Zelensky: We must respect humanitarian law
Ukrainian Troops 'Strictly' Adhere to International Conventions and Humanitarian Law in Advancing into Western Russia's Kursk Region, Says President Zelensky
According to President Volodymyr Zelensky, Ukrainian troops are "strictly" adhering to international conventions and humanitarian law in their advance into the western Russian region of Kursk. This was discussed during a meeting of the Ukrainian leadership, Zelensky reported on X. Humanitarian aid has been prepared for the civilian population in the occupied territories, and access for representatives of international organizations will be allowed. The emphasis on adhering to humanitarian law is a response to atrocities committed by Russian troops during their advance on Kyiv nearly two and a half years ago, when numerous civilians were randomly killed in the Kyiv suburb of Bucha before Russian forces had to retreat from the area. It was decided during the government meeting to allow international organizations access to the occupied territories in western Russia, including the International Committee of the Red Cross, the United Nations, and other international humanitarian aid organizations.
20:05 Convicted in Nemtsov Murder Case Volunteers for Service in Russia's War
One of the convicts in the case of the murdered Kremlin critic Boris Nemtsov has reportedly volunteered for service in the war zone in Ukraine, according to the official website of the Kremlin-critical newspaper "Novaya Gazeta," which operates in exile in Europe. The convict is said to be stationed in the Russian-occupied city of Mariupol but is currently on vacation in his home in the Russian republic of Chechnya in the North Caucasus. After signing up for service, he was pardoned and released in March, the state-run Russian news agency TASS reported, citing the Russian justice system. He reportedly signed a one-year contract with the Ministry of Defense to perform tasks in the area of the military special operation - the official term for the war in Russia.
Former Deputy Prime Minister Nemtsov was shot dead near the Kremlin in 2015. A Moscow court sentenced the alleged murderer and four accomplices from the North Caucasus to long prison terms in 2017. The murder of Nemtsov, one of the sharpest critics of Russian President Vladimir Putin, remains shrouded in many unanswered questions, with his family complaining that the masterminds were never truly sought.
19:50 Zelensky: Ukraine Achieving Strategic Goals in Kursk - Moscow Disagrees
According to President Volodymyr Zelensky, Ukraine is achieving its strategic goals in its push into the Russian oblast of Kursk. In his nightly address on Telegram, Zelensky says they are making good progress. However, the Russian military claims that its units, supported by the air force, drones, and artillery, have thwarted attempts by mobile enemy groups to advance deep into Russian territory with armored vehicles. The army statement also claims that heavy losses have been inflicted on the Ukrainian side.
19:30 After Prisoner Exchange: Freed Russian Woman Wants to Get Married in Germany
Sasha Skochilenko, arrested in Russia in 2022 for distributing anti-war messages, was initially sentenced to seven years in prison. However, the activist was released to Germany as part of a prisoner exchange and can now live openly with her partner Sonya Subbotina.
18:55 Suspected Sabotage against Bundeswehr: Green politician von Notz also suspects RussiaThe Bundeswehr is sealing off two of its sites in North Rhine-Westphalia and searching them due to suspected sabotage. There is a suspicion of manipulations at the barracks internal drinking water installation at the Air Force support base Cologne-Wahn, as the Bundeswehr reports. At the support base Geilenkirchen, an intruder is reportedly being repelled according to NATO information. However, a check of the drinking water here did not reveal anything unusual. The chairman of the Defense Committee in the Bundestag, Marcus Faber, suspects Russia in the possible cases of sabotage (see entry at 18:24). Similarly, the chairman of the Parliamentary Control Committee of the Bundestag, Konstantin von Notz, says, "Of course, the suspicion arises that this could be a Russian sabotage action." This is a "concrete working hypothesis" for the investigations, the Green politician says.
18:24 Possible Sabotage at Bundeswehr: Chairman of Defense Committee suspects RussiaFollowing the possible cases of sabotage in two Bundeswehr barracks, the chairman of the Defense Committee in the Bundestag, Marcus Faber, suspects Russia. "Given the temporal proximity of the incidents in the two barracks, one can assume that an enemy actor wants to demonstrate their sabotage skills here," Faber told the "Bild" newspaper. "The actor who has the greatest interest in this is Putin," he adds, referring to the Russian president. Whether this suspicion is confirmed, "will have to be shown by further investigations," the defense expert says. Both the Bundeswehr site Cologne-Wahn and the NATO support point in Geilenkirchen were targets of suspected sabotage activities.
18:00 Likely companies from over 120 countries: Russia seeks new partners at arms fairIn the Moscow region, countless tanks, combat aircraft, and firearms are lined up: At an international arms fair, the Ministry of Defense is concluding new arms contracts with foreign partners, worth around five billion euros in total.
17:40 After prisoner exchange: Poland charges freed man with espionageIn Poland, a Russian-Spanish dual citizen is accused of espionage who was part of the recent prisoner exchange between Russia and the West. Pavel R., better known as Pablo G., was arrested in the Polish city of Przemysl near the Ukrainian border on February 28, 2022, a few days after the start of the Russian invasion of Ukraine. He had been posing as a freelance journalist from Spain and writing reports for Spanish media. He was held in Poland until he was part of the prisoner exchange with Russia on August 1. According to the prosecution's statements, R. was the alleged GRU agent. The defendant is accused of committing a criminal offense related to espionage, which carries a prison sentence of three to 15 years. It was not clear whether R. would be tried in absentia. The authorities did not provide details on further proceedings.
17:27 Report: Justice Opens Over 10,000 Cases for "Insulting" the Russian ArmyRussian justice has reportedly opened more than 10,000 cases for "insulting" the army since the start of the Ukraine war in February 2022. "The ten-thousandth case was filed in court in the first week of August," writes the independent Russian news portal Mediazona on its website. Most cases were reportedly filed in the first months of the war. By the end of 2022, there were 5614 cases, with an additional 2900 in 2023, making the total 8590 by the end of last year. So far this year, 1410 cases have been opened. Mediazona counted these figures based on Russian court data. The cases are based on a law that punishes "insulting" the armed forces with fines of up to 50,000 rubles (around 500 euros). Those against whom a second case is opened within a year face a five-year prison sentence. If the justice system finds that the "insult" led to injuries, deaths, or a significant disruption of public order, prison sentences of up to seven years may be imposed.
17:08 Kyiv Reports Downing of Su-34 Fighter-Bomber in Kursk RegionUkrainian troops have destroyed a Russian Su-34 fighter-bomber in the Kursk region, according to "Ukrainska Pravda," citing a statement from the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. "In the past night, the forces and means of the air defense missile troops of the Ukrainian Air Force in the Kursk region (Russia) destroyed a Russian Su-34 combat aircraft during a combat mission," the Ukrainian online newspaper quotes the explanation.
16:50 Kyiv Aims to Create "Buffer Zone" in Kursk RegionThe Ukrainian army is reportedly aiming to create a "buffer zone" in the Russian border region of Kursk to protect its population. "The creation of a buffer zone in the Kursk region is a step to protect our population on the border from daily enemy fire," Interior Minister Ihor Klimenko said on the Telegram messaging service. Kyiv also announced plans to establish a humanitarian corridor in the region. "Our forces are preparing to open a humanitarian corridor for the evacuation of civilians, both towards Russia and towards Ukraine," Deputy Prime Minister Iryna Vereshchuk also said on Telegram.
16:30 Authority, Corruption, Propaganda: Does the Kursk Offensive Threaten Putin's Power Structure?Internationally, politicians are surprised by Ukraine's push into the Kursk region. Russia also seems caught off guard, with the Kremlin seemingly still without a response. Does this mean a crack in Vladimir Putin's power structure?
15:59 Report: Ukraine Conducts "Largest Attack" on Russian Airbases Since Start of War
Long-range drones of the Ukrainian Security Service (SBU) and Ukrainian defense forces launched the largest attack on Russian military airbases in Voronezh, Kursk, Novoselovka, and Borisoglebsk overnight. This is according to the national news agency of Ukraine, "Ukrinform," citing a source at the SBU. The operation was reportedly planned specifically for this purpose and was the largest since the beginning of the war. The aim is to prevent Russia from using these airbases for missile attacks on the frontline and Ukrainian cities.
15:36 German Government: Ukraine Support Unrelated to Nord Stream
The preliminary findings of the investigation into the attack on the Nord Stream gas pipelines do not change Germany's support for Ukraine. Deputy government spokesman Wolfgang Büchner, responding to journalists in Berlin, stated that "investigations are being conducted according to the rule of law, regardless of the person involved and completely independent of the outcome of such investigations." The investigations have no influence on whether and to what extent Germany will continue to support Ukraine in the future, as they do not change the fact that Russia is waging a war of aggression against Ukraine. The clarification of the sabotage act is a top priority for the federal government, Büchner said. He declined to evaluate whether the Polish authorities are cooperating sufficiently.
15:10 Kursk Offensive Progresses: "Advance Brings Ukraine No Closer to Peace"
Ukraine's offensive on the Kursk region surprises Putin and Russia. Thousands are being evacuated, and Russia seems not to have found the right military response yet. Security expert Gerhard Mangott sees no decisive advantage for Ukraine - on the contrary.
14:50 Russia Extends Oil Export Ban
Russia has extended its existing oil export ban. The move is aimed at stabilizing fuel prices in the country, which have recently risen sharply again, the government in Moscow explained. The ban will apply from September 1 to the end of the year. It is said to be due to a "period of sustained seasonal demand and planned repairs at oil refineries." Russia had first introduced such a measure in the fall of 2023 in response to rising fuel prices. The ban was then lifted again in November. At the beginning of the year, Moscow announced a six-month oil export ban from March 1, which was then lifted again between mid-May and late July, citing "satisfaction of the domestic market." The ban is now in effect again and is being extended beyond August.
14:19 Drones Accompany Ground Offensive: Ukrainians Film Themselves Far Behind Russian Border
The Ukrainian ground offensive on Russian territory has so far been a major success for Ukraine. Ukrainian soldiers film themselves renaming a Russian village 100 kilometers behind the border. President Zelenskyy uses this development to send a confident message.
13:52 Ukraine: Russian City of Sudzha Fully Under ControlThe city of Sudzha in the Russian region of Kursk is fully under Ukrainian control, according to Ukrainian military chief Olexander Syrsky. "The search and destruction of the enemy in the town of Sudzha is complete," he says in a video conference with President Volodymyr Zelensky. Footage is published on the president's Telegram channel. The pipeline that supplies Russian gas from Western Siberia to Slovakia and other EU countries runs through Sudzha, which has a population of around 6,000.
13:31 Russian National Guard Reinforces Security at Kursk NPPThe Russian National Guard, Rosgvardiya, is reinforcing security at the Kursk Nuclear Power Plant in the Kursk region. Special attention is being paid to countering Ukrainian drones, it said. The Ukrainian military entered the border-adjacent region on August 6 and claims to have brought more than 1,000 square kilometers under its control. This cannot be independently verified. The NPP is located about 30 kilometers west of the city of Kursk and is operated by state corporation Rosenergoatom.
13:06 Zelensky: Ukrainian Troops Continuously Advancing in Russian Region of KurskUkrainian troops are continuously advancing in the Russian region of Kursk, according to President Volodymyr Zelensky. In a 24-hour period, they have advanced one to two kilometers in various directions, he said in a video conference with military chief Olexander Syrsky. The Ukrainian leader also reported that Ukrainian units had captured 100 Russian soldiers on Wednesday.
12:43 Kriewald: Ukraine Under Pressure in Region of DonetskUkraine is maintaining pressure on the Russian region of Kursk but is facing advances by Russian forces in the eastern Ukrainian combat zone of Donetsk. NTV reporter Nadja Kriewald reports on the current situation in the Ukraine war from Kyiv.
12:12 Ukrainian Soldiers Remove Russian Flag from Building in SudzhaUkrainian state television shows footage of Ukrainian soldiers removing a Russian flag from a public building in Sudzha. In the video, taken on Wednesday, three soldiers can be seen pulling down the flag and shouting, "Glory to Ukraine!" Sudzha is located in the Russian region of Kursk, which borders Ukraine. In recent days, the Ukrainian military has reported advances, but it was unclear which side controlled Sudzha. The city is a key transit point for Russian gas exports to Europe.
11:45 Russia Puts Peace Talks on Hold After Ukraine's Kursk AttackRussia has put peace talks with Ukraine on hold following the Ukrainian military's attack on the Kursk region, according to Russia's Foreign Ministry. Moscow's special envoy, Rodion Miroshnik, told state news agency TASS that Ukraine had "put any possible peace talks on ice for the long term" with its attack on Kursk. The Ukrainian military surprised Russian border forces on August 6 and claimed to have seized more than 1,000 square kilometers.
11:09 Belarus Sends Tanks to the Front in RussiaBelarus is reportedly moving military equipment to the Russian region of Kursk, raising questions about its involvement in the Ukraine war. However, ntv's Russia correspondent Rainer Munz believes that Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko's actions are aimed at the opposite.
10:46 Russia Attacks Energy Facilities in UkraineRussian forces have attacked energy facilities in northern and southern Ukraine, according to the country's power grid operator Ukrenergo. A facility in the south was shelled on Wednesday morning, and another in the north was targeted by Russian drones overnight, causing temporary power outages for customers in parts of the region of Chernihiv.
10:03 Chief of Staff Jermak Meets with US Diplomat O'BrianAndriy Yermak, Chief of Staff to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, met with high-ranking US diplomat James O'Brien. They discussed the situation on the battlefield and security agreements, according to the Ukrainian Presidential Administration. O'Brien serves as the US State Department's Special Envoy for European and Eurasian Affairs.
09:17 Expert: Chernobyl-like Scenario Possible at Kursk NPPA Chernobyl-like scenario cannot be completely ruled out at the Kursk Nuclear Power Plant (KNPP), says Dmytro Humeniuk, an expert on nuclear safety at the State Scientific and Technical Center for Nuclear and Radiation Safety. The KNPP has the same reactor type as the Chernobyl nuclear power plant, increasing the likelihood of a similar scenario. Humeniuk believes that capturing the KNPP is not the goal of the Ukrainian military's offensive, as it is a complex process that could lead to potential damage without proper maintenance. "It's not enough to capture it, it must also be operated. Therefore, capturing the Kursk NPP cannot be a goal."
08:48 Biden: Kursk Offensive is 'Real Dilemma' for PutinUS President Joe Biden sees the Ukrainian offensive in the Russian region of Kursk as a "real dilemma" for Russian President Vladimir Putin. The US is in constant communication with Ukraine but did not provide further details on the matter.
08:19 Russia Reports Shooting Down of 117 Drones and Four MissilesThe Russian Ministry of Defense reports shooting down 117 drones and four missiles that were launched from Ukraine towards Russian regions. Thirty-seven drones were destroyed over the regions of Kursk and Voronezh. The ministry did not provide information on whether any drones were not intercepted or what damage may have been caused.
07:32 Problem Solver Djumin: Putin Sends His Lifesaver to KurskAlexei Gennadjewitsch Djumin is set to lead Russia's "Anti-Terror Operation" in Kursk, according to the "Moscow Times" citing Russian military bloggers. President Putin has tasked Djumin with resolving coordination issues in the region. Last week saw conflicting statements about the situation in Kursk, with General Gerassimow presenting a more optimistic picture than the reality, the report says. This prompted Putin to take action. The need to involve Djumin underscores "the magnitude of the disaster within inter-agency cooperation." The former chief of the security staff is part of Putin's inner circle and is known for his ability to solve problems related to coordination, combat, and civil administration. Djumin even claims to have once saved Putin from a bear.
06:59 Zelensky: Advances in Kursk Bring Us Closer to Our GoalUkrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky sees his country's military forces gaining momentum with advances in the Russian region of Kursk. "Ukraine can achieve its goals, defend its interests, and protect its independence," Zelensky says in a video message. The Ukrainian army has taken 74 settlements in the Kursk region - twice as many as Russia claims. Neither claim is verifiable.
06:30 "On Urgent Request" - Belarus Sends Military Equipment to KurskBelarusian dictator Alexander Lukashenko has ordered the delivery of Belarusian military equipment to Russian forces for support in the Kursk region. Belarusian news agency Belnovosti reports that the latest delivery is in response to an "urgent request from the Russian side" due to losses and shortages of equipment in the Kursk region and other areas, according to an unnamed source in the country's defense ministry.
05:57 Governor of Belgorod Declares State of EmergencyThe governor of the Russian city of Belgorod has declared a state of emergency. He reports daily shelling by Ukrainian forces that destroys houses and kills and injures civilians. "The situation in our Belgorod region remains extremely difficult and tense due to shelling by Ukrainian forces," Governor Vyacheslav Gladkov writes on Telegram, adding that a state of emergency will be declared on a regional level from Wednesday. He calls on Russia to declare a state of emergency for the region.
05:34 Russian Governors Report Air StrikesThe governors of the Russian oblasts of Kursk, Lipetsk, and Voronezh report drone and missile strikes on their regions. Russian Telegram channels report a fire in Voronezh that locals say was caused by a drone attack on a military airport. No official statements have been made. In Kursk, Governor Alexei Smirnov says the air defense shot down four missiles. An air alert was also sounded in Lipetsk.
04:08 EU Commission Transfers 4.2 Billion Euros to UkraineThe EU Commission has paid around 4.2 billion euros to Ukraine, which is under attack from Russia. The money is "to keep the Ukrainian state running while it fights for its survival," Commission President Ursula von der Leyen wrote on X. Europe stands firmly by Ukraine's side. These funds are part of the so-called Ukraine Facility. This EU aid program was adopted at the beginning of February and will enable financial assistance of 50 billion euros until the end of 2027, with 33 billion euros to be provided as loans and the rest in the form of grants. Last week, the EU member states gave the green light for the payout. With this financial assistance, the EU aims to support the Ukrainian state in rebuilding the country, modernizing it, and implementing important reforms for EU accession.
03:40 Kremlin Advises Russian Scientists Not to Publish with Foreign PublishersThe Russian Ministry of Education and Science has advised scientists not to submit articles to the Dutch publisher Elsevier, which specializes in publishing scientific and medical research, or other "similar foreign organizations," the state news agency Iswestija reports. Elsevier and other scientific publishers announced in March 2022 that Russian and Belarusian researchers could still submit articles for publication, but that the sale of their journals to Russian organizations would be suspended due to the invasion of Ukraine. One of Russia's leading universities, the University of the Friendship of the Peoples, had already banned its employees from publishing in Elsevier research journals. The vice-rector for strategic communication, Elena Apasova, claimed that Elsevier had "transferred the fees paid by authors for the publication of articles to support Ukraine." At the end of January, Novaya Gazeta Europe estimated that at least 2,500 Russian scientists had left the country since the start of the invasion, as it had become much more difficult for many researchers to participate in international projects and publish in scientific journals.
02:51 US Representative: Ukraine Aims to Force Russia to Withdraw TroopsA high-ranking US government official told Reuters news agency that the Ukrainian advance into the Russian region of Kursk could be an attempt to force Russia to withdraw its troops from Ukraine. By pushing its military forces into Russian territory, Ukraine is forcing Russia to defend its own territory, which could lead to a weakening of Russian forces within Ukraine, the Washington assessment suggests.
01:24 US: Not Involved in Ukrainian Advance into RussiaThe US is not involved in any way in the planning or preparation of the Ukrainian military's advance into Russian territory, according to a statement by the US State Department's deputy spokesperson, Vedant Patel. The US is a key ally of Ukraine and has been providing the country, which was invaded by Russia in February 2022, with weapons and ammunition.
00:18 Russia Sanctions: Customs Raids Two Companies in BerlinIn Berlin, customs officials conducted raids on two companies suspected of violating EU sanctions against Russia. Around 100 personnel from the Central Office for the Implementation of Sanctions carried out the search at a building complex, according to the General Customs Directorate in the capital. Both companies were subject to EU sanctions, freezing money and assets of listed natural or legal persons. "There is suspicion of violations of the law on the enforcement of economic sanctions," the customs office explained. The raids aimed to "seize and search for assets" in the building complex in the Tempelhof-Schöneberg district. Additionally, interrogations were conducted, and evidence was seized. Media reports suggest that the raided companies are two unnamed Russian logistics firms.
23:59 Fitch Further Downgrades Ukraine RatingRating agency Fitch has downgraded Ukraine's creditworthiness to "RD" from the previous "C". The U.S. credit watchers cited the expiration of a payment deadline for interest on a $750 million bond maturing in 2026 as the reason for the move. The payment was due on August 1. "RD" in Fitch's rating system stands for "Restricted Default", roughly translating to "restricted default". No statement from the government in Kyiv has been issued yet.
23:08 Russia Reports Two Dead from Ukrainian Shelling in LysychanskAccording to Russian reports, two people have been killed in the city of Lysychansk in eastern Ukraine due to Ukrainian shelling. State-run Russian news agency TASS reported this, citing local authorities under Russian control. Earlier, representatives installed by Russia had spoken of more than 30 injured.
22:11 Russia Likely to Send Evacuees from Kursk to Occupied UkraineFollowing Ukraine's advance into the Russian region of Kursk, local authorities want to send refugees to an occupied area in Ukraine. Kursk's acting governor, Alexei Smirnov, announced this on Telegram, saying he had discussed this solution with the governor of the region of Zaporizhzhia. His counterpart, Yevgeny Balitsky, had proposed using sanatoriums and pensions on the Sea of Azov for accommodation. "In the coming days, we will form the first transports to bring people to the temporary accommodation in the Zaporizhzhia region," Smirnov said. Russia annexed the Ukrainian region of Zaporizhzhia in the fall of 2022 and had already installed the pro-Moscow Balitsky as its governor before that. While Moscow does not fully control the area, it has occupied the access to the Sea of Azov, where sanatoriums are still present.
21:37 Moscow's UN Envoy: After Kursk Attack, Putin Withdraws "Generous" Peace Offer
Vladimir Putin's "generous" peace offer is no longer on the table following Ukraine's incursion into the Russian border region of Kursk, a Kremlin official says. Dmitri Poljanskij, Russia's deputy envoy to the UN, stated at a meeting at the organization's headquarters: "In June, Russia made a generous offer to Ukraine, but last week, the Zelensky regime chose escalation and attacked the Kursk region. Therefore, the offer is no longer on the table." He added, "This is a move that Ukraine will regret later." Russia declared it is ready for peace talks "tomorrow" if Ukrainian troops withdraw from the regions of Saporischschja, Cherson, Donetsk, and Luhansk, and if Ukraine abandons its plan to join NATO. If Ukraine agrees, Russia will cease fire and engage in negotiations, Putin said. However, Ukraine, NATO, and the Pentagon rejected the offer, with Kyiv calling it a "complete hoax."
21:08 Evaluation Claims Over 300 Russian POWs in Kursk
An evaluation claims that Ukrainian forces captured at least 303 Russian soldiers during the offensive in the Kursk region. The list was compiled by an Austrian X-user based on videos from social media. He also lists 15 more POWs but notes his uncertainty about the accuracy of those entries. The list is incomplete as not all POWs were documented in videos. Ukrainian army chief Olexander Syrskyj reported "hundreds" of Russian POWs in his daily briefing to the Ukrainian president. Social media reports initially suggested up to 2000 Russian POWs in the Kursk region. Many of the captured Russians are notably young, which the X-user speculates could make them more valuable for a prisoner exchange than men from poor backgrounds and remote Russian regions.
20:36 Moscow Recognizes Gravity of Situation, Moves Troops from Kaliningrad to Kursk
According to Lithuanian defense minister Laurynas Kasciunas, Russia is moving troops from Kaliningrad to the Kursk region where Ukrainian soldiers continue to advance. He announced this during a meeting with Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskyj in Kyiv, as shown in a video on Zelenskyj's Telegram channel. Russia has not yet commented on this. Earlier, the US magazine Politico reported that the Russian military had reportedly ordered a small number of troops from the occupied Ukrainian regions of Cherson and Saporischschja to Kursk, but this remains unconfirmed by Moscow.
20:10 In Donetsk, Russia's advance continues - Battle for Torez already underwayThe situation around the city of Torez in the Donetsk region remains challenging for Ukrainian troops. Russian soldiers continue to attack, with fighting already taking place on the outskirts of the city. According to Oleksandr Bordiian, deputy spokesperson of the 32nd mechanized brigade of the Ukrainian Armed Forces, speaking to Radio Liberty, Russia is also deploying sabotage groups within the city. However, Bordiian also noted that the number of Russian soldiers surrendering has increased over the past week. There's no significant relief yet, such as from the Ukrainian offensive in the Russian region of Kursk. "Regarding ground attacks, their intensity has somewhat decreased," Bordiian said. However, Russian forces are compensating with increased attacks using guided bombs from the air. According to the Ukrainian General Staff, the intensity of Russian attacks in the Donetsk region has not decreased. There were 52 attacks in the region around the major city of Pokrovsk alone in the past 24 hours.
19:34 "How can Russia escalate further?"Carlo Masala sees the threat from Moscow to respond to Ukrainian advances on its territory with a harsh counterstroke as an empty threat. He argues that the Russian army is already acting with extreme brutality, and a nuclear attack is unlikely.
19:01 More losses than new soldiers: Moscow planning secret recruitment wave?The Russian army is reportedly not receiving enough new soldiers to keep up with losses at the front. According to the U.S. news agency Bloomberg, citing unnamed sources close to the Kremlin and the Russian Defense Ministry, this is the heaviest loss of life since the invasion began. The need to replenish military reserves has become more urgent due to Ukraine's incursion into the border regions of the Russian regions of Kursk and Belgorod. Russia may be forced to consider a new mobilization, Bloomberg reports. Officials could present this as a rotation to give soldiers at the front a break, with the announcement possibly coming by the end of this year, the sources say. A person familiar with the situation told Bloomberg that regional authorities are currently unable to meet more than a third of their conscription quotas. On July 31, Russian President Vladimir Putin had already increased the signing bonus for new recruits to fight in Ukraine, from 195,000 (1,955 euros) to 400,000 (4,011 euros) rubles.
You can read all previous developments here.
In response to the advancement of Ukrainian troops, Russia may choose to intensify its military operations in the Kursk region to counter the strategic goals being achieved by Ukraine. Despite the allegations of thwarted attempts by Ukrainian forces, losses have been reported on both sides, indicating ongoing conflict.
In a peculiar turn of events, a convicted individual from the Nemtsov murder case has been granted a pardon and is now serving in the war zone in Ukraine, demonstrating potential motivations or relationships beyond the usual dynamics of individual convictions and military service.
