23:35 Election weather: Ukrainian advance is permissible under international law and sensible
22:30 Pentagon: Ukraine's Push into Kursk Region Aligns with US Policy
The Ukrainian incursion into the Russian region of Kursk is "in line with our policy," says Pentagon spokesperson Sabrina Singh, according to the news portal "Kyiv Independent" during a press conference. When asked if Ukraine can use weapons supplied by the US, Singh responds that the US "has been supporting Ukraine from the start in defending against attacks coming from the border." The Kursk region borders the Ukrainian region of Sumy by over 245 kilometers, which has been subject to daily Russian attacks since its liberation in April 2022. Ukraine is taking measures "to protect itself from attacks" and is operating "within the framework of US policy, using our weapons, our systems, and our capabilities," says Singh.
Singh states that it's up to Ukraine to speak about its own operations. When asked how far into Russian territory Ukraine can attack, Singh says the US "does not support long-range attacks." However, she refuses to specify the exact distance. "I'm not going to 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 "Ceasefire and Negotiations as Soon as Possible"
Following the Ukrainian troops' push into Kursk, BSW MEP Fabio De Masi calls for "a ceasefire and negotiations as soon as possible." Ukraine has "major difficulties defending its own territory," says De Masi to "Tagesspiegel." Advances "deep into Russian territory" only make sense "if Ukraine's goal is to strengthen the escalation dynamic." The risks are enormous, he warns. "Consider, for instance, the Russian nuclear power plant in the region. Russia is a nuclear power and has the escalation dominance."
21:50 Kursk Region Authorities Report at Least Five Civilian Deaths
Russian forces have been fighting against a Ukrainian incursion for the third day in a row, according to Moscow. Russian forces and border guards are preventing Ukrainian units from advancing deeper into Kursk, the Russian Defense Ministry reports. Simultaneously, the Russian army is attacking Ukrainian forces attempting to retreat from the Ukrainian border region of Sumy. The Russian Health Ministry reports that 66 civilians have been injured, including nine children, since the start of the Ukrainian push. Authorities in the Kursk region report at least five civilian deaths, including two medics. Ukraine has not yet commented on the incursion.
21:30 EU Foreign Minister Borrell: Belarus Regime Involved in Illegal Deportation of Ukrainian ChildrenEU Foreign Minister Josep Borrell has stated in Brussels that the Belarus regime is complicit in Russia's war against Ukraine. Alongside political, military, and logistical support, Belarus has contributed to the illegal deportation of Ukrainian children from temporarily occupied territories. 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 Assist Ukrainian Soldiers in WarRobot dogs are set to support and relieve Ukrainian soldiers on the frontline against Russia. A specialist from a British military solutions company, who wished to remain anonymous and went by "Yuri," demonstrated the "BAD One" robot model at a secret location in Ukraine. The four-legged robot can run, jump, and sit via remote control commands. Yuri explained that soldiers sent on reconnaissance missions are often highly trained and experienced but constantly exposed to risks. The robot could replace these soldiers, potentially saving lives. The robot's battery lasts for two to three hours, allowing it to detect mines, scout Russian positions, or carry up to seven kilograms of ammunition or medical supplies to the front. Yuri couldn't specify how many robots are currently in use or their locations but expressed confidence that they make a difference in operations and soldier safety.
20:20 Zelensky: Russia Must Feel the Consequences of the War it StartedFollowing 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 have other Ukrainian officials commented on the operation that began on Tuesday. Thousands of people were evacuated on both sides of the border. Zelensky reported receiving three reports from military commander Oleksandr Syrsky, describing the actions as "efficient" and "exactly what the country needs now." Some observers suggest 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 SurpriseVolodymyr 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. Russian troops have been trying to repel an offensive in the border-adjacent region for three days. There has been no official statement from the Ukrainian side on this matter yet.
19:44 Russian Military Blog Sees West of Sudscha in Region Kursk Under Ukrainian Control
The Ukrainian army has been making surprising gains for the third consecutive day, pushing into the Russian region of Kursk. While Russian civil authorities in Kursk and the defense ministry in Moscow officially stated that the Ukrainian advance had been halted, a different picture is painted by the Russian military blog Rybar, which is close to the ministry. According to Rybar, Ukrainians are continuing to advance, bringing in reserves at night and fortifying their positions. Rybar reports that the western part of the town of Sudscha is under Ukrainian control, with fighting ongoing in the eastern part. Additionally, Ukrainians have pushed north towards Anastassejewka and northeast towards Korenovo.
However, local reports suggest no Ukrainian presence in Sudscha itself, with only reports of skirmishes and artillery fire north and west of the town. Unconfirmed reports suggest that Ukrainian reconnaissance units have also advanced towards the Kursk nuclear power plant and have been spotted near Anastassejewka.
19:04 SPD to Discuss Stationing of US Missiles in September
Wolfgang Hellmich, the defense policy spokesman for the SPD parliamentary group, has announced a debate in the Bundestag on the stationing of long-range US missiles in Germany. "It's important that we consider all aspects of this significant issue, take the concerns of citizens seriously, and address information gaps," Hellmich told the Funke media group. "We will deal with this topic in the parliamentary group and in the Bundestag as a whole after the summer recess in September to address the existing information and discussion needs." The German government and the US government have agreed that the US will station 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 Woman Faces 15 Years in Russian Prison for Allegedly Collecting Money for Ukrainian Military
A Russian-American woman faces 15 years in prison on charges of high treason, according to a state media report. Ksenia Khavana was arrested in Yekaterinburg in February on suspicion of collecting money for the Ukrainian military. She reportedly pleaded guilty to the charges during a closed-door trial on Wednesday. The news agency Interfax reports that the prosecution has requested a 15-year sentence, as stated by Khavana's lawyer, Mikhail Muskalov. A verdict is expected on August 15.
Khavana is said to have obtained US citizenship after marrying an American and moving to Los Angeles. She had traveled to Russia to visit family members. An activist group claims that the charges against Khavana stem from a $51 (approximately €47) donation she made to a US charity organization supporting Ukraine. Russia has enacted laws since its military intervention in Ukraine in February 2022 that criminalize criticism of its actions there, raising concerns that Russia may target US citizens for arrest.
17:54 Moscow Reports Casualties from Ukrainian Attacks in Kursk RegionThe Chief of the General Staff of the Russian Armed Forces, Valery Gerasimov, reported to Kremlin leader Vladimir Putin during a video conference that about 100 Ukrainian soldiers were killed and more than 200 injured in the fighting. Russian news agencies report that at least two people - a paramedic and an ambulance driver - were killed and 24 injured in Ukrainian shelling, according to Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova.
17:28 Stegner Cautious About Possible Deployment of German Weapons in KurskSPD foreign policy expert Ralf Stegner is cautious about the possible deployment of German weapons in the Ukrainian advance. "In the border area, there was an exceptional situation when the city of Kharkiv had to be defended against attacks from beyond the nearby border," Stegner told the "Handelsblatt". "This did not imply a general shift in strategy regarding the handling of weapons supplied from Germany." The German government had allowed Ukraine to use weapons supplied by it against targets in Russia at the end of May, but this was limited to the Russian border area near the Kharkiv region.
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 ISW states that the advance is "up to ten kilometers", while Russian military blogger Yuri Podolyaka reports that Ukraine has advanced more than 25 kilometers. Ukrainian President's advisor Mykhailo Podolyak described the situation in western Russia as a consequence of Russia's "aggression" against Ukraine. Russian reports claim that "up to a thousand" Ukrainian soldiers, along with dozens of tanks and armored vehicles, are involved in the attack. So far, at least five civilians have been killed and 31 injured. The 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", aiming for a key Russian army supply hub near the town of Sudja, eight kilometers from the border.
16:28 Kiesewetter Calls Ukrainian Advance in Kursk "Militarily Strategic"CDU foreign policy expert Roderich Kiesewetter described the Ukrainian advance in Kursk as "militarily strategic". This could "relieve pressure on the front at other points because Russia has to tie up or redeploy forces there," Kiesewetter told the "Tagesspiegel". The Ukrainian advance is "clearly permissible under international law in the sense of the right of self-defense" (see also entries from 14:45 and 15:07).
15:57 Ukraine: Two Dead in Russian Attack in DonetskIn the city of Kostiantynivka in the eastern Ukrainian region of Donetsk, at least two people have been killed by Russian artillery fire, according to local authorities. The morning attack hit a residential area, regional governor Vadym Filshkin reported on Telegram. Donetsk is a hotspot of the fighting. The parts of the region controlled by Ukraine are regularly subjected to Russian shelling. Russian troops are trying to advance on the strategically important logistics hub of Pokrovsk, an industrial and mining city. Just on Wednesday, at least four people were killed by Russian shelling in Donetsk.
15:36 Russia: Fighting Continues After Ukrainian Advance Towards KurskAfter Ukrainian troops advanced into the Russian region of Kursk, fighting in the border region has continued for the third day in a row, according to Moscow. Russian forces and border guards are preventing Ukrainian units from advancing deeper into Kursk, the Russian Defense Ministry said. At the same time, the Russian army is attacking Ukrainian forces trying 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 onto Russian territory. "This is a highly dangerous development," says Wagenknecht to the Funke media group. "The Federal Chancellor must call the Ukrainian President and demand that no German weapons be used in the advance onto Russian territory," demands the BSW chairwoman.
Chancellor Olaf Scholz had promised that Germany would not become a party to the war. But: "First, he allowed the Ukraine to shoot with German weapons onto Russian territory," criticizes Wagenknecht. "Does the federal government now also approve of the Ukraine advancing into Russia with German weapons? That would be the next red line to be crossed," the BSW party leader adds. The federal government is "increasingly drawing Germany into the war," she continues. "The danger of a major European war is becoming greater."
14:45 Chairman of the Defense Committee: Ukraine Can Use German Weapons in KurskThe chairman of the Defense Committee in the Bundestag, Marcus Faber, sees no problem with Ukraine using German-supplied weapons for its current advance onto Russian territory. "Upon handover to Ukraine, they become Ukrainian weapons," says the FDP politician to 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 explains his position. "The use of weapons is subject to the provisions of international law."
14:24 Ukraine urges Mexico to arrest Putin at Sheinbaum's inauguration
The Ukrainian embassy in Mexico is calling on the Mexican government to arrest Russian President Vladimir Putin if he attends the inauguration of 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 aforementioned (Putin) to the United Nations justice authorities in The Hague," the embassy said. In March 2023, the International Criminal Court (ICC) issued an arrest warrant against Putin for the alleged 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, stated that it is "standard protocol" to invite the heads of state of all countries with which Mexico maintains diplomatic relations, including Russia, to the inauguration.
13:50 Monitoring Services: Russian users cannot 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 major outage of the platform's availability. According to the sboy.rf service, over 15,000 complaints have been registered regarding the video hosting service. Complaints came from people 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 through virtual private networks (VPNs). Even Reuters reporters in Russia were unable to access YouTube. However, the website was still available through some mobile devices. YouTube is the last remaining Western platform in Russia that is still freely accessible, making it the last bastion of free expression in the country. According to Decoder, over 90 million users access YouTube monthly in Russia, placing it at the top of video and streaming platforms. In mid-July, Russian media reported that the Russian government planned to block YouTube in September.
13:24 EU: Ukraine leads "legitimate 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 leading a legitimate defensive war against an illegal aggression," a spokesperson for EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell said 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, recently crossed the Russian border from the Sumy region at Sudzha and reportedly took control of several villages. According to Russian reports, around 1,000 Ukrainian soldiers are involved in the operation.
12:43 Ukraine: Dozens of Russian Soldiers Captured in Kursk
After the Ukrainian military forces entered the Russian region of Kursk, "many" Russian soldiers were reportedly captured. This was shared 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. It aims to help military personnel of the Russian army find their relatives. According to "Khochu nayti", among the captives are both conscripts and contract soldiers. "There is also information about the dead, whose bodies were not taken away by their comrades during the retreat," the statement reads. The project published drone footage allegedly showing the capture of more than 30 Russian soldiers. Other videos on social media 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 currently unclear.
12:18 Gazprom: Gas Transit Runs Normally Despite Fighting in Kursk Region
According to Gazprom, the Russian gas export through the border area of Kursk, which was attacked by Ukraine, is running largely normally. Today, about 37.3 million cubic meters of natural gas are expected to be transported, the company announced in Moscow. This is five percent less than the previous day, the state-run Russian news agency Tass reported. Ukrainian troops have taken at least partial control of the city of Sudja during their incursion across the border, also capturing a key gas pipeline measurement station en route to Western Europe. From there, the transit goes through Ukraine and further into 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 Sudja in the Kursk region is reported to have been taken by Ukrainian forces. This was written by the pro-Russian military blogger of Ukrainian origin, 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 forces. "Sudja is basically lost for us. This is an important logistics hub," Podolyaka wrote further. Ukrainian military forces are reportedly advancing north towards Lgov. "Overall, 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, then it is confirmed: Ukrainian fighters are attacking on Russian territory. The incursion in the Kursk region "completely surprised" Moscow, reported ntv correspondent Rainer Munz. However, there seems to be more behind the attack than just a diversionary maneuver.
10:48 Russia: Situation in Kursk after Ukrainian advance "under control"Russian forces have been engaged in combat with infiltrating Ukrainian troops in the Kursk region 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 Sudja 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 push 15 kilometers into Kursk region"The Ukrainian army's advance into the Russian region of Kursk is causing turmoil in Moscow. Ukrainian soldiers are reported to have pushed up to 15 kilometers into the region. There are also reports of dozens of prisoners of war. ntv reporter Nadja Kriewald reports from Odessa on the background of the situation.
09:35 UN: Russians torture 95% of Ukrainian prisoners of warEmployees of Russian penal colonies are reported to torture Ukrainian prisoners of war from the very beginning of their interrogations. Moreover, the practice of torture in Russian captivity is "widespread and systematic," according to Danielle Bell, head of the UN Human Rights Monitoring Mission in Ukraine (HRMMU), in an interview with Dutch broadcaster NOS. She says that the Russian Federation has tortured 95% of Ukrainian prisoners of war in its prisons. According to her, Ukrainian prisoners of war are beaten with metal rods and sticks, stripped naked, and subjected to electric shocks. "This is undoubtedly the worst I have seen in the 20 years of my career," Bell says. Information about Ukrainian prisoners in Russia is mainly collected through interviews with Ukrainian prisoners of war after their release. At the same time, the UN mission has direct access to Russian prisoners of war and can observe the conditions in the prison.
08:49 Estonia introduces stricter customs controls at the border with RussiaEstonia is introducing full customs controls at its eastern EU external border with Russia. This decision was made by the government of the Baltic NATO state at the beginning of August. From August 8, all persons crossing the border with Russia, as well as all cargo, will be subject to control. The controls at the road and railway border crossings in Narva, Koidula, and Luhamaa will be gradually introduced. Until now, checks on passengers and vehicles were random and risk-based. With the tightening, Prime Minister Kristen Michal aims to prevent the transit and transport of EU-sanctioned goods through Estonia and to strengthen the security of the country. The border between Russia and Estonia is 294 kilometers long.
08:11 Ukraine publishes figures on Russian lossesThe Ukrainian General Staff has published new casualty figures for Russian troops in Ukraine. According to the data, Russia has lost approximately 587,510 soldiers in Ukraine since February 24, 2022. In the past 24 hours alone, the number of losses is said to be 1,140. According to a report from Kyiv, two tanks, 36 artillery systems, 81 drones, and one helicopter have also been destroyed. In total, Russia is said to have 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 put the losses lower, but these are also minimum figures.
07:32 Medvedev threatens escalation of Russian invasion in UkraineDmitri Medvedev, deputy chairman of the Russian Security Council, has threatened to escalate the Russian invasion in Ukraine in response to Ukrainian advances in the Russian border region of Kursk. The Russian military operation should no longer be limited to securing the territories in Ukraine that Russia considers its own, says the former president. Instead, the armed forces should push towards the cities of Odessa, Kharkiv, Dnipro, Mykolaiv, Kyiv, and beyond. The advance will only stop when Russia deems it advantageous. Ukrainian troops have reportedly advanced deep into Russian territory in the region, with fierce fighting reported. The region has been placed under a state of emergency.
07:05 Russia: 14 Ukrainian aerial objects destroyed over Kursk and BelgorodRussian air defense forces have destroyed 14 unmanned Ukrainian aerial objects over the Belgorod and Kursk regions, the Russian Defense Ministry said on Telegram. Six drones and five more rockets were shot down over the Kursk region, according to regional governor Alexei Smirnov. In the early morning of August 6, Ukrainian forces attacked the border areas of the Kursk region. According to the latest reports from the Russian military headquarters, clashes continue in border areas. The state of emergency has been declared in Kursk (see entries 19:08, 19:38, and 20:41), and residents are being evacuated.
06:25 Ukraine issues air alert due to Russian MiG-31K attackThe Ukrainian Air Force has issued an air alert across the entire country. The air attack warning is attributed to a missile threat from a Russian MiG-31K. The MiG-31K is a Soviet-era interceptor aircraft named after the Mikoyan-Gurevich aircraft manufacturer. The MiG-31K can carry hypersonic missiles such as 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 now advanced up to ten kilometers into the Russian region of Kursk. This was confirmed by footage of armored vehicles behind the border. Ukrainian forces have reportedly breached at least two Russian defense lines and a fortress. According to a Russian source, the Ukrainians have captured 45 square kilometers in the Kursk region since the start of the operation on August 6, the ISW reports. Russian authorities had declared a state of emergency over the region yesterday.
02:30 Ukraine raises threshold for prison sentence in petty theft
President Selenskyj has signed a new law that reclassifies petty theft as an administrative offense instead of a crime. The new law sets the threshold at around 67 euros, up from the previous limit of around 6.7 euros. The change is due to the martial law imposed since the Russian invasion, which carries a prison sentence of up to eight years for looting and theft. A case cited in the draft law involved a man who stole diapers from a supermarket in the western Ukrainian city of Rivne in January 2023, worth around 8 euros. He was initially sentenced to over three years in prison, but will now face only an administrative penalty.
00:27 Klingbeil: Deployment of US long-range missiles in Germany is right
SPD leader Lars Klingbeil has defended plans to deploy long-range US weapons in Germany, saying it is "right because it helps us defend ourselves if Russia were to attack." He told the Redaktionsnetzwerk Deutschland that it is part of credible deterrence. In July, at the NATO summit, the White House and the German government announced plans for the US to station weapons systems in Germany from 2026, including Tomahawk missiles, SM-6 missiles, and new hypersonic weapons. Some SPD members have criticized the plan, with parliamentary group leader Rolf Mützenich warning of the risk of military escalation.
22:38 Human rights activist Orlov wants to fight for Russian prisoners
Oleg Orlov, a Moscow human rights activist released in a prisoner exchange between Russia and Western states, plans 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. Memorial, the Nobel Peace Prize-winning organization he co-founded, advocates for political prisoners in Russia. Orlov estimates that at least 800 political prisoners are still behind bars in Russia. He finds his new role in exile in Germany challenging, but fears persecution if he returns home. Orlov hopes to advocate for the release of more political prisoners, including eight critically ill ones. "We were very disappointed when we found out they weren't on the list," he said. Despite repression, Memorial continues to work in Russia and from abroad.
21:30 Not Dead Yet? Known Russian Propagandist InjuredKnown Russian propagandist Evgeny Poddubny has been injured in the Kursk region. State TV channel VGTRK reports on Telegram that Poddubny was injured in an attack by a Ukrainian drone in the Kursk region and was hospitalized. Earlier, numerous Russian media outlets had reported Poddubny's death. Evgeny Poddubny is one of Russia's most famous "war correspondents," with around 734,000 followers on Telegram. Preliminary information suggests he was filming a report on the fighting in the Kursk region on Wednesday.
20:41 Emergency Declared in Region KurskAn emergency has been declared in the Russian region of Kursk amidst a Ukrainian ground offensive. Governor Alexei Smirnov announced this on Telegram. The Ukraine has advanced deep into Russian territory near Kursk in a counterattack. The offensive began on Tuesday, according to the Russian Ministry of Defense, and reached the northwest of the city of Sudja on Wednesday.
20:14 Fighting Nearby: Russia Bolsters Nuclear Power Plant ProtectionDue to the Ukrainian advance into the Russian border region of Kursk, the Russian National Guard is bolstering protection of the Kursk nuclear power plant. Additional forces are also being deployed to combat sabotage and reconnaissance units in the Kursk and Belgorod regions, the agency said. This is happening in cooperation with the Russian border troops and the army. The nuclear power plant, with four units and a capacity of almost two gigawatts, is located only about 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 Sudja. Unconfirmed reports suggest they advanced up to 15 kilometers towards the NPP.
19:38 Attacks in Region Kursk: European Gas Price Hits Yearly HighThe price of European natural gas has risen to its highest level this year. The benchmark TTF contract for delivery next month rose by 5.7% to 38.78 euros per megawatt hour (MWh) in Amsterdam. Market participants are referring to the Ukrainian attacks on the Russian region of Kursk. The fighting is reportedly taking place near Sudja, an important gas injection point for pipelines to Western Europe. Gazprom currently reports normal gas supplies.
19:08 Ukraine Evacuates Border Areas Near Russian KurskAmid heavy fighting in the Russian Kursk region, Ukrainian authorities have ordered the evacuation of more settlements in the neighboring Sumy region. The measures affect 23 settlements, said the military governor of Sumy, Vladimir 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 offensive across the Ukrainian-Russian border towards the city of Sudja in the Kursk region, advancing several kilometers into Russian territory. Moscow spoke of around 1,000 Ukrainian soldiers equipped with heavy weapons. Kyiv has not yet commented on the events. Due to regular Russian shelling of border areas, local authorities had already ordered evacuations from a 10-kilometer-wide border zone in May.
You can read about previous developments here.
- The European Union has expressed concern over the Ukrainian advance into the Russian region of Kursk and called for a ceasefire and negotiations as soon as possible, with MEP Fabio De Masi rhetorically questioning the strategic rationale behind the offensive.
- Ukraine's push into the Russian region of Kursk has drawn the attention of international organizations, including the European Union, which is monitoring the situation closely and has maintained its support for Ukraine in its "legitimate defensive war" against Russian aggression.
