23:58 Ukaz general staff confirms attacks on Russian military airfields
23:24 US Citizen Arrested in Russia
A 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 "petty hooliganism". However, the country's top investigative authority had previously reported that a criminal case had been opened against the US citizen for violence against a government official, which carries a penalty of up to five years in prison. According to the Russian news agency TASS, the man refused to provide his personal details at a hotel and became aggressive, and later struck a police officer when taken to a police station. The US government has been cautious in its response. "We are aware of reports of the arrest of another American citizen in Russia," said Vedant Patel, spokesperson for the US Department of State, to reporters. "We are working to gather 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 Port
Russia'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 said. The two known cases are a port worker and a driver of grain transports, according to the prosecutor general's office. The attack involved a ballistic missile, the responsible governor, Oleh Kiper, added. Russia has not yet commented on the matter.
21:50 Pistorius Calls for Vigilance After Bundeswehr Sabotage Alert
Defense 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 reacted quickly at both locations, sealed off access, tightened controls, involved investigative authorities, and ordered laboratory tests. These incidents show that we must remain vigilant," Pistorius told Der Spiegel. "Of course, we are also reviewing our security measures and adjusting them if necessary. This is already in progress," the SPD politician emphasized. There are currently no concrete indications of a connection between the two events in Cologne-Wahn and Geilenkirchen. "Now it's about waiting for further investigation results and acting calmly. We trust the proven cooperation with the competent investigative authorities," Pistorius said (see also entries from 21:10, 18:55, and 18:24).
21:30 Austria: Prosecutor Files Charges in Russia Spy Scandal for the First TimeThe public prosecutor's office in Austria has filed charges for the first time in the case 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 commissioning another employee, as a civil servant in the Vienna Ministry of the Interior, on behalf of an MP from the right-wing populist FPÖ party, to gather information about the participants of a meeting of European intelligence services. Both Ott and the former FPÖ MP Hans-Jörg Jenewein are charged with violating official secrets. They each face up to three years in prison. No date has been set for the trial to begin. 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 Incident at German Armed Forces: CDU Sees Defense Ministry ResponsiblePolice and state protection are investigating a security incident at the waterworks of the Cologne-Wahn air force base due to suspicion of sabotage against the German Armed Forces. "Abnormal water values" and then a hole in the fence were detected, a spokesperson for the German Armed Forces said outside the base in Cologne. CDU defense politician Serap Güler now sees the defense ministry responsible for clearing up open questions: "The ministry must now immediately clarify how an outsider was able to gain access to supposedly well-guarded military bases," she told Spiegel. "At the same time, it is commendable that the German Armed Forces recognized 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 prepare for the possibility of having their assets seized, according to ratings agency Scope. The risk of this happening is increasing, the Berlin-based credit watchers warn. 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 Italian UniCredit have already been implicated in such rulings. Russia is now increasingly responding to Western sanctions with countermeasures. 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 scaling back operations 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 in their 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 X. Humanitarian aid is being prepared for the civilian population in the occupied territories, and access will be allowed for representatives of international organizations. 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. Many civilians were killed indiscriminately in the Kyiv suburb of Bucha before Russian forces had to withdraw from the area. According to reports from 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 humanitarian aid organizations.
20:05 Convicted in Nemtsov Murder Case Joins Russia's WarOne of the convicts in the case of the murdered Kremlin critic Boris Nemtsov has reportedly volunteered for service in the war zone in Ukraine, according to official statements. The online edition of the Kremlin-critical newspaper "Novaya Gazeta," which works in exile in Europe, reports that the convict is stationed in the Russian-occupied city of Mariupol. He is currently said to be on vacation in his home region of 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 reportedly 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 heavy losses have been inflicted on the Ukrainian side.
19:30 After Prisoner Exchange: Freed Russian Woman Wants to Get Married in GermanySasha Skochilenko, arrested in Russia in 2022 for distributing anti-war messages, is 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: Greens Politician Notz Also Suspects RussiaThe German Armed Forces cordon off and search two of their sites in North Rhine-Westphalia due to suspected sabotage. At the Cologne-Wahn air base, there is a suspicion of manipulations to the barracks' internal drinking water system, as the Armed Forces announce. At the Geilenkirchen base, an intruder is reportedly repelled, but subsequent water tests reveal nothing unusual. The chairman of the Bundestag's Defense Committee, Marcus Faber, suggests that Russia could be behind these potential acts 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 a suspicion that this could be a Russian sabotage action." This is a "concrete working hypothesis" for the investigations, according to the Green politician.
18:24 Possible Sabotage at German Armed Forces: Chairman of Defense Committee Suspects RussiaFollowing the potential acts 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 who has 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 site and the NATO base in Geilenkirchen were allegedly targeted by suspected acts of sabotage.
18:00: Over 120 Countries: Russia Seeks New Partners at Arms FairRows upon rows of tanks, fighter jets, and firearms line the region of Moscow: at an international arms fair, the Ministry of Defense is signing new arms deals with foreign partners, reportedly worth around five billion euros.
17:40: After Prisoner Exchange, Poland Charges Freed Man with EspionageA Russian-Spanish dual citizen, known as Pavel R. or Pablo G., is being charged with 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 was held in Poland until he was part of a prisoner exchange with Russia on August 1. Prosecutors allege that R. was a suspected GRU agent. He is accused of committing a crime related to espionage, punishable by three to 15 years in prison. It's unclear if the trial will proceed in his absence. Authorities did not provide further details.
17:27: Report: Over 10,000 Cases Opened for 'Insulting' Russian ArmyRussian justice has opened over 10,000 cases for 'insulting' the army since the start of the Ukraine war in February 2022, according to media reports. "The ten-thousandth case was filed in court in the first week of August," writes the independent Russian news portal Mediazona on its website. Most cases were reported in the early months of the war, with 5,614 cases by the end of 2022 and an additional 2,900 in 2023, making a total of 8,590 cases by the end of last year. So far this year, 1,410 cases have been opened. Mediazona counted these cases based on data from Russian courts. The cases are based on a law that punishes 'insulting' the armed forces with fines of up to 50,000 rubles (around 500 euros). A second offense within a year can result in a five-year prison sentence. If the 'insult' leads to injuries, deaths, or significant disruption of public order, prison sentences of up to seven years may be imposed.
17:08: Kyiv Reports Downing of Su-34 Fighter-Bomber in Kursk RegionUkrainian troops have destroyed a Russian Su-34 fighter-bomber in the Kursk region, according to the Ukrainian online newspaper "Ukrainska Pravda," citing a statement from the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. "Last night, the forces and means of the anti-aircraft missile troops of the Ukrainian Air Force, in the Kursk region (Russia), during a combat mission, destroyed a Russian Su-34 combat aircraft," the Ukrainian online newspaper quotes the explanation.
16:50 Kyiv to create "Buffer Zone" in Kursk Region
The Ukrainian army, in its offensive in the Russian border region of Kursk, aims to establish a "buffer zone" to protect its population from daily enemy fire, 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 advance into the Kursk region. Russia also seems caught off guard, with the Kremlin appearing to have no response yet. Does this mean a crack in Vladimir Putin's power structure?
15:59 Report: Ukraine Launches 'Largest Attack' on Russian Airfields Since War Began
Long-range drones of the Ukrainian Security Service (SBU) and Ukrainian defense forces launched the largest attack on Russian military airfields in Voronezh, Kursk, Savastopol, and Borisoglebsk overnight, according to a report by the Ukrainian national news agency "Ukrinform," citing a source at the SBU. The attack was reportedly effective and the largest since the beginning of the war. Its aim is to prevent Russia from using these airfields for guided bomb attacks on the front line and Ukrainian cities.
15:36 German Government: Ukraine Support Independent of Nord Stream
The preliminary 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 according to the rule of law, regardless of the person involved and completely independent of the outcome of such investigations," he said. The investigation has no influence on whether and to what extent Germany will continue to support Ukraine in the future, as it does not change the fact that Russia is conducting a war of aggression against Ukraine that is violating international law, he added. The clarification of the act of sabotage is a top priority for the federal government, Büchner said. He did not want to evaluate whether the 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 advantage for Ukraine in the war - on 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 Moscow government. The ban will be in effect from September 1 to the end of the year. It is due to a "period of sustained seasonal demand and planned repairs at 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 then lifted in November. At the beginning of the year, Moscow announced a six-month oil export ban starting March 1, which was later 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 Russia uses to supply gas from West 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, is reinforcing security at the Kursk nuclear power plant in the Kursk region. Special attention is being paid to defending against Ukrainian drones, it said. The Ukrainian military entered the border-adjacent region 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 Region of Kursk
According to President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Ukrainian troops are continuously advancing in the Russian region of Kursk. They have moved one to two kilometers in various directions within 24 hours, the Ukrainian head of state 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 Region of Donetsk"
Ukraine is maintaining pressure on the Russian region of Kursk, but while it is seeing military successes there, Russian forces are advancing 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 SudschaState Ukrainian TV shows footage of Ukrainian soldiers removing a Russian flag from a public building in Sudscha. In the video, taken on Wednesday, a three-story building and three soldiers can be seen pulling down the flag while shouting, "Glory to Ukraine!" Sudscha is located in the Russian region of Kursk, which borders Ukraine. In recent days, the Ukrainian military has reportedly advanced, but it was unclear which side controlled Sudscha. The city is home to a pipeline that transports Russian gas from West Siberia to Slovakia and other EU countries.
11:45 Russia Puts Peace Talks on HoldRussia has put peace talks on hold following the Ukrainian attack on the Kursk region, according to the Russian Foreign Ministry. The special envoy of the Russian Foreign Ministry, Rodion Miroschnik, told the state-owned Russian news agency Tass that Ukraine's attack on Kursk has "put possible peace talks on ice for the long term." The Ukrainian military surprisedly entered the Russian border region on August 6, reportedly taking 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, leading some to wonder if this signals the country's entry into the Ukraine war. However, ntv Russia correspondent Rainer Munz believes that Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko's actions are aimed at the opposite - avoiding direct involvement in the conflict.
10:46 Russia Attacks Energy Facilities in UkraineRussian forces have attacked energy facilities in northern and southern Ukraine, according to the Ukrainian power grid operator Ukrenergo. On Wednesday morning, a facility in the south was shelled, and Russian drones targeted another facility in the north overnight, causing temporary power outages for consumers in parts of the region of Chernihiv.
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. The two discussed the situation on the battlefield and security agreements, according to the Ukrainian presidential administration. O'Brien serves as the US State Department's special envoy for European and Eurasian affairs.
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, according to Dmytro Humeniuk, an expert on nuclear and radiation safety 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 the takeover 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, it must also be operated. Therefore, the capture of the Kursk NPP cannot be a goal."
08:48 Biden: Kursk Offensive is "real dilemma" for PutinUS President Joe Biden views the Ukrainian offensive in the Russian region of Kursk as a "real 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 did not provide information on whether any drones were not intercepted or what damage may have occurred.
07:32 Putin sends problem solver Djumin to KurskAlexei Gennadyevich Djumin is set to lead Russia's "anti-terror operation" in Kursk, according to the Moscow Times, citing Russian military bloggers. President Putin has tasked Djumin with resolving coordination issues in the region. Last week, there were conflicting reports about the situation in Kursk. General Gerasimov had portrayed the situation more positively than it was, the report said, prompting Putin to act. The need to involve Djumin underscores "the scale of the disaster in inter-agency cooperation," the report said. The former chief of the general staff belongs to Putin's inner circle and is known for his ability to solve problems related to coordination, combat, and civilian administration. Djumin even claims to have once 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 due to advances in the Russian region. "Ukraine can achieve its goals, defend its interests, and protect its independence," Zelensky said in a video message. The Ukrainian army has taken 74 settlements in the Kursk region - twice as many as Russia claims. Neither claim is verifiable.
06:30 "Upon 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 shortages 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 at the regional level from Wednesday. He called on Russia to declare a state of emergency for the region.
05:34 Russian Governors Report Aerial AttacksThe 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 Alexei Smirnov claims that the air defense shot down four missiles. An air alert was also sounded in Lipetsk.
04:08 EU Commission Transfers 4.2 Billion Euros to UkraineThe EU Commission has paid around 4.2 billion euros to Ukraine, which is under attack from Russia. The money is "to keep the Ukrainian state running while it fights for its survival," according to Commission President Ursula von der Leyen on X. Europe stands firmly by Ukraine's side. These funds are part of the so-called Ukraine Facility, an EU aid program decided in early February, which will enable financial assistance of 50 billion euros until the end of 2027, with 33 billion euros in loans and the rest in grants. Last week, EU countries gave the green light for the payout. The EU aims to support the Ukrainian state in rebuilding the country, modernizing it, and implementing important reforms for EU accession.
03:40 Kremlin Advises Russian Scientists Not to Publish with Foreign PublishersThe Russian Ministry of Education and Science has advised scientists not to submit articles to the Dutch publisher Elsevier, which specializes in publishing scientific and medical research, or other "similar foreign organizations," according to the state news agency Iswestiya. In March 2022, Elsevier and other scientific publishers announced that Russian and Belarusian researchers could still submit articles for publication, but that 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 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 Representative: Ukraine Aims to Force Russia to Withdraw TroopsA high-ranking US government official told Reuters that Ukraine's advance into the Russian region of Kursk may 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 land, which could 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, in a press conference. 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 searches two companies in BerlinIn Berlin, customs officers raided two companies suspected of violating EU Russia sanctions. Around 100 officers from the Central Office for Customs Enforcement searched a building complex at the order of the responsible district court, the General Customs Administration in the capital announced. Both companies are subject to EU sanctions. Funds and assets of listed natural or legal persons are frozen. "There is suspicion of violations of the law on the implementation of economic sanctions," the customs office explained. The search served to secure and search the building complex in the district of Tempelhof-Schöneberg for assets. Moreover, interrogations were carried out and evidence was seized. According to media reports, the searched companies are two unnamed Russian logistics companies.
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 with 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 the Fitch rating system stands for "Restricted Default", roughly translated as "restricted default". No statement from the government in Kyiv has been made so far.
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. The state-owned Russian news agency TASS reported this, citing local authorities who are under Russian control. Previously, representatives installed by Russia had spoken of more than 30 injured.
22:11 Russia reportedly moving fleeing civilians from Kursk to occupied UkraineAfter the Ukrainian advance into the Russian region of Kursk, local authorities want to move refugees to a region in Ukraine occupied by Russia. The acting governor of Kursk, Alexei Smirnov, announced this on Telegram, saying he had discussed this solution with the governor of the region of Zaporizhzhia. His colleague Yevgeny Balitsky had suggested using sanatoriums and pensions on the Sea of Azov for accommodation. "In the coming days, we will form the first transports to bring people to the emergency shelters in the Zaporizhzhia region." Russia annexed the Ukrainian region of Zaporizhzhia in the fall of 2022 and had already installed the pro-Moscow Balitsky as a puppet governor there before. Although Moscow does not fully control the region, it has occupied the access to the Sea of Azov, where there are still sanatoriums today.
21:37 Moscow's UN Envoy: After Kursk Attack, Putin Withdraws "Generous" Peace OfferVladimir 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 move that Ukraine will regret later," he adds. Russia declared it was ready for peace talks "tomorrow" if Ukrainian troops withdrew from the regions of Saporishzhia, Kherson, Donetsk, and Luhansk, and if Ukraine abandoned its plan to join NATO. If Ukraine agrees, Russia will cease fire and begin negotiations, Putin said. However, Ukraine, NATO, and the Pentagon rejected the offer. Kyiv dismissed it as "a complete sham."
21:08 Evaluation Claims Over 300 Russians Captured in KurskAn 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 information. 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 suggested 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, Moves Troops from Kaliningrad to KurskRussia is reportedly moving troops from Kaliningrad to the Kursk region, where Ukrainian soldiers continue to advance, according to Lithuanian defense minister Laurynas Kasciunas. He announces this during 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 ordered a small number of soldiers from the occupied Ukrainian regions of Kherson and Saporishzhia to Kursk. This has not been confirmed by Moscow.
20:10 In Donetsk, Russia's advance continues - Battle for Torez already underwayThe situation around the city of Torez 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 spokesperson of the 32nd Mechanized Brigade of the Ukrainian Armed Forces, speaking to Radio Liberty, Russia is 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 is no significant relief yet, such as from the Ukrainian offensive in the Russian region of Kursk. "Regarding ground attacks, their intensity has somewhat decreased," said Bordiian. However, the 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 in the Pokrovsk area alone within 24 hours.
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 that 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 with Ukraine's incursion into the border regions of the Russian regions of Kursk and Belgorod. Bloomberg reports that Russia may be forced to consider a new mobilization. Officials could present this as a 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 should closely monitor the situation of the US citizen in Russia, as his case could potentially escalate further due to the open criminal case against him. The EU has a strong interest in upholding diplomatic relations with Russia and ensuring the safety of its citizens abroad.
Given the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine, it would be beneficial for the EU to initiate a dialogue with both Russia and Ukraine about reducing tensions and finding a peaceful solution to the ongoing dispute. This could potentially involve providing humanitarian aid to the affected areas in the Kursk region and offering to mediate in negotiations between the two countries.
