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Monday, August 31 Russia's war against Ukraine A firefighter operates at a fire in a building following a Russian airstrike in Kramatorsk, Donetsk Oblast, on Aug. 30, 2026. (Francisco Richart/Anadolu via Getty Images) Missile strike hits Belgorod, reportedly damaging Ozon facility and power plant. Russia's Belgorod came under a missile attack on Aug. 30, with a logistics facility housing an Ozon sorting center and delivery hub damaged in the strike, according to Russian officials and the company. Ukrainian drones destroy Russian air defense, radar systems at Yeysk, Millerovo airfields. Unmanned Systems Forces Commander Robert "Madyar" Brovdi said Ukrainian drones targeted the Yeysk airfield in Russia's Krasnodar Krai and the Millerovo airfield in Rostov Oblast. At least 4 injured as Kyiv and Kyiv Oblast endure 4th day of drawn-out Russian attack. Drones have been flying toward the capital for hours at a time, with explosions and the sound of air defense fire rocking the city throughout the morning and afternoon. 800 Russian jet-powered drones launched over 4 days as attacks enter 5th straight day. The president's latest report comes amid an ongoing Russian drone attack on the capital with explosions heard in central Kyiv beginning around 12:30 a.m. local time overnight on Aug. 31, according to Kyiv Independent journalists on the ground. Ukraine tests interceptors to down Russian jet-powered Shaheds. As Russia scales up production of its jet-powered drones — the Geran-4 and Geran-5 — Ukraine is struggling to shoot them down amid prolonged waves of attacks. Nearly 2,000 drones fired at Ukraine in one week as Russia draws out attacks. Russia launched nearly 2,000 attack drones, more than 1,600 glide bombs, and 31 missiles, including North Korean ballistic missiles, against Ukraine in just the last week, President Volodymyr Zelensky wrote on his Telegram channel on Aug. 30. Putin-Trump-Zelensky summit possible only to 'formalize agreements,' Peskov says. "Such a meeting is possible only to formalize agreements," Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov told reporters. He added that a settlement over Ukraine is "not a primitive deal," but a "very complicated" process involving "a huge number of details." Human cost of war Russian attacks on Ukraine kill eight and injure 41 over past day. In Donetsk Oblast, two people were killed, including a 13-year-old child, and two more were injured after Russian forces dropped bombs on houses in the village of Bilbasivka on Aug. 30. Over 242,000 Russian soldiers killed in Ukraine identified by media investigation. Russian independent media outlet Mediazona, in collaboration with the BBC Russian service, has confirmed the identities of 242,747 Russian military personnel killed in Ukraine. Read our exclusives Ukraine war latest: Nearly 2,000 drones fired at Ukraine in one week as Russia draws out attacks Russia launched nearly 2,000 attack drones, more than 1,600 glide bombs, and 31 missiles, including North Korean ballistic missiles, against Ukraine in just the last week, President Volodymyr Zelensky wrote on his Telegram channel on Aug. 30. Photo: Kostiantyn Liberov/Libkos/Getty Images Read more Germany's Kremlin-friendly AfD eyes historic election win The Alternative for Germany's (AfD) potential victory in Saxony-Anhalt's election on Sept. 6 will not only send a chilling signal to the federal state's 39,000 Ukrainians but also shake the mainstream parties' efforts to keep the Moscow-friendly party out of power. Photo: Jens Schluter / AFP via Getty Images Read more 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 Why Russia escalates attacks on Ukraine’s businesses, explained International response Ukraine ambassador to Turkey summoned by Ankara after attacks on ships in Black Sea. Amid intensifying attacks in the Black Sea from both Ukraine and Russia, a Turkish-operated vessel was hit on Aug. 26 off the coast of Tuapse — a Russian port city with a large oil refinery that Ukraine frequently attacks with drones. Fedorov offers drone technology to US in exchange for Patriots, seeks funding for defense tech fund. Mykhailo Fedorov said he is seeking backing from venture capitalists, private investors, and U.S. technology companies for a fund that would invest in Ukrainian defense startups and create new companies focused on battlefield technologies. In other news PepsiCo production facility damaged in Russian strike on Ukraine, company says. The company said it is currently assessing the full scale of the consequences and taking steps to restore supplies of its products to customers and consumers in Ukraine. 'Moment of extreme urgency' — US Senator urges Congress to pass Russia sanctions bill. Democratic U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal urged his colleagues in the House of Representatives to approve long-awaited sweeping Russia sanctions legislation in an interview with CBS News on Aug. 30, as the House prepares to reconvene on Aug. 31. 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 Dominic Culverwell, Martin Fornusek, Kate Tsurkan, Anna Fratsyvir, and Dmytro Basmat. If you’re enjoying this newsletter, consider joining our membership program. Start supporting independent journalism today. If you have a story tip and want to get in touch with our reporters, please reply to this email.