Moscow views NATO’s eastward expansion as a primary catalyst for its 2022 invasion of Ukraine. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov voiced Russia’s opposition to European peacekeeping troops in Ukraine. This position contradicts earlier claims that Vladimir Putin would accept such a force, particularly assertions made by former U.S. President Donald Trump.
Lithuania is urging the EU to take decisive steps to make Ukraine’s EU membership application a reality, according to a letter sent to EU capitals. The letter proposes starting technical-level negotiations with Ukraine and Moldova, potentially excluding Hungary initially if 26 member states agree, while also suggesting a 2030 target year for accession. Lithuania believes that initiating negotiations would boost Ukrainian morale and support reforms amid intensified Russian military actions, while inaction could weaken public support and the will for reform. This proposal, along with the broader context of the war and potential political influences, will be discussed at the upcoming EU foreign ministers’ meeting in Copenhagen.
Russia appears to be deliberately recruiting individuals with serious illnesses like HIV and hepatitis for military service, despite official claims to the contrary. Evidence suggests a rise in these cases among soldiers, coinciding with recruitment efforts targeting those with health conditions, including prisoners and residents of occupied territories. Recruitment tactics include social media ads and promises of financial incentives, while those recruited often lack access to adequate medical care. This practice is exacerbated by the dire healthcare situations in occupied Ukrainian territories, highlighting a disregard for the well-being of these recruits.
On August 26, an explosion and subsequent fire occurred on the Ryazan-Moscow oil pipeline, a critical route for supplying petroleum products to the Russian capital, according to a source in Ukraine’s military intelligence (HUR). The explosion, which halted the transportation of petroleum products to Moscow, was reported near the village of Bozhatkovo. The pipeline, managed by state-run operator Transneft, was repurposed in 2018 to supply gasoline to Moscow and also provides fuel to the Russian military. While the cause remains unconfirmed, Ukrainian forces have previously targeted Russian energy infrastructure with the aim of disrupting revenue.
Despite Russia’s hesitation, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy reiterated that a bilateral summit with Vladimir Putin remains the most effective path to peace, with Western officials in attendance. US and Canadian leaders expressed support for Ukraine, with Canada signaling it wouldn’t rule out sending troops under a security guarantee framework. While Russia claims to have captured a settlement in Dnipropetrovsk, Ukraine announced the recapture of several villages in the Donetsk region, and both sides conducted a prisoner exchange. Meanwhile, Ukraine has been utilizing its own domestically produced long-range weapons to target locations inside Russia.
Ukraine is preparing to mass-produce a new long-range cruise missile, nicknamed the Flamingo, with a range of approximately 3,000 kilometers. Developed by the Ukrainian firm Fire Point, the missile boasts a warhead weighing over a ton and a flight time of around four hours, with a maximum speed of nearly 560 mph. This domestically produced missile, free from the restrictions placed on Western-supplied weapons, is expected to be a significant asset in Ukraine’s defense efforts, potentially targeting Russian assets far beyond the front lines. Production is currently at one missile a day, with plans to increase the production numbers by December.
Indian refineries are preparing to slightly decrease their purchases of Russian crude oil in the coming weeks due to increasing pressure from the United States. This reduction, which will lower daily purchases from 1.8 million barrels to 1.4-1.6 million barrels, comes as a response to threats of increased U.S. tariffs on Indian imports. Although the U.S. has criticized India’s significant increase in Russian oil imports since 2022, no additional sanctions have yet been imposed despite previous threats. This move is seen as a symbolic gesture to Washington, rather than a complete severing of economic ties with Moscow.
European security services are closely monitoring the cargo ship HAV Dolphin, currently en route to Vaasa, Finland, due to suspicions of its involvement in supporting Russian surveillance activities. The ship, flagged in Antigua and Barbuda, previously made an unusually long stop near a German naval base, coinciding with drone sightings. Although inspections by German and Dutch police yielded no definitive evidence, the vessel’s slow travel and Russian crew have fueled concerns. The ship’s captain declined to comment on the suspicions, while the owner denies any wrongdoing and the steel importer claimed they were unaware of the vessel.
As of the end of August 2025, the Czech-led initiative to supply Ukraine with ammunition has already delivered over one million large-calibre artillery rounds this year, with the aim of reaching 1.8 million by the end of the year. This effort has significantly reduced Russia’s artillery advantage, allowing Ukraine to maintain its front lines, according to Czech Foreign Minister Jan Lipavský. Sixteen countries have contributed to the initiative, which was launched in 2024 and has delivered 1.5 million rounds last year, with additional contributions from various nations, including 320,000 NATO-standard 155 mm shells. The program remains on track to meet its objectives, with Ukraine’s President Zelenskyy emphasizing the importance of the Czech-led channel for the total ammunition supply.
Ukraine has gained the ability to independently launch deep strikes into Russia, as stated by President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. This shift moves away from the prior reliance on US-provided weapons like the ATACMS, which required Washington’s approval. Ukraine’s development of domestically produced long-range missiles, such as the Neptune and the Flamingo, has contributed to this new capability. The Flamingo, with a range of 1,800 miles, could potentially threaten key Russian military facilities.
John Q. Hosedrinker