Exclusives
| Europe must clamp down on Russian oil flows through Türkiye. The Mediterranean country has become the world’s 2023 biggest buyer of Russian fossil fuels — and the #1 player in a EU oil-laundering scheme to bypass anti-Russia sanctions |
| Can NATO veteran pilots solve Ukraine’s F-16 dilemma? Ukraine’s call to allow Western pilots to fly its long-awaited F-16 fighter jets is picking up traction, but political concerns of “”Russian escalation”” persist while some experts stress that the effort is still best invested in domestic pilots. |
| Olympic farce: How the IOC enabled Russian war supporters. The Paris Olympics’ message of peace and unity rang hollow as evidence mounted of the IOC’s failure to prevent Russian war supporters from competing under the guise of political neutrality. |
| Russia resorts to nuclear blackmail amid Ukraine’s Kursk incursion. Ukraine refutes Russian propaganda suggesting it plans to attack nuclear plants. The allegations continue Russia’s nuclear blackmail and hint at possible false-flag attack plans. |
| Last ride home: The man who brings back Ukraine’s fallen heroes. With Russia’s invasion, the owner of a meat processing factory found himself fulfilling war’s grimmest duty. He finds solace nowhere, but when the fallen appear in his dreams, they assure he did everything right. |
Military
Ukraine’s Commander-in-Chief Syrskyi reports progress in Kursk Oblast operation. Top general says Ukraine successfully defends against multiple Russian attacks, advances in Kursk Oblast. General Staff reports heavy fighting across various fronts, with 132 combat engagements and significant enemy losses in personnel and equipment.
Russia struggles to mount serious counter-attacks in Kursk, says Estonian defense official. Estonian deputy chief of staff Lt-Col Puusepp says Russia is facing major command and control problems and cannot launch serious counter-attack in its Kursk Oblast, resorting to reactive defensive measures.
As of 17 Aug 2024, the approximate losses of weapons and military equipment of the Russian Armed Forces from the beginning of the invasion to the present day:
- Personnel: 598180 (+1230)
- Tanks: 8501 (+5)
- APV: 16473 (+12)
- Artillery systems: 16985 (+58)
- MLRS: 1160 (+1)
- Anti-aircraft systems: 923
- Aircraft: 367
- Helicopters: 328
- UAV: 13714 (+55)
- Cruise missiles : 2432 (+3)
- Warships/boats: 28
- Submarines: 1
- Vehicles and fuel tanks: 22913 (+65)
Intelligence and technology
Ukraine to receive state-of-the-art new generation artillery RCH 155 from Germany later this year. The German Army confirmed that Ukraine will receive the brand-new artillery system at the end of this year, which is not yet used operationally in any country in the world.
Ukrainian Armed Forces to receive Buffalo vehicles, considered to be among safest armored vehicles in existence. Designed with a special V-hull type, the Buffalo is designed with improved ballistic protection and contains external blast-absorbing components.
The Times: UK awaits US approval for Ukraine to use Storm Shadow missiles in Russia. The US is preventing Britain from allowing Ukraine to use Storm Shadow missiles in Russia, as The UK’s month-old request to ease restrictions remains unanswered, the Times says, citing defense sources.
International
Zelenskyy: Our partners need to remove barriers preventing us from weakening Russian positions. The President of Ukraine urged Western partners to lift any barriers set upon Ukraine with regards to long-range capabilities, as it is the ”answer to all the most important (…) strategic issues of this war.”
Sweden wants to move from direct transfer to arms production in Ukraine. ”We are taking measures so that Ukraine can gain access to newly produced defense equipment,” says Defense Minister Pal Jonson of Sweden.
German MP urges transfer of more military vehicles and tanks to Ukraine in light of Kursk incursion. By providing more military support to Ukraine as it conducts combat operations in the Kursk Oblast, Germany can lay the foundations for lasting peace in Europe, the German MP says.
German ambassador: Russia not ready for peace talks with Ukraine. German Ambassador to Russia says Moscow is not ready to negotiate peace with Ukraine, citing Putin’s unrealistic preconditions.
FAS: Germany halts new military aid to Ukraine amid budget cuts. Media sources claim that Germany has suspended new military aid to Ukraine due to budget constraints. While existing commitments will continue, future support remains uncertain as Germany considers using frozen Russian assets under a G7 plan, as per FAS.
WP: Qatar-mediated Ukraine-Russia negotiations postponed after Kursk incursion. WP sources claim that Ukraine and Russia were set to hold indirect talks in Qatar for a partial ceasefire on energy infrastructure strikes, but the negotiations were postponed after Ukraine’s surprise incursion into Russia’s Kursk Oblast.
Ukraine aims to boost trade with Guatemala through new agreement. Ukraine initiates free trade agreement talks with Guatemala to boost economic cooperation. Guatemala has actively supported Ukraine in international forums since Russia launched its all-out war on Ukraine.
Sweden considers sending military advisers to Ukraine. Starting in fall 2024, Sweden may deploy personnel to Ukraine to support defense procurement, maintain donated equipment, and gather insights into its battlefield performance.
Humanitarian and social impact
Two injured as Russian missile hits residential area in Sumy. Ukraine says it successfully intercepted 14 Russian Shahed drones overnight, but a Russian cruise missile struck Sumy, damaging buildings and vehicles. At least two people were injured in the attack.
Russians show severed head of alleged Ukrainian soldier in video, Ukraine appeals to UN and Red Cross. Ukrainian Commissioner for Human Rights, Dmytro Lubinets, argued that “”Russians use these videos to intimidate and demoralize Ukrainians.”” He urgently contacted the United Nations and the International Committee of the Red Cross to recognize this incident as a war crime.
Political and legal developments
Ukrainian Navy spokesperson: Russia unable to mine Black Sea, though danger of stray mines remain. The spokesperson notes that Russia fears losing more military objects to Ukrainian fire, therefore stepping away from actively mining the Black Sea as it did in the past.
Read our earlier daily review here.
