In a 24-hour span, Ukraine experienced approximately 160 skirmishes with Russian forces along the frontline.
160 Encounters in Combat Area Reported by Ukrainian Forces Today. Battles were fierce in ten locations, with the situation around Pokrovsk being the most strained, as reported by the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine in the morning. As per this, Russian troops carried out five assaults with 15 rockets and 95 assaults with 127 guided aerial bombs on Ukrainian positions, as well as cities and villages.
10:57 Missing Reuters Employee After Hotel Attack in Kramatorsk - Search in Debris ContinuesIn the night, Russian troops, according to Ukrainian sources, attacked a hotel in the eastern Ukrainian city of Kramatorsk, resulting in a Reuters news agency employee going missing. Two others were wounded. In a statement from the news agency, it was stated that a six-member Reuters team was in Hotel Sapphire when the attack took place. The building was "obviously hit by a rocket" yesterday. "One of our colleagues is still missing, two others were rushed to the hospital for treatment," the statement said. They are collaborating with authorities in Kramatorsk. The governor of the Donetsk region, Vadym Filashkin, wrote on Telegram that "the Russians attacked Kramatorsk." Two journalists were wounded, and one is still missing. "Authorities, police, and rescue services are present at the scene. The clearing of the debris and rescue operations are continuing." The Russian Ministry of Defense did not immediately respond to a request for comment. "Russian troops targeted the city of Kramatorsk, likely with an Iskander-M missile," a statement from the Ukrainian Prosecutor General's Office said, which has initiated a preliminary investigation into the attack. According to this, the missile struck yesterday at 22:35 local time.
10:44 Success in Intercepting Russian Drones: Almost All Shahed Drones Intercepted and Destroyed Last NightUkraine's air defense did well 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 this, Ukrainian defenders not only intercepted almost all kamikaze drones but also most of the rockets they fired.
10:20 Hotel in Kramatorsk Attacked - Several Western Journalists InjuredSeveral Western journalists were injured in an overnight Russian attack on the eastern Ukrainian city of Kramatorsk, according to official reports. A hotel was hit, two people were rescued injured, and one person is still trapped under the debris, wrote the Ukrainian governor of the Donetsk region, Vadym Filashkin, on Telegram. "All three victims are journalists, citizens of Ukraine, the USA, and the UK." The attack was confirmed in pro-Russian blogs. According to this, Kramatorsk was attacked with heavy guided bombs of the FAB-1500 type. However, it is reported that a machine-building factory and several military objectives were hit.
09:54 Criticism of US Export Policies: US Export Rules Draw Backlash from China
China has criticized the tighter controls imposed by the US on dozens of exporters from the People's Republic. The move, according to the Ministry of Commerce in Beijing, disrupts the international trade order and hinders normal trade exchange. China will take necessary measures to protect the legitimate rights of its companies. This reaction comes in response to a decision by the US government last Friday, which placed 105 companies—42 Chinese, 63 Russian, and 18 from other countries—on a list with trade restrictions. These companies were targeted for various reasons, from supplying US electronics to the Russian military to manufacturing thousands of drones used in Russia's invasion of Ukraine. These companies will now have to obtain hard-to-acquire licenses.
09:29 ISW Calls for Unlimited Use of Long-Range Missiles by Ukraine
The US think tank Institute for the Study of War (ISW) is advocating for unrestricted use of long-range weapons by Ukraine on Russian territory. Despite the redeployment of air forces to the deeper rear, many military targets are still within range of US ATACMS missiles, which Ukraine already possesses but cannot use for attacks on Russian territory due to restrictions from Washington. "The ISW estimates that at least 250 military and paramilitary objectives in Russia are within range of the ATACMS missiles provided by the United States to Ukraine," a recent analysis states. However, only attacks with HIMARS multiple rocket launchers and GLMRS missiles are currently allowed. "This allows Ukraine to hit at most 20 of the 250 objectives," the ISW says.
09:06 Kiev: 1190 Russian Soldiers "Eliminated" in One Day
According to official figures from Kiev, Russian losses remain high: 1190 Russian soldiers were killed or incapacitated in battle within a day. The Ukrainian Ministry of Defense reports that a total of 607,680 Russian soldiers have been "eliminated" since the beginning of the war in February 2022. The ministry announced that the enemy had also lost five more tanks (8547). Since the beginning of the Russian invasion, Ukraine has counted more than 16,600 armored vehicles and around 14,000 drones that are no longer in the possession of the Russian military or have been destroyed. These figures cannot be independently verified. Moscow itself is silent about its own losses in Ukraine.
08:39 Ukrainian Air Force: Most Russian Missiles and Drones Shot Down Last Night.
Ukraine alleges that Russia discharged several missiles and drones towards the northern and eastern domains of the country last night. The majority of the missiles failed to reach their intended targets, as stated by the air force. Russia utilized Iskander-M ballistic missiles, Iskander-K cruise missiles, and six guided missiles in this assault. However, the number of these impacted missiles was not disclosed. On the other hand, eight out of nine Russian assault drones were annihilated.
08:08 Six Individuals Suffer Injuries Due to Overnight Rocket Attack on Kharkiv's Slobidsky DistrictThe number of patients has increased to six following a Russian rocket attack on the Slobidsky district in the Kharkiv Oblast, as reported by Kharkiv Mayor Ihor Terekhov via Ukrinform.
07:32 Zelensky Commends the Launch of Newly Developed Ukrainian Palianytsia Rocket DronesUkrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky applauded the new Palianytsia rockets produced within Ukraine. Zelensky asserted that these rocket drones, along with other military advancements, are crucial for the nation due to the delays in decisions by certain international partners. "Today, our new weapon was effectively deployed in combat," he declared, according to "Kyiv Independent". "A novel class of Ukrainian rocket drone, Palianytsia."
06:55 Azov Commander Raises Concerns about Prisoner Exchange: No Azov Fighters Among the Freed SoldiersNo Azov troops were involved in the prisoner exchange between Russia and Ukraine, according to Ukrainian reports citing Brigade Commander Denys Prokopenko. "Kyiv Independent" reports that the Azov Regiment commander criticized the latest prisoner exchange, expressing disappointment that none of the Azov fighters held captive for over two years were included.
06:14 Governor Confirms Five Fatalities in Ukrainian Strike on Russian Border Region of BelgorodFive civilians were killed and 12 wounded, four seriously, in a Ukrainian air strike on the Russian border region of Belgorod during the night, as reported by local authorities. Governor Vyacheslav Gladkov said that three minors were injured, with two being hospitalized. Ukraine has increased its attacks on Russian territory and advanced into the Kursk region bordering Belgorod in early August. Belgorod is regularly targeted by Ukrainian air and drone strikes, allegedly in retaliation for attacks from the Russian side.
05:47 Russia: Casualties in Ukrainian ShellingFive casualties and 12 injuries were reported due to artillery shelling in the city of Rakitnoe in southwestern Russia, according to the region's governor, Vyacheslav Gladkov, on Telegram. The reports could not be verified, and Ukraine has yet to comment.
04:26 City of Sumy Reports Rocket Impact Sites and InjuriesThe city of Sumy has reported two sites hit by rockets, as well as seven injuries, two severely, according to the regional military administration. Russia attacked Sumy's civilian infrastructure during the evening of Saturday, as reported by the authority.
03:35 Kharkiv: Russian Military Launches Rocket Attacks on Two CitiesGovernor of the Kharkiv region, Oleh Syniehubov, issues a warning: The Russian military has launched rocket attacks on the cities of Kharkiv and Chuhuiv. At present, one individual has been injured. A major explosion was reported in Kharkiv, with Mayor Ihor Terechow reporting the same on Telegram. He advises caution to the population. The cause of the explosion is currently unknown.
03:06 Ukrainian Air Defense Warns of Combat DronesAn air alert is initiated in the east and south of Ukraine during the night. The Ukrainian air forces issue warnings, including a group of Shahed combat drones moving over the Black Sea towards the southern Ukrainian region of Mykolaiv. Intensified Russian attacks are anticipated around Ukrainian Independence Day, which fell on Saturday. So far, a significant wave of attacks has not occurred.
01:32 Hungary Accuses Brussels of Halting Oil SuppliesHungary suspects the EU Commission of being responsible for halting Russian oil supplies, according to Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto. "The fact that the European Commission has stated that it is not ready to assist in securing the energy supply of Hungary and Slovakia suggests that the order was issued from Brussels to Kyiv to (...) create problems with the energy supply of Hungary and Slovakia," Szijjarto said. The EU Commission initially declined to comment. The Ukraine had placed Russian oil producer Lukoil on the sanctions list in June and blocked the Druzhba pipeline, passing through Ukrainian territory. This has significantly reduced energy supplies for countries like Hungary and Slovakia.
22:12 Russian Troops Wound Four Women in Attack on Kupiansk VillageRussian troops attacked the village of Novoosynove in Kupiansk district, Kharkiv Oblast, injuring four women, as reported by Oleh Syniehubov, head of the Kharkiv region's military administration. "The occupiers attacked the village of Novoosynove in the Kupiansk district at around 12:00," Syniehubov stated. "As a result of the attack, a private building was set on fire." The injured were transported to a medical facility. Investigations into the aftermath of the attack are ongoing.
21:03 UK Defence Minister: "Ukraine Has Always Been the Underdog Against Russia's Larger Forces"
UK's Defense Minister John Healey, in an article published on "European Pravda," applauded Ukraine on its Independence Day. "Thirty-three years ago, Ukraine declared its independence, promising a brighter, wealthier existence as a self-governing democracy, detached from Soviet Russia's influence," Healey expressed. Today, Ukrainians celebrate Independence Day amidst conflict. It's an uphill battle to maintain freedom and sovereignty against Putin's relentless, unlawful invasion. "Ukraine's been fighting an uphill battle against Russia's significantly stronger forces and resources. Today, we honor the Ukrainian people," Healey penned. Both military and civilians exhibit remarkable bravery in their fight. The UK pledges to stand by Ukraine's side as long as necessary. Consequently, the UK commences a campaign today, encouraging British people and others worldwide to show their support for Ukraine. "On social media, we urge you to 'Raise Your Voice for Ukraine' and share related posts. Beyond military and financial aid to Ukraine, we've shown friendship and camaraderie," Healey explained.
20:05 Zelensky Promotes Syrsky to General
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has elevated Oleksandr Syrsky, the commander-in-chief of the Ukrainian Armed Forces, to the rank of General. This change was announced in a presidential decree by Zelensky. Prior to this promotion, Syrsky held the rank of Colonel General. The promotion was a result of Ukrainian troops' triumphant progress in the Kursk region on the Russian border.
You can delve into previous developments here.
Despite the intense battles and numerous encounters in different locations, the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine reported that Russian troops have continuously launched attacks on Ukrainian positions and cities with various weapons, including 15 rockets and 95 guided aerial bombs. In a separate incident, Russian troops attacked a hotel in the eastern Ukrainian city of Kramatorsk, resulting in a Reuters news agency employee going missing and two others being injured. This is a stark example of the ongoing military conflict and the risks that journalists and civilians face in the region.
