Pentagon chief Pete Hegseth has dismissed Lieutenant General Jeffrey Cruz, director of the Defense Intelligence Agency. The reason for the dismissal may be "loss of confidence," which is part of a broader purge of senior management.
US President Donald Trump expressed a desire to keep the World Cup trophy, which FIFA head Gianni Infantino brought to the White House. Infantino also presented Trump with the first ticket to the 2026 World Cup.
Donald Trump expressed his desire to meet with Putin and Zelenskyy. He noted that many consider such a meeting to be fruitless.
Head of the President's Office Andriy Yermak announced that the first drafts of security guarantees for Ukraine will be ready next week. These guarantees include strengthening the Armed Forces of Ukraine, developing the military-industrial complex, and a clear action plan in case of aggression, similar to NATO's Article 5.
Bill No. 13685, registered in the Verkhovna Rada, proposes to allow men who have not reached conscription age to travel abroad. The document also enshrines the state's right to restrict the departure of conscripts and those liable for military service.
President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated that Russia does not want to end the war, putting forward ultimatums. This is being done so that US President Donald Trump does not impose sanctions on the Russian Federation.
NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte announced that the US will participate in providing security guarantees to Ukraine. The guarantees will consist of two levels, one of which involves strengthening the Armed Forces of Ukraine, and the other – support from the US and Europe.
On August 14, Ukrainian forces launched a UAV strike on the vessel "Port Olya-4" in the port of "Olya", which was transporting Iranian military materials. This strike underscores Ukraine's capabilities to strike deep into Russian territory.
The New York Court of Appeals overturned the decision to collect approximately half a billion dollars from Donald Trump in a fraud case. The judges confirmed Trump's responsibility but overturned the punishment, as it violates the Eighth Amendment.
Kyiv "Dynamo" lost to Israeli "Maccabi" with a score of 3:1 in the first match of the Europa League qualification play-off. The match, which took place in Serbia, was accompanied by heavy rain and the sending off of Dynamo player Kostiantyn Vivcharenko in the second half.
The US Treasury Department has imposed new sanctions against Iran, targeting a network of companies and vessels transporting Iranian oil. The sanctions target Greek national Antonios Margaritis and his network, which facilitated illegal oil exports.
Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine Oleksandr Syrskyi announced the development of a military component to support diplomatic peace negotiations. Proposals will be presented to national security advisors of partner countries.
The law guarantees servicemen 15 days of annual leave. Combatants will receive an additional 14 days, and contract soldiers aged 18-24 will get leave for exams.
President Zelenskyy announced negotiations between national security advisors and the military's work on the military component of security guarantees. Ukraine's future security architecture is being formed daily.
President Zelenskyy stated that Russia is sending indecent signals regarding the end of the war, continuing massive attacks. Moscow is trying to avoid a meeting at the leaders' level.
The fuel crisis is deepening in the regions of the Russian Federation, leading to restrictions on gasoline sales in the regions. The Russian authorities are urgently purchasing fuel from Belarus to meet demand.
Russian dictator Vladimir Putin demands that Ukraine withdraw troops from Donbas and refuse to join NATO. In return, Moscow is ready to stop the war along the current front line in Zaporizhzhia and Kherson regions.
A 17-year-old teenager was sentenced to 10 years in prison for planning a terrorist attack in a mosque in Greenock. He had an air gun and aerosol cans with him, which he planned to use to set the building on fire.
Before the autumn season, it is necessary to prepare the garden and orchard for the cold, so that all overwintering plants successfully survive the frosts. It is important to weed the beds, remove plant residues, take care of perennial crops, and plant autumn ones.
Hungarian Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó confirmed the country's readiness to host peace talks between Russia and Ukraine. Hungary is ready to provide suitable conditions for their conduct.
August 21 marks several events, including No Cosmetics and Makeup Day, World Avatar Day, and International Day of Remembrance of Victims of Terrorism. Also today is Poet's Day and Online Self-Care Day.
Lithuanian President Gitanas Nausėda stated the country's readiness to provide peacekeeping troops and military equipment for a possible mission in Ukraine. Lithuania's participation in peacekeeping operations will not differ in scale from the mission in Afghanistan.
The Israel Defense Forces began an offensive on Gaza City, controlling its outskirts. The IDF plans to call up 80,000 reservists for the operation.
The prosecutor's office, together with the National Police and the SBU, notified 34 persons of suspicion. Among them are a lawyer, a former head of the Medical and Social Expert Commission (MSEC), and "clients" who evaded mobilization or illegally transported persons across the border.
The Cabinet of Ministers approved a draft law that strengthens responsibility for violations by conscripts, those liable for military service, and reservists regarding the period of stay outside Ukraine. It is proposed to supplement the Criminal Code with a new qualifying feature and establish criminal liability for illegal border crossing during martial law.
The Cabinet of Ministers approved a draft law on the creation of the National Bureau for Investigation of Transport Accidents. This is a new independent body that will investigate transport incidents and adapt European safety standards.
Poland's Minister of Defense stated that the country will not send its military to Ukraine. This does not prevent it from participating in the "Coalition of the Willing," defending NATO's eastern flank.
Poland will send a note of protest to Russia after a Russian decoy drone fell on its territory. This drone was a lure without a warhead, designed to distract air defense.
NATO Chiefs of Staff met on August 20. They reaffirmed their support for Ukraine, emphasizing the priority of a just and lasting peace.
The Verkhovna Rada Committee supported the suspension of Mariana Bezuhla from parliamentary sessions for violating regulations and antisocial behavior. The resolution is planned to be voted on tomorrow at the parliamentary session.
