Professor of Russian politics says ‘symbolism of holding the Trump-Putin summit in Alaska is horrendous’

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

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

Oil refinery targeted

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

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

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

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

— Euromaidan Press (@EuromaidanPress) August 10, 2025

Evacuations and service disruptions

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

Ukrainian intelligence claims responsibility

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

Part of a broader strike pattern

Recent days have seen multiple drone attacks deep inside Russia:

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

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

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

Kyiv strikes just as Russia finishes costly repairs

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

Liutyi drones set Samara’s Novokuybyshevsk refinery ablaze

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

Ryazan refinery hit, fuel lifeline to bomber base severed

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

Russian air defenses crack under pressure, Sochi hit

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

Southern fuel depots in flames after precision drone strikes

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

Kstovo and Volgograd refineries burn in renewed attacks

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

Repeat-strike tactics drain Russia’s war resources

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

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

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

Donald Trump’s administration says it believes Ukraine’s hopes of forcing Russia out of occupied territory are ‘unrealistic’

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Exclusives

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

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

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

Military

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

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

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

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

Intelligence and Technology

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

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

International

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Humanitarian and Social Impact

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

Political and Legal Developments

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

Read our earlier daily review here.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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