At 16:09, Selensky mentions that Trump is backing Ukraine.
15:13 Medvedev allegedly warned Durov about data privacy issues
Following Durov's arrest in Paris, Medvedev claims to have warned the Telegram CEO "a long time ago" that his stance on user data privacy would lead to "major problems" in various countries. "He misjudged the situation," Medvedev wrote on Telegram, "To the enemy's perspective, he's a Russian and thus unpredictable and dangerous." Medvedev believed Durov needed to realize that you can't choose your nationality.
13:55 Zelensky proposes India as potential host for peace summit
Zelensky has suggested India as a potential venue for a second peace summit. In a conversation shared on social media with Indian journalists, he voiced his support for this to India's Prime Minister Modi. The Ukrainian President is currently engaged in discussions with Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Turkey, and Switzerland regarding hosting the summit. However, it's challenging to organize the conference in a country that didn't endorse the summit's final declaration. Although India was present at the first meeting in Switzerland, it didn't align with the final declaration.
13:22 Pope criticizes ban on pro-Russian Orthodox Church in Ukraine
The Pope voiced his disapproval against the ban of the pro-Russian Orthodox Church in Ukraine. In response to the law signed by President Zelensky, the Pope criticized, "No Christian church should be abolished directly or indirectly. Churches should not be targeted!" Ukraine defends the ban due to the Moscow Patriarchate's support for Russia's invasion. The Pope addressed tens of thousands of believers in St. Peter's Square, saying, "Evil cannot be justified by one's faith. If someone commits evil to their people, they are guilty. However, they cannot be punished because they prayed."
12:48 Ukraine condemns "deliberate attack" on hotel in Kramatorsk
The Ukrainian Foreign Ministry condemned a Russian attack on a hotel in Kramatorsk housing foreign media journalists. In a statement, spokesperson Georgiy Tykhyi wrote, "Last night, another intentional and brutal Russian attack hit Kramatorsk, harming journalists staying in the hotel." Targeted attacks on the media have become a common tactic, Tykhyi accused, adding that these "barbaric war crimes" should be condemned and punished.
11:54 After Russian attacks on Sumy, police report fatalities and injuries
The Ukrainian police confirmed that the Russian military attacked the Sumy oblast 261 times the day prior. At least four people lost their lives, and thirteen were injured in these attacks on the northern region. According to Ukrainska Pravda, several apartment blocks, homes, educational institutions, outbuildings, and shops were damaged. Furthermore, a dried grass area covering approximately two hectares caught fire.
11:20 Zelensky ridicules Putin: "Madman from Red Square"
Celebrating Ukraine's Independence Day, President Zelensky introduced the newly produced Ukrainian drone, Palianytsia. In addition, he mockingly addressed Russian leader Putin as the "Madman from Red Square," due to Putin's persistent nuclear threats. Zelensky joked, "He's a madman from Red Square who keeps threatening others with the red button." Zelensky assured the world that Ukraine wouldn't bow down to Putin's red lines.
10:51 Energy Ministry: More than 500 Ukrainian settlements without electricity following attacks
The Ukrainian Energy Ministry reported that over 500 settlements remain without electricity due to Russian attacks on Ukraine's energy infrastructure. The Ministry issued a statement that although the situation remains challenging, there are no strict energy limitations for citizens. Technicians have managed to restore electricity for more than 7,200 individuals. The Ministry continues to advise citizens to conserve electricity and use it responsibly, cautioning them about the vulnerable state of Ukraine's energy grid following the relentless attacks by Russian troops.
10:06 Ukraine reports 160 confrontations with Russian forces in a day
The Ukrainian army documented 160 military engagements with Russian troops at the front on the previous day. Armed conflicts were reported in ten different locations, with the situation around Pokrovsk being the most unstable, as per the Armed Forces of Ukraine's General Staff report. Russian forces carried out five missile attacks with 15 missiles and 95 aerial bombardments, targeting both Ukrainian positions and civilian areas.
At the break of dawn, as claimed by Ukrainian sources, Russian forces allegedly struck a hotel in Kramatorsk, an eastern Ukrainian city. A Reuters employee is now missing, with two others hurt. As per a Reuters statement, a team of six was at the Hotel Sapphire during the attack, and the building appeared to have been hit by a rocket. The statement added that one colleague is still missing, while two others were taken to the hospital for treatment. Authorities in Kramatorsk are cooperating with them. The governor of the Donetsk region posted on Telegram that Kramatorsk was under attack by the Russians. Two journalists were injured, and one is still missing. The governor further stated that rescue operations and rubble clearing are ongoing at the scene. The Russian Defense Ministry did not respond to a request for comment on this matter. According to the Ukrainian Prosecutor General's Office, Russian troops might have attacked Kramatorsk with an Iskander-M missile, and they have opened a preliminary investigation into the incident.
Update at 13:30: The number of injured Reuters employees has increased to four, as confirmed by the head of the regional military administration of Donetsk, Wadym Filaschkin, via Telegram.
10:44 Air Force Commander: Majority of Russian Shahed Drones Intercepted and Destroyed Last Night
Ukraine's air defense appears to have performed well during the previous night: of the nine Russian Shahed drones, eight were intercepted and destroyed by the Ukrainian air defense forces. This information was provided by the state news agency Ukrinform, citing the air force commander, Mykola Oleschuk. Based on his statement, not only were most of the kamikaze drones intercepted, but also the majority of the rockets they fired were dealt with.
10:20 Ukraine: Hotel in Kramatorsk Hit - Several Western Journalists Injured
In the early hours of the morning, several Western journalists were hurt in a Russian attack on Kramatorsk, according to official reports. A hotel was hit, resulting in two injuries and one person trapped under the rubble, as stated by the Ukrainian governor of the Donetsk region, Wadym Filaschkin, on Telegram. All injured victims were journalists, hailing from Ukraine, the United States, and the United Kingdom. The attack was confirmed on pro-Russian blogs. According to these sources, Kramatorsk was targeted with heavy glide bombs of the FAB-1500 type. However, reports also suggest that a machine-building factory and several military targets were hit.
09:54 US Electronics Sold to Russia: New US Export Rules Draw Criticism from China
China has criticized the US's decision to impose restrictions on dozens of exporters from various countries, including 42 Chinese, 63 Russian, and 18 from other nations. China's Ministry of Commerce has stated that the move disrupts the international trade order and hinders normal goods exchange. To protect its companies' legitimate rights, China will take necessary measures. In response to the US's decision last Friday, the US government placed 105 companies on a list of trade restrictions for reasons such as transferring US electronics to the Russian military and manufacturing thousands of drones used by Russia in Ukraine. These companies must now obtain difficult-to-obtain licenses.
09:29 "250 Targets in Range" for Ukraine: ISW Calls for Unlimited Use of Long-Range Missiles
The US think tank Institute for the Study of War (ISW) is advocating for the unlimited use of long-range weapons on Russian territory by Ukraine. Despite the relocation of air forces to deeper rear areas, many military targets are still within the range of US ATACMS missiles, as per the ISW. Although Ukraine already uses these missiles, restricted usage for attacks on Russian territory prevents them from using these missiles for such purposes. "ISW estimates that at least 250 military and paramilitary targets in Russia are within the range of the ATACMS missiles provided by the United States to Ukraine," states a recent ISW analysis. However, only attacks with HIMARS multiple rocket launchers and GLMRS rockets are currently authorized based on the ISW analysis. This allows Ukraine to target a maximum of 20 out of the 250 potential objectives.
09:06 Kyiv: 1,190 Russian Soldiers "Eliminated" in a Day
According to official figures from Kyiv, the Russian personnel losses are substantial. Within a day, 1,190 Russian soldiers were reportedly killed or incapacitated. Since the beginning of the war in February 2022, a total of 607,680 Russian soldiers have been "eliminated," as per the Ukrainian Ministry of Defense. The Ministry reported that the enemy had lost five more tanks (8,547 in total) along with other equipment. Since the beginning of the Russian invasion, Ukraine has documented over 16,600 armored vehicles and approximately 14,000 drones that are no longer in the possession of the Russian military or have been destroyed. These figures cannot be independently verified. Moscow remains silent about its own losses in Ukraine.
08:39 Ukrainian Air Force: Most Russian Missiles and Drones Downed Last Night
As per Ukraine, Russia launched multiple missiles and drones towards the northern and eastern parts of the country the previous night. "Most missiles missed their targets," claimed the air force. Russia used an Iskander-M ballistic missile, an Iskander-K cruise missile, and six guided missiles. The precise number of destroyed missiles and drones was not disclosed. Simultaneously, eight out of nine Russian attack drones were shot down.
08:08 Six Individuals Suffer in Overnight Russian Missile Strike on KharkivThe number of victims has climbed to six due to an overnight Russian missile assault on Kharkiv's Slobidsky district in the Kharkiv region. This information was shared by Kharkiv's mayor, Ihor Terekhov, via a Telegram update, as referenced by Ukrainian news agency Ukrinform.
07:32 Zelensky Praise for Newly Manufactured Ukrainian Palianytsia Rocket DronesUkrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky commended the new Palianytsia rockets made domestically in Ukraine. Zelensky stated that these rocket drones and other military advancements made by Ukraine are vital for the country given the delays in decisions by certain international allies. "Today, the first and successful deployment of this new weapon occurred," he said, as mentioned by "Kyiv Independent". "A completely new category of Ukrainian rocket drone, Palianytsia."
06:55 Azov Commander Slams Prisoner Swap: No Azov Fighters Among Released TroopsAs reported by "Kyiv Independent," citing brigade commander Denys Prokopenko, no Azov soldiers were involved in yesterday's prisoner exchange between Russia and Ukraine. The Azov Regiment commander criticized the recent prisoner swap and expressed his disappointment over the fact that none of the Azov fighters, who have been in Russian custody for over two years, were liberated.
06:14 Governor: Five Losses in Ukrainian Strike on Russian Border Region BelgorodFive civilians lost their lives and twelve more were injured, four of them severely, in a Ukrainian air strike on the Russian border region of Belgorod during the night, according to local authorities. Governor Vyacheslav Gladkov stated that two minors were also injured, with two transported to the hospital. Ukraine has stepped up attacks on Russian territory in recent times and entered the Kursk region bordering Belgorod at the start of August. Belgorod has been targeted by Ukrainian air and drone strikes in retaliation for attacks from the Russian side.
05:47 Russia: Civilians Killed in Ukrainian Artillery BarrageFive civilians were killed and twelve injured in an artillery barrage in the city of Rakitnoye in southwestern Russia, according to regional governor Vyacheslav Gladkov, via Telegram. The reports could not be independently confirmed, and Ukraine has yet to make a statement.
04:26 City of Sumy Reports Rocket Strikes and CasualtiesThe city of Sumy has experienced rocket attacks, as reported by the regional military administration. Two rocket impacts were recorded, resulting in seven injuries, two of them seriously. Russia attacked civilian infrastructure in Sumy on Saturday evening, it was mentioned.
03:35 Kharkiv: Missile Assault Launched on Two Cities
Kharkiv region governor Oleh Syniehubov issues a warning: The Russian military has launched missile attacks on the cities of Kharkiv and Chuhuiv. As of now, one individual has been injured. In Kharkiv, a large explosion is reported to have occurred. The mayor of the city, Ihor Terechow, posts on Telegram that a severe explosion was heard. He urges caution among the population. The reason for the explosion remains undetermined at this time.
03:06 Ukrainian Air Defense Alerts of Combat Drones
During the night, there is a security alert in the east and south of Ukraine. The Ukrainian air force warns, among other things, of a squadron of Shahed combat drones heading towards the southern Ukrainian region of Mykolaiv, over the Black Sea. Around Ukrainian Independence Day, which took place on Saturday, increased Russian attacks were anticipated. However, a major wave of attacks has yet to materialize.
01:32 Hungary Accuses EU of Hindering Oil Supplies
Hungary suspects the EU Commission of obstructing Russian oil supplies. "The fact that the European Commission has declared that it is not prepared to support the energy supply security of Hungary and Slovakia suggests that the mandate from Brussels was sent to Kyiv to (...) create issues with Hungary and Slovakia's energy supply," says Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto. The EU Commission initially declines to comment. Hungary and Slovakia had placed Russian oil producer Lukoil on the sanctions list in June and blocked the Druzhba pipeline, which also passes through Ukrainian territory. This has largely severed these countries' primary oil providers.
22:12 Russian Forces Wound Four Women in Attack on Village in KupianskRussian troops attacked the village of Novoosynove in the Kupiansk district of the Kharkiv Oblast, injuring four women, according to information from Oleh Syniehubov, the head of the military administration of the Kharkiv region. Russian troops attacked the village of Novoosynove in the Kupiansk district around noon. As a result of the attack, a private building was engulfed in flames, Syniehubov said. The injured individuals were transported to a medical facility. Investigations into the aftermath of the attack are currently ongoing.
UK Defense Minister John Healey, in an article published on "European Pravda," congratulates Ukraine on its Independence Day. Thirty-three years ago, Ukraine declared its independence, promising a brighter, wealthier future as a self-governing democracy, freed from the grasp of Soviet Russia. Today, Ukrainians celebrate Independence Day in the midst of war, engaging in an existential battle to preserve their nation's freedom and independence against Putin's brutal, unlawful invasion. Despite Ukraine's historical underdog status, outmatched by Russia's vast military might, the Ukrainian people continue to fight with incredible bravery, both in the military and among the civilian population. On this day, Healey expresses the United Kingdom's unwavering support for Ukraine, affirming that they will stand by their friends for as long as necessary. In line with this commitment, the UK is launching a campaign today, encouraging people across the UK and beyond to demonstrate their solidarity with Ukraine by making noise and sharing relevant social media posts.
20:05 Zelensky Uplifts Syrsky to General
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has elevated Oleksandr Syrsky, the chief commander of the Ukrainian Armed Forces, to the rank of General, as stated in a presidential decree. Beforehand, Syrsky held the rank of Colonel General. The promotion stems from the impressive advance of Ukrainian troops in the Russian border region of Kursk.
You can delve into previous events here.
Sentence 1: The European Union expresses concern over the data privacy issues mentioned by Medvedev that Durov, the Telegram CEO, was warned about.
Sentence 2: Zelensky proposes that the European Union could be a potential host for a future peace summit, considering their ongoing discussions regarding crucial international matters.
