Explosions in Kyiv Oblast, attacks on American military bases in Syria: last night's highlights

Explosions rang out in Kyiv Oblast, American military bases in Syria came under missile fire, and the Pope called Dugin's daughter an "innocent victim of war." Here is what you may have missed from the previous night.

Explosions in Kyiv Oblast

Around 2:40 a.m., several explosions rang out in Vyshhorod district of Kyiv Oblast. Emergency services started working. There are currently no reports of casualties or damage.

Attacks on American bases in Syria

On August 24, the United States military bases in Syria were hit by two missile attacks by Iran-backed militants. Three American servicemen received minor injuries.

The US responded with helicopter strikes and likely killed several of the militants responsible for launching the missiles.

The Pope on the death of Dugina

Pope Francis called the deceased propagandist Daria Dugina "an innocent victim of war." He also said that he was thinking about the many wounded and "Ukrainian and Russian children who became orphans."

The ambassador of Ukraine to the Vatican criticized this statement as "one cannot talk about the aggressor and the victim in the same categories."

Fighting in the south

On the southern front, on August 24, the Russian occupying forces twice tried to advance. In particular, one sabotage and reconnaissance group tried to approach the Ukrainian observation post, but suffered losses and retreated. The enemy also tried to storm Kherson Oblast.

In turn, the Armed Forces of Ukraine destroyed 12 occupiers in the south, three pieces of equipment, an ammunition dump, and also hit the enemy's command and observation post. The aviation struck the enemy cluster, as well as the anti-aircraft defense systems in Nova Kakhovka.

Biden will call Zelenskyy

On August 25, US President Joe Biden will hold a telephone conversation with Volodymyr Zelenskyy during which the leaders will, in particular, discuss the progress of supplies of American weapons to Ukraine.

According to the coordinator of the US National Security Council, Biden currently has no plans to visit Kyiv, but "if the trip makes sense," it will be considered.

Record number of air raid alerts

On the Independence Day of Ukraine, August 24, 189 alerts were called in the regions and Kyiv. This is an absolute record since the beginning of the full-scale Russian invasion. The most were in the eastern and central regions of Ukraine.

Canada to return remaining Nord Stream turbines

At Germany's request, Canada decided to return the remaining five turbines of the Russian Nord Stream gas pipeline, which were in the country for repairs. The turbines are "stuck" in Canada due to sanctions against the Russian Federation. But even after organizing a "detour" through Germany, Russian Gazprom still hasn't picked up the first turbine.

Pseudo-referendums may happen in the next few days

The USA believes that Russian forces can hold pseudo-referendums in the occupied territories of Ukraine by the end of the week, namely in Kherson, Zaporizhzhia, Donetsk and Luhansk oblasts.

Information from the United States indicates that Russian officials are concerned about the low turnout in pseudo-referendums. But the U.S. expects vote manipulation in these "referendums," so calling out and countering this misinformation in real time will be critical.