The Kyiv Independent [unofficial]
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Russia’s war against Ukraine
Local residents embrace each other next to a damaged residential building following an air attack in Zaporizhzhia on Aug. 30, 2025, amid the Russian invasion of Ukraine. (Marina Moiseyenko / AFP via Getty Images)
Russian units surrounded near Dobropillia, Ukraine’s military says. Russian forces have been surrounded by Ukraine’s military near Dobropillia in the Pokrovsk district in Donetsk — currently the hottest sector of the front line — military spokesperson Viktor Trehubov announced on Aug. 30.
Ukrainian forces liberate village near Kupiansk in Kharkiv Oblast. The positions previously allowed Russian troops to control the road leading into Kupiansk, approximately 104 kilometers (65 miles) east of Kharkiv, the regional capital.
Russian soldier allegedly executes unarmed civilian in Donetsk Oblast, footage shows. The 1st Azov Corps said the victim was clearly in civilian clothes and unarmed, calling the incident a direct violation of the Geneva Convention on the protection of civilians.
Ukraine’s intel chief warns of Russian disinformation wave ahead of Zapad-2025 military drills. Kyrylo Budanov said that upcoming joint exercises, set to begin in two weeks, will pose challenges for both Ukraine and European countries, particularly through what he described as “cognitive influence.”
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Trump giving Ukraine ‘deeper strike capabilities,’ NATO envoy says after missile sales deal. The comments come after the U.S. greenlit a European-funded $850 million sale of 3,350 ERAM missiles, which can strike targets at a range of 240-450 kilometers (150-280 miles).
Ukraine destroys underground explosives depot in western Russia, intelligence source claims. The facility was used to store pyroxylin gunpowder, a smokeless powder used in the production of small arms, artillery, and rocket systems, a military intelligence source claimed.
Ukraine’s military denies mass re-deployment of soldiers from air defense to infantry. Military spokesperson Andrii Kovalov acknowledged that reassignments take place, but said this does not concern air defense specialists protecting Ukrainian skies.
Ukrainian drones strike oil refineries in Russia’s Krasnodar Krai, Samara Oblast, commander says. Ukrainian drones struck oil refineries in Russia’s Krasnodar Krai and Samara Oblast overnight on Aug. 30, the commander of Ukraine’s Unmanned Systems Forces, Robert “Madyar” Brovdi, confirmed.
Company news
Kyiv Independent’s ‘Dare to Ukraine’ series returns for 2nd season set in Ukrainian village
The Kyiv Independent’s “Dare to Ukraine” wartime travel series returns for a second season, set in a Ukrainian village. It premiered on Aug. 30 and will release every Saturday for the next five weeks.
From Crimea to Donbas, Russia’s “peace” has always meant more war. We’re here in Ukraine to give the world a reality check. Support independent journalism in this critical moment.
Human cost of Russia’s war
1 killed, 34 injured in Zaporizhzhia as Russia launches large-scale missile, drone attack on Ukrainian cities. Russia launched a missile and drone attack targeting various Ukrainian regions overnight on Aug. 30, killing at least one person and injuring 34 others, officials reported.
Russian attacks kill 3, injure 47 in Ukraine over past day. Ukrainian forces intercepted 510 drones, six ballistic missiles, and 32 cruise missiles launched by Russia overnight, the Air Force reported.
International response
EU weighs frozen Russian assets for Ukraine but rules out confiscation for now. The bloc has frozen some 210 billion euros ($245.85 billion) in Russian assets under sanctions imposed over Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
‘We are already in conflict with Russia‘ — Merz says Putin destabilizing Germany. “(Russian President Vladimir) Putin is destabilizing a big part of our country,” German Chancellor Friedrich Merz told French outlet La Chaine Info.
Lithuania sets up ‘dragon teeth’ barriers at borders with Belarus, Russia’s Kaliningrad exclave. The so-called “dragon teeth” — pyramid-shaped concrete anti-tank obstacles — were set up as part of the Baltic Defense Line, a planned string of defenses along the Baltic countries’ borders with Russia and Belarus.
Trump considers sending US private military companies to secure Ukraine peace deal, Telegraph reports. The focus for such U.S. contractors appears to be on helping to build new defenses and securing U.S. business interests in Ukraine, the Telegraph reported.
US officials accuse Europe of prolonging Russia’s war in Ukraine, Axios reports. U.S. officials have grown increasingly impatient with European leaders, whom they allege are pushing Ukraine to hold out for a “better deal,” Axios reported in an exclusive scoop on Aug. 30.
Poland deports 15 Ukrainian nationals amid heightened tensions. Polish authorities have expelled 15 Ukrainian citizens after they were detained for offenses like drug possession, drunk driving, theft, and illegal border crossings, RMF24 reported on Aug. 30.
Will She Make It? | Dare to Ukraine: Village Ep. 1
In other news
Ukraine’s ex-parliament speaker shot dead in Lviv. Andrii Parubii, a Ukrainian politician who previously served as the parliament speaker and played a prominent role in the EuroMaidan Revolution, was shot dead in Lviv on Aug. 30.
Putin arrives in China for regional security summit hosted by Xi Jinping. Chinese state broadcaster CCTV described China-Russia relations as at their “best in history,” calling them “the most stable, mature and strategically significant among major countries.”
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