Ukraine Invasion: Part 51

[MagicFox]

Welcome to 51. Thanks as usual to all and Slava Ukraini 🇺🇦

Agreed thread guidance:

A. The agreed purpose of the thread is for the sharing of information and commentary on current events

B. If you post a link please tell us where it leads/give a precis of the content

C. Discussion and debate is welcome, but please keep it respectful

That's not my opinion @MissConductUS - I am completely for upping defence spending. My point is that what Ben Wallace is saying is probably designed to get a reluctant public behind it, the kind replying in the Telegraph comments

@MagicFox, that's good to know, thanks.

@Igotjelly, you can have a social welfare state and an adequate military, but having both simultaneously requires strong economic growth, which has been lacking in the UK for quite some time. This is not my area of expertise, but the issue is widely commented on.

What explains the UK’s productivity problem?

Like many European countries, the UK has been robbing Peter (the military) to pay Paul (the social welfare state). The question is when does that end? There is only so much juice in the orange.

Kyiv Independent Telegram Highlights

⚡️ Zelensky to present US with victory plan https://kyivindependent.com/zelensky-to-present-us-with-victory-plan-in-september/ in September.
Speaking at the Ukraine 2024 Independence forum in Kyiv, Zelensky said that the ongoing Kursk incursion was one of the parts of this plan.

⚡️Russian advance towards Pokrovsk slowed down https://kyivindependent.com/russian-advance-towards-pokrovsk-slowed-down-after-ukraines-kursk-incursion-zelensky-says/ after Ukraine's Kursk incursion, Zelensky claims.

⚡️Arrest of Russian-born Telegram CEO not a political decision, Macron says. https://kyivindependent.com/telegram-ceo-arrest-macron/

⚡️Ukraine used F-16s to repel https://kyivindependent.com/f-16s-defense-russian-mass-attack/ Russia's mass missile attack, Zelensky confirms.

⚡️Kyiv to present https://kyivindependent.com/kyiv-to-present-us-list-of-targets-in-russia/ US list of targets in Russia it wants to hit with long-range arms, Politico reports.

⚡️ Russia redeploys 30,000 troops https://kyivindependent.com/ukraines-kursk-operations-aimed-to-force-russia-to-redeploy-its-forces-from-pokrovsk-sector-syrskyi-says/ to Kursk Oblast amid Ukraine's incursion, Syrskyi says.

⚡️ Ukraine may face $15 billion kyivindependent.com/ukraine-might-face-15-billion-budget-gap-next-year-pm-shmyhal-says/ budget gap next year, PM Shmyhal says.

Ukraine carried out a successful test of the first domestic-made ballistic missile, Zelensky said on Aug. 27. https://kyivindependent.com/ukraine-tests-its-first-ballistic-missile-zelensky-says/

⚡️Telegram's CEO Pavel Durov faces https://kyivindependent.com/telegrams-ceo-pavel-durov-faces-multiple-criminal-charges-from-paris-prosecutors/ multiple criminal charges from Paris prosecutors.
The twelve charges he is accused of include crimes related to child pornography, drug trafficking, money laundering, withholding crucial information from investigators, and eight other crimes.

⚡️ Civilians killed, injured as Russia launches large-scale attack https://kyivindependent.com/attacks-84/ second night in a row.
Russia launched a combined wave of attacks against Ukraine for the second night in a row, reportedly using 81 Shahed-type attack drones and 10 missiles.

⚡️ Russia claims Ukraine attempting to break through to Belgorod Oblast. https://kyivindependent.com/russia-claims-ukraine-attempting-to-break-through-to-belgorod-oblast/

⚡️IAEA chief arrives https://kyivindependent.com/iaea-chief-arrives-at-russias-kursk-nuclear-power-plant/ at Russia's Kursk Nuclear Power Plant.

⚡️Ukraine uses https://kyivindependent.com/sukharevskyyi_170/ over 170 different unmanned systems at front, commander says.

⚡️Morning Russian mass attack kills 7, injures nearly 50. https://kyivindependent.com/russia-launches-largest-attack-on-ukraine-since-start-of-full-scale-invasion-air-force-reports/

⚡️Russia launched largest attack on Ukraine since start of full-scale invasion, Air Force reports.
Russia launched 127 missiles and 109 drones, while Ukraine downed 102 missiles and 99 drones, according to the Air Force. Russian strikes hit several civilian, energy, and fuel facilities, including a dam in Kyiv, part of the Kyiv Hydroelectric Power Plant. https://kyivindependent.com/russia-launches-largest-attack-on-ukraine-since-start-of-full-scale-invasion-air-force-reports/

⚡️ Kyiv dam has 'no critical damage' after being hit in Russian mass attack, Kyiv Oblast governor says. https://kyivindependent.com/kyiv-hydroelectric-power-plant-has-no-critical-damage-after-russian-mass-attack-governor-says/

⚡️Russia struck https://kyivindependent.com/russia-struck-energy-substations-with-cluster-munition-missiles-for-first-time-pm-shmyhal-says/ energy substations with cluster munition missiles for first time, PM Shmyhal says.

‘A near-death feeling:’ Largest-yet Russian attack on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure brings back widespread power outages https://kyivindependent.com/a-near-death-feeling-largest-yet-russian-attack-on-ukraines-energy-infrastructure-brings-back-widespread-power-outages/

⚡️Blackouts, electricity restrictions may last up to 2 weeks, former energy minister says. https://kyivindependent.com/blackouts-electricity-restrictions-may-last-up-to-2-weeks-ukrainian-officials-say-after-mass-russian-strikes/

⚡️Russia’s Rostov Oblast oil depot fire ongoing for 8th day. https://kyivindependent.com/russias-rostov-oblast-oil-depot-fire-ongoing-for-8th-day/

⚡️ SBU detains suspected informant over allegedly spying on Patriot systems https://kyivindependent.com/sbu-detains-suspected-informant-patriots/ for Russia.

⚡️Audit discovers over $4 million in imported 'humanitarian aid' never reached destination.
From March to July, various military units did not receive the designated humanitarian aid worth nearly Hr 172 million ($4.2 million). https://kyivindependent.com/military-units-have-not-received-humanitarian-aid-worth-over-4-million-due-to-alleged-customs-violations-dm-says/

⚡️Swarms of drones were crucial in helping Ukraine identify possible areas for ground attacks during the Kursk incursion and in isolating Russian forces, The Times reported on Aug. 26.
Unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), including models provided by the U.K., allowed Ukraine to gather intelligence on Russian positions and help plan ground attacks. https://kyivindependent.com/drone-swarms-play-key-role-in-ukraines-kursk-incursion-times-reports/

Opinion: AI complacency is compromising Western defense
Western defense systems are faltering as outdated strategies fail to keep pace with the rise of inexpensive, AI-powered drones and advanced technologies from adversaries, writes policy analyst Charles Fergusson in his latest op-ed. https://kyivindependent.com/opinion-ai-complacency-is-compromising-western-defense/

Opinion: Ukraine’s oligarchs were once kingmakers. Where are they now? https://kyivindependent.com/opinion-ukraines-oligarchs-were-once-kingmakers-where-are-they-now/

⚡️At least 2 dead, 5 injured in Russian missile strike
on Kryvyi Rih.
Russia's attack on Sumy Oblast injures 16
⚡️3 killed, 5 injured in Russia's attack on Zaporizhzhia Oblast
⚡️ 3 Poltava Oblast residents injured in Russian Aug. 26 attack die in hospital.
⚡️ Russian attack on Kharkiv Oblast town kills 1, injures 6, including pregnant woman.
⚡️ Update: 4 killed, 16 injured in Russian overnight large-scale strike. https://kyivindependent.com/attacks-84/

Ragnar Bjartur Gudmundsson 🇺🇦‬ - AUG 27, 2024
■ Engagements & casualties above 7-day average
■ Record drone & missile interception, double-digit tank losses achieved
■ Most 🇷🇺 missiles fired to date, air & artillery ratio could be better

UNITED24 Media Telegram Highlights

Commander-in-Chief Syrskyi revealed for the first time that 594 Russian servicemen have been taken prisoner in the Kursk direction. He also stated that the Defense Forces currently control 1,295 square kilometers of Russian territory and about a hundred settlements. He made these remarks at the "Ukraine 2024" forum. He made these remarks at the "Ukraine 2024" forum.

WELT reports that Putin's plan is to shell Ukraine until the country experiences a total blackout, aiming to leave Ukrainians completely without electricity.

John Kirby, the coordinator of strategic communications at the White House National Security Council, acknowledged that negotiations with Ukraine regarding the possibility of extending the range of American weapon strikes into Russian territory are ongoing but remain confidential.

"No one will sign a contract with the Russian Federation to continue the transit of Russian gas through Ukraine. This is non-negotiable," Zelenskyy stated.

Zelenskyy:

• "The Donetsk region is a strategic objective for the Russian Federation. Russia is not withdrawing its troops from there to the Kursk region."
• "We are not prepared to exchange any of our territories as part of any negotiations."
• Poland's focus on Ukraine's defense capabilities has diminished. Ukraine needs Polish MiGs.
• Ukraine does not oppose Russia's participation in the second Peace Summit, as many other countries support it.

- Ukrainian manufacturers can produce 1.5 to 2 million drones per year, but there is a shortage of funding for this.

• Zelenskyy believes the U.S. should support Poland in its efforts to intercept Russian missiles.

On August 26, following a massive Russian attack on Ukraine, EU diplomacy chief Josep Borrell once again urged for the removal of restrictions on the use of Western weapons for strikes on Russian military targets.

An explosion on Monday at Russia's largest oil refinery, the Omsk Oil Refinery, severely impacted nearly half of the plant's capacity, according to Reuters.
The blast damaged and shut down the AVT-11 unit, the plant's most productive oil refining unit. AVT-11 processes 8.4 million tons of oil and 1.2 million tons of gas condensate annually, accounting for 41% of the refinery's total capacity. This disruption could have significant consequences for Russia's oil output and operations at the refinery.

The recent massive air attack on Ukraine is estimated to have cost Russia around $1.26 billion, according to EP.

• Shahed-136/131 UAVs, costing between $49,000 (domestically produced) and $290,000 (imported from Iran), with an average import price of $193,000, resulted in a $21.3 million expenditure on Shaheds alone.
• Each Kh-47M2 "Kinzhal" aeroballistic missile costs $10 million, and the release of 30 missiles amounted to $300 million.
• The Kh-22 missile costs $1 million, totaling $3 million for the missiles used.
• The Kh-101 missile, priced at $13 million per unit, contributed $1 billion to the attack's cost.
• Kalibr missiles, costing $6.5 million each, added $182 million.
• Kh-59/Kh-69 missiles cost $0.5 million each, totaling $5 million.
• Iskander-M ballistic missiles, priced at $3 million per unit, amounted to $18 million.

The U.S. has imposed sanctions on four Russian and two European companies following an investigation by "Schemes" into the supply of imported electronics for Russian Su-type fighter jets. This move was detailed in the updated sanctions list released by the U.S. Treasury Department's Office of Foreign Assets Control on August 23, — Radio Svoboda
Among the sanctioned firms are three Russian companies—"Display Component" and two companies named "Exiton"—as well as "Aspectrium," all of which are connected to the supply of electronics for Russian fighter jets.
These Russian firms are owned by the Altukhov family, who had been importing Western electronics into Russia even before the war through their company, Integral-Zapad. After sanctions were imposed on Integral-Zapad, the family continued their operations via other companies.
European intermediaries involved in the supply chain, such as Hungarian Matrix Metal Group and Cypriot Noratec Holdings, were also sanctioned. These firms, owned by Latvian citizen Vladimirs Boretskis, sold imported electronics to the Russian companies under investigation.

"There are difficulties with the return of the 'Azov' fighters. A new format for coordinating the lists has been adopted," President Zelenskyy said.

Live: Ukraine Telegram Highlights

Key points from Oleksandr Syrskyi, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, at the “Ukraine 2024. Independence” forum:
🔹Russia is focusing on the Donetsk front, with reduced activity in the south and a shift to Kursk;
🔹Over 50 daily combat encounters with Russian forces facing high casualties, up to 300 dead daily in the Pokrovsk direction;

❗️Ukrainian air defense systems shot down 201 of 236 air targets yesterday: 102 missiles and 99 attack UAVs were destroyed.
Russians launched 3 Kinzhals, 6 Iskander-M/KN-23 missiles, 77 Kh-101 cruise missiles, 28 Kalibr missiles, three Kh-22 missiles, 10 Kh-59/Kh-69 missiles and 109 Shahed attack UAVs at Ukraine.

🤡Putin: the main condition for Russia's economic development is the "successful" ending of the "special military operation"

Russians bombed another Ukrainian church today
We would like to hear the Pope's comments on this matter...
This is the village of Novoekonomichne in eastern Ukraine. The 113-year-old church has survived two world wars, but not the crazy Russians who have bombed it three times already.

A TV series about Joe Biden is being filmed in Russia
According to the plot, US President Joe Biden wants to figure out why his sanctions are not working against the Russians. Undercover, he flies to Russia to understand the Russian soul, and on the first day, he loses his documents but finds a new friend - a real Russian patriot. Now Biden is forced to live in an ordinary khrushchevka, work as an English teacher to save money for new documents, and try to return to America”, - stated in the press release.
The release date of the series is not reported.

Ukrainian theatre actor Andrii Kasyanov killed defending Ukraine against Russian aggression
He was 27.

Regions of Ukraine targeted by Russia yesterday

Kyiv Post Telegram Highlights

Russia has announced a "review of its nuclear doctrine." President Zelensky remarked that Putin loves his life too much to press the red button

"The return of deported children is very painful for all Ukrainians. Russia has abducted tens of thousands of children. Only a few hundred have been returned. This is an absolute failure of the international legal system," head of the presidential office, Yermak, during Zelensky’s press conference, as reported by the Kyiv Post correspondent.

‼️Yesterday morning's Russian missile/drone attack on Ukraine was so large and included such an array of models that it took air defense authority 4 hours to tabulate what exactly was shot down.
Russia, Iran and North Korea all represented.

"We are preparing a powerful response to Russia for today's strike on Ukraine. Today, I discussed with the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, Syrsky, the use of F-16s and operations in the Kursk region — we are continuing our actions," — Zelensky

Kyiv Post Morning News Roundup for August 27th, 2024
https://www.kyivpost.com/post/38001

"Zelensky's Peace Formula, unlike the senseless statements from the Kremlin, is 100% based on the norms of international law," head of the presidential office, Yermak, during Zelensky’s press conference, as reported by the Kyiv Post correspondent.

“Kursk operation and the energy meeting in Qatar are completely unrelated; the meeting did not fail but was held online,” — Zelensky

Agree, I think it explains a fair bit though of why we see such a lack of buy-in from the public as a whole in the UK.

I think it's instructive to look at countries that maintain strong militaries in relation to the size of their economies, like South Korea, Israel, Poland, and the Baltic states. Finland and Sweden also fall into this category. They all have obvious and possibly existential military threats. I hope that Finland and Sweden, now that they are NATO members, don't fall into the free rider trap and start cutting their militaries.

I don't think we have a lot of time to fix this before Russia tries this again, and I'm not alone in thinking that.

Russia’s Military Is Already Preparing for Its Next War - Moscow is rebuilding its military in anticipation of a conflict with NATO in the next decade, Estonian officials warn.

Countries under threat tend to have the best intelligence services (like the Mossad), so I'm inclined to agree with the Estonians on this.

Whatever Russia's intentions are re war with NATO (whether it's preparing to attack or preparing as deterrence) it's obvious NATO countries have to do the same. Deterrence worked during the Cold War so let's hope it works in this second one. But it will only work if we have it

Times radio on YouTube and here: https://apple.news/AT24lzaqTS4GnFViZn7rHgQ. Suggesting Ukraine is extending its initiative into belgorod. Are there better sources for this? What do we think of the effect it will have? Feeling more hopeful I must admit!

From Sky News:
Nuclear powers 'playing with matches like little children', says Moscow
Russian foreign minister Sergei Lavrov says the West "is asking for it" and is "playing with fire" if the US is considering lifting restrictions on Ukraine's use of Western long-range weapons.

"We have our own doctrine, including the doctrine of using nuclear weapons, which, by the way, is now being clarified, and which American officials know very well.
"But this is simply Freudian, you know, the third world war is bad because we do not want Europe to suffer.

"Here is the entire American mentality of the master, who sits on the other side, convinced of his safety, and convinced that for him the dirty work will be done and die, not only Ukrainians, but now also Europeans, as it turns out."

Mr Lavrov said it was very dangerous for leaders entrusted with nuclear weapons to "play with matches like little children".
"The West does not want to avoid escalation. The West, as they say, is asking for it."

Translation
We have nukes, we have nukes, we have nukes waggles tiny penis

Heard rumours of that @Errolwasahero and Zlenesky did say there would be a robust response to the barrage of missiles and drones. But at this point, it could be under tight operational security or it could be nothing at all ...

I like your translation, @Igotjelly

how many hundreds of times have they tried to play the nuclear card now? Russia clearly doesn't have the story ' The Boy Who Cried Wolf' as a childhood tale.

There's not much else out there about it.

Ukrainian Forces Reportedly Attempt Breakthrough in Russia’s Belgorod Region - According to the pro-Kremlin Telegram channels, around 60 Ukrainian soldiers, supported by 8 armored vehicles, launched the operation at approximately 8:00 AM.

This makes it sound much smaller than the article you linked, more like a probing attack or a raid than an attempt to take and hold ground.

Looking at it practically (but horrifically): if Russia were to nuke Ukraine, then, given its proximity to Russia and the prevailing winds, then Russia itself could would be affected detrimentally (see also: ZNP)

If Russia were to nuke any of the NATO members, then Russia itself would definitely be affected detrimentally Doesn't even have to be with nukes, it could just be a barrage of powerful conventional weapons. And even more importantly, Article 5 would have been activated, so NATO would no longer be constrained in its actions.

So his nuclear threats are just sabre rattling on Russia's part.

This has been discovered discussed before on these threads.

I know Putin doesn't always act rationally by "our" standards, but he does have a sense of self-preservation and doesn't want his beloved Mother Russia (even its existing borders, let alone the expanded borders that exist in his deluded brain ) reduced to ashes.

In his hubris, he thinks he can re acquire Ukraine win from the safety of Moscow and won't do anything explicit that will bring NATO into the Special Military Operation war.

https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/russian-offensive-campaign-assessment-august-26-2024

Key Takeaways:

• Russia conducted one of the largest combined series of drone and missile strikes against Ukrainian critical infrastructure to date on August 26.
• Ukraine issued a warning to Belarus amid the recent buildup of Belarusian forces at the Ukrainian border in Belarus' Gomel Oblast.
• The current Belarusian build-up along the Ukrainian border is likely intended to divert and stretch Ukrainian forces along a wider frontline, as ISW continues to assess that Belarusian forces remain unlikely to invade Ukraine due to constraints facing Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko.
• Ukrainian forces reportedly attempted to strike Engels Air Base in Saratov Oblast and an oil refinery in Yaroslavl Oblast with drones on the morning of August 26.
• Ukrainian forces continued offensive operations within their salient in Kursk Oblast on August 26, but neither Russian nor Ukrainian forces made any significant confirmed or claimed advances.
• The Kremlin may be leveraging the leadership of the prominent Kremlin-linked Rybar Telegram channel to set cultivate increased Russian influence in Iraq.
• Russian Presidential Administration Deputy Head Sergei Kiriyenko was reportedly in charge of a Kremlin think tank that tried and failed to establish rhetorical justifications for Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine after the fact, underscoring the Kremlin's rhetorical failures in the first months of the war and Russian President Vladimir Putin’s continued prioritization of loyalty over competency in officials.
• Russian forces recently advanced northeast of Kharkiv City, north of Chasiv Yar, southeast of Pokrovsk, and west of Donetsk City.
• The Russian Ministry of Defense (MoD) continues to recruit foreigners to fight with the Russian military in Ukraine.

With the UK its more of a case that they've been robbing Peter (the military) to pay Paul (their already rich mates) - the social welfare state has been direly underfunded for a long time.

Too many countries got too complacent with the end of the cold war but not the ones bordered Russia - they knew the threat never goes away.
I strongly doubt Finland will fall into the free rider trap, there's been a lot of talk of even increasing by extending compulsory conscription to women too (rather than voluntary as it currently is)

This.

As if on cue, given our discussion yesterday, The Bunker has just released a podcast on UK-Russia relations: podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-bunker/id1496246490?i=1000666792239

👀 👀 they’re watching us…..

They could do worse! 😊

https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/russian-offensive-campaign-assessment-august-27-2024

Key Takeaways:

• Russian forces have made significant tactical advances in the Pokrovsk direction amid reports that Ukrainian forces have withdrawn from select areas southeast of Pokrovsk.
• Russia's most combat-capable troops are currently sustaining Russian advances towards Pokrovsk, and Russia's offensive operations are emblematic of the wider Russian theory of victory in Ukraine, premised on seemingly indefinite grinding tactical advances. Russia's continuous and complete prioritization of the Pokrovsk direction will likely impact Russia's overall combat capabilities in Ukraine in the aftermath of any Pokrovsk scenario, especially as the Kremlin tries to balance gains in Pokrovsk with defending against the Ukrainian incursion into Kursk Oblast.
• Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky reported that Ukraine's incursion into Kursk Oblast was in part an effort to preempt a Russian offensive operation into Sumy or Chernihiv oblasts and noted that the incursion is an aspect of Ukraine's wider efforts to achieve a just and lasting diplomatic solution to the war based on the principles of international law and the inviolability of Ukraine’s territorial integrity.
• Ukrainian forces reportedly attempted to advance into two areas of Belgorod Oblast on August 27 amid continued Ukrainian offensive operations in Kursk Oblast.
• Russian officials attempted to use International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi's visit to the Kursk Nuclear Power Plant (KNPP) to falsely portray Ukraine as threatening a radiological incident, likely to undermine Western support for Ukraine by stoking unfounded fears about Ukraine's incursion into Kursk Oblast.
• Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi emphasized India's commitment to ending the war in Ukraine to Russian President Vladimir Putin following Modi's recent visit to Ukraine.
• Ukrainian forces recently advanced near Kreminna and Russian forces recently advanced near Toretsk, Pokrovsk, and Donetsk City.
• The Ukrainian incursion into Kursk Oblast has reportedly heightened willingness among Russian citizens to sign military service contracts with the Russian Ministry of Defense (MoD).

This too

Seems Trump's staff behaved with disrespect at Arlington National Cemetary, which is generally regarded with reverence in the US.

Kyiv Independent Telegram Highlights

⚡️Stoltenberg to convene NATO-Ukraine Council at Kyiv's request. https://kyivindependent.com/stoltenberg-to-convene-nato-ukraine-council-at-kyivs-request/ The news come a day after Russia's largest drone and missile attack against Ukraine since the start of Moscow's full-scale invasion.

Norway's energy sector is under threat of sabotage from Russia, Norwegian security chief Beate Gangaas told Reuters on Aug. 27, as European security services briefed Norwegian energy officials on potential Russian threats. https://kyivindependent.com/norway-energy-sector-threat-of-russian-sabotage/

⚡️Russia testing https://kyivindependent.com/russian-drone-poland-defense/ Poland's air defense system, Polish general says.
Russia is likely testing Poland's air defense system, Polish Brigadier General Tomasz Drewniak told Radio RMF24 on Aug. 27, after a likely Russian drone flew into Polish airspace on Aug. 26 amid a mass attack on Ukraine.

⚡️ UK privately backs Ukraine's use of Storm Shadow inside Russia but avoids spat with US, Telegraph reports https://kyivindependent.com/uk-storm-shadow-ukraine/

⚡️Russia moves 90% of military planes https://kyivindependent.com/russia-moves-90-of-military-planes-beyond-atacms-range-us-official-claims/ beyond ATACMS range, US official claims.

⚡️Ukrainian drones reportedly attack Russia's Kirov Oblast for first time. https://kyivindependent.com/ukrainian-drones-reportedly-attack-russias-kirov-oblast-for-first-time/

⚡️North Korea sent containers presumably to Russia that could contain as many as more than 6 million artillery shells, Yonhap reported on Aug. 27, citing a South Korean military intelligence report. https://kyivindependent.com/north-korea-could-have-sent-over-6-million-artillery-shells-to-russia-seoul-says/

⚡️Poland can only provide https://kyivindependent.com/poland-can-only-provide-mig-fighter-jets-to-ukraine-when-it-receives-modern-f-35s-polish-defense-minister-says/ additional MiG fighter jets to Ukraine when it receives modern F-35s, Polish Defense Minister says.

⚡️Telegram CEO visited https://kyivindependent.com/kremlingram-investigation-durov/ Russia over 60 times since 'exile' in 2014, Kremlingram, a Ukrainian group that campaigns against the use of Telegram in Ukraine, reported on Aug. 27.

⚡️ * *https://kyivindependent.com/macron-dined-with-telegram-ceo-pavel-durov-in-2018-wsj-reports/

According to the outlet, the meeting occurred a year after French intelligence services hacked Durov's phone over concerns his app was being used to organize terror attacks.

⚡️ UAE banks block Russian payments https://kyivindependent.com/uae-banks-block-russian-payments-for-chinese-electronics-media-reports/ for Chinese electronics since early August, media reports.

⚡️It costs less than $1 million to produce each new Palianytsia, Fedorov told the Associated Press. The military aims to further decrease costs by collaborating with private companies. https://kyivindependent.com/new-palianytsia-missile-drone-costs-less-than-1-million-official-says/

⚡️Ukraine has invested $7 billion in defense industry this year, Umerov says. https://kyivindependent.com/ukraine-has-invested-7-billion-in-defense-industry-this-year-umerov-says/ The funds are going towards drones, robotics, and electronic warfare systems, all of which are "already yielding tangible results on the battlefield," Defense Minister Rustem Umerov said.

⚡️Ukraine to resume construction of unfinished nuclear power plant in Cherkasy Oblast, Energoatom says. https://kyivindependent.com/ukraine-to-resume-construction-of-unfinished-nuclear-power-plant-energoatom-says/
According to Energoatom, the plant will be equipped with AP1000 reactors built by U.S. company Westinghouse.

⚡️IAEA chief warns about safety risks after visiting Kursk nuclear power plant. https://kyivindependent.com/un-nuclear-watchdog-warns-about-safety-risks-after-visiting-kursk-nuclear-power-plant/

Fires broke out at two separate oil depots in Russia's Rostov Oblast in an apparent drone attack on the region, local Russian media reported overnight on Aug. 28. https://kyivindependent.com/fires-reported-at-2-oil-depots-in-russias-rostov-oblast-local-media-reports/

⚡️ Russia's Kazan airport suspends flights due to drone threat, media reports.
Kazan is located in the Russian republic of Tatarstan which has previously been the target of Ukrainian drone strikes. https://kyivindependent.com/russias-kazan-airport-suspends-flights-due-to-drone-threat-media-reports/

⚡️ Russian attacks against Ukraine kill 7, injure 36 https://kyivindependent.com/russian-attacks-against-ukraine-kill-7-injure-36-over-past-day/ over past day.
⚡️ Russian airstrike on Donetsk Oblast kills family of 4.
⚡️ Russian missile attack on Kryvyi Rih injures at least 8.

‪Ragnar Bjartur Gudmundsson 🇺🇦‬ ‪- AUG 28, 2024
■ 2nd highest number of engagements while casualties are down between days
■ 4th biggest drone losses to date; record 7-day drone losses
■ 🇺🇦 strikes include a hit on a UAV control station but otherwise relative few 🇺🇦 strikes