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Tuesday, August 25 Russia's war against Ukraine A woman holds a Ukrainian flag during a ceremony marking the 35th anniversary of Ukraine’s independence on Aug. 24, 2026 in Barcelona, Spain. (Lorena Sopena/Europa Press via Getty Images) EU greenlights $7 billion in defense loans on Ukraine Independence Day. "On Ukraine's Independence Day, Europe shows our support is unfaltering and concrete," European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said in the press release. UK gains access to Ukraine's AI battlefield data in landmark new defense deal. The new agreement gives the U.K. access to Ukraine's AI Avengers Labs, which contains a trove of real-world battlefield data for training AI defense systems. The U.K. will be the first foreign partner to access the dataset. Russia reacts to UK sharing Storm Shadow blueprints with Ukraine. U.K. Prime Minister Andy Burnham is expected to formally announce the decision during his visit to Kyiv on Ukraine's Independence Day, his first overseas trip since taking office. 'Quite clear what I need to do' — UK PM Burnham, European leaders plan to lobby Trump on Patriot missiles for Ukraine. U.K. Prime Minister Andy Burnham and other European leaders plan to lobby U.S. President Donald Trump next month to provide Ukraine access to U.S. stockpiles of Patriot missiles, Burnham said on Aug. 24. UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham among leaders in Kyiv as Ukraine marks Independence Day. "For Ukraine, independence is not an abstract idea. We defended it against all odds. In times like these, nations learn how important it is to have allies by your side," Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha said. 'We need more money' — Zelensky says Kyiv needs to produce hundreds more drones per day to pressure Russia into peace. The president revealed that Ukraine produces about 200-300 drones a day — but needs to churn out over three times that number to stay competitive with Moscow. Zelensky says anti-corruption agencies have 'no questions' for him amid latest corruption scandal. President Volodymyr Zelensky said he has no further details, and the information that was made public was sufficient to dismiss Iryna Mudra as deputy head of the President’s Office. Major Russian oil refinery reportedly struck in Ukrainian attack. Ukraine's military launched an attack on Russia's Krasnodar Krai overnight on Aug. 25, reportedly striking the Afipsky Oil Refinery, Russian Telegram media channels reported. Former Pussy Riot member escapes Russia after 3 years of forced work for FSB. "They began recruiting me, threatening me in every possible way, humiliating me, saying some very unpleasant things, threatening to kill my family, and telling me that I would never in my life be able to prove who killed my mother," Rita Flores said. Read our exclusives Learn 35 facts about Ukraine this Independence Day As Ukraine celebrates its 35th Independence Day on Aug. 24, 2026, the staff of the Kyiv Independent share their favorite fact about Ukrainian history, culture, their hometown, or a famous Ukrainian — some of whom, you might be surprised to learn are from Ukraine. Photo: Sergei Supinsky / AFP via Getty Images Read more Ukraine war latest: Russian drone strikes residential building in central Chernihiv, injuring at least 20, including 3 children A Russian drone struck an apartment building in central Chernihiv on Aug. 24, injuring at least 20 people, including three children, and sparking a fire, local authorities said Photo: State Emergency Service / Telegram Read more ‘Everything except nukes’: As the world watches Wildberries, Russia unleashes war on Ukraine’s economy As Ukraine captures global attention with dramatic strikes on Russia’s oil infrastructure and e-commerce giants Wildberries and Ozon, Russia has unleashed its most devastating campaign yet against Ukraine’s economic infrastructure. Photo: Dan Bashakov / AP Read more As Russian drone incursions escalate, NATO weighs costs of shooting back For years, NATO countries have watched Russian drones breach their airspace, reluctant to shoot them down for fear of escalation. That restraint is now beginning to erode. Photo: Ali Atmaca / Anadolu via Getty Images Read more Human cost of war Russian attacks kill 8, injure 43 over past day as Ukrainians celebrate Independence Day. Russia launched two Oniks anti-ship missiles, six Kh-31P and Kh-59 guided air-launched missiles, as well as 143 drones and other aerial targets overnight on Aug. 24, according to Ukraine's Air Force. Russian drone strikes residential building in central Chernihiv, injuring at least 20, including 3 children, on Ukraine's Independence Day. "Cynical strike by Russian terrorists on a residential building in Chernihiv. Right in the middle of the day — on Independence Day," Chernihiv Oblast Governor Viacheslav Chaus said. 10 Ukrainian soldiers believed missing return home from Russian captivity in 'special exchange.’ Two had been considered missing since 2024, while the other eight had been missing since 2025, Ukraine's Commissioner for Human Rights Dmytro Lubinets said. 'Unbelievably stupid' — UK man becomes first reported British national to die fighting for Russia in Ukraine. Bradley Townsend, 33, was reportedly killed by an FPV drone in Donetsk Oblast two months after he joined the Russian military. 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 International response Anti-drone net appears in central Berlin to mark Ukraine's Independence Day. At the center of Berlin's Pariser Platz, home to the Brandenburg Gate and meters away from the German Parliament, stands a large anti-drone net, there to highlight just how fragile Ukraine's air defenses can be. 'It's war against the West' — Latvian PM on Russian provocations against European countries. "That's the war of Russia against the West, the EU, and NATO, as we've seen," Latvian Prime Minister Andris Kulbergs said on Aug. 24. First Ladies, Gentlemen meet in Kyiv to create 'shared language of resilience' amid crisis. Concepts included "civic volunteerism" from the U.S., the British idiom "keep calm and carry on," and Ukraine's "sophiynist" — a philosophy of resilience that involves translating emotional and intellectual understanding into action. Armenia to launch EU accession bid in 'near future,' PM says, further distancing from Russia. Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan told parliament on Aug. 24 that Yerevan will soon launch its bid to join the European Union, as the country seeks to further distance itself from Russia. Opinions and insights Drama, determination, and risk: Remembering how Ukraine's independence unfolded After 92% of the people of Ukraine voted for independence, Ukraine became independent. Photo: Anatoly Sapronenkov / AFP / Getty Images Read more Show your support for independent Ukraine with our merch As Ukraine celebrates 35 years of independence, we've brought together some options to make your support for Ukraine visible. Shop our store, and know that you can support the Kyiv Independent while showing the world where you stand. Photo: The Kyiv Independent Read more 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 Kateryna Hodunova, Kateryna Denisova, Chris Powers, Polina Moroziuk, Tim Zadorozhnyy, Yuliia Taradiuk, Chris York, Martin Fornusek, Abbey Fenbert, Dmytro Basmat, and Lachlan Hyatt. 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.