DIFFERENT NIGHT, SAME TARGETS: As President Donald Trump considers tightening the economic screws on Moscow sometime in the near but indeterminate future, the air war in Ukraine has settled into almost Groundhog Day-like predictability, with both sides working to gain an advantage as peace prospects fade.
Russia launched another massive attack on Kyiv overnight, hitting familiar civilian targets, a five-story apartment building, a kindergarten, a shopping mall in the center of the city, and an office building housing the European Union delegation to Ukraine. The strikes, which employed almost 600 drones, 20 cruise missiles, nine ballistic missiles, and two Kinzhal hypersonic missiles, hit more than 20 sites and are being described as “the fiercest Russian attack since the Trump-Putin summit.”
“Right now in Kyiv, first responders are clearing the rubble of an ordinary residential building after a Russian strike,” Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky posted on X this morning. “Tragically, at least 8 people have already been confirmed dead. One of them is a child. People may still be trapped under the rubble. Dozens are wounded.” The death toll has since grown to at least 14 civilians killed, including three children, with 38 injured.
“Russia chooses ballistics instead of the negotiating table. It chooses to continue killing instead of ending the war. And this means that Russia still does not fear the consequences. Russia still takes advantage of the fact that at least part of the world turns a blind eye to murdered children and seeks excuses for Putin,” Zelensky said. “All deadlines have already been broken, dozens of opportunities for diplomacy ruined,” he said. “It is definitely time for new, tough sanctions against Russia for everything it is doing.”
UKRAINE’S ‘REFINED’ STRATEGY CRIPPLING RUSSIA’S GAS PRODUCTION: Meanwhile, Ukraine has continued to use its increasingly effective home-grown, long-range drone to chip away at Russia’s oil refineries and pipelines, wreaking havoc on domestic gas supplies and causing average Russians pain at the pump. Overnight posts on X showed two more refineries — the Kuibyshev refinery in the Samara region and the Afipsky refinery in the Krasnodar region — ablaze after Ukraine drone strikes.
Gas stations have run dry in some parts of Russia and Crimea, with social media posts showing desperate motorists waiting in long lines of cars waiting for the next delivery of scarce fuel.
According to Ukraine’s Drone Forces commander, known by his nom de guerre “Madyar,” Russia’s oil refining capacity has dropped 21% as a result of repeated drone strikes. Overall, oil revenues are down 30%, EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas told the German newspaper Die Welt.
“This extensive strike campaign by Ukraine is becoming an increasingly critical vulnerability for the Russian government,” military strategist Mick Ryan, a retired Australian Army two-star general, writes on his Substack page. “First, it is hitting Russia’s oil industry and hurting the Russian economy. Second, by cutting off oil supplies, it is making the war felt at home by Russian people — without targeting civilians directly like Russia does.”
PESKOV: NO PUTIN-ZELENSKY MEETING YET: Russia continues to play for time, as its ground troops have made another small advance into Ukrainian territory in the east near Donetsk, the Ukrainian oblast most coveted by Putin. Fierce fighting has been taking place in the villages of Novoheorhiivka and Zaporizke, marking an eighth region where Russian forces have made a breakthrough of Ukraine’s 620-mile-long front line, according to the Associated Press.
Russian Presidential Spokesman Dmitry Peskov continues to stick to the Kremlin line that conditions are not right for direct talks between Vladimir Putin and Volodymyr Zelensky. “The heads of the negotiating teams remain in contact. At this stage, we cannot specify exact dates,” Peskov told reporters in Moscow.
“Any other contacts at high or highest level, as we have repeatedly said, must be well prepared in order for these contacts to be productive,” Peskov said, according to the Russian news agency Tass.
The latest Russian statements come as U.S. special envoy Steve Witkoff said Tuesday he would be “meeting with the Ukrainians this week” in New York, telling Bret Baier on his nightly Special Report show. “That’s a big signal,” he said. “We talk to the Russians every day.”
WITKOFF TO MEET UKRAINIANS IN NEW YORK THIS WEEK AS PEACE PROSPECTS FALTER
Good Thursday morning and welcome to Jamie McIntyre’s Daily on Defense, written and compiled by Washington Examiner National Security Senior Writer Jamie McIntyre (@jamiejmcintyre) and edited by Christopher Tremoglie. Email here with tips, suggestions, calendar items, and anything else. Sign up or read current and back issues at DailyonDefense.com. If signing up doesn’t work, shoot us an email and we’ll add you to our list. And be sure to follow me on Threads and/or on X @jamiejmcintyre.
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HAPPENING TODAY: Joint Chiefs Chairman Air Force Gen. Dan Caine is on travel to an undisclosed location. He was scheduled to be the leadoff speaker at today’s National Defense Industrial Association Emerging Technologies for Defense Conference and Exhibition, being held at the Washington Convention Center over the next two days, but the Pentagon says his remarks will be recorded.
NEW UKRAINIAN AMBASSADOR: It’s not clear who Steve Wikoff will be meeting with in New York this week, but it might include Ukraine’s new ambassador to the U.S., Olha Stefanishyna. President Zelensky announced yesterday that the 39-year-old former top Cabinet minister was formally approved for the position and is ready to go to work.
“I outlined the key tasks for reinvigorating the work of our Embassy, and the main thing is to fully implement the agreements reached in Washington, our agreements with President Trump, above all in the defense sphere,” Zelensky said. “Much of Ukraine’s long-term security depends on relations with America. There are two Ukrainian proposals on the table – strong proposals: an agreement on weapons for Ukraine, and an agreement on modern drones for the United States. We count on swift progress in our relations.”
Stefanishyna takes over from Oksana Markarova, who’s been Ukraine’s ambassador to Washington for six years, but fell out of favor with some in the Trump administration who saw her as too cozy with Joe Biden and the Democrats.
‘SOMETHING’S ROTTEN IN THE STATE OF DENMARK’: A report by Denmark’s leading national broadcaster suggesting covert operatives working on behalf of President Trump were attempting to weaken relations between Denmark and Greenlanders, has caused a diplomatic imbroglio and prompted the State Department to deny anything nefarious is going on.
Public broadcaster DR, citing “Danish government and security sources,” reported that at least three American nationals with connections to Trump are suspected of carrying out covert influence operations to drive a wedge between Denmark and its territory and foment a secessionist movement in Greenland.
Denmark summoned the top U.S. diplomat in Copenhagen, Mark Stroh, deputy chief of mission, and in a “no comment” statement the State Department said, “The U.S. government does not control or direct the actions of private citizens. The president, the vice president, and the secretary of state have all been clear, the United States respects the right of the people of Greenland to determine their own future.”
Trump has made no secret of his fond desire to acquire Greenland and make it a U.S. territory — and has not ruled out the use of force to take control of the mineral-rich island. “I don’t rule it out. I don’t say I’m going to do it, but I don’t rule out anything,” Trump told NBC in May. “We have to have Greenland. I think we’re going to get it. One way or the other, we’re going to get it.”
“I think it’s quite appalling to see a long-standing ally acting hostile against the Kingdom of Denmark. I think it’s quite obvious that elements within the United States government, who wants to obtain control over the island of Greenland, are using people within the little bit naive independence movement in Greenland to obtain that goal,” Anders Vistisen, a Danish member of the European Parliament, said on CNN last night.
“That being said, nobody believes anymore that if Greenland attained independence, that would last for more than 5 or 10 minutes before it de facto becomes under U.S. domination or control as a dominion or colony or whatever you want to call it, of the United States. So, the idea that a secession movement in Greenland will lead to a meaningful independence in the full meaning of that word, meaning being able to control your own affairs, I think that has been fairly disproven by recent events.”
DENMARK SUMMONS US MISSION CHIEF OVER REPORTED INTERFERENCE IN GREENLAND
WHAT’S UP WITH THE VENEZUELA FLOTILLA? In recent days, the U.S. has deployed eight warships, including destroyers, a cruiser, an amphibious assault ship, and a nuclear submarine, to the waters near Venezuela, and President Nicolas Maduro is getting nervous.
Earlier this month, the U.S. doubled to $50 million the reward for the arrest of Maduro, accusing him of being one of the world’s largest narco-traffickers, and the buildup of naval forces has raised speculation that the U.S. might take action to capture him.
A Defense Department official told the Associated Press that the ships — including the USS Gravely, the USS Jason Dunham, and the USS Sampson — “have been assigned to the region in support of counter narcotics efforts.”
The ship deployments come as the Trump administration has made clear it wants to go on offense against the drug cartels. “For the first time in the modern era, we are truly on offense against organized cartels that are pumping poison, killer poison into our cities,” Secretary of State Marco Rubio said at this week’s Cabinet meeting.
Washington Examiner editor and foreign policy writer Tom Rogan writes, “U.S. invasion designed to remove Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro from power is highly unlikely,” and analyzes what’s up here:
READ MORE: DECODING TRUMP’S MILITARY BUILDUP AROUND VENEZUELA
THE RUNDOWN:
Washington Examiner: Witkoff to meet Ukrainians in New York this week as peace prospects falter
Washington Examiner: Trump and advisers meet to discuss post-war Gaza plans
Washington Examiner: Pope calls to end ‘indiscriminate’ force and ‘displacement of populations’ in Gaza
Washington Examiner: Abbey Gate bomber accomplice set for December trial
Washington Examiner: Coast Guard highlights push for drones to aid operations
Washington Examiner: DHS denies ICE training cut to 47 days to coincide with Trump’s being 47th president
Washington Examiner: Macron backs Prime Minister François Bayrou ahead of critical confidence vote
Washington Examiner: Decoding Trump’s military buildup around Venezuela
Washington Examiner: Denmark summons US mission chief over reported interference in Greenland
Washington Examiner: UN watchdog sends first team to Iran nuclear facilities since suspending coordination
Washington Post: U.S. sends 8 warships south on anti-cartel mission, unsettling Venezuela
Military.com: Trump Wants a Department of War. A House GOP Amendment Would Give Him One.
Politico: How Did the World’s Most Sophisticated Military Fall So Far Behind with Drone Warfare?
New York Times: John Bolton Inquiry Eyes Emails Obtained by Foreign Government
AP: Russian forces break into another region of Ukraine with peace efforts stuck
The War Zone: Navy P-8 Poseidon Carrying Secretive Radar Pod Seen in Russian Fighter’s Intercept Video
AP: Ukraine condemns Woody Allen for speaking at a Russian film festival
AP: There is no end in sight to the war in Gaza. Here’s why
AP: UN official says ‘all hope is gone’ if Israeli offensive on famine-stricken Gaza City goes ahead
Wall Street Journal: Iran Not Yet Allowing Inspectors Into Main Nuclear Sites, Says U.N. Atomic Agency Chief
Breaking Defense: DOD R&E Chief Says Pentagon Will Trim ‘Critical Technology’ List
Defense One: Salt Typhoon Hackers Targeted over 80 Countries, FBI Says
AP: Prosecutors fail to indict sandwich thrower in Trump’s Washington public safety operation
AP: Denmark summons US envoy over claims of interference in Greenland
Aviation Week: Space Ops: New Space Domain Awareness Assets Ramping Up
Air & Space Forces Magazine: New B-52 Radar, Second B-21 Both Entering Flight Testing ‘Soon’
Air & Space Forces Magazine: First CCA Takes Flight: General Atomics Drone Is First to Fly
Air & Space Forces Magazine: Experts Urge Caution as NORAD Intercepts Russian Spy Planes 4 Times in Week
Air Force Times: Air National Guard Tests F-15 Fighter Against Helicopters
Air & Space Forces Magazine: Engine Stall Led to F-16 Crash in Korea Last Year
THE CALENDAR:
8 a.m. Washington Convention Center — National Defense Industrial Association Emerging Technologies for Defense Conference and Exhibition, August 27-29, with Joint Chiefs Chairman Gen. Dan Caine; Air Force Gen. Alexus Grynkewich, commander, U.S. European Command; Casey Deering, acting deputy assistant Defense secretary for nuclear matters; Air Force Lt. Col. Jared Bindi, chief of science, tech and innovation at the U.S. Africa Command; and Michael Duffey, undersecretary of defense for acquisition and sustainment https://www.ndiatechexpo.org/
8 a.m 2401 M St., NW — George Washington University Project for Media and National Security Defense Writers Group breakfast conversation: “Assessing China’s Upcoming Parade-Extravaganza for the People’s Liberation Army,” with Mark Cozad and Timothy Heath, senior international defense researchers at RAND [email protected]
FRIDAY | AUGUST 29
8 a.m. Washington Convention Center — National Defense Industrial Association Emerging Technologies for Defense Conference and Exhibition, with former Rep. William “Mac” Thornberry (R-TX), chairman of the Emerging Technologies Institute Advisory Board; Michael Holthe, acting assistant secretary of defense for science and technology at the Office of Undersecretary of Defense for Research and Engineering; Julia Torrence, acting director, Joint Production Accelerator Cell at the Office of the Defense Undersecretary for Acquisition and Sustainment https://www.ndiatechexpo.org/
10 a.m. — National Institute for Deterrence Studies virtual seminar, 10 a.m., on “Nuclear Crossroads: Iran, Deterrence, and the Future of Nonproliferation,” with Chris Ford, professor of international relations and strategic studies at Missouri State University https://thinkdeterrence.com/events/nuclear-crossroads-iran-deterrence
10:30 a.m. — The Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies event to release a policy paper: “Disconnected by Design: Fifth- and Sixth-Generation Aircraft in Disaggregated Collaborative Air Operations,” with retired Air Force Lt. Gen. David Deptula, dean of the Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies; J. Michael Dahm, senior fellow for aerospace and China studies at the Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies; and retired Air Force Gen. Tod Wolters, former commander, U.S. European Command and NATO’s supreme allied commander Europe https://afa-org.zoom.us/webinar/register
TUESDAY | SEPTEMBER 2
3 p.m. Senate Chamber — Senate meets to resume consideration of the motion to proceed to S.2296, the “National Defense Authorization Act.” At approximately 5:30 p.m., the Senate will vote on the motion to invoke cloture on the motion to proceed to S.2296. http://www.senate.gov
