Missile strike in Mykolayev, attributed to Russia
In the eastern regions of Ukraine, the conflict remains active and dynamic, with intense fighting around the cities of Mykolaiv and Pokrovsk. Recent assessments indicate that Russian forces are mounting attacks on Pokrovsk from multiple directions, including north, northeast, east, southeast, south, and southwest. The strategic aim appears to be bypassing key urban areas such as Pokrovsk and Myrnohrad to the east [2].
Ukrainian forces report that over 100,000 Russian troops are engaged in the Pokrovsk direction, employing tactics such as small group movements and minimising the use of large armoured vehicles due to vulnerability concerns [2]. Ukrainian counterattacks continue in this area, as both sides seek advantageous positions [2].
Mykolaiv, too, has seen recent fighting, with Ukrainian forces advancing in nearby areas north and northeast of cities such as Mykolaivka. The focus seems to be on disrupting Russian lines of communication in these regions, complicating Russian attempts to hold or expand territory [4].
Strategically, these cities hold significant importance as they lie near contested fronts in the Donetsk and Zaporizhia oblasts, areas that Russia illegally annexed in 2022 but which remain fiercely contested. Control over cities like Pokrovsk provides access to routes critical for movement and supply, and the ongoing clashes reflect Russian attempts to secure or bypass them, while Ukraine continues defensive and counteroffensive operations [2][4].
Politically and diplomatically, Russia maintains uncompromising war aims, insisting on Ukrainian withdrawals from annexed territories and abandoning NATO ambitions before any ceasefire discussions, as reiterated by President Putin on August 1, 2025. The United States and Ukraine have shown support for ceasefire efforts, yet there is no indication of progress from the Russian side [1][5].
While the conflict continues on the battlefield, events off the battlefield are also making headlines. Journalist Viktoria Roshchyna died in Russian captivity in 2024 and was posthumously awarded the "Order of Freedom" by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy [20:07]. US President Donald Trump announced the deployment of two nuclear submarines in response to remarks by former Russian President Dmitri Medvedev [19:19].
The Ukrainian Anti-Corruption Bureau and Special Prosecutor's Office arrested a Ukrainian MP, several heads of local authorities, and a National Guard member for embezzlement related to the procurement of drones and electronic warfare equipment [17:06]. The Ukrainian General Staff recorded 172 engagements between Ukrainian defense forces and Russian invaders along the frontline in the past 24 hours, with most of these occurring in the Pokrovsk sector [08:55].
The southern Ukrainian city of Mykolaiv was targeted by a Russian attack, resulting in several injuries and damaged residential buildings [01:06]. Meanwhile, the Russian army is making progress in Chassiv Yar, Toretsk, and other towns in the Donetsk Oblast [07:58]. Three people have been killed in Ukrainian drone attacks on several Russian regions [08:30].
Since the beginning of 2024, the EU has been supporting Ukraine with "Ukraine Facility" financial assistance, totaling 50 billion euros in exchange for reforms [20:58]. The Ukrainian General Staff reports that in the past 24 hours, 1010 Russian casualties were sustained, including 139 combat drones, one armoured vehicle, 130 unarmoured vehicles, and 38 artillery systems destroyed in combat [07:16].
In a show of solidarity, almost 10,000 young Poles are spending their summer holidays "at the army" this year due to the Russian threat [06:17]. Russian troops are trying to break through the defense lines of the fortified city of Pokrovsk with a tactic of "total infiltration" [22:32].
Russian President Vladimir Putin has confirmed plans to deploy the latest hypersonic missile, named "Orekh," in Belarus this year [05:31]. One year after the prisoner exchange with Russia, some of those released are calling for more action to be taken for the remaining political prisoners in Russia [18:24].
US Senator Lindsey Graham has warned Russia against possible escalation in response to threats from Dmitri Medvedev, the deputy head of Russia's Security Council [09:58]. UK Defense Minister David Lammy expects that Russian President Vladimir Putin has no intention of leading peace negotiations [15:52].
Lithuania's military has located an unmanned aerial vehicle that is suspected to have entered Lithuanian airspace from Belarus [18:54]. A large explosion at the Russian oil refinery of Novokuibyshevsk in the Samara region is suspected to have been preceded by a Ukrainian drone strike [06:17].
Russian forces made advances in the northeast of Pokrovsk last week, attempting to encircle the city and cut off its logistics routes and ground connections [18:39]. The USA and NATO are reportedly working on a new model for delivering US weapons to Ukraine, with potential for weapons worth ten billion dollars to be provided [03:10].
US Ambassador to NATO, Matthew Whitaker, believes that President Donald Trump still has leverage to diplomatically end the war in Ukraine, with harsh sanctions to be imposed against Russia and countries doing business with it if Putin does not agree to a ceasefire [16:33]. Russia used a record 6,129 Shahed drones against Ukraine in July, surpassing the previous record of 5,337 drones in June [19:24].
At least eleven people, including a five-month-old infant and two children aged nine and ten, were injured in a heavy Russian drone attack on the eastern Ukrainian city of Kharkiv [23:49]. Hackers suspected of causing the widespread outage of Russian airline Aeroflot have been revealed [09:37].
In a bold move, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced further long-range attacks on Russian territory [21:41]. As the conflict continues, both sides remain resolute in their positions, with no clear end in sight.
- The ongoing conflict in eastern Ukraine has led to the implementation of stringent community policies and employment policies within affected regions, with a focus on ensuring security, supporting displaced individuals, and promoting rebuilding efforts.
- Amidst the backdrop of political and diplomatic tensions with Russia, discussions about general news topics such as war-and-conflicts, war aims, and ceasefire efforts frequently arise in policy debates, particularly in the context of employment policies and international relations.
