In a recent update, Ukraine reports intense combat near Pokrovsk.
19:35 Gold Smuggling Arrest: Russian Legal Action against GermanAs reported by Russian officials, a legal case has been initiated against a 58-year-old German citizen suspected of gold smuggling. The accusation is that the individual tried to unlawfully bring approximately 13 kilograms of premium gold bars into the country in his camper van. Russian customs authorities have initiated the case, although they have not disclosed the man's identity. The incident took place in the Pskov region, which borders Belarus, Latvia, and Estonia. The estimated value of the gold bars is over 90 million rubles (approximately 900,000 euros). The gold bars were prevented from entering the country by Russian customs officers and FSB employees. The current location of the suspect is unrevealed. If found guilty, he faces up to five years in prison and a fine of up to one million rubles.
19:05 Ukraine: Largest Air Attack in Recent HistoryThe latest Russian air attack on Ukraine is reported to be the most significant since the conflict began in February 2022, according to Ukrainian reports. Russian forces allegedly launched over 100 missiles and drones. According to the commander of the Ukrainian Air Force, Mykola Oleschuk, on Telegram, 102 missing missiles were intercepted and destroyed, and 99 out of 109 drones were also neutralized. This combined attack ranks as the "largest air attack" so far.
18:40 Zelensky Sends Support to PokrovskUkrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has ordered reinforcements to the Pokrovsk region, following updates on the situation from the military leadership. The region in eastern Ukraine has experienced heavy conflict following recent Russian advances.
18:10 Macron: Durov's Arrest not a Political DecisionTwo days following Telegram founder Pavel Durov's arrest, French President Emmanuel Macron confirms the case. He states that "the arrest occurred within the context of an ongoing judicial investigation," emphasizing that this was not a political decision. Macron asserts that the courts hold the final authority in the matter.
17:42 Russian Court Sends 15-Year-Old to Juvenile Detention for Ukraine SupportA 15-year-old student in Russia has been convicted and sentenced to a juvenile detention facility for supporting Ukraine, according to Russian opposition media outlet Mediazona. A court in Khabarovsk found him guilty of "membership in a terrorist organization" and "training for a terrorist act." The ruling was handed down on August 16 but was only made public lately. Testimony from a Telegram video in which the boy throws Molotov cocktails against an abandoned building's wall with two other teenagers allegedly served as evidence. The boy's grandmother suspects he was provoked by the Russian security services, as she claimed he had expressed his support for Ukraine to classmates and on social media.
17:13 Dam Attack in Ukraine Causes No Major DamageThe Russian attack on a dam near Kyiv reportedly caused no significant damage, according to the governor of the region, Ruslan Kravchenko. The road on the dam is scheduled to reopen later in the afternoon, assuming there are no further attacks or air raid warnings.
16:46 Ukrainian Defense Minister Promises Response to AssaultsUkrainian Defense Minister Rustem Ummerov has vowed retaliation for the massive Russian attacks confronting his nation. "Ukraine is preparing its counter-response. Weapons are being produced domestically," he said, according to the Defense Ministry. He also urged Western allies to improve Ukraine's long-range capabilities and disregard restrictions on attacking Russian military facilities.
16:12 Wagner Group Denies Involvement in Ukraine ConflictThe Wagner Group asserts that its mercenaries are not participating in the Russian invasion of Ukraine, according to a statement distributed via Telegram. The group claims that as of now, Wagner mercenaries are only operating in Belarus and Africa.
15:40 Kyiv Experiences Second-Longest Air Raid Alert Since Russian InvasionAn air raid alert in Kyiv lasted for 7 hours and 46 minutes due to numerous Russian attacks on Ukraine, according to journalist Denis Trubetskoy. This is the second-longest air raid alert in the capital since the Russian invasion commenced, with the longest one lasting 8 minutes and 15 seconds longer, according to former advisor to the Ukrainian Interior Ministry Anton Gerashchenko. In other regions of Ukraine, air raid alerts lasted up to ten hours, as Gerashchenko mentioned.
14:55 IAEA Chief Prioritizes Inspection of Kursk Nuclear Power PlantThe Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), Rafael Grossi, has announced his plans to personally oversee the inspection of the Kursk Nuclear Power Plant in the Kursk Oblast, where Ukrainian troops have gained entry. Grossi underscored the need to maintain the safety of nuclear facilities at all costs, emphasizing that "under no circumstances" should this principle be compromised. The planned inspection is scheduled to occur on Tuesday. Thousands of Ukrainian soldiers entered Kursk in a surprise attack on August 6.
14:47 Flame Out at Russia's Biggest Oil Refinery in OmskA blaze has ignited at Russia's biggest oil refinery, situated in the city of Omsk, as indicated by the operator Gazprom. The corporation revealed in a statement that the fire in the refinery's technological equipment was flagged down by the automated safety system and was being managed. Operations are continuing as usual. Seven laborers endured injuries in the blaze, as per Russian news agency TASS, with one later fatalities reported. Initial reports had only mentioned two injuries.
14:32 Moscow Claims to Take Down Western Weapons and Ammunition Stashes in UkraineThe Russian Ministry of Defense declared that Russian troops have assaulted gas compressor stations and power transformers in Ukraine. The energy facilities, which were stated to have supplied the Ukrainian military-industrial complex with power, were allegedly targeted with drones and missiles. Western weapons and ammunition stored at two Ukrainian airfields were also apparently targeted.
14:09 Newspaper: At Least 247 Russian Soldiers Captured in Kursk RegionSince their covert invasion into the Russian region of Kursk on August 6, Ukrainian troops have reportedly apprehended over 240 Russian soldiers, according to an analysis by The Washington Post. The newspaper reviewed over 130 photos and videos taken since the beginning of the invasion, a large number of which were filmed by Ukrainian soldiers and shared on social media. The analysis also included photos taken by a Washington Post photographer from a prison where captured Russian soldiers are reportedly being held in Ukraine. The authenticated images display at least 247 Russian prisoners, supporting Ukrainian authorities' claims of capturing hundreds of Russians during the invasion. Many of those seized appeared to have surrendered without resistance.
13:43 Unidentified Object Invades Polish Airspace and May Have LandedDuring the Russian assault on Ukraine, an object infiltrated Polish airspace and probably landed on Polish territory, according to the state news agency PAP, citing the armed forces' operations command. The search for the object, which was not a missile, is still being conducted. General Maciej Klisz, the operational commander of the armed forces, told Polsat News, "During the substantial attack on Ukrainian territory on Monday, an object likely entered Polish territory." The Guardian, citing an army spokesman, reported that the object was likely a drone.
13:21 Alleged Russian Missile Strikes Hit Dam North of KyivIn the extensive air attack on Ukraine today, a dam north of Kyiv was reportedly hit by a Russian missile, according to Ukrainian media reports. A video, published by journalist Yaroslav Trofimov from the "Wall Street Journal" among others, shows a section of the hydroelectric plant on fire. "If the dam ruptures, millions of people downstream could perish," Trofimov writes. Official statements on the damage to the structure have not yet been issued.
12:57 Zelenskyy Labels It as 'One of the Heaviest Attacks' by RussiaRussia has deployed more than 100 missiles and nearly 100 drones in the latest massive attack, according to Ukrainian reports. "This was one of the heaviest attacks," stated Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in a video message published on Telegram. The Russian Ministry of Defense, in contrast, claims on Telegram to have "hit all targeted infrastructure facilities" in massive attacks on Ukraine. Zelenskyy explains that it was a "combined" attack, involving more than 100 missiles of various types and around 100 Shahed drones of Iranian origin. The Russian Ministry of Defense mentions a "massive strike with high-precision long-range weapons" on "important energy infrastructure facilities".
12:38 Kyiv Pleas for West to Authorize Strikes Deep into Russian TerritoryUkraine is appealing to the West to permit the use of weapons for attacks deep into Russian territory. "Such a decision would bring an end to Russian terror more quickly," wrote the chief of staff of President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Andriy Yermak, on Telegram.
12:09 Kremlin Spokesman Declares Negotiations with Ukraine IrrelevantRussia considers negotiations with Ukraine over a ceasefire to have become almost irrelevant. The invasion of Ukrainian troops into the Russian border region of Kursk cannot be tolerated, says Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov. There have been no talks about a ceasefire, and the topic is no longer relevant.
11:41 Munz: "Belarusian Army is Not Really a Threat"Dictator Lukashenko is assembling tens of thousands of soldiers at the border with Ukraine, an event that is causing concern. However, according to ntv correspondent Rainer Munz, this is more of a display of force rather than a real threat.
11:25 Sources: Hint of Russian Sabotage Behind Geilenkirchen AlertIntelligence reports of a potential threat from a Russian sabotage act using a drone were behind the temporary increase in the security level at the NATO air base in Geilenkirchen near Aachen, according to German security sources. There was a serious indication from a foreign intelligence service "of preparatory actions for a probable Russian sabotage act against the NATO base," the sources said.
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10:50 Poland Deploys Fighter Jets Due to Russian Aggression The intense air attacks this morning have also affected a nearby country, Ukraine. Due to the close proximity of Russia's attacks to Poland's border, the Polish military responded by deploying interceptor planes, as reported by news agency PAP. Planes from other allied nations also joined in the operation. According to the Ukrainian air force, the Russian military temporarily stationed 11 long-range Tu-95 bombers in the area, which are equipped with cruise missiles. Hypersonic Kinzhal missiles were also launched at Ukraine, and attacks came from the Black Sea as well.
10:22 Ukrainian Soldier Battles Russian Cruise Missile with Machine Gun This morning, Ukrainian soldiers from an air defense unit reportedly engaged a Russian cruise missile using a machine gun mounted on a truck in the western region of Transcarpathia. Governor Viktor Mykyta shared this video on social media. According to his statement, the missile was targeted at the region from the neighboring Lviv area and was shot down by the 650th separate anti-aircraft machine gun battalion. The legitimacy of the video was confirmed by the RTL/ntv verification team. However, according to the "Kyiv Independent," it was not a machine gun hit that downed the missile, but rather an air defense missile from the Ukrainian military. This was stated by the former spokesperson for the air force, Yuriy Ignat.
10:03 Russia Launches Attacks on 15 Ukrainian Regions - Energy Infrastructure Targeted More than half of Ukraine's regions were attacked by Russia early this morning, according to Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal. "Today, 15 regions were subjected to heavy Russian fire. The enemy used various types of weapons: drones, missiles, Kinzhal hypersonic missiles. There are casualties and injuries," Shmyhal wrote on Telegram. According to Ukrainian reports, energy infrastructure in four regions was hit. Authorities in Zaporizhzhia, Sumy, Rivne, and Lviv reported that their regions' energy infrastructure was targeted. In some areas of the capital Kyiv, electricity and water supplies were disrupted, according to Mayor Vitali Klitschko.
09:40 ISW: Russians Shifting Forces to Kursk Region
The Russian military is likely relocating troops from less critical areas 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) reportedly briefed Russian President Vladimir Putin over the weekend on combat operations in Russian territories bordering Ukraine. The ISW's latest situation report suggests that the Kursk region is the intended destination. The think tank has noticed elements of the 810th Marine Infantry Brigade, 155th Marine Infantry Brigade, and 11th VDV Brigade engaged in fighting in the Kursk region and has received indications that the Russian military leadership recently redeployed elements of the 56th VDV Regiment from the Robotyne area in western Zaporizhzhia to the border region. Experts say the Russian military command is resisting operational pressure to withdraw forces from priority offensive efforts to capture Pokrovsk in the Donetsk region.
09:14 First Casualties Reported from Massive Russian Shelling
At least three people have been killed in Russian airstrikes, according to Ukrainian authorities. Reports of fatalities have been reported in Luzk in the west, Dnipro in the east, and Zaporizhzhia in the south. Luzk's mayor, Ihor Polischchuk, said a multi-family residential building was hit by "enemy fire," resulting in one fatality. The governors of the Odessa, Zaporizhzhia, and Kharkiv regions announced explosions in their regions on Telegram and urged people to seek shelter. Earlier, the governor of the central Poltava region, Filip Pronin, reported that five people were injured in an attack on an industrial facility.
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08:50 Ukraine Concerned as Belarus Moves Troops Toward Border: "Belarus's Entry into the War Would Prolong the Front"
Ukraine is monitoring the situation with concern as Belarus mobilizes troops near its shared border. The current deployment is larger than previous ones, and Belarus's involvement in the war could have severe repercussions, as explained by ntv reporter Nadja Kriewald.
08:22 Explosions Echo Throughout Ukrainian Cities; Power Outage in Kyiv
Explosions are being heard in several Ukrainian cities following the massive Russian air strike (see entry at 07:24). The "Kyiv Independent" reports that air raid sirens sounded across the country around 6:00 AM local time. Explosions were first reported in Kyiv around 8:30 AM, with additional blasts following. Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko stated that power was out in "various districts" of the capital and there were also issues with water supply on the right side of the city. Explosions were also recorded in Kharkiv, Odessa, Vinnytsia, Zaporizhzhia, Kremenchuk, Dnipro, Khmelnytskyi, Kropyvnytskyi, and Kryvyi Rih.
07:53 Moscow: Russia Eliminates 20 Ukrainian Drones Over Its TerritoryThe Russian air defense system has successfully dismantled 20 drones that were attempting to infiltrate Russian territory from Ukraine, as reported by the Russian Ministry of Defense. Nine of these drones were intercepted over the Saratov region, three over Kursk, and two each over Belgorod, Bryansk, and Tula. A drone was also spotted over the regions of Oryol and Ryazan.
07:24 Russia Employs Intense Aerial Assault on UkraineAccording to various sources, Ukraine is currently undergoing heavy bombardment. The "Kyiv Post" reports explosions in Kyiv at this hour, indicating that Ukraine is being bombarded by Russian missiles and drones from both land, air, and sea. Military analyst Nico Lange states that Russia is launching missiles from ships in the Black Sea and deploying 11 Tu-95 bombers, alongside utilizing drones and ballistic missiles. The intense Russian aerial attack on Ukraine is causing explosions in multiple cities.
07:07 Chechen Commander Confirms Ukrainian Casualties in KurskChechen special forces' Achmat unit, along with the 2nd Special Forces Brigade, claim to have annihilated two armored personnel carriers, five armored combat vehicles, and one light tank of French origin (AMR) in the Kursk region during the last 24 hours. Major General Apti Alaudinov, the commander, has reported this information to the Russian state news agency TASS. In addition to this, the Russian forces have eliminated a unit of automatic grenade launchers and a mortar, and destroyed a cannon, causing significant damage to the Ukrainian troops by attacking these military facilities. Alaudinov asserts that the advance of the Ukrainian troops has been halted. "The enemy is trying to advance, but without success. We have already begun to obliterate the enemy in several areas and liberate some settlements. I am confident that this operation will continue every day."
06:41 North Korea: Kim Jong Un Encourages Production of Kamikaze DronesNorth Korean leader Kim Jong Un has advocated the development and construction of more kamikaze drones as an integral part of their war preparations, as reported by the state news agency KCNA. Kamikaze drones, unmanned aerial vehicles armed with explosives, are guided towards enemy targets. Russia frequently employs such Iranian Shahed drones in Ukraine. The relationship between North Korea and Russia has grown stronger due to this. The drone test occurred on Saturday, amidst heightened tensions with neighboring South Korea, as reported by KCNA. Photos show white drones with X-shaped wings flying towards tank targets, resulting in explosions. The target objects resemble South Korean K-2 tanks, according to the South Korean news agency Yonhap.
06:34 Ukraine: Estimated 1140 Russian Soldiers "Neutralized" in a DayAccording to the Ukrainian military's reports, 1140 Russian soldiers have been either killed or injured during the past 24 hours. This makes a total of 608,820 Russian military personnel lost since the start of the conflict. These figures cannot be independently verified. During the same period, 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 Warns Minsk Against "Regrettable Decisions"Ukraine has requested Belarus to withdraw its large military contingents and equipment from the border region. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has urged Belarus to abstain from hostile actions and evacuate its troops from the border region. Ukraine advises Belarus to refrain from making "regrettable decisions" due to pressure from Moscow. Belarus has yet to respond to this request. According to Ukrainian sources, these troops include Belarusian special units and former Wagner soldiers, as well as tanks, artillery, air defense systems, and engineering equipment stationed in the Gomel region on the northern border of Ukraine. The statement emphasizes that Ukraine has never instigated hostilities against the Belarusian people and promises to maintain this policy in the future.
05:46 Russian Governor Announces Property Damage from Drone DebrisDue to debris from downed Ukrainian drones, several houses have reportedly been damaged in the Russian region of Saratov, as revealed by the regional governor. The cities of Saratov and Engels have been affected, prompting the deployment of all emergency services. Engels is home to a significant bomber base in Russia.
03:52 Air Defense Reports Drone Incursion in KyivUkrainian military sources have indicated that air defense systems are currently operating in the Kyiv region to repel Russian drone attacks. "Unidentified aerial object spotted! Air defense systems in the region are active," reported the regional military administration on Telegram, without providing any information regarding potential casualties or damage.
00:19 Zelensky Condemns "Deliberate" Attack on Reuters TeamUkrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky addressed the lethal rocket attack on the Reuters media team in his evening address. A Reuters worker was killed, and two others were injured when a hotel in the eastern Ukrainian city of Kramatorsk was struck by a Russian Iskander rocket. The fatality has been identified as British former soldier Ryan Evans, who had been working for Reuters since 2022, providing advice on security issues in Ukraine, Israel, and the Paris Olympics. Zelensky described the attack as "absolutely deliberate," lamenting the loss of life and offering his condolences to the family and friends of the victim. The Ukrainian Prosecutor General's Office has announced an investigation on Telegram. The attack took place on Saturday at 22:35 local time, but it remains uncertain if the rocket was launched from Russia or if the hotel was specifically targeted. Russia has yet to respond.
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The President of the Council has yet to issue a statement regarding the gold smuggling arrest and its implications for international relations.
This incident involving the 58-year-old German citizen has sparked discussions within the international community, and the President of the Council's perspective on the matter would be of significant interest.
