Sep 2, 2026, 12:00 AM UTC

Poland marked Armed Forces Day with nationwide celebrations commemorating the 1920 Battle of Warsaw, highlighted by a major military parade in Warsaw and naval demonstrations off Gdynia. The events featured marching troops, armored vehicles, aircraft, and Polish Navy vessels operating in formation.

During addresses in Gdynia, Prime Minister Donald Tusk outlined four key pillars of Poland's security strategy: secure borders, firm international alliances, increased military investment, and a growing economy. Tusk stressed deterrence, stating that "war will only be avoided by someone who is strong." He also visited the PGZ Naval Shipyard to review progress on the frigate Wicher, constructed under the Miecznik program to enhance Baltic maritime defense.

Military officials confirmed full readiness following dress rehearsals along Warsaw's Wisłostrada highway.

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

Ukrainian drone operations have struck Russian commercial infrastructure and border regions, igniting fires at major e-commerce facilities. Attacks targeted warehouses operated by Wildberries in Leningrad Oblast and Ozon in Dagestan, causing Ozon shares to drop significantly following logistics disruptions.

Regional Russian authorities reported multiple civilian casualties from drone impacts. A strike in Moscow Oblast killed five people near a storage facility, while seven people, including three children, died when a drone fell on a beach in Krasnodar Krai.

On the frontline, Russian forces achieved tactical gains near Artelne in Kharkiv Oblast, while Ukrainian troops pushed toward Uspenivka. Additionally, an overnight strike on Kyiv left nine dead and dozens injured, as Belarus announced a new air assault brigade along Ukraine's border.

Sources: Mediazona, Point, Radio Svoboda, The Guardian, The Insider

United States President Donald Trump and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth have denied media reports claiming American military ammunition reserves are severely depleted following operations against Iran. Trump insisted on social media that the country possesses "huge amounts of 'ammunition'" while warning of lengthy prison sentences for anyone spreading reports of shortages. The pushback follows claims by news outlets that missile deficits restrained further military action against Tehran, prompting Trump to reportedly challenge Hegseth on inventory levels.

Meanwhile, Trump announced that Washington has reopened direct discussions with Tehran, characterising the dialogue as a final chance for Iran to reach a deal. Iranian representatives had previously denied that any negotiations were underway or scheduled.

Sources: Die Zeit, FAZ, ORF, Tagesschau

German security services are preparing to officially attribute a series of covert operations to Russia, including a failed explosive drone attack at Leipzig Airport and a secret weapons stash near Berlin. According to intelligence sources, authorities recently uncovered an arms cache containing functional firearms near the Berlin border, which officials suspect was established by Russian operatives for targeted attacks.

The findings come as state law enforcement agencies track more than 100 incidents of suspected foreign state interference across Germany, ranging from drone flights over critical infrastructure to physical sabotage against rail networks. German intelligence assesses that Moscow's strategy aims to destabilize democratic institutions and deepen societal divisions. Berlin is expected to publicly name Moscow in the coming days while announcing new defensive and diplomatic countermeasures.

Sources: Correctiv, Der Standard, FAZ, ORF, Tagesschau

European security officials and defense experts are warning of escalating Russian hybrid warfare tactics across the continent. Following incidents involving armed drones near Leipzig airport in Germany, analysts cautioned that covert operations are increasingly targeting transport infrastructure. In response, Sweden's military leadership called on personnel and citizens to be mentally prepared for potential Russian attacks aimed at testing NATO unity. Meanwhile, Estonian Defence Minister Hanno Pevkur warned that upcoming regional elections face heightened risks of foreign interference, noting "Russia is looking for opportunities to influence our societies."

Concurrently, Ukrainian forces launched long-range strikes against oil refineries in Russia's Bashkiria and Yaroslavl regions. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy reported successful strikes, while Russian authorities minimized the damage.

Sources: Dagens Industri, Dagens Nyheter, Svenska Dagbladet, SVT, Sydsvenskan