At 14:36, Zelensky suggests that India may serve as the location for the forthcoming peace conference.
14:13 Pope Francis Critiques Orthodox Church Ban in Ukraine BanPope Francis criticized the ban of the Orthodox Church tied to Russia in Ukraine. Reviewing the law issued by President Volodymyr Zelensky, the Pope stated in his Sunday prayer: "No Christian church should be eliminated directly or indirectly. Churches must not be touched!" Ukraine justifies the ban due to the Moscow Patriarchate's backing of the Russian invasion. The Pope spoke to tens of thousands of believers in St. Peter's Square: "One doesn't sin by praying. If someone does wrong to their people, they are guilty. But they haven't sinned because they prayed."
13:43 "Gruteous War Crime" - Ukraine Condemns "Deliberate Assault" on Hotel in KramatorskThe Ukrainian Foreign Ministry condemned the Russian assault on a hotel in Kramatorsk where foreign journalists were staying. The spokesperson of the Foreign Ministry, Georgiy Tykhyi, announced this on X. "Last night, another gruesome and deliberate Russian attack struck the residential areas of Kramatorsk and harmed foreign media journalists in a hotel," the spokesperson wrote. According to Tykhyi, targeted attacks on media representatives have become a standard tactic of the Russian war. "These vicious war crimes must be condemned and punished," the Foreign Ministry spokesperson added.
13:14 After Russian Attacks on Sumy: Police Report 4 Casualties and 13 InjuredThe Russian military attacked the Ukrainian region of Sumy 261 times yesterday alone, according to local police. At least four individuals perished, and 13 were injured in the attacks on the northern region. As reported by the Ukrainian newspaper "Ukrainska Pravda", six residential buildings, 26 houses, an educational institution, outbuildings, cars, a gas pipeline, and shops were damaged. Moreover, dry grass in an area of approximately two hectares caught fire.
12:42 Zelensky Hammers Putin: "Ailing Old Man from Red Square"On Ukraine's Independence Day, President Volodymyr Zelensky not only unveiled the newly developed Ukrainian drone Palianytsia. The head of state also ridiculed the Russian leader Vladimir Putin in a video address: Zelensky referred to the Russian president as a "ailing old man from Red Square" due to his nuclear rhetoric. The 71-year-old is "an ailing old man from Red Square who continually threatens everyone with the red button," said Zelensky, "(he) will not dictate any of his red lines to us."
12:14 Ministry of Energy: Over 500 Ukrainian Communities Still Without Power After Attacks
Over 500 communities in Ukraine remain without power after Russian attacks on the country's energy infrastructure, the Ukrainian Ministry of Energy reports, according to the state news agency Ukrinform. The situation in the energy sector is challenging, but no restrictions have been imposed on consumers. The report says that technicians have already restored power to over 7,200 people. The ministry encourages citizens to use electricity sparingly and responsibly, especially in the evenings. Due to the massive attacks by Russian troops, the energy system has been severely damaged and is still extremely vulnerable to disruptions.
11:38 Ukraine: 160 Encounters with Russian Troops Along the Frontline in a Day
The Ukrainian side recorded 160 encounters along the frontline yesterday, the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine reported in the morning. Intense fighting took place in ten sectors, with the situation being most tense in the direction of Pokrovsk. According to the report, Russian troops initiated five attacks with 15 missiles and 95 attacks with 127 guided aerial bombs on Ukrainian positions, as well as cities and villages.
10:57 Reuters Journalist Missing After Rocket Attack on Hotel - Search in Debris Underway
Russian troops targeted a hotel in the eastern Ukrainian city of Kramatorsk last night, according to Ukrainian reports, leaving a Reuters journalist missing. Two others were injured. A statement from the news agency said that a six-member Reuters team was staying at the Hotel Sapphire when the attack occurred. The building was "obviously struck by a rocket" yesterday. "One of our colleagues is still missing, and two others have been transported to a hospital for treatment," the statement said. They are cooperating with authorities in Kramatorsk. The governor of the Donetsk region wrote on Telegram that "the Russians attacked Kramatorsk," injuring two journalists and leaving one missing. "Authorities, police, and rescue services are on the scene. Clearing the debris and rescue operations are underway." The Russian Ministry of Defense did not immediately respond to a request for comment. The Ukrainian Prosecutor General's Office said in a statement that "Russian troops attacked the city of Kramatorsk, likely using an Iskander-M missile," and has launched a "preliminary investigation" into the attack. The missile struck at 22:35 local time yesterday.
Update at 13:30: The number of injured Reuters journalists has been revised upwards to four, according to the head of the regional military administration of Donetsk, Wadym Filaschkin, via Telegram.
10:44 Air Force Commander: Almost All Russian Shahed Drones Intercepted and Destroyed Last Night
Ukraine's air defense forces performed exceptionally well last night, intercepting and destroying seven out of eight Russian Shahed drones, according to the state news agency Ukrinform, citing the commander of the Air Force, Mykola Oleschuk. Not only did the Ukrainian defenders intercept most of the kamikaze drones, but they also intercepted most of the missiles they fired.
10:20 Ukraine: Hotel in Kramatorsk hits by Russian shelling - Several Western journalists hurtSeveral Western journalists have reportedly been hurt, as per official reports, due to a Russian shelling incident in the eastern Ukrainian city of Kramatorsk during the night. A hotel was targeted, and two individuals were rescued with injuries, while another person is still trapped beneath the rubble. This information was shared by the governor of the Donetsk region, Vadym Filaschkin, via Telegram. It was noted that all the injured individuals are citizens of Ukraine, the USA, and the UK. The incident was confirmed by pro-Russian blogs, stating that Kramatorsk was targeted with heavy bombing using FAB-1500 type gliding bombs. However, it was also reported that a machine-building factory and several military objectives were also hit.
09:54 US exports to Russia face criticism: New US export regulations draw Chinese ireChina has expressed concern over the tightened regulations implemented by the US on numerous exporting entities from the country. The Chinese Ministry of Commerce stated that this move disrupts the international trade order and impairs normal trade exchange. In response to the decision made by the US government last Friday, which included 105 companies on a list of trade restrictions, the Ministry of Commerce vowed to take necessary measures to safeguard the legitimate rights of its businesses. These companies were targeted for various reasons, including transferring US electronics to the Russian military and manufacturing drones used by Russia in its invasion of Ukraine. These companies will now be required to obtain hard-to-get licenses.
09:29 ISW requests unlimited use of long-range missiles for UkraineThe US think tank Institute for the Study of War (ISW) is advocating for the universal approval of the use of long-range weapons on Russian territory by Ukraine. Despite the shift of air forces to the deeper rear, numerous military targets remain within the range of US ATACMS missiles, which Ukraine already uses, but not for attacks on Russian territory due to restrictions from Washington. The ISW estimates that over 250 military and paramilitary objectives in Russia are within range of the ATACMS missiles provided to Ukraine by the United States. However, only attacks with HIMARS multiple rocket launchers and GLMRS rockets are currently authorized. "This allows Ukraine to hit at most 20 of the 250 objectives," the ISW mentioned.
09:06 Kyiv announces 1190 Russian soldiers "neutralized" in one dayRussian personnel losses remain significant, according to official figures from Kyiv. Over 1190 Russian soldiers were reportedly killed or incapacitated within a single day in the ongoing conflict. According to the Ukrainian Ministry of Defense, over 607,680 Russian soldiers have been "neutralized" since the beginning of the conflict in February 2022. The ministry also announced that the enemy lost five more tanks (8,547) in addition to other assets. Since the start of the Russian invasion, Ukraine has reported over 16,600 armored vehicles and around 14,000 drones that are no longer in the possession of the Russian military or have been destroyed. These figures are unverifiable. Moscow, however, is silent regarding its own losses in Ukraine.
08:39 Ukrainian Air Force reports successful interception of most Russian missiles and dronesRussia launched several missiles and drones at the northern and eastern parts of Ukraine the previous night, according to Ukrainian sources. "Most missiles failed to reach their target," the air force reported. 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 downed missiles and drones was not disclosed. Meanwhile, eight out of nine Russian attack drones were destroyed.
08:08 Six individuals injured in overnight Russian rocket attack on KharkivThe number of casualties in an overnight Russian rocket strike on the Slobidsky district in the Kharkiv region has increased to six, as reported by the city's mayor, Ihor Terekhov, via Telegram, as reported by the state news agency Ukrinform.
07:32 Zelensky praises deployment of new Ukrainian-made Palianytsia rocket dronesUkrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky commended the new Palianytsia rockets developed in Ukraine. The Ukrainian leader stated that these rocket drones and other military innovations by Ukraine are essential for the country given the delays in decisions by some of its international partners. "Today, the first and successful combat deployment of our new weapon took place," he said, as reported by "Kyiv Independent". "A completely new class of Ukrainian rocket drone, Palianytsia."
06:55 Azov commander criticizes prisoner exchange: No Azov fighters among freed soldiersNo Azov soldiers were involved in the prisoner exchange between Russia and Ukraine the previous day, according to Ukrainian reports. Brigade Commander Denys Prokopenko reported this, citing Brigade Commander Denys Prokopenko. The commander of the Azov Regiment expressed his disappointment that none of the Azov fighters who have been held captive by Russia for over two years were included in the exchange.
06:14 Governor confirms five casualties in Ukrainian air strike on Russian border region of BelgorodFive individuals were reportedly killed and 12 injured, four seriously, in a Ukrainian air strike on the Russian border region of Belgorod the previous night, according to local authorities, as reported by the governor of the Belgorod region, Vyacheslav Gladkov. Three minors were also injured, with two requiring hospitalization. Ukraine has stepped up its attacks on Russian territory and advanced into the Kursk region bordering Belgorod in early August. Belgorod is frequently targeted by Ukrainian air and drone strikes in response to attacks from the Russian side.
05:47 Russia: Civilian Casualties from Ukrainian ShellingFive civilians lost their lives and 12 more got hurt due to an artillery attack in Rakitnoye, a city in southwestern Russia. Governor Vyacheslav Gladkov reported this on Telegram. The occurrence couldn't be independently confirmed, and Ukraine hasn't issued a statement regarding the incident yet.
04:26 Sumy Reports Rockets and InjuriesThe city of Sumy has been hit by rockets, according to the regional military administration. Two reported rocket strikes resulted in seven injuries, with two individuals in critical condition. Russia targeted Sumy's civilian infrastructure on Saturday night.
03:35 Kharkiv and Chuhuiv under Rocket AttackGovernor Oleh Synyehubov of the Kharkiv region alerts that the Russian military has launched rocket attacks on both Kharkiv and Chuhuiv. One person has been hurt, and a larger explosion has been reported in Kharkiv. The city's mayor, Ihor Terechov, confirms a massive explosion on Telegram. The cause of the blast is still unknown.
03:06 Ukraine Warns of Combat DronesAir raid sirens activated in the east and south of Ukraine during the nighttime. The Ukrainian air forces warn about a group of Shahed combat drones moving over the Black Sea towards the southern Ukrainian region of Mykolaiv. Increased Russian attacks are expected during Ukraine's Independence Day, which took place on Saturday. No major wave of attacks has materialized as yet.
01:32 Hungary Accuses EU of Halting Oil SuppliesHungary believes that the EU Commission might be responsible for interrupting Russian oil supplies. According to Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto, the EU Commission's refusal to aid in securing Hungary and Slovakia's energy supply implies an order from Brussels to Kyiv to disrupt Hungary and Slovakia's energy supply. The EU Commission initially refuses to comment on the matter. In June, Ukraine added the Russian oil producer Lukoil to the sanctions list and blocked the Druzhba pipeline, affecting countries like Hungary and Slovakia.
22:12 Russian Forces Injure Women in Kupiansk Village AttackRussian soldiers attacked the Novoosynove village in the Kupiansk district of the Kharkiv Oblast, injuring four women. After reporting the incident on Telegram, the head of the military administration of the Kharkiv region, Oleh Syniehubov, claimed that the attack occurred around 12:00. A private building was set ablaze in the incident, and the wounded were transported to a medical facility. An investigation into the event's aftermath is ongoing.
21:03 UK Defense Minister: Ukraine Faces a Long Odds Battle Against RussiaJohn Healey, the UK's Defense Minister, congratulates Ukraine on their Independence Day in a guest article on "European Pravda." "Thirty-three years ago today, Ukraine secured its independence, promising a brighter, more prosperous future as a sovereign democracy, liberated from Soviet Russia's control," Healey writes. Ukranians celebrate their Independence Day amidst a war, engaged in an existential struggle to remain a free and independent nation amidst Putin's unlawful invasion. "Ukraine has always been a significant underdog against Russia's larger forces and resources. Today, we honor the Ukrainian people," Healey writes. They continue to battle with tremendous courage, including both the military and the civilian population. Today, the UK launches a campaign, asking individuals across Britain and beyond to show their support for Ukraine publicly on social media by "Making Noise for Ukraine." As per Healey, alongside military and economic assistance, the UK also offers friendship and solidarity.
20:05 Zelensky Promotes Syrsky to GeneralUkrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has promoted Oleksandr Syrsky, the commander-in-chief of the Ukrainian Armed Forces, to the rank of General. This information was released in a decree issued by Zelensky. Previously, Syrsky held the rank of Colonel General. The promotion is in recognition of the achievements of Ukrainian forces in the Russian border region of Kursk.
You can find details of prior developments here.
The Military Operations of Ukraine's Armed Forces have been intense, with over 160 encounters along the frontline reported in a day. These operations have led to the interception and successful destruction of most Russian Shahed drones by Ukrainian air defense forces last night.
In the wake of these Military Operations, the Ukrainian Ministry of Energy is still dealing with the aftermath of Russian attacks on the country's energy infrastructure. Over 500 communities remain without power, and the situation is challenging, but no restrictions have been imposed on consumers.
