In the span of nearly a week, from June 30 to July 7, Russian forces launched five strikes on enlistment offices in the cities of Kryvyi Rih, Poltava, Kremenchuk, Kharkiv, and Zaporizhzhia, damaging infrastructure and causing civilian and military casualties.

An attack on a Poltava enlistment center killed four, while

“We’re striking at the heart of the Russian energy sector alongside the EU,” British Foreign Secretary David Lammy said.

In a July 4 conversation, U.S. President Donald Trump reportedly asked Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky whether Ukraine's armed forces could target Moscow if they received long-range American weapons.

Following this discussion, as noted in Russian media, there has been a noticeable intensification of aerial assaults on the Russian capital.

Official reports from local authorities and Russia's Defense Ministry indicate that between July 4 and July 18, drones attacked Moscow and the region nine times. According to media outlet Agentstvo, the latest attack occurred overnight on July 18.

In this attack, 11 Ukrainian drones were purportedly shot down in the Moscow region, with officials claiming no serious consequences.

In the town of Sergiyev Posad, 52 kilometers from Moscow, damage was reported to the facades and glazing of two private houses. Meanwhile, in Solnechnogorsk, part of the wall and a fence of a private home were destroyed. "In the 15 days preceding the conversation (from June 19 to July 3), the capital region experienced attacks for five days.

During the similar period last month (June 4-18), drone raids were recorded on seven days," Russian media outlets noted. Furthermore, the number of drones attacking Moscow has reportedly increased. From July 4 to July 18, reports indicated that Ukraine deployed 63 drones. In the previous 15-day period, only 10 drones targeted the region, while during the comparable timeframe in June, that number was 43.

Additionally, on July 17, Ukraine launched a drone attack attack on a local chemical plant, "Shchekinoazot," in Russia's Tula region.

Tula Governor Dmitry Milyayev stated that air defense units intercepted three unmanned aerial vehicles, with wreckage allegedly falling on the territory of an unnamed facility. On July 14, U.S. President Donald Trump shared insights about Russian leader Vladimir Putin’s behavior, claiming that agreements were forgotten as soon as the phone was hung up.

According to the case file, he was struck in the face and torso by an enlistment officer. After he collapsed, the officer hit the man with a stun gun at least three to four times and struck his head against the floor multiple times, the records show.

Ukrainian military units have advanced in one of the most fiercely contested areas, according to the Institute for the Study of War (ISW), as they report successes in the Pokrovsk direction. Meanwhile, Russian sources also claimed progress, with DeepState confirming their reports.

Geolocated footage indicates that Ukrainian Defense Forces have moved forward in the settlement of Novoeconomichne in the Donetsk region. These findings were highlighted in a report by the American Institute for the Study of War on July 17.

On the Russian side, military personnel claimed advancement in the settlements of Udachne and Chunishyne, as well as near the village of Zverivo. The Russians reportedly pushed towards near Pokrovske, Volodymyrivka, and Molodetske, as well as in areas around Novoeconomichne, Mykolaivka, Myroliubovka, Lysivka, Novoukrainka, Zvyrovo, Udachne, and Kotline. Ukrainian defenders, according to enemy sources, launched counterattacks west of Kotlyne.

On the same day, DeepState analysts also reported Russian advances on the Pokrovsk front, specifically the occupation of the settlement Shevchenko and movements near Zelenoe Pole, Myrne, and Ptashyne.

In the evening summary, the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine reported 48 attempts by the adversary to advance in the Pokrovske direction. The attackers launched offensives in areas surrounding settlements such as Poltavka, Popov Yar, Rodynske, Novotoretske, Myroliubovka, Novoeconomichne, Lysivka, Novoukrainka, Zverive, Udachne, Muravka, Alekseevka, and towards Pokrovske and Novopavlovka. Three clashes were ongoing at the time of reporting.

The General Staff also revealed preliminary losses of the Russian Forces in the Pokrovske area over the past 24 hours:

- 231 personnel, 130 of whom were killed;

- One tank;

- Three armored combat vehicles;

- Three vehicles;

- Three motorcycles;

- Two artillery pieces;

- 18 drones;

- One satellite communication terminal;

- Five UAV control antennas.

Additionally, a Russian tank, five artillery pieces, and two motorcycles were reported damaged.

Notably, on July 17, Dmitry Zaporozhets, spokesperson for the "Luhansk" tactical group, disclosed that Russian troops have stepped up activities toward Dobropillya in the Donetsk region.

Meanwhile, on July 17, CNN projected that Russia intends to occupy three key eastern cities within a 50-day timeframe, as designated by U.S. President Donald Trump before a proposed agreement is reached. Reports suggest the Kremlin has amassed an additional 160,000 forces for this renewed offensive.

In a move to counter Russia's unrelenting aggression in Ukraine, the European Union (EU) has announced the implementation of its 18th sanctions package. Despite a weeks-long hold-up due to Slovakia's blockade, EU member state representatives reached an agreement in Brussels on Friday, July 18, as reported by Kaja Kallas, the European Union's High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy.

" The EU just approved one of its strongest sanctions package against Russia to date. We’re cutting the Kremlin’s war budget further, going after 105 more shadow fleet ships, their enablers, and limiting Russian banks’ access to funding," Kallas announced on platform X.

The newest set of sanctions aims to significantly reduce Russia's revenue from oil exports to third countries while inflicting damage on its financial sector. Plans include preventing the revival of the Nord Stream and usage of Nord Stream 2 pipelines.

Three of the four Russian pipelines to Germany suffered sabotage in September 2022. If repaired, these Baltic seabed pipelines could once again provide Russia with billions from gas sales, as reported by dpa.

Initially intended to follow the June EU summit, the sanctions package faced roadblocks with Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico threatening a veto.

An agreement was reached after concessions were made, promising Slovakia no severe economic loss if a complete ban on Russian gas imports follows the sanctions. Unlike the sanctions package, this ban requires only a majority decision and cannot be vetoed by Fico.

Malta, Greece, and Cyprus expressed concerns over measures to slash Russian crude oil export revenues, fearing unfair losses to their shipping sectors.

A compromise was struck: the oil price cap will be periodically adjusted, capped at 15% below the average market rate. Initial reductions will lower prices from $60 to $47.60 per barrel, down from the initially proposed $45 a barrel.

The cap is applied to Russian oil sales to countries like India, China, and Turkey. Introduced in 2022 alongside the U.S., Japan, Canada, and the United Kingdom, it enforces penalties against companies engaging in oil transport below the set price. This includes shipping firms and entities providing insurance, technical assistance, financing, and brokerage.

Beyond these measures, other sanctions include prohibiting imports of refined Russian oil products (e.g., automotive and aviation fuels, fuel oil) to close loopholes and prevent indirect exports via third countries.

There's a ban on financial transactions with third-party companies circumventing oil-related sanctions. Over 100 vessels within Russia's "shadow fleet", evading energy sanctions, are added to the list. These vessels won't be allowed EU port access, nor will they receive insurance, financing, or servicing from EU companies, affecting roughly 450 ships.

Additional sanctions target 22 more banks, disconnecting them from the SWIFT system and prohibiting financial transactions. For the first time, the sanctions extend to two Chinese financial institutions hindering EU sanctions compliance, along with several Chinese companies directly backing Russian aggression.

The sanctions also encompass new export restrictions on goods like machinery that might be used in military production. Personal and corporate sanctions expand with over 50 new additions, now encompassing more than 2,500 individuals and entities.

The effectiveness of these sanctions remains debated. Critics question their influence on Putin's policies, while advocates argue they significantly strain Russia's economy and budget. Supporters state that without sanctions, Russia might have won the Ukraine conflict long ago.

On the same day, July 18, the European Council passed this 18th sanctions package, set to take effect following its official publication.

Estonian Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna revealed the EU is already drafting the next sanctions round against Moscow. "We won't settle for half-measures. Each package strengthens our message: Ukraine will not stand alone, and Russia will not go unpunished," as quoted in an Estonian Foreign Ministry press release.

Civic watchdogs argue that Tsyvinsky’s candidacy was rejected because the President’s Office sees him as too independent.

The Russian exclave of Kaliningrad is once again in the news, after a senior U.S. military commander on July 17  issued a stark warning to the Kremlin that NATO forces could take control of it "in a timeframe that is unheard of."

The remarks from U.

Keith Kellogg, special representative to former President Trump, has been briefed on how Moscow is converting Western tech into tools of war against Ukraine, according to the Ukrainian Defense Ministry's Intelligence Service, GUR. Kellogg was shown Western components embedded in Russian weaponry, smuggled into Russia despite sanctions.

In an exclusive demonstration hosted by Ukraine's Main Intelligence Directorate, Kellogg was presented with Western-made electronic parts recovered from destroyed or captured Russian arms, including the Iranian-Russian drones Shahed ("Geranium") and Russian UAV "Gerbera."

The exhibition, organized by the War&Sanctions project specialists alongside members of the Defense Forces and the Kyiv Scientific Research Institute of Forensic Expertise, highlighted a critical Western-made microchip crucial for precision weaponry manufacturing. These parts, per Ukrainian intelligence, are delivered to Russia via "grey routes" bypassing international sanctions.

"There is an urgent need for the global community to tighten sanction enforcement on Moscow. Manufacturers, too, must stringently monitor their products on global markets," stressed the Ukrainian Defense Intelligence serviceman with the callsign "Cipher." The GUR continues to probe and pinpoint Russian weapons components to prevent the Kremlin from skirting restrictions and maintaining its wartime capabilities against Ukraine.

Keith Kellogg arrived in Kyiv to discuss warfare, defense, and sanctions policy matters with the Ukrainian side. Kellogg also emphasized the necessity for an international "Marshall Plan" equivalent to rebuild Ukraine post-war.

We have managed to obtain details about the 14th Army Corps of the Ukrainian Ground Forces, previously one of the least documented units, including its insignia. The insignia features a…

Source

The sanctions target operatives of Russia’s military intelligence (GRU), responsible for widespread malicious cyber activity in the U.K. and Europe, the Foreign Office said.

In wartime Ukraine, soldiers who have lost limbs face not only the physical toll of their injuries but an existential question — what does life after the battlefield look like?

For the thousands of Ukrainians who have lost limbs, either on the front line or in Russian attacks, the struggle

The project would involve Romanian investment in a local factory, likely in Brasov, where Ukrainian and Romanian teams would collaborate on manufacturing drones based on Ukrainian designs developed through wartime experience.