(Image by NEIVANMADE)
The cost:
A funeral is being held today for 2-year-old Anhelina and her mother Nadiya near their destroyed home in Kyiv.🕯💔
They died during a Russian attack on the night of August 28. The girl’s father, Maksym, was at work that night.
— Kate from Kharkiv (@kateinkharkiv.bsky.social) August 31, 2025 at 7:38 AM
This tears me apart. This beautiful family should still be alive. Baby Anhelina playing, growing up, going to kindergarten and then school. Her mother watching her little girl blossom.
russia stole this — leaving a wound that will never heal in the hearts of those who loved them.
— Olena Halushka (@halushka.bsky.social) August 31, 2025 at 11:52 AM
The Flamingos are operational!
Flamingo launch 👀🦩
Hopefully, we will see these birds in action soon 😈
— Kate from Kharkiv (@kateinkharkiv.bsky.social) August 31, 2025 at 8:43 AM
‼️ /1. The first publicly known combat use of the Flamingo cruise missile has been reported against Russian targets in Crimea, near Armyansk. The strike hit an FSB outpost and several patrol hovercraft.
The attack took place early on 30 August 2025.
— 🦋Special Kherson Cat🐈🇺🇦 (@specialkhersoncat.bsky.social) August 31, 2025 at 11:48 AM
/2. According to reports, six patrol hovercraft were damaged.
The exact types of vessels hit have not been disclosed. However, FSB border units in Crimea are known to operate Khivus A-8, as well as the larger A25PS class.
militarnyi.com/uk/news/ob-y…
— 🦋Special Kherson Cat🐈🇺🇦 (@specialkhersoncat.bsky.social) August 31, 2025 at 11:50 AM
Here is President Zelenskyy’s address from earlier today. Video below, English transcript after the jump. (emphasis mine)
The Only One Who Wants This War Is Russia – That Is Why We Will Keep Up the Pressure – Address by the President
31 August 2025 – 20:32
I wish you health, fellow Ukrainians!
A brief update for today. There were reports from the military on the situation at the front. First and foremost, about the Donetsk direction – Pokrovsk and other key sectors. We are holding our positions, and what matters most is that this is active defense – we are destroying the occupier every single day. I thank each of our units for their resilience and precision. We are also working to ensure that our army is fully supplied with everything necessary for the autumn. There will be meetings, engagement with our partners – we are planning a very active diplomatic week.
Two weeks ago in Washington, it was stated that by this time the Russians should be ready for real negotiations – a meeting at the leaders’ level. Ukraine is definitely ready for this. But the only thing Russia is doing is investing further in war. All their signals point to that. Now, during his visit to China, Putin will once again try to wriggle out. That is his number one sport. Everyone in the world has declared that there must be a ceasefire. Everyone has insisted that the war must end. That has been the position of everyone, including China. I have discussed this with the Prime Minister of India. Also with other leaders who are now at the summit – Türkiye, Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan. Almost everyone else in the world also supports ending the war. Today, there was an important statement from the Pope – I am grateful for that. The only one who wants this war is Russia. That is why we will keep up the pressure – it is Russia that must be pressured. We expect that no one will tolerate the prolongation of this war. We count on a strong stance from the United States, Europe, and the G20 countries. This war brings nothing but destabilization to global processes. Russia must pay for this. And it will.
I also want to thank the partners today who have joined the PURL initiative this month – our special program that allows us to purchase the necessary weapons for Ukraine’s Defense Forces in the United States. In August, the Netherlands, Norway, Sweden, Denmark, Canada, Belgium, and Latvia joined this initiative. The program already exceeds two billion dollars. Coordination is carried out through NATO. I am grateful to everyone involved, and this is a good result for August. September must also deliver accordingly. Our goal is no less than one billion dollars in the program every month. These funds are used to purchase very effective weapons – Patriot and HIMARS missiles, and weapons systems needed to defend our cities. Thank you once again to our partners!
And one more thing. Of course, throughout the day there were reports from Ukraine’s Minister of Internal Affairs Ihor Klymenko and Head of the Security Service of Ukraine Vasyl Maliuk on the investigation into the murder of Andriy Parubiy. They reported on the progress of the investigation and are working through all the circumstances. All necessary forces are involved – the police, the Security Service, the prosecutor’s office. They are working virtually around the clock. I thank everyone who is helping with the investigation. We hope for results.
Glory to Ukraine!
Georgia:
Until the end!” – my favourite chant.
Day 277 of #GeorgiaProtests
People expect an intense autumn.
— Marika Mikiashvili 🇬🇪🇺🇦🇪🇺 (@marikamikiashvili.bsky.social) August 31, 2025 at 3:17 PM
— Marika Mikiashvili 🇬🇪🇺🇦🇪🇺 (@marikamikiashvili.bsky.social) August 31, 2025 at 7:42 AM
China:
Putin and Xi.
This visit, coming right after Alaska, helps Putin sell the illusion of normalized international relations back home. That boost to his domestic propaganda machine means one thing: more Ukrainians will die.
— Kate from Kharkiv (@kateinkharkiv.bsky.social) August 31, 2025 at 9:02 AM
Putin plans to meet Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico during his visit to China, Russian media report, citing presidential aide Yuri Ushakov.
— WarTranslated (Dmitri) (@wartranslated.bsky.social) August 31, 2025 at 11:06 AM
China’s Xi to Modi today:
It is the right choice for both countries to be friends who have good neighbourly and amicable ties, partners who enable each other’s success, and to have the dragon and the elephant come together.
— Kate from Kharkiv (@kateinkharkiv.bsky.social) August 31, 2025 at 9:34 AM
It was Modi’s first trip to China in 7 years.
As Trump’s geopolitical blunders pile up, China and Russia will exploit them to their advantage.
— Kate from Kharkiv (@kateinkharkiv.bsky.social) August 31, 2025 at 9:34 AM
India:
During a phone call, Donald Trump hinted to Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi that he should nominate him for the Nobel Peace Prize, as Pakistan had done. Modi sharply rejected the idea, stating that the ceasefire with Islamabad was achieved without U.S. involvement.
— Kate from Kharkiv (@kateinkharkiv.bsky.social) August 30, 2025 at 4:59 PM
This refusal marked a turning point in relations: Washington imposed 50% tariffs on Indian goods, while in India, Trump was openly called a “traitor” and his effigy was burned at a festival. – NYT
— Kate from Kharkiv (@kateinkharkiv.bsky.social) August 30, 2025 at 4:59 PM
Basically Trump gave Modi and India a push towards Xi and China.
Hungary:
Hungary is holding its veto on launching EU accession talks with Ukraine, FM Szijjártó said after an informal EU ministerial in Copenhagen. He claimed Ukraine’s membership would harm Hungarian farmers and “let the Ukrainian mafia into Hungary”, citing food security concerns.
— WarTranslated (Dmitri) (@wartranslated.bsky.social) August 31, 2025 at 4:16 AM
I will remind everyone that Orban is reported to have been the recipient of suitcases full of cash from Semion Mogilevich, the head of the Bratva.
Lithuania:
Lithuania has installed “dragon’s teeth” anti-tank obstacles near its borders with Russia and Belarus, Radio Svoboda reports.
— WarTranslated (Dmitri) (@wartranslated.bsky.social) August 31, 2025 at 2:33 AM
Back to Ukraine.
‼️🇺🇦 Zelensky: The Minister of Internal Affairs, and the Head of SBU have just reported on the detention of the suspect in the murder of Andriy Parubiy. The necessary investigative actions are underway.
— MAKS 25 👀🇺🇦 (@maks23.bsky.social) August 31, 2025 at 5:23 PM
UAVs attack! 👀 DroneBomber
— MAKS 25 👀🇺🇦 (@maks23.bsky.social) August 31, 2025 at 5:21 PM
Russian occupied Crimea:
“Prymary” unit of the Defence Intelligence of Ukraine (HUR) continues systematic operations to dismantle the Russian air defense system in Crimea.
⚡️This time such high-value targets were hit: ● Utyos-T radar; ● RT-70 radio telescope; ● GLONASS complex; ● MR-10M1 “Cape” radar; ● 96L6-AP radar.
— 🦋Special Kherson Cat🐈🇺🇦 (@specialkhersoncat.bsky.social) August 31, 2025 at 9:45 AM
🚁/1. Yesterday, two Russian helicopters — a Mi-8 and a Mi-24 — were destroyed at Simferopol Airport in Crimea.
— 🦋Special Kherson Cat🐈🇺🇦 (@specialkhersoncat.bsky.social) August 31, 2025 at 2:47 AM
/2. In the morning of August 30, local residents reported seeing smoke rising from the airport area. Russian authorities also stated that Crimea had come under a drone attack, claiming that 18 Ukrainian UAVs were shot down between 7:00 and 11:00 a.m.
— 🦋Special Kherson Cat🐈🇺🇦 (@specialkhersoncat.bsky.social) August 31, 2025 at 2:48 AM
Kherson Oblast:
💀 In the Kherson direction, the occupiers staged a shootout among themselves. More than two dozen died.
Kherson region, a unit of 24th motorized rifle regiment began shooting at positions of 127th brigade, which led to their mistaken assumption of Ukrainian “saboteurs” and the opening of fire.
— MAKS 25 👀🇺🇦 (@maks23.bsky.social) August 31, 2025 at 7:26 AM
Donetsk Oblast:
Russia’s national messenger MAX, controlled by the FSB, lists Donetsk as “Donetsʼka Oblastʼ” — using Ukraine’s official transliteration and effectively recognizing it as Ukrainian territory.
— WarTranslated (Dmitri) (@wartranslated.bsky.social) August 31, 2025 at 1:13 PM
Sumy Oblast:
😎🇺🇦 Soldiers of the Shybenyk Squad unit from the special unit of GUR “KRAKEN” destroy the Russians during the clearing of basements and buildings in the village of Yunakivka, Sumy region.
— MAKS 25 👀🇺🇦 (@maks23.bsky.social) August 31, 2025 at 5:30 AM
Dachne, Odesa Oblast:
Russia’s top general Gerasimov had already reported Dachne as “occupied,” but the Ukrainian village is — inconveniently — still under Ukraine’s control.
— WarTranslated (Dmitri) (@wartranslated.bsky.social) August 31, 2025 at 12:17 PM
My understanding is that there is a Dachne in Russian occupied Crimea, so it is possible Gerasimov was referring to that one.
Russian occupied Luhansk Oblast:
🔥👀 Occupied Severodonetsk, Luhansk region, strike on gas stations!
— MAKS 25 👀🇺🇦 (@maks23.bsky.social) August 31, 2025 at 2:23 PM
Dnipropetrovsk Oblast:
Border guards operating FPV drones from the STRIX unit destroyed three Russian combat positions and three communication antennas on the Southern-Slobozhanske axis.
— WarTranslated (Dmitri) (@wartranslated.bsky.social) August 31, 2025 at 4:22 AM
Moscow Oblast:
Something is a little bit on fire in the Moscow region of russia 👀
— Kate from Kharkiv (@kateinkharkiv.bsky.social) August 31, 2025 at 8:40 AM
A major fire has broken out at a chemical plant in Balashikha, near Moscow. The blaze spread to nearby buildings, sending thick black smoke over the city. Locals report a strong smell of burning in the air.
— WarTranslated (Dmitri) (@wartranslated.bsky.social) August 31, 2025 at 4:32 AM
Voronezh Oblast, Russia:
Ukraine struck Russia’s Buturlinovka airbase in Voronezh region overnight on 20–21 August. The strike targeted the base’s technical section responsible for servicing, repairing, and supporting aircraft stationed there.
— WarTranslated (Dmitri) (@wartranslated.bsky.social) August 31, 2025 at 5:59 AM
Krasnodar Krai, Russia:
Something went boom tonight:
Krasnodar Krai, Russia 🔥👀
— Kate from Kharkiv (@kateinkharkiv.bsky.social) August 31, 2025 at 7:57 PM
That’s enough for tonight.
Your daily Patron!
There are no new Patron skeets or videos today. Here is some adjacent material.
This is a Ukrainian Soldier. This is who we should be backing with the full force of our weaponry. trump doesn’t like dogs/cats, anyone that doesn’t like dogs or cats except for allergies is a cum can.
— Marlow (@thefallin1.bsky.social) August 29, 2025 at 10:19 PM
Open thread!
Maccheerful
I’m no great fan of Modi, nor of India buying Russian gas, but nothing about T’s move seems to actually being designed to push India from keeping on supplying Russia with funds. Am I wrong? Even if wrongheaded will T’s colossal egotism mean anything positive here?
Adam L Silverman
@Maccheerful: You’re not incorrect.
Jay
Thank you, Adam.
Adam L Silverman
@Jay: You’re welcome.
Jay
Chris O_Wiki has been reporting, for years from ruZZian sources that,
– ruZZian Commanders send a small group of “StormZ” victims to infiltrate Ukrainian held villages,
– pose for a photo with a ruZZian flag or a “Z” flag,
– post the photo on the Command chain as “proof” that his unit has “taken” the village.
– the Commander get’s a medal and a 500,000 ruble reward.
– the “StormZ” group get’s wiped out.
– subsequent “StormZ” units are sent to the locations by other units, thinking it’s a safe location, when they come under drone, artillery and line units, often frontal and flanking from the UAF, they can’t get artillery or air support, or other units support because on the maps, ruZZia “controls the village.” They too get wiped out.
trollhattan
That last pic…man.
Thanks Adam, what a clusterflock.
Adam L Silverman
@trollhattan: You’re welcome.
pieceofpeace
Thanks very much, Adam.
Westyny
Thanks, as always, Adam.
Sister Inspired Revolver of Freedom
The cat is actually smiling 😌. I can’t express what that does to my heart 💝.
Thank you Adam.
Mai Naem mobile
YY_Sima Qian
@Maccheerful: US policy toward India has been bewilderingly schizophrenic, & equally self-defeating in either guise.
At the one extreme, Trump 45 & Biden all but ignored Modi’s rapid slide toward illiberalism & authoritarianism, increasingly brazen transnational repression in Anglo countries, & continued economic support for Russia, all in the name of keeping India “on side” against the PRC. At the other extreme, Trump 47 engaging in wanton economic coercion of India & pushing India toward Russia & the PRC. It is not even clear what is the proximate cause. (Modi & Trump seemed to had been simpatico during the Trump 45 term.)
Frankly, I suspect Trump is picking on India to bully, because he ran into a brick wall w/ the PRC, finding the latter having actual chokehold leverage w/ refined the rare earth elements & rare earth magnets (among other cards not yet played by Beijing). Having been frustrated & embarrassed, India is the avenue for release, as a bully is wont to do.
AlaskaReader
Thanks Adam