Popular Ukrainian Official Raises Stakes Against Zelensky With Election Call: Democracy Held 'Hostage'

"Ukrainian President Zelensky is once again under immense internal pressure, amid new corruption investigations which run straight through the presidential office as well as growing calls to finally hold elections despite the ongoing war with Russia.

Mykhailo Fedorov, the country's popular young former defense minister and a longtime political ally of Zelensky - who was dismissed just last month largely as a result of tensions between him and army chief Oleksandr Syrskyi - stunned Kiev's political establishment this week by issuing a video address urgently calling for a path to elections.
"We have to answer a fundamental question – how should a state function, if the war has lasted for years?" Fedorov said in the nine-minute-long YouTube video. "Can Russia actually be entitled to define when Ukrainians can elect their authorities next time? I’m sure it’s not. Democracy can’t be Russia’s hostage," he said." Zerohedge

Drone attack reported on oil refinery in Russia's Perm

"A drone attack was reported at an oil refinery in Russia's Perm Krai, according to Telegram media channels.
Videos shared by Ukrainian Telegram channel Exilenova+ purportedly show explosions and a fire in Perm, a city roughly 1,500 kilometers (930 miles) from Ukraine.
Exilenova+ said local residents reported a series of explosions at the refinery. OSINT analysts from ASTRA, an independent Russian Telegram channel, geolocated footage showing smoke rising near the Lukoil-Permnefteorgsintez oil refinery." KI

5.6 Earthquake - 67 km NNW of Ende, Indonesia

"A strong magnitude 5.6 earthquake occurred in the Flores Sea near the coast of East Nusa Tenggara, Indonesia, in the early morning at 2.12 am local time (GMT +8). The depth of the quake could not be determined, but is assumed to be shallow. The quake was felt by many near the epicenter." VD

6.7 Earthquake - Ayacucho, 111 km south of Andahuaylas, Region de Apurimac, Peru

"A very strong magnitude 6.7 earthquake hit 111 km (69 mi) away from Andahuaylas, Region de Apurimac, Peru, around noon of Thursday, Aug 20, 2026 at 1.00 pm local time (America/Lima GMT -5). The quake had a moderate depth of 99 km (62 mi) and was felt over a large region." VD

238 combat clashes over past day

"Ukrainian forces and Russian troops engaged in 238 combat clashes over the past day.
In the Northern Slobozhanshchyna and Kursk sectors, Ukrainian forces repelled three Russian assaults. Russian forces also carried out three airstrikes, dropping six bombs, and shelled Ukrainian positions and settlements 53 times, including twice with multiple rocket launchers.

In the Southern Slobozhanshchyna sector, Ukrainian forces repelled eight Russian attacks. Russian troops attempted to advance toward Lyman, Izybytske and Okhrimivka, as well as near Starytsia.
In the Kupiansk sector, Russian forces launched 15 offensive actions toward Radkivka and Hlushkivka.
In the Lyman sector, Ukrainian forces repelled six Russian attempts to breach their defenses toward Lyman, Novosеrhiivka and Drobyshеve, as well as near Novoselivka.
In the Sloviansk sector, Russian forces carried out 15 assaults toward Ozerne, Orikhuvatka and Rai-Oleksandrivka, as well as near Kryva Luka and Riznykivka.
In the Kramatorsk sector, Russian troops launched two offensive actions near Nykyforivka and Minkivka.
In the Kostiantynivka sector, 26 Russian attacks were recorded. Russian forces conducted assaults near Kostiantynivka, Ivanopillia, Illinivka and Novoselivka, as well as toward Stepanivka, Dovha Balka and Vilne.
In the Pokrovsk sector, Russian forces launched 32 attacks. They attempted to advance near Dorozhnie, Novooleksandrivka, Udachne and Kotlyne, as well as toward Novyi Donbas, Biliakivka, Bilytske, Hannivka, Svitle, Shevchenko, Myrne, Vasylivka, Serhiivka and Novopavlivka.
In the Oleksandrivka sector, Russian forces launched three attacks toward Nove Zaporizhzhia and near Zaporizke and Rybne.
In the Huliaipole sector, Russian forces attacked Ukrainian positions 16 times, attempting to advance toward Verkhnia Tersa, Charivne, Vozdvyzhivka, Rivne and Dolynka, as well as near Bilohiria.
In the Orikhiv sector, Ukrainian forces stopped three Russian attempts to advance near Plavni and toward Mala Tokmachka and Novoandriivka.
In the Dnipro River sector, Russian forces conducted no offensive operations.
In the Volyn and Polissia sectors, no signs of Russian forces forming offensive groupings were detected." Ukrin