The Norwegian government announced Sunday it will purchase a fleet of British-made warships to strengthen its navy amid growing regional security concerns. The move marks a significant defense investment by the NATO member as tensions escalate in Europe following Russia’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine.
Russia unleashed a massive assault on southern Ukraine overnight into Saturday, striking residential areas and leaving dozens of civilians wounded just days after a rare and deadly airstrike on central Kyiv. The escalation comes as U.S.-led peace efforts continue to falter.
Germany’s government launched a major campaign Wednesday to expand voluntary military service as leaders warn that Russian aggression demands a stronger Bundeswehr. The push comes as Chancellor Friedrich Merz seeks to make Germany “the strongest conventional army in Europe” while avoiding an immediate return to compulsory conscription.
Gasoline shortages are spreading across parts of Russia after a series of successful Ukrainian drone strikes damaged key oil infrastructure. With at least 12 strikes between August 2 and August 24, mostly targeting refineries in the Ryazan-Volgograd corridor, Russia’s fuel supply chain is under mounting stress.
On the 34th anniversary of its independence, Ukraine was accused by Russia of launching drone attacks that triggered a fire at a nuclear power plant in Russia’s western Kursk region. Russian officials said the overnight strike targeted multiple energy facilities, including the Kursk nuclear plant, where a transformer caught fire. The blaze was quickly extinguished and no injuries were reported. Radiation levels remained normal, according to plant authorities.
In one of the most aggressive assaults of its war with Ukraine, Russia launched a strike near NATO with 614 drones, ballistic, and cruise missiles, striking deep into Ukraine and destroying an American-owned business less than an hour from two NATO borders.
