Victorious news on 909th day of  war: Ukrainian parliament passes bill to ban Russian Orthodox Church in Ukraine, Russian military blows up headquarters with Russian officers

Russian serviceman blows up headquarters with Russian Storm Z officers and defects to Ukraine

As part of the special operation 'Ocheret', conducted by the 'I Want to Live' project and the Freedom of Russia Legion, a Russian FPV pilot with the call sign Silver blew up the headquarters of the Storm Z battalion officers and defected to Ukraine.

The Defense Intelligence of Ukraine (DIU) reported this.

Recreating the chronology of events, the DIU said that Silver decided to cooperate with Ukraine in the winter of 2024, having contacted the Russian Freedom Legion.

According to him, he made this decision after witnessing war crimes and abuse by the Russian command.

He passed on valuable information to Ukrainian intelligence about the location, numbers, and plans of the enemy in a particular area of the frontline.

Then, waiting for a convenient moment, Silver threw a grenade into the ventilation hole of the basement of the headquarters, where Russian officers, including his commander, were sleeping.

After completing the mission, the Russian soldier fled via a pre-arranged route and crossed into Ukrainian-controlled territory. He has now joined the Russian Freedom Legion to fight against Putin's regime.

Germany to supply Ukraine with four more IRIS-T air defense systems

German government spokesman Wolfgang Büchner announced that Germany will deliver four IRIS-T air defense systems with different range capabilities, along with 10 Leopard tanks, to Ukraine by the end of 2024.

DW reported this on August 20.

Germany will supply Ukraine with four more IRIS-T air defense systems of various ranges, 10 Gepard anti-aircraft tanks, 16 self-propelled howitzers, 10 Leopard main battle tanks, combat drones, and several thousand rounds of ammunition for artillery and tanks by the end of this year, according to government spokesman Wolfgang Büchner.

In 2025, Germany plans to provide Ukraine with over 20 more self-propelled howitzers, 20 Marder infantry fighting vehicles, 37 Leopard main battle tanks, five Gepard anti-aircraft tanks, six additional IRIS-T systems, and several thousand rounds of artillery and tank ammunition.

“There is no indication from the government that this support will be reduced or otherwise limited,” Büchner emphasized.

Ukrainian Armed Forces control 1,263 square kilometers of Russia's Kursk region

Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces Oleksandr Syrskyi said that the Ukrainian military controls 1,263 square kilometres in the Kursk region, including 93 settlements.

‘The Defense Forces are conducting offensive defense in the Kursk sector. During the period of the offensive in the Kursk region, the Armed Forces have advanced to the depth of enemy defense from 28 to 35 km,’ he said.

He also added that the Russian forces are conducting maneuverable defense, building up their groups and moving forces from other directions.

‘Further actions of our troops in this area will directly depend on the development of the operational situation,’ the Ukrainian Armed Forces Commander-in-Chief added.

Ukrainian Parliament supports bill to ban Russian Orthodox Church in Ukraine

On 20 August, the Verkhovna Rada voted in the second reading and in general in favor of Bill No. 8371, which provides for a ban on the activities of religious organizations whose governing center is located in the aggressor country.

265 MPs voted in favor of the decision. The law comes into force 30 days after its publication, except for one clause. allows The Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the Moscow Patriarchate (UOC-MP) communities have nine months to sever ties with the Russian Orthodox Church.

‘This is a historic day. We are putting an end to the existence of the Russian Orthodox Church and its branches in Ukraine. The Verkhovna Rada has passed Bill 8371, which will ban the activities of religious organizations with ties to the aggressor country. 265 in favor. For me, this was a matter of principle,’ Ukrainian MP Mykola Kniazhytskyi commented on the vote.

The draft law stipulates that the Russian Orthodox Church (ROC) should be banned as a religious organization.

The activities of all religious organizations affiliated with the Russian Orthodox Church will be terminated according to a clear procedure, which will include a study, an order to comply with the law and a court injunction; the Russian Orthodox Church and its affiliated structures will not be able to use state and municipal property; the transition of communities to the Ukrainian Local Orthodox Church will be simplified.