Russia destroyed an American factory owned by Mondelēz in Sumy Oblast
On August 23, 2026, Russian forces struck the Mondelēz International confectionery factory in Trostyanets, Sumy region, with drones. Two drones hit the facility, damaging administrative and production buildings and injuring five workers — two men and three women. There were no fatalities. This marked the third attack on the same plant in 2026, following earlier strikes in February and June.
The factory has been operating since 1994 and was one of the first major American investments in independent Ukraine. Before the full-scale invasion it employed around 1,500 people. It produces a range of well-known brands, including Korona and Milka chocolate, Oreo cookies, Tuc and Belvita biscuits, Lux snacks, and Barni products. Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha called the attack a deliberate strike against American business interests in Europe and urged stronger military support for Ukraine, particularly improved air defenses.
Putin is banking on Russia being able to outlast Ukraine
According to the latest Bloomberg report, the war is likely to drag on for years, as Russian President Vladimir Putin is betting that Russia can simply outlast Ukraine. Despite Putin’s expectations, Ukraine is not losing the conflict after five years of full-scale fighting and shows little sign of collapsing in the near future.
At the same time, Putin’s leadership is entering a period of growing vulnerability. Economic strains are rising, pressure from elites is increasing, and the gap between official propaganda and the actual situation in the military, economy, and society continues to widen. Still, Russia has not yet reached a point of collapse.
Although few Russians genuinely support Putin or the war, a majority continue to view Ukraine as a legitimate part of Russia. Their history demonstrates a long-standing willingness to endure significant hardship and adversity in pursuit of territorial or strategic goals.
Russian drone hits train in Kharkiv Oblast: several killed and injured
A Russian drone struck a Lozova-Kharkiv electric train in Kharkiv Oblast, killing two passengers and injuring five others, including a child, Ukrainian officials said.
The train had been stopped at Lymanivka station, and passengers were evacuated before the strike. However, some people remained near the train when the drone hit. One woman was killed at the scene, while another 34-year-old woman later died in hospital from burns covering 90% of her body.
The victim’s 11-year-old daughter was also injured and suffered severe burns. Doctors stabilized her condition, while several other seriously injured passengers were transferred to hospitals in Kharkiv.
Officials said Russian forces struck the train again while emergency crews were working at the scene, although no additional casualties were reported. Authorities urged passengers to follow evacuation instructions and stay away from trains and railway infrastructure during periods of repeated drone attacks.
Earlier, a jet-powered Shahed drone struck a passenger train in Odesa Oblast
At 9:52 am, a jet-powered drone struck the locomotive of passenger train No. 147 traveling from Zhytomyr to Odesa in Odesa Oblast, but passengers and railway staff were evacuated before the attack, Ukrainian Railways said.
The train was urgently stopped between stations after Ukrzaliznytsia’s monitoring team detected the threat. No passengers or railway workers were injured.
There were 593 passengers on board, including 15 children. Ukrzaliznytsia is arranging alternative transportation to Odesa for the passengers.
Ukraine hits two Russian fighter jets and eight radars
Ukraine’s Unmanned Systems Forces (USF) Commander Robert “Magyar” Brovdi reported a successful aerial attack on two Russian fighter jets, eight radar systems and several air defense assets in Russia and occupied Crimea.
According to Brovdi, Ukrainian forces hit 14 Russian military assets in total — 11 in Rostov Oblast and Krasnodar Krai and three in occupied Crimea. The targets included Su-33 and MiG-29 fighter jets and an Orion reconnaissance and attack drone near Vityazevo in Krasnodar Krai.
The strikes also destroyed or damaged eight radar systems: two Nebo-Us, two Kasta 2E2s, two Podlyot radars, one 36D6M and one ST-68. Ukrainian forces additionally struck an S-400 air defense position in Gelendzhik, a Tor air defense system in Rostov Oblast and a Pantsir-S1 system in Yeisk.