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

280 air weapons launched

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

Poltava: power cut, energy sites hit

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

Donetsk Oblast: Five civilians killed in separate attacks

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

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

Kharkiv Oblast: Russian drone injures family in Peremoha

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

Sumy Oblast: Russia shells town, follows with drone strikes

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

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

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

Dnipropetrovsk Oblast: Man wounded, school burns after drone strikes

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

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

Kherson Oblast: Child, pensioners injured in Russian attacks

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

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

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

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

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

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

Ukrainian forces retake key settlements

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

Russia unable to support or widen the penetration

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

Ukrainian flanks move faster than Russian forces

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

Russian brigades under pressure inside a narrow corridor

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

Russian focus shifts to another direction

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

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

Twin fires break out in Volgograd after drone strike

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

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

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

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

Lukoil refinery struck for the second or third time in days

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

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

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

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

Ukraine disables Russia’s oil flow to the EU

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

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

SBS strike made Russian upgrades irrelevant

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

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

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

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

Budapest lashes out, Kyiv hits back

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

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

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

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

Macron: Putin shows no intent to end war

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

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

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

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

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

France calls for pressure, warns of more sanctions

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

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

No peace without guarantees, no land swaps

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

He firmly opposed any territorial concessions to Russia.

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

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

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

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

ISW: Security guarantees discussed, US role remains unclear

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

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

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

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

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

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

Russia rejects NATO troop involvement in peace process

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

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

Leaders voice support for ceasefire, but prospects remain uncertain

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

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

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy met US President Donald Trump in Washington on 18 August, backed by a delegation of European leaders urging Trump to support Ukraine with ironclad postwar security guarantees. Their talks focused on ending the war with Russia, but without letting Moscow dictate terms. While Trump said the US would provide “very good protection” to Ukraine, he avoided detailing what that meant. Crucially, he refused to rule out sending US troops—leaving open the possibility of deeper military involvement as part of the proposed Article 5-like protection framework.

European leaders bring red lines to Trump’s push for quick deal

The New York Times reports that European leaders accompanied Zelenskyy to the White House to present coordinated red lines:

• a cease-fire must come before any territorial discussions;
• unoccupied territory must not be handed over to Russia;
• there must be no legal annexation of any Ukrainian land; and Ukraine must receive security guarantees capable of deterring any future Russian invasion, regardless of what Moscow promises.

According to NYT, President Trump did not explicitly reject these demands but emphasized he is focused on a “permanent solution” rather than a fragile agreement that could collapse into renewed war “two years from now.”

He declined to say whether he would support sending US peacekeepers to Ukraine. Instead, he said, “There’s going to be a lot of help,” and added that he would discuss the issue further with European leaders after his meetings.

CNN noted that Steve Witkoff, Trump’s special envoy, previously described the proposed security terms as “Article 5-like protections,” referencing the NATO clause on collective defense. That framing implies US involvement in Ukrainian security without granting NATO membership.

Zelenskyy says Ukraine needs “everything” to prevent Russia from striking again

When asked what kind of security guarantees Ukraine needed, Zelenskyy replied:

“Everything.”

Speaking in the Oval Office alongside Trump, he explained that this includes two essential components: military power—meaning weapons, people, training missions, and intelligence—and support from major countries like the United States, CNN says.

He stressed that any settlement without these elements would allow Russia to regroup and eventually attack again. CNN quotes Zelenskyy as saying the guarantees “depend on the big countries, on the United States, on a lot of our friends.”

Trump did not challenge that assessment, but offered no details about what kind of American commitment he would consider.

Trump eyes post-meeting call with Putin as trilateral scenario emerges

President Trump said he would be calling Russian President Vladimir Putin directly after concluding his meetings with Zelenskyy and European leaders.

“I just spoke to President Putin indirectly, and we’re going to have a phone call right after these meetings today,” Trump said from the Oval Office, CNBC reports.

He added that such a call could lead to a trilateral conversation involving Ukraine, Russia, and the US.

“There’s a good chance of maybe ending” the war, Trump said. But he also left open the alternative: “If not, then the fighting continues.”

Trump’s peace plan meets domestic pressure over foreign wars

Although Trump has kept his base wary of foreign entanglements, The New York Times notes that he did not rule out US troop deployment, a position likely to trigger backlash. During his campaign, he had promised to reduce American involvement in foreign conflicts. Nonetheless, his current posture leaves room for some level of military commitment.

CNN reports that Trump stated on 18 August that offering Ukraine security guarantees is still under discussion among the US and European leaders. He said:

“We’re going to be discussing it today, but we will give them very good protection, very good security.”

Ukrainian forces struck a Russian military convoy in Kursk Oblast, leaving Russia’s deputy commander of the North grouping of forces, General-Lieutenant Essedulla Abatchev, gravely wounded. Ukrainian intelligence reported that Abachev lost both an arm and a leg after the attack.

Ukrainian strike hits Russian convoy in Kursk Oblast

The Defense Intelligence of Ukraine (HUR) announced that Ukrainian units carried out the strike against a Russian convoy moving along the Rylsk–Khomutovka highway in Kursk Oblast overnight on 17 August. According to HUR, the strike inflicted serious injuries on Abachev, who serves as deputy commander of Russia’s North grouping. He was evacuated by military transport aircraft to Moscow and delivered to the Vishnevsky Central Military Hospital, where doctors amputated his arm and leg.

HUR emphasized in its statement that every Russian war crime against the Ukrainian people would face retribution.

OSINT analysis confirms the strike in Kursk Oblast

Militarnyi reported that the strike occurred in the area of Zhuryatino village, citing open-source analysts. While the weapon used was not officially disclosed, analysts suggested it was likely high-precision rocket artillery. Also, the video showing the aftermath of the attack emerged on the evening of 16 August, not in the early hours of 17 August.

Abachev’s military career before the all-out war

Before Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, Abachev commanded the 2nd Guards Combined Arms Army of the Central Military District. He graduated from the Kharkiv Higher Tank Command School in 1989 and later the Combined Arms Academy in 2002.

He fought in Russia’s Chechen wars, Georgia, and in Syria, later rising to command the 19th Separate Motor Rifle Brigade and serve as chief of staff of the 5th Combined Arms Army. In 2021 he became a major general, in 2022 he was appointed commander of Russia’s 2nd Army Corps in occupied Luhansk and decorated as Hero of Russia, and by 2023 he was promoted to lieutenant general.

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

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

We’re one final push away from making this platform a reality.

Join us in building this platform on Patreon

Overnight on 17 August, a Ukrainian drone struck the Liski railway station in Voronezh Oblast, disrupting one of Russia’s most important military transport hubs. Exilenova+ published a video capturing the moment of impact. The drone hit set off a fire at the station and damaged power lines, cutting rail traffic. 

Video confirms Liski strike

Ukrainian Telegram channel Exilenova+ reported a drone attack, targeting the Liski railway station in Russia’s Voronezh Oblast. The post described Liski as one of the largest junctions in Russia’s Southeastern Railway system. Liski is located around 120–150 kilometers from Ukraine’s border and serves as a key junction for moving Russian troops and equipment, Militarnyi noted.

Exilenova+ also released video footage showing a fire at the station and the moment of a drone’s impact. Russian news Telegram channel Astra later drew attention to one of the videos, noting it was filmed next to the Berezka shopping center, which sits right beside the station.

The Voronezh Oblast governor admitted a drone hit a railway station, but avoided naming it. He claimed falling drone debris injured a railway technician and damaged a power line. He also said the technician was hospitalized and that the railway service resumed afterward.

Russia’s Federal Passenger Company later confirmed the station as Liski. In its statement, it said the drone’s debris caused delays across 14 trains. 

The governor stated that in the same area, fires ostensibly broke out at a shop and a clothing market. In another municipality, a gas pipe also allegedly caught fire. 

Russian MoD claims mass interceptions but ignores Liski

The Russian Ministry of Defense claimed it shot down 46 Ukrainian drones overnight: 16 over Belgorod, 14 over Nizhny Novgorod, 9 over Voronezh, and others across six more oblasts. Later the same morning, the ministry stated that six more drones were downed over Voronezh Oblast.

A massive fire broke out at the Lukoil refinery in Volgograd on 16 August, two days after Ukrainian drones hit the facility and caused heavy damage. The fire may have started during repair works, but the cause remains unclear.

During the day on 16 August, a thick black column of smoke rose over the refinery. Around the same time, air traffic at Volgograd airport shut down under temporary restrictions, and authorities declared a citywide air raid alert.

The full circumstances remain unknown.

Lukoil-Volgogradneftepererabotka is the largest oil product producer in Russia’s Southern Federal District and the seventh most powerful refinery in the country. Its design capacity stands at 14.8 million tons of crude oil per year.

“Planned discharge,” but emergency vehicles flood the area

Some channels claimed the smoke came from a “planned discharge of petroleum products” related to tank repair preparations. But locals saw fire trucks and ambulances rushing toward the plant. Readers openly mocked the official line.

Astra quoted messages like, “So the ambulances are flying there because of a planned discharge too?” and “And the fire trucks are heading there as part of the plan, or were they not warned?”

Ukrainian drones shut the refinery down on 14 August

Overnight on 14 August, Ukrainian strike drones hit the refinery and caused a massive fire. Astra reported that the plant suspended operations due to the damage. 

Explore further

Ukraine’s drones turn Volgograd night into firestorm — Lukoil’s biggest refinery ablaze after fuel spill ignites

Earlier, the Ukrainian Army’s General Staff reported that 42% of Ukrainian deep drone strikes inside Russia this year have targeted oil refineries. 

Ukraine’s Defense Forces cleared Pokrovsk of Russian infiltrators in Donetsk Oblast and liberated several surrounding villages near Dobropillia. On 17 August, the GenStaff said stabilization actions continue in the area as Ukrainian units fight to secure the frontline.

Ukrainian troops clear Pokrovsk and villages near Dobropillia

The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine said the 7th Air Assault Corps, together with supporting units, eliminated Russian infiltrators in Pokrovsk. Ukraine’s Defense Forces also cleared Hruzke, Rubizhne, Novovodiane, Petrovka, Vesele, and Zolotyi Kolodiaz in Donetsk Oblast. The first corps of the National Guard Azov unit joined the battles and helped reclaim the villages.

The Deep State war zone monitoring map, updated on 16 August, shows that Ukrainian troops cut apart the recent Russian “double panhandle” breakthrough near Dobropillia and surrounded its northern prongs.

Russian forces suffer heavy losses in Donetsk Oblast

From 4 to 16 August, Ukrainian forces killed 910 Russian soldiers, wounded 335, and captured 37, according to the General Staff. Ukrainian strikes also destroyed eight tanks, six armored vehicles, 103 auto and motor vehicles, one multiple launch rocket system, 18 artillery guns, and 91 drones.

The General Staff said Ukrainian units continue stabilization operations near Dobropillia in Donetsk Oblast.

Ukrainian advance in Sumy Oblast

On 16 August, Ukrainian units advanced in several locations on the North Slobozhansky axis. In particular, the Defense Forces gained up to 1,000 meters near Yablunivka in Sumy Oblast, according to the General Staff.

In the early hours of 17 August, Russia launched 60 long-range drones and one Iskander-M missile from five locations across its territory. Ukraine’s Air Force reported that 40 drones were destroyed or suppressed, but 12 locations were hit in Kharkiv, Donetsk, and Dnipropetrovsk oblasts.

Russia launches 60 drones and a missile, strikes 12 targets

According to the Air Force of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, the attack began at 19:30 on 16 August and included both Shahed-type one-way attack UAVs and decoy drones launched from Kursk, Bryansk, Millerovo, Shatalovo and Primorsko-Akhtarsk. Ukrainian defenses used mobile fire groups and electronic warfare systems to counter the assault.

As of 09:00 on 17 August, 40 drones had been downed or neutralized. However, the ballistic missile and 20 drones reached their targets.

The Air Force confirmed strikes in 12 locations across the three frontline oblasts.

Drone strike injures woman in Sloviansk

Vadym Liakh, head of Sloviansk’s City Military Administration, said the Russian Shahed attack injured a woman in the city last night.

“On the evening of Saturday, 16 August, the city came under two enemy attacks. Around 18:15: Zaliznychnyi neighborhood. Detached housing area. A woman was injured. Homes were damaged. Around 19:30″ Lymany neighborhood. Detached housing area. Homes were damaged. In both cases, Italmas drones were used,” Liakh wrote.

The mentioned Italmas UAVs also known as Izdeliye 45 is a simplified and cheaper version of the Iranian-designed Shahed 136 long-range kamikaze drone.

A new investigation by a Ukrainian NGO has identified 144 Russian prison wardens responsible for Ukrainian prisoners of war (POWs). The registry names those accused of systemic torture, daily abuse, and coercion in detention facilities across Russia and occupied Ukrainian territories.

Registry exposes 144 Russian wardens of Ukrainian POWs

Working with Ukraine’s Security Service (SBU), the Molfar Intelligence Institute, a Ukrainian open-source intelligence NGO, reported that 144 employees of detention facilities across Russia and occupied Ukrainian territories have been identified as jailers responsible for Ukrainian POWs.

The prison guards in question are the employees of:

• Colony No. 36 in the city of Sukhodilsk (occupied Luhansk Oblast);
• Correctional Colony (CC) No. 38 in the city of Sverdlovsk (Dovzhansk) (occupied Luhansk Oblast);
• Kalininska CC No. 27 in the city of Horlivka (occupied Donetsk Oblast);
• State Institution “Donetsk Pre-trial Detention Center of the State Penitentiary Service of the Ministry of Justice of the DNR”, in occupied Donetsk city;
• CC No. 2 in the village of Donskoye, Tula region, Russian Federation;
• Federal State Institution “Pre-trial Detention Center No. 2”, Stary Oskol, Belgorod Oblast, Russian Federation;
• Federal State Institution “Pre-trial Detention Center No. 2”, Taganrog, Rostov Oblast, Russian Federation.

Most of the jailers mentioned in the investigation work at the notorious Taganrog facility.

The registry contains data on rank and position, place of work, known addresses and contacts, passports and other documents, as well as information about relatives and additional details about each identified individual.

Tetiana Katrychenko, executive director of a project documenting prisoners, described Taganrog as “hell on earth.” She noted that Azovstal defenders held there since 2022 faced brutal torture and were forced to incriminate themselves before transfer to Rostov courts.

Ukrainian journalist Viktoriia Roshchyna was also held in Taganrog. She went missing in August 2023 and was later confirmed to have been detained by Russian authorities. She died in captivity in September 2024 allegedly during a prison transfer, according to Russian officials. Her body, showing clear signs of torture, was returned to Ukraine in February 2025, and a farewell ceremony was held in Kyiv in August 2025.

Explore further

Ukrainian journalist Victoria Roshchyna suffered neck injuries, fractures in Russian captivity – new autopsy

Daily lives of 144 Russian wardens of Ukrainian POWs

The Molfar Intelligence Institute emphasized that many of the 144 identified continue to live ordinary lives. Its report described them commuting to shifts, greeting colleagues, chatting about utilities and coffee, then taking part in torture sessions before returning to families in apartments.

“Russians abuse and torture Ukrainian prisoners in a territory closed to the eyes of human rights defenders,” the Institute says.

The report details information on three jailers.

Profiles of three wardens

One case is Denis Mirchev, an ensign at the Stary Oskol detention center in Belgorod Oblast. According to former prisoners, he conducted searches of Ukrainian captives. Investigators linked him to social media activity including comments on posts by Ukrainian musician Yarmak, now commander of a combat drone unit. Records also show Mirchev’s bankruptcy attempts over debts exceeding one million rubles.

Another prison worker is Vitali Sterzhanov, a Ukrainian citizen who now heads a Russian-run colony in occupied Luhansk Oblast. Ukrainian prosecutors charged him in March 2024 under article 111-1 of the criminal code for joining an illegal occupation body. Registry data shows Sterzhanov’s family also involved in pro-Russian activities, with his mother supporting the so-called “LNR” armed formations and his brother publicly backing the full-scale invasion.

The report further describes Alexei Glaizer, deputy head of the Taganrog pretrial detention center. He previously led Rostov detention center no. 1 and declared assets including a Kia Rio and a Rostov apartment. According to insider accounts, enforcement proceedings were opened against him in 2018 over debts. Investigators documented his marriages and residences in Taganrog, presenting him as another official balancing family life with systemic abuse of Ukrainian POWs.

Wider implications

The registry’s scope cannot be fully covered in one release. Instead, the Molfar Intelligence Institute has published an open database called “Russian jailers of Ukrainian prisoners,” listing names, photos, documents, family ties, and workplaces. Officials stressed that no rank, change of surname, or hidden address will protect those responsible from eventual justice.

“Those employees of pretrial detention centers and colonies who treat Ukrainian prisoners harshly feel safe in Russia. We are convinced that each of them must bear responsibility and believe that they will not be able to escape civilized justice by hiding behind the thick walls of a pretrial detention center, changing their names, or hiding behind an interest in the history of Ukrainian nationalism,” the MII noted regarding making the resistry public.

The current number of Ukrainian POWs in Russian captivity is not publicly known. Ukraine’s deputy prime minister Iryna Vereshchuk previously said that as of 1 May 2025, about 8,000 Ukrainians remain in Russian captivity. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced on 21 March 2025 that Ukraine had returned 4,306 POWs since the start of the full-scale invasion.

“Every day in captivity for a Ukrainian is torture. Russians must understand that they will be held responsible for crimes against humanity. They will not be protected by official positions, changes of surname, or re-registration of residential addresses,” the report noted.

Call for action

Ukraine’s Center for Countering Disinformation emphasizes that Russia is using prisoners as a propaganda tool. Moscow uses prisoners for staged photos and interviews designed to discredit Kyiv. According to the center and Ukrainian defense forces, Azovstal defenders have been coerced into participating in such propaganda, which violates articles 13 and 14 of the Geneva convention. Analysts say these operations target Western audiences, aiming to fracture support for Ukraine and undermine prisoner exchange agreements.

” it is necessary to strengthen control over compliance with international humanitarian law and monitor cases of forced use of prisoners in propaganda. Abuse of human dignity for political purposes must receive a strong global response,” the Molfar Intelligence Institute stressed. 

The Hudson Institute has identified eight critical targets across Russia and occupied territories that Ukraine could strike to destabilize Moscow’s war effort. The report, authored by Luke Coffey and Can Kasapoğlu and titled “Breaking the Stalemate: Russian Targets Ukraine Should Strike,” argues that sustained pressure on these chokepoints could undermine Russian logistics, weaken the Kremlin’s control over occupied areas.

Volga–Don Canal

The Volga–Don Canal is a 63-mile waterway linking the Caspian and Black Seas. Russia uses it to move vessels from the Caspian Flotilla and to transport Iranian-supplied weapons. The Kremlin has committed $1 billion to modernize the canal, underscoring its importance. Analysts note that damaging Locks 8 and 9, which sit at the canal’s summit, could halt navigation and disrupt water flow, crippling east–west logistics and trade with Iran.

Shahed Drone Plant in Tatarstan

Located in the Alabuga Special Economic Zone, Russia’s main Shahed drone facility produces multiple variants with Iranian support.

Open-source reporting indicates that Russia’s Shahed drone plant in Tatarstan likely produces 170–190 drones per day. In June 2025 alone, Russia launched around 5,500 Shaheds against Ukrainian cities. Production could rise further, with estimates suggesting up to 2,000 drones per month by late 2025.

Explore further

Ukraine’s GenStaff says its deep strikes have erased 4% of Russia’s GDP this year—42% of attacks targeted oil refineries (infographics)

The facility employs thousands, including foreign workers and students, raising civilian risks. The report suggests Ukraine could instead target the plant’s energy lifeline at the nearby Nizhnekamsk Thermal Power Plant to disrupt production indirectly.

China–Russia Land Routes

Russia’s wartime dependence on Chinese imports has soared, reaching $240 billion annually. These include drones, optics, semiconductors, and weapon components. Around 90% of this trade crosses the border by rail through Manzhouli–Zabaykalsk and Suifenhe–Pogranichny. While directly striking at the crossings could be politically fraught, Hudson Institute identifies rail bridges and railyards within Russia as vulnerable chokepoints that, if disrupted, would slow the flow of critical dual-use goods

.

Crimea’s Access Routes

Crimea remains a central hub for Russia’s southern operations. The Kerch Bridge has been attacked and damaged three times, but never destroyed. The report stresses that Western-supplied long-range missiles, such as Germany’s Taurus, could finish the job. Analysts also highlight smaller but equally vital routes into Crimea: the Chonhar, Syvash, and Henichesk Bridges. These links connect the peninsula to Kherson Oblast and are more vulnerable to attack than Kerch. Severing them would drastically weaken Russian supply lines into occupied southern Ukraine.

Rail Bridges in Western Russia

Russia’s military depends heavily on rail, moving up to 30,000 tons of ammunition and fuel daily. Each division requires about 1,870 tons of cargo, with artillery munitions accounting for half. While trains in motion are difficult to strike, Hudson Institute stresses that rail bridges, transformers, and substations are fixed and exposed. Recent Ukrainian strikes in Samara and along the Oryol–Kursk line show this tactic is viable. Sustained attacks could cripple supply lines across the Russian heartland.

Explore further

Three fires, one night: Ukraine hits refinery, military base, and railway in deep Russian strike (video)

Emerging Russian Base in occupied Abkhazia

Moscow is shifting parts of its Black Sea Fleet to Abkhazia’s Ochamchire port, on occupied Georgian territory, after heavy losses in Crimea. The new base remains under construction and vulnerable. The coastline is exposed, infrastructure is weak, and supply routes rely on a single road and rail link with a bridge that forms a critical choke point. Hudson Institute concludes that striking early could delay or halt Russia’s efforts to diversify its naval footprint in the Black Sea.

Transnistria

The Russian garrison in Moldova’s Transnistria enclave is another fragile point. About 1,500 troops remain there with outdated equipment and no realistic way to reinforce them. Ukraine, the report argues, could eliminate the pocket if necessary, relieving pressure on Odesa. But the analysis also warns that such a move would risk humanitarian fallout in Moldova and Romania, especially near the massive Cobasna ammunition depot.

Russian Pacific Fleet Bases

Though far from the battlefield, Russia’s Pacific Fleet has quietly supported the war. It has transferred naval brigades to Ukraine and redeployed ships to the Black Sea. These distant bases lack the dense defenses seen in Crimea, making them potential targets. Analysts suggest Ukraine could adapt maritime drones to reach the area. Even limited strikes would force Moscow to disperse defenses and reconsider its global naval posture.

Ukrainian border guard drones from the Phoenix unit have destroyed a Russian BM-21 Grad multiple launch rocket system, a main battle tank, and up to 10 Russian soldiers in Donetsk Oblast. On 14 August, the State Border Guard Service released footage of the strikes, showing FPV drones hitting the targets with precision.

Phoenix unit hits Russian Grad, tank, infantry in Donetsk Oblast

According to the Border Guard Service, the operation targeted high-value Russian assets in the oblast. In addition to the Grad and the tank, the strikes destroyed a UAZ-452 “Bukhanka” van, a Ural military truck, other vehicles, several motorcycles used for troop movement, and fortified positions.

The released video shows FPV drones striking Russian soldiers, on foot and vehicles, the Grad launcher on the move, and the tank — the latter positioned inside a building at the moment of impact.

Around 10 Russian soldiers killed

Preliminary assessments by the Border Guard Service suggest the operation eliminated about ten Russian soldiers. 

Phoenix

Defense Express, commenting on the released video, reported that the border guard pilots used unmanned aerial systems capable of both reconnaissance and precision strikes, allowing the unit to operate deep inside contested areas while minimizing exposure to Russian air defenses.

A surge in Russian ballistic missiles with enhanced maneuvering capabilities is straining Ukraine’s Patriot air defense systems, The War Zone reports. The US Defense Intelligence Agency has confirmed the upgrades are making interceptions harder, forcing Ukraine’s defenders to deal with unpredictable flight paths and radar decoys.

Russia’s missile upgrades slash Patriot interception rates

Ukraine has received three Patriot batteries from the United States, two from Germany, one from Romania, and another jointly supplied by Germany and the Netherlands. The War Zone notes the systems are paired with various interceptors, and US officials said in July they were working with European allies to send more. Patriot remains Ukraine’s only robust defense against ballistic missiles.

A Special Inspector General report citing a DIA response says the Ukrainian Air Force has struggled to consistently stop upgraded Russian missiles, TWZ says. The improvements allow warheads to change trajectory and perform maneuvers instead of following a traditional ballistic arc.

Iskander-Ms, KN-23s, and new decoys complicate defense

The report does not name the missile types or detail the upgrades. However, Ukrainian Air Force spokesperson Yurii Ihnat in May mentioned Russia’s Iskander-M and North Korea’s KN-23 as examples. Both are short-range ballistic missiles and among the most common in Russian strikes. Ihnat said Russia’s improved weapons complicate interception but do not make it impossible.

Russia’s heavy use of Iskander-Ms early in the 2022 invasion exposed an existing decoy capability, though not all missiles carried it. Ihnat’s comments suggest Russia may now be fitting decoys to more of them. Reports have long indicated Iskander-Ms can fly depressed trajectories and maneuver mid-flight to challenge defenses. Russia claims its Kinzhal missile, derived from the Iskander-M, has high maneuverability, and those developments may have influenced ground-launched designs.

The North Korean KN-23 resembles the Iskander-M and reportedly can perform a “pull-up” maneuver in its terminal phase. Ukraine’s defense intelligence chief Kyrylo Budanov told The War Zone in June that Russia worked with North Korea to improve the KN-23’s accuracy, possibly boosting other missile types as well.

Ukraine’s options remain limited

Patriot’s confirmed difficulties raise concerns for other militaries, including the US Army, which is working to expand and improve its own Patriot forces. 

Ukraine entered the war with a limited number of Soviet-era S-300V1 systems, which had some anti-ballistic capability. It is unclear if any remain in service, and interceptor stocks would have dwindled over three years of fighting.

Russia has scaled back missile and drone attacks ahead of the 16 August meeting between US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin. 

Explore further

From Kharkiv to Kherson, Russia’s war on civilians kills again in latest day of strikes

Ukraine’s long-range strikes inside Russia have cost Moscow over $74 billion since January, according to fresh data from the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. The military says the economic toll equals more than 4% of Russia’s annual GDP, with most hits landing deep inside its territory.

Military publishes breakdown of targets and distances

On 15 August, the General Staff released infographics detailing the scope and impact of deep strikes carried out since 1 January 2025. The figures show that 42% of the attacks targeted oil refineries, making them the single most-hit category. Storage facilities were the second most common target at 37%, followed by oil pumping stations at 10%, terminals and ports at 7%, and other facilities at 4%.

The data also breaks down the distances of strikes from Ukraine’s border. Nearly 39.22% of hits landed between 500 and 1,000 km inside Russia, while 37.25% were between 200 and 500 km. Only 13.73% were within 200 km of the border. More than 10% of the strikes reached beyond 1,000 km, a range that underscores Ukraine’s long-range capabilities.

Kyiv links economic losses to targeted infrastructure

The General Staff’s report estimates that the strikes have reduced Russia’s GDP by 4.11% in annual terms. Officials credit the damage to a focus on high-value infrastructure such as refineries, depots, and transport hubs. The statement thanked all personnel involved in the operations and stressed that Ukrainian defense forces are continuing the campaign.

Ukraine’s Air Force said it intercepted 63 of 97 Russian drones overnight on 15 August. Russia also launched two Iskander-M missiles. Despite most drones being destroyed, the strikes killed and injured civilians in Kharkiv, Sumy, Donetsk, and Kherson oblasts, damaging homes, cars, farms, and infrastructure in at least 13 locations.

Nationwide civilian toll in latest wave of attacks

The Air Force reported that Shahed attack drones, decoy UAVs, and ballistic missiles were launched from five directions, targeting both frontline and rear settlements. Aircraft, electronic warfare units, and mobile fire groups were used to repel the assault, but local officials in four oblasts confirmed fresh deaths and injuries alongside severe property damage.

“Impacts from missiles and 34 UAVs were recorded at 13 locations,” the Air Force reported.

Kharkiv Oblast: four killed, two injured

Kharkiv Oblast head Oleh Synehubov said Russian forces attacked five settlements in the last 24 hours, killing four people and injuring two.

Russian attacks killed a 64-year-old man in Kozacha Lopan. In Nechvolodivka, Russian forces killed a 69-year-old man and a 69-year-old woman and injured a 76-year-old woman. In Nova Kozacha, Russian strikes killed a 38-year-old man and injured another 38-year-old man. The attacks damaged detached houses in Kozacha Lopan and Nova Kozacha, two houses and a car in Nechvolodivka, and a garage, two cars, a tractor, and a vegetable storage building in Borova. Russian forces used guided aerial bombs, a Molniya drone, FPV drones, and other UAVs.

Sumy Oblast

The Sumy Oblast Military Administration reported 100 strikes on 46 settlements in 16 communities between the morning of 14 August and the morning of 15 August.

In Miropilska community, a 32-year-old man was injured by an FPV drone. In Sumska community, a gas station was hit by a Russian UAV, burning a civilian vehicle and injuring its driver, who suffered burns. Damage was reported to houses, apartment buildings, civilian cars, and non-residential buildings in Bilopilska, Velykopysarivska, Vorozhbianska, and Hlukhovska communities. Russian forces used guided bombs, multiple rocket launchers, FPV drones, and other UAVs. Eleven people were evacuated from border areas during the day.

Donetsk Oblast: two killed, seven injured

Donetsk Oblast head Vadym Filashkin said Russian shelling on 14 August killed two civilians — one in Kostyantynivka and one in Virivka — and injured seven others across the oblast. 

Kherson Oblast: Russian “human safari” continues

The Kherson Oblast Military Administration’s morning report, covering 06:00 on 14 August to 06:00 on 15 August, said Russian artillery and drone attacks on more than 40 settlements killed one person and injured five others, including a child. Damage included apartment buildings, 22 detached houses, gas pipelines, outbuildings, and a private car.

This morning, around 08:00 on 15 August, Russian artillery hit central Kherson, injuring a 52-year-old man. Another update said a 40-year-old Kherson resident was injured in the same shelling, suffering blast injuries and a concussion. Also around 08:00, a drone struck a home in Kherson, injuring a 45-year-old woman with a concussion and head injuries.

Additional information emerged about earlier shelling in Shliakhove, Beryslav community, which killed two men aged 86 and 56 several days before. Later still, three medical workers — two women aged 47 and a 28-year-old man — sought treatment for blast injuries and concussions sustained in a previous day’s Russian shelling of Kherson.

Alaska’s Anchorage is preparing for the 15 August meeting between US President Donald Trump and Russian leader Vladimir Putin, as local protesters warn it could lead to a deal undermining Ukraine. The meeting is scheduled for 11:00 a.m. Alaska time (22:00 Kyiv time) at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, a Cold War–era military installation once used to counter the Soviet Union.

Trump and Putin’s first meeting since White House return

This will be the first face-to-face meeting between Trump and Putin since Trump returned to the presidency this January. According to the White House, Trump will leave Washington at 06:45 Eastern time (13:45 Kyiv time) and return early on 16 August, Reuters reports. The Kremlin initially claimed the meeting would begin at 11:30 a.m. local time (22:30 Kyiv time).

Trump previously told reporters on 14 August that he would know “in the first few minutes” whether the meeting was worth continuing, adding it would “end very quickly” otherwise. He said his aim was to “set the table” for another meeting that would also involve Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

Speaking to Fox News Radio, Trump said there was a “25% chance” the Alaska talks would fail, according to BBC. He also said “give and take” on boundaries between Russia and Ukraine might be necessary, prompting concern in Kyiv and among allies.

Putin’s praise and demands

AP says Putin praised what he described as Trump’s “sincere efforts” to end Russia’s war in Ukraine. The Russian leader suggested long-term peace could include a nuclear arms control agreement with the US.

Russia demands for a full ceasefire include complete control of Donetsk and Luhansk oblasts, full occupation of Kherson and Zaporizhzhia, NATO membership ruled out for Kyiv, and limits on Ukraine’s armed forces.

Ukraine rejects these conditions as surrender. A Kremlin source told Reuters some terms could be agreed due to sanctions pressure, but both sides would allegedly face “uncomfortable compromises.”

European and Ukrainian concerns

BBC notes that Zelenskyy and European leaders fear Trump could make concessions without Ukraine’s participation. UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer met Zelenskyy in London on 14 August and warned that “international borders cannot be, and must not be changed by force.” Macron said Trump had clarified NATO would not be part of any future security guarantees, but the US and other parties should be involved.

The New York Times reports that five principles agreed in a call between Trump and European leaders include keeping Ukraine “at the table” for follow-up talks, avoiding land swaps before a ceasefire, securing postwar guarantees, and increasing pressure on Russia if negotiations fail.

Explore further

The peace that kills: How the Alaska summit could end Ukraine without ending the war

Protests in Anchorage ahead of summit

Anchorage Daily News reports that on 14 August, several hundred demonstrators lined busy intersections in Anchorage, waving Ukrainian flags and holding signs critical of both Trump and Putin. One sign read “Putin won’t stop at Ukraine,” while another declared “Zelenskyy should be here,” reflecting demands that Ukraine be included in the talks.

Protesters told ADN they feared the summit would exclude Kyiv from decisions affecting its future. Organizers plan additional demonstrations during the summit, while the Alaska GOP will hold a rally in support of Trump at the same location.

“I’m here protesting to show support for Ukraine and the war effort, but also to protest a war criminal being on US soil, specifically Alaska soil, and also protesting authoritarianism and fascism in general, which Putin and Trump both embody,” one protester told Euromaidan Press.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Euromaidan Press (@euromaidanpress)

BBC reported that Ukrainian MP Oleksandr Merezhko said he has “no high expectations” for the Alaska meeting, calling it “already a diplomatic win” for Putin. He warned that “the fate of Ukraine should be decided by Ukrainians” with the direct participation of President Zelenskyy, and said the lack of transparency around the summit creates “lots of risks” for Ukraine’s security and future.

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.

Explore further

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.

Explore further

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.

Explore further

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.

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

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

We’re one final push away from making this platform a reality.

Join us in building this platform on Patreon

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.

Explore further

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

Explore further

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.

Explore further

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.”

Explore further

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.