Russia launched a massive strike on Ukraine, targeting multiple cities with swarms of drones, Kalibr missiles, Kinzhals, and cruise missiles.

Residential buildings and energy infrastructure were hit.

BIG: South Korea is pursuing $15B in potential arms deals with the UAE, centered on joint development and possible sales of the KF-21 fighter jet.

The UAE’s interest follows stalled talks with the U.S. over the F-35 and limited alternatives like Russia’s Su-57E.

Source: Bloomberg

Map showing last night’s Russian attack on Ukraine, displaying the approximate route of UAVs and missiles.

Footage of a destroyed building in Ukraine's Ternopil.

Russia attacked the city with missiles and UAVs.

Fethullah Gülen, the head of the FETÖ terrorist organization responsible for the July 15, 2016 coup attempt in Türkiye, had his U.S. lawyer Reid Weingarten send a favorable Wall Street Journal article directly to Jeffrey Epstein on August 5, 2016—just days after the failed coup attempt.

By forwarding this positive coverage to Epstein while copying senior FETÖ figure Yüksel Alp Aslandoğan, Gülen's network explicitly sought assistance and influence through Epstein's powerful U.S. connections at a critical moment when Türkiye was urgently demanding the extradition of the terrorist Gülen.

Russian drone strikes hit residential areas in Kharkiv overnight, injuring 32 people, including two children, and sparking major fires.

Top U.S. Army leaders Dan Driscoll and Gen. Randy George made an unannounced trip to Kyiv — the highest-level Trump administration visit to Ukraine so far — to push forward stalled peace efforts with Russia and expand U.S.–Ukraine tech-sharing, especially on drones.

Source: POLITICO

Zelensky:

Russia launched more than 470 attack drones and 48 missiles of various types—ballistic and cruise—at Ukraine overnight.

Rep. Thomas Massie:

Epstein had close ties to our own intelligence agencies and Israel's intelligence agencies.

Italy’s Defense Minister Guido Crosetto warns that Russia is already waging a “hybrid war” against Europe—targeting infrastructure, elections, public opinion, and supply chains—and says Western inaction is “absurd.”

He argues the EU and NATO are too slow and must urgently step up with stronger cyber, AI, and disinformation defenses, warning Russia could win by attrition.

Crosetto proposes a new EU hybrid-war center and a 1,500-member cyber force.

Source: POLITICO

The U.S. has approved a potential $105M package to support and upgrade Ukraine’s Patriot air defense systems.

It includes upgrading M901 launchers to M903, plus spare parts, training, and logistics support.

Greece and Ukraine will jointly produce naval drones in Greek shipyards for both countries’ armed forces.

Source: Kathimerini

The UK will build a network of new munitions factories—its first major domestic explosives production in nearly 20 years—to strengthen war readiness and support Ukraine.

Backed by £1.5 billion in new funding, at least 13 sites are planned, with the first factory starting construction next year.

The factories will produce explosives, propellants, pyrotechnics, and other key components.

Source: Reuters

NEW: The U.S. approved a nearly $700 million sale of NASAMS air-defence missile systems to Taiwan — its second arms package in a week, bringing the total to $1 billion.

Source: Reuters

Nigeria: Militants stormed a church in Kwara state, killing three people in the attack.

NEW: China has reinstated its ban on Japanese seafood imports.

Poland will close Russia’s consulate in Gdańsk and plans more actions after an explosion damaged a key rail line to Ukraine.

Foreign Minister Sikorski called it “state terrorism,” saying the blast was meant to cause casualties.

Paramount’s chief David Ellison has held early talks with Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF) and other Gulf investors about possibly backing a bid to acquire Warner Bros Discovery.

The investors showed independent interest, but no agreements have been reached.

Saudi Arabia has been expanding its investments in global entertainment and recently backed major deals.

Source: FT

White House:

President Trump and Crown Prince MBS announced new agreements expanding U.S.–Saudi cooperation in investment, energy, technology, defense, and trade.

Key Agreements:

Civil Nuclear Cooperation: Framework completed for long-term U.S.–Saudi collaboration on civilian nuclear energy under nonproliferation standards.

Critical Minerals: New partnership to diversify and secure essential mineral supply chains.

Artificial Intelligence: Memorandum of Understanding expanding Saudi access to U.S. AI systems with technology protections.

Economic and Trade Cooperation:

Saudi investment commitments in the United States increased to almost $1 trillion.

New Treasury–Finance Ministry agreements expand cooperation on capital markets and financial regulation.

Defense and Security:

Strategic Defense Agreement (SDA): Reinforces the longstanding defense partnership and regional security cooperation.

Defense Sales: Agreements include future F-35 deliveries and a Saudi purchase of nearly 300 U.S.-made tanks.

Zelensky will meet with top U.S. Army officials in Kyiv on Thursday.

Source: Reuters