For several days now, a Russian gas station situated in Proletarsk has been engulfed in flames.
The Russian Fuel Depot in Proletarsk, Southern Rostov Region, Continues to Blaze. As per NASA's Fire Monitoring Program, the facility is still ablaze, and a reliable Russian news source, Baza, affiliated with the country's investigative authorities, confirms the fire is ongoing. According to Baza, the depot was hit again by a Ukrainian drone during the previous night.
"Ukraine Hoping to Metaphorically Greet Modi" While India, being a BRICS member, supports Russia closely, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky welcomes Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, with Kiev seeking mediation to end the conflict. As a result of the Kursk offensive, the Ukrainians are reportedly "more eager than ever for peace negotiations," as stated by ntv reporter Nadja Kriewald.
Ukrainian Air Defense System Active in Multiple Regions The Ukrainian military claims to have taken down 14 out of 16 Russian attack drones launched overnight. "The air defense system was active in the regions of Cherkassy, Kirovohrad, Poltava, and Sumy," the air force reports.
Ukraine Comments on Sunken Ferry in Kavkaz The Ukrainian navy offers its perspective on the destruction of a ferry in the Russian port of Kavkaz. "Another undeniably military target was destroyed," says navy spokesman Dmytro Pletentschuk on Ukrainian television. The ferry was intended to provide fuel to the enemy. The ferry has sunk, rendering the port unusable. Local authorities report that the attack occurred on Thursday and the ferry caught fire later.
Russian Ambassador: "No Buffer Zone on Russian Territory" Russian Ambassador to the US, Anatoly Antonov, reacts to the Kursk offensive and Kiev's plan to establish a buffer zone there: "That's impossible. No buffer zone will be set up on Russian territory," TASS state news agency quotes him. Meanwhile, he warns that Moscow will not consult Washington to expel Ukrainian forces from the Kursk region. He accuses the US of "consistently testing the Russians' patience" and trying to incite "emotional, hasty decisions."
Dissatisfaction with Putin Growing in Russia It's not surprising: Since Ukrainian troops entered Russian territory two weeks ago, negative sentiments towards President Vladimir Putin seem to be escalating across Russia. According to an analysis by FilterLabs AI, reported by the "New York Times," many online contributors believe the Ukrainian advance is a failure of the Russian government and Putin in particular. "Putin's response to the incursion was at best inadequate and at worst offensive," says Jonathan Teubner, CEO of FilterLabs. The company tracks attitudes in Russia by analyzing social media.
Modi Arrives in Kyiv Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi is currently in Ukraine, according to Indian and Ukrainian media reports. He is scheduled to meet with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. Ukraine seeks India's support as it is a significant figure in global politics. However, Kyiv harbors uncertainty about India's declared neutrality. In July, the Indian prime minister visited Moscow. Images of Modi and Russian President Vladimir Putin embracing sparked outrage in Ukraine and many Western countries.
Russia's Warning on Nuclear Plant Attacks "Is More Empty Talk" Russian President Vladimir Putin accuses Ukraine of attempting to attack the nuclear power plant in Kursk. However, ntv reporter Rainer Munz assesses the actual risk of a nuclear accident due to the conflict.
China and Belarus Plan to Deepen Cooperation - Including Security China and Belarus have agreed to strengthen cooperation in various domains such as trade, security, energy, and finance, as per a joint statement following a meeting between Chinese Premier Li Qiang and Belarusian Premier Roman Golovchenko. They also aim to enhance cooperation in industrial supply chains and make trade more affordable for both sides. China is Belarus' second-largest trading partner and the largest in Asia.
Ukrainian Army Voices Concerns About Inexperienced Recruits and Russia's Superior Air and Ammunition Strength Ukrainian commanders and soldiers are criticizing the poor training of new recruits and Russia's clear dominance in the air and ammunition at the eastern front. "Some people refuse to fire. They see the enemy in position and don't open fire. That's why our men are dying," says a battalion commander of the 47th Brigade. "If they don't use the weapon, they're worthless." In May, the government enacted a controversial mobilization law. Since then, thousands of fighters are reportedly being drafted each month, with the most demand in infantry. However, there are logistical challenges in training, equipping, and paying so many new people.
Moscow Believes US is Poised to Lift All Restrictions on Weapons Provided to Ukraine According to the Russian ambassador to the US, Russia believes that the United States will soon lift all limitations on the utilization of weapons given to Ukraine. Anatoly Antonov, the ambassador, was quoted by the RIA news agency. "The current administration is acting like someone who extends one hand and holds a dagger behind their back with the other," Antonov said. They are preparing the ground to lift all existing restrictions at some point without thinking. Antonov states that a meaningful dialogue with the US is only possible if they abandon their "hostile" policy towards Russia. He also reiterates that a meeting between Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and US Secretary of State Antony Blinken during the UN General Assembly next month is unlikely.
06:09 Harris: Trump Urges Putin to Invade Europe's RegionsDemocratic presidential candidate Kamala Harris has expressed her unequivocal support for NATO and pledged to uphold Ukraine against Russian aggression. "I will unwaveringly support Ukraine and our NATO allies," she stated during her speech at the Democratic Party convention in Chicago. Conversely, her Republican counterpart, Donald Trump, has suggested abandoning NATO and even encouraged Russian President Vladimir Putin to launch an invasion of Europe's regions, according to Harris.
05:38 High Alert Remains: Bundesnetzagentur ChiefDespite fully stocked gas storage facilities, the president of the Federal Network Agency, Klaus Müller, stresses the need for caution in gas usage. "We remain on high alert. We must remain vigilant," Müller advised the Augsburger Allgemeine. He also highlighted the Ukrainian army's advance into Russian territories, which could exacerbate the situation. "It's not the gas infrastructure itself that's under dispute, but the area surrounding this infrastructure is a warzone on both sides," Müller explained to the newspaper. This includes the Gazprom gas station in Sudzha, which is situated a few kilometers from the Ukrainian border and serves as a crucial distribution point for gas exported to Europe.
04:40 Visit to Kyiv: Modi's Stand Remains NeutralIndian Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to visit Ukraine for the first time today, with a meeting with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy scheduled in Kyiv, as announced by the Indian Ministry of External Affairs. India maintains a neutral stance on the Russian invasion, imposing no western sanctions on Moscow and becoming one of the largest buyers of cheap Russian oil globally. New Delhi consistently advocates for a resolution through dialogue. "India believes that no problem can be solved through war. The loss of innocent lives in battlefields is humanity's greatest challenge," Modi stated during a visit to Poland. Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk urged Modi to assume a mediatory role in the conflict.
03:31 New US Aid for UkraineGovernment sources indicate that the US is planning to send additional military aid to Ukraine, amounting to roughly $125 million. The latest aid package includes air defense missiles, Himars multiple rocket launcher ammunition, Javelin missiles, and various weapons, equipment, and vehicles, according to anonymous government officials. The official announcement is expected soon, just one day before Ukraine's Independence Day. The weapons will be drawn from Pentagon stocks, enabling swift delivery.
02:12 Ukrainian Army Repels 53 Russian Attacks near PokrovskThe Ukrainian military reported a total of 53 Russian attacks near the city of Pokrovsk in eastern Ukraine throughout Thursday. Capturing Pokrovsk remains the primary objective of Russian forces in Ukraine, according to a statement from the General Staff. No official statement has been released by the Russian government thus far. According to current information, Russian troops have been making steady progress towards Pokrovsk in recent days.
01:16 SPD Leader: Ukraine without Military Aid would be "Erased"Germany's SPD chairwoman, Saskia Esken, reiterated Germany's military support for Ukraine amid ongoing tensions with Russia. "Chancellor Olaf Scholz is committed to a just and sustainable peace," Esken told the Funke media group's newspapers. "But as long as Putin pursues his aggression against Ukraine, peace cannot be achieved diplomatically." Esken linked her remarks to criticism of the Left Party leader, Sahra Wagenknecht. "If we were to halt arms deliveries to Ukraine today, the country would be conquered tomorrow and erased from existence the day after, bringing catastrophic consequences for Europe's security," Esken said.
23:56 Ukraine Braces for Harshest Winter on RecordWith Ukraine's power and energy infrastructure severely damaged by Russian attacks, the country is preparing for its most challenging winter in history. "We are facing our toughest winter ever," says Ukrainian Energy Minister Herman Haluschtschenko during a video conference. The upcoming winter will likely be even more difficult than the previous one, as the combined impact of ongoing Russian attacks has worsened the situation. Russian forces are employing various weapons in coordinated attacks to inflict as much damage as possible, Haluschtschenko explains. In colder winters, energy consumption reaches 19 gigawatts, and extra reserves of 1 gigawatt are required. However, Russian attacks have destroyed approximately 9 gigawatts of capacity.
23:08 Geilenkirchen Airbase Affected by Threat Level RiseDue to a potential threat, NATO has increased security levels at the airbase in Geilenkirchen, North Rhine-Westphalia. All non-essential personnel have been sent home, according to a base spokesperson. The decision is based on intelligence data suggesting a threat. "This is not cause for concern and is a precautionary measure to ensure we can carry on with critical operations," the spokesperson said. The police have confirmed their presence on the scene. No additional details, including the number of deployed forces, were provided.
10:07 Ukraine Confirms Strike on Kursk Supplies BaseThe Ukrainian military confirms another attack on Russian forces in the Kursk area. Using guided American munitions, they targeted a Russian supply hub in the afternoon, as outlined by Air Force Commander Mykola Oleshchuk. "A drone control center, an electronic warfare unit, equipment, weapons, and approximately 40 Russian troops were impacted," Oleshchuk shares alongside a clip depicting the assault.
19:43 Initial Gathering of Swiss Peace Conference DelegatesIn the wake of the Swiss Peace Conference in June, an initial gathering of delegates has transpired, Ukraine reports. Representatives from over 40 nations and organizations attended the virtual meeting. Subsequent sessions for various working groups are in the pipeline.
You can explore the full chronicle of the events here.)
The Commission, which monitors the global situation, expresses concern over the continued blaze at the Russian Fuel Depot in Proletarsk, as per their latest report. In relation to international negotiations, it was noted that Ukraine is reaching out to global leaders, including Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, seeking mediatory support to end the conflict.
![Thermal imagery captured on Thursday depicts a blazing gas station. On Thursday, an aerial photograph indicates a blazing oil storage facility.](https://cdn.aussiedlerbote.de/content/images/2024/08/23/453113/jpeg/4-3/1200/75/satellite-image-from-thursday-shows-the-burning-gas-station.webp)