Sarah Rainsford

Ukrainian-born prisoners captured while fighting for Russia describe how occupation, Russian schooling and propaganda, family identity, financial incentives, coercion and criminal convictions led them to enlist. Most interviewed volunteers from Donbas identify as Russian and support Moscow’s aims, while others express disillusionment, regret or a desire to avoid returning to the front. The report highlights heavy casualties, declining recruitment, unequal pay, forced conscription in occupied areas and the low priority Russia appears to give to exchanging these prisoners for Ukrainian soldiers.

A BBC investigation into Ukrainian-born prisoners captured while fighting for Russia finds that most came from territories occupied since 2014 and volunteered because of Russian identity, anti-Kyiv narratives, financial incentives or criminal convictions. Some prisoners remain committed to Vladimir Putin and Russia, while others describe coercion, poor treatment, unpaid enlistment bonuses and disillusionment with the war. The reporting highlights how Russian schooling and propaganda have shaped a generation in the occupied Donbas, as well as the difficulty Ukraine faces in treating these men as both citizens accused of treason and prisoners of war. Ukrainian authorities prioritize exchanges to recover their own troops, but Russia appears reluctant to accept many of the Ukrainian-born prisoners in return.

German authorities are investigating how a drone carrying explosives reached a runway at Leipzig airport, where it was found near Ukrainian Antonov cargo planes and possibly collided with a DHL aircraft. Although there is no proof linking the device to Russia, the incident has revived concerns about hybrid warfare and resembles a 2024 Russian-linked sabotage plot involving incendiary devices, explosives and drone components moved through Lithuania, Poland and Germany. Experts suggest the device may have been intended less to cause major physical damage than to frighten Germany and weaken support for Ukraine. NATO and Antonov Airlines have acknowledged the incident cautiously, while investigators continue to determine who launched the drone and whether a second device was involved.

A mass influx of migrants, mostly Moroccans, attempted to reach Spain’s North African city of Ceuta by swimming on 31 July, leaving at least 72 people dead and most survivors returned to Morocco. Social media posts promoting an apparently open route to Spain helped trigger the movement, but it remains unclear whether the surge was spontaneous or deliberately organized. Spain’s Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez blamed traffickers for misrepresenting legal rulings, while Italy’s Giorgia Meloni and other European politicians used the crisis to criticize Spain’s migration policies and call for stronger external borders. Morocco blamed criminal organizations, although tensions between Rabat and Madrid remain. Spain is reinforcing Ceuta’s maritime and land defenses, while the episode is expected to strengthen Europe’s populist right and deepen divisions over migration.

A sudden mass influx of mostly Moroccan migrants into Spain’s North African territory of Ceuta left at least 67 people dead and triggered a political backlash across Europe. Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez accused Italy and other EU countries of exploiting the crisis, while Giorgia Meloni’s Fratelli d’Italia used images of the arrivals to attack Spain’s migration policy and bolster its anti-immigration credentials ahead of elections. The episode followed the spread of misleading social-media claims that Spain was opening its borders, though questions remain over whether the movement was spontaneous or deliberately organized. Possible beneficiaries include Europe’s populist right and Russia, while tensions with Morocco have also resurfaced. Spain is reinforcing Ceuta’s maritime border, and EU interior ministers are expected to discuss stronger external-border controls.

Thousands of migrants swam from Morocco toward Spain's Ceuta enclave after misleading social-media posts suggested that Spain was open to arrivals. At least 72 people died, while most survivors were returned to Morocco. The incident has intensified European divisions over migration, with Italy's Giorgia Meloni and other populist forces attacking Spain's policies and Spain's Pedro Sánchez accusing them of exploiting the crisis. The origins of the online mobilisation remain unclear, with possible roles for smugglers, criminal groups or deliberate political manipulation. Spain is reinforcing Ceuta's maritime border, while EU ministers prepare to discuss tougher external-border controls.

Tens of thousands of migrants swam from Morocco into Spain’s Ceuta enclave, leaving at least 72 people dead, although most arrivals were later escorted back to Morocco. The episode has intensified European divisions over migration, with Italy’s Giorgia Meloni criticizing Spain, suspending the Schengen arrangement with Spain temporarily and backing calls to eliminate policies seen as pull factors. Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez argues that social-media posts misrepresented a Spanish court ruling and promised migrants an easy route into Europe. The article also examines speculation that the surge may have been deliberately organized, while noting that Russia, Donald Trump and European far-right forces have used it to advance political narratives. Spain is reinforcing Ceuta’s maritime border, and EU interior ministers are expected to discuss stronger external-border controls.

Spain deployed troops to reinforce security in Ceuta after an estimated 2,000 to 3,000 people crossed from Morocco by swimming, with at least 18 reported dead. Reception centers became overwhelmed, and local authorities criticized Madrid’s delayed response. Spain said it was coordinating with Morocco to return arrivals, while the Spanish Interior Ministry blamed human-trafficking networks. The influx also triggered tensions with Italy after Giorgia Meloni and Antonio Tajani raised the possibility of extraordinary measures involving the Schengen agreement, prompting a strong rebuke from Spanish Foreign Minister José Manuel Albares.

Ukraine faces escalating violence and public resistance to military recruitment as attacks on enlistment officers rise and complaints of abuses by recruiters increase. Leadership changes, including the dismissal of the defence minister, stall efforts to reform the system amid a growing manpower shortage at the front. Personal accounts from soldiers and civilians highlight fear of frontline deployment, allegations of coercive recruitment practices, and deep societal tensions over conscription during the prolonged war with Russia.

Violence surrounding Ukraine’s conscription efforts is increasing as both recruitment officers and civilians report assaults amid widespread reluctance to join the military in the fifth year of the war with Russia. Incidents include attacks on recruiters, clashes in Lviv and claims of unlawful detentions and beatings by draft patrols. President Volodymyr Zelensky’s dismissal of Defence Minister Mykhailo Fedorov has stalled reform efforts intended to improve recruitment conditions, including better pay and structured contracts. Ukraine acknowledges the growing mobilisation crisis but lacks a clear solution as fear of frontline combat fuels resistance to service.

Violence surrounding Ukraine’s military recruitment has escalated as assaults on both draft officers and civilians increase amid severe manpower shortages in the fifth year of Russia’s invasion. Soldiers and civilians describe being beaten during document checks and forced recruitment drives, while authorities report growing aggression toward draft officers, including stabbings and riots. President Zelensky has condemned attacks on soldiers, but leadership upheaval in the defence ministry has stalled reforms intended to improve recruitment conditions. Proposals include shifting draft patrols to police and improving training, but no long-term solution is in place as public fear and resistance to mobilisation deepen.

A Ukrainian military intelligence officer and a former security service employee were denied bail in Kyiv after being charged with the premeditated murder of Anastasiia Berezovska, the prime suspect in a recent Monaco bombing attempt. Vladyslav Reut, who initially confessed and led investigators to the burial site, retracted his statement in court and accused co-defendant Vitalii Zhykovych of carrying out the killing. Prosecutors say both men acted in coordination, citing financial links and phone records tying them to Berezovska. Motives remain unclear, with investigators examining multiple theories ranging from corruption to organised crime, while authorities continue to withhold details to avoid compromising the case.

A Ukrainian intelligence officer who initially confessed to killing the woman suspected of carrying out a Monaco bomb attack has retracted his statement in court, accusing a co‑defendant of the shooting. Investigators used phone data and financial transfers to link both men to the victim, whose body was found in a forest near Kyiv. Prosecutors claim the two acted together, while both suspects deny responsibility and offer conflicting accounts. Authorities are examining multiple possible motives as both men remain in custody during the ongoing investigation.

Zelenskiy urged NATO members at the Ankara summit to urgently supply air defense systems amid intensified Russian missile attacks on Kyiv. Recent strikes have killed civilians and exposed Ukraine’s shortage of Patriot interceptors capable of countering ballistic missiles. Trump is expected to meet Zelenskiy, with both sides signaling interest in potential negotiations that would pressure Putin toward acceptable terms. NATO leaders, including Mark Rutte, emphasized continued support for Ukraine as Ukrainian drone attacks have increasingly disrupted Russian infrastructure. The situation underscores Ukraine’s need for more missile defense capacity to protect cities and maintain battlefield momentum.

Ukraine seeks additional Nato-backed air defence systems as Russian ballistic strikes intensify and expose shortages of US-made Patriot interceptors. Zelensky aims to press allies, including Donald Trump, at the Ankara summit while highlighting Ukraine’s drone strikes on Russian infrastructure that have caused fuel shortages and power cuts. Kyiv argues increased pressure could push Russia toward acceptable peace talks, but securing adequate interceptor supplies remains critical to protecting Ukrainian cities and sustaining its strategy.

Ukraine urges Nato members to supply additional air defence systems after intensified Russian missile strikes on Kyiv killed dozens. Zelensky seeks to use the Ankara summit, including a meeting with Donald Trump, to argue that Russia’s reliance on ballistic missiles reflects weakness and that increased support could pressure Putin toward negotiations. Ukraine’s long‑range drone campaign has disrupted Russian fuel supplies and exposed gaps in Russian air defences, while ongoing strikes in Crimea have caused significant shortages. Kyiv argues that more interceptor missiles are essential to protect civilians and sustain momentum before winter.