At 20:23, military analyst Gressel discusses the combat situation in Donetsk, referring to Pokrovsk as Ukraine's "major final barrier of defense."
Progress in Kursk Slows Down, Russian Forces Intensify Near Pokrovsk The advancement in Kursk is proceeding at a slow pace, leading to an escalation of Russian military activities around Pokrovsk. This Ukrainian city is of significant importance as it lies on the "last major, effectively fortified defensive line," according to strategist Gustav Gressel. This situation is causing the Ukrainian forces' room for error to steadily shrink.
19:50 Update: Ukraine's Allies Anticipate Imminent Delivery of Iranian Missiles to Russia Sources familiar with the matter suggest that Ukraine's allies are expecting Iran to deliver ballistic missiles to Russia soon. If this occurs, it could potentially prompt a prompt response from Ukraine's allies. Since Russia's invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, Iran has already provided Russia with a substantial number of drones. The anticipated transfer of ballistic missiles would be a concerning development in the ongoing conflict, according to the report, citing various unnamed sources. Regrettably, the sources did not provide a timeline or the scale of the deliveries. However, one official suggested that the deliveries might begin within days. The powerful nature of ballistic missiles, which can travel faster than cruise missiles or drones and carry more substantial payloads, is noteworthy.
19:24 Update: No Progress at Pokrovsk for Two Days, According to Zelensky As per Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, Russian troops in the Donetsk region have not made any advancements for two consecutive days. However, the situation at Pokrovsk on the eastern front remains challenging, Zelensky said, relying on Commander-in-Chief Oleksandr Syrsky's account, as reported by the Ukrainian newspaper Kyiv Independent. The area around Pokrovsk has been a battleground for months, serving as a vital logistics hub for Ukrainian forces. Russian troops had recently recorded notable gains (refer to the 17:22 update).
19:03 IAEA Chief Prepares to Visit Kyiv and Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Plant The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) head, Rafael Grossi, is set to visit Kyiv and the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant the following day. The plant, which was seized by Russia during their invasion nearly two and a half years ago, has been targeted by attacks and sabotage attempts. Both countries accuse each other of being responsible for these incidents. In mid-August, inspectors reported heightened tension at the facility. An explosion in the vicinity of the security zone, which was likely caused by a drone with an explosive payload, was cited by the IAEA.
18:09 New Dutch Aid Package for Ukraine Announced by Prime Minister The Dutch Prime Minister, Dick Schoof, has introduced a substantial aid package for Ukraine totaling over 200 million euros during an unexpected visit to Zaporizhzhia. This is Schoof's first visit to Ukraine since assuming office in early July. He is succeeding Mark Rutte, who is set to become NATO's next Secretary-General in October. Zelenskyy commended the Netherlands for saving numerous lives through their assistance. "Our relations have never been stronger. We share a common goal to achieve a fair and lasting peace," Zelenskyy stated.
17:47 PCK Refinery Remains under German Control The PCK oil refinery in Schwedt is expected to remain under federal administration for the time being. According to reports, the German government is preparing to renew the trustee administration of the majority shares in the PCK refinery, which belong to the Russian state conglomerate Rosneft, beyond September 10. The trustee administration was implemented due to Germany's decision to halt the importation of Russian oil in response to Russia's invasion of Ukraine. PCK switched to alternative suppliers at the beginning of 2023. Besides Schwedt, two more facilities are influenced by this move. Rosneft holds 54% of the shares in the PCK refinery in northeastern Brandenburg.
17:22 Russia Records Largest Territorial Gains in Ukraine Since October 2022 - 15 Square Kilometers Daily According to calculations from the U.S. think tank Institute for the Study of War (ISW), Russia made substantial gains in August, surpassing the record set in October 2022. In August, the Russian army managed to seize 477 square kilometers of territory in Ukraine, equivalent to an average of 15 square kilometers per day. This increase was primarily observed in the Donetsk region of eastern Ukraine, where the Russian army was just 7 kilometers away from the strategically crucial logistics hub of Pokrovsk as of yesterday.
16:40 Corruption Allegations Against Russian Military Official: In Russia, investigations into corruption have been initiated against another high-ranking army officer. As reported by the Russian Investigative Committee via Telegram, General Valery Mumindzhanov is accused of receiving a bribe on a large scale. This offense carries a potential imprisonment term of up to 15 years in Russia. Mumindzhanov serves as the deputy commander of the Leningrad military district for logistics and previously worked in the Ministry of Defense. According to the investigation, he accepted a bribe exceeding 20 million rubles (approximately 202,000 euros) in relation to the finalization of supply contracts for uniforms. Since April, at least ten military officials, including generals and high-ranking employees of the Ministry of Defense in Moscow, have been targeted by Russian law enforcement agencies due to corruption or fraud allegations. Some experts suspect a purge campaign may be underway.
16:25 Kursk Operation Progressing According to Plan - Zelensky: According to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, the operation in the Russian region of Kursk is progressing as planned. He made this statement during a working visit to Zaporizhzhia, as reported by a correspondent of the state news agency Ukrinform. "The Kursk operation is achieving its objectives and is progressing according to plan," Zelensky said. "Regarding the challenges in the directions of Pokrovsk and Torez, we believe that the Kursk operation could also contribute there," the Ukrainian president added. The fighting in the Kursk region could lead to a decrease in intense attacks by Russian troops in Pokrovsk and Torez, "but it's tough there at the moment." He also mentioned that the most combat-ready Russian brigades have been deployed at these front sections since the beginning.
15:52 Grass Fires Threaten Villages in Occupied Luhansk - No Firefighters to Put them Out?: Residents of occupied Luhansk are currently facing not just the war but also the threat of nature: grass fires are endangering the region. Complaints are flooding social media that there are no firefighters available to extinguish the flames.
15:16 Ukraine Receives Patriot System from Romania: The Romanian government has approved a bill that allows the transfer of a Patriot air defense system to Ukraine. The document will now proceed to the final vote in parliament, as reported by Reuters. According to the report, Bucharest agreed in June 2022 to donate one of its two operational Patriot systems to Ukraine, on the condition that allies replace it with a similar air defense system.
14:53 Mobilization in Ukraine: Petition Calls for Age Limit to be Lowered to 50: A petition is calling on Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to lower the age limit for mobilization to 50 years. Over 25,000 people have signed the petition so far, as reported by the Ukrainian newspaper "Kyiv Independent." The current age limit for mobilization in Ukraine is 60 years. According to Ukrainian law, an electronic petition to the president must receive at least 25,000 signatures within three months to be considered. There are still 34 days left to collect signatures.
14:34 Casualties in Russian Border Region Belgorod: Eleven people, including two children, were injured in Ukrainian attacks on the Russian region of Belgorod and its capital city of the same name, according to Vyacheslav Gladkov, the governor of the region, on Telegram. A kindergarten was reportedly destroyed. Gladkov published images of the collapsed kindergarten building and other debris and damaged buildings from the region. The Reuters news agency reports that local authorities have decided that several schools and kindergartens in the region will be closed for a week following the attacks. In some regions of Ukraine and Russia, September 2nd is the first day of school after the summer holidays.
14:10 Mosque Damaged in Russian Missile Attack on Kyiv: In the Russian missile attack on Kyiv overnight (see entries 05:39, 06:20, and 09:29), a mosque and an adjacent Islamic cultural center were severely damaged. In a post on X, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said that Russia has no respect for spiritual or human values and no respect for any religion or belief. "It continues its destructive campaign against the Ukrainian people and is trying to destroy all our communities and even holy places of worship," Zelensky added. The chief mufti of the local community, Vadym Dashevski, told Reuters that the attack on the mosque was a "cowardly act."
12:58 Poland Contemplates Shooting Down Russian UAVsPoland's Foreign Minister Radoslaw Sikorski feels obligated to take down incoming Russian UAVs and other aircraft originating from Ukraine before intruding Polish airspace, as he shared with the Financial Times (FT). Sikorski disagrees with NATO's stance that the risk of escalating the conflict through direct confrontation with Russian forces is too substantial. Thus far, the military alliance has denied the use of force against Russian UAVs and missiles in Ukraine, as well as rejected Kyiv's request for a no-fly zone within the country. Sikorski mentioned to the FT that in his opinion, targeting hostile aircraft before they enter airspace would constitute a legitimate act of self-defense. "Given that they've entered our airspace, the risk becomes significant that someone might get injured by debris."
12:12 Munz Discusses Russian Reaction to AfD and BSV Election WinsThe election triumphs in Thuringia and Saxony are subject to Russian interest as well. Ntv correspondent Rainer Munz reports on the reactions to the AfD and BSV successes and explains how the Russians handle what might be the most extensive drone swarm ever directed at the Russian capital.
11:40 Putin Congratulates Russian Troops on Territorial GainsRussian President Vladimir Putin has applauded the rapid pace of Russian forces advancing in seizing new territories in neighboring Ukraine. He stated that Ukraine's counteroffensive in the Kursk region did little to impede the Russian forces' progress in the Donetsk region. "It's not just about advancing 200 or 300 meters," Putin told Russian news agencies. "It's about several square kilometers. This fast-paced offensive in the Donetsk region is uncommon." Putin stopped in Tuva, a Siberian republic, during his trip to Mongolia to take part in a new lesson titled "Conversations on Important Matters," introduced after the conflict began. The lesson is part of a propaganda campaign to instruct children on the Kremlin's political stance. Putin often assumes the role of teacher during public lessons, even during the first day of school. In this lesson, he repeated his assertion that the conflict he initiated was to defend Russia.
11:07 Ukraine Intercepts 22 Missiles and 20 DronesUkraine's air force claims to have shot down 22 of 35 Russian missiles and destroyed 20 of 23 Russian attack UAVs. Nine ballistic missiles and 13 cruise missiles were intercepted above Kyiv, Kharkiv, Dnipro, Poltava, Mykolaiv, and Zaporizhzhia.
10:36 Video Emerges of Russian Missile Strike in KharkivRussia has been bombarding Kharkiv with missile strikes for several days, according to Ukrainian reports. At least 10 missiles were fired at the city on Sunday, hitting a shopping and entertainment center. Dozens of individuals were injured.
10:01 Casualties Rise in Russian Attack on SumyThe number of casualties in a Russian missile strike on Sumy, a northeastern Ukrainian city, has increased. Ukraine's interior ministry now reports 18 injuries, including 6 children, with a previous report citing at least 13 injured civilians, including 4 children. The attack targeted a center for social and psychological child rehabilitation and an orphanage. The Sumy region's security situation has deteriorated even further after the August 6 cross-border incursion into Russia's neighboring Kursk region. Sumy, home to over 250,000 residents, is approximately 350 kilometers east of Kyiv.
09:29 Kyiv Reports Two Injured in Russian Air StrikeRussia has once again bombarded the Ukrainian capital Kyiv with missiles (references 05:39 and 06:20). At least two individuals were hurt by falling debris from downed missiles, local authorities confirmed. Buildings and infrastructure were damaged, and fires started. An alert was issued nationwide for nearly two hours, from the early evening until the early morning.
08:57 ISW: Majority of Russians Back War in UkraineThe Russian populace continues to support the conflict in Ukraine, according to the latest Institute for the Study of War (ISW) report, even after Ukraine invaded the Russian boundary region of Kursk. The Levada Center, an independent Russian polling agency, revealed the supporting figures. Remarkably, backing for the Russian military operation in Ukraine significantly increased among Russians in August, with approximately 78% of respondents backing the war, compared to 75% in July and 77% in June. ISW experts suggest that the Russian population does not appear to be war-weary, granting greater flexibility for the Kremlin to pursue a prolonged war of attrition against Ukraine.
08:11 Ukraine Reveals Russian Casualty FiguresThe Ukrainian General Staff has disclosed casualty figures for Russian forces in Ukraine, estimating that Russia has lost around 617,600 soldiers since February 24, 2022, with a daily loss of 1,300. A report from Kyiv also states that 9 tanks, 10 artillery systems, 1 multiple launch rocket system, and 30 UAVs were destroyed. Since the major offensive, Russia is reported to have suffered over 8,601 tanks, 17,646 artillery systems, 368 aircraft, 328 helicopters, UAVs, 28 ships, and 1 submarine. Western estimates suggest lower casualty numbers, but these may be underestimated.
07:29 Governor: Saporizhzhia Region Experiences 171 Attacks in 24 HoursIt appears that the Ukrainian region of Saporizhzhia has endured 171 attacks within a 24-hour period, as per the information disclosed by the regional military governor, Ivan Fedorov, via a Telegram post. The Russian forces reportedly employed 95 drones in four air strikes on Lobkove, Pjatskatki, and Novoadriivka settlements.
07:03 Survivor Rescued from Rubble in KharkivRescue workers successfully rescued an individual from debris stemming from a collapsed event hall in Kharkiv following a Russian airstrike. Reports by Reuters suggest the rescued individual is alive and feeling well immediately post-rescue. Authorities mentioned that more than 40 individuals, among them five children, sustained injuries as a result of the Russian missile strikes on Kharkiv, which ruined a shopping mall and an event hall on a Sunday afternoon.
06:20 Kyiv Suffers Bombings and Explosions: Russian AirstrikeRussian forces have reportedly opted for an extensive airstrike, involving drones, more than ten cruise missiles, and numerous ballistic missiles, against Ukraine, primarily targeting Kyiv and potentially other cities, as confirmed by the Ukrainian Air Force. The ensuing explosions prompted Kyiv residents to seek shelter in air raid bunkers. Mayor Vitali Klitschko confirmed damage in the Holosiivskyi and Solomianskyi districts, while Klitschko and Kyiv military administration chief Serhiy Popko claimed multiple fires in the Shevchenkivskyi district. One individual was reportedly injured in the Shevchenkivskyi district due to falling debris. "Prepare for reprisals. The enemy will feel it," declared the head of the Ukrainian Presidential Office, Andriy Yermak, via Telegram.
05:39 Russian Missile Strike Hits KyivKyiv has once again become the focus of a Russian missile attack, as reported by the Ukrainian military. Air defense units are continuously working to defend against the assault, as announced by Ukrainian military representatives through the Telegram messaging service. Witnesses in Kyiv report hearing several loud explosions, indicating the activation of air defense systems. At the moment, the specific number of missiles released and potential damage remain unknown.
04:46 Putin: New Gas Pipeline to China in ProgressConstruction plans for a new Russian gas pipeline heading through Mongolia to China are reportedly advancing as planned, per President Vladimir Putin. Putin detailed in an interview with the Mongolian newspaper "Onoodor" that a feasibility study was authorized and technical surveys were conducted in January 2022, as per information posted on the Kremlin's website. The planned pipeline, "Power of Siberia 2," is assessed to transport 50 billion cubic meters of natural gas annually from the Russian Yamal region to China via Mongolia.
03:34 Orphanage in Sumy Bombed by Russians: 13 InjuredRussian troops have reportedly attacked both a center for social and psychological rehabilitation of children and an orphanage in Sumy with missiles. Ukrainska Pravda claims that thirteen individuals, including two children, were injured as a consequence. The building is located in a residential area, as reported by the local military administration.
02:26 Majority in Poland Wants to Shoot Down Russian Spy DronesAdvocating for a near 60% approval rate, Poles believe it would be appropriate for the Polish military to fire upon Russian drones entering Polish airspace during operations in Ukraine, according to a poll hosted by the Polish newspaper "Rzeczpospolita." This opinion pertains to an unidentified flying object, presumed to be a Shahed kamikaze drone, which hovered above Poland for 30 minutes on August 26 before disappearing. Polish Brigadier General Tomasz Drewniak stated that Russia likely tests Poland's air defense system by launching drones into Polish airspace.
00:26 Fatality in Belgorod due to Ukrainian ShellingThe Russian region of Belgorod saw one casualty, resulting from Ukrainian fire, in the village of Shagarovka near the border, as reported by the region's governor, Vyacheslav Gladkov. Three more individuals were reported to be injured during assaults on the village of Shebekino. Multiple other villages were also impacted by Ukrainian shelling.
23:08 Russia Rejects 158 Ukrainian Drone StrikesRussia claims to have successfully repelled "intense" Ukrainian drone attacks on both Moscow and 14 other regions. The defense ministry reported the interception of 158 flying objects overnight, as communicated via the Telegram messaging service. Ten drones targeted Moscow, according to official figures.
22:24 Extensive Russian Air Strike on Kharkiv: Injury Count Rises to 47The total number of injuries in the extensive Russian air strike on Kharkiv has increased to 47, with seven children included, as announced by the Ukrainian state emergency service through Telegram. Numerous civilian structures, such as a shopping center, were damaged during the assault, as depicted in photographs from news agencies.
21:06 Ukrainian Energy Firm Declares Power BlackoutsDue to immense Russian assaults on the nation's power infrastructure, Ukraine anticipates multiple power failures on Monday. This information was shared by the Ukrainian energy provider Ukrenergo, according to Ukrinform. The supply of electricity to vital infrastructure sites will not be hampered. Nevertheless, Ukrenergo issues a caution that the range of restrictions could shift.
You can review all past events here.
1. The Ukrainian President has expressed his concern to The Commission regarding the stalemate in Kursk and the intensifying Russian activities near Pokrovsk.2. In the context of the anticipated delivery of Iranian missiles to Russia, Ukraine's allies are urging The Commission to take immediate action to prevent any potential escalation of the conflict.
