Russian Forces Deploy approximately 30,000 personnel to Kursk (Russia)
Objective of Ukrainian operation in Kursk is to lure Russian troops from other sectors, particularly from Pokrovsk and Kurachovo in Donetsk region As per Ukrainian army chief Oleksandr Syrskyi, Russia is currently deploying approximately 30,000 soldiers in the Kursk region. According to Syrskyi, the number of troops is continually increasing. This deployment of Russian troops indicates that Russia is decreasing its activities in the southern part of Ukraine. However, the pressure remains high in the focus area of Pokrovsk. Moscow seems to be gathering its strongest troops in Pokrovsk, as stated by Syrskyi.
16:25 Fatal Russian rocket attack in Kharkiv region Russian forces attacked the city of Bohoduchiw in the Kharkiv region, resulting in one death and six injuries. One of the rockets hit a bus stop, killing a 71-year-old woman. The attack also affected industrial and residential facilities, along with several vehicles.
15:57 Shmyhal estimates Ukraine's budget deficit in billions Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal stated that an additional $15 billion is required to cover Ukraine's budget deficit in 2025. According to Shmyhal, the budget deficit is estimated to be $35 billion for the following year, with plans to cover $20 billion of it. The Ukrainian government estimates the deficit for 2024 to be around $38 billion. Shmyhal mentioned that the government plans to raise taxes and borrow more on the domestic debt market to fund the war against Russia and cover the remaining deficit. The parliament will discuss these proposals in September.
15:32 Ukraine works on developing its own weapons systems Ukraine reported the largest bombing and rocket attack by the Russian army since the war's beginning. Despite the continuous heavy attacks, even during the night, Ukraine is exploring new ways to defend itself without relying on Western military aid.
15:11 Zelensky: Ukraine successfully tests its first ballistic missile President Volodymyr Zelensky announced that Ukraine has successfully tested its first ballistic missile. He congratulated "our defense industry" but refused to provide more details about the missile.
14:45 Moscow accuses US of involvement in Ukrainian incursion in Kursk region Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov claimed that US involvement in the incursion of Ukrainian troops into the Russian region of Kursk is "a fact." He warned that the reaction of the government in Moscow could be more severe than before. He did not provide any evidence or details supporting his statements. The US Presidential Office denied prior knowledge of the Ukrainian troops' incursion into Kursk on August 6.
14:19 Zelensky: F-16s successfully intercept Russian missiles Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky reported that the new F-16 fighter jets have successfully intercepted Russian missiles. According to Zelensky, the planes were used to repel the large-scale air attack that took place on Monday.
13:59 Air raid alert near Russian nuclear power plant Kursk A brief air raid alert was issued in the city of Kursk, located in the Russian region of Kursk. The citizens were warned of a potential missile threat according to a Reuters reporter. The Kursk nuclear power plant, which is currently being inspected by the head of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), Rafael Grossi, is situated in Kursk.
13:44 Russian army claims capture of another village near Pokrovsk The Russian army reported capturing another village near the strategically important city of Pokrovsk in eastern Ukraine. The Russian Defense Ministry announced that the village of Orlowka, also known as Orliwka in Ukrainian, has been "liberated" by their soldiers. Despite the ongoing battle against the Ukrainian army in the Russian region of Kursk, Moscow continues its offensive in Donetsk.
13:21 Lavrov uses the nuclear card Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov described Ukraine's call on its allies to use the weapons supplied by the West to invade Russia as blackmail. He warned Western nuclear powers about the dangers of "playing with fire." Russia is updating its nuclear doctrine, according to Lavrov, but he did not provide any details. The new doctrine allows for the use of nuclear weapons if Russia's sovereignty or territorial integrity is threatened.
13:04 Syrskyj: Progress in Kursk - Situation in Pokrovsk difficult According to Army Chief Oleksandr Syrskyj, Ukrainian troops are making progress in the Russian region of Kursk, but the situation remains challenging in Pokrovsk, the focus area in the Ukrainian region of Donetsk.
12:33 Kyiv: 594 Russian POWs captured in KurskAccording to Ukraine's Commander-in-Chief, Oleksandr Syrskyj, 594 Russian soldiers have been captured in the Kursk region. This is the first time he's disclosed a specific number. Early in the week, the "Washington Post" identified at least 247 Russian POWs through photo and video analysis.
12:09 Power outages and restrictions to persist for several days moreFollowing the largest Russian attack on Ukraine since the war started, power disruptions and severe restrictions are forecast to last for another one to two weeks, as reported by Ivan Plachkov, head of the Ukrainian Energy Association, in an interview with Kyiv24 TV. Plachkov described the Russian attack on Monday as one of the most intense attacks on energy infrastructure, aimed at causing a complete power system blackout.
11:46 Roth: Russia aims to induce refugee exodus to EU with attack waveIn his assessment, SPD foreign policy expert Michael Roth stated that Russia is using its relentless attacks on Ukrainian supply facilities to trigger a refugee influx to Europe. Roth explained that the sustained attack series signals the beginning of a new assault on Ukraine's energy infrastructure. The objective is to disable Ukraine's arms production and make daily life unbearable in Ukraine, thereby inducing new refugee movements to the EU. Roth advocated support for the upcoming "harsh winter," such as backup generators, and US approval for the use of long-range weapons against the airfields from which Russian bombers launch.
11:21 Ukrainian Border Guard: No perceived troop movements in BelarusThe Ukrainian Border Guard reported no discernible troop movements in Belarus, as stated by spokesman Andrij Demtschenko on Ukrainian television. However, he acknowledged the ongoing threat to Ukraine from Belarus' border. Recently, the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry pronounced that Belarus had amassed troops and equipment near the border. Belarus is a close ally of Russia.
10:56 Russian governor confirms Ukrainian incursion attempts in BelgorodVyacheslav Gladkov, governor of the Belgorod region, announced on Telegram that "reports suggest the enemy is attempting to breach the border." This validates reports from Russian Telegram channels (see entry from 10:02). "According to the Russian Ministry of Defense, the situation at the border remains challenging but manageable," Gladkov said. "Please remain calm and rely solely on trustworthy information sources." Gladkov reported that Ukraine had attacked the region with over 20 drones within the previous 24 hours. Kyiv has yet to comment on the alleged incidents.
10:50 Report: Ukraine establishes new heavy troop unitsAccording to a report by the independent Ukrainian portal "MilitaryLand," Ukraine is creating new mechanized brigades for the defensive struggle against Russian aggression, which may become operational by 2025. The recruitment is expected to draw primarily on Ukrainians living abroad and partially train them there. A mechanized brigade generally comprises approximately 2,000 soldiers and is armed with significant military equipment like tanks.
10:44 IAEA Chief Grossi Inspects Russian NPP in KurskThe Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), Rafael Grossi, has arrived at the Kursk Nuclear Power Plant (NPP) in the Russian region of the same name, according to a TASS report. Grossi announced on the previous day his intention to personally lead the inspection of the facility near Kursk due to the escalating situation. Thousands of Ukrainian soldiers had invaded the Kursk region in a surprise attack on August 6. Russia accuses Ukraine of repeatedly attacking the facility. The Ukrainian government has not yet issued an official response.
10:23 FSB Initiates Criminal Proceedings Against Deutsche Welle ReporterThe Russian Federal Security Service (FSB) has allegedly initiated criminal proceedings against two foreign journalists. They are accused of unlawfully crossing the Russian border to report from the Kursk region following the Ukrainian invasion. Reuters reports this, citing the Russian news agency Interfax. According to the report, a Deutsche Welle reporter and a correspondent for Ukrainian TV channel 1+1 are among the journalists under investigation. The FSB has reportedly initiated criminal proceedings against at least seven foreign journalists who have reported from Kursk.
10:02 Ukrainian Troops Attempt to Infiltrate Border in Belgorod RegionUkrainian forces appear to be attempting to breach the Russian border in the southern Belgorod region, according to reports from Russian Telegram channels quoted by The Guardian. The Telegram channel Mash alleges that around 500 Ukrainian soldiers have assaulted two checkpoints in Nechoteyewka and Shebekino in Belgorod, with fighting ongoing at both locations. Belgorod shares a border with the Russian region of Kursk, where Ukrainian forces have gained ground since early August.
09:21 "Everything Headed towards Kyiv's Capital Was Obliterated" Ukraine's air defense forces claim to have thwarted five Russian-launched missiles and 60 drones. Russia launched a total of ten missiles and 81 drones towards Ukraine, according to the air defense forces' Telegram channel. Around 15 drones and several missiles were intercepted near Kyiv, reported Serhiy Popko, the head of Kyiv's military administration. "Everything headed towards Kyiv's capital was obliterated." Ten drones were still in Ukrainian airspace by 9:00 local time (8:00 CEST). Other drones have crashed. Three hypersonic Kinzhal (Dagger) missiles and two Iskander missiles could not be intercepted, stated the air defense forces commander, Mykola Oleschuk. Although the military's numbers are not entirely reliable, they offer a general idea of the attack's scale.
08:57 Overnight Attacks Result in Multiple Casualties - Russia Fires Kinzhal Missiles Russia once again bombarded Ukraine with heavy air raids using various weapons overnight. Preliminary reports by Ukrainian authorities suggest that at least four individuals have perished - two due to a rocket strike on a hotel in Kryvy Rih and two more due to drone attacks in Saporizhzhia. According to the Ukrainian air defense forces, the Russian army deployed long-range bombers from which cruise missiles were launched. Hypersonic Kinzhal missiles were also used.
08:33 Beijing Backing Own Peace Plan China is advocating for broader international support for its peace plan. Li Hui, China's special envoy for Eurasian affairs, remarked after diplomatic discussions with Indonesia, Brazil, and South Africa that these countries have substantial influence in fostering world peace. They have been in contact with both Ukraine and Russia and are committed to resolving the issue politically through dialogue and negotiations, Li stated. China and Brazil released a joint peace proposal earlier this year, which envisions a peace conference involving all parties and no further expansion on the battlefield. China and Russia skipped a peace conference in Switzerland in June. Russia was not invited, and China declined to participate.
08:05 Chechen Achmat Commander: Two Villages in Kursk "Freed" The Russian military claims to have "liberated" two more villages in Russia's Kursk region. This information comes from the Russian state news agency TASS, which cited the deputy head of the military-political main department of the Russian armed forces and the commander of the Chechen special unit Achmat, Major General Apti Alaudinov. "It gives me great pleasure to announce that the Arbat unit has completely cleared the two villages of Nizhnya Parovaya and Nechayev today, and the 1427th regiment is advancing. Consequently, this region has also been cleansed and brought under control," Alaudinov stated in a video posted on a Telegram channel. According to the general, the situation on the front line has not significantly changed today. "The enemy has suffered heavy losses today. They have been bombarding us all day and have suffered severe losses as a result." These assertions cannot be independently confirmed. However, the Institute for the Study of War (ISW) confirms that geographical data revealed on Monday shows that Ukrainian forces were in operation close to Nechayev.
07:37 Biden Slams Latest Russian Attacks as "Neckless" US President Joe Biden has denounced the latest Russian attacks as "neckless." "I firmly denounce Russia's relentless assault on Ukraine and its attempts to push the Ukrainian people into the shadows," Biden remarked. Russia will never prevail in Ukraine, he added. The German Foreign Office stated on X that Russia is targeting Ukraine's "lifelines" with attacks and attempting to "destroy supplies." British Foreign Secretary David Lammy criticized the Russian attacks as "courageless."
07:05 ISW: Belarus Invasion of Ukraine Unlikely
The Institute for the Study of War (ISW) continues to uphold that a Belarusian invasion of Ukraine is unlikely. The US research institution bases its conclusion on its latest report, which is predicated on an analysis by Ukraine-based open-source news organization Frontline Insight and Rochan Consulting, indicating that Belarusian combat units typically function at only 30 to 40 percent of their full strength and require mobilization to deploy units. No such mobilization has occurred. Instead, the present activities appear to be aimed at diverting Ukrainian forces away from other parts of the front line, thereby bolstering Russian troops. The current number of Russian forces in Belarus is insufficient to launch a coordinated invasion from the Gomel region border. A Belarusian invasion of Ukraine, or even military engagement in the conflict, would compromise President Alexander Lukashenko's ability to defend his regime, potentially amplifying domestic discontent. The next presidential elections are scheduled for February 2025.
06:32 Gabbard Supports Trump as "War Hawk"
Former Democratic presidential candidate and congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard, who later left the Democratic Party, is backing Republican candidate Donald Trump for the November election. She pledged to do everything in her power to help him regain the presidency, asserting that as president, Trump would first focus on removing the US from the brink of war. Gabbard, a former National Guard member, ran for the Democratic presidential nomination in 2020 but had little chance of success and subsequently endorsed Joe Biden, who secured the Democratic nomination. Throughout her campaign, Gabbard advocated for a more peaceful US foreign policy. The 43-year-old politician had to defend herself against accusations that her campaign was financed by Russia and was intended to undermine the Democrats.
06:17 Biden Praise for Modi's Ukraine Visit
U.S. President Joe Biden lauded Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his recent trip to Ukraine. Modi, whose nation maintains neutrality in the Ukraine-Russia conflict, stated on Twitter that he discussed India's full support for a swift restoration of peace and stability in Ukraine with Biden. The White House confirmed that Biden praised Modi's engagement with Ukraine and his visit to Poland last week. Poland is among Kyiv's closest allies in Eastern Europe. "We welcome any nation that considers Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky's viewpoint and desires to aid him in achieving a fair peace," said John Kirby, the National Security Council Coordinator for Strategic Communications.
05:45 Testimonies of Three Successive Explosions in KyivIn the most recent drone assault on Kyiv, witnesses have reported at least three sequences of explosions. Currently, there are no reports of fatalities or injuries. The air defense systems in the Kyiv area have been active all night to intercept the rockets and drones targeted at the capital, as reported by the regional military administration on Telegram. The attacks transpired just one day after the largest Russian air assault to date in this conflict.
05:03 Air Force: Russian Bombers Approaching UkraineAccording to Ukrainian sources, Russia has deployed bombers and drones heading towards Ukraine. The Tu-95ms bombers took off from the Engels airbase in southwestern Russia, the Ukrainian air force reported on Telegram. Attack drones are also en route to Ukraine. Warning alerts have been activated in various parts of Ukraine, as reported by local authorities.
04:04 Casualties in Russian Missile Strike on Kryvyi RihTwo individuals have lost their lives due to a Russian missile strike on the Ukrainian city of Kryvyi Rih, as per Ukrainian reports. A Russian missile hit a hotel, possibly trapping up to five people beneath the debris. rescue operations are ongoing, according to Ukrainian media, citing information from the district and city military administrations. The Russians struck the hotel with a ballistic missile, the city administration reported. Unfortunately, these reports cannot be independently corroborated.
02:04 Additional Russian Drone Attack on KyivAccording to Ukrainian sources, Ukraine has experienced another Russian drone attack in the Kyiv region. "Enemy UAVs (Unmanned Aerial Vehicles) detected," the Kyiv regional military administration reported on Telegram. "Air defense systems are active in the area."
00:35 Ukraine: One Fatality in Russian Missile Strike on Kryvyi RihOne individual has perished in a Russian missile strike targeting a civilian infrastructure facility in the central Ukrainian city of Kryvyi Rih. Five more people may still be buried beneath the rubble, regional authorities declared. The Kryvyi Rih military administration's head, Oleksandr Vilkul, reported on Telegram that four individuals have been hospitalized due to injuries. The governor of the Dnipropetrovsk region, Serhiy Lysak, elaborated on Telegram that the facility has now been "reduced to rubble." These reports are not independently verifiable. Russia has yet to issue a response.
23:19 Zelensky Threatens Russia with Retaliation for Air RaidsIn retaliation for the large-scale Russian air assaults against Ukraine, President Volodymyr Zelensky threatened retribution. The military preparations are in progress utilizing the F-16 fighter jets provided by the West, Zelensky stated in his evening video address. Zelensky did not disclose the specifics of the planned retaliation. However, he referred once again to the Ukrainian attack on the Russian region of Kursk, which has been ongoing for three weeks. Ukrainian troops have expanded their control there and taken more Russian captives, enhancing the likelihood of prisoner exchanges.
22:03 USA: Russia Aims to Plunge Ukraine into DarknessFollowing the extreme bombardments in Ukraine, the United States accused Russia of aiming "to thrust the Ukrainian people into darkness as autumn arrives," according to John Kirby, spokesperson for the US National Security Council. The attacks on Ukraine's energy infrastructure are "scandalous," Kirby asserted. The United States condemned "Russia's ongoing conflict against Ukraine."
21:20 Additional Evacuations in the Donetsk RegionAs a result of the Russian advance in the Donetsk area, Ukrainian authorities have ordered additional evacuations. Due to the worsening safety conditions, the mandatory evacuation zone has been expanded, and children and their parents or guardians must vacate their dwellings, as reported by Donetsk Governor Vadym Fillaschkin. A total of 27 settlements in the Konstantinovka and Selydove regions have been listed. Earlier, evacuations had already been ordered in the Pokrovsk area due to the advance of Russian troops.
You can review all prior events here.
The attack on Ukraine has escalated further with Russia launching a fatal rocket attack on Bohoduchiw in the Kharkiv region, causing one death and six injuries.
In response to the Russian troop buildup in Kursk, Ukraine is continuing to focus on luring Russian troops from other sectors, particularly Pokrovsk in the Donetsk region, as part of their operational strategy.
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