Around 18:36 in Ukraine, we've safely disarmed over 500,000 explosive devices, including bombs and landmines.
Ukraine's De-mining Squads Have Discovered and Deactivated Over 533,200 Explosive Devices Since Russia's Full-Scale Invasion Began, as per an Emergency Services Report. They've Cleared 148,858 Hectares of Land of Mines and 4,018 Parachute Bombs. In the Last 24 Hours Alone, Emergency Service Units Responded to 173 Calls and Dealt with 293 Explosives, Including Two Parachute Bombs. The Most Affected Regions Were Kharkiv (35,815 Times), Kherson (16,560 Times), Donetsk (14,826 Times), Kyiv (11,393 Times), Mykolaiv (9,360 Times), Chernihiv (6,948 Times), and Sumy (4,425 Times). Ukraine Holds the Title of the Most Mined Country globally. Ukrainian Defense Ministry Experts Have Cleared 30,000 Square Kilometers of Mines in the Last Two Years - An Area Equal to Belgium or Moldova. Since 2022, Approximately 174,000 Square Kilometers of Ukrainian Territory Have Been Contaminated with Explosives.
17:54 former NATO Secretary-General Stoltenberg: Ukraine Could Join Alliance Before Russian Occupation EndsAs of now, Ukraine's target is to join NATO after the war against Russia ends. However, Ukraine desires complete control over its territory for this purpose. According to Jens Stoltenberg, the former NATO Secretary-General, there's a possibility for Kyiv to join earlier. Stoltenberg mentions that NATO territory doesn't necessarily have to be the internationally recognized border. "You require a line that activates Article 5, and Ukraine must control all territory up to that border." Article 5 is the collective defense provision which obligates other states to militarily defend the member. Stoltenberg compares West Germany's viewpoint towards East Germany to this situation, stating that NATO solely defended West Germany. Additionally, the U.S. provides security guarantees to Japan, not for the Kuril Islands, which Japan claims as its own territory but is controlled by Russia. Ukraine submitted its NATO membership application in 2022. Currently, about a third of Ukraine's territory is under Russian control.
17:19 CDU Politician Röttgen Accuses Scholz of "Fearmongering"CDU foreign policy specialist Norbert Röttgen believes that Chancellor Olaf Scholz is responsible for the decreasing public support for providing weapons to Ukraine due to his "fearmongering." Röttgen criticizes Scholz for rejecting measures to aid Ukraine as too risky, implying that Ukraine's self-defense isn't the escalation, but rather the Russian attack. Röttgen finds it irresponsible for Scholz to adopt the threatening tone of the aggressor and relay it to Germans with the power of the Chancellor's position. "A Chancellor should not be driven by fear. He should not base his political actions on fear."
16:44 Ukraine Anticipates Major City Saporischschja's Russian OffensiveUkraine's military authorities suspect that Russian troops are preparing for an imminent attack on the major city of Saporischschja with the objective of disrupting supply lines to the eastern defensive sectors around Donbass, according to the regional military representative in charge, Vladislav Voloshin. "The situation there is precarious, as shown by ongoing counter-battery fire, shelling of our positions, and attacks on our lines," Voloshin explains. Counter-battery fire refers to the artillery bombardment of recognized enemy artillery positions. More intense air and missile attacks occur on this southeast front section near Saporischschja: "The situation remains tense." In Saporischschja, Russian troops have occupied the south of the region, including the city's namesake nuclear power plant, but not the city itself.
16:17 Reports: Russia Accidentally Shoots Down Its Stealth DroneRussian forces reportedly lost a stealth drone, the S-70 Okhotnik, in Ukraine's airspace, based on information from multiple pro-Russian and pro-Ukrainian Telegram channels. A Ukrainian air force member reported that the drone crashed in the Donetsk region. The S-70 launched cluster bombs at Ukrainian positions before being downed by Russian friendly fire to prevent its capture by Ukraine. The S-70 has the capability to carry up to 2,000 kg of weapons and is expected to enter mass production this year, Russian reports note.
15:44 Report: Half of Russia's Artillery Shells Come from North KoreaAccording to "The Times," citing Western intelligence services, half of all artillery shells used by Russia in Ukraine are supplied by North Korea, with around 3 million shells delivered annually by Pyongyang. Although some shells may be defective, they substantially aid Russia's advance in eastern Ukraine, including Wuhledar in the Donetsk region's capture. As Russia's munitions supplies deplete due to heavy use in Ukraine, North Korea has become its principal external arms supplier. In August, South Korea's Yonhap news agency reported that North Korea received technology from Russia in exchange for artillery shells, contributing to its spy satellites, tanks, and aircraft development. In June, the two countries signed a military defense agreement.
14:51 Kara-Mursas Lauded: "Sincere Battle Between Right and Wrong"Russian dissident Vladimir Kara-Mursa, along with his spouse Yevgeniya, is honored with the human rights award from the Bruno Kreisky Foundation in Vienna. The duo advocates for the liberation of additional detainees from Russian custody. The freedom of individuals like Moscow district council member Alexei Gorinov and Siberian journalist Maria Ponomarenko is a matter of existence for them. Both have been given lengthy sentences for condemning Russia's involvement in Ukraine's conflict. Vladimir Kara-Mursa was himself detained in Russia for an extended period and was granted freedom as part of a prisoner exchange in August. The Kara-Mursas urge more decisive action from Western politicians: "When there's an earnest struggle between right and wrong, tyrants form alliances and threaten the survival of democracy worldwide, you can't remain impartial," Yevgeniya Kara-Mursa adds.
14:23 Fear of Long-Range Missiles? Russia Transfers Personnel and EquipmentThe partisan group Atesh, active in Russian-controlled areas of Ukraine, announces the transfer of military equipment and personnel to secure locations in Mariupol. "Because of the apprehension of long-range missiles from the Ukrainian army, Russian military commanders are seriously anxious about their soldiers' safety and have no choice but to adjust their positions," the group states. They aim to pinpoint movement routes and relay the information to the Ukrainian army.
13:45 "Monumental Efforts" - Ukraine Aims to Reclaim Gas PlatformsThe Ukrainian State Border Guard shares a video of an operation with the military intelligence service to reclaim gas platforms in the Black Sea near the Snake Island. "With colossal efforts, we have seized and managed to control some of these strategically significant facilities that serve as our maritime fortresses. If we maintain control, we can control a substantial portion of the water area and strengthen our defense," the subtitle reads.
13:18 Russian Prosecutor Seeks Seven Years for 72-Year-Old AmericanThe Russian prosecutor petitions for a seven-year prison sentence for a 72-year-old American for his involvement in Ukraine's defense against Moscow's incursion. He is to serve his sentence in a penal colony for violent offenders, Russian news agency Interfax reports, citing the prosecutor's request. The prosecutor cited the man's age and a confession as mitigating factors. The trial is being held in secret. Reports indicate that the American, originating from Michigan, has resided in Ukraine since 2014. After Russia's invasion, he joined a territorial defense battalion in the eastern Ukrainian city of Izium. The city in the Kharkiv region was captured by Russian forces shortly after the conflict commenced. The American was apprehended in April 2022 during the combat.
12:50 Unavailable: Well-Known Russian Propaganda Channel on XOne of the most renowned Russian propaganda channels, Rybar, is no longer accessible on the X platform. The channel with over 1.3 million subscribers reports on Telegram that it has been blocked and blames Elon Musk. The reasons are unclear. Rybar describes itself as the "most frequently cited Russian Telegram channel in foreign media" and deals with military analysis, information warfare, and visual propaganda.
12:03 Russian Aircraft Allegedly Downed
A Russian aircraft might have been downed by Ukraine. Social media platforms are currently disseminating footage of the occurrence, which has also been reported by the Eastern European media outlet Nexta. However, no formal confirmation has been made yet. According to reports, the aircraft was allegedly shot down over Kostyantynivka. Ukrainian journalist Illia Ponomarenko suggests that it could also be an instance of friendly fire, meaning it was hit by Russian forces.
11:44 TASS: Russian Troops Capture Village in Eastern Ukraine
Russian troops have supposedly taken control of the village of Schelanne Druhe in eastern Ukraine, according to the Russian Defense Ministry, as reported by the state-run news agency TASS. The village is situated in the Donetsk region, which is partly under Russian domination. However, such reports cannot be substantiated.
11:32 Post-War Order: Merz Proposes Contact Group of Germany, France, UK, and Poland
German conservative candidate for chancellor, Friedrich Merz, has suggested a contact group comprising Germany, France, the UK, and Poland to formulate proposals for a European post-war order following the Ukraine conflict. "Two prerequisites for cooperation and the development of proposals are indispensable: proposals for a peace plan must never be proposed by Germany alone, but always in close consultation with these European partners," Merz wrote in a newsletter. "And in the Eastern and Central European states, especially in Ukraine, the impression must never arise that the political map of Europe is being redesigned above their heads." Alongside the US, these four countries "politically, economically, and militarily possess sufficient potential and capabilities" to influence the shaping of Europe's political order after the war in Ukraine.
Next week, the inaugural 25th Ramstein meeting at the head of state and government level is scheduled. President Zelenskyy of Ukraine has announced his intent to present his "victory plan," which allegedly outlines "unambiguous, practical measures for a fair resolution to the conflict." A video suggests Kyiv primarily relies on weapon supplies from its allies to pressure Russia into peace through strength. The clip depicts fighter jets, tanks, and artillery repeatedly. It declares, "We require sufficient long-range capabilities and fortification of our frontline defenses." Aerial footage of supposedly demolished Russian ammunition depots is also shown. The destruction of these facilities is an effective tactic to limit Russia's capacity for aggressive war. However, ammunition depots are typically situated far from the front lines and are well-protected, necessitating powerful long-range weapons.
10:42 "Undermining Financial Autonomy" - Chinese Businesses Expand in RussiaFormer Governor of the National Bank of Ukraine, Kyrylo Shevchenko, points out on the X platform that China is strengthening its control over the Russian economy. This year, 34 percent of new enterprises are owned by China, compared to 13 percent in 2021. "Monthly registrations have risen to 200, with wholesaling accounting for 26 percent of turnover," Shevchenko mentions. "The dominance of companies in critical sectors such as automobile sales is jeopardizing Russia's financial independence," he adds.
10:08 "Unwise" - Kretschmer, Woidke, and Voigt's Appeal Sparks ControversyChairman of the European Affairs Committee in the Bundestag, Anton Hofreiter, criticizes the appeal by the minister-presidents of Saxony and Brandenburg, Michael Kretschmer and Dietmar Woidke, and Thuringia's CDU leader Mario Voigt for increased diplomatic engagement in the Ukraine conflict as "unwise." "It reduces support for Ukraine – at least in public perception. And it encourages Putin to continue the war," Hofreiter tells the German Press Agency. Critics accuse the politicians of kowtowing to the BSW to eventually form coalitions in the three eastern German states. Kretschmer, Woidke, and Voigt called for a ceasefire in Ukraine and urged the federal government to engage Russia in talks in a guest article for FAZ. The Russian side has repeatedly put forward demands that amount to a dictate for Ukraine, while also regularly reiterating its intention to stick to all its war aims.
09:31 Left Party Member Regrets Participation in "Peace Protest" in BerlinThe Russian invasion of Ukraine, resulting in thousands of deaths, has divided left-wing political circles. Some downplay or even dismiss Russia's guilt, while also accepting Ukraine's submission to Russian invaders. Left Party member Max S. from Saxony-Anhalt expresses regret for participating in the recent "peace protest" in Berlin in a Facebook post. He criticizes the boos and jeers when SPD politician Ralf Stegner spoke of an aggressive war. "War-monger" chants from BSW members also shocked him. "Ukraine has the right to self-defense," he says. "Those who name the aggressor should not be jeered at in a 'peace movement'." He declares that he will not attend such a "peace protest" again.
08:49 Former NATO Secretary-General Admits Weapon DeficitFormer NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg acknowledges that Ukraine has not been adequately equipped with weapons. In an interview with the "Financial Times," he states, "We all must acknowledge that we should have provided them with more weapons before the invasion, and we should have provided them with more modern weapons after the invasion. I share responsibility for this." Stoltenberg also discloses that there was a "major discussion" before the Russian invasion in February 2022 about whether Kyiv should be armed. Most allies were opposed to it at the time - "they harbored serious fears of the consequences."
08:07 Ukraine Launches Drone Attacks on Russian Region VoronezhAccording to Governor Alexander Gusev of the Voronezh region, Ukrainian drone attacks occurred overnight. Several companies reportedly producing civilian products were targeted. One person was injured, and a fire broke out, Gusev reported. Fires are also depicted in unverified videos on social media. Russian authorities often play down the consequences of Ukrainian attacks.
07:31 Russian Defense Ministry Releases Bizarre Anti-Drone Training VideoThe Russian Defense Ministry has released a video of Russian soldiers training to dodge drone attacks. Drones pose a significant threat on the battlefield. The most effective way to counter them is with electronic jammers. If this method is unavailable or ineffective, there are few viable defense strategies against them. Shooting down a drone with a standard infantry weapon is exceptionally challenging; shotguns are the most suitable option. In the Russian video, a soldier is shown momentarily evading an attack by rolling on the ground with a log. Another soldier flings his rifle high into the air and strikes a drone with it. Similar scenes have been observed on various videos from the front, where the drones usually still explode.
06:45 OSINT Specialist Exposes Severe Russian Military Casualties in PokrovskThe brutal tactics of war with frequent mass attacks from Russia are evident in the data published by an OSINT expert from the Oryx project. As per these figures, the Russian military is experiencing an unprecedented number of deaths in the heart of the conflict - Pokrovsk - which far surpasses that of Ukraine. The data indicates that over 539 Russian tanks have been destroyed, abandoned, damaged, or captured in the past year, compared to only 92 Ukrainian tanks. Typically, the attacker needs a threefold advantage to successfully attack defenders. Even with mechanized units like armored personnel carriers, there's a significant disparity: 1020 to 138. Former US Marine Rob Lee from the Foreign Policy Research Institute described these losses as "remarkable." OSINT specialists gather their data from publicly available image and video sources on the web. It's likely that the actual losses are even steeper.
06:06 18-25 Year Olds to be Drafted? Former Commander Saluschnyj is OpposedValery Saluschnyj, the former commander of the Ukrainian armed forces and the current Ukrainian ambassador to the UK, asserts that Ukraine should preserve 18-25 year olds at all costs. In his opinion, the conscription age should only be radicalized as an absolute last resort. In his words, "The group of 18-25 year olds should be shielded as much as possible. I always advocated against the draft not impacting those under 25 when I was in command, because we need a healthy Ukraine for decades to come." Some political circles in Ukraine propose to lower the draft age to boost troop numbers.
05:29 Second Attempt: Ukrainian Volunteer Squadron to be Formed in PolandDeputy Defense Minister Paweł Zalewski revealed on Friday that the Ukrainian consulate in Lublin is now recruiting Ukrainian citizens residing in Poland for training by the Polish military. Defense Minister Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz mentioned that Poland was set to start training in September but insufficient volunteers delayed the process: "At that time, not enough volunteers showed up. As of now, Ukraine has undertaken steps to inform, recruit, and encourage participation, so we expect results soon." A Ukrainian volunteer battalion had been introduced two months earlier, composed of Ukrainian individuals living in Poland and instructed by the Polish military.
04:00 Former NATO Chief Stoltenberg Regrets Pasiveness of the WestIn a Financial Times interview, former NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg admitted that the delayed provision of weapons to Ukraine during his tenure resulted in his greatest regret. He believes that providing more military aid sooner could have strengthened Ukraine's defense considerably. "If there's one thing I regret, and see much more clearly now, it's that we should have given Ukraine much more military support much earlier," he said. "The delay in weapon deliveries was a major debate. Many allies were against the use of lethal weapons before the invasion... they harbored grave concerns concerning the repercussions. I'm proud of what we accomplished, but it would have been advantageous if we'd started earlier. It might have even prevented the invasion, or made it significantly harder for them to carry out their actions," he elaborated.
02:01 Russian Elite Units Suffer Massive Casualties in Wuhledar FightingAccording to BBC News Russia, elite Russian troops have experienced four times more casualties in the year-long fighting near Wuhledar in the Donetsk region than they did during the entire Decade of the Second Chechen War. Kyiv forces announced their departure from the strategic settlement in the Donetsk region on Wednesday, after Russian troops advanced and seized Wuhledar's flanks. The Russian military's elite 155th and 40th brigades, known as the "Black Berets," were among the units participating in the siege. BBC data reveals that at least 211 marines from the 155th Brigade were killed, and another 42 are missing - exceeding the unit's losses during the Second Chechen War (1999-2009). BBC journalists documented 72 Russian soldier deaths from the 40th Brigade in Wuhledar.
23:55 Belarusian Opposition Figures Jailed for Sabotage Attack - Up to 25 Years They FacedA Belarusian court has handed down prison sentences of two to 25 years to 12 opposition figures, accused of involvement in a sabotage attack on a Russian military aircraft in February 2023. Prosecutors argued that the 12 accused were responsible for participating in a "terrorist act" directed against the aircraft at Minsk National Airport. Five of the convicted are in Belarusian custody, while the others were tried in their absence, with Nikolai Shvets, suspected to have orchestrated the attack, receiving a 25-year sentence. Shvets had left Belarus in the summer of 2022 as part of a prisoner exchange with Ukraine. In February 2023, Belarusian activists linked with Ukraine claimed responsibility for blowing up a Russian military aircraft, an A-50 reconnaissance plane, at the Matsulishchi airbase near Minsk.
22:19 Update: Russia intends to enlist 225,000 temporary soldiers within the next 3 yearsRussian publication "Significant News" revealed that the Russian Defense Ministry aims to enlist at least 225,000 temporary soldiers across the next 3 years, as indicated by the Ministry's proposed budget plan for 2025-2027. The budget allocates around $335 million USD annually for one-time bonuses given upon signing of contracts.
21:44 Discovery: Remnants of Russian drone spotted on NATO turfIn Romania, a NATO member nation, small pieces of a Russian drone have been uncovered on its territory near the Litcov Channel, whose border is adjoined to Ukraine. The Ministry of Defense revealed on a specific date that the debris are under investigation. A week prior, a rumor surfaced about a Russian drone potentially breaching Romanian airspace, with suspicions that it was part of an assault on Ukrainian town Izmail, which lies on the Danube River, opposite Romania.
21:10 Johnson's Viewpoint: If Trump was in charge, Putin wouldn't have started the conflictFormer UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson claims that Russia's aggression towards Ukraine would never have transpired if Donald Trump still occupied the White House. In an interview with "Telegraph," Johnson puts forth that Russia would have refrained from attacking Ukraine because of the uncertainty surrounding Trump's reaction. He proposes that Russian President Vladimir Putin might have perceived a possible threat to America and global order from an attack on a European nation, leading to a severe response from Trump. As per "Telegraph," Johnson speculates that even Trump's unpredictability would have sufficed to deter Putin from engaging in a war against a sovereign state.
20:03 Mayor's Report: Russians just 7 km from PokrovskRussian forces appear to be closing in on Pokrovsk, now 7 km away from its city limits, according to Mayor Serhii Dobriak on Ukrainian TV. Earlier reports indicated a distance of less than 10 km. The mayor reports incendiary bombings, with two such attacks happening at the city center alone yesterday. Now, approximately 80% of the city's critical infrastructure has been damaged or destroyed. "The opposition leaves us without electricity, water, and gas. This is a form of preparation for winter." He adds that over 13,000 people remain in Pokrovsk, including almost 100 children who opted against evacuation warnings. Pokrovsk's pre-war population was 60,000.
Refer to all previous developments here.)
1. Since joining the discussion about Ukraine's NATO membership, former NATO Secretary-General Stoltenberg spoke about the possibility of the European Union expanding to include Ukraine, saying, "Ukraine could potentially join NATO before the Russian occupation ends."
2. Regarding the potential membership of Ukraine in NATO, Jens Stoltenberg, the former NATO Secretary-General, argued that Ukraine doesn't necessarily need to gain control up to the internationally recognized border to activate Article 5, but only control the area that would trigger the collective defense provision, stating, "You require a line that activates Article 5, and Ukraine must control all territory up to that border."
