July is the deadliest month for civilians in Ukraine since October 2022
No Month Since October 2022 Has Seen So Many Ukrainian Civilians Die From Russian Shelling As This July
According to the United Nations, more Ukrainian civilians have died from Russian shelling this July than in any other month since October 2022. "The high number of casualties in July continues an alarming trend since March 2024," the UN Observer Mission in Ukraine (HRMMU) reports.
23:43 Workers Withdrawn from AKW Kursk Construction Site
Due to the advance of Ukrainian troops in the Russian region of Kursk, workers are being withdrawn from the construction site of two new nuclear reactors at the Kursk Nuclear Power Plant. Atomstroiexport, a subsidiary of the state-owned Russian nuclear corporation Rosatom, announced that the number of construction workers will be temporarily reduced. Other specialists continue to work as planned. The Kursk Nuclear Power Plant in the city of Kursk has been repeatedly mentioned as a possible target of the offensive that began on Tuesday. However, it is located about 60 kilometers from the border. The furthest advances of Ukrainian troops, which have been reported but not confirmed, have reached about 30 kilometers into Russia. After the Ukrainian offensive was announced, the Russian National Guard reinforced the protection of the power plant. Two reactors are being built to replace the two oldest, already decommissioned blocks of the plant. Two other reactors are currently in operation.
23:11 Ukraine Captures Gazprom Facility in Kursk Region
According to a video published by Ukrainian media, Ukrainian soldiers have taken control of a Gazprom facility in the Russian region of Kursk. Ukrainian soldiers in the video state that they have taken the facility in the city of Sudzha and the city itself.
22:33 Russia Blocks Encrypted Chat Service Signal
In its crackdown on foreign internet services, Russia has also blocked the encrypted chat service Signal, citing alleged legal violations. Signal is not complying with legal measures necessary to counter terrorism and extremism, the responsible agency Roskomnadzor in Moscow stated. Throughout the day, complaints from Signal users in Russia that the messaging service was unavailable had been accumulating. Portals like Sboj.rf, which collect reports of outages, reported around 2000 complaints. Signal was developed in the US and is valued by its users for its secure communication capabilities. On Thursday, Russian users also complained that YouTube was working slowly and videos were difficult to download. The Russian authorities have not provided an official explanation for this. However, they have been targeting the extremely popular video service in recent days, accusing it of refusing to remove extremist videos. Russia has already blocked large social networks with US ownership like X and Facebook, which can only be used via protected connections (VPN). Even before the attack on Ukraine, Moscow had made preparations for a possible internet shutdown in the country. Since the start of the war in 2022, Roskomnadzor has blocked thousands of websites that are not approved by the Russian power apparatus.
22:04 Power Outage in City Near Kursk Nuclear Power Plant After Ukrainian Attacks
According to Russian reports, a power outage has occurred in the city of Kursk near the Kursk Nuclear Power Plant. Regional Governor Alexei Smirnov attributed this to a Ukrainian drone striking a transformer station. Kursk has a population of around 42,000. The Kursk Nuclear Power Plant is one of the largest nuclear power plants in Russia. Ukrainian troops have advanced near the plant in recent days.
21:33 USA announce further military aid for UkraineThe USA has announced a new military aid package worth $125 million for Ukraine, including Stinger missiles, artillery ammunition, and anti-tank systems. This is the tenth tranche of equipment for Ukraine since President Joe Biden signed a law for a multi-billion dollar aid package in April, said John Kirby, spokesperson for the National Security Council of the White House, to journalists.
20:52 Video shows Ukrainian HIMARS attack on Russian column in KurskUkraine is using long-range weapons against the Russian army in its offensive in Kursk. A video shows several impacts of rockets in the midst of a Russian column east of Rylsk last night. The Ukrainians appear to have used western rockets fired from the Multiple Launch Rocket System (MLRS) HIMARS. Several destroyed military vehicles can be seen in videos from the day after the attack. The "Kyiv Independent" reports 14 destroyed vehicles.
20:38 Iran to supply Russia with hundreds of ballistic missilesIran is set to supply Russia with hundreds of ballistic missiles in the near future, according to European intelligence sources. Dozens of Russian military personnel are already being trained in Iran to handle the ballistic short-range missile system Fath-360, said two employees of European intelligence services to the news agency Reuters. Moscow has its own ballistic missiles, but the delivery of Fath-360 could enable it to use a larger part of its arsenal for targets far from the front line. Iranian warheads could then be used for targets with shorter range. A spokesperson for the National Security Council of the USA said that the US government and its NATO allies and G7 partners are prepared for a swift and tough response if Iran proceeds with such transfers. The Russian Ministry of Defense did not respond to a request for comment.
20:27 Schmid defends Ukraine aid after Kretschmer's proposalThe demand by Saxony's Prime Minister Michael Kretschmer for a reduction in military aid to Ukraine has been criticized by the SPD. The SPD's foreign policy spokesman, Nils Schmid, told the "Tagesspiegel" that Ukraine is "defending itself against a violation of international law by Russia on its territory." Russia could end the war at any time by withdrawing from Ukraine, Schmid said. "For Ukraine, however, an end to its self-defense would mean the loss of its territory and sovereignty, as well as the continued oppression of its population. Mr. Kretschmer knows that too," the SPD politician added. Previously, Kretschmer had called for a reduction in military aid to Ukraine and justified this in an interview with the Redaktionsnetzwerk Deutschland (RND) with the dispute over the federal budget for 2025.
19:56 Ukrainian Troops Attack Russian Positions on Dnipro PeninsulaThe Ukrainian military intelligence service reports a successful attack on Russian positions on the Kinburn Peninsula on the Russian-occupied Dnipro River bank. According to Ukrainian reports, 30 Russian soldiers and six armored vehicles were destroyed. The Kinburn Peninsula is located at the mouth of the Dnipro River, south of Kherson. A video released by the intelligence service shows troops landing by boat and attacks using kamikaze drones. The intelligence service's claims cannot be independently verified. Russia claims to have repelled the attacks, stating that some Ukrainians were stopped by mines and the rest by small-arms fire.
19:43 New Sanctions Against BelarusFollowing the EU, the USA, Canada, and the UK have imposed further sanctions against individuals and companies in Belarus. The new US sanctions announced by the US Treasury Department in Washington target 19 individuals and 14 companies, as well as the aircraft of Belarusian strongman Alexander Lukashenko. Those affected are mainly companies in the aviation, logistics, and electronics sectors, as well as their executives, who attempted to circumvent existing sanctions to acquire components for military equipment for Russia. Canada has sanctioned ten individuals and six companies, while the UK has sanctioned three individuals and three companies. Earlier this week, the EU also imposed new sanctions against Belarus, expanding the sanctions list that began four years ago following the disputed re-election of Lukashenko.
19:20 Ukraine Orders Special Rescue Stations from RheinmetallRheinmetall has received a further order from the Ukrainian Ministry of Defense for the delivery of two rescue stations. The defense company announced this. The containerized rescue station for on-site operation is referred to by the manufacturer as a "Forward Surgical Team (FST, forward field surgery team)". The five interconnected and expandable containers include a reception and triage area, an X-ray shelter, an operating room preparation area, an operating room shelter, and an intensive care unit. These can be deployed near the front and are scheduled for delivery by the end of 2023 or early 2024.
18:47 Ukraine Strikes Another Helicopter with DroneA first-person view (FPV) drone controlled by the Ukrainian security service (SBU) has struck another Russian military helicopter in the Kursk region. The "Kyiv Independent" reports this, citing a security service source. The targeted aircraft was a Mi-8 transport helicopter. It is unclear whether the helicopter was destroyed or forced to crash by the impact. Just a few days ago, Ukraine shot down a Mi-28 helicopter with a drone.
18:22 Russian Oligarch Calls War "Crazy"
Russian billionaire Oleg Deripaska has drawn sharp criticism in Russia for his surprisingly blunt condemnation of the war against Ukraine. In an interview with the Japanese newspaper "Nikkei Asia," Deripaska called for an "immediate, unconditional ceasefire." "If you want to end the war, you have to stop the shelling first," he said this week on the sidelines of an economic conference in Japan, where he participated as an official representative of Russia. He described the violent conflict as "crazy." Russian philosopher Alexander Dugin, considered one of the main ideologists of this war, then sharply criticized the entrepreneur. "This is a stab in the back of our forces and support for the terrorists of the Ukrainian army, which have invaded the Kursk region," Dugin explained via the Telegram messaging service.
17:54 Strack-Zimmermann Defends Ukrainian Attack on "Enemy on Its Own Territory"
The chair of the Defense Committee in the European Parliament, Marie-Agnes Strack-Zimmermann, defends the use of Western weapons on Russian territory by the Ukrainian army: "The Ukrainians are sticking to all the agreements laid down by the donor countries," says the FDP politician to the Funke media group newspapers. Regardless of this, Ukraine has the right to self-defense. "This includes the right to attack the enemy on its own territory," emphasizes Strack-Zimmermann. She is pleased that the EU fully supports Ukraine's efforts to restore its territorial integrity and sovereignty and combat Russia's illegal aggression.
17:21 Expert: German-supplied Tanks Involved in Attacks
British security and defense expert Michael Clarke explains that tanks produced in Germany or the USA are also being deployed in the Kursk region. "It looks like the Ukrainians have obviously decided to support the push. And within about 48 hours, they've done so with some quite large units," Clarke said on Sky News. Among them are tanks and armored vehicles provided by the USA and Germany. Whether vehicles from British production are also being used is unclear, according to Sky News.
16:55 CDU Foreign Policy Experts Rebuke Kretschmer
CDU foreign policy experts criticize Saxony's Minister President Michael Kretschmer for his call to reduce military aid to Ukraine. "Germany has a great responsibility to stand by a country that it itself invaded in World War II," says Johann Wadephul, deputy chairman of the CDU parliamentary group in the Bundestag, to "Der Spiegel." "We stand on the side of freedom, and we will live up to our responsibility. That is the clear and unwavering position of the Union," the CDU politician emphasizes. Jürgen Hardt, spokesman on foreign affairs for the Union faction, confirms: "The CDU/CSU parliamentary group in the German Bundestag has a unanimous opinion on this. We fear that Putin will only be ready for negotiations on an equal footing if he sees that he could suffer a serious defeat in the war against Ukraine. For this, Kyiv needs to go back on the offensive in the defense of its state territory. 'For this, Ukraine still needs military equipment from the free world,' says Hardt.
16:28 Mexico Refuses Putin Arrest During VisitThe Mexican government has stated that it will not arrest Russian President Vladimir Putin if he attends the inauguration of the new Mexican head of state. Ukraine had made a corresponding request. "We cannot do that," said Mexican President Andrés Manuel López Obrador before journalists, adding that "it is not our responsibility".
15:57 Gressel: Ukraine "likely to hold territory longer"According to Gustav Gressel, the attack on the Russian Kursk is not a "pinprick" like previous attacks behind the border. The military expert estimates that Ukrainian troops are binding Russian forces and gaining an advantage in potential negotiations over territories.
15:33 Death Toll Rises: 12 Killed in Supermarket Rocket AttackAt least 12 people were killed and 44 injured in a Russian rocket attack on the eastern Ukrainian city of Kostjantyniwka, according to official reports. "A strike by Russian terrorists on an ordinary supermarket and a post office. People are under the rubble," President Volodymyr Zelenskyy wrote on Telegram. Rescue operations continue. The head of state expressed his condolences to the families of the victims. According to the Interior Ministry, a fire broke out over an area of about 1,000 square meters. Kostjantyniwka is only about 10 kilometers from the front line between Ukrainian and Russian troops. (see entry at 12:34)
15:10 Faber: Kretschmer's Behavior "disgusts me"Saxon Minister President Michael Kretschmer's push to cut weapons aid to Ukraine has drawn criticism from the Bundestag. "It disgusts me how a Minister President is using the survival struggle of Ukrainian women and men for his regional election campaign," said Markus Faber, chairman of the Defense Committee. German weapons deliveries would help Ukraine defend itself, not out of warlust, "but because they don't want to live in a big Bucha where the Russian army is randomly killing, torturing, and raping," Faber added.
14:41 ISW: Ukraine 'operationally surprised' Russia in KurskThe lack of a coherent Russian response to Ukraine's incursion into the Kursk region and the reported pace of Ukraine's advance suggest that Ukrainian forces have achieved operational surprise along Russia's border. This is what the Institute for the Study of War (ISW) writes in its latest report. In the past one and a half years of the Ukraine war, it has been difficult for both sides to surprise the opponent due to the partly confusing battlefield in Ukraine. According to analysts, the Kremlin will try to recapture the Russian territory in the Kursk region seized by Ukrainian forces. Further advancement of Ukraine into Russia would be a strategic blow to Russian President Vladimir Putin's decades-long efforts to establish stability and security in Russia and Russia's geopolitical revival.
14:14 Kretschmer suggests cuts to Ukraine military aidSaxony's Minister President Michael Kretschmer, in light of the budget dispute at the federal level, proposes reducing military aid to Ukraine. "We can no longer afford to provide funds for weapons to Ukraine that are being used up and not bringing results," Kretschmer told the German Editorial Network. "Everything must be in proportion. Support yes, but we can see that we are reaching our limits." Kretschmer points to the growth of the budget in recent years. "Before the COVID-19 crisis in 2019, we had a budget volume of 344 billion euros. We are now at 480 billion euros, and yet the traffic light coalition cannot agree on the budget," criticizes the CDU politician. "This shows that everything is out of control. Citizens' money around 50 billion euros, migration dozens of billions, military aid tens of billions. This won't work."
13:52 Ukraine: Police orders evacuation of around 20,000 people in border region SumyUkrainian authorities have issued an evacuation order for around 20,000 people in the eastern region of Sumy, which borders Russia. The order affects 28 locations under "enemy fire," the police said in the Telegram online service. Local security forces are already deployed to assist with the operation. The Sumy region borders the Russian region of Kursk, into which Ukrainian military forces entered on Tuesday.
13:22 Russia reinforces troops in contested border region KurskAfter Ukrainian troops advanced into the southern Russian border region of Kursk, the Defense Ministry in Moscow is sending units to reinforce its troops. Columns of Grad multiple rocket launchers, artillery, and tanks are being deployed to the region, the Interfax news agency reported, citing the ministry. According to local authorities, fighting with the invading Ukrainian troops continues. "Fighting continues some dozen kilometers away from the city of Kursk and the Kursk nuclear power plant," a local official said on the Telegram messaging service.
12:34 Zelensky: Four Dead After Russian Strike on Supermarket in KostiantynivkaA Russian artillery attack on the city of Kostiantynivka in the contested eastern Ukrainian region of Donetsk has resulted in at least four deaths, according to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on the X platform. At least 24 people were injured. Rescue and recovery efforts are ongoing. According to the governor of Donetsk, Vadym Fillaschkin, the city came under Russian artillery fire. Images published by the governor on Telegram show thick black smoke rising from the destroyed building. Radio NV published images of the burning supermarket and the destroyed surroundings. The exact consequences of the attack are still unclear. "The attack on the supermarket in Kostiantynivka is another case of Russian terror. War against civilians is all they can do," said the head of the presidential office, Andriy Yermak, on Telegram. Kostiantynivka is regularly targeted by Russian forces. In a Russian attack on a local market in Kostiantynivka in September 2023, 17 people were killed and over 30 others were injured.
11:53 Russian Ministry of Emergency Situations Declares Emergency in KurskThe Russian Ministry of Emergency Situations has declared a federal emergency for the Kursk region on the border with Ukraine. According to the government in Moscow, Russian forces are continuing to repel an advance by Ukrainian units in Kursk, the state news agency RIA reported, citing the defense ministry. Around a thousand Ukrainian soldiers were reportedly infiltrated there on Tuesday, according to Russian reports.
11:32 Video Shows Burnt Russian Military Trucks in KurskA video published on social media and verified by Reuters shows a convoy of burnt Russian military trucks in the Russian region of Kursk. The vehicles are lined up along a highway. Around 15 trucks are visible, including one with the marking Z, which is the symbol used in Russia for its "special military operation" in Ukraine. Reuters was able to verify the location in the footage as the village of Oktyabr'skoe based on buildings, trees, and roadways. However, it was not possible to determine exactly when the video was taken.
10:55 Media: Chain Reaction in Russian Lipetsk Destroys 700 BombsA drone strike on a military airbase in the Russian region of Lipetsk has triggered a chain reaction resulting in the detonation of over 700 bombs, according to a source from the Ukrainian intelligence agency "The Kyiv Independent". Earlier, Russian authorities had reported that a drone strike in the region had caused a fire on a military airbase and damaged a power plant. The source told "The Kyiv Independent" that the airbase was storing fighter jets and helicopters. It is not known how many were damaged or destroyed in the attack.
10:35 Kyiv Claims Attack on Military Airbase in LipetskThe Ukrainian military has reported attacking a military airbase in the Russian region of Lipetsk overnight. The strike damaged storage facilities containing guided bombs, causing a large fire and several explosions, according to a Telegram post by the Ukrainian military. The airbase hosts Russian combat aircraft including Su-34, Su-35, and MiG-31 models. Lipetsk is located east of the border region of Kursk, deeper into Russia's interior.
10:08 Munz: "Russians Unable to Counterattack"Since Russia's invasion on February 24, 2022, Ukraine has been defending its territory. However, for the past three days, Ukrainian troops have also launched attacks in the Russian border region of Kursk. ntv-Moscow correspondent Rainer Munz explains why this surprise offensive presents several challenges for Russia's military leadership.
09:44 Human Rights Activist: Russia Regressing to Stalinist TimesOleg Orlov, a human rights activist released in a prisoner exchange from Russian detention, criticizes the extent of repression in today's Russia in an interview with news agency AP. Orlov says that under President Vladimir Putin, people are imprisoned for criticizing authorities, something not seen since the time of Soviet dictator Josef Stalin. "We're sliding back into Stalinist times," says Orlov, co-chair of Memorial, one of Russia's oldest and most renowned human rights organizations, awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2022. Orlov was sentenced to two and a half years in prison in February for criticizing Russia's war in Ukraine in an article. His release in the prisoner exchange between Russia, Belarus, and several Western countries surprised him completely.
09:00 Ukraine Publishes Figures on Russian LossesThe Ukrainian General Staff has published new casualty figures for Russian troops in Ukraine. According to the report, Russia has lost approximately 588,540 soldiers in Ukraine since February 24, 2022, with a daily loss of 1,030. The report also claims the destruction of three tanks, 49 artillery systems, and two air defense systems. Since the start of the large-scale offensive, Ukraine claims Russia has lost 8,434 tanks, 16,536 artillery systems, 366 aircraft, 327 helicopters, 13,325 drones, 28 ships, and one submarine. Western estimates suggest lower casualty figures, but these are also likely to be minimum values.
08:19 Media: Mass Fires in Rylsk, Kursk RegionStrong explosions and mass fires were reported overnight in the city of Rylsk in the Russian region of Kursk, according to "The Kyiv Independent," citing reports on Russian-language Telegram channels. Residents in the village of Stepanovka reportedly heard four explosions. The cause of the explosions is unknown. The city of Rylsk is approximately 35 kilometers from the Russian-Ukrainian border.
07:37 Russia: State of Emergency After Drone Attack on Military AirbaseMassive explosions have occurred following a Ukrainian drone attack on a military airbase near Lipetsk. Governor Igor Artamonov announced on Telegram that a state of emergency has been declared in the city of Lipetsk to manage the aftermath of the explosions. Four villages around the military airport have been evacuated. Public transportation in Lipetsk and surrounding areas has been halted. Six people have been injured as a result of the attacks.
06:52 Media: Explosion After Ukrainian Attack on CrimeaAn explosion has occurred on the Russian-occupied Ukrainian peninsula of Crimea, according to "Ukrainska Pravda" citing Telegram reports. Mikhail Razvozhayev, the Russian governor of the city of Sevastopol, wrote on Telegram that the forces of the Black Sea Fleet and air defense have repelled an attack by Ukrainian forces on Sevastopol, destroying three drones. Additionally, the Russian air defense has reportedly shot down a Ukrainian Neptune sea-launched cruise missile over the sea near Sevastopol. The Telegram channel "CrimeaWind" reports on shots and a heavy explosion in Chornomorskyi, as well as the work of the Russian air defense in the area of the Belbek airport. A black smoke column was reportedly rising over the airport, and there was a strong smell of fire in the coastal area of the city, according to the Telegram channel "CrimeaWind" citing subscribers. There are no reports yet on possible casualties.
06:05 Media: Fire on Military Airbase in Russian Region of LipetskA fire has broken out on a military airbase in the Russian region of Lipetsk, according to Russian news agencies RIA Novosti and TASS. They have not yet provided information on the cause of the fire. Shortly before, the local governor announced evacuations due to a "massive" drone attack near the city of Lipetsk, which caused explosions and power outages, according to Igor Artamonov on Telegram. The state of emergency has been declared in the Lipetsk district, and four villages are being evacuated. Some of the villages mentioned are located near an air force base outside the city. There have been no reported casualties. Ukrainian authorities have not reported any attacks on the region. Lipetsk is approximately 300 kilometers away from the Ukrainian border.
05:02 Putin Allegedly Unaware of Ukrainian Troop BuildupValery Gerasimov, chief of the Russian General Staff, may have ignored intelligence warnings that Ukrainian forces were gathering near the border with the Kursk Oblast, Bloomberg reports citing a source close to the Kremlin. Ukrainian forces crossed the border into the Kursk Oblast on August 6, bringing the fighting onto Russian territory. According to the report, Ukrainian forces began gathering near the border with the Kursk region two weeks before the start of their offensive. Russian President Vladimir Putin was not informed about the troop buildup.
03:21 Due to US Missiles: Half of Germans Fear Escalation with RussiaThe German and US governments have agreed that the US will station long-range weapons systems like Tomahawk cruise missiles in Germany from 2026, capable of reaching targets in Russia. Half of Germans expect further escalation of the conflict with Russia due to the stationing of these weapons, according to a Civey poll for the Funke media group. 50 percent of respondents answered affirmatively when asked about this, while 38 percent do not believe it will lead to further escalation, and 12 percent are undecided. 44 percent view the stationing positively, while 42 percent view it negatively, with 14 percent undecided.
01:14 Minister-President Kretschmer Calls for Reduction in Weapons Aid to UkraineSaxony's Minister-President Michael Kretschmer is calling for a reduction in weapons aid to Ukraine, given the federal budget. "We can no longer provide funds for weapons to Ukraine that are being used up and not achieving anything. Everything must be in proportion," the CDU politician told the German Editorial Network. "Support yes, but we're seeing that we're reaching our limits." Kretschmer points to the increase in the budget over the past years. "Before the COVID-19 crisis in 2019, we had a budget volume of 344 billion euros. Now we're at 480 billion, and yet the traffic light coalition can't agree on the budget," said the Minister-President. "That shows that everything is out of control."
23:35 Kiesewetter: Ukrainian Offensive Legally and Strategically JustifiedCDU foreign policy expert Roderich Kiesewetter sees the latest Ukrainian military offensive on Russian territory as legally and strategically justified. The surprise move by Ukraine is "clearly legally justified under the right to self-defense" and "militarily strategic," Kiesewetter told the "Tagesspiegel." According to the CDU defense expert, the Ukrainian troops' move aims to tie down Russian forces in the Kursk region and inflict significant losses. "This can relieve pressure on other fronts, as Russia has to tie down or redeploy forces to Kursk," he said further.
22:30 Pentagon: Ukrainian Incursion into Kursk Region in Line with US PolicyThe incursion of Ukrainian forces into the Russian region of Kursk is "in line with our policy," said Pentagon spokesperson Sabrina Singh at a press conference, according to the news portal "Kyiv Independent." When asked if Ukraine can use weapons supplied by the US, Singh replied that the US has "supported Ukraine from the beginning in defending against attacks coming from across the border." The Kursk region borders the Ukrainian region of Sumy for 245 kilometers, which has been subject to daily Russian attacks since its liberation in April 2022. Ukraine is taking measures "to protect itself from attacks" and is operating "within the framework of US policy, using our weapons, our systems, and our capabilities," said Singh.
22:09 BSW MEP De Masi calls for "as soon as possible ceasefire and negotiations"
Following the advance of Ukrainian troops into Kursk, BSW MEP Fabio De Masi is calling for "as soon as possible a ceasefire and negotiations". The Ukraine has "major difficulties defending its own territory", says De Masi to the "Tagesspiegel". Advances "deep into Russian territory" only make sense "if the goal of Ukraine is to strengthen the escalation dynamics". The risks are enormous, says the Euro politician. "Consider, for example, the Russian nuclear power plant in the region. Russia is a nuclear power and has the escalation dominance".
21:50 Authorities in the Kursk region report at least five civilian deaths
Russian troops, according to reports from Moscow, have been fighting for the third day in a row against a Ukrainian incursion across the border. The Russian armed forces and border guards are preventing Ukrainian units from advancing further into Kursk, the Russian Defense Ministry said. At the same time, the Russian army is attacking Ukrainian forces trying to retreat from the Ukrainian border region of Sumy. According to the Russian Health Ministry, 66 civilians have been injured since the beginning of the Ukrainian incursion, including nine children. The authorities in the Kursk region report at least five civilian deaths, including two paramedics. Ukraine has not yet commented on the incursion.
21:30 EU Foreign Minister Borrell: Lukashenko regime involved in illegal deportation of Ukrainian children
The Belarusian regime is complicit in Russia's war against Ukraine, according to EU Foreign Minister Josep Borrell in Brussels. In addition to political, military, and logistical support, Belarus has contributed to the illegal deportation of Ukrainian children from temporarily occupied areas of Ukraine. Since 2021, the regime has also orchestrated migration pressure on the EU's external borders, according to a statement from the European External Action Service.
You can read all previous developments here.
The high number of military operations by Russian forces in July 2023 has led to a significant increase in Ukrainian civilian casualties.
The ongoing military operations in the Kursk region of Russia have resulted in Ukraine capturing a Gazprom facility, further escalating tensions between the two nations.
