Ukraine

A law on the legalization of medical cannabis has come into force in Ukraine. It regulates the production and circulation of cannabis for the treatment of cancer and other diseases, as well as post-traumatic stress disorders.

The government plans to submit a new draft law on public procurement to the Rada with a number of important changes. New deadlines, a ban on procurement from certain countries, simplified procedures and other innovations are proposed.

The US State Department has approved a potential $5 billion sale of 600 Patriot anti-aircraft missiles to Germany. This will help Germany strengthen its air defense in line with new NATO plans.

Transparency in the selection of the head of the Deposit Guarantee Fund is one of the keys to receiving IMF financial assistance.

Forecasters predict a heat wave in Ukraine, which will lead to an increase in electricity consumption. The Energy Ministry urges consumers to save money and businesses to import electricity to avoid supply restrictions.

The SBU detained three FSB agents in Kherson who were collecting intelligence on the Defense Forces. The criminals planned to attract more “like-minded people” through the Telegram channel for espionage.

On the night of August 16, air defense systems shot down 2 Shakhtys in southern Ukraine. On August 15, 2 reconnaissance and 4 attack UAVs were destroyed. In Mykolaiv region, the enemy attacked a community with two FPV drones, no casualties were reported.

Russian troops fired 23 times at the border areas of Sumy region. There were 65 explosions in 8 communities, including artillery, mortar, rocket and air strikes.

The Canadian Ministry of Defense has stated that Ukraine can freely use the provided armored vehicles on the territory of Russia. Canada does not impose geographical restrictions on the use of military equipment transferred to Ukraine.

At night, 5 drones launched by Russia were shot down over Ukraine. The enemy also attacked with 3 Iskander-M ballistic missiles. Mobile firing groups and electronic warfare assets were involved in the air battle.

There were 144 combat engagements in the frontline, almost a third of them in the Pokrovsk sector. The enemy launched 7 missile and 74 air strikes, dropping 101 drones. Defense forces are repelling the attacks.

In Ukraine, on August 16, it will be mostly without precipitation, with some rain in the west. The temperature at night will be 10-20°, during the day 24-34°. In the Kyiv region, it is dry, up to 29° during the day.

The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine has updated data on the losses of the Russian army in Ukraine. Over the past day, the occupiers lost 1,330 soldiers, 12 tanks and 59 artillery systems.

The United States considers Ukraine's invasion of Kursk region a defensive move, but expresses concern about further advancement. Washington is trying to determine Ukraine's goals and assess the use of American weapons.

An air alert has been declared in the capital and several regions of Ukraine. The Kyiv City State Administration urges residents to immediately go to civil defense shelters.

There were 111 combat engagements over the last day, the situation was the most intense in the Pokrovsk sector. The enemy launched 5 missile and 53 air strikes, engaged 502 kamikaze drones and fired over 3,100 times.

The head of the DIU outlined the priorities for the release of prisoners: seriously wounded, women, and Azovstal defenders. The strategy was presented at the Supreme Commander-in-Chief's Staff.

SBU Head Vasyl Malyuk announces the capture of 102 Russian servicemen in Kursk region. The negotiating group for the exchange of prisoners was expanded to include representatives of the SBU, the GUR, the MIA, the Armed Forces, the SZR and the Ombudsman.

OCU Primate Epifaniy appealed to Metropolitan Onufriy of the UOC-MP to start a dialogue on the unity of Orthodox churches in Ukraine. He emphasized the need to abandon preconditions for the start of the dialogue.

The President introduced a draft law on social protection of the military participating in operations in Russia. The draft law provides for payments and preferences for those serving on the front line.

The first case of Clade I monkeypox outside of Africa has been detected in Sweden. The person became infected while staying in the African region where the disease is outbreak.

The President submitted to the Verkhovna Rada a draft law on ratification of the Rome Statute of the ICC and amendments to the Criminal Code. It is proposed to increase liability for international crimes and add new articles.

123 military units have implemented the procedure for submitting electronic reports through Army+. The app allows you to submit reports in minutes, having the same legal force as paper reports.

The Ministry of Finance reported $98. 7 billion in direct budget support from donors since February 2022. The funds are allocated for social, humanitarian and priority non-military budget expenditures.

Residents of the Kursk region of the Russian Federation are being evacuated to health care facilities in occupied Crimea. Ukrainian officials call this a violation of the Geneva Convention and a continuation of the practice of changing the demographic composition of the peninsula.

The Verkhovna Rada's Law Enforcement Committee recommended the adoption of draft laws to deprive state awards for propaganda of the aggressor and to improve the procedure for handling weapons. This was done pursuant to the order of the President of Ukraine.

NABU First Deputy Director Gizo Uglava requests an open meeting of the disciplinary commission on August 21. He emphasizes the importance of ensuring the objectivity and transparency of the process.

The Minister of Digital Transformation of Ukraine met with the US Ambassador for Cyberspace. They discussed cybersecurity, Ukraine's needs, and plans for cooperation, including the development of the Tallinn Mechanism and USAID projects.

The Biden administration is open to providing Ukraine with JASSM long-range cruise missiles for the F-16. This would give the Ukrainian Armed Forces the ability to launch missiles over 320 kilometers from fighter jets.

No restrictions on electricity consumption are expected in Ukraine on August 16. Ukrenergo urges to consume electricity sparingly and not to turn on powerful appliances from 18:00 to 24:00.