The Kyiv Independent [unofficial]
Russia’s war against Ukraine
Shop owners at a book market try to save their belongings from a fire that broke out following an overnight Russian missile and drone attack in Kyiv, Ukraine, on August 16, 2026. Three people were reported injured. (Photo by Maxym Marusenko/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
Ukraine claims strike on Onyx and Zircon missile launcher in occupied Crimea, shows footage.The Bastion is a relatively rare and expensive coastal defense system that Russia uses to launch Onyx and Zircon cruise missiles across Ukraine.
March for Fedorov reinstatement held in Kyiv as protests enter second month.The protest march takes place as the Ukrainian parliament is set to return from its summer recess on Aug. 18.
Ukraine could use its own ballistic missiles against Russia by year-end, Fedorov tells CBS News.“We need to defeat Russia in every technological cycle, and we have to make decisions 24/7,” the former defense minister said in an interview published on Aug. 16.
Chief economist at key Russian state development bank reportedly fired after warning of economic defeat to West.“I believe Russia will not fall apart, but I am almost certain that we will arrive at a social crisis,” Andrei Klepach, the chief economist of VEB.RF, was quoted as saying.
How Russia weaponizes civilian casualties | Ukraine This Week
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Ukraine war latest: Ukraine launches one of its largest drone attacks on Moscow Oblast, damaging Wildberries warehouse
Ukrainian forces struck cities across Russia’s Moscow Oblast in a major overnight drone attack on Aug. 16, damaging a warehouse belonging to major Russian online retailer Wildberries, Moscow Oblast Governor Andrey Vorobyov claimed.
Photo: Artem Priakhin/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images
Human cost of war
Russian attacks across Ukraine kill 7, injure 51 as major steel plant hit in overnight barrage; NATO downs drone over Romania. Most of the overnight Russian attacks targeted Kyiv, Kremenchuk in Poltava Oblast, and Kryvyi Rih in Dnipropetrovsk Oblast.
Russia strikes postal facilities, other civilian sites in Odesa, Kramatorsk, killing 1, injuring 16.Russia attacked Odesa with a drone on Aug. 16, targeting a postal facility and injuring four people, including a 42-year-old woman and three men aged between 32 and 43, local authorities reported.
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International response
Switzerland providing over $700,000 to restore Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra after Russian attack. Switzerland will provide 600,000 Swiss francs ($730,000) through UNESCO to help preserve and restore the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra, one of Ukraine’s most important historic and religious symbols, damaged in a Russian attack in June, Swiss Federal Council Delegate Jacques Gerber announced on Aug. 16.
Russia, North Korea to continue cooperation ‘in all sectors,’ Putin says on Korean Liberation Day. Cooperation between Russia and North Korea would continue “in all the sectors,” Putin said in his message, while Kim praised ties that had “carried forward the history of common struggle for justice and precious traditions of friendship,” according to Reuters.
In other news
Yaroslava Mahuchikh extends European reign with third straight high jump gold. Mahuchikh has won the European title at every championship she has entered since her debut in 2022.
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.
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Today’s Ukraine Daily was brought to you by Linda Hourani, Anna Belokur, Martin Fornusek, Olena Goncharova, Tamara Nowakowsky, and Dmytro Basmat.
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