At 19:34, Swiss security specialists propose revising the country's long-standing neutrality policy.
Swiss Experts Propose Shifting from Neutrality towards increased Military Cooperation with NATO and EU A team of Swiss government specialists suggests revisiting the nation's long-standing neutrality policy and promoting enhanced military collaboration with NATO and the EU. The proposal, obtained by Politico, is a response to elevated security concerns caused by Russia's invasion of Ukraine. The Swiss Ministry of Defense's working group highlights that Switzerland is experiencing mounting pressure, both domestically and internationally, to clarify its neutral stance. The policy traces back to 1515. The working group is headed by Wolfgang Ischinger, a former Munich Security Conference leader.
18:58 Ukrainian Military Reports Over 90 Engagements with Russian Forces Since sunrise, there have been 91 skirmishes between Ukrainian and Russian forces. The Ukrainian General Staff reports this and describes the battlefront situation as challenging. "Defense forces are making efforts to derail the offensive plans of the Russian aggressor and destroy its personnel and military equipment," the situation report states.
18:22 Ukrainian Commander Estimates Russian Troop Casualties in August Russia's armed forces incursions in Ukraine during August resulted in nearly 36,810 casualties, according to Oleksandr Pavliuk, the commander of the Ukrainian ground forces. He reported this via Telegram, as per Ukraine's news agency Ukrinform. In addition, Ukrainian forces claimed to have destroyed numerous enemy weapons and equipment during August: Russia suffered 193 tank losses, 557 armored combat vehicle losses, 1,517 artillery system losses, 44 multiple rocket launcher losses, 33 air defense system losses, more than 2,000 vehicle losses, and 278 special unit losses. These figures cannot be confirmed independently. The Russian government remains silent about its own losses in Ukraine.
17:44 United Kingdom: Russian Troops Accelerate Progress Towards Pokrovsk According to the British defense intelligence experts' situation report, Russian ground troops are boosting their advance on the disputed city of Pokrovsk in eastern Ukraine. "Russian ground troops are likely within ten kilometers of the city limits," it says. The experts predict that the advance will slow down once ground troops encounter built-up areas surrounding the city. Pokrovsk plays an essential role as a logistics hub for Ukrainian troops. Capturing it would likely extend existing supply routes, making the situation more challenging for Ukrainian forces. The UK's Ministry of Defense has been issuing daily updates on the conflict based on intelligence since Russia's invasion of Ukraine.
17:16 Casualties Reported after Russell Attack on Kurachowe The Russian army targeted the town of Kurachowe in the Donetsk Oblast using multiple rocket launchers. At least three people were killed and nine injured, according to Vadym Fillaschkin, the head of the military administration of the Donetsk region via Telegram. Russia employed "Uragan" type multiple rocket launchers in the attack on Kurachowe.
16:43 Russian Army Claims Advancements in Donetsk Region The Russian military claims to have made advancements in the eastern Ukrainian region of Donetsk. The Ministry of Defense in Moscow reports the capture of the town of Vyimka in the north of Donetsk near the Ukrainian-controlled city of Sieversk. The Ukrainian General Staff reports nine Russian assaults within the past 24 hours on this front sector, including on Vyimka, but reports that they were repelled. Neither claim has been verified independently yet. The Russian military also claims to have made progress in its primary attack direction towards the Ukrainian city of Pokrovsk.
16:20 Russian Deputy Foreign Minister: Nuclear Doctrine to be Modified due to "Provocative Path of our Western Adversaries" The Russian government is reportedly advancing its previously announced revision of its nuclear doctrine. Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov tells the state news agency TASS that the work is progressing and aims to make adjustments. The decision is "in response to the provocative path of our Western adversaries" in the Ukraine conflict. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov comments in an interview that the West is "overstepping its bounds" and Russia will take necessary measures to uphold its interests. The USA and its allies affirm that the conflict in Ukraine is an invasion by Russia, and the Kyiv government is being supported in its defense. So far, the Russian nuclear doctrine permits the use of nuclear weapons if Russian sovereignty or territorial integrity is under threat.
15:54 Death Toll Rises to 41 in Kharkiv Air Strike The death toll from a Russian air strike on Kharkiv has climbed to 41, including five children, according to the Ukrainian state news agency Ukrinform, citing the military administration of the region. Russia bombed Kharkiv with rockets, causing approximately ten explosions and striking several civilian buildings, including a shopping center.
15:21 Zelenskyy Seeks Approval for Strikes Deeper into Russia Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has requested Western approval to use weapons provided by the West for attacks on Russian territory deeper after the recent Russian air strikes. According to Zelenskyy, via Telegram, more assistance is required "to completely defend and protect Ukrainian cities." This includes "a decision on deep-penetrating strikes on Russian missile launch sites, the destruction of Russian military logistics, and joint missile and drone launches." Zelenskyy emphasizes that Russia used 160 missiles, 780 guided or aerial bombs, and 400 combat drones against Ukraine in just the past week.
15:03 Ukrainian Air Force Successfully Downs Eight of Eleven Iranian DronesThe Ukrainian Air Force boasts of bringing down 24 intruding drones. The Russian forces dispatched an Iskander-M ballistic missile from Kursk and launched 11 Shahed-131/136 drones from Crimea towards Ukrainian targets. As per the Ukrainian Air Force, eight drones were successfully intercepted. The primary targets were the Ukrainian territories of Mykolaiv and Sumy.
14:45 Kharkiv Suffers 28 Injuries in Russian AirstrikeThe city of Kharkiv in northeastern Ukraine has faced yet another aerial assault by Russian forces, as reported by local officials. In a rocket strike, 28 civilians sustained injuries, stated Mayor Ihor Terechow. According to the Governor of the Kharkiv Oblast, Oleh Sinehubov, a six-year-old child was among the injured victims. Kharkiv is the second-largest city in Ukraine, and recent attacks have resulted in numerous fatalities and injuries.
14:29 EU Countries Import More Gas from Russia than from USAFor the first time in nearly two years, EU countries imported more gas from Russia than from the USA in a single quarter. Data compiled by Bruegel, a Brussels-based consultancy, shows that EU countries imported approximately 12.7 billion cubic meters of gas from Russia and 12.3 billion from the USA during the months of April to June. Although Russia's gas imports showed a minor decrease compared to the first quarter of 2024, the United States' imports dropped significantly. The World reports on these figures. Norway remains the leading gas supplier to the EU, with around 23.9 billion cubic meters imported during the second quarter. Prior to invading Ukraine in early 2022, Russia held this position, but many EU countries subsequently lowered their gas imports from the nation. As per data from the German Federal Statistical Office, Germany is no longer importing any gas from Russia. Russia now occupies the second spot in the list of suppliers, just barely ahead of the USA. The specific destination countries are not provided in the data.
14:10 Fire at Moscow Oil Refinery Put OutThe fire at the Moscow oil refinery (reported at 08:01) has reportedly been extinguished, as stated in a media report from the TASS news agency, citing emergency services. Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin stated that several drone fragments struck the facility, leading to a fire in a separate technical room. The Ukrainian military allegedly attacked power plants in Russia with numerous drones, as according to Russian statements.
13:36 Russia Regards USA as a Party to the WarAccording to Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov, the US is already heavily involved in the conflict through its weapons deliveries to Ukraine. Relations between Moscow and Washington are now as bad as they've ever been. Despite maintaining an official stance that Russia has no preference between Trump and Democratic candidate Kamala Harris, Peskov reiterated that the supply of military aid to Ukraine does not change Russia's demands for an end to the conflict.
13:19 Russia Forces Capture Two Villages in Eastern UkraineRussian forces have reportedly seized control of two villages in eastern Ukraine, according to Russian Defense Ministry statements. Ptyche and Vuhlinka are now under Russian control, as reported by state-run Russian news agencies, citing the ministry. Independent verification of such reports from the battlefield is impossible. Russian forces have been advancing on the eastern front for some time and frequently announce territorial gains.
12:48 Ukrainian Convoy Attacked by Russian TroopsRussian troops have allegedly targeted a grain convoy transporting goods between Sumy and Kharkiv, as claimed by Ukrainian reports. The convoy was attacked by rockets, resulting in the death of one truck driver and damages to 20 other trucks. Earlier, the Ukrainian air force had mentioned an attack on Sumy's logistics sector in the agricultural sector.
12:15 Power and Gas Supplies Remain Intact in Tver After Ukrainian AttackAccording to the governor of the Russian region of Tver, Igor Rudenya, the power and gas supplies remain unaffected despite an attack by Ukrainian forces using drones. Targets in the oblast, a region northwest of Moscow, were hit by the Ukrainian drones.
11:50 War Tourism Gains Popularity in UkraineIn Ukraine, where rockets can strike at any time of day or night, Dmytro Nikiforov offers guided tours through former battlegrounds. Before the war, he worked as a lawyer. Now, he organizes "War Tours" in Kyiv and its surrounding areas, including Bucha and Irpin. Nikiforov views his work as more than just a business opportunity - he sees it as an opportunity to attract global focus to the war and allow participants to witness the harsh realities of conflict. Nikiforov attributes the interest in his tours to people's desire for adventure and their desire to gain a deeper understanding of the ongoing conflict.
11:22 Zelenskyy: Russia Fires Over 780 Guided Bombs in Ukraine This WeekUkrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy argues that it is justifiable for Ukraine to respond to Russian terror with all necessary means to halt it. In the past week alone, Russia has launched more than 160 rockets, 780 guided bombs, and approximately 400 unmanned aerial vehicles of various types against Ukraine.
11:04 Ukraine: One Fatality, Four Wounds in Sumy AssaultOne civilian lost life and four others endured injuries due to Russian artillery barrage in the Sumy region of eastern Ukraine, as per local sources. "The Russians conducted 18 assaults on border territories and settlements in the Sumy region throughout the night and morning hours," regional authorities noted via Telegram. "47 blasts were documented." The Sumy region shares a border with the Russian Kursk oblast, where Ukrainian troops attacked on August 6.
10:28 Ukrainian Military Leader: Eastern Front ChallengingThe Ukrainian Military Chief, Oleksandr Syrskyi, declared the situation at the eastern front as complex. "The situation is demanding in the primary enemy attack zone. Yet, prompt and necessary decisions are being carried out at all levels," Army Chief Syrskyi stated via Telegram. He visited the frontline near Pokrovsk this past week. The fighting there is described as "intense." Syrskyi did not reveal the specific area of the Russian offensive, although he and President Volodymyr Zelenskyy have stated that Russian forces have focused on the strategy important city of Pokrovsk in the Donetsk oblast.
09:59 ISW: Russian Troops Lack Personnel and Equipment in Ukraine
According to the Institute for the Study of War (ISW) in its latest analysis, Russian troops are unable to perform at full force in Ukraine due to a lack of troops and equipment. This is attributed to the Kremlin's inefficient military policy. The ISW cites several sources, including a report by a mobilized Russian soldier who critiqued the Russian government's inability to establish a comprehensive mobilization system to replace personnel losses and increase reserves on Telegram.
09:21 Ukraine: Daily Casualties for Russian Troops Announced
The Ukrainian General Staff has released new casualty figures for Russian troops in Ukraine. According to the report, Russia has suffered approximately 616,300 soldiers since February 24, 2022, with a daily loss of 1,340. The report from Kyiv also states that ten tanks, 22 artillery systems, and 36 drones have been destroyed. Since the beginning of the large-scale invasion, Russia has allegedly lost 8,592 tanks, 17,636 artillery systems, 368 aircraft, 328 helicopters, 14,507 drones, 28 ships, and one submarine, as reported by Ukraine. International estimations suggest a lower casualty count, although these numbers are likely underestimates.
09:00 Russia: 158 Ukrainian Drones Shot Down
Russia has reportedly neutralized a total of 158 Ukrainian drones, as stated by the Russian Ministry of Defense in Moscow (see entries 07:03 and 03:45). The Ukrainian military has targeted power plants and refineries in a widespread drone attack, with the Moscow region and Tver, which borders it to the north, being particularly affected.
08:32 DeepState: Russian Advancement in Donetsk Region
Russian forces are reportedly advancing in the eastern Ukrainian region of Donetsk, according to analysts from the DeepState channel, which is affiliated with the Ukrainian military. Russian troops have allegedly captured Paraskowijiwka in the Donetsk region and have made further inroads into three settlements: Kostyantynivka, Grodivka, and Halytsynivka.
08:01 Moscow Mayor: Fire at Oil Refinery Following Attack
A fire has erupted at the oil refinery in Moscow, as confirmed by the mayor of the Russian capital, Sergei Sobyanin. This comes after a Ukrainian drone attack. Further details are unavailable at present.
07:28 Ghost Towns: Ukrainian Border Region Turning Progressively Empty
War has affected almost every corner of the border region between Russia and Ukraine in recent years. While the Ukrainian military can effectively push back just behind the Russian border, there are few inhabited villages left on the Ukrainian side.
07:03 Russia Repels 'Massive' Drone Attacks, According to Self-Reports
Russia claims to have repelled "massive" drone attacks on western Russia and a strike on Moscow, according to its own reports. "Our defenders are withstanding an attempted massive drone assault on the territory of the Bryansk region," explains the governor of the Bryansk region, Alexander Bogomaz, via Telegram. Over 26 drones (see entry 03:45) have been reportedly "identified and destroyed" by the Russian military.
06:23 Russia: Drone Attack on Power Plant in Kaschirskaja District
A power plant in Kaschirskaja, a district in the Moscow region, is said to have been attacked by Ukrainian drones, as stated by the head of the district, Michail Schuwalow, via Telegram. No injuries have been reported, although nothing was destroyed and no fire broke out. Previously, attacks on the Konakovo power plant in the Tver region northwest of Moscow were reported.
05:40 Explosions Near Russian Power Plant in Tver
Reports from several Russian Telegram channels indicate that loud explosions can be heard near the Konakovo power plant in the Tver region northwest of Moscow. The power plant is one of the largest power generators in central Russia. Previously, the governor of the region reported the destruction of five drones launched from Ukraine. No injuries have been reported. Emergency services are on-site.
04:54 Ziemiak: Germany Needs to Engage More with PolandCDU politician Paul Ziemiak is urging the German government to increase its engagement to enhance relations with Poland. "It's not a powerful Germany that frightens the Poles today - it's a weak one," the head of the German-Polish Parliamentary Group stated to web.de. Poland feels that its voice is not being adequately listened to by Germany, particularly in defense policy. Here, Germany has made mistakes in the past and only decided on stronger support for Ukraine "due to pressure from neighboring states."
03:45 Russia: More Drones DownedAs per Russian authorities, Russian air defense has thwarted at least five drones over the Moscow area. 26 drones were destroyed over the Bryansk border region in southwestern Russia, more than ten over the Voronezh region, and others over the Kursk, Lipetsk, Ryazan, and Tula regions. This information was shared by the governors of the affected regions on Telegram. There have been no reported damages or injuries.
02:39 Russia: Drone Assault on Moscow FoiledAccording to Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobjanin, Russian air defense has neutralized a drone en route to Moscow. Preliminary reports suggest no injuries or damages during the drone assault.
01:39 Netherlands Agrees to Send 28 Amphibious Armored Vehicles to KyivThe Netherlands will dispatch 28 amphibious armored vehicles of the Viking Bandvagn S10 type to Ukraine. This was announced by Dutch Defense Minister Ruben Brekelmans on the X platform. According to Brekelmans, Dutch Marine Corps personnel have trained Ukrainian soldiers in handling these vehicles. The Viking Bandvagan S10, with rubber tracks, weighs approximately 11 tons and can traverse various surface types, including water. "Ukraine urgently needs our assistance in countering the Russian aggressor. Our support for Ukraine continues to keep Russia in check," the minister wrote. He did not specify the delivery date.
00:35 Hodges Slams West's Ukraine Policy as "Horrible"Former US General Ben Hodges criticizes the West's policy of preventing Ukraine from attacking Russia. Hodges stated at the Globsec Forum in Prague, as reported by the "Kyiv Independent," that the West has no "clear objective." Kyiv has stepped up pressure to lift the ban by invading the Russian region of Kursk. However, the White House has maintained its stance, despite some US politicians supporting Kyiv's demands. "This disastrous policy, which actually protects Russian airfields better than Ukrainian civilians, reflects the fact that we have no clear objective," Hodges said. According to the former US commander, the Biden administration is failing in its "most important mission - to define our objectives."
23:25 Zelensky Urges Partners to Allow Attacks on RussiaUkrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is intensifying his push for his allies to allow attacks on Russia. "Clearing the Ukrainian sky of Russian cruise missiles is a significant step towards forcing Russia to seek an end to the war and a just peace," Zelensky said in his nightly video address. "We need the means to effectively and comprehensively protect Ukraine and the Ukrainians. We require both authorization for long-range abilities and long-range missiles and rockets." Zelensky's representatives have reportedly shared all necessary details with Ukraine's allies without providing specifics. Ukrainian Defense Minister Rustem Umerov informed US broadcaster CNN that Russian airfields from which Ukrainian cities are attacked are within reach of long-range weapons.
22:15 Estonia and Latvia Celebrate 30th Anniversary of Russian Troop WithdrawalEstonia and Latvia celebrated the 30th anniversary of Russian troop withdrawal with memorial events. Over half a century after the Soviet Red Army's occupation, the last Russian troops left the current EU and NATO members Estonia and Latvia on August 31, 1994. In Tallinn and Riga, Presidents Alar Karis (Estonia) and Edgars Rinkēvičs (Latvia) recognized the symbolic, political, and legal significance of the events three decades ago. If the withdrawal had not occurred, neither genuine independence nor the path to EU and NATO membership in 2004 would have been possible, the two leaders emphasized at meetings with those involved in the withdrawal negotiations with Russia. Today, the Baltic states are among Ukraine's strongest supporters in its defense against Russia. Fear of becoming the next target of the Kremlin army has been growing in the region since the conflict's beginning.
21:03 Ukrainian Kickboxing World Champion Killed at FrontThe 28-year-old kickboxing world champion Roman Holovatiuk was killed in action in Ukraine. The Ukrainian Parliament's Committee for Youth and Sports confirmed this. Holovatiuk hailed from Kamyanez-Podilskyj in western Ukraine. At the age of 22, he gained recognition with a medal at the World Games in Poland in 2017. He then continued his successful career, becoming a master of sports in WAKO kickboxing, a World Games finalist, world champion, multiple winner of the World and European Cup, and multiple Ukrainian champion. After the Russian invasion in February 2022, he voluntarily joined the army.
You can read about previous developments here.
The Swiss government experts suggest strengthening military ties with NATO and the EU in response to Russia's invasion of Ukraine.The Ukrainian General Staff reports over 90 engagements with Russian forces in a day, highlighting the ongoing conflict.
