Ukrainian soldiers return home
On August 24, Ukraine’s Independence Day, 115 Ukrainian Heroes returned home from captivity.
Another 115 of our defenders returned home today. These are soldiers of the National Guard, the Armed Forces, the Navy, and the State Border Guard Service, – said President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
The Defence Intelligence of Ukraine clarified that nine illegally convicted defenders were released. Navy sailors and three border guards were released, as well as 82 defenders of Mariupol (fifty of them defended Azovstal).
Zelenskyy offers Modi to host second peace summit in India, but there is a condition
President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy is in favor of holding the second Peace Summit in one of the countries of the Global South and has proposed to hold it in India.
But Ukraine cannot hold the Peace Summit in a country that did not join the communiqué of the first summit.
I really believe that the second Peace Summit should be held in one of the countries, preferably in the Global South. And we are very open. There are countries such as Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and Turkey with which we are negotiating the second summit, – Zelenskyy said.
The President noted that he “absolutely supports” and shared this with Prime Minister Modi to hold the Global Peace Summit in India.
This is a wonderful country, a wonderful democracy. But I want to be clear. This applies not only to India, but to any state that is positive about hosting the summit – we cannot hold a peace summit in a country that has not yet joined the summit communiqué. No one is putting pressure on anyone, but it is logical, – he said.
Ukraine successfully tests its first indigenous ballistic missile
Ukraine has successfully tested a ballistic missile of its own production for the first time.
This was announced by President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy at a press conference.
Zelenskyy did not disclose any details about the missile or the test. At the same time, he thanked the Ukrainian defense industry, which “works 24/7.”
Also on August 24, Ukraine used the Palianytsia unmanned missile system for the first time. At the time, the president said that the enemy had been defeated, without specifying where the weapon was used.
Ukrainian soldiers shoot down Russian Su-25 attack aircraft in Donetsk region
Soldiers of the 28th separate mechanized brigade shot down a Russian Su-25 attack aircraft.
The Khortytsia military group also reported that the plane was shot down today near Kramatorsk, Donetsk region. It was trying to attack the positions of the defense forces.
Stoltenberg: NATO member states to step up assistance to Ukraine
NATO member states will step up their assistance to Ukraine, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said following a meeting of the NATO-Ukraine Council held in Brussels on August 28.
Allies today confirmed that they are increasing military assistance to Ukraine. We must continue to provide Ukraine with the equipment and ammunition it needs to defend itself against Russian invasion. This is vital for Ukraine’s stability to continue the fight, – Stoltenberg was quoted as saying by the Alliance’s website.
The meeting was held at the level of NATO ambassadors, who were joined by Ukrainian Minister Rustem Umerov via video link.
NATO said that the meeting was convened by Ukraine and discussed the recent massive Russian airstrikes against Ukrainian civilians and infrastructure. Diplomats in NATO circles told the publication that the meeting also discussed the Ukrainian operation in Kursk.
Ukraine has lost an F-16 and its pilot
The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine has confirmed that an F-16 fighter jet crashed while repelling a Russian missile attack on Ukrainian territory. Its pilot, Oleksiy Mes, with the call sign “Fish Month”, was killed.
While approaching the next target, one of the aircraft lost contact with one of the planes. As it turned out later, the plane crashed and the pilot was killed, – the post says.
It happened on August 26 while repelling a massive Russian attack. Pilot Oleksiy Mes destroyed three cruise missiles and one attack UAV in an air battle, the Air Force of the Armed Forces of Ukraine reported on Thursday. The pilot “at the cost of his own life saved Ukrainians from deadly Russian missiles”, the Ukrainian Air Force Command said.
Kuleba: EU will provide Ukraine with weapons and energy equipment faster
Following a meeting with EU foreign ministers in Brussels, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba said that the EU would speed up the provision of weapons and equipment for Ukraine’s energy system.
In Belgium, Kuleba emphasized the need to deliver the promised military aid to Ukraine as soon as possible, including air defense systems. EU countries promised to step up efforts and provide additional equipment for Ukraine’s energy system.
The EU is a key partner in supporting Ukraine. I welcome the readiness of member states to advocate for the lifting of restrictions on strikes against legitimate military targets in Russia during bilateral negotiations with other coalition members, – the minister added following the meeting on August 19.
Kuleba also noted that Ukraine is fulfilling its obligations on the path to EU membership, in particular, on August 21, the Verkhovna Rada ratified the Rome Statute (the statute of the International Criminal Court).
Earlier, Ukraine’s Foreign Ministry wrote that Kuleba had held talks with EU diplomat Josep Borrell. They discussed Ukraine’s steps towards EU membership, the second peace summit, pressure on Russia and military support for Ukraine, as well as the need to lift restrictions on the use of weapons against Russian military targets.
Kateryna Yashchuk
