(Image by NEIVANMADE)

Before we get started, I wanted to put this above the jump because I intended to include it last night and managed to leave it out:

🚨 Kryvyi Rih suffered about 20 hits in a massive Russian drone attack, according to city defense chief Vilkul.

Another 15 drones are still in the air. Major power outages reported; water supply is running on generators, with pressure drops expected in high-rises.

— UNITED24 Media (@united24media.com) July 15, 2025 at 5:49 PM

Dobropillia, Donetsk Oblast:

Death tall in russian glide bomb attack on Dobropillia has risen to 2.

28 others were injured.

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— Kate from Kharkiv (@kateinkharkiv.bsky.social) July 16, 2025 at 3:49 PM

Russia dropped a 500-kg bomb on a shopping area in Dobropillia, Donetsk Oblast. One civilian killed, over 20 injured. Rescue efforts continue as there may still be people trapped beneath the rubble.

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— Iryna Voichuk (@irynavoichuk.bsky.social) July 16, 2025 at 1:14 PM

UPD. Two people were killed and 27 injured in russian aerial attack on Dobropillia in Donetsk Oblast.

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— Iryna Voichuk (@irynavoichuk.bsky.social) July 16, 2025 at 3:35 PM

Russian aviation struck an “Aurora” store in Dobropillia, Donetsk region, with a guided aerial bomb‼️

Initial reports indicate a significant number of people were killed and wounded. The exact casualty figures are still being determined.

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— Kate from Kharkiv (@kateinkharkiv.bsky.social) July 16, 2025 at 11:07 AM

Aurora stores are a multi-market chain in Ukraine. These stores are essentially discounters or ‘dollar stores,’ specializing in affordable, everyday consumer products. The are usually packed.

— Kate from Kharkiv (@kateinkharkiv.bsky.social) July 16, 2025 at 11:07 AM

President Zelenskyy starts his daily address with an update on the rescue and response efforts in Dobropillia. Video below, English transcript after the jump.

We Must Reach The Level Of 50% Ukrainian-Made Weapons Within The First Six Months Of The New Government’s Work – Address by the President

16 July 2025 – 20:02

Dear Ukrainians,

Rescue operations are currently underway in Dobropillia, Donetsk region, after a Russian bomb struck right in the city, hitting a local store and ordinary market stalls. At this moment, the number of victims caused by this strike is not yet confirmed. So far, we know that eleven people have been injured and two killed. My condolences to their families. All services are involved and doing everything they can to save as many people as possible. This is just horrendous, dumb Russian terror. There is no military logic behind their strikes, simply an attempt to kill as many as possible. The present-day Russia is all about vile strikes like this. We will respond. We will work with our partners to force Russia to end this war. And we must also increase our own strength to achieve that. This is exactly what we are focused on now.

Today, the legal procedures to reshuffle the Government have already begun – Members of Parliament supported the resignation of the Prime Minister. This morning, we held a highly focused meeting with Denys Shmyhal, specifically on defense matters, also joined by Rustem Umerov and Herman Smetanin. We agreed on new approaches to managing the defense sector. The Ministry of Defense will have greater influence over weapons production, and there must be more Ukrainian-made weapons – more of them in the hands of our warriors on the frontline. In addition, the Ministry of Defense will conduct an audit of all agreements with our partners – this includes supplies under aid programs, as well as investment in our Ukrainian weapons production, and all our joint projects. We are speeding up all processes to the fullest extent. Today, I have already signed and submitted to the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine the documents proposing Denys Shmyhal as the new Minister of Defense. Strategic industrial sectors will also be managed through the Ministry of Defense. Herman Smetanin will head Ukroboronprom. The task is very specific and clear. Currently, Ukrainian weapons account for nearly 40% of those used on the frontline and in all our operations. This is already significantly more of Ukraine’s own weapons production than at any point since our independence. The volumes are indeed substantial. But we need even more. And what we need is greater capacity to push the war back onto Russia’s territory – back to where the war was brought from. So that they feel what they’ve done, and what the cost is of Putin’s refusal to implement a ceasefire and pursue real peace. We must reach the level of 50% Ukrainian-made weapons within the first six months of the new Government’s work by expanding our domestic production. I am confident this can be achieved, though not easily.

Overall, I want to now thank Denys Shmyhal and the entire team of the Government of Ukraine. A great deal has been endured. The experience gained is immense. Denys, as Head of the Government, first withstood all the challenges of the COVID crisis, and then the impact of the full-scale war. The Government maintained full control of state institutions. The frontline is being supplied. Social payments have been and remain fully secured. The country’s logistics are functioning. We have made it through three extremely difficult winters during the full-scale war. Ukraine has obtained EU candidate status, and accession negotiations have been opened. Now, at a time when we must focus all state resources on defense tasks, and given the new dynamics in our relations with the United States and other partners – in the new government setup, everyone’s expertise must be used to the fullest. Denys understands all the challenges of the defense sector. Rustem Umerov will assist, in particular on the international track, with all agreements and the necessary coordination. I expect the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine to support other personnel steps as well. Tomorrow, the respective priorities will be presented. We are also preparing changes in some diplomatic areas, at Ukrainian embassies. There were many meetings and many consultations today – personnel-related and preparatory ones, many of them, for both this week and the next one as well. Important decisions are coming – in domestic policy, and of course in the defense sector – including on our air defense.

Also today, a report was delivered on Ukraine’s new sanctions decisions – we are not losing a single day in applying pressure on Russia for the war, and on all individuals who, in one way or another, support Russia or justify its aggression. New sanctions are coming soon.

I thank everyone standing with us, I thank everyone standing with Ukraine! I thank the entire team of our state!

Glory to Ukraine!

Georgia:

For the 231st consecutive day, Rustaveli Avenue is blocked in Tbilisi, Georgia. 🇬🇪

Protests continue nationwide, and will continue until the illegitimate GD government collapses.

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— Rusudan Djakeli (@rusudandjakeli.bsky.social) July 16, 2025 at 2:15 PM

🚨 Georgia’s opposition media channel Mtavari says prosecutors raided its offices and sales partner today, seizing financial docs—based on accusations by a director appointed by co-founder Zaza Okuashvili.

Mtavari calls it a politically driven attack orchestrated by GD.

— Rusudan Djakeli (@rusudandjakeli.bsky.social) July 16, 2025 at 1:57 PM

1/ “Blocking Armenian cargo violates the spirit of centuries-old Georgian-Armenian friendship. Georgia must stand as a true partner – not a channel for pressure. Such actions damage trust and regional economic stability. This must stop now”, – stated Salome Zurabishvili.

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— Publika.ge (@publikage.bsky.social) July 16, 2025 at 7:28 AM

2/ Liquefied gas prices in Armenia have increased by 40%, reaching 170 drams ($0.44) per litre, up from 120 drams ($0.31), according to OC Media. The rise follows delays in the transit of fuel from Russia through Georgia.

— Publika.ge (@publikage.bsky.social) July 16, 2025 at 7:28 AM

3/ Armenian importers say around 500 trucks carrying fuel were recently held up at the Georgian border for several days. Economy Minister of Armenia, Gevorg Papoyan, stated that the situation is improving, with over 140 trucks arriving in Armenia in the past four days.

— Publika.ge (@publikage.bsky.social) July 16, 2025 at 7:28 AM

4/ Since April, Armenian cargo shipments have faced occasional delays at Georgian customs due to inspections.

— Publika.ge (@publikage.bsky.social) July 16, 2025 at 7:28 AM

Finland:

Finland has banned citizens of Russia and Belarus from buying real estate since July 15. This is a part of a broader effort to strengthen Finland’s national security amid Russia’s increasingly aggressive stance in the region.

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— 🦋Special Kherson Cat🐈🇺🇦 (@specialkhersoncat.bsky.social) July 16, 2025 at 5:00 AM

/2. P.S: Less than a month ago, the Latvian parliament passed a law restricting the right of citizens of Russia and Belarus to purchase real estate in the country. Its aim is to counter hybrid threats and the influence of unfriendly states.

— 🦋Special Kherson Cat🐈🇺🇦 (@specialkhersoncat.bsky.social) July 16, 2025 at 5:00 AM

Back to Ukraine.

Two killed and 27 wounded in a russian strike on the downtown of Dobropillia in the Donetsk region. The russians attacked during the rush hour. Shops, 6 apartment buildings damaged.

That’s a grim reminder: russia will keep killing unless it is forced to stop. Force is the only language it speaks.

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— Olena Halushka (@halushka.bsky.social) July 16, 2025 at 3:27 PM

Ukraine’s parliament has officially accepted the resignation of Denys Shmyhal and dismissed him. He was the longest serving prime minister in Ukraine’s history. Tomorrow the parliament is expected to appoint Yulia Svyrydenko as the new prime minister and approve a new wartime cabinet.

— Christopher Miller (@christopherjm.ft.com) July 16, 2025 at 9:14 AM

There will be several changes but few new faces in the ministries. Some roles are set, like Shmyhal moving to defense minister. Others roles are still being decided. On top of the cabinet, there will soon be several new ambassadors named by Zelensky. Be ready for a surprise or two.

— Christopher Miller (@christopherjm.ft.com) July 16, 2025 at 9:14 AM

At one level it is not surprising that President Zelenskyy is moving personnel around. These are demanding, draining jobs during peace time, let alone during war time. It is also not really surprising that he’s putting people he trusts into new key positions rather than bring in complete outsiders. What is surprising is given just how intensive these jobs are in war time that we’re not seeing more fresh blood. All of these folks have to be exhausted.

At night, Russia shelled Vinnytsia, Dnipropetrovsk, Kharkiv, and Odesa regions. The attack involved an Iskander-M ballistic missile and 400 UAVs, about 255 of which were Shahed strike drones. Fifteen people were injured, including one child.

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— WarTranslated (Dmitri) (@wartranslated.bsky.social) July 16, 2025 at 5:47 AM

Last night alone, russia attacked us with 401 drones & a missile.

In the next 50 days, many of you will enjoy a well-deserved vacation. For us, those 50 days will mean sleepless nights again under bombardments — swarms of drones & missiles. And then maybe some new American sanctions to be seen.

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— Olena Halushka (@halushka.bsky.social) July 16, 2025 at 4:55 AM

Ukrainian ODIN Win_Hit drones designed to intercept Russian Shahed and Gerbera type UAVs. militarnyi.com/uk/special-p…

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— 🦋Special Kherson Cat🐈🇺🇦 (@specialkhersoncat.bsky.social) July 16, 2025 at 4:22 AM

🚁🇺🇦 A pair of Ukrainian Mi-8 helicopters, trying to hold back the advance of Russian occupiers, strike with unguided rockets from a hovering position.
The helicopters perform this maneuver in front of the line of contact: the pilot raises the nose of the helicopter and fires 🔥

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— Vitalis Viva (@vitalisviva.bsky.social) July 16, 2025 at 7:44 AM

Ongoing construction of Ukrainian defense lines.

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— 🦋Special Kherson Cat🐈🇺🇦 (@specialkhersoncat.bsky.social) July 16, 2025 at 3:59 AM

Well the sun’s shining now on these green fields of France;
The warm wind blows gently and the red poppies dance.
The trenches have vanished long under the plough
No gas and no barbed wire, no guns firing now.
But here in this graveyard that’s still No Man’s Land
The countless white crosses in mute witness stand
To man’s blind indifference to his fellow man,
And a whole generation who were butchered and damned.

And I can’t help but wonder, no Willie McBride,
Do all those who lie here, know why they died?
Did you really believe them when they told you ‘The Cause?’
You really believe that this war would end wars?
The suffering, the sorrow, the glory, the shame,
The killing, the dying, it was all done in vain,
For Willie McBride, it all happened again,
And again, and again, and again, and again!

Kharkiv Oblast:

Russian FPV drone struck an ambulance in Kharkiv Oblast, injuring two medical workers.

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— Iryna Voichuk (@irynavoichuk.bsky.social) July 16, 2025 at 5:33 AM

Nikopol, Dnipropetrovsk Oblast:

WARNING!! WARNING!! GRAPHIC IMAGERY!! WARNING!! WARNING!!

1 woman was killed and five other people were wounded this morning in Nikopol following a Russian artillery shelling, State Emergency Service reported.

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— Kate from Kharkiv (@kateinkharkiv.bsky.social) July 16, 2025 at 8:14 AM

ALL CLEAR!!!!

Vinnytsia:

Russians Deliberately Target Polish Factory in Vinnytsia, Ukraine.

According to Polish FM Sikorski, Russian forces deliberately attacked the Barlinek factory in Vinnytsia during the night. He stated that the strike came from three directions

Barlinek is a well-known producer of parquet flooring.

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— Kate from Kharkiv (@kateinkharkiv.bsky.social) July 16, 2025 at 8:04 AM

Kharkiv:

Kharkiv last night after russian drone attack.

Photo: Oleksandr Osipov

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— Kate from Kharkiv (@kateinkharkiv.bsky.social) July 16, 2025 at 7:59 AM

Kharkiv last night after russian drone attack

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— Kate from Kharkiv (@kateinkharkiv.bsky.social) July 16, 2025 at 7:57 AM

The Kursk cross border offensive:

Air strike by MiG-29 on Russian base in Tetkino, Kursk region (51.2827157, 34.2760462)

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— 🦋Special Kherson Cat🐈🇺🇦 (@specialkhersoncat.bsky.social) July 16, 2025 at 4:05 AM

That’s enough for tonight.

Your daily Patron!

A new Patron video!

@patron__dsns

Насправді, повертатись додому я також люблю! Бо ж вдома завжди чекають качечки, улюблена лежанка і Том🤭 #песпатрон

♬ original sound – Clipse ✟

Here’s the machine translation of the caption:

In fact, I also like to go home! Because ducks, my favorite couch and Tom are always waiting at home🤭#песпатрон

Open thread!