At 15:50, Selensky unveils Ukraine's debut of its homemade drone-mounted missile system.
15:31 Ukrainian Refugees Maintain Eligibility as Late Arrivals
Per the Federal Interior Ministry, Ukrainian refugees will preserve their potential eligibility as late immigrants. This will now be secured by a corresponding decree, announced State Secretary Juliane Seifert from the Federal Interior Ministry during the "Homeland Day" event of the Federal Association of Expellees (BdV) in Berlin. For refugees from the war-torn country invaded by Russia nearly three years ago, this ruling will apply retroactively from the day the conflict began, she mentioned further. Individuals who had earlier been denied late immigrant status due to their flight from the conflict can now reclaim their claim and submit their application anew, provided they meet the additional legal requirements as stated by the Federal Expellee Act.
14:56 Zelensky Warns Putin: Russia Might Transform into a "Buffer Federation"
In his address on Ukraine's Independence Day, President Volodymyr Zelensky highlighted the people's determination for freedom. "We will not allow the land to transform into a gray zone where the blue and yellow flag (Ukraine's national flag) will continue to fly legally," Zelensky stated. The Ukrainians will retaliate against the aggressor with every atrocity - proportionally, Zelensky warned. He advised caution to anybody aiming to transform Ukraine into a buffer zone, lest their country becomes a "buffer federation," addressing Russian President Vladimir Putin regarding the counteroffensive in the Kursk region.
14:28 Russian Attack Claims Five Lives in Eastern Ukraine
At least five civilians were reportedly killed in a Russian attack in eastern Ukraine this morning, as per official reports. Emergency services and police are present on the site in the city of Kostyantynivka, confirming the announcement from the governor of the Donetsk region, Vadym Filashkin, via Telegram. He reiterated his call for residents to seek safety. Kostyantynivka is situated close to the front, where Russian forces have gained ground in recent months and have repeatedly targeted nearby cities such as Pokrovsk, a critical logistics hub for Ukrainian forces.
14:06 Machno's Home in Saporishshia Damaged during Attack
Ukrainian anarchist fighter Nestor Machno's historic house and family estate in Gulyaipole, which had been converted into a museum, was destroyed during a Russian attack on Saporishshia. According to the Ukrainian newspaper "Kyiv Independent," this information was obtained from the Ukrainian National Police. Following the Russian attack, the building was burned to the ground. As reported by the National Police, the Russian military launched 306 attacks on nine settlements in the Saporishshia region over the course of a single night, causing damage or destruction to several buildings and infrastructure. No civilians were harmed in the incident.
13:38 115 Ukrainian Soldiers Released from Russian Captivity
115 Ukrainian soldiers have reportedly been released from Russian captivity, according to an announcement from Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy via Telegram. "We remember each one of them. We are doing everything in our power to bring everyone home," wrote the Ukrainian leader. He expressed gratitude to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) for facilitating the prisoner swap with Moscow. Photos of the freed prisoners were published on Telegram by Zelenskyy, including members of the Ukrainian army, national guard, navy, and border guard.
13:25 Prisoner Swap between Russia and Ukraine Imminent
A prisoner swap between Russia and Ukraine is anticipated to occur today, with both sides planning to exchange 115 captives. This would be the first such exchange since Ukraine launched its offensive within Russia this month. The Russian Defense Ministry has confirmed this information, citing the Russian state news agency RIA. Russian soldiers taken prisoner by Ukraine during their offensive in the Kursk region are allegedly present on Belarusian territory. This would mark the seventh prisoner swap mediated by the UAE since Russia's invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. Abu Dhabi, a close ally of the United States, has maintained amicable relations with Moscow throughout the conflict, drawing criticism from Western governments. Conversely, ties with Kyiv have also been solidified.
13:16 Duda and Simonyte Attend Celebrations in Kyiv
Today, Ukraine celebrates its 33rd Independence Day. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is hosting Polish President Andrzej Duda and Lithuanian Prime Minister Ingrida Simonyte to celebrate the occasion, as evidenced by several photos published by the Ukrainian Presidential Office from the celebrations in Kyiv.
12:56 Latvia Contributes $126 Million in Military Aid to Ukraine in 2024
Latvia has pledged $126 million (€112 million) in military aid to Ukraine this year and intends to contribute to expanding the drone coalition initiative. Ukrainian Defense Minister Rustem Umerov announced this on Facebook following a meeting with a Latvian delegation led by Latvian Defense Minister Andris Spruds. "A particularly significant focus is on strengthening the drone coalition, with Latvia taking a leading role," Umerov stated. Latvia will provide Ukraine with thousands of drones to aid in the defense against large-scale Russian aggression. As per the Ukrainian defense minister, the coalition currently includes several dozen countries.
12:16 Zelensky Solidifies Ukraine's Path to Joining the International Criminal Court
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has taken a significant step towards Ukraine's entry into the International Criminal Court by signing a law ratifying the Rome Statute. Establishing full membership is widely considered a major stride towards Ukraine's European integration. Previously, the parliament had granted approval for the move. The court has previously issued international arrest warrants, including one targeting Russian President Vladimir Putin.
11:38 "Freedom from Moscow's clutches": Zelensky passes law disassociating Kremlin-affiliated Orthodox ChurchOn Ukraine's Independence Day, President Volodymyr Zelensky enacted a law dissociating the Russia-affiliated Ukrainian Orthodox Church. Zelensky asserted that this move would bolster Ukraine's autonomy. The legislation was published on the Ukrainian parliament's website today. Legislators approved the bill on Tuesday, which outlaws religious organizations with allegiances to Moscow. Russia criticized the measure. The law imposes a deadline for religious organizations to break ties with Russia. Implementing the regulation could take several years. In a speech, Zelensky stated that the Ukrainian Orthodox Church was "taking a step toward liberation from Moscow's grasp" today.
11:02 News: Russian ammunition storage explosion due to drone assaultIt seems Ukraine has hit a military target: A Russian ammunition storage in the Voronezh region reportedly exploded following Ukrainian drone attacks, according to media sources. The target was a warehouse close to Ostrogoshsk, approximately 100 kilometers south of Voronezh, as reported by the independent online portal Astra. Although the official statement fails to mention an ammunition storage, Governor Alexander Gusev declared a state of emergency in three settlements due to the "resolution of the effects of a fire and the detonation of explosive materials". (More details at 9:54 AM)
10:26 Zelensky: War has resurfaced in RussiaIn accordance with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, the war has "resurfaced" in Russia. In a recorded message commemorating Ukraine's Independence Day, Zelensky claimed that Russia had sought to "annihilate" Ukraine with its invasion, but instead, Ukraine is now celebrating its 33rd Independence Day. "And what the adversary inflicted upon our land has now returned to its source," Zelensky said. Zelensky asserted that his recorded message was recorded in a border region from where Kyiv orchestrated its unexpected offensive into Russia on August 6.
09:54 Russia announces state of emergency in Voronezh region due to nighttime drone encounterRussia has declared a state of emergency in some parts of the Voronezh region, along the border with Ukraine, following a nighttime drone encounter, local governor Alexander Gusev stated on Telegram. Russian forces reportedly intercepted five drones, but falling debris triggered a fire that led to the detonation of explosives, Gusev revealed. No civilian structures were harmed, but emergency measures had to be taken in three settlements, and 200 people had to be evacuated. Two women sustained injuries, one of whom required hospitalization.
09:31 Ukrainian sources declare 1160 Russian soldiers 'neutralized' in a dayAccording to Ukrainian data, Russia suffered substantial losses in personnel in a day, with 1160 Russian soldiers either killed or incapacitated. Since the start of the conflict in February 2022, Ukraine asserts that it has "neutralized" a total of 606,490 Russian soldiers. The Ukrainian Defense Ministry also reported that the enemy has lost 9 more tanks (8,542 in total) since the beginning of the Russian invasion. Ukraine also claims to have destroyed or seized more than 16,600 armored vehicles and approximately 14,000 drones. These statistics cannot be independently verified, as Russia does not release details about its losses in Ukraine.
08:48 Zelensky: Russian forces are gradually being pushed out of KharkivUkrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky declared that the Russian army is steadily being pushed back from the Kharkiv region. In his evening address, Zelensky stated that Ukrainian defense forces had successfully kept Russian forces at bay and thwarted their attempts to advance on Kharkiv and destroy the city and the entire Kharkiv region since early May. "We are gradually pushing the Russian army out," Zelensky said.
08:10 Reports of 10 injuries in Russian shelling of Kherson OblastTen individuals were hurt in Russian shelling in the Kherson Oblast yesterday, as per the Ukrainian state news agency Ukrinform, referencing Oleksandr Prokudin, head of the military administration of the Kherson Oblast.
07:54 Infrastructure facilities in the Sumy Oblast assaulted by Russian rocketsIn the Ukrainian Oblast of Sumy, Russian rockets have struck several infrastructure facilities associated with grain. The regional prosecutor's office confirmed this, as reported by the Ukrainian state news agency Ukrinform. Russian troops reportedly launched rocket attacks on grain infrastructure yesterday afternoon, according to the statement.
07:29 Reports: Explosion at a munitions depot in the Russian Oblast of VoronezhAn explosion occurred at a munitions depot in the Russian Oblast of Voronezh last night, as per the "Kyiv Independent" citing regional governor Aleksandr Gusev. Russian air defense units allegedly shot down several unmanned aerial vehicles over the oblast, resulting in a fire and an eventual explosion at an unspecified location. The Russian Telegram channel Astra reported that the explosion occurred at a munitions depot in Ostrogoschsk. In recent months, Ukrainian forces have carried out various drone attacks targeting Russia's military infrastructure and oil sector.
06:53 USA Slaps Sanctions on Over 400 Entities for Aiding Russia's Ukraine ConflictThe United States is applying sanctions on more than 400 organizations and individuals due to their alleged support for Russia's war in Ukraine, according to the US Department of State. In the words of Aaron Forsberg, Director of Economic Sanctions Policy at the US Department of State, "Today's actions hit Russia where it hurts." The sanctions affect the Russian energy sector, as well as businesses in Turkey and the United Arab Emirates. They also involve Chinese companies suspected of helping Russia contort around Western sanctions and strengthen its military, such as the Import-Export Department of the Chinese Dalian Machine Tool Group, which is accused of supplying Russian companies with dual-use items worth $4 million. Liu Pengyu, spokesperson for the Chinese Embassy in Washington, noted that China is adamantly opposed to unilateral sanctions and feels that regular business interactions between China and Russia should not be impaired.
06:18 Belarus and China Fortify Security PartnershipBelarus and China have decided to intensify their cooperation in the area of security, as reported by the Ukrainian newspaper "Kyiv Independent." Both countries aim to bolster security ties and further their partnership in financial and energy sectors. Additionally, they plan to bolster cooperation in industrial supply chains.
04:38 Starmer Vows Long-term Support to Ukraine on National DayBritish Prime Minister Keir Starmer has guaranteed long-term support to Ukraine on its national day. "My message to all Ukrainians, both on the frontlines and here in their temporary refuge in the United Kingdom, is unequivocal: we are with you today and always," Starmer said in his message of greetings. He reiterated this pledge during his conversation with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy when he visited London a few weeks earlier. Aside from the British government, the entire nation stands behind Ukraine, asserted Starmer, concluding, "We will be there for you as long as you require us."
01:29 Norway awards Ukraine License for Grenade Development and Funds ItNorway has granted Ukraine a license for the creation of 155-mm grenades. Furthermore, the country has pledged to cover the project's costs. The Norwegian business Nammo has agreed to grant a production license to a Ukrainian defense company at Norway's expense. "Right now, Norway is assisting by providing ammunition from its inventory and from industries directly. Now, Nammo wishes to share its plans with Ukraine, enabling the Ukrainian armed forces to be replenished more swiftly," stated Norwegian Defense Minister Bjørn Arild Gram.
23:54 Kiesewetter on Incident at NATO Base Geilenkirchen: Are They Targets of Russian Hybrid War?Following the raising of the warning level at the NATO airbase in Geilenkirchen and indications of possible Russian drone attacks, German security policy experts are calling for alertness. "We must acknowledge that Germany has long been a target of Russia's hybrid war, and therefore military facilities, particularly those relevant to NATO in Germany, fall into the focal point of potential sabotage and espionage acts," said CDU foreign policy expert Roderich Kiesewetter to the "Tagesspiegel." Previously, the security level at the NATO airbase in Geilenkirchen had been temporarily raised to the second-highest level, Charlie, due to a potential threat. According to Kiesewetter, the airbase in Geilenkirchen is a highly pertinent installation for NATO because the air-based early warning and control system AWACS is located there. "The Charlie security level signifies that NATO is implementing precautionary measures against possible drone flights and that there are indications of potential concrete dangers," Kiesewetter further explained. However, the heightened threat situation and possibility of Russian raids are already acknowledged and not new.
22:21 Latvia Announces Largest Drone Package to DateLatvia has disclosed its largest drone delivery to Ukraine thus far. 1400 drones from Latvian manufacturers are prepared, as stated by Latvian Defense Minister Andris Spruds on X, thus concluding the procurement of over 2700 drones from its own industry. Alongside the UK, Latvia is spearheading a coalition to supply one million drones to Ukraine. Its members, including Germany, have committed to backing drone manufacturing and delivering drones and replacement parts to Ukraine.
21:34 Biden Pledges New Military Aid to Ukraine - Exclusively for Air DefenseUS President Joe Biden has declared a new military aid bundle to Ukraine during a conversation with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. The package includes air defense missiles, equipment for countering drones, anti-tank missiles, and ammunition, as the US Presidential Office reports. Biden reaffirmed the "unwavering commitment of the US to the Ukrainian people" to Zelenskyy. No specifics regarding the financial scale of the new aid were provided.
21:29 Zelensky Urges Immediate Delivery of Promised Weapons PackagesThe Ukrainian military is in dire need of international aid. President Zelensky is pressing Ukraine's Western partners to expedite the delivery of the pledged weapons bundles. "On the frontlines, they're fighting with grenades and equipment, not with words like 'tomorrow' or 'ultimately'," he says in his evening video address. According to him, Ukraine is waiting for the delivery of weapon or equipment packages "that have been declared and decided, but not yet shipped out". He does not provide further information.
Amidst the ongoing conflicts in Kursk's southern Russian region, locals are expressing their discontent: towards the authorities they believe abandoned them, the Ukrainian military, and even their own military forces. A 28-year-old voiced her concerns to the "Moscow Times", stating, "For Russia, we're just a piece on the map. For the Ukrainians, we're supporters of Putin's regime. Everyone here is on their own." She alleges the authorities of deceit and propagating a false sense of calm. A 32-year-old individual also shares this sentiment, suggesting that while blame is directed at Ukraine for the attack, there's an underlying doubt about the Russian army's capabilities: "How could they overlook the accumulation of such a significant number of Ukrainian troops at the border?" If there were individuals who once had sympathy for Ukraine or maintained a neutral stance, their feelings have now morphed into intense animosity, she adds. Another resident from Kursk region shares, "The Ukrainians are not our allies right now." However, a Red Cross aid worker in Kursk expresses no anger towards Ukraine, pointing out, "They too are victims of this situation."
You can catch up on all the latest updateshere.
The Ukrainian refugees' eligibility as late arrivals will be further secured by a decree announced by The Commission.In response to the ruling by The Commission, individuals who were previously denied late immigrant status due to their flight from the conflict can now reclaim their claim, provided they meet the additional legal requirements as stated by the Federal Expellee Act.
