Exclusives
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Some Ukrainian bomber drones aren’t carrying bombs anymore. They’re carrying robots.. Roads can be treacherous for Ukraine’s explosive unmanned ground vehicles. So heavy bomber drones are now airlifting them into action. |
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Ukraine shut a quarter of Russia’s grain exports—the world’s wheat money now flows to Russia’s competitors. Ukraine’s Azov campaign built a paradox: the world pays more for wheat because Russia cannot ship it—and the windfall flows to Russia’s competitors. |
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Russia offers farmers boiler fuel for tractors—Ukraine’s strikes wiped out clean diesel. Russia’s Agriculture Ministry is offering farms fuel 90 times dirtier than the diesel they bought last year—fuel that halves an engine’s life. |
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Ukraine’s army chief broke his silence—an apology, a warning on soldiers’ pay, and one small number. The army chief apologized to Fedorov—and revealed only 2,000 soldiers signed the new contracts. |
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Ukraine’s protesters set a 24 July deadline as Zelenskyy weighs replacing his army chief. Organizers gave the government four days before nightly rallies begin. |
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Why Russia is importing gasoline made from its own oil. To keep its pumps supplied, Moscow has written India’s gasoline price into its own tax code. |
Military
Breaking: Zelenskyy dismisses Ukraine’s commander-in-chief after week of political turmoil Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said Mykhailo Drapatyi will become Ukraine’s new commander-in-chief, replacing Oleksandr Syrskyi after a week of political turmoil, military consultations, and nationwide protests.
Russian MiG-29 jet and the Pantsir air defense meant to protect it both hit in Ukrainian strike on Kursk airfield Ukraine’s General Staff said Ukrainian forces also hit a maritime surveillance radar, logistics and ammunition depots, and several Russian drone control posts across occupied Ukraine and Russia.
Ukraine’s most feared kamikaze drone just showed up at UK arms fair—carrying missiles instead of being one The Liutyi flies one way into Russian refineries. This version comes back. Same airframe, opposite mission.
Whatever came down on Lipetsk overnight, it started with a missile warning and ended in flames by the steel mill Local Telegram channels had spread the missile-danger announcement hours before residents began filming blasts over the city.
Occupation official told Putin the Crimea highway is drone-proof—Russia’s own milbloggers refuted him within hours One pro-war channel admitted traffic collapsed because drivers fear Ukrainian drones, not because Russian air defenses got better.
Everything that hits target gets used: Ukraine just proved 1940s Swedish weapon can kill modern jet-powered drone Ukraine used Bofors L70 anti-aircraft guns for this operation.
Ukraine’s new combat robot is silent, fits in minivan, and carries MK19 grenade launcher Ukraine codified the “Zmii Mini Strike,” a recon-strike ground robot with a silent electric motor.
Drones found the FSB where it felt safest—a seaside resort deep in occupied Kherson Oblast The SBU’s Alpha unit’s strike set off a large blaze at a base ringed by checkpoints, guards and bunkers.
The Ukrainian combat divers who blew up a Russian bomber just built their own sea drone Ukraine’s National Guard unveiled a naval drone designed by one of its own frontline units, reflecting a growing trend of soldiers building the weapons they fight with.
Russia keeps hitting Ukraine’s couriers—so Ukraine went after Russia’s Amazon: oil depot and warehouses hit near Moscow Drones struck logistics sites and an oil depot in Moscow Oblast’s Sheremetyevo and Podolsk, days after Russian missiles battered Ukraine’s Nova Poshta postal network.
Ten dead as Russia strikes a Turkish-owned bulk carrier off Odesa Rescuers pulled eight of the 18 people aboard from the burning ship overnight; the pilot brought on to steer it out was among the dead.
Ukrainian regiment that raised flag in Kostiantynivka says it’s aware of reports that its soldiers were captured there These are the same troops who filmed a flag-raising after clearing the center.
Intelligence and technology
Hidden cameras in trees to guide Russian strikes: suspected FSB agent detained in Kharkiv Oblast Ukraine’s Security Service says the suspect allegedly installed concealed cameras near military sites to help Russia monitor Ukrainian positions and direct missile, bomb, and drone attacks.
“Small service can cost life imprisonment”: Ukraine warns against Russian Shahed-recording scheme Russia is recruiting Ukrainian traitors through social media to record FM signals broadcast by Shahed drones.
International
Oil exports from Europe’s second-largest external supplier thrown into crisis by Black Sea tanker attacks Kazakhstan’s primary Black Sea export route has been disrupted by recent tanker attacks, according to Bloomberg, threatening crude supplies from one of Europe’s largest external oil suppliers.
Secret German-Russian meeting on Ukraine war took place in Baku without authorities’ knowledge, Aliyev says Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev confirmed reports of undisclosed talks in Baku between former German and Russian officials on Russia’s war against Ukraine, while German Chancellor Friedrich Merz denied any government involvement, Bloomberg reports.
Britain’s new PM Andy Burnham is opening with calls to Trump and Zelenskyy His first foreign calls go to Zelenskyy and Trump, with UK support for Ukraine “unwavering.”
60-year-old Pole stood up for Ukrainian teenager on tram in Poznań. Three men beat him for it They turned on him and beat him so badly he suffered memory loss.
Humanitarian and social impact
First the pumps, then the harvest, now the commute—Russia’s fuel shortage keeps finding new victims Public transport fares climb in 25 Russian regions. Fuel-sale restrictions officially cover more than 40 regions out of 83.
Russian strike on Kyiv Oblast destroyed $2.6 million in HIV supplies serving 300,000 people This year’s needs are covered. Next year’s stock is gone.
“Policy of ethnocide”: Ukraine says Russia has settled 300,000 Russians in occupied Crimea, replacing Ukrainians driven out Russia is resettling its citizens into occupied Ukraine to replace the population.
Political and legal developments
Russia jails two more of its own warbloggers days apart—one for extortion, one for “justifying terrorism” Both had cheered the invasion for years, and both had recently started blaming Russia’s leadership for a war they say is going wrong.
Read our previous daily review here.
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