Over 500 Ukrainian communities experience power outages following assaults
In Ukraine, 524 communities experience power outages due to Russian aggression. The Ukrainian Energy Ministry discloses this information via state news agency Ukrinform. The circumstances in the energy sector are pressing, yet no limitations have been imposed on consumers.
11:38 Ukraine: Over 160 Encounters with Russian Troops at the Front within 24 HoursThe Ukrainian side recorded 160 encounters at the front yesterday. Intense combat took place in ten regions, with the most tension observed in the direction of Pokrovsk, as indicated in this morning's situation report issued by the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. Russian forces launched five attacks with 15 missiles and 95 attacks with 127 guided aerial bombs on Ukrainian positions, as well as cities and villages.
10:57 Missing Reuters Employee after Hotel Attack in Eastern Ukrainian City of Kramatorsk - Search Continues in RubbleRussian forces targeted a hotel in the eastern Ukrainian city of Kramatorsk the previous night, according to Ukrainian sources. A Reuters employee is now unaccounted for, and two others were injured. In a statement from the news agency, it was reported that a six-member Reuters team was residing at the Hotel Sapphire when the incident occurred. The building was apparently struck by a rocket the previous day. "One of our colleagues is still missing, and two others have been transported to the hospital for medical attention," the statement said. They are collaborating with authorities in Kramatorsk. The governor of the Donetsk region wrote on Telegram that "the Russians attacked Kramatorsk." Two journalists were hurt, and one is still missing. "Authorities, police, and rescue services are on the scene. Demolition and rescue operations are underway." The Russian Ministry of Defense did not immediately respond to a request for comment. "Russian forces attacked the city of Kramatorsk, likely with an Iskander-M missile," a statement from the Ukrainian Prosecutor General's Office said, adding that they have initiated an "initial investigation" into the attack. The missile struck at 22:35 local time the previous day.
10:44 Air Force Commander: Over 80% of Russian Shahed Drones Intercepted and Destroyed Last NightUkraine's air defense forces appear to have had a successful night: they intercepted and destroyed over 80% of the Russian Shahed drones. The state news agency Ukrinform reports this, citing the commander of the air force, Mykola Oleschuk. Not only did Ukrainian defenders intercept over 80% of the kamikaze drones, but they also intercepted most of the missiles they launched.
10:20 Ukraine: Hotel in Kramatorsk Shelled - Several Western Journalists InjuredSeveral Western journalists were harmed in a Russian shelling of the eastern Ukrainian city of Kramatorsk the previous night, according to official reports. A hotel was struck, and two individuals were rescued injured, while one individual is still buried under the debris, the Ukrainian governor of the Donetsk region, Wadym Filaschkin, wrote on Telegram. "All three victims are journalists, citizens of Ukraine, the USA, and the UK." The attack was confirmed in pro-Russian blogs. According to them, Kramatorsk was attacked with heavy glide bombs of the FAB-1500 type. However, it is reported there that a machine-building factory and several military targets were hit.
09:54 US Electronics Exported to Russia: New US Export Regulations Criticized by China
China has criticized the tightened controls by the US against dozens of exporters from the People's Republic. The move disrupts the international trade order and impedes normal goods exchange, the Ministry of Commerce in Beijing stated. China will take necessary measures to protect the legitimate rights of its companies. The Ministry is reacting to a decision by the US government last Friday. This decision placed 105 companies - 42 Chinese, 63 Russian, and 18 from other countries - on a list with export restrictions. They were targeted for various reasons, from transferring US electronics to the Russian military to producing thousands of drones used by Russia in its invasion of Ukraine. These companies must now obtain hard-to-acquire licenses.
09:29 "250 Targets in Range" for Ukraine: ISW Calls for Unlimited Use of Long-Range Missiles
The US think tank Institute for the Study of War (ISW) is advocating for the unrestricted use of long-range weapons on Russian territory by Ukraine. Despite the redeployment of air forces to the deeper rear, many military targets remain within range of US ATACMS missiles, which Ukraine already employs, albeit under restrictions from Washington preventing their use against Russian territory. "ISW estimates that at least 250 military and paramilitary objects in Russia are within range of the ATACMS missiles provided by the United States to Ukraine," a recent analysis states. However, only attacks with HIMARS multiple rocket launchers and GLMRS missiles are presently permitted. "This enables Ukraine to target at most 20 of the 250 objects," says ISW.
09:06 Kyiv: 1,190 Russian Soldiers "Neutralized" in a Day
Russian personnel casualties remain high, according to official numbers from Kyiv. Within a day, 1,190 Russian soldiers are said to have been eliminated or incapacitated. According to the Ukrainian Ministry of Defense, a total of 607,680 Russian soldiers have been "neutralized" since the beginning of the war in February 2022. The Ministry announced in its daily statement on Russian losses that the enemy had also lost five more tanks (8,547 in total). Since the beginning of the Russian invasion, Ukraine has counted over 16,600 armored vehicles and around 14,000 drones that are no longer in the possession of the Russian military or have been destroyed. These figures cannot be independently confirmed. Moscow itself remains tight-lipped about its own losses in Ukraine.
08:39 Ukrainian Air Force: Majority of Russian Missiles and Drones Thwarted During Nighttime Operations
As reported, Ukraine claimed that Russia launched numerous missiles and drones towards its northern and eastern territories during the night. The Ukrainian Air Force declared that the majority of the missiles did not reach their intended targets. Various types of missiles were utilized, including Iskander-M ballistic missiles, Iskander-K cruise missiles, and six guided missiles. The specific number of destroyed missiles was not disclosed. Additionally, eight out of nine Russian assault drones were successfully shot down.
08:08 Casualties Rise to Six in Overnight Russian Rocket Assault on Kharkiv's Slobidsky DistrictThe number of casualties has increased to six following an overnight Russian rocket strike on the Slobidsky district in the Kharkiv region, according to Kharkiv Mayor Ihor Terekhov, as reported by Ukrainian state news agency Ukrinform.
07:32 Zelensky Commends Newly Manufactured Ukrainian Palianytsia Rocket DronesUkrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky praised the newly developed Palianytsia rocket drones produced in Ukraine. Zelensky stated that these rocket drones and other military advancements are vital for the nation, given the delays in decisions from certain international partners. "Today, our new weapon saw its first successful operation in combat," he said, as reported by "Kyiv Independent." "A brand-new class of Ukrainian rocket drones, the Palianytsia."
06:55 Azov Commander Criticizes Prisoner Swap: No Azov Fighters ReleasedNo Azov soldiers were involved in the recent prisoner swap between Russia and Ukraine, according to Ukrainian reports citing Brigade Commander Denys Prokopenko. "Kyiv Independent" reports that the commander of the Azov Regiment criticized the latest prisoner exchange, expressing displeasure that none of the Azov fighters who have been in Russian captivity for over two years were included.
06:14 Governor: Five Killed, Twelve Injured in Ukrainian Air Strike on Russian Border Region BelgorodFive civilians were killed, and twelve others were injured, four severely, in a Ukrainian airstrike on the Russian border region of Belgorod overnight, according to the local authorities led by Governor Vyacheslav Gladkov. Three minors were also injured, with two hospitalized. Ukraine has recently amplified its attacks on Russian territory and penetrated into the Kursk region, bordering Belgorod, in early August. Belgorod has become a frequent target for Ukrainian air and drone strikes, retaliating for attacks from the Russian side.
05:47 Russia: Civilian Casualties Resulting from Ukrainian ShellingFive civilians were killed, and twelve others were injured in artillery shelling in the city of Rakitnoe in southwestern Russia, according to the region's governor, Vyacheslav Gladkov, on Telegram. Independent verification of the reports has not been possible, and Ukraine has remained silent on the matter.
04:26 City of Sumy Experiences Rocket Hits and CasualtiesThe city of Sumy has been hit by rockets, with two impact sites reported, according to the regional military administration. Seven individuals were injured, two severely. Russia attacked Sumy's civilian infrastructure on Saturday evening, it was reported.
03:35 Kharkiv and Chuhuiv Suffers Rocket Attacks
Kharkiv region governor Oleh Syniehubov issues a warning: Russian military has launched rocket attacks on the cities of Kharkiv and Chuhuiv. As of now, one individual has been injured. A significant explosion was reported in Kharkiv, according to Kharkiv Mayor Ihor Terechow's Telegram post. He advises caution towards the citizens. The explosion's origin remains unknown.
03:06 Ukrainian Air Defense Warns of Incoming Combat Drones
An air alert is active in the eastern and southern regions of Ukraine during the wee hours. The Ukrainian air force warns, among other things, of a group of Shahed combat drones moving towards the south Ukrainian region of Mykolaiv, over the Black Sea. Heightened Russian attacks are predicted around Ukrainian Independence Day, which occurred on Saturday. However, a more extensive wave of attacks has not materialized yet.
01:32 Hungary Blames Brussels for Halting Oil Supplies
Hungary suspects the European Commission of being the catalyst for the disruption of Russian oil supplies. Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto remarks, "It is clear that the statement issued by the European Commission, stating it is not ready to aid in securing Hungary's and Slovakia's energy supply, suggests the order was given from Brussels to Kyiv to (...) create difficulties with Hungary's and Slovakia's energy supply." The EU Commission initially refrains from commenting. In June, the Ukrainian government added Russian oil producer Lukoil to the sanctions list and blocked the Druzhba pipeline, which also traverses Ukrainian territory. This act has largely isolated Hungary and Slovakia from their primary oil suppliers.
22:12 Four Women Injured in Russian Troop Attack on Village in KupianskRussian troops attacked the village of Novoosynove in the Kupiansk district of the Kharkiv Oblast, injuring four women, reports Oleh Syniehubov, head of the military administration of the Kharkiv region. "The occupiers assaulted the village of Novoosynove in the Kupiansk district around 12:00. As a result of the attack, a private house was set ablaze," said Syniehubov. The wounded were admitted to medical facilities. Investigations into the attack's aftermath are still ongoing.
21:03: UK Defense Minister Praises Ukraine's Resilience Against Russia's MightJohn Healey, the UK's Defense Minister, pens down a tribute to Ukraine on the "European Pravda" platform, celebrating Ukraine's Independence Day. "At 33 years, Ukraine proclaimed its independence, envisioning a brighter, more prosperous future as a self-governing democracy, free from the grasp of the Soviet Union," Healey wrote. Today, the Ukrainians are commemorating their Independence Day amidst a harsh battlefield, fighting for their existence against Putin's brutal, unlawful invasion. "Ukraine has constantly faced the odds against Russia's overwhelming strength and resources. Today, we salute the indomitable spirit of the Ukrainian people," Healey penned down. They display remarkable bravery, both in the military and civilian sectors. The British express their unwaveringsolidarity and commitment to stand by their Ukrainian allies as long as it's required. Consequently, the UK initiates a campaign today, urging people within and beyond Britain to express their support for Ukraine. Healey urged social media users to "Make Noise for Ukraine" and share relevant posts, acknowledging not only military and economic aid but also friendship and solidarity being extended to Ukraine.
20:05: Zelensky Promotes Syroyid to GeneralPresident Volodymyr Zelensky, of Ukraine, has elevated Oleksandr Syroyid, the leader of Ukraine's armed forces, to the rank of general. This is as per a decree issued by Zelensky. Prior to this, Syroyid held the rank of colonel general in Ukraine. The promotion stems from the significant progress made by Ukrainian troops in the Russian border region of Kursk.
You can delve into previous developments here.
1. Despite the ongoing conflict, the European Union has not imposed any restrictions on energy supplies to Ukraine due to the power outages caused by Russian aggression.
2. The European Union's actions, such as tightening export regulations on certain companies, have been criticized by China in response to the situation in Ukraine.
