Moscow sentenced Ukrainian traitors to harsh prison terms (21:56)
In Moscow, a District Military Court in Russia sentenced two men, Andrei Morozov (age 24) and Anatoli Poplavski (age 56), to long prison terms for attempting to join the ranks of the "Legion of Free Russia," a paramilitary unit where deserters from the Russian armed forces and other Russian and Belarusian volunteers fight against Russia on the side of Ukraine. According to Radio Free Europe (RFE), Poplavski has two young children living in Ukraine and a wife he is currently divorcing. The announcement states that the man spent some time in two countries.
21:00 Lavrov blames US for escalating violence
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, speaking at a UN Security Council session, attributed the many deaths in Ukraine and the Palestinian territories to the US. "By giving diplomatic protection to Israel and supplying them with weapons and ammunition, Washington has become - it's clear to everyone - a direct participant in the conflicts, just as in Ukraine," Lavrov told Russian news agencies in New York. He further stated that as soon as the US ceased its support, the bloodshed would end in both cases. The unprecedented wave of violence in the Middle East is a result of US policy in the region, claimed the Russian chief diplomat, whose government itself initiated the attack on Ukraine.
20:08 Over 4.6 million Ukrainians register for military service
From May 18 to July 16, 2024, 4,690,496 men in the military age range registered for military service in Ukraine. The Ukrainian Defense Ministry announced this in a Facebook post. To expedite the mobilization, Ukraine had tightened the call-up rules for men in April. According to the law, all men in the military age group were required to update their military documents at public centers, enlistment offices, or the "Reserv+ app." Failure to comply was punishable by law. Among the over four million conscripts, the Ukrainian Defense Ministry reports that three million will become reservists.
19:22 Putin warns against crypto mining energy consumption in Russia
Russian President Vladimir Putin has warned against the mining of cryptocurrencies in Russia due to the high energy consumption. Currently, "almost 1.5 percent of the total energy consumption" is being used for crypto mining, Putin said during a televised meeting with government officials. This number "is growing," the President cautioned. Russia is one of the leading countries for mining new cryptocurrencies. Miners operate thousands of computers, often housed in large halls, to validate transactions and receive new cryptocurrency in return. The Kremlin, however, is skeptical of the unregulated industry. Putin warned that the uncontrolled growth of energy consumption for crypto mining "could lead to power outages in certain regions." According to reports, three Siberian regions have already experienced power shortages due to intensive crypto mining. Siberia has been a hub for crypto mining due to its cheap electricity and cold weather for a long time.
18:53 EU releases 4.2 billion Euro to Ukraine
Ukraine is set to receive the first regular payment from the EU's new billion-euro aid program. The country has met the conditions for this payment, according to the EU commission in charge of the evaluation. Nearly 4.2 billion Euro can be disbursed, the commission stated. The conditions for the first payment reportedly required the government in Kiev to pass new laws enabling a more effective fight against tax evasion and economic crime. Additionally, fundamental principles for the management of state-owned enterprises had to be adapted, and a national energy and climate plan had to be adopted.
18:17 Russia demolishes Holodomor memorials in Luhansk
In the eastern Ukrainian city of Luhansk, occupied by Russia, memorials for the victims of Stalin's repressions and the Holodomor have been dismantled. According to Radio Free Europe (RFE), this information comes from videos being spread on Telegram. The Holodomor, also known as the Ukrainian Famine, was a man-made famine in Ukraine from 1932 to 1933 that claimed millions of lives.
17:49 Power outages in the hot southern Russia
Power outages are being implemented in many regions in southern Russia due to extreme heat and a failed atomic reactor. Governor Vasili Golubev announced this on his Telegram channel. In Sevastopol on the annexed Crimean Peninsula, the local power supplier is warning of power cuts lasting twelve hours a day - two hours with electricity, then two hours without.
17:05 Russia ships first grain cargo to Cuba from new Baltic Sea terminal
Russia has reportedly shipped its first grain cargo from a new terminal in its Baltic Sea port of Ust-Luga. The agricultural regulatory body announced this to the news agency Reuters. Russia is the world's largest wheat exporter, and about 90% of its exports go through ports in the Black Sea. Russia has recently tried to use various export routes. From the Lugaport, 12,000 tons of grain were shipped for the first time in June. According to data from the information provider LSEG, the destination was Cuba. The port of Ust-Luga made headlines in January when a fuel terminal caught fire. Ukrainian media reported that the cause was a drone attack by the Ukrainian intelligence services.
16:29 Ukraine arrests "Russian informant" in Kharkiv
The Ukrainian security service (SBU) has reportedly arrested a "Russian informant" in the Kharkiv region. The SBU announced this in a statement. The woman is accused of sharing information in a Telegram channel of the Russian intelligence services. The SBU claims to have documented how the woman was traveling in the eastern outskirts of Kharkiv and recorded the locations of Ukrainian military checkpoints and other military fortifications.
15:44 NATO sends top British officials to Kiev
NATO is strengthening its civilian representation in Ukraine and sending a high-ranking alliance representative to Kiev. The former deputy secretary-general, Patrick Turner, will head the NATO representation in the Ukrainian capital from September and serve as the central point of contact for local authorities. He will also help coordinate military assistance for Ukraine and provide Allied information and assessments on the country's situation. This follows the decisions made at the recent NATO summit in Washington.
15:03 Russia: Ukrainian drone kills two civilians in Belgorod
In the Russian border region of Belgorod, according to local authorities, two people were killed in a Ukrainian drone attack. The victims were reportedly a young couple traveling in a civilian vehicle outside the regional capital Belgorod, as regional governor Vyacheslav Gladkov announced.
14:36 Russia and Ukraine exchange prisoners of war
Russia and Ukraine have exchanged prisoners of war, according to Russian statements. Each side reportedly handed over 95 soldiers. The Russian Defense Ministry and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy shared this information on their respective platforms. The United Arab Emirates mediated the exchange. The returning Russian soldiers will first undergo medical checks in Moscow.
13:55 Sharma: Ukraine must give up symbolic village
Ukraine is taking a series of setbacks at the front, as reported by NTV reporter Kavita Sharma from Kiev. Following the Russian rocket attack on a children's clinic in the Ukrainian capital, the military reported withdrawals in the Dnipro and Donetsk regions.
13:24 Kremlin dismisses doubts about offensive success
The Kremlin has refuted speculation about the failure of the Russian offensive in the northeastern Ukraine. "The operation is continuing and will continue until it is successfully completed," Kreml spokesman Dmitry Peskov said today. Yesterday, the governor of Belgorod announced access restrictions to 14 villages on the Russian side near the border. These measures were taken to protect the population from Ukrainian attacks. In response to a question about whether the access restrictions indicated that the offensive in the northeast had failed, Peskov replied: "No, that's not the case."
12:48 Study: Social benefits have little impact on employment of Ukrainian refugees
Social benefits such as social assistance have little influence on the employment rate of Ukrainian refugees. Instead, factors like social networks in the respective countries, the level of English language proficiency of the population, and childcare services are significant. This is revealed in a Europe-wide study by the Institute for Labor Market and Vocational Research (IAB). In Germany, the employment rate of Ukrainian refugees is 27%, which is in the middle range. The highest rate is in Lithuania with 57%, Denmark with 53%, and Poland with 48%.
11:53 Protecting against rockets: Charkiw students learn under ground
Children in the city of Charkiw, which has been under almost daily Russian shelling since the beginning of the war in the northeastern Ukraine, will reportedly be taught more frequently in underground schools according to local authorities: The city administration has already implemented an underground school project. The construction of three more such facilities has begun. The students will be better protected from Russian air raids in these underground schools.
11:22 Media: Ukraine is to receive 32 outdated F-16s from Greece
Greece plans to decommission and transfer 32 outdated F-16 combat jets to the USA. After modernization, these planes are expected to be delivered to Ukraine, according to the portal "New Voice of Ukraine," citing a report from Al Jazeera. Ukraine already has 60 F-16 jets from Denmark, Norway, and the Netherlands, but it reportedly needs at least 150 combat jets to launch rockets and missiles against Russia and repel aerial attacks on a broad front. There have been numerous devastating bombing raids, the latest being on a children's hospital in Kyiv with at least seven fatalities.
10:35 Ukraine reports 112 frontline engagements since yesterday
The Ukrainian army's General Staff recorded 112 engagements along the frontline in the past 24 hours. Among these were four rocket attacks on Ukrainian forces and populated areas, as well as 71 air raids involving 119 guided air-dropped bombs. Russia conducted over 4,300 artillery attacks, including 121 with multiple rocket launchers, according to the update.
09:54 Russia and China begin joint naval exercise
Russia and China have begun a naval exercise in the South China Sea. The exercise is scheduled to last three days, according to Russian and Chinese state media. They will reportedly practice air and underwater defense during the drills, with live ammunition to be used. Just a few days before Russia's invasion of Ukraine in 2022, both countries announced a strengthening of their partnership and described it as "boundless."
08:43 Ministry reports 42,000 missing Ukrainians
Approximately 42,000 people are currently missing in Ukraine, including soldiers and civilians, according to the Interior Ministry. The number was previously higher, at around 51,000, but about 4,000 soldiers who went missing in battle have since been found and identified. Around 3,000 missing persons have been located alive, many of whom were prisoners of war. Identifying the dead is difficult because the Defense Ministry does not take DNA samples from soldiers it sends into the field.
08:15 Hungary lobbies for Russia's participation in second Ukraine peace conference
Hungary is advocating for Russia's attendance at the planned second Ukraine peace conference. There are efforts to hold another peace conference this year, Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto said. "I believe that if we want to hope for the success of a future peace conference, we must ensure that both sides are represented." Hungary currently holds the EU presidency. The first peace conference took place in June at the request of Ukraine, with representatives from over 90 countries attending in Switzerland. Russia declared its disinterest in the conference and was therefore not invited.
07:46 Russia and Ukraine to exchange 90 prisoners today
Russia and Ukraine are to exchange 90 prisoners today. This was reported by the Bloomberg news agency, citing an unnamed source. Ukrainian media reported last week that the parliament's human rights ombudsman, Dmytro Lubinez, had announced that the Ukrainian government was planning a large-scale prisoner exchange with Russia with the help of the United Arab Emirates. The two warring parties have already exchanged prisoners on multiple occasions.
06:55 Ukrainian Startups Develop Robots for the FrontlineUkrainian Startups develop cost-effective Robots for Mine clearing, evacuation of battlefields, transportation of equipment and combat units. This is reported by the Ukrainian agency Ukrinform. An "ecosystem of labs in hundreds of secret workshops" uses innovations to create a Robot army. Ukraine hopes that this army can kill Russian troops and save its own wounded soldiers and civilians, according to Ukrinform.
06:20 Heads of State and Government of 47 Countries Speak about UkraineAt the invitation of the new British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, the Heads of State and Government of 47 Countries will meet tomorrow. The 27 EU member states plus 20 Third States will discuss further aid for Ukraine in the defense war against Russia. German Chancellor Olaf Scholz is also registered. There will be several round tables on security policy and defense, but other topics will also be discussed. Ukraine is represented at the conference.
04:37 Japan Grants Ukraine a Loan from Frozen Russian AssetsJapan reportedly grants Ukraine a loan of 3.3 billion Dollars from the interest on frozen Russian assets. The sum is part of the 50-billion-Dollar package of the G7 countries, reports the news agency Kyodo, citing informed sources. The USA and the European Union (EU) each provide 20 billion Dollars. Japan, Great Britain, and Canada contribute a total of ten billion Dollars. The package is expected to be adopted at a G7 meeting on the sidelines of the G20 Finance Summit at the end of the month in Brazil.
03:26 German Government Grants Ukraine ten Million Euros for the Reconstruction of a Children's ClinicAfter the rocket attack on the children's hospital in Kiev, the German Development Ministry grants the Ukrainian government ten million Euros for the reconstruction. The funds will be used together with funds from other donors and donors to quickly make the hospital operational and winter-proof again, reports the "Rheinische Post" based on ministry information. This includes repairs and maintenance work on facades, in treatment rooms, and the power and heating supply.
02:10 Medvedev Warns NATO of a "Point of No Return"After the NATO summit's promise to consider Ukraine's membership, former Russian President Dmitri Medvedev renewed his threats against the Alliance. In an article for the Russian news portal Argumenty I Fakty, he called a possible Ukrainian membership a potential declaration of war on Russia. "This would essentially be a declaration of war - if only with a delay. The measures that Russia's adversaries have been taking against us for years by expanding the Alliance, ... bring NATO to a point of no return." Russia does not threaten the NATO, but will react to attempts by the Alliance to advance its interests. "The harder their attempts, the harsher our responses will be," Medvedev says. "Whether this tears the whole planet apart depends only on the wisdom of the NATO side."
01:00 Ukrainian soldiers use "expired" ammunition
The Ukrainian Defense Ministry, according to its own statements, has returned a "considerable amount" of old ammunition to the military, which should have been disposed of before the first Russian attack on Ukrainian territory in 2014. The ammunition is already being used on the battlefield. "We are looking for internal reserves to supply Ukrainian soldiers with ammunition. We know that every shot, every rocket, and every grenade today on the battlefield is life-saving," said Deputy Defense Minister Yuriy Dzhyharyov. Everything that can be repaired and reused is given a second life.
23:37 Ukrainian troops give up positions in the southeast
Ukrainian troops have reportedly had to give up positions in the southeast of the country at Krynky in the Cherson region and Uroschajne in the Donezk region under Russian pressure. "In both settlements, it no longer made sense to hold the positions due to the extensive damage," quote Ukrainian media sources in the General Staff. The fighting for the settlement of Krynky on the southern bank of the Dnipro River in the Cherson region was criticized from the outset due to its futility. It is unclear whether Ukrainian soldiers are still holding out on the southern bank of the Dnipro. Read more here.
22:07 New aid for Ukraine
UN High Commissioner for Refugees Filippo Grandi announced a new aid package of $100 million (around €93 million) during a visit to Ukraine. The UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) will support the preparation for winter and will continue to support the government in Kiev in helping displaced or otherwise affected Ukrainians, Grandi said during a meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Kiev. The aid organization also plans to mobilize future funds to support the attacked country. Zelenskyy thanked for the help, which is urgently needed due to the damage to the energy infrastructure from Russian attacks. At the same time, the Presidential Administration announced that the country still needs help to rebuild destroyed houses and install bomb shelters in schools and hospitals. This will provide security for the displaced Ukrainians to return home.
21:27 Ukraine reports destruction of Russian S-300 air defense system
Ukraine has reportedly destroyed a Russian S-300 air defense system in the occupied Donetsk region, according to Ukrainian statements. This was announced by Ukrainian General Staff Chief Oleksandr Syryk on Twitter. In a video spread by the Ukrainian military, several hits from alleged ATACMS rockets with cluster munitions can be seen. According to Syryk, several launchers and a radar station of the system were destroyed.
20:49 Report: Ukrainian Government may resign
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy apparently stands shortly before reshuffling his cabinet and demanding the resignation of Premier Minister Denys Schmyhal. This is reported by the "Kyiv Post" with reference to an unnamed source in the Ukrainian Parliament. The Ukrainian Parliament has been instructed to prepare for a discussion and vote on a new cabinet on Tuesday in the coming week, according to the newspaper. Even Zelenskyy himself spoke on Monday about the possible cabinet reshuffle. "Could there be changes in the government? Probably, yes", so the Ukrainian President. One is in a process.
20:02 Baltic States leaving Russian power grid
The Baltic States have reportedly informed Russia and its allies Belarus of their exit from the power grid of the former Soviet Union. "We will cut the last energy connections with Russia", explains the CEO of the state Lithuanian grid operator Litgrid, Rokas Masiulis. This step is supposed to take place in February 2025. Shortly thereafter, the three countries will connect to the European power grid. "In half a year we will not only disconnect from the Russian and Belarusian power grid, but also dismantle the last power lines", explains Masiulis.
19:20 Lindner criticizes Orbán's "Alleingaenge"
Following the controversy over Viktor Orbán's Moscow trip, Germany and other EU members are increasing pressure on Budapest. At a finance ministers' meeting in Brussels, most EU members called on Hungary to continue prioritizing Ukraine aid. German Finance Minister Christian Lindner accused Orbán of "Alleingaenge" (going it alone). "Hungary should know that the peace and freedom order of Europe as a whole is being defended in Ukraine", said Lindner in the public debate. The priority of this under Hungary's EU presidency must also remain "Top-Priority" until the end of the year. Hungary's Finance Minister Mihaly Varga had previously presented seven priorities from the fight against illegal migration to competitiveness, but did not mention Ukraine.
You can read about all previous developments here.**
- Despite Russia's blame on the US for the violence in Ukraine, over 4.6 million men in the military age range have registered for military service in Ukraine, as announced by the Ukrainian Defense Ministry.
- The NATO is strengthening its civilian representation in Ukraine and sending a high-ranking alliance representative to Kiev, following the decisions made at the recent NATO summit in Washington.
- In the context of the Ukraine-Conflict, Russia has warned against the mining of cryptocurrencies in Russia due to the high energy consumption, with President Vladimir Putin citing the uncontrolled growth of energy consumption for crypto mining as a potential issue.
- Russia has blamed the US for the many deaths in Ukraine and the Palestinian territories, attributing the violence to US diplomatic protection for Israel and supply of weapons and ammunition, as stated by Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov.
- In response to the attack on Ukraine, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has reinforced the country's cyber defense with the help of international partners, aiming to protect against cyberwarfare threats from Russia.
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