One of the leaders of the Strong Georgia party, Aleko Elisashvili, has been sentenced in absentia to six years in prison in Russia. According to the Investigative Committee of the Russian Federation, he took part in hostilities on the side of Ukraine as a mercenary (Part 3 of Article 359 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation).

France extradited Ruslan Botashev, a native of Karachay-Cherkessia, to Russia, accused of terrorist activity. According to Russian investigators, in 2014, the man was trained at the Syrian Muaskar-Sabri militant training camp, and then joined the ranks of the Islamic State organization.

Today marks 33 years since the start of the bloodiest war in Georgia's modern history. Commemorative events are taking place across the country. In the morning, veterans, family members of the victims and activists gathered at the Heroes' Memorial in the center of the capital. The memory of the victims of the conflict was honored by members of the Abkhaz government and the Supreme Council in exile, Deputy Minister of Defense of Georgia Grigol Giorgadze and Deputy Commander of the Armed Forces, Chief of the General Staff Major General Johnny Tatunashvili.

Russian officials have expressed concern about possible arms supplies from Azerbaijan to Ukraine. Alexey Chepa, First Deputy Chairman of the State Duma Committee on International Affairs, voiced hope that Azerbaijan will not take this step. He also noted that there are forces, in particular Great Britain, that seek to worsen relations between Russia and Azerbaijan, putting pressure on Moscow both from within and from without.

The search for 7-year-old Dzhabrail Mudaev from the village of Verkhniy Naur has ended in Chechnya. Early in the morning of August 8, the child left home and did not return, and for several days rescuers and volunteers surveyed the area along the Terek River using aircraft.

Against the backdrop of reports that Azerbaijan may lift the embargo on arms supplies to Ukraine, Russian Foreign Ministry spokesman Alexei Fadeyev said that Moscow believes that such actions do not contribute to a peaceful resolution of the conflict.

Residents of Ingushetia continue to experience problems with mobile internet, which began in July. Many report a virtually complete lack of connection, which makes it difficult to use instant messengers, banking applications, and taxi services.

The joint Armenian-American exercises EAGLE PARTNER 2025 have begun in Armenia. They will last from August 12 to 20. The goal of the event is to prepare for participation in international peacekeeping operations.