Find out the key events of day 1,284 of Russia’s ongoing conflict in Ukraine.
Published on 31 Aug 2025
As of August 31, here’s the summary:
Fighting
- Ukraine faced “massive” strikes from Russia overnight, with 14 regions affected, according to officials.
- In the Zaporizhia region, at least one person died and 30 were injured, while buildings were hit and numerous homes lost gas or electricity.
- Ukraine’s Air Force reported downing 510 of 537 drones and 38 of 45 missiles launched by Russia during the attack.
- A 74-year-old man was killed in Kherson due to Russian shelling, officials confirmed.
- Russia’s General Staff Chief, Valery Gerasimov, stated that Russian forces are relentlessly pushing across nearly the entire Ukrainian front line, claiming strategic advantage.
- According to Gerasimov, Russian forces have control over significant portions of eastern and southern Ukraine.
- Ukrainian military spokesperson Viktor Trehubov countered that Kyiv’s forces have halted Russian advances and even surrounded Russian units in certain areas.
- Additionally, Ukraine’s military asserted they struck oil refineries in Russia, causing fires and damage.
- Thousands were left without power in Rylsk, Kursk region, following Ukrainian shelling, reported Russia’s TASS.
- Over 200 bodies have been recovered, and nearly 600 are missing in Kursk since January, following Ukraine’s incursion.
- Russia’s Ministry of Defence claimed to have shot down numerous Ukrainian drones and missiles in the same period.
Politics and Diplomacy
- Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, who has advocated for a summit with Vladimir Putin, criticized the Kremlin for launching attacks while a peace meeting was being prepared and called for enhanced international sanctions.
- Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi discussed with Zelenskyy and reaffirmed India’s support for a peaceful resolution, as stated by New Delhi.
- The European Union is exploring the use of frozen Russian assets to support Ukraine’s defense and post-war reconstruction.
- Some EU countries have demanded that these assets be confiscated and used to support Ukraine, but key members like France and Germany oppose this idea.
- German Chancellor Friedrich Merz condemned Russia’s aggression and stated that diplomatic efforts have been met with even greater hostility from Moscow.
- US President Donald Trump clarified that his administration is not financially involved in the conflict and that the US is now selling military equipment through NATO channels.
Weapons
- The US State Department has approved the sale of Patriot air defense systems and satellite communications services to Ukraine, at an estimated cost of $179.1m and $150m respectively.
