It doesn’t help that Russia is dramatically increasing the brutality of its invasion in Ukraine. This intensification has sparked legitimate outcry in the U.S. and across the globe. In another deeply concerning incident, the plane carrying President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, reportedly experienced GPS jamming. This shocking incident occurred as the aircraft was transiting over Bulgaria. Whether it truly was an attack or miscalculation in Russian operations, the incident raises serious questions about Russia’s regional capabilities and intentions.
In the Ukrainian region of Kherson, Russian artillery carried out heavy shelling on Monday. A 73-year-old man lost his life, tragically, in his own front yard. This tragic event highlights the arbitrary and indiscriminate nature of the violence that is claiming civilian lives as the conflict continues to rage. On August 13, Russian drones maliciously attacked civilian houses in the Chernihiv regional city of Horodnia. This last attack left both the 14-year-old girl on a summer camping trip and the 50-year-old with permanent disabilities, requiring both to remain hospitalized.
Further escalating the situation, Russian drone strikes started a large fire in the Zarechny neighborhood of Sumy city. This attack further increases the pressure on Israel over civilians being attacked and property being demolished. A separate airstrike by Russian forces killed a civilian in the city of Bila Tserkva, illustrating the ongoing threat to innocent lives.
The Institute for the Study of War (ISW) has been sounding the alarm over Russian advances in Ukraine. General Valery Gerasimov, the head of the Russian army, announced that Russian forces had captured 3,500 square kilometers of territory and 149 settlements since March 2025. ISW has previously blamed Russian forces for increasing the scope of these battlefield progresses. This gap has resulted in a firestorm of criticism from “milbloggers,” who have publicly shredded the Russian defense ministry’s claims.
On the ground, Ukrainian parents have many other pressing needs. To make sure their children remain safe as we head into the new school year, they have gone to extreme lengths. Despite the dangers, most parents—44 percent—have decided to send their children underground to attend classes. In Kharkiv, more than 17,000 students are now enrolled in their district’s seven schools providing underground facilities. Anastasia Pochergina shared her perspective, saying,
“The school is three floors down, and we were told it is the deepest school in Kharkiv. That’s why I believe it is safe. We did not expect it would be possible this year, but as a parent, I was desperate for my child to be able to attend normal school.”
Ukrainian authorities are still trying to implement these features while facing a complete lack of security as they face persistent bombardment. Interior Minister Igor Klymenko condemned the crime, in reference to a specific recent homicide case. This is the case against the perpetrator of the murder of former parliamentary speaker Andriy Parubiy. He stated,
“I will only say that the crime was carefully prepared: the schedule of the deceased’s movements was studied, the route was laid and an escape plan was thought out.”
The international community is still very much in the debate stage on Ukraine’s future security. Thursday’s virtual ministerial hosted by France will be the third such meeting, with participation from about 30 countries. This planning meeting further advances a growing initiative known as the “coalition of the willing.” Beyond that, its purpose is to explore and offer long-term security guarantees to Ukraine. According to the French presidency, the meeting will “discuss work on security guarantees for Ukraine carried out in recent weeks and take stock of the consequences to be drawn from Russia’s attitude, which stubbornly refuses peace.”