Ukraine-Russia War: 2026-08-14

Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk said authorities detained a Russian man on Aug. 7 for planning to assassinate a U.S.-Ukrainian dual citizen in Warsaw, acting on orders from Russian special services. Tusk called it the first known attempt on Russian orders to kill an American citizen on another NATO country's soil. He did not name the suspect or the intended target.

Ukraine's General Staff said forces hit the Gazprom Neftekhim Salavat oil refining and petrochemical complex overnight on Aug. 13. The plant is about 1,300 km from Ukraine and processes up to 10 million tonnes of crude a year, producing gasoline, diesel and other products. The facility was previously hit on July 14. Local Russian officials have also reported drone debris and a fire near industrial areas in Salavat.

Orenburg Oblast Governor Yevgeny Solntsev said the Orsknefteorgsintez refinery has completely halted processing after a recent Ukrainian drone strike damaged key infrastructure. He said imported equipment and sanctions mean repairs could take up to six months. Ukraine's General Staff said the plant, more than 1,300 km from Ukraine with about 6 million tonnes of annual capacity, was hit on Aug. 11.