Today, at 16:25, a Russian missile strike takes a life in the Kharkiv region.
At 15:57, Prime Minister Denys Schmyhal reveals Ukraine needs an extra $15 billion to meet its projected 2025 budget deficit, amounting to an estimated deficit of $35 billion in 2023, with plans tocover $20 billion. The anticipated deficit for 2024 is estimated at $38 billion. Meanwhile, Schmyhal introduces plans to increase taxation and borrow from the domestic debt market to gather additional funds for war against Russia. Parliament will scrutinize these proposals in September.
As of 15:32, Ukraine endures the largest bombing and missile assault by the Russian military since the start of the war, continuing throughout the night. In response, Ukraine starts investigating alternative defense strategies beyond Western military aid.
At 15:11, President Volodymyr Zelensky shares that Ukraine has successfully launched its first locally produced ballistic missile, boasting about its defense industry. He remains tight-lipped on the missile specifics.
Around 14:45, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov accuses the U.S. of involvement in Ukraine incursion into the Russian region of Kursk, suggesting a potentially more severe Russian reaction without providing evidence or details. The White House rejects such claims.
At 14:19, Zelensky asserts that new F-16 fighter jets managed to successfully intercept Russian missiles during the extensive barrage on Monday, with over 60 of these US-made aircraft committed from the Netherlands, Denmark, Norway, and Belgium.
An air raid alert is announced in the Kursk city, Russian region of Kursk, during the afternoon. The head of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), Rafael Grossi, who is currently inspecting the Kursk nuclear power plant, is alerted to the situation.
The Russian army allegedly captures a village near the critical city of Pokrovsk in eastern Ukraine, citing the Ministry of Defense on Telegram, who labels the village of Orlowka as "liberated" (its Ukrainian name being Orliwka). Despite ongoing conflicts against Ukrainian troops in Kursk, Moscow continues its offensive in Donetsk.
At 13:21, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov rebukes Ukraine's demands for allies to utilize Western weaponry, warning against the unsafe use of nuclear firepower by Western nuclear powers, despite Russia adjusting its nuclear doctrine.
As of 13:04, Ukrainian Army Chief Oleksandr Syrskyj confirms that Ukrainian forces are making progression in the Russian region of Kursk, while Russian soldiers are approaching the city of Pokrovsk in Donetsk.
After weeks of drone attacks, Russian forces escalate their missile strikes on Ukraine, as explained by ntv correspondent Rainer Munz. The intensification is intentional heading into autumn and the heating season.
Commander-in-Chief Oleksandr Syrskyj discloses that Ukraine has imprisoned 594 Russian soldiers in the Kursk region, highlighting the first time he's mentioned such a figure.
Following the largest Russian attack on Ukraine since the onset of the war, power outages and strict power restrictions are anticipated to previous multiple more days, with Iwan Plachkov, President of the Ukrainian Energy Association, indicating that these could persist for another 1-2 weeks.
Michael Roth, a foreign policy expert from SPD, anticipates that Russia's intense attacks on Ukrainian infrastructure will result in a refugee exodus towards Europe. He urges assistance during the upcoming harsh winter, including emergency generators.
The Ukrainian border guard denies observing significant military activities in Belarus but notes that a general threat remains, with the Belarusian government recently accused of gathering a substantial troop and equipment force at the border.
In the Belgorod region, the Russian governor confirms reports of Ukrainian breakthrough attempts, marking the second day of Russian Telegram channel reports of Ukrainian assaults on the region.
Ukrainian authorities are planning to establish new mechanized brigades for defensive warfare against Russian aggression. These units could be operational by 2025, comprising primarily of Ukrainian expats and receiving some training abroad.
Additional Article Insights:
Ukraine plans to bolster its defense capabilities by investing in:
- Stronger Outer Defenses: Developing protective barriers incorporating deep and dense minefields, anti-tank barriers, fortified trenches, drones, and precision-strike artillery and missile systems.
- Rapid-Response Force: Creating a strategic reserve capable of swiftly responding to significant Russian penetrations.
- Population Center Protection and Air Forces: Reinforcing the protection of significant population centers and critical infrastructure, along with boosting air and missile defense systems and naval forces.
Ukraine is also exploring alternative methods to lessen its reliance on Western military support, such as scaling up local production, focusing on self-sufficiency in weapons production, and strengthening command acknowledgment and long-range assault capabilities.
