At 12:42, Zelensky derisively labels Putin as: "Ailing elderly figure from the Red Square"
12:14 Energy Ministry: Over 500 Ukrainian Towns Still Without Power After Attacks
Over 500 towns in Ukraine are powerless following Russian attacks on the nation's power grid, as reported by the Ukrainian Ministry of Energy through the state news agency Ukrinform. The energy sector is grappling with challenges, but no energy rationing measures have been implemented. Technicians have managed to restore electricity to over 7,200 individuals. The ministry advises citizens to use electricity prudently and responsibly, especially in the evenings. Due to the severe Russian assaults on the energy infrastructure, the power system is highly susceptible to disruptions.
11:38 Ukraine: 160 Skirmishes with Russian Troops Along the Frontline in a Day
The Ukrainian side documented 160 skirmishes along the frontline yesterday. Confrontations occurred in ten regions, with the most intense activity observed in the Pokrovsk sector, as mentioned by the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine in their morning briefing. Russian forces launched five assaults using 15 missiles and 95 assaults with 127 guided airborne bombs on Ukrainian positions, as well as urban areas and villages.
10:57 Reuters Staffer Goes Missing After Hotel Attack in Kramatorsk - Search Ongoing in Debris
A Russian assault on a hotel in the eastern Ukrainian city of Kramatorsk last night left one Reuters staffer missing and two others injured, according to Ukrainian sources. A six-person Reuters team was residing at the Hotel Sapphire when the attack transpired. The building appeared to have been hit by a rocket during the incident. "One of our team members is still missing, and two others were transported to the hospital for treatment," stated the news agency. They are collaborating with Kramatorsk authorities. The Donetsk region's governor, Vadym Filashkin, reported on Telegram that "Russian forces attacked Kramatorsk." Two journalists have been injured, and one is still missing. "The local authorities, police, and emergency services are on the scene. The evacuation and rescue operations are currently underway." The Russian Defense Ministry did not immediately respond to a request for comment. "Russian troops attacked the city of Kramatorsk, allegedly using an Iskander-M missile," stated a statement from the Ukrainian Prosecutor General's Office, adding that they have initiated a preliminary investigation into the incident. The missile struck at 22:35 local time yesterday.
10:44 Air Defense Forces successfully intercepted and destroyed seven out of nine Russian Shahed drones last night
Ukraine's air defense forces appear to have demonstrated exceptional performance last night: seven out of nine Russian Shahed drones were successfully intercepted and destroyed by Ukrainian air defense forces, according to state news agency Ukrinform, citing Air Force Commander Mykola Oleschuk. Not only were most of the kamikaze drones intercepted and destroyed, but the air defense forces also shot down the majority of the rockets they launched.
10:20 Ukraine: Hotel in Kramatorsk targeted - several Western journalists injured
Several Western journalists were injured in a Russian assault on the eastern Ukrainian city of Kramatorsk overnight, according to official sources. A hotel was hit, and two people were rescued with injuries, leaving one person trapped beneath the rubble, wrote the Donetsk region's governor, Vadym Filashkin, on Telegram. "All three victims are journalists, citizens of Ukraine, the USA, and the UK." The attack was confirmed in pro-Russian media, which stated that Kramatorsk was attacked with heavy glide bombs of the FAB-1500 type. However, it was reported that a machine-building factory and several military installations were targeted.
09:54 US electronics sales to Russia: New US export restrictions face criticism from China
China has criticized the new export restrictions imposed by the US on dozens of exporters worldwide. The measures are claimed to disrupt the international trade order and hinder normal trade exchanges, as stated by the Chinese Ministry of Commerce. China will implement necessary measures to safeguard the legitimate rights of its companies. The Chinese Ministry of Commerce responded to the US government's decision last Friday, which placed 105 companies – 42 Chinese, 63 Russian, and 18 from other countries – on a list of trade restrictions. They were targeted for various reasons, such as transferring US electronics to the Russian military and manufacturing thousands of drones used by Russia in its invasion of Ukraine. These companies will now be required to obtain hard-to-obtain licenses.
09:29 "250 targets within range" for Ukraine: ISW urges unrestricted use of long-range missiles
The US think tank Institute for the Study of War (ISW) is urging the full authorization of Ukraine's use of long-range weapons on Russian territory. Despite the deployment of air forces to the rear, numerous military targets remain within the range of US ATACMS missiles, which Ukraine already possesses but is forbidden from using on Russian territory due to Washington's guidelines. "The ISW estimates that at least 250 military and paramilitary targets in Russia are within the range of the ATACMS missiles supplied to Ukraine by the US," according to a recent analysis. However, only attacks using HIMARS multiple rocket launchers and GLMRS rockets are currently authorized. "This allows Ukraine to target at most 20 of the 250 objectives," the ISW stated.
09:06 Kyiv: 1190 Russian Forces Knocked Out in a DayData from Kyiv highlights significant losses on the Russian side: 1190 Russian soldiers have either been killed or rendered incapacitated within a day. As per the Ukrainian Ministry of Defense, a total of 607,680 Russian forces have met their end since the conflict began in February 2022. Furthermore, the ministry declares that the adversary has also lost five additional tanks (8547 in total). From the start of the Russian invasion, Ukraine has reported the capture or destruction of over 16,600 armored vehicles and around 14,000 drones by the Russian military. These figures are unverified independently. Moscow remains tight-lipped regarding its own losses in Ukraine.
08:39 Ukrainian Air Defense: Majority of Russian Missiles and Drones Thwarted OvernightUkraine claims that Russia dispatched multiple missiles and drones towards the northern and eastern parts of the country throughout the night. "The majority of missiles failed to hit their targets," the air defense stated. Russia employed a ballistic missile of the Iskander-M type, a cruise missile of the Iskander-K type, and six guided missiles. The number of those destroyed wasn't disclosed. Meanwhile, eight out of nine Russian attack drones were shot down.
08:08 Kharkiv: Rocket Attack on Kharkiv Oblast Injures SixThe number of casualties from a Russian rocket attack in Kharkiv Oblast's Slobidsky district has risen to six, according to a Telegram update from Kharkiv Mayor Ihor Terekhov, as reported by the state news agency Ukrinform.
07:32 Zelensky Commends Deployment of Newly Produced Ukrainian Rocket DronesUkrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky applauded the debut of the Palyanytsia rockets produced domestically. The Ukrainian leader emphasized the importance of these rocket drones and other military innovations for the country, given delays in decisions by some of its international partners. "Today, our new weapon made its first and successful combat debut," he said, according to "Kyiv Independent". "A completely new class of Ukrainian rocket drone, Palyanytsia."
06:55 Azov Commander Lashes Out at Prisoner Exchange: No Azov Fighters Among Released SoldiersNo Azov soldiers were part of the prisoner exchange between Russia and Ukraine on the previous day, according to Ukrainian reports citing Brigade Commander Denys Prokopenko. "Kyiv Independent" reports that the commander of the Azov Regiment expressed dissatisfaction with the latest prisoner exchange, bemoaning that none of the Azov fighters, who have been held captive by Russia for over two years, were included.
06:14 Governor: Five Killed in Ukrainian Airstrike on Russian Border Region BelgorodA Ukrainian airstrike on the Russian border region of Belgorod during the night reportedly resulted in five civilian casualties. Twelve individuals were injured, with four suffering severe wounds, according to Governor Vyacheslav Gladkov. Three minors, two of whom were hospitalized, are among the injured. Ukraine has recently ramped up its attacks on Russian territory and pushed into the Kursk region bordering Belgorod in early August. Belgorod has been repeatedly targeted by Ukrainian air and drone strikes in retaliation for assaults from the Russian side.
05:47 Russia: Civilians Killed in Ukrainian ShellingFive civilians lost their lives, and twelve more were injured in an artillery strike in the city of Rakitnoe in southwestern Russia, according to the region's governor, Vyacheslav Gladkov, via Telegram. The information cannot be independently verified, and Ukraine has remained silent on the matter.
04:26 City of Sumy Reports Rocket Hits and InjuriesThe city of Sumy has experienced rocket attacks, according to the regional military administration. Two rocket impacts have been reported, with seven individuals injured, two severely. Russia assaulted Sumy's civilian infrastructure on Saturday evening.
03:35 Kharkiv: Rocket Assault on Two CitiesThe governor of the Kharkiv region, Oleh Synyehubov, warns that the Russian military has launched rocket attacks on the cities of Kharkiv and Chuhuiv. One person is currently injured. A larger explosion has been reported in Kharkiv. Kharkiv Mayor Ihor Terechov shares this information on Telegram, urging caution among the populace. The cause of the explosion is unknown at present.
03:06 Ukrainian Air Defense Warns of Combat DronesAlerts are sounding in eastern and southern Ukraine throughout the night. The Ukrainian air force issues a warning, including reports of a fleet of Shahed combat drones heading towards the southern Ukrainian region of Mykolaiv from over the Black Sea. Intensified Russian assaults are anticipated around Ukrainian Independence Day, which fell on Saturday. As of yet, there's been no appearance of a larger attack wave.
01:32 Hungary Accuses EU of Halting Oil SuppliesHungary suspects the European Union of being behind the disruption of Russian oil supplies. "The European Commission's refusal to aid in securing Hungary's and Slovakia's energy supply suggests that the instructions came from Brussels to Kiev to create problems with Hungary's and Slovakia's energy supply," says Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto. The European Commission initially declines to comment. In June, the Ukraine added the Russian oil company Lukoil to its sanctions list and blocked the Druzhba pipeline, which also passes through Ukrainian territory. This has primarily cut off countries like Hungary and Slovakia from their main oil supplier.
22:12 Russian Forces Harm Four Villagers in Assault on Settlement in KupianskRussian military forces assaulted the settlement of Novoosynove in the Kupiansk region within the Kharkiv Oblast, causing harm to four women, as reported by Oleh Syniehubov, the administrator of the Kharkiv area's military. "At about 12:00 PM, the attackers targeted the settlement of Novoosynove in the Kupiansk region. As a consequence of the assault, a private property went up in flames," Syniehubov mentioned. Those injured received medical attention. Inquiries into the aftermath of the attack are continuing.
21:03 UK Secretary of Defense Ponders Upon Ukraine's Perseverance Against Russia's MightJohn Healey, the UK's Defense Secretary, commemorates Ukraine's Independence Day in a guest posting on "European Pravda". "Exactly 33 years ago, Ukraine gained its independence. It pledged a brighter, more prosperous future as a sovereign democracy, free from the grasp of the Soviet Russian regime," Healey stated. Today, Ukrainians are celebrating their Independence Day amidst a conflict. It is a battle for survival to maintain their nation's freedom and independence in the face of Putin's ferocious, unlawful invasion. "Ukraine has consistently fought the odds against Russia's considerably larger military forces and resources. Today, we honor the Ukrainian people," Healey penned. They continue to defend their homeland with remarkable bravery, both the armed forces and the civilian populace. The British must assure their Ukrainian allies that they will remain steadfast in their support for as long as necessary. Therefore, the UK is initiating a campaign today, encouraging individuals throughout Britain and beyond to display support for the Ukrainians. "On social media, we implore you to 'Make Some Noise for Ukraine' and share relevant posts. Besides the military and economic assistance we provide Ukraine, we have also offered our friendship and solidarity," Healey said.
20:05 Zelensky Advances Syrsky to General RankUkrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has granted Oleksandr Syrsky, the chief commander of the Ukrainian Armed Forces, a promotion to the rank of general, according to a declaration from Zelensky. Previously, Syrsky held the rank of colonel general. The advancement is attributed to the recent successes of Ukrainian troops in the Russian border district of Kursk.
You can read all previous developments here.
The President of the Council discussed the energy crisis in Ukraine during a meeting, expressing concern over the ongoing Russian attacks on the nation's power grid.
Despite the efforts of technicians and the advice to use electricity prudently, The President of the Council highlighted that over 500 towns in Ukraine remain without power, causing significant challenges for the affected communities.
