The Kyiv Independent [unofficial]
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Russia’s war against Ukraine
An investigator examines debris at a train station damaged following a drone strike in the town of Lozova, Kharkiv Oblast, on Aug. 5, 2025. (Genya Savilov / AFP via Getty Images)
Ukraine obtains classified data on Russia’s newest nuclear submarine, intelligence claims. K-555 Knyaz Pozharsky is a Project 955A Borei–A–class vessel, a crucial component of the Kremlin’s nuclear triad.
Zelensky says mercenaries from Asia and Africa fighting for Russia in northeastern Ukraine. “The soldiers on this front are recording the participation of mercenaries from China, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Pakistan, and African countries in the war. We will respond,” President Volodymyr Zelensky said in a statement.
‘No other choice‘ — Syrskyi says Ukraine must mobilize to counter growing Russian forces. Commander-in-Chief Oleksandr Syrskyi warned on Aug. 5 that Russia is accelerating mobilization efforts, with plans to form 10 new military divisions by the end of the year. In response, Ukraine has “no other choice” but to intensify its own mobilization.
‘Productive‘ phone call with Trump focused on ending war, sanctions, drone production, Zelensky says. President Volodymyr Zelensky said Ukraine has already prepared a draft agreement on drones and is ready to finalize what he called “one of the strongest agreements this could be.”
Russia considers air truce proposal to Trump without ending war, Bloomberg says. According to Bloomberg, Russian officials are exploring options ahead of a visit by U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff to Moscow this week.
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Over $1 billion secured for US weapons via NATO program, Zelensky says. “This is evidence that NSATU (NATO Security Assistance and Training for Ukraine) is working, and the decisions of the NATO Summit in The Hague are being implemented,” President Volodymyr Zelensky said.
2 Russian oil refineries cut production after Ukrainian drone attacks, Reuters reports. Russia’s Ryazan oil refinery halved its production and the Novokuibyshevsk refinery halted it completely on Aug. 2 after Ukrainian drone attacks, Reuters reported, citing undisclosed sources.
‘His economy stinks,’ — falling oil prices could force Putin to end war, Trump says. “(Russian President Vladimir) Putin will stop killing people if you get (the price of) energy down another $10 a barrel. He’s going to have no choice, because his economy stinks,” U.S. President Donald Trump said.
Kremlin confident in the face of Trump’s sanctions threats, doubts real impact, Reuters reports. Putin is reluctant to provoke Trump and recognizes that pressing ahead with the war could jeopardize a potential thaw in relations with Washington and the West, but his military objectives remain the top priority, two sources told Reuters.
Witkoff’s plane reportedly lands in Moscow ahead of key talks on avoiding Trump’s sanctions. President Donald Trump’s special envoy, Steve Witkoff, who had no diplomatic experience before joining the current administration, is seen as more sympathetic to Moscow than many other members of Trump’s team.
Read our exclusives
Ukraine war latest: Ukraine obtains classified data on Russia’s newest nuclear submarine, intelligence claims
Ukraine’s military intelligence agency has obtained classified internal documents on Russia’s newest strategic nuclear submarine, K-555 Knyaz Pozharsky, the agency claimed on Aug. 3.
Photo: HUR
Humanitarian crisis in Kherson escalates but Russian river crossing remains unrealistic
After enduring a Russian occupation, a manmade flood, and drone attacks that turned its streets into a human safari, the southern Ukrainian city of Kherson could soon be made completely unlivable.
Photo: Global Images Ukraine via Getty Images
‘Last chance’ — Witkoff effort in Russia unlikely to change Trump’s course, analysts say
As U.S. President Donald Trump trades barbs with Russian officials amid growing tensions, he has announced he may send his special envoy Steve Witkoff to Russia this week.
Photo: Anna Moneymaker / Getty Images
‘Food shortage is coming’ — experts warn Russia’s war on inflation risks Soviet-style economy collapse
Amid high inflation, Russia is preparing to cap prices on staple food items, a move analysts say signals a shift toward a command economy that could trigger shortages and public discontent.
Photo: Contributor / Getty Images
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Human cost of Russia’s war
Railway hit in Kharkiv Oblast as Russian attacks kill 10, injure 17 in Ukraine over past day. Russian forces launched an Iskander-M ballistic missile from Russia’s Bryansk Oblast and 46 Shahed-type drones from Kursk, Bryansk, Orel, and Primorsk-Akhtarsk against Ukraine overnight, according to Ukraine’s Air Force.
Over 330 Russian troops killed in failed attack in Sumy Oblast, Ukraine’s intelligence claims, shows footage. Ukrainian military intelligence (HUR) special forces fought off a Russian attempt to advance in Sumy Oblast, “destroying more than eight Russian companies” during the battle, the agency said on Aug. 5
International response
Trump weighs sanctions on Russia’s ‘shadow fleet‘ if Putin refuses ceasefire, FT reports. If enacted, the measures would represent the first U.S. sanctions targeting Moscow since Donald Trump returned to the presidency in January.
US greenlights $104 million M777 howitzer support deal for Ukraine. The package includes technical assistance, training, and other logistical support. BAE Systems in Barrow-in-Furness, the U.K., is the main contractor.
Three Nordic countries to fund $500 million in US weapons for Ukraine. The funding will be channeled through NATO’s Support and Procurement Agency (NSPA), which enables fast-track purchases of U.S. arms to meet Ukraine’s most urgent defense needs.
In other news
Two arrested in major drone funds embezzlement case involving MP, ex-governor. Colonel Vasyl Myshanskyi and former Rubizhne Military Administration head Andrii Yurchenko were arrested in a corruption case involving the purchase of electronic warfare equipment and drones.
Belarusian drone in Lithuania carried explosives, officials say. A drone that entered Lithuanian airspace from Belarus on July 28 was carrying explosives, Lithuania’s Prosecutor General’s Office confirmed Aug. 5.
Russia’s oil and gas revenues fall for third consecutive month. Gazprom, Russia’s state-owned gas giant, has seen its exports to Europe hit lows not seen since the 1970s, according to the Moscow Times.
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