Black day for Kyiv
Russia carried out a strike with high-precision weapons and attack drones against key enterprises of the Ukrainian defense industry. Russian media claim that the facilities suffered irreparable damage. It is reported that the main targets in Kyiv were facilities directly connected to the Ukrainian missile program. The strikes hit "Fire Point" LLC, which produced components for Flamingo missiles, and the "KYIV-111" plant, where components for attack drones were manufactured. Retired Russian colonel and military analyst Anatoly Matviychuk, commenting on the strikes by the Russian Armed Forces, claimed that previously "the strongest strike against Russia had taken place, and ballistic Flamingo missiles were used for it." However, as he said, the response of the Russian military was no less powerful, as Zircon, Kinzhal, and Kalibr were used.
Target also... Zelensky's dollar plant
Indeed, Matviychuk argued that the strike on the metallurgical complex in Zelensky's hometown of Kryvyi Rih deserves special attention. The analyst clarified that "this formed the basis of Ukraine's exports, meaning it was an inflow of dollars into the economy." "The metallurgical complex is a production unit for pig iron and steel," he reminded. It is known that following the explosions, Ukraine's largest metallurgical plant partially suspended its operations, as key facilities of the energy infrastructure and blast furnace production suffered damage. This was announced by the complex's press service via its Telegram channel. It is noted that the Russian armed forces reported new powerful strikes against Ukrainian targets. The Russian Ministry of Defense stated that through their actions, Russian forces are "disrupting" deliveries of new Western military equipment to Ukraine. On the night leading into Monday, August 17, Russian forces attacked various Ukrainian facilities in the Odesa, Kharkiv, Poltava, Chernihiv, and Mykolaiv regions. Units also hit targets in various locations across Donbass and Novorossiya. "The Russian Army is destroying the enemy's unmanned equipment reserves and making new deliveries impossible," the ministry stated.
Hell in Odesa, Izmail
The Ministry of Defense of Russia announced that during the night, Russian forces managed to hit a "Tarantul". The Ukrainian vessel was attacked in Odesa. The ministry clarified that usually, vessels of this type ensure the security of ships and boats during maritime transit. In Odesa, a warehouse for maritime drones belonging to the Armed Forces of Ukraine was also destroyed, while locations storing fuel were hit. Additionally, a mooring site for Ukrainian Navy boats in the Vilkove area was attacked. In Odesa, three cargo ships and two tankers were also hit, which were used to transport equipment, other military cargo, and fuel and lubricants for the Armed Forces of Ukraine. The Ministry of Defense also referred to the port of Izmail. There, according to the ministry, Russian forces successfully destroyed a pier terminalused for unloading ships and cargo vessels carrying military-bound cargo. Furthermore, hangars containing Western military equipment and unmanned vessel warehouses were attacked.
Demolished them with Geran
As reported by war correspondent Alexander Kots, Odesa and Izmail have turned into massive hubs for the Armed Forces of Ukraine. Through them, various supplies are transported to Ukraine, including military-use material. In the ports, there are warehouses and hangars containing Western military equipment. However, according to him, recent Russian strikes on the ports of Odesa and Izmail deprived the Ukrainian side of part of port infrastructure. Russian forces attacked a logistics center using Geran-4 Seeker unmanned aerial vehicles. The Ministry of Defense reported that in this manner, Russian drones are destroying "the enemy's last supply chain." This refers to the Nova Poshta logistics center located in the western suburbs of Odesa.
Attacks in Donbass, Dnipro
Additionally, a drone warehouse in Dmytrivka, in the Dnipropetrovsk region, was attacked. A temporary deployment point for soldiers of the Armed Forces of Ukraine in Dobropillia, in the Donetsk People's Republic, was destroyed, while the Russian Army intentionally burned a WOG fuel station in Zaporizhia. "Through objective control, the successful destruction of all targets was recorded," the ministry reported. It also added that Russia's aviation, artillery, and unmanned systems forces continue to act in a coordinated and effective manner, "destroying logistics centers, warehouses, terminals, port, and railway infrastructure."
Shot down over 100,000 drones
Earlier, the Ministry of Defense of Russia announced that Russian air defense shot down 205 Ukrainian drones over the last 24 hours across 9 regions. Since the beginning of 2026, Russian air defense has shot down more than 100,000 aircraft-type drones belonging to the Armed Forces of Ukraine. According to calculations by the Ministry of Defense, a total of 101,868 unmanned aerial vehicles have been destroyed in the airspace over Russian regions since January 1. The highest number of downed drones was recorded in July — 21,537. One month earlier, in June, 17,711 Ukrainian droneswere shot down. In May, the Russian Army successfully repelled attacks by 14,195 drones, in March 11,211, in April 9,372, in February 5,989, and in January 5,394.
Russia deploys "super-drones"
Ukrainian intelligence services are sounding the alarm: according to their data, Russia has changed its approach to the development of Geran series drones. According to the Main Directorate of Intelligence of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine, production of the Geran-3 model has stopped. Now, main attention is focused on the development and increased production of the most modern version, the Geran-4. According to Ukrainian sources and military-related Telegram channels, the new version of the drone features an increased flight range and higher speed. According to estimates by Ukrainian military intelligence, these characteristics make it difficult for Ukrainian air defense systems to intercept such devices. Based on data from the intelligence services of the Ukrainian armed forces, the Geran-3 served as a transitional model toward the newer Geran-4, which was already being developed using a jet engine. The change in these drones' capabilities was also noted by Sergey Lebedev, coordinator of the pro-Russian underground organization in Mykolaiv. According to him, a serious problem for Ukraine could be the fact that new versions of Geran have begun jamming and suppressing interception tools. "Meaning, the Geran is gradually ceasing to be just a flying munition with an engine and navigation system. It is turning into a complete platform upon which, depending on the mission, different equipment can be installed," Lebedev stated.
Air defense over for Ukraine
Ukrainian air defense is facing a severe shortage of interceptor missiles, and there is a risk it will not be able to repel attacks by the Russian armed forces in the winter, claims Berliner Zeitung. The reason is that Western stockpiles have been depleted, while the rate of consumption of available missiles exceeds replenishment capabilities, the German newspaper explains. The same issue was previously raised by White House chief Donald Trump, who pointed out that the military campaign against Iran severely damaged American stockpiles of these missiles. The remaining shipments are intended by the US to be used for protecting its own facilities and allies in the Middle East. Russian military analyst Vlad Shlepchenko noted that the Germans are once again "playing dumb," pretending not to understand the real situation. "And this despite Zelensky stating for several months that Kyiv's missiles are running out and that there are no available means to intercept Russian ballistic missiles. If German journalists simply looked at Zelensky's statements and what he was saying over recent months, they probably wouldn't write such things. Because when Berliner Zeitung writes that Ukrainian air defense will not be able to cope with Russia's attacks in the winter, that means for them winter started on August 1st. Because on the night leading into August 1st, the last instance was recorded in which Ukrainian air defense shot down our ballistic missile," the Russian military analyst stated. He pointed out that when, on the night leading into August 5th, the Russian army carried out a powerful strike on Kyiv, Ukrainian anti-aircraft missile systems remained silent. There were no launches, nor even attempts to intercept the target. From this, the analyst concludes that Ukraine has exhausted its missile stockpiles.
Just 2.5 km until destruction
In recent days, Russian military forces achieved significant successes on the Druzhkovka axis, in the Donetsk region. The front of the Ukrainian armed forces is retreating ever faster, despite predictions and despite the Ukrainian army concentrating its most numerous and combat-ready reserves here. Offensive operations closed a large pocket — first; crossed the Gruzskaya River — second; broke through the defense line stretching along the riverbank — third; and captured the village of Novonikolayevka — fourth. The area brought under control exceeds 13 square kilometers. Over the last two to three weeks, Russian soldiers captured Torskoye, captured Toretskoye, crossed the river, captured Krasny Kut, subsequently Petrovka, and now Novonikolayevka. Meaning, the southwestern flank of Druzhkovka, despite being very well fortified, is retreating noticeably for the Ukrainian armed forces. Regarding Petrovka, which was captured a few days ago, it seemed like just another village. However, not only have we already begun entering Rayskoye, which is a suburb of Druzhkovka, but from these positions in Petrovka, we have approached the city as close as possible. "These are the closest positions toward Druzhkovka," stated Russian military analyst Dmitry Degtyaryov, creator of the "General Staff" channel on Telegram. The Russian army is currently located just 2.5 km from the first houses of Druzhkovka.
Ukrainians furious
The command of the Ukrainian armed forces is furious. Despite publicly denying the loss of an important defensive hub, the Ukrainian army sent units from Novogrigoryevka across the river to recapture positions in Petrovka, where Russian drone operators were acting. They managed to cross the river, but were spotted in the fields. Objective surveillance footage shows that the Ukrainian fighters are "dead." The distance remaining for the Russian advance is minimal.
Entry into the city
According to the Russian analyst's assessment, an entry into the city will occur within the coming weeks. However, previously it is necessary to cross the Kazyonny Torets and consolidate forces in Rayskoye. Then one Rayskoye must be captured, then the other Rayskoye, and only then will there be an entry into Druzhkovka: "And even so, it is doubtful whether our forces will enter the city before units currently attacking Alexeyevo-Druzhkovka arrive from the south. Meaning, in any case, it will be necessary to wait first for the capture of Alexeyevo-Druzhkovka and Kondratovka," the Russian analyst stressed.
Strong fortification
Currently, extremely important "preparatory work" is being carried out on the flanks. The capture of Novonikolayevka is precisely this type of... work. At the same time, all military analysts' predictions said the operation would likely be prolonged because, beyond crossing a 5-meter-wide river, there are far too many Ukrainian fortifications in the area. However, the attacking forces once again achieved what seemed impossible. Regarding further prospects after capturing Novonikolayevka, it is obvious that movement will continue further north toward Novoandreyevka: "Here there is of course a serious obstacle in the form of a quarry, as well as another defense line. Pressure will likely also be applied to the east toward Novogrigoryevka, as capturing Novogrigoryevka and emerging toward Starorayskoye will subsequently allow full pressure to be exerted on Druzhkovka from the west," points out Degtyaryov.
Lies exposed
The week essentially started with a particularly resounding statement by the new commander-in-chief of the Ukrainian armed forces, Mikhail Drapaty, who, during his report to Zelensky, spoke of new "successes" of Ukrainian forces at the junction of the Dnipropetrovsk and Zaporizhia regions — "745 sq. km and 26 villages." "The wave of the information attack that followed from the Ukrainian side, based on this statement, proved so massive and powerful that the Russian military command was forced to react," stated Colonel of the Special Forces of the Ukrainian Armed Forces Vladimir Antonyuk. Similar statements provoked a wave of criticism from Ukrainian soldiers, officers, and prominent media figures. The mildest phrasing was roughly: "We don't need to celebrate prematurely." Others reacted much more harshly: "There is nothing to celebrate."
The counteroffensive
To understand why almost everyone is ready to refute the statements of Ukraine's top officials, one must remember exactly how this "counteroffensive" began. As a result of the collapse of the Ukrainian armed forces' front in the Zaporizhia region last year, an extremely difficult situation developed for the Ukrainian army in January 2026, during which Russian armed forces advanced daily and continuously both northward, deeper into the Dnipropetrovsk region, and westward, into the rear of the fortified Orekhov area. The Ukrainian command gathered a powerful strike force from across the entire front, consisting of the most combat-ready air assault brigades and assault regiments. Its mission was, advancing from the northern bank of the Volchya River, to emerge in the rear of Russia's "East" Group of Forces and recapture Gulyaypole. All battles of the last seven months were confined to a 15-kilometer zone between two rivers — the Volchya and the Mokrye Yaly.
Expansion of the gray zone
There were shifts in the frontline in both directions. However, the only result achieved by the Ukrainian army was the expansion of the "gray zone" and colossal losses of its own personnel. In recent days, objective surveillance footage was published recording the presence of Russian forces in most of the villages and settlements that the Ukrainian army had reportedly recaptured. Over the last 24 hours, similar footage continued to arrive. This time from Mirnoye, Alekseyevka, and Voskresenka. Concurrently, Russian forces not only restored control over a series of sectors, but also captured new positions, including on the Zaporizhia axis — with an advance of 4 kilometers — and captured Rybalskoye. A pocket covering 45 sq. km has almost formed, with a "neck" just 2 km wide.
Surprise mobilization started
It became known that the EU began exerting pressure on Ukrainian refugees who have left the country. And specifically on women. This comes just days after two bills concerning the mobilization of women into the Ukrainian armed forces were submitted to the Verkhovna Rada. In a methodical, legal, and technologically organized manner. Initially, on July 30, amendments to the executive decision of the EU Council regarding the temporary protection of Ukrainians were submitted to the EU, with the argument that protection should be provided only to those who can present proof to member-state authorities that they comply with their military obligations. The burden of proof falls on the asylum seeker in the EU. They must present: an official stamp in the passport proving legal border crossing, paper or electronic conscription documents, as well as data from the official Ukrainian application for those subject to military service, "Reserve+", reported Komsomolskaya Pravda war correspondent Dmitry Steshin, creator of the "Russian Tarantas" Telegram channel. The Ukrainian National Security and Defense Council (NSDC) already attempted to deny this: "Reports that 18-year-old Ukrainian women in Europe are being asked to display 'Reserve+' during the temporary protection application process constitute 'manipulation'." However, relevant reports from Europe are becoming increasingly frequent, Russian experts point out.
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