Despite European efforts to curb Russia’s war economy, the Dutch supermarket brand Spar continues to operate and open new locations across Russia, including in Moscow, St. Petersburg, and Kazan. Spar International states it cannot terminate existing contracts due to legal agreements and that its decentralized model means it does not directly own Russian operations. However, the Dutch government has deemed continued operations “irresponsible,” and experts have questioned the company’s explanation for remaining active in the country. This situation arises in the context of previous reports questioning Spar Iran’s activities in potentially circumventing international sanctions.
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On July 11th, Ukrainian forces launched significant strikes across the Sea of Azov, targeting 21 oil tankers, four tugboats, and two dry cargo ships. These actions aimed to diminish the Russian aggressor’s military-economic potential by disrupting oil transportation that finances the war and hindering military logistics and port operations. The extensive damage has forced a halt to shipping through the Kerch Strait, impacting global food markets, particularly wheat shipments. Further strikes in Taganrog involved drones attacking four vessels, with Russian authorities reporting only minor damage and successful air defense interceptions.
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Overnight on July 11, Ukrainian drones launched a significant operation in the Sea of Azov, reportedly hitting 21 Russian tankers and seven other vessels. These targets, including tugboats and cargo ships, are believed to be involved in transporting oil and supporting Russian military logistics, with the strikes potentially disrupting traffic through the Kerch Strait and the Don-Azov Canal. This action follows similar Ukrainian drone attacks on Russian shipping near occupied Crimea, underscoring ongoing efforts to cripple Russia’s maritime operations and sanction circumvention. The extent of the damage is still being assessed, but market analysts note that disruptions to Russian grain exports, a significant portion of which transit through the Sea of Azov, could impact global wheat futures.
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The Omsk oil refinery, a significant facility producing approximately 15 percent of Russia’s jet fuel, has ceased operations following Ukrainian strikes. These attacks, which have targeted at least nine Russian oil refineries and terminals recently, are increasingly disrupting Russia’s fuel production capabilities. This shutdown, coupled with the cumulative impact of numerous strikes, has forced Russia to transition from an oil product exporter to a fuel importer, struggling to meet domestic demand.
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Following a significant Ukrainian drone campaign against its maritime logistics and oil infrastructure, Russia has temporarily suspended commercial navigation through the Kerch Strait and the Don-Azov Canal. This closure, which lacks a specified resumption date, immediately impacted global agricultural markets, as the Azov Sea is a crucial route for Russian wheat exports. The strikes, which continued through the weekend and targeted numerous vessels including oil tankers and cargo ships, were part of a broader operation aiming to degrade Russia’s logistical and energy networks supporting its military operations.
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Here’s a summarized version of the article, written as if part of the original:
In response to energy conservation efforts, Russian officials are encouraging businesses in Siberia to implement remote work policies and reduce energy consumption. Local governments are advising citizens to limit their use of private vehicles. These directives, observed in regions like Tomsk and Novosibirsk, aim to promote more selective planning of official trips and wider adoption of remote interaction formats, such as online meetings.
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Ukraine is seeking an industrial defense partnership with Mitsubishi to develop domestic manufacturing capabilities for Patriot air defense missiles. This initiative aims to secure Ukrainian airspace against long-range threats by leveraging Japan’s expertise in producing licensed anti-ballistic systems. President Zelenskyy confirmed Kyiv’s intent for a formal technical exchange, expressing readiness to share battlefield-tested Ukrainian innovations in return for Mitsubishi’s manufacturing experience. This collaboration follows previous discussions regarding U.S. licensing rights for Ukraine to domestically produce these crucial defense systems.
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The Trump administration will back a bipartisan bill proposing substantial financial penalties for purchasers of Russian oil, aiming to escalate economic pressure on Moscow to end its protracted war in Ukraine. This development follows Senators Lindsey Graham and Richard Blumenthal informing Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy of the White House’s approval. The legislation intends to impose high tariffs on nations continuing to acquire Russian oil and natural gas, with India and China identified as major buyers. This initiative is presented as a means to force Russian President Vladimir Putin to negotiate, influenced by Ukraine’s recent battlefield successes and ongoing Russian attacks.
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Ukraine’s Fire Point is nearing the completion of its FP-9 ballistic missile, with a single solid-fuel engine test separating it from flight trials. Once these trials confirm controllability and adherence to its programmed algorithm, the company intends to begin combat testing against targets within Russia this fall. The FP-9 boasts a potential range of up to 855 kilometers, a speed of 2,200 meters per second, an 800-kilogram warhead, and remarkable accuracy, positioning it as a significant addition to Ukraine’s long-range strike capabilities. Additionally, Ukraine’s FP-7.x missile has successfully completed its first fully guided flight, a development that may advance the creation of Europe’s future ballistic missile interceptor.
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For the first time since the full-scale invasion of Ukraine, the Siberian city of Omsk, previously considered safe, was the target of Ukrainian air strikes on July 6. The attack, which struck the largest oil refinery in Russia, caused widespread shock among residents, who witnessed explosions and large plumes of smoke. Despite official attempts to downplay the incident and restrict information, locals observed the halted operations at the refinery and began seeking independent news sources, experiencing cognitive dissonance and a loss of trust in authorities who denied the obvious impact of the strike.
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John Q. Hosedrinker