Ukraine Drones Destroy Russian Shahed Warehouse 1,300 KM From Frontline

Long range Ukrainian drones destroyed a Russian warehouse and logistics center used to store Shahed drones, parts and munitions. 

The site is 1,300 kilometers from the front, emphasizing the threat to Russian posed by Ukraine's increasingly effective long range capabilities - and one of the reasons why Putin is now willing to discuss a ceasefire. JL

Olga Katsimon reports in Ukraine Pravda:

Long-range drones sent by the Security Service of Ukraine (SSU) attacked a logistics hub in Russia’s Republic of Tatarstan on the morning of 9 August, hitting a warehouse where ready-to-use Shahed kamikaze drones and foreign-made Shahed components were stored. The distance from the launch site to the target was about 1,300 km. "Each such successful special operation reduces the enemy's ability to wage its war of aggression against Ukraine."

1.1 Million Ukrainians Have Returned Home From Exile

1.1 million Ukrainians - over 20% of those who have emigrated -  have returned home from exile abroad despite the ongoing war and Russian bombardment of cities. 

Desire to reunite with family and friends appears to be the primary motivation although the availability of work and relatively safe areas in western Ukraine are also a reason. JL

Hromadske reports:

Many Ukrainians are choosing to come back. According to the International Organization for Migration (IOM), from February to September 2022, over 343,000 Ukrainians returned from abroad; from October 2022 to March 2023, nearly 270,000; and from April to September 2023, about 122,000. Since then, the number of returnees has stabilized at 100,000 every six months. In total, over 1.1 million Ukrainian citizens have returned. 70% of returnees surveyed cite the desire to reunite with family and friends or to be home as their primary reason.

Drone Attack Damage To Russian Military, Economy Pushing Putin To Talks

In addition to its success in thwarting Russian offensives on the ground, the Ukrainian military's strikes on infrastructure, economic and military targets far inside Russia has done far more damage to the Kremlin's ability to wage war while keeping its economy alive than was previously realized.

Putin has finally conceded to meet with Trump only because his options have dwindled due to persistent Ukrainian attacks. JL

Marcel Plichta reports in Novaya Gazeta:

Ukrainian drones have made it impossible for the Russian population to isolate itself from a conflict fought mostly on Ukrainian soil. Attacks on Moscow have caused disruptions to air travel and forced the government to divert dozens of air defence systems to ensure that the capital is protected. Kyiv’s use of long-range drones against Russia has done far more damage to Russia’s military and economy than previously predicted. The damage to Russian oil facilities caused by drones from late 2024 to early 2025 cost Russia €650 million. The Russian military is also under pressure from drone attacks. Ukraine’s drone campaign has done so much damage to Russian infrastructure and economy, that it has given Zelensky a significant bargaining chip.

Ukraine Drone Destroys Key Russian Bridge By Setting Off TNT Placed To Protect It

The bridge in Belgorod oblast was crucial for Russian military logistics. Russian engineers had planted explosives on its support columns in the off chance that a Ukrainian advance might some day arrive. 

Not inclined to advance in that direction, the Ukrainians hit the bridge with a drone that ignited the logistics route and destroyed it. JL

Yuri Zoria reports in Euromaidan Press:

The destroyed concrete bridge had long served the Russian army as a critical supply route in the border area, enabling the transfer of troops and equipment. Expecting a Ukrainian advance, Russian forces had mined the bridge with TM-62 anti-tank explosives. Ukrainian reconnaissance units discovered the planted mines. In response, the military launched an FPV drone armed with an explosive warhead. The drone hit the bridge and set off the Russian explosives. The resulting blast destroyed the entire structure.

Anthropic Faces AI Copyright Lawsuit Threatening "Financial Ruin" To Big Tech

The AI industry is in a panic because a class action lawsuit has been certified which is so well constructed that it may force Anthropic to settle over use of copyrighted material to train AI. 

The real issue is that the AI industry has been counting on free access to copyrighted content to bolster their already otherworldly returns. If it turns out that authors, artists and others actually have rights (heaven forefend!!! says Silicon Valley) then tech's AI margins will shrink to merely extraordinary. No one outside Palo Alto and certain parts of Wall Street seems especially upset at that prospect because in most industries, what tech is doing is called theft. JL

Ashley Belanger reports in ars technica:

AI industry groups are urging an appeals court to block the largest copyright class action ever certified. They've warned that a single lawsuit raised by three authors over Anthropic's AI training now threatens to "financially ruin" the entire AI industry if up to 7 million claimants end up joining the litigation and forcing a settlement. Confronted with such extreme potential damages, Anthropic may lose its rights to raise valid defenses of its AI training, deciding it would be more prudent to settle. "This case is of exceptional importance, addressing the legality of using copyrighted works" for generative AI

The Russian Army Has Failed. But Putin Cannot End the War As Is And Survive

As the Alaska summit with Trump approaches, Putin is fighting for his life. 

His army has failed, his navy non-existent, his air force reduced to terror bombing of Ukrainian civilians. He probably believes he can buy Trump with promises of real estate deals and cash payouts. And he is probably at least partially correct. But the Ukrainians are not going to give up - and Putin no longer has the strength to suppress them. Meanwhile, the Kremlin elite are waiting for their opportunity. The upcoming meeting feels like a sell-out, for good reason, but Putin's weakness is a wild card. JL

Garry Kasparov interviews George Friedman in The Atlantic:

Russia is no longer a military threat to Europe. Putin has failed. The Russian army has failed. It is not a force to be threatened with. It is now descended to terror bombings in Kyiv. The problem is that if the war ends at the current terms, Putin is a dead man. Putin has no organized opposition. He’s not surrounded by a central committee or a presidium that will look at him and say, You have to go. There’s no way that another leader can emerge, and Putin is fighting for his life. He cannot allow the war to end on the terms it is. It cannot allow the war to cost a million Russian lives, and this is all they have.

Ukraine "Devastates" Russia's 90th Air Defense Brigade 500KM From Frontline

 

Ukrainian forces destroyed the base of Russia's 90th Anti-Aircraft Missile Brigade headquartered in southern Russia's Krasnodar region, 500 kilometers from the front line. The brigade operations covered the Kherson and Zaporizhzhia fronts. 

Multiple casualties were reported with a 'large presence of ambulances after the explosions. This Ukrainian attack reduces the protection afforded Russian units operating against Ukrainian forces in Kherson and Zaporizhzhia provinces. JL 

Kateryna Zakharchenko reports in the Kyiv Post:

On the morning of Friday, Aug. 8, two powerful explosions rocked the settlement of Afipsky in Russia’s Krasnodar region, hitting a military base of the Russian Air Defense Forces’ 90th Anti-Aircraft Missile Brigade which has been taking part in Russia’s offensives on the Kherson and Zaporizhzhia fronts.. As a result of the blasts, at least 12 Russian servicemen were killed and dozens wounded. Military equipment located on the base was also destroyed. Witnesses reported a large presence of ambulances and special service vehicles.

The 10 Most Important Lessons From Ukraine War May Not Be What You Think

The ten most important lessons for global nations and their militaries so far are, according to experts, as follows: mass and national mobilization, cognitive warfare and intersocietal conflict, people, meshed commercial and military sensor networks, ubiquitous uncrewed systems, cheaper accessible precision deep strikes, the importance of alliances, rapidly expanding adaptation, surprise, leadership.

While many may focus on drones, the vulnerability of armor and helicopters or the importance of trenches, it is the macro issues delineated above - especially people and their will to endure - which have allowed Ukraine to survive in this unequal fight. JL

Mick Ryan reports in Futura Doctrina:

One of the biggest growth industries in national security affairs in the past few years has been the study of lessons from the war in Ukraine since February 2022. Military institutions cannot afford to wait for the end of the war in Ukraine to achieve greater certainty about what lessons should be incorporated into western force design, strategy, and training. Consequently, the assessment of key trends is an ongoing project. Military institutions must learn and adapt with the best knowledge available to them now.

As Ukraine Has Repelled Russia's Summer Offensive, Putin Now Seeks Trump Talks

Putin will arrive at talks with Trump, projecting self-confidence, but with the knowledge both men share that Russia has again failed to defeat Ukraine on the battlefield while continuing to suffer horrific casualties and destruction of its rapidly depleting weapons reserve.

As a result, Putin has little of the leverage he once had, since his military has now been irreparably exposed as weak - and getting weaker. JL

Alistair MacDonald and Nikolai Nikolaienko report in the Wall Street Journal:

Putin will arrive at talks with Trump without a battlefield victory to bolster his leverage. Ukrainian forces have halted Russia’s summer offensive in the north of the country, recapturing land and underlining Moscow’s inability to put together decisive operations. Ukraine stemmed Moscow’s advance in part because it targeted Russian supplies and reinforcements with artillery and drones. Ukrainian forces destroyed whole roads to cut off Russia’s forward units. Ukrainian troops were also successful in getting behind enemy lines to attack Russian positions. The Sumy offensive is indicative of Russia’s inability to mount large operations and has struggled to put together combined infantry, armor, logistics and air power, which has also impeded its efforts at Pokrovsk and Chasiv Yar.

Kremlin Fear of Ukraine's Drones Moves Bombers, Radar Planes Out of War

Russia started the war with nine AWACS - equivalent (or roughly so as the Russian version is thought not to be as effective as its US counterpart).

Due to Ukrainian attacks and possibly one self-inflicted mishap, it may now have only 3 or four left. And three are believed to be stationed in the Russian Far East, out of harms way, meaning that Russian forces no longer have the radar coverage of Ukraine they were able to bring to bear in 2022, further degrading their military performance. JL

David Axe reports in Trench Art:

Following the smuggled drone raid on five Russian bomber bases, the Russian air force relocated most of its surviving bombers to bases in Russia’s Far East, 3,000 miles from the front line. Now, if Russia has only four operational A-50Us and one is in northern Russia, it’s possible no more than two are within reach of Ukraine—and useful for Russia’s defensive effort against Ukrainian deep strikes. The radar coverage Russian forces enjoyed in 2022 is no longer possible.

How the Feared Special Forces 'Timur' Unit Wiped Out A Russian Battalion

Ukraine's Timur Special Forces unit is a corps of 20 smaller groups with high specialized irregular warfare skills, from amphibious raids, to ambushes behind Russian lines to sabotage to combat diving and drone warfare. 

The unit has executed some of the most legendary attacks of the war, including the raid - on jet skis- that destroyed radar sites on Crimea and the recapture of Snake Island in the Black Sea. But they are also skilled at behind the lines operations such as the one they launched this week which wiped out an entire Russian battalion in the Sumy region, essentially ending a Russian offensive. JL

Iona Cleave reports in The Telegraph:

Deep behind Russian lines. commandos infiltrated enemy positions, cut off supply lines and destroyed command centres in a surprise attack that  wiped out an entire Russian battalion and halted its offensive. At least 334 Russian troops were killed and more than 550 wounded. The mission was executed by the Timur Special Unit, an elite force of 20 smaller units specialized in irregular warfare that has been credited with some of the most sophisticated operations of the war. Their cutting-edge drone warfare, amphibious raids, sabotage operations and combat diving unit destroyed radar sites in Crimea after traveling by jet ski, liberated Snake Island, held 'The Road of Life" at Bakhmut, flew to Sudan to stop Russia's Wagner Group attempted coup and helped end Russian offensive in Sumy and Kharkiv.

Employees Say Golden Era of Big Tech Dream Jobs Has Ended With AI, Layoffs

Given its history of boom and bust, those who work at Silicon Valley's tech businesses ought to be inured to it. But memories of the good times when a culture of informality, Friday afternoon keg parties - combined with fat compensation and public admiration, linger. 

As the industry has concentrated, the payout for investors and founders has gotten other-worldly, and a growing gap has emerged between the most senior executives and VCs, separating them from the rest of the skilled and once-lionized 'human capital' of the tech workforce, according to many employees of the earlier days. Not that anyone should feel terribly sorry: the work remains fulfilling, the pay above average and the working conditions comparatively pleasant. But this is a major, mature industry now, with all of the bureaucracy, rules, stratification and fear that comes with that. JL 

Kate Conger reports in the New York Times:

As tech companies became hulking entities with work forces larger than many towns - and costs to match - life for workers at Silicon Valley’s biggest companies is different. Gone are the days when Google, Apple, Meta and Netflix were dream destinations for tech workers, offering fat salaries, lush corporate campuses and say-anything, do-anything cultures. Now the behemoth firms have aged into large bureaucracies. While many of them still provide free food and pay well, they are cutting jobs, ordering mandatory office attendance and clamping down on employee debate. The turning point came in 2022 and 2023, when Elon Musk shed 75% of Twitter's employees, Facebook cut thousands of jobs, and Google and Amazon also conducted mass layoffs. The shift in tech was compounded by the rise of AI.

Ukrainian Fighter Jet Wipes Out Russian Zaporizhzhia HQ With Smart Bomb

No where to run, no where to hide. 

What makes the attack especially interesting is the combination of former Soviet MiG 29 dropping an American made guided bomb. JL

Ivan Khomenko reports in Untied24:

A Ukrainian Air Force MiG-29 fighter jet has conducted a precision strike on a Russian company command post in the Zaporizhzhia region, resulting in the destruction of the facility and the elimination of Russian personnel stationed there. The Ukrainian MiG deployed an American-made GBU-62 guided bomb, equipped with the JDAM-ER (Joint Direct Attack Munition – Extended Range) kit. Russian forces had concentrated troops and equipment at the location. Ukrainian intelligence identified the location in the village of Kamianske.

Despite Trump Insisting On Putin-Zelensky Meeting, Kremlin Senses Advantage

The general reaction to the news that there might be a meeting between Trump, Putin and Zelensky as soon as next week was one of skepticism. Initial reports indicated there would be a meeting between Trump and Putin, then Trump and Zelensky, a formula widely believed to be a significant win for Russia. But then Trump, probably hearing that this was globally perceived as a concession to Putin, who has treated him rudely, announced that the meeting would only take place if Putin also met with Zelensky, which Putin has vowed not to do. 

Most experts are urging caution, believing, based on past experience, that little is likely to come out of this set of preparatory discussions because Putin's demands remain maximalist and even the proposal for an aerial attack ceasefire would greatly disadvantage Ukraine. Trump is clearly anxious to make a deal so that he can pressure the Nobel board to grant him its peace prize - and position himself as the premier global leader. But Putin and China's Xi are unlikely to want to cede him that honor, even as they hope to defer further sanctions. The best that can be said right now is that some sort of meeting may take place, but it is not expected to result in a peace, let alone a lasting ceasefire. JL

Robyn Dixon and colleagues report in the Washington Post:

Despite the surprise announcement that Trump would meet Putin only if Putin also agreed to meet Zelensky, President Trump’s abrupt shift to a potential meeting soon handed the Russian leader a diplomatic coup. “Standing next to Putin is a giant gift to Russia’s dictator. You can see where this is leading: Trump flattered, Putin makes token concessions, sanctions avoided, war continues." Some analysts said Trump seemed intent on clinching a ceasefire at any cost.

Expanded Ukraine Kill Zone Aims For 35,000 Russian Casualties Per Month

The Ukrainian military is taking a methodical, quantitative approach to its defense under its new drone commander, Robert "Magyar" Brovdi.

It has expanded the kill zone near the front so that even rear areas once considered safe are now within striking distance of its drones. He has also set numerical objectives for each of his units, rolling them up to a goal of eliminating as many Russians per month as the Kremlin claims to be deploying - 35,000. The point is to demonstrate that achievement of Putin's goals is impossible and that the cost for continuing to attempt to do so will be increasingly prohibitive. JL

David Kirichenko reports in the Center For European Policy Analysis:

Ukraine’s drone units make up 2% of personnel but account for one-third of Russian casualties. Ukaine's drones aim to kill or wound as many Russian troops as are deployed in Ukraine each month - estimated at 35,000. This can be achieved by creating a deep “kill zone” between the frontline and traditionally safer rear areas, taking a business-like approach to the task by testing different methods, identifying what works, and quickly pivoting to effective solutions. So Kyiv is building a drone wall by developing systems and tactics that have been responsible for holding Ukraine’s front against Russia’s continuing offensives. A layered system of drones uses cheap, scalable technologies to wage asymmetric warfare with the goal of downing anything entering Ukrainian airspace. 

Ukraine Destroyed 27 Russian Jets On Ground, Penetrate New Concrete Bunkers

Ukrainian drones destroyed numerous Russian planes parked on the tarmac at air bases earlier this summer, so the Russian constructed concrete bunkers to protect more of its fighters and bombers. 

But in recent drone attacks, the concrete bunkers have proven inadequate as the Ukrainian drones penetrated the Russian bunkers, destroying the planes inside them. JL

David Axe reports in Trench Art:

On August 3, explosive drones attacked Russia' Saky airfield and destroyed one Sukhoi Su-30 fighter jet and damaged another—and also damaged three Sukhoi Su-24 bombers. An aviation depot containing weapons or fuel, was also hit. What’s especially embarrassing to the Russians is that they’d just finished building 12 concrete bunker shelters at Saky to house the aircraft operating from the often-attacked base. “Inside these reinforced shelters, we’ve identified both jets and larger drones."

Key US Constitution Sections Deleted From US Gov Website. "Coding Error" Blamed

The deletion of key sections of the US Constitution from the US government's website - once it was discovered and alarms raised - is belatedly being blamed on "coding errors" and "technical difficulties." 

But suspicions have been aroused because the sections deleted specifically address crucial rights and civil liberties including the writ of habeas corpus which entitles people to a hearing, as well as sections delineating the government's duty to suppress insurrections and certain states' rights. The illegal arrest, incarceration and deportation of individuals, the justification of insurrection by right wing agitators and the power of the federal government over the states have become hallmarks of the current administration. As a result there is some concern that the deletions were a test to see if anyone noticed - or that AI is being tested to eliminate certain provisions that it deems 'inefficient.' JL

Jon Brodkin reports in ars technica:

The temporary deletion included the section on habeas corpus. "The Privilege of the Writ of Habeas Corpus shall not be suspended, unless when in Cases of Rebellion or Invasion the public Safety may require it," it says. Other deletions included a provision allowing the slave trade to continue, a prohibition on bills of attainder, to call forth a "Militia to execute the Laws of the Union, suppress Insurrections and repel Invasions "and several provisions detailing powers denied to states. The Library of Congress said a coding error resulted in the deletion 

Lyman: Ukraine's RPG-Firing Air, Ground Drones Cause "Staggering" Russian Losses

Attempting to break stout Ukrainian defensive lines around Torske in the Lyman sector, the Russians tried more indirect attacks as they have at Pokrovsk - but with similarly frustrating results. 

One of the new innovations Ukraine premiered on this front are RPG rocket mounted air and ground drones, which fire with enhanced accuracy compared to dropped grenades and other munitions. The result has been another failed Russian attack accompanied by 'staggering' casualties. JL

Euromaidan Press reports:

Facing staggering casualties, the Russians recognized the danger of continuing frontal assaults against the fiercely defended Ukrainian positions around Torske. The Russians attacked to (try to) break the deadlock but were surprised by the latest Ukrainian innovation in drone warfare. Ukraine has begun employing RPG equipped drones to devastating effect. While traditional drone-dropped grenades are often engaged by the Russians, which forces operators into dive-bomb tactics that compromises accuracy, grenade-launcher drones offer a solution through stabilized aiming via a crosshair.

To Blow Russians Out Of Urban Sites, Ukrainian Mortar Shells Are 'Banzai Grenades'

The mother of invention appears again. Lacking specific munitions to clear Russian fighters out of urban bunkers and hideouts, Ukrainian troops are 'repurposing' mortar and artillery shells s 'banzai grenades' to do the job. 

Bigger and more powerful than hand grenades, the improvised devices are having an effective impact in urban battlefields like Pokrovsk. JL

Espreso Global reports:

Ukrainian soldiers are using artillery shells as hand-thrown grenades in urban combat.  The Ukrainians use artillery shells and mortar rounds—some weighing as much as 40 kilograms—as makeshift “banzai grenades” during assaults on enemy-held buildings. One 155mm artillery shell was fitted with a hand grenade fuse and thrown at Russian positions. There is a need for the development and mass production of infantry munitions that can be used in urban assaults. The deployment of ground-based drones—capable of delivering heavy explosives like 120mm mortar rounds or 155mm shells—could improve both the effectiveness of Ukrainian troops in these brutal urban battles.

Why 29,000 Ukrainian Soldiers Who Left Without Permission Have Returned To Duty

Thanks to an intelligent amendment to Ukraine's laws, almost 30,000 soldiers who had left their units without permission - without leave as it is called - have now returned to military. 

The change consisted of several crucial aspects: a release from criminal liability, a reduction in the paperwork and process required and, perhaps most importantly, giving the soldiers the right to join a unit other than the one in which they were serving before they went AWOL (absent without leave) including the police. This flexibility reduces the potential for tensions and even hostility which may have contributed to the soldiers' original reason for leaving as well as giving them the opportunity to apply and pick up skills they believe are more in tune with their abilities and interests. Given the toll of casualties in this war, making such a change that results in brigades worth of returnees is a smart strategic decision. JL

Olekandr Yan reports in Militarnyi:

More than 29,000 soldiers have returned to the military thanks to a simplified mechanism for returning to service for those who went AWOL for the first time. Servicemen who went AWOL may also be released from criminal liability by a court decision. “This mechanism provides a chance to return to the military and continue their service under a simplified procedure with the resumption of monetary, food, clothing, and other support.” Servicemen could report not only to their unit, but also to the territorial units of the State Bureau of Investigation, the Military Law Enforcement Service, the National Police or to one of 17 designated military units or to one of 14 reserve companies of the National Guard.

Ukraine Amphibious Assault Near Kherson Takes Out Russian Radar, Forces

Using high speed boats provided by NATO countries, Ukrainian special forces conducted an amphibious raid on Russian radar and defense installations on isolated spits of land at the mouth of the Dnipro River near Kherson. 

The raid destroyed systems being used to monitor Ukrainian land and sea activity and also eliminated Russian troops deployed there to guard the installation. JL

RFU reports:

Ukrainian special forces executed a daring amphibious landing on one of Russia’s most exposed positions in Ukraine, carrying out a naval landing operation on the Tendrivska spit in eastern Kherson. Operatives moved across the Black Sea in rubber boats mounted with radars, electronic warfare systems, and machine guns, similar to boats used by Nato’s naval special forces teams. The Ukrainians took out patrols while destroying a Russian Rosa radar system and the Zont electronic warfare station protecting it. 

US Sells $1 Billion In Arms To Europe To Transfer To Ukraine

Remembering the horror of being occupied by a hostile power like Nazi Germany and recognizing the similar threat now posed by Russia, European countries are stepping up to purchase US weapons on Ukraine's priority list for transfer to the Ukrainian military. 

The Europeans realize that if Ukraine falls, they are next, so they are essentially paying Ukraine to hold off Russia while they upgrade and prepare their own defense. JL

Daniel Michaels and Lara Seligman report in the Wall Street Journal:

Four European countries are buying U.S. military equipment valued at roughly $1 billion for delivery to Kyiv’s forces. The countries are the Netherlands, Sweden, Norway and Denmark. The deals were coordinated by NATO which, with Ukraine, have established a shopping list of Kyiv’s requirements for lethal and nonlethal equipment,   The packages include ammunition, critical equipment and air-defense equipment, including Patriot interceptor missiles. As part of the effort to arm Ukraine, the U.S. also struck an agreement with Berlin under which Germany would send additional Patriot air-defense systems to Kyiv.

Russian Officer Who Threatened To Kill His Men For His Promotion...Killed By His Men

It appears that even in the notoriously brutal Russian army you can go too far to insult your troops. JL

ChrisO_wiki reports:

The Russian army announced that Colonel Yevgeny Borisovich Ladnov had "died near Luhansk near Kreminna as a result of artillery shelling." He was the commander of the 19th Tank Regiment. (But) men who served under Ladnov say he was killed by his own men after boasting that he would be promoted for sending them to die in assaults, and declaring that he would bring funeral notices to their families and "fuck their wives". Ladnov was deliberately sending his men to their deaths en masse and told them so. "The more of you there are killed, the more stars I get on my epaulettes and medals. You are not meat to me, you are just a number." He allegedly planned who would die for his financial profit.

Q2 VC Funding Ticked Up But A Small Number Of Large AI Companies Dominate

If you're the optimistic sort, venture investment and M&A increased while AI continued to drive the market. 

But if you tend to be a worrier - or simply a believer in regression to the mean, most of that investment was in only 16 companies, all huge and almost all in AI, while acquisitions also centered on large enterprises. The concern is that the concentration in AI and in large firms poses the threat of financial disaster if the optimism about AI proves disappointing, a not unrealistic scenario given the exaggerated expectations built into current valuations. Even in the short term, the dominance of big tech over small reveals a significant change in the nature of tech innovation which could also stifle future growth. So the prudent outlook seems to be, enjoy it while you can, but prepare for shifts in the current embrace of exaltation. JL

Marlize van Romburgh reports in Crunchbase:

Venture funding ticked up modestly last quarter bolstered by AI enthusiasm, a rebound in M&A activity, and renewed IPO hopes. (But) nearly a third of all venture capital in Q2 went to just 16 companies - many in the AI sector - that raised funding rounds of $500 million or more. $100 billion worth of startup purchases in the first half of 2025 - a 155% increase YoY - showed a willingness to write big checks for strategic buys, especially in AI infrastructure and cybersecurity. Whether we’ll see the spoils of the AI gold rush trickle down to the rest of the startup ecosystem remains to be seen. With the majority of the funding growth tied up in a single sector - AI - and dominated by a handful of large deals, the recovery also feels somewhat fragile.

Ukrainian Forces Holding Kharkiv, Kupiansk Have Blocked Russian Offensive Attempts

Russian forces have tried repeatedly to break through Ukrainian defenses around Kupiansk but have been thwarted by Ukrainian infantry and drone units. 

The Russians keep trying, despite their failures, because of the potential reputational and logistics benefits, but their attacks are frequently disorganized and undermanned: they've even tried sending troops across the Oskil River on tire tubes because they dont have assault craft and cannot build pontoon bridges. This sector appears to be another of those in the summer of 2025 where the Russian offensive has ultimately broken down. JL

Vasyl Pekhno reports in New Voice of Ukraine:

In November 2024, the order came - reportedly from Putin - to capture Kupiansk and the Kupiansk-Vuzlovyi rail junction. Today, both remain under Ukrainian control. We’ve had no losses of ground in that area, despite ongoing pressure. In July, this was the only sector where the Russians twice tried to use armor - tanks and APCs - to break our lines. Both times they were destroyed before reaching the front. They couldn’t build pontoon bridges. They crossed in inflatable boats, or even truck tire tubes. Some made it across; others were hit mid-river. Re-taking Kupiansk is a priority because they could restore rail connections and would be a symbolic victory. But they have been stopped and blocked. 

Ukraine Ground Drone-Air Defense Rocket Launcher Takes Out Russian Helicopter

Ukraine's 28th Mechanized Brigade has developed a robotic air defense system, combining a ground drone mounted with a shoulder-fired MANPAD which is launched remotely via computer. 

The system has been tested at the front and has already taken out a Russian helicopter which strayed to close. JL

Dylan Malyasov reports in The Defense Blog:

Ukraine's 28th Mechanized Brigade has developed a robotic air defense platform that combines a 4×4 unmanned ground vehicle with a shoulder-fired Igla man-portable air defense system (MANPADS). The system integrates the Igla launcher into a custom-built mount, enabling remote operation via a targeting module. This setup allows the operator to fire the missile without being exposed, reducing personnel risk in forward-deployed areas. "It already has a helicopter to its name."

Ukraine's Attacks On Russian Logistics Raise Gas Prices, Disrupt Supplies

Ukraine is again systematically striking Russian oil, gas and railroad transportation in order to degrade military and economic capabilities. 

The attacks on pipelines and refineries reduce oil and gas available for the military and civilians while also reducing Russia's export earnings. Railroad tracks can be repaired fairly quickly so the Ukrainians are hitting electric substations since most Russian trains are electrically powered and the substations are more complicated and time consuming to repair. JL

RFU reports:

Targeting Russian railway and energy assets under Russian control and deep in Russia itself with precise drone strikes, the Ukrainians disrupt Russian logistics. Russian railroads represent the critical backbone of Moscow's war effort in Ukraine, responsible for almost all supply and reinforcement due to Russia’s immense geographic expanse. The extensive rail network allows Russia to rapidly move vast quantities of ammunition, heavy weaponry, fuel, and personnel over great distances to frontline positions. With documented damage to at least eight key nodes, these attacks systematically aim to sever rail supply routes supporting Russian combat operations. 

Big Tech Forced To Retract AI Claims After Accusations Of "Overstating Capabilities"

To absolutely no one's surprise, the Silicon Valley AI hype machine has gotten ahead of itself. To the point where an industry group - nominally expected to wink and nod at 'puffery' - became so concerned at outlandish advertising claims to consumers about AI capabilities that it has called a number of them out - and from big names like Apple, Google, Samsung and Microsoft.

The key issue here appears to be that as corporations invest more than they anticipated in AI, but with disappointing results, they have taken to advertising to consumers and, to put it politely, 'overstated' capabilities. That was ok when they made the claims to financial investors who are expected to be sophisticated enough to do research. But having been caught inflating claims to the public, Big Tech firms are now being forced to retract or revise those exaggerations. JL

Patrick Coffee reports in the Wall Street Journal:

Apple, Google, Microsoft and Samsung are revising or retracting claims about their newest AI products in response to an ad-industry self-regulatory group about whether marketers are overstating capabilities of AI features. Microsoft added a disclaimer to surveys that 75% reported greater productivity after using Copilot for 10 weeks, clarifying it reflects perception not objective measurements. Samsung dropped assertions its AI-powered refrigerator recognizes what’s in your fridge, so you know what’s inside.” As AI worms its way into every industry, customers should expect a surge in questionable marketing. "When you market AI like magic, you’re going to invite scrutiny. It’s a performance claim - you need to back that up." 

Ukrainian Counterattack In Sumy Inflicts 100s of Casualties On Ambushed Russians

Ukrainian forces are counterattacking in multiple sectors across the front as the Russian summer offensive wanes and the Ukrainians target weakened units. 

In Sumy, an assault of this type ambushed Russian troops and inflicted hundreds of casualties as the combined arms of infantry, artillery and drone forces devastated some of the remaining Russian units originally deployed there several months ago. JL

Martin Fornusek reports in the Kyiv Independent:

Ukrainian special forces fought off a Russian attempt to advance in Sumy Oblast, "destroying more than eight Russian companies" during the battle on Aug. 5. "Total Russian losses: at least 334 killed, more than 550 wounded." Russia had intensified its operations in Sumy Oblast in June as part of its summer offensive, though Ukraine has halted the Russian advance and recaptured some villages. While Russia continues to hold about a dozen border villages in Sumy Oblast, Ukrainian forces are " pushing the Russian forces out."

Occupied Donetsk Water Crisis Latest War-Related Outage Russians Must Endure

Flights cancelled due to drone attacks throughout Russia are a symptom of the problems that the Kremlin's war on Ukraine has brought home. 

But the latest is the water crisis in Russian occupied Donetsk, particularly Donetsk city and Mariupol where people have to queue for access to water trucks. The reason for the shortage is the Russian military's indiscriminate bombing and shelling of targets in Donetsk oblast in order to further their advance but which destroyed crucial infrastructure. And now that the Russians are in charge, they are justifiably being blamed as spending money from an already severe budget deficit to help Ukrainians in occupied zones is not a Kremlin priority. The problem is that it exacerbates discontent with Russian rule which was already rising. JL

 
Robyn Dixon and Natalia Abbakumova report in the Washington Post:

The water crisis in occupied Donetsk is among a slew of war-related problems that have brought the impact of the war home to ordinary Russians, including long queues at airports in the peak vacation season and flight delays caused by Ukrainian drone activity. Russia’s 2022 invasion led to heavy fighting, near sources which delivered water to Donetsk region, leading to the destruction of water mains, pipelines, dams and other water infrastructure. Across the country, Russians have faced outages as authorities have shut down internet services to prevent drone attacks, disrupting daily life, including ride-hailing apps, delivery services and car sharing.

Those Russian Flag 'Victory' Photo Ops Continue To Be Brief - And Lethal

A picture may be worth a thousand words, but with drones overhead, it is increasingly worth a thousand deaths as Russian troops attempting photo ops to 'prove' they have captured something is frequently lethal. JL

Kateryna Zakharchenko reports in the Kyiv Post:

Ukrainian special forces destroyed a group of Russian soldiers who decided to pose with the Russian flag in the village of Zelenyi Hai in the Donetsk region, attempting to showcase an allegedly successful advance toward the Dnipropetrovsk region. This latest photo op attempt proved fatal for the Russian troops – they ended up in the area of responsibility of the “Timur Special Unit.” Their “media triumph” was short-lived: Ukrainian special forces swiftly eliminated the enemy.

More Desperate Use Of Armor By Russia Results In Further Losses

As the summer winds down without any significant breakthroughs by Russian forces, commanders are deploying more of their depleted armor stocks in what has so far been a vain attempt to generate some sort of gain. 

The failure of these tactics is not surprising as the prevalence of FPV drones and their ability to destroy tanks and other armored vehicles is already well known. The only reason for the futile attempts is pressure from above in order to deflect criticism that the field commanders are not trying hard enough. JL

Taras Safronov reports in Militarnyi:

The drone operators of the 22nd Mechanized Brigade successfully neutralized two Russian tanks in the Kharkiv sector.  tanks and IFVs become easy targets – even expensive modernized equipment burns within minutes of being hit by an FPV drone. According to estimates by Western analysts and Ukrainian military officials, Russia has already lost 0ver 20,000 thousands of tanks and armored vehicles in Ukraine.

5 Russian Fighter Jets On Ground In Crimea Hit By Drones Damaged, Destroyed

Ukraine continues to target Russian military capabilities so as to deplete and weaken its ability to project power and conduct offensive operations. 

Putting five fighter jets out of commission - possibly permanently - is a significant given the constraints Russia has in replacing sophisticated weapons systems. JL 

Kateryna Hodunova reports in the Kyiv Independent:

Drones operated by Ukraine struck five Russian fighter jets overnight on Aug. 4 at an airfield in Saky, in Russian-occupied Crimea. The strike destroyed a Su-30SM aircraft, damaged another, hit three Su-24s, and struck an aviation weapons depot. The Saky airbase plays a critical role in Russia's military operations against Ukraine and in the Black Sea, and the damage from the Ukrainian strike is considered "significant." 

The Increasingly Doubtful Myth of Russian Invincibility

The Kremlin's intransigence on peace negotiations and willingness to risk a sympathetic US president's anger belies a harsh reality: Russia cannot win on the battlefield and its economy is beginning to crack. 

The problem is that within Russia's brutal leadership culture, any sign of weakness - such as admitting that conquering Ukraine is no longer possible - only stimulates those waiting for their chance to begin circling the current rulers for the kill. But as the summer offensive winds down with little to show of strategic significance, the only question is how long the latest Potemkin Village can stand before the inevitable revelation of toxic impossibility threatens change. JL

Daryna Lesniak reports in The National Interest:

The prevailing assumption that Moscow has the “upper hand” in the Russia-Ukraine War is no longer tenable. Behind the Kremlin’s confident posture lies a creaky war machine straining under economic pressure and battlefield exhaustion. Russia's military struggles reflect broader weaknesses. In June, following a warning that the country was nearing recession, President Putin pledged to cut military spending, saying the government must avoid a downturn “under any circumstances.” Over the last year, Moscow has achieved nothing from a strategic standpoint. Its summer offensive has failed to break through the 15–20 km gray zone of contested frontlines. Desperate for results, Russian forces have turned to risky tactics that often end in disaster. Increasing troop numbers do little to change the battlefield stalemate, nullifying Russia’s manpower advantage.

97% of Companies Breached Permit Employees' Unauthorized AI Access

As AI increasingly cements its status as The Next Big Thing and companies fall all over themselves to demonstrate they are totally on it, employees have taken notice. The quickest way to raises, promotions - and not getting laid off - is to show that you are an AI expert. So they are making lots of experiments on their own - look at how AI smart I am! - with AI models they have gotten from...who knows where. 

Which leads to the inevitable problem of security. The use of unauthorized, that is to say, not checked, reviewed or otherwise approved AI is creating a security nightmare inside businesses finding that their systems are being hacked by this desperate effort to show how with it they are. Security has always played second fiddle in the tech universe because it slows things down and costs rather than makes money. That is, until, the corporation gets hit with a multi-billion dollar lawsuit and the attendant 'asleep at the switch/what were you thinking?' reputational holocaust. Prudent businesses and their leaders are starting to pay attention, albeit slowly. JL

Louis Columbus reports in Venture Beat:

AI adoption is outpacing security oversight. 97% of those breached lacked proper AI access controls. Another 8% weren’t even sure if they’d been compromised through AI systems. Breaches involving employees’ unauthorized use of AI tools cost organizations an average of $4.63 million - 16% more than the global average of $4.44 million.  “A majority of breached organizations (63%) either don’t have an AI governance policy or are still developing one. Even when they have a policy, less than half have an approval process for AI deployments, and 62% lack proper access controls on AI systems.”

Are Russia's Tu-22 Backfire Bombers Idle Because They're Out Of Missiles?

Following Ukraine's devastating surprise attack on Russia's fleet of supersonic bombers, its air force moved most of them thousands of miles away, to Russia's Far East. 

All, that is, but its TU-22 'Backfire' bombers. Nor have they been used to attack Ukraine recently. Which is leading to speculation that Russia has run out of the munitions those planes use, rendering them redundant. JL

David Axe reports in Trench Art:

Ukraine's Operation Spider Web destroyed four Tu-22Ms and three Tupolev Tu-95 bombers at Belaya air base, 2,700 miles from Ukraine. Drones also harried Olenya air base, 1,200 miles from Ukraine, burning four or five Tu-95s but sparing the Tu-22Ms at the base. In the weeks following the attacks, the Russian air force repositioned the remaining 44 Tu-95s as well as the undamaged fleet of 16 Tupolev Tu-160 bombers, sending the giant, jet-propelled planes to bases in Russia’s Far East, 3,500 miles or farther from Ukraine. The air force did not reposition the Tu-22Ms - possibly because they are out of missiles. 

As Russia's Summer Assaults Stall, Is Fall Ukraine Counteroffensive Coming?

With Ukrainian forces across the front largely appearing to hold against Russia's once vaunted but now derided summer offensive, rumors of a late summer-early autumn Ukrainian counteroffensive are rising especially, interestingly enough, among Russian sources.

While such an eventuality would not be unexpected given Ukraine's past performance, the fact that such stories are already spreading may be enough to quash the speculation. JL

Espreso Global reports:

Ukraine can withstand Russia's ongoing offensive. "The most important task now is to hold out against the onslaught Putin promised to deliver within 60 days. I believe we will hold. We’ll stop the enemy and enter September much stronger than they expect. The Russians are actively circulating reports that Ukraine is planning a large-scale counteroffensive in August or early September. They genuinely expect it. As far as I know, no such operation is planned at the moment — though there are some signs that our Defense Forces are preparing for something."

Sound of Drones Haunts Soldiers Returning From Front - But Can Save Their Lives

The trauma of being hunted by drones has become so acute that thousands of soldiers returning from the frontlines in Ukraine are showing signs of it, resulting in a new mental health category called 'droneophobia." 

It can be triggered by a lawnmower, air conditioner or scooter. Returning soldiers say they cannot ignore it or fail to respond to it because at the front, it can save their lives. JL

Joel Gunter reports in the BBC:

Generations of soldiers have been affected by sudden noises after returning to civilian life. But as the war in Ukraine has evolved into a conflict driven by drone technology, trauma has evolved with it. "Over the past year, the majority of patients – if they are not physically wounded – have mental health injuries as a result of being under drone activity," said Dr Serhii Andriichenko, chief psychiatrist at Kyiv's military hospital. "We call this droneophobia."Many thousands of men are now returning from the front with acute stress disorders associated with the sounds of drones. The droneophobia can be triggered by an ordinary sounds – small motorcycles and scooters, lawnmowers, air conditioners – anything mechanical.

In Supply Crisis Russian Troops Lug Mines, Mortar Shells: Most Never Get To Front

Russian logistics failures driven by Ukrainian drones are forcing individual Russian soldiers to carry landmines and mortar shells by foot to the front. 

The problem is that Ukrainian drone operators can now identify the special packs the Russians use to carry the large munitions, enabling them to target the hapless soldiers and turning them into involuntary suicide bombers who frequently take out their comrades when they are hit and their carrying cases explode. JL

Ukraine Today reports:

Cut off from supplies near Lyman, Russians troops now carry mines on foot. Most never make it past the Ukrainian drones. Ukrainian drone operators have also observed Russian soldiers being sent forward carrying individual mortar rounds to deliver to mortar crews on their way to the front, a desperate measure indicating a total logistical breakdown and highlighting the grim conditions Russian troops face in this sector. Russian soldiers being turned into unintentional suicide bombers by essentially carrying explosive vests with them during assaults.