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 arrest 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 using violence against a government official, which could result in up to 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 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 General Prosecutor's Office. Russia used a ballistic missile in the attack, the responsible governor Oleh Kiper added. No Russian statement is available.
21:50 Pistorius Urges Vigilance After Sabotage Alert at the Bundeswehr
Defense Minister Boris Pistorius advises increased attention after 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 rely on the proven cooperation with the responsible investigative authorities," said Pistorius (see also entries from 21:10, 18:55, and 18:24).
21:30 Austria: Prosecutor Files First Charges in Russia Spy ScandalThe Austrian prosecutor's office 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 ordering another employee, as a civil servant in the Vienna Ministry of the Interior, 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 violating official secrets. They each face up to three years in prison. No date has been set for the trial. Specifically, Ott is accused of providing Jenewein with the names of several intelligence service employees, 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 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 clarifying open questions: "The ministry must now immediately clarify how an outsider was able to gain access to supposedly well-guarded military bases," she told "Der Spiegel". "At the same time, it is commendable that the German Armed Forces detected 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 potential seizure of their assets there, according to the rating agency Scope. The risk of this happening is increasing, the Berlin-based credit watchers 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 Italian UniCredit have already been seized there by court order. Russia is now increasingly responding to Western sanctions 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 scaling down their businesses in Russia and exiting the Russian market.
20:29 Zelensky: Adhering to Humanitarian LawUkrainian troops are strictly adhering to international conventions and humanitarian law as they advance into the western 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 has been prepared for the civilian population in the occupied territories, and access will be granted to 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 randomly killed in the Kyiv suburb of Bucha before the Russian military had to retreat from that 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 organizations providing humanitarian aid.
20:05 Convicted in Nemtsov Murder Case Volunteers for Russian WarOne of the convicted individuals in the case of the murdered Kremlin critic Boris Nemtsov has volunteered for service in the war zone in Ukraine, according to official reports. The online edition of the Kremlin-critical newspaper "Novaya Gazeta," which works in exile in Europe, reports that the convicted person is stationed in the Russian-occupied city of Mariupol. He is currently said to be 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 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 Zelenskyy, Ukraine has achieved its strategic goals in its push into the Russian region of Kursk. In his nightly address on Telegram, Zelenskyy reports good progress. Meanwhile, the Russian military claims that its units, supported by air force, drones, and artillery, have thwarted attempts by mobile enemy groups to advance deep into Russian territory with armored vehicles. The army statement further claims that Ukrainian forces suffered heavy losses.
19:30 After Prisoner Exchange: Freed Russian Woman Wants to Marry 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 Likely 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 Air Force Support Base Cologne-Wahn, there is a suspicion of manipulation of the barracks' internal drinking water system, as the Armed Forces announce. At the support base in Geilenkirchen, an intruder is reportedly repelled, but subsequent checks of the drinking water find nothing unusual. The chairman of the Defense Committee in the Bundestag, Marcus Faber, suspects Russia in the possible sabotage cases (see entry at 18:24). Similarly, Konstantin von Notz, chairman of the Parliamentary Control Committee in the Bundestag, tells Welt TV, "Of course, the suspicion arises that this could be a Russian sabotage action." This is a "concrete working hypothesis" for the investigations, says the Green Party politician.
18:24 Possible Sabotage at German Armed Forces: Chairman of Defense Committee Suspects RussiaFollowing the possible sabotage incidents in two German Armed Forces barracks, the chairman of the Defense Committee in the Bundestag, Marcus Faber, suspects Russia. "Given the temporal proximity of the incidents in the two barracks, one can assume 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, further investigations must determine if this suspicion is confirmed, Faber says. Both the Armed Forces site in Cologne-Wahn and the NATO support point in Geilenkirchen were targets of suspected sabotage activities.
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. According to prosecutors, R. is suspected of being a GRU agent. He is accused of committing a crime related to espionage, which carries a potential prison sentence of three to 15 years. It is unclear whether the trial will take place in his absence. No further details were provided by the authorities.
17:27: Report: Justice Opens Over 10,000 Cases of 'Insulting' the Russian ArmySince the start of the Ukraine war in February 2022, Russian justice has opened over 10,000 cases of 'insulting' the army, according to media reports. "The ten-thousandth case was submitted to court in the first week of August," writes the independent Russian news portal Mediazona on its website. Most cases were reported in the first months of the war. By the end of 2022, there were 5614 cases, with an additional 2900 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 Russian court data. The basis for these cases is 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. "In the past night, the forces and means of the air defense missile troops of the Ukrainian Air Force in the Kursk region (Russia) destroyed a Russian Su-34 fighter-bomber during a combat mission," the Ukrainian online 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?
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 Air Bases Since War Began
Long-range drones of the Ukrainian Security Service (SBU) and Ukrainian defense forces launched the largest attack on Russian military air bases in Voronezh, Kursk, Novoselytsia, and Borisoglebsk overnight, according to a report by the Ukrainian national news agency "Ukrinform," citing a source at the SBU. The attack was reportedly planned and effective, and the largest since the start of the war. Its aim is to prevent Russia from using these air bases for missile strikes on the frontline 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 government spokesman Wolfgang Büchner in Berlin. He emphasized that the investigations are being conducted "according to law and without regard to persons" and are "completely independent" of their outcome. 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 waging a war of aggression against Ukraine in violation of international law," he added. The clarification of the act of sabotage has "highest priority" for the federal government, Büchner said. He declined 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 Russia. Thousands are being evacuated, and Russia seems not yet to have found the right military response. Security expert Gerhard Mangott sees no war-turning advantage for Ukraine - in fact, quite the opposite.
14:50 Russia Extends Oil Export Ban
Russia has extended its existing oil export ban. The move is aimed at stabilizing domestic fuel prices, which have recently risen sharply, according to the Moscow government. 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 then 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 is now in effect again and has been 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 Sudzha Fully Under Control
The city of Sudzha in the Russian oblast 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 Sudzha is complete," he says in a video conference with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. Footage is published on the president's Telegram channel. Sudzha is where the pipeline runs that Russia uses to supply gas from Western Siberia to Slovakia and other EU countries. Sudzha has around 6,000 inhabitants.
13:31 Russian National Guard Reinforces Security at Kursk NPP
The Russian National Guard, Rosgvardiya, has reinforced security at the Kursk Nuclear Power Plant in the Kursk Oblast. Special 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 Steadily Advancing in Russian Oblast Kursk
Ukrainian troops are steadily advancing in the Russian oblast of Kursk, according to President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. They have moved 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 of Kursk while making military gains there. However, Russia is pushing forward 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 shouting, "Glory to Ukraine!" Sudja 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 Sudja. The city is home to a pipeline that transports Russian gas from Western 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. Special envoy Rodion Miroschnik told the state-run Tass news agency that Ukraine's attack has "frozen" any potential peace talks for the foreseeable future. The Ukrainian military surprised Russia by entering the border region on August 6 and claiming to have taken control of over 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, raising questions about whether the country is joining the Ukraine war. However, ntv Russia correspondent Rainer Munz believes that Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko has the opposite intention with this move.
10:46 Russia Attacks Energy Facilities in UkraineRussian forces have attacked energy facilities in northern and southern Ukraine, according to Ukrenergo, the country's power grid operator. An facility in the south was shelled on Wednesday morning, and Russian drones targeted another facility in the north overnight, causing temporary power outages for residents in parts of the Chernihiv region.
10:03 Chief of Staff Jermak Meets with US Diplomat O'BrianUkrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's chief of staff, Andriy Yermak, met with high-ranking US diplomat James O'Brien to discuss 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 safety analysis at the State Scientific and Technical Center for Nuclear and Radiation Safety. The KNPP shares the same reactor type as the Chernobyl nuclear power plant, increasing the likelihood of a similar scenario, Humeniuk told Radio NV. He believes that capturing 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, capturing 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 exchange 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 the downing of 117 drones and four missiles fired from Ukraine towards Russian regions. 37 drones were destroyed over the regions of Kursk and Voronezh each. The ministry did not provide 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 Dyumin is set to lead Russia's "anti-terror operation" in Kursk, according to the Moscow Times, citing Russian military bloggers. President Putin has tasked Dyumin with resolving coordination issues in the region. Last week, there were conflicting statements about the situation in Kursk. General Gerasimov had presented the situation more positively in a meeting than it actually was, the report said. This prompted Putin to act. The need to involve Dyumin underscores "the scale of the disaster within inter-agency cooperation," the report said. The former chief of the security staff belongs to Putin's inner circle and is known as a problem-solver capable of handling coordination, combat, and civilian administration issues. Dyumin himself has reportedly saved Putin from a bear in the past.
06:59 Zelensky: Advance in Kursk brings us closer to our goalUkrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky sees his country's military forces gaining momentum amid 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 claimed by the Russian side. Neither claim is verifiable.
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. 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, according to an unnamed source in the Belarusian Defense Ministry.
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 houses 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 write about a fire in Voronezh, which locals attribute to a drone attack on a military airfield. There have been no official statements on this yet. In Kursk, Governor Alexei Smirnov says 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 Ukraine
The 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," Commission President Ursula von der Leyen writes on X. Europe stands firmly by Ukraine's side. The funds are part of the so-called Ukraine Facility. This EU aid program, adopted in early February, will enable financial assistance of 50 billion euros by 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. With this financial aid, the EU wants 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 Publishers
The 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," the state news agency Iswestiya reports. 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 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." At the end of 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 Troops
A high-ranking US government official tells Reuters that Ukraine appears to be trying to force Russia to withdraw its troops from Ukraine by advancing into the Russian region of Kursk. By pushing its military forces across the border, Ukraine is forcing Russia to defend its own territory, which could weaken Russian forces within Ukraine, the Washington assessment suggests.
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 announced by the U.S. State Department's deputy spokesperson, 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 officers raided two companies suspected of violating EU sanctions against Russia. Around 100 officers from the Central Office for Customs Enforcement searched a building complex on the order of the competent local court, the General Customs Administration in the capital announced. Both companies are subject to the EU's sanctions regime, which freezes the assets of listed natural or legal persons. "There is suspicion of violations of the law on the enforcement of economic sanctions," the customs office explained. The search was aimed at "securing the building complex in the district of Tempelhof-Schöneberg and searching for assets." Interrogations were also conducted and evidence seized. According to media reports, the companies searched are two unnamed Russian logistics companies.
23:59 Fitch further downgrades Ukraine's ratingRating agency Fitch has downgraded Ukraine's creditworthiness to "RD" from the previous "C". The U.S. credit rating agency justified the move with the expiration of a payment deadline for interest on a $750 million bond due in 2026. The payment was due on August 1. "RD" in Fitch's rating system stands for "Restricted Default", roughly translated as "restricted default". No statement from the government in Kyiv has been issued so far.
23:08 Russia reports two dead in Lysychansk from Ukrainian shellingAccording 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. Earlier, Russia-installed administrators had spoken of more than 30 injured.
22:11 Russia reportedly moving fleeing civilians from Kursk to occupied UkraineAfter Ukraine's advance into the Russian region of Kursk, local authorities want to move refugees to an occupied area in Ukraine. Kursk's acting governor, Alexei Smirnov, announced this on Telegram, saying he had discussed this solution with the governor of the Zaporizhzhia region, Yevgeny Balitsky. Balitsky had suggested using sanatoriums and pension facilities on the Sea of Azov to accommodate the evacuees. "In the coming days, we will form the first transports to bring people to the temporary shelters in the Zaporizhzhia region." Russia annexed the Ukrainian region of Zaporizhzhia in the autumn of 2022 and had already installed the pro-Moscow Balitsky as a puppet governor there before. While 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 step Ukraine will regret later," he adds. Russia declared it is "ready" for peace talks tomorrow if Ukrainian troops withdraw from the regions of Saporishia, Kherson, Donetsk, and Luhansk, and if Ukraine abandons its plan to join NATO. If Ukraine agrees, Russia will stop fire and start negotiations, Putin said. However, Ukraine, NATO, and the Pentagon rejected the offer. Kyiv called it a "complete hoax".
21:08 Evaluation Claims Over 300 Russians Captured in Kursk as POWsAn 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 POWs but notes his uncertainty about the accuracy of the information. The data is incomplete as not all POWs were documented in videos. Ukrainian army chief Olexander Syrskyj reports "hundreds" of Russian POWs 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 Likely Deployed to KurskAccording 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 his 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 Kherson and Saporishia 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. Oleksandr Bordiian, deputy spokesman of the 32nd mechanized brigade of the Ukrainian Armed Forces, told Radio Liberty that Russia is deploying sabotage groups in the city. However, he 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 air attacks using guided bombs. According to the Ukrainian General Staff, the intensity of Russian attacks in the Donetsk region has not decreased, with 52 attacks recorded in the Pokrovsk area alone within 24 hours.
19:34 "How can Russia escalate further?"Carlo Masala sees Moscow's threat to respond to Ukrainian advances on its territory with a harsh counterattack 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: Moscow planning secret recruitment wave?The Russian army is reportedly not receiving enough new soldiers to keep up with losses at the front, with the heaviest losses since the invasion, according to US news agency Bloomberg, citing unnamed sources close to the Kremlin and the Russian Defense Ministry. 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. Russia may be forced to consider a new mobilization, with officials potentially presenting it as a rotation to give military personnel at the front a break, and the announcement could come by the end of this year, the sources told Bloomberg. 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 already increased the signing bonus for new recruits to fight in Ukraine, from 195,000 (1,955 USD) to 400,000 (4,011 USD) rubles.
You can read all previous developments here.
The European Union should consider vigilance in dealing with Russia, given the ongoing spying accusations and potential security threats.
In response to the Ukrainian offensive in the Kursk region, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has emphasized the importance of adhering to humanitarian law and providing aid to the civilian population.
