The SPD leader asserts that without the provision of weapons, Ukraine would face total obliteration.
Just before the state elections in Thuringia and Saxony, SPD leader Saskia Esken reinforces military support for Ukraine against Russia. Chancellor Olaf Scholz is working towards a fair and sustainable peace, Esken told the Funke media group newspapers. "As long as Putin doesn't abandon his hostile intentions towards Ukraine, peace cannot be achieved diplomatically." Esken connects her remarks to criticism of the co-chair of the Left Party, Sahra Wagenknecht. "If, like Madam Wagenknecht and others, we were to cease delivering weapons to Ukraine today, the country would be conquered tomorrow and wiped off the map the day after. This would have catastrophic repercussions for security throughout Europe, which would not result in less armament and certainly not in peace."
11:48 PM Ukraine Braces for its Toughest Winter EverAs a result of the damage to its power and energy infrastructure caused by Russian attacks, Ukraine anticipates its harshest winter yet. "We are facing our toughest winter ever," says Ukrainian Energy Minister Herman Haluschtschenko during a video conference. This winter will be even more harsh than the last, as the damage from ongoing Russian attacks has progressively accumulated. The Russian army employs various weapons in coordinated attacks to inflict as much damage as possible, he says. During a warm winter, electricity consumption is approximately 18 gigawatts, whereas in a cold winter it's 19 gigawatts. Furthermore, a one-gigawatt reserve must be established, says Haluschtschenko. Russian attacks have destroyed around 9 gigawatts of capacity.
11:08 PM NATO Raises Security Level at Geilenkirchen AirbaseDue to a perceived threat, NATO heightens its security level at the airbase in Geilenkirchen, North Rhine-Westphalia. All non-essential staff have been sent home, according to a base spokesperson. This decision is based on intelligence information indicating a potential threat. "This is not cause for concern and is a precautionary measure to ensure we can continue our critical operations," the spokesperson says. Police are present at the scene, but no further details, such as the number of deployed forces, are provided.
10:07 PM Ukraine Reports Strike on Kursk StrongholdThe Ukrainian military reports another strike against Russian troops in the Kursk region. In the afternoon, they targeted a Russian stronghold using precision-guided US bombs, according to the air force commander, Mykola Oleshchuk. "A drone command post, a radio-electronic warfare unit, equipment, weapons, and up to 40 Russian military personnel were hit," Oleshchuk writes alongside a video claiming to show the attack.
9:43 PM Switzerland's Peace Summit Holds First Follow-up MeetingFollowing the peace summit in Switzerland in June, the first follow-up meeting has taken place, according to Ukraine. Representatives from over 40 countries and organizations participated in the virtual session. Additional such meetings of working groups will be scheduled.
9:08 PM Habeck: More Ukrainian Refugees Should Work in GermanyEconomy Minister Robert Habeck hopes that more Ukrainian refugees in Germany will find employment. Potential obstacles such as family-related circumstances, illness, war trauma, or childcare needs could potentially hinder employment, the Green politician told Welt TV. "However, in general, it's better for everyone to work – it's better for the people, for their integration, and for the social system." Habeck is skeptical of statements like those made by Brandenburg's Minister President and SPD politician Dietmar Woidke, who questioned the allowance for Ukrainian refugees. "I believe that's due to the somewhat rough eastern German election campaigns and hasn't been thought through completely."
8:28 PM Brigade Launches Counteroffensive in Kharkiv Region: Two Kilometers AdvancedThe Ukrainian military has announced a push in the Kharkiv region. Troops have advanced nearly two kilometers into the frontline area, according to the 3rd Separate Assault Brigade of the Ukrainian ground forces. The primary goal of the operation was to weaken the offensive capability of the 20th Army of the Russian Federation, which the Ukrainian military claims has been achieved. This cannot be independently verified. The brigade also reports that the Russian side has lost 300 soldiers in the last four days, and a substantial amount of equipment and weapons have been destroyed or damaged. The extent of the reported counterattack remains unclear.
8:00 PM Intelligence Service Allegedly Interferes with Russian TV BroadcastThe Ukrainian military intelligence (HUR) is said to have interrupted the broadcast of several Russian TV channels and replaced it with a video about the war in Ukraine. "HUR has hacked Russian television and shown the reality of the war [to the population]," a source at the intelligence service told the "Kyiv Post" newspaper and the RBC Ukraine news agency. The inserted video was shown three times during prime time yesterday evening. Channels affected included Pervouralsk, Evraziya 360, and Pervyj Kanal TV. As a result of the attack, nine channels temporarily suspended their programming, it was reported.
There's been a decrease in the number of Russian ground troops situated in Kaliningrad, a Russian enclave located between Poland and Lithuania on the Baltic Sea, according to Lithuanian armed forces commander Raimundas Vaikšnoras, sharing this info with news portal "Delfi". He links this reduction to the Ukrainian offensive in the Russian region of Kursk. Upon the start of the conflict with Ukraine, noticeable relocations of equipment and troops from Kaliningrad were observed, the commander mentions. After the completion of rotations, soldiers have returned, but there's now a reduction, particularly in ground troops.
18:40 "Armenians? Who needs them?" – Lukashenko sparks furyBelarusian strongman Alexander Lukashenko's controversial remarks about Armenia have sparked outrage. Monday evening, protestors reportedly hurled eggs at the Belarusian embassy in Yerevan, the Armenian capital, demanding the expulsion of the ambassador, as suggested by Ukrainian media sources. Prior to this, Lukashenko voiced his disapproval of Armenia's pro-Western course on Russian state television, saying "Who needs Armenians? No one. Let them develop their economy and rely on their own resources. What is France? Who is Macron? Tomorrow, when Macron is gone, everyone will forget the Armenians," referring to the French president. Tensions between Armenia and its long-term ally, Russia, have been escalating since Azerbaijan seized the Nagorno-Karabakh region in a military operation in September, ending three decades of Armenian separatist rule.
18:03 Ukraine reports fatalities from glide bomb attackTwo individuals were reported killed in Sumy region bordering Russia's Kursk region due to an attack using two glide bombs, according to Ukraine's prosecutor's office. The Russian bombs were targeted at infrastructure components. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy had visited Sumy earlier on Thursday, stating that attacks on the city had decreased following the capture of parts of Kursk.
17:28 Russian authorities: Oil tanker catches fire after Ukrainian attackA fuel tanker is engulfed in flames in the Russian port of Kavkaz in Krasnodar region, eastern to Crimea, Russian authorities claim. They attribute the incident to a Ukrainian attack. Various Russian media outlets distribute pictures and videos showing the inferno and smoke plumes. Ukrainian military also shares such media on social platforms, stating "Neptune pays a visit to the port of Kavkaz." Unverified reports from Russian Telegram channels suggest that the ship was hit by a Ukrainian Neptune anti-ship missile, although the weapon's official range is 300 kilometers, and the frontline is farther away. Moscow uses the port extensively to supply its troops engaged in the war against Ukraine.
18:39 Update: The ship is reported to have sank following the fire. It had 30 fuel tanks onboard.
16:41 Russia declares victory near Pokrovsk, Ukraine reports successes in KurskRussian troops claim to have captured another village near Pokrovsk city in eastern Ukraine, moving 10 kilometers close to an important logistics hub. Ukrainian President Zelenskyy had earlier announced plans to fortify troops in Pokrovsk region. Meanwhile, he reported Ukrainian victories in the Russian region of Kursk, stating that another village was conquered and "the exchange fund" – captured soldiers – was increased. As per the claims, Ukrainian forces now control 94 villages and over a thousand square kilometers of land in Kursk. However, these claims are yet to be verified.
16:12 Ukraine denies attempted nuclear power plant assault: Russia may itself carry out "nuclear provocation"
Ukraine refutes the claims by Russian President Vladimir Putin that Ukrainian troops attempted to attack the Kursk nuclear power plant last night. "This is an absolute lie," states Andrii Kovalenko, head of the department for countering disinformation at the National Security and Defense Council of Ukraine. Russia has previously spread false information about Ukrainian preparation for a "nuclear provocation" at the Kursk and Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plants. However, all signs suggest that Russia might be planning this provocation, Kovalenko continues. He considers the "possibility of a nuclear provocation by Russia" to be genuine, owing to Putin's active involvement.
15:46 EU gas storage nearly full
Two months ahead of the deadline, gas storage facilities in the European Union are nearly 90% full. The EU proclaims itself "prepared for the upcoming winter," as declared by the European Commission. Following the start of Russia's military invasion of Ukraine, the 27 EU countries agreed in the summer of 2022 that gas storage in the EU should be at an average of 90% full by November 1. According to data from the Gas Infrastructure Europe portal, there are variations between countries: the highest level is in Spain at 100%, and the lowest is in Latvia at around 69%. In Germany, storage is 93.6% full. The EU aims to further reduce its dependency on Russian natural gas. Instead, it is importing more liquefied natural gas (LNG) from the US and natural gas from Norway.
15:21 Putin: Ukraine attacked Russian nuclear power plant
Russian President Vladimir Putin accuses Ukraine of attacking the Kursk nuclear power plant. "The opposing forces attempted to attack the nuclear power plant last night," says Putin without offering any evidence. "The International Atomic Energy Agency has been informed," Putin adds the statement during a cabinet meeting broadcast on television. The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) had earlier expressed concerns about the potential impacts of fighting on the power plant and urged "all parties to maintain maximum restraint." Read more here.
14:50 IAEA Chief to Visit Controversial Kursk Nuclear Plant
The leader of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), Rafael Grossi, is set to visit the disputed Kursk nuclear power plant in Russia next week. This visit has been confirmed by an IAEA spokesperson, stating it will take place "next week." In early August, the Ukrainian military launched an unexpected large-scale attack on the Russian region of Kursk. The Russian nuclear energy corporation, Rosatom, then issued warnings about a potential threat to the nuclear power plant due to Ukrainian aggression, which is situated roughly 100 kilometers from the Ukrainian border.
14:21 Russia: 115,000 Residents Fled Threatened Regions
115,000 people have been evacuated from endangered regions along the Ukrainian border in Russia, as reported by Deputy Prime Minister Denis Manturov. He discusses the assessment of agricultural and industrial damage caused by the Ukrainian offensive during a meeting with President Vladimir Putin and other top officials. "I've gathered you here to discuss the current circumstances in Russia's border regions," Putin says at the beginning of the meeting.
14:00 Tusk Persuaded by India's Potential Role in Ukraine Peace Talks
Poland's Prime Minister Donald Tusk is optimistic about India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi's potential role in mediating the Ukraine conflict. "I'm delighted that the Prime Minister has shown a readiness to personally work towards a peaceful, fair, and swift resolution to the war," Tusk said in Warsaw after meeting with Modi. Modi's offer to mediate is important as he will be traveling to Kyiv to meet with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, who does not support Western sanctions against Russia. Read more here.
13:40 Kursk Incursion Doesn't Appear Limited
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz believes that Ukraine's incursion into Russia will be "a spatially and temporally limited operation." However, according to a situational report from ntv correspondent Nadja Kriewald in Sumy, eastern Ukraine, there is currently no sign of this. "On the contrary," she says.
13:20 Damaging Blow to Russian Air Force in Savasleyka
Several Russian military aircraft were reportedly destroyed in Ukrainian attacks on the Savasleyka airbase. The state-owned Ukrainian broadcaster Suspilne reports this, citing intelligence sources. According to these sources, a MiG-31K supersonic interceptor and two Il-76 strategic airlifters were destroyed, and about five aircraft, likely MiG-31K/I, were damaged in an attack on August 16. A fuel depot was hit in an August 13 attack, and another MiG-31K/I was damaged.
![A resident from Hirnyk, a Ukrainian town situated close to Pokrovsk, departs her residence due to the forthcoming Russian military advancement. In the Ukrainian locale of Hirnyk, situated close to Pokrovsk, a woman evacuates her household as Russian troops progress. One of her neighbors offers her comfort by giving her an embrace.](https://cdn.aussiedlerbote.de/content/images/2024/08/22/452055/jpeg/4-3/1200/75/a-woman-in-the-ukrainian-town-of-hirnyk-near-pokrovsk-leaves-her-home-because-of-the-advance-of-russian-troops.webp)
13:06 Investigation into CNN Journalists by Russian Intelligence
The Russian Federal Security Service (FSB) has initiated criminal investigations against several foreign journalists, including a CNN reporter and two Ukrainian journalists, for reporting in the Russian-controlled region of Kursk. The FSB claims the journalists illegally crossed the state border to film in Ukrainian-controlled Sudja, and FSB plans to issue international arrest warrants soon. The journalists face up to five years in Russian prison for crossing the border and reporting in an unauthorized area. Recently, American journalist Evan Gershkovich was released from Russian custody as part of a prisoner exchange after being sentenced to 16 years in a labor camp for alleged spying. Read more here.
12:34 Zelenskyy in Border Region: Fund for Prisoner Exchange Reinforced
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy visited the Sumy border region in northeastern Ukraine, where Ukrainian troops have advanced into Russia for over two weeks. He announced the capture of another town in the Kursk region and the replenishment of the "exchange fund," which refers to the capture of Russian soldiers for future prisoner exchanges with those held by Russia. Zelenskyy mentioned that attacks on Sumy and civilian casualties in the area have decreased since the Kursk offensive. He posted a video of him with the Commander-in-Chief of the Ukrainian Armed Forces, Oleksandr Syrskyi, who informed him about reinforcements in eastern Ukraine, where Russia continues to advance.
12:06 Possible Russian Spying with Drones Near Critical Infrastructure in Germany?
Alleged Russian drones have been reported over the largest industrial park in Schleswig-Holstein, Germany. This is reported by the "Bild" newspaper. In recent days, strange drones have been sighted flying at high speeds over the decommissioned nuclear power plant and the LNG terminal in Brunsbüttel. The Public Prosecutor's Office in Flensburg is investigating on suspicion of espionage with the aim of sabotage. Internally, sources indicate that the no-fly zone over the nuclear power plant was repeatedly violated, and an enemy object, suspected to be a military drone, was detected. As "Bild" further reports, the drones are believed to be operated by Russian agents and might have been launched from civilian ships in the North Sea. Read more here.
11:40 US Embassy in Kyiv Warns of Imminent AirstrikesThe American Embassy in Kyiv issues a warning of an elevated risk of aerial assaults prior to Ukraine's Independence Day on Saturday. In the upcoming days and during the weekend, there's a heightened probability of Russia launching strikes on Ukraine utilizing drones and missiles, as mentioned on their website. Ukraine commemorates its 33rd year of independence from the Soviet Union on August 24. Since the start of the conflict in Ukraine over two and a half years ago, this celebration has gained more significance for the Ukrainians. Lately, Ukrainian soldiers unexpectedly crossed into Russian territory in the Kursk border region. Russian President Vladimir Putin labelled it as provocation and threatened retaliation.
11:13 Fire at Military Base in VolgogradFlames erupt at a military facility situated near Marinovka in the southern Russian territory of Volgograd. The populace reports blasts. Authorities in the region attribute the fire to a Ukrainian drone attack. No casualties have been reported.
10:41 Kursk Now Depends on Prefabricated Shelters from RussiaAs reported by local authorities, prefabricated secure shelters are being established for inhabitants in the Russian border region of Kursk. "At my directive, the Kursk city administration has pinpointed central locations for the deployment of modular prefabricated shelters," explains regional governor Alexei Smirnov on Telegram. Shelters are being constructed at high-traffic areas, such as 60 bus stops. Smirnov shares a photograph of a truck transporting one of the modules. Shelters are also being set up in two other sites, including Kursk, where the Kursk region's nuclear power plant resides. Russia alleges that Ukraine intends to attack the facility, which Ukraine denies.
10:10 Ukraine Reports Continuous Advance in KurskUkraine divulges more than 40 assaults by Russian forces near the city of Pokrovsk. The vast majority of them were thwarted. President Zelensky guarantees reinforcements for the troops in the area. Furthermore, the progress in the Kursk region persists.
09:42 Russian Regions Under Attack by Ukrainian DronesBased on official declarations, the Russian military is repelling multiple Ukrainian aerial assaults in the western part of the nation. As explained by the Governor of Volgograd region, Andrei Bocharov, on Telegram, "Most drones were destroyed" near the village of Marinovka (see entry at 07:30). In the border region of Kursk, Governor Alexei Smirnov reports that "Two Ukrainian missiles and a drone were neutralized by Russian air defense." In the more southern region of Rostov, Governor Vasily Golubev declares that an attack using five drones was "Repelled." Drones are also reported to have been destroyed in the Russian regions of Voronezh and Bryansk.
09:09 Kyiv Seeks US Approval for Long-range Weapons against Russian TargetsUkrainian Defense Minister Rustem Umerov meets in Kyiv with a bipartisan delegation from the US House of Representatives. According to the ministry in Kyiv, Republican Representative Rob Wittman and Democratic Representative David Trone discuss the situation at the front and Washington's policy on the use of long-range weapons against Russian targets with Umerov. "I emphasized that we should immediately receive permission from our allies to fully utilize long-range weapons against targets in Russia," said Umerov. "It's about protecting our peaceful cities and villages."
08:36 Star Wars Actor Launches Fundraiser for UkraineAmerican actor Mark Hamill, renowned for his role as Luke Skywalker in "Star Wars," is raising funds for mine-clearing robots for Ukraine. Together with Eastern Europe expert Timothy Snyder, he aims to raise $441,000 through the "Safe Terrain" campaign. The robots can clear mines even in inaccessible areas, at a safe distance from the operators. "One of the most heinous crimes Russia has committed in Ukraine is the scattering of countless mines," said Snyder. "I've visited abandoned areas near the front where people take risks to help others return to their farms and homes. With these robots, mines can be cleared, and lives can be saved." Ukraine is heavily mined, and its demining could take decades.
08:01 Kremlin Prepares Russians for "New Reality"The Ukrainian incursion into Kursk poses a challenge for Moscow's propaganda. Although the territories are distant, a Kremlin-linked source informed the independent Russian portal Meduza, based in Riga, "But even the penetration into Russian territory and the seizure of control over villages is a new and quite disturbing event." To alleviate the heightened apprehension that has arisen since the invasion of Kursk, the Kremlin is endeavoring to prepare Russians for living in "a new reality" and "a new normality." The message is: The enemy has indeed entered Russian territory, its defeat is imminent - but the return of the territory will require time, and the Russians must be patient. In the meantime, they are encouraged to "transform the negativity and shock into a positive expression" - mainly by gathering aid supplies for the Kursk region. In general, all officials interviewed by Meduza concur that the fighting in the Kursk region could last for several months. A source close to the government notes that this time frame is "quite optimistic - if things go well."
07:30 Fire in Military Facility Confirmed in Volgograd, RussiaRussian authorities have confirmed reports of a fire at a military installation in Volgograd, a region in southern Russia, following an attack by a Ukrainian drone. The regional governor, Andrei Bocharov, announced on Telegram that the drone had collided with the facility. Thankfully, no casualties were reported. Bocharov didn't specify which military facility was affected but mentioned that the village of Marinovka was targeted where Russia houses an airbase.
06:56 Former Advisor: Putin's Influence over Trump was Near HypnoticAs per former US national security advisor General Herbert Raymond McMaster, Russian President Vladimir Putin had an almost hypnotic influence over ex-US President Donald Trump. This is disclosed in McMaster's book "At War With Ourselves: My Tour of Duty in the Trump White House," as reported by "The Guardian." McMaster claimed that Putin exploited Trump's ego and insecurities with flattery. Putin described Trump as 'a truly outstanding person, talented, beyond any doubt.' Putin's influence over Trump was so profound that McMasterwarned Trump, "He is the best liar in the world." McMaster believed Putin was confident he could 'play' with Trump and secure a reduction in sanctions and a cost-effective withdrawal of US troops from Syria and Afghanistan.
06:20 Fire at Russian Airbase in Volgograd ReportedExplosions were heard in the Russian city of Kalach-on-Don during the night in the Volgograd region. According to Russian Telegram channels, these explosions were presumably due to a drone attack. It's alleged that a fire broke out at an adjacent airbase. The Volgograd region is approximately 900 kilometers southeast of Moscow. The target may have been the Marinovka airbase in Oktyabrsky village, located about 20 kilometers from Kalach-on-Don. Witnesses in the area reported hearing six to ten powerful explosions with the distinctive sound of drones, as per Telegram reports.
05:44 Germany Commits to Additional Aid for Ukraine if Necessary SPD leader Lars Klingbeil has offered to offer further assistance to Ukraine. If the planned billions in frozen Russian assets cannot be made available for Ukraine, Germany will provide additional funds, Klingbeil stated in the podcast of deputy "Bild" editor-in-chief Paul Ronzheimer. It shouldn't come to the point where it's declared, "There's no more money for Ukraine." In such a case, "we, of course, would have to look in Germany where the funds will be sourced," Klingbeil said. "We have a responsibility towards Ukraine. Solutions must be found, and we will find them."
04:27 Ukraine Addresses Overnight Drone Strikes in RussiaThe Ukrainian military intelligence service HUR has responded to the overnight drone strikes in Russia. They were directed at Moscow airport Ostafyevo, Millerovo airbase in the Rostov region, and a radio communications center, according to HUR chief Kyrylo Budanow on the military website "The War Zone." Approximately 50 drones were utilized. The extent of potential damage is being examined. Russian authorities announced this morning that they had shot down 45 drones over Russian territory.
03:09 Bulletproof Vests and Helmets for Poll Workers in Kursk's ElectionsFor the early regional elections in the contentious Russian border region of Kursk, Russia is planning to outfit poll workers with bulletproof vests and helmets. Additionally, extra polling stations will be set up in other areas for individuals who have fled the district, said Tatiana Malakhova, head of the regional election commission, as per Russian news agencies. A state of emergency remains in the region. Governorship and regional parliament elections are scheduled in numerous regions of Russia from September 6 to 8. Citizens in border districts have already been permitted to vote early, including in Kursk, Belgorod, and Bryansk, by the central election commission in Moscow.
01:34 Fico Feels Pressured by Opinions over Foreign PolicySlovak Prime Minister Robert Fico has shared feelings of being under pressure by opinions in Western democracies when it comes to important foreign policy issues. He argues that individuals who deviate from the consensus are "arbitrarily put under pressure and threatened with isolation" by Western democracies. On the 54th anniversary of the 1968 Moscow invasion, Fico drew parallels to the violent suppression of the 'Prague Spring' and the current opinion pressure in Europe. He is opposed to the EU's military aid to Ukraine and has been accused of having pro-Russian sentiments as a result.
00:12 Ukraine Reports 46 Russian Attacks Near Pokrovsk in a DayUkraine reports 46 Russian attacks along the frontline near the city of Pokrovsk in eastern Ukraine over the course of a day. Of these, 44 were successfully repelled, according to the General Staff. Fighting is still ongoing at the other two locations, stated the General Staff at 21:00 CET. 238 Russian soldiers were reportedly killed or injured in the skirmishes. No information is readily available regarding Ukrainian casualties. Russia has yet to comment.
22:59 Russia: Averted Ukrainian Infiltration in BryanskRussia asserts that they successfully put a stop to an infiltration attempt by Ukrainian "agitators" into the Russian frontier region of Bryansk, which shares a border with Kursk. The supposed incursion of the "Ukrainian intelligence-sabotage group" was foiled by the Russian FSB and the army, per Bryansk's governor, Alexander Bogomaz. "The aggressors took their licks," he pointed out. The situation has now been contained.
21:00 Zelensky: Ukraine Seeks Immediate Aid BillionsUkrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky asserts that Ukraine is eagerly awaiting the prompt allocation of the financial aid billions promised by the West. This funding will be in part derived from the earnings of seized Russian government assets. While there have been numerous political assurances, Zelensky says in his nightly address that more concrete actions are required. "But we need active measures," he states. Ukraine requires the income generated by frozen Russian assets to combat Russian aggression. "The relevant negotiations have been lingering too long, and we need swift decisions now." The G7 nations pledged to offer Kyiv fresh financial aid at their June summit, with a generous loan of $50 billion to be secured by interest earnings from frozen Russian assets.
20:30 Putin Commends Strengthening Trade Ties with ChinaRussian President Vladimir Putin praises the growing collaboration with China. "Our commercial relations are prospering (...). The focus both governments give to trade and economic ties is paying off," Putin mentions during a meeting with Chinese Premier Li Qiang at the Kremlin. China and Russia have "ambitious joint ventures and projects in the economic and humanitarian sectors," Putin adds. Li as per the Kremlin considers Chinese-Russian relations to be at an "unmatched peak." The partnership between Russia and China has deepened since Russia's invasion of Ukraine. For Russia, China is a crucial trading partner due to Western sanctions.
19:55 Request Denied: Former Russian Deputy Defense Minister Remains in CustodyThe former Russian Deputy Defense Minister Dmitri Bulgakov, under suspicion of corruption, remains in detention. His request for house arrest with stringent conditions and his appeal against detention have been rejected, according to TASS. Bulgakov previously oversaw the acquisition of materials for the Russian military before his dismissal. The Moscow court also approved the detention of two alleged accomplices of Bulgakov. Their company is suggested to have been awarded nine contracts from Bulgakov between 2022 and 2024, causing approximately 50 million rubles (500,000 euros) in harm, according to intermediaries.
19:30 Ukraine Strengthens Units in PokrovskAs per Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, Ukraine is enhancing its forces in the fiercely contested region of Pokrovsk in the east of the country. He stated in a televised briefing that they are privy to the Russian forces' plans in the area. Simultaneously, the Ukrainian offensive in the Russian area of Kursk persists, Zelensky said. While certain areas are now under Ukrainian control, he did not provide additional information.
19:10 Ukrainians in Hungary Faced with Shelter ExitFollowing a Hungarian decree that refuses general protection to Ukrainian refugees, numerous Ukrainians in Hungary face the potential loss of their refugee lodgings. Private refugee shelters have already begun evicting Ukrainians, as reported by Migration Aid. In Kocs, north of Budapest, around 120 refugees, mostly Roma women and children from Ukraine's western region of Transcarpathia, where there is a substantial Hungarian minority, were forced to leave a guesthouse under police supervision.
You can review all prior developmentshere.
![This refers to: Altering the initial phrase:](https://cdn.aussiedlerbote.de/content/images/2024/08/22/452056/jpeg/4-3/1200/75/that.webp)
- Considering the ongoing situation in Ukraine, the European Union continues to support military aid for the Ukrainian forces, as stated by SPD leader Saskia Esken, who criticizes the idea of ceasing weapon deliveries as it would lead to the conquest of Ukraine and have disastrous consequences for Europe's security.
- As tensions between Ukraine and Russia escalate, the Ukrainian Energy Minister Herman Haluschtschenko anticipates that Ukraine will endure its toughest winter ever due to damage inflicted on their power and energy infrastructure by Russian attacks.
![sealed Approval: Putin holds discussion with Trump during the G20 assembly in July 2017. Successfully Won Over: Putin Engages in Conversation with Trump during the G-20 Summit in July 2017.](https://cdn.aussiedlerbote.de/content/images/2024/08/22/452054/jpeg/4-3/1200/75/successfully-courted-putin-talks-to-trump-at-the-g20-summit-in-july-2017.webp)