"Cruel act of war atrocity" - Ukraine condemns "intentional assault" on a hotel in Kramatorsk
13:14 Following Russian Assaults on Sumy: Police Reports 4 Deaths, 13 InjuriesThe Russian military carried out 261 assaults on the Ukrainian region of Sumy alone yesterday, as per local police records. Sadly, at least four individuals lost their lives, and a further 13 were injured during these attacks in the north. As reported by the Ukrainian newspaper "Pravda Ukraina", the attacks resulted in damage to six residential blocks, 26 houses, an educational institute, outbuildings, automobiles, a gas pipeline, and shops. Furthermore, a two-hectare area of dry grass caught fire as a result.
12:42 Zelensky Taunts Putin: "Weary Old Man from Red Square"On the occasion of Ukraine's Independence Day, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky not only displayed the recently developed Ukrainian drone Palyanitsia but also derided Russian leader Vladimir Putin in a video address. Zaelsky referred to Putin as a "weary old man from Red Square" due to his nuclear rhetoric. The 71-year-old, he said, "is a weary old man from Red Square who consistently threatens everyone with the red button. He will not dictate any of his red lines to us."
12:14 Energy Ministry: Over 500 Ukrainian Settlements Still Lack Power Post-AttacksAs reported by the Ukrainian Energy Ministry, via the state news agency Ukrinform, 524 settlements still lack power following Russian attacks on Ukraine's energy infrastructure. Despite the challenging energy conditions, no restrictions have been imposed on consumers. The efforts of technicians have already restored power to more than 7,200 people. The ministry urges citizens to conserve electricity and use it responsibly, particularly during the evenings. Due to the extensive damage caused by Russian troops' attacks, the energy system remains highly susceptible to disruptions.
11:38 Ukraine: 160 Encounters with Russian Troops at the Front within a DayThe Ukrainian side recorded 160 instances of combat at the front yesterdays. Fights were taking place in ten sectors, with the situation being most volatile in the direction of Pokrovsk, as reported by the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine in a morning update. Russian troops launched five attacks with 15 missiles and 95 attacks with 127 guided aerial bombs on Ukrainian positions, along with cities and villages.
10:57 Unidentified Person Missing After Hotel Attack in Rubble - Search Continues in KramatorskRussian forces, according to Ukrainian reports, bombarded a hotel in the eastern Ukrainian city of Kramatorsk during the night, resulting in a missing individual and two injuries. A statement from the news agency stated that a six-person Reuters team was present at the Hotel Sapphire when the attack took place. The building appeared to have been hit by a rocket during that incident. "One of our team members is still missing, two others were taken to a hospital for treatment," it stated. They are working in collaboration with authorities in Kramatorsk. The governor of the Donetsk region wrote on Telegram that "the Russians attacked Kramatorsk." Two journalists sustained injuries, one remains trapped underground. "Authorities, police, and rescue services are on the scene. Debris removal and rescue operations are underway." The Russian Defense Ministry did not promptly respond to a request for comment. "Russian forces attacked the city of Kramatorsk, likely using an Iskander-M missile," said a statement from the Ukrainian Prosecutor General's Office, which has initiated a "preliminary investigation" into the attack. According to them, the missile struck 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 Defense Chief: Over 80% of Russian Shahed Drones Intercepted and Destroyed Last NightUkrainian air defense forces did an impressive job last night: eight out of nine Russian Shahed drones were intercepted and destroyed by Ukrainian air defense forces. This was reported by the state news agency Ukrinform citing the commander of the air force, Mykola Oleschuk. According to him, not only were nearly all kamikaze drones intercepted, but most of the rockets they fired were also brought down.
10:20 Ukraine: Hotel in Kramatorsk Attacked - Multiple Western Journalists InjuredSeveral Western journalists were injured in a Russian strike on the eastern Ukrainian city of Kramatorsk during the night, as per official reports. A hotel was hit, two people were rescued with injuries, and one person remains trapped under the debris, wrote the Ukrainian governor of the Donetsk region, Wadym Filaschkin, on Telegram. "All three victims are journalists, residents of Ukraine, the United States, and the United Kingdom." The attack was confirmed in pro-Russian blogs. According to them, Kramatorsk was bombed with heavy glide bombs of the FAB-1500 type. However, it is reported that a machine-building factory and several military facilities were hit by the attack.
China has voiced discontent over the strict regulations imposed by the United States on numerous exporters hailing from China's People's Republic. According to China's Ministry of Commerce, this move disturbs the global trade structure and hinders normal interchange. China will undertake necessary steps to safeguard the legal rights of its companies. In response to a decision made by the US government last Friday, which added 105 companies - 42 Chinese, 63 Russian, and 18 from other countries - to a list of companies subjected to trade restrictions, these companies are now required to secure hard-to-obtain licenses. The reasons behind the targeting of these companies span from the transfer of American electronics to the Russian military to the manufacturing of thousands of drones utilized by Russia in its attack on Ukraine.
09:29 "250 Targets within Reach" for Ukraine: ISW Recommends Open Use of Long-Range Missiles
The US-based research institution, the Institute for the Study of War (ISW), encourages unrestricted use of long-range weapons on Russian territory by Ukraine. Despite the relocation of air forces to deeper rear bases, numerous military targets remain within the reach of US ATACMS missiles, which Ukraine currently possesses but is barred from using against Russian territory due to restrictions from the US. The ISW estimates that at least 250 military and paramilitary sites in Russia fall within the range of the ATACMS missiles supplied to Ukraine by the US. However, only HIMARS multiple rocket launchers and GLMRS rockets are currently authorized for use. The ISW points out that this limitation allows Ukraine to attack a maximum of 20 of the 250 targets.
09:06 Kyiv: 1190 Russian Soldiers "Neutralized" in a Day
The Russian military has reportedly sustained high casualties, according to official Ukrainian records. Over 1190 Russian soldiers were either killed or incapacitated during a single day. Since the beginning of the conflict in February 2022, approximately 607,680 Russian soldiers have been reported killed or disabled, as per the Ukrainian Ministry of Defense. The ministry also confirmed that Russia lost an additional five tanks (total count since the start of the invasion: 8,547), and Ukraine has accounted for over 16,600 armored vehicles and nearly 14,000 drones that no longer belong to the Russian military. These figures are unverifiable. Russia has remained silent about its own losses in Ukraine.
08:39 Ukrainian Air Force: Most Russian Missiles and Drones Downed Last Night
Ukraine claims that Russia launched missiles and drones at northern and eastern parts of the country the previous night. "Most of the missiles missed their targets," the air force reported. Russia deployed a ballistic missile of the Iskander-M type, a cruise missile of the Iskander-K type, and six guided missiles. The number of those destroyed was unreported. Meanwhile, eight out of nine Russian attack drones were shot down.
08:08 Six Injured in Overnight Rocket Attack on KharkivThe number of injured has now risen to six following an overnight Russian rocket attack on the Slobidsky district in the Kharkiv region. This was reported by Kharkiv Mayor Ihor Terekhov in a Telegram message, as reported by states news agency Ukrinform.
07:32 Zelensky Lauds Introduction of Newly Manufactured Ukrainian Palianytsia Rocket DronesUkrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky praised the new Palyanytsia rocket drones produced in Ukraine. The Ukrainian leader stated that these rocket drones and other military innovations are essential for Ukraine given the delays in decisions by some of its international partners. "Today, the first and successful deployment of our new weapon took place," he said, according to "The Kyiv Independent". "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 included in the prisoner exchange between Russia and Ukraine on Saturday, according to Ukrainian reports cited by "The Kyiv Independent" from Brigade Commander Denys Prokopenko. The commander of the Azov Regiment criticized the recent prisoner exchange and expressed disappointment that none of the Azov fighters, who have been in Russian captivity for over two years, were included.
06:14 Governor: Five Killed in Ukrainian Strike on Russian Border Region BelgorodFive civilians were killed and 12 injured, four severely, in a Ukrainian air strike on the Russian border region of Belgorod overnight, according to local authorities. Three minors were also injured, two of whom were hospitalized, Governor Vyacheslav Gladkov said. Ukraine has escalated its attacks on Russian territory and expanded into the Kursk region bordering Belgorod in early August. Belgorod is frequently targeted by Ukrainian air and drone strikes as retaliation for attacks from the Russian side.
05:47 Russia: Civilians Killed in Ukrainian ShellingFive civilians were killed and 12 injured in artillery shelling in the city of Rakitnoe in southwestern Russia, according to the regional governor, Vyacheslav Gladkov, on Telegram. The reports could not be independently verified, and there was no comment from Ukraine.
04:26 City of Sumy Reports Rocket Hits and InjuriesThe city of Sumy is struck by rockets, as reported by the regional military administration. Two rocket hits were reported, resulting in the injury of seven people, two of whom were seriously injured, the authority stated. Russia attacked the civilian infrastructure in Sumy on Saturday evening, it said.
03:35 Kharkiv: Rocket attack launched on two cities
The governor of Kharkiv region, Oleh Syniehubov, issues a warning: The Russian military has initiated rocket attacks on the cities of Kharkiv and Chuhuiv. Presently, one individual has sustained injuries. A significant explosion is alleged to have taken place in Kharkiv. The mayor of the city, Ihor Terechow, shares on Telegram that a powerful explosion was heard. He urges caution among the populace. The source of the explosion remains unclear at this juncture.
03:06 Ukrainian air defense alerts about combat drones
During the wee hours, an air defense alert is activated in the eastern and southern regions of Ukraine. The Ukrainian air forces caution against a swarm of Shahed combat drones, moving over the Black Sea towards the southern Ukrainian region of Mykolaiv. Around Ukrainian Independence Day, which was celebrated on Saturday, an increase in Russian attacks is anticipated. However, a major wave of attacks has yet to materialize.
01:32 Hungary accuses Brussels of thwarting oil supplies
Hungary suspects the EU Commission of being responsible for the interruption of Russian oil supplies. "The EU Commission's assertion that it won't assist in securing Hungary and Slovakia's energy supply implies that an order from Brussels was dispatched to Kyiv to (...) create issues with Hungary and Slovakia's energy supply," asserts Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto. The EU Commission initially declines to comment. In June, Ukraine added Russian oil producer Lukoil to the sanctions list and obstructed the Druzhba pipeline, which also traverses Ukrainian territory. This has effectively obstructed key oil suppliers like Hungary and Slovakia.
22:12 Russian troops injure four women in raid on Kupiansk village
Russian forces targeted the village of Novoosynove in the Kupiansk district of the Kharkiv Oblast, injuring four women, confirms Oleh Syniehubov, chief of the Kharkiv region's military administration. "The aggressors attacked the village of Novoosynove in the Kupiansk district around noon. As a result of the attack, a private residence was engulfed in flames," Syniehubov said. The injured individuals were admitted to a medical facility. Investigations regarding the attack's aftermath are still ongoing.
21:03 UK Defense Minister: "Ukraine has consistently been the underdog against Russia's significantly larger forces"John Healey, United Kingdom's Defense Minister, congratulated Ukraine on their Independence Day in a guest article on "European Pravda." "Yesterday, 33 years ago, Ukraine declared its independence, pledging a better, more prosperous future as a sovereign democracy, liberated from Soviet Russia's dominance," Healey stated. Ukrainians celebrated their Independence Day amidst a war. It's an existential struggle to persevere as a free and independent nation in the face of Putin's brutal unlawful invasion. "Ukraine has consistently been the underdog against Russia's vastly larger forces and resources. Today, we honor the Ukrainian people," Healey penned. They continue to fight with unwavering courage, both the military and the civilian population. The British must guarantee their Ukrainian allies that they will remain steadfast by their side for as long as necessary. Consequently, the UK is launching a campaign today, encouraging people across Britain and beyond to exhibit their support for the Ukrainians by sharing relevant messages on social media. "On social media, we ask you to 'Make Noise for Ukraine' and disseminate related posts. Aside from the military and economic support we offer Ukraine, we have also extended our friendship and solidarity," Healey concluded.
20:05 Zelensky elevates Syrsky to GeneralVolodymyr Zelensky, Ukrainian President, has promoted Oleksandr Syrsky, head of the Ukrainian armed forces, to the rank of General. This stems from a decree issued by Zelensky. Syrsky previously held the rank of Colonel-General. The promotion is attributable to the successful advance of Ukrainian troops in the Russian border region of Kursk.
You can access all prior events here.
The Russian military, known for its aggressive tactics, carried out numerous attacks on Ukrainian territories. Despite these relentless assaults, Ukrainian air defense forces managed to intercept and destroy a significant number of Russian Shahed drones.
The ongoing conflict in Ukraine has resulted in a severe energy crisis, with more than 500 Ukrainian settlements still lacking power after Russian attacks on the country's energy infrastructure.
