At 21:44, Ukraine reports additional victories in Kursk region
21:25 Putin Returns to Chechnya After 13-Year Absence
Russian President Vladimir Putin touched down in the Russian republic of Chechnya on Tuesday, marking his first visit in 13 years. The meeting with strongman Ramzan Kadyrov was documented by news agency RIA Novosti, showing Putin shaking hands with Kadyrov in Grozny. Later, Putin placed his arm around Kadyrov's shoulder and gave him a warm embrace before both departed in a limousine. In a post on the Telegram messaging app, Kadyrov described the meeting as a "busy schedule" of events. Despite a tiring day, Putin was "filled with energy" and ready to explore various locations in Chechnya.
21:02 Scholz Emphasizes Germany's Generous Aid to Ukraine
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz defended accusations of inadequate support for Ukraine. This year, Ukraine will receive over seven billion euros, making Germany the largest benefactor among European countries, Scholz stated on Sat1 television. Next year, Germany will contribute four billion euros from the federal budget, also the largest among European nations. Additionally, the western G7 countries are enabling 50 billion dollars through the utilization of frozen Russian assets. "That's a lot of money, that's a lot of money," Scholz reiterated.
20:14 Putin Draws Similarities Between Beslan Siege and Ukrainian Advancement
Russian President Vladimir Putin equated the brutal 2004 Beslan school siege with the Ukrainian army's current incursion into the Russian border region of Kursk. Just as Russia fought "terrorists" in Beslan, it must now combat "wrongdoers" in the Kursk region, Putin said during his visit to Beslan.
19:43 Moscow Patriarchate Views Ukrainian Church Ban as "Unlawful"
The Russian Orthodox Church denounced the proposed ban on the Ukraine-aligned Orthodox Church approved by the Ukrainian parliament. It labeled it an "unlawful act" and a "blatant violation of the fundamental principles of religious freedom and human rights," stated Vladimir Legoida, spokesperson for the Russian Orthodox Church, in a Telegram message. Legoida warned of potential large-scale violence against millions of believers if the law is implemented. Patriarch Kirill, head of the Russian Orthodox Church, also expressed concern during a visit to the Solovki Monastery in northern Russia, citing a "difficult period in which many have turned against us, not because we are evil, but merely because we are different." Earlier, Ukrainian parliamentarians endorsed a bill imposing a ban on religious organizations with ties to Moscow.
19:12 US Invites Contact Group to Ramstein Meeting for Ukraine Aid
US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin extended an invitation to the Ukraine Contact Group to gather at the US Air Force base Ramstein in Rhineland-Palatinate for another meeting on September 6. The meeting, scheduled to take place at the largest US airbase outside the United States, will see defense ministers and military officials reevaluate their support for Ukraine. Around 50 states, including Germany, form part of the contact group, with non-NATO countries also invited to attend, as done in previous meetings.
18:36 Russian Army Forms Units to Safeguard Ukraine Border
The Russian army has concocted three new formations, tasked with securing the border with Ukraine. Defense Minister Andrei Belousov revealed this information. The formations will be named after Kursk, Belgorod, and Bryansk. Only two weeks ago, thousands of Ukrainian soldiers infiltrated the Russian region of Kursk, capturing territories.
18:10 Inferno Rages at Russian Oil Depot from Ukrainian Drone Attack
A devastating fire broke out at an oil depot in the Russian city of Proletarsk following a Ukrainian drone strike. The blaze remains uncontrolled, even after two days. Satellite imagery displays the extent of the destruction.
17:36 Russia Speculated to Construct Second Bridge Near Crimean Bridge
Satellite imagery suggests the potential construction of a second bridge parallel to the 19-kilometer-long Crimean Bridge linking the Russian mainland to Crimea. Online news site "Ukrajinska Prawda" speculates about a "parallel construction," which "likely" refers to a bridge. ntv.de verified this by comparing satellite images across June, July, and August, demonstrating ongoing construction activities. According to "Ukrajinska Prawda," the Russians are adopting measures to protect both the new construction and the existing, frequently-targeted Crimean Bridge from attacks.
16:58 Zelensky Recognizes Challenging Situation on Eastern Front
British newspaper "The Guardian" reports that President Volodymyr Zelensky described the situation in Ukraine's eastern front line as "challenging," particularly in the strategic logistics center of Pokrovsk and Toretsk. The Ukrainian General Staff reported 14 conflicts in Toretsk's vicinity and 34 in the Pokrovsk area since the day's beginning.
16:20 Russia Reports 17 Civilian Casualties in a WeekAccording to the Russian news agency TASS, quoting emergency services, the Ukrainian intrusion into Kursk resulted in the deaths of 17 civilians within a week. Additionally, 235 civilians sustained injuries.
15:54 Reporter Discusses Rapid Russian Progressntv reporter Nadja Kriewald from eastern Ukraine reported that there were 63 attacks by Russian troops on the Pokrovsk front the previous day. She spoke with rescue teams attempting to evacuate a Ukrainian village, but the mission was abortive as the Russian army had already taken control of the location.
15:33 Russia Expresses Anger over American Journalists in KurskRussia has summoned a senior American diplomat, as reported by the Russian news agency TASS. This is due to the supposedly inflammatory actions of American journalists in the Russian region of Kursk, which Russia is protesting against. American journalists are accused of illegally entering a region where Ukrainian forces launched an offensive two weeks ago. Russia intends to prosecute them, according to its statement.
15:10 Government Commissioner Identifies Russian Propaganda in East GermanyGerman SPD commissioner Carsten Schneider, responsible for eastern Germany, expressed concern about some Germans' views on Ukraine. Schneider claimed that discussions about Ukraine and Ukrainians are sometimes distressing, both in the east and west. He also observed that Russian propaganda often has a strong influence, particularly in eastern Germany. According to Schneider, Ukraine's defense is essential, as it concerns the country's very existence.
14:48 Shortage of Munitions Blamed for Russian PropagationThe "Financial Times" quotes a Ukrainian commander stating that the Russian advance in eastern Ukraine is partially due to Kiev diverting resources to the north. The troops in the affected region are now rationing shells for their guns, as they have done since the US Congress halted aid to Ukraine. The ammunition was transferred to the forces performing the invasion of the Russian region of Kursk.
14:26 Kremlin Analyst: Kursk Advance Signals Changes in Moscow Power StructureKremlin expert Rainer Munz posits that the Ukrainian advance in Kursk could boost or at least highlight generational shifts within the Moscow power apparatus. However, he maintains that the president's power base is not under threat.
14:01 Authorities Warn of Elevated Chlorine Levels in Air Following Russian AttackAfter a Russian strike on an industrial facility in Ternopil, western Ukraine, local authorities have cautioned residents about higher chlorine levels in the air. Oksana Chaichuk, head of the regional disease control center, advises limiting outdoor activities and keeping windows shut due to a chlorine concentration between four and ten times higher than usual. During the nocturnal attack, a fuel and lubricant storage facility was hit, causing a fire at an unspecified location. No injuries or casualties were reported.
13:39 Russian Army Captures Town of New York in DonetskAccording to the Russian Defense Ministry, troops have taken control of the Donetsk region's New York town in eastern Ukraine. The army has reportedly seized "one of the largest settlements in the proximity of Torez, the strategic logistical hub of Novogorodskoe." The Russian authorities have given the town its original name after Ukrainian activists' efforts to restore it in 2021. New York is located about six kilometers south of Torez.
13:01 Defecting Russian Soldier Spied for Ukraine, Injured CommanderUkrainian military intelligence revealed that a Russian soldier who defected to Ukraine was a spy and injured his commander before fleeing. According to "The Kyiv Independent," the man, codenamed "Silver," defected with the assistance of the "Freedom of Russia" legion and the HUR's "I Want to Live" project. He allegedly injured his commander with a grenade in the Donetsk Oblast town of Ocheretyne before providing information about the positions of Russian troops and invasion plans to the legion.
12:23 Ukrainian Parliament Votes to Ban Russia-Affiliated ChurchUkraine intends to restrict or ultimately ban the Russia-connected Ukrainian Orthodox Church from operating on its territory, according to parliamentary reports. Lawmakers aim to constrain churches linked to the Russian Orthodox Church, which is viewed as a source of Russian influence and support for the invasion of Ukraine by the Ukrainian government.
11:51 More than 500 Firefighters Fighting Oil Depot Blaze in Russian Rostov for Third Day Nearly 500 firefighters are tackling a sizable blaze at an oil depot in the Russian region of Rostov's south for the third consecutive day. The source of the blaze was a Ukrainian drone strike, as revealed by Proletarsk's head, Valery Gornitsky, to TASS news agency. The fire encompasses an area of approximately 10,000 square meters, with several diesel tanks ablaze. Gornitsky mentioned that there is no explosion risk, no danger to civilians, and no evacuations are required. Four firefighting aircraft and over 520 firefighters are part of the effort. As per Gornitsky, the aircraft are essential because vehicles are unable to approach the fire due to the intense heat. So far, at least 41 firefighters have been injured, with 18 hospitalized, as per official sources.
11:08 Industrial Facility in Ukrainian Ternopil Suffers Bombardment Damage The most recent Russian bombardments on Ukraine's energy infrastructure have led to an industrial facility and a fuel tank being damaged in the Ternopil region, according to authorities. Ukrainian television broadcasted massive black smoke pillars rising over Ternopil, resulting in local authorities advising residents to stay indoors. Approximately 90 firefighters are involved in the firefighting efforts, with the situation reportedly under control as per the Ternopil regional administration.
10:41 Russian ex-diplomat Bondarev: Putin Exhibits 'Cowardly Pretender' Behavior Boris Bondarev, a former Russian diplomat, wrote in a guest commentary for ntv.de that Russian President Vladimir Putin behaves like a "cowardly pretender." Since the beginning of the invasion of Ukraine, Putin's perceived ability to defeat any adversary has been tarnished. The swift victory, initially predicted within a few days, did not materialize. Moscow also came across as unprepared and overpowered by the Ukrainian attack on the Russian region of Kursk. According to Bondarev, "Putin is at a loss when confronted with a serious threat and does not know how to respond. He does not even act like a cornered rat prepared to fight with all his might, but like a cowardly pretender." Bondarev harshly criticized Western politicians for their policy of prohibiting Ukraine from using delivered weapons on Russian territory. He asserted that one must confront Putin with a language of violence. He dismissed Western concerns about "escalation" as unwarranted. "The 'escalation' is already ongoing - Putin's opponent has entered Russian territory! However, he is not responding to it in any manner," Bondarev wrote.
10:13 Five Civilians Killed and Over 20 Injured in Russian Attacks in Ukraine In the previous 24 hours, five civilians lost their lives, and at least 22 were injured, including a child, due to Russian attacks in Ukraine, as reported by "Kyiv Independent."
09:37 Russian Fuel Depot in Flames: Satellite Image Showcases Fire's Extent Ukraine attacked a substantial fuel depot in Proletarsk, located in southern Russia, with drones at 07:00 hours on Sunday. Despite a day passing by, the fire had not been extinguished, with over 40 firefighters injured, as per regional authorities. Satellite images also illustrate the extent of the fire:
Ukraine has attacked multiple Russian refineries and oil facilities using drones in recent months. This is an attempt to obstruct the fuel supply to enemy troops and diminish Russia's oil industry revenue.
09:16 Kyiv: Over 1300 Russian Soldiers "Eliminated" in One Day
Official Kyiv figures report substantial casualties on the Russian side: within a day, 1330 Russian soldiers have been killed or incapacitated. According to the Ukrainian Defense Ministry, a total of 601,800 Russian soldiers have been "eliminated" since the war's inception in February 2022. The ministry's daily report on Russian losses states that the enemy has also lost 5 more tanks (8,518 in total). Since the beginning of the Russian invasion, Ukraine has claimed over 16,500 armored vehicles and over 13,800 drones either seized or destroyed by the Russian military. These figures cannot be independently verified. Moscow maintains silence regarding its own losses in Ukraine.
08:47 Biden Defends Ukraine's Resistance: No President Should "Kowtow to Dictators"
"No president should bow to dictators," said Joe Biden. Speaking during the first night of the Democratic National Convention, the U.S. president stated, "Putin thought he could seize Kyiv in three days. Three years later, Ukraine is still independent." The Democrat linked his record as a strong NATO and free Ukraine advocate to that of former President Donald Trump, who praised Russian President Vladimir Putin. "No commander-in-chief should ever bow to dictators," Biden said.
08:31 Russia Launches Overnight Air Strikes on Ukraine
Russia has once again targeted Ukraine with overnight air strikes, as per Ukrainian military records. Nine regions in the nation's central, northern, and southern areas were struck, with three missiles and 25 drones being downed, as reported by the Ukrainian air force on Telegram. This marked the fifth missile attack on Kyiv this month, the military said. The capital witnessed 41 air raid alerts in August. The military stated that it foiled a drone attack on Kyiv the previous day.
Russian forces apparently assaulted Kyiv from the north once more this morning, as per the city's military administration's announcement on Telegram. Initial intelligence suggests the adversary attacked Kyiv's capital from the north, likely employing ballistic missiles like the Iskander. This was the fifth missile attack on Kyiv this month, the message states. The missiles were reportedly neutralized by air defense forces situated at the city's periphery. At present, no harm or casualties have been reported in Kyiv.
07:38 Belarus: Lukashenko Orders Additional Troops and Aircraft to Ukraine Border Belarus has deployed extra air defense troops and aircraft to its border with Ukraine, according to Major General Andrei Lukyanovich, commander of the Belarusian air defense forces, as reported by the Ukrainian newspaper "Kyiv Independent". This announcement follows Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko's statement that he had sent a third of the country's army to the border this summer. Lukashenko claimed that the deployment of troops along the border was due to a misunderstanding between Belarus and Ukraine. In a national television appearance, Lukyanovich stated that the Belarusian military had deployed aircraft, anti-aircraft missiles, and radio engineering units to the border. Kyiv has yet to confirm Lukyanovich's claims regarding additional Belarusian troops and weapons at the border. The Ukrainian state border service reported over a week ago that there were no indications of troop buildup along the Belarusian border despite Lukashenko's order.
07:24 ISW: Russia Shifts 5,000 Troops to Kursk Oblast Due to Ukrainian troops' operations in the Kursk region, Russia is relocating troops from other frontline locations to that region, according to a report by the U.S. Institute for the Study of War (ISW). "Russian troops have sent additional troops to the Kursk Oblast since the start of the Ukrainian advance and have likely deployed more than 5,000 soldiers to the region," analysts say.
06:54 Zelenskyy: Second Peace Summit in Ukraine Required Before Year's End Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has urged his nation's diplomats to ensure that the second peace summit in Ukraine takes place this year. Speaking at a meeting of the heads of foreign diplomatic missions in Ukraine on the topic of "War Diplomacy: Resilience, Weapons, Victory," Zelenskyy said, "The opening summit was, in my opinion, an extraordinary success for Ukraine. I am grateful to all those who helped make our summit happen. Now we are preparing for the second peace summit and must ensure that it takes place this year. We must do everything to expand the circle of support for the communiqué of the first summit."
06:22 Ukraine: Another Russian Air Strike on Kyiv Russia continues its nighttime attacks on the Ukrainian capital, according to Ukrainian reports. Air defense units were active during the early morning hours to repel another Russian air strike on Kyiv, the military administration of the Ukrainian capital announced on Telegram. Witnesses reported hearing explosions that sounded like air defense systems being activated.
05:11 Kyiv Reports Several Drone Strikes Far from the Front There were several drone strikes in various Ukrainian regions distant from the frontline overnight, according to air defense reports. The areas of Sumy, Poltava, Kherson, and Mykolaiv were targeted, as well as the outskirts of the capital Kyiv. The local administration advised residents to seek shelter. No damages have been reported as of yet.
02:23 USA Reaffirms Support for Kyiv Despite Kursk Counteroffensive Despite the Ukrainian counteroffensive in the Russian region of Kursk, the USA remains committed to supporting Kyiv. U.S. President Joe Biden has "made it crystal clear that we will continue to support Ukraine and stand by them for as long as necessary," said a spokesperson for the U.S. Department of Defense. The U.S. will continue to prioritize military aid to Kyiv. U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin reassured his Ukrainian counterpart, Rustem Umerow, of continued U.S. support during their conversation, the spokesperson added. During the exchange, Austin also gained a better understanding of Ukraine's goals for its counteroffensive.
01:07 Germany Delivers Another Iris-T System Germany has provided Ukraine with another arms package. According to the Ministry of Defense's overview page, the latest deliveries include, among other things, a third Iris-T-SLS air defense system. They also include several thousand rounds of artillery ammunition, drones, a Bergepanzer 2, and hundreds of rifles with corresponding ammunition.
00:20 Zelenskyy: Largest Success in Capturing Russian Soldiers The Ukrainian offensive in the Russian region of Kursk is, according to President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, the largest success in capturing Russian soldiers since the beginning of the war. Speaking to Ukrainian diplomats, he said these soldiers will later be exchanged for captured Ukrainians. To date, analysts estimate that Russia has captured more Ukrainians than vice versa.
22:21 Chechen Commander: Fallen Kursk Fighters 'Enter Paradise' Apti Alaudinow, the commander of the Russian-fighting Chechen Achmat regiment, has reportedly urged Russian conscripts to go to the front in a video, according to the "Kyiv Independent" newspaper. Those who fall in the Kursk region, he said, "will enter paradise."
21:58 Zelenskyy: Intrusion Has Crumbled Russia's Border Concept As the Ukrainian encroachment into Russian territory was considered implausible, it was kept under wraps, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, the Ukrainian President, mentioned according to "Pravda" newspaper. A few months back, numerous states forewarned that this intrusion would breach Russia's most critical borderline. Now, Zelenskyy revealed, "the notion of Russia's borderline has disintegrated someplace near Sushcha."
21:38 Lithuania Kicks Off Construction of German Army Support Hub Lithuania has started building a military support facility for German soldiers. Upon finalization by the end of 2027, the facility will house up to 4,000 German soldiers. This will mark the first permanent overseas deployment of the German army post World War II. Germany agreed to station troops in the NATO and EU member country bordering Russia last year. According to Lithuanian Defense Minister Raimundas Karoblis, the construction expenses stand above one billion euros.
21:15 Czech President: NATO Membership Possible for Partially Occupied Ukraine
Czech President Petr Pavel has voiced approval for the probability of Ukraine joining NATO despite parts of its territory being under occupation. He believes that Ukraine might negotiate peace with Russia in the ensuing years, as Pavel expressed in an interview with news site "Novinky". Such an agreement could imply that Russia would retain control over a section of Ukrainian territory without the "democratic states" having to acknowledge this border alteration. This transitory border could then pave the way for "Ukraine's NATO membership in the territory it manages at that moment," Pavel proposed. In a similar vein, Germany joined NATO in 1955 while still partially occupied by the Soviet Union.
20:57 Ukrainian Troops inch towards Russian pontoon bridge
Ukrainian forces have apparently seized the town of Wyschnewka within the Russian Kursk region, as per war observers on X. This places them approximately 12 kilometers away from the floating bridge over the Seym River, presently serving as the single supply line for the Russian army or an exit route.
20:36 Pokrovsk administration clings to hope
The military administration of the eastern Ukrainian city of Pokrovsk grapples with an uncertain future as Russian troops advance: "They are advancing towards the outskirts of Pokrovsk. We can see it - it's no secret," said the head of the information department in Pokrovsk to the "Washington Post". "Perhaps the situation there will transform somehow - we hope that the enemy will halt at the approaches to Pokrovsk and our troops will repel them," she added. If the city falls, it would signify the largest population center captured by the Russians since Bachmut in May 2023.
Catch up on previous developments [here]*.
The Ukrainian conflict remains a significant global concern, with various nations taking different stands. For instance, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz defended Germany's generous aid to Ukraine, making it the largest benefactor among European countries this year and promising continued support next year. Meanwhile, Russian President Vladimir Putin equated the Ukrainian army's incursion into the Russian border region of Kursk to the brutal 2004 Beslan school siege, stating that Russia must combat "wrongdoers" in the Kursk region as it did with "terrorists" in Beslan.
