Explosions rocked Russian ammunition depots outside Luhansk overnight, according to Ukraine’s Security Service (SBU).

Drones operated by the Security Service of Ukraine struck two Russian Armed Forces ammunition depots located deep behind the front lines in the Russian-occupied Luhansk region, the SBU said in a statement. The strikes occurred overnight on August 19, the agency added.

The blasts were reported near the village of Bilokurakyne, close to a railway station that, according to the …

In the Russian-occupied part of Ukraine’s Zaporizhzhia region, Ukraine’s Forces destroyed a freight train carrying fuel. The blast completely ruined the railway tracks Russia uses to move weapons and military equipment to the southern front.

Petro Andryushchenko, head of the Center for the Study of Occupation, reported explosions on a rail spur built by Russian forces. He posted two photos of the aftermath and said “there is no longer any rail service through occupied Zaporizhzhia.” Meanwhile, …

Ukrainian drones attacked an oil refinery in Volgograd overnight into August 19.

Regional governor Andrei Bocharov confirmed the strike on the refinery, but said the fire was caused by falling drone debris on the plant’s grounds.

Local social media channels reported the drone attack began around 3 a.m. Residents first heard the sound of drone engines overhead, followed by loud bangs, according to the Telegram channel “Ukraine 365.”

Bocharov said Russia’s air defenses repelled a mass drone …

Ukraine’s General Staff reports gains on the front’s hottest sector near Pokrovsk and Dobropillya

The Pokrovsk sector, including Dobropillya in Donetsk region, is currently the hottest along the entire front line.

According to Ukraine’s general Staff,

- Ukrainian forces repelled a Russian assault near Dobropillya on the Pokrovsk axis.

- Near Dobropillya, Ukrainian troops cleared several settlements of Russian forces.

- Russian forces are attempting to infiltrate Ukrainian positions in …

In the second quarter of 2025, 37,900 Russians signed contracts with the Defense Ministry, according to the Russian outlet Vazhnyye Istorii ( Important Stories), which cited federal budget spending data.

The recruitment figure is the weakest in the past two years and 2.5 times lower than the same period in 2024, when 92,800 new contract soldiers received payments.

Overall, 127,500 people received signing bonuses in the first six months of this year. By comparison, from January to June 2024, 16 …

Zaporizhzhia could be Russia’s next priority target in Ukraine, according to Oleksandr Syrskyi, commander-in-chief of Ukraine’s Armed Forces. He said a strike in this sector had been planned a year ago but was derailed by the Kursk operation.

In an interview with RBC-Ukraine, Syrskyi said Russia’s strategic offensive is ongoing and the front line remains difficult. He said Russian forces are regrouping and concentrating on two main axes: Pokrovsk and Zaporizhzhia.

An advance on Pokrovsk …

At least 23 people were killed and more than 150 were injured in an explosion at the “Elastik” gunpowder plant in Russia’s Ryazan region as of Monday, and the facility sustained severe damage, Russian media reported, citing the Emergencies Ministry.

The blast occurred on the morning of August 15 at a plant that specializes in a broad range of defense products, including gunpowder, explosives, specialty chemicals and components for certain munitions.

According to official information, the …

Ukraine’s homegrown “Flamingo” missile could significantly damage Russia’s economy and defense-industrial base, military analyst Pavlo Narozhnyi told Radio NV, arguing the system packs far more punch than the drones that have already harried Russian industry.

In recent days, Ukraine unveiled the long-range “Flamingo” missile and said serial production is underway. The weapon is designed to strike targets up to 3,000 kilometers away. Whether it can systematically degrade Russia’s defense …