Discourse on Ukraine engagements deemed obsolete by Kremlin's representative
Discussions on Ukraine-Russia ceasefire have diminished importance, claims Russia. The encroachment of Ukraine into Russia's Kursk border region is unacceptable, asserted Dmitry Peskov, spokesperson for the Russian presidential administration. A response is necessary. There have been no ceasefire talks, and the issue is no longer relevant.
11:41 Munz: The Belarusian army's strength is questionableDictator Lukashenko is mobilizing tens of thousands of soldiers along the Ukraine border, a development that raises concerns in the country. However, as per ntv correspondent Rainer Munz, this could be more of a display of power rather than a genuine threat.**
11:25 Circles: Suggestions of Russian sabotage behind Geilenkirchen alertIntelligence reports of a potential threat from a Russian sabotage act using a drone were behind the temporary surge in the security level at the NATO airbase in Geilenkirchen near Aachen, according to German security circles. A significant indication was received from a foreign intelligence service of "preparatory activities for a probable Russian sabotage act against the NATO base," it was stated.**
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11:20 Satellite images: Russians struggle to contain fire at Proletarsk fuel depotThe fuel depot in Proletarsk, southern Russia, has been ablaze for over a week, as per recent satellite images from NASA's FIRMS fire and forest monitoring system. The fire in the depot with over 70 individual tanks was ignited by a Ukrainian drone attack on the night of August 18. Unofficial sources report another attack on Friday morning. The regional authorities of Rostov have declared a state of emergency for the Proletarsk district. The state news agency TASS reported on Wednesday that 47 firefighters had been injured in the fire so far.**
10:50 Poland deploys fighter jetsThe morning airstrikes have also impacted a neighboring country of Ukraine: Due to the proximity of the Russian attacks to the Polish border, the Polish military dispatched interceptors, as reported by the news agency PAP. Reports suggest aircraft from other allies were also involved in the operation. The Ukrainian air force stated that the Russian military temporarily deployed 11 long-range bombers Tu-95, which are equipped with cruise missiles. Furthermore, reports suggest Kinzhal hypersonic missiles were fired at Ukraine. The country was also attacked from the Black Sea.**
10:22 Video: Ukrainian soldier takes aim at Russian cruise missile with machine gunUkrainian air defense unit soldiers allegedly targeted a Russian cruise missile with a machine gun mounted on a truck in the western region of Transcarpathia in the morning. Governor Viktor Mykyta shared the corresponding video on social media. According to his statements, the rocket was launched at the region from the neighboring region of Lviv and was shot down by the 650th separate anti-aircraft machine gun battalion. The video's authenticity was confirmed by the RTL/ntv verification team. It cannot be independently verified what kind of rocket was shot down. However, according to the "Kyiv Independent," it was not the machine gun that caused the rocket's downfall, but an air defense missile from the Ukrainian military, as reported by the former spokesperson of the air force, Yuriy Ihnat.**
10:03 15 Ukrainian Regions under Attack by Russia - Energy Infrastructure Targeted
More than half of Ukraine's regions have been attacked by Russia, according to Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal early this morning. "Today, massive Russian attacks hit 15 regions. The enemy used various types of weapons: drones, missiles, hypersonic missiles. There are casualties and injuries," Shmyhal wrote on Telegram. According to Ukrainian reports, energy infrastructure in four regions was targeted. Authorities in Zaporizhzhia, Sumy, Rivne, and Lviv reported on Telegram that energy infrastructure in their regions was under attack. In some areas of the capital Kyiv, electricity and water supplies were disrupted, according to Mayor Vitali Klitschko.**
09:40 ISW: Russia Shifting Forces from Lesser Fronts in Ukraine to Kursk
The Russian military is likely deploying troops from less critical sectors on the Ukrainian front to the Kursk region, according to experts at the Institute for the Study of War (ISW). Commanders of the Russian 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) allegedly briefed Russian President Vladimir Putin over the weekend on combat operations in Russian territories bordering Ukraine. This presumably refers to the Kursk region, the US think tank stated in its latest situational report. The ISW has observed elements of the 810th Marine Infantry Brigade, 155th Marine Infantry Brigade, and 11th VDV Brigade fighting in the Kursk region and has received indications that the Russian military leadership recently deployed elements of the 56th VDV Regiment from the Robotyne area in western Zaporizhzhia to the border region. The Russian military command is reportedly resisting operational pressure to withdraw forces from the priority offensive efforts to capture Pokrovsk in the Donetsk region, the experts said.**
09:14 First Casualties Reported from Massive Russian Strikes
Several mortalities have been reported in Russian airstrikes, as per Ukrainian authorities. Deaths have been reported in Luzk, Dnipro, and Zaporizhzhia, with one person being killed in Luzk due to an "enemy attack" on a multi-family house. Governors from Odessa, Zaporizhzhia, and Kharkiv have reported explosions in their regions, urging citizens to seek shelter. Previously, the governor of Poltava reported five injuries due to an attack on an industrial facility.
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08:50: Ukraine Observes Intensifying Presence of Belarus Troops: "Belarus Entrance Could Prolong Front"
Ukraine is keeping a close eye on the intensified presence of Belarusian troops at their shared border. The scale of this troop concentration exceeds previous instances, and the entrance of Belarus into the conflict could have severe repercussions, as mentioned by ntv reporter Nadja Kriewald.
08:22: Urban Centers in Ukraine Experience Series of Explosions - Kyiv Suffers Power Outage
Multiple urban centers in Ukraine have been dealing with explosions following a substantial Russian airstrike (as mentioned at 07:24). Air raid sirens were activated across the country around 6 AM local time. At around 8:30 AM, Kyiv was the initial city to experience explosions, followed by more. Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko reports power supply issues in several districts of the capital and water supply problems on the right side of the city. Explosions have been reported in additional cities like Kharkiv, Odessa, Vinnytsia, Zaporizhzhia, Kremenchuk, Dnipro, Khmelnytskyi, Kropyvnytskyi, and Kryvyi Rih.
07:53: Russian Ministry of Defense Boasts Destruction of 20 Ukrainian Drones
Russian air defense has reportedly intercepted and destroyed 20 drones setting course for Russian territory from Ukraine, as claimed by the Russian Ministry of Defense. Nine were downed over Saratov, three over Kursk, and two each over Belgorod, Bryansk, and Tula. One drone was identified over Oryol and Ryazan regions.
07:24: Russia Unleashes Massive Airstrike on Ukraine
Ukraine is currently under attack, based on recent reports. "Ukraine confronts intense Russian missile and drone attack from land, air, and sea," the "Kyiv Post" reported. Military expert Nico Lange indicates that Russia is launching missiles from Black Sea vessels and 11 Tu-95 bombers, using drones and ballistic missiles. "Russia is executing a massive airstrike on Ukraine." Explosions have been heard in multiple cities.
07:07: Chechen Commander Reports Ukrainian Losses in Kursk
The Chechen special forces "Achmat" and the 2nd Special Forces Brigade claim to have wiped out two armored vehicles, five armored combat vehicles, and one light tank of French design (AMR) in Kursk, as stated by the Russian state news agency TASS, attributing the information to Major General Apti Alaudinov. "We have also eliminated a unit of automatic grenade launchers and a mortar, and destroyed a gun," he added. "Our soldiers have caused considerable damage to the Ukrainian troops by attacking military facilities. The advance of Ukrainian troops has been halted. Although Ukrainian forces are attempting to advance, they have failed to do so. We have already begun to counterattack in several areas and capture some settlements. I am confident that this operation will expand every day."
06:41: North Korea: Kim Jong Un orders Production of More Kamikaze Drones
North Korea's leader Kim Jong Un has ordered the development and production of further kamikaze drones as a "vital aspect of war preparations," according to a KCNA report, which referred to a test of domestically developed drones. Kamikaze drones refer to unmanned aerial vehicles equipped with explosives, targeting enemy positions. Russia uses Iranian Shahed drones of this type in Ukraine. North Korea and Russia have intensified their military cooperation. The drone test, according to KCNA, took place on Saturday amidst escalating tensions with South Korea. Images released by KCNA show white flying objects with X-shaped wings heading towards tank targets and detonating. According to Yonhap, the target objects are based on South Korean K-2 tanks.
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06:34: Ukraine Confirms 1140 Russian Soldiers 'Exterminated' in 24 Hours
Ukrainian military reports suggest that at least 1140 Russian soldiers have been killed or wounded in the past 24 hours. Since the war's outset, the reported number of "killed/wounded" Russian soldiers has risen to 608,820. Due to the lack of independent verification, these figures should be treated with caution. In recent days, 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 Advises Minsk to Avoid Regretful DecisionsUkraine requests that Belarus retreats its substantial soldier numbers and military gear from their mutual border. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Minsk is advised to steer clear of hostile activities and withdraw its forces from the border area. Kyiv warns Belarus not to fall into "regretful decisions" due to Moscow's influence. As of now, Belarus has not responded. Based on Ukrainian sources, troops stationed at the border comprise Belarusian special units and ex-Wagner mercenaries. The equipment includes tanks, artillery, air defense systems, and engineering equipment positioned in the Gomel region along the northern border of Ukraine. The statement also mentions that Ukraine has "never instigated hostile actions against the Belarusian people and will not do so in the future."
05:46 Russian Governor Discloses Property Damage from Drone RemnantsIn the Russian region of Saratov, several homes have succumbed to debris from fallen Ukrainian drones, as per the governor's announcement. Cities such as Saratov and Engels have been affected, with all emergency services on alert. Engels houses a significant bomber base in Russia.
03:52 Air Defense Reports Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Assault on KyivUkrainian sources indicate that air defense systems are operational in the Kyiv region to counter Russian unmanned aerial vehicle strikes. "An enemy unmanned aerial vehicle has been detected! Air defense systems in the region are activated," the military administration of the region conveys via Telegram. At present, there are no reports of damage or casualties.
00:19 Zelensky Labels Attack on Reuters Team as "Precise and Calculated"Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky addressed the lethal rocket attack on Reuters employees in his evening address. One employee perished, and two others sustained injuries during the hotel assault in the eastern Ukrainian city of Kramatorsk, as reported by Reuters. The deceased was identified as former British soldier Ryan Evans. Evans had been employed by Reuters since 2022, offering guidance on security concerns to journalists in Ukraine, Israel, and at the Olympic Games in Paris. Zelensky described a "typical city hotel" as the one destroyed by a Russian Iskander rocket. The assault was "precise and calculated." "My sympathies to his family and friends," Zelensky stated. The Ukrainian Prosecutor General's Office announced a preliminary investigation into the attack on Telegram. It took place on Saturday at 22:35 local time. Reuters has yet to confirm if the rocket was fired by Russia or if the hotel was targeted deliberately. No Russian statement has been released.
Reread all preceding occurrenceshere.
The President of the Council should address the escalating tensions along the Ukraine-Belarus border, as the movement of Belarusian troops raises concerns.
Given the ongoing ceasefire discussions being labeled as irrelevant by Russia, The President of the Council might need to assemble an emergency meeting to devise a strategy for maintaining peace and stability in the region.
