The Institute for the Study of War (ISW) has analyzed recent remarks by Russian leader Vladimir Putin and self-proclaimed Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko regarding the Oreshnik system and peace negotiations.
The Institute for the Study of War (ISW) has analyzed recent remarks by Russian leader Vladimir Putin and self-proclaimed Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko regarding the Oreshnik system and peace negotiations.
Russian forces are ramping up their offensive to seize key urban areas in the Pokrovsk, Dobropillia, and Novopavlivka sectors, attempting to push into Pokrovsk by employing a "total infiltration" tactic and increasing sabotage activities behind Ukrainian lines.
Russian forces are ramping up their offensive to seize key urban areas in the Pokrovsk, Dobropillia, and Novopavlivka sectors, attempting to push into Pokrovsk by employing a "total infiltration" tactic and increasing sabotage activities behind Ukrainian lines.
Since the beginning of the day, 104 combat engagements have taken place between Ukraine's Defense Forces and Russian occupiers, with 28 of them occurring in the Pokrovsk sector.
Since the beginning of the day, 104 combat engagements have taken place between Ukraine's Defense Forces and Russian occupiers, with 28 of them occurring in the Pokrovsk sector.
On the evening of August 2, the Russian army dropped two guided aerial bombs on the city of Kherson. The attack damaged a road bridge leading to the Korabel neighborhood, destroyed three private homes, and damaged an apartment building.
On the evening of August 2, the Russian army dropped two guided aerial bombs on the city of Kherson. The attack damaged a road bridge leading to the Korabel neighborhood, destroyed three private homes, and damaged an apartment building.
Ukraine's National Anti-Corruption Bureau (NABU) and Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor's Office (SAPO) have exposed an MP, the head of a district military administration, the head of a city military administration, as well as National Guard officers, in a scheme involving the procurement of UAVs and electronic warfare systems at inflated prices.
Ukraine's National Anti-Corruption Bureau (NABU) and Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor's Office (SAPO) have exposed an MP, the head of a district military administration, the head of a city military administration, as well as National Guard officers, in a scheme involving the procurement of UAVs and electronic warfare systems at inflated prices.
Throughout the day, the Nikopol district in the Dnipropetrovsk region came under artillery and FPV drone attacks. The strikes hit the district center, as well as the Pokrovske, Marhanets, and Myrove communities, damaging an industrial facility, three private homes, and a power line.
Throughout the day, the Nikopol district in the Dnipropetrovsk region came under artillery and FPV drone attacks. The strikes hit the district center, as well as the Pokrovske, Marhanets, and Myrove communities, damaging an industrial facility, three private homes, and a power line.
The US raises the stakes amid Russia’s threats. In response to Moscow’s threats, American President Donald Trump ordered the deployment of two nuclear submarines closer to Russia. The Times reports that this is not just a show of force but a personal message to Russian President Vladimir Putin.
After former Russian President Dmitry Medvedev’s statements, who on 31 July referenced the Soviet automatic nuclear strike system “Dead Hand” in the context of threats against the US, Trump ordered the
The US raises the stakes amid Russia’s threats. In response to Moscow’s threats, American President Donald Trump ordered the deployment of two nuclear submarines closer to Russia. The Times reports that this is not just a show of force but a personal message to Russian President Vladimir Putin.
After former Russian President Dmitry Medvedev’s statements, who on 31 July referenced the Soviet automatic nuclear strike system “Dead Hand” in the context of threats against the US, Trump ordered the deployment of two nuclear submarines. His threats came after Trump’s 10-day ultimatum that the US gave to Russia to end the war in Ukraine.
This exchange significantly escalated nuclear rhetoric between the two powers, underscoring the growing intertwining of the Ukraine war with nuclear deterrence.
US nuclear submarines head toward Russia
The American president responded in his trademark style — tough and theatrical. In a Truth Social post, Trump announced the relocation of two nuclear submarines to relevant regions.
This move is not just a military maneuver but a strategic political signal. Trump is responding less to Medvedev’s rhetoric and more to Russian President Vladimir Putin’s rejection of Trump’s ceasefire proposal in Ukraine.
After the strike on Kyiv that killed 31 people, including five children, Putin confirmed that Russia’s conditions for ending the war, announced back in summer 2024, remain unchanged. He added that Russia is ready to wait until Ukraine agrees to Moscow’s conditions.
Among them are:
The withdrawal of Ukrainian troops from the occupied territories of Donetsk, Luhansk, Kherson, and Zaporizhzhia
Ukraine’s refusal of NATO membership
Ukraine’s non-nuclear status
Sanctions’ lift
What does the submarine deployment mean?
The US possesses 71 nuclear-powered submarines, including 14 Ohio-class ballistic missile subs, each capable of carrying up to 20 Trident II nuclear warheads. At any given moment, 8 to 10 of them are at sea. The White House said that this is not provocation but deterrence.
Sanctions, tariffs, and the energy war
In addition to military signals, Trump threatens secondary sanctions against buyers of Russian energy. India is already feeling the heat — partial tariffs of 25% have been imposed. In the danger zone are China and Brazil, whichremain key importers of Russian gas.
These statements show that Trump’s policy toward Russia is rapidly changing, and the US pressure against Moscow is also increasing.
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Russian forces shelled the city of Kostiantynivka in the Donetsk region with cannon artillery, killing one civilian and damaging residential buildings and vehicles.
Russian forces shelled the city of Kostiantynivka in the Donetsk region with cannon artillery, killing one civilian and damaging residential buildings and vehicles.
The Ukrainian Navy has confirmed reports of damage to the mooring front at Russia’s nuclear submarine base in Kamchatka, following a recent powerful earthquake in the region.
The Ukrainian Navy has confirmed reports of damage to the mooring front at Russia’s nuclear submarine base in Kamchatka, following a recent powerful earthquake in the region.
The Kherson Regional Military Administration has released video footage showing the aftermath of Russian shelling in Kherson’s Korabelnyi district on August 2. The attack left two men wounded and caused damage to residential buildings, including shattered windows, damaged facades, and destroyed rooftops.
The Kherson Regional Military Administration has released video footage showing the aftermath of Russian shelling in Kherson’s Korabelnyi district on August 2. The attack left two men wounded and caused damage to residential buildings, including shattered windows, damaged facades, and destroyed rooftops.
Kyrylo Budanov, head of the Main Intelligence Directorate of Ukraine's Ministry of Defense, has survived approximately 20 assassination attempts since the onset of Russia’s full-scale invasion.
Kyrylo Budanov, head of the Main Intelligence Directorate of Ukraine's Ministry of Defense, has survived approximately 20 assassination attempts since the onset of Russia’s full-scale invasion.
The Russian military has been throwing troops at the Toretsk direction for over six months, but each time they are crushed by Ukrainian defenses. Russians have lost about 50,000 soldiers on this front, with more than 20,000 irreversible casualties, Army TV reports.
Russia controls nearly 70-80% of Donetsk Oblast. Toretsk lies on critical logistical routes leading to Kostyantynivka, Kramatorsk, and Sloviansk. Capturing Toretsk would disrupt Ukrainian logistics and facilitate further Russian advan
The Russian military has been throwing troops at the Toretsk direction for over six months, but each time they are crushed by Ukrainian defenses. Russians have lost about 50,000 soldiers on this front, with more than 20,000 irreversible casualties, Army TV reports.
Russia controls nearly 70-80% of Donetsk Oblast. Toretsk lies on critical logistical routes leading to Kostyantynivka, Kramatorsk, and Sloviansk. Capturing Toretsk would disrupt Ukrainian logistics and facilitate further Russian advances toward key administrative centers in Donbas.
“50,000 people — that’s a good-sized European stadium filled to the brim. But the Kremlin regime didn’t bring these people for football. It brought them to die near Toretsk,” Major Serhii Khominsky, Ukrainian press officer of the 100th Separate Mechanized Brigade, says.
A fortress holding out for over a year
Khominsky stresses that the 100th Brigade has held this crucial front line for over a year. Despite repeated Russian attempts to break through from Horlivka toward Kostyantynivka, they have only reached the outskirts of Toretsk and failed to advance further.
“This is one of the front sectors where the enemy has made the least progress. It frustrates them, but they can’t change anything — thanks to the heroism of our fighters,” he emphasizes.
Ukrainian defenders have faced nearly every form of Russian tactics here: from massive armored assaults to nighttime infantry storm attacks.
“You could say the only things we haven’t seen are battle kangaroos and penguins. Everything else has been tried,” Khominsky adds with bitter irony.
Russia deploys robots in battle
The officer also reveals that Russia has started using ground robotic combat systems. However, these machines proved nearly powerless in the devastated urban environment.
“High-rise buildings turned into thousands of tons of rubble. These ruins are hard to pass even for a human, let alone a robotic system,” Khominsky explains.
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On August 2, Russian forces launched a drone strike on the town of Druzhkivka in the Donetsk region, injuring five people and damaging residential buildings, a market, and a shop.
On August 2, Russian forces launched a drone strike on the town of Druzhkivka in the Donetsk region, injuring five people and damaging residential buildings, a market, and a shop.
On the night of August 1-2, drones operated by the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) struck a military airfield used for storing and launching Shahed-type drones in Primorsko-Akhtarsk, Krasnodar Krai, Russia, as well as the Elektropribor military plant in Penza.
On the night of August 1-2, drones operated by the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) struck a military airfield used for storing and launching Shahed-type drones in Primorsko-Akhtarsk, Krasnodar Krai, Russia, as well as the Elektropribor military plant in Penza.
In Bila Tserkva, Kyiv region, firefighting efforts lasted more than 24 hours following a large-scale blaze triggered by a Russian attack during the night of July 31 to August 1.
In Bila Tserkva, Kyiv region, firefighting efforts lasted more than 24 hours following a large-scale blaze triggered by a Russian attack during the night of July 31 to August 1.
On August 1, 172 combat engagements were recorded between the Defense Forces of Ukraine and Russian invaders along the frontline, with the majority occurring in the Pokrovsk sector, where defenders successfully repelled 66 enemy assaults.
On August 1, 172 combat engagements were recorded between the Defense Forces of Ukraine and Russian invaders along the frontline, with the majority occurring in the Pokrovsk sector, where defenders successfully repelled 66 enemy assaults.
Russian forces launched drone and artillery attacks on the Dnipropetrovsk region on August 1, injuring three civilians and causing widespread damage to infrastructure and residential areas.
Russian forces launched drone and artillery attacks on the Dnipropetrovsk region on August 1, injuring three civilians and causing widespread damage to infrastructure and residential areas.
The Russian army’s combat losses in Ukraine from February 24, 2022 to August 2, 2025 amount to nearly 1,055,210 invaders, including another 1,010 troops killed or wounded in action in the past day.
The Russian army’s combat losses in Ukraine from February 24, 2022 to August 2, 2025 amount to nearly 1,055,210 invaders, including another 1,010 troops killed or wounded in action in the past day.
On August 1, in the Donetsk region, Ihor Samofalov, a district officer with the Pokrovsk District Police Department, was killed in the line of duty during a Russian drone strike.
On August 1, in the Donetsk region, Ihor Samofalov, a district officer with the Pokrovsk District Police Department, was killed in the line of duty during a Russian drone strike.
Since the beginning of the day, 130 combat engagements have taken place between Ukraine’s Defense Forces and Russian invaders, 48 of them in the Pokrovsk sector.
Since the beginning of the day, 130 combat engagements have taken place between Ukraine’s Defense Forces and Russian invaders, 48 of them in the Pokrovsk sector.
On the evening of August 1, ten people were injured in the Kyivskyi District of Kharkiv as a result of a Russian drone strike, three of them were children.
On the evening of August 1, ten people were injured in the Kyivskyi District of Kharkiv as a result of a Russian drone strike, three of them were children.
Europe has honored a Ukrainian hero who saved lives under Russian fire. Combat medic Volodymyr Ryzhenko, call sign “Druh Sprite”, from the 12th Special Forces Brigade Azov, has been named “Best European Medic of the Year” in the Military Medicine category, according to Ukraine’s National Guard.
Azov has long stood out as one of the most capable units in eastern Ukraine. During the full-scale Russian all-out war, Azov played a pivotal role in defending Mariupol, holding the city and surrounding
Europe has honored a Ukrainian hero who saved lives under Russian fire. Combat medic Volodymyr Ryzhenko, call sign “Druh Sprite”, from the 12th Special Forces Brigade Azov, has been named “Best European Medic of the Year” in the Military Medicine category, according to Ukraine’s National Guard.
Azov has long stood out as one of the most capable units in eastern Ukraine. During the full-scale Russian all-out war, Azov played a pivotal role in defending Mariupol, holding the city and surrounding areas under relentless attacks. According to Azov’s commander, the unit eliminated around 2,500 Russian troops and wounded over 5,000 between 24 February 24 and 15 April 2022.
Awarded at Europe’s top military medicine conference
Ryzhenko received his award during the Combat Medical Care Conference 2025, Europe’s largest military medical summit, held in Germany with over 1,400 experts from 44 countries. The event was co-hosted by the German Bundeswehr.
A blood drop from the sky
In winter 2025, Druh Sprite made headlines after he saved a wounded comrade under enemy fire by performing an emergency blood transfusion using donor blood delivered by drone.
“It was a matter of minutes. Without that blood from the sky, he wouldn’t have made it,” his unit reported.
The act has become a landmark in the evolution of combat medical care.
Ukrainian medics share expertise globally
A three-member Azov medical team represented Ukraine at the conference, sharing first-hand battlefield experience.
Lt. Serhii Rotchuk (“Druh Jedi”) presented innovations in medical logistics,
Olha Tagirova (“Krava”) discussed treating wounded soldiers beyond the golden hour and the systematic training of personnel.
A sword for courage: a symbol of strength
Alongside the award, Ryzhenko received a ceremonial sword, a symbol of bravery, dignity, and strength. The honor highlights not only his personal heroism but also the excellence of Ukrainian military medicine, which continues to save lives on the front lines every day.
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U.S. President Donald Trump stated that approximately 112,500 Russian troops have been killed in Ukraine since the beginning of the year, while Ukrainian losses during the same period amount to around 8,000.
U.S. President Donald Trump stated that approximately 112,500 Russian troops have been killed in Ukraine since the beginning of the year, while Ukrainian losses during the same period amount to around 8,000.
US President Donald Trump has stunned with details on the death toll in Ukraine. The American leader claims that since the start of 2025, Russia has lost over 112,500 soldiers, while Ukraine has suffered around 8,000 military casualties, not including the missing.
Early in 2024, Trump shocked observers by saying he could end the war in “one day” if he returned to the White House. Following his inauguration in July 2025, he revised that to “ten days”, then issued an ultimatum to Russia: reach a d
US President Donald Trump has stunned with details on the death toll in Ukraine. The American leader claims that since the start of 2025, Russia has lost over 112,500 soldiers, while Ukraine has suffered around 8,000 military casualties, not including the missing.
Early in 2024, Trump shocked observers by saying he could end the war in “one day” if he returned to the White House. Following his inauguration in July 2025, he revised that to “ten days”, then issued an ultimatum to Russia: reach a deal by 8 August or face massive sanctions, as Russia shows no willingness to stop its war against Ukraine.
“This is Biden’s war, not Trump’s”
“I have just been informed that almost 20,000 Russian soldiers died this month in the ridiculous War with Ukraine. Russia has lost 112,500 soldiers since the beginning of the year,” Trump wrote on Truth Social on 1 August.
He called it “a lot of unnecessary death”and noted that Russia continues to strike Kyiv and other Ukrainian cities, killing civilians.
“This is a War that should have never happened — This is Biden’s War, not ‘TRUMP’s.’ I’m just here to see if I can stop it!” he added.
Earlier today, Russian ruler Vladimir Putin cynically commented on the war in Ukraine for the first time since US President Donald Trump issued his 10-day ultimatum on Russia.
Putin sent a clear message that Russian won’t stop its war against Ukraine. Now, it’s up to Trump to take the next promised move and impose sanctions after Moscow killed 31 people in Kyiv on 31 July. The attack is seen as an attempt to humiliate the American president and its efforts to end the war.
Putin confirmed that Russia’s conditions for ending the war, announced back in summer 2024, remain unchanged.
Last year, he insisted on the withdrawal of Ukrainian troops from the occupied territories of Donetsk, Luhansk, Kherson, and Zaporizhzhia. Moscow has illegally incorporated these Ukrainian regions into its Constitution. Additionally, Russia demands that Ukraine renounce NATO membership, enshrine a non-nuclear status, and lift sanctions.
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