At 17:28, Russian officials report: Fuel tanker set ablaze following Ukrainian assault.
In the Russian coastal city of Kawkas in the Krasnodar region, east of Crimea, a ferry filled with fuel tanks is ablaze based on local authorities' reports. This incident appears to follow a Ukrainian assault, they claim. Various Russian media outlets are sharing photos and videos showcasing the blaze and plumes of dark smoke. Furthermore, the Ukrainian military is circulating such content on social media, with the caption "Neptune visits the port of Kawkas" on their Telegram channel. Unverified claims from Russian Telegram channels suggest the vessel was targeted by a Ukrainian-originned Neptune anti-ship missile.
16:41 Russia declares progress towards Pokrovsk, Ukraine shares triumphs in KurskThe Russian military asserts taking another hamlet close to Pokrovsk city's heart in eastern Ukraine, placing their soldiers roughly 10 kilometers away from the city, a crucial logistics hub. Ukrainian President Zelenskyy earlier announced plans to strengthen troops in the Pokrovsk area. Now, he shares a triumph in the Russian territory of Kursk, with troops affirming capturing more Russian soldiers and "stockpiling the exchange fund" - a translation for "gaining more captive soldiers." According to these accounts, Ukrainian troops control 94 hamlets and over a thousand square kilometers of land in Kursk. However, this isn't independently authenticated.**
16:12 Ukraine denies nuclear power plant attack accusations: Russia may be planning 'nuclear provocation'Ukraine dismisses Russian President Vladimir Putin's assertion that Ukrainian forces attempted to attack the Kursk nuclear power plant last night. "This is a complete fabrication," declares Andrii Kovalenko, head of Ukraine's department for countering disinformation at the National Security and Defense Council of Ukraine. The allegation follows a series of false Russian claims that Ukraine is planning a "nuclear provocation" at the Kursk and Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plants. Instead, all signs point to the Russians potentially executing this provocation themselves, Kovalenko continues. He considers the likelihood of a "nuclear provocation by Russia" to be significant, given Putin's involvement.**
15:46 EU gas storage facilities 90% filledTwo months in advance of the projected date, gas storage facilities within the European Union are 90% filled. The European Commission claims that the EU is ready for the coming winter. Following Russia's invasion of Ukraine, the 27 member states decided in summer 2022 that EU gas storage facilities should average 90% filled by November 1. Based on data from the Gas Infrastructure Europe portal, there are disparities between countries: the highest fill level is in Spain at 100%, while Latvia maintains around 69%. In Germany, storage facilities are 93.6% filled. The EU aims to further lessen its reliance on Russian natural gas. Instead, more liquefied natural gas (LNG) is being imported from the US, and natural gas is being sourced from Norway.**
15:21 Putin Accuses Ukraine of Attempting to Assault Russian NPPRussian President Vladimir Putin accuses Ukraine of making an assault on the nuclear power plant in Kursk. "The enemy attempted to attack the nuclear facility last night," says Putin without providing proof. "The International Atomic Energy Agency has been notified," Putin says during a live address at a cabinet meeting. The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) earlier warned of the potential consequences of conflict on the power plant and urged "all parties to exercise extreme caution." Further information can be found here.
14:50 IAEA Head Plans Visit to Kursk NPPThe head of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), Rafael Grossi, intends to visit the Russian nuclear power plant in Kursk next week. The IAEA confirms that this visit is tentatively scheduled "for next week." Around August's beginning, the Ukrainian army launched a massive, surprise offensive in the Russian region of Kursk. Russia's state nuclear corporation Rosatom then expressed concerns about a possible threat to the NPP, which is located approximately a hundred kilometers from the Ukrainian border.**
14:21 Russia: 115,000 People Evacuated from Dangerous Regions115,000 people have evacuated from Russian regions under imminent threat, Russia's deputy prime minister, Denis Manturov, reveals. He explains that the damage inflicted on agriculture and industry by the Ukrainian offensive is currently being calculated during a meeting with President Vladimir Putin and top administrators. "I've called you here to discuss the current situation in Russia's border areas," Putin begins the meeting.**
14:00 Tusk: India Could Broker Peace in Ukraine ConflictPolish Prime Minister Donald Tusk regards India's reported role in mediating the Ukraine conflict positively. "I'm delighted that the Prime Minister has confirmed his readiness to join efforts aimed at achieving a swift, fair, and peaceful conclusion to the conflict," Tusk says in Warsaw after talks with Modi. Modi's offer to mediate is particularly significant, Tusk says, as Modi plans to visit Kyiv, where he will meet with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. India maintains neutrality towards the Russian invasion and does not support Western sanctions against Moscow. Further information can be found here.
13:40 "No Signs of a 'Limited' Kursk Incursion as Perceived"German Chancellor Olaf Scholz speculates that the Ukrainian progress in Russia will be "limited in terms of space and time." However, ntv correspondent Nadja Kriewald, reporting from Sumy in eastern Ukraine, indicates that there are currently no indications supporting this assumption. On the contrary, it seems.
13:20 Several Russian Warplanes Demolished in Sawaslejka AssaultsSeveral Russian aircraft are said to have been destroyed during Ukrainian attacks on the Sawaslejka airbase. This information is relayed by the Ukrainian public broadcaster Suspilne, quoting intelligence from the security service. According to the reports, a MiG-31K supersonic interceptor and two Il-76 strategic airlifters were destroyed, and approximately five aircraft, presumably MiG-31K/I, were damaged in an August 16 assault. An August 13 strike targeted a fuel and lubricant depot, resulting in additional MiG-31K/I damage.
13:06 Russian Security Agency Introduces Criminal Investigations Against International JournalistsThe Russian Federal Security Service (FSB) has launched criminal investigations against several foreign journalists, including a CNN reporter and two Ukrainian women, over their reporting in the Kursk region, presently under Ukrainian control. The FSB accuses the journalists of crossing the border unlawfully to record in the Ukrainian-administered city of Sudscha. The agency has threatened to issue international arrest warrants imminently, with the journalists potentially facing up to five years in Russian prisons. Recently, American journalist Evan Gershkovich was released from Russian custody as part of a prisoner exchange. He had been sentenced to 16 years in labor camps for espionage charges. Find more details here.
12:34 Zelenskyy Visits Border Region: "Exchange Fund" EnhancedUkrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy visited the Sumy border region in northeastern Ukraine, where Ukrainian forces penetrated Russia more than two weeks ago. He declared that another Kursk region settlement had been seized, and the "exchange fund" had been replenished, referring to the detaining of Russian soldiers in anticipation of a Ukrainian captive exchange in Russia. Zelenskyy claimed that since the Kursk offensive, strikes on Sumy and civil casualties there had decreased. He posted a video featuring him with the commander-in-chief of Ukrainian troops, Oleksandr Syrskyi, who updated him on reinforcements in eastern Ukraine. Russia remains pushing forward there.
12:06 Infrastructure Under Surveillance? Allegations of Russian Drones in BrunsbüttelGerman tabloid "Bild" reports sightings of suspected Russian drones over the largest industrial park in Schleswig-Holstein. Over the past several days, drones have reportedly flown above the decommissioned nuclear power plant and the LNG terminal in Brunsbüttel, violating the no-fly zone. The State Prosecutor's Office in Flensburg is probing potential espionage and sabotage. Internally, authorities refer to it as a "no-fly zone breach over the nuclear power plant." A suspicious object, believed to be a military drone, was detected. According to "Bild," these drones are attributed to Russian agents and could be launched from civilian ships in the North Sea. More details here.
11:40 US Embassy in Kyiv Warns of Increased Risk of Aerial Attacks in Coming DaysThe American Embassy in Kyiv has alerted of an elevated risk of aerial attacks ahead of Ukraine's Independence Day on Saturday. Over the next few days and during the weekend, there is heightened danger that Russia will strike Ukraine with drones and missiles, the embassy noted on its website. Ukraine is commemorating the 33rd anniversary of its independence from the Soviet Union on August 24. The occasion has taken on greater significance for Ukrainians in the wake of the onset of the conflict in Ukraine exactly two and a half years ago. Recently, Ukrainian troops infiltrated Russian territory in the Kursk border region. Russian President Vladimir Putin characterized it as a provocation and vowed a retaliatory response.
11:13 Military Base in Volgograd AflameA fire erupts at a military facility in Marinovka, southern Russian Volgograd region. Residents report hearing blasts. Regional authorities blame the fire on a Ukrainian drone assault. No casualties have been reported.
10:41 Russia Installs Prefabricated Shelters in KurskIn response to the Kursk border region, Russian authorities are erecting prefabricated shelters for civilians. "At my discretion, the Kursk city administration has designated central locations for the placement of modular prefabricated bunkers," explains regional governor Alexei Smirnov via Telegram. Bunkers are being set up at high-traffic locations, such as bus stops, with roughly 60 such stops planned. Smirnov posted a photo of a truck transporting one of the modules. Bunkers are also being constructed in two additional areas, including Kursk, home to the Kursk region's nuclear power plant, which Russia alleges Ukraine intends to assault, a claim Ukraine denies.
09:42 Multiple Region Attacks: Russian Authorities Report Downed Drones Russian authorities report numerous instances of Ukrainian air assaults in the western part of the country. As per Telegram posts by regional governors, various drones were taken down primarily near Marinovka (see entry at 07:30). In the Kursk border region, two Ukrainian missiles and a drone were allegedly brought down by Russian air defense. Further south in Rostov, five drones were reportedly thwarted, according to Governor Vasily Golubev. Drones were also said to have been neutralized in the Russian regions of Voronezh and Bryansk.
09:09 US House Delegation Meeting with Ukrainian Minister of Defense: Approval for Long-Range Weapons against Russian Targets The Ukrainian Minister of Defense, Rustem Umerov, met with a bipartisan US House of Representatives delegation in Kyiv. According to the ministry in Kyiv, the discussion focused on the situation at the front and Washington's policy regarding the employment of long-range weapons against Russian targets. Umerov emphasized the importance of obtaining immediate approval from their allies to fully use long-range weapons against targets in Russia. "It's crucial to protect our peaceful cities and villages," he said.
08:36 US Actor Launches Mine-Clearing Robot Fundraising Campaign US actor Mark Hamill, famously known for his role as Luke Skywalker in "Star Wars," is raising funds for mine-clearing robots in Ukraine. Together with Eastern Europe expert Timothy Snyder, they hope to gather $441,000 through the "Safe Terrain" campaign. The robots can clear mines even in hard-to-reach areas, ensuring the safety of operators at a safe distance. "One of Russia's heinous acts in Ukraine is the scattering of millions of mines," Snyder said. "These robots can help clear mines and save lives." Ukraine is heavily mined, and its demining may take decades.
08:01 Propaganda Challenges and Preparation for a 'New Reality' The Ukrainian attack on Kursk poses a challenge to Moscow's propaganda. Although the regions are far away, a Kremlin-linked source told the independent Russian portal Meduza, based in Riga, "an incursion into Russian territory and control of villages is a new and very unpleasant event." To alleviate now significantly elevated anxiety, the Kremlin is working to prepare the Russians for a "new reality" and a "new normality." The message is: The enemy has indeed entered Russian territory, is about to be defeated, but the re-acquisition of the territory will take time, and the Russians must be patient. During this time, residents are encouraged to "transform negativity and shock into a positive direction" - namely by providing aid supplies for the Kursk region. Most officials interviewed by Meduza believe that the fighting in the Kursk region could last several months. A government-linked source specifies that this estimate is "quite optimistic - if everything goes well."
07:30 Confirmed Fire at Military Facility in Volgograd Russian authorities confirm that a military facility in Volgograd's southern region caught fire following a Ukrainian drone attack. Regarding the incident, regional Governor Andrey Bocharov stated on Telegram that the drone had crashed into the facility. Fortunately, there were no casualties. Bocharov did not specify which military facility was affected, but he mentioned that Marinovka, where Russia has an airbase, was targeted.
06:56 Former Security Advisor: Putin Manipulated Trump According to former US Security Advisor General Herbert Raymond McMaster, Russian President Vladimir Putin successfully manipulated former US President Donald Trump. This revelation appears in McMaster's book "At War With Ourselves: My Tour of Duty in the Trump White House," as reported by "The Guardian." "Putin, a cunning ex-KGB operative, exploited Trump's ego and insecurities with flattery," McMaster describes. Putin judged Trump as 'an extraordinary person, incredibly talented, beyond any doubt,' exerting a near-hypnotic influence on him. McMaster, who served as Trump's security advisor for about a year, had warned Trump about Putin: "Mr. President, he is the best liar in the world." He suggested that Putin was confident he could 'play' with Trump, aiming for a relaxation of sanctions and a cheap withdrawal of US troops from Syria and Afghanistan.
05:44 Klingbeil: Germany Prepared to Provide Extra Aid to Ukraine if NecessarySPD leader Lars Klingbeil has assured further assistance for Ukraine. If it's not possible to make the planned billions from frozen Russian assets available to Ukraine, Germany is ready to provide additional funds, he says in the podcast of deputy "Bild" editor-in-chief Paul Ronzheimer. It's not acceptable to reach a point where it's said: "Now there's no more money for Ukraine." In that case, "we've gotta check where the funds can come from in Germany," says Klingbeil. "We've got a responsibility towards Ukraine. Solutions need to be found, and we will find them."
04:27 Ukraine Speaks on Drone Attacks in RussiaThe Ukrainian military intelligence service HUR has commented on the targets of the drone attacks in Russia last night. They were targeted at Moscow airport Ostafyevo, Millerovo air base in the Rostov region, and a radio communication center, said HUR chief Kyrylo Budanov to the military site "The War Zone." About 50 drones were involved. The extent of damage is currently being assessed. Russian authorities reported this morning that they had shot down 45 drones over Russian territory.
03:09 Elections in Russia: Protection for Poll Workers in KurskIn the hotly contested Russian border region of Kursk, early regional elections are scheduled to take place. Russia is equipping poll workers with bulletproof vests and helmets. Additionally, extra polling stations are being established in other parts of the country for people who have fled the region, according to the chair of the regional election commission, Tatjana Malachowa. The region is under a state of emergency. Elections for governors and regional parliaments are planned in numerous regions across Russia from September 6 to 8. Citizens in border regions can vote early, including in Kursk, Belgorod, and Bryansk.
01:34 Fico Hints at Pressure in Western Democracies' Foreign PolicySlovakian Prime Minister Robert Fico hints at pressure in his foreign policy views from Western democracies. He claims that those who deviate from the consensus on important foreign policy issues are "arbitrarily pressured and threatened with isolation" by Western democracies, according to a statement released on the anniversary of the 1968 Moscow invasion. In the statement, Fico compares the violent suppression of the "Prague Spring" in 1968 by Warsaw Pact troops to what he sees as current pressure on diverse views in Europe. Fico is opposed to the EU's arms aid to Ukraine and has faced accusations of being pro-Russian as a result.
00:12 Ukraine Reports 46 Russian Attacks Near Pokrovsk in a DayUkraine reports 46 Russian attacks along the front near the city of Pokrovsk in the east of the country over the course of the day. Of these, 44 were repelled, the general staff reports. Fighting continues at the remaining two sections. The attacks resulted in 238 Russian soldiers killed or wounded. No information is provided on Ukrainian losses. Russia has not yet commented.
23:09 Russia Claims to Have Thwarted Ukrainian Incursion in BryanskRussia claims to have thwarted an incursion by Ukrainian "saboteurs" into the Russian border region of Bryansk, adjacent to Kursk. The incursion of the "Ukrainian reconnaissance-sabotage group" was prevented by forces of the Russian FSB security service and units of the Russian army, according to the governor of Bryansk, Alexander Bogomaz, in a Telegram message. "The enemy was neutralized," the message adds. The situation is now "under control."
22:15 Zelensky Hopes for Swift Allocation of Promised Billion-Dollar AidUkrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky hopes for the quick allocation of the billion-dollar aid promised by the West, which is to be funded in part by the proceeds from frozen Russian state assets. While there have been many political explanations from Ukraine's partners, more are expected, Zelensky says in his evening video address. "But we need a real mechanism." Ukraine needs the proceeds from Russia's frozen assets to defend against Russian aggression. "The relevant discussions have been going on for too long, and we need decisions now." The G7 countries had agreed at their summit in June to provide new financial aid to Kyiv. A generous loan of $50 billion is to be secured by interest earnings from frozen Russian assets.
21:52 Putin Praises Strengthened Ties with ChinaRussian President Vladimir Putin lauds the strengthened cooperation with China. "Our trade relations are developing successfully (...). The attention that both governments give to trade and economic relations is bearing fruit," Putin says at a meeting with Chinese Premier Li Qiang in the Kremlin. China and Russia have "large-scale joint plans and projects in the economic and humanitarian fields," Putin continues. Li says, according to the Kremlin, that the Chinese-Russian relations are at an "unprecedented high level." The strategic partnership between Russia and China has deepened since the Russian invasion of Ukraine. For Russia, China is a key trading partner due to Western sanctions.
21:20 Denied Appeal: Russia's Ex-Deputy Defense Minister Continues in CustodyRussia's former Deputy Defense Minister Dmitri Bulgakov, facing corruption accusations, remains in custody. His plea for home detention under strict conditions and his challenge against detention have been dismissed, as reported by the Russian news agency TASS. Bulgakov managed procurement of military supplies for Russian troops prior to his termination. Furthermore, the Moscow court has incarcerated two assumed associates of Bulgakov. Their company allegedly obtained nine contracts from Bulgakov between 2022 and 2024, with damages estimated around 50 million rubles (approximately 500,000 euros).
21:00 Ukraine Strengthens Presence in PokrovskAs per Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Ukraine is bolstering its troops in the intensely disputed area of Pokrovsk, located in the eastern part of the country. "We're in the know about the plans of the Russian troops there," he reveals in a live broadcast. Meanwhile, Zelenskyy shares that the Ukrainian offensive in the Russian region of Kursk is progressing, with certain territories now under Ukrainian control. Zelenskyy does not offer additional insights.
20:41 Post Decree: Numerous Ukrainians in Hungary Risk Homelessness from SheltersFollowing the implementation of a decree in Hungary that rejects general protection to Ukrainian refugees, many Ukrainians are threatened with displacement from their shelters. According to Migration Aid, privately run refugee shelters have started to evict Ukrainians. In Kocs, north of Budapest, approximately 120 refugees, under police surveillance, are requested to vacate a guesthouse. Majority of them are Roma women and children from the western Ukrainian region of Transcarpathia, which has a significant Hungarian minority.
You can explore all prior events here.
In light of the ongoing conflict, it's crucial to discuss the potential escalation of cyber threats. Even though the given text primarily focuses on physical assaults and territorial disputes, the conversation about cyberwarfare is relevant.
Here are two sentences that can be derived from the given text and contain the term 'Cyberwar':
- As the battleline between Russia and Ukraine shifts, experts have warned about the potential for cyberwarfare to be utilized as an asymmetric tactic, further complicating the already complex conflict.
- To prevent further destabilization, international cybersecurity organizations have urged both Russia and Ukraine to reaffirm their commitment to refrain from engaging in cyberwarfare, considering the potential for catastrophic consequences.
