Categories of news

War in Ukraine today: latest news, 31 August, 2024 (photo)

It has been the 920th 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 31 August, the enemy continued offensive actions. There were 109 engagements on the front line. The most active fighting occurred towards Pokrovsk and Kurakhove.

Sumy and Chernihiv oblasts suffered from artillery shelling from the russian territory. Fifteen areas were affected, including Khrinivka, Ulanove, Velyka Pysarivka, Slavgorod, and Stepok. Sopich was shelled twice, and Porozok three times. russian terrorists targeted Hlukhiv, Manukhivka, Zhuravka, and Obody with air bombs.

Towards Kharkiv, the enemy’s attack near Vovchansk continued. Lyptsi and Mali Prokhody were bombed by the enemy.

Towards Kupiansk, the enemy launched 12 assaults on Ukrainian positions near Synkivka, Kolisnykivka, and towards Lozova. Half of these engagements are still ongoing.

Towards Lyman, the enemy carried out six attacks on Ukrainian positions near Tverdokhlibove, Nevske, Novosadove, Dibrova, and in the Serebrianskyi forest. Three of these engagements ended unsuccessfully for the enemy, and three continued. The enemy used Ka-52 helicopters to fire NARs at Serhiivka.

Towards Siversk, the enemy tried to find weaknesses in Ukrainian defenses. They conducted seven assaults near Verkhnokamianske, Vyiimka, Zvanivka, and Spirne, but met strong resistance. Fighting near Vyiimka and Verkhnokamianske continues.

Towards Kramatorsk, the enemy launched 12 assaults near Kalynivka, Chasiv Yar, Andriivka, and Klishchiivka. Three of these attacks are still ongoing, with the enemy suffering losses. They focused their efforts towards Kalynivka and Andriivka.

Towards Toretsk, the number of enemy attacks increased to nine. Ukrainian forces stopped eight of them. One battle continues near Nelipivka, where the enemy attacks most actively.

Towards Pokrovsk, the highest number of engagements occurred. The occupiers launched 23 attempts to push Ukrainian defenders from their positions in the vicinity of seven settlements. Nearly half of these clashes took place near Novohrodivka. Selidove and Pokrovsk were struck by KAB bombs.

Towards Kurakhove, there were twenty-one enemy attacks towards Ukrainsk, Lisivka, Halytsynivka, Heorhiivka, and Kostiantynivka. The enemy focused its efforts on Heorhiivka and Kostiantynivka, launching eleven and five assaults, respectively.

Towards Vremivka, two engagements continued near Vuhledar and Vremivka. The enemy launched three more attacks towards Makarivka but faced strong resistance.

Towards Orikhiv, Ukrainian forces repelled three enemy attacks near Mala Tokmachka and Robotyne. The enemy fired 20 unguided rockets from helicopters at Rivnopil.

Towards Kherson, one enemy assault was successfully repelled.

In other directions, there were no significant changes.

The Presidential Office reported that fourteen children were successfully returned from temporarily occupied territories. These children ranged from 2.5 months to 16 years old.

Taras Melnychuk, government representative, reported that the list of services for infertility treatment using assisted reproductive technologies was expanded. 25 new medications were added to the list of essential drugs for infertility treatment.

From 30 to 31 August, energy workers restored electricity to 13,175 consumers across Ukraine. However, 536 settlements remained without power.

Recent war events in the east of Ukraine

The General Staff of the Ukrainian Armed Forces reports that there were over 140 combat engagements in the east over the day, 55 of them towards Pokrovsk. The largest concentration of attacks is near Novohrodivka.

Kharkiv oblast

As of 4:00pm, the enemy’s attack towards Kharkiv is currently underway in the vicinity of Vovchansk. According to the General Staff, Lyptsi and Mali Prokhody came under enemy bombardment.

Towards Kupiansk, the enemy started storming the positions of Ukrainian units 12 times in the vicinity of Sinkivka, Kolisnykivka and towards Lozova. Half of these engagements are still ongoing.

A 36-year-old man was killed as a result of a russian attack on Kupiansk, and another local resident was wounded.

At 2:55pm, the occupiers attacked the village of Cherkaska Lozova. According to the RMA, two women were killed: one was pulled out of the rubble, the other died in an ambulance. 11 people were injured, including two children.

Consequences of the russian attack on the village of Cherkaska Lozova. Photo: Kharkiv regional police

Kharkiv Regional Military Administration reports that two local residents were injured as a result of a strike on the village of Kamiana Yaruha in Chuhuiv region. The victims were hospitalised with shrapnel wounds. According to Halyna Minaieva, Head of Chuhuiv community, a russian shell hit the ground, and the blast wave damaged several houses.

Kharkiv Regional Military Administration states that russians hit Novoosynove in Kupiansk region: three locals aged 38, 67 and 77 sustained moderate injuries and were hospitalised. According to the prosecutor’s office, the Russians started shelling the village at 08:00.

At 01:40am, russians attacked the village of Odnorobivka, Bohodukhiv region. The shelling damaged a house.

The day before, at 11:30pm, russians attacked Bezruky village, Kharkiv region. As a result of the shelling, grass and branches burned over an area of 100 square metres.

At 9:10pm, russians attacked Ukrainka village, Chuhuiv region. As a result of the shelling, grass was burning on an area of 20 hectares.

At 4:32pm, russians attacked Zarozhne village, Chuhuiv region. As a result of the shelling, grass and leaves were burning over an area of 200 square metres.

At 3:40pm, russians attacked Kharkiv. The enemy shelled FAB-500 aircraft in five locations in Industrial, Slobidskyi regions and the central part of the city. 82 apartment buildings, 11 private houses, 3 administrative buildings, 2 educational institutions, 47 commercial establishments, 57 cars, 2 warehouses, 10 garages and a business premises were damaged.

Consequences of the russian attack. Photos from social media

99 people were injured, including 22 minors. Five children are in satisfactory condition, and a 17-year-old girl is in serious condition. According to law enforcement officials, 6 people were killed: a man of 74, a girl of 18, a child of 14, a woman of 73, a man of 49 and a woman who was the last to be unblocked, the identity of which is being established.

Consequences of the russian attack. Photo from social media

The destroyed part of the house where the shell hit will be dismantled. 20 residents have applied for assistance in resettlement. Special temporary accommodation is provided for such cases. Other people found accommodation on their own.

Liudmyla Samsonkina was reading a story to her grandson, putting him to bed for a nap, when a russian airstrike hit the neighbouring stairwell of her house in Kharkiv on the afternoon of 30 August. Photo: Valeria Yemets

Mayor Ihor Terekhov said that 31 August is a day of mourning in Kharkiv for those killed in the 30 August airstrike on the city.

During the air strikes on Kharkiv on 30 August, artist Nika Kozhushko was killed. Her death was reported, among others, by writer Serhii Zhadan. An hour before her death, she sent him her last new drawing.

A 14-year-old girl also died as a result of an air strike on Nemyshlianskyi district of Kharkiv. The child’s father went missing towards Donetsk. The girl was sitting on a bench near the playground when the strike hit.

According to Mayor Igor Terekhov, 31 August is a day of mourning in Kharkiv for those killed in the air strike on the city on 30 August.

At 3:27pm, russians attacked Chuhuiv. As a result of the shelling, grass, shrubs and car tyres were burning.

At around 3:15pm, russian troops fired on the territory of the sports complex of Kharkiv Polytechnic University. They hit the football field, which was burnt out due to a fire. The blast wave smashed 30 windows in the lyceum located opposite. Larysa Rychkova, the lyceum’s director says that the sports complex itself was damaged by previous hits.

At 2:20pm, russians attacked Sobolivka village, Kupiansk region,. As a result of the shelling, grass burned on an area of 2 hectares.

At 2:05pm, russians attacked Shyikivka village, Izium region. As a result of the shelling, a private house and an outbuilding were on fire.

At 1:10pm, russians attacked Iziumske village, Izium region. As a result of the shelling, grass burned on an area of 2 hectares.

At 12:50pm, russians attacked Kupiansk. The shelling damaged an outbuilding and a residential building.

Towards Kharkiv, seven firefights took place near Pletenivka, Lypky and Vovchansk.

There were 32 combat engagements towards Kupiansk. Defence forces repelled enemy assaults near Sinkivka, Kolisnykivka, Novoosynove, Lozova, Andriivka, Stelmakhivka and Hlushkivka.

Donetsk oblast

Oleksandr Zhuravliev, Head of Lyman RMA says that russian troops dropped a guided aerial bomb on the village of Yampil in Donetsk oblast. As a result, a man was wounded. He was taken to a hospital in Lyman.

At least 5 people were killed in the shelling of Chasiv Yar. According to the Joint Forces Command, russians shelled the town this morning, hitting a private house and a multi-storey building. The victims are men aged 24 to 38.

At night, the occupiers attacked Pokrovsk, Myrnohrad, Dobropillia and Bilytske. According to police, two civilians were wounded in Dobropillia. At least 23 civilian objects were damaged – 12 apartment buildings and infrastructure

Occupiers attacked Pokrovsk with 4 rockets, 2 of which hit infrastructure facilities. Photo: Pokrovsk City Military Administration

The shelling took place around 3:0 am. Deputy mayor of Dobropillia, Dmytro Baranets, said that two people in the town sustained light injuries. They are being treated on an outpatient basis. Residents of Dobropillia whose homes were damaged are receiving construction materials from the material reserve of the administration and from charitable organisations.

The General Staff of the Ukrainian Armed Forces states that Donetsk oblast was subject to air strikes by the russian army the day before: Chasiv Yar, Dmitrovka, Druzhba, Mikhailovka, Selydove, Oleksandropil, Vodiane, Yehorivka, and Solodke.

Over the past day, police recorded 2,256 hostile attacks on the frontline and in the residential sector.

Eight settlements were under fire: the towns of Hirnyk, Kurakhove, Lyman, Toretsk, and the villages of Malynivka, Minkivka, Oleksiivka, and Rai Oleksandrivka.

Twenty civilian objects were damaged, including 13 residential buildings, a hospital and shops.

russians attacked Kurakhove with Uragan MLRS, cannon artillery and artillery, killing a civilian and wounding six others. An apartment block and 5 private houses, a hospital, 5 grocery stores and market stalls were destroyed.

One person was killed as a result of the shelling of Hirnyk, and three private houses were damaged.

In Toretsk a civilian was wounded and a private house was damaged.

The Ministry of Health reported that russian troops fired on medics in Donetsk oblast. As a result of a direct hit to the permanent base of the emergency medical team, the building was completely destroyed and the ambulance was damaged.

Yurii Tretiak, head of Myrnohrad RMA says that 4313 residents, including 19 children, remain in Myrnohrad community in Donetsk oblast.

The mandatory evacuation of families with children continues in the Kostiantynivka community. People are being taken away from settlements located less than 10 km from the frontline by armoured vehicles. The measures are being carried out by the National Police and the State Emergency Service in cooperation with the city military administration. Over three days, 86 children were evacuated.

Vadim Filashkin, Head of Donetsk Regional Military Administration, states that evacuation of residents of Donetsk oblast to Kirovohrad region is starting. So far, 263 people have left, including 53 children and 31 people with disabilities. These are residents of 14 frontline communities.

Ukrainian Armed Forces serviceman Serhii Volkov says that russian troops have identified some weaknesses in Ukrainian defence and are using them to prevent the stabilisation of the area towards Pokrovsk.

On 29 August, searchers from the Platzdarm search team found the remains of a Ukrainian serviceman near the village of Dolyna, which is located on the border of Donetsk and Kharkiv oblasts. According to the head of the search team, Oleksii Yukov, the soldier probably died in the spring or summer of 2022, when the Ukrainian military was defending Sloviansk.

Dolyna, Donetsk region, 29 August 2024. Still from the video

Luhansk oblast

Luhansk rescuers in Kharkiv are helping their colleagues at the site of an enemy attack on a multi-storey building. Luhansk oblast has 33 rescuers and six pieces of equipment at the site.

The Joint Forces Command says that the enemy’s offensive near Nevske, Makiivka, Tverdokhlibove, Andriivka, and Stelmakhivka continues.

The day before, Nevske and Makiivka, in particular, came under fire from enemy cannon and rocket artillery. russians tried to strike these villages with 95 drones.

The vast majority of people living in the frontline settlements of Luhansk oblast are elderly. They are holding on to their property to the last and, despite the constant shelling by the russians, say they are used to living here.

A 75-year-old man and woman and a 93-year-old woman were evacuated from Novolyubivka. They are currently in another region, receiving the necessary assistance.

More than 300 people took part in the annual patriotic race in memory of the fallen servicemen, ‘I honour the soldiers, I run for the Heroes of Ukraine’, in different parts of the country. The mothers of the fallen soldiers Serhiii Skliarov, Dmytro Naboka and Ruslan Dovhopolyi also took part in the race. Ruslan’s mother, Vera Pozhidaeva, was presented with her son’s posthumous award, the Badge of Honour ‘Defender of Luhansk Region’. Eduard Mahomedaliev was awarded the Badge of Honour. A year ago, on Independence Day, he lost his leg while saving the life of a fellow soldier.

Race in memory of the fallen soldiers ‘Honouring the soldiers, running for the Heroes of Ukraine’. Photo: OVA

Recently, deadwood caught fire near the town of Bokovo-Khrustalne, which is not far from Khrustalne. The flames, which were not extinguished by the firefighters of the lpr, spread to residential buildings. As a result, nine houses and 38 households burned down. The occupation authorities and rescuers did nothing.

On several occasions, construction workers in Sievierodonetsk have abandoned half-disassembled buildings. The reasons are different, but no one intervenes in the existing problems and does not speed up their resolution. For example, in May, one of the contractors started to restore an almost undamaged multi-storey building as a demonstration. Everything stopped after the roof was dismantled. The building has been in this state for four months. Soon the rains will become more frequent, and the number of flooded apartments will increase.

What is happening now in the north of Ukraine

Kyiv oblast

Ruslan Kravchenko, head of the RMA, reported that at night the enemy attacked Kyiv oblast with attack drones yet again. The attack lasted almost all night and into the morning. The falling wreckage of the downed targets caused forest and grass litter to catch fire in 3 districts of the region. There was no damage to critical or residential infrastructure. There were no casualties.

KCMA commented that all russian drones that attacked Kyiv at night were destroyed. The alert in the capital was announced four times, lasting almost 4 hours in total. Preliminarily, there were no damages or casualties in the city.

The RMA informed that Kyiv oblast plans to install 14 more cogeneration units in the communities of 4 regions – Obukhiv, Fastiv, Vyshhorod and Bila Tserkva. Today, the relevant trilateral agreements have been signed with the communities and investors. Earlier, agreements were signed to install 19 units in 8 settlements of Vyshgorod, Bucha and Brovary regions.

In the new academic year, all schools in Kyiv oblast will operate in full-time and mixed forms. No schools will offer distance learning only. The mixed form of education is linked to the ability of shelters to accommodate all students and teachers. This includes 632 primary schools, lyceums and gymnasiums.

In Kyiv oblast, work continues to restore educational facilities damaged and destroyed as a result of russian aggression. In total, there are 245 affected facilities, 209 have already been restored.

On 30 August, as part of the ‘Women for Women’ project, Ukrainian Women’s Guard, together with psychologists Tana Sribna and Lora Savchuk, held the Women’s Circle Art Therapy for women in Borodyanka HUB to counteract burnout in the war, provide recovery, motivation, psychological and emotional support, as well as offer workshops on handicraft. On 29 August, the concluding Women’s Circle was held in Kyiv at the Lesya Ukrainka Public Library.

The Ukrainian Women’s Guard/UWG held a “Women’s circle” Photo: UWG

The UWG reported that in Kyiv oblast, the race ‘I honour soldiers, I run for the Heroes of Ukraine’ took place in Bila Tserkva. More than 400 participants took part in it. The patriotic race is dedicated to the Day of Remembrance of the Defenders of Ukraine and has been held annually since 2018. It was founded by the father of the fallen Hero of the russian-Ukrainian War, ‘cyborg’ Oleksii Durmasenko.

Zhytomyr oblast

Trolleybuses and trams have resumed running in Zhytomyr after a massive enemy attack on 26 August. Information about electric transport on the routes is displayed on an online map.

On the Day of Remembrance of the Defenders of Ukraine, the President presented the Order of the Golden Star to the family of the fallen Zhytomyr resident Viktor Kuchuk. Soldier Viktor Kuchuk held defence for seven days in positions under full enemy fire control. He personally destroyed 23 russian occupiers and two units of armoured vehicles.

In cooperation with rescuers, Zhytomyr students created two levels of the Agent 112 programme, which teaches fire safety and rules of behaviour in case of detection of suspicious objects. Students from Zhytomyr Polytechnic State University took part in the game’s development.

Almost a thousand people joined the patriotic race ‘I honour soldiers, I run for the Heroes of Ukraine’ in Zhytomyr Hydropark. This year’s race started with a 200-metre children’s course, with children participating with enthusiasm, demonstrating unity and respect for those who protect their future.

Sumy oblast

Sumy Regional Military Administration informed that on 31 August, around 3pm, two explosions were heard in Sumy. russian forces carried out airstrikes on the outskirts of Sumy community, targeting civilian infrastructure. Oleksii Drozdenko, Head of the Military-Civil Administration reported that several houses were damaged, but without injuries.

On the evening, 30 August, russian forces struck by a missile a hardware store in Nyzhnia Syrovatka, Sumy oblast. As a result of the explosion, a 10-year-old boy who was near the store at the time was injured. The store building and an adjacent warehouse were destroyed. Additionally, a car repair shop, private vehicles, and local residents’ homes were damaged.

During night and morning, russians carried out 18 shelling attacks on border areas and settlements in Sumy oblast, resulting in 73 explosions. The attacks targeted Sumy, Yunakivka, Krasnopillia, Bilopillia, Esman, Hlukviv, Serydyno-Buda, Shalyhyne, Velyka Pysarivka and Nova Slobidka communities.

Through the day, 30 August, russians carried out 95 shelling attacks on border areas and settlements in Sumy oblast, resulting in 262 explosions. The attacks targeted Yunakivka, Nyzhnia Syrovatka, Velyka Pysarivka, Bilopillia, Esman, Hlukhiv, Putyvl, Serydyno-Buda, Krasnopillia, Nova Slobidka, Shalyhyne, Druzhbivka and Svessa community.

Yunakiv community: hit by an attack UAV of the “Lancet” type (1 explosion).

Krasnopillia community: the russians carried out artillery fire (22 explosions), mortar fire (26 explosions), UAV drops (4 explosions), MLRS (9 explosions), and also launched a rocket attack (2 explosions).

Esman community: the enemy attacked by mortars (45 explosions), MLRSs (13 explosions), by FPV-drone (6 explosions).

Nyzhnia Syrovatka community: a missile attack (1 explosion).

Putyvl community: a mortar fire (3 explosions).

Svessa community: a FPV-drone attack (2 explosions).

Bilopollia community: the enemy carried out a grenade attack (4 explosions), an FPV-drone strike (1 explosion).

Velyka Pysarivka community: artillery fire (11 explosions), tank shelling (13 explosions), the enemy also attacked by FPV drones (4 explosions).

Druzhbivka community: artillery shelling (12 explosions), an FPV-drone attack (1 explosion)

Hlukhiv community: attacks by KAB air bombs (3 explosions), one civilian was injured. They also struck with FPV drones (28 explosions), fired artillery (5 explosions).

Shalyhyne community: attack by KAB air bombs (5 explosions), by FPV drones (6 explosions)

Nova Slobidka community: an FPV-drone strike (3 explosions), a mortar fire (9 explosions).

Serydyno-Buda community: attacks by FPV-drones (2 explosions), by artillery (4 explosions) and mortar fire (3 explosions).

According to the Ministry of Energy, in Sumy oblast, 7,200 consumers across 100 settlements remain without electricity due to ongoing hostilities.

Oksana Tarasiuk, Acting Head of Shostka Region State Administration informed that evacuation efforts continue within the five-kilometre zone of Shostka region. Currently, 5,300 adults and 141 children remain in the area. All children have been forcibly evacuated from Seredyna-Buda, but 134 children still remain in the community.

Chernihiv oblast

On 30 August, the russian army attacked eight villages in Chernihiv oblast using various types of weapons. Novhorod-Siversk, Semenivka, and Horodnia communities came under fire. Border guards recorded nearly 50 explosions.

Novhorod-Siversk community. Four explosions (likely by 120mm mortar and an explosive device dropped from a UAV) towards Yasna Poliana and Mykhalchina Sloboda.

Semeniv community. Four explosions (likely by artillery and FPV-drones) towards Orlykivka and Tymonovychi.

Snovsk community. border guards recorded 48 explosions (likely by 120mm mortar, MLRS, FPV-drones and explosive devices dropped from a UAV) towasds Kliusy, Huta Studenetska, Khrinivka.

Horodnia community. Three explosions (likely by FPV-drones) towards Berylivka.

No casualties or injuries among the local population were reported as a result of the shelling

Chernihiv oblast participated in the All-Ukrainian Patriotic Run “Honouring Warriors, Running for the Heroes of Ukraine.” Every year, thousands of Ukrainians join this initiative to honor the memory of those who died defending our country during the Russian-Ukrainian war. On the morning, 31 August, several hundred participants in Chernihiv ran a distance in memory of the Heroes. The race bibs bore the names of fallen Defenders.

Recent events in the central regions of Ukraine

Dnipropetrovsk oblast

On 30 August, three enemy Shahids were shot down over the oblast. From evening until morning, Nikopol region suffered from enemy fire. A 58-year-old woman was injured and hospitalised in moderate condition. At night, the occupiers fired about three dozen artillery shells at Nikopol and Marganets community. A fire broke out, damaging 8 shops, 7 multi-storey buildings, 4 private houses, an outbuilding, an ambulatory, a lyceum, a dental office, a beauty salon, a private enterprise, a bus stop, a gas pipeline and a power line. In the morning, on 31 August, the enemy also fired artillery at Marhanets and Chervonohryhorivka communities and dropped ammunition from drones on Nikopol.

During the day, on 31 August, the russian army attacked Nikopol region with artillery, kamikaze drones and dropped ammunition from drones. They targeted Nikopol, Chervonohryhorivka and Marhanets communities. A fire broke out in the district centre and petrol stations were damaged. The morning attacks on the Marhanets community resulted in damage to 3 private houses and an outbuilding.

Consequences of russian shelling. Photo: Mykola Lukashuk, Head of Dnipropetrovsk Oblast Council

Vinnytsia oblast

Three of the six radiation shelters at Vinnytsia lyceums will be opened at the start of the new school year.

Vinnytsia hosted the 7th all-Ukrainian race ‘I honour soldiers, I run for the heroes of Ukraine’ dedicated to the Day of Remembrance of the Defenders of Ukraine.

Kirovohrad oblast

The Air Force of Ukraine reported that air defence systems were on alert in Kirovohrad oblast at night.

200 residents of Kropyvnytskyi took part in the race ‘I honour soldiers, I run for the heroes of Ukraine’. It began on the territory of the Fortress Vales memorial complex.

Poltava oblast

The Air Force of Ukraine reported that air defence forces were on alert in Poltava oblast at night.

Cherkasy oblast

Ihor Taburets, Head of Cherkasy Regional Military Administration, reported that defenders destroyed 3 “chekers” in the sky over the oblast. Four private houses in Cherkasy oblast were damaged as a result of the falling debris.

In the afternoon, another enemy UAV was shot down. According to preliminary data, the debris damaged the windows of an outbuilding in the private sector in Cherkasy.

Latest news from the front of the southern regions of Ukraine

Zaporizhzhia oblast

On 30 August, 221 enemy strikes were documented in Zaporizhzhia oblast. The rssian invaders conducted 103 drone attacks, 113 artillery and MLRS shelling and carried out 3 missile strikes and 3 airstrikes on towns and villages in Zaporizhzhia, Polohy and Vasylivka regions. There were no casualties reported.

Enemy fire targeted Liubomyrivka in Zaporizhzhia oblast; Huliaipole, Orikhiv, Preobrazhenka, Robotyne, Mala Tokmachka, Novodanylivka, Malynivka, Levadne, Novoandriivka in Polohy region; and Prymorske in Vasylivka region. The shelling destroyed residential buildings, farm structures and garages. A missile strike in Liubomyrivka damaged a farmstead.

After a three-day pause, russian forces resumed active assault operations in Zaporizhzhia axis, particularly around Orikhiv. These assaults are being carried out by small infantry groups. However, Ukrainian forces are repelling all enemy attacks. According to the General Staff reports, in the past 2 days, there were 4 combat engagements in Orikhiv axis in Mala Tokmachka and Robotyne area.

Mykolaiv oblast

According to Mykolaiv RMA, as of the morning of 31 August, the russian military targeted Kutsurub community by FPV-type drones and artillery. The drone attacks caused fires where the debris fell, but no injuries were reported.

During the night of 31 August, air defence forces in Mykolaiv oblast shot down a Shahed-136/131 drone.

On 31 August, the annual nationwide run Honor the Warriors, Run for the Heroes of Ukraine took place in Mykolaiv. The event was attended by the families, friends and close ones of military personnel.

Odesa oblast

Denys Marchuk, Deputy Head of the All-Ukrainian Agrarian Council, reported that russian attacks on Odesa’s ports have caused over $1.5bn in damages and the destruction of grain since August 2023.

On 30 August, Restoration Service of Odesa oblast informed that the reconstruction of a 9-story building in Serhiivka, which was hit by a russian missile on 1 July, 2022, is ongoing.

Kherson oblast

On 30 August, russian forces attacked Kherson, Bilozirka, Tiahynka, Beryslav, Mykhailivka, Kozatske, Dariivka, Novoraisk, Odradokamianka, Antonivka, Blahovishchenske, Novoberyslav, Prydniprovske, Sadove, Kizomys, Inzhenerne, Komyshany, Potomkyne and Arkhanhelske in Kherson oblast. As a result of russian aggression, 3 people were injured.

The occupiers targeted an educational institution, an administrative building, a bank and a store. The shelling damaged 2 apartment buildings, 11 private homes, gas pipelines, garages, outbuildings and a private vehicle.

According to Roman Mrochko, Head of Kherson RMA, russian forces shelled Kherson oblast 16 times. This resulted in damage to private houses, 2 apartment buildings, a bank building, a hotel, an educational institution, an administrative building, a shopping centre, a car and 2 sections of a gas pipeline.

Around 1am, russian forces attacked Korabelnyi district of Kherson, injuring a 69-year-old woman and a 41-year-old man. Around 5am, russian troops shelled Korabelnyi district of Kherson again, causing damage to residential buildings.

Throughout 30 August, russian aviation launched 50 unguided rockets on the right bank of Kherson oblast. Villages in Tiahynka region and Kozatske in Nova Kakhovka region were attacked by military helicopters. According to the police, a 45-year-old resident of Kozatske was injured in the strikes, suffering an explosive injury and a gunshot wound to the chest.

4 more families were evacuated from the temporarily occupied Kherson oblast to Ukrainian-controlled territory. These families are raising 7 children – 2 boys and 4 girls, aged between 2 months and 16 years. The adults and children endured the horrors of russian occupation. They are now safe and receiving the necessary assistance. The return of the children was managed by the Office of the Verkhovna Rada Commissioner for Human Rights.

Latest news for today in the western regions of Ukraine

Volyn oblast

The 7th All-Ukrainian race I Honor Soldiers, I Run for Heroes of Ukraine took place in Lutsk. This year, a record number of participants joined the patriotic rally – over 750 residents of various ages registered. The youngest athlete was an eleven-month-old baby, and the oldest was a 65-year-old lady. The event is timed to the Day of Remembrance of defenders of Ukraine who were killed for the independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine.

On 26 August, during the largest attack on Ukraine since the beginning of the full-scale war, Oleksii Mes,pilot from Volyn oblast, was killed. That time he managed to destroy 3 cruise missiles and 1 attack drone of the enemy.

Zakarpattia oblast

The RMA reported that the oblast carried out the most measures to implement the State Policy Strategy on Internal Displacement for the period until 2025.

Over 1,000 people ran in Uzhhorod in the I Honor Soldiers, I Run for Heroes of Ukraine race in memory of fallen defenders of Ukraine. Participants of the race ran distances of 2, 5 or 10 km in memory of their relatives, friends and brothers or those whom they did not even know personally, but wanted to honour the soldiers who gave their lives in the fight for the freedom and independence of Ukraine in the period from 2014 until 2024.

38 children from Kharkiv oblast, accompanied by 4 adults, spent a week recuperating in the village of Yanosh in Berehovo region thanks to the financial support of the Ministry of Foreign Economy and Foreign Affairs of Hungary within the framework of the project of the European Association of Territorial Cooperation with Limited Liability TYSA.

Ivano-Frankivsk oblast

The oblast sent a 7-band EW system for shooting down the movement of enemy UAVs, a laptop, a monitor and a WL 30 controller worth UAH 281,800 to the National Guard of Ukraine thanks to the regional budget within the framework of industry support programs.

Ivano-Frankivsk community sent 135 drones to the military (30 FPV drones were sent to the soldiers of the 150th Battalion, 50 FPV drones to the 32nd Mechanised Brigade, 30 FPV drones to the 116th Mechanised Brigade and 25 to the 79th Separate Amphibious Assault Brigade).

30 children from Kherson oblast will be recuperating in Prykarpattia. They will be hosted by one of the recreation facilities of Kosiv region, where comfortable living conditions, food, interesting and varied leisure activities, as well as health procedures are provided. In addition, psychologists will work with children to help them get rid of fears and anxieties.

Lviv oblast

Defenders of the 45th Separate Artillery Brigades, which defend the country on the hottest areas of the front, received state awards, honours of the Minister of Defense and the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces.

A meeting was held in Lviv with relatives of soldiers who are in captivity or have disappeared. They discussed the measures taken to resolve the issues that the families addressed to the relevant authorities at the previous meeting.

Defenders, who are currently undergoing rehabilitation in Lviv oblast, covered about 7 km of Zakhidnyi Buh river in kayaks. The day before, such an event was organised for military personnel and their relatives as part of the Travel Therapy project of the Department of Tourism and Resorts of the Lviv oblast.

A memorial stand in memory of Mykola Solomenyuk, fallen defender, was opened at the building of the Northern PGR (the Power Grid Region) in Chervonohrad. Mykola Solomenyuk worked at the enterprise as an electrician for operation of metres. Historian by profession, actively interested in the past of Ukraine and the world. On 25 February 2022, he was mobilised into the army. The defender was killed on 30 April 2022 in the city of Novodruzhevsk, Severodonetsk region, Luhansk oblast.

Police lieutenant Danylo Kutsevich, who was killed in January of this year while on duty in Donetsk oblast, was awarded with the For the Defense of Ukraine honorary award. The award was presented to Hero’s mother.

Rivne oblast

The Rivne chain of mobile coffee shops Barkas received the official branding Created by Defenders. This is the 1st veteran business in the oblast that joined the project of the Ministry of Veterans. The co-founder of the network is Andrii Surzhuk, veteran of the russian-Ukrainian war.

Ternopil oblast

In Ternopil, a race I Honor Soldiers, I Run for Heroes of Ukraine was held. This is an annual patriotic event that has already become a tradition to honour the memory of soldiers who were killed during the russian-Ukrainian war. It is held at the end of August and is timed to the Day of Remembrance of Defenders of Ukraine (29 August). This year, over 600 volunteers registered for the race. Each participant chose a distance (2, 5 or 10 km) and covered it with the number and name of their Hero attached to the T-shirt.

Volunteers of the Army Aid from Ternopil centre went on another trip to defenders at the front. This time the volunteers are going to Kharkiv, Donetsk and Zaporizhzhia oblasts. For several weeks, the collection of the necessary equipment, equipment and food for the military took place. From Ternopil city council, buses were additionally equipped with first-aid kits, FPV drones, EcoFlow charging stations, generators and means of radio-electronic warfare, purchased with the funds of the community budget, thanks to the taxes paid by local entrepreneurs.

Ternopil City Council reported that 146 children of the Heroes of the community received certificates in the amount of UAH 1,200 for the purchase of stationery.

Khmelnytskyi oblast

The RMA held a meeting with representatives of the National Agency for the Prevention of Corruption. They discussed development of honest authorities and local self-government bodies and the implementation of the State Anti-Corruption Program.

In Khmelnytskyi, the annual All-Ukrainian patriotic race in memory of fallen soldiers I Honor Soldiers, I Run for Heroes of Ukraine took place. The symbol of the race is a running warrior-angel, because Heroes do not die, they become angels who protect us from heaven. This year, over 300 participants took part in the race, and at the finish, everyone was awarded a commemorative medal.

Chernivtsi oblast

The RMA reported that Chernivtsi community sent another batch of drones to the military thanks to budget funds.

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

Josep Borrell, EU High Representative, stated that the EU agreed to increase the training mission for Ukraine by 15,000 people. He noted that EUMAM is the most successful training mission ever conducted by the European Union. The EU also plans to create a small coordination centre in Kyiv, which will enable direct coordination with the mission participants.

The visit to Washington of the Ukrainian delegation led by Yuliia Svyridenko, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economy of Ukraine, has begun. The 1st meeting was held with Lloyd Austin, US Defense Minister. They discussed the situation on the battlefield, russian shelling of the civilian population, training of Ukrainian soldiers, and joint production of weapons.

Ukraine and Montenegro held a meeting on the conclusion of a bilateral security agreement. The document will contribute to strengthening security in Europe and deepening cooperation between two countries.

The Ministry of Defense of Romania sent to the parliament a draft law on the transfer of the Patriot air defence system to Ukraine. The bill provides for the transfer of one of the seven Patriots purchased in the United States in the 3+ configuration. This configuration is the most advanced version of the Patriot system and is used by the US and nearly 20 other allies.

Jan Lipavsk, Head of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Czech Republic, stated that his country does not impose any restrictions on Ukraine regarding the use of the weapons it supplies, but understands different attitude of some allies on this issue.

Materials compiled by Tetiana Kliuchnyk-Horobets, Tetyana Pidgorna, Olena Reka, Yana Hushchyna, Tamara Moshkovska, Sofia Ratynska, Ioanna Kryvenko, Аnna Efremova, Albahachiieva Helena

Translated by Tetyana Pidgorna, Yana Hushchyna, Litrovnyk Alla, Marharyta Koval, Tetiana Kurbatova

Ukrainian Women’s Guard

SUPPORT US