Demonstrations in Kiev Demanding Freedom for Azov War Prisoners
In Kyiv, folks rallied for the liberation of soldiers from the Ukrainian Azov regiment, prisoners of war. This information was shared by the Belarusian opposition news outlet Nexta. The demonstration took place near the opera house. The gathering reportedly had former prisoners of war in attendance, as per Nexta. The Azov fighters, among others, had defended Mariupol against Russian forces but were forced to surrender in May 2022. Since then, around 900 fighters are reportedly being held captive by the Russians.
At 21:09, President Zelenskyy announced the capture of two more locations in Kursk, according to him. Ukraine supposedly advanced an additional 3 kilometers into the Russian region, seizing two settlements, as mentioned in his nightly address. No response from Russia has been released yet.
At 20:39, Ukrainian MP Artem Dmytruk fled the country after allegations against him. He is accused of attacking a soldier and a police officer in two different incidents, as reported by "Kyiv Independent". In Odessa, he is alleged to have assaulted a police officer with another person and attempted to take the officer's weapon. In another incident in Kyiv, he is reported to have gotten into a fight with a soldier and injured him with repeated blows to the head. On Saturday, Dmytruk allegedly wrote on Telegram that his hotel room in Kyiv and his apartment in Odessa had been searched. He labeled the actions against him as politically motivated. The independent MP in the Ukrainian parliament is known for holding pro-Russian views.
At 20:03, Ukraine claimed that Belarus was amassing troops and military equipment in large numbers at the border under the guise of a military exercise, as revealed by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Kyiv. No statement has been made by Belarus, a close ally of Russia.
At 19:30, the Reuters news agency employee who went missing after the Russian attack on a hotel in Kramatorsk was found dead. Ukrainian officials stated that the body of the British journalist was recovered from the debris hours later. Four individuals were also reported injured, the governor of the Donetsk region, Vadym Filaschkin, said on Telegram. Initially, only two injuries were reported.
At 18:49, Ukraine appeared to continue using unconventional methods in its battle against Russian drones. Several clips show a Ukrainian helicopter crew armed with a machine gun going on a drone hunt. According to Forbes, this is a transport helicopter of the Mi-8 type. One video shows a Ukrainian soldier shooting down a Shahed drone from Iran from the helicopter's cockpit.
At 17:34, Ukrainian President Zelensky criticized India's business dealings with Russia. He pointed out that Putin utilizes the income from oil and gas sales to fund his war against Ukraine. Putin is "stealing from his own people," Zelensky claimed, adding that the Russian people are suffering economically but are unaware due to Putin's control over media and social networks. According to Zelensky, Putin's war economy relies on the billions earned from India, China, and Arab nations. However, Kyiv cannot put pressure on New Delhi as it is an independent nation.
At 17:09, Elon Musk, the CEO of X, demanded the release of Telegram founder Pavel Durov, who was arrested in Paris. In response to a clip of an interview of Durov with US journalist Tucker Carlson, Musk used the hashtag #FreePavel. In another tweet, he wrote, "Liberté Liberté! Liberté?"
At 16:37, Bavaria's Minister-President Markus Söder disagreed with his Saxon colleague Michael Kretschmer's position on Ukraine policy. Söder said, "We have a clear position. Herr Kretschmer holds a different one, which I respect. But it's fundamentally different from ours." Söder then questioned, "Would World War II have ended if we had allowed Hitler to prevail?" referring to Russian President Vladimir Putin. He said, "Do wars end by simply giving in to the aggressor?" Kretschmer had criticized weapons deliveries to Ukraine. Söder saw this belief as "naive."
At 16:09, Ukrainian President Zelensky stated that US president candidate Donald Trump supports Ukraine and desires to put an end to the war. Zelensky expressed this in a conversation with Indian reporters, which was posted on his social media channel.
15:16 Medvedev Warned Durov of Global Issues Over Data PrivacyAfter the arrest of Telegram CEO Pavel Durov in Paris, former Russian President Dmitri Medvedev claimed he had warned Durov "for quite some time" about potential problems in various nations due to his stance on user data confidentiality. "He misjudged," Medvedev wrote on Telegram: "For our common adversaries, he is considered Russian and thus unpredictable and dangerous." Durov must "finally realize that you can't select your nationality."
13:52 Zelensky Suggests India for Peace Conference's Second EditionUkrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has suggested India as a potential host for a second round of discussions on a peaceful resolution. He made this statement during an interview with Indian journalists, which he posted on social media. Zelensky mentioned his support for this idea to Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. At present, negotiations are underway with Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Turkey, and Switzerland about hosting the second meeting. However, it's tricky to hold the conference in a nation that did not sign the final agreement of the initial summit. While India participated in the first gathering in Switzerland last June, it did not endorse the final agreement.
13:10 Pope Criticizes Pro-Russian Orthodox Church Ban in UkrainePope Francis has criticized the ban of the pro-Russian Orthodox Church in Ukraine. In light of President Volodymyr Zelensky's legislation, the Pontiff stated during his Sunday prayer: "No Christian church should be suppressed directly or indirectly. Churches should not be affected!" Ukraine justifies the prohibition due to the Moscow Patriarchate's support of Russia's aggression. The Pope told tens of thousands of believers on St. Peter's Square: "One does not commit evil by praying. If someone commits evil against their people, they are guilty. But they cannot be guilty because they prayed."
12:33 "Barbaric War Crime" - Ukraine Condemns "Deliberate Attack" on Hotel in KramatorskThe Ukrainian Foreign Ministry has condemned the Russian attack on a hotel in Kramatorsk that housed foreign journalists. This was announced by the Foreign Ministry spokesperson Georgiy Tykhyi. "Last night, another horrific and deliberate Russian assault on residential areas of Kramatorsk harmed foreign media journalists staying in a hotel," the spokesperson said. According to Tykhyi, such targeted attacks against journalists have become a systematic tactic of the Russian conflict. "These reprehensible war crimes must be denounced and penalized," the Foreign Ministry spokesperson emphasized.
12:03 After Russian Assaults on Sumy: Police Report 4 Deaths and 13 InjuriesThe Russian military attacked the Sumy region of Ukraine 261 times yesterday alone, according to the local police. At least four people were killed, and 13 were injured in the attacks on the northern region. As reported by the Ukrainian newspaper "Ukrainska Pravda," six residential buildings, 26 homes, an educational institution, structures, vehicles, a gas pipeline, and shops were harmed in the attacks. Additionally, dry grass on a 2-hectare area caught fire.
12:00 Zelensky Mocks Putin: "Ill Senile Man from Red Square"On Ukraine's Independence Day, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky not only presented the recently developed Ukrainian drone Palianytsia, but also ridiculed Russian leader Vladimir Putin in a video message: Zelensky referred to Putin as an "ill senile man from Red Square" due to his nuclear rhetoric. The 71-year-old is known as a "sick senile man from Red Square who constantly threatens everyone with the red button," Zelensky said.
11:10 Ministry of Energy: More than 500 Ukrainian Villages Still Lack Power after AttacksOver 524 settlements in Ukraine remain without power following Russian attacks on the country's energy infrastructure, according to the Ukrainian Ministry of Energy, as reported by state news agency Ukrinform. Although the energy situation is challenging, no restrictions have been imposed on consumers. According to the statement, technicians have already restored power to over 7200 people. The ministry urges citizens to use electricity sparingly and responsibly, especially in the evenings. Due to the numerous attacks by Russian troops, the energy system has been severely harmed and is still highly susceptible to disruptions.
10:03 Ukraine: 160 Engagements with Russian Forces at the Front Within a DayThe Ukrainian military reported 160 combat situations along the front yesterday, according to the General Staff of the Ukrainian Armed Forces. Clashes were particularly intense in ten sectors, with the situation in the Pokrovsk direction being the most precarious. Russian forces initiated five attacks with 15 missiles and 95 attacks with 127 guided aerial bombs on Ukrainian positions, as well as cities and villages.
Ukrainian forces reported a hotel in Kramatorsk being targeted by Russian troops last night, per Ukrainian reports. A Reuters journalist is currently missing, while two others were injured. According to a Reuters statement, a six-person team was staying at the Hotel Sapphire when the attack transpired. The building was evidently hit by a rocket, as stated by the news agency. The statement concludes that one team member is still unaccounted for, and two others were hospitalized for treatment. Collaboration with local authorities in Kramatorsk is ongoing. The governor of the Donetsk region announced on Telegram that Kramatorsk was attacked by the Russians, injuring two journalists and leaving one missing. Emergency services, authorities, and rescue teams have been deployed to the scene, with demolition and rescue operations underway. The Russian Ministry of Defense did not comment on the matter immediately. The Ukrainian Prosecutor General's Office stated that Russian troops attacked Kramatorsk, likely utilizing an Iskander-M missile, and initiated a preliminary investigation into the incident. The missile struck at 22:35 local time yesterday.
Update at 13:30: The number of injured Reuters journalists has been revised upwards to four, according to the head of the regional military administration of Donetsk, Wadym Filaschkin, via Telegram.
10:20 Ukraine: Hotel in Kramatorsk shelled - several Western journalists injuredMultiple Western journalists have reportedly been injured in a Russian shelling of the eastern Ukrainian city of Kramatorsk overnight, as per official reports. A hotel was struck, resulting in two individuals being airlifted for treatment, while one person remains trapped underneath the debris, according to the governor of the Donetsk region, Vadym Filashkin, via Telegram. "All three victims are journalists, citizens of Ukraine, the US, and the UK." The assault was corroborated by pro-Russian blogs, which claimed that Kramatorsk was attacked using heavy gliding bombs of the FAB-1500 type. However, it was reported that a machine-building factory and several military objects were targeted.
09:54 US electronics sold to Russia: New US export rules face criticism from ChinaChina has objected to the tightened restrictions imposed by the US on numerous exporters within the country. These restrictions have disrupted international trade norms and hindered typical commercial interactions, as stated by the Ministry of Commerce in Beijing. China will take proportionate measures to safeguard the legitimate rights of its enterprises. The Ministry of Commerce responded to a decision made by the US government last Friday, which placed 105 companies - 42 Chinese, 63 Russian, and 18 from other countries - on an export restriction list. These companies were targeted due to factors such as transferring US electronics to the Russian military and producing thousands of drones utilized by Russia in its invasion of Ukraine. The companies currently necessitate hard-to-obtain licenses.
09:29 "250 targets within range" for Ukraine: ISW calls for unlimited use of long-range missilesThe US Institute for the Study of War (ISW) has advocated for the unrestricted approval of Ukrainian usage of long-range weapons on Russian territory. Despite the relocation of Russian air forces to deeper rear areas, numerous military targets remain within the reach of US ATACMS missiles, as possessed by Ukraine but unable to strike Russian territory due to restrictions from Washington. According to an analysis by the ISW, at least 250 Russian military and paramilitary objectives are within the range of ATACMS missiles supplied by the US to Ukraine. Nevertheless, exclusively HIMARS multiple rocket launchers and GLMRS rockets may be utilized for attacks on Russian territory. "This permits Ukraine to target at most twenty of the two hundred fifty objectives," remarks the ISW.
09:06 Kyiv: 1190 Russian soldiers "eliminated" in one dayAccording to official figures from Kyiv, Russian forces suffered heavy losses overnight. Approximately 1190 Russian soldiers were reportedly eliminated or incapacitated within one day, as per the Ukrainian Ministry of Defense. Since the start of the war in February 2022, the Ministry of Defense has claimed that a total of 607,680 Russian soldiers have been "eliminated." The Ministry of Defense cited in its daily statement that the enemy had also lost five additional tanks (8547). Since the onset of the Russian invasion, Ukraine has estimated the loss of more than 16,600 armored vehicles and around 14,000 drones from the Russian military or destruction. However, these figures cannot be verified independently. Moscow has been reluctant to divulge information on its own losses in Ukraine.
08:39 Ukrainian Air Force: Most Russian missiles and drones intercepted last nightRussian forces launched several missiles and drones at northern and eastern Ukraine overnight, according to the Ukrainian Air Force. "Most of the missiles failed to reach their intended targets," the air force noted. Russia utilized a ballistic missile of the Iskander-M type, a cruise missile of the Iskander-K type, and six guided missiles. The number of destroyed missiles and drones was not disclosed. Additionally, eight out of nine Russian attack drones were reportedly shot down.
08:08 Six injured in overnight rocket attack on KharkivFollowing an overnight rocket attack on Kharkiv Oblast's Slobidsky district, the number of injured individuals has risen to six, as reported by the city's mayor, Ihor Terekhov, on Telegram, according to the state news agency Ukrinform.
07:32 Zelensky commends debut of Ukrainian Palianytsia rocket drones Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky commended the introduction of the new Palianytsia rockets manufactured in Ukraine. The Ukrainian leader expressed that these rocket drones, along with other military advancements, are paramount for the country due to the hold-ups in decisions from certain international allies. "Today, the first and victorious deployment of our novel weapon occurred," he stated, as reported by "Kyiv Independent". "A completely new breed of Ukrainian rocket drone, Palianytsia."
06:55 Azov leader lambasts prisoner exchange: No Azov troops among liberated soldiers Azov troops were not part of the Russian-Ukraine prisoner exchange held yesterday, according to Ukrainian reports citing Brigade Commander Denys Prokopenko. The commander of the Azov Regiment criticized the most recent exchange and showed disappointment that no Azov fighters, who have been detained in Russian captivity for over two years, were included.
06:14 Governor: Five fatalities in Ukrainian airstrike on Russian border region Belgorod Five civilians lost their lives, and 12 more were wounded - four severely - in a Ukrainian nighttime aerial strike on the Russian border region of Belgorod, the regional authorities declared. Governor Vyacheslav Gladkov stated that three minors were injured, with two requiring hospitalization. Ukraine has lately escalated its attacks on Russian territory and penetrated into the Kursk region, which borders Belgorod, in early August. Belgorod has been a frequent target of Ukrainian air and drone strikes, in retaliation for attacks from the Russian side.
05:47 Russia: Civilians harmed in Ukrainian shelling Five civilians were killed, and 12 more were injured in artillery shelling in the city of Rakitnoe in southwestern Russia, as per the regional governor, Vyacheslav Gladkov. Information cannot be independently verified, and Ukraine has yet to comment.
04:26 Sumy Reports Casualties from Rocket Strikes The city of Sumy has been impacted by rockets, as reported by the regional military administration. Two rocket strikes are documented, resulting in seven injuries - two of them critical - as per the agency. Russian forces targeted Sumy's civil infrastructure on Saturday night.
03:35 Kharkiv: Two Cities Targeted by Rocket Attacks The governor of the Kharkiv region, Oleh Synyehubov, warns of rocket attacks launched by the Russian military on the cities of Kharkiv and Chuhuiv. Only one injury has been reported as of yet. In Kharkiv, a larger explosion is reported. The city mayor, Ihor Terechov, claims a massive explosion was heard on Telegram. He urges caution towards the population. The cause of the explosion is ambiguous.
03:06 Ukrainian Air Defense Warns of Combat Drones An air alert has been issued in the east and south of Ukraine during the night. The Ukrainian air forces alert, among other things, of a swarm of Shahed combat drones traveling over the Black Sea toward the southern Ukrainian region of Mykolaiv. Intensified Russian attacks are anticipated around Ukraine's Independence Day, which fell on Saturday. However, a significant wave of attacks has yet to materialize.
01:32 Hungary accuses Brussels of Obstructing Oil Supplies Hungary suspects the EU Commission of being responsible for the disruption of Russian oil supplies. "The EU Commission's statement that it will not aid in securing energy supplies for Hungary and Slovakia points to an order from Brussels to Kyiv to (...) create problems with energy supplies for Hungary and Slovakia," says Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto. The EU Commission declines to comment initially. In June, the Ukrainian government added Russian oil company Lukoil to the sanctions list and blocked the Druzhba pipeline, which also runs through Ukrainian territory. This move has largely disrupted oil supplies to countries like Hungary and Slovakia.
22:12 Russian Troops Wound Four Women in Attack on Kupiansk Village Russian troops attacked the village of Novoosynove in the Kupiansk district of the Kharkiv Oblast, injuring four women, according to Oleh Syniehubov, the head of the military administration of the Kharkiv region. "Russian forces assaulted the village of Novoosynove in the Kupiansk district around 12:00. Consequently, a private building was set aflame," Syniehubov mentioned. The wounded were taken to medical facilities. Investigations into the attack aftermath are ongoing.
21:03 UK Defense Minister Praise for Ukraine's Resilience: UK Defense Minister John Healey commends Ukraine on its Independence Day in an article for "European Pravda." "33 years ago today, Ukraine declared independence, vowing a brighter, wealthier future as a self-governing democracy, liberated from Soviet Russia's grasp," Healey writes. Amidst war, Ukrainians are celebrating their Independence Day. It's a battle for survival to stay a free, sovereign nation against Putin's violent, unlawful invasion. "Ukraine's been the underdog, outmatched by Russia's gigantic military might and resources. Today, we salute the Ukrainian people," Healey says. Bravely fighting on are both the troops and the civilians. The British commit to standing by Ukraine as long as necessary. This is why the UK unveils a campaign today, urging British folks and others globally to express their support for Ukraine. On social media, they encourage sharing posts with the hashtag '#SpeakUpForUkraine,' Healey adds, emphasizing that their support extends beyond military and financial aid to friendship and solidarity.
20:05 Zelensky Boosts Syrsky's Rank: Volodymyr Zelensky, Ukraine's President, elevates Oleksandr Syrsky, commander-in-chief of Ukraine's Armed Forces, to the rank of General, as confirmed by a decree from Zelensky. Previously, Syrsky held the rank of Colonel-General. The promotion is merited due to Ukrainian troops' achievements in pushing back the Russian forces in Kursk's border region.
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The European Union could express concern over the reported detention and mistreatment of Ukrainian fighters from the Azov regiment, given their role in defending Mariupol against Russian forces.
In the context of growing tensions between Ukraine and Belarus, the European Union may consider strengthening its support for Ukraine's territorial integrity and sovereignty, given its stance as a democratic and peaceful nation within the EU's sphere of influence.
