It has been a very long, very unpleasant day, so I’m just going to run through the basics tonight.

Russia has telegraphed the next portion of the maskirovka line of effort in their influence campaign.

Russia announces its next war crime

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— Kate from Kharkiv (@kateinkharkiv.bsky.social) August 12, 2025 at 3:04 PM

Here is President Zelenskyy’s address from earlier today. Video below, English transcript after the jump.

President Zelenskyy ruled out retreat from Donbas.

He added that, for Russians, Donbas is a staging ground for a new offensive. If the Ukrainian Armed Forces were to leave, either voluntarily or under pressure, it could be the start of a third war.

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— Kate from Kharkiv (@kateinkharkiv.bsky.social) August 12, 2025 at 1:34 PM

Peace Can Only Be Lasting with Ukraine’s Participation in Preparing the Relevant Decisions – Address by the President

12 August 2025 – 19:55

I wish you health, fellow Ukrainians!

A brief summary of today. We continue communication with our partners – for common positions, strong positions. I spoke with President Erdoğan. It was a good conversation – as always, with very well-placed emphases. I am grateful for the support of our independence, our territorial integrity, and our people. And most importantly – for supporting the position that peace can only be lasting with Ukraine’s participation in preparing the relevant decisions. I would also like to note Türkiye’s participation in our Coalition of the Willing – this is important, and we count on Türkiye’s active involvement in bringing real peace and real security closer.

I also spoke with the President of Romania and the Prime Minister of the Netherlands. There is a principled stance from European leaders – a clear statement by the European Union, 26 countries, all with us – in diplomatic work and in principled positions. It is clear who the twenty-seventh is, always against everything, just to be uniquely “against.” Still, we are in contact with everyone, presenting our arguments to all. Tomorrow, we will continue our work with the United States and with our European colleagues. Today, I also spoke with the Amir of Qatar – I thanked him for his help in securing the release of our children who had been abducted by Russia. Those are extraordinary mediation efforts – hundreds of children have been brought back. I informed him about all our conversations with partners and about possible next steps.

Today, I also held a meeting with our diplomatic team – the Office, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. We are preparing certain steps to further mobilize our partners. I want to specifically highlight our agreements with the Netherlands – one of the leaders in supporting Ukraine in Europe – and we are preparing additional measures that will strengthen us. In particular, this concerns drones.

Today, our military delivered reports about the frontline – especially Dobropillia, Pokrovsk direction. Steps have been taken there to correct the situation, and I am grateful to every unit and every one of our warriors who are now destroying the occupier. Positions in the Kharkiv region, positions in Zaporizhzhia, positions in the Sumy region – everywhere we are doing our best to provide Ukraine with exactly the kind of defense it needs.

And one more thing. There was a meeting with government officials – the Prime Minister, the Minister of Finance, and the Minister of Education. I instructed them to take several steps that could support our people – to support and give young Ukrainians genuinely greater opportunities to be here, to stay in Ukraine, to study here, and to build their future here – despite everything. We will increase scholarships starting from the new budget year. We will also simplify the admission requirements for Ukrainian higher education institutions, with government officials working in particular on the winter admission campaign. In addition, we will change the border-crossing rules so that this will be possible for young men aged 18–22. The aim is for more people to study here and for young Ukrainians who, for various reasons, are abroad to find it easier to maintain their ties with Ukraine. I thank everyone who stands with us, who stands with our state! I thank each and every one who fights for Ukraine, who works for Ukraine – for the state and the people. And I thank everyone who helps us.

Glory to Ukraine!

President Zelenskyy also addressed the attendees at the Ukrainian Youth Forum today.

President Instructed the Government to Ease Border Crossing for Youth, Simplify University Admission Requirements, and Increase Scholarships Next Year

12 August 2025 – 20:05

President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy has instructed the government to simplify university admission requirements and border crossing procedures for young people, as well as to raise student scholarships starting next year. The Head of State announced this during a meeting with participants of the Ukrainian Youth Forum held to mark Youth Day.

The President congratulated the youth on the holiday, noting that when a country has millions of young people, that nation is alive and will continue to live.

“We are fighting for our state, for a sovereign Ukrainian state. Ukrainians are fighting, Ukrainians are working for defense so that the Ukrainian people can live a normal, safe, and peaceful life. Most importantly – on their own land. So that you, our young people, young generations, all those for whom Ukraine must and will be home, can do so,” the President stressed.

Volodymyr Zelenskyy thanked the warriors, all those who have chosen to live, study, and work in their homeland, as well as those who, under any circumstances, maintain their connection with Ukraine.

The President said that in the morning he had spoken with Prime Minister Yuliia Svyrydenko, Minister of Finance Sergii Marchenko, Minister of Education and Science Oksen Lisovyi, the Office team, and the military. The state will take tangible steps to support young people.

First and foremost, this concerns admission to higher education institutions during wartime and under many difficult conditions. The Head of State instructed the government to simplify the admission process.

Volodymyr Zelenskyy also instructed the Cabinet of Ministers, together with the military command, to explore the possibility of easing border crossing for young Ukrainians. The President proposed increasing the age of men allowed to travel abroad during martial law to 22. This will help many preserve their ties with Ukraine and pursue education, primarily in their home country.

An agreement has been reached with the Prime Minister and the Minister of Finance to work on increasing scholarships for all students starting next year. In addition, the state will now expand support for those who achieve significant academic results.

Volodymyr Zelenskyy also highlighted those who engage young people in various security programs and personally participate in them.

The President presented state awards to young people who distinguished themselves while defending Ukraine in the ranks of the Defense Forces: the Orders of Bohdan Khmelnytsky, 3rd Class; the Orders “For Courage,” 2nd and 3rd Class; the Orders of Princess Olga, 3rd Class; and the Orders of Danylo Halytskyi. Awards were also given to those who have contributed to various areas of public life and have conscientiously fulfilled their professional duties.

In addition, Volodymyr Zelenskyy discussed with forum participants work with Ukrainian youth in the temporarily occupied territories, multiple citizenship, and diplomatic efforts to achieve a just and lasting peace.

“Negotiations are in any case important at the level of leaders. But talking about Ukraine without Ukraine is impossible. Therefore, the conversation between U.S. President Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin may certainly be important for their bilateral track, but they cannot decide anything about Ukraine without us,” the Head of State emphasized.

Georgia:

Day 258 of daily protests in 8+ cities across Georgia. 🇬🇪✊

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— Rusudan Djakeli (@rusudandjakeli.bsky.social) August 12, 2025 at 1:23 PM

1/ Gigauri was accused of assaulting a police officer. He was indicted under Article 353¹, Part 1 of Georgia’s Criminal Code, which carries a sentence of 4 to 7 years in prison.

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— Publika.ge (@publikage.bsky.social) August 12, 2025 at 4:58 AM

2/ However, the judge reclassified the charge, finding Gigauri guilty under Article 353, which pertains to resistance, threats, or violence against a public order officer or another representative of the authorities.

— Publika.ge (@publikage.bsky.social) August 12, 2025 at 4:58 AM

3/ The revised charge carries a penalty of a fine, house arrest for up to two years, or imprisonment ranging from two to six years.

— Publika.ge (@publikage.bsky.social) August 12, 2025 at 4:58 AM

🔴 As trials of prisoners of conscience from the pro-European #GeorgiaProtests continue, eight have been convicted by August 12 — all having pleaded not guilty.

Two pleaded guilty and sought plea deals but were sentenced without leniency. Only one was acquitted and released in court.

#Georgia

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— Batumelebi&Netgazeti (@netgazeti.org) August 12, 2025 at 5:30 AM

Latvia:

Latvia will provide at least €2 million for arms purchases for Ukraine under the PURL framework. Prime Minister Evika Siliņa announced this to reporters on Tuesday after a government meeting.
www.delfi.lv/193/politics…

— WarTranslated (Dmitri) (@wartranslated.bsky.social) August 12, 2025 at 2:35 PM

The US:

The Trump administration has played down expectations of a peace deal at Friday’s summit between the US and Russian presidents, saying Ukraine would have to be party to any agreement. on.ft.com/4lm0xsD

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— Christopher Miller (@christopherjm.ft.com) August 12, 2025 at 3:22 PM

From The Financial Times:

The Trump administration has played down expectations of a peace deal at Friday’s summit between the US and Russian presidents, saying Ukraine would have to be party to any agreement.

White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said Donald Trump’s meeting with Vladimir Putin would be a “listening exercise”, and that there was no particular outcome that Washington could predict.

“The goal of this meeting is to walk away with a better understanding of how we can end this war,” she said.

“This bilateral meeting is a bilateral meeting between one party in this two party war, right? You need both countries to agree to a deal,” Leavitt added.

She confirmed that Trump would be travelling to Anchorage, Alaska’s largest city, and there would be a “one-on-one” meeting between the US president and Putin, but did not offer further details of the summit.

The White House’s comments come amid broad concerns in Ukraine and across Europe that Trump will clinch an agreement on Russia’s terms that will be unacceptable to Kyiv.Back to Ukraine.

When asked about Russia’s interest in expanding the talks to a broader discussion about easing bilateral tensions with the US, Leavitt answered: “This conversation is focused on ending the war in Ukraine, as far as the president’s perspective goes.”

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy told journalists in Kyiv on Tuesday that he believed separate meetings with the US and Russian presidents would be necessary to begin the peace process.

“We need to have three meetings — two bilateral, one trilateral. And probably, after the trilateral one, we will get a result,” he said.

More at the link.

The reality is that once Putin and Trump start the one on one bilat, anything will be possible. We saw how that went in Helsinki during Trump’s first term.

This is the most heartwarming news I’ve seen over the last days.

Dear free world, thanks for standing with us. ❤️‍🩹

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— Olena Halushka (@halushka.bsky.social) August 12, 2025 at 2:30 PM

Back to Ukraine.

In any talks, pressure must be on russia — not Ukraine. Negotiations about Ukraine must include Ukraine. Ukraine and its people are the only victims of this war. Don’t believe those twisting reality to make russia’s war look “provoked.”

— Iryna Voichuk (@irynavoichuk.bsky.social) August 12, 2025 at 1:52 PM

M134 miniguns mounted on Ukrainian helicopters used to shoot down Shahed drones.

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— 🦋Special Kherson Cat🐈🇺🇦 (@specialkhersoncat.bsky.social) August 12, 2025 at 6:31 AM

Pokrovsk, Donetsk Oblast:

If you look at the map around Pokrovsk, you may finally see why I’ve long been worried, about both the city and the trajectory of the war. Talk of big enemy losses, forecasts of economic collapse, or claims I’m “too negative” won’t change it. Change starts by seeing problems

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— Tatarigami (@tatarigami.bsky.social) August 11, 2025 at 8:37 PM

This is not an operational breakthrough. It is, however, a penetration of the defenses. And a penetration can turn into a breakthrough. For now, though, what we’re seeing is more of a massive “walkthrough”

— Tatarigami (@tatarigami.bsky.social) August 11, 2025 at 8:37 PM

And here’s another part of the maskirovka:

Given recent Russian gains near Pokrovsk, Putin may try to show Trump that Russia is close to trapping Ukraine’s army. Earlier this year, Trump wrote that Russians encircled Ukrainian troops in Kursk after early discussions with Putin, likely echoing arguments presented to him

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— Tatarigami (@tatarigami.bsky.social) August 12, 2025 at 12:44 PM

Kremenchuk, Poltava Oblast:

Right now, Kremenchuk in Poltava Oblast is under russian missile attack. Russia is ready to end the war, they say.

— Iryna Voichuk (@irynavoichuk.bsky.social) August 12, 2025 at 4:48 PM

Bilozerske, Dobropillia, Pokrovsk, Donetsk Oblast:

Last night, russian forces heavily bombed Bilozerske near Dobropillia, turning the city into hell on earth. Two civilians were killed, seven injured.

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— Iryna Voichuk (@irynavoichuk.bsky.social) August 12, 2025 at 6:25 AM

Last night, Russia struck a residential area in the Donetsk region with guided aerial bombs. The prosecutor’s office reports that 2 people were killed and 7 were injured in the town of Bilozerske.

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— Kate from Kharkiv (@kateinkharkiv.bsky.social) August 12, 2025 at 4:51 AM

The Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant, Russian occupied Zaporizhzhia Oblast:

Occupied by Russia Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant is covered in smoke. It is unknown what is going on in there.

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— Kate from Kharkiv (@kateinkharkiv.bsky.social) August 12, 2025 at 9:52 AM

⚠️ Zaporizhzhia NPP cargo port is probably on fire right now.

Extinguishing the fire is impossible – the entire coastline is mined. Whether there is a threat to Zaporizhzhia NPP is currently unknown.

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— MAKS 25 👀🇺🇦 (@maks23.bsky.social) August 12, 2025 at 9:46 AM

Russian occupied Zaporizhzhia Oblast:

Russians have resumed taking Ukrainian grain from occupied areas of Zaporizhzhia region to Rostov-on-Don. Despite drought and a small harvest meant for sowing and local needs, they export it to Russia to address their grain crisis — echoing the Holodomor of the last century under new occupation.

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— WarTranslated (Dmitri) (@wartranslated.bsky.social) August 12, 2025 at 1:34 PM

Starobilsk, Russian occupied Luhansk Oblast:

💥In the Luhansk region, in the temporarily occupied Starobilsk, a Russian ammunition depot has been hit.

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— WarTranslated (Dmitri) (@wartranslated.bsky.social) August 12, 2025 at 11:17 AM

Abrykosivka, Russian occupied Crimea:

Ukraine’s Special Operations Forces destroyed a Russian “Skala-M” radar in Abrykosivka, occupied Crimea. The system, with a 350 km range, monitored air traffic. Its destruction will significantly reduce Russia’s ability to use aircraft for striking civilian infrastructure.

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— WarTranslated (Dmitri) (@wartranslated.bsky.social) August 12, 2025 at 8:45 AM

Bryansk Oblast, Russia:

Bryansk Region of russia. Allegedly, oil depot is on fire 🔥 🔥🔥

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— Kate from Kharkiv (@kateinkharkiv.bsky.social) August 12, 2025 at 4:23 PM

Yelabuga, Republic of Tatarstan, Russia:

Yelabuga, Tatarstan, Russia. Another attack on a Shahed logistics hub.

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— WarTranslated (Dmitri) (@wartranslated.bsky.social) August 12, 2025 at 8:11 AM

That’s enough for tonight.

Your daily Patron!

There are no new Patron skeets or videos today. Here is some adjacent material.

Update on this since many asked: cats who lived in this apartment complex are starting to return after the missile attack. Tatiana (in blue) lives here and is taking care of them in the courtyard. Alena brought food and medicine for her, and we will keep visiting.

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— Nate Mook (@natemook.bsky.social) August 10, 2025 at 11:46 AM

Open thread!