In 2023, a Ukrainian officer named Volodymyr shot down a Russian Su-24MR aircraft with a missile bearing the inscription: “For Artur Batiyi. A true Cossack.” It was an act of revenge for his friend, killed in a Russian assault, the Operational Command West reports. 

“This was for you, and I hope you saw it,” the soldier recalls the successful strike.

His crew has destroyed over 30 targets, such as jets, a helicopter, a cruise missile, and drones.

But the most unforgettable shot was that one in March 2023.

“That day, I received the devastating news that my friend Artur Batiy had been killed… He died in an enemy mortar attack,” the air defense officer says.

Before the mission, he signed the missile and set out on the hunt with his unit.

“After we hit the target, I looked to the sky, and my first thought was, ‘I did everything I could. That was for you, and I hope you saw it,” he adds. 

From student to hero of the sky

Before the war, Volodymyr was a student who dreamed of military service. In 2014, when his family fled occupied Donetsk, he joined the army.

Since 2020, he’s been an officer in the Ukrainian Armed Forces. His first shootdown happened at 5:30 a.m. on 24 February 2022.

“The sky turned red. The enemy was everywhere. But there was no fear, only focus,” Volodymyr says. 

Dreams of Crimea

For his heroism, Volodymyr has been awarded the Orders For Courage of II and III class, the Medal For Military Service to Ukraine, and a badge For the Destruction of Enemy Aircraft.

His dream after victory is to visit Crimea, where he once walked with his parents “to feel that we endured and reclaimed what’s ours.”

Roman, also known as Peugeot, a fighter from the machine gun company of Ukraine’s 21st National Guard Brigade, lived through a brutal ambush on the Pokrovsk front in Donetsk Oblast. His group had almost no ammunition while Russian forces stormed them from three directions.

From Sevastopol to the front

Roman completed his mandatory military service in Sevastopol. When Russia launched its full-scale invasion, he didn’t hesitate to enlist.

“Started from our city, then we went to the Kherson and Donetsk fronts. Got around a bit,” he recalls.

He was stationed across from the Kakhovka Hydroelectric Power Plant when it was blown up.

“A wasteland appeared there… just islands left. A massive catastrophe,” he says. 

The destruction exposed lake bed sediment containing more than 90,000 tons of dangerous heavy metals, a toxic cocktail that had been quietly accumulating on the reservoir floor since 1956.

Drone strike, buried comrades, and a fight for survival

On 26 March, Roman’s armored vehicle was hit by a Russian FPV drone on the Pokrovsk axis.

“We had to abandon the vehicle and walk,” he continues. 

Later, he was assigned to reach a buried position and dig out comrades trapped under debris.
Under shelling, five soldiers hid in a single trench. 

“The enemy was trying to storm from three sides. That’s when drone operators saved our lives,” Roman says. 

The UAVs struck back at the enemy, giving the fighters a chance to survive.

“Almost no ammo left”: when the sky saves the ground

In the woods, eight Russian soldiers encountered Roman’s five-man group. The Ukrainian defenders were left with “only two magazines for five of us.”

However, drone operators not only repelled the attack but also dropped extra ammunition. Despite heavy fire, the group crossed 13 kilometers of open terrain and made it out alive.

“I can say with confidence — I eliminated the enemy and sent several more to ‘the 300s’,” Roman adds.

Earlier, Russian President Vladimir Putin told US President Donald Trump that Moscow plans to escalate military operations in eastern Ukraine during its summer offensive.

As of now, Russia occupies about 20% of Ukraine’s territory, including most of Luhansk Oblast, two-thirds of Donetsk Oblast, and parts of Zaporizhzhia and Kherson Oblasts. 

He could leave the war, but he refused. Ukrainian soldier Andrii, 24, from Poltava, is a father of three and a fighter in the drone battalion of Ukraine’s 128th Mountain Assault Brigade. He has pulled over a thousand vehicles off the battlefield: tanks, BMPs, APCs, self-propelled guns, and trucks during his service in the army.

“I’m staying here because I don’t want the Russians to reach my home,” says Andrii, explaining his motivation. 

Andrii’s journey began as a conscript and led him to become an FPV drone operator. Initially, he served as a mechanic-driver of a BREM-1 evacuation vehicle, working right on the front lines, under shelling and rain, just 250 meters from the enemy.

“When my comrades jumped off the armor to hook up a vehicle, artillery hit us. One was killed. I survived because I was behind the controls,” he recalls.

“You’re the first I’ve ever allowed to use 4th gear”

For his exceptional courage, Andrii was awarded the Order “For Courage,” 3rd class. Recognized as one of the top mechanics in the Armed Forces, he was sent to Germany to train on the German Bergerpanzer-2 armored recovery vehicle, based on the Leopard tank.

The German instructor was stunned by how experienced and skillful the young Ukrainian soldier was.

“You’re an excellent mechanic-driver. I’ve never let anyone use 4th gear on this vehicle — you’re the first,” he says. 

It was a moment where Ukrainian bravery and mechanical precision earned deep trust across allied lines.

The enemy sees him only in their final moments

Today, Andrii operates a fiber-optic FPV drone, navigating into enemy dugouts and capturing every detail. He was trained by Officer Andrii Zadorozhnyi, a hero who was killed in April.

His wife and children wait for him at home. His daughter often calls him right at the front line.

“Ah, you’re in a trench again! When are you coming home?” she asks. 

But Andrii answers firmly, “My home is just 200 kilometers from the enemy. I’m doing what I have to do.”

Finnish volunteer Tapani left behind a peaceful life to resist Russian aggression. He believes Ukraine’s independence and sovereignty need to be protected for peace in Europe. 

Before the start of Russia’s all-out war, Tapani ran his own business in Finland, working in real estate and forestry consulting. After five years studying silviculture and working in France, he chose to leave it all behind as soon as his contract ended at home.

“If we don’t stop this war, it will come to Europe in five years at most,” he warns.

Despite joining the unit recently, Tapani has already served in tough parts of the front in Kharkiv Oblast.

“One drone dropped 200 meters from us. We had just left the building when it struck nearby,” he recalls.

Despite language barriers and frontline danger, he remains undeterred: “It’s not hard for me here, I have no problems. There’s always a way.”

Tapani’s greatest wish is peace: “I hope the war ends and I can go home. And that Ukraine remains independent and sovereign, that’s what matters!”

Earlier, Pavel Slavinsky, Chief of Staff of the 2nd International Legion, said that many Western veterans join Ukrainian Army to end unfinished wars from Afghanistan and Iraq. 

He did not disclose the exact number of volunteers in the Legion, saying “that such information is classified.” 

Western veterans join Ukrainian Army to end unfinished wars from Afghanistan and Iraq, chief of staff of International Legion reveals

Russia tests new modified bomb on Kharkiv — children, an infant, and a pregnant woman among the wounded. On 24 July, Russian forces used a new type of aerial bomb, the UMPB-5, in an attack on the central part of the city in the first known use of this weapon.

Two airstrikes were launched from over 100 kilometers away, targeting residential districts and causing widespread destruction.

According to the Kharkiv Regional Prosecutor’s Office, 41 people were injured in the attack, including six children. The youngest victim is just 28 days old. A pregnant woman was also among the wounded.

The strikes damaged 20 residential buildings, including 17 apartment blocks in the Shevchenkivskyi and Kholodnohirskyi districts. The blast wave shattered over 600 windows, forming a crater in the street. Seven cars were destroyed by fire, and 18 more were damaged. One industrial facility caught fire, resulting in a large-scale blaze.

Regional prosecutor’s representative Spartak Borysenko confirmed that Russia used the new UMPB-5 bomb, which carries a 250-kg warhead.

“Russia is using Kharkiv as a testing ground. Today it’s the UMPB-5, before it was the D-30… These modified bombs cause greater destruction and lead to more civilian injuries,” he explained.

Kharkiv Mayor Ihor Terekhov said that people were on the streets during the strike. Fortunately, no fatalities were reported.

While Ukraine proposes peace, Russians again terrorize cities with missiles and drones. After talks in Istanbul where Ukraine offered a complete ceasefire, occupying Russian forces immediately struck Ukrainian cities, says President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

“Yesterday at the meeting in Istanbul, the Russian side was again offered the proposal to immediately and fully cease fire. In response, Russian drones struck residential buildings and the ‘Pryvoz’ market in Oblast, apartment buildings in Cherkasy, energy infrastructure in Kharkiv region, a university gym in Zaporizhzhia, and targets in Donetsk, Sumy, and Mykolaiv regions,” Zelenskyy claims.

Pryvoz is one of the oldest and most famous markets in Odesa, a living iconic part of the city’s culture and history. Founded in 1827, it was the economic heart of the city, supplying food to Odesa and the region.

It became not only the main shopping place for locals but also a hub of Odesa’s humor. There, sellers and customers joke during bargaining, shout sayings, and win over buyers. It is believed that the unique Odesa dialect, the city’s distinctive linguistic culture, began forming there.

Volodymyr Zelenskyy emphasizes that Russia not only continues its terror but also blocks diplomatic efforts, thus deserving harsh sanctions and strikes on its logistics, military bases, and production facilities.

“We will do everything to make diplomacy work. But it is Russia that must stop this war it started,” the Ukrainian president stresses. 

Earlier, German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul said Kyiv forces would receive secret weapons to “influence” Russia’s territory. He did not mention specific names or dates for the deliveries.

As Putin vows summer escalation, Berlin says Kyiv will soon gain secret tools to “affect Russian territory”

Wadephul added that European partners worked intensively on delivering weapons to Ukraine. The issue is not about finances but about the defense industry’s production capacity.

The National Anti-Corruption Bureau (NABU) and the Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor’s Office (SAPO) have stated that the bill submitted by President Volodymyr Zelenskyy restores all guarantees of independence for these institutions.

“Bill No. 13533, submitted by the President of Ukraine as urgent, restores all procedural powers and guarantees of independence for NABU and SAPO,” the agencies report.

NABU and SAPO participated in drafting the text and are urging the Ukrainian Parliament to adopt the President’s initiative as soon as possible, both in the first reading and as a whole.

“This will help prevent threats to the criminal proceedings investigated by NABU and SAPO,” they emphasize. 

The work of Ukraine’s independent anti-corruption bodies is a key requirement for its path to European membership. It also affects the future of Ukraine’s aid, which mostly depends on Ukraine amid US President Donald Trump’s foreign policy. The bloc’s leaders have appealed to Kyiv with questions on the controversial law and urged transparency in reform.

After Zelenskyy decided to respond to the mass rallies and work on the law restoring the activities of NABU and SAPO, the EU viewed such actions positively.

Western trust under threat as Zelenskyy nears signing controversial law that crashes Ukraine’s anti-corruption system

At the same time, European Commission Spokesperson Stefan de Keersmaecker emphasized the need for continued efforts in this direction.

The company EasyStaff, founded by Russians in Vilnius, has transferred over €50 million to Russia while facilitating the hiring of Russian freelancers by Western companies, LTR reports. 

Founded in 2020 by Russian citizens Vitaly Mikhailov and Yevgeny Fedorov, EasyStaff brands itself as a global freelancing platform. In reality, however, it may act as a mechanism that may allow EU and US sanctions to be circumvented.

EasyStaff utilizes alternative payment methods such as PayPal, Skrill, card transactions, and cryptocurrency, thereby bypassing SWIFT restrictions.

According to Lithuania’s State Data Agency, imports of computer services from Russia rose from €2.64 million in 2023 to over €56 million in 2024, which is nearly twice the pre-pandemic level. Yet when contacted by LRT’s investigative team, no government agency could initially explain this surge.

Eventually, the reporters discovered that most of the €56 million traced back to a single company: EasyStaff.

Though EasyStaff presents itself as a global platform helping companies hire and pay foreign freelancers, in practice it serves as a bridge for EU and US businesses seeking to contract Russian workers without direct interaction with sanctioned banks.

Mikhailov insists the platform is globally oriented and denies that Russians form its main client base.

When asked whether EasyStaff helps Russian firms navigate sanctions, Mikhailov replied that the company breaks no laws and works only with non-sanctioned banks. He added that EasyStaff consults with two law firms to ensure full compliance with restrictions and claimed that clients choose the company for its efficiency, not to evade sanctions.

Since EasyStaff lacks a payment institution license in Lithuania, it is not regulated by the Bank of Lithuania. A spokesperson for the central bank noted that EasyStaff appears to function more like a marketplace for service contracts than a payment processor.

Lithuania’s Financial Crime Investigation Service has confirmed awareness of the company but said it has detected any threats.

Beijing continues fueling Russia’s war against Ukraine. Chinese companies are supplying engines for attack drones through front companies, falsely labeling them as “industrial refrigeration units” to bypass Western sanctions, Reuters reports.

According to the report, Russian arms producer IEMZ Kupol signed a contract with Russia’s Ministry of Defense to manufacture over 6,000 Garpia-A1 drones in 2025, which is three times more than the previous year.

By April, over 1,500 drones had already been assembled and were being launched en masse against Ukrainian military and civilian targets, up to 500 per month, according to Ukraine’s military intelligence.

A key component of the Garpia drone is the Chinese L550E engine produced by Xiamen Limbach Aviation Engine Co. After sanctions were imposed on Xiamen, a new Chinese firm, Beijing Xichao International Technology and Trade, began delivering the same engines to Russia.

In shipping documents, they were labeled as cooling units, enabling unimpeded transfer in violation of sanctions.

The supply route ran through a network of shell companies: from Beijing to Moscow, and then to Izhevsk, where the Kupol plant is located. According to sources in three EU intelligence services, the shipments first went to a firm called SMP-138, then to another company, LIBSS, which delivered the engines directly to the factory. This is how “refrigerators” became weapons.

Despite repeated warnings, Chinese airlines, including Sichuan Airlines and China Southern Airlines, continued transporting drone components since at least October 2024.

Previously, US Army Europe and NATO Allied Forces Supreme Commander General Alexus Grynkewich warned that American and its European allies likely have only a year and a half to prepare for a potential global military conflict with China and Russia. The dictatorships may launch a coordinated strike in 2027.

In December 2024, the Indian company Ideal Detonators Private Limited shipped two batches of octogen, a military-grade explosive, to Russia, totaling over $1.4 million. Recipients included the Russian company Promsintez and High Technology Initiation Systems, Reuters reports.

An SBU official reveals that in April, Ukraine carried out a drone attack on a plant owned by Promsintez.

Octogen is critical to modern missile warheads, torpedoes, explosive shells, and rocket engines. According to the Pentagon, this high-quality explosive is used in Russia’s advanced military systems, and the US government has warned financial institutions not to support octogen sales to Moscow.

Three sanctions lawyers say the US Treasury Department has the authority to impose sanctions on those selling octogen and similar materials to Russia. Octogen is known as a “high-performance explosive,” meaning it detonates quickly and is designed for maximum destruction.

The US State Department says it has repeatedly warned India that companies involved in military business face sanctions risks.

Reuters identified two shipments of octogen sent by India’s Ideal Detonators Private Limited in December, both unloaded in Saint Petersburg, according to Indian customs data. An Indian official familiar with these shipments confirmed their presence.

One batch, valued at $405,200, was purchased by a Russian company, High Technology Initiation Systems. The other batch, worth over $1 million, was bought by Promsintez. Both buyers are located in Samara Oblast, near the Kazakhstan border in southern Russia.

Ideal Detonators, based in Telangana, India, declined to comment.

Under the Trump administration, progress on Russia-related sanctions slowed significantly, and it remains unclear whether the US will take further action against Indian companies doing business with Russia’s defense industry.

Washington has long sought closer ties with India to pull the South Asian country away from China.

Eric Prince, a partner at Washington law firm Akin, said the US government often prefers to raise concerns privately with allies and resorts to punitive measures only as a last resort.

The EU regards positively actions of the Ukrainian authorities addressing issues around the new anti-corruption law, UkrInform reports. At the same time, European Commission Spokesperson Stefan de Keersmaecker emphasizes the need for continued efforts in this direction.

Stefan de Keersmaecker says the EU welcomes the fact that Ukrainian authorities are taking measures and will cooperate to ensure the bloc’s concerns are addressed. He did not specify which concrete steps or deadlines are expected from Kyiv for a full resolution.

Editorial: Zelenskyy opens a second front—against his own people

Another European Commission Spokesperson Guillaume Mercier stresses that the further financial assistance and EU membership for Kyiv depends on its progress in transparency, judicial reform, and democratic governance.

He also says that the EU will continue to closely follow the situation, offering support to solve issues.

“We need to be sure that Ukraine has all necessary tools to fight corruption and that their independence is ensured,” Mercier claims.

Meanwhile, the EU says it does not link this issue to the stability of military support for Ukraine.

Before the legislative push, starting 21 July, the SBU security service and Prosecutor General’s Office carried out approximately 80 searches targeting 19 NABU staff across multiple oblasts. Employees were accused of state treason, illicit trade with Russia, and acting on behalf of oligarchs.

A birthday guest got indicted—so Ukraine dismantled a decade of reform

The State Bureau of Investigations simultaneously reopened dormant car crash cases involving NABU staff.

In addition, some sources speculated that the campaign may have been aimed at blocking an imminent indictment against Tymur Mindich, co-owner of Zelenskyy’s former media company Kvartal 95.

Ukrainians suffer from dehydration and violence. In Donetsk Oblast, residents face catastrophic water shortages, with no supply to homes for up to three days at a time, 24 Channel reports. 

Military expert Roman Svitan explains that water was once pumped from the Khanzhonkivske Reservoir to Donetsk, and from there it was distributed across the region. But Russians destroyed the facility back in 2022. The pumps capable of moving millions of tons of water were completely demolished. This was the water that sustained all of Donbas, all the way to Mariupol. 

Russians also supplied civilians with technical water, primarily used in steel plants. As a result, the region’s main water artery, the Khanzhonkivske Reservoir, has now completely dried up.

As the situation in Donetsk becomes critical, many settlers from Russia are simply returning home. Sadly, Ukrainians who remain in the occupied territories will be forced to continue struggling for survival, Svitan adds.

“Today, genocide is being carried out not only through weapons but also through dehydration. This is a war crime for which Moscow must stand trial at the International Court,” he claims.

These are not the only crimes committed by Russian forces in the region. In one shocking incident in Donetsk, Russian soldier Azat Sufiyanov from Bashkortostan broke into an elderly woman’s home, brutally beat her, and attempted to rape her. The man has a criminal record and had deserted his military unit.

In 2023, Russian forces destroyed the Kakhovka Reservoir, including the dam of the Kakhovka Hydroelectric Power Plant. This act has been recognized as a terrorist attack and the largest environmental crime to date, triggering a man-made disaster of global scale.

The destruction of the dam released more than 18 cubic kilometers of water, causing massive flooding in dozens of settlements, including the city of Kherson, and leading to the deaths of thousands.

During the latest prisoner swap with Russia, Ukraine brought back the last defender of Zmiinyi or Zmiinyi (Snake) Island. Vitalii Hyrenko returned home after spending more than three years in Russian captivity, the Facebook community of the Defenders of Zmiinyi Island reports. 

“The long-awaited exchange, three years and five months in captivity, for our last defender of Zmiinyi Island has taken place! Border guard of the island of Achilles, Vitalii Hyrenko, is home!!! Free, unbroken in spirit and body, Vitalii is finally back on his native soil,” the post reads.

In a February update, the community shared that Hyrenko’s small son, Dmytro, only knew his father from photos.

“When Vitalii was taken captive, his wife Aliona was seven months pregnant,” it wrote.

The Coordination Headquarters for the Treatment of Prisoners of War also confirmed that Hyrenko, a soldier of the State Border Guard Service of Ukraine, had been released from captivity.

Following negotiations in Istanbul, the ninth round of prisoner exchanges with the Russian side took place on 24 July.

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced that severely wounded and critically ill defenders had returned home. According to him, more than 1,000 Ukrainian soldiers have been freed from Russian captivity across all phases of this exchange.

Ukraine is preparing for a new phase of the war. German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul says Kyiv forces will receive secret weapons to “influence” Russia’s territory, Zeit reports.

Wadephul emphasizes that European partners are now working intensively on the weapons delivery for Ukraine. He explains that the issue is not about finances but about the defense industry’s production capacity. 

“Ukraine has the right to defend itself against attacks. It will also have the ability to affect Russian territory, but we will not reveal to Putin what weapon systems we are supplying to Ukraine,” Wadephul states.

He has not mentioned specific names or dates for the deliveries. Separately, Wadephul says he had stopped looking for logic in the Russian terror against Ukrainian civilians.

“He will stop only when he realizes his plan isn’t working,” the German minister concludes.

In July, Germany announced it would supply five Patriot systems, which are to be delivered to Ukraine “soon.” Defense Minister Boris Pistorius confirmed he had reached an agreement with US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth on the delivery. The Patriots are the only systems Ukraine has that can intercept Russian ballistic missiles.

Berlin also announced plans to supply over 200,000 shells for Gepard systems capable of shooting down Russian drones, and to fund the purchase of Ukrainian long-range drones to strike targets deep in the Russian rear.

Ukrainian soldiers have received a new training tool. The Ministry of Defense has approved for use a domestically developed laser training system designed to simulate RPG-7 grenade launcher operations, according to the Main Directorate for Weapons and Military Equipment Lifecycle Support.

The new laser training system imitates real combat conditions. The device, shaped like a training munition, is mounted on the RPG-7 and allows soldiers to fully practice targeting, preparation, and firing, all while following safety procedures.

The simulated target range matches the RPG-7’s actual combat distance. Additionally, the trainer replicates the weapon’s reactive exhaust, enhancing realism during exercises.

This innovative training device can also be integrated with other simulation systems to create full-scale training complexes for RPG crews.

Amid the growing threat from FPV drones, both sides in the war have shifted tactics, using tanks cautiously with camouflage and rapid repositioning rather than direct frontal engagements.

Due to a shortage of trained infantry and heavy battlefield losses, armored vehicles now play a supporting role. Artillery, drones, and assault units have taken on the main burden of offensive operations.

Overall, Russia has lost up to 3,000 tanks and more than 5,000 other armored vehicles in three years of the war.

Russian intelligence services are attempting to destabilize Ukraine amid the anti-corruption crisis, Ukraine’s Defense Intelligence warns. Kremlin agents are actively studying the internal situation in order to exploit the wave of protests linked to the adoption of the new law, which enables control over independent anti-corruption bodies. 

According to the agency, Russia’s goal is to undermine Ukraine’s ability to resist full-scale military aggression and to discredit the country on the international stage. 

“Russia intends to discredit Ukraine in the eyes of the world to weaken or destroy Western support for the armed struggle against the aggressor,” the Ukrainian Defense Intelligence says.

Inside Ukraine, the Kremlin sees an opportunity to capitalize on public discontent to stir chaos and polarize society. This is not just about propaganda — intelligence warns of possible provocations orchestrated directly from Moscow.

“To escalate the protests, deepen polarization, and plunge Ukrainian society into chaos… provocations inspired by Moscow are not ruled out,” the agency cautions.

The Defense Intelligence stresses that the country is in the midst of a genocidal war, in which Russia employs not only weapons but also manipulations, disinformation, and internal sabotage.

“The Ukrainian nation is living through a genocidal war in which the aggressor is trying by all means to destroy our state,” the agency emphasizes.

On 22 July, Lieutenant General Kyrylo Budanov, the head of the Ukrainian Defense Intelligence, called for internal disagreements to be resolved through open dialogue.

“Ukrainian history has taught us, a nation loses when it is torn apart by internal strife. We face a common misfortune and a common enemy. That is why internal disagreements should be resolved through open dialogue to achieve a single shared goal, to defend our country,” he claimed.

He added that he is confident: Ukraine will be saved by strong armed forces and institutions.

Ukrainian prayer returns to the heart of the Lavra. For the first time in the history of independent Ukraine, the Orthodox Church of Ukraine (OCU) held a service in the caves of the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra, a sacred site that had been under the control of the Moscow Patriarchate for decades, UkrInform reports. 

The Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra, founded around 1051, is considered one of the oldest and most important Orthodox shrines in Eastern Europe. Its complex includes churches and underground caves, which attracted thousands of pilgrims and tourists from around the world before Russia’s war.

On 23 July, Metropolitan Epiphanius of Kyiv and All Ukraine led the prayer service in the Lower Lavra, gathering OCU believers and clergy.

“The Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra is a special sanctuary for our people, which, unfortunately, was long under occupation by the Moscow Patriarchate,” said Epiphanius, adding that prayers have risen here for a thousand years, in the heart of Ukrainian Orthodoxy.

He noted that Ukrainian services have been held in the Upper Lavra for over two and a half years and that this recent service in the caves marks the start of regular worship in the Lower Lavra as well.

“We are beginning regular services. There is always a first step… We are initiating Ukrainian prayer here in the Lower Lavra, near our venerable Kyiv-Pechersk Fathers,” emphasized the Primate.

Prayers were offered for the Ukrainian people, the soldiers defending independence, Ukraine’s victory over the aggressor, and the establishment of a just peace.

“We will appeal to the venerable Fathers… for Ukraine’s victory, for the triumph of truth, and the establishment of a just peace in Ukraine,” said Metropolitan Epiphanius.

The return of the Lavra to the OCU has been underway since 2023, when the government terminated the agreement with the UOC (MP) concerning the Dormition Cathedral and the Refectory Church, due to that body’s ties to the Moscow Patriarchate and threats to national security.

“The Russian Federation uses religious organizations for its own purposes… We are moving forward. This is an irreversible process,” said Epiphanius.

Svitlana Kotliarevska, director of the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra Reserve, highlighted the event’s symbolism.

“The caves are the heart of the Lavra… Today marks the beginning of a new chapter in the history of the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra and of Ukraine,” she explained. 

She added that Ukrainian-language services in the caves are not just a religious milestone but a national one.

“Ukrainian language in Ukrainian caves, in the Ukrainian Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra… I believe future generations will remember this day as the start of a new chapter,” Kotliarevska said. 

Similar services are expected to soon begin in the Near Caves as well.

Ukrainian deputies prepare a counterstrike against a new controversial law in the Constitutional Court. After President Volodymyr Zelenskyy signed the controversial law narrowing the powers of the National Anti-Corruption Bureau (NABU) and the Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor’s Office (SAP), MPs from the Holos parliamentary faction announced the start of collecting signatures for an appeal to the court.

“In fact, the only thing that can be done now to fix the situation is to strike down this law in the Constitutional Court,” says MP Yaroslav Zhelezniak, emphasizing that the parliamentary procedure was violated during the consideration of the bill.

He believes the initiative is entirely realistic: “We will need 45 signatures from deputies… but I think we can still find that many in the Ukrainian Parliament.”

Protesters have already taken to the streets in Kyiv, Lviv, Dnipro, and other cities. They are demanding the repeal of the law, which they believe will bring the country to the era of former President Victor Yanukovych, when the government controlled investigations, the prosecutor’s office, and the courts.

The morning after signing the law, Zelenskyy gathered the heads of all key law enforcement and anti-corruption agencies, including NABU Director Semen Kryvonos, SAP Head Oleksandr Klymenko, SBU Chief Vasyl Maliuk, and Prosecutor Kravchenko.

The president stated that “criminal proceedings must not last for years without verdicts” and said that “we all hear what society is saying.” According to him, a joint plan to protect public interests must be ready within two weeks, followed by an in-depth working meeting with all sides the week after. 

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has signed Law No. 12414, which grants the Prosecutor General’s Office control over the National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine (NABU) and the Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor’s Office (SAP).

The official website of the Ukrainian Parliament has confirmed that the president approved the law despite mass protests from anti-corruption watchdogs, European officials, and activists.

People in Lviv, Dnipro, and Odesa took to the streets to protest against the law that brings Ukraine back to the times of former pro-Russian President Victor Yanukovych, who was ousted in the 2013-2014 Euromaidan protests. 

The bill provides that:

• The Prosecutor General gains access to all NABU cases or can grant such access to any other prosecutor.
• The Prosecutor General can issue mandatory written instructions to NABU detectives and, if they are not followed, can change jurisdiction by transferring cases to other agencies,
• Has the right to close investigations at the request of the defense,
  Independently resolves jurisdiction disputes,
• Signs notes of suspicion against high-ranking officials personally.

The head of SAPO loses the right to participate in prosecutor groups, as this is decided solely by the Prosecutor General. 

Evacuation may become impossible. Poland’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs has urged all Polish citizens currently in Russia to leave the country immediately, The Moscow Times reports, citing an official statement by the agency.

The Polish Foreign Ministry has emphasized particular concern for Polish nationals holding dual citizenship with Russia. According to Polish diplomats, Russian authorities treat such individuals exclusively as Russian citizens, making them subject to military mobilization, a decree issued in September 2022 and still formally in effect.

“We recommend that Polish citizens currently in Russia leave the country using available commercial or private means, unless their personal, family, or professional circumstances require them to remain,” the statement reads.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Poland has also warned that consular assistance options are extremely limited. Due to Russia’s reduced diplomatic and consular presence, obtaining support may require traveling to remote regions far from major urban centers.

Other risks include the suspension of direct air travel between Poland and Russia, inoperative international bank cards, and the aggressive conduct of Russian security services, who are reportedly authorized to detain individuals, search phones, and carry out street-level surveillance.

“In the event of a sudden deterioration in the security situation, closure of borders, or other unforeseen developments, evacuation may be significantly hindered, or entirely impossible,” the ministry cautions.

Earlier, a Russian drone attack on Ukraine damaged the Polish company Barlinek in the city of Vinnytsia.  As a result of the strike, two employees were hospitalized in serious condition, suffering from numerous burns. According to Polish sources, the attack could be deliberate as retaliation for providing Ukraine with aid. 

People in Lviv, Dnipro, and Odesa took to the streets to protest the adoption of bill No. 12414 by the Ukrainian Parliament. It restricts the independence of the National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine (NABU) and the Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor’s Office (SAPO), reports Suspilne.

On 22 July, the parliament approved bill No. 12414, which introduces changes to the Criminal Procedure Code regarding the pre-trial investigation of cases related to enforced disappearances under martial law conditions.

According to Ukrainian deputy Anastasiia Radina, amendments were added at the last moment that “turn SAPO into a decorative institution and make the activities of NABU and SAPO fully dependent on the will of the Prosecutor General.”

The bill provides that:

• The Prosecutor General gains access to all NABU cases or can grant such access to any other prosecutor.
• The Prosecutor General can issue mandatory written instructions to NABU detectives and, if they are not followed, can change jurisdiction by transferring cases to other agencies,
• Has the right to close investigations at the request of the defense,
• Independently resolves jurisdiction disputes,
• Signs notes of suspicion against high-ranking officials personally.

The head of SAPO loses the right to participate in prosecutor groups, as this is decided solely by the Prosecutor General, Hromadske reports. 

In Lviv, people gathered near the Taras Shevchenko monument to protest against the law. Co-organizer Justyna Moyseev said initially 30 people registered for the protest, but the expected number grew, and is expected to reach 100.

During the protest, people chanted slogans such as “Hands off NABU,” “Change or die,” and “Corruption is the death of the future.”

Ukraine’s parliament votes to gut anti-corruption agencies amid Russian spy scandal (UPDATED)

“One must always remember that the Ukrainian people stand together primarily because we want victory, peace, and to move toward the EU. Only for this reason do Ukrainians endure and do not want to cause trouble. But it seems the authorities are forgetting this a little. We want to remind them,” said one Lviv protester, Roman Schmidt.

Residents of Dnipro also joined the protest. Participant Anna stressed that she does not support the adoption of this bill.

“This directly affects the fact that corruption in the country will most likely flourish, and that’s not okay. They won’t be independent,” she said. 

A similar protest gathered in Odesa, where people called on the president not to sign the bill, chanting “Protect democratic institutions.” 

Kyiv is also protesting against the bill. People are carrying posters reading “People’s wrath is scarier than NABU and SAPO,” “Money hates silence,” “No to the destruction of the anti-corruption system.”

On 22 July, the Ukrainian Parliament passed bill No. 12414, which effectively destroys the independence of the National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine (NABU) and the Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor’s Office (SAPO), says the Independent Anti-Corruption Commission (NAKO). 

The NAKO emphasizes that this decision will severely undermine trust in Ukraine on the international stage. The development of anti-corruption institutions, supported by civil society and international partners since 2015, was a key condition for Ukraine’s progress towards the EU and NATO.

The liquidation of NABU’s and SAPO’s independence threatens further international aid.

The law was adopted amid high-profile searches at NABU, where security forces uncovered an FSB agent working inside the bureau who passed information to Russia.

“Yesterday we saw SBU searches that showed NABU is not perfect, and that is true, but today these searches have been used by the authorities to dismantle an independent anti-corruption investigation,” says NAKO senior researcher Tetiana Nikolaienko.

Now the Prosecutor General becomes the de facto head of SAPO prosecutors, gains full access to NABU cases, has the right to transfer them to other bodies, decides jurisdiction disputes, and signs indictments against high-ranking officials. This destroys the possibility of conducting impartial investigations according to the law.

Meanwhile, the Anti-Corruption Action Center stresses that President Zelenskyy’s signature under this law will return the country to the times of former pro-Russian President Victor Yanukovych.

“Under these conditions, NABU, SAPO, and the High Anti-Corruption Court lose all meaning as Zelenskyy-installed Prosecutor General will stop investigations against all the president’s friends,” adds NAKO.

Accordingly, there is no point in electronic asset declarations, punishment for illegal enrichment, special confiscation, or other anti-corruption reforms.

The Civil Anti-Corruption Council under the Ministry of Defense says Ukraine’s anti-corruption system has lost its independence within several minutes. The organization is urging President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to veto a bill No. 12414, passed by Ukrainian lawmakers, which curtails the freedom of the National Anti-Corruption Bureau (NABU) and the Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor’s Office (SAPO)

While the bill was introduced as addressing the investigation of wartime disappearances, last-minute amendments radically altered its essence. Both the relevant committee and the parliamentary chamber approved the changes at record speed.

“This law strips SAPO of its independence,” states the Civil Anti-Corruption Council under the Ministry of Defense.

From now on, the Prosecutor General will have direct control over prosecutors in the Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor’s Office, can reassign their powers, seize NABU cases, and issue directives.

This opens the door to manual control, political interference, impunity for loyal officials, and the destruction of independent investigations into high-level corruption.

“We are fighting for justice. But this law is about abuse of power and shielding installed persons,” the Council emphasizes.

The West has reacted swiftly to the law. The European Commission has voiced concern, stressing that EU financial support depends on progress in democratic governance. G7 ambassadors have said they plan to raise the issue with Ukrainian officials.

Guillaume Mercier, the spokesperson for the European Commission for Enlargement, has claimed that the EU is providing Ukraine with significant financial assistance “subject to progress in transparency, judicial reform, and democratic governance.”

“These bodies are crucial to Ukraine’s reform agenda and must act independently to fight corruption and maintain public trust,” he says.

NABU was established in 2015 under pressure from Western partners and civil society.

Russia is planning its largest armament program since the collapse of the USSR, spending approximately $1.1 trillion by 2036, says Lieutenant General Kyrylo Budanov, head of the Ukrainian Defense Intelligence, UNIAN reports. 

“There is a total mobilization of politics, economy, and society in the Russian Federation to prepare for a future large-scale war,” emphasizes Budanov.

Russia’s military reform already includes the creation of two new military districts, the Moscow and Leningrad districts, as well as plans to form new divisions, formations, and military units.

The Ukrainian intelligence head also notes that Moscow seeks to dismantle the global security and economic order. Russia is expanding its influence in Africa, primarily through private military companies Wagner and the African Corps, and supports authoritarian regimes and terrorist organizations worldwide.

Additionally, Russians actively conduct hybrid information and cyber operations in other countries, employing controlled media outlets and politicians to spread their influence.

“Moscow aims to impose its own vision of the future world order, where the ‘great’ powers, primarily the Russian Federation, hold full authority, monopoly over all critical resources, and decide the fate of the world within a closed circle,” Lieutenant General Budanov stresses.

Earlier, UK Defence Journal reported that the US deployed nuclear weapons on British soil for the first time since at least 2008 amid Russia’s aggression. Several B61-12 thermonuclear gravity bombs have been transferred from the US Air Force Nuclear Weapons Center at Kirtland Air Force Base in New Mexico to RAF Lakenheath in Suffolk.

During the Cold War, US nuclear arsenals were stationed at this base, but they were withdrawn in 2008 as part of nuclear disarmament efforts across Europe.

Kyiv risks losing crucial Western support after the Ukrainian Parliament passed, and President Volodymyr Zelenskyy reportedly signed, the controversial bill No. 12414. It curtails the independence of the National Anti-Corruption Bureau (NABU) and the Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor’s Office (SAPO), UkrInform reports. 

The law requires key decisions by these institutions to be coordinated with the Prosecutor General’s Office. Vitali Shabunin, head of the Anti-Corruption Action Center, published the full text of the amendments, which he says “de facto nullify the independence of NABU and SAPO.”

The West has reacted swiftly. The European Commission has voiced “concern,” stressing that EU financial support depends on progress in democratic governance. G7 ambassadors have said they plan to raise the issue with Ukrainian officials, Reuters reports.

Guillaume Mercier, the spokesperson for the European Commission for Enlargement, has stressed that the EU is providing Ukraine with significant financial assistance “subject to progress in transparency, judicial reform and democratic governance,” according to Ukrainska Pravda. 

“These bodies are crucial to Ukraine’s reform agenda and must act independently to fight corruption and maintain public trust,” he said.

Earlier, Ukraine’s Security Service (SBU) arrested a NABU officer on suspicion of spying for Russia and detained another over alleged business ties with Russia. At least 15 NABU detectives were searched. NABU stated the SBU’s actions were “excessive” and effectively “paralyzed the agency’s operations,” Reuters reports.

Transparency International has warned that the developments show “systemic pressure” on independent anti-corruption bodies and urged President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to publicly reaffirm their independence. The allegations against the detectives are seen as too broad and contradictory not to raise suspicion of political motives.

NABU was established in 2015 under pressure from Western partners and civil society. Its ability to operate independently is now in doubt, especially in light of the arrests, which risk undermining trust in Ukraine’s anti-corruption efforts. Diplomatic missions are continuing to closely monitor the situation. 

All it takes is one FPV drone, and old North Korean iron blows up like fireworks. The outdated multiple rocket launch systems that North Korea has supplied to Russia have proven fatally vulnerable to Ukrainian FPV drones, Business Insider reports. 

Ukrainian drones don’t just hit targets. They target loaded munitions directly in open launch tubes, causing explosions, fires, and catastrophic damage.

According to the military, the 429th Separate Regiment of Unmanned Systems Achilles launched a drone at a North Korean 107mm Type-75 launcher when it was already loaded. The strike triggered a chain reaction — missile explosions, fire, debris.

The Type-75 is Pyongyang’s version of the Chinese Type-63, equipped with 12 open launch tubes. These old launchers have been spotted on the Russian front for several months now, and they are the ones exploding en masse after drone strikes.

Another case involved the 413th Battalion of Unmanned Systems. In late June, a drone hit one of the munitions in an M1991 launcher. It resulted a premature launch, pierced truck chassis, and a smoke-filled cabin from which soldiers jumped out.

Most Korean weapons are copies of Soviet or Chinese systems that Russia has long used. For example, old BM-21 Grads are also loaded manually and lack drone protection.

In contrast, Western systems like the American M142 HIMARS have protected rocket containers, making the job much harder for kamikaze drones.

While North Korea supplies Russia with outdated systems, militaries around the world are already betting on drones, which are cheap, accurate, and lethally effective.

Russia did not launch a single missile on Kyiv during US Presidential Envoy Keith Kellogg’s visit. Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha says this is a direct signal that only Washington can compel Moscow to pursue peace, UkrInform reports.

“While he was in Kyiv, no attacks by the Russian aggressor were recorded. This is further evidence of whom Putin truly fears. Putin fears only Trump,” Sybiha stresses.

According to him, during his intensive visit, Kellogg had the opportunity to receive information “firsthand.” This, the minister notes, is crucial in countering the Russian narrative: “Russia will not win, and Ukraine will not lose. It is important to operate from this very paradigm.”

In addition, the talks included discussions on arms procurement, particularly air defense systems. Sybiha states that Kellogg was provided with specific figures on the required number of air defense systems, long-range weapons, and other front-line priorities.

“Following this, we expect the appropriate contact and communication between Presidents Zelenskyy and Trump for the further implementation of the agreements reached,” the minister adds.

During the meeting, Ukrainian high-ranking defense officials explicitly warned Kellogg that Russia was preparing for a large-scale war, not only in Ukraine, but also against the North Atlantic Alliance.

A hundred women who served prison sentences have already joined the ranks of the Ukrainian Armed Forces. They now fight alongside men, both on the frontlines and in communications, logistics, and medical units.

One of them is Halyna, who was convicted of theft and formerly imprisoned in Poltava. She had experience volunteering even before her detention, according to Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty. 

“I want to go to the front because I lost my son and my husband,” she says.

Another woman, Alvina, also convicted of theft, explains: “My husband and two brothers are fighting. And I have a child I must protect. I don’t want my child to be the one who finishes this war.”

According to Ukraine’s State Criminal Executive Service, around 9,500 convicted individuals have already enlisted in the Ukrainian Armed Forces. 

“About 9,500 convicted individuals are carrying out tasks on the front, including in combat zones. But not all of them are men, 100 are women with criminal convictions now serve in the Armed Forces,” the statement says.

Most were convicted of property-related crimes. The breakdown, according to the Service:

• 55% — property crimes
• 11% — drug offenses
• 9% — bodily harm
• 6% — traffic accidents with injuries
• 6% — murder

Deputy Minister of Justice Yevhen Pikalov said that 20–30% of all convicts in Ukraine could potentially be mobilized, UkrInform reports. 

“Today, more than 8,300 convicts have joined the Armed Forces, with another 1,000 applications under review. In terms of potential, about 20–30% of Ukraine’s total prison population could take advantage of this opportunity and help defend the country,” he explained.

According to Pikalov, Ukraine currently holds 37,000 detained individuals. However, not everyone is eligible for the service: those convicted of terrorism, corruption, sexual violence, or crimes against national security are excluded.

Russia launched over 400 drones on 21 July. The same day, Ukrainian allies announced 200,000 shells for the Gepard air defense system at the 29th meeting in the Ramstein format. 

In addition, Ukrainian Defense Minister Denys Shmyhal, who took office on 17 July, stated that the US has initiated a new mechanism with NATO, allowing European countries to purchase American weapons specifically for Kyiv.

During the meeting, Germany announced it would contribute five Patriot systems, which will be delivered to Ukraine “soon.” Defense Minister Boris Pistorius confirmed he had agreed with US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth on supplying them, RBC-Ukraine reports. The Patriots are the only assets Ukraine has capable of intercepting Russian ballistic missiles. 

Berlin is also supplying over 200,000 shells for the Gepard system and will fund the procurement of Ukrainian long-range drones. 

“The parties will coordinate actions to achieve this goal in the coming days,” Pistorius added.

Other aid from allies:

• Canada: 20 million CAD for the maintenance of Ukrainian tanks + support via the Danish model.
• The Netherlands: €200 million for interceptor drones, €125 million for F-16 maintenance.
• Norway: €1 billion for drones in 2025, including €400 million for Ukrainian manufacturers.
• Sweden: Preparing a new package with air defense, artillery, and equipment.

This meeting was co-organized by the defense ministers of the United Kingdom and Germany, John Healey and Boris Pistorius. Representatives from 52 countries and international organizations participated in it.

Key guests included: NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, NATO Supreme Allied Commander Europe General Christopher G. Cavoli, and EU High Representative Kaja Kallas.

According to Denys Shmyhal, the meeting was “more technical and coordination-focused,” concentrating on the procurement of American weapons for Ukraine.

He paid special attention to financial support: “Ukraine needs $6 billion to cover this year’s procurement deficit. This will enable us to create more FPV drones, more interceptor drones to counter ‘Shahed’ drones, and additional long-range weapons.”

The Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) and the Office of the Prosecutor General have uncovered a Russian mole in the National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine (NABU). He worked in the elite, classified D-2 unit and was spying for the Russian intelligence service.

The investigation has established that the agent’s subversive activities were coordinated by traitor Dmytro Ivantsov, the former deputy head of security for ousted ex-president Viktor Yanukovych. In February 2014, Ivantsov helped Yanukovych flee to Russia after EuroMaidan protests, where over 100 activists were killed by pro-government snipers. He stayed in Crimea, where he was recruited by the FSB.

The SBU documented at least 60 instances of the suspect transmitting classified information to the former deputy head of Yanukovych’s security. According to the intelligence agency, he gathered foundational data on Ukrainian law enforcement officers and other citizens targeted by Russia for planned terrorist attacks and special information operations. Moscow planned to use this information for its attacks on them.

The agent obtained personal information about potential Russian targets from closed databases of Ukrainian law enforcement agencies. For each completed task, he received payments from his handler via bank card transfers.

“Earlier, SBU officers alerted NABU leadership about possible risks related to this employee. However, the agency’s management took no response measures, and the suspect continued working in his position while attempting to destroy evidence of his illegal activities,” the SBU statement says.

After documenting the crimes of the spy, the SBU and Prosecutor’s Office detained him, seizing his phone and computer equipment used to contact his handler. He faces imprisonment for up to 15 years.

Ukraine needs $6 billion to cover this year’s procurement deficit. During the latest online meeting of the Ukraine Defense Contact Group in the Ramstein format on 21 July, new Ukrainian Defense Minister Denys Shmyhal addressed partners and called for continued support.

This was the first meeting following Shmyhal’s appointment as Defense Minister, replacing Rustem Umerov. The UK and Germany co-chaired the meeting. Participants included US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, and NATO’s new commander in Europe, Alexus Grynkievich.

According to Denys Shmyhal, the meeting was “more technical and coordination-focused,” concentrating on the procurement of American weapons for Ukraine. At the call, he emphasized that Patriot air defense systems and interceptor missiles are “critically important for protecting Ukrainian cities” as Russia escalated its attacks on civilians. 

He paid special attention to financial support: “Ukraine needs $6 billion to cover this year’s procurement deficit. This will enable us to create more FPV drones, more interceptor drones to counter ‘Shahed’ drones, and additional long-range weapons.”

Previously, US President Donald Trump announced that he would impose strict secondary tariffs on Russia and its allies if a peace agreement on Ukraine is not reached within the next 50 days. However, a recent Russian attack serves as an indicator that Moscow is just using this time to kill more Ukrainians. 

The Ukrainian defense minister also stated the need for sustained support in 2026 and for Ukraine’s inclusion in the European SAFE credit program, a “critically important source of funding for next year.”

Although Ukraine is not a formal member of the initiative, in 2025, the EU granted it associate partner status, recognizing Ukraine’s security as integral to that of Europe. This allows Kyiv to participate in joint defense projects and access funding from SAFE’s credit facility, which totals up to €150 billion. 

The Russians are ready to sacrifice tens of thousands of their soldiers for a political goal. Donetsk Oblast remains one of the hottest regions of Ukraine, where the Russians try almost daily to break through to the city of Pokrovsk, says Andrii, the commander of the battalion of the 32nd Separate Mechanized Brigade, Suspilne reports.

“Pokrovsk is located at one of the transport hubs. Accordingly, for them, this is a standard target — to partially cut off our logistics. This is a political goal,” the commander explains.

Russian troops use all possible forces and tricks to break through the Ukrainian defense, but unsuccessfully. According to the commander, they are even ready to “sacrifice tens of thousands of their soldiers just to occupy or capture something.”

Recently, the President of Ukraine and the Commander-in-Chief reported the destruction of sabotage groups in this direction. As Andrii notes, Russia’s tactics of using small sabotage groups of 2–3 people are not new. They try to “sneak past the positions of the Armed Forces units” to weaken the Ukrainian defense.

On 14 July, Dmytro Zhmailo, a Ukrainian expert and the Executive Director of the Ukrainian Center for Security and Cooperation, said Kyiv troops managed to stop the first wave of the Russian summer offensive. Currently, Moscow is trying to fulfill its main objective, which is the complete capture of Donetsk and Luhansk oblasts.

Russia masses 100,000 troops to crush Ukraine’s defenders in Donetsk’s crucial battle

About 100,000 troops from the overall 700,000-strong Russian grouping are concentrated near the Kostiantynivka settlement in Donetsk Oblast. The Russians are receiving reinforcements for the start of the second wave of the offensive.

Pavel Slavinsky, Chief of Staff of the 2nd International Legion, reveals the motivations of foreigners fighting in Ukraine. He says this Ukrainian military project is quite dynamic and “has a future,” Dzerkalo Tyzhnia reports. 

“Some want to earn money. Some want to improve their service record. Some want to gain experience, learn modern warfare techniques and methods. Some fight for the adrenaline rush. Some fight for freedom and justice, and some want to kill Russians,” says Slavinsky. 

According to him, volunteers from Colombia and Brazil form one large conglomerate in the Legion. 

“The rest are from America, Britain, and Europe. Roughly 50/50 are Anglos and Spanish speakers. Their motivations differ greatly,” he explains. 

For Brazil and Colombia, many are either economic migrants or cartel-related, sent to gain military experience. These are mostly young men of 25–35 years.

“The Anglos are mostly much older men, over 40, who came to finish what they started in Afghanistan or Iraq,” he continues. 

He does not disclose the exact number of volunteers in the Legion: “That’s classified information. We are a special forces battalion with additional capabilities.”

The ratio of Ukrainians to foreigners is about 50/50. Half are Ukrainians, the other half are international fighters. Many of them are in support roles like logistics, while infantry and specialists tend to be foreigners.

Slavinsky notes that Americans and Brits have the highest discipline. But due to coordination issues, mistakes happen: “If Colombians or Americans are in key positions and aren’t informed that friendly UAVs are flying overhead, they might shoot down anything they see, considering anything unknown as hostile.”

Military tactics have changed fundamentally since 2022. Western veterans, who taught the Ukrainians at the start of Russia’s war, now have to learn new approaches on the frontlines. 

“Now combat involves UAV dominance, small groups of two to four soldiers, and heavy equipment is largely unnecessary as it can’t reach the front line—it gets destroyed en route,” Slavinsky says. 

Sometimes, legionnaires depart from active duty military service and stay in Ukraine before returning home.

“Of course, at the train stations, a person who doesn’t look Ukrainian, especially in camo, attracts police and military police attention. These foreigners often end up in reserve battalions,” Slavinsky says.

From there, they are either transferred to the Legion or try to find ways to leave Ukraine, often communicating well with each other to find exit routes.

Beijing threatens to respond following sanctions for cooperation with Russia. The European Union has, for the first time, included Chinese banks and companies in a new sanctions package against Russia for the attack on Ukraine.

Beijing’s reaction was immediate and harsh: “China expresses strong dissatisfaction and resolute protest.”

According to a statement from the Ministry of Commerce of the People’s Republic of China, the Chinese side views the 18th sanctions package as an unfriendly act that violates international law, undermines economic relations with the EU, and threatens financial cooperation.

Four Chinese companies were added to the EU blacklist, including two from Hong Kong, Zhu Jiang Shipmanagement and ACE Electronic HK, as well as Wuhan Global Sensor Technology and Shandong ODES Industry from mainland China. The reason: assistance to Russia in circumventing restrictions, supplying technologies and components that can be used in the production of weapons that kill Ukrainians.

“China calls on the EU to immediately stop its wrongful practice of including Chinese enterprises and financial institutions on sanction lists and will take necessary measures to reliably protect the lawful rights and interests of Chinese companies,” the statement said.

China’s outrage coincides with preparations for the 25th anniversary China–EU summit, scheduled for 24 July in Beijing. This is the second consecutive time the summit will not be held in Europe as Xi Jinping refused to travel to Brussels, and instead, European leaders will come to China to discuss the most sensitive issues in bilateral relations.

Despite the pressure, Brussels sends a clear signal: sanctions evasion via third countries, including China, will no longer go unanswered.

Previously, US Army Europe and NATO Allied Forces Supreme Commander General Alexus Grynkewich has warned that American and its European allies likely have only a year and a half to prepare for a potential global military conflict with China and Russia. According to Bild, the two dictatorships may launch a coordinated strike in 2027.

On 21 July, French Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs Jean-Noël Barrot came to Kyiv for a two-day visit. After arriving, he immediately headed to the sites hit during the massive overnight attack on the Lukianivka district.

“Shelters themselves are no longer entirely safe, as the metro station next to me, which serves as a shelter for Kyiv residents, became a target of the attack. It happened at the same time President Zelenskyy, on Saturday morning, declared Ukraine’s readiness to enter new negotiations with Russia,” he emphasized. 

In Kyiv, Foreign Minister Barrot is set to meet with Zelenskyy, new Prime Minister Yuliia Svyrydenko, and his counterpart Andrii Sybiha, UkrInform reports. 

During the visit, he will also take part in Ukraine’s Ambassadors Conference and visit the Chornobyl Nuclear Power Plant. The facility is still undergoing the restoration of the site after the Russian occupation in 2022 and a Shahed strike, which damaged the protection shield over the plant itself. 

“Our embassy staff, like all Kyiv residents, were forced to seek shelter from 3 AM to 5 AM,” the minister said.

He noted that the wave of attacks struck not only civilian infrastructure but also kindergartens, supermarkets, and residential buildings. Two people were killed in an attack, and a dozen civilians were hospitalized. 

“That’s why the package of mass sanctions adopted at the European level last Thursday is crucial to increase pressure on Vladimir Putin, to raise the cost of this outrageous war, and to compel him to cease fire and engage in talks that will lead to a just and lasting peace,” Barrot stated.

On 18 July, the EU agreed on a new Russia sanctions package, with ambassadors reaching consensus on the bloc’s 18th sanctions round. The round targets key sectors of the Russian economy, including Slovakia and Malta. The restrictions hit energy, the main source of Moscow’s revenues. 

For their love for Ukraine, Tigran and Mykyta paid the highest price, their lives. President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy has signed a decree awarding the Order of Freedom to 16-year-olds Tigran Ohannisian and Mykyta Khanganov, Ukrainian teenagers killed by Russian soldiers in occupied Berdiansk.

After the full-scale invasion and occupation of the city, the boys stayed home. They were friends, and both openly supported the Ukrainian cause.

Ohannisian was repeatedly persecuted by the occupying authorities: he was abducted from his home, tortured, abused, subjected to electric shocks, and mock executions. He was arrested, beaten, and forced into silence.

Khanganov was targeted for arrest as early as October 2022. The occupiers interrogated him and his father, fabricated a case accusing him of “railway sabotage,” and searched their home. He was charged with a crime punishable by up to 20 years in prison in Russia.

In 2023, both boys were accused of “preparing sabotage.” Tigran was interrogated and tortured for five days as the occupiers tried to force a confession.

The European Parliament passed a resolution demanding the release of Tigran and Mykyta, but the occupiers ignored the calls of the international community. On 24 June 2023, Russian forces executed the boys.

Ombudsman Dmytro Lubinets reported that Russia still refuses to return their bodies to the parents or to Ukraine. Available information suggests the occupiers buried the teenagers in secret, without notifying the families.

The Ukrainian community in Italy has called to cancel the concert of Russian conductor Valery Gergiev, scheduled for 27 July at the Royal Palace of Caserta, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Gergiev publicly supports the Russian regime and its military aggression against Ukraine.

The community has sent a letter to UNESCO Director-General Audrey Azoulay, Dr. Antonio Patuelli, Chair of the Italian National Commission for UNESCO, and the Italian Minister of Culture, Alessandro Giuli.

The activists emphasize that Gergiev’s support “goes beyond the realm of art” and includes public acts that legitimize a regime responsible for war crimes, the deportation of children, attacks on civilian infrastructure, and on Ukraine’s cultural heritage, which is also under UNESCO protection.

Ukraine’s Defense Intelligence: Russia loots ancient treasures from Crimea’s UNESCO heritage site

“Ukrainians view UNESCO as the last line of defense for fundamental values: memory, truth, and respect, all of which the Russian government blatantly disregards,” the letter continues.

The Ukrainian community continues, “How can an institution that safeguards the dignity and memory of nations allow one of its protected sites to host an artist who has become a global symbol of military propaganda?”

“How can it ignore how deeply offensive this decision is to the victims of the conflict, to the Ukrainian people, and to all those fighting for peace and justice worldwide?” the activists say. 

The letter also argues that holding Gergiev’s concert at a historical site like the Palace of Caserta contradicts UNESCO’s principles of protecting peace, cultural heritage, and solidarity among peoples.

Ukrainian supporters to rally in Bologna after Russian propaganda found in Italian textbooks

The European Parliament has declared that Georgia will not be able to join the European Union until its government abandons its authoritarian path.

“Georgia cannot join the EU until its government changes its authoritarian course. The European Parliament stands with the Georgian people. Parliament does not recognise Georgia’s current government and says its EU path is effectively suspended until fair elections happen,” it says in a statement on X. 

The authorities have harshly suppressed protests that erupted after the elections and have continued for over eight months, employing repression against activists and political opponents.

The country’s power remains concentrated in the hands of the pro-Russian Georgian Dream party. The European Parliament also supports former President Salome Zourabichvili as the legitimate leader.

Despite an official pro-European integration stance, the government is working to deepen relations with Moscow, particularly in the security and economic spheres. Approximately 20% of Georgia’s territory is currently occupied, namely Abkhazia and South Ossetia, where Russian troops are present.

Georgian society has been actively protesting since late 2024 for more than eight months against a regime that fails to meet European and democratic standards. People demand new, honest elections, the release of political prisoners, and the country’s return to the European path.

The European Parliament continues to support the people of Georgia, but stresses clearly that without fundamental changes in the political system, including a rejection of authoritarianism and the restoration of democracy, the EU cannot admit Georgia as a member.

In response to the protests and European statements, Russia publicly accuses the West of interfering in Georgia’s internal affairs, supporting “color revolutions,” and attempting to increase informational and political pressure to maintain its influence.

Thus, without transforming the Georgian government and conducting free elections, Georgia’s prospects for EU membership remain blocked indefinitely, while its society continues to fight for a European future.

Despite US President Donald Trump’s ultimatum, Russian ruler Vladimir Putin shows no intention of abandoning his objectives in Ukraine or ending the war. Even under the threat of new sanctions, he appears ready to go to extremes, Foreign Affairs writes. 

Meanwhile, Russia itself is entering a full-fledged economic crisis, something even the Kremlin is now publicly admitting. However, analysts are convinced that Putin still has tools to continue the war, the ones he has so far chosen not to use.

In particular, he could launch a brutal mobilization campaign with harsh penalties for those who refuse to serve. Experts note this would shatter the myth of stability that Putin has carefully built over the years, but destroying Ukraine still takes priority for him.

They point out that after 25 years in power, Putin has created an almost sinister calm in Russia: there is no meaningful political opposition, and public criticism of the government is virtually nonexistent. As a result, Russians are expected to adapt to the new reality.

“Russia’s rise to greatness may be Sisyphean for Putin, but he will go to extreme lengths to avoid defeat. In Ukraine, Putin will risk everything,” the report says. 

Still, the situation does not yet look catastrophic for Ukraine. The territories captured by Russia are not strategically vital for Ukraine’s survival, and all major cities remain out of reach for the Russian military.

Even if Trump ultimately fails to follow through on his own ultimatum, Ukraine continues to receive growing support from Europe.

The US Air Force has announced a search for contractors to develop a new air-launched cruise missile under the working title LACM (Lugged Affordable Cruise Missile). Aviation Week reports, the project is largely based on the concept of the ERAM missile, which is being developed specifically for Ukrainian fighter jets. 

What sets the LACM apart is its focus on low-altitude flight, no higher than 300 meters, with the ability to strike at angles exceeding 70 degrees. A critical requirement is the ability to mass-produce the missile within two years of the contract’s start, at a cost not exceeding $300,000 per unit.

The missile will be compatible with standard external pylons on fighter jets or internal weapons bays, according to Militarnyi.

At least three potential companies are being considered in the early phase of the LACM program: Anduril (with its Barracuda-500M missile), Zone 5 Technologies (Rusty Dagger), and CoAspire, which is already working on the Rapidly Adaptable Affordable Cruise Missile. However, other manufacturers, including L3Harris, may also join the competition.

She was killed to be silenced. On July 19, in Lviv, Ukrainians marked the first anniversary of the death of Iryna Farion. She was a prominent linguist, scholar, politician, and symbol of the fight for Ukrainian identity, UkrInform reports.

Her murder in Lviv in 2023 at the age of 60 is seen not merely as a criminal act but as part of Russia’s hybrid war.

“The enemy is trying to use every tool to divide our nation,” said Ukraine’s military intelligence chief, Kyrylo Budanov, following her death.

The attack on Farion is also regarded as a psychological attempt to intimidate its most courageous Ukrainian voices.

A year after the assassination, her family, colleagues, students, and community members gathered for a memorial service at the Saints Peter and Paul Garrison Church. Later, a procession made its way to Lychakiv Cemetery, where Farion is buried.

People will also assemble in silence in the courtyard on Masaryk Street, where she was killed, at 7:22 PM, the exact moment the fatal shot was fired one year ago. 

Farion’s daughter, Sofiia Osoba, left a powerful message on Instagram.

“A year. What is it like to live without Mom?.. I am an orphan. Ukraine is orphaned… I don’t want 19 July… This is the end of everything. 23:20. The end of your life. Now, it will be years,” she wrote.

Six days after the murder, Ukrainian law enforcement detained the suspect, 19-year-old Dnipro resident Vyacheslav Zinchenko. The court trial is currently ongoing.

When Russia kills Ukrainian heroes, Ukraine doesn’t forgive. The intelligence war between Ukraine and Russia won’t end with the hot phase of the war. It will continue in the shadows, in hotel hallways, parking lots, and spy offices across the globe, The Times reports. 

The Ukrainian colonel of the Security Service (SBU), Ivan Voronych, who was assassinated in Kyiv, may have been targeted by Russian intelligence for his role in some of Ukraine’s boldest covert operations in recent years, say intelligence sources.

Voronych was involved in big numer of operations, including the sabotage of the Nord Stream gas pipeline. Major General Viktor Yahun says the upcoming retaliation from the Ukrainian side will be compared to the Operation Spiderweb, when Kyiv hit 41 Russian aircraft. 

Voronych served as a deputy in the unit commanded by Roman Chervinsky, the same figure The Washington Post described as the “coordinator” of the Nord Stream attack. He also oversaw naval drone strikes against Russia’s Black Sea Fleet.

The SBU colonel was a calm and quiet man who kept himself in excellent physical shape, his colleagues recall. He had served in the elite Alpha unit and carried out missions deep behind enemy lines, including in Russia’s Kursk Oblast.

Some sources claim it was Voronych who initiated the ambush and elimination of Oleksiy Mozgovoy in 2015, the leader of the “Prizrak” group and one of the key commanders of Russian proxy forces in Donbas.

Any one of these actions could have sealed his fate, and, according to intelligence sources, his assassination in Kyiv was the direct result of a long list of high-risk operations where Voronych played a pivotal role.

Ukraine has already avenged his murder by eliminating the killers, but that’s just the beginning. Former SBU officer Ivan Stupak says that such assassinations will continue worldwide for many years. Ukrainians won’t want to operate on allied territory, but perhaps in Thailand, Africa.

The full-scale war in Ukraine will continue beyond 2025, said Robert Brovdi, also known as Madiar, the commander of the Ukrainian Armed Forces’ Unmanned Systems, during the LANDEURO conference in Germany’s Wiesbaden, UNIAN reports.

“We don’t see the end of the war coming tomorrow — or likely even this year. Putin is sending more infantry than we can destroy,” Madiar stated.

According to him, the main threats include massive Shahed drone attacks, Ukraine’s shortage of mobilization resources, and the enemy’s numerical advantage.

“Everyone who wanted to fight is already fighting,” he noted.

However, the Ukrainian Armed Forces are already working on solutions: plans include replacing infantry with ground-based drones and building a multi-level “drone wall” to intercept everything coming from Russia.

“This wall, taller than the Great Wall of China, is already being built,” the commander concluded.

Brovdi became the commander of the Ukrainian Armed Forces’ Unmanned Systems in June. After taking the position, he announced he would work on the new Drone Line project, a 10-15 kilometer “kill zone” where enemy forces cannot advance without suffering significant losses.

His program also includes:

• Increasing domestic production of munitions and creating a unified supply depot for critical components such as Starlink, batteries, electronic warfare systems, and FPV parts;
• Deploying ground robotic platforms for the logistics of munitions, drones, and peripheral equipment;
• Launching a unified recruitment campaign and establishing a dedicated training network for drone pilots and operators of various systems.

The full-scale war in Ukraine will continue beyond 2025, said Robert Brovdi, also known as Madiar, the commander of the Ukrainian Armed Forces’ Unmanned Systems, during the LANDEURO conference in Germany’s Wiesbaden, UNIAN reports.

“We don’t see the end of the war coming tomorrow — or likely even this year. Putin is sending more infantry than we can destroy,” Madiar stated.

According to him, the main threats include massive Shahed drone attacks, Ukraine’s shortage of mobilization resources, and the enemy’s numerical advantage.

“Everyone who wanted to fight is already fighting,” he noted.

However, the Ukrainian Armed Forces are already working on solutions: plans include replacing infantry with ground-based drones and building a multi-level “drone wall” to intercept everything coming from Russia.

“This wall, taller than the Great Wall of China, is already being built,” the commander concluded.

Brovdi became the commander of the Ukrainian Armed Forces’ Unmanned Systems in June. After taking the position, he announced he would work on the new Drone Line project, a 10-15 kilometer “kill zone” where enemy forces cannot advance without suffering significant losses.

His program also includes:

• Increasing domestic production of munitions and creating a unified supply depot for critical components such as Starlink, batteries, electronic warfare systems, and FPV parts;
• Deploying ground robotic platforms for the logistics of munitions, drones, and peripheral equipment;
• Launching a unified recruitment campaign and establishing a dedicated training network for drone pilots and operators of various systems.

“I want my children to grow up in Ukraine”. James, an American volunteer known as “Sonechko” or Sun, has voluntarily joined the 154th Separate Mechanized Brigade of the Ukrainian Armed Forces.

He has been living in Ukraine for a year now and plans to stay there.

“I want to help Ukraine as much as I can. That’s why I’m here. Maybe after the war, my children will grow up here,” James said in a comment shared by the brigade on social media.

His native language is Italian, and although he’s only just learning Ukrainian, James can already communicate freely with his fellow soldiers. He says the decision to become a fighter was thoughtful and deliberate.

“This is my life. I did everything I could to be here, and now I am. The people here are quite professional. It’s not bad at all,” he continued. 

Earlier, Chief of Staff of the 2nd International Legion, Pavlo Slavyntskyi, explained that the distinguishing feature of foreign volunteers units is that all of them came to Ukraine of their own volition. No one recruited or persuaded them, Dzerkalo Tyznia reports. 

Inside the units, there’s no pomp or patriotic slogans. Slavyntskyi stated that some of the figters want to earn money, while others — to boost their CVs, gain experience, learn military affairs, equipment, or tactics of warfare. Some want to fight for freedom and justice, and some simply want to kill Russians.

He said that Americans, Brits, Europeans are mostly men over 40, who came to finish the war they didn’t finish in Afghanistan or Iraq.

They set out believing Russian aggression didn’t exist. Then they saw missiles and mass graves. Three Czech conspiracy theorists who had publicly questioned the scale and even the existence of Russia’s war traveled to Ukraine as part of a documentary project, according to Gromada.cz. 

What began as a skeptical “fact-finding mission” became a confrontation with a reality they could no longer deny. The resulting film, Velký vlastenecký výlet or The Great ‘Patriotic’ Trip, will premiere on 21 August.

The participants, two men and one woman, had openly supported the Kremlin’s position, calling the invasion a “special operation,” spreading disinformation about a media conspiracy, disputing casualty numbers, and blaming everything from President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to liberals and even the EU’s Green Deal.

They responded to an open call by Czech director Robin Kvapil themselves, who used social media to invite skeptics to witness the war firsthand. The film crew accompanied them from Prague to Kharkiv and Donbas, capturing their raw reactions as they came under missile fire, met wounded civilians, visited mass graves, and descended into underground schools in metro stations where children study amid constant danger.

Kvapil said one of the defining moments came when they arrived at the site of a children’s oncology hospital in Kyiv just hours after a Russian missile had struck it. This scene further solidified his intent to confront denial with unfiltered truth.

The team also included security analyst Petr Pojman, psychiatrist Petr Piot, and interpreter Lucie Řehořiková, former head of the Czech Centre in Kyiv, to ensure security and mental support. The production was coordinated with the Czech Interior Ministry and Ukraine’s Security Service.

London and Brussels jointly cut the Kremlin’s oil revenues. The UK government decided to lower the price cap on Russian oil from $60 to $47.60 per barrel after the EU adopted the 18th EU sanctions package on 18 July.

According to Western analysts, Moscow’s oil profits have already dropped by 35% compared to last year. The new lower price cap will further restrict the Kremlin’s financial resources used to fund its aggression against Ukraine.

“The UK and its EU allies are turning the screw on the Kremlin’s war chest by stemming the most valuable funding stream of its illegal war in Ukraine even further,” said UK Chancellor of the Exchequer Rachel Reeves.

The official added that this decisive step to lower the crude oil price cap will target Russia’s oil revenues and intensify pressure on Russian President Vladimir Putin by exploiting his greatest vulnerability.

London emphasized that the sanctions are intended to punish the aggressor and preserve the stability of the global energy market.

The US plans to invest in the production of Ukrainian drones. New Prime Minister Yuliia Svyrydenko has announced that Ukraine intends to sign a drone agreement with American partners, Reuters reports.

“We plan to sign a ‘drone deal’ with the United States. We are discussing investments in the expansion of production of Ukrainian drones by the US,” says Svyrydenko.

The official has clarified that the deal involves the purchase of a large batch of Ukrainian unmanned aerial vehicles.

Svyrydenko added that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and US President Donald Trump made the political decision on the agreement earlier, and officials are now discussing its details.

Earlier, Euromaidan Press reported that both leaders were considering what’s being called a “mega deal.” Under the proposed agreement, Kyiv would sell its combat-hardened drone systems to Washington. In return, it would sell Ukraine a significant array of American weapons.

Zelenskyy emphasized that Ukraine is ready to share its knowledge gained from over three years of fighting against Russia’s full-scale invasion.

The UK is forming a new military alliance that mirrors NATO’s Article 5. Within a single week, London signed two defense agreements with key players, Germany and France, reports Defense Express.

Experts are already calling this the emergence of a trilateral military bloc that could either supplement NATO or act as its insurance policy.

The UK-Germany agreement outlines deep mutual defense commitments, including military assistance in case of an attack. Meanwhile, the declaration with France explicitly states that while the nuclear forces of both countries remain independent, they can be coordinated in case of an extraordinary threat.

“It’s clear that the UK is effectively creating an additional trilateral defense arrangement centered around itself,” notes Defense Express.

This is happening despite all three nations already being bound by obligations within NATO. Analysts believe such an initiative signals a “need to reaffirm mutual commitments.”

The core of the signed documents essentially duplicates NATO’s famous Article 5, a collective response to aggression. Across Europe, there is growing concern that relying solely on NATO in the event of a large-scale crisis may no longer be sufficient.

The UK hits a Russian military intelligence unit behind the destruction of the Mariupol Drama Theater with the largest-ever sanctions package in history. It is also responsible for prolonged malicious hybrid operations worldwide. 

“In 2022, Unit 26165, sanctioned today, conducted online reconnaissance to help target missile strikes against Mariupol, including the strike that destroyed the Mariupol Theatre, where hundreds of civilians, including children, were murdered,” says the UK government. 

The restrictions hit three units of Russia’s military intelligence (GRU) and its 18 officers accountable for conducting a sustained campaign of cyberattacks over many years, including attacks inside the UK. 

“The GRU routinely uses cyber and information operations to sow chaos, division and disorder in Ukraine and across the world with devastating real-world consequences,” the UK government said.

Sanctions also target GRU officers responsible for hacking a device of Yulia Skripal, a daughter of former Russian military officer Sergei Skripal, using the malicious software known as X-Agent. This happened five years prior to the failed attempt by GRU officers to assassinate them with the deadly nerve agent “Novichok” in Salisbury.

Russian operatives have also attempted to disrupt UK media outlets, telecom providers, political and democratic institutions, as well as critical energy infrastructure.