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US confirms Trump ordered resumption of Ukraine military aid shipments
U.S. President Donald Trump has ordered the continuation of shipments of military aid to Ukraine after a brief pause earlier this month, the White House and the State Department confirmed on July 8.
“We have, of course, the resumption of shipments to Ukraine. The president has been vocal about this,” State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce said during a press briefing on July 8.
The statement follows days of confusion and backlash after U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth reportedly authorized a temporary halt to American weapons deliveries on July 2 without notifying the White House, State Department, or U.S. allies.
Bruce emphasized that the temporary halt should not be viewed as a policy shift.
“We remain Ukraine’s biggest supporters,” she said. “We care about those people. We care about making sure they have what they need."
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt told CNN that the decision to pause the shipments followed a Pentagon review “to ensure all support going to all foreign nations aligns with America’s interests.” She added that Trump “has full confidence in the secretary of defense” and had since decided to continue the shipments.
The U.S. president ordered Hegseth to renew the Ukraine-bound supplies, namely Patriot interceptors, shortly after learning about the pause last week, according to CNN.
Trump initially publicly denied the pause on July 4 and said the U.S. continues providing arms to Ukraine. The Pentagon subsequently issued a statement on July 7 confirming the renewed support.
“At President Trump’s direction, the Defense Department is sending additional defensive weapons to Ukraine to ensure the Ukrainians can defend themselves while we work to secure a lasting peace and ensure the killing stops,” the statement read.
The suspension affected a major aid package that included Patriot interceptor missiles, 155 mm artillery shells, Hellfire missiles, and other key munitions. Some of the equipment had already reached Poland and was en route to Kyiv when the pause took effect, according to NBC News.
The delay came as Moscow’s forces intensified aerial attacks against Ukraine, putting ever greater strain on Ukrainian air defense stockpiles. Russia launched its heaviest attack against Ukraine on July 9, launching over 740 drones and missiles.
Putin throws ‘a lot of bullsh*t’, Trump says as he ‘looks strongly’ at Russia sanctions billTrump also addressed U.S. legislation on sanctions, saying the Senate’s Russia sanctions bill was “totally optional” for him to implement or terminate. “I’m looking at it very strongly,” Trump said.
The Kyiv IndependentAnna Fratsyvir
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New MASSIVE attack launched by Russia: Zelenskyy showed the CONSEQUENCES of strikes on Volyn #shorts
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At least 5 killed, 39 injured in Russian attacks against Ukraine over past day
Ukraine endured the largest aerial attack since the start of Russia’s full-scale invasion, with at least five civilians killed and 39 injured across multiple regions over the past 24 hours, Ukrainian officials said on July 9.
The Ukrainian Air Force reported that Russia launched a record 728 Shahed-type drones, as well as 13 cruise missiles and ballistic missiles. Of this number, 718 targets were neutralized, including 296 drones shot down and seven cruise missiles intercepted. The remaining 415 drones were lost or suppressed by electronic warfare systems.
In Kharkiv Oblast, Governor Oleh Syniehubov said one person was killed and four injured in attacks that struck the city of Kharkiv and eight surrounding settlements. Russian forces used a combination of Shahed drones, guided bombs, rockets, and FPV (first-person-view) drones. Several civilian houses, power lines, and farm infrastructure facilities were damaged.
In Kherson Oblast, Governor Oleksandr Prokudin said one person was killed and 17 others injured during drone attacks, artillery shelling, and air strikes that hit dozens of towns and villages, including Kherson city. Damage to apartment buildings, houses, a farm, and civilian vehicles was reported.
In Donetsk Oblast, Governor Vadym Filashkin reported that Russian strikes killed three civilians, including two in Bilytske and one in Novyi Donbas. Eleven more people were wounded in the region.
In Zaporizhzhia Oblast, Governor Ivan Fedorov said three civilians were wounded in the Polohy district. Russian forces carried out 482 attacks on 14 settlements using drones, artillery, and rockets. A couple was hospitalized with shrapnel injuries after a strike on the Stepnohirsk community.
In Sumy Oblast, regional authorities reported that one person was wounded in the Shostka district by a drone strike. Over a 24-hour period, 75 Russian attacks were recorded across 39 settlements, damaging residential buildings, schools, and administrative buildings.
In Kyiv Oblast, Governor Mykola Kalashnyk confirmed that one person in the Brovary district was hospitalized with chest injuries following a Russian drone strike.
‘Some are forged into poets during hostilities’ — Medic, former POW, and poet on how war is shaping Ukraine’s writersBefore her harrowing footage of life in Mariupol under siege from Russian invaders was viewed around the world in 2022, Yuliia Paievska — call sign “Taira” — was already well known to Ukrainians for leading a volunteer medical unit in Donbas. Now, the volunteer, soldier, athlete, global activist, and former POW is being lauded once again – as a poet whose debut collection, Nazhyvo (Live), has captured audiences in Ukraine with its fervent writing, inspired by some of the war’s most brutal episo
The Kyiv IndependentAndrea Januta
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Hegseth reportedly authorized Ukraine weapons shipment pause without informing White House
U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth authorized a temporary halt to American weapons shipments to Ukraine early in July without notifying the White House, CNN reported on July 8, citing five undisclosed sources.
The pause, approved on July 2, affected a package that included Patriot interceptor missiles, 155 mm artillery rounds, Hellfire missiles, Stinger and AIM air-to-air missiles, and other key munitions.
Some of the weapons had already reached Poland and were en route to Kyiv when the shipment was stopped, according to NBC News.
When asked by a reporter on July 4 about the pause in U.S. weapons shipments to Ukraine as he prepared to board Air Force One, U.S. President Donald Trump denied any suspension, saying, “We haven’t (paused the shipments). We’re giving weapons."
The move reportedly stunned national security officials, the State Department, Congress, and U.S. allies in Europe. According to CNN, Hegseth did not consult with Secretary of State Marco Rubio or U.S. special envoy to Ukraine Keith Kellogg prior to the decision. Both officials reportedly learned of the pause from media reports.
Hegseth’s decision was reportedly influenced by a recommendation from Undersecretary of Defense for Policy Elbridge Colby, a long-time critic of large-scale aid to Ukraine.
Colby’s proposal was approved by Deputy Defense Secretary Steve Feinberg before Hegseth gave final signoff. Sources told CNN that Hegseth, who currently lacks a chief of staff or senior advisers, believed the move aligned with Trump’s “America First” priorities.
White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt told CNN the decision was part of a Pentagon review “to ensure all support going to all foreign nations aligns with America’s interests.” She emphasized that Trump had since ordered the resumption of the shipments and “has full confidence in the secretary of defense."
The delay came days before one of the biggest Russian missile barrages against Ukraine this year. On July 4, Russian strikes killed at least two people and injured 23 in Kyiv, prompting President Volodymyr Zelensky to renew calls for additional air defense systems. He has described the U.S.-supplied Patriot systems as “real defenders of life."
A senior U.S. military review had concluded the weapons shipment would not jeopardize American military readiness. NBC News reported that while some precision munitions stockpiles were low, they remained above critical thresholds.
“This justification is disingenuous,” Adam Smith, the top Democrat on the House Armed Services Committee, said. His staff reviewed the Pentagon’s figures and found no emergency-level depletion of stockpiles.
State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce addressed the confusion on July 8, saying the pause should not be interpreted as a shift in policy.
“We remain Ukraine’s biggest supporters. We care about those people. We care about making sure they have what they need,” Bruce said. She confirmed the resumption of arms deliveries and noted Trump’s “very strategic” call with Zelensky.
According to CNN, Trump quickly reversed course upon learning of the pause. He instructed Hegseth to resume at least part of the shipment, including Patriot missiles. In a call with Zelensky on July 4, the president reportedly downplayed his role in the delay.
Zelensky described the call as “the best conversation in all this time."
How to enter Ukraine’s defense market: A short guide for foreign companiesEditor’s Note: The opinions expressed in the op-ed section are those of the authors and do not purport to reflect the views of the Kyiv Independent. For editorial coverage of Ukraine’s weapons procurement, the country’s Defense Ministry and the scandal-ridden Defense Procurement Agency click on the links below. * Old guard pushback continues to haunt Ukraine’s arms procurement cleanup * Defense Minister Umerov dismisses top official who stood up to him * Deputy defense minister resigns foll
The Kyiv IndependentVladyslav Bandrovsky
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Trump claims he threatened Putin to 'bomb the sh*t out of Moscow' if Russia attacked Ukraine, CNN reports
Donald Trump claimed during a private fundraiser last year he had threatened Russian President Vladimir Putin with bombing “the sht out of Moscow” if he attacked Ukraine, CNN reported on July 8, citing an obtained audio.
“With Putin I said, ‘If you go into Ukraine, I’m going to bomb the sht out of Moscow. I’m telling you I have no choice,'” Trump told a group of donors in 2024, according to CNN. It was not immediately clear at what time the alleged conversation between the two leaders took place.
“And then (Putin) goes, like, ‘I don’t believe you.’ But he believed me 10%.” Trump claimed he issued a similar warning to Chinese President Xi Jinping if he attempted to invade Taiwan.
U.S. President Trump has repeatedly claimed during his campaign trail that Russia’s all-out invasion of Ukraine in 2022 would have never happened if he were president at the time, laying the blame on ex-President Joe Biden.
Trump previously served as president from 2017 to 2021, during which time Russia was already occupying Crimea and waging war against Ukraine in Donbas.
While initially pledging to broker a swift peace deal between Kyiv and Moscow and boasting of warm ties with Putin, Trump has more recently adopted a more critical tone toward the Russian leader as peace talks stall and Russian aerial strikes escalate.
“We get a lot of bullsh*t thrown at us by Putin,” Trump said during a cabinet meeting on July 8. The U.S. president also signaled support for a major Senate sanctions bill against Russia and, reportedly, air defense supplies for Ukraine.
These developments contrast with a recent pause by the Pentagon on military aid shipments, including Patriot interceptors, heading for Ukraine, and with Trump’s earlier reluctance to exert additional pressure on Moscow.
Russian forces continue to escalate aerial strikes on Ukrainian cities, most recently hitting the western city of Lutsk and other areas overnight on July 9. Kyiv has urged its Western partners to step up support, namely in terms of sanctions and the provision of new air defenses.
Western city suffers ‘most massive’ strike of the war as Russia launches missiles, drones at UkraineRussia launched another mass missile and drone attack overnight on July 9, targeting Ukrainian cities, including in the country’s far-west regions located hundreds of kilometers from the front line.
The Kyiv IndependentAbbey Fenbert
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General Staff: Russia has lost 1,029,660 troops in Ukraine since Feb. 24, 2022
Russia has lost 1,029,660 troops in Ukraine since the beginning of its full-scale invasion on Feb. 24, 2022, the General Staff of Ukraine’s Armed Forces reported on July 9.
The number includes 1,050 casualties that Russian forces suffered just over the past day.
According to the report, Russia has also lost 11,000 tanks, 22,969 armored fighting vehicles, 54,575 vehicles and fuel tanks, 30,102 artillery systems, 1,434 multiple launch rocket systems, 1,193 air defense systems, 421 airplanes, 340 helicopters, 44,457 drones, 3,439 cruise missiles, 28 ships and boats, and one submarine.
Dnipropetrovsk village likely contested despite Russia’s claim of its captureThe village of Dachne in the southern part of Dnipropetrovsk Oblast appears to be contested, according to the Finnish Black Bird Group open-source intelligence collective. The Russian Defense Ministry on July 7 claimed to have seized Dachne, which would mark the first village to be under Russian control in the industrial Dnipropetrovsk Oblast, located just west of the war-torn Donetsk Oblast. The Ukrainian military denied the claimed capture, calling it “disinformation.” Viktor Tregubov, spok
The Kyiv IndependentAsami Terajima
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EU mulls creating 100 billion euro fund for Ukraine in next budget, Bloomberg reports
The European Union is considering establishing a fund for Ukraine worth 100 billion euros ($117 billion) in the next seven-year EU budget, Bloomberg reported, citing sources familiar with the proposal.
Sources told Bloomberg that the proposed funding, which is set to be presented later in July, would begin to be disbursed in 2028 as a means to provide additional assistance to the war-torn country amid waning U.S. support.
The proposal for an approximately 100 billion euro fund was previously touted by European Union Commissioner for Defense and Space, Andrius Kubilius, who called for the additional funding to be included in the seven-year EU budget in December 2024.
The fund, alongside other options, will be discussed before the Multiannual Financial Framework are released on July 16, according to Bloomberg.
Early in his second term as president, U.S. President Donald Trump repeatedly lambasted the EU for not providing an equal amount of support for Ukraine, urging the bloc to match spending on the war.
Since then, U.S. military and financial support have become unreliable, with contradictory statements coming out of the White House on additional military shipments in recent days.
On July 2 announced a halt in weapons shipments to Kyiv due to dwindling U.S. stockpiles, Trump later claimed he wasn’t responsible for the decision and wanted to send more weapons to Ukraine.
Axios reported on July 8 that the White House is pursuing a plan to have Germany sell another Patriot battery to Ukraine, with the U.S. and European allies splitting the cost of the purchase. Sources told the outlet that Trump also pledged to send 10 Patriot interceptor missiles to Kyiv.
As support from the U.S. remains unpredictable, European countries are looking into additional ways to how it can continue to support Ukraine.
The proposed new funding agreement would follow previous support provided through the European Commission through grants and loans.
Since the start of Russia’s full-scale invasion in February 2022, the EU has provided 160 billion euros ($187 billion) in aid to Ukraine. Along with Group of Seven (G7) countries, the EU has also provided loans as part of its $50 billion loan back by frozen Russian assets.
As Ukraine’s budget deficit continues to grow amid the full-scale war, the European Commission is also discussing with EU member states separate options to help Kyiv sustain its economy, the Financial Times reported on July 8. The deficit could range from $8 billion to $19 billion in 2026.
Ukraine’s 2026 budget could face $19B shortfall as Europe weighs how to fill the gap, FT reportsThe financial hole in Ukraine’s budget is linked to reduced U.S. support and the lack of prospects for a swift ceasefire with Russia that Europe had hoped for, the Financial Times reported.
The Kyiv IndependentYana Prots
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Russia launches mass missile, drone attack, targets Ukrainian cities far from front line
Editor’s note: This is a breaking story and is being updated.
Russia launched another mass missile and drone attack overnight on July 9 targeting Ukrainian cities, including in the country’s far-west regions, located hundreds of kilometers from the front line.
Late spring and early summer in Ukraine have been marked by disturbingly frequent mass attacks on civilian targets, with Russia regularly terrorizing cities with ballistic and cruise missiles alongside record-breaking numbers of kamikaze drones.
Ukraine’s Air Force warned late on July 8 that Russia had launched MiG-31 aircraft from the Savasleyka airfield in Nizhny Novgorod, putting the entire country under an active missile threat. Swarms of drones were also heading towards multiple cities in Ukraine, the military said.
Explosions rocked Kyiv at around midnight on July 9, according to Kyiv Independent journalists on the ground. Mayor Vitali Klitschko announced that Russian drones were attacking the city center and that air defenses were shooting down targets.
Ukraine’s Air Force reported drones and missiles targeting Ukraine’s far-west regions with alerts of overhead drones approaching the western cities of Lutsk, Khmelnytskyi, and Ternopil.
Explosions were also reported in communities closer to the front line, including Dnipro, Sumy, as well as over Zaporizhzhia Oblast.
No information was immediately available on any damage or casualties.
Russian ballistics and kamikaze drones have targeted Kyiv and other Ukrainian cities with renewed ferocity, killing dozens of civilians and injuring hundreds more.
The renewed attacks on Ukraine comes as U.S. President Donald Trump has promised to send 10 Patriot interceptors to Ukraine, amid escalating tension between Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin.
“It’s a horrible thing, and I’m not happy with President Putin at all,” Trump said. “I’m disappointed frankly that President Putin hasn’t stopped (the attacks),” Trump said on July 8. The comments come after the Pentagon halted air defense weapon shipments to Ukraine.
Ukraine war latest: Trump reportedly pledges to send 10 Patriot missiles to Ukraine, asks Germany to send battery* Trump reportedly pledges to send 10 Patriot missiles to Ukraine, asks Germany to send battery * ‘They have to be able to defend themselves’ — Trump says US will send additional weapons shipments to Ukraine, criticizes Putin * EU to impose ‘toughest’ sanctions on Russia in coordination with US senators, French foreign minister says * Russia’s Black Sea Fleet shrinks presence in key Crimean bay, Ukrainian partisans say * Putin signs decree allowing foreigners to serve in Russian army during
The Kyiv IndependentThe Kyiv Independent news desk
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Trump mulls sending Kyiv another Patriot air defense system, WSJ reports
U.S. President Donald Trump is considering sending Ukraine an additional Patriot air defense system, a move that would mark his administration’s first major weapons transfer to Kyiv, the Wall Street Journal (WSJ) reported on July 8, citing two defense officials.
The report is the latest in a series of contradictory messages from the Trump White House in recent days regarding military aid to Ukraine. While the Pentagon on July 2 announced a halt in weapons shipments to Kyiv due to dwindling U.S. stockpiles, Trump later claimed he wasn’t responsible for the decision and wanted to send more weapons to Ukraine.
A U.S. defense official told the WSJ that Trump has asked the Pentagon to look into options for supplying Ukraine with more arms, including a Patriot air defense system. Officials are also reportedly exploring whether other nations can send Patriots to Kyiv.
The claim dovetails with recent media reports about the administration’s plans to bolster Ukraine’s air defenses. Axios reported on July 8 that the White House is pursuing a plan to have Germany sell another Patriot battery to Ukraine, with the U.S. and European allies splitting the cost of the purchase. Sources told the outlet that Trump also pledged to send 10 Patriot interceptor missiles to Kyiv.
If the U.S. provides Ukraine with an additional Patriot system, it would mark the first time Trump has approved a major military aid package to Kyiv that wasn’t previously greenlighted by former U.S. President Joe Biden.
Washington has thus far provided Kyiv with three Patriots, a former Pentagon official told the WSJ. Germany has also sent three, while a group of European countries provided one. According to the official, not all systems are in use at the same time due to maintenance issues.
The U.S.-made air defense systems are in high demand around the world. Each system consists of two or three launchers, a radar, a command and control element, and interceptor missiles. Patriot missiles are also in short supply globally: Ukraine faces an urgent need for the munitions amid increased Russian aerial attacks, and the Guardian reported on July 8 that even the U.S. has only 25% of the interceptors required by its defense readiness plans.
According to one of the officials who spoke to the WSJ, the U.S. military would be able to supply an additional Patriot to Ukraine if ordered by the White House.
Putin throws ‘a lot of b*llshit’, Trump says as he ‘looks strongly’ at Russia sanctions billTrump also addressed U.S. legislation on sanctions, saying the Senate’s Russia sanctions bill was “totally optional” for him to implement or terminate. “I’m looking at it very strongly,” Trump said.
The Kyiv IndependentAnna Fratsyvir
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Ukraine synchronizes restrictions on Russia with EU sanctions
Ukraine has synchronized its sanctions against Russia with the last three packages of economic penalties imposed by the European Union, President Volodymyr Zelensky announced on July 8.
“Three more packages of EU sanctions are fully effective in Ukraine,” Zelensky said in his evening address.
Earlier on July 8, the president announced a new round of sanctions, including restrictions on five Chinese-registered companies accused of supplying components found in Russian Shahed-type drones used to attack Ukraine.
Vladyslav Vlasiuk, Zelensky’s sanctions commissioner, told reporters on July 8 that the latest decrees bring Ukrainian penalties in line with the EU’s 15th, 16th, and 17th packages of sanctions against Russia.
The 15th package targets individuals from Russia, Belarus, and China, among other countries, according to Vlasiuk. It includes the Russian pilot Alexander Azarenkov, who was involved in the deadly attack on the Okhmatdyt children’s hospital in Kyiv. Zelensky signed the sanctions decree on the one-year anniversary of the strike.
The 16th package includes individuals from Russia, China, Turkey, and other nations. It also targets the Voin Center, Russia’s military-patriotic education organization operating in occupied Ukrainian territories, and Pivdennyi Flot LLC, which transports Russian oil via its “shadow fleet,” Vlasiuk said.
The 17th package designates firms from Russia, China, Turkey, and other countries, including the gold-mining company Petropavlovsk and the Chinese company Skywalker Technology Co. Ltd, produce drone parts for Russia.
The EU is expected to approve its 18th package of sanctions against Russia later this week, after facing opposition from pro-Kremlin bloc members Slovakia and Hungary.
Ukraine has taken measures to coordinate sanctions with international partners in order to amplify pressure on Moscow. Zelensky on June 27 signed a decree to synchronize Ukraine’s sanctions against Russia with those imposed by the EU and Group of Seven (G7).
Ukraine war latest: Trump reportedly pledges to send 10 Patriot missiles to Ukraine, asks Germany to send battery* Trump reportedly pledges to send 10 Patriot missiles to Ukraine, asks Germany to send battery * ‘They have to be able to defend themselves’ — Trump says US will send additional weapons shipments to Ukraine, criticizes Putin * EU to impose ‘toughest’ sanctions on Russia in coordination with US senators, French foreign minister says * Russia’s Black Sea Fleet shrinks presence in key Crimean bay, Ukrainian partisans say * Putin signs decree allowing foreigners to serve in Russian army during
The Kyiv IndependentThe Kyiv Independent news desk
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Ukraine's 2026 budget could face $19B shortfall as Europe weighs how to fill the gap, FT reports
The European Commission is discussing with EU member states various options to cover Ukraine’s budget deficit for next year, which could range from $8 billion to $19 billion, the Financial Times reported on July 8.
International partners have provided Ukraine with over $39 billion for its wartime economy so far this year, Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal announced.
The financial hole in Ukraine’s budget is linked to reduced U.S. support and the lack of prospects for a swift ceasefire with Russia that Europe had hoped for, the Financial Times reported.
A senior EU official told the publication that many of Ukraine’s partners had previously counted on a peace deal in 2025, but are now forced to revise their funding plans.
This includes the European Commission, which has already adjusted spending from Ukraine-related funding streams.
Without support from Western partners, Kyiv would face a budget deficit of $19 billion in 2026, according to the Financial Times. However, even if additional international financing for the wartime economy can be secured, a gap of at least $8 billion would remain.
To support Ukraine’s budget, Europe is considering providing military aid in the form of off-budget grants that would be recorded separately as external transfers but would count toward NATO member countries' national defense spending targets.
One EU diplomat told the Financial Times that military support for Ukraine is viewed as a contribution to the defense of all of Europe.
In a document for G7 countries reviewed by Financial Times, Kyiv proposed that European allies co-finance Ukrainian forces, framing this as a service to strengthen continental security.
Other support options under discussion include potentially accelerating payments from the existing $50 billion G7 loan program and reinvesting frozen Russian assets in higher-yield financial instruments that the EU allocated to help service the debt.
According to the Financial Times, two sources confirmed that the commission planned to discuss these options with EU finance ministers on July 8.
The funding issue will also be raised at the Ukraine Recovery Conference in Rome on July 10-11, dedicated to Ukraine’s reconstruction needs. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen will attend the event.
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Ukraine's ambassador to US will be replaced, foreign minister confirms
Ukraine’s current ambassador to the United States, Oksana Markarova, will be replaced in the near future, Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha confirmed in an interview with Ukrainian Radio on July 8.
Earlier on July 8, a source in the Presidential Office told the Kyiv Independent that President Volodymyr Zelensky had informed Markarova of her pending dismissal.
“We can expect about 20 decrees dismissing and appointing new heads of foreign institutions,” Sybiha said, specifically mentioning the U.S. as one of the planned replacements.
In his comments, Sybiha described Markarova as “one of our most successful ambassadors."
“She is extremely effective and charismatic, but surely every diplomat has a rotation cycle,” he said. “I can confirm that the Ukrainian president’s vision is to carry out rotations in all countries, both G7 and G20. That is, first and foremost, to strengthen these countries, in particular the U.S. track.”
Zelensky and Sybiha on June 21 announced plans to overhaul Ukraine’s diplomatic corps, teasing major personnel changes in a bid to secure better military aid packages and other support from international partners.
Zelensky discussed replacing Markarova specifically in a recent phone call with U.S. President Donald Trump, a source in the President’s Office told the Kyiv Independent on July 7.
There are multiple “strong candidates” in the running to replace Markarova, the source said. Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal, Deputy Prime Minister Olha Stefanishyna, Defense Minister Rustem Umerov, and Energy Minister Herman Halushchenko are among the candidates, Bloomberg previously reported.
Markarova has served as Kyiv’s ambassador to Washington since April 2021, and played a central role in coordinating U.S. military and financial support during the early phases of Russia’s full-scale invasion.
The announcement of her dismissal comes at a high-stakes moment in relations between Kyiv and Washington. The U.S. Defense Department recently paused shipments of critical weapons systems, including Patriot air defense missiles and precision-guided munitions, even as Ukraine faces intensifying Russian attacks.
Trump reportedly pledges to send 10 Patriot missiles to Ukraine, asks Germany to send batteryDuring the call with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, U.S. President Donald Trump proposed that Germany sell one of its own Patriot batteries to Ukraine.
The Kyiv IndependentAnna Fratsyvir
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Trump’s new order – defensive arms to be supplied to Ukraine immediately
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Ukraine's Naftogaz brings new high-yield gas well online as country reserves run low
Ukraine’s state energy giant Naftogaz has commissioned a new exploration well producing 383,000 cubic meters of natural gas per day through its subsidiary Ukrgazvydobuvannya, CEO Sergii Koretskyi announced on July 8.
The 5.7-kilometer deviated well was drilled and commissioned six weeks ahead of schedule as Ukraine works to boost domestic production amid Russian attacks on its energy infrastructure, including gas storage facilities in western Ukraine.
“This is a significant achievement, given the country’s need for gas,” Koretskyi said.
Naftogaz produces the lion’s share of Ukrainian gas, but its production facilities were severely damaged in a series of Russian missile strikes earlier this year, reducing production by as much as 40%.
According to data from Naftogaz, Ukrgazvydobuvannya lost about 50% of its production due to shelling.
Ukrgazvydobuvannya managed to increase commercial gas production to 13.9 billion cubic meters (bcm) in 2024 compared to 13.2 bcm in 2023, commissioning 83 new wells despite wartime conditions.
Ukraine previously produced 52 million cubic meters daily before Russia’s full-scale invasion, but required 110-140 million cubic meters during winter months, covering the shortfall from underground storage.
Russian strikes have repeatedly targeted Ukraine’s gas infrastructure, including a February 11 combined missile and drone attack that damaged Naftogaz production facilities in Poltava Oblast.
To secure winter supplies, Naftogaz has signed four contracts with Poland’s Orlen for delivery of 440 million cubic meters of U.S. liquefied natural gas. The latest agreement, announced July 2, covers an additional 140 million cubic meters.
According to Bloomberg estimates, in 2025 Ukraine may import a record 5 billion cubic meters of gas from Europe.
Ukraine’s gas storage situation has also deteriorated significantly, with underground reserves falling to 6.02 bcm as of May 11 — the lowest level in at least 11 years.
The facilities are operating at just 19.4% capacity, with 2.79 billion cubic meters less gas available than the previous year.
Ukraine’s minerals fund focus of private investment ahead of major recovery conferenceThis week, thousands of companies, business heads, and global leaders are headed to Rome for the fourth Ukraine Recovery Conference on July 10, with many companies hoping for more clarity around the future of a U.S.-Ukraine minerals deal. It’s been over two months since President Volodymyr Zelensky signed Washington’s so-called “minerals deal” — which, in reality, covers all Ukraine’s natural resources, including oil and gas, related infrastructure, and now, defense projects. While the Economy
The Kyiv IndependentDominic Culverwell
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ICC issues arrest warrants for Taliban leaders as Russia recognizes their legitimacy
The International Criminal Court (ICC) said on July 8 that it had issued arrest warrants for two senior Taliban leaders, accusing them of crimes against humanity and gender-based persecution following the group’s takeover of Afghanistan in 2021.
The move follows Russia’s recognition of the Taliban as Afghanistan’s legitimate government on July 3. Russia, which had previously designated the Taliban as a banned terrorist group, became the first country in the world to recognize it.
In a statement, the ICC named Taliban supreme leader Haibatullah Akhundzada and Afghanistan’s top judge Abdul Hakim Haqqani as suspects in a campaign of systematic oppression targeting women, girls, and others who do not conform to the group’s rigid gender ideology.
The court said the alleged crimes took place across Afghanistan from the Taliban’s return to power on August 15, 2021, and continued at least until Jan. 20, 2025. The suspects are believed to have played key roles in the enforcement of Taliban policies that led to “murder, imprisonment, torture, rape and enforced disappearance.”
The persecution was not limited to women and girls, according to the ICC. The court said that men perceived as allies of women or opponents of Taliban ideology were also targeted.
The ICC emphasized that the Taliban implemented a state-led policy of repression that violated fundamental human rights and freedoms across the country.
Most of the international community has refused to formally recognize the Taliban regime due to its human rights abuses and failure to meet international standards.
Meanwhile, since Moscow’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022 the Kremlin has deepened relationships with authoritarian regimes, including North Korea, Iran, and now the Taliban. Russia has expanded trade with Afghanistan and allowed Taliban officials to participate in Russian forums.
In December 2024, the Russian State Duma passed a law allowing certain groups, including the Taliban, to be removed from the country’s list of banned terrorist organizations. The move paved the way for official recognition.
Putin has referred to the Taliban as “allies,” and Lavrov has called them “sane people,” despite the group’s ongoing enforcement of strict Islamic law, including gender apartheid, public executions, and bans on women’s education.
Seeing war through the lens of narcissismWe usually think of narcissism as a personal flaw — a grandiose ego, a craving for attention, a lack of empathy. But what if narcissism is not just a diagnosis, but a lens? A way of understanding how individuals — and even entire nations — cope with wounds too painful to face directly?
The Kyiv IndependentDr. Gary E Myers
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US only has 25% of Patriot missiles needed for war plans, Guardian reports
The United States has only about 25% of the Patriot missile interceptors it needs to meet Pentagon military plans, a shortage that led U.S. President Donald Trump’s administration to pause a major transfer of weapons to Ukraine, the Guardian reported on July 8.
The decision to halt the delivery, made on July 2, followed an internal review showing low stockpiles of critical air defense systems. The depletion was largely due to recent U.S. operations in the Middle East, including the interception of Iranian missiles after strikes on the American Al Udeid airbase in Qatar, according to the Guardian.
According to officials familiar with the matter, the Pentagon’s munitions tracker, used to measure the minimum supplies needed for U.S. war plans, showed Patriot interceptor levels had fallen below acceptable levels. That prompted concerns that sending more to Ukraine could put U.S. defense readiness at risk, the Guardian wrote.
The freeze reportedly affected Ukraine’s two key arms transfer methods: drawdowns from Pentagon stockpiles and the Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative (USAI), through which the Defense Department orders new weapons from contractors.
Because U.S. orders take priority, Ukrainian requests for new weapons, including Patriot missiles, face years-long delays.
The pause came at a critical time for Kyiv, as Russia intensifies large-scale aerial attacks on Ukrainian cities. With limited options to acquire precision-guided and other key munitions, Ukrainian forces have increasingly relied on Western-supplied air defenses to counter the growing threat.
For its latest aid package, the U.S. had planned to send dozens of Patriot interceptors, along with Hellfire missiles, air-to-air Sparrows, GMLRS rockets, and anti-tank weapons, according to the Guardian.
NBC News reported on July 4 that U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth unilaterally halted a weapons shipment to Ukraine despite internal military assessments showing the aid would not compromise American military readiness.
The assessment concluded that while some munitions stockpiles, including precision weapons, were low, they had not fallen below critical thresholds.
Amid the ongoing questions over Washington’s weapons pause, Trump has apparently promised to send 10 Patriot interceptors to Ukraine, Axios reported on July 8. Sources also told the Wall Street Journal (WSJ) that Trump claimed he wasn’t behind the decision to halt arms to Kyiv in a recent phone call with President Volodymyr Zelensky.
How to enter Ukraine’s defense market: A short guide for foreign companiesEditor’s Note: The opinions expressed in the op-ed section are those of the authors and do not purport to reflect the views of the Kyiv Independent. For editorial coverage of Ukraine’s weapons procurement, the country’s Defense Ministry and the scandal-ridden Defense Procurement Agency click on the links
The Kyiv IndependentVladyslav Bandrovsky
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Ukraine war latest: Trump reportedly pledges to send 10 Patriot missiles to Ukraine, asks Germany to send battery
- Trump reportedly pledges to send 10 Patriot missiles to Ukraine, asks Germany to send battery
- 'They have to be able to defend themselves' — Trump says US will send additional weapons shipments to Ukraine, criticizes Putin
- EU to impose 'toughest' sanctions on Russia in coordination with US senators, French foreign minister says
- Russia's Black Sea Fleet shrinks presence in key Crimean bay, Ukrainian partisans say
- Putin signs decree allowing foreigners to serve in Russian army during mobilization
U.S. President Donald Trump has promised to send 10 Patriot interceptors to Ukraine - a smaller number than had been paused previously while en route to the country, Axios reported on July 8, citing its sources.
Trump has also suggested that Germany sell one of its Patriot batteries to Ukraine, according to three sources cited by Axios. They said the U.S. and European allies would split the cost of the purchase.
The discussion comes as Ukraine is calling upon its allies, particularly the United States, to support Ukrainian air defense by supplying "life-saving" Patriot systems and relevant missiles.
The Pentagon said on July 2 that some military assistance to Ukraine had been halted as the U.S. Defense Department conducts a review of foreign aid deliveries.
On July 7, the Pentagon said it would renew shipments, saying the additional defensive weapons were intended to help Ukraine protect itself while the U.S. works toward "a lasting peace."
Merz called Trump to request the release of the paused interceptors, according to Axios. During the call, Trump proposed that Germany sell one of its own Patriot batteries to Ukraine.
While no agreement has been reached, officials on both sides say negotiations are ongoing. German officials maintain that Berlin has already sent a higher share of its available Patriot systems to Ukraine than any other NATO country, including the U.S.
‘Some are forged into poets during hostilities’ — Medic, former POW, and poet on how war is shaping Ukraine’s writersBefore her harrowing footage of life in Mariupol under siege from Russian invaders was viewed around the world in 2022, Yuliia Paievska — call sign “Taira” — was already well known to Ukrainians for leading a volunteer medical unit in Donbas. Now, the volunteer, soldier, athlete, global activist, and former POW is being lauded once again – as a poet whose debut collection, Nazhyvo (Live), has captured audiences in Ukraine with its fervent writing, inspired by some of the war’s most brutal episo
The Kyiv IndependentAndrea Januta
'They have to be able to defend themselves' — Trump says US will send additional weapons shipments to Ukraine, criticizes PutinThe United States will send "more weapons" to Ukraine amid intensified Russian strikes, U.S. President Donald Trump told reporters on July 7, adding that he is disappointed in Russian President Vladimir Putin.
"We're gonna send some more weapons we have to them, they have to be able to defend themselves, they're getting hit very hard now," Trump said alongside a U.S. and Israeli delegation at the White House.
The U.S. halted weapons shipments to Ukraine amid a capability review, the White House and Pentagon previously confirmed, with Trump later denying the pause.
Trump previously said he was disappointed in Putin for not making progress to end Russia's war against Ukraine, following a phone call between the two leaders on July 3.
On July 7, Trump again said he was unhappy with Putin for failing to cooperate with U.S. efforts to end the war in Ukraine.
"It's a horrible thing, and I'm not happy with President Putin at all," Trump said. "I'm disappointed frankly that President Putin hasn't stopped."
He noted that the additional assistance the U.S. will supply to Ukraine will mainly consist of defense weapons amid increased Russian attacks.
"They're getting hit very hard. We're gonna have to send more weapons, your defensive weapons primarily, but they're getting hit very, very hard. So many people are dying in that mess," Trump said.
Exclusive: Ukraine pitches US modernizes its largest oil refinery as part of minerals dealProjects Kyiv has submitted to the U.S. for consideration as part of a profit-sharing deal for Ukraine’s resources include a shelf and deepwater project and an oil refinery that comes under frequent attack by Russia, Ukraine’s Economy Minister Yuliia Svyrydenko told the Kyiv Independent in an interview published on July 7. After months of hard-fought negotiations around the investment agreement — known more widely as the “minerals deal” for its focus on Ukraine’s critical minerals — the two sidThe Kyiv IndependentLiliane Bivings
EU to impose 'toughest' sanctions on Russia in coordination with US senators, French foreign minister saysThe EU will introduce the "toughest sanctions... imposed (on Russia) in the last three years" in coordination with U.S. senators, French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot said in a television interview on July 7.
"(Russian President Vladimir) Putin is no longer advancing on the front and is now limited to shelling residential areas with drones and missiles. This is leading to numerous casualties among the civilian population. This must stop," Barrot said.
U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham said on June 29 that U.S. President Donald Trump was ready for the Senate to vote on a bill to impose new sanctions on Russia. The Republican senator has repeatedly called for implementing additional sanctions against Moscow.
Barrot noted the EU is planning to impose the strongest sanctions against Russia that the bloc has introduced since 2022.
"This (war) cannot continue; it must stop. To achieve this, in coordination with American senators, Europe is preparing to introduce, based on French proposals, the toughest sanctions we have imposed in the last three years," he said.
"They will directly deplete the resources that allow Vladimir Putin to continue his war," Barrot added.
In the U.S., senators have been working on a sanctions bill, with Graham saying voting on a bill is expected to begin following the end of the July congressional break.
Putin throws ‘a lot of b*llshit’, Trump says as he ‘looks strongly’ at Russia sanctions billTrump also addressed U.S. legislation on sanctions, saying the Senate’s Russia sanctions bill was “totally optional” for him to implement or terminate. “I’m looking at it very strongly,” Trump said.The Kyiv IndependentAnna Fratsyvir
Russia's Black Sea Fleet shrinks presence in key Crimean bay, Ukrainian partisans sayStriletska Bay near Sevastopol, once a key base for Russian warships in occupied Crimea, is now nearly empty and used primarily for mooring tugboats and small patrol craft, the Atesh partisan group reported on July 8.
According to the group, Russia now uses the bay mainly for maintenance work and rare anti-sabotage defense drills, having pulled most major vessels from the area.
"Recently, the bay has been practically empty... The degradation of the occupation fleet in Sevastopol is becoming increasingly obvious. Striletska Bay, which previously housed a large number of combat vessels, is now idle." Atesh said.
The remaining combat units are periodically rotated and redeployed in an apparent effort to avoid detection by Ukrainian reconnaissance.
"Every object is under control — no ship will go unnoticed," Atesh said, adding that all ship movements are being tracked and shared with the Ukrainian Armed Forces.
Sevastopol has served as the base for Russia's Black Sea Fleet since the illegal annexation of Crimea in 2014. Repeated Ukrainian attacks using naval drones, missiles, and long-range drones have forced the Kremlin to reduce its naval presence in occupied Crimea.
Ukraine has destroyed several Russian vessels, including the Caesar Kunikov landing ship, the Sergei Kotov patrol ship, the Ivanovets missile corvette, and multiple high-speed landing crafts.
Putin signs decree allowing foreigners to serve in Russian army during mobilizationRussian President Vladimir Putin signed a decree on July 7 permitting foreigners to serve in the Russian army during periods of mobilization, expanding military recruitment efforts.
Putin's partial mobilization decree from Sept. 21, 2022, remains in force and has never been formally rescinded. Ending it would require a separate presidential decree specifying a termination date.
Previously, it was allowed only during states of emergency or under martial law. Despite its full-scale invasion of Ukraine, Russia has avoided formally declaring martial law.
According to the document, the Kremlin is also permitting qualified specialists who have reached the age limit to sign contracts with Russia's Foreign Intelligence Service (SVR), Federal Security Service (FSB), or other state security agencies.
The changes aim to strengthen recruitment as Moscow tries to keep up the pace of troop replenishment without causing another wave of unpopular conscription. The Kremlin has heavily relied on financial incentives and aggressive campaigns to attract new volunteers.
Moscow currently recruits 30,000 to 40,000 individuals into its army each month, sources familiar with U.S. and EU intelligence told the Wall Street Journal.
Note from the author:
Ukraine War Latest is put together by the Kyiv Independent news desk team, who keep you informed 24 hours a day, seven days a week. If you value our work and want to ensure we have the resources to continue, join the Kyiv Independent community.
Seeing war through the lens of narcissismWe usually think of narcissism as a personal flaw — a grandiose ego, a craving for attention, a lack of empathy. But what if narcissism is not just a diagnosis, but a lens? A way of understanding how individuals — and even entire nations — cope with wounds too painful to face directly?
The Kyiv IndependentDr. Gary E Myers
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Trump’s major announcement: U.S. steps up support for Ukraine | NEWS PULSE
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Sanctions against China: Ukraine targets drone suppliers for Russia –Zelenskyy
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Putin throws 'a lot of b*llshit', Trump says as he 'looks strongly' at sanctions bill
U.S. President Donald Trump said on July 8 he was “not happy” with Russian President Vladimir Putin.
“We get a lot of b*llshit thrown at us by Putin,” he said at a cabinet meeting. “He’s very nice all the time, but it turns out to be meaningless."
Trump has vacillated for months between criticizing Putin and praising the Kremlin. So far, he has failed to increase military aid to Ukraine or sanction Russia despite Moscow’s refusal to accept a ceasefire.
During his election campaign, Trump repeatedly pledged to end the war in Ukraine within “24 hours.” However, his efforts to broker a peace deal between Ukraine and Russia have seen no progress.
Trump also addressed U.S. legislation on sanctions, saying the Senate’s Russia sanctions bill was “totally optional” for him to implement or terminate.
“I’m looking at it very strongly,” Trump said.
The bill would impose 500% tariffs on imports from countries purchasing Russian oil, gas, uranium, and other products. It was introduced in April but has seen no progress since then.
Earlier, Trump signaled growing openness to tougher measures against Moscow, ABC News reported on June 29.
According to Senator Lindsey Graham, Trump privately told him it was “time to move” the Russia sanctions bill. The Senate is expected to vote on the bill after Congress returns from a break in July.
"(Putin is) killing a lot of people — his soldiers and their soldiers mostly. And it’s now up to 7,000 a week,” Trump said on July 8, referring to Russia’s battlefield losses.
In recent weeks, Trump has been critical of the Russian president. Following a phone call with Putin on July 3, Trump said he was “very disappointed,” signaling growing frustration with the Kremlin.
When asked by a journalist on July 8 whether he would take action, Trump responded: “Wouldn’t be telling you… We want to have a little surprise."
Trump also commented on the the current pause in weapons deliveries to Ukraine. He pointed to the previous transfer of advanced systems, including Javelin anti-tank missiles and Patriot air defense systems, calling them “the best equipment in the world."
His remarks come after the United States halted military aid shipments to Ukraine on July 2 amid an internal Pentagon review of stockpile capacity. The freeze coincided with a surge in Russian aerial attacks, leaving Ukraine increasingly vulnerable amid a shortage of U.S.-supplied air defense systems.
The U.S. halted weapons shipments to Ukraine amid a capability review, the White House and Pentagon previously confirmed, with Trump later denying the pause.
On July 7, the Pentagon said it would renew shipments, saying the additional defensive weapons were intended to help Ukraine protect itself while the U.S. works toward “a lasting peace."
Dnipropetrovsk village likely contested despite Russia’s claim of its captureThe village of Dachne in the southern part of Dnipropetrovsk Oblast appears to be contested, according to the Finnish Black Bird Group open-source intelligence collective. The Russian Defense Ministry on July 7 claimed to have seized Dachne, which would mark the first village to be under Russian control in the industrial Dnipropetrovsk Oblast, located just west of the war-torn Donetsk Oblast. The Ukrainian military denied the claimed capture, calling it “disinformation.” Viktor Tregubov, spok
The Kyiv IndependentAsami Terajima
