Russia launches massive attack on Ukraine: dead and injured in Kyiv and Kharkiv
Russia launched a massive missile and drone attack on Ukraine on August 27, hitting Kyiv, Kharkiv, and other cities, with casualties reported, according to the BBC.
Month 27. August 2026
CIA chief Ratcliffe visits Moscow: secret mission with a signal
For the first time in nearly five years, the head of the US foreign intelligence service CIA, John Ratcliffe, has visited Moscow. According to Ukrainska Pravda, the visit was kept secret and only confirmed after the delegation had left.
Six EU States Demand Cuts of Billions in EU Budget
Germany and five other EU member states are pushing back against the European Commission's trillion-euro budget plan, calling for reductions of several hundred billion euros and a stronger focus on security, competitiveness, and migration.
Zelensky: Ukraine can build 200–300 long-range drones daily
Ukraine can produce 200 to 300 long-range strike drones per day, capable of hitting targets 350 to 3,000 kilometers away, President Volodymyr Zelensky said at a press conference in Kyiv. But he stressed that a lack of funding is holding back an expansion of attacks on Russian territory.
Economists criticize Weidel’s euro exit plans
AfD leader Alice Weidel has reaffirmed her goal of leaving the euro and the Schengen area if her party takes government responsibility. Leading economists warn of the economic consequences.
Spain: Sánchez convenes Security Council over migrant crisis in Ceuta
Pedro Sánchez has called an emergency meeting of Spain's National Security Council to address the ongoing migrant crisis in the enclave of Ceuta. The meeting is set to begin Monday at 8:30 AM at the Moncloa Palace in Madrid, as reported by Ukrainska Pravda citing Politico.
Burnham pledges Ukraine support despite Russian threats
British Prime Minister Andy Burnham has pledged continued support for Ukraine during his first official visit, responding to what he called Moscow's "outrageous threats."
EU Council President Costa kicks off tour of EU capitals
European Council President António Costa will begin a tour of EU member state capitals on 25 August to discuss the bloc's future and support for Ukraine, according to European Pravda. Security, defense, and EU enlargement are among the topics on the agenda.
EU releases €6.1 billion for Ukraine
On Ukraine's Independence Day, the EU has released another €6.1 billion from its €90 billion loan. The funds are earmarked for air defense systems, missiles, ammunition, and radar equipment, as the European Commission announced.
New Zealand plans minimum age of 16 for social media
New Zealand's ruling party wants to allow social media only from the age of 16. Platforms like TikTok and Instagram are to be legally obliged to carry out strict age checks.
Main-Taunus district: Job center places more people in work
The job center in the Main-Taunus district helped more people into employment last year than before. By the end of the year, the number of job seekers had fallen to 11,547.
AfD top candidate Siegmund: campaigning in Merseburg
AfD top candidate Ulrich Siegmund is relying on provocative messages in the election campaign in Saxony-Anhalt. According to Spiegel, he celebrated successes at a 'family festival' in Merseburg with anti-migration slogans.
Norway’s PM visits site of Russian strikes in Kyiv
Jonas Gahr Støre has visited a site in Kyiv damaged by Russian attacks during his Ukraine trip, the Ukrainian State Emergency Service reported, according to Ukrinform.
Alice Weidel Criticizes Government Politicians in ZDF Summer Interview
In the ZDF summer interview, AfD leader Alice Weidel expressed confidence about the upcoming elections and sharply criticized the CDU.
Kosovo: Worst crisis since the war after failed presidential election
Kosovo is experiencing an unprecedented constitutional crisis: Parliament has failed to elect a new president even after three elections in quick succession. No way out is in sight.
Ukrainian drones hit two fighter jets and S-400 systems
Ukrainian drones struck multiple high-value Russian military targets in the Rostov and Krasnodar regions and occupied Crimea, according to the Kyiv Post. Eleven of 14 targets were engaged, including two fighter jets and an S-400 system.
Linnemann plans to reverse pension cuts for family caregivers
The German government had planned to reduce pension entitlements for people caring for relatives. New Health Minister Carsten Linnemann now wants to scrap that measure.
Winter looms: Germany’s gas storage only half full
Germany's gas storage facilities are only half full while gas prices rise. The federal government faces a choice between bad and worse.
Saxony-Anhalt: CDU politician open to talks with the Left
Amid difficult government formation in Saxony-Anhalt, a CDU politician advocates talks with the Left. However, he rules out a coalition with the Left.
Iranian hackers paralyze UK energy facility for four days
Iranian hackers reportedly took a British energy facility offline for four days last month, according to the Telegraph. The UK government has not confirmed the incident, with a spokesperson describing the target as a "small power generation plant."
Merz: Growth and Employment Are the Most Important Issues
Friedrich Merz (CDU) has identified growth and employment as the government's top priorities. According to Spiegel, he wants to see swift progress in implementing reforms.
EVG threatens strikes: tougher penalties for attacks on train staff demanded
The Railway and Transport Union (EVG) is threatening nationwide strikes in regional rail services starting in January if the federal government does not increase penalties for attacks on train attendants this year. Union chief Martin Burkert told Bild am Sonntag.
Environmental groups criticize German government’s climate policy
Ahead of the cabinet retreat in Neuhardenberg, WWF and Greenpeace accuse the German government of lacking a clear direction in climate policy. The groups are calling for faster expansion of renewable energy.
Wadephul in Kyiv: Russia shells suburb during visit
Russian forces fired rockets at Boryspil, a suburb east of Kyiv, shortly after German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul arrived in the Ukrainian capital by special train on Saturday morning.
Wadephul visits Ukraine on Independence Day
German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul has traveled to Ukraine for talks. The visit coincides with the country's 35th Independence Day.
Zelensky informs UN Secretary-General Guterres about Russian attacks
Following the Russian strike on a shopping mall in Kryvy Rih, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky spoke by phone with UN Secretary-General António Guterres on Friday, August 21. According to the Kyiv Post, the conversation focused on ongoing Russian attacks, civilian casualties, and threats to global food security.
Heating Law: Experts Still See Constitutional Problems
Bundestag's scientific service continues to view the new Building Modernization Act (GModG) as potentially unconstitutional. According to Spiegel, legal concerns remain largely unchanged despite revisions.
Ukraine bans Russian series ‘Masha and the Bear’
The Ukrainian government has banned the Russian animated series 'Masha and the Bear'. The show may no longer be broadcast in the country.
Sword Attack at Swedish School: Several Injured, One Arrested
Several people were injured in a sword attack at a school in Fagersta, Sweden, on Friday. Police have arrested a man, and local authorities have locked down several other schools as a precaution.
Sword Attack at School in Fagersta: Several Injured
In Sweden, a person injured several people with a sword at a school in Fagersta. Police stopped the attacker with a shot to the leg, as the Swedish newspaper Aftonbladet reports.
Düsseldorf–Cologne rail line: full closure from Friday evening
Deutsche Bahn will close the line between Düsseldorf Hauptbahnhof and Cologne-Mülheim for construction work from Friday evening. The disruption affects not only travelers but also tens of thousands of daily commuters.
Ukraine strikes refinery in Perm – two dead in drone attacks
Ukraine has attacked an oil refinery in the Russian city of Perm, according to President Volodymyr Zelensky. At least two people were killed in Russian drone attacks in eastern Ukraine.
Pension dispute: Union divided over scrapping pension at 63
Ahead of state elections in eastern Germany, the dispute over the planned pension reform is intensifying. According to Tagesschau, Friedrich Merz (CDU) wants to implement all proposals of the pension commission, including the end of the deduction-free early retirement.
Serbia: Vučić calls snap parliamentary election
Serbia is heading for an early election autumn: Aleksandar Vučić announced in a televised address that parliamentary elections would be held on 18 or 25 October – more than a year before the regular date. He left open when he himself would resign to also trigger a presidential election.
German Cities Demand Full Insurance Coverage for Long-Term Care
The German Association of Cities is calling for a fundamental overhaul of long-term care insurance, proposing it become a full-coverage system. This would prevent people who have worked their entire lives from falling into social welfare due to care costs.
Australia charges alleged spy in Ukraine war
A 27-year-old Russian-Australian citizen has been charged in Australia with foreign interference for allegedly trying to pass information about Ukrainian military activities to Russia.
Major corporations demand swift reforms from Germany’s new government
Audi, Siemens and other major corporations, along with employers in the metal and electrical industries, are urging the federal government in a joint letter to implement reforms "without delay." As reported by Mediengruppe Bayern, they criticize, among other things, the high contribution burden in social insurance.
Ukrainian soldiers desert during training in Germany
According to a report by "Zeit", several hundred Ukrainian soldiers have deserted during their training in Germany since 2022. In Saxony-Anhalt alone, more than 80 cases are known.
Abitur reform in Lower Saxony: fewer exams, more choice
Lower Saxony plans to reform upper secondary education with fewer written exams and greater subject choice. Education Minister Julia Willie Hamburg (Greens) calls it a "milestone," while the CDU criticizes the plans.
Zelenskyy introduces new Minister Khmara
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has presented the new Minister, Yevhen Khmara, and set out the ministry's priorities.