Russia

On the night of August 20, drones attacked the TANECO oil refinery in Nizhnekamsk, Russia, and the “Tamanneftegaz” oil terminal in Volna, Krasnodar Krai, Russia.

German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius has a supply of water and food at home that should last him and his wife for several days. This is how the German minister is personally preparing for a possible emergency. For several years now, Europeans have been urged to do the same: to keep a supply of water, food, medicine, and other essentials at home that will help them get through the first few days of a major crisis.

On the morning of August 19, drones struck the Russian region of Bashkortostan. The attack damaged a production facility at an oil refinery. 

Belgian Foreign Minister Maxime Prévot stated that the country's restraint regarding the use of frozen Russian assets does not mean a reluctance to help Ukraine or support for Russia.

According to World Bank estimates, the damage caused by Russia to Ukraine’s infrastructure exceeds $600 billion. Ukraine is calling for more active discussion of mechanisms for using frozen Russian assets to rebuild the country.

Photojournalist Yefrem Lukatsky recalled his meeting with the commander of the Black Sea Fleet of the Soviet and Russian Navies (1991–1992) Russian Admiral Igor Kasatonov during the presidency of Leonid Kravchuk.

Russian troops continue to attack the Kyiv region—on the morning of August 18, the enemy attacked the Brovary district.

At airports in Moscow, St. Petersburg, and Yekaterinburg, an unofficial screening process has been implemented for travelers leaving Russia. Men of draft age are deliberately subjected to additional screenings to prevent them from catching their flights, even if their documents are in order and there are no official restrictions.

Moscow and the Moscow Region came under a massive drone attack on the night of August 17–18. Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin reported that hundreds of drones were heading toward the capital region and noted that Russian air defenses were in action.

Russian security forces use a serial number system to identify foreign mercenaries recruited into the occupying army.