At 21:09, Zelensky announces the seizure of two additional locations in Kursk.
19:59 Ukraine Gains Ground in Russian Oblast Kursk
As per President Zelenskyj, Ukraine has managed to make headway in the Russian Oblast Kursk, advancing approximately 3 kilometers and taking control of two additional settlements, according to his nightly speech. Russia has yet to make a statement regarding this.
20:39 Ukrainian MP Absconds after Assault Charges
Ukrainian MP Artem Dmytruk has absconded from the country following charges of assaulting a soldier and a police officer in two separate incidents, as reported by "Kyiv Independent". In Odessa, the MP allegedly injured a police officer and attempted to steal the officer's weapon, alongside another individual. In a separate incident in Kyiv, he is suspected of striking a soldier, causing minor injuries. On Saturday, Dmytruk claimed that his hotel room in Kyiv and his apartment in Odessa had been searched, alleging the actions against him to be politically motivated. The independent MP represents pro-Russian views in the Ukrainian parliament.
20:03 Ukraine: Belarus Accumulates Troops at Border
Ukraine reports that Belarus is amassing a considerable number of troops and military equipment at the border, under the guise of a military exercise, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Kyiv. Belarus, a close ally of Russia, has yet to comment on this.
19:30 Journalist Found Dead After Hotel Attack
The Reuters journalist who vanished after the Russian assault on a hotel in Kramatorsk has been discovered deceased. Ukrainian authorities announced that the body of the British journalist was retrieved from the rubble several hours later. Four individuals were also wounded, as reported by the governor of the Donetsk region, Vadym Filaschkin, on Telegram. Initially, only two injuries were reported.
18:49 Ukrainians Take Down Drones from a Helicopter
Ukraine continues to utilize unconventional tactics in its battle against Russian drones. Several videos depict a Ukrainian helicopter crew, armed with a machine gun, engaging in drone hunting. According to a Forbes report, this is a Mi-8 transport helicopter. A video shows a Ukrainian soldier firing at a Shahed drone from Iran from the helicopter's cockpit.
17:34 Zelenskyy Criticizes India's Russia Business Ties
During a conversation with Indian journalists, Ukrainian President Zelenskyy also criticized India's business relationships with Russia. He declared that Putin is utilizing the revenue from oil and gas sales to finance his war against Ukraine. "He's pocketing the billions of his people," Zelenskyy asserted regarding Putin. He also highlighted that the Russian people are becoming impoverished, although they may not be aware of it due to Putin's control over both the media and social networks. Zelenskyy further stated that Putin's war economy is fueled by the billions arriving from India, China, and Arab states. Nevertheless, he admitted that Kiev cannot exert pressure on New Delhi. "You're an independent nation, that's your government," he told the Indian reporters. However, he encouraged them to think about methods to halt the money flow that strengthens the Russian forces.
17:09 Musk Advocates for Telegram CEO's ReleaseElon Musk, CEO of X, calls for the release of Telegram founder Pavel Durov, who was detained in Paris. Musk shares a clip of Durov's interview with US journalist Tucker Carlson, adding the hashtag #FreePavel. In another X post, he writes: "Liberté, Liberté! Liberté?"
16:37 Söder Disassociates from Kretschmer's Ukraine ViewsBavaria's Minister-President Markus Söder distances himself from the Ukraine stance of his Saxon colleague Michael Kretschmer (CDU). "We have a clear position. Mr. Kretschmer holds his, which I respect. But we have fundamentally different views," states the CSU leader in an ARD summer interview. "To be blunt: Would World War II have ended if Hitler had been permitted to carry on?" says Söder, referring to Russian President Vladimir Putin. "Do wars end by appeasing the aggressor?" Kretschmer had criticized weapons deliveries to Ukraine. Söder labels the belief that Putin would cease his aggression if he succeeded in conquering Ukraine "naive".
16:09 Zelensky: Trump Backs UkraineUkrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky states that US presidential candidate Donald Trump has pledged his support for Ukraine and his desire to bring an end to the conflict. Zelensky expresses this in a conversation with Indian reporters, which he shares on his social media channel.
15:41 Medvedev Claims to Have Warned Telegram CEO PriorlyAfter the arrest of Telegram CEO Pavel Durov in Paris, former Russian President Dmitry Medvedev claims he warned Durov "some time ago" that he would encounter "serious problems" with his stance on user data privacy "in all countries." "He erred," writes Medvedev on Telegram. "He must now realize that you can't choose your homeland."
14:13 Pope Speaks Out Against Shutting Down Pro-Russian Orthodox Church in UkrainePope Francis speaks out against the closing down of the pro-Russian Orthodox Church in Ukraine. Referencing the decree issued by President Volodymyr Zelensky, the Pope mentioned in his Sunday prayer: "No Christian church should be eliminated, whether directly or indirectly. Churches should not be touched!" Ukraine justifies its ban based on the support of the Moscow Patriarchate for Russia's aggressive war. The Pope addressed tens of thousands of believers on St. Peter's Square, stating: "One does not do wrong because one prays. If someone harms their own people, they are responsible. But they cannot have done wrong because they prayed."
13:43 Ukraine Abhors "Barbaric War Crime" - "Purposeful Assault" on Hotel in KramatorskThe Ukrainian Ministry of Foreign Affairs denounces the Russian attack on a hotel in Kramatorsk that houses foreign journalists. As confirmed by Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesperson Georgiy Tykhyi, at X, "Last night, another cruel and deliberate Russian attack on Kramatorsk's residential areas harmed foreign media journalists in a hotel." Tykhyi further reported that attacks on media personnel have become a systemic strategy of the Russian war. "Such barbaric war crimes must be condemned and held accountable," the Ministry spokesperson added.
13:14 Following Russian Attacks on Sumy: Police Report 4 Dead, 13 WoundedThe Russian military assaulted the Ukrainian Sumy oblast more than 260 times on its own yesterday, according to local law enforcement. At least four people lost their lives, and 13 were hurt in the northern region's attacks. As reported by Ukrainian newspaper "Ukrainska Pravda", six apartment buildings, 26 houses, a school, ancillary structures, cars, a gas pipeline, and various stores were damaged. Fire engulfed around two hectares of dry vegetation.
12:42 Zelenskyy Spars with Putin: "Sick Old Man from the Kremlin"Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy celebrated his country's Independence Day by both presenting the newly developed Ukrainian drone Palianytsia and lampooning Russian leader Vladimir Putin in a video address. Zelenskyy referred to Putin as a "sick old man from the Kremlin" due to his nuclear rhetoric. Zelenskyy argued that Putin was a "sick old man from the Kremlin who constantly threatens everyone with the red button. He will not dictate his red lines to us."
12:14 Ministry of Energy: Over 500 Ukrainian Communities Lack Power After AttacksMore than 500 settlements in Ukraine remain without electricity after Russian attacks on the country's energy infrastructure, as reported by the Ukrainian Ministry of Energy, as shared by Ukraine's state news agency Ukrinform. Despite the difficulties, there are no power restrictions in effect. Technicians have already reconnected electricity to over 7200 individuals, according to the statement. The Ministry encourages citizens to utilize electricity sparingly and responsibly, particularly during the evenings. The energy infrastructure has been severely damaged due to Russian troops' continuous attacks, leaving it highly vulnerable to disruptions.
11:38 Ukraine: 160 Encounters with Russian Troops at the Front in a Single DayThe Ukrainian forces recorded 160 combat actions at the frontline yesterday. Intense fighting occurred in ten areas, with the situation in the direction of Pokrovsk being the most unstable, as reported by the General Staff of the Ukrainian Armed Forces in their morning update. According to the report, Russian forces launched five missile attacks and 95 guided air raids on Ukrainian locations, as well as towns and villages.
10:57 Reuters Employee Missing Following Rocket Attack on Hotel in Kramatorsk - Search OngoingRussian troops targeted a hotel in the eastern Ukrainian city of Kramatorsk, according to Ukrainian reports. A Reuters employee is missing, with two others wounded. A statement from the news agency indicated that a six-person Reuters team was at the Hotel Sapphire when the attack transpired. The building was "apparently struck by a rocket" yesterday. "One of our colleagues is still missing, while two others were taken to the hospital." The team is collaborating with Kramatorsk authorities. The Donetsk region's governor declared on Telegram that "the Russians assaulted Kramatorsk." Two journalists were injured, and one is yet to be found. "Emergency services, police, and rescue teams are present at the scene. Demolition and rescue operations are underway." The Russian Defense Ministry did not immediately respond to a request for comment. According to a statement from the Ukrainian Prosecutor General's Office, the missile strike occurred at 22:35 local time yesterday.
Update at 13:30: The number of injured Reuters employees has been revised to four. This was announced by the head of the regional military administration of Donetsk, Wadym Filaschkin, via Telegram.
10:44 Air Force Commander: Majority of Russian Drones Downed and Neutralized Last NightUkraine's air defense forces did a fantastic job last night, intercepting and destroying seven out of eight Russian Shahed drones. This information was shared by the state news agency Ukrinform, citing the commander of the air force, Mykola Oleschuk. He reported that not only were most of these suicide drones intercepted, but also a significant number of the rockets they launched.
10:20 Ukraine: Hotel in Kramatorsk Hit by Russian Attack - Several Western Journalists HarmedSeveral Western journalists endured injuries in the Russian attack on the eastern Ukrainian city of Kramatorsk overnight, as per official reports. A hotel was targeted, resulting in two individuals being rescued with injuries, while another is still trapped under the debris. The Ukrainian governor of the Donetsk region, Wadym Filaschkin, shared this information on Telegram. He stated, "All three victims are journalists, hailing from Ukraine, the US, and the UK." The assault was confirmed on pro-Russian blogs, which claimed Kramatorsk was struck by heavy glide bombs of the FAB-1500 type. However, it was also mentioned that a machine-building factory and several military facilities were attacked.
09:54 US Export Rules for Electronics to Russia Draw Tension from China
China has expressed concerns over the stricter US regulations affecting numerous exporters from the People's Republic. According to the Ministry of Commerce in Beijing, this move disrupts the global trade order and hinders straightforward goods exchange. China will implement necessary measures to safeguard the legitimate rights of its companies, responding to a US government decision from last Friday, which added 105 companies - 42 Chinese, 63 Russian, and 18 from other nations - to a list with trade limitations. These firms were penalized for various reasons, such as transferring US electronics to the Russian military or manufacturing thousands of drones utilized by Russia in its invasion of Ukraine. These companies now need to obtain hard-to-obtain licenses.
09:29 ISW Encourages Unlimited Long-Range Missile Usage by Ukraine
The US think tank Institute for the Study of War (ISW) advocates for uninhibited approval of long-range weapon usage against Russian territory by Ukraine. Despite the relocation of Russian air forces to deeper interior territories, numerous military targets still fall within the range of US ATACMS missiles currently used by Ukraine. However, due to Washington's restrictions, these missiles have not been utilized against Russian territory. "ISW estimates that at least 250 military and paramilitary targets in Russia are within the range of the ATACMS missiles supplied by the United States to Ukraine," as mentioned in a recent analysis. Nevertheless, only assaults with HIMARS multiple rocket launchers and GLMRS rockets are currently authorized. "This enables Ukraine to target at most 20 of the 250 possible targets," says ISW.
09:06 Kyiv: Over 1100 Russian Soldiers Reportedly Killed or Wounded in a Day
The number of Russian personnel losses remains high, according to data from Kyiv. In a single day, an estimated 1190 Russian soldiers were supposedly killed or rendered incapable of further engagement. According to the Ukrainian Ministry of Defense, 607,680 Russian soldiers have been reported to have been "eliminated" since the beginning of the war in February 2022. The ministry disclosed that the enemy also lost five more tanks (8547). Since the commencement of the Russian invasion, Ukraine has recorded over 16,600 armored vehicles and around 14,000 drones that are no longer in the possession of the Russian military or have been destroyed. These numbers cannot be independently confirmed. Moscow remains silent on its own losses in Ukraine.
08:39 Ukrainian Air Force: Majority of Russian Missiles and Drones Intercepted Overnight
According to Ukraine, Russia launched numerous missiles and drones against the northern and eastern parts of the nation overnight. "Most missiles did not reach their target," the air force reported. Russia employed a ballistic missile of the Iskander-M type, a cruise missile of the Iskander-K type, and six guided missiles. No information was provided on the number of these that were destroyed. Meanwhile, eight out of nine Russian attack drones were reportedly shot down.
08:08 Six Injured in Overnight Rocket Attack on KharkivThe number of casualties has risen to six due to an overnight Russian rocket assault on the Slobidsky district in the Kharkiv Oblast. This was reported by the mayor of Kharkiv, Ihor Terekhov, in a Telegram message, as reported by the state news agency Ukrinform.
07:32 Zelensky Praises Launch of Newly Produced Ukrainian Palianytsia Rocket DronesUkrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky lauded the debut of the new Palianytsia rocket drones manufactured in Ukraine. The Ukrainian leader asserted that these rocket drones, along with other military advancements by Ukraine, are vital for the nation considering the delay in decisions by certain international partners. "Today, the first successful deployment of our new weapon occurred," he said, as reported by "Kyiv Independent". "The inaugural use of a completely new class of Ukrainian rocket drone, Palianytsia."
06:55 Azov Commander Criticizes Prisoner Exchange: No Azov Fighters Among Freed SoldiersNo Azov soldiers were involved in the prisoner exchange yesterday between Russia and Ukraine, according to Ukrainian reports citing Brigade Commander Denys Prokopenko. "Kyiv Independent" reported that the commander of the Azov Regiment criticized the recent prisoner exchange, expressing frustration that none of the Azov fighters who have been captives in Russian custody for over two years were included.
06:14 Ukraine: Fatal Casualties in Airstrike on BelgorodFive individuals met their demise, and twelve were wounded, four severely, in an airstrike carried out by Ukrainian forces on the Russian border region of Belgorod last night, as reported by local authorities. Governor Vyacheslav Gladkov disclosed that three minors were also injured, two of whom required hospitalization. Ukraine has recently escalated its assaults on Russian territories, advancing into the Kursk region adjacent to Belgorod in early August. Belgorod has consistently been under attack by Ukrainian air and drone strikes as retaliation for assaults originating from the Russian side.
05:47 Russia: Loss of Civilians in Ukrainian ShellingFive civilians were deceased and another twelve were wounded due to an artillery shelling incident in the town of Rakitnoe in southwestern Russia, as per Governor Vyacheslav Gladkov's announcement on Telegram. However, independent verification of the reports was not feasible, and Ukraine did not issue any statement in response.
04:26 Sumy Reports Rocket Strikes and InjuriesThe city of Sumy has suffered two rocket attacks, leading to the injury of seven individuals, two of whom were severely wounded, as reported by the regional military administration. Russia supposedly targeted the city's civilian infrastructure on Saturday evening, according to the authorities.
03:35 Rocket Attacks Launched on Kharkiv and ChuhuivThe Governor of the Kharkiv region, Oleh Synyehubov, has warned of Russian military launching rocket attacks on the cities of Kharkiv and Chuhuiv. At the moment, one individual was reported injured. A larger explosion was reported in Kharkiv, causing alarm among the city's residents, as stated by the city's mayor on Telegram. The cause of the explosion has yet to be identified.
03:06 Ukraine Warns of Combat Drones Approaching MykolaivAn air alert was issued in the eastern and southern parts of Ukraine during the night, with the Ukrainian air forces issuing warnings of a group of Shahed combat drones approaching the southern Ukrainian region of Mykolaiv. The period surrounding Ukraine's Independence Day, which took place on Saturday, is expected to witness increased Russian attacks. As of now, a larger wave of attacks has not occurred.
01:32 Hungary Blames Brussels for Disruption of Oil SuppliesHungary accuses the EU Commission of playing a role in the interruption of Russian oil supplies. According to Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto, the EU Commission's unwillingness to aid in securing Hungary and Slovakia's energy supply implies that the order issued from Brussels was intended to impair Hungary and Slovakia's energy supply. The EU Commission initially rejected commenting on the issue. In June, the Ukrainian government added the Russian oil company Lukoil to its sanctions list and blocked the Druzhba pipeline, which runs through Ukrainian territory. This has significantly hindered countries such as Hungary and Slovakia from their primary oil supplier.
22:12 Russian Troops Injure Women in Attack on Village in KupianskRussian troops launched an attack on the village of Novoosynove in the Kupiansk district of the Kharkiv Oblast, inflicting injuries on four women, according to Oleh Syniehubov, head of the military administration of the Kharkiv region. "The invading forces assaulted the village of Novoosynove in the Kupiansk district around 12:00. As a result of the attack, a private building was set ablaze," Syniehubov said. The injured were transported to medical facilities. Investigations into the aftermath of the attack are still ongoing.
21:03 Defence Secretary of UK: "Ukraine Continues to Stand Against Russia's Greater Forces"John Healey, the UK's Defence Secretary, congratulated Ukraine on its Independence Day in a guest article published on the "European Pravda" portal. "Thirty-three years ago today, Ukraine proclaimed its independence. It pledged a brighter, more prosperous future as a sovereign democracy, liberated from Soviet Russia's influence," said Healey. Ukrainians are celebrating their Independence Day amidst war. They are engaged in an existential struggle to preserve their freedom and independence in the face of Putin's brutal and unlawful invasion. "Ukraine has always faced insurmountable odds against Russia's formidable forces and resources. Today, we honor the Ukrainian people," wrote Healey. They display remarkable courage, both in the military and in the civilian population. The British must affirm their unwavering support for their Ukrainian friends, standing by their side as long as required. Consequently, the UK is launching a campaign today, encouraging individuals across Britain and beyond to express their backing for Ukraine. "On social media, we ask you to 'Make Noise for Ukraine' and share associated posts. Besides military and economic support provided to Ukraine, we have also pledged our friendship and solidarity," said Healey.
20:05 Zelensky Raises Syrsky to the Rank of GeneralUkrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has promoted Oleksandr Syrsky, the commander-in-chief of the Ukrainian Armed Forces, to the rank of General. This is in accordance with a decree issued by Zelensky. Previously, Syrsky held the rank of Colonel-General. The promotion was granted in recognition of the successful advance of Ukrainian troops in the Russian border region of Kursk.
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