Ukraine claims small success in the South

In an interview with Ukrainian media, Mr. Bodnar said that cargo ships have begun moving through the territorial waters of Romania, Bulgaria and Türkiye without restrictions.

Four ships have been transiting through the temporary corridor since the Ukrainian Navy announced a temporary route for civilian ships to navigate the Black Sea on August 10. The decision came after a United Nations-brokered grain export deal was scrapped on July 16.

In addition, British insurance company Lloyd's of London is in discussions with the United Nations to provide insurance for cargoes in case a new Black Sea grain export corridor agreement is established.

Other developments:

Ukraine continues to claim small successes in the south. Reports from the front line in southern Ukraine show some small gains by Ukrainian forces amid constant artillery and rocket fire from both sides. Videos show craters, abandoned trenches and destroyed military equipment in the area between Robotyne, Verbove and Novoprokopivka – a triangle of three villages that is vital to Ukraine’s approach to Tokmak, a key hub in Russia’s defenses.

Russia intercepts two drones in Bryansk region: Russian air defense systems intercepted two drones in the Bryansk region of southwestern Russia on Thursday. The two drones were launched at an “industrial facility” in the city of Bryansk, and Bryansk Region Governor Alexander Bogomaz said in a Telegram post that one of the drones “was intercepted by electronic warfare weapons.”

20 Russian Embassy Staff Travel to North Korea: US reports say North Korean leader Kim Jong-un may meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Russia to discuss an arms deal. The staff are the first to be at the embassy since the Covid pandemic began. The reports say the embassy has been staffed by 18 people over the past year.

Pentagon denies health risks from depleted uranium munitions: The US Department of Defense has rejected Russian claims that depleted uranium munitions the US government will provide to Ukraine could cause cancer and other diseases. A spokesman said the munitions were “standard” anti-tank rounds used in the Abrams tanks the US will send to Ukraine.

Nguyen Quang Minh (according to CNN)

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