As of August 15, the Ukrainian Armed Forces’ General Staff reported that Russia had suffered a staggering loss of 1,068,040 troops since the full-scale invasion began in February 2022, including 940 casualties in the past day. In addition to the immense troop losses, the report details significant equipment destruction, including thousands of tanks, armored fighting vehicles, artillery systems, and various other military assets. The tally also encompasses losses of airplanes, helicopters, and naval vessels, underscoring the extensive impact of the ongoing conflict on Russia’s military capabilities.
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A Russian soldier, Artem Kulikov, has been sentenced to life imprisonment by a Ukrainian court for the murder of two civilians near Kupiansk. Kulikov, drafted from a Russian prison, was deployed to the Kharkiv region where he and another soldier abducted the civilians and executed them after they refused to provide information on Ukrainian military positions. This sentence comes as the UN reported the highest casualty count in the war since May 2022. The investigation also revealed Kulikov provided evidence against his commanders who ordered the killing of civilians.
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Japan’s Economy Ministry revealed a scheme where high-precision manufacturing equipment was sold to Russia through Chinese companies, circumventing sanctions. This investigation followed a warning from Ukraine that Russian forces were using Japanese-made machine tools, critical for weapon component manufacturing. The probe found over 300 precision machine tools from Tsugami Corp. missing after being sold to seven Chinese companies, with approximately 30 traced to Russia. Japan has ordered Tsugami to terminate contracts and cease support for the equipment, while a parallel investigation targets Ferrotec Holdings Corp., whose products also reached Russian defense contractors.
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The Norwegian Police Security Service (PST) has officially attributed a cyberattack on a hydropower dam in Bremanger to Russia, marking the first time Oslo has formally accused Moscow. The attack, which occurred in April, allowed water to flow unnoticed for four hours, releasing 500 liters per second. PST’s head stated the incident exemplifies a shift in activity from pro-Russian cyber actors aimed at creating fear and chaos. Although no injuries or damage resulted, the PST is warning that Russian intelligence services are actively attempting to gather information and recruit contacts within Norway.
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On August 14th, Ukraine and Russia completed a prisoner of war exchange, resulting in the return of 84 individuals, including military personnel and civilians, some held captive since 2014. This 67th exchange involved individuals detained even before the full-scale invasion, facing lengthy prison sentences. Many of the released require significant medical attention and rehabilitation. Among those freed were defenders of Mariupol, Ukrainian Navy soldiers, State Border Guard, and three women from the Donetsk and Luhansk regions, highlighting the varied backgrounds of those impacted.
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Following a video call with various world leaders, including U.S. President Donald Trump, French President Emmanuel Macron stated the U.S. is prepared to offer security guarantees to Ukraine post-war, though not through NATO membership, a key point for Russia. This stance from Trump was communicated just before his meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska. A joint statement from Macron, U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer, and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, reaffirmed readiness to provide security guarantees to Ukraine and stated that Russia should not hold veto power over Ukraine’s potential EU and NATO membership. Territorial discussions will involve Zelensky, which Trump supports.
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North Korea is reportedly preparing to send a new contingent of approximately 6,000 military engineering personnel and between 50 to 100 pieces of military equipment, including tanks and armored personnel carriers, to Russia. Ukrainian intelligence suggests that while officially for demining and reconstruction in the Kursk region, this deployment may have broader implications. Furthermore, North Korea is already supplying a substantial portion of the Russian army’s ammunition needs, alongside hundreds of artillery systems and missiles, some of which have been upgraded for improved effectiveness. These actions follow previous deployments of North Korean troops to the frontlines, and align with the Kremlin’s efforts to address labor shortages in occupied territories.
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Germany has committed $500 million for military equipment and munitions sourced from the US to support Ukraine. This aid, focused on air defense, comes as President Trump plans a summit with Putin, after which he may arrange a second meeting including Zelenskyy. Meanwhile, the British prime minister stated that there is now a “viable” chance for a ceasefire. Russia, as part of negotiations, has requested a reduction in NATO troops. Finally, a Ukrainian drone attack caused a fire at a Russian oil refinery.
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Lithuanian President Gitanas Nausėda stated that military allies supporting Ukraine should prepare for potential troop deployment within the country. Speaking at a virtual meeting of 31 supporting nations, Nausėda emphasized Lithuania’s willingness to provide troops and training facilities for the allied forces. He also insisted on Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s involvement in future peace discussions and rejected the idea of pressuring Kyiv to cede territory. This call to action followed a meeting where leaders discussed the upcoming meeting between Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin.
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On the night of August 13-14, the Russian city of Volgograd was targeted in a drone attack, with explosions and subsequent fires reported at the LUKOIL-Volgogradneftepererabotka oil refinery. Multiple Russian sources confirmed the large-scale assault, which caused fires and an oil spill at the refinery. As a result, the local airport was temporarily closed. This refinery, the largest producer of petroleum products in the region, has been attacked previously by Ukrainian drones.
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John Q. Hosedrinker