United States denounces the slaying of Reuters personnel by Russia
The White House Criticizes Rocket Assault on a Hotel in Ukraine, Resulting in a Reuters Security Advisor's Death and Injuring Two JournalistsThe U.S. Presidential Office criticizes a rocket strike on a hotel in Ukraine, resulting in the demise of a Reuters security consultant and injuring two Reuters journalists. "We harshly condemn this assault and offer our most profound sympathies to Reuters for the loss of an employee," a spokesperson from the National Security Council writes on X.
20:25 Zelensky: Kursk Operations Among the "Steps to End the Conflict"As stated by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, the operations in the Russian territory of Kursk constitute one of the "steps to put an end to the dispute". "The Kursk operation has no links to any of the points in the (Ukrainian) peace charter", Zelensky clarifies. "Is the Kursk operation related to the second peace summit? Yes, it is. Because the Kursk operation is one of the components of the Ukrainian triumph plan."
19:52 Russia Constructs New Ponton Bridges in KurskFollowing Ukraine's destruction of several bridges in the Kursk region, Russia is seeking to safeguard its supply routes using ponton bridges. Satellite imagery captured on Monday reveals that Russian forces have built a makeshift bridge over the Sejm river near a destroyed one. Ukraine continues its attempts to obliterate these Russian crossings using strategies such as long-range artillery.
19:17 Zelensky to Present Plan for Conflict Resolution to Biden, Trump, and HarrisUkrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has plans to present his strategy for a successful end to the conflict against Russia to outgoing U.S. President Joe Biden in September. Donald Trump and Kamala Harris will also be briefed on the strategy, Zelensky reveals. The Kursk operations form part of the plan, which also encompasses diplomatic and economic initiatives, as per the Ukrainian president, who did not disclose any further details.
18:44 Ukraine Records 136,000 War Crimes Committed by Russian AggressorsUkrainian law enforcement agencies have registered 136,000 acts of war crimes perpetrated by Russian aggressors since the beginning of the extensive invasion in 2022. The prosecutor's office has investigated a total of 660 suspects, with 126 convictions, according to Ukrainian authorities. Andriy Kostin, the Ukrainian Prosecutor General, admitted that these figures might be incomplete due to inaccessible occupied territories.
18:20 Russian Intelligence Probes Deutsche Welle CorrespondentsThe Russian Federal Security Service (FSB) has commenced an investigation against a Deutsche Welle correspondent and a Ukrainian journalist, alleging their unauthorized entry into the Russian region of Kursk. Nick Connolly, an employee of the German international broadcaster Deutsche Welle (DW), and Natalia Nagornaya, an employee of the Ukrainian channel 1+1, are reportedly reporting from Ukrainian-controlled areas in Kursk.
17:51 Zelensky: Ukraine Has Potential to Produce Up to Two Million Drones This YearAs stated by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, Ukraine has the capability to manufacture 1.5 to 2 million drones this year. However, financing is lacking, Zelensky mentions. The conflict with Russia can only be resolved through dialogue. To progress its vision of peace, the government in Kyiv must maintain a strong position at the conference planned for this year, Zelensky adds.
17:25 Grossi: Proximity of Kursk Nuclear Power Plant Battle Zones "Extremely Serious"The proximity of the fighting between Ukraine and Russia to the nuclear power plant in the Russian border region of Kursk is extremely hazardous, according to the head of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). "Having a nuclear power plant of this type near a contact point or military front is an extremely serious matter," says Rafael Grossi after visiting the facility. "The fact that we have military activity just a few kilometers, just a few miles away, makes it an immediate concern," he adds. "In the end, it may all sound quite reasonable and simple: don't attack a nuclear power plant." The nuclear power plant currently operates under "nearly normal conditions," he adds.
16:51 Syrskyj: Russia Deploys 30,000 Troops to KurskOne of the objectives of the Ukrainian operation in the Kursk region is to divert Russian troops from other sectors, specifically from the areas of Pokrovsk and Kurakhovo in the Donetsk region. According to Ukrainian military chief Oleksandr Syrskyj, Russia has already deployed 30,000 soldiers to the Kursk region. "And the number continues to grow," Syrskyj says. Russia is currently reducing its presence in the southern Ukraine. Nevertheless, the pressure remains high in the focus area of Pokrovsk. There, Moscow is concentrating its most powerful troops, Syrskyj adds.
16:25 Russian Rocket Attack Kills One in Kharkiv RegionRussian forces attacked the city of Bohoduchiw in the Kharkiv region with rockets, resulting in one death and six injuries, as reported by the Ukrainian Prosecutor General's Office. According to their information, one rocket struck a bus stop, killing a 71-year-old woman. Russian attacks also targeted industrial and residential facilities, as well as several vehicles, the Ukrainian Prosecutor General's Office reports.
15:57 Shmyhal estimates Ukraine's budget deficit in billionsPrime Minister Denys Shmyhal shares that Ukraine needs an extra $15 billion to cover its projected budget deficit in 2025. As per Shmyhal, Ukraine estimates its budget deficit for the upcoming year at a whopping $35 billion, with plans to tackle $20 billion of it. According to government estimates, the deficit for 2024 was approximately $38 billion. Shmyhal mentions that the government intends to increase taxes and boost borrowing on the domestic debt market to generate additional funds for the ongoing conflict against Russia. The parliament will deliberate on these proposals in September.
15:32 Ukraine explores development of own weapon systemsUkraine experiences the largest bomb and rocket attack by the Russian army since the beginning of the conflict. Intense attacks continue non-stop, even during the night. With this, Ukraine is now investigating new methods to safeguard itself against Russia's assaults, apart from the aid it receives from the West.
15:11 Zelenskyj: Ukraine successfully tests first ballistic missileUkraine successfully conducts its first ballistic missile test, according to President Volodymyr Zelenskyj. "Our defense industry has successfully test-fired the first Ukrainian ballistic missile," he commented. He commends "our defense industry," but declines to provide further details about the missile.
14:45 Moscow: US Involvement in Ukrainian Incursion into Kursk Oblast is a FactRussian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov considers US involvement in the incursion of Ukrainian troops into the Russian oblast of Kursk as a fact. He suggests that the response from the Russian government may be more severe than before, as per reports from state-owned Russian news agencies RIA and TASS. However, he fails to present any evidence or details supporting his claims about US involvement. The White House maintains that they had no prior knowledge of the unexpected incursion of Ukrainian troops into Kursk on August 6.
14:19 Zelensky: F-16s Shoot Down Russian MissilesUkrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy declares that the new F-16 fighter jets have already successfully intercepted Russian missiles. "During this large-scale missile attack, we managed to shoot down some missiles with the assistance of F-16s," Zelenskyy said. The aircraft were reportedly employed, among other things, in intercepting the significant air attack on Monday. The Netherlands, Denmark, Norway, and Belgium have promised over 60 of these US-built fighter jets to Ukraine collectively.
13:59 Brief Air Raid Alert Near Russian Nuclear Power Plant KurskAn air raid alert was declared briefly in the city of Kursk in the Russian oblast of Kursk during the afternoon. Sirens signaled a threat from a missile, as reported by a Reuters reporter. The Kursk nuclear power plant, which is currently being examined by the head of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), Rafael Grossi, is located in Kursk.
13:44 Russian Army Claims to Have Captured Another Location Near PokrovskThe Russian army claims to have seized another village near the strategically crucial city of Pokrovsk in eastern Ukraine. The defense ministry announced on Telegram that Russian soldiers had "liberated" the village of Orlowka in the Donetsk region. Orlowka is the Russian name for the Ukrainian village of Orliwka. Despite continued conflict against the Ukrainian army in the Russian region of Kursk, Moscow presses ahead with its offensive in Donetsk. The defense ministry frequently announces the capture of new locations, with the region around the essential logistics hub of Pokrovsk also under focus.
13:21 Lavrov Plays the Nuclear CardRussian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov labels Ukraine's request for its allies to utilize the weapons supplied by the West to invade Russia as blackmail. He warns against the dangers of Western nuclear powers "toying with fire." Russia is modifying its nuclear doctrine, he declares, but doesn't provide specifics. The doctrine stipulates the utilization of nuclear weapons if Russia's sovereignty or territorial integrity is threatened.
13:04 Syrskyj: Advancing Further in Kursk - Situation in Pokrovsk DifficultUkrainian troops are making progress into the Russian oblast of Kursk, according to army chief Oleksandr Syrskyj. However, Russian soldiers are advancing on the city of Pokrovsk in the Ukrainian oblast of Donetsk. The overall situation there is quite challenging, he says.
12:42 Munz: "We Will See Increased Attacks on Ukraine Soon"Following the series of drone attacks in recent times, Russia is reportedly escalating its missile attacks on Ukraine once more. The timing is not coincidental, according to ntv correspondent Rainer Munz. The fall season and thus the heating period is approaching.
12:33 Kyiv: 594 Russian POWs captured in KurskAs confirmed by the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, Olexander Syrskyj, Ukraine has apprehended a total of 594 Russian soldiers in the Kursk region. This is the first time he has disclosed a number. Earlier this week, it was reported that the "Washington Post" had identified at least 247 Russian POWs through photo and video analysis.
12:09 Power interruptions and constraints to persist for several additional daysAfter the largest Russian assault on Ukraine since the war's commencement, power disruptions and "significant" power constraints are predicted to persist for a while. Iwan Plachkow, president of the Ukrainian energy union, shared this information with the Kyiv24 TV channel, suggesting a duration of one to two weeks. Plachkow stated that the massive Russian attack on Monday was "one of the most substantial assaults on the energy infrastructure" aimed at causing "a complete blackout in the energy system."
11:46 Roth: Russia endeavors to spark refugee influx to EU with attack waveAs reported by SPD foreign policy expert Michael Roth, Russia is employing its relentless attacks on Ukrainian infrastructure to induce a refugee migration to Europe. Roth referred to the assault series as the "beginning of a new destructive campaign against the Ukrainian energy infrastructure." He added, "The objective is, on the one hand, to paralyze Ukrainian weapon production, and on the other hand, to make life in Ukraine unbearable in order to trigger new refugee movements to the EU." Roth advocated for support during the upcoming "harsh winter" - such as emergency power generators - and a US authorization for the use of long-range weapons against the airfields from which Russian bombers take off.
11:21 Ukrainian border guard: No discernible troop movements in BelarusThe Ukrainian border guard reports no discernible troop movements in Belarus. Spokesman Andrij Demtschenko shared this information with Ukrainian television, denying any movement of soldiers or equipment near the border. However, Demtschenko acknowledges the ongoing threat to Ukraine from the border with Belarus. Recently, the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry stated that Belarus had massively concentrated troops and equipment at the border. Belarus is a close ally of Russia.
10:56 Russian governor confirms Ukrainian penetration attempts in BelgorodThe governor of the Belgorod region, Wjatscheslaw Gladkow, confirmed on Telegram that "reports have surfaced of enemy attempts to breach the border." This corroborates reports from Russian Telegram channels (see entry from 10:02). "According to the Russian Ministry of Defense, the situation at the border remains challenging but manageable," Gladkow said. "Please remain calm and rely only on official information sources." The governor added that Ukraine had attacked the region with over 20 drones in the past 24 hours. Kyiv has yet to comment on the alleged incidents.
Read more about this here.
10:50 Report: Ukraine Establishing New Heavy Troop FormationsAccording to a report by the independent Ukrainian portal "MilitaryLand", Ukraine is constructing new mechanized brigades for defensive combat against Russian aggression, which could be operational by 2025. Personnel is expected to be recruited from Ukrainians living abroad and partially trained there. A mechanized brigade typically consists of around 2,000 soldiers and is equipped with heavy military equipment such as tanks.
Read more here.
10:44 IAEA Chief Grossi Inspects Russian Nuclear Power Plant in KurskThe head of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), Rafael Grossi, has arrived at the Kursk nuclear power plant in the Russian border region of the same name, according to a report by the Russian state news agency TASS. Grossi announced the previous day that he would personally lead the inspection of the facility near the city of Kursk due to the serious situation. Thousands of Ukrainian soldiers had entered the Kursk region in a surprise attack on August 6. Russia accuses Ukraine of repeatedly attacking the facility. The government in Kyiv has yet to officially comment on this.
10:23 FSB Initiates Criminal Proceedings Against Deutsche Welle ReporterThe Russian security service FSB has reportedly initiated criminal proceedings against two foreign journalists. They are accused of illegally crossing the Russian border to report from the Kursk region following the Ukrainian invasion. Reuters reports this, referring to the Russian news agency Interfax. According to this, the journalists are a reporter for Deutsche Welle and a correspondent for the Ukrainian television station 1+1. The FSB has reportedly initiated criminal proceedings against at least seven foreign journalists who have reported from Kursk.
10:02 Ukrainian Troops Attempt to Breach Border in Belgorod RegionUkrainian forces appear to be attempting to breach the Russian border in the southern Belgorod region, according to reports from Russian Telegram channels cited by The Guardian. The Telegram channel Mash reports that around 500 Ukrainian soldiers have attacked two checkpoints in Nechoteyewka and Shebekino in Belgorod, and that fighting is ongoing at both locations. Belgorod borders the Russian region of Kursk, where Ukrainian forces have captured Russian territory since early August.
Ukraine's air defense forces report successfully intercepting five Russian missiles and 60 drones in overnight attacks. The Russian military deployed ten missiles and 81 drones in total, as per the Ukrainian air force's Telegram channel. Around 15 drones and several missiles were intercepted near Kyiv, according to Serhiy Popko, the head of the city's military administration. He stated, "Everything heading towards the capital Kyiv was destroyed." As of 9 am local time (8 am CEST), ten drones were still flying in Ukrainian airspace. Three hypersonic Kinzhal missiles and two Iskander missiles could not be shot down, according to air force commander Mykola Oleschuk on Telegram. The military's numbers are not fully verifiable but offer a general overview of the attack's scale.
Overnight assaults resulted in multiple fatalities - Russia launched Kinzhal missiles.
Russia carried out heavy aerial bombardments on Ukraine for the second consecutive night using various weapons. Preliminary reports from Ukrainian authorities indicate that at least four individuals lost their lives - two in a rocket strike on a hotel in Kryvyi Rih and two more as a result of drone attacks on Zaporizhzhia. Ukraine's air defense forces claim that Russian forces employed long-range bombers from which cruise missiles were launched. Hypersonic Kinzhal missiles were also used.
China advocates for broader support for its own peace plan.
China urges increased backing for its peace proposal. Chinese diplomat Li Hui, the special envoy for Eurasian affairs, stated after negotiations with Indonesia, Brazil, and South Africa that the three nations, which represent the Global South, have substantial influence in promoting international peace. Li mentioned that the three nations have interacted with both Ukraine and Russia and are committed to resolving the conflict through dialogue and negotiations, as well as political solutions. China and Brazil released a joint peace proposal earlier this year, advocating for a peace conference involving all parties and a halt to further military actions on the battlefield. China and Russia did not participate in a peace conference in Switzerland in June. Russia was not invited, and China declined to participate.
Russian troops claim to have "liberated" two settlements in Kursk.
In ongoing battles in the Russian region of Kursk, the Russian military asserts that it has "liberated" two additional settlements. The Russian Main Military-Political Department Deputy Head and Commander of the Chechen special unit Achmat, Major General Apti Alaudinow, was quoted by the Russian state news agency TASS as saying, "I am pleased to announce that the Arbat unit has completely evacuated the settlements of Nizhnyaya Parovaya and Nechayev today, and the 1427th regiment is moving in. As a result, this area has also been cleared and brought under control." According to Alaudinow, the situation on the front line has remained unaltered. "The enemy suffered heavy casualties today. They assaulted all day long, consequently suffering significant losses." However, independent verification of these claims is not possible at present. The Institute for the Study of War (ISW) confirms that geographical images published on Monday depicted Ukrainian forces operating directly west of Nechayev.
Biden condemns Russian attacks as "unconscionable."
US President Joe Biden has harshly criticized the latest Russian attacks on Monday as "unconscionable." Biden said, "I condemn Russia's continued aggression against Ukraine and its attempts to plunge the Ukrainian people into darkness." According to the German Foreign Office, Russia is targeting Ukraine's "life support systems" with its attacks and aiming to "destroy supplies." British Foreign Secretary David Lammy denounced the Russian attacks as "cowardly."
ISW still sees a low likelihood of a Belarusian invasion of Ukraine.
The Institute for the Study of War (ISW) continues to assess that a Belarusian invasion of Ukraine is improbable. The US think tank attributes this belief to a recent study by open-source news organization Frontline Insight and Rochan Consulting, which contends that average Belarusian combat units typically consist of only 30 to 40 percent of their maximum strength and require mobilization to reach full capacity. No such mobilization has yet occurred. Instead, it is more likely that Belarus is attempting to distract Ukrainian forces from their efforts on the front line, thereby supporting Russian troops. The current number of Russian forces in Belarus is insufficient for a coordinated invasion from the Gomel region border. Moreover, a Belarusian invasion of Ukraine or military involvement in the conflict would jeopardize the ability of leader Alexander Lukashenko to protect his regime. The potential for domestic unrest could rise dramatically. The next presidential elections are scheduled for February 2025.
Tulsi Gabbard endorses Donald Trump for re-election.
Former Democratic presidential candidate and congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard, who has since distanced herself from her party, has announced her support for Republican candidate Donald Trump for the November election. Gabbard pledged to assist Trump in his bid to retake the presidency. Looking at the conflicts in the Middle East and Ukraine, Gabbard claimed that, if chosen, Trump would work to draw the United States "back from the brink of war." Gabbard ran for the Democratic presidential nomination in 2020 but had little chance of success and ultimately endorsed Joe Biden, who won the contest for the Democrats. Gabbard campaigned at that time for a demilitarization of US foreign policy. Gabbard, who is 43, has had to defend herself against accusations that her candidacy was influenced by Russia and was only aimed at undermining the Democrats.
06:17 Biden Praise for Modi's Ukraine Visit
American President Joe Biden commended Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his visit to Ukraine last week. Modi, who asserts India's neutrality in the Ukraine-Russia conflict, claimed on Twitter that he discussed India's unwavering support for a speedy restoration of peace and harmony in Ukraine with Biden. The White House commended Modi's engagement with Ukraine and his trip to Poland last week. Poland, an Eastern European ally of Kyiv's, is highly appreciated by anyone listening to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's perspective and aiming to assist him in pursuing a fair peace, according to John Kirby, National Security Council Coordinator for Strategic Communications.
05:45 Multiple Blasts Reported in Kyiv
At least three successive explosions were reported in Kyiv during the recent drone attack, as per eye-witness statements. No immediate reports of casualties have been made. Kyiv's air defense systems have been active throughout the night, aiming to thwart the missiles and drones aimed at the capital, as reported by the regional military administration on Telegram. These attacks occurred merely a day after the most significant Russian air strike of this war thus far.
05:03 Ukrainian Air Force: Russian Bombers on the Move
According to Ukrainian reports, Russia has deployed bombers and drones toward Ukraine. The Tu-95ms bombers departed from the Engels air base in southern Russia, as reported by the Ukrainian air force on Telegram. Moreover, attack drones are en route. Air raid alerts have been triggered in numerous areas of Ukraine, as informed by local authorities.
04:04 Casualties in Russian Missile Strike on Kryvyi Rih
Two fatalities have been confirmed in the Russian missile strike on the Ukrainian city of Kryvyi Rih, as per Ukrainian reports. Ukrainian authorities reported that a Russian missile hit a hotel. Five individuals may still be buried under the hotel's debris, with rescue operations still ongoing, as reported by Ukrainian media citing military administrations of the district and city. The city administration claimed that the hotel was targeted by a ballistic missile. These claims cannot be independently verified.
02:04 Renewed Drone Attack on Kyiv
Ukraine has reported another Russian drone attack in the Kyiv region, as per Ukrainian reports. "Movement of enemy UAVs (unmanned aerial vehicles) detected," the Kyiv region military administration reported on Telegram. "Air defense systems are in operation in the region."
00:35 Ukraine: Casualties in Russian Missile Strike on Kryvyi Rih
At least one individual has perished in a Russian missile strike on a civil infrastructure building in the central Ukrainian city of Kryvyi Rih. Five more individuals may still be entombed beneath the rubble, regional authorities reported. The head of the Kryvyi Rih military administration, Oleksandr Vilkul, reported on Telegram that four individuals have been hospitalized with injuries. The governor of the Dnipropetrovsk region, Serhiy Lysak, announced on Telegram that the civil building was "reduced to ruins." These reports cannot be independently confirmed. There has been no response from the Russian side regarding the incident.
23:19 Zelensky's Threat Against Russia for Air Strikes
In response to extensive Russian air strikes against Ukraine, President Volodymyr Zelensky made a threat. The military response would be orchestrated using F-16 fighter jets provided by the West, Zelensky stated in his evening video address. Zelensky did not provide details regarding the planned retaliation. However, he once again referred to the Ukrainian offensive in the Russian region of Kursk, which has been underway for three weeks. Ukrainian forces have gained more control there and taken more Russian prisoners of war, which improves the chances of prisoner exchanges.
22:03 US: Russia's Attempt to "Plunge Ukrainian People into Darkness"
Following widespread bombardments of Ukraine, the US accused Russia of attempting to "push the Ukrainian people into darkness as autumn begins," as stated by John Kirby, the US National Security Council's spokesperson. The assaults on Ukraine's energy infrastructure are "outrageous," Kirby claimed. The US condemned "the ongoing Russian war against Ukraine."
21:20 Further Evacuations in Donetsk Region
Ukrainian authorities have ordered more evacuations in the Donetsk region in response to the Russian advance. The security situation has deteriorated, resulting in the expansion of the forced evacuation zone. Children and their parents or guardians were required to depart from their homes, as reported by Donetsk Governor Vadym Filashkin. A total of 27 settlements in the Kostyantynivka and Selydove regions have been identified for evacuation. Previously, evacuations were ordered in the Pokrovsk region due to the Russian troops' movement forward.
You can read all earlier developments here.
- Following the criticism from the White House, it's crucial for the international community to urge an immediate cessation of all military operations in Ukraine, ensuring the safety and security of civilians and journalists alike.
- In an effort to contain the conflict and safeguard Ukrainian territory, the Ukrainian military might increase its military operations in strategic regions, such as Kursk, to divert enemy forces and protect vital infrastructure.
