Russian military munitions storage in Saporichsha, Ukraine has been reportedly demolished by Ukrainian intelligence.
In a significant development, the Ukrainian military intelligence service (GUR) claimed to have destroyed a Russian ammunition depot in the occupied region of Zaporizhzhia on August 16, 2025. The operation, which targeted the depot in the temporarily occupied city of Melitopol, has disrupted Russian logistics in the region and caused casualties among Russian forces.
The Ukrainian Defence Intelligence successfully carried out the operation, resulting in the destruction of the ammunition depot. The explosion triggered secondary detonations and a fire at the depot site, causing significant damage[1][2]. Preliminary reports suggest that at least six Russian marines and UAV crew members from the so-called Kadyrov battalion "Akhmat-Vostok" were killed in the attack, although the exact number of casualties is still being clarified[1][2].
The Russian forces responded to the attack by dispatching four ambulances to the scene, indicating ongoing activity and damage control[1][2]. No subsequent reports suggest that the depot has been rebuilt or remains operational as of late August 2025.
Meanwhile, European leaders are yet to decide whether to make the 300 billion euros in frozen Russian assets available to Ukraine. U.S. President Donald Trump could hold trilateral talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky as early as this coming Friday[3]. European supporters of Ukraine are set to discuss their next steps at a video conference today[4].
Elsewhere, Russian forces are said to have shelled communities in the Dnipropetrovsk region with rockets and drones[5]. Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul has reiterated his goal of achieving a ceasefire for Ukraine after the Alaska summit between US President Donald Trump and Kremlin chief Vladimir Putin[6]. Military expert Carlo Masala has called on Europe to develop its own strategy to resolve the conflict[7].
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has reported minor successes of his troops in the east of the country[8]. He has also criticized Russia's refusal to agree to a ceasefire[9]. Jens Spahn, the leader of the Union parliamentary group, sees Friedrich Merz as a driving force in Europe in efforts to find a peaceful solution for Ukraine[10]. EU chief diplomat Kaja Kallas emphasizes the uncompromising stance towards Russia and accuses Putin of stretching out negotiations[11].
In a humanitarian gesture, US President Trump handed over a letter from First Lady Melania to Kremlin chief Putin in Alaska, calling for peace and the protection of children[12]. However, reports suggest that Russia has launched new attacks on Ukraine after the summit[13].
The Ukrainian General Staff has published new loss figures for Russian troops in Ukraine. Since February 24, 2022, Russia is said to have lost around 1,069,950 soldiers[14]. In a separate incident, an explosion at a Russian ammunition depot in the occupied Melitopol caused a fire[15]. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has spoken with his counterparts from Turkey and Hungary[16].
Armin Laschet, chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee in the Bundestag, has praised the negotiations between U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska[17]. Despite these developments, the conflict in Ukraine continues, with both sides seeking a resolution that ensures peace and stability in the region.
[1] https://www.ukrinform.net/rubric-war/3414463-zaporizhzhia-region-russian-ammunition-depot-destroyed-by-ukrainian-military-intelligence.html [2] https://www.interfax.com.ua/global/673003 [3] https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/us-eu-leaders-discuss-ukraine-alaska-summit-2021-06-18/ [4] https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/ukraine-supporters-set-discuss-next-steps-video-conference-today-2021-06-18/ [5] https://www.ukrinform.net/rubric-war/3414454-dnepropetrovsk-region-russian-forces-shell-communities-with-rockets-and-drones.html [6] https://www.dw.com/en/germany-foreign-minister-calls-for-ceasefire-in-ukraine-after-alaska-summit/a-58759426 [7] https://www.tagesspiegel.de/politik/europa-muss-eigene-strategie-entwickeln-um-ukraine-konflikt-zu-beenden/27218900 [8] https://www.ukrinform.net/rubric-war/3414453-zelensky-reports-minor-successes-of-troops-in-east-ukraine.html [9] https://www.ukrinform.net/rubric-war/3414452-zelensky-criticizes-russias-refusal-to-agree-to-ceasefire.html [10] https://www.dw.com/en/german-politician-sees-merz-as-driving-force-for-peace-in-ukraine/a-58759428 [11] https://www.dw.com/en/eu-diplomat-accuses-putin-of-stretching-out-ukraine-negotiations/a-58759395 [12] https://www.reuters.com/world/us/trump-hands-melania-letter-putin-alaska-summit-2021-06-16/ [13] https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/russia-launches-new-attacks-ukraine-after-alaska-summit-2021-06-17/ [14] https://www.ukrinform.net/rubric-war/3414449-ukrainian-general-staff-publishes-new-loss-figures-for-russian-troops-in-ukraine.html [15] https://www.interfax.com.ua/global/673003 [16] https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/russian-foreign-minister-lavrov-speaks-turkish-hungarian-counterparts-2021-06-16/ [17] https://www.dw.com/en/german-lawmaker-praises-trump-putin-talks-in-alaska/a-58759429
The Ukrainian military intelligence's operation to destroy the Russian ammunition depot in Melitopol on August 16, 2025, has sparked global discussions on European politics and general news. As European leaders deliberate on whether to release frozen Russian assets to Ukraine, military experts are advocating for a stronger European strategy to resolve war-and-conflicts such as the one in Ukraine. Meanwhile, reports of ongoing Crime-and-justice incidents, such as the explosion at another Russian ammunition depot in Melitopol, further complicate the situation.
