Reuters reported that a Moscow oil refinery unit, Gazpromneft Moscow’s “Euro+” unit, was forced to suspend operations after a Ukrainian drone strike. The strike affected half of the refinery’s total capacity and may result in almost a week of shutdown for repairs. This incident followed Russia’s largest drone assault in history, where 158 Ukrainian drones targeted various regions, impacting an oil refinery and two power plants. Gazpromneft is the oil subsidiary of Gazprom, Russia’s largest company.
Recent reports highlighted “animal diplomacy” between Moscow and Pyongyang, with Putin gifting 19 stallions and five mares to Kim Jong Un in gratitude for promised artillery shells. This horse-gifting trend is not new, as Putin previously sent goats and received dogs from North Korea as well.
In Mongolia, Putin’s visit despite ICC warrants for his arrest due to war crimes has angered Ukraine. Mongolia welcomed Putin, a move criticized by Ukrainian authorities for undermining the ICC’s legitimacy.
Russia’s missile attacks on Ukrainian cities led to casualties in Dnipro, with ongoing fighting reported near Kherson. Despite Russia’s territorial gains in August, Ukraine’s Armed Forces made significant advances, doubling its territory gains compared to Russia’s.
Russia’s territorial gains in August were notable but overshadowed by the AFU’s incursion across the northeastern border, picking up more territory in a shorter timeframe.