- Powerful Russian offensive thwarted: tanks hunted down and left burning in Donbas
- Company owned by Russia’s richest woman: why “Wildberries” became a target for Kyiv
- Russia dealt a deadly blow to a training ground in Ukraine: at least 10 dead, over 100 injured
Find all news about Russia’s invasion of Ukraine HERE.
Analyst: Trump has a great opportunity to exploit Russia’s weakness
08:42
Russia’s fuel problems provide US President Donald Trump with a great opportunity to pressure the Kremlin to end the war. This opinion was expressed in an op-ed for “The Hill” by Joseph Webster, a senior fellow at the Atlantic Council.
Read more Riga submitted a protest note to Moscow over the damaged Latvian honorary consulate in Ukraine
He notes that massive Ukrainian drone strikes on Russia’s energy infrastructure have already caused an acute gasoline shortage in Russia. According to him, this situation opens up an opportunity for the US President to increase pressure on the Kremlin. According to the expert, Washington could simultaneously support Ukrainian strikes on fuel infrastructure and limit gasoline imports to Russia, which would ultimately force Russian President Vladimir Putin to agree to negotiations.
“Sanctions on gasoline imports to Russia could bring peace to Ukraine – and Iran,” Webster emphasized.
According to the analyst, Ukraine’s drone campaign has fundamentally changed the situation on the economic confrontation front. Most residents of Moscow and St. Petersburg had long felt virtually no consequences of the war. Now, he says, the gasoline shortage is changing this situation.
Moscow has already banned the export of aviation fuel, gasoline, and diesel, and hour-long queues and even fights have broken out at gas stations in various regions of the country. Russia is trying to compensate for the deficit by importing fuel from friendly states. Specifically, Belarus has increased gasoline supplies, while Kazakhstan is limiting exports due to its own perceived shortage.
In Webster’s opinion, India could play a key role in the further course of events. He notes that Russia has already approached Indian oil refineries, particularly the Vadinar refinery, co-owned by the Russian company “Rosneft,” with a request to supply gasoline.
The expert believes that the US should use diplomatic and economic measures to persuade New Delhi to refuse such supplies and warn other potential exporters about possible financial sanctions.
“President Trump has the opportunity to quickly end two wars and potentially prevent a third,” the expert emphasized.
The author notes that once peace is achieved, Ukraine could reorient its drone production capabilities to support Western allies. Specifically, Ukrainian drones could become an important element in deterring not only Iran but also other potential US adversaries, including China.
If Trump succeeds in preventing Russia from importing gasoline and thus increasing pressure on Russian consumers, he may be able to force Putin to the negotiating table.
Romania shot down another drone that violated its airspace
10:24 Updated 10:35
Romania shot down a drone in its airspace for the second consecutive day on Saturday, the country’s authorities announced.
This is also the second drone downing incident since the start of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
The NATO member bordering Ukraine has frequently experienced drone incursions since 2022, including cases of drones crashing on its territory.
The country’s forces first shot down a drone on Friday, approximately 114 kilometers from Bucharest.
The military shot down another drone on Saturday at 8:34 a.m. local (and Lithuanian) time, which “illegally entered Romanian airspace,” Defense Minister Radu Miruta announced.
The drone was shot down 9.6 kilometers west of Sfântu Gheorghe in the Danube Delta, near the border with Ukraine, Miruta said.
“The National Defense Ministry’s radars detected the drone entering our airspace at 8:22 a.m., and a few minutes later it was shot down by a Romanian F-16 fighter jet,” the minister announced on Facebook.
Since the start of the war in Ukraine, drone incursions have been recorded dozens of times in Romania.
In May, a drone crashed into an apartment building in Romania, injuring two people. NATO and the European Union (EU) condemned the incident, blamed Russia, and warned of further incursions.
In 2025, the Romanian parliament adopted a law allowing the country to shoot down drones violating its airspace.
European Commission (EC) President Ursula von der Leyen stated on Friday on social network “X” that “strengthening defense and deterrence along our eastern border remains one of the most important priorities,” and praised the Romanian military.
Russian warehouses ablaze for the sixth night in a row: wave of strikes reached Belgorod and Rostov
09:22
Ukrainian drones attacked warehouses and energy infrastructure in the Russian city of Belgorod on Saturday night, the “Kyiv Independent” reports.
Multiple explosions and large-scale fires were also reported in the Rostov region.
A series of explosions was recorded in Belgorod city, during which logistics warehouses and energy infrastructure caught fire, according to the “Exilenova Plus” Telegram channel. Video footage captured by local residents shows fires and explosions throughout the city.
Regional authorities reported that a massive Ukrainian drone attack damaged a residential building, a gas pipeline, and unspecified “commercial property.” Although the object was not precisely identified, this report came after a series of Ukrainian strikes on logistics centers serving the Russian e-commerce giant “Wildberries.”
According to Mayor Valentin Demidov, one person was injured during the strike on the Belgorod warehouse and was taken to the hospital.
Acting Belgorod Oblast Governor Alexander Shuvayev also stated that several people were injured during the attacks in the region. According to him, rescue teams continue to extinguish fires throughout Belgorod city, and medical assistance is being provided to the injured.
Monitoring channels, based on satellite data geolocation, reported strikes on Belgorod’s “Luch” thermal power plant and an electrical substation.
Meanwhile, in Southern Russia, residents reported fires and thick smoke throughout the regional center of Rostov-on-Don. It is not yet clear what targets were damaged.
Riga submitted a protest note to Moscow
09:15
Riga submitted a protest note to Moscow regarding the damaged Latvian honorary consulate in Sloviansk, Ukraine, during a Russian attack.
On Friday, Latvia summoned Russia’s interim chargé d’affaires and handed over a protest note, expressing its strongest condemnation of Russia for the brutal attack on the city of Sloviansk and the destruction of the Latvian honorary consulate building.
The Minister of Foreign Affairs emphasizes that Latvia strongly condemns Russia’s barbaric attacks against Ukraine, which result in civilian deaths and the destruction of civilian infrastructure. She adds that Latvia will continue to firmly support Ukraine.
Latvian Foreign Minister Baiba Braže announced on social network “X” that she had informed the ministers of European Union (EU) and NATO member states, as well as international organizations, about the incident.
Braže emphasized that Russia can destroy buildings, but it cannot break Ukraine’s will or Latvia’s support.
President Edgars Rinkēvičs stressed on social media that the destruction of the Latvian honorary consulate office in Sloviansk is another war crime committed by Russia.
“Latvia supports Ukraine. We will continue to support the work of our honorary consul Oleksandr Pavenko and all those who remain on the front lines, helping their people,” the president noted.
As Tomas Sadovskis, advisor to the Minister of Foreign Affairs, told LETA, on Friday at 10:40 a.m., the Latvian honorary consulate building in Sloviansk, Donetsk Oblast, was hit during a Russian attack. Information provided by Ukrainian authorities indicates that the consulate was hit by a Russian KAB-250 aerial bomb.
Latvia’s honorary consul O. Pavenko was not harmed in the attack, but two consulate employees were injured. The Latvian Ministry of Foreign Affairs maintains constant contact with the honorary consul and relevant Ukrainian institutions to clarify all circumstances of the incident, provide support to the victims, and obtain the latest information.
According to Braže, Latvia demands continued pressure on Russia, including by tightening sanctions. Latvia also believes that Ukraine’s defense capabilities must be strengthened by providing military aid and air defense systems.
Braže emphasizes that Russia will be held accountable for this and other violations of international law, and that all war crimes committed by Russia must be investigated and the perpetrators brought to justice.
The Minister expressed confidence that Russia’s terror will not break Latvia’s resolve to continue supporting Ukraine and its people, and thanked O. Pavenko for his work in the interests of Latvia and for his support to Latvian citizens.
Fire broke out at one of Russia’s most important strategic bomber airfields: the cause is mysterious
09:04
A fire broke out at the Engels-2 military airfield in Saratov Oblast on Saturday night, the “Kyiv Independent” reports.
Witnesses reported a large fire at the airbase and published footage showing smoke and flames at the facility, which houses Russia’s strategic aviation, including Tu-95 long-range bombers.
An analysis by the independent Russian news channel “Astra” confirmed that the fire broke out near the Engels-2 airbase. The burning building is believed to belong to a Russian military unit.
The cause of the fire is currently unclear. Russia’s Ministry of Emergency Situations announced a drone threat over Saratov Oblast during the night, but local residents reported not hearing any sounds of an attack.
Although this airbase has previously been targeted by Ukrainian drone attacks multiple times, according to monitoring channels, the current fire may not be related to a long-range attack.
“The Kyiv Independent” could not verify these reports, and neither Russian nor Ukrainian officials have yet commented on the fire at the airfield.
Engels airbase, also known as Engels-2, is located in Saratov Oblast, almost 600 kilometers from the Ukrainian front line. It hosts the 184th Heavy Bomber Aviation Regiment and the 121st Guards Heavy Bomber Aviation Regiment.
Russia maintains a fleet of strategic military aircraft at the base, including Tu-95, Tu-22, and Tu-160 heavy bombers. All these aircraft are regularly used to launch missiles at Ukrainian cities.
The latest report of a fire came just over a week after the Ukrainian military announced on July 17 that a Russian Tu-95 strategic bomber was destroyed during a drone attack on the Engels airfield.
Ukraine’s State Security Service (SBU) reported that the aircraft sustained “critical damage.”
Two people killed in drone strike in Sumy, Northern Ukraine
08:49
Two people were killed in a drone strike in Sumy, northern Ukraine, on Saturday, the head of the city’s military administration announced.
“Two people were killed in a jet drone strike on a post office, one of them a 49-year-old man; the identity of the second man is being established,” said Serhiy Kryvosheienko.
Meanwhile, in Zaporizhzhia, southern Ukraine, 10 people were injured in Russian strikes, the local military administration reported on the “Telegram” platform.
The Ukrainian Air Force announced on “Telegram” that Russians attacked Ukraine with two air-launched missiles and 157 drones last night. 127 drones and one missile were shot down or suppressed.
These strikes came a day after a Russian missile attack on a military equipment demonstration in Kyiv Oblast killed at least 10 people and injured nearly 100 more.
The acting governor of Belgorod Oblast, bordering Ukraine on the Russian side, announced a “massive enemy drone attack” on Belgorod city on social media early Saturday.
“Unfortunately, there are injured people who were urgently taken to hospitals,” he said. “There is damage and fires in the streets, which are being extinguished by fire brigades.”
Ukrainian intelligence: Kremlin finds it increasingly difficult to hide Russians’ war fatigue
08:21
The Kremlin is preparing for upcoming elections and finds it increasingly difficult to hide public fatigue from the war. This was reported on its website by Ukraine’s Foreign Intelligence Service (SZRU), according to “Ukrinform.”
“Even government-controlled polls show that only 15–24 percent of Russians support the continuation of military actions, while 64–67 percent advocate for peace negotiations. Given the prevailing atmosphere of fear in the country, the actual level of war support may be even lower. As the State Duma elections approach in September, this poses an additional risk to the authorities – a risk that even a rigged electoral system cannot completely eliminate,” the SZRU stated.
According to Ukraine’s Foreign Intelligence Service, Russian voters formally have a choice, but real political competition in the country has been abolished. Only candidates loyal to the Kremlin are allowed to participate in elections.
“An illustrative example is the arrest of Boris Nadezhdin. In 2024, he tried to present himself as an opponent of the war. Although he posed no real threat to the authorities, he was removed from the current election campaign. This shows that the Kremlin fears not individual politicians, but any possibility of channeling public discontent into the political process,” the intelligence service noted.
According to SZRU’s assessment, the absence of obvious protest leaders is not an advantage for the Kremlin, but a problem.
“A leader can be discredited, arrested, or prevented from participating in elections. However, when there is no such leader, the authorities do not know where the next hotbed of discontent might arise. Therefore, repression becomes a preventive measure,” the report states.
According to intelligence data, disagreements are also emerging within the Russian ruling elite.
“Part of Putin’s inner circle is urging to find ways to end the war before economic and political losses become irreversible. The Central Bank of Russia acknowledges that financial stability is incompatible with continuous war financing, and oligarchs are creating separate communication channels with Ukraine,” the SZRU indicated.
According to the service, problems are also increasing within the Russian state system itself.
It is recalled that Russian oil refineries continue to suffer attacks, the country’s navy is incurring losses, and temporarily occupied Crimea is becoming increasingly isolated after a series of strikes.
“Under such circumstances, Beijing is already preparing for a scenario where Russia’s future will no longer be linked to Putin. Two months remain until the elections, but there are no signs that the situation is stabilizing,” the report states.
The SZRU believes that the current situation resembles the events of 2020 in Belarus, when the regime faced mass protests that began as peaceful demonstrations.
According to intelligence assessment, the source of instability in Russia may no longer be civil activists, but hundreds of thousands of war veterans, many of whom have not received promised payments, jobs, or social status.
The service believes that if the disillusionment of this group coincides with broader public discontent, the September 2026 elections could become for the Kremlin not just another formal vote, but a moment when Russia’s internal crisis escalates into a full-scale upheaval.
As previously reported by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, he does not rule out the possibility that Russian President Vladimir Putin may announce a new wave of mobilization after the Russian parliamentary elections.
After a bloody strike in Kyiv Oblast – Zelenskyy’s criticism of the organized arms exhibition
08:19
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated that the arms exhibition in Kyiv Oblast, which was struck by Russia on Friday, should not have been held at all. He emphasized that during wartime, fighting an enemy like Russia, it is unacceptable to organize arms exhibitions where large crowds gather, especially near residential buildings.
As reported by “Ukrinform,” Zelenskyy spoke about this in his evening address.
“Today, in broad daylight, Russians struck Kyiv and Kyiv Oblast with ballistic missiles. They targeted an event in Bucha district, which should not have been held there at all. Today I spoke with Prosecutor General Ruslan Kravchenko and received reports from law enforcement agencies. Criminal investigations have already been launched regarding this incident,” he said.
The President emphasized that the cause of the strike was missiles launched by Russia and exclusively Russia’s ongoing terror.
“However, we have said a thousand times that under such wartime conditions, with such an enemy, it is absolutely unacceptable to organize arms exhibitions where many people gather, especially near residential buildings. It is currently confirmed that ten people died in this attack. I express my condolences to their families and loved ones. Many more people were injured,” Zelenskyy stated.
He also recalled the extremely brutal Russian strikes on Sloviansk and other settlements in Donetsk Oblast, as well as the Kharkiv, Kherson, Sumy, and Odesa regions.
It was previously reported that, according to preliminary data, 10 people were killed and about 100 more were injured with wounds of varying severity after a Russian missile strike in Kyiv Oblast.
In addition to the criminal case regarding this Russian strike, a pre-trial investigation has also been launched under Article 367, Part 3 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine regarding the possible improper performance of official duties by officials in organizing and conducting the event, which resulted in deaths and other severe consequences.
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