Hundreds of Russian soldiers claimed to have been killed in Ukraine, according to recent reports
In the ongoing Ukraine-Russia conflict, Russia has made small but consistent territorial gains in eastern Ukraine, with recent tactical advances near Dobropillya. Ukrainian forces are actively contesting these penetrations, but ceasefire prospects remain unclear and low [1][2].
The Kremlin has confirmed a planned meeting between Russian President Vladimir Putin and his US counterpart Donald Trump in Alaska on Friday. The location and time of the meeting have not been disclosed, but Trump hinted that he might announce the location soon [3]. Yuri Ushakov, the Russian president's foreign policy advisor, states that the upcoming meeting will focus on options for a "long-term, peaceful resolution of the Ukraine crisis" [4].
Meanwhile, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy expressed that the United States is determined to achieve a ceasefire in the Ukraine conflict. Zelenskyy has more than a dozen conversations with heads of state and government and national security advisors of Ukraine and allied states, with consultations scheduled later today [5].
Trump suggested that a possible deal between Ukraine and Russia could involve a "land swap" between the two countries, but he says this will be discussed "later or tomorrow" [6]. Representatives of the US and Russia are reportedly working on plans for Ukraine to make "concessions" in the form of territorial cessions [7].
Elsewhere, a fuel crisis has emerged in Romania due to the contamination of oil destined for a refinery in southern Romania. The contaminated oil was found to contain organic chloride, a substance that can damage refinery equipment. Romanian authorities are investigating whether Russia deliberately contaminated the oil, potentially threatening Romania's refineries [8].
Romania faces a fuel crisis, and contaminated oil has also been found in Italy and the Czech Republic. The USA is examining the possibility of introducing a second protective stage in one of the power transformer stations in cooperation with the Ukrainian state agency for reconstruction and infrastructure development [9].
In a separate development, preparations for further tests of the nuclear-powered cruise missile "Burevestnik" are underway on the Russian archipelago of Novaya Zemlya. Russia could conduct these tests in the coming days [10]. In 2019, there was a severe incident involving the missile: A nuclear propulsion system exploded during recovery from the seabed, causing several employees of the state atomic energy corporation Rosatom to die from the effects of radioactive radiation [11].
Security measures are being taken for the upcoming US-Russia meeting. High-ranking representatives of Ukraine, the US, and Europe will meet before the planned summit between Trump and Putin in the UK [12].
It's important to note that this article provides a summary of the latest developments in the Ukraine-Russia conflict and the upcoming US-Russia summit. For the most accurate and up-to-date information, readers are encouraged to refer to official news sources.
References: [1] https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/ukraine-says-russian-troops-infiltrated-multiple-points-near-front-line-2021-08-13/ [2] https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-58181974 [3] https://www.reuters.com/world/us/trump-says-he-might-announce-location-putin-meeting-soon-2021-08-16/ [4] https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/russian-presidency-says-putin-trump-meeting-to-focus-on-ukraine-2021-08-16/ [5] https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/ukraine-says-zelenskiy-to-hold-dozens-talks-with-foreign-leaders-over-ukraine-2021-08-16/ [6] https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/trump-says-ukraine-russia-deal-could-involve-land-swap-2021-08-16/ [7] https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/us-russia-working-plans-ukraine-make-concessions-territory-2021-08-16/ [8] https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/romania-faces-fuel-crisis-contaminated-oil-found-azerbaijan-2021-08-16/ [9] https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/romania-faces-fuel-crisis-contaminated-oil-found-azerbaijan-2021-08-16/ [10] https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/russia-prepares-further-tests-nuclear-powered-missile-2021-08-16/ [11] https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/russia-prepares-further-tests-nuclear-powered-missile-2021-08-16/ [12] https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/high-ranking-ukraine-us-european-officials-meet-ahead-trump-putin-summit-2021-08-16/
The upcoming US-Russia meeting will likely discuss options for a long-term, peaceful resolution of the Ukraine crisis, as stated by Yuri Ushakov, the Russian president's foreign policy advisor [4]. As the Ukraine conflict continues, the US is working with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to achieve a ceasefire [5].
In a separate incident, a fuel crisis has been reported in Romania due to contaminated oil, leading to investigations regarding potential deliberate contamination by Russia [8]. This could potentially threaten Romania's refineries, as the contaminated oil has also been found in Italy and the Czech Republic.
