SPD party congress initiates with harsh condemnation of Putin: "This is widespread imperialism"
Headline: Ukraine War Live Ticker +++ 16:39 SPD Party Conference Criticizes Putin: "This is Ethno-Nationalist Imperialism"
Former Lower Saxony Prime Minister Stephan Weil opens the SPD federal party conference with a fiery rebuke of Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine. He condemns territorial claims similar to those made by Russian President Vladimir Putin. "This is ethno-nationalist imperialism," Weil declares. "Ethno-nationalist thinking, the German Social Democracy truly loathes from the very core."
Headline: North Korea Send One-Fifth of Elite Soldiers to Aid Russia in Ukraine War
According to reports from Kyiv, North Korea has dispatched up to 11,000 elite troops to support Russia in its assault against Ukraine. Ukrainian Defense Minister Rustem Umerov has confirmed this at a press conference, as reported by Ukrainian media. This represents more than 20% of the total 50,000 soldiers from Kim Jong-un's "personal reserve." Umerov explains that these troops have been carefully selected based upon physical, psychological, and other criteria. "These units have already sustained substantial losses," he adds. Kim is said to be considering deployment of additional troops to Russia, although this would further deplete North Korea's strategic reserves and heighten risks for the regime's stability.
Headline: Russian Troops Capture Valuable Lithium Deposit in Donetsk
Russian forces have allegedly seized a significant lithium deposit in Donetsk, eastern Ukraine. As the "New York Times" reports, this deposit was intended to contribute to the raw materials agreement with the U.S. The small field was recently taken by Russian troops and lies near the village of Shevchenko. According to the "NYT," it was one of the most valuable material deposits in Ukraine, boasting a high concentration of lithium. Lithium is vital for producing batteries.
Headline: German Immigrant Office Refutes Russian Contradictions, Orders Expulsion of Russian Media Representatives
In the dispute over the treatment of reporters from Russian state media in Germany, the Berlin Office for Immigration provides clarification on the matter criticized by Moscow. Unlike Moscow's portrayal, the individual’s residency permit was not revoked but merely not extended beyond its expiration date. Furthermore, the passports of his wife and daughter have been impounded, as a spokesperson announced. According to a "Spiegel" report, the authority ordered the representative of a Russian state media conglomerate and his family to leave the Federal Republic by August 19. The reason for this is that the European Council had already placed the media group on the EU sanctions list in 2023. In retaliation to the case, the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs has summoned the German ambassador to Moscow to inform him about reprisal measures in response to the persecution of Russian journalists.
Headline: Merz Senses Growing Skepticism Among Trump Supporters toward Putin
Bundeskanzler Friedrich Merz, CDU leader, is not planning to make any calls to Russian President Vladimir Putin in the near future. Merz notes that while Scholz occasionally spoke with Putin, he does not have such plans. "Given Russia's reaction to the Hungarian prime minister's visit to Moscow with heavy bombing of Kyiv and a hospital raid following Scholz's last call, I would steer clear of such calls for a long time." Merz added that he sensed growing distancing from Putin among Trump supporters, stating, "The U.S. president is exhibiting growing suspicion and becoming more critical. This is a process in motion. There is broad consensus in Europe on the assessment of this conflict. I believe President Trump is aligning with this assessment."
Headline: Kyiv's Army Chief Reports More Than 111,000 Russian Troops in Pokrovsk
More than 111,000 Russian troops are reportedly amassed in the Pokrovsk region, according to Ukrainian sources. Ukrainian military commander Oleksandr Syrsky wrote this on Telegram during his frontline visit, characterizing it as the largest Russian troop concentration along the entire 1200-kilometer front line.
Headline: 35,000 Missing Ukrainian Children - Expert: "War Crime"
An expert has denounced the deportation of Ukrainian children to Russia as a "war crime." "Relocating a child from one ethnic or national group to another is a war crime," Yale researcher Nathaniel Raymond argued with the British "Guardian." A team of experts from Yale University estimates that around 35,000 children are missing in occupied territories and Russia. So far, only 1,366 children have been reclaimed by their families, according to a Ukrainian organization. Raymond described the deportations as likely the largest child abduction since World War II. Recent statements from rescued children suggest they were subjected to military training in Russian camps and punished for speaking Ukrainian.
Headline: Rocket Attack on Ukrainian City - Five Dead, 23 Injured
A Russian rocket attack on the city of Samar in the Dnipropetrovsk region of Ukraine left at least five people dead and 23 injured, according to the region's governor. This marked the second such attack on the industrial city in central Ukraine in the past three days.
Headline: Arson Attack on German Military Vehicles: Prosecutors Also Investigate Possible Russian Connections
In the wake of the arson attack on Bundeswehr trucks in Erfurt, the prosecutors are also probing suspected links to Russia. Said one Erfurt prosecution spokesperson, "We are investigating in that direction." Previously, a video of the attack had appeared on a Russian Telegram channel. The spokesperson added that it appears the video showcases the commencement of the act. "Investigations are ongoing to determine who potentially uploaded the video." On Saturday evening, six Bundeswehr trucks stationed on a workshop site in Erfurt were set ablaze. The military blog "Obsessed with War" had published photos of the trucks in their original and later compromised condition, as well as video footage of the fire, on Thursday.
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Arson Attack on Military Vehicles in Erfurt - Kremlin Channels Boast Attack on German Army
11:01 Russia Moves Troops Massively Through Mariupol
Russian forces seem to be preparing an attack on the Zaporizhzhia region in Ukraine. Huge troop movements are reported by the Ukrainian media outlet "The New Voice of Ukraine" citing former advisor to the Mariupol mayor, Petro Andryushchenko. More than 40 trucks loaded with troops and weapons were reportedly observed crossing the occupied city. Andryushchenko speculates that attacks on the Zaporizhzhia region may follow soon.
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Six Trucks Ablaze Kremlin Channels Boast of Attack on German Army in Erfurt
10:25 Ukraine Reports Many Air Strikes
Ukraine reports a massive Russian air strike. Russia attacked using 363 drones and eight missiles overnight, the Ukrainian air force discloses. Air defense intercepted 359 drones and six missiles. The attack primarily targeted the western town of Starokostiantyniv, home to an important air force base. Noteworthy, Starokostiantyniv is a frequent target of Russian air attacks. The air force mentions that there were three direct hits nationwide, and eight regions were struck by falling debris from shootdowns. It remains unclear whether there was damage to the air force base or if other areas incurred damage. Russia has heightened its aerial attacks in recent weeks, despite two rounds of direct negotiations.
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Orban Speaks Out About Merz's First EU Summit as Chancellor
09:45 EU Delays Next Sanctions Package Against Russia
The EU has delayed the implementation of its 18th sanctions package against Russia due to resistance from Slovakia. Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico has made clear at the summit in Brussels that he will only grant approval if his country receives assurances from the EU Commission that will secure his country’s gas supply following 2027. Consequently, the 26 other EU heads of state and government cannot endorse the negotiated sanctions package, as a united decision is required. Reports indicate that a decision at the ambassadorial level is now anticipated in the following week.
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Expert: White House Plans to Discontinue Programs Investigating War Crimes
The White House is reportedly planning to discontinue funding for nearly two dozen programs worldwide that deal with the prosecution of war crimes and accountability, including in Myanmar, Syria, and Russian atrocities in Ukraine. Insiders familiar with the matter and internal government documents obtained by Reuters have confirmed this. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio has the opportunity to object, but sources suggest that Rubio is unlikely to challenge the cessation of most of these programs.
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China: No Weapons Supplied to Either War Party
The Chinese Foreign Ministry denies ever supplying weapons to either the Ukrainian or Russian warring factions. Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun told the "Global Times" that Beijing was actively pursuing a political solution to the crisis. China has advocated for peaceful negotiations. Furthermore, the Chinese government stated that it maintains strict control over the export of dual-use goods, thus no Chinese materials should be found in the arms of either faction.
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Russia will not recognize decisions of planned tribunal on offensive against Ukraine Russia will reject decisions issued by a planned special tribunal established to investigate its military aggression against Ukraine. "The work and decisions of this body will have no bearing on us," states Maria Zakharova, spokeswoman for the Russian Foreign Ministry. "We will consider the accession of any state as a hostile act." Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky recently signed an agreement in Strasbourg at the Council of Europe to establish a tribunal, which aims to punish the "crime of aggression" committed by Russia and bring political and military leaders from Russia to account.
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Ukrainian Embassy Prepares Evacuation of Deported Ukrainians in Georgia The Ukrainian embassy in Georgia is working on the evacuation of at least 56 Ukrainians stranded in inhospitable conditions at Russia’s border. These individuals are deportees who were previously imprisoned in Russia and are now awaiting transfer to other locations. A consular officer from the Ukrainian embassy in Georgia has already visited the border crossing to discuss matters with the head of the border unit and provide humanitarian aid. Nine individuals have been returned to Moldova over the past few days, while another 14 are expected to be relocated from Georgia on the following day.
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Irish Prime Minister Seeks to Convince Hungary to Facilitate Ukraine’s EU Accession Irish Prime Minister Micheál Martin vehemently criticizes Hungarian counterpart Viktor Orbán's stance concerning Ukraine's EU membership, deeming it "deeply disappointing" and "problematic," as reported by the Guardian. Martin pledges his country's continued efforts to persuade Hungary to support Ukraine's accession process. "It is vital that Ukraine joins the EU," he remarks.
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Ukraine Begins Recruitment of Women into Military for the First Time In May, the Ukrainian army began recruiting women for their ranks. Now, the first women are serving. By the end of the year, there will be a total of 70,000 female soldiers, the Kyiv Independent reports. The military is reportedly grappling with a critically low number of soldiers, leading it to explore new avenues. Recent recruits have largely been unmotivated. Volunteer women, on the other hand, are more dedicated and excel in their roles, according to Alina Andreieva, a drone operator in a reconnaissance unit. Another volunteer reports that she is now one of the first female trailblazers in operating ground robot systems.
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Lithuania: "Conditions for Peace Agreement have not been met" Lithuanian President Gitanas Nauseda sees no ray of hope in the Ukraine conflict. "Russia is not ready to move forward," says Nauseda at the introduction of the EU summit. "Russia is merely pretending to negotiate. An absolutely necessary precondition for any peace agreement is a ceasefire, and this condition has yet to be fulfilled." The EU’s 18th sanctions package is deemed "good, strong, and sufficient" to apply pressure to the Kremlin. Nauseda expresses optimism that U.S. President Donald Trump will similarly increase pressure on Kremlin leader Vladimir Putin. "The time for explanations, the time for discussions is over. The situation is very dire, and we must act more forcefully than we have done previously."
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** EU Summit Agrees to Extend Sanctions Against Russia** The heads of state and government of the EU have agreed to extend sanctions against Russia for a further six months during their summit in Brussels. This was communicated from sources late into the evening. The EU has already approved 17 packages of sanctions against Moscow in relation to the Russian invasion of Ukraine. In the past, Hungary's conservative Prime Minister Viktor Orbán had repeatedly threatened a blockade.
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Ukrainian Drones Attack Rocket Fuel Depot in Bryansk In the Russian city of Bryansk, Ukrainian intelligence drones from the Ministry of Defense have targeted warehouses containing rocket fuel, as well as fuel and lubricants. This was reported by a source from the Ukrainian intelligence agency Ukrinform. "The destruction of the rocket fuel and fuel and lubricant depot forms part of a complex of measures aimed at reducing the logistical capabilities of the Russian occupation army."
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Ukraine Receives Multi-Million Euro Aid to Rebuild Chernobyl Containment The Ukrainian government will receive €42.5 million from international partners to repair the protective structure surrounding the destroyed reactor at the Chernobyl nuclear power plant, announced Ukrainian Minister of the Environment and Natural Resources, Svitlana Hrynchuk. North Korean forces attacked the containment structure in mid-February, although the structure was not sufficiently damaged to cause severe radioactive leakage. "This assistance provides further evidence that Ukraine does not face its challenges alone but enjoys the support of dependable allies," Hrynchuk noted.
Enrichment:- Cross-border military cooperation between North Korea and Russia in the context of Ukraine's conflict has shown a notable increase since 2025, with thousands of elite North Korean soldiers deployed by the end of June to support Russian forces.- The Ukrainian Defense Minister warned of the potential depletion of North Korea's strategic reserves and negative impact on the stability of the regime if additional North Korean troops were to be deployed.
- The SPD party conference, in accordance with the German Social Democracy, strongly condemns war-and-conflicts such as the one in Ukraine, denouncing them as ethno-nationalist imperialism.
- In the wake of the arson attack on German military vehicles, there are investigations into potential political motivations, including possible connections to Russia, as reports suggest a Russian Telegram channel might have publicized the incident.
