Reuters Employees Unaccounted for Following Missile Strike on Accommodation Site
Last Night, Russian Forces Allegedly Attacked a Hotel in Eastern Ukraine's Kramatorsk
As per Ukrainian reports, Russian forces are said to have attacked a hotel in the eastern Ukrainian city of Kramatorsk. A Reuters employee has gone missing, and two others have been hospitalized following the incident. Reuters' statement revealed that a team of six was in the Hotel Sapphire when the attack occurred. The building was reportedly hit by a rocket the previous day. The statement further stated, "One of our colleagues is still missing, and two others have been admitted to the hospital for treatment." They are cooperating with local authorities in Kramatorsk. The governor of Donetsk region confirmed on Telegram that "Russians have attacked Kramatorsk." Two journalists were injured, and one is still unaccounted for. "Emergency services, police, and rescue teams are present at the scene. The rubble clearing and rescue operations are underway," the governor Vadym Fillaschkin wrote. The Russian Ministry of Defense did not immediately respond to a request for comment. The Ukrainian Prosecutor General's Office claimed, "Russian troops have attacked Kramatorsk, possibly using an Iskander-M missile." They initiated a preliminary investigation into the attack, claiming that the missile hit at 22:35 local time.
10:44 Air Force Commander: Majority of Russian Shahed Drones Intercepted and Destroyed Last Night
Ukraine's air defense appears to have successfully intercepted and destroyed the majority of the Russian Shahed drones last night, according to Ukrainian Air Force Commander Mykola Oleschtschuk. According to him, Ukrainian defenders managed to intercept more than eight out of nine kamikaze drones and most of the rockets they fired.
10:20 Ukraine: Hotel in Kramatorsk Hit - Several Western Journalists Injured
Several Western journalists reported injuries from the overnight Russian shelling of the eastern Ukrainian city of Kramatorsk, according to official reports. A hotel was targeted, resulting in two injuries and one individual still trapped under the debris. The Ukrainian Donetsk region governor, Vadym Filaschkin, confirmed this on Telegram. He identified the three victims as Ukrainian, American, and British citizens. The attack was corroborated by pro-Russian blogs, claiming that Kramatorsk was bombarded with heavy FAB-1500 glide bombs. However, a machine-building factory and several military targets were also reportedly hit.
09:54 US Electronics Export Sales to Russia: New US Export Rules Draw Criticism in China
China has criticized the tightened US controls on multiple exporters, claiming that the move disrupts international trade order and impedes regular trade exchange. The Ministry of Commerce in Beijing stated that it would implement necessary measures to protect the legitimate rights of its enterprises. The ministry is reacting to last Friday's decision by the US government, which added 105 companies - 42 Chinese, 63 Russian, and 18 from other countries - to an export restrictions list. These companies are suspected of transferring US electronics to the Russian military or manufacturing drones used in Ukraine's invasion.
09:29 ISW Urges Unrestricted Use of Long-Range Missiles by Ukraine Against Russian Targets
The US think tank Institute for the Study of War (ISW) is advocating for the authorization of the unrestricted use of long-range weapons on Russian territory by Ukraine. According to the ISW, despite the redeployment of Russian air forces, numerous military targets remain within range of US ATACMS missiles that Ukraine already possesses but is not permitted to use for strikes against Russian territory. Based on their analysis, the ISW estimates that at least 250 military and paramilitary targets in Russia are within ATACMS missile range. However, such attacks are currently confined to HIMARS multiple rocket launchers and GLMRS rockets, meaning Ukraine can hit only 20 of the 250 targets.
09:06 Kyiv: 1190 Russian Soldiers 'Eliminated' in a Single Day
Ukrainian Ministry of Defense figures show that 1190 Russian soldiers lost their lives or were incapacitated in a single day during the ongoing conflict. Since the beginning of the war in February 2022, the ministry claims that a total of 607,680 Russian soldiers have been "eliminated." The Ministry of Defense announced that five additional tanks (8547) were destroyed during the past day. Since the Russian invasion, Ukraine has reported the loss or destruction of more than 16,600 armored vehicles and around 14,000 drones.
08:39 Ukrainian Air Force: Majority of Russian Missiles and Drones Intercepted Overnight
Russian forces launched multiple missiles and drones towards northern and eastern areas of Ukraine last night, as reported by Ukrainian sources. The air force declared that many of the missiles did not reach their intended targets. It was also revealed that Russia employed a ballistic missile of the Iskander-M type, as well as a cruise missile of the Iskander-K type and six guided missiles. The number of destroyed missiles or drones was not provided. However, eight out of nine Russian attack drones were shot down.
08:08 Six Individuals Suffer in Nighttime Russian Missile Assault on KharkivThe count of individuals hurt in the overnight Russian missile attack on Kharkiv's Slobidsky district within the Kharkiv region has gone up to six, as reported by Kharkiv mayor Ihor Terekhov via Telegram, as cited by the Ukrainian news agency Ukrinform.
07:32 Zelensky Commends Introduced Palianytsia Missile Drones in UkraineUkrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky commended the recently manufactured Palyanytsia missiles within Ukraine. The Ukrainian leader asserted that the missile drones and other military advancements of Ukraine are vital for the nation owing to the postponements in decisions by certain international partners' sides. "Today, the first and successful combat deployment of our new weapon occurred," he said, as quoted by "Kyiv Independent". "A completely new class of Ukrainian missile drone - Palianytsia."
06:55 Asov Commander Disapproves of Prisoner Swap: No Asov Fighters ReleasedAccording to Ukrainian sources, no Asov soldiers were involved in yesterday's prisoner exchange between Russia and Ukraine. Brigade Commander Denys Prokopenko reports this, citing the Asov Regiment commander. The commander of the Asov Regiment criticized the most recent prisoner exchange and expressed his frustration that none of the Asov fighters, who have been in Russian captivity for over two years, were included.
06:14 Governor: Five Civilians Dead, 12 Injured in Ukrainian Airstrike on Russian Border Region BelgorodFive civilians were killed and 12 injured, four severely, in a Ukrainian airstrike on the Russian border region of Belgorod overnight, as stated by the local authorities' leader. Governor Vyacheslav Gladkov mentioned that three minors were also injured, two of whom were hospitalized. Ukraine has recently stepped up its attacks on Russian territory and infiltrated into the Kursk region, which contiguously borders Belgorod, in early August. Belgorod has been a repeated target of Ukrainian airstrikes and drone strikes, which are carried out in retaliation for attacks from the Russian side.
05:47 Russia: Civilians Killed in Ukrainian ShellingFive civilians were killed and 12 injured in an artillery shelling in the city of Rakitnoe in southwestern Russia, according to the regional leader, Vyacheslav Gladkov, via Telegram. The reports were not independently confirmable, and Ukraine has not commented.
04:26 City of Sumy Reports Rocket Strikes and InjuriesThe city of Sumy has been hit by rockets, as reported by the regional military administration. Two rocket hits are recorded, with seven individuals injured, two seriously. The agency reported that Russia targeted the civilian infrastructure of Sumy on Saturday evening.
03:35 Kharkiv: Missile Strike Launched on Two CitiesThe leader of the Kharkiv region, Oleh Synyehubov, cautions that the Russian military has launched missile strikes on the cities of Kharkiv and Chuhuiv. One person is currently recorded injured. In Kharkiv, a significant explosion supposedly took place. The mayor of the city, Ihor Terechov, writes on Telegram that a massive explosion could be heard. He encourages caution within the population. The cause of the explosion is still unknown.
03:06 Ukrainian Air Defense Warns of Combat DronesAir raid warnings are sounding in the east and south of Ukraine. The Ukrainian air force warns, among other things, of a group of Shahed combat drones migrating over the Black Sea towards the southern Ukrainian region of Mykolaiv. Increased Russian attacks are anticipated around the Ukrainian Independence Day, which was celebrated on Saturday. To date, a larger wave of attacks has not materialized.
01:32 Hungary Accuses Brussels of Disrupting Oil Supplies
Hungary suspects the EU Commission of interfering in the disruption of Russian oil supplies. "The fact that the European Commission has expressed that it is not inclined to assist in guaranteeing the energy supply of Hungary and Slovakia suggests that the order came from Brussels to Kyiv to create problems with the energy supply of Hungary and Slovakia," says Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto. The EU Commission initially declines to comment. In June, the Ukrainian oil producer Lukoil was added to the sanctions list and the Druzhba pipeline, which also runs through Ukrainian territory, was blocked. This has largely cut off Hungary and Slovakia from their primary oil supplier.
22:12 Russian Troops Hurt Four Women in Assault on Village in Kupyansk
Russian troops attacked the village of Novoosynove in the Kupyansk district of the Kharkiv region, injuring four women, reports Oleh Syniehubov, leader of the military administration of the Kharkiv region. "The occupiers attacked the village of Novoosynove in the Kupyansk district around 12:00. As a result of the attack, a private residence was set ablaze," said Syniehubov. The injured were taken to a medical facility. Investigations into the aftermath of the attack are still ongoing.
21:03 UK Defense Minister: "Ukraine has consistently been the underdog against Russia's larger forces"
UK's Defense Secretary John Healey congratulates Ukraine on its Independence Day in an article on "European Pravda" portal. "Today marks 33 years since Ukraine declared its independence, promising a brighter, wealthier future as a self-governing democracy, free from Soviet Russia's influence," stated Healey. Today, Ukrainians celebrate their Independence Day amidst war. It's an uphill battle to preserve their freedom and independence against Putin's ruthless, unlawful incursion. "Ukraine has always been the underdog against Russia's overwhelming military power and resources," writes Healey. The courage of both their military and civilian population is commendable as they keep battling on. The UK assures their Ukrainian mates that they'll stand by their side as long as needed. Therefore, the UK embarks on a campaign today, encouraging people in the UK and beyond to express their support for Ukraine. On social media, they urge everyone to make noise for Ukraine and share relevant posts. "Besides military and economic aid, our friendship and solidarity with Ukraine are also vital," mentioned Healey.
20:05 Zelensky elevates Syrsky to General
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has promoted Oleksandr Syrsky, the head of Ukraine's armed forces, to the rank of general, as stated in a decree issued by Zelensky. Previously, Syrsky held the rank of colonel general. The reason for his promotion is the impressive progress made by Ukrainian troops in the Russian border region of Kursk.
You can learn about previous events here.
Following the incident in Kramatorsk, the European Union has expressed its concern over the attacks in Eastern Ukraine, calling for a swift end to hostilities and adherence to international law.
In response to the reports of a Reuters employee missing and two others hospitalized in the attack on Hotel Sapphire, the European Union has issued a statement, condemning the violence and expressing its solidarity with the journalists and media organizations affected. The organization has also urged for the safe and swift return of the missing employee and adequate medical care for the injured.
