In 2004's unfortunate hostage crisis, Putin draws a comparison to the current Ukrainian military progress.
On the 20th anniversary of the violent school siege in Beslan, Russian President Vladimir Putin drew a parallel between the past incident and the current actions of the Ukrainian military in the Russian border region of Kursk. Just as Russia once battled "terrorists" in Beslan, it now needs to tackle "those perpetrating acts of lawlessness in the Kursk region," Putin stated during his visit to Beslan on Tuesday.
19:43 Russian Orthodox Church Outraged Over Planned Church Ban in Ukraine as "Illegal" The Russian Orthodox Church has criticized the Ukrainian parliament's decision to outlaw the Russia-allied Ukrainian Orthodox Church. They viewed this action as "unlawful" and a "flagrant breach of the fundamental principles of religious liberty and human rights," as stated by Vladimir Legoida, the church's spokesperson, via Telegram. Legoida cautioned that enforcing this law could spark "broad-scale violence against millions of believers." Patriarch Kirill, the leader of the Russian Orthodox Church, also expressed concern during his visit to the Solovki Monastery in northern Russia, stating, "We are currently residing in challenging times where many have turned against us not because we are wrong, but simply because we are different." Previously, legislators in Kyiv passed a bill restricting religious organizations with ties to Moscow.**
19:12 Ramstein Meeting Announced to Back Ukraine Support U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin has called for the Ukraine Contact Group to gather at the U.S. airbase Ramstein in Rhineland-Pfalz, Germany, on September 6. The large U.S. airbase outside of the United States shared the announcement. Defense ministers and military officials will once again discuss strengthening aid to Ukraine. The contact group encompasses about 50 nations, including Germany. As usual, non-NATO countries were also invited.**
18:36 Renewing Army Units along the Ukrainian Border by Russia The Russian military has deployed three new units to safeguard the border with Ukraine, announced Defense Minister Andrei Belousov. Named after the regions of Kursk, Belgorod, and Bryansk, these groups were formed two weeks after thousands of Ukrainian soldiers entered the Russian region of Kursk, currently controlling the captured territories.**
18:10 Uncontrolled Fire at Russian Oil Depot after Drone Attack A major fire engulfed an oil depot in the Russian city of Proletarsk following a Ukrainian drone attack. Despite efforts to extinguish the flames, the inferno remained uncontrolled for two consecutive days, as evident from satellite imagery.**
17:36 Speculations About Russia Constructing a Second Crimean Bridge Satellite imagery suggests Russia may be constructing a second bridge parallel to the 19-kilometer-long Kerch Bridge, connecting the Russian mainland to Crimea. The online publication "Ukrajinska Prawda" reported "parallel construction," likely a new bridge, with Verified Media confirming this by comparing satellite images captured in June, July, and August, revealing ongoing construction.**
16:58 Zelensky Acknowledges Difficult Situation in Eastern Ukraine British newspaper "The Guardian" quoted President Volodymyr Zelensky as describing the situation on the eastern frontline of Ukraine as "tough," specifically near the strategic logistics center of Pokrovsk and Toretsk. The Ukrainian General Staff reported a total of 48 engagements in these two locations since morning.**
16:36 Russia Advising Kursk Residents to Disable Dating Apps and Security Cameras The Russian Ministry of Internal Affairs advised residents in three bordering regions to disable dating apps and online surveillance cameras. According to the ministry, the "enemy" was previously identified using numerous IP addresses and remotely accessing these unsecured cameras, monitoring private homes and strategically important roads and highways. Additionally, the ministry warned against using online dating services as they might also be used to collect information.**
16:20 Russia Confirms 17 Civilian Deaths and 235 Injuries in Past Week Russian news agency TASS reported, quoting rescue services, that the Ukrainian intrusion into Kursk led to 17 civilian fatalities within a week. A further 235 individuals were injured.**
15:54 Reporter Describes Rapid Russian Advance at Pokrovsk Front NTV reporter Nadja Kriewald from eastern Ukraine reported 63 Russian attacks on the Pokrovsk front on Tuesday. She spoke with rescue workers trying to evacuate a Ukrainian village, but they were unable to carry out the mission as Russian troops had already taken control of the location.**
15:33 Russia Accuses American Journalists of Unlawful Activity in Kursk Russia has summoned a high-ranking U.S. diplomat in protest of the "provocative actions" of American journalists in the Kursk region, where Ukrainian forces launched an offensive two weeks ago, according to TASS news agency. Alleging that the reporters illegally entered the region, Russia is considering legal action against them.**
15:10 East Commissioner Expresses Concern Over Views on Ukraine in East GermanyEast Commissioner Carsten Schneider from the SPD has voiced concern over certain perspectives on Ukraine among Germans, both east and west. He told newspapers affiliated with the New Berlin Editorial Society that it's concerning how Ukraine and Ukrainians are sometimes talked about. Regrettably, Russian propaganda often seeps through, particularly in eastern Germany, Schneider added. In support of Ukraine, it's about the country's survival itself, a fact that seemingly escapes the notice of certain politicians like AfD and BSW.
14:26 Expert Suggests Kursk Incident Signals Changes in Kremlin Power StructureKremlin expert Rainer Munz posits that the Ukrainian incursion into Kursk could amplify or at least reveal the generational shift within the Moscow power structure. Despite this, the Russian president's power is not in peril.
14:01 Warnings Issued Over Air Quality in Ukraine Following Russian StrikeFollowing a Russian strike on an industrial site in Ternopil, western Ukraine, local authorities have issued a warning about elevated chlorine levels in the air. According to the Ukrainian newspaper "Kyiv Independent", Oksana Chaichuk, head of the regional center for disease control and prevention, advises residents to minimize outdoor activities and keep windows closed. Chlorine levels in the air have supposedly risen between four and ten times above normal, Chaichuk mentioned at a press briefing. The strike supposedly targeted a fuel and lubricant depot, initiating a fire at an unnamed facility. No casualties or injuries have been reported.
13:39 Russian Forces Reportedly Capture Town in Ukraine's Donetsk RegionAs per the Russian Ministry of Defense, Russian troops have captured the town of New York in Donetsk, eastern Ukraine. The forces have taken control of "one of the largest settlements near Torez, the strategically vital logistics center of Nowgorodskoje", the ministry stated, using the Soviet-era name. The name New York, derived from German settlers, was amended to Nowgorodskoje in 1951 but was reinstated in 2021 after efforts by Ukrainian activists. The town is situated around 6 kilometers south of Torez, which has been under Russian siege for weeks.
13:01 Defected Russian Soldier Accused of Spying for UkraineThe Ukrainian military intelligence (HUR) has revealed that a Russian soldier who defected to Ukraine was spying and wounded his commander. The Ukrainian newspaper "Kyiv Independent" reports that the soldier, codenamed "Silver", defected as part of a joint operation by the "Freedom of Russia" legion and the "I Want to Live" project of Ukraine's military intelligence. Prior to leaving, the soldier injured his commander with a grenade in Ocheretyne, Donetsk Oblast. "Silver" contacted the legion in early 2024 after witnessing various illegal activities by his unit and commanders. He then secretly furnished the legion with information regarding the location of Russian troops and plans for military operations.
12:23 Ukrainian Parliament Considering Ban on Pro-Russian Religious OrganizationThe Ukrainian parliament is pondering a ban on the Ukrainian Orthodox Church closely connected to Russia. Lawmakers declare that the parliament in Kyiv has approved a preliminary bill restricting the Russian Orthodox Church from operating on Ukrainian territory. The Ukrainian government believes that the minority church functions as a bastion for Russian influence in the nation and supports the invasion of Ukraine.
11:51 Firefighters Battle Oil Depot Blaze in Russian RostovOver 500 firefighters are grappling with a fire at an oil depot in Rostov, Russia, which is now on its third day, triggered by a Ukrainian drone strike. "The fire spreads over an area of 10,000 square meters, several diesel tanks are engulfed in flames," said Valery Gornitsky, the head of Proletarsk, according to TASS news agency. "There's no risk of explosion, no threat to people, and no evacuations necessary," he added. Four firefighting aircraft and over 520 firefighters are deployed. The aircraft are required because vehicles cannot approach the fire due to the intense heat, Gornitsky indicated further. So far, at least 41 firefighters have been injured, with 18 hospitalized, as per authorities.
11:08 Ukrainian Infrastructure Targeted in Russian BombingsIn the latest round of Russian aerial attacks on Ukraine's energy infrastructure, an industrial facility and a fuel tank were targeted in the Ternopil region, authorities reported. Ukrainian television showed substantial plumes of smoke rising over Ternopil, prompting local authorities to advise residents to remain indoors. Approximately 90 firefighters are involved in the firefighting efforts, with the situation under control, according to the Ternopil regional administration.
10:41 Ex-Russian Diplomat Slams Putin: Acting Like a Fearful FraudRussian President Vladimir Putin is acting like a fearful imposter, claims Boris Bondarev, a former Russian diplomat, in a piece for ntv.de. The image of Putin being able to conquer any opponent has taken a hit with the initiation of the attack on Ukraine. The swift takeover within a few days failed to materialize. Russia seemed to be completely taken aback and overwhelmed by the Ukrainian attack on the Russian region of Kursk. "Putin is at a loss when faced with a serious challenge and doesn't know how to respond. He doesn't even behave like a cornered rat ready to fight with all its might, but like a fearful fraud," Bondarev commented. The ex-diplomat, who broke ties with the Putin regime in protest against the war, also sternly critiques Western politicians for their stance of disallowing the use of delivered weapons on Russian territory by Ukraine. "One must confront Putin with forceful language," he states, dismissing the idea of "escalation" as unjustified. "The 'escalation' is already here - Putin's opponent has invaded Russian territory! But he doesn't react at all," Bondarev concludes.
10:13 Ukraine Tally: Five Civilians Killed, Over 20 Injured in Russian AssaultIn the past 24 hours, five civilians have been killed and at least 22 injured, including a child, in Russian attacks in Ukraine, as per regional authorities, reported by "Kyiv Independent".
09:37 Proletarsk Fuel Depot Ablaze: Satellite Proves Extent of FlamesUkraine attacked a massive fuel depot in Proletarsk in southern Russia with drones early Sunday morning. The fire wasn't put out even after a day, with over 40 firefighters injured, according to regional authorities. Satellite images demonstrate the scope of the blaze:
Ukraine has targeted several Russian refineries and oil facilities with drones recently, aiming to disrupt the supply of fuel to enemy troops and reduce Russia's oil industry revenues.
09:16 Kyiv: Over 1300 Russian Soldiers 'Neutralized' in a Single DayRussia's casualties remain high, according to official Kyiv figures: 1,330 Russian soldiers were killed or incapacitated in a solitary day. Since the commencement of the war in February 2022, a total of 601,800 Russian soldiers have been "neutralized," as per the Ukrainian Defense Ministry. The ministry also reported that the adversary lost five more tanks (8,518 in total) since the initiation of the Russian invasion. Ukraine claims to have destroyed or seized more than 16,500 armored vehicles and over 13,800 drones. These figures cannot be substantiated, as Moscow does not reveal information about its losses in Ukraine.
08:47 Biden Defends Ukraine's Resistance: No President Should Succumb to Dictators"No president should succumb to dictators," said Joe Biden. "Putin believed he could take Kyiv in three days," the U.S. president said during the first night of the Democratic Party convention, reported by "Kyiv Independent". "Three years later, Ukraine remains free." The Democrat contrasted his record of supporting a robust NATO and a free Ukraine to that of former President Donald Trump, who admired Russian President Vladimir Putin. "No commander-in-chief should ever surrender to dictators," Biden said.
08:31 Russia Unleashes Overnight Air Assaults on UkraineRussia launched overnight air strikes on Ukraine, focusing on nine regions in the center, north, and south of the country, according to the Ukrainian air force via Telegram. Three missiles and 25 drones were shot down. This was the fifth missile strike on Kyiv this month, with air alerts occurring 41 times in August, the military said. The military also claimed to have thwarted a drone attack on Kyiv the previous day.
07:52 Military Administration: Russian Missile Assault on Kyiv Repelled - No Damage Reported Yet
Early this morning, Russian forces reportedly assaulted Kyiv from the north again. The military administration of the city of Kyiv announced this via Telegram. "Preliminary information indicates that the enemy attacked the capital of Ukraine from the north, likely using ballistic missiles like the Iskander. This is the fifth missile assault on Kyiv this month!" the message reads. The missiles were reportedly intercepted by air defense forces at the city's outskirts. No reports of damage or casualties in Kyiv have been reported as yet.
07:38 Belarus: Lukashenko Dispatches Additional Troops and Aircraft to Border with Ukraine
Belarus has deployed additional air defense troops and aircraft to its border with Ukraine, according to Major General Andrei Lukyanovich, leader of the Belarusian air defense forces, as reported by the Ukrainian paper "Kyiv Independent". This announcement comes soon after Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko stated that he had sent a third of the country's army to the border this summer. Lukashenko justified the troop buildup along the border as a result of misunderstandings between Belarus and Ukraine. Lukyanovich stated on national television that the Belarusian military had deployed aircraft, anti-aircraft missiles, and radio-technical units to the border. The Ukrainian state border guard service has not confirmed Lukyanovich's claims about additional Belarusian troops and weapons at the border. Over a week ago, the service reported that there were no signs of troop buildup along the Belarusian border despite Lukashenko's order.
Due to Ukrainian troops' actions in the Kursk region, Russia is compelled to relocate troops from other active battlefronts there. This information comes from a report released by the U.S. Institute for the Study of War (ISW). "Russian forces have deployed additional troops to the Kursk Oblast since the initial week of the Ukrainian advance and have likely redeployed around 5,000 soldiers to the region," stated analysts.
06:54 Zelensky: A Second Peace Summit in Ukraine Should Take Place This Year
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has encouraged his country's diplomats to ensure that the second peace summit in Ukraine occurs before the year's end. During a gathering of foreign diplomats' heads in Ukraine, focused on "War Diplomacy: Resilience, Weapons, Victory," Zelensky said, as reported by the state news agency Ukrinform, and as stated by the presidential administration. "In my opinion, the initial summit was a significant achievement for Ukraine. I am thankful to everyone who contributed to our summit's realization. Now we are preparing for the second peace summit, and it is crucial that it happens this year," Zelensky stated. "We must do everything to make this happen. We must expand the circle of support for the communiqué of the first summit."
06:22 Ukraine: Another Russian Air Strike on Kyiv
Russia has persisted in its nightly attacks on Kyiv, as per Ukrainian reports. Air defense units were active during early morning hours to thwart another Russian air strike on Kyiv, as announced by the Ukrainian capital's military administration on Telegram. Witnesses reported hearing blasts that resembled air defense unit deployment.
05:11 Kyiv Reports Multiple Drone Strikes in Districts Away from the FrontMore drone strikes occurred in multiple Ukrainian regions, far from active battlefronts, during the night. As reported by air defense, the areas of Sumy, Poltava, Kherson, and Mykolaiv were targets. Air defense was also active near Kyiv. The local administration advised residents to seek shelter. No damage has been reported yet.
02:23 USA Continues Supporting Kyiv - Discussion on Kursk OffensiveDespite Ukraine's counteroffensive in Russia's Kursk region, the USA remains committed to supporting Kyiv. As stated by a representative from the US Department of Defense, "US President Joe Biden has clearly expressed our commitment to supporting Ukraine and lasting by their side for as long as needed." The USA continues to prioritize military aid for Kyiv. During a phone call, US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin reassured his Ukrainian counterpart Rustem Umerov of the USA's continued support, as mentioned by the representative. During their conversation, Austin gained a better understanding of Ukraine's goals for the counteroffensive.
01:07 Germany Supplies Another Iris-T System to UkraineGermany has compiled another weapons package for Ukraine. According to the Ministry of Defense's overview page, the current deliveries include, among other things, a third Iris-T SLS air defense system. Additionally, they include several thousand rounds of artillery ammunition, drones, a Bergepanzer 2, and hundreds of rifles with suitable ammo.
00:20 Zelenskyy: Capturing Russian Soldiers in Kursk is the Greatest Success Since War's StartAccording to President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Ukraine's offensive in the Kursk region is the most significant success in capturing Russian soldiers since the war's inception. During a discussion with Ukrainian diplomats, he stated that these soldiers would later be exchanged for detained Ukrainians. So far, experts estimate that Russia has captured more Ukrainians than Ukraine has captured Russians.
22:21 Chechen Commander: Fallen Kursk Fighters "Go to Paradise"A Chechen commander, Apti Alaudinow from the Russian-fighting Achmat Regiment, reportedly urged Russian conscripts to participate in the frontline in Kursk, saying that those falling in the region would "go to paradise."
21:58 Zelenskyy: Russia's Red Lines Have Been Rendered Obsolete by the Ukrainian IncursionUkrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated that the Ukrainian incursion into Russia was considered an improbability, therefore remained secret. Just a few months ago, several nations expressed concern that the incursion would "cross Russia's crucial red lines." Now, according to Zelenskyy, "Russia's red lines concept has collapsed in the vicinity of Sushcha."
21:38 Lithuania Begins Construction of a German Army Aid BaseLithuania has initiated construction on a military base for German soldiers. Expected to be completed by the end of 2027, the base will accommodate up to 4,000 German soldiers. This will be the first long-term overseas deployment of the Bundeswehr since World War II. In 2021, Germany decided to station troops in NATO and EU member state Lithuania bordering Russia. Lithuanian Defense Minister Raimundas Karoblis estimates the construction costs to surpass one billion euros.
21:15 Czech President: Ukraine Could Join NATO with Partially Occupied TerritoryCzech President Petr Pavel is open to the idea of Ukraine joining NATO despite its partially occupied territories. He believes that Ukraine could negotiate peace with Russia in the coming years, Pavel told the news site "Novinky". Such an agreement might mean that Russia continues to hold part of Ukraine's territory for an extended period, without "democratic states" sanctioning these border changes. This provisional border could, subsequently, allow us to accept Ukraine into NATO in the territories it controls at the time, said Pavel. Germany also joined NATO in 1955 while it was partially occupied by the Soviet Union.
21:57 Ukrainian troops draw close to Russian makeshift bridge
Ukrainian troops have seized control of the town of Vyshniivka, situated in the Russian province of Kursk, as per war analysts. This placement positions them roughly 12 kilometers from the temporary bridge spanning the Seym River, serving as the sole means for the Russian military to coordinate supplies or a retreat at the moment.
20:36 Pokrovsk remains defiant
The city administration of Pokrovsk, an eastern Ukrainian metropolis, is grappling with uncertainty as Russian forces press ahead: "They're heading towards the outskirts of Pokrovsk. It's obvious, isn't it?" the information department head told the "Washington Post." "Perhaps the scenario will transform somehow - we're hoping that the adversary halts at the Pokrovsk approaches and our troops thwart them," she said. If the city is seized, it would represent the most significant population hub grabbed by the Russians since Bachmut, back in May 2023.
You can refer to prior occurrences [here].
In response to President Putin's comparison of the Ukrainian actions in Kursk to Russia's past military operations in Beslan, some analysts suggested that Russia might be forced to divert resources away from its ongoing military operations in Ukraine, potentially weakening its ability to maintain control in contested regions.
This shifting of focus on military resources could potentially escalate tensions, as Russian forces in the Kursk region might feel threatened and respond with increased aggression, drawing parallels to how Russia reacted during the Beslan siege.
