The 14:55 IAEA head prioritizes conducting an examination of the nuclear power facility in Kursk as a top concern
16:32 IAEA Chief Leads Crisis Visit to Kursk Nuclear Plant
The head honcho of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), Rafael Grossi, is personally conducting an investigation at the Kursk nuclear power plant in the Russian region of the same name. This is where Ukrainian forces have intruded. Grossi declared on August 8th that the situation is severe. "Let me stress this: The security of nuclear facilities should never be undermined under any circumstances." The visit is set for Tuesday. Ukrainian troops reportedly stormed Kursk in a sudden attack on August 6th.
14:32 Incident at Russia's Ostensible Largest Oil Refinery
A conflagration has sparked at Russia's supposed largest oil refinery in the city of Omsk, as announced by the operator Gazprom. Two individuals sustained injuries, but operations continue as usual, Gazprom stated. "The fire at the Omsk refinery has been contained. The safety system of the facility promptly detected a fire in the technical gear," it added. Regular operations carry on.
14:32 Russia Declares to Have Targeted Foreign Weapons and Ammunition
Russian soldiers have allegedly attacked gas compressor stations and power transformers in Ukraine, according to Russia's Ministry of Defense. The energy facilities were targeted with drones and missiles, aiming to supply Ukraine's military-industrial complex with electricity. Foreign weapons and ammunition stored at two Ukrainian airbases were also struck.
14:09 Newspaper Reports At Least 247 Russian Soldiers Captured in Kursk
Since August 6th, when Ukrainian troops unexpectedly invaded the Russian region of Kursk, over 240 Russian soldiers have reportedly been detained, according to the Washington Post's analysis of over 130 photos and videos. Most of the visuals seem to have been captured by Ukrainian soldiers and shared on social media. A newspaper photographer's images from a Ukrainian prison housing captured Russian soldiers also contributed to the analysis. The newspaper wrote, "These images verify at least 247 Russian prisoners, supporting the claims of Ukrainian authorities that hundreds of Russians were apprehended during the invasion." Their reports suggest that many young military personnel surrendered without resistance.
13:43 Unidentified Object Intrudes Polish Airspace
During the Russian assault on Ukraine, an unidentified object reportedly entered Polish airspace and is thought to have landed on Polish territory, as claimed by Poland's state news agency PAP, citing the army's operations command. The search for the object, believed not to be a missile, is ongoing. "During the extensive Russian attack on Ukrainian territory on August 8th, an object likely entered Polish territory," General Maciej Klisz, the chief operational commander of the Polish military, reportedly said. The Guardian cited an army spokesperson, stating that the object was probably a drone.
13:21 Alleged Russian Missile Strikes Dam Near Kyiv
In the large-scale Russian aerial assault on Ukraine this morning, a dam north of Kyiv was reportedly hit by a Russian missile, as indicated by Ukrainian media reports. A video, released by journalist Yaroslav Trofimov of the "Wall Street Journal" and others, shows parts of a hydroelectric power plant ablaze. "If the dam gives way, millions of people downstream could perish," Trofimov wrote. Up-to-date details about the damage to the structure are not yet available.
12:57 Zelenskyy Labels Attack as 'One of the Most Intense' by Russia
Russia has allegedly used 100-plus missiles and nearly 100 drones in the latest intense assault, according to Ukrainian data. "This was one of the most intense attacks," Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated in a video message posted on Telegram. In contrast, the Russian Ministry of Defense, via Telegram, claims to have "struck all targeted infrastructure facilities" in the intense attacks on Ukraine. Zelenskyy explained that it was a "coordinated" attack, involving more than 100 varied missiles and around 100 Shahed drones of Iranian origin. The Russian Ministry of Defense claimed a "massive strike with high-precision long-range weapons" on "vital energy infrastructure facilities."
12:38 Kyiv Advocates for West to Authorize Strikes into Russian TerritoryUkraine is advocating that the West approve the use of weapons for strikes deep into Russian territory. "Such a decision would terminate Russian aggression more expediently," wrote Andriy Yermak, the chief of staff for President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, on Telegram.
12:09 Kremlin Spokesperson Views Talks as Insignificant
Russia regards negotiations with Ukraine over a ceasefire as obsolete, according to the spokesperson for Russian Presidential Administration Dmitry Peskov. The incursion of Ukrainian forces into the Russian boundary region of Kursk would not be tolerated, he stated. Discussions about a ceasefire are no longer relevant.
11:41 Munz: "Belarusian Army is not Particularly Strong"
Dictator Lukashenko has amassed tens of thousands of soldiers near the border with Ukraine, causing concern. However, according to the assessment of ntv correspondent Rainer Munz, this is more of a display of power than a genuine threat.
11:25 Intell Circles: Hint of Russian Sabotage Before Geilenkirchen Alarm
Suspicions of a potential Russian sabotage act triggered the temporary boost in the security level at NATO's airbase in Geilenkirchen near Aachen. There was a substantial indication from a foreign intelligence service "of plans for a likely Russian sabotage act against NATO using a drone," German intelligence circles said.
11:20 Satellite Imagery Showcases Ongoing Struggle of Russians to Extinguish Proletarsk Fuel Depot FireThe fuel depot situated in Proletarsk, southern Russia, has been battling a blaze for over a week, and satellite data from NASA's FIRMS fire surveillance system indicates that the fire continues to rage. The ignition of the depot, which houses over 70 separate tanks, was triggered by a Ukrainian drone strike on August 18th at midnight.
9:50 Unverified Sources Indicate Fresh Attack TodayUnconfirmed reports hint at a new attack taking place this morning. The local authorities of Rostov have declared an emergency for the Proletarsk district. As per TASS news agency, reported on August 24th, 47 firefighters have been injured as a result of the fire.
10:50 Neighboring Country's Defense Forces Scramble to RespondThe prominent air attack this morning has extended its impact to a neighboring nation touching Ukraine's border: Due to the close proximity of Russian assaults to Poland's border, Poland's military dispatched interceptors, as per PAP news agency's reports. Additionally, aircraft from other allied nations were reportedly involved in the operation. According to the Ukrainian air force, the Russian military had deployed 11 long-range bombers Tu-95, which are armed with cruise missiles. Moreover, it was reported that hypersonic Kinzhal missiles were launched towards Ukraine. Attacks were also launched from the Black Sea.
10:22 Ukrainian Soldier Allegedly Fires at Russian Cruise Missile with Machine GunThis morning, Ukrainian soldiers from an air defense unit supposedly confronted a Russian cruise missile with a machine gun mounted on a vehicle in the Transcarpathia region's western part. Governor Viktor Mykyta shared the related video on social media. Mykyta claimed that the missile was targeted towards the region from the neighboring Lviv region and was downed by the 650th separate anti-aircraft machine gun battalion. The validity of the video was backed up by the RTL/ntv verification team. It was unclear what type of missile was downed. However, the "Kyiv Independent" reported that it was the Ukrainian armed forces' air defense missile that led to the interception, not the machine gun.
10:03 15 Ukrainian Regions reportedly Attacked - Energy Facilities TargetedAccording to Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal, more than half of Ukraine's regions have been attacked by Russia this morning. "Today, 15 regions have been under siege in a substantial Russian attack. The enemy employed various types of weaponry: drones, rockets, Kinzhal (hypersonic) missiles. Casualties and injuries have been reported," Shmyhal wrote on Telegram. Ukrainian reports indicate that energy infrastructure in four regions were destroyed. Authorities in Saporizhzhia, Sumy, Rivne, and Lviv notified their residents on Telegram about the attacks on their regions' energy infrastructure. In some parts of Kyiv, electricity and water supplies were affected, as per Mayor Vitali Klitschko's reports.
09:40 ISW: Russians May Be Deploying Forces to Kursk, Having Previously Served on Lower-Priority Fronts in Ukraine
Experts at the Institute for the Study of War (ISW) believe that the Russian military may be continuing to dispatch troops to Kursk from less critical locations in Ukraine, based on intelligence. Russian commanders of the 810th Marine Infantry Brigade, 155th Marine Infantry Brigade, 11th Airborne Brigade (VDV), 56th VDV Regiment (7th VDV Division), and 51st VDV Regiment (106th VDV Division) reportedly briefed Russian President Vladimir Putin over the weekend about combat operations at the Russian territories bordering Ukraine. The ISW's current assessment suggests that Kursk could be the target. The ISW has observed elements of the 810th Marine Infantry Brigade, 155th Marine Infantry Brigade, and 11th VDV Brigade participating in fights in the Kursk region, and it has received indications that the Russian military leadership recently redeployed units from the Robotyne region in western Zaporizhzhia to the border region. The Russian military command is reportedly opposing operational pressure to withdraw troops from priority offensive efforts to capture Pokrovsk in the Donetsk region, according to ISW analysts.
09:14 First Fatalities Reported from Russian Artillery Fire
At least three fatalities have been reported following Russian airstrikes, according to Ukrainian authorities. Casualties have been reported in Luzk in the west, Dnipro in the east, and Zaporizhzhia in the south. Luzk's mayor, Ihor Polischchuk, stated that a multi-family house was struck by "an enemy attack" and resulted in one death. Governors of Odessa, Zaporizhzhia, and Kharkiv regions reported explosions in their regions and encouraged residents to seek shelter on Telegram. Earlier, the governor of the central Poltava region, Filip Pronin, declared that five people had been injured as a result of an attack on an industrial facility.
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08:50 Ukraine is on Guard as Belarus Gathers Troops Near Border: "Belarus' Participation in the War Would Expand the Battlefield"
Ukraine is maintaining vigilance as Belarus strengthens its troop presence near the shared border. The current concentration of troops is larger than previously, and Belarus' entry into the conflict could have severe repercussions, as explained by ntv correspondent Nadja Kriewald.
Multiple explosions are echoing throughout various Ukrainian cities post a significant Russian airstrike (refer to 07:24 entry). As per "Kyiv Independent", air raid alerts were set off across the nation around 6 a.m. local time. First, the booms were heard in Kyiv at around 8:30 a.m., with more following shortly after. According to Kyiv's Mayor, Vitali Klitschko, there are power issues in "numerous districts" of Kyiv, and water supply is also undependable on the right side of the city. Reports of explosions have emerged from Kharkiv, Odessa, Vinnytsia, Zaporizhzhia, Kremenchuk, Dnipro, Khmelnytskyi, Kropyvnytskyi, and Kryvyi Rih as well.
07:53 Moscow: Russia announces destruction of 20 Ukrainian dronesThe Russian air defense claims to have brought down 20 drones heading towards their territory from Ukraine overnight, as declared by the Ministry of Defense in Moscow. Nine of them were shot down over Saratov, three over Kursk, and two each over Belgorod, Bryansk, and Tula. One drone was spotted over the regions of Oryol and Ryazan.
07:24 Russia initiates major airstrike on UkraineAs per multiple sources, Ukraine is currently under heavy attack. "Explosions in Kyiv at this moment as Ukraine is under an intense Russian artillery and drone assault from land, air, and sea," reports "Kyiv Post" at X. Military analyst Nico Lange writes that Russia is simultaneously launching rockets from ships in the Black Sea and 11 Tu-95 bombers, utilizing drones and ballistic missiles. "The Russian airstrike on Ukraine is massive." Explosions have been reported in various cities.
07:07 Chechen commander declares Ukrainian losses in KurskChechen special forces, including Achmat and 2nd Special Forces Brigade, claim to have demolished two armored personnel carriers, five armored combat vehicles, and one AMR (light tank of French design) in the Kursk region over the past day. The Russian state news agency TASS reports this, citing the commander, Major General Apti Alaudinov. "In the last 24 hours, we have also annihilated a unit of automatized grenade launchers and a mortar, and destroyed a cannon." Alaudinov states. "Our forces have caused substantial casualties to Ukrainian troops through raids on these military installations." Alaudinov declares that the Ukrainian troops' advance has been halted. "Certainly, the enemy is attempting to advance, but without success. We have already commenced striking the enemy in several areas and liberated some settlements. I believe this will continue daily."
06:41 North Korea: Kim Jong Un initiates production of more kamikaze dronesNorth Korean leader Kim Jong Un urged for the development and production of additional kamikaze drones as a vital aspect of war preparations, according to the state news agency KCNA. Kamikaze drones are unmanned aerial vehicles containing explosives that target enemy objectives. Russia regularly employs Iranian drones of the Shahed type in Ukraine. Both North Korea and Russia have fortified their military collaboration. The drone test, as reported by KCNA, transpired on Saturday in response to escalating tensions with neighboring South Korea. Official photos display white flying objects with X-shaped wings heading towards tank targets and detonating. Reports suggest that the target objects resemble South Korean K-2 tanks.
06:34 Ukraine: 1140 Russian Soldiers "Eliminated" in 24 HoursAs per Ukrainian military reports, 1140 Russian soldiers have been either killed or wounded in the past 24 hours. This increases the overall number of "neutralized" Russian military personnel throughout the conflict to 608,820. These numbers are unable to be authenticated independently. Additionally, four Russian tanks, 17 armored vehicles, 47 artillery systems, one multiple rocket launcher, one air defense system, and 39 drones have been destroyed.
06:12 Kyiv Urges Minsk to Avoid "Disastrous Mistakes"Ukraine has implored Belarus to withdraw its considerable troop contingent and military equipment from their shared border. In a statement from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the government in Minsk is urged to "abstain from hostile actions" and retreat from the border region. Ukraine cautions Belarus against making "fatal mistakes" under the influence of Moscow. Belarus has not yet responded. According to Ukrainian reports, troops stationed at the border include Belarusian special units and former Wagner soldiers. The equipment includes tanks, artillery, air defense systems, and engineering machinery, situated in the Gomel region on the northern border of Ukraine. The statement also mentions that Ukraine has "never instigated hostile actions against the Belarusian people and will not do so in the future."
05:46 Russian Governor Reports Damage from Drone DebrisAccording to the governor of the Russian region of Saratov, several houses in Saratov and Engels have suffered damage as a result of drone debris. Emergency services have been deployed to manage the situation. Engels is home to a significant Russian bomber base.
03:52 Air Defense Warns of Drone Attack on KyivUkrainian military reports indicate that air defense systems are active in the Kyiv region to repel potential Russian drone assaults. "An enemy drone incursion has been detected! Air defense systems in the region are active," the regional military administration reports on Telegram. No immediate damage or casualties have been reported.
00:19 Zelensky Labels Reuters Attack as "Completely Intentional"In his evening address, Ukrainian President Zelensky addressed the lethal rocket strike on Reuters team members in the eastern Ukrainian locale of Kramatorsk. Regrettably, a Reuters employee lost their life and two more were wounded when a hotel came under rocket fire. The unfortunate casualty was identified as Ryan Evans, a former British soldier who had been working with Reuters since 2022, providing security guidance to journalists in Ukraine, Israel, and the Paris Olympics. Zelensky stated that a "run-of-the-mill city hotel" was obliterated by a Russian Iskander rocket, and the attack was "completely intentional, meticulously planned." "My sympathies to the family and loved ones." The Ukrainian Prosecutor General's Office has initiated an investigation into the incident, which transpired on Saturday at 22:35 local time. Reuters remains uncertain if the rocket originated from Russia or if the hotel was deliberately singled out. Russia has yet to respond.
View previous developments here.
The Ukrainian conflict has led to a severe situation at the Kursk nuclear power plant, prompting an investigation by the IAEA. Ukrainian forces have reportedly intruded into the region, causing concern for the security of nuclear facilities.
The recent report about over 240 Russian soldiers being detained in Kursk since August 6th, following an unexpected invasion by Ukrainian troops, further highlights the escalating tensions in this conflict area.
