Dispatches from Ukraine. Day 551.

As Russia’s attack on Ukraine continues and the war rages on, reliable sources of information are critical. Forbes gathers information and provides updates on the situation.

Regional.

Dnipropetrovsk region. Russian forces attacked the southeastern city of Nikopol with artillery fire on Aug. 25, regional governor Serhiy Lysak reported. The shelling took the life of a 59-year-old resident and damaged at least five private houses and two power lines. “Russia shall not be forgiven,” the official said in a Telegram social media post.

Kharkiv region. On Aug. 26, regional governor Oleg Sinegubov said a café in Podoly, a village on the outskirts of the eastern city of Kupiansk, came under Russian bombardment. The daytime attack on a public place killed two civilians, a 28-year-old woman and a 70-year-old man, and injured a 26-year-old woman. The injured woman was rushed to the hospital as her condition appeared to be critical.

On Aug. 26, Ukraine repatriated 11 children who were illegally transferred to Russia and the temporarily occupied territories of Ukraine. Save Ukraine, the humanitarian group that has been working to bring Ukrainian children home, posted footage of the kids arriving at the meet-point. The smiling children were warmly greeted by the Save Ukraine team and posed for pictures, Ukrainian flags draped over their shoulders. “I thank everyone who supports us in this challenging but crucial work,” Save Ukraine founder Dmytro Kuleba, wrote on Facebook. So far, Save Ukraine has safely repatriated 161 forcibly deported youngsters. According to Ukraine’s Commissioner for Human Rights Dmytro Lubinets, Russia has so far deported more than 19,000 Ukrainian children to the Russian Federation or occupied territories: an “insane number of the citizens of Ukraine who are practically held captive.”

Two Ukrainian L-39 fighter jets collided in the skies northwest of the capital Kyiv, the air force reported on Aug. 25. The collision, which took place in Zhytomyr province during a combat training exercise, killed all three pilots aboard, two majors and captain. Among those who died in the crash was famous ace pilot Andriy Pilshchykov, callsign “JUICE,” who defended Kyiv in fierce dog fights during the Russian onslaught at the start of the invasion and later became the face of Ukraine’s efforts to obtain F-16 fighter jets, effectively lobbying western allies in fluent English.

Front line. Top NATO military leaders met with Ukraine’s chief military commander in a secret location near the Polish-Ukrainian border, British daily The Guardian reported. Dubbed as “a council of war,” the gathering brought together top UK military leader, Admiral Sir Tony Radakin, the US Commander of European Command, General Christopher G. Cavoli, and Gen. Valerii Zaluzhnyi, head of Ukraine’s armed forces, accompanied by his entire command team. The discussions reportedly centered around energizing Ukraine’s sluggish counteroffensive and battle strategy as the third year of the full-scale war approaches.

According to The Guardian, British sources were unwilling to reveal details of the meeting’s conclusions, however, Western officials speculate that Ukraine has recently altered its combat strategy as a result of the confidential talks. One such change, the paper continued, is Ukraine’s redirected focus on the Zaporizhzhia front line, renewed control of which opens the possibility of cutting land access for the Russian forces to the Crimean Peninsula. “Russia underestimates Ukraine’s resilience and resolve, continued military strength and expertise, and the solidarity of its allies,” said Adm. Tony Radakin in a brief comment.

Sports. Ukrainian boxer Olexandr Usyk defeated his British opponent Daniel Dubois on the evening of Aug. 26 in a duel held at Tarczyński Arena in Wroclaw, Poland. The fierce battle came to an end after nine rounds through a technical knockout of Dubois. With this monumental triumph, Usyk secured his titles as WBO, WBA and IBF champion. The boxer dedicated this significant victory to Ukraine’s armed forces. Meanwhile, Ukrainian high jumper Yaroslava Mahuchikh claimed her first gold at the world championship in Budapest yesterday, Aug. 27. Mahuchikh won the competition with a jump of 2.01 meters and automatically qualified for the upcoming Paris Olympic Games.

By Daria Dzysiuk, Karina L. Tahiliani