Victory Chronicles-DAY 1276

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has said Russia is making every effort to prevent a planned meeting between the leaders of Ukraine, the United States, and Russia.

Speaking alongside NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte on Aug. 22, Zelenskyy stressed that the Russian instigated war must be resolved at the leadership level, but the Kremlin is trying to avoid find a peaceful outcome that would halt hostilities.

“Unlike Russia, Ukraine is not afraid of any meetings with leaders. We are ready to work productively,” he said, adding that if Moscow refuses diplomacy, tougher sanctions are needed.

Ukraine’s second war-time president also expressed hope that partners will push Russia to attend and ensure at least a minimally constructive position. He added that he sees strong signals of support from the U.S., Europe, and other coalition members.

Ukrainian sea drone kills 5 elite Russian divers in Novorossiysk Bay. Ukraine’s Defense Intelligence (HUR) reported that five elite Russian divers were killed in the Novorossiysk Bay off the northeastern coast of the Black Sea in the region of Krasnodar Krai while attempting to recover a Ukrainian sea drone that had drifted after losing connection due to Russian signal jamming devices.

According to HUR, the explosive-laden drone had broken through into the bay, where Russia moors some of its remaining Black Sea Fleet ships. Russian commanders ordered a special forces diving unit to lift it from the water for research.

While manipulating the unmanned vessel, the drone detonated, killing all five members of Russia’s elite underwater sabotage forces.

Ukrainian drone forces strike Russia’s Druzhba oil pumping station in Bryansk region. Ukrainian suicide drones from the 14th Regiment of the Armed Forces’ Drone Systems Forces hit the Druzhba oil pumping station in the Russian city of Unecha, Bryansk region, overnight on Aug. 22, according to unit commander Robert Brovdi, known by the call sign of “Madyar.”

Brovdi confirmed the strike, writing that Ukrainian drones “stung” the target and mocked Russia’s ability to quickly repair the damage. He added in Hungarian, “Ruszkik haza!” — “Russians, go home!”

The Unecha facility is the largest hub of the Druzhba 23-pipeline network, operated by state-owned Transnefteprodukt. The station plays a key role in transporting oil through a system stretching nearly 5,600 miles (about 9,000 kilometers) and is involved in supplying Russia’s defense industry.

It also supplies crude oil to Hungary and Slovakia, both countries that have been averse to supporting embattled Ukraine.

Fire at U.S.-owned plant in Mukachevo still burning after Russian strike. Emergency crews are still battling a massive fire in Mukachevo, Zakarpattia Oblast, more than 24 hours after a Russian missile strike hit the U.S.-owned Flex factory overnight on Aug. 21, Ukraine’s State Emergency Service reported.

As of 7:40 a.m. Aug. 22, 54 firefighters, 15 fire engines, and two Ukrainian Railways fire trains remained on site. The blaze, sparked by the strike, has left 21 people injured. The attack destroyed part of the civilian facility, where rescue teams continue working to contain the fire and mitigate damage.

Key Takeaways:

• The Kremlin continues to insist that the 2022 Istanbul negotiations are the only acceptable departure point for potential future negotiations on the war in Ukraine, thereby demanding that Russia and its allies reserve the right to veto any Western military assistance to Ukraine and that Ukraine be left neutered and defenseless against future Russian aggression.
• The Kremlin continues to categorically reject US-backed security guarantees for Ukraine and reveal its continued objectives of seizing control of all of Ukraine.
• Russia is expending considerable diplomatic effort to court India, suggesting that the Kremlin continues to fear the impact of secondary sanctions.
• Russia launched the third largest strike of the war thus far against Ukraine on the night of August 20 to 21, targeting Western regions of Ukraine and causing significant damage to civilian infrastructure.
• The Ukrainian defense industrial base (DIB) continues to innovate and scale production of long-range weapons.
• The Russian Ministry of Defense (MoD) officially confirmed that it replaced former Northern Group of Forces and Leningrad Military District (LMD) Commander Colonel General Alexander Lapin with Chief of Staff of the Russian Ground Forces Colonel General Yevgeny Nikiforov.
• Ukrainian forces recently advanced near Novopavlivka. Russian forces recently advanced near Chasiv Yar.

• Trump: Situation with peace in Ukraine could become clearer within two weeks
• Russian strike on US-owned Flex plant in Mukachevo: number of injured rises to 23
• Former Lithuanian Foreign Minister: Russia’s attack on American factory openly humiliates the United States
• Military options for backing up peace talks developed by Ukrainian, US and European chiefs of staff
• US halts sharing intelligence on Ukraine-Russia talks with closest allies
• Trump slams Biden for not letting Ukraine attack Russia
• Russia recruits at least 122 Turkmen citizens for war against Ukraine in 2025