9:30 but not dead?
20:41 Emergency Declared in Region Kursk
An emergency has been declared in the Russian region of Kursk amidst a Ukrainian ground offensive, according to Governor Alexei Smirnov 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 Reinforces Protection of Kursk NPP
Due to the Ukrainian advance into the Russian border region of Kursk, the Russian National Guard has reinforced the protection of the Kursk Nuclear Power Plant. Additional forces have also been deployed to combat sabotage and reconnaissance units in the Kursk and Belgorod regions, in cooperation with Russian border troops and the army. The nuclear power plant, with four units and a capacity of nearly two gigawatts, is located 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 towards Sudja. Unconfirmed reports suggest they advanced up to 15 kilometers towards the NPP.
19:38 Attacks in Kursk Region: European Gas Price Hits Yearly High
The price of European natural gas has risen to its highest level this year. The benchmark TTF futures contract for delivery next month increased by 5.7 percent to 38.78 euros per megawatt hour (MWh) in Amsterdam. Market participants are pointing 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 is currently reporting normal gas supplies.
19:08 Ukraine Evacuates Border Areas Near Russian Kursk
In light of heavy fighting in the Russian Kursk region, Ukrainian authorities have ordered evacuations from more settlements in the neighboring Sumy region. The measures affect 23 settlements, according to Sumy military governor 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 crossed the Ukrainian-Russian border towards the city of Sudja in the Kursk region and advanced several kilometers into Russian territory. Moscow reported around 1,000 Ukrainian soldiers equipped with heavy weapons. Kyiv has not yet commented on the events. Regular Russian shelling of border areas had already led local authorities to order evacuations from a 10-kilometer-wide border strip in May.
18:31 Jachin Criticizes Forced Release
Russian opposition figure Ilya Yachin, who was also released in the prisoner exchange, criticizes his forced release in an interview with "Der Spiegel": "I wasn't exchanged, I was violently expelled from my country." He wanted to stay in Russia, regardless of the risks. "The word of an opposition figure weighs more in Russia than abroad." He tells how he tried to deter other prisoners from going to war during his imprisonment. He managed to dissuade three, but 30 went to the front. "For the prisoners, the war became a game of Russian roulette. Big money, high risk." It's hard to counter this. Yachin regrets that the price for his freedom was the release of a murderer. "In Russia, people will continue to be put in prison to be exchanged later for criminals and spies."
17:55 Kara-Mursa: Earlier Exchange Could Have Saved Navalny
In an interview with "Die Zeit", Vladimir Kara-Mursa also says he believes that opposition figure Alexei Navalny, who died in a labor camp in February, might still be alive if the exchange had happened earlier. "I can't help but think: If everything had gone a bit faster and smoother, if the German government had less obstacles to overcome, if they had to react less to criticism and didn't have to convince so many people that this step was necessary, then Alexei might have been sitting with us on the plane."
17:43 Kara-Mursa: "I Was Sure They Would Shoot Me in the Woods"
Russian opposition politician Vladimir Kara-Mursa, who was released and brought to Germany as part of a large-scale prisoner exchange on August 1, says in an interview with "Die Zeit" that until the very last moment before his release, he was sure "they would bring me to my execution." In the night from July 27 to 28, his cell door was opened, he remembers. "The prison director and a convoy of men in civilian clothes were there. They said: You have 20 minutes to pack. I was sure they would take me to the woods and shoot me. But they took me to the airport."
17:12 Record: Ukrainian Border Guards Stop Truck with 48 Conscripts
Ukrainian border guards have stopped a truck carrying 48 conscripts in the south of the country, preventing them from fleeing into the Moldovan region of Transnistria controlled by pro-Russian forces. This number sets a new record, the agency reports. Drone footage shows several groups of men boarding the truck's cargo bed one after another, and the truck later being stopped by border guards. The arrests took place in the Odessa region, near the village of Chornobai, about ten kilometers from the border. The men allegedly paid the smuggler around 3,300 euros each. They now face not only a fine for attempted illegal border crossing, but also conscription into the Ukrainian army.
16:21 Russia: Up to 1000 Ukrainian Troops Involved in Border AttackAccording to the Russian General Staff, "up to 1000" Ukrainian soldiers were involved in the attack on the border region of Kursk in western Russia. Russian Chief of General Staff Valery Gerasimov announced this at a meeting with President Putin, broadcast on Russian television, following the start of the attack the previous day. "The enemy's deep penetration into our territory was stopped by strikes from the air force and artillery," Gerasimov added.
16:02 Von der Leyen: EU Provided 108 Billion Euros in Aid to Ukraine Since War BeganThe EU has provided 108 billion euros in aid to Ukraine since the start of the large-scale war, according to EU President Ursula von der Leyen. "The EU stands by Ukraine from day one of the Russian invasion," she wrote on X. "Ukraine will prevail in this survival war. And the EU will stand by Ukraine and its people for as long as necessary," she added.
15:32 Report: Ukrainian Soldier Killed in Russian CaptivityOleksandr Ischchenko, a soldier from the Azov Brigade who died in Russian captivity nine days ago, was likely killed. The 55-year-old Ukrainian died from blunt force trauma to the chest, according to a forensic report published by the deputy commander of the Azov Brigade, Sviatoslav Palamar. Palamar described Ischchenko's death as "another brutal murder of a Ukrainian POW." The report revealed that Ischchenko's death was due to multiple rib fractures and shock. Ischchenko, a 55-year-old from Mariupol, joined the Azov Brigade shortly after the invasion began. He was captured during the fighting in Mariupol in 2022 and was one of the 24 Ukrainians put on trial in Russia last year. He was being held in a prison in Rostov-on-Don.
14:44 Attacks on Kursk: Putin Calls it a "Large-Scale Provocation"Amid ongoing Ukrainian attacks on the western Russian border region of Kursk, Putin accuses Kyiv of a "large-scale provocation." "As you know, the Kyiv regime has carried out another large-scale provocation," Putin said in a televised meeting with government officials. "Ukraine is firing indiscriminately, using various weapons, at civilian buildings, residential homes, and ambulances."
14:25 Russian Defense Ministry Confirms Ongoing Clashes in KurskThe Russian Defense Ministry in Moscow confirms ongoing clashes in Kursk. "The operation to destroy Ukrainian military groups is continuing," the ministry said in a statement. Clashes have taken place in border towns against Ukrainian intruders. Yesterday, the ministry claimed that an attempt to break through the border had failed. Now, they say that a deep penetration into Russian territory has been prevented. According to the ministry, soldiers are fighting alongside border guards against the intruders in the area.
13:35 Russia: Thousands Flee Kursk - Putin Takes Charge
Thousands of people have fled the border towns in Russia's Kursk region that have been attacked by Ukrainian forces, according to official reports. Citizens have left their homes in private vehicles, said Alexei Smirnov, the acting governor, in a video message. Additionally, 200 people have been evacuated from the shelled towns in transport vehicles and buses. Smirnov said he had spoken with President Vladimir Putin about the situation overnight, and that the president had taken it under personal control. Emergency shelters with around 2,500 places have been set up, with psychologists also on site.
12:57 "Hidden by Occupiers" - Partisan Group Reports Discovery of Legendary Ship in Crimea
The pro-Ukrainian partisan group Atesh, active in the Russian-occupied Crimea, claims to have discovered two Russian ships. They are said to be landing ships of the Project 775 type, many of which have been sunk or damaged by Ukraine. "The occupiers hide their ships in the bays, hoping to save them," Atesh writes on Telegram. The two 775s are said to be located in the Kilen Bay. One of them is the well-known "Konstantin Olshansky," captured and stolen by the Russians in 2014. The legendary ship has a history with both conflict parties and was reportedly damaged in an attack a few months ago. It had previously served as a parts warehouse. The partisan group says it has shared the location information with the Ukrainian military. "There is no doubt that more ships will sink in the near future."
12:24 Russian Military Blogger Sentenced to Long Prison Term
In Russia, military blogger Andrei Kuchin has been sentenced to six and a half years in a labor camp. He was found guilty of spreading false information about the military, according to the investigative authorities. Kuchin ran the Telegram channel "Moscow Calling," which supported the goals of Russia's war against Ukraine. However, he criticized the way the military leadership was conducting the campaign. Analysts from the Institute for the Study of War described Kuchin at the time of his arrest in August 2023 as an "ultranationalist on the farthest edge" who had crossed the boundaries of acceptable criticism of Russian war efforts.
11:38 British Intelligence Comments on Sunk Russian Submarine
The UK's Ministry of Defence has issued an intelligence update regarding the sinking of the Russian submarine "Rostov-on-Don" off the coast of Crimea a few days ago. "Unlike some reports, the submarine was likely not fully repaired from a previous attack on Crimea in September 2023," the update from London states. The latest attack is "almost certainly the final chapter for the submarine, as it is likely more economical to build a replacement," the intelligence service says. It also notes a morale boost for Ukrainian forces, but it's unlikely to have significant impact on Russia's long-range attacks on Ukraine from the Black Sea fleet. "However, the attack highlights the increasing risks to Russian forces on Crimea and will likely force Russia to reconsider all plans to redeploy significant naval forces to the peninsula."
11:03 Strategy Shift or Diversion? Ukraine "uncertains the enemy" with unclear Kursk situation
The Ukrainian military is facing significant pressure in the Donetsk region, with Russians "advancing every day," according to ntv reporter Nadja Kriewald. Meanwhile, there are reports of Ukrainian advances in the north, but Kyiv is keeping the details vague.
10:34 Moscow Reports Injuries from Ukrainian Incursion into Russian Region Kursk
Russia's health ministry reports that 24 people, including six children, have been injured in a Ukrainian attack on the border region of Kursk, according to the state-owned Russian news agency Interfax.
10:07 Russia Attacks with Drones - Ukraine Reports Perfect Shoot-Down Rate
The Ukrainian air force claims to have shot down 30 Russian drones, all of which were reportedly launched by Russian troops overnight towards targets in seven regions.
09:29 ISW: Russia's Ex-Defense Minister Shoigu "Heavily Exaggerates" Territorial Gains
According to Russia's former defense minister, Sergei Shoigu, Russian forces have captured 420 square kilometers of Ukrainian territory since June 14. However, the Institute for the Study of War (ISW) calls this figure "heavily exaggerated" and estimates the actual figure to be 290 square kilometers, or roughly 0.05% of Ukraine's total territory of around 600,000 square kilometers. The Russian military has repeatedly inflated its territorial gains in Ukraine, often claiming to have captured villages that are largely or entirely destroyed. Despite recent setbacks, Russia's overall advance remains slow, with Ukrainian forces often withdrawing from areas to protect soldiers.
08:55 Russia: Kursk Targeted by Ukrainian Air Strikes AgainA day after Ukrainian attacks on the western Russian region of Kursk left several dead, the area has again been targeted by Ukrainian air strikes, according to regional authorities. Two Ukrainian missiles were shot down by air defense systems, Governor Alexei Smirnov said on Telegram. Yesterday, Russian authorities reported attempted attacks by Ukrainian forces in Kursk, involving around 300 soldiers, 11 tanks, and about 20 other armored vehicles.
08:22 Russia Intercepts Drones in Several Border RegionsRussia's air defense has intercepted 11 Ukrainian drones over Russian territory overnight, according to the defense ministry in Moscow. The affected regions are Kursk, Voronezh, Belgorod, and Rostov, all of which border Ukraine.
07:47 Pro-Ukrainian Channel Deepstate Wants Contact with Ukrainian Units in Russian KurskThe pro-Ukrainian military channel Deepstate also hints at a possible incursion into the Russian border region of Kursk. In a brief statement, it says it won't provide an update on the situation for the sake of the personnel's safety. "We are closely monitoring the events there, maintaining contact with some units, and will provide information as accurately as possible, but only when the time is right. Everyone feels like a strategist – that's normal – but for now, it's important not to hinder the boys and military leadership in decisions that could determine the fate of all."
07:06 Alleged Attack on Russian Region Kursk: Speculations about Right-Wing Russian UnitRussian military bloggers claim that the alleged incursion of Ukrainian troops into Russian territory involved the Russian Volunteer Corps (RDK). The Institute for the Study of War (ISW) finds no confirmation of this, and a source from the Ukrainian military intelligence service told the media Voice of Ukraine that the RDK was not involved. The Russian Volunteer Corps consists of Russian right-wing extremists and nationalists fighting on the Ukrainian side against Russia. In Kyiv, they have previously distanced themselves from the group, stating that it acts independently. The RDK has occasionally drawn attention with alleged incursions into Russian border regions, which critics have often dismissed as media stunts. According to ISW, another similar unit, the Legion for the Freedom of Russia, has not commented on its involvement. Both groups often report on their actions through their Telegram channels, but there are no indications of involvement in Kursk.
06:23 Ukrainian Troops Infiltrated Russian Territory? Possible Attack Raises Many Questions
The alleged incursion of Ukrainian troops into Russian territory near the Kursk border remains shrouded in mystery. According to the Institute for the Study of War (ISW), geolocated footage shows damaged and abandoned armored vehicles about seven kilometers north of the border. However, the ISW cannot confirm whether these armored vehicles are Russian, Ukrainian, or both. Similarly, the Russian Ministry of Defense's claim that the Achmat special unit of Chechnya was involved in repelling the attack cannot be confirmed. "Russian military bloggers published footage supposedly showing the aftermath of the alleged Ukrainian raids, although the majority of the damage shown is due to routine Ukrainian shelling and does not indicate ground activity in the area."
05:52 Ukraine Orders One Million Drones
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy says Ukraine is ramping up drone production as a crucial tool in its war effort. "We have already ordered one million drones from our manufacturers for this year," he says in his evening video address. Next year, the number should be significantly higher. "We are not disclosing all the details at this time, but our drone production capacity is increasing steadily, and we are working not only with state funds but also with partners to invest in our drone production." The increased use of unmanned aerial vehicles is due to the reluctance of Western partners to approve the use of heavy weapons they have supplied to the Ukrainian military against targets on Russian territory.
05:06 Russia Reports Five Civilians Killed in Clashes in Kursk
Five civilians, including two medics, were killed in a clash with Ukrainian soldiers in the Russian border region of Kursk, according to Russian reports. Governor Alexei Smirnov also reported at least 20 injured in a Telegram message. Two missiles were also launched over the region early in the morning.
02:30 Niger Cuts Diplomatic Ties with Ukraine
Following Mali, Niger has also severed diplomatic ties with Ukraine, citing alleged Ukrainian support for a rebel attack in Mali. At the end of July, Tuareg rebels claimed to have killed at least 84 Russian Wagner mercenaries and 47 Malian soldiers. They then released a photo supposedly showing them with the Ukrainian flag. However, investigations by the independent Russian investigative portal iStories suggest this is a montage. Ukrainian Foreign Minister Kuleba is currently traveling in southern African states and Mauritius to rally support for Kyiv's stance against Russia. Meanwhile, Russia is expanding its influence in Sahel states through the Wagner Group.
23:23 Russia: Ukrainian Attack on Kursk Repelled
Russia claims to have repelled Ukrainian advances on the Russian region of Kursk. "After suffering significant losses, the remnants of the sabotage group withdrew to Ukrainian territory," the Moscow Defense Ministry said. Russia employed artillery, combat aircraft, and drones to fend off the attack. Ukrainian military authorities in the Sumy region, on the other side of the border with the Russian region of Kursk, claim that Ukrainian forces destroyed a Russian ballistic missile, two drones, and a helicopter in the region. However, the Ukrainian General Staff's regular update report does not mention any Ukrainian attacks in the border region.
22:22 Kremlin Pressure - Activist Ends Protest for Return of Russian Soldiers
Amid increasing pressure from the Kremlin, a leading activist in the fight for the return of Russian soldiers from the front has withdrawn from public appearances. Maria Andreyeva, one of the leaders of the group "Put' Domoy" (Return Home), told the AFP news agency that she would stop her public appearances and "go underground." She explained on Telegram that she had been labeled a "foreign agent." "Foreign agents are not only disenfranchised but also deprived of their livelihood." The group "Put' Domoy" consists of wives and mothers who repeatedly urge Russian President Vladimir Putin to bring back their men and sons fighting in Ukraine. After initially tolerating or ignoring the demonstrators, the Kremlin has increasingly targeted them.
21:39 Zelensky: Ukraine Invests More in Domestic Rocket Program
Ukraine is allocating additional funds for its domestic rocket program, according to President Volodymyr Zelensky. The move aims to reduce the gap with Russia, which possesses a range of long-range weapons, Zelensky wrote on Telegram. "Additional funds have been allocated for our rocket program. More domestically produced rockets are coming." He did not provide further details. In July, the Ukrainian head of state said that Kyiv was working to reduce its dependence on rockets supplied by its allies, including those for air defense.
20:54 Russian Spy Couple Gives Interview After Release
Following their return to Russia as part of a large-scale prisoner exchange, a Russian spy couple have spoken publicly for the first time. "When I saw the honor guard from the window of the plane, I cried," Anna Dzhulueva recalled in an interview on Russian state television, describing the moment of her return to Russia. Dzhulueva lived in Slovenia for five years with her husband Artyom, posing as a Russian spy. Both were arrested in 2022. "We told the children that we are Russians, that they are Russians, and that we are the Dzhuluevs," said mother Anna Dzhulueva, who claimed to have only spoken Spanish with her children. Dzhulueva said she wants to "continue serving Russia."
20:04 Moscow Declares Moldovan Diplomat "Persona Non Grata"In response to the expulsion of a Russian diplomat due to a spy scandal, Moscow has declared a Moldovan diplomat "persona non grata," according to the Russian Foreign Ministry. The ministry stated that it had summoned the Ambassador of the Republic of Moldova to "strongly protest against the ongoing hostile steps" taken by Chisinau against Moscow. A member of the Moldovan embassy in Russia has been declared "persona non grata." Last week, Chisinau accused an employee of an unnamed embassy in the country of communicating with two officials suspected of conspiring against the Moldovan government and leaking information abroad. Shortly thereafter, the Russian diplomat was expelled from the country.
19:15 Shoigu: Window for Negotiations with Kyiv NarrowingFormer Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu urges Ukraine to initiate peace talks. "The window of opportunity for Ukraine is shrinking," says the Secretary of the Security Council on state television. The longer Ukraine hesitates, the more territory it will lose, he warns. Moscow has emphasized that negotiations can only take place if Ukraine cedes a fifth of its territory and abandons plans to join NATO. Ukraine rejects these conditions.
Catch up on previous developments here.
The Russian military has been reinforcing its protection of the Kursk Nuclear Power Plant due to the Ukrainian advance into the Russian border region, as Ukrainian troops supported by tanks and artillery crossed into Russian territory near Sudja. (from: 20:14 Fighting Nearby: Russia Reinforces Protection of Kursk NPP)
Military operations in the Kursk region have resulted in numerous casualties, with 24 people, including six children, injured in a Ukrainian attack on Kursk, according to Russia's health ministry. (from: 10:07 Russia Attacks with Drones - Ukraine Reports Perfect Shoot-Down Rate)
