Summary of the day: On August 2, Ukrainian forces successfully targeted Russian air defense systems and a submarine in occupied Crimea, including S-400 and S-500 launchers. The next day, Ukraine conducted drone strikes against military targets in Rostov, Kursk, and Belgorod oblasts. Meanwhile, Russian forces advanced near Kreminna, Siversk, and Chasiv Yar. Additionally, the Kremlin faced diplomatic pressure and refrained from transferring missiles to the Houthis in Yemen, highlighting Russia’s growing military ties with Iran and its reliance on Iranian proxies.
Picture of the day:
Ukraine’s Olga Kharlan (L) celebrates with teammates and the Ukrainian flag after winning in the women’s saber team gold medal bout between South Korea and Ukraine during the Paris 2024 Olympic Games. (Franck Fife/AFP via Getty Images)
What Can I Do To Help Ukraine? This is a question I receive all the time. We at Transform Ukraine are building longer-term housing for internally displaced Ukrainians. Visit Rebuild Ukraine for how you can assist in housing a Ukrainian family displaced by the war.
Beyond Ukraine – The March Towards World War
The Kremlin planned to send missiles and military equipment to the Houthis in Yemen but halted due to diplomatic pressure. This move shows Russia’s growing military ties with Iran and intent to use Iranian proxies to challenge the West. US officials said Russia’s plan was a response to the US easing restrictions on Ukraine’s weapon use. Russian military officials reportedly visited Yemen to advise the Houthis, who later canceled live fire exercises. Putin’s support for the Houthis attacking Israel and shipping shows deepening Russian-Iranian military ties and Russia’s reliance on Iran for precision weapons. This partnership may lead Russia to back more Iranian proxies to threaten the West, disrupting Russia’s image of balanced Middle East policy and straining relations with concerned countries.
North Korea is converting a Russian-made IL-76 military transport aircraft into an airborne early warning platform, enhancing its military capabilities. Satellite imagery reported by 38 North on August 1 shows the conversion taking place at Pyongyang International Airport. This upgrade will improve North Korea’s detection abilities, supplementing ground-based radar. It is unclear if Russian engineers are assisting. This follows a June 2024 strategic partnership agreement between Russian President Putin and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, with North Korea reportedly increasing its weapons supply to Russia.
At a Georgia rally, Donald Trump congratulated Vladimir Putin on a historic prisoner exchange arranged by President Joe Biden, which freed 16 people, including Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich. Trump praised Putin’s negotiating skills, contrasting them with previous U.S. deals he criticized as involving the release of dangerous criminals. The exchange involved prisoners from the U.S., Germany, Poland, Slovenia, Norway, Russia, and Belarus, with Turkey mediating. President Biden thanked several countries for their help but did not praise Putin.
Situation On The Land, Sea, and Air in Ukraine
On August 2, Ukrainian forces reportedly struck Russian S-400 and S-500 air defense systems and the Rostov-on-Don submarine in Crimea. The Ukrainian General Staff confirmed significant damage to the S-400 systems and claimed the submarine, worth $300 million, was sunk. This submarine had previously been repaired after a September missile attack. Russian sources said they repelled a missile strike on Sevastopol, and satellite images show some damage, but the submarine’s destruction is not yet independently verified. The Russian Defense Ministry has not responded to these claims. Residents reported blasts in Sevastopol, Simferopol, and Yevpatoria on August 2. Ukraine continues targeting Russia’s Black Sea Fleet, forcing Russia to move many naval forces to Novorossiysk.
Kharkiv Front – Initiative Russia
Russian forces continued attacks north and northeast of Kharkiv City near Hlyboke, Vovchansk, and Tykhe, but the frontline remained unchanged. Ukrainian Colonel Vitaly Sarantsev reported that Russia is moving forces from Luhansk Oblast to Starytsya for future assaults.
Luhansk Front – Initiative Russia
Russian forces advanced northwest of Kreminna and continued offensive operations along the Kupyansk-Svatove-Kreminna line. Geolocated footage from August 1 shows further advances in southern Makiivka. Offensive actions also occurred near Synkivka, Kolisynkivka, Novoosynove, Hlushkivka, Andriivka, Berestove, Stelmakhivka, Terny, and Torske.
Donetsk Front – Initiative Russia
Siversk
Russian forces advanced in the Siversk direction with continued ground attacks. Geolocated footage from August 2 confirms their advance north of Rozdolivka, indicating they seized the settlement. Fighting persisted near Verkhnokamyanske, Spirne, Ivano-Darivka, Vyimka, and Pereizne.
Chasiv Yar
Russian forces advanced in Chasiv Yar, continuing offensive operations. Footage from August 2 shows advances west of the Siverskyi-Donets Donbas Canal in northeastern Chasiv Yar. Ground attacks continued in Zhovtnevyi and Novyi microraions, near Chasiv Yar, and east near Ivanivske, Klishchiivka, and Andriivka.
Toretsk
Russian forces continued offensive operations in the Toretsk direction without confirmed advances. Russian bloggers claimed advances in Zalizne and central Niu York, suggesting Russian forces are close to Toretsk. However, the Institute for the Study of War estimates they are still about one kilometer away. Fighting persisted near Toretsk, Pivnichne, Zalizne, Niu York, and Panteleymonivka.
Pokrovsk
Russian forces continued offensive operations in the Pokrovsk direction without making confirmed advances. Ukrainian forces repelled a Russian mechanized assault on August 2. Russia is moving reserves from occupied Henichesk, Berdyansk, and Mariupol to the Pokrovsk direction. Russian bloggers reported conflicting claims about advances into Serhiivka and Zhelanne. Fighting persisted near Kalynove, Vozdvyzhenka, Ivanivka, Timofiivka, Novooleksandrivka, Novoselivka Persha, Serhiivka, Mezhove, and Karlivka.
Southwest of Donetsk City
Russian forces continued attacks near Krasnohorivka, Heorhiivka, Kostyantynivka, and Paraskoviivka, with no changes to the frontline. A Russian blogger questioned if Russian forces are holding positions along the O-0532 highway near Kostyantynivka. Another blogger claimed Russian troops use electric unicycles in assaults near Krasnohorivka.
Zaporizhia Front – Initiative Russia
Zaporizhia-Donetsk Border Area
Russian forces continued ground attacks near Velyka Novosilka on the Donetsk-Zaporizhia border, with no changes to the frontline.
Zaporizhia Line
Positional fighting continued in western Zaporizhia Oblast with no changes to the frontline. Russian forces attacked northeast of Robotyne near Mala Tokmachka. Ground assaults also occurred near Robotyne, Verbove, Novodanylivka, and Novoandriivka.
Kherson (Dnipro River) Front – Initiative Russia
Fighting continued near Krynky in eastern Kherson Oblast with no changes to the frontline.
Ukraine News
On August 2 and 3, Russian forces conducted limited missile and drone strikes across Ukraine. On August 2, they likely used Iskander-M ballistic missiles near Odesa. Overnight, they launched S-300 missiles from Donetsk, Kh-31P missiles from the Black Sea, and 29 Shahed drones from Crimea and Krasnodar. Ukrainian forces shot down 24 Shahed drones in multiple oblasts. An infrastructure facility near Vinnytsia City was hit by a drone, causing a fire at an oil depot. Russian strikes with S-300 missiles also targeted residential areas in Pokrovsk and Myrnohrad. Russian milbloggers noted that Russian forces turn off electronic warfare systems to create safer paths for their drones, which Ukrainian forces attempt to exploit.
Ukraine’s Ombudsman Dmytro Lubinets appealed to the International Committee of the Red Cross and the United Nations regarding a photo allegedly showing a Ukrainian prisoner of war executed by Russia. The photo, circulating on social media, shows a body with its head and limbs cut off. Verification is pending. Reports of Ukrainian POWs being tortured or killed by Russia have surfaced since the war began. As of June, 28 criminal investigations were underway for the execution of 62 Ukrainian POWs. Lubinets called the act a violation of the Geneva Convention and urged international organizations to document the crime. He emphasized that Russia is responsible for the treatment of POWs. Ukraine’s Prosecutor General’s Office has documented over 128,000 war crime victims, including at least 54 executed Ukrainian POWs. In June, Prosecutor General Andrii Kostin stated that Russian commanders ordered the killing of Ukrainian servicemen with inhuman cruelty.
Ukraine’s military intelligence (HUR) and the Foreign Ministry evacuated 30 Ukrainians from Lebanon due to increased security risks. Tensions rose after Hamas political chief Ismail Haniyeh was assassinated in Tehran, with Iran blaming Israel. This followed an attack from Lebanon on a village in the Golan Heights, reportedly organized by Hezbollah, killing 12 children. In response, Israel struck Beirut, killing Hezbollah commander Fuad Shukr, and is now on high alert for possible retaliation from Iran and Hezbollah. The U.S. is boosting defenses in the region. The Foreign Ministry advised Ukrainians to avoid traveling to Israel and leave Lebanon. The evacuees, 21 women and nine children, arrived in Rzeszow, Poland, met by Ukrainian consuls and HUR representatives. The evacuation, ordered by President Volodymyr Zelensky, continues, with Ukraine demonstrating leadership in protecting its citizens. Ukrainians in Lebanon are urged to contact the embassy or Foreign Ministry hotline for evacuation and avoid areas near the Syrian and Israeli borders and certain refugee camps. Kyiv expressed support for Israel following a deadly Hamas attack in October 2023 and called for an end to the Gaza conflict.
Innocent Victims Of War
The casualty count of civilians in the past 24 hours:
DEATHS: 5 INJURIES: 27
- Russian drones attacked the villages of Bilozerka and Antonivka in Kherson Oblast, injuring four people, including a child, according to Governor Oleksandr Prokudin. In Bilozerka, a 12-year-old boy was injured and hospitalized. In Antonivka, three men, aged 28, 39, and 41, were also injured. When medics arrived, a second attack damaged a car but caused no further casualties.
- In other regions of Kherson Oblast, Russian forces targeted 15 settlements, including Kherson, killing one person and injuring two others.
- In Zaporizhzhia Oblast, Russian troops fired 460 times at 11 settlements, injuring a 59-year-old man and a 57-year-old woman.
- In Donetsk Oblast, two people were killed in Katerynivka. In Novohrodivka, one person was killed and another injured. Four people were injured in Myrnohrad, and three others were wounded in Toretsk, Romanivka, and Novoeconomichne.
- In Kharkiv Oblast’s Kupiansk district, Russian forces attacked a residential yard in Kupiansk, killing a 55-year-old woman and injuring a 66-year-old woman and a 52-year-old man. Seven more people were injured in the Derhachiv community when a tractor caught fire and a bus was damaged, though the cause was not specified.
- In Sumy Oblast, Russian drones attacked the Nova Sloboda community, injuring two people.
Russian forces attacked Donetsk Oblast targeting civilian infrastructure, killing at least three people and injuring another eight. (Kharkiv Oblast Governor Vadym Filashkin / Telegram)
Life in Russian-Occupied Ukraine
Eight Ukrainian children returned home from Russian-occupied parts of Kherson Oblast, regional governor Oleksandr Prokrudin announced. Prokrudin thanked the humanitarian organization Save Ukraine for facilitating their return. Since Russia’s full-scale invasion, Moscow has abducted at least 19,500 Ukrainian children, with fewer than 400 returned. Such actions violate the Geneva Conventions and are considered war crimes. In 2024, 162 children from occupied Kherson have returned. The International Criminal Court has issued arrest warrants for Russian President Vladimir Putin and Children’s Rights Commissioner Maria Lvova-Belova for these abductions.
Russian authorities are reportedly deporting Ukrainian children from occupied territories to address labor shortages. Sevastopol’s occupation governor, Mikhail Razvozhaev, stated that children from occupied Sevastopol were awarded for their work in a labor competition in the Alabuga Special Economic Zone (SEZ), Tatarstan. A second group of students from Sevastopol is also in Tatarstan for “labor projects” in the Alabuga SEZ, a key site for Russia’s Shahed drone production. There are concerns that these Ukrainian children might be forced to produce drones.
Russia News
Ukrainian forces conducted drone strikes on military targets in Rostov, Kursk, and Belgorod oblasts, hitting the Morozovsk Airfield, ammunition depots, oil depots, and fuel storage facilities. Russian sources reported around 55 drones launched in Rostov, with footage showing explosions near Morozovsk. The Russian Defense Ministry claimed they intercepted 75 drones over Russia and the Sea of Azov. The General Staff of Ukraine’s Armed Forces confirmed the strike on Morozovsk Airfield, hitting an ammunition depot storing glide bombs and are assessing further damage. The attacks, carried out by the Security Service of Ukraine, the Ukrainian Armed Forces, and military intelligence, aimed to undermine Russian military assets and funding sources. Explosions were recorded at oil depots in Belgorod and Rostov, with at least two oil tanks set on fire. The Atlas plant’s oil and fuel warehouse in Rostov Oblast, supplying Russian military units in occupied Donetsk and Luhansk, was also hit by drones. The Morozovsk airbase had previously been targeted by Ukraine, with six warplanes destroyed in an April attack.
Russian Mobilization and Defense Industrial Base
Russian authorities are increasing financial incentives for military service in Ukraine. Russian opposition media reported widespread text ads offering one-time payments of 800,000 rubles ($9,400) and other benefits for enlisting. Mediazona revealed that Russian banks approved 45,800 new loan deferments for servicemembers from April to June 2024, mainly for new recruits. A Russian blogger noted that these incentives aim to avoid a second general mobilization. Regional officials have also announced more financial incentives, which may sustain current military efforts but could strain budgets long-term.
Dmitry Kuzyakin, Director General of the Russian Center for Integrated Unmanned Solutions, told TASS that Russia has developed a “Doomsday” FPV drone. This drone can monitor radiation levels after a nuclear strike and be operated from inside a sealed armored vehicle.
Source Material
Institute for the Study of War – understandingwar.org
The Kyiv Independent – kyivindependent.com
Kyiv Post – kyivpost.com