Donald Trump is negotiating with European allies to deploy American private military contractors to Ukraine as part of long-term security guarantees, offering a workaround to his campaign promise against stationing US troops in the country, The Telegraph reports.

The contractor plan forms part of a comprehensive European-led security framework involving thousands of troops, air policing missions, and Black Sea naval operations that European officials say cannot proceed without American intelligence, logistics, and command support.

Final details of the comprehensive security framework could be announced as soon as this weekend, with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy indicating that specifics are imminent.

Any proposals are likely to face Russian objection, but Trump has reportedly told European leaders that Vladimir Putin is open to Western allies offering Ukraine security guarantees. 

American contractors could build Ukraine’s defensive lines

The Telegraph reported that US contractors would help rebuild Ukraine’s front-line defenses, construct new military bases.

The American president signaled willingness to support what could become one of the most significant overseas missions since the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq.

Front-line fortifications and nearby bases would be built by American private military contractors using methods deployed in Iraq and Afghanistan, The Telegraph reported, citing European officials.

“The principal aim is to demonstrate to the Ukrainians that we would be in the fight with you if Russia re-invades,” one official told the publication.

Multi-layered defense framework takes shape

The Telegraph outlined a comprehensive three-tier security structure under negotiation between Western allies.

The first line of defense would involve Ukrainian soldiers defending a reinforced border at frozen front lines, with discussions ongoing about a demilitarized buffer zone extending 20 kilometers on either side of the contact line. 

US intelligence support for both Ukrainian forces and any peacekeeping mission is considered highly likely, while NATO or US command of peacekeeping operations remains under negotiation.

Behind Ukrainian forces, a European-led peacekeeping force would provide secondary deterrence, with thousands of European troops stationed deeper in Ukraine. 

Ukrainian forces would continue receiving training from British, French, and other European militaries under arrangements considered highly likely to proceed.

The final backstop would involve US fighter jets and missiles positioned in neighboring countries like Poland or Romania to deter Russian attacks against forces in Ukraine. 

American heavy-lift aircraft would transport European equipment into Ukraine, while a staged approach would reopen Ukrainian airports from west to east as confidence in ceasefire arrangements builds.

European peace plan still needs US backing

The contractor deployment forms part of a broader European-led security framework that includes air policing missions, naval operations in the Black Sea, and training programs moved to Ukrainian soil.

European officials said the presence of American contractors would provide a “major boost” because it puts American passport holders on the ground, creating a deterrent effect against Russian attacks due to fear of US retaliation.

A Whitehall source told The Telegraph that private American contractors “puts American ‘boots’ […] on the ground, which is then effectively the deterrent to Putin.”

The European reassurance force was previously discussed as a 30,000-troop deployment but has been scaled back due to resource limitations and concerns it could appear “too muscular” to Putin, sources said.

US support requirements expose European gaps

Despite European leadership of the security framework, American support remains essential for intelligence, logistics, and command structures. 

European nations lack the satellite capabilities needed to monitor any ceasefire and require US heavy-lift aircraft to transport equipment and troops.

The Pentagon has discussed positioning US General Alexus Grynkewich, NATO’s top commander, to oversee deployments under the peace plan. 

The White House has already approved his involvement in military planning, which European allies view as one of the greatest signs of Trump’s support for security guarantees.

European governments have requested Trump station fighter jets and missiles in neighboring Poland or Romania to respond to Russian aggression against their forces in Ukraine. 

“The prospect of an American military response is an entirely different prospect to a European response,” one source said.

Business interests drive contractor discussions

The contractor talks coincide with the signing of a joint US-Ukraine deal to extract Ukraine’s vast rare earth mineral wealth. 

Using private contractors would allow Trump to champion another business deal while addressing concerns among his supporters who oppose foreign military intervention.

Russian opposition threatens framework implementation

Russia dismissed Western security guarantee proposals as “one-sided” and “designed to contain Russia” on Friday, adding to European skepticism about Moscow’s willingness to agree to any ceasefire.

Many European officials believe Putin is misleading Trump and prolonging the war to gain more territory, according to The Telegraph. 

Putin’s reluctance to agree to a ceasefire led Trump to withdraw economic incentives previously offered to Russia, including access to Alaska’s natural resources and sanctions relief.

The comprehensive peace plan details could be announced as soon as this weekend, following weeks of diplomatic activity sparked by Trump’s Alaska talks with Putin.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy outlined three core requirements for Ukraine’s security guarantees on Friday, specifying military support, NATO-level backing, and sustained sanctions against Russia as essential components of any post-war arrangement.

The framework reflects Ukraine’s escalating pressure on Western partners to provide concrete security assurances. Ongoing negotiations with the US and European leaders focus on defining exactly what protections Ukraine would receive and how they would deter future Russian attacks. 

Ukraine defines security architecture

Speaking at a press briefing on 29 August, Zelenskyy detailed the three “key blocks” that must underpin Ukraine’s security framework. 

The first centers on maintaining current military force levels and ensuring weapons supplies through Ukrainian, European, and American production capabilities.

The second pillar focuses on NATO-level agreements with partner countries, establishing their readiness to support Ukraine in case of renewed Russian aggression. 

The third component involves continued sanctions against Russia and the utilization of frozen Russian assets for Ukraine’s reconstruction efforts.

Moscow unlikely to accept multilateral protection efforts

Earlier today, Russia signaled flat rejection of current Western security guarantee proposals, with Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova claiming such arrangements would turn Ukraine into a “strategic provocateur” on Russia’s borders. 

Her statement that security guarantees “must take into account Russia’s security interests” effectively demands Moscow have veto power over Ukrainian defense arrangements.

Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said on Friday that Western security guarantee proposals would turn Ukraine into a “strategic provocateur” on Russia’s borders, signaling Moscow’s rejection of multilateral efforts to protect Kyiv from future aggression, according to Reuters.

Russia’s response comes as Ukraine prepares to formalize its security guarantee framework next week, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced on Thursday following discussions with European partners. Ukrainian officials consider robust security guarantees essential to prevent Moscow from exploiting any future ceasefire to regroup militarily before launching new offensives. 

Zakharova outlined Moscow’s position that “security guarantees must be based on reaching a common understanding that takes into account Russia’s security interests,” she told reporters Friday during a news briefing in Moscow. 

The Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman dismissed current Western proposals as “one-sided and clearly designed to contain Russia.” 

She warned that such arrangements would assign “Kyiv the role of a strategic provocateur on Russia’s borders, increasing the risk of the [NATO] alliance becoming involved in an armed conflict with our country.”

Zakharova’s statement that security guarantees “must take into account Russia’s security interests” effectively demands Moscow have veto power over Ukrainian defense arrangements – precisely what Ukraine and its allies have rejected in previous negotiations.

Moscow’s “security concerns”

Zakharova’s language about “strategic provocateurs” echoes familiar Russian talking points used to justify the 2022 invasion. Moscow has consistently opposed any security arrangements that would constrain its ability to attack Ukraine again.

The rejection seems to contradict recent signals from Russia’s chief negotiator Kirill Dmitriev, who indicated in April that “some security guarantees in some form may be acceptable.” Friday’s statement suggests Moscow’s position has hardened as Western proposals gained substance.

Ukraine’s comprehensive security framework taking shape

Ukraine’s European allies have been working to develop security guarantees that would be more robust than the failed 1994 Budapest Memorandum. 

NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte promised last week there would be “no repeat of the Budapest Memorandum,” outlining dual-layer protections including military strengthening and deterrence guarantees.

Separately, Ukraine has been discussing a proposed $90 billion US weapons package that could fund 4.5 years of military support, while military chiefs from over 30 countries have been meeting in Paris to coordinate potential peacekeeping arrangements.

Ukraine plans to complete its security guarantee framework by early next week. Moscow’s rejection suggests the Kremlin will continue opposing Western efforts to establish credible deterrence mechanisms. 

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan on Thursday discussed comprehensive security guarantees for Ukraine, including Türkiye’s potential defense involvement in Black Sea security arrangements.

The diplomatic push came hours after Russian forces killed 21 people including four children in Kyiv in a massive overnight assault on Ukraine using over 30 missiles and around 600 drones. 

“Ukraine is ready to engage in the format of leaders, as this is the only effective format. Unfortunately, it is Russia that avoids this and continues its war,” Zelenskyy reported on X following the call.

Thursday morning’s attack struck diplomatic facilities including the Turkish embassy, EU delegation, and British Council, as well as several residential buildings in the capital city. “This is Putin’s response to all the efforts by Ukraine, the United States, and our European partners to stop the killings,” he wrote. 

“We also discussed security guarantees extensively. National security advisors are now working on every specific component, and the entire framework will be set out on paper next week,” he added in the post.

Türkiye’s mediator role amid security guarantee deadlock

Türkiye has positioned itself as the primary mediator in Ukraine-Russia peace efforts, with President Erdoğan consistently pushing for direct talks between leaders while declaring that “European security without Türkiye is unthinkable.” Bloomberg reported in March 2025 that Türkiye is evaluating potential peacekeeping missions in Ukraine as Europe scrambles to fill gaps left by reduced US commitments under Trump. 

However, security guarantees remain the central obstacle to any peace deal. Zelenskyy has consistently argued that “security guarantees without America are not real security guarantees,” emphasizing European guarantees alone would be ineffective without US involvement. 

Ukraine maintains that any ceasefire must include “clear security guarantees” to prevent future Russian attacks, while Trump has pressured Ukraine to accept deals without such protections.

Editor’s note: This article is being updated as new information comes in.

Russia launched a massive aerial strike on Kyiv and other Ukrainian cities far from the front lines on the morning of 28 August, 2025. 

At least 21 people have been killed in Kyiv, with another 63 injured – reported as of 20:45pm. 

Four children are among the dead, including three aged 2, 14, and 17. Eleven children are also injured.

35 people are hospitalized, including six children. 

The barrage struck 33 locations throughout the city, with a direct missile hit destroying a five-story apartment building in Darnytskyi district where rescue operations continue to extract people from rubble.

“We have a record – damage in all districts of the city,” reports Head of the Kyiv City Military Administration Timur Tkachenko.

“These Russian missiles and strike drones today are a clear response to everyone in the world who has been calling for a ceasefire and real diplomacy for weeks and months,” said President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Telegram.

He called on world leaders to react to the attack, specifically calling out China and Hungary. “We are waiting for the reaction of everyone in the world who called for peace, but now remains silent more often than taking principled positions.”

“All deadlines have been missed, dozens of opportunities for diplomacy have been ruined. Russia must feel responsibility for every strike, for every day of this war,” he added. 

Russia launched 598 drones overnight, including both Shahed attack drones and decoy drones designed to overwhelm air defense, Ukraine’s Air Force reports.

They also launched 31 missiles, including 2 Kh-47M2 Kinzhal aeroballistic missiles, 9 Iskander-M or North Korean KN-23 ballistic missiles, and 20 Kh-101 cruise missiles. 

Ukraine’s air defense intercepted 563 drones, 1 Kh-47M2 Kinzhal missile, 7 Iskander-M/KN-23 missiles, and 18 Kh-101 missiles, according to the statement. 

Impact of the attack across Kyiv

In Darnytskyi district, Russians destroyed part of a five-story apartment building with a direct hit. Nine- and 16-story residential buildings, a private house, parking area, and kindergarten were also damaged.

In Dniprovskyi district, a 25-story residential building was damaged and a drone hit the yard next to a nine-story building, setting cars on fire. Dozens of vehicles were damaged across several locations in the district.

In Solomianskyi district, a private residential house caught fire, but the blaze has been contained.

Shevchenkivskyi district also suffered heavy damage, with several non-residential buildings, offices, and civilian vehicles hit.

In Holosiivskyi district, fires broke out at several locations in the morning, leaving more than 10 buildings with shattered windows and damaging vehicles.

Non-residential areas in Desnyanskyyi district were also affected, while damage was reported in Obolonskyi district.

Russia has persecuted 122 people in “Hizb ut-Tahrir cases” since occupying Crimea in 2014, with 119 of them being indigenous Crimean Tatars, according to the Crimean Tatar Resource Center (CTRC).

“The Russian Federation unlawfully uses its legislation for political purposes, particularly to suppress the non-violent struggle of Crimean Tatars and their protest against the occupation of Crimea,” the CTRC stated.

Crimean Tatars are the peninsula’s indigenous Muslim population who faced mass deportation under Soviet rule in 1944. 

The current cases involve charges related to Hizb ut-Tahrir, an Islamic organization banned in Russia since 2003 but legal in Ukraine and most other countries. 

83 Crimean Tatars currently imprisoned in Russian prisons and colonies

According to the CTRC report, 83 people are serving sentences in Russian prisons and colonies, while 27 remain in pre-trial detention. Three are under house arrest, eight have been released with restrictions, and one person died in Russian custody.

The cases have left 252 children without fathers, according to the CTRC. Russian authorities have reportedly conducted 20 waves of arrests since the occupation began, with the most recent in February 2025 when five men were detained.

Russia bases cases on anonymous witnesses and FSB experts

“The accusations in these ‘cases’ are based on the testimony of ‘undisclosed witnesses’ and the conclusions of ‘experts’ who actively cooperate with the FSB,” the CTRC stated. Evidence typically includes Islamic literature found during searches, FSB operational data, and audio recordings of discussions on religious and political topics.

Russia banned Hizb ut-Tahrir in a closed court session in 2003 without providing evidence of terrorist activity, according to the CTRC, yet continues using this designation to prosecute Crimean residents. Sentences range up to 19 years in maximum security colonies.

Hizb ut-Tahrir operates legally in 58 countries despite Russian ban

Hizb ut-Tahrir operates legally in Ukraine and most other countries. The CTRC noted that “in its 75 years of existence, it has not organized a single terrorist attack or armed violence.”

The CTRC has called for the release of all defendants and urged international sanctions against those responsible for the prosecutions.

Maksym Butkevych has made the short list for the 2025 edition of the Václav Havel Human Rights Prize, PACE announced on 26 August. The prize is given to those who have made significant contributions to civil society in defense of human rights in Europe and beyond. 

The shortlisting demonstrates international recognition of Ukrainian civil society’s resilience under authoritarian pressure, with Butkevych representing defenders who’ve paid the ultimate price for their principles. Over two decades, he established himself as one of Ukraine’s leading voices on justice and human rights. 

Journalist, activist, and anti-militarist, Maksym Butkevych has a long history of fighting for human rights in Ukrainian society – both on and off the battlefield. 

He co-founded the ZMINA Center for Human Rights and Hromadske Radio, a leading independent Ukrainian media outlet. 

Despite his pacifist views, in 2022 he joined the Armed Forces of Ukraine, viewing the decision as essential to human rights protection. The same year, he was captured by Russian forces and ultimately spent 913 days in a Russian prison on occupied Ukrainian land before his release in October, 2024. 

Today, he continues to fight for those still in Russian captivity. 

The Václav Havel Human Rights Prize

The Václav Havel Prize is organized by the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE), named after the former Czech president, author, and dissident. The prize has a history of honoring people and organizations who have suffered under authoritarian regimes around the world. 

The prize is intended to “pay tribute to all defenders of human rights who, sometimes at the cost of their lives, stand firm to protect and promote fundamental freedoms and human rights.”

“Václav Havel believed deeply in the power of words and the importance of journalism, stating that words can change history and that truthful expression can disrupt oppressive regimes,” the PACE President said on the prize’s website. 

The winner of the prize will be announced on 29 September. 

Three finalists represent struggle for fundamental freedoms across Europe

Mzia Amaghlobeli, Georgia:

Mzia Amaghlobeli has been a pioneering Georgian journalist since 2000 and co-founder of the independent media outlets Batumelebi and Netgazeti. Despite politically motivated imprisonment and harsh mistreatment following her exposure of abuses during protests, her courageous actions have helped draw attention to media repression and political abuse, aiming to ensure a democratic future for Georgia. Her arrest and subsequent sentencing in 2025 made her a symbol of press freedom and resilience in the face of government repression, highlighting the crucial role journalists play in defending human rights.

Maksym Butkevych, Ukraine:

Maksym Butkevych is a Ukrainian journalist, human rights defender, and co-founder of the Human Rights Centre Zmina and Hromadske Radio. Despite his lifelong pacifism, he volunteered for the Ukrainian Armed Forces at the start of the 2022 Russian invasion and became a platoon commander. Captured and sentenced to 13 years by Russian forces, he endured over two years of harsh imprisonment before being released in a prisoner exchange in October 2024. He remains a powerful symbol of courage and resilience in defense of justice and freedom. 

Ulvi Hasanli, Azerbaijan:

Ulvi Hasanli is an Azerbaijani journalist and director of the independent media outlet Abzas Media since 2016. He has faced relentless government persecution since 2011, including arbitrary detention, torture, and politically motivated charges. In June 2025, Hasanli was sentenced to nine years in prison and is currently detained under harsh conditions in a remote prison, where he has endured hunger strikes and solitary confinement while continuing to embody resilience and commitment to press freedom.

US and Russian officials discussed energy deals between the two countries during multiple rounds of talks in August, Reuters reports, citing sources familiar with the talks. 

The deals were presented as incentives for Russia to agree to a peace deal with Ukraine and for the US to ease sanctions on Russia. 

The discussions reportedly took place during US envoy Steve Witkoff’s visit to Moscow on 6 August, and again briefly during the Trump-Putin summit in Alaska on 15 August. 

“The White House really wanted to put out a headline after the Alaska summit, announcing a big investment deal,” one of the sources said, according to Reuters. 

Western sanctions have left Russia largely cut off from international investment and cooperation in the energy sector since the country’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022. 

Russia seeks Exxon return and US equipment access

Three major deals could restore Russia’s energy lifelines following years of sanctions:

• US energy company Exxon Mobil re-entering Russia’s Sakhalin-1 oil and gas project;
• Russia purchasing US equipment for LNG projects, including Arctic LNG 2, which is under western sanctions;
• US purchasing Russian nuclear-powered icebreaker vessels.

On the same day as the Alaska summit, Putin signed a decree opening up the Sakhalin-1 project to foreign investment. Exxon exited Russia in 2022 following the invasion of Ukraine, abandoning its 30% share in the Sakhalin-1 project. 

One of the sources also said that the US wants Russia to rely more on US technology, rather than Chinese, in an effort to weaken Russia-China relations. 

Trump diplomacy mixes peace talks with financial incentives

Trump and his national security team are engaging with Russian and Ukrainian officials to end the war, a White House official told Reuters in response to questions about the deals. They declined to further discuss the deals publicly. 

The 6 August meeting between Witkoff and Putin was the final round of talks before President Trump’s “deadline” for agreeing to a peace deal, for which he threatened heavier sanctions on Russia. 

The 15 August meeting between the US and Russian presidents was the highest-level diplomatic forum since the beginning of the full-scale Russian invasion of Ukraine in 2022. The stated goal of the American side was to negotiate a peace deal between Ukraine and Russia. 

While Ukrainians marked 34 years of independence from Soviet rule, NBC News gave Russia’s foreign minister prime American television time to explain why Ukraine should surrender its sovereignty.

Sergey Lavrov used his “Meet the Press” platform to deny the invasion of Ukraine, dismiss President Zelenskyy as illegitimate, and set conditions on Ukraine’s right to exist by demanding territorial concessions.

The interview occurred on 24 August, 2025 – the anniversary of Ukraine’s 1991 declaration of independence from the USSR – as Lavrov presented the war as a defensive operation while rejecting the legitimacy of Ukraine’s leadership and borders.

Lavrov denies invasion and Zelenskyy’s legitimacy

When NBC’s Kristen Welker asked directly “Did Russia invade Ukraine?” Lavrov flatly denied the invasion, responding “No” and once again calling it instead a “special military operation” – a term that has been used by Russian officials since the start of the full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022.

Pressed on whether Putin recognizes Zelenskyy as Ukraine’s legitimate leader, Lavrov replied: “No, we recognize him as de facto head of the regime. And in this capacity, we are ready to meet with him.” He falsely claimed that according to Ukraine’s constitution, Zelenskyy is not legitimate.

Ukrainian officials have consistently rejected Russian legitimacy claims. Ukraine’s constitution allows the president to remain in office during wartime, and Zelenskyy was democratically elected in 2019 with over 73% of the vote. 

Russia sets conditions for Ukraine’s right to exist

Lavrov asserted that Ukraine has the right to exist only if it surrenders territories and populations to Russian control, demanding Ukraine “let people go” in occupied territories. 

He referred to Ukraine’s eastern and southern regions using the term “Novorossiya” – a tsarist-era concept Russia employs to claim historic dominion over large portions of Ukrainian territory. The term historically encompassed areas including modern-day Ukraine’s Donetsk, Luhansk, Zaporizhzhia, Kherson, Dnipropetrovsk, Mykolaiv, and Odesa regions. 

Lavrov presented these territorial demands to American television audiences, placing conditions on Ukraine’s right to exist as a sovereign state. He referenced illegitimate, Russian-organized referendums in occupied territories as justification for territorial claims over internationally recognized Ukrainian territory.

Russian messaging reaches American audiences on Ukrainian Independence Day

Despite denying the invasion and demanding territorial concessions, Lavrov insisted Putin wants peace while simultaneously defending Russia’s military operation.

The interview occurred as Russian forces intensify operations across Donetsk Oblast, with fighting escalating around Dobropillia and other eastern Ukrainian positions.

The timing allowed Russia’s foreign minister to associate Ukrainian independence celebrations with discussions of territorial surrender on American television. 

Ukrainian intelligence reports fuel shortages now reach Russia’s Pacific territories, forcing Moscow to seek emergency supplies from Belarus.

The reported restrictions from Crimea to the Pacific islands demonstrate how Ukraine’s systematic refinery strikes are creating supply disruptions far from front lines, potentially affecting both military logistics and civilian mobility.

Russia has imposed strict 10-liter fuel rationing on civilians in the remote Kuril Islands while urgently purchasing petroleum from Belarus to address spreading domestic shortages, Ukraine’s Foreign Intelligence Service reported on 21 August.

Since January, oil refineries have been the target of 42% of Ukrainian long-range strikes, making them the single most-hit category. Russian media, including The Moscow Times, have separately confirmed gasoline prices reaching record highs after refinery attacks.

Intelligence claims Belarus supplying emergency fuel

According to the Ukrainian intelligence report, Russian companies’ interest in Belarusian petroleum products “rose sharply” in the second half of August, citing the Belarusian state company Belneftekhim. The assessment claims Belarusian refineries are rapidly increasing supplies to meet Russian demand.

“Russian companies are urgently buying fuel from Belarus,” the Foreign Intelligence Service stated, though the scale and verification of these purchases could not be independently confirmed.

According to the intelligence assessment, the fuel crisis has spread from occupied Crimea, eastward through Russia’s Far Eastern regions of Transbaikalia and Primorye, ultimately reaching the remote Kuril Islands near Japan. 

Oil refinery strikes create price surge

Russian media have documented specific price increases from the strikes. The Moscow Times reported that wholesale gasoline prices reached historic highs after Ukrainian strikes on major refineries, with AI-92 gasoline jumping 38% and AI-95 nearly 49% since the start of 2025.

Confirmed impacts from open sources:

• Three major refineries knocked offline in August (Ukrainian strikes target 13.5% of refining capacity)
• Russian fuel prices surge 40-50% since start of year reaching historic records
• Russia imposed gasoline export bans with extensions under consideration
• Wholesale fuel prices trigger crisis forcing domestic market interventions

Recent verified strikes include multiple hits on the Ryazan refinery, which produces aviation fuel for Russian military aircraft, and the Volgograd facility, which processes over 14 million tons annually.

Russian propagandists published a video showing Russian military forces riding an American-made armored vehicle flying both Russian and American flags allegedly in occupied Ukrainian territory. 

The propaganda video emerges against the backdrop of the controversial Trump-Putin summit that took place on August 15, 2025, in Anchorage, Alaska. The meeting failed to produce a peace deal for Ukraine, despite Trump’s expectations for progress.

The footage shows what was described as a “trophy” American M113 armored personnel carrier adorned with flags from both nations. Russian propagandists claimed the vehicle was “rushing into battle” near the village of Mala Tokmachka in Zaporizhzhia Oblast.

Andriy Yermak, Head of Ukraine’s Presidential Office, strongly condemned the propaganda video.

“How should this be understood? Russian propagandists are showing a video where Russian equipment goes on the attack with flags of Russia and the USA,” Yermak wrote on Telegram. “In fact, Russians are using United States symbols in their own terrorist, aggressive war with the killing of civilian people. Maximum audacity.”

The authenticity of the video could not be verified by Euromaidan Press.

Ukraine imposed sweeping sanctions on Russia’s artificial intelligence-powered drone manufacturers on 17 August, targeting 39 individuals and 55 companies across Russia, China, and Belarus.

The restrictions reflect Ukraine’s efforts towards dismantling the entire technological ecosystem of Russia’s drone war, which has escalated dramatically in 2025 with Moscow launching over 27,000 Shahed drones and deploying new AI-guided models that can evade Ukrainian electronic warfare systems.

Ukrainian sanctions have had little impact on Russia, remaining largely symbolic after Kyiv previously seized Russian companies’ assets inside the country. Still, it sets an example for the EU – and possibly the US – to follow if they choose to eventually align their sanctions with Ukraine, a move that would carry far greater weight.

President Zelenskyy signed the decree enacting the decision of the National Security and Defense Council of Ukraine, stating that the country is “working with its partners to ensure the synchronization of these sanctions across global jurisdictions.”

Russia’s AI drone revolution poses new threat

The sanctions target key Russian strike and FPV drone developers including Zala Aero, Smart Birds, and Vostok Design Bureau, as well as specialized centers developing AI solutions for drones, including Neurolab and the Center for Unmanned Systems and Technologies, according to the presidential decree.

These restrictions come as Russia has been deploying increasingly sophisticated AI-powered drones that feature onboard cameras and artificial intelligence, making interception significantly harder than conventional radio-controlled models. Separately, Ukrainian intelligence analysis of Russia’s V2U autonomous attack drone revealed it uses a Chinese Leetop A203 minicomputer and NVIDIA Jetson Orin processor for target selection without human intervention.

Chinese supply chain enables Russian drone production

Among the 55 sanctioned entities, 10 Chinese companies face restrictions for supplying critical components. Recent investigations revealed Chinese firms have been secretly supplying Russia with drone engines disguised as refrigeration equipment to bypass Western sanctions.

Chinese components dominate Russian drone manufacturing, with 80% of critical electronics having Chinese origins. Bloomberg investigations found that Chinese engineers from Autel Robotics worked directly with Russian company Aero-HIT to adapt civilian drones for military use, producing up to 10,000 units monthly.

Russian President Vladimir Putin hailed North Korean troops sent to fight in Ukraine as “heroic” in a letter to Kim Jong Un, North Korean state media reported Friday.

The letter comes as North Korea plans to send an additional 25,000 to 30,000 troops to assist Russia in their war against Ukraine, tripling Pyongyang’s military commitment from the original 11,000 soldiers deployed in November 2024.

It also reflects Russia’s growing reliance on North Korean support, with Ukrainian intelligence reporting that 60% of artillery shells fired by Russian forces recently were North Korean-made, compared to only 30% that were Russian-produced.

Russia’s highest-level acknowledgment of North Korean combat role

In a letter marking the anniversary of Korea’s liberation from Japanese rule, Putin recalled how Soviet Red Army units and North Korean forces fought together to end Japan’s colonial occupation, saying “This was demonstrated by the heroic participation of the D​PRK soldiers in liberating the territory of the Kursk region from the Ukrainian occupiers.”

Putin’s letter coincided with a visit by a Russian delegation to Pyongyang, where State Duma Speaker Vyacheslav Volodin thanked

Kim for sending “excellent soldiers” to Ukraine. Kim mentioned he had a phone call with Putin on Wednesday, agreeing to expanded bilateral cooperation.

North Korea’s expanding military commitment despite heavy losses

Ukrainian intelligence reports indicate around 4,000 of the original 11,000 North Korean soldiers were killed or injured in Kursk Oblast, according to Western officials. Despite these casualties, North Korea plans additional deployments.

North Korea confirmed in April 2025 for the first time that it had deployed troops to Russia to support its war against Ukraine, marking the country’s first participation in a major armed conflict since the Korean War.

Military cooperation deepens through technology transfers

The troop deployment stems from a mutual defense treaty signed by Putin and Kim in June 2024, which requires both nations to provide immediate military assistance if either is attacked.

Ukrainian intelligence confirms Russia and North Korea have reached agreements to establish drone production capabilities on North Korean territory, with Russia providing blueprints for Iranian Shahed-type drones.

Russia has also agreed to provide MiG-29 and Su-27 fighter jets to North Korea in exchange for military support, according to US Indo-Pacific Commander Admiral Samuel Paparo.

Russia’s growing dependence on North Korean munitions

South Korean estimates indicate North Korea sent over 15,000 containers of weapons since September 2023, with shipments including 9 million shells, hundreds of launchers, and KN-23 ballistic missiles that now account for 70% of Russian artillery use.

Strategic implications for Ukraine’s resistance

Putin’s letter came three days ahead of Friday’s summit between Putin and Trump, the first between a sitting US and Russian president since 2021, as Trump seeks to broker an end to Russia’s more than three-year war in Ukraine.

The deepening Russia-North Korea axis represents what Kim Jong Un has described as the Korean Peninsula being the front line in a new Cold War, with Pyongyang as a key player in a revived Cold War axis that includes Moscow and Beijing.

South Korean intelligence reports North Korea receives approximately $200 million, rice supplies, and advanced space technology in exchange for its military support, including assistance with launching military reconnaissance satellites.

Ukraine currently detains more than 100 foreign mercenaries from 33 countries who were recruited to fight for Russia, according to the I Want to Live project from Ukraine’s Coordination Headquarters for the Treatment of Prisoners of War on 1 August 2025. 

The captives show Russia’s expanding global recruitment drive, while Moscow abandons foreign fighters by excluding them from prisoner exchanges despite Ukraine treating all detainees according to international standards. 

The captured fighters include citizens from Cameroon, Morocco, Somalia, Senegal, Egypt, and dozens of other nations recruited through Russia’s expanding global recruitment network, according to the I Want to Live project.

The scope of foreign captives exposes Russia’s systematic recruitment from economically vulnerable populations worldwide, with Moscow’s promises of wealth and stable careers leading fighters into Ukrainian POW camps where Russia shows no interest in their release.

Russia’s global recruitment reaches 121 countries

The Coordination Headquarters reports that Russia has recruited fighters from 121 countries since launching its full-scale invasion in February 2022. The I Want to Live project, which encourages voluntary surrender, stated that “Russia actively bribes, deceives, and coerces individuals from neighboring Central Asian countries and more into signing contracts.”

The photographs of mercenaries released by Ukrainian authorities represent only a fraction of foreign fighters captured during what the Coordination Headquarters called Russia’s “meat grinder” assaults. Many were recruited through false promises of non-combat roles or civilian employment, only to be deployed directly to front-line positions within days of arrival.

Previous reporting by BBC Russian Service documented over 500 foreigners from 28 countries killed while fighting for Russia, with the actual numbers likely significantly higher due to incomplete record-keeping of non-Russian casualties.

Standard treatment despite abandoned status

The foreign prisoners receive the same treatment as Russian soldiers in Ukrainian prisoner-of-war camps, according to the I Want to Live project. “They sleep in the same facilities, receive the same food and medical care, and have access to representatives of the International Committee of the Red Cross,” the project stated.

Some countries have sent embassy staff to visit their detained citizens, though Russia has shown no interest in including foreign fighters in prisoner exchanges. “For Russia, these fighters are considered ‘third-rate’ and hold no value to Moscow while in captivity,” the Coordination Headquarters stated.

Ukrainian officials have repeatedly stated their commitment to Geneva Convention obligations in treating detainees, contrasting sharply with documented treatment of Ukrainian prisoners in Russian custody, where international monitors report systematic torture and denial of medical care.

Recruitment targets economic desperation

Russia’s recruitment strategy particularly targets migrants and students from economically challenged nations. Forbes Ukraine reported in May 2024 that Russian recruiters operate in at least 21 countries, using databases of foreign nationals who previously sought employment in Russia.

The recruitment extends across continents, from Central Asian republics like Tajikistan and Uzbekistan to African nations including Burkina Faso, Mali, and the Central African Republic where Wagner Group maintains military bases. Cuban authorities have issued conflicting statements about their citizens’ participation, while Nepalese and Indian nationals have been documented among both casualties and prisoners.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated in August 2025 that Ukrainian forces reported encountering mercenaries from China, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Pakistan, and African countries, adding that “we will respond” to this escalating threat.

Exchange complications and repatriation challenges

The presence of foreign fighters complicates prisoner exchange negotiations, as Russia typically excludes non-Russian nationals from swap arrangements. 

The case differs significantly from Ukrainian foreign volunteers, who serve under official military contracts and maintain clear legal status under international humanitarian law. The International Legion for the Defence of Ukraine operates under direct Ukrainian military command, ensuring proper combatant status for its members. Ukraine has also announced plans to grant citizenship to foreign fighters serving in its Defense Forces and their families.

With intervention from international organizations and home countries, some foreign fighters may eventually return to their homelands, though the Coordination Headquarters warned that “their stories serve as a warning to other money-seekers: Putin’s war devours everyone indiscriminately, and being a mercenary in the Russian army means becoming expendable in a foreign criminal war.”

The growing number of foreign captives highlights Russia’s increasing dependence on external recruitment as domestic mobilization efforts face issues and the conflict’s casualty toll continues rising after more than three years of warfare.

The upcoming summit between US President Trump and Russian President Putin in Anchorage, Alaska, has reignited Russian imperial rhetoric precisely as Moscow seeks to demonstrate its global reach while pressuring Ukraine to cede territory. 

The summit venue has brought renewed attention to longstanding Russian territorial claims, with statements resurfacing in which Russian state and media figures suggest the US state belongs to Moscow ahead of Friday’s meeting.

Russian officials have a history of territorial claims

State television propagandist Olga Skabeyeva has referred to the state as “our Alaska” during broadcasts in 2024. The same year, Deputy Security Council Chair Dmitry Medvedev joked on social media about going to war with the US over the territory.

Kremlin negotiator Kirill Dmitriev described Alaska as “an American of Russian origin” during recent summit discussions. State Duma Speaker Vyacheslav Volodin previously warned that Moscow would lay claim to the state if Washington froze Russian assets abroad.

In 2022, Billboards reading “Alaska Is Ours!” appeared in Krasnoyarsk, Siberia.

Alaska, the former Russian colony

Alaska was colonized by Russia from 1799 to 1867, and was administered by about 700 Russians across a territory larger than Texas. Russia sold Alaska to the United States in 1867 for $7.2 million following Russia’s defeat in the Crimean War. Nearly all Russian settlers left after the purchase, though Russian Orthodox churches remain throughout the state.

The state’s closest point lies just 3.8 kilometers from Russia across the Bering Strait, between Little Diomede Island (US) and Big Diomede Island (Russia). There are 89 kilometers between the mainlands of the two countries. 

Trump-Putin summit

Trump and Putin will meet Friday in Anchorage to discuss ending Russia’s war in Ukraine. Trump has indicated he expects “some land-swapping” in any potential deal, while Putin demands Ukraine abandon NATO aspirations and recognize Russian territorial conquests.

In the press conference about the summit on 11 August, President Trump appeared to slip up, referring to the meeting location as “Russia”. 

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy was not initially invited to the summit, though the White House is considering extending an invitation.

The summit will reportedly include discussions of a potential minerals deal, with Trump expected to present resource partnership proposals to Putin during the meeting, according to The Telegraph.

Georgia’s ruling party released new campaign material featuring cemetery footage of buried Ukrainian soldiers and bombed residential buildings, escalating its controversial practice of exploiting Russian war crimes for domestic political gain.

Georgian Dream’s central campaign message warns that supporting pro-European opposition would bring Ukrainian-style war to Georgia. The practice demonstrates how Russia’s invasion has become a tool in Georgian domestic politics, as the government exploits the conflict to shape voter behavior around Western integration versus accommodation with Moscow.

The Facebook video juxtaposes haunting black-and-white footage from Russian-bombed Ukrainian cities with colorful Georgian infrastructure. The campaign includes military cemeteries filled with Ukrainian defenders, destroyed residential towers, and grieving parents standing in rubble where their children died.

The Ukrainian footage (left) is captioned “no to war!”, while the Georgian side (right) reads “choose peace!”

Political campaign exploits Ukrainian suffering

Ukraine’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs condemned the materials as “yet another unfriendly act by the ruling party ‘Georgian Dream’ that for its own political PR purposes keeps using videos depicting the horrific consequences of the Russian full-scale aggression against Ukraine.”

“Such cynical actions demonstrate disrespect towards the Ukrainian people and the victims of the Russian aggression,” the statement continued, expressing “just indignation among Ukrainian society.”

This follows the party’s previous use of bombed Ukrainian theaters and churches in October 2024 election banners, which featured destroyed sites like Mariupol’s drama theater where hundreds of civilians died in targeted Russian airstrikes.

“Crawling before Moscow”

The ministry delivered particularly harsh criticism of Georgia’s broader trajectory under billionaire oligarch Bidzina Ivanishvili, who made his fortune in Russia and has steered the country away from Western integration.

“It is regrettable to observe how the Georgian authorities crawl before Moscow and disregard the principles of dignity and independence, which [are] historically inherent to the Georgian nation,” Ukraine’s Foreign Ministry stated.

The statement suggested Georgian Dream’s political technologists should “be honest with their own people and post a more truthful image on their pages: the Russian tricolor on the right and closed doors of the EU and NATO on the left.”

Pattern of Russian influence

Since 2022, Georgian Dream has refused to sanction Russia, passed Moscow-style “foreign agents” legislation, and suspended EU integration talks until 2028 despite winning disputed elections in October 2024.

The party’s “fear of war” strategy exploits trauma from Russia’s 2008 invasion, which left 20% of Georgia under occupation. 

International observers called Georgia’s October elections fraudulent, with statistical analysis suggesting the party stole 15% of votes cast. Mass protests have continued for over eight months, while the EU has effectively frozen Georgia’s membership path.

Despite government hostility, Ukraine emphasized its “consistent and unwavering support to the friendly Georgian people in their aspiration to build up an independent, democratic, and European state.”

Ukraine’s Security Service (SBU) has targeted another Shahed drone storage facility in Russia’s Tatarstan, 1,300 km from Ukraine. The SBU announced the destruction of ready-to-use attack drones and foreign components in the latest strike.

Ukraine’s systematic targeting of Russia’s drone infrastructure aims to disrupt Moscow’s ability to launch nightly swarms of 100+ Shaheds that build reserves before unleashing massive coordinated attacks of 500+ drones against Ukrainian cities. 

Russia’s expanding drone production network now manufactures over 5,000 Shaheds monthly, transforming Iranian designs into a cornerstone of its terror campaign against Ukrainian civilians far from the front lines.

This is the second such strike within a week, as Ukraine continues to target Russia’s weapons supplies deep within the country. The most recent strike on 9 August destroyed attack drones and foreign components using a domestically-produced Liutyi drone with 75-kg warheads to hit a logistics hub in the region.  

Russia’s Republic of Tatarstan is home to the main production facilities for Shahed drones used by Russia, particularly the Yelabuga facility located within the Alabuga Special Economic Zone. 

Latest strike targets Shahed logistics

The SBU Special Operations Center “A” announced that their long-range drones struck a logistics hub in Kzyl-Yul, Republic of Tatarstan. 

Videos taken by local residents confirm the strike on the warehouse. 

The series of strikes is “aimed at reducing the enemy’s capabilities for ‘Shahed’ terror in Ukraine,” the SBU reports. They add that “operations at enterprises that provide weapons to the Russian military machine will continue.” 

Strikes expand to defense plants

The Tatarstan operations also follow drone strikes on two defense plants in Orenburg and Stavropol regions within 24 hours.

On 11 August, Ukrainian military intelligence (HUR) drones struck the Orenburg Helium Plant, Russia’s only helium production facility located 1,200 kilometers from the front line. In the early hours of 12 August, HUR drones also targeted the Monocrystal JSC plant in Stavropol, sparking a fire approximately 480 km from the frontline. 

Ukraine’s expanding deep-strike campaign

These strikes continue Ukraine’s systematic targeting of Russia’s drone production network throughout 2025, striking warhead labs, antenna plants, and control system factories deep inside the country. 

This week’s operations follow previous Ukrainian strikes on Shahed infrastructure, including January strikes that destroyed over 200 Shahed drones in storage facilities in Russia’s Oryol Oblast and attacks on the Yelabuga industrial zone, which houses Russia’s largest known Shahed production facility.

Russia has launched thousands of Iranian-designed Shahed drones against Ukraine since fall 2022. Western media reports that each Shahed-136 drone costs as low as $20,000, making them cost-effective weapons for mass attacks on Ukrainian infrastructure and cities.

The 1st Corps of the National Guard Azov has taken defensive positions on the Pokrovsk front, moving to block Russian forces advancing in Donetsk Oblast, according to the corps’ official statement.

The recent Russian breakthrough towards Dobropillia threatens the defense of Pokrovsk. Russian forces have been trying to take the city and surrounding areas since early 2024. 

The deployment of one of Ukraine’s most disciplined and combat-experienced brigades comes as Russian forces have advanced more than 23 kilometers deep into Ukrainian positions toward the Dobropillia-Kramatorsk road. 

Regular Ukrainian defensive units have proven unable to halt the advance in this critical sector, according to Ukrainska Pravda. The 23-kilometer Russian salient now sits equidistant between Pokrovsk and Kostiantynivka.  

Elite units replace faltering defenses

The corps moved into what has been described as “one of the most difficult sections of the front.” The area was previously defended by Tactical Group “Pokrovsk,” which “absolutely could not cope with defense on this section,” according to military sources.

“The situation remains complex and dynamic,” Azov stated. “The enemy, trying to advance in that direction, suffers significant losses in personnel and equipment.”

Corps units have “planned and implemented measures to block [Russian] forces in the designated area,” though results will be announced later.

Recent weeks saw intensified pressure, with three sabotage groups of 50 personnel each infiltrating Pokrovsk itself. Ukrainian forces eliminated approximately 120 attackers while capturing others. 100,000 Russian troops are currently stationed in the area. 

23-kilometer Russian salient threatens encirclement

Russian forces have dramatically expanded their breakthrough along the Pokrovsk-Kostiantynivka road. What began as a 10-kilometer salient in May 2025 near Malynivka, Nova Poltavka, and Novoolenivka has now extended to 23 kilometers.

On 11 August, DeepState analysts reported a Russian advance northeast of nearby Dobropillia, warning that “after final consolidation and accumulation, there will be mandatory attempts to move deeper into the territory.” 

Ukraine’s Dnipro command disputed the implications of these advances, stating that Russian infiltration attempts “never lead to territorial capture” and that Ukrainian troops have eliminated infiltrators “in the shortest possible time.”

Ukraine’s Security Service (SBU) confirmed on 9 August that its long-range drones struck a Shahed storage facility in Russia’s Tatarstan republic, destroying ready-to-use attack drones and foreign drone components 1,300 kilometers from the Ukrainian border. 

The strike targets Russia’s expanding drone production network that now manufactures over 5,000 Shaheds monthly and launches nightly swarms of 100+ drones to build reserves before unleashing massive coordinated attacks of 500+ drones against Ukrainian cities. 

Russia’s Republic of Tatarstan is home to the main production facilities for Shahed drones used by Russia. The largest factory is located near the city of Yelabuga, specifically within the Alabuga Special Economic Zone.

According to Dnipro OSINT, the strike was carried out using a Liutyi drone. This drone has carried out accurate strikes on Russian oil refineries as far as 800km into Russian territory. Ukrainian sources report that the Liutyi accounts for up to 80% of precision hits on Russian oil refineries.

Ukraine’s systematic campaign against Russian drone network

“The Security Service continues its consistent work on demilitarizing Russian military facilities deep in the enemy’s rear. Storage warehouses for ‘Shaheds’, which the enemy uses to terrorize Ukraine every night, are one of the legitimate military targets,” the SBU stated.

The agency adds that each such successful special operation reduces Russia’s ability to wage a war of aggression against Ukraine. 

This strike continues Ukraine’s systematic targeting of Russia’s drone production network throughout 2025, striking warhead labs, antenna plants, and control system factories deep inside the country. 

In recent months, Russia has adopted a new strategy of launching 100+ Shahed drones per night for one or two nights while producing even more daily to build up reserves. 

Once stockpiles are sufficient, they unleash massive waves of over 500 drones in a single night, combining Shaheds with decoy Gerber drones designed to overwhelm air defenses and target multiple cities simultaneously.

The August 9 operation follows previous Ukrainian strikes on Shahed infrastructure, including January strikes that destroyed over 200 Shahed drones in storage facilities in Russia’s Oryol Oblast and attacks on the Yelabuga industrial zone, which houses Russia’s largest known Shahed production facility.

Russia has launched thousands of Iranian-designed Shahed drones against Ukraine since fall 2022. Western media reports each Shahed-136 drone costs as low as $20,000, making them cost-effective weapons for mass attacks on Ukrainian infrastructure and cities.

Kyiv is working to resolve a humanitarian crisis near the Georgian border, which the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry says was deliberately designed by Russia. Ukrainian citizens ended their hunger strike after meeting with Ukrainian representatives at the Dariali crossing, but 96 people are still remain trapped at the facility without food, shelter, and medical support.

“Our state is ready to take its people directly, rather than via Georgia and Moldova,” Ukraine’s Foreign Ministry states.

Russia is ignoring Kyiv’s request, which indicates Moscow’s desire to deliberately create a humanitarian crisis on the Russian-Georgian border, authorities say. 

96 Ukrainians trapped in border limbo

This systematic campaign has resulted in 96 Ukrainians being stranded in a buffer zone at the Dariali checkpoint. Desperation mounted as some deportees announced a hunger strike on 5 August, demanding permission to cross into Georgia after being held in cramped conditions.

Many deportees are former prisoners with criminal backgrounds, creating legitimate security concerns for Georgian authorities while leaving the individuals trapped without legal status.

Ukrainian diplomacy breaks immediate crisis

A representative of the deported Ukrainian citizens “expressed gratitude to the diplomatic mission for efforts to resolve the humanitarian crisis artificially created by the Russian side,” Ukraine’s Foreign Ministry reported after the hunger strike ended.

Ukraine successfully evacuated 44 citizens from the border zone since late June, but Russian deportations continue outpacing rescue efforts as Moscow maintains pressure on regional cooperation mechanisms.

Russia’s systematic pressure operation

The Ukrainian Foreign Ministry notes that most deportees are “people who have previously been brought to criminal responsibility,” including those who served sentences in occupied Ukrainian territories and were forcibly transferred to Russian facilities, as well as Ukrainian citizens convicted of crimes within Russia.

The crisis intensified when Moldova temporarily suspended transit for this category of deportees, eliminating the main evacuation route and leaving more people stranded at Dariali with no clear path home.

Georgian authorities have expressed willingness to transport the deportees to Tbilisi Airport, but only after Moldova confirms readiness to receive them as transit passengers, according to reports. 

Ukraine is working to resolve a humanitarian crisis reportedly designed by Russia near the Georgian border, after Moscow intensified deportations of Ukrainian citizens in what Kyiv calls a systematic pressure campaign against neighboring countries.

The Georgia border crisis represents how Russia weaponizes individual Ukrainian suffering to destabilize regional cooperation, creating impossible choices for neighboring countries between humanitarian obligations and security concerns.

Ukrainian deportees stranded at the Russia-Georgia border ended their 3-day hunger strike on August 8 after Ukrainian Embassy representatives gained access to the checkpoint, but 96 people remain trapped in basement conditions at the Dariali crossing as Russia’s broader strategy continues.

“Our state is ready to take its people directly, rather than via Georgia and Moldova,” Ukraine’s Foreign Ministry stated. “The Russian Federation is ignoring this request, which indicates Moscow’s desire to deliberately create a humanitarian crisis on the Russian-Georgian border.”

Since mid-June, Russia has significantly escalated the deportation of Ukrainian citizens — primarily former prisoners who served sentences in occupied Ukrainian territories and were forcibly transferred to Russian detention facilities, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. 

Moscow then deports these individuals through the Georgia border rather than allowing direct repatriation to Ukraine, creating complications for regional cooperation. The operation transforms individual Ukrainian citizens into pressure tools against Georgia’s sovereignty and Ukraine’s diplomatic relationships.

96 Ukrainians trapped in border limbo

This systematic campaign has resulted in 96 Ukrainians being stranded in a buffer zone at the Dariali checkpoint. People are being held with inadequate shelter, food, medical care, and legal support in basement conditions designed for much smaller numbers.

Desperation mounted as some deportees announced a hunger strike on August 5, demanding permission to cross into Georgia after being held in cramped conditions since mid-June.

Meanwhile, entry into Georgia is largely denied due to concerns over security and documentation. Many deportees are former prisoners with criminal backgrounds, creating legitimate security concerns for Georgian authorities while leaving the individuals trapped without legal status.

Deportation operations intensify at Georgia crossing

Since mid-June, Russia has significantly intensified deportations across the Georgia border.. While Ukraine successfully evacuated 44 citizens since late June, 96 remain stranded as Russian deportations continue.

The Ukrainian Foreign Ministry noted this “may indicate a deliberate Russian operation” designed to overwhelm Georgia’s capacity to handle deportees.

The crisis intensified in July when Moldova temporarily suspended transit for this category of deportees, leaving more people stranded at the Dariali checkpoint with no clear exit route to Ukraine.

Ukrainian diplomacy breaks immediate crisis

Ukrainian Embassy intervention ended the hunger strike on August 8 after consular representatives gained access to the stranded deportees. The Ukrainian Foreign Ministry confirmed that diplomatic contact provided temporary relief from the protest.

A representative of the deported Ukrainian citizens “expressed gratitude to the diplomatic mission for efforts to resolve the humanitarian crisis artificially created by the Russian side,” Ukraine’s Foreign Ministry reported after the hunger strike ended.

Ukraine successfully evacuated 44 citizens from the border zone since late June, but Russian deportations continue outpacing rescue efforts as Moscow maintains pressure on regional cooperation mechanisms.

Russia’s systematic pressure operation

The Ukrainian Foreign Ministry noted that most deportees are “people who have previously been brought to criminal responsibility,” including those who served sentences in occupied Ukrainian territories and were forcibly transferred to Russian facilities, as well as Ukrainian citizens convicted of crimes within Russia.

According to the Foreign Ministry, rather than allowing direct repatriation across the Russia-Ukraine border, Moscow deliberately routes deportees through Georgia to create complications for both countries. This forces Georgia to choose between humanitarian obligations and legitimate security concerns while straining Ukraine’s diplomatic resources.

The crisis intensified when Moldova temporarily suspended transit for this category of deportees, eliminating the main evacuation route and leaving more people stranded at Dariali with no clear path home.

Regional cooperation under Russian pressure

Georgian authorities have expressed willingness to transport deportees to Tbilisi Airport, but only after Moldova confirms readiness to receive them as transit passengers, according to the MFA. This dependency on third-party coordination demonstrates how Russia’s strategy complicates regional cooperation.

The Dariali crossing represents the only viable exit route for Ukrainians deported from Russia, making Georgia’s cooperation essential while placing the country in an impossible position between humanitarian duties and security concerns.

Ukraine continues working with international organizations including the Red Cross, UNHCR, and International Organization for Migration to address the crisis, but Russia’s systematic approach suggests pressure will continue as Moscow weaponizes human suffering for strategic advantage.

Latvia affirms support for NATO’s new Priority Ukraine Requirements List (PURL) initiative in a call with President Zelenskyy, the leaders of the two countries announced on social media.

PURL allows European allies to directly fund American weapons for Ukraine, bypassing traditional government-to-government aid that faces political delays.

The phone call highlights Europe’s shift toward independent Ukraine support mechanisms that don’t depend on US Congressional approval or political cycles.

“Had a good [phone call] with President @ZelenskyyUa,” Latvian President Rinkēvičs posted on X. “We discussed ongoing efforts to reach just and lasting peace. I also informed about Latvia’s support for new NATO initiative for arming Ukraine (PURL). I also reaffirmed Latvia’s support for speedy EU accession process of Ukraine.”

Zelenskyy confirmed the discussion on his Telegram channel: “We also discussed the new PURL instrument, which is already really working. Latvia is ready to join. Thank you!” He emphasized that reliable peace requires “support from the US and European unity,” adding that “Latvia absolutely principally supports Ukraine’s membership in the EU and NATO. We greatly value this position.”

How PURL changes Ukraine aid

Under PURL, Ukraine compiles priority weapons needs in packages of approximately $500 million. NATO allies then negotiate among themselves to fund specific items directly from US manufacturers, coordinated by Secretary General Mark Rutte.

The mechanism has already proven effective. In early August, Nordic countries committed $1 billion through PURL in just two days. The Netherlands contributed €500 million for Patriot missile components, while Sweden, Norway, and Denmark jointly provided another €500 million.

Building sustainable support

The PURL initiative represents a broader European effort to create Ukraine’s support mechanisms that survive political changes in Washington. As NATO and the US launched the system in July, officials described it as a $10 billion framework allowing continuous weapons deliveries regardless of US domestic politics.

For Ukraine, diversified European support reduces vulnerability to American political cycles while building foundations for long-term security partnerships. Initiatives such as PURL show Europe exploring ways to sustain Ukraine’s military needs, even as traditional aid faces political pressures.

Latvia’s outsized impact

Despite having only 1.9 million citizens, Latvia has become a key driver of European support for Ukraine. The country co-leads the international drone coalition with the United Kingdom, delivering 12,000 drones to Ukraine this year.

Latvia has committed 0.25% of its GDP annually to Ukraine military aid through 2026 — a higher percentage than most larger allies. The country has also trained 3,000 Ukrainian soldiers with plans for another 3,000 next year.