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Thursday, August 27 Russia's war against Ukraine A farmer attaches a fire extinguisher to agricultural machinery in a farm field on Aug. 25, 2026 in Sumy Oblast, Ukraine. Farmers of Sumy region continue to work in the border area, despite massive shelling from Russia. (BrightBird / Global Images Ukraine via Getty Images) Ukraine reportedly resumes strikes on Russia's Wildberries with 'massive drone attack' in Tambov Oblast. Tambov Oblast Governor Yevgeny Pervyshov said a "massive drone attack" sparked a fire that completely destroyed the facility. The governor added that workers had been evacuated before the strikes. Top commanders to lead reinforcement of Ukrainian positions in Donetsk Oblast, Zelensky says. Both formations, commanded by Andrii Biletskii and Denys Prokopenko, have been deployed to some of the most heavily contested sectors of the Donetsk sector, including around Dobropillia and Lyman. US intel links explosive drone found at German airport to Russia's military intelligence. The drone's structure and explosives were "typical" of those used by Russia's GRU, U.S. intelligence officials told ABC News. US chips outnumber China's in Russian missiles, Ukraine says. According to the latest investigations by the Ukrainian government, the distribution of microelectronic chips from China lags behind that of their American counterparts. Russia's 2nd-largest gasoline producer suspends oil ​processing yet again after Ukrainian strike. All major Lukoil refineries in Russia are now offline, Reuters reported on Aug. 26, following Ukraine's latest overnight attack on the NORSI plant in Nizhny Novgorod. Belarus builds railway near Ukraine capable of military transport, monitoring group says. The planned track will be able to accommodate up to 60 railcars, roughly comparable to a military train, and will include a high loading platform with ramps allowing wheeled and tracked vehicles to be unloaded directly inside the facility, according to the documents. Explosions rock Kyiv as Russia launches ballistic missiles at the capital and other regions across Ukraine. An air raid alert was in effect across most of Ukraine, except for the western regions. Read our exclusives 'The city is dying' — Ukrainians in Kramatorsk brace for worst as Russian forces inch closer Intensified Russian attacks on the front-line city, which had long served as a key logistics hub, have driven most potential customers away. Photo: Lisa Bukreyeva / The Kyiv Independent Read more Ukraine war latest: Drone strike sparks fire at major Russian oil refinery, General Staff says Ukraine struck Russia's NORSI oil refinery in Kstovo, Nizhny Novgorod Oblast, overnight on Aug. 26, Ukraine's General Staff confirmed. Photo: Exilenova+ / Telegram) Read more Why a U.S. Marine fought — and died — for Ukraine When Russia launched its full-scale invasion in February 2022, Shane Tackett wanted to join the Ukrainian military almost immediately. Photo: Tackett personal archive Read more Inside the 'Pavilion of (Dis)sense,' a fight against Russia's weaponization of culture Pietrangelo Buttafuoco, the right-wing president of the Venice Biennale, dismissed the outcry against Russia's return to the Venice Art Biennale as "censorship.” Photo: Stefano Mazzola / Getty Images Read more Human cost of war Russian attacks kill 4, injure 95 across Ukraine as FPV drone targets rescuers in Kramatorsk in double-tap attack. Russian forces launched a double-tap attack on rescue workers dealing with the aftermath of a Russian attack on Kramatorsk, Donetsk Oblast, on Aug. 25. You've made it this far, which means you care. By supporting independent journalism, you turn that care into action. Our journalism is free and accessible to everyone. Help us keep it that way — become a member today. BECOME A MEMBER MAKE A DONATION How a Ukrainian escaped Russian occupation – twice International response CIA chief warned Moscow against escalation toward Baltic NATO states, Politico reports. John Ratcliffe's visit to Moscow comes amid growing concerns over possible Russian actions against NATO countries supporting Ukraine. Trump says CIA chief's Russia trip was 'semi-routine' as Ukraine still awaits briefing. Ukraine has yet to receive information about the contents or outcome of Ratcliffe's meetings in Moscow, according to a source familiar with the matter. Italy to supply next-generation SAMP/T air defense systems, Aster 30 missiles to Ukraine in secret aid package, media reports. The package will include four SAMP/T NG air defense batteries — capable of shooting down Russian ballistic missiles — along with Aster 30 interceptor missiles and seven long-range radars, the Italian outlet La Repubblica reported on Aug. 26. Exclusive: Swedish EU letter reopens debate over frozen Russian assets. "We believe now is the time to revert to the issue of how we can make further use of Russia's immobilized assets for the benefit of Ukraine," reads a draft letter seen by the Kyiv Independent. Hungary calls Russia 'threat to Europe and global order' in UN guidelines document. In a document prepared for the UN General Assembly in September, the Hungarian government condemns Russian military aggression and fully supports Ukraine's territorial integrity. Slovak police thwart arson plot targeting Ukrainian drone maker Skyeton, company confirms. "The recent attempted attack on our facility in Slovakia is further proof that Ukrainian defense manufacturers have become a real thorn in their side, and that we are on the right path," a company's representative told the Kyiv Independent. In other news Ukraine thwarts FSB assassination plot against defense company head. The suspected assassin is a 63-year-old pensioner, tasked by the FSB with placing explosives under the driver's seat of the supposed victim's car, according to the SBU. 53 Ukrainians missing as death toll rises in Nepal floods. The number includes a group of 46 Ukrainian tourists traveling in the area of the floods, who have been out of contact for hours since disaster struck the Nepal-China border, the Foreign Ministry said. Zelensky's Chief of Staff Budanov features in tapes linked to latest corruption case, media say. Transcripts included in the prosecutors' motions in the case explicitly state that Zelensky's Chief of Staff Kyrylo Budanov took part in the conversations, Hromadske reported. Ex-foreign minister Kuleba may become Ukraine's ambassador to US, sources say. Former Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba may become Ukraine's next ambassador to Washington, as Kyiv looks to fill one of its most important diplomatic posts, people familiar with the matter told the Kyiv Independent. Meet the collection inspired by Kyiv's embroidery Two collaborations, one enduring Ukrainian tradition. Created so you can carry a piece of Kyiv with you, wherever you go. Explore the collection This newsletter is open for sponsorship. Boost your brand's visibility by reaching thousands of engaged subscribers. Click here for more details. Today’s Ukraine Daily was brought to you by Yuliia Taradiuk, Jonas Heins, Tim Zadorozhnyy, Yevgeniya Doluda, Abbey Fenbert, Lachlan Hyatt, and Olena Goncharova. 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