At 16:56, Russian leader Putin lands in Mongolia
Putin Visits Mongolia Amid ICC Warrant ControversyRussian President Vladimir Putin has journeyed to Mongolia for a visit. On Tuesday, he will engage in talks with Mongolian President Uchnaagiin Khürelsük. The two leaders will partake in a ceremony on Wednesday to celebrate the triumph of Soviet and Mongolian troops over the Japanese army in 1939. Many soldiers perished in those battles. This visit marks Putin's first to a country that is part of the International Criminal Court (ICC) since the court issued an arrest warrant against him almost 18 months ago, for alleged war crimes in Ukraine. Ukraine is urging Mongolia to apprehend Putin and surrender him to The Hague's court. Last week, a Putin spokesperson declared that the Kremlin is not concerned about Putin's arrest in Mongolia.
Investigations into Russian General's Corruption Allegations IntensifyAllegations of corruption have led to investigations against another high-ranking Russian army official. Senior General Valery Mumindzhanov is accused of accepting a bribe on a massive scale, a crime punishable by up to 15 years in prison in Russia. Mumindzhanov serves as the Leningrad Military District's deputy commander for logistics and was previously employed in the Ministry of Defense. The investigation alleges that Mumindzhanov accepted a bribe of over 20 million rubles (about 202,000 euros) in exchange for signing supply contracts for uniforms. Since April, at least ten military officials, including generals and high-ranking Ministry of Defense employees in Moscow, have been targeted by Russia's law enforcement agencies due to corruption or fraud. Some suspect a purge is underway.
Zelensky: Kursk Campaign Advancing as PlannedUkrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky reported that the operation in the Russian region of Kursk is progressing as planned. He stated this during a working visit to Zaporizhzhia, as reported by a correspondent for the state news agency Ukrinform. "The Kursk campaign is achieving its objectives and is progressing according to plan," Zelensky said. "Regarding the difficulties in the directions of Pokrovsk and Torez, we believe that the Kursk campaign can also contribute to this," the Ukrainian president added. The fighting in the Kursk region could lessen intense attacks by Russian troops in Pokrovsk and Torez, "but it's tough there at the moment," he added, noting that the most combat-ready Russian brigades have been concentrated in those front sectors.
Romania Allows Transfer of Patriot Air Defense System to UkraineThe Romanian government has given approval for the transfer of a Patriot air defense system to Ukraine. The legislation will now proceed to a vote in parliament, according to Reuters. In June 2021, Bucharest agreed to donate one of its two operational Patriot systems to Ukraine, on the condition that allies replace it with a similar air defense system.
Ukraine Mobilization Petition Seeks Age Limit Reduction to 50 YearsA petition calls on Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to lower the age limit for mobilization to 50 years. Over 25,000 people have signed the petition so far, as reported by the Ukrainian newspaper "Kyiv Independent." The current age limit for mobilization in Ukraine is 60 years. Under Ukrainian law, an electronic petition to the president must receive at least 25,000 signatures within three months to be considered. There are still 34 days left to collect signatures.
Eleven Injured in Russian Border Region AttacksEleven people, including two children, were injured in Ukrainian attacks on the Russian region of Belgorod and its capital city, according to Belgorod region governor Vyacheslav Gladkov on Telegram. A kindergarten reportedly suffered damage. Gladkov shared images of the destroyed kindergarten building and other debris and damaged buildings in the region. The Reuters news agency reports that local authorities have decided to close several schools and kindergartens in the region for a week following the attacks. In some regions of Ukraine and Russia, September 2 marks the beginning of the school year following the summer break.
Zelensky: Russian Missile Damages Mosque in KyivIn the Russian missile attack on Kyiv overnight on Monday (see entries 05:39, 06:20, and 09:29), a mosque and its adjacent Islamic cultural center sustained significant damage. In response to the attack, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky wrote on social media, "Russia shows no regard for spiritual or human values, no regard for any religion or belief. It continues its destructive campaign against the Ukrainian people, aiming to destroy all our communities and even sacred places of worship." The mosque's chief mufti, Vadym Dashevski, told Reuters that the attack on the mosque was a "cowardly act."
Ukraine Launches Wave of Drone Attacks on Moscow TargetsUkraine launched a large-scale drone attack on targets in and around Moscow, with an explosion captured on camera at a refinery just 16 kilometers from the Kremlin. Two other power plants were also struck. According to Russian reports, more than 150 Ukrainian drones were intercepted.
Poland to Counter Russian Drones
Poland's Foreign Minister Radoslaw Sikorski firmly believes that Warsaw should take down Russian drones and aircraft approaching from Ukraine prior to entering Polish airspace. In an interview with the "Financial Times" (FT), the liberally conservative politician expressed his viewpoint that such an action would be a justifiable act of self-defense, as the threat of harm from debris significantly increases once they enter Polish airspace. However, this stance stands in contrast to NATO's stance, which considers the potential for escalating the conflict through direct confrontation with Russian forces to be substantial. NATO has also declined the proposal to shoot down Russian drones and missiles over Ukraine, along with rejecting Kiev's request for a no-fly zone.
12:12 Munz: Russia's Response to Electoral Victories of AfD and BSV
The state elections results in Thuringia and Saxony are generating interest in Russia. ntv correspondent Rainer Munz shares insights on Russia's reactions to the electoral successes of AfD and BSV and discusses how Moscow is managing what may be the largest drone attack on the Russian capital ever.
11:40 Putin Commends Russian Conquests' Speed
Russian President Vladimir Putin has lauded the swift pace of Russian troops' advance in occupied territories near Ukraine. Speaking to Russian news agencies, Putin stated that Ukraine's counteroffensive in the Kursk region failed to halt the Russian progress in Donbass. "We're not simply talking about advancing 200 or 300 meters," Putin said, "But rather several square kilometers. This is the remarkable pace of the offensive in the Donbass we haven't seen in a while." During his journey to Mongolia, Putin paid a visit to the Siberian republic of Tuva to participate in a lesson on the newly introduced subject "Conversations about the Important," which aims to foster a closer connection between children and the Kremlin's political agenda.
11:07 Ukraine Intercepts 22 Missiles and 20 Drones
Ukraine's air force asserts that it has intercepted 22 out of 35 missiles and destroyed 20 out of 23 Russian attack drones. Nine ballistic missiles and 13 cruise missiles were intercepted over Kyiv, Kharkiv, Dnipro, Poltava, Mykolaiv, and Saporizhzhia.
10:36 Video Evidence of Russian Missile Strike in Kharkiv
For several days, Kharkiv has been under relentless bombardment by Russian missile attacks. According to Ukrainian reports, at least 10 missiles were launched at the city on Sunday, striking a shopping and entertainment complex and causing numerous injuries.
10:01 Injury Total Rises After Russian Attack on Sumy
Following a Russian missile attack on the Sumy city in northeastern Ukraine, the number of casualties has increased. Latest reports from Ukraine's Interior Ministry indicate that 18 people, including 6 children, were injured. The ministry has communicated this information via Telegram. Previously (see entry 03:34), the Sumy city administration reported that at least 13 civilians, including 4 children, were injured as a result of the Russian missile attack. The Russian missile strike targeted a center for social and psychological rehabilitation of children and an orphanage in Sumy. The security situation in the Sumy region has deteriorated further with the commencement of the cross-border incursion into the neighboring Russian region of Kursk on August 6. Sumy, home to over 250,000 inhabitants, is approximately 350 kilometers east of Kyiv.
09:29 Kyiv Reports Two Injuries in Russian Air StrikeRussia has once again launched missile attacks on Ukrainian capital Kyiv (see entries 05:39 and 06:20). At least two people were injured by debris from downed missiles, according to local authorities. Fires were also started, and buildings and infrastructure were damaged. An air alert was in effect for nearly two hours, from the night until the early morning.
08:57 ISW: Majority of Russians Back War in UkraineThe Russian population remains supportive of the war in Ukraine – even after Ukraine's incursion into the Russian border region of Kursk. In its latest report, the Institute for the Study of War (ISW) attributes this support to surveys conducted by the independent Russian polling institute Levada Center. According to these surveys, around 78% of respondents now support the war in Ukraine – up from 75% in July and 77% in June. The Russian population does not appear to be war-weary, providing the Kremlin the necessary flexibility in its strategy of waging a prolonged and attritional war against Ukraine, ISW analysts suggest.
08:11 Ukraine Reveals Russian Troop LossesThe Ukrainian General Staff has released new casualty figures for Russian troops in Ukraine. These figures indicate that Russia has suffered approximately 617,600 soldiers in Ukraine since February 24, 2022, including 1,300 in the past 24 hours. According to Kyiv, nine tanks, ten artillery systems, one medium artillery rocket system, and 30 drones were also destroyed. Overall, Russia has reportedly lost 8,601 tanks, 17,646 artillery systems, 368 aircraft, 328 helicopters, drones, 28 ships, and one submarine in Ukraine since the start of the large-scale offensive, according to Ukraine. Western estimates place the losses lower, but these figures are only minimum estimates.
07:03 Life Saved in Rubble After Kharkiv AirstrikeRescue workers managed to pull a man alive from the ruins of an event hall in Kharkiv, following a Russian air attack, as per Reuters reports. The survivor claimed to be in good shape after his rescue. Around 40 individuals, including five kids, were reportedly hurt due to Russian rocket assaults on Kharkiv, according to authorities. Two buildings, including a mall and an event hall, were hit by rockets in the eastern city on Sunday afternoon.
06:20 Kyiv Under Fire: Russian Air Strike with Drones, MissilesRussia bombarded Ukraine with drones, over ten cruise missiles, and numerous ballistic missiles, impacting Kyiv as well as likely other cities, based on the Ukrainian air force's statements. Kyiv residents sought refuge in air-raid shelters due to a series of explosions. Mayor Vitali Klitschko called in emergency services to the Holosiyivskyi and Solomianskyi districts. Klitschko reported multiple fires on Telegram, as did the head of the Kyiv military administration, Serhiy Popko. A resident was reportedly hurt in Shevchenkivskyi district by falling debris. "They will face retaliation. The opponent will feel it," said Andriy Yermak, head of the Ukrainian presidential office, on Telegram.
05:39 Kyiv under Attack Again by Russian MissilesOnce more, Kyiv was targeted by a Russian missile attack, according to Ukrainian military reports. Air defense units were mobilized to counter the attack, according to military representatives on Telegram. Witnesses in Kyiv reported multiple loud explosions, signaling the use of air defense systems. The number of fired missiles and the extent of damage remain unknown.
04:46 Putin: Russian Gas Pipeline to China AdvancingPresident Vladimir Putin stated that the construction of a new Russian gas pipeline through Mongolia to China is progressing as planned. In January 2022, the feasibility study was approved, and necessary technical surveys were carried out, Putin mentioned in an interview with the Mongolian newspaper "Onoodor," as per a transcript published on the Kremlin's website. The anticipated pipeline "Power of Siberia 2" is expected to transport 50 billion cubic meters of natural gas from the Russian Yamal region to China via Mongolia annually.
03:34 Russian Attack on Sumy Orphanage: 13 InjuredRussian troops assaulted a social and psychological rehabilitation center for children and an orphanage in Sumy with rockets, according to "Ukrainska Pravda." Thirteen individuals were hurt, including two kids. The building is located in a residential area, the newspaper reported, citing the local military administration.
02:26 Majority of Poles Support Downing Russian Spy DronesAccording to a poll by the Polish newspaper "Rzeczpospolita," nearly 60% of Poles believe the Polish military should shoot down Russian drones that intrude into Polish airspace during air strikes on Ukraine. The survey pertains to an unidentified flying object, likely a kamikaze drone of the Shahed type, which flew over Poland for over 30 minutes before disappearing on August 26. Polish Brigadier General Tomasz Drewniak told Radio RMF24 that Russia may have tested Poland's air defense system by sending drones into Polish airspace.
00:26 Casualty in Belgorod, Russia from Ukrainian ShellingThe governor of the Russian region of Belgorod, Vyacheslav Gladkov, discloses that one person was killed by Ukrainian fire in the village of Shagarovka close to the border. Three individuals were hurt in attacks on the village of Shebekino. At least one other village was shelled by Ukrainians.
23:08 Russia Claims to Have Intercepted 158 Ukrainian DronesRussia asserts that it has intercepted "massive" Ukrainian drone attacks on the capital Moscow and 14 other regions. A total of 158 flying objects were intercepted, as per the defense ministry's statements on the Telegram messaging service. Ten drones targeted Moscow, according to the report.
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22:24 Injuries Rise to 47 in Kharkiv Air StrikeThe number of injured in the Russian air strike on Kharkiv has climbed to 47, including seven children, according to the Ukrainian state emergency service's statement on Telegram. Several civilian buildings, including a shopping center, were hit, as shown in photos from news agencies.
21:52 Ukrainian Helicopter Crashes during Training Flight - Two Pilots DieTwo pilots lost their lives when a Ukrainian military helicopter crashed during a training flight at the Ivan Kozhedub Kharkiv National Air Force University. The Mi-2 helicopter was on a training mission when it crashed, as per Ukrinform news agency's report, citing the university's Facebook page. The university expressed its condolences and mentioned that investigators, experts, and defense ministry representatives were examining the crash site. The cause of the crash remains unknown.
21:06 Power Outages Announced by Ukrainian Energy Supplier Due to Russian AttacksUkraine's state power company, Ukrenergo, announced that there will be several power outages on Monday due to massive Russian attacks on the country's energy grid. Ukrenergo stated that critical infrastructure would remain unaffected, but warned that any modifications to the scope of restrictions are possible.
The Commission expressed its concern over the alleged corruption allegations against Russian General Mumindzhanov.The International Criminal Court (ICC) has not yet received any response from Mongolia regarding their request to apprehend and extradite Russian President Putin.
