Ukraine and Russia: What you need to know

* The United States has intelligence Russia is planning to launch fresh attacks against Ukraine's civilian infrastructure and government facilities soon, a US official said on Monday, citing downgraded intelligence.

* Russian rockets fired at Nikopol, Krivyi Rih and Synelnykovsky, all close to the Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant - the largest such facility in Europe - injured at least four people overnight, regional Governor Valentyn Reznichenko wrote on Telegram.

Reuters could not independently confirm the battlefield reports.

* Nearly 9000 Ukrainian military personnel have been killed in the war with Russia, the head of Ukraine's armed forces said, while the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights said 5587 civilians had been killed and 7890 wounded between February 24 and August 21.

CAR BOMB DEATH

* Russia's Federal Security Service accused Ukraine's secret services on Monday of killing Darya Dugina, the daughter of an ultra-nationalist, in a car bomb attack near Moscow that President Vladimir Putin called "evil". Ukraine denies involvement.

DIPLOMACY, ECONOMY

* Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said if Russia went ahead with plans to try captured Ukrainian defenders in Mariupol, then it would have violated international rules and cut itself off from negotiations.

* Ukraine's agricultural exports are likely to rise to about four million tonnes in August, from three million tonnes in July, thanks to the UN-brokered deal that unblocked Ukrainian sea ports, a senior official at the Ukrainian Agrarian Council said.

* Germany has a good chance of getting through the coming northern winter without taking drastic measures but must prepare nonetheless for Russia to tighten gas supplies further, Economy Minister Robert Habeck said.

* Russia's embassy in London on Monday called Britain hypocritical for a statement by its foreign ministry last week that questioned Russia's "moral right" to sit at the upcoming Group of 20 nations meeting in Indonesia.

MILESTONES

* This week marks six months since Vladimir Putin ordered tens of thousands of Russian troops into Ukraine for a "special military operation" - an invasion on a scale unseen in Europe since World War II. Tens of thousands have been killed, millions have fled and cities have been flattened by Russia's relentless bombardment.

* Ukraine's capital Kyiv, and other major cities, have banned public celebrations commemorating 31 years of independence from Soviet rule, with fears Wednesday's anniversary could spark an "ugly" response from Moscow.

QUOTE

"Of course, we are worried. It's like sitting on a powder keg," Alexander Lifirenko who lives in Enerhodar, a Ukrainian town near the Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant now under control of pro-Moscow forces, said.

Australian Associated Press