Aug 12, 2026, 10:30 AM UTC

Crude oil prices advanced sharply toward $90 per barrel as negotiations between Iran and Oman regarding the Strait of Hormuz remained unresolved. The surge lifted energy equities on the Oslo Børs, with major producers including Equinor, Aker BP, and Vår Energi posting gains alongside shipping and defense shares.

Simultaneously, Norges Bank Investment Management reported that Norway's sovereign wealth fund earned a record first-half return of 1,753 billion kroner in 2026, representing a 9.4 percent gain.

In contrast, major U.S. stock benchmarks opened lower following previous record highs. The Dow Jones, S&P 500, and Nasdaq Composite all recorded modest declines as 10-year U.S. Treasury yields rose to 4.7 percent and market volatility ticked upward.

Sources: Dagens Næringsliv, E24, Finansavisen, NRK, VG

Ukrainian long-range strikes have targeted infrastructure across Russia, hitting the Slavneft-YANOS oil refinery in Yaroslavl, where local authorities reported four injuries and tank damage. Ukrainian operations also expanded to commercial supply chains with an attack on a Lenta retail distribution center, alongside strikes against Russian FSB coast guard vessels in Kerch.

The intensified aerial campaign coincides with data indicating a sharp rise in civilian casualties inside Russia, with over 300 fatalities reported this year. On the battlefield, Russian forces made incremental advances toward Dobropillia north of Pokrovsk and east of Stepnohirsk in Zaporizhzhia. Meanwhile, full intelligence sharing between Washington and Kyiv has reportedly been restored.

Sources: Belsat, Mediazona, NEXTA, The Insider, Verstka.

Poland has signed a letter of intent with six NATO allies—Belgium, Croatia, France, Spain, Turkey, and the United Kingdom—to cooperate on acquiring and operating Airbus A400M heavy transport aircraft, aiming to revitalize its military transport capability.

The initiative adds to broader regional air defense developments. Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk recently announced a 7 billion PLN procurement for Piorun short-range missile systems alongside Baltic partners under the European Union's SAFE mechanism. Poland also finalized offset agreements with Boeing to establish a maintenance hub in Łódź for 96 incoming AH-64E Apache attack helicopters, which Tusk described as a "leap into the future." Concurrently, neighboring Latvia is evaluating Embraer A-29 Super Tucano turboprop aircraft to address anti-drone and hybrid threats.

Sources: Defence24, Money, Portal obronny, Rzeczpospolita, TVP info

Ukrainian servicemen from the 82nd Brigade's 1st Battalion continue stealth drone operations from abandoned homes in the Zaporizhzhia region. Relying on Starlink satellite terminals hidden in garden foliage to maintain communications, the crews direct reconnaissance and precision strikes against Russian positions.

While high-definition video feeds allow operators to carry out accurate attacks, witnessing close-up combat casualties inflicts severe psychological trauma on the personnel. Furthermore, maintaining strict operational security remains critical, as crews contend with ongoing threats from Russian electronic warfare, artillery strikes, and counter-drone measures searching for command posts.

Sources: Die Presse.

Ukrainian Defense Forces struck a Russian oil processing facility in Tobolsk, Siberia, reaching a distance exceeding 2,500 kilometers, President Volodymyr Zelensky announced. Zelensky highlighted the long-range capability as a measure to pressure Moscow toward ending the war.

Simultaneously, Bulgarian and Ukrainian authorities are investigating an incident involving a drone that entered Bulgarian airspace from Romania and exploded near an international gas pipeline. Bulgaria’s Defense Ministry noted the aircraft resembled Ukrainian models, deeming the impact likely accidental. Kyiv denied targeting Bulgarian infrastructure and confirmed ongoing cooperation with Sofia.

In eastern Ukraine, Russian bombardments killed at least three civilians and injured nine others across frontline regions. Continuous attacks severely depopulated the town of Druzhkivka in Donetsk Oblast, reducing its population from nearly 56,000 to below 4,000. Additionally, power grid disruptions in Chernihiv Oblast left approximately 99,000 subscribers without electricity.

Sources: Investor.bg, Mediapool, NEXTA, Nova TV