Key events on day 1,268 of Russia’s war in Ukraine:
Here’s the current situation as of Friday, August 15:
Fighting
- Ukrainian drones attacked two Russian cities, injuring at least 16 people, according to local authorities.
- In Rostov-on-Don, a drone struck an apartment building, injuring 13 people, two seriously. Additionally, three civilians were injured in Belgorod, near the Ukrainian border.
- The Ukrainian military claimed its drones hit a Russian refinery in the Volgograd region overnight, causing significant fires.
- According to Russia’s Defence Ministry, Russian forces captured the settlements of Shcherbynivka and Andреivka-Klevetsove in Ukraine’s Donetsk region.
- Ukrainian troops have stabilized an area in eastern Ukraine where Russian forces attempted a breakthrough this week, according to Governor Vadym Filashkin of the Donetsk region.
- Ukraine reported that small groups of Russian infantry advanced around 10 kilometers towards its main defense line near Dobropillia, raising concerns about a wider breakthrough.
- With U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin scheduled to meet in Alaska on Friday, observers believe the Russian advance aims to pressure Ukraine into ceding territory for peace.
Assessment of the Alaska Summit
- Trump expressed his belief that Putin is ready to end the war in Ukraine. He suggested that peace negotiations would likely require a second meeting including Ukraine’s President, Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
- Following a face-to-face meeting, Trump and Putin will hold a joint news conference, as stated by White House spokeswoman Karoline Leavitt.
- Trump plans to discuss a cessation of fighting in Ukraine with Putin, though a comprehensive resolution will take time, according to U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio.
- Putin acknowledged the U.S. efforts to halt the war in Ukraine and hinted at the possibility of nuclear arms agreements as part of a broader strategy to enhance global peace.
- Dmitry Peskov, Kremlin spokesman, cautioned against predicting the summit’s outcome and confirmed no plans for signing documents following the meeting.
- Although uncertain, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s office sees potential in the summit for progress towards ending the war in Ukraine.
Military Aid
- Zelenskyy discussed potential security guarantees for Ukraine during a meeting with U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer.
- Kyiv has obtained $1.5 billion from European allies to purchase U.S. weapons under the NATO Prioritised Ukraine Requirements List initiative, which Zelenskyy noted has strengthened Ukraine’s defense.
- French President Emmanuel Macron reported that Trump signaled a willingness on Wednesday for the U.S. and other allies to offer Ukraine security guarantees to end the conflict.
- The U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) did not monitor the use of 5,175 Starlink terminals sent to Ukraine. According to an internal audit, nearly half of the operational units ended up in areas under Moscow’s control or influence.
Prisoners of War
- After mediation by the United Arab Emirates, Russia and Ukraine exchanged 84 captives each, increasing the total number exchanged to 4,349 through UAE mediation efforts. Ukraine welcomed home 84 prisoners, including 51 civilians, with at least one held for over a decade.
Regional Developments
- Russian State Duma Chairman Vyacheslav Volodin met with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un during a trip to Pyongyang, extending greetings from Putin and thanking Kim for North Korea’s support in Ukraine.
Economic Developments
- Ukraine’s Prime Minister Yulia Svyrydenko directed a review of all licenses for mining strategic minerals in the nation, aiming to bolster the war-affected economy and secure new investments under a minerals deal with the U.S.
