Ukraine's economic growth is being impeded by the proliferation of landmines.
18:07 First Fatality in Moscow Region Due to Attacks by Ukrainian DronesIn significant Ukrainian drone assaults, the first death has occurred in the Moscow region. Regional governor Andrei Vorobyov shared on Telegram that a 46-year-old woman perished after a drone struck an apartment building in Ramenskoye, located at the southern outskirts of the capital.
18:43 Moscow Justifies Military Operations in Response to Ukrainian Drone StrikesPost the latest Ukrainian drone attacks targeting Moscow, the Kremlin feels justified in continuing its military campaign. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov expressed this sentiment to Russian news agencies, stating, "We must proceed with the military special operation to safeguard ourselves from such incidents." A woman was tragically killed in a residential building during the night's attacks. Although daily civilian casualties continue to rise in Ukraine due to Russian drone or missile attacks, Peskov characterizes the deadly Ukrainian strike as "the essence of the Kyiv regime."
19:27 Baerbock Not Optimistic About Peace Talks with PutinForeign Minister Annalena Baerbock is skeptical about renewing peace negotiations with Russian President Vladimir Putin to end the nearly two-and-a-half-year-long invasion of Ukraine. Baerbock emphasized, "Every single peace initiative proposed internationally has been met with 'more terror, more suffering, and more deaths' by the Russian side," during a meeting with her Indian counterpart Subrahmanyam Jaishankar in Berlin. Putin's response has always been that "instead of negotiating, I want to continue destroying Ukraine." Baerbock warned against being overly optimistic, as the Russian conflict is being waged across multiple fronts.
20:11 Kyiv Prepares for Toughest Winter Since Start of War in UkraineGiven the damage to the energy sector, the Ukrainian government anticipates the harshest winter since the war began. Ensuring a stable energy supply during the forthcoming heating season will be a challenge, according to Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal in Kyiv. He acknowledged, "We have successfully navigated three heating seasons." The upcoming winter will not be any easier, but it may well be the most challenging. Ukraine is acquiring equipment for its energy sector from various sources worldwide, and efforts are being made to restore damaged power plants. To boost the energy system's resilience, it will be organized more decentralized. Shmyhal also highlighted, "We are also enhancing the autonomy of critical infrastructures."
17:23 Putin: Russia Must Be Prepared to Repel Military Aggression from Any Direction
In his address to participants in the strategic command exercise "Ocean-2024," Russian President Vladimir Putin underscored the necessity for Russia to be prepared to ward off potential military aggression from all directions. "Russia must be prepared for all eventualities. Our armed forces must protect Russia's sovereignty and national interests reliably and repel any military aggression from all directions, including in the ocean and maritime areas," Putin told Russian news agency Tass. He added, "The navy plays a crucial role in accomplishing this task."
16:51 Berlin, Paris, and London also Prepare Sanctions Against IranGermany, France, and the UK condemn the delivery of Iranian ballistic missiles to Russia. They declared in a joint statement, "This is another example of Iran's military support for Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine." Iranian missiles could potentially reach European territory, exacerbating the suffering of the Ukrainian population. This process represents an escalation not only for Iran but also for Russia and poses a direct threat to European security. They had previously warned Iran against such a move and will now enforce sanctions, such as suspending bilateral air transport agreements. Iran Air is also on the list for sanctions. They will also impose sanctions against persons and organizations involved in the process. Previously, the US had accused Iran of supplying Russia with weapons for its war in Ukraine and had announced new sanctions against Tehran.
16:32 Shoigu Rules Out Negotiations with Ukraine without Russian Troop WithdrawalSergei Shoigu, the secretary of the Russian Security Council, rules out negotiations with Ukraine without their withdrawal from Russian territory. "As long as they have not vacated our territory, we will naturally not conduct talks with them about negotiations," Shoigu told Russian state television. Since early August, Ukrainian forces have been on the offensive in the Russian region of Kursk. For the first time since the conflict began, Ukrainian ground troops have advanced into Russian territory. The operation is part of Ukraine's defensive struggle against Russia's invasion, which has been ongoing for more than two and a half years. Shoigu views the assault on the Kursk region as an attempt to force Russia to negotiate under Ukrainian terms and to withdraw Russian forces from the Donbass.
16:04 Now Conscripted - Prisoners Report on Frontline DeploymentTo maintain a constant supply of soldiers, not only Russia but also Ukraine is enlisting prisoners for the front. Oleksandr, who had previously served as their prison warden, is now commanding the 59th Brigade. "They will do whatever it takes to survive," he says. The men share their harrowing experiences in the video.
15:38 Kremlin: Russian Military Has a Plan to Drive Out Ukrainian Troops from Kursk RegionThe Russian military has a strategy to dislodge Ukrainian troops from the Russian border region of Kursk, according to the Kremlin. Kremlin spokesman Dmitri Peskov confirmed this, stating, "Of course, the military has all the necessary plans, but I don't think these plans can be discussed publicly," when asked about the timeline for expelling Ukrainian troops from Russian territory. Ukrainian troops launched a massive assault on Kursk on August 6, with significant portions now under their control.
15:13 Riga Reinforces Border Protection Measures until Year's EndLatinia will continue to strengthen its border security with neighboring Belarus until the end of the year due to safety concerns. The government of this Baltic EU and NATO nation made this decision in Riga. The reason for this is the excessive number of attempts to illegally cross the border that still persist. The extension of the special security measures, which were initially set to end in September, also takes into account the added risk factor of Russia's ongoing conflict with Ukraine, a threat that is supported by the authoritarian leadership in Minsk. With these new measures, the border patrol will gain additional powers in six areas in the eastern part of the Baltic EU and NATO country.
14:47 Ukraine Boosts Weapons Production this YearAccording to official statistics from the Ukrainian government, the country has nearly doubled its weapons production in the first eight months of 2024 compared to 2023. "In the first half of this year, we have produced twice as many weapons as we did in all of 2023," Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal announced in Kyiv. Ukraine plans to manufacture over a million drones by the end of the year. "We are advancing. Our drone production is growing," said Shmyhal.
14:23 Military Analyst Praises "Strategy" by Chancellor ScholzChancellor Scholz proposes negotiating peace with Russia. This initiative is met with significant criticism from some political circles. However, military analyst Ralph Thiele supports the Chancellor's plan and urges urgency. After the Kursk offensive, Ukraine faces a potential breakthrough in its defensive lines.
13:52 Kiel Institute for World Economics Warns: Defense Budget "Inadequate"The German government's defense budget is deemed "inadequate" given the threat posed by Russia, according to researchers from the Kiel Institute for World Economics. "Despite the rhetoric of a 'turning point,' the gap between Germany's and Russia's military capabilities continues to widen," the institute explains. The researchers advocate for a permanent defense budget of at least 100 billion euros. "Russia is increasingly becoming a significant security threat to NATO," says study author Guntram Wolff. "At the same time, we are making very slow progress with the necessary build-up for deterrence." Currently, the German government is barely able to replace the weapons being sent to Ukraine. The stockpiles of air defense systems and artillery howitzers are even significantly depleted.
12:25 "Notable Distinction" between Putin and LavrovUkraine has repeatedly requested the EU and the US to allow the use of weapons on Russian territory. Now, the Netherlands has granted permission, including promised fighter jets.
12:59 Russia Claims Capture of Four More Towns in DonetskAccording to Russian military reports, four more towns in the Donetsk region of eastern Ukraine have been captured. The Southern Grouping has seized Krasnohoriwka and Hryhoriwka, the Eastern Grouping has taken Wodjane, and the Central Grouping has seized Halyzyniwka, as reported by the Russian Ministry of Defense. However, these claims cannot be independently verified. Ukrainian military observers have at least identified three of the affected towns – all but Hryhoriwka – as occupied. Ukraine is currently under immense pressure on the eastern front.
12:20 Moscow Recognizes Only One Negotiating PartnerIn June, a peace conference was held in Switzerland without Russia's participation. Now, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz has indicated his willingness to negotiate with Russian President Vladimir Putin. However, how does the Kremlin respond? According to ntv correspondent Rainer Munz, Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov shows diplomatic overtures, but not towards Europe.
11:50 Kyiv: Russia Using Chemical Weapons More FrequentlyUkrainian officials warn that Russian forces in Ukraine are increasingly using chemical weapons. The Ukrainian military command wrote on Facebook that Russian forces used ammunition containing hazardous chemicals and chemical warfare agents 447 times in August alone, and 4,035 times between February 15, 2023, and August 24, 2024. The Ukrainian military command also stated that Russian troops are delivering ammunition containing prohibited chemical warfare agents and using unidentified chemical compounds. It further declared, "In this way, Russia is flagrantly violating the rules of warfare and ignoring the norms and commitments under the Convention on the Prohibition of the Development, Production, Stockpiling and Use of Chemical Weapons and on Their Destruction."
11:19 Presidential Office in Kyiv: Permission to Attack Russian Ammunition DepotsThe head of the Ukrainian presidential office emphasizes his country's demand to its Western allies to give permission to attack Russian ammunition depots. Andriy Yermak explained that it is necessary to attack rocket depots in Russia. "Defense is not escalation." It's about using Western weapons to prevent terror, Yermak wrote on Telegram. Western countries are hesitant to give Ukraine permission to use the weapons they have provided on Russian territory, citing concerns about being drawn into the conflict.
10:27 Stripping of Role Model Status: Putin's Children's Rights Advocate Marries BillionaireOnce seen as the epitome of Russian womanhood, Maria Lwowa-Belova, Russia's children's rights advocate, was married to an Orthodox priest since 2003. Together, they spoke about conservative values, faith, and their experiences raising numerous children in propaganda media. However, in a surprising turn of events, Lwowa-Belova was indicted by the International Criminal Court in 2023, along with Kremlin leader Vladimir Putin, for the illegal deportation of children from Ukraine. Rumors swirled that her traditional values, particularly her relationship with her priest husband, were fading. Over the weekend, Lwowa-Belova tied the knot with oligarch Konstantin Malofeew, with whom she had been romantically involved for some time. Interestingly, this relationship maintained some semblance of tradition, as Malofeew is the founder of the Kremlin-friendly Christian TV channel Tsargrad TV and a staunch supporter of monarchy and the Russian war.
09:59 Wave of Attacks from Ukraine: Casualty Reported in MoscowA drone attack from Ukraine on Moscow's capital resulted in the death of a woman, according to the region's governor. Footage showed explosions in residential areas. Russian reports also claimed that 144 drones were intercepted.
09:32 Naval Exercises Commence: 'Ocean-2024' Maneuvers by Russian FleetRussia's navy has initiated strategic maneuvers called "Ocean-2024" in various water bodies across the country's vast expanse. The defense ministry in Moscow reported that over 400 warships, including submarines, and over 90,000 personnel from various fleet units will participate in the exercises until September 16. The drills are taking place in the Pacific, Arctic, Baltic, and Caspian seas, as well as the Mediterranean, where Russia maintains a base in the Syrian port city of Tartus.
09:10 Tragedy in Oil Pipeline Fire: Deaths Reported in Russian Orenburg RegionTwo individuals lost their lives in a fire at an oil pipeline in the Russian region of Orenburg, according to a news agency report by TASS. An investigation into the incident's cause was launched, but the exact date of the fire remains uncertain. Unverified reports about the incident had already circulated on some Russian Telegram channels on Monday.
08:43 Negotiations on Hold: Shoigu Rules Out Talks with UkraineRussia will not engage in negotiations with Ukraine until its troops withdraw from Russian territories, according to Russia's Security Council secretary, Sergei Shoigu, as reported by TASS. Earlier, Kremlin spokesman Peskov had also dismissed the prospect of negotiations.
08:14 Flight Operations Resume at Moscow AirportsFlight operations have resumed at Moscow's Domodedovo, Sheremetyevo, and Vnukovo airports, according to Russia's aviation authority Rosaviatsiya. Temporary suspensions were implemented due to Ukrainian drone attacks in the Moscow region.
07:43 Scholz Sets Terms for Russian Participation in Peace TalksGerman Chancellor Olaf Scholz links Russian participation in a possible Ukraine peace conference to prerequisites. At an SPD event on Monday evening, he stressed that necessary military support for Ukraine against the aggressor Russia and an exploration of an exit strategy from the war situation should be pursued. He advocated for another peace conference with Russian participation, as long as the party supposed to attend was not simultaneously continuing its attacks. Putin, he noted, has expressed a desire for more Ukrainian territory for a peaceful resolution. "This situation calls for clarity, steadfastness, and character to secure peace and security in Europe," Chancellor Scholz emphasized.
07:18 Fascism Label in Ukrainian Military: Kyiv ProtestsUkraine was perplexed by Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico's accusations of pro-Russian sentiments in the Ukrainian military. According to Reuters, he urged Kyiv to take measures to root out "fascism" within its military. The Ukrainian Foreign Ministry issued a statement, saying, "Ukrainian soldiers are defending their families, homes, and land, as well as all of Europe and the free world against Russian invaders marked with the letter 'Z'—a symbol of the fascist aesthetics of modern Russia." The statement also mentioned that the Ukrainian people had suffered "millions of losses" in the battle against Nazism in the 20th century. Fico's "fascism" allegation mirrored Russian propaganda that often labels the Ukrainian leadership as Nazis. In fact, far-right parties secured only 2.4% of the vote in the 2019 Ukrainian elections. Historian Timothy Snyder, however, sees clear fascist traits in Putin's regime.
06:56 Casualty Correction in Moscow Drone Attack: Governor's UpdateIn a drone attack by Ukraine on Moscow's capital, one woman was killed and three civilians injured, according to Moscow's regional governor, Andrei Vorobyov. He released this information via Telegram. Initially, he had reported the death of a child (see entry at 06:02), but he could not confirm this. According to him, 43 civilian evacuees were being housed in emergency shelters.
06:25 Greenpeace to Investigate Environmental Wrongs by RussiaGreenpeace reopens an office in Kyiv. The aim is to accelerate reconstruction projects in Ukraine and to probe and document environmental wrongdoings stemming from Russia's war of aggression, Greenpeace declares. They are already collaborating with local environmental organizations to achieve this goal. "Our objective is to aid Ukraine in the eco-friendly reconstruction of social infrastructure using the clean energies of sunlight and wind," says the new office head, Natalia Hosak. Greenpeace frequently draws attention to environmental damages in Ukraine due to Russia's war of aggression. Among other issues, the organization monitors the situation at the Russian-controlled Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant.
06:02 Russia Reports Death of a Child in Moscow RegionFollowing a Ukrainian drone strike in the Moscow region, Russian reports suggest that a child has perished. Regional Governor Andrei Vorobyov shared this detail via Telegram, stating that at least 14 Ukrainian drones were intercepted in the capital region overnight. One of these drones triggered a fire, which is currently being extinguished by firefighters. "Regrettably, a nine-year-old child lost their life," Vorobyov confirmed. The interception of another drone in the capital region reportedly injured at least one person when the debris fell on an apartment building. Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin initially reported that 11 drones had been intercepted near the Russian capital.
05:31 Ukraine: Drone Attack on Kyiv RepelledUkrainian air defense units successfully thwarted a Russian drone attack on Kyiv, as announced by the Ukrainian capital's military administration via the Telegram messaging service.
04:36 Russia: Drone Debris Falls on Energy FacilityDebris from a drone shot down by Russian air defense over the Tula region supposedly struck an energy facility, according to Russian news agency TASS. "There were no injuries," TASS cited the Tula authorities as saying. Operations and resource supply to consumers remained undisturbed. The situation is under control.
03:29 Ukraine Launches Drone Attack on MoscowPost the interception of two Ukrainian drones over the Domodedovo district of Moscow, emergency services were dispatched to the crash site, as per Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin. Sobyanin did not mention any damage or casualties. The Domodedovo district, around 50 kilometers south of the Kremlin, houses one of Moscow's largest airports.
02:17 Russia's Air Defense Downs Drone Headed for MoscowRussian air defense units reportedly brought down a drone heading for Moscow, according to Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin. "Preliminary reports suggest no damage or casualties where the debris landed," Sobyanin said via Telegram. No comment was made by the Ukrainian side.
00:12 Zelensky Commends Sweden for New Aid PackageUkrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky thanked Sweden for a defense package worth $445 million. "This important aid, which includes air defense systems, anti-tank weapons, and funds to address Ukraine's urgent needs, will strengthen our defense capabilities," Zelensky said on X. According to Swedish reports, the package also includes spare parts for Gripen fighter jets to prepare for a potential future delivery of the aircraft.
22:17 Foreign Ministry: Russia the "greatest threat to peace" directly on NATO's eastern flankFollowing Russian drone incursions into Latvia and Romania, the Foreign Ministry termed Russia under President Vladimir Putin as "the greatest threat to peace and security." "Unfortunately, Putin's Russia is currently the greatest threat to peace and security directly on NATO's eastern flank," the ministry wrote on X. "This has been demonstrated once again, especially by the drone incidents in Romania and Latvia." "We collaborate with our alliance partners and stand by their side," the Foreign Ministry added, referring to the drones. Over the weekend, NATO and EU members Latvia and Romania each reported a Russian drone infiltration into their territory.
21:42 US Denies Confirmation of Iranian Rockets to Russia SuppliesThe US government cannot confirm reports that Iran has supplied Russia with ballistic rockets, according to John Kirby, US government spokesperson for national security.
21:28 Zelensky Urges Rapid Implementation of Aid AgreementsUkrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has requested the swift execution of aid agreements with the West. "The course of the war hinges directly on the quality of logistics in deliveries and the fulfillment of all commitments by our partners," Zelensky said in his evening address. Weapons and equipment must reach their destination in time to be effective. "What is needed in September must be delivered to our troops in September."
20:52 Russian Opposition Politician Warns against Letting Putin Escape VictoryLeading Russian opposition politician Vladimir Kara-Mursa warns the West against allowing Russian President Vladimir Putin an "escape" from the Ukraine war with a "face-saving victory." "It is crucial that Vladimir Putin does not win the war against Ukraine," says Kara-Mursa. "It is vital that Vladimir Putin does not escape from this war in Ukraine with a 'face-saving' victory." About a month after his release in a prisoner swap, Kara-Mursa claims that there is "fatigue" about the war in Western societies. However, Putin must be defeated. He adds, "If, God forbid, the Putin regime can represent the outcome of this war as a victory for itself and remain in power, we will be discussing another conflict or another disaster within a year or 18 months."
You can read all previous developments here.
The Ukrainian conflict has escalated significantly, resulting in casualties in Moscow due to Ukrainian drone attacks. Moscow justifies its continued military operations in response to these strikes, viewing them as a threat to its security.
