When recruiting agents, special services always look for vulnerabilities in people. Gamblers are a group of people who are a gold mine for special services.
When recruiting agents, special services always look for vulnerabilities in people. Gamblers are a group of people who are a gold mine for special services.
Ukraine’s allies will spend millions of dollars for weapons for Kyiv. Sweden, Norway, and Denmark have jointly allocated over $500 million to purchase American weapons for Ukraine, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announces.
The funds come as part of the new Priority Ukraine Requirements List or PURL initiative, which allows European partners to quickly finance arms deliveries from the US.
“Plus $500 million — the total amount from our friends in Northern Europe… This will be implemented under
Ukraine’s allies will spend millions of dollars for weapons for Kyiv. Sweden, Norway, and Denmark have jointly allocated over $500 million to purchase American weapons for Ukraine, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announces.
The funds come as part of the new Priority Ukraine Requirements List or PURL initiative, which allows European partners to quickly finance arms deliveries from the US.
“Plus $500 million — the total amount from our friends in Northern Europe… This will be implemented under NATO coordination,” Zelenskyy says.
According to the new mechanism, Ukraine compiles a list of priority needs in packages of approximately $500 million. Then, the partner countries can:
provide their own weapons from the list and immediately purchase the US equivalent — bypassing bureaucracy,
or order weapons directly from the US or through NATO.
This approach significantly speeds up logistics and replenishment of allied arsenals.
Unity of arms and action
The Ukrainian president has thanked the prime ministers of Sweden, Norway, Denmark, and NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte for their concrete support that “increases Ukraine’s capacity to protect lives.”
“This will be a good example for other NATO countries… to guarantee protection against Russian strikes,” Zelenskyy emphasizes.
The PURL initiative becomes a new bridge between America and Europe in the defense sector, and another signal to Moscow: Western support is not weakening but growing.
More than deliveries
The Ukrainian president has stressed that such projects strengthen Ukraine’s own defense production as well as joint defense initiatives with partners. This builds a new architecture of European security based on powerful cooperation.
“Russia will never turn Europe into a continent of war… we guarantee that peace will prevail,” Zelenskyy states.
In just two days, Ukraine received nearly $1 billion in international arms aid — after €500 million from the Netherlands, another half a billion came from Northern Europe.
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A new federal rule would make it easier for companies to use drones over longer distances out of sight of the operator without having to go through a cumbersome waiver process
A new federal rule would make it easier for companies to use drones over longer distances out of sight of the operator without having to go through a cumbersome waiver process
The International Coalition for the Return of Ukrainian Children has called on Russia to return abducted Ukrainian children without delay and without any conditions. The joint statement was signed by 38 countries, the Council of Europe, and the European Union.
The International Coalition for the Return of Ukrainian Children has called on Russia to return abducted Ukrainian children without delay and without any conditions. The joint statement was signed by 38 countries, the Council of Europe, and the European Union.
On August 4, President Volodymyr Zelensky convened a meeting of the Supreme Commander-in-Chief's Staff and held meetings with the military command and government officials to address the current needs of Ukraine’s Defense Forces.
On August 4, President Volodymyr Zelensky convened a meeting of the Supreme Commander-in-Chief's Staff and held meetings with the military command and government officials to address the current needs of Ukraine’s Defense Forces.
Ukraine’s Defense Intelligence “Timur” Special Unit has crashed Russia’s advance on Sumy Oblast. The fighters have eliminated eight Russian companies in Sumy Oblast, the agency reports.
The Timur Special Unit has taken part in legendary operations, including:
The liberation of Zmiinyi (Snake) Island,
The recovery of energy assets in the Black Sea after the occupation of Crimea,
The de-occupation of the Vovchansk Aggregate Plant in Kharkiv Oblast,
Raids into Crimea and Enerhodar,
Battles for B
Ukraine’s Defense Intelligence “Timur” Special Unit has crashed Russia’s advance on Sumy Oblast. The fighters have eliminated eight Russian companies in Sumy Oblast, the agency reports.
The Timur Special Unit has taken part in legendary operations, including:
The liberation of Zmiinyi (Snake) Island,
The recovery of energy assets in the Black Sea after the occupation of Crimea,
The de-occupation of the Vovchansk Aggregate Plant in Kharkiv Oblast,
Raids into Crimea and Enerhodar,
Battles for Bakhmut and Avdiivka.
“The enemy’s advance has been halted. Their food and ammunition supply lines have been cut,”explains Ukraine’s military intelligence.
The operation involved 11 combat detachments under the Timur Special Unit. As a result of the mission:
At least 334 Russian troops were eliminated
Over 550 were wounded
Russians refuse to fight
According to the Defense Intelligence, Ukrainian soldiers executed a series of swift raids deep into Russian-controlled territory, effectively deploying FPV drones, artillery, grenade launchers, and small arms in close-quarters combat.
“Based on intercepted communications, Russian soldiers gave fabricated excuses to avoid storming positions within the Timur Unit’s area of operation,” says the agency.
A retaliatory strike against terror: Sumy under constant attack
In early August, Russia intensified its assaults on the Sumy front, launching frequent artillery, missile, and air strikes. In July alone, 23 civilians were killed, and over 140 were wounded, according to Oleh Hryhorov, head of the Sumy Regional Military Administration.
“In July, there were 2,700 Russian attacks on Sumy Oblast, with more than 800 air-dropped bombs, 250 kamikaze drone strikes, and 52 missile strikes,” Hryhorov says.
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Amid the growing threat from Russia, the German government is launching an ambitious rearmament program. But a recent poll shows: nearly 60% of Germans say they would “probably” or “definitely” not defend Germany in the event of an attack, The Telegraph reports.
Recently, Ukrainian military intelligence chief Kyrylo Budanov stated that Russia is preparing for a major war, including a potential conflict with NATO. Moscow plans to spend $1.1 trillion by 2036 on rearmament, which is the largest s
Amid the growing threat from Russia, the German government is launching an ambitious rearmament program. But a recent poll shows: nearly 60% of Germans say they would “probably” or “definitely” not defend Germany in the event of an attack, The Telegraph reports.
Recently, Ukrainian military intelligence chief Kyrylo Budanov stated that Russia is preparing for a major war, including a potential conflict with NATO. Moscow plans to spend $1.1 trillion by 2036 on rearmament, which is the largest such investment since the fall of the Soviet Union.
Only 16%expressed full willingness to bear arms, while another 22% said they would “probably” defend the country, according to a survey commissioned by broadcaster RND.
These figures come as a blow to Defense Minister Boris Pistorius, who is spearheading a large-scale reform of the Bundeswehr in hopes of transforming it into a pillar of European security after decades of chronic underfunding.
Berlin changes its defense approach
In July, Pistorius presented a plan to recruit 40,000 young people annually until 2031. Under the proposal, all 18-year-old males would receive mandatory questionnaires, followed by medical examinations to assess their fitness for service.
The goal: increase the Bundeswehr’s size from 182,000 to at least 260,000 soldiers by 2035, and expand the military reserve from 60,000 to 200,000. Without internal motivation among citizens, this initiative may prove futile.
The Russian threat is real: Germany has no time for doubt
German intelligence chief Bruno Kahl has also warned of Russian provocations and Moscow’s ambition to push NATO back to its 1990s borders. Against this backdrop, the unwillingness of German citizens to defend their country may pose serious concerns in Berlin.
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To launch an assault on Kherson, the enemy must first seize the island zone in the Dnipro Delta. All attempts to establish a bridgehead in this area have been successfully repelled by Ukrainian forces. At the same time, claims circulating on social media about the landing of enemy subversive reconnaissance groups in Kherson are false.
To launch an assault on Kherson, the enemy must first seize the island zone in the Dnipro Delta. All attempts to establish a bridgehead in this area have been successfully repelled by Ukrainian forces. At the same time, claims circulating on social media about the landing of enemy subversive reconnaissance groups in Kherson are false.
Ukraine has discovered Indian electronics in Iranian-designed Shahed drones used by Russian forces to attack civilian areas. Indian media report that Kyiv raised the issue with both India and the EU, citing specific Indian-made components embedded in these weapons.
Russia uses swarms of Shahed drones in daily attacks on Ukrainian cities. With often hundreds of Shaheds and decoy drones launched at once to target one city, some overwhelm air defenses, killing civilians and destroying infrastructur
Ukraine has discovered Indian electronics in Iranian-designed Shahed drones used by Russian forces to attack civilian areas. Indian media report that Kyiv raised the issue with both India and the EU, citing specific Indian-made components embedded in these weapons.
Russia uses swarms of Shahed drones in daily attacks on Ukrainian cities. With often hundreds of Shaheds and decoy drones launched at once to target one city, some overwhelm air defenses, killing civilians and destroying infrastructure. India—Russia’s ally—continues to trade with Moscow despite Russia’s ongoing full-scale invasion of Ukraine and mounting Western sanctions. The Shaheds are Iranian-designed, but Russia set up their domestic mass production, and has been scaling it up since.
Ukraine flags Indian electronics in Russian drones
Hindustan Times reports that Ukrainian authorities identified parts made or assembled in India inside Shahed 136 unmanned combat aerial vehicles (UCAVs). These drones have been used by Russia in mass strikes on Ukrainian cities since 2022.
According to the documents reviewed by the outlet, a Vishay Intertechnology “bridge rectifier E300359” assembled in India was found in the drone’s voltage regulator. A signal generator chip AU5426A by Aura Semiconductor was located in the satellite navigation system.
The report states that Ukraine raised the issue with India’s external affairs ministry on at least two occasions. Ukrainian diplomats also brought it up with EU sanctions envoy David O’Sullivan during his mid-July visit to New Delhi.
India’s foreign ministry responded that its dual-use exports follow international non-proliferation rules and domestic regulations. Vishay Intertechnology did not respond to the paper’s request for comment.
Aura Semiconductor, whose AU5426A chip was identified in the drones, said in a statement that it complies fully with export control laws and is “deeply disturbed” by the possibility of its components being misused. It added that its chip is plug-and-play, making user tracing difficult, and that an internal audit yielded no conclusive findings.
India says electronics was exported to West Asia
Hindustan Times cites unnamed sources saying some Indian components were legally exported to West Asia, then diverted to Russia or Iran.
Ukraine’s HUR defence intelligence agency has also found electronics from US and Chinese firms in Russian weapons.
Ajay Srivastava from the Global Trade Research Initiative told Hinndustan TImes that tracing dual-use items post-export is almost impossible, and said better exporter awareness is needed. He warned that no export control system can guarantee full oversight once items cross national borders.
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Warsaw should extend a loan to Kyiv for the purchase of Polish defense industry products, as cooperation in the defense sector is crucial to strengthening Ukraine–Poland relations.
Warsaw should extend a loan to Kyiv for the purchase of Polish defense industry products, as cooperation in the defense sector is crucial to strengthening Ukraine–Poland relations.
Deputy Prime Minister for Restoration - Minister for Communities and Territories Development Oleksii Kuleba announced the development of a separate program of comprehensive support for Ukraine’s frontline regions. The initiative will focus on people, businesses, and communities affected by the war.
Deputy Prime Minister for Restoration - Minister for Communities and Territories Development Oleksii Kuleba announced the development of a separate program of comprehensive support for Ukraine’s frontline regions. The initiative will focus on people, businesses, and communities affected by the war.
The evacuation of residents from Kherson’s Korabel neighborhood continues as the humanitarian situation worsens following Russian airstrikes on a key bridge. Local authorities are urging civilians to leave the area due to increasingly difficult living conditions.
The evacuation of residents from Kherson’s Korabel neighborhood continues as the humanitarian situation worsens following Russian airstrikes on a key bridge. Local authorities are urging civilians to leave the area due to increasingly difficult living conditions.
Panama has banned oil tankers and bulk carriers over 15 years old from registering under its flag. This move will directly impact vessels linked to Russia’s shadow fleet. The Panamanian Maritime Authority (AMP) announced the decision on 1 August 2025 to reduce detentions and prevent non-compliant ships from what is called the “ghost fleet” from entering the registry.
The so-called ghost fleet is better known as Russia’s shadow fleet. In response to Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, the G7
Panama has banned oil tankers and bulk carriers over 15 years old from registering under its flag. This move will directly impact vessels linked to Russia’s shadow fleet. The Panamanian Maritime Authority (AMP) announced the decision on 1 August 2025 to reduce detentions and prevent non-compliant ships from what is called the “ghost fleet” from entering the registry.
The so-called ghost fleet is better known as Russia’s shadow fleet. In response to Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, the G7 and EU imposed extensive sanctions targeting Russian exports. To evade oil restrictions, Moscow relies on a shadow fleet made up of older tankers that conduct covert transfers.
Panama enforces age cap to block risky vessels
The Panamanian Ship Registry updated its regulations to exclude tankers and bulk carriers aged over 15 years. According to AMP, the move aims to improve operational standards and limit the risks associated with older vessels. The registry update is part of the revised MMN 11/2024 directive, which defines the Precheck process for flagging eligibility.
A key element of the Precheck involves evaluating risks tied to sanctions and vessel operations. The General Directorate of the Merchant Marine found that between 2023 and mid-2025, 71% of all ship detentions involved older oil tankers, bulk carriers, or general cargo ships.
Panama’s registry, holding the Guinness World Record for the largest number of registered vessels, is taking additional steps to ensure compliance.
Authorities will now require extra inspections every three months for vessels classified as deficient. These checks will be conducted by the Recognized Organization responsible for issuing statutory certificates. In addition, there will be further verification of the Ship’s Safety Management System (SMS Certificate), particularly if non-conformities are detected.
The AMP stated the changes are meant to reduce detentions and increase overall safety. While the announcement did not name Russia directly, it referred to the so-called “ghost fleet” — a term widely used for Russia’s shadow fleet of old tankers used to bypass sanctions and transport oil covertly.
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Ukraine’s allies continue flowing billions of dollars into oil trade with Russia. The Indian government, in response to US President Donald Trump’s ultimatum, which threatens secondary sanctions against countries importing Russian energy, says that “the very nations criticizing India are themselves indulging in trade with Russia.”
India began importing more Russian oil after traditional supplies were redirected to Europe due to Russia’s all-out war against Ukraine. At the time, the US not only r
Ukraine’s allies continue flowing billions of dollars into oil trade with Russia. The Indian government, in response to US President Donald Trump’s ultimatum, which threatens secondary sanctions against countries importing Russian energy, says that “the very nations criticizing India are themselves indulging in trade with Russia.”
India began importing more Russian oil after traditional supplies were redirected to Europe due to Russia’s all-out war against Ukraine. At the time, the US not only refrained from objecting but encouraged Indian purchases to help avoid a global energy crisis.
“India’s imports are meant to ensure predictable and affordable energy costs to the Indian consumer… It is revealing that the very nations criticizing India are themselves indulging in trade with Russia,”says the Indian government.
The West keeps trading with Russia: The numbers are striking
India points to the Western blatant double standards.
In 2024, EU–Russia trade in goods reached €67.5 billion.
In 2023, services trade totaled €17.2 billion.
In 2024, Europe imported a record 16.5 million tonnes of Russian LNG, the highest volume since 2022.
Many critical Russian exports remain unsanctioned, including:
Palladium for the US auto industry
Uranium for nuclear power plants
Fertilizers, chemicals, metals, machinery, and equipment, all of which the US continues to import from Russia.
India rejects restrictions
India emphasizes that its decisions are driven by economic necessity, not political alignment. New Delhi is ready to defend its energy security, even if new sanctions are imposed.
“The targeting of India is unjustified and unreasonable. Like any major economy, India will take all necessary measures to safeguard its national interests and economic security,” the Indian government claimed.
Effectively, India has held up a mirror to the US and Europe: stop your own trade with Russia before demanding the same from others.
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Indian-made components have been discovered in Russian attack drones, including Shahed and Geran models, according to Andriy Yermak, Head of the Office of the President of Ukraine.
Indian-made components have been discovered in Russian attack drones, including Shahed and Geran models, according to Andriy Yermak, Head of the Office of the President of Ukraine.
Russia will pay. Ukraine’s national energy company, Naftogaz, has announced it has received official approval from the Vienna District Court to initiate forced enforcement of the largest arbitration award against Russia, worth over $5 billion.
The ruling, known as the “Crimea Award”, was issued in 2023 by the Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague. It obligates Russia to compensate Naftogaz for losses stemming from the illegal seizure of its assets in temporarily occupied Crimea.
Due to the
Russia will pay. Ukraine’s national energy company, Naftogaz, has announced it has received official approval from the Vienna District Court to initiate forced enforcement of the largest arbitration award against Russia, worth over $5 billion.
The ruling, known as the “Crimea Award”, was issued in 2023 by the Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague. It obligates Russia to compensate Naftogaz for losses stemming from the illegal seizure of its assets in temporarily occupied Crimea.
Due to the Kremlin’s refusal to pay voluntarily, Naftogaz has launched procedures to seize Russian assets worldwide.
A blow to Russia in the heart of Europe
Based on the Austrian court decision, more than 20 pieces of Russian state-owned real estate in Vienna have been seized, with a total value exceeding €120 million.
These assets will be sold, and the proceeds transferred to Ukraine as part of the compensation awarded in The Hague.
“This is another practical step towards collecting over $5 billion from Russia for the illegal seizure of Naftogaz Group’s assets in Crimea. Russia will pay for everything,” says Naftogaz CEO Serhii Koretskyi.
Arbitration in action
Naftogaz is represented in Austria by the DORDA law firm. The team includes partner Alexander Karl, lead counsel Robert Keimmelmayr, and Therese Stingl.
The seized property includes shares in gas pipelines, equipment, licenses for subsoil use, and over 675 million cubic meters of gas in underground storage, all of which Russia seized during the occupation of Crimea.
Naftogaz was a key player in Crimea’s gas market, responsible for exploration, production, transportation, processing, and distribution of gas.
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Ukrainian refugees work permits are set to expire, leaving many families in legal limbo, CBS News reports. Dozens who fled war and rebuilt their lives in Iowa may soon lose the right to work.
Amid Russia’s ongoing invasion, millions of Ukrainians fled the war. While most sought refuge in the EU, some found shelter in the United States. In recent months, Russia has been increasingly targeting Ukrainian cities with air attacks, with Kyiv often bearing the brunt.
Iowa town that welcomed refugees no
Ukrainian refugees work permits are set to expire, leaving many families in legal limbo, CBS News reports. Dozens who fled war and rebuilt their lives in Iowa may soon lose the right to work.
Amid Russia’s ongoing invasion, millions of Ukrainians fled the war. While most sought refuge in the EU, some found shelter in the United States. In recent months, Russia has been increasingly targeting Ukrainian cities with air attacks, with Kyiv often bearing the brunt.
Iowa town that welcomed refugees now fears for their future
CBS News reports that Liana Avetisian and her family fled Ukraine in 2023 and resettled in DeWitt, Iowa, where over 75 refugees found jobs and housing with help from locals like Angela Boelens and her group Iowa Nice.
Avetisian, once a real estate agent in Kyiv, took a job at a window company. Her employer, Sam Heer, told CBS News he values Ukrainian workers and wants more Ukrainians, he said, after hiring Avetisian, her husband, and her cousin—until their permits expired.
“These people are hard to come by. […] When people do the right things and follow the rules, they should be rewarded,” he added.
Though Heer supported President Trump in 2024, he now urges the administration to reconsider.
No safe return as war continues in Ukraine
Most European countries have renewed work permits for Ukrainian refugees. But the Trump administration froze all immigration applications from Ukraine and Latin America earlier this year.
Boelens says many more permits will soon expire, pushing families to the edge.
“It’s not safe to go back to Kyiv,” she told CBS News.
Avetisian agrees. Her mother sends her daily videos of Kyiv under attack.
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Ukraine’s Rarog Regiment has destroyed a TOS‑1A thermobaric system near the front line, Defense Express reports. The rare Russian launcher was located and eliminated after it exposed its thermal signature by firing a salvo.
The TOS‑1A, also known as Solntsepyok, is a Russian “heavy flamethrower” that fires thermobaric and incendiary munitions. It is used primarily against fortifications, bunkers, and urban targets. Due to its short range of only a few kilometers, it is rarely seen near active co
Ukraine’s Rarog Regiment has destroyed a TOS‑1A thermobaric system near the front line, Defense Express reports. The rare Russian launcher was located and eliminated after it exposed its thermal signature by firing a salvo.
The TOS‑1A, also known as Solntsepyok, is a Russian “heavy flamethrower” that fires thermobaric and incendiary munitions. It is used primarily against fortifications, bunkers, and urban targets. Due to its short range of only a few kilometers, it is rarely seen near active combat zones, where it becomes an easy target for reconnaissance and return fire.
Ukrainian drones destroy TOS‑1A thermobaric system in frontline night strike
Drone pilots from Ukraine’s Rarog 427th Regiment tracked and struck the Russian TOS‑1A thermobaric rocket system during a night operation. The system had launched its rockets just moments before drones detected its heat and visual trail.
Defense Express notes the system was reduced to burnt wreckage, eliminating one of the Russian army’s most feared battlefield weapons. These systems have previously been used to target frontline units and civilians due to their destructive blast pressure and heat.
After the launcher revealed its position, a Ukrainian FPV kamikaze drone was deployed. The drone struck the TOS‑1A, disabling its movement or defenses. Immediately following the initial hit, Vampire bomber drones carrying explosive payloads were used to finish the job. The payloads were dropped with high precision, leaving the system completely destroyed.
The TOS‑1A’s design focuses on close-range firepower and shock effect, but its vulnerability after firing has become a repeated weakness. Ukrainian forces have taken advantage of this by coordinating drone strikes that combine immediate disabling hits and follow-up precision destruction.
Defense Express also highlighted a previous strike by the Kryma reconnaissance group of the 14th Separate UAV Regiment. That team guided a HIMARS strike onto a North Korean Koksan self-propelled gun used by Russian forces. The operation destroyed the weapon and killed six crew members.
Thermobaric weapons
A thermobaric munition, also called aerosol or vacuum ammunition, is a type of explosive that works by dispersing an aerosol cloud of gas, liquid, or powdered explosive before igniting it. It uses the effect of a volumetric explosion of an aerosol cloud of flammable substance. These weapons are designed to produce enhanced temperature and pressure compared to conventional explosives and are often referred to as fuel-air explosives.
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On the night of August 5, Russian forces attacked the city of Lozova in the Kharkiv region with more than 30 drones. The attack left two people dead and ten injured, including children.
On the night of August 5, Russian forces attacked the city of Lozova in the Kharkiv region with more than 30 drones. The attack left two people dead and ten injured, including children.
NATO has started coordinating regular deliveries of large weapons packages to Ukraine, most bought from the U.S. This follows the Netherlands' announcement to provide air defense equipment and ammunition worth 500 million euros
NATO has started coordinating regular deliveries of large weapons packages to Ukraine, most bought from the U.S. This follows the Netherlands' announcement to provide air defense equipment and ammunition worth 500 million euros
The Dutch government has committed €500 million in Dutch funding for Patriot missile systems and components for Kyiv, becoming the first NATO country to directly purchase US-made weapons for Ukraine’s defense. The move, announced by Dutch Defense Minister Ruben Brekelmans on 4 August, comes as Russia escalates its ongoing air attacks on Ukrainian civilians.
This comes amid escalated daily Russian air attacks against Ukrainian cities. The Dutch-funded weapons package includes Patriot missile part
The Dutch government has committed €500 million in Dutch funding for Patriot missile systems and components for Kyiv, becoming the first NATO country to directly purchase US-made weapons for Ukraine’s defense. The move, announced by Dutch Defense Minister Ruben Brekelmans on 4 August, comes as Russia escalates its ongoing air attacks on Ukrainian civilians.
This comes amid escalated daily Russian air attacks against Ukrainian cities. The Dutch-funded weapons package includes Patriot missile parts and missiles manufactured in the United States. While Ukraine already operates Patriot systems, this marks the first time a NATO country has funded the purchase of US-made weapons specifically for Ukraine.
Netherlands funds US Patriots as Russia escalates air strikes
On 4 August, Brekelmans posted on X that “Ukraine needs more air defence and ammunition now,” and stated the Netherlands would supply “as the first NATO ally” a €500 million package of US-made weapons, including Patriot missile components and ammunition. The minister said this would help Ukraine defend itself and the rest of Europe against Russian aggression.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy welcomed the decision, saying it would “help save lives.” He discussed the aid with Dutch Prime Minister Dick Schoof and linked the move to practical outcomes of the recent NATO summit held in The Hague.
“This is the first such step among NATO countries at a time when Russia is trying to scale up its strikes. It will definitely help protect the lives of our people,” Zelenskyy wrote on Telegram.
Zelenskyy praises timing and scale of Dutch funding for Patriot
Zelenskyy described the €500 million deal as a “substantial contribution” and thanked the Netherlands for contributing to a stronger “air shield” for both Ukraine and Europe. He said his conversation with Prime Minister Schoof confirmed Dutch leadership on military aid to Kyiv.
The president also thanked NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte for what he called “determination to strengthen our defense.” He added that Ukraine was expecting Schoof to visit soon.
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The US, China, and Russia are competing to build the first nuclear reactor on the Moon. If Beijing and Moscow succeed ahead of Washington, they could declare parts of the Moon a “restricted zone,” potentially limiting American access, warned US Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy, The New York Times reports.
This ambitious project reflects the deepening of China-Russia strategic alliance, which is positioned as anti-American. Russia’s losses in Ukraine are weakening Moscow’s position, w
The US, China, and Russia are competing to build the first nuclear reactor on the Moon.If Beijing and Moscow succeed ahead of Washington, they could declare parts of the Moon a “restricted zone,” potentially limiting American access, warned US Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy, The New York Times reports.
This ambitious project reflects the deepening of China-Russia strategic alliance, which is positioned as anti-American. Russia’s losses in Ukraine are weakening Moscow’s position, which could affect their partnership. Earlier, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi stated that China does not want to see Russia defeated in the war, as a Ukrainian victory would prompt the US to shift its full attention to China.
China and Russia are planning to install the reactor by the mid-2030s as part of a joint effort to construct a permanent lunar base.
NASA accelerates its lunar nuclear program
In response, Washington is ramping up efforts to deploy its own nuclear power plant on the Moon. According to a new NASA directive:
A program leader must be appointed within 30 days.
A request for commercial proposals must be issued within 60 days.
The reactor must generate at least 100 kilowatts of electricity — enough to power ~80 American homes.
Target operational date: end of 2029.
Why nuclear?
A single lunar “day” lasts about 28 Earth days, which means 14 days of light, followed by 14 days of complete darkness. This makes solar power unreliable, especially for continuous life-support operations. A nuclear reactor offers constant, reliable energy, even during the long lunar night.
In 2022, NASA signed three $5 million contracts for early nuclear reactor prototypes, but the new directive calls for faster, larger-scale development.
What’s next?
The first Artemis crewed landing is tentatively scheduled for 2027, though many experts are skeptical about that timeline. Many of the essential components, including the lunar landing module Starship, which SpaceX is developing, have not yet been tested. The Trump administration wants to transition to using commercial rockets and spacecraft instead of the Space Launch System rocket and Orion capsule, which NASA has been working on for over a decade.
A reactor would be useful for long-term stays on the Moon, especially during the two-week-long nights, but NASA’s plans do not specify when a lunar base might be built.
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Ukraine's State Security Service (SBU) counterintelligence has detained an IT specialist who installed remote-access video cameras in rented apartments for Russia's FSB. The goal was to identify Ukrainian air defense system locations and help adjust repeated Russian strikes on Kyiv.
Ukraine's State Security Service (SBU) counterintelligence has detained an IT specialist who installed remote-access video cameras in rented apartments for Russia's FSB. The goal was to identify Ukrainian air defense system locations and help adjust repeated Russian strikes on Kyiv.
Thousands of lives at stake. In a column for The Washington Post, Head of the Ukrainian Presidential Office Andrii Yermak asserted that this week, US political will could bring end to Russia’s war — by targeting its energy and financial lifelines.
Yermak called for immediate and forceful sanctions against Russia, stressing that US President Donald Trump’s recent ultimatum, reducing the window for a peace deal from 50 to 10 days, was a clear and powerful message to the Kremlin.
“These signals ne
Thousands of lives at stake. In a column for The Washington Post, Head of the Ukrainian Presidential Office Andrii Yermak asserted that this week, US political will could bring end to Russia’s war — by targeting its energy and financial lifelines.
Yermak called for immediate and forceful sanctions against Russia, stressing that US President Donald Trump’s recent ultimatum, reducing the window for a peace deal from 50 to 10 days, was a clear and powerful message to the Kremlin.
“These signals need to be followed up with decisive action for the war to end,” Yermak said, emphasizing Ukraine’s support for Trump’s firm stance on peace through strength — “the only language Putin understands.”
Sanctions needed: Rosatom, Gazprombank, and the shadow fleet
Yermak detailed a series of urgent sanctions Ukraine is calling for:
Rosatom and Roscosmos: Strategic instruments of war that must face full-scale sanctions.
Gazprombank: Still connected to SWIFT — must be cut off, alongside other smaller banks helping Russia evade restrictions.
Microchips and Electronics: An embargo on components Russia obtains via China and Central Asia, fueling its drone and missile production.
The Shadow Fleet: Sanctions on tankers and operators circumventing oil price caps — a crucial step to collapse Putin’s war financing.
“The tools to stop Russia exist. What is needed is the political will to use them with precision and force,” Yermak stated.
He highlighted the urgent need for targeted pressure, noting that the global community has the levers to stop the Kremlin’s military machine but only if wielded with precision and bold leadership.
US Trump’s oil tariffs rattled the Kremlin
Yermak praised Trump’s move to raise tariffs on India for buying Russian oil, calling it “a great first step” that caused panic in Moscow, and stressed that more must follow.
He also voiced support for the bipartisan bill by Senators Lindsey Graham and Richard Blumenthal, which would impose secondary sanctions on third-country firms aiding Russia’s war economy.
“Thousands of lives depend on the success of what follows,” Yermak concluded.
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A fire broke out at a railway in southern Russia’s Rostov Oblast overnight on 5 August after a reported drone attack. Local footage geolocated by independent analysts shows flames near the Tatsinskaya station and nearby infrastructure. Russian officials claim the attack was repelled. The station is located 250 km behind the lines.
The strike on Tatsinskaya station is part of Ukraine’s new broader campaign targeting military and logistics infrastructure in southern Russia. In recent weeks, Ukrain
A fire broke out at a railway in southern Russia’s Rostov Oblast overnight on 5 August after a reported drone attack. Local footage geolocated by independent analysts shows flames near the Tatsinskaya station and nearby infrastructure. Russian officials claim the attack was repelled. The station is located 250 km behind the lines.
The strike on Tatsinskaya station is part of Ukraine’s new broader campaign targeting military and logistics infrastructure in southern Russia. In recent weeks, Ukrainian forces have intensified attacks on railway substations, fuel convoys, and other facilities. The railway in Rostov Oblast remains vital for supporting Russian military operations in the south amid the ongoing war. Russian military logistics is heavily dependent on railway transportation.
Fire confirmed near railway in Rostov Oblast after drone strike
Ukrainian Telegram channels Supernova+ and Exilenova+ reported that a fire occurred near the Tatsinskaya station in Rostov Oblast following a drone strike. According to Supernova+, the intended target may have been a fuel train, but the impact ignited grass instead. The video shared by Supernova+ shows fire in the vicinity of the station and a local grain elevator.
The Russian Ministry of Defense claimed that 24 drones were downed overnight across four regions, including seven over Rostov Oblast. It alleged that 13 UAVs were destroyed over Bryansk Oblast, two over Kaluga Oblast, and two over Smolensk Oblast.
Russian news Telegram channel Astra cited local residents who reported a fire in the Tatsinskaya area after the strike. Astra geolocated footage of the incident, identifying the red water tower and the grain elevator visible at the railway site.
Officials downplay incident as fire
Yurii Slyusar, acting governor of Rostov Oblast, stated that Russian forces allegedly repelled a mass air attack in several districts, including Millerovsky, Chertkovsky, Tatsinsky, and Belaya Kalitva. He claimed that an electric substation in Verkhnetalovka, Millerovsky district, had burned and that the 500-square-meter blaze had been put out.
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Pressure on Russia must be intensified, as it will undoubtedly contribute to peace, President Volodymyr Zelensky said following another Russian attack on Ukraine.
Pressure on Russia must be intensified, as it will undoubtedly contribute to peace, President Volodymyr Zelensky said following another Russian attack on Ukraine.
Fighters from the Ukrainian Defense Ministry's Main Intelligence Directorate (HUR) carried out a special operation in the Sumy sector, penetrating enemy lines and defeating more than eight Russian assault companies.
Fighters from the Ukrainian Defense Ministry's Main Intelligence Directorate (HUR) carried out a special operation in the Sumy sector, penetrating enemy lines and defeating more than eight Russian assault companies.
Russia’s Lozova drone strike killed a railway worker and injured civilians, including two teenagers, during Russia’s heaviest drone and missile attack on the city since the start of the full-scale war. According to the Ukrainian Air Force and local officials, the assault overnight on 5 August 2025 involved 46 Shahed-type and decoy UAVs, and a ballistic Iskander-M missile.
The attack comes as President Trump has earlier given Russia a 10-day deadline to enter ceasefire talks. Russia has launched
Russia’s Lozova drone strike killed a railway worker and injured civilians, including two teenagers, during Russia’s heaviest drone and missile attack on the city since the start of the full-scale war. According to the Ukrainian Air Force and local officials, the assault overnight on 5 August 2025 involved 46 Shahed-type and decoy UAVs, and a ballistic Iskander-M missile.
The attack comes as President Trump has earlier given Russia a 10-day deadline to enter ceasefire talks. Russia has launched daily drone attacks against Ukrainian civilians for years and has sharply intensified the campaign in 2025. It now targets not only frontline areas but also rear cities, striking homes, hospitals, schools, and vital infrastructure. These attacks aim to sow terror, break morale, and pressure Ukraine and its allies.
Russia targets Lozova with 46 drones and a missile
The Ukrainian Air Force reported that from 19:00 on 4 August, Russia launched an air attack from the directions of Kursk, Bryansk, Oryol, and Primorsko-Akhtarsk in Russia, using Shahed drones, UAV decoys of various types, and an Iskander-M missile from Bryansk Oblast.
Ukraine’s air defenses, including aviation, anti-aircraft missile units, electronic warfare, and mobile fire groups, intercepted or suppressed 29 drones by 08:00.
“Hits from 17 drones were recorded in the eastern direction, as well as one ballistic missile, and debris from downed drones fell in three locations in the southern and northeastern directions,” the Air Force wrote.
Railway worker killed, children injured in Lozova
In Lozova, Kharkiv Oblast, a massive drone strike killed one person and injured others, local authorities reported. The mayor of Lozova, Serhii Zelenskyy, said that critical infrastructure, high-rise buildings, detached houses, and an educational institution were damaged. He noted that emergency services, medics, and rescue workers were operating on site and that restoration of water supply was underway.
Zelenskyy added that parts of the city remained without power, including Avylivka and the Katerynivskyi district. Public transport routes were also affected.
Railway operator Ukrzaliznytsia reported that one railway mechanic was killed and four other rail workers were injured during the strike. The local prosecutor’s office later added that the Russian attack also injured a 13-year-old girl and a 14-year-old boy.
Rail station damaged, fires reported, transport disrupted
Images released by the Kharkiv Oblast Prosecutor’s Office show damage at the Lozova railway station, including a collapsed roof. The station was temporarily closed, and changes were introduced to suburban train services, the city council and Ukrzaliznytsia reported.
Trains Nos. 66/65 and 166/165 on the Uman–Cherkasy–Kharkiv route were redirected via an alternate path. Passengers to and from Lozova were being transported by bus to the Paniutyne station. Ukrzaliznytsia warned of delays of up to one hour due to use of a reserve locomotive.
According to the State Emergency Service, six fires broke out in Lozova as a result of the drone strike. Destruction of other buildings was also recorded.
The Kharkiv Oblast Prosecutor’s Office clarified that Russia has used over 30 Shahed-type attack drones — for some reason, the Kharkiv local authorities and prosecutor’s office always refer to them as “Geran-2” by their Russian designation.
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We keep our reporting open and accessible to everyone because we believe in the power of free information. This is why our small, cost-effective team depends on the support of readers like you to bring deliver timely news, quality analysis, and on-the-ground reports about Russia's war against Ukraine and Ukraine's struggle to build a democratic society.
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Russia’s 137× drone surge wasn’t magic—it was Chinese engines labeled “fridges”. Ukraine faced just 40 drone attacks monthly in 2022. Now it’s over 5,000—using Cold War engines China ships as “refrigerators.”
Digital defense for activists & journalists in conflict zones: A comprehensive security guide. Digital defense in conflict zones requires a comprehensive, layered approach combining technical security measures with operational discipline and legal awareness
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We keep our reporting open and accessible to everyone because we believe in the power of free information. This is why our small, cost-effective team depends on the support of readers like you to bring deliver timely news, quality analysis, and on-the-ground reports about Russia's war against Ukraine and Ukraine's struggle to build a democratic society.
Between the morning of August 4 and the morning of August 5, Russian forces carried out 110 strikes across 36 settlements in Ukraine's northeastern Sumy region.
Between the morning of August 4 and the morning of August 5, Russian forces carried out 110 strikes across 36 settlements in Ukraine's northeastern Sumy region.
In the Kharkiv region, three people were killed and ten others injured over the past 24 hours as a result of Russian strikes, including two children among the wounded.
In the Kharkiv region, three people were killed and ten others injured over the past 24 hours as a result of Russian strikes, including two children among the wounded.
Ryazan oil refinery, operated by the Rosneft oil company, has halted around half its refining capacity since August 2 following a Ukrainian drone attack last week.
Ryazan oil refinery, operated by the Rosneft oil company, has halted around half its refining capacity since August 2 following a Ukrainian drone attack last week.
On August 4, 151 combat clashes between the Ukrainian Armed Forces and Russian invaders were recorded on the front line, with the most intense battles being near Pokrovsk and Lyman.
On August 4, 151 combat clashes between the Ukrainian Armed Forces and Russian invaders were recorded on the front line, with the most intense battles being near Pokrovsk and Lyman.
The total combat losses of Russian troops since the start of the full-scale invasion of Ukraine, from February 24, 2022, to August 5, 2025, amount to about 1,058,260 people, of which 1,120 were lost yesterday.
The total combat losses of Russian troops since the start of the full-scale invasion of Ukraine, from February 24, 2022, to August 5, 2025, amount to about 1,058,260 people, of which 1,120 were lost yesterday.
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