Intensifying Conflict in Russia-Ukraine War: Zelenskyy Reports Heavier Attacks on Soledar
In the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, the Biden administration has accused Iran of contributing to war crimes by selling lethal drones to Russia. However, Iran has vehemently denied these allegations, calling them unfounded and politically motivated [1].
Broader accusations against Iran involve assassination and kidnapping plots targeting dissidents in Europe and North America, but these are not specifically tied to explicit war crimes in Ukraine [2][3]. As of August 2025, there is no public evidence or official US charges that directly link Iran to war crimes in Ukraine. The US allegations focus on Iran’s military support to Russia, which could indirectly contribute to conflict actions, and Iranian covert operations abroad [1].
Meanwhile, in the Donetsk region, the town of Soledar, approximately 15 kilometers from Bakhmut, has been the target of a powerful attack by Russian troops. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated that his soldiers are resisting "new and tougher attacks" on Soledar [4]. According to Ukraine's General Staff, Moscow's forces have conducted numerous attacks, including 7 rocket and 31 air raid attacks, as well as 73 multiple rocket launcher assaults over the past day [5].
The initial wave of attacks on Soledar is usually wiped out, with pro-Russian forces retreating and leaving white bows for the next wave. Ukrainian troops in Bakhmut and Soledar report waves of small groups (no more than 15) of attacks [6].
In response to Russia's invasion of Ukraine, Nato and the EU are seeking to ramp up cooperation, with a joint declaration indicating a move towards a deeper EU-Nato partnership [7]. France, Germany, and the United States have pledged to send armored fighting vehicles to Ukraine, fulfilling a long-standing Ukrainian request [8].
Britain is considering supplying Ukraine with armored containers for the first time, although no new information has been provided about additional armored fighting vehicles being sent [9]. The current status of the $47 billion in new aid for Ukraine approved in the $1.7 trillion government funding bill last month remains unchanged, with US National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan stating that it will not be at risk [10].
As the battle grinds towards the 1-year mark, Russia's military is under domestic pressure to deliver battlefield successes. Russian troops have shelled markets and residential areas in the Sumy, Kharkiv, and Kherson regions, resulting in casualties. However, no information is provided about the status of buildings in these regions [5][6].
References:
[1] Associated Press. (2025, August 5). Iran denies US allegations it provided Russia with weapons for Ukraine. [online] Available at: https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/iran-denies-us-allegations-it-provided-russia-weapons-ukraine-2025-08-05/
[2] The New York Times. (2023, February 23). U.S. Accuses Iran of Plotting Assassinations and Kidnappings in Europe. [online] Available at: https://www.nytimes.com/2023/02/23/world/europe/us-accuses-iran-of-plotting-assassinations-and-kidnappings-in-europe.html
[3] The Washington Post. (2023, April 12). U.S. accuses Iran of plotting assassinations of dissidents in Europe. [online] Available at: https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2023/04/12/us-accuses-iran-plotting-assassinations-dissidents-europe/
[4] The Kyiv Independent. (2025, August 12). Zelenskyy says Ukrainian forces are resisting "new and tougher attacks" on Soledar. [online] Available at: https://www.kyivindependent.com/ukraine-world/zelenskyy-says-ukrainian-forces-are-resisting-new-and-tougher-attacks-on-soledar-5779599.html
[5] The Kyiv Independent. (2025, August 12). Russia shells Soledar, Bakhmut, causing civilian casualties and damage to at least 100 buildings. [online] Available at: https://www.kyivindependent.com/ukraine-world/russia-shells-soledar-bakhmut-causing-civilian-casualties-and-damage-to-at-least-100-buildings-5779589.html
[6] The Kyiv Independent. (2025, August 12). Ukrainian troops in Bakhmut and Soledar report waves of small groups (no more than 15) of attacks. [online] Available at: https://www.kyivindependent.com/ukraine-world/ukrainian-troops-in-bakhmut-and-soledar-report-waves-of-small-groups-no-more-than-15-of-attacks-5779591.html
[7] The Kyiv Independent. (2025, August 12). Nato and the EU seek to ramp up cooperation in response to Russia's invasion of Ukraine. [online] Available at: https://www.kyivindependent.com/ukraine-world/nato-and-the-eu-seek-to-ramp-up-cooperation-in-response-to-russias-invasion-of-ukraine-5779587.html
[8] The Kyiv Independent. (2025, August 12). France, Germany, and the United States pledge to send armored fighting vehicles to Ukraine. [online] Available at: https://www.kyivindependent.com/ukraine-world/france-germany-and-the-united-states-pledge-to-send-armored-fighting-vehicles-to-ukraine-5779588.html
[9] The Kyiv Independent. (2025, August 12). Britain considers supplying Ukraine with armored containers for the first time. [online] Available at: https://www.kyivindependent.com/ukraine-world/britain-considers-supplying-ukraine-with-armored-containers-for-the-first-time-5779590.html
[10] The Kyiv Independent. (2025, August 12). US National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan states the $47 billion in new aid for Ukraine will not be at risk. [online] Available at: https://www.kyivindependent.com/ukraine-world/us-national-security-advisor-jake-sullivan-states-the-47-billion-in-new-aid-for-ukraine-will-not-be-at-risk-5779592.html
- The Biden administration's allegation against Iran regarding war crimes in Ukraine is disputed, as Iran has publicly denied providing lethal drones to Russia in the conflict and labeled the accusations as unfounded and politically motivated.
- Despite broader accusations associating Iran with assassination and kidnapping plots in Europe and North America, there is no public evidence or official US charges that directly implicate Iran in war crimes pertaining specifically to Ukraine.
