Lithuania views the German combat brigade's deployment as a form of assistance, according to Wiegold at 10:03.
09:28 Kim Commits to Enhancing Relations with MoscowNorth Korean leader Kim Jong Un has expressed his intent to strengthen ties with Russia, as per state media. Following talks between Kim and Russian Security Council chief Sergei Shoigu in North Korea, state media reported a substantial discussion on "strengthening the strategic dialogue between the two nations and fortifying cooperation to secure their common security interests," along with regional and international affairs. However, the Ukraine, the US, and South Korea have accused North Korea of providing Russia with weapons and missiles for the Ukraine conflict. Pyongyang labeled these accusations as "preposterous."
08:59 Starmer, Biden to Debate Ukraine's Use of Long-Range Western WeaponsBritish Prime Minister Starmer and US President Biden are set to dialogue on whether Ukraine should be permitted to employ long-range Western weapons against Russian targets. They had postponed a decision on this matter earlier, but will now discuss it at the UN General Assembly in New York next week, alongside a larger group of individuals, Starmer said. UK media reports suggest that Biden, due to fears of a nuclear confrontation, is open to allowing Ukraine to utilize British and French rockets equipped with US technology, but not US-made rockets.
08:23 Zelensky on Trump's Plan: "Election Campaign Promises"US Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump has repeatedly asserted that he could end the Ukraine conflict in a day, yet has never presented a strategy. When inquired about Trump's declaration during a CNN interview, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky replied, "I can't comprehend it today because I'm uninformed about the underlying details and what it entails." Zelensky stated that his viewpoint is that there's an election campaign in the US. "And campaign promises are campaign promises," he added. "Sometimes they're not entirely realistic." However, Zelensky also mentioned that he had spoken to Trump two months ago, and that Trump had assured him of support for Ukraine.
07:27 ISW: Russia Needs Additional Troops in Kursk to Overpower UkrainiansRussia continues its counterattacks in the Kursk region, but the Institute for the Study of War (ISW) does not foresee a large-scale operation to drive out the Ukrainians from Kursk. The ISW, based in Washington, points out that Russian authorities have relied primarily on poorly trained and poorly equipped conscripts, alongside modest sections of the regular Russian armed forces and other security forces in the border region. In an assessment, the think tank posits, "A Russian counteroffensive to reclaim the terrain captured by Ukrainian forces in the Kursk Oblast will likely necessitate more personnel and resources than Russia has already amassed in this area - especially if the vast majority of the units already deployed lack combat experience."
06:49 Ukraine Suffers Persistent Drone Attacks
According to the Ukrainian military, Russia has been launching Shahed drones against Ukraine throughout the night. The Russian army deployed multiple drone attack groups, the Ukrainian air force reported. Air raid alarms were activated in nearly all regions of the country, including the Odessa region. The navy reported shooting down nine drones there. Explosions occurred in the city of Odessa, but no casualties have been reported thus far.
06:13 Mützenich Endorses International Peace InitiativeSPD faction leader Rolf Mützenich is advocating for an international contact group to instigate a peace initiative in the Ukraine conflict. "In my view, now is the perfect time for the Western allies to initiate a contact group to establish a peace process," he told the "Rheinische Post". "The Federal Chancellor and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky concur that now is a suitable moment to intensify efforts for peace talks, and that Russia should also be included in the subsequent peace summit." When asked about potential members of such a contact group, Mützenich mentioned countries like China, India, Turkey, and Brazil taking responsibility. "In these countries, the belief that the Russian war of aggression could become a burden is growing. Therefore, the work of a contact group 'could indeed be promising,' and it could play an important mediating role."
05:41 EU Ponders New Sanctions Extension StrategyEU diplomats say the commission is reviewing three options for how sanctions against Russia could be extended in the future. Corresponding scenarios were presented to European diplomats on Friday, several insiders said. The impetus behind this is the frozen assets of the Russian central bank, which play a crucial role in granting a mega-loan from the G7 countries to Ukraine in the amount of 50 billion dollars. These assets have been frozen since the Russian attack on Ukraine.
03:40 Klitschko: Drone Debris Strikes Kyiv City StructuresKyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko reported via the Telegram messaging app that drone debris struck a city building in the Ukrainian capital. The debris landed on a municipal building in the northern Kyiv district of Obolon early in the morning. Klitschko wrote that rescue services were on their way to the scene. Earlier, the mayor had reported that air defense units were active in the capital.
01:35 Kim Jong Un Plans for Enhanced Cooperation with ShoiguNorth Korean leader Kim Jong Un has committed to closer cooperation with Russian Security Council Secretary Sergei Shoigu. As reported by the state news agency KCNA, the two men had an intensive exchange of views during Shoigu's visit to Pyongyang and reached a satisfactory consensus on matters regarding closer "cooperation to safeguard mutual security interests." Shoigu, who was still Russian defense minister until May, had initiated closer relations between North Korea and Russia with a visit to Pyongyang in July last year.
11:36 Zelensky to Share "Victory Strategy" with Biden in SeptemberUkrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has scheduled a September meeting with US President Joe Biden. "I'll outline our strategy for achieving victory," Zelensky stated during an address in Kyiv. This plan involves a coordinated decision-making process to furnish Ukraine with adequate forces to steer the conflict towards peace. "These kinds of conflicts can be justly concluded through either forcefully expelling the invading army or through diplomacy," Zelensky elucidated. This move aims to secure Ukraine's genuine independence. However, Kyiv counts on US backing for a strong stance.
23:27 Russian Forces Switch Focus to Southern PushIntense clashes persist in eastern Ukraine, according to the Ukrainian military. The General Staff in Kyiv reported 115 skirmishes in their evening situation update. "The most intense action today was near Kurachove, besides, the adversaries were also active in the directions of Lyman and Pokrovsk," the report stated. Kurachove is a small town located south of Pokrovsk. For a long time, Pokrovsk was perceived as the principal attack target of the Russian troops. Lately, however, the Russians have only managed limited territorial gains in that area. Instead, they broadened their offensive front to the south, aiming to capture the mining town of Hirnyk near Kurachove.
21:58 Zelensky: Progress in Kursk Area Brings ReliefAccording to President Volodymyr Zelensky, Ukraine's advance in the Russian region of Kursk is yielding positive results. In the Cherkasy region, the enemy has been repelled, and in Donetsk, the Russian advance has subsided, Zelensky asserts. Russia has yet to make substantial gains in its counterattack in Kursk. Previously, there had been doubts about the mobilization of larger Russian troop formations from Donetsk and other regions to Kursk. Russia claims to have recaptured 10 out of 100 occupied villages.
20:30 "West is Fearful" - Zelensky's Critique of Allies' ApproachUkrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky accuses the West of exhibiting "fear" when it comes to aiding Ukraine in downing Russian missiles. "If the allies collectively shoot down missiles and drones in Middle Eastern regions, why isn't there a similar decision to shoot down Russian missiles and (Iranian) Shahed drones in the Ukrainian skies?" Zelensky questioned during a Kyiv conference. "They are afraid to even utter: 'We are working on it.' And this hesitation occurs even when missiles and drones are directly threatening the territories of our neighbors," the Ukrainian leader lamented. This WEST is "embarrassing for the democratic world."
20:18 Russia has Deployed Over 8000 Iranian DronesAs per Kyiv's government, Russia has launched 8060 Iranian Shahed drones against Ukraine since the initiation of the war. No official statements from Iran or Russia have been made yet. Ukraine first accused the Iranian government of supplying the suicide drones to Russia in the autumn of 2022.
19:11 US Resists Disclosing Decision on Long-Range Weapons for UkraineIn Washington, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and US President Joe Biden are scheduled to hold talks. The world eagerly awaits any announcements concerning the authorization of long-range weaponry for Ukraine. Sources from the British "Guardian" suggest that Kyiv has been given permission to conduct attacks with Storm-Shadow missiles. However, neither party is expected to disclose any details regarding this matter during today's meeting. "I wouldn't anticipate a declaration today about the utilization of long-range weapons within Russia - definitely not from the US," says John Kirby, Communications Director of the National Security Council. He merely mentions that discussions are ongoing with Britain, France, and other allies "regarding the kind of capabilities that will be provided to Ukraine." He also refrains from offering a clear answer when asked if the US government is planning to make any announcements. "I'm not going to engage in a hypothetical discussion about what we might or might not say at a particular moment."
You can review all previous updates [here].
Despite the accusations made by Ukraine, Pyongyang vehemently denies providing Russia with weapons and missiles for the Ukraine conflict. (reference to 'The attack on Ukraine')
Regardless of the ongoing conflict and accusations, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and Russian Security Council Secretary Sergei Shoigu have agreed to strengthen their cooperation to safeguard mutual security interests. (reference to 'The attack on Ukraine')
