Here are the key events on day 1,260 since Russia’s war on Ukraine began.
Here is an update for Thursday, August 7:
Fighting
- Russian artillery shelling targeted a vehicle belonging to Ukraine’s state emergency services, resulting in the deaths of three individuals, including an emergency worker, and injuring four others in Nikopol, a town in southeastern Ukraine, as reported by the regional governor, Serhiy Lysak.
- More than 50 Russian drones attacked a gas pumping station in southern Ukraine, part of a scheme to import LNG from the U.S. and Azerbaijan, according to Ukraine’s Ministry of Energy.
- Russia targeted a gas facility in Ukraine’s southern Odesa region, according to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. Ukraine’s gas reserves have reached their lowest levels in 12 years, with storage facilities currently less than a third full, according to ExPro analysis.
Ceasefire Developments
- U.S. President Donald Trump stated that his envoy, Steve Witkoff, achieved “great progress” during his meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow. Trump mentioned that he informed some European allies about the meeting’s outcomes.
- Witkoff and Putin held talks for approximately three hours at the Kremlin, two days before a deadline set by Trump for Russia to agree to peace in Ukraine or face new sanctions.
- According to U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, the U.S. now has a better understanding of the conditions under which Moscow would be willing to end its war in Ukraine, with territory being a key element of any agreement.
- The Kremlin’s foreign policy aide, Yuri Ushakov, described the talks between Putin and Witkoff as “useful and constructive,” adding that Moscow had received certain signals from Trump and responded accordingly.
- President Zelenskyy discussed Witkoff’s visit to Moscow with Trump, reiterating Ukraine’s support for a just peace and its commitment to self-defense.
- Zelenskyy noted that Russia seems “more inclined” to a ceasefire following Witkoff’s meeting adding that pressure on Russia is working but warned against potential deception in the details.
- A White House official mentioned that Trump could meet Putin as early as next week, as preparations continued for imposing secondary sanctions, including potentially targeting China, to pressure Moscow to end the war in Ukraine.
- Trump added that he could announce further tariffs on China, similar to the 25 percent duties imposed earlier on India, over its purchases of Russian oil.
Military Aid
- Ukraine’s Defence Minister, Denys Shmyhal, expressed gratitude to the U.S. for approving more than $200 million in deals to supply arms to Ukraine, which will be funded by Kyiv’s allies. Shmyhal stated that partner-funded packages will provide technical support for howitzers and logistical services.
Regional Developments
- Germany’s coalition government plans to reduce state benefits for newly arrived Ukrainian refugees, which could result in a monthly loss of 100 euros per refugee, according to a draft law cited by the Reuters news agency.
- NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte discussed Russian military drone violations of Lithuanian airspace with Lithuania’s foreign minister, as reported by a NATO spokesperson.
