Ukrainian forces used long-range precision fire to degrade Russia’s ability to monitor and defend Belgorod Oblast’s airspace. The Ukrainian General Staff shared footage of the strike, which reportedly hit three key components of Russia’s air defense grid on 20 July. The targeted equipment included an S-300P surface-to-air missile launcher and two radars.
Bordering northeastern Ukraine, Belgorod Oblast is a frequent flyover path for Ukrainian drones heading toward northern and northwestern Russia
Ukrainian forces used long-range precision fire to degrade Russia’s ability to monitor and defend Belgorod Oblast’s airspace. The Ukrainian General Staff shared footage of the strike, which reportedly hit three key components of Russia’s air defense grid on 20 July. The targeted equipment included an S-300P surface-to-air missile launcher and two radars.
Bordering northeastern Ukraine, Belgorod Oblast is a frequent flyover path for Ukrainian drones heading toward northern and northwestern Russian targets. Additionally, Russia’s S-300 systems, deployed there, are used to launch ground strikes on Ukrainian cities such as nearby Kharkiv. The 20 July strike is part of Ukraine’s campaign to weaken Russia’s air defense infrastructure across the frontline to improve its own drone, missile, and aviation operations. Recently, Ukrainian drone operations destroyed several valuable Russian radars and launchers in occupied Crimea and Donetsk.
Ukrainian strike hits missile and radar systems near the border
The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine says Ukrainians successfully struck a Russian S-300P surface-to-air missile launcher. The report stated that this significantly reduced Russia’s long-range air defense coverage in the region. The General Staff says the attack also hit a Nebo-M radar system. Additionally, the General Staff said that the attack degraded operational capacity of a nearby 5N66M “Big Bird” over-the-horizon radar station.
The General Staff therefore stated that “such coordinated strikes represent a substantial blow to the Russian Federation’s air defense network, diminishing its ability to protect its forces and infrastructure, and enabling continued Ukrainian operations.”
The General Staff did not specify which weapons were used in the attack. A short video clip released with the announcement showed two relatively small explosions, suggesting the use of a GMLRS rockets.
Strike supports Ukrainian military efforts to reduce Russian offensive capability
The General Staff emphasized that weakening these systems directly supports efforts “to reduce Russia’s capacity to wage its war of aggression and its continued targeting of civilians and civilian infrastructure inside of Ukraine.”
“The Defense Forces will persist in conducting operations to undermine the critical systems and enablers supporting Russia’s war machine,” the General Staff stated.
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The Netherlands has pledged a new round of Patriot air defense for Ukraine amid intensified Russian missile and drone attacks. Dutch Defense Minister Ruben Brekelmans made the announcement on 21 July during a digital meeting of the Ukraine Defense Contact Group. Meanwhile, Germany has not received confirmation from the US about when it will deliver the Patriot systems Berlin needs to proceed with its own transfer to Ukraine.
This comes as Russia has for months been steadily escalating its air at
The Netherlands has pledged a new round of Patriot air defense for Ukraine amid intensified Russian missile and drone attacks. Dutch Defense Minister Ruben Brekelmans made the announcement on 21 July during a digital meeting of the Ukraine Defense Contact Group. Meanwhile, Germany has not received confirmation from the US about when it will deliver the Patriot systems Berlin needs to proceed with its own transfer to Ukraine.
This comes as Russia has for months been steadily escalating its airattacksagainstUkrainiancivilians, frequently launching hundreds of explosive drones and increasingly combining them with missiles. The intensity and volume often overwhelm Ukraine’s air defenses, while ammunition shortages for Western systems persist and domestic interceptor drone production struggles to keep pace.
Netherlands announces new Patriot air defense support
Dutch Defense Minister Ruben Brekelmans posted on X on 21 July that the Netherlands will “substantially contribute” to the delivery of US Patriot air defense systems for Ukraine. He added that the Netherlands will also send more of its own equipment, including F-16 munitions, counter-drone systems, and radars. The Dutch Defense Ministry confirmed the same day in an official statement that the country aims to support the American initiative to bolster Ukrainian air defense.
“The Russian goal is simple: to bring steadfast Ukrainians to their knees. We must not let this happen,” he said. He stressed that sustained and large-scale support is necessary to pressure Russia toward negotiations, adding, “Only by persistently and massively supporting Ukraine and increasing the pressure on Russia can we push it to the negotiating table.”
The new commitment, being finalized in close coordination with the US, NATO, and other partners, will include additional air defense assets.
A Patriot air defense missile launcher. South Korean defense ministry photo.
US has not confirmed Patriot replacement delivery to Germany
As the Netherlands moves forward, Germany’s planned Patriot transfer to Ukraine remains frozen due to US inaction.
Ukrinform reported on 21 July that German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said Berlin has yet to receive confirmation from the US on when it will provide replacement Patriot systems. Without that timeline, Germany cannot move ahead with its contribution.
“There is a general promise from the American government to provide us, Germany and the European Union, with Patriots so we can transfer the designated systems to Ukraine. But that replacement has not actually been secured yet,” Merz stated during a joint press conference with Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre in Berlin, according to Ukrinform.
Merz confirmed that negotiations between Berlin and Washington are ongoing.
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A fire at a Russian military-linked refinery broke out overnight on 22 July after Ukrainian drones targeted industrial sites in Russia’s Samara Oblast about 1,000 km from Ukraine. The targeted facility was the Novokuybyshevsk Petrochemical Company, one of Russia’s largest producers in the petrochemical and organic synthesis sectors. The facility plays a role in Russia’s weapons production by supplying raw materials used in artillery shells, aviation bombs, and other munitions.
Over the past mont
A fire at a Russian military-linked refinery broke out overnight on 22 July after Ukrainian drones targeted industrial sites in Russia’s Samara Oblast about 1,000 km from Ukraine. The targeted facility was the Novokuybyshevsk Petrochemical Company, one of Russia’s largest producers in the petrochemical and organic synthesis sectors. The facility plays a role in Russia’s weapons production by supplying raw materials used in artillery shells, aviation bombs, and other munitions.
Over the past months, Ukrainian forces have intensified drone operations targeting Russia’s military, logistics, and defense infrastructure, trying to disrupt Russia’s war production.
Ukrainian drones hit explosives-linked chemical plant in Samara
Ukrainian Telegram channel Exilenova+ reported that the Ukrainian Unmanned Systems Forces’ attack targeted the Novokuybyshevsk Petrochemical Company, which operates facilities producing chemicals such as benzene, acetone, phenol, and olefins. The Russian news Telegram channel Astra confirmed that drones hit the Novokuybyshevsk refinery, a Rosneft-owned site producing over 20 fuel types, including high-grade jet fuel and automotive oils.
The facility is the only site in Russia manufacturing synthetic ethyl alcohol and para-tert-butylphenol—compounds critical for explosives production. The plant processes around one million tons of material annually and is part of Russia’s defense-industrial supply chain. The refinery processes more than 8.8 million tons of crude oil each year.
Astra said that following the strike, a fire broke out at the facility and was later extinguished. Samara Oblast authorities acknowledged an attempted attack and claimed that several drones were shot down, while also imposing temporary mobile internet restrictions to assist military efforts in countering UAVs.
Drones target Russian airbase used for Shahed launches
Late on 21 July, Astra reported drone strikes on the Millerovo military airfield in Rostov Oblast. The airbase is frequently used to launch Shahed-type drones toward Ukrainian territory. The Iranian-designed Shahed drones can carry up to 90 kg of explosives, and Russia has been widely using them in its daily attacks against Ukrainian civilians.
The extent of damage from both strikes remains entirely unknown at this time.
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A major shift in battlefield momentum is the only lever that could move the Kremlin, the Institute for the Study of War (ISW) assesses. The think tank’s report on 21 July says only severe Russian military setbacks, enabled by Western-supplied weaponry, could push Russian President Vladimir Putin toward serious negotiations.
This comes as US President Donald Trump pushes for peace talks between Russia and Ukraine, allegedly to end the ongoing Russo-Ukrainian war. While Kyiv supports an idea of ce
A major shift in battlefield momentum is the only lever that could move the Kremlin, the Institute for the Study of War (ISW) assesses. The think tank’s report on 21 July says only severe Russian military setbacks, enabled by Western-supplied weaponry, could push Russian President Vladimir Putin toward serious negotiations.
This comes as US President Donald Trump pushes for peace talks between Russia and Ukraine, allegedly to end the ongoing Russo-Ukrainian war. While Kyiv supports an idea of ceasefire negotiations, Moscow has repeatedly reiterated its maximalist goals since the beginning of its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, amounting to Ukraine’s capitulation.
Putin won’t talk peace without battlefield collapse
British Defense Secretary John Healey, speaking at the Ukraine Defense Contact Group meeting on 21 July, announced a “50-day drive” to accelerate arms deliveries to Ukraine. He stressed the urgency of the effort, pointing to US President Donald Trump’s threat to impose “severe” 100% secondary tariffs on Russia’s trade partners if a peace deal isn’t reached within 50 days from 14 July.
ISW reaffirmed that “ISW has consistently assessed that only significant Russian battlefield setbacks, enabled by timely and sufficient Western military assistance to Ukrainian forces, will force Putin to reconsider Russia’s ability to militarily defeat Ukraine and bring him to the negotiating table.”
However, such setbacks “will not happen in a matter of weeks and will likely require several months or campaign seasons” — but only if Western governments provide Ukrainian forces with timely and adequate support for large-scale operations.
Ukraine expands defense production to meet the moment
Ukraine aims to scale up weapons production and can absorb $6 billion in investment, officials said, emphasizing the need to boost output of FPV and interceptor drones.
Procurement chief Zhumadilov said contracts were signed with Ukrainian and US firms to build counter-Shahed drone systems. Ukraine can produce up to 10 million FPV drones annually, though next year’s procurement may not exceed 4.5 million due to funding limits.
New round of negotiations still clouded by Kremlin stalling
Ukraine has proposed a third round of peace talks in Istanbul, with discussions possibly starting as soon as 22 July. Russia confirmed the offer through TASS, suggesting 24 or 25 July as possible dates.
Kremlin Spokesperson Dmitry Peskov claimed Moscow was on board but would send the same mid-level delegation as before. ISW said this reflects a lack of seriousness, noting previous talks led only to POW exchange after Russia refused to outline its terms.
According to ISW, Moscow’s intent remains to stall for time, keep fighting, and pressure Ukraine and the West. There’s no indication Putin’s objectives have shifted.
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French companies will begin manufacturing drones in Ukraine, marking a deepening of direct defense-industry cooperation between the two nations. French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot announced the decision on 21 July during a two-day visit to Kyiv, Euroactiv reports.
As the Russo-Ukrainian war continues, drone technology has become a defining force on the battlefield—reshaping operations on land, in the air, and at sea. Ukraine’s allies are racing to boost both Kyiv’s drone production and th
French companies will begin manufacturing drones in Ukraine, marking a deepening of direct defense-industry cooperation between the two nations. French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot announced the decision on 21 July during a two-day visit to Kyiv, Euroactiv reports.
As the Russo-Ukrainian war continues, drone technology has become a defining force on the battlefield—reshaping operations on land, in the air, and at sea. Ukraine’s allies are racing to boost both Kyiv’s drone production and their own capabilities, as drones become indispensable in modern warfare.
Paris brings military manufacturing into Ukraine
President Zelenskyy confirmed that French companies will begin manufacturing drones inside Ukraine.
“We are ready to expand joint defense production,” he posted on X, adding: “There is a decision by French companies to begin manufacturing drones in Ukraine – and this is highly valuable.”
France’s Foreign Minister Barrot echoed the statement in a separate post:
“French drones will be built on Ukrainian soil.” He described the move as a sign of “sovereignty and strategic trust.”
French drones manufactured by Delair. Source: www.usinenouvelle.com
France and Ukraine expand defense partnership scope
In addition to drone manufacturing, Zelenskyy stated that the meeting covered broader military cooperation. That included improving Ukraine’s air defense capabilities, continued troop training, and recent outcomes from Ramstein-format meetings.
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Russia’s drone strike tactics now pierce Ukrainian defenses at triple the previous rate, FT reports. With new swarming methods and high-altitude maneuvers, Russia’s Shahed drones are overwhelming Ukraine’s air defenses across key cities.
Amid the ongoing Russo-Ukrainian war, Moscow has significantly increased its long-range explosive drone attacks against Ukrainian cities. Not only these assaults continue to occur every night, but the number of Russia’s Iranian-designed Shahed drones involved of
Russia’s drone strike tactics now pierce Ukrainian defenses at triple the previous rate, FT reports. With new swarming methods and high-altitude maneuvers, Russia’s Shahed drones are overwhelming Ukraine’s air defenses across key cities.
Amid the ongoing Russo-Ukrainian war, Moscow has significantly increased its long-range explosive drone attacks against Ukrainian cities. Not only these assaults continue to occur every night, but the number of Russia’s Iranian-designed Shahed drones involved often counts in the hundreds—and they are frequently used alongside missile strikes.
Drone swarms adapt to bypass Ukraine’s defenses
According to official Ukrainian air force data cited by FT on 21 July, the proportion of Shahed drones hitting targets rose from 5% to 15% between January–March and April–June.This sharp rise reflects a shift in Russia’s drone strike tactics—not a decline in Ukraine’s capabilities.
Moscow has retooled its drone operations, modifying Iranian-designed Shaheds—now manufactured in Russia under the Geran designation—to fly faster and at higher altitudes. These adaptations make them harder to intercept by truck-mounted machine guns and standard mobile fire units typically used by Ukrainian forces.
Yasir Atalan of the Center for Strategic and International Studies told FT the improvement “is not [because] the Ukraine air defence is getting worse,” but due to Russia’s new swarming methods and drones flying “in higher altitude, [which] makes them more effective.”
Record-breaking drone and missile assaults
Ukraine’s Air Force reported yesterday that Russia launched 426 Shahed-type attack drones in a single wave. On 9 July, Russian forces fired a record 728 units—combining drones, decoys, and cruise and ballistic missiles—in a coordinated saturation strike.
FT notes that by overwhelming the defense layers with sheer volume, Russia raises the strike success rate. According to Atalan, the increased scale of launches “saturates the defense systems which increases the hit rate.”
Cruise and ballistic missiles, including Iskanders and Kinzhals, are now often intermixed with drone waves, further confusing Ukrainian response systems.
The shift in strategy also includes targeting one or two cities at a time, instead of spreading attacks nationwide. This focused saturation approach stretches Ukraine’s ability to respond on a tactical level.
Ukraine’s defenses include jamming drone GPS guidance systems using electronic warfare, as well as employing machine guns and advanced anti-aircraft systems like Germany’s Oerlikon Skynex. Despite this, the average hit rate for drones remains around 15%, FT says.
Ukraine ramps up interceptor drone efforts
In response, Ukraine has increased efforts to counter the Shahed threat with domestically developed interceptor drones. On 10 July, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Ukrainian forces were already “shooting down dozens of Shaheds” in each wave using these homegrown interceptors.
Earlier this month, Zelenskyy announced a partnership with Eric Schmidt, CEO of the US-based Swift Beat, to co-produce “hundreds of thousands” of drones for Ukraine’s defense, including those designed to intercept enemy drones.
Last week, Zelenskyy emphasized the success of these new systems, noting they “are achieving good results” and that “hundreds of Russian-Iranian Shaheds” had been destroyed in a single week.
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Russia’s latest attacks left at least three civilians dead and at least 25 injured across Ukraine, with strikes reported in Donetsk, Kherson, Sumy, Odesa, and Kharkiv oblasts. Russian drones targeted Odesa and Kharkiv, their bombs struck Kramatorsk and Sumy, while artillery shelling targeted Kherson and other cities.
Amid the ongoing Russo-Ukrainian war, Moscow continued its daily deliberate attacks against Ukrainian civilians in attempts to degrade morale.
Kramatorsk boy killed as Russian bomb
Russia’s latest attacks left at least three civilians dead and at least 25 injured across Ukraine, with strikes reported in Donetsk, Kherson, Sumy, Odesa, and Kharkiv oblasts. Russian drones targeted Odesa and Kharkiv, their bombs struck Kramatorsk and Sumy, while artillery shelling targeted Kherson and other cities.
Amid the ongoing Russo-Ukrainian war, Moscow continued its daily deliberate attacks against Ukrainian civilians in attempts to degrade morale.
Kramatorsk boy killed as Russian bomb hits residential building
Civilian casualties from Russian attacks mounted overnight on 22 July as a Russian guided bomb struck a residential building in Kramatorsk, Donetsk Oblast. According to the head of the city’s military administration, Oleksandr Honcharenko, the strike killed a 9-year-old boy born in 2015. Five more civilians were injured. The explosion caused a fire in the building, which was extinguished by emergency services.
The killed boy was among three civilians killed in Donetsk Oblast over the previous 24 hours, according to the oblast military administration. Russian forces killed one more person in Kostiantynivka with shelling and another in Zarichne. Meanwhile, they injured five civilians in Sloviansk and two more in Dobropillia. Russian attacks also wounded one person each in Rodynske, Lyman, and Shandryholove.
Multiple wounded in Kherson from early-morning shelling
Kherson city and the village of Inzhenerne came under Russian artillery fire early in the morning on 22 July. The Russian attack injured a 62-year-old man while outside in Inzhenerne. Minutes later, at 08:10, Russian shelling hit Kherson, wounding a 54-year-old man. Another victim, a 55-year-old woman, was later reported injured from the same barrage. All three suffered explosive trauma and shrapnel wounds and were hospitalized, according to the Kherson Oblast Military Administration.
Authorities confirmed that seven people had been wounded across Kherson Oblast in the previous 24 hours due to artillery and drone attacks.
Drone swarm strikes Odesa
Odesa was once again targeted by Russian drones launched from the direction of occupied Crimea and the Black Sea.
Ukraine’s Air Force reported that Russians launched 42 explosive and decoy drones overnight, mostly Shahed types. Ukrainian air defenses intercepted or jammed 26 of them. electronic warfare systems suppressed seven others. However, nine drones hit their targets across three locations, which included Odesa. Another key target was Kharkiv.
In Odesa, a Russian drone injured one person. Debris from intercepted drones sparked a fire in a parking lot. Multiple vehicles were destroyed. The impact also shattered windows in a multi-story residential building and damaged a shop, local authorities reported. The State Emergency Service of Odesa Oblast reported that 62 rescuers and 17 vehicles were deployed to manage the aftermath. Three separate crash sites were confirmed in the city.
Aftermath of a Russian drone attack on 22 July 2025 in Odesa. Photo: Suspilne Odesa.
Suspilne reports that air raid sirens were activated at 01:48. Mayor Hennadii Trukhanov issued an early warning to residents of the Arcadia and Fontanka districts. Explosions followed shortly after.
Drone attacks wound civilians in Kharkiv Oblast
Russian forces targeted seven settlements in Kharkiv Oblast over the past 24 hours using a mix of Shahed drones, FPV drones, and another unidentified UAV. The oblast military administration confirmed three civilian injuries.
The Russian strikes injured an 84-year-old woman Kupiansk, a 67-year-old woman in Ivano-Shyichyne, Bohodukhiv community. In the village of Verbivka, Balakliia community, a 29-year-old man was hurt after stepping on an unidentified explosive object.
Guided bombs hit Sumy, injuring civilians including a child
In Sumy, Russia launched a strike on 21 July at approximately 22:30. According to the Sumy City Military Administration, three people were injured, including a child. Acting mayor Artem Kobzar said the Russians used two KAB-type guided bombs. The Sumy Oblast Military Administration added that the attack damaged five apartment buildings, a shopping center, and 18 vehicles. A 60-year-old woman and a 38-year-old man were hospitalized with confirmed injuries.
Damage to an apartment building following a Russian bomb attack on Sumy late on 21 July 2025. Photo: Suspilne Sumy.
Serhii Kryvosheienko, head of the Sumy MVA, warned that more casualties were possible and that emergency teams were still working at the scene.
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Poland is finalizing a deal on investing in the satellite firm that spotted Russian troops moving toward Ukraine before Moscow’s full-scale invasion, the Financial Times reports. Iceye provided Ukraine with early radar imagery in early 2022 is going to expand production.
Satellite intelligence has played a vital role in the Russo-Ukrainian war. ICEYE is one of the companies supplying Ukraine with satellite data. In 2024, it signed a cooperation memorandum with Kyiv. Earlier, in 2022, the company
Poland is finalizing a deal on investing in the satellite firm that spotted Russian troops moving toward Ukraine before Moscow’s full-scale invasion, the Financial Times reports. Iceye provided Ukraine with early radar imagery in early 2022 is going to expand production.
Satellite intelligence has played a vital role in the Russo-Ukrainian war. ICEYE is one of the companies supplying Ukraine with satellite data. In 2024, it signed a cooperation memorandum with Kyiv. Earlier, in 2022, the company contracted with the Serhiy Prytula Charity Foundation to supply SAR imagery and one dedicated satellite.
Poland takes stake in Iceye, the company that helped Ukraine spot Russian forces
FT says Poland is at the final stages of an agreement to buy equity in Iceye, a Polish-Finnish satellite company whose radar systems helped Ukraine detect Russian troop buildups ahead of the full-scale invasion in February 2022. Iceye’s chief executive Rafał Modrzewski confirmed the deal, which will be made through Poland’s national development bank. He did not disclose the size of the investment.
The satellite firm that spotted Russian troops—now valued at well over $1bn—has already raised $550mn from investors. Modrzewski said the new funding would allow Iceye to rapidly expand production to meet soaring demand for real-time defense imagery. The deal follows Poland’s $230mn purchase in May of up to six Iceye satellites.
Founded in 2014 by Modrzewski and Finnish co-founder Pekka Laurila, Iceye began by providing radar data to Arctic shipping routes. That business collapsed after Western sanctions cut off the Russian market, prompting a pivot to military applications. Iceye’s synthetic aperture radar (SAR) can see through cloud cover and at night—making it indispensable in battlefield conditions where optical satellites fail.
Iceye to ramp up satellite output as demand for defense tech soars
Modrzewski told the Financial Times that Iceye plans to grow its manufacturing capacity from 25 satellites a year to as many as 150. Each satellite costs around $20 million to build.
Iceye has launched 54 so far, with about half operated by national defense forces in countries including the Netherlands, Finland, Brazil, and Portugal. In 2024, Iceye signed a memorandum of cooperation with Ukraine to deepen collaboration. Most launches have taken place from California’s Vandenberg Space Force Base or Florida’s Cape Canaveral, though missions have also originated from India and New Zealand.
Strategic partnerships and global reach
Beyond Poland, Iceye is expanding through international partnerships. It recently created a joint venture with Rheinmetall to manufacture satellites in Germany, aiming to tap into the country’s rising defense budget and connect with its weapons systems.
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Rosneft-linked oil payment rules changed after EU sanctions, Bloomberg reports. Mumbai-based Nayara Energy, the Indian refinery part-owned by Rosneft, now demands upfront payment or documentary letters of credit from buyers, showing how far-reaching the latest EU sanctions package is.
The change comes in direct response to the European Union’s latest round of sanctions targeting Russian-linked energy trade. These measures include a stricter price cap on Russian crude, curbs on products derived f
Rosneft-linked oil payment rules changed after EU sanctions, Bloomberg reports. Mumbai-based Nayara Energy, the Indian refinery part-owned by Rosneft, now demands upfront payment or documentary letters of credit from buyers, showing how far-reaching the latest EU sanctions package is.
The change comes in direct response to the European Union’s latest round of sanctions targeting Russian-linked energy trade. These measures include a stricter price cap on Russian crude, curbs on products derived from Russian petroleum, and restrictions on affiliated banks and shipping. Though Nayara had previously avoided direct sanctions, the new EU package now targets the company more explicitly.
Nayara tightens oil deal terms after new EU measures
Nayara Energy Ltd., a key Indian refinery partially owned by Russia’s Rosneft, is now requiring advance payments or documentary letters of credit for upcoming oil shipments. According to Bloomberg, the shift was revealed in a revised tender document for a naphtha cargo scheduled for next month. The previous version of the tender included no such financial requirements. Naphtha is a fraction of crude oil, used for further petrochemical production.
Kpler analyst Zameer Yusof told Bloomberg the move “underscores how far-reaching the latest tranche of EU sanctions are.” He said the advance payment condition likely reflects fears that buyers may back out of deals or that banks could refuse to clear transactions involving sanctioned entities.
In a weekend statement, Rosneft claimed that the EU’s new measures as “unjustified and illegal.” Meanwhile, Nayara insisted that operations remain normal and said it is “exploring all legal and appropriate avenues” to respond to the situation.
India’s role in Russian crude trade under pressure
India has become one of the largest importers of Russian crude since Moscow launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022. As Western buyers turned away, Indian refiners stepped in to process Russian oil, including into diesel and other products that were then exported globally. Until now, Nayara had continued those operations without direct interference from sanctions.
The EU, UK, and US have issued multiple waves of restrictions targeting Russia’s energy sector in hopes of undercutting funding for the war.
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Russia demands Ukraine surrender before peace, the Institute for the Study of War reports, warning that the Kremlin’s latest peace rhetoric is merely a rebranded version of its original war goals. On 20 July, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov publicly reiterated that Moscow is prepared for rapid negotiations—but only if all Russian conditions are accepted without compromise.
Since 2022, Russia has demanded Ukraine’s de facto capitulation—calling for its disarmament and the reduction of its mili
Russia demands Ukraine surrender before peace, the Institute for the Study of War reports, warning that the Kremlin’s latest peace rhetoric is merely a rebranded version of its original war goals. On 20 July, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov publicly reiterated that Moscow is prepared for rapid negotiations—but only if all Russian conditions are accepted without compromise.
Since 2022, Russia hasdemanded Ukraine’s de facto capitulation—calling for its disarmament and the reduction of its military to leave it vulnerable to future invasions, the removal of its current leadership to restore Moscow’s influence over Kyiv, and a ban on Ukraine’s NATO aspirations in favor of enforced neutrality, as before Russia’s 2014 invasion. Meanwhile, most Russians continue to support their country’s ongoing war against Ukraine.
Russia insists on Ukraine’s full political and military capitulation
According to ISW, Peskov’s statements confirm Russia’s continued refusal to engage in any meaningful diplomatic process. He stated that Russia’s objectives are “obvious” and “do not change”—a phrase that aligns with Moscow’s long-standingcalls for Ukraine to disarm, abandon its NATO aspirations, and replace its current leadership.
The think tank notes that these demands fall in line with the Kremlin’s narrative of “denazification” and “demilitarization,” language that has always signaled regime change in Kyiv and the erosion of Ukraine’s ability to defend itself. Peskov’s remarks show that Russia’s position on negotiations remains maximalist and unchanged since the invasion began.
Explore further
ISW: Kremlin dismisses US terms, demands Ukraine cede non-occupied territories
ISW: Kremlin’s “peace” offer masks intent to prolong war
ISW says Peskov’s statements “underline the Kremlin’s continued uninterest in good-faith negotiations with Ukraine and efforts rather to prolong the war — as ISW continues to assess.”
Russia demands Ukraine surrender before peace, ISW underlines, and frames its conditions as removing the so-called “root causes” of the war—a euphemism for erasing Ukraine’s sovereignty and reversing NATO’s open-door policy, “and the removal of Ukraine’s ability to defend itself against future Russian aggression.”
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The fully funded Czech howitzer campaign will deliver six D-30s to Ukraine’s front line. Though organizers initially announced they were nearing their goal, current donation totals confirm that the €2.4 million target has now been reached.
While drones are responsible for about 70% of battlefield casualties in the ongoing Russo-Ukrainian war, artillery remains irreplaceable. Drones cannot sustain the type of continuous, high-volume fire needed to suppress enemy positions or support advances.
Don
The fully funded Czech howitzer campaign will deliver six D-30s to Ukraine’s front line. Though organizers initially announced they were nearing their goal, current donation totals confirm that the €2.4 million target has now been reached.
While drones are responsible for about 70% of battlefield casualties in the ongoing Russo-Ukrainian war, artillery remains irreplaceable. Drones cannot sustain the type of continuous, high-volume fire needed to suppress enemy positions or support advances.
Donors complete €2.4 million fundraiser for Ukraine-bound howitzers
The Czech volunteer campaign Dárek pro Putina (“A Gift for Putin”) earlier reported it was close to securing funds for six 122 mm D-30 howitzers.
“We have already raised funds for five howitzers! We are missing the last one,” the campaign said during the final stretch of the drive.
Now, according to publicly visible totals on the official donation platform, the group has fully met its €2.4 million objective.
Over 16,000 contributors donated to the effort. The weapons, already secured and available, are expected to be transferred promptly to the Ukrainian military with logistical support from the Embassy of Ukraine in Prague.
“This is almost a miracle given the current situation, as most weapons require months of waiting,” the fundraiser’s page reads.
The Soviet-designed D-30 (2A18) is a reliable platform with a maximum range of 15.4 km—or 21.9 km when using rocket-assisted projectiles. It can fire to 12 rounds per minute.
Not their first delivery
Militarnyi noted the same Czech campaign previouslyraised funds for a UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter for Ukraine’s Defense Intelligence, and eventually delivered it.
In earlier efforts, Dárek pro Putina also delivered 1,000 RPG-75M anti-tank rocket launchers after raising over €900,000 in under two months. The group has additionally provided 10 tons of explosives for a Ukrainian special police unit and continues to collect funds for FPV drones and gear for female military personnel.
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Engineers from Ukraine’s Steppe Brigade are fielding modular plastic bridges that deploy in just 15 minutes, giving troops rapid mobility across rivers in active combat zones. This rapid frontline bridge deployment offers a major tactical edge as Ukrainian units face constant maneuver demands on the front.
Plastic cubes reshape how Ukraine crosses rivers under fire
Militarnyi reports that the 61st “Steppe” Mechanized Brigade has begun using a new system of plastic pontoon bridges composed of mod
Engineers from Ukraine’s Steppe Brigade are fielding modular plastic bridges that deploy in just 15 minutes, giving troops rapid mobility across rivers in active combat zones. This rapid frontline bridge deployment offers a major tactical edge as Ukrainian units face constant maneuver demands on the front.
Plastic cubes reshape how Ukraine crosses rivers under fire
Militarnyi reports that the 61st “Steppe” Mechanized Brigade has begun using a new system of plastic pontoon bridges composed of modular floating cubes. The brigade reported that the system has already shown its effectiveness at multiple positions along the frontline. It was first used during the Kursk operation in Russia, where it allowed fast movement of infantry and light vehicles.
Brigade engineers say the system’s greatest strengths are its speed and adaptability. The plastic pontoon bridge is designed to transport infantry and light equipment.
“Mobility, fast deployment, and structural reliability let our units stay one step ahead of the enemy,” the brigade noted.
A van crosses the modular plastic bridge reinforced with wooden decking. Source: 61st Mechanized Brigade.
Each pontoon crossing is constructed from interlocking plastic modules that float independently and connect through a specialized fastening system. This design makes it easy to change the length or shape of the bridge and replace any damaged cubes after shelling.
According to the engineers, the longest bridge they have assembled so far reached 30 meters. Despite the size, a full crossing can be deployed in about 15 minutes.
Stormproof, fast, and modular — built to survive war zones
The plastic cubes are produced by a Ukrainian manufacturer, which emphasizes the system’s ability to work in any location and under any weather conditions.
“Our floating structures can be used in any region and on any water body. They are easy to assemble, even in adverse weather,” the manufacturer stated.
The construction is resistant to freezing, tidal surges, and storm conditions. It also does not freeze into ice during winter, a key feature for year-round combat use. For vehicle crossings, engineers add wooden decking to support the weight of light military equipment.
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A Ukrainian drone strike on Russian air defenses has disabled multiple radar systems and surface-to-air missile launchers in the Donetsk sector, eastern Ukraine, Defense Intelligence of Ukraine (HUR) reported. The latest footage released by HUR shows their elite Prymary (“Ghosts”) unit destroying key Russian military hardware during precision drone attacks in the occupied part of the oblast.
Ukraine continues to degrade Russia’s air defenses, paving the way for safer operations by Ukrainian dron
A Ukrainian drone strike on Russian air defenses has disabled multiple radar systems and surface-to-air missile launchers in the Donetsk sector, eastern Ukraine, Defense Intelligence of Ukraine (HUR) reported. The latest footage released by HUR shows their elite Prymary (“Ghosts”) unit destroying key Russian military hardware during precision drone attacks in the occupied part of the oblast.
Ukraine continues to degrade Russia’s air defenses, paving the way for safer operations by Ukrainian drones, missiles, and aircraft. Last month, as Euromaidan Press reported, Ukrainian intelligence drones reached occupied Crimea and struck five components of a Russian S-400 Triumf air defense system. That operation was also conducted by the Prymary unit of HUR. The same unit also destroyed several S-300 components in Crimea in May.
Prymary strikes radar systems and S-300V launchers near occupied Donetsk
HUR released video footage of the operation on its official YouTube channel, showing accurate drone strikes on two S-300V launchers and five radar systems, supporting these launchers and other Russian air defense assets. The S-300V is primarily designed to intercept operational-tactical missiles and serves as a key element of Russia’s anti-missile defense network. However, Russian forces have been also using such launchers in a secondary role — to fire on ground targets, including residential areas in Ukrainian cities.
According to the description accompanying the HUR video, Prymary fighters continue to “systematically weaken Russian air defense — now in the Donetsk direction.” The agency confirmed the destruction of:
three 48Ya6-K1 Podlyot radar stations, designed to detect targets at low and extremely low altitudes in complex electronic warfare conditions;
two Niobiy-SV radar stations, used to track aerial targets at medium and high altitudes at distances of up to 200–300 kilometers;
two S-300V launchers, part of a surface-to-air missile system primarily used to intercept operational-tactical missiles, and also employed by Russian forces in a secondary ground-strike role;
and one P-18 radar station, a Soviet-era two-coordinate system capable of determining only azimuth and distance, but not altitude.
Official footage shows direct drone hits on Russian systems
The video published by HUR shows direct drone strikes on the listed radar systems and missile launchers. However, the FPV footage cuts off at the moment of impact, and the aftermath is not shown. Still, the accuracy of the strikes indicates that the targeted Russian air defense assets were at least damaged, if not destroyed.
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A Ukrainian cyberattack on Gazprom systems has reportedly crippled the Russian state gas monopoly’s digital infrastructure, Suspilne reports, citing a source in Ukraine’s Defense Intelligence (HUR). The hackers wiped data from physical servers, cloud platforms, and all backups, targeting critical control systems that manage Russia’s gas flows, finances, and internal operations.
Gazprom, Russia’s state-controlled gas monopoly, has been central to both the Kremlin’s foreign “gas blackmail” strateg
A Ukrainian cyberattack on Gazprom systems has reportedly crippled the Russian state gas monopoly’s digital infrastructure, Suspilne reports, citing a source in Ukraine’s Defense Intelligence (HUR). The hackers wiped data from physical servers, cloud platforms, and all backups, targeting critical control systems that manage Russia’s gas flows, finances, and internal operations.
Gazprom, Russia’s state-controlled gas monopoly, has been central to both the Kremlin’s foreign “gas blackmail” strategy and war funding machine. Known as “Russia’s second budget,” it has funneled billions into state coffers. Even after sanctions slashed its revenues by trillions of rubles, Gazprom’s profits continue to support Russia’s war machine amid Moscow’s ongoing invasion of Ukraine. Thus, any disruptions in Gazprom’s operations may benefit Ukraine.
Gazprom’s entire infrastructure breached before data wipe
Suspilne reported earlier that the attack took place on 17 July. Now, Suspilne’s HUR source said Ukraine’s intelligence operatives obtained full access to all of Gazprom’s information systems, reaching a depth of penetration that the source described as “unprecedented.” The access reportedly included internal analytics, core servers, digital platforms, and user credentials from across Gazprom’s operational hierarchy.
According to Suspilne’s reporting, the operation began with full infiltration and ended with a coordinated deletion of all available data — including security systems, server control modules, and support networks that kept Gazprom’s infrastructure running.
Before erasing the systems, the hackers reportedly downloaded hundreds of terabytes of data, including over 20,000 user profiles with electronic signatures. These accounts spanned every level of Gazprom’s structure, giving Ukraine’s operatives full visibility into the gas giant’s digital framework.
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390+ Gazprom subsidiaries compromised, SCADA and GIS systems destroyed
Suspilne reports that more than 390 subsidiaries and branches were affected, including Gazprom Teplo Energo, Gazprom Obl Energo, and Gazprom Energosbyt. The breach extended into Gazprom’s SCADA and GIS systems, which control gas and oil pressure, distribution flows, well data, and infrastructure networks.
These platforms were completely wiped from both servers and cloud environments, the source said.
The HUR source also claimed that Gazprom’s financial records, tax data, contract logs, and legal documents were destroyed. Among the deleted systems were modules managing supply schedules, customer volumes, tariffs, payments, licensing, and regulatory files.
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System collapse may impact gas supply, contracts, and bank stability
The scale of the operation, Suspilne’s source stated, could lead to a partial or total collapse in Gazprom’s ability to function. Without operational systems, the state corporation may be unable to sign new contracts, manage its gas supply network, or maintain stable financial operations.
The source further suggested that the consequences could include regional disruptions to gas transport and delivery, a potential default on corporate obligations, and sharp devaluation of Gazprom’s stock, possibly triggering instability in banks that finance the energy conglomerate.
HUR source says hackers deleted all backup data using custom tools, Suspilne reports
Using custom-developed software, Ukrainian cyber operatives reportedly deleted all data stored on Gazprom’s physical servers and cloud infrastructure, including backup copies.
The attack also targeted automated control systems, administrative platforms, internal orders, official documents, and 1С server clusters, which housed corporate files for both Gazprom and its subsidiaries.
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Explosions erupted across Moscow and Rostov oblasts in the early hours of 19 July. Local reports described drone flyover sounds, fires, damaged infrastructure, and halted train services following a large-scale drone attack. However, no reports confirm any damage to key military or military-industrial infrastructure.
Ukrainian forces continue to target Russian military, industrial, and energy infrastructure—both in occupied areas and deep inside Russia—in an effort to disrupt supply lines and we
Explosions erupted across Moscow and Rostov oblasts in the early hours of 19 July. Local reports described drone flyover sounds, fires, damaged infrastructure, and halted train services following a large-scale drone attack. However, no reports confirm any damage to key military or military-industrial infrastructure.
Ukrainian forces continue to target Russian military, industrial, and energy infrastructure—both in occupied areas and deep inside Russia—in an effort to disrupt supply lines and weaken Moscow’s war capabilities. However, it remains unclear why Ukraine frequently expends drones attempting to breach Moscow’s heavily defended airspace instead of focusing on “softer,” yet more economically and militarily valuable targets elsewhere.
Drone attack on Moscow
In Moscow Oblast, residents of Dmitrov and Zelenograd heard multiple explosions overnight. Russian news Telegram channel Astra posted footage showing burning debris in a field near Dmitrov. Locals wrote that “something fell in the field and exploded.” Messages in community chats described blasts from several locations within the Dmitrov district.
Astra quoted local officials saying a drone had been shot down, and its wreckage damaged a high-voltage power line in the area. Mikhail Shulavov, acting head of the Dmitrov district, confirmed the fall of debris, noted there were no injuries, and said repair crews were already fixing the line.
Pro-Kremlin Telegram channel Mash also reported explosions in Mozhaisk and Dmitrov. Baza, another Telegram channel, said six explosions occurred in Zelenograd.
Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobianin claimed Russian air defenses shot down 14 drones targeting the Russian capital.
Drone attack on Rostov, and railway disruptions
In Rostov Oblast, acting head Yurii Sliusar claimed fires in Kamensk-Shakhtynskyi. Falling drone debris allegedly set multiple detached houses on fire and ostensibly injured one person.
Sliusar added that a transformer caught fire in Kamenskyi Raion, disabling a high-voltage line. As a result, five settlements lost power. According to Sliusar, about 2,000 people live in the blackout zone.
The drone strikes triggered major rail disruptions in Rostov Oblast. Passenger service was halted after the attack disabled power infrastructure on the Lykhaya–Zamchalovo railway segment or the Russian Railway (RZhD).
Astra cited passengers at Rostov station claiming they sat for hours in trains without ventilation or air conditioning. One said that “everything is immobilized” after a strong strike at Lykhaya station.
Russian Railways later confirmed that over 50 long-distance trains were delayed. Several regional electric trains were also canceled. Delays ranged from 1.5 to 3.5 hours. Later reports from RZhD said train service on the damaged line had resumed.
Russia’s Ministry of Defense claimed its air defenses allegedly downed 71 drones across multiple oblasts overnight. The ministry stated 24 UAVs were downed over Rostov Oblast and 16 over Moscow Oblast, including 13 directed at the capital. It also stated the interception of 11 drones over Bryansk, 10 over Kaluga, three over Kursk, and two each over Oryol, Tula, and Lipetsk oblasts. One UAV was reportedly downed in Krasnodar Krai.
Drone strike reported in occupied Tokmak
Ukrainian Telegram channel Supernova+ posted footage of a fire in Russian-occupied Tokmak in Zaporizhzhia Oblast. The caption reads:
“In Tokmak … after a UAV attack there is a healthy glow.”
Distant fire seen in occupied Tokmak following a reported drone strike on 19 July 2025. Source: Telegram / Supernova+.
Fire at military base in Rostov-on-Don
On the evening of 18 July, a fire broke out at a military facility in central Rostov-on-Don. Astra verified the location as military unit 74330 on Krasnoarmeiska Street, near Sokolova Avenue.
Local media had earlier reported a fire in the same area.
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Last night, Russia resumed full-scale aerial strikes after several quieter days, launching almost 350 drones and 35 missiles in one night. Ukraine intercepted more than 200 Russian drones and missiles overnight, but dozens still broke through, hitting homes, schools, and civilian infrastructure in several regions, according to local authorities. The Russian drone assault killed a woman in Odesa and injured six more civilians, including a child. Meanwhile, Russian forces continued their “human sa
Last night, Russia resumed full-scale aerial strikes after several quieter days, launching almost 350 drones and 35 missiles in one night. Ukraine intercepted more than 200 Russian drones and missiles overnight, but dozens still broke through, hitting homes, schools, and civilian infrastructure in several regions, according to local authorities. The Russian drone assault killed a woman in Odesa and injured six more civilians, including a child. Meanwhile, Russian forces continued their “human safari” in Kherson, injuring two civilian men with a small drone.
Moscow carries out massive drone attacks against Ukrainian civilians daily, often launching hundreds at a time. Last night’s combined assault with hundreds of drones and dozens of missiles followed several quieter days, during which Russia appeared to stockpile its explosive drones for a larger strike.
Russia overwhelms air defenses with 379 aerial weapons
According to the Ukrainian Air Force, Russia launched a total of 379 aerial weapons overnight on 18–19 July. The strike included 344 Shahed-type drones and decoys, 12 Iskander-M ballistic missiles, eight Iskander-K cruise missiles, and 15 Kh-101 cruise missiles. Launches came from multiple directions: Bryansk, Kursk, Orel, Millerovo, Shatalovo, Primorsko-Akhtarsk, occupied Crimea, and from Russian aircraft over Saratov Oblast.
Ukraine’s air defenses downed 208 targets, including 185 Shahed drones, seven Iskander-M ballistic missiles, seven Iskander-K cruise missiles, and nine Kh-101 cruise missiles. Another 129 drones and seven cruise missiles were suppressed or diverted by electronic warfare.
Despite the heavy interception effort, five missiles and 30 drones struck civilian and infrastructure targets in 12 locations, while drone debris fell and caused additional damage in at least seven more, the AF says.
Odesa drone strike kills woman, injures six
In Odesa, over 20 Shahed drones approached from different directions, local authorities reported. One hit a nine-story residential building, sparking a fire that engulfed the upper floors. Emergency services rescued five people from the building. One of the rescued victims, a woman, died from her injuries.
In total, the attack injured six civilians, including a child. Prosecutors opened a war crimes case under Article 438 of Ukraine’s Criminal Code.
Pavlohrad hit by most massive strike since invasion
In Pavlohrad, Dnipropetrovsk Oblast, Russian forces launched over 100 drones and missiles at the city. Officials described it as the most massive strike on Pavlohrad to date. Explosions damaged a fire station, multiple industrial sites, a school, and a five-story residential building.
Regional head Serhii Lysak later confirmed that nine apartment buildings, a private home, and an educational facility were damaged. No injuries were reported.
Kyiv rooftop struck, but no casualties
In Kyiv, falling debris from an intercepted drone damagedthe roof of a residential building in the Darniytskyi district. The Kyiv Military Administration reported no fire or injuries.
In Kyiv Oblast, the air defenders intercepted more than 20 drones. In the Vyshhorod district, a civilian car was damaged. No casualties were reported.
Shostka bombed with drones and guided munitions
In Sumy Oblast, Shostka came under attack for nearly four hours overnight, injuring locals. In the morning, Russian forces added guided air-dropped bombs to the assault. Six bomb strikes were confirmed on the Shostka community.
Mayor Mykola Noha confirmed infrastructure destruction, with damage to two apartment buildings and four private homes. No injuries were reported.
Infrastructure hit in Chernihiv Oblast
In Chernihiv Oblast, Shahed drone strikes damaged infrastructure in Nizhyn and the village of Vypovziv. Local officials confirmed three direct drone hits. No casualties were reported.
Blast shakes Zaporizhzhia
Suspilne reported an explosion, heard in several districts of Zaporizhzhia this morning.
Russia’s “human safari” targets civilians in Kherson
Separate from the mass long-range drone and missile strike, a Russian drone deliberately attacked a private home in Kherson’s Korabelnyi district around 04:00. Two civilian men, aged 28 and 34, were wounded and hospitalized in moderate condition.
This targeted drone attack in Kherson fits a pattern of daily Russian use of small UAVs to hunt individual civilians, a tactic now widely referred to as a “human safari.”
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A global law enforcement campaign has dealt a blow to the pro-Russian cyber army known as NoName057(16). Europol confirmed that about 20 countries helped dismantle the network behind thousands of attacks on Ukraine’s supporters.
Russia’s massive cyberattacks against Ukraine escalated shortly before the full-scale invasion in 2022. Since November 2023, Germany has documented recurring attacks tied to NoName057(16). Investigators also linked the group to incidents in 2023 and 2024 that targeted Uk
A global law enforcement campaign has dealt a blow to the pro-Russian cyber army known as NoName057(16). Europol confirmed that about 20 countries helped dismantle the network behind thousands of attacks on Ukraine’s supporters.
Russia’s massive cyberattacks against Ukraine escalated shortly before the full-scale invasion in 2022. Since November 2023, Germany has documented recurring attacks tied to NoName057(16). Investigators also linked the group to incidents in 2023 and 2024 that targeted Ukrainian diplomatic efforts. While Ukraine remains a central target, the group increasingly strikes at Kyiv’s allies. These include several NATO and EU members actively supporting Ukraine’s defense against the Russian war of aggression.
Europol targets ideological cyber group tied to Russia’s war
Europol reported that between 14 and 17 July, authorities from 12 countries launched Operation Eastwood. Europol and Eurojust coordinated the joint crackdown. The effort reportedly dismantled major parts of the pro-Russian cyber army’s infrastructure, including hundreds of systems.
The network, NoName057(16), had attacked Ukraine and NATO member states. It used distributed denial-of-service (DDoS) attacks to flood websites and services with traffic. These cyber strikes targeted public services, including defense, government, energy, and financial infrastructure.
Germany issued six arrest warrants for suspects based in Russia. Two are accused of leading the group’s activities. Spain issued another arrest warrant. France and Spain also reported one arrest each. All suspects are internationally wanted.
Authorities carried out 24 house searches and questioned 13 individuals across Europe. In Spain alone, 12 searches took place. Investigators also notified over 1,000 individuals believed to support the cyber group. Fifteen of them were administrators.
Attacks tied to political and military events across Europe
Europol reports that the group’s cyberattacks were timed to coincide with high-profile political moments. In Germany, authorities experienced 14 separate attack waves since November 2023, affecting more than 250 institutions. Targets included arms factories, energy companies, and government agencies.
Other attacks struck during the European elections. Swedish government and banking websites were affected. In Switzerland, NoName057(16) launched attacks in June 2023, during a speech by Ukraine’s president to the Joint Parliament. Another wave occurred in June 2024 during the Peace Summit for Ukraine at Bürgenstock.
The most recent attack linked to the group targeted the NATO summit held in the Netherlands in June 2025. Europol notes that although the attacks caused disruption attempts, none led to substantial outages.
Recruitment tactics built on crypto rewards and gamified propaganda
Europol identifies NoName057(16) as an ideological cyber network that operated without formal leadership. The group recruited mostly Russian-speaking sympathizers, many with little technical knowledge. Its structure relied heavily on gamified propaganda and incentives.
Volunteers received cryptocurrency payments and recognition through online shout-outs, badges, and leaderboards. Europol notes this method especially appealed to younger users who felt emotionally involved in Russia’s political narratives.
The group used pro-Russian forums, messaging apps, and gaming channels to recruit and coordinate. Europol says it also developed its own botnet made up of several hundred servers. These were used to amplify DDoS attacks against selected targets.
To simplify participation, NoName057(16) distributed guides and tools like DDoSia. Europol also launched a prevention campaign warning suspected supporters of their criminal liability, delivered via the same communication platforms.
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As the EU ramps up economic pressure, the Kremlin scrambles to downplay sanctions by pushing claims of immunity and resilience. But behind the bravado, top Russian officials are quietly conceding the growing toll on the country’s economy, according to the think tank Institute for the Study of War (ISW).
Despite Western sanctions and growing geopolitical isolation since its 2022 invasion of Ukraine, Russia has maintained a militarized economy powered by energy revenues and expanded public and def
As the EU ramps up economic pressure, the Kremlin scrambles to downplay sanctions by pushing claims of immunity and resilience. But behind the bravado, top Russian officials are quietly conceding the growing toll on the country’s economy, according to the think tank Institute for the Study of War (ISW).
Despite Western sanctions and growing geopolitical isolation since its 2022 invasion of Ukraine, Russia has maintained a militarized economy powered by energy revenues and expanded public and defense spending. The increasing sanctions are designed to curb foreign income and block tech imports to weaken Moscow’s capacity to wage war.
Russian officials claim immunity while signs of economic damage emerge
ISW reported on 18 July that Russian officials are continuing to falsely claim that the European Union’s newest sanctions have no significant impact on the Russian economy. Kremlin Spokesperson Dmitry Peskov alleged for no reason that the EU’s sanctions are illegal, and insisted Russia had already adapted to life under restrictive measures. He stated that the Kremlin would analyze the effects of the latest sanctions package and minimize their impact. Peskov also stated that the sanctions ostensibly ultimately harm those who imposed them.
Russian Security Council Deputy Chairperson Dmitry Medvedev responded to the EU’s newest package by asserting that Russia’s stance remains unchanged and that the country’s economy will endure. He went further, threatening to increase strikes on Kyiv and other Ukrainian cities — which has already been happening for years. Medvedev declared that Russia must learn to “hate” the EU and what he described as its “Russophobia” as much as its ancestors did.
Kirill Dmitriev, CEO of the Russian Direct Investment Fund (RDIF) and Putin’s Special Representative for Investment and Economic Cooperation with Foreign Countries, echoed similar showy defiance. He claimed that the sanctions hurt Europe more than Russia by closing Russian markets to European businesses and disrupting the continent’s energy supply. Meanwhile, Head of the Russian State Duma Committee on Financial Markets Anatoly Aksakov dismissed the new financial sanctions as insignificant, calling them “just a fluctuation in the air,” since Russian banks were already operating under EU restrictions.
Top Russian ministers admit critical sanctions impact
Despite these bold public statements, ISW highlighted that some senior Russian officials are now quietly admitting that sanctions are taking a toll on the economy. The Moscow Times reported on 17 July that Russian Energy Minister Sergei Tsivilev recently told the Russian Federation Council that Western sanctions are making it difficult for Russian oil companies to obtain parts needed to repair refineries.
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Russian Central Bank Chairperson Elvira Nabiullina openly stated on 19 June that Russia has “exhausted many of its free resources” since the start of the full-scale invasion and must now search for a new growth model. Minister of Economic Development Maxim Reshetnikov also acknowledged during SPIEF that the Russian economy stands “on the brink of recession.”
Kremlin relies on evasive schemes to soften sanctions blow
ISW underscored that sanctions evasion through the People’s Republic of China and other third-party networks is now a key pillar of Moscow’s strategy. The Kremlin has built a network of actors designed to bypass Western restrictions, and has started reconfiguring its economic policies and business models to survive sanctions in the long run. However, ISW wrote, hinting on Washington’s hesitation to adopt news sanctions against Russia:
“The EU’s newest sanctions are a positive step, but wider Western compliance and enforcement are necessary to inflict maximum economic pressure on Russia.“
The EU’s 18th sanctions package, approved on 18 July by the European Council, sharply undercuts Russian oil revenues. It slashes the oil price cap to $47.60 per barrel, bans Nord Stream pipeline transactions, and blacklists 105 more shadow fleet tankers—bringing the total to 444. It also targets entities tied to Rosneft and ends Czechia’s exemption for Russian oil.
Refined products from Russian crude are banned unless processed in select Western countries. Though the Kremlin budgeted for losses, these sanctions are expected to cut far deeper—threatening the third of federal revenue tied to oil.
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Ukrainian factories building drones to down Russian aircraft are changing the face of modern air defense — one low-cost interceptor at a time. On 18 July, the New York Post published a reportage about its journalists visiting two drone production facilities in Kyiv. The publication got an inside look at how Ukraine is confronting drone warfare with ingenuity and affordability.
Amid the ongoing Russo-Ukrainian war, Moscow continues launching daily drone strikes against Ukrainian cities, often dep
Ukrainian factories building drones to down Russian aircraft are changing the face of modern air defense — one low-cost interceptor at a time. On 18 July, the New York Post published a reportage about its journalists visiting two drone production facilities in Kyiv. The publication got an inside look at how Ukraine is confronting drone warfare with ingenuity and affordability.
Amid the ongoing Russo-Ukrainian war, Moscow continues launching daily drone strikes against Ukrainian cities, often deploying hundreds of Iranian-designed Shahed explosive drones to target civilians. Each Shahed can carry up to 90 kg of explosives. With limited access to foreign air defense systems, Ukraine has focused on developing and scaling up production of interceptor drones to counter Russia’s growing Shahed onslaught.
Kyiv engineers race to scale drone interceptors
The New York Post says Nomad Drones and a second, anonymous company are leading a new surge in Ukrainian factories building drones. These interceptors are crafted specifically to neutralize Russian-launched Shaheds, which cost around $50,000 apiece. Meanwhile, Ukraine’s new models are dramatically cheaper — priced between $3,000 and $7,000, depending on type and size.
Nomad Drones co-founder and CEO Andrii Fedorov explained the concept to the NYP.
“In Ukraine, there is a phrase people have been using — that ‘quantity’ becomes ‘quality,’” he said.
According to Fedorov, deploying a $1 million missile to destroy a $50,000 drone makes no economic sense.
“If you have 20 drones, then the capacity costs you, say, $40,000 to shoot it down.”
Cost-effective jamming-proof drones
Nomad’s aircraft are designed for cost-effective lethality. Equipped with fiber-optic cables, they avoid jamming and reach enemy drones undetected by radars. Each unit carries explosives and can be detonated remotely on approach. That ability is critical against fast-moving targets like Shaheds, often launched in swarms across Ukrainian airspace.
A second firm — unnamed in the report due to repeated Russian strikes on its facility — builds a meter-long missile-style interceptors. That company continues operating despite multiple attacks.
“It’s all about cost-effectiveness,” an employee said. “Western technologies are so cool and modern — they are expensive at the same time.”
Built for war, priced for survival
The strategy centers on affordability, speed, and scalable output. Nomad Drones and others now produce tens of thousands of interceptors monthly. These low-cost systems are not meant to endure — they’re made to fly once, explode midair, and protect civilian lives.
Tis model contrasts sharply with existing Western air defense systems, which rely heavily on expensive precision strikes. With Russia launching over 700 drones in a single night last week, Ukrainian engineers have prioritized high-volume production as the only viable path forward.
Ukrainian-made drones may soon bolster US forces trailing China in tech. As the NYP reported earlier, Ukraine’s president confirmed a “mega deal” under discussion with the Trump administration to trade battle-tested UAVs for American weapons.
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Russian saboteurs tried to infiltrate Ukrainian lines in Pokrovsk, Donetsk Oblast. Ukrainian troops intercepted and eliminated them, Ukraine’s top general Syrskyi confirmed. The attack came amid intensifying fighting across Donetsk, Sumy, and Kharkiv oblasts, as Russian forces press multiple axes of advance.
Amid the ongoing Russian invasion of Ukraine, Moscow’s military operations aimed at seizing all of Ukraine’s Donetsk Oblast intensified around Pokrovsk in February 2025, with multiple units
Russian saboteurs tried to infiltrate Ukrainian lines in Pokrovsk, Donetsk Oblast. Ukrainian troops intercepted and eliminated them, Ukraine’s top general Syrskyi confirmed. The attack came amid intensifying fighting across Donetsk, Sumy, and Kharkiv oblasts, as Russian forces press multiple axes of advance.
Amid the ongoing Russian invasion of Ukraine, Moscow’s military operations aimed at seizing all of Ukraine’s Donetsk Oblast intensified around Pokrovsk in February 2025, with multiple units redeployed to reinforce this direction. The focus then shifted toward Kostiantynivka, but the main push now appears to have returned to Pokrovsk.
Russian saboteurs in Pokrovsk eliminated during failed incursion
Ukrainian Commander-in-Chief Oleksandr Syrskyi reported that Russian saboteurs in Pokrovsk attempted to breach Ukrainian defenses on 18 July. The group, described as a DRG — diversionary and reconnaissance group, failed to reach the city. Ukrainian defenders spotted them in time and destroyed the entire group.
According to Syrskyi, Russia continues using small infantry groups to try and seize Pokrovsk. Russia mostly switched to these tactics after years of costly frontal “meat-wave” attacks.
Syrskyi posted the update at 22:07 on 18 July via Telegram. He said Ukrainian troops “courageously repel intensified pressure and destroy the Russian aggressor” along the Pokrovsk and Novopavlivka axes. These fronts in Donetsk Oblast were the main focus of his report to President Zelenskyy, who also serves as Ukraine’s supreme commander.
Ukrainian units credited with stopping Russian sabotage team
Syrskyi named several units that contributed to Ukraine’s recent defensive success. He highlighted the 59th Assault Brigade and Special Operations Forces operating on the Pokrovsk axis.
Situation in the area of Pokrovsk as of 18 July 2025, according to Deep State. The reported Russian advancements are further south from Pokrovsk.
He also praised units on other fronts. These include the 225th Separate Assault Regiment and 95th Air Assault Brigade in the Siversk direction (northeastern Ukraine), the 3rd Assault Brigade near Kupiansk (Kharkiv Oblast), and the 82nd Air Assault Brigade and 14th National Guard Brigade near Dobropillia (Donetsk Oblast).
Additionally, the 5th Assault Brigade and elements of the 225th Regiment fought in the Novopavlivka direction, which Syrskyi also called a high-pressure area.
Ukrainian forces counter Russian gains across several fronts
According to an 18 July report by the Institute for the Study of War (ISW), Russian forces “recently advanced near Pokrovsk” and in northern Sumy Oblast. ISW classifies Pokrovsk as part of Russia’s Subordinate Main Effort—aiming to capture all of Donetsk Oblast and potentially push into Dnipropetrovsk Oblast.
The ISW also noted that the Ukrainian forces have advanced near Novopavlivka, while the Russians in northern Sumy Oblast.
Ukrainian OSINT project DeepState reported similar activity. On 18 July, it noted Russian advances near Voskresenka, Zelenyi Hai, and Yablunivka—all in Donetsk Oblast.
On 19 July, DeepState added that Russian troops had occupied a different Yablunivka in Sumy Oblast. They also advanced near Yunakivka (Sumy Oblast), Khatnie (northeastern Kharkiv Oblast), as well as Romanivka and Toretsk (Donetsk Oblast).
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Russia moves to erase Ukrainian language from schools in occupied Ukrainian territories, the UK Ministry of Defense reported in its 18 July 2025 intelligence update. A draft order from Russia’s Education Ministry outlines plans to eliminate Ukrainian from school curricula starting September 2025. The Ministry justifies the move by citing an allegedly “changed geopolitical situation.”
This policy deepens Moscow’s Russification drive, which seeks to erase Ukrainian culture and identity in occupied
Russia moves to erase Ukrainian language from schools in occupied Ukrainian territories, the UK Ministry of Defense reported in its 18 July 2025 intelligence update. A draft order from Russia’s Education Ministry outlines plans to eliminate Ukrainian from school curricula starting September 2025. The Ministry justifies the move by citing an allegedly “changed geopolitical situation.”
This policy deepens Moscow’s Russification drive, which seeks to erase Ukrainian culture and identity in occupied areas. The Kremlin’s goal is to make Ukrainians identify as Russians — a pattern seen throughout centuries of occupation.
Kremlin prepares to ban Ukrainian in Zaporizhzhia and Kherson schools
The draft order will primarily affect children in Russian-occupied areas of Zaporizhzhia and Kherson oblasts, where Ukrainian has remained a mandatory subject despite the occupation. Under the new plan, schools will no longer be allowed to teach Ukrainian as part of the core curriculum. The order also reportedly reduces the study of Ukrainian literature to a minimal level, further cutting off cultural education.
Long-term effort to eliminate Ukrainian identity
The UK Ministry of Defense reported:
“This follows reported long-term Russian efforts to reduce and eliminate the Ukrainian language in schools in other illegally occupied Ukrainian territories, including Crimea, whilst Russia’s President Putin has simultaneously repeatedly demanded protections for the Russian language within unoccupied territories of Ukraine.”
Cultural cleansing through education policy
The UK Ministry of Defense reports that the Russian Education Ministry’s plans mark “a further addition” to the Kremlin’s “long-standing Russification policy” in occupied Ukrainian territory — a campaign that seeks to “extirpate Ukrainian culture, identity, and statehood.”
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Australia’s Abrams tanks have arrived in Ukraine, but reports differ on whether this is the first batch or the majority of the 49 pledged. Sky News and The Guardian describe the shipment as the first tranche, but then noted that “the majority” has been delivered. In contrast, Reuters reports that Ukraine has received most of the pledged Australian tanks, with the rest to follow.
The tanks arrive in Ukraine as Russia escalates attacks on civilians. According to the United Nations Human Rights Off
Australia’s Abrams tanks have arrived in Ukraine, but reports differ on whether this is the first batch or the majority of the 49 pledged. Sky News and The Guardian describe the shipment as the first tranche, but then noted that “the majority” has been delivered. In contrast, Reuters reports that Ukraine has received most of the pledged Australian tanks, with the rest to follow.
The tanks arrive in Ukraine as Russia escalates attacks on civilians. According to the United Nations Human Rights Office, June was the deadliest month for civilians in over three years. Russian missile and drone strikes are hitting residential areas at record levels.
Media differ over scale of Australian tank delivery to Ukraine
Australia’s retired Abrams tanks arrive in Ukraine as part of a 245 million AUD (about $160 million) military aid package promised last October. Reuters reports that Canberra has already handed over most of the previously pledged 49 M1A1 Abrams, with the rest due in the coming months. Sky News Australia, however, states this is the first arrival, noting a nine-month delay since the tanks were pledged. The Guardian, citing the Australian Associated Press, also calls it the “first tranche,” but then adds:
“A majority of the tanks have been delivered and a final tranche will arrive in the coming months, but actual numbers have not been released.“
Australia’s Defense Minister Richard Marles said the Abrams tanks “will make a significant contribution” to Ukraine’s effort to repel Russia’s invasion. He emphasized their role in boosting Ukrainian firepower alongside other Western-supplied equipment. The country’s Defense Industry Minister Pat Conroy added, “Australia stands shoulder-to-shoulder with Ukraine.”
Tank support part of larger Australian aid commitment
Australia’s Abrams tanks arrive in Ukraine alongside broader support totaling more than 1.5 billion AUD or $980 million since February 2022.
Canberra also plans to send a Wedgetail surveillance aircraft to Europe in August. The aircraft will help safeguard aid corridors delivering supplies into Ukraine. At the same time, Australia maintains export bans on alumina and aluminum ores to Russia. About 1,000 Russian individuals and entities remain under Australiansanctions.
Alongside military support, Australia is negotiating a non-binding security pact with Ukraine. More than two dozen nations have signed similar agreements with Kyiv. These arrangements focus on political and military cooperation but do not include formal defense guarantees.
A second bilateral deal aims to eliminate double taxation between the two countries. Officials expect it to encourage foreign investment in Ukraine’s postwar reconstruction.
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Romania wants to build drones with Ukraine, but production is delayed until 2026 due to lack of military funding. Digi24 reports that Romania’s Defense Ministry wants to launch a joint drone-manufacturing project, but no funds are available this year to begin construction or procurement.
Drone warfare has shaped the Russo-Ukrainian conflict, with Ukraine deploying UAVs across all domains. The ongoing Russian invasion has driven a surge in Ukrainian drone production, and the Ministry of Defense r
Romania wants to build drones with Ukraine, but production is delayed until 2026 due to lack of military funding. Digi24 reports that Romania’s Defense Ministry wants to launch a joint drone-manufacturing project, but no funds are available this year to begin construction or procurement.
Drone warfare has shaped the Russo-Ukrainian conflict, with Ukraine deploying UAVs across all domains. The ongoing Russian invasion has driven a surge in Ukrainian drone production, and the Ministry of Defense recently stated it could produce up to 10 million drones a year if properly funded.
Romania wants to build drones with Ukraine, but budget delay blocks start
Romania wants to build drones with Ukraine, aiming to manufacture UAVs inside Romania and eventually export them to other European countries. Digi24 reports that the Romanian Ministry of Defense has confirmed it is set to negotiate with officials from Kyiv. The two sides aim to establish a co-production plan for drones, following models already used by Ukraine in partnerships with Denmark and Norway.
According to Digi24, the business plan is not complex: Romania would purchase the technical specifications of drones that Ukraine has developed during its war experience. Those designs, proven in combat, would serve as the base for production inside Romania.
The proposed facility would likely be located in Brașov, Transylvania. Romanian and Ukrainian engineers would cooperate on-site to assemble the UAVs. Most of the drones would enter service with the Romanian army, but many would also be intended for sale across Europe, per the reported plan.
Factory plan awaits funding, likely in 2026
Despite alignment on the concept, the project faces a major obstacle: Romania currently lacks the funding to implement it. Digi24 notes that while Ukraine is willing to move forward and eager to secure income from such cooperation, Romania cannot commit to payments this year.
The next opportunity to fund the drone partnership would come with Romania’s 2026 defense budget. Until then, the joint production initiative remains in the planning phase.
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Zelenskyy installs ex-defense minister Umierov to run Security CouncilThe man once in charge of defense now oversees war tech, arms deals, and talks.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has appointed Rustem Umierov to lead the country’s National Security and Defense Council. He takes over the Security Council after stepping down as defense minister in a wartime Cabinet reshuffle, and will now oversee arms deals, tech coordination, and peace negotiations.
Umierov led Ukraine’s Defense Ministr
Zelenskyy installs ex-defense minister Umierov to run Security Council The man once in charge of defense now oversees war tech, arms deals, and talks.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has appointed Rustem Umierov to lead the country’s National Security and Defense Council. He takes over the Security Council after stepping down as defense minister in a wartime Cabinet reshuffle, and will now oversee arms deals, tech coordination, and peace negotiations.
Umierov led Ukraine’s Defense Ministry for almost two years amid the ongoing full-scale Russian invasion. The National Security and Defense Council of Ukraine — known as RNBO — is the executive coordination body under the president, tasked with shaping and directing national security and defense policy.
Umierov replaces Lytvynenko in key wartime reshuffle
Zelenskyy signed the decree appointing Umierov secretary of the Security Council on 18 July, according to the presidential website. He replaces Oleksandr Lytvynenko, who had held the position since 26 March and is now reportedly being considered for an ambassadorial role in Serbia, Forbes reports, citing a government source speaking anonymously due to the sensitivity of the issue.
Umierov had served as defense minister since 6 September 2023 until his dismissal on 17 July 2025. That same day, former Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal was appointed Ukraine’s new defense minister.
Yuliia Svyrydenko was appointed Prime Minister, with new ministers named across the government. Zelenskyy emphasized that the new cabinet must ensure Ukraine’s defenders have confidence in reliable supply, and that boosting internal economic potential would support that goal.
Umierov was floated for a US ambassador role, but Kyiv opted to keep him in command. Forbes says Washington “did not reject” his candidacy, though it likely preferred he remain in Ukraine’s negotiation track. Olha Stefanishyna now serves as special envoy to the US.
Weapons, tech, and coordination now fall under Umierov
In a post on X, Umierov confirmed his appointment and outlined his top priorities in his new role.
“Coordination and control of the security and defense sector,” he wrote, adding that an audit will be conducted on the implementation of decisions made by the Headquarters of the Supreme Commander-in-Chief.
He pledged to coordinate all arms deliveries, joint production, and sensitive international defense partnerships.
“I remain in constant dialogue with our international partners,” he said, referring to critical yet discreet defense agreements.
Umierov also stated he would fully restore the operation of the Technological Command Post to accelerate front-line modernization and battlefield tech innovation. One of the primary missions now under his oversight is the synchronized execution of orders across all components of Ukraine’s defense system.
Umierov to run Security Council and peace track
Umierov’s responsibilities also include overseeing the negotiation track.
“Ukraine consistently advocates for a just peace — and we are working to achieve it in close coordination with our allies,” he wrote.
RFE/RL reports that Zelenskyy met with Umierov on 18 July to discuss the new leadership tasks. Among the key priorities mentioned by the president was “more dynamics” in implementing the agreements with Russia reached during the second summit in Istanbul.
The president referred to failed ceasefire negotiations with Moscow under US President Donald Trump’s pressure. It is not immediately clear, what the “reached agreements” Zelenskyy implied – the only tangible outcome of the talks was prisoner exchanges.
Zelenskyy also tasked Umierov with continuing weapons coordination with Ukraine’s partners, fully implementing all supply agreements, and advancing new projects for joint arms production and defense manufacturing facilities on partner territory.
According to the president’s office, Umierov is expected to strengthen the format of the technological headquarters, enforce decisions delayed in execution, and ensure full compliance across the defense and security sectors.
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Russia is “burning the candle at both ends” economically as top bankers quietly brace for bailouts amid a growing Russian debt crisis, the Institute for the Study of War (ISW) wrote on 17 July. While the Kremlin pretends its economy is stable amid the ongoing protracted invasion of Ukraine, structural fractures continue to widen beneath that illusion.
In the fourth year of its all-out war against Ukraine, Russia’s wartime economy is buckling under sanctions and military losses. Yet Kremlin propa
Russia is “burning the candle at both ends” economically as top bankers quietly brace for bailouts amid a growing Russian debt crisis, the Institute for the Study of War (ISW) wrote on 17 July. While the Kremlin pretends its economy is stable amid the ongoing protracted invasion of Ukraine, structural fractures continue to widen beneath that illusion.
In the fourth year of its all-out war against Ukraine, Russia’s wartime economy is buckling under sanctions and military losses. Yet Kremlin propaganda continues to mask the damage as the West targets Moscow’s ability to fuel its invasion.
Russian bankers brace for fallout as loans go unpaid
Bloomberg reported on 17 July that senior executives at several of Russia’s largest banks have quietly discussed the possibility of requesting government bailouts. This comes as non-performing loans — debts that are late or unpaid — continue to rise in 2025. Documents reviewed by Bloomberg show that three systemically important Russian banks may need to recover funds lost to bad credit.
Russian banks have already seen non-performing loans grow by 1.2% this year. Forecasts suggest the rate could increase from the current 4% to as high as 6–7% by 2026. While ISW cannot independently verify these figures, it notes mounting signs of concern within the financial sector.
Russia’s Central Bank has advised lenders to restructure credit instead of fully recognizing their bad loans, a move ISW views as reflective of Russia’s risky and contradictory financial policies.
Central Bank Chairperson Elvira Nabiullina has dismissed fears of a banking crisis, claiming that reserves totaling eight trillion rubles (around $102.5 billion) are sufficient to cushion any shocks. However, ISW assesses that the Central Bank is likely unwilling to bail out major banks outright — a decision that could spark liquidity problems or even bank failures, directly undermining Russian President Vladimir Putin’s narrative of economic resilience.
War-driven spending pressures the economy
ISW argues that the Kremlin is worsening the growing Russian debt crisis by expanding military spending while relaxing monetary policy to support short-term growth. Since 2022, the government has boosted one-time payments and salaries to attract military recruits and reinforce its defense industrial base. These high payments are necessary due to sustained battlefield losses and the challenge of attracting volunteers.
This dual policy has triggered a competition for labor between military factories and civilian businesses.
As defense wages rise, civilian industries struggle to retain workers, pushing up prices across service sectors. Labor shortages now impact both economic growth and war production. ISW maintains that Russia cannot indefinitely sustain these payouts or replace troops lost at current rates without a general mobilization — a step Putin has avoided.
Inflation appears tamed — but only on paper
On the surface, the Russian Central Bank reports success in reducing inflation. Bloomberg noted that in June 2025, the seasonally adjusted annual rate (SAAR) of inflation fell to 4%, matching the Bank’s target. The drop is attributed in part to a temporarily strong ruble, which lowered the cost of imported goods and helped suppress input costs and inflationary pressures for companies.
However, the Central Bank acknowledged that official annual inflation still stands at 9%. The SAAR is a short-term measure and does not reflect deeper economic trends. ISW argues that this data masks the real problems. Two complicating factors — the fading effect of ruble strength and rising service costs — are expected to slow progress in bringing inflation under control.
Moreover, Russia’s Central Bank expects average interest rates to fall below 18% between August and October 2025, further stimulating demand, but risking weakening consumer purchasing power and devaluing the ruble over time.
Contradictions threaten long-term stability
The think tank concludes wrote:
“Russia is effectively burning the candle at both ends by simultaneously loosening monetary policy to stimulate short-term growth, while expanding fiscal expenditure to feed the military effort.”
This path is likely to deepen the country’s macroeconomic instability, erode the value of the ruble, and diminish consumers’ ability to cope with rising costs. Behind the Central Bank’s controlled narrative, ISW sees rising stress in Russia’s economic foundation — a crisis building quietly but steadily.
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Germany will deliver Patriot missiles to Ukraine “very shortly,” following US President Donald Trump’s NATO agreement to increase weapons aid. The delivery, part of a Europe-funded supply plan, could make the system operational in Ukraine within weeks, according to Germany’s leader.
This comes amid daily Russian drone and missile attacks, targeting primarily Ukrainian residential areas and civilian infrastructure.
Germany finalizing Patriot missile transfer with NATO
According to Politico, Germa
Germany will deliver Patriot missiles to Ukraine “very shortly,” following US President Donald Trump’s NATO agreement to increase weapons aid. The delivery, part of a Europe-funded supply plan, could make the system operational in Ukraine within weeks, according to Germany’s leader.
This comes amid daily Russian drone and missile attacks, targeting primarily Ukrainian residential areas and civilian infrastructure.
Germany finalizing Patriot missile transfer with NATO
According to Politico, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz confirmed during a 17 July press conference in the UK that Ukraine will receive Patriot air-defense systems “very shortly, very soon.” He stressed that Kyiv urgently needs deep strike capability and that additional support is on the way. According to Merz, defense ministers are now finalizing logistics to fulfill the delivery.
Politico reports that the announcement followed Trump’s new NATO deal earlier this week. The plan allows European countries to send weapons to Ukraine now and buy replacements from the US.
NATO and Germany already preparing transfer
Alexus Grynkewich, NATO’s Allied Air Command leader, said on 17 July that preparations for the Patriot transfer were already under way.
Trump stated on 14 July that part of the Patriot system would arrive “within days,” though others have raised questions about the exact timeline. Merz later clarified that the capability could be active in Ukraine within weeks.
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Amid the Russian “human safari,” a drone attack on Kherson’s rabbi Yossef Itzhak Wolff left his family unharmed after a Russian FPV drone slammed into their vehicle near the regional capital. The strike occurred while the rabbi, his wife, and their young daughter were inside the car. Chief Rabbi of Ukraine Moshe Azman reported the incident on 17 July.
The drone attack on rabbi is part of Russia’s ongoing “human safari” campaign against civilians in Kherson. Russian forces positioned just across
Amid the Russian “human safari,” a drone attack on Kherson’s rabbi Yossef Itzhak Wolff left his family unharmed after a Russian FPV drone slammed into their vehicle near the regional capital. The strike occurred while the rabbi, his wife, and their young daughter were inside the car. Chief Rabbi of Ukraine Moshe Azman reported the incident on 17 July.
The drone attack on rabbi is part of Russia’s ongoing “human safari” campaign against civilians in Kherson. Russian forces positioned just across the Dnipro River launch FPV drones and munition-dropping UAVs daily, deliberately targeting moving cars and people on the streets and inside buildings. Civilians in Kherson are killed or injured every day in these attacks. In addition to drones, Russia continues to shell Kherson and nearby towns with artillery and missiles, forcing many residents to remain indoors for safety.
Drone strike targeted rabbi’s family in moving vehicle
On 17 July, Moshe Azman wrote on X that “two hours ago” a Russian FPV drone attacked the car of the Chief Rabbi of Kherson, Yossef Wolff. He stated that the drone hit the car at the entrance to Kherson, with the rabbi, his wife, and their daughter inside at the moment of impact.
Azman said he had just spoken with Rabbi Wolff, and emphasized the survival as a “very great miracle.” According to the post, the drone entered the car “at a very high speed.” No one was injured in the explosion.
Explore further
The UN confirmed what I saw in Kherson: Russia is hunting civilians for sport
Video shows damage to SUV after direct strike
Azman shared a video recorded by Rabbi Wolff showing his Toyota Land Cruiser, which sustained significant damage. In the video, Rabbi Wolff says:
“A drone got into our car and exploded, but incredibly we are alive.”
Yossef Itzhak Wolff has served as Chief Rabbi of Kherson and the oblast since 1998 and is also chairman of the Board of the Kherson Jewish community.
Moscow’s “human safari” continues
Also on 17 July, Russian forces struck an ambulance in Kherson Oblast. The strike hit a medical team en route to a call in Zymivnyk. The vehicle was damaged, and two medics — a 49-year-old medical assistant and a 65-year-old paramedic — were injured.
And this morning, 18 July, Russian forces killed a man in the village of Veletenske in Kherson Oblast’s Bilozerka community. According to oblast head Oleksandr Prokudin, around 09:00, a Russian drone struck a local resident born in 1990 as he rode his bicycle. He sustained fatal injuries.
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The EU has agreed on a new Russia sanctions package, with ambassadors reaching consensus on the bloc’s 18th sanctions round targeting key sectors of the Russian economy, Suspilne reports. Malta and Slovakia reportedly lifted their vetoes after receiving critical assurances, clearing the way for formal adoption at the EU Council’s meeting later today, 18 July.
Malta and Slovakia lift vetoes, clearing way for approval
According to Suspilne, Malta withdrew its objection after receiving written guar
The EU has agreed on a new Russia sanctions package, with ambassadors reaching consensus on the bloc’s 18th sanctions round targeting key sectors of the Russian economy, Suspilne reports. Malta and Slovakia reportedly lifted their vetoes after receiving critical assurances, clearing the way for formal adoption at the EU Council’s meeting later today, 18 July.
Malta and Slovakia lift vetoes, clearing way for approval
According to Suspilne, Malta withdrew its objection after receiving written guarantees from the European Commission. The country wanted confirmation that the proposed oil price cap would not strengthen Russia’s shadow fleet, a concern tied to Malta’s large shipping sector.
Pro-Russian Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico announced earlier on Facebook that Slovakia had also dropped its veto. His government received EU guarantees related to gas prices and supply stability. Fico, however, underlined that Slovakia would never support ending Russian gas imports after 1 January 2028.
Both countries had previously blocked consensus on the package, which was introduced by the European Commission in June.
Package includes pipeline bans and price cap changes
The new Russia sanctions package will include a formal ban on the Nord Stream 1 and 2 pipelines. EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Kaja Kallas said the bloc will also reduce the oil price cap as part of efforts to cut the Kremlin’s war revenues.
Kallas called the deal “one of the strongest” sanctions packages yet, noting it is designed to shrink Russia’s ability to finance its war in Ukraine. She also confirmed that the EU will continue to increase the costs of aggression for Moscow.
Germany and Sweden requested that the package be placed on the Council’s agenda under “Other business.” Once the General Affairs Council formally approves it, the sanctions will become legally binding.
Shadow fleet, banks, and drone tech also targeted
The package includes sanctions on 105 ships from Russia’s shadow fleet and on the entities enabling their operations. A registry of ship flags will be introduced to identify and track these vessels, which are used to obscure the origin of Russian oil.
In addition, 22 Russian banks will face new financial restrictions aimed at cutting their access to international funding. Brussels will also ban the export of European technologies used in Russian drone production.
Kallas confirmed that Chinese banks helping Russia evade restrictions are among the foreign entities targeted. The EU plans to limit their ability to support Russian financial transactions that bypass sanctions.
Rosneft refinery in India and indoctrination networks included
For the first time, the EU will sanction a foreign-based refinery—India’s largest Rosneft facility—due to its role in processing and moving Russian oil. The package also targets individuals and organizations involved in indoctrinating Ukrainian children in Russian-occupied territories.
Lithuanian Foreign Minister Kęstutis Budrys welcomed the agreement, stating that the combination of shipping, energy, and financial measures would ensure Russia remains on track to lose access to “blood money.” He also urged the US Senate to pass its own Russia sanctions legislation to align with EU efforts.
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Last night’s Russian drone strike, including 35 one-way attack and decoy drones, killed a railway worker and injured several more civilians in three Ukrainian regions as the Shahed drones hit homes and infrastructure across three oblasts.
Russia continues its daily air attacks against Ukrainian civilians. The number of Russian explosive drones launched has dropped sharply in recent days. Russia fired 400 drones and a ballistic missile on 16 July, followed by 267 drones on 15 July and 64 on 17 J
Last night’s Russian drone strike, including 35 one-way attack and decoy drones, killed a railway worker and injured several more civilians in three Ukrainian regions as the Shahed drones hit homes and infrastructure across three oblasts.
Russia continues its dailyairattacks against Ukrainian civilians. The number of Russian explosive drones launched has dropped sharply in recent days. Russia fired 400 drones and a ballistic missile on 16 July, followed by 267 drones on 15 July and 64 on 17 July. By comparison, only 35 drones were used in last night’s attack. Despite the smaller scale, the strike remained deadly. With Russia continuing to produce drones at a steady pace, it may be stockpiling them for a larger assault in the near future.
Ukrainian air defenses intercept 11 drones, but 18 strike targets
Ukraine’s Air Force reported that Moscow’s forces launched 35 unmanned aerial vehicles, including 29 Shaheds and multiple decoy drones, from the directions of Russia’s Millerovo and Primorsko-Akhtarsk. The attack began around 21:30 on 17 July and continued into the early hours of 18 July.
Air defense units reportedly destroyed 11 drones over Ukraine’s northern and eastern regions. Six decoy drones disappeared from radars or were suppressed by electronic warfare.
However, 18 drones struck five confirmed sites, and debris from intercepted drones fell in two additional locations. The main direction of attack was toward eastern frontline areas, according to the Air Force.
Railway worker killed in Dnipropetrovsk oblast
In Dnipropetrovsk Oblast, a Russian drone strike kills a railway worker and injures two others. The head of the oblast administration, Serhii Lysak, confirmed that drones hit communities in Pavlohrad and Synelnykove districts. A 52-year-old man was killed in the Verbkivska and Bohdanivska areas, and two men aged 38 and 40 were wounded. A fire broke out at a local transport facility, which was later extinguished.
Ukrzaliznytsia added that a drone also struck an electric locomotive. The train operator was killed, and his assistant was wounded but remains in stable condition.
Three Shahed drones were downed over the oblast by Ukrainian air defenses.
According to Lysak, a small FPV kamikaze drone also targeted Nikopol. The aftermath is still under investigation.
Elderly man injured in Zaporizhzhia oblast
In Zaporizhzhia Oblast, Russian drones struck Andriivka village in the Zaporizhzhia district. According to oblast head Ivan Fedorov, nine Shahed drones hit the area, injuring a 79-year-old man. Fires erupted at non-residential buildings and several structures were destroyed.
Four civilians wounded in Kharkiv oblast
In Kharkiv Oblast, Russian drones targeted the city of Chuhuiv. Mayor Halyna Minaieva reported that four civilians were wounded. The strike damaged residential buildings, a family doctor’s office, and an educational institution.
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A drone deal between Trump and Ukraine could bring Kyiv’s battlefield-proven UAVs into American hands, and more US-made weapons to Ukraine. The New York Post reports that President Trump and President Volodymyr Zelenskyy are considering what’s being called a “mega deal.”
Drone warfare has defined the Russo-Ukrainian war, with unmanned systems deployed across air, land, and sea. Ukraine and Russia remain locked in a fast-paced arms race, constantly advancing their drone technologies and testing
A drone deal between Trump and Ukraine could bring Kyiv’s battlefield-proven UAVs into American hands, and more US-made weapons to Ukraine. The New York Post reports that President Trump and President Volodymyr Zelenskyy are considering what’s being called a “mega deal.”
Drone warfare has defined the Russo-Ukrainian war, with unmanned systems deployed across air, land, and sea. Ukraine and Russia remain locked in a fast-paced arms race, constantly advancing their drone technologies and testing new offensive and defensive systems.
Kyiv offers frontline drone experience for US weapons
In an exclusive interview with the New York Post, Zelenskyy revealed that his latest discussions with Trump centered around an exchange of drone technology and weaponry. Under the proposed agreement, Ukraine would sell its combat-hardened drone systems to the United States. In return, Washington would sell Ukraine a significant array of American weapons.
“This is really a mega deal, a win-win, as they say,” Zelenskyy told the NYP. “The people of America need this technology, and you need to have it in your arsenal.”
Zelenskyy emphasized that Ukraine is ready to share its knowledge gained from over three years of fighting against Russia’s full-scale invasion. According to him, this experience could help both the US and European partners adapt to modern warfare. Zelenskyy said that parallel talks were also ongoing with Denmark, Norway, and Germany.
Ukraine’s drones reshape modern warfare
The possible drone deal between Trump and Ukraine builds on Ukraine’s rapid evolution into a drone warfare powerhouse. Ukraine was the first to start using FPV drones as precision weapons against Russian equipment and personnel. Additionally, Ukraine also developed the long-range naval kamikaze drones, which sank multiple Russian navy’s ships. Kyiv’s long-range aerial drones reach as far as 1,300 km into Russia. In May, a Ukrainian marine drone destroyed a Russian Su-30 fighter jet over the Black Sea, using onboard air-to-air missiles.
One of the most dramatic operations, dubbed “Operation Spider Web,” saw 117 Ukrainian drones launched simultaneously deep inside Russia. They took out dozens of Russian irreplaceable strategic bombers at four separate bases.
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First battlefield capitulation to robots: Ukrainian drones force Russian surrender and seize fortified position (video)
US drone tech lags behind, experts warn
While Ukraine surges ahead, US defense officials and military experts have warned that the US is falling behind in drone warfare. The New York Post notes that American troops lack the experience to effectively operate UAVs or defend against them. Trent Emeneker, a project manager at the Defense Innovation Unit, told the New York Times,
“We all know the same thing. We aren’t giving the American war fighter what they need to survive warfare today.”
US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth has recently issued a new order to “cut red tape” on domestic drone production.
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Ukraine’s new Magura W6P naval drone patrols 1000 km, offering longer range and smarter sea reconnaissance, Militarnyi reports. This latest model shifts from strike operations to focus on maritime patrol and intelligence gathering. Militarnyi’s correspondent visited a closed presentation of the new maritime robotic system, recently organized by Ukraine’s HUR military intelligence agency.
Ukraine’s earlier Magura V5 naval kamikaze drones helped push Russia’s Black Sea Fleet out of eastern Crimea
Ukraine’s new Magura W6P naval drone patrols 1000 km, offering longer range and smarter sea reconnaissance, Militarnyi reports. This latest model shifts from strike operations to focus on maritime patrol and intelligence gathering. Militarnyi’s correspondent visited a closed presentation of the new maritime robotic system, recently organized by Ukraine’s HUR military intelligence agency.
Ukraine’s earlier Magura V5 naval kamikaze drones helped push Russia’s Black Sea Fleet out of eastern Crimea by sinking a significant part of the fleet. Recent upgrades like the V7 and W6 series mark the next phase in Ukraine’s maritime drone capabilities, with the W6P as the latest modification in this highly successful series.
Magura W6P naval drone patrols 1000 km with enhanced stability and sensors
Magura W6P replaces kamikaze capabilities with advanced reconnaissance systems and an extended operational radius from 800 km to 1000 km. Unlike its predecessor Magura v5, which reached speeds up to 50 knots, the W6P has a top speed of 36 knots and cruises at 21 knots powered by a 200-horsepower Suzuki DF200 gasoline engine. This change favors endurance over speed for longer patrols.
The drone features a unique trimaran hull with two outriggers, increasing stability at sea and reducing side rolling during waves or movement. This design also expands the deck width to 2 meters, providing space for mounting equipment such as launch containers for strike FPV drones, although the W6P itself no longer performs kamikaze attacks. The full loaded weight is 1,900 kg, including a 400 kg payload capacity.
Advanced radar, optical systems, and satellite communications enhance reconnaissance
Magura W6P is equipped with a gyro-stabilized optical station featuring day and thermal imaging channels. The drone’s onboard Furuno radar detects ships up to 30 kilometers away and large tankers up to 60 kilometers, though the low antenna height may reduce this range. Smaller boats can be detected within 7 kilometers.
Additionally, the drone uses a multichannel satellite communication system to maintain control despite enemy electronic warfare attempts.
Magura W6P part of Ukraine’s growing naval drone defense system
Ukraine’s naval forces and developers are working to integrate unmanned systems like Magura W6P into a comprehensive maritime defense network. These drones will patrol, locate, and help neutralize threats in Ukraine’s waters.
The Magura W6P serves primarily as a reconnaissance and patrol component, complementing other drones such as the recently introduced Magura v7, which includes acoustic monitoring.
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Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy told ministers to boost local arms from 40% to 50% within six months as part of a wartime strategy to strengthen Ukraine’s military self-reliance. He outlined the directive during a major speech before parliament, following the formal approval of a reshuffled Cabinet of Ministers on 17 July.
This comes amid the ongoing Russo-Ukrainian war, as Western arms supplies decline. The Ukrainian Defense Ministry reported in February that around 70% of the equipment
Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy told ministers to boost local arms from 40% to 50% within six months as part of a wartime strategy to strengthen Ukraine’s military self-reliance. He outlined the directive during a major speech before parliament, following the formal approval of a reshuffled Cabinet of Ministers on 17 July.
This comes amid the ongoing Russo-Ukrainian war, as Western arms supplies decline. The Ukrainian Defense Ministry reported in February that around 70% of the equipment used on the battlefield was supplied through international military aid. Currently, only 40% of weapons made domestically, Zelenskyy says.
Zelenskyy tasks new cabinet with weapons overhaul
Addressing lawmakers and the new Cabinet, Zelenskyy noted:
“We are transforming the management of the defense sector and weapons production in such a way that, in six months, the share of specifically Ukrainian-made weapons available to our soldiers will significantly increase. Currently, about 40% of all weapons in the hands of our soldiers are made in Ukraine. In six months, it must be no less than 50%,” Zelenskyy said.
He emphasized that boosting domestic arms production was essential in a global environment where attention to Russia-Ukraine’s war is being diluted by other crises.
Ministers told to audit defense deals
Zelenskyy also instructed the reshuffled cabinet to carry out a full audit of all existing defense-related agreements and commitments. These include international partnerships, production deals, memorandums, and resilience programs.
The president stressed that these agreements must be implemented “100% in the interests of Ukraine.”
New prime minister confirmed
During the 17 July parliamentary session, lawmakers approved Zelenskyy’s nominee for prime minister, Yuliia Svyrydenko. Before the reshuffle, she served as Ukraine’s First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economic Development and Trade.
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Moscow’s recycled lies and nuclear bluster aim to fracture NATO and halt US aid for Ukraine, the Institute for the Study of War (ISW) reported on 16 July. The Kremlin is reviving old narratives, including nuclear threats and faux diplomacy, in a coordinated information campaign targeting the United States’ renewed commitment to Ukraine and NATO.
This comes amid the ongoing Russian invasion of Ukraine and follows US President Donald Trump’s reaffirmation in late June 2025 of Washington’s commitme
Moscow’s recycled lies and nuclear bluster aim to fracture NATO and halt US aid for Ukraine, the Institute for the Study of War (ISW) reported on 16 July. The Kremlin is reviving old narratives, including nuclear threats and faux diplomacy, in a coordinated information campaign targeting the United States’ renewed commitment to Ukraine and NATO.
This comes amid the ongoing Russian invasion of Ukraine and follows US President Donald Trump’s reaffirmation in late June 2025 of Washington’s commitment to NATO’s Article 5 and his demand that Russia agree to a ceasefire by 2 September or face severe US secondary tariffs.
Kremlin revives nuclear threats to pressure NATO
ISW says that the Kremlin is “recycling several longstanding informational narratives, including nuclear threats, in a renewed effort to break the United States away from Ukraine and the NATO alliance.”
On 16 July, Kremlin Spokesperson Dmitry Peskov stated that all provisions of Russia’s nuclear doctrine remain active. He emphasized that nuclear powers must not “incite” non-nuclear states and warned that nuclear countries must “answer” for such incitement.
Russia had updated its nuclear doctrine in fall 2024, introducing a clause suggesting that aggression by a non-nuclear country backed by a nuclear power may be treated as a joint attack on Russia.
ISW notes this addition likely aims to intimidate NATO members supporting Ukraine.
Blaming the West for Moscow’s war
Responding to a question about Trump’s push for increased NATO military aid to Ukraine, Peskov claimed that “Europeans maintain a rabid militaristic attitude towards Moscow.“
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov echoed this approach, stating on 15 July that Moscow’s illegal invasion of Ukraine aims to eliminate “the threats that NATO has created” on Russia’s borders.
ISW highlights that these narratives have remained constant throughout the war and are being revived to undermine unity between the United States and Europe.
Russia casts itself as the peacemaker
Amid the Western calls to force Moscow into meaningful negotiations to end the war, Peskov urged the international community to pressure Ukraine—not Russia, the aggressor country—into bilateral negotiations. ISW assesses this move as an effort to “falsely portray Russia as willing to negotiate while undermining Ukraine’s credibility.”
Strategy targets transatlantic unity
ISW notes that Russia is using the same “rhetorical line” that it has used throughout the war “to deter Western support for Ukraine, but has shifted its objective from preventing new support for Ukraine to reversing recent support” and to break the US from its NATO allies.
“The Kremlin is prioritizing informational campaigns aimed at undermining NATO unity and stoking discontent between the United States and its European allies in order to degrade Ukraine’s defense capabilities and achieve its longstanding war aims that amount to Ukraine’s capitulation,” ISW wrote.
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Lithuania protests to Belarus over a Russian drone that entered from its territory and crashed just inside NATO airspace. The Lithuanian Foreign Ministry called the incursion a serious violation in an official statement on Facebook and demanded urgent explanations from Minsk.
Lithuanian officials now consider the 10 July incursion part of a broader pattern of Russian UAV violations of NATO airspace. Russia launches hundreds of drones against Ukraine daily, and some of them either stray off cours
Lithuania protests to Belarus over a Russian drone that entered from its territory and crashed just inside NATO airspace. The Lithuanian Foreign Ministry called the incursion a serious violation in an official statement on Facebook and demanded urgent explanations from Minsk.
Lithuanian officials now consider the 10 July incursion part of a broader pattern of Russian UAV violations of NATO airspace. Russia launches hundreds of drones against Ukraine daily, and some of them either stray off course or are deliberately sent into neighboring countries.
Lithuania cites airspace violation in formal protest to Belarus
On 16 July, Lithuania summoned the acting chargé d’affaires of Belarus and handed over a diplomatic note of protest. The protest came after a Russian-made Gerbera drone illegally entered Lithuania and crashed roughly one kilometer from the border.
In a post published on its official Facebook page, the Lithuanian Foreign Ministry wrote that the drone had crossed from Belarusian territory into Lithuanian airspace on 10 July and demanded a prompt explanation from Minsk. It described the incident as an illegal intrusion by a Russian-made, multifunctional unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV).
The Ministry called on Belarus to take “all necessary measures” to ensure that similar incidents do not happen again.
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Belarus held responsible for Russian drone’s NATO incursion
Lithuania’s Secretary of National Security Kęstutis Budrys, quoted by Delfi, said Belarus is fully responsible for allowing the drone to cross into Lithuania. “This is a serious violation,” Budrys stated. He noted that the object could have been part of a UAV group used in Ukraine.
“It’s likely this drone was used in the war,” he said, suggesting the Gerbera UAV might have been part of Russia’s combat operation before it reached NATO airspace.
The Lithuanian Foreign Ministry emphasized that Belarus must explain the incident immediately and prevent any future drone violations from its territory.
Defense Minister Dovilė Šakalienė told LRT that authorities are still investigating the intent behind the drone’s entry.
“We can confirm it was a Gerbera,” she said. “Its use could vary — we are trying to establish why it was flown here.”
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Russia’s chemical attacks in Ukraine have exceeded 10,000 incidents since February 2023, according to Anton Honchar, chief specialist of the Radiation, Chemical and Biological Defense Directorate of Ukraine’s Armed Forces Support Command. Honchar told Ukrainska Pravda that Russian forces began using chemical weapons against Ukrainians as early as 2014–2015.
Earlier in July, EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Kaja Kallas voiced concern over Russia’s increasing use of c
Russia’s chemical attacks in Ukraine have exceeded 10,000 incidents since February 2023, according to Anton Honchar, chief specialist of the Radiation, Chemical and Biological Defense Directorate of Ukraine’s Armed Forces Support Command. Honchar told Ukrainska Pravda that Russian forces began using chemical weapons against Ukrainians as early as 2014–2015.
Earlier in July, EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Kaja Kallas voiced concern over Russia’s increasing use of chemical weapons. She cited intelligence from Dutch and German services that recorded at least 9,000 incidents since the full-scale invasion began. Kyiv says Russia’s use of chemical weapons began much earlier but couldn’t be fully documented until mobile teams and international protocols were in place.
Ukrainian mobile teams specializing in chemical detection are now deployed across the front, collecting samples of grenades, contaminated gear, and aerosols. These groups work in close coordination with the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) and Special Operations Forces. Honchar noted that over the past month alone, Ukrainian teams recorded about 760 instances of chemical weapons use by Russian troops.
Banned toxic grenades lead Russia’s battlefield arsenal
According to Honchar, 88% of Russia’s chemical attacks involve hand grenades such as the RG-Vo and K-51, both of which are banned for combat use under the Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC). These grenades are intended for riot control, not military operations, yet Russia reportedly uses them to flush Ukrainian troops out of trenches and bunkers. Kyiv accuses Moscow of violating Article 1, Clause 5 of the CWC, which prohibits the use of toxic chemicals as weapons against enemy forces.
Another widely documented agent is chloropicrin, once used to test gas masks. Now, it’s being weaponized in improvised explosive devices or loaded into containers and dropped from drones.
Evidence collected for international prosecution
Honchar stressed that Ukraine now has the technical ability to gather battlefield samples according to international forensic standards. The Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) requires strict procedures to validate evidence in court. Ukraine’s field units adhere to these rules, enabling the country to pursue accountability at both the national and international level.
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Russian forces drop banned chemical irritants from drones on Ukraine
Moscow’s chemical warfare infrastructure exposed
Ukraine accuses Russia of continuing to research, produce, and distribute chemical weapons despite claiming to have destroyed its stockpiles in 2018. The OPCW had been told by Moscow that its inventory was eliminated, yet Ukraine says banned agents are being actively used. One case cited by Honchar involved Russian General Kirillov, head of the Russian Radiation, Chemical, and Biological Defense Troops. According to the SBU, he was responsible for supplying banned grenades to frontline units before being eliminated in December 2024.
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Russia’s chemical weapons use in Ukraine now “large-scale,” intelligence shows
Russian units repeatedly implicated in toxic attacks
Russia’s 155th Naval Infantry Brigade has been identified as one of the units most often using chemical weapons. Kyiv says these attacks are concentrated in combat-heavy directions such as Pokrovsk, Kupiansk, and Lyman, where Russian forces attempt to force Ukrainian troops out of fortified positions.
Honchar said Russian forces prefer to use chemical weapons during spring, summer, and autumn due to better evaporation conditions, and mainly during daylight assaults when their ground offensives are most active.
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Germany’s Defense Ministry has denied knowledge of any Patriot systems for Ukraine currently leaving German territory, rejecting US President Donald Trump’s public claim. SRF reports that German officials say no such delivery is underway.
Germany has previously supplied Patriot air defense systems to Ukraine to help protect its skies from Russian missile and drone strikes. These systems are among the most advanced available and play a crucial role in shielding critical infrastructure and civilia
Germany’s Defense Ministry has denied knowledge of any Patriot systems for Ukraine currently leaving German territory, rejecting US President Donald Trump’s public claim. SRF reports that German officials say no such delivery is underway.
Germany has previously supplied Patriot air defense systems to Ukraine to help protect its skies from Russian missile and drone strikes. These systems are among the most advanced available and play a crucial role in shielding critical infrastructure and civilian populations amid the daily Russian air attacks.
Germany contradicts Trump on Patriot system shipments
A spokesperson for Germany’s Defense Ministry said they could not confirm that any Patriot systems were presently on the way to Ukraine.
“That is not known to me,” the spokesperson stated, as cited by SRF.
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Reuters: Trump promised Patriots for Ukraine—Europe got the invoice
Trump, speaking to journalists in Washington on 15 July, claimed that the first Patriot systems were already being delivered,
“They are coming from Germany,” he added without providing any further details.
Berlin’s response directly contradicts this assertion.
NATO confirms plans for rapid Patriot delivery
Meanwhile, NATO is preparing to speed up deployment of additional Patriot systems to Ukraine, SRF says. The announcement comes as the country faces some of the heaviest Russian air attacks of the war.
NATO Air Commander Alexus Grynkewich said preparations were ongoing and involved close cooperation with Germany. Speaking at a conference in Wiesbaden, he stated,
“Preparations are underway, we are working very closely with the Germans on the Patriot relocation.” He added, “The instruction I received is to withdraw them as quickly as possible.”
Allies to discuss unresolved issues in upcoming meeting
The German Defense Ministry also noted that a virtual meeting of Ukraine’s supporting nations — the Ukraine Defense Contact Group (UDCG) — would be held on 21 July. The goal of the meeting is to resolve remaining questions and implement the delivery of Patriot systems to Ukraine as swiftly as possible.
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US President Donald Trump promised Patriot missile systems for Ukraine—but it is Europe that must now provide them, Reuters reports. NATO allies are scrambling to decide who will donate the weapons and how soon they can be delivered.
President Trump’s earlier announcement of a $10 billion weapons package for Ukraine includes up to 17 Patriot air defense systems. The NATO-led aid is expected to be funded and supplied mostly by European allies. Patriot batteries remain Ukraine’s only reliable defe
US President Donald Trump promised Patriot missile systems for Ukraine—but it is Europe that must now provide them, Reuters reports. NATO allies are scrambling to decide who will donate the weapons and how soon they can be delivered.
President Trump’s earlier announcement of a $10 billion weapons package for Ukraine includes up to 17 Patriot air defense systems. The NATO-led aid is expected to be funded and supplied mostly by European allies. Patriot batteries remain Ukraine’s only reliable defense against Russian ballistic missiles, which are typically launched at civilians. Their deployment has saved lives and shielded key military and energy sites.
Allies caught off guard by Trump’s Patriot deal
Trump announced on 14 July that some Patriot missile systems for Ukraine should arrive “within days.” But while Kyiv prepares to receive them, European governments are facing unexpected pressure to give up their own systems, Reuters says. Meanwhile, Trump claimed that the first Patriots allegedly already were “on the way” to Ukraine.
During a meeting with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, Trump claimed that Finland, Denmark, Sweden, Norway, the Netherlands, and Canada had agreed to participate. However, high-ranking officials in at least two of those countries told Reuters they only learned of the plan when Trump made it public.
“It is my clear sense that nobody has been briefed about the exact details in advance,” one European ambassador said.
NATO to coordinate shipments under US-led framework
A NATO official said the alliance will oversee deliveries through its Security Assistance and Training for Ukraine mission in Germany. The official listed Germany, Norway, Denmark, Sweden, the United Kingdom, Canada, and Finland as committed to the effort. But the exact numbers and timeline remain under discussion.
Europe pays for Trump’s pledge
While Trump takes credit for the deal, European leaders are voicing frustration.
“If we pay for these weapons, it’s our support,” said EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas. “If you promise to give the weapons, but say somebody else is going to pay for it, it’s not really given by you, is it?”
Germany’s defense minister said no Patriot system would arrive in Kyiv before the summer ends. Other countries—including Greece and Spain—have previously refused to part with their Patriots, calling them essential for national defense.
Logistics unclear
A US official said the Trump administration is now reviewing NATO inventories to identify potential trades. In some cases, allies might give up Patriots in exchange for earlier deliveries of other weapons or cancel pending orders under the Foreign Military Sales program.
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Drone strikes hit Tula and Voronezh overnight, and reached Moscow Oblast, piercing Russian air defenses in an alleged Ukrainian UAV raids. Russia claimed to intercept 122 drones. The extent of the damage from the attack remains unclear.
Ukrainian forces are systematically striking Russian military, military-industrial, and energy infrastructure—both in occupied territories and across Russia—in an effort to cripple supply lines and limit Moscow’s ability to wage war.
Ukraine targets military infr
Drone strikes hit Tula and Voronezh overnight, and reached Moscow Oblast, piercing Russian air defenses in an alleged Ukrainian UAV raids. Russia claimed to intercept 122 drones. The extent of the damage from the attack remains unclear.
Ukrainian forces are systematically striking Russian military, military-industrial, and energy infrastructure—both in occupied territories and across Russia—in an effort to cripple supply lines and limit Moscow’s ability to wage war.
Ukraine targets military infrastructure in Tula
Russian news Telegram channel Astra reports that in the early hours of 17 July, drones targeted Russian facilities in Tula Oblast. Explosions thundered in Novomoskovsk, where key military-industrial sites are located, Liga reported. In Shchyokino, Tula Oblast, local residents reported a fire breaking out after a drone attack.
According to Ukrainian Telegram channel Supernova+, the Azot chemical plant in Shchyokino was hit directly during the attack. The M-500 methanol production unit was reportedly damaged. The plant carried out emergency technical procedures in response. Azot is one of Tula Oblast’s key chemical industry sites, producing ammonia, methanol, and other nitrogen-based compounds used in explosives and defense-related manufacturing.
Tula Oblast head Dmitri Milyaev said that as of 06:00, the threat of more drone attacks remained active in the oblast. Later, he claimed that drone “debris” fell on the premises of an unnamed enterprise.
Ukraine pierces Russian air defenses: drone strikes hit Tula, Voronezh
Drone strikes hit Tula and Voronezh nearly simultaneously. In Voronezh, drones reached deep into the city, with one, possible shot down by Russia’s air defenses, reportedly striking two floors of a high-rise residential building in the city’s left-bank area.
Governor Aleksandr Gusev claimed that air defenses had destroyed at least five UAVs over Voronezh Oblast, yet later acknowledged that fragments had struck a residential tower. The authorities claim four civilians were injured.
Moscow also under threat amid massive drone wave
Mayor Sergei Sobianin claimed that three drones were allegedly intercepted while attempting to enter Moscow’s airspace. Loud blasts were reported in Zelenograd. Residents described multiple explosion-like sounds during the night. The drone assault affected aviation. Departures and arrivals at Vnukovo Airport were delayed as a precaution during the strikes.
In Smolensk Oblast, local residents reported a strike on the town of Roslavl, home to a key aviation support plant under the Rostec conglomerate, according to Astra.
Russia claims 122 drones downed across 13 oblasts
Russia’s Ministry of Defense alleged that Ukrainian drones targeted at least 13 oblasts overnight, claiming 122 UAVs were shot down. According to the ministry, most drones were intercepted over Bryansk, Kursk, and Oryol oblasts. Additional UAVs were allegedly downed over Voronezh, Tula, Moscow Oblast, occupied Crimea, and several others.
The Russian claims, as usual, cannot be independently verified.
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Russia’s manpower crisis is forcing the Kremlin to rely on covert recruiting networks, where volunteer fighters in mercenary structures are seen as “expendable manpower,” according to leaked recordings cited by RFE/RL.
Amid the ongoing Russo-Ukrainian war, the Kremlin is under pressure to avoid another mass call-up, fearing unrest similar to what followed the 2022 mobilization order. By outsourcing recruitment to murky GRU-led operations, the Kremlin continues its war in Ukraine while sidesteppi
Russia’s manpower crisis is forcing the Kremlin to rely on covert recruiting networks, where volunteer fighters in mercenary structures are seen as “expendable manpower,” according to leaked recordings cited by RFE/RL.
Amid the ongoing Russo-Ukrainian war, the Kremlin is under pressure to avoid another mass call-up, fearing unrest similar to what followed the 2022 mobilization order. By outsourcing recruitment to murky GRU-led operations, the Kremlin continues its war in Ukraine while sidestepping public accountability.
“Second-rate infantry” in Russia’s strategy
In a conversation leaked late last year, Russian lawmaker Aleksandr Borodai described non-army recruits as “second-rate infantry.” He said their task is to exhaust Ukrainian troops before regular Russian forces attack. In the same recording, he referred to them as “expendable manpower.”
The statement highlights how Russia increasingly treats irregular fighters — often recruited through unregulated or covert systems — as disposable assets in a war now approaching 1 million Russian casualties, according to estimates.
With the memory of the September 2022 “partial mobilization” still fresh, and public opposition strong, the Kremlin is avoiding new mandatory call-ups. Instead, it relies on shadow recruitment structures to sustain frontline numbers without triggering mass unrest.
GRU-controlled Redut and Dobrokor feed the front with mercenaries
Systema, RFE/RL’s Russian investigative unit, reveals that both the Redut and Dobrokor networks are controlled by the GRU, Russia’s main military intelligence agency. The structures are designed to enlist men and women under the guise of “volunteer formations” — but operate effectively as mercenary pipelines.
Unlike Russia’s Defense Ministry contracts, which extend until Russia ends its war in Ukraine, mercenary contracts through Redut or Dobrokor have fixed terms — usually six to twelve months — and do not renew automatically.
Dobrokor, “Volunteer Corps,” offers 27 different combat units tailored to ideological or social niches — including nationalism, Orthodox Christianity, Cossack identity, and even soccer hooliganism. It recruits men aged 18–55 and women aged 18–45. Women are assigned exclusively to medical units.
Recruits through Dobrokor sign formal contracts and receive legal military status. Monthly pay starts at $2,600. In exchange, they cannot leave before their contract ends without risking prosecution for desertion. Mediazona reported that over 20,000 desertion cases had already reached Russian courts as of May.
Redut: cash, secrecy, and no legal existence
Redut, by contrast, operates in a legal gray zone. It does not require fitness screening, accepts people with criminal records, and allows early departure. It attracts recruits by offering cash payments, which can be hidden from creditors, courts, or ex-spouses.
However, Redut mercenaries are not legally considered military personnel. They are ineligible for state compensation, hospital treatment, or veteran status.
“From a legal point of view, you don’t exist,” a recruiter for the Nevsky unit told Systema, adding: “There’s no service, nothing: No hospitals, no rehabilitation, nothing.”
Redut also provides no gear or uniforms up front. One recruiter told RFE/RL that new fighters are given 50,000 rubles ($640) only with their third paycheck — assuming they survive that long.
Small bonuses, big risks
The Russian Defense Ministry offers up to $46,000 in signing bonuses for official contracts. Dobrokor pays far less — often $640–$1,280. Redut mercenaries get no regional bonus at all.
Despite these risks and limitations, thousands continue to join. Deputy Security Council Chairman Dmitry Medvedev claimed over 210,000 people signed military contracts in the first half of 2025. Another 18,000 joined so-called “volunteer” formations — a term now widely used to mask informal, often unregulated mercenary service.
Janis Kluge of the German Institute for International and Security Affairs estimates the actual number of contract soldiers may be closer to 190,000.
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Last night, Russia’s drones killed a civilian in Dnipro, and injured five others in another round of daily long-range drone attacks against Ukrainian residential areas, local authorities reported.
Russia’s explosive drones target Ukraine’s rear cities every night in systematic attacks on civilian targets, designed to break Ukrainian morale. The overnight strike on Dnipro comes after a Russian 500 kg bomb attack on Dobropillia in Donetsk Oblast that killed two civilians and injured 22.
Civilian k
Last night, Russia’s drones killed a civilian in Dnipro, and injured five others in another round of daily long-range drone attacks against Ukrainian residential areas, local authorities reported.
Russia’s explosive drones target Ukraine’s rear cities every night in systematic attacks on civilian targets, designed to break Ukrainian morale. The overnight strike on Dnipro comes after a Russian 500 kg bomb attack on Dobropillia in Donetsk Oblast that killed two civilians and injured 22.
Civilian killed and five injured as Dnipro hit by Shahed drones
Russia’s Iranian-designed Shahed long-range explosive drones conducted a massive attack on Dnipro city in the middle of Ukraine after midnight on 17 July. According to Dnipropetrovsk Oblast head Serhii Lysak, the attack triggered multiple fires and caused damage to both industrial and residential infrastructure.
The drone strike killed one man and injured five more—men aged 35, 37, 40, and 52, three of whom are in critical condition. A 70-year-old man sustained minor injuries and will be treated at home, according to the report.
Public broadcaster Suspilne reported several explosions in the city throughout the night. The first were heard in Dnipro and its suburb, Samar, around 00:10, followed by repeated blasts at 00:12 and a further series at 00:23. Lysak confirmed the situation in Dnipro was “loud.” Ukrainian air defense shot down 22 drones, but some reached their targets, according to the region’s chief.
Explosions and fires were reported not only in Dnipro itself but also in the surrounding Solone and Slobozhanske communities. A private residence, greenhouse, and utility structure were damaged. Industrial enterprises also caught fire.
Nikopol and Marhanets attacked with drones and rocket artillery
Lysak says the Russian military also struck the Nikopol and Marhanets in Dnipropetrovsk Oblast communities using FPV drones, Grad multiple-launch rocket systems, and air-dropped explosives. The attacks destroyed a civilian vehicle and damaged a single-family home and a farm structure.
Zaporizhzhia hit with bombs, drones, artillery across nine settlements
While the Dnipro strike caused civilian casualties, Zaporizhzhia Oblast endured extensive bombardment throughout the past 24 hours. According to oblast head Ivan Fedorov, Russian forces carried out six bomb attacks on Plavni, Huliaypole, Uspenivka, Novoandriivka, and Bilohiria.
In total, Russian forces launched 420 drones—mostly small FPVs—targeting nine settlements across the oblast. Five Grad rocket attacks struck Huliaypole and Novodanylivka. Russian artillery shelled seven frontline settlements 171 times. Fedorov noted that no civilians were injured in these strikes.
Suspilne reported hearing explosions in Zaporizhzhia around 02:09, but it remains unclear whether the blasts were air defense activity targeting drones en route to Dnipro.
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Ukraine is now using German-supplied Oerlikon Skynex short-range air defense (SHORAD) system against Russia’s Shahed drones, deploying the advanced cannon system to defend critical infrastructure from Russia’s escalating drone attacks. Ukraine’s Air Force released footage showing the system intercepting Russian drones with short, deadly bursts.
The confirmed deployment of Rheinmetall’s Skynex against Russia’s Shahed drones comes amid a surge in daily drone assaults. Russia is now launching hundr
Ukraine is now using German-supplied Oerlikon Skynex short-range air defense (SHORAD) system against Russia’s Shahed drones, deploying the advanced cannon system to defend critical infrastructure from Russia’s escalating drone attacks. Ukraine’s Air Force released footage showing the system intercepting Russian drones with short, deadly bursts.
The confirmed deployment of Rheinmetall’s Skynex against Russia’s Shahed drones comes amid a surge in daily drone assaults. Russia is now launching hundreds of UAVs almost every day to strike civilian targets and infrastructure across Ukraine. With Ukraine’s air defenses stretched thin, the country is turning to every available tool to counter the growing threat.
Ukrainian Air Force confirms Skynex performance in drone interceptions
The Ukrainian Air Force showed Rheinmetall’s Skynex air defense system is in action, sharing a video of the system engaging Russian one-way attack drones.
“The Rheinmetall Skynex air defense gun system, now in service with the Ukrainian Air Force, is delivering flawless results in destroying enemy strike UAVs,” according to the Air Force.
The Air Force added:
“We’ll keep the time and location classified, but as you can see in the footage, the effective performance of the 35-mm automated air defense gun is clearly inspiring our defenders of the sky!”
In the shared video, Ukrainian forces used Skynex specifically to intercept Russian Shahed drones. The video shows short bursts from 35-mm cannons downing each incoming UAV with precision, Militarnyi noted.
How German-supplied Skynex works against Shaheds
The footage shows the use of advanced hit efficiency and destruction (AHEAD) type 35-mm airburst round ammunition. These rounds are triggered in-flight after leaving the barrel, detonating near the drone and creating a cloud of preformed fragments. This burst effect is designed to maximize kill probability against fast-moving, low-flying UAVs.
Militarnyi notes that each Shahed drone shown in the video was destroyed with a single short burst.
The Skynex uses the Oerlikon Mk3 35-mm cannon with an effective range of 4,000 meters and a rate of fire of 1,000 rounds per minute. Each cannon is equipped with its own radar and electro-optical system, enabling precise targeting even against small drones.
Skynex protects strategic targets, not front lines
The cannon systems are not self-propelled, which limits their role to static object defense. As Militarnyi explains,
“Since the gun mounts are not self-propelled, their main task is site-based air defense: protecting airfields, critical infrastructure, and so on.”
Each Skynex battery includes four 35-mm cannons, a control post, and a radar station responsible for target detection and gun direction. The system is fully automated and capable of autonomous operation once targets are confirmed.
Ukraine received the first two Skynex systems in early 2024.
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Ukraine is now fielding anti-drone bullets for NATO rifles, offering front-line troops a rapid-response tool against Russia’s increasing use of small UAVs, such as FPV and munition-dropping drones.
Drone warfare has pushed both Russia and Ukraine to abandon armored formations in favor of dispersed troops, who are now vulnerable to drones themselves. To counter this, Ukraine is introducing rifle-fired anti-drone rounds, arriving as Moscow ramps up its summer offensive, Forbes notes.
Ukraine intro
Ukraine is now fielding anti-drone bullets for NATO rifles, offering front-line troops a rapid-response tool against Russia’s increasing use of small UAVs, such as FPV and munition-dropping drones.
Drone warfare has pushed both Russia and Ukraine to abandon armored formations in favor of dispersed troops, who are now vulnerable to drones themselves. To counter this, Ukraine is introducing rifle-fired anti-drone rounds, arriving as Moscow ramps up its summer offensive, Forbes notes.
Ukraine introduces new bullets to fight drones with existing rifles
Brave1, Ukraine’s government-backed defense innovation grant program, published a video on 30 June showing the bullets at live-fire tests.
According to Forbes, the new rounds, fired from standard 5.56 mm NATO rifles such as the M4 and CZ Bren, fragment midair after discharge, scattering into five high-speed pellets. This shotgun-like spread enables troops to hit small drones at distances of up to 50-60 meters.
Militarnyi, a Ukrainian military outlet, reported that the bullets are already in limited operational use.
“Horoshok (an informal name for the new bullet meaning ‘pea’, – Ed.) is now in production and has been officially codified by the Ministry of Defense. With any luck, it will soon be standard issue for Ukraine’s Armed Forces, available alongside conventional ammunition,” Militarnyi wrote last week.
The Defense Ministry has approved the design, and Brave1’s post suggests that large-scale production may follow.
“The manufacturer has already codified this development (i.e., it has been codified by the Defense Ministry, – Ed.). Our shared goal is for every infantryman to have a magazine of these rounds and be able to load them into their rifle in the event of an aerial threat,” Brave1 reported.
When a drone is detected, the soldier can swap magazines without switching weapons, saving critical seconds and avoiding the burden of carrying a separate anti-drone system, Forbes notes.
A kinetic solution to counter evolving drone threats
Ukrainian electronic warfare and air-defense systems remain active but cannot fully cover the extended front. Russia is also using UAVs designed to evade Ukrainian jamming capabilities, including short-lived but highly effective drones.
By using kinetic means instead of relying solely on jamming, these bullets may disrupt the ongoing arms race between drones and electronic warfare. Forbes highlights that Russian adaptations — like fiber-optic tethered drones immune to jamming — are pushing Ukraine to adopt direct-fire solutions.
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Amid the ongoing Russian invasion, the new Ursula sabotage-ready river drone can either strike with explosives or deploy an FPV drone mid-mission, giving Ukrainian forces new options for river-based operations.
Drone warfare has defined much of the Russo-Ukrainian war, with unmanned systems deployed across air, land, and sea. Now, Ukraine is also advancing a fourth domain—river warfare—by developing robotic systems designed for inland waters alongside its growing maritime drone fleet.
Ursula sab
Amid the ongoing Russian invasion, the new Ursula sabotage-ready river drone can either strike with explosives or deploy an FPV drone mid-mission, giving Ukrainian forces new options for river-based operations.
Drone warfare has defined much of the Russo-Ukrainian war, with unmanned systems deployed across air, land, and sea. Now, Ukraine is also advancing a fourth domain—river warfare—by developing robotic systems designed for inland waters alongside its growing maritime drone fleet.
Ursula sabotage-ready river drone expands battlefield versatility
According to Militarnyi, the Association of Ukrainian Engineers reports that Ukrainian firm NoviTechNet has developed a new compact unmanned surface vessel named Ursula. Measuring about one meter in length, the vessel can support different mission profiles depending on its configuration.
According to the Association, the Ursula sabotage-ready river drone can perform reconnaissance along rivers, canals, and coastal areas. It can also operate in kamikaze mode as, in the developers’ words, a “floating mine,” carrying an explosive payload to strike enemy targets. Alternatively, it can transport and launch a small FPV drone — either for surveillance or attack — directly from the water.
The design is intended for sabotage and reconnaissance missions in difficult, narrow river networks and front-line water zones where larger systems cannot operate.
Ukraine’s growing use of unmanned river vessels
This is not the first Ukrainian-made unmanned boat built for river operations. Earlier this year, Ukraine’s Defense Forces began testing the Black Widow 2 drone boat. Like Ursula, it measures one meter long. It weighs 8 kg, reaches speeds up to 40 km/h, and has an operational range of 10 km.
Black Widow 2 can remain in standby mode for several days while awaiting a target. However, unlike Ursula, it does not carry or launch FPV drones.
“Controlling a one-meter electric boat may seem like child’s play, but the vessel is more dangerous than it looks. Besides spying and recon missions, the river drone can be loaded with several kilograms of explosives. The 3 kg payload, according to the developer, is enough to destroy small boats and vessels,” Militarnyi noted.
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Russia used Belarus airspace during a deadly drone assault that contributed to over 3,000 aerial weapons fired on Ukraine in the past week. The strikes killed at least seven civilians and injured 20 more over the past 24 hours. Russia targeted rear areas during the day and frontline cities overnight, Ukrainian official sources reported.
Russia carries out daily aerial assaults on Ukrainian cities, targeting almost exclusively residential areas to crush civilian morale. These strikes almost alway
Russia used Belarus airspace during a deadly drone assault that contributed to over 3,000 aerial weapons fired on Ukraine in the past week. The strikes killed at least seven civilians and injured 20 more over the past 24 hours. Russia targeted rear areas during the day and frontline cities overnight, Ukrainian official sources reported.
Russia carries out daily aerial assaults on Ukrainian cities, targeting almost exclusively residential areas to crush civilian morale. These strikes almost always involve hundreds of explosive drones, carrying up to 50 kg of payload each. Fewer launches, like last night, usually signal that Russia is preparing for a larger attack soon.
Russian bombs kill civilians in Sumy city and oblast
On 12 July around 13:00, Russian guided bombs hit the Sumy community, local authorities reported. A married couple, both 65 years old, died. The strike destroyed two homes and damaged at least 14 others.
That evening around 22:00, nine Russian Shahed drones and two guided bombs struck Shostka. The attack injured three civilians. A 53-year-old and a 57-year-old man are in serious condition. A 37-year-old woman received outpatient care.
The Sumy Oblast Military Administration confirmed damage to 12 homes and a school. A local business also sustained hits. Operational Command North reported nine Shahed drone strikes and two guided bomb impacts.
Air Force confirms 60 drones launched, 40 neutralized
Ukraine’s Air Force reported that from 14:00 on 12 July through the morning of 13 July, Russia launched 60 drones. These included Shahed explosive drones and decoy UAVs.
More than 40 Shaheds were reportedly part of the attack. Over 20 of them targeted rear oblasts during daylight hours. Overnight, Russia struck frontline cities in Donetsk, Sumy, and Dnipropetrovsk oblasts.
Ukraine’s air defenses intercepted 20 drones. Another 20 were either suppressed or lost radar contact due to electronic warfare.
Despite these defenses, 20 drones hit five confirmed locations across Ukraine, Air Force said.
Zelenskyy: Russia launches 3,000+ aerial weapons in a week, escalating air war to prolong conflict
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Russia launched more than 1,800 drones, 1,200 guided bombs, and 83 missiles in the past seven days. He warned that Moscow seeks to terrorize cities and delay peace.
Ukraine intercepted hundreds of Shaheds this week. Zelenskyy called for more support to expand air defense technology.
“We must neutralize this threat,” he said. “Then diplomacy can begin to work.”
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ISW: Russia’s true drone target is Ukrainian and Western morale—Ukraine needs more Patriots
Russian strikes kill and injure Kherson civilians
After midnight on 13 July, Russian forces shelled Kherson’s Korabelnyi district. A 75-year-old woman and a 44-year-old man suffered brain and blast injuries. Medics hospitalized both.
Earlier, a 72-year-old man sustained shrapnel wounds in another drone strike. In Bilozerka, Russian artillery fire injured a 40-year-old man at home. He received outpatient treatment.
On 12 July, Russia killed one woman and injured four more locals in Kherson Oblast, local authorities reported.
More civilians killed and wounded across Ukraine, local authorities say
In Donetsk oblast, Russian attacks killed three people on 12 July. The dead were from Sloviansk, Myrnohrad, and Bilozerske. Seven more civilians suffered injuries across the oblast.
In Novodanylivka, Zaporizhzhia oblast, rescuers founda 77-year-old woman’s body in a destroyed home. Shelling likely trapped one more local resident under the rubble. A 66-year-old man also suffered injuries in Polohy district.
In Synelnykove, Dnipropetrovsk oblast, a Russian guided bomb killed an 88-year-old woman. The Russian attacks also injured a 37-year-old man on the previous day. Fires damaged five houses. Emergency crews contained the blaze.
Kharkiv oblast reported new injuries over the past 24 hours. Russian strikes hit Kupiansk and Slobozhanske. The attacks injured three men, aged 72, 69, and 67.
Belarus again enables Russian air operations
Russia routed some Shahed drones through Belarusian airspace during the 12 July drone strike on Ukraine, Militarnyi reported. The outlet cited the Nikolaevsky Vanyok Telegram channel, linked to the Ukrainian air defenses, which reported that three Shaheds were approaching Ukraine’s Zhytomyr Oblast from Belarus.
Moscow has used this tactic before. In 2024, similar drone overflights were recorded, and Belarusian jets reportedly shot some down.
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SBU Colonel Ivan Voronych’s killers — a foreign man and woman working for Russia’s FSB security service — resisted arrest and died in a firefight with law enforcers during a special operation led by the Security Service of Ukraine.
As Russia’s war against Ukraine continues, the SBU reports a growing number of Russian espionage and sabotage attempts. In response, Ukrainian authorities are regularly arresting suspected spies. Russia also occasionally resorts to targeted assassinations.
Foreign ass
SBU Colonel Ivan Voronych’s killers — a foreign man and woman working for Russia’s FSB security service — resisted arrest and died in a firefight with law enforcers during a special operation led by the Security Service of Ukraine.
As Russia’s war against Ukraine continues, the SBU reports a growing number of Russian espionage and sabotage attempts. In response, Ukrainian authorities are regularly arresting suspected spies. Russia also occasionally resorts to targeted assassinations.
Foreign assassins tracked after bold murder of SBU officer
On 13 July, the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) and National Police reported the elimination of a foreign hit squad in Kyiv Oblast. This occured days after they murdered SBU Colonel Ivan Voronych in the capital on 10 July. The SBU reports that the man and woman — both foreign nationals — had been sent to Ukraine by Russia’s FSB with clear instructions to assassinate the SBU officer.
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The brain behind Ukraine’s shadow war successes—Motorola and Kursk—gunned down in Kyiv parking lot
According to the investigation, the FSB handler instructed the duo to surveil Voronych, identify his daily routine and routes, and later provided them with coordinates of a stash containing a pistol with a suppressor. In Kyiv’s Holosiivskyi District, one of the assailants approached Voronych on the morning of 10 July near his residence and fired several point-blank shots. The officer died on the spot. The foreign hit squad in Kyiv had tried to go into hiding following the assassination.
The case was registered under Article 348 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine — attempted murder of a law enforcement officer, military serviceman, or public order official.
Special operation ends with foreign suspects killed
The head of the SBU, Lieutenant General Vasyl Maliuk, personally oversaw the special operation to identify and locate the foreign hit squad in Kyiv, the agency said. The operation involved covert investigative and counterintelligence measures. Ukrainian forces discovered the suspects’ hideout and moved in early morning on 13 July.
“When they were being detained, they resisted. There was an exchange of fire, and the scum were eliminated,” said Maliuk. He added, “Let me remind you: the only future for the enemy on Ukrainian territory is death.”
Maliuk thanked National Police officers for their professional cooperation and emphasized that countering Russian intelligence operations remains a core priority for the SBU. He stated that the service successfully prevents 85% of crimes the enemy attempts to commit in Ukraine.
The law enforcers did not reveal the names or citizenship of the hitmen in the report. However, official wanted alerts had previously been issued with the names and photos of the suspects: Zaqarni Gulelizade, born 7 September 1981, and Narmin Guliyeva, born 24 June 1991.
SBU colonel targeted for role in cross-border operations
The New York Times has previously reported that Colonel Ivan Voronych played a role in Ukrainian military operations in Russia’s Kursk Oblast. He served in the SBU since 1997 and was part of the elite Alpha Special Operations Center.
Ukrainian intelligence officer and former SBU operative Roman Chervinskyi described Voronych as one of the initiators of the SBU’s field of activity that has “caused many problems for the Russians.”
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Russia’s domestic Iskander-M and Pyongyang-supplied KN-23 ballistic missile stockpile has dropped from 580 to 300 since May, Ukrainian intelligence told Liga. The report does not include other widely used types of Russian ballistic missiles, such as the S-300 and S-400 surface-to-air systems repurposed for ground attacks, or the Kinzhal, which is essentially an air-launched variant of the Iskander-M.
This comes amid increasingly escalating Russian missile and drone attacks on Ukrainian cities
Russia’s domestic Iskander-M and Pyongyang-supplied KN-23 ballistic missile stockpile has dropped from 580 to 300 since May, Ukrainian intelligence told Liga. The report does not include other widely used types of Russian ballistic missiles, such as the S-300 and S-400 surface-to-air systems repurposed for ground attacks, or the Kinzhal, which is essentially an air-launched variant of the Iskander-M.
This comes amid increasingly escalating Russian missile and drone attacks on Ukrainian cities. These daily assaults include hundreds of explosive long-range drones, often alongside a varying number of cruise and ballistic missiles.
Ukrainian intel: Russia loses nearly half its advanced ballistic arsenal
As of early July 2025, Russia possesses around 300 ballistic missiles of the Iskander-M type and their North Korean equivalents, the KN-23, Ukraine’s Defense Intelligence (HUR) told Liga in response to a request. The stockpile currently includes over 250 Russian-made Iskander-M missiles and about 50 KN-23s supplied by North Korea.
Ukrainian intelligence previously stated that in mid-May, Russia had approximately 580 ballistic missiles of this class. The current total confirms a nearly twofold drop in supply over the course of just six weeks.
Dozens of launchers remain deployed near Ukrainian border
According to HUR, over 60 tactical missile system launchers capable of firing these ballistic missiles are presently deployed close to Ukraine’s borders, indicating the continued threat of Iskander-M strikes.
In May, HUR had reported that Russia had stepped up its missile production. Compared to 2024, production volumes had increased from 40 to 60 missiles per month.
Almost 90 ballistic missiles launched on Ukraine in two months
According to the Air Force of Ukraine data, during May and June, Russia used 88 ballistic missiles — a combination of Iskander-M and KN-23 — in attacks on Ukrainian towns and cities. Ukrainian air defense forces successfully intercepted and destroyed 23 of them.
In early June, Ukrainian forces eliminated three launchers in Bryansk oblast, from which Russian troops had been firing missiles at Ukraine.
The Air Force’s figure does not account for the full 190-missile gap between HUR’s two estimates, suggesting that Russia may not have used all the missing Iskanders in strikes. The difference could also be explained by the destruction of launchers and several Russian ammunition depots across both Russia and the occupied territories. Alternatively, the Air Force may not have recorded all Iskander launches in its reports, or HUR’s previous assessment was wrong, and the agency may have revised its earlier estimate based on updated intelligence.
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Commenting on Russia’s 12 July drone attack, ISW said it continues to assess that Russia’s ongoing large-scale air assaults are intended to degrade Ukrainian and Western morale and highlight Ukraine’s need for continued Western support for its interceptor drone program and for Western-supplied air defense systems, especially US Patriots.
Russia has been conducting its daily missile and drone strikes since early stages of its full-blown invasion of Ukraine that started in 2022. Over time, the att
Commenting on Russia’s 12 July drone attack, ISW said it continues to assess that Russia’s ongoing large-scale air assaults are intended to degrade Ukrainian and Western morale and highlight Ukraine’s need for continued Western support for its interceptor drone program and for Western-supplied air defense systems, especially US Patriots.
Russia has been conducting its daily missile and drone strikes since early stages of its full-blown invasion of Ukraine that started in 2022. Over time, the attacks have intensified, currently involving hundreds of explosive drones, carrying 10-50 kg of explosives. In recent months, Russia concentrates each attack on one or just a few cities, trying to overwhelm the air defenses for maximum damage. Such drone assaults are often accompanied by missile strikes.
ISW: Russia targets morale in Ukraine and the West
According to the Institute for the Study of War (ISW), the Kremlin is using mass air attacks not solely to cause damage, but to psychologically exhaust Ukraine and its allies. ISW emphasized that this psychological dimension is now central to Russia’s strategy, and Ukraine’s continued ability to protect its skies depends heavily on consistent Western aid.
“ISW continues to assess that Russia’s ongoing large-scale strikes are intended to degrade Ukrainian and Western morale and underscore Ukraine’s need for continued Western support for Ukraine’s interceptor drone program and for the continued supply of Western air defense systems, especially US-provided Patriot systems,” ISW wrote.
Ukrainian military displays the warhead of Russia’s Shahed 136 drone alongside the drone itself. Photo: ABC News
ISW has already noted previously that “The continued increase in the size of strike packages is likely intended to support Russian efforts to degrade Ukrainian morale in the face of constant Russian aggression.”
Russia launched third massive drone-missile strike this month
As Euromaidan Press reported yesterday, Russia launched a major combined drone and missile strike overnight on 11–12 July — its third large-scale air attack this month. The Ukrainian Air Force stated that Russia launched 339 Iranian-designed Shahed-type drones and 258 decoy UAVs, totaling 597 drones, from several locations within Russia. Russia also fired 26 Kh-101 cruise missiles from airspace over Saratov Oblast.
Buildings damaged in Lviv after a massive Russian drone attack on 12 July 2025. Photo: Lviv info/TG channel
Ukraine’s air defenders downed 319 Shaheds and 25 missiles, while another 258 drones were either suppressed or lost via electronic warfare. Despite successful interception, critical infrastructure and civilian facilities were damaged in Chernivtsi, Cherkasy, Kharkiv, Kyiv, Lviv, Sumy, and Volyn oblasts.
The State Emergency Service confirmed two civilians were killed in Chernivtsi City, with 14 injured.
Mykola Kalashnyk, head of the Kyiv Oblast Military Administration, said Ukraine’s Clean Sky interceptor drone program downed over 50 drones during the overnight strike.
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US President Donald Trump may arm Ukraine in response to Russia’s largest drone and missile assault since the start of the full-scale invasion, CBS reports, citing multiple diplomatic sources. According to the sources, the potential funding is aimed at sending a message to Russia following recent aerial attacks. This week saw Russia’s largest drone assaults since February 2022. Kyiv and several other cities suffered repeated strikes.
If this happens, the step would mark the first time Trump has
US President Donald Trump may arm Ukraine in response to Russia’s largest drone and missile assault since the start of the full-scale invasion, CBS reports, citing multiple diplomatic sources. According to the sources, the potential funding is aimed at sending a message to Russia following recent aerial attacks. This week saw Russia’s largest drone assaults since February 2022. Kyiv and several other cities suffered repeated strikes.
If this happens, the step would mark the first time Trump has approved new Ukraine funding since taking office in January. Since the 2022 outset of Russia’s invasion, the US has provided tens of billions of dollars in military aid to Ukraine. Trump has previously criticized this scale of support and called for other nations to contribute more. The recentRussianassaults appear to have triggered a major policy reassessment in Washington.
A White House official told CBS the administration had recently paused some weapons deliveries as part of a global review of arms transfers. Still, earlier this week, Trump hinted he intended to send more defensive weapons to Ukraine.
$3.85 billion in military aid could be reactivated
US officials told CBS News that $3.85 billion in unused presidential drawdown authority from the Biden era remains available. Trump may now use that fund to deliver American military equipment to Ukraine.
Former officials also noted that Trump has the power to seize around $5 billion in frozen Russian assets and redirect those funds to Ukraine. So far, neither Trump nor former President Joe Biden has exercised that authority.
From arms freeze to new shipments: policy shift follows Russian escalation
Earlier this year, Trump expressed skepticism about aid to Ukraine and urged both Ukraine and Russia to pursue a peace agreement. He has often criticized the scale of American military spending on the war.
But his tone changed sharply in recent days. Last week, Trump told reporters he was “very disappointed” after a call with Russian President Vladimir Putin. During a Cabinet meeting on 8 July, he confirmed a shift in stance.
“Putin is not treating human beings right. He’s killing too many people,” Trump said. “So we’re sending some defensive weapons to Ukraine, and I’ve approved that.”
Trump says NATO will buy US weapons for Ukraine
As Euromaidan Press reported earlier, Trump is also pushing for NATO allies to take on more responsibility, and purchase weapons for Ukraine from the US.
“We’re sending weapons to NATO, and NATO is paying for those weapons, 100%,” Trump told NBC.
Diplomatic sources told CBS News that Trump spoke with NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte about European countries purchasing US-made equipment for Ukraine.
When asked about the NATO initiative on 11 July in Malaysia, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio reiterated the logic behind the idea:
“At the end of the day, some of the systems that Ukraine requires are systems that Europe doesn’t make. They would have to purchase them from the United States,” Rubio said.
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The $500 million Ukraine aid bill advanced in the US Senate after the Armed Services Committee approved it, according to The Hill. The package cleared its first major hurdle this week with strong bipartisan support from the Senate Armed Services Committee. The legislation adds $200 million for 2026 and extends the Pentagon’s Ukraine assistance program through 2028.
The full Senate and House must still vote on the legislation before it becomes law. Military aid to Ukraine amid the ongoing Russian
The $500 million Ukraine aid bill advanced in the US Senate after the Armed Services Committee approved it, according to The Hill. The package cleared its first major hurdle this week with strong bipartisan support from the Senate Armed Services Committee. The legislation adds $200 million for 2026 and extends the Pentagon’s Ukraine assistance program through 2028.
The full Senate and House must still vote on the legislation before it becomes law. Military aid to Ukraine amid the ongoing Russian invasion remains a debated issue in Congress, where divisions have slowed or blocked past support measures. Notably, more than a year ago, Senate Republicans stalled the approval of Ukraine for six months — a delay that gave Russia the advantage and allowed it to seize the initiative and advance on the battlefield. Since US President Donald Trump returned to office, neither he nor Congress has approved any new aid for Ukraine — all current supplies continue from packages passed under the Biden administration.
Senate committee advances long-term Ukraine support plan
The Hill reported on 11 July that the Senate Armed Services Committee (SASC) approved the $500 million Ukraine aid bill two days earlier as part of the fiscal 2026 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). The vote passed 26–1. The bill includes a $200 million increase in Ukraine aid for 2026 and extends the Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative through 2028.
Created in 2015, the Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative serves as a Department of Defense funding source for providing Ukraine’s military and security forces with training, equipment, logistics, supplies, intelligence support, and related services.
As the bill advanced in the Senate, the broader geopolitical landscape shifted sharply. US President Donald Trump has recently taken a firmer stance against Moscow, in contrast to his earlier position, when he blamed Ukraine for Russia’s invasion.
NATO allies increase defense spending, EU unveils $162M rearmament plan
As part of broader coordination, NATO member states have earlier agreed to raise their defense spending to 5% of GDP — a long-standing demand from Trump. This shift comes as the European Union moves to implement a $162 million readiness initiative aimed at rearming European forces within five years.
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Russia suffering heavy losses for minor gains in Ukraine as summer offensive grinds on, ISW reports. The Institute for the Study of War says Moscow is throwing troops into battle for minimal territorial returns, citing The Economist’s data.
This comes amid months of increasingly intense Russian air and ground attacks across Ukraine. Moscow recently launched a new offensive into northeastern Ukraine’s Sumy Oblast and stepped up assaults in Donetsk Oblast and other parts of the east.
Russia suffer
Russia suffering heavy losses for minor gains in Ukraine as summer offensive grinds on, ISW reports. The Institute for the Study of War says Moscow is throwing troops into battle for minimal territorial returns, citing The Economist’s data.
This comes amid months of increasingly intense Russian air and ground attacks across Ukraine. Moscow recently launched a new offensive into northeastern Ukraine’s Sumy Oblast and stepped up assaults in Donetsk Oblast and other parts of the east.
Russia suffering heavy losses for minor gains
Russia is suffering heavy losses for minor gains, according to the Institute for the Study of War (ISW). In its 10 July assessment, ISW said Russian forces continue to burn through manpower at “staggeringly high” rates for “disproportionately small gains.”
ISW cited a 9 July analysis by The Economist, which estimated Russia has suffered between 900,000 and 1.3 million casualties since 24 February 2022, including 190,000 to 350,000 killed in action.
Since the launch of Russia’s Summer 2025 offensive on 1 May, The Economist estimated about 31,000 Russian troops have been killed. In that time, Russia gained only 0.038 square kilometers — about nine acres — for each killed soldier.
Ukrainian Presidential Office Deputy Head Pavlo Palisa said that as of 4 June, Russia was losing around 167 killed or wounded troops per square kilometer of advance — or just 1.45 acres per casualty.
Offensive pace unlikely to hold
ISW reported that Russian forces captured 498.53 square kilometers in May and 466.71 in June, averaging 15.8 square kilometers per day. The Economist found a similar daily rate — about the size of Los Angeles International Airport.
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BBC identifies 523 foreign mercenaries killed fighting for Russia in Ukraine — from 28 countries
At that pace, The Economist estimated it would take 89 years for Russia to seize all of Ukraine. Capturing the remainder of Luhansk, Donetsk, Kherson, and Zaporizhzhia oblasts — which Russia illegally claims — would take until February 2028.
ISW noted the pace is unusually fast compared to earlier phases of the war but stressed it is unlikely to continue. Gains have fluctuated based on weather, terrain, and the scale of operations.
Autumn likely to slow Russia’s push
ISW said Russian advances will likely slow again as autumn rains return. Mud and poor conditions have repeatedly hindered maneuverability during earlier phases of the war.
Despite the recent surge, Russia suffering heavy losses for minor gains remains the core dynamic of this campaign. ISW’s analysis, supported by The Economist’s casualty estimates, shows a war strategy trading lives for inches.
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BBC Russian Service identified names of 523 foreign mercenaries killed fighting for Russia against Ukraine, using only open-source confirmations. The outlet says those were from 28 countries and died in Ukraine during Russia’s full-scale invasion. Notably, the BBC Russian Service does not refer to them as mercenaries and follows Russian state language, labeling occupied parts of eastern Ukraine as the “self-proclaimed Donbas republics” or the “self-proclaimed DNR and LNR.”
Facing severe battlefi
BBC Russian Service identified names of 523 foreign mercenaries killed fighting for Russia against Ukraine, using only open-source confirmations. The outlet says those were from 28 countries and died in Ukraine during Russia’s full-scale invasion. Notably, the BBC Russian Service does not refer to them as mercenaries and follows Russian state language, labeling occupied parts of eastern Ukraine as the “self-proclaimed Donbas republics” or the “self-proclaimed DNR and LNR.”
Facing severe battlefield losses in Ukraine, Russia continues to recruit thousands of contract soldiers with financial incentives while avoiding a second wave of mass mobilization. UK intelligence assesses that foreign nationals “almost certainly make up a very small proportion” of Russia’s total armed forces. Nonetheless, such recruitment is likely to continue as the Kremlin seeks to sustain troop levels without triggering domestic backlash from another mobilization campaign.
BBC confirms deaths of over 500 foreign nationals in Russian ranks
According to a joint investigation by the BBC Russian Service and Mediazona, supported by a volunteer group, the names of 118,139 Russian military dead have been confirmed since the invasion began. Included in that figure are 523 foreign nationals who did not hold Russian citizenship at the time of enlistment.
The database relies strictly on publicly available information, including Russian official announcements, social media posts by family members, and grave photographs. It excludes Ukrainian sources and Western intelligence.
The actual number of foreign fighters killed for Russia is likely much higher.
Central Asians recruited from prisons make up largest foreign group
The highest confirmed number of foreign mercenaries killed fighting for Russia came from Tajikistan (72 deaths) and Uzbekistan (66 deaths). In both cases, more than half had previously been incarcerated in Russian penal colonies. Many signed contracts with Wagner Group in exchange for sentence cancellation.
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Russia tricks Central Asian workers into Ukraine war with fake job promises
Nepalese fighters among the highest casualties outside post-Soviet states
The BBC Russian Service believes North Korea likely has the highest number of foreign dead, but has not identified a single name due to Pyongyang’s secrecy and lack of social media use.
Nepal had the highest confirmed number of indentified fighters killed. The BBC Russian Service documented 70 Nepali nationals killed fighting for Russia, with around 50 more missing. Nepalese authorities sent DNA samples to Russia to help identify the bodies.
The first known Nepali fatality was Sandip Tapalia, a 30-year-old former Gurkha who died in June 2023. He was buried in Ivanovo.
Egyptian model’s war ends in Russian grave
One of the most publicly documented cases involves Ahmed Valed Deraz, a 25-year-old Egyptian model based in Yekaterinburg. Social media shows him living and working there since at least 2021. He last applied for modeling work in June 2023. At some point after that, he signed a military contract and was eliminated on 17 March 2024 in Ukraine.
He was one of four Egyptians confirmed dead fighting for Russia.
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Ukrainian forces capture Egyptian fighting for Russia
Sri Lankans, Americans, and Africans also among the dead
Russia also recruited from Sri Lanka, where at least 288 former soldiers joined the Russian military, according to that country’s government. Sixteen were confirmed killed.
The list also includes individuals from Ethiopia, Zambia, the Central African Republic, Tanzania, and Togo.
Americans appear in the list as well. One of the most notable cases is Michael Gloss, son of a serving CIA deputy director, eliminated in Ukraine fighting for Russia.
Explore further
ISW: Russia’s war effort now runs on crypto-mobilization and censored death stats
US intelligence estimates only a handful of American nationals fought for Russia. In contrast, 2,000–3,000 US citizens reportedly joined Ukrainian forces.
Ukrainians also found among Russian ranks
The BBC Russian Service listed 54 Ukrainian citizens who died fighting for Russia. These only the Ukrainian nationals, registered in the Ukrainian-controlled territory at the time the full-scale invasion began. This figure does not include individuals from the occupied territories, counted separately.
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Russia’s weaker but destructive drone attack injured at least 27 civilians overnight as strikes hit Odesa, Kharkiv, Chuhuiv, and other cities overnight and in the morning of 11 July, local authorities reported. A separate Russian artillery attack on a medical facility injured at least three more people in Kherson Oblast.
Once again, Russia’s overnight Shahed drone attack was significantly smaller than usual, with only 79 drones launched instead of the typical hundreds. This reduction likely sign
Russia’s weaker but destructive drone attack injured at least 27 civilians overnight as strikes hit Odesa, Kharkiv, Chuhuiv, and other cities overnight and in the morning of 11 July, local authorities reported. A separate Russian artillery attack on a medical facility injured at least three more people in Kherson Oblast.
Once again, Russia’s overnight Shahed drone attack was significantly smaller than usual, with only 79 drones launched instead of the typical hundreds. This reduction likely signals that Russia is stockpiling drones in preparation for a larger-scale assault. In these attacks, Russian forces consistently target residential areas and civilian infrastructure in an effort to erode Ukrainian morale.
Drones launched from three directions
Ukraine’s Air Force reported that Russian forces launched 79 drones, including Shahed explosive one-way attack drones and decoys, from Kursk, Millerovo, and Primorsko-Akhtarsk.
Air defenses reportedly shot down 44 drones, and 16 more were suppressed by electronic warfare and disappeared from radars. Nineteen reached their targets across at least eight locations. Debris also fell in three other areas, the report says.
Kharkiv: maternity ward and residential areas hit
In Kharkiv, three explosions occurred around 05:25. According to the Emergency Service, at least 11 people were injured. A dental clinic was hit, and 17 buildings were damaged, with around 200 windows shattered.
One Russian drone strike hit a maternity hospital, forcing staff to evacuate seven patients, three children, and 13 personnel. Medical director Oleksandr Kondratskyi told Suspilne everyone inside experienced severe stress. The blast shattered windows and doors, dislodged ceiling lights, and damaged medical equipment. Staff canceled a scheduled operation due to the destruction.
Shattered window inside the maternity ward in Kharkiv damaged by a Russian drone strike on 11 July 2025. Screenshot: Suspilne Kharkiv
Chuhuiv: hospital, homes, and factory struck
In Chuhuiv, Kharkiv Oblast, explosions shook the city around 01:20. The blasts injuredfour people, including a 65-year-old woman. Drones destroyed two detached houses, damaged several others nearby, and heavily damaged the city hospital.
Mayor Halyna Minayeva confirmed further drone impacts on private households in another district. Six drones also struck an industrial site, causing a fire, according to Oblast head Oleh Syniehubov.
Odesa: injured civilians and dead horse after drone hits stable
In Odesa, authorities issued an air alert at 09:19. Five explosions rocked the city as drones struck residential buildings, administrative facilities, and a stable. Local officials reported that 11 civilians were injured.
Destruction following the Russian drone strike on Odesa on the morning of 11 July 2025. Photo: Suspilne Odesa
A drone strike on the stable killed a mare named Kameliia and wounded another horse. At the time of the attack, five horses and four ponies were inside the building.
Sumy: woman wounded, land contaminated
Russian drones struck Sumy early in the morning, the regional authorities reported. One drone injured a 62-year-old woman while she stood in her yard; medics are currently treating her. The blasts damaged non-residential buildings on the outskirts of the city. Environmental officials reported that debris from the attack contaminated 1,190 square meters of land.
Kherson Oblast: artillery hits medical site
In Bilozerka, Russian artillery struck a medical facility, wounding three people: a 40-year-old male patient with leg injuries, a nurse born in 1978 with wounds to her legs, head, and arms, and a driver born in 1976 with hand injuries. All are receiving medical care.
Mykolaiv: explosions and fire, no casualties
Explosions were heard in Mykolaiv after 01:30 during an air raid alert. Mayor Oleksandr Sienkevych and regional head Vitalii Kim confirmed multiple blasts and a fire on the city’s outskirts. No injuries were reported.
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Ukraine hits four weapons factories in Tula, a regional capital next to Moscow, in a continuing effort to degrade Russia’s defense production capabilities. The drone offensive also struck other military-linked sites across Moscow Oblast, Kursk, Taganrog, Lipetsk, Orsk, and beyond, according to multiple reports. The full extent of damage is currently unknown.
Ukrainian forces are systematically striking Russian military, industrial, and energy infrastructure—both in occupied territories and acros
Ukraine hits four weapons factories in Tula, a regional capital next to Moscow, in a continuing effort to degrade Russia’s defense production capabilities. The drone offensive also struck other military-linked sites across Moscow Oblast, Kursk, Taganrog, Lipetsk, Orsk, and beyond, according to multiple reports. The full extent of damage is currently unknown.
Ukrainian forces are systematically striking Russian military, industrial, and energy infrastructure—both in occupied territories and across Russia—in an effort to cripple supply lines and limit Moscow’s ability to wage war.
Kamikaze drones strike deep into Tula’s defense industry
Four military-industrial facilities were struck in Tula and Tula Oblast overnight on 11 July, according to reporting by Russian news Telegram channel Astra.
Astra confirms that in Tula, drones hit the JSC Design Bureau of Instrument-Making, causing a fire in the administrative building. The same facility was previously attacked in June, when strikes damaged warehouses, a loading hangar, and a power substation — halting operations entirely at the time.
Also in Tula, drones were shot down directly over the NPO SPLAV plant, which produces multiple launch rocket systems.
The fourth site struck was the Aleksinsky Experimental Mechanical Plant in Aleksin, Tula Oblast. Drone debris reportedly fell on the grounds of Workshop No. 4. The plant is involved in producing non-standard equipment for manufacturing explosives and solid propellants, and operates under the state defense-linked Techmash group.
In addition, Astra reported that a drone hit the Azot chemical plant in Novomoskovsk, also in Tula Oblast. The facility supplies nitric acid used in producing octogen and hexogen — key components of artillery munitions. It had previously been struck in both May and June.
Ukraine struck four weapons factories in Tula overnight, targeting Russia’s defense industry deep inside its territory. Drone attacks also hit sites in Moscow Oblast, Kursk, Taganrog, Lipetsk, Orsk, and more.
All four sites — located in Tula, Aleksin, and Novomoskovsk — are directly linked to Russian state arms production and had been previously targeted. This indicates a sustained pattern of repeat strikes against critical defense infrastructure.
Drone offensive spreads beyond Tula to Moscow Oblast and other regions
According to Astra and Ukrainian Telegram channels, Exilenova+ and Supernova+, drones also targeted several high-value military and industrial targets in other parts of Russia overnight on 11 July.
In Dubna, Moscow Oblast, explosions were reported near the Kronstadt Group facility — a drone development site previously attacked in May. Exilenova+ claimed the site was hit again and shared video evidence from the location.
In Lukhovitsy, also Moscow Oblast, Ukrainian Liutyi long-range drones targeted and reportedly hit the Lukhovitsky Aviation Plant, a facility belonging to the MiG aircraft corporation under Rostec. Astra reports that at least two drones impacted the compressor station on the plant’s grounds, partially collapsing one wall. The nearby Lukhovitsy fuel depot was also in the vicinity of the strike zone.
Lukhovitsy (Moscow Oblast): Ukrainian Liutyi drones reportedly struck the Lukhovitsky Aviation Plant, part of the MiG aircraft corporation. Astra said two drones hit a compressor station, causing partial collapse of one wall.
Further strikes were reported in multiple other oblasts:
Kursk Oblast — Drones hit industrial sites in Belyovsky and Kurchatovsky districts. The local governorstated that fires broke out in production areas. In one case, a warehouse reportedly burned after a UAV strike.
Taganrog, Rostov Oblast — A UAV was allegedly neutralized near the Beriev aircraft plant. The city’s mayor claimed that debris ostensibly fell onto the factory grounds. Such wording from local officials is often a euphemistic way to report a direct hit. Supernova+ shared footage, showing Ukrainian drones flying over the area.
Taganrog, Rostov Oblast — A UAV was allegedly neutralized near the Beriev aircraft plant.
The city’s mayor claimed that debris ostensibly fell onto the factory grounds. Such wording from local officials is often a euphemistic way to report a direct hit.
Lipetsk Oblast — The regional head claimed a drone fell on an agricultural enterprise in Khlevensky district, causing a fire and ostensibly resulting in casualties.
Orsk, Orenburg Oblast — Astra and Exilenova+ report that the Orsk Mechanical Plant, a key producer of artillery shell casings and rocket system components, experienced a fire inside its paint shop. Exilenova+ says the sabotage is suspected.
Saint Petersburg — Rosaviatsia claimed that Pulkovo airport suspended flights temporarily due to security concerns overnight on 11 July.
In Zhukovsky, Moscow Oblast, the Russian aviation agency Rosaviatsia announced temporary flight restrictions during the night. The same agency later claimed the restrictions had been lifted as of the morning of 11 July.
Russia’s Ministry of Defense claimed that a total of 155 drones were downed over Russian territory and occupied Crimea during the night. According to their statement, this included 13 over Tula Oblast, 11 over Moscow Oblast, and dozens across Kursk, Bryansk, Belgorod, Smolensk, and other areas.
Currently, Euromaidan Press cannot independently verify the damage caused by the attacks described above. All claims, locations, and impact assessments are based on open-source video, local reports, and statements published by Astra, Exilenova+, and other cited sources.
Update: Ukrainian military confirms some strikes
The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine reported that overnight on 11 July, Ukrainian drone units, together with other defense elements, struck two Russian military-industrial sites.
One target was the Lukhovitsky Aviation Plant in Moscow Oblast, which handles full-cycle MiG fighter jet production. Explosions were recorded at the site.
The second strike, carried out with support from Ukraine’s Special Operations Forces and the SBU, hit the Shipunov Design Bureau in Tula Oblast. The facility produces missiles for Russian air defense systems.
The General Staff said explosions, smoke, and emergency vehicle activity were observed near both targets. Damage is being assessed.
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European firms stole drone secrets from a top Ukrainian manufacturer while falsely claiming their own UAVs were tested in combat, according to Skyeton CEO Roman Knyazhenko. He did not name the specific European companies allegedly involved. Skyeton’s flagship Raybird drone has flown over 350,000 combat hours, The Telegraph says.
Drone warfare innovations have become a hallmark of the ongoing Russo-Ukrainian war, with unmanned vehicles of various sizes operating across air, land, and sea. Skyeto
European firms stole drone secrets from a top Ukrainian manufacturer while falsely claiming their own UAVs were tested in combat, according to Skyeton CEO Roman Knyazhenko. He did not name the specific European companies allegedly involved. Skyeton’s flagship Raybird drone has flown over 350,000 combat hours, The Telegraph says.
Drone warfare innovations have become a hallmark of the ongoing Russo-Ukrainian war, with unmanned vehicles of various sizes operating across air, land, and sea. Skyeton’s CEO urged the West to back Ukrainian factories instead of inexperienced drone startups. He said Ukraine’s advantage comes from battlefield-tested refinements that can’t be copied overnight.
Last year, Euromaidan Press reported that Skyeton had launched production in Slovakia.
European drone makers accused of copying, then vanishing
In an interview with The Telegraph, Knyazhenko said some European manufacturers approached Skyeton under the pretense of cooperation. However, then they used the meetings to extract technical details and even plagiarized phrases from company materials.
“Sometimes I open presentations of other aircraft from Europe, and I see literally my own words, without any change,” he told the outlet.
He said firms conducted only a few drone flights far from the front line — such as in Lviv in western Ukraine — and still claimed their systems were “combat tested.” These misleading claims allowed them to secure government contracts worth billions, diverting funds from proven Ukrainian systems.
“They’re investing in technology that’s actually fake. In the end, you will have nothing,” Knyazhenko said, warning that the deception not only wastes money but also harms Ukraine’s war effort.
Skyeton says Raybird drones built under battlefield pressure
Skyeton, formerly focused on ultralight aircraft, now works directly with the Ukrainian army. CEO Roman Knyazhenko said roughly half the drone’s components have been replaced in recent years to enhance radar evasion and endurance. The system can reportedly fly 2,500 kilometers and stay airborne for up to 28 hours with various payloads. He added that pressure on engineers is extreme, with repairs often needed overnight to avoid leaving brigades without support.
“In peacetime, you would say a couple of weeks or a month. But right now, you have one night,” Knyazhenko said. “Because if you do not do it in one night, tomorrow the enemy will try and approach us and we will not have aircraft in the air, so we will have casualties.”
Poor foreign parts and legal limbo slow Ukrainian production
Skyeton says it had to start building more parts itself after receiving faulty imports. Knyazhenko cited one shipment of gimbal cameras where half didn’t work. Test logs showed they failed before leaving the factory, he said. The supplier denied responsibility. Legal action, Knyazhenko added, would take years — while frontline units went without equipment.
“Every day of delay will cost us millions,” Knyazhenko said, noting Skyeton’s strict government contracts and the constant demand from Ukrainian brigades.
Rapid evolution defines Ukraine’s drone edge
Skyeton says it constantly refines its drones for real combat conditions. Engineers, it claims, adjusted launch systems and designed UAVs that can take off from puddles within minutes. Knyazhenko said key technologies may become obsolete in two weeks.
“Three years here feels like 20 years in peace time,” he said.
He warned that visiting a Ukrainian factory doesn’t mean firms can replicate the work. “It’s the same story as building a BMW from scratch. It takes years,” he said.
In Foreign Affairs, former Biden officials Jon Finer and David Shimer said most countries — including the US — now lag behind Ukraine in drone warfare. Knyazhenko added that instead of rebuilding systems like the Raybird, Western countries should simply fund Ukrainian production abroad.
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Ukraine is preparing to defend against Russia’s 1000 daily drones by mass-producing interceptor drones. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy says the technology is already proven—and now Kyiv is calling on international partners to help scale it up.
This comes amid a sharp escalation in Russia’s drone warfare over the past months, with recent assaults often involving 500 to 700 drones at a time. Addressing Moscow’s broader strategy, Zelenskyy said that Ukrainian and partner intelligence agenc
Ukraine is preparing to defend against Russia’s 1000 daily drones by mass-producing interceptor drones. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy says the technology is already proven—and now Kyiv is calling on international partners to help scale it up.
This comes amid a sharp escalation in Russia’s drone warfare over the past months, with recent assaults often involving 500 to 700 drones at a time. Addressing Moscow’s broader strategy, Zelenskyy said that Ukrainian and partner intelligence agencies believe Russia has no intention of ending the war. “Putin refuses all real possibilities for a ceasefire,” he stated, adding that the Kremlin is deliberately dragging out its invasion.
Russia plans mass drone attacks to destabilize Ukraine
During a press conference in Rome on 10 July, President Zelenskyyconfirmed that Russia plans to launch 700 to 1,000 drones per day in an effort to pressure Ukrainian cities and exhaust the country’s defenses.
“They want to destabilize our society through long-lasting air raids,” Zelenskyy warned.
The President added that Ukraine “will respond,” stating:
“We will shoot down everything.”
Ukraine already has the tech—but needs the money
Zelenskyy announced that Ukraine’s scientists and engineers have developed effectiveinterceptordrones capable of countering the Iranian-designed Shahed drones commonly used by Russia.
“We have found a solution as a country,” Zelenskyy said. “Scientists and engineers have found a solution. This is the key. We need finances. And we will raise it.”
The President emphasized that with adequate funding, Ukraine could mass-produce these drones and deploy them across the front.
Interceptors show better results than “Shahed cowboys”
Recently, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, Oleksandr Syrskyi, reported that the new interceptor drones already demonstrate a 70% success rate—nearly double the effectiveness of mobile fire teams.
However, Syrskyi noted that the interceptors still lack radar systems, and consistency is not yet guaranteed. Ukraine’s Unmanned Systems Forces stated the drones show good results, but “it is too early to talk about consistency.”
Unmanned Systems Commander Robert “Magyar” Brovdi recentlycautioned about Russia’s 1000 daily drones in the near future: he said, Moscow may soon be capable of deploying more than 1,000 Shaheds per day.
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Trump plans to send Ukraine weapons through NATO, according to three sources familiar with internal discussions who spoke to Axios. The proposed route would involve selling arms to NATO allies, who would then pass them on to Ukraine.
Since taking office, President Trump has pushed for Moscow–Kyiv peace talks, ostensibly to end the Russo-Ukrainian war. However, Russia has shown no interest in negotiations and has continued escalating its attacks on Ukraine.
NATO route to Ukraine weapons discussed
Trump plans to send Ukraine weapons through NATO, according to three sources familiar with internal discussions who spoke to Axios. The proposed route would involve selling arms to NATO allies, who would then pass them on to Ukraine.
Since taking office, President Trump has pushed for Moscow–Kyiv peace talks, ostensibly to end the Russo-Ukrainian war. However, Russia has shown no interest in negotiations and has continued escalating its attacks on Ukraine.
NATO route to Ukraine weapons discussed, Trump confirms intent
Axios reports that President Trump is actively planning to sell weapons to NATO countries with the understanding that those allies will transfer the arms to Ukraine. The proposal has already been discussed with European partners and Ukraine, according to two sources familiar with those discussions.
In an interview with NBC News, Trump “seemed to confirm” the plan, Axios says:
“So what we’re doing is the weapons that are going out are going to NATO, and then NATO is going to be giving those weapons [to Ukraine], and NATO is paying for those weapons,” he said.
Despite this, two administration officials told Axios that the United States is not directly arming Ukraine. One official stated,
“POTUS is sending defensive weapons to NATO. NATO can decide what to do with it. We’re not sending weapons to Ukraine.”
Allies consulted, offensive weapons not ruled out
Axios reports that the scheme was discussed at the recent NATO summit. The discussions included both Ukrainian and European officials. One source told Axios that the sales could go beyond air defense systems and include offensive weapons as well.
A senior European official confirmed to Axios that their government had been involved in conversations about the plan. However, that official noted that no final decision or implementation timeline had been agreed upon.
Trump emphasizes NATO responsibility and payment
Trump presented the arrangement as one in which NATO assumes both operational and financial responsibility. “NATO is paying for those weapons,” Trump told NBC, underlining that the United States is not directly providing aid.
An official told Axios that while Trump continues to oppose direct arms packages to Ukraine, he is pursuing this route through NATO. The goal appears to be enabling Ukraine to receive weapons without direct US involvement.
Trump’s earlier Ukraine policy and shifting stance
Earlier, the Trump administration halted deliveries of certain weapons that had been approved under former President Joe Biden. Some of those shipments later resumed.
Trump previously allowed some existing Biden-era arms shipments to proceed, but had not approved any new aid packages since taking office. Reuters says he plans to approve his own first shipments using his presidential drawdown powers.
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Trump activates drawdown powers for the first time in his current term to approve Ukraine military aid, according to Reuters. The $300 million package may reportedly include Patriot missile systems and guided rockets—probably, GMLRS for HIMARS systems.
Since taking office, US President Donald Trump has pushed for Moscow-Kyiv peace talks, allegedly to end the Russo-Ukrainian war. Meanwhile, Russia showed no interest in peace talks, and continued to escalate its attacks on Ukraine. Earlier this mo
Trump activates drawdown powers for the first time in his current term to approve Ukraine military aid, according to Reuters. The $300 million package may reportedly include Patriot missile systems and guided rockets—probably, GMLRS for HIMARS systems.
Since taking office, US President Donald Trump has pushed for Moscow-Kyiv peace talks, allegedly to end the Russo-Ukrainian war. Meanwhile, Russia showed no interest in peace talks, and continued to escalate its attacks on Ukraine. Earlier this month, the Trump administration halted shipments of certain weapons, approved under former President Joe Biden. Some of those deliveries have since resumed.
Trump may be activating drawdown powers to send $300 million in arms from existing US stockpiles
Two sources familiar with the decision told Reuters the aid would come from US weapons already in storage. The package is expected to be pulled from Pentagon stockpiles using Presidential Drawdown Authority. One of the sources said a final decision on the equipment could be made at a meeting on “Thursday.”
The reported $300 million in aid may include defensive Patriot missile interceptors and offensive medium-range rockets. However, “a decision on the exact equipment has not been made,” according to a source. According to Reuters, the equipment is likely to be delivered quickly because the systems are already staged in Europe.
Reuters said the Pentagon and the White House declined to comment when asked about the plans.
First planned direct aid under Trump since return to office
By now, the Trump administration has only “approved”—or, more accurately, did not block—deliveries authorized under Biden.
If finalized, it would be the first time Trump activates drawdown powers to directly send weapons to Ukraine, Reuters notes. The use of authority may show a shift in Trump’s Ukraine policy.
Presidential Drawdown Authority allows the president to transfer weapons quickly from US stocks, bypassing the need for new legislation.
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Britain is ready to send troops to Ukraine, UK Defense Secretary John Healey confirmed, as part of a “Coalition of the Willing” proposed international effort to keep the peace in Ukraine. While no peace agreement exists and does not seem reachable in the near future, the UK government says it stands prepared to help reenforce a ceasefire.
Since January, US President Donald Trump is pushing for peace talks between Kyiv and Moscow, allegedly to achieve a ceasefire and then peace. Russia sticks to
Britain is ready to send troops to Ukraine, UK Defense Secretary John Healey confirmed, as part of a “Coalition of the Willing” proposed international effort to keep the peace in Ukraine. While no peace agreement exists and does not seem reachable in the near future, the UK government says it stands prepared to help reenforce a ceasefire.
Since January, US President Donald Trump is pushing for peace talks between Kyiv and Moscow, allegedly to achieve a ceasefire and then peace. Russia sticks to its original demands—terms that equate to Ukraine’s capitulation—and keeps intensifying its air and ground assaults, convinced Ukraine is reaching its limit.
Healey confirms UK would send troops
Speaking to Times Radio, John Healey was asked whether sending troops to Ukraine was still on the table.
“Yes,” he replied. “The prime minister has always been clear that he’s ready to put troops into Ukraine to help reinforce a ceasefire.”
As Express reports, this would place British soldiers in Ukraine as part of a coalition peacekeeping mission. France and the UK are expected to provide the core of the force, but support from the United States would also be required.
“There had been reports that the UK had abandoned plans to send a peace-keeping force… but the Defence Secretary’s comments show the idea has not been abandoned,” Express wrote.
The development comes amid broader defense coordination between London and Paris, focused on strengthening European responses to future threats.
Many European political and military leaders warn that Russia couldregain full-scale conventional military capabilities within two to five years, potentially enabling a new confrontation with NATO. In the meantime, Moscow continues to escalate its air and missile strikes on Ukraine while expanding hybridoperations—such as sabotage, disinformation, and cyberattacks—across Europe. In response, European states are accelerating defense spending, hardening borders, and expanding joint military readiness to deter renewed Russian aggression.
UK and France deepen defense ties with new military commitments
French President Emmanuel Macron is in the UK on a state visit, meeting Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer as part of the 37th Franco-British summit held at Downing Street. According to Defense Secretary John Healey, the summit is the first with a European ally since Brexit and reflects efforts to rebuild strategic defense ties.
The UK and France will create a joint rapid deployment force of 50,000 troops to defend Europe and respond to “extreme threats.” Plans include closer coordination on nuclear deterrence, military exercises, and operational readiness.
The two countries will also order more Storm Shadow missiles and begin developing a successor to the long-range weapon, which has been supplied to Ukraine, Express says.
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Russia’s Gerbera drone crash in Lithuania occurred after the object entered from Belarus and fell near the Šumskas checkpoint. According to Delfi, it resembled the type of UAV Russia uses in its war against Ukraine.
Russia targets Ukraine daily with hundreds of Gerbera drones, used as decoys alongside explosive Shaheds to overwhelm air defenses. Recently, some of these cheap styrofoam Gerberas have begun carrying small warheads, increasing civilian casualties. The drone that crashed in Lithuania
Russia’s Gerbera drone crash in Lithuania occurred after the object entered from Belarus and fell near the Šumskas checkpoint. According to Delfi, it resembled the type of UAV Russia uses in its war against Ukraine.
Russia targets Ukraine daily with hundreds of Gerbera drones, used as decoys alongside explosive Shaheds to overwhelm air defenses. Recently, some of these cheap styrofoam Gerberas have begun carrying small warheads, increasing civilian casualties. The drone that crashed in Lithuania may have veered off course during last night’s Russian attack on Ukraine — or it may have been a deliberate probe to test Lithuania’s and NATO’s response ahead of potential future aggression against the Baltic States.
Lithuanian military tracked object from Belarus before crash
On 10 July, around 11:30, Lithuanian Armed Forces detected an object approaching from the direction of Belarus. In a Facebook post, the Armed Forces said the Air Force activated NATO fighter jets already in the air by switching them from training to mission mode.
Shortly after detection, the object fell to the ground. The mission was canceled. Military units notified the State Border Guard Service (VSAT), and troops were sent to the crash site.
The Lithuanian military said the object appeared homemade and posed no danger.
Drone crashed near closed Šumskas checkpoint
Delfi, citing border guards, reported the drone crashed approximately one kilometer from the Belarusian border, close to the closed Šumskas checkpoint in Vilnius District Municipality.
BNS initially reported the object as a Shahed 136 drone — an Iranian-designed craft carrying 50 kg of TNT, which Russia widely uses to target Ukrainian cities. However, that was later corrected. A VSAT representative confirmed it resembled a homemade UAV.
Giedrius Mišutis, spokesperson for VSAT, stated the drone was first detected by the Kenna outpost.
“It appears to be a homemade UAV,” Mišutis said. “There is no indication the object carried any cargo.”
The object was reportedly made of plywood and foam. Officials said it posed no threat.
Mišutis also noted that VSAT had not recently observed smuggling activity involving drones, balloons, or improvised aircraft.
Defense Express: Lithuania failed to identify or down the drone
The Ukrainian outlet Defense Express criticized Lithuania not only for failing to intercept the drone, but for failing to identify it altogether. The publication emphasized that the deeper issue lies in the lack of basic knowledge about Russian drone types.
“The real problem,” the outlet noted, “is that they don’t know what even Ukrainian children consider common knowledge.”
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Germany is ready to buy US Patriots for Ukraine if Washington gives the green light, Chancellor Friedrich Merz said on 10 July. The statement comes as Ukraine’s air defense capacity weakens under escalating Russian air strikes and limited US support.
This comes as Russia escalates air attacks on Ukrainian cities, deliberately targeting civilians, while Ukraine’s air defense stockpiles dwindle, and the Trump administration has never announced any new military aid. Even Biden-era approved shipment
Germany is ready to buy US Patriots for Ukraine if Washington gives the green light, Chancellor Friedrich Merz said on 10 July. The statement comes as Ukraine’s air defense capacity weakens under escalating Russian air strikes and limited US support.
This comes as Russia escalates air attacks on Ukrainian cities, deliberately targeting civilians, while Ukraine’s air defense stockpiles dwindle, and the Trump administration has never announced any new military aid. Even Biden-era approved shipments continue only partially, with disruptions including a recent Pentagon-initiated pause.
Merz says Berlin will fund more Patriots for Ukraine
Germany is ready to buy US Patriots and deliver them to Ukraine, Chancellor Friedrich Merz confirmed during a press briefing in Rome, Reuters reported.
“We are also prepared to purchase additional Patriot systems from the US to make them available to Ukraine,” Merz stated.
He said he raised the matter directly with US President Donald Trump last week. According to Merz, the United States holds sufficient reserves of the systems.
“The Americans need some of them themselves, but they also have a lot of them,” he said, noting that a delivery decision had not yet been finalized.
The Patriot system—short for Phased Array Tracking Radar for Intercept on Target—is among the most advanced US air defense platforms. Built by Raytheon Technologies, the theater-wide surface-to-air missile system is designed to counter aircraft, ballistic missiles, and drones.
Ukraine uses its Patriot systems to intercept Russia’s ballistic missiles, the fastest munitions in the Russian arsenal.
Trump earlier offered 10 Patriot missiles. Those are enough for one battle at most
On 8 July, Axios reported that Trump promised to immediately send 10 Patriot missiles to Ukraine. The Wall Street Journal added that Trump is considering delivering an entire Patriot system.
Ukraine’s military, however, voiced skepticism. Speaking to The Times on 9 July, an unnamed senior Ukrainian Air Force officer—Ukraine’s air defenses report to AF—noted:
“If they actually send us ten [missiles], it will be nothing more than a bad joke,” he said, according to NV. “That’s not enough for even one battle.”
Axios also reported that Trump is pressuring Germany to transfer one of its Patriot batteries to Ukraine, adding further political complexity to Merz’s initiative.
Earlier statements from German officials noted “intensive talks” with the United States regarding Patriot system transfers.
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Trump’s erratic weapons policy leaves Ukraine fighting both Russia and mounting uncertainty from Washington, The Atlantic reports. Ukrainian officials told the Atlantic that they are constantly reworking their battlefield strategies due to unpredictable US aid. One senior official compared the process to roulette and said he would bet on zero.
As US President Donald Trump pushes for Moscow-Kyiv peace talks, Russia is escalating its attacks against Ukraine. Recently, the Pentagon once again suspe
Trump’s erratic weapons policy leaves Ukraine fighting both Russia and mounting uncertainty from Washington, The Atlantic reports. Ukrainian officials told the Atlantic that they are constantly reworking their battlefield strategies due to unpredictable US aid. One senior official compared the process to roulette and said he would bet on zero.
As US President Donald Trump pushes for Moscow-Kyiv peace talks, Russia is escalating its attacks against Ukraine. Recently, the Pentagon once again suspended the supplies of Biden-era military aid to Ukraine, then Trump reversed the halt.
Sudden shifts in US support disrupt Ukraine’s defenses
Military planners said that each pause or reversal forces Ukraine to move units, adjust targets, or cancel operations altogether. When Patriot missile deliveries stalled, Ukraine had to shift air defense systems from other zones.
Josh Paul, a former State Department official, told the Atlantic that such changes pull resources from critical missions.
Trump’s erratic weapons policy also affects repairs and logistics
According to the Atlantic, delays don’t only affect new weapons. They also impact spare parts, replacements, and technical support. Even one short-term halt can stop Ukraine from fixing damaged systems in time.
Transporting US weapons to the front line requires weeks of planning. Without predictability, Kyiv cannot coordinate operations or logistics.
Ukraine no longer trusts political promises alone
The Atlantic reports that Trump’s approach echoes his first term, when he froze military aid while pressing Zelenskyy for political help. That episode led to his impeachment.
This time, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth paused deliveries without White House coordination. When asked who made the decision, Trump replied, “I don’t know. Why don’t you tell me?”
After a call with Zelenskyy, Trump said the weapons would resume. But there were no guarantees of future support. Ukrainian officials are now preparing for more delays, no matter what Washington says.
Michael Kofman told the Atlantic that Moscow likely sees US indecision as a chance to escalate. If US aid becomes unreliable, Russia has little reason to negotiate.
No new aid authorized under Trump administration
All weapons currently reaching Ukraine were approved during the Biden presidency. That pipeline will end by late summer. The Atlantic says Trump has not asked Congress to fund anything beyond that.
Future supplies will depend on defense contracts with US companies. These systems may take years to arrive. For now, Ukraine is ramping up production with European partners and expanding its own capabilities.
Zelenskyy said political decisions are in place. But he added that they must now be implemented fast—to protect lives and positions.
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France says Storm Shadow missile production at MBDA’s UK site restarts this year. The long-range air-launched missile has been actively used by Ukraine in strikes against Russian targets.
Ukraine has used Storm Shadow missiles effectively against Russian military infrastructure during its full-scale defense against Russia’s invasion. Combined with naval and aerial drone attacks, Storm Shadow strikes played a critical role in destroying multiple vessels of the Russian Black Sea Fleet (BSF) and f
France says Storm Shadow missile production at MBDA’s UK site restarts this year. The long-range air-launched missile has been actively used by Ukraine in strikes against Russian targets.
Ukraine has used Storm Shadow missiles effectively against Russian military infrastructure during its full-scale defense against Russia’s invasion. Combined with naval and aerial drone attacks, Storm Shadow strikes played a critical role in destroying multiplevessels of the Russian Black Sea Fleet (BSF) and forcing the remainder to withdraw from the northwestern Black Sea. The same missiles were used to destroy the BSF HQ in occupied Crimea.
SCALP/Storm Shadow production to resume in 2025 after long pause
France is restarting production of the Storm Shadow missile—known in France as SCALP EG—in partnership with the United Kingdom. French Armed Forces Minister Sébastien Lecornu announced that manufacturing will resume in 2025, 15 years after the last order. The missiles will be produced at MBDA’s facility in Stevenage, England.
Lecornu made the statement during a visit to the UK site alongside his British counterpart, John Healey on 9 July.
“Supplied to Ukraine, the Franco-British SCALP/Storm Shadow missile has demonstrated its effectiveness in modern high-intensity combat, in decisive situations,” he said.
The SCALP/Storm Shadow has played a prominent role in Ukraine’s defense against Russia, striking hardened targets far behind the front line.
MBDA reactivates line for joint missile project
The missile is manufactured by MBDA, a joint venture of France, the UK, Italy, and Germany.
According to the defense-focused outlet Militarnyi, some of the new missiles may not only replenish French and British stockpiles but could also be supplied to Ukraine. While Lecornu did not confirm future recipients, previous shipments to Ukraine suggest continued deliveries are possible.
France’s Senate had outlined plans to order new munitions, including SCALP missiles, in December 2024.
Air-launched weapon designed to hit fortified targets
SCALP/Storm Shadow is a long-range air-launched cruise missile designed for deep strikes against heavily defended and fixed targets such as command bunkers. The missile weighs up to 1,300 kg, including a 450 kg warhead, and measures 5.1 meters in length.
The export version has a declared range of over 250 km, while domestic variants used by France and the UK can reach up to 560 km. The French and British models differ slightly in software and aircraft compatibility, but are otherwise identical.
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US weapons shipments to Ukraine have resumed, with deliveries now confirmed by the Associated Press and the New York Post sources to include precision-guided GMLRS rockets and 155 mm artillery shells. This marks the first clear confirmation of resumed aid content since the Pentagon quietly paused certain deliveries weeks ago.
The confirmation of resumed US weapons shipments to Ukraine coincides with Russia’s most intense missile and drone campaign since the full-scale invasion began. Moscow laun
US weapons shipments to Ukraine have resumed, with deliveries now confirmed by the Associated Press and the New York Post sources to include precision-guided GMLRS rockets and 155 mm artillery shells. This marks the first clear confirmation of resumed aid content since the Pentagon quietly paused certain deliveries weeks ago.
The confirmation of resumed US weapons shipments to Ukraine coincides with Russia’s most intense missile and drone campaign since the full-scale invasion began. Moscow launched a record-setting attack with 728 Shahed and decoy drones and 13 cruise and ballistic missiles overnight on 9 July. Varying in scale, such Russian attacks occur every night, targeting Ukrainian civilians.
Guided rockets and artillery shells confirmed in resumed deliveries
The Associated Press and the New York Post report that the United States is once again sending GMLRS munitions for HIMARS launchers and 155 mm howitzer rounds to Ukraine. According to two American officials who spoke to AP on condition of anonymity, the deliveries are already underway. Some shipments had reportedly reached Poland before the initial halt took effect.
The 155 mm artillery rounds—some of the most-used munitions of the Russo-Ukrainian war— are fired from towed Howitzer systems capable of striking targets as far as 32 kilometers away. GMLRS, short for Guided Multiple Launch Rocket Systems, are precision-guided rockets fired from Western supplies multiple rocket-launch systems.
These specific munitions were not publicly confirmed until now. Though the Trump administration announced on 7 July that deliveries would resume, neither the Pentagon nor the White House initially revealed what would be included in the new packages.
Pentagon’s pause drew internal backlash
The pause was first implemented last week by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, reportedly to reassess US military stockpiles. The move caught other branches of the administration off guard, including the State Department and White House, according to AP.
President Donald Trump later addressed the issue directly, expressing frustration.
“I will be the first to know. In fact, most likely I’d give the order, but I haven’t done that yet,” he said. Asked who ordered the pause, Trump replied: “I don’t know. Why don’t you tell me?”
A White House official, also speaking anonymously, claimed there was never an official “pause,” only a review to ensure alignment with US defense strategy.
The Pentagon halted the weapon supplies to Ukraine earlier due to concerns over the depletion of American munitions stockpiles. US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth reportedly ordered the halt.
In response, 17 members of Congress and the Senate called on Defense Secretary Hegseth to fully resume all weapons deliveries to Ukraine.
On 7 July, the Pentagon announced that President Trump had directed a resumption of deliveries, though specifics were not provided until this week.
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Russia’s drone strikes target Ukrainian morale more than military assets, the Institute for the Study of War (ISW) reports. Moscow now prioritizes psychological pressure over battlefield gain, using massive drone swarms and targeted civilian damage.
Russia turns drone swarms into tools of psychological warfare to degrade morale
The Institute for the Study of War (ISW) said in its 9 July report:
“The continued increase in the size of strike packages is likely intended to support Russian effort
Russia’s drone strikes target Ukrainian morale more than military assets, the Institute for the Study of War (ISW) reports. Moscow now prioritizes psychological pressure over battlefield gain, using massive drone swarms and targeted civilian damage.
Russia turns drone swarms into tools of psychological warfare to degrade morale
The Institute for the Study of War (ISW) said in its 9 July report:
“The continued increase in the size of strike packages is likely intended to support Russian efforts to degrade Ukrainian morale in the face of constant Russian aggression.”
Colonel Yurii Ihnat of the Ukrainian Air Force said Moscow launched over 400 decoy drones in one attack on 9 July, which included 728 UAVs and 13 missiles. The decoy drones also carried warheads, creating not just confusion but real explosions on Ukrainian soil.
Such attacks occur every night. On 10 July, Russia targeted Ukraine with 397 drones and 18 missiles. Yesterday’s attack was focused on western Ukraine’s Lutsk, today’s—on Kyiv.
ISW notes that this tactic intends to overwhelm air defenses and emotionally exhaust Ukraine’s population. Modified drones now cause wider damage across larger areas, increasing the psychological burden on civilians.
Explore further
NYT: Putin believes Ukraine’s collapse is near — and he’s acting like it
Ukrainian forces face constant drone waves, many with no clear military objective.
“ISW assessed in previous years that Russia has used strike packages targeting civilian areas to generate a morale effect in Ukraine, as seems to be the case with the most recent strikes,” the think tank wrote.
Ukraine says enlistment offices are under attack to block mobilization
Colonel Vitaly Sarantsev of the Ukrainian Ground Forces told the Washington Post that Russia now targets enlistment offices. These strikes aim to scare people away from joining the military. Sarantsev added that Moscow wants to make Ukrainians believe recruitment is dangerous.
Russia may escalate drone strategy further
The New York Times reported on 9 July that Russia may soon launch over 1,000 drones in a single strike. Ukrainian Unmanned Systems Forces Commander Major Robert Brovdi warned about the same possibility.
Electronic warfare expert Serhii “Flash” Beskrestnov said Russia already increased Shahed production sevenfold. He expects up to 800 drones per strike soon.
ISW previously reported that Russia has expanded long-range drone production. Some production lines reportedly involve Chinese companies manufacturing “Geran-2 drones (the Russian-made analogue of the Iranian-origin Shahed-136 drones)” drones.
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Russian President Vladimir Putin believes Ukraine’s collapse is near, according to The New York Times. The paper reports that this belief is driving a sharp escalation in Russia’s war. Despite multiple calls with US President Donald Trump, the Kremlin continues to press forward. Russian insiders told NYT that Moscow expects Ukraine’s defenses to fall and sees no reason to compromise.
This comes as Trump has pushed for Moscow-Kyiv talks for months, allegedly to end the Russo-Ukrainian war. Russia
Russian President Vladimir Putin believes Ukraine’s collapse is near, according to The New York Times. The paper reports that this belief is driving a sharp escalation in Russia’s war. Despite multiple calls with US President Donald Trump, the Kremlin continues to press forward. Russian insiders told NYT that Moscow expects Ukraine’s defenses to fall and sees no reason to compromise.
This comes as Trump has pushed for Moscow-Kyiv talks for months, allegedly to end the Russo-Ukrainian war. Russia, however, only significantly escalated its air and ground attacks in Ukraine, and reiterated its maximalist goals, amounting to Ukraine’s capitulation.
Putin rejects any pause, believing Ukraine’s collapse is near
Two people close to the Kremlin told NYT that Putin expects Ukraine’s front lines to fail within months. They said the Russian president views any halt in fighting as unacceptable unless Ukraine agrees to sweeping concessions.
“He will not sacrifice his goals in Ukraine for the sake of improving relations with Trump,” said Tatiana Stanovaya of the Carnegie Russia Eurasia Center.
Putin believes he sees momentum on the battlefield and believes time favors Moscow. He continues to press for Ukrainian capitulation rather than any negotiated freeze of his was in Ukraine.
Trump’s personal diplomacy fails to slow Moscow’s offensive
Since February, Trump has spoken with Putin by phone six times. Russia and Ukraine also held two rounds of direct talks in Istanbul.
Despite that, Moscow has only escalated its assault. The Kremlin has rejected all US efforts to stop or slow the war.
On 9 July 2025, Trump voiced his anger:
“We get a lot of bullshit thrown at us by Putin,” he told reporters. “He’s very nice to us all the time, but it turns out to be meaningless.”
Despite the breakdown, Putin continued to praise Trump. At a 27 June press conference in Belarus, he called him “a courageous man.” Referring to Trump’s frustration, Putin added:
“That’s how it is. Real life is always more complicated than the idea of it.”
Putin reiterates goals: NATO rollback, Ukraine neutrality, legal changes
The Kremlin’s war aims now go far beyond territorial control. Putin demands that NATO halt eastward expansion and remove infrastructure from Eastern Europe. He also wants Ukraine to adopt a neutral status and reduce the size of its military. Another key demand: alleged protection for the Russian language in Ukrainian law.
Most significantly, Putin insists Ukraine withdraw all forces from its territory claimed by Russia. That condition continues to block any potential cease-fire.
A Kremlin-connected source told NYT that Putin still expects a deal with Trump on sanctions relief — but not now. The source said Moscow believes that moment will come only after Russia finishes its offensive.
Kremlin sees no value in compromise — yet
For Putin, the re-opening of direct contact with Trump marked a diplomatic breakthrough after years of Biden-era isolation.
Still, the Kremlin is frustrated that Trump refuses to separate peace in Ukraine from broader US-Russia ties. That approach has stalled Moscow’s hopes of striking a deal quickly, NYT says.
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Last night’s Russian missile and drone strike on Kyiv killed two women — a 22-year-old female police officer and a 68-year-old resident — and left more than a dozen others injured. Explosions rocked the Ukrainian capital for nearly 10 hours overnight on 10 July, damaging homes, schools, hospitals, and other infrastructure across at least eight city districts.
This comes after Russia’s largest air attack of the war the previous day, when it launched 741 projectiles—728 drones and 13 missiles—acro
Last night’s Russian missile and drone strike on Kyiv killed two women — a 22-year-old female police officer and a 68-year-old resident — and left more than a dozen others injured. Explosions rocked the Ukrainian capital for nearly 10 hours overnight on 10 July, damaging homes, schools, hospitals, and other infrastructure across at least eight city districts.
This comes after Russia’s largest air attack of the war the previous day, when it launched 741 projectiles—728 drones and 13 missiles—across Ukraine in a single night, following a brief and suspicious lull. The scale wasn’t a new trend but a continuation of Russia’s established pattern: periods of relative quiet followed by overwhelming, coordinated bombardment designed to exhaust defenses and terrorize civilians.
Two women killed as Kyiv comes under one of its longest assaults this month
Interior Minister Ihor Klymenko confirmed that both fatalities occurred in Kyiv’s Podilskyi district. The victims were a 22-year-old corporal with the metro police and a 68-year-old civilian woman. Klymenko said more than a dozen people were injured and warned the number would grow, while Kyiv Mayor Vitalii Klitschko reported by 7:50 a.m. that the total had reached 16. Emergency crews continued door-to-door checks in affected neighborhoods to locate anyone needing help.
The Kyiv City Military Administration and Klymenko (KMVA) reported that the strike damaged residential, medical, educational, transport, and commercial facilities. Fires broke out in several locations, prompting a large-scale emergency response. Around 400 rescue personnel and 90 units of firefighting, engineering, and robotic equipment were deployed, including climbing and bomb disposal teams.
People watch a residential building burn after a Russian attack in Kyiv on 10 July 2025. Photo: Suspilne News / Ivan Antypenko
Civilian injuries and widespread damage reported across city districts
Air raid sirens began in Kyiv shortly after midnight as Ukrainian airspace monitoring channels tracked incoming drones from multiple directions. Soon after, Kyiv authorities issued alerts about ballistic missile threats from Russian territory. Explosions followed within minutes. KMVA confirmed active air defense operations, but several drones and missiles made it through.
The KMVA and Klitschkoreporteddamage in Shevchenkivskyi, Darnytskyi, Solomianskyi, Podilskyi, Obolonskyi, Holosiivskyi, and other districts.
In Shevchenkivskyi, drone debris ignited a fire on the upper floor of a residential building and damaged rooftops, facades, and interiors. A drone also hit a roof near a gas station and another home nearby. Three residents were injured there: an 86-year-old woman with acute stress reaction, a 45-year-old man with multiple injuries, and a 59-year-old man with a cut foot and closed chest trauma.
Rescuers and emergency crews respond after Russian strikes in Kyiv on 10 July 2025. Photo: Suspilne
In Darnytskyi, falling debris caused fires in garages and a gas station. Drone fragments also landed in the courtyard of a residential building.
Solomianskyi district saw strikes on non-residential buildings and rooftops catching fire at two separate addresses. In Obolonskyi, suspected drone debris also fell. In Holosiivskyi, a drone strike set a cargo truck on fire.
Kyiv Oblast also hit in overnight attack
Kyiv Oblast also came under fire during the same Russian missile and drone strike. Head of the Oblast Military Administration Mykola Kalashnyk reported nearly 10 hours of continuous air assault on 10 July. Four districts — Boryspilskyi, Brovarskyi, Obukhivskyi, and Vyshhorodskyi — sustained damage.
In Brovarskyi, private homes and outbuildings had windows shattered, doors broken, and facades torn by shrapnel. One private home caught fire but was extinguished. Two vehicles were also damaged.
Vyshhorodskyi saw a garage fire, while in Obukhivskyi and Boryspilskyi several private homes were damaged. A 51-year-old man was injured in Obukhivskyi and hospitalized.
Kalashnyk warned that the total number of damaged structures could still rise as assessments continue.
The flight paths of the Russian air assets plotten by the Ukrainian airspace monitoring channels show that the
Flight paths of Russian Shahed drones and missiles targeting Ukraine on 10 July 2025. Source: Telegram/mon1tor_ua, monitorwarr
Russian missiles and most drones targeted Kyiv, with some hitting Poltava, and several more cruising across western Ukraine to trigger air raid alerts there too.
Poltava Oblast: drones downed, buildings damaged
The Poltava Oblast Military Administration reported drone attacks on the night of 10 July. Most were intercepted by air defenses, but some reached the Hlobyne community, where a residential building and an outbuilding were damaged. No injuries were reported.
Separately, a forest fire broke out in Velykobudyshchanska community. The cause is under investigation. Over 150 households temporarily lost electricity. Emergency crews began restoring the grid early Wednesday.
Update: Ukraine downs 178 out of 415 Russian aerial weapons in overnight Kyiv-focused attack
Overnight on 10 July, Russian forces launched 415 aerial attack assets toward Ukraine, primarily targeting Kyiv, according to the Ukrainian Air Force.
The strike package included 397 drones, approximately 200 of them Shahed-type, launched from Bryansk, Primorsko-Akhtarsk, Kursk, Oryol, and Millerovo. Of those, 164 Shahed drones were shot down, while 204 more were suppressed or lost from radar by electronic warfare.
Alongside the drone swarm, Russia launched:
8 Iskander-M ballistic missiles from Bryansk Oblast — all 8 were intercepted,
6 Kh-101 cruise missiles from Saratov Oblast airspace — all 6 shot down,
4 S-300 missiles from Kursk Oblast — no interception data provided.
“Impacts from enemy aerial attack assets were recorded at 8 locations (33 strike UAVs), and debris from downed drones fell in 23 locations,” the Air Force wrote.
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Ukrainian drones seized a Russian fortified position and captured prisoners-of-war in Kharkiv Oblast. The 3rd Assault Brigade calls it the first battlefield capitulation to robotic platforms. Ukrainian infantry didn’t engage in combat. They entered only after Russian forces surrendered, and the treeline was clear.
The use of FPV drones and ground-based kamikaze robots has become increasingly common on the front lines of the ongoing Russo-Ukrainian war. But this operation stands out as a first: a
Ukrainian drones seized a Russian fortified position and captured prisoners-of-war in Kharkiv Oblast. The 3rd Assault Brigade calls it the first battlefield capitulation to robotic platforms. Ukrainian infantry didn’t engage in combat. They entered only after Russian forces surrendered, and the treeline was clear.
The use of FPV drones and ground-based kamikaze robots has become increasingly common on the front lines of the ongoing Russo-Ukrainian war. But this operation stands out as a first: a fortified position in a treeline previously unreachable by infantry was seized without gunfire, and enemy soldiers were taken alive through drone-only engagement.
Ukrainian drones seize fortified position, force surrender
On 9 July, Ukraine’s 3rd Separate Assault Brigade announced that its drone and ground robot operators forced Russian troops to surrender in Kharkiv Oblast — without any infantry engagement or Ukrainian losses.
The brigade said this was the first time unmanned systems alone captured enemy positions and took prisoners in modern warfare.
According to the Brigade, the robotic strike involved both an FPV drone and a kamikaze ground drone carrying three antitank mines — a total of 21-22.5 kg of TNT. The FPV and the first ground drone’s blast hit a dugout entrance in the Russian position. As another land robot moved in for a second strike, two surviving Russian soldiers waved a cardboard sign reading “We want to surrender” in Russian.
“The explosion with the three antitank mines — that was a very powerful blast. The dugout wasn’t fully destroyed, so we got the order to hit it again. We moved in, and they realized we were going to blow it up again. […] ..and they very quickly put the sign out,” one of the Ukrainian soldiers said.
Ukrainian drone operators from the 3rd Assault Brigade describe the first battlefield surrender to unmanned systems during a recorded interview. Source: 3rd Assault Brigade of the Ukrainian Ground Forces
Drone footage shows moment of surrender and remote-led capture
The 3rd Assault Brigade’s Telegram post includes a video file timestamped 8 July, featuring aerial footage of the engagement and the enemy’s surrender. Additionally, Ukrainian drone operators narrate the footage and recount the operation. However, the exact date of the robotic engagement itself is not explicitly stated.
A Ukrainian ground kamikaze drone advances toward Russian-held positions during the drone-led assault in Kharkiv Oblast. Source: 3rd Assault Brigade of the Ukrainian Ground Forces
The video shows an aerial FPV drone strike, a powerful explosion of an “NRK”—a remotely controlled “ground robotic complex”—at the entrance to the dugout, and the Russian soldiers displaying the sign.
A massive explosion erupts as a Ukrainian kamikaze land drone detonates at the entrance to a Russian fortification. Source: 3rd Assault Brigade of the Ukrainian Ground Forces
As recounted by the NC13 unit of the DEUS EX MACHINA drone company, a small reconnaissance UAV was used to guide the surrendering soldiers safely to Ukrainian lines.
“Then the major flew down the Mavic (a Chinese drone, widely used for reconnaissance by both sides, – Ed.), we showed them with the drone — like, come here. [..] They followed the Mavic precisely and lay down in the ‘dolphin pose’ on the ground,” the military said.
A Russian soldier holds up a handwritten sign reading “We want to surrender” in Russian, seen from a Ukrainian UAV above the dugout. Source: 3rd Assault Brigade of the Ukrainian Ground Forces
After the Russian surrender, Ukrainian infantry moved in quickly and secured the position. The brigade noted that previous Ukrainian attempts to storm the area had failed. This time, however, the assault team held back while drones led the operation.
Surrendering Russian soldiers lie on the ground after following a Ukrainian drone’s instructions to reach the designated point. Source: 3rd Assault Brigade of the Ukrainian Ground Forces
Ukrainian drones seize fortified position in 15 minutes without a shot
Once the Russian troops were taken prisoner, the planned infantry clearing operation began — but was largely symbolic. The drone operator noted in the interview:
“A clearing operation was planned there — we were supposed to carry out the strike, and they were supposed to clear the area. But it turned out that… that unit took over the dugout’s treeline in just 15 minutes. The entire strip was already ours — literally, and without any losses. You could say, not a single shot was fired.”
He said the drone-led engagement proved that robotic platforms “make operations significantly easier.” In some cases, they “even free the infantry from the task entirely.”
“Our example proved that with robotic platforms, it’s possible not only to storm positions but also to take prisoners,” another drone operator emphasized.
The attack, executed entirely by the NC13 ground drone unit from the 2nd Assault Battalion, marks the first publicly confirmed battlefield victory achieved by unmanned platforms alone — including the capture of enemy personnel.
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Pentagon chief Hegseth’s decision to halt the delivery of US weapons to Ukraine without informing the White House triggered immediate confusion within the administration, CNN says. The pause, revealed only after media reports surfaced, blindsided top officials in Washington and Kyiv alike and forced the Trump administration to respond publicly and internally.
The recent pause in weapon deliveries amid the escalated Russian air and ground attacks in Ukraine surprised Kyiv, the State Dep
Pentagon chief Hegseth’s decision to halt the delivery of US weapons to Ukraine without informing the White House triggered immediate confusion within the administration, CNN says. The pause, revealed only after media reports surfaced, blindsided top officials in Washington and Kyiv alike and forced the Trump administration to respond publicly and internally.
The recentpause in weapon deliveries amid the escalated Russian air and ground attacks in Ukraine surprised Kyiv, the State Department, and members of Congress. Previously halted items included Patriot interceptors, AIM-120 and Hellfire missiles, GMLRS munitions, howitzer rounds, Stingers, and grenade launchers. Later, US President Donald Trump reversed the decision, blaming the Pentagon.
Pentagon paused Ukraine aid without White House or key officials informed
According to five sources cited by CNN, US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth halted critical military aid shipments to Ukraine last week without notifying President Trump or key national security officials. The decision was made without briefing the White House, the State Department, or even Trump’s special envoy to Ukraine, Ret. Gen. Keith Kellogg.
The freeze was the second time Hegseth had paused Ukraine-bound weapons this year without proper coordination. The first instance occurred in February and was quickly reversed. This time, the White House had to scramble to cover for a decision it had not authorized.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who also serves as Trump’s national security adviser, learned about the halt only after press reports broke the story, CNN reports.
Trump distances himself from the pause and orders aid to resume
During a Cabinet meeting, President Trump denied any involvement in the sudden stop to US military assistance. When asked if he had authorized the move, he responded,
“I don’t know, why don’t you tell me?”
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WSJ: Trump blames Pentagon, not himself, for Ukraine weapons pause
A senior administration official told CNN that the weapons had been allocated by the previous administration and were already en route before the pause.
Pentagon’s chain of approval
The uncoordinated pause reportedly stemmed from a chain of internal decisions within the Department of Defense. Hegseth acted after receiving recommendations from Undersecretary of Defense for Policy Elbridge Colby, a long-standing critic of large-scale US military aid to Ukraine.
“All five sources” CNN spoke with confirmed that Colby, citing concerns over US stockpile levels, advised halting the aid to prioritize other global defense needs. Colby had previously posted on X that “a Europe first policy is not what America needs in this exceptionally dangerous time.”
Colby passed his recommendation to Deputy Secretary of Defense Steve Feinberg, who approved the move based on his own doubts about the defense industry’s ability to replenish US munitions fast enough. Hegseth then signed off, believing it aligned with Trump’s “America First” stance.
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Trump sends just ten Patriot missiles to Kyiv, while Ukraine needs hundreds, and other weapons remain in limbo
However, three sources said Trump never directed a pause in Ukraine weapons shipments. He had only asked Hegseth during last month’s NATO summit in the Netherlands to assess US military stockpiles amid rising tensions in the Middle East, especially between Israel and Iran.
Congress not briefed—no evidence of urgent stockpile shortages
Lawmakers received no warning about the shipment freeze. According to CNN, Pentagon officials told congressional staff that the pause was due to concerns over US munitions levels. Yet, two sources familiar with those briefings said Congress had not been presented with any credible data showing a critical shortage that would justify the sudden halt.
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The currently Baptist-led church council in Kyiv says real peace is impossible without denouncing Russia’s crimes. In a joint appeal, Ukraine’s top religious leaders warn that silence enables atrocities and emboldens aggression far beyond the battlefield.
The statement comes in response to Kremlin-driven anti-Ukrainian propaganda in the West, which falsely portrays Kyiv as anti-Christian amid Russia’s ongoing invasion of Ukraine.
Churches denounce Russia’s war as evil and imperialist
Ukraine’s C
The currently Baptist-led church council in Kyiv says real peace is impossible without denouncing Russia’s crimes. In a joint appeal, Ukraine’s top religious leaders warn that silence enables atrocities and emboldens aggression far beyond the battlefield.
The statement comes in response to Kremlin-driven anti-Ukrainian propaganda in the West, which falsely portrays Kyiv as anti-Christian amid Russia’s ongoing invasion of Ukraine.
Churches denounce Russia’s war as evil and imperialist
Ukraine’s Church Council — officially the All-Ukrainian Council of Churches and Religious Organizations (AUCCRO) — issued a public appeal on 8 July 2025, calling on believers around the world to respond to the deepening spiritual and humanitarian catastrophe caused by Russia’s full-scale war against Ukraine.
AUCCRO described the invasion as “imperialist in nature,” citing widespread suffering: devastated cities and homes, mass displacement, family separations, abductions of Ukrainian children, and systemic violations of rights.
The clergy also detailed Russia’s religious persecution in occupied areas, including the closure of churches, torture, and murder of clergy from multiple denominations, and abuse of both military and civilian captives.
The statement stressed that the situation has become even more intolerable in recent months, as Russia’s military increasingly targets peaceful towns and villages far from the front.
“The powerful of this world avert their eyes,” the Council said, while the ideology behind these crimes — the so-called “Russian world” — continues unchecked.
Statement answers Russian propaganda amplified in the US
This statement also responds directly to Russian propaganda narratives, falsely claiming Ukraine has banned Christianity or Orthodoxy. These narratives have been amplified by some US Republicans and far right public figures, who portray Russia as a Christian power and Ukraine as hostile to religion.
In reality, Ukraine has not banned Christianity or Orthodox faith. In December 2023, Ukraine adopted a law banning religious organizations affiliated with the Russian Federation — the aggressor state — if their activities pose a threat to Ukraine’s national security. The law targets entities such as the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the Moscow Patriarchate (UOC MP), which has repeatedly been linked to pro-Russian propaganda and intelligence cooperation with the invading forces.
As detailed by Euromaidan Press earlier, the law does not automatically ban the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the Moscow Patriarchate (UOC MP). Instead, it prohibits religious organizations found to be subordinated to Russian structures, specifically the Russian Orthodox Church. The State Service for Ethnopolitics (DESS) will review UOC MP parish statutes and give those linked to Moscow nine months to cut ties.
Importantly, the UOC MP is not even the largest Orthodox denomination in Ukraine. That role belongs to the Orthodox Church of Ukraine (OCU), an autocephalous church recognized by the Ecumenical Patriarchate. Ukraine is also home to Greek and Roman Catholic churches, as well as a wide variety of Protestant communities.
AUCCRO itself includes members from all of these denominations, including the UOC MP — clearly refuting the Russian narrative — and from major non-Christian religious organizations.
AUCCRO warned that Russia’s war is not only military, but moral and spiritual.
“Peace is not the absence of war,” the statement reads, “but the restoration of justice, dignity, and the right to self-determination.”
The clergy insist that only by naming and resisting evil can real peace be achieved. Any silence, they warned, only rewards atrocity and encourages further aggression.
The Council appealed to believers in democratic countries and all people of goodwill to “raise a united voice for truth and justice,” using every available means to help end the war and ensure accountability for Russia’s crimes.
The Baptist-led council in Kyiv is currently chaired by Valerii Antoniiuk, head of the All-Ukrainian Union of Churches of Evangelical Christians-Baptists.
AUCCRO was formed in December 1996 as an interfaith consultative body that includes representatives from Ukraine’s Orthodox, Catholic, Protestant, and other religious communities. Its leadership rotates among member denominations, who also share responsibility for ongoing coordination.
The statement ends with a call for solidarity and faith in action:
“Let our joint prayers and actions become a powerful sign of solidarity of humanity against the evil that threatens the spiritual and moral foundations of civilization.”
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Russian crude continues flowing into the EU through Hungary, despite sanctions, via a covert trade network. An investigation by the Russian investigative outlet Important Stories (IStories) into Kremlin oil deals with Orbán allies uncovers how a shadowy firm helped channel over $10 billion in oil from Putin-linked circles to Hungary’s ruling elite.
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán—the Kremlin’s biggest ally within the EU—has repeatedly opposed expanding EU sanctions against Russian energy.
Russian crude continues flowing into the EU through Hungary, despite sanctions, via a covert trade network. An investigation by the Russian investigative outlet Important Stories (IStories) into Kremlin oil deals with Orbán allies uncovers how a shadowy firm helped channel over $10 billion in oil from Putin-linked circles to Hungary’s ruling elite.
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán—the Kremlin’s biggest ally within the EU—has repeatedly opposed expanding EU sanctions against Russian energy. Moscow’s exports sustain its ongoing full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
Russian oil deals with Orbán allies exposed
IStories traced the vast post-2014 oil trade into the EU to Normeston Trading, a mysterious company registered in Belize and operated through Cyprus. The firm sold over 20 million tons of Russian oil to Eastern Europe between 2011 and 2023 — with about 2 million tons in 2023 alone, including over 1 million tons delivered to Hungary.
At the core of the operation is a network of business and political links stretching from the Kremlin to Prime Minister Viktor Orbán’s closest allies. The firm’s Russian side was connected to former top executives of sanctioned billionaire Gennady Timchenko, while its Hungarian ownership includes friends and business partners of Orbán.
A race car driver becomes a $10 billion oil trader
In 2014, the Slovak antimonopoly authority publicly named Normeston’s owners: Russian national Lev Tolkachev and Hungarian consultant Imre Fazakas. Tolkachev, a former Lukoil employee and amateur race car driver, officially held the stake at the time. He also managed a mid-sized auto business in Tver and founded the Rumos Racing team in Russia.
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Tolkachev’s profile stood in sharp contrast to the scale of Normeston’s operations. A former Russian official told IStories:
“In Russia under no circumstances could a race car driver, even if he’s a former oil company employee, be the real owner of an oil trading business with contracts worth billions of dollars.”
Tolkachev’s companies were also connected through shared control in 2017–2018 to those owned by Sergey Gzhelyak, a top executive for Timchenko. Another Timchenko associate, Aleksandr Zhuravlev, still sits on boards with Tolkachev in Normeston-linked firms.
Subbotin re-emerges in the oil trade from Monaco
After Tolkachev, another figure took control: Valery Subbotin, former Lukoil vice president and head of Litasco, its trading arm. Subbotin fled Russia in 2016, settling in Europe and acquiring Cypriot citizenship. In 2023, his Valna Holding Cyprus obtained a 49.9% stake in Normeston.
Subbotin had fallen out with Igor Sechin’s Rosneft during its 2016 takeover of Bashneft. According to Forbes Russia, Subbotin’s contracts were canceled, and he left under pressure. However, IStories found that even in exile, Subbotin maintained ties with Putin’s business circle and associates of former pro-Kremlin fugitive Ukrainian president Viktor Yanukovych.
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Germany asked to “lead Europe” and persuade Hungary on Russia sanctions
In 2023, Normeston won a Czech tender worth over $45 million — a deal Czech media linked to Subbotin. His family owns a heavily fortified villa on the French Riviera, where security measures led one witness to mistake it for Sechin’s residence.
Normeston’s deliveries grew with each wave of sanctions
Ironically, EU sanctions boosted Normeston’s activity. In 2014, after Crimea’s invasion and annexation by Russia, the company’s oil exports via Druzhba increased fivefold. After Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, shipments jumped tenfold. The trader avoided sanctions, largely because it did not buy oil directly from blacklisted firms like Lukoil.
In 2024, Ukraine sanctioned Lukoil, halting its pipeline shipments. But Hungary’s MOL stepped in to purchase the same Russian oil at the Belarus–Ukraine border and continued the deliveries under its own name. According to IStories, Lukoil previously accounted for over 40% of Druzhba’s flow.
Throughout, Normeston remained active. Its Moscow office operates from a building housing firms linked to OTP Bank, headed by Orbán ally Sándor Csányi, and associated with György Nagy — another key Hungarian figure tied to the oil trade.
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Orbán’s allies profit from gas trade too
In 2009, Hungarian oil and gas company MOL sold 50% of its gas trader MET to Normeston. Just two years later, that stake was transferred to Orbán’s associates — István Garancsi and György Nagy. MET quickly grew into a giant, operating in 17 countries with nearly €18 billion in annual turnover.
Anti-corruption researchers in Hungary described the deal as one of the most “critical episodes in the country’s economic history.” According to reports cited by IStories, the MET owners earned over $200 million in a single year by purchasing cheap spot gas and selling it domestically — all with Kremlin knowledge and apparent approval.
A source from within the Hungarian government told Direkt36, iStory’s partner in the investigation, that Russian authorities could have blocked MET’s deals but didn’t.
Old Soviet ties in modern energy networks
Hungarian co-owner Imre Fazakas, who held a 16.7% stake in Normeston, studied in Lviv and worked in Moscow in the 1980s as deputy director of Videoton’s local office. He became familiar with Soviet oil operations while coordinating computer systems for drilling rigs and transportation systems.
Fazakas later consulted for MOL and served on the board of MET — alongside Tolkachev. A former Hungarian official told Direkt36 that Videoton had strong ties to the Soviet military sector and state security.
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Hungary and Slovakia expand Russian fuel use while EU cuts imports
Another Hungarian shareholder, the Madera Investment Fund, which owns 33.4% of Normeston, is linked to György Nagy, a powerful businessman and partner of Garancsi and Csányi. Nagy graduated from Russia’s MGIMO international relations university and secured major government contracts during Orbán’s premiership — including a $5 million IT deal with the Hungarian post office.
In June 2025, Hungary and Slovakia again blocked a proposed package that would have banned Russian oil and gas imports altogether.
In a June 2025 interview, Orbán went further, saying: if Vladimir Putin visits Hungary, he would be received “with all due honors.”
In 2024, Orbán echoed Russia’s narratives, claiming Europe acts “at the behest of the US” and allegedly sacrifices its own interests to support Ukraine. He insisted that Hungary would not abandon Russian oil.
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Ukraine’s military carried out 115 “Deep Strike” long-range drone missions against Russian forces last month, Commander-in-Chief Oleksandr Syrskyi reported. The campaign is a core part of Ukraine’s strategy to disrupt enemy logistics and production far from the frontlines.
115 Deep Strike drone missions targeted Russian forces and supply chains
Syrskyi said in the update after a meeting of the Headquarters of the Supreme Commander-in-Chief:
“[D]uring June, Ukraine’s defenders carried out 115
Ukraine’s military carried out 115 “Deep Strike” long-range drone missions against Russian forces last month, Commander-in-Chief Oleksandr Syrskyi reported. The campaign is a core part of Ukraine’s strategy to disrupt enemy logistics and production far from the frontlines.
115 Deep Strike drone missions targeted Russian forces and supply chains
Syrskyi said in the update after a meeting of the Headquarters of the Supreme Commander-in-Chief:
“[D]uring June, Ukraine’s defenders carried out 115 fire tasks in the Deep Strike direction. Our artillery struck 2,864 enemy targets,” Syrskyi posted on his official channels.
Militarnyi notes he did not specify whether this included only targets inside Russia or also in Russian-occupied areas of Ukraine.
The Commander-in-Chief stated that Ukrainian troops are using both symmetric and asymmetric tactics to resist Russia, while striking military and logistical targets. He said Ukrainian forces are striking Russian military and logistics targets deep inside Russia, weakening its production potential.
Syrskyi emphasized the ongoing development of strike drones as a strategic focus. He said new-generation UAVs are being developed to help compensate for shortages in artillery shells.
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Drone attacks hit Russian airfields, factories, and supply hubs in June
Last month, Ukraine’s Deep Strike campaign included several major incidents.
Ukrainian drones targeted the Marinovka airfield in Russia’s Volgograd Oblast, reportedly destroying three Su-34 fighter-bombers and two more partially damaged.
Ukrainian drones hit two chemical plants named Azot, both producing materials used in explosives and rocket fuel—one in Tula Oblast, another in Stavropol.
Russian sources also published evidence of Ukraine’s use of the jet-powered Peklo drones, which destroyed a vehicle bridge across the Aidar River in occupied Luhansk Oblast.
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Chinese drone parts in Russian weapons are helping Russia expand its drone war in Ukraine, Bloomberg reports. Documents reviewed by Bloomberg show Russian firm Aero-HIT partnered with Chinese suppliers and engineers to mass-produce combat drones now used across the frontline.
As the all-out Russo-Ukrainian war nears year four, drones are key. Zelenskyy said in May that China cut drone sales to Ukraine but continues sending them to Russia. Despite official denials, Chinese tech remains embedded i
Chinese drone parts in Russian weapons are helping Russia expand its drone war in Ukraine, Bloomberg reports. Documents reviewed by Bloomberg show Russian firm Aero-HIT partnered with Chinese suppliers and engineers to mass-produce combat drones now used across the frontline.
As the all-out Russo-Ukrainian war nears year four, drones are key. Zelenskyy said in May that China cut drone sales to Ukraine but continues sending them to Russia. Despite official denials, Chinese tech remains embedded in Russia’s drone war.
China claims it doesn’t supply lethal aid to Russia, while Autel denies ties to Aero-HIT. Still, Bloomberg found that Chinese firms and intermediaries continued supporting Russia’s drone production.
Chinese engineering behind Russia’s drone buildup
In early 2023, Aero-HIT began working with engineers from Autel Robotics, China’s major manufacturers of drones and drone parts, to adapt the civilian Autel EVO Max 4T for military use, according to Bloomberg. The model proved effective in combat and resistant to jamming.
Aero-HIT claims it can produce up to 10,000 drones per month at its Khabarovsk facility. Its Veles FPV drone has been deployed in Kherson and elsewhere. A March 2024 order priced the units at $1,000 each.
Chinese drone parts in Russian weapons still flowing
Despite sanctions, Chinese drone parts in Russian weapons continue reaching Russia through intermediaries. Bloomberg identified firms like Renovatsio-Invest and Shenzhen Huasheng Industry—both under US sanctions—as key suppliers. Civilian companies in sectors like seafood and catering were used to obscure transactions.
Autel says it cut ties with Russia in February 2022. Yet, documents show resumed contact with its engineers by late 2024 and production plans ongoing into 2025.
The drone project born in Harbin and built in Khabarovsk
The partnership began in late 2022, Bloomberg says. Russian company Komax, linked to sanctioned senator and ex-KGB officer Konstantin Basyuk, led talks with China’s Harbin Comprehensive Bonded Zone. In May 2023, a Russian delegation visited Autel and the Harbin Institute of Technology.
After the visit, Aero-HIT was registered, production began soon after. In August 2024, the Defense Ministry requested 5,000 Veles drones.
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Forbes says North Korea’s growing role in Russia’s war exposes Moscow’s military weakness. Pyongyang is preparing to send 25,000–30,000 more troops to support Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. This would triple its original deployment of 11,000 soldiers, first sent last November to fight against Ukrainian forces in Russia’s Kursk Oblast. The expansion signals Russia’s increasing reliance on foreign forces to sustain its war.
Amid the ongoing Russian invasion of Ukraine, Russian and North Korean lead
Forbes says North Korea’s growing role in Russia’s war exposes Moscow’s military weakness. Pyongyang is preparing to send 25,000–30,000 more troops to support Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. This would triple its original deployment of 11,000 soldiers, first sent last November to fight against Ukrainian forces in Russia’s Kursk Oblast. The expansion signals Russia’s increasing reliance on foreign forces to sustain its war.
Amid the ongoing Russian invasion of Ukraine, Russian and North Korean leaders, Vladimir Putin and Kim Jong-un, signed a defense pact in 2024. The Treaty on Comprehensive Strategic Partnership includes mutual military support. In return for troops and arms, North Korea receives food, funding, and military tech. Forbes says the growing North Korea role in Russia’s war shows a core truth. Moscow cannot win this war alone.
North Korea troops for Russia fill growing gaps on the front
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy warned in June that Russia is amassing 50,000 troops near Ukraine’s northeast. He suggested North Korean units might be used in occupied territories for a new offensive. North Korea could send up to 150,000 troops, Forbes says. Russia reportedly modifies aircraft to move large numbers across Siberia.
More on the topic
North Korean forces may soon fight inside Ukraine, says Seoul
North Korean state media showed footage of its troops fighting for Russia and confirmed thousands had died. Within months, nearly 4,000 North Korean troops were lost. Pyongyang pulled forces from the front in January 2025. Despite that, 3,000 more troops were deployed in March.
Forbes says this shift marks a deeper military alliance. The relationship now appears strategic, not just transactional.
Putin avoids mobilization with foreign soldiers
In 2024, Russia lost more than 790,000 troops—nearly double Ukraine’s casualties. That year, daily losses exceeded 1,000 soldiers. Russia also lost 15 battalions defending Kursk Oblast. For every square kilometer gained, about 100 Russian troops died, Forbes says.
According to Forbes, Putin has avoided launching another draft due to political risk, and this forced him to rely on non-Russian fighters. Earlier efforts to recruit from Cuba, Nepal, and Africa were small. North Korea became Moscow’s main external source of troops.
North Korea also provides Russia critical artillery pieces and shells, and missile systems. Forbes notes Pyongyang sent over 15,000 containers since September 2023. Ukraine believes this supply accounts for 70% of Russian artillery use. Shipments include 9 million shells, hundreds of launchers, and KN-23 ballistic missiles.
Early missile batches were inaccurate. They only improved after joint work between Russian and North Korean experts. Still, North Korea cannot match Western production scale or speed.
“Thus, North Korea’s weapons support may not be sustainable in the long term; it is mostly a stopgap measure to help Russia regroup,” Forbes says.
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Russia halts Kostiantynivka push and is now intensifying its offensive near Pokrovsk, raising the threat of Ukrainian positions being encircled in Donetsk Oblast. The Institute for the Study of War (ISW) reported on 7 July that Russian forces recently entered the strategic village of Novoekonomichne and appear to be shifting operations away from the stalled front west of Toretsk.
Amid the ongoing Russo-Ukrainian war, Russian military operations aimed at seizing all of Donetsk Oblast intensified
Russia halts Kostiantynivka push and is now intensifying its offensive near Pokrovsk, raising the threat of Ukrainian positions being encircled in Donetsk Oblast. The Institute for the Study of War (ISW) reported on 7 July that Russian forces recently entered the strategic village of Novoekonomichne and appear to be shifting operations away from the stalled front west of Toretsk.
Amid the ongoing Russo-Ukrainian war, Russian military operations aimed at seizing all of Donetsk Oblast intensified around Pokrovsk in February 2025, with multiple units redeployed to reinforce this axis. The focus then shifted toward Kostiantynivka, but the main push now appears to be returning to Pokrovsk.
Russia changes direction after stalled advances: it halts Kostiantynivka push, shifts focus to Pokrovsk
After failing to make significant gains toward Kostiantynivka since early June 2025, Russian forces are now making platoon-sized mechanized assaults in the Pokrovsk direction. Geolocated footage published on 6 and 7 July confirms Russian troops recently advanced into southern and northeastern parts of Novoekonomichne, east of Pokrovsk.
Map: ISW
Russian milbloggers claimed further movements northwest of Koptieve and west of Myrne — both northeast of Pokrovsk — and southwest of Myrolyubivka to the east. ISW assessed that these moves aim to “support both the envelopment of Pokrovsk and the establishment of a salient” that could allow Russian forces “to try to envelop Kostiantynivka and Ukraine’s wider fortress belt.”
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ISW: Russia may trade deep breakthrough attempts for slow envelopment around fortress belt in Donetsk Oblast
According to ISW, “Russian forces have not made significant gains in the area west of Toretsk toward Kostiantynivka since early June 2025,” suggesting that the military command is “likely temporarily deprioritizing that effort in favor of more opportunistic advances in the Pokrovsk direction.”
One Russian milblogger noted that earlier attempts to storm Novoekonomichne from the east near Malynivka failed, but that Russian troops successfully entered the settlement from the south. Russian forces had been trying to advance into Novoekonomichne for two months, facing sustained Ukrainian defenses and counterattacks.
Threat grows for Pokrovsk and Myrnohrad
With Russian troops now positioned inside Novoekonomichne, ISW suggests that their next targets could include Rodynske, north of Pokrovsk. The goal may be to pressure Ukrainian forces into withdrawing from Pokrovsk and Myrnohrad under threat of encirclement.
Map: ISW.
ISW concluded that Russia’s actions northeast of Pokrovsk indicate a broader shift:
“Russian forces appear to be refocusing their attention on the area northeast of Pokrovsk in the direction of Dobropillia.”
ISW also noted that Ukrainian forces recently advanced near Novopavlivka in Donetsk Oblast. Meanwhile, Russian troops made gains in northern Sumy Oblast and near Toretsk, Pokrovsk, and Novopavlivka.
Map: ISW.
Rubikon in Donetsk Oblast
ISW has also reported the presence of Russia’s Rubikon units throughout eastern Ukraine, including Donetsk Oblast, from the Borova direction in eastern Kharkiv Oblast to the Velyka Novosilka direction in the west.
Rubikon is a recently formed drone training and innovation center overseen by the Russian Ministry of Defense. Ukrainian servicemembers operating in the Kostiantynivka direction told the NYT in an interview published on 7 July that the arrival of Rubikon drone operators marked a “turning point” in Russia’s tactical drone capacity.
Russia previously deployed Rubikon units to Kursk Oblast in early 2025, where operators using fiber optic drones played a major role in eliminating a Ukrainian salient.
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Ukrainian forces have created a corridor for drones and missiles into Crimea by recently disabling key Russian radar systems near Cape Tarhankut, a military expert says. The destruction of the Nebo-M system has left the western part of the Russian-occupied peninsula uncovered, opening a clear path for future strikes.
Drone warfare has become a defining feature of the Russo-Ukrainian war, with unmanned systems active across air, land, and sea. Such latest operations fit into Ukraine’s growing pat
Ukrainian forces have created a corridor for drones and missiles into Crimea by recently disabling key Russian radar systems near Cape Tarhankut, a military expert says. The destruction of the Nebo-M system has left the western part of the Russian-occupied peninsula uncovered, opening a clear path for future strikes.
Drone warfare has become a defining feature of the Russo-Ukrainian war, with unmanned systems active across air, land, and sea. Such latest operations fit into Ukraine’s growing pattern of strikes targeting Russian air defense systems.
Ukrainian drone corridor to Crimea now active
A recent Ukrainian drone attack destroyed valuable Russian radars and a command center for the advanced Nebo-M system.
As reported by RFE/RL’s Krym.Realii project, a former Ukrainian officer from Crimea stated that recent radar strikes created not just a gap but a fully functional route into the peninsula. The expert emphasized that the radar modules destroyed were part of Russia’s Nebo-M complex—systems capable of detecting aerial and ballistic targets at long distances.
These stations once covered areas “from Cape Tarhankut to Kyiv and Kharkiv in the north, Kamianets-Podilskyi in the northwest is about 590 km, to Sievierodonetsk in the northeast — 600 km.” With them now neutralized, the expert confirmed that a large swath of airspace has been left unprotected.
“A real corridor now exists for Ukrainian drones and missiles,” he said.
The unfolded Protivnik-GE radar station of the Nebo-M complex, with other components of the system folded nearby. Screenshot from pvo.guns.ru via RFE/RL.
Sea-launched drones hit precise targets
Video of the attack analyzed by Krym.Realii shows a hexacopter drone taking off from an unmanned surface vessel close to the shore of Cape Tarhankut. While its exact type remains unidentified, the drone closely resembles Ukraine’s Baba Yaga strike drones—a term used by Russian forces for the Vampire model developed by SkyFall.
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These drones, commonly used for nighttime missions, carry thermal imagers and payloads up to 15 kg. Their loadout includes mortar rounds, anti-personnel grenades, and thermite devices.
According to the expert, all explosives deployed in the video footage struck directly at radar components, ensuring maximum damage.
Strike on the Russian Nebo-M’s command vehicle in occupied Crimea on 2 July 2025. Source: Telegram/Krymsky Veter.
He also noted that the drones were controlled on frequencies between 700 and 900 MHz—outside the range of local Russian jamming systems operating at 1200 to 1600 MHz. This allowed them to bypass electronic warfare defenses in the area.
Ukraine’s evolving naval drone tactics
This and other recentdroneoperations in Crimea also highlighted a shift in Ukraine’s drone warfare tactics. Previously, Ukraine showcased Magura sea drones—specifically the V5 strike model, the W6P multifunctional platform, and the V7 drone armed with either missiles or machine guns.
In a military documentary, two new drone boat variants appeared. One vessel carried four launch-ready FPV drone containers and used a traditional propeller engine instead of waterjets. These unmanned boats likely transported the hexacopter drones used in the attack on Tarhankut.
With radar systems in both Saky and Tarhankut eliminated, experts now consider the Ukrainian drone corridor to Crimea active. The expert noted that the absence of coverage from the west and northwest leaves the peninsula vulnerable to repeated precision strikes.
“The radar strike opened a window of opportunity,” he said. “From the sea or the air, that entire sector is now blind.”
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US President Trump reportedly told Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in a phone call on 4 July that he wasn’t responsible for the pause in US weapons deliveries to Ukraine. The Wall Street Journal reported on 7 July that Trump blamed the Pentagon and said he never gave an order to freeze military aid.
The recent pause in weapon deliveries amid the escalated Russian air and ground attacks in Ukraine surprised Kyiv, the State Department, and members of Congress. Previously halted items inclu
US President Trump reportedly told Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in a phone call on 4 July that he wasn’t responsible for the pause in US weapons deliveries to Ukraine. The Wall Street Journal reported on 7 July that Trump blamed the Pentagon and said he never gave an order to freeze military aid.
The recentpause in weapon deliveries amid the escalated Russian air and ground attacks in Ukraine surprised Kyiv, the State Department, and members of Congress. Previously halted items included Patriot interceptors, AIM-120 and Hellfire missiles, GMLRS munitions, howitzer rounds, Stingers, and grenade launchers.
People briefed on the call told WSJ that Trump explained he had initiated a review of Pentagon munitions stockpiles after recent US strikes on Iran but had not intended for that process to block shipments to Kyiv.
According to WSJ, Trump assured Zelenskyy the United States would send as much military aid as it can spare. Zelenskyy later called the conversation “probably the best… in all this time” and thanked Trump for his “readiness to help” during his 5 July address.
Weapons deliveries resume after Trump shifts stance
On 7 July, Trump confirmed publicly that the United States would resume sending weapons to Ukraine.
“They are getting hit very hard. We’re gonna have to send more weapons,” he said during a meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell said in a statement the same day:
“At President Trump’s direction, the Department of Defense is sending additional defensive weapons to Ukraine to ensure the Ukrainians can defend themselves.”
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WSJ says that a meeting of the US National Security Council is scheduled for 8 July to coordinate the resumed shipments.
According to a March 2025 State Department fact sheet, the US has provided $66.9 billion in military assistance to Ukraine since Russia’s full-scale invasion in 2022.
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The UK has imposed new sanctions on Russian chemical weapons use in Ukraine, targeting two senior Russian generals and a military research institute accused of supplying banned toxic agents. The designations come amid growing evidence that Russia’s battlefield tactics increasingly rely on prohibited substances.
Earlier this month, Dutch and German intelligence agencies confirmed that Russia is using banned chemical agents on a large scale in Ukraine. Investigators reported that choking substance
The UK has imposed new sanctions on Russian chemical weapons use in Ukraine, targeting two senior Russian generals and a military research institute accused of supplying banned toxic agents. The designations come amid growing evidence that Russia’s battlefield tactics increasingly rely on prohibited substances.
Earlier this month, Dutch and German intelligence agencies confirmed that Russia is using banned chemical agents on a large scale in Ukraine. Investigators reported that choking substances are being dropped from drones in what they call an intensifying pattern of chemical warfare.
UK targets Russian military command and weapons supplier
On 7 July 2025, the UK government updated its sanctions list to include Russia’s Major General Aleksey Rtishchev and Major General Andrei Marchenko. Both serve in Russia’s Radiological, Chemical and Biological Defense Troops—Rtishchev as Head, Marchenko as Deputy Head—and are accused of being responsible for or supporting the use and transfer of chemical weapons in Ukraine.
According to the UK government, these troops have played a direct role in chemical warfare. The sanctions include an asset freeze and trust services ban, intended to block any UK-linked financial dealings with the officers.
Facility supplied banned weapons, generals oversaw their use
In the same action, the UK also sanctioned the Joint Stock Company Federal Scientific and Production Center Scientific Research Institute of Applied Chemistry. Based in Moscow Oblast, the research institute is accused of supplying RG-Vo riot control agent grenades to the Russian military, which were then used against Ukraine in breach of the Chemical Weapons Convention.
The UK describes the institute as directly supporting Russia’s illegal warfare tactics by enabling access to chemical munitions. The lab, originally founded in 1945 and incorporated in 2011, is now under full sanctions including an asset freeze and restrictions on trust services.
The UK has also backed Ukraine’s defense efforts with a £400,000 voluntary contribution to the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons, aimed at boosting protective equipment, training, and logistics.
Russia’s chemical warfare in Ukraine
Ukrainian military intelligence previously reported that Russian forces have increasingly used poison gas munitions on the frontline.
Ukraine’s General Staff stated in January that the use of dangerous chemical substances had become systematic, with over 5,300 documented incidents since February 2023.
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Russia launched another night-time drone strike on Mykolaiv Oblast, wounding a man and causing fires in suburban areas. Ukrainian air defenses intercepted dozens of incoming Shahed explosive drones, but some reached their targets. The lower number of drones used in last night’s daily assault used this time may indicate that Russia is stockpiling them ahead of a larger assault.
Russia continues using Shahed drones and missiles in nightly strikes targeting infrastructure and civilian areas across
Russia launched another night-time drone strike on Mykolaiv Oblast, wounding a man and causing fires in suburban areas. Ukrainian air defenses intercepted dozens of incoming Shahed explosive drones, but some reached their targets. The lower number of drones used in last night’s daily assault used this time may indicate that Russia is stockpiling them ahead of a larger assault.
Russia continues using Shahed drones and missiles in nightly strikes targeting infrastructure and civilian areas across Ukraine. Most of these attacks lack any military objective and appear aimed at terrorizing the local population.
Shahed wounds civilian in Mykolaiv amid Russian drone stockpiling
Ukraine’s Air Force reported that between 00:30 and 08:00 on 8 July, Russian forces launched 54 Shahed-type drones and four S-300/400 missiles. The drones came from Kursk and Oryol in Russia and from Hvardiiske in Russian-occupied Crimea. Air defense units destroyed 34 drones — 26 were shot down, and eight were electronically suppressed or lost from radar. Nonetheless, drone strikes hit five locations.
The Air Force’s data suggest that all four missiles and 20 drones may have reached their intended targets.
The southern Ukrainian city of Mykolaiv Oblast was the main target. Air raid alerts sounded at 02:03. By 02:26, the Air Force warned of incoming drones toward the city. At 02:28, a group of Shahed drones was reported approaching from the Black Sea. Explosions followed at 02:29, confirmed by Mykolaiv Mayor Oleksandr Sienkevych. The all-clear was given at 02:55.
While Russia launched fewer drones on 8 July compared to previous daily attacks involving hundreds, similar lulls have often preceded larger combined drone and missile strikes. The pattern suggests Russia may be deliberately scaling back day-to-day assaults for one or a few days to stockpile drones for future mass attacks.
Civilian wounded and homes set on fire in Nadbuzke
Between 02:10 and 02:32, Shahed drones struck the Vesnianka community in Mykolaiv Oblast. According to the oblast’s head, Vitalii Kim, a 51-year-old man in the village of Nadbuzke was wounded in the strike and hospitalized. As of the morning, his condition was described as serious but stable. Fires broke out in two detached houses and dry grass areas; emergency services managed to extinguish them.
More drone and artillery attacks earlier on 7 July
Russian attacks on the Mykolaiv oblast had already intensified the previous day. The oblast authorities reported that on 7 July, Kutsurub community was targeted by artillery and three Russian FPV drone strikes. Outside Solonchaky, artillery fire sparked a fire in dry grass and shrubs. In Dmytrivka, additional FPV drone attacks damaged a store roof, disrupted power lines, and caused another fire. No injuries were reported in those cases.
Just after 03:30 on 8 July, another FPV drone struck the waters near the Ochakiv community — again, no casualties were recorded.
Explosions also reported in Kherson
Suspilne reported hearing explosions in Kherson—a city east of Mykolaiv—around 01:07, though no details on damage or casualties were available at the time. The blast might have been the activity of the Ukrainian air defenses, targeting the drones flying towards Mykolaiv.
Reduced drone numbers may hint at escalation
While the number of drones launched on 8 July was lower than during previous everyday attacks, in which Russia has used hundreds of drones, such lulls have repeatedly preceded larger combined drone and missile assaults. This pattern raises concerns that Russia may be deliberately reducing the scale of daily attacks to accumulate stock for future mass strikes.
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US President Donald Trump has ordered the delivery of more weapons to Kyiv, days after the Department of Defense paused military shipments to Ukraine amid the ongoing Russian invasion of the country. The Pentagon confirmed the new deliveries, stating they were directed by Trump to ensure Ukraine can defend itself amid intensifying Russian attacks.
Whether this signals a longer-term strategy shift or another short-term reaction before the next suspension remains unclear. But for now, Trump more w
US President Donald Trump has ordered the delivery of more weapons to Kyiv, days after the Department of Defense paused military shipments to Ukraine amid the ongoing Russian invasion of the country. The Pentagon confirmed the new deliveries, stating they were directed by Trump to ensure Ukraine can defend itself amid intensifying Russian attacks.
Whether this signals a longer-term strategy shift or another short-term reaction before the next suspension remains unclear. But for now, Trump more weapons to Ukraine signals that US support — at least in part — is back on the table.
“We’re going to send some more weapons — we have to,” Trump says
Speaking on 7 July 2025 at the White House during a dinner with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Trump said the United States would resume arms shipments to Ukraine, according to multiplemediareports.
“We’re going to send some more weapons. We have to. They have to be able to defend themselves. They’re getting hit very hard now,” Trump told reporters. “Defensive weapons, primarily, but they’re getting hit very, very hard. So many people are dying in that mess.”
Trump also expressed clear dissatisfaction with Russian President Vladimir Putin, stating,
“I’m disappointed, frankly, that President Putin hasn’t stopped. I’m not happy with President Putin at all.”
US President Trump: We're gonna to send some more weapons to Ukraine. We have to. They have to be able to defend themselves. pic.twitter.com/TiroEZwScW
— Status-6 (Military & Conflict News) (@Archer83Able) July 8, 2025
These remarks came after a phone call with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on 4 July. According to Zelenskyy, the discussion covered Russian airstrikes and the broader front line, with the leaders agreeing to work together on strengthening Ukraine’s air defense.
“President Trump is very well-informed, and I thank him for his attention to Ukraine,” Zelenskyy said after the call.
Pentagon confirms shift: weapons to help stop the killing
Soon after Trump’s public comments, the Department of Defense issued an official statement confirming resumed military support.
“At President Trump’s direction, the Department of Defense is sending additional defensive weapons to Ukraine to ensure the Ukrainians can defend themselves while we work to secure a lasting peace and ensure the killing stops,” said Chief Pentagon Spokesman Sean Parnell.
Parnell added that the framework for evaluating global military shipments “remains in effect and is integral to our America First defense priorities” — the same justification, used earlier by the Pentagon to justify the suspension of weapon supplies.
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A brief but turbulent pause in support
Trump’s promised to send more weapons to Ukraine followed a short but controversial pause in arms shipments, which had sparked backlash in Washington and among European allies. The Pentagon’s pause, initiated around 30 June, halted deliveries of air defense munitions, Patriot missile interceptors, and precision-guided artillery rounds. US officials cited concerns about allegedly declining stockpiles.
It was the third suspensionof US military aid to Kyiv since President Trump took office in January, as Ukraine continues to defend itself against Russian aggression.
Trump had defended the pause at first, stating the US needed “to make sure we have enough for ourselves.” The White House said the decision was based on a Department of Defense review and framed it as part of the administration’s policy to prioritize US interests.
According to the New York Times and Bloomberg, the halt was ordered after a review launched by US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, following US strikes on Iranian nuclear sites. Two people familiar with the matter told the NYT that someone at the Pentagon classified weapons into categories and suspended those intended for Ukraine. Reports indicated the White House was initially unaware of the Pentagon’s decision.
Russia escalates with record air assault on Ukraine
Trump’s shift came shortly after Russia launched the largest combined drone and missile barrage of the war so far, killing at least 11 civilians and injuring over 80, including seven children, as reported by AP. The attack targeted Kyiv and other Ukrainian cities and occurred hours after Trump spoke with Putin on 3 July. Trump later told reporters he made “no progress” with the Russian leader during the call.
Similar Russian air attacks, targeting residential area in the cities far behind the frontline, occureveryday.
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Pause triggered alarm in Washington and Europe
The halt in aid led to concern that Ukraine’s defenses could be weakened at a critical moment. US lawmakers from both parties, including Republican Representatives Don Bacon and Michael McCaul and Democrat Marcy Kaptur, pushed for an investigation into how the decision was made.
According to NBC News, senior military officials assessed that continuing support to Ukraine would not reduce US stockpiles below critical readiness levels. Three officials said that the Pentagon’s Joint Staff concluded that delivering the paused munitions would not jeopardize US capabilities.
Mixed messaging and internal divisions
While the White House eventually confirmed the pause publicly through Deputy Press Secretary Anna Kelly, Trump had remained silent until after the Russian assault and his calls with Putin and Zelenskyy. As Atlantic Council analyst John E. Herbst noted, the policy reversal highlighted tensions between factions within the administration — with figures like Hegseth and others seen as more aligned with a “restrainer” view, skeptical of continued large-scale support to Ukraine.
Trump’s ultimate decision to resume aid aligned with the positions he had expressed at the June NATO Summit in The Hague, where he voiced support for helping Ukraine acquire more Patriot systems. Ukrainian officials said they had not received formal notice of a change in aid schedules but were tracking developments closely.
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The Atlantic Council’s John E. Herbst says the Pentagon’s short-lived aid pause revealed deep policy splits within Trump’s team. He noted that “administration policy on Russia and Ukraine is put together with the input of people with vastly different worldviews,” citing “restrainers” like Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and DNI Tulsi Gabbard.
Herbst suggested the pause was likely to end soon, though he warned that “restrainers are still in the game.” He contrasted the administration’s softer posture toward Russia with its assertive stance on Iran, describing it as part of a broader reluctance to challenge the Kremlin.
Looking forward
The resumption of shipments reestablishes a key supply line for Ukraine at a time of heightened Russian aggression. Though the list of weapons included in the resumed aid was not disclosed, Trump has also earlier suggested the US might sell additional Patriot missiles to Ukraine.
“They’re going to need something because they’re being hit pretty hard,” he said last week aboard Air Force One.
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Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said Moscow and Budapest should “unite efforts” in defending their “compatriots” in Ukraine — a term the Kremlin uses to justify interference in foreign states. The comments appeared in an exclusive interview with Magyar Nemzet, a pro-government Hungarian newspaper, published on 7 July 2025.
Russia used the protection of allegedly oppressed Russian speakers in Ukraine as a pretext for its initial invasion of Ukraine in 2014, and widely used the narrative am
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said Moscow and Budapest should “unite efforts” in defending their “compatriots” in Ukraine — a term the Kremlin uses to justify interference in foreign states. The comments appeared in an exclusive interview with Magyar Nemzet, a pro-government Hungarian newspaper, published on 7 July 2025.
Russia used the protection of allegedly oppressed Russian speakers in Ukraine as a pretext for its initial invasion of Ukraine in 2014, and widely used the narrative amid the ongoing full-scale invasion that started in 2022. PM Viktor Orbán-led Hungary—Moscow’s main ally within the EU—has been using alleged oppression of ethnic Hungarians in Ukraine as an excuse for its anti-Ukrainian actions, such as block the EU’s approval of aid for Ukraine or imposing new sanctions against Russia.
Lavrov has repeatedly invoked the concept of “defending compatriots” as part of Russia’s stated goals in Ukraine. In this interview, he again mentioned it while proposing joint steps with Hungary.
Speaking to Magyar Nemzet, Lavrov said:
“Today, Russia and Hungary are openly speaking out in defense of their compatriots. We can unite our efforts in this regard,” Lavrov stated.
Lavrov blames Kyiv for alleged discriminatory policies against minorities, while Russia kills Ukrainian civilians every day
Lavrov repeated the Kremlin’s narrative that Ukrainian authorities target Russian-speaking citizens and other national communities. He said that after 2014, Ukraine ostensibly pursued policies aimed at erasing Russian language, culture, traditions, “canonical” orthodoxy—meaning Moscow’s church in Ukraine—and media.
The claims ring even more cynical as Russia continuesdailyattacks on Ukrainian cities, killing civilians regardless of ethnicity. The attacks include long-range explosive drone strikes against Ukrainian cities far behind the frontline.
Lavrov said Hungary is well aware of what he called the “forced Ukrainization” of minorities, including ethnic Hungarians. He stated that both Russia and Hungary are already speaking out in defense of their compatriots and proposed that the two countries unite their efforts. He presented the issue as one affecting language, identity, and rights — and as a shared cause for coordinated action.
He accused Kyiv of “destroying everything connected to Russia, Russians, and Russian-speaking people” in areas it controls. Lavrov added that other ethnic groups, including Hungarians, Romanians, Poles, Bulgarians, Greeks, Armenians, and Belarusians ostensibly “also underwent violent Ukrainization.”
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Kremlin praises Hungary’s cooperation and ongoing projects
Lavrov praised Hungary’s stance toward Russia, calling it “balanced” and “pragmatic.” He noted that Hungary follows this course despite “constant pressure from NATO and the EU.”
He highlighted that “despite anti-Russian sanctions” Russian-Hungarian economic cooperation continues, including energy shipments and the Paks nuclear plant expansion.
Lavrov reiterates demand for Ukraine’s de facto capitulation, blames NATO and Kyiv for Russia’s invasion of Ukraine
Lavrov rejected any ceasefire that would allegedly allow “Kyiv regime” (Russia’s euphemism for Ukraine to deny its sovereignty, – Ed.) to regroup, stating that Moscow seeks a “lasting peace” instead. He demanded full removal of Western sanctions, return of seized Russian assets, withdrawal of all legal claims, and Ukraine’s total demilitarization and “denazification.”
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He also insisted Kyiv must recognize Russia’s sovereignty over Ukraine’s Russian-occupied regions. According to him, those are Crimea, Sevastopol — a city in Crimea which Russia considers a separate entity, Donetsk and Luhansk — which Lavrov referred to as “people’s republics,” Kherson, and Zaporizhzhia oblasts. Russia does not even control in their entirety the latter four oblasts.
The Russian Foreign Minister once again repeated the Kremlin’s narrative that Russia’s invasion of Ukraine was allegedly provoked by NATO’s eastward expansion and Ukraine’s pursuit of alliance membership. He also reiterated the Kremlin’s false claim that “Russians were persecuted and killed” in Ukraine following what he called the “February 2014 state coup in Kyiv.”
“After 2014, Ukrainian punitive squads killed more than ten thousand Russian and Russian-speaking Donbas residents — innocent civilians,” Lavrov stated, invoking a fabricated death toll often used in Russian propaganda without evidence.
In reality, the UN reported about 4,300 military and civilian deaths in the Donbas, with 3,404 civilian deaths.
Politico noted that Lavrov’s remarks, aimed at encouraging Hungary to more openly back Moscow, come as Russia tries to “get Budapest to more overtly support its ongoing full-scale invasion.”
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Russian weapons supply failure confirmed by courts is at the center of an investigation by The Insider, which analyzed arbitration rulings involving nine defense contractors. The findings reveal that sanctions are not just symbolic—they are dismantling the Kremlin’s war machine from within.
Sanctioned by the G7 and EU over its full-scale war on Ukraine, Russia evades restrictions via third countries while pushing propaganda that they hurt the West more. Meanwhile, the EU’s newest sancti
Russian weapons supply failure confirmed by courts is at the center of an investigation by The Insider, which analyzed arbitration rulings involving nine defense contractors. The findings reveal that sanctions are not just symbolic—they are dismantling the Kremlin’s war machine from within.
Sanctioned by the G7 and EU over its full-scale war on Ukraine, Russia evades restrictions via third countries while pushing propaganda that they hurt the West more. Meanwhile, the EU’s newest sanctions package remains blocked by pro-Russian Hungary, and US President Trump, though hinting at new US measures, has yet to act—still banking on unrealistic peace negotiations.
Fake parts, failed deliveries, and smuggling schemes
In case after case, Russian manufacturers admitted they could not fulfill military contracts due to the unavailability of sanctioned components. A shipment of programmable chips from Azimut LLC to NTC Elins was rejected after the Chinese replacements failed to function with the Ministry of Defense’s software. In court, Elins declared the chips unusable, citing their incompatibility.
Zaslon JSC, tied to United Russia’s Andrei Turchak, claimed a batch of microchips delivered under contract showed signs of tampering. The company’s technical experts pointed to “numerous scratches” consistent with reballing – tampering the microchips for the reuse. The court agreed and dismissed the supplier’s claim.
One lawsuit revealed that Northern Star LLC imported banned electronics via ARP Investment, a firm registered in the British Virgin Islands. The operation routed shipments from Chinese firms under European branding. The court documents directly confirmed that Northern Star was supplying these goods for Russia’s Ministry of Defense.
The choice of the BVI—a British Overseas Territory—made the scheme unusually risky. UK authorities have access to its corporate registry, which means the real beneficiaries of such supply chains can be easily identified.
Drone development stalls as local components fail
NaukaSoft was tasked with delivering a power supply for SES-7000-NS drones. The supplier couldn’t manufacture key connectors—once a Soviet strength—leading to court-ordered penalties. Without access to lighter imported equivalents, the company failed to meet even basic technical specifications.
Shipbuilding delayed by failed sonar delivery
The Amur Shipbuilding Plant sued the Priboy Plant after it failed to deliver the Zarya-2 sonar system. The system, essential to the corvettes Grozny and Bravy, relied on components banned under EU sanctions. Priboy admitted its suppliers could not fulfill the order, and its efforts to use “domestic” replacements failed when the Russian-made parts were found to contain foreign chips themselves.
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Forbes: Trump can’t stop the war with words — but he can with Russian money
Western manufacturers halt shipments after spotting deception
One legal dispute showed how a British manufacturer canceled delivery of specialized maritime communication modules after detecting at least ten conflicting orders—all designed to hide the Russian military end user.
“Since the end user of the product was the plaintiff,” the ruling states, the supplier “was unable to provide the documentation requested by the manufacturer.”
The module was for NII Elektropribor, which builds navigation and gyroscopy systems for military vessels.
Banking shutdowns block import routes in Central Asia and Türkiye
Technolink LLC’s attempts to import lab equipment were thwarted when banks in Kyrgyzstan and Türkiye closed accounts linked to suspect shipments. Courts revealed how one of the supplier’s Kyrgyz partners had its account shut down even before a contract was signed. In Türkiye, DenizBank closed accounts entirely.
Uzbek banks rejected payments based on customs commodity codes, while Kyrgyz authorities demanded import licenses. The courts ruled that these shutdowns were predictable under current sanctions conditions and rejected claims of force majeure.
Swiss sanctions freeze space systems deliveries
In another case, Russian Space Systems was left without frequency generators after Swiss company AnaPico AG halted deliveries. AnaPico’s Russian partner admitted in court it could no longer fulfill contracts after Swiss authorities intervened. Russian courts terminated the contract.
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Czechia to probe firms accused of arming Russia
Domestic replacements fall short—even when available
The Russian National Guard refused to accept an anti-drone system after the Ford Transit chassis was replaced with a GAZelle, citing contract violations. The supplier blamed foreign automakers’ exit from Russia. The court ruled that the supplier had no alternative and upheld the replacement.
Courts confirm systemic failure in Russian weapons supply
Across every case, Russian arbitration courts exposed a common thread: the country’s military industry cannot operate without sanctioned foreign tech. None of the failures involved personal sanctions—only export controls on dual-use, non-consumer goods.
The Insider’s investigation concludes that Russia’s efforts to smuggle, substitute, or manufacture its way around sanctions fail. The courts have documented the consequences: stalled ships, grounded drones, rejected deliveries, and a defense sector in crisis.
“The conclusion is clearly supported by Russian court rulings: sanctions are having a material impact on the work of Russia’s military-industrial complex,” The Insider’s investigation wrote.
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Russia’s censored war death stats are drawing scrutiny just as President Vladimir Putin renews his call for more volunteer fighters. According to the Institute for the Study of War (ISW), the Kremlin appears to be suppressing mortality data while stepping up patriotic messaging to offset growing problems with recruitment.
Putin has repeatedly avoided declaring another mobilization and instead relies on crypto-mobilization methods to reinforce his forces. At the same time, Rosstat—the state stati
Russia’s censored war death stats are drawing scrutiny just as President Vladimir Putin renews his call for more volunteer fighters. According to the Institute for the Study of War (ISW), the Kremlin appears to be suppressing mortality data while stepping up patriotic messaging to offset growing problems with recruitment.
Putin has repeatedly avoided declaring another mobilization and instead relies on crypto-mobilization methods to reinforce his forces. At the same time, Rosstat—the state statistics agency—has rolled back access to vital statistics that could reveal the real human and demographic costs of the ongoing Russo-Ukrainian war.
Putin leans on “mass public movement” for war support
On 6 July, Putin attended the “Everything for Victory” forum in Moscow City, hosted by the People’s Front — a state-backed coalition of non-governmental groups and political parties formed by Putin in 2011. ISW reports that the coalition is largely led by Putin’s United Russia party and has evolved into a military logistics initiative supporting Russia’s war against Ukraine.
The People’s Front has supplied over 110,000 drones and more than 14,000 vehicles to Russian forces, and its “Kulibin Club” is involved in drone and electronic warfare technology development. During his address, Putin claimed the group had grown into a “mass public movement” thanks to “the overwhelming majority of Russian citizens” who support defending “the life principles and values” passed down through generations. He also asserted that the Russian military enjoys “universal, nationwide support.”
“Putin is likely attempting to shore up public support for the People’s Front and the war to increase voluntary recruitment among Russian citizens,” ISW wrote.
ISW: Kremlin avoids mobilization to contain public backlash, relies on “crypto-mobilization”
ISW stated that Putin is likely trying to boost recruitment through patriotic messaging because the Kremlin is struggling to maintain voluntary enlistment rates.
“ISW continues to assess that Putin remains averse to declaring another partial mobilization out of fear of domestic discontent and remains committed to promoting crypto-mobilization efforts” – unofficial and less visible recruitment efforts, according to the think tank.
Russia’s censored war death stats raise fresh alarms
While pushing for more volunteers, the Russian government has quietly erased key mortality data from public view. On 5 July, opposition outlet Meduza reported that the Russian Federal State Statistics Service (Rosstat) excluded demographic statistics from its “Socioeconomic Situation in Russia” report covering January to May 2025.
Additionally, electoral statistics researcher Dmitry Kobak said in late June that Rosstat had declined his requests for 2024 data on male excess mortality and monthly death counts by actual date of death.
ISW previously assessed that Rosstat is concealing population data “likely also aims to obscure the Russian military’s high personnel loss rates.”
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Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy reported that over the past week, Russia launched around 1,270 attack drones, 39 missiles, and nearly 1,000 guided aerial bombs. He shared the update on 7 July, emphasizing the ongoing threat to civilians and the need for air defense.
This comes as US President Donald Trump is pushing Ukraine toward unrealistic peace talks with Moscow. Meanwhile, Russia escalates its daily air and ground attacks and continues demanding Ukraine’s unconditional surrender.
Ac
Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy reported that over the past week, Russia launched around 1,270 attack drones, 39 missiles, and nearly 1,000 guided aerial bombs. He shared the update on 7 July, emphasizing the ongoing threat to civilians and the need for air defense.
This comes as US President Donald Trump is pushing Ukraine toward unrealistic peace talks with Moscow. Meanwhile, Russia escalates its daily air and ground attacks and continues demanding Ukraine’s unconditional surrender.
According to Zelenskyy, Russia launched 101 drones overnight on 7 July alone. Most were Iranian-designed Shaheds—long-range explosive drones. The drones targeted multiple oblasts, and air raid alerts resumed in the morning across several cities.
Zelenskyy calls for air defense and expands drone production
Zelenskyy said Ukraine depends on its partners to fulfill air defense agreements.
“Air defense is key to protecting life,” he noted.
He also confirmed that Ukraine is actively advancing its own weapons production, including all types of drones. Interceptor drones were described as a key priority.
“We are contracting at maximum capacity,” he said.
Updates on last night’s Russian drone strikes
As we reported earlier, in Kharkiv alone, Russian attacks injured 27 people, including three children. A three-year-old girl was among the injured. Three individuals required hospitalization.
Russia attacked Kharkiv twice on the morning of 7 July. The first strike occurred at 05:20 and injured 29 people, including children aged 3, 7, and 11.
A second wave of Russian drone strikes followed at 10:22, hitting the Holodnohirskyi district. Residential houses, outbuildings, and transport infrastructure were destroyed. Eleven more people were reported injured in the second attack.
In Zaporizhzhia, at least 11 people were injured during the Russian drone strikes. The drones hit Zaporizhzhia Polytechnic University, damaging dormitories, apartment buildings, detached houses, and non-residential infrastructure.
According to the Ukrainian Ground Forces, military draft offices in Kharkiv and Zaporizhzhia were also hit during the 7 July drone attacks. Several military personnel sustained injuries.
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On 7 July, Ukraine’s military intelligence released a Russian general’s telegram ordering a reinforcement of troops at the Russian base in Gyumri, Armenia—directly contradicting Yerevan’s public denial of the Russian military buildup the day before.
Armenia, once a staunch Russian ally, began distancing itself from Moscow after Russia refused to intervene during Azerbaijan’s September 2023 offensive to reclaim its Nagorno–Karabakh, which Yerevan controlled since the 1990s. Feeling abandoned, Yer
On 7 July, Ukraine’s military intelligence released a Russian general’s telegram ordering a reinforcement of troops at the Russian base in Gyumri, Armenia—directly contradicting Yerevan’s public denial of the Russian military buildup the day before.
Armenia, once a staunch Russian ally, began distancing itself from Moscow after Russia refused to intervene during Azerbaijan’s September 2023 offensive to reclaim its Nagorno–Karabakh, which Yerevan controlled since the 1990s. Feeling abandoned, Yerevan suspended its participation in the Moscow‑led CSTO NATO-like alliance and pivoted toward closer ties with the West.
Armenia says no troop increase—Ukraine shows otherwise
On 6 July, Armenian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Ani Badalyan dismissed Ukraine’s earlier claims of a Russian troop buildup, calling the information false.
The statement emphasized Armenia’s “principled position” against allowing third countries to use its territory for hostilities against neighbors. Yerevan insisted Russia was not increasing its military presence on Armenian soil.
Badalyan referred to the Ukrainian intelligence earlier statement as “certain fabricated reports.”
Not so fabricated: Leaked Russian document reveals troop selection and deployment
Ukraine’s Main Directorate of Intelligence (HUR) responded on 7 July by publishing a telegram from Major General Serhii Zemskov, acting chief of staff of Russia’s Southern Military District. The document contains an explicit order from the district’s commander to “reinforce” the Russian military base in Gyumri via what is described as “additional staffing.”
The order directs commanders to urgently select personnel from four armies—namely, the 8th, 18th, 49th, and 58th general armies of the Southern Military District—for future deployment. The timeframe for selecting candidates was from 13 May to 11 June 2025. Those chosen would then sign their first contracts and be dispatched to the base in Armenia for service.
Strict screening and recruitment criteria set for candidates
The leaked telegram instructs commanders to facilitate the selection process. It outlines specific criteria for professional fitness, psychological resilience, and combat readiness. The order explicitly bans the recruitment of individuals involved in drug trafficking or the distribution of psychotropic substances.
HUR’s initial report
The Ukrainian intelligence’s originalreport, issued on 5 July, stated that Russia was rapidly staffing its Gyumri base to increase military-political pressure on the South Caucasus. According to HUR, the effort is part of a broader Kremlin strategy aimed at global destabilization. The initial report said that troops were being recruited from Rostov and Volgograd oblasts, as well as from occupied Crimea.
HUR spokesperson Andrii Yusov described the deployment as one piece of a broader plan:
“The deployment of Russian troops in Armenia is part of a complex Kremlin strategy aimed at destabilizing the global security situation.”
Gyumri base
The Russian base in Gyumri, known as the 102nd military base, is the largest Russian military facility in the South Caucasus. As of now, it hosts around 5,000 personnel—approximately 2,500 Russians and 2,000 Armenians. The base includes MiG-29 fighter jets and S-300 air defense systems and was established in 1995 under an agreement between Moscow and Yerevan that runs until 2044.
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Ukraine hits a Russian ammunition supply-chain plant near Moscow in a deep drone strike inside Russia on 7 July. Russia’s Ministry of Defense claimed it downed 91 drones, including eight over Moscow Oblast. Despite those claims, residents of Krasnozavodsk and Sergiev Posad in the region reported about ten loud explosions.
Ukrainian forces have repeatedly struck Russian military, defense industry, and energy infrastructure in both occupied territories and inside Russia. The ongoing air campaign i
Ukraine hits a Russian ammunition supply-chain plant near Moscow in a deep drone strike inside Russia on 7 July. Russia’s Ministry of Defense claimed it downed 91 drones, including eight over Moscow Oblast. Despite those claims, residents of Krasnozavodsk and Sergiev Posad in the region reported about ten loud explosions.
Ukrainian forces have repeatedly struck Russian military, defense industry, and energy infrastructure in both occupied territories and inside Russia. The ongoing air campaign is aimed at crippling Russian military logistics and its capacity to continue the war.
Strategic ammo supply plant targeted
The locals told the Russian pro-Kremlin Telegram channel Shot that drones flew low before the blasts. Locals believe the Krasnozavodsky Chemical Plant was the target. Another Russian Telegram channel, Astra, confirmed reports from local chats in Krasnozavodsk, where users described an attack on the chemical plant. Russian authorities have not officially confirmed any damage.
Ukrainian channel Exilenova+ shared footage of the attack and also confirmed that Ukrainian drones hit the Krasnozavodsky Chemical Plant. The channel geolocated multiple impact points within the facility and concluded that the strike targeted several areas of the plant.
Ukraine hits Russian ammunition supply plant near Moscow in deep drone strike
Locals heard about 10 blasts. The Krasnozavodsk chemical plant is linked to Grad, Uragan, and Tornado-G rocket systems.
— Euromaidan Press (@EuromaidanPress) July 7, 2025
Andrii Kovalenko from Ukraine’s National Security and Defense Council also confirmed the same target, saying the plant produces explosive materials, powder, and components for missiles and munitions.
Exilenova+ added that the plant supplies Russia’s Ministry of Defense with munitions like signal cartridges, anti-tank missile igniters, detonators, thermite blocks, and explosive charges.
Facility linked to rocket launcher systems
According to the same source, the plant repairs and modernizes Russia’s multiple rocket launchers, including Uragan, Grad, and Tornado-G. As of 2023–2024, it had assembled and upgraded full systems and their parts.
One of the drone strikes likely hit a newer workshop, Exilenova+ reported, noting that the factory plays a critical role in maintaining Russia’s artillery capabilities.
FP-1 drone used in deep-strike mission
Exilenova+ stated that Ukraine used FP-1 drones in the strike. The drone reportedly carries a larger warhead—than Liutyi, usually used in such attacks—and may now be in serial production. The channel called the attack “great news,” highlighting the FP-1 as a powerful addition to Ukraine’s long-range strike capability.
Russia’s claims
The Russian Ministry of Defense claimed drones were also shot down not only in Moscow Oblast, but also over many other oblasts. According to their data, 20 drones flew over Belgorod Oblast, 14 over Kursk, and 9 over Lipetsk. Eight were reported over both Bryansk and Voronezh oblasts, and seven over the Black Sea. Three drones each appeared over Novgorod, Tver, Tambov, and Leningrad oblasts. Two more were intercepted over Oryol Oblast, and one each over Vladimir Oblast, Krasnodar Krai, and occupied Crimea.
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Russia kills 13, injures 67 in Ukraine as its forces launched sweeping air and ground attacks on civilian areas across at least nine oblasts overnight, according to reports from local administrations. Drones, missiles, artillery, and guided bombs hit cities, villages, homes, schools, farms, and shops—leaving behind a trail of dead, injured, and destroyed infrastructure.
This comes as US President Donald Trump is pushing Ukraine toward unrealistic peace talks with Moscow. Meanwhile, Russia escala
Russia kills 13, injures 67 in Ukraine as its forces launched sweeping air and ground attacks on civilian areas across at least nine oblasts overnight, according to reports from local administrations. Drones, missiles, artillery, and guided bombs hit cities, villages, homes, schools, farms, and shops—leaving behind a trail of dead, injured, and destroyed infrastructure.
This comes as US President Donald Trump is pushing Ukraine toward unrealistic peace talks with Moscow. Meanwhile, Russia escalates its daily air and ground attacks and continues demanding Ukraine’s unconditional surrender.
Kharkiv: Explosive drones hit homes and schools, injure 27, other attacks injure five others
In Kharkiv, Russian drones struck the Shevchenkivskyi and Slobidskyi districts around 05:30 on 7 July, hitting high-rise buildings, schools, and a kindergarten. As of 07:50, 27 civilians were confirmed injured, including three children aged 3, 7, and 11, according to Kharkiv Oblast head Oleh Syniehubov and city mayor Ihor Terekhov. An eighth-floor apartment caught fire. A shop and other civilian buildings also suffered significant damage. Syniehubov said Russia used four Shahed explosive drones in the attack.
The broader regional figure includesthree civilians injured in Kupiansk—a 73-year-old woman, a 67-year-old woman, and a 56-year-old man. In the village of Ternova, part of Lypetska community, an explosion from an unknown device injured two men aged 68 and 75.
Additionally, Suspilne reported two explosions this morning in the Chuhuiv community, Kharkiv Oblast. Syniehubov later confirmed that two Russian missile strikes hit the area, damaging civilian infrastructure. The full extent of damage was still being assessed.
Odesa: One killed in nighttime strike
In Odesa, a Russian Shahed drone attack killed one person and damaged garages, a car service building, and vehicles, according to regional authorities.
Donetsk Oblast: Seven civilians killed in one day
According to Donetsk Oblast Military Administration, Russian forces killed seven civilians on 6 July—four in Kostiantynivka, two in Druzhkivka, and one in Novohryhorivka. Another 15 people were wounded in the oblast the same day.
Kherson: Drone kills driver, previous attacks kill two other civilians
The Kherson Oblast Military Administration says that between 06:00 on 6 July and 06:00 on 7 July, Russian aggression killed 2 civilians and injured 9 others across the oblast.
Later this morning, Russian forces launched new attacks, killing another civilian and injuring two more.
A Russian drone strike hit a tractor near Beryslav, killing the driver on the spot, the regional prosecutor’s office said. In a separate artillery attack on a residential house in Nadezhdivka, Bilozerska community, a 19-year-old man and a 67-year-old woman were wounded. According to the Oblast Military Administration, both sustained explosive injuries and contusions; the man also suffered shrapnel wounds to the back and leg.
Sumy: FPV drones kill two
The Sumy Oblast Military Administration reported that nearly 90 Russian strikes hit 38 settlements between 6 and 7 July. In Sumy community, two civilians were killed and one injured in Russian FPV drone strikes. Another person was injured in Khotinska community.
The attacks reportedly included 30 VOG munition drops from drones, 20 KAB bomb strikes, and missile attacks.
Dnipro: Five wounded, school set ablaze
Dnipropetrovsk Oblast head Serhii Lysak saidfive civilians were injured overnight. In Nikopol and Marhanets communities, Russia’s artillery and drone attacks injured a 66-year-old woman and a 73-year-old man. Two one-family homes were damaged, and a fire broke out in a preparatory school. In Malomykhailivska community, three more civilians—a woman and two men—were injured, and fires were reported in homes and a dining hall.
Zaporizhzhia: Hundreds of drone and artillery strikes
The Zaporizhzhia Oblast Military Administration reported that Russian forces used 378 drones—mostly FPV—to attack multiple towns, including Huliaipole, Kamyanske, and Mala Tokmachka.
Two civilians were injured in Vasylivskyi and Polohy districts. The oblast also saw six airstrikes, 152 artillery attacks, and MLRS fire.
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Russian airports crippled by airspace threat canceled 171 flights in Moscow alone. Operations in five other cities were suspended entirely. The Russian Federal Air Transport Agency (Rosaviatsia) said that “external interference” disrupted airport functions. Authorities cited safety as the reason for halting air traffic. It is unclear, if the airports have been under a cyberattack or the agency just uses the vague language to describe Ukrainian drones in the airspace.
Ukraine launches drones dail
Russian airports crippled by airspace threat canceled 171 flights in Moscow alone. Operations in five other cities were suspended entirely. The Russian Federal Air Transport Agency (Rosaviatsia) said that “external interference” disrupted airport functions. Authorities cited safety as the reason for halting air traffic. It is unclear, if the airports have been under a cyberattack or the agency just uses the vague language to describe Ukrainian drones in the airspace.
Ukraine launchesdronesdaily at Russian military, defense-industrial, and logistics targets. These flights often force civilian airports to suspend operations. Just a day earlier, Rosaviatsia had reported 174 flight cancellations at Moscow’s Sheremetyevo, linked some of these to strong winds and potential aerial threats, which usually means the presence of Ukrainian drones in the airspace.
Sheremetyevo, Moscow’s main airport and Russia’s largest, suffered the largest collapse. As of 18:00 Moscow time on 6 July, 171 flights were canceled. Another 56 flights faced delays exceeding two hours, according to Rosaviatsia.
Around 15,000 passengers were preparing for departure at Sheremetyevo. They waited in crowded terminals as staff worked to stabilize operations.
St. Petersburg and Nizhny Novgorod airports crippled too
Pulkovo airport in St. Petersburg also faced major disruptions. According to Rosaviatsia, 90 flights were canceled and 37 delayed by over two hours.
Officials restricted access to the clean zone at Pulkovo. They aimed to reduce passenger congestion during the shutdown.
The Nizhny Novgorod Chkalov airport saw the most prolonged disruption. Authorities canceled 26 flights and delayed 13 others. Staff at Chkalov increased shift capacity to speed up boarding and baggage handling.
Smaller Russian cities halt airport activity completely
Airports in Ivanovo (Yuzhny), Kaluga (Grabtsevo), Pskov, and Tambov (Donskoye) stopped all flight services. Rosaviatsia said these closures were due to “periodic interference” from outside. All five airports had no incoming or outgoing flights.
Authorities claim the situation is stable and controllable, use trains as fallback
Rosaviatsia claimed the situation was under control. The agency stated that Russia’s aviation system had “enough resources” to manage disruptions.
Russia’s Deputy Transport Minister Vladimir Poteshkin visited Sheremetyevo twice that day. He checked airline operations and crowd control measures.
Rail routes between major cities began to absorb stranded travelers. Authorities claimed over 8,000 train seats were available between St. Petersburg and Moscow from 6 to 8 July.
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Trump can make Russia pay — not by deploying troops, but by taking action with what’s already in US hands. As detailed in a Forbes op-ed by Andy J. Semotiuk, after President Trump’s recent phone call with Vladimir Putin, the Kremlin rejected any peace and resumed bombing Ukraine.
Reports indicated that Russia launched nearly 5,500 missiles and rockets in June 2025 alone. Up to 1,000 drone strikes per day could hit Ukraine in August.
Even as the West backs Ukraine militarily, it continues buying
Trump can make Russia pay — not by deploying troops, but by taking action with what’s already in US hands. As detailed in a Forbes op-ed by Andy J. Semotiuk, after President Trump’s recent phone call with Vladimir Putin, the Kremlin rejected any peace and resumed bombing Ukraine.
Reports indicated that Russia launched nearly 5,500 missiles and rockets in June 2025 alone. Up to 1,000 drone strikes per day could hit Ukraine in August.
Even as the West backs Ukraine militarily, it continues buying Russian oil and gas — channeling far more money into Putin’s war machine than it sends to Ukraine, Forbes says. Since February 2022, Western energy payments have tripled the aid given to Kyiv. Russia, meanwhile, has inflicted over $552 billion in theft and destruction — looting grain, steel, industrial equipment, and flattening critical infrastructure.
Since assuming office in January, Donald Trump has been pushing for peace talks between Kyiv and Moscow, but Russia has shown no interest in anything short of Ukraine’s capitulation and has escalated both air and ground assaults. The Trump administration, meanwhile, has not approved any new military assistance for Ukraine and has failed to respond to Ukrainian requests to purchase weapons.
Russia’s looting campaign has cost Ukraine over half a trillion dollars
According to Forbes, Russia has inflicted more than $552 billion in theft and destruction across Ukraine — seizing over 1,150 companies, looting grain and steel, and devastating infrastructure. These losses underscore the scale of Moscow’s economic war alongside its military one.
Forbes: Trump can’t stop the war with words — but he can with Russian money
Frozen Kremlin assets can fund Ukraine’s defense
Semotiuk notes that $330 billion in frozen Russian sovereign funds are sitting untouched in Western banks. Trump can make Russia pay by leading a legal effort to seize those funds — a move with precedent, as the US has done with Iraq and Afghanistan. That money alone could cover Ukraine’s defense and reconstruction for three years. Acting swiftly would likely push allies like Canada, the UK, and EU states to follow.
Historian Timothy Ash, quoted in the op-ed, estimates Ukraine needs $150 billion annually to secure victory. If it loses, NATO could face over $4.5 trillion in defense spending within a decade. Mass refugee waves, destabilized markets, and aggressive moves by China or North Korea would likely follow. Funding Ukraine now prevents far greater costs later — both financial and strategic.
Shift energy policy to isolate Russia and protect US interests
Semotiuk argues that supporting Ukraine also means cutting off Russia’s revenue stream. The US and its allies — especially Canada — have the capacity to replace Russian energy in global markets. That would boost Western economies and deny Putin the cash to wage war. Countries still purchasing Russian oil — including China, India, Türkiye, Brazil, and several EU members — should face strict US sanctions.
Ukraine has earned America’s support — and needs it now
For over 30 years, Ukraine has supported every major US military operation. In return, Washington pledged protection in the 1994 Budapest Memorandum, when Ukraine gave up its nuclear arsenal. Turning away now, Semotiuk warns, would shatter US credibility.
The op-ed notes that Ukraine has already inflicted immense damage on Russia’s military: over a million troops dead or wounded, the Black Sea Fleet decimated, and weapons facilities under constant attack. All without a single American soldier on the battlefield.
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The Odesa car bombing suspect, a 22-year-old man, was arrested on 5 July 2025 by the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) and the National Police, the same day the explosion seriously injured a local man. Odesa is the local capital in southern Ukraine on the Black Sea coast.
As Russia’s war against Ukraine continues, the SBU has been reporting a rise in espionage and sabotage operations, including arrests of suspected spies. Similar sabotage attempts have also been documented across the European Un
The Odesa car bombing suspect, a 22-year-old man, was arrested on 5 July 2025 by the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) and the National Police, the same day the explosion seriously injured a local man. Odesa is the local capital in southern Ukraine on the Black Sea coast.
As Russia’s war against Ukraine continues, the SBU has been reporting a rise in espionage and sabotage operations, including arrests of suspected spies. Similar sabotage attempts have also been documented across the European Union, spanning from espionage to arson attacks. In Ukraine, some recruited agents have previously unknowingly served as suicide bombers.
Explosive detonated under parked car in Odesa’s Kyivskyi District
According to the SBU, the suspect, a previously convicted resident of Zaporizhzhia, planted a pre-prepared homemade explosive device under a vehicle. His handler from Russian special services selected the targeted car. The bombing took place in the morning of 5 July on Varna Street in the Kyivskyi District of Odesa.
The SBU states the Odesa car bombing suspect acted on instructions from Russian handlers who coordinated the attack remotely. The Russians reportedly recruited the man through Telegram channels. SBU says he acted on direct instructions from Russian intelligence. To transmit the explosion to his handlers in real time, the suspect installed a remotely-accessed smartphone facing the bombing site.
Civilian seriously injured in the explosion
Suspilne reported shortly after the attack that the blast seriously injured a local man, who was hospitalized with heavy bodily injuries. His car, under which the explosive was planted, was completely destroyed.
This comes amid the daily Russian drone and missile strikes, often targeting Odesa. Nearby residents told Suspilne that the explosion, which occurred without any air raid alert, also damaged windows in adjacent residential buildings.
A local resident said,
“I heard a strong explosion. I looked outside and saw smoke. We helped him—he was alive but in shock.”
According to witnesses, the blast occurred around 09:00.
SBU captures Odesa car bombing suspect as he tries to flee after the attack, the man faces terrorism charges
The SBU reports that following the detonation, the suspect attempted to leave Odesa Oblast, hoping to go into hiding. However, SBU officers and the National Police detained him “hot on the trail” later that same day, 5 July 2025.
The man has been formally notified of suspicion under the Criminal Cde’s Part 2 of Article 258—committing a terrorist act. He faces up to 12 years in prison. The SBU says pre-trial investigative actions are ongoing, and efforts are underway to establish all the circumstances of the crime.
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Last night’s Russian drone assault injured at least nine civilians. The injured included the elderly and the young across Kyiv, Kharkiv, Mykolaiv, and Zaporizhzhia oblasts overnight 6 July 2025. Residential buildings, a kindergarten, vehicles, garages, and power lines were among the affected targets. Additionally, Russia targeted another military draft office.
According to Ukraine’s Air Force, more than 150 drones were launched from Russian territory and temporarily occupied Crimea. Ukrainian ai
Last night’s Russian drone assault injured at least nine civilians. The injured included the elderly and the young across Kyiv, Kharkiv, Mykolaiv, and Zaporizhzhia oblasts overnight 6 July 2025. Residential buildings, a kindergarten, vehicles, garages, and power lines were among the affected targets. Additionally, Russia targeted another military draft office.
According to Ukraine’s Air Force, more than 150 drones were launched from Russian territory and temporarily occupied Crimea. Ukrainian air defenses neutralized 3/4 of them.
This comes as US President Donald Trump is pushing Ukraine toward unrealistic peace talks with Moscow, even as he halts military aid and refuses to approve further support. Meanwhile, Moscow escalates its daily air and ground attacks and continues demanding Ukraine’s unconditional surrender.
In Kyiv Oblast, kindergartens and homes hit, elderly woman trapped under rubble
Kyiv Oblast’s Vyshhorod district faced widespread destruction as Shahed drones damaged multiple apartment buildings, six detached homes, and a preschool. Local authorities reported that windows and doors were shattered, facades were punctured, and outbuildings were set on fire.
Nina Ivanivna, resident of the house destroyed by a Russian drone in Kyiv Oblast. 6 July 2025. Photo: Suspilne News / Stanislav Svyryd
In Novi Petrivtsi, a Russian drone strike destroyed the home of Nina Ivanivna, a disabled 87-year-old woman.
“They pulled me out of bed… I can barely move. So they carried me out on a stretcher, out into the street,” the woman told Suspilne.
Rescuers managed to evacuate her from under rubble.
In total, four people were injured in Kyiv Oblast, including a 35-year-old man with shrapnel wounds and two elderly residents — a 75-year-old man and a 79-year-old woman — both suffering acute stress reactions, local officials said.
In Kharkiv, toddler and woman injured in nighttime attack
Kharkiv experienced drone explosions across at least three city districts — Shevchenkivskyi, Kyivskyi, and Novobavarskyi — starting at 01:06 on 6 July 2025. Authorities confirmed injuries to a 46-year-old woman hit by flying glass and a girlinitially reported as 2.8 months old but later clarified to be two years old. Both suffered stress-related symptoms, according to Kharkiv Oblast head Oleh Syniehubov.
Destruction in Kharkiv’s Novobavarskyi district following a night-time drone attack on 6 July 2025. Photo: Suspilne Kharkiv / Daria Nematian Zolbin
The drone assault damaged 14 residential buildings, a sports complex, a dental clinic, two shops, a café, and multiple civilian vehicles.
In Mykolaiv, Russian drone assault injures two civilians
In Mykolaiv, Russian drones struck the city during the morning hours, injuring two people. According to Mayor Oleksandr Sienkevych and Oblast head Vitalii Kim, a 31-year-old woman was hospitalized in moderate condition, and a 35-year-old man received medical assistance on site.
At least ten residential buildings were damaged, along with a bank and a food establishment. The attack also affected port infrastructure and warehouse buildings, causing damage to power grids. In Koblevo’s Rybakivka village, 13 one-family homes and several resort buildings were hit, including a post office and a store. Fires broke out but were extinguished by emergency services.
Zaporizhzhia: 90 or nearly 90-year-old woman injured
In the Zaporizhzhia Oblast, six Shahed drones struck various targets, destroying a home, outbuildings, and damaging a business, farm, and storage facilities. Fires spread over 1,000 square meters, according to the State Emergency Service.
Fire sparked by a Russian UAV assault in Zaporizhzhia Oblast on 6 July 2025. Photo: State Emergency Service of Ukraine in Zaporizhzhia Oblast
Officials reported that an elderly woman was injured during a strike on the village of Yurivka. Different sources listed her age as either 89 or 90. She received medical care after suffering injuries in the destroyed residential area.
Russia strikes another Ukrainian enlistment center
In addition to targeting homes and civilians, Russia continued its apparent pattern of attacking military recruitment infrastructure. On 6 July 2025, a Russian drone hit the district territorial enlistment center in Kremenchuk, according to Ukraine’s Ground Forces cited by Suspilne. No casualties were reported, but the impact damaged the draft office and a nearby residential building.
This was the third such attack in one week. On 3 July, drones struck recruitment buildings in Poltava, killing two and injuring over 50. On 30 June, a drone exploded near a draft center in Kryvyi Rih.
Such attacks don’t have real military value and seem primarily aimed at propaganda. The mobilization process in Ukraine faces heavy criticism, and these strikes may be carried out to win approval among at least some Ukrainians.
Air Force response and ongoing threat
Ukraine’s Air Force reported that overnight on 6 July 2025, beginning at 20:30 on 5 July, Russian forces launched a combined attack consisting of four S-300 surface-to-air ballistic missiles from Kursk Oblast and 157 strike UAVs — mainly Shahed-type drones and decoy drones — from multiple locations, including Shatalovo, Millerovo, and Primorsko-Akhtarsk in Russia, as well as Hvardiiske and Chauda in occupied Crimea.
Of the 157 drones launched, 117 were neutralized: 98 shot down by air defenses and 19 suppressed or lost due to electronic warfare. Drone impacts were confirmed in 19 locations across northern, eastern, central, and southern Ukraine. Debris from downed drones also fell on two additional sites.
Based on this data, at least 40 drones — more than 25% of those launched — and all four ballistic missiles used in their secondary ground-attack role were not neutralized and likely reached their targets.
The Air Force’s summary did not mention two Kinzhal ballistic missiles launched the previous day. No casualties or damage were reported from those strikes, but it remains unclear whether the missiles were intercepted or missed their targets.
“Let’s hold the sky! Together — until victory!” the Air Force wrote on its official Telegram channel.
Update 17:00:
As of 15:00, Russian drone attacks killed one person and injured five others in Kherson Oblast, the local military administration reported. Additional strikes injured one man in Sumy Oblast and another in Zaporizhzhia.
Authorities confirmed that on 5 July, a Russian drone struck a car carrying a displaced family near the village of Odnorobivka, Kharkiv Oblast, just 8 km from the Russian border. An eight-year-old boy was killed. His four-year-old brother sustained severe injuries, their father was moderately wounded, and the mother suffered an acute stress reaction, according to Zolochiv hromada head Viktor Kovalenko. The family had previously relocated from nearby Stohniï during the early days of Russia’s full-scale invasion and were visiting relatives when the attack occurred. The injured child and father were hospitalized in Kharkiv.
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Russia seeks to retake Lyman in northern Donetsk Oblast, where it briefly established control in 2022, but Ukrainian forces say their defense remains solid and enemy advances are slow and costly. Offensives in the Lyman sector are part of Russia’s broader supporting efforts, secondary to its main operations in western Donetsk Oblast.
For months, Russia’s heaviest ground attacks and missile strikes have targeted areas south of Lyman, especially Pokrovsk and nearby cities. On 5 July, ISW reported
Russia seeks to retake Lyman in northern Donetsk Oblast, where it briefly established control in 2022, but Ukrainian forces say their defense remains solid and enemy advances are slow and costly. Offensives in the Lyman sector are part of Russia’s broader supporting efforts, secondary to its main operations in western Donetsk Oblast.
For months, Russia’s heaviest ground attacks and missile strikes have targeted areas south of Lyman, especially Pokrovsk and nearby cities. On 5 July, ISW reported a tactical shift: instead of deep breakthroughs near Pokrovsk’s “fortress belt,” Russian forces are now trying to partially encircle Ukraine’s fortifications from both flanks to force a withdrawal, similar to Avdiivka and Vuhledar.
Ukrainian officer describes Russian tactics near Lyman
On 5 July, Maksym Bilousov, head of communications at the Ukrainian Army’s 60th Separate Mechanized Inhulets Brigade, toldSuspilne that Russian troops are attempting to exploit any opportunity to break through Ukrainian lines near Lyman. He said Moscow’s goal is to seize the key city it occupied for nearly five months in 2022 at the early stages of the full-scale invasion.
“They push into any opening that appears by chance. Their goal is to capture Lyman, which they already took in 2022, but was later liberated by our Defense Forces,” Bilousov stated during the Suspilne.Studio broadcast.
Bilousov explained that while some Russian progress exists, it’s slow and demands substantial effort.
“Progress does exist, but it’s extremely slow. They spend so much time and so many resources to achieve even that,” he said. “We don’t currently see a threat to Lyman of such scale that would require sounding the alarm.”
He acknowledged that the situation remains difficult:
“Of course it’s hard, and there are a lot of them. But Ukrainian fighters are well-trained and hold the line.”
Lyman residents remain in city as tensions rise
Despite the renewed Russian push, thousands of civilians still live in the affected area. According to local authorities cited by Suspilne Donbas, as of 7 June, the Lyman hromada (community) remained home to 7,233 people, including 3,800 in the city of Lyman itself. The community also includes 168 children.
Lyman under occupation in 2022
Russia first captured Lyman early in the full-scale invasion, maintaining control for nearly five months. Ukrainian forces liberated the city on 1 October 2022 as part of the counteroffensive that followed gains in Kharkiv Oblast.
The city’s strategic location near the northern edge of Donetsk Oblast has made it a recurring flashpoint in the war.
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If NATO fails to boost its deterrent capabilities, Russia may invade Estonia within 5-7 years, NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte said in a 5 July 2025 interview with The New York Times. The NATO chief warned that despite no immediate danger, the Kremlin might strike in the future unless the alliance accelerates defense investment and coordination.
Western security assessments warn that Russia poses a continuing threat of future aggression against EU countries, with concerns growing over its long
If NATO fails to boost its deterrent capabilities, Russia may invade Estonia within 5-7 years, NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte said in a 5 July 2025 interview with The New York Times. The NATO chief warned that despite no immediate danger, the Kremlin might strike in the future unless the alliance accelerates defense investment and coordination.
Western security assessments warn that Russia poses a continuing threat of future aggression against EU countries, with concerns growing over its long-term strategic intentionsbeyond Ukraine. The Baltic nations – Lithuania, Latvia, and Estonia – are named among the most threatened nations, according to experts and politicians.
Russia’s military buildup fuels concern
In the NYT interview, Rutte cited Russia’s rapid rearmament as a central concern, noting that “Russia is reconstituting itself at a pace and a speed which is unparalleled in recent history.” According to him, Moscow now produces three times more ammunition in three months than all of NATO does in a year. He said this buildup, supported by cooperation with North Korea, Iran, and China, threatens not only Ukraine but also broader European security.
Baltic states in focus after Estonia drill
His comments followed a New Yorker article describing NATO training exercises in Estonia, which revealed that Estonian forces lacked critical defense capabilities such as air power and naval strength. Rutte acknowledged the findings but insisted Estonia would not face an invasion today because “our reaction will be devastating.” However, he warned that without significant increases in defense investment, that calculus might change within years.
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Washington remains committed to NATO Article 5, Rutte believes
Rutte emphasized that the United States would fully support Estonia if attacked. “One hundred percent,” he said, adding that his discussions with the Trump administration confirmed total US commitment to NATO and Article 5. He dismissed the notion that America is retreating from Europe, instead arguing that Washington expects Europeans to shoulder more of the burden while shifting focus toward the Indo-Pacific.
Estonia is located in northeastern Europe and borders Russia, which is currently waging an aggressive war against Ukraine. Many experts, military officials, and politicians warn that Russia may invade Estonia in several years if Ukraine collapses and the EU fails to prepare its military for war. Map: Euromaidan Press.
Deterrence and readiness depend on industry and manpower
Rutte highlighted a growing concern about Europe’s defense industry and personnel shortages. “We simply lack the defense industrial base to produce the weapons we need,” he said, stressing that funding must translate into operational capability. He refrained from prescribing conscription but suggested higher salaries and national decisions could address the manpower gap.
Although questions remain about democratic cohesion within NATO, Rutte avoided commenting on the internal politics of member states like Türkiye, the US under Trump, or pro-Russian Hungary. Instead, he insisted that NATO remains “stronger and more united than ever in recent history.”
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Looking ahead: Investment or vulnerability
Rutte warned that if NATO fails to follow through on its commitments, countries like Estonia could face existential threats in the near future.
“If we don’t [invest], we’ll have to learn Russian,” he said.
For now, he remains confident that NATO’s deterrence, especially with US backing, is strong—but the clock is ticking.
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Russian forces are advancing northeast of Pokrovsk and may be preparing a wider push toward Dobropillia, aiming to bypass Ukraine’s heavily fortified “fortress belt” in Donetsk Oblast from the west. The Institute for the Study of War (ISW) reported on 5 July disclosed the Russian news envelopment strategy near the fortress belt, saying that recent gains and troop movements indicate a renewed focus on partial envelopment tactics rather than direct assaults on fortified positions.
Amid the ongoing
Russian forces are advancing northeast of Pokrovsk and may be preparing a wider push toward Dobropillia, aiming to bypass Ukraine’s heavily fortified “fortress belt” in Donetsk Oblast from the west. The Institute for the Study of War (ISW) reported on 5 July disclosed the Russian news envelopment strategy near the fortress belt, saying that recent gains and troop movements indicate a renewed focus on partial envelopment tactics rather than direct assaults on fortified positions.
Amid the ongoing Russo-Ukrainian war, Russian military operations east of Donetsk Oblast’s Pokrovsk have intensified since February 2025, with multiple units redeployed to reinforce this axis. Initial efforts concentrated along the Pokrovsk-Kostyantynivka T-0504 highway, with a gradual shift toward Dobropillia in recent months. Ukrainian forces have inflicted significant degradation on attacking Russian units, raising questions about their sustainability. Yet despite limited resources, Russia continues to press this axis with hopes of securing operational advantage over Ukraine’s key defensive lines.
Envelopment strategy: Tactical focus on Dobropillya and Rodynske
ISW noted in its 5 July 2025 assessment that Russian troops had recently taken Koptieve and Shevchenko Pershe and advanced into southeastern Razine, northeast of Pokrovsk. These gains support a broader objective: enveloping Pokrovsk and Myrnohrad from multiple directions “to force Ukrainian withdrawals” without a frontal assault on Ukraine’s main defense line, based on Russia’s operational patterns showed in its in previous seizures of cities in the region.
“The Russian military command is likely implementing the same doctrinal method used to seize Avdiivka and Vuhledar in its attempts to seize Pokrovsk and possibly Ukraine’s fortress belt,” ISW wrote.
Ukrainian Commander-in-Chief General Oleksandr Syrskyi confirmed on 28 June that Russian forces are actively attacking in the “Dobropillya direction.” Units involved include the Russian 68th Army Corps and two divisions from the 8th Combined Arms Army.
Combat elements of the Russian 39th and 150th Motorized Rifle units, having operated in the Pokrovsk area since spring 2025, recently advanced near Novotoretske and Novoekonomichne. They previously seized Malynivka and now hold Koptieve. Meanwhile, elements from the 110th Motorized Rifle Brigade are also active northeast of Pokrovsk.
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Struggles in other sectors push tactical adaptation
ISW says Russian forces have struggled to break Ukrainian lines southeast and southwest of Pokrovsk since early 2025, especially under drone fire. Instead of launching high-risk penetrations, Russia now appears to be prioritizing slow advances toward Rodynske and Dobropillia to exert pressure on the fortress belt from the west, which supports the idea that the Russians are imposing the new – envelopment – strategy near the fortress belt. Ukrainian artillery units report repeated attacks in areas such as Malynivka, Novoolenivka, and Popiv Yar — all northeast of Pokrovsk.
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A Ukrainian National Guard commander stated on 5 July that Russian forces are using motorcycles and buggies to conduct assaults. Russian milbloggers reported that Kremlin forces have tried to disrupt Ukrainian logistics by damaging a bridge near Shakhove and targeting ground lines near Udachne and Kotlyne.
Possible long-term operation west of the fortress belt
Further Russian moves toward Dobropillia would suggest an effort to develop a salient bypassing Ukraine’s fortress belt from the west. To sustain such a position, Russian forces would need to secure settlements along the Pokrovsk-Oleksandrivka line and ensure supply over the Kazenyi Torets River — a task complicated by uncertain river conditions and Ukrainian resistance.
“Such an operation would likely be a multi-year effort with significant personnel losses and hard-fought gains, although Russian forces have proven willing to undertake such long-term operations,” ISW wrote.
ISW assesses that the Russian command may be adapting its original strategy for a direct assault against Kostiantynivka and instead pursuing operations to envelop the fortress belt through attritional advances. However, the success of this approach remains uncertain given the apparent exhaustion of Russian units after over a year of sustained operations in the area.
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In the evening of 5 July, Russia launched two Kh-47M2 Kinzhal air-launched ballistic missiles targeting Ukraine’s Khmelnytskyi Oblast. The missiles, launched from a MiG-31K jet, caused explosions in the region but resulted in no damage or casualties, the Oblast Military Administration confirmed later the same day.
Russia once again attempted to strike Ukraine’s key airbase in Starokostiantyniv. After a nighttime swarm of drones failed to inflict damage, Russian forces launched two Kinzhal missil
In the evening of 5 July, Russia launched two Kh-47M2 Kinzhal air-launched ballistic missiles targeting Ukraine’s Khmelnytskyi Oblast. The missiles, launched from a MiG-31K jet, caused explosions in the region but resulted in no damage or casualties, the Oblast Military Administration confirmed later the same day.
Russia once again attempted to strike Ukraine’s key airbase in Starokostiantyniv. After a nighttime swarm of drones failed to inflict damage, Russian forces launched two Kinzhal missiles — air-launched ballistic weapons once touted as unstoppable until 2023, when Ukraine deployed Patriot systems and began intercepting them.
Missiles launched amid nationwide air raid alert
Ukrainian airspace monitoring channels reported the detection of Russian MiG-31K aircraft — Russia’s only Kinzhal carrier — at around 17:30. The alert triggered air raid warnings across the country.
This measure is necessary, as Kinzhals are capable of targeting most of Ukraine at short notice. Typically, such Kinzhal-related alerts last for about an hour.
Minutes later, at approximately 17:35 and 17:45, Ukrainian airspace monitoring channels reported the launch of two Kh-47M2 Kinzhal missiles.
According to Khmelnytskyi Oblast Military Administration chief Serhii Tiurin’s report at about 21:00, two Russian missiles caused no injuries or infrastructure damage. In a Telegram statement, Tiurin wrote:
“Today, during the air raid alert from 17:35 to 18:14, there was a Russian attack. Fortunately, there are no consequences — no casualties or destruction.”
The official did not specify if the Kinzhals missed their targets or were shot down.
Another take-off of the MiG-31K in Russia triggered one more all-Ukraine air raid alert at around 21:40, yet there were no launches.
On the morning of the same day – overnight on 4-5 July, Russia had already launched a massive drone assault on the same region, aiming again at Starokostiantyniv. Ukrainian air defenses intercepted 42 Shahed drones during that attack, as reported by national outlets.
Starokostiantyniv base remains key Russian target
The Ukrainian airfield in Starokostiantyniv, Khmelnytskyi Oblast, remains one of Russia’s persistent targets. Since the beginning of the full-scale invasion in 2022, Russian forces have repeatedly attacked the base with drones, cruise missiles, and hypersonic Kinzhals.
Aerial view of the Starokostiantyniv air base. File photo via Militarnyi.
The apparent target of the 5 July missile attack was the Starokostiantyniv air base, known as the Kanatove Airdrome, home to Ukraine’s 7th Tactical Aviation Brigade, which operates Su-24M and Su-24MR bombers. Located in Khmelnytskyi Oblast, the base has frequently come under attack during Russia’s ongoing war against Ukraine.
Kinzhal performance doubts
The Kh-47M2 Kinzhal missile, touted by Russia as an unstoppable hypersonic weapon capable of speeds up to Mach 10, has seen repeated deployment in the Russo-Ukrainian war. First used in 2022, it was successfullyintercepted for the first time in May 2023 following the deployment of MIM-104 Patriot systems. Ukrainian Patriot operators reported that the missile’s actual speed was closer to Mach 3.6 — much lower than Russian claims. Additionally, the Ukrainian military has stated that Kinzhal missiles often suffer from poor targeting accuracy, frequently missing intended targets.
With Ukraine’s stockpiles of Patriot interceptor missiles running low amid US President Trump’s policy of suspending previously approved military aid to Kyiv — and with no new resupply offers being made — Kinzhal missiles may once again pose a serious threat, even to Patriot-protected sites like the capital, Kyiv.
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A Ukrainian attack on 4 July targeted a key Russian defense facility in the city of Azov, Rostov Oblast, about 200 km from the frontline. The Azov Optic-Mechanical Plant, which manufactures critical electronic components for Russian missiles and armored vehicles, was hit by multiple drones in a bold daylight assault. The extent of the damage is currently unknown.
Ukrainian forces have repeatedly struck Russian military, defense industry, and energy infrastructure in both occupied territories and
A Ukrainian attack on 4 July targeted a key Russian defense facility in the city of Azov, Rostov Oblast, about 200 km from the frontline. The Azov Optic-Mechanical Plant, which manufactures critical electronic components for Russian missiles and armored vehicles, was hit by multiple drones in a bold daylight assault. The extent of the damage is currently unknown.
Ukrainian forces have repeatedly struck Russian military, defense industry, and energy infrastructure in both occupied territories and inside Russia. The ongoing air campaign is aimed at crippling Russian military logistics and its capacity to continue the war.
Morning drone strike hits Azov military facility
According to Militarnyi, the attack occurred on the morning of 4 July when Ukrainian strike drones launched an assault on the Azov Optic-Mechanical Plant, part of Russia’s Tactical Missile Armament Corporation.
Social media footage showed fixed-wing UAVs diving toward the site, followed by explosions and visible smoke. One of the drones bore a delta-wing “Shahed-like” structure, suggesting the use of an unknown new UAV model.
The original Shaheds are Iranian-designed long-range explosive drones that Russia uses in its daily attacks on Ukrainian cities. They are easily recognizable by their rounded nose and triangular, delta-shaped wings.
Witness footage and drone type
Ukrainian Telegram channel Exilenova+ posted an image, showing a delta-wing drone with the caption:
“Rostov. Likely a new UAV from Ukraine’s Defense Forces.”
Later, the same channel shared videos capturing different UAV types, including a well-known Ukrainian drone and a delta-wing aircraft believed to be a new model.
“Azov was attacked by several types of birds,” Exilenova+ commented. “We see an FP-1 pass over, and then, probably, the strike of that same ‘new’ drone.”
Militarnyi noted that “Delta-wing drones are fairly common, but they are rarely used by those attacking the aggressor country. What specific model was used remains unknown at this time.”
At least 10 drones
Russian authorities initially claimed their air defense forces intercepted the drones. Russian Telegram channel Astra reported that at least ten UAVs or their debris “fell” on the factory grounds. The local emergency services confirmed the site was impacted on 4 July.
Yury Slyusar, acting governor of Rostov Oblast, stated that evacuation efforts were underway due to widespread damage from UAV debris, claiming that the attack damaged residential buildings. While initial reports suggested no injuries, Slyusar had also stated that one woman killed in the overnight attack.
The Russian Ministry of Defense claimed that air defenses downed 26 drones over Rostov Oblast overnight on 4 July. In Shakhty, a UAV strike allegedly caused a transformer substation to shut down, leaving around 2,000 homes — with more than 6,000 residents — without power. Buildings near the substation also suffered window damage.
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Targeted facility and its military role
The Azov Optic-Mechanical Plant is a core producer of high-precision electronics, optical, and thermal imaging equipment for Russia’s military. As detailed by Exilenova+, it manufactures lenses, prisms, radar homing heads, and control systems used in tanks, infantry fighting vehicles, naval systems, and aircraft.
Ukraine’s Center for Countering Disinformation, under the National Security and Defense Council, confirmed the strike. Its head, Andrii Kovalenko, emphasized that the plant produces “eyes” for Russian military hardware, including fire control systems and rangefinders. He stated,
“Despite a difficult night (a reference to Russia’s massive missile and drone attack on Kyiv, – Ed.), there is good news. In Russia, targets were hit in Moscow and Rostov oblasts. The Azov Optic-Mechanical Plant was struck.”
The facility has been under US sanctions since March 2022 due to its role in the Russian war effort. It is also sanctioned by Canada, Switzerland, the European Union, New Zealand, and Ukraine. The Ukrainian Defense Intelligence’s War & Sanctions project has identified foreign-origin components at the site, including machinery from Taiwan, South Korea, and Switzerland.
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Czech counterintelligence will investigate domestic companies allegedly involved in exporting machinery to Russia for weapons manufacturing. The Czech Security Information Service (BIS) says it will act once official information is provided, according to iRozhlas.
Russia continues to exploit loopholes to obtain Western industrial equipment for its military production amid the ongoing Russo-Ukrainian war. Earlier, Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy accused eight Czech and thirteen German fir
Czech counterintelligence will investigate domestic companies allegedly involved in exporting machinery to Russia for weapons manufacturing. The Czech Security Information Service (BIS) says it will act once official information is provided, according to iRozhlas.
Russia continues to exploit loopholes to obtain Western industrial equipment for its military production amid the ongoing Russo-Ukrainian war. Earlier, Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy accused eight Czech and thirteen German firms of continuing such exports, despite EU sanctions. A media investigation also revealed 12 Czech companies, still supplying machinery to Russia amid the ongoing Russian invasion of Ukraine.
On 21 June, Zelenskyy told reporters that Russia continues receiving machine tools from foreign companies, including eight based in the Czech Republic. He said these tools are used for weapons manufacturing. Though he withheld specific names, Zelenskyy stated he knows the companies involved and urged sanctions against them.
BIS awaits official list, doubts direct Czech exports
BIS spokesperson Ladislav Šticha told iRozhlas that Czech authorities have yet to receive any official list of the companies Zelenskyy mentioned.
“It is therefore very difficult to comment on which companies and goods are involved,” Šticha stated.
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According to him, hundreds of companies are attempting to export to Russia. Šticha added that many of the now-embargoed items were exported before Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, when such trade was still legal.
BIS believes it is “almost certain” none of the cases involve direct exports from the Czech Republic to Russia, as such transfers require a license and could not legally cross borders otherwise.
Third-country reexports suspected
Šticha suggested that it could be goods delivered legally before 2022 or re-exported via other countries. In some cases, companies may have sold products to “safe” nations, including EU members, not realizing they would be reexported to Russia.
“Firms often argue they were unaware of subsequent resales, and it’s very difficult to prove otherwise,” Šticha noted.
Recently, Ukrainska Pravda reported that the Czech company Leseft International s.r.o., located in Ostrava, may have been involved in delivering components used in Russian rockets. Šticha declined to comment directly but confirmed:
“This company is not unknown to us.”
Sanctions evasion
According to Šticha, BIS handles dozens of cases annually where companies attempt to bypass sanctions by routing embargoed items through complex export networks. The agency cooperates with other state institutions and foreign partners to intercept such attempts.
Šticha stressed that the number of state experts is too small compared to the volume of companies attempting to skirt sanctions.
Last week, Czech Foreign Minister Jan Lipavský stated that based on Ukrainian-provided information, Czech authorities have found no indicators confirming the transfer of dual-use items to Russia.
Dual-use goods include products like machine tools, certain chemicals, or artificial intelligence-related software, all of which can be used for both civilian and military purposes.
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During a tense high-level meeting in Brussels, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi told the EU’s foreign affairs chief Kaja Kallas that Beijing cannot allow Russia to lose in its war against Ukraine. According to several sources cited by the South China Morning Post (SCMP) on 4 July, China fears that such an outcome would allow the United States to fully pivot its attention to Beijing.
China’s pressure on the EU against Ukraine comes as Russia has escalated its ground and air attacks, while the US
During a tense high-level meeting in Brussels, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi told the EU’s foreign affairs chief Kaja Kallas that Beijing cannot allow Russia to lose in its war against Ukraine. According to several sources cited by the South China Morning Post (SCMP) on 4 July, China fears that such an outcome would allow the United States to fully pivot its attention to Beijing.
China’s pressure on the EU against Ukraine comes as Russia has escalated its ground and air attacks, while the US President Donald Trump has suspended the vital US military aid for Ukraine. Although China publicly maintains a neutral stance on the Russo-Ukrainian war, it has sustained close economic ties with Russia and, according to Ukraine’s Foreign Intelligence Service, has been supplying components for Russian ammunition and drone production.
SCMP reports that during a four-hour closed-door discussion with EU officials on 2 July, Wang Yi said a Russian defeat in Ukraine was strategically unacceptable for China. This comment to Kallas — who assumed her EU role in late 2024 — echoed what many in Brussels suspected to be Beijing’s true position but contradicted China’s public statements claiming it is “not a party” to the war.
Wang rejected accusations that China is supporting Russia militarily or financially, asserting that if it had been doing so, the war would have ended already. Some EU officials saw Wang’s tone as a harsh dose of realpolitik, designed to pressure the EU to reconsider its support for Ukraine.
Diplomatic friction intensifies
EU diplomats were surprised by Wang’s bluntness, especially just weeks before the scheduled summit in China on 24 and 25 July. SCMP sources said Wang hinted the summit could be shortened, a possible warning over the bloc’s ongoing stance.
On the same day, Wang also met with European Council President António Costa and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen. According to EU sources, all three European leaders shared a unified stance across all major points.
A major point of contention remains the EU’s 18th sanctions package against Moscow, which includes plans to blacklist two small Chinese banks over violations of existing Russia sanctions. Wang reportedly vowed multiple times to retaliate if these sanctions are approved by the bloc’s 27 member states.
China’s version softens the narrative
Beijing’s official account of the meeting with Kallas significantly downplayed tensions. According to the Chinese foreign ministry, “There is no fundamental conflict of interests between China and the EU, and they have broad common interests.” It emphasized mutual respect, learning, and cooperation, without addressing the contentious topics raised during the meeting.
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On 4 July, Dutch and German intelligence agencies have confirmed that Russia is using banned chemical weapons in Ukraine on a large scale, with drones dropping choking agents on Ukrainian positions. The revelations, based on joint investigations, show what officials describe as a systematic and intensifying pattern of illegal chemical warfare.
Russia has routinely used chemical weapons against Ukrainians for years while employing its typical propaganda strategy of deflection—baselessly accusing
On 4 July, Dutch and German intelligence agencies have confirmed that Russia is using banned chemical weapons in Ukraine on a large scale, with drones dropping choking agents on Ukrainian positions. The revelations, based on joint investigations, show what officials describe as a systematic and intensifying pattern of illegal chemical warfare.
Russia has routinely used chemical weapons against Ukrainians for years while employing its typical propaganda strategy of deflection—baselessly accusing Ukraine of the very crimes it commits. Moscow has repeatedly denied deploying banned weapons and instead shifted blame onto Kyiv. Russian foreign ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova recently claimed that the FSB allegedly discovered a Ukrainian cache of explosives containing chloropicrin in eastern Ukraine.
Intelligence agencies confirm large-scale Russian chemical weapons program
Reuters says Dutch and German officials jointly reported that Russia is operating a coordinated program to produce and deploy banned chemical weapons in Ukraine. The Dutch Military Intelligence and Security Service (MIVD) and Germany’s BND foreign intelligence agency confirmed gathering evidence of these violations, including Russia’s use of drones to drop choking agents—such as chloropicrin—on Ukrainian trenches to force soldiers into open fire.
According to Dutch Defense Minister Ruben Brekelmans, “we can confirm Russia is intensifying its use of chemical weapons.” He added that this trend is not isolated but part of a normalization of chemical warfare tactics by Russian forces.
Thousands of chemical-related incidents and battlefield injuries
The head of the Dutch MIVD, Peter Reesink, said his agency’s conclusions were based on independent investigations.
Ukraine alleges around 9,000 instances of chemical weapons use. Reesink emphasized the scale by referring to “thousands of instances” observed independently.
At least three Ukrainian deaths have been tied to chemical attacks, according to Brekelmans, and more than 2,500 people have reported symptoms related to chemical exposure on the battlefield, Ukrainian health authorities report.
The United States had first accused Russia of using chloropicrin in May 2024. The compound, originally used by Germany in World War One, is more toxic than riot control agents and is banned under the Chemical Weapons Convention.
According to Reesink, Russia’s chemical weapons use is no longer a matter of improvisation:
“This isn’t just some ad-hoc tinkering at the frontline; it is truly part of a large-scale program.”
Calls for sanctions and exclusion from international bodies
Brekelmans called for increased sanctions and political pressure:
“We must further increase the pressure. This means looking at more sanctions and specifically not allowing them (Russia) to participate in international bodies like the Executive Council of the OPCW.”
The European Commission is considering adding 15 more individuals and entities to its sanctions list for suspected involvement in chemical weapons use in Ukraine.
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Ukrainian drones struck a critical military-linked facility in Russia’s Moscow Oblast that produces thermobaric warheads for Shahed drones, the Ukrainian General Staff reported on 4 July. The strike ignited a fire and caused visible black smoke, while Russian local authorities acknowledged drone-related damage in the area.
The Ukrainian military noted that the operation was part of broader efforts to degrade Russia’s ability to carry out airstrikes and to compel Russia to halt its aggression. Ru
Ukrainian drones struck a critical military-linked facility in Russia’s Moscow Oblast that produces thermobaric warheads for Shahed drones, the Ukrainian General Staff reported on 4 July. The strike ignited a fire and caused visible black smoke, while Russian local authorities acknowledged drone-related damage in the area.
The Ukrainian military noted that the operation was part of broader efforts to degrade Russia’s ability to carry out airstrikes and to compel Russia to halt its aggression. Russia uses its Iranian-designed Shahed explosive drones, carrying up to 50 kg of explosives, in hundreds every day, targeting Ukrainian civilian areas.
Ukrainian drones target war-linked facility
According to the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, units from the Unmanned Systems Forces, together with other Defense Forces, hit the JSC “Scientific Research Institute of Applied Chemistry” in Sergiev Posad, Moscow Oblast.
The report emphasized that the facility is currently involved in the production of thermobaric warheads for Shahed-type UAVs and plays a vital role in Russia’s ongoing war against Ukraine.
“It is confirmed that our strike assets reached the target directly. A fire and heavy smoke were recorded in the area of the facility,” the Ukrainian military stated.
The effects of the strike are still being assessed, according to the report.
Fires and explosions in Sergiev Posad
On the morning of 4 July, Oksana Yerokhanova, head of the Sergiev Posad city district, confirmed that drones had attacked the town. She reported that a fire broke out at an electrical substation, leaving six neighborhoods without power.Yerokhanova also reported that two men were allegedly injured during the incident.
Geolocation confirms strike on key industrial site
Ukrainian Telegram channel ExileNova+ geolocated the black smoke column to Substation No. 94 “Zagorsk” (110/35/6 kV), believed to be part of the “Scientific Research Institute of Applied Chemistry.”
Founded in 1945, the facility develops and manufactures pyrotechnic products for both military and civilian uses. It is a subsidiary of Rostec and is under international sanctions due to its involvement in Russian military programs.
Additional footage shared by Exilenova+ shows Liutyi drones flying past the smoke column and striking separate locations.
Despite claiming the destruction of 48 drones overnight, the Russian Ministry of Defense did not mention any incidents in Moscow Oblast in its public statements.
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In the early hours of 4 July, Russia launched one of its largest air assaults of the war, targeting Kyiv with an unprecedented wave of 550 air attack assets—explosive drones and missiles—mere hours after a phone call between Presidents Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin. The Ukrainian capital and surrounding oblasts faced explosions, fires, widespread damage, one death and at least 26 injuries. Russian drones also injured two men in Kryvyi Rih, Dnipropetrovsk Oblast.
This comes as US President Dona
In the early hours of 4 July, Russia launched one of its largest air assaults of the war, targeting Kyiv with an unprecedented wave of 550 air attack assets—explosive drones and missiles—mere hours after a phone call between Presidents Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin. The Ukrainian capital and surrounding oblasts faced explosions, fires, widespread damage, one death and at least 26 injuries. Russian drones also injured two men in Kryvyi Rih, Dnipropetrovsk Oblast.
This comes as US President Donald Trump continues to push for unrealistic peace talks between Kyiv and Moscow, while simultaneously undermining Ukraine by halting military assistance and refusing to approve any new aid amid Russia’s ongoing invasion. At the same time, his administration has lifted some restrictions on Russia. Meanwhile, Moscow has escalated both aerial and ground attacks and shows no intention of settling for anything less than Ukraine’s capitulation.
Attack began as media reported Trump-Putin phone call
According to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, the Russian strike coincided with news reports of the Trump-Putin phone conversation.
“The first air raid alerts in our cities and oblasts began yesterday almost simultaneously with media coverage of President Trump’s phone call with Putin,” Zelenskyy said in a 9:40 statement. He described the strike as “one of the most massive air attacks,” calling it “demonstratively significant and cynical.”
The Air Force later reported that the aerial assault began at 18:00 on 3 July and lasted through the night, and provided more details on the aerial weapons used in the assault. According to the military, Russia’s “main strike direction” was Kyiv.
Fire in Kyiv during Russia’s air attack overnight on 4 July 2025. Photo: Kyiv DSNS
After Russia’s attack on Kyiv, Trump says he’s “disappointed”
After his almost one-hour-long phone conversation with Putin yesterday, Trump said early today that he’s “very disappointed”.
“I’m very disappointed with the conversation I had today with President Putin, because I don’t think he’s there, and I’m very disappointed,” Trump said, according to Reuters. “I’m just saying I don’t think he’s looking to stop, and that’s too bad.”
Explore further
Russian battlefield gains expected after US aid pause, ISW warns
Right after the phone call yesterday, Trump said he was not successful in his peace efforts with Putin:
“I didn’t make any progress with him at all,” he told reporters.
To justify the suspension of weapons to Ukraine – including vital interceptor missiles – Trump claimed the US is still sending weapons, and simultaneously blamed the Biden administration.
“We’re giving weapons, but we’ve given so many weapons. But we are giving weapons,” he said. “And we’re working with them and trying to help them, but we haven’t (completely stopped). You know, Biden emptied out our whole country giving them weapons, and we have to make sure that we have enough for ourselves.”
A bird in the smoke-filled sky after Russia’s attack. Kyiv, 4 July 2025. Ivan Antypenko/Suspilne News
In his morning statement, Zelenskyy emphasized the need for sustained US aid, particularly missile defense systems like the Patriot.
“These are real protectors of life,” he said.
He urged for “massive pressure” on Russia in the form of sanctions and economic strikes.
“Russia shows it’s not going to stop its war and terror,” he warned.
Explore further
Trump admits “no progress” after sixth call with Putin on Ukraine
Ukraine’s Air Force intercepts hundreds of aerial threats over Kyiv
Ukraine’s Air Force confirmed on 4 July that Russia had used a total of 550 air attack means, primarily aimed at Kyiv. These included:
539 Shahed-type drones and drone decoys
1 Kinzhal air-launched ballistic missile
6 Iskander-M ballistic missiles
4 Iskander-K cruise missiles
The Air Force reported 478 air threats neutralized:
270 aerial targets shot down using air defense systems
208 targets suppressed or lost from radar via electronic warfare
“Confirmed enemy air attack impacts at 8 locations (9 missiles and 63 UAVs), along with debris from downed [munitions] falling at 33 locations,” the report reads.
Notably, none of the ballistic missiles were intercepted by Ukrainian air defenses, suggesting that the country’s stockpile of Patriot interceptors—currently withheld from resupply by the Trump administration—may be depleted.
See also
Pentagon and State Dept defend Ukraine arms pause as “America-first agenda”
Kyiv becomes primary target in massive overnight strike
The attack began in the evening of 3 July, with the first air raid alert in Kyiv issued at 17:16, according to Suspilne. This initial alert was followed by repeated alarms throughout the night. Kyiv Mayor Vitaliy Klitschko confirmed explosions on the capital’s left bank and multiple emergency responses in districts including Obolonskyi and Solomianskyi.
Aftermath of Russia’s attack on Kyiv, 4 July 2025. Photo: Suspilne News/Anna Samara
Shortly after 20:00, a renewed air raid alert was declared across the city as authorities warned of incoming drone attacks. Around 21:00, explosions were reported in several areas of Kyiv. In Obolonskyi district, debris from a downed drone fell on the roof of a residential building.
By late evening, the capital faced a new wave of more intense attacks. Around midnight, another series of loud explosions rocked various neighborhoods. Fires broke out in Solomianskyi district, where drone fragments struck residential buildings. In Darnytskyi, debris fell in open areas, some without detonation or fires, though multiple impact points were recorded.
Throughout the night, Kyiv officials documented damage at 13 separate locations across Solomianskyi, Svatoshynskyi, Dniprovskyi, Shevchenkivskyi, and Darniytskyi districts. Several residential buildings sustained direct hits, while drone fragments caused additional fires and destruction across the city. By early morning, more incidents were confirmed in Shevchenkivskyi, Solomianskyi, and Holosiivskyi districts, where drone debris landed near homes.
Damage across the capital was extensive. The Kyiv City Military Administration reported that more than 30 apartment buildings had been affected, along with five educational institutions, a detached house, retail locations, a garage cooperative, and several vehicles. Fires also broke out in non-residential areas, and five ambulances responding to emergency calls were damaged.
Damaged building on Vidradnyi Avenue in Solomianskyi district after Russia’s attack. Kyiv, 4 July 2025. Photo: Suspilne News/Anna Samara
In Kyiv Oblast, the attack continued throughout the night. In Bucha district, windows were shattered in a four-story residential building and a private house. In Fastiv district, the State Emergency Service reported fires at a high-rise building and seven private garages. Authorities documented the effects of the attack at 11 separate sites across five oblast districts.
Civilian casualties
Fires were reported in multiple neighborhoods, and officials noted elevated levels of combustion products in the air. By 03:50, eight people had been injured. That number rose rapidly in the following hours.
At 04:52, Mayor Klitschko confirmed 14 injuries. By 6:40, the figure had grown to 19 injured, with 14 hospitalized and with five additional civilians receiving treatment on-site, and at 08:00, the total reached 23, including a 10-year-old girl.
Update 13:00: The number of injured in Russia’s overnight attack on Kyiv rose to 26, including a 10-year-old girl with a leg injury, the Kyiv City Prosecutor’s Office reported. Kyiv city endured two air raid alerts with a short pause in between, lasting over 12 hours in total.
Update 14:30: “During recovery efforts in the Sviatoshynskyi District, rescuers found the body of a deceased man,” the Kyiv City Administration reported.
Five ambulances were damaged during the Russian attack while responding to emergency calls in Kyiv. According to Mayor Vitaliy Klitschko, the vehicles were struck as they attempted to reach injured civilians. No medics were reported wounded.
Interior of one of the ambulanced damaged by the Russian air attack in Kyiv on 4 July 2025. Photo: Telegram/Vitali Klitschko
The attack also impacted the city’s railway infrastructure. Ukrzaliznytsia reported damage caused by falling debris, forcing passenger trains heading west to take alternate routes, resulting in delays of up to two hours.
The air raid alert remained in place until the morning of 4 July and was only lifted at 08:43, marking one of the longest and most intense nights Kyiv has faced in recent months.
Update: Casualties outside Kyiv
Russian drones injured two men in Kryvyi Rih, the Dnipropetrovsk Oblast Military Administration reported.
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