Victorious news on 532nd day of war: powerful explosion near Moscow, Ukraine gets 30 more Leopard 1 tanks

Ukrainian military shoots down another Russian helicopter

On the morning of 9 August, the Ukrainian military downed another Russian helicopter.

This was reported by the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.

"This morning, our soldiers shot down another helicopter of the Russian occupiers," the statement said.

Ukrainian Armed Forces liberated more than 40,000 square kilometers of territory during the full-scale war with Russia

This was reported by the Strategic Communications Centre of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.

"More than 40,000 square kilometers of Ukraine have been liberated by the Defence Forces since February 24, 2022," the statement said.

It is reported that this territory is larger than Moldova, slightly smaller than two Israel and about 15 cities such as Moscow.

Explosions occur near Dzhankoy in Crimea

On August 9, explosions were heard in the Dzhankoy district of Crimea. The occupation authorities claim to be training troops in radiation, chemical and biological defense.

This was reported by the Astra TV channel and the so-called mayor of the temporarily occupied Sevastopol, Mikhail Razvozhayev.

At the same time, the occupiers have once again blocked the Crimean bridge and stopped all traffic.

Powerful explosion at optics and optical electronics plant in Moscow region

On Wednesday, 9 August, a powerful explosion occurred at an optical-mechanical plant in Sergiyev Posad, Moscow region of Russia: at least 45 people were reported injured.

The Russian propaganda news agency TASS clarified that three people were pulled out from under the rubble and are in serious condition.

In addition, 20 high-rise buildings and 4 social institutions were damaged.

Germany confirms provision of 30 Leopard 1 tanks to Ukraine

This information was confirmed to DW by the German Defense Ministry.

"Germany has confirmed the transfer of an additional 30 Leopard1 tanks to Ukraine," the statement said.

Earlier, Handelsblatt noted that the military-industrial concern Rheinmetall had bought Leopards from Belgium to modernize them and hand them over to Ukraine.

The Belgian Business AM reported that 50 Leopard 1 tanks, which were decommissioned several years ago and stored in a warehouse in the city of Tournai, had been purchased by an unknown country for Ukraine.

Latvia supports security guarantees for Ukraine

Prime Minister Krisjanis Karinš announced this on Twitter.

"Latvia joins the G7 Declaration of support to Ukraine," Karins wrote.

Riga promises to help Ukraine in thw full-scale war with Russia.

"Together with our partners we will support Ukraine in its fight against Russia’s aggression for as long as it takes. We expect an ad hoc international tribunal for Russian aggression against Ukraine," the Latvian Prime Minister added.

AFU target 8 warehouses and one Russian command post in Tavria sector

This was reported by the commander of the Tavria operational and strategic group of troops Oleksandr Tarnavskyi.

"Russians are burning in the Tavria direction. Artillery units of the Defense Forces completed 1,545 fire missions during the day," Tarnavskyi wrote.

In the last 24 hours, the Ukrainian Armed Forces neutralized 244 Russian soldiers. They liquidated 93 of them, with 150 being injured and 1 captured. Furthermore, they destroyed 18 pieces of enemy military equipment, including 3 tanks, 6 armored vehicles, 3 artillery systems, 2 MLRS, an unmanned aerial vehicle, and 3 vehicles.

Additionally, Ukrainian forces successfully targeted and destroyed 8 enemy ammunition storage sites and one command post.

Ukrainian aviation conducts 10 strikes on Russian positions 

In the past day, Ukrainian aircraft conducted 10 attacks on places where enemy personnel, weapons, and military equipment were concentrated. They also targeted an anti-aircraft missile complex and an enemy logistics hub.

Missile and artillery units struck 3 command posts, disabled 5 artillery units in their firing positions, hit a spot where enemy personnel, weapons, and military equipment were accumulated, took down a radio-electronic warfare station, and targeted another crucial enemy site.