Welcome to a weekly roundup of news from the war in Ukraine you probably did not hear about.
All reports are linked to their sources so you can read the original if you’d like to. If you have any questions, detect errors and omissions, or need more detail, just let me know.
Here are some of the things you probably did not hear about for the week from Sunday 2nd to Saturday 8th August 2026:
By the way, today is Day 1,227 of Putin’s 3-Day Special Military Operation.
HEADLINES THAT NEVER WERE
(BUT SHOULD HAVE BEEN)
As ever, welcome to The Under Reported War.
Record Russian Casualties in July
Russia Lost 42,860 Troops in July, More Than 30,000 Hit by Drones
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“Russian forces suffered a record 42,860 personnel casualties in July, the highest monthly figure recorded since the beginning of the year.
In the first seven months of 2026, Russian personnel losses, including both wounded and killed, totalled 238,650. July was also marked by a high intensity of combat operations.According to the Ukrainian General Staff, 7,922 combat engagements were recorded last month.”
This is the highest total in 2026 so far, and all for a minute gain of 37.85 square kilometres. That’s just over half area of the tiny Crown Dependency island of Guernsey in the English Channel. You might recall that some think tank experts and panicky journalists back in May were warning that two huge armoured offensives were going to break the Ukrainian army this summer. Embarrassing.
No Sale for Russia’s Dud Stealth Fighter
India Rules Out Purchase of Russian Su-57 Fighters
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“India’s Defense Minister announced that the country does not plan to purchase Russian Su-57E fighter jets and will instead focus on upgrading its existing fleet of Su-30MKI aircraft..
New Delhi plans to upgrade some of its fleet of about 260 fourth-generation Su-30MKI fighters to the 4.5+ generation, turning them into combat platforms equipped with Indian radars and long-range precision weapons.”
Danes Plan ‘Maritime Fortress’ to Save Ukraine Grain Exports
Russia’s campaign against Ukraine’s grain exports has brought shipping to a halt. That has huge implications for the global food supply. Ukraine has no defence in depth against Shahed drones if they attack from the Black Sea. Many are still shot down, but there is no attrition along their flight path until they get close to Odesa. A novel drone-based solution is going to be put in place in an attempt to shoot down more Shaheds over the sea.
A swarm of naval drones against “Shaheds”: Denmark prepares a €12m defense for Odesa
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“Danish defense company BlueShadow expects Ukraine’s Defence Ministry to certify its BlueDragon maritime air defence system by late 2026, with deployment planned for Spring 2027. The company says the [missile-firing linked sea-going drones] will intercept Russian Shahed drones over the Black Sea before they reach Odesa and other ports.
It involves a swarm of autonomous unmanned boats capable of operating at a distance of approximately 10-20 kilometres from the shore. The swarm is intended to operate as a single network. The boats will exchange data in real time, each sharing information from their own sensors and with Ukrainian command systems, after which the software will determine which drone should move to intercept an aerial target.”
Patriot Replacement: Ukraine’s missile, Europe’s sensors
Like a well-aimed custard pie, the Law of Unintended Consequences hits Putin in his face again. He is potentially going to be facing the whole of Europe armed with the Freyja ballistic missile interceptor whose supply is not dependent on the whims of fickle American presidents.
Freyja enters active development on an early-2027 clock
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“Ten countries are combining Ukrainian missiles and launchers with European radars and sensors as Russia exposes a widening gap in Ukraine’s air defenses.
Each Freyja missile costs about $700,000, compared with roughly $4 million for a PAC-3 interceptor. However, FREYJA is not a one-for-one Patriot equivalent and has not yet demonstrated a ballistic-missile interception. The lower price could matter if Ukraine can manufacture it at scale.”
NEWS FROM THE FRONTLINE
UKRAINIAN DRONES NETS ENEMY DRONE
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Interceptors equipped with nets have been around for a couple of years. This video is an excellent example of how they work. Their big advantage is that the interceptor FPV is not destroyed in the attack. It can be reloaded with a new net and go hunting again.
Russian fibre-optic FPV drone taken down by a net from a FPV drone [video]
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DRAPATYI STARTS TO REFORM ARMY
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Former Chief Sergeant Valerii Markus is not just a strong leader on the battlefield, he is also not afraid to stand up to incompetent officers who endanger their troops unnecessarily. Three years ago he resigned out of frustration at the slow pace of change and the side-lining of chief master sergeants (sergeant-majors) by Soviet-era senior officers. The introduction of the rank of chief sergeant was meant to be a key step in modernising Ukraine’s army to NATO standards.
Now Markus could be back.
Valerii Markus is reportedly under consideration to become chief sergeant of Ukraine’s Armed Forces
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“Markus, former chief master sergeant of the 47th Mechanized Brigade. He became a prominent advocate for a professional NCO corps, stronger sergeant authority and reform of Soviet-style command practices….
The role would focus on army reform and building the NCO corps into a full institution. Markus previously criticized the former military leadership, including Oleksandr Syrskyi.”
RUSSIA’S ‘INVINCIBLE’ WAR MACHINE
A weekly roundup of reports about the corruption, incompetence, and decline of Russia’s once-feared but now shambolic military and its suppliers.
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FROM RUSSIA CHINA WITH LOVE
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Drone manufacturer caught red-handed passing off Chinese-made drones as Russian
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“Yet another import substitution scandal has highlighted a persistent weakness in drone manufacture: economies of scale dictate Chinese dominance of components…
An ongoing investigation into fraud at the drone manufacturer Transport of the Future has reportedly found that the company was relabelling imported Chinese drones as its own products. Its CEO, Yuro Kostarenko, was arrested in May.”
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RUSSIA FORCES POWS TO FIGHT FOR THEM
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This is yet another sign of how desperate Russia has become.
In Violation of the Geneva Convention, Russia Forms New Unit from Ukrainian Prisoners of War
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“Russian Telegram channels claim that the new unit was formed from Ukrainian prisoners of war, despite the fact that the use of prisoners of war in combat operations constitutes a war crime.”
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‘TANKIES’ CAN NOW DIE IN A RUSSIAN TANK
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Western fans of Putin and his police state are called ‘tankies’ because of their obsession with Russian tanks rolling over all opposition even thought these days they are mostly blown up.
A new Comintern: How the Kremlin lures Western “socialists” into the Russian army
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“Russia has built a network linking socialist and anti-globalist groups abroad under the banner of support for left-wing causes.
The effort often starts with seemingly benign events such as community cleanups and discussion clubs before developing into street protests, disinformation campaigns, sabotage operations in Western countries, and even recruitment for Russia’s war in Ukraine.
The Insider has identified several British and U.S. citizens who were recruited to fight for Russia with the help of “communists” and far-left activists.”
The irony is, of course, that the kleptocratic, ultra capitalist secret police state of Russia is about as far from communism and socialism as you can get, but still the ‘tankies’ cheer on the Kremlin.
NEWS OF THE MIDDLE STRIKE
For news of Middle Strike attacks on Russian shipping see the’ SHADOW FLEET NEWS’ section.
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LOGISTICS BURNING
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As ever, the Middle Strike campaign against military logistics and fuel continues. Here are a couple of video compilations that give a sense of the scale of this operation.
A section of Russia’s land logistics corridor to Crimea [video]
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“A freshly burned convoy and vehicles diverting around a damaged bridge across the river.”
Signum unit strikes Russian rear-area logistics routes [video]
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RUSSIAN KAMIKAZE DRONE BASE HEAVILY DAMAGED
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Drone storage bunkers were attacked and NASA FIRMS imagery confirms large fires broke out in Bryansk, Russia. Ukraine has not confirmed what ground-penetrating weapon was used to attack the bunkers.
Underground Storage Facilities for Fuel and Warheads for Shahed Drones Were Struck in the Bryansk Region
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“Satellite images released show craters and signs of fire at the site of three underground storage facilities containing fuel and munitions for Shahed/Geran-2 and Gerbera UAVs near Navlya in the Bryansk region.”
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UNIVERSITY HOCKEY STADIUM CONVERTED TO DRONE PILOT TRAINING COURSE DESTROYED
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Ukrainian Drones Strike FPV Operator Training Ground in Belgorod
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“Ukrainian drones attacked a building at Belgorod State Technological University, where the Russians had set up drone production and FPV operator training.
“The university hockey stadium was used as an obstacle course “To train FPV operators, with nets, rings, and other obstacles.”
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ANOTHER VALUABLE S-400 MISSILE LAUNCHER HIT
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High-End S-400 Missile Launcher Struck in Crimea [video]
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“Footage claimed to show an FP-2 strike drone hitting Russian S-400 positions near Kerch, filmed by Russian troops at the site.”
There is a secondary explosion, so probably not a dummy.
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NAVAL DRONE CARRIERS LAUNCHES AERIAL ATTACK ON CRIMEA
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Footage of a naval drone carrier (see previous issues) launching first person view (FPV) drones in July at targets in Crimea has just been released. Why use FPVs when Middle Strike drones with larger warhead could be used? Because FPVs have very precise control. The winged Middle Strike drones are lightweight and vulnerable to even light eddies of wind pushing them off target. FPVs guarantee a precision attack.
Naval drone carries launches FPV attack on Crimean radars [video]
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“Ukraine’s latest Magura maritime platforms, equipped to launch FPV drones, struck two Russian radar assets in occupied Crimea in late July: a command vehicle from a Podlyot radar complex and a Parol-4 identification-friend-or-foe interrogator.”
UKRAINE’S LONG-RANGE WAR
REFINERY ROUNDUP
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The Ufa oil-refining complex has now been hit for two consecutive weeks. Its three Bashneft refineries with a combined annual capacity of around 23.5 million tonnes of crude oil.
Saratov oil refinery was ablaze once more following a massive drone attack.
Volgograd Refinery halts crude processing.
A strike on the Slavneft-YANOS refinery in Yaroslavl damaged the refinery’s key ELOU-1 and AVT-3 processing units, and four RVS-2000 crude oil tanks. With a processing capacity of around 15 million tonnes of crude oil annually, it is one of the five largest in the country.
Three storage tanks, pipelines damaged in Unmanned Systems Forces and SSU strike on Tamanneftegaz Oil Terminal.
The Syzran oil refinery was set ablaze again. At least three strikes hit the plant’s AVT unit and oil tanks. The plant has an annual processing capacity of roughly 7 to 8.9 million tonnes of oil.
The Ilsky refinery in Krasnodar region was also hit on Friday night.
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Russian oil refining fell to 3.6 million barrels per day in July
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“[Production is] down 150,000 barrels per day (bpd) from June, according to Bloomberg. The report says this is Russia’s lowest monthly refining rate since May 2002. For comparison, July 2021 averaged 5.59 million bpd.
Large Russian refineries and oil tankers, as well as sea and major pipeline infrastructure, were hit at least 30 times last month, according to data compiled by Bloomberg.”
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WILDBERRIES ROUNDUP
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The Wildberries logistics hub in Aleksin can now be considered completely destroyed.
The Wildberries logistics hub in Novosemeykino, Samara region burned and completely collapsed. Video of drone strike.
The brand new 175,000-square-metre Wildberries’ Khryastovo logistics hub near Vladimir sustained significant damage after FP-1 drone strikes (video).
On Wednesday, another Wildberries logistics hub in the Tula region was added to the list of destroyed facilities.
Video of three Liutyi kamikaze drones striking the Wildberries logistics hub outside Yekaterinburg.
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According to preliminary data, up to 28% of Wildberries’ logistics infrastructure has been damaged or destroyed (5th Aug)
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The data is from 5th August. It is aready out of gate.
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SUBS DIVE TO ESCAPE DRONES
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Let’s hope they forget to close their hatches. (Btw, that has happened before.)
Russia submerges subs during drone attacks
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“Russia has begun submerging its submarines at the Novorossiysk naval base while leaving anti-drone protective structures mounted above them during Ukrainian drone attacks”
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UKRAINE’S DEEP STRIKE DRONE DEBUTS
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Ukraine’s new Bravo drone is a cousin to America’s stealth bombers. It reaches Ufa in three hours
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“Ukraine’s newest strike drone has a unique shape, with a blended wing and body… The shape confers greater efficiency, and thus greater range and payload, at certain speeds. And that helps it range deep inside Russia, faster, and with a heavier payload.
Everything that has reached that deep into Russia until now has been propeller-driven, plodding along at less than 200 km/hr. A jet Bravo cruising at 600 km/hr covers the same 1,700 km in under three hours instead of nine and a half.“
PETROL QUEUES & OTHER RUSSIAN NEWS
BURDENED BY DEBT, RUSSIA’S RAILWAYS APPROACH BREAKING POINT
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Russia’s Railways, Backbone of Its War Logistics, Are Sliding Into Crisis
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“Burdened by mounting debt, declining freight volumes, and an emerging diesel fuel shortage, the Russian Railways (RZD) is once again raising prices in an effort to stabilize its finances.”
The price hike came as RZD’s financial burden continues to grow. The company’s debt has approached 4 trillion rubles, while freight volumes continue to decline. Last year, the railway network transported only 1.1 billion tons of cargo, the lowest annual figure since 2009.
Russia’s railway network remains the primary means of transporting heavy military equipment, ammunition, fuel, and industrial products across the country’s vast territory. Any deterioration in its financial position directly affects one of the key pillars supporting Russia’s war effort.
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PUTIN SCARED TO TRAVEL WEST
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Putin Avoids Travel to Western Russia Amid Rising Drone Threat
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“Since resuming domestic travel in June, Russian President Vladimir Putin has predominantly chosen destinations in Siberia and the Far East, reportedly to avoid regions further west that are frequently targeted by Ukrainian drones. He is expected to visit the Novosibirsk region next week.”
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KGB’S SUCCESSOR IN CRACKDOWN INSIDE RUSSIA
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Putin Looks to FSB Hardliners to Keep Wartime Elite in Line
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“Many of Russia’s elite fear the Federal Security Service (FSB) is out of control as President Vladimir Putin tasks the agency with maintaining his grip on power amid growing unease over the war in Ukraine.
The FSB has been given free rein to investigate anyone with little or no accountability, and is behind the push to charge billionaire Pavel Durov with terrorism as part of efforts to restrict Telegram.
Business tycoons are also being targeted by investigators and prosecutors amid a sweeping wartime asset grab that’s redistributing properties to people close to or loyal to the [Kremlin].
“People are all scared, because no one knows who they’ll come for,” sociologist Ella Paneyakh said.”
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MIGHTY OIL PRODUCER REDUCED TO IMPORTING MORE GASOLINE
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First India, now Morocco.
Russia to import gasoline from Morocco
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“Ukrainian strikes have cut Russian refining to a two-decade low, forcing one of the world’ largest oil producers to buy finished fuel abroad—first from India, now from Morocco, shipped to the Arctic.”
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PUTIN SUBSIDISES STATE GAS STATIONS, LETS PRIVATE ONES SUFFER
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Kremlin is squeezing independent gas stations out of its fuel market
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“Russia cannot make more fuel. So it’s handing the market to the state-linked majors, and the independent ones are being cut out.”
RUSSIA’S LONG-RANGE WAR
Attacks continue almost nightly against cities and ports. You possibly heard about them. What you almost certainly won’y have heard is how brutal the attacks targeting civilians are.
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RUSSIA USES CLUSTER MUNITIONS AGAINST KYIV CIVILIANS
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Kharkiv, Ukraine’s second city, has been bombarded with ballistic missiles carrying cluster munitions since 2022. Kyiv’s civilian population is suffering the same attack.
Russia Strikes Kyiv with Cluster-Warhead Ballistic Missile
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“Footage shows numerous submunitions detonating almost simultaneously after the missile impact, a pattern consistent with the deployment of a cluster warhead.
This pattern of impact is characteristic of cluster warheads, which disperse dozens of submunitions over the target after detonation.
These submunitions are designed to engage personnel as well as lightly armored and unarmored vehicles across a designated area.”
MOBILISATION NEWS
UKRAINE INVESTIGATES ILLEGAL DRAFT EXEMPTIONS
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Memories are short. There hasn’t been a military in history where reluctant draftees did not go into hiding to avoid the draft. Even Nelson’s Royal Navy, arguably the most effective military force in history, relied upon press gangs to make up the numbers of its crews.
Draft officers searched in Zakarpattia amid allegations of over 1,000 illegal exemptions, media reports
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“Staff of the Ukrainian military’s draft offices and military medical commissions in the city of Mukachevo in Zakarpattia were allegedly searched on Aug. 6 by law enforcement in connection with over 1,000 alleged cases of men taken illegally off the draft register, Ukrainian media reported.
The alleged searches reflect persistent problems in Ukraine’s strained mobilization system, where draft offices and medical commissions accept bribes from military-eligible men to provide exemption documents or remove them from the register entirely.”
SABOTAGE, FALSE FLAGS, ACTIVE MEASURES, AND ASSASSINATIONS
It’s been a busy week with failed Russian sabotage and assassinations in Germany and Ukraine. Ukraine’s successfully killed two more Russian generals in a Moscow restaurant. There are warnings of Russian false flag drone attacks in the Baltics. And Russia is accused of stirring up fears across Europe after the Ceuta incident.
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FIFTY PLUS ASSASSINATION ATTEMPTS, ZERO RUSSIAN SUCCESS
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Over 50 Russian Assassination Attempts on Military Personnel via Honey Traps Foiled Since the Start of the Year
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“Enemy agents use dating sites and themed chat rooms in messaging apps, where they use fake accounts to befriend military personnel and lure them into staged dates. The soldiers are then invited to prearranged locations where the assassination attempt takes place.
Most often, Russian intelligence services use homemade explosive devices planted at the site of a planned attack to attempt to eliminate Ukrainian defenders. They also use lethal poisons synthesized from narcotic, psychotropic, and other chemical substances.
In late July, the SSU reported the detention of FSB agents who attempted to eliminate several dozen Ukrainian soldiers by organizing a “charity” party for them.”
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GERMAN AIRPORT BUS DRIVER FOILS DRONE ATTACK WITH A KICK
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I suspect this guy was very lucky to survive.
Explosive Drone Found Near Ukrainian An-124 in Germany
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“A [FPV] drone carrying explosives was found near a Ukrainian An-124 Ruslan transport aircraft at Leipzig Airport in Germany during the night of August 5… The airport is a major NATO and cargo logistics hub.
[A bus driver standing on the tarmac] spotted the drone flying low while he was working at Leipzig/Halle airport late on Tuesday, then kicked out at it. It crashed nearby.
There are reports the transport was carrying ammunition but not necessarily to Ukraine.”
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TWO RUSSIAN AGENTS ARRESTED, ASSASSINATION ATTEMPT FOILED
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Germany Thwarts Russian Plot to Assassinate Executive of Drone Supplier to Ukraine
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“German authorities have thwarted a Russian intelligence operation to assassinate executives of defense companies supplying weapons to the Ukrainian military. One of the main targets was Stefan Thumann, an executive at German startup Donaustahl.
Investigators have not ruled out that Russia was preparing another assassination attempt against a senior defense industry executive in Bavaria. This possibility was indicated by the discovery of explosives on June 11 at the Serbian-Hungarian border in a truck heading to the German region.
Serbian police arrested two men in connection with the case — Danilo B. and Slobodan D. During checks of their mobile phones, investigators found direct contacts with Russian intelligence representatives.”
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TWO MORE RUSSIAN GENERALS KILLED IN RESTAURANT BOMBING
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I have lost count of the number of Russian generals killed in this war. It is definitely more than twenty but I don’t have the precise figure. Ukraine has lost none.
Armed security forces have sealed off access to Moscow’s Balzi Rossi restaurant after bombing
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“Seventeen people are reported to be in serious condition in Moscow hospitals. Between three and five dead. The venue had been closed today for a private banquet… A witness told ASTRA that a general’s birthday was being celebrated inside, with numerous military-plated vehicles and a Rosgvardiya bus parked nearby.”
Two Russian Generals Die After Restaurant Bombing
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Two senior Russian military officers have died under ‘unknown circumstance’s – Lieutenant General Igor Yerusalimov and an unidentified major general..”
A funeral for an unidentified major general was held under tight secrecy at Moscow’s Troyekurovskoye Cemetery. According to one account, the officer may have been a close associate of Aleksandr Chaiko, the commander of Russia’s Aerospace Forces, who was reportedly present at the major general’s 55th birthday celebration.
From early morning, officers from Russia’s Federal Protective Service were deployed at the cemetery, while several buses carrying Rosgvardia (National Guard) personnel were brought to the site.”
Btw, under the Russian system of ranks a lieutenant-general is of higher rank than a major-general.
BREAKING: New information indicates that Russian Major General Valery Plokhotnyuk, a former deputy commander of the 49th Combined Arms Army, was among those killed in the 1 August bombing at Moscow’s Balzi Rossi restaurant.
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DANES WARN OF RUSSIAN CUETA INFOWARS
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Denmark Accuses Russia of Hybrid Aggression Against the EU Linked to the Migration Crisis in Ceuta
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“According to data from the Danish Ministry of Immigration and Integration, presented at an emergency meeting of EU ministers on the migration crisis in Spain, 2,000 fake articles and more than 6,000 fake social media posts originated from Russian actors and concern the situation in Ceuta and Morocco.”
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LITHUANIA WARNS OF RUSSIAN FLASE FLAG DRONE ATTACK
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Russia May Attack the Baltic States with Ukrainian Drones – Lithuanian Intelligence
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“Russia may use captured Ukrainian drones to attack critical infrastructure in the Baltic states… Through such actions, the Russians may be attempting to create uncertainty regarding the origin of the attack and deny responsibility for strikes on NATO territory. Lithuanian Defense Minister Robertas Kaunas confirmed the intelligence agency’s assessment.
The incident in Moldova on June 8, 2026, [supports] this theory. During a massive Russian attack on Ukraine, one of the drones crossed the border and exploded on Moldovan territory. Local residents noticed Ukrainian inscriptions on the wreckage, and the Moldovan Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated that the UAV was most likely of Ukrainian origin.
The Russians may have obtained the drones after they were forced to land due to electronic warfare (EW) measures or crashed due to technical malfunctions… [They then] could have repaired, reprogrammed, or used the surviving drones to create copies.”
SHADOW FLEET NEWS
UKRAINE TO RECEIVE SHADOW FLEET TANKER
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Sweden’s Supreme Court upheld the transfer to Ukraine of Shadow Fleet Tanker
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“Sweden’s Supreme Court upheld the transfer to Ukraine of Caffa, a Russian shadow-fleet vessel accused of carrying grain from occupied Ukrainian territory. In June, a Swedish court seized the ship at Ukraine’s request in a Russian war-crimes investigation, the first such ruling in Sweden.”
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SANCTIONS WORK. WHO KNEW?
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Georgia’s sanctioned Kulevi refinery is shifting away from Russian crude
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“[It has been] processing Kazakh oil since July. Operator BSP expects a Libyan cargo in late August and says the refinery plans to use entirely non-Russian feedstock from August-September 2026.”
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SHADOW FLEET LOSSES EXCEED TWO HUNDRED
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Ukraine claims it hit 12 more shadow fleet ships this week [video]
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“Operation MoLoCHka’s total [rose] to 218 vessels [attacked] since July 6th. The Kerch Strait has been blocked for 30 straight days. Ship traffic in the Azov Sea dropped 90% in a month, from 134 vessels on July 6th to just 14 on August 6th.”
BOOM OF THE WEEK
I have two booms for you this week.
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BM-21 GRAD MLRS GOES BOOM!
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The officers in command of Russia’s feared multiple rocket launchers (MLRS) continue to display a lack of understanding that this year Ukraine’s drones now reach a lot further than previously.
The 63rd Brigade found a fully loaded Russian Grad MLRS in the forest
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“Capable of firing a salvo of 40 rockets in seconds, the Grad BM-21 is designed to saturate large areas with explosive fire and has been extensively employed throughout the war against Ukrainian military positions and civilian settlements near the front line…
The impact ignited the rockets stored on board, producing a chain reaction that resulted in a catastrophic detonation… only a single wheel [was] reportedly left intact after the blast.”
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VALUABLE URAGAN MLRS GOES BOOM TOO!
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Ukrainian Drones Destroy Loaded Uragan MLRS Before It Could Open Fire (Video)
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“Ukrainian National Guard drone operators destroyed a fully loaded Russian BM-27 Uragan long-range MLRS before it could launch a rocket barrage, triggering a massive chain of ammunition detonations.”
FOREIGN AID & INVESTMENT IN UKRAINE
THE GIFT THAT KEEPS ON GIVING
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Russia continues to fund Ukraine’s war effort.
The EU will provide Ukraine with another €1.4 billion from proceeds generated by frozen Russian assets
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“The funding will strengthen Ukraine’s defense and national resilience as Russia continues its attacks.”
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INTERCEPTOR DRONES GET FRENCH ‘AI’ GUIDANCE
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French firm teaches Ukraine’s interceptor to see its target without GPS
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“Ukraine’s “General Cherry” unit signed with French firm Alta Ares to integrate AI guidance into its [successful] BULLET anti-Shahed interceptor….”
The AI [actually just an algorithm] keeps the target locked without GPS… that matters against Russia’s jamming. An interceptor that tracks its target by vision rather than radio or satellite signal cannot be defeated by the electronic warfare Russia uses to break the control links of guided drones, which is the core problem in shooting down fast, evasive Shaheds.”
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TURKISH HIMARS DESTINED FOR UKRAINE
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As NATO members rushed to upgrade in 2022 and 2023, it’s meant that Ukraine still receives a steady flow of weapons when those new upgrades arrive three or four years later. Better yet, it’s no longer obsolete equipment from the 1960s but, in this case, Ukraine has bought from Turkey twelve tracked HIMARS launchers plus seventy ATACMS missiles to go with them. There is now a wait for US permission for the sale.
Ukraine to Receive 70 M39 ATACMS Missiles and 12 M270 HIMARS Launchers from Turkey
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“The package combines additional M270 launch capacity with more than 2,500 M26 rockets, increasing Ukraine’s ability to mass rocket fire while keeping launchers mobile and dispersed against Russian counter-battery threats.
[However,] U.S. authorization is required before the American-origin systems can be delivered.”
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DESPITE TENSIONS, POLAND STILL SUPPORTS UKRAINE
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Poland Is Preparing Its 50th Military Aid Package for Ukraine
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“Following the start of Russia’s full-scale invasion, Poland provided substantial defense assistance to Ukraine. This support has included the transfer of weapons and military equipment, the establishment of logistical infrastructure for the delivery of international aid, the training of Ukrainian military personnel, and the repair and maintenance of weapons.”
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ENERGY FUND BUILT TO SUSTAIN UKRAINE IN WINTER
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Luxembourg adds €8 million to Ukraine’s energy fund
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“Fourth contribution from a country of 660,000 people arrives as the fund races to close a €650 million gap before winter.”Serbia will provide Ukraine with €2 million for energy sector support and medical needs
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“Both sides also discussed joint projects in economics, logistics and Danube corridor development.”
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ESTONIA UPGRADES AIR DEFENCE, DRONES, TRANSPORT, AND AMMUNITION
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Estonia to Use SAFE Funds for Air Defence, Ammunition, and Aid to Ukraine
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“Under an agreement with the European Commission, Estonia will receive a long-term loan of up to €2.34 billion to strengthen its defence capabilities.
The SAFE program funds will be used to strengthen Estonia’s air defence system, procure military transport vehicles, artillery shells, and other ammunition. Part of the funding will also be allocated to military assistance for Ukraine through the supply of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), or drones”
EUROPE & CANADA REARM
This week there is more news of America’s slow withdrawal of influence in Europe. Of various nations continuing with advanced projects instead of buying American. Of a new Czech-owned ammunition plant in Germany. And of Denmark reintroducing conscription as a response to Trump’s Greenland fantasies.
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SINGAPORE INTERESTED IN GCAP FIGHTER
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Singapore Seeks to Join Sixth-Generation GCAP Fighter Program
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“GCAP currently comprises the United Kingdom, Italy, and Japan, while Canada joined as an observer on July 21.
Considering GCAP alongside the introduction of the F-35 indicates long-term planning for the structure of Singapore’s armed forces rather than an immediate replacement of its fighter fleet.”
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GERMANY PRESSES ON WITH OWN LOYAL WINGMAN DRONE
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Yet another advanced American weapons sale is out on hold by a NATO country.
Britain’s Rolls-Royce Builds Separate Engine for German “Loyal Wingman”
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“The British engine manufacturer Rolls-Royce is currently working on a concept for a new family of engines that could be used in a German Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA) design also known as a loyal wingman combat drone.
Also this confirms German intention to [pause] buying the US-made MQ-28 Ghost Bat CCA from Boeing.”
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GERMANY UPGRADES ITS FIELD HOSPITALS
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Early in the war, Germany rushed a couple of state-of-the-art field hospitals to Ukraine.
Tested in Ukraine: The Bundeswehr Ordered 149 Mobile Medical Stations from Rheinmetall
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“The German Army has ordered 149 mobile medical stations from Rheinmetall, which Ukraine has been using since 2023… Rheinmetall received an order for two field surgical stations for Ukraine in June of that year.
Of the 149 stabilization stations currently ordered, 112 units will be purchased in a version with ballistic protection, while the rest will be unarmored.”
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€100 EURO INVESTMENT IN AMMUNITION PLANT
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One of NATO’s big weaknesses prior to the 2022 invasion was the manufacturing of explosives, gun barrels, and ammunition. Stocks were shockingly low and the industrial base to replenish them was small and ageing, if not non-existent for some categories. Since then, across Europe, new plants and foundries have opened. This news is just the latest of many moves to rebuild.
Czechoslovak Group Acquires German Site for Nitroglycerin and Ammunition Production
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“The company will invest more than €100 million in the first phase of the project’s development. The investment will be used to establish production of nitroglycerin and nitroglycerin-based products, as well as to launch the manufacture of ammunition and ammunition components.
The company expects to build the new production capacity within the next two years.”
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AMERICA TAKES ANOTHER STEP AWAY FROM EUROPE
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U.S. to Cede European Command to Unnamed NATO Country
link
“The U.S. government has directed U.S. European Command (USEUCOM) to oversee the reorganization of the Security Assistance Group–Ukraine (SAG-U) and the transfer of its functions and responsibilities to an unnamed NATO member state.”
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MEMO TO TRUMP: DON’T TAKE ON A VIKING NATION
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Denmark Begun Conscripting 1,600 Citizens into Army — Both Men and Women
lihk
“The Danish Armed Forces have launched an expanded conscription of young people amid actions by the United States and Russia... It is reported that 1,600 Danes have been drafted under the new program for a term of 11 months.
Denmark had previously announced that, starting in 2026, it would expand conscription to include women and increase the standard term of service from four to 11 months. By 2033, the number of conscripts is expected to rise from 5,000 to 7,500 annually.”
That’s all for now. See you next week.
Interesting article, those 30,000 drone casualties illustrate why Russia's medical logistics have entirely collapsed. Frontline data indicates their casualty split is now a staggering 62% killed to 38% wounded, completely upside down for modern warfare. This lack of battlefield evacuation is exactly what has driven the overall Russian-to-Ukrainian kill ratio up toward 8:1 this year. Drones intensify the challenge Russian forces have to provide medical assistance to wounded sources. The numbers come from leaked docs. Now, for cross checking GCHQ estimated 500k Russian soldiers killed up to May 2026, the DIA estimates total Russian casualties at 1.4m. You would end up with 900k wounded, if you deduct the 500k fallen soldiers, not exactly a 66 to 33 % per ent ration (2 to 1), but close (1.8 to 1).
There is SO much “bad” from Russia it’s hard to remember SO MUCH “good“ from Ukraine during your weeks of reporting. All we can do is continue to encourage (push for) more and more of Ukraine’s marvelous heroics, as well as the necessary support of your neighbors. Thank you for your continuing to keep us informed.