At 17:28, a Ukrainian authority declared that Russian guided missiles targeted a residential building.
16:50 Washington Waves Off Proposition: No Americans to Assist in Ukraine's Military Equipment Maintenance The Biden administration declines a suggestion to dispatch Americans to Ukraine for the upkeep of foreign military hardware, such as F-16 fighter jets, as suggested by the "Washington Post". Discussions surrounding the deployment of American civilians to a war-torn nation, Ukraine, tackling maintenance duties on Russian adversary forces, have lingered since the commencement of the conflict. The anticipation intensified following the highly anticipated arrival of F-16 fighter jets in Ukraine. The initial six out of the anticipated 80 F-16s landed in Ukraine towards the end of July. A U.S. official disclosed concerns over the potential dangers of Russia targeting American contractors in Ukraine.
16:14 Worry over Maria Kolesnikova: Belarusian Opposition Cries Foul Play over Prison Conditions News emerging from within the Belarusian opposition expresses grave concerns about the well-being of Maria Kolesnikova, an imprisoned Belarusian opposition politician. Svetlana Tikhanovskaya, the exiled Belarusian opposition leader, shares her concerns coming from Kolesnikova's fellow detainees claiming it's alarming. Kolesnikova is reportedly down to 45 kilograms, has been starved, and subjected to abhorrent conditions in solitary confinement. The prison administration is accused of employing "medieval cruelty" and systematically exterminating the prominent government critic.
15:36 Ukrainian Arms Producers Gather with U.S., U.K., French, and German Security Advisors A Ukrainian delegation led by Economy Minister Yulia Svyrydenko and Andriy Yermak, head of the Presidential Office, conversed with security advisors from the U.S., U.K., France, and Germany in Washington, as per "Kyiv Independent". The agenda included collaborative weapons production, future western investments in Ukraine's defense industry, and specifically the importance of "strengthening Ukraine's air defense and preservation of the energy system," as per the Presidential Office. Yermak highlighted the urgency to amplify efforts to aid Ukraine towards victory, stressing the significance of making the most out of this opportunity.
14:56 Russia Masks Conflict Behind Festivities and Celebrations The unyielding clash between Ukraine and Russia persists at the frontlines. Yet, citizens of Moscow remain mostly oblivious to the string of drone attacks, burning fuel deposits, and civilian casualties. ntv correspondent Rainer Munz offers insights into how Moscow is concealing the conflict through various means.
14:25 Chasiv Yar Suffers Heavy Losses Following Russian Attack Reports indicate at least five individuals have been killed in Chasiv Yar located on the frontline in the Donetsk region following a Russian strike. Governor of the Donetsk region, Vadym Filashkin, announced this on Telegram. The deceased were males aged between 24 and 38. The assault occurred early in the morning, leaving destruction in its wake, with a private house and a multi-story building being impacted.
13:53 Kharkiv Lit By Mourning after Russian Attack Family members and residents of Kharkiv are mourning the casualties surrounding a Russian strike. According to the Governor of the Kharkiv region, Oleg Synegubov, seven individuals perished and 97, including over 20 minors, were wounded following the attack last Friday evening. The youngest victim is noted to be ten months old. Among the deceased was 18-year-old Ukrainian artist Veronika Kozhushko. Prominent Ukrainian artist Serhiy Zhadan commented on her tragic demise on Facebook, expressing his despair: "The Russians continue to annihilate our future. And there is no forgiveness," accompanying the post with one of Kozhushko's drawings.
13:28 Ukrainian Defense Minister Views Dismissal of Air Force Chief as Regrettable "I would likely label this as a replacement, but regrettable nonetheless," Ukrainian Defense Minister Rustem Ummerov offered when inquired about the dismissal in an interview with CNN. Ummerov underlines that these two instances are two separate matters. Ummerov highlights on going investigations to determine causes, "I refrain from speculating."
13:03 Danish Premier: No Other Path to Ukraine's Triumph over Russia The "European Pravda" reported that Denmark's Prime Minister, Mette Frederiksen, shared her opinion on Ukraine's conflict against Russia during the GLOBSEC conference in Prague. She advocates for Ukraine's victory, positioning it as an "inevitable development." The Danish Premier emphasizes that there is an undeniable consensus on this amongst Europe, "There is no alternative to Ukraine emerge victorious. Because if Russia triumphs, Ukraine will be defeated, and so will we all." The Prime Minister lays out that Europe is currently more united than ever before, with minimal internal divisions, with Europe unanimously against Russia.
12:15 Kirove in Donetsk Region Comes Under Russian Control Based on reports from the Russian Ministry of Defense in Moscow, Russian forces have seized control of the village of Kirove in eastern Ukraine's Donetsk region. Russian forces have gradually advanced on the battlefront in the east for some time now. Donetsk, along with Luhansk, constitutes the industrially dominant Donbass. The two regions, together with Zaporizhzhia and Kherson further south, were already annexed by Russia in September 2022, but Russian forces do not have complete control over them. Ukraine aims to recapture all territories, including the annexed Crimean Peninsula, located far south of Kherson.
11:45 Russia Alleges Ukrainian Shelling in BelgorodAs reported by Russian sources, Ukrainian forces have fired on the Belgorod region along the border. Governor Vyacheslav Gladkov announced on his Telegram channel that there have been casualties and injuries. An evening air strike on Belgorod city resulted in the death of three individuals and over 30 injuries, including three children. The attack also damaged over a dozen buildings and 47 vehicles.
11:10 Expert Triebel: Russia Accused of Interfering in Moldovan ElectionsMoldova is heading to presidential elections on October 20th, with around 2.5 million residents also participating in a referendum to enshrine EU membership in the constitution. Brigitta Triebel, director of the Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung office in Chisinau, claims Russia is attempting to sway the elections through disinformation and false information. According to Triebel, the Moldovans are being manipulated, saying, "If you don't want to get involved in a conflict like Ukraine, support pro-Russian parties." She added that these parties are exploiting people's fears.
10:49 Ukraine Confirms Interception of 24 Russian DronesThe Ukrainian air force states that it successfully intercepted 24 Russian drones. Over 50 drones were launched by Russian forces towards targets in Ukraine overnight on Saturday. Eight regions were affected by these drone strikes. Twenty-five drones of the Iranian Shahed type crashed on their own, while three were headed towards Russia and Belarus. No reports of injuries or significant damage were reported. Kyiv was also targeted for the fourth time this week, with all drones aimed at the city being intercepted.
10:16 Military Bloggers: Ukrainian Forces Allegedly Damage Russian ConvoyRussian military bloggers posted videos of what they claim to be the aftermath of a Ukrainian attack on a Russian military convoy in the entrance to Swannoe village, Kursk region. Radio Free Europe (RFE/RL) also shared the video, mentioning destroyed military vehicles and a collapsed bridge over the Seym River in Kursk. However, it should be noted that such video footage and claims related to combat situations cannot be verified independently.
09:34 Shebekino Reports Ukrainian Shelling, Woman InjuredAuthorities in the city of Shebekino, located in the Belgorod region of Russia, reported Ukrainian shelling, causing injuries to a woman on Saturday. Shebekino is situated near the Ukraine border.
09:00 Ukraine Discloses Loss Figures for Russian ForcesThe Ukrainian General Staff revealed loss figures for Russian troops in Ukraine since February 24, 2022. According to their report, Russia has suffered around 614,950 soldier casualties, with 1,360 more losses reported in the past 24 hours. The report also states that eight tanks, 42 artillery systems, and 18 drones were destroyed during this period. Since the large-scale offensive began, Russia has reportedly lost over 8,500 tanks, 17,000 artillery systems, 360 aircraft, 320 helicopters, 14,000 drones, 28 ships, and one submarine, as reported by Ukraine. Western estimates suggest lower loss figures, which are likely underestimates.
08:35 Alleged Ukrainian Attack in Belgorod, Five Killed and 46 InjuredLocal authorities in Belgorod, Russia, report five deaths and 46 injuries following an alleged Ukrainian attack on Friday night. Gov. Vyacheslav Gladkov confirmed 37 hospitalizations and seven children among the injured. A video circulating on social media shows a vehicle being destroyed while in motion, followed by an explosion on the opposite side of the street. While the footage cannot be independently verified, it serves as evidence of the combat situation in the region.
07:48 Media Report: Over 66,000 Russian Soldiers Killed in UkraineAccording to Russian independent media outlet Mediazona, at least 66,471 Russian soldiers have been killed in the conflict in Ukraine. This figure comes from their research and documentation of soldier names through open-source analysis. However, it is important to note that this represents only confirmed deaths and likely does not account for the full toll. The Ukrainian General Staff estimates a heavier total of over 600,000 soldier losses, while Western sources provide similar figures but acknowledge that they are likely underestimates.
06:27 ISW: Dissatisfaction with Putin Soars as Russian Approval Rating Hits Record LowThe Institute for the Study of War (ISW) reveals in its latest update that public dissatisfaction towards the Russian government and President Vladimir Putin is on the rise following the Ukrainian intrusion into the Russian territory of Kursk. As per a survey conducted by the state-run Public Opinion Foundation, a staggering 28% of participants expressed dissatisfaction or discontent with the actions taken by Russian authorities in response to the Ukrainian intrusion. Concurrently, state-driven polls conducted by the VCIOM center indicate a decline of 3.5% in Putin's approval rating, dropping it to 73.6%, marking a record low since the start of Russia's invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. According to ISW, these poll results suggest that the Kremlin recognizes the significant growth in societal discontent since the incursion in the Kursk region.
05:40 Venezuela Hands Over Two Colombians Accused of Fighting for UkraineRussian authorities have arrested two Colombian nationals allegedly serving in Ukraine's International Legion. The arrests were announced by the Russian Federal Security Service (FSB). The arrested individuals, Alexander Ante and Jose Aron Medina, were handed over to Russian authorities by Venezuela after they were apprehended during a transit stopover in Caracas on their way back to Colombia. Spanish media sources indicate that the men joined the International Legion during the summer of 2023, while they were detained at Caracas airport in mid-July. Documents and Ukrainian military clothing were discovered on the men proving their involvement in the conflict.
04:47 Czech President: Russian Advance in Donetsk Unrelated to Ukrainian Operation in CurksCzech President Petr Pavel maintains that the Russian advance near Pokrovsk in the Donetsk region has no connection to Ukrainian operations in the Russian territory of Kursk. He does not believe there is a direct tie between Russia's offensive on the Pokrovsk front and the Ukrainian operations in Kursk, as Pavel stated in an interview with Radio Liberty. The Russian government's ambition to capture territories in all four regions – Donetsk, Zaporizhzhia, Luhansk, and Kherson – that it considers its own remains unshaken, according to Pavel. The Kremlin aims to achieve this objective within a reasonable time frame while weather conditions are still favorable for military operations, he concluded.
03:47 Stoltenberg: Ukrainian Advance into Kursk Considered LegitimateNATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg has deemed the Ukrainian advance into the Russian territory of Kursk as legitimate. Ukraine has a right to defend itself, Stoltenberg claimed, in an interview with the German newspaper "Die Welt am Sonntag." According to international law, this right does not cease at the border. Regarding allegations from Russian authorities that the West had prior knowledge of an attack on Russian territory, Stoltenberg emphasized: "Ukraine did not coordinate its strategy for Kursk with NATO, and NATO played no role in this." Stoltenberg's response marked his initial reaction to the Ukrainian incursion into the Russian border region.
02:48 Ukraine Accuses Russia of Widespread Use of Chemical WeaponsSince the inception of Russia's invasion of Ukraine, over 4,000 cases of chemical weapons usage have been documented on the front lines, with approximately 3,100 cases reported since December 2023. This represents a significant increase in the use of such weapons, Ukrainian authorities claim, according to the "Kyiv Independent." The numbers suggest a substantial surge in the deployment of unlawful chemical agents compared to the 600 instances registered in January, as reported by the Ukrainian military. A statistic compiled by Ukraine shows that the number of reported cases peaked at a record high of 715 in May 2024 only to gradually decrease in the summer months. No data is available for August thus far.
01:49 ICC Demands Arrest of Putin During Mongolian VisitAn official spokesperson for the International Criminal Court (ICC), Fadi el-Abdallah, told the BBC that Mongolia, as an ICC member state, is obligated to enforce the arrest warrant against Russian President Vladimir Putin during his forthcoming visit. Putin's trip to Mongolia on September 3 would be his first visit to an ICC member country that has ratified the Rome Statute, which obliges signatories to apprehend him if he enters their territory. The ICC issued an arrest warrant against Putin in March 2023, citing his involvement in the forced deportation of children from Russian-occupied territories in Ukraine.
00:33 Biden-von der Leyen Call: Unwavering Transatlantic RelationsEU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen emphasized the importance of strong transatlantic relations, regardless of the results of the upcoming US presidential election in November, during her acceptance speech at the Globsec security conference in Prague. Von der Leyen received the Czech and Slovak Transatlantic Award (CSTA) and cited a video call with US President Joe Biden on the day of the Russian invasion of Ukraine in February 2022 as a pivotal moment in their interactions. "We quickly agreed on a strategy to confront Putin's war," von der Leyen stated. Once again, Europe and the United States stood side by side, demonstrating their commitment to the right side of history.
23:19 Russia Suffers Five Casualties in Belgorod AttacksAt least five individuals have lost their lives in Ukrainian attacks on the Russian border region of Belgorod, according to Russian reports. A woman and four men died from their injuries, as per a statement made by regional governor Vyacheslav Gladkov via the Telegram messaging service. An additional 37 individuals were injured. Russian officials claim that Ukraine unleashed cluster munitions at Belgorod and the surrounding area using multiple rocket launchers, with Gladkov providing evidence to support these allegations.
22:01 Ukraine Seeks AI for Drone Swarms and Affordable Missiles for Russian Drone Countermeasures
Ukraine aims to collaborate with weapons manufacturers in creating AI for drone swarms and affordable missiles to combat Russian suicide drones, as mentioned by Mykhailo Fedorov, Minister of Digital Transformation, at the Globsec Forum in Prague. Both nations have significantly invested in drone technology during the Russian invasion, significantly influencing modern warfare. According to Fedorov, Ukrainian troops encounter various challenges, such as Russian weaponry, infantry, ammunition scarcity, kamikaze drones, and reconnaissance drones. In response, Ukrainian forces employ low-cost first-person-view drones (FPV), reconnaissance drones, compact air defense systems, and homemade long-range drones to target Russian objectives, states Fedorov. "What are the upcoming challenges we require your assistance with? How can we develop an efficient laser guidance system, how should we create AI for drone swarms, how can we manufacture Ukrainian HIMARS, how can we produce inexpensive Ukrainian missiles to down Shaheds?" asks Fedorov.
21:32 Ukraine Obtains Urgent Artillery Shells Supplies
Ukraine is receiving its first shipment of howitzer ammunition from the U.S.-European alliance, as confirmed by Czech Foreign Minister Jan Lipavsky in Brussels. The delivery of 155-mm artillery shells is critical for the frontline. "The Czech ammunition initiative is successfully delivering, with half a million large-caliber projectiles scheduled to be delivered by year-end. Around 100,000 pieces were sent in each of the summer months of July and August," says Lipavsky.
You can catch up on all previous developments here.)
The European Union has expressed concern over the potential escalation of the conflict between Ukraine and Russia, stating that additional military aid should not interfere with diplomatic efforts to resolve the dispute peacefully.
Following the Biden administration's decision to reject sending American personnel to assist in Ukraine's military equipment maintenance, the European Union has been urging its member states to provide more substantial assistance to Ukraine's defense industry.
