18:03 First Western F-16 fighter jets reportedly arrived in Ukraine
Ukraine Receives First Long-Awaited F-16 Jets
Bloomberg News reports, citing sources familiar with the matter, that Ukraine has received the first of the much-anticipated F-16 jets. However, the number of combat jets from U.S. production is said to be small. Ukraine's air force has not yet responded to a Reuters request. Ukraine's army hopes that these aircraft will effectively combat Russian air attacks. However, Kyiv is likely to be able to deploy only a few F-16s this year due to a shortage of trained pilots and maintenance personnel.
17:47 Former US Soldier Imprisoned in Russia Goes Missing
Amidst speculation about an impending prisoner exchange, the lawyer for Paul Whelan, a former U.S. soldier imprisoned in Russia, is checking on his whereabouts. A lawyer for the similarly imprisoned Russian opposition politician Vladimir Kara-Mursa reports that his client's local lawyer has been denied access to him for the second day in a row. "I've received inquiries from journalists asking where Paul is," Whelan's lawyer Olga Karlova told the Russian agency Interfax. She sent a request to the administration of his penal colony but received no response. The 54-year-old former U.S. soldier, who also holds British, Irish, and Canadian citizenship, has been in Russian custody since December 2018. Whelan denies the espionage charges against him and claims he was set up by an acquaintance.
17:21 Ukraine: Russia Kidnaps Children and Enrolls Them in Its Youth Army
According to the Ukrainian regional administration of the Luhansk region, children from the occupied village of Bilowodsk have been taken to a tent camp of the Russian youth army "Junarmija" in the Russian region of Novosibirsk. A statement on social media says children aged 11 to 17 are being sent there and are being trained tactically and in shooting and drills by combat commanders.
16:44 Russian Foreign Ministry Indirectly Threatens German Company
The German arms manufacturer Rheinmetall plans to build a munitions factory in Ukraine. The Russian Foreign Ministry comments on this with an indirect threat; spokesman Andrei Nastasyin emphasizes that "every factory is a legitimate target":
16:17 Another Finnish Volunteer Soldier Killed in Ukraine
The fourth Finnish volunteer soldier has been killed in the war in Ukraine. Yle News reports this, citing the association "Sodan kokeneet ry" (War Veterans Association). According to the association, the Finn died in mid-July north of Donetsk. The Finnish authorities have confirmed this information. The family of the deceased soldier has been notified. The director of the association, Juha Kreus, says that the association works with Finnish and Ukrainian authorities. On its Facebook page, the association states that it helps volunteers who are fighting in Ukraine and their families. Previously, three Finns fighting on the side of the Ukrainian armed forces had been killed in Ukraine, according to media reports.
15:29 "Kremlin lies" - British Defense Ministry sees Russian troublesThe war against Ukraine is making the Russian economy flourish, especially in the defense industry, according to reports from the country. However, the British Defense Ministry calls this a lie and sees problems. "Inflation is twice the central bank's target, and war spending is causing unsustainable growth and an overheated economy," it says from London. High interest rates are making Russia a bad place for investments, and the country is drawing from its sovereign fund to finance rising war costs, the Defense Ministry adds.
15:00 Ukraine could produce several million drones per yearUkraine currently has a production capacity of three million drones per year, says Anna Gvozdiar, deputy minister for strategic industries of Ukraine, to the media outlet Suspilne. However, this requires funding, Gvozdiar says. Drones are one of the most important means in Ukraine's defense against the Russian invasion. Some are funded by donations from abroad and produced by volunteers.
14:28 Germany delivers more Leopard tanks to Czech RepublicAs compensation for military aid to Ukraine, Germany is delivering 14 more Leopard 2A4 battle tanks and one Buffalo-3 recovery tank to the Czech Republic. Both sides have signed the final documents for this, the Czech Defense Ministry reports. The first tanks are expected to be delivered by the end of the year, with the rest by early 2026. This agreement follows the delivery of 15 tanks from Germany in 2022 and 2023. Additionally, the NATO country plans to buy more Leopard tanks of types 2A4 and 2A8 as part of its military modernization. Talks about this are ongoing, the Czech Republic reports.
13:49 SBU suspects Putin's close associates of aiding war against UkraineThe Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) has filed a suspicion notice against one of Russian leader Vladimir Putin's closest associates, Alexei Dyumin, and Russia's deputy defense minister, Yunus-Bek Yevkurov. "RBC-Ukraine" reports this, citing the press service of the Security Service of Ukraine. Investigations suggest that Alexei Dyumin, a former bodyguard of Putin and current secretary of the State Council of the Russian Federation, was involved in mobilizing the Tula region for combat operations in Ukraine. He is said to have organized partial mobilization of men, established the Center for Unmanned Systems, and developed the production of FPV drones and other unmanned aerial vehicles. Yunus-Bek Yevkurov, deputy defense minister of the Russian Federation, is said to be responsible for training contract soldiers and mobilized personnel who then participate in the fighting in Ukraine.
13:06 Russia Begins "Third Phase" of Tactical Nuclear Weapon ExercisesRussia has started the third phase of exercises aimed at testing the readiness of its forces to use non-strategic nuclear weapons. The "Kyiv Independent" reports, citing a statement from the Russian Ministry of Defense, that units from the central and southern military districts are involved, including those stationed in the Russian-occupied territories of Ukraine. "During this phase of the exercise, personnel from the rocket formations of the southern and central military districts will conduct combat exercises, including the acquisition of special training ammunition for the Iskander-M tactical missile systems," the ministry's statement said. The first phase of the exercises began in May. Russian President Vladimir Putin presented this as a response to alleged "provocative statements" by the West, without providing further details.
12:45 Authorities: Russians Hold Children from Luhansk in Military CampChildren from the occupied Bilowodsk in the Luhansk region are in a Russian military camp in the Novosibirsk region of the Russian Federation. There, they are being taught by military personnel how to handle firearms and drills. "Ukrinform" reports, citing the Facebook page of the state regional administration of Luhansk. According to the head of the regional state administration, Artem Lysohor, schoolchildren from the Russian-occupied Bilowodsk are still in the military-patriotic tent camp of the "Youth Army" set up in the Novosibirsk region. "Sending children aged 11 to 17 to this camp, where combat officers teach them tactics, fire, and drills, is considered a benevolent act in the Russian Federation," says Lysohor.
12:30 Duma Legalizes Cryptocurrency Mining to Evade SanctionsThe Duma has passed a law legalizing cryptocurrency mining in Russia. "Meduza," a Russian media outlet based in Latvia, reports, citing the website of the lower house of the Russian parliament. According to the document published there, legal entities and individual entrepreneurs registered in the relevant register are entitled to engage in cryptocurrency mining. Individuals who do not exceed the energy consumption limits set by the government can mine cryptocurrencies without being included in the register.
12:06 Putin Doubles Special Payment for War DeploymentRussia's leadership is offering more money to attract more volunteers for its attack on Ukraine. According to a decree signed by Kremlin chief Vladimir Putin, anyone who signs a contract for deployment at the front between August 1 and December 31 will receive a one-time payment of 400,000 rubles (around 4,200 euros), more than double the previous amount of 195,000 rubles. In addition, a monthly salary that is significantly higher than the Russian average income will be paid. Since a forced mobilization of reservists in the fall of 2022, Russia has primarily relied on financial incentives to attract soldiers for the war. Many regions offer cash bonuses for signing contracts. For example, the city of Moscow set a one-time bonus of 1.9 million rubles (about 20,300 euros) for contracts lasting one year or longer this month.
11:30 Russian sentenced to seven years for attempted arson in recruitment officeA man in Russia has been sentenced to seven years in prison. The Russian is accused of attempting to set fire to a recruitment office. Additionally, the military court of the southern district of Russia alleges that he had connections with the "Freedom of Russia" Legion. The court found him guilty of attempted terrorism and collaborating "on a confidential basis with a representative of a foreign state". The "Freedom of Russia" Legion was founded in Ukraine in March 2022. It is an armed group of Russians fighting on the side of Ukrainian forces against Russia. Its members have also carried out cross-border actions in Russia and, according to reports, sabotage operations within the country.
11:06 Fire after Ukrainian strike on weapons depot near KurskAfter a Ukrainian attack on the Russian border region of Kursk, a fire broke out in a warehouse for weapons and military equipment. The General Staff in Kyiv reports via Telegram that the strike was carried out using a modified rocket system of the Ukrainian navy. Explosions were observed at the target. The navy has anti-ship missiles of the Neptune type, which can reach targets up to 300 kilometers away. Kursk itself is only about 80 kilometers from the Ukrainian border. Earlier, the Russian Ministry of Defense reported that a cruise missile of this type had been shot down over the Kursk region. The fire has been extinguished, according to the governor of the region, Alexei Smirnov. Additionally, according to Russian military reports, a total of 19 Ukrainian drones were shot down over the cities of Belgorod, Bryansk, Kursk, Kaluga, Rostov, and the annexed Crimea.
10:36 Munz on Russia's war tactics: Motorcycle attacks "follow a certain pattern"Sightings of Russian soldiers on motorcycles in Ukraine are increasing, with observers interpreting this as evidence that Russia is running out of armored vehicles. ntv correspondent Rainer Munz disagrees and explains the strategy behind these attacks.
10:02 Reisner: Russia could have lost up to 750,000 soldiers in UkraineRussia could have already suffered 500,000 to 750,000 casualties, including up to 150,000 dead soldiers, in its invasion of Ukraine, according to Markus Reisner, an Austrian army colonel, in an interview with the Ukrainian news agency "Ukrinform". "Recently, an interesting study was published that, in my opinion, is very well-researched. It suggests that perhaps 100,000 to 150,000 Russian soldiers have already been killed," says Reisner. Considering the lessons of military history and "the fact that there are about 3-4 times more wounded than killed", the losses are enormous, the military expert estimates. And this is realistic given the intensity of the conflict," says Reisner, also noting that the Ukrainian side "has also suffered very heavy losses". Kyiv puts the number of Russian military personnel losses at 578,120 (see entry from 07:35).
09:24 Ukraine: Weapon depots in Russian region Kursk attackedThe Ukrainian military claims to have attacked a depot for weapons and other military equipment in the Russian region of Kursk overnight. Kursk borders Ukraine and has been repeatedly targeted by Ukrainian fire. In the night to Tuesday, the Ukrainian military claimed to have attacked a Russian oil depot in the region. "According to intelligence information, a fire broke out at the enemy's facility as a result of the attack," the Ukrainian General Staff posted on Facebook yesterday.
08:55 Kyiv reports one of the heaviest Russian drone attacks since the start of the warThe Russian military attacked targets in the Ukrainian capital Kyiv and other parts of the country with dozens of combat drones overnight. "Over 40 enemy drones were shot down over the Kyiv area and the outskirts of the capital in two waves," Kyiv's military administration reported on Telegram. Not a single drone reached its target in the capital. The authority described the attack as one of the strongest on Ukraine during the entire war. Overall, air alert lasted over eight hours in the three-million city overnight (see also entries at 06:33 and 23:52). Russian drone attacks were also reported in other regions. Six were shot down over the southeastern Ukrainian region of Dnipropetrovsk - four more over the region of Mykolajiw in the south of the country. A general overview of the Ukrainian air defense's actions overnight is still pending.
08:36 Ukraine reports 144 engagements along the frontline over the past dayOver the past day, there were 144 engagements along the frontline, according to the spokesperson of the Ukrainian General Staff, Dmytro Hutsulyak. "Over the past day, 144 combat actions took place. Over the past day, Russian terrorists carried out a total of 1 missile attack with 1 missile on our troops' positions and residential areas, as well as 85 air strikes. In particular, 141 guided aerial bombs were dropped. Moreover, more than 4,350 attacks were carried out, 90 of which were with multiple launch rockets," Hutsulyak said in the program "United News".
08:09 Governor: Man dies from Russian shelling in KhersonRussian forces shelled the outskirts of the southern Ukrainian city of Kherson in the morning. A man was killed and a woman injured, the governor of the Kherson region, Roman Mrochko, wrote in a post on Telegram. According to him, the Russian army shelled the outskirts of Kherson from the occupied left bank of the Dnieper River. A 68-year-old man was fatally injured. Rescue workers reportedly retrieved his body from the rubble. A 73-year-old woman suffered a concussion and head injuries from an explosion. She was provided with medical aid at the scene, the post said.
07:35 Ukraine Reports Over 1000 Russian Losses in a DayRussia has lost 1060 soldiers, 30 artillery systems, 20 armored combat vehicles, and 9 tanks in the past day, according to the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine in its Facebook update. The total combat losses of Russian forces since the start of the invasion on February 24, 2022, are 578,120 military personnel, 8,390 tanks, 16,161 armored combat vehicles, 16,086 artillery systems, 1,131 multiple launch rocket systems, 907 air defense systems, 363 fixed-wing aircraft, 326 helicopters, 12,853 strategic and tactical unmanned aerial vehicles, 2,407 cruise missiles, 28 ships and boats, 1 submarine, 21,739 vehicles and fuel tankers, and 2,697 special vehicles and other equipment. These figures cannot be independently verified. Russia does not report its losses.
07:14 Ukraine Spots Two Russian Warships with Cruise Missiles in the Black SeaRussia is reportedly maintaining two warships in the Black Sea armed with up to eight Kalibr cruise missiles each, according to the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. There are no enemy ships in the Azov Sea. In the Mediterranean, Russia has two warships, one of which is armed with up to 16 Kalibr cruise missiles, it is reported. However, the spokesperson for the Ukrainian Navy, Dmytro Pletenchuk, told "RBC-Ukraine" that it is unlikely that Russia would dare to fire missiles at Ukraine from the Mediterranean, as doing so would violate NATO airspace.
06:33 Massive Drone Attack on Kyiv - Over 30 Drones InterceptedThe Ukrainian air defense intercepted more than 30 Russian drones over Kyiv overnight, the military administration of the capital said on Telegram. This was one of the most massive drone attacks on Ukraine since the start of the war. Explosions were heard in the Ukrainian capital, Reuters reported, citing eyewitnesses. The detonations sounded like air defense systems repelling enemy aerial objects. An air alert had been sounded in Kyiv and wide parts of Ukraine earlier (see entry from 23:52). "This was the seventh enemy drone attack on Kyiv in July," wrote Serhii Popko, head of the military administration of the city, in a post. The air alert lasted for more than seven hours. Enemy drones entered Kyiv in waves from almost all possible directions, it was reported. There is no information available about possible damages or casualties.
04:38 Pistorius on New US Weapons: "Genuine Deterrence" at StakeDefense Minister Boris Pistorius dismisses criticism of the German government's approach to the agreement with the US on the deployment of long-range weapons. He sees no objection to discussing this topic openly in the Bundestag, but stresses that it is not a matter that needs to be debated in parliament beforehand. "It's not comparable to the NATO Double-Track Decision from the 1980s," he says. At the recent NATO summit in Washington, the US and Germany announced the deployment of Tomahawk cruise missiles, SM-6 missiles, and new hypersonic weapons from 2026 onwards, justified as a response to threats from Russia. Pistorius emphasizes that these are conventional weapons not intended to carry nuclear warheads. "This needs to be clearly stated to reassure those who are concerned," he says, adding that the deployment is about "genuine deterrence" (see also the criticism by former SPD leader Norbert Walter-Borjans in the 22:05 entry).
02:33 Finnish Volunteer Killed in UkraineA Finnish volunteer fighting on the side of Ukraine has been killed in the northern Donetsk region in mid-July, the Finnish War Veterans' Association reports. The authorities have informed his family. He is the fourth Finnish citizen to have died in Ukraine. In February, the Finnish Foreign Ministry reported that 20 to 30 Finns were serving at the Ukrainian front.
23:52 Air Force Reports Numerous Drones Over UkraineThe Ukrainian army declares air alerts in several regions overnight as Russia attacks the country from multiple directions with drones. An explosion was heard in Kyiv, according to reporters from the "Kyiv Independent". It is not yet clear whether the capital has been hit.
22:05 US Medium-Range Missiles in Germany: Former SPD Leader Criticizes "Lone Decision"Former SPD leader Norbert Walter-Borjans regrets the lack of debate over the planned deployment of US weapons in Germany. "The fact that such a far-reaching decision is practically not debated, that it is made and announced more or less unilaterally, is problematic," he says in an interview with "Deutschlandfunk". He also questions whether such a move would actually enhance security or make Germany a target for a first strike. Recently, the White House and the German government announced that the US would resume stationing weapons systems in Germany from 2026 onwards that can reach far into Russia. These include Tomahawk cruise missiles, SM-6 missiles, and new hypersonic weapons.
21:35 Ukrainians face less condemnation for contact with Russian occupiersMany Ukrainians live in their own country under Russian occupation, inevitably coming into contact with the invaders of the brutal illegal war - something that is often frowned upon or seen as treason elsewhere. However, "Ukraine is currently experiencing a decrease in the level of condemnation towards citizens from temporarily occupied areas for their various forms of communication with the occupation authorities," says Daria Svyrydova, member of the Advisory Board for De-Occupation and Reintegration of the Crimea regions, at an event in the Media Center Ukraine. "In general, the Ukrainian population considers possible communication of people under occupation in certain situations as acceptable." According to Svyrydova, this is an important factor for future reintegration processes and an indication of what the state should focus on in developing reintegration policy. Many people believe in a "shared future with the people in the temporarily occupied territories," says Svyrydova.
20:54 Reports of large fire at Russian arms factoryAmong others, the Ukrainian media outlet Euromaidan Press reports on a fire at a factory in the Russian city of Yekaterinburg. The factory produces parts for military rockets, it is said. The factory has been under Western sanctions since 2014 and is an important player in the Russian defense industry, according to the report. There has been no official confirmation yet, and the authenticity of the videos on social media is not confirmed. There are also no details on how the fire started.
20:32 Zelensky visits troops at border with BelarusThe Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky inspects the fortifications and defensive positions of his troops at the border with Belarus. Accompanied by leading military officials, he is on a working visit to the Volhynia region, as reported by the presidential administration in Kyiv. "The head of the state border guard service, Serhiy Deyneko, reports on the protection of the border, including the number of soldiers involved, their skills and weapons," it says in the statement. Zelensky gets a personal look at the construction of fortifications, trenches and shelters. "We have a strong defense, both in terms of personnel and defensive lines," he says. "And we will continue to strengthen it." The Ukrainian military has significantly strengthened the border with the neighboring country Belarus in recent months.
Despite receiving the first F-16 jets, Ukraine's army may only be able to deploy a few of them this year due to a lack of trained pilots and maintenance personnel. The attack on Ukraine continues, and the country's air defense systems have been active, intercepting numerous Russian drones.
