Today, there are interesting updates from the Russian alliance. Here, India, a key member of the Russian BRICS alliance, surrendered to the threat of devastating US sanctions and is about to cut economic ties with Russia. The danger of a heavy economic hit had an immediate effect, putting another nail in the coffin of what was advertised by the Russians to be an alliance that would dominate world politics and economics.

Trump slaps 25% tariff, warns of 100% hike

India has dramatically folded under US economic pressure, triggered by the US imposing a 25% tariff on Indian goods over New Delhi’s continued purchase of Russian oil and military equipment. US President Donald Trump also threatened with additional penalties over this continued practice by India and mentioned that the tariffs could rise to 100% if necessary.

US trade leverage hits India’s strategic plans

The US’s announcement severely impacted India’s strategic planning, given that the United States remains India’s largest trade partner, accounting for roughly 18% of its exports, with bilateral trade totaling $186 billion in 2024 and 2025. With a $41 billion trade surplus and significant service-sector revenues at stake, India’s margins risked severe erosion if the proposed tariffs materialized.

Indian refineries stop buying Russian oil overnight

Facing the clear and immediate danger of substantial economic harm, Indian state refineries swiftly ceased all purchases of Russian crude oil. Prior to Trump’s ultimatum, India imported roughly 87.4 million tons of Russian oil annually, forming about 35% of its total crude imports, worth approximately $50.2 billion. This sudden reversal is a strategic blow to Russia, as Indian refiners—especially state-run enterprises controlling more than 60% of India’s 5.2 million barrels-per-day refining capacity—were major buyers of Russian oil.

India switches to Middle East and West African oil

Indian companies like Indian Oil and Bharat Petroleum have shifted to immediate delivery markets, rapidly replacing Russian crude primarily with Middle Eastern varieties from Abu Dhabi and West Africa at an impressively quick rate. India’s abrupt reversal significantly undermines Russia’s economic position; following Europe’s embargo on Russian energy, India emerged as Russia’s single largest oil importer, acquiring around 1.8 million barrels per day at its peak. Bilateral trade between India and Russia had surged to over $65 billion in 2024, mostly fueled by oil and fertilizer sales.

BRICS vision falters as US economic power prevails

Now, with India withdrawing from major Russian oil deals, Moscow faces an imminent crisis as they must rapidly seek alternative markets. Otherwise, Russia would have to deal with selling now large unsold stockpiles through steep discounts, creating an even more severe budget deficit, already expected to reach over $100 billion by the end of the year, and further undermine its already strained wartime economy.

Ironically, India’s announcement arrived just hours after a bold statement by former Russian President Dmitry Medvedev, who publicly mocked Trump’s threats, confidently dismissing concerns over US tariffs. Trump had earlier mocked Russia and India as “dead economies”, declaring indifference toward their economic fates and directly warning Medvedev against further provocations. The swift Indian capitulation underlines a broader geopolitical implication: despite Moscow’s ambitious claims about the rise of a BRICS-led order, the reality remains starkly different.

In our regular frontline report, we pair up with the military blogger Reporting from Ukraine to keep you informed about what is happening on the battlefield in the Russo-Ukrainian war.

Russian forces struck the major Ukrainian industrial city of Zaporizhzhia on Sunday evening, hitting its Central Bus Station and a medical university clinic with guided aerial bombs (KABs). The attack injured 20 people and damaged multiple buildings, according to local authorities.

The strikes occurred just days before a high-stakes meeting between US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska on 15 August. The summit—expected to address the war in Ukraine—has prompted warnings from Kyiv and European leaders that no peace deal should be negotiated without Ukraine’s direct participation.

Two targets, significant damage

Zaporizhzhia Regional Military Administration head Ivan Fedorov said one KAB hit the Central Bus Station and another exploded near the Zaporizhzhia Medical University clinic. Both locations sustained structural damage. Initial reports suggest no one inside the clinic was hurt.

Russian forces hit Zaporizhzhia’s bus station & a medical clinic with 2 guided bombs, injuring 20.

Strike comes 5 days before the Trump–Putin summit.

Security video captures a glide bomb striking the station.

Video: Ivan Fedorov pic.twitter.com/iJSl2ssfhx

— Euromaidan Press (@EuromaidanPress) August 10, 2025

Casualties and emergency response

Authorities confirmed 20 civilians were injured, suffering multiple blast wounds to limbs, heads, and abdominal areas. Rescue workers, medics, and police are on the scene.

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy condemned the strikes as part of Russia’s ongoing war of destruction:

“Across the entire front line and in our border cities, Russia continues to take lives. They are not seeking peace — they are seeking a way to kill Ukraine. If Russia does not want to stop the war, then its economy must be stopped.”

He called for stronger sanctions and greater international pressure, particularly from the United States and Europe.

Ongoing regional escalation

A day earlier, on 9 August, Russian shelling in Zaporizhzhia Oblast killed three people and wounded another, police said. Over the past 24 hours, Russian forces have attacked 15 settlements, launching nearly 500 strikes with aircraft, artillery, multiple-launch rocket systems (MLRS), and drones.

A patchwork of Ukrainian drone units is dug in along a battered stretch of the Donetsk front, near the border with Dnipropetrovsk Oblast. Russian assaults have intensified in recent months as Moscow pushes to widen the battlefield and sap Ukrainian defenses.

From makeshift bunkers and trenches, drone operators now work around the clock to fend off infantry advances and fast-moving motorcycle charges.

Precision jamming from underground dugouts

Deep inside a narrow dugout, Vladyslav – known by his callsign “Vitamin” from the 141st Separate Mechanized Brigade – monitors the generator powering an electronic warfare system known as “Damba,” designed to disrupt incoming enemy drones.

“This device is used against [First-Person View] FPV drones,” he explains. “When a Russian drone is flying, the guys in the RPU intercept its frequencies and take over control. They switch on Damba and jam it.”

Vladyslav, who transferred to this position in March after serving with the 87th Battalion, now monitors and maintains the Damba system.

“My task is to make sure it’s running. If there’s a failure, they message me in the chat. I’ll go reset it or check if a branch hit the antenna.”

The system, he adds, isn’t overly complicated to manage, but it’s essential.

“The work isn’t hard, but it’s necessary. At minimum, it takes two people. You can’t be here alone.”

Above ground, in camouflaged bunkers nearby, a small crew sits behind computer monitors, mapping the skies.

“They adjust the altitude, intercept the video feed, and calculate the direction. One handles the video, another tracks location, and a third jams the signal,” says Vladyslav.

Typically, the system targets FPV drones flying at altitudes of around 150 meters. “They set it to 160, and that’s it. It hits them.”

More from the frontlines

Inside the secret workshops where Ukraine’s hipster engineers build killer drones

Frequency coordination and tactical risks

But even as they jam Russian drones, they must tread carefully to avoid interfering with their own. “Our drone guys ask us not to touch certain frequencies. They’re flying too. We leave those untouched.” When properly coordinated, electronic warfare systems like Damba won’t disrupt Ukraine’s own drone flights.

“You can’t jam everything at once – it only works on certain frequency bands,” explains Lyuba Shipovich, CEO of Dignitas Ukraine.

Still, there’s a risk. “The Russians might see which frequencies we’re not touching and guess where the system is placed,” he admits. “But Damba can hit from 200 meters to 2 or 3 kilometers away. It’s designed so they can’t pinpoint where it is.”

The team is operating from a fresh position with newly deployed equipment. “These are two new Dambas. We’ve never been at this spot before,” he says. “This is our fifth day here.”

Building Ukraine’s 1,500-kilometer electronic warfare wall

They are just one node in a far larger web of electronic warfare tools that Ukraine is racing to deploy across the front. One Kyiv-based firm, Kvertus, is working to create a 1,500-kilometer “drone wall” made up of thousands of detectors and jammers.

Known as Atlas, the system would offer a unified battlefield picture and the ability to jam incoming FPV drones at scale.

The company’s Mirage jammers were designed after operational experience with foreign systems showed limitations. Each unit can disrupt signals from 0 to 6,000 MHz and can run for up to 20 hours. Importantly, they operate autonomously and don’t require soldiers to manually activate the jamming.

“Too many people have died like that,” says Serhii Skoryk, a former officer who now helps lead Kvertus. “Even the smallest drones can fly at 80 miles per hour, so every minute counts.”

The constant cat-and-mouse frequency game

But building a wall of jammers is only half the battle. “It’s a constant cat-and-mouse game,” says Shipovich. Frequencies on the battlefield are not static. “They can change within a single day. If the enemy sees that a frequency range like 5.2 GHz isn’t jammed, they’ll start using it.”

Even within a single frequency band, there are thousands of combinations to account for and power matters. “If your radio signal is stronger than the jammer’s, it can still overcome interference,” she adds.

“Both sides are trying to build an EW wall,” Shipovich says, “but it’s not a literal wall, it’s a contested network of jammers that must constantly evolve to survive.”

Ukrainian units are also combining jamming with direct attacks.

“We’ve had missions where fiber-optic drones were used to strike targets after deploying EW beacons,” said Bohdan, also known as “Bandera,” a drone pilot from the Unmanned Systems Battalion of Ukraine’s 110th Separate Mechanized Brigade.

From camouflage specialist to electronic warfare operator

For Vladyslav, the enemy threat remains constant on the front. “Same strikes, same shelling,” he says with a shrug. “It’s not scary anymore. I’ve gotten used to it.”

His first deployment in early 2024 was much different. Back then, he was part of an engineering battalion working in Zaporizhzhia Oblast. “I was a camouflage specialist. It was the scariest time,” he recalls. “There were no bunkers, nowhere to hide. We just ran.”

One time, he says, he got caught in barbed wire and couldn’t free himself. “I had to cut myself loose with medical scissors. Sliced up my pants.”

Now the nature of war has changed.

“This isn’t a traditional war. It’s a war of drones,” he says. “A war of technology.”

Drones are everywhere, and soldiers like Vladyslav can’t sleep without the background noise of explosions. “I can’t fall asleep if it’s quiet,” he admits. “When I went back home for a few days, I couldn’t sleep the first night.”

What scares him most isn’t what he sees. It’s what he doesn’t.

“The worst sound is the one I don’t know where it’s coming from. If I’m in a bunker and can’t tell where the danger is, that’s when it’s scary.”

Tanks are terrifying in their own right, he adds, but in a different way. “You don’t hear the shot. You only hear the impact. You don’t know when it’s coming.”

He laughs about it now, but only half-seriously. “I’m not scared when our tank is working. That’s fun. But then it leaves. And the Russians don’t know it’s gone. So they fire back.”

As the interview wraps up, the system beeps. “There, it activated,” he says, pointing to the Damba. “They’ve set the altitude. That means a drone is either in the air or about to be.”

Then, calmly, he adds, “It’s being jammed already.”

David Kirichenko

David Kirichenko is a freelance journalist covering Ukraine and Eastern Europe. He can be found on the social media platform X @DVKirichenko.

The United States will no longer finance the war in Ukraine and is determined to push for its swift conclusion, Vice President JD Vance said in a Fox News interview on Sunday.

Just days before a highly anticipated summit scheduled for 15 August in Alaska between US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin, Washington is working to explore a ceasefire and potential peace agreement. Trump has openly suggested the discussions may involve “some swapping of territory” — a proposal firmly rejected by Ukraine and its European allies.

“If Europeans want to take the lead and buy weapons from American manufacturers, we’re fine with that — but we won’t be funding it ourselves anymore,” Vance said.

Push for negotiations

Vance confirmed the US is working to coordinate talks between Trump, Putin, and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, though he said a Putin–Zelenskyy meeting before the Trump–Putin summit would likely be unproductive.

“Of course, we condemn the invasion and dislike the current situation, but peace must be achieved — and the only way to do that is to sit down and talk,” he said.

He added that while Trump is skeptical about the chances of success, the President believes talks should be given a chance.

Based on current front lines

Vance emphasized that Washington seeks a settlement based on the existing line of contact, noting that “both sides will likely be unhappy” — a sign, he said, of a real compromise.

Trump has claimed Russia and Ukraine are close to a ceasefire that could end the three-and-a-half-year-old conflict, potentially requiring Ukraine to cede significant territory. Discussions on a possible territorial exchange are expected to continue in the coming days.

Zelenskyy, however, insists Ukraine cannot violate its constitution on territorial matters and that “Ukrainians will not gift their land to the occupiers.”

China sanctions under consideration

Vance also said Trump is considering sanctions against China for importing Russian oil but has not yet made a final decision.

A White House official confirmed that Trump is open to a three-way summit with Putin and Zelenskyy but is currently preparing for the bilateral meeting requested by Putin.

A drone attack struck the Komi Republic, located about 2,000 km from Ukraine’s border, marking the first such incident since Russia’s full-scale invasion began. An air raid alert was declared in Ukhta, local officials confirmed.

The strike unfolded just days before a highly anticipated summit scheduled for 15 August in Alaska between US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin, intended to explore a ceasefire and potential peace agreement. Trump has openly suggested the discussions may involve “some swapping of territory,” a proposal strongly rejected by Ukraine and its European allies.

Oil refinery targeted

Telegram channels and eyewitnesses said the Lukoil-Ukhtaneftepererabotka oil refinery was the target. Residents reported loud explosions, followed by the arrival of fire trucks, ambulances, and other emergency crews. One drone reportedly crashed near the plant, but no fires or hazardous emissions were recorded.

Ukraine hits Komi for the first time — 2,000 km from the front.

Drones struck the Lukoil refinery in Ukhta, damaging fuel tanks & a gas unit supplying Russian forces.

Analyst Yan Matveev notes the UAV had long wings, glider-like, clearly built for range. pic.twitter.com/5jdx6NNUUe

— Euromaidan Press (@EuromaidanPress) August 10, 2025

Evacuations and service disruptions

The Syktyvkar No. 12 channel reported evacuations at the Yarmarka shopping mall and the nearby refinery. Residents in Ukhta and Syktyvkar experienced mobile internet outages, and flights at Ukhta airport were temporarily restricted, according to Rosaviatsiya. Acting Komi head Rostislav Goldstein said no one was injured.

Ukrainian intelligence claims responsibility

RBC-Ukraine, citing sources at Ukraine’s Main Directorate of Intelligence (HUR), reported the attack was part of a special operation against a facility supplying fuel and lubricants to Russian forces. Ukrainian sources said drones hit a fuel storage tank, causing a spill, and damaged a gas-condensate processing unit used for producing propane-butane and gasoline.

Part of a broader strike pattern

Recent days have seen multiple drone attacks deep inside Russia:

• Krasnodar Krai (Afipsky Refinery) – Damaged in a Ukrainian drone strike confirmed on 8 August, targeting a gas-condensate processing unit.
• Saratov Oblast – Explosions and fire at an oil refinery overnight 10 August.

Komi, until now untouched by the war, has become the latest target in a widening campaign of long-range strikes.

Today, as Russian authorities were trying to repair the damage to oil refineries from previous Ukrainian attacks, the Ukrainians dealt them another devastating blow. By starting a new wave of strikes with long-range drones, the Ukrainian army targeted Russian oil production facilities to disrupt this key enemy source of income. Ukrainian forces have reignited their strategic campaign against Russia’s oil infrastructure, resuming targeted drone strikes on critical refineries after a calculated pause.

Kyiv strikes just as Russia finishes costly repairs

After concentrating on disabling Russian air defenses and radars in the past month, Ukrainian military leaders patiently allowed Russia to begin costly restoration efforts at previously damaged facilities. Once Russian repair crews and specialized equipment were fully engaged, Ukrainian drones decisively struck again, inflicting severe economic and logistical damage while simultaneously eroding Russia’s internal narrative of security.

Liutyi drones set Samara’s Novokuybyshevsk refinery ablaze

In Samara Oblast, Ukrainian long-range Liutyi drones successfully attacked the Novokuybyshevsk Petrochemical Company, one of Russia’s largest oil-processing plants. Drone strikes severely damaged the facility’s primary oil refining unit, critical for crude purification and fractioning processes into gasoline, diesel, kerosene, and fuel oil. Videos confirm large-scale fires burning uncontrollably for hours, forcing authorities to shut down Samara airport and restrict mobile internet access to control information leaks. The Novokuybyshevsk refinery alone represents a daily capacity of over 177,000 barrels—almost 5% of Russia’s national refining capability.

Ryazan refinery hit, fuel lifeline to bomber base severed

In a similar attack, Ukrainian drones struck the Ryazan refinery, number 3 in Russia’s largest oil refineries, processing 340,000 barrels daily. This refinery produces 840,000 tons of aviation kerosene annually, nearly 9% of Russia’s total output, a vital resource for Russian air operations. It is situated next to—and directly supplies—the Dyagilevo strategic bomber airbase, from where Russian bombers target Ukrainian cities and military bases deep behind combat lines. Footage captured massive fires and explosions, contradicting official Russian claims of minor damage.

Russian air defenses crack under pressure, Sochi hit

Such strikes significantly degrade Russia’s capability to sustain air operations, directly benefiting Ukrainian defense efforts. Russia’s strained air defenses, already weakened by relentless Ukrainian targeting, are becoming increasingly ineffective, forcing Moscow to deploy outdated systems and rush production of air defense missiles, causing more defects. Such desperation recently resulted in a friendly fire incident near Sochi, where a Russian missile intended for a Ukrainian drone veered toward urban areas, causing civilian casualties.

Southern fuel depots in flames after precision drone strikes

Meanwhile, Ukrainian drone strikes inflicted serious damage on oil storage depots in Sochi and Adler, igniting tanks at Lukoil and Rosneft facilities. Krasnodar Governor Veniamin Kondratyev confirmed deployment of over 120 firefighters to control the blaze at a major depot storing 2,000 cubic meters of fuel. Yet, local authorities responded by attempting to identify and punish residents who shared visual evidence of the successful strikes online.

Kstovo and Volgograd refineries burn in renewed attacks

Additionally, Ukraine hit the refinery in Kstovo near Nizhny Novgorod, an already damaged facility previously targeted in January. The renewed strike represents Ukraine’s tactic of exploiting Russian vulnerabilities after costly restoration efforts. Another drone attack sparked a large fire at an oil facility in Volgograd, underscoring Ukraine’s renewed campaign against Russian oil infrastructure.

Repeat-strike tactics drain Russia’s war resources

The strategic secret behind Ukraine’s approach lies in carefully timed repetition strikes. Allowing Russians to rebuild and re-staff targeted refineries before striking again magnifies economic damage and drains resources. The psychological impact on Russian society is equally devastating, publicly demonstrating the Kremlin’s inability to secure vital assets. This persistent vulnerability undermines the government’s image, dismantles official assurances of safety, and weakens public morale.

Overall, these coordinated drone assaults degrade Russia’s military capacity, cut critical fuel supplies, and limit oil export revenues used to fund the war.

In our regular frontline report, we pair up with the military blogger Reporting from Ukraine to keep you informed about what is happening on the battlefield in the Russo-Ukrainian war.

Ukraine’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs has condemned remarks by Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico, who compared Ukraine to “grass” that suffers when “elephants” fight, referring to the upcoming Trump-Putin meeting in Alaska.

The Ukrainian foreign ministry called Fico’s comments “openly offensive rhetoric” against Ukraine and its people.

“It is regrettable that the head of government of a European Union member state allows himself openly offensive rhetoric towards Ukraine and the Ukrainian people, who heroically fight Russian aggression every day, restraining it on their land in the interests of the security of all Europe,” the ministry reported.

Fico made the remarks while commenting on the scheduled 15 August negotiations between US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska regarding ending Russia’s war against Ukraine.

The Slovak leader invoked what he called an African proverb: “Remember the old African truth that I so love to repeat? Whether elephants are fighting or having sex, the grass always suffers. However the negotiations of the elephants end on 15 August, the grass will suffer – in this case, Ukraine.”

The Ukrainian foreign ministry warned the Slovak politician against using “unfriendly folkloric allegories” and accused him of attempting to “raise his party’s political ratings through such statements,” calling this “frivolity.”

“Against this backdrop, Robert Fico’s statements are dissonant with the spirit of good neighbourliness, solidarity and mutual respect that the Slovak people have demonstrated towards Ukraine throughout this time. Therefore, with his statements, Mr. Fico insults his own people as well,” the foreign ministry said.

The diplomatic exchange comes after the expiration of Trump’s 10-day deadline to the Kremlin on 8 August, after which the US could have imposed secondary sanctions against Russia. However, no such sanctions were implemented. Instead, Trump announced he would meet Putin on 15 August in Alaska, stating he was awaiting Putin’s response regarding progress in peace negotiations.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said that Ukraine is prepared to work with the US leader and international partners for just peace, but ruled out any territorial concessions to Russia.

Ukrainian wakeboarder Sofia Sokolova secured a silver medal at the 2025 World Games taking place in Chengdu, China, according to ukrainska Pravda Champion.

The 17-year-old Ukrainian athlete finished second in the wakesurfing final with 50 points, trailing only Canada’s Bailey Rush who took gold. South Korea’s Juhi Moon claimed the bronze medal.

The wakesurfing competition marks the conclusion of Sokolova’s participation at the Games. Her silver medal represents Ukraine’s ninth medal at the China-hosted competition, contributing to the country’s fifth-place position in the overall medal standings.

Ukraine’s delegation has accumulated four gold medals, four silver medals, and one bronze medal at the Chengdu Games. Germany leads the medal table with nine gold medals and 21 total medals.

The day before Sokolova’s wakesurfing achievement, Ukrainian dragon boat rowers added four medals to the national tally, including two gold medals. Brazilian jiu-jitsu competitor Bohdan Mochulsky advanced to the semi-finals of his competition.

The 2025 World Games are taking place from 7-17 August in Chengdu, marking the first time China has hosted the multi-sport event. This represents the first inclusion of wakesurfing in World Games competition, making it a historic debut for the discipline.

The wakeboarding and water skiing events are being held at Sancha Lake in Chengdu, with competition running from 8-10 August.

The Ukrainian Armed Forces General Staff has confirmed that Ukrainian drones struck the Saratov oil refinery in Russia during a nighttime operation, the military command announced.

“Tonight, the Unmanned Systems Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, in cooperation with other components of the Defense Forces, struck the Saratov oil refinery (Saratov Oblast, Russia),” the General Staff reported.

According to military officials, the drone strikes resulted in explosions and fire at the facility. The Saratov refinery processes up to 7 million tons of oil annually and serves as a key fuel infrastructure facility supplying petroleum products to occupying forces.

The General Staff said that Ukrainian defense forces continue operations aimed at reducing Russia’s military-economic potential to force an end to its aggression against Ukraine.

“Every targeted facility on the territory of the Russian Federation involved in supporting its criminal war against Ukraine brings us closer to a just peace,” the military command stated.

The attack occurred on the night of 10 August, when drones targeted the refinery in the Russian city of Saratov, triggering a large-scale fire at the facility.

Ukraine’s defence forces have liberated the village of Bezsalivka in Sumy Oblast from Russian occupying forces, the General Staff of Ukraine’s Armed Forces reported on 10 August.

The operation involved units from the 33rd Assault Regiment and 24th Assault Battalion, according to the General Staff’s statement. Ukrainian forces eliminated 18 Russian soldiers during the fighting, though this claim could not be independently verified.

Bezsalivka, a village of 91 residents located on the Volfa River at the border with Russia, sits within the Bilopillia territorial community. The village’s position places it approximately 30 kilometers west of heavier fighting elsewhere in Sumy Oblast, where Russian troops have advanced to within 30 kilometers of the regional capital.

According to Yurii Zark, head of the Bilopillia community, several residents remained in Bezsalivka as of early July despite refusing evacuation offers.

The liberation represents part of Ukraine’s recent counteroffensive efforts in the border oblast. Ukrainian forces pushed Russian forces out of several small villages at the end of July, following a period when Ukraine’s defence of the area stabilized over June.

The fighting intensifies more than two months after Russia opened this northeastern front. Russian forces made significant gains on Ukraine’s side of Sumy Oblast over May and June, shortly after Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered the military to begin creating a “security buffer zone” along the border with Ukraine.

The current operations follow Ukraine’s earlier successes in the oblast. On 25 July, the 225th Assault Regiment completed clearing and securing the village of Kindrativka in Sumy Oblast. In June, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced that defence forces had succeeded in pushing Russian troops from Sumy Oblast’s border areas, including the liberation of Andriivka.

The border areas have experienced increased fighting after Ukrainian forces withdrew from territory held in Russia’s neighboring Kursk Oblast, which was taken during Ukraine’s cross-border incursion in summer 2024.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said on 10 August that ending the war against Ukraine must be honest and serve the security interests of European nations.

“The end of the war must be fair, and I am grateful to all those who are now with Ukraine, with our people for the sake of peace in Ukraine, which defends the vital security interests of our European peoples,” Zelenskyy said.

The Ukrainian leader emphasized his country’s support for a joint declaration by major European leaders regarding peace for Ukraine. The statement was issued by French President Emmanuel Macron, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, and Finnish President Alexander Stubb.

The European leaders’ declaration preceded Zelenskyy’s remarks, calling on US President Donald Trump to conduct negotiations with Russian leader Vladimir Putin only under specific conditions. The European officials demanded a ceasefire and guarantees protecting “vital security interests of Ukraine and Europe” as prerequisites for any peace talks.

The timing of Zelenskyy’s statement coincides with ongoing diplomatic efforts to establish parameters for potential negotiations. The Ukrainian president’s emphasis on fairness reflects his administration’s position that any settlement must address European security concerns beyond Ukraine’s borders.

Exclusives

Ukraine’s Leopard tanks roll into Pokrovsk as 100,000 Russians tighten the ring. The battered coal-mining village is all that stands between Russian forces and Pokrovsk’s encirclement.

Ukraine’s Liutyi drone warhead grew by 50%—at the cost of 400 km of range. Something changed in Ukraine’s long-range drones. Their targets are suffering more damage, and the answer might be in the payload.

Boosting work efficiency with Mini PCs: A smart solution for modern businesses. These devices offer a unique combination of space-saving design and robust performance, making them suitable for a wide range of applications in the workplace

Military

At Dobropillia’s edge, Ukrainian conscripts from Donetsk streets join 100,000 Russian troops in fight against their own country. Criminals, migrants, and abducted locals are waiting to be sent to the front.

Black clouds of smoke rise over Tatarstan as Ukrainian 75-kg warhead drones decimate Shahed storage 1,300 km inside Russia. Operation reportedly destroys attack drones and foreign components at a facility supplying terror attacks.

ISW: Give up your fortress belt shield, take nothing in return—Putin’s ceasefire pitch to Ukraine. ISW says Russia lacks the means to capture the fortress belt in Donetsk Oblast, so it wants Ukraine to abandon it.

Locals watch Lithuanian coast guard chasing Russian marine drone launched from Kaliningrad. Coast guard chases the drone near Nida as Lithuania accelerates defense spending amid mounting Russian provocations.

Intelligence and Technology

Russian new tugboat sinks in Saint Petersburg — another blow to fleet crippled by Ukraine’s strikes. Launched less than three years ago, this vessel, designed for ice and open-water missions, now rests partially submerged.

Old Czechoslovak Z-137 AgroTurbo cropduster goes from crop fields to Ukraine’s drone battlefront. The agricultural plane is now a guided drone killer working with radar teams to protect cities.

International

Ukraine is not real estate deal: Ukrainians see Trump’s land concession proposal as betrayal. Kyiv warns the West’s secret talks risk chaining Ukraine’s fate to a handshake with Moscow that will be broken before the ink dries.

Russia creates diplomatic crisis, stranding 96 Ukrainian prisoners from occupied territories at Georgian border

. For weeks, Russia has been dropping Ukrainians at Georgia’s border, where they live in limbo under tin roofs and the threat of winter.

Canada joins EU and UK in slashing Russian oil price cap to $47.60 — Japan and US stay out for now. The new coordinated move aims to choke Russian crude profits without disrupting markets. Moscow uses the export revenues to fund its war in Ukraine.

Zelenskyy to Trump-Putin’s plan for Ukraine to cede territory to Russia: Ukrainian land is not yours to trade. The Ukrainian president calls any surrender of land unconstitutional and unacceptable.

Axios: US, Ukraine, and NATO allies rush to high-stakes UK meeting to forge united stance before Trump meets Putin. Diplomats are scrambling to close gaps and prevent any deal that could lock in Russian territorial gains.

Trump’s Russia deadline expires without sanctions — now he’s flying Putin to Alaska for “peace” talks. The president has dropped pressure on Moscow in favor of a summit featuring Ukraine’s territorial swap proposals.

Humanitarian and Social Impact

Russia’s Iskanders from occupied Zaporizhzhia Oblast hit Dnipro — three civilians in hospital after dawn strike. Russia launched two Iskander-K missiles and 47 drones overnight, hitting several cities and towns in the morning.

Political and Legal Developments

G4Media: Romania investigates Russia over chlorine-tainted Azerbaijani oil bound for Europe. Authorities say the contamination could have corroded Petrobrazi refinery equipment, sparking a severe fuel shortage and disrupting European supplies.

Read our earlier daily review here.

Seven European leaders published a joint statement on the early morning of 10 August addressed to the leaders of the United States and Russia.

The statement was released after midnight Central European Time by the press services of France, Italy, Germany, Poland, Britain, the European Commission, and Finland.

The emergency declaration responds to preparations for a Trump-Putin meeting preliminarily scheduled for 15 August and outlines peace negotiation terms considered crucial by the European signatories.

“We welcome President Trump’s work to stop the killing in Ukraine, end the Russian Federation’s war of aggression, and achieve just and lasting peace and security for Ukraine,” the statement reads. The leaders expressed conviction that success requires “an approach that combines active diplomacy, support to Ukraine and pressure on the Russian Federation.”

European officials warned Washington they remain prepared to continue “substantive military and financial support to Ukraine, including through the work of the Coalition of the Willing,” while maintaining existing sanctions and imposing new restrictions against Russia.

The leaders insisted Ukraine must retain “freedom of choice over its own destiny” and declared that “the path to peace in Ukraine cannot be decided without Ukraine.”

The statement specifies that talks can occur only “in the context of a ceasefire or reduction of hostilities.” The European leaders positioned the current contact line as “the starting point of negotiations” while emphasizing that “international borders must not be changed by force.”

The document was signed by President Emmanuel Macron, Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, Chancellor Friedrich Merz, Prime Minister Donald Tusk, Prime Minister Keir Starmer, President Ursula von der Leyen, and President Alexander Stubb. 

Ukraine and several European states presented their negotiation plan to the United States on 15 August. The Trump-Putin meeting is scheduled for Alaska on 15 August amid media reports that Washington and Moscow seek an agreement to halt the war in Ukraine, potentially cementing Russian occupation of Ukrainian territories.

President Zelenskyy responded to these developments by stating that “the answer to the Ukrainian territorial question is already in Ukraine’s Constitution.”

Russian officials reported drone strikes on the Saratov Oblast overnight on 10 August, with a local oil refinery apparently sustaining damage, Governor Roman Busargin said.

The Saratov oil refinery processes up to 7 million tons of crude oil annually, producing vital motor fuels and other petroleum products that supply a significant part of Russia’s domestic market and military needs, having served as a crucial logistics hub since World War II.

The governor confirmed damage at an industrial facility following the drone assault. Busargin claimed debris from a downed drone fell in a residential courtyard, prompting evacuations to a temporary shelter organized at a nearby school. According to the governor’s account, there was one fatality and several injured.

Local residents told the Russian propaganda outlet ASTRA that the Saratov oil refinery came under attack.

Russia’s Defense Ministry reported intercepting 121 drones over Russian Bryansk, Belgorod, Voronezh, Stavropol, Kaluga, Tula, Rostov  and Ryazan oblasts and occupied Crimea during the night.

The Saratov Oblast has faced regular drone attacks. On 1 July, Ukraine’s General Staff confirmed that Defense Forces struck the Saratovgorsintez oil refinery in the Saratov region. Explosions occurred in Saratov and Engels on 5 July, where a Russian airbase is located from which aircraft launch strikes against Ukraine.

The White House is considering inviting Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to Alaska for the planned 15 August meeting between President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin, NBC News reported on 10 August, citing senior US officials and people briefed on internal discussions.

“It’s being discussed,” one person briefed on the discussions told NBC News. A senior administration official described the possibility as “absolutely” viable, adding that “everyone is very hopeful that would happen.”

However, no official invitation has been extended to Zelenskyy, and it remains unclear whether he would ultimately attend any meetings in Alaska. 

“The President remains open to a trilateral summit with both leaders. Right now, the White House is focusing on planning the bilateral meeting requested by President Putin,” a senior White House official told NBC, when asked about an official invitation.

The potential trilateral summit represents a shift from the administration’s initial position. The White House had originally made a Putin meeting with Zelenskyy a precondition for the Trump-Putin encounter, but Trump later dropped this requirement.

According to sources briefed on the discussions, if Zelenskyy were to travel to Alaska, it remains uncertain whether he and Putin would meet face-to-face in the same room.

The diplomatic activity follows a visit by Trump’s special envoy Steve Witkoff to Moscow, where he met with Putin ahead of Friday’s deadline set by the president for Russia to agree to a ceasefire or face additional sanctions. Putin has not agreed to a ceasefire but has presented the outlines of a potential agreement that would allow Russia to retain significant portions of Ukrainian territory.

Trump said on 8 August that any resolution between the two countries would likely involve territorial exchanges, stating there would be “some swapping of territories to the betterment of both.”

Zelenskyy responded defiantly to such proposals on 9 August, declaring that Ukrainians “will not give their land to Russia.”

Bloomberg previously reported that Washington and Moscow are pursuing a deal to end the war in Ukraine that would cement Russian control over occupied territories. The Wall Street Journal also reported that Putin had presented the Trump administration with a ceasefire plan contingent on territorial concessions from Kyiv.

The coal village Rodynske itself isn’t the objective. The objective is the much larger settlement, with a pre-war population of 60,000, that lies 10 km to the southwest: Pokrovsk, once an important transportation hub for Ukrainian forces in Donetsk.

“A larger push to seize Pokrovsk is expected, potentially with instructions to accelerate its capture” from the Kremlin, the Ukrainian Frontelligence Insight analysis group explained. “The Rodynske area remains a focal point.”

A powerful Russian force numbering 100,000 troops is determined to capture Pokrovsk. But the town is heavily defended by drones, artillery, infantry and even a few Leopard 2A4 tanks belonging to the bad-luck 155th Mechanized Brigade.

So instead, the Russians are trying to surround and cut off Pokrovsk. And that means capturing Rodynske—and then cutting west across the main north-south road, the T0515, threading past Dobropillya and Rodynske into Pokrovsk. There’s only one other main road into Pokrovsk, just west of the town—and it’s in danger of being overrun, too.

The Russian Center Group of Forces, including the 51st Combined Arms Army, spent a year marching on Pokrovsk from the ruins of Avdiivka, 40 km to the east. It was a costly march, and it ground to halt on Pokrovsk’s outskirts around the New Year. But the Kremlin mobilized hundreds of thousands of fresh troops, and deployed many of them to the Pokrovsk sector.

Speeding into battle on motorcycles or marching on foot, the Russians suffered horrendous casualties while probing Pokrovsk’s defenses. But the effort paid off last month, when the Russian 9th Motor Rifle Brigade or an adjacent unit finally found a wide gap in the Ukrainian line around Rodynske. The undermanned Ukrainian national guard brigades defending Rodynske fell back.

Now Rodynske itself is the main battleground. While the Russian air force’s KAB glide-bombs pummel the village, the 51st CAA waits for a chance to advance. “The command of the enemy’s Center Operational Grouping on the Pokrovsk direction completes preparatory actions, actively accelerating preparations for the assault on Pokrovsk,” the Ukrainian Center for Defense Strategies reported.

“Northeast of Pokrovsk, the enemy will continue attacks with the forces of the 51st Combined Arms Army in the direction of Rodynske from both Fedorivka and Razyne, at the same time trying to break through as close as possible to Dobropillya,” 65 km to the north, CDS added.

“As soon as the 51st Combined Arms Army blocks communications from Pokrovsk to Dobropillya, the enemy will proceed to assault Pokrovsk with the forces of the 41st and 2nd Combined Arms Armies.”

The push through Rodynske and then into Pokrovsk will be a bloody one for both sides, but especially for the Russians. “We anticipate a spike in Russian losses,” Frontelligence Insight explained, “but also the possibility of a faster tempo of advances.”

Reinforcements rush in

Aiming to delay Pokrovsk’s fall as long as possible, and inflict as many casualties as possible on the Russians in exchange for the town, the Ukrainian army has reinforced the area around Rodynske with elements of the 142nd Mechanized Brigade, which recently received German-made Leopard 1A5 tanks.

Even with reinforcements, the Ukrainian force in and around Pokrovsk is outnumbered by tens of thousands of troops. Where Russia has maintained its high pace of recruitment by spending lavishly on enlistment bonuses, Ukraine has struggled to recruit or draft enough new troops for its weary brigades.

The Russian military is actually slowly growing by around 9,000 soldiers a month as new recruits exceed casualties. The Ukrainian military, by contrast, is short around 100,000 trained infantry. As long as the Ukrainians are badly outnumbered on the Pokrovsk sector, the battle’s outcome is all but certain.

Rodynske will fall—and then Pokrovsk will, too.

But that doesn’t mean the Russians are galloping to victory in Ukraine. They’re struggling to merely capture the eastern Donbas region, of which Pokrovsk is just a small part. “We assess that a complete Russian takeover of Donbas in 2025 is very unlikely,” Frontelligence Insight stated. “Conditions around Kupiansk, Siversk and Lyman remain unfavorable for Ukrainian defenders, but Russian operational goals have not been met and progress is behind the timetable.”

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Ukraine deploys Leopard 1A5 “sniper tanks” with 7 brigades

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Russians forcibly conscript Ukrainians, coercing them into fighting against their own country. The Russian 132nd Separate Motorized Rifle Brigade is now fully staffed by residents of the temporarily occupied parts of Donetsk Oblast and illegal migrants, according to the DeepState project. 

According to the report, the 132nd Brigade has long been predominantly staffed by residents of the occupied settlements of Donetsk Oblast. Recently, it has been massively reinforced with illegal migrants, mainly from Central Asian countries.

This information is particularly alarming amid ongoing US-Russia negotiations. US President Donald Trump openly states that a peace deal would include some “swapping” of territories with Russia. This means that Russia can further conscript more people from occupied territories to the war against their relatives, friends, and other Ukrainians. 

“The Russian command has set the task to reach the eastern outskirts of Dobropillia in the near future,” analysts say.

The invaders aim to capture Dobropillia because it is the last major city before Pokrovsk in Donetsk Oblast, where Russia has concentrated nearly 100,000 soldiers. Taking Dobropillia would allow them to shell logistics routes to Pokrovsk and open the way for further attacks on Kostiantynivka.

DeepState also emphasizes that the 132nd Brigade has historically consisted mainly of marginal elements and criminals from the occupied districts of Donetsk since 2014, while the command has come directly from Russia.

At the Yaroslavl Shipbuilding Plant in Saint Petersburg, modern Russian naval tugboat Kapitan Ushakov capsized and partially sank alongside the Baltic Shipyard’s pier. The event caused flooding in the auxiliary machinery spaces, the Russian Western Interregional Investigative Directorate for Transport reports. 

According to the agency, no injuries were reported. However, the extent of the damage is still being assessed. The agency is investigating potential safety violations during the construction work.

The tugboat was launched on 14 June 2022, but it was under final construction and outfitting for another three years in Saint Petersburg. It is designed for towing ships in icy and open waters, escort operations, firefighting at sea, and refloating grounded vessels.

It measures nearly 70 meters in length, 15 meters in width, and 3,200 tons in displacement. The tug can sail up to 3,000 nautical miles with a 30-day autonomy and features a helipad.

Earlier, Russia canceled its main naval parade of the year in Saint Petersburg. The parade cancellation might have been linked to the military leadership’s fears due to real losses suffered by the fleet. An event meant to demonstrate Russia’s power risked having the opposite effect, causing discouragement and fear.

Ukraine’s Security Service (SBU) confirmed on 9 August that its long-range drones struck a Shahed storage facility in Russia’s Tatarstan republic, destroying ready-to-use attack drones and foreign drone components 1,300 kilometers from the Ukrainian border. 

The strike targets Russia’s expanding drone production network that now manufactures over 5,000 Shaheds monthly and launches nightly swarms of 100+ drones to build reserves before unleashing massive coordinated attacks of 500+ drones against Ukrainian cities. 

Russia’s Republic of Tatarstan is home to the main production facilities for Shahed drones used by Russia. The largest factory is located near the city of Yelabuga, specifically within the Alabuga Special Economic Zone.

According to Dnipro OSINT, the strike was carried out using a Liutyi drone. This drone has carried out accurate strikes on Russian oil refineries as far as 800km into Russian territory. Ukrainian sources report that the Liutyi accounts for up to 80% of precision hits on Russian oil refineries.

Ukraine’s systematic campaign against Russian drone network

“The Security Service continues its consistent work on demilitarizing Russian military facilities deep in the enemy’s rear. Storage warehouses for ‘Shaheds’, which the enemy uses to terrorize Ukraine every night, are one of the legitimate military targets,” the SBU stated.

The agency adds that each such successful special operation reduces Russia’s ability to wage a war of aggression against Ukraine. 

This strike continues Ukraine’s systematic targeting of Russia’s drone production network throughout 2025, striking warhead labs, antenna plants, and control system factories deep inside the country. 

In recent months, Russia has adopted a new strategy of launching 100+ Shahed drones per night for one or two nights while producing even more daily to build up reserves. 

Once stockpiles are sufficient, they unleash massive waves of over 500 drones in a single night, combining Shaheds with decoy Gerber drones designed to overwhelm air defenses and target multiple cities simultaneously.

The August 9 operation follows previous Ukrainian strikes on Shahed infrastructure, including January strikes that destroyed over 200 Shahed drones in storage facilities in Russia’s Oryol Oblast and attacks on the Yelabuga industrial zone, which houses Russia’s largest known Shahed production facility.

Russia has launched thousands of Iranian-designed Shahed drones against Ukraine since fall 2022. Western media reports each Shahed-136 drone costs as low as $20,000, making them cost-effective weapons for mass attacks on Ukrainian infrastructure and cities.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has firmly rejected US President Donald Trump’s proposal to exchange part of Ukraine’s territory in return for peace. Trump’s suggestion, which did not specify which areas might be swapped, struck a nerve with many Ukrainians, The New York Times reports.

Zelenskyy’s direct refusal risks angering, who has made brokering a peace deal between Kyiv and Moscow one of the central goals of his foreign policy, even if the deal would disadvantage Ukraine.

“Peace as trap”: Ukraine may face pressure from US and Russia to accept Kremlin’s demands, says diplomat

This could leave Ukraine vulnarable to concessions it may need to make amid Kyiv’s dependency on Western aid and weapons in the struggle against Russia. 

Trump pushes for concessions

Trump has previously accused Ukraine of making excessively tough demands for a ceasefire. This time, he stated that some territories would need to be swapped and returned. There will be an exchange of territories for the benefit of both sides, he said. His vague comments sparked widespread outrage among Ukrainians.

Ukraine refuses to give up land

Zelenskyy’s stance reflects the overwhelming sentiment in Ukrainian society: territorial concessions are unacceptable. A Kyiv International Institute of Sociology poll found that over half of Ukrainians believe the country should not cede any land “even if this makes the war last longer and threatens the preservation of independence.”

Military experts warn that such a deal would mean abandoning a key fortified defensive line in northern Donetsk Oblast, between Sloviansk and Kostiantynivka, which has so far held back Russian advances.

Peace talks in Alaska and Moscow’s advantage

Trump has agreed to hold peace talks next Friday in Alaska. For now, Moscow’s approach, not Kyiv’s, appears to have the upper hand on the diplomatic front.

Ukraine has begun using the Czechoslovak Z-137 AgroTurbo to intercept Russian drones in its ongoing air defense campaign. Militarnyi reports that the agricultural aircraft has been modified with air-to-air missiles and is now working in coordination with radar teams to protect Ukrainian skies.

This comes amid Russia’s daily drone and missile attacks, targeting Ukrainian cities.

Guided from the ground, the light aircraft adapted for combat

Local residents recently filmed a modernized Czechoslovak Z-137 AgroTurbo flying with two short-range R-73 missiles mounted under its wings. The single-engine turboprop, originally designed for cropdusting, has been repurposed for air defense missions. Its tail now carries two white cross stripes, a marking typical of army aviation, Militarnyi notes.

Missile system allows flexible deployment

Militarnyi says that the R-73 missile does not require complex radar integration. It uses an infrared homing system to lock onto a heat-emitting target on launch. The conversion requires only a power feed and a launch command link to the pylon. Once fired, the missile’s seeker head automatically tracks its target.

According to Militarnyi, pilots of the modified Z-137 can receive target updates from officers at combat control points who have access to ground-based radar data. These controllers can direct the aircraft’s heading and altitude to position it for interception.

Designed for low-speed interceptions

The Z-137 AgroTurbo can reach speeds of 200–250 km/h. Militarnyi reports that this makes it suitable for engaging Russian Shahed drones and short-range reconnaissance UAVs. Using such turboprops allows the Air Force to conserve faster fighter jets for higher-priority missions.

Part of a growing light aviation program

Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine Oleksandr Syrskyi previously confirmed that light aircraft are now in service for counter-drone operations. He said the projects are funded with foreign partner support and will be expanded. The military is also receiving modern light aircraft equipped with advanced weapons and navigation systems to increase the effectiveness of countering Russian drones.

In June, Ukraine had received its first light aircraft configured for electronic reconnaissance and warfare against Shahed-type drones. The Czechoslovak Z-137 AgroTurbo’s new role adds to this growing network of non-traditional aerial defense assets.

Kyiv is working to resolve a humanitarian crisis near the Georgian border, which the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry says was deliberately designed by Russia. Ukrainian citizens ended their hunger strike after meeting with Ukrainian representatives at the Dariali crossing, but 96 people are still remain trapped at the facility without food, shelter, and medical support.

“Our state is ready to take its people directly, rather than via Georgia and Moldova,” Ukraine’s Foreign Ministry states.

Russia is ignoring Kyiv’s request, which indicates Moscow’s desire to deliberately create a humanitarian crisis on the Russian-Georgian border, authorities say. 

96 Ukrainians trapped in border limbo

This systematic campaign has resulted in 96 Ukrainians being stranded in a buffer zone at the Dariali checkpoint. Desperation mounted as some deportees announced a hunger strike on 5 August, demanding permission to cross into Georgia after being held in cramped conditions.

Many deportees are former prisoners with criminal backgrounds, creating legitimate security concerns for Georgian authorities while leaving the individuals trapped without legal status.

Ukrainian diplomacy breaks immediate crisis

A representative of the deported Ukrainian citizens “expressed gratitude to the diplomatic mission for efforts to resolve the humanitarian crisis artificially created by the Russian side,” Ukraine’s Foreign Ministry reported after the hunger strike ended.

Ukraine successfully evacuated 44 citizens from the border zone since late June, but Russian deportations continue outpacing rescue efforts as Moscow maintains pressure on regional cooperation mechanisms.

Russia’s systematic pressure operation

The Ukrainian Foreign Ministry notes that most deportees are “people who have previously been brought to criminal responsibility,” including those who served sentences in occupied Ukrainian territories and were forcibly transferred to Russian facilities, as well as Ukrainian citizens convicted of crimes within Russia.

The crisis intensified when Moldova temporarily suspended transit for this category of deportees, eliminating the main evacuation route and leaving more people stranded at Dariali with no clear path home.

Georgian authorities have expressed willingness to transport the deportees to Tbilisi Airport, but only after Moldova confirms readiness to receive them as transit passengers, according to reports. 

Ukraine’s deep strikes are becoming more destructive. The main reason, it seems, is the combination of a largely German-funded attack drone—and the powerful warhead, or warheads, it can carry.

As recently as last year, the Ukrainian military and its supporting agencies—in particular, the state security service, or SBU—struggled to make an impact with long-range drones. “More than half of the recorded strikes between September and February had limited impact,” Ukrainian analysis group Frontelligence Insight concluded in a March study.

But that’s changing as more and better drones with bigger and better-designed warheads strike more frequently many hundreds of kilometers inside Russia.

Tatarigami, Frontelligence Insight’s founder, recently sensed the change. “Based on an early look at several dozen hits over the past two weeks, both the success rate and damage from Ukrainian long-range drones have gone up compared to late 2024 [to] early 2025,” he wrote. “I haven’t put together the data set yet, but even at a glance, the results already look different.”

In recent weeks, Ukrainian drones have hit Russian airfields—destroying several warplanes and helicopters—while also blowing up key components of the refinery in Novokuibyshevsk, which accounts for around 3% of annual refining in Russia.

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One Ukrainian drone keeps smashing Russia’s top war factories—so Germany’s paying for 500 more

Thanks in large part to German largess, Ukrainian firm Ukroboronprom is building hundreds more of its best An-196 Liutyi attack drones than it had planned earlier this year.

According to German newspaper Die Welt, the government of German Chancellor Friedrich Merz is providing around $100 million to pay for 500 of the propeller-driven, satellite-guided Liutyi drones. A Liutyi carries an approximately 50-kg warhead farther than 800 km. The $200,000 drone can follow a complex flight path and change altitude in order to avoid Russian air-defenses. 

Early Liutyi models may have had comparatively simple and light warheads. “One contributing factor” in the limited effectiveness of drone strikes in 2024 and early 2025, Frontelligence Insight concluded, “is the relatively small warhead size of certain Ukrainian drones, such as the Liutyi.”

For comparison, a Russian Shahed drone carries a 90-kg warhead.

It’s possible Ukroboronprom has been improving and enlarging the warhead on the An-196. Roy, a Canadian drone expert, recently observed a 60-kg OFB-60 warhead apparently recovered from the wreck of a crashed Liutyi. “The 60-kg high-explosive shaped-charge munition has a concave metal face for forming an … explosively formed projectile” that can punch through metal, Roy noted.

Warhead options

It’s not clear that all Liutyi drones have the 60-kg shaped-charge warhead. The drones are often described as carrying just 50 kg of explosives. It’s actually possible the drones can carry even bigger payloads. Missile expert Fabian Hoffman even claimed some An-196s are now packing 75-kg warheads.

A bigger warhead comes at a cost, however. “Given the long distances these [Ukrainian] drones must travel, increasing their warhead size would require adjustments to weight, fuel capacity and overall design,” Frontelligence assessed. In short, there’s a direct tradeoff. A bigger warhead means more destruction but a shorter range.

The reported recent development of a Liutyi model capable of traveling 2,000 km may imply some of the drones are carrying lighter warheads rather than heavier ones—trading away explosive payload in order to add fuel capacity.

So when Tatarigami senses Ukrainian drone strikes are becoming more destructive, there may be caveats. The most destructive raids might be the one striking closest to the Ukrainian border. Yes, a few An-196s or other drone types may range 2,000 km into Russia. But the ones dealing the real damage—potentially with the most powerful shaped-charge warheads—are probably hitting targets no more than 800 km from Ukraine.

Not coincidentally, SBU drones pummeled Saky air base in Russian-occupied Crimea on 3 August, reportedly destroying one Sukhoi Su-30 fighter jet and damaging another—and also damaging three Sukhoi Su-24 bombers. Saky is fewer than 300 km from the front line in southern Ukraine.

That’s well within range of a harder-hitting Liutyi drone.

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Putin built concrete castles for his bombers—Ukraine’s drones burned them down

Russia launched two Iskander-K missiles and 47 drones overnight, hitting multiple cities and towns in the morning. The Russian strikes left one person dead and four others injured across Dnipropetrovsk Oblast, damaging homes, businesses, and power lines.

Missile strike hits Dnipro at dawn

Head of the Dnipropetrovsk Oblast Military Administration Serhii Lysak said Russian forces struck Dnipro with two Iskander-K missiles from occupied Zaporizhzhia Oblast early on 9 August. One missile was intercepted, but the other hit an industrial site.

Three civilians — a 41-year-old woman and two men aged 21 and 29 — were hospitalized in moderate condition. The blast destroyed vehicles, damaged a disused building, and set parts of the facility on fire.

Civilian killed in Nikopol artillery strike

Lysak reported that Russian artillery and drones continued attacking Nikopol, Myrivska, Marhanetska, and Pokrovska communities through the night.

In Nikopol, artillery fire killed a 56-year-old woman when her home collapsed. Rescue workers recovered her body from the rubble. A 62-year-old man was seriously injured and taken to hospital.

Six more houses were damaged, one was partially destroyed, and two farm buildings and a power line were hit. In Myrivska community, an FPV drone strike on 8 August set a farm building ablaze and damaged a car.

Attacks also targeted Mezhivska community in Synelnykove district. Lysak said drones struck both a detached house and an apartment building, sparking fires that emergency crews later contained.

Kharkiv Oblast

In Balakliia, Kharkiv Oblast, the head of the Balakliia City Military Administration, Vitalii Karabanov, said Russian drones struck the city center, damaging residential and nonresidential buildings and igniting a fire.

Suspilne reported that a series of explosions occurred in Chuhuiv, Kharkiv Oblast, overnight.

Strikes hit multiple oblasts overnight

Ukraine’s Air Force reported that air defenses intercepted 16 of the 47 Shahed-type and decoy drones launched from Russia’s Kursk, Millerovo, and Shatalovo areas, along with one of the two Iskander-K missiles from occupied Zaporizhzhia Oblast.

“As of 09:00, air defenses shot down or suppressed an Iskander-K cruise missile, 16 enemy Shahed-type drones, and various types of decoy drones in the north and east of the country. Hits from 31 drones were recorded at 15 locations,” the report reads.

Ongoing attacks despite Kremlin’s ceasefire talk

The Institute for the Study of War noted that Russia’s continued strikes on major Ukrainian cities show the Kremlin’s lack of interest in good-faith negotiations. T

Canada joins EU and UK to lower the Russian oil price cap to $47.60 in a move aimed at cutting Kremlin revenues while avoiding shocks to global markets. The change, due in early September, leaves Japan and the US as the only G7 members not adopting the reduced limit.

Canada aligns with European allies on oil sanctions

On 8 August, the Department of Finance of Canada confirmed Ottawa will match the European Union and United Kingdom in reducing the price cap on seaborne Russian-origin crude oil from $60 to $47.60 per barrel. The measure is part of the G7-led sanctions mechanism introduced in December 2022 to restrict Moscow’s war funding. The coalition also includes Australia and New Zealand.

Finance Minister François-Philippe Champagne said the cut would increase economic pressure on Russia and limit a crucial source of funding for its war in Ukraine. Foreign Minister Anita Anand stressed Canada’s commitment to applying sustained pressure on Moscow. Kyiv has pressed for an even lower $30 limit.

Japan and US not joining the cut

Most G7 members will introduce the lower cap in September. Japan and the US have not signed on, but Canada remains part of the Price Cap Coalition and may follow future reductions agreed within the group.

Ukraine is working to resolve a humanitarian crisis reportedly designed by Russia near the Georgian border, after Moscow intensified deportations of Ukrainian citizens in what Kyiv calls a systematic pressure campaign against neighboring countries.

The Georgia border crisis represents how Russia weaponizes individual Ukrainian suffering to destabilize regional cooperation, creating impossible choices for neighboring countries between humanitarian obligations and security concerns.

Ukrainian deportees stranded at the Russia-Georgia border ended their 3-day hunger strike on August 8 after Ukrainian Embassy representatives gained access to the checkpoint, but 96 people remain trapped in basement conditions at the Dariali crossing as Russia’s broader strategy continues.

“Our state is ready to take its people directly, rather than via Georgia and Moldova,” Ukraine’s Foreign Ministry stated. “The Russian Federation is ignoring this request, which indicates Moscow’s desire to deliberately create a humanitarian crisis on the Russian-Georgian border.”

Since mid-June, Russia has significantly escalated the deportation of Ukrainian citizens — primarily former prisoners who served sentences in occupied Ukrainian territories and were forcibly transferred to Russian detention facilities, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. 

Moscow then deports these individuals through the Georgia border rather than allowing direct repatriation to Ukraine, creating complications for regional cooperation. The operation transforms individual Ukrainian citizens into pressure tools against Georgia’s sovereignty and Ukraine’s diplomatic relationships.

96 Ukrainians trapped in border limbo

This systematic campaign has resulted in 96 Ukrainians being stranded in a buffer zone at the Dariali checkpoint. People are being held with inadequate shelter, food, medical care, and legal support in basement conditions designed for much smaller numbers.

Desperation mounted as some deportees announced a hunger strike on August 5, demanding permission to cross into Georgia after being held in cramped conditions since mid-June.

Meanwhile, entry into Georgia is largely denied due to concerns over security and documentation. Many deportees are former prisoners with criminal backgrounds, creating legitimate security concerns for Georgian authorities while leaving the individuals trapped without legal status.

Deportation operations intensify at Georgia crossing

Since mid-June, Russia has significantly intensified deportations across the Georgia border.. While Ukraine successfully evacuated 44 citizens since late June, 96 remain stranded as Russian deportations continue.

The Ukrainian Foreign Ministry noted this “may indicate a deliberate Russian operation” designed to overwhelm Georgia’s capacity to handle deportees.

The crisis intensified in July when Moldova temporarily suspended transit for this category of deportees, leaving more people stranded at the Dariali checkpoint with no clear exit route to Ukraine.

Ukrainian diplomacy breaks immediate crisis

Ukrainian Embassy intervention ended the hunger strike on August 8 after consular representatives gained access to the stranded deportees. The Ukrainian Foreign Ministry confirmed that diplomatic contact provided temporary relief from the protest.

A representative of the deported Ukrainian citizens “expressed gratitude to the diplomatic mission for efforts to resolve the humanitarian crisis artificially created by the Russian side,” Ukraine’s Foreign Ministry reported after the hunger strike ended.

Ukraine successfully evacuated 44 citizens from the border zone since late June, but Russian deportations continue outpacing rescue efforts as Moscow maintains pressure on regional cooperation mechanisms.

Russia’s systematic pressure operation

The Ukrainian Foreign Ministry noted that most deportees are “people who have previously been brought to criminal responsibility,” including those who served sentences in occupied Ukrainian territories and were forcibly transferred to Russian facilities, as well as Ukrainian citizens convicted of crimes within Russia.

According to the Foreign Ministry, rather than allowing direct repatriation across the Russia-Ukraine border, Moscow deliberately routes deportees through Georgia to create complications for both countries. This forces Georgia to choose between humanitarian obligations and legitimate security concerns while straining Ukraine’s diplomatic resources.

The crisis intensified when Moldova temporarily suspended transit for this category of deportees, eliminating the main evacuation route and leaving more people stranded at Dariali with no clear path home.

Regional cooperation under Russian pressure

Georgian authorities have expressed willingness to transport deportees to Tbilisi Airport, but only after Moldova confirms readiness to receive them as transit passengers, according to the MFA. This dependency on third-party coordination demonstrates how Russia’s strategy complicates regional cooperation.

The Dariali crossing represents the only viable exit route for Ukrainians deported from Russia, making Georgia’s cooperation essential while placing the country in an impossible position between humanitarian duties and security concerns.

Ukraine continues working with international organizations including the Red Cross, UNHCR, and International Organization for Migration to address the crisis, but Russia’s systematic approach suggests pressure will continue as Moscow weaponizes human suffering for strategic advantage.

Romania is investigating Russia over chlorine-tainted Azerbaijani oil after refinery testing revealed contamination that could have caused severe equipment damage and major fuel shortages. G4Media reports, citing official sources, that the suspected sabotage has disrupted shipments, triggered an official crisis declaration, and raised alarm in Italy and Czechia.

Romania probes suspected Russian sabotage of oil supply

According to G4Media’s official sources, Romanian authorities are examining whether Russia deliberately contaminated Azerbaijani crude intended for OMV Petrom’s Petrobrazi refinery. The oil, transported through the Baku–Tbilisi–Ceyhan pipeline and shipped onward to Romania, was found to contain chlorine levels high enough to corrode refinery systems. Officials believe such damage could have led to prolonged shutdowns and serious disruption of the country’s fuel supply.

Contamination reaches other European countries

G4Media notes that part of the chlorine-tainted Azerbaijani oil had already reached Italy, where energy company Eni confirmed contamination in one of its refineries, according to Reuters. The Czech company Orlen Unipetrol, which was also due to process the batch, halted all operations involving the shipment.

Sources cited by G4Media say the contamination could have been carried out through a relatively simple sabotage operation along the 1,770 km pipeline route. The suspected method involved injecting several tankloads of chlorine into the crude stream during transit, a step that could have been executed without major technical obstacles.

Wider European energy risks

The Baku–Tbilisi–Ceyhan pipeline operator BTC Co., managed by BP, acknowledged being informed of possible quality issues linked to organic chlorides in some loads of its crude mix. BTC Co. stated it is assessing oil quality at all facilities along the route. Organic chlorides are sometimes used in oil extraction but must be removed before pipeline transport, as they can cause severe corrosion to refinery equipment.

Similar contamination incidents have had serious market impacts in the past. In 2019, Russian oil exports via the Druzhba pipeline were halted after high levels of chlorides were detected, forcing buyers to seek alternative supplies at short notice.

Strategic response and ongoing investigation

Romania’s emergency release of fuel stocks is intended to cover domestic demand until uncontaminated shipments arrive. G4Media reports that swift action by the Ministry of Energy helped avert immediate shortages, but concerns remain over the spread of contaminated crude in storage tanks and processing units across Europe.

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Our platform will showcase the Ukrainian defense tech underdogs who are Ukraine’s hope to win in the war against Russia, giving them the much-needed visibility to connect them with crucial expertise, funding, and international support.

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Senior officials from the US, Ukraine, and several European countries will meet this weekend in a high-stakes UK meeting to coordinate positions before President Trump’s planned talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin, Axios reported on 8 August. Diplomats are working to align strategies and prevent any agreement that could cement Russian territorial gains in Ukraine.

Allies push for unity before Trump-Putin summit

Axios said the weekend gathering was arranged after a series of conference calls between US, Ukrainian, and European officials, the third in as many days. The idea for an in-person meeting in the UK came up during a call on Friday, 8 August. Discussions will focus on producing a common stance that could shape Trump’s approach when he meets Putin.

According to Axios, the urgency stems from concerns among Ukraine and NATO allies that Trump might accept Kremlin proposals without fully taking their positions into account. The Kremlin’s reported offer would freeze Russian control over occupied parts of Kherson and Zaporizhzhia oblasts, including the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant, as well as areas of Luhansk and Donetsk oblasts Russia has held since the invasion.

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Trump’s Russia deadline expires without sanctions — now he’s flying Putin to Alaska for “peace” talks

Confusion over Russian proposal

Axios cited two sources saying that during a call on 6 August, White House envoy Steve Witkoff briefed Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and European leaders on his meeting with Putin in Moscow. The initial impression among some participants was that Putin might drop his claim to partially occupied Kherson and Zaporizhzhia oblasts, a shift from earlier Russian demands.

However, Axios said that in a follow-up video call the next day, Witkoff clarified that Putin had agreed only to freeze positions in those oblasts, leaving large portions under Russian occupation. Ukrainian officials remain unsure about the exact details of the Kremlin’s terms and the US position. One

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ISW: Give up your fortress belt shield, take nothing in return—Putin’s ceasefire pitch to Ukraine

Stakes for Ukraine’s security

Trump announced that he will meet with Putin in Alaska on 15 August. The US President claimed the sides are “getting very close” to a deal. He has spoken of “some swapping of territories to the betterment of both countries” and suggested returning some occupied areas to Ukraine. According to Trump, Zelenskyy is preparing a legal arrangement that would allow him “to sign something” without violating Ukrainian law.

Western officials cited by Axios view the UK meeting as an opportunity to present a united message to Trump before his high-profile summit with Putin. The White House has declined to comment on the planned ally meeting.

The Ukrainian president has predictably rejected Trump-Putin’s plan to cede territory to Russia, calling any such move unconstitutional and unacceptable. Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Ukraine will not give land to the occupier in exchange for a ceasefire, stressing that its borders are already defined in the Constitution and cannot be altered.

Zelenskyy rules out territorial concessions in peace talks

In his 9 August morning video address, Zelenskyy said the answer to Ukraine’s territorial question is already in the Constitution.

“No one will retreat from this and no one can. Ukrainians will not gift their land to the occupier,” he stated.

He described any settlement reached without Ukraine’s participation as a “dead decision” that would never work, warning that real and lasting peace must be respected by all parties.

The President said Ukraine is ready to work with US President Donald Trump and international partners to secure agreements that will hold over time.

“We are ready together with President Trump, together with all partners, to work for real, and most importantly, lasting peace – peace that will not fall apart because of Moscow’s wishes,” he noted.

According to earlier reports, the Kremlin’s proposal would see Ukraine cede unoccupied, strategically important areas of Donetsk Oblast to Russia while freezing the frontline elsewhere. Analysts assess that such a move would leave Kyiv in a weaker defensive position and give Moscow a better launch point for future offensives.

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ISW: Give up your fortress belt shield, take nothing in return—Putin’s ceasefire pitch to Ukraine

Kremlin officials are reportedly demanding that Ukraine surrender the Ukrainian “fortress belt” in Donetsk Oblast before any ceasefire, a move the Institute for the Study of War (ISW) says is deliberately designed to be unacceptable. The think tank assessed that Moscow “lacks the means to capture” the fortified cities and instead wants Kyiv to abandon them “in exchange for nothing.”

Putin’s demands target Ukraine’s strongest defense line

Bloomberg reported on 8 August that Vladimir Putin’s proposal would require Ukraine to withdraw from Ukrainian-controlled areas in Donetsk and Luhansk oblasts, along with Crimea, before any negotiations. The plan makes no mention of Russian withdrawal from the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant or from positions in Kharkiv, Sumy, Dnipropetrovsk, and Mykolaiv oblasts.

According to the Wall Street Journal, two European officials briefed on the offer said it included two phases: Ukraine would first withdraw from Donetsk Oblast and freeze the frontline, followed by a peace plan to be agreed between Putin and US President Donald Trump, and later negotiated with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

Trump said at a press conference on 8 August that “there will be some swapping of territories to the betterment of both,” adding there would be “no further announcements until August 9 or later.”

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Trump’s Russia deadline expires without sanctions — now he’s flying Putin to Alaska for “peace” talks

ISW stressed that conceding the Ukrainian fortress belt—a line of four major cities and several towns reinforced since 2014—would allow Russian forces to avoid “a long and bloody struggle for the ground.”

The belt, stretching dozens of kilometers along the H-20 highway from Sloviansk to Kostiantynivka, has blocked Moscow’s advance for over a decade. Losing it would push the front 82 kilometers deeper into Ukraine, positioning Russian forces within striking range of Kharkiv and Dnipropetrovsk oblasts.

Risk of new offensives after a ‘ceasefire’

The think tank warned that Russian forces “will almost certainly violate any future ceasefire or peace agreement” without robust monitoring and security guarantees. Ceding the belt would also force Ukraine to urgently fortify open terrain at the Donetsk Oblast border, which ISW described as “significantly less defensible than the current line.”

Russian troops have repeatedly failed to seize Sloviansk, Kramatorsk, and Druzhkivka since 2022. ISW noted that taking them now would require years of combat and high losses, making a negotiated surrender far more advantageous for Moscow. It would also spare Russian forces from costly battles for Pokrovsk and Myrnohrad, and allow them to bypass Ukraine’s westernmost Dobropillia-Bilozerske defensive line.

Ongoing strikes signal lack of good faith

While the proposal circulated, the Ukrainian Air Force said Russia launched four jet-powered drones and 104 Shahed-type strike and decoy drones overnight on 7–8 August. Of these, 79 were downed, but 26 struck ten locations, damaging civilian and industrial infrastructure in Kharkiv City’s Saltyvskyi Raion, Bucha Raion in Kyiv Oblast, and in Sumy and Odesa oblasts.

ISW concluded that these continued strikes, combined with Kremlin messaging that “only Putin will dictate the terms of peace,” show the Russian leader “remains disinterested in good-faith negotiations” and still seeks Ukraine’s capitulation.

After his own deadline for Moscow to accept a ceasefire expired without any sanctions, US President Donald Trump said he will meet Russian leader Vladimir Putin in Alaska on 15 August. Speaking after signing a peace declaration with the leaders of Armenia and Azerbaijan on 8 August, Trump said the talks would include proposals for Ukraine to cede territory to Russia.

Trump abandons sanctions threat for Alaska summit

Trump had earlier warned Putin that failing to meet his ceasefire deadline would trigger US sanctions. The deadline silently expired on 8 August. Instead, he told reporters,

“I will be meeting very shortly with President Putin. It would have been sooner… I guess there are security arrangements that unfortunately people have to make.”

Later the same day, he confirmed on his Truth Social account that the summit would take place in Alaska next Friday, 15 August.

The US President claimed the discussions were ostensibly “getting very close” to a deal and said the arrangement would allegedly bring “betterment” to both sides.

“We’re looking at territory that has been fought over for 3.5 years… We will get some back. We will get some — some switched. There will be some swapping of territories,” he said, calling it “very complicated” but ultimately positive.

Kremlin confirms date and location

Russian presidential aide Yuri Ushakov told Russian media the meeting would happen on 15 August in Alaska, describing it as “logical” because the two countries are close neighbors. He added that the Arctic and Alaska are where their economic interests meet, with potential for large-scale joint projects. Ushakov said the key topic would be options for a “long-term settlement” of Russia’s war in Ukraine.

Secret envoy visit before announcement

The Wall Street Journal reported that US special representative Steve Witkoff met Putin in Moscow on 6 August for three hours. Sources told the paper that Putin had presented a two-stage proposal: first, the withdrawal of Ukrainian forces from Donetsk Oblast and a freeze of the front line, and second, a final peace deal to be agreed with Trump and later discussed with Ukraine.

Plan mirrors earlier Russian demands

The Wall Street Journal, citing a senior European diplomat and a Ukrainian official, said Putin could propose that Russia officially control part of the occupied Ukrainian territories in exchange for pulling troops from other areas. This aligns with Trump’s public stance.

“He has to get everything he needs. He is getting ready to sign something, and I think he is working hard to get that done,” Trump suggested of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

Trump repeats false aid claim and praises NATO

During his remarks, Trump again repeated his debunked claim that the United States had spent $350 billion on Ukraine, saying,

“$350 billion… the United States has spent on that. It should have spent nothing. It should have never happened.”

He praised NATO allies for increasing their defense spending from 2% to 5% of GDP, adding,

“Europe wants to see peace. European leaders want to see peace. President Putin, I believe, wants to see peace and President Zelensky wants to see peace.”

Although Russia’s 2014 invasion continued throughout Trump’s pre-Biden first term, he again claimed the war would “never have happened” if he had been president earlier, blaming Biden and citing destruction in Ukraine:

“Magnificent towers, the spires… considered the most beautiful in the world… they are all in a million pieces laying on the ground… So sad. Millions of people have died.”

It is unclear what “towers and spires” Trump had in mind, as Ukraine has not lost any such world-famous landmarks in the war — the image appears to exist only in his imagination, though Russia has indeed obliterated entire cities like Popasna, Bakhmut, Mariupol, and Vovchansk.

Lithuania may have become the target of a Russian underwater drone, right off its own coast. In early August, near the resort town of Nida, the drone likely entered Lithuanian territorial waters from the direction of Russia, Delfi reports.

Locals noticed the unusual behavior of a border patrol boat. A coast guard vessel was seen chasing an unidentified object in the Curonian Lagoon, an area where active operations are rarely conducted.

Underwater provocation near Nida

Aistė Žalneraitienė, senior specialist at the State Border Guard Service, confirmed the incident: on 2 August, a suspicious object was indeed detected in the reported place and is currently being examined by the Criminal Investigation Department.

Preliminary assessments suggest the drone may have been launched from Russia’s Kaliningrad Oblast, which is one of the main hubs of Russian military activity near NATO borders.

“Gerbera” strikes again

This is not the first incident involving Russian unmanned systems in Lithuania. On 1 August, debris from a Gerbera drone, widely used in Ukraine’s war, was found at the Gaižiūnai military training ground in the Jonava District. The drone was likely launched from Belarus. The incident was confirmed by Lithuania’s Minister of National Defense, Dovilė Šakalienė.

A week earlier, another drone of the same type crashed near the closed Šumskas border checkpoint, almost directly on the Belarusian border.

In July, a Russian drone also violated Lithuanian airspace near Vilnius. It flew at an altitude of 200 meters and remained in Lithuanian airspace for about half an hour.

Following this series of violations, Lithuanian armed forces will implement additional security measures.

Earlier, Russia’s Foreign Intelligence Service Head, Sergey Naryshkin, warned that Poland and the Baltic states would be the first to suffer in the event of a war between Moscow and NATO. In 2025, Russia plans to train and station up to 150,000 additional troops in Belarus.

Exclusives

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Blue hair, drones, and evac crews: Ukraine’s fallen women fighters (Part 1). Nobody drafted them; nobody forced them. These women fighters chose to go to war and face death.

This NATO defense minister tried to stop Russian propaganda. His country fell anyway. Slovakia proved democracy can be bought with fake news, Martin Sklenar reveals

Russia found 1,000 rusty tanks in Siberia—it’s all that’s left. Russia’s 1970s tanks are back in style—because everything newer is getting blown up in Ukraine.

Military

Ukrainian GRU attack kill 12 in bold strike on Russian air defense base in Krasnodar Krai. Ukraine’s intelligence service struck deep into Russian territory on 8 August, killing 12 members of an air defense unit and injured dozens more

Russia hunts 13-year-old Ukrainian boy with drone in Kherson, as fears grow Kremlin may try to recapture liberated city. Drone attacks, artillery, and infrastructure strikes hit hard as the Kremlin eyes recapturing the only regional capital it seized during the all-out war.

Intelligence and Technology

Baykar’s Akıncı drone successfully tests smart missiles using Ukrainian engine

. Türkiye’s Bayraktar Akıncı drone completed successful weapons testing using Ukrainian AI-450T engines, demonstrating the readiness of a 5-year defense partnership between the two nations.

Ukraine shoots down two new Russian Shahed-type drones. Two new Russian Shahed-type drones shot down by Ukrainian forces this week were packed with Chinese technology, including flight controllers and navigation systems from a single company

International

Bloomberg: US, Russia discuss deal to secure occupied Ukrainian territories for Russia. Putin reportedly is demanding Ukraine surrender the entire Donbas and Crimea as part of a deal that would potentially freeze the war along current battle lines.

Latvia joins Europe’s Trump-proof weapons funding mechanism for Ukraine. First weapons deliveries under the new PURL initiative will arrive in Ukraine within weeks.

New Pentagon memo may put Ukraine aid on hold, as weapons may stay in US unless Trump says “go”

. Despite public support for NATO arms deal, behind-the-scenes bureaucracy may stall lifeline supplies to Kyiv.

British volunteer killed by Russian drone strike one month into Ukraine deployment. A British volunteer with no military background was killed by four Russian drones during his first combat operation in Ukraine

Ex-UK Defense Chief demands seat at Ukraine peace talks to counter two “bulliyng” leaders. European nations must secure representation in planned US-Russia-Ukraine peace negotiations to prevent Ukrainian President from facing pressure from “two bullies,” former UK Defence Secretary Sir Ben Wallace said

White House reportedly preparing trilateral meeting between Trump, Zelenskyy and Putin. Trump administration sources reveal the White House is actively organizing a three-way presidential summit that could bring together the US, Ukraine’s and Russia’s presidents as early as next week

Humanitarian and Social Impact

Kyiv buried journalist Victoria Roshchyna, murdered in Russian captivity

. She never abandoned what she started,” former editor Angelina Karyakina said at the August 8 funeral of journalist Victoria Roshchyna, who died in one of Russia’s most brutal places of detention.

Five people injured after Russian attack on Kyiv, Odesa and Sumy oblasts overnight. Ukraine’s air defense downed over 80 Russian drones during a coordinated Russian assault on civilian targets that damaged residential buildings, infrastructure, a kindergarten across 3 oblasts.

Political and Legal Developments

Russia sentences Mariupol defender for 21 years as Russian court labels him terrorist. Russian prosecutors secured a 21-year sentence against Vladislav Shpak by classifying his enlistment in Ukraine’s National Guard as terrorist activity, after the soldier was captured defending Mariupol’s Azovstal plant.

Russia accidentally admits what it denied for three years: war is breaking its economy. Russia just admitted something it has spent three years denying: the war is breaking its economy. According to Russian Finance Ministry data, Moscow’s federal deficit hit $62 billion by July, already 25% over its yearly target with five months still to go.

Read our earlier daily review here.

Kyiv held a funeral service on 8 August for Ukrainian journalist Victoria Roshchyna, who died in Russian detention.

Roshchyna disappeared in occupied territories on 3 August 2023. Russia confirmed her captivity in May 2024, and her death was announced 10 October 2024. She had been previously kidnapped by Russians in March 2022 but freed after ten days.

She was held in at least two Russian prisons, including the Taganrog detention center—described as “one of the most brutal places of detention for Ukrainians on Russian territory.”

The journalist worked for hromadske, Ukrainska Pravda, Radio Liberty, and other outlets. She received the 2022 International Women’s Media Foundation award “For Courage in Journalism.”

According to hromadske, the farewell ceremony on 8 August began with a service at St. Michael’s Cathedral, where several hundred people gathered, including Roshchyna’s relatives—her father and younger sister—former colleagues, and concerned citizens. Her coffin remained closed with bread placed on top, while attendees laid flowers.

After the cathedral service, the hearse proceeded to Independence Square under police escort, with traffic stopped for the procession. During the civilian ceremony, a military officer called out: “Glory to Ukraine! Glory to Victoria!”

Former hromadske editor-in-chief Angelina Karyakina, who worked with Roshchyna for nearly three years, described the journalist’s unwavering commitment to her stories.

“Vika never abandoned what she started, if she began to lead some case, some story, to cover some event. She just never left either her heroes or her cases. This is how her very deep, thorough coverage of Maidan cases was born. This is how her documentary film about the prisoners—Ukrainian sailors—was born. This is how other cases were born. I am sure that her work from the occupied territories was built according to the same logic,” Karyakina said.

Karyakina recalled that Roshchyna never took vacations or days off because “for her, this was not work, journalism was a calling for her.”

The former editor emphasized that journalists must determine what happened to Roshchyna and continue her work.

People’s Deputy Yaroslav Yurchyshyn, who came to bid farewell to Roshchyna, remembered her as a political journalist who asked “uncomfortable questions without limitations.”

Roshchyna was buried at Baikove Cemetery. The farewell ceremony was organized by her colleagues from several newsrooms where she worked, including hromadske.

Washington and Moscow are negotiating an agreement that would formalize Russia’s control over Ukrainian territories seized during the invasion, Bloomberg reported on 8 August, citing sources familiar with the talks.

US and Russian officials reportedly are finalizing terms for a Trump-Putin summit as early as next week, according to sources, cited by Bloomberg. The US is seeking Ukrainian and European approval for the deal, though success remains uncertain.

Putin demands Ukraine cede the entire eastern Donbas and Crimea, annexed by Russia in 2014. This would require President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to withdraw troops from parts of Luhansk and Donetsk oblasts still under Kyiv’s control, handing Russia a victory that its army couldn’t achieve militarily since the start of the full-scale invasion in February 2022.

Under proposed terms, Russia would halt offensives in Kherson and Zaporizhzhia oblasts along current battle lines. Sources cautioned that “the terms and plans of the accord were still in flux and could still change.” Whether Moscow would relinquish any occupied territory, including the Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant, remains unclear.

The agreement aims to “essentially freeze the war and pave the way for a ceasefire and technical talks on a definitive peace settlement,” sources said. This shifts from Washington’s earlier demand for Russia to first agree to unconditional ceasefire.

After his 6 August meeting with Trump envoy Steve Witkoff, Putin briefed leaders from China, India, South Africa, and other nations on the discussions, the Kremlin reported.

Trump, who promised rapid conflict resolution, has grown frustrated with Putin’s ceasefire refusal. The leaders held six phone calls since February while Witkoff met Putin five times in Moscow.

“I don’t like long waits,” Trump told reporters on 7 August. “They would like to meet with me and I will do whatever I can to stop the killing.”

The deal would represent “a major win for Putin,” who sought direct US negotiations while sidelining Ukraine and European allies. Zelenskyy risks facing “a take-it-or-leave-it deal to accept the loss of Ukrainian territory, while Europe fears it would be left to monitor a ceasefire as Putin rebuilds his forces,” Bloomberg reported.

Multiple US officials expressed skepticism about Putin’s genuine peace interest, particularly regarding deals falling short of his stated war goals: Ukrainian neutrality, abandoning NATO aspirations, and recognizing Russian control over five Ukrainian oblasts.

Kremlin aide Yuri Ushakov said officials are “finalizing details for a meeting within the next few days” at an agreed but unnamed venue.

Whether Putin would join trilateral talks with Trump and Zelenskyy remains unclear. Putin said on 7 August he didn’t object to meeting Zelenskyy “under the right conditions, though he said they don’t exist now.”

Ukraine cannot constitutionally cede territory and maintains it won’t recognize Russian occupation of its land.

A military court in Rostov-on-Don sentenced captured Ukrainian soldier Vladislav Shpak from the Azov brigade to 21 years in a maximum-security prison colony, Russian media Mediazona reported on 8 August.

Russian prosecutors charged the prisoner under articles “concerning participation in a terrorist organization and training for terrorist activities.”

According to the report, in June 2020, 20-year-old Vladislav Shpak “with the aim of improving his financial situation, as well as for ideological reasons” signed a contract with Ukraine’s National Guard and joined the Azov special forces unit. Russia classified this as participation in a terrorist organization.

Between April and June 2021, Russian law enforcement alleges, Shpak underwent military training — which they classified as preparation for terrorist activities.

The soldier served in a unit in the village of Urzuf. In February 2022, when Russian forces invaded Ukraine, he was transferred along with his fellow servicemen to Mariupol. Shpak participated in the defense of Azovstal and was captured three months later on 17 May, along with other Azovstal defenders.

Court materials do not clarify Shpak’s exact role in Azov. Some documents describe him as performing “machine gunner duties,” others call him a “grenade launcher assistant,” while still others identify him as a “reconnaissance driver.”

When asked whether he feels hostility toward Russian citizens and authorities “after the start of the military conflict,” the defendant replied: “Toward citizens — no, toward the authorities — yes.”

Latvia affirms support for NATO’s new Priority Ukraine Requirements List (PURL) initiative in a call with President Zelenskyy, the leaders of the two countries announced on social media.

PURL allows European allies to directly fund American weapons for Ukraine, bypassing traditional government-to-government aid that faces political delays.

The phone call highlights Europe’s shift toward independent Ukraine support mechanisms that don’t depend on US Congressional approval or political cycles.

“Had a good [phone call] with President @ZelenskyyUa,” Latvian President Rinkēvičs posted on X. “We discussed ongoing efforts to reach just and lasting peace. I also informed about Latvia’s support for new NATO initiative for arming Ukraine (PURL). I also reaffirmed Latvia’s support for speedy EU accession process of Ukraine.”

Zelenskyy confirmed the discussion on his Telegram channel: “We also discussed the new PURL instrument, which is already really working. Latvia is ready to join. Thank you!” He emphasized that reliable peace requires “support from the US and European unity,” adding that “Latvia absolutely principally supports Ukraine’s membership in the EU and NATO. We greatly value this position.”

How PURL changes Ukraine aid

Under PURL, Ukraine compiles priority weapons needs in packages of approximately $500 million. NATO allies then negotiate among themselves to fund specific items directly from US manufacturers, coordinated by Secretary General Mark Rutte.

The mechanism has already proven effective. In early August, Nordic countries committed $1 billion through PURL in just two days. The Netherlands contributed €500 million for Patriot missile components, while Sweden, Norway, and Denmark jointly provided another €500 million.

Building sustainable support

The PURL initiative represents a broader European effort to create Ukraine’s support mechanisms that survive political changes in Washington. As NATO and the US launched the system in July, officials described it as a $10 billion framework allowing continuous weapons deliveries regardless of US domestic politics.

For Ukraine, diversified European support reduces vulnerability to American political cycles while building foundations for long-term security partnerships. Initiatives such as PURL show Europe exploring ways to sustain Ukraine’s military needs, even as traditional aid faces political pressures.

Latvia’s outsized impact

Despite having only 1.9 million citizens, Latvia has become a key driver of European support for Ukraine. The country co-leads the international drone coalition with the United Kingdom, delivering 12,000 drones to Ukraine this year.

Latvia has committed 0.25% of its GDP annually to Ukraine military aid through 2026 — a higher percentage than most larger allies. The country has also trained 3,000 Ukrainian soldiers with plans for another 3,000 next year.

Ukrainian military intelligence carried out a sabotage operation against Russia’s 90th anti-aircraft missile brigade in Afipsky settlement, Krasnodar Krai, on the morning of 8 August, resulting in the deaths of at least 12 Russian servicemen and dozens of injured, according to sources in Ukraine’s Main Intelligence Directorate (HUR).

“Two explosions occurred near the checkpoint of the military unit,” sources told Hromadske. The attack destroyed equipment and prompted a massive emergency response, with ambulances and special service vehicles converging on the scene.

Local Russian media and social media channels confirmed the explosions in Afipsky, while local security services cordoned off the area and declared an “anti-terrorist operation” regime. Russian authorities attempted to cover up the incident by attributing the explosions to malfunctioning gas cylinder equipment in a vehicle, according to intelligence sources.

“Russian authorities are trying to conceal the fact of sabotage on the territory of the military unit,” a HUR source said. The Federal Security Service has been working to remove mentions of the incident from Russian media.

The 90th anti-aircraft missile brigade targeted in the operation has been participating in Russia’s war against Ukraine on the Kherson and Zaporizhzhia fronts, the intelligence directorate added.

The attack came amid broader Ukrainian operations against Russian infrastructure, with drone strikes also hitting the Afipsky oil refinery in the same oblast, causing significant fires at gas condensate processing facilities.

A previous version of this article mistakenly said GRU (the Russian military intelligence) instead of HUR.

According to preliminary data from the Finance Ministry cited by The Moscow Times, the deficit increased by 1.2 trillion rubles ($15 billion) in July alone, and expenditures jumped to 3.9 trillion rubles ($49 billion).

This data shows Russia’s war machine consuming the state itself. Unlike previous conflicts, Moscow can’t fund this war indefinitely — and Western allies now have concrete proof that sustained pressure works.

Russia’s budget meltdown by the numbers

The new figures reveal a grim picture of stagnation, overspending, and war-at-all-costs priorities. According to Reuters, government spending rose more than 20% in the first seven months of 2025, while revenues grew just 2.8%. That gap is mainly driven by ballooning military costs.

So far this year, Russia has spent 25.2 trillion rubles ($320 billion) — a staggering increase from pre-war spending levels when the annual federal budget totaled around $220 billion in 2021.

Why do civilian sectors collapse first?

As Bloomberg reports, signs of crisis are now visible across different sectors, as coal mining companies suffer losses, oil, gas, and metallurgy companies see a decline in profits. The automotive industry significantly cuts production due to weak demand.

Productivity in civilian sectors is falling fast. The Moscow Times reported in July that Russian car makers have all shifted to a four-day work week to preserve existing jobs due to diminishing demand, high interest rates, and a lack of affordable financing tools for buyers.

Russia’s aviation industry, once a symbol of national pride, has delivered just one of 15 promised passenger aircraft this year.

Sanctions, oil price caps, and labor shortages are eroding Russia’s economic foundation — yet Moscow shows no intention of scaling back its invasion. A recession with consequences far beyond Russia’s borders now looms.

What this means for Ukraine’s war strategy

The signs are clear: Western sanctions, shifting energy markets, and export controls are having an impact. But they’re not enough on their own. The Kremlin is willing to sacrifice every civilian sector to keep the war machine running.

That’s why Ukraine’s battlefield resilience — and sustained Western support — remain essential. Economic pressure may hurt Russia, but it won’t stop the war on its own.

For Western policymakers, these numbers prove that economic pressure is working, but they also show why military aid remains crucial to finish what sanctions started. Russia’s budget crisis gives Ukraine a strategic window, but only if allies simultaneously maintain economic and military pressure.

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Russia may attempt to recapture Kherson. Moscow forces are relentlessly shelling Kherson, while Western media warn that Moscow may be preparing an airborne assault on the liberated city within weeks, in a move to reverse its 2022 liberation.

On 2 August, Russians launched a powerful strike on a strategically important bridge connecting the island district of Korabel to the main part of Kherson city. The strike also damaged three private homes and an apartment building. The invaders had previously targeted the bridge, forcing about 1,800 residents to leave their homes.

Civilians injured as Russia strikes Kherson again

On 8 August, Russian troops launched artillery strikes on central Kherson, critically wounding an elderly woman. She suffered a concussion, multiple shrapnel injuries, and lost an arm. Doctors say her condition is life-threatening, the regional administration reports.

The same day in Antonivka, a suburb of Kherson, Russian drones dropped explosives on two men, aged 33 and 36. Both suffered blast injuries, says the Kherson City Council. 

One of the most shocking attacks involved a 13-year-old boy who was struck by a drone while walking down the street, according to regional governor Oleksandr Prokudin. 

“He sustained a blast injury and shrapnel wounds to his arm and leg,” he said. 

The child was hospitalized and is receiving medical care.

Also in the district suffering the most from attacks, Korabel, due to Russia’s attack on the power grid, water supply will be provided for only two hours per day. 

CNN: Russia could launch an airborne operation in Kherson

According to the report, the Kremlin may be preparing to land troops in Kherson in the coming weeks to reclaim the city that Ukraine liberated in 2022.

Roughly 72% of Kherson Oblast remains under Russian occupation, mostly the left bank of the Dnipro River. The Ukrainian-controlled right bank includes the city of Kherson itself. Meanwhile, the Ukrainian military analysts say a Russian amphibious operation in Kherson would be highly risky and unlikely to succeed.

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From frontline to warehouse. New Pentagon memo allows redirecting weapons meant for Ukraine back to the US, despite US President Donald Trump publicly endorsing a new supply plan, CNN reports. 

This could mean “that anything short of the president saying go ahead might not get through,” the person said.

Previously, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth already halted a large weapons shipment to Ukraine. Although Trump announced a deal with NATO whereby Europeans would pay for US weapons bound for Ukraine, the Pentagon can be depended on the decision of one person. 

Under the new memo, equipment designated for Ukraine may never reach the front. This includes intercept missiles, air defense systems, and artillery shells, all which is critically needed by Ukraine’s military.

The USAI program, which has reliably supplied Ukraine with arms since 2016, recently received $800 million in new funding under the National Defense Authorization Act. But even that is now in question as sources aren’t sure the weapons will actually reach Kyiv.

“But it’s unclear whether the weapons produced with that money will ultimately go to Ukraine under the new Pentagon policy,” sources told CNN.

 

Separately from USAI, the Pentagon still holds $4 billion in authorized funds to ship weapons directly from US stockpiles.

In Congress, Republicans Roger Wicker and Jim Risch have introduced a bill to establish a special fund that allies can contribute to in order to replenish US weapons sent to Ukraine.

At the same time, the US and NATO are developing a new mechanism — a NATO bank account — where allies would deposit funds specifically to buy American weapons for Kyiv. 

NATO allies have already begun filling the account: according to Secretary General Mark Rutte, more than $1 billion has been allocated, with the total expected to reach $10 billion. But even that may not guarantee the weapons will reach Ukrainian soldiers, not if the Pentagon decides to replenish its own stockpiles first.

Ukraine remains in dangerous limbo. The Pentagon memo could change the course of the war — if the word “go” never comes.

Former UK Defence Secretary Sir Ben Wallace has called for Britain’s inclusion in upcoming peace talks between the United States, Russia, and Ukraine, warning that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy risks being pressured by what he described as two bullying leaders.

Trump will reportedly meet with Putin as soon as next week, followed by trilateral discussions with Zelenskyy. European nations are not scheduled to participate in these initial discussions.

“Both Trump and Putin are known to be bullies, they bully people all the time, and I don’t think two bullies versus Zelenskyy, who is a brave man, but I don’t think would necessarily produce the right outcomes,” Wallace told Times Radio, according to Bloomberg.

The former defense secretary emphasized that European powers should have representation during negotiations.

“There are two other nuclear powers in NATO, France and Britain, and I think it is important that in the room should be a European power,” he said.

Wallace expressed concerns about Ukraine potentially being coerced into accepting unfavorable terms. When asked if Ukraine could be “strong-armed” by Trump, he responded: “Yes, there is a concern.”

The announcement follows three hours of meetings between Steve Witkoff, Trump’s special envoy, and Putin in Moscow. Yuri Ushakov, Putin’s foreign affairs adviser, confirmed that a summit could take place next week at a venue decided “in principle,” though he dismissed the possibility of Zelenskyy joining the initial summit.

After phone discussions with the US president, Zelenskyy said he believed Russia was “now more inclined to a ceasefire.”

Trump has simultaneously increased pressure on Moscow through new sanctions, designating Russia as an “extraordinary threat” to the United States. The administration imposed a 25 percent trade tariff on India over its Russian oil purchases, targeting a key revenue source for the Kremlin.

Western officials have repeatedly accused Putin of using peace negotiations to buy time for Russian forces to capture additional Ukrainian territory. Putin has previously demanded settlement terms that Ukraine characterized as equivalent to surrender.

The White House is working to organize a three-way meeting between US President Donald Trump, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, and Kremlin leader Vladimir Putin, sources in the Trump administration told Ukrainian media Suspilne.

The negotiations could take place as early as next week, though the venue has not yet been determined, according to the sources.

White House spokesperson Caroline Leavitt confirmed that President Trump remains open to meetings with leaders from both countries.

“As President Trump said yesterday (on 7 August), the Russians have expressed a desire to meet with President Trump, and the president is open to this meeting. President Trump would like to meet with both President Putin and President Zelenskyy because he wants this brutal war to end. The White House is working out the details of these potential meetings, and details will be provided at the appropriate time,” Leavitt said.

The diplomatic push follows a series of high-level contacts this week. On 6 August, Trump’s special representative Steve Witkoff visited the Russian capital for a three-hour meeting with Putin. Moscow has not disclosed details of the discussion’s content.

Trump later wrote on his Truth Social platform that Witkoff had a “productive meeting” with the Russian leader.

This was followed by a phone call between Zelenskyy and Trump that included European leaders. Following the conversation, the Ukrainian president said it “seems Russia is now more inclined toward a ceasefire, the pressure on them is working.”

However, Zelenskyy emphasized the importance of ensuring Moscow does not deceive either Kyiv or Washington regarding the details of any potential agreement.

Türkiye’s Baykar company has conducted successful trials of its Bayraktar Akıncı drone equipped with Ukrainian engines, technical director and co-owner Selçuk Bayraktar said on X.

The trials featured the Akıncı testing ALPAGUT and EREN smart missiles, which demonstrated high target accuracy, RBC-Ukraine reported. Video footage showed the drone taxiing on a runway before takeoff, operated from a ground control station.

The Bayraktar Akıncı uses Ukrainian AI-450T turboprop engines. These engines provide the necessary thrust for high-altitude flights, opening possibilities for strike and reconnaissance missions, according to the company.

Baykar began developing the Akıncı in 2018 and presented the first prototype that same year. By 2019, the drone was fitted with Ukrainian turboprop engines. On 10 August 2019, Ukrainian state company Ukrspetseksport and Türkiye’s Baykar Makina established their first joint venture in precision weapons and aerospace technology. Two days later, Ukraine delivered two AI-450T engines to Türkiye for use in the Akıncı.

The drone made its first public appearance with weapons in September 2019 at the Teknofest exhibition.

The Bayraktar Akıncı carries up to 1,350 kilograms of combat payload. The heavy strike drone measures 12.2 meters in length with a 20-meter wingspan and can remain airborne for 24 hours while reaching altitudes above 12,000 meters.

Built on a modular design, the Akıncı offers flexibility in weapons selection, from air-to-ground missiles to precision bombs and smart munitions. Future upgrades will include thermal imaging systems, active phased array radars, and high-precision optical cameras.

In 2022, preparations began for an agreement with Türkiye to build a Bayraktar factory in Ukraine. Baykar subsequently received licensing permits from Türkiye to manufacture both Bayraktar TB2 and Akıncı drones in Ukraine.

Construction of the Ukrainian factory started last year, with plans to produce over 100 drones annually, according to the company.

Exclusive

• How a NATO country flipped toward Russia—according to its former defense minister

Military

“Victory cannot be achieved in defence”: Syrskyi confirmed that there are plans for offensive. Ukraine’s strategy for victory requires offensive action rather than defensive positioning, Commander-in-Chief said, revealing that military command developed operational plans.

Ukraine’s drones found the guns. Artillery finished the job — four Russian howitzers gone (video). Three D-20s and one D-30 were destroyed in a confirmed artillery strike.

ISW: Russia likely takes two villages near Kupiansk — now it’s eyeing the town’s lifeline highway

. Russian troops may envelop the city from the west instead of attacking frontally, according to the ISW.

Russia rigged the bridge with mines — Ukraine’s drone turned it into dust. The FPV drone strike didn’t just target the bridge. It used Russian explosives against them.

Kherson withstood occupation once—now Moscow wants it back, but Ukraine says invaders will drown before it happens. Moscow’s forces hit Korabel’s only link to the mainland, aiming to carve out a foothold. But Ukrainian defenders are turning the Dnipro Delta into a trap.

Intelligence and technology

Expert: War’s deadly pulse shows no sign of slowing—no matter what results Witkoff-Putin meeting brings. With hundreds of drone strikes hitting Crimea and the Donbas every week, the expert say peace is still far out of reach.

Russia may prepare to launch “flying Chornobyl” again—but only thing it has ever hit is its own scientists. Experts say it’s more theater than threat amid the US-Russian peace talks over Ukraine.

Ukraine’s AI Factory sets course for global top 3 by 2030

. With battlefield-born digital expertise, Kyiv now eyes global leadership in the next great technological race.

International

Zelenskyy reveals high-level security meeting following Trump envoy’s Moscow visit. Ukraine and its Western partners scheduled follow-up security talks for 8 August after Trump envoy Steve Witkoff briefed allies on his Putin meeting

“Peace as trap”: Ukraine may face pressure from US and Russia to accept Kremlin’s demands, says diplomat. Former ambassador Chaly says Moscow’s demands haven’t changed.

Witkoff to brief Ukrainian and NATO officials on meeting with Putin – media reports. Trump’s call with Zelenskyy after Witkoff’s Kremlin visit left Kyiv and EU capitals confused about whether US policy was shifting or sanctions would proceed as planned on 8 Aug.

Putin names UAE suitable location for planned meeting with Trump.

White House sets Zelenskyy meeting as condition for Trump-Putin summit

. White House officials have made Putin’s agreement to meet with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy a prerequisite for any Trump-Putin summit, despite Moscow’s claims that a bilateral meeting was already arranged in principle.

Bloomberg: Trump suggests Putin would be open to peace talks in exchange for territory. The developments follow a meeting between Putin and Trump’s envoy Steve Witkoff in Moscow on 6 August, which Trump characterized as achieving “great progress.”

ISW: Ahead of Trump’s 8 August deadline, Russian propagandists fuel White House division to avoid sanctions. Meanwhile, Russian officials still claim economic strength despite falling oil revenues and slowing household consumption.

Ukraine EU poll 2025: Confidence in quick membership hits lowest point since invasion. Ukrainian confidence in EU membership within 10 years drops to 52% – down 21 points from 73% in 2022-2023, new Gallup poll shows.

Humanitarian and social impact

Russia opens “slave market” of stolen Ukrainian children — users can choose them by color of eyes. Since 2014, nearly 20,000 children have been taken from occupied territories, and now Moscow is cataloging them online like items in a store.

“We’ll cut it off and rape you”: Ukrainian prisoner threatened with castration during interrogation in Russian captivity

. Anatoliy Tutov survived four rounds of beatings and sexual torture, and released with broken ribs, internal bruises, and fractured bones.

Ukraine reveals name of main torturer of journalist Roshchyna, who was killed in Russian detention center. Alexander Shtuda, the Russian detention chief, is now charged with overseeing the savage abuse that led to Victoria Roshchyna’s death.

Political and legal developments

Ukrainian draft employees to be mandated to wear body cameras from 1 September – Defense Minister. Ukraine’s recruitment centers face new transparency measures requiring body cameras and video recording amid escalating tensions around mobilization efforts.

Russia’s energy revenues crash by 19% as war devours civilian budget. With gas exports to Europe halved and oil profits plunging, the Kremlin raids its welfare fund while fueling the front.

Indian refineries stop buying Russian oil again after US tariffs – Bloomberg. Three of India’s largest state-owned oil companies have stopped buying Russian crude in their next purchasing cycle after President Trump slapped 25% tariffs on Indian exports

Capitulation is not peace: Nearly 80% of Ukrainians reject Russia’s demands on ceding territory and disarmament. Putin’s so-called “peace plan” requires surrender, while Ukrainians call it what it is: defeat in disguise.

WP: Trump administration plans to soften criticism of Russia on human rights. Trump’s human rights report on Russia omits the Supreme Court’s LGBTQ+ organization ban and related arrests, which a former State Department official calls a “glaring omission.”

Read our earlier daily review here.

Ukrainian drone interceptor unit Posipaky has successfully shot down two new Russian Shahed-type unmanned aerial vehicles, volunteer Serhiy Sternenko reported, publishing video footage of one of the intercepts.

Ukrainian intelligence officials previously identified these drones as potential reconnaissance assets and decoy targets designed to reveal Ukrainian air defense positions or overload defense systems. The aircraft reportedly can also carry a warhead weighing up to 15 kilograms.

The drone’s fuselage features a delta-wing configuration similar to the Shahed-136 but significantly smaller in dimensions. Most components used in this Russian UAV are of Chinese origin, according to Ukraine’s Main Intelligence Directorate.

“Almost half of them: flight controller with autopilot, navigation modules and antennas, air speed sensor and Pitot tube – from one Chinese company CUAV Technology, which specializes in research, development and production of system modules and applications for UAVs,” according to the intelligence report.

The drone is also equipped with a Chinese copy of the Australian RFD900x data transmission module manufactured by RFDesign. Like the original sample, the Chinese product is designed for long-range data transmission up to 40 kilometers in direct line of sight, depending on the antenna.

This device enables data transmission channels from the drone to its ground station or between UAVs, thereby expanding reconnaissance capabilities. The Shahed-type drone is fitted with a Chinese DLE-60 engine and electronic ignition module.

The intercepts highlight ongoing Ukrainian efforts to counter evolving Russian drone technology that increasingly relies on Chinese-manufactured components for critical flight systems and communication equipment.

In October 2022, CUAV Technology announced restrictions on supplying its products to both Ukraine and Russia to prevent their use in military applications. However, in 2023, Russia presented a vertical takeoff drone as an original development, which turned out to be a CUAV product available on Aliexpress.

Militarnyi notes that DLE engines were previously used by Russian developers in the Gerbera and Parodiia decoy drones. KST servos have appeared in the Shahed-136 drones, V2U, aerial bomb glide kits.

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Four years ago, most of these women fighters had never fired fired a gun or held a weapon in combat. By the time they died, they were operating some of Ukraine’s most sophisticated military equipment.

All of them were killed while serving in frontline combat roles when Russia’s full-scale invasion began in February 2022. Their ages ranged from 22 to 52. Their deaths span the full spectrum of modern warfare: drone operators, combat medics, reconnaissance scouts, evacuation specialists. Some were career soldiers; others learned military skills after February 2022.

Their stories reveal how Ukraine’s war has quietly revolutionized military service. Civilians became drone pilots. University students became battlefield medics. Mothers learned reconnaissance. They died performing jobs that placed them in the most dangerous areas of combat – from evacuation routes under artillery fire to reconnaissance missions in contested territory. Their call signs and nicknames became known to their units not as curiosities, but as soldiers who had mastered their roles and died performing them.

The medic fighter who refused to leave

Two days into Russia’s invasion, Inna Derusova could have stayed home. The 52-year-old senior sergeant had just returned from vacation when the bombs started falling. Instead, she reported to her medical unit near Okhtyrka in Sumy Oblast and began treating wounded soldiers under artillery fire.

On 26 February 2022, just two days after the full-scale invasion, Russian shells hit her aid post. Derusova had already saved more than ten soldiers that day. She died treating the wounded, becoming the first woman to receive Ukraine’s highest honor – Hero of Ukraine – posthumously awarded by President Zelenskyy.

Her career began in 2015, long before anyone imagined this full-scale war. By 2022, she headed a medical unit and trained frontline medics. The invasion found her exactly where she chose to be: holding the line.

From university to the trenches

Anastasiia Marianchuk was studying Japanese at Kyiv’s Taras Shevchenko University when Russia invaded. The 22-year-old took a sabbatical in 2022 – not to flee, but to volunteer as a combat medic.

Her call sign “Troia” became known throughout the 67th Separate Mechanized Brigade’s first rifle battalion. She served around Kyiv, then moved to the Donetsk front. On 18 March 2024, she was evacuating wounded soldiers under heavy fire near Chasiv Yar, Donetsk Oblast when enemy shells hit her vehicle.

Marianchuk had planned to teach Ukrainian in Japan after the war. Instead, her classmates held an art exhibition of her drawings after her funeral. She was 22 when she died – old enough to choose the fight, young enough to dream of what could come after.

The mother who learned to fly drones

Liudmyla Shkurenko spent the early months of the war as a volunteer, like thousands of Ukrainian civilians. But the 43-year-old mother of two from Kyiv Oblast wanted to do more than pack humanitarian aid.

She learned to operate UAV systems, then formally enlisted in the Ukrainian Army in May 2024. Assigned to a mechanized battalion as a reconnaissance scout and gunner, she deployed to the Kupiansk area in Kharkiv Oblast.

On 29 May 2024, Shkurenko texted her husband before a night mission, promising to stay safe. It was the last message he received. Enemy shelling struck her unit during the operation, and she died from the wounds.

Her funeral in Ukrainka, Kyiv Oblast drew neighbors who remembered her as a devoted mother; her unit remembered her as a soldier who had mastered new skills to fight more effectively.

To win in a war of attrition, Ukraine should mobilize women, report argues

The IT recruiter turned battlefield angel

Yana “Yara” Rykhlitska worked in civilian IT recruitment before February 2022. After the invasion, the 29-year-old began volunteering with medics and refugees. By late 2022, she had formally joined the 93rd Kholodnyi Yar Mechanized Brigade and served at a first-aid post during the Battle of Bakhmut.

Her colleagues called her the “Angel of the Fighters” for her work treating the wounded. On 3 March 2023, she was evacuating injured soldiers in a clearly marked medical vehicle when Russian artillery struck near Bakhmut. The shells killed her during the evacuation.

At her funeral in Vinnytsia, her parents asked mourners to donate to military medics rather than the family – a final reflection of Rykhlitska’s priorities.

The decorated veteran

Some of these women were career soldiers. Mariia Vlasiuk had served since 2016, long before the full-scale invasion. The college-trained nurse from Rivne Oblast deployed with the 80th Separate Air Assault Brigade to multiple regions during 2022 – Kherson, Mykolaiv, Kharkiv.

In April 2022, Ukraine awarded her the Order For Courage (3rd class) for evacuating dozens of wounded soldiers under fire. She had saved hundreds of lives by the time she deployed to Luhansk Oblast for what would be her final rotation.

On 24 May 2022, Vlasiuk was traveling to pick up injured comrades near Bilohorivka when Russian forces hit the evacuation convoy. Shrapnel from the artillery barrage killed the 27-year-old medic instantly.

The veteran medic from Transcarpathia

Nataliia “Babochka” Bokoch had worked as a paramedic and emergency medical technician for over two decades before the war. The 46-year-old mother of two from Khust in Zakarpattia Oblast even trained with the Red Cross in Britain. She was fondly known as “Babochka” (Granny) among her comrades-in-arms.

In 2023, she returned from Hungary and enlisted in the Ukrainian Army as a military medic. Regional media in Transcarpathia reported that she “tragically died on the front line” in early 2024 while serving with a medical evacuation unit, though military officials did not release specific details about her death during combat operations.

The blue-haired drone ace with the cat’s ears

Kateryna “Meow” Troian’s call sign suited her personality, but her skill made her legendary. The 32-year-old had flown over a thousand successful combat missions for Ukraine’s 82nd Separate Air Assault Brigade. But Russian forces killed her on 8 June 2025 near Pokrovsk.

Troian joined Ukraine’s Air Assault Forces in 2023, when FPV drone warfare was still evolving from hobby technology into a decisive battlefield tool. She learned to pilot first-person-view drones – small, agile aircraft that operators control through video feeds, often flying them directly into enemy targets.

Her distinctive blue hair made her stand out among the paratroopers, but her flight record made her invaluable. Over a thousand successful missions meant she had engaged Russian positions more times than most soldiers fire their rifles. Fellow drone operators considered her among the best FPV pilots in the brigade.

Troian’s service took her from Ukraine’s eastern Donetsk region to combat operations in Russia’s Kursk area. On 8 June 2025, she was conducting a mission near Pokrovsk when her unit came under heavy artillery fire. She died of her wounds at Mechnikov Hospital after her evacuation ambulance took direct hits.

What their deaths reveal

The deaths of these women fighters weren’t mere anomalies. Ukraine’s military has has integrated women into combat units, artillery, reconnaissance, and medical corps in growing numbers since February 2022. Official casualty reports list hundreds of servicemembers killed in action – a toll that includes an increasing number of women serving in frontline roles.

The war found some of them in uniform already. Others chose to join the fight, learning skills from drone piloting to battlefield medicine. All seven died doing jobs that required them to operate in the most dangerous areas of the battlefield – from evacuation routes under artillery fire to reconnaissance missions in contested territory.

Their call signs and nicknames – “Meow,” “Troia,” “Yara,” “Babochka” – became known to their units not as curiosities, but as soldiers who had mastered their roles and died performing them.

Thanks to your incredible support, we’ve raised 70% of our funding goal to launch a platform connecting Ukraine’s defense tech with the world – David vs. Goliath defense blog. It will support Ukrainian engineers who are creating innovative battlefield solutions and we are inviting you to join us on the journey.

Our platform will showcase the Ukrainian defense tech underdogs who are Ukraine’s hope to win in the war against Russia, giving them the much-needed visibility to connect them with crucial expertise, funding, and international support.

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Russian forces launched drone attacks against civilian targets across three Ukrainian oblasts overnight on 8 August, according to regional officials.

Ukraine’s Air Force reported about the downing of more than 80 Russian drones during the night, predominantly Shaheds, along with reactive drones and decoys. The attacks represent continued Russian targeting of civilian infrastructure across multiple oblasts, with Sumy Oblast remaining one of the most frequently attacked border areas where shelling, drone attacks, and Russian reconnaissance group infiltration attempts occur regularly.

In Sumy Oblast, Russian forces struck Shostka with attack drones around 1 am, with air defense systems engaging the threats. Multiple Russian drones moved toward the city, followed by explosions as air defenses operated. Witnesses reported hearing characteristic sounds of Iranian kamikaze drones and series of loud explosions in the sky.

Sumy Oblast Governor Oleh Hryhorov said that three Russian drone impacts damaged several multi-story residential buildings, vehicles, and social infrastructure facilities in the Shostka community.

Sumy community also suffered damage, with the local administration confirming no fatalities but reporting destruction and one injury. The attack damaged several non-residential buildings, a store, and a private vehicle. A 54-year-old man was injured, receiving immediate medical assistance on-site and continuing outpatient treatment.

The Kyiv Oblast Military Administration reported that Russian forces attacked settlements in the oblast with drones, specifically targeting the Buchan district.

In Bucha, the assault injured three civilians: women aged 56 and 80, and a 16-year-old teenager, according to the Kyiv Oblast Military Administration. Bucha Mayor Anatoliy Fedoruk confirmed that seven private houses and a kindergarten sustained damage from the Russian night attack.

Fedoruk said that all residents remained alive, with rescuers, utility services, and police immediately providing assistance to affected people.

Russian drone also attacked Odesa Oblast, injuring one person and causing destruction, Governor Oleh Kiper said. The attack damaged a sewage pumping station building, while falling debris from downed drones ignited dry grass in suburban areas before firefighters quickly extinguished the blaze.

“A gas station security guard was injured when the blast wave blew out glass. The man received multiple lacerations on his hand. Medics provided him with all necessary assistance, and the wounded man continues outpatient treatment,” Kiper said. 

The Russian military regularly attacks Ukrainian oblasts with various types of weapons, killing civilians and destroying hospitals, schools, kindergartens, energy and water supply facilities.

The Ukrainian authorities and international organisations qualify these strikes as war crimes by the Russian Federation and emphasise that they are of a targeted nature.