Russia has launched one of its largest missile attacks on Kyiv, killing at least 10 people and injuring dozens as the war in Ukraine intensifies. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has renewed calls for additional Patriot air defense systems, warning that Ukraine urgently needs stronger protection against Russian ballistic missiles.

Meanwhile, Ukraine claims it struck Russian oil refineries deep inside Russian territory and targeted shipping routes in the Black Sea, while Moscow says it intercepted hundreds of Ukrainian drones. As fighting escalates, the United States says it is exploring ways to revive peace talks between Russia and Ukraine.

Russia Pounds Kyiv With Massive Missile Barrage | Ukraine Pleads For Patriot Missiles |War Escalates

<p>Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has fired chiefs of all local military recruitment centres amid corruption allegations.</p>

<p>Zelensky on Friday (August 11) said a review of Ukraine’s military recruitment centres revealed signs of massive abuse of power, including taking bribes to let military-age men cross the border despite a wartime ban.</p>

<p>In a statement issued on Friday, Zelensky said, “This system should be run by people who know exactly what war is and why cynicism and bribery during war is treason," an awakening that seems to have hit him 18 months into the war.</p>

<h2><strong>Filling vacancies now topmost priority</strong></h2>

<p>It was not known how many officials were fired but Zelensky instructed his top general Valery Zaluzhny to fill vacancies as soon as possible and implement the decisions.</p>

<p>Also, new candidates for the posts will be first vetted by Ukrainian intelligence agency SBU, to keep Russian moles at bay.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>Watch:&nbsp;Gravitas | Ukraine war: The battle reaches the skies &amp; the seas</strong></p>

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<p>The embattled president of Ukraine has made tackling graft the topmost priority as the country’s counteroffensive against Russia falters.</p>

<p>The move is also aimed at pleasing officials in US and Europe as they debate whether or not the warring nation should be admitted into NATO and the European Union (EU).</p>

<h2><strong>Move comes amidst faltering counteroffensive</strong></h2>

<p>Over the course of 18 months since Russia's invasion, Ukrainians have primarily maintained a defensive stance, thwarting Moscow's attempts to capture additional territories.&nbsp;</p>

<p>However, this summer, Ukraine decided to take the offensive way, aided by substantial Western military support. Ukraine attempted to reclaim the eastern and southern regions previously seized by the Russians.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Despite this, a glance at a comprehensive map of these areas indicates minimal change during the two months of the counter-offensive.</p>

<p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/ukraine-minister-vows-to-go-after-army-commanders-accused-of-sexual-harassment-624483"><strong>Also read:&nbsp;Ukraine minister vows to go after army commanders accused of sexual harassment</strong></a></p>

<p>Currently, Russia continues to occupy nearly one-fifth of Ukraine, which includes strategic cities like Donetsk in the east and Mariupol, captured after a prolonged siege.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Their forces remain deeply entrenched. Notably, the situation has remained relatively static since November 2022, when Ukraine last made significant gains by reclaiming Kherson in the south along with substantial portions of the northeast.</p>

<h2><strong>Silver lining for Ukraine</strong></h2>

<p>But Ukraine has reported small successes too, including the retaking of Staromaiorske village in Donetsk, as reported by BBC.</p>

<p>The village lies in the eastern region near Bakhmut, where fierce clashes have occurred.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Additionally, Ukraine has managed to regain control over some small areas previously lost earlier in the summer.</p>

<p>Additional progress has been made in the Zaporizhzhia region to the south, a crucial area where Ukraine's decisive efforts are essential.</p>

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Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has fired chiefs of all local military recruitment centres amid corruption allegations. Zelensky on Friday (August 11) said a review of Ukraine’s military recruitment centres revealed signs of massive abuse of power, including taking bribes to let military-age men cross the border despite a wartime ban.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has fired chiefs of all local military recruitment centres amid corruption allegations. Zelensky on Friday (August 11) said a review of Ukraine’s military recruitment centres revealed signs of massive abuse of power, including taking bribes to let military-age men cross the border despite a wartime ban. In a statement issued on Friday, Zelensky said, “This system should be run by people who know exactly what war is and why cynicism and bribery during war is treason," an awakening that seems to have hit him 18 months into the war. Filling vacancies now topmost priority It was not known how many officials were fired but Zelensky instructed his top general Valery Zaluzhny to fill vacancies as soon as possible and implement the decisions. Also, new candidates for the posts will be first vetted by Ukrainian intelligence agency SBU, to keep Russian moles at bay. Watch: Gravitas | Ukraine war: The battle reaches the skies & the seas × The embattled president of Ukraine has made tackling graft the topmost priority as the country’s counteroffensive against Russia falters. The move is also aimed at pleasing officials in US and Europe as they debate whether or not the warring nation should be admitted into NATO and the European Union (EU). Move comes amidst faltering counteroffensive Over the course of 18 months since Russia's invasion, Ukrainians have primarily maintained a defensive stance, thwarting Moscow's attempts to capture additional territories. However, this summer, Ukraine decided to take the offensive way, aided by substantial Western military support. Ukraine attempted to reclaim the eastern and southern regions previously seized by the Russians. Despite this, a glance at a comprehensive map of these areas indicates minimal change during the two months of the counter-offensive. Also read: Ukraine minister vows to go after army commanders accused of sexual harassment Currently, Russia continues to occupy nearly one-fifth of Ukraine, which includes strategic cities like Donetsk in the east and Mariupol, captured after a prolonged siege. Their forces remain deeply entrenched. Notably, the situation has remained relatively static since November 2022, when Ukraine last made significant gains by reclaiming Kherson in the south along with substantial portions of the northeast. Silver lining for Ukraine But Ukraine has reported small successes too, including the retaking of Staromaiorske village in Donetsk, as reported by BBC. The village lies in the eastern region near Bakhmut, where fierce clashes have occurred. Additionally, Ukraine has managed to regain control over some small areas previously lost earlier in the summer. Additional progress has been made in the Zaporizhzhia region to the south, a crucial area where Ukraine's decisive efforts are essential. WATCH WION LIVE HERE ×

Ukraine fires chiefs of local military recruitment centres amid corruption allegations

<p><strong><em>Disclaimer: A number of claims and counterclaims are being made on the Ukraine-Russia conflict on the ground and online. While WION takes utmost care to accurately report this developing news story, we cannot independently verify the authenticity of all statements, photos and videos.</em></strong></p>

<p lang="EN-US" paraeid="{9c5390cb-886c-495d-8da1-b31b7748dc3e}{167}" paraid="365884589" >The Ukrainian government said on Friday that its defence forces were able to recapture 88 towns and villages in the Kherson region. The announcement marked a huge achievement for Ukraine as Kherson was one of the four regions that Russia had “annexed” through the series of referendums.&nbsp;</p>

<p lang="EN-US" paraeid="{43170fcb-7679-4215-88ff-615fd6a12572}{117}" paraid="1887429639" >"Kherson region: 88 settlements de-occupied," Kyrylo Tymoshenko, deputy head of the Ukrainian president's office, said on Telegram according to a report by Reuters.&nbsp;</p>

<p lang="EN-US" paraeid="{43170fcb-7679-4215-88ff-615fd6a12572}{117}" paraid="1887429639" >Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/uk-politics-live-updates-johnson-sunak-and-mordaunt-lead-race-for-new-pm-527380">UK Politics LIVE: Sunak leads race to become new PM, Mordaunt to compete</a></p>

<p lang="EN-US" paraeid="{8e60e914-585c-449c-88b7-66a782130735}{132}" paraid="1609889132" >The Ukrainian military was able to de-occupy 551 settlements in the Kharkiv region and as many as 1685 war crimes were registered against the Russian forces. &nbsp;</p>

<p lang="EN-US" paraeid="{9d92403e-377c-4294-a64a-6788d6e4152a}{138}" paraid="699995047" >Tymoshenko took to social media to inform that the government was finally able to provide aid to the people in the Beryslav district and power was restored in several parts of the country.&nbsp;</p>

<p lang="EN-US" paraeid="{8e60e914-585c-449c-88b7-66a782130735}{149}" paraid="11844086" >Meanwhile, a spokesperson for the Russian defence ministry said that a journalist was killed, and 10 others were injured as Ukraine attacked a bridge in the Kherson region on Friday.&nbsp;</p>

<p lang="EN-US" paraeid="{8e60e914-585c-449c-88b7-66a782130735}{149}" paraid="11844086" >Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/imran-khan-barred-from-holding-public-office-by-pakistan-election-commission-527352" hreflang="en">Pakistan poll panel bars Imran Khan from running for public office for 5 years</a></p>

<p lang="EN-US" paraeid="{df949680-0639-4c2a-8290-2413e803a91a}{215}" paraid="611692015" >"Out of the journalists 10 were injured, one was killed," the statement read according to AFP.&nbsp;</p>

<p lang="EN-US" paraeid="{827de2fc-e5a2-4943-85f4-312634148d7a}{184}" paraid="2019695284" >Meanwhile, the European Union will be providing Ukraine with $17.6 million in financial aid over the next year. The announcement was made after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said that the ongoing crisis can result in a massive economic crisis and refugee exodus in the country.&nbsp;</p>

<p lang="EN-US" paraeid="{c4b3fe35-f459-4c8f-82b4-3e1195b15703}{46}" paraid="2012111186" >“Ukraine is telling us that they need approximately 3-4 billion euros per month to have enough resources for the basics,” European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said. &nbsp;</p>

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Disclaimer: A number of claims and counterclaims are being made on the Ukraine-Russia conflict on the ground and online. While WION takes utmost care to accurately report this developing news story, we cannot independently verify the authenticity of all statements, photos and videos.

Disclaimer: A number of claims and counterclaims are being made on the Ukraine-Russia conflict on the ground and online. While WION takes utmost care to accurately report this developing news story, we cannot independently verify the authenticity of all statements, photos and videos. The Ukrainian government said on Friday that its defence forces were able to recapture 88 towns and villages in the Kherson region. The announcement marked a huge achievement for Ukraine as Kherson was one of the four regions that Russia had “annexed” through the series of referendums. "Kherson region: 88 settlements de-occupied," Kyrylo Tymoshenko, deputy head of the Ukrainian president's office, said on Telegram according to a report by Reuters. Also read | UK Politics LIVE: Sunak leads race to become new PM, Mordaunt to compete The Ukrainian military was able to de-occupy 551 settlements in the Kharkiv region and as many as 1685 war crimes were registered against the Russian forces. Tymoshenko took to social media to inform that the government was finally able to provide aid to the people in the Beryslav district and power was restored in several parts of the country. Meanwhile, a spokesperson for the Russian defence ministry said that a journalist was killed, and 10 others were injured as Ukraine attacked a bridge in the Kherson region on Friday. Also read | Pakistan poll panel bars Imran Khan from running for public office for 5 years "Out of the journalists 10 were injured, one was killed," the statement read according to AFP. Meanwhile, the European Union will be providing Ukraine with $17.6 million in financial aid over the next year. The announcement was made after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said that the ongoing crisis can result in a massive economic crisis and refugee exodus in the country. “Ukraine is telling us that they need approximately 3-4 billion euros per month to have enough resources for the basics,” European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said.

88 towns and villages in Kherson region recaptured by our military, claims Ukraine

<p>In a Russian missile strike, a runway of an airport in the southwestern port of Odesa has been damaged, making it unusable, the Ukrainian military said on Saturday. &nbsp;</p>

<p>"As a result of a missile attack in the Odesa region, the runway at Odesa airport was damaged. Its further use is impossible," the Ukrainian military said. &nbsp;&nbsp;</p>

<p>This comes as Russian armed forces have claimed to hit 17 Ukrainian military facilities on Saturday. &nbsp;&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/surprising-in-three-months-five-russian-oligarchs-found-dead-families-of-3-businessmen-killed-too-475202" hreflang="en">In three months, five Russian oligarchs found dead; families of 3 killed too</a></strong></p>

<p>The Russians said that they used high-precision missiles. They have also claimed to destroy a command post and a warehouse, which was used to store rockets and artillery. &nbsp;</p>

<p>During the day, air force strikes killed over 200 Ukrainian troops and destroyed 23 armoured vehicles, the defence ministry said in an online post. &nbsp;</p>

<p>It did not say anything about the attack on the Odesa airport. &nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>Watch:&nbsp;Report by a think tank: US &amp; EU import oil from Russia despite attack on Ukraine</strong></p>

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<p>Meanwhile, in remarks published on Russian foreign ministry's website, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov had said that lifting Western sanctions on Russia was a part of the talks. But it was denied by senior Ukrainian negotiator Mykhailo Podolyak. &nbsp;&nbsp;</p>

<p>A prisoner exchange was also held by Ukraine with Russia on Saturday. In it, seven soldiers and seven civilians came home, said deputy prime minister Iryna Vereshchuk in an online post. However, she did not say how many Russians were transferred. &nbsp;&nbsp;</p>

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<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>


In a Russian missile strike, a runway of an airport in the southwestern port of Odesa has been damaged, making it unusable, the Ukrainian military said on Saturday.

In a Russian missile strike, a runway of an airport in the southwestern port of Odesa has been damaged, making it unusable, the Ukrainian military said on Saturday. "As a result of a missile attack in the Odesa region, the runway at Odesa airport was damaged. Its further use is impossible," the Ukrainian military said. This comes as Russian armed forces have claimed to hit 17 Ukrainian military facilities on Saturday. Also Read: In three months, five Russian oligarchs found dead; families of 3 killed too The Russians said that they used high-precision missiles. They have also claimed to destroy a command post and a warehouse, which was used to store rockets and artillery. During the day, air force strikes killed over 200 Ukrainian troops and destroyed 23 armoured vehicles, the defence ministry said in an online post. It did not say anything about the attack on the Odesa airport. Watch: Report by a think tank: US & EU import oil from Russia despite attack on Ukraine × Meanwhile, in remarks published on Russian foreign ministry's website, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov had said that lifting Western sanctions on Russia was a part of the talks. But it was denied by senior Ukrainian negotiator Mykhailo Podolyak. A prisoner exchange was also held by Ukraine with Russia on Saturday. In it, seven soldiers and seven civilians came home, said deputy prime minister Iryna Vereshchuk in an online post. However, she did not say how many Russians were transferred. WATCH WION LIVE HERE (With inputs from agencies)

In Russian missile strike, Odesa airport gets damaged, says Ukrainian military  