Ukrainian forces have successfully cleared Russian troops from the village of Udachne in Donetsk Oblast and raised the Ukrainian flag over the settlement, the General Staff of Ukraine’s Armed Forces announced on 2 September.

The village sits approximately 10 kilometers west of Pokrovsk, a strategic town that has emerged as one of the most contested areas along Ukraine’s eastern front line.

“Defense forces ‘cleared’ the village of Udachne on the Pokrovsk direction and installed the Ukrainian flag,” the General Staff reported on Facebook.

Military officials confirmed that all Russian strongpoints in the area were destroyed during the operation.

“Over two weeks, assault groups gradually cleared house by house and raised the Ukrainian flag over the village,” according to a video statement released by the armed forces.

The liberation of Udachne comes amid intense fighting across the Pokrovsk direction, where Ukrainian forces repelled 46 assault attempts near the settlements of Volodymyrivka, Zapovidne, Novoekonomichne, Myrolyubivka, Lysivka, Zvirove, Kotlyne, Udachne, and Dachne, the General Staff reported in its morning briefing on Facebook.

The village belongs to the Udachne territorial community, which has been under severe pressure from Russian forces. As of 11 June 2024, fighting was already underway in Udachne, Novoserhiivka, and Novomykolaivka, according to Valeriy Duhelny, head of the Udachne village military administration, as reported by Suspilne Donbas.

Duhelny had told Suspilne Donbas on 8 June that combat operations and the “gray zone” had reached the borders of Udachne and Novoserhiivka, though none of the seven settlements in the community were officially occupied at that time. He described the eastern part of Udachne as completely destroyed, with no intact buildings remaining after Russian shelling.

Ukrainian forces have liberated the village of Myrne near Kupiansk, removing a key Russian position used to control the approach road to the city, Suspilne and Deep State reported. 

Ukrainian troops take back Myrne near Kupiansk

Suspilne reports that Viktor Trehubov, spokesperson for the “Dnipro” operational-strategic grouping of forces, confirmed on the evening of 30 August that Myrne had been freed from Russian control.

“As of now, Russians have been pushed out of Myrne. There’s no information on wounded or killed enemy troops. Our forces are advancing further,” he said.

Maps published by DeepState on 29 August had already shown that the Ukrainian Defense Forces had regained control over the village, located northwest of Kupiansk. The settlement had allowed Russian forces to observe and control the road leading directly into the city.

Russian forces launch new attacks after losing ground

On 31 August, the General Staff of Ukraine reported nine Russian attacks over the previous day targeting positions near Petropavlivka and Kupiansk. Militarnyi notes that Russian troops are concentrating combat-ready units north of Kupiansk, continuing to exert pressure on Ukrainian defenses.

Despite this, Ukrainian forces are holding their lines. Units from Ukraine’s 10th Army Corps, together with attached elements, recently repelled the first Russian mechanized assault in this direction in a long time. 

Militarnyi reports that a Ukrainian drone strike on 30 August 2025 destroyed two Russian helicopter gunships at the airfield in occupied Crimea’s capital, Simferopol. Satellite imagery published by the AviaVector X account confirmed the destruction of a Mi-8 and a Mi-24 helicopter at the site.

Satellite confirms two helicopters destroyed in occupied Crimea

According to Militarnyi, the drone attack took place at approximately 06:30 on 30 August, when Russian monitoring channels began reporting the movement of drones toward Simferopol. Following the reports, a powerful explosion occurred at the airport, followed by thick black smoke.

AviaVector’s satellite imagery captured on the same day showed two attack helicopters destroyed as a result of the strike. An earlier image from 22 August showed a group of military aircraft stationed close together at the airfield. Specifically, the photo documented five Mi-8 helicopters, three Mi-24s, one An-26, and one Tu-134UBL. Militarnyi notes that all these aircraft were concentrated in a small area.

Initial claims after the explosion suggested that aviation fuel tanks had been hit, but this information was later proven false. The satellite images confirmed that the damage involved airframes, not fuel infrastructure.

Russian Mi-8 and Mi-24 helicopters among the destroyed aircraft

Mi-8 helicopters are currently in wide use by the Russian Armed Forces and are the main transport helicopter in Russian military service. The exact model of the Mi-8 destroyed in Simferopol is unknown. However, Mi-8 helicopters are used by Russian forces for troop transport, strike missions, air defense tasks, and operations against Ukrainian naval drones.

Prior confirmed case of drone-launched missile strike on Mi-8s

On 31 December 2024, Ukrainian forces destroyed two Mi-8 helicopters using R-73 air-to-air missiles launched from a sea-based drone. This was the first confirmed use of this method to eliminate an airborne target.

President Trump doesn’t think Putin and Zelenskyy will sit down together anytime soon. The two leaders aren’t ready, he told the Daily Caller in a 29 August interview.

When asked whether trilateral negotiations involving himself, Zelensky, and Putin would proceed, Trump indicated that timing remains uncertain.

“Sometimes people are not ready for this,” the president stated, according to the Daily Caller report.

Trump employed his previous analogy comparing the two leaders to children in conflict, describing them as figures who “hate each other” on a playground, swinging and fighting until exhaustion forces them to stop.

“Sometimes they have to fight a little before you can make them stop. But this has been going on for a long time. A lot of people are dead,” Trump said.

This marks a shift from Trump’s earlier confidence. After meeting Putin in Alaska on 15 August, he “really thought” the war could end quickly. Not anymore. Ukraine and Russia may need to “fight a little more” first.

Earlier, Trump rated his three-hour meeting with Putin in Alaska a perfect 10 out of 10, despite no deal being reached to end the Russo-Ukrainian war. He emphasized that the meeting went well personally, saying, “We got along great,” but acknowledged that not all issues were settled and there was no agreement on reaching peace anytime soon. 

No American troops for Ukraine as security guarantee

The president also ruled out American boots on Ukrainian soil as part of any peace deal. But he outlined a different kind of commitment—possible air support to help end the fighting.

He noted that European forces would handle most operations, with American assistance. 

European officials are actively working on plans to deploy British and French troops to Ukraine as part of security guarantees following any ceasefire, known as the “Coalition of the willing,” with about ten countries ready to participate.

The European plan involves two stages: initially, European troops would be stationed away from frontlines to train Ukrainian forces and provide reinforcements, acting as military advisors rather than a symbolic presence.

Next, the US would contribute intelligence sharing, border monitoring, additional weapons, and possibly air defense systems, continuing to supply military aid through European partners even without direct American troop deployment.

Zelenskyy previously rejected Trump’s playground metaphor with sharp words:

Putin is “a killer who came to this park to kill children.”

Fighters from Ukraine’s 1st National Guard Corps “Azov” have released drone footage showing what they describe as the execution of an unarmed elderly civilian by Russian forces in Pokrovsk district, Donetsk Oblast, on 28 August.

According to the Azov unit, aerial reconnaissance captured the incident in which a Russian soldier shot and killed an elderly man in his yard. The military unit published the video evidence on their official Telegram channel.

“It is clearly visible that the person was in civilian clothes and without weapons,” the Azov fighters stated in their announcement. 

The unit emphasized that the alleged act constitutes a direct violation of the Fourth Geneva Convention on the Protection of Civilian Persons during times of war and armed conflict. 

The Ukrainian forces identified the alleged perpetrator as a serviceman from the 95th separate rifle regiment of the 5th separate motorized rifle brigade of the 51st army of the Russian Armed Forces, according to their intelligence.

The Azov unit characterized the incident as “another proof that for the Russian army there exist neither laws nor morals,” though this represents their assessment rather than an independent verification.

This incident fits within a documented pattern of executions carried out by Russian forces against both civilians and Ukrainian soldiers in frontline zones and occupied territories.

Russian soldiers have been recorded executing civilians often under suspicion of collaboration with Ukrainian forces or information sharing. These killings sometimes occur as collective punishment following attacks on Russian positions, with troops assuming local residents aided Ukrainian forces.

International observers have also documented hundreds of executions of Ukrainian prisoners of war (POWs), including footage showing captured soldiers killed shortly after surrender.

These documented executions serve multiple purposes according to military analysts, including intimidation tactics, retaliation against resistance, and attempts to undermine Ukrainian military and civilian morale. 

Russian army General Staff Chief Valery Gerasimov announced that Moscow plans to continue delivering massive strikes “exclusively against military targets” in Ukraine, according to his summary of combat operations for the spring-summer period.

However, the pattern of near-daily strikes on Ukrainian cities has consistently resulted in missiles, drones, and their debris hitting civilian areas and non-military infrastructure, producing significant casualty tolls that include children.

“According to the General Staff’s plan, targeted massive fire strikes continue exclusively against military targets and military-industrial complex facilities in Ukraine,” Gerasimov stated.

He added that Russian forces conduct some attacks jointly with the Federal Security Service (FSB) and will continue offensive operations within their stated military objectives.

According to Russian military reports, the priority is given to facilities producing missile systems and long-range unmanned aerial vehicles. 

These announcements come as US President Donald Trump recently expressed optimism about potential diplomatic progress following talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska in mid-August 2025. Trump indicated that Putin appeared interested in reaching a peace agreement regarding Ukraine, with many points reportedly agreed upon though no final deal was announced. 

Russian strike killed a little girl born during full-scale war

Russian diplomatic rhetoric contrasts sharply with the reality on the ground, as evidenced by the 28 August attack on Kyiv that resulted in 25 confirmed deaths, according to President Zelenskyy. Russian forces used 31 missiles and 598 drones in the overnight assault, with damage recorded across nearly all districts of the capital.

Among the casualties were four children, including two-year-old Anhelina and her 24-year-old mother Nadiia Yakymenko.

According to Ukraine’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the youngest victim “was born under Russian shelling in October 2022 and died from Russian shelling in August 2025.”

Civilian lives Russian aggression took

Other victims included 14-year-old Nazariy Koval, a school student, and 17-year-old Maryna Gryshko, a college student.

“This girl was a gentle, bright and creative personality, open to the world and people. She knew how to give kindness, inspire those around her with her talent and sincerity. For her classmates and teachers, she will forever remain a bright ray of joy and kindness,” the college statement about Maryna’s death noted.

Yana Shapoval, whose family resided on the top floor of a five-story residential building that was destroyed in the bombardment, was also killed in the attack. Her husband was critically injured and required hospitalization while their 11-year-old son Maksym sustained a fractured arm.

The strikes also damaged multiple civilian and diplomatic facilities, including the European Union representation building, the British Council office, and media outlets including Ukrainska Pravda and Radio Liberty. Transportation infrastructure was also affected, with damage to postal facilities and railway equipment.

Following the attack, Russian presidential spokesman Dmitry Peskov described the strike as “successful” while simultaneously claiming Moscow’s continued interest in peace negotiations. The European Union summoned Russia’s ambassador in response, and Ukraine called for an emergency UN Security Council meeting.

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.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Ukraine’s military intelligence agency HUR has released a video showing a night-time drone strike on a key Russian radar installation in occupied Crimea. The destroyed radar was part of the S-400 Triumf air defense system—Russia’s most advanced long-range surface-to-air missile complex designed to detect and shoot down aircraft, drones, and missiles at ranges up to 400 km.

Ukrainian drone disables long-range Russian radar in Crimea

According to HUR, the operation took place in the early hours of 28 August and targeted a 91N6E radar complex—an essential component of the S-400 system responsible for long-range target detection. The strike was carried out by the Department of Active Operations of HUR. A short video released by the agency shows the drone approaching and striking the installation.

Ukrainian outlet Militarnyi reports that the radar’s antenna array—its most vulnerable part—was directly hit by an aircraft-type drone. The outlet notes the installation was likely disabled as a result. HUR mocked the loss, saying another “Triumf” of the occupiers had gone blind, calling it a “fiasco.”

Russia’s radar shield in Crimea is steadily crumbling

Earlier this month, the unit destroyed several radar stations belonging to the Russian 3rd Radio-Technical Regiment, based in the Ai-Petri mountain area on Crimea’s southern coast. Russia had attempted to protect these radar systems by hiding them under Soviet-era radio-transparent domes. However, Ukrainian drones still managed to hit the Nebo-SVU, Podlet K-1, and the rare 98L6 Yenisey radars.

The Yenisey radar is a next-generation system developed for use with the future S-500 missile platform.

Ukraine creates blind zones for deeper drone strikes

The goal of these strikes, according to Militarnyi, is to carve out “blind corridors” in Russian radar coverage over occupied territory. These gaps have allowed Ukrainian long-range drones to carry out additional raids.

In the past month, HUR and the SBU conducted attacks that damaged up to six Russian fighter jets at the Saky airfield. At Kirovske airbase, Ukrainian drones also hit Mi-8 and Mi-26 transport helicopters and a Mi-28 attack helicopter.

Donald Trump’s Ukraine envoy Keith Kellogg blasted Russia’s assault on Kyiv, as the death toll climbed to 19 in one of the war’s deadliest strikes.

“These outrageous attacks threaten the peace that President Trump seeks,” Kellogg wrote on X after Moscow unleashed nearly 600 drones and 31 missiles overnight.

Peace talks on the brink

The strike comes as diplomacy falters. Earlier this month, Trump’s Alaska summit with Putin ended without agreement, and a planned Zelenskyy–Putin meeting remains stalled. Kellogg warned that the Kremlin’s escalation proves Russia is still choosing the battlefield over the negotiating table.

A city under fire

In Darnytskyi district, a five-story apartment building was directly struck by multiple Russian missiles, collapsing from the ground floor up. At least 19 people—including four children—were killed, and fears remain that more are trapped beneath the rubble.

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 18 people have been killed in Kyiv, with another 38 injured as of this report.

Four children are among the dead, including three aged… pic.twitter.com/mKGrZRgGNE

— Euromaidan Press (@EuromaidanPress) August 28, 2025

Symbols in the crosshairs

The barrage also damaged symbols of diplomacy and industry, including the EU mission, the British Council, and the Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty offices.

According to Ihor Zinkevych, a deputy of the Lviv City Council, one of Russia’s targets was a Bayraktar drone plant near Kyiv, designed to produce Turkish TB2 and Akıncı drones. Zinkevych said two missiles struck the facility, causing millions of dollars in damage. Turkish media confirmed the strike, noting it was already the fourth attack on the plant in six months.

Mourning and fallout

Kyiv declared 29 August a day of mourning, lowering flags and canceling events. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy demanded tougher sanctions, saying:

“All deadlines are broken, dozens of diplomatic opportunities wasted. Russia must feel its responsibility for every strike, every day of this war.”

Western leaders echoed outrage: the UK summoned the Russian ambassador, while EU officials vowed new penalties.

Right now in Kyiv, first responders are clearing the rubble of an ordinary residential building after a Russian strike. Another massive attack against our cities and communities. Killings again. Tragically, at least 8 people have already been confirmed dead. One of them is a… pic.twitter.com/aukkujC9ji

— Volodymyr Zelenskyy / Володимир Зеленський (@ZelenskyyUa) August 28, 2025

Key takeaways

• 19 killed, including four children, in one of the war’s deadliest strikes.
• Alaska peace summit failed; Zelenskyy–Putin talks remain stalled.
• EU and British offices hit, Bayraktar drone plant damaged again.

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.

Ukrainian drones struck several targets across Russia in the early hours of 28 August, causing fires at two oil refineries and disrupting rail traffic. Confirmed attacks hit the Kuibyshevsky refinery in the city of Samara about 1,000 km from the frontlines, the Afipsky refinery in Krasnodar Krai around 300 km behind the lines, and a locomotive depot in Petrov Val, Volgograd Oblast. A railway station in Samara Oblast was also reportedly targeted, leading to service delays. 

Strike hits Samara’s Kuibyshevsky refinery

According to Russian Telegram news channel Astra and Ukrainian Exilenova+, a drone attack caused fires at the Kuibyshevsky oil refinery in Samara in the early hours of 28 August. Both channels shared footage of the attack and the subsequent fires.

Local residents began reporting UAV flights over the city and explosions near the facility shortly after 03:00. According to both channels, initial confusion led many locals to believe the Novokuibyshevsky refinery had been hit again after an attack weeks ago. 

Exilenova+ posted follow-ups referencing public speculation about the number of drones involved, writing that “the excited local crowd counted 17 drones, lost count.” The same channel later claimed, without confirmation, that both the Kuibyshevsky and Novokuibyshevsky refineries had been struck.

In response to the attack, the governor of Samara Oblast announced temporary flight restrictions at Samara airport and mobile internet outages “for citizens’ safety.” Emergency services and air defense systems were reportedly activated during the incident.

Afipsky refinery also targeted in Krasnodar Krai

Exilenova+ also shared footage of fires at on the Afipsky oil refinery in southern Russia’s Krasnodar Krai. Russian authorities confirmed the attack, but attributed damage to “falling drone debris” that caused a fire at one of the refinery’s units in the settlement of Afipsky.

The attack affected a gas and condensate processing unit, previously targeted in earlier strikes, according to Exilenova’s geolocation of the footage. The channel geolocated and published video evidence of the fire. Emergency crews were deployed to the scene, with 21 personnel and eight vehicles extinguishing the 20-square-meter blaze. Officials stated there were no casualties.

Petrov Val train depot attacked again

The city of Petrov Val in Volgograd Oblast experienced a repeat drone strike, just five days after a previous attack on 23 August. Exilenova+ shared videos showing fires at the facility, claiming the attack targeted the TChE-7 locomotive depot. According to Astra, a drone impact led to a fire at one of the technical buildings of the depot in the city. Governor Bocharov stated that the fire was quickly extinguished and that there were no injuries.

Rail traffic disrupted in Samara Oblast

In addition to refinery and depot attacks, drones reportedly also targeted Kryazh station in Samara Oblast. Astra quoted Kuybyshev Railway as saying that drone debris damaged the contact network between Kryazh and Lipiahy stations.

The incident led to train disruptions: six long-distance and four suburban trains were delayed, with the maximum delay reaching 2 hours and 14 minutes. Three suburban trains were canceled.

Russia claims 102 drones downed overnight

Despite the widespread damage, Russia’s Ministry of Defense claimed its air defenses destroyed 102 Ukrainian drones overnight. According to the ministry, 22 drones were intercepted over the Black Sea, 21 each over Rostov and Samara oblasts, 18 over Krasnodar Krai, 11 over occupied Crimea, three each over Voronezh and Saratov oblasts, two over Volgograd Oblast, and one over the Sea of Azov.

As always, the Russian ministry’s claims have not been independently verified.

Ukraine’s Cabinet of Ministers has approved a resolution allowing men aged 18 to 22 years to travel abroad, marking a significant change to wartime travel restrictions. 

The change affects thousands of young Ukrainians who’ve been trapped between worlds—too old to leave legally, too young for military service to make practical sense.

What young men need to travel

The new rules require two documents: an international passport and a military registration document. The military document can be electronic and must be shown to border guards on request.

Here’s the catch: men holding government positions still cannot travel except for official business. This exception preserves the policy’s core logic while allowing ordinary citizens more freedom.

Why the government changed course

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy proposed the shift in August, calling it a “positive, correct story” that would help young Ukrainians maintain homeland ties while pursuing education.

Prime Minister Yulia Svyrydenko emphasized the policy’s reach: “This decision also concerns citizens who, for various reasons, found themselves abroad. We want Ukrainians to maintain maximum connections with Ukraine.”

Two parliamentary bills would extend the policy further—one keeping the 18-22 limit, another raising it to 25.

Social media reactions split sharply along predictable lines. Military personnel expressed concerns about weakening defense capabilities, while others argued the policy would actually encourage young people to stay in Ukraine.

The divide reflects a deeper tension between immediate military needs and long-term demographic survival.

Supporters see demographic benefits over security risks

Public activist Taras Shamayda argues the policy fixes two problems while ending what he calls the “senseless policy of hatred toward young Ukrainians living abroad.”

First, it lets Ukrainian children who left the country return for visits without getting trapped by travel restrictions. These young people need homeland connections for their future development and are more likely to return permanently with maintained ties.

Second, the policy should dramatically reduce teenage exodus. “This should stop the mass removal of 17-year-old teenagers by mothers abroad, at least drastically reduce the scale of this phenomenon,” Shamayda wrote. His logic: if border crossing remains free until age 22, families have no reason to rush departures, letting children finish Ukrainian education and form local social bonds.

“There is every reason to believe that significantly fewer people will leave Ukraine at 21 than at 17,” he argued, because at 21 “the decisive word will not belong to parents, but to the young people themselves.”

Even postponing emigration decisions by several years helps Ukraine during what he called a “demographic catastrophe.”

Public activist Valentyn Krasnopyorov expects limited exodus because those still in Ukraine until age 22 “could have left earlier and didn’t.” He suggested maybe some 21-year-olds might leave, but doubted mass departures since these young men stayed “when most thought the war would end quickly.”

Like others, Krasnopyorov emphasized the importance of motivating even younger Ukrainians—those aged 14-16—to remain in the country.

Military officers argue Ukraine needs younger troops on frontlines

Meanwhile, battalion commander Yurii Bereeza wants mobilization starting at 18 for both sexes. He cited Israel’s approach:

“Those who fled abroad have no right to any government positions, no right to business, no right to all the benefits that allow citizens to be citizens.”

Military officer Mykola Voroshonov framed it in stark battlefield terms. He opposes “fifty-year-old old men trying to hold positions for months while 21-year-old healthy Ukrainian boys work on construction sites in the Czech Republic.”

Writer and military officer Dmytro Vovnyanko dismissed the policy as government public relations designed to “get rid of the entire explosive element” of potential protests.

These critics see the policy as undermining Ukraine’s ability to field younger, more effective soldiers when the military desperately needs fresh recruits.

Schools losing 70% of students to emigration

Ukrainian Catholic University lecturer Vitalii Rudenky provided the starkest warning. Some schools lose 70% of students between 10th and 11th grades as parents take children abroad.

“There are two wars,” he wrote. “The current hot one and the demographic one.”

Without changes, he predicts Ukraine might have only 20 million residents by 2050—a population collapse that would make military victory meaningless. The approximate population of Ukraine as of 2025 is estimated to be around 38.9 million people. However, this figure is subject to uncertainty due to the ongoing war, territorial occupation, and large-scale migration movements.

Rudenkiy agreed with other experts about focusing efforts on retaining the youngest Ukrainians, particularly those aged 14-16 who haven’t yet made emigration decisions.

The new policy represents Ukraine’s attempt to balance immediate military needs against long-term national survival. Whether it works depends on implementation and whether young Ukrainians actually use their new freedom to maintain rather than sever homeland ties.

The gunman who killed two children at a Minneapolis Catholic school kept a diary in broken Russian and listed three Russian music artists among his favorites, according to analysis of videos he posted hours before the attack.

Robin Westman wrote much of his manifesto using Cyrillic script to spell out English words like “Christmas concert” and “parking spot,” “I’m faggot.”

But he also scrawled desperate Russian phrases throughout his notebook: “kill yourself,” “who am I?,” “when will this end?,” “help me!,” “I don’t want to.”

On one page, he drew himself with a rifle on his shoulder standing before a mirror—with something horned and demonic staring back from the reflection.

The 23-year-old also listed Russian rappers GONE.Fludd and Mosquit, plus electronic duo IC3PEAK, among his preferred musicians, according to Russian Telegram channel Astra.

The Russian connections emerged from disturbing videos Westman uploaded to YouTube just hours before opening fire at Annunciation Catholic School on 27 August.

In one 20-minute clip titled “So long and thanks for all the fish,” he slowly flipped through pages of his handwritten manifesto while smoke drifted from the bottom of the screen, punctuated by coughs, cursing and what witnesses described as maniacal giggles.

The attack

Westman fired dozens of shots through stained glass windows during a back-to-school Mass around 8:30 a.m. Wednesday, killing two children ages 8 and 10. Seventeen others were wounded, including 14 children, before the shooter died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound.

The gunman came armed with three weapons—a rifle, shotgun and handgun. Police Chief Brian O’Hara confirmed Westman fired from all three during the assault on worshippers attending the celebratory service.

His weapon magazines bore disturbing messages: “for the children,” “kill Donald Trump,” and “6 Million wasn’t enough”—a reference to Holocaust death statistics. Some weapons also carried phrases written in Russian, such as “I am terrorist,” “Hatred,” “Kill yourself,” and “Vodka and REB [electronic warfare].”

Former student’s calculated plan

Westman wasn’t a random shooter. He graduated from Annunciation in 2017 and his mother, Mary Grace Westman, worked as the school’s secretary until retiring in 2021.

His manifesto revealed calculated planning and disturbed thinking.

 “I have had thoughts about mass murder for a long time. I am very conflicted with writing this journal,” he wrote, according to translations by The New York Post.

He fantasized about “being that scary horrible monster standing over those powerless kids” while detailing his targeting strategy:

“I am feeling good about annunciation. It seems like a good combo of easy attack form and devastating tragedy.”

The shooter had concerns about “finding a large enough group” and wanted to “avoid any parents, but pre and post school drop off.”

The shooter specifically targeted the church during an event with children present.

“I think attacking a large group of kids coming in from recess is my best plan,” another entry stated. “Then from there I can go inside and kill, going for as long as I can.”

The journal contained a trans pride flag sticker with “Defend equality” printed across the bottom, overlaid with a black AK-47 sticker. Court documents show Westman legally changed names from Robert to Robin in January 2020, with the petition stating he “identifies as a female and wants her name to reflect that identification.”

Contradictory and incoherent beliefs

The manifesto expressed reverence for previous school shooters, particularly Adam Lanza. “Sandy Hook was my favorite, I think, exposure of school shootings,” Westman wrote, referring to the 2012 massacre that killed 20 first-graders and six adults.

His writings revealed contradictory ideological positions alongside antisemitic hatred.

“If I carry out a racially motivated attack, it would be most likely against filthy Zionist jews,” he wrote, before adding “FREE PALESTINE!”

On another page: “I hate fascism,” followed by “I also love when kids get shot, I love to see kids get torn apart.”

The shooter wasn’t known to law enforcement before the attack. The FBI continues investigating the online videos as they work to determine his full motives, according to Chief O’Hara.

Near the video’s end, Westman displayed what appeared to be a church layout drawing, said “Haha, nice,” then stabbed it with a knife before quietly mumbling “kill myself.”

Russian authorities have constructed a Pantsir air defense tower adjacent to a drone manufacturing facility in Yelabuga, according to the partisan movement ATESH, which claims the measure reflects damage from Ukrainian strikes.

ATESH agents working at the factory documented the defensive installation near the facility, the group announced via Telegram on 26 August.

The organization characterized the construction as evidence that Ukrainian drone attacks have already inflicted damage on the plant.

Ukrainian forces conducted their most recent drone strike against the Yelabuga facility on 25 August. The facility has faced multiple Ukrainian attacks throughout 2025, with documented strikes occurring in April, June, and August.

The Elabuga installation represents part of a broader pattern across Russia. The group’s agents have documented similar tower constructions in Moscow, St. Petersburg, Yekaterinburg, and other cities. These structures feature modules designed for Pantsir air defense systems and are being erected to counter Ukrainian drone operations.

ATESH maintains that these defensive measures will prove insufficient against future attacks.

“The Kremlin can build new towers and cover factories with ‘Pantsirs,’ but this won’t save them from retribution,” the group stated, adding that “for every ‘Shahed’ launched at Ukraine, a just strike will come.”

The organization has called for intelligence regarding similar defensive installations, air defense systems, or military facilities in Russia and occupied territories, offering compensation for reliable information.

Yelabuga factory allegedly produces more than 5000 drones monthly

In July, Russian state media broadcast aired two propaganda films showcasing Geran-2 drone production and deployment capabilities, particularly at the Yelabuga manufacturing complex, positioned over 1,300 km (807 miles) from Ukrainian territory. 

Intelligence reports indicated the facility manufactures more than 5,000 Geran-2 units monthly, with 18,000 drones completed during the first six months of 2025.

The propaganda rollout followed Russia’s record-breaking single-day bombardment on July 9, when Moscow deployed 741 drones and missiles in a 24-hour period.

A 23-year-old Ukrainian woman who recently fled to the United States to escape the war in her homeland was fatally stabbed on 22 August night at a Charlotte light rail station.

Iryna Zarutska was found dead at 9:55 p.m. at the South End light rail station in Charlotte, North Carolina.

Police arrested 34-year-old Decarlos Brown Jr. at the scene and charged him with first-degree murder. Brown was hospitalized with non-life-threatening injuries sustained during the incident. 

Court records show Brown has been arrested multiple times since 2011 on charges including felony larceny, robbery with a dangerous weapon, and communicating threats. Most of these charges were subsequently dropped, according to The Charlotte Observer.

The pattern continued this year. In January, Brown called 911 after a welfare check, telling officers he believed someone had placed a “man-made” material inside his body that controlled when he ate, walked, and talked. When officers explained this was a medical issue beyond their scope, Brown became upset and called 911 again. He was arrested after hanging up.

His public defender has now filed a motion questioning his capacity to proceed with the murder case. Brown is reportedly homeless.

The killing has shaken confidence in Charlotte’s transit system. Council member Edwin Peacock put it bluntly: “The trust and confidence that we have right now, and particularly between South End and Uptown, it’s very fragile right now.”

Peacock knows what comes next. “I know from my experience of living in Washington, D.C., and having lots of friends in Atlanta that the moment where the transit system starts to become something where it’s not considered to be safe is the moment in which you begin to lose riders, to lose momentum.”

Police have not disclosed what led to the stabbing. The investigation remains active and ongoing, with authorities asking anyone with information to contact the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department.

As of 2.20 PM, all miners are now being brought to the surface. Power has been restored, and people are being evacuated from two mines. 

In Donetsk Oblast, Russian shelling cut power to the mines of the Dobropillia community. 148 miners remain trapped underground, says Mykhailo Volynets, head of the Confederation of Free Trade Unions of Ukraine.

Dobropillia — the industrial heart of Donbas

Dobropillia, located in Pokrovsk district of Donetsk Oblast, is an industrial center of a major coal region. The city is known for some of the largest coal deposits in Ukraine and gained city status in 1953.

War and infrastructure destruction

During Russia’s aggression, Dobropillia became a zone of active combat. Regular shelling has damaged residential areas, social infrastructure, water supply, and power networks, making life difficult for local residents.

Miners underground: critical situation

Due to the power outage, the mines remain without electricity. According to DTEK, Ukraine’s top energy company, the Russian attack hit a mine, killing one person and injuring three people. 

Ukraine has disabled 17% of Russia’s oil refining capacity through a wave of recent drone strikes targeting key infrastructure, Reuters reports. The attacks, carried out over the past month, have disrupted fuel processing, sparked gasoline shortages, and hit the core of Moscow’s war economy as Washington seeks to broker a peace deal.

Ukraine strikes 10 refineries, targets export terminals

Reuters calculated that Ukraine’s strikes have taken out 1.1 million barrels per day of Russian oil refining capacity. The drones targeted 10 plants, including Lukoil’s Volgograd refinery and Rosneft’s facility in Ryazan. Other damaged refineries include those in Rostov, Samara, Saratov, and Krasnodar regions.

In addition to oil refineries, Ukrainian drones attacked the Druzhba pipeline and Novatek’s Ust-Luga export terminal and gas processing complex on the Baltic Sea. The fire at the Novoshakhtinsk refinery in Rostov Oblast was still burning as of 25 August, days after being struck by drones.

The Syzran refinery in Samara Oblast was critically affected — key equipment was destroyed, rendering it unable to function. Afipsky in Krasnodar Krai and the facility in Novokuybyshevsk were also hit.

Fuel shortages hit occupied territories and Russia’s south and far east

Fuel shortages followed in parts of Russian-occupied Ukraine, southern Russia, and the Russian Far East. Moscow had already banned gasoline exports in July due to growing domestic demand.

According to Sergei Vakulenko of the Carnegie Russia Eurasia Center, the damaged plants have lost only part of their output, but even limited disruptions can impact supply. He previously worked for Gazprom Neft.

Russia depends on oil and gas for a quarter of its budget revenues. This year, it raised defense spending by 25%, reaching Cold War–era levels. Despite sanctions, Moscow continues large-scale weapons production. Still, economic growth has slowed, causing concern in the Kremlin.

China has firmly rejected media reports suggesting the country expressed readiness to join international peacekeeping forces for Ukraine in case of a ceasefire, calling such claims inaccurate.

According to Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Guo Jiakun, quoted by local media, “these reports do not correspond to reality. China’s position on the Ukrainian crisis is consistent and clear.”

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov has inserted Moscow’s position into the debate, stating that any agreement without Russian and possibly Chinese participation in discussions about Western-sought security guarantees would be impossible.

“The West understands very well that serious discussion about security guarantees without the Russian Federation is utopia,” Lavrov said.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy rejected both Lavrov’s demands for Chinese participation and the broader concept of involving Beijing.

“We need security guarantees only from those countries that are ready to help us,” Zelenskyy stated, pointing to China’s continued support for Russia. 

“Coalition of the willing” discusses sending peacekeepers to Ukraine

The peacekeeping discussion has gained renewed attention following diplomatic developments between the United States and Russia. US President’s Special Representative Steve Witkoff indicated that during an Alaska meeting on 15 August, Putin and Trump reached agreement on “reliable security guarantees” for Ukraine, including protections comparable to NATO’s Article 5.

Subsequently, what officials termed a “coalition of the willing,” mainly involving European countries such as France and Britain, expressed readiness to contribute to Ukraine’s security guarantees by deploying military personnel on Ukrainian territory.

However, the extent of American support remains unclear. Trump emphasized that the US would not deploy its own military forces while not ruling out logistical support such as “air transportation” for allied forces.

What security guarantees Ukraine needs

The broader Western security framework being discussed extends beyond military assistance to include:

• training Ukrainian forces
• weapons deliveries
• defense industry development assistance
• intelligence sharing
• sanctions
• economic cooperation
• Ukraine’s gradual EU accession.

Senior EU diplomats indicated that ceasefire monitoring could rely primarily on drone technology rather than traditional frontline deployment, with response protocols for violations still requiring definition in any mandate.

Zelenskyy indicated after White House meetings on 18 August that security guarantees should include American weapons systems that Ukraine cannot produce domestically, specifically mentioning aircraft and air defense systems.

German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul stated that Ukraine should receive security guarantees “that come very close to what NATO membership means” as part of any future peace agreement.

Wadephul argued that substantial security commitments are essential before Ukraine could consider any territorial concessions.

“We cannot demand that Ukraine seriously consider territorial concessions if it does not receive at least real security guarantees from as many states as possible, so that at least the rest will be safe,” the minister said, according to Deutsche Welle.

The German foreign minister expressed optimism that such robust guarantees could eventually persuade Russian President Vladimir Putin to accept a peace framework.

Wadephul contended that comprehensive security arrangements would pose no threat to Russia and “could become the foundation for us in Europe to finally have peace again.”

According to Wadephul, approximately 30 countries, including Japan, have indicated willingness to support Ukraine with security guarantees.

He emphasized the importance of expanding the circle of guarantor nations beyond Europe, particularly noting the need for United States participation in any security framework.

European officials are discussing plans to deploy British and French military personnel to Ukraine as security guarantees, with approximately 10 countries ready to participate in the initiative.

The plan involves European troops initially focusing on training Ukrainian forces away from combat zones, while the US would provide logistics, air support, intelligence sharing, and weapons without deploying American soldiers.

The minister also warned that any breach of security guarantees would constitute “an attack on Ukraine,” underscoring the binding nature of such commitments.

Ukrainian PM: “Strong army and strong economy” are true security guarantees 

Meanwhile, Ukrainian Prime Minister Yuliia Svyrydenko met with US President’s Special Representative for Ukraine and Russia Keith Kellogg, who arrived in Kyiv on 24 August, Ukraine’s Independence Day. According to Svyrydenko social media post, their discussions covered security guarantees based on the UN Charter and respect for Ukrainian sovereignty.

Svyrydenko told Kellogg that effective security guarantees must encompass military, political and economic components.

She emphasized that “true security guarantee is a strong Ukrainian army and a strong economy” and stressed the need to preserve Ukraine’s armed forces capabilities while developing domestic industry.

The Ukrainian prime minister also raised the return of prisoners of war, civilians and kidnapped children, as well as preventing the legalization of Russian exploitation of critical minerals and industrial assets in occupied territories.

On 24 August, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov also gave an interview to NBC’s “Meet the Press,” where he dismissed President Zelenskyy as illegitimate and demanded Ukraine surrender territories in occupied regions, using the tsarist-era term “Novorossiya” to justify claims over large portions of Ukrainian territory.

He referenced Russia’s sham referendums in occupied areas while insisting Putin wants peace, even as Russian forces continue military operations across eastern Ukraine. 

Ukraine has publicly displayed what appears to be the long-range version of its R-360 Neptune cruise missile for the first time, according to an analysis by Defense Express.

The extended-range variant, unofficially known as “Long Neptune,” was featured in a video released on the state weapons portal “Zbroya” on Ukraine’s Independence Day, 24 August.

The “Zbroya” portal, which published the video, serves as a unified platform for state services and programs for weapons manufacturers and acts as a brand for Ukrainian defense products. The portal was originally created by the Ministry of Strategic Industries, which transferred its responsibilities to the Ministry of Defense on 21 July 2025.

The missile stands out immediately. X-shaped folding wings. No other Ukrainian weapon matches that profile, Defense Express points out. The video doesn’t name the weapon, but the visual signature tells the story.

This “Long Neptune” has reportedly been hitting targets 1000 km (621 miles) away since March 2025—double the range of the original anti-ship version. Development started in November 2023, yet no official images surfaced until Ukraine’s Independence Day.

Defense Express analyzed the missile’s dimensions by comparing it to the original anti-ship R-360 Neptune. Using the tail section as a reference point, the publication estimates the “Long Neptune” measures over six meters in length without its booster, making it approximately 1.5 meters longer than the standard version.

The analysis suggests the missile’s central fuselage has been enlarged from 38 centimeters to approximately 50 centimeters in diameter to accommodate additional fuel capacity. The wing and tail surfaces have also been expanded to compensate for increased takeoff weight.

Here’s the catch: the launch footage in the video dates back to 2018-2020 coastal tests, not recent operations. Ukraine revealed the missile’s existence without showing current capabilities. No official specifications exist for the long-range variant. Even the warhead weight remains classified, though the original Neptune carried 150 kilograms of explosives.

If Defense Express correctly identified the weapon, and if it’s been operational since March as reported, Russian forces already know what it looks like. The visual reveal changes nothing operationally.

Russia knows its demands are impossible. That’s the point.

Finnish President Alexander Stubb spelled this out during a Fox News interview, describing Moscow’s approach as calculated theater.

“That’s typical Russian negotiation tactics,” Stubb told the One Nation program. “You say one unacceptable thing at the beginning and then you start retracting. It happens all the time.”

Imagine giving up American territories to Russia

Stubb offered American viewers a stark comparison to grasp what Russia actually wants from Ukraine. Picture the US surrendering Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina, Virginia, and Maryland to an adversary. Then imagine that adversary building “some kind of superhighway through which you can attack New York.”

“That’s what Putin is asking from Ukraine,” the Finnish president said.

The math on Russian progress tells its own story. After years of trying to capture the Donbas region since 2014, Russia controls 75% of the territory. But half of that came immediately at the start of the conflict. The remaining gains?

“He’s really advancing just tiny bit at a time,” Stubb noted.

The territorial comparison isn’t new to diplomatic circles. During 18 August White House talks with Trump, President Zelenskyy and European leaders used the same Florida analogy with the US President—and it resonated.

Ukraine needs three-tier security framework

Stubb sees those recent discussions with Trump as laying groundwork for future security arrangements.

“One of the key outcomes of what I would call a successful meeting with President Trump—we started to work on the details of future security guarantees,” he said.

Stubb outlined a three-tier security framework, explaining that Ukraine would serve as its own primary defender with what he described as one of the world’s most modern and largest armies.

Europe would provide the second layer of support, while the United States would contribute some form of assistance as the third component.

But here’s Stubb’s bottom line: “It’s not going to be Russia to tell Europe or the US what they can or cannot do with security guarantees.”

On 24 August, US Vice President J.D. Vance told NBC News that Russia will inevitably have “some stake” in security guarantee discussions for Ukraine, arguing that Moscow’s participation is necessary since they are “the critical party necessary to stop the killing.”

Vance also reaffirmed that American military personnel will not be deployed to Ukraine, but indicated that Washington would maintain an active role in Ukrainian security alongside European nations who would take on significant responsibilities.

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney announced a $1 billion military assistance package for Ukraine during Independence Day proceedings in Kyiv, with equipment deliveries scheduled to begin in September 2025.

The aid package forms part of Canada’s broader $2 billion military commitment made at the G7 summit in June. Carney specified that the funds will purchase drones, ammunition, and armored vehicles for Ukrainian forces.

“Today I proudly announce that over $1 billion of this amount will be directed to strengthening your weapons arsenal through the supply of drones, ammunition, and armored vehicles, which will arrive as early as next month,” Carney stated during his address.

Beyond military hardware, Canada committed tens of millions of dollars for emergency medical assistance, bomb shelter construction, and democracy strengthening initiatives. The democracy support includes cybersecurity assistance to counter digital attacks on Ukrainian institutions.

Carney outlined Canada’s role in international efforts to address humanitarian concerns, particularly regarding illegally displaced children from occupied territories. As co-chair of the international coalition for returning deported Ukrainian children, Canada plans to coordinate with Ukraine, European partners, and the United States on repatriation efforts.

“On this Ukrainian Independence Day and at this critical moment in the country’s history, Canada is strengthening its support and efforts aimed at achieving just and lasting peace in Ukraine,” the Prime Minister stated.

Carney’s visit to Kyiv represents part of a broader European tour. His itinerary includes meetings with Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk on 25 August, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz on 26 August, and Latvian Prime Minister Evika Siliņa on 27 August.

Since the full-scale invasion began in 2022, Canada has provided nearly $22 billion in aid to Ukraine, including over $12.4 billion in financial assistance to support the Ukrainian government and economy. Canada also committed about $3 billion specifically for military support, supplying infantry fighting vehicles, drones, ammunition, and training for Ukrainian forces.

Ukrainian military units have established control over the settlement of Zelenyi Hai [eng: Green grove] in Donetsk Oblast, with the victory announced on Ukraine’s National Flag Day, marking both a tactical achievement and symbolic moment amid broader Russian pressure across the eastern front.

The operational-strategic group of forces “Dnipro” confirmed that fighters from the 37th separate marine infantry brigade, working alongside the 214th separate assault battalion OPFOR, successfully halted the advance of Russian forces in the area.

However, the operational-strategic group “Dnipro” warned that Russian forces are mounting efforts to retake Zelenyi Hai while simultaneously attempting to occupy additional settlements throughout this sector of Donetsk Oblast.

At the beginning of August, Russian forces entered Zelenyi Hai, photographing themselves alongside Russian flags within the settlement, according to the analytical project DeepState.

However, the Main Intelligence Directorate of the Ministry of Defense subsequently reported that Ukrainian special forces eliminated the Russian group that had penetrated the settlement. Despite this operation, DeepState mapping data from 22 August indicated Russian forces maintained control over approximately half of Zelenyi Hai.

Defense forces also recently secured control over most of the nearby village of Tovste, where Ukrainian soldiers raised the national flag.

Russian advances in Donetsk Oblast

The Zelenyi Hai operation occurs against a backdrop of intensifying Russian attacks across Donetsk region.

Recent Russian advances north of Pokrovsk saw enemy forces break through up to 17 kilometers, seizing positions that threaten Ukrainian supply lines.

A separate Russian push near Dobropillia reached the Dobropillia–Kramatorsk highway, a critical route for military logistics.

These tactical gains have prompted regional authorities to expand mandatory evacuation zones. Vadym Filashkin, head of the Donetsk Regional Military Administration, announced on 14 August that five settlements must evacuate approximately 1,879 children due to relentless Russian bombardment of around 3,000 strikes daily.

The Institute for the Study of War identified a “fortress belt,” the primary fortified defensive line established following 2014 military operations, as one of the strategically important Ukrainian positions in Donetsk Oblast that Russian forces continue to approach and attempt to envelop it.

It stretches 50 kilometers from Sloviansk and Kramatorsk in the north to Druzhkivka and Kostyantynivka in the south.

According to the ISW, Ukraine has invested 11 years in strengthening these positions, building “significant defense industrial and defensive infrastructure in and around these cities.”

The institute warned that territorial concessions, pushed by Russia in recent peace negotiations with the US, would “position Russian forces extremely well to renew their attacks on much more favorable terms,” allowing them to bypass costly urban warfare while gaining operational advantages.

Today, Ukraine marks its 34th Independence Day. But this isn’t 1991’s euphoric declaration of sovereignty, or even 2021’s military parades down Kyiv’s main boulevard. This is 24 August 2025 – Independence Day during the fourth year of Russia’s attempt to entirely erase Ukrainian statehood.

The holiday that once celebrated freedom now embodies the fight to keep it.

When independence became survival

Since Russia’s full-scale invasion on 24 February 2022, Ukrainian Independence Day has transformed from a ceremonial occasion into something far more urgent: proof that the country Putin said “doesn’t exist” refuses to disappear. In August 2022, Ukrainian media reported how Independence Day celebrations replaced traditional military parades with displays of destroyed Russian equipment, turning Kyiv’s Khreshchatyk street into a graveyard of Russia’s failed conquest.

The numbers tell the story of this transformation. Before 2022, just 37% of Ukrainians considered Independence Day personally important. By 2024, that figure had jumped to 64% – war crystallizing what freedom actually means when you risk losing it.

From USSR exit to democratic frontline

Ukraine’s independence story began modestly enough. On 16 July 1990, the Verkhovna Rada declared sovereignty within the Soviet Union by a vote of 355 to 4. It seemed like careful political maneuvering, not revolution.

But the failed Moscow coup of 19 August 1991 changed everything. Five days later, on 24 August, Ukraine’s parliament adopted the Act of Declaration of Independence, formally breaking with the USSR. The 1 December 1991 referendum wasn’t even close: over 92% of voters confirmed independence, with 84% turnout across the country.

What started as bureaucratic independence became something much larger when Ukraine chose Europe over Russia’s sphere of influence.

The real test for independence came in 2013

Independence Day celebrations remained largely ceremonial with military parades until the Revolution of Dignity transformed Ukraine’s trajectory. When hundreds of thousands gathered on Kyiv’s Independence Square in late 2013, they weren’t just protesting President Viktor Yanukovych’s decision to abandon EU integration – they were defending the right to choose their own future.

The revolution that killed nearly 100 protesters in February 2014 established a crucial principle: Ukrainian independence meant more than just having your own flag.

It meant the freedom to align with democratic values against authoritarian pressure.

Russia’s immediate response – seizing Crimea and launching war in Donbas – proved the point. Moscow couldn’t tolerate a neighboring democracy that offered an alternative to Putin’s totalitarian model.

Independence under fire

The full-scale invasion that began 24 February 2022 turned Independence Day into something unprecedented: a wartime celebration of national survival. Instead of showcasing Ukrainian military power, the holiday now demonstrates Ukrainian resilience.

Recent Independence Day observances have featured:

• Displays of captured Russian equipment instead of military parades
• International solidarity events in dozens of countries
• Cultural programs highlighting Ukrainian identity under attack
• Memorial services for defenders killed protecting sovereignty

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has repeatedly framed the ongoing war as Ukraine’s second war of independence – the first won through voting, the second requiring fighting.

Why this matters beyond Ukraine

Ukraine’s evolving Independence Day reflects a broader global struggle between democratic self-determination and authoritarian imperial ambitions. What happens to Ukrainian sovereignty affects the international system that emerged after World War II.

Independence Day in Ukraine now serves multiple strategic purposes:

• Diplomatic tool: Rallying international support around the principle of territorial integrity
• Domestic unity: Strengthening national cohesion during an existential crisis
• Information warfare: Countering Russian narratives about Ukrainian “artificial” statehood
• Democratic symbol: Inspiring other nations facing authoritarian pressure

The independence celebration that became resistance

On this 24 August 2025, Ukrainian Independence Day carries weight it never held during peacetime. Each year that the country survives Putin’s war of extermination, the holiday grows in significance – not just for Ukraine, but for anyone who believes smaller nations have the right to exist independent of their larger neighbors’ imperial ambitions.

The question isn’t whether Ukraine celebrates its 34th Independence Day. The question is what that celebration will mean for the future of national sovereignty in an era when major powers increasingly view international borders as random lines rather than laws.

Ukraine’s fight for independence continues.

Ukrainian forces launched a coordinated drone assault on Russian territory overnight, targeting critical infrastructure including the Ust-Luga port in Leningrad Oblast and the Syzran oil refinery in Samara Oblast, according to regional governors.

Strategic port generating war funding revenue comes under attack

Leningrad Oblast Governor Alexander Drozdenko confirmed that air defenses allegedly destroyed 10 drones over the Ust-Luga port facility, located around 2000 km away from Kyiv, on the morning of 24 August.

This port serves as a crucial hub for Russia to bypass Western sanctions while exporting oil, gas, and coal that generate revenue for military operations. 

The attack resulted in debris causing a fire at a NOVATEK terminal, with Drozdenko stating that “firefighters and emergency services are working to extinguish the fire.”

A specialized fire train carrying over 183 tons of water and 5 tons of foam concentrate was dispatched to assist in firefighting operations, according to the October Railway company.

Oil refinery producing resources for Russian war effort faces repeated strikes

The Syzran oil refinery in Samara Oblast, over 1700 km away from Kyiv, came under drone attack, with local residents reporting approximately 20 explosions throughout the night.

Samara Governor Vyacheslav Fedorishchev acknowledged the strike on what he termed “an industrial enterprise facility.”

This marks the fourth attack on the Syzran refinery in 2025, following previous strikes in February, March, and earlier in August.

Drone attack affects civilian flights

The overnight attacks caused significant disruptions to civilian air traffic, with Pulkovo airport in St. Petersburg suspending aircraft operations.

The airport operated under imposed restrictions for approximately 18 hours, resulting in dozens of delayed flights and passengers sleeping on mats in terminal areas, according to the facility’s press service.

The Russian Defense Ministry subsequently reported that air defense systems intercepted and destroyed 95 Ukrainian drones across 12 Russian regions, Tatarstan, and occupied Crimea during the night. Regional authorities reported no casualties from the attacks on both targeted facilities.

[Update as of 11 p.m. on 24 August]

The Ukrainian General Staff officially confirmed the coordinated attack on Ust-Luga port and the Syzran oil refinery.

The targeted Syzran refinery has a design capacity of 8.5 million tons of oil annually, representing approximately 3.08% of Russia’s total oil refining volume, and specializes in producing gasoline, diesel fuel, and aviation kerosene supplied directly to Russian occupying forces.

Ukrainian forces also struck a gas condensate fractionation and transshipment unit at the Ust-Luga marine terminal with a capacity of 6.9 million tons of raw materials per year.

The General Staff confirmed that Ust-Luga serves as “one of Russia’s key logistics hubs in the Baltic Sea, actively used for exporting energy resources using the so-called shadow fleet to bypass international sanctions.”

A fire still burns at the Novoshakhtinsk oil refinery—Rostov Oblast’s only refinery—after it was struck by Ukrainian drones three days ago. The facility ranks among southern Russia’s largest, with a processing capacity of approximately 100,000 barrels per day (about 5 million tonnes annually).

The drone attack at Novoshakhtinsk is one in a recent series targeting Russia’s energy infrastructure. In the past weeks, several major refineries—including Syzran, Volgograd, Novokuibyshevsk, Ryazan, and Saratov—have sustained fires, temporary shutdowns, or capacity reductions following drone and missile strikes.

Fire still rages at the Novoshakhtinsk oil refinery in Russia’s Rostov Oblast — hit by Ukrainian drones 3 days ago.

One of southern Russia’s biggest (5M t/yr). Locals face water cuts, toxic air & 4 months unpaid wages — yet workers are still forced in.

Video: exilenova+ pic.twitter.com/0O0oKip5jB

— Euromaidan Press (@EuromaidanPress) August 23, 2025

Escalating air war and energy disruption

These assaults are part of intensified air campaigns from both sides. Ukraine has increasingly struck petroleum infrastructure—refineries, depots, pipelines—while Russia retaliates with drone and missile strikes on Ukrainian cities, civilian areas, and energy facilities.

As military expert Yigal Levin notes: “Targeting fuel infrastructure is strategic warfare—and it’s taking a heavy toll.”

Civilian hardship: water, air, and wages

Residents in Novoshakhtinsk and surrounding areas are grappling with deteriorating conditions. Water pressure has dropped sharply; some areas, like Krasny Sulin, now lack running water altogether. Air quality has become dangerously poor.

Meanwhile, workers at the refinery are still being required to come to work—despite four months of unpaid wages. Levin succinctly notes: “People are showing up—but their pay never arrives.”

How the strike happened

On the morning of 21 August, Ukrainian long-range “kamikaze” drones pierced local air defenses, despite the refinery being guarded by two Pantsir and one Tor anti-air systems. Residents reported around five explosions, which ignited the blaze.

Why this matters

• Military and economic impact: The refinery is vital for both regional fuel supply and military logistics.
• Humanitarian concerns: Communities face basic service breakdowns amid the emergency.
• Strategic priority: The targeting of energy assets underscores the growing importance of infrastructure in warfare tactics.

US Orthodox Archbishop Alexei of Sitka and Alaska has apologized for greeting Vladimir Putin during the Trump–Putin summit in Anchorage on 15 August. The moment drew sharp backlash because Putin is under an International Criminal Court (ICC) arrest warrant for the unlawful deportation of Ukrainian children.

Beyond that charge, rights groups and UN investigators have documented how Russian forces under his command bombed cities like Mariupol, executed civilians in Bucha, and displaced millions. Many experts call these atrocities the direct result of the crime of aggression — the decision to invade Ukraine itself — though the ICC cannot prosecute aggression without a UN Security Council referral, which Russia can veto.

Warm words, harsh reactions

During the encounter, Archbishop Alexei told Putin:

“Russia has given us what’s most precious of all, which is the Orthodox faith, and we are forever grateful.”

He recalled Russian missionaries who brought Orthodoxy to Alaska under czarist rule, adding that when clergy visit Russia, they return saying: “I’ve been home.”

Putin replied: “Please feel at home whenever you come.”

That exchange — along with the greeting and an icon gift — prompted a scathing response from the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the USA. Its bishops denounced the meeting as a “betrayal of Christian witness” in the wake of Russia’s war.

Their statement, signed by Metropolitan Antony and Archbishop Daniel, said the Russian regime is responsible for “the death of hundreds of thousands, the disappearance of countless innocents, the tearing of families apart, and the deliberate destruction of Ukraine.”

“To extend warm words of welcome and admiration to this ‘leader’ is nothing less than an endorsement of his actions,” they warned, adding that while Christians preach love and forgiveness, they “can never excuse or whitewash evil.”

Archbishop’s apology

Archbishop Alexei later admitted his actions caused “confusion and pain” and stressed they do not represent the official stance of the Orthodox Church in America (OCA):

“I accept full responsibility for the confusion and pain my actions caused. My actions in no way indicate a change in the position of the Orthodox Church in America.”

He explained the greeting followed three days of diocesan prayer for peace and was meant as hospitality, not politics.

Church leadership distances itself

Metropolitan Tikhon, primate of the OCA, emphasized the meeting was unauthorized:

“The Orthodox Church in America has clearly and repeatedly condemned the aggression against Ukraine.”

Alaska summit fallout

The apology came in the wake of the Trump–Putin summit. Despite red-carpet ceremony, the talks ended without a peace deal. Critics said the event gave Putin a platform without concessions. President Trump later threatened new sanctions if Russia fails to move toward peace.

A Ukrainian drone strike hit Russia’s Druzhba oil pumping station in Unecha late on 21 August, setting off a major fire. Commander of the Ukrainian Forces of Unmanned Systems (SBS), Robert “Madyar” Brovdi, confirmed the attack and released footage showing flames at the site in Bryansk oblast.

Ukraine drones hit Unecha station again

Brovdi said that operators of the 14th regiment of the Forces of Unmanned Systems carried out the strike. He added the phrase “repair it in 48 hours,” mocking Russia’s attempts to restore the station after the previous hit.

Brovdi, who is ethnic Hungarian, also wrote in Hungarian “Ruszkik haza!” meaning “Russians go home.”

His post included video of the burning facility and described the drones as “birds of the SBS” continuing their “journey through worms’ refineries” — Ukraine has been targeting not oily the pumping stations, but also Russia’s oil refineries.

Bryansk governor Alexander Bogomaz announced a missile alert in Unecha district on 21 August. By the morning of 22 August, he claimed two fixed-wing drones had been destroyed allegedly with “no casualties or damages.” 

Unecha’s role in Druzhba pipeline

The Unecha pumping station is part of Russia’s 5,500-kilometer Druzhba oil pipeline. The station is owned by the state company Transneft and has the capacity to pump 60 million tons of oil annually. Located in the settlement of Vysokoe in Unecha district, about 60 kilometers from Ukraine’s border, it is crucial for transporting Russian oil to the Baltic Sea port of Ust-Luga and for supplying Belarus’s Mozyr refinery.

Previous attacks on Druzhba

The Unecha pumping station had already been struck on 12 August, when Ukrainian forces destroyed two pumping stations, a technical building, and nearby equipment. That earlier attack also caused a large fire. The latest strike marks the second hit on the same target within nine days.

On 18 August, Ukraine’s General Staff reported a strike on the Nikolskoye-1 pumping station in Russia’s Tambov oblast, another Druzhba hub. That attack forced Hungary’s foreign minister Péter Szijjártó to confirm a temporary suspension of Russian oil transit to Hungary, before announcing on 20 August that deliveries had resumed. Szijjártó also claimed that Hungary is Ukraine’s largest supplier of electricity.

President Donald Trump has accused his predecessor Joe Biden of sabotaging Ukraine’s war effort by prohibiting strikes against Russian territory, arguing that defensive-only warfare cannot achieve victory.

Writing on Truth Social, Trump compared the restrictions to “a great team in sports that has a fantastic defense, but is not allowed to play offense,” stating there would be “no chance of winning” under such conditions.

“Crooked and grossly incompetent Joe Biden would not let Ukraine FIGHT BACK, only DEFEND,” Trump wrote. “How did that work out?”

He also claimed the war would never have occurred under his presidency.

Trump accompanied his criticism with a photo collage featuring his recent meeting with Vladimir Putin in Alaska on 15 August, alongside an image from the 1959 “Kitchen Debate” between Vice President Richard Nixon and Soviet leader Nikita Khrushchev.

The historical reference points to a Cold War-era exchange about capitalism versus socialism that took place at an American exhibition in Moscow. The parallel isn’t subtle. Trump sees himself following Nixon’s tough-talking tradition with Russia.

Ukrainian officials repeatedly pressed Washington for permission to strike deeper into Russia. Their argument: How do you defeat an enemy you can’t hit where it hurts?

According to Financial Times reporting from July, Trump told Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy that deeper strikes into Russia made sense. The strategy: “make them feel pain” and force Moscow to negotiate.

Since January 2025, Ukrainian long-range drone strikes deep inside Russia caused more than $74 billion in damage—about 4% of Russia’s yearly economy.

Most of the attacks have focused on important targets like oil refineries, storage facilities, pumping stations, ports, and other key infrastructure.

About 39% of strikes were between 500 and 1,000 kilometers inside Russia, with some reaching over 1,000 kilometers, showing Ukraine’s strong reach. These strikes have hurt Russia’s economy that finances the war effort.

Ukraine struck multiple critical Russian targets overnight on 20–21 August, hitting a refinery in Rostov Oblast, a railway power substation in Voronezh Oblast, and a GRU base in occupied Crimea. Satellite data confirmed large fires at several sites, while occupation officials attempted to downplay the incidents.

Ukrainian drones hit refinery and bypass air defense in Rostov Oblast

Ukrainian Telegram channel Exilenova+ reported that drones struck the Novoshakhtinsk oil refinery in Rostov Oblast. According to the outlet, the facility was protected by two Pantsir and one Tor anti-air systems, which failed to prevent the attack. Local residents reported hearing around five explosions over the city. Russian news Telegram channel Astra confirmed that a fire broke out at the site following the drone strike.

GRU base and helicopter airfield in Sevastopol targeted

In Russian-occupied Crimea, Ukrainian drones struck the Russian Black Sea Fleet’s military unit #95408 in Sevastopol. Exilenova+ stated that GRU military intelligence forces are currently based there. NASA FIRMS satellite data confirmed fires at the site. Fires were also observed at the nearby Khersones airbase, which hosts Russian helicopters and drones.

Russian-installed occupation authorities claimed the explosions were part of unannounced firefighting drills conducted by the Black Sea Fleet in coordination with emergency services. Astra quoted occupation head Mikhail Razvozhayev, who urged residents to “trust only official information.” However, local social media users mocked the explanation, saying they were being treated “like fools.”

Ukrainian drones disable power substation in Voronezh Oblast

Further north, Ukraine also hit the Zhuravka railway power substation in Voronezh Oblast. Exilenova+ reported this strike, and NASA satellite data confirmed a fire at the location. Astra relayed a statement from the Russian governor, who said that more than five drones were downed over the southern districts of the oblast. He acknowledged that an energy facility had been damaged, leaving several villages without electricity and causing a number of passenger train delays.

Astra later reported that train service was restored after the incident, but highlighted that 19 trains were initially delayed due to the attack. Authorities warned that the threat of further drone strikes remained across the entire oblast.

Russia claims mass drone shoot-downs amid visible damage

Russia’s Ministry of Defense claimed that its air defenses had shot down 49 Ukrainian drones overnight. The ministry alleged that 21 drones were intercepted over Rostov Oblast, 7 over Voronezh Oblast, 4 over occupied Crimea, and the rest across other regions including Belgorod, Bryansk, Kaluga, Orel, Kursk, and Tula oblasts, as well as over the Black Sea.

Moscow adds nuclear spin as narrative deflection

Amid the fallout, Russian authorities claimed that unit #7 at the Novovoronezh Nuclear Power Plant in Voronezh Oblast had been temporarily disconnected from the grid. TASS cited the Rosenergoatom press service, which denied any safety risks.

The claim came shortly after the regional governor’s vague reference to drone strikes on an “energy facility,” suggesting a possible attempt to introduce a nuclear angle to the story. 

A massive Russian air attack involving 574 drones and 40 missiles struck Ukraine overnight into 21 August, hitting cities across the country, including Mukachevo — a city in Ukraine’s far west close to the Hungarian border. Ukrainian Air Force units downed the majority of the aerial threats, but multiple oblasts reported civilian casualties and infrastructure destruction. The Russian attacks again inflicted civilian casualties.

Mukachevo struck with Kalibr missiles, drone crashes in Khust district

At around 04:40 on 21 August, Russian forces launched two Kalibr missiles at an industrial facility in Mukachevo, Zakarpattia Oblast. According to Myroslav Biletskyi, head of the Zakarpattia Oblast Military Administration (OVA), the strike destroyed warehouse premises and triggered a large fire, causing significant smoke pollution. Authorities deployed an emergency operations center to the site.

The Mukachevo City Council said ten people had been taken to hospital and two more had sought medical care on their own. All received treatment, and their condition was described as stable.

Evhen Meshko, director of Saint Martin Hospital, told Suspilne that by 08:50, 12 people had been brought in: six hospitalized, six treated on an outpatient basis, and one transferred to the oblast hospital. He noted that patients were in mild to moderate condition, with no critical cases reported at that time. A total of 15 ambulance brigades and eight State Emergency Service units worked on-site.

Following the missile impact and resulting fire, Biletskyi warned residents about heavy smoke and the presence of potentially harmful combustion products. He urged residents of Mukachevo and Uzhhorod districts to close all windows and doors and stay indoors, particularly children, the elderly, and individuals with chronic respiratory diseases.

Biletskyi also reported the crash of a Shahed-type drone in the village of Lypovets, Khust district. No injuries were reported. However, a utility building was damaged, windows were blown out in a nearby residential house, and a power line was struck.

Ukrainian foreign ministry denounces strike on US-linked company

Deputy Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha wrote on X that one of the Russian missiles targeted a major American electronics manufacturer in Zakarpattia Oblast. He stated that the facility was entirely civilian and accused Russia of targeting businesses deliberately.

Sybiha added that this was not the first time Russia attacked US-linked facilities, referencing previous strikes on Boeing offices in Kyiv earlier this year. He said the attack proved the need for stronger air defense and reiterated Ukraine’s commitment to diplomacy through bilateral Ukraine-Russia and trilateral Ukraine-US-Russia negotiations. He also called for security guarantees from the US and European partners.

Fatal strike in Lviv

In Lviv, Russian forces launched a combined drone and missile strike, resulting in one person killed and three injured, according to Lviv Oblast head Maksym Kozytskyi.

Mayor Andrii Sadovyi said the explosions damaged at least 26 buildings in Zaliznychnyi district, the third time this area was hit over the past year. He confirmed over 150 shattered windows and 10 destroyed rooftops.

Sadovyi reported that one of the injured victims was in critical condition and undergoing surgery, while another had chest and leg wounds and was in moderate condition. At 08:37, he confirmed a third injury — a 38-year-old woman with a superficial chest wound, hematomas, and lung contusion, being treated at Saint Panteleimon Hospital.

Deputy Mayor Andrii Moskalenko said the same buildings were previously struck on 4 September and 12 July. A kindergarten was also damaged. Emergency commissions were launched to manage repairs and temporary relocation for affected residents.

Zaporizhzhia hit by missiles and bombs

In Zaporizhzhia, two missile strikes damaged several industrial sites and nearby residential buildings, with eight apartment buildings and two private houses sustaining broken windows and damaged facades, according to OVA head Ivan Fedorov. He reported no injuries in this attack.

This morning, the Russians struck a village in Polohy district by three air-dropped bombs, injuring an 85-year-old woman who suffered fractures, lacerations, and a concussion.

The Zaporizhzhia Oblast Military Administration reported that in the last 24 hours:

• 647 attacks were carried out across 14 settlements
• 433 FPV and other drones struck at least 11 populated areas
• 204 artillery strikes targeted various towns
• Three airstrikes and five MLRS attacks occurred
• Russian attacks killed one woman and injured another in Polohy district

Civilian sites hit across multiple oblasts

In Kherson Oblast, the local administration said that from 06:00 on 20 August to 06:00 on 21 August, one person was killed and three others injured. Two Shahed-131/136 drones were destroyed by air defense.

In Kharkiv Oblast, two civilians — a 70-year-old man and 71-year-old woman — were killed near Petrivka, Zolochiv community. A 41-year-old man was injured in Kharkiv city on 18 August. According to the regional administration, Russian forces used:

• One missile
• Six Shahed-136 drones (repeatedly referred to by their Russian designation as “Geran-2” by Kharkiv officials)
• One Lancet drone
• Two Molniia drones
• Three FPV drones

In Donetsk Oblast, the regional administration reported that Russian forces killed three civilians in Kostiantynivka on 20 August, and six more people were injured across the region.

In Rivne Oblast, drone debris hit a private residence and public utility building, igniting a roof fire and shattering windows. No injuries were reported, per the OVA.

In Volyn Oblast, including its capital city of Lutsk, the region was attacked by drones and missiles, with 12 aerial targets engaged. Authorities said no casualties occurred, though minor building damage was confirmed.

Air Force: 577 threats intercepted

According to the Ukrainian Air Force, from 18:40 on 20 August into 21 August, Russia launched 614 aerial weapons, including:

• 574 Shahed drones and decoys
• Four Kh-47M2 Kinzhal missiles
• Two Iskander-M/KN-23 ballistic missiles
• 19 Kh-101 cruise missiles
• 14 Kalibr missiles
• One unidentified missile from occupied Crimea

Ukrainian forces intercepted or suppressed 577 targets, including:

• 546 Shahed-type drones and decoys
• One Kinzhal missile
• 18 Kh-101 cruise missiles
• 12 Kalibr cruise missiles

Drones may dominate the skies over Ukraine, but defense experts warn they cannot replace artillery, missiles, and tanks. As NATO plans for the future, some fear an overreliance on swarms of cheap drones could “play to Russia’s strengths” instead of deterring them.

Why build a $5 million tank when a $500 drone can destroy it? That question drives NATO’s debate — yet Ukraine’s experience shows the answer is complicated.

Kyiv’s dependence on drones reflects necessity, not strategy. With artillery shells and missiles in short supply, Ukraine turned to unmanned aerial systems to fill the gaps left by slow or limited weapons deliveries from allies.

“This attrition from drones has been occurring in the context of a Russian force that is still constrained by minefields and forced to disperse by Ukrainian artillery,” wrote Justin Bronk of the Royal United Services Institute in Defense News.

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has acknowledged that about 40% of Ukraine’s frontline weapons now come from domestic production, but commanders continue to clamor for Western systems such as HIMARS, ATACMS, guided shells — and, increasingly, glide bombs — to blunt Russian offensives.

Drones dominate, but don’t decide battles

On the battlefield, drones paralyze movement and inflict steady attrition. Yet most are destroyed before impact.

“Only a small fraction of the huge volumes of drones launched by Ukrainian forces reach their targets, and a still smaller proportion achieve decisive damage,” Bronk noted.

Russia has invested in jammers, nets, and armored cages, making its counter-drone defenses among “the most formidable in the world.” Despite constant innovation, Ukraine has struggled to turn drone use into strategic momentum.

Commanders still trust legacy firepower

Even as drones proliferate, Ukrainian units continue to prize artillery and missiles.

“High-end ATGMs, anti-tank BONUS artillery rounds and regular artillery are far more responsive and more reliably able to knock out vehicles and suppress massing infantry than FPV drones,” Bronk wrote.

This explains why Kyiv’s most urgent requests to allies remain long-range fires, not drones.

NATO’s strategic choices

For NATO, the lesson is clear: drones should augment, not replace, legacy weapons. Bronk points to glide bombs such as JDAMs, which cost around $25,000 — far cheaper than a $1 million ATACMS missile — and can destroy bunkers, command posts, and armored vehicles.

Michael Kofman of the Carnegie Endowment reinforced the point: “Those are the advantages that are likely to prove much more significant than being second- or third-mover in the drone fight.”

The bottom line

Drones have changed warfare, but they work best when paired with artillery, missiles, and airpower. As Bronk concluded:

“It is far technically and tactically easier to counter a force that primarily relies on massed, cheap drones … than it is to counter well-employed airpower, long-range fires, armor, artillery and mortars within a professional joint force.”

Ukraine’s former Commander-in-Chief, now Ambassador to the UK, Valerii Zaluzhnyi, is reportedly positioning for a future presidential bid. American journalist Katie Livingstone claims he has already set up a campaign headquarters in London and begun recruiting a political team.

Speculation about elections is highly sensitive in Ukraine. National voting can only take place once the war ends, and any suggestion of campaigning carries the implication that a post-war transition is on the horizon. At the same time, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is widely seen as determined to hold on to power, making rumors of a challenge from Zaluzhnyi especially explosive.

Alleged key players in the report

Livingstone, a Pulitzer-nominated freelance reporter based in Kyiv, named several figures tied to the supposed effort:

• General Serhiy Naiev — allegedly leading the London office. His role is contentious: critics blame him for the swift loss of Ukraine’s southern territories in 2022, when Russian forces seized large areas almost without resistance.
• Oksana Torop — Zaluzhnyi’s adviser and former BBC journalist, said to be managing his “media operation.” Torop insists her involvement is limited to handling press contacts.
• Viktoria Syumar — opposition MP from European Solidarity, reportedly handling internal coordination. She has strongly denied the claim.
• Polina Lysenko — deputy director of NABU, Ukraine’s National Anti-Corruption Bureau, and former head of the Center for Countering Disinformation. She was allegedly in charge of international outreach. NABU dismissed the report as stemming from “highly questionable sources.”
• Serhiy Pashynskyi — former head of Ukroboronprom, the state defense conglomerate. A veteran political operator and arms industry figure, he has faced corruption allegations but also emerged as a key wartime supplier.

Zaluzhnyi’s team pushes back

The ambassador’s advisers have rejected the claims outright. Oksana Torop told NV:

“I only assist Valerii Zaluzhnyi in media contacts. Nothing more.”

She stressed:

“As long as the war continues, we must preserve the country — not think about elections. Therefore, no campaign headquarters exists.”

Other figures mentioned in Livingstone’s report, including Syumar and NABU, also denied any involvement.

Criticism over his departure

Zaluzhnyi remains one of Ukraine’s most trusted public figures, often polling ahead of Zelenskyy. Yet his move abroad has sparked criticism. Many note that he accepted the ambassadorial post in London as soon as it was offered, a privilege not available to most Ukrainian men, who remain barred from leaving the country during wartime.

For some, this fuels skepticism about his motives—even as others see it as a strategic step by a capable leader preparing for a political future.

A rival in waiting

Denials aside, Zaluzhnyi’s reputation as a respected military leader and his broad public support keep him in the spotlight. Whether he is actively preparing a campaign or not, he is widely viewed as Zelenskyy’s most serious rival in any post-war election.

Polish prosecutors reported that a military drone of unknown origin likely exploded overnight in a cornfield near the village of Osiny in Lublin Voivodeship, about 100 km from Ukraine, 90 km from Belarus, and just 40 km from Warsaw. The blast, shortly after 2 a.m. local time, shattered windows in nearby houses and scorched an 8–10 meter patch of farmland, but caused no casualties.

The incident comes amid a pattern of Poland scrambling fighter jets almost every time Russia launches major strikes on Ukraine. These flights are intended as a precaution, though they have never resulted in interceptions, since NATO aircraft only act if an object directly threatens alliance territory.

Osiny, lubelszczyzna, ok. 100 km od granicy z Ukrainą. Policja odnalazła nadpalone, metalowe i plastikowe szczątki. https://t.co/tdwN6vQ0cq pic.twitter.com/zz3D7Wmi2V

— 1 Star (@PawelSokala) August 20, 2025

Remains point to Russian-style drone

At the site, authorities recovered burned fragments of metal, plastic, and a drone engine. Journalists from both Ukraine and Poland noted these parts resemble those used in Russian Shahed kamikaze drones.

Defense Express highlighted that investigators found a four-stroke MD550 engine, typical of Shahed drones, though with an unusual muffler—raising questions about whether the drone malfunctioned or lost its way.

Conflicting statements from authorities

Initially, Poland’s Armed Forces stated there were no violations of its airspace from Ukraine or Belarus that night. Later, Lublin prosecutor Grzegorz Trusiewicz said:

“The nature of the explosion shows this object was most likely a military drone. Its trajectory and origin remain undetermined.”

Linked to Russian strikes on Ukraine

The explosion coincided with air raid alerts in Ukraine’s Lviv and Volyn Oblasts. Russia had launched a barrage of drones—estimated at more than 90 Shahed drones—and two Iskander-M ballistic missiles.

In May 2023, a Russian Kh-55 cruise missile carrying a dummy nuclear warhead crashed near Bydgoszcz, 450 km from the Ukrainian border. Initially, officials denied any airspace violation, only later confirming the breach — sparking a domestic scandal.

Similar incidents have also occurred in Romania, Lithuania, Latvia, and Moldova, where Russian drones and missiles have landed since the start of the full-scale invasion. Ukraine has repeatedly warned that such events highlight how Moscow’s air campaign against it also endangers NATO members.

Poland points to Russia

By midday, Deputy Prime Minister and Defense Minister Władysław Kosiniak‑Kamysz stated the drone was believed linked to Russia.

“Once again, we are dealing with a provocation by Russia. We are dealing with it in a crucial moment, when discussions about peace (in Ukraine) are underway,” he said.

General Dariusz Malinowski added that intelligence pointed to a Russian origin, though the precise intent—malfunction or deliberate incursion—was still uncertain.

Diplomatic fallout

Poland’s Foreign Ministry announced it will send a formal protest note to Russia and brief NATO allies. Spokesperson Paweł Wroński stressed:

“We will inform our allies about this incident. Poland’s airspace is endangered by this war, and this proves NATO states are at risk.”

Foreign Minister Radosław Sikorski condemned the event as “another violation of our airspace”, emphasizing that Poland’s foremost NATO mission remains the defense of its territory.

European officials are actively discussing plans to send British and French military personnel to Ukraine as part of security guarantees following any cessation of hostilities, with approximately 10 countries expressing readiness to participate in the initiative.

Bloomberg reports the security package could take shape this week, as officials rush to finalize details before a potential Putin-Zelenskyy meeting initiated by Trump.

But will America participate? President Trump ruled out US boots on the ground, but offered something else – logistics and air support. Not soldiers.

“We’re willing to help them with things, especially — probably you could talk about by air, because there’s nobody that has the kind of stuff we have,” he told Fox News.

Here’s how the European plan would work.

First stage: European troops stationed away from combat zones, focusing on training Ukrainian forces and providing reinforcements. Think military advisors with real backup, not symbolic presence.

Second stage: American intelligence sharing, border surveillance, weapons, and potentially air defense systems. Europe expects the US to keep providing military hardware through European partners, even without direct American deployment.

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni also proposed a NATO-like security guarantee—strong allied commitments without actual NATO membership. White House meeting on 18 August gave Trump’s backing for the approach.

Here’s the catch: several European officials remain skeptical about whether any guarantees will actually deter Putin or lead to lasting peace. The plan assumes Russia wants to end the war. That assumption hasn’t been tested.

While European leaders publicly support Trump’s efforts to hold talks with Russia and push for peace in Ukraine, they expect the talks to fail and expose Putin’s true intentions of not willing to end the killings.

Explore further

British “coalition of the willing” troops in Ukraine will train, not fight

Why are European leaders backing Trump’s peace negotiations they think will likely prove unsuccessful?

They want Putin’s unwillingness to genuinely end the Ukraine war exposed.

Five diplomats familiar with the discussions revealed to Politico a calculated approach: praise Trump publicly while privately preparing for the talks to reveal Putin’s true intentions.

“It’s clear that if we end up in a situation where Putin proves he doesn’t want to end the war, that will force Trump to act,” one diplomat explained.

The goal? Stronger sanctions when negotiations inevitably stall.

The French president isn’t buying Putin’s peace promises

Emmanuel Macron has become the most vocal skeptic. The same leader who once tried preventing war through diplomatic outreach to Putin now calls the Russian president’s bluff directly.

“Do I think that President Putin wants peace? The answer is no. If you want my deepest belief: No. Do I think that President Trump wants peace? Yes,” Macron said before heading to Washington. “I don’t think that President Putin wants peace. I think he wants the capitulation of Ukraine. That’s what he has proposed.”

A second diplomat confirmed to Politico that allies support the American initiative “not because they necessarily thought it would work but because it will be a clear test of Russian intentions.”

A third diplomat emphasized that security guarantees being developed would help Ukraine “negotiate from a position of strength.”

Meanwhile, Putin’s negotiating demands include:

• Ukraine must abandon its plans to join NATO and adopt a neutral status.

• Lifting or easing of some Western sanctions against Russia, including addressing frozen Russian assets in the West.

• Recognition of Russian sovereignty over Crimea, annexed in 2014.

• Ukraine’s withdrawal from Donetsk, Luhansk oblasts, Kherson, and Zaporizhzhia oblasts.

• Protection and official status for the Russian language in Ukraine.

• Guarantees for the Russian Orthodox Church Moscow Patriarchate in Ukraine.

• Disarmament of Ukraine, including establishing limits on personnel, weapons, and armed forces.

• Holding new elections in Ukraine under martial law lifted after initial troop withdrawals.

What forced Putin to negotiate in the first place?

Sanctions pressure. European sources point to Washington’s tariffs against India over Russian oil purchases as the turning point. Putin agreed to engage with Trump only after feeling economic squeeze.

The next target? China’s trade with Russia.

But here’s the catch: European officials see current talks as preparation for that pressure campaign, not genuine peace prospects.

One diplomat put it bluntly: “Everyone is going through the motions. But we don’t know what Putin’s end game is. What will motivate Putin to give any concessions? I don’t know.”

Where could Putin-Zelenskyy talks actually happen?

Hungary emerges as one possibility for a Putin-Zelenskyy meeting. Macron proposed Geneva as neutral ground. But venue selection assumes the talks will occur. Growing Russian evasiveness suggests otherwise.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov says Moscow won’t reject talks but insists on preparation “step by step, gradually, starting from the expert level.” Putin suggested hosting a summit in Russia.

Trump already doubts Putin’s sincerity

Europeans adjusted their red lines to work with Trump, softening demands for Russian ceasefire commitments before negotiations.

“There was some hope Trump could change his mind back on the ceasefire issue. That didn’t happen,” a fifth diplomat said, expressing concern over the difference in positions. “But overall it was still a good step towards peace.”

But they’re betting on a bigger prize: Trump’s recognition of Putin’s bad faith.

The American president already shows signs of skepticism.

“We’re going to find out about President Putin in the next couple of weeks,” Trump told Fox News. “It’s possible that he doesn’t want to make a deal.”

That admission gives Europeans what they want: justification for the sanctions escalation they’ve planned all along.

How serious is Russia about peace? While Donald Trump works to arrange a summit between Putin and Zelenskyy to push for a peace agreement, Russian forces launched another wave of attacks against Ukrainian civilians early 20 August morning.

Russian forces fired two Iskander-M ballistic missiles and Iranian-designed 93 Shahed drones across Ukraine, according to Ukrainian Air Force. Ukrainian air defense intercepted one missile and 62 drones, but strikes still hit 20 locations nationwide.

Energy infrastructure targeted in Odesa Oblast

Izmayil, a port city in southern Odesa Oblast, took direct strikes that damaged fuel and energy infrastructure, according to the Odesa Regional Prosecutor’s Office and State Emergency Service.

One person was injured and hospitalized, officials reported. The strikes sparked a massive fire that required 54 rescuers and 16 specialized vehicles to contain. Ukrainian Railways deployed a fire train, while National Guard fire units and local brigades joined the response.

The Izmayil District Prosecutor’s Office opened a war crimes investigation, while prosecutors and police are documenting damage at the scene.

14 civilians injured in Sumy border Oblast

The northern city of Okhtyrka in northeastern Sumy Oblast faced a massive attack that injured 14 people, including three children. Multiple locations were struck simultaneously across the city.

The youngest victim is not even a year old yet. The boy has an acute stress reaction, but there is no threat to his life.

Emergency workers pulled a woman from rubble and transferred her to ambulance crews, according to regional authorities. The strikes damaged an apartment building, 13 private homes, an outbuilding, and a garage. Several cars were destroyed, and fires broke out across impact sites.

Rescue teams extinguished all fires, the State Emergency Service reported. The scale of damage suggests coordinated targeting of residential areas rather than military infrastructure.

When images of Ukraine’s new Flamingo cruise missile appeared, experts quickly pointed out the resemblance to another system.

The War Zone (TWZ) described Flamingo as “extremely similar, if not identical” to the FP-5 made by UAE-based Milanion. Its specifications — 3,000 km range, 950 km/h top speed, a one-ton warhead, and rail-trailer launchers — align almost exactly with Milanion’s brochure. Still, TWZ cautioned that “the exact relationship… is unknown,” leaving room for Ukrainian modifications.

Ukraine’s arsenal has long been defined by shortage. Western aid remains vital but insufficient, while domestic production struggles to match demand. Out of this gap came drones—not as a choice but as a necessity—allowing Kyiv to strike deep despite limited means. The Flamingo now represents a step beyond improvisation toward true strategic weapons.

A “behemoth” by design

Like the FP-5, Flamingo is no small weapon. Defense Express called it a “behemoth” with a six-meter wingspan and six-ton takeoff weight. Its simple, straight wings make it cheaper to produce but easier to detect.

“The larger the missile, the more noticeable it becomes,” they noted, though they stressed the lack of stealth is “not a critical one.” Ukraine has already used large, non-stealthy Tu-141 drones to strike deep into Russia, proving size is not an automatic disqualifier.

TWZ, however, added a sharper caveat: with “what looks like zero attempts at signature control, the Flamingo is far from immune to interception.” Yet this vulnerability is also part of its logic — a missile that blurs the line with drones, built for mass production and salvos rather than invisibility.

Fire Point’s bold comparison

Manufacturer Fire Point has gone further than analysts, telling Ukrinform and Kyiv Post that Flamingo is “better than the US Tomahawk.”

“Tomahawks… are outdated. They have absolutely everything worse than today’s Flamingos,” a company representative claimed, adding that Tomahawks are also “five times more expensive.”

On paper, Flamingo outranges most Tomahawk versions, carries more than double the payload, and flies slightly faster. Where Tomahawk still holds an edge is in its proven TERCOM guidance system, which allows it to resist GPS jamming — a crucial factor in Ukraine’s electronic warfare environment.

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Brief historical parallels

The Flamingo is not the first missile of its kind. Its reliance on ground-rail launchers recalls Germany’s V-1 flying bomb of World War II, while its bulk and range echo the US MGM-13 Mace fielded in Europe during the 1950s. More recently, it sits in the same strategic category as Russia’s Kalibr, which has been used extensively against Ukrainian cities.

Each of these weapons marked a shift in reach and destructive power. Flamingo may be Ukraine’s turn at the same playbook.

Political shock potential

The Telegraph framed Flamingo as more than a technical feat. Vladimir Putin’s political stability, it argued, rests on shielding Moscow and St. Petersburg from devastation.

“The Flamingo could potentially… visit the same sort of destruction on Putin’s core cities as Russian weapons have on those of Ukraine,” wrote Lewis Page. But he cautioned that Flamingo is “essentially just a faster drone” and would need to be deployed in large salvos with decoys to get through Russia’s formidable defenses.

On the eve of Trump–Zelenskyy talks, Ukraine unveiled footage of its new Flamingo missile — 3,000 km range, 1,150 kg warhead, now in mass production and used against targets in Russia.

Defense Minister Shmyhal: “This is very powerful, long-range weaponry — and it’s here.”… pic.twitter.com/N0f8YMgzVB

— Euromaidan Press (@EuromaidanPress) August 18, 2025

A symbol of independence

Whether Flamingo changes the battlefield will depend on production scale and its ability to survive modern air defenses. What is certain is that Ukraine now has a weapon that embodies strategic independence: a domestically produced missile, resembling Milanion’s FP-5, but aimed at taking the war much deeper into Russia than ever before.

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

Twin fires break out in Volgograd after drone strike

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

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

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

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

Lukoil refinery struck for the second or third time in days

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

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

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

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

Ukraine disables Russia’s oil flow to the EU

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

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

SBS strike made Russian upgrades irrelevant

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

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

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

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

Budapest lashes out, Kyiv hits back

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

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

US President Donald Trump has already arrived at the Oval Office to meet with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. Today, the two leaders will discuss the conditions that the Kremlin is demanding for peace.

The leaders will first hold a one-on-one discussion, after which European leaders will join the talks. These include European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, NATO Secretary General, the Prime Ministers of the UK and Italy, the Presidents of France and Finland, and the Chancellor of Germany.

Ahead of the meeting, Russia has already struck Kharkiv, Zaporizhzhia, and Sumy, the major centers in the regions in Russia’s territorial swap agenda. Moscow has also deployed MiG aircraft capable of carrying Kinzhal missiles, which can reach any point in Ukraine.

10:20 PM: Trump says, “in a week or two,” the US will know whether it has succeeded in its peace efforts, or battles in Ukraine will continue. Trump, Zelenskyy, and European leaders ended the press conference.

10:12 PM: Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni says today’s meeting will begin and focus on discussions on security guarantees similar to NATO’s Article 5.

10:03 PM: Before the closed-door talks between Trump and Zelenskyy in the Oval Office, a map of Ukraine was put on display. It was placed opposite the table where the leaders of Ukraine and the US were seated. The occupied territories were marked in pink.

9:57 PM: After meeting Zelenskyy, Trump posed with European leaders for a “family photo” before closed-door talks.

9:50 PM. The meeting between Trump and Zelenskyy has ended. Now, they will both meet with European leaders, The Hill reports.

8:50 PM: As Zelenskyy meets Trump, Russia rejects NATO troops in Ukraine, blasting UK proposals as “provocative.”

8:42 PM: Zelenskyy has appeared in a more formal costume at the meeting with Trump. A journalist, who critisized the Ukrainian president the last time he visited the Oval Office, apologized for his previous comments and added that he looked “wonderful.”

8:40 PM: The US president has said, regarding security guarantees, “We will give Ukraine very good security.” However, no specific guarantees have been announced. At the same time, Kyiv will not join NATO, according to Trump. 

8:35 PM: Trump claims it was a hard thing for Putin to come to Alaska. The American president has been criticized for the warm greeting of the Russian leader. The US Army rolled a red carpet for Putin, which many view as a symbol of Ukrainian blood spilled in Russia’s war. 

8:30 PM: Zelenskyy says Ukraine wants to hold elections. But “we have to ensure safe circumstances. We need a truce to make it possible.”

8:15 PM: Zelenskyy has met with Trump. 

Trump came out to greet him. Shortly before, the leaders of European countries and NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte had arrived there, BBC reports.

8:10 PM: The Ukrainian delegation has already arrived at the White House.

The delegation, led by President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, includes:
Secretary of the National Security and Defense Council of Ukraine, Rustem Umerov;
Ukrainian Ambassador to the United States, Oksana Markarova;
Head of the Office of the President of Ukraine, Andrii Yermak;
Deputy Foreign Minister of Ukraine, Serhii Kyslytsya;
Deputy Head of the Office of the President of Ukraine, Pavlo Palisa.

8:08 PM: Trump’s pastor, Mark Burns, stated that Putin’s demand to protect the Russian Orthodox Church in Ukraine is cynical, noting that the Kremlin itself bans Ukrainian churches in the occupied territories.

“It is deeply troubling that during peace talks in Alaska, Vladimir Putin had the audacity to demand protections for the Russian Orthodox Church in Ukraine.

This is the same institution being used by the Kremlin to justify war, bless missiles, and deceive millions by pretending their invasion is somehow holy,” he stressed.

8:06 PM: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy emphasized just minutes before his meetings at the White House that his primary goal is “a reliable and lasting peace for Ukraine and for the whole of Europe.”

“We understand that we shouldn’t expect Putin to voluntarily abandon aggression and new attempts at conquest,” he said. 

Therefore, in his view, pressure from the US and Europe is essential.

8:00 PM: Ahead of the Trump–Zelenskyy talks, Ukraine revealed footage of its new Flamingo missile. Speeding along at 950 km/hr, it should be able to avoid all but the best Russian air defenses. 

Ranging twice as far as the best current Ukrainian deep-strike munitions, and with a warhead that is several times heavier, the Flamingo has the potential to significantly escalate Ukraine’s strategic bombardment campaign targeting Russian factories, air bases, and oil refineries.

Rescue workers have recovered another body from the rubble of a residential building damaged by Russian strikes in Kharkiv, bringing the death toll to five people, including two children.

According to Kharkiv Mayor Ihor Terekhov, there are already four dead, including one child.

Kharkiv Oblast Governor Oleh Syniehubov later confirmed the fifth casualty, including a 1.5-year-old girl and a 16-year-old boy.

The number of injured has reached 20 people as of 9:30 am, with six children among the casualties, according to the State Emergency Service of Ukraine. Rescue teams have saved two people from the debris, and search operations continue.

About five people are currently considered missing, according to Syniehubov.

Russian forces targeted Kharkiv with Geran-2 type drones, with four unmanned aerial vehicles hitting a five-story residential building. The strike caused structural damage and fires broke out in the building.

Mayor Terekhov said that 18 August has been declared a day of mourning in Kharkiv for the victims of the attack.

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 Russia and emphasise that they are of a targeted nature.

Regional casualties mount across Kharkiv Oblast

The deadly strike on Kharkiv was part of broader attacks across the region that left 34 people injured over the past 24 hours. Russian forces struck the city of Kharkiv and 10 settlements throughout Kharkiv Oblast, according to regional authorities.

In Kupiansk, a 43-year-old man was injured in the attacks. The village of Lisne in the Malodanyliv community saw three casualties: two men aged 49 and 51, and a 48-year-old woman.

Russian forces deployed an extensive arsenal against the region, launching one Iskander-M missile and 33 unmanned aerial vehicles of various types. The attack package included 20 Geran-2 drones, two Lancet drones, two Molnia drones, one FPV drone, and five drones of undetermined type. Russian forces also used two guided aerial bombs in the assault.

Infrastructure damage spreads across multiple districts

The strikes damaged civilian infrastructure across four districts. In Kharkiv city, 19 apartment buildings and 25 vehicles sustained damage from the attacks.

Kupiansk district bore significant damage, with apartment and private buildings hit in Kupiansk city and Pidserednie village. The village of Shevchenkove saw damage to an enterprise and six vehicles, while storage facilities were damaged in Hnylytsya village.

Chuhuiv district reported damage to a warehouse and vehicle in Kochetok village, while a private house was damaged in Horokhovatka village in Izium district.

Ground combat intensifies on two fronts

Ukrainian forces recorded 182 combat clashes across the front over the past 24 hours. On the South Slobozhansk direction, Russian forces launched 13 assault attempts against Ukrainian positions near Vovchansk and toward the settlements of Khatnie and Odradne.

The Kupiansk direction saw 12 Russian attacks throughout the day. Ukrainian defense forces repelled Russian assault actions near Zapadne, Kindrashivka, Petropavlivka, and Stepova Novoselivka, as well as attacks directed toward Kupiansk and Nova Kruhliakivka.

A Ukrainian intelligence officer has warned that the Americans are being “unbelievably aggressive” in pressuring Kyiv to concede more territory to Russia. According to The Economist, Ukrainian officials fear Washington is aligning too closely with Moscow’s terms after last week’s Trump-Putin summit in Alaska.

His remarks come just days after Trump’s highly controversial meeting with Putin in Alaska, where the US president echoed elements of the Kremlin’s peace demands. That encounter alarmed European and Ukrainian leaders, who fear Washington may be edging closer to Moscow’s agenda and weakening Western unity.

“They want to maximise the package they will get in return—from sanctions relief, to the return of seized assets, to the re-opening of energy markets,” the officer said. “What… is far less clear is why the Trump administration was pushing so forcefully to promote Russia’s interests.”

Relief gives way to unease

Initial reaction in Ukraine was one of relief that Donald Trump had not struck a “grand bargain” with Vladimir Putin. “Disaster averted: Trump has not sold us down the river,” one MP commented. But optimism quickly turned to unease as it became clear that Trump had sided with Putin’s sequencing of peace talks.

Instead of insisting on a ceasefire first, Trump embraced the Russian president’s call for a “comprehensive peace.” Adviser Serhiy Leshchenko reiterated that “a ceasefire must come before a more general agreement,” but Washington’s stance appears to have shifted.

Putin’s demands

At the summit, Putin reportedly repeated demands for Ukraine to withdraw from parts of Luhansk and Donetsk Oblasts, in exchange for minor territorial concessions in Sumy and Kharkiv. Analysts note this would leave Russia in a stronger position to renew attacks in the future.

Former Ukrainian diplomat Roman Bezsmertny accused Putin of exploiting Trump’s ambitions: “Under Mr Putin’s spell, Trump is an incapacitated politician.”

Public opinion hardens

War fatigue has shifted opinion in Ukraine toward pragmatism. Polls show a majority willing to accept Russia’s current occupation in exchange for strong Western guarantees. But there are clear limits. Anton Hrushetskyi of the Kyiv International Institute of Sociology said “less than one in five” Ukrainians would accept the land swaps Trump is said to favour.

Next steps

Zelensky will meet Trump in Washington on 18 August, ahead of a possible three-way summit with Putin later this week. But Ukrainians fear the outcome may already be tilted. As Trump put it on Fox News: “Make a deal. Russia is a very big power. [You] are not.”

After consultations with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, the Coalition of the Willing confirmed its readiness to provide security guarantees for Ukraine, including the deployment of a multinational military contingent on Ukrainian territory.

Earlier in the year, plans were floated for a 30,000-strong force, but without US participation, European governments were reluctant to commit. As recently as this week, The Times reported the plan was effectively off the table, replaced by scaled-back measures such as air patrols, training Ukrainian forces, and demining the Black Sea.

US role transforms the scenario

That changed when Donald Trump reportedly agreed to offer Ukraine an Article 5-style security guarantee. Unlike NATO membership, this would not make Ukraine part of the alliance but would still provide a collective-defense commitment resembling NATO’s core clause.

US envoy Steve Witkoff called it “game-changing”, noting that Vladimir Putin had, for the first time, agreed to such protections during talks in Alaska.

The official statement from Macron and Starmer, released by Downing Street, underlined the coalition’s new confidence:

“The leaders reaffirmed support for Ukraine, praised Zelenskyy’s push for peace, and welcomed Trump’s security guarantees—saying the Coalition of the Willing will play a vital role through the Multinational Force Ukraine.”

Leaders react

UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer reiterated:

“Our support for Ukraine is unwavering—international borders must not be changed by force.”

French President Emmanuel Macron warned:

“If we are weak with Russia, we are preparing for tomorrow’s conflicts.”

What comes next

With US backing secured, the coalition now signals readiness to deploy a peacekeeping and reassurance force once fighting ends, while also securing Ukraine’s skies and seas and helping to rebuild its armed forces. UK Defense Secretary John Healey confirmed that British troops are prepared to take part.

European leaders—including Starmer and Macron—will now travel to Washington DC for talks with Trump and Zelenskyy, aiming to finalize the guarantees and shape the coalition’s role.

A Ukrainian sniper from the elite Pryvyd (“Ghost”) unit has reportedly killed two Russian soldiers with a single bullet through the window of an occupied building from an extraordinary 2.5 miles (4,000 m) away — believed to be the longest confirmed sniper kill ever recorded.

The shot took place on 14 August, between Myrnohrad and Pokrovsk in eastern Donetsk Oblast, just as Russia claimed a breakthrough near Pokrovsk. Although Ukrainian forces have pressed back with some success, the battle remains fierce. At the same time, President Vladimir Putin demanded that Ukraine withdraw from Donetsk and Luhansk to end the war — a proposal Kyiv firmly rejected, insisting it will not surrender land still under its control.

A Ukrainian sniper may have set a world record.

From 4 km (2.5 miles), one round hit a window—
2 Russian soldiers fell instantly.

The rifle: a 14.5 mm Snipex Alligator.
The assist: drones + AI.

If confirmed, it’s the longest sniper shot ever reported.

Video: Butusov+ pic.twitter.com/zxB16TW0pa

— Euromaidan Press (@EuromaidanPress) August 17, 2025

How it happened: Tech meets precision

• Rifle Used: 14.5 mm Snipex Alligator, an anti-materiel rifle originally meant to destroy equipment, not personnel. Its official effective range is 2,000 m—only half the distance achieved in this shot.
• Guidance Tools: The sniper used AI-assisted targeting and drone surveillance to calibrate the record-breaking strike.

Journalist Yurii Butusov released the footage and praised the performance:

“Incredible accuracy and a new world record for the longest range!” he wrote on Telegram.

Shattering sniper records

If confirmed, this milestone surpasses the previous Ukrainian record of 3,800 m, set by Vyacheslav Kovalskyi in November 2023 with the Lord of the Horizon rifle.

Other historic long-range marks include:

• 3,540 m — Canadian sniper vs. ISIS fighter (2017)
• 2,478 m — British sniper Craig Harrison vs. Taliban fighter (2009)

Innovation born of necessity

Since Russia’s full-scale invasion in February 2022, Ukraine has become a testing ground for battlefield innovation. Sniper teams now regularly combine drones, AI software, and forward observers, often surpassing the original limits of their hardware.

As Defence Express noted:

“Real-life experience has shown … the actual capabilities of Ukrainian weapons, which have far exceeded their creators’ expectations.”

President Donald Trump’s top envoy, Steve Witkoff, said that last week’s Alaska summit between Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin produced “significant progress” on security guarantees for Ukraine and potential compromises over territory.

His remarks come just days after Trump’s highly controversial meeting with Putin in Alaska, where the US president echoed elements of the Kremlin’s peace demands. That encounter alarmed European and Ukrainian leaders, who fear Washington may be edging closer to Moscow’s agenda and weakening Western unity.

Security guarantees: a “game-changer”

Witkoff told CNN that Putin agreed to “robust security guarantees” for Ukraine, similar to NATO’s Article 5 mutual defense commitment.

“We agreed to robust security guarantees that I would describe as game changing,” Witkoff said, adding that Russia pledged to codify into law a commitment not to invade Ukraine—or any other European country—as part of a final peace deal.

Russian concessions on territory

According to Witkoff, Putin also made “some concessions” regarding his long-standing demands for Ukrainian land. While the envoy declined to name specific regions, he suggested Moscow is shifting toward negotiating around current front lines, rather than insisting on full administrative control of multiple Ukrainian provinces.

European outlets including Reuters and the Financial Times reported that Russia floated freezing the front lines in Kherson and Zaporizhzhia, while potentially withdrawing from parts of Sumy and Kharkiv, in exchange for Ukrainian concessions in the Donbas.

“The Russians made some concessions at the table with regard to all five of those regions,” Witkoff noted. “Hopefully we can cut through and make some decisions right then and there” when Trump meets Ukraine’s leadership.

White House meeting with Zelenskyy and Europeans

On 18 August, Trump will host Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy at the White House, joined by European leaders. Discussions are expected to center on both security guarantees and the territorial framework of a potential peace deal.

The meeting follows a late-night phone call after the Alaska summit in which Trump, Witkoff, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, and NATO allies coordinated on next steps.

US officials stress no pressure on Kyiv

Secretary of State Marco Rubio pushed back against speculation that Washington is pressuring Ukraine to surrender territory.

“No one is pressuring Ukraine to give up land,” Rubio told NBC. “Putin is asking for things Ukrainians are not willing to accept—and we’re not going to force them.”

Rubio also downplayed the effectiveness of fresh sanctions, warning they would not push Moscow toward peace:

“They’re already under very tough sanctions. More sanctions won’t make them agree to a ceasefire.”

Trump declares “BIG PROGRESS”

Shortly after the Alaska talks, Trump posted on Truth Social:

“BIG PROGRESS ON RUSSIA. STAY TUNED!”

The president offered no details, but the message came ahead of Zelenskyy’s Oval Office visit and renewed efforts to shape a broader settlement.

The road ahead: fragile diplomatic terrain

Despite Witkoff’s upbeat assessment, Ukrainian officials remain wary. According to Financial Times, some in Kyiv described the Alaska summit as “horrible,” warning it could lead to a deal resembling capitulation. European leaders, too, worry that Trump’s closeness to Putin may erode solidarity within NATO.

Rubio tempered expectations, saying that while the summit produced “movement,” a comprehensive peace deal remains far off.

“There has to be talk about territories, about Ukraine’s long-term security, and about rebuilding the country,” Rubio said. “If there’s going to be a deal, each side will have to give up something.”

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy will arrive in Washington on Monday accompanied by an extensive lineup of European leaders for talks with US President Donald Trump.

The meeting, set for 18 August in the Oval Office, comes just days after Trump’s controversial summit with Vladimir Putin in Alaska. That encounter, where Trump echoed parts of Putin’s peace demands, has alarmed European and Ukrainian leaders who fear Washington may be drifting toward Moscow’s agenda.

High-profile delegation

According to international media, the delegation includes:

• French President Emmanuel Macron
• German Chancellor Friedrich Merz
• UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer
• Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni
• Finnish President Alexander Stubb
• European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen
• NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte

Their joint appearance is widely seen as an effort to bolster Zelenskyy’s position in Washington, amid concerns that Trump’s rapport with Putin could undercut Ukraine’s leverage.

Trump eyes trilateral summit with Putin

Following the Oval Office talks, Trump reportedly wants to stage a trilateral summit with Putin and Zelenskyy on 22 August, according to Axios.

Anonymous sources say Trump has already discussed this idea in phone calls with Zelenskyy and European leaders. His warm embrace of Putin in Alaska raised alarms across Europe.

“European leaders fear Zelenskyy may not receive the same friendly treatment in Washington,” Politico reported.

A show of support

European capitals are calling this delegation a “desant of support.”

• Macron, Merz, and Starmer form the core of the so-called “coalition of the willing.”
• Meloni, ideologically close to Trump, is expected to add weight to the talks.
• Rutte, who enjoys good relations with Trump, will be present.
• Finland’s Stubb — a personal golfing partner of Trump — may serve as a mediator to keep discussions on track.

As BBC News Ukraine noted, Stubb once spent seven hours at Mar-a-Lago with Trump, using golf diplomacy to build trust.

Putin’s demands in Alaska

At the Alaska summit, Putin made sweeping demands, described by Reuters as:

• Ukraine’s withdrawal from all government-held Donbas territory, in exchange for Russia giving up small parts of Kharkiv and Sumy Oblasts it occupies.
• US recognition of Crimea as Russian.
• Partial sanctions relief.
• Expanded rights for the Russian language and Russian Orthodox Church in Ukraine.
• A permanent ban on NATO membership for Ukraine, with vague promises of third-party guarantees.

“At least some of the demands represent an enormous challenge for Ukraine’s leadership,” Reuters wrote.

Journalist: “When will you stop killing civilians?”
Putin pretends not to hear.
Minutes later — he and Trump slip into the presidential Cadillac for talks. pic.twitter.com/z7mrfIfIgl

— Euromaidan Press (@EuromaidanPress) August 15, 2025

Zelenskyy: No trade on territory

Zelenskyy has firmly rejected any idea of surrendering land.

“Real negotiations must start from the current front line,” he said in Brussels after talks with von der Leyen. “The contact line is the best line for discussions.”

He stressed that under Ukraine’s Constitution, “trading land or surrendering territory is impossible.” If Russia refuses, he added, new sanctions must follow.

Von der Leyen: “Stop the killings”

European Commission chief Ursula von der Leyen underlined that ending civilian deaths is the top priority.

“The result must be an end to the killings. That is point number one,” she said.

She also expressed support for a trilateral meeting of Russia, the US, and Ukraine.

Security guarantees discussed

European officials confirmed that Trump floated the idea of security guarantees for Ukraine, possibly modeled on NATO’s Article 5.

Zelenskyy welcomed the move: “It is important that America agrees to work with Europe to provide security guarantees. This is a significant step forward.”

Yet, details remain unclear. Who would enforce them? What role would the US and EU play? Putin, for his part, suggested China could be a guarantor — a proposal viewed skeptically in the West.

The “Finnish model” debate

Some Western analysts have floated the idea of Ukraine following a “Finnish path” — ceding territory in exchange for peace, as Finland did with the USSR in 1944.

But Finnish President Stubb rejected the comparison, arguing that Finland lost two of three pillars of its statehood under Stalin’s settlement. He insists such concessions would be disastrous for Ukraine.

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

Ukrainian troops clear Pokrovsk and villages near Dobropillia

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

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

Russian forces suffer heavy losses in Donetsk Oblast

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

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

Ukrainian advance in Sumy Oblast

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

European leaders issued a pointed statement that reveals deep concerns about being sidelined in Ukraine peace negotiations after the 15 August Trump-Putin summit in Alaska.

The joint declaration from seven EU leaders—released early 16 August morning—welcomed President Trump’s diplomatic efforts while laying down non-negotiable red lines that could complicate any future deal.

According to the European Union statement, leaders including French President Emmanuel Macron, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz insisted that Ukraine must receive “ironclad security guarantees to effectively defend its sovereignty and territorial integrity.”

The statement reveals European priorities that may not align with whatever Trump and Putin discussed in their three-hour meeting Friday at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson in Alaska.

“We are clear that Ukraine must have ironclad security guarantees to effectively defend its sovereignty and territorial integrity. We welcome President Trump’s statement that the US is prepared to give security guarantees. The Coalition of the Willing is ready to play an active role.”

European leaders want direct involvement in any future negotiations, declaring they are “ready to work with President Trump and President Zelenskyy towards a trilateral summit with European support.”

The EU statement offers clues about what European leaders fear most. Their insistence that “no limitations should be placed on Ukraine’s armed forces or on its cooperation with third countries” suggests concern that Trump might agree to constraints on Western military aid.

Even more pointed: “Russia cannot have a veto against Ukraine’s pathway to EU and NATO,” the leaders declared—a direct pushback against any deal that would limit Ukraine’s Western integration.

The Europeans also rejected territorial concessions, stating bluntly that “it will be up to Ukraine to make decisions on its territory. International borders must not be changed by force.”

Europe ready for continued pressure on Russia

The EU leaders’ statement reads like diplomatic insurance—an attempt to lock in principles before Trump sits down with Zelenskyy for follow-up talks, scheduled on 18 August in Washington.

Their promise of continued pressure reveals the leverage they’re prepared to use:

“As long as the killing in Ukraine continues, we stand ready to uphold the pressure on Russia. We will continue to strengthen sanctions and wider economic measures to put pressure on Russia’s war economy.”

The leaders want to ensure “unwavering solidarity” with Ukraine while working toward “a peace that safeguards Ukraine’s and Europe’s vital security interests.”

The next phase will reveal whether Trump’s promised meeting with Zelenskyy can bridge the gap between what Russia might accept and what Europe demands.

The Alaska summit may have been bilateral, but any lasting agreement will need to satisfy a much larger coalition—one that Europe just reminded everyone it intends to lead.