At 18:03, Ukraine reports casualties resulting from a glide bomb strike
17:28 Russian Authorities: Fuel Tanker Blazes After Alleged Ukrainian Attack
As reported by local authorities, a fuel tanker is ablaze in the Russian port of Kavkaz, located in the Krasnodar region east of Crimea. This incident follows an alleged attack by Ukrainian forces. Several Russian media outlets have shared images and videos depicting the blaze and massive plumes of smoke. Ukrainian forces have also posted such media on social media, with the caption "Neptune pays a visit to the port of Kavkaz" on their Telegram channel. Unverified reports from Russian Telegram channels suggest the ship was struck by a Neptune anti-ship missile of Ukrainian origin. However, the weapon's official range is 300 kilometers, and the frontline is more distant. Moscow relies heavily on this port to supply its troops in their conflict with Ukraine.
16:41 Russia Claims Advance Towards Pokrovsk, Ukraine Reports Successes in Kursk
Russian military forces claim capturing another village near the city of Pokrovsk in eastern Ukraine, bringing them approximately 10 kilometers from the city, a significant logistics hub. Ukrainian President Zelenskyj had previously announced plans to strengthen troops in the Pokrovsk area. Now, he reports a success in the Russian region of Kursk, with troops capturing another village and "filling the exchange fund" - capturing more Russian soldiers. According to these reports, Ukrainian forces control 94 villages and over a thousand square kilometers of territory in Kursk. However, this remains unverified.
16:12 Ukraine Denies Attempted Nuclear Power Plant Attack, Suggests Russian 'Nuclear Provocation'
Ukraine refutes the allegation made by Russian President Vladimir Putin that Ukrainian troops attempted to attack the Kursk nuclear power plant last night. "This is a blatant lie," declares Andrii Kovalenko, head of the department for countering disinformation at the National Security and Defense Council of Ukraine. This false claim follows previous Russian fabrications that Ukraine is planning a "nuclear provocation" at the Kursk and Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plants. Instead, all signs indicate that Russia may be planning this provocation itself, Kovalenko continues. He regards the "possibility of a nuclear provocation by Russia" as genuine, given Putin's personal involvement.
15:46 EU Gas Storage at 90% Capacity Two Months EarlyTwo months ahead of schedule, gas storage facilities across the European Union reach 90% capacity. The EU Commission announces that it is prepared for the upcoming winter. Following the start of Russia's invasion of Ukraine, the 27 member states agreed in summer 2022 that EU gas storage should be on average 90% full by November 1. According to data from the Gas Infrastructure Europe portal, there are disparities between countries: Spain boasts a 100% fill level, while Latvia hovers around 69%. In Germany, storage stands at 93.6%. The EU aims to diminish its reliance on Russian natural gas and instead import more liquefied natural gas (LNG) from the U.S. and natural gas from Norway.
15:21 Putin Accuses Ukraine of Attempting to Attack Russian Nuclear Power PlantRussian President Vladimir Putin accuses Ukraine of attempting to attack the nuclear power plant in Kursk. "The enemy attacked the nuclear facility last night," the Kremlin chief declares without offering proof. "The International Atomic Energy Agency has been informed," Putin adds during a televised cabinet meeting. The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) had previously expressed concern about the impact of fighting on the power plant and urged "all parties to exercise maximum caution." Read more here.
14:50 IAEA Chief to Visit Kursk Nuclear Power PlantThe head of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), Rafael Grossi, plans to visit the Russian nuclear power plant in Kursk next week. An IAEA spokesperson confirms that the visit could take place "next week." In early August, the Ukrainian military launched a surprise large-scale offensive in the Russian region of Kursk. Shortly thereafter, the Russian state nuclear corporation Rosatom warned of a potential threat to the nuclear power plant due to Ukrainian attacks, located approximately 100 kilometers from the Ukrainian border.
14:21 Russia Reports Evacuation of 115,000 People115,000 people have been evacuated from endangered Russian regions bordering Ukraine, Deputy Prime Minister Denis Manturov confirms. He explains that the damage to agriculture and industry caused by the Ukrainian offensive is currently being assessed during a meeting with President Vladimir Putin and senior administration officials. "I have convened you to discuss the current situation in Russia's border regions," Putin says at the meeting's outset.
14:00 Tusk Suggests India as a Possible Mediator in Ukraine ConflictPolish Prime Minister Donald Tusk sees a potential role for Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi as a mediator in the Ukraine conflict as positive. "I am very pleased that the Prime Minister has reaffirmed his readiness to personally engage for a peaceful, fair, and swift resolution of the conflict," Tusk says after meetings with Modi in Warsaw. Modi's offer to mediate is particularly valuable, given that he will travel from Poland to Kyiv to meet with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. India maintains a neutral stance towards Russia's invasion of Ukraine and does not support Western sanctions against Moscow. Read more here.
13:40 "Spatially and temporally limited" Kursk incursion may not be the caseGerman Chancellor Olaf Scholz believes the Ukrainian advance into Russia is a "spatially and temporally limited" operation. However, ntv correspondent Nadja Kriewald's current report from Sumy in eastern Ukraine casts doubt on this notion. "Quite the contrary," she says.
13:20 Russian Military Aircraft Wiped Out in Savasleyka Assaults Ukrainian attacks on the Savasleyka airbase appear to have resulted in the destruction of numerous Russian aircraft. This information is shared by Suspilne, sourcing their intelligence. According to their intel, an MiG-31K supersonic interceptor and two Il-76 strategic airlifters were destroyed on August 16, with approximately five aircraft, suspected to be MiG-31K/I, sustaining damage. An August 13 assault is also reported to have targeted a fuel and lubricant depot, causing damage to another MiG-31K/I.
13:06 Russian Secret Police Scrutinize CNN Correspondents Russian FSB is reportedly investigating various foreign journalists, including a CNN reporter and two Ukrainian journalists, who have been operating in the Kursk region, where Ukrainian forces control several settlements. The journalists are being accused of illegally crossing the state border by filming in the Ukrainian-controlled town of Sushcha. The FSB has hinted at forthcoming international arrest warrants, with the journalists facing up to five years in prison if found guilty. Recently, American journalist Evan Gershkovich was released from Russian detention following a prisoner exchange, after being convicted of espionage charges and sentenced to 16 years. Explore more details here.
12:34 Zelensky Visits Border Region: Exchange Fund Doubled Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky visited the Sumy border region in northeastern Ukraine, where Ukrainian troops had crossed into Russia more than two weeks prior. He announced the capture of another Kursk region town and a replenishment of the "exchange fund," referring to the capturing of Russian soldiers for a future prisoner exchange. Zelensky noted that attacks on Sumy and civilian casualties there had reduced since the Kursk offensive. He shared a video featuring him with the commander-in-chief of the Ukrainian forces, Oleksandr Syrskyi, who briefed him on the fortification of troops in the east, where Russia continues to advance.
12:06 Suspected Russian Drones Stir Alarm in Brunsbüttel There have been sightings of suspected Russian drones over the largest industrial park in Schleswig-Holstein. This has been reported by Bild, stating that drones have been detected multiple times flying at high speeds over the decommissioned nuclear power plant and the LNG terminal in Brunsbüttel. The Public Prosecutor's Office in Flensburg is investigating due to suspected espionage and potential sabotage. Internal reports suggest that the flight ban zone was frequently violated, with an enemy object, believed to be a military drone, detected. Learn more details here.
11:40 US Embassy in Kyiv Issues Air Attack Warning The US Embassy in Kyiv has issued a warning of an increased threat of air attacks ahead of Ukraine's Independence Day on August 24. The embassy claims that there is an elevated chance of Russia launching attacks on Ukraine with drones and missiles during these days and over the weekend. Ukraine celebrates its 33rd independence anniversary from the Soviet Union, and recently, Ukrainian soldiers unexpectedly entered Russian territory in the border region of Kursk. Russian President Vladimir Putin condemned this as a provocation and threatened retaliation.
11:13 Volgograd Military Base Endures Fire A fire erupted in a military base situated near Marinovka in Russia's Volgograd region in the south. Witnesses claimed to have heard explosions. As reported by local authorities, the fire originated from a Ukrainian drone attack, resulting in no reported injuries.
10:41 Kursk Region Turns to Prefabricated Shelters As per local authorities, prefabricated concrete shelters are being constructed for the Kursk region's population by the order of Governor Alexei Smirnov. The shelters are being installed at strategic locations such as bus stops. Smirnov shares a photo of a truck delivering one of the shelter blocks. Shelters are also being constructed in two additional locations besides Kursk, including the region's nuclear power plant, which Russia suspects Ukraine plans to target. Ukraine denies these accusations.
10:10 Ukraine Repels Russian Troop Assaults in Kursk Ukrainian troops have reportedly repelled over 40 attacks by Russian troops in the Kursk front area, nearly all of which were unsuccessful. President Zelenskyy pledged to bolster the troops in the sector. Furthermore, Ukraine's advance in the Kursk region continues.
09:42 Russia Fends off Air Strikes in Multiple Regions Russian army apparently is countering several Ukrainian air strikes in western Russia. According to Volgograd region governor Andrei Bocharov, "most of the drones were neutralized" near Marinovka (refer to the 07:30 entry). In the Kursk border region, governor Alexei Smirnov reports that "two Ukrainian missiles and one drone were destroyed by Russian air defense" and five drones were downed in the Rostov region. Russian regions of Voronezh and Bryansk also reported drone attacks.
09:09 Long-Range Weapons Against Russian Targets: Kyiv Pleads for American ConsentUkraine's defense minister, Rustem Umerov, gets together with a bipartisan delegation from the US House of Representatives in Kyiv. As per the ministry's statement, Republican representative Rob Wittman and Democratic representative David Trone discuss the situation at the frontline and Washington's standpoint on using long-range weapons against Russian targets with Umerov. "I underlined the urgency of securing approval from our allies to fully utilize long-range weapons against Russian targets," stated Umerov. "It's about safeguarding our tranquil towns and villages."
08:36 Star Wars Legend Launches Fundraising CampaignAmerican actor Mark Hamill, renowned for his role as Luke Skywalker in "Star Wars," is collecting funds for mine-clearing robots for Ukraine. In partnership with Eastern Europe expert Timothy Snyder, they aim to collect $441,000 through the "Safe Terrain" campaign. These robots can clear mines even in hard-to-reach areas, at a safe distance from the operators. "One of the most heinous acts Russia has carried out in Ukraine is the planting of millions of mines," said Snyder. "I've visited deserted locations near the frontline where people have to take risks to help others return to their farms and homes. Thanks to these robots, mines can be cleared, and lives saved." Ukraine is heavily mined, and its demining could take decades.
08:01 Russian Population is Being Prepared for a "New Reality"The Ukrainian attack on Kursk puts Moscow's propaganda to the test. While the regions are far away, a Kremlin-linked source tells the independent Russian portal Meduza, based in Riga, "But even the entry into Russian territory and the capture of control over villages is a new and very unpleasant event." To soothe the now evidently more anxious mood, the Kremlin is trying to prepare the Russians for living in a "new reality" and a "new normal." The message is: The enemy has indeed entered Russian territory, it is on the brink of defeat - but the return of the territory will take time, and the Russians must wait. In the meantime, residents are encouraged to "convert the negativity and shock into a positive direction" - namely by donating aid supplies for the Kursk region. Overall, all officials interviewed by Meduza are confident 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 Russian Governor Confirms Fire in Military FacilityRussian authorities validate reports of a fire in a military facility in the southern Russian region of Volgograd, following a Ukrainian drone attack. Regional governor Andrei Bocharov confirms on Telegram that the drone struck the facility. There were no casualties. Bocharov does not reveal which military facility was affected. He explains that the village of Marinovka was targeted in the attack, where Russia has an airbase.
06:56 Former Security Adviser: Putin Had a Hypnotic Influence on TrumpFormer US security advisor, US General Herbert Raymond McMaster, thinks that Russian leader Vladimir Putin successfully influenced former US President Donald Trump. This is revealed 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 agent, played on Trump's ego and insecurities with flattery," McMaster reportedly says. Putin called Trump 'a truly extraordinary person, gifted beyond debate.' Putin had a hypnotic influence on Trump. McMaster, who served as Trump's security advisor for about a year, had reportedly warned Trump: "Mr. President, he is the world's best liar." He suggested that Putin was confident he could "manipulate" Trump and achieve a relaxation of sanctions and a cheap exit of the US from Syria and Afghanistan.
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06:20 Reports of Fire at Russian Airbase in VolgogradExplosions were reportedly heard in the Russian city of Kalach-on-Don in the Volgograd region overnight. Various Russian Telegram channels claim these were due to a drone attack. A fire is said to have occurred at a nearby airbase. The Volgograd region is approximately 900 kilometers southeast of Moscow. The target was likely the Marinovka airbase in the village of Oktyabrsky, about 20 kilometers from Kalach-on-Don. Witnesses in the area reported hearing six to ten loud explosions accompanied by the distinctive sounds of drones, according to Telegram.
04:27 Ukrainian Military Discloses Objectives of Night Drone Attacks in RussiaThe Ukrainian Military Intel Service HUR has spoken up regarding the objectives of the drone assaults executed in Russia during nighttime. The targets were the Moscow airport Ostafyevo, the Millerovo airbase situated in the Rostov region, and a radio communication center. HUR chief Kyrylo Budanow provided this information to the military news site "The War Zone". Approximately 50 drones were involved. The extent of the potential harm is currently being investigated. Russian officials claimed to have shot down 45 drones over their territory during the morning hours.
03:09 Kursk's Early Regional Elections: Bodily Protections for Poll WorkersFor the early regional elections scheduled in the contentious Russian border area of Kursk, Russia intends to provide poll workers with protective equipment like bulletproof vests and helmets. Moreover, fresh polling stations will also be installed in different parts of the nation for people who have evacuated the region. According to Tatjana Malachova, head of the regional election commission, such measures have been announced by Russian news agencies. The territory is currently under a state of emergency. Governor elections and regional parliaments are to be held in numerous Russian regions from September 6 to 8.
01:34 Fico Expresses Feelings of Opinion Constraint in Foreign PolicySlovak Prime Minister Robert Fico expresses his dissatisfaction with being confined by public opinion in Western democracies when formulating important foreign policy decisions. He points out that individuals who deviate from the consensus on significant foreign policy issues are frequently put under pressure and threatened with isolation by these democracies, according to a statement released on the occasion of the 1968 Moscow invasion anniversary. Fico likens the violent suppression of the Prague Spring in 1968 by Warsaw Pact troops to the current public opinion pressure he perceives in Europe. Fico is against EU arms aid for Ukraine and has been accused of being pro-Russian due to this stance.
00:12 Ukraine Reports 46 Russian Assaults around Pokrovsk in a DayUkraine reports 46 Russian attacks along the frontline near Pokrovsk in the east of the nation over the span of a day. Out of these, 44 were repelled, reveals the General Staff. As of 21:00 CET, fighting continues at the remaining two locations. 238 Russian troops were either killed or injured in the clashes. No information concerning Ukrainian casualties is available. Russia has yet to comment.
23:09 Russia: Ukrainian Incursion into Bryansk ThwartedRussia claims to have thwarted an incursion by Ukrainian "saboteurs" into the Russian border region of Bryansk, which borders Kursk. The infiltration of the "Ukrainian reconnaissance-sabotage group" was foiled by the FSB and Russian army units, as stated by the Bryansk governor, Alexander Bogomaz. "The enemy was engaged by fire," he discloses. The situation is now under control.
22:15 Zelensky: Ukraine Hopes for Promised Billions in AidUkrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky expresses hope that the promised billions in aid from the West will be distributed swiftly, including funds from frozen Russian state assets. Despite numerous political statements, further action is expected, according to Zelensky, in a daily video address. "However, we need a concrete mechanism." Ukraine needs the income from Russian assets to shield itself against Russian aggression. "Discussions about this have been ongoing for far too long, and we need decisions now." The G7 countries agreed upon fresh financial assistance for Kyiv at their June summit, guaranteeing a generous loan of $50 billion secured by interest generated from frozen Russian assets.
21:52 Putin Admires Closer Economic Ties with ChinaRussian President Vladimir Putin praises the strengthening relationships with China. "Our commercial relationships are prospering (...). The attention that both governments bestow upon trade and economic relations is yielding results," Putin remarks at a meeting with Chinese Premier Li Qiang in the Kremlin. China and Russia boast "ambitious joint plans and projects in the economic and humanitarian domains," Putin continues. Li claims that Chinese-Russian relations are at an "unprecedented apex," according to the Kremlin. The strategic alliance between Russia and China has intensified since Russia's invasion of Ukraine. For Russia, China serves as a crucial trading partner due to Western sanctions.
21:20 Request for Early Release Denied: Former Russian Deputy Defense Minister Remains in CustodyThe former Russian Deputy Defense Minister, Dmitri Bulgakov, who is accused of corruption, will remain in detention. Bulgakov's plea for house arrest with restrictions and his appeal against his incarceration have been declined, as reported by the state news agency TASS. Bulgakov was in charge of procuring materials for the Russian armed forces prior to his dismissal. The Moscow court has additionally ordered the detention of two suspected accomplices of Bulgakov. Their firm is claimed to have secured nine contracts from Bulgakov between 2022 and 2024. The estimated damages amount to approximately 50 million rubles (around 500,000 euros) as estimated by intermediaries.
21:00 Ukraine Strengthens Units in PokrovskAs per President Volodymyr Zelensky, Ukraine is reinforcing its troops in the fiercely contested region of Pokrovsk in the east of the country. He discloses this in a televised address, stating that they are aware of the Russian troops' intentions in the area. Meanwhile, the Ukrainian offensive in the Russian territory of Kursk persists, according to Zelensky. Certain zones have fallen under Ukrainian control. Zelensky does not provide additional information.
20:41 Post Decree: Numerous Ukrainians in Hungary Required to Depart from Refugee FacilitiesFollowing the enactment of a decree in Hungary that withdrew general security for Ukrainian refugees, many Ukrainians in the country now confront the probability of losing their living spaces. Numerous private refugee shelters have already started forcing out Ukrainians, as reported by the organization Migration Aid. In Kocs, situated north of Budapest, approximately 120 refugees, primarily Roma women and children from the western Ukrainian region of Transcarpathia, where there's a substantial Hungarian minority, are required to vacate a guesthouse under police surveillance.
You can catch up on all the previous happenings here.
The President of the Council may need to address the escalating tensions between Ukraine and Russia due to the alleged Ukrainian attack on a Russian fuel tanker in the port of Kavkaz.
If the allegations about the Ukrainian attack on the nuclear power plant in Kursk are true, the President of the Council would need to condemn such actions and ensure international safety measures are implemented to prevent any potential nuclear disaster.
