The war in Ukraine: Drones set fire to logistics centers in Russia, and the UN meets in emergency session
As Russian Army Intensifies Pressure on Konstantinovsky Sector and Attacks Kharkiv, Kiev Signs Key Technology Partnership with Norway
Massive Drone Strike: Ozon Warehouses Burn in Russia
On the Night of August 24, 2026, the southern regions of the Russian Federation were subjected to a massive attack by unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). The main target of the attack was key logistics facilities of the large Russian marketplace Ozone. In Krasnodar Russian drones caused a large-scale fire in the company's logistics center, which necessitated the emergency evacuation of employees and a temporary suspension of the warehouse's work.
According to the Russian agency Interfax (https://interfax.ru), the fire-fighting systems worked and according to preliminary data there were no injuries. In parallel, the Ukrainian 24 Channel (https://24tv.ua) reported that two more Ozon logistics complexes were hit – near the village of Enem in the Republic of Adygea (with an area of over 90 thousand square meters) and in the city of Nevinnomysk, Stavropol Region. Economic experts note that these hubs are systematically attacked due to their importance to the Russian supply chain and the storage of dual-use and military goods.
Bloody attack in Kharkov and record fighting near Konstantinovka
The situation on the front line remains critical. On the evening of August 23, Russian forces launched a brutal attack on a suburb of Kharkov (in Malodanilovskaya municipality). The Head of the Kharkiv Regional State Administration Oleg Sinegubov reported through the media Ukrainskaya pravda (https://pravda.com.ua) that in the attack are at least three people died, and the teams of the State Emergency Service (SES) managed to rescue and evacuate eight injured citizens. Serious damage was caused to the residential infrastructure.
Meanwhile from The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine (AFU) reported 196 combat clashes registered within a day. According to the official summary cited by the information portal Censor.NET (https://censor.net), the highest number of enemy attacks are fixed on the Konstantinov direction. Ukrainian forces have repelled 22 intensive assaults in the areas of Konstantinovka, Ilinovka and Novoselovka, holding key tactical heights in the region.
WSJ: Kremlin tests readiness for new wave of mobilization
The American authoritative publication The Wall Street Journal (WSJ) (https://wsj.com) published an exclusive story that Russian military authorities conducted secret mobilization exercises in Kaliningrad region.
Western intelligence agencies report that during the exercises, senior officers practiced procedures for housing, logistics, and arming new recruits. WSJ sources add that although a final decision on general mobilization has not been made before the upcoming September parliamentary elections in Russia, the serious shortage of manpower at the front and the accelerated destruction of new recruits by Ukrainian technological drones may leave Vladimir Putin no other choice. Similar preparatory exercises are being held covertly in other Russian regions, which is already causing panic among the local population.
Historical symbolism for Zelensky and the strategic "Drone Deal" with Norway
In the diplomatic sphere, events are developing dynamically during the celebrations of the National Flag Day in Kiev. The Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky was presented with the historical flag of Czechoslovakia from 1968, which survived the Soviet occupation of Prague. The Ambassador of Ukraine to the Czech Republic, Vasyl Zvarych, emphasized to Европейская правда (https://www.eurointegration.com.ua/rus/news/2026/08/23/7244031/) that the flag still shows traces of the blood of the Czech fighters who defended the Prague radio station against Soviet tanks. The flag has also crossed the front line in Ukraine, where fighters have attached a blue-and-yellow ribbon to it.
On the same day, Ukraine and Norway officially signed a major defense agreement known as the "Drone Deal", coupled with a joint declaration of strategic partnership. As reported by LIGA.net (https://news.liga.net/war/news/ukraina-i-norvegiya-podpisali-oboronnoe-soglashenie-v-ramkah-drone-deal), the contract provides for long-term exchange of technologies, joint production of unmanned systems and strengthening of air defense. Norway to invest in Ukrainian combat experience while providing new financial assistance to rebuild critical energy infrastructure.
UN Security Council holds emergency meeting on Independence Day
Today, August 24, 2026 – on Ukraine's Independence Day – The UN Security Council is meeting in an emergency session at the initiative of five European countries (Denmark, France, Greece, Latvia and the United Kingdom).
The new Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine Andrei Sibiga announced on social network X, quoted by RBK-Ukraine (https://www.rbc.ua/ukr/news/sibiga-rozkriv-shcho-obgovoryuvatimut-zasidanni-1787528593.html) that the focus of the debates will be on the escalating Russian missile and drone terror against civilian targets. The main reason for the convening is the devastating double strike on a shopping center in Krivoy Rog, which resulted in dozens of deaths and injuries. Sibiga added that the international community will also discuss the targeted Russian attacks on Ukrainian ports, which are blocking grain exports and threatening global food security. The meeting will be chaired by Danish Foreign Minister Lars Lukke Rasmussen.