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.

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.

Most ministers either retained their roles or were reassigned to new posts. The president called for immediate implementation of the new government program and said results must be delivered “daily.”

Polish Foreign Minister Radosław Sikorski stated that it should not be Europe, but Russia itself, using its frozen assets, that pays for American weapons for Ukraine. He made this comment in response to the new US and NATO initiative to rearm Kyiv, PAP reports.

“I asked my fellow foreign ministers: Who should pay for American equipment? Should it be European taxpayers, or, in my opinion, should the aggressor pay for it using its frozen funds?” Sikorski said following a meeting of EU foreign ministers. 

He voiced support for Trump’s new plan with a 50-day deadline: if Russia does not end the war within this period, the US will impose tough sanctions on Moscow and its partners.

“We hope that this 50-day window before potential US sanctions is a time to increase pressure on the Russian Federation so that it finally comes to its senses,” the Polish foreign minister emphasized.

Sikorski also noted his approval of Washington’s new stance on the war, adding that he is pleased the US president has now reached the same conclusions that EU countries had drawn earlier.

Earlier, Kaja Kallas, EU foreign policy chief, said that the timeline of a 50-day ultimatum to Putin for Ukraine peace talks is too long, as civilians die daily.

Also, Trump did not clarify what would happen if Russia refuses to agree to a peace deal with Ukraine. Meanwhile, the deadline coincides with the timeframe reportedly shared by Putin during a recent conversation, in which he stated that Moscow plans to escalate military operations in eastern Ukraine. This effectively gives Putin 1,5 months to continue killing Ukrainian civilians.

A Ukrainian-designed aerial bomb with a 60 km strike range has successfully passed flight tests, with plans underway to increase its range to 80 km. The development comes amid growing domestic demand for long-range guided munitions, as Western supplies fall short.

Ukrainian “KAB” flies 60 km in tests

The Ukrainian design bureau Medoid is developing a domestic version of the Russian Unified Gliding and Correction Module (UMPK), known in Ukraine as KAB. According to Defense Express, the new system transforms a conventional aerial bomb into a precision-guided gliding weapon. Video footage of the trials, cleared for public release, shows the KAB being deployed from a Su-24 bomber during level flight.

The bomb successfully achieved a 60 km flight and accurately hit its target, according to the report. Developers told Defense Express that this range meets current military requirements as determined in coordination with Ukraine’s Ministry of Defense. Work is ongoing to push the system’s capabilities further, potentially up to 80 km. Theoretically, with a drop altitude of 10 km, the range could reach 100 km, depending on deployment tactics.

Russian looks, Ukrainian core

While the external appearance mirrors the Russian UMPK to expedite development, its internal systems are distinct.

“We didn’t waste time reinventing the wheel. The outer look is similar, but inside it’s ours — designed for better precision,” said Oleh Vostrykh from KB Medoid, speaking to Defense Express.

The bomb features a domestically developed guidance and planning module compatible with 500-kg bombs. The modular wings are designed for quick attachment, requiring only minutes for full setup. Most components are made in Ukraine, although some parts still need to be imported.

The navigation module is Ukrainian, though the developers are also testing a new system from a leading French company. That tech aims to maximize resistance to electronic warfare (EW) disruptions.

Tests continue, but funding needed

Tests have so far shown positive outcomes for flight range and targeting performance. According to Vostrykh, about ten more test drops are required before approval by the Ministry of Defense. However, development progress now largely depends on funding.

A “Charity Fund for Advanced Technologies” tied to the bureau is now seeking donations to complete the testing cycle. Each bomb costs around 1,200,000 UAH, or approximately $25,000. That cost is already lower than Western equivalents, even at the prototype stage.

High demand outpaces Western supply

Ukrainian forces currently require at least 100 long-range guided bombs daily. That need is only partially met by Western weapons such as JDAM-ER, AASM Hammer, or GBU-39/B SDB. This shortfall makes the Ukrainian KAB a critical asset moving forward.

According to Militarnyi, there are likely several similar munitions under testing in Ukraine. The Air Force reportedly trialed another version of the UMPK-style bomb back in September, and there are indications of their use in actual combat — such as in the Kherson direction — where a weapon of over 100 kg struck Russian positions.

The United Kingdom has committed to providing Ukraine with 350 ASRAAM air defense missiles worth £70 million ($95 million), funded through interest generated from seized Russian assets.

“Russia, not Ukraine, should pay the price”

 “Russia, not Ukraine, should pay the price for Putin’s barbaric and illegal war, so it is only right we use the proceeds from seized Russian assets to ensure Ukraine has the air defense it needs,” Starmer stated.

Since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, the UK has frozen over £25 billion ($34 billion) worth of Russian assets, including funds belonging to individuals and entities designated under the sanctions regime. These assets remain frozen, but the UK government has implemented the Extraordinary Revenue Acceleration (ERA) scheme, which allows the interest accrued on these frozen funds to be used for specific purposes, such as financing military aid to Ukraine.

British missiles will protect Ukrainian cities from attacks

ASRAAM air defense missiles, originally designed for air-to-air use, were rapidly adapted by British engineers to be launched from the ground via the UK-developed RAVEN mobile air defense system, which is already deployed in Ukraine. The delivery will expand Ukraine’s mobile air defense capability, helping protect against Russian missile and drone attacks on civilians. 

By June 2025, Ukraine has received and operationally deployed eight Raven systems in its air defense units, with an additional five systems confirmed for future delivery.

UK Defense Secretary John Healey also warned that diverting global focus to the Israel-Iran conflict serves Putin’s interests.

“It is crucial that we continue to focus on Ukraine,” Healey told a panel discussion at the summit. He noted that defending Ukraine remains a bipartisan issue in Britain with strong public support.

Britain develops defense amid Russia threat

The announcement comes as Britain has begun preparing for possible Russian attacks, citing increasing cases of sabotage.

Earlier, the UK has also announced plans to join NATO’s nuclear mission using F-35A fighters with nuclear capabilities. This marks the first time since the Cold War that the Royal Air Force will have a nuclear role, complementing the UK’s independent submarine-based nuclear deterrent.

On 23 June, Ukraine and the United Kingdom also launched their first joint military-industrial drone production program. This three-year “mega-project” involves Britain financing the procurement of Ukrainian-designed drones that will be produced on British soil, with all drones manufactured during the ongoing war directed to support Ukraine’s Defense Forces, however, after the war ends, the drones will be shared between the two countries.

After the US Operation Midnight Hammer, Russia’s air defense myth collapses. Following the American strikes against Iran’s nuclear facilities, the world witnessed a stunning revelation: Russian-made air defense systems used by Tehran failed completely, The Telegraph reports. 

This display of American and Israeli superiority didn’t just crush Iran’s hope for protection — it could have shaken Moscow’s confidence in its own defense capabilities. 

For Ukraine, this is a historic signal. Russia’s S-300 systems and their upgraded versions, S-400 and the much-hyped S-500, now appear helpless against modern Western technology.

Ukraine has already stunned the world with strikes against Russia’s strategic aviation, such as Operation Spiderweb, and now gains another strategic trump card: Iran’s experience proves that even Russia’s best defenses are vulnerable with Western backing.

Russian ruler Vladimir Putin, who recklessly throws thousands of soldiers into combat, cannot ignore the growing threat to his own vulnerability. Israel and the US have shown they can destroy both military assets and enemy leadership figures. And Ukraine has proven it can operate inside Russian territory, a fact that is triggering real fear in the Kremlin.

The political implications go deeper. If the US arms Ukraine as it arms Israel, the war could turn decisively. If the West finally dares to give Ukraine the full arsenal of capabilities, Putin may be left with no option but to retreat.