Switzerland adopted the European Union’s 18th sanctions package against Russia, implementing new restrictions that came into effect on 12 August, according to the country’s government press service.

The Federal Department of Economic Affairs, Education and Research announced that the measures respond to Russia’s full-scale war against Ukraine, originally approved by the EU on 18 July.

Under the new sanctions, Switzerland added 14 individuals and 41 companies to its blacklists. The targeted entities include “Russian and international firms that manage the ‘shadow fleet’ to circumvent price restrictions on Russian oil, trade it, or supply equipment for the Russian military-industrial complex, including companies from third countries,” the department reported.

The sanctions extend beyond Russian territory, affecting 105 vessels from third countries that are now prohibited from purchase, sale, and servicing. These are “mainly tankers transporting Russian oil or military goods,” according to the announcement.

In a significant economic measure, Switzerland lowered the price ceiling on Russian oil to $47.6 per barrel, with the new limit taking effect from 3 September.

The country also imposed stricter export controls on 26 companies, including those outside Russia, “due to attempts to circumvent the ban on drone supplies,” the government reported.

Beyond Russia-focused measures, Switzerland implemented additional EU sanctions against Moldova and Belarus. Regarding Moldova, “seven individuals and three companies involved in Russia’s attempts to influence the EU membership referendum and the 2024 presidential elections” faced restrictions. For Belarus, limitations were imposed on “eight defense industry companies.”

The sanctions package reflects Switzerland’s continued alignment with EU policy despite its traditional neutrality, as the country maintains its response to what it characterizes as Russia’s aggressive actions in Ukraine.

A Russian military court sentenced 54-year-old Ukrainian citizen Olena Ipatova to five years and two months in prison for serving as a medic in a Ukrainian Armed Forces battalion six years before Russia’s full-scale invasion.

The Southern District Military Court in Rostov-on-Don found Ipatova guilty under Article 205.4 Part 2 of the Russian Criminal Code for “participation in a terrorist organization,” according to Russian media Mediazona, which cited the court’s press service.

Russian authorities detained Ipatova on 14 March 2025. She was initially held in custody until 2 April, then released on a travel restriction order before being arrested again in the courtroom following her sentencing.

The prosecutor’s office of the Russian-annexed Donetsk People’s Republic alleged that Ipatova served as a “combat medic” in the Ukrainian Armed Forces’ Aidar assault battalion from January 2018 through spring of the same year. Prosecutors did not claim she participated in battalion activities after Russia began its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.

Ukraine’s Ministry of Internal Affairs has been searching for Ipatova since 20 February 2025. Her wanted notice lists Sievierodonetsk in Luhansk Oblast as her place of birth.

The case reflects a pattern of Russian courts imposing lengthy sentences on Ukrainian citizens from occupied territories who resisted Russian forces. The courts typically prosecute such cases under terrorism and “state treason” charges.

In August, the same Southern District Military Court sentenced 20-year-old Daria Kulik from Russian-occupied Melitopol in Zaporizhzhia Oblast to 18 years in prison plus a 600,000-ruble fine. The court found Kulik guilty of “state treason,” attempted terrorism, participation in a terrorist organization, and illegal storage of explosives.

In June, the court handed down sentences to a Melitopol family: 29-year-old Artem Murdid received life imprisonment, his partner Hanna Voshkoder was sentenced to 20 years, and his mother Hanna Murdid received 22 years.

Czech Foreign Minister Jan Lipavsky arrived in Kyiv for meetings with his Ukrainian counterpart Andriy Sybiha and Deputy Prime Minister Taras Kachka, according to the Czech Ministry of Foreign Affairs press service.

The ministers visited the memorial on Independence Square, where Sybiha presented Lipavsky with a medal for supporting Ukrainian diplomacy. “For me it is an honor to receive a medal for supporting Ukrainian diplomacy,” the Czech minister said.

During their press conference in Kyiv, both foreign ministers outlined concrete military and political support measures. Lipavsky said that Czech Republic delivered 1.5 million large-caliber ammunition rounds last year through the Czech ammunition initiative.

The Czech ammunition initiative reportedly helped change the Russian advantage from 10 to 1 to 2 to 1. This is a five-fold increase in real potential.

Ukraine expects to receive approximately 1.8 million artillery shells by year’s end through this Czech initiative, Sybiha said. 

During Lipavsky’s meeting with Deputy Prime Minister Kachka, they discussed Ukraine’s EU membership prospects.

“Our position is clear — Ukraine should be in Europe, and Czech Republic supports its membership as it meets standard conditions,”  Lipavsky wrote on X.

Economic cooperation between the two countries continues expanding despite the war, Lipavsky said. Trade growth increased 21.4% last year, and “I think this trend is growing more and more,” he added.

The ministers also signed a contract for the “School of Superheroes” project initiated by Prague. “This money will help children with severe forms of disabilities and diseases by expanding school opportunities in the region. We also plan to work more in eastern Ukraine and in the most dangerous regions, because we should not be afraid of Putin, and these regions also need our presence,” Lipavsky explained.

The Czech Ministry of Foreign Affairs said the symbolic significance of the memorial visit: “The bloody events on the Maidan in 2013 and 2014 took more than a hundred lives. We must remember their fate, as Ukrainians are again dying for their freedom. The foreign ministers of Czech Republic and Ukraine honored their memory on Independence Square — a historical memory.”

The head of Ukraine’s Main Intelligence Directorate Kyrylo Budanov has conducted an inspection visit to Zmiinyi Island and Black Sea gas production platforms, the Defence Intelligence Directorate reported on 12 August.

During the visit, Budanov inspected positions held by fighters from the special unit Timur on Zmiinyi Island and examined the forces and equipment involved in defending the maritime area. The inspection included the Boiko drilling platform, which Ukraine regained control of in 2023.

As part of his trip, Budanov held a meeting with officers regarding further actions within the overall strategy and awarded fighters from the Timur special unit. The visit also included commemorating fallen soldiers who died during the liberation of Zmiinyi Island and Ukrainian territorial waters in the Black Sea from Russian occupiers.

“Our effective struggle against the aggressor at sea, on land and in the sky has proven to the whole world – a united Ukrainian nation is capable of defeating even the strongest enemy. Whatever anyone says – only we ourselves determine Ukraine’s future. The struggle continues,” Budanov said.

Liberation of Zmiinyi Island

Russian forces captured Zmiinyi Island on the first day of their full-scale invasion on 24 February 2022, leading to active combat operations around the strategic location.

On 30 June 2022, Ukraine’s Southern Operational Command reported that after strikes by Ukrainian Armed Forces, Russian occupying forces hastily evacuated the remaining garrison using two high-speed boats and abandoned Zmiinyi Island in the western Black Sea.

Russia’s defense ministry confirmed the withdrawal of their forces from Zmiinyi Island, calling it a “gesture of goodwill.” The Pentagon disputed the Kremlin’s version, saying that Ukrainians had successfully applied significant pressure on the Russians occupying the island.

According to Forbes calculations, Russians lost equipment worth nearly one billion dollars during the strikes on Zmiinyi Island. On 7 July 2022, the Ukrainian flag was raised over the island again.

On 20 September 2024, the State Border Guard Service published footage from Zmiinyi Island, emphasizing that Defense Forces prevent enemy aviation and military vessels from approaching the Ukrainian coast. The published footage showed the island littered with burned occupier equipment and shell fragments.

At least a dozen foreign volunteers serving in Ukraine’s military were killed when a Russian missile struck a training camp’s mess hall near Kropyvnytskyi on 21 July, according to The New York Times report citing soldiers with knowledge of the incident.

The attack targeted recruits from the United States, Colombia, Taiwan, Denmark and other countries during lunchtime, when soldiers had gathered at picnic tables for their meal. The Ukrainian Army confirmed the strike killed and injured soldiers but declined to provide specific casualty figures.

An American recruit from Florida, who witnessed the attack, described the explosion as “the loudest he had ever heard” in a telephone interview with the publication. The soldier, who requested anonymity as he was not authorized to speak publicly, said he observed “at least 15 dead soldiers and more than 100 others who were injured” following the blast.

The missile strike also ignited an ammunition depot at the base, triggering secondary explosions that sent “debris and shrapnel whistling through the air” as survivors attempted to assist the injured, according to the American soldier’s account. He reported applying tourniquets to gravely injured personnel and helping transport them to ambulances, trucks and private vehicles for evacuation to hospitals.

The base’s air raid alarm failed to sound before the strike, the witness noted. He expressed dismay at discovering that “first aid kits were nowhere to be found around the mess hall” in the aftermath.

Volodymyr Kaminskyi, spokesman for the international legion under Ukraine’s military intelligence agency HUR, confirmed an investigation into the strike was underway but said casualty figures could not be released during the ongoing probe.

Two foreign soldiers who had trained at the facility, known as Camp Krop, told The New York Times that lax security had been a source of complaints before the attack. They identified the practice of gathering soldiers for communal meals as a particular vulnerability.

The strike represents one of the deadliest attacks on foreign fighters during the war. Since 2022, hundreds of international volunteers have passed through the HUR training site, with recent recruits predominantly from South America. Colombian fighters have been drawn to Ukraine by salaries ranging from $1,000 to $1,750 in base pay monthly, plus combat bonuses exceeding $3,000 per month.

Ukraine’s commanding general Oleksandr Syrskyi said that soldiers at training sites “must respond to air raid alerts and Russian drones immediately.” He announced plans to relocate training operations to “sheltered underground sites as much as possible.”

The Kropyvnytskyi attack follows previous deadly strikes on training facilities. Russian missiles hit a base in Yavoriv near the Polish border during the war’s first month in 2022, killing or injuring dozens. Last year, more than 50 soldiers died in a missile attack in Poltava, while three recruits were killed and 18 injured in a 29 July strike on a training academy.

The American recruit, who had been at the base for less than a week and had not yet received his rifle, said he had “accepted risks in joining the Ukrainian Army” due to his desire to “assist a struggling democracy” but “had never thought people would be killed in training.”

A grassroots organisation in Alaska has called for a protest against the planned meeting between US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin, scheduled for 15 August in the state.

Stand Up Alaska announced the demonstration will take place on 14 August in downtown Anchorage, one day before the high-stakes summit.

“Stand with us in Anchorage, Alaska, as we rally against the presence of an international war criminal in our great state. With the governor’s approval, the president has extended an invitation to Vladimir Putin, and we’re here to send a clear message to both Donald Trump and Putin: Alaska stands firmly against authoritarianism,” the organisation reported on its mobilisation platform.

The statement comes after the US President Donald Trump invited Russian President Vladimir Putinfor a peace talks which will take place on 15 August 2025 in the Great State of Alaska.

The summit comes amid ongoing diplomatic efforts to address the war in Ukraine. Trump has said any peace deal would involve “some swapping” of territory, a controversial prospect. European leaders rushed to understand the terms of the meeting and ensure Ukraine was not being left out of discussions about its future.

The White House is considering inviting Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to Alaska, according to NBC News. Online negotiations involving European leaders, the US, and Ukraine are planned for 13 August, one day before the scheduled protest and two days before the Trump-Putin meeting.

The demonstration in Alaska represents local opposition to what organisers characterise as accommodating an international pariah. Within an hour of Trump’s announcement, a protest was declared for 2 pm on that date in downtown Anchorage.

The protest organisers positioned their demonstration as a pro-Ukrainian initiative, using the hashtag #AlaskaStandsWithUkraine. “Join us in Anchorage, Alaska, to protest an international war criminal’s presence. Despite the governor’s support, the president invited Vladimir Putin. We’re here to tell Trump and Putin: Alaska opposes tyranny. #AlaskaStandsWithUkraine,” the group posted on Facebook.

Gov. Mike Dunleavy called Alaska “the most strategic location in the world.” The governor expressed support for hosting the summit in his state.

Social media users have suggested various forms of protest participation. Comments on Stand Up Alaska’s Facebook page included proposals for residents to display Ukrainian flag colours on rooftops and in yards, while others suggested welcoming signs reading “Welcome to Kyiv.”

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy declared that a real opportunity for peace in Russia’s war against Ukraine has emerged, according to his office’s statement following a phone conversation with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman Al Saud.

During the call, Zelenskyy briefed the Crown Prince on ongoing partner contacts and diplomatic efforts to end the war.

“Communication with leaders continues practically around the clock, we are in constant contact. Now is the moment when there is a real chance to achieve peace. But peace must be honest and sustainable, and security must be guaranteed. This is important not only for Ukraine – for every European country,” the president said.

The Ukrainian leader said that he and Mohammed bin Salman Al Saud share the same view regarding the dangers of any decisions made without Ukraine and Europe. Zelenskyy thanked the Crown Prince for his clear support of this position and readiness to make efforts for peace.

Both sides agreed that their countries’ teams would coordinate all necessary efforts. The leaders also discussed joint projects that would strengthen both nations, the president added.

The diplomatic outreach comes amid significant developments in peace negotiations. On 9 August, Donald Trump announced he had arranged a meeting with Vladimir Putin in Alaska for 15 August, confirming that the United States is considering “territorial exchanges” between Ukraine and Russia as part of this process “for the benefit of both sides.”

Zelenskyy responded that Ukraine would not gift its land to the Russian forces, saying that the answer to Ukraine’s territorial question already exists in Ukraine’s Constitution. He did not comment on his possible participation in the Trump-Putin meeting.

On 10 August, European leaders published a joint statement noting that the current line of contact should become the starting point for peace negotiations.

Ukrainian intelligence operatives conducted a cyberattack on the IT infrastructure of one of Russia’s largest private internet service providers serving security agencies, according to a source in Ukrainian intelligence speaking to Hromadske.

The operation targeted the Filanko group of companies, which provides internet and hosting services to over 20,000 clients including Beeline, MGTS, 24tv, and Russian security structures, the source reported.

Cyber specialists successfully disabled 600 virtual machines and 24 hypervisors, the intelligence source detailed. The attack destroyed 800 terabytes of data and eliminated 11 physical servers from the data center operations.

The scope of the infrastructure damage extended to monitoring systems. “74 Raspberry Pi devices for remote data monitoring from the data center and 12 terabytes of sensor data” were destroyed, according to the source. Office operations suffered additional losses with 5 physical servers and 5 terabytes of data eliminated.

Network infrastructure bore significant damage as operatives disabled 3,100 switching equipment devices. Among these were “37 service routers, core routers, and network edge routers,” the source specified.

Financial systems also came under attack. Intelligence operatives “emptied wallets in the company’s personal account totaling $1.3 million,” the source reported.

The operation included a symbolic element on a related website. On the main page of a site selling “emergency briefcases” for Russian security structures, operatives published a photograph of eliminated Russian occupiers in Ukraine, according to the intelligence source.

The European Union has secured €1.6 billion ($1.9 billlion) from profits generated by frozen Russian assets, marking the third transfer under the program, the European Commission announced.

The allocation strategy has shifted with this latest tranche. While 90% of funds from the first two transfers supported Ukraine through the European Peace Facility (EPF) and 10% through the Ukraine Facility, the third transfer will see 95% directed to Ukraine through the Ukraine Loan Cooperation Mechanism (ULCM) and 5% through the EPF.

The ULCM provides non-repayable support to Ukraine for repaying macrofinancial assistance loans from the EU and bilateral creditor loans within the mechanism framework. The total credit support amounts to €45 billion ($52 bn).

The EPF assists Ukraine in addressing urgent military and defense needs, according to the Commission’s statement.

The frozen assets program emerged as a response to Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine. The EU froze Russian assets in Europe, with G7 jurisdictions holding approximately $280 billion in frozen Russian sovereign assets, according to Ukraine’s Ministry of Finance.

G7 countries committed to keeping these assets immobilized until Russia pays for crimes committed against Ukraine. Leaders agreed to provide Ukraine with a $50 billion loan, to be repaid using proceeds from these assets.

The United States already delivered $1 billion to Ukraine from frozen Russian assets at the end of 2024, demonstrating the mechanism’s implementation across multiple jurisdictions.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and European leaders will hold an online conversation with US President Donald Trump ahead of his scheduled meeting with Russian leader Vladimir Putin, according to the European Commission.

Deputy Chief Spokesperson of the European Commission Arianna Podesta confirmed the call to Suspilne, saying it will take place on 13 August. German Chancellor Friedrich Merz is organizing the conversation, which will include European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen.

The diplomatic outreach follows Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk’s disclosure that Washington promised to consult with European partners regarding negotiations with Russia.

Multiple European nations have expressed support for Trump’s efforts to end the Russian-Ukrainian wars. France, Italy, Germany, Poland, Great Britain, Finland and the European Commission backed Trump’s peace initiative but stressed that “the path to peace in Ukraine cannot be determined without it.”

Eight Nordic and Baltic countries issued a separate statement underlining that diplomatic settlement of the Russian-Ukrainian war must defend “vital security interests” of both Ukraine and Europe.

EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Kaja Kallas has convened a meeting of European foreign ministers to discuss the situation.

This comes as Trump and Putin agreed to meet on 15 August in Alaska. Bloomberg reported that Washington and Moscow seek to reach an agreement to end the war in Ukraine that would secure occupied territories for Russia.

The Wall Street Journal wrote that Putin presented the Trump administration with a ceasefire plan in exchange for territorial concessions from Kyiv.

Trump suggested that a peace agreement between Russia and Ukraine would likely require “a certain exchange of territories for the benefit of both sides.” Specifically, Ukraine should withdraw troops from all of Donetsk Oblast, while Crimea should be recognized as sovereign Russian territory.

Following these reports, Zelenskyy said that “Ukraine will not give away its lands to anyone.”

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy held a phone conversation with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to discuss Ukraine’s peace efforts and sanctions policy against Russia, Zelenskyy said on 11 August.

During the call, Zelenskyy briefed Modi on recent Russian attacks on Ukrainian cities and villages, including yesterday’s strike on a bus station in Zaporizhzhia that left dozens injured.

“A deliberate strike with Russian bombs on ordinary city buildings. And this at a time when a diplomatic opportunity to end the war has finally appeared,” Zelenskyy said.

Zelenskyy highlighted India’s support for Ukraine’s peace initiatives. New Delhi shared the position that “everything concerning Ukraine must be decided with Ukraine’s participation. Other formats will not produce results,” according to Zelenskyy.

The leaders discussed sanctions against Russia in detail, according to Zelenskyy’s statement. The conversation focused on “the need to limit exports of Russian energy carriers, particularly oil, to reduce its potential and ability to finance the continuation of this war.”

Zelenskyy and Modi agreed to schedule a personal meeting in September during the UN General Assembly and to work out an exchange of visits.

The conversation comes as US President Donald Trump signed an executive order imposing additional 25% tariffs on imports from India.

Germany’s largest defense contractor Rheinmetall will double its planned ammunition production capacity at its new Ukrainian facility to 300,000 artillery shells annually, CEO Armin Papperger announced during the company’s Q2 2025 conference call on 7 August.

The expanded capacity represents a significant increase from the original target of 150,000 shells per year. “Ukrainian officials want to double the planned production capacities,” Papperger said in response to questions during the conference call, according to German Aid to Ukraine.

Production at the Ukrainian plant is scheduled to begin in 2026, following what Papperger described as a typical one to two-year ramp-up period to reach full capacity. The facility will manufacture 155mm artillery ammunition, addressing Ukraine’s heavy reliance on shell deliveries from partner nations.

However, further expansion beyond 300,000 shells appears unlikely in the near term due to financial constraints. Papperger indicated that the Ukrainian government “simply doesn’t have the money” for higher production figures.

The project has faced delays attributed to bureaucratic hurdles. Papperger expressed frustration with the pace of progress, saying that “bureaucracy in Ukraine is unfortunately very, very high.” He compared the Ukrainian project to a similar facility in Unterlüß, Germany, noting that construction began almost simultaneously at both locations, but the German plant is now completed while the Ukrainian facility remains unfinished.

This marks the second time Papperger has publicly criticized Ukrainian administrative processes. He previously raised similar concerns in a February 2025 interview with Deutsche Welle on the sidelines of the Munich Security Conference.

A representative from another German defense company, speaking anonymously to German Aid to Ukraine, confirmed experiencing bureaucratic challenges in Ukraine but could not verify whether establishing operations would be easier in Germany, as Papperger has suggested.

Despite these administrative challenges, there are no indications that the factory completion will be significantly delayed. The facility is expected to begin operations as originally announced, with production starting next year.

The expansion will enhance Ukraine’s domestic ammunition production capabilities, reducing dependence on international deliveries for its military operations. Currently, Ukraine relies almost exclusively on shell supplies from allied nations to meet its artillery needs.

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.

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.

Kyiv held a funeral service on 8 August for Ukrainian journalist Victoria Roshchyna, who died in Russian detention.

Roshchyna disappeared in occupied territories on 3 August 2023. Russia confirmed her captivity in May 2024, and her death was announced 10 October 2024. She had been previously kidnapped by Russians in March 2022 but freed after ten days.

She was held in at least two Russian prisons, including the Taganrog detention center—described as “one of the most brutal places of detention for Ukrainians on Russian territory.”

The journalist worked for hromadske, Ukrainska Pravda, Radio Liberty, and other outlets. She received the 2022 International Women’s Media Foundation award “For Courage in Journalism.”

According to hromadske, the farewell ceremony on 8 August began with a service at St. Michael’s Cathedral, where several hundred people gathered, including Roshchyna’s relatives—her father and younger sister—former colleagues, and concerned citizens. Her coffin remained closed with bread placed on top, while attendees laid flowers.

After the cathedral service, the hearse proceeded to Independence Square under police escort, with traffic stopped for the procession. During the civilian ceremony, a military officer called out: “Glory to Ukraine! Glory to Victoria!”

Former hromadske editor-in-chief Angelina Karyakina, who worked with Roshchyna for nearly three years, described the journalist’s unwavering commitment to her stories.

“Vika never abandoned what she started, if she began to lead some case, some story, to cover some event. She just never left either her heroes or her cases. This is how her very deep, thorough coverage of Maidan cases was born. This is how her documentary film about the prisoners—Ukrainian sailors—was born. This is how other cases were born. I am sure that her work from the occupied territories was built according to the same logic,” Karyakina said.

Karyakina recalled that Roshchyna never took vacations or days off because “for her, this was not work, journalism was a calling for her.”

The former editor emphasized that journalists must determine what happened to Roshchyna and continue her work.

People’s Deputy Yaroslav Yurchyshyn, who came to bid farewell to Roshchyna, remembered her as a political journalist who asked “uncomfortable questions without limitations.”

Roshchyna was buried at Baikove Cemetery. The farewell ceremony was organized by her colleagues from several newsrooms where she worked, including hromadske.

Washington and Moscow are negotiating an agreement that would formalize Russia’s control over Ukrainian territories seized during the invasion, Bloomberg reported on 8 August, citing sources familiar with the talks.

US and Russian officials reportedly are finalizing terms for a Trump-Putin summit as early as next week, according to sources, cited by Bloomberg. The US is seeking Ukrainian and European approval for the deal, though success remains uncertain.

Putin demands Ukraine cede the entire eastern Donbas and Crimea, annexed by Russia in 2014. This would require President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to withdraw troops from parts of Luhansk and Donetsk oblasts still under Kyiv’s control, handing Russia a victory that its army couldn’t achieve militarily since the start of the full-scale invasion in February 2022.

Under proposed terms, Russia would halt offensives in Kherson and Zaporizhzhia oblasts along current battle lines. Sources cautioned that “the terms and plans of the accord were still in flux and could still change.” Whether Moscow would relinquish any occupied territory, including the Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant, remains unclear.

The agreement aims to “essentially freeze the war and pave the way for a ceasefire and technical talks on a definitive peace settlement,” sources said. This shifts from Washington’s earlier demand for Russia to first agree to unconditional ceasefire.

After his 6 August meeting with Trump envoy Steve Witkoff, Putin briefed leaders from China, India, South Africa, and other nations on the discussions, the Kremlin reported.

Trump, who promised rapid conflict resolution, has grown frustrated with Putin’s ceasefire refusal. The leaders held six phone calls since February while Witkoff met Putin five times in Moscow.

“I don’t like long waits,” Trump told reporters on 7 August. “They would like to meet with me and I will do whatever I can to stop the killing.”

The deal would represent “a major win for Putin,” who sought direct US negotiations while sidelining Ukraine and European allies. Zelenskyy risks facing “a take-it-or-leave-it deal to accept the loss of Ukrainian territory, while Europe fears it would be left to monitor a ceasefire as Putin rebuilds his forces,” Bloomberg reported.

Multiple US officials expressed skepticism about Putin’s genuine peace interest, particularly regarding deals falling short of his stated war goals: Ukrainian neutrality, abandoning NATO aspirations, and recognizing Russian control over five Ukrainian oblasts.

Kremlin aide Yuri Ushakov said officials are “finalizing details for a meeting within the next few days” at an agreed but unnamed venue.

Whether Putin would join trilateral talks with Trump and Zelenskyy remains unclear. Putin said on 7 August he didn’t object to meeting Zelenskyy “under the right conditions, though he said they don’t exist now.”

Ukraine cannot constitutionally cede territory and maintains it won’t recognize Russian occupation of its land.

A military court in Rostov-on-Don sentenced captured Ukrainian soldier Vladislav Shpak from the Azov brigade to 21 years in a maximum-security prison colony, Russian media Mediazona reported on 8 August.

Russian prosecutors charged the prisoner under articles “concerning participation in a terrorist organization and training for terrorist activities.”

According to the report, in June 2020, 20-year-old Vladislav Shpak “with the aim of improving his financial situation, as well as for ideological reasons” signed a contract with Ukraine’s National Guard and joined the Azov special forces unit. Russia classified this as participation in a terrorist organization.

Between April and June 2021, Russian law enforcement alleges, Shpak underwent military training — which they classified as preparation for terrorist activities.

The soldier served in a unit in the village of Urzuf. In February 2022, when Russian forces invaded Ukraine, he was transferred along with his fellow servicemen to Mariupol. Shpak participated in the defense of Azovstal and was captured three months later on 17 May, along with other Azovstal defenders.

Court materials do not clarify Shpak’s exact role in Azov. Some documents describe him as performing “machine gunner duties,” others call him a “grenade launcher assistant,” while still others identify him as a “reconnaissance driver.”

When asked whether he feels hostility toward Russian citizens and authorities “after the start of the military conflict,” the defendant replied: “Toward citizens — no, toward the authorities — yes.”

Ukrainian military intelligence carried out a sabotage operation against Russia’s 90th anti-aircraft missile brigade in Afipsky settlement, Krasnodar Krai, on the morning of 8 August, resulting in the deaths of at least 12 Russian servicemen and dozens of injured, according to sources in Ukraine’s Main Intelligence Directorate (HUR).

“Two explosions occurred near the checkpoint of the military unit,” sources told Hromadske. The attack destroyed equipment and prompted a massive emergency response, with ambulances and special service vehicles converging on the scene.

Local Russian media and social media channels confirmed the explosions in Afipsky, while local security services cordoned off the area and declared an “anti-terrorist operation” regime. Russian authorities attempted to cover up the incident by attributing the explosions to malfunctioning gas cylinder equipment in a vehicle, according to intelligence sources.

“Russian authorities are trying to conceal the fact of sabotage on the territory of the military unit,” a HUR source said. The Federal Security Service has been working to remove mentions of the incident from Russian media.

The 90th anti-aircraft missile brigade targeted in the operation has been participating in Russia’s war against Ukraine on the Kherson and Zaporizhzhia fronts, the intelligence directorate added.

The attack came amid broader Ukrainian operations against Russian infrastructure, with drone strikes also hitting the Afipsky oil refinery in the same oblast, causing significant fires at gas condensate processing facilities.

A previous version of this article mistakenly said GRU (the Russian military intelligence) instead of HUR.

Former UK Defence Secretary Sir Ben Wallace has called for Britain’s inclusion in upcoming peace talks between the United States, Russia, and Ukraine, warning that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy risks being pressured by what he described as two bullying leaders.

Trump will reportedly meet with Putin as soon as next week, followed by trilateral discussions with Zelenskyy. European nations are not scheduled to participate in these initial discussions.

“Both Trump and Putin are known to be bullies, they bully people all the time, and I don’t think two bullies versus Zelenskyy, who is a brave man, but I don’t think would necessarily produce the right outcomes,” Wallace told Times Radio, according to Bloomberg.

The former defense secretary emphasized that European powers should have representation during negotiations.

“There are two other nuclear powers in NATO, France and Britain, and I think it is important that in the room should be a European power,” he said.

Wallace expressed concerns about Ukraine potentially being coerced into accepting unfavorable terms. When asked if Ukraine could be “strong-armed” by Trump, he responded: “Yes, there is a concern.”

The announcement follows three hours of meetings between Steve Witkoff, Trump’s special envoy, and Putin in Moscow. Yuri Ushakov, Putin’s foreign affairs adviser, confirmed that a summit could take place next week at a venue decided “in principle,” though he dismissed the possibility of Zelenskyy joining the initial summit.

After phone discussions with the US president, Zelenskyy said he believed Russia was “now more inclined to a ceasefire.”

Trump has simultaneously increased pressure on Moscow through new sanctions, designating Russia as an “extraordinary threat” to the United States. The administration imposed a 25 percent trade tariff on India over its Russian oil purchases, targeting a key revenue source for the Kremlin.

Western officials have repeatedly accused Putin of using peace negotiations to buy time for Russian forces to capture additional Ukrainian territory. Putin has previously demanded settlement terms that Ukraine characterized as equivalent to surrender.

The White House is working to organize a three-way meeting between US President Donald Trump, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, and Kremlin leader Vladimir Putin, sources in the Trump administration told Ukrainian media Suspilne.

The negotiations could take place as early as next week, though the venue has not yet been determined, according to the sources.

White House spokesperson Caroline Leavitt confirmed that President Trump remains open to meetings with leaders from both countries.

“As President Trump said yesterday (on 7 August), the Russians have expressed a desire to meet with President Trump, and the president is open to this meeting. President Trump would like to meet with both President Putin and President Zelenskyy because he wants this brutal war to end. The White House is working out the details of these potential meetings, and details will be provided at the appropriate time,” Leavitt said.

The diplomatic push follows a series of high-level contacts this week. On 6 August, Trump’s special representative Steve Witkoff visited the Russian capital for a three-hour meeting with Putin. Moscow has not disclosed details of the discussion’s content.

Trump later wrote on his Truth Social platform that Witkoff had a “productive meeting” with the Russian leader.

This was followed by a phone call between Zelenskyy and Trump that included European leaders. Following the conversation, the Ukrainian president said it “seems Russia is now more inclined toward a ceasefire, the pressure on them is working.”

However, Zelenskyy emphasized the importance of ensuring Moscow does not deceive either Kyiv or Washington regarding the details of any potential agreement.

Türkiye’s Baykar company has conducted successful trials of its Bayraktar Akıncı drone equipped with Ukrainian engines, technical director and co-owner Selçuk Bayraktar said on X.

The trials featured the Akıncı testing ALPAGUT and EREN smart missiles, which demonstrated high target accuracy, RBC-Ukraine reported. Video footage showed the drone taxiing on a runway before takeoff, operated from a ground control station.

The Bayraktar Akıncı uses Ukrainian AI-450T turboprop engines. These engines provide the necessary thrust for high-altitude flights, opening possibilities for strike and reconnaissance missions, according to the company.

Baykar began developing the Akıncı in 2018 and presented the first prototype that same year. By 2019, the drone was fitted with Ukrainian turboprop engines. On 10 August 2019, Ukrainian state company Ukrspetseksport and Türkiye’s Baykar Makina established their first joint venture in precision weapons and aerospace technology. Two days later, Ukraine delivered two AI-450T engines to Türkiye for use in the Akıncı.

The drone made its first public appearance with weapons in September 2019 at the Teknofest exhibition.

The Bayraktar Akıncı carries up to 1,350 kilograms of combat payload. The heavy strike drone measures 12.2 meters in length with a 20-meter wingspan and can remain airborne for 24 hours while reaching altitudes above 12,000 meters.

Built on a modular design, the Akıncı offers flexibility in weapons selection, from air-to-ground missiles to precision bombs and smart munitions. Future upgrades will include thermal imaging systems, active phased array radars, and high-precision optical cameras.

In 2022, preparations began for an agreement with Türkiye to build a Bayraktar factory in Ukraine. Baykar subsequently received licensing permits from Türkiye to manufacture both Bayraktar TB2 and Akıncı drones in Ukraine.

Construction of the Ukrainian factory started last year, with plans to produce over 100 drones annually, according to the company.

Ukrainian drone interceptor unit Posipaky has successfully shot down two new Russian Shahed-type unmanned aerial vehicles, volunteer Serhiy Sternenko reported, publishing video footage of one of the intercepts.

Ukrainian intelligence officials previously identified these drones as potential reconnaissance assets and decoy targets designed to reveal Ukrainian air defense positions or overload defense systems. The aircraft reportedly can also carry a warhead weighing up to 15 kilograms.

The drone’s fuselage features a delta-wing configuration similar to the Shahed-136 but significantly smaller in dimensions. Most components used in this Russian UAV are of Chinese origin, according to Ukraine’s Main Intelligence Directorate.

“Almost half of them: flight controller with autopilot, navigation modules and antennas, air speed sensor and Pitot tube – from one Chinese company CUAV Technology, which specializes in research, development and production of system modules and applications for UAVs,” according to the intelligence report.

The drone is also equipped with a Chinese copy of the Australian RFD900x data transmission module manufactured by RFDesign. Like the original sample, the Chinese product is designed for long-range data transmission up to 40 kilometers in direct line of sight, depending on the antenna.

This device enables data transmission channels from the drone to its ground station or between UAVs, thereby expanding reconnaissance capabilities. The Shahed-type drone is fitted with a Chinese DLE-60 engine and electronic ignition module.

The intercepts highlight ongoing Ukrainian efforts to counter evolving Russian drone technology that increasingly relies on Chinese-manufactured components for critical flight systems and communication equipment.

In October 2022, CUAV Technology announced restrictions on supplying its products to both Ukraine and Russia to prevent their use in military applications. However, in 2023, Russia presented a vertical takeoff drone as an original development, which turned out to be a CUAV product available on Aliexpress.

Militarnyi notes that DLE engines were previously used by Russian developers in the Gerbera and Parodiia decoy drones. KST servos have appeared in the Shahed-136 drones, V2U, aerial bomb glide kits.

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Russian forces launched drone attacks against civilian targets across three Ukrainian oblasts overnight on 8 August, according to regional officials.

Ukraine’s Air Force reported about the downing of more than 80 Russian drones during the night, predominantly Shaheds, along with reactive drones and decoys. The attacks represent continued Russian targeting of civilian infrastructure across multiple oblasts, with Sumy Oblast remaining one of the most frequently attacked border areas where shelling, drone attacks, and Russian reconnaissance group infiltration attempts occur regularly.

In Sumy Oblast, Russian forces struck Shostka with attack drones around 1 am, with air defense systems engaging the threats. Multiple Russian drones moved toward the city, followed by explosions as air defenses operated. Witnesses reported hearing characteristic sounds of Iranian kamikaze drones and series of loud explosions in the sky.

Sumy Oblast Governor Oleh Hryhorov said that three Russian drone impacts damaged several multi-story residential buildings, vehicles, and social infrastructure facilities in the Shostka community.

Sumy community also suffered damage, with the local administration confirming no fatalities but reporting destruction and one injury. The attack damaged several non-residential buildings, a store, and a private vehicle. A 54-year-old man was injured, receiving immediate medical assistance on-site and continuing outpatient treatment.

The Kyiv Oblast Military Administration reported that Russian forces attacked settlements in the oblast with drones, specifically targeting the Buchan district.

In Bucha, the assault injured three civilians: women aged 56 and 80, and a 16-year-old teenager, according to the Kyiv Oblast Military Administration. Bucha Mayor Anatoliy Fedoruk confirmed that seven private houses and a kindergarten sustained damage from the Russian night attack.

Fedoruk said that all residents remained alive, with rescuers, utility services, and police immediately providing assistance to affected people.

Russian drone also attacked Odesa Oblast, injuring one person and causing destruction, Governor Oleh Kiper said. The attack damaged a sewage pumping station building, while falling debris from downed drones ignited dry grass in suburban areas before firefighters quickly extinguished the blaze.

“A gas station security guard was injured when the blast wave blew out glass. The man received multiple lacerations on his hand. Medics provided him with all necessary assistance, and the wounded man continues outpatient treatment,” Kiper said. 

The Russian military regularly attacks Ukrainian oblasts with various types of weapons, killing civilians and destroying hospitals, schools, kindergartens, energy and water supply facilities.

The Ukrainian authorities and international organisations qualify these strikes as war crimes by the Russian Federation and emphasise that they are of a targeted nature.

Ukraine’s Armed Forces Commander-in-Chief Oleksandr Syrskyi has confirmed that Ukrainian command has offensive plans, stating that victory cannot be achieved through defensive operations alone.

In an interview with TSN, Syrskyi emphasized the necessity of offensive action for military success.

“We have plans, of course. Victory cannot be achieved in defence – only in offence,” Syrskyi told a journalist, who asked whether he sees room for another bold operation similar to the offensive in Russia’s Kursk Oblast.

The commander outlined Ukraine’s strategic approach to ending the war, explaining that “we must inflict such losses on him [the enemy] that he will go [for it]” not from a position of strength, but on Ukraine’s terms.

The statement comes amid reports of international pressure for offensive action. The Washington Post, citing an anonymous Ukrainian official, reported that during a 4 July phone call, US President Donald Trump told his Ukrainian counterpart Volodymyr Zelensky that Ukraine needs to go on the offensive to achieve victory.

Kursk operation results

The Defense Forces’ last major offensive operation was the Kursk campaign, which began in August 2024. According to military reports, Ukrainian defenders were forced to withdraw from most of the Russian oblast in spring 2025. Russian forces managed to occupy part of Sumy Oblast on another section of the border.

Syrskyi previously reported strategic gains from the Kursk operation. In June, the commander said that the operation drew nearly 63,000 Russians and approximately 7,000 North Korean soldiers, weakening Russian pressure on other fronts and allowing Ukraine to regroup its forces.

The commander also reported that active Defense Forces operations in another area of Kursk Oblast in April disrupted Russian offensive group reinforcements in occupied territories. Beyond parts of Kursk region, Ukrainian forces maintain presence in Russia’s Belgorod region.

According to Syrskyi, Russia’s total losses during the year-long Kursk operation reached 77,000 military personnel.

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced on the evening of 7 August that security advisers from Ukraine and its partners held discussions about ending the war.

“Our team just reported to me that the security advisers held a fairly long conversation, very detailed. There was a significant composition of participants in the conversation. This is important. Thank you all for your work, for the genuine desire to stop the killings and ensure lasting peace,” Zelenskyy wrote.

According to the president, the advisers agreed during the call to continue their work on 8 August. “There is still a lot of work to be done,” he said. 

American media outlet Axios, citing two informed sources, reported that the video conference included US special envoy Steve Witkoff and officials from Ukraine, Finland, France, Germany, Italy, and Britain.

According to the sources, Witkoff conducted the conference to inform partners about his 6 August meeting with Russian dictator Vladimir Putin and discuss next steps, including possible negotiations between Trump and Putin. Ukrainian public broadcaster Suspilne also reported Witkoff’s participation, citing an informed source.

The briefing comes as President Trump has shifted toward discussing a potential summit with Putin after initially moving toward tougher sanctions on Russia. Trump held a call on 6 August with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and other European leaders, telling them about the possibility of a meeting between him and Putin, followed by a trilateral summit including Zelenskyy.

ABC News, citing an unnamed White House official, reported that a possible meeting between Trump and Putin has not yet been agreed upon, nor has a location for such negotiations been determined, despite earlier claims by the Russian side.

The official noted that for negotiations with Trump to take place, Putin must meet with President Zelenskyy first.

Ukraine’s leader said that Russia fears US sanctions that Trump promised to impose if Russia does not agree to peace with Ukraine by 8 August.

All employees of Ukraine’s territorial recruitment centers (TCC) and service centers will be required to wear body cameras starting 1 September, Defense Minister Denys Shmyhal said on 7 August.

The new mandate requires staff to record video during document checks and draft notice deliveries.

“This step will help ensure transparency and legality in the work of enlistment offices’ teams, as well as protect the rights of both sides,” Shmyhal said.

Violations of the body camera requirement will result in disciplinary action, according to the Defense Ministry. Currently, approximately 85% of recruitment office staff have body cameras, with procurement efforts underway to secure additional devices.

The announcement follows mounting concerns over recruitment practices. In July, two Kyiv military officials faced charges after a conscript’s death. Media reports regularly document cases of recruitment office employees exceeding their authority.

Recent months have seen escalating tensions around mobilization efforts. On 1 August, protesters in Vinnytsia demanded the release of men detained by military recruitment offices, breaking into a stadium where detainees were held. Police launched an investigation on 2 August, charging five men aged 21-33 with seizing a state building.

Russian forces have targeted recruitment infrastructure in multiple strikes during June and July, hitting offices in Kryvyi Rih, Poltava, Kremenchuk, Kharkiv, and Zaporizhzhia. These attacks caused civilian and military casualties while damaging recruitment facilities.

The strikes represent an escalation in tactics aimed at disrupting Ukraine’s mobilization efforts and fueling social unrest, according to military analysts. Russian propaganda frequently uses mobilization reports to escalate social tensions and undermine recruitment campaigns.

White House envoy Steve Witkoff reportedly will hold a video conference on 7 August with senior officials from Ukraine, Finland, France, Germany, Italy and the UK to brief them on his meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin, Axios reported, citing its sources.

The briefing comes as President Trump has shifted toward discussing a potential summit with Putin after initially moving toward tougher sanctions on Russia. Trump held a call on 6 August with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and other European leaders, telling them about the possibility of a meeting between him and Putin, followed by a trilateral summit including Zelenskyy.

That call left confusion in Kyiv and other European capitals, with officials uncertain whether US policy was changing or whether sanctions would still be announced 8 August as Trump had planned.

Ukrainian officials expressed concern that Putin’s proposal for a meeting with Trump represents an attempt to reach agreements with the US directly about ending the war without Ukraine or European powers having input, Axios reported.

Putin said on 7 August that there was mutual interest in a summit with Trump, but the Kremlin cast doubt on the US proposal for a trilateral summit with Zelenskyy.

The development follows Trump’s announcement on 6 August that he would double tariffs on India to 50%, effective 27 August, over the country’s purchases of Russian oil. The White House said further penalties on Russia would be announced o 8 August, though officials have not indicated whether China – another major customer of Russian oil – would be targeted.

The Trump administration stated that a meeting between Trump and Putin would occur only if Putin also meets with Zelenskyy.

The White House did not immediately respond to questions about Witkoff’s planned conference call.

India’s state-owned oil refiners have temporarily halted spot purchases of Russian crude following President Donald Trump’s imposition of additional 25% tariffs on Indian exports to the US, according to Bloomberg sources with direct knowledge of procurement plans.

Companies including Indian Oil Corp., Bharat Petroleum Corp. and Hindustan Petroleum Corp. “plan to skip spot purchases of the crude in the upcoming buying cycle, until there’s clear government guidance,” Bloomberg reported on 7 August. The companies asked not to be identified as they aren’t authorized to speak publicly.

The pause will specifically affect purchases of Russia’s Urals crude cargoes scheduled for October loading.

Indian Oil Corp. demonstrated the shift by purchasing five million barrels of oil from the US, Brazil and Libya – “the latest in a string of purchases for relatively quick delivery,” Bloomberg reported.

Trump’s tariff escalation represents “a direct punishment for the country’s refiners taking Russian crude” and is designed to pressure Moscow to end the war in Ukraine, according to the report. The measure has not yet been matched by similar action against China, another major buyer of Russian oil.

The development has impacted global oil markets, with Brent crude trading near $67 a barrel on Thursday following a five-day decline as traders assess potential supply disruptions.

Despite the corporate response, New Delhi has not officially directed refiners to stop buying Russian crude. Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government continues to push back against Trump’s tariffs, Bloomberg said.

The temporary halt comes as India has become one of the world’s largest buyers of Russian oil since the Ukraine war began. At its peak, India imported more than 2 million barrels per day of Russian oil, up from nearly zero purchases before the conflict.

The situation reflects the broader geopolitical tensions over energy flows, with Washington intensifying pressure on countries that continue purchasing Russian energy exports. While overall October-loading Urals purchases by Indian refiners are unlikely to drop to zero, traders anticipate the reduction could prompt increased demand for US, Middle Eastern and African crude alternatives.

Oil ministry spokesmen and representatives from Indian Oil Corp., Bharat Petroleum Corp. and Hindustan Petroleum Corp. did not immediately respond to Bloomberg’s requests for comment.

Russian President Vladimir Putin has identified the United Arab Emirates as a potential venue for a Russia-US summit, stating this following his meeting with the UAE leader in the Kremlin, according to Russian propagantist media TASS.

“We have many friends who are ready to help us organize an event of this kind. One of the friends is the president of the United Arab Emirates,” Putin said. “I think we will decide, but this would be one of the suitable, quite suitable places.”

The statement comes as Kremlin aide Yuri Ushakov told journalists that a meeting between Putin and US President Donald Trump is planned for the coming days, likely next week.

Regarding prospects for a meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Putin added: “I have already said many times that I have nothing against this in general, it is possible.”

However, the Russian leader maintained distance from any immediate such meeting, stating: “But certain conditions must be created for this. But, unfortunately, we are still far from creating such conditions.”

Trump has separately declared “good chances” for holding a meeting with Putin in the near future. According to media reports, Trump informed European leaders during a conversation on 6 August about his intentions to meet with Putin “as early as next week,” and subsequently organize a trilateral meeting together with Zelenskyy.

The diplomatic maneuvering comes as Trump imposed deadline for Russia, having threatened secondary tariffs on Russian oil purchasers unless Putin agrees to a truce by 8 August.

President Donald Trump has set a precondition for any meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin, requiring the Russian leader to also meet with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, New York Post reported on 7 August.

The developments follow a three-hour meeting between Putin and Trump’s envoy Steve Witkoff in Moscow on 6 August. Ushakov described it as “useful and constructive,” while Trump subsequently claimed “significant progress” was achieved during that encounter.

“Putin must meet with Zelenskyy for the meeting to occur,” a White House official told The Post. “No location has been set.”

The condition comes after Moscow claimed on 7 August that Russia and the United States had agreed “in principle” to hold a one-on-one meeting between Putin and Trump. Putin aide Yuri Ushakov said that “an agreement was agreed in principle to hold a bilateral summit meeting in the coming days, that is, a meeting between President Vladimir Putin and Donald Trump,” which he said was made “at the suggestion of the American side.”

However, the White House had not confirmed any bilateral meeting. Trump himself expressed skepticism about Putin’s intentions during a Wednesday press conference, noting he has “been disappointed before” by Moscow’s promises of seeking peace.

“He talks nice and then he bombs everybody,” Trump said, referring to Putin’s pattern of private peace pledges followed by aerial attacks on Ukrainian civilians.

Trump indicated he would determine Putin’s seriousness about ending the war “within a matter of weeks, maybe less.” The president expressed concern about hosting a bilateral meeting ahead of a trilateral one, fearing Putin might continue to “tap along” Trump with meaningless talks.

The Kremlin appears resistant to including Zelenskyy in any initial meeting.

“First of all, we propose to focus on the preparation of a bilateral meeting with Trump and we consider the main thing that this meeting should be successful and effective,” Ushakov said.

President Donald Trump has indicated to allies that Russian leader Vladimir Putin may be willing to engage in peace negotiations in exchange for territorial concessions, Bloomberg reported on 7 August, citing multiple sources familiar with the discussions.

Trump has reportedly informed allies he is considering hosting a summit that could include Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. The US president has also expressed optimism about the possibility of a ceasefire, the sources told Bloomberg.

The developments follow a meeting between Putin and Trump’s envoy Steve Witkoff in Moscow on 6 August. Trump characterized the encounter as achieving “great progress.” Following the Moscow discussions, Trump called Zelenskyy to brief him on what was discussed during the Kremlin meeting.

“That road was long, and continues to be long, but there’s a good chance that there will be a meeting very soon,” Trump told reporters in the Oval Office on 6 August, describing prospects for meeting with Putin.

The Kremlin has moved to build momentum for potential talks. Foreign policy aide Yuri Ushakov told reporters on 7 August that the US and Russia have agreed on a venue for a meeting between their leaders, with plans to hold talks next week. “We are starting to work on specific issues,” Ushakov said.

However, White House officials cautioned that no meeting would be set unless Putin agrees to meet with Zelenskyy, and no location has been confirmed. Putin told reporters on 7 August he didn’t object to meeting Zelenskyy “under the right conditions, though he said they don’t exist now.”

Zelenskyy has signaled Ukraine’s willingness to participate in multiple meeting formats. The Ukrainian president said he and European allies discussed “various formats” of peace talks with Trump, including “two bilateral and one trilateral” meetings between the three presidents.

During talks with UAE President Mohammed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan on on 7 August, Putin suggested the United Arab Emirates could serve as a suitable venue for a summit with Trump.

The diplomatic maneuvering comes as Trump faces a self-imposed deadline, having threatened secondary tariffs on Russian oil purchasers unless Putin agrees to a truce by 8 August. The war, now in its fourth year, has left Russia controlling nearly one-fifth of Ukrainian territory.

Current territorial disputes center on Crimea, which Russia illegally annexed in 2014, and the eastern and southern Ukrainian regions of Donetsk, Luhansk, Zaporizhzhia and Kherson that Russian forces don’t fully occupy. Ukraine maintains it will not cede any territory and demands Russian troop withdrawal plus reparations for war damage since the February 2022 invasion.

Previous US proposals reportedly included recognizing Crimea as Russian territory while returning parts of Zaporizhzhia and Kherson oblasts to Ukrainian control.

Zelenskyy coordinated positions with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz during a phone call. Both leaders agreed “the war must be ended as soon as possible with a dignified peace.” National security advisers from Ukraine, the US and Europe are scheduled to hold an online meeting to align positions.

The Trump administration intends to scale back US criticism of Russia and other nations with extensive abuse records, according to leaked State Department human rights report drafts reviewed by The Washington Post.

The draft reports for Russia, Israel and El Salvador are significantly shorter than last year’s Biden administration versions and remove all references to LGBTQ+ individuals or crimes against them. Descriptions of government abuses have been softened throughout the documents.

“The 2024 Human Rights report has been restructured in a way that removes redundancies, increases report readability,” a senior State Department official said on 6 August. The official added that the Trump administration will focus on “core issues.”

The changes follow internal guidance by Trump appointee Samuel Samson instructing diplomats to remove references to violence against LGBTQ+ people and government corruption. Samson reviewed the reports for all three countries.

The draft Israel report shrank from over 100 pages to just 25 pages. Russia’s report contains no mention of the country’s Supreme Court ban on LGBTQ+ organizations or subsequent raids and arrests.

“Secretary Rubio has repeatedly asserted that his State Department has not abandoned human rights, but it is clear this administration only cares about the human rights of some people in some countries, when it’s convenient,” said Keifer Buckingham, former State Department official now at the Council for Global Equality.

The documents show how Trump is rethinking America’s role in global human rights advocacy, according to the WP. Officials point to Trump’s May speech in Saudi Arabia, where he criticized “Western interventionists giving you lectures on how to live or govern your own affairs.”

US diplomats have compiled these reports for nearly 50 years. Their findings are considered the most thorough of their kind and are relied upon by courts worldwide.

The reports are congressionally mandated by February’s end, with public release typically in March or April. The drafts for Russia and El Salvador are marked “finalized,” while Israel’s is under “quality check.”

More than half of Ukrainians expect their country to join the European Union within the next decade, though confidence in rapid accession has declined for the second consecutive year, according to a Gallup poll.

The survey asked respondents when they expect Ukraine to become an EU member: within 10 years, 10-20 years, more than 20 years, or never. Some 52% believe membership will occur within 10 years – the lowest figure since the start of the full-scale war. This represents a significant drop from 2022-2023, when 73% held this view.

About 16% of respondents expect EU accession within 10-20 years, while 5% believe it will take more than 20 years. Some 18% do not believe Ukraine will ever be accepted into the EU – the highest such figure in recent years, though the increase in skeptics was smaller than for a similar question about NATO membership.

The poll also revealed that Ukrainians’ assessment of US leadership in 2025 reached its lowest point in more than 10 years, while approval of Berlin’s actions hit a multi-year high.

The data shows a clear shift in Ukrainian public opinion regarding EU integration timelines. The 21% decline in those expecting rapid EU membership – from 73% in 2022-2023 to 52% currently – represents the most substantial change in public sentiment on this issue since the war began.

Despite the declining optimism for quick accession, the majority of Ukrainians maintain faith in eventual EU membership. Only 18% expressing complete skepticism about the prospect.

Ukraine plans to begin search and exhumation operations on Polish territory in September, Deputy Minister of Culture and Strategic Communications Andriy Nadzihos announced.

The cross-border initiative represents ongoing efforts by both countries to address historical wounds from World War II, when Polish and Ukrainian civilians were killed in ethnic violence in territories that are now part of western Ukraine.

“We are preparing to start search and exhumation work on Polish territory in September – in the village of Yurechkova,” Nadzihos told Ukrinform. “We plan to make a preparatory trip there in mid-August, and in September – to start excavations. We want to make it before the start of the rainy season.”

The announcement marks a reciprocal step in Polish-Ukrainian cooperation on historical reconciliation. Poland has provided Ukraine with 13 locations for conducting such work, while Ukraine has offered four locations to the Polish side, according to Nadzihos.

The September operations will follow exhumation work that began in Lviv in early June, when a Polish-Ukrainian team started searching for Polish military personnel killed at the beginning of World War II. Ukraine granted permission to Poland for exhumation work on the former territory of Zboyiska village, now within Lviv city limits, the Ministry of Culture reported in June.

Polish Foreign Minister Radosław Sikorski recently indicated that exhumation work “should soon begin in this and one other locality.”

Ukraine celebrated its National Day at EXPO 2025 in Osaka on 5 August, dedicating the event to partners and allies supporting the country, the Ukrainian pavilion team at EXPO 2025 told Ukrainska Pravda.

EXPO 2025 opened in Osaka on April 13 with the theme “Designing Future Society for Our Lives,” featuring over 160 countries and organizations until October 13. Japan provided Ukraine free exhibition space.

More than 15 participating countries joined the organization of the event, according to the report. The team continued the main concept of the Ukrainian pavilion “Not For Sale,” which tells about Ukrainian society’s values.

The pavilion added five new exhibits to its “things not for sale” collection under the title “Imported Goods.” These artifacts honor cultural figures and activists from Japan, Great Britain, Germany, and Canada who demonstrate solidarity with Ukraine.

Musician and composer Mariana Klochko presented the “Ode of Gratitude” – a musical composition created specifically for Ukraine’s National Day in collaboration with creative agency Bickerstaff.734. The music combines sounds from allied countries, layering them to create “an image of solidarity’s common sound.” The band ONUKA also performed at the event.

The National Day began with an official opening ceremony attended by over 500 guests. Ukraine received greetings from Japan’s highest government representatives: Yuichiro Koga, State Minister in the Cabinet of Ministers of Japan and Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry of Japan; Eisuke Mori, Chairman of the Japan-Ukraine Parliamentary Friendship League; and Koji Haneda, General Commissioner of the World Exhibition EXPO 2025 in Japan.

The Czech pavilion hosted a panel discussion titled “Ukraine Unbreakable Classrooms,” organized by the public organization “Osvitoria.” The event focused on learning resilience during wartime and international support for Ukraine’s educational system. The discussion was accompanied by excerpts from the documentary film “Tape of Time” by director Kateryna Gornostay, followed by a performance by the band KAZKA.

An immersive exhibition “Home Beyond the Dawn” opened at the Romanian pavilion under the curation of Natalia Matsenko. The exhibition unites works by over 30 contemporary Ukrainian artists exploring the transformation of the concept of “home” during war.

The Belgian pavilion initiated panel discussions on art and its role in contemporary realities, bringing together Ukrainian female artists who shared their experiences.

The ceremonial conclusion of Ukraine’s National Day featured an official reception with a menu specially developed by Ukrainian chef Yevhen Klopotenko. In solidarity, friendly pavilions illuminated their facades in Ukrainian flag colors and raised yellow and blue flags.

Ukraine’s pavilion “Not For Sale” will continue operating until 13 October.

About world exhibition EXPO

World Exhibitions began in London’s Crystal Palace in 1851, drawing over 6 million visitors to showcase Industrial Revolution achievements. Today they serve as platforms for demonstrating global technological innovations.

This cuts the original from 115 words to 54 words while preserving the essential information: current EXPO dates and theme, participation numbers, Japan’s support for Ukraine, historical context, and the exhibition’s purpose.

Radio Svoboda journalists have released previously unseen surveillance camera footage documenting the killing of 70-year-old Bucha resident Volodymyr Rubailo by Russian military personnel on Yablunska Street on 4 March 2022.

The video recordings, published by Radio Liberty on 6 August, show Russian soldiers first wounding Volodymyr Rubailo with an initial shot, then executing him with a targeted shot to the head while the civilian man could barely stand on his feet. Shortly after, Russian military personnel began systematically looting a grocery supermarket near Rubailo’s body, which remained on the ground throughout the incident.

“They broke the glass and went inside. They put the stolen goods in baskets and bags and loaded them onto armored vehicles. To take more, some filled shopping carts and wheeled them down the street to the houses of Bucha residents they had just captured,” Radio Svoboda journalists reported.

The publication previously reported that Russian paratroopers from the 234th Airborne Assault Regiment from Pskov may be involved in Rubailo’s murder, specifically a group led by Sergeant Vladimir Borzunov. Radio Svoboda established that his unit was positioned at the location from which, according to Ukrainian ballistics experts, the shots were fired at the Bucha civilian.

In a telephone conversation with a Radio Svoboda correspondent, Sergeant Borzunov confirmed that Russian military personnel killed Rubailo but denied his involvement and that of his subordinates in the civilian’s murder.

On 24 June, law enforcement officials identified three additional Russian military personnel involved in the killings of civilians during the temporary occupation of part of Kyiv Oblast. On 3 July, prosecutors sent the cases of four Russian servicemen accused of shooting civilians in Bucha to court.

Background: Bucha occupation and liberation

Bucha remained under occupation for 33 days. Russian military forces with heavy equipment entered Bucha on the morning of 27 February 2022. That same day, a missile hit a residential building, and mayor Anatoly Fedoruk reported the first casualties.

Russian forces left the city on 31 March 2022. On the evening of 2 April, the Ministry of Defense officially announced that all settlements in Kyiv Oblast had been liberated from Russian military forces.

When journalists and Ukrainian military personnel reached the city after Bucha’s liberation, they discovered evidence of mass killings. Some bodies were found on the streets, others with hands tied behind their backs. Ukraine officially called on the world to join the investigation into the murders of civilians in Bucha. On 14 April 2024, International Criminal Court Prosecutor Karim Khan personally visited Bucha.

On 8 April 2022, authorities began exhuming bodies from a mass grave near the Church of St. Andrew the First-Called and All Saints in Bucha to identify the victims and establish the circumstances of their deaths. Private American company Maxar Technologies reported that the first signs of the mass grave near the church were captured in satellite images on 10 March 2022.

Law enforcement officials have documented over 9,000 war crimes committed by the Russian army during the occupation of the Bucha district in Kyiv Oblast. More than 1,700 civilians died. During 2022 alone, law enforcement managed to identify 91 Russian military personnel who committed war crimes. The Armed Forces of Ukraine reported they had eliminated Russian soldiers who tortured civilians in Bucha.

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The US Department of State has approved the potential sale of repair, maintenance and logistics services for M777 howitzers to Ukraine in a deal valued at $203.5 million, according to a Pentagon press release.

The announcement comes as President Trump has indicated plans to transfer up to 17 Patriot air defense systems to Ukraine in the near future, marking a significant shift as the administration had previously paused some weapons aid for Ukraine.

The package consists of two separate contracts designed to sustain Ukraine’s artillery capabilities. The larger contract, worth $104 million, covers military equipment sales, repair services and support for M777 howitzers and related systems. UK-based BAE Systems will serve as the main contractor for this portion of the deal.

A second contract valued at $99.5 million will handle transportation and logistics services, with the Pentagon indicating the main contractor will be selected from among approved US suppliers.

The Pentagon emphasized that no offset agreements are currently part of this arrangement. Officials said the sale serves broader strategic objectives, noting that “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 approval represents the latest in a series of military assistance measures for Ukraine. On 11 July, the US Senate Armed Services Committee approved $500 million in security assistance to Ukraine as part of the draft defense budget for fiscal year 2026.

Earlier in July, the State Department approved two additional military aid packages. The first included HAWK Phase III air defense systems and maintenance services.The second covered Bradley infantry fighting vehicles and repair services, according to Pentagon.

The M777 howitzer maintenance deal requires Congressional notification and final approval before implementation, following standard procedures for foreign military sales.

State Department spokesperson Tammie Bruce announced that Denmark, Norway, Sweden and the Netherlands will finance the delivery of American weapons to Ukraine worth more than $1 billion.

During a briefing, Bruce said Denmark, Norway and Sweden declared their decision to fund an additional package of American weapons for Ukraine worth $500 million. A day earlier, the Netherlands announced it would pay for the first package of American weapons and ammunition, including missiles for the Patriot air defense system, worth more than $500 million.

“Together, these deliveries total over US$1 billion of lifesaving, top-of-the-line American equipment that, as noted by Ambassador Whitaker, will allow Ukraine to, quote, ‘protect critical infrastructure and civilian lives while also staying in the fight until a lasting ceasefire happens’,” Bruce said.

The announcements follow recent developments in NATO’s support mechanism for Ukraine. On 4 August, the Netherlands reported about the preparation of an aid package for Ukraine under NATO’s Prioritized Ukraine Requirements List (PURL) initiative, which included components and missiles for the Patriot air defense system.

The following day, US Ambassador to NATO Matthew Whitaker said that new announcements about military aid packages for Ukraine from other countries under the PURL mechanism could appear soon.

Reuters previously reported on the new financing mechanism for military aid to Kyiv, with sources saying NATO hopes to provide Ukraine with weapons worth $10 billion through this initiative.

Ukraine’s Defense Forces launched the Kursk operation one year ago on 6 August 2024, resulting in over 77,000 Russian military casualties, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine Oleksandr Syrskyi wrote on Facebook.

The operation was Ukraine’s response to Russia’s preparation of a new offensive campaign in northern Slobozhanshchyna, Syrskyi said. “After careful planning of the operation, our units were able to break through enemy defenses, go deep into the Russian rear and disrupt its logistics,” he said.

At the operation’s peak, Ukrainian forces controlled up to 1,300 square kilometers of Kursk Oblast territory, forcing Russia to redeploy significant reserves and reducing pressure on other front directions. The operation prevented Russia from implementing its offensive plans and created a buffer zone that kept Sumy and Kharkiv free from attack.

Heavy casualties and equipment losses

Throughout the year in the Kursk grouping’s area of responsibility, Ukrainian forces inflicted significant losses on the Russian army. Russia lost over 77,000 military personnel killed and injured, including approximately 4,000 North Korean citizens, according to Syrskyi’s report.

Ukrainian forces also destroyed or damaged 7,236 units of Russian weapons and military equipment, including 11 tanks, 1,083 armored fighting vehicles, 907 artillery systems, one aircraft, three helicopters, 15 air defense systems, and 2,795 vehicles.

The operation resulted in the capture of 1,018 Russian servicemen, enabling the return of hundreds of Ukrainian soldiers, including those held captive since 2022.

Mission objectives achieved

The Commander-in-Chief emphasized that the Kursk offensive operation achieved most of the goals set by senior leadership.

“In fact, Russian forces was able to restore lost positions and areas only after it involved North Korean troops, significantly increased its grouping, and transferred the main intensity of the use of guided aerial bombs to Kursk,” Syrskyi said.

Russian forces only began recovering lost territory after North Korea deployed troops to support the operation and Russia intensified its use of guided bombs in the region.

As of today, Ukrainian troops maintain presence in the Glushkovsky district of Kursk Oblast, constraining part of the Russian offensive grouping.

North Korean involvement

North Korea has effectively joined Russia’s war against Ukraine by sending over 10,000 military personnel formed in Kursk Oblast and involved in combat operations. Pyongyang also supplies Russia with ammunition, artillery systems, and ballistic missiles used to shell Ukrainian cities.

South Korean intelligence previously reported that North Korea is preparing another batch of soldiers for Russia. According to CNN, North Korea may send an additional 30,000 military personnel to the war against Ukraine.

Ukrainian drones struck the Tatsinskaya railway station in Russia’s Rostov Oblast for the second consecutive night, causing a fire near freight tanks, according to Russian Telegram channel Astra.

The attack occurred during the night of 5-6 August. Local residents reported about explosions and subsequent fires at the facility.

“The drone strike was apparently aimed at railway infrastructure,” said Petro Andryushchenko, head of the Center for the Study of Occupation.

“This is a non-electrified section of the railway and we are not hitting substations. This means we are systematically cutting out the Russians’ railway, including diesel traction with locomotives. For a long time,” he said.

The Tatsinskaya station had already been targeted the previous night, with explosions and fires reported on 4-5 August. That attack also affected the cities of Millerovo and Belaya Kalitva in the same oblast.

The railway attacks represent a shift toward targeting transportation infrastructure that supports both civilian and military logistics. The Tatsinskaya station sits on a key rail line connecting southern Russia with other oblasts.

Separately, the Russian city of Bryansk came under massive drone attack early morning on 6 August. Local witnesses described a column of thick black smoke rising from an oil depot area where drone debris had fallen.

The Bryansk Oblast has faced repeated drone attacks throughout the summer. In late June, Ukrainian drones struck rocket fuel storage facilities and fuel and lubricant warehouses belonging to the Russian army, causing fires at an oil depot. Ukrainian forces also destroyed an Iskander missile system near Bryansk during that period.

Russian authorities have not officially commented on either the railway station attacks or the Bryansk oil depot strike.

Tulcea county in Romania declared a 90-minute air alert on the night of 6 August as Russian strike drones targeted southern Odesa Oblast across the Danube River.

The Romanian county sits on the opposite bank of the Danube from Ukraine’s southernmost cities. Romanian residents could clearly observe air defense operations and explosions from Ukrainian territory during the Russian drone attack.

The resulting fire from the shelling caused panic among Romanian civilians, according to the report. Twenty people called emergency services, believing the blaze was occurring near their location.

“Response forces remained in the area to monitor the situation and intervene if necessary. We again call for calm and remind that Russia’s attack targets are not Romanian territory, and we call on citizens to follow safety measures recommended by authorities,” Romanian fire services reported, according to Digi24.

The attack was also visible from Moldovan territory. Readers reported the incident to local publication Nokta.

This comes as Russian forces launched 45 Shahed-type strike drones and decoy drones of various types from the evening of 5 August. Air defense systems destroyed or suppressed 36 Russian drones across northern, southern, and eastern Ukraine.

Since Russia’s full-scale invasion began, drone debris from attacks on southern Ukrainian targets has repeatedly fallen in border areas of Moldova and Romania. Some projectiles have penetrated deeper into their territories.

Following initial incidents, Romanian authorities began issuing air alerts along the Danube riverbank when Russian attacks occur nearby.

This summer, at least one Russian Shahed-type drone entered Lithuanian airspace through Belarusian territory.

Two people died and 12 others were injured, including children, when Russian forces struck a recreation base in Zaporizhzhia district in the early hours of 6 August, according to Zaporizhzhia Oblast Governor Ivan Fedorov.

The State Emergency Service later clarified that occupying forces had targeted a recreation base specifically.

At least nine buildings sustained damage in the attack. Emergency services worked at the scene, with rescue workers transporting the wounded and handing them over to emergency medical teams while evacuating other people from the area.

Among the nine hospitalized were two children. “Both are under medical supervision, one is in serious condition,” Fedorov said in a subsequent update.

Emergency responders worked to extinguish fires that broke out in an outbuilding, vehicles, and five separate blazes across open territory. The attack damaged nine single-story holiday cottages at the recreation facility.

The assault formed part of broader overnight Russian attacks across Ukraine. In Dnipropetrovsk Oblast, Russian occupying forces struck Nikopol and Synelnykivsk districts during the night, damaging an enterprise, residential building, and infrastructure, regional head Serhiy Lysak said.

Ukrainian Air Forces reported that Russia launched 45 Shahed-type strike drones and decoy drones of various types from the evening of 5 August. Air defense systems destroyed or suppressed 36 Russian drones across northern, southern, and eastern Ukraine.

Russian forces launched the drones from the directions of Kursk and Primorsko-Akhtarsk in Russia, and from Cape Chauda in temporarily occupied Crimea. Aviation, anti-aircraft missile forces, electronic warfare units, unmanned systems units, and mobile fire groups of Ukraine’s Defense Forces repelled the air attack.

Ukraine’s Prime Minister Yulia Svyrydenko announced preparations for three joint Ukraine-US projects in the mining sector, with implementation planned to begin within the next 18 months under a bilateral minerals agreement.

Svyrydenko made the announcement on Facebook following negotiations with US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent. The officials discussed creating the American-Ukrainian Investment Recovery Fund, with the first board of directors meeting scheduled for September.

“We are working to expand its mandate so that the fund can also invest in the defense sector. The task is to launch the first three projects within 18 months,” Svyrydenko said.

The talks focused significantly on defense cooperation, including President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s initiative for a potential agreement on production and export of Ukrainian drones, as well as possible procurement of American weapons.

“We also raised the issue of strengthening sanctions pressure and cooperation with international financial organizations,” Svyrydenko added.

The mining projects represent the latest development in expanding Ukraine-US economic ties. On 1 May, Economics Minister Yulia Svyrydenko and the US Treasury Secretary signed a minerals agreement. The following day, the government submitted the Investment Recovery Fund agreement to the Verkhovna Rada (Ukraine’s Parliament) for ratification.

The International Policy Committee supported the minerals agreement on 6 May, and the Verkhovna Rada voted to ratify the Ukraine-US minerals agreement on 8 May.

The investment fund’s expanded mandate could potentially channel American capital into Ukraine’s defense industry, marking a significant shift in bilateral economic cooperation beyond traditional reconstruction efforts.