The Kyiv Independent [unofficial]
This newsletter is brought to you by Medical Bridges.
Medical Supplies for Ukraine’s Hospitals. Partnering for global health equity.
Russia’s war against Ukraine
Fire breaks out after a Russian attack at three private residences and one apartment building as the emergency officials work at the area in Kherson on Aug. 2, 2025. A Ukrainian local resident was injured after the attack, according to the reports. ( Kherson Regional Military Administration / Anadolu via Getty Images)
Russian troops resort to ‘total infiltration‘ tactics in front-line Pokrovsk, Ukraine’s commander-in-chief says. Russian forces are “looking for vulnerabilities in our defense, and conducting active combat operations in several directions simultaneously,” Commander-in-chief Oleksandr Syrskyi reported.
Russia damages bridge in Kherson Oblast, governor urges evacuations. A Russian airstrike damaged a key bridge in Ukraine’s Kherson Oblast on Aug. 2, prompting local officials to urge residents to evacuate. The strike occurred around 6 p.m. local time, when Russian forces dropped two guided bombs on the city of Kherson.
Ukraine’s military intelligence, partisans blow up bus carrying Chechen soldiers in occupied Melitopol. Ukraine’s military intelligence agency (HUR) conducted a joint operation with local partisans to blow up a minibus in occupied Melitopol, killing all five soldiers of the Russian-backed Akhmat unit on board.
Suspected Belarusian drone found in central Lithuania after days-long search.
The unidentified drone entered Lithuanian airspace on the morning of July 28, prompting a days-long search.
Your contribution helps keep the Kyiv Independent going. Become a member today.
US nuclear submarines ‘closer to Russia‘, Trump says. “I just want to make sure that his (Dmitry Medvedev’s) words are only words and nothing more than that,” U.S. President Donald Trump said.
Ukrainian drones target Shahed storage site, industrial facilities in Russia, military claims. A series of drone attacks targeted industrial facilities in Russia’s Ryazan, Penza, Samara and Voronezh oblasts overnight on Aug. 2, Ukraine’s General Staff reported.
Ukraine’s drone strike reportedly sparks fire at oil depot in Russia’s Sochi. A drone strike resulted in a major fire early on Aug. 3 at an oil depot in Russia’s resort city of Sochi, setting ablaze a 2,000-cubic-meter fuel tank, local authorities said.
Explosions, smoke reported near Russian-occupied Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant. The Zaporizhzhia plant, the largest nuclear facility in Europe and one of the ten largest globally, has been under Russian occupation since March 2022.
Read our exclusives
Inside the Battle of Kostiantynivka, as Ukrainian forces brace for three-sided Russian assault
Over spring and summer, Kostiantynivka turned into a city of shadows, with military cars speeding down the central streets on their way to positions, while the remaining civilians shuffle between apartments and basements, scavenging for essentials.
Photo: Francis Farrell / The Kyiv Independent
Russia launched record 6,129 drones against Ukraine during July, smashing previous month’s high
Russia’s bombardments have intensified dramatically in June and July, with mass attacks becoming more frequent and more deadly. During July 2024, Russia launched 423 drones against Ukraine, meaning a more than fourteen-fold increase over the year.
Photo: Kostiantyn Liberov / Libkos / Getty Images
We choose to stay in Ukraine — to bring the world the truth about Russia’s brutal war.
If you think the truth matters — here’s your chance to stand for it.
Human cost of Russia’s war
Ukraine awards Order of Freedom to journalist killed in Russian captivity. “Viktoria was one of those who spoke the truth about the war. She worked on the front lines and in temporarily occupied territories, risking her life,” President Volodymyr Zelensky said.
Russian drone attack on Druzhkivka in Donetsk Oblast injures 5. The recent Russian attack damaged two houses, a market, a shop, and administrative building and several cars, Donetsk Oblast Governor Vadym Filashkin said.
Russian missile strike hits Mykolaiv, injuring 3 civilians. A Russian missile strike hit the southern Ukrainian city of Mykolaiv overnight on Aug. 2-3, destroying private homes and damaging civilian infrastructure, according to Ukrainian officials. Three civilians were hospitalized with injuries.
Russian drone strike kills child in Sumy Oblast. The attack killed a 12-year-old boy and left a 13-year-old hospitalized with shrapnel wounds, Governor Oleh Hryhorov said.
Russian attacks kill 6, injure 37 in Ukraine over past day. Ukrainian forces downed 45 out of the 53 drones, including Shahed-type attack drones, rocket-powered drones and decoys, launched by Russia overnight, the Air Force reported.
Inside the Battle of Kostiantynivka under drone-infested sky
International response
India to keep buying Russian oil despite Trump threats, NYT reports. The Indian government has “not given any direction to oil companies” to reduce Russian imports, one senior official told the New York Times.
Senate leaves without sanctions vote as Republicans urge more pressure on Russia, The Hill reports. Republican senators left Washington for their August recess without passing a major Russia sanctions bill, effectively handing Donald Trump full authority to decide whether to follow through on his threat to penalize Moscow.
In other news
Protesters demand release of draftees in Vinnytsia, break into detention facility.
The online newspaper Ukrainska Pravda reported that hundreds of protesters joined the rally, while police put the number at 80. The police then arrested some of the demonstrators.
Ukraine’s anti-corruption agencies uncover bribery scheme involving lawmaker, officials, soldiers. Oleksii Kuznetsov, a member of parliament who belongs to Zelensky’s Servant of the People party, allegedly accepted kickbacks for inflating military contracts. He has been dismissed from his parliamentary faction pending the outcome of the case.
Ukraine aims to secure all EU aid planned for 2025, economy minister says. Kyiv has submitted an updated version of the Ukraine Plan for the European Commission’s consideration, following the EU’s decision to cut the next tranche of the Ukraine Facility due to incomplete reforms.
This newsletter is open for sponsorship. Boost your brand’s visibility by reaching thousands of engaged subscribers. Click here for more details.
Today’s Ukraine Daily was brought to you by Oleg Sukhov, Kateryna Denisova, Asami Terajima, Olena Goncharova, Lucy Pakhnyuk, and Abbey Fenbert.
If you’re enjoying this newsletter, consider joining our membership program. Start supporting independent journalism today.
