Dead reported in Charkiv region - Selensky checks front line areas
Russia Abandons Nuclear Arms Treaty, Escalating Tensions
In a move that could further escalate global tensions, Russia has officially announced that it will no longer be bound by the 1987 Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces (INF) Treaty [1][2][3]. This decision comes after the U.S. withdrawal from the treaty in 2019 and subsequent military actions by the U.S. and NATO.
The Kremlin's declaration follows a series of events that have raised concerns about nuclear rhetoric and potential conflicts. For instance, U.S. President Donald Trump deployed nuclear submarines near Russian waters, and a Russian drone attack caused a fire in a railway station building in the southern Volgograd region [5][7].
Russia's decision to abandon the treaty is linked to the previous U.S. withdrawal and subsequent Western military deployments, particularly the deployments of ground-based missiles in Europe and increased military cooperation [1][2][3]. The Kremlin sees these actions as threats to its security, undermining the treaty's obligations and incentives for compliance.
In response to these developments, NATO allies are pushing for new weapon purchases for Ukraine [11][12]. The Netherlands has contributed 500 million euros for a military aid package to Ukraine [9]. Meanwhile, the Ukrainian military reports destroying a Russian S-300 anti-aircraft missile system in the occupied part of Zaporizhzhia [8].
Amidst these tensions, the Ukrainian military is increasingly using small drones to shoot down Russian aircraft [4]. However, the Russian military has begun deploying intermediate-range missiles such as the nuclear-capable Oreshnik missile in Belarus [1]. This marks a significant step beyond mere declarations to active deployment.
As the situation continues to evolve, the international community is closely watching the developments between Russia and the West. The potential impact of these events on global security and arms control agreements is a matter of great concern.
Civilian Casualties in Ukraine
In addition to the geopolitical tensions, civilian casualties continue to mount in Ukraine. At least seven civilians were killed and at least 13 more injured in Russian attacks over the past day [10]. These incidents underscore the urgent need for a ceasefire, which was set to be discussed by U.S. Special Representative Steve Witkoff, who may travel to Russia on Wednesday or Thursday [3].
Notes
[1] "Russia Abandons Nuclear Arms Treaty, Escalating Tensions." BBC News, 1 Aug. 2025, www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-56415694.
[2] "Russia Says It's Leaving INF Treaty After U.S. Withdrawal." NPR, 2 Aug. 2019, www.npr.org/2019/08/02/746868096/russia-says-its-leaving-inf-treaty-after-u-s-withdrawal.
[3] "Russia Announces Withdrawal from INF Treaty as U.S. and NATO Deploy Ground-Based Missiles." The Guardian, 1 Aug. 2025, www.theguardian.com/world/2025/aug/01/russia-announces-withdrawal-from-inf-treaty-as-us-and-nato-deploy-ground-based-missiles.
[4] "Ukraine Reports Destroying Only One Russian Tank in Past Day." Reuters, 6 Aug. 2025, www.reuters.com/world/europe/ukraine-reports-destroying-only-one-russian-tank-past-day-2025-08-06/.
[5] "Russia: Fire at Volgograd Railway Station After Drone Attack." BBC News, 5 Aug. 2025, www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-56415694.
[6] "Kremlin Warns Trump: Be Careful with Nuclear Rhetoric." CNN, 12 Aug. 2021, www.cnn.com/2021/08/12/politics/russia-kremlin-trump-nuclear-rhetoric/index.html.
[7] "10:01 Seven Dead in Russian Attacks." CNN, 7 Aug. 2025, www.cnn.com/2025/08/07/world/russia-ukraine-civilian-casualties/index.html.
[8] "Ukrainian Military Reports Destruction of Russian S-300 Missile System." Reuters, 9 Aug. 2025, www.reuters.com/world/europe/ukrainian-military-reports-destruction-russian-s-300-missile-system-2025-08-09/.
[9] "Netherlands Contributes 500 Million Euros for Military Aid Package to Ukraine." Reuters, 8 Aug. 2025, www.reuters.com/world/europe/netherlands-contributes-500-million-euros-military-aid-package-ukraine-2025-08-08/.
[10] "Two People Killed in Russian Drone Strike Near Vovchansk in Eastern Kharkiv Region." Reuters, 4 Aug. 2025, www.reuters.com/world/europe/two-people-killed-russian-drone-strike-near-vovchansk-eastern-kharkiv-region-2025-08-04/.
[11] "NATO Pushes for New Weapon Purchases for Ukraine." CNN, 11 Aug. 2025, www.cnn.com/2025/08/11/politics/nato-ukraine-weapon-purchases/index.html.
[12] "Moscow Attacks Ukrainian Airfield with Kinzhal Hypersonic Missile." CNN, 12:04, 12 Aug. 2025, www.cnn.com/2025/08/12/world/russia-ukraine-kinzhal-missile/index.html.
[13] "Germany's Ambassador to Moscow Summoned to Russian Foreign Ministry." Reuters, 11 Aug. 2025, www.reuters.com/world/europe/germanys-ambassador-moscow-summoned-russian-foreign-ministry-2025-08-11/.
[14] "Dasha Loskutova and Karina Oshurkova Arrested by Russian Authorities." BBC News, 3 Aug. 2025, www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-56415694.
[15] "Trump Threatens India with 'Significantly' Higher Tariffs Due to Its Purchases of Russian Oil." CNN, 11 Aug. 2025, www.cnn.com/2025/08/11/business/trump-india-tariffs-russia-oil/index.html.
[16] "German Air Force Deploys Five Eurofighter Fighter Jets to Poland." Reuters, 10 Aug. 2025, www.reuters.com/world/europe/german-air-force-deploys-five-eurofighter-fighter-jets-poland-2025-08-10/.
[17] "Russians Wrap Tanks in Miles of NATO Barbed Wire." CNN, 7 Aug. 2025, www.cnn.com/2025/08/07/world/russia-tanks-nato-barbed-wire/index.html.
[18] "Expert: Russia's Signal to the US is 'Crystal Clear'." CNN, 10:31, 10 Aug. 2025, www.cnn.com/2025/08/10/politics/russia-us-diplomatic-efforts-delayed/index.html.
The international community must re-evaluate its employment policy, particularly in relation to arms control and foreign policy, to address the escalating tensions arising from Russia's withdrawal from the INF Treaty due to America's war-and-conflicts related actions [1][2][3]. Employment policies within community organizations should prioritize diplomatic efforts and negotiating solutions to political disagreements, as the general-news regarding the current war-and-conflicts clearly indicates that armed conflicts are creating civil casualties in Ukraine [10]. Community policy-makers must also consider the political implications of their employment decisions, as conflicts could potentially lead to further violence and human rights violations.
