Hungarian opposition leader Péter Magyar has accused Russia of deploying its intelligence services to undermine his campaign against Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, the Kremlin’s closest ally in the European Union. Bloomberg reports that the Kremlin’s Foreign Intelligence Service released a statement portraying Magyar as an alleged stooge of the European Commission, repeating language Orbán has used to attack him.

Kremlin statement echoes Orbán’s rhetoric

On 13 August, Russia’s spy agency published the accusations from Moscow, aligning closely with Orbán’s campaign narrative, Bloomberg reports. The next day, Hungarian Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó backed the Russian claims, saying the statement contained “nothing new.”

Rising stakes in April’s elections

Magyar’s Tisza Party currently holds double-digit leads in public opinion polls ahead of elections scheduled for April. The race is unfolding against the backdrop of a sluggish economy and persistent allegations of corruption. Bloomberg notes that Moscow’s involvement is expected to further raise the stakes and reopen debate about Hungary’s position within NATO and the EU, which Orbán has challenged over the past decade.

Magyar warns of renewed foreign interference

In a Facebook post, Magyar drew parallels to the Soviet era, recalling the departure of Soviet troops from Hungary in the early 1990s.

“After 34 years, Russia again wants to directly meddle in Hungarian politics, again it wants to unabashedly influence the decision of Hungarian voters,” he wrote.

Ukraine’s campaign to erode Russian air power in the Black Sea region has taken a heavy toll on the 43rd Naval Assault Aviation Regiment of the Russian Black Sea Fleet, Militarnyi reports. The regiment, stationed at the occupied Saky airfield in Crimea, began 2022 with a full squadron of 12 Su-30SM multirole fighters. In the three years since the full-scale invasion began, seven of those aircraft have been destroyed in confirmed incidents, with two more damaged. The unit’s fleet has been reduced to less than half its original strength.

From full squadron to crippled force

According to Militarnyi, the 43rd regiment’s first confirmed Su-30SM loss occurred on 5 March 2022 over Mykolaiv Oblast. Both crew members ejected and were taken prisoner. One of them, Major Oleksii Holovenskyi, was the squadron commander at the time. The other, Captain Aleksei Kozlov, served as the aircraft’s navigator. This loss marked the beginning of a series of blows to the unit.

Just months later, on 9 August 2022, Ukrainian Security and Defense Forces struck the Saky airfield, which had been captured by Russia after 2014 and became home to the regiment under military unit number 59882. The attack destroyed three Su-30SMs outright and damaged another. The same strike also destroyed five Su-24 bombers and damaged three more, inflicting serious damage on the regiment’s overall combat capabilities.

Shoot-downs and unprecedented tactics

The Russian regiment’s losses continued into 2024. On 11 September, Militarnyi reports, Russian forces lost contact with a Su-30SM around 5 a.m. The Ukrainian Main Intelligence Directorate (HUR) later confirmed that a special operations unit had downed the aircraft using a man-portable air-defense system.

In 2025, Ukraine introduced new tactics that marked a milestone in aerial warfare. On 2 May, working jointly with the Security Service of Ukraine and other defense forces, HUR targeted another Su-30SM in the Black Sea. The aircraft was destroyed by an AIM-9 missile launched from a maritime drone — the first recorded instance in history of a manned aircraft being shot down by such a platform.

The latest confirmed crash near Zmiinyi (Snake) Island

The most recent confirmed loss was reported by the Ukrainian Navy yesterday, on 14 August 2025. According to the Navy, its intelligence service intercepted Russian radio communications revealing the sudden loss of contact with a Su-30SM southeast of Zmiinyi (Snake) Island in the Black Sea. Defense Express reports that the aircraft crashed under still-unclear circumstances while on a combat mission.

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Debris found after Russian Su-30 crash near Ukraine’s Snake Island in Black Sea, Navy says

Intercepted communications indicated that Russian forces launched a search-and-rescue operation in the area. Ukrainian Navy statements said wreckage had been spotted floating on the sea surface, but there was no confirmed information on the fate of the pilots. Russian rescuers have not reported recovering either crew member.

Damage compounding destruction

Militarnyi notes that in addition to the seven destroyed Su-30SMs, the regiment has suffered damage to two others. One was damaged during the August 2022 strike on Saky airfield, while another was hit on 1 July 2025 by a long-range Ukrainian UJ-26 Bober drone in another attack on the same base.

Overnight on 15 August, drones struck the Rosneft-owned oil refinery in Syzran, Samara Oblast, sparking large fires at the facility. Located about 800 km from the front line, the plant is a major fuel supplier for both civilian needs and Russian military forces. The attack prompted emergency measures, including airspace closures and restrictions on mobile internet access across the region.

Explosions before dawn ignite major blaze

Media reports and social media posts, including videos shared by the Ukrainian Telegram channel Exilenova+, showed multiple fires and heavy smoke rising from the refinery after the strike. Residents said the first explosions occurred around 04:00, with at least ten blasts heard in total. The footage captured several points of fire and dense black smoke billowing over the complex.

Authorities impose emergency plan “Kovyor”

Samara Oblast governor Vyacheslav Fedorishchev claimed that Russian forces destroyed 13 drones and did not confirm any damage to the facility. He announced that the “Kovyor” emergency plan had been activated, grounding aircraft and closing airspace, and that mobile internet restrictions were in place “for public safety.” Residents, however, reported ongoing fires at the refinery.

Strategic fuel hub hit again

The Syzran refinery processes about 8.9 million tons of crude oil annually, producing gasoline, diesel, jet fuel, and bitumen. It supplies fuel to Samara, Saratov, and Penza oblasts, parts of central Russia, as well as airfields and military units of the Central and Southern Military Districts. Damaging the facility disrupts fuel deliveries to Russian occupation forces.

The plant has been attacked before. Ukrainian drones also struck it in February and March this year, causing fires then as well.

Ukraine’s Special Operations Forces (SSO or SOF) struck Russia’s Olya port in Astrakhan Oblast on 14 August, targeting a vessel reportedly carrying Iranian Shahed drone parts and ammunition. The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine said the attack was part of efforts to weaken Russia’s ability to carry out airstrikes. Results of the strike are still being assessed.

Ukrainian strike targets Russian military shipments from Iran

According to the General Staff, the Olya port facility is used by Russia as an important logistics hub for receiving military goods from Iran.

The targeted vessel, identified as Port Olya 4, was reportedly loaded with Shahed-type drone components and ammunition.

The operation was conducted by Ukraine’s SOF in cooperation with other branches of the Defense Forces. The military said the goal was to disrupt Russian logistics and degrade its capacity for sustained aerial attacks.

Special forces operation, not long-range drone strike

No visual evidence from the area has yet emerged, and Euromaidan Press said it could not independently verify the report.

Fresh satellite images have confirmed extensive damage to Russia’s Unecha oil pumping station in Bryansk Oblast and the Skala-M radar complex in occupied Crimea. The confirmation follows earlier reports of Ukrainian strikes on both facilities.

Satellite proof of Unecha oil pumping station destruction

Militarnyi reports that Dnipro Osint published satellite images showing burn scars and destroyed infrastructure at the Unecha oil pumping station in Bryansk oblast. The facility is part of the Druzhba pipeline, which carries Russian crude to European countries. According to the images, the damage is concentrated near the booster pump station, where a large fire left the site unable to operate.

Two days ago, local residents reported that Ukrainian strike drones targeted the station on 12 August at around 22:00.

Unecha is located in the settlement of Vysokoye, about 60 km from the Ukrainian border, making it vulnerable to Ukrainian long-range strikes.

Satellite images confirm destruction of Skala-M radar in Crimea

Dnipro Osint also released a satellite photo showing the Russian TRLK-10 Skala-M radar complex in Abrykosivka, occupied Crimea, before and after it was hit. The strike reportedly happened overnight on 9–10 August and was carried out by Ukrainian Special Operations Forces working with local resistance. The agency did not specify, what weapons were used to hit the facility.

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Ukraine’s special forces slip into Crimea overnight — and erase Russia’s Skala-M radar from the map

The Skala-M is a Soviet-Russian stationary route radar system with both primary and secondary detection capabilities, used for monitoring air traffic on routes and in approach zones. Its operational range reaches 350 km, making it a key element in Russia’s air traffic control network over Crimea. The new images show the radar system visibly damaged.

The Institute for the Study of War (ISW) reported on 13 August that Russian officials will arrive at the 15 August Trump-Putin summit in Alaska with the same war aims they have maintained for years — the complete political and military capitulation of Ukraine.

According to ISW, Russian Foreign Ministry Deputy Director of the Information and Press Department Alexei Fadeev said the Kremlin’s position had not shifted since Vladimir Putin’s 14 June 2024 speech. Fadeev claimed the delegation’s goals were dictated “exclusively by national interests” and indicated that Russia would not consider any territorial concessions.

Demands include land Russia doesn’t even control

ISW noted that Putin’s 14 June list of ultimatums remains the blueprint for Russia’s stance. It orders Ukraine to withdraw entirely from Luhansk, Donetsk, Zaporizhzhia, and Kherson oblasts — including territories Russian forces do not occupy. It also requires Ukraine’s demilitarization and the so-called “denazification” of its government and society, a phrase ISW said the Kremlin uses to justify removing the country’s democratically elected leadership. Another demand is Ukraine’s “neutrality,” which ISW assessed is aimed at preventing NATO membership.

ISW: Kremlin shows no interest in real negotiations

ISW says Fadeev’s remarks confirm that Moscow “maintains its long-standing objectives in the war against Ukraine that amount to Ukraine’s full military and political capitulation to Russia and has not adjusted its position ahead of the Alaska summit.”

“Russian officials reiterated that Russia’s objectives in Ukraine remain unchanged ahead of the Alaska summit on August 15, once again demonstrating that the Kremlin remains uninterested in pursuing serious peace negotiations,” ISW wrote.

Ukraine has already received one million large-caliber artillery shells this year under the Czech ammunition initiative, Czechia’s Prime Minister Petr Fiala said on 13 August during an online meeting of the “coalition of willing.”

Czech-led coalition marks major supply milestone

České Noviny reports that Fiala confirmed the deliveries during a virtual session that, for the first time, included US Vice President J. D. Vance. The coalition of willing — a group of states actively supporting Ukraine against Russian aggression — coordinated positions ahead of the Trump–Putin meeting.

Last year, the Czech ammunition program supplied 1.5 million rounds. Fiala praised the close coordination with Trump.

Praise from Ukraine and Germany

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said after the videoconference with European leaders, including Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, that European and Ukrainian security interests must be preserved in the upcoming US–Russia talks. Merz has previously called the Czech ammunition program “exemplary” support for Ukraine, noting that Germany contributes “out of conviction.”

Zelenskyy also expressed gratitude last week on the social platform X. He thanked the Czech Republic for its artillery supply initiative, saying it had saved many lives and strengthened Ukrainian positions.

Pro-Russian opposition in Prague

The program faces strong domestic opposition from former Czech Prime Minister Andrej Babiš. About a month ago, Babiš told Reuters that if his ANO party wins the autumn elections, it will cancel the initiative. He labeled it “nontransparent,” “overpriced,” and “rotten,” questioning the level of Czech contributions. According to Fiala’s government, the Czech Republic provided around €35 million to the program last year.

US President Donald Trump told European and Ukrainian leaders that the US is willing to contribute security guarantees for Ukraine — but only if NATO is not involved, according to Politico sources.

Politico reports that Trump’s comments came during a 13 August German-brokered virtual meeting aimed at aligning American and European positions before Trump’s 15 August summit with Russian President Vladimir Putin. The offer, while sparking cautious optimism, left many questions unanswered about its scope and strength.

Trump’s NATO-free security offer

According to Politico, three people familiar with the call — a European diplomat, a British official, and a person briefed on the conversation — said Trump indicated that Washington could play a role in helping Kyiv deter future Russian aggression if a ceasefire is reached. One person briefed on the call said the president made clear he would only agree to such a guarantee if it was not part of NATO. Trump did not define what the guarantees would entail, speaking only in broad terms.

A British official told Politico that Trump sees a US role in security guarantees as part of a final settlement. European officials, while encouraged that Trump appeared receptive to their calls for a deal, remain wary about the outcome of his talks with Putin.

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European leaders brace for Alaska Trump-Putin meeting after NBC says US President pledged no territorial carve-up without Kyiv’s consent

Limits on US involvement

Politico notes that Trump has stated any US guarantee will not include the direct provision of weapons or the deployment of American troops to Ukraine. Instead, his administration has allowed Europe to purchase American weapons for delivery to Kyiv. Officials say this policy has added pressure on Moscow and played a role in bringing Putin to the negotiating table. Even so, the scale of the guarantees is expected to fall short of what Kyiv and its backers want.

European governments have been exploring security arrangements without the US, including a coalition of willing ground forces to help uphold a future peace deal. However, they see American backing — even outside NATO — as essential to strengthening deterrence.

Concerns ahead of Putin meeting

Trump has long opposed lethal military assistance for Ukraine during his presidency. While some allies believe he has considered their advice in pursuit of a ceasefire, they fear what might happen once he meets Putin in person. The lack of detail about the guarantees and their enforcement leaves uncertainty over whether such a deal could prevent future Russian aggression.

US President Donald Trump’s Ukraine ceasefire plan was the focus of a call with European leaders and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on 13 August, NBC News reports. European officials briefed on the discussion said the president told participants he will not discuss any division of territory when he meets Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska on 15 August, but will push for an end to the fighting first.

Leaders stress truce before peace talks

NBC cites two European officials and three other people briefed on the call who said Trump’s stated goal for the Alaska meeting is to secure a ceasefire in Ukraine. The sources told NBC that Trump and the other leaders agreed no peace negotiations should begin until a truce is in place. Zelenskyy warned during the call that “Putin definitely does not want peace.”

Concerns over earlier land swap comments

European and Ukrainian officials had grown uneasy after Trump’s recent public remark suggesting there could “be some land swapping” between Russia and Ukraine. NBC’s sources said those concerns were addressed directly, with Trump assuring allies that Ukraine must decide any territorial concessions and that no such deals would be struck without Kyiv’s consent.

Sanctions threat if truce fails

According to NBC, participants in the call agreed that if Putin refuses a ceasefire, Trump will likely move to impose new sanctions on Russia. Two additional people familiar with the conversation told NBC that some European leaders left feeling more positive about the president’s approach, with one source saying achieving a truce is the top priority for the meeting.

Possible follow-up meeting with Zelenskyy

NBC reports Trump said after the call that there is a “very good chance” of a second meeting involving himself, Putin, and Zelenskyy soon after the Alaska summit. He suggested such talks could happen “almost immediately” if the first meeting clarifies each side’s position.

White House stays quiet on details

White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt told NBC the administration would not comment on private diplomatic conversations but reiterated that Trump wants to end the war and stop the killing. Vice President JD Vance, who also joined the Wednesday call, told US troops in the UK that ending the war in Ukraine is one of “our most important shared security goals in Europe.”

Germany will fund a $500 million package of US-sourced weapons for Ukraine under NATO’s Prioritized Ukraine Requirements List (PURL) initiative. NATO said the shipment will focus on urgent operational needs, such as air defense systems to counter intensified Russian air strikes.

Germany commits to fast-track weapons delivery

On 13 August, Germany’s Foreign Ministry said the PURL initiative covers military equipment either not produced by European industry or available more quickly from the United States than from European partners or Canada. The list includes critical air defense capabilities needed to counter Russian aerial attacks that are causing growing civilian casualties across Ukraine.

NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte welcomed Berlin’s decision, calling it proof of Germany’s enduring commitment to Ukraine’s defense. He said the new package will help Kyiv defend itself against Russian aggression and underlined Germany’s role as NATO’s largest European military donor to Ukraine.

Germany’s Defense Ministry confirmed the package will be one of the first major contributions under the NATO mechanism. Officials stressed that the funding is intended to meet Ukraine’s most urgent battlefield requirements.

A multinational NATO effort

Germany’s contribution follows earlier announcements by the Netherlands, as well as a joint pledge from Denmark, Norway, and Sweden. Each package is valued at about $500 million and is sourced from US stockpiles to accelerate delivery.

The German government said the decision underscores its commitment to substantial and reliable support for Ukraine, as well as solidarity within the alliance. Coordination with NATO and allied governments on the details is ongoing.

Previously, US President Donald Trump announced on 14 July that the United States will supply Ukraine with multiple packages of military equipment and munitions, purchased by NATO. He named Patriot air defense systems among the weapons planned for delivery.

A Russian Feniks (“Phoenix”) reconnaissance drone washed ashore in Bulgaria and was destroyed by the Bulgarian Navy. Bulgaria’s Ministry of Defense said the unmanned aircraft was found on a beach in Sozopol on 12 August, after vacationers noticed it in the sand. The drone, similar in design to the Russian Orlan-10 but with distinct features, appeared damaged from long exposure to seawater.

Drone discovered by beachgoers in Sozopol

According to the Bulgarian Ministry of Defense, the fixed-wing drone was spotted in the morning by people relaxing on Harmani Beach in Sozopol — the city on the Black Sea’s southwestern coast about 50 km from Türkiye. The local Burgas Oblast administration contacted the military at 10:00, prompting authorization from Chief of Defense Admiral Emil Eftimov to deploy a navy team.

Navy specialists move in

A specialized unit from the Bulgarian Navy, led by Captain Third Rank Zhivko Karchev under the order of Fleet Admiral Vanio Musinski, arrived to investigate, mark, extract, transport, and dispose of unexploded ordnance. Upon inspection, the team determined the drone was of an unknown model and could not confirm whether it contained any munitions.

Destroyed on site for safety

For security reasons, and on the recommendation of the operation’s lead, the navy received permission to destroy the drone on site. At 11:20 local time, the UAV was eliminated in line with safety regulations. The Ministry of Defense later posted images of the wreck on Facebook, showing broken wings and a damaged fuselage.

Identification as Feniks UAV

Described by the Bulgarian military as an unidentified model, Ukrainian military news portal Militarnyi initially identified the drone as Orlan-10 — a widely-used Russian UAV model, very similar to the rarer Feniks. The Telegram community “Potuzhnyi informator,” however, later correctly identified the photos of the wreck as Feniks.

Bulgarian officials said the condition of the wreck suggested it had been in the water for several months before washing ashore. 

Ukraine’s long-range drone campaign has struck deep inside Russia again, igniting a massive fire at the Lukoil-Volgogradneftepererabotka refinery in Volgograd overnight on 14 August. The attack set off explosions, triggered a fuel spill, and forced the temporary closure of the city’s airport.

The Lukoil-Volgogradneftepererabotka plant is Russia’s largest petroleum producer in the Southern Federal District, with an annual capacity of 14.8 million tons. It is located roughly 500 km from the war zone.

Southern Russia’s largest refinery hit overnight

Russian Telegram channels, including Astra, reported explosions and fires at the Lukoil facility in the early hours. Volgograd Oblast governor Andrei Bocharov claimed the region came under a massive drone attack. He alleged that falling debris from intercepted drones caused petroleum products to spill and ignite at the refinery. Bocharov said firefighting crews were deployed immediately and claimed there were no casualties.

Multiple explosions and fire after the strike

Local accounts described several blasts before the blaze engulfed parts of the facility. Russian sources later confirmed that the refinery was the site of the attack. Authorities shut down Volgograd’s airport during the incident, citing safety concerns.

The Russian Ministry of Defense claimed its air defenses destroyed 44 Ukrainian drones overnight across Russia and Russian-occupied Crimea, including nine over Volgograd Oblast. It alleged that 14 drones were downed over the Black Sea, seven over Russian-occupied Crimea, seven over Rostov Oblast, four over Krasnodar Krai, two over Belgorod Oblast, and one over the Azov Sea.

Previous strikes on the same facility

This was not the first time the Volgograd refinery was targeted. Ukrainian drones reportedly struck the plant on 13 August, hitting the Krasnoarmeysky district where the facility is located. On 15 January, Russian media reported an explosion and subsequent fire at the refinery. In 2024, Ukrainian drones also attacked the plant twice — on 3 February and 11 May.

Ukrainian special forces reported the destruction of radar in Abrykosivka, a fixed TRLK-10 Skala-M complex in Russian-occupied Crimea. The overnight strike on 9–10 August 2025 was carried out by resistance units of Ukraine’s Special Operations Forces, according to an official statement on the command’s Facebook page.

Officials said the loss of this installation will significantly limit the Russianability to use aviation against Ukrainian civilians and infrastructure. Crimea has two Abrykosivkas, one in Yevpatoriia district closer to the western coast, another in Feodosiia’s in the east. The report does not specify which of the two had the radar site. 

Euromaidan Press could not independently verify the operation or its outcome.

Special operations take out Soviet-era radar in occupied Crimea

Militarnyi reports that the TRLK-10 Skala-M was a Soviet-Russian stationary route radar complex with both primary and secondary air target detection capabilities. It was designed for controlling air traffic, including on routes and in approach zones, and served as a crucial element in the occupied peninsula’s airspace management system. With a range of up to 350 km, the radar could track aircraft over vast stretches of the Black Sea and southern Ukraine.

The Special Operations Forces command reported the strike but did not disclose which weapons or systems were used to destroy the radar. The mission was executed in the settlement of Abrykosivka, deep inside Russian-occupied territory. The destruction of this installation, according to the command’s statement, will weaken the adversary’s ability to coordinate and execute air missions that have repeatedly been used to strike civilian targets.

Overnight drone strikes have reportedly hit two major Russian industrial sites linked to the defense sector — Ukraine’s intelligence drones targeted Russia’s only helium plant in Orenburg, and a separate attack struck the Monocrystal synthetic sapphire factory in Stavropol, causing a fire. The results of both attacks are so far not known.

Ukrainian drones target rare helium facility in Orenburg

Militarnyi, citing a source in Ukrainian military intelligence, reported that drones from the Main Intelligence Directorate (HUR) of Ukraine’s Defense Ministry attacked the Orenburg Helium Plant on 11 August. The facility is the only producer of helium in Russia and one of the largest in Europe, with an annual capacity to process about 15 billion cubic meters of natural gas. It belongs to Gazprom Pererabotka, a subsidiary of Gazprom. Orenburg is about 1,250 km from the warzone.

That evening, Orenburg Oblast authorities claimed that two drones had been shot down after a UAV danger regime was declared in the region. Officials did not confirm any direct hits or falling debris.

Stavropol sapphire producer hit hours later

In the early hours of 12 August, Russian Telegram channel Astra and Ukrainian Supernova+ reported that drones attacked the Monocrystal JSC plant in Stavropol, sparking a fire. The facility is located about 480 km from the frontline.

Synthetic sapphire from Monocrystal is used in optical systems, protective sensor elements, and laser components, including those in military devices. It is also applied in missile guidance systems, UAV camera housings, and aircraft and spacecraft instrumentation.

Local residents reported hearing at least five explosions and seeing flashes in the night sky before smoke appeared over the site. The city’s mayor, Ivan Ulyanchenko, claimed the UAVs were “suppressed by our electronic warfare systems” and that no one was injured, although windows in one community facility were shattered. He added that emergency services were working at the scene and that a UAV danger regime remained in effect across the region.

Russian ministry claims interceptions

Later on 12 August, the Russian Defense Ministry claimed that overnight its forces had shot down 22 Ukrainian drones over Rostov Oblast and three over Stavropol Krai. The statement did not address the reported damage at either site.

Recent strikes

The attacks follow a series of recent Ukrainian drone operations against industrial and energy facilities deep inside Russia. Bloomberg has reported that Rosneft’s Saratov oil refinery, struck on 10 August, halted crude intake after a drone strike.

US President Donald Trump confused Alaska with Russia, falsely claimed Ukraine started Russia’s invasion, and pushed for Ukrainian territorial concessions during an 11 August press conference. The President announced he was “going to Russia” for his 15 August Putin summit, apparently forgetting the meeting is in Alaska, while declaring Ukraine must accept “land swapping.”

This comes as Russia continues its ongoing invasion of Ukraine.

President mistakes US state for aggressor nation

The Independent says that Trump told reporters from the White House briefing room:

“I’m going to see Putin. I’m going to Russia on Friday.” 

Trump’s geographical confusion sparked immediate social media reaction, WION notes. Users asked whether the US plans to give Alaska to Russia as part of Ukraine negotiations.

USA Today reports the president confirmed the meeting location on Truth Social last week, writing:

“The highly anticipated meeting between myself, as President of the United States of America, and President Vladimir Putin, of Russia, will take place next Friday, August 15, 2025, in the Great State of Alaska.”

Trump falsely claims Ukraine started Russia’s invasion

Trump also returned to Russian narratives by suggesting Ukraine somehow started Russia’s invasion of itself. Axios reports that Trump falsely suggested Zelenskyy chose to start the war. The President said he was “a little bothered” by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s weekend assertion that ceding territory would violate Ukraine’s Constitution.

Reuters says Trump told the press conference:

“He’s got approval to go into a war and kill everybody, but he needs approval to do a land swap?”

Axios notes this represents a return to hostile treatment of the Ukrainian president after months of apparent warming between them.

Trump pushes territorial concessions despite Ukrainian rejection

“There’ll be some land swapping going on,” Trump declared, claiming to know this “through Russia and through conversations with everybody, to the good of Ukraine.“

USA Today says Trump claimed some moves would allegedly benefit Ukraine, while others would not.

“It’s very complex, because you have lines that are very uneven,” Trump stated per the outlet.

European leaders reject concessions before ceasefire

EU policy chief Kaja Kallas said:

“Russia has not agreed to full and unconditional ceasefire, we should not even discuss any concessions.”

Kallas emphasized that “transatlantic unity, support to Ukraine and pressure on Russia” were needed to end the war. The outlet notes she warned concessions would not prevent “future Russian aggression in Europe.”

Trump reveals negotiation strategy without Ukraine

According to Axios, Trump said he would call Zelenskyy after meeting Putin. The US President stated per the outlet:

“I may say, ‘lots of luck, keep fighting.’ Or I may say, ‘we can make a deal.'”

Trump also claimed he would know “probably in the first two minutes” whether progress with Putin was possible, according to Reuters. Trump plans to “feel out” Putin’s willingness to reach an agreement. 

President cites misleading Ukrainian opinion data

Axios reports that Trump falsely cited a poll claiming 88% of Ukrainians want immediate peace. The outlet clarifies the true Gallup figure is 69%, though this still represents a dramatic increase. Nevertheless, the desire for peace does not imply the support for ceding territories.

According to Reuters, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer spoke with Canadian counterpart Mark Carney on 11 August. According to a Downing Street readout cited by Reuters, they agreed peace “must be built with Ukraine – not imposed upon it.“

Russian demands

Kremlin officials reportedly demand Ukraine cede strategically vital unoccupied territory in Donetsk Oblast and freeze frontlines elsewhere as ceasefire conditions. Putin appears to offer deliberately unacceptable proposals to delay sanctions and meaningful negotiations while blaming Ukraine.

Ukraine reportedly cleared villages in Sumy Oblast possibly after discovering untracked Russian infiltration attempts. The Ukrainian military says 225th Assault Regiment expelled enemy forces from Stepne and Novokostiantynivka on 11 August. 

Mystery liberation raises questions about Russian tactics

The General Staff announced the clearing operation in its 11 August night report. Militarnyi reports that monitoring resources never showed these villages as occupied. Neither DeepState maps nor the General Staff’s daily battlefield updates marked Russian presence there.

The 225th Assault Regiment reportedly pushed enemy units back across Ukraine’s state border. Militarnyi suggests Russia attempted a stealth breakthrough on this border section. The operation may have involved assault groups or reconnaissance-sabotage units.

On 12 August, 26 European leaders have reaffirmed Ukraine’s right to self-determination, with Moscow’s ally Hungary standing alone in its dissent. This collective stance comes as US President Trump prepares to meet Russian leader Putin in Alaska later this week, raising concerns over potential pressures on Ukraine to make territorial concessions to Russia, the aggressor state.

Before the upcoming Trump-Putin meeting, the European leaders’ statement emphasized that “the path to peace in Ukraine cannot be decided without Ukraine.“

European Union’s statement on Ukraine’s sovereignty

The European Union leaders issued the statement emphasizing Ukraine’s independence and territorial integrity amidst the ongoing Russian invasion.

“We, the leaders of the European Union, welcome the efforts of President Trump towards ending Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine and achieving a just and lasting peace and security for Ukraine,” the statement reads.

It underscored the importance of Ukraine’s freedom to decide its future, a principle that has garnered overwhelming support among EU nations.

The declaration from the European Council highlighted that “a just and lasting peace that brings stability and security must respect international law, including the principles of independence, sovereignty, territorial integrity, and that international borders must not be changed by force.”

This sentiment was echoed throughout the statement, emphasizing that “the people of Ukraine must have the freedom to decide their future.”

“Hungary does not associate itself with this Statement,” a final note in the statement reads.

Russian forces are pushing near Dobropillia, Donetsk Oblast, but it is premature to call these gains an operational-level breakthrough, according to the Institute for the Study of War (ISW). The think tank assesses that Moscow’s troops are likely seeking to turn current tactical advances into a broader push in the coming days.

Russian advances southeast of Dobropillia

ISW reported on 11 August that Russian sabotage and reconnaissance groups are operating near Dobropillia, northwest of Pokrovsk. A Ukrainian source said such groups are active in the area. NASA FIRMS satellite data indicated heat anomalies west of Nove Shakhove, in Novyi Donbas, Bilytske, and Rodynske — suggesting artillery fire in these areas.

The think tank assessed that Russian forces likely seized several settlements southeast of Dobropillya, including Razine, Sukhetske, Fedorivka, Zatyshok, Boikivka, Novotoretske, and Zapovidne, as well as Mayak and Pankivka east of Dobropillia. Russia’s Ministry of Defense claimed its troops took Fedorivka, northeast of Pokrovsk. Ukrainian military observer Kostyantyn Mashovets reported forward Russian assault units and infiltration groups operating near Kucheriv Yar, Nove Shakhove, and Bilytske.

Contested zones and advancing lines

Russian military bloggers claimed Moscow’s forces seized Dorozhnie, advanced north of Zapovidne, south of Bilytske, south of Dorozhnie, west of Shakhove, and southeast of Vilne toward Nove Shakhove. Other claimed gains included areas south of Kucheriv Yar and on the outskirts of Zolotyi Kolodyaz.

One milblogger said Russian forces control about half of Volodymyrivka, south of Shakhove, while Ukrainian troops hold northern Pankivka. The same source claimed Russian troops have interdicted a 2.5-kilometer section of the T-0515 Pokrovsk–Dobropillya highway. Another milblogger described Kucheriv Yar and Zolotyi Kolodyaz as contested “gray zones,” with Russian reconnaissance-in-force missions underway.

ISW sees potential for bigger gains

ISW stressed it is too early to declare these moves an operational-level breakthrough. However, the think tank noted Russian forces may attempt to mature these tactical penetrations into a larger offensive in the coming days, similar to the approach used in mid-April 2024 that led to the seizure of operationally significant territory northwest of Avdiivka.

The institute said the next several days will be critical for Ukraine’s ability to prevent accelerated Russian gains north and northwest of Pokrovsk.

On 11 August, EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas announced plans for new EU sanctions against Russia. France 24 reports that Kallas warned against making any concessions to Moscow without an unconditional ceasefire as US President Trump prepares to meet Vladimir Putin on 15 August.

EU ministers unite on new sanctions package

Following a meeting of EU foreign ministers, Kallas said the bloc will develop a 19th package of economic measures. She emphasized that Russia has not agreed to any ceasefire conditions.

“As far as Russia has not agreed to full and unconditional ceasefire, we should not even discuss any concessions,” Kallas said, according to France24.

The announcement comes as European leaders coordinate their response to potential peace negotiations. Kallas said the ministers jointly expressed support for any US steps allegedly leading to just peace. However, she stressed that the process and sequencing remain crucial.

No concessions without proper guarantees

“The sequencing of the steps is important. First an unconditional ceasefire with a strong monitoring system and ironclad security guarantees,” Kallas explained.

She confirmed that the EU will work on both military and budgetary support for Ukraine.

The foreign policy chief also mentioned supporting Ukraine’s accession process to join the EU. 

Ukraine said it would never recognize Russian control over its sovereign territory. Kyiv acknowledged that getting captured land back would require diplomacy rather than battlefield victories. Kallas backed Ukraine’s position on 10 August, stating that international law is clear.

European coordination ahead of Trump-Putin meeting

French President Emmanuel Macron will hold a virtual meeting with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer on Wednesday. German Chancellor Friedrich Merz will also participate in the discussions about Ukraine. The meeting aims to coordinate positions before Trump’s upcoming summit with Putin in Alaska.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy held calls with 13 counterparts over three days. France 24 reports he spoke with leaders from Germany, Britain, and France. Zelenskyy thanked countries backing Ukraine’s position in his Sunday evening address.

“The war must be ended as soon as possible with a fair peace,” Zelenskyy said. He emphasized that everything concerning Ukraine must be decided with Ukraine’s participation.

NATO and EU insist on Ukrainian involvement

Speaking to ABC, NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte claimed that Trump is “putting pressure on Putin.” Rutte saidthe Trump-Putin meeting will test how serious Putin is about ending the war. He acknowledged Russia controls some Ukrainian territory and suggested future deals might acknowledge this factually.

“When it comes to acknowledging, for example – maybe in a future deal – that Russia is controlling, de facto, factually, some of the territory of Ukraine, it has to be effectual recognition and not a political de jure recognition,” Rutte told ABC.

Kallas insisted on 10 August that any US-Russia deal must include Ukraine and the EU.

“The US has the power to force Russia to negotiate seriously,” she stated. She added that any deal between the US and Russia must include Ukraine and the EU for Europe’s security.

Ukraine’s Dnipro command denies Russian control near Donetsk Oblast’s Dobropillia, saying troops eliminate every enemy infiltrator “in the shortest possible time.” The statement followed OSINT frontline-monitoring project DeepState’s map reporting Russian forces advanced into several settlements in the Pokrovsk sector, threatening key cities.

Dnipro command disputes reported Russian gains

The Operational-Strategic Grouping of Forces Dnipro, formerly Khortytsia, claims Russian forces attempt to infiltrate Ukrainian positions in the Dobropillia and Pokrovsk directions, but such actions never lead to territorial capture. The command explains that Russian troops, using their numerical advantage and suffering heavy losses, push small groups past the first defensive line.

Fierce battles but allegedly no lasting occupation

The Dnipro Grouping acknowledges the situation remains difficult and that fighting in the Pokrovsk sector is among the most intense on the entire front line. However, it claims that all infiltrating Russian groups face destruction in the shortest possible time. The command urges the public not to spread information from unverified or poorly informed sources.

The Dnipro command directly challenges this account, insisting the frontline near Dobropillia and Pokrovsk remains intact despite constant Russian attempts to break through.

Russian forces have made a limited breakthrough north of Pokrovsk, advancing about 15 kilometers and driving toward Dobropillia, according to the OSINT project DeepStateMap. The advance threatens a key logistics corridor and could deepen Russian penetration of Ukrainian defensive lines in Donetsk Oblast.

Russians advance 15 kilometers in five days

DeepState reports that Russian troops broke through a narrow front section. The enemy advanced approximately 15 kilometers into Ukrainian defensive positions over five days starting 7 August.

Militarnyi notes that DeepState analysts confirmed Russian penetration into Kucheriv Yar and Zolotyi Kolodiaz settlements. The General Staff of Ukraine’s Armed Forces map confirms the breakthrough as of 8:00 AM on 11 August 2025.

Russian infantry units infiltrated Vesele village from Kucheriv Yar through tree lines. DeepState observed about twenty enemy soldiers accumulating in this village over the past day.

Russians target critical infrastructure

Russia continues developing success toward the Dobropillia-Kramatorsk highway. Russian infantry appeared near Novovodiane and Petrivka as they push forward.

The Zolotyi Kolodiaz and Shakhove area contains new heavy engineering fortifications under construction. Enemy forces bypass these structures and may later occupy them for defensive purposes.

Strategic implications threaten multiple cities

The narrow breakthrough spans approximately 15 kilometers deep and 5-6 kilometers wide according to DeepState’s evening map on 11 August. This wedge formation creates operational risks for Ukrainian forces.

DeepState warns that without rapid stabilization, Dobropillia faces immediate danger. The entire Pokrovsk-Myrnohrad agglomeration defense group risks encirclement. The breakthrough also threatens Kostiantynivka from another flank.

Ukrainian forces hold key positions

Ukrainian serviceman “Bakhmut Demon” reports on Telegram that the situation remains difficult near Kostiantynivka-Dobropillia. He confirms Ukrainian forces still hold Pokrovsk despite heavy fighting.

“We cannot be terminators while others live life,” the serviceman wrote. He attributes Russian breakthroughs to personnel shortages in Ukrainian ranks.

The serviceman notes positive developments in Sumy Oblast where Ukrainian forces advance. He emphasizes that Ukrainian troops maintain positions in both Kostiantynivka and Pokrovsk.

Russian tactics exploit Ukrainian weaknesses

DeepState explains that Russian infantry group assault tactics cause extremely high losses among attackers. However, critical Ukrainian infantry shortages allow this costly strategy to succeed.

Russian command shows no concern for casualties among “volunteers.” The constant influx of replacements enables continued human wave attacks despite massive losses.

After consolidating positions, Russians will attempt deeper territorial penetration and breakthrough expansion. Enemy drone teams will deploy to complicate Ukrainian logistics and position retention.

The narrow salient offers opportunities if Ukrainian reserves act quickly. While surrounding enemy forces may prove difficult, controlling their logistics could trap Russian units operationally.

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

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

Guided from the ground, the light aircraft adapted for combat

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

Missile system allows flexible deployment

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

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

Designed for low-speed interceptions

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

Part of a growing light aviation program

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

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

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

Missile strike hits Dnipro at dawn

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

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

Civilian killed in Nikopol artillery strike

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

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

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

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

Kharkiv Oblast

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

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

Strikes hit multiple oblasts overnight

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

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

Ongoing attacks despite Kremlin’s ceasefire talk

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

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

Canada aligns with European allies on oil sanctions

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

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

Japan and US not joining the cut

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

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

Romania probes suspected Russian sabotage of oil supply

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

Contamination reaches other European countries

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

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

Wider European energy risks

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

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

Strategic response and ongoing investigation

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

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

Allies push for unity before Trump-Putin summit

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

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

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

Confusion over Russian proposal

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

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

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

Stakes for Ukraine’s security

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

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

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

Zelenskyy rules out territorial concessions in peace talks

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Putin’s demands target Ukraine’s strongest defense line

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

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

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

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

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

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

Risk of new offensives after a ‘ceasefire’

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

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

Ongoing strikes signal lack of good faith

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

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

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

Trump abandons sanctions threat for Alaska summit

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

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

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

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

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

Kremlin confirms date and location

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

Secret envoy visit before announcement

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

Plan mirrors earlier Russian demands

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

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

Trump repeats false aid claim and praises NATO

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

A Ukrainian artillery strike destroyed four Russian howitzers after drones from the 44th Brigade located the targets. Three D-20s and one D-30 were eliminated, with the strike confirmed by released video.

Ukrainian artillery strike guided by drones despite jamming

The 44th Separate Artillery Brigade used reconnaissance drones to adjust fire on Russian artillery positions, according to Militarnyi. Russian electronic warfare systems failed to jam the UAVs.

The brigade said its gunners “give the enemy no chance” and that recent days showed “firing points turned into scrap metal.”

The targeted guns included three D-20s, 152 mm howitzers with a 17 km range, and one D-30, a 122 mm system with a 15 km range. Both D-20 and D-30 are the Soviet-era towed artillery pieces.

Destroying these artillery pieces reduces enemy firepower on the frontline and increases the safety of Ukrainian positions.

Earlier this year, the 44th Brigade received an upgraded version of the domestic Bohdana self-propelled howitzer with a new armored cabin.

Russian advance near Kupiansk, Kharkiv Oblast, may soon cut the city’s main supply route, the Institute for the Study of War (ISW) reported on 6 August. Russian forces likely reached the western outskirts of the city and secured positions from which they can threaten key ground lines of communication.

Russian troops likely seize Sobolivka and Myrne

Geolocated footage from 6 August shows Russian forces advanced south of Sobolivka, immediately west of Kupiansk. ISW assessed that they likely seized both Sobolivka and Myrne, just north of it. A Russian milblogger claimed troops are close to interdicting the H-26 Kupiansk–Shevchenkove highway — the main Ukrainian supply line into the city — located about one kilometer south of Sobolivka.

Envelopment instead of direct assault

ISW noted that Russian forces may be preparing to envelop Kupiansk rather than attack it directly. This fits their recent pattern of flanking settlements instead of launching frontal assaults, using tactical pressure to disrupt Ukrainian logistics and defenses.

Three possible next moves

ISW outlined three possible Russian actions after these advances. They may push west toward Shevchenkove or northwest toward Velykyi Burluk to build a buffer in northern Kharkiv Oblast. Alternatively, forces could shift to the Oskil River’s east bank to support operations in Luhansk Oblast, or redeploy to Kostyantynivka, Pokrovsk, or Novopavlivka to aid efforts in Donetsk Oblast.

“Ukrainian forces advanced near Chasiv Yar. Russian forces advanced in northern Kharkiv and western Zaporizhzhia oblasts and near Kupiansk, Lyman, Siversk, Toretsk, and Pokrovsk,” ISW added.

A Ukrainian drone destroys Russian bridge in Russia’s Belgorod Oblast. The FPV drone strike didn’t just damage the structure — it detonated Russian-planted anti-tank mines, causing the bridge to collapse in a powerful explosion.

Ukrainian drone unit strikes key logistics target

Militarnyi reports that the attack was carried out by the strike drone company of the 112th Territorial Defense Brigade, which is currently attached to the 3rd Separate Heavy Mechanized Brigade, also known as the “Iron Brigade.” The brigade published footage of the operation.

The destroyed concrete bridge had long served the Russian army as a critical supply route in the border area, enabling the transfer of troops and equipment. Expecting a Ukrainian advance, Russian forces had mined the bridge with TM-62 anti-tank explosives.

Recon teams triggered a deadly chain reaction

Ukrainian reconnaissance units discovered the planted mines. In response, the military launched an FPV drone armed with an explosive warhead. The drone hit the bridge and set off the Russian explosives. The resulting blast destroyed the entire structure.

Open-source analyst Blinzka identified the bridge as located near the village of Novopetrovka in Belgorod Oblast. The explosion not only destroyed the transport artery but also inflicted additional losses due to the detonation of Russia’s own engineering munitions.

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Russian propagandists are actively fueling schisms within the Trump administration ahead of the 8 August sanctions deadline. Meanwhile, Russian officials continue projecting the image of a strong and resilient economy, despite falling oil revenues and slowing household consumption, ISW says.

Kremlin exploits schisms within the Trump team to weaken sanctions push

The Institute for the Study of War (ISW) reported on 6 August that Kremlin-linked voices are working to divide the Trump administration as part of a wider strategy to avoid new US sanctions. With Trump’s peace ultimatum deadline approaching, Russian state media has intensified efforts to portray chaos inside the White House.

Recent messaging casts Trump as unstable while elevating his envoy, Witkoff, as a more rational figure. On 4 August, State Duma Deputy Grigory Karasin said he hoped the outcome of Witkoff’s talks with Putin would be “specific, not emotional, like Trump’s latest statements.” That remark was widely amplified across Russian state media.

On 6 August, Deputy Alexei Chepa claimed Trump had sent Witkoff to calm tensions after issuing a series of ultimatums demanding Russia end the war or face new sanctions. Kremlin-affiliated milblogger Alexander “Sasha” Kots mocked Trump’s repeated threats, suggesting Witkoff would return with a proposal the president could spin as a win.

ISW noted that Russia has long used such tactics to sow distrust between Ukraine and its partners. Now, the same methods are being applied to exploit schisms within the Trump administration in hopes of extracting concessions or weakening Washington’s negotiating position without meeting Trump’s preconditions for peace.

Russia downplays economic strain as sanctions loom

At the same time, Moscow continues projecting confidence in its economy despite mounting signs of trouble, ISW reports. Oil revenues have dropped, growth has missed targets, and consumer demand is slipping. Yet Russian officials insist sanctions will have no real impact and describe the economy as fully prepared.

In a major step toward full battlefield digitalization, Ukraine’s DELTA system will now be implemented across all levels of the armed forces. Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal signed the official order, making the battle-tested platform the Ukrainian military’s only operational data exchange tool.

DELTA becomes core digital backbone for military command

According to Shmyhal, DELTA successfully passed cybersecurity checks and has proven itself in battle — including during the defense of Kyiv in 2022, the liberation of Zmiinyi (Snake) Island, the de-occupation of Kherson, and strikes against the Russian Black Sea Fleet.

“It’s a massive digital weapon in the hands of a modernizing army,” he wrote on Facebook.

DELTA is already in use by commanders at different levels and runs on laptops, tablets, and smartphones. The government now plans to scale it across the entire defense force, though no timeline for full deployment has been disclosed.

Militarnyi notes that the question of integrating the system into armored vehicles remains unresolved. Troops will likely receive tactical tablets or smartphones with DELTA pre-installed.

New AI, mapping, and drone tools expand DELTA’s capabilities

One of the key modules in the DELTA ecosystem is Deltamonitor, a live digital map that displays the positions of both friendly and enemy forces. Another major tool is the secure chat system used for encrypted communication in the field.

DELTA also includes the Target Hub module, which allows military units to assign strike tasks directly on the digital map. It helps generate target lists, assign missions, and exchange data between units. The Vezha module provides live video analysis by streaming drone footage to command centers.

A recent addition, the Mission Control module, improves coordination between drone operators and senior command. It lets higher headquarters assign responsibility zones, manage UAV flight paths, and coordinate their work with electronic warfare and air defense units.

DELTA hits over 2,000 Russian targets daily

A Ukrainian drone attack on Russian infrastructure overnight on 7 August sparked fires at an oil refinery, a military base, and railway stations in separate regions of southern Russia. The strikes, confirmed by regional authorities and local footage, were part of Ukraine’s ongoing campaign to dismantle Russian military logistics, including fuel supply and transport nodes.

Refinery blaze at Afipsky in Krasnodar Krai

In Krasnodar Krai, a large fire erupted at the Afipsky oil refinery following a drone strike. Local residents shared videos of the blaze on Telegram, published by Exilenova+ and Russian news Telegram channel Astra. Authorities confirmed that flames engulfed the gas and gas condensate processing unit at the refinery. According to the Krasnodar governor, the fire was extinguished by 8:30 in the morning.

This was at least the fourth confirmed strike on the Afipsky refinery since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine began in 2022. In December 2023, an explosion damaged a fuel oil distillation unit at the same site. The refinery processes around 6–7 million tons of oil annually and plays a key role in supplying diesel fuel to Russia’s military and economy.

Military unit fire in Slavyansk-na-Kubani

Another major fire was reported at a military installation in Slavyansk-na-Kubani, also in Krasnodar Krai. Exilenova+ and Astra published video evidence from locals indicating that the fire broke out at military unit 61661 after it was hit by drones overnight.

No official casualty reports were released, but the footage showed a sustained fire on the grounds of the base. The extent of the damage remains unclear.

Ukrainian OSINT Telegram Cyberboroshno channel geoconfirmed the location of the strike, featured in the footage.

“As a result of the drone attack, fuel and lubricants were hit at the site of the 76th Separate Repair and Recovery Battalion in the settlement of Slavyansk-na-Kubani,” Cyberboroshno wrote. 

Port of Novorossiysk targeted by naval drones

In the port city of Novorossiysk, sirens sounded along the shoreline during an attempted naval drone strike. According to Astra, the mayor confirmed the attack and described the situation as an ongoing defense operation against unmanned surface vessels.

Novorossiysk hosts a key fuel terminal. The impact of the attempted strike is not known at the time of publication.

Volgograd rail infrastructure hit by long-range drones

In Volgograd Oblast, long-range Ukrainian drones hit two railway stations overnight. Videos posted by Exilenova+, Krymsky Veter, and Astra showed large flames at the site.

The oblast’s governor confirmed the attacks and said that fires broke out at the Surovikino station, while explosives experts were dealing with drone debris at the Maksima Gorkogo station. At Surovikino, a blaze engulfed an administrative building. The governor claimed there was no damage to railway infrastructure and that train movement continued “as normal.” 

Russian Telegram channel Astra also published images from the Surovikino area and cited eyewitness reports confirming the fires. At Maksima Gorkogo, sappers were dispatched to examine drone debris.

Russia claims it intercepted dozens of drones

The Russian Ministry of Defense stated it had downed 82 Ukrainian drones across several regions and occupied Crimea during the night. The claimed breakdown included 31 over the Sea of Azov, 11 over Crimea, 10 over Rostov Oblast, 9 over Krasnodar Krai, and smaller numbers in Volgograd, Belgorod, Kursk, and Oryol oblasts.

A Ukrainian partisan blew up a Mi-28N helicopter—NATO reporting name “Havoc”—at a Russian airbase 550 km north of Ukraine, in what appears to be a bold sabotage operation deep inside Russian territory. Militarnyi reports that the aircraft was stationed at the 344th Combat Training and Flight Personnel Conversion Center near Torzhok in Tver Oblast.

Ukrainian saboteur infiltrates Russian aviation base in Tver Oblast

According to Militarnyi, the Telegram channel People’s Resistance of Ukraine partisan movement released footage showing how a lone partisan managed to penetrate the restricted area of Russia’s only elite helicopter training center. The infiltrator planted two small explosive devices beneath the landing gear of a Mi-28N helicopter, which was parked in the open near the airstrip.

Although the actual detonation was not caught on camera, the group stated that the blast damaged or destroyed the aircraft. They added that Russian military authorities have concealed the fact of the intrusion and the subsequent explosion. Instead, the resistance movement pointed to local civilian reports from 31 May, which described hearing explosions and seeing smoke near the airbase.

Mi-28N helicopter destroyed at key Russian military hub

The Mi-28N helicopter, also designated in Russia as the “Night Hunter,” is valued at around $18 million. The 344th center where the sabotage occurred plays a central role in training and retraining pilots and maintenance crews for all variants of army aviation helicopters used by Russia’s Aerospace Forces and by partner nations. The center is also home to the Berkuts aerobatic team, which flies Mi-28N helicopters.

Previous sabotage cases inside Russian airbases

This is not the first case of sabotage reported deep within Russia. In 2022, Ukraine’s Main Intelligence Directorate published footage showing explosive devices being planted on helicopters at a Russian airbase. That explosion reportedly destroyed two Ka-52 Alligator helicopters and seriously damaged two more aircraft. Russian media also reported on that incident.

Additionally, in early 2023, unknown saboteurs allegedly set fire to a Su-34 bomber at an airfield in Russia’s Cheliabinsk.

A US active-duty soldier has been charged with federal crimes after allegedly trying to give Abrams tank secrets to Russia in exchange for citizenship. According to the US Justice Department, the soldier handed over technical data and attempted to export tank hardware to someone he believed represented the Russian government.

DOJ: Soldier sought to help Russia with sensitive tank data

Taylor Adam Lee, 22, was arrested on 6 August 2025 in El Paso, Texas. The Justice Department said he attempted to transmit national defense information and export controlled military data without a license. Lee held a Top Secret/Sensitive Compartmented Information (TS/SCI) clearance and served at Fort Bliss.

“Lee allegedly violated his duty to protect the United States,” said the DOJ, claiming he tried to help Russia’s Ministry of Defense by sending data related to the M1A2 Abrams, “our Nation’s main battle tank.” Officials also said he offered assistance “to the Russian Federation” and delivered “a piece of hardware” from the tank.

DOJ said Lee passed an SD card during an in-person meeting in July, then messaged the contact, “Mission accomplished.” The card reportedly contained documents related to Abrams tank systems and combat operations. Several files were marked as Controlled Unclassified Information.

The FBI and Army Counterintelligence Command conducted the investigation. DOJ warned that “those who seek to undermine” US national security “will be brought to justice.”

“This arrest is an alarming reminder of the serious threat facing our US Army,” Brig. Gen. Sean Stinchon, the commanding general of Army Counterintelligence Command, said in a statement.

Soldier believed Russia would give him asylum

CBS News reported that Lee allegedly wrote, “The USA is not happy with me for trying to expose their weaknesses,” and that he would “volunteer to assist the Russian Federation when I’m there in any way.” DOJ noted that prosecutors accused Lee of trying to “swap the information for Russian citizenship.“

According to CBS News, the hardware was delivered to a storage unit in El Paso on 31 July, before the “Mission accomplished” message.

Estonian NGO fraud is now at the center of a criminal case, ERR reports. Estonia’s Prosecutor General has charged Johanna-Maria Lehtme, co-founder of the NGO Slava Ukraini (“Glory to Ukraine”), with large-scale embezzlement and breach of trust, ERR reported. The indictment claims she approved unjustified contracts worth over €450,000, diverting donation funds intended for Ukraine’s war relief.

Johanna-Maria Lehtme gained national and international acclaim for launching Slava Ukraini in 2022. She received Estonia’s European of the Year award and was elected to parliament with the Eesti 200 party in 2023. She stepped down from politics after the allegations emerged. The charity officially ended operations in October 2024 after public donations ceased. Newspaper Eesti Ekspress also reported that Lehtme had faced embezzlement allegations in an earlier professional role.

Prosecutors say logistics payments were fake and unjustified

According to the indictment, Slava Ukraini initially worked with the Ukrainian NGO All For Victory to provide humanitarian aid, ERR reported. In August 2022, Lehtme allegedly shifted operations to IC Construction, a Ukrainian company linked to All For Victory but able to add markups and issue invoices. Prosecutors say she signed loss-making contracts and paid inflated bills submitted by IC Construction, causing over €413,000 in damages.

One contract from that period involved a €44,500 payment to All For Victory for transporting aid from Estonia to Ukraine. Investigators found that IC Construction was paid separately for the same service, although it never performed any logistics work. The funds, prosecutors say, were instead used to cover operational costs and salaries at All For Victory. Lehtme allegedly approved this despite her duty not to harm the charity’s financial standing.

Ukrainian partner also under scrutiny over diverted aid funds

The Ukrainian NGO involved, All For Victory, had already been linked to misuse of humanitarian funds. Lviv Portal reported in February that its director, former Lviv deputy mayor Hennadii Vaskiv, was suspected of embezzling over 18 million UAH or €373,000 from donations received via Slava Ukraini. His firm, IC Construction, allegedly provided overpriced services and routed profits through a limited liability scheme. Ukrainian courts later froze his property, although procedural issues prevented him from being formally charged.

Ukraine has discovered Indian electronics in Iranian-designed Shahed drones used by Russian forces to attack civilian areas. Indian media report that Kyiv raised the issue with both India and the EU, citing specific Indian-made components embedded in these weapons.

Ukraine flags Indian electronics in Russian drones

Hindustan Times reports that Ukrainian authorities identified parts made or assembled in India inside Shahed 136 unmanned combat aerial vehicles (UCAVs). These drones have been used by Russia in mass strikes on Ukrainian cities since 2022.

According to the documents reviewed by the outlet, a Vishay Intertechnology “bridge rectifier E300359” assembled in India was found in the drone’s voltage regulator. A signal generator chip AU5426A by Aura Semiconductor was located in the satellite navigation system.

The report states that Ukraine raised the issue with India’s external affairs ministry on at least two occasions. Ukrainian diplomats also brought it up with EU sanctions envoy David O’Sullivan during his mid-July visit to New Delhi.

India’s foreign ministry responded that its dual-use exports follow international non-proliferation rules and domestic regulations. Vishay Intertechnology did not respond to the paper’s request for comment.

Aura Semiconductor, whose AU5426A chip was identified in the drones, said in a statement that it complies fully with export control laws and is “deeply disturbed” by the possibility of its components being misused. It added that its chip is plug-and-play, making user tracing difficult, and that an internal audit yielded no conclusive findings.

India says electronics was exported to West Asia

Hindustan Times cites unnamed sources saying some Indian components were legally exported to West Asia, then diverted to Russia or Iran.

Ukraine’s HUR defence intelligence agency has also found electronics from US and Chinese firms in Russian weapons.

Ajay Srivastava from the Global Trade Research Initiative told Hinndustan TImes that tracing dual-use items post-export is almost impossible, and said better exporter awareness is needed. He warned that no export control system can guarantee full oversight once items cross national borders.

Panama has banned oil tankers and bulk carriers over 15 years old from registering under its flag. This move will directly impact vessels linked to Russia’s shadow fleet. The Panamanian Maritime Authority (AMP) announced the decision on 1 August 2025 to reduce detentions and prevent non-compliant ships from what is called the “ghost fleet” from entering the registry.

Panama enforces age cap to block risky vessels

The Panamanian Ship Registry updated its regulations to exclude tankers and bulk carriers aged over 15 years. According to AMP, the move aims to improve operational standards and limit the risks associated with older vessels. The registry update is part of the revised MMN 11/2024 directive, which defines the Precheck process for flagging eligibility.

A key element of the Precheck involves evaluating risks tied to sanctions and vessel operations. The General Directorate of the Merchant Marine found that between 2023 and mid-2025, 71% of all ship detentions involved older oil tankers, bulk carriers, or general cargo ships.

Panama’s registry, holding the Guinness World Record for the largest number of registered vessels, is taking additional steps to ensure compliance.

Authorities will now require extra inspections every three months for vessels classified as deficient. These checks will be conducted by the Recognized Organization responsible for issuing statutory certificates. In addition, there will be further verification of the Ship’s Safety Management System (SMS Certificate), particularly if non-conformities are detected.

The AMP stated the changes are meant to reduce detentions and increase overall safety. While the announcement did not name Russia directly, it referred to the so-called “ghost fleet” — a term widely used for Russia’s shadow fleet of old tankers used to bypass sanctions and transport oil covertly.

Ukrainian refugees work permits are set to expire, leaving many families in legal limbo, CBS News reports. Dozens who fled war and rebuilt their lives in Iowa may soon lose the right to work.

Iowa town that welcomed refugees now fears for their future

CBS News reports that Liana Avetisian and her family fled Ukraine in 2023 and resettled in DeWitt, Iowa, where over 75 refugees found jobs and housing with help from locals like Angela Boelens and her group Iowa Nice.

Avetisian, once a real estate agent in Kyiv, took a job at a window company. Her employer, Sam Heer, told CBS News he values Ukrainian workers and wants more Ukrainians, he said, after hiring Avetisian, her husband, and her cousin—until their permits expired.

“These people are hard to come by. […]  When people do the right things and follow the rules, they should be rewarded,” he added.

Though Heer supported President Trump in 2024, he now urges the administration to reconsider. 

No safe return as war continues in Ukraine

Most European countries have renewed work permits for Ukrainian refugees. But the Trump administration froze all immigration applications from Ukraine and Latin America earlier this year.

Boelens says many more permits will soon expire, pushing families to the edge.

“It’s not safe to go back to Kyiv,” she told CBS News.

Avetisian agrees. Her mother sends her daily videos of Kyiv under attack.

“Every day, every night, it’s bombing,” she said.

Refugees like Avetisian say they only want to stay and keep working in the communities they’ve come to call home.

Ukraine’s Rarog Regiment has destroyed a TOS‑1A thermobaric system near the front line, Defense Express reports. The rare Russian launcher was located and eliminated after it exposed its thermal signature by firing a salvo.

Ukrainian drones destroy TOS‑1A thermobaric system in frontline night strike

Drone pilots from Ukraine’s Rarog 427th Regiment tracked and struck the Russian TOS‑1A thermobaric rocket system during a night operation. The system had launched its rockets just moments before drones detected its heat and visual trail.

Defense Express notes the system was reduced to burnt wreckage, eliminating one of the Russian army’s most feared battlefield weapons. These systems have previously been used to target frontline units and civilians due to their destructive blast pressure and heat.

After the launcher revealed its position, a Ukrainian FPV kamikaze drone was deployed. The drone struck the TOS‑1A, disabling its movement or defenses. Immediately following the initial hit, Vampire bomber drones carrying explosive payloads were used to finish the job. The payloads were dropped with high precision, leaving the system completely destroyed.

Defense Express also highlighted a previous strike by the Kryma reconnaissance group of the 14th Separate UAV Regiment. That team guided a HIMARS strike onto a North Korean Koksan self-propelled gun used by Russian forces. The operation destroyed the weapon and killed six crew members.

Thermobaric weapons

A thermobaric munition, also called aerosol or vacuum ammunition, is a type of explosive that works by dispersing an aerosol cloud of gas, liquid, or powdered explosive before igniting it. It uses the effect of a volumetric explosion of an aerosol cloud of flammable substance. These weapons are designed to produce enhanced temperature and pressure compared to conventional explosives and are often referred to as fuel-air explosives.

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The Dutch government has committed €500 million in Dutch funding for Patriot missile systems and components for Kyiv, becoming the first NATO country to directly purchase US-made weapons for Ukraine’s defense. The move, announced by Dutch Defense Minister Ruben Brekelmans on 4 August, comes as Russia escalates its ongoing air attacks on Ukrainian civilians.

Netherlands funds US Patriots as Russia escalates air strikes

On 4 August, Brekelmans posted on X that “Ukraine needs more air defence and ammunition now,” and stated the Netherlands would supply “as the first NATO ally” a €500 million package of US-made weapons, including Patriot missile components and ammunition. The minister said this would help Ukraine defend itself and the rest of Europe against Russian aggression.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy welcomed the decision, saying it would “help save lives.” He discussed the aid with Dutch Prime Minister Dick Schoof and linked the move to practical outcomes of the recent NATO summit held in The Hague.

“This is the first such step among NATO countries at a time when Russia is trying to scale up its strikes. It will definitely help protect the lives of our people,” Zelenskyy wrote on Telegram.

Zelenskyy praises timing and scale of Dutch funding for Patriot

Zelenskyy described the €500 million deal as a “substantial contribution” and thanked the Netherlands for contributing to a stronger “air shield” for both Ukraine and Europe. He said his conversation with Prime Minister Schoof confirmed Dutch leadership on military aid to Kyiv.

The president also thanked NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte for what he called “determination to strengthen our defense.” He added that Ukraine was expecting Schoof to visit soon.

A fire broke out at a railway in southern Russia’s Rostov Oblast overnight on 5 August after a reported drone attack. Local footage geolocated by independent analysts shows flames near the Tatsinskaya station and nearby infrastructure. Russian officials claim the attack was repelled. The station is located 250 km behind the lines.

Fire confirmed near railway in Rostov Oblast after drone strike

Ukrainian Telegram channels Supernova+ and Exilenova+ reported that a fire occurred near the Tatsinskaya station in Rostov Oblast following a drone strike. According to Supernova+, the intended target may have been a fuel train, but the impact ignited grass instead. The video shared by Supernova+ shows fire in the vicinity of the station and a local grain elevator.

The Russian Ministry of Defense claimed that 24 drones were downed overnight across four regions, including seven over Rostov Oblast. It alleged that 13 UAVs were destroyed over Bryansk Oblast, two over Kaluga Oblast, and two over Smolensk Oblast.

Russian news Telegram channel Astra cited local residents who reported a fire in the Tatsinskaya area after the strike. Astra geolocated footage of the incident, identifying the red water tower and the grain elevator visible at the railway site.

Officials downplay incident as fire

Yurii Slyusar, acting governor of Rostov Oblast, stated that Russian forces allegedly repelled a mass air attack in several districts, including Millerovsky, Chertkovsky, Tatsinsky, and Belaya Kalitva. He claimed that an electric substation in Verkhnetalovka, Millerovsky district, had burned and that the 500-square-meter blaze had been put out.

Russia’s Lozova drone strike killed a railway worker and injured civilians, including two teenagers, during Russia’s heaviest drone and missile attack on the city since the start of the full-scale war. According to the Ukrainian Air Force and local officials, the assault overnight on 5 August 2025 involved 46 Shahed-type and decoy UAVs, and a ballistic Iskander-M missile.

Russia targets Lozova with 46 drones and a missile

The Ukrainian Air Force reported that from 19:00 on 4 August, Russia launched an air attack from the directions of Kursk, Bryansk, Oryol, and Primorsko-Akhtarsk in Russia, using Shahed drones, UAV decoys of various types, and an Iskander-M missile from Bryansk Oblast.

Ukraine’s air defenses, including aviation, anti-aircraft missile units, electronic warfare, and mobile fire groups, intercepted or suppressed 29 drones by 08:00.

“Hits from 17 drones were recorded in the eastern direction, as well as one ballistic missile, and debris from downed drones fell in three locations in the southern and northeastern directions,” the Air Force wrote.

Railway worker killed, children injured in Lozova

In Lozova, Kharkiv Oblast, a massive drone strike killed one person and injured others, local authorities reported. The mayor of Lozova, Serhii Zelenskyy, said that critical infrastructure, high-rise buildings, detached houses, and an educational institution were damaged. He noted that emergency services, medics, and rescue workers were operating on site and that restoration of water supply was underway.

Zelenskyy added that parts of the city remained without power, including Avylivka and the Katerynivskyi district. Public transport routes were also affected.

Rail station damaged, fires reported, transport disrupted

Images released by the Kharkiv Oblast Prosecutor’s Office show damage at the Lozova railway station, including a collapsed roof. The station was temporarily closed, and changes were introduced to suburban train services, the city council and Ukrzaliznytsia reported.

Trains Nos. 66/65 and 166/165 on the Uman–Cherkasy–Kharkiv route were redirected via an alternate path. Passengers to and from Lozova were being transported by bus to the Paniutyne station. Ukrzaliznytsia warned of delays of up to one hour due to use of a reserve locomotive.

According to the State Emergency Service, six fires broke out in Lozova as a result of the drone strike. Destruction of other buildings was also recorded.

The Kharkiv Oblast Prosecutor’s Office clarified that Russia has used over 30 Shahed-type attack drones — for some reason, the Kharkiv local authorities and prosecutor’s office always refer to them as “Geran-2” by their Russian designation. 

Kherson bridge suffered heavy damage after a Russian airstrike hit the city on 2 August. A guided bomb targeted the crossing that connects central Kherson with the Korabel micro-district, leaving the area cut off from vehicular supplies and prompting evacuation calls from officials.

Kherson bridge hit by two guided bombs in evening attack

Head of Kherson Oblast Military Administration Oleksandr Prokudin reported on 2 August that Russian aircraft dropped two guided bombs on the city around 18:00. One of the bombs hit the Kherson bridge, tearing a large hole through the deck and cutting the only direct route into the Korabel micro-district. The bridge remains standing, but vehicle movement is now unsafe.

The explosions also damaged three single-family homes and a multi-story building near the bridge. A gas pipeline was hit, cutting gas supplies to the isolated district. Prokudin urged people to evacuate to safer areas of Kherson where temporary housing and support are available. 

Officials warn of isolation and disrupted supplies

Liga reports that Yaroslav Shanko, the head of the city military administration, explained on Ukrainian television that the damaged bridge was the only route for vehicles into Korabel. He confirmed that the attack had not collapsed the structure, but destroyed the road surface.

Prokudin noted that the damage has disrupted logistics, food deliveries, and essential supplies to the district. Without the bridge, moving goods and aid into Korabel will be difficult.

Specialists are inspecting the Kherson bridge to assess the scale of the damage.

Anti-graft agencies have exposed a scheme of drone bribery involving a ruling party MP and National Guard officers. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said that those responsible will face justice after investigators revealed how vital military supplies were turned into a source of personal profit.

Anti-graft bodies uncover bribery network in drone supplies

On 2 August that the National Anti-Corruption Bureau (NABU) and the Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor’s Office (SAPO) briefed Zelenskyy about a large scheme involving inflated contracts for drones and electronic warfare systems. This was reported by NABU and Zelenskyy.

A source from law enforcement told Liga that the MP implicated is Oleksii Kuznietsov from Zelenskyy’s Servant of the People party.

Zelenskyy confirmed in a statement that “a deputy of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine,” heads of local administrations and National Guard servicemembers were caught taking bribes connected to drone contracts.

He called such behavior immoral and damaging, adding that full accountability is necessary. Zelenskyy said he thanked the anti-corruption agencies for their work and said that he expected fair verdicts in the case.

Servant of the People party suspends Kuznietsov

Servant of the People announced that MP Oleksii Kuznietsov’s membership in the faction will be suspended for the duration of the investigation into the exposed drone bribery scheme.

Internal investigation targets National Guard officers

Zelenskyy also said that Interior Minister Ihor Klymenko had started an internal investigation in the National Guard after the exposure of the scheme. Klymenko announced that only combat officers will lead logistics units from now on. He promised to make the results public. According to Klymenko, the commander of the National Guard Oleksandr Pivnenko has already suspended servicemembers allegedly involved in the drone bribery scandal.

Klymenko assured that new safeguards will be introduced in the National Guard to prevent such schemes. He said that a new internal control unit will monitor service activity, working independently and professionally. The team is being formed from specialists who passed checks for integrity and professional competence.

Adler oil depot burned after Ukrainian drones struck overnight, igniting a 2,000 cubic meter fuel tank near Sochi, southern Russia, around 530 km from the frontline. The strike forced a halt to flights at Sochi airport while emergency crews worked through the night to contain the blaze. The attack targeted Rosneft’s Kubannefteproduct oil depot on Aviatsionnaya Street in Adler, right next to the airport.

The oil depot includes 41 tanks with a combined capacity of around 31,200 cubic meters.

Ukrainian drones strike Adler oil depot again

In the early hours of 3 August, Ukrainian strike drones hit the Adler district of Sochi in Krasnodar Krai. Telegram channels Astra and Exilenova+ reported that the drones struck the Rosneft-Kubannefteproduct oil depot, causing a powerful fire. Local authorities confirmed the fire and the suspension of flights. The depot sits not far from the Sochi airport, which led to an immediate halt to flight operations.

Mayor Andrii Proshunin of Sochi, Krasnodar Krai Governor Veniamin Kondratiev, and Russia’s Ministry of Emergency Situations confirmed a drone attack on the depot, and the fire. They claimed that falling debris from destroyed drones caused a single tank to ignite. Footage from the site, however, shows two ignition points at the facility.

The Ministry of Emergency Situations said the fire broke out in a fuel tank with a volume of 2,000 cubic meters. They also claimed that debris from drones damaged five garages in a cooperative and a shop, which also caught fire. Governor Mikhail Kotyukov said,

“In Adler district, drone debris hit a fuel tank, causing a blaze. 127 personnel and 35 units of equipment have been deployed to eliminate the consequences of the fire.”

Flights disrupted at Sochi airport

The strike forced the closure of Sochi airport for more than two hours overnight. Airport services later announced that disruptions would continue for at least a day.

“Together with airlines, we are doing everything possible to stabilize the regular schedule as soon as possible, but it will take 1–2 days,” airport representatives said.

Drones reach Voronezh and other areas

On the same night, drones also targeted other areas. Governor Aleksandr Gusev of Voronezh Oblast claimed that 15 drones were downed over Voronezh city and Liskinsky district. Russian officials said debris from drones caused fires and damaged single-family homes. Explosions and fires were reported across Voronezh.

Exilenova+ reported that the activity of electronic warfare systems led to several dorne crashes and fires across Voronezh.

A separate fire was reported at the Kstovo oil depot in Nizhny Novgorod Oblast after a drone threat was announced in the area, though it remains unclear whether that was a result of a Ukrainian strike.

Second strike on Adler oil depots in weeks

This attack marks the second major strike on oil infrastructure in Adler in recent weeks. On 24 July 2025, Ukrainian drones struck the Lukoil-Yugnefteproduct depot, which likely supplies Sochi International Airport. That strike caused a large fire at the site.

Drone attacks on 2 August across Russia

The Adler oil depot follows a wave of Ukrainian drone attacks on 2 August across Russian territory.

• On that day, drones attacked oil refineries in Ryazan and Samara Oblast’s Novokuybyshevsk.
• Ukrainian sources confirmed that earlier attacks on Penza damaged the Elektropibor and Radiozavod plants, which produce radio-electronic equipment for the Russian armed forces.
• Ukrainian drones also struck a radar complex for monitoring space objects near Feodosia in Russian-occupied Crimea.
• The same day, drones attacked the Likhaya-Zamchalovo railway power substation in Rostov Oblast, which Russia uses to supply its occupying forces in Ukraine, and an airfield in Prymorsko-Akhtarsk that launches Shahed drones.
• Separately, on 2 August, an explosion occurred on the Central Asia–Center gas pipeline in Volgograd Oblast near the village of Dynamivske in Nekhaivsky district. The blast disabled the pipeline, and gas transit was stopped indefinitely, according to Militarnyi, citing sources in special services.

Nightly Russian drone attacks again battered Ukraine as missiles and Shaheds rained down on several cities, causing injuries and damage. Local authorities said explosions and fires struck homes and infrastructure across the country as power outages and destruction mounted.

Nightly Russian drone attacks cause destruction across Ukraine

In the late evening of 2 August, Russian forces launched missiles on Mykolaiv and Kherson. The State Emergency Service reported that in Mykolaiv explosions destroyed single-family homes and damaged apartments, igniting fires in a residential district.

The head of Mykolaiv Oblast, Vitalii Kim, said seven people were injured, with four treated on site and three hospitalized. A 57‑year‑old man and a 74‑year‑old man were hospitalized in moderate condition, and a 32‑year‑old man received outpatient care. Kim confirmed that three houses were destroyed, 23 more were damaged, and 12 apartment buildings, six vehicles, a postal branch and a building materials store were also hit. After the attack, parts of Mykolaiv Oblast lost electricity. The head of Kherson Oblast, Oleksandr Prokudin, also reported power outages after evening missile explosions.

Russian forces struck Kharkiv in the night with two Shahed drones. Oleg Synehubov, the head of Kharkiv Oblast, reported that a central district of the city was hit. Mayor Ihor Terekhov said one explosion damaged warehouse buildings near residential areas, with no injuries there. Another drone fell in a forest without detonating.

Synehubov said that explosions in Chuhuiv and Balakliia caused fires in detached homes. In Chuhuiv, Mayor Halyna Minaieva said three women suffered acute stress reactions, and houses had windows and roofs damaged. In Balakliia, city military administrator Vitalii Karabanov said more than ten drones struck one street, setting over ten homes on fire. He confirmed at least one injured person. Casualty numbers there are still being clarified.

In Kyiv, city military administration chief Tymur Tkachenko confirmed a missile strike during the night, with details still unknown.

Lithuanian volunteer organization Blue/Yellow says that Russia’s previous attack on 31 July destroyed its Kyiv warehouse. Lithuanian broadcaster LRT reported that a Shahed drone completely demolished the building used for storing humanitarian aid before shipment to the front. The organization said the warehouse contained mainly helmets and protective vests and that surrounding buildings were also damaged.

Heavy Ukrainian air defense effort

The Air Force of Ukraine reported that between 19:00 on 2 August and early 3 August, Russia attacked with 76 Shahed and decoy drones, and seven missiles, including an Iskander‑M ballistic missile, five S‑300/S‑400 surface‑to‑air missiles used for ground attacks, and one Kh‑22 cruise missile.

Ukrainian air defenses shot down or suppressed 61 air targets: 60 drones and one ballistic missile. Despite this, six missiles and 16 drones struck eight locations, with debris falling in two more places. Air defense units, aviation, radio‑electronic warfare systems and mobile fire teams all took part in repelling the assault.

Casualties from artillery in Kostiantynivka

On the morning of 3 August, Russian forces used artillery against Kostiantynivka in Donetsk Oblast. City military administrator Serhii Horbunov reported that shells hit residential areas, killing one person. He said that Russian troops struck civilian infrastructure and confirmed that the attack resulted in at least one death.