Here's what we are reading today: The Czech President urged NATO to “down” Russian aircraft when it violates NATO airspace. In the last 2 weeks, Russia committed 3 such violations: Russian jets flew into Estonian airspace and Russian drones flew into Poland and Romania.

Good morning to readers; Kyiv remains in Ukrainian hands. In 2002, Putin shut down a comedy show after it called him a "baby gnome". This week, Trump axed Jimmy Kimmel’s show. I spoke to Ambassador Michael McFaul about why autocrats fear comedy - what it means for free speech.

Here’s what we are reading today: Russia and Vietnam have developed a method of concealing payments for arms deals to avoid US sanctions. The countries have been using profits from joint oil and gas ventures as payment, avoiding transfers through the global banking system.

Here’s what we are reading today: European Parliament Pres. announced the opening of a permanent EP office in Kyiv — a move to support Ukraine’s EU path and signal lasting wartime and post-war support. This comes as Ukraine becomes increasingly integrated into EU affairs.

Here's what we're reading today: Lithuania’s DefMin opened the 1st of 9 schools, where children and adults are taught to fly and assemble drones. This comes after 2 Russian drones crashed in Lithuania this summer and last week over a dozen Russian drones flew deep into Poland.

Good morning to readers; Kyiv remains in Ukrainian hands. From Stalin’s purges of writers to the Taliban’s bans on music, authoritarians have always targeted artists who give voice to dissent. That is why Belarus Free Theatre — banned by Lukashenko — performs underground.

Here’s what we are reading today: Ukrainian drone operators will use their war experience to train Polish military personnel at a NATO training center in Poland in countering Russian drones. This follows Russian drones going into Poland last week, triggering NATO Article 4.

Here’s what we’re reading today: Trump ruled out harsher sanctions on Russia unless NATO allies stop buying Russian oil. He first issued the ultimatum to the EU. Extending it to NATO now puts pressure on Turkey, the 3rd-largest Russian oil buyer, and risks chances of progress.

Good morning to readers. Kyiv remains in Ukrainian hands. Despite the stereotypes surrounding Gen Z, it is proving its strength. Ashirwad and Teodora joined anti-corruption protests in their countries, Nepal and Serbia, demanding long-awaited changes.

Here’s what we’re reading today: Ukrainian drone strikes have increased internet blackouts across Russia, costing Moscow $557.1mn per hour in disruptions to businesses and public services. This comes as Russia’s war economy strains under energy attacks and Western sanctions.

Here's what we're reading today: Poland will put limits on flights near Belarus and Ukraine until Dec 9. Latvia will close the airspace along its border with Belarus and Russia until Sept 18. Both cite the threat of Russian drones, reflecting growing EU concerns about Russia.

Good morning to readers; Kyiv remains in Ukrainian hands. Republicans are using the murder of a Ukrainian refugee in the U.S. to further their agenda. We have uncovered that many of them have previously voiced anti-Ukraine views, showing they don’t care about Iryna's life.

Here’s what we’re reading today: Ukraine is importing diesel fuel from India amid Russian attacks on Ukrainian refineries. India imports most of its crude oil from Russia, which complicates Ukrainian energy security and poses political risks for Ukraine.

Good morning to readers; Kyiv remains in Ukrainian hands. Today marks the end of Trump’s 30 day deadline for Putin — unsurprisingly nothing has happened. Liudmyla, like many Ukrainians, have stopped listening to Trump — she’s too busy consoling families torn apart by war.

some personal news: in a few weeks, I, along with my Rolling Stone comrade and editor @andrewperez.bsky.social, will be up and running at the expanding political reporting team at @mehdirhasan.bsky.social’s outlet @zeteo.com www.semafor.com/article/09/0...

Here’s what we’re reading today: Ukrainian drones struck Russia’s Druzhba pipeline, again disrupting oil supplies to Hungary and Slovakia. Reliance on Russian energy has driven both countries to criticize Ukraine’s drone strikes on oil facilities and resist its EU accession.

Good morning to readers; Kyiv remains in Ukrainian hands. The constant danger in Ukraine has affected everybody in different ways. For some, like Mariana, it has led them to seek out experiences that get their adrenaline pumping.

Here’s what we’re reading today: The U.S. will end funding for military training programs in Eastern European countries that would be in direct military conflict with Russia. This comes as the U.S. pushes Europe to shoulder more of Ukraine’s defense.

Good morning to readers; Kyiv remains in Ukrainian hands. Flamingos fled from Turkey to Ukraine in 2022 due to climate change, now there is a new threat: Russian drones. Oleksandr works as an ornithologist, explains how the flamingo’s home in Ukraine has been destroyed by war.

Here’s what we’re reading today: Putin and China have launched a cross-border natural gas pipeline - the Power of Siberia 2 pipeline. The deal helps Russia replace what it has lost since the EU rolled back Russian gas imports, and support its economy amid the war in Ukraine.

Good morning to readers; Kyiv remains in Ukrainian hands. Authoritarians are turning the ocean floor into a battleground, targeting the cables that carry our internet. Meet Steven Onley, who’s spent 30 years laying the world’s fragile digital arteries.

Here's what we're reading today: Ursula von der Leyen’s plane had to make an emergency landing in Bulgaria after the plane’s navigation system was jammed, likely by Russia. The pilot had to land using paper maps. Instances of GPS jamming have become more frequent since 2022.

Here’s what we’re reading today: Ukrainian police are considering a Russian link in the murder of Ukrainian politician Parubiy, who was shot dead yesterday. Activists have also survived attacks that are suspected to be Russian-led.

Good morning to readers; Kyiv remains in Ukrainian hands. As foreign bureaus close worldwide, we’re expanding. But we need your help to stay your eyes and ears in Ukraine and beyond. For free subscribers, our work will be behind the paywall for all of September.

Here’s what we are reading today: U.S. & European officials warn Russia is flying drones over supply routes in Germany, tracking weapons bound for Ukraine. The espionage helps Russia disrupt Ukraine’s military aid routes, contributing to Moscow’s wider hybrid war in Europe.

Here’s what we’re reading today: Russia damaged offices of EU and British Council in Kyiv. This comes after Russia sent about 600 drones across Ukraine, leaving about 60,000 people suffering from energy blackouts. As winter comes, Russia plans to attack more key infrastructure.

Good morning to readers; Kyiv remains in Ukrainian hands. The sounds of motorcycles and garbage trucks are no longer the innocent sounds of daily life for those used to listening in the dark for explosions. After 3 years of war, these ordinary sounds began to terrify Nastia.

Here’s what we are reading today: U.S. and Russia discussed energy deals as incentives for peace in Ukraine, including Exxon Mobil’s return to a Russian oil project and U.S. LNG tech. The proposed agreements aim to push the Kremlin toward peace and for the U.S. to ease sanctions.

Good morning to readers; Kyiv remains in Ukrainian hands. As in past wars, Ukraine’s poets play an important role during wartime — writing of loss and survival and turning pain into art. Olena, a poet and veteran, tells us about the soldier artists’ fight for truth and freedom.

Here’s what we’re reading today: Ukraine marks 34 years of independence — the third celebration during the full-scale war. It’s a time to honor the values Ukrainians fight for and remember those who died for freedom. World leaders, including Kellogg, came to Kyiv to show support.

Good morning to readers; Kyiv remains in Ukrainian hands. Many of today’s Ukrainians are descended from Cossacks, free people living on the Ukrainian steppe. They inspire Vadym, an officer who founded the ‘Spas’ Brotherhood to keep their tradition of rebellion alive.

Here’s what we are reading today: No Putin-Zelenskyy summit is planned, Lavrov said, and won't until they have a "presidential agenda." Zelenskyy said he's ready to meet Putin. Since Trump-Putin summit: no sanctions, no deadlines, no peace, no meeting, no security guarantees.

Here’s what we are reading today: Ukrainian strikes on Russian oil refineries have led to record gasoline price increases in Russia and fuel shortages. Crisis forced Moscow to suspend gasoline exports till Aug. 31. Russia lost at least 10% of its oil refining capacity since 2022.

Good morning to readers; Kyiv remains in Ukrainians hands. As Putin tries to gain more land, Atesh, a partisan group of Ukrainian and Crimean Tatar saboteurs attack the Russian army from within occupied lands. Their leader, Djohar, coordinates the brutal operations.

Here’s what we’re reading today: Hours before meeting with Zelenskyy Trump says that Ukraine can’t join NATO or reclaim Crimea, raising fears Trump may push concessions. Before Trump’s return to power in January, NATO confirmed Ukraine’s “irreversible path” to membership.

Here’s what we’re reading today: Putin demanded Ukraine leave swathes of the Donetsk and Luhansk regions, which Russia never fully seized, in exchange for pockets of Sumy and Kharkiv. Moscow wants sanctions eased, recognition of Crimea as Russian, Ukraine’s NATO bid dropped.

NEWSFLASH: Despite years of diplomatic isolation, Putin finally succeeded in having the in-person meeting with Trump he has long wanted. Despite Trump’s hopes for a truce, the leaders emerged after almost 3 hours, claiming that progress had been made but giving no details.

Good morning to readers; Kyiv remains in Ukrainian hands. Laying claim to the Donetsk region is not only an attempt to expand Russia’s borders. Donetsk is also home to fortifications critical to Ukraine. Soldiers, like Oleksii, have spent 11 years building these defences.

Here's what we're reading today: Oslo acknowledged that pro-Russian hackers attacked a dam in Norway in April. They opened a floodgate, allowing water flow unnoticed for four hours. The police said pro-Russian cyber activists have become more active in recent years.

Good morning to readers; Kyiv remains in Ukrainians hands. One of the few things the Russia-Ukraine talks produced, lies in a morgue building. Russia returned the remains of 6,000 Ukrainian soldiers. Tamara and Inna work to identify the remains and give the families closure.

Here’s what we are reading today: Russian forces breached Ukraine’s defenses in Donetsk ahead of the Trump–Putin talks. Kyiv denies major losses but warns that Russia is not preparing for a truce. Losing ground could cut supply lines and give Moscow leverage in talks.

Here’s what we are reading today: Ukrainian telecom giant Kyivstar plans to raise $50–200 million in a landmark New York listing. It will be the first Ukrainian company to enter the U.S. market, opening new channels for investment in the country’s economy.

Why are we treating Trump like a toxic ex who we hope might change? His backers act like every hint of spine re: Russia is a cause for celebration. But he has already made huge concessions to Putin w/o ANYTHING in return. None of this leads us down the path to a just peace.

Here's what we are reading today: Ahead of next week’s Trump–Putin meeting, Zelenskyy said he will not give up any land for a ceasefire and that Ukraine must be part of the talks. Trump said Friday there “will be some swapping of territories, to the betterment of both.”

NEWSFLASH: Putin and Trump to meet face-to-face next Friday, Aug 15, Trump announced on Truth Social. This would be a major breakthrough for the Russian President who has been diplomatically isolated by the West for 4 years.

Good morning to readers; Kyiv remains in Ukrainian hands. With so much death, Ukrainians look for new ways to honor their loved ones who have died. Kostia planned a trip to Cape Roca in 2021 - but he never went. Instead in 2024 his mother went to Cape Roca to scatter his ashes.

Here’s what we are reading today: Trump and Putin plan to meet next week – a venue has been decided, according to the Kremlin. Steve Witkoff raised the issue of a trilateral meeting between Zelensky, Trump, and Putin during yesterday's visit to Moscow, but this was ignored.

Good morning to readers; Kyiv remains in Ukrainian hands. As Ukraine continues to struggle with a lack of manpower, recruitment efforts have become ever more important. Alina, who creates ads for the Khartia brigade, shares how advertising became a key tool for recruitment.

Here’s what we are reading today: Ukraine’s Defense Minister announced a new military aid mechanism from the U.S. and NATO — the Prioritized Ukraine Requirements List. Under PURL, U.S. weapons requested by Ukraine will be included in regular packages and funded by allies. bit.ly/3UbyTnl

Here’s what we are reading today: A top Trump aide accused India of financing Russia’s war by buying its oil, saying the scale is “astonishing” and that India is “basically tied with China” in the amount it purchases. Such trade helps sustain Russia’s war and kills sanctions.