Scholz underscores that Ukraine will receive significant financial aid, emphasizing the substantial amount.
19:54 Chancellor Scholz shows disbelief at allegations of insufficient aid to Ukraine. This year, Ukraine receives over 7 billion euros, making it the most aided European country, Scholz stated on Sat1 TV. In the upcoming year, it will receive 4 billion euros from the federal budget - again, the highest amount among European countries. Furthermore, there are the 50 billion dollars made feasible by the western G7 countries through the utilization of frozen Russian assets. "That's a substantial amount of money, it's a considerable sum," Scholz stresses.
20:14 Putin draws similarities between Beslan hostage-taking in 2004 and Ukrainian troops' advance. On the 20th anniversary of the Beslan school tragedy, Russian President Vladimir Putin established parallels between the incident and the current Ukrainian military presence in the Russian border region of Kursk. Back then, Russia dealt with "terrorists" in Beslan, now they must combat "those responsible for criminal activities in the Kursk region," Putin explained during his Beslan visit on Tuesday.
19:43 The Moscow Patriarchate brands the planned ban on the Ukraine-friendly Orthodox Church as "illegal." The Russian Orthodox Church has denounced the parliament's decision to institute a ban on the Russia-aligned Ukrainian Orthodox Church, calling it an "unlawful act" and a "grave breach of religious freedom and human rights." Spokesperson Vladimir Legoida, via Telegram, warned that implementing this measure may result in "significant violence against millions of adherents." Patriarch Kirill, the Russian Orthodox Church's leader, expressed concern during his visit to the Solovki Monastery in northern Russia, stating that "it's a challenging time when many feel hostile towards us, not because of our flaws, but merely because we're different." Previously, Kyiv legislators approved legislation imposing a ban on religious organizations with ties to Moscow.
19:12 A Ramstein meeting to aid Ukraine is scheduled for September 6th. US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin has invited the Ukraine Contact Group to another meeting at the US airbase Ramstein in Rhineland-Palatinate. The meeting, set for September 6th, will focus on strengthening support for Ukraine. The contact group includes nearly 50 nations, including Germany, with non-NATO countries also invited.
18:36 Russian army reorganizes units near Ukrainian border. Defense Minister Andrei Belousov confirmed the establishment of three new formations to safeguard the Russian-Ukrainian border. The formations, named after the regions of Kursk, Belgorod, and Bryansk, were established two weeks after Ukrainian troops seized parts of Kursk.
18:10 Russian oil depot in Proletarsk engulfed in a massive fire following a drone attack. The raging inferno in the Russian city of Proletarsk's oil depot, caused by a Ukrainian drone attack, continues to be beyond control, even two days later.
17:36 Satellite images suggest Russia may be constructing a second bridge parallel to the Crimean Bridge. Satellite evidence apparently indicates that Russia could be constructing a second bridge parallel to the 19-kilometer-long Crimean Bridge, joining the Russian mainland to Crimea. Ukrajinska Prawda reports a "parallel construction" that appears to be a "bridge." ntv.de corroborated this by examining satellite images from June, July, and August, confirming construction activity.
16:58 Zelensky acknowledges challenging situation on Ukrainian frontline. According to the British newspaper "The Guardian," Zelensky described the situation on Ukraine's eastern frontline as "difficult," with particular concern in the strategic city of Pokrovsk and Toretsk. The Ukrainian General Staff reported 14 battles and 34 clashes in the Toretsk and Pokrovsk areas since morning.
16:36 Russian Ministry advises Kursk residents to disable dating apps and surveillance cameras. The Russian Interior Ministry suggested that residents in three Russian border regions delete dating apps and disable online surveillance cameras due to Ukrainian forces identifying several IP addresses and gaining access to unsecured cameras in private homes, on strategic roads, and highways. The ministry also discouraged using online dating services, citing potential security risks.
16:20 Russian authorities report 17 civilian deaths from Ukrainian incursion in a week. The Russian news agency TASS, citing emergency services, announced that 17 people have been killed and 235 wounded in Kursk over the past week as a result of Ukrainian incursions.
15:54 Reporter covered rapid Ukrainian forces advance. "Yesterday, there were 63 attacks by Russian troops in Pokrovsk," reported ntv reporter Nadja Kriewald from eastern Ukraine. She discussed the evacuation of a Ukrainian village, which had to be halted as Russian troops had seize the location.
15:33 Russia Voices Anger Over American Journalists in KurskRussia has called in a high-ranking American diplomat. According to Russian news agency TASS, this move is in response to the "provocative actions" of American journalists in the Russian region of Kursk. The Russian Foreign Ministry stated that they had informed U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Stephanie Holmes about the reporters illegally entering a region where Ukrainian forces launched an offensive two weeks prior. Russia is determined to bring them to justice, they added.
15:10 Eastern Commissioner Notices Russian Propaganda Influence in East GermanyThe federal government's commissioner for the east, Carsten Schneider from the SPD, has expressed concern over certain German views regarding Ukraine. "It's alarming how Ukraine and the Ukrainians are sometimes spoken about, both in the east and the west," he told newspapers from the New Berlin Editorial Society. "Unfortunately, Russian propaganda often makes its way through, especially in eastern Germany," Schneider mentioned. In supporting Ukraine, it's about the very existence of the country, Schneider stated. The AfD and AfD politicians, in particular, go beyond this limit.
14:48 Kursk Advance Allegedly Causes Ammunition Shortage for RussiansThe "Financial Times" quotes a Ukrainian commander, who claims that the Russian advance in eastern Ukraine is partly due to Kyiv reallocating resources to the north. His troops are now rationing artillery shells - for the first time since the U.S. Congress halted Ukraine aid. The ammunition was directed towards the Russian region of Kursk.
14:26 Kremlin Analyst: Kursk Advance signifies Shifts in Moscow Power StructureKremlin analyst Rainer Munz believes that the Ukrainian advance into Kursk could accelerate or at least highlight a generational shift within the Moscow power apparatus. However, he adds that the power of the Russian president remains unaffected.
14:01 Authorities Warn of High Chlorine Levels in Ternopil Air after Russian AttackAfter a Russian attack on an industrial site in Ternopil, western Ukraine, local authorities are cautioning residents about high chlorine levels in the air. According to the Ukrainian newspaper "Kyiv Independent", Oksana Chaichuk, head of the regional center for disease control and prevention, advises limiting outdoor activity and keeping windows closed. Chlorine levels in the air are reportedly between four and ten times higher than usual, she said at a press conference. The attack is believed to have targeted a fuel and lubricant depot, with a fire breaking out at an unspecified facility. No casualties or injuries were reported.
13:39 Russian Troops Reportedly Capture Town of New York in DonetskThe Russian army is reportedly in control of the town of New York in the Donetsk region of eastern Ukraine, according to Russia's defense ministry. The troops have seized "one of the largest settlements in the vicinity of Torez, the strategically important logistics center of Novogorodskoe," the ministry said, using the Soviet-era name. The name New York, dating back to German settlers, was changed to Novogorodskoe in 1951 and restored to its original name in 2021 following Ukrainian activists' efforts. The town is located about six kilometers south of Torez, which has been under Russian attack for weeks.
13:01 Defector Russian Soldier Spied for UkraineA Russian soldier who deserted to Ukraine was spying and even injured his commander, Ukraine's military intelligence (HUR) has revealed. The "Kyiv Independent" newspaper reports that the soldier, codenamed "Silver", defected as part of a joint operation by the "Freedom of Russia" Legion and Ukraine's military intelligence project "I Want to Live". Before fleeing, he injured his commander with a grenade in the town of Ocheretyne in the Donetsk Oblast. "Silver" contacted the legion in early 2024 after witnessing various criminal acts by his unit and commanders, according to the military intelligence service. He then secretly provided information about the location of Russian troops and plans for military operations.
12:23 Ukrainian Parliament Considering Ban on Russia-Loyal ChurchThe Ukrainian parliament is moving forward with a ban on the Russian-linked Ukrainian Orthodox Church. According to deputies, the parliament in Kyiv has approved a bill initially prohibiting the Russian Orthodox Church from operating on Ukrainian territory. The government in Kyiv is planning to ban religious organizations linked to the Russian Orthodox Church, but this still needs to be ratified by courts. The government criticizes the Ukrainian minority church as a tool for Russian influence in the country and a supporter of the invasion of Ukraine.
11:51 Huge Fire at Oil Depot in Russian Rostov, Attributed to Ukrainian Drone StrikeOver 500 firefighters are still battling a massive fire at an oil depot in the Russian region of Rostov, ignited by a Ukrainian drone strike. The fire spreads over an area of 10,000 square meters, with several diesel tanks aflame, according to the head of Proletarsk, Valery Gornitsky, as reported by news agency TASS. "There is no risk of explosion, no danger to people, and no evacuations," he added. Four firefighting aircraft and over 520 firefighters are involved. Gornitsky declared that vehicles cannot approach the fire due to the intense heat, requiring the use of aircraft. So far, at least 41 firefighters have been wounded, with 18 treated in hospital.
In the most recent Russian bombardments on Ukraine's infrastructure, an industrial facility and a fuel storage unit were struck in the Ternopil region, as authorities reported. Ukrainian broadcasts depicted enormous plumes of black smoke ascending over Ternopil, prompting local officials to urge residents to stay indoors. Over 90 firefighters are working diligently to extinguish the blaze, with the situation reportedly under control, according to the Ternopil regional administration.
10:41 Ex-Russian Diplomat Bondarev: Putin Acting "Feeble and Deceitful"
Russian President Vladimir Putin is behaving "feeble and deceitful," suggests Boris Bondarev, a former Russian diplomat, in a guest commentary for ntv.de. Putin's image of supposedly being unbeatable against any adversary has been shattered by the onset of the conflict in Ukraine. The swift conquest within days failed to materialize, and Moscow recently appeared entirely caught off guard and overwhelmed by the Ukrainian attack on the Russian region of Kursk. "Putin falters when confronted with a genuine threat and doesn't know how to respond. He doesn't even resemble a cornered rat ready to fight to the death, but a feeble and deceitful individual," Bondarev remarked. The ex-diplomat, who distanced himself from the Putin regime in protest of the conflict, also fiercely criticizes Western leaders for their stance of prohibiting the use of provided weapons on Russian territory. "One must challenge Putin with forceful dialogue." He dismisses the West's fear of "escalation" as unwarranted. "The 'escalation' is already here - Putin's adversary has set foot on Russian land! However, he exhibits no reaction whatsoever," Bondarev wrote.
10:13 Ukraine: Five civilians killed and more than 20 injured in Russian assaultsWithin the past 24 hours, five civilians have been killed and at least 22 were wounded, including a child, as a result of Russian attacks in Ukraine, according to regional authorities, as reported by "Kyiv Independent".
09:37 Russian storage facility ablaze: Satellite photograph reveals the intensity of the fireUkraine targeted a significant fuel storage facility in Proletarsk in southern Russia with drones on Sunday morning. Despite the best efforts, the fire has not yet been extinguished, resulting in more than 40 firefighters being injured, based on regional authorities' reports. Satellite images illustrate the fire's extent:
Ukraine has targeted several Russian refineries and oil facilities with drones in recent months, aiming to disrupt fuel deliveries to enemy troops and diminish Russia's oil industry revenues.
09:16 Kyiv: Over 1300 Russian soldiers "eliminated" in a single dayRussian casualties remain high, with 1330 soldiers killed or incapacitated in a single day, as per official Ukrainian statistics. Since the commencement of the war in February 2022, a total of 601,800 Russian soldiers have been "eliminated," according to the Ukrainian Defense Ministry. The ministry also reports that Russia has lost an additional 5 tanks (8518 in total) since the invasion initiated. Over 16,500 armored vehicles and more than 13,800 drones have been destroyed or seized by the Russian military. These figures cannot be independently corroborated, as Moscow withholds information regarding its losses in Ukraine.
08:47 Biden defends Ukraine's struggle: No president ought to "kowtow to tyrants""No president should kowtow to tyrants," stated Joe Biden during the inaugural night of the Democratic National Convention, as reported by "Kyiv Independent". "Putin believed he could seize Kyiv in three days. Three years later, Ukraine remains free." The Democrat contrasted his robust support for NATO and advocacy for a free Ukraine with that of former President Donald Trump, who complimented Russian President Vladimir Putin. "No commander-in-chief should ever kowtow to tyrants," Biden said.
08:31 Russia bombards Ukraine with nighttime airstrikesRussia launched nighttime airstrikes on nine regions in central, northern, and southern Ukraine, according to the Ukrainian air force on Telegram. Three missiles and 25 drones were shot down. This month, Kiev endured its fifth rocket attack, with air alerts sounding 41 times in August. The military reported intercepting a drone assault on Kiev the previous day.
07:52 Military Administration: Russian Rocket Attack on Kiev Repelled - No Harm Reported Thus Far
This morning, Russian troops allegedly attacked Kiev from the north once more. The military administration of the city of Kiev announced this via Telegram. "Preliminary information suggests that the enemy attacked the capital of Ukraine from the north, likely using cruise missiles like the Iskander. This is the fifth rocket attack on Kiev this month!" the message reads. The missiles were reportedly destroyed by air defense forces at the city's outskirts. As of now, there are no reported damages or losses in Kiev.
07:38 Belarus: Lukashenko Sends Additional Troops and Aircraft to Border with Ukraine
Belarus has deployed additional air defense troops and aircraft to its border with Ukraine, General-Major Andrei Lukyanovich, commander of the Belarusian air defense forces, announced, as reported by the Ukrainian newspaper "Kyiv Independent". This announcement follows close after Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko announced that he had deployed a third of the country's army to the border this summer. Lukashenko stated that the troop buildup along the border is the result of a misunderstanding between Belarus and Ukraine. Lukyanovich stated on national television that the Belarusian military has deployed planes, anti-aircraft missiles, and radio-technical units to the border. Ukraine's state border guard service reported over a week ago that there were no signs of troop buildup along the border with Belarus despite Lukashenko's order.
Due to Ukrainian military operations in the Kursk region, Russia is compelled to shift troops from other battlefront sectors to this region. As per a report by the U.S. Institute for the Study of War (ISW), Russian forces have been sending additional troops to the Kursk Oblast since the first week of the Ukrainian offensive and have likely deployed over 5,000 soldiers to the region.
06:54 Zelenskyy: A Second Peace Summit in Ukraine Should Occur Before Year's End
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has instructed his nation's diplomats to make sure the second peace summit in Ukraine takes place this year. During a meeting with heads of foreign diplomatic missions in Ukraine on the topic of "War Diplomacy: Resilience, Weapons, Victory," according to the state news agency Ukrinform, citing the Presidential Office, Zelenskyy expressed that the preliminary summit was a significant success for Ukraine. He acknowledged his gratitude towards everyone who contributed to making the summit a reality. Now, the Ukrainian administration is preparing for the second peace summit and is insistent on its occurrence this year. "We must do everything in our power to make this happen. We must expand the circle of support for the communiqué of the first summit," Zelenskyy said.
06:22 Ukraine: Another Russian Aerial Attack on Kyiv
Russia continues to launch nighttime air assaults on the capital Kyiv, according to Ukrainian reports. Air defense units were active early in the morning to counter another Russian aerial attack on Kyiv, the military administration of the Ukrainian capital informed via Telegram. Witnesses reported hearing explosions that seemed to be the result of air defense systems.
05:11 Kyiv Reports Multiple Drone Strikes at Distance from Frontlines
There were multiple drone strikes in several Ukrainian regions beyond the frontlines overnight, according to air defense. Sumy, Poltava, Kherson, and Mykolaiv were among the targeted areas. Air defense was also active near the capital Kyiv. Authorities urged residents to find shelter. No damages have been reported as of now.
02:23 USA Reaffirms its Support for Kyiv - Discussion on Kursk Offensive
Regardless of the Ukrainian counteroffensive in the Russian region of Kursk, the USA remains committed to supporting Kyiv. U.S. President Joe Biden has confirmed that the USA will continue to support and stay in solidarity with Ukraine for as long as required, according to a representative from the U.S. Department of Defense. The U.S. continues to prioritize military aid to Kyiv. U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin reassured his Ukrainian counterpart, Rustem Umerov, of ongoing U.S. support during a phone conversation, stating that the spokesperson. During their conversation, Austin gained a better understanding of Ukraine's goals for the counteroffensive.
01:07 Germany Delivers Another Iris-T System
Germany has supplied another weapons package to Ukraine. The latest deliveries include a third Iris-T SLS air defense system, among other items, according to the Ministry of Defense's overview page. They also include thousands of artillery shells, drones, a recovery tank, and hundreds of rifles along with their corresponding ammunition.
00:20 Zelensky: Magnificent Achievement in Capturing Russian Soldiers
Ukrainian troops' advancement in the Russian region of Kursk is their most significant accomplishment in capturing Russian soldiers since the start of the conflict, according to President Volodymyr Zelensky. He made this statement to Ukrainian diplomats, adding that these captured soldiers will later be exchanged for captured Ukrainians. At present, estimations suggest that Russia has detained more Ukrainians than the other way around.
22:21 Chechen Commander: Fallen Soldiers from Kursk Area Go to Heaven
Apti Alaudinov, the commander of the Russian-fighting Achmat regiment from Chechnya, reportedly urged Russian conscripts to join the front line in a video, saying that those who lose their lives in the Kursk region will "go to heaven."
21:58 Zelensky: Incursion has Undermined Russia's Red Line Concept
Because the Ukrainian incursion into Russia was considered implausible, it was kept secret, according to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, as reported by the newspaper "Pravda." Just a few months ago, several states warned that the incursion would "cross Russia's most essential red line." Now, Zelensky said, "the concept of Russia's red lines has collapsed somewhere near Sushcha."
21:38 Lithuania Begins Construction of German Armed Forces Support Base
Lithuania has started construction on a military base for German soldiers. Once completed by the end of 2027, the site will accommodate up to 4,000 German soldiers, marking the first permanent deployment of foreign forces by the Bundeswehr since World War II. The estimated construction costs exceed one billion euros, according to Lithuanian Defense Minister Raimundas Karoblis.
21:15 Czech President: NATO Membership Possible for Partially Occupied Ukraine
Czech President Petr Pavel has expressed his openness to the idea of Ukraine joining NATO, even while parts of its territory remain occupied. He believes that Ukraine could negotiate a peace agreement with Russia in the near future and that this agreement could involve Russia temporarily holding onto Ukrainian territories without democratic states recognizing these border changes, according to news site "Novinky." This interim border could potentially allow for "the admission of Ukraine into NATO in the territory it controls at that time," Pavel said. Germany also joined NATO in 1955 while still partly occupied by the Soviet Union.
Ukrainian troops are claimed to have seized the town of Wyschnewka within the Russian region of Kursk, as suggested by war analysts on various platforms. This puts them approximately 12 kilometers from the floating bridge over the Seim River, which serves as the sole logistical route for the Russian military to manage supplies or execute a retreat.
20:36 Uncertainty prevails in Pokrovsk administration
The military administration of the eastern Ukrainian city of Pokrovsk is grappling with an uncertain future as Russian forces push forward: "They're heading towards Pokrovsk's outskirts. It's not a secret," stated the head of the information department in Pokrovsk to the "Washington Post". "Maybe the situation will shift somehow - we're hoping that the adversary will halt at Pokrovsk's outskirts and our troops will fend them off," she added. If Pokrovsk falls, it would represent the biggest population center that the Russians have overtaken since Bachmut in May 2023.
You can catch up on all previous happenings [here].
The European Union stands in solidarity with Ukraine, with Chancellor Scholz stating that Ukraine receives the most aid among European countries this year and will continue to receive significant funding in the next year.
Moreover, Ukraine is set to receive 50 billion dollars from the western G7 countries due to the utilization of frozen Russian assets, emphasizing the international community's support for Ukraine.
