In July alone, Ukrainian unmanned systems successfully targeted over 23,000 Russian assets and eliminated more than 5,000 soldiers, according to Commander-in-Chief Oleksandr Syrskyi. Drones, particularly FPV and night bombers, have become essential to Ukraine’s military strategy, working in tandem with infantry and artillery. The focus remains on developing both logistical and combat capabilities, including the formation of units with robotic ground platforms and advancements on projects like the MiddleStrike drone. These efforts aim to strengthen Ukraine’s drone capabilities and preserve soldier’s lives, proving their impact in the ongoing conflict.
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By the end of July, Russia’s federal budget deficit surged to 4.9 trillion rubles ($61.4 billion), exceeding the government’s full-year target by over 30%. This increase is largely attributed to reduced oil prices, which significantly impacted revenues. While expenditures grew substantially, outpacing revenue growth, leading to a decline in real terms. Several experts attribute the economic challenges to sanctions and trade disruptions, while some suggest the falling oil revenues could potentially impact Russia’s ongoing war efforts.
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Sweden, Norway, and Denmark are stepping up, contributing a significant $500 million to a NATO project aimed at providing the United States with weapons to Ukraine. That’s a substantial amount of money, and it clearly signifies a strong commitment from these Scandinavian nations to support Ukraine in its ongoing conflict. It’s quite admirable to see these countries coming together in this way, demonstrating their dedication to the cause.
This financial contribution, channeled through a NATO initiative, allows the United States to supply Ukraine with much-needed military equipment. The support from these European nations, in conjunction with American resources, is meant to strengthen Ukraine’s defense capabilities and assist them in their fight.… Continue reading
Viktoria Roshchyna, a journalist killed in Russian captivity in 2024, has been posthumously awarded the Order of Freedom for her reporting on the war in Ukraine. Roshchyna, who disappeared in August 2023 while reporting from occupied territories, was later confirmed dead, though the circumstances surrounding her death remain under investigation. Investigations suggest she was held in notorious Russian prisons known for torture. A recent media investigation revealed Roshchyna’s body was returned with missing organs, raising questions about her death.
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Mykyta and Sofiia Lamekhov, both 23, along with their two-year-old son Lev and their unborn child, tragically lost their lives in a Russian missile strike on Kyiv on July 30-31. The family, originally from Sloviansk, Donetsk Oblast, had relocated to Kyiv in 2022. Their bodies were discovered in the rubble of their apartment, which was hit by a missile. This attack resulted in the deaths of 31 individuals, including five children, while also injuring 159 others.
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Overnight on August 2nd, industrial facilities across several Russian regions, including Ryazan, Penza, Samara, and Voronezh oblasts, were targeted in a series of drone attacks, as confirmed by Ukraine’s General Staff. Oil refineries in Ryazan and Samara, as well as the Elektropribor plant in Penza, were reportedly struck, causing fires and damage. Additionally, a fuel storage base in Voronezh Oblast and the Primorsko-Akhtarsk military airfield in Krasnodar Krai, used for Shahed drone storage and launch facilities, were also targeted by Ukrainian drones, the latter attack claimed by the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU). These attacks were reportedly a response to recent Russian strikes on Ukrainian civilian infrastructure.
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Russian military commanders are reportedly misclassifying missing soldiers as deserters to conceal the true extent of battlefield losses. This practice allows Russia to avoid paying social benefits to families of the deceased and obscure the actual casualty figures. An investigation by IStories revealed widespread falsification of documents across multiple Russian units, with soldiers often labeled as deserters even after their deaths. This tactic is supported by a significant increase in cases processed by military courts seeking to declare individuals missing or deceased, as well as a high number of officially recorded deserters.
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An investigation reveals that Russian authorities are actively involving children in the design and testing of drones for the war in Ukraine. This involvement begins with seemingly innocuous video games and progresses to advanced competitions, with talented students being recruited by defense companies. Teenagers have been found to be modeling drone components for major enterprises, often encouraged to conceal the military applications of their projects. Furthermore, children have been shown constructing kamikaze drones in factories, violating international conventions. This initiative is part of a broader effort to boost Russia’s drone production, a crucial element of its war effort.
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On July 22, Ukraine launched a series of drone attacks across Russia, with Moscow reporting that its air defenses intercepted numerous drones. One of the confirmed targets was the Novokuybyshevsk Petrochemical Company in Samara Oblast, a facility crucial for producing explosives used in Russian military operations. The governor of Samara reported no casualties or damage, but confirmed temporary restrictions on mobile internet. The attacks included one near Moscow, marking the sixth consecutive night of drone strikes on the capital.
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UK targets 135 Russian ‘shadow fleet’ tankers with fresh sanctions, a move that’s certainly grabbing attention. It’s encouraging to see action being taken to address this complex issue, and the aim is clear: to further squeeze Russia’s economic lifeline. The impact of such sanctions is, of course, a subject of debate, but the intent to disrupt the flow of funds that support the war effort is undeniable.
If we’re talking about really putting the pressure on, the idea of seizing these tankers comes up. The UK has a long naval tradition, so one can imagine the sort of resources they could bring to bear if they decided to deploy their forces in an attempt to seize these ships.… Continue reading
John Q. Hosedrinker 
Matt Underwood