Ukrainian President Zelenskyy endorses the prohibition of the Russian Orthodox Church within Ukraine's borders.
Ukrainian Leader Zelensky Commends Parliament for Banning Moscow-Loyal Orthodox Church Division
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky commended the Verkhovna Rada for passing a law that secures the nation's spiritual independence. Through his everyday video message, he stated, "I want to underscore the noteworthy work of the Verkhovna Rada today, which has approved the legislation for our spiritual sovereignty." After extensive deliberations, the parliament authorized the prohibition of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, which had been under the Moscow Patriarchate's control for many years. The Ukrainian branch of this church is under scrutiny for allegedly justifying or even supporting the adversary and the egregious acts committed against Russian citizens by Russia itself. Nevertheless, the church officially cut ties with Moscow, with representatives refuting any allegations of collaboration with the enemy fighting force. The law remains a point of contention not only within Ukraine but also internationally.
23:07 Pentagon: Russia Struggles in Attempting to Counter Ukrainian Advance in Kursk Region
After an evaluation by the United States Department of Defense, Russia is experiencing challenges in response to Ukraine's counterattack in the Kursk region. According to Pentagon spokesman Pat Ryder, there are hints that Moscow is dispatching minimal troops to the area. Ryder asserts, "But overall, I would say that Russia is really grappling to respond." The Ukrainian forces have placed their adversary "certainly in a reactive position," according to Ryder. He did not explicitly confirm whether the United States is publicly backing the Ukrainian advance, but referred to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, who referred to it as the formation of a buffer zone.
22:10 Zelensky Underlines the Importance of Balance between Troop Mobilization and War-Torn Economy
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky highlights the need for a delicate balance between troop mobilization and the sustenance of the conflict-affected economy. During his visit to an industrial facility in Kropywnyzkyi in central Ukraine, Zelensky responded to a worker's question by acknowledging that employment opportunities are crucial for soldiers' salaries and Ukraine's defense efforts.
21:44 Ukraine Reports Further Territorial Advancements in Kursk
Ukraine has reportedly progressed another 28 to 35 kilometers in the Russian territory of Kursk, as per its own claims. General Oleksandr Syrsky stated in a televised address that Russia is reinforcing its positions in the region by deploying troops from other locations. Additionally, Russia is dispatching troops to Pokrovsk in eastern Ukraine, where the violent clashes have recently escalated. Russia has yet to comment on this development.
21:25 Putin Visits Chechnya after a 13-Year Absence
Russian President Vladimir Putin visited the Russian republic of Chechnya on Tuesday for the first time in 13 years to meet with strongman Ramzan Kadyrov. Photographs released by the RIA Novosti news agency depicted Putin shaking hands with Kadyrov in Grozny. Following the encounter, Putin put his arm around Kadyrov and hugged him before they departed in a limousine. Kadyrov referred to a packed schedule of events on the Telegram messaging platform, mentioning that Putin was "full of energy despite the exhausting day and ready to explore several locations in Chechnya."
21:02 Scholz: Ukraine Receives "a Great Deal of Money, a Great Deal of Money"
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz expresses bewilderment at allegations that Germany is not adequately supporting Ukraine. Citing data from TV station Sat1, Scholz indicated that Ukraine has received more than seven billion euros this year, making it the leading European recipient of support. Next year, Ukraine will receive four billion euros from the federal budget, once again making it the top European contributor. Furthermore, the collective efforts of the G7 nations will allow the release of 50 billion dollars from frozen Russian assets. "That's a great deal of money, that's a great deal of money," Scholz emphasized.
20:14 Putin Puts Ukraine's Current Military Operations in Kursk in Parallel with Beslan Siege in 2004
Russian President Vladimir Putin drew comparisons between the infamous 2004 Beslan school siege and Ukraine's current military activities in the Kursk region. Putin expressed this during a visit to Beslan on the anniversary of the attack, stating that Russia had to confront "terrorists" in Beslan, much like how it must confront those responsible for the crimes in Kursk.
19:43 Moscow Patriarchate Condemns Planned Church Ban in Ukraine as "Unlawful"
The Russian Orthodox Church has denounced the Ukrainian parliament's decision to ban the Russia-aligned Ukrainian Orthodox Church as "unlawful" and a "grave violation of fundamental freedoms of belief and human rights." According to spokesman Vladimir Legoida, through Telegram, the enactment of the legislation could potentially lead to "widespread violence against millions of believers." Patriarch Kirill, the head of the Russian Orthodox Church, also voiced his concerns during a visit to the Solovki Monastery in northern Russia, stating, "These are tough times, during which many have turned against us, not because we are evil, but simply because we are different." Earlier, Ukrainian parliamentarians approved a bill prohibiting religious organizations with ties to Moscow.
19:12 Another Ramstein Meeting to Aid Ukraine Called US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin has invited the so-called Ukraine Contact Group to another meeting at the US airbase Ramstein in Rhineland-Palatinate. The event is set for September 6, as the largest US airbase outside the United States announced. Defense chiefs and military officials will once again discuss enhancing support for Ukraine. About 50 nations, including Germany, are part of the contact group. As with prior meetings, non-NATO countries were also invited.
18:36 Russian Army Restructures Border Units The Russian military has organized three new units tasked with securing the border with Ukraine. Defense Minister Andrei Belousov confirmed this. The groups are named after the regions of Kursk, Belgorod, and Bryansk. Over two weeks ago, thousands of Ukrainian soldiers stormed into the Russian region of Kursk and currently hold the captured lands.
18:10 Major Fire Spreads at Russian Oil Depot Following a Ukrainian drone attack, a significant fire erupted at an oil depot in the Russian city of Proletarsk. The flames have grown out of control, and two days later, the fire is still not under control. Satellite images demonstrate the blaze's extent.
17:36 Russia May Construct a Second Bridge Near the Crimean Bridge Satellite images suggest that Russia may be constructing a second bridge near the 19-kilometer-long Kerch Bridge, which links the Russian mainland to Crimea. Online publication "Ukrajinska Prawda" reports on a "parallel construction," which is "probably a bridge." ntv.de verified this by comparing satellite images from June, July, and August, showing construction in progress. According to "Ukrajinska Prawda," the Russians are taking steps to protect both the new construction and the existing yet repeatedly attacked Kerch Bridge from attacks.
16:58 Zelensky Admits to "Challenging" Situation on the Eastern Frontline According to the British newspaper "The Guardian," President Volodymyr Zelensky described the situation on the eastern frontline of Ukraine as "challenging," especially near the strategic logistics center of Pokrovsk and also near Toretsk. The Ukrainian General Staff reported on Facebook that 14 battles had taken place in the Toretsk area and 34 in the Pokrovsk sector since the beginning of the day.
16:36 Moscow Advises Kursk Residents to Disable Dating Apps The Russian Ministry of Internal Affairs has advised residents in three border regions to disable dating apps and online surveillance cameras. "The opponent is identifying a large number of IP addresses on our territory and remotely connecting to unsecured cameras that monitor everything from private homes to strategically important roads and highways," the ministry stated. It also advised against using online dating services, as they could also gather information.
16:20 Russia Reports 17 Civilian Casualties in a Week The Russian news agency TASS reported, based on rescue services, that the Ukrainian incursion into Kursk had killed 17 people in the past week. A further 235 civilians were injured.
15:54 Reporter Describes Rapid Advance of Russian Troops "Yesterday, Russian troops launched 63 attacks on the Pokrovsk front," reports ntv reporter Nadja Kriewald from eastern Ukraine. She spoke with rescue workers who were en route to evacuate a Ukrainian village, but the operation was reportedly terminated - the Russian army had already captured the location.
15:33 Russia Accuses American Journalists of Provocative Behavior in Kursk Russia has summoned a high-ranking US diplomat. The Russian news agency TASS reports this. With this action, it intends to protest against the "provocative conduct" of American journalists in the Russian region of Kursk, the Russian Foreign Ministry stated. It was reported that the journalists had unlawfully entered the region where Ukrainian forces had launched an offensive two weeks ago. Russia plans to prosecute them, it was further said.
15:10 Eastern Germany's Commissioner Criticizes Ukrainian Perceptions The federal government's commissioner for the East, Carsten Schneider of the SPD, has expressed dismay at the views of some Germans on Ukraine. "It's shocking how Ukraine and the Ukrainians are sometimes discussed, both in the east and west," he told the newspapers of the Neue Berliner Redaktionsgesellschaft. "Unfortunately, Russian propaganda frequently finds a foothold, especially in eastern Germany," Schneider added. In the defense struggle of Ukraine, it ultimately comes down to the existence of the country, Schneider said. Not least, AfD and BSW politicians have gone beyond this.
14:48 Ammunition Shortage Due to Kursk Advance Blamed for Russian Eastward Push The "Financial Times" quotes a Ukrainian commander, stating that the Russian advance in eastern Ukraine is partly due to Kyiv shifting resources north. His troops are once again rationing shells for their guns - for the first time since the US Congress halted Ukraine aid. The ammunition was allocated to troops that invaded the Russian region of Kursk.
14:26 Kremlin Expert: Kursk Advance Highlights Shifts in Moscow Power Dynamics Kremlin expert Rainer Münz believes the Ukrainian advance into Kursk could accelerate or at least make visible a generational change within the Moscow power apparatus. However, he asserts that the power of the Russian president is not threatened.
Following a Russian assault on a commercial site in Ternopil, western Ukraine, local leaders are issuing alerts about elevated chlorine levels in the atmosphere. As per Ukrainian newspaper "Kyiv Independent", Oksana Chaichuk, head of the regional health center, advises residents to minimize outdoor activity and keep windows shut. The chlorine concentration in the air is estimated to be between four to ten times more than usual, she mentioned at a press conference. Reports suggest that a fuel storage facility was struck during the nighttime attack, leading to a fire at an undisclosed location. No fatalities or injuries were reported.
13:39 Moscow: Russian soldiers take over New York city in Donetsk
The Russian military has seized control of New York city in Donetsk, eastern Ukraine, as per Russia's defense ministry. Troops have assumed command of "one of the largest settlements nearby Torez, the strategically important logistics hub of Novogorodskoe," the ministry stated, using the Soviet-era name. The name New York, originated from German settlers, was replaced with Novogorodskoe in 1951 but was restored in 2021 due to Ukrainian activists' efforts. The city is about six kilometers south of Torez, which has been under Russian assaults for weeks.
13:01 Military intelligence: Russian soldier defects, wounds commanding officer
A Russian soldier defecting to Ukraine was a spy and wounded his commander, Ukraine's military intelligence (HUR) has disclosed. "Kyiv Independent" newspaper reported that the soldier, codenamed "Silver", deserted as part of a joint operation by the "Freedom of Russia" legion and the "I Want to Live" project of Ukraine's military intelligence. Before deserting, he injured his commander with a grenade in the town of Ocheretyne, Donetsk Oblast. "Silver" communicated with the legion in early 2024 after witnessing various illicit acts by his unit and commanders, according to military intelligence. He privately shared intelligence about the location of Russian troop positions and plans for military operations with the legion.
12:23 Ukrainian Parliament Proposes Ban on Russia-affiliated ChurchThe Ukrainian parliament is advancing with a ban on the Ukranian Orthodox Church linked to Russia. Legislators claim that the parliament in Kyiv has approved a relevant bill, initially banning the Russian Orthodox Church from operating on Ukrainian territory. Courts must still confirm a ban on religious organizations connected to the Russian Orthodox Church, according to the government in Kyiv. They criticize the Ukrainian minority church as a platform for Russian influence in the country and a supporter of Ukraine's invasion.
11:51 Firefighters Battle Oil Depot Blaze in Russian Rostov for Third DayMore than 500 firefighters have been battling a large fire at an oil depot in Russian Rostov for the third day, initiated by a Ukrainian drone strike. "The fire covers an area of 10,000 square meters, several diesel tanks are burning," said the head of Proletarsk, Valery Gornitsky, as reported by TASS. "There's no risk of explosion, no danger to people, and no evacuations needed," he added. Four firefighting aircraft and over 520 firefighters are involved. Gornitsky stated that vehicles cannot reach the fire due to extreme heat. So far, at least 41 firefighters have been injured, with 18 requiring hospitalization, according to authorities.
11:08 Industrial Plant Hits in Ternopil during Ukrainian BombingsAn industrial plant and a fuel storage facility were struck during Russian bombings on Ukraine's energy infrastructure in Ternopil region, officials report. Ukrainian TV broadcast significant black smoke plumes above Ternopil, with local authorities advising residents to stay indoors. Over 90 firefighters are dealing with the blaze, with the situation stabilized, according to the Ternopil regional administration.
10:41 Russian Former Diplomat Bondarev: Putin Acts Like a "Cowardly Impostor"Russian President Vladimir Putin is behaving like a "cowardly impostor," writes Boris Bondarev, a former Russian diplomat, in a guest commentary for ntv.de. Putin's image of supposedly being able to defeat any opponent has taken a hit with the onset of Ukraine's invasion. The swift takeover inside of a few days did not materialize. Moscow also recently seemed completely caught off guard and overwhelmed by Ukraine's attack on the Russian region of Kursk. "Putin is at a loss when faced with serious threats and doesn't know what to do. He doesn't even seem to behave like a cornered rat ready to fight with all its might, but like a cowardly impostor," Bondarev says. The former diplomat, who left Putin's regime in protest against the war, also fiercely criticizes Western politicians for their stance of prohibiting Ukraine from utilizing delivered weapons on Russian territory. "One must confront Putin with the language of force." He deems Western politicians' fears of "escalation" unfounded. "The 'escalation' is already here - Putin's opponent has invaded Russian territory! But he's not responding to it at all," Bondarev writes.
10:13 Ukraine: Five Civilians Killed, Over 20 Injured in Russian AttacksIn the past 24 hours, five civilians have been killed and at least 22 injured, including a child, in Russian attacks in Ukraine, according to regional authorities, as reported by "Kyiv Independent".
09:37 Russian Fuel Depot in Flames: Satellite Image Demonstrates Fire's Magnitude Russia's Proletarsk fuel depot in the south was set ablaze by Ukrainian drones on Sunday morning. Despite efforts to put out the fire, it wasn't fully extinguished 24 hours later, resulting in over 40 injuries among firefighters from the region. Satellite images reveal the extent of the blaze.
Ukraine has attacked various Russian refineries and oil facilities using drones in recent times, aiming to disrupt fuel supply to enemy troops and decrease Russia's oil industry earnings.
09:16 Kyiv: Over 1300 Russian Soldiers 'Taken Out' in a Day Official data from Kyiv indicates that 1,330 Russian soldiers either died or became incapacitated during a 24-hour period. Since the commencement of the war in February 2022, a total of 601,800 Russian soldiers have allegedly been 'taken out', as per the Ukrainian Ministry of Defense. They also reported that the enemy lost five more tanks (8,518 in total) since the start of the Russian invasion. Ukraine claims to have accounted for over 16,500 armored vehicles and over 13,800 drones no longer in the Russian military's possession or destroyed. These figures, however, cannot be verified independently, as Moscow keeps its casualties in Ukraine private.
08:47 Biden Fervently Champions Ukraine: No President Should Yield to Tyrants "No president should surrender to tyrants," stated Joe Biden at the Democratic Party convention's opening night, as reported by "Kyiv Independent". "Putin believed he would conquer Kyiv in three days. Three years later, Ukraine still retains its freedom." Biden contrasted his stance as a steadfast NATO supporter and defender of a free Ukraine with that of former President Donald Trump, who praised Russian President Vladimir Putin. "No chief executive should ever surrender to tyrants," Biden said.
08:31 Russia Pounds Ukraine with Nighttime Aerial Assaults Russian military bombed nine regions in central, northern, and southern Ukraine at night, according to the Ukrainian air force on Telegram. They managed to shot down three missiles and 25 drones. This marked the fifth missile assault on Kyiv in August, with air alarm sounds activating 41 times in August alone. The military reported foiling a drone assault on Kyiv the previous day.
07:52 Military Administration: Russian Missile Assault on Kyiv Repelled - No Damages Reported Yet Ukrainian troops, according to reports, attacked Kyiv from the north with rockets earlier today. The Military Administration of Kyiv announced this via Telegram. "Preliminary information suggests that the enemy attacked Ukraine's capital from the north, most likely utilizing cruise missiles like the Iskander. This is the fifth rocket attack on Kyiv this month!" the message reads. Air defense forces are reported to have successfully intercepted the missiles at the city's outskirts. No damages or casualties have been reported in Kyiv as of now.
07:38 Belarus: Lukashenko Deploys Added Troops and Aircraft to Ukraine Border Belarus has stationed additional air defense troops and aircraft along its border with Ukraine, as per Major General Andrei Lukyanov, commander of the Belarusian air defense forces, as reported by the Ukrainian newspaper "Kyiv Independent". This announcement comes shortly after Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko's declaration that he had sent one-third of the country's army to the border this summer. Lukashenko attributed the troop buildup along the border to misunderstandings between Belarus and Ukraine. Lukyanov revealed on national television that Belarusian military had deployed aircraft, anti-aircraft missiles, and radio electronic units to the border. The Ukrainian state border guard service has not confirmed Lukyanov's claims regarding additional Belarusian troops and weapons at the border. Over a week ago, the service reported no signs of troop buildup along the Belarusian border despite Lukashenko's orders.
07:24 ISW: Russia Moves 5,000 Troops to Kursk Oblast Due to Ukrainian military operations in the Kursk region, Russia has been forced to transfer troops from other frontline sections to the region, according to a report by the U.S. Institute for the Study of War (ISW). "Russian troops have relocated additional forces to the Kursk Oblast since the first week of the Ukrainian advance and have likely deployed more than 5,000 soldiers to the region," analysts say.
06:54 Zelensky: Second Peace Summit in Ukraine Must Occur Before Year's End Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has urged Ukrainian diplomats to ensure that the second Peace Summit in Ukraine takes place this year. He expressed his thoughts during a meeting with heads of foreign diplomatic missions in Ukraine on the subject of "War Diplomacy: Resilience, Weapons, Victory," as reported by the state news agency Ukrinform, citing the presidential administration. "The first summit, in my opinion, was a remarkable achievement for Ukraine. I am grateful to everyone who contributed to making it happen. Now, we're preparing for the second Peace Summit, and we must ensure that it takes place this year," Zelensky said. "We must do all within our power to achieve this. We must expand the circle of support for the communiqué of the first summit."
06:22 Ukraine: Another Russian Air Strike on Kyiv Russia's nightly assaults on Kyiv continue, as per Ukrainian reports. Air defense forces were active during the wee hours to repel another Russian air strike on Kyiv, as announced by Kyiv's military administration on Telegram. Residents reported hearing explosions that sounded like the use of air defense systems.
05:11 Ukrainian Areas Report Multiple Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Attacks Distant from BattlefieldDuring the night, several Ukrainian regions located far from the conflict zone experienced multiple unmanned aerial vehicle assaults. According to air defense, the areas of Sumy, Poltava, Kherson, and Mykolaiv were targeted. Air defense forces also stayed alert near the capital Kyiv. Citizens were urged to seek shelter. No damages have been reported as of now.
02:23 USA Still Backs Kyiv after Kursk OffensiveIn the face of Ukraine's counteroffensive in the Russian region of Kursk, the USA remains dedicated in supporting Kyiv. As stated by a US Department of Defense spokesperson, President Joe Biden has expressed their unwavering commitment to assist Ukraine and stand by them as long as necessary. The US continues providing military aid to Kyiv. US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin reassured his Ukrainian counterpart Rustem Umerov of their continued support during a conversation, according to the spokesperson. During their exchange, Austin gained insights into Ukraine's goals for the counteroffensive.
01:07 Germany Sends More Iris-T Air Defense Systems to UkraineGermany has delivered another military aid package to Ukraine. As per the German Ministry of Defense's official site, the latest deliveries include a third Iris-T SLS air defense system, thousands of artillery rounds, drones, a recovery tank, and numerous firearms along with their corresponding ammunition.
00:20 Zelensky Claims Largest Capture of Russian Soldiers since War StartUkraine's offensive in the Russian region of Kursk marks the most significant capture of Russian soldiers since the war initiation, President Volodymyr Zelensky said. During a meeting with Ukrainian diplomats, he mentioned that these detainees would later be exchanged for captured Ukrainians. As of now, it's estimated that Russia captured more Ukrainians than the other way around.
22:21 Chechen Leader Encourages Russian Conscripts to Join Kursk BattlefieldChechen commander Apti Alaudinov of the Russian-fighting Achmat Regiment urged Russian conscripts to proceed to the Kursk region battlefield, implying those who fall in battle will reach paradise, according to the Kyiv Independent newspaper.
21:58 Zelensky Discredits Russia's Red Line Concept after IncursionUkrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky claimed that Ukraine's incursion into Russian territory was considered unrealistic, keeping it a secret for many reasons, as stated by Zelensky in Pravda newspaper. Only a few months ago, many countries warned of the incursion crossing Russia's most crucial red line. Now, Zelensky regards the red line concept as fragmented near Sushcha.
21:38 Lithuania Constructs Military Base for German TroopsLithuania started building a military base for German soldiers, with completion estimated by the end of 2027. This base can accommodate up to 4,000 German troops, marking the first permanent overseas deployment of the German army since World War II. Germany recently agreed to station troops in the NATO and EU member state bordering Russia. Lithuanian Defense Minister Raimundas Karoblis estimated the total construction costs at more than one billion euros.
21:15 Czech President Advocates for Ukraine's NATO Membership with Controlled BordersCzech President Petr Pavel supports the possibility of Ukraine joining NATO despite territorial occupation. He believes a peace agreement could be negotiated between Ukraine and Russia in the near future, allowing Russia to occupy a portion of Ukrainian territory temporarily without democratic states accepting border changes. This would enable "us to bring Ukraine into NATO in the territory it controls at that time," Pavel stated. Germany joined NATO in 1955 while under partial Soviet occupation.
20:57 Ukrainian Troops Approach Russian Bridge's 12-km DistanceUkrainian forces reportedly captured Wyschnewka in the Russian region of Kursk, according to war observers. Their current location position is approximately 12 kilometers away from the Russian army's only bridge option for supply distribution or retreat across the Seim River.
20:36 Pokrovsk City Hopes for Enemy Stoppage Near OutskirtsThe military administration of the eastern Ukrainian city of Pokrovsk faces an unstable future as Russian troops advance. The head of the city's information department conveyed to the Washington Post that they are aware of the enemy's advancement towards Pokrovsk and hope the enemy will halt at the outskirts, enabling Ukrainian troops to push them back. Capture of Pokrovsk would make it the largest population center captured by Russia since May 2023.
You can read more about previous events [here].
The European Union expressed concern over the ban of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church by the Ukrainian parliament, viewing it as a potential violation of religious freedoms.
In response to the European Union's statement, a spokesperson for the Ukrainian government defended the decision, arguing that the church had a history of supporting pro-Russian actions and justifying Russia's actions against its own citizens.
