Pistorius warns the German military to be vigilant
21:30 Austria: Prosecutor Files First Indictment in Spy Scandal Involving RussiaThe public prosecutor's office in Austria has filed an indictment for the first time in the case against former intelligence agent Egisto Ott. This includes charges of spying for Russia. According to the indictment, Ott, as an official of the Ministry of the Interior in Vienna, is accused of having commissioned another employee, on behalf of a member of the right-wing populist party FPÖ, to obtain information about the participants of a meeting of European intelligence services. Both Ott and the former FPÖ member Hans-Jörg Jenewein are charged with violating official secrets. They each face up to three years in prison. No date has been set for the trial. Specifically, Ott is accused of having provided Jenewein with the names of several intelligence officers, thereby endangering the maintenance of public national security and the success of future intelligence activities. Jenewein is also accused of having passed on confidential documents from the parliament, to which he had access through his participation in the investigative committee on the so-called Ibiza affair.
21:10 After Sabotage Alarm at German Armed Forces: CDU Sees Defense Ministry ResponsiblePolice and state protection are investigating a security incident at the waterworks of the Cologne-Wahn air base of the German Armed Forces due to suspicion of sabotage against the German Armed Forces. "Abnormal water values" and then a hole in the fence were discovered, a spokesperson for the German Armed Forces in Cologne said in front of the base. The CDU defense politician Serap Güler now sees the Defense Ministry responsible for clarifying open questions: "The ministry must now immediately clarify how an outsider was able to gain access to supposedly well-secured military bases of the German Armed Forces," she told Spiegel. "At the same time, it is commendable that the German Armed Forces recognized the incidents early," said Güler (see also entries from 18:55 and 18:24)
20:51 Rating Agency Sees Rising Seizure Risk for Western Banks in RussiaWestern banks still operating in Russia should prepare for the possible seizure of their assets there, according to the rating agency Scope. The risk of this happening is increasing, the Berlin-based credit watchers warn. Business transactions that cannot be completed due to international sanctions expose banks to a higher risk of such court rulings. Recently, a Russian court awarded assets of Commerzbank to a Russian company as compensation. Assets of Deutsche Bank and Italian UniCredit have already been seized by court order. Russia is increasingly responding to the sanctions imposed by Western countries due to the war in Ukraine with retaliatory measures. Many companies operating there have already had their assets seized or frozen. Companies that want to withdraw from Russia have to sell their businesses at significant discounts to Russian companies. The European Central Bank (ECB) has been putting pressure on banks still operating in Russia to reduce their engagements there for some time. It has, among other things, urged institutions with significant engagements there to accelerate risk reduction and demanded clear plans for reducing business in Russia and exiting the Russian market.
20:29 Zelensky: Adhering to Humanitarian LawThe Ukrainian troops advancing into the western Russian region of Kursk are strictly adhering to international conventions and humanitarian law, according to President Volodymyr Zelensky. This was discussed at a meeting of the Ukrainian leadership, Zelensky reported on X. Humanitarian aid has been prepared for the civilian population in the occupied territories, and access to these areas will be allowed for representatives of international organizations. The emphasis on adhering to humanitarian law goes back to atrocities committed by Russian troops during their advance on Kyiv nearly two and a half years ago. Many civilians were randomly killed in the Kyiv suburb of Bucha before the Russian military had to retreat from that area. According to reports from the Ukrainian news agency Unian, it was decided at the government meeting to allow international organizations access to the occupied territories in western Russia. These include the International Committee of the Red Cross, the United Nations, and other international organizations providing humanitarian aid.
20:05 Convicted in Nemtsov Murder Case Joins Russia's WarOne of the convicted men in the case of the murdered Kremlin critic Boris Nemtsov has reportedly volunteered for service in the war zone in Ukraine, according to official statements. The online edition of the Kremlin-critical newspaper "Novaya Gazeta", which works in exile in Europe, reports that the convicted man is stationed in the Russian-occupied city of Mariupol. He is currently said to be on vacation in his home in the Russian republic of Chechnya in the North Caucasus. After signing up for service, he was pardoned and released in March, the state-run Russian news agency TASS reported, citing the Russian justice system. He reportedly signed a one-year contract with the Ministry of Defense to perform tasks in the area of the military special operation - as the war is officially referred to in Russia.
19:50 Selenskyj: Strategic Goals Achieved in Kursk - Moscow DisagreesAccording to President Volodymyr Zelensky, Ukraine has achieved its strategic goals in its push into the Russian region of Kursk. In his nightly address on Telegram, Zelensky reports good progress. However, the Russian military claims in a midday statement that its units, supported by the air force, drones, and artillery, have thwarted attempts by mobile enemy groups to advance deep into Russian territory with armored vehicles. The army statement further claims that significant losses have been inflicted on the Ukrainian side.
19:30 After Prisoner Exchange: Freed Russian Woman Plans to Marry in GermanySasha Skochilenko, arrested in Russia in 2022 for distributing anti-war messages, is initially sentenced to seven years in prison. However, the activist is released to Germany as part of a prisoner exchange, where she can openly live with her partner Sonya Subbotina.
18:55 Suspected Sabotage Against German Armed Forces: Green Party Politician Notz Also Suspects RussiaThe German Armed Forces cordon off and search two of their sites in North Rhine-Westphalia due to sabotage suspicions. At the Cologne-Wahn air base, there is a suspicion of tampering with the barracks' internal drinking water system, as the Armed Forces announce. At the Geilenkirchen base, an intruder is reportedly repelled, but subsequent water testing does not reveal anything unusual. The chairman of the Bundestag's Defense Committee, Marcus Faber, points the finger at Russia for the possible sabotage cases (see entry from 18:24). Similarly, the chairman of the Bundestag's Parliamentary Control Committee, Konstantin von Notz, tells Welt TV, "Of course, the suspicion arises that this could be a Russian sabotage action." This is a "concrete working hypothesis" for the investigations, says the Green Party politician.
18:24 Possible Sabotage at German Armed Forces: Chairman of Defense Committee Suspects RussiaAfter the possible sabotage incidents in two German Armed Forces barracks, the chairman of the Bundestag's Defense Committee, Marcus Faber, points the finger at Russia. "Given the temporal proximity of the incidents in the two barracks, one can suspect that an enemy actor wants to demonstrate their sabotage capabilities here," Faber tells the Bild newspaper. "The actor who has the greatest interest in this is Putin," he adds, referring to the Russian president. However, further investigations must determine whether this suspicion is confirmed, Faber says. Both the Cologne-Wahn Armed Forces site and the NATO base in Geilenkirchen were targets of suspected sabotage activities.
18:00: Over 120 Countries: Russia Seeks New Partners at Arms FairRows upon rows of tanks, combat aircraft, and firearms fill the region of Moscow: At an international arms fair, the Ministry of Defense is signing new arms deals with foreign partners, reportedly worth around five billion euros.
17:40: After Prisoner Exchange, Poland Charges Freed Man with EspionageA Russian-Spanish dual national, Pavel R., better known as Pablo G., is being charged with espionage in Poland. He was arrested in the Polish city of Przemysl near the Ukrainian border on February 28, 2022, just days after the start of Russia's invasion of Ukraine. Posing as a freelance journalist from Spain, he wrote reports for Spanish media. He was held in Poland until he was part of a prisoner exchange with Russia on August 1. According to prosecutors, R. is suspected to be a GRU agent. He is accused of committing a crime related to espionage, which carries a potential prison sentence of three to 15 years. It's unclear whether the trial will be held in his absence. Authorities haven't provided further details.
17:27: Report: Over 10,000 Cases Opened for 'Insulting' Russian ArmySince the start of the Ukraine war in February 2022, Russian justice has opened over 10,000 cases for 'insulting' the army, independent Russian news portal Mediazona reports. "The ten-thousandth case was filed in court in the first week of August," it writes on its website. Most cases were reported in the war's early months, with 5,614 in 2022 and 2,998 in 2023, making a total of 8,590 by the end of last year. So far this year, 1,410 cases have been opened. Mediazona counted these based on Russian court data. The law punishes 'insulting' the armed forces with fines of up to 50,000 rubles (around 500 euros). A second offense within a year can lead to a five-year prison sentence. If the 'insult' results in injuries, deaths, or significant disruption of public order, prison sentences of up to seven years may be imposed.
17:08: Kyiv Reports Downing of Su-34 Fighter-Bomber in Kursk RegionUkrainian troops have destroyed a Russian Su-34 fighter-bomber in the Kursk region, Ukrainian news outlet Ukrainska Pravda reports, citing a statement from the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. "Last night, the forces and means of the air defense missile troops of the Ukrainian Air Force, during a combat mission in the Kursk region (Russia), destroyed a Russian Su-34 combat aircraft," the explanation reads.
16:50 Kyiv to Create "Buffer Zone" in Kursk Region
The Ukrainian army aims to establish a "buffer zone" in the Russian border region of Kursk to protect its population, according to its own statements. "Establishing a buffer zone in the Kursk region is a step to protect our population from daily enemy fire at the border," Interior Minister Ihor Klimenko said on the Telegram messaging service. Kyiv also announced plans to create a humanitarian corridor in the region. "Our forces are preparing to open a humanitarian corridor for the evacuation of civilians, both towards Russia and towards Ukraine," Deputy Prime Minister Iryna Vereshchuk also said on Telegram.
16:30 Authority, Corruption, Propaganda: Does the Kursk Offensive Threaten Putin's Power?
Internationally, politicians are surprised by Ukraine's push into the Kursk region. Russia also seems caught off guard, with the Kremlin seemingly having no response ready. Does this mean a crack in Vladimir Putin's power structure?
15:59 Report: Ukraine Launches 'Largest Attack' on Russian Air Bases Since War Began
Long-range drones of the Ukrainian Security Service (SBU) and Ukrainian defense forces carried out the largest attack on Russian military air bases in Voronezh, Kursk, Novoselytsia, and Borisoglebsk overnight, according to a report by the Ukrainian national news agency "Ukrinform," citing a source at the SBU. The attack was reportedly planned and effective, and the largest since the beginning of the war. The aim is to prevent Russia from using these air bases for missile attacks on the front line and Ukrainian cities.
15:36 German Government: Ukraine Support Unrelated to Nord Stream
The preliminary findings of the investigation into the attack on the Nord Stream gas pipelines do not change Germany's support for Ukraine, said government spokesman Wolfgang Büchner in Berlin. He stressed that the investigations are being conducted "according to the rule of law, regardless of the person and completely independent of the outcome of such investigations." The investigations have no influence on whether and to what extent Germany will continue to support Ukraine in the future, as they do not change "the fact that Russia is waging a war of aggression against Ukraine in violation of international law," he added. The clarification of the sabotage act is a top priority for the federal government, Büchner said. He did not want to evaluate whether the Polish authorities are cooperating sufficiently in this regard.
15:10 Kursk Offensive Progresses: "Advance Brings Ukraine No Closer to Peace"
Ukraine's offensive on the Kursk region has caught Putin and Russia off guard. Thousands are being evacuated, and Russia seems not to have found the right military response yet. Security expert Gerhard Mangott sees no decisive advantage for Ukraine in the offensive - quite the contrary.
14:50 Russia Extends Oil Export Ban
Russia has extended its existing oil export ban. The move aims to stabilize domestic fuel prices, which have recently surged again, according to the Moscow government. The ban will be in effect from September 1 until the end of the year. It is due to a "period of sustained seasonal demand and planned repairs at oil refineries," it was stated further. Russia first implemented such a measure in the fall of 2023 in response to rising fuel prices. The ban was later lifted in November. At the beginning of this year, Moscow announced a six-month oil export ban starting March 1, which was then suspended between mid-May and late July, citing "saturation of the domestic market." The ban has since been reinstated and is now being extended beyond August.
14:19 Drones Accompany Ground Offensive: Ukrainians Film Themselves Far Behind Russian Border
The Ukrainian ground offensive on Russian soil has so far been a major success for Ukraine. Ukrainian soldiers have filmed themselves renaming a Russian village 100 kilometers behind the border. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy uses this development to deliver a confident message.
13:52 Ukraine: Russian City of Sudja Fully Under Control
The city of Sudja in the Russian region of Kursk is fully under Ukrainian control, according to Ukrainian military chief Oleksandr Syrskyi. "The search and destruction of the enemy in the town of Sudja is complete," he says in a video conference with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. Footage is published on the president's Telegram channel. Sudja is where the pipeline runs that Russia uses to supply gas from Western Siberia to Slovakia and other EU countries. Sudja has around 6,000 inhabitants.
13:31 Russian National Guard Reinforces Security at Kursk Nuclear Power Plant
The Russian National Guard, Rosgvardiya, has reinforced security at the Kursk Nuclear Power Plant in the Kursk Oblast. Particular attention is being paid to defending against Ukrainian drones, it said. The Ukrainian military entered the border-adjacent oblast on August 6 and claims to have brought more than 1,000 square kilometers under its control. This cannot be independently verified. The NPP is located about 30 kilometers west of the city of Kursk and is operated by state corporation Rosenergoatom.
13:06 Zelenskyy: Ukrainian Troops Continuously Advancing in Russian Oblast Kursk
Ukrainian troops are continuously advancing in the Russian Oblast of Kursk, according to President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. They have advanced one to two kilometers in various directions within 24 hours, the Ukrainian leader says in a video conference with military chief Oleksandr Syrskyi. The latter reports that Ukrainian units captured 100 Russian soldiers on Wednesday.
12:43 Kriewald: Ukraine 'Under Pressure' in Region of Donetsk
Ukraine is maintaining pressure on the Russian Oblast of Kursk while making military gains there. However, Russian forces are pushing forward in the eastern Ukrainian combat zone of Donetsk. ntv reporter Nadja Kriewald reports on the current situation in the Ukraine war from Kyiv.
12:12 Ukrainian Soldiers Remove Russian Flag from Building in SudjaState Ukrainian TV shows footage of Ukrainian soldiers removing a Russian flag from a public building in Sudja. In the Wednesday video, a three-story building and three soldiers are seen pulling down the flag while chanting "Glory to Ukraine!" Sudja is located in the Russian Oblast of Kursk, which borders Ukraine. In recent days, the Ukrainian military has reported advances, but it was unclear which side controlled Sudja. The city is where the pipeline runs that Russia uses to supply gas from West Siberia to Slovakia and other EU countries.
11:45 Russia Puts Peace Talks on HoldRussia has put peace talks on hold following Ukraine's attack on the Kursk Oblast, according to the Russian Foreign Ministry. Special Representative of the Russian Foreign Ministry, Rodion Miroshnik, told the state-run TASS news agency that Ukraine's attack on Kursk has "frozen" potential peace talks for the long term. The Ukrainian military surprised Russia by invading the border region on August 6, claiming to have taken control of over 1,000 square kilometers.
11:09 Why Belarus is Sending Tanks to the Front in RussiaBelarus is reportedly moving military equipment to the Russian region of Kursk, raising questions about its involvement in the Ukraine conflict. However, ntv Russia correspondent Rainer Munz believes that Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko's actions are aimed at the opposite - to avoid direct involvement in the war.
10:46 Russia Attacks Energy Facilities in UkraineRussian forces have attacked energy facilities in northern and southern Ukraine, according to Ukrenergo, the country's power grid operator. An installation in the south was shelled on Wednesday morning, and Russian drones targeted another in the north overnight, causing temporary power outages for consumers in parts of the Chernihiv region.
10:03 Chief of Staff Jermak Meets with US Diplomat O'BrianAndriy Yermak, Chief of Staff to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, met with high-ranking US diplomat James O'Brian. They discussed the situation on the battlefield and security agreements, according to the Ukrainian Presidential Administration. O'Brian serves as the US State Department's Counselor for European and Eurasian Affairs.
09:17 Expert: Chernobyl-like Scenario Possible at Kursk NPPA Chernobyl-like scenario at the Kursk Nuclear Power Plant (KNPP) cannot be ruled out, according to Dmytro Humeniuk, an expert on nuclear and radiation safety at the State Scientific and Technical Center for Nuclear and Radiation Safety. The KNPP has the same reactor type as the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant, increasing the likelihood of a similar scenario, he told Radio NV. Humeniuk believes that capturing the KNPP is not the goal of the Ukrainian military's incursion, as operating the plant without proper maintenance could lead to damage. "It's not enough to capture it, it must also be operated. Therefore, capturing the Kursk NPP cannot be a goal."
08:48 Biden: Kursk Offensive is "genuine dilemma" for PutinUS President Joe Biden views the Ukrainian offensive in the Russian oblast of Kursk as a "genuine dilemma" for Russian President Vladimir Putin. The US is in constant exchange with Ukraine. However, he does not wish to say more about the advance.
08:19 Russia reports downing of 117 drones and four missilesThe Ministry of Defense in Moscow reports the downing of 117 drones and four missiles fired from Ukraine into Russian regions. Thirty-seven drones were destroyed over the regions of Kursk and Voronezh each. The ministry makes no mention of any drones that may not have been intercepted and any potential damage caused.
07:32 Problem-solver Djumin: Putin sends his lifesaver to KurskAlexei Gennadyevich Djumin is set to lead Russia's "anti-terror operation" in Kursk, according to the Moscow Times, citing Russian military bloggers. President Putin has tasked Djumin with resolving coordination issues in the region. Last week, there were conflicting statements about the situation in Kursk. General Gerasimov had presented the situation more positively in a meeting than it actually was, the report says. This prompted Putin to act. The need to involve Djumin underscores "the scale of the disaster within inter-agency cooperation," the report says. The former chief of the security staff belongs to Putin's inner circle and is known as a problem-solver capable of handling coordination, combat, and civil administration issues. Djumin himself claims to have once saved Putin from a bear.
06:59 Zelensky: Advance in Kursk brings us closer to our goalUkrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky sees his country's armed forces gaining momentum with the advance in the Russian region. "Ukraine can achieve its goals, defend its interests, and protect its independence," Zelensky says in a video message. The Ukrainian army has taken 74 settlements in the Kursk region - twice as many as claimed by the Russian side. Neither claim is verifiable.
06:30 "On urgent request" - Belarus sends military equipment to KurskBelarusian dictator Alexander Lukashenko orders the delivery of Belarusian military equipment to Russian forces to support operations in the Kursk region, Belnovosti reports, citing an unnamed source in the country's defense ministry. The latest delivery is in response to an "urgent request from the Russian side" due to losses and lack of equipment in the Kursk region and other areas.
05:57 Governor of Belgorod declares state of emergencyThe governor of the Russian city of Belgorod declares a state of emergency. He reports daily shelling by Ukrainian forces that destroys houses and kills and injures civilians. "The situation in our Belgorod region remains extremely difficult and tense due to shelling by Ukrainian forces," Governor Vyacheslav Gladkov writes on Telegram, adding that a state of emergency will be declared on a regional level from Wednesday. He calls on Russia to declare a state of emergency for the region.
05:34 Russian Governors Report Air StrikesThe governors of the Russian regions of Kursk, Lipetsk, and Voronezh report drone and missile attacks on their areas. Russian Telegram channels write about a fire in Voronezh, which locals attribute to a drone attack on a military airport. There are no official statements on this yet. In Kursk, Governor Alexei Smirnov reports that the air defense has shot down four missiles. Air raid alarms have also been sounded in Lipetsk.
04:08 EU Commission Transfers 4.2 Billion Euros to UkraineThe EU Commission has paid around 4.2 billion euros to Ukraine, which is under attack from Russia. The money is "to keep the Ukrainian state running while it fights for its survival," writes Commission President Ursula von der Leyen on X. Europe stands firmly by Ukraine's side. These funds are part of the so-called Ukraine Facility. This EU aid program, adopted in early February, will enable financial assistance of 50 billion euros by the end of 2027, with 33 billion euros in the form of loans and the rest as grants. Last week, EU countries gave the green light for the payment. With this financial aid, the EU aims to support the Ukrainian state in rebuilding the country, modernizing it, and implementing important reforms for EU accession.
03:40 Kremlin Advises Russian Scientists Not to Publish with Foreign PublishersThe Russian Ministry of Education and Science has advised scientists not to submit articles to the Dutch publisher Elsevier, which specializes in publishing scientific and medical research, or other "similar foreign organizations," the state news agency Iswestija reports. In March 2022, Elsevier and other scientific publishers announced that Russian and Belarusian researchers could still submit articles for publication, but that the sale of their journals to Russian organizations would be suspended due to the invasion of Ukraine. One of Russia's leading universities, the University of the Friendship of the Peoples, had already banned its employees from publishing in Elsevier research journals. The vice-rector for strategic communication, Elena Apasova, claimed that Elsevier had "transferred the fees paid by authors for the publication of articles to support Ukraine." At the end of January, Novaya Gazeta Europe estimated that at least 2,500 Russian scientists had left the country since the start of the invasion, as it had become much more difficult for many researchers to participate in international projects and publish in scientific journals.
02:51 US Representative: Ukraine Aims to Force Russia to Withdraw TroopsA high-ranking US government official tells Reuters that Ukraine appears to be trying to force Russia to withdraw its troops from Ukraine by advancing into the Russian region of Kursk. By pushing forward, Ukraine is forcing Russia to defend its own territory, which could weaken Russian forces within Ukraine, the Washington assessment suggests.
01:24 USA: Not involved in Ukrainian advance into Russia
The U.S. State Department has stated that the U.S. is in no way involved in the planning or preparation of the Ukrainian troops' advance into Russian territory. This was announced by the U.S. State Department's Deputy Spokesperson, Vedant Patel, to the press. The U.S. is a key ally of Ukraine and has been providing the country, which was invaded by Russia in February 2022, with weapons and ammunition.
00:18 Russia sanctions: Customs raid two companies in Berlin
In Berlin, customs officers conducted a raid on two companies suspected of violating EU Russia sanctions. Around 100 officers from the Central Office for Customs Enforcement searched a building complex, according to the General Customs Directorate in the capital. Both companies are subject to the EU's sanctions regime, freezing the funds and assets of listed natural or legal persons. "There is suspicion of violations of the law on the enforcement of economic sanctions," the customs office explained. The raid aimed to "seize and search for assets in the district of Tempelhof-Schöneberg." Interrogations were also carried out and evidence was seized. According to media reports, the searched companies are two unnamed Russian logistics companies.
23:59 Fitch downgrades Ukraine's rating further
Rating agency Fitch has downgraded Ukraine's creditworthiness to "RD" from the previous "C". The U.S. credit raters cited the expiration of a payment deadline for interest on a $750 million bond due in 2026 as the reason for the move. The payment was due on August 1. "RD" in Fitch's rating system stands for "Restricted Default", roughly translating to "restricted default". No statement from the government in Kyiv has been made yet.
23:08 Russia reports two dead from Ukrainian shelling in Lysychansk
According to Russian reports, two people have been killed in the city of Lysychansk, eastern Ukraine, due to Ukrainian shelling. State news agency TASS reported this, citing local authorities who are under Russian control. Earlier, Russian-installed administrators had spoken of more than 30 injured.
22:11 Russia reportedly moves fleeing civilians from Kursk to occupied Ukraine
Following Ukraine's advance into the Russian region of Kursk, local authorities are reportedly planning to move refugees to a Russian-occupied area in Ukraine. Kursk's acting governor, Alexei Smirnov, announced this on Telegram, saying he had discussed this solution with the governor of the Zaporizhzhia region, Yevgeny Balitsky. Balitsky suggested using sanatoriums and pensions on the Sea of Azov to accommodate the evacuees. "In the coming days, we will form the first transport to bring people to the temporary accommodation centers in the Zaporizhzhia region." Russia annexed the Ukrainian region of Zaporizhzhia in the autumn of 2022 and had already installed the pro-Moscow Balitsky as its governor. While Russia does not fully control the region, it has occupied key areas, including the access to the Sea of Azov, where sanatoriums still exist.
21:37 Moscow's UN Envoy: After Kursk Attack, Putin Withdraws "Generous" Peace Offer
Vladimir Putin's "generous" peace offer is no longer on the table following Ukraine's incursion into the Russian border region of Kursk, a Kremlin official says. Dmitri Poljanskij, Russia's deputy envoy to the UN, stated at a meeting at the organization's headquarters: "In June, Russia made a generous offer to Ukraine, but last week, the Zelensky regime chose escalation and attacked the Kursk region," Polyanskiy further stated, "the offer is no longer on the table". "This is a step that Ukraine will regret later," he added. Russia declared it was ready for peace talks "tomorrow" if Ukrainian troops withdrew from the regions of Saporishia, Kherson, Donetsk, and Luhansk, and if Ukraine abandoned its plan to join NATO. If Ukraine agrees, Russia will stop fire and start negotiations, Putin said. However, Ukraine, NATO, and the Pentagon rejected the offer. Kyiv described it as "complete nonsense".
21:08 Evaluation Claims Over 300 Russians Captured in Kursk as POWs
An evaluation claims that Ukrainian forces captured at least 303 Russian soldiers during the offensive in the Kursk region. The list was created by an Austrian X-user based on videos on social media. He lists another 15 POWs but notes his uncertainty about the accuracy of those entries. The list is incomplete as not all POWs were documented in videos. Ukrainian military chief Olexander Syrskyj reported "hundreds" of Russian POWs in his daily briefing to the Ukrainian president. Social media reports suggested up to 2000 Russian POWs in the Kursk region. Many of the newly captured Russians are very young, which, the X-user speculates, could make them more valuable for a prisoner exchange than men from poor backgrounds and remote Russian regions.
20:36 Moscow Recognizes Gravity of Situation - Troops from Kaliningrad to Kursk
According to Lithuanian reports, Russia is moving troops from Kaliningrad to the Kursk region where Ukrainian soldiers claim to be making further advances. Lithuanian Defense Minister Laurynas Kasciunas announced this during a meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in Kyiv, as shown in a video on his Telegram channel. Russia has not yet commented on this. Earlier, the US magazine Politico reported that the Russian military had reportedly ordered a small number of soldiers from the occupied Ukrainian regions of Kherson and Saporishia to Kursk. This has not been confirmed by Moscow.
20:10 In Donetsk, Russia's advance continues; battle for Torez has begunThe situation around the city of Torez in the Donetsk region remains challenging for Ukrainian troops. Russian soldiers continue to attack, with fighting already underway at the city's outskirts. Oleksandr Bordiian, deputy spokesman for the 32nd Mechanized Brigade of the Ukrainian Armed Forces, told Radio Liberty that Russia is also deploying sabotage groups in the city. However, he noted that the number of Russian soldiers surrendering has increased over the past week. There's no significant relief yet, such as from the Ukrainian offensive in Russia's Kursk region. "As for ground attacks, their intensity has somewhat decreased," Bordiian said. However, Russian forces are compensating with increased air strikes using guided bombs. The Ukrainian General Staff also reports that the intensity of Russian attacks in the Donetsk region has not decreased, with 52 attacks recorded in the Pokrovsk area alone in the past 24 hours.
19:34 "How can Russia escalate further?"Carlo Masala sees the Russian threat of a harsh counterattack against Ukrainian advances on its territory as an empty threat. He argues that the Russian army is already acting with utmost brutality, and a nuclear attack is unlikely.
19:01 More casualties than new soldiers: Is Moscow planning a secret recruitment wave?The Russian army is reportedly struggling to replace losses at the front with new soldiers. According to U.S. news agency Bloomberg, citing unnamed sources close to the Kremlin and the Russian Defense Ministry, this is the heaviest loss of life since the invasion began. The need to replenish military reserves has become more urgent due to Ukraine's incursion into the border regions of Russia's Kursk and Belgorod regions. Bloomberg reports that Russia may consider a new mobilization. Officials could present this as a rotation to give frontline troops a break, with the announcement expected by the end of the year. A person familiar with the situation told Bloomberg that regional authorities are currently unable to meet more than a third of their conscription quotas. On July 31, Russian President Vladimir Putin already raised the signing bonus for new recruits to fight in Ukraine from 195,000 (1,955 USD) to 400,000 (4,011 USD) rubles.
You can read all previous developments here.
In light of the ongoing spy scandal involving Russia and Austria, the potential for cyberwar could pose a significant threat. If Russia decides to retaliate against Austria digitally, it could lead to severe consequences for the country's digital infrastructure and national security.
Furthermore, given the increasing tension between Russia and Western countries due to the war in Ukraine, the risk of financial institutions in these countries having their assets seized in Russia must be taken seriously. Banks operating in Russia should safeguard themselves from potential legal actions and adopt appropriate contingency plans to protect their interests.
