Stepan Haftko
Iran and Oman have moved closer to an agreement on regulating shipping in the Strait of Hormuz following a series of attacks on vessels. Negotiations are ongoing; the next stage will address transit fees and security measures.
On August 15, Russian forces attacked the Kherson region with artillery and drones, striking civilian vehicles near the village of Sahaidachne. Five people were injured, and the prosecutor's office launched an investigation.
Putin personally decided to exclude the Yabloko party from the electoral list for the State Duma. Kiriyenko and the FSB supported this, considering the party a risk to the authorities.
Throughout the winter and summer of 2026, RDK UAV operators from the DIU struck the positions, equipment, and logistics of Russian forces in the Zaporizhzhia sector. This weakened the occupiers’ ability to hold their positions and conduct rotations.
On August 15, 11 people, including children, were killed in Israeli airstrikes on the villages of Ansar and Deir ez-Zahrani. The Prime Minister of Lebanon condemned the strikes, calling them a disruption of efforts to stabilize the situation.
On August 15, Moroccan security forces used tear gas and detained some of the migrants who were trying to cross the border. This followed a mass influx at the end of July, when at least 94 people died.
Poland held the largest military parade in its history in Warsaw, featuring more than 2,000 military personnel and 300 pieces of equipment. Prime Minister Tusk said that the country must be strong in order to avoid war.
Hungarian authorities are sinking barges near the Paks nuclear power plant to raise the water level in the Danube for cooling the reactors. Due to the low water level, the plant has already reduced production, and there is a risk of a complete shutdown.
Ukrainian regions received energy equipment worth over €1. 8 million from international partners. The assistance was provided by the EU, the United Kingdom, Germany and Denmark to five regions.
The Ministry of Health of Ukraine published a list of useful habits for schoolchildren. These include regular handwashing, oral hygiene, and monitoring screen time.
The European Broadcasting Union proposes moving voting entirely online and requiring viewers to choose at least three participants. The changes are aimed at reducing the influence of coordinated campaigns, particularly following the scandal over voting for Israel.
According to the Foreign Intelligence Service of Ukraine, Russia’s federal budget deficit reached 6. 46 trillion rubles, while oil and gas revenues fell by 17%. The authorities are preparing a new tax increase due to the depletion of the National Wealth Fund’s liquid resources.
The German Foreign Ministry has updated its recommendations for citizens regarding travel to Ukraine, warning of the risk of intensified Russian attacks around August 24. The ministry emphasized that the airspace is closed and that consular assistance options are limited.
At least 38 people were killed and 13 others injured in a magnitude 7. 7 earthquake in eastern Indonesia. Rescuers cannot reach the Nagekeo area because of landslides and disrupted communications.
Minister of Foreign Affairs Andrii Sybiha reached an agreement with UN Tourism on 500 scholarships for study at the Online Academy. Of these, 200 scholarships are designated for Ukrainian veterans.
On August 15, Russian forces struck Kryvyi Rih and Kropyvnytskyi. A man was injured in Kryvyi Rih, and part of the city is without electricity.
Ukraine's Defense Forces struck Russian military targets in the Luhansk, Donetsk, and Zaporizhzhia regions. A "Strela-10" air defense missile system, UAV storage facilities, and two command posts were hit.
Overnight, Russia attacked Ukraine with 133 drones. Air defense forces shot down and suppressed 111 UAVs; hits were recorded at 15 locations.
Putin visited the Kuril Island of Iturup for the first time; the island is the subject of a territorial dispute with Japan. He inspected a fish-processing plant, demonstrating Moscow's position regarding control over the islands.
Venezuela’s opposition and interim government have completed the first round of negotiations, agreeing on judicial system reform and access to frozen assets. Some of the funds are planned to be used for recovery following the earthquakes in June.
Karoline Leavitt will leave her position as White House press secretary at the end of August. Among the candidates to replace her are Anna Kelly, Sage Steele, Jason Miller and others.
Meta deactivated 756,000 accounts belonging to Australians under 16 on Facebook and Instagram. Australia was the first to introduce a social media ban for children, but more than 80% continued to use them.
According to the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, over the past day Russian forces lost about 1,310 servicemen, three tanks and 51 artillery systems. Russia’s total losses since the start of the invasion amount to approximately 1,462,970 servicemen.
Two people were killed in the crash of an AH-64 Apache military helicopter in Texas. A fire broke out after the crash, leading to the evacuation of homes.
The U. S. military plans to fully leave Iraq by September 30, ending a presence that began with the 2003 invasion. The Iraqi prime minister called this date fixed, and the withdrawal from Erbil is already underway.
The US and Japan are considering a project to mine rare earth elements from the seabed near Minamitorishima Island at a depth of 6 km. This is intended to reduce dependence on China, which dominates the market.
Oil prices are rising for the fifth consecutive day amid a lack of progress on reopening the Strait of Hormuz and an expected crude supply shortage. The IEA forecasts a deficit of 1.8 million barrels per day in the third quarter of 2026.
The Russian dry cargo ship MECHTA S was spotted in a Turkish port with World War I-era "dazzle" camouflage. However, such protection is ineffective against modern drones equipped with thermal imaging cameras.
Ukraine could receive 70 ATACMS M39 ballistic missiles from Turkey, with a range of approximately 165 km. These missiles could strike targets in Russia’s Belgorod, Kursk, and Bryansk regions.
Ford plans to move production of Lincoln models, including the Nautilus, from China to the U. S. in 2030 due to high tariffs. CEO Jim Farley said the decision was made to strengthen the company's manufacturing base.