Kyiv intercepts first ballistic missiles in a month & Ukraine’s secret Donbas counterattack

Day 1,643.

Today, an hours-long drone and missile attack on Kyiv overnight as Russia continues its push on three key towns in the fortress belt in the East. But in some welcome news, Ukraine appears to have repelled Putin’s forces north of Lyman in a secret counterattack. Plus, the real reason for CIA director John Ratfcliffe’s visit to Moscow this week, and President Zelensky’s top aid says Ukraine and Russia could hold talks as soon as September. Then Francis reports from Germany, where elections could trigger a dramatic shift in the country’s defence policy. Meanwhile Friedrich Merz’s government considers investing in Britain’s nuclear programme to bolster Europe’s deterrent against Moscow.

Contributors:

Adelie Pojzman-Pontay (Host on Ukraine: The Latest). @Adeliepjz on X.

Francis Dearnley (Host on Ukraine: The Latest). @FrancisDearnley on X.

James Rothwell (Berlin Correspondent). @JamesERothwell on X.

Producer: Rachel Porter

Senior Producer: Lilian Fawcett

Video Producer: James England and Hana Kelly

Social Producer: Tom Steed

Studio Director: Meghan Searle

Executive Editor: Francis Dearnley

Created by David Knowles

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Explosions, jet-powered drones rock Kyiv as rare hours-long Russian aerial attack continues into afternoon (Kyiv Independent)

https://kyivindependent.com/explosions-rock-kyiv-as-russia-launches-ballistic-missiles-at-the-capital-and-other-regions-across-ukraine/

'The city is dying' — Ukrainians in Kramatorsk brace for worst as Russian forces inch closer (Asami Terajima for the Kyiv Independent)

https://kyivindependent.com/the-city-is-dying-ukrainians-in-kramatorsk-brace-for-worst-as-russian-forces-inch-closer/

Germany in talks to help fund Trident (Joe Barnes, James Rothwell and James Crisp for The Telegraph)

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2026/08/26/germany-talks-help-fund-britains-trident-nuclear-deterrent/

German politician wants to hold swingers’ party in city hall (James Rothwell for The Telegraph)

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2026/08/23/german-politician-swingers-party-city-hall-mannheim/

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HIGHLIGHTS:

• Kyiv intercepts first ballistic missiles in a month during huge raid
• Ukraine’s secret Donbas counterattack repels Russian troops

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