Latest Politics News — Main events today

Night Strike on Kyiv: Zelenskyy Reports 15 Dead, 30 Damaged Homes, and 168 Drones

Politics 08/21/2026, 03:23

A massive night strike by Russia on Kyiv and the region damaged 30 homes, a school, a hospital, and a kindergarten. Zelenskyy reported 15 deaths in the capital and called on partners to strengthen air defense.

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GUR reports deep strike attacks on airfields with drones, 'Nebo-U' radar systems, and an oil terminal in the Krasnodar Krai

Politics 08/21/2026, 02:59

On the night of August 20, GUR operators together with the Defense Forces hit airfields with drones in Donetsk and Primorsko-Akhtarsk, two radar stations, and the 'Tamanneftegaz' marine oil terminal in the Krasnodar Krai.

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Ukrainian women in the EU will have to prove they are not 'draft dodgers': EC confirms gender neutrality of new temporary protection rules

Politics 08/21/2026, 02:53

European Commission spokesperson Lammert stated that the EU Council's decision on temporary protection makes no distinction by gender: Ukrainian women liable for military service will also have to prove they are not evading service.

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Lithuanian FM: Ukraine must become a full EU member by 2030

Politics 08/21/2026, 02:46

Lithuanian Foreign Minister Kęstutis Budrys called for Ukraine to be granted full EU membership by 2030, reacting to a new massive Russian attack on Kyiv and the region.

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Defense Procurement Agency Tripled Armament Budget to 1.7 Trillion UAH: Zhumadilov Reveals Record Drone Deliveries Before Resignation

Politics 08/21/2026, 02:23

The head of AOZ DOT Arsen Zhumadilov stated that the armament resource grew from 633.3 billion to 1.717 trillion UAH, and international financing increased 16 times. In the first half of 2026, the army received more than 2.4 million FPV drones.

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"There Was No Conflict": Zhumadilov Refutes Rumors of a Showdown with the Team of Former Defense Minister Fedorov

Politics 08/21/2026, 02:03

The head of the Defense Procurement Agency, Arsen Zhumadilov, refuted rumors of a conflict with the team of former Defense Minister Mikhail Fedorov, stating that no confrontation over tenders existed.

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Kyiv prepares a winter "shield" for the elderly and those with limited mobility: the city hall verifies needs and pre-books places in care homes

Politics 08/21/2026, 01:44

The Kyiv city hall is verifying the needs of elderly and immobile residents before the heating season: already more than 1,200 pensioners and 400 children with disabilities are ready for temporary relocation in case of power or heat outages.

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Operation "Themis": NABU and SAP exposed a raider scheme involving MPs and officials of the President's Office

Politics 08/21/2026, 01:16

NABU and SAP, as part of Operation "Themis", exposed a raider scheme involving MPs and officials of the President's Office. They seized assets worth hundreds of millions of hryvnias, and Mudra was fired.

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Kremlin Blames Kyiv Again for Sabotaging Peace: Peskov on the Status of Trump Envoys' Visit to Russia

Politics 08/21/2026, 01:24

Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov stated there are no prerequisites for a peaceful settlement, once again blaming Kyiv, and reported that the visit of Trump's envoys to Russia is currently undated.

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Pyshnyy Demands Government Remove Gladyschenko from Sense Bank — Hetmanets Calls for NBU Head's Dismissal

Politics 08/21/2026, 01:10

NBU Head Pyshnyy demanded the government terminate the powers of Sense Bank Supervisory Board Chairman Gladyschenko. In response, deputy Hetmanets accused the regulator of a belated reaction and called for his resignation.

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«Magical Appearance» of TTPs and Risk of Supply Failures: The Ukrainian Arms Council Exposes a Systemic Glitch in Defense Procurement

Politics 08/21/2026, 00:56

The Executive Director of the Arms Council, Igor Fedirko, stated that in six months, the centers of competence prepared only 4 TTPs, while 80-85% of documents appeared on the eve of tenders. Some winners of 17 lots are refusing contracts, and delivery is shifted to 2027.

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Russia delivers new batch of Pantsir-S SAM systems and stationary Pantsir-SMD: what is known about the upgrade

Politics 08/21/2026, 00:32

Russian military forces have received a new batch of Pantsir-S SAM systems and stationary Pantsir-SMD/SMP complexes with a combined ammunition load of up to 48 missiles. The delivery occurs against the backdrop of reports of Ukrainian drone strikes on air defense assets in Crimea and the south.

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Arsen Zhumadilov Resigns as Head of the Defense Procurement Agency: Last Day of Work — August 31

Politics 08/21/2026, 00:10

The General Director of the Defense Procurement Agency, Arsen Zhumadilov, has submitted his resignation; his last day of work is August 31. Oleg Klyots will become the Acting Director. The departure is linked to a deadlock in procurement procedures.

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MoD Competence Centers are Staffed Only to One-Tenth: Personnel Shortage Threatens to Disrupt Weapons Supplies

Politics 08/20/2026, 23:57

MoD competence centers, responsible for developing TTC for tenders, are staffed only to one-tenth of the authorized headcount. According to the head of the Council of Weapon Manufacturers, this threatens to disrupt weapons supplies to the front in the coming months.

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Stalled Billions: Why the Weapon Procurement Tender System is Failing and How the Gap in Technical Specifications Was Closed in Days

Politics 08/20/2026, 22:54

Billions of hryvnias from the EU reparations credit are idle: the tender system is stalling due to unlaunched centers of competence, and manufacturers are withdrawing from lots due to fines. However, some technical specifications appeared in a matter of days.

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Baloga: In 2008, Ukraine was one step away from a patriarchate, but Yushchenko scuttled the deal with Bartholomew

Politics 08/20/2026, 22:02

Former head of the Presidential Secretariat Viktor Baloga told RBK-Ukraine that in 2008 Ukraine was one step away from a patriarchate, but the chance was scuttled by Yushchenko, who demanded that Filaret be appointed head.

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"This Is Not a War on the Frontline": EU Ambassador to Ukraine Urges the World to Speak Out Loudly About Russia's Killing of Civilians

Politics 08/20/2026, 21:41

EU Ambassador to Ukraine Katarina Materanova urged the world to speak out loudly about Russia's killing of civilians after a nighttime attack on Kyiv in which, according to her data, at least 13 people were killed. The diplomat emphasized that this is not combat operations but strikes on residential buildings and hospitals.

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“His Inner Circle Did It”: Baloga Names Those Behind Yushchenko's 2004 Dioxin Poisoning

Politics 08/20/2026, 21:15

Former head of the President's Secretariat Viktor Baloga stated in an interview with RBC-Ukraine that Yushchenko's 2004 dioxin poisoning was carried out by his closest inner circle, and named the surname of one of those involved.

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