July 14, 2025 10:40pm

Ben Borges

The New York Times' recent feature detailing Ukraine's incursion into Russia's Kursk Oblast presents a vivid, harrowing account of civilian suffering.

It also twists the narrative, stays mute on the factors that led to Ukraine's incursion into Russia two and a half years

July 14, 2025 10:25pm

Ben Borges

“They believe that a new agreement within the framework of the (Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Area) DCFTA could destabilize European markets,” a source present during an EU Agriculture Council meeting told European Pravda.

July 14, 2025 10:19pm

Ben Borges

I really don't want to write what I'm about to write. As someone who regularly tries to get close to the active combat zone of Russia's war against Ukraine, tell the stories of those in the middle of it — soldiers and civilians —

July 14, 2025 9:41pm

Ben Borges

Key developments on July 14:

• Trump threatens Russia with "severe" tariffs if no Ukraine deal reached in 50 days
• Patriot systems, missiles may arrive in Ukraine 'within days,' Trump says
• Ukraine contracts "tens of thousands" interceptor drones
• Putin reportedly told Trump he'll

July 14, 2025 9:00pm

Reading Time: 3 minutes

Ben Borges

In a dramatic turn of events, Moscow finds itself in panic mode as former President Donald Trump pivots to support Kyiv, shocking Russian elites who can no longer conceal their anxiety.

The Russian capital is reeling from the sudden shift in American administration's stance on Russia and Ukraine. Trump's decision to significantly ramp up arms supplies to Kyiv has created a whirlwind in Moscow. Rumors that Ukraine might soon possess missiles capable of striking Russia's capital have sent shock waves among Russians, prompting nuclear threats. Margarita Simonyan, the editor-in-chief of Russian state owned Russia Today (RT), declared that giving Ukraine long-range missiles would lead to a "nuclear ultimatum" from Russia.

Russian propagandists have resorted to desperate threats, with Simonyan writing on Telegram that the world stands on the brink of nuclear escalation and that if Moscow is hit, Russia will have "no choice."

Trump's reversal has been a painful blow to the Kremlin. Until the last moment, Moscow hoped that he would stand as an obstacle to the supply of offensive weapons to Ukraine. However, according to Axios, after a conversation with Russian President Vladimir Putin on July 3, Trump finalized the decision to provide Kyiv with long-range missiles that would, for the first time, render Russia's capital vulnerable.

Russian pro-war channels and state media have almost synchronously heralded the breakdown of any negotiations. Propagandists rushed to warn of a new level of warfare: military blogger Kirill Fedorov wrote, "the peace deal is dead." The Russian newspaper "Moskovsky Komsomolets" acknowledged that strikes on Russian decision-making centers could provide a pretext for the use of tactical nuclear weapons.

The Telegram channel "Veteran's Notes" suggested retaliatory strikes on NATO countries' factories. This barrage of statements reveals not strength but a nervous confusion among Russian authorities, who realize their threats may this time remain ineffective.

Simonyan does not hide Russia's fear: that if missiles are supplied, Kyiv would gain the capability to respond to Moscow with the same tactics used to terrorize Ukrainian cities for over two years. Her message carries a distinct tone of hysteria: "Nothing happened when the world saw footage of bombs burning Tel Aviv. Moscow won't happen either. Or so they think."

American journalists note that unlike President Joe Biden's team, Trump seems less inclined to yield to Russian threats. He has openly stated that he understands Putin's rhetoric: "Nice talks by day, bombings by night."

Thus, the Kremlin faces a new reality: its blackmail tactics no longer halt arms supplies, and its nuclear threats echo like a faint attempt to mask fear. Now even Moscow's residents may truly understand what war means.

July 14, 2025 8:21pm

Ben Borges

Colonel Yevhen Lasiychuk has been appointed as the new commander of the Ukrainian 7th Rapid Response Corps within the Air Assault Forces. He replaces Colonel Valeryi Skred, who had been…

Source

July 14, 2025 8:15pm

Reading Time: 2 minutes

Ben Borges

Germany's Defense Minister Boris Pistorius has stated that Berlin cannot send more Patriot air-defense systems to Kyiv due to a lack of its own stockpiles. The German military has already supplied Ukraine with three out of its 12 available Patriot systems, leaving “only six” in the Bundeswehr's arsenal. "We only have six left in Germany. That is really too few, especially given the NATO goals we need to achieve. We definitely cannot provide more," Pistorius said in an interview with the Financial Times.

According to him, the limited number of systems is due to the deployment of two batteries in Poland and at least one being decommissioned for technical reasons or used for training.

Despite these challenges, Pistorius plans to discuss alternative ways to strengthen Ukraine's air defenses during his upcoming visit to the United States, where he will hold talks with U.S. counterpart Pete Hegseth.

Specifically, the discussions may center around an offer made by Pistorius last month: Germany is prepared to purchase two additional Patriot systems from the U.S. to deliver them to Ukraine.

Commenting on the defense minister's statements, analysts from the Ukrainian media outlet Defense Express noted that an interesting situation has arisen surrounding the German Patriot systems. Initially, these systems, along with Eurofighter jets, were deployed to Poland in March 2022 as part of a temporary strengthening of allies.

However, by July, these air defense systems were withdrawn. Later, in November 2022, Berlin offered to officially hand over two Patriot batteries to Warsaw. The Polish side insisted on immediately transferring these systems to Ukraine, but Germany argued that such a decision should be made by NATO. Eventually, in December 2022, Warsaw accepted the offer, although Polish Defense Minister Mariusz Błaszczak again emphasized that enhancing Ukraine's air defense would have been a more logical step.

In April 2023, Germany handed over two Patriot systems to Ukraine. Analysts suggest these are likely the same systems that previously guarded logistics routes in the Rzeszów area, a key hub for arms supplies. Consequently, amid the limited number of air defense systems available to the Bundeswehr, Pistorius publicly highlighted Germany's capacity limits for further transfers. However, diplomatic efforts to expand deliveries in collaboration with the U.S. continue.

As a reminder, on July 13, U.S. President Donald Trump announced the provision of additional Patriot batteries to Kyiv to help Ukraine defend against Russian attacks. The President pointed out that the U.S. will not bear any cost, as the shipments will be financed by the European Union.

July 14, 2025 6:31pm

Ben Borges

When asked when certain weapons, including missiles to Patriot air defense systems, were expected to arrive in Ukraine, Trump responded by saying “a full complement with the batteries… We’re going to have some come very soon, within days.”

July 14, 2025 6:30pm

Ben Borges

Donald Trump threatened to punish Russia with 100 percent tariffs if a deal to end the war in Ukraine is not made within 50 days.

And in a major change of administration policy, Trump said he will permit countries from NATO to buy weapons from the United States – such as Patriot air defense interceptors, missiles and ammunition – to equip Ukraine.

Read more

July 14, 2025 6:01pm

Ben Borges

Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal is being considered for the role of Ukraine’s Defense Minister as part of an anticipated government reshuffle, two sources close to the Defense Ministry told the Kyiv Independent on July 14.

July 14, 2025 6:00pm

Ben Borges

Russian military bloggers are expressing growing concern over the dire situation faced by their troops in the Sumy region. According toUkrainian military analyst Vasily Pekhnyo, Russian forces are encountering difficulties in areas such as Kondrativka, Olexiivka, and Andriivka, where they face the threat of potential encirclement.

Recently, Russian war correspondent Anatoly Radov reported that Russian forces are stuck near Kondrativka, and assistance from the 155th Marine Brigade was anticipated. However, this has not improved the situation, with Kondrativka remaining under the control of Ukrainian forces. Just ten days ago, the 155th Brigade suffered significant losses, noted Pekhnyo, including a strike that targeted a Russian command center resulting in the deaths of senior commanders from the brigade along with a deputy commander of the Russian Navy. "These are the asymmetric actions that we can undertake," Pekhnyo emphasized.

Moreover, the analyst speculated that in July or August, Russia might bolster the northern part of the Sumy region with North Korean soldiers due to the challenging troop situation there.

July 14, 2025 5:30pm

Reading Time: 2 minutes

Ben Borges

In a joint operation, Ukraine’s Security Service (SBU) and the National Police successfully thwarted a series of planned terror attacks in the cities of Poltava and Dnipro. Two agents of the Russian military intelligence were apprehended during the operation. These individuals allegedly plotted to target judges and volunteers with explosives in front-line cities.

According to SBU, the instructions came from Russian intelligence services and were executed by two Poltava residents with criminal backgrounds. Both women had previously been convicted of drug dealing and theft. Following their release from prison, they sought quick money through Telegram channels, which ultimately brought them to the attention of Russian intelligence.

The mission for the women was to physically eliminate Ukrainian judges and notable volunteers using improvised explosive devices. To prepare for these crimes, the agents split their efforts: one stayed in Poltava to monitor potential targets, while the other headed to Dnipro to follow a similar plan.

In Dnipro, one of the suspects received coordinates from her handler for a stash of homemade explosives concealed in a scooter's trunk. The scooter, loaded with the explosive device, was parked near a local judge’s car, and the plot was to detonate it remotely. For surveillance, the woman set up a phone camera with remote access across from the building, allowing Russian GRU operatives to view the feed.

However, that’s when the SBU operatives moved in to arrest her. Simultaneously, in Poltava, her accomplice was also apprehended.

Investigations revealed that before these plans, the suspects had already completed a "test task" by setting fire to a Ukrainian military member’s car.

The SBU has charged the detainees with multiple violations under Ukraine's Criminal Code, including:

- State treason under martial law;

- Attempted act of terrorism;

- Obstruction of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.

Both suspects are currently in custody and face the possibility of life imprisonment with confiscation of their property.

Earlier, Ukrainian Security Service Colonel Ivan Voronich was murdered under orders from Russian intelligence services. This crime was allegedly carried out by two hired killers — a man and a woman — who entered Ukraine from abroad.

In early July, Ukrainian Security Service and National Police also arrested another agent working for Russian intelligence, implicated in a terror attack in Odesa.

July 14, 2025 5:28pm

Ben Borges

The technology is critical for Ukraine’s air defense as Russia’s aerial attacks have escalated significantly over the past few months

July 14, 2025 5:20pm

Ben Borges

The Kyiv Independent asked teens in Ukraine aged between 14 and 17 about their experiences during Russia’s war.