Ukraine wants Elon Musk’s approval to tackle Russia’s ballistic missile launchers IN FULL The Independent UK · Aug 21
Russian drones hit border crossing with Moldova in overnight strike, Ukraine says The announcement comes a day after a Romanian F-16 fighter jet destroyed an explosive-laden maritime drone close to Europe's largest offshore gas project. Euronews · Aug 21
Why Is Conor Kennedy in Russia's Most Wanted List? The Secret Ukraine Mission That Put Him in Russia's Crosshairs Conor Kennedy, son of Robert F. Kennedy Jr., is on Russia's wanted list for allegedly fighting as a mercenary in Ukraine. His secret mission, initially hidden from family, now faces legal scrutiny. International Business Times UK · Aug 21
Australia charges man with trying to pass Ukrainian military intel to Russia The crime of intentional foreign interference carries a penalty of 20 years' imprisonment in Australia. Euronews · Aug 21
Hayden Panettiere death latest: Ex-fiance posts emotional tribute on late star’s 37th birthday Panettiere was days shy of her 37th birthday when she died Sunday, August 16 The Independent UK · Aug 21
Ukraine war briefing: Kyiv protest organiser disowns Mykhailo Fedorov’s call for elections Demonstrations in support of sacked defence minister reportedly die down as supporters and experts say he went too far. What we know on day 1,640 The Guardian - AU · Aug 21
African defense tech startup reveals $52 million funding as it looks to take on Ukraine and US giants Nigerian defense technology company Terra Industries is developing its market in the global south, where air and ground drones are employed by governments and organizations to monitor and protect strategic assets and critical infrastructure TechRadar · Aug 21
Taylor Swift's Ex Conor Kennedy Lands on Russia International Most Wanted List Facing 10 Years for Mercenary Fighting Conor Kennedy, known for his past romance with Taylor Swift, faces a Russian arrest warrant for his service in Ukraine's International Legion, highlighting legal risks for foreign volunteers. International Business Times UK · Aug 20
Finland suspects Russian aircraft of violating its airspace, defence ministry says The risk of drones drifting into Finland as a result of the ongoing war in Ukraine is rising, the head of the country's military intelligence service said in January. Euronews · Aug 20
Nord Stream bomb suspect arrested while working on A-list Ukraine war movie starring Sean Penn The Ukrainian suspect had previously been held in Poland for his alleged role in destroying the pipelines but Warsaw refused to extradite him to Germany. Euronews · Aug 20
Vladimir Putin has pushed his people to breaking point THE INDEPENDENT VIEW: Editorial: The Russian president appears determined to carry on with his bloody gamble in Ukraine, but ordinary citizens – facing deadly retaliation from Kyiv, and fighting each other for scarce fuel on petrol forecourts – are showing signs of having had enough The Independent UK · Aug 20
Missing in action: Ukrainian soldiers reportedly desert during training in Germany As the war in Ukraine grinds on, Ukrainian soldiers are receiving military training in Germany. A recent investigation by the weekly news magazine Die Zeit reveals that some do not return to their units after their stay in Germany. Euronews · Aug 20
‘Putin has repeatedly threatened the UK and Nato over Ukraine – but he is too weak to follow through’ IN FOCUS: Putin’s posturing is a poor attempt to scare off broader Western support for Kyiv, say experts. Suha Kidwai reports The Independent UK · Aug 20
Ukrainian publishers call for support after Russian attacks destroy 10m books The country risks ‘the collapse of the entire book ecosystem’ following destruction of warehouses in July and August, say Ukrainian publishers The Guardian - UK · Aug 20
Euronews · Aug 20 Russian drones threaten civilians and aid work in Ukraine, UN aid chief warns Tom Fletcher said the UN needs more than €1.7 billion for its prioritised humanitarian response in Ukraine this year, with winter among his biggest concerns.
The Independent UK · Aug 20 Bulletin PM briefing: Fuel shortage chaos in Russia and Sussexes’ UK return Harry and Meghan’s UK security funding ‘a private matter’, says Burnham. Russian police arrest citizens critical of fuel shortages caused by Ukraine war. Why has North Korea fired a barrage of ballistic missiles? How Iran has responded to Trump’s ‘Economic D-Day’ threat. Trevor Nelson shares brain tumour diagnosis after stepping…
The Conversation · Aug 20 Five fiction books that will help you understand Ukraine Ukrainian literature offers a rich way into the country’s history, culture and identity.
Euronews · Aug 20 Banderol, Russia’s new low-cost weapon testing Ukraine’s air defences Russia is stepping up its use of the Banderol, a relatively cheap new weapon that carries a smaller warhead than conventional cruise missiles but can force Ukraine to use the same scarce and costly air defences to intercept it.
The Conversation · Aug 20 Banning the opposition, going on a listening tour: Putin’s worried about the coming election Could we see Vladimir Putin’s control of Russia seriously challenged – or even destabilised in the coming months? Predicting when authoritarian regimes might fall is notoriously difficult. Their hold on power can appear solid until suddenly it crumbles. But there are signs that the Kremlin is concerned about the potential…
Euronews · Aug 20 Romania destroys explosive drone near major Black Sea gas project A separate drone crashed in eastern Romania as the country and neighbouring Poland stepped up air defences during a major Russian attack on Ukraine.
The Guardian - UK · Aug 20 EU’s von der Leyen warns of ‘escalating campaign of threats’ as Romania destroys naval drone – as it happened Device was near country’s Neptun Deep gas platform in the Black Sea
The Guardian - UK · Aug 20 More than 16 killed as Kyiv comes under intense Russian bombardment Missile and drone attack one of heaviest since war began, with children’s hospital and residential areas hit
The Times of India · Aug 20 Russia unleashes ballistic, cruise, hypersonic missiles and drones on Ukraine; Kyiv main target Russia launched a large overnight air assault on Ukraine, firing ballistic, cruise and hypersonic missiles and 168 drones, killing at least 12 people and injuring more than 40 in Kyiv and the surrounding region, Ukraine’s air force said on Thursday.
Euronews · Aug 20 16 killed, 33 injured in Russian strikes on Kyiv and surrounding region US President Donald Trump had authorised Ukraine to obtain licences to manufacture Patriot air defence systems, but later reversed the decision.
Bangkok Post · Aug 20 Russian strikes kill nine in Kyiv region KYIV - Russian bombardments killed at least 13 people and wounded dozens in Ukraine’s capital and its surrounding region overnight, authorities said on Thursday, with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky urging a global response to Moscow's "escalation" of the four-year war.