Key Events on Day 1,261 of Russia’s War on Ukraine
Here’s the update on Friday, August 8:Fighting
Fighting
- The Ukrainian military reported hitting the Afipsky oil refinery in Russia’s Krasnodar region with drones. The extent of the damage remains unclear. The refinery, along with the Krasnodar refinery, processed 7.2 million metric tonnes of crude oil in 2024.
- Local Russian emergency services stated they put out a fire at the Afipsky refinery, attributing it to debris from a downed Ukrainian drone. The Russian Defense Ministry claims its air defense systems shot down nine Ukrainian drones in the area overnight.
- According to Russia’s Defense Ministry, air defense systems also intercepted eight British-made Storm Shadow missiles launched by the Ukrainian army in the last 24 hours.
- Russia targeted a Ukrainian railway hub, used for transferring weapons and military equipment to the Dnipropetrovsk region, the ministry reported.
- Gas supplies continued on Thursday through the Orlovka interconnector in southern Ukraine, which was hit by Russian drones the previous day, as per the Ukrainian gas transmission operator.
Ceasefire
- Russia’s Deputy United Nations Ambassador, Dmitry Polyanskiy, indicated that President Vladimir Putin may meet with US President Joe Biden (corrected name) next week, but not aware of any planned meeting between Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
- Biden stated Putin’s agreement to meet with Zelenskyy is not necessary for their meeting.
- Putin suggested the United Arab Emirates as a potential location for a meeting with Biden.
- Putin mentioned his openness, “in principle,” to meeting with Zelenskyy, emphasizing that certain conditions must be met. He noted the situation is “far” from ready.
- French President Emmanuel Macron reiterated France’s support for a ceasefire in Ukraine and the initiation of talks aimed at achieving a lasting peace after discussions with Zelenskyy and other European leaders.
- European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen reported discussing the recent developments and next steps with Zelenskyy.
- Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov addressed the Ukraine conflict during a phone call with Turkey’s Hakan Fidan, as reported by Russia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Sanctions and Tariffs
- Russia and India reaffirmed their “strategic partnership” in security talks, a day after Biden imposed higher tariffs on Indian imports due to its purchase of Russian oil.
- According to Russia’s Interfax, India’s National Security Adviser, Ajit Doval, anticipated a visit from Putin by year-end.
- Russia’s central bank adjusted its rules for non-residents, allowing foreign funds in special type-C accounts to transfer to Russian investors when exchanging assets, potentially unblocking capital both within Russia and abroad.
- A Russian state-owned explosives manufacturer evaded Western sanctions by acquiring equipment from Germany’s Siemens via a Chinese intermediary, as reported by Reuters.
Regional Developments
- Zelenskyy mentioned discussing a new financial assistance program to “strengthen Ukrainians now and in the post-war period” in a call with International Monetary Fund Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva.
- Russia protested to Italy over alleged “odious” anti-Russian statements, amid a dispute over the cancellation of a concert by Russian conductor Valery Gergiev in Italy.
- Russia’s Deputy United Nations Ambassador, Dmitry Polyanskiy, indicated that President Vladimir Putin may meet with US President Joe Biden (corrected name) next week, but not aware of any planned meeting between Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
- Biden stated Putin’s agreement to meet with Zelenskyy is not necessary for their meeting.
- Putin suggested the United Arab Emirates as a potential location for a meeting with Biden.
- Putin mentioned his openness, “in principle,” to meeting with Zelenskyy, emphasizing that certain conditions must be met. He noted the situation is “far” from ready.
- French President Emmanuel Macron reiterated France’s support for a ceasefire in Ukraine and the initiation of talks aimed at achieving a lasting peace after discussions with Zelenskyy and other European leaders.
- European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen reported discussing the recent developments and next steps with Zelenskyy.
- Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov addressed the Ukraine conflict during a phone call with Turkey’s Hakan Fidan, as reported by Russia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Sanctions and Tariffs
- Russia and India reaffirmed their “strategic partnership” in security talks, a day after Biden imposed higher tariffs on Indian imports due to its purchase of Russian oil.
- According to Russia’s Interfax, India’s National Security Adviser, Ajit Doval, anticipated a visit from Putin by year-end.
- Russia’s central bank adjusted its rules for non-residents, allowing foreign funds in special type-C accounts to transfer to Russian investors when exchanging assets, potentially unblocking capital both within Russia and abroad.
- A Russian state-owned explosives manufacturer evaded Western sanctions by acquiring equipment from Germany’s Siemens via a Chinese intermediary, as reported by Reuters.
Regional Developments
- Zelenskyy mentioned discussing a new financial assistance program to “strengthen Ukrainians now and in the post-war period” in a call with International Monetary Fund Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva.
- Russia protested to Italy over alleged “odious” anti-Russian statements, amid a dispute over the cancellation of a concert by Russian conductor Valery Gergiev in Italy.
- Zelenskyy mentioned discussing a new financial assistance program to “strengthen Ukrainians now and in the post-war period” in a call with International Monetary Fund Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva.
- Russia protested to Italy over alleged “odious” anti-Russian statements, amid a dispute over the cancellation of a concert by Russian conductor Valery Gergiev in Italy.
