At 16:58, Zelensky acknowledges challenging circumstances on the Eastern battlefront
According to the British newspaper "The Guardian", President Volodymyr Zelensky has described the situation on Ukraine's eastern frontline as challenging, specifically near strategic logistics centers like Pokrovsk and Toretsk. The Ukrainian General Staff reported on Facebook that 14 skirmishes had occurred around Toretsk and 34 in Pokrovsk's sector since the day's commencement.
16:36 Russian officials in Kursk advise: Deactivate dating apps The Russian Ministry of Internal Affairs has recommended people residing in three border regions with Ukraine to disable dating apps and surveillance cameras online. The ministry stated that hostile forces are detecting a multitude of IP addresses on Russian territory, remotely connecting to unsecured cameras monitoring various locations, including private farms and essential roads and highways. Additionally, they cautioned against utilizing online dating platforms, as they could potentially be used for data collection.
16:20 Russian casualties - Weekly tally The Russian news agency TASS, referencing emergency services, reported that the Ukrainian intrusion into Kursk has resulted in the deaths of 17 civilians in the past week alone. Furthermore, 235 civilians sustained injuries.
15:54 Reporter details rapid Russian advance in Pokrovsk "Russian troops launched 63 conflicts on the Pokrovsk front alone yesterday," shares ntv journalist Nadja Kriewald from eastern Ukraine, as reported by DW. She spoke with emergency responders en route to evacuate a Ukrainian village, but the operation was reportedly halted – the Russian army had already seized the territory.
15:33 Russia voices anger over American journalists in Kursk Russia has summoned a high-ranking American diplomat, as reported by TASS. This is allegedly a response to the "provocative actions" of American journalists in Kursk, Russia's Foreign Ministry said. They accuse the reporters of illegally entering the region where Ukrainian forces launched an offensive two weeks ago. Russia plans to bring them to trial, they added.
15:10 Government official recognizes Russian propaganda in East Germany Federal Government's commissioner for East Germany, Carsten Schneider of SPD, has expressed dismay at certain Germans' opinions regarding Ukraine. "It's harrowing how Ukraine and the Ukrainians are often discussed in the east and west," Schneider told newspapers from the New Berlin Editorial Group. "Unfortunately, Russian propaganda frequently gets through, particularly in eastern Germany," Schneider stated, emphasizing the significance in defending Ukraine for the country's very existence, a fact that, among others, AfD and BSW politicians tend to overlook.
14:48 Lack of ammunition attributed to Russian advance in Kursk The "Financial Times" cited a Ukrainian commander as attributing the Russian advance in eastern Ukraine in part to Kyiv diverting resources towards the north. Their troops are now forced to ration shells for their weapons again – the first time since the US Congress ceased aiding Ukraine. The ammunition was dispatched to the troops engaged in the conflict in the Russian region of Kursk.
14:26 Kremlin expert: Kursk advance showcases Moscow power dynamics shifts Kremlin expert Rainer Münz speculates that the Ukrainian incursion into Kursk could speed up or at least make perceptible a generational shift within Moscow's power hierarchy. However, he noted, the power of the Russian president remains intact.
14:01 Government agency warns high chlorine levels following Russian attack in Ternopil Following a Russian attack on an industrial site in Ternopil, western Ukraine, local authorities are cautioning residents about heightened chlorine levels in the air. As reported by the Ukrainian newspaper "Kyiv Independent," Oksana Chaichuk, head of the regional center for disease control and prevention, advises residents to minimize outdoor activity and keep windows shut. The chlorine concentration in the atmosphere is between four and ten times higher than typical, Chaichuk said at a press conference. The attack occurred overnight, targeting a fuel and lubricant storage facility. A blaze broke out at an unspecified plant as a result. No casualties or injuries were reported due to the attack.
13:39 Moscow report: Russian troops conquer town of New York in Donetsk According to the Russian Defense Ministry, Russian troops have taken control of the town of New York in Donetsk, eastern Ukraine's Donetsk region. The troops have overrun "one of the largest settlements near Torez, the strategically important logistics center of Novogrodnoye," the ministry said, using the Soviet-era name. The name New York, adapted from German settlers, was replaced by Novogrodnoye in 1951. It was reinstated in 2021 after Ukrainian activists advocated for its return. New York is situated approximately six kilometers south of Torez, which has been under Russian attack for several weeks.
12:23 Ukrainian parliament votes to prohibit Russia-aligned churchThe Ukrainian parliament is taking steps to ban the Ukrainian Orthodox Church with links to Russia. According to lawmakers, they passed a bill that initially prohibits the Russian Orthodox Church from operating within Ukrainian territory. There are also plans to ban religious organizations associated with the Russian Orthodox Church, but these will require court confirmation. The Ukrainian minority church is criticized by the Kyiv government as a source of Russian influence in the country and a supporter of Ukraine's invasion.
11:51 Over 500 firefighters manage blaze at Russian oil depot
More than 500 firefighters continue to battle a significant fire at an oil depot in the Rostov region of southern Russia, which was sparked by a Ukrainian drone strike. The fire has spread to 10,000 square meters, with several diesel tanks ablaze, as reported by Valery Gornitsky, head of Proletarsk, to TASS news agency. He assures there's no risk of explosion, no danger to people, and no evacuations needed. Four firefighting aircraft and approximately 520 firefighters are at the scene. The aircraft are necessary due to the intense heat preventing vehicles from approaching the fire site, as Gornitsky explained. Authorities report that at least 41 firefighters have been injured, with 18 hospitalized.
11:08 Ternopil industrial facility hit during Russian shelling
An industrial facility in Ternopil, Ukraine, was struck during Russia's recent shelling of energy infrastructure, causing a fuel tank to explode, according to local authorities. Ukrainian TV broadcasted massive black smoke plumes above Ternopil, advising residents to stay indoors. Over 90 firefighters are working to extinguish the blaze, with the situation under control, as reported by the Ternopil regional administration.
10:41 Former Russian diplomat Bondarev: Putin behaves like a "feeble pretender"
Russian President Vladimir Putin is returning as a "feeble pretender," states Boris Bondarev, a former Russian diplomat, in a commentary for ntv.de. Putin's image of overcoming any opponent has been tarnished since the beginning of Ukraine's invasion. The swift victory never materialized. Moscow also appeared surprised and overpowered by the Ukrainian attack on the Russian region of Kursk. "Putin is flummoxed when faced with a serious threat and lacks the foresight to respond," Bondarev writes. The former diplomat, who broke ranks with the Putin regime in protest of the war, also harshly criticizes Western politicians for prohibiting Ukraine from using delivered weapons on Russian territory. "One must confront Putin with force." He dismisses the West's fear of "escalation" as groundless. "The 'escalation' is already underway – Putin's opponent has entered Russian territory! But he fails to respond," Bondarev writes.
10:13 Ukraine: Five civilians killed and over 20 injured in Russian attacks
In the past 24 hours, five civilians have been killed, and at least 22 injured, including a child, in Russian attacks in Ukraine, as reported by "Kyiv Independent."
09:37 Russian oil depot ablaze: Satellite image shows the blaze's scope
Ukraine targeted a large oil depot in Proletarsk, southern Russia, with drones on Sunday morning. The fire still persists a day later, with over 40 firefighters injured, as reported by regional authorities. Satellite images display the extent of the blaze:
Ukraine has repeatedly targeted several Russian refineries and oil facilities with drones to hinder enemy troops' fuel supply and reduce Russia's oil industry earnings.
09:16 Kyiv: More than 1300 Russian soldiers "eliminated" in a dayOfficial Kyiv figures show substantial losses on the Russian side: 1330 Russian soldiers have been killed or incapacitated within a day, according to the Ukrainian Ministry of Defense. A total of 601,800 Russian soldiers have been "eliminated" since the beginning of the war in February 2022. The ministry announced that the enemy has also lost 5 more tanks (8518). Since the start of the Russian invasion, Ukraine has reported the demise of over 16,500 armored vehicles and over 13,800 drones that are no longer in Russian military possession or have been destroyed. These figures cannot be independently verified. Moscow remains silent on its own losses in Ukraine.
08:47 Biden defends Ukraine's resistance: No president should "kowtow to despots"
"No president should 'kowtow' to despots," said Joe Biden. "Putin believed he could seize Kyiv in three days," the U.S. president stated on the first night of the Democratic Party convention, as reported by the "Kyiv Independent." "Three years later, Ukraine remains free." Biden compared his record as a supporter of a strong NATO and a free Ukraine to that of former President Donald Trump, who praised Russian President Vladimir Putin. "No leader should ever submit to despots," said Biden.
08:31 Russia Attacks Ukraine with Overnight Air StrikesRussia has once more bombarded Ukraine with overnight air attacks, as per the Ukrainian military's reports. Nine different regions in the country's center, north, and south were targeted, with three missiles and 25 drones being shot down, according to the Ukrainian air force's Telegram update. This marks the fifth missile attack on Kyiv this month, the military stated. Kyiv has witnessed 41 air alert signals this August, as reported by the military. Yesterday, they successfully repelled a drone attack on Kyiv as well.
07:52 Kyiv Reports Repelling Russian Rocked Attack - No DamagesRussian troops launched another attack on Kyiv from the north this morning, according to the capital city's military administration's Telegram update. Preliminary reports suggest that the attack was likely executed using ballistic missiles, such as the Iskander. This was the fifth rocket attack on Kyiv this month! The air defense forces managed to destroy the rockets at the outskirts of the city, resulting in no reported damages or losses in Kyiv.
07:38 Belarus Enhances Troop and Aircraft Presence at Ukrainian BorderBelarus has deployed additional air defense troops and aircraft to its border with Ukraine, as reported by Major General Andrei Lukyanovich, the commander of the Belarusian air defense forces, to the Ukrainian newspaper "Kyiv Independent". This announcement comes shortly after Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko announced that he had sent a third of the country's army to the border this summer. Lukashenko attributed the military buildup at the border to a misunderstanding between Belarus and Ukraine. In a national television appearance, Lukyanovich stated that the Belarusian military had dispatched aircraft, anti-aircraft missiles, and radio engineering units to the border. Kyiv has yet to verify Lukyanovich's claims about the additional Belarusian troops and weapons at the border. Around a week ago, the Ukrainian state border guard service reported no signs of troop buildup along the Belarusian border despite Lukashenko's order.
07:24 ISW: Russia Sends Over 5,000 Troops to Kursk OblastDue to the ongoing Ukrainian troops' operations in the Kursk region, Russia has been forced to reallocate troops from other front sections to the region. According to a report by the US Institute for the Study of War (ISW), Russia has dispatched additional troops to the Kursk Oblast since the initiation of the Ukrainian advance and has likely redeployed a total of more than 5,000 soldiers to the region.
06:54 Zelensky calls for Second Peace Summit in Ukraine This YearUkrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has urged his nation's diplomats to work towards organizing the second peace summit in Ukraine this year. Zelensky spoke to the heads of foreign diplomatic missions in Ukraine during a meeting dedicated to "War Diplomacy: Resilience, Weapons, Victory," as reported by the state news agency Ukrinform, citing the presidential administration. "I believe that the inaugural summit was a significant triumph for Ukraine. I am grateful to everyone who made our summit a reality. Now we are preparing for the second peace summit, and we must ensure that it takes place this year," Zelensky stated. "We must make every effort to ensure this. We must widen the support base for the communiqué of the first summit."
06:22 Ukraine Reports Another Russian Air Strike on KyivRussia continues its nightly attacks on the Ukrainian capital, Kyiv, according to Ukrainian sources. Air defense units were activated during the early morning hours to repel another Russian air strike on Kyiv, as reported by the military administration of the Ukrainian capital on Telegram. Witnesses reported hearing explosions that sounded like air defense systems in use.
05:11 Kyiv Reports Multiple Drone Strikes Far from the FrontDuring the night, several drone strikes occurred in multiple Ukrainian regions, far from the frontlines. According to air defense, the areas of Sumy, Poltava, Kherson, and Mykolaiv were targeted. Air defense was also active in the vicinity of Kyiv. The regional administration urged residents to seek shelter, though no damage has yet been reported.
02:23 USA Reiterates Commitment to Supporting Kyiv - Discussing Kursk OffensiveDespite the Ukrainian counteroffensive in the Russian region of Kursk, the USA remains loyal to supporting Kyiv. As reported by a spokesperson for the US Department of Defense, US President Joe Biden has "unequivocally stated that we will persist in our support and alliance with Ukraine for as long as necessary." The USA continues its focus on providing military support to Kyiv. US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin assured his Ukrainian counterpart Rustem Umerow of the US's ongoing support during their conversation, in addition to gaining a deeper understanding of Ukraine's goals for its counteroffensive.
00:20 Zelensky: Biggest achievement in capturing Russian soldiersAs per President Volodymyr Zelensky, the Ukrainian offensive in the Russian region of Kursk represents the largest success in apprehending Russian soldiers since the war's commencement. Speaking with Ukrainian diplomats, he mentioned that these soldiers will later be swapped for detained Ukrainians. At present, analysts approximately estimate that Russia has apprehended more Ukrainians compared to vice versa.
22:21 Chechen Commander: Soldiers dying in Kursk "reach paradise"In a reported video, Apti Alaudinow, commander of the Chechen Achmat Regiment fighting for Russia, reportedly encouraged Russian conscripts to head to the frontline, stating that those falling in the Kursk area "reach paradise."
21:58 Zelensky: Incursion has annihilated Russia's 'red line' notionPresident Volodymyr Zelensky mentioned, as reported by "Pravda," that the Ukrainian incursion into Russia was previously considered unfeasible, leading to its secrecy. Just a few months ago, numerous nations warned that this incursion would "transcend Russia's most significant 'red line.' However, Zelensky stated that "Russia's 'red line' notion has crumbled somewhere near Sushcha these days."
21:38 Lithuania initiates construction of Bundeswehr assistance centerLithuania initiated construction on a military assistance facility for German Bundeswehr soldiers. Upon completion by the end of 2027, the site will accommodate up to 4,000 German soldiers. This will mark the Bundeswehr's first permanent overseas deployment since World War II. Germany agreed to station troops in the NATO and EU member state bordering Russia last year. Lithuanian Defense Minister Raimundas Karoblis estimated the construction costs to surpass one billion euros.
21:15 Czech President: NATO membership possible for Ukraine, even with occupied territoriesCzech President Petr Pavel supports the idea of Ukraine joining NATO despite its ongoing territorial occupation. He assumes that Ukraine will negotiate peace with Russia in the foreseeable future, Pavel told "Novinky." Such an agreement could mean that Russia continues to occupy a portion of Ukrainian territory without "democratic states" needing to acknowledge the border change. This provisional border could then enable "us to accept Ukraine into NATO within the territory it governs at that time," Pavel said. Germany also joined NATO in 1955 while partially occupied by the Soviet Union.
20:57 Ukrainian forces move within 12 kilometers of Russian pontoon bridgeUkrainian forces are reported to have acquired the town of Wyschnewka in the Russian region of Kursk, according to war analysts on X. This places them around 12 kilometers away from the floating bridge spanning the Seym River, which currently serves as the Russian army's only logistics or retreat option.
20:36 Pokrovsk administration remains optimisticThe military administration of the eastern Ukrainian city of Pokrovsk is dealing with an uncertain situation as Russian troops approach: "They are advancing towards Pokrovsk's outskirts. This is no secret," the head of the information department there told the "Washington Post." She added, "Perhaps the situation there will transform somehow - we hope that the enemy will halt at some of the approaches to Pokrovsk and our troops will repel them." If the city falls, it would be the most significant population center captured by the Russians since Bachmut in May 2023.
Catch up on all previous developments [here].
The situation on Ukraine's eastern frontline remains challenging, with escalating conflict near strategic logistics centers like Pokrovsk and Toretsk. Regrettably, this situation has resulted in an attack on Ukraine.
The Russian Ministry of Internal Affairs has issued a warning to residents in border regions with Ukraine, advising them to deactivate dating apps and surveillance cameras due to hostile forces detecting a multitude of IP addresses on Russian territory.
