Pentagon steps back from NATO Ukraine aid group as Ukrainian drones sink Russian ship
The Pentagon will yield command of the NATO Ukraine aid group in Germany, while Ukrainian drones sank a Rosatom cargo vessel in the Black Sea.
In a major shift in military logistics support, the Pentagon is stepping down from leading the NATO Security Assistance Group for Ukraine in Germany, paving the way for a European ally to assume command of coordinating Western aid.
At sea, Ukrainian drones targeted and sank the Yanina, a container ship operated by Russian nuclear agency Rosatom, in international waters approximately 130 miles off Novorossiysk. Rosatom confirmed the vessel was carrying civilian cargo and reported no casualties.
Meanwhile, emergency operations continued in Kyiv following overnight Russian ballistic missile strikes across five districts that killed at least nine people and injured 28 others, including two teenagers. Ukrainian air defenses also reported intercepting 65 out of 80 Russian attack drones launched nationwide.
Sources: Digi24, Newsmaker, TV8, Ziarul de Gardă
Sources
- Ziarul de Gardă — LIVE TEXT/ Rusia a atacat Ucraina cu 80 de drone, iar 65 au fost doborâte. Război în Ucraina, ziua 1617
- TV8 — /LIVE TEXT/ Război în Ucraina, ziua 1620: Atac devastator asupra Kievului. Blocuri prăbușite și cel puțin nouă morți
- Newsmaker — Rusia a atacat cu rachete balistice Kievul: cel puțin 9 persoane au murit
- Digi24 — O navă a agenţiei nucleare ruse Rosatom a fost scufundată de drone ucrainene în Marea Neagră
Earlier coverage
- Aug 1, 2026, 11:30 PM UTCPentagon relinquishes NATO Ukraine coordination role amid escalating Black Sea and Kyiv strikes
- Aug 1, 2026, 04:30 PM UTCAt least nine killed in Russian ballistic missile strike on Kyiv
- Aug 1, 2026, 11:00 AM UTCRussian strikes hit Kyiv as Ukraine targets Volgograd logistics facility
- Jul 31, 2026, 11:30 PM UTCUkraine thwarts plot against military commander amid rising regional strikes
- Jul 31, 2026, 12:00 PM UTCUS strikes Iranian targets as aerial engagements escalate in Eastern Europe
- Jul 31, 2026, 07:30 AM UTCUkrainian drones strike Russian logistics facility as US targets Iranian sites
- Jul 31, 2026, 05:30 AM UTCPoland confirms Russian missile entry as US launches strikes on Iranian targets
- Jul 31, 2026, 12:30 AM UTCNATO eastern flank on high alert as Russian missile enters Poland
- Jul 30, 2026, 11:30 PM UTCRomanian jets intercept drones as regional leaders visit Washington
- Jul 30, 2026, 06:30 PM UTCSuspected Russian missile breaches Polish airspace amid ongoing strikes