Ukraine
As part of Bring Kids Back UA, a child who had been under occupation for years has been returned. She is preparing to study at a Ukrainian university.
The Ministry of Education of the Russian Federation has approved 17 compulsory subjects for schools in the occupied territories. The occupiers are turning schools into military training grounds, teaching only Russian history and forcing "military-patriotic education."
The EU is struggling to develop new sanctions against Russia, considering restrictions on the movement of diplomats. An increase in profits for Ukraine from frozen Russian assets is also being discussed.
Brent and WTI oil prices fell after a rise caused by fears of fuel supply disruptions. Traders expect stronger US sanctions against Russian oil and are monitoring the consequences of tariffs imposed against India.
On the night of August 26, a strange beam of light was recorded over Ukraine, which moved and left a light trail. The phenomenon was also observed in France and Germany, experts are considering versions of a comet, an atmospheric phenomenon, or a rocket launch.
Ukrainian schoolchildren are preparing for the new academic year with an updated curriculum, including a new mandatory subject "Entrepreneurship and Financial Literacy" and significant changes in the teaching of "Defense of Ukraine. "
Russia launched 59 Shahed drones and decoys over Ukraine. Air defense forces neutralized 47 enemy UAVs, 12 drones hit 9 locations.
As a result of a drone attack in Sumy region on August 26, 2025, two women were injured. Damage to residential and non-residential buildings, as well as equipment, was recorded.
The National Bank of Ukraine set the official hryvnia exchange rate at UAH 41. 4300/USD, which depreciated it by 15 kopecks. Euro and zloty exchange rates were also set.
The head of the Polish president's office stated that President Nawrocki's veto does not disable Starlink internet for Ukraine. He noted that the connection is financed based on current law.
Over the past day, 174 combat engagements were recorded at the front. More than half of them occurred in the Pokrovsk, Lyman, and Novopavlivka directions.
Over the past day, August 25, Russian occupation forces lost 890 servicemen, 4 tanks, and 33 artillery systems. The total combat losses of the enemy from 24.02.22 to 26.08.25 amount to 1,077,830 personnel.
On August 26, cloudy weather is expected in Ukraine with short-term rains and thunderstorms in some regions. The air temperature will range from 15° to 26° Celsius.
In Russia, high-ranking officials from three border regions have been detained, accused of embezzling funds allocated for defensive fortifications. The Kremlin is attempting to shift the blame onto them for the failure to repel the Ukrainian invasion in Kursk Oblast.
Norway will help Ukraine get through winter and supports gas purchases, said Andriy Yermak, head of the Presidential Office. The meeting between Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre took place on August 25.
Minister of Foreign Affairs Andriy Sybiha discussed Ukraine's position on security guarantees with the US Secretary of State and European counterparts. Ukraine is ready for meetings at the leaders' level to end the war and strengthen sanctions against Russia.
In the temporarily occupied territories, Russians forbid children to speak Ukrainian in schools. Parents are threatened with criminal liability for "extremism."
A watermelon shortage has emerged in the occupied left-bank Kherson region. The occupiers artificially regulate the sown areas, exporting most of the harvest to Moscow and St. Petersburg.
Ukrainian Defense Minister Denys Shmyhal met with German Vice-Chancellor Lars Klingbeil. The parties discussed the financing of armaments, strengthening air defense and the transfer of two Patriot systems, as well as the development of joint ventures.
In Donetsk region, a serviceman attempted to sell weapons for over 1. 7 million UAH. He exchanged 26 grenades and 9 grenade launchers for a drone, which he then resold for 40,000 UAH.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine condemned Russia's actions regarding the inclusion of the ports of Berdiansk and Mariupol in the list open to foreign vessels. Ukraine calls on international partners to impose additional sanctions.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio discussed with European ministers and Ukraine diplomatic efforts to resolve the Russian-Ukrainian war. The parties agreed to coordinate efforts for a negotiated settlement.
Ukrainian Defense Minister Denys Shmyhal discussed with US President's Special Representative Keith Kellogg preparations for signing an agreement on the production and supply of drones. The parties also discussed Ukraine's defense priorities and security guarantees.
By the end of August, at least 30,000 places for evacuees, including those with limited mobility, will be prepared in 15 regions of Ukraine and Kyiv. This will help relieve transit centers and ensure comfortable conditions.
American director Woody Allen rejected Ukraine's accusations of "whitewashing" Russian crimes. This happened after his remote participation in the Moscow Film Week, where he spoke online.
Ukraine has received over a million large-caliber artillery shells as part of the Czech initiative. The total number of ammunition transferred will reach 1.8 million shells by the end of the year.
Donald Trump stated that the US is studying the experience of drone warfare in Ukraine, as it is an entirely new form of combat. He noted that there hasn't been a war of such scale since World War II.
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy appointed Oleksiy Havrysh as Ambassador of Ukraine to Iceland concurrently. He is also the Ambassador of Ukraine to Norway.
Kyiv police detained a 42-year-old man who, for $8000, promised conscripts illegal border crossing to Europe by river. He was detained while receiving an advance payment of $5000.
The Trump administration is considering sanctions against the EU or European officials over the Digital Services Act. Washington claims the law restricts freedom of speech and creates costs for American tech companies.