EXPLAINED: 31 | Vintage Vibes

Royal Navy warns of 25% surge in Russian ships near UK waters

The Royal Navy spent 21 days in July monitoring Moscow’s vessels

The Independent UK · Aug 8

Kash Patel plans Russia trip in October; Kremlin-friendly newspaper warns he better not come empty-handed if he has a favor to ask

FBI director Kash Patel is planning to visit Russia in mid-October at a time when Washington and Moscow continue to be at odds over the war in Ukraine, Politico reported, calling any such planned visit from the FBi chief as "unusual and sensitive". Patel has a history of involvement in…

The Times of India · Aug 8

Navy says it is spending 25% more time monitoring Russian vessels around UK waters

Warning of increased activity as patrols spent 21 days in July shadowing Moscow’s ships in Dover Strait and North Sea

The Guardian - UK · Aug 8

Child among three killed as Russian missiles hit areas near Ukraine capital Kyiv

At least three people, including a child, were killed in overnight Russian missile strikes near Ukraine’s capital Kyiv, local authorities said, as Moscow and Kyiv continued a sustained exchange of long-range drone attacks.

The Times of India · Aug 8

Zelensky visits Russian ally Serbia for talks

BELGRADE - President Volodymyr Zelensky was making his first official visit to Serbia — a rare European country still closely aligned with Moscow — on Saturday as Ukraine seeks to bolster international support in the face of intensifying Russian strikes.

Bangkok Post · Aug 8

Ukraine war briefing: Wildberries warehouse struck by Kyiv’s drones more than 2,000km from Russian border

Depot hit in city of Ekaterinburg and hundreds evacuated in latest attack on Russian online retail giant. What we know on day 1,627

The Guardian - AU · Aug 8

Ukraine's Zelenskyy to make first visit to Russia-friendly Serbia

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is visiting Serbia, a nation maintaining ties with Russia. President Aleksandar Vucic seeks to balance EU aspirations and historic Russian connections. Serbia refuses to impose sanctions on Russia, citing deep historical ties. Both leaders aim for political gains from this significant diplomatic engagement. This visit highlights…

The Economic Times · Aug 7

EU sanctions five people linked to Russia’s military industry after Ukraine strikes

The EU sanctioned five individuals tied to Russia’s military-industrial complex after recent Russian air strikes on Ukraine, EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas said, accusing Moscow of escalating attacks on civilians as its forces stalled.

Euronews · Aug 7

Russia might use fake Ukrainian drones to target Baltic infrastructure, Lithuania warns

Moscow could use recovered Ukrainian drone parts to stage an attack on Baltic infrastructure in a bid to undermine NATO support for Kyiv, Lithuania’s defence minister said.

Euronews · Aug 7

UN chief denounces Russia, Ukraine for civilian deaths

KYIV (UKRAINE) - United Nations chief Antonio Guterres on Thursday condemned both sides for attacks on civilian areas as Ukraine and Russia kept up their artillery war.

Bangkok Post · Aug 6