Saturday, July 25, 2026
The Kyiv Independent [unofficial]
Russia’s war against Ukraine
A large plume of smoke rises over St. Petersburg following a Ukrainian drone strike targeting logistics facilities operated by Wildberries, Russia’s largest online retailer, on July 24, 2026 in St. Petersburg, Russia. (Stringer/Anadolu via Getty Images)
Russian ballistic missile strikes Kyiv arms exhibition, killing at least 10, injuring 100. Air-raid sirens rang out around 11:20 a.m., with Ukraine’s Air Force reporting Russian missiles heading to the Ukrainian capital.
Ukraine’s blitz on Russia’s commercial warehouses enters 6th night, hitting Belgorod, Rostov oblasts. Regional authorities reported that a mass Ukrainian drone attack damaged a residential building, a gas pipe, and unspecified “commercial property.” While the facility was not identified, the report follows a string of Ukrainian strikes on logistics centers serving the Russian e-commerce giant Wildberries.
Fire reported overnight at Engels air base, home of Russia’s heavy bombers. The cause of the fire remains unclear. Russia’s Emergency Situations Ministry announced a drone threat over Saratov Oblast the night of the fire, and the air base has been targeted in several previous Ukrainian strikes.
Military factory in Russia’s Kirov in flames after reported Flamingo attack, local authorities report casualties. Flamingo producer Fire Point posted a video of the launch, confirming previous reports that it was one of the company’s signature cruise missiles that damaged the facility.
Zelensky warns of another Russian mass missile attack, says Moscow preparing for ‘significant’ wave of mobilization. Russia plans to launch a massive missile attack against Ukraine within 48 hours and is preparing for a “significant” wave of mobilization in the fall, President Volodymyr Zelensky said July 24.
Russia’s escalating port attacks choke Ukraine’s grain exports as industry nears crisis. The grain corridor — a Black Sea shipping route that handles 90% of Ukraine’s agricultural exports — has not been officially closed, but it is under enormous strain as Russia steps up missile attacks on Odesa Oblast, Oleh Khomenko, CEO of the Ukrainian Agribusiness Club (UCAB), told the Kyiv Independent on July 24.
Ukrainians resume protests, demand Fedorov’s return despite Syrskyi’s dismissal. Protesters now say their campaign will continue indefinitely until Mykhailo Fedorov is returned to the Defense Ministry.
Read our exclusives
Exclusive: Ukraine, US align on new peace push as officials hope Russia accepts air truce
Ukraine and the U.S. are coordinating a new round of peace proposals to present to Moscow, hoping that changing war dynamics could create the opportunity to push Russia toward negotiations, Ukrainian and U.S. officials told the Kyiv Independent.
Photo: Joe Raedle / Getty Images
From crypto bans to shadow fleet seizures, EU gets creative with Russia sanctions
Despite a long and difficult birth, EU countries passed the bloc’s 21st package of sanctions against Russia on July 23, and the measures that made it through show that the EU is not lacking in creativity when it comes to restricting Russia’s war efforts.
Photo: Nicolas Tucat / AFP / Getty Images
Human cost of war
5 killed, 15 injured as Russian forces bombard Sloviansk with glide bombs. Two air-dropped bombs were used in the morning attack, said regional governor Vadym Filashkin, repeating calls for the remaining residents of the city to evacuate to safer areas.
General Staff: Russia has lost 1,436,100 troops in Ukraine since Feb. 24, 2022. The figure includes 1,410 personnel losses recorded over the past day.
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International response
German approval of Russia-linked nuclear venture sparks warnings over espionage, Kremlin influence. The venture, approved on July 22, will see French company Framatome manufacture nuclear fuel rods and fuel assemblies designed by TVEL, Rosatom’s fuel subsidiary, at a factory in Lingen, Lower Saxony.
Opinions and insights
America keeps losing the thread on Russia’s kidnapping of Ukraine’s children
“This is not a story we should let sink from our collective consciousness. Ukraine’s fight to recover its children is not a peripheral humanitarian footnote to the war; it sits close to the center of what the war is about,” writes filmmaker Benjamin Patton.
Image: Roman Pilipey / AFP / Getty Images
Syrskyi is out. Can Drapatyi fix Ukraine’s army?
Meet the collection inspired by Kyiv’s embroidery
Two collaborations, one enduring Ukrainian tradition. Created so you can carry a piece of Kyiv with you, wherever you go.
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Today’s Ukraine Daily was brought to you by Tim Zadorozhnyy, Chris York, Dominic Culverwell, Francis Farrell, Chris Powers, Asami Terajima, Kateryna Hodunova, Volodymyr Ivanyshyn, and Abbey Fenbert.
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