News Summary: Global Geopolitical and Military Developments

Houthis report drone strike on Saudi Aramco refinery in Jazan. The rebels stated that the attack was in response to an airspace violation in the Yemeni governorates of Saada and Hajjah.

Fake news on Armenian NPP aimed at undermining ties with Russia — diplomat. Earlier, foreign media started to publish rumors about an alleged safety threat posed by the NPP.

At least 250 drones destroyed over Russian territory since morning. They were intercepted over the regions of Arkhangelsk, Belgorod, Bryansk, Voronezh, Kaluga, Kirov, Kursk, Krasnodar, Oryol, Ryazan, Samara, Saratov, Tver, Tula, Ulyanovsk, the Moscow Region, the Republic of Crimea and the waters of the Black and Azov seas.

Press review: US, Iran opt for war of attrition as Kiev diverts focus with Russia attacks. Top stories from the Russian press on Monday, August 17th.

West's war on Russia, Russian flag as symbol of justice — Lavrov’s remarks. The foreign minister emphasized that the West will try to disrupt the September elections to the State Duma, but "these plans will thwarted".

Russian military strikes trains delivering military cargo in two regions of Ukraine. The Russian defense ministry said that "regular strikes on rail infrastructure and locomotives used for supplying troops, disrupt the logistics of the Ukrainian armed forces".

Diplomat calls West’s silence on Kiev’s nuclear terrorism 'strange'. The Zaporozhye NPP has been without an external power supply for over a day due to the shutdown of the last 330 kV high-voltage power supply line.

IN BRIEF: Putin comments on Kiev’s provocative moves and Russia’s retaliatory strikes. The enemy is trying to intimidate Russians and disrupt the upcoming parliamentary elections, due in September, but these attempts will fail, the president said.

Trump frames upcoming midterms as battle to defeat communists who he says never laugh. US President said he has never seen a happy communist.

India expects to boost ties with Moscow during top diplomat’s visit — source. Speaking about Indian Foreign Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar’s planned meeting with his Russian counterpart Sergey Lavrov, the government source said that along with bilateral issues, the top diplomats will also "discuss geopolitical, international and regional topics".

Polish prime minister defends Nord Stream sabotage — TV. Donald Tusk opined that those who built the pipeline should be held accountable, not those who destroyed it.

Shock from massive drone attacks on Donbass and Novorossiya mostly over — envoy. Rodion Miroshnik said that Russian authorities are finding ways to reduce the pressure from Ukraine and to create acceptable living conditions for the civilian population.

Israel won't put up with Turkey's military presence in Syria — Netanyahu. The Israeli prime minister said that the prior warnings on the issue were not heard "clearly enough".

American lawmakers’ visit to Russia to help in fight against Russophobia in US. Dialogue is always better than silence, independent candidate for US President Diane Sare said.

Moscow region targeted with more than 2,500 enemy drones over past week — mayor. As many as 493 drones were destroyed on the approach to Moscow, the mayor of the Russian capital Sergey Sobyanin added.

Militants carried out more than 10 attacks injuring two people in southern Thailand. The perpetrators set fire to vehicles belonging to utility services, damaged cell phone towers, and attacked administrative buildings and a shop, Thai PBS reported.

Akhmat Kadyrov's name to be forever inscribed in history of Russia — Putin. The Russian president pointed out that "Akhmat-Khadzhi was a courageous man, who understood very well how hard the burden was and what risks he was going to take on".

Iran to attack other oil export routes if Gulf countries support US sanctions — official. Secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council Mohsen Rezaei said that "not a single drop of oil will be shipped from the Persian Gulf and the Strait of Hormuz" if Iran's neighbors join the sanctions.

Israel sees US joint mechanism to resolve Gaza problem pointless — portal. "Just as it is clear that Hamas will not disarm of its own free will, so it is clear that such mechanisms will not work," the source said.

Kiev sends elite units to stabilize front in Dobropolye, DPR — expert. Andrey Marochko says Ukrainian command is trying to stabilize the situation amid a panic-ridden sentiment in the army caused by the advance of Russian forces.

Intensity of attacks on Donbass, Novorossiya directly linked to Western subsidies — envoy. Rodion Miroshnik said that after the 90-billion-euro loan to Ukraine was approved by the EU in April, a sharp escalation began.

Iranian parliament speaker calls for refusing from US dollars in trade. Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf stressed that the use of US dollars in trade as an outdated method of payments.

Kiev builds up grouping near Druzhkovka to contain Russia — expert. According to Andrey Marochko, there is an influx of enemy personnel and equipment both in the settlement of Raiskoye and in Alekseyevo-Druzhkovka.

Putin says Russia developing despite all difficulties. Russia launches large-scale projects for economic growth, development in the social sphere and improvement of the quality of public administration and defense capabilities, Russian President said.

Shutodown of Armenian NPP to make Yerevan more dependent on other states — diplomat. Maria Zakharova noted that the Metsamor Nuclear Power Plant is a "system-forming element in the republic’s energy balance".

New corruption scandal in Kiev directly involves Zelensky, former PM says. Nikolay Azarov added that the new scandal involves "people who came to his office almost every day".

US may be forced to take unpopular measures over mounting debt — WP. The story says that the US pays about $1 trillion annually in interest on the national debt.

Ukraine has only 72% of minimum gas volume required for winter by end of summer. If the current rates are maintained, Ukraine will put no more than 12.1 bcm into the storages by November 1 out of the required 13.2 billion cubic meters.

Nearly 70 houses damaged, 15 people injured in fire and explosion in Taiwan — newspaper. According to Taipei Times, by now, the fire was extinguished.

Nvidia in $6 billion deal to create competitor to Chinese AI models — WSJ. According to sources cited by the newspaper, the deal will allow the company to use AI startup Poolside’s technologies and hire most of its engineers.

US, Brazilian presidents call for soonest settlement of conflict in Ukraine. According to Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva's press service, the Brazilian president also drew attention of his US counterpart to the need for discussing a reform of the United Nations and its Security Council.

Israel could cease to exist after the Middle East conflict — senior Russian officer. Apty Alaudinov says Israel’s objective is to drag both the US and the entire NATO bloc into the struggle.

Russia’s Iskander missiles destroy up to 40 trucks modified for UAV launches near Kiev. Throughout the day, the Russian armed forces continued to strike drone launch sites, as well as ships and seaports used by the Ukrainian military, the Russian Defense Ministry said.

Prince Harry and his family not to return to Britain permanently — The Times. A source close to the Duke and Duchess of Sussex told the newspaper that they are not sure how long their stay would last.

Indian foreign minister to arrive on two-day visit to Russia on Sunday — diplomatic agency. According to a press release, during the visit, Subrahmanyam Jaishankar will also meet Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and "exchange perspectives on regional and global issues."

Israel must seize Gaza, set up Jewish settlements there — Israeli finance minister. Bezalel Smotrich criticized US President Donald Trump’s 20-point plan for Gaza, which provides for the establishment of international forces to ensure security in the enclave.

Putin assesses Russia’s grain export potential at no less than 60 million tons. According to the Russian president, wheat is among the main items of Ukrainian exports, but logistical problems caused by Russia’s retaliatory strikes, will not lead to a shortage on global markets.