MOSCOW-KYIV, 22nd August, 2026 (WAM) -- The situation in Ukraine witnessed a broad escalation on the ground as German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul made an unannounced solidarity visit to Kyiv ahead of the 35th anniversary of Ukraine's independence.
The German minister condemned continued Russian attacks on infrastructure and reaffirmed his country's commitment to maintaining military and financial support for Ukraine, particularly with winter approaching.
Amid the developments, the Russian Ministry of Defence said it had intercepted and destroyed 457 Ukrainian drones over several Russian regions, as well as over Crimea and the Black and Azov seas.
Russian forces also targeted military equipment depots and fuel tanks at the ports of Chornomorsk and Yuzhnyi, while striking the Darnytsia locomotive depot in Kyiv, which Moscow considers a key facility for servicing trains transporting weapons. The attack caused a fire and left one person dead and others injured, according to the city's military administration.
The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine reported 172 combat engagements along the front lines on Thursday, with the heaviest fighting concentrated in the Pokrovsk direction.
Ukrainian news agency Ukrinform estimated total Russian losses since the start of the conflict at around 1.5 million, while Rodion Miroshnik, the Russian Foreign Ministry's Ambassador-at-Large, said estimates indicated that between 16,000 and 20,000 foreign fighters are currently serving with Ukrainian forces, out of around 30,000 who had previously served before leaving or being killed.
The military and political developments continue as part of the conflict that began on 24th February, 2022, with Russia seeking to consolidate control over areas of eastern and southern Ukraine, while Moscow faces extensive economic and financial sanctions from Western countries that continue to provide military support to Kyiv.
Ukraine will mark the 35th anniversary of its independence from the Soviet Union on Monday, with commemorative events planned, particularly in Kyiv.