Over half of Poles support taking down Russian unmanned aerial vehicles within Polish airspace.
Based on a survey published by the Polish newspaper "Gazeta Polska," most Polish citizens, both men and women, believe that the Polish military should engage Russian drones that intrude Polish airspace during attacks on Ukraine. This viewpoint is reported by the Ukrainian newspaper "Wiadomości Ukrainy." The survey was conducted following an unidentified aerial object, believed to be a Shahed kamikaze drone, that lingered over Poland for over 30 minutes before disappearing on the morning of August 26. On the following day, Polish Brigadier General Jan Kowalski informed Radio RMF24 that Russia might have tested the Polish air defense system by sending drones into Polish airspace.
19:34 Swiss security experts urge government to reassess neutrality policyA Swiss expert committee recommends rethinking the country's century-old neutrality in favor of increased military cooperation with NATO and the European Union. The report, obtained by "Le Matin," suggests this action in response to escalating security concerns following Russia's invasion of Ukraine. The expert committee of the Swiss Defense Ministry also highlights that Switzerland is under increasing pressure both domestically and internationally to clarify its neutral stance. The neutrality policy dates back to the year 1515. The expert committee is led by Guy Parmelin, former president of the Swiss Confederation.**
18:58 General Staff: Over 90 clashes with Russian forcesSince dawn, there have been 91 skirmishes between Ukrainian and Russian forces at the front. The Ukrainian General Staff reports this and describes the situation at the front line as challenging. "The defense forces are making efforts to thwart the offensive plans of the Russian aggressor and eliminate its personnel and military equipment," the situation report states.**
18:22 Ukrainian commander: Russia lost approximately 36,810 soldiers in AugustThe Russian army's losses in Ukraine in August are estimated to be nearly 36,810 soldiers. The commander of the Ukrainian ground forces, Oleksandr Pavliuk, reports this on Telegram, as reported by Ukrinform. According to him, the Ukrainian armed forces also destroyed a notable number of enemy weapons and military equipment last month: the Russian army lost 193 tanks, 557 armored combat vehicles, 1,517 artillery systems, 44 multiple rocket launchers, 33 air defense systems, more than 2,000 vehicles, and 278 specialized units. The figures cannot be independently verified. Moscow remains reluctant to provide information on its own losses in Ukraine.**
17:44 London: Russian Ground Troops Intensify Advance on PokrovskRussian ground troops are reportedly accelerating their advance on the strategically significant city of Pokrovsk in eastern Ukraine, according to a UK intelligence update. "Russian ground troops are likely within 10 kilometers of the city limits," it says. Intelligence analysts expect the advance to slow once ground troops reach the built-up areas surrounding the city. Pokrovsk serves as a critical logistics hub for Ukrainian forces. "If taken, it would likely extend existing supply routes and further complicate the situation for Ukrainian forces," it adds. The UK's Ministry of Defence has been publishing daily updates on the war's progress since the beginning of Russia's invasion of Ukraine, citing intelligence data.
17:16 Casualties Reported After Russian Shelling of KurakhoveThe Russian army shelled the town of Kurakhove in the Donetsk region. At least three individuals were killed and nine others injured, as per the head of the military administration of the Donetsk region, Vadym Fillaschenko, on Telegram. He reported that the Russian military targeted the town using multiple rocket launchers of the "Uragan" type.
16:43 Russian Forces Report Further Progress in DonbassRussian forces claim to have made further gains in the Donetsk region of eastern Ukraine. The Russian Ministry of Defense reports the capture of the village of Zhovten in the northern part of Donbass close to the Ukrainian-controlled city of Siversk. However, the Ukrainian General Staff reports nine Russian assault attempts since yesterday on this sector, including Zhovten, all of which were repelled. Both reports have yet to be independently verified. The Russian military also claims to have achieved territorial gains in its main attack direction on the Ukrainian city of Pokrovsk.
16:20 Russian Deputy Foreign Minister: Nuclear Doctrine to be Revised Due to "Escalation Tactics of Our Western Adversaries"Russia plans to revise its already announced nuclear doctrine. Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov informed the state news agency TASS that the work is in progress and a clear intent to make changes is evident. The action is reportedly tied to the escalation tactics of Russia's Western adversaries in connection with the Ukraine conflict. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov stated in an interview that the West is "overstepping boundaries" and Russia will take necessary steps to protect its interests. The US and its allies maintain that the situation in Ukraine is a case of Russian aggression and that the government in Kyiv is being supported in their defense. So far, Russia's nuclear doctrine provides for the use of nuclear weapons if Russia's sovereignty or territorial integrity is threatened.
15:21 Zelensky Pushes for Western Backing for Deeper Strikes in RussiaUkrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has once more urged Western approval to utilize weapons for attacks deeper into Russian territory, following Russia's recent aerial assaults. To completely safeguard and defend Ukrainian urban areas, additional support is required, Zelensky explains on Telegram. This includes consent for "long-range strikes on Russian missile launch sites, destruction of Russian military supply lines, and joint missile and drone launches." Zelensky underlines that Russia utilized 160 missiles, 780 guided or airborne bombs, and 400 armed drones against Ukraine just last week alone.
15:03 Ukrainian Air Force Downs Eight of Eleven Iranian DronesThe Ukrainian Air Force claims to have brought down 24 Russian drones. Russian forces launched an attack using a ballistic missile of the type Iskander-M from the Kursk region and 11 Iranian Shahed-131/136 drones from the Crimean Peninsula's Cape Chauda towards targets in Ukraine. According to the Ukrainian Air Force, eight of these were shot down. The main targets were the Ukrainian regions of Mykolaiv and Sumy.
14:45 Kharkiv Suffers 28 Casualties in Russian Aerial StrikeThe city of Kharkiv in northeastern Ukraine has experienced another aerial attack from Russian forces, as per local authorities. A rocket barrage injured 28 people, Mayor Ihor Terechow reports. Among the injured is a six-year-old child, according to the governor of the Kharkiv Oblast, Oleh Sinehubov. Kharkiv is the second-largest city in Ukraine. In recent days, there have been numerous casualties and fatalities in the city due to Russian aerial assaults.
14:29 EU Nations Import More Gas from Russia than from the USFor the first time in nearly two years, EU nations imported more gas from Russia than from the US in a quarter. Data from the Brussels-based consultancy Bruegel shows that the EU imported approximately 12.7 billion cubic meters from Russia and 12.3 billion cubic meters from the United States between April and June. Although supplies from Russia slightly decreased compared to the first quarter of 2024, those from the US decreased more significantly. The media reports on these figures. Norway remains the largest gas supplier to the EU, with 23.9 billion cubic meters in the second quarter. Prior to its invasion of Ukraine in early 2022, Russia held this position, but many EU nations reduced their imports from the country afterwards. According to data from the German Statistical Office, Germany no longer imports any gas from there. Russia has moved up to second place in the supplier list, just ahead of the US. The destination nations are not specified in the data.
14:10 Fire at Moscow Oil Refinery Put OutThe fire at the Moscow oil refinery caused by a Ukrainian drone attack (see entry 08:01) has been put out, according to a media report cited by the state-run Russian news agency TASS. Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin stated that several drone fragments hit the facility and ignited a fire in a "separate technical area." The Ukrainian military has reportedly attacked power plants on Russian territory with numerous drones, according to Russian sources.
13:36 Moscow Sees US as Complicit in ConflictKremlin spokesman Dmitri Peskov told Russian television that the US is already heavily involved in the conflict through its weapon supplies to Ukraine, and that relations between Moscow and Washington are at their worst in decades. Officially, Peskov maintained the position that Russia has no preference in the US presidential race between Trump and Democratic candidate Kamala Harris. While Ukraine receives military aid from various Western nations, it's not enough to significantly alter the military situation. All of Moscow's demands for an end to the war essentially amount to Ukraine's surrender.
13:19 Russia: Advance in Eastern Ukraine – Two Villages CapturedRussian forces have seized control of two settlements in eastern Ukraine, according to the Russian Defense Ministry. State-run news agencies reported that Ptytsche and Vuhledar are now under Russian control, though such claims cannot be independently confirmed. Russian troops have been making gains along the eastern front, regularly reporting territorial advances.
12:48 Ukraine: Russian Troops Attack Grain ConvoyUkrainian authorities say Russian troops attacked a convoy of cargo trucks carrying grain near Sumy (see entry 11:04). The trucks were traveling between Sumy and Kharkiv when they were hit by rockets, the local prosecutor's office reported. A 23-year-old truck driver was killed, one truck caught fire, and 20 others were damaged. Initially, the Ukrainian air force had spoken generally about an attack on logistics in the agricultural sector.
12:15 Tver Region's Power and Gas Supply Remains Intact After AttackThe governor of Russia's Tver region, Igor Rudenya, says the power and gas supply is uninterrupted despite a Ukrainian drone attack. The targets in the oblast northwest of Moscow were struck by Ukrainian forces.
11:50 War Thrill-Seeking and Risk-Taking: War Tourism in Ukraine GrowsIn Ukraine, rockets can strike at any time of day or night, anywhere. In spite of the ongoing war and its risks, Dmytro Nikiforov offers guided tours through former battlefields in Ukraine. Prior to the war, he worked as a lawyer. Now, he organizes "War Tours" in Kyiv and the Kyiv region, including Bucha and Irpin. Nikiforov sees his work as more than just a commercial project, seeking to draw global attention to the war. Participants are driven by a sense of adventure, hoping to witness the harsh realities of war and gain a better understanding of what's happening.
11:22 Zelenskyy: Russia Launches Over 780 Guided Bombs in Ukraine in a Week Ukrainians have every right to utilize all essential measures to put an end to Russian terror, as stated by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in a post. Over the past week, Russia has launched more than 160 missiles, approximately 780 guided bombs, and around 400 unmanned aerial vehicles of various types in Ukraine.
11:04 Ukraine: One Casualty and Four Wounded in Attack on Sumy One civilian has been killed and four others injured as a result of Russian artillery fire in the Sumy region in northeastern Ukraine, according to Ukrainian sources. Throughout the night and this morning, the Russians conducted 18 attacks on border areas and settlements in the Sumy region, with 47 explosions recorded. The Sumy region shares a border with Russia's Kursk Oblast, where thousands of Ukrainian troops entered on August 6.
10:28 Ukrainian Military Leader: Situation on Eastern Front is Severe The situation on the eastern front is challenging, according to Ukrainian Armed Forces Commander-in-Chief Oleksandr Syrskyi. "The situation is tough in the direction of the enemy's main attack. However, all necessary decisions are being made at all levels without delay," Army Chief Syrskyi said on Telegram. He spent several days this week near the city of Pokrovsk on the eastern front. The fighting there is "extremely intense." He did not reveal the exact location of the Russian offensive, but he and President Volodymyr Zelensky have both stated that Russian forces have targeted the strategically important city of Pokrovsk in the Donetsk Oblast.
09:59 ISW: Russian Troops Lack Personnel and Equipment in Ukraine "Reports suggest that Russian forces are unable to engage in full-strength combat in Ukraine due to a lack of personnel and equipment," the Institute for the Study of War (ISW) writes in its latest report. This is a result of the Kremlin's ineffective war policy. ISW mentions, among other things, a report by a mobilized Russian soldier and military blogger. In August, he wrote on Telegram that the Russian government had failed to establish a consistent mobilization system to replace losses in the workforce and increase reserves.
09:21 Ukraine Announces New Figures on Russian Troop Losses The Ukrainian General Staff has released new data on Russian troop losses in Ukraine. According to the report, Russia has lost around 616,300 soldiers in Ukraine since February 24, 2022, with a daily loss of 1,340. The Kyiv report also states that ten tanks, 22 artillery systems, and 36 drones were destroyed. Since the beginning of the large-scale invasion, Russia has lost a total of 8,592 tanks, 17,636 artillery systems, 368 aircraft, 328 helicopters, 14,507 drones, 28 ships, and one submarine, according to Ukraine. Western estimates also provide lower figures, which are likely to be minimum values.
09:00 Russia Claims to Have Shot Down 158 Ukrainian Drones Russia's air defense has allegedly intercepted and destroyed a grand total of 158 Ukrainian drones, the Russian Defense Ministry in Moscow declared (refer to entries 07:03 and 03:45). The Ukrainian military launched a large-scale drone attack, primarily targeting power plants and refineries in Moscow and Tver, which lies to the north.
08:32 DeepState: Russians Advance Further in Donetsk region Russian forces appear to be advancing further in the eastern Ukrainian region of Donetsk, according to analysts from DeepState, a channel associated with the Ukrainian military. Russians have reportedly seized Paraskowijiwka in the Donetsk region and made progress in three other settlements: Kostyantynivka, Grodivka, and Halytsynivka.
08:01 Moscow Mayor: Fire at Oil Refinery following Drone Attack A fire has erupted at an oil refinery in Moscow, according to the city's mayor, Sergei Sobyanin. He attributed the incident to a previous Ukrainian drone attack. More information is currently unavailable.
07:28 Ghost Villages: Ukrainian Border Region Progressively Emptying The war has reached almost every corner of the border region between Russia and Ukraine in recent years. While the Ukrainian military has been successful in advancing just beyond the Russian border, there are barely any inhabited villages remaining on the Ukrainian side.
07:03 Russia Claims to Have Repelled 'Massive' Drone Attacks Russia alleges to have thwarted 'massive' drone attacks on its western territories and an attack on its capital, Moscow. The governor of the bordering region of Bryansk, Alexander Bogomaz, announced on Telegram that their defenders had repelled a massive drone attack on the territory of the region. More than 26 drones were "identified and destroyed" by the Russian military.
06:23 Russia: Another Drone Attack on a Power Plant A power plant in Kaschirskaja, a district in the Moscow region, was reportedly attacked by Ukrainian drones, according to the head of the district, Mikhail Shuvalov, on Telegram. No injuries were reported, and no damage or fire were sustained. Earlier, attacks on the Konakovo power plant in the Tver region northwest of Moscow were reported.
05:40 Explosions near Russian Power Plant in Tver Loud explosions were heard near the Konakovo power plant in the Tver region northwest of Moscow, according to reports from several Russian Telegram channels. The plant is one of the largest power generators in central Russia. Earlier, the governor of the region reported the destruction of five drones launched from Ukraine, with no injuries reported and emergency services on the scene.
04:54 Ziemiak: Germany needs to pay more attention to PolandGerman politician Paul Ziemiak from the CDU party has suggested that the German government should focus more on strengthening ties with Poland. He stated that it's not the strong Germany that scares Poles today, but rather the weak one. Ziemiak expressed that Poland feels overlooked, especially when it comes to defense policy. Germany has only boosted support for Ukraine after being pressured by neighboring countries.
03:45 Russia: More drones downedAs per Russian officials, their air defense system has intercepted at least five drones over the Moscow region. Over twenty drones were reportedly shot down in the Bryansk region in southwestern Russia, over ten in the Voronezh region, and a few in the Kursk, Lipetsk, Ryazan, and Tula regions. The local authorities confirmed this through their Telegram accounts. There's no report of any damage or injuries.
02:39 Russia: Drone attack on Moscow avertedMoscow Mayor Sergei Sobjanin announced that Russian air defenses have successfully taken down a drone heading towards Moscow. Preliminary reports suggest no harm or damage as a result of the drone strike.
01:39 Netherlands to send 28 armored vehicles to KyivThe Netherlands has decided to send 28 amphibious armored vehicles of the Viking Bandvagn S10 type to Ukraine, as per Defense Minister Ruben Brekelmans. He revealed that Ukrainian soldiers have been trained by the Dutch Marine Corps to operate these vehicles. The Viking Bandvagn S10 weighs around 11 tons and has rubber tracks that can navigate various terrains, including water. The minister stated that Ukraine needs urgent help in its battle against the Russian aggressor, and the Netherlands' support continues to keep Russia at bay. However, he did not specify the date of delivery.
00:35 Hodges slams Biden's Ukraine policyFormer US General Ben Hodges criticized the West's approach towards Ukraine, which includes prohibiting Ukraine from attacking Russia. Hodges expressed that the West lacks a clear goal. Kyiv's recent push to lift the ban on attacks by invading the Russian region of Kursk has not swayed the White House's stance. Hodges stated that this policy unintentionally benefits Russian airfields more than Ukraine's civilians.
23:25 Zelensky presses partners for attack permitsUkrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is urging his allies to allow attacks on Russia. He stated that clearing the Ukrainian sky of Russian missiles is a crucial step to push Russia towards ending the war and negotiating peace. Zelensky demanded both the permission and weapons for long-range capabilities and ammunition. He didn't provide specifics but claimed that his representatives have shared the necessary details with Ukraine's allies. Ukraine's Defense Minister Rustem Umerov told CNN that Russian airfields attacking Ukrainian cities are within range of long-range weapons.
22:15 Estonia and Latvia commemorate Russian troop withdrawal after 30 yearsEstonia and Latvia celebrated the 30th anniversary of the departure of Russian troops from both countries. Occupied by the Soviet Red Army for over fifty years, the last Russian troops withdrew on August 31, 1994. President Alar Karis (Estonia) and President Edgars Rinkēvičs (Latvia) emphasized the historical, political, and legal significance of the events. They acknowledged that without the withdrawal, neither complete independence nor membership in the EU and NATO in 2004 would have been possible. Today, the Baltic states are strong advocates of Ukraine in its conflict against Russia. Concerns of becoming Russia's next target have grown since the start of the war.
21:03 Ukrainian Kickboxing World Champion Killed in ActionUkrainian kickboxing world champion Roman Holovatiuk, aged 28, lost his life during combat in Ukraine. The Committee for Youth and Sports confirmed his demise. Born in Kamianets-Podilskyi, Holovatiuk gained recognition as a world-class athlete at 22, winning a medal at the 2017 World Games in Poland. He later became a Masters of Sports in WAKO kickboxing, a World Games finalist, world champion, multiple World and European Cup winner, and multiple Ukrainian champion. Post-Russia's invasion in February 2022, Holovatiuk voluntarily joined the army.
You can find more information about earlier developments here.
The Swiss Defense Ministry's expert committee recommends strengthening Switzerland's military ties with both NATO and the European Union, citing Russia's invasion of Ukraine as a reason for rethinking the country's century-old neutrality policy.
Following the Swiss expert committee's recommendation, representatives from the European Union are expected to discuss the possible implications and potential benefits of increased military cooperation with Switzerland. The European Union's stance on this matter will likely be influenced by the ongoing conflict in Ukraine and the need to address escalating security concerns in the region.
