Sep 2, 2026, 07:30 PM UTC

Former Ukrainian Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov has called on officials to establish the legal framework required for holding national elections after the conflict with Russia ends. Fedorov, who was dismissed by President Volodymyr Zelensky in July, argued that defining electoral procedures in advance is essential to ensure democratic stability once martial law is lifted.

Ukrainian law currently prohibits holding national polls while martial law remains in effect. Although Zelensky has maintained that voting during an active war is impractical, Fedorov's comments highlight ongoing debates regarding post-war political planning.

Sources: Le Monde

The United States military launched airstrikes targeting missile launchers on Iran's Larak Island in the Strait of Hormuz, marking Washington's first direct strikes on Iranian soil in a month.

Despite the military friction, diplomatic efforts remain active. Qatari negotiators expressed optimism regarding a potential agreement between Washington and Tehran. Concurrently, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian announced Tehran would immediately resume its commitments if the United States abides by the accord reached in June. Additionally, Iranian diplomatic officials stated they reached an understanding with Oman on a new transit route through the strait.

However, prospects for a rapid diplomatic resolution grew uncertain after US President Donald Trump demanded financial reparations from Tehran for past regional attacks, adding fresh hurdles to negotiations.

Sources: Le Figaro, Le Monde, Le Soir, Libération, RTBF Info.

Intensified Russian missile and drone strikes across Ukraine have caused rising civilian casualties and widespread displacement. A double-strike on a shopping center in Kryvyi Rih killed at least 14 people and injured over 120, while total civilian deaths reached at least 437 in July, the highest monthly toll since early 2022.

Fearing prolonged power and heating outages this winter, Kherson Regional Governor Oleksandr Prokudin urged families and elderly residents to leave the city. Concurrently, Lozova has emerged as a major hub, receiving up to 300 evacuees daily from the Donetsk region.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy continues to request additional Western air defense systems, including Patriot batteries, to protect urban areas. Domestically, Ukrainian officials are intensifying street-level enforcement of military mobilization as up to two million draft-eligible men reportedly evade service.

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

Ukrainian long-range missile and drone strikes targeted military and industrial sites inside Russia, while heavy ground combat persisted along the eastern front line.

Satellite imagery confirmed hits on Samara's Progress Rocket Space Centre and the adjacent Aviakor aircraft repair plant following attacks on August 15. Local authorities and independent media also reported aerial strikes across the Nizhny Novgorod, Penza, and Rostov regions.

Concurrently, Ukraine's General Staff reported 254 combat engagements over a 24-hour period, with significant Russian offensive pressure focused on the Lyman and Kostiantynivka sectors. Russian forces continued efforts to divide Ukrainian positions along the Oskil River near Kupiansk while expanding their control south of Dobropillia.

Sources: Mediazona, Point, Radio Svoboda, The Insider, Ukrainska Pravda

US President Donald Trump faces escalating domestic and geopolitical challenges during his second term, according to recent public opinion data and media analyses. A Focaldata poll conducted for the Financial Times indicates that a majority of registered voters report feeling economically worse off under the current administration.

On foreign policy, the State Department announced plans to close five overseas diplomatic missions to cut costs. The move has drawn criticism from analysts warning it could allow rival nations to expand their global influence. Meanwhile, Trump signed two executive orders aimed at curbing birth tourism and restricting birthright citizenship following a Supreme Court ruling against an earlier measure. Media evaluations increasingly argue these accumulated policy friction points signal a diminishing geopolitical standing for the administration.

Sources: Avaz, CDM, Danas, N1, Vijesti