Medvedev indicates that Telegram's head warned of potential issues "quite some time prior".
14:36 Zelensky Suggests India for Peace Summit Second Round Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has suggested that India could host a follow-up meeting on peace resolution proposals. Zelensky made this proposition during an interview with Indian journalists, which he subsequently shared on social media. He expressed his support for this idea to Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. At present, negotiations are ongoing with Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Turkey, and Switzerland regarding organizing a second round of talks. However, it's challenging to organize such a conference in a country that didn't endorse the final agreement from the previous meeting. While India participated in the initial June summit in Switzerland, it didn't approve of the final resolution.
14:13 Pope Criticizes Ukraine's Pro-Russian Orthodox Church Ban Pope Francis criticized the ban of the pro-Russian Orthodox Church in Ukraine. In his Sunday prayer, the Pontiff stated: "No Christian church should be abolished directly or indirectly. Churches should not be meddled with!" The Ukrainian authorities justify the ban due to the Moscow Patriarchate's backing of the Russian invasion. During his address to tens of thousands of believers in St. Peter's Square, Pope Francis said: "One does not commit evil by praying. If someone commits evil against their people, they are responsible. However, they cannot be held accountable for committing evil simply because they prayed."
13:43 "Barbaric War Crime" - Ukraine Condemns "Deliberate Attack" on Kramatorsk Hotel The Ukrainian Foreign Ministry condemns the Russian attack on a hotel in Kramatorsk, where foreign journalists were staying. According to the Foreign Ministry spokesperson, Georgiy Tykhyi, announced on X, "Last night, another appalling and deliberate Russian attack on the residential areas of Kramatorsk injured foreign media journalists in a hotel." Tykhyi further stated that targeted attacks on media professionals have become a systematic tactic of the Russian war. "These barbaric war crimes must be condemned and punished," the Foreign Ministry spokesperson concluded.
13:14 After Russian Attacks on Sumy: Police Report 4 Dead, 13 Injured The Russian military attacked Sumy, a Ukrainian region, 261 times in a single day, according to local police reports. At least four people lost their lives, and 13 were injured in the attacks on the northern region. As revealed by the Ukrainian newspaper "Ukrainska Pravda," six residential buildings, 26 houses, an educational institution, outbuildings, vehicles, a gas pipeline, and shops were damaged. Additionally, dry grass on an area of approximately two hectares caught fire.
12:42 Zelensky Mocks Putin: "Mad Old Man from Red Square" On Ukraine's Independence Day, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky not only unveiled the Palianytsia drone but also ridiculed Russian leader Vladimir Putin, referring to him as a "mad old man from Red Square" due to his bombastic nuclear rhetoric. Zelensky stated: "The 71-year-old mad old man from Red Square constantly threatens everyone with the red button," and "he will not impose his red lines on us."
12:14 Energy Ministry: Over 500 Ukrainian Communities Still Without Power After Attacks More than 524 communities in Ukraine are still deprived of electricity following Russian attacks on the country's power infrastructure, as reported by the Ukrainian Energy Ministry via the state news agency Ukrinform. Although the situation is difficult, no power restrictions have been imposed on consumers. As per the statement, technicians have managed to restore electricity to over 7,200 people already. The ministry encourages citizens to conserve electricity wisely and responsibly, particularly in the evenings. Due to the extensive Russian military attacks on Ukraine's energy infrastructure, the energy system has sustained significant damage and remains vulnerable to disruptions.
11:38 Ukraine: 160 Engagements with Russian Troops Along the Front in a Day The Ukrainian side recorded 160 skirmishes with Russian troops along the frontline yesterday, with the most intense confrontations occurring in the direction of Pokrovsk, according to the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. Russian forces launched five missile attacks, followed by 95 guided aerial bombardments, in addition to attacks on Ukrainian positions, cities, and villages.
10:57 Reuters Staffer Missing After Hotel Rocket Attack in Kramatorsk - Search in Rubble Underway During the night, Russian troops targeted a hotel in the eastern Ukrainian city of Kramatorsk, as per Ukrainian reports, leaving a Reuters news agency staff member missing. Two others were injured. According to the news agency's official statement, a six-person Reuters team was staying at the Hotel Sapphire when the attack occurred. The building was "clearly struck by a rocket" the previous day. "One of our colleagues remains missing, while two others were sent to the hospital for treatment." They are working collaboratively with Kramatorsk authorities to locate the missing individual. The Donetsk region governor expressed concern over the situation on Telegram, stating that "Russian forces targeted Kramatorsk," resulting in two journalists' injuries and one disappearance. "Emergency services, police, and rescue teams are immediately dispatched to the scene to clear debris and execute rescue operations." The Russian Ministry of Defense did not provide an immediate comment in response to a request for clarification. "Russian troops reportedly attacked the city of Kramatorsk, likely with an Iskander-M missile," as stated in a statement from the Ukrainian Prosecutor General's Office. The strike occurred at 22:35 local time the previous day.
1:30 PM Update: The count of harmed Reuters employees has been revised to four, as reported by Donetsk region's military administration head, Vadym Fillaschkin, via Telegram.
10:44 AM: Ukraine's air defense forces seemed to have done an exceptional job last night, as eight out of nine Russian Shahed drones were intercepted and ruined by Ukrainian air defense forces, as shared by state news agency Ukrinform, quoting Air Force Commander Mykola Oleschuk. Not only were the majority of the kamikaze drones thwarted, but so were most of the rockets they launched.
10:20 AM: Several Western journalists suffered injuries in a Russian shelling in Kramatorsk, an Eastern Ukrainian city, overnight. The hotel was the target, resulting in two injured individuals being rescued and one still trapped under the rubble. This information was divulged by the governor of Donetsk region, Vadym Filashkin, on Telegram. "All three victims are journalists, hailing from Ukraine, the U.S., and the U.K." The attack was sanctioned in pro-Russian blogs, and Kramatorsk was reportedly attacked with heavy glide bombs of the FAB-1500 type. However, it's also reported that a machine-building factory and several military targets were hit.
09:54 AM: China voiced criticism against the tightened US regulations on various exporters from the People's Republic. The commercial ministry in Beijing said that the new restrictions obstruct the global trade order and hinder regular business dealings. China will take necessary measures to protect their companies' legitimate rights. This response was in reaction to US government's decision last Friday, which placed 105 companies, including 42 Chinese, 63 Russian, and 18 from other nations, on a trade restriction list. These companies are accused of transferring US electronics to the Russian military and producing drones for Russia's war in Ukraine.
09:29 AM: The US think tank Institute for the Study of War (ISW) appeals for the authorization of the extensive use of long-range missiles on Russian territory by Ukraine. Although the air forces have retreated deeper into the rear, many military targets are still within the range of US ATACMS missiles, which Ukraine already possesses, but due to US restrictions, cannot be used for attacks on Russian territory. "ISW estimates that at least 250 military and paramilitary objectives in Russia are within range of the ATACMS missiles supplied by the United States to Ukraine," according to a recent analysis by ISW. However, only attacks using HIMARS multiple rocket launchers and GLMRS rockets are currently permitted. "This allows Ukraine to strike a maximum of 20 out of the 250 objectives," the ISW explains.
09:06 AM: According to Kyiv's officials, 1190 Russian soldiers were either killed or incapacitated within a day. Since the war started in February 2022, the Ukrainian Defense Ministry reports a total of 607,680 Russian soldiers "eliminated." The ministry also reports that the enemy has lost five more tanks (8547 in total) since the beginning of the Russian invasion. The Ukrainian military claims they have accounted for over 16,600 armored vehicles and around 14,000 drones either captured or destroyed by the Russian military. These numbers cannot be independently verified, as Moscow continues to keep their losses under wraps.
08:39 AM: Ukraine reported numerous Russian missile and drone launches at its northern and eastern parts overnight. "Most missiles missed their targets," the air force stated. Russia used several types of missiles, including the Iskander-M, Iskander-K, and six guided missiles. The number of intercepted missiles was not disclosed, nor was the information on destroyed drones.
08:08 AM: The number of injured in a Russian rocket attack on Kharkiv Oblast's Slobidsky district increased to six, according to Mayor Ihor Terekhov, as reported by Ukrinform.
07:32 AM: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky lauded the newly manufactured Palianytsia rocket drones. The Ukrainian leader emphasized the importance of these rocket drones and military developments for the country, given the delays in support from certain international partners. "Today, our new weapon had its first and successful deployment," he said, as reported by "Kyiv Independent." "A completely new class of Ukrainian rocket drone, Palianytsia."
06:55 AM: Commander of Azov accused Ukraine of biased prisoner exchange: No Azov fighters among freed soldiers. Despite the Azov regiment being in Russian captivity for over two years, the commander mentioned his disappointment that none of the Azov fighters were included in the prisoner exchange.
06:14 Governor: Five Dead in Ukrainian Airstrike on Russian Border Region BelgorodFive individuals have tragically lost their lives and twelve others, four critically, were wounded in a Ukrainian aerial assault on the Russian border area of Belgorod during the night, as per local officials. Governor Vyacheslav Gladkov reported that three minors were among the injured, two of whom required hospitalization. Ukrainian forces have ramped up their attacks on Russian territory, including an incursion into the Kursk region adjacent to Belgorod in early August. Belgorod has been a frequent target of Ukrainian air and drone strikes, which are believed to be retaliations for attacks originating from the Russian side.
05:47 Russia: Civilians Killed in Ukrainian ShellingFive civilians met their end and another twelve were injured in an artillery shelling in the city of Rakitnoe in the southwestern Russian region, as announced by Vyacheslav Gladkov, the region's governor, using the Telegram messaging service. Although verification was not independently confirmed, Ukraine has yet to issue a statement.
04:26 City of Sumy Suffers Rocket Hits and InjuriesThe city of Sumy has reportedly been struck by rockets, according to regional military authorities. Two rocket strikes are documented, resulting in the injury of seven people, two seriously. Russia initiated an attack on Sumy's civilian infrastructure on Saturday evening, according to reports.
03:35 Kharkiv: Rocket Attack Launched on Two CitiesOleh Synyehubov, the governor of the Kharkiv region, has issued a warning that the Russian military has unleashed rocket attacks on the cities of Kharkiv and Chuhuiv. Currently, one individual has been injured. A more significant explosion is said to have taken place in Kharkiv, as per the city's mayor, Ihor Terechov, via Telegram. He urges caution among the population as the cause of the explosion remains unclear.
03:06 Ukrainian Air Defense Alerts of Combat DronesAn air alert has been declared in the eastern and southern regions of Ukraine during the night. The Ukrainian air forces have issued a warning, among other things, of a group of Shahed combat drones moving towards the southern Ukrainian region of Mykolaiv via the Black Sea. Amplified Russian attacks may occur in the vicinity of Ukrainian Independence Day, which fell on Saturday. Although a significant assault wave has yet to materialize.
01:32 Hungary Accuses Brussels of Halting Oil SuppliesHungary holds the EU Commission responsible for the interruption of Russian oil supplies, according to Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto. He believes that the EU Commission's unwillingness to assist in securing Hungary and Slovakia's energy supply is an indication of orders originating from Brussels to Kiev to negatively impact Hungary and Slovakia's energy supply. The EU Commission declines to comment on the matter initially. Ukraine listed Russian oil producer Lukoil on the sanctions list in June and closed the Druzhba pipeline, which runs through Ukrainian territory, significantly limiting access to oil for countries like Hungary and Slovakia.
22:12 Russian Troops Injure Four Women in Attack on Village in KupyanskRussian forces launched an attack on the village of Novoosynove in the Kupyansk district of the Kharkiv region, injuring four women, as reported by Oleh Syniehubov, head of the military administration of the Kharkiv region. The occupying forces assaulted the village around 12:00, resulting in a building being set ablaze. The injured were transferred to a medical facility. Investigations into the attack's aftermath are still ongoing.
21:03 British Defense Minister: "Ukraine has consistently faced a stronger Russian adversary"John Healey, the UK's Secretary of State for Defense, acknowledged Ukraine's Independence Day in a guest article on "European Pravda." "Thirty-three years ago, Ukraine proclaimed its independence, promising a brighter, more prosperous future as a self-governing democracy, free from Soviet Russia's control," Healey said. Today, Ukrainians are celebrating their Independence Day amidst conflict. It represents an existential battle to maintain independence as a sovereign nation against Putin's ruthless illegal invasion. "Ukraine has consistently faced a stronger Russian adversary," Healey wrote. Despite the odds, they continue to fight with remarkable courage, both their military forces and the civilian population. The British must reaffirm their support for their Ukrainian allies, ensuring their commitment will remain steadfast as long as necessary. Thus, the UK initiates a campaign today, urging individuals across Britain and beyond to express their solidarity with the Ukrainians through social media. "On social media, we encourage you to 'Make Noise for Ukraine' and share related posts. Beyond our military and economic support to Ukraine, we offer our friendship and allegiance," Healey added.
20:05 Zelensky Promotes Syrsky to GeneralUkrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has bestowed the rank of general upon Oleksandr Syrsky, the commander-in-chief of the Ukrainian Armed Forces, as outlined in a decree issued by Zelensky. Previously, Syrsky held the rank of colonel general. The promotion was granted in recognition of the Ukrainian forces' successful progress in the Russian border region of Kursk as of now.
In light of the ongoing negotiations, it would be challenging for India to host a second round of peace talks given its non-endorsement of the previous meeting's final resolution.
In response to the ban of the pro-Russian Orthodox Church in Ukraine, Pope Francis emphasized, "No Christian church should be abolished directly or indirectly. Churches should not be meddled with!"
