July 17, 2025 11:08am

Ben Borges

The agreement, described by Bloomberg as part of a broader reset in ties, reflects growing concerns across Europe over Russian military aggression and doubts about U.S. commitment to NATO under President Donald Trump.

July 17, 2025 10:50am

Ben Borges

Svyrydenko, a 39-year-old economist who previously served as the first deputy prime minister and economy minister, was tapped by President Volodymyr Zelensky to replace Denys Shmyhal after his five years in office.

July 17, 2025 9:49am

Ben Borges

Keith Kellogg has “been in the ascendancy lately” and is helping drive a shift in Trump’s approach, alongside U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, the Telegraph reported, citing sources.

July 17, 2025 8:56am

Ben Borges

Ukraine’s Air Force reported on July 17 that Russia launched 64 drones overnight, mostly Shahed-type drones. Air defenses shot down 36 of them.

July 17, 2025 8:03am

Ben Borges

“I cannot confirm that anything is currently on the way. That is not known to me,” a spokesperson for the German Defense Ministry said, according to Swiss public broadcaster SRF.

July 17, 2025 7:20am

Ben Borges

The number includes 1,190 casualties that Russian forces suffered over the past day.

July 17, 2025 6:28am

Ben Borges

EU anti-crime agencies Europol and Eurojust announced on July 16 they had led the dismantling of a pro-Russian cybercrime network responsible for cyberattacks on critical infrastructure in Europe.

July 17, 2025 4:51am

Ben Borges

Russian media and officials reported approaching Ukrainian drones across multiple regions overnight on July 17, as Ukraine’s military launched a wider drone attack on the western regions of Russia, including Moscow.

July 17, 2025 4:01am

Ben Borges

In an intensified offensive, Ukrainian pilots have dropped multiple 500-pound bombs on a Russian command center located in the town of Tetkino, Kursk region, significantly damaging a sugar factory used by Russian forces. The Ukrainian Air Force's MIG-29 targeted the location with AASM Hammer bombs, demolishing much of the factory and surrounding structures left standing from previous strikes.

"The sugar factory no more. The headquarters no more. Tetkino no more... Soon, there might be no more Kursk region but perhaps a 'Kursk People's Province'!" commented military expert Alexander Kovalenko sharing videos of the aftermath on his Telegram channel.

This site has long been a priority for Ukrainian pilots. Despite repeated strikes, Russian forces persistently reposition within the remaining factory hulls. According to a report from the "Soniachnik" Ukrainian military Telegram channel, "I lost count of the effectiveness of these missions 30 bombs ago, yet the enemy keeps consolidating here, and our forces keep decimating them."

The escalation marks a notable shift in tactics, as Ukrainian forces increasingly leverage aerial bombardment in both front-line and rear positions of Russian holdings. Tetkino stands as one of the most impacted locales in the Kursk region from these heightened operations.

July 17, 2025 2:39am

Ben Borges

Russian first-person-view (FPV) drones initially struck a cargo truck, causing a fire and injuring two civilians. Soon after, as emergency workers were working on site, another Russian drone targeted the scene, injuring three emergency workers, the State Emergency Service said.

July 17, 2025 1:57am

Ben Borges

U.S. President Donald Trump’s proposed weapons deal for Ukraine caught NATO allies off guard, with European diplomats saying they weren’t consulted ahead of the announcement, Reuters reported on July 16.

July 16, 2025 11:14pm

Ben Borges

Russian forces dropped a 500-kilogram (1,100-pound) aerial bomb on a shopping center in Donetsk Oblast, killing at least two people and injuring 27 others, regional officials reported July 16.

July 16, 2025 10:52pm

Reading Time: 2 minutes

Ben Borges

Russia is reportedly canceling planned public events en masse due to fears over Ukrainian drones. Ukrainian attacks have effectively paralyzed Russian plans, with authorities across the country calling off gatherings. While the Kremlin projects confidence, Ukraine is proving more and more that Russian public demonstrations might be safer not taking place.

The cancellation of the annual international military-technical forum "Army-2025" has been announced for the first time in its history, as reported by local media. Initially inaugurated by Putin himself, now the organizers have chosen not to explain its removal from the agenda.

The reason appears clear: ongoing Ukrainian drone strikes on Moscow and its outskirts. After multiple explosions and attacks, holding a large-scale forum has shifted from being a show of strength to risking live broadcasts capturing attendees fleeing for shelter.

The cancellations are not limited to forums. Authorities in the Kaliningrad Region announced that a naval parade planned in Baltiysk on July 27 will not happen. Officials declined to comment on the reasons, though the cancellation of the main parade in Saint Petersburg was attributed to security issues. Such a significant scaling back of parades and public events hasn't been witnessed in Russia for decades.

In Tatarstan's Yelabuga, all public events have also been canceled due to drone attack threats. The local authorities announced an introduction of a "Drone Danger" regime which includes limiting mobile internet and potentially using warning sirens. What felt fantastical years ago, now reflects Ukraine pressing Russian regions to adapt to the war's real threat.

Russia invested billions in military industry and years in using parades as a major propaganda tool. Yet, three years into the conflict, these parades, forums, and public ceremonies have turned into vulnerable targets. Aiming to reclaim an empire within weeks, Russia, still self-described as a "great country," is compelled to cancel anything that even slightly hints at a show of power.

July 16, 2025 10:25pm

Ben Borges

Moscow needs to urgently raise more money as shrinking oil and gas revenues and a worsening economic outlook continue to strain the federal budget, a senior Russian lawmaker warned on July 16.

July 16, 2025 9:55pm

Ben Borges

The European Union has been unable to green-light its much-anticipated 18th sanctions package against Russia, which promised to deliver a significant blow to the Russian economy. As reported by Radio Svoboda, a meeting of EU foreign ministers in Brussels on July 15 failed to reach an agreement, as Slovakia and Malta both stood in opposition.

Journalists reveal that Bratislava is requesting assurances from Brussels for compensation if a complete ban on Russian gas imports is enforced among member states. Slovakia fears such a ban may bring severe economic hardship. Malta, on the other hand, is wary of the ramifications a stricter oil price cap might have on its crucial tanker fleet, a lifeline for the nation’s economy.

Interestingly, Hungary, often seen as an ally to Russian President Vladimir Putin within Europe, did not join the bloc vetoing the sanctions. The debate over the new sanctions is set to continue at the EU ambassadors' level on July 16, as European diplomats endeavor to cobble together a compromise that could see the sanctions passed by week's end.

This 18th sanctions package is poised to include mechanisms for a dynamic oil price cap on Russian crude, a complete shutdown of the Nord Stream and Nord Stream-2 pipelines, and further sanctions on Russian banks.

July 16, 2025 9:04pm

Ben Borges

Key developments on July 16:

• Mass attack hits cities overnight as Ukrainians brace for 50 more days of Russian terror
• Putin unfazed by Trump's threats, plans to fight on in Ukraine, Reuters reports
• Patriot missiles bound for Ukraine already being shipped, Trump says
• US-founded extremist group claims killing

July 16, 2025 8:00pm

Reading Time: 2 minutes

Ben Borges

Ukraine and the United States are joining forces to establish a joint facility for the production of specialized chemicals essential for manufacturing ammunition for the Ukrainian military. This facility will operate in the U.S.

According to the press service of the public joint-stock company "Ukrainian Defense Industry," the agreement was finalized on July 11 during the International Conference on Ukraine's Recovery (URC 2025) held in Rome.

The new facility will focus on producing chemical components utilized in ammunition production. Its U.S.-based location aims to ensure an uninterrupted supply and safeguard production from war-related risks.

"We are truly grateful to the United States for this support and new opportunities. The Ukrainian defense sector must gradually move from large-scale procurement to self-production to meet urgent needs," emphasized the CEO of "Ukrainian Defense Industry," Oleh Hulyak.

Present at the document signing were U.S. Special Envoy to Ukraine, retired Lieutenant General Keith Kellogg, Ukrainian Presidential Strategy Advisor Oleksandr Kamyshin, and Chairman of the Supervisory Board of "Ukrainian Defense Industry," David Lomjaria.

Ukrainian Defense Industry officials noted that this initiative would address the shortage of specialty chemicals currently limiting domestic ammunition production capabilities. Additionally, it is seen as a step towards reducing critical dependency on external suppliers.

It should be noted that the United States remains Ukraine's key strategic partner in security and defense sectors. Amidst the full-scale war with Russia, this partnership holds significant importance, not only on the battlefield but also in enhancing the country's industrial capacity.