Overview

• Russia and Ukraine exchanged 146 prisoners each on August 24 in a swap mediated by the United Arab Emirates, according to official statements from both sides.
• Kyiv says its forces retook four localities in Donetsk—Mijailivka, Zeleni Hai, Volodimirivka and Novomijailivka—while Moscow claims the capture of Kleban-Byk near Konstantinivka, with both sets of battlefield gains unverified by independent sources.
• Ukraine’s security service claimed a drone strike on Novatek facilities at the Russian port of Ust‑Luga, and a separate Ukrainian drone downed near the Kursk nuclear plant damaged an auxiliary transformer without affecting radiation levels.
• President Donald Trump sent Zelenski a letter backing a negotiated settlement for a durable peace as Zelenski called for a direct meeting with Putin, but Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said an agenda is not ready and no summit is scheduled.
• Canada announced CA$2 billion in military aid including drones and armored vehicles, and U.S. Vice President J. D. Vance said additional sanctions on Russia remain possible while citing recent Russian concessions in talks.