23:24 US citizen arrested in Russia
22:10 Ukraine Reports Russian Attack on Odessa PortA Moscow district court has sentenced a US citizen to 15 days in jail for disorderly conduct. The court ordered the American to spend 15 days in administrative detention for "minor hooliganism." However, the country's top investigative authority had previously announced that it had initiated a criminal case against the US citizen for violence against officials, which carries a maximum penalty of five years in prison, according to the Russian news agency Tass. Tass reports that the man refused to provide his personal information at a hotel and became aggressive, and later struck a police officer when taken to a police station. The US government has been cautious about the incident. "We are aware of these reports of the arrest of another American citizen in Russia," says Vedant Patel, spokesperson for the US State Department, to reporters. "We are endeavoring to obtain as much information as possible to clarify the consular situation and to check if consular assistance is possible."
22:10 Ukraine Reports Russian Attack on Odessa PortRussia's military is reportedly targeting the port infrastructure of Odessa, according to Ukrainian authorities. At least two people were injured in the attack on the Black Sea facility, regional authorities reported. The two known cases involve a port worker and a driver of grain transports, according to the General Prosecutor's Office. The governor of the region, Oleh Kiper, added that Russia used a ballistic missile in the attack. Russia has not yet commented on the incident.
21:50 Pistorius Warns of Heightened Vigilance After Sabotage Alerts in the German Armed ForcesDefense Minister Boris Pistorius has called for increased vigilance following security incidents at the Cologne-Wahn air force base and the NATO support site in Geilenkirchen. "We have reacted quickly at both locations, sealed off access points, tightened controls, involved investigative authorities, and ordered laboratory tests. These incidents show that we must remain vigilant," Pistorius told Spiegel. "Of course, we are also reviewing our security measures and adjusting them as needed. This has already been commissioned," the SPD politician emphasized. There are currently no concrete indications of a connection between the two events in Cologne-Wahn and Geilenkirchen. "Now it is important to await further investigation results and act calmly. We trust the proven cooperation with the competent investigative authorities," said Pistorius (see also entries from 21:10, 18:55, and 18:24 Uhr).
21:30 Austria: Prosecutor Files First Charges in Espionage Scandal Involving RussiaThe Austrian prosecution office has filed charges for the first time against former constitutional protection agent Egisto Ott. This includes allegations of spying for Russia. According to the indictment, Ott is accused, among other things, of ordering 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 a member of the right-wing populist FPÖ party. Both Ott and the former FPÖ member Hans-Jörg Jenewein are charged with breaching official secrets. They both face up to three years in prison. A date for the trial has not yet been set. Specifically, Ott is accused of providing 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 leaking 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 Security Alert at German Armed Forces: CDU Sees Defense Ministry ResponsiblePolice and state protection are investigating a security incident at the waterworks of the Luftwaffe base Cologne-Wahn due to suspicion of sabotage against the German Armed Forces. "Abnormal water values" and then a hole in the fence were discovered, a spokesman for the German Armed Forces said outside the base in Cologne. CDU defense politician Serap Güler now sees the defense ministry responsible for clarifying open questions: "The ministry must now immediately clarify how an outsider was able to gain access to supposedly well-guarded German Armed Forces bases," she told "Der Spiegel". "At the same time, it is commendable that the German Armed Forces were able to detect the incidents early," said Güler (see also entries from 18:55 and 18:24).
20:51 Rating Agency Sees Rising Seizure Risk for Western Banks in RussiaWestern banks still operating in Russia should brace for a possible seizure of their assets there, according to the Berlin-based rating agency Scope. The risk of this happening is increasing, the agency said. Business transactions that cannot be completed due to international sanctions expose banks to a higher risk of such court rulings. Recently, a Russian court awarded assets of Commerzbank to a Russian company as compensation. Assets of Deutsche Bank and Italy's UniCredit have already been seized by court order. Russia is increasingly responding to Western sanctions, imposed due to its invasion of Ukraine, with retaliatory measures. Many companies operating there have already had their assets seized or frozen. Companies that want to withdraw from Russia have to sell their businesses at significant discounts to Russian companies. The European Central Bank (ECB) has been putting pressure on banks still operating in Russia to reduce their exposure there. It has, among other things, urged institutions with significant exposure to accelerate risk reduction and demanded clear plans for shrinking their businesses in Russia and exiting the Russian market.
20:29 Zelensky: We Adhere to Humanitarian LawUkrainian troops are strictly adhering to international conventions and humanitarian law as they advance into the Russian region of Kursk, according to President Volodymyr Zelensky. This was discussed at a meeting of the Ukrainian leadership, Zelensky reported on Twitter. Humanitarian aid for the civilian population in the occupied territories has been prepared, and access for representatives of international organizations will be allowed. The emphasis on adhering to humanitarian law is a response to atrocities committed by Russian troops during their advance on Kyiv nearly two and a half years ago. In the Kyiv suburb of Bucha, numerous civilians were killed indiscriminately before the Russian military had to retreat from the area. According to the Ukrainian news agency Unian, it was decided at the government meeting to allow international organizations access to the occupied territories in western Russia. These include the International Committee of the Red Cross, the United Nations, and other international organizations providing humanitarian aid.
20:05 Convicted in Nemtsov Murder Case Joins Russia's WarOne of the convicted men in the case of murdered Kremlin critic Boris Nemtsov has volunteered for service in the war zone in Ukraine, according to official statements. The exile-based, Kremlin-critical newspaper "Novaya Gazeta" reported that the convict is currently stationed in the Russian-occupied city of Mariupol. He is currently on vacation in his home in the Russian republic of Chechnya in the North Caucasus. After signing up for service, he was pardoned and released in March, the state-run Russian news agency TASS reported, citing the Russian justice system. He signed a one-year contract with the Ministry of Defense to perform tasks in the area of the military special operation - as the war is officially referred to in Russia.
19:50 Selenskyj: Strategic Goals Achieved in Kursk - Moscow DisagreesAccording to President Volodymyr Zelensky, Ukraine has achieved its strategic goals in its push into the Russian region of Kursk. In his nightly address on Telegram, Zelensky states that they have made 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 using armored vehicles. The army's statement further claims that significant losses have been inflicted on the Ukrainian side.
19:30 After Prisoner Exchange: Freed Russian Woman Plans to Marry in GermanySasha Skochilenko, arrested in Russia in 2022 for distributing anti-war messages, is initially sentenced to seven years in prison. However, the activist is released to Germany as part of a prisoner exchange, where she can openly live with her partner, Sonya Subbotina.
18:55 Suspected Sabotage against German Armed Forces: Green Party Politician von Notz Also Suspects RussiaThe German Armed Forces cordon off and search two of their sites in North Rhine-Westphalia due to sabotage suspicions. At the Cologne-Wahn air base, there are suspicions of manipulation of the barracks' internal drinking water system, as announced by the Armed Forces. At the Geilenkirchen base, an intruder is reportedly repelled, but subsequent water tests do not reveal anything unusual. The chairman of the Bundestag's Defense Committee, Marcus Faber, suspects Russia in the possible cases of sabotage (see entry at 18:24). Similarly, Konstantin von Notz, chairman of the Bundestag's Parliamentary Control Committee, tells Welt TV that it is "obviously suspect" that these could be Russian sabotage actions, which is a "concrete working hypothesis" for the investigations.
18:24 Possible Sabotage at German Armed Forces: Chairman of Defense Committee Suspects RussiaFollowing the possible cases of sabotage in two German Armed Forces barracks, Marcus Faber, chairman of the Bundestag's Defense Committee, points the finger at Russia. "Given the temporal proximity of the incidents in the two barracks, one can suspect that an enemy actor wants to demonstrate their sabotage capabilities here," Faber tells the Bild newspaper. "The actor with the greatest interest in this is Putin," he adds, referring to the Russian president. However, Faber notes that further investigations must confirm this suspicion. Both the Cologne-Wahn Armed Forces base and the NATO base in Geilenkirchen were targets of suspected sabotage activities.
18:00: Weapons Expo: Russia Seeks New Partners from Over 120 CountriesRows upon rows of tanks, fighter jets, and firearms are on display in the Moscow region: At an international weapons fair, the Ministry of Defense is signing new arms deals with foreign partners, worth an estimated five billion euros.
17:40: Poland Charges Freed Man with Espionage After Prisoner SwapA Russian-Spanish national, known as Pavel R. or Pablo G., is being accused of espionage in Poland. He was arrested in the Polish city of Przemysl near the Ukrainian border on February 28, 2022, just days after Russia's 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 swap with Russia on August 1. According to prosecutors, R. is suspected of being a GRU agent. He is charged with a crime related to espionage, punishable by three to 15 years in prison. It's unclear if the trial will take place in his absence. No further details were provided by authorities.
17:27: Report: Over 10,000 Cases Filed for 'Insulting' Russian ArmySince the start of the Ukraine war in February 2022, Russian courts have opened over 10,000 cases for 'insulting' the army, according to media reports. "The ten-thousandth case was brought to court in the first week of August," writes independent Russian news portal Mediazona on its website. Most cases were reported in the first months of the war, with 5614 cases in late 2022 and an additional 2994 in 2023, making a total of 8590 by the end of last year. So far this year, 1410 cases have been opened. Mediazona counted these cases based on data from Russian courts. The law punishes 'insulting' the armed forces with fines of up to 50,000 rubles (around 500 euros). A second offense within a year can lead to a five-year prison sentence. If the 'insult' leads to injuries, deaths, or severe disruption of public order, prison sentences of up to seven years can be imposed.
17:08: Kyiv Reports Downing of Russian Su-34 Fighter-Bomber in Kursk RegionUkrainian forces have destroyed a Russian Su-34 fighter-bomber in the Kursk region, according to Ukrainian online newspaper "Ukrainska Pravda," citing a statement from the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. "Last night, the air defense missile and artillery forces of the Ukrainian Air Force destroyed a Russian Su-34 fighter-bomber in the Kursk region (Russia) during a combat mission," the newspaper quotes the explanation.
16:50 Kyiv to create "Buffer Zone" in Kursk Region
The Ukrainian army aims to establish a "buffer zone" in the Russian border region of Kursk to protect its population, according to its own statements. "Establishing a buffer zone in the Kursk region is a step to protect our population at the border from daily enemy fire," Interior Minister Ihor Klimenko said on the Telegram messaging service. Kyiv also announced plans to create 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 Apparatus?
Internationally, politicians are surprised by Ukraine's push into the Kursk region. Russia also seems caught off guard, with the Kremlin appearing to have no immediate 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 war
Long-range drones of the Ukrainian Security Service (SBU) and Ukrainian defense forces carried out the largest attack on Russian military air bases in Voronezh, Kursk, Savastopol, and Borisoglebsk overnight, the Ukrainian national news agency "Ukrinform" reported, 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 missile attacks on the front line and Ukrainian cities.
15:36 German Government: Ukraine Support Independent of Nord Stream
The 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 response to journalists' questions in Berlin. "Investigations are being conducted in accordance with the law and without regard to persons, and are completely independent of the results they may yield," he said. The investigations have no influence on whether and to what extent Germany will continue to support Ukraine in the future, as they do not change the fact that Russia is conducting a war of aggression against Ukraine that is contrary to international law. 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 on the Kursk region surprises Putin and his country. Thousands are being evacuated, and Russia also seems not to have found the right military response yet. Security expert Gerhard Mangott sees no decisive military advantage for Ukraine - quite the contrary.
14:50 Russia Extends Oil Export Ban
Russia has extended its existing oil export ban. The move aims to stabilize domestic fuel prices, which have recently surged again, according to the Russian government in Moscow. The ban will be in effect from September 1 until the end of the year. It is due to a "period of sustained seasonal demand and planned repairs in oil refineries," it was stated further. Russia first introduced such a measure in the fall of 2023 in response to rising fuel prices. The ban was later lifted in November. At the beginning of the year, Moscow announced a six-month oil export ban starting March 1, which was then lifted between mid-May and late July, citing "saturation of the domestic market." The ban has since been reinstated and is now being extended beyond August.
14:19 Drones Accompany Ground Offensive: Ukrainians Film Themselves Far Behind Russian Border
The Ukrainian ground offensive on Russian territory has so far been a major success for Ukraine. Ukrainian soldiers have filmed themselves renaming a Russian village 100 kilometers behind the border. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy uses this development to deliver a confident message.
13:52 Ukraine: Russian City of Sudja Fully Under Ukrainian Control
The city of Sudja in the Russian region of Kursk is fully under Ukrainian control, according to Ukrainian military chief Oleksandr Syrskyi. "The search and destruction of the enemy in the town of Sudja is complete," he says in a video conference with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. Footage is published on the president's Telegram channel. Sudja is where the pipeline runs that supplies Russian gas from Western Siberia to Slovakia and other EU countries. Sudja has around 6,000 inhabitants.
13:31 Russian National Guard Reinforces Security at Kursk Nuclear Power Plant
The Russian National Guard, Rosgvardiya, has reinforced security at the Kursk Nuclear Power Plant in the Kursk Oblast. Particular attention is being paid to countering 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. This 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: Ukrainian Troops Continuously Advancing in Russian Oblast Kursk
Ukrainian troops are continuously advancing in the Russian Oblast Kursk, according to President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. They have advanced one to two kilometers in various directions within 24 hours, the Ukrainian leader says in a video conference with military chief Oleksandr Syrskyi. The latter reports that Ukrainian units captured 100 Russian soldiers on Wednesday.
12:43 Kriewald: Ukraine Under Pressure in Donetsk Region
Ukraine is maintaining pressure on the Russian Oblast Kursk but is facing advances by Russian forces 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 SudjaState Ukrainian TV shows footage of Ukrainian soldiers removing a Russian flag from a public building in Sudja. In the Wednesday video, a three-story building and three soldiers can be seen pulling down the flag while chanting "Glory to Ukraine!" Sudja is located in the Russian Oblast of Kursk, which borders Ukraine. In recent days, the Ukrainian military has reported advances, but it was unclear which side controlled Sudja. The city is where the pipeline runs that Russia uses to supply gas from Western Siberia to Slovakia and other EU countries.
11:45 Russia Puts Peace Talks on HoldRussia has put peace talks on hold after the Ukrainian attack on the Kursk Oblast, according to the Russian Foreign Ministry. Special Representative of the Russian Foreign Ministry, Rodion Miroshnik, told the state news agency TASS that Ukraine's attack on Kursk has "put any peace talks on ice for the long term." The Ukrainian military surprisedly entered the Russian border region on August 6 and claimed 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, but this does not necessarily mean the country is entering the Ukraine war, according to ntv Russia correspondent Rainer Munz. Munz believes that Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko's aim is the opposite.
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. They 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: Chernobyl-like Scenario Possible at Kursk NPPA Chernobyl-like scenario at the Kursk Nuclear Power Plant (KNPP) cannot be completely ruled out, says Dmytro Humeniuk, an expert on nuclear safety analysis at the State Scientific and Technical Center for Nuclear and Radiation Safety. The KNPP has the same reactor type as the Chernobyl nuclear power plant, increasing the likelihood of a similar scenario, he explained. Humeniuk believes that taking control of the KNPP is not the goal of the Ukrainian military's incursion, as operating the plant without proper maintenance could lead to damage. "It's not enough to capture it, you also have to operate it. Therefore, capturing the Kursk NPP cannot be a goal."
08:48 Biden: Kursk Offensive is "genuine dilemma" for PutinUS President Joe Biden views the Ukrainian offensive in the Russian region of Kursk as a "genuine dilemma" for Russian President Vladimir Putin. The US is in constant communication with Ukraine. He declined to comment further on the advance.
08:19 Russia reports downing of 117 drones and four missilesThe Russian Defense Ministry reports shooting down 117 drones and four missiles fired from Ukraine into Russian regions. Thirty-seven drones were destroyed over the Kursk and Voronezh regions each. The ministry provided no information on whether any drones were not intercepted and what damage may have occurred.
07:32 Problem-solver Djumin: Putin sends his lifesaver to KurskAlexei Gennadyevich Dumin is set to lead Russia's "anti-terror operation" in Kursk, according to the Moscow Times, citing Russian military bloggers. President Putin tasked Dumin with resolving coordination issues in the region. Last week, there were conflicting reports about the situation in Kursk. General Gerasimov had painted a more positive picture than the reality, the report said, prompting Putin to act. The need to bring in Dumin underscores "the scale of the disaster within inter-agency cooperation," the report said. The former chief of the General Staff is part of Putin's inner circle and is known for his ability to solve problems related to coordination, combat, and civilian administration. Dumin once claimed to have saved Putin from a bear.
06:59 Zelensky: Advance in Kursk brings us closer to our goalUkrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky sees his country's military forces gaining momentum in light of their advance in the Russian region. "Ukraine can achieve its goals, defend its interests, and protect its independence," Zelensky said in a video address. The Ukrainian army has taken 74 settlements in the Kursk region - twice as many as Russia claims. Both figures are unverified.
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 operations in the Kursk region, Belnovosti reports, 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 a lack 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 homes 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 wrote on Telegram, adding that a state of emergency will be declared on a regional level from Wednesday. He called on Russia to declare a state of emergency for the region.
05:34 Russian Governors Report Air Strikes
The governors of the Russian regions of Kursk, Lipetsk, and Voronezh report drone and missile attacks on their areas. Russian Telegram channels report a fire in Voronezh, allegedly caused by a drone attack on a military airfield, though official confirmation is pending. In Kursk, Governor Alexey Smirnov claims that the air defense shot down four missiles. Air raid alerts have also been sounded in Lipetsk.
04:08 EU Commission Transfers 4.2 Billion Euros to Ukraine
The EU Commission has paid around 4.2 billion euros to Ukraine, which is under attack from Russia. According to Commission President Ursula von der Leyen on X, the money is "to keep the Ukrainian state running while it fights for its survival." Europe stands firmly with Ukraine. These funds are part of the so-called Ukraine Facility, a EU aid program decided in early February, enabling financial assistance of 50 billion euros by the end of 2027, with 33 billion euros as loans and the rest as grants. Last week, EU countries gave the green light for the disbursement. The EU aims to support the Ukrainian state in rebuilding the country, modernizing it, and implementing key 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 the Dutch publisher Elsevier, specialized in scientific and medical research, or other "similar foreign organizations," according to the state news agency Iswestija. In March 2022, Elsevier and other scientific publishers announced that while Russian and Belarusian researchers could still submit articles for publication, 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 the 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 harder 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 high-ranking US government official told Reuters that the Ukrainian advance into the Russian region of Kursk might be an attempt to force Russia to withdraw its troops from Ukraine. By pushing into Russian territory, Ukraine is forcing Russia to defend its own soil, which could potentially weaken Russian forces within Ukraine, according to the Washington assessment.
01:24 USA: Not involved in Ukrainian advance into RussiaThe U.S. State Department has stated that the U.S. is in no way involved in the planning or preparation of the advance of Ukrainian troops into Russian territory. This was stated by the deputy spokesperson of the U.S. State Department, Vedant Patel, to the press. The U.S. is a key ally of Ukraine and has been providing the country, which was invaded by Russia in February 2022, with weapons and ammunition.
00:18 Russia sanctions: Customs raids two companies in BerlinIn Berlin, customs officials conducted raids on two companies suspected of violating EU Russia sanctions. Around 100 personnel from the Central Office for Customs Enforcement carried out the search at a building complex, according to the General Customs Administration in the capital. Both companies are subject to EU sanctions, with funds and assets of listed natural or legal persons frozen. "There is a suspicion of violations of the law on the enforcement of economic sanctions," the customs office explained. The search aimed to "secure and search the building complex in the district of Tempelhof-Schöneberg for assets." Interrogations were also conducted and evidence seized. Media reports suggest that the searched companies are two unnamed Russian logistics firms.
23:59 Fitch downgrades Ukraine rating furtherRating agency Fitch has downgraded Ukraine's creditworthiness to "RD" from the previous "C". The U.S. credit raters justified the move due to the expiration of a payment deadline for interest on a $750 million bond with a maturity date of 2026. The payment was due on August 1. "RD" in Fitch's rating system stands for "Restricted Default", roughly translating to "restricted default". No statement from the government in Kyiv has been issued yet.
23:08 Russia reports two dead from Ukrainian shelling in LysychanskAccording to Russian reports, two people have been killed in the city of Lysychansk in eastern Ukraine due to Ukrainian shelling. State-owned Russian news agency TASS reported this, citing local authorities who are under Russian control. Earlier, representatives installed by Russia had spoken of more than 30 injured.
22:11 Russia reportedly moving fleeing civilians from Kursk to occupied UkraineFollowing Ukraine's advance into the Russian region of Kursk, local authorities there are reportedly planning to move refugees to a Ukrainian region occupied by Russia. Kursk's acting governor, Alexei Smirnov, announced this on Telegram, saying he had discussed this solution with the governor of the Ukrainian region of Zaporizhzhia, Yevgeny Balitsky. Balitsky proposed using sanatoriums and pension homes on the Sea of Azov to accommodate the evacuees. "In the coming days, we will form the first transport to bring people to the temporary accommodation 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 key areas, including the access to the Sea of Azov, where sanatoriums are still present.
21:37 Moscow's UN Envoy: After Kursk Attack, Putin Withdraws "Generous" Peace Offer
Vladimir Putin's "generous" peace offer is no longer on the table after Ukraine's incursion into the Russian border region of Kursk, a Kremlin official says. Dmitri Poljanskij, Russia's deputy envoy to the UN, says 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," Polyanskiy continues, "the offer is no longer on the table." "This is a step Ukraine will regret later," he adds. Russia says it is ready for peace talks "tomorrow" if Ukrainian troops withdraw from the regions of Saporischschja, Cherson, Donetsk, and Luhansk, and if Ukraine abandons its plan to join NATO. If Ukraine agrees, Russia will halt fire and begin negotiations, Putin said. However, Ukraine, NATO, and the Pentagon rejected the offer. Kyiv described it as "a complete hoax".
21:08 Evaluation Claims Over 300 Russians Captured in Kursk
An evaluation claims that Ukrainian forces captured at least 303 Russian soldiers during the offensive in the Kursk region. The list was created by an Austrian X-user based on videos on social media. He lists another 15 prisoners of war but notes his uncertainty about the accuracy of his data. The data is incomplete as not all prisoners of war are documented in videos. Ukrainian army chief Olexander Syrskyj reports "hundreds" of Russian prisoners of war in his daily briefing to the Ukrainian president. Social media reports suggest up to 2000 captured Russians in the Kursk region. Many of the newly captured Russians are very young, which, the X-user speculates, 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 Deployed to Kursk
According to Lithuanian reports, Russia is deploying troops from Kaliningrad to the Kursk region, where Ukrainian soldiers claim to be making further advances. Lithuanian defense minister Laurynas Kasciunas announces this at a meeting with Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky in Kyiv, as shown in a video on Zelensky's Telegram channel. Russia has not yet commented on this. Earlier, the US magazine Politico reported that the Russian military had reportedly ordered a small number of soldiers from the occupied Ukrainian regions of Cherson and Saporischschja to Kursk. There is no confirmation from Moscow on this.
20:10 In Donetsk, Russia's advance continues - Battle for Toretsk already underwayThe situation around the city of Toretsk in the Donetsk region remains challenging for Ukrainian troops. Russian soldiers continue to attack, with fighting already taking place on the outskirts of the city. According to Oleksandr Bordiian, deputy spokesman for the 32nd mechanized brigade of the Ukrainian Armed Forces, speaking to Radio Liberty, Russian forces are also deploying sabotage groups within the city. However, Bordiian also noted that the number of Russian soldiers surrendering has increased over the past week. There's no significant relief yet, such as from the Ukrainian offensive in the Russian region of Kursk. "Regarding ground attacks, their intensity has somewhat decreased," Bordiian said. However, Russian forces are compensating with increased attacks using guided bombs from the air. According to the Ukrainian General Staff, the intensity of Russian attacks in the Donetsk region has not decreased. There were 52 attacks within 24 hours alone in the area around the major city of Pokrovsk.
19:34 "How can Russia escalate further?"Carlo Masala sees the threat from Moscow of a harsh counterstroke against Ukrainian advances on its own territory as an empty threat. He believes the Russian army is already acting with utmost brutality, making a nuclear attack unlikely.
19:01 More casualties than new soldiers: Is Moscow planning a secret recruitment wave?The Russian army is reportedly not receiving enough new soldiers to keep up with losses at the front. According to the 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 replenish military reserves has become more urgent due to Ukraine's incursion into the border regions of the Russian regions of Kursk and Belgorod. Bloomberg reports that Russia could be forced to consider a new mobilization. Officials could present this as rotation to give the military at the front a break, with the announcement possibly coming by the end of this year. 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 July 31, Russian President Vladimir Putin had already increased the signing bonus for new recruits to fight in Ukraine, from 195,000 (1,955 euros) to 400,000 (4,011 euros) rubles.
You can read all previous developments here.
The European Union might express concern over Russia's actions in Ukraine, considering the ongoing attack on the Odessa port.
The European Union could also consider strengthening its security measures in response to suspected sabotage activities against German Armed Forces bases.
