Vice Admiral Jan Christian Kaack, Inspector of the German Navy, has warned of “increased aggressiveness” from Russian units and their potential consequences, according to Spiegel as reported by Evropeyska Pravda.

“There are drone overflights, we have infiltration attempts, sabotage attempts,” Kaack said, Deutschlandfunk reported on 30 August. He added that Bundeswehr soldiers are being specifically contacted outside of duty hours, alongside threats to maritime infrastructure.

The warning comes after The New York Times reported that Russia or Russian supporters are using reconnaissance drones to monitor routes in eastern Germany used by the US and allies to transport military cargo to Ukraine, citing sources from US agencies and other Western states.

Kaack emphasized the risk of unintended escalation. “All this also carries the danger that there could be an escalation by accident,” he said. The navy has significantly strengthened its security measures in response, with precise rules of engagement designed to prevent such scenarios.

“We are working to better protect these bases in the air, underwater and above water, including with our own drone systems,” the inspector stated. Reports about increased flights of Russian spy drones serve as “a small wake-up call that we need to do more,” according to Kaack.

“The services assume that by 2029 at the latest, a potential adversary would be ready to cause trouble,” the Vice Admiral said, referring to intelligence findings. “And we want to prevent that by being defense-ready and capable of deterrence.” This applies to the Baltic Sea region as well.

In recent months, underwater cables have been repeatedly damaged by ships dragging anchors across the seabed. Ships from Russia’s so-called shadow fleet are primarily blamed for such incidents, though Chinese vessels have also faced accusations.

The German military has documented escalating drone activity throughout 2024. In February, German forces detected suspicious drones over a base where Ukrainian soldiers were training and investigated possible espionage. In May, unofficial reports indicated unknown drones circled near a German police patrol vessel in the North Sea that was monitoring a Russian cargo ship.

By early July, German government agencies finally began acquiring countermeasures against unknown drones occasionally spotted near sensitive facilities. In early August, reports indicated that 536 drones were detected over important facilities in Germany between January and March of this year.

Kaack praised the planned military service model approved by the cabinet on Wednesday. He expressed confidence that the planned voluntary military service solution would massively help the navy address its recruitment problems. “The new military service will be the game-changer,” Kaack said.

The inspector acknowledged being “always a friend of military conscription” but noted that the time since conscription was suspended in 2011 cannot be undone. The Bundeswehr will need time to restore capabilities abandoned at that time. The goal is to develop into a training navy that massively and regularly inspires large numbers of young people to commit for longer periods. “And that also takes time,” he said.

The German Navy is also investing in new equipment for enhanced security. The first Boeing Poseidon P-8 reconnaissance aircraft is scheduled for delivery in September, Kaack announced. Eight aircraft of this type have been ordered so far, with four additional orders under discussion. The navy will also soon have an underwater drone at its disposal.

However, Kaack warned that complete protection would never be possible.

Former Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada (Ukrainian Parliament) Andriy Parubiy was shot and killed in Lviv on 30 August, according to confirmation from Lviv Oblast Governor Maksym Kozytskyi.

The victim died at the scene from his injuries, police confirmed. The National Police reported that the shooting occurred around noon in the Sykhiv district of the city at 12 pm.

“Sincere condolences to the family of the deceased,” Kozytskyi wrote.

The assailant who shot at Parubiy was dressed as a delivery service courier, Suspilne sources report.

The manhunt for the shooter continues across the Lviv Oblast, with all security services mobilized for the search operation.

President Zelenskyy confirmed Parubiy’s death, with Interior Minister Klymenko and Prosecutor General Kravchenko briefing on the initial circumstances of the killing.

The incident marks another high-profile killing in Lviv, following the July 2024 assassination of former MP Iryna Farion in the same city.

The 54-year-old politician served as Speaker of Ukraine’s parliament from April 2016 to August 2019 and played a key role during the 2014 Ukrainian revolution as Secretary of the National Security and Defence Council. 

Parubiy gained prominence during the 2013-2014 Euromaidan protests as commandant of the tent camp and head of self-defense detachments. During the February 2014 revolution, after the ousting of pro-Russian President Viktor Yanukovych, Parubiy led forces that took control of the government quarter in Kyiv, including the Verkhovna Rada, Presidential Administration, Cabinet of Ministers, and Interior Ministry buildings.

Poland’s border guard has expelled 15 Ukrainian nationals from the country, citing repeated criminal convictions and threats to public order, according to RMF 24 and official statements from Polish authorities.

The expelled citizens had been repeatedly convicted of theft, robbery, and driving under the influence, reports the border guard service. 

“The persons covered by the procedure were repeatedly punished for crimes and misdemeanors. These include possession of narcotic and psychotropic substances, theft, robbery, forgery, driving vehicles while intoxicated, as well as organizing illegal crossing of the Polish border,” the border guard reported in an official communication.

One individual was already listed in the registry of persons whose stay in Poland is considered undesirable, according to the border service announcement. The authorities placed all expelled individuals on this registry and imposed re-entry bans ranging from five to ten years.

The Ministry of Interior Affairs defended the deportations through spokesperson Karolina Gałecka, who emphasized Poland’s stance on law enforcement regardless of nationality.

“Poland is a country friendly and open to foreigners. However, there is no and will never be consent to breaking the law by them, regardless of the country of origin. The Ministry of Interior Affairs services will firmly respond in cases of violations of our legal order,” Gałecka said.

The deportations represent part of a broader enforcement pattern. Since the beginning of 2025, 1,100 foreigners have been forcibly expelled from Poland, the ministry reported.

The border guard cited national security concerns as the primary justification for the expulsions, pointing to the individuals’ criminal histories spanning drug possession, property crimes, document fraud, and human trafficking activities related to border crossings.

As of February, the Office for Foreigners reported nearly 1 million Ukrainian citizens, predominantly women and children, using temporary protection in Poland. A total of 1.55 million Ukrainians held valid residence permits.

Ukrainians represent the largest foreign population in Poland, comprising 78% of all foreigners who have settled in the country, according to official data.

The State Department has approved a potential $179.1 million Foreign Military Sale to Ukraine for Patriot Air Defense System sustainment equipment and services, according to an announcement from the Defense Security Cooperation Agency on 29 August.

The package includes classified and unclassified spare parts, maintenance support, software updates, system modifications, test equipment, and communication accessories. Additional components cover integration services, repair capabilities, technical assistance, training programs, and engineering support.

“This proposed sale will support the foreign policy and national security objectives of the United States by improving the security of a partner country that is a force for political stability and economic progress in Europe,” the State Department stated in its transmittal notice.

The deal aims to enhance Ukraine’s air defense capabilities through sustained operational readiness of existing Patriot systems. RTX Corporation of Arlington, Virginia, and Lockheed Martin of Bethesda, Maryland, will serve as principal contractors for the program.

Implementation requires approximately five US Government representatives and fifteen contractor personnel to travel to US European Command for training and coordination meetings. The State Department emphasized that “there will be no adverse impact on US defense readiness as a result of this proposed sale.”

In a separate approval, the State Department authorized a $150 million sale of Starlink satellite communication services and related equipment to Ukraine, according to the Defense Security Cooperation Agency announcement.

The Patriot sustainment package represents ongoing US efforts to maintain Ukraine’s defensive systems rather than expanding its arsenal.

Actual costs may be lower than the estimated $179.1 million depending on final requirements and budget authority. The State Department indicated that “Ukraine will have no difficulty absorbing these articles and services into its armed forces.”

The announcement specified that no offset agreements are currently proposed, though any such arrangements would be negotiated between Ukraine and the contractors. Congress received the required certification notice as part of the standard Foreign Military Sale process.

Poland’s Ministry of Internal Affairs confirmed on 29 August that work is underway on new legislation to regulate the legal status of Ukrainian citizens following President Karol Nawrocki’s veto of an amendment that would have extended temporary protection.

Deputy Minister of Internal Affairs Maciej Duszczyk met with Ukrainian Ambassador Vasyl Bodnar on 29 August at the Ukrainian side’s initiative, according to ministry spokesperson Karolina Gałecka.

“The minister informed the Ambassador that the Polish side is working on a bill to regulate the legal situation of Ukrainian citizens. He also presented the Ukrainian side with a schedule of work on the bill,” Gałecka told PAP.

The meeting followed Ambassador Bodnar’s Facebook post stating that “the rights of Ukrainians to stay, work, education, social assistance and medical care in Poland will be guaranteed also after 1 October 2025.”

Bodnar emphasized that Polish officials assured him “the rights of Ukrainian citizens to stay, work, education, social assistance and medical care will be guaranteed also after 1 October 2025,” though some practical issues would require clarification.

The ambassador said that legal uncertainty surrounding Ukrainian lives in Poland had generated significant response in both countries. He added that “Ukrainian citizens who legally reside in Poland will still remain within the legal framework of this state and the entire EU. Even in the case of no new law, transitional solutions will be adopted that will allow avoiding a legal vacuum.”

However, the Polish ministry spokesperson cautioned that “what the legal situation of Ukrainian citizens will look like after 1 October, we will know after the decision of President Karol Nawrocki,” according to PAP.

Presidential veto triggers legislative scramble

President Nawrocki vetoed the amendment to Ukraine assistance law on 25 August. The blocked amendment would have extended temporary protection for Ukrainian refugees until 4 March 2026.

Prime Minister Donald Tusk warned that blocking the legislation could have destructive consequences for Polish companies, reports PAP.

The stakes are considerable for Poland’s economy. According to TVN24, Ukrainian citizens living in Poland contributed approximately 18.7 billion zloty to the Polish budget in 2024 through taxes and insurance contributions. Their presence also boosted Poland’s GDP by over 2% – nearly 99 billion zloty.

Despite the economic impact, polling conducted for Onet portal showed majority Polish support for Nawrocki’s veto decision.

Ukrainian presence in Poland by numbers

As of February, the Office for Foreigners reported nearly 1 million Ukrainian citizens, predominantly women and children, using temporary protection in Poland. A total of 1.55 million Ukrainians held valid residence permits.

Ukrainians represent the largest foreign population in Poland, comprising 78% of all foreigners who have settled in the country, according to official data.

Estonia handed over to the United States an Estonian citizen accused of illegally supplying strategic goods to Russian defense enterprises and government agencies, according to ERR.

Estonian police and border service transferred Estonian citizen Andrey Shevlyakov to the US on 28 August 2025, who faces charges of illegally transporting strategic goods from the US to Russia using complex supply chains and networks of shell companies.

The US has charged Shevlyakov with 18 counts related to acquiring and supplying US electronics to Russia in violation of sanctions. The charges stem from his alleged role in helping Russian government and military entities procure American-made electronics through deceptive practices.

Shevlyakov was added to the Entity List in 2012, after the US government identified him as a procurement agent charged with pursuing US technology for Russian government and military end users. The designation prohibited him from exporting any goods from the US without proper licensing.

According to the report, Shevlyakov was detained in March 2023 in a joint operation by the FBI and Estonia’s Constitutional Protection Service. He remained under electronic surveillance from May 2024 until his extradition. Legal proceedings against Shevlyakov are ongoing in the United States.

Authorities allege Shevlyakov used false names and a web of front companies to evade Entity List restrictions, misleading suppliers and circumventing federal Department of Commerce restrictions and US export controls. The scheme allegedly involved travel between Russia, Estonia and Finland to make deliveries.

When apprehended in Estonia, authorities found inbound shipments that included about 130 kilograms of radio equipment, demonstrating the scale of the alleged operation.

The extradition represents part of Estonia’s broader security efforts. In late May, Estonia expelled and transferred to Ukrainian authorities a Ukrainian citizen who maintained contacts with the Russian FSB. In July, Estonian internal security services expelled a Russian citizen who potentially posed a security threat to the country.

Ukrainian defense forces struck two Russian oil refineries overnight on 30 August using unmanned aerial vehicles, targeting facilities in Krasnodar Krai and Samara Oblast, according to the General Staff of Ukraine.

The strikes hit the Krasnodar refinery in Krasnodar Krai and the Sizran refinery in Samara Oblast. Ukrainian forces conducted the operations “within the framework of reducing the Russian offensive potential and complicating fuel supplies to occupying forces’ military units,” the General Staff reported.

The Krasnodar refinery produces 3 million tons of light petroleum products annually, including gasoline, diesel, and aviation fuel, and “participates in supplying the Russian Armed Forces,” according to the General Staff. The facility sustained damage to one technological installation and a fire covering approximately 300 square meters, regional emergency services reported.

According to the regional operational headquarters, due to falling drone debris on the territory of the Krasnodar refinery, one of the technological installations was damaged, a fire occurred over an area of about 300 square meters.

The Sizran refinery was struck for the second time, military officials said. The facility produces gasoline, diesel fuel, aviation kerosene, fuel oil, and bitumen, with processing volumes reaching 8.5 million tons annually as of August 2025, the General Staff reported.

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz warns that Russia’s war against Ukraine could continue for “many months” as Vladimir Putin refuses to engage in negotiations, Guardian reported on 29 August.

Merz made these comments during a meeting with French President Emmanuel Macron, questioning Putin’s commitment to peace talks. The German chancellor said that initial discussions centered on organizing a bilateral summit between Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy within two weeks, but the Russian leader “clearly unwilling” to proceed with this timeline.

“Frankly, this doesn’t surprise me, because it’s part of the Russian president’s strategy to proceed in the same way,” Merz said.

The chancellor emphasized the need for coordinated action within what he termed the “Coalition of the Willing” to increase pressure on Russia and force Moscow to return to the negotiating table.

Merz’s assessment builds on his recent statements regarding Russian tactics. On 26 August, he suggested that Moscow was deliberately stalling by linking any potential Putin-Zelenskyy meeting to specific conditions. The following day, the German chancellor argued that Ukrainian capitulation would only provide Putin time to prepare for future conflicts.

The comments reflect growing European concern about the prolonged nature of the war and questions about Russian willingness to engage in meaningful diplomatic efforts.

Denmark will invest approximately 1.4 billion euros ($1.6 bn) in Ukrainian defense companies this year under the so-called “Danish model,” European Pravda reported on 29 August.

Defense Minister Troels Lund Poulsen announced this figure while advocating for expanded implementation of the financing mechanism.

The Danish model involves allied nations funding weapons production needed by Ukraine through Ukrainian enterprises rather than purchasing from their own defense contractors. According to Poulsen, Denmark allocated 600 million euros ($702 mn) in such contracts last year.

“Ukrainian defense industry works very quickly compared to European companies. They can do this in months, not years. And secondly, it is financially efficient,” Poulsen said.

The minister expressed optimism about broader international adoption of this support format. “Today we heard a lot of words of support for doing more through the ‘Danish model,’ so I’m pleased to see that,” he added.

Poulsen emphasized Ukraine’s continued need for increased military assistance, describing it as an urgent requirement. 

The Danish approach represents a shift from traditional military aid models. Instead of donating existing weapons or purchasing equipment from Western manufacturers, participating countries finance production contracts directly with Ukrainian defense firms.

Former Defense Minister Rustem Umerov indicated in June that assistance to Ukraine under the Danish model would reach 1.3 billion euros ($1.5 bn) in 2025. Ukraine regularly calls on partners to increase investments in its defense industrial complex.

The model allows Ukraine to scale up domestic production capabilities while providing allies with a potentially more cost-effective means of supporting Ukrainian defense needs. Danish officials cite the speed of Ukrainian manufacturers as a significant advantage over European alternatives.

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz and French President Emmanuel Macron announced plans for secondary sanctions targeting companies from third countries that support Russia’s war effort, as European leaders grow impatient with the stalled peace negotiations.

The initiative emerged from a meeting of German and French cabinet members on 29 August, according to Bloomberg. Both leaders called for measures to undermine Russia’s ability to finance its military operations through oil sales.

“We will continue to exert pressure for additional sanctions to be imposed by ourselves — and we are prepared to do so — but also by the US, to force Russia to return to the negotiating table,” Macron said at a joint press conference with Merz at Fort du Cap Brun near Toulon.

The timing reflects mounting frustration with President Donald Trump’s approach to ending the war. Trump’s latest two-week deadline for progress is close to expiring with little visible advancement toward a peace deal. Instead, the Kremlin launched one of its heaviest drone and missile assaults of the year this week, hitting apartment buildings and killing at least four children.

Merz specifically referenced potential US tariffs as a model for action. “In America, right now they’re discussing further tariffs,” he said. “I would welcome it very much if the American government could make a decision on enforcing those on other nations whose purchases of oil and gas finance a large part of Russia’s war economy.”

The Franco-German statement outlined plans to “further extend and develop effective and robust sanctions” through cooperation within the European Union and with Group of Seven partners. The stated goal is to “exert maximum pressure on Russia.”

The EU has already begun preparing secondary sanctions aimed at Russia’s energy sector. These measures target third countries that help the Kremlin circumvent existing penalties, with additional steps planned for Russia’s oil, gas, and financial sectors.

“We are working on the next package, there are several options on the table,” EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas said. “Of course, what will hurt them the most is any sanctions on energy and secondary sanctions.”

The EU adopted an anti-circumvention tool in 2023 that prohibits exports, supply, or transfers of certain goods to third countries considered to aid sanctions evasion. However, the bloc has not yet deployed this instrument.

The EU has avoided secondary sanctions, particularly given recent criticism from the Trump administration about such policies. The current push suggests European leaders believe they have reached the limits of direct sanctions against Russia.

Merz has become increasingly vocal about the lack of diplomatic progress. The German leader said on 28 Augusthe no longer expects a meeting between Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, despite Trump’s previous suggestions that such talks were possible.

Beyond sanctions, France and Germany agreed to provide Ukraine with “credible security guarantees” that would allow the country to maintain a military “without any limitations” to deter Russia. They also committed to closer defense cooperation and standardizing military equipment between their nations.

The two countries plan to discuss including France’s nuclear weapons in Europe’s overall security architecture, though they postponed a final decision on the troubled FCAS fighter-jet project until year-end.

Kallas indicated broad support among EU defense ministers for expanding the mandate of EU training missions after a ceasefire, allowing training to occur inside Ukraine rather than just outside its borders.

Zelenskyy said he and European leaders will “connect” with Trump next week to discuss security guarantees during meetings where he seeks legally binding commitments from allies as part of peace negotiations.

Macron and Merz plan separate calls with Trump over the weekend, according to Bloomberg.

President Donald Trump moved to cancel nearly $5 billion in congressionally approved foreign aid and peacekeeping spending using a rare “pocket rescission” mechanism not employed for 48 years, The New York Post reported on 29 August.

On 28 August, Trump said Congress of his request to cancel the funds, which had been frozen in a court case until earlier that day. The DC Circuit Court of Appeals lifted an injunction, clearing the path for the first attempted pocket rescission since 1977.

A pocket rescission allows the president to present a cancellation request to Congress so late in the fiscal year that it takes effect regardless of congressional approval. The current fiscal year ends on 30 September.

The cancellation targets $3.2 billion in United States Agency for International Development (USAID) assistance, $322 million from the USAID-State Department Democracy Fund, $521 million in State Department contributions to international organizations, $393 million for peacekeeping activities, and $445 million in separately budgeted peacekeeping aid.

The spending had been designated for nonprofits and foreign governments but was paused earlier this year by the White House Office of Management and Budget, then stuck in legal proceedings following a lawsuit by the Global Health Council.

The Trump administration highlighted what it considers wasteful spending items. These include millions for “climate resilience” in Honduras, for South Africa’s Democracy Works Foundation, and for promotion democracy among LGBT people in the Western Balkans.

The cuts also eliminate $1.5 million designated to market paintings by Ukrainian women.

Ukraine has initiated an emergency session of the UN Security Council following Russia’s massive attack on Kyiv and other cities, according to Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiha.

The meeting is scheduled for 29 August at 10:00 pm Kyiv time. Ukraine requested the session with support from its partners as a response to the wave of Russian missile and drone strikes that resulted in dozens of civilian casualties, including children.

“The meeting is a response to another massive wave of Russian missile and drone attacks on Kyiv and other cities of Ukraine. These strikes resulted in dozens of casualties among the civilian population, including children,” Sybiha said.

The Foreign Minister called on Security Council members to use the session to express support for Ukraine against Russian terror and increase pressure on the Russian aggressor.

“Only pressure, including new harsh sanctions, can force Moscow to stop imitating diplomacy and join real efforts aimed at ending the war,” according to Sybiha.

The emergency session follows a massive combined strike by Russian occupiers on the capital during the night of 28 August, which killed 23 people, including 4 children, reports the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Rescue workers in Kyiv concluded operations at the site of a Russian missile strike on a residential building in the Darnytskyi district after more than 30 hours of work, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Interior Minister Ihor Klymenko said on 29 August.

Emergency services dismantled the main structural debris of the destroyed building to ensure no people remained trapped under the rubble. Some bodies have not yet been identified, and 8 people remain out of contact with their relatives, according to officials.

The Russian attack killed 23 people, with 22 deaths resulting from the direct hit on the Darnytskyi district building, authorities confirmed. Four children were among the victims, including a two-year-old girl who was the youngest casualty.

Emergency workers rescued 17 people from the debris, including 4 children. A total of 53 people were injured across the capital during the strike.

Emergency restoration work continues to allow residents of undamaged apartments to retrieve their belongings as quickly as possible, officials said.

The attack occurred during the night of 28 August, when Russian forces launched nearly 600 drones and 31 missiles at Ukraine, including Kinzhal and Iskander missiles. Kyiv recorded two direct missile hits on residential buildings.

The Kyiv City Military Administration described the consequences as record-breaking, with damage recorded in all city districts across 33 locations. The Darnytskyi and Dniprovskyi districts suffered the most damage, with one strike completely destroying an entrance to a five-story building.

The attack damaged offices of Ukrainska Pravda, Radio Liberty, the European Investment Bank, the EU mission, and the British Council.

White House spokesperson Caroline Levitt said President Donald Trump was “not satisfied, but not surprised” by Russia’s attack on Kyiv.

Ukraine’s Ministry of Culture and Strategic Communications and Ministry of Foreign Affairs have condemned the presence of the Russian flag at the Venice Film Festival and called for its removal, according to a statement from the Ministry of Culture and Strategic Communications.

The ministries reported that while the Russian flag remains displayed at the festival, Russian forces continue committing war crimes. On 28 August, Russia attacked Kyiv, killing 23 people including 4 children.

“While Russia has the freedom to choose how to continue killing civilians in Ukraine, providing it with an international cultural stage is not freedom of art, but hypocrisy, indifference and support for even more terror,” the ministries said in their statement.

The Ukrainian ministries called on the Venice Film Festival to eliminate Russia’s presence and the Russian flag from the event.

The Venice International Film Festival, founded in 1932 as part of the Venice Biennale on the initiative of Italian political figure and fascist dictator Benito Mussolini, is the world’s oldest film festival. The 81st Venice Film Festival featured the world premiere of the documentary “Songs of a Land That Burns Slowly” by Ukrainian director Olga Zhurba.

The 82nd Venice Film Festival runs from 27 August to 9 September. Film critic Sonya Vselyubska from UP.Culture has been accredited for the event and will provide coverage.

The statement emphasized that the festival opened with what it described as “the first tragicomedy of its own authorship.” The ministries noted that under the Russian flag, Russian military forces are currently committing war crimes.

The Ukrainian officials stated that even on the same day, Russia carried out attacks on Kyiv and other Ukrainian cities, killing at least 21 people, including 4 children. The statement criticized festival organizers for choosing to ignore these actions and further damaging the festival’s reputation.

“The only thing the Venice Film Festival should do now is get rid of Russia’s presence and the Russian flag,” said in the statement, using the hashtag #NoStageForRussia while Russia conducts war against Ukraine.

A forest fire reportedly sparked by drone debris has spread to 41.5 hectares near the village of Krynitsa in Russia’s Krasnodar Oblast, with one fire center burning less than one kilometer from a winery linked to Vladimir Putin.

Local authorities reported the blaze on the morning of 28 August after Ukrainian drone fragments fell in the area, according to Gelendzhik mayor and the regional emergency ministry. The fire has expanded from its initial size overnight, reaching 41.5 hectares by 29 August morning.

“More than 330 people are fighting the fire, about 80 units of equipment are working, as well as a helicopter and aircraft of the Russian Ministry of Emergency Situations,” Krasnodar Oblast governor Veniamin Kondratiev said.

The village of Krynitsa sits just 10 kilometers from Putin’s palace on Cape Idokopas, Agency reported. Russian media Important Stories reported that the fire center may be 3-4 kilometers from the presidential residence.

The Insider said that another fire source burns less than one kilometer from Putin’s “Krynitsa” winery. NASA FIRMS mapping data shows this blaze located just 850 meters from the winery facility.

The winery gained attention in a 2021 investigation by the Anti-Corruption Foundation (FBK), where it appeared under the name “Old Provence.” The film detailed luxury purchases for the facility, including “gilded Italian toilet brushes,” according to the FBK documentary about Putin’s palace.

The drone attack occurred as part of broader Ukrainian strikes on 28 August. Russian authorities reported drone attacks across multiple oblasts, with local residents documenting fires at two oil refineries and a railway junction.

The Gelendzhik area has strategic significance due to its proximity to Putin’s reported Black Sea residence, which has been the subject of extensive investigative reporting and opposition scrutiny.

The Trump administration has approved an $825 million sale of 3,350 Extended Range Attack Munition (ERAM) missiles to Ukraine, marking the first major new weapons sale to Kyiv under the current administration, CNN reported on 28 August.

ERAM may provide Ukraine a new, affordable, and precise standoff strike capability with a range up to around 400 km, helping Ukraine engage targets deeper behind the front lines while reducing the risk to its aircraft. Details regarding potential restrictions on the missiles’ use remain unclear.

According to the report, the missiles could be delivered later this year if the sale proceeds as expected. The ERAM missiles have a range of 150-280 miles and will be accompanied by 3,350 GPS/INS navigation systems.

The State Department announced the proposed sale on 28 August, following meetings between President Donald Trump and both Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy earlier this month. The announcement came after a night of deadly Russian strikes on the Ukrainian capital.

“Ukraine will use funding from Denmark, the Netherlands, and Norway and Foreign Military Financing from the United States for this purchase,” the State Department notice reported. The department emphasized that “the ERAM is an example of working together with our NATO allies to develop a capable and scalable system capable of being delivered on a fast timeline.”

While the Trump administration has previously approved sales of equipment to maintain existing weapons systems, this represents the first major arms sale of new weapons to Ukraine announced by the administration, according to CNN.

The State Department justified the sale by noting it “will support the foreign policy and national security objectives of the United States by improving the security of a partner country that is a force for political stability and economic progress in Europe.”

The timing of the announcement coincides with ongoing diplomatic efforts to end the conflict that have yet to produce results.

According to European media reports cited by CNN, the missiles could arrive in Ukraine within six weeks of the sale’s completion.

Nearly half of Americans think the United States is not doing enough to support Ukraine, according to a new Gallup poll.

The consulting firm found that 46% of respondents believe US assistance falls short, while 25% said America is doing too much and 27% consider current support adequate.

The survey revealed that Democratic voters believe the US should increase its support for Ukraine, while Republican voters are split between considering current aid sufficient or excessive.

Since Donald Trump’s administration took office, the polling data shows significant shifts in public opinion across party lines. Among Democrats, the percentage who view aid as insufficient jumped from 48% in December to 77%. Independent voters also showed increased concern, with those calling aid inadequate rising from 32% to 44%.

Republican attitudes moved in the opposite direction. The share of Republicans who consider aid excessive dropped from 67% to 40%, while those rating current support as sufficient increased from 20% to 42%.

Some 52% believe Washington should support Ukraine in returning occupied territories, even if this prolongs the war, the poll found. Meanwhile, 45% favor a quick end to the war, even if Ukraine would have to give up some territory.

The Gallup survey was conducted from 1-15 August, before the US-Russia leadership summit in Alaska. The polling firm did not specify the number of respondents or methodology used.

Recent diplomatic developments have intensified focus on Ukraine policy. On 25 August, reports emerged of an upcoming meeting between American and Ukrainian teams to prepare for possible negotiations between President Zelenskyy and the Russian leader.

The Financial Times reported on 26 August that the US is prepared to provide Ukraine with intelligence resources and aviation battlefield control as part of security guarantees after fighting ends.

Bloomberg reported on 27 August that Ukrainian officials Yermak and Umerov are heading to the United States to discuss security guarantees with Witkoff.

Estonian Defense Forces announced on 28 August the death of Estonian volunteer Olev Roost, who was killed while fighting in Ukraine’s war against Russia.

“With deep sadness, we announce that Estonian volunteer Olev Roost has died fighting for Ukraine’s freedom,” Estonia’s Special Operations Forces said in a statement.

Roost joined Estonia’s Special Operations Forces in 2017 after passing selection and participated in an overseas operation in Mali in 2020. He remained with the unit until 2023, when he voluntarily left service and traveled to Ukraine as a volunteer fighter.

According to the Estonian forces, Roost served with Ukraine’s 3rd Separate Special Purpose Regiment. “He went abroad to protect peace in his homeland, risking his life and giving everything so that war would not reach us. We highly honor his memory and will never forget his contribution,” the statement said.

ERR reports that at least six Estonian volunteers have been killed fighting for Ukraine since Russia’s full-scale invasion began in February 2022.

The announcement follows recent reports of other foreign volunteer casualties. Italian volunteer Luca Ciecca, who fought alongside Ukrainian Defense Forces against Russia, was killed in recent fighting. In July, reports emerged of a Hungarian volunteer’s death and the wounding of two Romanian volunteers.

Estonia has been among Ukraine’s strongest supporters, providing military aid and hosting Ukrainian refugees since the war began.

Russian forces deployed rocket-propelled Shahed drones during the overnight attack on Kyiv on 28 August, according to Yurii Ihnat, head of the Communications Department of the Ukrainian Air Force Command.

These modified drones exhibit flight parameters resembling cruise missiles, Ihnat told Hromadske.

The Ukrainian Air Force first documented these jet-powered strike drones during summer operations. Ihnat explained that while cruise missiles typically reach speeds of 700 km/h, the rocket-propelled Shaheds operate at 300-500 km/h.

“They are difficult to shoot down,” the military official added.

Russia has not yet deployed these modified drones en masse, according to Ihnat.

“Previous times we recorded eight units. This time there were also some, but not many,” Ihnat said, declining to specify the exact number of rocket-powered drones launched against Kyiv during the 28 August attack.

During the latest attack on Kyiv, Russian forces employed various weapons and different drone types. Beyond conventional and rocket-propelled Shaheds, Russia deployed decoy drones, which they have also begun equipping with explosive warheads.

Russian forces launched 31 missiles and 598 drones against Ukraine during the overnight attack on 28 August. Current casualty reports indicate 18 dead and nearly 40 injured from the nighttime bombardment, including children.

The Russian strikes damaged the European Union representation building in Ukraine and the British Council office in Kyiv. Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha declared the diplomatic facility attacks constitute direct violations of the Vienna Convention, emphasizing such strikes require condemnation from the EU and the international community.

Additional damage occurred to the offices of Ukrainska Pravda and Radio Svoboda media outlets, a Nova Poshta sorting depot where three people were injured, Ukrzaliznytsia’s high-speed train park, and other facilities. The Ukrainian Air Force reported that Russian forces targeted a residential building in Kyiv with two missiles, destroying the structure.

Russian forces struck the Turkish Bayraktar drone manufacturing facility in Kyiv during the night of 28 August, marking the fourth attack on the plant in six months, according to Igor Zinkevich, co-founder of the NGO Varta-1 and Lviv City Council deputy.

“Two hits were recorded, and the production facilities were seriously damaged,” Zinkevich said. Baykar Makina company confirmed the information to Ukrainian media outlet Oborontsi.

The extent of the damage remains unknown, but the strike has dealt a significant blow to production capabilities that were nearing completion.

“Despite previous attacks, the company continued investing tens of millions of its own funds, training personnel and preparing production. Most capacities were almost ready, the main personnel had completed training,” Zinkevich said.

The Turkish manufacturer of Bayraktar TB2 UAVs planned to establish the Ukrainian facility in 2022, with construction launched in early 2024 and expected completion by August 2025. The plant had not yet gone live, but most of the production facilities had already been prepared.

The attack occurred during a massive Russian assault on Kyiv Oblast, where Ukrainian forces shot down 70 Russian drones, setting a record for drone interceptor usage.

US Presidential Envoy Keith Kellogg has described Russia’s overnight assault on Kyiv as one of the largest since the invasion began, warning that such strikes undermine peace efforts.

Trump’s envoy said Russia conducted the second-largest bombardment of Kyiv since the full-scale invasion started, deploying over 600 drones and 31 missiles against the Ukrainian capital.

“The targets? Not soldiers and weapons but residential areas in Kyiv—blasting civilian trains, the EU & British mission council offices, and innocent civilians. These egregious attacks threaten the peace that @POTUS is pursuing,” Kellogg wrote.

The 28 August overnight strike saw Russian forces launch 629 air attack weapons across Ukraine, according to Ukrainian officials. Direct hits were recorded at 13 locations, with debris falling at 26 additional sites.

In Kyiv, at least 18 people died in the attack, including four children. The city declared 29 August a day of mourning.

The bombardment targeted civilian infrastructure rather than military installations, hitting residential buildings, transportation networks, and diplomatic facilities. European Union and British mission offices were among the structures damaged in the assault.

Multiple European nations condemned the Russian bombardment, while the European Union and Britain announced they would summon Russian diplomatic representatives for official protests.

The attack represents a significant escalation in Russia’s targeting of civilian areas in the Ukrainian capital, with Kellogg’s assessment marking it as the second-most intensive assault on Kyiv since February 2022.

Kharkiv will launch seven underground schools and convert six metro stations into educational facilities for the new academic year beginning 1 September, according to Mayor Ihor Terekhov during a television marathon broadcast.

Ukraine builds underground schools to protect children from constant Russian attacks and ensure safe in-person education. These schools are mainly in frontline cities like Kharkiv, Zaporizhzhia, and Sumy, with Kharkiv pioneering metro stations converted into classrooms. Ukraine is among the first countries to extensively use metro stations as schools during wartime, creating a unique model of underground education.

Three of the underground schools were constructed during spring and summer 2025, Terekhov said. The city has also retrofitted six metro stations to accommodate students seeking in-person learning alternatives.

“We will hold 1 September celebrations in underground schools. This is important for us because it’s an emotion for our little citizens,” Terekhov said.

The mayor emphasized the necessity of underground education facilities given current security conditions

Approximately 6,000 first-graders will enter Kharkiv schools this academic year, according to the mayor’s announcement. The underground facilities represent the city’s response to demands for safe in-person education.

“We were the first to retrofit six metro stations where children can study today. We are preparing them so that starting 1 September, children will have the opportunity to study in the metro as well,” Terekhov said.

Each underground school accommodates at least 1,000 students across two shifts, according to Olha Demenko, director of Kharkiv City Council’s Education Department, who provided details in earlier statements.

The city council plans to continue constructing underground schools with the goal of establishing multiple facilities in each district, Terekhov said.

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and Russian President Vladimir Putin will travel to China to attend next week’s military parade marking the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II, Beijing announced on 28 August. The visit marks Kim’s first trip to China in more than six years.

Assistant Foreign Minister Hong Lei confirmed that 26 world leaders will join Chinese President Xi Jinping at the September 3 event in Beijing, with Russian President Vladimir Putin and Kim Jong Un among the key attendees.

“On the invitation of Chinese President Xi Jinping, 26 foreign leaders will attend the commemorative activities for the 80th anniversary of the victory in the Chinese people’s war of resistance against Japanese aggression and the end of World War II,” Hong said during a briefing in Beijing.

The parade will feature thousands of soldiers marching through Tiananmen Square alongside displays of the People’s Liberation Army’s latest military hardware. Kim’s attendance represents a significant upgrade from North Korea’s previous participation – the country sent senior official Choe Ryong-hae to China’s last Victory Day parade a decade ago.

The gathering will provide a rare opportunity for Xi and Kim to meet in person for the first time since 2019, when Kim visited Beijing and Xi traveled to Pyongyang. The timing comes as traditionally strong China-North Korea ties have shown signs of strain, with analysts noting Pyongyang’s growing strategic alignment with Moscow.

“China and North Korea are friendly neighbors connected by mountains and rivers,” Hong told reporters. “It is the firm position of the [Communist Party] and government to maintain, consolidate and develop the traditional friendship between China and North Korea.”

Hong added that Beijing was willing to work with Pyongyang to “deepen exchanges and cooperation” and “open a new chapter” in bilateral relations. “The world is fraught with turbulence and instability, and the peace deficit continues to grow,” he said. “Safeguarding world peace remains an uphill battle.”

North Korea has moved closer to Russia in recent years, with a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership Treaty taking effect in December that includes a mutual defense pact. The agreement was signed during Putin’s visit to Pyongyang in June last year. North Korea has also deployed troops to fight alongside Russian forces in Ukraine.

The Beijing parade will mark the first time Kim, Putin and Xi appear together in public, presenting what observers see as a show of solidarity against US pressure. Western countries have expressed concerns about the deepening strategic alignment between the three nations.

Among European leaders, only Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić and Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico will attend. Both previously participated in Russia’s Victory Day parade in Moscow in May, which Xi attended but Kim did not.

Other confirmed attendees include leaders from Indonesia, Malaysia, Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, and presidents from all five Central Asian countries. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi will not attend the parade but will participate in the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation summit in nearby Tianjin on Sunday and Monday – his first China visit in seven years.

“The collective rise of the Global South is fundamentally reshaping the world landscape,” Hong said. “It is no longer a silent majority or a vast expanse of underdevelopment, but now represents an awakened new force and fresh hope for change in this once-in-a-century transformation.”

Ukrainian intelligence estimates that North Korea has sent 20,000 to 30,000 troops to assist Russia, though Western diplomats suggest the actual number may be smaller. Kyiv has repeatedly accused China of supplying Russia with defense components while North Korea has become Moscow’s primary source of artillery shells and ballistic missiles.

Ukraine’s Main Intelligence Directorate (HUR) conducted a strike against a Russian Project 21631 “Buyan-M” small missile ship in the Sea of Azov on 28 July, according to HUR reports.

The operation involved joint action between HUR’s Active Operations Department and the special forces unit “Ghosts” near temporarily occupied Crimea, HUR reported. The targeted vessel serves as a carrier for Kalibr cruise missiles.

“Ghosts” special forces fighters damaged the ship’s radar station using an aerial drone strike, while Active Operations Department specialists attacked the Kalibr carrier’s hull, according to the intelligence directorate.

The Russian missile ship sustained damage and was forced to leave its combat duty area in the Temryuk Bay, where it had been positioned for potential Kalibr launches, HUR reported.

The intelligence directorate said that Defense Forces also struck the Afipsky and Kuibyshevsky oil refineries and attacked several Russian logistics facilities during the night of 28 August.

The US Treasury Department has extended through September 2026 its authorization for importing certain Russian diamonds, according to a statement from the Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC).

The license permits operations involving the import of specific Russian diamonds, provided they are physically located outside Russia. Under the renewed authorization, the United States allows imports of diamonds weighing 1 carat or more if they were not exported from Russia before 1 March 2024, and diamonds weighing 0.5 carats or more if they were not exported from Russia before 1 September 2024.

However, the import of non-industrial diamonds of Russian origin to the United States remains prohibited, OFAC reports.

The authorization comes nearly two years after G7 countries announced in early December 2023 a phased ban on Russian diamond imports. The group indicated that further restrictions would target Russian diamonds processed in third countries.

The European Union implemented its 12th sanctions package in December 2023, imposing a ban on direct or indirect import, purchase, or transportation of diamonds from Russia. The United States announced its own prohibition on importing Russian-origin diamonds in February 2024.

The Treasury’s General License No. 104A, effective 27 August 2025, specifies that authorized transactions must be “ordinarily incident and necessary to the importation and entry into the United States, including importation for admission into a foreign trade zone.” The license explicitly states it “does not authorize any transactions otherwise prohibited by the Russian Harmful Foreign Activities Sanctions Regulations.”

The document notes that compliance with “any other Federal laws or requirements of other Federal agencies” remains mandatory despite the general license authorization.

President Karol Nawrocki’s veto of legislation on aid to Ukrainian citizens has received backing from 59.8% of Polish respondents, according to a SW Research survey conducted for Onet on 26-27 August 2025.

The poll of 814 adults nationwide found that 25.4% opposed the presidential decision, while 14.7% answered “don’t know/hard to say” when asked whether they supported Nawrocki’s veto of the Ukraine assistance law.

Nawrocki announced his veto citing a key concern about the 800+ benefit program. “The 800+ benefit should be granted exclusively to Ukrainians who take up work in Poland,” the president said. He argued that current provisions do not ensure social justice.

The veto affects legislation that would have extended temporary residence rights for up to one million Ukrainian refugees beyond the September 2025 deadline, potentially leaving them without legal employment options.

The veto triggered strong political reactions across party lines. Politicians from Law and Justice and Confederation supported the presidential decision, while representatives from the Left and Civic Coalition sharply criticized it.

Men showed slightly higher support for the veto at 63.4% compared to 56.5% among women, the SW Research data reveals. The strongest backing came from the 25-34 age group, where 73.5% endorsed the decision. Support was lowest among respondents over 50, at 50.1%.

Geographic patterns also emerged in the polling data. Residents of towns with up to 20,000 inhabitants supported the veto most frequently at 67.8%, while those in cities exceeding 500,000 residents showed the lowest support at 55.5%.

Legal status of Ukrainian refugees at stake

The vetoed legislation addressed temporary residence rights for up to one million Ukrainians who arrived after Russia’s full-scale invasion began on 24 February 2022. Current regulations permit their stay until the end of September 2025. After this deadline, they will face difficulties with legal employment, among other issues.

Alongside his veto, Nawrocki submitted his own version of Ukraine assistance legislation to the Sejm, which has been sent for public consultations. The government announced it will present its own version of these provisions.

The Ministry of Internal Affairs and Administration estimates that the presidential veto could cost up to 8 billion zloty. These expenses would result primarily from administrative processing of thousands of residence legalization applications.

The Sejm retains the authority to reject the presidential proposal and pursue alternative legislative approaches to address Ukrainian refugee status and assistance programs.

The European Union delegation building in Ukraine sustained damage during Russian strikes on Kyiv on the night of 28 August, according to Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiha. The British Council office was also hit in the same attack.

EU Ambassador to Ukraine Katarina Mathernova confirmed the damage, writing that the EU representation “was severely damaged by the shock wave” and published corresponding photos.

“Russian ‘peace’ last night: massive strike on Kyiv using drones and ballistic missiles. At least 10 killed, 30 wounded, many buildings destroyed,” Mathernova said.

Belgian Foreign Minister Maxime Prevot confirmed damage to both diplomatic buildings. “Another brutal night in Kyiv. Civilian buildings were damaged again, among them the EU Delegation and the British Council. Russia shows, once more, that it has no genuine will for peace. It chooses terror, destruction, and lies over dialogue,” Prevot wrote.

Sybiha said that attacks on diplomatic facilities constitute a direct violation of the Vienna Convention. “We insist on strong international reactions to Russia’s brutal strike on Kyiv and other cities…Whatever Putin said in Alaska, his real actions reject diplomacy, dialogue, and peace efforts.,” the minister said.

The overnight Russian assault involved 31 missiles and 598 drones targeting Ukraine. The attack on the capital resulted in 13 deaths and 48 injuries, with consequences recorded at more than 20 locations across 7 districts of Kyiv. Children were among the casualties.

Russian forces also targeted critical infrastructure in Vinnytsia Oblast, leaving 60,000 consumers without electricity. Mathernova described this as Moscow’s true response to peace efforts.

Head of the Presidential Office Andriy Yermak and Deputy Foreign Minister Serhii Kyslytsia will join the Ukrainian delegation meeting with US President’s special envoy Steve Witkoff in New York this week, an informed government source told Suspilne.

 National Security and Defense Council Secretary Rustem Umerov reportedly will also participate in the meeting.

According to sources, the meeting’s agenda will continue agreements reached during the Ukrainian delegation’s visit to Washington and negotiations with US President’s special envoy Keith Kellogg in Kyiv. The discussions will separately address negative signals coming from the Russian side regarding a possible leaders’ meeting and the negotiation process overall.

US President’s special envoy Steve Witkoff previously announced he would meet with Ukrainian representatives in New York this week.

“I’m meeting with the Ukrainians this week. So I’ll meet with them this week in New York, and that’s an important signal that we talk to the Russians every day,” Witkoff said on Fox News’ “Special Report” program.

On 25 August, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced a meeting between Ukrainian and American teams at the end of the current week. The meeting will discuss possibilities for future negotiations between Ukraine and Russia.

A majority of Germans now support Ukrainian territorial concessions to Russia in exchange for peace, according to a new poll, as diplomatic efforts continue amid ongoing military tensions.

The Forsa polling institute found that 52% of respondents believe “Ukraine should be ready to cede occupied territories to Russia if necessary to enable a peace agreement,” according to RTL/ntv-Trendbarometer data collected on 18-19 August from 1,002 respondents.

Support for territorial concessions varies significantly by political affiliation, according to the report. Among supporters of the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party, 72% endorsed the idea. Conservative CDU/CSU supporters showed less enthusiasm at 43%, while Social Democrats registered 48% support.

The polling results emerge as diplomatic initiatives intensify. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy identified potential meeting locations for negotiations with Russia, mentioning Türkiye, Gulf states, and several European countries as possible venues for peace talks.

“From our side, everything will be maximally ready to end this war,” Zelenskyy said in his evening video address on 26 August, while emphasizing the need to maintain pressure on Moscow “to rid the Kremlin of delay tactics.”

Meanwhile, tensions between Washington and Moscow continue. US President Donald Trump criticized Russia following the latest attacks on Ukrainian infrastructure, dismissing Moscow’s challenges to Zelenskyy’s legitimacy as posturing.

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz accused Putin of employing “delay strategies” regarding peace efforts. Putin considers it appropriate to attach preconditions to a meeting with Zelenskyy that are “completely unacceptable” from Ukraine’s and its Western partners’ perspective, Merz told reporters in Berlin.

The Kremlin echoed these delays, with spokesman Dmitry Peskov emphasizing that any high-level meetings require “good preparation to be effective.” Russian and Ukrainian delegation heads remain in contact, Peskov said, though he could not provide a timeline for potential talks.

On the battlefield, Russian forces continue advancing in eastern Ukraine. Ukrainian military analysts reported Russian troops entered Dnipropetrowsk Oblast, marking territory in Zaporiske and Novoheorhijiwka as occupied. Ukrainian forces disputed complete Russian control, with the “Dnipro” army grouping stating they “stopped the advance of Russian forces and continue to control the village of Zaporiske.”

The conflict’s humanitarian impact persists, with over 100,000 consumers losing power across three Ukrainian regions following Russian attacks on energy facilities, Zelensky reported on social media platform X.

Ukraine has adjusted some wartime restrictions, lifting the exit ban for men aged 18-22. Prime Minister Julia Svyrydenko announced that “men between 18 and 22 can cross the border unhindered during martial law,” citing educational opportunities abroad and maintaining connections with compatriots overseas.

The polling data reflects shifting German public sentiment as the conflict approaches its third anniversary, with economic and diplomatic pressures mounting on all parties involved in the ongoing war.

Russia has submitted a peace proposal regarding Donetsk Oblast as part of efforts to end its war against Ukraine, according to Steve Witkoff, US President Donald Trump’s Special Envoy for the Middle East.

Speaking in a Fox News interview, Witkoff revealed the existence of the Russian proposal while defending Trump’s diplomatic efforts.

“The Russians have put a peace proposal on the table. It involves Donetsk. It may not be something that the Ukrainians can take,” Witkoff said.

The envoy did not specify the proposal’s details or submission date, but emphasized Trump’s role in advancing negotiations. “No one has done more than this president in narrowing the issues between these two countries and bringing the sides close to a deal,” Witkoff said.

When asked about responsibility for prolonging the war, Witkoff described both parties as challenging. “We’ve got two tough sides here. You heard the President say that he is disappointed in Russia in some respects, and he is also disappointed in the Ukrainians in some respects,” he said.

The disclosure comes after Trump announced reaching an agreement with Russian leader Vladimir Putin on territory exchange following their Alaska talks. Trump said that “President Zelenskyy has to agree” to the arrangement.

According to Bloomberg reports, Putin continues demanding Ukrainian troop withdrawal from Donetsk and Luhansk oblasts entirely, while offering to freeze the front lines in Zaporizhzhia and Kherson oblasts. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has rejected these demands.

Reuters previously outlined Russia’s war-ending conditions that Putin presented to Trump during their Alaska meeting on 17 August. Trump has warned of launching an “economic war” against Russia if it avoids negotiations.

Witkoff announced plans to meet with a Ukrainian delegation in New York this week as diplomatic efforts continue.

Trump reports indicate Putin wants immediate discussions on ending the war rather than merely pausing hostilities, with Trump believing this approach would be optimal.

The US continues supplying weapons to NATO allies currently providing military assistance to Ukraine, according to Trump’s statements.

Western countries are discussing a security guarantee system for Ukraine that could be implemented after a peace agreement is concluded, according to Financial Times sources.

The proposed defense structure consists of three distinct layers. The first line of defense would be a demilitarized zone on the border, possibly controlled by peacekeepers from a third country with agreement from both Kyiv and Moscow, sources told the publication.

Ukrainian forces, armed and trained by NATO, would form the second line of defense and provide the main defensive capability. The third line would consist of European deterrent forces deployed deeper in the country with logistical support from the United States.

Coalition of the Willing takes shape

Within the framework of the so-called Coalition of the Willing, Britain has proposed deploying Typhoon fighter jets in western Ukraine and a brigade of 3,000-5,000 military personnel to train the Ukrainian army, according to media reports. France, Canada and Australia could also send troops to western Ukraine.

Czech President Petr Pavel stated that his country “could be part of peacekeeping forces in Ukraine.” Lithuania has also declared its readiness to provide peacekeeping troops for a possible mission in Ukraine.

Bloomberg previously reported that approximately 10 countries are prepared to send their troops to Ukrainian territory after the war.

US position and skepticism

Washington emphasizes it has no intention of sending its troops to Ukrainian territory but is ready to provide intelligence, surveillance capabilities, and participate in developing Ukraine’s air defense system.

However, part of US President Donald Trump’s administration remains skeptical about possible guarantees, fearing the United States could be drawn into a new conflict.

Russian opposition

Russia opposes the deployment of any Western forces. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said that negotiations on security guarantees without Moscow are “a road to nowhere.”

According to Lavrov, the security guarantees discussed between Russia and Ukraine in Istanbul in 2022 are “a very good example” of what the Kremlin would approve.

The security guarantee discussions for Kyiv have become more active following Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s meeting with US President Donald Trump and European colleagues in Washington.

An explosion occurred on 26 August at the main Ryazan-Moscow oil pipeline in Russia’s Ryazan Oblast, halting fuel supplies to the Russian capital for an indefinite period, Hromadske reported, citing an informed source.

The blast happened near the village of Bozhatkovo, according to the outlet’s source. “After a strong explosion on the oil pipeline, a major fire broke out,” the source told Hromadske. Emergency responders arrived at the explosion site several hours later to address the consequences.

The incident has temporarily suspended oil product transportation to Moscow for an unspecified duration. Transneft company representatives are calculating the damage, the source reported.

The pipeline has served a specific military purpose since 2018, when it was repurposed by Transneft to supply automotive gasoline for the Russian army, according to Hromadske’s source.

The Ryazan-Moscow pipeline represents one of the primary sources of petroleum product supplies to Russia’s capital. The explosion’s timing and location have disrupted this critical supply route at a time when fuel logistics remain essential for Moscow’s operations.

US Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff will meet with a Ukrainian delegation in New York this week, he announced in a Fox News interview.

Witkoff said that the upcoming meeting with the Ukrainian side “is a big signal.” The envoy revealed he communicates daily with the Russian side and expressed hope that a bilateral meeting between Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Russian President Vladimir Putin could take place soon.

Regarding the Kremlin leader, Witkoff said that during his meeting with US President Donald Trump in Alaska, Putin told him he “wants peace.” The envoy expressed hope that Moscow “will stick to that.”

“A peace agreement regarding the settlement of the Russian-Ukrainian war is already on the table,” Witkoff said, according to Fox News.

The announcement comes after Witkoff previously met with Ukraine’s security advisors. President Zelenskyy described that conversation as lengthy and highly detailed.

Russian forces killed an 81-year-old woman and wounded three other civilians during morning attacks on Kherson on 27 August, according to the Kherson Regional Military Administration and Regional Prosecutor’s Office.

Artillery strikes hit the Dniprovskyi district at approximately 5:00 am, the Kherson Regional Military Administration reports. “Russian military forces shelled the Dniprovskyi district of Kherson with artillery. A woman born in 1972 who was at home came under enemy fire,” authorities stated.

The woman sustained blast injuries and multiple burns across her body and was hospitalized. The prosecutor’s office later confirmed that the artillery attack killed an 81-year-old woman.

Around 6:30 am, Russian forces launched a drone attack on central Kherson, injuring a 67-year-old resident. The man suffered concussion, shrapnel wounds to his temple, blast trauma, and closed traumatic brain injury. Medical personnel transported him to hospital in moderate-to-severe condition.

A third victim, a 56-year-old man, later sought medical treatment following the drone strike in central Kherson. Doctors diagnosed him with blast trauma, concussion, and facial shrapnel wounds, according to the regional prosecutor’s office.

European Commission spokesperson Marcus Lammert said on 26 August in Brussels that while EU member states must provide Ukrainian refugees with temporary protection, the level of social benefits and medical assistance remains at each country’s discretion.

“Regarding social payments and medical payments. The level of social and family benefits differs from one member state to another,” Lammert said during the press briefing, according to European Pravda.

The spokesperson explained that according to EU directive, “member states must ensure, if beneficiaries do not have sufficient own resources, to provide persons enjoying temporary protection with the necessary assistance in the field of social welfare, medical assistance and means of subsistence.”

However, Lammert noted a crucial limitation: “The temporary protection directive does not provide for amounts or a minimum threshold of social assistance. Its level remains at the discretion of member states.”

“The necessary assistance is provided by the directive, but a threshold or minimum threshold is not provided. That’s what I can say,” he added.

The clarification comes as Poland prepares legislative changes affecting Ukrainian refugees. President Karol Nawrocki’s new bill would restrict aid to Ukrainians, limiting access to services and healthcare only to those citizens who work and pay contributions in Poland.

On 25 August, President Nawrocki vetoed the new version of the law on assistance to Ukrainian citizens. He simultaneously announced a legislative initiative that would equate “Bandera symbols” with Nazi and Communist symbols in Poland’s Criminal Code.

Ukraine has warned Poland about intentions to “react” if the Sejm bans red-and-black symbolism.

Despite these tensions, the EU reaffirmed its commitment to Ukrainian refugees.

“Member states adopted the extension of temporary protection at the Home Affairs Council in July until 2027. By doing so, the EU strengthens its unwavering commitment to support Ukraine as long as it takes,” Lammert said.

The temporary protection directive requires EU countries to provide basic living conditions and medical care for Ukrainian refugees, but sets no minimum financial standards, leaving individual nations to determine benefit amounts and scope of medical assistance.

A local farmer discovered pieces of an attack drone on 25 August around 3 PM in a field in Koruste village, Elva parish, Tartu County, according to Kaitsepolitsei (Estonian Security Police) Director General Margo Palloson.

The incident site also revealed an explosion crater, though no injuries occurred.

“Subsequently, all necessary procedures were initiated,” Defense Minister Hanno Pevkur said.

The Security Police launched an investigation in cooperation with the prosecutor’s office to clarify the circumstances. Emergency services responded to the incident.

Palloson said the Security Police believes the drone came down on Estonian territory on early morning of 24 August.

“We have reason to believe that this may be a Ukrainian drone that was targeted at Russian inland objects, but which Russia diverted from its course with its GPS jamming and other electronic warfare means, and it veered into Estonian airspace. Currently, nothing indicates that this could be a Russian drone,” Palloson explained.

The Security Police chief said this was a military drone carrying explosives that detonated. Had it fallen on a residential building, Palloson said, the drone could have caused extensive damage.

Palloson indicated the drone may have entered Estonian airspace from either Russian or Latvian airspace, which is currently under investigation.

Pevkur attributed the drone debris discovery primarily to Russia’s continued war in Ukraine and Ukraine’s self-defense efforts.

Defense Intelligence Service Chief Ants Kiviselg, commenting more broadly on the incident, said Russia’s GPS jamming is directed at protecting Russian strategic objects and is not aimed directly at Estonia or other NATO allies. Kiviselg emphasized that the threat level in Estonia has not changed.

Pevkur revealed Estonia has begun procuring new types of radars that detect low-flying objects. “Is it possible to create general coverage with this? Theoretically yes, depending on how much resource we deploy there. Our capability will become significantly better. Whether it will have 100% coverage, time will tell. At the same time, the Ukraine war shows that there is no 100% coverage anywhere,” Pevkur said.

Pevkur said he also communicated with Ukraine’s defense minister on 25 August.

On the morning of 24 August, the Police and Border Guard Board tracked a drone flying over Lake Peipus, which later crashed into the lake on Russian territory.

Saturday and early Sunday morning saw active drone movement in Russia’s Leningrad Oblast, when Ukraine attacked Russian-based objects with drones. The drones targeted both objects in St. Petersburg and the Ust-Luga port oil terminal near the Estonian border.

The analytical project DeepState reported on 26 August that Russian forces have occupied the villages of Zaporizke and Novogeorgiyivka in Dnipropetrovsk Oblast, marking the first occupied settlements in the region.

According to DeepState analysts, Russian troops established control over the two villages, while Russian forces also advanced near Shevchenko, Bila Gora, and in Oleksandro-Shultyne.

The occupied villages lie at the junction of Dnipropetrovsk, Donetsk, and Zaporizhzhia oblasts’ borders. They became the first settlements in Dnipropetrovsk Oblast to fall under Russian army control.

This development contradicts earlier intelligence assessments. NATO member countries’ reconnaissance data suggested Russia was not planning a major offensive in either Sumy or Dnipropetrovsk oblasts of Ukraine.

Russian forces had repeatedly claimed incursions into Dnipropetrovsk Oblast, but the Ukrainian General Staff consistently denied these assertions. Head of the Main Intelligence Directorate Kyrylo Budanov previously assured that the city of Dnipro faced only threats from Russian missile and drone attacks, with combat operations occurring solely along Dnipropetrovsk Oblast’s perimeters.

The General Staff reported on 2 July that the settlement of Dachne in Dnipropetrovsk Oblast had not been captured by Russians, as claimed by RF propagandists, and remained under Armed Forces control.

DeepState reported on 5 July that the Russian forces had occupied the settlements of Zeleny Kut and Novoukrayinka near the administrative border between Dnipropetrovsk and Donetsk oblasts and was attempting to advance further.

On 11 August, the DeepState analytical center reported that Russian forces had intensified their advance toward Dobropillya over recent days, particularly attempting to establish positions near the Dobropillya-Kramatorsk highway. The “Dnipro” operational-strategic group added that Russian forces were infiltrating in small groups past the first line of Ukrainian positions in this direction.

Germany has committed to providing €9 billion ($10 bn) in annual support to Ukraine over the coming years, German Finance Minister and Vice-Chancellor Lars Klingbeil announced during a meeting with Ukraine’s president.

“As finance minister, I emphasized, and this was also agreed by the Federal Government, that we commit to supporting Ukraine in the coming years, spending 9 billion euros annually,” Klingbeil said.

The German finance minister held separate discussions with his Ukrainian counterpart Serhiy Marchenko to address Ukraine’s financial resource requirements for 2026.

Marchenko revealed that Germany’s direct budget assistance to Ukraine has reached €1.6 billion ($1.9 bn) since early 2022. The Ukrainian minister highlighted additional German contributions through European Union mechanisms.

“Also significant is the support by the German government of the EU’s Ukraine Facility instrument, within which €22.6 billion ($26.2 bn) has already been attracted to the state budget, and the ERA mechanism — we received €9 billion ($10 bn) from the EU,” Marchenko wrote.

Germany’s financial commitment extends beyond budget support to military assistance. The country previously announced it would finance a $500 million package of military equipment and ammunition from the United States for Ukraine. Additionally, Germany and Norway will jointly fund two Patriot air defense systems for Ukraine.

The €9 billion ($10 bn) annual pledge represents a substantial increase from current direct budget assistance levels, signaling Germany’s long-term commitment to supporting Ukraine’s financial stability.

The 30th gathering will be conducted in an offline format in the British capital, though the agenda remains undisclosed pending ongoing consultations.

“Through consultations regarding the agenda, I cannot comment on this topic right now,” the German defence ministry press secretary told Suspilne.

Ukrainian Defence Minister Denys Shmyhal had previously indicated that the next Ramstein meeting would occur in September without specifying an exact date. He noted that the United Kingdom was handling preparation and organization of the event.

The announcement comes following the 29th Contact Group meeting on 21 July, which took place online under joint German and British leadership. During that session, Shmyhal stated that Ukraine requires $6 billion to address weapons production gaps in 2025.

The Ramstein format brings together international partners to coordinate military assistance for Ukraine’s defence efforts

President Donald Trump offered a blunt assessment of why Russian leader Vladimir Putin remains reluctant to meet with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, telling journalists at a press conference that Putin simply “doesn’t like him.”

The president’s remarks came during questions about the ongoing diplomatic impasse between Moscow and Kyiv. When pressed by reporters on Putin’s unwillingness to engage directly with the Ukrainian leader, Trump delivered his direct response.

Trump also disclosed details of his recent conversations with the Kremlin leader, revealing discussions that ranged across nuclear weapons policy and arms control measures. “Missiles, nuclear – we’re talking about a lot of different things. We’re talking about limiting nuclear weapons, we’ll get China into that,” Trump said, according to the press conference.

The president outlined the current nuclear weapons hierarchy, stating that “we have the most, Russia has the second most, and China has third, but China is way behind.” However, he warned that Beijing’s nuclear capabilities could expand rapidly, predicting that “they’ll catch us in five years.”

Trump’s comments on Putin and Zelenskyy came alongside criticism of his predecessor’s Ukraine policy. The president previously criticized Joe Biden for restricting Ukraine’s ability to conduct strikes against Russian territory, arguing that such limitations “took away Kyiv’s chance of winning the war.”

The president’s diplomatic discussions with Putin appear to encompass broader strategic concerns beyond the immediate Ukraine conflict, with nuclear arms control emerging as a central theme in their exchanges.

A powerful windstorm destroyed the Ukrainian art installation “Black Cloud” at the annual Burning Man festival in the United States, just hours after its completion.

The 7-ton, 30-meter-long structure, designed as a visualization of the threat of a coming world war, stood for less than a day.

“Today was the first and last day of ‘Black Cloud,'” wrote the installation’s producer and volunteer Vitaliy Deynega on social media.

The Ukrainian team spent the entire night assembling the installation. After 11 hours of work, they completed the structure and began receiving initial reactions, which Deynega described as “more than inspiring.”

“I was confident in the success of this work from the very beginning. And I wasn’t wrong: people came from all corners of the desert to see one of the largest and strangest objects that grew overnight,” Deynega said. “The installation definitely didn’t leave anyone indifferent. This was supposed to be a success no less than our last year’s work – I’m Fine. But then came the apocalypse.”

According to Deynega, a sudden powerful wind arose after 5:30 PM the same day, completely destroying the installation. Despite calculations showing the structure should have withstood such weather conditions, the storm proved too powerful.

“Despite the fact that on paper and according to calculations it should have withstood even such a storm, it turned out differently. It held the wind for the first 15 minutes, and then it was torn in the middle, the storm flew inside and destroyed it completely,” the producer explained.

Deynega drew parallels between the installation’s destruction and his personal experience of war, stating: “The last time I had such a feeling was exactly three and a half years ago, when I woke up to the first explosions and sirens and realized that external circumstances of insurmountable force decided to make adjustments to life.”

The installation was scheduled to remain at the festival for nine days. The destruction also affected planned European tour dates, with locations and dates already confirmed, according to the producer.

The “Black Cloud” installation was first presented in Kyiv at the square near St. Sophia’s Cathedral. Ukrainian artist Oleksiy Say created the construction, which weighed seven tons and measured 30 meters in length.

In comments to Ukrainska Pravda Culture project creators explained that the installation aimed to communicate with the outside world about the coming world war, which the artist believes has already begun.

“Unfortunately, I am convinced: war in the world will only grow. There are many reasons for this – from unresolved global problems to the latest technologies that every country seeks to use to solve its own long-standing ambitions,” Deynega said. “And if, or rather when, a new wave of wars begins – Black Cloud can become a cult work that is ahead of its time.”

Ukrainian veterans completed the 6.5-kilometer Bosphorus swim from Asia to Europe on Independence Day, with two participants who had amputated limbs finishing among the 2,800 competitors, the Superhumans center reported.

The Superhuman Centre is a rehabilitation center where wounded soldiers are treated. Opened in 2023, the facility offers reconstructive surgery, hearing restoration, psychological support, and rehabilitation. It also operates its own prosthetics lab, which tailors customized prostheses from scratch to meet each patient’s needs.

Pavlo, who lost his leg in a mine explosion, completed the swim in 1 hour and 23 minutes. Triathlete Oleh, who survived combat and two concussions, finished in 1 hour and 24 minutes. Oleksandr, whose leg was amputated above the knee, completed the distance in 1 hour and 30 minutes. In April, Oleksandr also climbed to Everest base camp.

The veterans deliberately did not disclose their disabilities during registration, according to Superhumans. The center explains this decision was driven by principle – the Ukrainians wanted to compete on equal terms with able-bodied participants.

“They could have been disqualified even a day before the start, and now we admire their results!” the center stated.

The Bosphorus cross-continental swim attracts thousands of participants annually, with swimmers crossing the strait that divides Europe and Asia in Istanbul, Türkiye.

Ukrainian forces have demonstrated the capabilities of the PROTECTOR, the country’s largest ground robotic complex developed by “Ukrainian Armored Vehicles,” according to footage released by Army TV.

The unmanned ground vehicle operates as a full-sized automobile without steering wheel, pedals, or driver, controlled remotely by an operator. Built on an off-road vehicle platform, the system can transport cargo up to 700 kilograms and tow trailers.

Anastasia Oleshchuk, a specialist in unmanned systems development projects, described an experiment where PROTECTOR successfully pulled a trailer carrying a three-ton vehicle. “The complex handled this task perfectly,” Oleshchuk said.

The cargo compartment can simultaneously accommodate three wounded soldiers in lying position. Future modifications may include combat modules such as machine guns or grenade launchers.

The system features three communication types and two antennas. “Currently, the left one is a mockup, but we can install an antenna for other technologies in the future,” Oleshchuk explained. “We’ve planned one option for countering electronic warfare – switching between our three communication systems, from one to another, thus resisting EW.”

The right antenna connects to the control panel, providing communication range of 7 kilometers on average terrain and up to 12 kilometers on open ground. The control panel mirrors conventional vehicle controls, and the system includes a Starlink antenna as an additional communication method.

PROTECTOR operates on a 3-liter diesel engine producing 190 horsepower, delivering a range of 400-500 kilometers – significantly exceeding other developments. Maximum speed reaches 45 kilometers per hour.

A red emergency button on the chassis allows instant disconnection of all drone electrical systems. Day and night cameras are installed on the vehicle.

Serial production has begun, with deployment to frontline forces expected soon, according to Army TV reports.

The Ministry of Defense previously codified PROTECTOR and approved it for use by the Defense Forces. The system received RunFlat technology wheels, enabling continued movement after damage.