At the current moment, Wagner Group denies having any mercenaries in Ukraine.
15:40 Kyiv Endures Longest Air Assault in War's Span since 7 Hours and 46 Minutes
Under the heavy Russian onslaught on Ukraine, Kyiv endured an aerial attack lasting 7 hours and 46 minutes. This second-longest air raid in the city since the war commenced, as reported by journalist Denis Trubetskoy, falls short by just 9 minutes compared to the longest. Denis stated this fact in a post on X. Notably, air attacks in various Ukrainian regions extended up to 10 hours, according to Anton Gerashchenko, a former advisor to Ukraine's Interior Minister.
15:15 Conflict Erupts in Kursk with Russian Forces
As per statements issued by the Moscow Defense Ministry, Russian troops have launched assaults at over a dozen positions along the frontline in Kursk, a Russian region. Simultaneously, they warded off Ukrainian attacks at seven other locations in Kursk and rained shells on Ukrainian forces at 16 spots in the Sumy region, which borders Kursk on the Ukrainian side.
14:55 Grossi Prioritizes Examination of Kursk Nuclear Plant
IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi emphasized the inspection of the Kursk nuclear power plant in the Russian region of the same name, which is currently under Ukrainian control. In a statement issued on X, he pointed out the significant situation and his intention to ensure that nuclear facilities do not compromise under any circumstances. The visit is scheduled for Tuesday, with 2,000 Ukrainian troops having infiltrated Kursk in a surprise operation on August 6.
14:47 Fire Triggers at Omsk, Russia's Largest Oil Refinery
An incident involving a fire has been reported at Russia's foremost oil refinery in Omsk, as announced by Gazprom. Two casualties were reported, and the fire has supposedly been contained. Business operations remain unaffected, according to their press release, which stated, "The fire at the Omsk refinery is under control. The automatic safety system of the facility detected a fire in the technical equipment."
14:32 Russian Defense Ministry Reports Attacks on Ukraine's Infrastructure
The Russian Defense Ministry in Moscow has declared that its troops have assaulted various energy facilities in Ukraine utilizing drones and missiles. Gas compressor stations, power substations, and Ukrainian military-industrial complex facilities were purportedly targeted, as per the ministry. Additionally, Western weapons and ammunition stored at two airfields in Ukraine were also targeted.
14:09 Reports of Captured Russian Soldiers Surface in Kursk
Ukrainian soldiers have reportedly detained more than 240 Russian soldiers since their sudden invasion of Kursk, as stated by Ukrainian authorities. The "Washington Post" analyzed more than 130 photographs and videos, most of which had been shared on social media by Ukrainian soldiers, that indicated at least 247 Russian prisoners of war. The vast majority of the detainees appear to be young military conscripts who surrendered without a struggle.
13:43 Unidentified Object Invades Polish Airspace
An unidentified object has reportedly entered Polish airspace and may have landed on Polish territory during Russia's attack on Ukraine. The Polish army's operations command announced this, citing surveillance footage. The search for the object, which did not appear to be a rocket, is underway. According to the "Guardian," the object is believed to be a drone based on statements from the army spokesperson.
13:21 Alleged Russian Missile Strikes Dam North of Kyiv
A Russian missile is said to have struck a dam north of Kyiv during the ongoing massive air attack on Ukraine, as reported in Ukrainian media. A video of the dam's hydroelectric power plant on fire was shared by Yaroslav Trofimov, a journalist for the "Wall Street Journal." The footage did not provide any information regarding the structural damage caused by the missile strike.
12:57 Zelenskyy Describes Attack as One of Russia's Most Intense
According to Ukrainian reports, Russia has utilized more than 100 missiles and nearly 100 drones in their latest large-scale attack. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy described it as one of the most intense attacks in his video message shared on Telegram. The Russian Ministry of Defense, meanwhile, claimed on Telegram that it managed to "strike all targeted infrastructure" targets in Ukraine. Zelenskyy explained that the attack was a "combined" attack involving over 100 missiles of various types and approximately 100 drones of Iranian origin.
12:09 Peskov Denounces Ceasefire Negotiations with Ukraine as Irrelevant
The Russian presidential administration spokesman, Dmitri Peskov, stated that negotiations on a ceasefire with Ukraine had nearly lost their relevance. The infiltration of Ukrainian forces into the Russian border region of Kursk, which Russia considers untenable, necessitates an appropriate response, Peskov argued. Consequently, there have been no discussions concerning a ceasefire, and the topic is no longer pertinent.
Autocrat Alexander Lukashenko is amassing countless thousands of soldiers at the border with Ukraine, an event that has prompted unease within the country. However, as reported by ntv journalist Rainer Munz, this appears to be more of a display of strength rather than a genuine threat.
11:25 Evidence of Russian subterfuge driving Geilenkirchen alarm
German intelligence sources suggest a potential hazard stemming from Russian covert activities involving a drone led to the raised security level at the NATO base in Geilenkirchen, near Aachen. A strong hint emerged from a foreign intelligence service of impending Russian subterfuge aimed at the NATO base, the sources claimed.
More on this can be explored further.
11:20 NASA satellite imagery: Russians battling desperately to control fire at Proletarsk fuel storage depot
The fuel depot in Proletarsk, southern Russia, has burnt relentlessly for over a week, with no signs of containment, as per recent satellite imagery from NASA's FIRMS fire surveillance system. The conflagration, which involves over 70 individual fuel tanks, was triggered by a Ukrainian drone attack on August 17. Unconfirmed rumors indicate a follow-up attack on August 19, prompting local officials to declare a state of emergency. Russian news agency TASS reported that 47 firefighters had been injured in the inferno on August 24.
10:50 Poland responds by deploying fighter jets
The proximity of Russian aggressions to Poland's border prompted Poland's military to dispatch interceptors, as reported by the PAP news agency. Allied warplanes also contributed to the operation. According to Ukraine's air force, Russia deployed 11 long-range Tu-95 bombers, armed with cruise missiles, and launched hypersonic Kinzhal missiles at Ukraine, with additional attacks originating from the Black Sea.
10:22 Video: Ukrainian soldier fires at Russian cruise missile with machine gun
A viral video on social media depicts Ukrainian troops from an air defense unit engaging a Russian cruise missile using a machine gun mounted on a truck. The clip was shared by Governor Viktor Mykyta. According to Mykyta's statement, the missile was launched from the neighboring Lviv region and was downed by the 650th separate anti-aircraft machine gun battalion. The authenticity of the video has been confirmed by RTL/ntv's fact-checking team. However, it remains unclear what type of missile was targeted, and according to the "Kyiv Independent," it was not machine gun fire that downed the missile but rather an anti-aircraft missile, as reported by former air force spokesman Yuriy Ihnat.
10:03 More than Half of Ukraine's Regions Under Attack by Russia - Energy Infrastructure Targeted
Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal announced that more than half of Ukraine's regions have been targeted by Russia. "A massive Russian attack launched this morning has hit 15 regions. The enemy used various types of weapons: drones, missiles, hypersonic missiles. Regrettably, there have been casualties and injuries," Shmyhal wrote on Telegram. According to Ukrainian reports, energy infrastructure in four regions has been affected. Authorities in Zaporizhzhia, Sumy, Rivne, and Lviv informed their constituents of attacks on their regions' energy infrastructure via Telegram. Power and water supplies were disrupted in certain areas of the capital Kyiv, as confirmed by Mayor Vitali Klitschko.
09:40 RCIS: Russia Shifts Troops to Kursk Regions from Lesser Important Fronts in Ukraine
Experts at Research Center for Information Security (RCIS) suggest that the Russian military might be shifting troops from less significant sectors of the Ukrainian front to the Kursk region. Commanders from the 810th Marine Infantry Brigade, 155th Marine Infantry Brigade, 11th Airborne Brigade (VDV), 56th VDV Regiment (7th VDV Division), and 51st VDV Regiment (106th VDV Division) reportedly briefed Russian President Vladimir Putin over the weekend regarding combat operations in Russian territories bordering Ukraine. This likely refers to the Kursk region, according to the RCIS report. RCIS has observed units from the 810th Marine Infantry Brigade, 155th Marine Infantry Brigade, and 11th VDV Brigade involved in conflicts in the Kursk region, and reports indicate that Russian military leadership has recently transferred elements of the 56th VDV Regiment from western Saporizhzhia to the border region. The Russian military command is reportedly resisting operational pressure to withdraw its forces from the priority offensive efforts to capture Pokrovsk in the Donetsk region, the experts assert.
09:14 First Casualties Reported from Russian's Intensive Shelling
At least three individuals have lost their lives due to Russian air raids, as disclosed by Ukrainian authorities. Losses have been reported from Luzk in the west of the country, Dnipro in the east, and Zaporizhzhia in the south. Luzk Mayor Ihor Polischchuk confirmed that a multi-story residential building experienced enemy fire, resulting in one fatality. Reports of casualties emerged from the governors of Odessa, Zaporizhzhia, and Kharkiv regions on Telegram, urging their citizens to seek refuge. Earlier, Governor Filip Pronin of the Poltava region reported that five people had been hurt in an attack on an industrial facility.
Read more about this escalation here.
Ukraine is keeping a close eye on Belarus as they reinforce their troops along the shared border. This deployment is larger than previous ones, and the potential entry of Belarus into the conflict could have severe consequences, as mentioned by ntv reporter Nadja Kriewald.
08:22: Explosions Echo Through Ukrainian Cities - Power Outage in KyivExplosions have been reported in several Ukrainian cities following a massive Russian air strike (see entry at 07:24). According to "Kyiv Independent", air raid sirens went off across the nation just before 6 AM local time. The initial explosions in Kyiv were heard around 8:30 AM, with more following. Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko stated that several districts of the capital are without power, and there are also water supply issues on the city's right side. Explosions have been reported in Kharkiv, Odessa, Vinnytsia, Zaporizhzhia, Kremenchuk, Dnipro, Khmelnytskyi, Kropyvnytskyi, and Kryvyi Rih.
07:53: Moscow Claims to Have Downed 20 Ukrainian DronesThe Russian air defense reportedly took down 20 drones that were targeting Russian territory from Ukraine during the night, according to the Russian Ministry of Defense. Nine were intercepted over the Saratov region, three over Kursk, and two each over Belgorod, Bryansk, and Tula. One drone was detected over the regions of Oryol and Ryazan.
07:24: Russia Unleashes Heavy Strike on UkraineUkraine is currently enduring a massive assault, as reported by various sources. "Explosions in Kyiv right now as Ukraine confronts a massive Russian missile and drone attack from land, air, and sea," reported the "Kyiv Post" at X. Military expert Nico Lange wrote that Russia is firing missiles from ships in the Black Sea and from 11 Tu-95 bombers, while using drones and ballistic missiles. "The Russian air attack on Ukraine is massive." Explosions are reportedly being heard in multiple cities.
07:07: Chechen Commander Claims Ukrainian Casualties in KurskFighters from the Chechen special forces "Achmat" and the 2nd Special Forces Brigade reportedly destroyed two armored vehicles, five armored combat vehicles, and a light tank of French design (AMR) in the Kursk region over the past day, according to the Russian state news agency TASS, citing the commander, Major General Apti Alaudinov. "Over the past day, we have also eliminated a unit of automatic grenade launchers and a mortar, and destroyed a gun," he said. "Through these attacks on these military facilities, our people have inflicted significant losses on the Ukrainian troops." Alaudinov stated that the advance of Ukrainian troops has been halted. "The enemy is indeed trying to advance, but without success. We have already begun to destroy the enemy in several areas and liberate some settlements. I believe that this work will continue every day."
06:41: North Korea: Kim Jong Un Calls for Increased Production of Kamikaze DronesNorth Korea's leader, Kim Jong Un, has urged the development and production of more kamikaze drones as part of war preparations, according to a report by the state news agency KCNA. He made this statement during a test of domestically developed drones. Kamikaze drones refer to unmanned aerial vehicles equipped with explosives that are guided towards enemy targets. Russia often employs Iranian Shahed drones of this type in Ukraine. North Korea and Russia have strengthened their military cooperation. The drone test, according to KCNA, took place on Saturday against the backdrop of increasing tensions with neighboring South Korea. Photos depict white flying objects with X-shaped wings attacking tank targets and detonating. According to the South Korean news agency Yonhap, the target objects were modeled after South Korean K-2 tanks.
06:34: Ukraine: 1,140 Russian Soldiers 'Eliminated' in a DayAccording to Ukrainian military reports, 1,140 Russian soldiers have been killed or injured in the past 24 hours. Since the commencement of the conflict, the estimated number of "eliminated" Russian military personnel has climbed to 608,820. These figures cannot be independently confirmed. In the latest updates, four Russian tanks, 17 armored vehicles, 47 artillery systems, one multiple rocket launcher, one air defense system, and 39 drones have been destroyed.
06:12: Kyiv Warns Minsk Against 'Regrettable Moves'Ukraine is urging Belarus to withdraw its large troop contingents and military equipment from the shared border. In a statement from the Foreign Ministry, Belarus is urged to refrain from hostile actions and withdraw its troops from the border region. Ukraine warns Belarus not to make "regrettable moves" under Russian pressure. Belarus has yet to respond. As reported by Ukrainian sources, among the troops stationed at the border are Belarusian special units and former Wagner mercenaries. The equipment includes tanks, artillery, air defense systems, and engineering equipment stationed in the Gomel region along the northern border of Ukraine. The statement also mentions that Ukraine has "never carried out hostile actions against the Belarusian people and will not do so in the future."
05:46: Russian Governor Describes Damage from Drone DebrisIn the Russian region of Saratov, several houses have been damaged by debris from downed Ukrainian drones, as reported by the regional governor. The cities of Saratov and Engels have been affected, the governor stated on Telegram. All emergency services are responding to the situation. Engels is home to a strategic bomber base of Russia.
03:52 Kyiv Wards Off Drone AssaultAccording to Ukrainian sources, the air defense forces are engaged in Kyiv to counter Russian drone assaults. A notice was issued via Telegram, stating, "An unwanted drone activity has been spotted! Air defense systems in the area are activated." As of now, there's no word on any harm or casualties.
00:19 Zelensky Denounces "Precise" Reuters Team StrikeDuring his evening address, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky addressed the lethal rocket attack on Reuters team members. One employee perished, while two others sustained injuries, according to Reuters. The deceased was identified as Ryan Evans, a former British soldier who started working with Reuters in 2022, providing security advice to journalists in Ukraine, Israel, and Paris' Olympic Games. Zelensky described a "regular city hotel" as the site of the Russian Iskander rocket strike. He classified the attack as "exactly aimed, meticulously planned." His sympathies went out to the family and friends of the victim. The Ukrainian General Prosecutor's Office initiated an initial probe into the attack via its Telegram channel. This incident occurred on Saturday at 10:35 PM local time. Reuters is yet to confirm whether the rocket was launched from Russia or if the hotel was deliberately targeted. No statement from Russia has been released.
You can catch up on past eventshere.
In light of the ongoing conflict, the European Union has expressed concern over the escalation of tensions between Russia and Ukraine and called for a peaceful resolution to the crisis.
Moreover, the European Parliament has passed a resolution condemning the Russian invasion of Ukrainian territories and reaffirming its support for Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity. The European Union has also threatened to impose further sanctions on Russia if it continues its aggressive actions against Ukraine.
