Ukrainian tanks are in Kurk, 10 kilometers behind the Russian border
Ukrainian troops have reportedly advanced up to ten kilometers into the Russian region of Kursk, according to an assessment by the Institute for the Study of War (ISW). Footage of armored vehicles behind the border confirmed this. Ukrainian forces are said to have breached at least two Russian defense lines and a fortress. According to a Russian source, the Ukrainians have captured 45 square kilometers in the Kursk area since the start of the operation on August 6, the ISW reports. Russian authorities declared a state of emergency in the region yesterday.
02:30 Ukraine raises threshold for imprisonment in petty theft casesPresident Selenskyj has signed a new law that reclassifies petty theft as an administrative offense instead of a criminal one. The new law sets the threshold at around 67 euros, up from the previous 6.7 euros. This change is due to the martial law currently in effect since the Russian invasion, which carries a prison sentence of up to eight years for looting and theft. An example given in the draft law is a theft of diapers from a supermarket in the western Ukrainian city of Rivne in January 2023, valued at around 8 euros. The thief in this case received a prison sentence of over three years, but would not face imprisonment under the new law.
00:27 Klingbeil: Deployment of US long-range missiles in Germany is appropriateSPD leader Lars Klingbeil has defended plans to deploy long-range US weapons in Germany, stating that it is "right because it helps us defend ourselves if Russia were to attack." He sees it as part of a credible deterrence strategy. The White House and the German government announced at the NATO summit in July that the US would station weapons systems in Germany from 2026, including Tomahawk missiles, SM-6 rockets, and new hypersonic weapons. Some SPD members have criticized this decision, with parliamentary group leader Rolf Mützenich warning of the risk of military escalation.
22:38 Human rights activist Orlov to fight for Russian prisonersOleg Orlov, a Moscow human rights activist released in a prisoner exchange between Russia and Western states, plans to continue his work advocating for civil rights in exile. "Memorial cannot be destroyed," said the 71-year-old at a press conference in Berlin's Center for Liberal Modernity. Memorial, the organization he co-founded and which was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize, advocates for political prisoners in Russia. Orlov estimates that at least 800 political prisoners are still being held in Russia. While he finds his new role in exile in Germany challenging, he fears persecution if he returns to Russia. Orlov hopes to use his exile to advocate for the release of more political prisoners, including eight who are severely ill. Memorial continues to work both in Russia and abroad despite repression.
21:30 Not Dead Yet? Known Russian Propagandist InjuredKnown Russian propagandist Yevgeny Poddubny was injured in the Kursk region. State TV channel VGTRK reported on Telegram that Poddubny was injured in an attack by a Ukrainian drone in the Kursk region and was taken to the hospital. Earlier, numerous Russian media outlets had reported Poddubny's death. Yevgeny Poddubny is one of Russia's most famous "war correspondents," with around 734,000 followers on Telegram. Preliminary information suggests he was filming a report on the fighting in the Kursk region today.
20:41 Emergency Declared in Region KurskAn emergency has been declared in the Russian region of Kursk amid a Ukrainian ground offensive, the region's governor, Alexei Smirnov, announced on Telegram. The Ukraine has advanced deep into Russian territory near Kursk in a counterattack. The offensive began on Tuesday, according to the Russian Defense Ministry, and reached the northwest of the city of Sudja on Wednesday.
20:14 Fighting Nearby: Russia Reinforces Protection of Kursk NPPDue to the Ukrainian advance into the Russian border region of Kursk, Russia's National Guard has reinforced protection of the Kursk NPP. Additional forces have also been deployed to combat sabotage and reconnaissance units in the Kursk and Belgorod regions, the agency said. This is being done in cooperation with the Russian border troops and the army. The nuclear power plant, which has four units and a capacity of nearly two gigawatts, is only about 60 kilometers from the Ukrainian border. The day before, Ukrainian troops supported by tanks and artillery crossed the Russian border from the Sumy region at Sudja. Unconfirmed reports suggest they advanced up to 15 kilometers towards the NPP.
19:38 Attacks in Region Kursk: European Gas Price Hits Yearly HighThe price of European natural gas has risen to its highest level this year. The benchmark TTF contract for delivery next month rose by 5.7 percent to 38.78 euros per megawatt hour in Amsterdam. Market participants are pointing to the attacks by Ukraine on the Russian region of Kursk. The fighting is reportedly taking place near Sudja, an important gas injection point for Europe. This gas enters Western Europe through Ukrainian pipelines. Gazprom is currently reporting normal gas supplies, according to the Bloomberg news agency.
19:08 Ukraine Evacuates Border Areas with Russian KurskAmid heavy fighting in the Russian region of Kursk, Ukrainian authorities have ordered the evacuation of more settlements in the neighboring Sumy region. The measures affect 23 settlements, said the military governor of Sumy, Vladimir Artjuch, on Ukrainian television. About 6,000 people, including more than 400 children and adolescents, are to be brought to safety from the border area. The day before, Ukrainian troops launched an advance across the Ukrainian-Russian border towards the city of Sudja in the Kursk region, advancing several kilometers into Russian territory. Moscow spoke of around 1,000 Ukrainian soldiers equipped with heavy equipment. Kyiv has not yet commented on the events. Due to regular Russian shelling of border areas, local authorities had already ordered evacuations from a 10-kilometer-wide zone along the border in May.
You can read about previous developments here.
The European Union expressed concern over the escalating conflict in the Kursk region and called for a de-escalation, emphasizing the importance of respecting international borders. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy requested support from the EU in providing humanitarian aid to affected civilians and strengthening Ukraine's border defense.
