Russia and Ukraine conduct prisoner swap involving over 200 individuals held captive due to military conflicts.
12:50 Russian Military Claims Capture of Another Village in Eastern UkraineIn eastern Ukraine, the Russian military claims they've taken over another village. The Defense Ministry of Moscow announces the liberation of Yelannoe Pervoe (Yelanne Perche in Ukrainian), a small town situated near the strategically important city of Pokrovsk, which is currently under threat due to the Russian offensive. The Russian military has seen significant progress in the Donetsk region in recent weeks. Russian President Vladimir Putin has repeatedly stated that the main objective of the Russian army is to seize control of the industrially crucial Donbass region, which includes Donetsk.
12:21 Medvedev Threatens Destruction of Kyiv with "Molten Spot"Russian ex-President Dmitry Medvedev issues a warning of complete destruction to Kyiv. Although Russia has a valid reason to employ nuclear weapons due to Ukraine's advance into the Russian region of Kursk, it has yet to take such action. As a response to Ukraine's use of Western long-range missiles, Medvedev suggests turning Kyiv into a "giant molten spot" using non-nuclear, modern Russian weaponry. Medvedev, who is the deputy chairman of the Russian Security Council, has often spoken out harshly against the West and Ukraine.
11:50 Intense Fighting Reported in Kurachove, UkraineHeavy fighting is currently reported in eastern Ukraine, with Kurachove being the epicenter. Tensions are escalating among residents due to the decision on the use of Western long-range weapons. Reporter Kavita Sharma from Dnipro provides updates on the situation.
11:12 Large-Scale Drone Attack Damages Odessa Region of UkraineDetails of last night's drone attack in the Odessa region of Ukraine are emerging. According to the Ukrainian air force, Russia launched a total of 76 combat drones, with 72 of them being downed. However, the air force does not disclose the consequences of the attack. The governor of Odessa's Black Sea region reports extensive damage, with several buildings in a suburb of the regional capital Odessa being struck by drone debris. Warehouses in Ismajil, a key district through which Ukraine ships some of its grain, were also damaged. Additionally, some government buildings in Kyiv were reportedly hit by debris, although no fires were reported.
10:31 Stoltenberg on Pre-War Meetings: Russians Showed False NATO MapsNATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg discusses the last diplomatic efforts before the start of the war in February 2022 to deter Russia from invading Ukraine. In an interview with the "Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung," Stoltenberg mentions that in January, the NATO-Russia Council meeting, which he led, saw Russia demand the withdrawal of all NATO troops from the eastern part of the alliance. This demand was deemed unacceptable, but Stoltenberg believed in dialogue and attempted another meeting. During this meeting, two Russian deputy foreign and defense ministers presented flawed maps, claiming that Russia was surrounded by NATO territory. Denmark, for instance, was not marked on these maps.
10:03 Wiegold on Germany-Lithuania Agreement: Lithuania Sees German Combat Brigade as SupportGermany and Lithuania sign an agreement guaranteeing that a combat-ready German brigade will be stationed in the Baltic NATO state. Military expert Thomas Wiegold explains the agreement's background and significance in an ntv interview.
09:28 Kim Seeks Cooperation with Moscow, Amidst Accusations of Weapon Supply to UkraineNorth Korean leader Kim Jong Un reportedly aims to strengthen cooperation with Russia following talks with Russian Security Council chief Sergei Shoigu in North Korea. According to North Korean state media, the two discussed deepening their strategic dialogue and strengthening cooperation to protect their respective security interests and the regional and international situation. However, Ukraine, the US, and South Korea accuse North Korea of supplying Russia with weapons and missiles for the Ukraine war. Pyongyang rejects these allegations as "preposterous."
08:59 Discussion on Allowing Ukraine to Use Far-Reaching Western Weapons to Target RussiaDiscussions on whether Ukraine can use advanced Western weapons against Russian targets will be revisited soon. British Prime Minister Starmer has announced this after meeting with US President Biden, during which they postponed a decision on the issue. Biden and Starmer will discuss it further at the UN General Assembly in New York next week with a broader group of people. British media reports suggest that Biden is prepared to allow Ukraine to use British and French rockets equipped with US technology – but not US-made rockets.
08:23 Zelensky on Trump's alleged plan: "Election rhetoric is election rhetoric"Donald Trump, the Republican presidential candidate, has repeatedly declared that he could end the conflict in Ukraine in a single day, yet has never provided a strategy. When asked to clarify his statement during an interview with CNN, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky expressed his lack of understanding, stating, "I can't grasp it today because I'm unaware of the specifics of his intentions and their implications." According to him, there's an election campaign underway in the US. "And campaign promises are campaign promises," he further explained. "Sometimes they're not realistic." However, Zelensky also disclosed that he had chatted with Trump two months prior, during which Trump assured him of his support for Ukraine, describing the conversation as positive.
07:27 ISW: Russia needs more troops in Kursk to push back UkrainiansRussia has been perpetuating counterattacks in the Kursk region, but the Institute for the Study of War (ISW) does not recognize a full-scale operation to completely push out the Ukrainians from Kursk. Based in Washington, the ISW suggests that Russian authorities have primarily relied on inexperienced and under-equipped conscripts, along with small portions of the regular Russian armed forces and other security forces located at the border for their operations. In its evaluation, the think tank posits, "A Russian offensive to recapture land seized by Ukrainian forces in the Kursk Oblast will likely necessitate more personnel and resources than Russia has amassed so far - particularly if most of the units already deployed lack combat experience."
06:49 Ukraine underdrone assaultAs per the Ukrainian military, Russia bombarded Ukraine using Shahed drones throughout the night. The Russian armed forces launched multiple drone attack squadrons, according to the Ukrainian air force. Air warnings were issued in almost every region of the country, like in the Odessa region. The navy claimed it shot down nine drones there. Explosions were reported in the city of Odessa, but no casualties have been acknowledged as of yet.
06:13 Mützenich proposes an international diplomatic groupSPD parliamentary group leader Rolf Mützenich suggested an international diplomatic group to initiate a peace effort in the Ukraine conflict. "In my opinion, now is the time for Western allies to initiate a diplomatic group to commence negotiations," he told the "Rheinische Post". "German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky agree that now is an opportune time to intensify efforts for peace talks, and that Russia should be included in the next peace summit." When asked about potential members of such a diplomatic group, Mützenich mentioned countries such as China, India, Turkey, and Brazil as likely contenders. "In these countries, opposition to the Russian aggression is growing," he stated. "Therefore, the work of a diplomatic group 'could indeed be promising,' and it could serve as a crucial mediator."
05:41 Insider: EU Considering Fresh Sanctions Extension ApproachEU diplomats are reportedly investigating three methods for extending future sanctions against Russia. According to a few insiders, potential solutions were put forward to European diplomats on Friday. The move comes in response to frozen assets of the Russian central bank, which play a significant role in securing a $50 billion credit line from G7 states to Ukraine. These assets have been frozen since Russia's invasion of Ukraine.
03:40 Klitschko: Drone Debris Impacts Kyiv City StructuresKyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko reported via the Telegram messaging app that drone debris hit a city building in the Obolon district, north of the city center, early in the morning. He indicated that emergency services were on their way to the scene. Previously, the mayor had mentioned that air defense units were operational in the capital.
01:35 Kim Jong Un Promises Enhanced Cooperation with ShoiguNorth Korean leader Kim Jong Un has promised Russian Security Council Secretary Sergei Shoigu increased cooperation. As per the state news agency KCNA, the two men had an "extensive exchange of views" and reached a satisfactory consensus on issues such as boosting "defense partnerships in safeguarding mutual security interests" during Shoigu's visit to Pyongyang. Shoigu, who served as Russian defense minister until May, spearheaded closer ties between North Korea and Russia with a visit to Pyongyang in July of last year.
23:36 Zelenskyy to Unveil 'Victory Strategy' to Biden in SeptemberUkrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has announced a September meeting with US President Joe Biden, vowing, "I will present him with the strategy for victory." The strategy involves a cohesive set of decisions to empower Ukraine with sufficient forces to steer the conflict toward peace. "Such wars of conquest can be justifiably concluded in various ways: either the occupying force is driven out through force or through diplomacy," Zelenskyy explained. This would ensure the true independence of the nation. However, Ukraine depends on US support for this solid stance.
11:59 PM Russia Shifts Focus towards SouthIntense combat persists in the eastern region of the nation, as per the Ukrainian military's nightly update, reporting 115 skirmishes. The report highlights that the most intense activity occurred towards Kurachove, with Russian forces also active around Lyman and Pokrovsk. Interestingly, Kurachove, situated south of Pokrovsk, was previously the primary focus of Russian attacks. Lately, however, the Russians have only managed minimal territorial advancements in the area. Instead, they've expanded their attack fronts southward, aiming to capture Hirnyk, a mining town near Kurachove.
11:18 PM Zelensky: Advance in Kursk brings ReliefUkrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky declares that the Ukrainian offensive in the Russian region of Kursk has achieved its intended objectives. He mentions that Russian forces have been halted in Kharkiv and their progress in Donetsk has slowed down. Moreover, Russia has not managed substantial territorial gains in its counterattack in Kursk. The relocation of significant Russian troop formations from Donetsk and other regions to Kursk had raised concerns among experts. Russia claims to have regained control over ten of the hundred villages they had occupied.
10:46 PM "West is Timid" - Zelensky's Direct Critique on AlliesVolodymyr Zelensky, the Ukrainian President, levels accusations against the West, claiming they demonstrate "fear" when discussing aid for Ukraine in deflecting Russian missiles. "If allies can collectively counteract missiles and drones in the Middle East, why hasn't there been a similar decision to jointly combat Russian missiles and Iranian Shaheds in Ukraine's skies?" Zelensky questioned during a conference in Kyiv. He pointed out that such hesitation is "embarrassing for the democratic world," as missiles and drones continue to threaten neighboring territories.
10:30 PM Russia Employs Over 8,000 Iranian DronesAs per Kyiv's government, Russia has launched 8,060 Iranian Shahed drones against Ukraine since the war's commencement. No official statements from Iran or Russia have surfaced as of yet. Ukraine first implicated the Iranian government in supplying kamikaze drones to Russia in the fall of 2022.
9:43 PM USA Avoids Discussing Approval for Long-Range Weapons for UkraineIn Washington, Prime Minister Keir Starmer of Britain and US President Joe Biden are meeting for discussions. There's speculation about potential decisions regarding the authorization of long-range weaponry for Ukraine. According to British sources from the "Guardian," Ukraine has been given permission to conduct attacks with Storm-Shadow missiles. However, no announcements will be made on this topic during today's meeting between the partners. "I wouldn't anticipate an announcement today about the employment of long-range weapons within Russia—absolutely not from the US," said John Kirby, the communications director for the National Security Council. He only hints at continued discussions with Britain, France, and other allies about the supply of "appropriate capabilities" to Ukraine. He makes no definitive statement regarding any potential official changes. "I won't engage in a hypothetical discussion about what we might or might not reveal at a specific moment in time."
You can review all previous developments here.
In the aftermath of these military operations, there are concerns about the potential for further escalation.
Given the ongoing Russian military operations, there have been calls for international intervention to de-escalate the situation.
