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The Kyiv Independent [unofficial]
Russia’s war against Ukraine
A worker cleans a street next to a burned-out car damaged in a Russian drone strike in Kramatorsk on Aug. 21, 2026. (Francisco Richart/Anadolu via Getty Images)
Russian double-tap strike on shopping center in Kryvyi Rih kills at least 16, injures 130. The full extent of the casualties and damage is still being assessed.
Major oil refinery, Ozon logistics center set ablaze in reported Ukrainian attack. Ukraine’s military reportedly launched an attack on Russia’s Samara Oblast overnight on Aug. 22, striking a key oil refinery as well as a commercial logistics center, Russian Telegram media channels reported.
Zelensky confirms drone attack on oil refinery in Russia’s Perm. Russia’s Defense Ministry claimed its air defenses shot down 325 Ukrainian drones overnight.
Ukrainian attack on Russian air base damages Su-34 bomber. The Akhtubinsk air base is home to Russia’s 929th State Aircraft Test Center of the Ministry of Defense.
Exclusive: Coalition of the Willing to hold Independence Day meeting in Kyiv. The meeting will take place on Ukraine’s Independence Day and be the third time the grouping has met in Kyiv since it was established by France and the U.K. in March 2025, with the aim of agreeing on security guarantees for a post-ceasefire Ukraine.
More than 80 Ukrainian soldiers deserted during training in Germany, media reports. The soldiers had been sent to Germany for training before returning to Ukraine to fight Russia, according to Die Zeit.
Update: Court sets $670,000 bail for ex-lawmaker in major corruption case. Mykytas is a suspect in a large-scale money laundering and corporate raiding case unveiled by the National Anti-Corruption Bureau (NABU) earlier this week.
Read our exclusives
Ukraine war latest: Ukrainian drones set Russia’s Perm oil refinery ablaze
President Zelensky confirmed a drone strike on Russia’s Perm oil refinery overnight on Aug. 21.
Photo: Exilenova Plus / Telegram
Explainer: What does Ukraine’s latest corruption scandal tell us about how Zelensky governs?
This week’s charges against Iryna Mudra, a presidential deputy chief of staff, and other suspects in a high-profile graft case marked the latest chapter in the corruption saga that has gripped Ukraine since last year.
Photo: Chris Ratcliffe/Bloomberg via Getty Images
Human cost of war
‘Deliberately targeted’ — Russia hits residential building in Sumy as attacks across Ukraine kill at least 6, injure 77. Governor Oleh Hryhorov said one of the strikes directly hit the building, injuring six residents, including a 16-year-old girl.
Draft officer fatally stabbed while on-duty in Lviv. An enlistment officer was killed while on-duty on Aug. 21 after allegedly being stabbed by 25-year-old suspect in Lviv, officials reported.
Explosions rock Kyiv as Russia launches ballistic missiles at Ukraine’s capital. The explosions came just minutes after an air raid alert was issued.
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International response
Australia charges man over alleged Russian intelligence plot. The 27-year-old man may face up to 20 years in prison if convicted of attempting to engage in intentional foreign interference.
Russian frozen assets have Australia’s Senate fired up. “The Australian government (should) consider legislation to seize Russian sanctioned entity assets and consider legislation to disburse these assets to Ukraine,” recommends a Senate report.
Germany mulls shuttering Russian cultural center in Berlin, media reports. Four years since Moscow launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine, the Russian House has been allowed to continue operating at its location on Friedrichstrasse, one of Berlin’s most famous streets.
Ukraine urges citizens seeking EU temporary protection to get border exit stamp. The Foreign Ministry said the recommendation comes amid new EU rules governing temporary protection for Ukrainians.
Fedorov’s call for wartime elections, explained.
Opinions and insights
Putin has run out of moves
The broad consensus among Russia-watchers is that the country is facing a prolonged bout of stagflation.
Photo: Contributor/Getty Images
In other news
Retired FSB general found dead in Moscow, Russian media report. The 83-year-old was found with a gunshot wound to the head in his apartment according to Russian outlets.
Former Trump envoy Keith Kellogg visits Odesa amid Russia’s ongoing port strikes. According to the Infrastructure Ministry, the U.S. delegation led by Kellogg was shown the damage from Russian attacks on port infrastructure and briefed on measures being taken to maintain operations.
Kremlin labels independent news outlet Mediazona ‘foreign agent’ — for 2nd time. Pyotr Verzilov, a co-founder of the publication, told the Kyiv Independent that the designation only “adds power to the incredible reporting that the Mediazona team is doing.”
Russian Communist politician fined over Navalny photo, likely barring him from election. Nikolai Bondarenko reportedly intends to appeal the decision.
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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