The Sanctioning Russia Act of 2026 has been introduced in the U.S. Senate with support from more than 60 senators, including Republican leader John Thune. The bill targets Russian leaders, banks, state companies, sovereign debt and the shadow fleet.
President Zelenskyy held separate meetings with military technology specialist Serhii “Flash” Beskrestnov and 3rd Army Corps commander Andrii Biletskyi. Discussions focused on advancing military technology, strengthening Ukraine’s defense, frontline conditions and troop requirements.
President Zelensky said frontline commanders reported that Ukraine’s active defense remains effective and assigned objectives are being met. The meeting focused on expanding supplies of drones used at operational depth, fiber-optic drone production, personnel distribution among combat brigades, foreign volunteer recruitment and prisoner exchanges. A special command meeting with corps commanders an...
❗️Kathimerini reports NATO and the EU are pressing Greece to provide Patriot interceptor missiles to Ukraine. According to the report, Kyiv has requested up to 200 PAC-2 missiles, some of which have been in Greek service for more than two decades. A proposal under discussion would see Greece sell the interceptors to Norway before they are transferred to Ukraine, but Athens has not yet agreed to th...
President Zelenskyy said he has offered Ihor Klymenko the post of Secretary of Ukraine’s National Security and Defense Council. He said the role will focus on coordinating the security and defense sector, overseeing implementation of decisions, and defense production.
Ukraine’s HUR said Vladimir Putin ordered Russian forces to intensify drone attacks on gas stations, freight and passenger transport, civilian vehicles, and civilian infrastructure. According to the agency, the goal is to maximize destruction in border and frontline regions.
President Zelensky’s communications adviser Dmytro Lytvyn said former Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov will remain “part of the team” after talks with the president. Lytvyn also rejected claims Zelensky had sided with Commander-in-Chief Oleksandr Syrskyi.
❗️BREAKING: President Zelensky confirmed that Ukraine’s SBU destroyed a Russian Tu-95 strategic bomber at Engels airbase, around 800 km from the Ukrainian border. He said the aircraft had been used to launch missile strikes against Ukraine and added that Russian oil facilities were also hit.
People again took to the streets in Kyiv and several other Ukrainian cities, expressing support for former Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov, calling for the resignation of Commander-in-Chief Oleksandr Syrskyi, and demanding parliament return from its recess, which is scheduled to last until August 18. The largest demonstrations are expected to begin at 20:00 local time.
❗️ Axios reports the Senate sanctions bill targeting Russia now has support from at least 61 senators, including 39 Republicans and 22 Democrats, enough to overcome a filibuster. The legislation would allow the U.S. president to impose 100% tariffs on the five largest buyers of Russian oil and gas, including China and India, and also targets Russia’s shadow fleet. The bill still must be brought to...
Prime Minister Serhii Koretskyi held the first meeting of Ukraine’s reshuffled cabinet. He said efficiency, responsibility and results will be the main criteria for every minister, while the government works on tasks set by the president and parliament.
Zelensky said the new government led by Serhii Koretskyi has begun work, prioritizing preparations for winter, energy resilience, long-range strike capability and faster delivery on partner agreements. He did not mention Mykhailo Fedorov or address the controversy over his departure. Why keep quiet?
❗️Hungarian Prime Minister Péter Magyar said authorities have launched an investigation into alleged ties between former Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó and Russia.
Zelensky said he tasked Yevhen Khmara with serving as acting defense minister and will ask parliament to approve him for the post after the required legal procedures. He said Khmara’s experience in special operations and long-range strikes will drive defense reform.
❌ A country at war without a real defense minister.MP Yaroslav Zhelezniak says Ukraine’s parliament does not plan to convene before August 18. That would leave the defense and foreign minister posts vacant until the next session, as no nominees were submitted. Oleksii Viskub is currently acting defense minister.