Thursday, August 31

Russia’s war against Ukraine

Firefighter looks on burnt building after an overnight Russian attack in the village of Tarasivka in Kyiv Oblast on Aug. 30, 2023. (Photo by Yevhenii Zavhorodnii/Global Images Ukraine via Getty Images)

Russia claims drones, missile downed over Bryansk Oblast, Crimea. Russia’s Defense Ministry claimed that Russian air defense shot down two Ukrainian drones over Bryansk Oblast, and one missile over Crimea on the evening of Aug. 30.

General Staff: Ukrainian forces continue advance south of Robotyne. Ukrainian forces continue to gain ground past the recently-liberated village of Robotyne in Zaporizhzhia Oblast, Ukriane’s General Staff said on Aug. 30.

Media: At least 24 aircraft in Russia, Belarus, Crimea destroyed or damaged by Ukraine over full-scale war. Since the start of Russia’s full-scale invasion, Russian airbases suffered at least nine strikes, leading to damage or destruction of at least 24 military aircraft in Russia, Belarus, or occupied Crimea, the Russian independent news outlet Verstka reported on Aug. 30.

Air Force: Ukraine destroyed 43 out of 44 Russian missiles and drones overnight. Russia launched 16 combat drones and 28 cruise missiles at Ukraine last night, the Ukrainian Air Force reported on Aug. 30.

Ukrainian intelligence confirms destruction of 4 Russian aircraft in Pskov.

Four Russian Il-76 aircraft were destroyed at a military airfield in the Russian city of Pskov overnight on Aug. 30, Andrii Yusov, a spokesperson for Ukraine’s Military Intelligence, has confirmed to online newspaper Ukrainska Pravda.

Moscow Times: Kremlin ordered Prigozhin funeral to be held behind closed doors. The funeral of Yevgeny Prigozhin, the Wagner Group founder who died in a plane crash last week, was held away from the public eye on the orders of the Kremlin, the Moscow Times reported on Aug. 30, citing two unnamed Russian officials.

Biggest drone attack on Russia, Crimea reported. Russian media reported what appears to be the biggest drone attack on Russian territory and Russian-occupied Crimea overnight on Aug. 30.

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Zelensky announces review of military medicals after corruption revelations.

In light of corruption uncovered among the military medical commissions in Ukraine, the authorities will examine the decisions on fitness for military service made since the start of the full-scale invasion, President Volodymyr Zelensky announced on Aug. 30.

Moscow court sentences Ukrainian citizen to 12 years in prison for preparing alleged ‘sabotage.’ A military court in Moscow has sentenced a citizen of Ukraine to 12 years imprisonment for allegedly planning to detonate an explosive device in Russia’s Bryansk Oblast, the court’s press service announced on Aug. 30.

White House: Russia, North Korea talks on arms supplies move forward.

The U.S. is concerned that the negotiations between Russia and North Korea on arms supplies are actively advancing, Reuters reported on Aug. 30, citing National Security Council spokesperson John Kirby.

RFE/RL: Indian businesses come under sanctions for the first time due to war in Ukraine. The Indian government has asked the United States to release $26 million belonging to Indian diamond companies after these assets were frozen due to alleged trading ties with a sanctioned Russian diamond company, ALROSA, Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty reported on Aug. 30.

Stoltenberg does not plan to continue term after this year. NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg told CNN in an interview on Aug. 30 that he would not continue to serve as Secretary General of NATO after his extended term ends in October 2024.

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Ukraine war latest: Largest drone attack reported in Russia; Russian attack on Kyiv kills 2

Russian media reported drone attacks in 6 Russian regions and occupied Crimea, which came as Russian forces launched their largest attack on Kyiv since spring.

Photo: Yevhenii Zavhorodnii/Global Images Ukraine via Getty Image

As their kids find refuge abroad, Ukrainian fathers struggle with separation

The separation of thousands of families is one of the numerous bitter consequences of Russia’s full-scale invasion.

Photo: Courtesy

Human cost of war

Update: Biggest Russian attack on Kyiv in months kills 2, injures 3. Russian forces attacked Ukraine’s capital with drones and missiles overnight, killing two people and injuring three, the Kyiv city military administration reported on Aug. 30.

Media: 6 Ukrainian pilots killed in crashed helicopters in Donetsk Oblast. Six Ukrainian pilots died when two helicopters crashed in Donetsk Oblast on Aug. 29 under unknown circumstances, Ukrainska Pravda reported on Aug. 30, citing its sources.

Russian attack kills woman in Sumy Oblast. Russian forces have struck the village of Svarkove in Sumy Oblast, killing an 82-year-old woman, the Sumy Oblast Prosecutor’s Office reported on Aug. 30.

General Staff: Russia has lost 262,410 troops in Ukraine since Feb 24, 2022.

This number includes 570 casualties Russian forces suffered just over the past day.

Prosecutors: 2 killed, 7 wounded in Russian attack on Donetsk Oblast. Russian forces attacked residential areas in Donetsk Oblast overnight, killing 2 civilians and injuring 7 others, the Donetsk Oblast Prosecutor’s Office said on Aug. 30.

International response

Poland to expand production of F-16 components. Polish company PZL Mielec plans to expand its production of F-16 components, with the aim to produce up to 80% of parts needed for the jet’s fuselage, the Polish Press Agency (PAP) reported on Aug. 30.

Germany delivers 10 Leopard 1 tanks to Ukraine in latest military aid package.

Berlin has transferred 10 Leopard 1A5 tanks to Ukraine as part of its latest military aid package for Ukraine, the German government said on Aug. 30.

US ports to help restore Ukraine’s maritime infrastructure. U.S. partners will assist Ukraine in restoring its port infrastructure, which has suffered frequent attacks by Russian forces in the past weeks, the Ukrainian Sea Ports Authority announced on Aug. 30.

Ukraine, Norway agree on visa-free freight transport. Ukraine and Norway have signed an agreement on visa-free freight transport, allowing goods carriers to travel between the two countries without permits, the Infrastructure Ministry of Ukraine announced on Aug. 30.

Kuleba meets Macron during France visit. Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba met French President Emmanuel Macron on Aug. 30 during Kuleba’s official trip to France.

NGO: EU imports record volumes of LNG from Russia in 2023. The EU is set to import a record volume of liquified natural gas (LNG) from Russia this year, with Belgium and Spain in the lead, the Global Witness reported on Aug. 30.

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Today’s Ukraine Daily was brought to you by Elsa Court, Oleg Sukhov, Martin Fornusek, Francis Farrell, Alexander Khrebet, Kate Tsurkan, and Rachel Amran.

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