War for Ukraine Day 1,240: Russian Continues Its Genocidal Bombardment of Ukrainian Civilian Targets

(Image by NEIVANMADE)

I’m still recovering from the unplanned home sweat lodge yesterday, so I’m going to keep this to the basics again tonight.

All of eastern and central Ukraine is currently – at 4:o5 AM local time/9:05 PM EDT – under air raid alert for Russian drone swarms and ballistic missiles.

Kharkiv region right now ‼️

[image or embed]

— Kate from Kharkiv (@kateinkharkiv.bsky.social) July 18, 2025 at 9:07 PM

It’s almost 4 in the morning. The Kharkiv region is under Russian missile attack. The air raid alert is wailing furiously. Just turn on the sound.

[image or embed]

— Kate from Kharkiv (@kateinkharkiv.bsky.social) July 18, 2025 at 9:01 PM

Launches of cruise missiles from russian Tu-95MS.
Fucking bloody bastards, I hope your dicks fall off.

— Kate from Kharkiv (@kateinkharkiv.bsky.social) July 18, 2025 at 7:35 PM

At 4;12 AM local time/9:12 PM EDT, the air raid alerts have begun going up in western Ukraine. As of right now only Ivano-Frankivsk Oblast in the west and Odesa Oblast, which took a pounding a few hours ago, are not under air raid alert.

Civilian targets in Odesa have once again taken a beating:

Odesa is under russian attack right now ‼️

An apartment building is on fire in the city‼️

[image or embed]

— Kate from Kharkiv (@kateinkharkiv.bsky.social) July 18, 2025 at 6:21 PM

Odesa right now ‼️

[image or embed]

— Kate from Kharkiv (@kateinkharkiv.bsky.social) July 18, 2025 at 6:23 PM

There is not a daily address from President Zelenskyy posted. He did sit for an interview with The NY Post yesterday. Here’s the video:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nLbIGAafVCQ

 

Georgia:

For the 233rd consecutive day, Rustaveli Avenue is blocked. ✅

Protests continue in 8+ cities. The illegitimate, repressive GD regime must collapse.

Keep an eye on us for a big rally tomorrow.

[image or embed]

— Rusudan Djakeli (@rusudandjakeli.bsky.social) July 18, 2025 at 2:07 PM

#GeorgiaProtests
Day 233

[image or embed]

— Publika.ge (@publikage.bsky.social) July 18, 2025 at 3:28 PM

What’s happening in Georgia?
How did it come to this?
What can the int’l community do to reverse the slide into #authoritarianism?

The first episode of our new #podcast is live: open.spotify.com/show/0VqoA7c…

Please listen, follow and share.
#StandWithGeorgia
#GeorgiaProtests

[image or embed]

— What’s happening in Georgia? (@now-in-georgia.bsky.social) July 15, 2025 at 12:26 PM

To show how absurd and unjust Georgian courts are:
The same special forces officer is a witness in 3 separate protest trials. In each, he claims a stone hit his leg and injured him. He never saw who threw it—and no one claims the defendants had anything to do with it. 😂

— Rusudan Djakeli (@rusudandjakeli.bsky.social) July 18, 2025 at 5:15 AM

Estonia’s targeting of the corrupt judiciary, MPs and other regime pillars should be an example to all other nations. Just like the Baltic states set the precedent against law enforcement butchers months ago.

[image or embed]

— Marika Mikiashvili 🇬🇪🇺🇦🇪🇺 (@marikamikiashvili.bsky.social) July 18, 2025 at 11:08 AM

1/ Estonia’s Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna signed a directive adding 19 more high-ranking Georgian officials to country’s sanctions list.

[image or embed]

— Publika.ge (@publikage.bsky.social) July 18, 2025 at 9:58 AM

2/ The entry ban includes, among others, Georgia’s Minister of Justice, Prosecutor General, members of parliament, prosecutors, judges, and a former police chief.

— Publika.ge (@publikage.bsky.social) July 18, 2025 at 9:58 AM

🔴 Yet another prisoner of conscience, 26-year-old Anri Kvaratshkhelia, has been sentenced to 4 years and 6 months in prison. The ruling was delivered by Judge Jvebe Nachkebia.

#RepressionInGeorgia
#GeorgiaProtests
#Georgia

[image or embed]

— Batumelebi&Netgazeti (@netgazeti.org) July 18, 2025 at 5:20 AM

26-year-old detained protester Anri Kvaratskhelia said in his closing statement, before the judge sentenced him to 4.5 years in prison.

#TerrorinGeorgia

[image or embed]

— Publika.ge (@publikage.bsky.social) July 18, 2025 at 5:28 AM

Georgian women stood blindfolded in front of the courthouse today, after yet another young man was sentenced to 4.5 years in a Georgian prison.

“This court is blind, and unjust,” they said.

Taking pictures inside the yard is prohibited, so they stood by the gates.

📷 Akhali

[image or embed]

— Rusudan Djakeli (@rusudandjakeli.bsky.social) July 18, 2025 at 3:46 AM

The US:

The Patriot system Germany promised to send to Ukraine will only be ready in 6–8 months, Bild reports citing a German government source. Originally, the plan was for the US to supply air defense while Germany financed replenishment. But Trump declared the US military won’t give up a single unit.

[image or embed]

— NOELREPORTS (@noelreports.com) July 18, 2025 at 3:41 PM

Least surprising thing ever.

Ukrainian Prime Minister Yuliia Svyrydenko confirmed that Zelensky and Trump reached a political agreement on US investment in the production and purchase of Ukrainian combat drones. A broader deal may include Ukraine buying US weapons in return.

[image or embed]

— WarTranslated (Dmitri) (@wartranslated.bsky.social) July 18, 2025 at 1:39 PM

I expect, like the rare earth elements’ deal and the handful of trade “deals” Trump and his people have announced, that there’s no real deal. Rather, it’s aspirational frameworks or agreements to do an agreement.

During his visit, U.S. Special Representative to Ukraine Keith Kellogg was shown Western-made electronic components recovered from Russian Shahed drones highlighting the continued use of Western technology in Russia’s war machine.

[image or embed]

— 🦋Special Kherson Cat🐈🇺🇦 (@specialkhersoncat.bsky.social) July 18, 2025 at 5:38 AM

The EU:

We are standing firm.

The EU just approved one of its strongest sanctions package against Russia to date.

We’re cutting the Kremlin’s war budget further, going after 105 more shadow fleet ships, their enablers, and limiting Russian banks’ access to funding. (1/3)

— Kaja Kallas (@kajakallas.bsky.social) July 18, 2025 at 2:22 AM

Nord Stream pipelines will be banned.
A lower oil price cap.

We are putting more pressure on Russia’s military industry, Chinese banks that enables sanctions evasion, and blocking tech exports used in drones. (2/3)

— Kaja Kallas (@kajakallas.bsky.social) July 18, 2025 at 2:24 AM

For the first time, we’re designating a flag registry and the biggest Rosneft refinery in India.

Our sanctions also hit those indoctrinating Ukrainian children.

We will keep raising the costs, so stopping the aggression becomes the only path forward for Moscow. (3/3)

— Kaja Kallas (@kajakallas.bsky.social) July 18, 2025 at 2:24 AM

The UK:

🇬🇧UK Intelligence uncovers 18 Russian spies involved in covert operations against Britain:

The UK has announced sanctions against 18 officers of the Russian GRU

British intelligence services have identified these individuals as being involved in a series of sabotage operations across the UK.

[image or embed]

— 🦋Special Kherson Cat🐈🇺🇦 (@specialkhersoncat.bsky.social) July 18, 2025 at 5:12 PM

Back to Ukraine:

President Volodymyr Zelensky has appointed former defense minister Rustem Umerov as secretary of the National Security and Defense Council of Ukraine, replacing Oleksandr Lytvynenko. Umerov had been considered for the role of Ukraine’s ambassador to the US.

[image or embed]

— Christopher Miller (@christopherjm.ft.com) July 18, 2025 at 4:25 AM

Russian Shaheds now carry napalm and break through Ukrainian electronic warfare systems, said Serhii “Flash” Beskrestnov, a military expert

Moscow continues to upgrade its Shahed attack drones, enhancing their warheads, engines, and EW protection
euromaidanpress.com/2025/07/18/r…

[image or embed]

— Euromaidan Press (@euromaidanpress.bsky.social) July 18, 2025 at 3:38 PM

From EuroMaidan Press:

Russian Shaheds now carry napalm and break through Ukrainian electronic warfare systems. Moscow continues to upgrade its Shahed attack drones, enhancing their warheads, engines, and protection, says Serhii “Flash” Beskrestnov, a military expert, in an interview with Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty.

“Recently, we discovered a fluid in a Shahed’s warhead that resembled napalm. It not only spreads but keeps burning even in sand. This is terrorism, when drones attack residential areas with incendiary mixtures that cannot be extinguished,” explains Beskrestnov.

According to him, such weapons are absolutely inappropriate for warfare in large cities. Russia is also using at least 4–5 different types of warheads on Shahed drones, expanding their operational roles, from striking industrial targets to deliberate terror against civilians.

Flash reports that Russian engineers have upgraded Shahed engines, allowing them to reach speeds of up to 220 km/h in favorable weather conditions. However, the expert notes that this speed increase is not a decisive advantage: “Globally, whether it’s 180 or 200 km/h. It doesn’t change much.”

The most serious threat now comes from the improved Shahed defense systems against Ukrainian electronic warfare.

“We are increasingly seeing the same target being hit repeatedly. This indicates electronic warfare’s failure to disrupt navigation,” says Beskrestnov.

More at the link.

MiG-29 airstrike on Russian base

[image or embed]

— 🦋Special Kherson Cat🐈🇺🇦 (@specialkhersoncat.bsky.social) July 18, 2025 at 1:20 PM

💥Detailed video showing Ukrainian FPV drones with an automatic target acquisition system in action. In this particular case, the drone targeted and struck a high-value Russian TOR air defense system.

[image or embed]

— 🦋Special Kherson Cat🐈🇺🇦 (@specialkhersoncat.bsky.social) July 18, 2025 at 11:08 AM

Ukraine’s 3rd Assault Brigade recently destroyed several Russian targets, including a BM-21 Grad, an artillery piece, and an electronic warfare system.

[image or embed]

— WarTranslated (Dmitri) (@wartranslated.bsky.social) July 18, 2025 at 12:58 PM

Kharkiv:

A drone of an unidentified type has struck near a residential area in Kharkiv’s Kyivskyi district, according to Mayor Terekhov.

Initial reports indicate no casualties or significant damage. The extent of the impact is still being assessed.

— Kate from Kharkiv (@kateinkharkiv.bsky.social) July 18, 2025 at 10:30 AM

Dnipropetrovsk Oblast:

2 people died, and 8 others got injured in russian strike on Pyatyhatky, Dnipropetrovsk region.

[image or embed]

— Kate from Kharkiv (@kateinkharkiv.bsky.social) July 18, 2025 at 8:51 AM

Kyiv:

Looks like Kyiv may be a main target tonight. Swarms of drones heading our way.

[image or embed]

— Euan MacDonald (@euanmacdonald.bsky.social) July 18, 2025 at 2:30 PM

Just now, drones are largely bypassing Kyiv, though anti-aircraft fire and explosions were heard earlier. Attacks may again focus on western regions of the country.

[image or embed]

— Euan MacDonald (@euanmacdonald.bsky.social) July 18, 2025 at 4:32 PM

The Kursk cross border offensive:

Near the Kursk border, Ukraine’s KALADRIUS unit, in coordination with drone group RUBpAK PRIME, destroyed Russian equipment hidden in shelters: 3 APCs, 4 bukhankas, and a truck.

[image or embed]

— WarTranslated (Dmitri) (@wartranslated.bsky.social) July 18, 2025 at 12:26 PM

Rostov on Don, Russia:

A large fire has broken out at a Russian military base in Rostov-on-Don, local media report. The cause is unknown at this time. Authorities have yet to comment.

[image or embed]

— WarTranslated (Dmitri) (@wartranslated.bsky.social) July 18, 2025 at 12:46 PM

Nizhny Novgorod Oblast, Russia:

According to Supernova, drone strikes hit an industrial area in Dzerzhinsk, Nizhny Novgorod region, reportedly targeting the Korund chemical plant. The cyanide salts workshop was damaged. UAV debris was recovered. No casualties were reported.

[image or embed]

— WarTranslated (Dmitri) (@wartranslated.bsky.social) July 18, 2025 at 4:18 AM

That’s enough for tonight.

Your daily Patron!

A new video from Patron!

@patron__dsns

🙂‍↕️🙂‍↕️🙂‍↕️ #песпатрон

♬ Another Day in Paradise – aino!

Open thread!