It has been a very long, very hot, very weird day. Again. So I’m just going to run through the basics, get cleaned up, and rack out.
The cost:
23yo Diana was 7m pregnant. She stayed in the maternity ward for pregnancy monitoring.
russians attacked that hospital last night — ending Diana’s life and murdering her unborn child.
“She did everything to protect our baby… russians took it all away,” said her husband Oleksandr.
Unforgivable.— Olena Halushka (@halushka.bsky.social) July 29, 2025 at 3:18 PM
I don’t know how to wrap up the day and fall asleep. So many people died today. Again.
A humanitarian aid line was attacked and five people killed. They needed that aid because of Russia’s war, and Russia killed them for trying to get it.
1/3
— Kate from Kharkiv (@kateinkharkiv.bsky.social) July 29, 2025 at 4:56 PM
A maternity hospital was hit. A pregnant woman was killed. She was on the phone with her husband, telling him she was heading to the shelter when he heard the blast. He jumped in the car and drove to the hospital. He saw her slippers on the street…
2/3
— Kate from Kharkiv (@kateinkharkiv.bsky.social) July 29, 2025 at 4:56 PM
It’s so awful. So tragic. So unnecessary. It changes nothing in any military sense. It’s just killing for the sake of killing.
And I don’t know how to process it, even after all these years. I just don’t know…
3/3
— Kate from Kharkiv (@kateinkharkiv.bsky.social) July 29, 2025 at 4:56 PM
We are still seeing cascading negative effects from last week’s efforts to neuter Ukraine’s anti-corruption organizations.
EU threatens to cut aid to Ukraine unless independence restored to anti-corruption bodies.
Parliament to vote on issue on July 31.
www.pravda.com.ua/eng/news/202…— Euan MacDonald (@euanmacdonald.bsky.social) July 29, 2025 at 4:02 AM
From Ukrainska Pravda:
The European Union has delivered a warning to Kyiv via diplomatic channels, stating that if the Ukrainian parliament fails to fully revoke the provisions of law No. 12414, financial support will be suspended.
Source: Ekonomichna Pravda sources within the Ukrainian government and parliament; European Pravda citing sources in EU institutions
Details: EU officials are preparing for a scenario in which, on Thursday 31 July, during a vote in the Verkhovna Rada (Ukraine’s Parliament), MPs either fail to pass any legislation restoring the independence of the National Anti-Corruption Bureau (NABU) and the Specialised Anti-Corruption Prosecutor’s Office (SAPO), or adopt amendments that result in only partial restoration.
As reported by Ekonomichna Pravda, “on 24 July, EU representatives informed PM Svyrydenko’s government via diplomatic channels that they are suspending all financial aid to Ukraine.” “Everything is on pause until the situation is rectified,” one source stated.
An EU official involved in this communication confirmed to European Pravda that Brussels has indeed issued a warning to Kyiv but clarified the scope of the freeze: “Yes, the EU has warned Kyiv. If the law is not passed, loans financed through revenues from frozen Russian assets under the ERA programme will stop – we will simply stop disbursing them. Funding from the EBRD and EIB will also be suspended,” the official stated on condition of anonymity.
At the same time, European Pravda’s sources say the Ukraine Facility programme, which provides macro-financial aid linked to reforms, is not expected to be frozen. The EU recently approved the fourth tranche under this programme, although in a reduced amount. In August, Ukraine is expected to receive €3.05 billion instead of the expected €4.5 billion due to reform delays. This tranche is reportedly not subject to further freezes, but since it is already reduced, any further reform delays as defined by the Ukraine Facility conditions may result in future cuts.
The EU has also begun raising concerns about other reform-related matters, including the appointment of the head of the Bureau of Economic Security based on the results of a completed competitive process, several sources told European Pravda.
Brussels believes Ukraine must understand the consequences if Kyiv fails to reverse last week’s rollback of anti-corruption reforms.
Background: In July, despite expectations of positive decisions from the EU, Kyiv initiated what some view as a retreat from anti-corruption measures.
Here is President Zelenskyy’s address from earlier today. Video below, English transcript after the jump.
Russia Shows Absolutely No Regard for Anyone in the World Who Wants to Bring This War to an End – Address by the President
29 July 2025 – 20:07
Dear Ukrainians!
Today has been a difficult day. There were many killed and wounded in the Zaporizhzhia region: Russian bombs struck a correctional facility. The Russians knew this was a civilian site; they could not have been unaware. Sixteen people were killed in this strike. My condolences. Another 43 were injured. A brutal strike also hit the city of Kamianske, targeting the grounds of a hospital. Three people were killed, and many others were wounded. In our Kharkiv region as well – more Russian strikes, more losses. The Donetsk region faces daily strikes. Russia shows absolutely no regard for anyone in the world who wants to bring this war to an end. Just yesterday, there was a very necessary statement from U.S. President Trump. There is a lot of support around the world. But still, strikes continue, and even the demonstrative killing of our people by Russians continues. Every such Russian strike, every act of Russian boorishness in response to the world’s calls to stop the war – all this only proves one thing: pressure is necessary. More sanctions are needed against Russia, steady support for Ukraine and our defense of life, coordinated diplomacy for peace. I want to thank everyone who is working with us in exactly this way.
Today, I spoke with the Prime Ministers of Canada and Denmark. Clear support. We discussed our defense and military needs. I am also grateful for their strong positions in communications with our other partners. We must see threats the same way, and we must respond uniformly. I appreciate Denmark’s stance in support of our movement toward the European Union – and for the view that the accession conditions for Ukraine and other countries must be fair. In particular, the conditions and all that was agreed in the context of Ukraine’s and Moldova’s accession. The Baltic states, the Nordic countries, and all our other friends across the continent – I want to thank everyone for supporting Ukraine.
We also spoke with Mette, the Prime Minister of Denmark, and with the Prime Minister of Canada about my bill that guarantees the proper functioning of the anti-corruption infrastructure and other law enforcement bodies. It is crucial that this law be adopted on Thursday – allour partners support it. And today we discussed it with representatives of the Verkhovna Rada and government officials – the result must be ensured.
Also today, Prime Minister Yuliia Svyrydenko reported to me on the draft decisions. In particular, there are budget amendments to ensure all necessary payments for our servicemembers and the families of fallen warriors. There were some details requiring legislative resolution. I expect the People’s Deputies to support it. The Government has also prepared an expansion of the 18–24 contract program, for the program to attract motivated individuals specifically to work with drones. Yuliia Svyrydenko will present this program.
Today I also signed and submitted to the Verkhovna Rada a bill – in essence, a bill about respect for the servicemembers awarded the Cross of Military Merit. This is objectively a high award, but de jure, at present, the Cross of Military Merit is an honor that bears only symbolic value. We will ensure that this award brings real benefits for the warriors, and in the award hierarchy, the Cross of Military Merit will hold a place between the title of Hero of Ukraine and the Order of Bohdan Khmelnytsky. As of today, 318 warriors have been awarded the Cross of Military Merit. Each of them deserves our gratitude. I ask the Verkhovna Rada to promptly prepare this bill for voting.
And one more thing.
These days, the agreements are being finalized with our partners on drone funding – an additional EUR 400 million for our Ukrainian companies, for our Ukrainian drone manufacturers will land in the accounts of Ukrainian producers this week. The Ukraine–Netherlands agreement. All drone production tasks for this year are being delivered, and delivered exactly as they should be.
Today I also visited a very capable company in the Kyiv region that produces our Ukrainian electronics: components for missiles and drones. I very much thanked the company employees, the team of the enterprise. When our strikes hit Russian territory, we must not forget: this is the work of many. Many companies, many people, both in the public and private sectors. It is a result of Ukrainian unity, of what works best. Best for Ukraine. Best for our people. Thank you!
Glory to Ukraine!
First Lady Zelenska and Olena Zelenska Foundation team visited the Voices Camp in Bukovyna today.
Olena Zelenska, Together with the Team of the Foundation, Visited the Voices Camp for Children Affected by the War
29 July 2025 – 11:56
The First Lady of Ukraine, together with the team of the Olena Zelenska Foundation, visited Voices Camp in Bukovyna – a summer camp created to support the psychological recovery of children affected by the war. It was organized by the Voices of Children Charitable Foundation with the support of and in cooperation with the Olena Zelenska Foundation.
The camp hosts children from military families, families who were forced to leave their homes, as well as those living in frontline or de-occupied areas.
The First Lady joined the children in a creative master class, took part in a psychological session held in a play-based format, and spoke with the team of psychologists.
“Loss, forced maturity, constant stress – unfortunately, all of this has become part of childhood for many Ukrainian children. That is why psychosocial support is one of the core areas the Foundation is developing,” said Olena Zelenska.
Voices Camp is part of the Foundation’s systematic efforts to provide psychosocial support to children. Over the two years of partnership, nearly 500 children have attended the camps.
“Within the psychosocial support focus area, our Foundation implements exactly these kinds of initiatives – and we strive to make them accessible to as many children in need as possible,” emphasized Nina Horbachova, Director of the Olena Zelenska Foundation.
Tina Karol, People’s Artist of Ukraine and founder of the Tina Karol Charitable Foundation, which has been systematically supporting children in difficult life circumstances for over 11 years, also visited the camp.
Olympic champion in Greco-Roman wrestling, Zhan Beleniuk, also joined the meeting. He supported the initiative and spent the day with the children.
“Our camps are designed to give children the inner resources to overcome the consequences of war, to address their needs, and to strengthen their resilience in difficult conditions,” emphasized Olena Rozvadovska, co-founder of the Voices of Children Foundation.
The organization of the camp was made possible thanks to the financial support of an international partner – the Swedish Postcode Lottery Foundation.
“A generation of Ukrainian children and youth is growing up in the shadow of war – facing disrupted routines, the loss of loved ones, and deep psychological trauma. Their need for mental health support has never been greater. We are therefore proud to support the Olena Zelenska Foundation in their work with Voices Camp,” said Andreas Eriksson, Secretary General of the Swedish Postcode Lottery Foundation.
Georgia:
On the days that I cannot be at the #GeorgiaProtests, I am even more grateful to everyone there, the living symbols of resilience. Day 244 !
— Marika Mikiashvili 🇬🇪🇺🇦🇪🇺 (@marikamikiashvili.bsky.social) July 29, 2025 at 3:02 PM
Some regime prisoners state that they are told to apologize or apply for a pardon to be released. They all refuse to do so, however.
It’s yet unclear whether the regime actually bit off more than they could chew in that regard, or whether it’s some sort of a trick, as always.
— Marika Mikiashvili 🇬🇪🇺🇦🇪🇺 (@marikamikiashvili.bsky.social) July 29, 2025 at 5:19 AM
The US:
Trump cuts Russia’s deadline to 10 days from today.
After which the U.S. is going to put on tariffs. “Putin wants to keep the war going. Our tariffs might affect Russia – or they might not. But they have 10 days”- he said.
— Kate from Kharkiv (@kateinkharkiv.bsky.social) July 29, 2025 at 2:27 PM
Again, this is not how tariffs work.
Back to Ukraine.
Drones heading to strike russian military and logistics.
They will surely send their own tonight to strike our hospitals and houses.
— Kate from Kharkiv (@kateinkharkiv.bsky.social) July 29, 2025 at 3:21 PM
Over three days, Ukrainian long-range drone strikes have dealt a tangible logistical blow to a rail line linking the military and industrial hubs of Volgograd and Rostov-on-Don. Preliminary analysis points to the destruction of traction substations and fuel tanks. 🧵Thread:
— Tatarigami (@tatarigami.bsky.social) July 29, 2025 at 2:21 AM
2/ The strikes have repeatedly targeted infrastructure along the rail line, which serves both industry and the supply of Russian forces, including those in Donetsk and Luhansk. The pattern points to a deliberate and systematic effort to disrupt the route
— Tatarigami (@tatarigami.bsky.social) July 29, 2025 at 2:21 AM
3/ Video uploaded by residents of Orlovskiy shows the local traction substation “Dvoynaya”, which powers the railway movement, engulfed in flames. We’ve geolocated the site and assess it’s likely to remain temporarily out of service. Coordinates:
— Tatarigami (@tatarigami.bsky.social) July 29, 2025 at 2:21 AM
4/ Another drone strike hit a train with fuel tanks in Salsk, a railway hub in Russia’s Rostov Oblast. The strike triggered intense flames and thick black smoke, likely disrupting rail traffic in the area for an extended period. Coordinates: 46.468951, 41.542977
— Tatarigami (@tatarigami.bsky.social) July 29, 2025 at 2:21 AM
5/ On July 27, Ukrainian drone strikes destroyed another traction substation, in Zhutovo, Volgograd Oblast, causing major disruptions, delays, and rerouting. More details in my other thread:
bsky.app/profile/tata…
— Tatarigami (@tatarigami.bsky.social) July 29, 2025 at 2:21 AM
6/ The substation wasn’t the only target that day. A nearby building at the railway station was also completely destroyed. Based on our analysis of its location, exterior, and visible equipment, the structure was likely a signal control station
— Tatarigami (@tatarigami.bsky.social) July 29, 2025 at 2:21 AM
7/ We previously noted that this railway line is important due to its links to major military-industrial sites and installations, including airfields. At the same time, it’s neither the largest nor the only line in the area, suggesting deeper intent behind the strikes
— Tatarigami (@tatarigami.bsky.social) July 29, 2025 at 2:21 AM
8/ Overall, our team notes a systematic approach with deliberate target selection. The strike on the fuel-carrying train suggests Ukraine had detailed intelligence to time the attack precisely. We’ll keep updating this thread as more information emerges.
— Tatarigami (@tatarigami.bsky.social) July 29, 2025 at 2:21 AM
9/ Thank you for reading. We’re operating with a critical shortage of hands, which has slowed us down. Still, we continue to track all developments and conduct multiple investigations. To help us keep going, consider supporting our work via BuyMeACoffee:
buymeacoffee.com/frontelligence
— Tatarigami (@tatarigami.bsky.social) July 29, 2025 at 2:21 AM
Looks like Ukrainian new Bohdana-BG 155mm towed howitzers have begun arriving en masse to frontline units. Just in the past week, they’ve been spotted with: the Khartia unit, the 3rd Assault Brigade, and the 40th Artillery Brigade.
— 🦋Special Kherson Cat🐈🇺🇦 (@specialkhersoncat.bsky.social) July 29, 2025 at 2:35 PM
British intelligence has released satellite images showing that Russia continues to build fortified shelters at border airfields following Ukrainian drone strikes.
x.com/DefenceHQ/st…— WarTranslated (Dmitri) (@wartranslated.bsky.social) July 29, 2025 at 11:36 AM
Pokrovsk:
The Russians continue to shell Pokrovsk.
— WarTranslated (Dmitri) (@wartranslated.bsky.social) July 29, 2025 at 9:14 AM
Novoplatonivka, Kharkiv Oblast:
In a small village in the Izium district of Kharkiv Oblast, civilians came for humanitarian aid when russia fired MLRS at them. Five people were killed. Three more wounded.
— Iryna Voichuk (@irynavoichuk.bsky.social) July 29, 2025 at 6:54 AM
Dead bodies lay on the ground. Russia murdered them today as they stood in line for humanitarian aid. Killed for the crime of being Ukrainian.
Novoplatonivka, Kharkiv region.
— Kate from Kharkiv (@kateinkharkiv.bsky.social) July 29, 2025 at 8:11 AM
Kharkiv:
Air defense working. Get that bastard down, guys!
— Kate from Kharkiv (@kateinkharkiv.bsky.social) July 29, 2025 at 7:27 PM
Drone is buzzing outside. I hate that sound. Also, there is a lot of air defense sounds.
— Kate from Kharkiv (@kateinkharkiv.bsky.social) July 29, 2025 at 7:33 PM
Explosion in Kharkiv ‼️ It’s the second one tonight
— Kate from Kharkiv (@kateinkharkiv.bsky.social) July 29, 2025 at 7:43 PM
Bilenkivska, Zaporzhzhia Oblast:
Russia attacked the Bilenkivska correctional facility, dropping four guided aerial bombs on its territory.
The strike killed 17 convicts and wounded 42 others. Some of the injured have been hospitalized in serious condition, and around 40 more people sustained injuries of varying severity.
— Kate from Kharkiv (@kateinkharkiv.bsky.social) July 29, 2025 at 9:07 AM
Kamyanske, Dnipropetrovsk Oblast:
Russia killed 3 people, including a pregnant woman, in a missile attack on the maternity hospital in Kamyanske.
Terrorist murderes. Bastards.
— Kate from Kharkiv (@kateinkharkiv.bsky.social) July 29, 2025 at 9:00 AM
The Tendrivska Spit, Kherson Oblast:
Ukrainian intelligence operatives carried out a daring landing on the Tendrivska Spit.
During the landing operation on the night of July 28, the scouts eliminated a position of the occupying forces along with its personnel, a “Zont” electronic warfare system, and a “Rosa” radar station.
— WarTranslated (Dmitri) (@wartranslated.bsky.social) July 29, 2025 at 1:39 PM
Torske, Donetsk Oblast:
Two Ukrainian soldiers from the 51st Battalion of the 63rd Brigade were clearing a forest near Torske when they came across Russian troops in a dugout — and took them prisoner.
— WarTranslated (Dmitri) (@wartranslated.bsky.social) July 29, 2025 at 12:26 PM
Russian occupied Donetsk Oblast:
Overnight, Russian-occupied Donetsk was attacked by drones. According to local Telegram channels, part of the city was left without power.
— WarTranslated (Dmitri) (@wartranslated.bsky.social) July 29, 2025 at 5:25 AM
Salk, Rostov Oblast, Russia:
A Ukrainian drone swoops in to attack a strategic logistics rail hub at Salsk, Rostov Oblast, SW Russia, overnight on July 28-29. A fuel train may have been hit, judging by the explosion and fire seen here.
— Euan MacDonald (@euanmacdonald.bsky.social) July 28, 2025 at 11:58 PM
Moment of the drone attack on Russian train station in Salsk, Rostov region.
— 🦋Special Kherson Cat🐈🇺🇦 (@specialkhersoncat.bsky.social) July 29, 2025 at 1:34 AM
Russian fuel train still on fire after tonight’s drone attack on Salsk, Rostov region. t.me/exilenova_pl…
— 🦋Special Kherson Cat🐈🇺🇦 (@specialkhersoncat.bsky.social) July 29, 2025 at 4:25 AM
That’s enough for tonight.
Your daily Patron!
There are no new Patron skeets or videos today. Here is some adjacent material.
Breakfast at one of our feeding stations in eastern Ukraine! The Hachiko team refills over 110 of these stations across the front line every week to make sure homeless pets have something to eat.
— Nate Mook (@natemook.bsky.social) July 12, 2025 at 11:04 AM
Open thread!
No One of Consequence
Thank you for these Adam, I can only assume that this takes its toll on you to put these up so reliably. Even though I don’t chime in like I probably should, I know others here appreciate your efforts as I do.
Russia is going to have to spend a decent amount of money over a couple of generations just in anti-Ukrainian security inside of Russia. How can they not be creating an entire generation of a country of would-be-happy-to-be-terrorists? Or multiple generations thereof.
This is senseless. The Russians haven’t even gotten to the hard part yet. They appear wholly incapable of occupying Ukraine.
-NOoC
Adam L Silverman
@No One of Consequence: Thank you for the kind words. You are most welcome.
Nukular Biskits
Just a quick fly-by, been a little busy myself: I know this may not be in your wheelhouse but what is with the “rollback” of anti-corruption measures in Ukraine?
Gin & Tonic
@Nukular Biskits: I’m not Adam, but I follow these things. A week ago, on 22 July, the Verkhovna Rada (Ukraine’s unicameral legislature) passed its second reading of a law proposed by Zelensky, whose party has majority control there, reducing (arguably eliminating) the independence of the two main anti-corruption bodies/agencies, NABU and SAPO. His motivations aren’t very clear; some argue that he was trying to protect some of his cronies who couldn’t withstand a rigorous review.
Later *that same day* thousands, perhaps tens of thousands of people came out in the streets to protest this law in several major cities. The following day, Wednesday, their numbers increased. On Thursday Zelesnky backed off and proposed a law more or less (but not completely) neutering the previous law. The situation has not yet been completely resolved, tensions in the streets are simmering, but now the EU has weighed in.
Gin & Tonic
@No One of Consequence:
Yes. But that’s already the case. I personally know people fighting today whose great-grandparents fought the Tsar and whose grandparents fought the USSR. Their children will undoubtedly resist the russian federation. There is copious national mythology about these sorts of people.
Jay
Thank you, Adam.
dww44
@Adam L Silverman: I too thank you for these posts even though I too have an increasingly harder time reading them. The unrelenting death and destruction make me impotent with rage at the cruelty of autocratic and evil men.
CindyH
Thank you Adam, – just don’t get this information elsewhere like this. And comments are also helpful as well.
YY_Sima Qian
@Gin & Tonic: Tatarigami_UA suggested that it may have been driven by Andriy Yarmak (who seems to have outsized power & influence), possibly at Zelenskyy’s behest. Just seems to be such an ill-advised move when Ukraine is under such peril. Not sure what Zelenskyy was thinking here.
AJ of the Mustard Search and Rescue Team
Ty Adam. No response needed.
Westyny
Thank you, Adam.
AlaskaReader
Thanks Adam
Steve Paradis
I looked up a crank post on my Facebook news feed and found this. The reposter was a pleasant looking matron with nice family images and charitable posts.
And this, dated March 1st:“
This is what we’re dealing with. The day is already here when the truth is apparent, and every day makes it more so, and in a few years it will all be accepted fact. But not in the minds of people like this.
And they vote.