23:17 Report: Ukraine uses more long-range drones than Russia
Ukraine Conducts More Long-Range Drone Strikes Than Russia in a Month for the First Time
According to a media report, Ukraine has, for the first time since the start of the war, carried out more long-range drone strikes in a month than Russia. As reported by Forbes, Russia attacked 426 targets in Ukraine with drones in July, while Kyiv countered with 524 attack drones. The U.S. magazine cites, among others, the X-channel Shahed Tracker, which collects data on Russian drone strikes. According to this, Moscow launched around 380 long-range drone attacks in January and February, with the number rising to 601 in March and 336 in June. For Ukrainian attacks, Forbes relies on the data of Russian authorities, which reported less than 200 attacks in the months of May and June. These figures cannot be independently verified.
22:17 Low Double-Digit Number of Germans in Russian Custody
After the prisoner exchange between Russia and several Western states, including Germany, a "low double-digit number" of German citizens remain in Russian prisons, according to the Foreign Office. The "Tagesspiegel" quotes the German Foreign Ministry as saying that the Foreign Office is aware of a "low double-digit number" of people who are imprisoned in Russia and also hold German citizenship. There is no contact with the prisoners. "For about two years, Russian authorities have refused direct consular access in the form of prison visits to German-Russian dual nationals," the Foreign Office told the report. "They treat persons with Russian and another citizenship exclusively as Russian citizens." The Foreign Office does not share this view and is actively pursuing consular access.
21:48 Kara-Mursa: Sanctions Against Ordinary Russians Are 'Not Fair'
Opposition leader Vladimir Kara-Murza, released from Russian captivity, wants to continue fighting for sanctions against the "murderous regime of Kremlin chief Vladimir Putin" as before his imprisonment. He told journalists in Bonn that targeted sanctions against individual officials are the most effective. Many of the sanctions imposed due to the Russian invasion of Ukraine also affect ordinary people today. "That's not fair," he said.
21:28 Ukraine Expects Increased Emigration in 2024 and 2025
Ukraine expects increased emigration of its population due to the destruction of its energy infrastructure as a result of increasing Russian attacks. According to a report by the Ukrainian central bank, it is expected that 400,000 Ukrainians will leave the country this year, with another 300,000 possible next year. This development will be exacerbated by the almost complete destruction of the Ukrainian energy system, which "is associated with longer power outages and increases the risks for the heating season," the central bank explains.
20:51 Opposition: Don't confuse Russian people with Putin's regime
Kara-Mursa and Russian opposition figure Andrei Pivovarov, also released on Thursday, urge the world to distinguish between the Russian people and their president. "There are many people in Russia who oppose the war and do not believe Kremlin propaganda," Kara-Mursa says at a press conference in Bonn. "It's wrong to equate the Russian people with the government's policies," Pivovarov adds. They say it's their mission to ensure Russia becomes "free and democratic." They thanked all those who contributed to their release and that of 14 other political prisoners from Russian prisons.
20:23 Kara-Mursa: "No one asked for our consent"
Russian opposition figure Vladimir Kara-Mursa, who also attended the press conference, said he had "flatly refused" to write a pardon request to Putin, just like Yashin. He cited the Russian constitution, which prohibits the expulsion of Russian citizens without their consent. "No one asked for our consent," Kara-Mursa said. The politician thanked Chancellor Olaf Scholz and the Germans. "It was not an easy decision for Chancellor Scholz," he said. "Yesterday, 16 lives were saved," Kara-Mursa emphasized. "I don't think there's anything more important in the world." The 42-year-old also thanked "all the people in Germany who have been and continue to be committed to the release of political prisoners."
19:27 Yashin: I did not want to be exchanged
Russian opposition politician Ilya Yashin considers his release not as a prisoner exchange, but as an "illegal expulsion against my will." That's what the politician said at a press conference in Bonn. "From the first day in jail, I said I was not ready for an exchange. I publicly asked not to be included in the exchange lists," the 41-year-old said. "This was my conscious stance." Before his imprisonment, despite the threat of arrest, he refused to leave Russia, "because I consider myself a Russian politician and patriot," Yashin said. "I understood my imprisonment not only as a fight against the war, but also as a fight for my right to live in my country and pursue independent politics there." It was illegal to expel him from Russia against his will. His first thought upon arrival in Germany was to buy a ticket and fly back to Russia. However, he decided against it because such a step would reduce the chances of further extraditions of political prisoners from Russia.
18:47 Ukrainian warship launched in Turkey
In Turkey, a second corvette-type warship for Ukraine has been launched. "We know better than anyone how important security is, and this corvette will be a symbol of security for our entire shared region," says Ukrainian First Lady Olena Zelenska at the ceremony in Istanbul, according to a statement. The ship, named "Hetman Ivan Vyhovsky," follows the corvette named "Hetman Ivan Mazepa," which was launched in October 2022. Currently, Ukraine is conducting test drives with the ship. Both corvettes were ordered in 2020, before the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Defense Minister Rustem Ummerov and Fleet Commander Oleksiy Neizhpapa also attend the corvette launch event.
18:10 Former BND Chief on Exchange: "We Can Build on This"Gerhard Schindler, the former president of the BND, praises the federal government's actions in the prisoner exchange. "In politics, it's about working for the benefit of the population, for the benefit of people. And what does that mean, working for the benefit of people? It's about freedom and it's about protecting life and limb," Schindler explains in an interview with ntv. "And this deal, this exchange, has precisely considered these goals, and therefore I have no doubt that the federal government has acted correctly, sovereignly, and very wisely here," the former BND chief emphasizes. "The intelligence services have fulfilled their task. And that's naturally a good step into the future because we can say, we can build on this," Schindler explains. New topics could now be addressed, such as a larger prisoner exchange, also in connection with Ukraine. "But we can also lay the foundation for talks towards a ceasefire," Schindler tells ntv.
17:39 Kremlin: Spy Kids Didn't Know of Russian OriginThe two children of two spies who returned to Russia through a prisoner exchange between Moscow and Western states did not know about their Russian roots, according to Kremlin statements. "The children of the secret agents who arrived yesterday knew they were Russians only when their plane took off in Ankara," Kremlin spokesman Dmitri Peskow told the Russian news agency Interfax. The children do not speak Russian. President Putin welcomed the two children with "Buenas Noches" in Spanish, as heard in a video on the Russian president's website. After the arrest of the spy couple in Slovenia in December 2022, reports also emerged about the children. At that time, it was reported that a child protection service had taken over the care of the children after the arrest of their parents. It was also reported that the mother was Argentine.
17:06 Esken: Exchange Shows Negotiations with "Russian Aggressor" PossibleSaskia Esken describes the prisoner exchange with Russia as a great success. "It's a great success of diplomacy that it has now been achieved to free many German and other Western European and Western citizens from Russian prisons," the SPD federal chairwoman told ntv. That the Tiergarten murderer was exchanged was a difficult decision. "This exchange also has painful parts. That's often the case in diplomacy when making a deal, that you also have to accept painful decisions," Esken explains. But the result is that many people could be brought to freedom and safety this way. "The deal clearly shows that it is possible to negotiate, to engage in negotiations, even with the Russian state, even with the Russian aggressor, on topics where they also have their own interests," says Esken. In the end, one wants to achieve peace, "but first, a situation must be created in which the Russian state is even willing to talk to us," says the SPD federal chairwoman in the interview.
16:33 Expert Explains: What F16s Can Do in UkraineThe training of pilots has been underway for months, and the first F16 combat jets from the West have now arrived in Ukraine. What can these machines achieve in the fight against Russian invaders? ntv asks aviation expert Walerij Romanenko.
15:49 Russian Foreign Ministry Comments with Tasteless Joke
The reaction of Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova to the prisoner exchange between Russia and the West is a display of cynicism and insensitivity. She posted a photo on Telegram showing US President Joe Biden shaking hands with someone. The caption reads: "Biden welcomes Alexei Navalny, whom he exchanged for John McCain with the Vietnamese." The Russian government often mocks Biden's advanced age and slips of the tongue. Opposition leader Navalny died on February 16 in a penal colony, with his team believing he was killed on the Kremlin's orders. The White House confirmed yesterday that Washington sought Navalny's release as part of the prisoner exchange. John McCain spent over five years in captivity during the Vietnam War from 1967 to 1973 and died in August 2018.
15:13 Hungary Eases Visa Rules for Russians – EU Sees 'Possible Security Threat'
EU Internal Affairs Commissioner Ylva Johansson considers Hungary's easing of visa rules for Russians and Belarusians a "possible security threat" to the Union. She sent a letter with questions to the Budapest government, explaining that, "In light of the potential security threat to the Schengen area posed by these unilateral measures," she demands answers by mid-August. "Granting potential Russian spies and saboteurs easy access to the EU would undermine our collective security," Johansson warns. The simplified visa procedures for Russian and Belarusian citizens in Hungary could lead to a "de facto circumvention of the EU's restrictions," the commissioner explains. Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban signed a decree in early July expanding the fast-track visa process to Russia, Belarus, and six other countries, allowing citizens of these nations to apply for so-called national cards to work in Hungary.
14:37 Polish Government Criticized After Prisoner Exchange
The Polish government is facing criticism for its involvement in the prisoner exchange with Russia, as a Belarusian journalist detained in Belarus was not released. Former Polish Interior Minister Mariusz Kamiński of the right-wing nationalist Law and Justice (PiS) party accuses the Donald Tusk cabinet on Twitter of having "released a Russian spy posing as a Spanish journalist" but "received nothing in return." Belarusian journalist Andrzej Poczobut, arrested in 2021 and sentenced in 2023, was not released. However, Poland released Pavel Rubzow, who posed as Spanish journalist Pablo González in Europe, from detention. Rubzow had been imprisoned in Poland since February 2022 on suspicion of spying for Russia.
13:56 Civilians killed or injured in multiple attacks
There are reports of deaths and injuries among civilians in several Ukrainian cities due to Russian attacks. A woman was killed and another civilian injured in an attack on the city of Kupyansk, according to the governor of the Kharkiv region. A bus full of construction workers in Derhachi was also attacked by a drone, with seven injuries reported. In Kherson, a drone attack on pedestrians resulted in one death and one injury.
13:34 ISW: Russians slowly but steadily advancing in the east
Russian forces appear to be making progress in the eastern Ukrainian region of Donetsk. They are continuing to advance slowly and steadily west of Avdiivka towards Pokrovsk, according to an analysis by the US think tank "Institute for the Study of War". This is likely due to personnel shortages in the Ukrainian army and the terrain. If Russian forces advance into areas with larger settlements, the advances are likely to slow down further.
13:12 Ukraine receives bodies of 250 soldiers from Russia
Ukraine has received the bodies of 250 of its soldiers from Russia. Among them are remains of fallen soldiers from the Donetsk region in Bachmut, Marinka, and Avdiivka, as well as from the port city of Mariupol. The handover was facilitated by international organizations, and the bodies will be identified and handed over to their families for burial.
12:48 CDU foreign policy expert Hardt: All Germans in Russia or Belarus could become victims
CDU foreign policy expert Jürgen Hardt sees the release of the so-called Tiergarten murderer in the prisoner exchange as ambiguous. He fears that "the propaganda effect for Putin is enormous," and that the Russian president could now tell any hired killer, "I'll get you out." Hardt warns that all Germans currently in Russia or Belarus should be aware that they could become victims and that those in Germany should be protected. At the same time, he welcomes the release of the 16 people imprisoned in Russia and Belarus.
12:13 Kremlin confirms Tiergarten murderer is Russian intelligence agent
The Kremlin has confirmed that Vadim Krasikov, released by Germany in a prisoner exchange, is a member of the Russian intelligence service FSB. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said, "Krasikov is a member of the FSB." Krasikov, who was sentenced to life imprisonment in Berlin in 2021 for murder, belonged to an elite unit of the intelligence service.
11:22 Gershkovich Proposes Interview with PutinFreed U.S. journalist Gershkovich reportedly asked Russian President Putin for an interview just before the prisoner swap, according to the "Wall Street Journal," where Gershkovich works. He had to fill out an official pardon application to Putin while in prison, which included a blank field for personal remarks. Instead of leaving it blank, Gershkovich filled it out in "formal High Russian, which he had acquired during his 16 months in prison." In the last line, he proposed a meeting for an interview upon his release. No response from Putin is known. Read more here.
11:00 Number of Russian Contract Soldiers May be ExaggeratedRussia is trying to recruit volunteers for the war against Ukraine with cash bonuses. However, the number of new recruits may be significantly lower than claimed by the Russian Ministry of Defense, writes the independent Russian-language online media outlet "Important Stories" based in Riga. According to a joint analysis by "Important Stories" and the "Conflict Intelligence Team," which specializes in open-source information, around 426,000 Russians received a lump sum for signing a contract between fall 2022 and April 2024, based on federal budget data. The ministry, however, has spoken of 640,000 contract soldiers by the same time.
10:30 Baerbock Sees Dilemma in Exchange of Tiergarten MurdererGerman Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock is relieved about the release of those imprisoned in Russia and Belarus. However, she admits in Bavarian Radio that the exchange was a "highly sensitive dilemma," as Germany had to release a "hitman" from Russia as well. The decision to make the exchange "was not easy for anyone in the federal government." It also "rightly leads to much, much discussion," the minister said.
10:04 Jäger: "We're Back in a Time When Russia Holds Hostages"In the largest prisoner exchange between Russia and the West since the Cold War, Moscow releases a convicted murderer. Critics see this deal as an incentive for the Kremlin to make more arbitrary arrests. The West will have to accept this, says political scientist Thomas Jäger.
09:36 Deal Leaves Röttgen with Mixed Feelings: Huge Concession for Rule of LawCDU foreign policy expert Norbert Röttgen views the deal between Russia and the West with mixed feelings. "In the end, I support the decision." In the Deutschlandfunk, Röttgen says: "This is a huge concession that the German state, the rule of law, has accepted for a higher good, which is humanity, freedom, health, and liberation from torture for 16 people, so it's a give and take." He understands those who found it very difficult to accept. He is referring to the exchange of the Tiergarten murderer, Vadim Krasikov.
09:00 Munz Assesses Prisoner Exchange: "Everyone Has Seen: Germany is Blackmailable"ntv Russia correspondent Rainer Munz sees a fatal signal for Germans living abroad in the prisoner exchange between Moscow and Berlin. The Kremlin is also increasing pressure on opposition figures at home and abroad.
08:33 Biden Praises "Remarkable" ScholzAccording to US President Biden, the prisoner swap was a "tough nut to crack" for the US's allies. Particularly, Germany and Slovenia had to make decisions that were "against their immediate interests," Biden said. Notably, German Chancellor Scholz was "remarkable." An aircraft carrying released US citizens landed in the US overnight (local time). Another 13 people, including several Germans, landed in Cologne. In exchange for the release of political prisoners and Kremlin critics, Germany, the US, and partner countries released a convicted murderer and prisoners from Russia suspected of espionage. Read more here.
08:04 Analyst Believes Putin Got What He WantedAnalyst Tom Nichols believes that Russian President Vladimir Putin got what he wanted in the prisoner swap. The US political scientist said on CNN that the Kremlin sent a clear warning to people in the West that those who set foot in Russia could become the next bargaining chip in a deal. Putin's government treats people like "meat on a scale" until they get the kind of deal they want, Nichols believes. He also thinks Putin wanted to send a message to his supporters that he would rescue them if they were caught and that they are valuable to him.
07:26 Stationing of Long-Range Missiles Can Proceed Without Bundestag DecisionEspecially from the SPD, there is criticism that the planned deployment of long-range US weapons in Germany was decided and announced without the Bundestag. However, this is not necessary. The Scientific Service of the Bundestag comes to this conclusion. The planned deployment is likely to take place "within the NATO alliance framework," it says in a current briefing. The legal basis would likely be the NATO treaty and the Status of Forces Agreement, which regulates the legal status of foreign military forces in Germany. In July, the US and German governments announced that the US would again station weapons systems in Germany from 2026 that reach far into Russia. Chancellor Olaf Scholz dismissed fears that this could lead to escalation with Russia. However, former SPD chairman Norbert Walter-Borjans said that such a decision should be discussed within the SPD and in the Bundestag. Union parliamentary vice-president Johann Wadephul also called for a debate on this in the Bundestag.
06:36 Biden Visibly Moved: "It's a Wonderful Feeling"US President Biden appears visibly moved upon the arrival of released prisoners from Russia in their home country. "It's a wonderful feeling," he says after welcoming his fellow citizens on US soil. "I was absolutely convinced that we could do this." His vice-president, Kamala Harris, explains that "it's an incredible day" – one can see that in the tears of joy from family members. The prisoner swap is an "extraordinary demonstration of how important it is to have a president who understands the power of diplomacy."
06:00 Harris Praises Courage of Freed American DetaineesUS Vice President Kamala Harris praises the courage of the Americans released from Russian detention as part of a prisoner swap. Paul Whelan, Alsu Kurmasheva, Evan Gershkovich, and US green card holder Vladimir Kara-Murza demonstrated "incredible courage" after being unjustly imprisoned in Russia.
05:55 Biden, Harris, and Families Welcome Freed AmericansThree Americans freed as part of a prisoner swap were greeted by their families, President Joe Biden, and Vice President Kamala Harris upon their arrival at a US air force base. Journalist Evan Gershkovich, his colleague Alsu Kurmasheva, and former US soldier Paul Whelan had spent years in Russian captivity. Read more here.
05:50 Three Freed Americans Arrive in USThree Americans freed in a prisoner swap between Russia, Belarus, and several Western countries appear to have arrived in the US. The plane suspected of carrying journalist Evan Gershkovich, his colleague Alsu Kurmasheva, and former US soldier Paul Whelan landed at a US air force base early Friday morning (local time). The flight from Ankara reached Joint Base Andrews near Washington, DC, late Thursday night (local time) after more than nine hours in the air, US media reported.
04:41 US Advisor: Prisoner Deal Has No Impact on Ukraine WarUS National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan says the large-scale prisoner swap between Russia and several Western countries has no impact on the situation in Ukraine. He sees no connection between negotiations over detainees and potential diplomatic efforts to end the war in the Russia-attacked country. "From our perspective, these are running on separate tracks," Sullivan says in Washington, when asked if successful negotiations could also promote talks with the Ukrainians about the war situation.
03:05 Russian-Appointed Governor: Drone Fragments Hit CrimeaThe Russian-appointed governor of the occupied Crimea, Mikhail Razvozhayev, reports that fragments of at least four drones hit areas of the port of Sevastopol early Friday morning. The drones were previously shot down by Russian air defense. Razvozhayev writes on the Telegram platform that there are no reported injuries. "The downed targets were equipped with destructive metal elements, according to our information," the governor says.
01:45 YouTube Functioning in Russia Only in Limited CapacityComplaints are mounting in Russia that the video platform YouTube is only functioning in a limited capacity. Several media outlets reported outages and cited the service "Sboj.RF," which tracks disruptions on websites. According to the service, complaints have been reported mainly in Moscow and St. Petersburg, but also from other parts of the country. Russia had already blocked large social networks like X and Facebook, which can only be accessed via protected connections (VPN).
00:32 Scholz: Exchanged prisoners have arrived safelyGerman Chancellor Olaf Scholz welcomed a majority of the German and Russian citizens released in a prisoner exchange between Russia and the West at Cologne-Bonn Airport. "All have arrived safely," said the SPD politician shortly after midnight at the airport. He had extensive conversations with the arrivals. "It was very moving," said Scholz. "Many did not expect this to happen." Many had feared for their health and even their lives. Two planes arriving from Ankara were expected to carry about a dozen of the 16 people released in Russia and Belarus.
23:59 Kremlin spokesman: Putin daily involved in Ukraine warKremlin leader Vladimir Putin spends many hours daily in contact with his military on the progress of the war in Ukraine, his spokesman Dmitry Peskov said in a radio interview cited by the state agency Tass. "This is work that is not seen on camera every day, work that is not written about in newspapers," Peskov said. Putin deals with the progress of the special operation, as the attack on Ukraine is called in Kremlin terminology, every day of the week. He also frequently telephones front commanders and simple soldiers at the front. This is "a constant practice."
23:38 Released German prisoners land in CologneTwo planes carrying released prisoners landed at Cologne/Bonn Airport after a prisoner exchange between Russia, Belarus, and Western countries, according to dpa information. German Chancellor Olaf Scholz had announced that he would meet the former prisoners late in the evening. The SPD politician had also arrived at Cologne/Bonn Airport after interrupting his vacation. Among the released are five Germans.
22:44 Federal Justice Minister on prisoner deal: "In doubt, for freedom"Federal Justice Minister Marco Buschmann described the release of convicted Russian murderer Vadim Krasikov from German custody as a bitter concession in the context of the prisoner exchange. This was done to enable 16 people to have a new life in freedom, the FDP politician explained. "They faced a similar fate as Alexei Navalny, who died in inhumane arbitrariness." Buschmann was referring to the Russian opposition politician who died in Russian custody in mid-February. As Justice Minister, he said the principle of "in doubt, for freedom" was decisive for him. Read more here.
22:13 Putin personally receives released RussiansVladimir Putin personally received Russians released from the West at Moscow's Vnukovo Airport. The Kremlin leader Putin embraced at least one of the men on the tarmac where the presidential guard was standing, as shown in TV footage released by the Kremlin. Also present were Russian intelligence chiefs Alexander Bortnikov of the FSB and Sergei Naryshkin, as well as Defense Minister Andrei Belousov. "You are home, you are in your homeland," Putin greeted the released prisoners and announced that they would be proposed for state awards. Tears of joy were visible on the faces of the released prisoners. Among those released was the so-called Tiergarten murderer Vadim K., who was released early from German custody as part of the deal.
21:59 Kamala Harris Calls Nawalny's WidowFollowing the historic prisoner exchange between the West and Russia, US Vice President Kamala Harris called the widow of Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny. Harris spoke with Julia Navalnaya about the prisoner exchange and expressed her support, according to Navalnaya's spokeswoman, Kira Yarmish, on X. Harris highlighted the couple's efforts for a "democratic Russia," Yarmish explained. Navalnaya described the release of Russian opposition figures on X as "great joy." Every release of a political prisoner is "a huge victory and a reason to celebrate," she said. No one should be "hostage" to Putin and suffer and die from torture in "Putin's prisons."
21:40 Report: Ukraine Already Deploying F-16sThe Ukrainian air force is said to have already conducted its first combat missions with F-16 fighter jets, according to the "Telegraph," which suggests these were only for air defense. A representative of the air force did not deny this. Ukraine has remained silent about the arrival of F-16 fighter jets - a common practice to avoid helping the enemy.
You can read all previous developments here.
In response to the escalating drone strikes between Ukraine and Russia, the European Union could potentially increase its support for Ukraine's defense, providing more advanced drone technology or additional military aid to counter Russia's long-range attacks.
After the recent prisoner exchange between Germany and Russia, the European Union may consider engaging with the Russian government for discussions aimed at finding a peaceful resolution to the conflict in Ukraine, as shown by SPD federal chairwoman Saskia Esken's comments.
