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Reçu aujourd’hui — 20 août 2025Euromaidan Press
  • ✇Euromaidan Press
  • Ukraine releases footage of drone strike on seasoned Russian general with war crime charges. He lost arm and leg.
    Ukrainian special operations forces conducted a targeted drone attack against a senior Russian military official, resulting in severe injuries that required amputation of the officer’s arm and leg. A Ukrainian drone found its target on a dark highway in Russia’s Kursk Oblast near the border with Ukraine. The vehicle carried Lieutenant General Essedulla Abatchev, deputy commander of Russia’s “North” military group. Since the full-scale invasion began in 2022, Russia has lost at least 16 generals,
     

Ukraine releases footage of drone strike on seasoned Russian general with war crime charges. He lost arm and leg.

20 août 2025 à 18:16

ukraine hit russian convoy kursk — deputy commander moscow's north grouping lost arm leg army's general-lieutenant essedulla abatchev photos sources abachev-russian-general-nicely-sruck-in-kursk-oblast ukrainian forces struck military oblast overnight 17 leaving russia’s

Ukrainian special operations forces conducted a targeted drone attack against a senior Russian military official, resulting in severe injuries that required amputation of the officer’s arm and leg.

A Ukrainian drone found its target on a dark highway in Russia’s Kursk Oblast near the border with Ukraine. The vehicle carried Lieutenant General Essedulla Abatchev, deputy commander of Russia’s “North” military group.

Since the full-scale invasion began in 2022, Russia has lost at least 16 generals, highlighting the significance of this blow to its military command.

But who is Abatchev? Ukraine’s Security Service filed charges against him in 2022, documenting his role in combat operations across eastern Ukraine. He commanded forces in Sievierodonetsk, Lysychansk, Kreminna, and Rubizhne—all cities that saw intense fighting in Luhansk Oblast. His career also spans the Chechen wars, Georgia, Syria apart from Luhansk in Ukraine.

Russia’s response to those operations? They awarded Abatchev “Hero of Russia” and “Hero of the LNR” titles for war crimes.

The 17 August strike occurred five kilometers from Rylsk city, according to video footage released by Ukraine’s Special Operations Forces.

The UA_REG TEAM unit tracked Abatchev’s convoy on the Rylsk-Khomutovka highway before launching their attack.

Following the attack, Abatchev was evacuated by military transport aircraft to Moscow’s Vishnevsky Central Clinical Hospital, the Main Intelligence Directorate reported. Emergency amputation followed.

Ukrainian Defense Intelligence emphasized retribution for Russian war crimes, underscoring Ukraine’s capability to conduct precise, high-impact strikes deep into Russian territory

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  • ✇Euromaidan Press
  • Frontline report: Azerbaijan and Armenia were bitter enemies—until Russia made them allies
    Today, the biggest news comes from the southern Russian flank. Russian forces were put on high alert because Armenia and Azerbaijan, enemies through decades of war, are now preparing to sign a peace deal that could transform their contested border into a joint lifeline for security. This sudden alignment is not born of friendship, but of the shared enemy that Russia has become. Washington meeting lays groundwork for peace Recently, the presidents of Azerbaijan and Armenia met in Washin
     

Frontline report: Azerbaijan and Armenia were bitter enemies—until Russia made them allies

20 août 2025 à 18:08

Today, the biggest news comes from the southern Russian flank. Russian forces were put on high alert because Armenia and Azerbaijan, enemies through decades of war, are now preparing to sign a peace deal that could transform their contested border into a joint lifeline for security. This sudden alignment is not born of friendship, but of the shared enemy that Russia has become.


Washington meeting lays groundwork for peace

Recently, the presidents of Azerbaijan and Armenia met in Washington, where they signed a preliminary agreement that could serve as the foundation for a final peace deal. The memorandum outlines:

  • Mutual recognition of sovereignty
  • Renunciation of territorial claims
  • Demilitarization of the border
  • Creation of the Zangezur Corridor, linking Azerbaijan to its exclave through Armenia
Armenia and Azerbaijan signed a pact to recognize sovereignty, drop claims, demilitarize their border, and open the Zangezur Corridor. Photo: Screenshot from the video

The Zangezur corridor: a strategic game-changer

The Zangezur Corridor will remain under Armenian sovereignty but be operated by a US-led private military company. This arrangement oversees energy lines and road networks, combining infrastructure development with third-party security.

For both nations, this signals the most substantive break from decades of hostility since the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict began.


Decades of conflict over Nagorno-Karabakh

Armenia and Azerbaijan have fought bitterly since the collapse of the Soviet Union, with two wars and recurring clashes costing tens of thousands of lives.

  • The conflict centered on control of an Armenian-majority enclave in Azerbaijan.
  • After victories in 2020 and 2023, Azerbaijan ended Armenia’s military presence, dissolving the enclave and reclaiming all territories.

This new peace deal effectively closes the chapter on the territorial dispute.

Armenia and Azerbaijan fought over Nagorno-Karabakh until Azerbaijan’s 2020–23 victories ended Armenian control. Photo: Screenshot from the video

Armenia’s pivot away from Russia

For Armenia, the agreement marks a dramatic shift away from failed Russian security guarantees. Once reliant on Moscow through the CSTO and Russian troops in Gyumri, Armenia watched Russia remain passive during conflicts in 2020 and 2023.

Armenia fears both a “Syrian scenario”, where foreign forces exploit Russia’s weakness, and a “Georgian scenario”, where Russian troops seize control. By anchoring a US-managed corridor, Armenia secures deterrence and Western economic interest.

Nagorno-Karabakh on the map. Photo: Screenshot from the video

Azerbaijan’s strategic insulation from Moscow

Azerbaijan also sees the deal as liberation from Moscow’s interference. Russian actions—such as the missile strike on its embassy in Kyiv and the downing of Azerbaijani aircraft—have deepened mistrust.

With the Zangezur Corridor under US oversight, Azerbaijan gains:

  • Direct link to Türkiye and allies
  • Strategic insulation from Russian troops
  • Predictable transit revenues and trade integration
Armenia saw Russia stay passive in 2020 and 2023, tied down by its war in Ukraine. Photo: Screenshot from the video

US-led corridor as de facto peacekeeping force

The private military company managing the corridor could serve as a peacekeeping mechanism, embedding economic and security guarantees.

Any disruption would harm both countries’ economies and Western interests, creating a mutual incentive for stability.


A new balance of power in the South Caucasus

This is more than a symbolic handshake. The peace deal is a strategic realignment that:

  • Resolves a decades-old dispute
  • Weakens Russia’s influence in the region
  • Anchors Armenia and Azerbaijan closer to the West

If finalized, it could reshape the balance of power in the South Caucasus in ways Moscow can no longer afford to control.

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.

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  • ✇Euromaidan Press
  • Ukraine’s drones buzz on—but NATO warns: don’t rely too much
    Drones may dominate the skies over Ukraine, but defense experts warn they cannot replace artillery, missiles, and tanks. As NATO plans for the future, some fear an overreliance on swarms of cheap drones could “play to Russia’s strengths” instead of deterring them. Why build a $5 million tank when a $500 drone can destroy it? That question drives NATO’s debate — yet Ukraine’s experience shows the answer is complicated. Kyiv’s dependence on drones reflects necessity, not strategy. With artil
     

Ukraine’s drones buzz on—but NATO warns: don’t rely too much

20 août 2025 à 16:55

Drones may dominate the skies over Ukraine, but defense experts warn they cannot replace artillery, missiles, and tanks. As NATO plans for the future, some fear an overreliance on swarms of cheap drones could “play to Russia’s strengths” instead of deterring them.

Why build a $5 million tank when a $500 drone can destroy it? That question drives NATO’s debate — yet Ukraine’s experience shows the answer is complicated.

Kyiv’s dependence on drones reflects necessity, not strategy. With artillery shells and missiles in short supply, Ukraine turned to unmanned aerial systems to fill the gaps left by slow or limited weapons deliveries from allies.

“This attrition from drones has been occurring in the context of a Russian force that is still constrained by minefields and forced to disperse by Ukrainian artillery,” wrote Justin Bronk of the Royal United Services Institute in Defense News.

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has acknowledged that about 40% of Ukraine’s frontline weapons now come from domestic production, but commanders continue to clamor for Western systems such as HIMARS, ATACMS, guided shells — and, increasingly, glide bombs — to blunt Russian offensives.

Drones dominate, but don’t decide battles

On the battlefield, drones paralyze movement and inflict steady attrition. Yet most are destroyed before impact.

“Only a small fraction of the huge volumes of drones launched by Ukrainian forces reach their targets, and a still smaller proportion achieve decisive damage,” Bronk noted.

Russia has invested in jammers, nets, and armored cages, making its counter-drone defenses among “the most formidable in the world.” Despite constant innovation, Ukraine has struggled to turn drone use into strategic momentum.

ukraine seeks us approval atacms use kursk offensive missile launch lockheed martin mfc-atacms-block-1a-unitary-02-hjpgpc-adaptive1280medium
The ATACMS missile launch. Photo: Lockheed Martin

Commanders still trust legacy firepower

Even as drones proliferate, Ukrainian units continue to prize artillery and missiles.

“High-end ATGMs, anti-tank BONUS artillery rounds and regular artillery are far more responsive and more reliably able to knock out vehicles and suppress massing infantry than FPV drones,” Bronk wrote.

This explains why Kyiv’s most urgent requests to allies remain long-range fires, not drones.

NATO’s strategic choices

For NATO, the lesson is clear: drones should augment, not replace, legacy weapons. Bronk points to glide bombs such as JDAMs, which cost around $25,000 — far cheaper than a $1 million ATACMS missile — and can destroy bunkers, command posts, and armored vehicles.

Michael Kofman of the Carnegie Endowment reinforced the point: “Those are the advantages that are likely to prove much more significant than being second- or third-mover in the drone fight.”

graphic rendering pjdam ammunition boeing daijkjc29qd7hokhlzsl93hpb6fmfnm158xsooqo (1)
Graphic rendering of the PJDAM ammunition. Image: Boeing.

The bottom line

Drones have changed warfare, but they work best when paired with artillery, missiles, and airpower. As Bronk concluded:

“It is far technically and tactically easier to counter a force that primarily relies on massed, cheap drones … than it is to counter well-employed airpower, long-range fires, armor, artillery and mortars within a professional joint force.”

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  • ✇Euromaidan Press
  • How did Russians get into Kupiansk—and run straight into a Ukrainian tank?
    Russian infantry slipped past Ukrainian defenses around the city of Kupiansk, in Kharkiv Oblast, on or before Tuesday. A Ukrainian tank, presumably from the 116th Mechanized Brigade, rolled right up to the half-demolished building the Russians were sheltering in—and blasted them at point-blank range. It’s the latest instance of Ukrainian tanks engaging, and defeating, under-supported Russian infantry in a close fight. But it’s an ominous development for Ukraine. The brutal, zero-distance skir
     

How did Russians get into Kupiansk—and run straight into a Ukrainian tank?

20 août 2025 à 15:50

A 116th Mechanized Brigade tank.

Russian infantry slipped past Ukrainian defenses around the city of Kupiansk, in Kharkiv Oblast, on or before Tuesday. A Ukrainian tank, presumably from the 116th Mechanized Brigade, rolled right up to the half-demolished building the Russians were sheltering in—and blasted them at point-blank range.

It’s the latest instance of Ukrainian tanks engaging, and defeating, under-supported Russian infantry in a close fight. But it’s an ominous development for Ukraine. The brutal, zero-distance skirmish took place in Kupiansk, a town with a pre-war population of 25,000 and a key strongpoint anchoring Ukrainian defenses just 90 km east of Kharkiv and its millions of residents.

Russian infantry weren’t supposed to appear inside Kupiansk, some 6 km from what most mappers consider the “front line” in Kharkiv Oblast.

The problem, of course, is that the front isn’t really a line anymore. “The reality is that there isn’t a coherent front line,” American analyst Andrew Perpetua explained.

Instead, there’s a wide no-man’s land between areas of clear Russian and Ukrainian control. That no-man’s-land is largely depopulated except for scattered—and carefully concealed—underground fighting positions for a few harried infantry.

Drones are everywhere all the time. Indeed, the drones—their relentless surveillance and attacks—are why the infantry are so spread out and scared. And why the front line is so indistinct.

This new reality defies the traditional language of wartime reporting. Terms like “front line,” “encirclement” and “breakthrough” have largely lost their meaning. Especially considering Ukraine’s desperate manpower shortage. Kyiv’s roughly 130 combat brigades may be short around 100,000 trained infantry.

Thin front line

“The front line is so thinned out that full-scale encirclements in the traditional sense are unlikely to occur again,” the pro-Ukraine Conflict Intelligence Team observed. “Instead, the opposing forces are more likely to ‘slip’ through each other’s positions.”

“The front line is actually relatively porous, and there are often fewer than 10 soldiers defending every kilometer of the front, depending on the terrain,” noted analyst Rob Lee from the Foreign Policy Research Institute in Philadelphia. “Many Ukrainian brigades have adopted a different approach to defense where their infantry deliberately try to avoid engaging.”

Instead of actively fighting, the infantry watch for approaching Russians—and relay the coordinates to nearby drone teams. Where in previous conflicts, drones spotted targets for the infantry, in this conflict the roles are reversed.

The porous front line makes infiltration easier and exploitation harder. To “advance,” Russian regiments can “take two men dressed in cloaks to hide their thermal signature,” Perpetua explained. “They are led by a drone through a specified path, the drone ensuring their security and camouflage.”

“These infantry move up into positions and lie in wait, being resupplied by Molniya [drones],” Perpetua added. “They ambush opportunistically, and kill anyone—namely civilians—who threaten to give away their position.”

“Russia then moves up another pair and another pair and another pair to accumulate forces in exacting, specified positions,” Perpetua wrote. “The entire operation is directed from above, the people involved have no initiative. In some cases, once a route has enough of these small rifle teams, they push forward a larger group of light infantry.”

That Ukrainian tank may have interrupted the Russians in Kupiansk before they could accumulate enough troops secure a lodgement. “Ukrainian defense forces defending in the city have counterattacked the enemy that had penetrated the area several times and pushed the enemy back,” the Ukrainian Center for Defense Strategies reported.

But the Russians have been probing Kupiansk for a while now—and they’re sure to continue as they leverage their manpower advantage over Ukraine’s depleted brigades. “Provided current dynamics of combat operations are maintained, the enemy will be able to capture Pokrovsk by autumn, Kostyantynivka and Kupiansk by the end of the year,” CDS predicted.

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  • Is Ukraine’s popular general Zaluzhnyi already running against Zelenskyy? The London rumors, explained
    Ukraine’s former Commander-in-Chief, now Ambassador to the UK, Valerii Zaluzhnyi, is reportedly positioning for a future presidential bid. American journalist Katie Livingstone claims he has already set up a campaign headquarters in London and begun recruiting a political team. Speculation about elections is highly sensitive in Ukraine. National voting can only take place once the war ends, and any suggestion of campaigning carries the implication that a post-war transition is on the horizon.
     

Is Ukraine’s popular general Zaluzhnyi already running against Zelenskyy? The London rumors, explained

20 août 2025 à 15:13

Ukraine’s former Commander-in-Chief, now Ambassador to the UK, Valerii Zaluzhnyi, is reportedly positioning for a future presidential bid. American journalist Katie Livingstone claims he has already set up a campaign headquarters in London and begun recruiting a political team.

Speculation about elections is highly sensitive in Ukraine. National voting can only take place once the war ends, and any suggestion of campaigning carries the implication that a post-war transition is on the horizon. At the same time, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is widely seen as determined to hold on to power, making rumors of a challenge from Zaluzhnyi especially explosive.


Alleged key players in the report

Livingstone, a Pulitzer-nominated freelance reporter based in Kyiv, named several figures tied to the supposed effort:

  • General Serhiy Naiev — allegedly leading the London office. His role is contentious: critics blame him for the swift loss of Ukraine’s southern territories in 2022, when Russian forces seized large areas almost without resistance.
  • Oksana Torop — Zaluzhnyi’s adviser and former BBC journalist, said to be managing his “media operation.” Torop insists her involvement is limited to handling press contacts.
  • Viktoria Syumar — opposition MP from European Solidarity, reportedly handling internal coordination. She has strongly denied the claim.
  • Polina Lysenko — deputy director of NABU, Ukraine’s National Anti-Corruption Bureau, and former head of the Center for Countering Disinformation. She was allegedly in charge of international outreach. NABU dismissed the report as stemming from “highly questionable sources.”
  • Serhiy Pashynskyi — former head of Ukroboronprom, the state defense conglomerate. A veteran political operator and arms industry figure, he has faced corruption allegations but also emerged as a key wartime supplier.

Zaluzhnyi’s team pushes back

The ambassador’s advisers have rejected the claims outright. Oksana Torop told NV:

“I only assist Valerii Zaluzhnyi in media contacts. Nothing more.”

She stressed:

“As long as the war continues, we must preserve the country — not think about elections. Therefore, no campaign headquarters exists.”

Other figures mentioned in Livingstone’s report, including Syumar and NABU, also denied any involvement.

politico ukraine launched kursk incursion despite objections some top brass president zelenskyy (left) commander-in-chief zaluzhnyi (right) zelenskyy's fb page
President Zelenskyy (left) and Commander-in-Chief Zaluzhnyi (right). Photo from Zelenskyy’s FB page

Criticism over his departure

Zaluzhnyi remains one of Ukraine’s most trusted public figures, often polling ahead of Zelenskyy. Yet his move abroad has sparked criticism. Many note that he accepted the ambassadorial post in London as soon as it was offered, a privilege not available to most Ukrainian men, who remain barred from leaving the country during wartime.

For some, this fuels skepticism about his motives—even as others see it as a strategic step by a capable leader preparing for a political future.


A rival in waiting

Denials aside, Zaluzhnyi’s reputation as a respected military leader and his broad public support keep him in the spotlight. Whether he is actively preparing a campaign or not, he is widely viewed as Zelenskyy’s most serious rival in any post-war election.

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  • Military drone explodes in Polish cornfield just 40km from Warsaw — all eyes on Russia
    Polish prosecutors reported that a military drone of unknown origin likely exploded overnight in a cornfield near the village of Osiny in Lublin Voivodeship, about 100 km from Ukraine, 90 km from Belarus, and just 40 km from Warsaw. The blast, shortly after 2 a.m. local time, shattered windows in nearby houses and scorched an 8–10 meter patch of farmland, but caused no casualties. The incident comes amid a pattern of Poland scrambling fighter jets almost every time Russia launches major strik
     

Military drone explodes in Polish cornfield just 40km from Warsaw — all eyes on Russia

20 août 2025 à 12:43

Polish prosecutors reported that a military drone of unknown origin likely exploded overnight in a cornfield near the village of Osiny in Lublin Voivodeship, about 100 km from Ukraine, 90 km from Belarus, and just 40 km from Warsaw. The blast, shortly after 2 a.m. local time, shattered windows in nearby houses and scorched an 8–10 meter patch of farmland, but caused no casualties.

The incident comes amid a pattern of Poland scrambling fighter jets almost every time Russia launches major strikes on Ukraine. These flights are intended as a precaution, though they have never resulted in interceptions, since NATO aircraft only act if an object directly threatens alliance territory.

Osiny, lubelszczyzna, ok. 100 km od granicy z Ukrainą. Policja odnalazła nadpalone, metalowe i plastikowe szczątki. https://t.co/tdwN6vQ0cq pic.twitter.com/zz3D7Wmi2V

— 1 Star (@PawelSokala) August 20, 2025

Remains point to Russian-style drone

At the site, authorities recovered burned fragments of metal, plastic, and a drone engine. Journalists from both Ukraine and Poland noted these parts resemble those used in Russian Shahed kamikaze drones.

Defense Express highlighted that investigators found a four-stroke MD550 engine, typical of Shahed drones, though with an unusual muffler—raising questions about whether the drone malfunctioned or lost its way.

The MD550 four-stroke engine, a model Russia uses extensively in Shahed drones. Photo: Defense Express

Conflicting statements from authorities

Initially, Poland’s Armed Forces stated there were no violations of its airspace from Ukraine or Belarus that night. Later, Lublin prosecutor Grzegorz Trusiewicz said:

“The nature of the explosion shows this object was most likely a military drone. Its trajectory and origin remain undetermined.”

Linked to Russian strikes on Ukraine

The explosion coincided with air raid alerts in Ukraine’s Lviv and Volyn Oblasts. Russia had launched a barrage of drones—estimated at more than 90 Shahed drones—and two Iskander-M ballistic missiles.

In May 2023, a Russian Kh-55 cruise missile carrying a dummy nuclear warhead crashed near Bydgoszcz, 450 km from the Ukrainian border. Initially, officials denied any airspace violation, only later confirming the breach — sparking a domestic scandal.

Similar incidents have also occurred in Romania, Lithuania, Latvia, and Moldova, where Russian drones and missiles have landed since the start of the full-scale invasion. Ukraine has repeatedly warned that such events highlight how Moscow’s air campaign against it also endangers NATO members.

Likely launch and crash path of the Russian Shahed in Poland. Russia’s Bryansk Oblast, a known launch site, matches the timing. Photo: Defense Express

Poland points to Russia

By midday, Deputy Prime Minister and Defense Minister Władysław Kosiniak‑Kamysz stated the drone was believed linked to Russia.

“Once again, we are dealing with a provocation by Russia. We are dealing with it in a crucial moment, when discussions about peace (in Ukraine) are underway,” he said.

General Dariusz Malinowski added that intelligence pointed to a Russian origin, though the precise intent—malfunction or deliberate incursion—was still uncertain.

Diplomatic fallout

Poland’s Foreign Ministry announced it will send a formal protest note to Russia and brief NATO allies. Spokesperson Paweł Wroński stressed:

“We will inform our allies about this incident. Poland’s airspace is endangered by this war, and this proves NATO states are at risk.”

Foreign Minister Radosław Sikorski condemned the event as “another violation of our airspace”, emphasizing that Poland’s foremost NATO mission remains the defense of its territory.

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Coalition of the willing: 10 countries ready to send forces to Ukraine after ceasefire. French and British leading.

20 août 2025 à 11:10

russia continues attacks despite own easter truce zelenskyy says ukrainian soldiers during training un4 20 morning president volodymyr accused violating its declared ceasefire citing continued assaults across multiple sectors vladimir

European officials are actively discussing plans to send British and French military personnel to Ukraine as part of security guarantees following any cessation of hostilities, with approximately 10 countries expressing readiness to participate in the initiative.

This development follows a recent diplomatic meeting between US President Donald Trump and Russian leader Vladimir Putin in Alaska on 15 August, where Putin reportedly agreed that Ukraine should receive “reliable security guarantees” similar to NATO’s Article 5 protections, as per Trump. Then, the US president met with Zelenskyy on 18 August where European leaders were also invited to join the talks. The meetings focused on advancing peace talks, though no immediate ceasefire agreement was reached. Meanwhile, Russia continues to demand that Ukraine abandons its plans to join NATO and withdraws from four eastern regions.

Bloomberg reports the security package could take shape this week, as officials rush to finalize details before a potential Putin-Zelenskyy meeting initiated by Trump.

But will America participate? President Trump ruled out US boots on the ground, but offered something else – logistics and air support. Not soldiers.

“We’re willing to help them with things, especially — probably you could talk about by air, because there’s nobody that has the kind of stuff we have,” he told Fox News.

Here’s how the European plan would work.

First stage: European troops stationed away from combat zones, focusing on training Ukrainian forces and providing reinforcements. Think military advisors with real backup, not symbolic presence.

Second stage: American intelligence sharing, border surveillance, weapons, and potentially air defense systems. Europe expects the US to keep providing military hardware through European partners, even without direct American deployment.

The “Coalition of the Willing” is a multinational alliance led primarily by the UK and France, officially announced in March 2025 to provide security guarantees for Ukraine. The coalition is prepared to deploy peacekeeping forces on Ukrainian territory once a ceasefire or peace deal is signed with Russia. As of mid-2025, it has entered an “operational phase” with plans for a multinational headquarters in Paris and coordination center in Kyiv.

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni also proposed a NATO-like security guarantee—strong allied commitments without actual NATO membership. White House meeting on 18 August gave Trump’s backing for the approach.

Here’s the catch: several European officials remain skeptical about whether any guarantees will actually deter Putin or lead to lasting peace. The plan assumes Russia wants to end the war. That assumption hasn’t been tested.

While European leaders publicly support Trump’s efforts to hold talks with Russia and push for peace in Ukraine, they expect the talks to fail and expose Putin’s true intentions of not willing to end the killings.

 

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British “coalition of the willing” troops in Ukraine will train, not fight

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  • Frontline report: Putin sends Oreshnik missiles to Belarus as Lukashenko warns citizens to prepare for war
    Today, the biggest news comes from Belarus. President Alexander Lukashenko has openly warned his population to prepare for war, with new brigades being mobilized on the border and the groundwork being laid for rapid mobilization. In his television address, Lukashenko told Belarusians to prepare for war and difficult times ahead, pushing through legal amendments that would allow martial law and authorize full-scale mobilization far more easily. New brigades and military mobilization Conc
     

Frontline report: Putin sends Oreshnik missiles to Belarus as Lukashenko warns citizens to prepare for war

20 août 2025 à 11:09

Today, the biggest news comes from Belarus. President Alexander Lukashenko has openly warned his population to prepare for war, with new brigades being mobilized on the border and the groundwork being laid for rapid mobilization.

In his television address, Lukashenko told Belarusians to prepare for war and difficult times ahead, pushing through legal amendments that would allow martial law and authorize full-scale mobilization far more easily.

New brigades and military mobilization

Concrete moves on the ground are matching this warning. Belarus is forming a new full special operations brigade in Homel, within striking distance of Ukraine’s northern flank.

The brigade is set to receive Russia’s new Oreshnik ballistic missiles alongside advanced air defense and reconnaissance systems, supplementing existing Iskander launchers. This gives Belarus long-range and even nuclear strike capabilities.

Belarus is building a Homel brigade to field Oreshnik missiles with Iskanders, giving it long-range and nuclear-capable strike power. Photo: Screenshot from the video

Possible invasion scenarios

If Belarus enters the conflict, two main scenarios are in play:

  • Northern Front Invasion: A direct push into western Ukraine to sever land supply routes from Poland and NATO states, cutting off Western arms and isolating Ukrainian forces in the east.
  • Chernihiv Offensive: A renewed attempt along the 60-kilometer highway to Chernihiv, which Russia tried and failed to take in 2022. Belarusian reinforcements could increase pressure on stretched Ukrainian forces.

Northern Ukraine’s forested terrain would favor Belarusian special forces, making the new brigade a looming warning sign.

If Belarus enters the war, it could push into western Ukraine to cut supply routes from Poland and NATO, isolating Ukrainian forces in the east. Photo: Screenshot from the video

Suwalki gap and NATO risks

The second daring scenario is an operation toward the Suwalki Gap, the narrow stretch of land between Belarus and Russia’s Kaliningrad exclave.

Capturing or threatening this corridor would connect Russian and Belarusian forces, splitting NATO’s eastern flank in two.

Notably, a Russian reconnaissance drone recently violated Lithuanian airspace over Vilnius before crashing in a Lithuanian army training ground—suggesting surveillance of NATO infrastructure.

Two scenarios loom: Belarus could open a northern front in Ukraine or strike NATO by targeting the Suwałki Gap. Photo: Screenshot from the video

Zapad 2025 military exercises

These potential escalations coincide with the upcoming Zapad 2025 drills between Russia and Belarus, scheduled for September.

Previous Zapad exercises were used to disguise preparations for real operations—most notably in 2021, which set the stage for Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine one month later. Reports already show troop redeployments to training areas that could double as staging grounds.

Russian reconnaissance drone recently violated Lithuanian airspace over Vilnius. Photo: Screenshot from the video

NATO’s response

The West is taking notice. Germany has redeployed Eurofighter jets to Poland, stationing them east of Warsaw to reinforce NATO’s air policing mission.

Officials emphasize this is a defensive move in direct response to the Zapad drills, meant to strengthen deterrence without escalating to full-scale deployment.

Previous Zapad drills have masked real operations—2021 laid groundwork for Russia’s invasion. Photo: Screenshot from the video

The most serious escalation in years

Overall, Belarus’s preparations mark the most serious escalation on Ukraine’s northern border in over two years.

With Lukashenko’s rhetoric, new nuclear-capable systems, and sweeping legal changes, Minsk is setting the stage for open participation in the war. Whether aiming to cut Ukraine’s western lifelines or challenge NATO directly, the attack could come suddenly and with the element of surprise.

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.

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  • ✇Euromaidan Press
  • Ukraine fights to keep currency stable as war pressures mount
    Ukraine’s hryvnia will remain stable around 43.5 per dollar through 2025, Dragon Capital chief economist Olena Bilan said on the “What’s Up with Economy?” podcast this week.The forecast from Ukraine’s largest investment firm comes as the National Bank actively defends the currency despite ongoing war pressures and mounting labor shortages. “The National Bank has more room to maneuver and more opportunities to keep the exchange rate more or less stable,” Bilan said. “So it is possible that we
     

Ukraine fights to keep currency stable as war pressures mount

20 août 2025 à 10:25

Dragon Capital chief economist Olena Bilan

Ukraine’s hryvnia will remain stable around 43.5 per dollar through 2025, Dragon Capital chief economist Olena Bilan said on the “What’s Up with Economy?” podcast this week.

The forecast from Ukraine’s largest investment firm comes as the National Bank actively defends the currency despite ongoing war pressures and mounting labor shortages.

“The National Bank has more room to maneuver and more opportunities to keep the exchange rate more or less stable,” Bilan said. “So it is possible that we will not see any significant shifts by the end of the year.”

According to the Ukrainian Institute for the Future, the central bank sold $3.4 billion in July to support the hryvnia while international reserves fell from $45.1 billion to $43.0 billion. Recent policy moves include expanding the types of government bonds banks can use for reserves and encouraging domestic financing without money printing.

“We are trying to guess what the Central Bank will do, because the currency market remains under its control,” Bilan explained.

“The main goal of all NBU actions is to bring inflation back to target and keep it there.”

However, Ukraine faces a growing challenge due to its shrinking workforce. “Since 2023, there has been a significant shortage of personnel on the labor market, especially skilled workers, which is pushing wages up,” Bilan warned. Continued mobilization keeps draining workers from the economy, creating wage pressures that threaten price stability.

Economic data shows this tension. Inflation was 14.1% in July with consumer prices falling 0.2% month-on-month, but the NBU raised its 2025 inflation forecast from 8.7% to 9.7% while cutting GDP growth projections from 3.1% to 2.1%.

Dragon Capital’s 43.5 forecast strengthened from earlier projections of 44, reflecting confidence in monetary policy management.

For Western donors, currency stability demonstrates that aid reaches a functioning economy rather than disappearing into monetary chaos.

The bigger question is whether Ukraine can maintain this balance between mobilization needs and economic stability as the war continues. Bilan’s cautious optimism suggests 2025 will test both the central bank’s tools and the economy’s resilience.

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Politico: European leaders support Trump’s Russia talks while expecting them to fail and expose Putin’s true intentions

20 août 2025 à 09:25

Ukraine USA Trump Zelenskyy talks

Why are European leaders backing Trump’s peace negotiations they think will likely prove unsuccessful?

They want Putin’s unwillingness to genuinely end the Ukraine war exposed.

Recent developments include Trump hosting Putin for talks in Alaska, after which the US president claimed to have made progress on “many points,” which remain unspecified. This was followed by a 18 August meeting in Washington where European leaders including Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte, Macron, UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni backed Zelenskyy in discussions with Trump. The US president also announced a preparation for trilateral talks with both Putin and Zelenskyy in the future.

Five diplomats familiar with the discussions revealed to Politico a calculated approach: praise Trump publicly while privately preparing for the talks to reveal Putin’s true intentions.

“It’s clear that if we end up in a situation where Putin proves he doesn’t want to end the war, that will force Trump to act,” one diplomat explained.

The goal? Stronger sanctions when negotiations inevitably stall.

The French president isn’t buying Putin’s peace promises

Emmanuel Macron has become the most vocal skeptic. The same leader who once tried preventing war through diplomatic outreach to Putin now calls the Russian president’s bluff directly.

“Do I think that President Putin wants peace? The answer is no. If you want my deepest belief: No. Do I think that President Trump wants peace? Yes,” Macron said before heading to Washington. “I don’t think that President Putin wants peace. I think he wants the capitulation of Ukraine. That’s what he has proposed.”

A second diplomat confirmed to Politico that allies support the American initiative “not because they necessarily thought it would work but because it will be a clear test of Russian intentions.”

A third diplomat emphasized that security guarantees being developed would help Ukraine “negotiate from a position of strength.”

Meanwhile, Putin’s negotiating demands include:

  • Ukraine must abandon its plans to join NATO and adopt a neutral status.

  • Lifting or easing of some Western sanctions against Russia, including addressing frozen Russian assets in the West.

  • Recognition of Russian sovereignty over Crimea, annexed in 2014.

  • Ukraine’s withdrawal from Donetsk, Luhansk oblasts, Kherson, and Zaporizhzhia oblasts.

  • Protection and official status for the Russian language in Ukraine.

  • Guarantees for the Russian Orthodox Church Moscow Patriarchate in Ukraine.

  • Disarmament of Ukraine, including establishing limits on personnel, weapons, and armed forces.

  • Holding new elections in Ukraine under martial law lifted after initial troop withdrawals.

What forced Putin to negotiate in the first place?

Sanctions pressure. European sources point to Washington’s tariffs against India over Russian oil purchases as the turning point. Putin agreed to engage with Trump only after feeling economic squeeze.

The next target? China’s trade with Russia.

But here’s the catch: European officials see current talks as preparation for that pressure campaign, not genuine peace prospects.

One diplomat put it bluntly: “Everyone is going through the motions. But we don’t know what Putin’s end game is. What will motivate Putin to give any concessions? I don’t know.”

Where could Putin-Zelenskyy talks actually happen?

Hungary emerges as one possibility for a Putin-Zelenskyy meeting. Macron proposed Geneva as neutral ground. But venue selection assumes the talks will occur. Growing Russian evasiveness suggests otherwise.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov says Moscow won’t reject talks but insists on preparation “step by step, gradually, starting from the expert level.” Putin suggested hosting a summit in Russia.

Trump already doubts Putin’s sincerity

Europeans adjusted their red lines to work with Trump, softening demands for Russian ceasefire commitments before negotiations.

“There was some hope Trump could change his mind back on the ceasefire issue. That didn’t happen,” a fifth diplomat said, expressing concern over the difference in positions. “But overall it was still a good step towards peace.”

But they’re betting on a bigger prize: Trump’s recognition of Putin’s bad faith.

The American president already shows signs of skepticism.

“We’re going to find out about President Putin in the next couple of weeks,” Trump told Fox News. “It’s possible that he doesn’t want to make a deal.”

That admission gives Europeans what they want: justification for the sanctions escalation they’ve planned all along.

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  • ✇Euromaidan Press
  • Russia weaponizes civilian 4G networks with new reconnaissance-strike drone 
    Ukraine’s military intelligence revealed that Russia is actively using an unnamed new drone with cellular communication and remote control capabilities. While traditional military drones use radio frequencies that can be easily jammed or tracked, this aircraft hijacks civilian LTE networks, the same infrastructure powering smartphones. This gives Russian operators several advantages:– they can control the drone from hundreds of kilometers away using existing cell towers– the communications blend
     

Russia weaponizes civilian 4G networks with new reconnaissance-strike drone 

20 août 2025 à 07:37

Russia deploys new unnamed drone that hijacks civilian cell networks for military strikes.

Ukraine’s military intelligence revealed that Russia is actively using an unnamed new drone with cellular communication and remote control capabilities.

While traditional military drones use radio frequencies that can be easily jammed or tracked, this aircraft hijacks civilian LTE networks, the same infrastructure powering smartphones. This gives Russian operators several advantages:

– they can control the drone from hundreds of kilometers away using existing cell towers
– the communications blend invisibly with regular cellular traffic
– completely blocking these signals would require disrupting civilian networks across vast areas.

The result is a drone that’s much harder to detect, jam, or trace compared to conventional military aircraft.

The drone functions as a reconnaissance platform, a strike weapon, or a decoy designed to overwhelm Ukrainian air defenses with false targets, according to The Main Intelligence Directorate of Ukraine’s Ministry of Defense.

It can transmit live video through cellular towers and receive remote steering commands via LTE networks.

In strike mode, operators can guide the drone directly onto targets using first-person-view principles—essentially turning it into a manually controlled kamikaze weapon with a human pilot watching through the drone’s camera.

New drone characteristics

Ukrainian analysts describe a delta-wing design similar to the infamous Iranian-designed Shahed-131, though smaller. The resemblance isn’t coincidental because both use the same basic aerodynamic concept that’s proven effective for Russia’s drone swarm tactics.

A jam-resistant satellite positioning system uses four patch antennas paired with Chinese-made Allystar modules. This suggests Russia has specifically designed the drone to operate in electronic warfare environments where standard GPS might be blocked or spoofed.

A DLE engine mounted in the nose section makes the aircraft “most similar to the ‘Italmas’ loitering munition produced by the Russian Zala Group,” intelligence officers noted. But kamikaze drones put them up front since the whole aircraft is meant to crash into targets. This design choice signals the drone can switch between spying and suicide missions as needed.

Where do the parts come from? Nearly half the components trace back to Chinese manufacturers, according to the intelligence assessment. The shopping list includes communication modules, a minicomputer, power regulators, and quartz oscillators—all sourced from China’s commercial electronics industry.

Ukrainian intelligence published a detailed 3D model and component breakdown on the War&Sanctions portal, part of their ongoing effort to document and analyze Russian weapons systems. The technical dissection provides insight into how Russia continues adapting commercial technology for military purposes despite international sanctions.

The emergence of this drone variant highlights Russia’s evolving approach to unmanned warfare—combining proven airframe designs with commercially available communication technology to create more flexible and resilient weapons systems.

 

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  • ✇Euromaidan Press
  • Ukraine made stamps celebrating the time it torched Russia’s scariest planes
    Commemorating the 1 June raid that destroyed or damaged 41 Russian strategic bombers now signals Ukraine’s growing confidence in deep-strike capabilities that fundamentally shift the strategic balance. By turning military success into cultural artifacts, Ukraine demonstrates that Russia’s most threatening weapons — aircraft designed to deliver nuclear-capable missiles — are no longer untouchable. The operation showcased Ukraine’s ability to coordinate precision strikes across vast distance
     

Ukraine made stamps celebrating the time it torched Russia’s scariest planes

20 août 2025 à 06:40

Commemorating the 1 June raid that destroyed or damaged 41 Russian strategic bombers now signals Ukraine’s growing confidence in deep-strike capabilities that fundamentally shift the strategic balance.

By turning military success into cultural artifacts, Ukraine demonstrates that Russia’s most threatening weapons — aircraft designed to deliver nuclear-capable missiles — are no longer untouchable.

The operation showcased Ukraine’s ability to coordinate precision strikes across vast distances using relatively cheap technology. Using 117 AI-trained FPV drones hidden in truck-mounted containers, Ukraine’s Security Service struck four airbases spanning three time zones: Olenya near the Arctic Circle, Ivanovo northeast of Moscow, Dyagilevo southeast of the capital, and Belaya in Siberia.

The mathematical reality is stark: drones costing thousands of dollars disabled aircraft worth billions.

The destroyed Tu-95 and Tu-160 bombers, along with A-50 early warning planes, represented roughly one-third of Russia’s strategic bomber fleet — the very aircraft Moscow uses to threaten Ukrainian cities and NATO territory with cruise missiles. Russia invested decades and enormous resources building these strategic assets, only to watch them burn on their airbases.

Since 2022, Ukrainian postal issues have evolved from cultural resistance symbols to strategic communication tools. The famous “Russian warship” stamp and Kerch Bridge commemoratives told stories of defiance. The Spiderweb stamps tell a different story: Ukraine’s growing ability to strike deep into Russian territory.

The stamp set, priced at 150 UAH ($3.62) with first-day covers at 15 UAH ($0.36), will travel worldwide — carrying the message that Ukraine can reach targets Moscow thought safe. Each envelope becomes a reminder that Russia’s threat projection capabilities are shrinking.

The operation demonstrates that Ukraine has developed indigenous capabilities — truck-based mobile launch platforms, AI-guided swarm coordination, and continental-range strike abilities — that complement Western-supplied weapons. For Russia, the raid exposed that geography provides less protection than Moscow assumed.

The postal commemoration ensures this tactical victory becomes part of Ukraine’s strategic narrative — proof that innovation and determination can neutralize even the most expensive instruments of intimidation.

You could close this page. Or you could join our community and help us produce more materials like this. We keep our reporting open and accessible to everyone because we believe in the power of free information. This is why our small, cost-effective team depends on the support of readers like you to bring deliver timely news, quality analysis, and on-the-ground reports about Russia's war against Ukraine and Ukraine's struggle to build a democratic society. Become a patron or see other ways to support
  • ✇Euromaidan Press
  • Ukrainian civilians pay price as Russian attacks continue despite Trump’s peace attempts
    How serious is Russia about peace? While Donald Trump works to arrange a summit between Putin and Zelenskyy to push for a peace agreement, Russian forces launched another wave of attacks against Ukrainian civilians early 20 August morning. This comes amid recent talks initiated by Trump first with Putin and then with Zelenskyy and European leaders as they are trying to negotiate a peace deal. However, Ukrainian officials describe the continued assaults as proof Russia has no intention of halt
     

Ukrainian civilians pay price as Russian attacks continue despite Trump’s peace attempts

20 août 2025 à 04:54

Russian attack on Okhtyrka in Sumy Oblast damaged private residences and an apartment building, injuring 14 people.

How serious is Russia about peace? While Donald Trump works to arrange a summit between Putin and Zelenskyy to push for a peace agreement, Russian forces launched another wave of attacks against Ukrainian civilians early 20 August morning.

This comes amid recent talks initiated by Trump first with Putin and then with Zelenskyy and European leaders as they are trying to negotiate a peace deal. However, Ukrainian officials describe the continued assaults as proof Russia has no intention of halting hostilities. On 18 August, Russian missile attack on a residential building in Kharkiv killed five civilians, including a toddler and a teenager, with several others injured. 

Russian forces fired two Iskander-M ballistic missiles and Iranian-designed 93 Shahed drones across Ukraine, according to Ukrainian Air Force. Ukrainian air defense intercepted one missile and 62 drones, but strikes still hit 20 locations nationwide.

Energy infrastructure targeted in Odesa Oblast

Izmayil, a port city in southern Odesa Oblast, took direct strikes that damaged fuel and energy infrastructure, according to the Odesa Regional Prosecutor’s Office and State Emergency Service.

One person was injured and hospitalized, officials reported. The strikes sparked a massive fire that required 54 rescuers and 16 specialized vehicles to contain. Ukrainian Railways deployed a fire train, while National Guard fire units and local brigades joined the response.

The Izmayil District Prosecutor’s Office opened a war crimes investigation, while prosecutors and police are documenting damage at the scene.

Aftermath of the Russian attack on fuel facility in Izmayil, Odesa Oblast, on 20 August. Photo: State emergency service

14 civilians injured in Sumy border Oblast

The northern city of Okhtyrka in northeastern Sumy Oblast faced a massive attack that injured 14 people, including three children. Multiple locations were struck simultaneously across the city.

The youngest victim is not even a year old yet. The boy has an acute stress reaction, but there is no threat to his life.

Emergency workers pulled a woman from rubble and transferred her to ambulance crews, according to regional authorities. The strikes damaged an apartment building, 13 private homes, an outbuilding, and a garage. Several cars were destroyed, and fires broke out across impact sites.

Thirteen private residences, an apartment building, and a garage suffered damage in Okhtyrka, Sumy Oblast, 20 August, while 14 people were injured. Photos: National Police of Ukraine/State emergency service

Rescue teams extinguished all fires, the State Emergency Service reported. The scale of damage suggests coordinated targeting of residential areas rather than military infrastructure.

Photos: National Police of Ukraine/State emergency service
You could close this page. Or you could join our community and help us produce more materials like this. We keep our reporting open and accessible to everyone because we believe in the power of free information. This is why our small, cost-effective team depends on the support of readers like you to bring deliver timely news, quality analysis, and on-the-ground reports about Russia's war against Ukraine and Ukraine's struggle to build a democratic society. Become a patron or see other ways to support
  • ✇Euromaidan Press
  • Russo-Ukrainian war, day 1273: Ukraine’s drone blitz cripples 13.5% of Russian oil capacity
    Exclusive Russia’s cozy nuke-proof command vehicle is back in action. Russian industry only produced four or five Ladoga nuclear reconnaissance vehicles. Two wound up in Ukraine. From ambush to alliance: Zelenskyy-Trump summit hints at revival of “peace through strength. Something fundamental shifted when the man who promised to end Ukraine’s war in 24 hours discovered Putin won’t negotiate in good faith. Trump–Zelenskyy summit: smiles in Washington, no ceasefire, $ 100bn
     

Russo-Ukrainian war, day 1273: Ukraine’s drone blitz cripples 13.5% of Russian oil capacity

20 août 2025 à 03:09

Exclusive

Russia’s cozy nuke-proof command vehicle is back in action. Russian industry only produced four or five Ladoga nuclear reconnaissance vehicles. Two wound up in Ukraine.
From ambush to alliance: Zelenskyy-Trump summit hints at revival of “peace through strength. Something fundamental shifted when the man who promised to end Ukraine’s war in 24 hours discovered Putin won’t negotiate in good faith.
Trump–Zelenskyy summit: smiles in Washington, no ceasefire, $ 100bn bill. This Oval Office meeting went better than the last—but the war continues and enforcement remains unclear.
Ukrainian soldier first fought against Russia and then against Ukraine – his story reveals forced conscription in occupation. Ukrainian defenders captured their fellow Ukrainian fighting in Russian uniform who shared that the occupying authorities had threatened him with up to 12 years in prison for allegedly fabricated charges if he did not join killing of his own people on the front lines.
Ukraine builds an army where robots die so soldiers don’t have to. A New York tech CEO is finding the answer to Russia’s three-to-one manpower advantage.
NATO banned weapons to this Ukrainian unit. Now they study its tactics.. Azov went from pariah to the territorial defense case study.
Zelenskyy demands “everything” for security while Trump hints at vague Article 5-like protection. Ukraine wants weapons, troops, and intelligence support. Trump says he will discuss the guarantees with NATO allies later today.

Military

Putin’s circle bleeds in Donbas: Brother of Russian ruling party’s deputy killed in Luhansk Oblast. Oleksandr Milonov died far from home in Luhansk after fighting for over a year.
Three-week Ukrainian drone blitz cuts 13.5% of Russian oil capacity, triggers price crisis. Moscow’s energy infrastructure collapse forces Russian consumers to pay record fuel prices while the Kremlin struggles to maintain both domestic supply and military operations.
Oval Office map showed 20% of Ukraine taken—Zelenskyy says “just 1% in 1,000 days, actually”. The Ukrainian President said the misconception inflated Russia’s perceived military strength.
“Russia’s victorious mood has turned to despair” — Syrskyi on frontline situation. Russia poured over 100,000 soldiers into Donetsk’s Pokrovsk front, a force analysts say could attack a European country. Yet Ukrainian defenders, reinforced by the elite Azov Brigade, halted the advance, regained lost settlements, and pushed the invaders back.
Ukraine’s drones make Russia’s rear go up in flames. Bilokurakyne rail hub burns as precision strikes reach deeper into Russian logistics.
ISW: Russia’s advance near Dobropillia is fracturing under Ukrainian counterattacks. Ukrainian troops retook key villages at the base of Russia’s narrow penetration near Dobropillia in Donetsk Oblast.
Third fire in days: Lukoil’s Volgograd refinery burns again. In less than a week, the facility sustained one confirmed attack, followed by another fire two days after the strike.
Ukraine cuts off Putin’s pipeline profits—Europe’s Druzba oil deliveries halted after yesterday’s drone assault. A key pumping station burned after Kyiv’s forces hit deep inside Russia, ending oil flows to Russia’s ally, Hungary.

Intelligence and technology

It carries 1,150 kg, flies 3,000 km, and it’s called Flamingo—Ukraine’s new cruise missile enters combat (video). FirePoint reportedly conducted successful tests of the missile a few months ago, after which the missile entered serial production.
Ukraine’s security guarantees from US may inlcude $90 billion weapon aid package that could fund 4.5 years of fighting. The package, expected to be signed within days, envisions not only ammunition but also aircraft, air defense systems, and advanced weaponry.

International

Trump’s tariff strategy against India’s Russian oil purchases creates unexpected windfall for Chinese refineries. Beijing’s state-owned refineries are stockpiling discounted Urals crude at 75,000 barrels daily, nearly double their normal intake.
UN: Russia’s war kills four humanitarian aid workers in 100 attacks in Ukraine. Moscow employs dual strategy of targeting protected aid personnel while wielding institutional power to prevent consequences.
Zelenskyy rejects Putin’s Moscow meeting proposal while Russia plots peace talks and civilian deaths at same time. The proposal signals Putin’s successful strategy to escape diplomatic isolation.
Macron says Putin shows no intent to end war—the killing hasn’t stopped. He pointed to new Russian strikes even as world leaders gathered in Washington yesterday.
Trump claims breakthrough on Ukraine-Russia peace talks — Kremlin pretends not to hear. Moscow’s only official comment: maybe delegations could talk more, someday.

Humanitarian and social impact

Russian 1,000-ship network generates millions in military funds from stolen Ukrainian grain in Iran, Turkiye, Egypt. Moscow’s agricultural crime network generates millions in military funding while international buyers become unwitting accomplices in financing Ukraine’s destruction.
Russia targeted Ukraine with 270 drones and 10 missiles while Trump and Zelenskyy met in Washington. Russia hit homes, greenhouses, power facilities, and a school — the attacks left civilians wounded in multiple oblasts.

New developments

From $600 to $1,000: Ukraine pitches a market with growing buying power. Government forecasts salaries will almost double current levels, targeting international investor confidence.
Ukraine bets on nuclear to rebuild grid and supply Europe. Government plans massive reactor expansion while Russian missiles target the grid.

Read our earlier daily review here.

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Become a patron or see other ways to support

Reçu hier — 19 août 2025Euromaidan Press
  • ✇Euromaidan Press
  • Russia’s cozy nuke-proof command vehicle is back in action
    In the late 1970s, Soviet officials tapped the Kirovsky Design Bureau in Saint Petersburg to develop a reconnaissance and command vehicle for nuclear warfare: a sealed, self-contained and thickly-armored turret-less tank with remote cameras and its own oxygen supply. The Ladoga recon and command vehicle wasn’t just nuke-proof. It was also weirdly cozy. Kirovsky produced just a handful of the tracked vehicles—maybe four or five. One spent some time in the irradiated zone around the nuclear
     

Russia’s cozy nuke-proof command vehicle is back in action

19 août 2025 à 18:22

oga in a Russian repair yard.

In the late 1970s, Soviet officials tapped the Kirovsky Design Bureau in Saint Petersburg to develop a reconnaissance and command vehicle for nuclear warfare: a sealed, self-contained and thickly-armored turret-less tank with remote cameras and its own oxygen supply.

The Ladoga recon and command vehicle wasn’t just nuke-proof. It was also weirdly cozy.

Kirovsky produced just a handful of the tracked vehicles—maybe four or five. One spent some time in the irradiated zone around the nuclear power plant in Chernobyl, in northern Ukraine, following the plant’s catastrophic meltdown in 1986. Aside from another that ended up in a museum, the Ladogas then simply disappeared.

Until March 2024, that is—when a Ukrainian drone spotted, and struck, what appeared to be a Ladoga rolling toward Ukrainian lines near the Kreminna Forest in eastern Ukraine. Seventeen months later, another—or the same—Ladoga appeared at a repair yard somewhere in the Russian occupation zone.

It’s possible half the Ladogas Kirovsky produced—and the majority that aren’t on display or badly irradiated—have made their way to Ukraine.

It’s no secret why. The Kremlin is struggling to generate enough combat vehicles—either through new production or by fetching older vehicles from long-term storage—to make good the loss of new fewer than 22,500 vehicles and other heavy equipment along the 1,100-km front line of Russia’s 42-month wider war on Ukraine.

The “de-mechanization” of what was once arguably the world’s leading mechanized military helps to explain why some very strange vehicles have showed up along the front line. Armored vehicles are much less important in Russian doctrine as front-line regiments have shifted to harder-to-detect infantry and motorcycle assaults.

Rare vehicle of the day? Ladoga gets hit by fpv drone. Once a transport vehicle for VIPs, now a target of FPVs.https://t.co/ZAHs1kJ2M5 pic.twitter.com/MmmKwXlJPA

— Andrew Perpetua (@AndrewPerpetua) March 26, 2024

Vehicular oddities

The de-mechanization of the Russian military doesn’t mean Russia is losing wider war on Ukraine. It does mean the Russian military may struggle to exploit its battlefield victories against manpower-starved Ukrainian brigades. Russian infantry might find gaps in Ukrainian defenses. But there are precious few Russian armored vehicles on hand to rush through the gaps—and drive deep behind Ukrainian lines.

At the same time, unarmored Russian attacks are vulnerable to armored Ukrainian counterattacks. It’s telling that, after a brigade of Russian infantry marched through empty Ukrainian trenches northeast of Pokrovsk in eastern Ukraine a few weeks ago, the infiltrators clung to their 15-km salient only as long as it took a powerful Ukrainian force to mobilize its tanks and other heavy forces for a devastating counterattack.

To whatever extent Russian troops still ride under armor, they increasingly ride in vehicular oddities that, pre-war, resided in museums—or were totally unimaginable. The Ladoga may belong to both categories. It combines the armored hull of a T-80 tank with a 1,250-horespower gas-turbine engine and a voluminous crew compartment seating four or so people in padded armchairs.

The Ladoga has a mast-mounted television camera and a full suite of radios that would have allowed the vehicle to work in a doomsday command role. Imagine Soviet leaders speeding to safety inside a Ladoga, directing their own nuclear forces as NATO’s own nukes rain down.

Now imagine some Russian colonel commanding his battalion from a Ladoga’s cozy interior during an attack on Ukrainian forces around Kreminna or Pokrovsk. Or, equally likely, Russian infantry using the Ladoga as an improvised assault vehicle.

The tiny force of Ladogas got a workout around Chernobyl but never performed its primary role in an atomic apocalypse. Surely no one at Kirovsky imagined an aged Ladoga or two would eventually find a way to the front line of a non-nuclear war in 2024 and 2025.

But then, it’s hard to imagine the engineers in Saint Petersburg 50 years ago could anticipate Russia losing 22,500 armored vehicles in just three and a half years in a war with, of all countries, Ukraine.

A Leopard 1A5 firing.
Explore further

Russian infiltrators near Pokrovsk are about to get the tank treatment




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  • ✇Euromaidan Press
  • From ambush to alliance: Zelenskyy-Trump summit hints at revival of “peace through strength
    The change of atmosphere in the Oval Office could not have been starker. In February, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy walked into what looked like an ambush, facing a hostile President Trump and Vice President Vance. On 18 August, the same office hosted a cordial and businesslike discussion between leaders coming to a common understanding of how to deal with Vladimir Putin’s aggression. After months of education about Putin’s methods and Trump’s negotiating style—including Trump’s Ala
     

From ambush to alliance: Zelenskyy-Trump summit hints at revival of “peace through strength

19 août 2025 à 17:56

Ukraine USA Trump Zelenskyy talks

The change of atmosphere in the Oval Office could not have been starker. In February, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy walked into what looked like an ambush, facing a hostile President Trump and Vice President Vance. On 18 August, the same office hosted a cordial and businesslike discussion between leaders coming to a common understanding of how to deal with Vladimir Putin’s aggression.

After months of education about Putin’s methods and Trump’s negotiating style—including Trump’s Alaska meeting with Putin that failed to produce the easy peace he had promised—all parties are adopting a more realistic approach away from wishful thinking toward the kind of concerted pressure that may eventually lead to ending Europe’s deadliest war since World War II.

Ukraine’s strategic evolution

The Ukrainian side clearly learned its lessons from the previous hostile encounter. President Zelenskyy expressed gratitude, emphasized that US aid didn’t come as gifts, and avoided contradicting Trump or presenting graphic war imagery that derailed the last meeting.

Instead, he arrived with maps, battlefield assessments, and specific ideas.

His message was clear: although Russia controls about 20% of Ukrainian territory, subtract areas seized in 2014-2015 during Ukraine’s weakness, and Russian gains over three and a half years of full-scale war have been remarkably limited.

This tells a story of Russian bluff rather than Russian strength.

Dropping NATO for Article 5-level guarantees

Ukraine made a crucial adjustment by dropping its insistence on NATO membership as the only acceptable security arrangement. This removes a major irritant for Trump and strips Russia of its stated pretext for aggression while opening space for alternative frameworks that could prove equally effective.

The proposed Article 5-level security guarantees from a coalition of 30 countries including NATO and non-NATO members such as Japan, New Zealand and Australia represent serious deterrence and deflate Russian narratives completely.

Ukraine also proved it can make deals. The recent minerals agreement with the United States demonstrated Ukrainian reliability and skill as a negotiating partner. This credibility played an important role in securing a respectful conversation in Washington rather than another steamroller attempt.

Ukraine USA Trump Zelenskyy talks
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy (left) and US President Donald Trump in Washington DC. 18 August 2025. Photo: president.gov.ua

Trump’s harder-edged realism

President Trump’s evolution has been equally significant.

His initial belief that he could charm Putin into peace through generous concessions has given way to a different approach entirely.

Trump expressed irritation with Putin’s duplicity, refused to discuss business opportunities before the war stops, and ordered two US nuclear submarines to “be positioned in the appropriate regions” in response to Russia’s nuclear saber-rattling.

Learning Putin interprets compromise as weakness

Trump appears to have learned what Ukraine discovered long ago: Putin interprets willingness to compromise as weakness. While Trump continues making public overtures toward Putin as part of his deal-making philosophy, his actions tell a different story:

  • Weapons deliveries to Ukraine continue, although they’re now being paid for;
  • Sanctions remain in place;
  • The US participates in the Coalition of the Willing;
  • There has been no condemnation of Ukrainian strikes on Russian energy and transport infrastructure that have caused fuel shortages and economic disruption.

This looks like a return to “peace through strength,” though there’s an obstacle to applying it fully. NATO countries have acknowledged they’re not ready for confrontation with Russia and are working to build up their strength in what resembles an exercise of saying “nice doggy” while looking for a stick.

Putin’s shrinking options

Ukraine USA Trump Zelenskyy talks
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy (left) and US President Donald Trump in the Oval Office. 18 August 2025. Photo: president.gov.ua

Putin finds himself in an increasingly difficult position. Having claimed NATO expansion was Russia’s primary concern, he now faces a situation where Trump has categorically ruled out Ukrainian NATO membership.

If Putin continues rejecting peace talks under these conditions, he loses his victim narrative and reveals himself clearly as the aggressor—exactly what Russia has tried to avoid.

Putin’s manipulation tactics, while still present, appear to be losing effectiveness. His transparent attempts to flatter Trump over the 2020 election and the humiliation of President Biden, plus the Trump portrait given as a gift, represent obvious flattery that seems to be increasingly losing grip.

More significantly, Putin’s refusal to accept Trump’s generous initial concessions demonstrated to the American president that the Russian leader may not really mean what he says.

Their meeting was a disaster, though

Alaska surrender: Putin scores total victory, Trump turns pressure on Ukraine

Economic pressure mounting

Russia’s economy is heading toward recession and stagflation. Russia faces slowing production, high inflation, and high interest rates. While Moscow has managed to escape the Afghanistan effect on its society by recruiting contract soldiers from poorer regions rather than sending young conscripts to the frontline, this strategy has limitations.

Ukrainian long-range strikes disrupting Russian economic activity, plus western sanctions limit Russia’s ability to sustain the strategy for long.

European unity and coalition building

Europe is showing signs of waking up to the new security environment. Despite divisions within the European Union, particularly from countries like Hungary, a core coalition remains committed to maintaining sanctions pressure on Moscow while supporting Ukrainian security, as demonstrated in the 18 August White House meeting.

The European Commission has developed strategic documents to enhance Europe’s defense readiness and devised financial instruments to help build and modernize the European defense industrial base. Ukraine is increasingly involved as Europe’s partner.

Ukraine USA Trump Zelenskyy talks
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, US President Donald Trump stand with a group of European leaders during Zelenskyy’s visit to the White House on 18 August 2025. Photo: president.gov.ua

Coalition of the Willing structure

Like traditional NATO Article 5 protections, the Coalition of the Willing comprised mostly of Europeans will commit to defending Ukraine according to their capabilities, as President Zelenskyy explained.

Some will provide military contingents, some will give financial support, others could secure Ukraine’s coastline, and still others might handle air defense. This arrangement represents a big step forward from other security arrangements Ukraine has been offered—the 1994 Budapest memorandum or the Ukraine Compact adopted at the NATO Vilnius summit.

The territorial challenge

The territorial question remains the most difficult issue, particularly regarding Crimea and Donbas. Ukraine will never formally recognize Russian sovereignty over the peninsula, but there appears to be growing acceptance that military reconquest is currently impossible.

Russian control of Crimea creates ongoing security threats extending far beyond Ukraine’s borders. Crimea serves as a southern bridgehead that Russia already used to launch its 2022 attack against Ukraine. Continued Russian presence there ensures this threat remains active.

Occupied Ukraine map
Ukrainian regions occupied by Russia on a map

Ukrainian shipping lanes through the Black Sea will remain vulnerable to Russian interdiction from Crimean bases.

Most critically for Western interests, Russian military positions in Crimea place Moscow significantly closer to European NATO members, creating security challenges for the entire alliance.

Ukraine’s European partners have been explicit about their red lines regarding territorial concessions achieved through force. The principle at stake—that borders cannot be redrawn through military aggression—represents a cornerstone of the international order that extends far beyond Ukraine’s specific situation.

The path forward

Recent developments suggest that substantive negotiations between Russia and Ukraine could take place. Putin’s agreement to meet Zelenskyy personally before trilateral talks with the US president, Trump’s willingness to participate in security guarantee discussions, and the emergence of a credible international coalition all point toward more serious diplomacy than we’ve seen since the war began.

But this progress remains fragile. Putin’s track record on agreements is poor, and his refusal to agree to a ceasefire indicates he still favors continued conflict.

Trump Putin Alaska Meeting red carpet bucha collage4
As see in the Alaska summit with Trump

Editorial: The summit that peacewashed genocide

Requirements for sustainable progress

The path forward requires sustaining economic and military pressure on Russia while building the strength necessary to enforce any eventual agreement. Sanctions should remain until concrete progress occurs, weapons deliveries to Ukraine must continue, and the coalition of willing nations must finalize security arrangements that will credibly deter future Russian aggression.

After eleven years of war, the possibility of a negotiated settlement finally appears somewhat realistic. Nobody in Ukraine is rosy-eyed about Russian intentions and Putin’s ability to continue inflicting lots of pain.

The stakes extend beyond Ukraine to the future of European and possibly even global security. Failure will invite further challenges from Russia and other authoritarian powers watching closely. Ukraine and its allies and partners must not fail.

Julia Kazdobina
Julia Kazdobina is Head of the Ukrainian Foundation for Security Studies, Julia specialized in government policies to counter foreign influence operations online and sanctions policy. She has served as a pro-bono advisor to the Information Policy Minister of Ukraine and holds a Master’s Degree in Political Science from the University of Rochester.
Ukraine USA Trump Zelenskyy talks
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Trump–Zelenskyy summit: smiles in Washington, no ceasefire, $ 100bn bill

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  • ✇Euromaidan Press
  • “Tomahawks are outdated”: Ukraine’s Flamingo missile bets on mass, not stealth
    When images of Ukraine’s new Flamingo cruise missile appeared, experts quickly pointed out the resemblance to another system. The War Zone (TWZ) described Flamingo as “extremely similar, if not identical” to the FP-5 made by UAE-based Milanion. Its specifications — 3,000 km range, 950 km/h top speed, a one-ton warhead, and rail-trailer launchers — align almost exactly with Milanion’s brochure. Still, TWZ cautioned that “the exact relationship… is unknown,” leaving room for Ukrainian modificat
     

“Tomahawks are outdated”: Ukraine’s Flamingo missile bets on mass, not stealth

19 août 2025 à 17:21

When images of Ukraine’s new Flamingo cruise missile appeared, experts quickly pointed out the resemblance to another system.

The War Zone (TWZ) described Flamingo as “extremely similar, if not identical” to the FP-5 made by UAE-based Milanion. Its specifications — 3,000 km range, 950 km/h top speed, a one-ton warhead, and rail-trailer launchers — align almost exactly with Milanion’s brochure. Still, TWZ cautioned that “the exact relationship… is unknown,” leaving room for Ukrainian modifications.

Ukraine’s arsenal has long been defined by shortage. Western aid remains vital but insufficient, while domestic production struggles to match demand. Out of this gap came drones—not as a choice but as a necessity—allowing Kyiv to strike deep despite limited means. The Flamingo now represents a step beyond improvisation toward true strategic weapons.

FP-5.
FP-5. Milanion art.

A “behemoth” by design

Like the FP-5, Flamingo is no small weapon. Defense Express called it a “behemoth” with a six-meter wingspan and six-ton takeoff weight. Its simple, straight wings make it cheaper to produce but easier to detect.

“The larger the missile, the more noticeable it becomes,” they noted, though they stressed the lack of stealth is “not a critical one.” Ukraine has already used large, non-stealthy Tu-141 drones to strike deep into Russia, proving size is not an automatic disqualifier.

TWZ, however, added a sharper caveat: with “what looks like zero attempts at signature control, the Flamingo is far from immune to interception.” Yet this vulnerability is also part of its logic — a missile that blurs the line with drones, built for mass production and salvos rather than invisibility.

Tu-141 Strizh. Photo: Ukrainian Air Force

Fire Point’s bold comparison

Manufacturer Fire Point has gone further than analysts, telling Ukrinform and Kyiv Post that Flamingo is “better than the US Tomahawk.”

Tomahawks… are outdated. They have absolutely everything worse than today’s Flamingos,” a company representative claimed, adding that Tomahawks are also “five times more expensive.

On paper, Flamingo outranges most Tomahawk versions, carries more than double the payload, and flies slightly faster. Where Tomahawk still holds an edge is in its proven TERCOM guidance system, which allows it to resist GPS jamming — a crucial factor in Ukraine’s electronic warfare environment.

nyt limited western backing forces ukraine search plan b us' bgm-109 tomahawk missile flying november 2002 1118px-tomahawk_block_iv_cruise_missile_-crop
US’ BGM-109 Tomahawk missile flying in November 2002. Illustrative image: WIkimedia Commons




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Brief historical parallels

The Flamingo is not the first missile of its kind. Its reliance on ground-rail launchers recalls Germany’s V-1 flying bomb of World War II, while its bulk and range echo the US MGM-13 Mace fielded in Europe during the 1950s. More recently, it sits in the same strategic category as Russia’s Kalibr, which has been used extensively against Ukrainian cities.

Each of these weapons marked a shift in reach and destructive power. Flamingo may be Ukraine’s turn at the same playbook.

Russia microchips sanctions missiles weapons
Russian Kalibr missiles are produced thanks to covert microchip imports from countries such as Armenia. Illustrative photo

Political shock potential

The Telegraph framed Flamingo as more than a technical feat. Vladimir Putin’s political stability, it argued, rests on shielding Moscow and St. Petersburg from devastation.

The Flamingo could potentially… visit the same sort of destruction on Putin’s core cities as Russian weapons have on those of Ukraine,wrote Lewis Page. But he cautioned that Flamingo is “essentially just a faster drone” and would need to be deployed in large salvos with decoys to get through Russia’s formidable defenses.

On the eve of Trump–Zelenskyy talks, Ukraine unveiled footage of its new Flamingo missile — 3,000 km range, 1,150 kg warhead, now in mass production and used against targets in Russia.

Defense Minister Shmyhal: “This is very powerful, long-range weaponry — and it’s here.”… pic.twitter.com/N0f8YMgzVB

— Euromaidan Press (@EuromaidanPress) August 18, 2025

A symbol of independence

Whether Flamingo changes the battlefield will depend on production scale and its ability to survive modern air defenses. What is certain is that Ukraine now has a weapon that embodies strategic independence: a domestically produced missile, resembling Milanion’s FP-5, but aimed at taking the war much deeper into Russia than ever before.

You could close this page. Or you could join our community and help us produce more materials like this. We keep our reporting open and accessible to everyone because we believe in the power of free information. This is why our small, cost-effective team depends on the support of readers like you to bring deliver timely news, quality analysis, and on-the-ground reports about Russia's war against Ukraine and Ukraine's struggle to build a democratic society. Become a patron or see other ways to support

Trump’s tariff strategy against India’s Russian oil purchases creates unexpected windfall for Chinese refineries

19 août 2025 à 14:57

Frontline report: UK patrols cut off Russian shadow tankers at Baltic chokepoints – Putin’s oil billions at risk

Chinese refineries have boosted their purchases of flagship Russian crude, taking advantage of discounted cargoes that India refused, while Washington is stepping up trade tariffs against New Delhi, Bloomberg reports. 

US President Donald Trump has recently doubled tariffs on all imports from India to punish the country for buying Russian oil but did not take similar measures against China due to a trade truce.

India is one of Russia’s main economic partners, after China. Moscow continues to profit from oil supplies to India, accounting for nearly 35% of the country’s imports. Moscow’s energy exports remain its leading source of revenues, which it uses to fund its war against Ukraine.

According to Kpler, in August, Urals crude shipments from the Baltic and Black Sea ports to China averaged nearly 75,000 barrels per day. This is almost twice the year-to-date average of 40,000 barrels per day. At the same time, exports to India fell to 400,000 barrels per day from an average of 1.18 million barrels per day.

Analysts note that Chinese refineries are currently in a favorable position to continue buying Russian oil, unlike their Indian counterparts.

China buying Urals for storage

Data from Kpler and Energy Aspects suggest Chinese refineries have likely purchased 10–15 shipments of Urals for delivery in October–November.

Experts predict that Chinese buyers could acquire more cargoes in the coming days if prices remain attractive.

At present, at least two Urals tankers are idling off the Chinese coast, with several more expected to arrive in the coming weeks. Indian refiners are staying on the sidelines.

Without Chinese purchases, Russian crude may have to be sold at a discount to attract new buyers.

You could close this page. Or you could join our community and help us produce more materials like this. We keep our reporting open and accessible to everyone because we believe in the power of free information. This is why our small, cost-effective team depends on the support of readers like you to bring deliver timely news, quality analysis, and on-the-ground reports about Russia's war against Ukraine and Ukraine's struggle to build a democratic society. Become a patron or see other ways to support
  • ✇Euromaidan Press
  • Trump–Zelenskyy summit: smiles in Washington, no ceasefire, $ 100bn bill
    The meeting between Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Donald Trump on 18 August revealed the kind of peace Trump wants to build and the risks that come with it. He offered “NATO-like” protection for Ukraine without putting Ukraine in NATO. He said Europe would be the first line of defense, and the United States would help. That sounds strong, but strength in security talks comes from enforcement. If the guarantee has no teeth, it is a headline, not a shield. Putin rejects ceasefire proposal Th
     

Trump–Zelenskyy summit: smiles in Washington, no ceasefire, $ 100bn bill

19 août 2025 à 14:44

Ukraine USA Trump Zelenskyy talks

The meeting between Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Donald Trump on 18 August revealed the kind of peace Trump wants to build and the risks that come with it.

He offered “NATO-like” protection for Ukraine without putting Ukraine in NATO. He said Europe would be the first line of defense, and the United States would help.

That sounds strong, but strength in security talks comes from enforcement. If the guarantee has no teeth, it is a headline, not a shield.

Putin rejects ceasefire proposal

The first early test came over a ceasefire. In Alaska, Trump told Vladimir Putin to halt the fighting. Putin refused.

After that, Trump told Zelenskyy that a ceasefire was not required for talks. Europe pushed back:

  • Germany said real talks need a truce;
  • France called it a necessity;
  • Trump still waved it off and said negotiations could run while the war goes on.

That shift matters. Fighting during talks helps the side with more shells, more men, and more time. Russia benefits from that, not Ukraine.

Ukraine USA Trump Zelenskyy talks
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and US President Donald Trump hold talks in the Oval Office. 18 August 2025. Photo: president.gov.ua

Proposed diplomatic sequence

Trump then laid out a sequence. First, a Zelenskyy–Putin meeting. Then a three-way meeting with Trump. He said Putin suggested this order. Europeans repeated that claim.

Moscow did not confirm a summit. The Kremlin only said it might be worth “raising the level of representatives.” That is not a yes. It is a maybe. It keeps pressure on Kyiv while giving Moscow room to stall.

Territory discussions remain contentious

The hardest question surfaced next: territory. Trump told European leaders they would discuss possible territory exchanges based on the current line of contact.

Zelenskyy said land issues would be handled directly with Putin and that no land was being ceded in advance. He said he was ready to meet in any format and without preconditions.

European leaders later confirmed that nothing at the White House required Kyiv to surrender land. That point matters because Ukrainian public opinion remains firmly against giving up territory.

A June poll showed a majority “strongly opposed to any territorial concessions.” Those numbers limit any deal that trades land for paper promises.

Ukraine’s $100 billion weapons proposal

One new element stood out. Ukraine offered to buy security, not just receive it. Zelenskyy floated a plan to purchase about $90 to 100 bn in US weapons, with Europe helping to finance it. He even pointed to US purchases of Ukrainian drones once exports begin.

This reframes the relationship. Aid becomes sales. The goal is clear: tie US industry to Ukraine’s survival and make support harder to undo.

Trump’s team welcomed the shift and contrasted it with a blank check approach they blame on the last administration. Trump also refused to rule out some limited US role on the ground as part of future guarantees, though he kept details vague and stressed that Europe should carry most of the load.

zelenskyy demands everything security while trump hints vague article 5-like protection ukrainian president volodymyr donald meet oval office 18 2025 gettyimages-2230141671 met washington backed delegation european leaders urging support ukraine
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Zelenskyy demands “everything” for security while Trump hints at vague Article 5-like protection

The enforcement challenge

This is foreign policy as a contract. It could make support steadier in Congress because it looks like jobs and deals. It could also push Europe to budget more for a longer war.

But none of that solves the core test of guarantees.

If Russia rejects any force that would actually defend Ukraine, then a “NATO-like” promise without NATO risks looking like the Budapest Memorandum in a new suit. The talking point is different. The outcome could be the same if there is no credible tripwire.

If Russia rejects any force that would actually defend Ukraine, a “NATO-like” promise without NATO is a Budapest Memorandum in a new suit.

Diplomatic choreography and European coordination

The tone at the White House was striking. In February, Trump had confronted Zelenskyy publicly, questioning Ukraine’s war efforts and demanding immediate negotiations.

This time, they smiled for the cameras, projecting calm and unity.

European leaders treated the day like a careful intervention. Analysts called it a “European family intervention” in Washington.

They posed for a “family photo” with Trump and Zelenskyy. They spoke in one voice about a truce and security guarantees. They worked to keep Trump close to positions they could live with. It was stagecraft with a purpose.

Ukraine USA Trump Zelenskyy talks
From left to right: Ursula von der Leyen, UK PM Keir Starmer, Finland’s President Alexander Stubb, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, former US President Donald Trump, French President Emmanuel Macron, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, and NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte—posing for a group photo in the White House Grand Foyer, 18 August 2025. Photo: president.gov.ua

International reactions and momentum claims

Supporters of the meeting said it broke a three-year stalemate. NATO’s acting chief thanked Trump for joining a plan to craft real guarantees. Finland’s president said more progress had been made in weeks than in years.

Within Trump’s circle, officials echoed that line. They said the mix of talks and guarantees opened a new path.

This view places a bet on momentum. Get leaders into a room. Put the US seal on a piece of paper. Lock in Europe’s money and industry. Then rely on that web to hold the line if Russia tests it.

It might work if the web is tight and visible. It will fail if the web is loose and hidden.

The credibility test ahead

Here is the core problem to consider: you can design a plan that looks like NATO without NATO. You can write guarantees, appoint monitors, and schedule summits.

But credibility does not come from words alone. It comes from a clear rule and a known cost for breaking it.

Russia said it views that kind of rule as a threat. That means any promise that truly protects Ukraine will anger Moscow.

The United States and Europe must decide if they are willing to stand behind a line that Moscow threatens to test. If the answer is yes, then the “NATO-like” label can mean something. If the answer is no, the label is a slogan.

Ukraine USA Trump Zelenskyy talks
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy holds talks with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen during a visit to Washington DC, 18 August 2025. Photo: president.gov.ua

What the meeting achieved

What, then, did this meeting achieve?

It created an outline. Security guarantees will be drafted. Talks may proceed while the war continues. A Zelenskyy–Putin meeting is being pursued, though Russia has not confirmed it. No ceasefire was agreed. There was no map to a final deal.

The near term will test whether Europe can carry more of the burden and whether Washington will turn sales into a lasting stake in Ukraine’s defense.

It will also test whether Kyiv can keep the public on side if territorial questions come to the table. The polling suggests that trading land for peace is still a red line for many Ukrainians.

That constraint is real. It will shape what any negotiator can sign and sell at home.

Explore further

Ukraine is not real estate deal: Ukrainians see Trump’s land concession proposal as betrayal

Combat bargaining and future challenges

By accepting negotiations while the war continues, Trump has chosen combat bargaining. That is a hard road. It tends to reward the side that can absorb more losses.

If the West wants that road to lead to a fair peace, it needs to shorten the journey. That means:

  • Quicker air defenses for cities
  • Faster ammunition for the front
  • Tighter rules around sanctions leaks
  • Clarity with Moscow: if Russia tests a guarantee, the response must be automatic.

The day it is tested is the day it proves its worth. If that is clear, a “NATO-like” plan has a chance to deter. If it is not clear, the war will pause, and then it will resume.

Motion, not movement

In short, Washington produced motion, not yet movement:

  • the summit showed better tone and a larger cast;
  • it aired a new economic link and a draft promise;
  • ye, it did not yet solve the enforcement gap at the heart of any deal.

Until that gap closes, Ukraine will keep fighting while diplomacy tries to catch up. That is the reality after 18 August.

It is not defeat. It is not victory. It is the start of a longer test that will measure the will of Europe, the steadiness of the United States, and the patience of the Kremlin.

You could close this page. Or you could join our community and help us produce more materials like this. We keep our reporting open and accessible to everyone because we believe in the power of free information. This is why our small, cost-effective team depends on the support of readers like you to bring deliver timely news, quality analysis, and on-the-ground reports about Russia's war against Ukraine and Ukraine's struggle to build a democratic society. Become a patron or see other ways to support
  • ✇Euromaidan Press
  • Putin’s circle bleeds in Donbas: Brother of Russian ruling party’s deputy killed in Luhansk Oblast
    A relative of a State Duma deputy from the party of Russian ruler Vladimir Putin has died in the war in Ukraine. According to the pro-Kremlin outlet RBC, Oleksandr Milonov, brother of “United Russia” party’s deputy Vitaly Milonov, serving in Luhansk Oblast has been eliminated by Ukrainian troops. As of 2025, over 95% of Luhansk Oblast remains under Russian occupation. The region’s infrastructure is almost entirely destroyed, with most residential buildings are damaged or ruined, and water, elect
     

Putin’s circle bleeds in Donbas: Brother of Russian ruling party’s deputy killed in Luhansk Oblast

19 août 2025 à 14:34

A relative of a State Duma deputy from the party of Russian ruler Vladimir Putin has died in the war in Ukraine. According to the pro-Kremlin outlet RBC, Oleksandr Milonov, brother of “United Russia” party’s deputy Vitaly Milonov, serving in Luhansk Oblast has been eliminated by Ukrainian troops.

As of 2025, over 95% of Luhansk Oblast remains under Russian occupation. The region’s infrastructure is almost entirely destroyed, with most residential buildings are damaged or ruined, and water, electricity, and mobile communications operate intermittently. Russian occupiers forcibly issue passports to locals to maintain strict control over communities.

He had volunteered for reconnaissance with the so-called “LNR”, the Russian-backed entity illegal in Ukraine. 

Death of a relative of a Putin deputy in Donbas

Oleksandr Milonov had been fighting against Ukraine for over a year. During the battles, he was wounded and transferred to medical service, another Russian propaganda outlet Fontanka reports. However, it is reported that his injuries “caused a sudden deterioration in his health.”

Funeral in Saint Petersburg

After being wounded, Milonov was hospitalized, but his condition worsened, and he died. His funeral took place on 19 August at a cemetery in the Pushkin District of Saint Petersburg.

You could close this page. Or you could join our community and help us produce more materials like this. We keep our reporting open and accessible to everyone because we believe in the power of free information. This is why our small, cost-effective team depends on the support of readers like you to bring deliver timely news, quality analysis, and on-the-ground reports about Russia's war against Ukraine and Ukraine's struggle to build a democratic society. Become a patron or see other ways to support
  • ✇Euromaidan Press
  • UN: Russia’s war kills four humanitarian aid workers in 100 attacks in Ukraine
    Since the beginning of 2025, Russia’s war has killed four humanitarian workers and wounded 32 in Ukraine, according to the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs. Russia is a member of the UN and and uses its veto power to block resolutions condemning its actions in Ukraine. Kyiv and other members demand that Moscow be expelled from the organization for violating the UN Charter, which prohibits all member states from using force against the territorial integrity of any state.  “O
     

UN: Russia’s war kills four humanitarian aid workers in 100 attacks in Ukraine

19 août 2025 à 14:00

isw real peace talks putin west helps ukraine crush russia russian soldiers motorcycles ria novosti major shift battlefield momentum only lever could move kremlin institute study war (isw) assesses think

Since the beginning of 2025, Russia’s war has killed four humanitarian workers and wounded 32 in Ukraine, according to the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs.

Russia is a member of the UN and and uses its veto power to block resolutions condemning its actions in Ukraine. Kyiv and other members demand that Moscow be expelled from the organization for violating the UN Charter, which prohibits all member states from using force against the territorial integrity of any state. 

“Over 100 attacks on humanitarian activity”

More than 100 incidents have been recorded in which humanitarian staff, offices, and property were affected, reflecting the growing risks faced by aid workers trying to help those in need, the UN statement says.

Two of the fatalities occurred while staff were carrying out their duties.

Worst year on record for humanitarian work

In 2024, more than 380 humanitarian staff worldwide were killed or injured, which is the highest figure ever recorded in humanitarian statistics. The UN warns that 2025 could be even worse.

Civilian casualties: worst figures since 2022

In July alone, the UN Monitoring Mission documented 286 civilians killed and 1,388 injured — the deadliest month since May 2022.

Since the start of Russia’s full-scale war against Ukraine, the UN has documented at least:

  • 13,883 civilians killed, including 726 children,
  • 35,548 wounded, including 2,234 children.

The UN stressed that Ukrainian civilians and humanitarian workers live under constant threat of attacks and destruction of critical infrastructure.

You could close this page. Or you could join our community and help us produce more materials like this. We keep our reporting open and accessible to everyone because we believe in the power of free information. This is why our small, cost-effective team depends on the support of readers like you to bring deliver timely news, quality analysis, and on-the-ground reports about Russia's war against Ukraine and Ukraine's struggle to build a democratic society. Become a patron or see other ways to support
  • ✇Euromaidan Press
  • Three-week Ukrainian drone blitz cuts 13.5% of Russian oil capacity, triggers price crisis
    Ukraine strikes the heart of Russia’s funding machine of war. In August 2025, Ukrainian drone attacks hit Russian refineries, halting at least four major plants and depriving Russia of about a seventh of its refining capacity, The Moscow Times reports. The attacks were part of Ukraine long-range drone campaign, targeting Russia’s military, military-industrial, and fuel facilities both inside Russia and in the occupied territories of Ukraine. Drones paralyze key refineries On 2 August, a UAV s
     

Three-week Ukrainian drone blitz cuts 13.5% of Russian oil capacity, triggers price crisis

19 août 2025 à 13:07

volgograd refinery goes up smoke again—two days after major drone strike thick black rises lukoil following new fire 16 2025 astra massive broke out two ukrainian drones hit facility caused

Ukraine strikes the heart of Russia’s funding machine of war. In August 2025, Ukrainian drone attacks hit Russian refineries, halting at least four major plants and depriving Russia of about a seventh of its refining capacity, The Moscow Times reports.
The attacks were part of Ukraine long-range drone campaign, targeting Russia’s military, military-industrial, and fuel facilities both inside Russia and in the occupied territories of Ukraine.

Drones paralyze key refineries

  • On 2 August, a UAV strike stopped Novokuibyshevsk Refinery of Rosneft with a capacity of 8.3 million tons per year.
  • On 11 August, the Saratov Refinery, producing 5.8 million tons of oil was hit.
  • On 15 August, drones paralyzed Volgograd Refinery of Lukoil, generating 14.8 million tons of oil and Samara Refinery of Rosneft, which brings 8.5 million tons of oil.
Additionally, half of Ryazan Refinery’s capacity of Rosneft, which produced 6.9 million tons of oil was halted on 2 August. Over three weeks, Russian refineries
lost 44.3 million tons of annual capacity—about 13.5% of the country’s total.

Sanctions complicate repairs

Repairs at Ryazan and Novokuibyshevsk refineries will take around a month
. Samara Refinery is expected to remain offline at least until the end of August. Energy Minister Sergey Tsivilyov has explained that EU sanctions have delayed delivery of necessary equipment.
“For example, a four-month repair was planned, but some equipment was delayed or not delivered,” he said.
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. We’re one final push away from making this platform a reality. 👉Join us in building this platform on Patreon

Gasoline prices hit record highs

Due to the lack of refined oil, Russia is facing a new gasoline shortage. Prices for A-92 and A-95 fuels have risen 40% and 50%
respectively since the start of the year, reaching historical records of 71,970 and 81,337 rubles per ton. Analysis shows that Ukraine’s drone strikes not only hit Russia’s economy but also undermine the Kremlin’s ability to finance its war machine. Earlier, Euromaidan Press reported that the Druzba pipeline, Russia’s key oil export artery to Europe, fully halted operations following a Ukrainian drone strike that disabled a key pumping station. The Ukrainian General Staff officially confirmed the pipeline’s shutdown, marking a major blow to Russia’s fuel exports, and a hard cutoff for its EU clients, including Hungary and Slovakia.
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Russian 1,000-ship network generates millions in military funds from stolen Ukrainian grain in Iran, Turkiye, Egypt

19 août 2025 à 12:48

vessel ukraine grain initiative depart odesa port

Russia has turned stolen Ukrainian grain into a global business. Moscow is selling so-called “Russian” wheat in 70 countries, including Egypt, Turkiye, and Iran, according to the Center for National Resistance.

Kyiv has recently revealed that Russia owns 42 ships transporting stolen Ukrainian grain and coal. Every ship carrying oil or grain brings Moscow’s more funds to support its military operations. The Ukrainian Intelligence says that over 1,000 ships and 155 captains are involved in transporting weapons and stolen goods from temporarily occupied Ukrainian territories. 

Russia is stealing Ukrainian wheat from occupied Luhansk, Donetsk, Kherson, and Zaporizhzhia oblasts. Ukrainian officials estimate that by 2025, Russia has illegally exported around 15 million tons of grain, mostly wheat, from these territories.

“In the new season, the Kremlin is again trying to maintain its market dominance—at the expense of temporarily occupied Ukrainian territories,” says the Center for National Resistance. 

Russia collects and exports wheat from occupied Ukrainian lands under the guise of Russian origin.

“This is large-scale grain plundering—a crime for which all involved will be held accountable, from officials to international intermediaries,” adds the agency. 

Previously, Euromaidan Press reported that Ukraine plans to appeal to the EU to impose sanctions on Bangladeshi companies importing wheat from Russian-occupied territories. Intelligence reports indicate that over 150,000 tons of such grain have already been shipped from the Kavkaz port.

The Ukrainian embassy has sent multiple notes to Bangladesh’s Foreign Ministry requesting the rejection of shipments containing stolen grain, but officials in Dhaka have ignored these appeals.

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Ukrainian soldier first fought against Russia and then against Ukraine – his story reveals forced conscription in occupation

19 août 2025 à 12:40

Pavlo Pshenychnyi, a Ukrainian military veteran who fought Russian-backed forces in 2019 and then was forcibly drafted into the Russian army after his village was occupied during the full-scale invasion. Ukrainian soldiers later captured him in Donetsk Oblast.

Ukrainian soldier Pavlo Pshenychnyi fought Russian-backed forces in Donetsk Oblast in 2019. Six years later, he found himself fighting for Russia against his own countrymen, while Russia launched an explicit full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022.

How does a Ukrainian war veteran end up in enemy uniform? The answer reveals Russia’s systematic transformation of occupied territories into military recruitment grounds, where residents face a brutal choice: prison or the front lines. And often prison is not something that’s deserved but rather inflicted through fabricated charges and threats.

Pshenychnyi’s account, given in an interview with Ukrainian news agency Hromadske after his capture by Ukraine’s Freedom battalion, exposes the machinery behind Russia’s forced conscription in occupied areas.

His story traces a path from Ukrainian defender to unwilling Russian soldier—a journey thousands may be forced to take if Russia continues to grab new territories.

Before the full-scale invasion: he fights against the Russians

Why did Pshenychnyi join Ukraine’s military in 2018? Simple economics.

“There was no work,” he told Hromadske. His uncle knew someone at the military commissariat who mentioned openings for drivers with commercial licenses.

“Work is work—what’s the difference where you work?” Pshenychnyi reasoned.

His original enlistment in the Ukrainian army had nothing to do with patriotism or defending his homeland. It was purely economic necessity.

This pattern mirrors current Russian recruitment tactics which turned military service into one of the few well-paying jobs available to men from distant villages and poorer areas. Moreover, Russian federal and regional authorities offer substantial financial bonuses to individuals who recruit volunteers. These bonuses vary by region but can be tens or hundreds of thousands of rubles, significantly exceeding the average Russian wage.

Pshenychnyi signed his contract in October 2018. By November, he was manning positions near Avdiivka, where he could see both Donetsk airports from his post. The war felt manageable then. Until 24 February 2019.

That day, Ukrainian snipers from nearby Pisky killed two Russian soldiers, exposing Ukrainian positions. A week later came the response. A Russian sniper’s bullet found Pshenychnyi’s back, killing his fellow soldier Serhiy Luzenko instantly.

Pshenychnyi survived, crawled to safety, and eventually made it home to southern Kherson Oblast with a disability certificate and two military medals.

He thought his war was over.

In February 2019, a Russian sniper shot Pavlo Pshenychnyi in the back at his position near Avdiivka, Donetsk Oblast. The injury ended his military service, and he returned to Kherson Oblast as a disabled veteran, where he was later drafted to the Russian army as his village was occupied.

Ukrainian veteran monitored by Russian occupiers 

When Russian forces occupied Kalanchak, Kherson Oblast, in February 2022, neighbors quickly identified the local veteran.

“These are good neighbors,” Pshenychnyi said with bitter irony. “Although they’re not very good.”

The first occupiers weren’t even Russian but mostly Dagestanis and other nationalities who barely spoke Russian. They knew enough to search his apartment and confiscate his veteran documents, disability certificate, and medals.

What followed was routine intimidation. New occupying units rotated through monthly, each making their presence known.

“They’d come in on their wave, might hit or not hit, walk around the house, stomp around, look around,” Pshenychnyi recalled. “I was constantly in their field of view.”

During one visit, with his newborn daughter sleeping nearby, Russian soldiers fired two shots into his ceiling. Their message was clear: “You killed our people there.”

_*]:min-w-0″>

Pshenychnyi learned quickly that arguing was pointless and potentially fatal.

“You can’t prove anything to them,” he explained. “There was no point in even saying anything, you could make it worse for yourself.” This was the reality of occupation—silence became survival.

Failed attempts to run away with wife and infant

Could Pshenychnyi’s family escape? They tried twice.

The first attempt came eight months after his daughter’s birth in June 2022. At the Russian border, guards turned them back. The child had only a medical document from the hospital—no official birth certificate that Russian authorities would accept.

Six months later, Russian police and child services began visiting. They questioned why the child lacked Russian documents and who the parents were to her.

“They even wanted to take the child—just take her and take her somewhere,” Pshenychnyi said.

Pavlo Pshenychnyi, a Ukrainian military veteran who fought Russian-backed forces before 2022 full-scale invasion and then was forcibly drafted into the Russian army after his village was occupied during the broader invasion. Ukrainian soldiers later captured him in Donetsk Oblast. Photo: screenshot from Hromadske YouTube video

Terrified of losing their daughter, his wife obtained Russian birth papers for the child. They tried leaving again, this time through Lithuania. But Lithuanian border guards saw the mismatch: Ukrainian passports for the parents, Russian birth certificate for the child. Again, turned back.

They were stuck.

Fabricated drug charges become pathway from prison to front lines

In September 2024, police arrived claiming someone had stolen tools and appliances in the village. They’d heard a truck had delivered items to Pshenychnyi’s house the day before. Could they search?

While Pshenychnyi opened his first basement room for inspection, officers positioned themselves near the second room. “While I was opening the second one, they were already shouting: ‘Oh, found everything. No need to search anymore!'”

What did they find? “They pulled out a huge bag of grass, marijuana, brought it into the house,” Pshenychnyi recalled.

Two witnesses emerged from the police car right on cue.

He believes they planted evidence to simply force him into Russian service.

The trial stretched from late 2024 to 29 May 2025. Pshenychnyi faced 12.5 years in prison. But as the judge finished reading the sentence, military commissariat officials entered the courtroom.

“That’s it, here’s your prison. You’re going to the army,” they announced.

Former prisoners train new Russian recruits in deliberately brutal conditions

What’s Russian military training like for forced conscripts? Deliberately brutal.

At the Makiivka training facility, former prisoners, who were pardoned in exchange for surviving combat, served as instructors. These “Storm Z” veterans had already proven themselves expendable and lived to tell about it.

Training focused on basic assault tactics: how to storm buildings, shoot between ruins, apply tourniquets, spot tripwires. But the real lesson was endurance. Twenty-kilometer daily marches in extreme heat, minimal water rations, constant physical stress.

“They don’t give water during walking so you don’t die without water,” Pshenychnyi explained. The logic was twisted but clear: condition soldiers for the deprivation they’d face at the front.

Who else trained alongside him? A mix that revealed Russia’s recruitment desperation. Some volunteers who’d fought in 2014’s separatist militias. Alcoholics who’d signed contracts while intoxicated and didn’t remember agreeing. Residents from other occupied territories facing similar forced choices.

Many were HIV-positive former prisoners serving 20-plus year sentences, identifiable by red armbands on their left arms. Several died during training from heart attacks because their bodies accustomed to Siberian cold couldn’t handle the sudden heat and physical demands.

The most desperate cases served as human mine detectors. Russia would strip reluctant soldiers of body armor and weapons, point to a target, and promise equipment back if they survived the approach.

Among the most shocking elements were the foreign fighters—Somalis and others who displayed an almost inhuman indifference to casualties. Pshenychnyi witnessed this firsthand when a group of 10 Somali fighters walked ahead of his unit.

“Such people that I don’t know what could be told to them that they go like that,” Pshenychnyi said, struggling to explain their behavior.

When a mortar shell killed one of the Somalis directly in front of the group, the others simply stepped around the body and continued their advance without pause or emotion.

“That’s it, he’s dead. They bypassed him, they went further. And generally they don’t care,” he said. “They go specifically there to do the task. That’s it.”

Russian commanders leave wounded soldiers to rot in trenches

After six weeks of training, Pshenychnyi received deployment orders. Officials confiscated phones, bank cards, anything connecting soldiers to their previous lives. Then came the trip to Avdiivka in Donetsk Oblast.

The supply situation was immediately clear.

“They gave very little water – for three people per day maximum one and a half liters, and not always full,” Pshenychnyi said.

Soldiers near villages or rivers could sometimes find additional sources. Those in remote forest positions simply went without.

What were their orders? Hold positions 250 meters apart across forest strips. Shoot anyone approaching unless radio communications specifically cleared their movement.

Russian commanders showed little concern for soldier welfare. Pshenychnyi described radio communications where a territorial defense commander threatened troops under mortar fire:

“I’ll shoot you myself, I’ll get you out of the tank now and shoot you… if you don’t continue movement.”

Wounded soldiers received no evacuation.

“If you’re wounded, you have only one way. Either not to be wounded, or better immediately dead. Because you’ll rot in landings and you won’t have evacuation,” Pshenychnyi explained.

Freedom battalion fighters shocked to capture fellow Ukrainian veteran fighting for Russia

When Ukrainian Freedom battalion fighters approached their forest position near Avdiivka, Pshenychnyi and his partner were following standard orders: shoot anyone who approached their sector unless radio communications specifically cleared them.

His partner immediately grabbed his rifle and aimed at the approaching figures. But Pshenychnyi quickly assessed their situation—they were surrounded and outgunned.

“Put down the rifle, why will all this shooting start now?” he told his companion, recognizing the futility of resistance. “What can I do if they’re already standing with rifles? I won’t even have time to take it, whether they’re ours or not, whoever they are.”

Initially, Pshenychnyi couldn’t tell who was approaching their trench. “Well, maybe ours, maybe they’re coming from somewhere. Russians, I think, what’s the difference?” he recalled thinking.

The soldiers called out something, but he couldn’t immediately recognize their identification marks. Only when he got a clear view of their uniforms did recognition dawn.

“Then I look, pixel camouflage, I say: ‘Oh, Ukraine, give us water!'” he called out.

The Ukrainian soldiers were shocked to discover they’d captured a fellow veteran. One asked directly:

“What do you think your guys you fought with since 2014 would say if they found out you’re here now?”

Ukrainians defenders Oleksandr (left) and Russian (right) from the Freedom battalion which captured fellow Ukrainian Pshenychnyi in Donetsk Oblast fighting for the Russians this time. Photo: screenshot from Hromadske YouTube video

The way Ukrainian soldiers treated Pshenychnyi as a prisoner of war (POW) surprised him.

“I imagined that I would sit there tied up somewhere, and here it’s completely different. And they give food… And they brew coffee,” he shared. “I was glad that I surrendered—otherwise in a few days I would have simply died of dehydration.”

More people in occupation face forced conscription if Russia is not stopped

How many others face Pshenychnyi’s dilemma? His account suggests thousands.

The recruitment system extends beyond fabricated criminal cases. All men under 30 in occupied territories face conscription for military service in Russia. Some serve domestically, others get sent to combat zones.

Those who initially refuse face calculated deception. They’re allowed to live normally at base for weeks, even permitted shopping trips. Just when they think they’ve escaped combat duty, orders arrive: join the assault units or face consequences.

When asked about the common saying among Ukrainians that “if you don’t serve in your own army, you’ll serve in someone else’s,” Pshenychnyi’s response was stark:

“That’s how it will be. If they capture territories, then there will be no choice for anyone, like here.”

Can residents of occupied territories avoid this fate? Pshenychnyi’s assessment left little hope: “There will be no choice at all.”

Russia isn’t just occupying Ukrainian territory. It’s systematically converting Ukrainian citizens into weapons against their own country, using fabricated criminal cases, manipulations and threats to families. 

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It carries 1,150 kg, flies 3,000 km, and it’s called Flamingo—Ukraine’s new cruise missile enters combat (video)

19 août 2025 à 11:45

carries 1150 kg flies 3000 km it’s called flamingo—ukraine’s new cruise missile enters combat flamingo launch znua flamingo-missile ukraine’s developed defense technology company firepoint has been deployed used against targets

Ukraine’s new Flamingo cruise missile, developed by the defense technology company FirePoint, has been deployed in combat and used against targets in Russia, according to reports from ZN.ua. The domestically produced missile has a flight range exceeding 3,000 km and carries a 1,150 kg warhead.

Flamingo combat launches shown in exclusive video

ZN.ua reports that it received exclusive footage from FirePoint showing both test and combat launches of the Flamingo missile. 

The videos reveal the missile being launched in a training environment and then in actual battlefield conditions, targeting sites inside the Russian Federation.

According to ZN.ua, the missile has already been used in combat for some time, and the provided footage shows that it successfully struck designated targets on Russian territory. These claims are presented by the company through the video documentation given to the outlet.

Developed in secret forest-based workshops and now scaling up

The production and testing of the Flamingo missile reportedly took place in protected facilities located in the Carpathian forests. ZN.ua states that FirePoint conducted successful test launches several months ago. After those trials, the missile entered serial production. The company is now scaling up manufacturing and expanding production capacity.

During development, FirePoint focused on three main parameters: maximum range, large warhead capacity, and rapid deployment from compact platforms. ZN.ua reports that FirePoint says all three objectives were successfully achieved in the current version of the missile.

Key specs: over 3,000 km range and 1,150 kg warhead

Militarnyi reports that, according to FirePoint, the Flamingo has a flight range of over 3,000 km and carries a 1,150 kg warhead. A company representative told Ukrinform that the missile’s top speed reaches 950 km/h. The company also claims that the missile is protected against Russian electronic warfare systems.

The video shows that Flamingo uses a small solid-fuel booster for initial thrust and altitude gain, followed by a jet engine for sustained cruise. Launches are conducted from small mobile platforms, allowing for fast setup and increased operational flexibility.

FirePoint also produces FP-series long-range drones

FirePoint is also the manufacturer of the FP-series drones. According to Militarnyi, the company is now actively scaling the Flamingo project alongside its drone production. FP-1 drones have been used against targets in Russia since at least 2024. 

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  • ✇Euromaidan Press
  • Oval Office map showed 20% of Ukraine taken—Zelenskyy says “just 1% in 1,000 days, actually”
    Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy openly challenged a territorial map presented in the Oval Office during his 18 August meeting with US President Donald Trump and several European leaders, arguing that the displayed 20% figure of Russian-occupied Ukrainian territory was misleading. Zelenskyy insisted that during the first 1000 days of full-scale war, Russian forces had actually taken only around 1% of Ukraine’s land.  This comes as Trump pushes for Kyiv-Moscow negotiations allegedly to end
     

Oval Office map showed 20% of Ukraine taken—Zelenskyy says “just 1% in 1,000 days, actually”

19 août 2025 à 11:19

oval office showed 20% ukraine taken—zelenskyy says just 1% 1000 days actually russian-occupied ukrainian territories displayed ahead 18 summit us-prepared dated 17 shows estimated control levels oblast note disclaiming authority

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy openly challenged a territorial map presented in the Oval Office during his 18 August meeting with US President Donald Trump and several European leaders, arguing that the displayed 20% figure of Russian-occupied Ukrainian territory was misleading. Zelenskyy insisted that during the first 1000 days of full-scale war, Russian forces had actually taken only around 1% of Ukraine’s land. 

This comes as Trump pushes for Kyiv-Moscow negotiations allegedly to end the ongoing Russo-Ukrainian war, while Russia continues its attacks against Ukraine.

Zelenskyy to Trump and allies: Russia took 1% in 1000 days, not 20%

Zelenskyy said the US-prepared map overstated Russian gains and distorted global perceptions of Ukrainian military strength. According to him, the real figures painted a very different picture, Suspilne reported.

“People think 20% or 18%, but it was up to 1%,” he said, explaining that “this slightly changes the balance of how strong Russia’s army is and how strong Ukraine’s army is.” He emphasized that Ukraine’s priority remained “truth and reality.

Speaking to reporters after the summit, Zelenskyy described the exchange over the map as “slight disagreement,” but noted that the conversation was “warm, good, and substantive.” He said both sides brought their own versions of battlefield maps to the Oval Office. 

Zelenskyy also argued that the occupation of territories like Crimea and parts of eastern Ukraine in 2014 did not result from conventional military clashes.

There were no military operations, for example, in Crimea—no large-scale ones,” he said. “So you cannot say that such a large part was occupied over that period because Russia had a strong army.”

According to Liga, Zelenskyy stressed that explaining when and how each part of Ukrainian territory was seized was essential for helping allies like the US understand battlefield shifts. He noted that such discussions were long but necessary for an accurate joint understanding.

Sensitive territorial issues off-limits to Western allies, Zelenskyy says

Zelenskyy made it clear that any negotiations regarding Ukrainian territory will take place solely between him and Russian dictator Vladimir Putin.

“We’ll leave the question of territories between me and Putin,” he said, according to Liga.

He added that Trump “heard and saw” the important information, presented by the Ukrainian side.

That’s why the issue of territories is one that we will leave between me and Putin,” he repeated.

trump claims breakthrough ukraine-russia peace talks — kremlin pretends hear ukrainian president volodymyr zelenskyy (l) donald (r) during meeting oval office 18 2025 / white house zelenski-trump institute study war
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Trump claims breakthrough on Ukraine-Russia peace talks — Kremlin pretends not to hear

Trump-Zelenskyy meeting

As reported by BBC and others, the Oval Office meeting on 18 August included leaders from across Europe, among them UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, French President Emmanuel Macron, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, Finnish President Alexander Stubb, and NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte. The leaders discussed security guarantees for Ukraine, military aid, and future diplomatic steps.

Following the summit, Trump phoned Putin and said the US was preparing for a possible trilateral summit involving Washington, Kyiv, and Moscow. According to Zelenskyy, such a meeting would follow any bilateral contact between the US and Russia.

“We are ready for bilateral with Putin,” Zelenskyy said outside the White House fence.

zelenskyy demands everything security while trump hints vague article 5-like protection ukrainian president volodymyr donald meet oval office 18 2025 gettyimages-2230141671 met washington backed delegation european leaders urging support ukraine
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Zelenskyy demands “everything” for security while Trump hints at vague Article 5-like protection

He confirmed that no date had been set for those talks but said that discussions were ongoing.

Macron said European forces may join peacekeeping operations in Ukraine and warned that peace talks could not be delayed for weeks or months. Merz compared Russia’s territorial demands to forcing the US to surrender Florida. Meanwhile, EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen called again for Russia to return abducted Ukrainian children.

Meanwhile, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio told Fox News that territorial compromises from both sides may be necessary to end the war.

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Zelenskyy rejects Putin’s Moscow meeting proposal while Russia plots peace talks and civilian deaths at same time

19 août 2025 à 11:16

zelenskyy demands everything security while trump hints vague article 5-like protection ukrainian president volodymyr donald meet oval office 18 2025 gettyimages-2230141671 met washington backed delegation european leaders urging support ukraine

Russian ruler Vladimir Putin has proposed holding a meeting with US President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Moscow, Agence France-Presse reports. According to one source, Zelenskyy has declined to travel to Russia’s capital.

Putin’s offer positions Russia, despite its 160,000 war crimes and killings of 13,800 Ukrainian civilians, back at the center of the diplomatic process, a move criticized by many as legitimizing the aggressor. Previously, the US maintained a strict stance, avoiding official negotiations with Russia due to its atrocities. Yet Putin has already secured a diplomatic “privilege” in the form of a separate bilateral meeting with Trump in Alaska

Editorial: The summit that peacewashed genocide

 

Negotiations without preconditions

On 18 August, Ukrainian President Zelenskyy arrived at the White House, where he was welcomed by US President Trump. The leaders first held a bilateral meeting in the Oval Office, followed by talks with European leaders and NATO’s Secretary General Mark Rutte. 

The discussions focused on security guarantees for Ukraine, details of which remain largely undisclosed, though they may include a $90 billion US package for air defense systems and aircraft.

Zelenskyy stated that he is ready for a bilateral meeting with Putin without any preconditions.

Russia does not reject talks

Following the meetings, Trump announced that preparations had begun for a potential meeting between Zelenskyy and Putin. He later called Putin directly, TASS reports. Subsequently, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov declared that Russia does not refuse either bilateral or trilateral negotiations with Ukraine regarding peace.

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  • ✇Euromaidan Press
  • “Russia’s victorious mood has turned to despair” — Syrskyi on frontline situation
    Russia has concentrated 100,000 troops on Ukraine’s Pokrovsk front in Donetsk Oblast. According to experts, this number is enough to attack a European country. However, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine Oleksandr Syrskyi says that Russian forces attempting to advance in the sector lost their momentum after Ukrainian counteractions, RBC reports.  On 11 August, the analytical project DeepState reported Russian advances in the Dobropillia area near Pokrovsk. However, in recent day
     

“Russia’s victorious mood has turned to despair” — Syrskyi on frontline situation

19 août 2025 à 10:40

commander in chief of ukraine's army

Russia has concentrated 100,000 troops on Ukraine’s Pokrovsk front in Donetsk Oblast. According to experts, this number is enough to attack a European country. However, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine Oleksandr Syrskyi says that Russian forces attempting to advance in the sector lost their momentum after Ukrainian counteractions, RBC reports. 

On 11 August, the analytical project DeepState reported Russian advances in the Dobropillia area near Pokrovsk. However, in recent days the situation has begun to stabilize: Ukrainian defenders have regained several positions and cleared a number of settlements. This was made possible by the redeployment of one of the most combat-capable brigades, Azov, to this sector.

Russia’s “thousand cuts” tactic

According to Syrskyi, Russia has been employing the tactic of “a thousand cuts” — advancing with small assault groups across a broad front. Recently, the occupiers managed to push 10–12 km deep. However, the situation changed after the elite units were redeployed.

“We cleared settlements and key areas, and the enemy’s victorious mood turned into despair. Their social media posts once had the tone of ‘forward, victory,’ but now it’s ‘surrounded, the end,’” Syrskyi stresses.

General Oleksandr Syrskyi led the defense of Kyiv and the counteroffensive in Kharkiv Oblast in 2022, an operation that enabled the liberation of significant Ukrainian territories. By the time he was appointed Commander-in-Chief, he already had eight years of war experience

Ukrainian counteractions and Russia’s failure in Sumy Oblast

Ukrainian troops continue clearing villages in the Pokrovsk direction, including with the use of robots with machine guns with by the 93rd Separate Mechanized Brigade. 

In the Sumy Oblast, Syrskyi notes, Russian forces has also suffered a major setback.

“There was a Russian grouping there composed of their best units — airborne troops, marines, and motor rifle brigades. Yet Russia has had no success in the past two months,” he underlines.

Weapons of the future

Syrskyi emphasizes that the top priority for Ukraine’s armed forces now is drones and robotic systems.

“First and foremost, we are talking about aerial drones, especially those with elements of artificial intelligence. In addition, this year 15,000 ground robotic platforms of various types will enter service,” he said.

Commenting on Kremlin claims that Russia could fight for “three, five, or ten more years,” Syrskyi concluded: “I think that’s just bravado.”

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Ukraine’s security guarantees from US may inlcude $90 billion weapon aid package that could fund 4.5 years of fighting

19 août 2025 à 10:10

On 19 August, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced that Ukraine’s security guarantees are expected to be formalized on paper within the next 7–10 days. Speaking at a briefing in Washington, he said the document will include a US weapons package worth $90 billion.

According to the World Economy’s Ukraine Support Tracker, from the start of the full-scale war until June 2025, Europe allocated at least 35.1 billion euros for Ukraine’s armaments — 4.4 billion euros more than the US. In 2025, US President Donald Trump’s administration approved arms exports to Ukraine, but the country must finance these purchases independently.

At the same pace of weapons supply, this funding could last for 4.5 years of military support in the event of a new attack.

“Security guarantees will be coordinated with our partners and officially signed in the near future,” Zelenskyy stressed.

He noted that the second key element of the guarantees is an American defense package worth $90 billion, which includes aircraft, air defense systems, and other weaponry. He added that more details on the future agreements will emerge daily.

Zelenskyy emphasized that Ukraine does not need a “pause in the war,” but real peace. He highlighted the important role of the US in the process.

“Washington is sending a clear signal that it will be among the countries helping to coordinate and participate in Ukraine’s security guarantees. This is a significant step forward,” he said. 

After the meeting with US President Donald Trump, which Zelenskyy called “the best” he ever had, he also stated that Ukraine is ready for any format of meeting with Vladimir Putin.

What else is known?

  • During Putin’s conversation with Donald Trump, Russia proposed holding a bilateral meeting with Kyiv first, followed by a trilateral one with the US,
  • The issue of territories will be settled directly between Ukraine and Russia,
  • During a lengthy discussion with Trump, they reviewed a map of temporarily occupied territories,
  • An agreement was reached with the US on the purchase of drones for Ukrainian forces.
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  • ✇Euromaidan Press
  • Ukraine’s drones make Russia’s rear go up in flames
    Ukrainian Security Service drones obliterated two Russian ammunition depots in occupied Bilokurakyne on 19 August, triggering massive fires visible from space and severing a critical supply artery feeding Moscow’s Pokrovsk offensive. The nighttime strike landed seven direct hits on the rail and road hub, 60 kilometers behind Russian lines in Luhansk Oblast. NASA satellite data confirmed multiple thermal anomalies, marking another successful penetration of Russia’s supposedly secure rear areas
     

Ukraine’s drones make Russia’s rear go up in flames

19 août 2025 à 09:20

NASA FIRMS satellite showing thermal anomalies in Bilokurakyne

Ukrainian Security Service drones obliterated two Russian ammunition depots in occupied Bilokurakyne on 19 August, triggering massive fires visible from space and severing a critical supply artery feeding Moscow’s Pokrovsk offensive.

The nighttime strike landed seven direct hits on the rail and road hub, 60 kilometers behind Russian lines in Luhansk Oblast. NASA satellite data confirmed multiple thermal anomalies, marking another successful penetration of Russia’s supposedly secure rear areas.

The targeted settlement is a crucial logistics node where railways and roads converge to supply Russian forces grinding toward Pokrovsk in Donetsk Oblast.

By destroying ammunition stockpiles at this junction, Ukrainian forces force Moscow to find longer, more vulnerable supply routes or accept reduced firepower at a critical front.

This attack represents Ukraine’s evolved battlefield strategy — rather than matching Russia shell for shell, Kyiv systematically dismantles the infrastructure sustaining Russian operations. Each depot eliminated means fewer artillery rounds reaching Ukrainian positions.

“The SBU continues to launch systematic strikes against the enemy’s rear in order to reduce the offensive capabilities of the Russian army on the front line,” the agency stated.

The Bilokurakyne strike coincided with a third fire recently at Lukoil’s Volgograd refinery, illustrating how Ukraine’s campaign now spans from ammunition depots to energy infrastructure. This coordination suggests sophisticated operational planning designed to strain Russia’s war economy simultaneously on multiple fronts.

Ukrainian drones destroyed Russian ammunition depots in Bilokurakyne
Ukrainian Security Service drones obliterated two Russian ammunition depots deep in occupied Luhansk Oblast. Map: Euromaidan Press, ground control via DeepStateMap

These operations demonstrate how precision technology allows smaller militaries to offset numerical disadvantages.

Ukraine’s success in penetrating Russian-controlled territory with relatively inexpensive drones offers lessons for defense planners worldwide facing similar asymmetric challenges.

The burning depots in Bilokurakyne represent more than tactical success – they show how sustained pressure on supply networks can degrade even a larger military’s operational capacity.

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  • ✇Euromaidan Press
  • Russia targeted Ukraine with 270 drones and 10 missiles while Trump and Zelenskyy met in Washington
    As Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and European leaders met with US President Donald Trump in Washington on 18 August, Russia launched a massive overnight air assault on Ukraine. The attack, which began in the evening and continued into 19 August, struck at least six oblasts, leaving civilians wounded and civilian infrastructure in ruins. Russia continues its daily air attacks against Ukrainian civilians and civilian infrastructure. On 16 August — the day Trump met Russian President Vla
     

Russia targeted Ukraine with 270 drones and 10 missiles while Trump and Zelenskyy met in Washington

19 août 2025 à 08:27

russia targeted ukraine 270 dornes 10 missiles while trump zelenskyy met washington fire poltava oblast after russia's combined missile drone attack overnight 19 2025 telegram/exilenova+ poltava-oblast hit homes greenhouses power

As Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and European leaders met with US President Donald Trump in Washington on 18 August, Russia launched a massive overnight air assault on Ukraine. The attack, which began in the evening and continued into 19 August, struck at least six oblasts, leaving civilians wounded and civilian infrastructure in ruins.

Russia continues its daily air attacks against Ukrainian civilians and civilian infrastructure. On 16 August — the day Trump met Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska — Russia fired one Iskander-M and 85 drones at Ukraine. On 17 August, it launched one missile and 60 drones. On 18 August, four ballistic missiles and 140 drones targeted Ukrainian cities. That day, Russian drones killed civilians in a Kharkiv apartment building, struck an oil depot near Odesa, destroyed part of a university in Sumy, and hit Zaporizhzhia with ballistic missiles.

280 air weapons launched

The Ukrainian Air Force reported Russia’s 270 Shahed-type drones and 10 missiles launched from multiple directions, including Kursk, Millerovo, Primorsko-Akhtarsk, occupied Crimea, and the Caspian Sea. These included five Iskander-M ballistic missiles and five Kh-101 cruise missiles. Ukrainian air defense shot down 230 drones, 2 Iskander-Ms, and 4 Kh-101s, but 40 drones and four missiles still hit their targets across 16 confirmed sites.

Poltava: power cut, energy sites hit

In Poltava Oblast, Russian drones and missiles struck energy sector facilities in Kremenchuk and Lubny districts, local authorities said. Damage to utility buildings left 1,471 households and 119 legal entities without power. No injuries were reported. Repairs began immediately.

Donetsk Oblast: Five civilians killed in separate attacks

Sloviansk Military Administration chief Vadym Liakh reported that Russian forces fired two Iskander-M missiles at Sloviansk around 21:00 on 18 August. Both missiles struck the industrial zone in the Lisnyi microdistrict, injuring one woman. She was hospitalized in moderate condition. Fires broke out after the impact.

Earlier that day, the Donetsk Oblast Military Administration said that Russian shelling killed five civilians: three in Kostiantynivka, one in Dobropillia, and one in Novodonetske. Eight others were injured across the oblast.

Kharkiv Oblast: Russian drone injures family in Peremoha

Mayor of Lozova Serhii Zelenskyy reported that Russian drones — for some reason, identified by the regional prosecutor’s office by Shahed-136’s Russian designation Geran-2 type — struck a residential building in the village of Peremoha around 04:58 on 19 August. The blast injured a woman, who was hospitalized with a leg injury. Her husband and two children — an 8-year-old boy and a 2-year-8-month-old girl — suffered psychological shock and cuts from broken glass. The family remains in emotional distress, according to community leader Tetiana Kukhmeister, who spoke to Suspilne.

Sumy Oblast: Russia shells town, follows with drone strikes

Head of the executive committee of the Seredyna-Buda city council Ksenia Piatnytsia told Suspilne that Russian forces shelled Seredyna-Buda with tanks around 01:00 on 19 August and followed up with FPV drone strikes around noon. The attacks damaged local infrastructure.

Acting head of the Sumy community Artem Kobzar reported that Russian drones attacked the Pishchanske community twice — first with a Shahed drone that shattered 34 windows and damaged a slate roof, then with a Molniya-type drone that damaged six more windows and a door.

On 18 August after 17:00, the Sumy Oblast Military Administration said that five Russian drones targeted the Sumy community. Three drones struck civilian infrastructure; two were intercepted. According to Suspilne reporters, one drone exploded near a shopping center in the city of Sumy. No casualties were reported.

Dnipropetrovsk Oblast: Man wounded, school burns after drone strikes

Dnipropetrovsk Oblast Military Administration head Serhii Lysak reported that Russian FPV drones and artillery struck Nikopol, Marhanets, and Pokrovsk communities overnight on 19 August. The attack injured a man, who was hospitalized. Fires destroyed a greenhouse and a utility structure. A residential building, another utility building, and a car were also damaged.

In the Vasylkivska community of Synelnykove district, Russian drones hit a school, setting it on fire. Lysak confirmed that Ukrainian air defense shot down seven Russian drones over the oblast during the night.

Kherson Oblast: Child, pensioners injured in Russian attacks

The Kherson Oblast Military Administration reported that Russian forces injured six civilians in the oblast over the past 24 hours. These figures do not include additional victims reported later this morning.

On the morning of 19 August, officials confirmed that a 71-year-old resident of Kozatske, who was attacked by a Russian drone on 16 August, had been hospitalized with abdominal blast trauma and shrapnel injuries. He remains under medical supervision.

Later that morning, Russian artillery struck residential areas of Chornobaivka. An 11-year-old boy, who was walking down the street at the time, suffered a concussion, a shrapnel wound to his shoulder, and a closed traumatic brain injury. Neighbors gave him first aid before emergency services transported him to a hospital.

In Kherson city, a 61-year-old man was also wounded in a Russian drone attack. He sustained a blast injury and shrapnel wounds to his arm and leg and is receiving medical treatment.

 

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  • ✇Euromaidan Press
  • From $600 to $1,000: Ukraine pitches a market with growing buying power
    Ukraine’s government projects average monthly salaries will climb to nearly UAH 40,000 ($970) by 2028, almost doubling from current levels as the country signals economic resilience. The forecast, released in Kyiv’s official socio-economic outlook for 2026-2028, shows wages rising from UAH 25,000 ($606) this year to UAH 39,800 ($964) by 2028 — a key metric for donors and investors evaluating Ukraine’s post-war recovery potential. The projections serve dual purposes: demonstrating Ukraine’
     

From $600 to $1,000: Ukraine pitches a market with growing buying power

19 août 2025 à 07:57

Ukrainian salary and inflation 2025-2028

Ukraine’s government projects average monthly salaries will climb to nearly UAH 40,000 ($970) by 2028, almost doubling from current levels as the country signals economic resilience.

The forecast, released in Kyiv’s official socio-economic outlook for 2026-2028, shows wages rising from UAH 25,000 ($606) this year to UAH 39,800 ($964) by 2028 — a key metric for donors and investors evaluating Ukraine’s post-war recovery potential.

The projections serve dual purposes: demonstrating Ukraine’s economic viability to international backers while setting expectations for domestic consumption growth.

A consumer base earning nearly $1,000 monthly represents a compelling investment target for Western companies eyeing Ukraine’s eventual reconstruction.

“Given the high uncertainty, the Government’s forecast estimates are close to the forecasts of the European Commission and the IMF, which indicates a shared view of the key development trends,” the government stated in its forecast.

Ukraine’s wage progression timeline shows steady growth if stability holds:

  • 2025: UAH 25,000 ($606) average monthly salary
  • 2026: UAH 30,200 ($733)
  • 2027: UAH 35,200 ($855)
  • 2028: UAH 39,800 ($964)

The government projects inflation will ease from 8.6% in 2026 to 5.3% in 2028, meaning real purchasing power should grow alongside nominal wages.

The forecast presents two scenarios based on when hostilities end. Early stabilization in 2026 versus prolonged conflict until 2027 creates significant wage differentials — potentially thousands of hryvnia difference in workers’ pockets.

The current economic situation remains harsh for many Ukrainians. Millions remain displaced, key industrial sectors face ongoing Russian strikes, and many households rely on multiple income sources or remittances to cover rising costs.

The wage projections target international audiences who are considering Ukraine’s economic future. A market of 35 million educated, digitally connected consumers earning close to $1,000 monthly represents a substantial opportunity for consumer goods, housing, and services companies.

European Commission and IMF alignment on these projections strengthens Ukraine’s case for continued financial support and private investment, showing Western institutions view the country’s economic fundamentals as sound despite wartime pressures.

Higher wages matter for Ukraine’s broader recovery strategy. Increased domestic consumption drives tax revenue, supports local businesses, and demonstrates the economy’s capacity to sustain long-term growth — key factors in maintaining international confidence.

The forecast, which depends on wage growth, reflects Ukraine’s broader argument: this economy remains viable for investment and support, with a population still earning, spending, and building for the future despite the war.

Whether these projections materialize depends heavily on military developments and sustained international backing. But the government’s confidence in publishing them sends its signal — Ukraine is planning for economic success, not just survival.

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  • ✇Euromaidan Press
  • ISW: Russia’s advance near Dobropillia is fracturing under Ukrainian counterattacks
    Ukrainian forces are reversing Russia’s attempted breakthrough near Dobropillia. The Institute for the Study of War (ISW) reported on 18 August that Russian troops are struggling to turn their limited infiltration into a deeper advance as Ukrainian counterattacks reclaim settlements and cut off the penetration base. This comes as Russia continues its all-out war against Ukraine, focusing on capturing the rest of eastern Ukraine’s Donetsk Oblast.  Ukrainian forces retake key settlements Ukrainian
     

ISW: Russia’s advance near Dobropillia is fracturing under Ukrainian counterattacks

19 août 2025 à 07:39

isw russia’s advance near dobropillya fracturing under ukrainian counterattacks north-of-pokrovsk-direction-august-18-2025-(1) troops retook key villages base narrow penetration dobropillia donetsk oblast forces reversing attempted breakthrough institute study war (isw) reported 18

Ukrainian forces are reversing Russia’s attempted breakthrough near Dobropillia. The Institute for the Study of War (ISW) reported on 18 August that Russian troops are struggling to turn their limited infiltration into a deeper advance as Ukrainian counterattacks reclaim settlements and cut off the penetration base.

This comes as Russia continues its all-out war against Ukraine, focusing on capturing the rest of eastern Ukraine’s Donetsk Oblast. 

Ukrainian forces retake key settlements

Ukrainian military observer Kostyantyn Mashovets said Ukrainian troops had liberated Zapovidne (formerly Nykanorivka) and Dorozhnie, both southwest of Dobropillia. These villages were at the base of Russia’s push into the area. Geolocated footage published on 14 August and verified on 18 August shows Ukrainian forces detaining Russian soldiers in a windbreak southwest of Petrivka, northeast of Dobropillia. Additional footage published on 17 August shows Ukrainian troops raising a flag in Zolotyi Kolodyaz, confirming they had retaken the area after Russian forces previously entered it.

Russia unable to support or widen the penetration

ISW noted that Russian forces are struggling to turn their initial tactical gains into a wider breakthrough. Colonel Viktor Trehubov of Ukraine’s Dnipro Group of Forces said Ukrainian troops collapsed the Russian salient by cutting off infiltration elements from their main force, preventing supplies and reinforcements from reaching them.

Ukrainian flanks move faster than Russian forces

Mashovets reported that elements of Russia’s 150th Motorized Rifle Division, part of the 8th Combined Arms Army, attempted to bypass Volodymyrivka from the east. The move aimed to flank Ukrainian forces pressing on Russian units of the 51st Combined Arms Army between Zapovidne and Novotoretske. However, Ukrainian forces on the western side of the breach are advancing faster than Russian units in the east.

Russian brigades under pressure inside a narrow corridor

Mashovets said Russian forces inside the penetration — specifically the 5th, 110th, and 132nd Motorized Rifle Brigades — are fracturing under pressure and only holding a 2.5-kilometer-wide strip. A Russian milblogger warned the depth of the advance is too great for such a narrow width, making it vulnerable to counterattacks.

Russian focus shifts to another direction

ISW observed that Russian milbloggers are now focusing on the Rodynske direction, north of Pokrovsk and southeast of Dobropillia. This shift suggests a loss of confidence in the Dobropillia axis after failure to reinforce the original infiltration.

 

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  • ✇Euromaidan Press
  • Third fire in days: Lukoil’s Volgograd refinery burns again
    A new drone attack on 19 August triggered large fires at a Lukoil oil refinery and another site in Russia’s Volgograd. The local officials claim drone debris caused the fires despite what they described as a “massive” UAV assault being repelled by military forces. It is likely the third strike on the same Volgograd refinery in three days. Ukraine continues targeting Russia’s oil refining and transport systems as part of a campaign to degrade the Kremlin’s ability to fund its war and fuel its mil
     

Third fire in days: Lukoil’s Volgograd refinery burns again

19 août 2025 à 06:52

third fire days lukoil’s volgograd refinery burns again russia's oil overnight 19 2025 telegram/astra volgograd-refinery-burns-again-nicely new drone attack triggered large fires lukoil another site local officials claim debris caused despite

A new drone attack on 19 August triggered large fires at a Lukoil oil refinery and another site in Russia’s Volgograd. The local officials claim drone debris caused the fires despite what they described as a “massive” UAV assault being repelled by military forces.

It is likely the third strike on the same Volgograd refinery in three days. Ukraine continues targeting Russia’s oil refining and transport systems as part of a campaign to degrade the Kremlin’s ability to fund its war and fuel its military logistics.

Twin fires break out in Volgograd after drone strike

Russian Telegram news channel Astra reported that explosions were heard in Volgograd overnight on 19 August, followed by a major fire outbreak in the city. Photos began circulating online, allegedly showing a blaze after a drone strike. While Astra shared these images, the outlet noted it could not independently verify the authenticity of the visuals.

In response to the incident, Russia’s aviation agency Rosaviatsia temporarily closed Volgograd’s local airport. No further details were released regarding flight disruptions.

Later the same morning, the Governor of Volgograd Oblast officially confirmed that two separate fires broke out following a drone attack — at the Lukoil-Volgogradneftepererabotka refinery and allegedly on a hospital’s rooftop. According to his statement, the fires erupted in southern Volgograd after wreckage from unmanned aerial vehicles ostensibly fell onto key infrastructure sites. He claimed that the Ministry of Defense’s forces were actively repelling a “massive” drone assault targeting the oblast.

Astra stated that the refinery and hospital buildings hit on 19 August are located several kilometers apart.

Lukoil refinery struck for the second or third time in days

The Ukrainian drones had already attacked the same refinery during the night of 14 August, when at least eight drones targeted the Lukoil facility in Volgograd’s Krasnoarmeiskyi District. That earlier strike damaged parts of the plant’s infrastructure, including two pipelines and a primary oil processing unit. As a result, the refinery was forced to halt operations.

Two days later, a major fire erupted again at the facility, but the second drone attack was not confirmed.

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Ukraine cuts off Putin’s pipeline profits—Europe’s Druzba oil deliveries halted after yesterday’s drone assault

19 août 2025 à 06:03

ukraine cuts off putin’s pipeline profits—europe’s druzba oil deliveries halted after yesterday's drone assault ukrainian an-196 liutyi during its takeoff run 29 2024 russia’s massive export artery europe has fully

The Druzba pipeline, Russia’s massive oil export artery to Europe, has fully halted operations following a Ukrainian drone strike that disabled a key pumping station. As of 18 August, Ukrainian General Staff officially confirmed the pipeline’s shutdown, marking a major blow to Russia’s fuel exports—and a hard cutoff for its EU clients, including Hungary and Slovakia.

Ukraine now regularly uses homebuilt long-range drones to strike deep within Russia, hitting military, defense-industrial, and fuel-related targets. Recent weeks have seen near-daily attacks on oil refineries, railways, and depots. The military reports that nearly 50% of this year’s drone operations have targeted oil processing infrastructure.

 Militarnyi reported that the attack responsible was conducted by Ukraine’s Unmanned Systems Forces (SBS) overnight on 18 August. Kyiv’s precision strike disabled the Nikolskoe-1 oil station in Russia’s Tambov Oblast, 400 km from the frontline. The pipeline has now ceased pumping on an “indefinite” timeline, according to Ukrainian sources.

Ukraine disables Russia’s oil flow to the EU

The General Staff stated on 18 August that pumping of oil through the Druzba pipeline had stopped completely. The shutdown came as a result of a fire triggered by a direct drone hit on the infrastructure. 

The Nikolskoe-1 pumping station was one of the important nodes in the Druzba system. The 5,500-km-long pipeline had been transporting vast quantities of Russian oil to the European market. This station specifically moved crude and refined fuel products westward—including to the Central Federal District of Russia, and into Hungary and Slovakia.
ukraine cuts off putin’s pipeline profits—europe’s druzba oil deliveries halted after yesterday's drone assault ukrainian an-196 liutyi during its takeoff run 29 2024 russia’s massive export artery europe has fully

Ukraine cuts off Putin’s pipeline profits—Europe’s Druzba oil deliveries halted after yesterday’s drone assault

SBS strike made Russian upgrades irrelevant

Commander of Ukraine’s Drone Systems Forces, Robert “Madyar” Brovdi, stated that the 14th SBS regiment carried out the attack on the Nikolskoe-1 station. In a 18 August Facebook post, he confirmed the strike and mocked the outcome:

“The Druzba pipeline is resting. Full stop of oil pumping for an indefinite period. Greetings from the SBS Birds.”

Madyar also noted the station was “deflowered” by the unit’s UAVs.

Militarnyi noted that Russia had only recently upgraded safety systems at the facility, completing the latest overhaul in late July 2025. The update included new valves and modernized equipment—none of which stopped the site from going up in flames after Ukraine’s drone hit.

Budapest lashes out, Kyiv hits back

Hungarian Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó confirmed the disruption of oil supply in a public statement on 18 August and sharply criticized Ukraine’s actions. In response, Ukrainian Deputy Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha said Hungary had long ignored Kyiv’s warnings about relying on Russian energy, and should now “file complaints with their friends in Moscow.”

Hungary, a consistent outlier in the EU on Russia policy, has maintained crude oil imports from Russia since the full-scale invasion began. The Druzba pipeline was one of its main sources of supply.

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  • ✇Euromaidan Press
  • Macron says Putin shows no intent to end war—the killing hasn’t stopped
    Russian President Vladimir Putin is not ready to end the war, French President Emmanuel Macron said on 19 August in an interview with NBC News. The remarks followed a high-level White House meeting involving President Donald Trump, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, and top European leaders. This comes as Russia continues its full-scale invasion of Ukraine, while Trump pushes for Ukraine-Russia negotiations to end the war.  Macron: Putin shows no intent to end war “I don’t see President P
     

Macron says Putin shows no intent to end war—the killing hasn’t stopped

19 août 2025 à 05:28

macron says putin shows intent end war—the killing hasn’t stopped french president emmanuel during interview news published 19 2025 macron-nbc russian vladimir ready war said remarks followed high-level white house

Russian President Vladimir Putin is not ready to end the war, French President Emmanuel Macron said on 19 August in an interview with NBC News. The remarks followed a high-level White House meeting involving President Donald Trump, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, and top European leaders.

This comes as Russia continues its full-scale invasion of Ukraine, while Trump pushes for Ukraine-Russia negotiations to end the war. 

Macron: Putin shows no intent to end war

“I don’t see President Putin very willing to get peace now,” Macron told NBC. He added, “Perhaps I’m too pessimistic,” but pointed to the facts on the ground.

He said Trump’s optimism about securing a deal should be taken seriously.

If he considers he can get a deal done, this is great news, and we have to do whatever we can to have a great deal,” Macron said.

Russia launched deadly strikes in Kharkiv and Zaporizhzhia overnight before the Trump-Zelenskyy talks in Washington.

Macron said it was “impossible” for Ukrainian leaders to negotiate peace while the country is being destroyed and civilians are being killed.

France calls for pressure, warns of more sanctions

Macron stressed that the United States must pressure Russia to find a resolution. He said that if no progress is made in the Trump-announced meeting between Putin and Zelenskyy, or if a trilateral format fails, Russia should face increased primary and secondary sanctions.

There is an aggressor, which is Russia,” he said. “There is a country which decided to kill people, stole children and who refused a ceasefire and peace, so we cannot just create an equivalent situation between Ukraine and Russia.”

No peace without guarantees, no land swaps

Macron said Ukraine must receive security guarantees to prevent future Russian attacks. Without them, he warned, Russia would not respect any agreement. He said Trump told him that during his 16 August meeting with Putin, the Russian president accepted the need for such guarantees.

He firmly opposed any territorial concessions to Russia.

“I don’t see any swap in the proposal of the Russians, except a swap in comparison with what they wanted at the beginning,” Macron said. He emphasized that territorial issues are for Ukraine and its people to decide.

You could close this page. Or you could join our community and help us produce more materials like this. We keep our reporting open and accessible to everyone because we believe in the power of free information. This is why our small, cost-effective team depends on the support of readers like you to bring deliver timely news, quality analysis, and on-the-ground reports about Russia's war against Ukraine and Ukraine's struggle to build a democratic society. Become a patron or see other ways to support
  • ✇Euromaidan Press
  • Russo-Ukrainian war, day 1272: Zelenskyy demands “everything” for security of Ukraine in Washington
    Exclusive Ukraine builds an army where robots die so soldiers don’t have to. A New York tech CEO is finding the answer to Russia’s three-to-one manpower advantage. NATO banned weapons to this Ukrainian unit. Now they study its tactics.. Azov went from pariah to the territorial defense case study. Zelenskyy demands “everything” for security while Trump hints at vague Article 5-like protection. Ukraine wants weapons, troops, and intelligence support. Trump says he will discu
     

Russo-Ukrainian war, day 1272: Zelenskyy demands “everything” for security of Ukraine in Washington

19 août 2025 à 04:50

Exclusive

Ukraine builds an army where robots die so soldiers don’t have to. A New York tech CEO is finding the answer to Russia’s three-to-one manpower advantage.
NATO banned weapons to this Ukrainian unit. Now they study its tactics.. Azov went from pariah to the territorial defense case study.
Zelenskyy demands “everything” for security while Trump hints at vague Article 5-like protection. Ukraine wants weapons, troops, and intelligence support. Trump says he will discuss the guarantees with NATO allies later today.
Triptorelin peptide: A scientific overview. Researchers have theorized that Triptorelin may interact with receptor sites involved in pituitary signaling, potentially affecting gonadotropin secretion and broader physiological responses in the observed research models
Ukraine’s Flamingo missile is for blasting Russian factories. Ukraine has a new cruise missile. It may be one of the hardest-hitting missiles in the world. But it’s unclear how many Kyiv can afford.

Military

Ukraine’s strike disrupts oil supplies to three EU countries still purchasing Russian oil. Ukraine’s 950km strike completely halted Russia’s Druzhba pipeline, cutting oil supplies to Hungary, Czech Republic, and Slovakia while targeting infrastructure that funds Moscow’s 6.3% GDP war spending.

Syrskyi: Russian troops defeated near Sumy, redeploying to other direction. Russian forces abandoned their offensive in Sumy Oblast after two months without territorial gains, with elite paratroopers and marines now redeploying to the Zaporizhzhia direction

Frontline report: Azov corps encircles 800 Russian soldiers after 18-kilometer breakthrough collapses. Azov command reports an additional 101 Russian soldiers wounded and 13 taken prisoner during the rapid response operation that mobilized Ukraine’s 1st national guard army corps.

Russian soldiers apparently parading with American flag in occupied Ukraine. Propaganda video emerges days after Trump welcomed Putin in Alaska.

Intelligence and technology

Ukraine gains access to the EU’s €1 billion defense contracts. Ukraine transforms from aid recipient to partner as EU opens €1 billion in defense contracts to battle-tested Ukrainian companies.

Post-war Ukraine set to supply military equipment across Europe, says US diplomat.

Frontline report: Azerbaijan is mass-producing 122mm and 155mm shells — Ukraine wants them all. Russia hit Azerbaijan’s oil sites in Ukraine. Baku answered by threatening to send weapons.

International

Ambassador resigns over Trump-Zelenskyy shouting match in Oval Office. Brigitte Brink revealed that a 28 February tense argument between Trump and Zelenskyy, during a meeting meant to seal a mineral resources deal, was a key reason she stepped down as US Ambassador to Ukraine.

US journalist apologizes to Zelenskyy after February suit controversy sparks in Oval Office

. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy delivered a response that highlighted the contrast between changing clothes and changing positions on the war.

EU increases its imports of Russian liquefied natural gas in six months.

President Zelenskyy meets Trump’s special envoy for Ukraine, before Trump’s office visit. Seven European leaders accompanied President Zelenskyy to Washington for 18 August meetings with Trump administration officials

Live updates: Zelenskyy meets with Trump, European leaders to stop Russia’s mass killings in Ukraine. Since 2022, Russia has killed nearly 14,000 civilians and committed nearly 160,000 war crimes in Ukraine.

Trump reportedly threatened to end talks in Alaska when Putin wanted entire Donetsk Oblast – media. Negotiations between Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin reached a critical juncture in Alaska when Putin demanded for complete control over Ukraine’s Donetsk Oblast

Humanitarian and social impact

Ukraine says Russia teaches children from occupied territories to hate democratic world in brainwashing military camps

. Russian investment in teenage military camps reveals preparation for extended war rather than peace.

Russia kills family with five drones in Ukrainian region, which is under Washington’s negotiation agenda. Moscow’s coordinated drone assault on sleeping civilians tests whether targeted family killings can influence the peace talks in Washington.

Russian missiles hit Zaporizhzhia infrastructure, casualties mount to 17 in 24 hours. Russian ballistic missiles struck Zaporizhzhia on Sunday morning, injuring six people including two in serious condition

Azerbaijan oil depot SOCAR hit by 10 Russian drones in second Odesa attack this month. The same SOCAR oil depot targeted by Russian drones on 8 Aug. came under attack again overnight, igniting fires that required over 100 emergency responders and a railway fire train to extinguish

Death toll from Russian attack on residential area in Kharkiv rises to 5, including toddler and teenager. The youngest victim was just 18 months old when Russian Geran-2 drones struck a five-story apartment building in Kharkiv’s Industrial district, killing five people and injuring 20 others in the dawn attack.

Political and legal developments

Ukraine exposes 1,000-ship Russian “shadow fleet” using fake flags to fund war. Ukraine’s new tracking portal reveals how Moscow transforms stolen grain and oil into weapons funding,

Russia gunpowder plant explosion kills 20, injures 134 in Ryazan Oblast safety breach. Russia’s military explosives plant Elastik suffered another deadly blast Friday, killing 20 workers in one of the region’s worst industrial accidents.

Read our earlier daily review here.

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  • ✇Euromaidan Press
  • Ukraine bets on nuclear to rebuild grid and supply Europe
    Energy Minister Svitlana Hrynchuk announced that Ukraine will make nuclear power the cornerstone of its energy strategy. The country aims to transform from energy victim to Europe’s next major electricity supplier. “Personally, I believe that we must develop nuclear power generation. Because it ensures the stability of our energy sector; it is the type of generation that has allowed us to survive,” Minister Hrynchuk said. The announcement signals Ukraine’s most ambitious wartime gamble: bu
     

Ukraine bets on nuclear to rebuild grid and supply Europe

19 août 2025 à 04:48

Khmelnitskyi nuclear power plant, 1st block

Energy Minister Svitlana Hrynchuk announced that Ukraine will make nuclear power the cornerstone of its energy strategy. The country aims to transform from energy victim to Europe’s next major electricity supplier.

“Personally, I believe that we must develop nuclear power generation. Because it ensures the stability of our energy sector; it is the type of generation that has allowed us to survive,” Minister Hrynchuk said.

The announcement signals Ukraine’s most ambitious wartime gamble: building enough nuclear capacity to replace Russian energy exports across Central and Eastern Europe while still under missile attack.

Since February 2022, Russian strikes have eliminated roughly half of Ukraine’s prewar generating capacity.

Dozens of coal and thermal plants lie destroyed or occupied, including the massive Zaporizhzhia thermal facility. The Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant — Europe’s largest — remains under Russian control, with all six reactors shut down and about six gigawatts of Ukraine’s generating capacity unusable.

But Ukraine’s four remaining nuclear plants generated 26.8 billion kilowatt hours in the first half of 2025 — more than half the country’s electricity. According to Energoatom, the operator, they ran at over 75% capacity, proving nuclear facilities can operate effectively during wartime.

Since March 2022, Ukraine’s grid synchronization with European networks has allowed power exports when surpluses exist. More nuclear capacity would enable Ukraine to capture significant market share from Russian energy exports that previously earned Moscow roughly €100 billion annually.

Ukraine will complete two Soviet-era reactors at Khmelnytskyi Nuclear Power Plant that have been unfinished since the 1980s. Bulgaria agreed this year to sell Ukraine two VVER-1000 reactors to finish units 3 and 4, which are 75% and 28% complete, respectively.

Additionally, Ukraine plans two entirely new reactors at Khmelnytskyi using American Westinghouse AP1000 technology, permanently breaking from Russian nuclear designs. The expansion would quadruple generating capacity at the facility.

The challenge remains building nuclear infrastructure while Russia continues targeting Ukraine’s energy grid.

Officials say new reactors will feature reinforced containment structures and integrated air defense systems. Plants like Khmelnytskyi sit far from current front lines, offering some protection.

Energoatom, reorganized this summer as a joint-stock company, received renewed licenses following regulatory inspections. Officials say the corporate overhaul meets European standards and opens doors to international financing for the expansion projects.

Ukraine’s nuclear expansion for Europe offers clean, reliable power that could replace Russian energy imports. The timeline creates pressure — nuclear construction typically takes a decade, while Ukraine must defend facilities throughout a protracted conflict. Success would prove countries can break free from Moscow’s energy dependence while under active attack.

You could close this page. Or you could join our community and help us produce more materials like this. We keep our reporting open and accessible to everyone because we believe in the power of free information. This is why our small, cost-effective team depends on the support of readers like you to bring deliver timely news, quality analysis, and on-the-ground reports about Russia's war against Ukraine and Ukraine's struggle to build a democratic society. Become a patron or see other ways to support
  • ✇Euromaidan Press
  • Trump claims breakthrough on Ukraine-Russia peace talks — Kremlin pretends not to hear
    The Institute for the Study of War (ISW) reported on 18 August that the Kremlin has not publicly confirmed US President Donald Trump’s announcement of a planned bilateral meeting between Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Russian President Vladimir Putin, followed by a trilateral summit with US participation. ISW noted that Trump stated he had called Putin after the 18 August summit and began arranging such meetings, but Russian officials gave no direct confirmation. This comes as, sinc
     

Trump claims breakthrough on Ukraine-Russia peace talks — Kremlin pretends not to hear

19 août 2025 à 02:38

trump claims breakthrough ukraine-russia peace talks — kremlin pretends hear ukrainian president volodymyr zelenskyy (l) donald (r) during meeting oval office 18 2025 / white house zelenski-trump institute study war

The Institute for the Study of War (ISW) reported on 18 August that the Kremlin has not publicly confirmed US President Donald Trump’s announcement of a planned bilateral meeting between Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Russian President Vladimir Putin, followed by a trilateral summit with US participation. ISW noted that Trump stated he had called Putin after the 18 August summit and began arranging such meetings, but Russian officials gave no direct confirmation.

This comes as, since taking office in January, Trump has so far failed to end the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war, despite repeated promises to do so within 24 hours. Russian forces continue to strike Ukrainian cities, causing civilian casualties. Trump recently met with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska, and held talks with Zelenskyy at the White House yesterday.

According to ISW, Russian Presidential Aide Yuri Ushakov said that Putin and Trump “expressed support for the continuation of direct negotiations between the delegations of Russia and Ukraine” and mentioned the possibility of “raising the level of representatives of the Ukrainian and Russian sides.” ISW emphasized that this language did not amount to a commitment to leader-level meetings.

ISW also noted that Zelenskyy stated after the summit that he is ready to meet with Putin “without any conditions” and that it was Russia who first proposed a bilateral meeting, followed by a trilateral format with the United States. He said territorial matters would remain a subject “between [himself] and Putin.”

ISW: Security guarantees discussed, US role remains unclear

During the 18 August summit, Trump and Zelenskyy met at the White House before joining talks with European leaders, including NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, French President Emmanuel Macron, UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, Italian President Giorgia Meloni, and Finnish President Alexander Stubb. According to ISW, the leaders emphasized the importance of security guarantees to ensure a lasting peace and deter future Russian aggression.

ISW noted that von der Leyen, Meloni, and Starmer expressed support for guarantees modeled after NATO’s Article 5. Trump stated that the United States would support these guarantees in a coordination role, while “various European countries” would provide the main commitments. This was echoed in Trump’s readout posted on Truth Social.

Zelenskyy said in a joint press conference with Trump that Ukraine needs not only guarantees from partners but also continued access to weapons, training, and intelligence. Zelenskyy added that Ukraine and its European allies have launched a program to purchase weapons from the United States, and that a strong Ukrainian military is itself a security guarantee.

Financial Times: Ukraine proposed US arms and drone deals tied to guarantees

The Financial Times (FT) reported on 18 August that Ukraine offered to purchase $100 billion worth of US weapons, financed by European partners, in exchange for American security guarantees. FT stated that the document it obtained did not specify which weapons were involved.

FT also reported that Ukraine proposed a $50 billion plan to manufacture drones through Ukrainian companies, but the share of procurement versus investment was not defined. FT cited four people familiar with the matter and noted these proposals were included in Ukraine’s talking points shared with European leaders ahead of the summit.

Russia rejects NATO troop involvement in peace process

According to ISW, Trump stated during the 18 August summit that Putin had earlier expressed openness to security guarantees for Ukraine during the 15 August Alaska summit. However, ISW noted that Russian Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Maria Zakharova said on 18 August that Russia “categorical[ly] reject[s]” any plan involving a military contingent in Ukraine with participation from NATO countries. Her statement applied both to formal NATO missions and independent deployments by NATO member states. ISW says this mirrors earlier Russian threats to treat such deployments as legitimate military targets.

Trump and other European officials clarified that any future deployment of peacekeeping forces would not be part of a NATO mission.

Leaders voice support for ceasefire, but prospects remain uncertain

Trump said all leaders attending the 18 August summit “would obviously prefer an immediate ceasefire while we work on a lasting peace,” but added, “as of this moment, it’s not happening.” Trump stated he supports a ceasefire because it could halt casualties “immediately.”

ISW noted that Macron and Merz expressed support for a ceasefire either ahead of or after a potential trilateral meeting. Trump added that both Zelenskyy and Putin “can talk a little bit more” about the matter.

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  • ✇Euromaidan Press
  • Ukraine builds an army where robots die so soldiers don’t have to
    The math is brutal: Russia has three times Ukraine’s population and pays soldiers twice as much. Moscow can afford to send wave after wave of troops to die on Ukrainian soil. Ukraine cannot match those numbers. So Ukraine is building something else entirely—an army where robots handle the dying. When Russia launched its full-scale invasion in February 2022, Ukrainians across the globe mobilized to defend their homeland. Some picked up weapons, while others contributed with their technical
     

Ukraine builds an army where robots die so soldiers don’t have to

18 août 2025 à 19:04

Ukraine war ground robots

The math is brutal: Russia has three times Ukraine’s population and pays soldiers twice as much. Moscow can afford to send wave after wave of troops to die on Ukrainian soil. Ukraine cannot match those numbers.

So Ukraine is building something else entirely—an army where robots handle the dying.

When Russia launched its full-scale invasion in February 2022, Ukrainians across the globe mobilized to defend their homeland. Some picked up weapons, while others contributed with their technical abilities.

Now well in the fourth year of the war, Ukraine’s resilience endures, thanks in large part to its volunteers and tech pioneers racing to out-innovate Russia on the battlefield.

Among them is Lyuba Shipovich, a software engineer and tech entrepreneur who had been running a tech company in New York City. She left the United States and returned to Ukraine in the beginning of the full-scale invasion to join the resistance.

By 2023, she founded Dignitas, a nonprofit dedicated to training soldiers and integrating cutting-edge technologies into Ukraine’s military operations.

“We’re different from traditional charities as we don’t just fundraise and donate gear,” Shipovich said. “We build and test solutions, prove their value, and then advocate for government adoption.”

Why robots matter more than rockets

After nearly three years of grinding warfare, Ukraine faces a stark mathematical reality. Russia’s oil and gas revenues let it offer higher pay to attract new recruits, giving Moscow a significant advantage in replenishing its ranks. Ukraine must turn to technology—as it’s done throughout the war.

But bringing battlefield robots to the front isn’t simple. Resistance remains, particularly among Soviet-trained officers who often struggle to understand or trust these new capabilities.

This is where Shipovich plays an important role. Every month, she travels to brigades across the front, listening to commanders, identifying their pain points, and finding ways to support the deployment of ground robots. Dignitas helps train the army on how to use these technologies, such as ground robots.

“We train the military on tech, provide them with tech, and push for systemic adoption of battlefield innovation,” Shipovich explained.

Dignitas has already spearheaded major initiatives like Victory Drones, which is led by Maria Berlinska, and has helped drone operators scale across Ukraine’s army.

Now, Shipovich is turning her focus to ground robotics—working to ensure Ukraine’s military can rapidly adopt and deploy unmanned ground systems (UGVs) across the frontlines.

Their latest initiative is Victory Robots.

In a June social media post, the project team wrote that Dignitas Ukraine is “building a tech-driven advantage for Ukraine’s defenders” and that “it’s all about giving Ukraine every possible advantage to win—while protecting lives and reducing human losses.”

Ground robots already saving lives

Last month, I had the opportunity to join Shipovich and Stepan Nehoda from Dignitas visiting brigades working on robotics across various fronts. At each base we visited, every commander was eager to speak with her.

“The people we work with love us. Some officers hate us because we push them to do more work,” she said.

I was told that Shipovich can influence the General Staff of the Ukrainian Army and plays a role in shaping planning and resource allocation at the highest levels.

Ukrainian volunteers robotics
Lyuba Shipovich, CEO of Dignitas Ukraine speaking at a ground robotics event held by the Ukrainian military in July 2025. Photo: David Kirichenko

Each robotics unit was quick to show off their homemade battlefield tools and the innovations they had built in garages and workshops. I joined Lyuba on some of these visits and saw firsthand the kind of ingenuity that is helping Ukraine stay in the fight.

Some brigades are better resourced than others. But even those with very limited support are doing impressive work, hacking together solutions on a daily basis to stay operational.

Operators from the 3rd Assault Brigade told me that ground robots are now being used for medical evacuations almost every day. Other units are relying on robots to handle more of the logistical burden, delivering supplies and reducing the risks to human soldiers.

Oleksandr, the Platoon Commander of Ground Robotic Complexes (GRC) with the Antares Battalion of the Rubizh Brigade, described how volunteers are helping Ukraine adapt on the battlefield.

“Volunteers like Dignitas serve as a bridge between tech developers and the military,” he said. “They help rapidly test new solutions, adapt them to real battlefield conditions, and quickly deliver what actually works on the front lines.”

“This isn’t just humanitarian support,” he added. “It’s the real-time development of combat capabilities.”

Oleksandr, known as Ghost, has seen firsthand how ground robotic platforms are reshaping the war.

“Ground robotic platforms are already proving their effectiveness in logistics, evacuation, and fire support,” he said. “Over the next year, their role will only grow. They reduce risks for personnel, automate routine or dangerous tasks, and enhance the overall tactical flexibility of units.”

Ukraine war soldiers ground drone
Ruslan serves in an unmanned ground vehicle (UGV) unit with the Bulava Battalion of Ukraine’s 72nd Mechanized Brigade. Photo: David Kirichenko

Ruslan, callsign “Light,” a UGV operator with the Bulava Battalion of Ukraine’s 72nd Mechanized Brigade, said his unit has avoided driver fatalities recently, though some have been wounded.

Before adopting robots, they lost four vehicles in May alone, with several more damaged. Losses have increased as the enemy now targets logistics deeper in the rear, focusing on FPV drone operators as higher-value targets than infantry.

Russian forces use fiber-optic FPV drones to ambush supply routes, hiding until vehicles appear.

“This is no longer science fiction,” said Oleksandr. “It’s a tool of war.”

The first robot-only assault in modern warfare

Ukraine soldiers volunteers Donetsk
Lyuba Shipovich and Oleksandr posing for a photo in Donetsk Oblast. Photo: David Kirichenko

One recent operation showed just how far the technology has come. In the Kharkiv Oblast, soldiers from the 3rd Assault Brigade carried out a successful mission without a single infantryman on the ground.

Using only FPV drones and ground robots, they attacked enemy positions, destroyed fortifications, and captured Russian soldiers who surrendered to the machines.

The remaining Russian troops were directed toward Ukrainian positions by drones overhead and were then taken prisoner. “This is the first confirmed successful assault in modern warfare conducted exclusively by unmanned platforms,” the 3rd Assault Brigade noted.

Ukrainian fully robotic engagement and the Russian soldiers surrendering to robots in Kharkiv Oblast. Source: 3rd Assault Brigade of the Ukrainian Ground Forces
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First battlefield capitulation to robots: Ukrainian drones force Russian surrender and seize fortified position (video)

At a recent demonstration of robotic systems near Kyiv, Volodymyr Rovensky, an officer in the Department for the Development of Ground Control Systems for Unmanned Systems under the Land Forces Command of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, provided a broader view. He noted that 22 combat units are already deploying ground robots.

According to Rovensky, 47% of all missions carried out by these systems involve logistics and evacuation, 25% focus on engineering tasks, 12% are combat operations, and the rest are special tasks. He emphasized that technological superiority will determine the next phase of the war.

“Our primary task,” Rovensky said, “is to provide the army with robotic complexes that can replace the infantry.”

The ultimate goal is to see ground robots deployed at scale across the entire frontline.

Building the future of warfare

Ground drone ukraine
A ground robot from Ukraine’s 72nd Mechanized Brigade driving through a mud road. Photo: David Kirichenko

Shipovich stated that “the idea that robots can fully replace infantry is both true and false. Today, they cannot, but that should be our goal.” She added, “We must get people out of the trenches and off the front line. Robots can do the dirty, dangerous work.”

“Today, 99% of ground drones in military use are Ukrainian-made,” she said.

“Other countries are studying our approach because what worked in US labs or fields is not viable in war. Ukrainian engineers are creating the future of warfare, not just for Ukraine, but for the world.”

Shipovich isn’t just focused on robots. She spends a lot of time thinking about artificial intelligence and how to apply it more widely across drones on the battlefield and to integrate into the ground robots to make them even more effective.

“Technology is everything,” she told me.

Shipovich envisions a wider technological shield that will protect Ukraine in the future, where drones and ground robots hold the frontline.

What comes after victory

When asked what she plans to do once the war is over, she replied that first, she needs to survive until it ends.

Key developments in Ukraine’s robotic warfare:

  • 22 combat units now deploy ground robots regularly
  • 47% of robot missions involve logistics and evacuation
  • First successful robot-only assault completed in Kharkiv Oblast
  • 99% of military ground drones are Ukrainian-made
  • Victory Robots initiative aims for frontline-wide deployment

Oleksandr described the transformation: “This is no longer science fiction. It’s a tool of war.”

David Kirichenko
David Kirichenko is a freelance journalist covering Ukraine and Eastern Europe. He can be found on the social media platform X @DVKirichenko.
You could close this page. Or you could join our community and help us produce more materials like this. We keep our reporting open and accessible to everyone because we believe in the power of free information. This is why our small, cost-effective team depends on the support of readers like you to bring deliver timely news, quality analysis, and on-the-ground reports about Russia's war against Ukraine and Ukraine's struggle to build a democratic society. Become a patron or see other ways to support
  • ✇Euromaidan Press
  • NATO banned weapons to this Ukrainian unit. Now they study its tactics.
    When NATO militaries examine effective territorial defense, they keep running into an uncomfortable problem: one of the best examples comes from a unit they refused to arm for years. The 1st Azov Corps was synonymous with far-right extremism. NATO countries wouldn’t send weapons. Today, those same militaries study how Ukraine systematically purged the extremists while keeping the effectiveness. Why does this matter beyond Ukraine? Because territorial defense just became essential for every
     

NATO banned weapons to this Ukrainian unit. Now they study its tactics.

18 août 2025 à 17:59

soldier from Azov brigade

When NATO militaries examine effective territorial defense, they keep running into an uncomfortable problem: one of the best examples comes from a unit they refused to arm for years.

The 1st Azov Corps was synonymous with far-right extremism. NATO countries wouldn’t send weapons. Today, those same militaries study how Ukraine systematically purged the extremists while keeping the effectiveness.

Why does this matter beyond Ukraine? Because territorial defense just became essential for every democracy with an authoritarian neighbor. And Azov shows it’s possible to transform controversial volunteer forces without losing what makes them effective.

When armies collapse, volunteers fill the gap

Azov soldiers handshake female fighters
Photo: Azov

Ukraine’s regular army was falling apart in 2014. Corruption, no equipment, units that wouldn’t fight. Russian forces and their proxies grabbed footholds in Luhansk and Donetsk while Ukrainian brigades crumbled.

Someone had to step up. On 5 May 2014, Russian-speaking Ukrainians formed Azov during the initial phase of the Donbas war. Initially called the “Black Corps” for their black masks and urban combat gear, they weren’t your typical volunteer battalion.

They got results fast. Azov helped retake Mariupol in September 2014 and Marinka in June 2015. Effective fighters who could actually push Russian forces out of key cities.

But here’s the thing: effectiveness came with baggage. Among the nationalists and patriots were members with alleged ties to far-right extremists. The Kremlin seized on this, turning Azov into a propaganda goldmine for justifying future aggression.

Russian fascist rally
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Hunting fascism in Ukraine, you overlooked fascism in Russia

The weapons embargo that backfired

NATO countries slapped weapons embargoes on Azov. Understandable, given the extremist connections. The problem? Ukraine now had some of its most effective fighters inadequately armed, just as Russia planned something much bigger than the Donbas.

By late 2014, Azov was restructured into a regiment within Ukraine’s National Guard. The unit continued training and recruitment, becoming one of the most formidable fighting forces in the Ukrainian military. However, the weapons restrictions remained.

This created an awkward situation: Ukraine’s allies were effectively handicapping one of its most capable units because of political concerns.

Meanwhile, Russia was preparing for a full-scale invasion.

How to purge extremists without losing fighters

Can you clean house without destroying effectiveness? Ukraine decided to find out.

Starting in 2017, the remaining far-right elements got systematically discharged, according to Ukrainian political scientist Vyacheslav Likhachev. The unit distanced itself from far-right political movements like the Azov Movement and National Corps.

What replaced loose recruitment? Rigorous training intake that separated recruits who could perform under pressure, become future platoon leaders, and display unit cohesion. British-led Western training programs brought NATO doctrine to units like the 12th Special Forces Brigade.

Soldiers fire Azov dead
Azov fighters celebrate Dat of the Dead, remembering all the fallen Azov soldiers who gave their lives for the freedom of their homeland, on 23 September 2023. Photo: Azov

But training goes beyond classroom work. Azov recruits undergo rigorous field exercises, including close-quarters combat and trench warfare—preparing for real scenarios they’d face in the Donbas. Peak performance and composure under fire get instilled through actual practice.

The transformation worked. NATO countries started lifting weapons bans, recognizing Azov as a professional military unit.

Destruction of the Ukrainian city of Mariupol by unrelenting Russian bombardment, March 2022. The Russo-Ukrainian War. Photo: Azov.org.ua
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What is Azov Regiment? Honest answers to the most common questions

Mariupol: The ultimate test

When Russia launched its full-scale invasion in February 2022, Azov’s transformation faced the ultimate test. At the Siege of Mariupol, the regiment tied down elite Russian units, including the 3rd Guards Spetsnaz and 810th Naval Infantry Brigade.

For three months, Azov held out. They prevented those elite units from reinforcing the initial assault on Kyiv. The strategic impact? Massive.

The cost was brutal. Many Azov members became POWs under grueling conditions, enduring torture as Russia used the unit’s controversial past for propaganda. Hundreds would eventually return through prisoner swaps, but some remain in captivity.

Still, Mariupol proved the transformation worked. The unit that NATO once refused to arm had become essential to Ukraine’s defense.

CDI Dispatch No. 4 by Anton Shekhovtsov
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How the West enabled genocide in Mariupol with its misguided Azov obsession

From regiment to corps: Scaling up success

What do you do with a proven model? Scale it up.

In April 2025, Azov became a full corps—the 1st Azov Corps. They’re now fighting across critical sectors: Toretsk, Pokrovsk, the Svatove-Kreminna line. The unit attracts recruits through demonstrated competency and trust among soldiers and civilians alike.

But what makes Azov different from typical territorial defense? Most such units hunker down and wait. Azov deploys anywhere on short notice, more like the US Marine Corps. They combine defensive and offensive capabilities, as seen in recent operations in Luhansk.

Soldiers Azov Ukrainian trees trenches
Azov fighters on active duty. Credit: Azov

What NATO sees in Azov’s model

Here’s what catches NATO’s attention: systematic transformation without losing effectiveness.

The process involved several key elements.

  • Professional vetting replaced loose recruitment.
  • Integration into formal military structure created clear command hierarchy.
  • Western training standards brought NATO doctrine.
  • Focus shifted from ideology to patriotism.
  • Rigorous selection emphasized competence over politics.

Why does this matter to countries like Finland, Sweden, and the Baltic states? Russia’s invasion forced the rapid expansion of territorial defense across NATO. These countries need effective local units that can operate independently while integrating with national defense.

Azov provides a roadmap. You can take problematic volunteer forces and turn them into professional military units through systematic transformation. The key? Don’t throw out effectiveness while cleaning house.

Azov soldiers laughing
Credit: Azov

The global implications

Can other countries replicate Ukraine’s approach? That depends on several factors.

  1. First, you need volunteers motivated by genuine patriotism rather than just ideology. Azov formed from strong nationalism and desire to serve in the face of existential threats. That foundation made transformation possible.
  2. Second, you need rigorous vetting systems. The controversies that led to arms embargoes actually forced stronger background checks. Without external pressure, other countries might not implement such thorough screening.
  3. Third, you need Western training and doctrine. NATO standards provided an alternative identity focused on professionalism rather than politics. Countries without access to such programs would struggle to replicate the transformation.

But here’s the bottom line: territorial defense isn’t optional anymore for democracies facing authoritarian neighbors. You need effective local units ready to fight. Ukraine proved problematic volunteer forces can become professional military units through systematic change.

For NATO planners worried about where Russia goes next, that’s worth studying—even from a source they once refused to arm. The 1st Azov Corps continues fighting across eastern Ukraine, part of a war that has cost Russia over one million casualties according to Western estimates.

The transformation from pariah to NATO standard took years. But it worked.

Julian McBride
Julian McBride is a former US Marine, forensic anthropologist, defense analyst, and independent journalist born in New York. His bylines can be found in the National Security Journal, Byline Times, 19FortyFive, Heritage Daily, The Defense Post, Journal of Forensic Psychology, Modern Warfare Institute, Manara Mag, The Strategist, Pacific Forum, E-International Relations, NKInsider, Cipher Brief, Mosern Diplomacy, and UK Defence Journal.

Editor’s note. The opinions expressed in our Opinion section belong to their authors. Euromaidan Press’ editorial team may or may not share them.

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  • ✇Euromaidan Press
  • Triptorelin peptide: A scientific overview
    Triptorelin, a synthetic decapeptide analog of gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH), has garnered significant attention in scientific research due to its hypothesized impact on endocrine modulation and reproductive physiology. As a potent GnRH agonist, Triptorelin is believed to exhibit properties relevant to experiments conducted in laboratory settings that focus on investigating hormonal regulation, neuroendocrine interactions, and cellular adaptation. Researchers have theorized that Tript
     

Triptorelin peptide: A scientific overview

18 août 2025 à 14:11

woman in white shirt pipetting a samples into a tube

Triptorelin, a synthetic decapeptide analog of gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH), has garnered significant attention in scientific research due to its hypothesized impact on endocrine modulation and reproductive physiology. As a potent GnRH agonist, Triptorelin is believed to exhibit properties relevant to experiments conducted in laboratory settings that focus on investigating hormonal regulation, neuroendocrine interactions, and cellular adaptation.

Researchers have theorized that Triptorelin may interact with receptor sites involved in pituitary signaling, potentially affecting gonadotropin secretion and broader physiological responses in the observed research models. Beyond endocrine research, Triptorelin has been explored in experimental models investigating metabolic adaptation, neurobiology, and molecular signaling. While definitive conclusions remain elusive, ongoing research suggests that Triptorelin might hold promise in expanding our understanding of hormonal balance and cellular communication.

Structural composition and mechanism of action

Triptorelin is a synthetic decapeptide designed to mimic the activity of endogenous GnRH. Investigations suggest that this interaction may stimulate the pituitary gland to release follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH), which are crucial in regulating sex hormone production. Research indicates that Triptorelin may exhibit properties associated with endocrine modulation, potentially contributing to experimental models exploring hormonal adaptation.

Additionally, some studies suggest that Triptorelin might impact receptor sensitivity and downstream signaling pathways, offering a speculative framework for examining neuroendocrine interactions. By engaging with GnRH receptors, the peptide may provide insights into hormonal regulation and physiological adaptation within the research model.

Potential implications in scientific research

  • Endocrine and hormonal research

Triptorelin’s hypothesized impact on endocrine modulation has intrigued researchers seeking to understand hormonal balance within the organism. Some studies suggest that the peptide may impact gonadotropin secretion, potentially contributing to research on reproductive physiology and hormonal adaptation. While further investigation is necessary, these hypotheses provide a foundation for continued exploration.

Additionally, investigations purport that Triptorelin may be relevant in experimental models studying hormonal fluctuations. By engaging with pituitary signaling pathways, the peptide may serve as a tool for examining endocrine resilience and regulatory mechanisms.

  • Neuroendocrine research and cognitive function

The interaction between GnRH and neuroendocrine function has intrigued researchers seeking to understand cognitive adaptation within the organism. Some studies suggest that Triptorelin might impact neurotransmitter modulation and synaptic plasticity, offering a speculative framework for examining neurophysiological processes.

Furthermore, investigations purport that this peptide may be relevant in experimental models studying neurodevelopmental pathways. Studies suggest Triptorelin might contribute to cognitive adaptation and neuronal resilience research by engaging with neurochemical signaling.

  • Metabolic research and energy homeostasis research

Triptorelin’s potential impact on metabolic regulation has drawn attention in research exploring energy balance within the research model. Some studies suggest that the peptide might impact lipid metabolism and glucose utilization, offering a speculative framework for examining metabolic disorders. While further research is necessary, these hypotheses provide a foundation for continued exploration.

Moreover, investigations purport that Triptorelin may be relevant in experimental models studying mitochondrial function and oxidative stress. The peptide may contribute to research on cellular energy dynamics and metabolic adaptation by modulating hormonal signaling.

  • Reproductive physiology and cellular adaptation research

The relationship between GnRH and reproductive physiology has been a subject of scientific inquiry. Researchers theorize that Triptorelin might offer a unique perspective on reproductive adaptation, particularly about gonadotropin modulation and hormonal balance. While definitive conclusions remain elusive, preliminary investigations purport that the peptide may be relevant in exploring mechanisms underlying reproductive resilience.

Furthermore, some studies suggest that Triptorelin might be involved in experimental models examining fertility-related pathways in research models. The peptide’s potential impact on hormonal signaling may provide insights into reproductive adaptation and physiological stability.

Challenges and future directions

Despite its promising implications, Triptorelin research faces certain challenges. The complexity of endocrine signaling necessitates rigorous experimental validation to elucidate the peptide’s precise mechanisms. Additionally, more considerations surrounding peptide research require careful navigation to ensure responsible scientific inquiry.

Future investigations may focus on refining methodologies for studying Triptorelin’s interactions at the molecular level. Advanced imaging techniques and computational modeling may support  our understanding of receptor binding dynamics and downstream signaling pathways. As research progresses, Triptorelin may become a pivotal tool in expanding our knowledge of endocrine physiology and beyond.

Furthermore, interdisciplinary approaches integrating bioinformatics, molecular biology, and pharmacological modeling may provide a comprehensive framework for studying Triptorelin’s properties. By leveraging cutting-edge technologies, researchers may uncover novel insights into the peptide’s role in physiological regulation.

Conclusion

Triptorelin peptide represents a fascinating subject of scientific exploration, with potential implications across multiple research domains. Its hypothesized impact on endocrine modulation, neurobiology, metabolic adaptation, and reproductive physiology underscores its relevance in investigative studies. While definitive conclusions remain a work in progress, ongoing research is unveiling new possibilities for understanding the intricate mechanisms that govern physiological balance within the research model.

Research indicates that as scientific inquiry advances, Triptorelin may be a valuable tool for exploring hormonal regulation, cellular adaptation, and metabolic resilience. The peptide’s speculative implications highlight the importance of continued investigation into its molecular properties and physiological interactions. Click here to learn more about the Triptorelin peptide and its possible research implications.

References

[i] Weiss, J. M., Polack, S., Treeck, O., Diedrich, K., & Ortmann, O. (2006). Regulation of GnRH I receptor gene expression by the GnRH agonist triptorelin, estradiol, and progesterone in the gonadotroph-derived cell line alphaT3-1. Endocrine, 30(1), 139–144. https://doi.org/10.1385/ENDO:30:1:139 [ii] Hirschberg, A. L., & Göthberg, G. (2021). Behavioral and neurobiological effects of GnRH agonist treatment in gender dysphoria. Frontiers in Neuroendocrinology, 61, 100899. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.yfrne.2021.100899 [iii] Garrel, G., Lerrant, Y., Siriostis, C., Bérault, A., Magre, S., Bouchaud, C., & Counis, R. (1998). Evidence that gonadotropin-releasing hormone stimulates gene expression and levels of active nitric oxide synthase type I in pituitary gonadotrophs, a process altered by desensitization and, indirectly, by gonadal steroids. Endocrinology, 139(4), 2163–2170. https://doi.org/10.1210/endo.139.4.5890
[iv] Zhang, X., Li, Y., Wang, L., & Wang, Y. (2023). Reproductive outcomes of dual trigger therapy with GnRH agonist and hCG in normal ovarian responders undergoing IVF/ICSI: A retrospective cohort study. Frontiers in Endocrinology, 14, 10985881. https://doi.org/10.3389/fendo.2023.10985881 [v] West, C. A., & Karsch, F. J. (2005). GnRH pulsatility, the pituitary response, and reproductive dysfunction. Frontiers in Neuroendocrinology, 26(2), 131–148. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.yfrne.2005.03.001

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The content of this article is intended for general informational purposes only and it is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. You must consult with a licensed medical professional before starting any new treatment or making any changes to your health regimen

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  • ✇Euromaidan Press
  • Zelenskyy demands “everything” for security while Trump hints at vague Article 5-like protection
    Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy met US President Donald Trump in Washington on 18 August, backed by a delegation of European leaders urging Trump to support Ukraine with ironclad postwar security guarantees. Their talks focused on ending the war with Russia, but without letting Moscow dictate terms. While Trump said the US would provide “very good protection” to Ukraine, he avoided detailing what that meant. Crucially, he refused to rule out sending US troops—leaving open the possibility
     

Zelenskyy demands “everything” for security while Trump hints at vague Article 5-like protection

18 août 2025 à 15:15

zelenskyy demands everything security while trump hints vague article 5-like protection ukrainian president volodymyr donald meet oval office 18 2025 gettyimages-2230141671 met washington backed delegation european leaders urging support ukraine

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy met US President Donald Trump in Washington on 18 August, backed by a delegation of European leaders urging Trump to support Ukraine with ironclad postwar security guarantees. Their talks focused on ending the war with Russia, but without letting Moscow dictate terms. While Trump said the US would provide “very good protection” to Ukraine, he avoided detailing what that meant. Crucially, he refused to rule out sending US troops—leaving open the possibility of deeper military involvement as part of the proposed Article 5-like protection framework.

As Trump pushes for a Ukraine-Russia peace deal, Zelenskyy’s insistence on comprehensive security guarantees is rooted in distrust of Russia’s intentions. Ukrainian officials have repeatedly warned that Moscow uses cease-fires to regroup militarily before launching new offensives. That is why both Ukraine and its European allies are demanding enforceable and enduring deterrence measures.

European leaders bring red lines to Trump’s push for quick deal

The New York Times reports that European leaders accompanied Zelenskyy to the White House to present coordinated red lines:

  • a cease-fire must come before any territorial discussions;
  • unoccupied territory must not be handed over to Russia;
  • there must be no legal annexation of any Ukrainian land; and Ukraine must receive security guarantees capable of deterring any future Russian invasion, regardless of what Moscow promises.

According to NYT, President Trump did not explicitly reject these demands but emphasized he is focused on a “permanent solution” rather than a fragile agreement that could collapse into renewed war “two years from now.”

He declined to say whether he would support sending US peacekeepers to Ukraine. Instead, he said, “There’s going to be a lot of help,” and added that he would discuss the issue further with European leaders after his meetings.

CNN noted that Steve Witkoff, Trump’s special envoy, previously described the proposed security terms as “Article 5-like protections,” referencing the NATO clause on collective defense. That framing implies US involvement in Ukrainian security without granting NATO membership.

Zelenskyy says Ukraine needs “everything” to prevent Russia from striking again

When asked what kind of security guarantees Ukraine needed, Zelenskyy replied:

Everything.

Speaking in the Oval Office alongside Trump, he explained that this includes two essential components: military power—meaning weapons, people, training missions, and intelligence—and support from major countries like the United States, CNN says.

He stressed that any settlement without these elements would allow Russia to regroup and eventually attack again. CNN quotes Zelenskyy as saying the guarantees “depend on the big countries, on the United States, on a lot of our friends.”

Trump did not challenge that assessment, but offered no details about what kind of American commitment he would consider.

Trump eyes post-meeting call with Putin as trilateral scenario emerges

President Trump said he would be calling Russian President Vladimir Putin directly after concluding his meetings with Zelenskyy and European leaders.

“I just spoke to President Putin indirectly, and we’re going to have a phone call right after these meetings today,” Trump said from the Oval Office, CNBC reports.

He added that such a call could lead to a trilateral conversation involving Ukraine, Russia, and the US.

“There’s a good chance of maybe ending” the war, Trump said. But he also left open the alternative: “If not, then the fighting continues.

 

Trump’s peace plan meets domestic pressure over foreign wars

Although Trump has kept his base wary of foreign entanglements, The New York Times notes that he did not rule out US troop deployment, a position likely to trigger backlash. During his campaign, he had promised to reduce American involvement in foreign conflicts. Nonetheless, his current posture leaves room for some level of military commitment.

CNN reports that Trump stated on 18 August that offering Ukraine security guarantees is still under discussion among the US and European leaders. He said:

“We’re going to be discussing it today, but we will give them very good protection, very good security.”

 

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  • ✇Euromaidan Press
  • Ambassador resigns over Trump-Zelenskyy shouting match in Oval Office
    Former US Ambassador to Ukraine Brigitte Brink has revealed that one reason for her resignation was a dispute between Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and US President Donald Trump at the White House in winter 2025.  On 28 February, Zelenskyy arrived in Washington for his first meeting with Trump. An agreement on mineral resources was expected to be signed. However, during the meeting with Zelenskyy, Trump, and Vice President J.D. Vance, a dispute erupted over the Russia–Ukraine war. Zele
     

Ambassador resigns over Trump-Zelenskyy shouting match in Oval Office

18 août 2025 à 14:47

ex-ambassador brink says quit over trump’s ukraine policy calls dangerous appeasement ambassador bridget embassy kyiv 4 2023 july_4th_at_the_us_embassy_kyiv_ukraine_july_4_2023_-_53035163122 served until said resigned president donald foreign which claimed pressured instead confronting

Former US Ambassador to Ukraine Brigitte Brink has revealed that one reason for her resignation was a dispute between Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and US President Donald Trump at the White House in winter 2025. 

On 28 February, Zelenskyy arrived in Washington for his first meeting with Trump. An agreement on mineral resources was expected to be signed. However, during the meeting with Zelenskyy, Trump, and Vice President J.D. Vance, a dispute erupted over the Russia–Ukraine war. Zelenskyy left the White House early, and the agreement was not signed.

Brink described the meeting as a “disaster” and explained it was “one of the reasons I resigned as US Ambassador to Ukraine.”

Reasons for Brink’s resignation

The former ambassador noted that before another Zelenskyy–Trump meeting, she had urged support for democracies and opposition to dictators. She criticized Trump for promising to end the war between Ukraine and Russia, while, since the start of his administration, Putin has escalated the fighting.

“But when the Trump Administration’s policies go against our values and our interests, I’ll always speak out and fight for what’s right,” she claimed. 

Disagreements in Washington

Earlier, the Financial Times reported that Brink’s resignation in April stemmed from increasing political disagreements with the Trump administration. Senior officials questioned her willingness to support its strategy regarding Ukraine.

Brink’s stance on US policy

“Putin understands one thing: strength. The only way to stop him is to use all the levers of American power, together w/democratic partners, to make it clear that continuing the war will devastate Russia’s already struggling economy,” she added. 

Brink recently announced her intention to run for the US Congress, emphasizing that support for Ukraine and democracies remains her priority.

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  • ✇Euromaidan Press
  • US journalist apologizes to Zelenskyy after February suit controversy sparks in Oval Office
    American journalist Brian Glenn, who in February questioned Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy about his attire, offered an apology during the leaders’ recent meeting in Washington. The apology came during Zelenskyy’s August 18 meeting with US President Donald Trump in the Oval Office. Glenn told Zelenskyy he looked great in his suit, to which the Ukrainian president responded: “Yes, but I changed my suit, you didn’t.” Trump sided with Glenn during the exchange, adding that he had told Zele
     

US journalist apologizes to Zelenskyy after February suit controversy sparks in Oval Office

18 août 2025 à 14:39

Zelenskyy Trump

American journalist Brian Glenn, who in February questioned Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy about his attire, offered an apology during the leaders’ recent meeting in Washington.

The apology came during Zelenskyy’s August 18 meeting with US President Donald Trump in the Oval Office. Glenn told Zelenskyy he looked great in his suit, to which the Ukrainian president responded: “Yes, but I changed my suit, you didn’t.”

Trump sided with Glenn during the exchange, adding that he had told Zelenskyy the same thing about his attire.

The 28 February incident occurred when Glenn questioned Zelenskyy about his clothing choice during an Oval Office meeting. “I will wear a suit when this war is over. Maybe something like yours,” Zelenskyy had responded at the time.

According to Axios, Zelenskyy’s wardrobe choice during that February meeting contributed to Trump’s irritation. The publication also reported that White House representatives had inquired with Ukrainian officials whether Zelenskyy would wear a suit for the 18 August meeting with Trump.

The recent Washington meeting between Zelenskyy, Trump, and Vice President J.D. Vance ended in disagreement over the Russian-Ukrainian war, with the Ukrainian president leaving the White House earlier than scheduled.

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  • ✇Euromaidan Press
  • EU increases its imports of Russian liquefied natural gas in six months
    The European Union spent approximately 4.48 billion euros ($5.22 bn) on Russian liquefied natural gas imports during the first half of 2025, marking a significant increase from the 3.47 billion euros ($4 bn) spent during the same period in 2024, according to data from Eurostat reported by Deutsche Welle. The figures reveal that Russian LNG imports rose by nearly 30 percent year-over-year, even as the bloc maintains various sanctions against Moscow. Total EU LNG imports for the first six months o
     

EU increases its imports of Russian liquefied natural gas in six months

18 août 2025 à 14:27

Russian LNG Sakhalin-2

The European Union spent approximately 4.48 billion euros ($5.22 bn) on Russian liquefied natural gas imports during the first half of 2025, marking a significant increase from the 3.47 billion euros ($4 bn) spent during the same period in 2024, according to data from Eurostat reported by Deutsche Welle.

The figures reveal that Russian LNG imports rose by nearly 30 percent year-over-year, even as the bloc maintains various sanctions against Moscow. Total EU LNG imports for the first six months of 2025 reached 26.9 billion euros ($3.13 bn), with the United States supplying the largest share at 13.7 billion euros ($1.6 bn).

“The United States was the largest LNG supplier to the EU in 2024, accounting for almost 45 percent of total imports of this raw material,” the European Commission data shows.

Russia continues to supply pipeline gas to the EU through a single route – the Turkish Stream pipeline. “These supplies are intended only for several countries, such as Hungary and Slovakia,” Deutsche Welle reports.

Russian LNG reaches Europe via maritime tankers, with deliveries that increased in 2024 but declined again from early 2025. The EU received approximately 5.7 billion cubic meters of Russian LNG between January and March 2025.

Current sanctions framework creates an uneven playing field for Russian energy products. “Russian oil is mainly subject to the EU embargo introduced in 2023. Sanctions on Russian gas apply only to pipeline gas and provide exceptions for Budapest and Bratislava,” Deutsche Welle notes.

The absence of LNG restrictions has allowed continued purchases by major EU economies. “Regarding liquefied natural gas from Russia, the European Union has not introduced restrictive measures. It was actively purchased, in particular, by Spain, France, the Netherlands and Belgium. At the same time, Austria, Poland, and the Baltic countries voluntarily refused gas from Russia earlier,” the report states.

The data underscores broader patterns in EU-Russia energy trade. In 2024, the European Union spent approximately 21.9 billion euros on Russian fossil fuel imports – only 1 percent less than the previous year. This amount exceeded the 18.7 billion euros in financial aid the EU provided to Ukraine during the same period.

Separate reporting indicates potential circumvention of energy sanctions through third countries. Between March and April 2025, Spanish ports received 123,000 tons of diesel fuel from Morocco, despite experts noting that Morocco has not operated oil refineries since 2016, making diesel purchases for re-export economically questionable unless the fuel has competitive pricing.

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  • ✇Euromaidan Press
  • President Zelenskyy meets Trump’s special envoy for Ukraine, before Trump’s office visit
    Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy met with Keith Kellogg, the US special representative for Ukraine, during his Washington visit on 18 August, according to sources who spoke to Suspilne. The meeting included several high-ranking Ukrainian officials: Head of the Presidential Office Andriy Yermak, his deputies Pavlo Palisa and Ihor Brusylo, Ukrainian Ambassador to the US Oksana Markarova, and National Security and Defense Council Secretary Rustem Umerov. Zelenskyy later confirmed the meeting
     

President Zelenskyy meets Trump’s special envoy for Ukraine, before Trump’s office visit

18 août 2025 à 14:13

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy met with Keith Kellogg, the US special representative for Ukraine, during his Washington visit on 18 August, according to sources who spoke to Suspilne.

The meeting included several high-ranking Ukrainian officials: Head of the Presidential Office Andriy Yermak, his deputies Pavlo Palisa and Ihor Brusylo, Ukrainian Ambassador to the US Oksana Markarova, and National Security and Defense Council Secretary Rustem Umerov. Zelenskyy later confirmed the meeting on X platform.

“We discussed the situation on the battlefield, our strong diplomatic capabilities – of Ukraine and all of Europe together with America. Russia can only be forced to peace through strength, and President Trump has such strength,” Zelenskyy wrote.

The Ukrainian delegation’s schedule includes separate meetings with European officials before the Trump encounter. According to sources, these meetings will be held individually rather than collectively.

Zelenskyy and Trump are scheduled to meet at 8:15 pm Kyiv time in Washington, followed by a multilateral meeting with EU leaders at 10:00 pm. The European delegation accompanying Zelenskyy to the US includes European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, Finnish President Alexander Stubb, French President Emmanuel Macron, and UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer.

This gathering follows the 15 August Trump-Putin summit in Alaska, which took place without Ukrainian or European participation at Elmendorf-Richardson military base in Anchorage. Zelenskyy characterized that meeting as “Putin’s personal victory,” stating that the Russian leader seeks only to escape international isolation and delay sanctions rather than pursue genuine peace.

The Alaska meeting operated in a “three on three” format. Trump’s delegation included Secretary of State Marco Rubio and US Special Representative Steve Witkoff, while Putin brought his aide Yuri Ushakov and Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov.

Following their discussions, both leaders issued statements. Trump declared that “there is no deal, but significant progress has been made” and expressed his desire for relations with Russia after the war’s conclusion. Putin reported that Trump was attempting to help resolve the Ukrainian issue and expressed hope that the reached understanding would contribute to peace.

Planned expanded negotiations between the US and Russian delegations were subsequently canceled, the Wall Street Journal reports. Both leaders departed the base immediately after their bilateral meeting.

Trump conducted phone conversations with Zelenskyy and EU and NATO leaders following his Putin encounter.

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  • ✇Euromaidan Press
  • Live updates: Zelenskyy meets with Trump, European leaders to stop Russia’s mass killings in Ukraine
    US President Donald Trump has already arrived at the Oval Office to meet with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. Today, the two leaders will discuss the conditions that the Kremlin is demanding for peace. Russia insists on recognition of its control over Crimea and Donetsk Oblast, the regions that Moscow does not fully control. Such a concession would give Russia the opportunity to occupy other Ukrainian cities. It would also strip Ukraine of critical fortifications that Kyiv has us
     

Live updates: Zelenskyy meets with Trump, European leaders to stop Russia’s mass killings in Ukraine

18 août 2025 à 13:01

US President Donald Trump has already arrived at the Oval Office to meet with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. Today, the two leaders will discuss the conditions that the Kremlin is demanding for peace.

Russia insists on recognition of its control over Crimea and Donetsk Oblast, the regions that Moscow does not fully control. Such a concession would give Russia the opportunity to occupy other Ukrainian cities. It would also strip Ukraine of critical fortifications that Kyiv has used to defend Donetsk for the past 11 years. In exchange, Ukraine would receive vague security guarantees, no reparations, and it remains unclear whether all prisoners will be returned.

The leaders will first hold a one-on-one discussion, after which European leaders will join the talks. These include European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, NATO Secretary General, the Prime Ministers of the UK and Italy, the Presidents of France and Finland, and the Chancellor of Germany.

Ahead of the meeting, Russia has already struck Kharkiv, Zaporizhzhia, and Sumy, the major centers in the regions in Russia’s territorial swap agenda. Moscow has also deployed MiG aircraft capable of carrying Kinzhal missiles, which can reach any point in Ukraine.

10:20 PM: Trump says, “in a week or two,” the US will know whether it has succeeded in its peace efforts, or battles in Ukraine will continue. Trump, Zelenskyy, and European leaders ended the press conference.

10:12 PM: Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni says today’s meeting will begin and focus on discussions on security guarantees similar to NATO’s Article 5.

10:03 PM: Before the closed-door talks between Trump and Zelenskyy in the Oval Office, a map of Ukraine was put on display. It was placed opposite the table where the leaders of Ukraine and the US were seated. The occupied territories were marked in pink.

Ahead of closed-door talks, a large map of Ukraine showing Russian-occupied areas was placed in the Oval Office opposite Trump and Zelenskyy, BBC reports.

A Ukrainian delegate was earlier seen carrying what looked like a rolled-up map. pic.twitter.com/3mQ4YLGRBs

— Euromaidan Press (@EuromaidanPress) August 18, 2025

9:57 PM: After meeting Zelenskyy, Trump posed with European leaders for a “family photo” before closed-door talks.

After meeting Zelenskyy, Trump posed with European leaders for a “family photo” before closed-door talks.

In Washington: Starmer, von der Leyen, Macron, Meloni, Merz, Stubb & NATO’s Rutte.

Zelenskyy, beside Trump, was seen laughing at one remark. pic.twitter.com/S9SLZR2Zub

— Euromaidan Press (@EuromaidanPress) August 18, 2025

9:50 PM. The meeting between Trump and Zelenskyy has ended. Now, they will both meet with European leaders, The Hill reports.

8:50 PM: As Zelenskyy meets Trump, Russia rejects NATO troops in Ukraine, blasting UK proposals as “provocative.”

As Zelenskyy meets Trump, Russia rejects NATO troops in Ukraine, blasting UK proposals as “provocative.”

Trump, meanwhile, refuses to rule out sending U.S. forces under a ceasefire:

“We’ll work with Ukraine, we’ll work with everybody… and make sure peace is long-term.” pic.twitter.com/rZI7RBI5ls

— Euromaidan Press (@EuromaidanPress) August 18, 2025

8:42 PM: Zelenskyy has appeared in a more formal costume at the meeting with Trump. A journalist, who critisized the Ukrainian president the last time he visited the Oval Office, apologized for his previous comments and added that he looked “wonderful.”

8:40 PM: The US president has said, regarding security guarantees, “We will give Ukraine very good security.” However, no specific guarantees have been announced. At the same time, Kyiv will not join NATO, according to Trump. 

8:35 PM: Trump claims it was a hard thing for Putin to come to Alaska. The American president has been criticized for the warm greeting of the Russian leader. The US Army rolled a red carpet for Putin, which many view as a symbol of Ukrainian blood spilled in Russia’s war. 

Trump & Zelenskyy have been fielding questions for 15 min — a sharp contrast with Trump’s closed-door Alaska talks with Putin.

The tone is also far lighter than their tense Feb meeting.

Asked if Ukraine would hold elections after peace, Zelenskyy said:

“Yes, we are ready.” pic.twitter.com/Vam7K0Ua9E

— Euromaidan Press (@EuromaidanPress) August 18, 2025

8:30 PM: Zelenskyy says Ukraine wants to hold elections. But “we have to ensure safe circumstances. We need a truce to make it possible.”

8:15 PM: Zelenskyy has met with Trump. 

Source: Sternenko

Trump came out to greet him. Shortly before, the leaders of European countries and NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte had arrived there, BBC reports.

8:10 PM: The Ukrainian delegation has already arrived at the White House.

The delegation, led by President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, includes:
▪ Secretary of the National Security and Defense Council of Ukraine, Rustem Umerov;
▪ Ukrainian Ambassador to the United States, Oksana Markarova;
▪ Head of the Office of the President of Ukraine, Andrii Yermak;
▪ Deputy Foreign Minister of Ukraine, Serhii Kyslytsya;
▪ Deputy Head of the Office of the President of Ukraine, Pavlo Palisa.

8:08 PM: Trump’s pastor, Mark Burns, stated that Putin’s demand to protect the Russian Orthodox Church in Ukraine is cynical, noting that the Kremlin itself bans Ukrainian churches in the occupied territories.

“It is deeply troubling that during peace talks in Alaska, Vladimir Putin had the audacity to demand protections for the Russian Orthodox Church in Ukraine.

This is the same institution being used by the Kremlin to justify war, bless missiles, and deceive millions by pretending their invasion is somehow holy,” he stressed.

8:06 PM: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy emphasized just minutes before his meetings at the White House that his primary goal is “a reliable and lasting peace for Ukraine and for the whole of Europe.”

“We understand that we shouldn’t expect Putin to voluntarily abandon aggression and new attempts at conquest,” he said. 

Therefore, in his view, pressure from the US and Europe is essential.

8:00 PM: Ahead of the Trump–Zelenskyy talks, Ukraine revealed footage of its new Flamingo missile. Speeding along at 950 km/hr, it should be able to avoid all but the best Russian air defenses. 

Ranging twice as far as the best current Ukrainian deep-strike munitions, and with a warhead that is several times heavier, the Flamingo has the potential to significantly escalate Ukraine’s strategic bombardment campaign targeting Russian factories, air bases, and oil refineries.

On the eve of Trump–Zelenskyy talks, Ukraine unveiled footage of its new Flamingo missile — 3,000 km range, 1,150 kg warhead, now in mass production and used against targets in Russia.

Defense Minister Shmyhal: “This is very powerful, long-range weaponry — and it’s here.”… pic.twitter.com/N0f8YMgzVB

— Euromaidan Press (@EuromaidanPress) August 18, 2025
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Ukraine says Russia teaches children from occupied territories to hate democratic world in brainwashing military camps

18 août 2025 à 12:18

isw real peace talks putin west helps ukraine crush russia russian soldiers motorcycles ria novosti major shift battlefield momentum only lever could move kremlin institute study war (isw) assesses think

Instead of peace, Russia invests in preparing youth for future wars. Ukraine’s Center for Disinformation Countering has reported that over a hundred teenagers aged 14–18 were sent to a Russian military camp in occupied Luhansk Oblast, a part of Donbas along with Donetsk Oblast, where they were trained in shooting, drill exercises, and guard duty.

This new wave of “military education” for children is part of the Kremlin’s broader strategy — to raise a generation immersed in war propaganda and hostility toward Ukraine and the democratic world, the experts say. 

Children’s camps: What happens inside?

Teenagers were dressed in Soviet military-style uniforms and engaged in exercises involving tanks, artillery, and anti-tank obstacles. They spent ten days in the camp, learning shooting skills, military drills, and basic guard duties.

Participants came from so-called “military-patriotic clubs” in the Luhansk People’s Republic, the illegal Russian-backed entity on Ukraine’s territory, banned by Kyiv. These camps reflect the Kremlin’s systematic approach: instead of pursuing peace, it invests in future generations to prepare them for upcoming wars.

Impact on Luhansk Oblast

As of 2025, over 95% of Luhansk Oblast is under Russian occupation. Regional infrastructure is almost entirely destroyed: most residential buildings are damaged or demolished, while water, electricity, and mobile networks operate intermittently.

Russian occupiers forcibly issue passports to locals and maintain strict control over communities.

Danger for European nations

According to the agencyn, these camps are not mere training programs but a propaganda tool: teens are conditioned to military discipline and taught to hate Ukraine. The Kremlin is grooming a new generation of “cannon fodder” while simultaneously demonstrating unrestrained military aggression.

This strategy threatens not only Ukraine but European stability as well, since children raised in such environments could become participants in future combat operations. 

Russia spy chief warns NATO: Poland and Baltic States to “suffer first” in event of war
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  • ✇Euromaidan Press
  • Ukraine’s strike disrupts oil supplies to three EU countries still purchasing Russian oil
    Ukrainian forces carried out a unique operation nearly 950 km from Ukraine. On the night of 18 August, the “Nikolskoe” oil pumping station in Russia’s Tambov Oblast was struck. The facility ensured the stable flow of oil along a strategic Druzha pipeline. The Russian oil industry is the key sector financing Russia’s war against Ukraine. Despite sanctions, oil and gas still provide a significant share of the Russian budget. In 2025, Russia’s state spending on the war rose to 6.3% of GDP, the hig
     

Ukraine’s strike disrupts oil supplies to three EU countries still purchasing Russian oil

18 août 2025 à 11:49

Ukrainian forces carried out a unique operation nearly 950 km from Ukraine. On the night of 18 August, the “Nikolskoe” oil pumping station in Russia’s Tambov Oblast was struck. The facility ensured the stable flow of oil along a strategic Druzha pipeline.

The Russian oil industry is the key sector financing Russia’s war against Ukraine. Despite sanctions, oil and gas still provide a significant share of the Russian budget. In 2025, Russia’s state spending on the war rose to 6.3% of GDP, the highest level since the Cold War.

What happened at the station?

“As a result of the strike, a fire broke out at the facility, and oil pumping along the Druzhba main pipeline was completely halted,” the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine reports.

Such stations maintain pipeline pressure, and without them, fuel transportation becomes impossible.

Why the Druzhba pipeline matters?

The Druzhba pipeline runs from Russia to Belarus and then branches out: northward to Poland and Germany, southward through Ukraine to Slovakia and Hungary.

After the war began, the EU halted supplies along the northern branch, but exceptions were made for Hungary, the Czech Republic, and Slovakia. These countries continue to receive oil from Russia.

Strike on the Kremlin’s economy

“The ‘Nikolskoe’ oil pumping station is part of Russia’s economic infrastructure and is involved in supplying occupation forces,” the Armed Forces add.

Ukraine consistently targets Russia’s military-economic potential to weaken its ability to continue the war.

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