Ukraine strikes deep into Russia as Kyiv braces for Independence Day summit

Ukraine hits Perm refinery and Marinovka airfield in deep strikes on Russia President Zelenskyy confirmed overnight strikes on an oil refinery in Perm, over 1,600 km from the border, and the Marinovka military air base in Volgograd Oblast, plus results in the Black Sea. Kyiv also confirmed a Russian Su-34 was damaged at Akhtubinsk and a drone-launch site hit in Primorsko-Akhtarsk. 1

Coalition of the Willing to hold Independence Day summit in Kyiv Over 30 countries supporting Ukraine will meet in Kyiv on Aug. 24, with European Council President Antonio Costa, Finland's Alexander Stubb and Luxembourg's Luc Frieden attending in person. It will be the first meeting since UK PM Andy Burnham took office, and follows Poland's pledge to host military drills for a future reassurance force. 2

Ukraine urges global response after Russia's nine-hour missile assault on Kyiv Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha called for more air-defense interceptors and tighter sanctions after a nearly nine-hour Russian attack killed at least 14 people, wounded 40, and damaged a school and children's hospital in Kyiv, leaving 13,000 in Odesa without power. 3

Israel bombs Syrian air base as Turkey trade barbs over 'dangerous adventures' Israel struck the Abu al-Duhur base near Aleppo, claiming Turkish troops were about to deploy there, a charge Ankara and Damascus deny. Syrian FM al-Shaibani said there were no plans for a Turkish presence, while Israel's defense minister warned Erdogan against 'dangerous adventures in Syria.' 45

Gaza death toll tops 73,400 as Israel keeps striking despite truce Gaza's Health Ministry said 10 more Palestinians were killed in 24 hours, raising the toll to 73,417, with 1,283 killed since the October 2025 ceasefire began fraying. Egypt, Jordan and Palestine also condemned Israel's advancement of the E1 settlement project in the West Bank. 67

Israel pounds southern Lebanon with airstrikes and artillery despite truce Israeli forces continued near-daily strikes on Marjayoun, Tyre and Nabatieh districts, with Lebanon's health ministry saying over 4,000 people have been killed since early March. Former defense minister Ya'alon accused Netanyahu of keeping fronts open to preempt a commission of inquiry. 8

China pushes back against Trump's 'Economic D-Day' campaign on Iran Beijing urged Washington and Tehran to resolve their conflict diplomatically, saying sanctions and pressure do not help, after Trump announced the 'most crushing economic operation ever' to isolate Iran. China is one of the largest importers of Iranian oil amid the ongoing US-Iran war and Hormuz closure. 9

Russia holds missile drills near disputed southern Kuril Islands Russia's Pacific Fleet conducted training strikes with Vulkan, Granit and Oniks missiles off the southern Kurils, days after Japan protested Putin's visit to Iturup. Tokyo claims the islands as its 'Northern Territories,' while Moscow administers them as part of Sakhalin Region. 10

Ukraine sanctions 'Masha and the Bear' producer and ex-lawmaker Ivaniushchenko President Zelenskyy imposed sanctions on Animaccord Studio, which produces the cartoon, and on former Party of Regions lawmaker Yuriy Ivaniushchenko, a suspect in a land legalization case worth over UAH 160 million with ties to occupied Crimea and Russia. 11

Progressive Aisha Wahab wins California special election for Swalwell's seat Wahab, a state senator backed by the state Democratic party and labor unions, beat rival Melissa Hernandez by more than 20 points in the primary to fill the seat of Eric Swalwell, who resigned in April amid sexual misconduct allegations he denies. 12

Bangladesh's Parliament elects Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir as president The veteran opposition leader was elected president, marking a significant political transition for the country. The move comes amid ongoing domestic political realignment following the ouster of former PM Hasina. 13

Alberta premier admits foreign interference targets fall referendum Danielle Smith acknowledged foreign influence campaigns, mostly from Russia, are amplifying narratives around the province's separatism referendum, according to University of Regina researchers using the Cipher AI tool. Narratives focus on cost of living, media corruption and US statehood. 14

Slovenian MP's bid to cut president's intel access called 'unconstitutional' Legal expert Rajko Pirnat dismissed SDS MP Žan Mahnič's initiative to stop intelligence reports reaching President Nataša Pirc Musar as an ill-conceived political move, saying it would violate laws and the constitution. Mahnič cited suspicions of ties to a Russian spy network. 15