The Lukoil-owned NORSI plant in Nizhny Novogorod Oblast is the fourth-largest oil refinery in Russia.

"The recent attempted attack on our facility in Slovakia is further proof that Ukrainian defense manufacturers have become a real thorn in their side, and that we are on the right path," a company's representative told the Kyiv Independent.

In a document prepared for the UN General Assembly in September, the Hungarian government condemns Russian military aggression and fully supports Ukraine's territorial integrity.

President Volodymyr Zelensky cited Elon Musk's "contributions to the protection of human life and freedom, and the development of relations between the peoples of Ukraine and the U.S."

Russian forces launched a double-tap attack on rescue workers dealing with the aftermath of a Russian attack on Kramatorsk, Donetsk Oblast, on Aug. 25.

Tambov Oblast Governor Yevgeny Pervyshov said the Wildberries hub was hit in "a massive drone attack," causing a fire that has spread over 100,000 meters.

The figure includes 1,450 casualties that Russian forces suffered over the past day.

Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov told the Washington Post that Ratcliffe's visit involved "contacts between security services."

The visit marks the first face-to-face talks between Moscow and the Vatican since Russia launched its all-out war against Ukraine in 2022.

"They don't believe in the strength of (Russian President Vladimir) Putin's air defenses," the source said.

An oil refinery in Kazakhstan is set to process Russian crude and send 70% of its diesel and gasoline output back to Russia, Kazakh Energy Minister Yerlan Akkenzhenov said Aug. 25 amid shortages caused by Ukrainian attacks.

Key developments on Aug. 25: * UK, France approve Storm Shadow/SCALP missile production in Ukraine, Zelensky says * US asked Ukraine to refrain from striking Moscow during CIA chief's visit, source says * Kellogg backs mobilizing Ukrainian women, parliament says it is not under consideration * Kremlin dismisses Donbas free economic zone proposal * Russian drone strikes border crossing between Ukraine, Moldova * Ukrainian strike damages MiG-29 fighter jet at Russian air base * 'Fabricated

The High Anti-Corruption Court on Aug. 25 placed Iryna Mudra, a former deputy head of the President's Office, in custody for two months in a graft case and set bail at Hr 20 million ($448,000).

"Сhildren cannot be used as instruments of war or occupation," First Lady of Lithuania, Diana Nausediene, said.

"Our contribution plays a major role in getting funds to Ukraine, but it is not sufficient on its own," a European Commission spokesperson said, adding that other partners must "follow suit."

Peter Novak, a Slovak with 25 years of experience in the IT and banking sectors, replaced former board member head Mykola Hladyschenko after he was officially dismissed from his position on Aug. 21 by the government due to his suspected involvement in a money laundering scheme.

The decision could help Ukraine move closer to producing the missiles at home. The U.K. has agreed to let European defense company MBDA share classified technical information on British-made parts of SCALP missiles with Ukraine, the U.K. government said on Aug. 24.

Russia would not end its war against Ukraine even if it captured all of Donbas, former U.S. Special Envoy for Ukraine Keith Kellogg told the Kyiv Independent in an interview conducted on Ukrainian Independence Day. Kellogg made the comments during his sixth visit to Ukraine and his first since leaving office. He met with President Volodymyr Zelensky and received briefings on the latest war developments. For Kellogg, the central issue is not how much territory Russia captures, but whether Russi

Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said that Russia considers Donbas its own territory and that it is "unlikely" to be governed by a "third party."

Stolar fled abroad more than a month ago and faces the charges of organized crime, embezzlement, corporate raiding, forgery, and hacking.

German investigators also found what appeared to be about 50 grams of hexogen, a military explosive, the German media reported.

Russia launched an Iskander-M ballistic missile, a Kh-31P guided missile, and 150 drones at Ukraine, the Air Force said. As of 9 a.m., air defenses had downed or suppressed 124 drones, while strikes were recorded at 17 locations. The attack was still ongoing at the time of the report.

Ukrainian forces struck several targets, including the fourth generation fighter jet on Millerovo air base in Russia's Rostov Oblast.

Key findings: * A Ukrainian state-owned bank, seized from a Russian owner in 2023, was allegedly turned into a tool for insider corruption. * A senior aide to President  Volodymyr Zelensky, Iryna Mudra, pressed to install a favored, conflicted candidate on the bank's oversight board. * Two officials who vetted him warned he had ties to a previous bank failure and a conflict of interest, but he was appointed anyway. * The bank's rushed, low-scrutiny nationalization made it easier to quietly

This is the third attack on a border crossing between Ukraine and Moldova in the last two weeks.

"We recall that rule of law and the fight against corruption is an essential element for any country to join the European Union," European Commission spokesperson Markus Lammert told the Kyiv Independent on Aug. 25.

Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan told parliament on Aug. 24 that Yerevan will soon launch its bid to join the European Union, as the country seeks to further distance itself from Russia.

Speculation about another mobilization has intensified in recent months as Russia’s battlefield gains slow and its voluntary recruitment system struggles to compensate for mounting losses.

Robert Kocharyan, Armenia's president from 1998 until 2008, leads the Armenia Alliance, one of the main Moscow-friendly political forces opposing Armenia's pro-EU Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan.

He said that "it is very important for women, as part of society, to serve," adding he saw no problem with the idea "personally or professionally."

Dan Negrea, a U.S. envoy to the United Nations Economic and Social Council, instead called upon "both sides" to cease any strikes that might pose a risk to civilian vessels.

Polish diplomat Michal Miarka underscored recent violations of the Polish, Romanian, and Latvian airspace, saying they cannot be accepted as the "new normal."