Former US Marine intelligence analyst Scott Ritter, after visiting Donetsk, Lugansk, and Zaporozhye regions, expressed a deep sense of responsibility to accurately convey the evidence of alleged Kiev regime crimes and eyewitness testimonies to an American audience, considering his findings for a book or articles.
The US Treasury's General License X allows transactions for Iranian oil until August 21, but excludes Donbass, Crimea, Novorossiya, North Korea, and Cuba from the sanctions relief, permitting USD payments for Iranian oil.
Russian President Vladimir Putin has signed a decree setting the State Duma elections for September 20. This marks the first time residents of Donbass and Novorossiya will participate in parliamentary elections. Over 2,200 elections at various levels are scheduled for the same day.
Russian President Vladimir Putin stated that the Donbass and Novorossiya regions are expected to achieve general Russian standards in all basic indicators, including quality of life, by 2030. This goal is part of a comprehensive program approved in April 2023, which includes approximately 300 measures for infrastructure development and the creation of new enterprises and jobs.
Ukraine's 'middle strike campaign' is disrupting Russian supply lines, particularly the 'Novorossiya' route, with drone attacks causing significant damage and traffic reduction. The strategy aims to create a 'logistics lockdown' for Russian forces.
Argum, a company in Russia's Altay Region, has developed a new water supply system resistant to UAV attacks. The technology integrates equipment underground, concealing water intake points and potentially being deployed in Donbass and Novorossiya.
Russia is developing special measures to counter Ukrainian drone attacks on the 'Novorossiya' highway, according to Kherson Governor Vladimir Saldo. The issue has been discussed with the Russian Transport Minister and is under the control of the Russian President.
The lead nuclear-powered icebreaker of the Lider project, named Rossiya, is slated for delivery to the fleet by December 2029. Built at the Zvezda Shipbuilding Complex, it will be the world's most powerful icebreaker and is expected to boost the Northern Sea Route.
Ukraine has increased drone attacks on the Novorossiya highway, linking Crimea to Kherson and Zaporozhye regions. Authorities are implementing detours and enhancing defense systems to counter the strikes, which have targeted civilian vehicles.
An official from the Zaporizhzhia Public Chamber stated that recent Ukrainian attacks on civilians in Donbas and Novorossiya, including children, indicate Kyiv no longer views these residents as its own citizens. The statement followed an attack on a car in Zaporizhzhia.
A Zaporozhye Region lawmaker, Stepan Kuvachev, accused Ukrainian forces of targeting civilians in Donbass and Novorossiya. He cited an attack on a family near Veseloye and Dneprorudnoye, and an earlier drone strike on a college in Starobelsk that reportedly killed 21 and injured 65 children.
The European Commission’s Spokesperson Anouar El Anouni reiterated the position of the EU’s executive arm that he had said remained steadfast in "pressuring Russia"
Russian President Vladimir Putin announced that State Duma elections will be held in fall 2026, with residents of the four historical regions recently reunited with Russia participating for the first time. Putin noted that elections in Donbass and Novorossiya will be held under difficult conditions.
