Monday, August 26

Russia’s war against Ukraine

A man reacts as he stands near a private household destroyed by a Russian missile strike on the Kharkiv city Slobidskyi district on Aug. 25. In the early morning, the Russian army launched a missile attack on the Slobidskyi district of Kharkiv, leaving seven people injured and destroying or damaging at least 25 private residential buildings. (Ivan Samoilov/Gwara Media/Global Images Ukraine via Getty Images)

Explosions heard in Kyiv as Russia launches massive missile, drone attack on Ukraine. Kyiv Independent reporters heard explosions in the city shortly before 8:30 a.m, with several more a few minutes later.

Ukraine advances another 1-3 km, captures 2 more settlements in Russia’s Kursk Oblast, Zelensky says. Ukrainian forces have advanced 1 to 3 kilometers in some areas of Russia’s Kursk Oblast, further capturing two more settlements in the region, President Volodymyr Zelensky said in his evening address on Aug. 25.

Ukraine has captured over 240 Russian soldiers during its Kursk incursion, WP reports. Ukraine has apparently captured at least 247 Russian soldiers since its incursion into Russia’s Kursk Oblast began on Aug. 6, according to the Washington Post (WP) analysis of visual evidence.

Belarus gathering significant number of troops, weaponry along Ukraine’s border ‘under guise of exercises,’ Ukraine says. Belarus’ Armed Forces are “concentrating a significant number of personnel” as well as weaponry along Ukraine’s northern border with Belarus “under the guise of exercises,” Ukraine’s Foreign Ministry warned on Aug. 25, citing information gathered by the country’s intelligence sources.

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Zelensky expresses support for India hosting Ukraine’s second peace summit. President Volodymyr Zelensky said on Aug. 25 that negotiations are ongoing with Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Turkey, and Switzerland to organize a second peace summit. In a conversation with Indian journalists, Zelensky revealed that he had informed India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi of his support for India hosting the summit.

Zelensky: Diplomacy ’not at the expense of 30% of our territory.’ Ukraine is committed to peace but not at the expense of giving up its territory, President Volodymyr Zelensky said in a sit down with representatives of the Indian media that was published on Aug. 25.

Russian authorities claim Saratov Oblast attacked by drones, 4 injured. Drones reportedly struck Russia’s Saratov Oblast overnight on Aug. 26, Russian authorities reported in the morning. At least four civilians were injured in the attack that caused damage to buildings and led to flight restrictions in the region.

KI Insights, a newly launched analytical unit powered by the Kyiv Independent, is organizing monthly briefings on a hot political topic of the month. 

We will reflect on the key events in the history of oligarchy in Ukraine, take a deep dive into the power players in 2019 (beginning of Zelensky’s presidency) and where they are now, shed light on the new faces and what place oligarchs hold in today’s wartime Ukraine.  

Format: Online. The event will include a presentation by our director, Jakub Parusinski, and a Q&A session. Seize the opportunity, as the next briefing is planned offline only in Kyiv. 

When: Tuesday, August 27, 16:00 Kyiv time (15:00 in Brussels, 14:00 in London, 10:00 in Washington, DC). Expected duration – 1 hour.You can add the event to your calendar by clicking here .

Where: A Zoom link will be sent to confirmed participants by e-mail. 

In case of any issues or questions, please contact us at insights@kyivindependent.com 
Feel free to reach out to suggest topics of interest for future briefings.  

Read our exclusives

Ukraine war latest: Kyiv’s new Palianytsia missile-drone pictured for first time

Ukraine has released the first images of its new Palianytsia missile-drone, designed to strike Russian military airfields and “destroy the enemy’s offensive potential.” The first successful use of the new weapon was confirmed by President Volodymyr Zelensky during his Independence Day speech on Aug. 24.

Photo: Anatolii Stepanov/AFP via Getty Images

After a decade-long battle, Kyiv showcases Crimean treasures that Russia wanted to steal

Following a decade-long battle, a substantial part of Crimean artifacts is now on display in Kyiv until the occupied peninsula is liberated, officials say.

After a lengthy legal struggle, the return of the so-called “Scythian gold” last year was an important cultural milestone amid the ongoing war with Russia.

Photo: Oleksii Chumachenko/Global Images Ukraine via Getty Images

Kursk operation: What Ukraine achieved so far and potential future gains

Ukraine’s ongoing operation in Russia’s Kursk Oblast, a bold incursion launched nearly three weeks ago that surprised Moscow and the world alike, has already yielded some tangible military and political results while also raising hopes for a sooner end to Russia’s full-scale invasion.

Photo: Ed Ram/For The Washington Post via Getty Images

Kursk incursion, long-range missiles, Orthodox Church

Human cost of war

Reuters safety adviser killed, 6 others injured in Kramatorsk strike. Ryan Evans, a member of the Reuters team reporting on the war in Ukraine, was killed, and two other Reuters journalists were injured in a Russian missile strike on Kramatorsk that occurred late at night on Aug. 24, the news agency said.

3 killed, 6 injured in Russian attacks on Sumy Oblast. Russian forces struck Sumy Oblast 229 times on Aug. 25, killing three people and injuring six others, the Sumy Oblast Military Administration said.

International response

Pope Francis criticizes push to ban activities of Russian-affiliated religious organizations in Ukraine. Pope Francis criticized on Aug. 25 Ukraine’s move to potentially ban the activities of Russian-affiliated religious organizations amid Russia’s full-scale war against Ukraine, saying that “churches are not to be touched.”

In other news

French authorities extend detention of Telegram CEO Pavel Durov. French judicial authorities on Aug. 25 extended the detention of Pavel Durov, the Russian-born founder of Telegram, following his arrest over alleged offenses linked to the messaging app.

Usyk says he has no interest in entering politics. “I won’t leave boxing – it will always be with me. I will work in boxing, I will help boxing. It’s a part of my life,” Usyk said.

Controversial Ukrainian MP flees country after being charged with assaulting soldier, law enforcement officer. Controversial Ukrainian Member of Parliament Artem Dmytruk fled the country on Aug. 25 after being charged with assaulting a soldier as well as a law enforcement officer in separate altercations, the Prosecutor General’s Office announced.

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Today’s Ukraine Daily was brought to you by Olga Rudenko, Chris York, Teah Pelechaty, Kate Tsurkan, Dmytro Basmat, and Olena Goncharova.

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