The parts of the region controlled by Ukraine are regularly subjected to Russian fire. 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 Fighting in the border region continues for a third day, according to Moscow. Russian forces and border guards are preventing Ukrainian units from advancing deeper into Kursk, the Russian Defense Ministry said. Meanwhile, the Russian army is attacking Ukrainian forces attempting 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, but: "First, he allowed the Ukraine to shoot at Russian territory with German weapons," Wagenknecht criticized. "Is the federal government now also allowing the Ukraine to 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," she continued. "The risk of a major European war is growing."
14:45 Chairman of the Defense Committee: Ukraine can use German weapons in Kursk The chairman of the Defense Committee in the Bundestag, Marcus Faber, sees no problem with Ukraine using German-supplied weapons in its current advance on 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 inauguration The Ukrainian embassy in Mexico has called on the Mexican government to arrest Russian President Vladimir Putin if he attends the inauguration of the 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 report a significant 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 individuals in Moscow, St. Petersburg, Nizhny Novgorod, Yekaterinburg, Ufa, Saratov, Samara, Krasnodar, the occupied Crimea, and several other regions. Users reported that they could only access YouTube via 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 remaining Western platform in Russia that is still accessible. As such, it is the last bastion of free expression in Russia. According to Decoder, over 90 million users in Russia use YouTube monthly, making it the number one video and streaming platform. 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 engaged in a lawful defensive war against an 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 near Sudzha and, according to reports, taken control of several villages. Russian reports indicate 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. Its goal is to help military personnel of the Russian army find their relatives. According to "Khochu nayti", both conscripts and contract soldiers are among the captives. "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 still unclear.
12:18 Gazprom: Gas Transit Running Normally Despite Fighting in Kursk Region
Gazprom reports that Russian gas exports through the Kursk border region, which has been attacked 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 day before, according to the state-owned Russian news agency Tass. Ukrainian troops have reportedly taken control of the city of Sudscha, which is also home to a key gas pipeline hub for Europe. The transit route passes through Ukraine, then on to Slovakia and Austria. 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 is nine kilometers from the Ukrainian border. According to Podolyaka, the city is full of Ukrainian military personnel. "Sudscha is basically lost for us. This is an important logistics hub," he writes. Ukrainian forces are reportedly advancing north towards Lgov. "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 day in a row. The situation is "stable and under control," according to the vice-governor of the border region, as reported by the state-owned 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 the news agency Tass citing local authorities. 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 is causing a stir in Moscow. Ukrainian soldiers are reported to have advanced up to 15 kilometers. There are also reports of dozens of prisoners of war. ntv reporter Nadja Kriewald reports from Odessa on the background of the events.
09:35 UN: Russians Torture 95% of Ukrainian POWsUN human rights observers claim that Russian prison camp staff are already torturing Ukrainian POWs during initial interrogations. Furthermore, torture is "widespread and systematic" in Russian captivity. UN Human Rights Monitoring Mission in Ukraine (HRMMU) head Danielle Bell told Dutch broadcaster NOS in an interview. She says that the Russian Federation has tortured 95% of Ukrainian POWs in their prisons. According to her, Ukrainian POWs are 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 mainly gathered through interviews with Ukrainian POWs after their release. Simultaneously, the UN mission has direct access to Russian POWs and can assess the prison conditions.
08:49 Estonia Introduces Enhanced Border Controls with RussiaEstonia has introduced full border controls at its eastern EU border with Russia. The government of the Baltic NATO state decided this in early August. As of August 8, all persons crossing the border with Russia, as well as all cargo, will be subject to inspection. Controls will be gradually introduced at the road and rail border crossings in Narva, Koidula, and Luhamaa. Previously, passenger and vehicle checks were random and risk-based. The tightening is aimed at preventing the transit and transport of EU-sanctioned goods through Estonia and strengthening the country's security, according to Prime Minister Kristen Michal. The border between Russia and Estonia is 294 kilometers long.
08:11 Ukraine Publishes Russian Casualty FiguresThe Ukrainian General Staff has published new casualty figures for Russian troops in Ukraine. According to the report, Russia has lost around 587,510 soldiers in Ukraine since February 24, 2022, including 1,140 in the past 24 hours. Additionally, two tanks, 36 artillery systems, 81 drones, and one helicopter were destroyed. In total, Russia has lost 8,431 tanks, 16,487 artillery systems, 366 aircraft, 327 helicopters, 13,293 drones, 28 ships, and one submarine since the start of the large-scale invasion. Western estimates suggest lower casualty figures, but these are likely minimums.
07:32 Medvedev Threatens Escalation of Russian Invasion in UkraineDmitri Medvedev, deputy chairman of the Russian Security Council, has threatened to escalate the invasion in Ukraine in response to Ukrainian advances into the Russian border region of Kursk. The Russian military operation should no longer be limited to securing territories in Ukraine that Russia considers its own, the former president said. Instead, troops 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 heavy fighting reported. The region has been placed under a state of emergency.
07:05 Russia: 14 Ukrainian aerial objects destroyed over Kursk and Belgorod
Russian air defense forces destroyed 14 unmanned Ukrainian aerial objects overnight, eight over the Belgorod region and six over the Kursk region, 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. Early on August 6, Ukrainian forces attacked the border areas of the Kursk region. According to the latest reports from the Russian General Staff, there are still clashes in border areas. The state of emergency has been declared in Kursk, and residents are being evacuated.
06:25 Ukraine issues air alert due to Russian MiG-31K attack
The Ukrainian Air Force has issued an air alert across the entire country due to a missile threat from a Russian MiG-31K. This aircraft type is an interceptor that originated from the Soviet Union and is named after the aircraft manufacturer Mikoyan-Gurevich. The MiG-31K can carry hypersonic missiles like the Kh-47M2 Kinzhal.
05:32 ISW: Ukrainian armored vehicles ten kilometers behind Russian border in Kursk
According to an assessment by the Institute for the Study of War (ISW), Ukrainian troops have advanced up to ten kilometers into the Russian region of Kursk. This is 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, Ukrainian forces have captured 45 square kilometers in the Kursk region since the start of the operation on August 6. Russian authorities declared a state of emergency in the region yesterday.
02:30 Ukraine raises threshold for imprisonment in petty theft cases
President Zelenskyy has signed a law that decriminalizes petty theft in Ukraine. The law raises the threshold for what constitutes a petty theft, with values up to approximately 67 euros now considered administrative offenses punishable by fines. Previously, the threshold was around 6.7 euros. The change is due to the martial law imposed since the Russian invasion, which previously carried penalties of up to eight years in prison for looting and theft. A case of stealing diapers from a supermarket in Rivne, western Ukraine, in January 2023, valued at around 8 euros, will no longer result in imprisonment. However, the perpetrator in that 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 to station long-range US weapons in Germany against criticism from within his own party. "This stationing is correct because it helps us to defend ourselves if Russia were to have the idea of attacking 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 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 prisonersThe Moscow human rights activist Oleg Orlow, who was 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 Memorial, which he co-founded and 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 seriously ill ones. "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" in Russia. His Telegram channel has around 734,000 followers. According to preliminary information, 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. This was announced by the governor of the region, Alexei Smirnov, in a Telegram post. Ukraine has advanced deep into Russian territory in 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 Security of Kursk Nuclear PlantDue to Ukraine's advance into the Russian border region of Kursk, Russia's National Guard is reinforcing security at the Kursk nuclear power plant. Additionally, extra forces are being deployed to combat sabotage and reconnaissance units in the Kursk and Belgorod regions, the agency reports. This is happening 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 contract for delivery next month increased by 5.7 percent to 38.78 euros per megawatt hour (MWh) in Amsterdam. Market sources point 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 through Ukrainian pipelines. Gazprom is currently reporting normal gas deliveries.
19:08 Ukraine Evacuates Border Areas Near Russian KurskAmid heavy fighting in the Russian Kursk region, Ukrainian authorities have ordered the evacuation of more locations in the neighboring Sumy region. The measures affect 23 settlements, according to the military governor of Sumy, Volodymyr Artjuch, on Ukrainian television. Around 6,000 people, including over 400 children and adolescents, 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. Local authorities had already ordered evacuations from a 10-kilometer border zone due to regular Russian shelling of border areas in May.
You can read all previous developments [here].
Singh acknowledges the importance of Ukrainian operations in their own defense, stating, "It is up to Ukraine to speak about their own operations." She also clarifies that the USA does not support long-range attacks and refuses to draw a boundary for Ukrainian operations.
In the context of the ongoing conflict, military operations by Ukraine in the Russian region of Kursk can be considered as part of their lawful defensive war, given the continuous Russian attacks and Ukraine's right to self-defense, as expressed by various political figures and experts in the text.
