A joint investigation by the BBC Russian Service, Mediazona, and volunteers has confirmed the deaths of over 128,000 Russian soldiers in Ukraine since the 2022 invasion, identifying names as of early September. This figure is based on obituaries, which do not represent the full death toll, and includes a growing number of volunteer fighters, alongside prisoners and mobilized soldiers. The investigation also noted that the share of volunteer fighters now make up the core of Russia’s offensive force in Ukraine. While Moscow and Kyiv rarely release official figures, independent estimates suggest the death toll may be significantly higher, and Russia continues to make advances in eastern Ukraine despite the losses.
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Despite ongoing peace talks, Russia is reportedly preparing a new offensive in eastern Ukraine, with a potential breakthrough near Pokrovsk, a city Moscow has struggled to capture. Ukrainian President Zelensky stated Russia has deployed a significant number of troops to the area, which is a key transport hub for Ukrainian forces in Donbas. If captured, Pokrovsk’s fall could allow Russian forces to attack major Ukrainian-held cities in the Donetsk region. As peace talks remain stalled, Ukraine and its allies are working to bolster Kyiv’s defenses through weapons acquisitions and domestic development programs.
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Ukraine’s intelligence branch has identified over 260 pieces of foreign-made equipment used by Russia’s Uralvagonzavod, the country’s primary tank manufacturer. These high-tech tools, including those from NATO member states, are used to produce T-series tanks, forming the backbone of Russia’s armored forces. The Ukrainian agency’s findings suggest that the majority of this equipment was purchased before 2022, prior to the implementation of sanctions. Kyiv hopes this updated list will encourage foreign manufacturers to carefully monitor the supply of spare parts and software updates to Russia, potentially impacting its military production.
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Russia Distracts Its Citizens From Ukraine War With Nonstop Festivals, it seems like a classic playbook. The comments immediately bring up the bread and circus analogy, a historical strategy to pacify a population, and that’s definitely a relevant point. It’s about keeping people entertained, keeping them fed (or at least drunk on vodka), and keeping them from focusing on the harsh realities, like, you know, a war that’s costing lives and resources. The idea is to create a sense of normalcy, of fun, while the country is embroiled in conflict. It’s a very deliberate attempt to control the narrative and manage public perception.… Continue reading
The Ukrainian General Staff reported that Russia’s spring-summer offensive of 2025 concluded without achieving significant territorial gains, with Russian forces failing to capture any major Ukrainian cities. During the offensive, Ukrainian forces inflicted heavy losses on the invading army, resulting in nearly 210,000 Russian casualties and the destruction of thousands of military equipment units. The General Staff dismissed Russian claims of territorial control and successful strikes as attempts to mask setbacks and misrepresent the situation, as Russia’s overall losses since the start of the year exceed 291,000 killed and wounded.
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Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has dismissed proposals for a buffer zone between Ukrainian and Russian forces, deeming them impractical in the face of modern drone warfare. He argues that the existing threat of drone strikes effectively creates a “dead zone” along the front lines, rendering traditional buffer zones obsolete. Zelensky also rejected the idea of ceding Ukrainian territory as part of a deal. He believes Russia is not ready for genuine peace negotiations and is only seeking to delay the war’s conclusion.
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Following the Russian strikes on Kyiv on Thursday, August 28, President Volodymyr Zelensky reported 23 fatalities, including four children, with eight individuals still unaccounted for. Rescue operations at the residential building site, which bore the brunt of the attack, are now complete. Zelensky also indicated that 53 people were injured, and buildings belonging to the European Union and the British Council sustained damage. The Kremlin claimed the strikes targeted military infrastructure, including a drone factory in the Kyiv region.
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Overnight on August 28th, Russia launched a large-scale aerial assault on Kyiv and other Ukrainian regions, utilizing a barrage of missiles and drones. The attacks, which targeted areas far from the front lines, resulted in at least 15 fatalities, including children, and dozens of injuries, with damage reported across multiple districts. Ukrainian air defenses intercepted a significant portion of the incoming projectiles, yet substantial damage was inflicted upon residential buildings, infrastructure, and media offices. The international community has condemned the attacks, viewing them as a deliberate escalation and a rejection of peace efforts.
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Overnight on August 28, Russia launched a large-scale aerial assault on Ukrainian cities, particularly targeting Kyiv with missiles and drones. The attack resulted in at least 14 fatalities in the capital, including several children, and dozens of injuries. Ukrainian air defenses intercepted a significant number of the incoming missiles and drones, but the attacks caused widespread damage to residential buildings, offices, and infrastructure. The city of Kyiv was targeted from multiple directions, and emergency services are currently engaged in rescue operations and damage assessment as the conflict continues.
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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.
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John Q. Hosedrinker 
Matt Underwood