KHARKIV, UKRAINE – AUGUST 21: A sister of Tetiana Morozova — who was killed by a Russian missile — stands by Tetiana’s grave throughout a funeral for a three-generation household, together with an 18-month-old woman on August 21, 2025, in Kharkiv, Ukraine. The household was murdered by the Russian forces on August 18. Picture by Polina Kulish/Gwara Media/World Pictures Ukraine through Getty Pictures
World Pictures Ukraine through Getty Pictures
Dispatches from Ukraine: Day 1,275
Russia launched an enormous in a single day assault on Ukraine, firing 614 projectiles in what marks probably the most intensive aerial strike in three weeks. The Ukrainian Air Power reported intercepting or electronically jamming 546 drones and decoys, together with 31 missiles. Regardless of these efforts, strikes landed in 11 areas, together with in Western Ukraine.
One of many focused websites was the Flex Worldwide plant in Mukachevo, described as one of many largest American investments within the nation. The assault killed one particular person and injured 23 others. “Russia clearly has no intention of peace,” mentioned Andy Hunder, president of the American Chamber of Commerce in Ukraine, in feedback to Forbes Ukraine following the strike.
Kharkiv Area. On August 18, Russian troops hit a residential constructing in Kharkiv with drones, killing a household of 5, two different folks, and injuring 24. On August 21, the three-generation family — 1.5-year-old Mia, her 16-year-old brother Artem, their 38-year-old mom Tetiana, 45-year-old father Ruslan, and 57-year-old grandmother Halyna — was buried in Kharkiv.
Between August 19 and 21, further Russian missile and artillery assaults killed no less than 17 civilians and wounded practically 80 extra throughout a number of areas. The Donetsk area suffered probably the most extreme toll, with 9 killed and 24 injured. Zaporizhzhia adopted with 4 useless and 34 wounded. Within the Kherson area, two civilians had been killed and 12 had been injured.
Ukraine’s long-range Flamingo missile.
As Russia’s assaults escalate, Ukraine is stepping up its long-range strike capabilities with the event of a brand new cruise missile, the FP-5 Flamingo. The missile, designed by Ukrainian protection startup Hearth Level, reportedly has a variety of as much as 1,860 miles. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky known as it “probably the most profitable missile we now have to date,” following profitable check launches on August 20. He indicated that mass manufacturing may start by late 2025 or early 2026.
If deployed efficiently, the Flamingo may pose a severe risk to Russia’s protection infrastructure deep inside its territory. Not like the smaller, slower drones Ukraine has beforehand used to focus on Russian refineries and army installations, the Flamingo carries a payload of over 1,100 kilograms and travels at practically 600 kilometers per hour. Its wingspan is six meters, and its launch weight is about six tons. Protection analysts consider the missile makes use of modified jet engines from coaching plane—a cheap innovation that might pace up large-scale manufacturing. At present, Hearth Level produces one missile per day however goals to scale as much as seven per day by October.
Ukrainian officers declare the Flamingo might outperform the U.S. Tomahawk cruise missile, each in firepower and manufacturing prices. For Kyiv, growing long-range strike know-how represents greater than a army milestone—it’s a strategic transfer towards protection independence amid Western hesitation to supply comparable methods. Hearth Level, born throughout the battle, started with founders from non-military backgrounds in development, gaming, and structure. The corporate’s earlier FP-1 drones, able to reaching targets as much as 1,600 kilometers away, are already in use in opposition to Russian provide hubs. In only a yr, drone manufacturing has elevated from 30 items per 30 days to over 100 per day.
Whether or not Ukraine can obtain full-scale Flamingo manufacturing on Zelensky’s timeline stays unsure. The missile’s final affect on the battle might rely on the shifting tides of diplomacy, particularly if U.S. President Donald Trump succeeds in initiating peace talks. Nonetheless, if Ukraine can strike deep into Russian territory—together with Siberia, the Urals, and areas close to Moscow—Russia could also be compelled to stretch its air protection methods skinny throughout its huge territory.
Peace talks.
On the diplomatic entrance, President Trump has opted in opposition to direct involvement in peace negotiations at this stage. Talking in a cellphone interview with conservative host Mark Levin, Trump mentioned he would think about internet hosting a trilateral summit solely after Presidents Zelenskyy and Putin meet face-to-face. This marks a shift from his earlier marketing campaign rhetoric, wherein he claimed he may finish the battle inside 24 hours. Administration officers now describe his stance as a “wait-and-see strategy,” and there’s no confirmed date or location for a bilateral assembly.
Following current conferences with Zelenskyy and European leaders in Washington, Trump held a 40-minute cellphone name with President Putin. Studies recommend either side agreed to nominate senior-level negotiators for direct talks. Trump has reiterated that he doesn’t plan to ship U.S. troops to Ukraine, stating that American help could be restricted to intelligence sharing and probably air assist. Safety ensures for Ukraine stay a sticking level. Trump’s particular envoy, Steve Witkoff, mentioned on CNN that Putin has agreed to a U.S.-backed safety framework much like NATO’s Article 5 clause, although Russia has additionally proposed being a guarantor itself—an thought the White Home has privately rejected.
In the meantime, President Zelenskyy has proposed a $90 billion buy of U.S. weapons by European intermediaries and has provided U.S. entry to Ukrainian-made drones. Nonetheless, particulars on how this matches with the current weapons agreements stay unclear. Trump has additionally criticized President Joe Biden for delaying Ukraine’s skill to strike inside Russian territory. Writing on his social media platform, Reality Social, Trump argued that “it is rather exhausting, if not unattainable, to win a battle with out attacking an invader’s nation,” likening the restriction to tying a soccer crew’s palms behind its again.
Ukraine’s skill to strike stays constrained by its restricted inventory of long-range U.S. missiles, which had been solely approved to be used in opposition to Russian territory within the fall of 2024 and shortly depleted.
Psychological toll of battle.
Past the battlefield, the psychological toll of the battle is worsening, particularly for Ukraine’s kids. First Woman Olena Zelenska, talking on the “August-2025: Schooling for a Altering World” convention in Kyiv, revealed that just about half of Ukrainian kids at the moment are exhibiting indicators of PTSD. Signs similar to issue concentrating, insomnia, irritability, and social withdrawal have gotten frequent, threatening their psychological well being and talent to study. Zelenska emphasised the pressing want for psychological assist and academic reform to mitigate the long-term results of the battle on a whole technology.
