War in Ukraine today: latest news, 16 August 2025 (photo)

It has been the 1270  th day of the Ukrainian resistance to the russian military aggression. 

 

What happened in Ukraine today:

Here is operational information of the General Staff as of 6 pm:   

On 16 August, there were 68 combat clashes.

Communities of border settlements suffered from enemy artillery fire, in particular, Boiaro-Lezhachi, Simeikine, Bila Bereza, Shalyhyne, Khodyne, Bobylivka and Bilokopytove in Sumy oblast. Rudnia was hit by airstrikes.

Towards Northern Sloboda and Kursk, there were two attacks by enemy forces. In addition, the enemy has launched 5 airstrikes, dropping 14 guided bombs, and also carried out 134 attacks, nine of which were from multiple launch rocket systems. Ukrainian units are conducting active actions to disrupt the plans of the occupier, and had some success in some locations.

Towards Southern Sloboda, the Defense Forces repelled two enemy attacks near the settlement of Kamianka.

Towards Kupiansk, russian occupiers tried to break through Ukrainian defenses near the settlements of Kindrashivka, Zapadne, Holubivka and Stepova Novoselivka. Six out of nine attacks were repelled, and fighting continues.

Towards Lyman, the invading army carried out 14 attacks on the positions of Ukrainian units near the settlements of Karpivka, Zelena Dolyna, Kolodiazi and towards Serebrianka and Hryhorivka, two clashes are ongoing.

Towards Siversk, the occupiers tried to advance, the aggressor was active near Hryhorivka.

Towards Kramatorsk, there were no attacking actions.

Towards Toretsk, the enemy carried out four assault actions in the vicinity of Toretsk, Diliivka and towards Pleshchiivka. One battle is still ongoing.

Towards Pokrovsk, russian invaders made 26 attempts to push Ukrainian defenders from the occupied positions in the vicinity of the settlements of Poltavka, Volodymyrivka, Nove Shakhove, Novoekonomichne, Rodynske, Promin, Lysivka, Chunyshyne, Zvirove, Kotlyne, Udachne, Horikhove, Muravka and Filiia. The defense forces are holding back the onslaught and repelling 24 enemy attacks, and fighting is still ongoing in two locations.

Towards Novopavlivka, the enemy tried to break through the defense of Ukrainian defenders in the vicinity of the settlements of Novokhatske, Vilne Pole, Myrne, Voskresenko, Maliivka and Olhivske. The defense forces repelled four enemy assaults, and four more clashes are ongoing.

Towards Huliaipole, the settlement of Bilohiria was hit by an airstrike; towards Orikhiv, Preobrazhenka and Orikhiv were under enemy GABs.

Towards Kherson, the enemy twice tried in vain to approach Ukrainian defenders, and also carried out an airstrike in the vicinity of Kozatske settlement.

In the remaining directions, there were no significant changes.

President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy reports that for the second day in a row, the Armed Forces of Ukraine are advancing near Dobropillia and Pokrovsk in Donetsk oblast.

According to the Air ForceOn the night of August 16, russia attacked the territory of Ukraine with an Iskander-M missile and 85 UAVs. 61 UAVs were shot down and suppressed.

 

Recent war events in the east of Ukraine

Kharkiv oblast

Frontline

 

There were 139 combat clashes in the oblast.

 

Towards Southern Sloboda, the Defense Forces repelled five enemy attacks near the settlements of Vovchansk, Kamianka, Khatne and Fiholivka.

 

Towards Kupiansk, there were five attacks. The Defense Forces repelled enemy assault actions in the vicinity of the settlements of Petropavlivka, Zahryzove, Nova Kruhliakivka and towards Kupiansk.

 

Shelling

i2 settlements were subjected to enemy attacks.

 

There were no casualties as a result of the shelling.

 

The enemy actively used various types of weapons in the Kharkiv region:

▪️1 GAB;

▪️1 UAV of the Geran-2 type;

▪️2 UAVs of the Molniya type;

▪️1 UAV (type to be determined).

 

Civil infrastructure facilities were damaged and destroyed:

▪️A private house was damaged in Kharkiv region (Prudianka village);

▪️An apartment building was damaged in the Izium region (Borova village).

 

Donetsk oblast

Фронт


Shelling

On August 15, there were 2,538 enemy strikes on the front line and residential sector. 13 settlements were under fire: the cities of Bilozerske, Dobropillia, Kostiantynivka, Lyman, Sviatohirsk, the villages of Sviatohirovka, Novoselivka, Novoiavlenka, the villages of Andriivka, Dobropillia, Ivanopillia, Illinivka, and Samarske. 37 civilian objects were destroyed, including 17 residential buildings.

 

russians covered Illinivka with artillery – a civilian was wounded, a private home was damaged.

 

An administrative building was damaged in Kostiantynivka. The enemy dropped a GAB-250 bomb on Novoselivkan Lymancommunity – 2 private houses, an administrative building, and a shop were damaged.

 

In Andriivka, 7 private houses were damaged. In Novodonetsk community, the invaders directed 13 Geran-2 UAVs at Samarske, damaging a shop and non-residential premises; in Novoyavlenka, three Geran-2 UAVs damaged three private houses and 6 outbuildings.

 

In Belozersk, three Geran-2 UAVs damaged 2 apartment buildings and a private house.

 

In the town of Dobropillia, a Geran-2 UAV hit a private house. In Sviatohirovka, two drones hit a non-residential premises and four cars.

 

In the village of Dobropillia, russian troops hit two GAB-250 bombs – an educational institution was destroyed.

 

In addition, information has been established about two dead civilians in Mirnohrad, who were killed during russian shelling on August 14.

 

Інше

 

Luhansk oblast

Towards Lyman and Siversk, there were 27 assaults. 21 of them were towards Lyman, six towards Siversk. They fired 30 shells from artillery. They used multiple launch rocket systems twice. Combat missions were carried out by 70 drones and FPV drones of the occupiers.

 

About 40% of the total number of open vacancies in the so-called “lpr” are in the social sphere. These include, in particular, educational institutions, hospitals and social institutions. About 5,400 jobs in these sectors remain empty due to the lack of qualified personnel. The large-scale reduction of the educational network, which is ongoing in the occupied Luhansk region, only slightly corrected the sad statistics – the acute shortage of specialists could not be prevented.

 

The city of Svatove, captured in 2022, remains closed to non-locals. The occupiers are allowed into the settlement if they have a russian passport and permanent registration in Svatove. If they do not have the appropriate mark, an invitation from one of the townspeople is required.

 

What is happening now in the north of Ukraine

Kyiv oblast

The head of the Kyiv Regional Military Administration, Mykola Kalashnyk reported that even after the de-occupation of the oblast more than 846,000 hectares of land remained dangerous due to mines and other explosive devices. Due to the joint efforts of the State Emergency Service of Ukraine and mine action operators, over 36,000 hectares have already been cleared, including 7,500 hectares of agricultural land. In total, more than 85,000 explosive devices have been neutralized.

In Kyiv oblast, more than 150 pyrotechnicians work daily as part of 27 teams with 72 units of equipment. These specialists come from Kyiv, Poltava, Khmelnytskyi, Zhytomyr, and Kirovohrad oblasts, as well as the city of Kyiv. Eight specialized operators are involved in the humanitarian demining process. They conduct non-technical and technical surveys, remove and neutralize ammunition, and clear coastal zones, field roads, and agricultural infrastructure sites.

The updated rehabilitation department of the Bucha Consultative and Diagnostic Center was visited by Professor Max Ortiz Catalan — an international expert in neuroprosthetics and rehabilitation, whose innovative methods help veterans overcome phantom pain after amputations. He highly praised the work of specialists in Bucha and proposed cooperation to further develop assistance for people with amputations.

In Sofiivska Borshchahivka, a relocated Center for Family Medicine and Diagnostics from Toretsk is now operating. According to Kotsiubynske settlement head Serhii Danish, the facility boasts modern equipment, highly qualified specialists, and a comfortable, well-equipped building. A similar center is planned for establishment in Kotsiubynske.

Zhytomyr oblast

According to the Regional Military Administration, since the beginning of the full-scale invasion, Zhytomyr oblast has provided shelter and transit to about 500,000 people. Currently, more than 51,000 internally displaced persons live in the region, including 13,000 children and nearly 3,000 people with disabilities.

Together with international partners, 4 housing projects for about 600 displaced persons have already been completed or are nearing completion. The list of projects includes a modular town near Zhytomyr built in cooperation with the Italian Red Cross, the reconstruction of a building in Zviahel for 47 smart apartments, and new housing in Zhytomyr with 110 apartments supported by NEFCO. Another 3 projects worth over UAH 200 million for at least 230 people are planned for implementation in communities across the oblast.

In Zhytomyr, rescuers received 4 vehicles and equipment for technical diagnostics from the Ministry of Finance of the Republic of Lithuania. The keys were handed over by Algirdas Aušra, Director of the Public Initiatives Support Fund. This donation will make SES units more mobile and efficient.

On August 15, a charity auction in support of the Armed Forces of Ukraine titled “With Ukraine in the Heart” was held in the village of Halchyn, Hryshkivtsi community. The event took place at the historic estate of 19th-century Ukrainian nobleman Mykhailo Chaikovskyi. This marked the launch of the regional pilot project “Heritage of Independence.”

Sumy oblast

The General Staff reported that in North Slobozhanske and Kursk front, seven combat engagements took place over the past day. In addition, the russian army carried out 32 air strikes, dropped 74 guided aerial bombs, and launched 245 attacks on Ukrainian positions and settlements, including six by multiple launch rocket systems.

On a small section within Yunakivka and Khotin communities of the oblast, russia continues to use the tactic of small infantry groups attempting to advance deeper into Ukrainian territory. The enemy is suffering heavy losses and has failed to achieve its objectives.

From the morning of 15 August to the morning of 16 August, russian forces carried out nearly 120 attacks on 44 settlements in 14 territorial communities of the oblast. The highest number of strikes was recorded in Sumy and Shostka regions. The enemy actively used guided aerial bombs (over 40 strikes), dropped VOG grenades from UAVs (20 strikes), and also carried out attacks by FPV-drones and UAVs.

The consequences of enemy strikes in Sumy oblast as of the morning of 16 August:

• In Velyka Pysarivka community, a man born in 1952 was killed after FPV-drones struck a civilian car; a private vehicle and an ambulance were destroyed;

• In Seredyna-Buda community, a civilian woman born in 1966 was injured in guided bomb strikes; at least 5 private houses, non-residential premises, 2 tractors, 2 motorcycles, and civilian infrastructure facilities were damaged;

• In Sumy community, a woman born in 1977 suffered acute stress reaction after a UAV attack near the site of the explosion; 10 kiosks at the Central Market were destroyed, about 10 more kiosks, an educational institution, and non-residential buildings were damaged;

• In Yunakivka community, 2 private households were destroyed;

• In Shalyhyne community, a private house was damaged;

• In Bilopillia community, a farm building was damaged.

Over the past day, local authorities, together with units of the State Emergency Service, the National Police, and non-governmental organisations, evacuated 6 people from border communities.

The Regional Police informed that “White Angel” crew evacuated residents of Sumy border area along with their animals. Police carried out two evacuation operations. A 68-year-old woman was taken to her relatives in a safe oblast together with several dozen ducklings she could not abandon. The next day, another 67-year-old woman required assistance; she left together with her pet dog Naida, which is soon to give birth to puppies. The evacuation took place after an enemy strike hit near her house, which was damaged in the attack.

 

Chernihiv oblast

Chernihiv Border Detachment reported that during 15 August, russian forces attacked four border communities in Chernihiv oblast: Novhorod-Siverskyi, Semenivka, Horodnia, and Snovsk. A total of 69 strikes were recorded across 11 settlements. The enemy carried out mortar attacks (25 explosions) and shelling by tube artillery (8 explosions), launched unguided rockets (20 explosions), struck by FPV-drones (17 explosions), and dropped explosive devices from UAVs (9 explosions).

Pavlo Miroshnychenko, Head of Koriukivka Regional Military Administration, said that over the three years since the start of the full-scale invasion, the communities of Koriukivka regions have allocated more than UAH 62.6m. to strengthening defence capabilities and security. For 2025, more than UAH 26m. has been earmarked for this purpose in the communities, of which around UAH 16m. has already been funded.

 

Recent events in the central regions of Ukraine

Dnipropetrovsk oblast

Mykola Lukashuk, Head of the oblast council, says that at night, the occupiers attacked Synelnykove region. The enemy hit Pokrovske community with drones. There were fires, agricultural enterprises were damaged.

In the evening and at night, the enemy struck Nikopol. They used a kamikaze drone and fired artillery.

 

During the day, the enemy continued to strike Nikopol region. They struck about three dozen times with drones and artillery.

They targeted the region center, Myrove, Marhanets, Chervonohryhorivka and Pokrovske communities. There were fires. Agricultural and communal enterprises, 4 private homes, infrastructure, cars and equipment were damaged. Synelnykove region was also attacked. The occupiers hit Mezhova community with GABs and drones. There were fires. 3 private homes and a gas pipeline were damaged.

According to updated information, the infrastructure was damaged due to the night attack in Novopavlivka community. Also, according to updated data, a woman was killed in Mezhova community due to a GAB strike on August 14.

Vinnytsia oblast

A weekly action to remind about prisoners of war and missing persons “Do not be silent, captivity kills” was held in Vinnytsia. This day is dedicated to the anniversary of the Kursk operation and the fate of the fighters who took part in it.

Kirovohrad oblast

An action was held in Ustinivka communityin support of the missing persons and captured defenders. It was attended by relatives and friends of the military, caring residents of the community, and government representatives.

Poltava oblast

Junior Sergeant Dmytro Ovsyanyk from Karlivka community wa killed in action. The man was 27 years old.

 

Cherkasy oblast

 

Latest news from the front of the southern regions of Ukraine

Zaporizhzhia oblast

russian forces continue shelling settlements in Zaporizhzhia region.

According to the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, as of 16:00 on Saturday, August 16, there were 68 combat clashes along the entire frontline. In the Huliaipole sector, the village of Bilohiria came under an airstrike, while Preobrazhenka and Orikhiv were hit by guided aerial bombs. The enemy did not conduct offensive actions in these areas.

In the Novopavlivka sector, russian troops attempted to advance near Olhivske.

The State Emergency Service reported a large-scale fire caused by shelling in the region — about 11 hectares of land and several summer houses burned down. One person was killed.

At the same time, according to the Center for the Study of Occupation, russia is actively transferring columns of equipment, ammunition, and personnel toward Zaporizhzhia.

Mykolaiv oblast

According to the Regional Military Administration, on August 15 the Kutsurub community in the Mykolaiv district came under enemy fire. At around 14:50, the occupiers attacked the area with an FPV kamikaze drone, and just ten minutes later carried out an artillery strike.

Kherson oblast

On August 16, the village of Tomyna Balka came under fire: a 57-year-old man sustained blast and head injuries, a concussion, and shrapnel wounds. He was hospitalized and is receiving necessary medical care.

In central Kherson, a 23-year-old woman suffered a mine-blast injury. She sought medical help on her own and is currently undergoing further examination.

According to the Kherson Regional Military Administration, just in the past day, 13 people were injured in the region as a result of Russian attacks, including medical workers and a police officer. Since the beginning of 2025, 90 civilians have already been killed in the Kherson region due to shelling and drone strikes, among them a one-year-old child.

Latest news for today in the western regions of Ukraine

Volyn oblast

The Military Unit A0383 received 4 Pulsar Thermion 2XP 50 Pro thermal imaging sights, 2 Bandera Flashligt BFL 280.1 X TM searchlights and 2 Bandera Power 225S multi-channel fast charging units from Lutsk community.

Zakarpattia oblast

162 8th course students of the Regional Center for Training the Population for National Resistance underwent training for 3 months. This includes tactical medicine, working with drones, fire and mine safety, terrain orientation, camouflage, etc.

Ivano-Frankivsk oblast

A Veteran Business Fair is being held in Ivano-Frankivsk. The event is organized to support veteran entrepreneurs who continue to work in the rear. Visitors can purchase useful and high-quality goods from businessmen who have veteran status.

Lviv oblast

Bohdan Luchyshyn, soldier of the 105th Border Detachment named after Prince Volodymyr the Great from Lviv oblast, was awarded with the For Military Service to Ukraine medal (posthumously). The award was presented to the mother and brothers of the fallen Hero.

Rivne oblast

A new shipment of humanitarian aid from the partner city of Essen (Germany) has arrived in Rivne. The cargo includes necessary medical supplies and 2 vehicles.

Ternopil oblast

The Ternopil Honors… rally took place in Ternopil. A minute of silence was observed to remember those who gave their lives for Ukraine. The Honorary Citizen of Ternopil highest award of the city council, was also presented. It was awarded posthumously to 18 servicemen for courage and heroism.

Khmelnytskyi oblast

286 servicemen from Khmelnytskyi community received financial assistance. The total amount of assistance is over UAH 2.8m.

Chernivtsi oblast

The RMA reported that Junior Sergeant Oleh Radchenko was awarded with the III degree Order of Courage (posthumously).

International support of Ukraine in the russian-Ukrainian war (russia’s invasion of Ukraine)

Donald Trump, US President, held a phone call with Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Ukrainian President, which was attended by a number of European leaders. During the call, Zelenskyy accepted Trump’s invitation to visit Washington on 18 August.

Emmanuel Macron, French President, stated that a meeting of the Coalition of the Willing will take place in the near future to develop further steps to support Ukraine.

 

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Materials compiled by Tetyana Pidgorna, Olena Reka, Yana Hushchyna, Tamara Moshkovska, Sofia Ratynska, Ioanna Kryvenko, Helena Albahachiieva, Kristina Maknynia 

Translated by Tetyana Pidgorna, Yana Hushchyna, Alla Litrovnyk, Liudmyla Stadnykova, Ilona Korolevska, Tetiana Moiseienko, Marharyta Koval, Tetiana Kurbatova

 

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