(Image by NEIVANMADE)
Here’s the butcher’s bill from Russia’s attack on civilian Ukrainian targets last night and this morning:
Russia launched a major overnight attack on Ukraine using 426 UAVs, including hundreds of Shaheds, along with Kinzhal, Kalibr, Iskander-K, and Kh-101 missiles. Ukrainian media report 23 strike drones hit targets in 3 locations, with debris falling in 12 others.
— WarTranslated (Dmitri) (@wartranslated.bsky.social) July 21, 2025 at 4:35 AM
Russia hit multiple civilian targets in Kyiv overnight.
Apartment building in Kyiv after last night’s Russian attack.
— Kate from Kharkiv (@kateinkharkiv.bsky.social) July 21, 2025 at 5:13 AM
From the inside
— Kate from Kharkiv (@kateinkharkiv.bsky.social) July 21, 2025 at 5:13 AM
A pregnant woman stands amid the ruins of her home, destroyed by a russian drone last night in Kyiv.
— Kate from Kharkiv (@kateinkharkiv.bsky.social) July 21, 2025 at 3:26 PM
A russian strike hit the entrance of a metro station in Kyiv packed with people sheltering from the ongoing attack.
— Kate from Kharkiv (@kateinkharkiv.bsky.social) July 20, 2025 at 9:39 PM
“Lukianivska metro station entrance is damaged. No fire. The ventilation system has been enhanced there,” the mayor said.
— Kate from Kharkiv (@kateinkharkiv.bsky.social) July 20, 2025 at 9:41 PM
More on all of this after the jump.
Here is President Zelenskyy’s address from earlier today. Video below, English transcript after the jump.
We Are Introducing a Moratorium – A Ban – On Business Inspections and Any Interference by Law Enforcement, Regulatory Bodies, or Various State Agencies in Business Activities – Address by the President
21 July 2025 – 20:32
I wish you good health, fellow Ukrainians!
Today, I held a meeting of the National Security and Defense Council – the first in its renewed format following changes in the Government – and focused precisely on what we had discussed with Government officials. We are introducing a moratorium – a ban – on business inspections and any interference by law enforcement, regulatory bodies, or various state agencies in business activities. Of course, this excludes very high-risk “shadow” sectors, such as excise goods – alcohol and tobacco – to prevent new “grey” schemes there. There is also now a clear list of legislative changes and concrete measures at the Government level, aimed at positively transforming the business environment in our country during the moratorium and placing each element of state agencies under real control. The Prosecutor General of Ukraine, Ruslan Kravchenko, has proposed a completely transparent and clearly understandable system to ensure true integrity in law enforcement work on economic cases and to eliminate opportunities for corruption. I expect the relevant amendments to the Criminal Procedure Code and other laws to be adopted as swiftly as possible. Ukraine’s Prime Minister Yuliia Svyrydenko and our Government officials must also ensure the implementation of support programs for Ukrainian production, Ukrainian jobs, and investment in our state – all of which enable us to supply our army and maintain our country’s resilience. We remember that it is precisely Ukrainian businesses and Ukrainian enterprises that provide normal living conditions for our people and the opportunity to work under any circumstances. Business needs predictability – and it will have it. I am grateful to everyone who supports this.
Today, we also had very detailed discussions with the Government and the military officials about procurement of drones – all types of drones, including interceptor drones. In addition to this, deep strikes and drones for the frontline. I have instructed that contracting be expanded to the maximum – we are procuring everything capable of defending our cities from “shaheds” and protecting our frontline positions. This is also one of the tasks for Ukrainian diplomats – today I took part in a meeting with our country’s ambassadors. We have a significant funding shortage for arms production in Ukraine; and Ukrainian diplomats, together with all Government officials and the Presidential Office, must secure agreements with partners on financing. I have already raised this issue with some leaders. There is readiness among our friends, readiness among Europeans to help. We must fully and rapidly implement every agreement. We are also preparing a significant intensification of work on sanctions against Russia over this war. These are both new sanctions by us and our partners, as well as synchronizing sanctions. Russia exploits every sanction loophole to fund its war. Accordingly, we must maximize the synchronization of all sanctions – our partners’ sanctions in Ukrainian jurisdiction, Ukrainian sanctions in our partners’ jurisdictions, and partners’ sanction regimes must be harmonized among them as well. The workload is significant, but sanctions have proven effective. We see in the “negatives” in the Russian economy, their budget problems, production issues – sanctions really work. There must be more of this to drain Russia’s economic potential.
And one more thing.
All day today, efforts have been underway to eliminate the consequences of the Russian strike on our cities and our Ukrainian communities. Various regions – from Kharkiv and Sumy to Ivano-Frankivsk. There was a massive attack on Kyiv. A significant number of “shaheds” and missiles were shot down. And every such wave of Russian strikes reminds us of two things: air defense – we need more systems, more coverage across our country; and also our long-range strikes on Russia – if Putin is off the deep end with this “shahed” obsession and terror, they must be left without logistics. Everyone working to protect life and limit Russia’s war potential is working toward achieving peace. I also thank all partners who are pushing for new and stronger sanctions, including secondary sanctions. Let Russian bravado not deceive anyone – they are truly feeling the impact of sanctions, and they must end the aggression. Russia must end this war it itself started. Nobody else needs this war but Russia. There will definitely be peace. I thank everyone who stands with Ukraine! I thank our warriors! And one more thing.
Today I discussed with Rustem Umerov the preparation for a prisoner exchange and another meeting in Türkiye with the Russian side. Umerov reported that the meeting is planned for Wednesday. More details will follow tomorrow.
Glory to Ukraine!
Heres the context:
“While proving effective in securing weapons and support for Ukraine internationally, President Zelensky has a duty at home as well — to uphold and defend democratic institutions.”
kyivindependent.com/editorial-ri…— Euan MacDonald (@euanmacdonald.bsky.social) July 19, 2025 at 6:08 AM
From The Kyiv Independent:
While fighting a war of survival against Russia, Ukraine must not turn into its authoritarian neighbor.
As Ukraine’s main independent English-language media outlet, we have a duty to acknowledge and expose this threat.
A string of recent events indicate that the Ukrainian leadership is increasingly circumventing democratic institutions and sabotaging the rule of law.
Chief among these events is a criminal investigation against Ukraine’s best-known anti-corruption activist Vitaliy Shabunin.
Shabunin, co-founder of the country’s leading anti-corruption watchdog, is officially under investigation for draft evasion. In reality, Shabunin volunteered to join the military in the first days of the full-scale invasion, and while serving, continued his anti-corruption advocacy, spending some of his time in Kyiv to continue his efforts. Now, Ukraine’s law enforcement — the system Shabunin has been advocating to reform — is claiming Shabunin was evading military service.
The case was opened a while ago, but authorities escalated it last week, searching Shabunin’s home in Kyiv and his military base near the front line. Their chief item of interest? The activist’s phone.
Everything about how this case is being handled suggests that its purpose is to persecute an enemy, not to execute justice.
So what made the activist an enemy?
Shabunin and his watchdog, the Anti-Corruption Action Center, have spearheaded Ukraine’s civil society’s drive for reforms and the eradication of corruption for over a decade. They have been advocating for setting up the existing anti-corruption institutions and reforming law enforcement. If you ever heard that Ukraine boasts a “robust civil society” — they are who the expression is about, among others.
President Volodymyr Zelensky himself recognized that — in 2019, when he was running for presidency, Zelensky sat down with Shabunin in a public meeting to discuss the need to eradicate corruption. That alliance ended fast, and the activist has since consistently criticized Zelensky’s top officials and the president himself.
Shabunin has repeatedly criticized Zelensky’s chief of staff, Andriy Yermak, and his most controversial deputy, Oleh Tatarov.
Lately, Shabunin focused on calling out Ukraine’s defense ministry, blaming it for ineffective procurement of weapons for the Ukrainian army and failure to scale up defense production.
Does a vocal position against government inefficiency and corruption make one an enemy of state? It does only in one case — when the leadership prizes its own survival and comfort over the interests of the state they rule.
A crackdown on the country’s most famous anti-corruption crusader can’t be happening without at least the silent approval from President Zelensky, if not active permission.
In doing so, Zelensky not only threatens Ukraine’s democratic future — he gives a precious gift to the enemies of Ukraine who are waiting to see our country slip, and our society divided.
If he sanctioned the crackdown on Shabunin, Zelensky must back out before it’s too late. If he didn’t, he needs to have a close look at the one who did, because that person isn’t working in Ukraine’s best interest.
The persecution of Shabunin isn’t a standalone case. It follows other events that show that Ukraine’s leadership is keen to bend the rules and get away with it. Last week, the government scandalously rejected an independently selected head of the agency that investigates white-collar crime, delaying the much-needed reboot of the controversial agency in order to find a more preferable candidate — and undoubtedly, one who’s easier to control.
A whole other problem is the weaponization of the National Security and Defense Council — the body that issues sanctions against both Ukrainians and foreigners. Instead of an extraordinary tool to protect the security of Ukraine, sanctions now appear to be used as an arbitrary extrajudiciary tool to crack down on opponents. The most famous target has been ex-President Petro Poroshenko, Zelensky’s main domestic political opponent. As controversial and questionable as Poroshenko’s activities may be, he should face actual justice, not arbitrary sanctions.
Other worrying signals include signs of pressure campaigns on independent media.
While proving effective in securing weapons and support for Ukraine internationally, President Zelensky has a duty at home as well — to uphold and defend democratic institutions.
There is another entity with a duty, which has been surprisingly silent. The diplomatic community, especially the G7, used to be a reactive watchdog for rule of law and democracy in Ukraine, welcoming reforms and denouncing anti-democratic measures, like persecutions of the press. However, the G7 embassies in Ukraine have been silent on Shabunin. Their last statement welcomed the selection of the Bureau of Economic Security head — not a word from them in over a week since he was rejected by the government.
It all boils down to this: The war can’t be a pretext for undermining Ukraine’s democracy — as well as for not calling out power abuse.
Selective justice and persecution of political opponents are incompatible with the country that Ukraine is fighting to be.
We always say that this war is about more than territories. “It’s a clash of two worlds, two polar sets of values,” we wrote in one of our first editorials ever, the words that got quoted by European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen during a speech in the European Parliament.
This “set of values” aren’t empty words. They certainly aren’t for Ukrainian defenders, who are bleeding for a free and democratic Ukraine, not for an authoritarian one.
Both Ukrainian leadership, and those who have their ear, have to remember that — and do their part in defending these values.
🧵A lengthy thread here on today’s news of searches and arrests in Ukraine and what the various parties involved as well as civil society and Kyiv’s Western backers see happening.
— Christopher Miller (@christopherjm.ft.com) July 21, 2025 at 11:03 AM
Ukraine’s security service (SBU), State Bureau of Investigation (SBI) & Pros. General’s Office (PGO) today conducted ~70 searches related to employees of independent Nat’l Anticorruption Bureau (NABU) & Special Anticorr. Prosecutor’s Office (SAPO), detaining an official accused of spying for Russia.
— Christopher Miller (@christopherjm.ft.com) July 21, 2025 at 11:03 AM
Links here: gp.gov.ua/ua/posts/ogp…
And here: ssu.gov.ua/novyny/sbu-t…— Christopher Miller (@christopherjm.ft.com) July 21, 2025 at 11:03 AM
NABU said searches involved 15 employees, conducted w/o warrants. “In most cases, the grounds cited for these actions are the alleged involvement of certain individuals in traffic accidents. However, some employees are being accused of possible connections with the aggressor state.”
— Christopher Miller (@christopherjm.ft.com) July 21, 2025 at 11:03 AM
At the same time, NABU said the SBU had launched an unannounced inspection into how state secrets are handled. The probe focused on NABU employees with access to classified information and who carry out covert investigations.
— Christopher Miller (@christopherjm.ft.com) July 21, 2025 at 11:03 AM
It raised concerns the inspection could give the SBU visibility into NABU and SAPO’s current and planned operations. Any disclosure of this material could undermine ongoing investigations, including into allies of the administration.
— Christopher Miller (@christopherjm.ft.com) July 21, 2025 at 11:03 AM
The SBU confirmed it had launched an investigation into handling of state secrets cases but said its “employees did not receive access to information about all covert and operational measures, as well as special operations conducted by the NABU and SAPO.”
— Christopher Miller (@christopherjm.ft.com) July 21, 2025 at 11:03 AM
The SBU dismissed allegations that it may disclose sensitive information about covert operations carried out by NABU and SAPO as “unfounded and manipulative.”
ssu.gov.ua/novyny/komen…— Christopher Miller (@christopherjm.ft.com) July 21, 2025 at 11:03 AM
The searches are likely to raise further Qs & concerns from Western allies who backed creation of NABU & SAPO as key elements of Ukraine’s anti-corruption architecture & have tied billions in financial & military aid to the country’s commitment to transparency, rule of law & democratic reforms.
— Christopher Miller (@christopherjm.ft.com) July 21, 2025 at 11:03 AM
Especially since the searches follow raids earlier this month widely seen as politically motivated and against critics of President Zelenskyy and a one-time senior ally who was widely respected and fired without cause.
www.ft.com/content/22f4…— Christopher Miller (@christopherjm.ft.com) July 21, 2025 at 11:03 AM
Ukrainian civil society groups are already sounding the alarm. AntAC anticorruption group said SBU/SBI/PGO searches “blatant attack on Ukraine’s independent anti-corruption institutions… This is not about justice. It’s about silencing NABU & SAPO as they close in on Zelenskyy’s inner circle.”
— Christopher Miller (@christopherjm.ft.com) July 21, 2025 at 11:03 AM
They allege the searches are also the president’s office’s response to NABU opening a criminal case against now former deputy prime minister Oleksiy Chernyshov, a close ally of the president and his inner circle who was once thought to be a potential candidate for prime minister.
— Christopher Miller (@christopherjm.ft.com) July 21, 2025 at 11:03 AM
Chernyshov was charged with abuse of power and illegal enrichment, making him the most senior official in Ukraine’s history to face such charges while in office. He denied the charges but was dismissed in last week’s government reshuffle.
kyivindependent.com/deputy-pm-ch…— Christopher Miller (@christopherjm.ft.com) July 21, 2025 at 11:03 AM
Statement from G7 ambassadors in Ukraine: “The G7 is closely following today’s developments at NABU, including the investigation of several NABU employees for alleged crimes. We met today with NABU, have serious concerns and intend to discuss these developments with government leaders.”
— Christopher Miller (@christopherjm.ft.com) July 21, 2025 at 4:06 PM
And the EU ambassador in Ukraine: x.com/kmathernova/…
— Christopher Miller (@christopherjm.ft.com) July 21, 2025 at 4:07 PM
Georgia:
#GeorgiaProtests
Day 236— Publika.ge (@publikage.bsky.social) July 21, 2025 at 3:57 PM
For the 236th consecutive day, Rustaveli Avenue is blocked. Protests continue in 8+ cities across Georgia. 🇬🇪
Our goal: ending the pro-Russian GD regime.
— Rusudan Djakeli (@rusudandjakeli.bsky.social) July 21, 2025 at 2:03 PM
Using the Church for openly anti-EU statements must indicate that the regime in Georgia is throwing all soft weapons in. There’s nothing they are keeping for future use anymore.
— Marika Mikiashvili 🇬🇪🇺🇦🇪🇺 (@marikamikiashvili.bsky.social) July 21, 2025 at 10:52 AM
The Church of Georgia, the administration of which is a mutually strengthening pillar of the regime, lashed out at the “LGBT” conditions for Georgia to maintain the Schengen visa-free. 2/
— Marika Mikiashvili 🇬🇪🇺🇦🇪🇺 (@marikamikiashvili.bsky.social) July 21, 2025 at 9:12 AM
This, of course, is a propaganda. It was the Georgian Dream itself that introduced anti-discrimination laws to obtain the visa-free in the first place. And somehow, we haven’t seen “men married like women” in these 11 years. 3/
— Marika Mikiashvili 🇬🇪🇺🇦🇪🇺 (@marikamikiashvili.bsky.social) July 21, 2025 at 9:12 AM
Back then, it was in the Georgian Dream’s interests to pretend being European. Not anymore, the Kremlin now wants full loyalty, without any room to pretend otherwise. 4/
— Marika Mikiashvili 🇬🇪🇺🇦🇪🇺 (@marikamikiashvili.bsky.social) July 21, 2025 at 9:12 AM
In addition, the regime’s proxy “United Neutral Georgia” demands that Georgia stop altogether with plans of European integration, even in rhetoric, since it’s a guaranteed destruction of Georgia.
The regime usually lets its proxies such as the UNG to voice policies first before they act on it. 5/5.
— Marika Mikiashvili 🇬🇪🇺🇦🇪🇺 (@marikamikiashvili.bsky.social) July 21, 2025 at 9:12 AM
According to Netgazeti, out of 50+ political prisoners arrested in Georgia since Nov 2024, 90% are tried by 4 judges—despite cases supposedly being randomly assigned via electronic distribution and by specialization.
🟥Galustashvili – 18 prisoners
🟥Mchedlishvili – 11
🟥Sharadze – 10
🟥Nachkebia – 6— Rusudan Djakeli (@rusudandjakeli.bsky.social) July 21, 2025 at 11:54 AM
Today’s regime prisoner Luka Jabua’s “Golden Birthday” as we say in Georgia – he turned 21 on the 21st.
Today was his trial. Evidence against him: protective mask, goggles, and 🇪🇺 flag.
“Don’t kill our homeland, I want to live here…” his last Facebook post reads.
— Marika Mikiashvili 🇬🇪🇺🇦🇪🇺 (@marikamikiashvili.bsky.social) July 21, 2025 at 8:11 AM
During the big #GeorgiaProtests march on July 19, some provocateurs swore at us in Russian. This man helped them hide and escape. He’s now been identified by TV Pirveli as Mamuka Asatiani, a member of the Special Task Department (crackdown police).
Working for and protecting Russians, of course.— Marika Mikiashvili 🇬🇪🇺🇦🇪🇺 (@marikamikiashvili.bsky.social) July 21, 2025 at 4:20 AM
🧵 1/ On July 17, Georgia’s Revenue Service seized the bank accounts of independent media outlets Netgazeti & Batumelebi, founded by Mzia Amaglobeli, citing unpaid tax debt. However, the organisation claims the move is politically motivated and aims to silence their work.
— Publika.ge (@publikage.bsky.social) July 21, 2025 at 5:38 AM
2/ The outlet says it requested a payment schedule as allowed by the Georgian Tax Code, but the Revenue Service rejected the request.
— Publika.ge (@publikage.bsky.social) July 21, 2025 at 5:38 AM
3/ The total debt amounts to 282,000 GEL (about $104,000), including interest and penalties. Batumelebi notes that the principal amount of 136,000 GEL was paid earlier this month and that they have been making regular payments.
— Publika.ge (@publikage.bsky.social) July 21, 2025 at 5:38 AM
4/ “Today is July 21, and Mzia Amaglobeli’s penultimate court hearing is being held. The seizure – and the other actions planned for the coming days – appear aimed at breaking her personally and, ultimately, destroying the media organisation she founded,” the statement says.
— Publika.ge (@publikage.bsky.social) July 21, 2025 at 5:38 AM
5/ For comparison, Batumelebi cites official data showing that pro-government TV channels Imedi and Rustavi 2 owe 17 (about $6 million) and 25 million (about $9 million) GEL, respectively, yet have not faced similar enforcement.
— Publika.ge (@publikage.bsky.social) July 21, 2025 at 5:38 AM
🔴There is a telling example that highlights the selectivity of this pressure: according to the Revenue Service’s own official report from May 21, 2025, Georgian Dream propagandist Imedi TV owes 17,000,000 GEL in tax debt. TV Rustavi2 owes 25,000,000 GEL to the state budget.
#RepressionInGeorgia— Batumelebi&Netgazeti (@netgazeti.org) July 21, 2025 at 5:19 AM
🟥 Batumi, July 21 – As Mzia Amaglobeli was taken back to Rustavi prison, supporters gathered outside #Batumi Court in solidarity.
Today, police tried to block them from seeing her off.
#FreeMzia
#Georgia
#MediaUnderAttack— Batumelebi&Netgazeti (@netgazeti.org) July 21, 2025 at 10:23 AM
🟥“Mzia Amaglobeli isn’t asking for a commuted sentence – she’s asking for justice and a fair decision,” said her lawyer, Maia Mtsariashvili, slammed the prosecution’s offer of a plea deal in exchange for admitting to a “revenge-motivated attack on a police officer.”
#FreeMzia
#RepressionInGeorgia— Batumelebi&Netgazeti (@netgazeti.org) July 21, 2025 at 1:41 PM
Denmark:
🇩🇰🇺🇦 Danish defense giant Terma teams up with Ukraine’s Odd Systems to build a low-cost, AI-powered drone killer. It will detect, track, and neutralize threats like
FPV, Mavic and reconnaissance UAVs autonomously.— 🦋Special Kherson Cat🐈🇺🇦 (@specialkhersoncat.bsky.social) July 21, 2025 at 7:41 AM
P.S. 🇩🇰 Terma is a major European contributor to the F-35 fighter jet, providing over 80 critical components including radar electronics, pylons, and fuselage parts.
🇺🇦 Odd Systems, known for its battlefield-tested FPV drones and thermal imaging systems.
— 🦋Special Kherson Cat🐈🇺🇦 (@specialkhersoncat.bsky.social) July 21, 2025 at 7:41 AM
The Czech Republic:
Volunteers from the Czech Republic raised nearly €2.5 million to purchase six D-30 howitzers for the Ukrainian Armed Forces.
Fundraising began in November 2024, and each howitzer will be named after members of the Czechoslovak resistance movement during World War II.
x.com/darputinovi/…— WarTranslated (Dmitri) (@wartranslated.bsky.social) July 21, 2025 at 5:46 AM
Germany:
🇩🇪🇺🇦 Now we have a clear statement from the German side regarding the number of Patriot air defense systems expected to be provided to Ukraine.
“Germany will contribute to the urgent delivery of five much-needed Patriot systems as quickly as possible,” said German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius.
— 🦋Special Kherson Cat🐈🇺🇦 (@specialkhersoncat.bsky.social) July 21, 2025 at 8:13 AM
Given that this is the third clarification in about two weeks, I’m not sure anyone can be sure how much is going to be procured or when it will be delivered. This isn’t all on Germany as these are US foreign miltary sales, so the Trump administration gets a vote.
German Defence Minister Pistorius stated at the Ramstein meeting that Germany will support Ukraine with five Patriot systems and 220,000 rounds of ammunition for Gepard.
www.eurointegration.com.ua/eng/news/202…— WarTranslated (Dmitri) (@wartranslated.bsky.social) July 21, 2025 at 1:22 PM
From European Pravda:
The United Kingdom and Germany have launched a joint project to provide Ukraine with 220,000 shells for the German Gepard anti-aircraft system, and both countries will finance the supply of modern drones to the battlefield.
As reported by a European Pravda correspondent,Ukraine will receive modern drones and shells for the Gepard anti-aircraft system from Germany and the UK.
“On defence, on air defence, Boris and I have agreed to partner in providing critical air defence missiles to Ukraine,” UK and German Defence Ministers John Healey announced the joint project at the beginning of the 29th meeting of the Ukrainian Defence Contact Group (UDCG), also known as the Ramstein format.
“In addition, we will, together with our British friends, provide 220,000 rounds of 35mm ammunition for the Gepard anti-aircraft gun system at short notice, financed by Germany,” Boris Pistorius elaborated.
Pistorius says that in order to protect the skies over Ukraine, the allies “have to support the Ukrainian Armed Forces in their offensive efforts to weaken Russia’s aerial warfare capabilities.”
“That is why we are financing the comprehensive procurement of long-range UAVs from Ukrainian production. These systems are already proving their value on the battlefield. They are destroying Russian aircraft, drones and missiles on the ground well before they can pose a threat to Ukraine, its urban centres or infrastructure,” Pistorius said.
“The first systems financed by Germany will be delivered to the Ukrainian Armed Forces within the next few days and will be ready for immediate use,” he added.
John Healey also said that the UK has already allocated £700 million this year for “artillery shells, long-range rockets and defence missiles, with £150 million of that support delivered in the last two months.”
Also, since March 2025, the UK has supplied almost 50,000 drones to Ukraine.
“And finally, as part of a comprehensive NATO assistance package, the UK will provide an additional £40 million,” Healey said.
As reported by European Pravda, on 21 July, 52 countries participated in the Ramstein meeting which launched a 50-day campaign to arm Ukraine.
More at the link.
🇩🇪Russian spying and sabotage in Germany has doubled in the past year — says head of Germany’s military counterintelligence (MAD). www.zeit.de/digital/inte…
— 🦋Special Kherson Cat🐈🇺🇦 (@specialkhersoncat.bsky.social) July 21, 2025 at 7:51 AM
Colombia:
“Around 2,000 Colombians have been brought to Ukraine to take part in the war. They fight and do everything as they should.” – said the commander of an assault company of the 47th Separate Mechanized Brigade, “Hamlet.”
— WarTranslated (Dmitri) (@wartranslated.bsky.social) July 21, 2025 at 11:33 AM
The US:
Have you ever
— Mira of Kyiv 🇺🇦 (@reshetz.bsky.social) July 21, 2025 at 12:35 PM
UNKNOWN TECHNOLOGY BLYAD
— Mira of Kyiv 🇺🇦 (@reshetz.bsky.social) July 21, 2025 at 12:35 PM
Chaser:
Drones drop improvised incendiary munitions on Russian positions.
— 🦋Special Kherson Cat🐈🇺🇦 (@specialkhersoncat.bsky.social) July 21, 2025 at 3:23 PM
Two points. First, everyone on the planet has been watching the Ukrainians do this for almost three years now, so this is a Public Affairs failure and what we call information fratricide. Second, the US is so far behind the curve I am honestly unsure that it can catch up given the way we do weapons development and procurement.
Back to Ukraine.
🐈🇺🇦 13th Special Kherson Cat with the @69thsb.bsky.social
We’re aiming to raise €62,300 to provide:
• 2 pickup trucks for the Omega unit
• 40 FPV drones for the Azov unit👉 Donate here: www.help99.co/patches/special-kherson-cat-13th-nafo-campaign
— 🦋Special Kherson Cat🐈🇺🇦 (@specialkhersoncat.bsky.social) July 21, 2025 at 2:41 PM
/2. Ukrainian soldiers are doing everything they can, every single day — protecting lives, and pushing back against an army of death. And they count on people like us to have their backs when they need it.
That’s why we’re launching a new fundraiser — to get them exactly what they’ve asked for.
— 🦋Special Kherson Cat🐈🇺🇦 (@specialkhersoncat.bsky.social) July 21, 2025 at 2:41 PM
/3. Right now, defenders from the Omega Group and the Azov Brigade are counting on our community — to make their mission safer and more effective.
Every donation counts — €10 or €1,000 — it all adds up and makes a difference in keeping people alive.
— 🦋Special Kherson Cat🐈🇺🇦 (@specialkhersoncat.bsky.social) July 21, 2025 at 2:42 PM
/4. Thanks for standing with them. Let’s make sure they never have to fight empty-handed.
— From me, truly grateful for your support 💙💛
— 🦋Special Kherson Cat🐈🇺🇦 (@specialkhersoncat.bsky.social) July 21, 2025 at 2:42 PM
Experimental Ukrainian ground drone with two grenade launchers
— 🦋Special Kherson Cat🐈🇺🇦 (@specialkhersoncat.bsky.social) July 21, 2025 at 12:59 PM
A Su-27 strikes the unloading site of enemy personnel, ammunition, supplies, and equipment.
— WarTranslated (Dmitri) (@wartranslated.bsky.social) July 21, 2025 at 1:49 PM
Kharkiv:
Kharkiv is Europe’s eastern fortification. It suffered 12 russian drone strikes last night. That’s the cost of someone else’s peace.
— Iryna Voichuk (@irynavoichuk.bsky.social) July 21, 2025 at 4:24 AM
Kyiv:
Kyiv. Morning in a European capital.
— Iryna Voichuk (@irynavoichuk.bsky.social) July 21, 2025 at 1:34 AM
Video showing damage in Kyiv from fascist Russia’s overnight attack on democratic Ukraine on July 21.
Only another 43 days of this to endure until Trump comes to the rescue by imposing crippling US sanctions that destroy the Russian economy and force Putin to sue for peace! (sarcasm).
— Euan MacDonald (@euanmacdonald.bsky.social) July 21, 2025 at 5:09 AM
🔴 After a night of Russian terror, French Minister Jean-Noël Barrot began his visit to Kyiv at a bombed site, underscoring the urgent need to strengthen Ukraine’s air defense.
— UNITED24 Media (@united24media.com) July 21, 2025 at 5:11 AM
Perovske, Kharkiv Oblast:
On July 21, russian forces shelled the village of Perovske in the Kharkiv region with artillery fire, according to Viktor Kovalenko, head of the community.
Direct hits destroyed two private homes and outbuildings. Energy and gas networks were damaged. There were no casualties.
— Kate from Kharkiv (@kateinkharkiv.bsky.social) July 21, 2025 at 10:39 AM
Russian occupied Mariupol:
Temporarily occupied Mariupol. While the entire city gets water for only four hours every two days, in an elite mortgage building for Russians – the lawns are being watered.
There’s plenty of water for the Russian occupiers – unlike for Ukrainians.— WarTranslated (Dmitri) (@wartranslated.bsky.social) July 21, 2025 at 11:47 AM
Rostov Oblast, Russia:
Footage shows the aftermath of today’s drone attacks on railway hubs in two settlements in Russia’s Rostov region (Likhaya and Kamennolomni), which significantly disrupted the occupiers’ logistics.
— WarTranslated (Dmitri) (@wartranslated.bsky.social) July 21, 2025 at 10:44 AM
Belgorod Oblast, Russia:
Strike on the Russian S-300 in Belgorod region. t.me/GeneralStaff…
— 🦋Special Kherson Cat🐈🇺🇦 (@specialkhersoncat.bsky.social) July 21, 2025 at 12:30 PM
That’s enough for tonight.
Your daily Patron!
There are no new Patron skeets or videos today. Here is some adjacent material.
😼🇺🇦 This is Sergeant Cat.
I have returned from night patrol of the perimeter. Traces of mouse activity have been detected near the food warehouse. We plan to call in reinforcements to strengthen security.
There have been no casualties among the personnel.
End of report.— Vitalis Viva (@vitalisviva.bsky.social) July 20, 2025 at 5:03 PM
Open thread!
YY_Sima Qian
Thank you Adam!
Adam L Silverman
@YY_Sima Qian: You’re welcome.
Adam L Silverman
I’ve got to get cleaned up and rack out.
Benno
I don’t know how you do it, Adam. I read these religiously, not looking forward to them exactly, but you know… I was in Karachi when things hotted up with India this spring, and I found just couldn’t anymore. But I know they’ll be here when I’m ready again.
Adam L Silverman
@Benno: I do it because it must be done and because I gave my word I’d do it.
Everyone has to take care of themselves, if you need to skip a few, there’s no reason to feel guilty.
Jay
Thank you, Adam.
Gin & Tonic
@YY_Sima Qian: Good to see you around; I think you’ve been scarce recently.
Andrya
As always, Adam, thanks for doing this.
But also, help!!!! I couldn’t figure out how to interpret the material re: backsliding from democracy. Is Zelenskyy really following the path of Victor Orban? That would break my heart. Has he lost control of (some of) his underlings? Is this russian propaganda? I’m really confused.
Jay
nitter.poast.org/UAControlMap/status/1947331229721711047#m
Jay
@Andrya:
Of late, Ukraine has “discovered” more and more ruZZian agents embedded in Ukraine. So they are digging deeper. They have found them everywhere, even amongst people given State Awards.
It’s a big problem, because every Ukrainian Org, from the Rada, to the SBU, has at times been compromised.
And some of it is political sabotage.
The “mole” hunts in the 60’s and 70’s in The West, caused a lot of collateral damage. It’s a tough place to be.
Jay
bsky.app/profile/antongerashchenko.bsky.social/post/3lui7gicwqk24
Martin
Will note building a drone to drop an object on command was a pretty good freshman engineering design project about 10 years ago. Quite a few universities did that exact project.
Andrya
@Jay: Thanks, very helpful.
Sister Inspired Revolver of Freedom
@Jay: Even so, some of these “searches” feel politically motivated. I also don’t like the loosening of standards and regulations. Yes, Ukraine is at war, and yes, bottlenecks, real and potential have to be eliminated. That doesn’t mean declaring what amounts to open season when it comes to the Ukrainian economy. Regulations and standards exist for a reason and abandoning them isn’t safe practice. Especially during a war.
Sister Inspired Revolver of Freedom
@Martin: For a senior engineering project, some Ukrainian kid is developing a drone that can both fly and swim and tests are going very well.
AlaskaReader
Thanks Adam
Westyny
Thank you, Adam.
Martin
@Sister Inspired Revolver of Freedom: Yeah, I mean, any idea that Ukrainian drones are technologically ahead of what the US can do is kind of silly. No disrespect to the knowledge they’ve acquired as to how to use them – I’m sure they have real practical experience that we could learn from.
I think the real problem is that Northrop doesn’t get out of bed for a contract like this. So we have a BIG disconnect between the DDOS style combat that Ukraine is conducting and how the US military industrial complex and DOD contracting work. Ukraine is leveraging low margin components that US companies aren’t interested in making because US manufacturing is very high productivity. Making 200K drones per month? The US doesn’t do that kind of thing. That’s a high labor undertaking. Just look at how much we’re struggling to produce artillery.
I don’t see any reason why the US military can’t conduct this kind of combat, but this seems more like the technological equivalent of guerrilla warfare as a counter to the US strengths, but rather than counter our military tactics/strategy it’s a counter to how we build weapons systems.
Traveller
@Andrya: I think that Jay has this about right in his responses to you.
In my personal view, I might want to add that War with a capital W often comes down to a matter of trust…and I trust President Zelenskyy…it is really that simple.
Further there is always some leakage, loss, or minor corruption in all war procurement programs…these are often kept hidden if small because of the tremendous negative effects as propaganda…it is better to live with a little bit of corruption as a State Secret rather than give this kind of victory to the enemy.
Best Wishes, Traveller
Andrya
@Traveller: Thanks for reply!
My concern wasn’t really corruption, but democratic backsliding.
I too trust Zelenskyy, but history shows that heroic war leaders can also do very awful things. Like FDR turning back the refugee Jews on the ship St. Louis, plus the Japanese relocation. (And I was raised in a household where FDR was revered second only to God). Or Winston Churchill’s complete unconcern about the Bengal famine of 1942.
I do see that Ukrainian society being riddled with russian agents creates a very difficult problem.