NATO enhances security measures at Geilenkirchen airfield.
NATO Boosts Security at German Base due to Potential Danger
The NATO has amplified security measures at the airbase in Geilenkirchen, North Rhine-Westphalia, due to a possible threat. All non-essential personnel have been sent home, as a spokesperson for the base announced. The decision stemmed from intelligence suggesting a potential danger. "There's no reason to worry, this is just a preventive action to guarantee we can continue our crucial tasks," the spokesperson stated. The police confirmed their presence. Further details, such as the number of deployed forces, remained unshared.
22:07 Ukraine Hits Russian Facility in Kursk
The Ukrainian military reports another attack on Russian troops in the Kursk region. Employing precision-guided American bombs, they targeted a Russian support point in the afternoon, according to the commander of the air forces, Mykola Oleshchuk. "A drone command center, a radio-electronic warfare unit, equipment, weapons, and up to 40 Russian military personnel were impacted," Oleshchuk mentioned alongside a video assertedly showing the strike.
21:43 Initial Meeting of Swiz Peace Summit's Follow-up
Following the peace summit in Switzerland in June, an initial follow-up meeting has occurred, as per Ukrainian reports. Representatives from more than 40 countries and organizations participated in the virtual session. Additional such meetings of working groups are scheduled.
21:08 Habeck Encourages Employment for Ukrainian Refugees in Germany
Germany's Economy Minister Robert Habeck advocates for more Ukrainian refugees in Germany to find work. While family-related issues, illness, war traumas, or required childcare could potentially hinder employment, the Green politician expressed to Welt TV that "in general, it's better for everyone to work – it's better for the people, for their integration, and for the social system." Habeck showed skepticism towards statements by Brandenburg's Minister President and SPD politician Dietmar Woidke, who questioned the distribution of basic income to Ukrainian refugees, attributing this to "rough eastern German election campaigns and not being fully thought through."
20:28 Ukrainian Military Announces Counteroffensive in Kharkiv Region: Two Kilometers Advance
The Ukrainian military has announced an advancement in the Kharkiv region. Their troops have reportedly penetrated nearly two kilometers into the frontline area, according to the 3rd Separate Assault Brigade of the Ukrainian ground troops. The primary aim of the operation was to weaken the offensive potential of the 20th Army of the Russian Federation, which the Ukrainian military claims has been achieved. The extent of the reported counterattack remains unclear. The brigade also reported that the Russian side has lost 300 soldiers in the last four days, and a substantial amount of equipment and weapons have been destroyed or damaged.
20:00 Intelligence Agency Claims to Interrupt Russian TV Broadcast
The Ukrainian military intelligence (HUR) alleges they successfully disrupted the broadcast of several Russian TV channels and replaced it with a video about the war in Ukraine. "HUR has 'hacked' Russian television and made the reality of the war visible to the population," a source within the intelligence agency informed the "Kyiv Post" newspaper and the RBC Ukraine news agency. The video was repeated three times during prime time the previous night. Channels affected included Pervouralsk, Evraziya 360, and Pervyj Kanal TV. Consequently, nine channels temporarily halted their programming.
19:16 Lithuania Reports Decline in Russian Ground Troops in Kaliningrad
The commander of the Lithuanian armed forces, Raimundas Vaikshnoras, informed the news portal "Delfi" that there has been a decline in the number of Russian ground troops stationed in the Russian exclave of Kaliningrad, situated between Poland and Lithuania on the Baltic Sea. He ascribes this to the Ukrainian offensive in the Russian region of Kursk. Since the start of the war against Ukraine, it has been observed that a significant amount of equipment and personnel have been redeployed from Kaliningrad. The soldiers have returned after rotation, but a decrease is now noticeable, especially among the ground troops.
18:40 "What Use Are Armenians?" - Lukashenko Sparks Protests
Belarusian leader Alexander Lukashenko's comments regarding Armenia have sparked protests. Demonstrators pelted the Belarusian embassy in the Armenian capital Yerevan with eggs on Wednesday and demanded the ambassador's departure, according to Ukrainian media. Earlier, Lukashenko had criticized Armenia's pro-Western stance in Russian state television, saying, "What use are Armenians? No one needs them. Let them develop their economy and rely on their own resources. Who is Macron? Tomorrow, when Macron is gone, everyone will forget the Armenians." The relationship between Armenia and Russia, its long-standing ally, has become increasingly strained since Azerbaijan seized the region of Nagorno-Karabakh in a military blast in September, ending three decades of Armenian separatist rule.
18:03 Ukraine Reports Casualties from Guided Bomb Attack
Two people lost their lives in the Sumy region, close to the Russian region of Kursk, in an attack using two guided bombs, the Ukrainian prosecutor's office reported. The targets of the Russian bombs were infrastructure components. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky had visited Sumy earlier that day and stated that since parts of Kursk had been captured, attacks on Sumy had decreased.
In the Russian port of Kavkaz, situated in the Krasnodar region east of Crimea, a fuel-carrying ferry is reportedly ablaze. This incident follows allegations of a Ukrainian assault. Various Russian news outlets have distributed visuals and videos depicting the inferno and thick smoke plumes. The Ukrainian Armed Forces have also disseminated such media content on social platforms, with the caption "Neptune pays a visit to the Kavkaz port" on their Telegram channel. Unverified intel from Russian Telegram channels suggests the ship may have been struck by a Neptune anti-ship missile of Ukrainian origin. However, the weapon's official range is 300 kilometers, with combat zones situated further away. This significant port is frequently utilized by Moscow to supply its troops engaged in the conflict against Ukraine.
Update at 18:39: According to the Krasnodar region's crisis center, the ferry has unfortunately sunk following the fire. It is reported to have been loaded with 30 fuel tanks. More information can be found here.**
16:41 Russia Reports Advancements Near Pokrovsk, Ukraine Declares Victories in Kursk
The Russian military reports capturing another village close to Pokrovsk's city in eastern Ukraine, pushing its forces approximately 10 kilometers from the city, a crucial logistics hub. Earlier, Ukrainian President Zelenskij announced intentions to reinforce troops in the Pokrovsk area. Now, he announces successes in the Kursk region of Russia, taking another village and capturing more Russian soldiers. According to these claims, Ukrainian troops control 94 villages and over a thousand square kilometers of land in Kursk. However, these statements have not been confirmed independently.
16:12 Ukraine Denies Attempted Nuclear Power Plant Assault: Russia Could Stage "Nuclear Provocation"
Ukraine denies Russian President Vladimir Putin's claim that Ukrainian forces attempted an attack on the Kursk nuclear power plant last night. "This is a flagrant lie," asserts Andrii Kovalenko, head of the counter-disinformation department at the National Security and Defense Council of Ukraine. This falsehood follows previous Russian assertions that Ukraine is planning a "nuclear provocation" at the Kursk and Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plants. Instead, all signs point towards Russia potentially carrying out this provocation, according to Kovalenko. He considers the "risk of a nuclear provocation by Russia" significant, given Putin's involvement.
15:46 EU Gas Storage Levels at 90%Two months before the target date, EU gas storage facilities have reached a 90% fill rate. The EU declares preparedness for the upcoming winter. Following the commencement of Russia's invasion of Ukraine, the 27 member states agreed in summer 2022 that EU gas storage should be at an average 90% capacity by November 1. According to data from the Gas Infrastructure Europe portal, there are disparities among countries: Spain records a 100% fill rate, while Latvia hovers around 69%. Germany's storage is 93.6% full. The EU aims to lessen its reliance on Russian natural gas, importing more liquefied natural gas (LNG) from the US and natural gas from Norway instead.
15:21 Putin Accuses Ukraine of Nuclear Power Plant AttemptRussian President Vladimir Putin implicates Ukraine in an attempted attack on the nuclear power plant in Kursk. "The enemy attempted to attack the nuclear facility last night," Putin reports without offering evidence. "The International Atomic Energy Agency has been notified," he adds during a televised cabinet meeting. The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) had previously expressed concern about the potential impact of fighting on the power plant and urged "all parties to exercise maximum restraint." More information can be found here.
14:50 IAEA Chief's Visit to Kursk Nuclear Power Plant PlannedThe chief of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), Rafael Grossi, is scheduled to visit the Russian nuclear power plant in Kursk next week. An IAEA spokesperson corroborates this planned visit "next week." In early August, the Ukrainian military executed a surprise large-scale offensive in the Russian region of Kursk. Shortly after, the Russian state nuclear energy corporation Rosatom warned of a threat to the nuclear power plant from Ukrainian attacks, which is situated about 100 kilometers from the Ukrainian border.
14:21 Russia: 115,000 People EvacuatedOver 115,000 people have been evacuated from endangered Russian regions near the Ukrainian border, Deputy Prime Minister Denis Manturov reports. He discusses the assessment of damage to agriculture and industry caused by the Ukrainian offensive during a meeting with President Vladimir Putin and high-ranking administrators. "I've convened you here to discuss the recent developments in Russia's border regions," Putin begins the meeting.
14:00 Tusk Endorses India's Potential Mediation Role in Ukraine ConflictPolish Prime Minister Donald Tusk supports India's potential mediation role in the Ukraine conflict as advantageous. "I am pleased that the Prime Minister has reaffirmed his readiness to personally contribute to a swift, fair, and peaceful resolution of the war," Tusk comments in Warsaw following discussions with Modi. Modi's mediation proposal is particularly significant since he is planning a visit to Kyiv to meet with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. India maintains neutrality towards Russia's invasion of Ukraine and does not support Western sanctions against Moscow. More information can be found here.
13:40 "Doesn't seem like a 'restricted' Kursk pushback"German Chancellor Olaf Scholz apparently believes that the Ukrainian advance into Russian territory is a "spatially and temporally confined operation." However, as reported by ntv correspondent Nadja Kriewald, there's no indication supporting this view at the moment. In fact, she states in her current update from Sumy in eastern Ukraine, "it's quite the opposite."
13:20 Several Russian aircraft annihilated in attacks on SawaslejkaReports suggest that several Russian aircraft were destroyed during Ukrainian attacks on the airbase Sawaslejka. Suspilne, the public broadcaster, has reported this, citing intelligence service information. According to this information, a MiG-31K supersonic interceptor and two Il-76 strategic airlifters were destroyed on August 16, and approximately five aircraft, presumably MiG-31K/I, were damaged. In an attack on August 13, a fuel and lubricant depot was hit, and another MiG-31K/I was damaged.
13:06 Russian security agency probes CNN journalistsThe Russian FSB domestic security agency has launched investigations against foreign journalists involved in reporting from Kursk, a region under Ukrainian control. Charges have been filed against a CNN reporter and two Ukrainian female journalists for allegedly crossing the state border illegally, as stated by the FSB. According to their claims, the journalists filmed in the town of Sudcha, which is currently under Ukrainian control. The FSB has declared that international arrest warrants will be issued soon. These journalists could face up to five years in prison in Russia. A similar situation recently occurred with American journalist Evan Gershkovich, who was released as part of a prisoner exchange after being sentenced to 16 years in a labor camp for alleged espionage. Find out more here.
12:34 Zelensky in border region: "Exchange fund" amplifiedUkrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky visited the border region of Sumy in northeastern Ukraine, from where Ukrainian forces have been advancing into Russian territory for over two weeks. He announced the capture of another location in the Kursk region and the expansion of the "exchange fund," referring to the capture of Russian soldiers, intended for a future prisoner swap with Ukrainian detainees held in Russian custody. Zelensky mentioned that following the Kursk offensive, attacks on Sumy and civilian deaths in the area have decreased. He shared a video on social media, featuring him and the commander-in-chief of the Ukrainian troops, Oleksandr Syrskyi, discussing the reinforcement of troops in eastern Ukraine, where Russia is continuing its advance.
12:06 Suspected Russian drones monitoring critical infrastructure in BrunsbüttelRussian drones are suspected of surveilling the largest industrial park in Schleswig-Holstein. This claim comes from the "Bild" newspaper, which has reported sightings of drones flying over the decommissioned nuclear power plant and the LNG terminal in Brunsbüttel repeatedly in recent days. The public prosecutor's office in Flensburg is conducting an investigation, suspecting espionage with the intent to sabotage. According to the police, the flight ban zone was frequently violated, and an unknown object, possibly a military drone, was detected. "Bild" further suggests that these drones may be affiliated with Russian agents, possibly launched from ships in the North Sea. Learn more here.
11:40 US Embassy in Kyiv Warns of Future AttacksThe United States Embassy in Kyiv has issued a warning of heightened risks of air attacks in the approaching days before Ukraine's Independence Day on August 24. The embassy website warns of an increased threat that Russia may conduct attacks using drones or missiles in the coming days and over the weekend. Ukraine celebrates its independence from the Soviet Union on this date, which has gained more significance since the commencement of the conflict in Ukraine over two and a half years ago. Recently, Ukrainian soldiers unexpectedly penetrated Russian territory in the border region of Kursk. Russian President Vladimir Putin condemned this as a provocation and threatened a retaliatory response.
11:13 Military Base on Fire in VolgogradA fire has broken out at a military base near Marinovka in the southern Russian region of Volgograd. Residents have reported detonations. Russian authorities have blamed Ukrainian drone strikes for the fire, but no casualties have been reported.
10:41 Russia now relying on prefabricated bunkers in KurskAccording to local authorities, prefabricated concrete shelters are being erected for the population in Kursk, a Russian border region. Regional governor Alexei Smirnov explained on Telegram that under his instructions, the Kursk city administration has designated central locations for the installation of portable prefabricated bunkers. Bunkers are being built at highly populated places, including bus stops. Smirnov released a photo of a transport truck delivering one of the blocks, and bunkers are also being set up in two additional locations, one of which is Kursk, where the Kursk region's nuclear power plant is situated. Russia has accused Ukraine of planning to attack the plant, a claim Ukraine denies.
09:42 Multiple Regions in Russia Under Drone AttacksThe Russian military is reportedly dealing with several Ukrainian airstrikes in the country's western region, as per government statements. According to Volgograd Regional Governor Andrei Bocharov on Telegram, "most drones were neutralized" during an attack near Marinovka (mentioned at 07:30). In the border region of Kursk, Governor Alexei Smirnov reports that "two Ukrainian missiles and one drone were eliminated by Russian air defense." In the further southern region of Rostov, Governor Vasily Golubev reveals that "an attack with five drones was thwarted." Drones were also reportedly destroyed in the Russian regions of Voronezh and Bryansk.
09:09 Ukrainian Defense Minister Seeks Approval for Long-Range WeaponsUkrainian Defense Minister Rustem Umerov met with a bipartisan delegation of the US House of Representatives in Kyiv. As per the ministry in Kyiv, Republican Representative Rob Wittman and Democratic Representative David Trone discussed the situation at the front and the US policy on long-range weapons against Russian targets with Umerov. "I emphasized the necessity of immediately receiving approval from our allies to fully utilize long-range weapons against targets in Russia," said Umerov. "It's about safeguarding our tranquil cities and villages."
08:36 Hamill and Snyder Launch Fundraising Campaign for Mine-Clearing RobotsAmerican actor Mark Hamill, famous for his "Star Wars" role as Luke Skywalker, is raising funds for mine-detection robots for Ukraine. Together with Eastern Europe expert Timothy Snyder, they aim to raise $441,000 through the "Safe Terrain" campaign. These robots can clear mines, even in hard-to-reach areas, from a safe distance for the operators. "One of the worst atrocities Russia has committed in Ukraine is the scattering of millions of mines," says Snyder. "I've visited unoccupied areas close to the front, where people are taking risks to aid others returning to their farms and homes. With these robots, mines can be cleared, and lives can be saved." Ukraine is heavily contaminated with mines, their elimination could take decades.
08:01 Kremlin Prepares Russians for a "New Reality"The Ukrainian attack on Kursk poses problems for Moscow's propaganda. Although the regions are far away, a Kremlin-linked source informed the independent Russian portal Meduza, based in Riga, "But even the intrusion into Russian territory and the seizure of control over villages is a new and very unpleasant event." To ease tensions, which have become more severe than before the Kursk invasion, the Kremlin is trying to prepare the Russians for living in a "new reality" and a "new normal." The message is: The enemy has indeed entered Russian territory, they are on the brink of defeat, but the return of the territory will take time, and the Russians must wait. While encouraging the locals to "convert negativity and shock into a positive direction" - namely, by collecting aid for the Kursk region - all the interviewed officials by Meduza are confident that the fighting in the Kursk region could last several months. A government-linked source specifies that this estimate is "quite optimistic - if everything goes well."
07:30 Russian Governor Confirms Fire in Military FacilityRussia's authorities confirmed that a military facility in the Volgograd region's southern part had caught fire following a Ukrainian drone attack. Regional governor Andrei Bocharov announced on Telegram that the drone had crashed into the facility. No casualties were reported. Bocharov did not specify which military facility was affected. However, he clarified that Marinovka was the target of the attack, where Russia maintains an airbase.
06:56 Former Security Advisor: Putin's Manipulation of TrumpAccording to former US Security Advisor, General Herbert Raymond McMaster, Russian leader Vladimir Putin successfully manipulated then-US President Donald Trump. This is revealed in McMaster's book "At War With Ourselves: My Tour of Duty in the Trump White House," as reported by the "Guardian." "Putin, an ex-KGB man with ruthlessness, played on Trump's ego and insecurities with flattery," McMaster is quoted as saying. Putin called Trump "a truly outstanding person, talented, beyond any doubt." Putin had a hypnotic influence on Trump. McMaster, who worked as Trump's national security advisor for about a year, had cautioned Trump: "Mr. President, he's the best liar in the world." He believed Putin was confident he could "play" with Trump and achieve a relaxation of sanctions and a cheap withdrawal of US troops from Syria and Afghanistan.
06:20 Reports of Fire on Russian Airbase in VolgogradExplosions were reported overnight in the Volgograd region's Russian city of Kalach-on-Don. Various Russian Telegram channels suggest these were due to a drone attack. A fire is said to have broken out on a nearby airbase. The Volgograd region is approximately 900 kilometers southeast of Moscow. The target was likely the Marinovka airbase in the village of Oktyabrsky, about 20 kilometers from Kalach-on-Don. Witnesses in the area reported hearing six to ten loud explosions, accompanied by drone sounds, according to Telegram.
05:44 Klingbeil: Germany Prepares to Give Extra Aid to Ukraine if NecessaryGerman Social Democratic Party (SPD) leader Lars Klingbeil has promised additional support for Ukraine. If it turns out to be impossible to release the planned billions from Russia's frozen assets to Ukraine, Germany will provide further funding, Klingbeil said in a podcast with deputy "Bild" editor-in-chief Paul Ronzheimer. "We can't reach a point where we say 'That's it, no more money for Ukraine'," Klingbeil noted. "If that happens, we are obviously obligated to search for sources of funding within Germany. We have a responsibility towards Ukraine. Solutions must be found and we will find them."
04:27 Ukraine Discusses Drone Attacks on Russian TargetsThe Ukrainian military intelligence service HUR has talked about the targets of last night's drone strikes in Russia. They were aimed at Moscow airport Ostafyevo, Millerovo airbase in Rostov region, and a radio communications center, said HUR director Kyrylo Budanow to military news site "The War Zone". Around 50 drones were involved. The extent of any damage is currently being assessed. Russian authorities claimed to have shot down 45 drones over Russian territory in the morning.
03:09 Russia Plans to Protect Poll Workers with Body Armor in KurskIn preparation for the early regional elections in the contested Russian border region of Kursk, Russia plans to provide poll workers with bulletproof vests and helmets. Additionally, extra polling stations will be set up in other parts of the country for people who have fled the region, said Tatjana Malachova, head of the regional election commission, according to Russian news agencies. The region is under a state of emergency. Elections for governors and regional parliaments are scheduled in many regions of Russia from September 6 to 8.
01:34 Fico Accuses Western Democracies of Putting Pressure on Dissenting LeadersSlovak Prime Minister Robert Fico criticizes what he sees as pressure on foreign policy leaders who deviate from the consensus. He claims that those who challenge the status quo on important foreign policy issues are "arbitrarily put under pressure and threatened with isolation" by Western democracies. On the anniversary of the 1968 Moscow invasion, Fico compares the suppression of the "Prague Spring" by Warsaw Pact troops to what he sees as current pressure in Europe. Fico has been opposed to EU military aid for Ukraine and accused of being pro-Russian for his stance.
00:12 Ukraine Reports 46 Russian Attacks Near Pokrovsk in a DayUkraine reports repelling 44 out of 46 Russian attacks along the frontline near the city of Pokrovsk in eastern Ukraine. Fighting is still ongoing at two other sections as of 9 PM CET. The attacks resulted in 238 Russian soldiers being killed or wounded. There's no information on Ukrainian losses. Russia has yet to comment on the situation.
23:09 Russia Claims to Thwart Ukrainian Incursion into BryanskRussia claims to have foiled an incursion by Ukrainian "saboteurs" into the Russian border region of Bryansk, adjacent to Kursk. The governor of Bryansk, Alexander Bogomaz, says that the incursion by the "Ukrainian reconnaissance-sabotage group" was stopped by forces from the Russian security service FSB and Russian army units. He reports that the enemy was engaged by gunfire and that the situation is now under control.
22:15 Zelensky Hopes for Promised Aid to UkraineUkrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky expresses hope for the swift disbursement of the billion-dollar aid package promised by the West, with a significant portion coming from Russia's frozen state assets. While numerous political statements have been made by Ukraine's partners, Zelensky calls for a "real mechanism" to deliver the aid. He emphasizes that Ukraine needs the funds from Russia's frozen assets to defend against Russian aggression. The seven major Western industrialized nations (G7) agreed on a new financial aid package for Kyiv at their June summit, with a generous $50 billion loan secured by interest earnings from frozen Russian assets.
21:52 Putin Praise's Strong Economic Ties with ChinaRussian President Vladimir Putin praises the strengthening relationship with China, stating that "our trade relations are developing well" and that "both governments pay great attention to trade and economic relations, which are yielding fruit." He also mentions that China and Russia have "large-scale joint plans and projects in the economic and humanitarian spheres." Chinese Premier Li Qiang is quoted by the Kremlin as saying that China-Russia relations are "at an unprecedented high level." The strategic partnership between Russia and China has deepened since Russia's invasion of Ukraine, with China becoming a primary trading partner for Russia due to Western sanctions.
21:20 Release Denied: Former Russian Deputy Defense Minister Remains in CustodyThe former Russian Deputy Defense Minister, Dmitri Bulgakov, who is accused of corruption, will continue to remain in custody. His request for conditional release and his appeal against his detention have been rejected, according to state news agency TASS. Bulgakov was in charge of procuring materials for the Russian armed forces before his dismissal. The court in Moscow has also ordered the detention of two alleged accomplices of Bulgakov. Their company is said to have secured nine contracts from Bulgakov between 2022 and 2024. Damages are estimated at around 50 million rubles (approximately 500,000 euros), according to intermediaries.
9:00 pm: Ukraine boosts troops in PokrovskAs per Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, Ukraine is beefing up its military presence in the contentious Pokrovsk region in the eastern part of the nation. During a live broadcast, he revealed their awareness of Russian troops' strategies in the area. Additionally, Zelensky highlighted the Ukrainian progress in Kursk, a Russian region, which continues according to him. He pointed out their control over specific areas, but declined to offer additional information.
8:41 pm: Multiple Ukrainians in Hungary confront eviction from refugee homesIn Hungary, where a decree was implemented denying general refugee protection to Ukrainians, many find themselves at risk of losing their residences. Reports indicate that private refugee shelters have started to evict Ukrainians, as stated by the charity organization Migration Aid. In Kocs, north of Budapest, around 120 refugees, predominantly Roma women and children hailing from Transcarpathia, a western Ukrainian region with a substantial Hungarian minority, must vacate a guesthouse under police escort.
You can explore previous events here.
here.
Based on the provided text, here are two sentences that contain the words "The Commission" and follow from the initial text:
- The NATO commission has been closely monitoring the escalating situation in Ukraine and its impact on the security of its members.
- Due to the potential threat, The Commission has recommended strengthening border controls and increasing surveillance in NATO territories.
