Military

War for Ukraine Day 1,226: Russia Targets Kyiv Again

by Adam L Silverman| July 4, 20259:02 pm| 12 Comments

This post is in: Foreign Affairs, Foreign Policy, Military, Open Threads, Russia, Silverman on Security, War, War in Ukraine

(Image by NEIVANMADE)

Air raid alerts are up for almost all of northern and central Ukraine at 3;20 AM local time/8:20 PM EDT. The focus, as it was last night, seems to be Kyiv, which was hit very hard by the Russians this morning.

My city after the attack

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— Mira of Kyiv 🇺🇦 (@reshetz.bsky.social) July 4, 2025 at 2:51 AM

Putin and the Russians are emboldened to escalate their strikes on Ukrainian civilian targets because the US has very publicly stopped supplying weapons to Ukraine. We now know that this has been done unilaterally by Hegseth despite being informed sending the weapons would not impact US readiness. From The Kyiv Independent:

U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth unilaterally halted a weapons shipment to Ukraine on July 2 despite internal military assessments showing the aid would not compromise American military readiness, NBC News reported on July 4, citing three U.S. officials.

The pause in aid, which included critical air defense systems and ammunition, reportedly caught the State Department, members of Congress, Ukraine, and key European allies off guard.

Ukraine suffered one of the largest attacks on July 4, with President Volodymyr Zelensky calling for more air defense to protect civilians in the cities. The attack on Kyiv killed one person and injured 23 more.

A senior U.S. military review had concluded that while some munitions stockpiles, including precision weapons, were low, they had not fallen below critical thresholds, according to NBC. Despite this, Hegseth opted to stop the shipment. This is reportedly his third such move since February.

“We are not at any lower point, stockpile-wise, than we’ve been in the three-and-a-half years of the Ukraine conflict,” Congressman Adam Smith the top Democrat on the House Armed Services Committee, said. Smith, who said his staff reviewed the Pentagon’s figures, called the justification “disingenuous.”

The shipment reportedly included dozens of Patriot interceptors, 155 mm artillery rounds, Hellfire missiles, guided missile systems (GMLRS), Stinger and AIM air-to-air missiles, and grenade launchers.

Two sources told NBC that some of the weapons had already been loaded onto trucks in Poland when the halt was ordered.

Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell described earlier the decision as part of a broader “capability review” to ensure U.S. forces remain equipped.

The halt has initiated debate over the future of U.S. support for Ukraine.

Lawmakers from both parties, including Republican Congressman Michael McCaul, expressed frustration at the lack of advance notice. “Now is the time to show Putin we mean business,” McCaul wrote on X.

Republican Congressman Joe Wilson also reacted to the halt, warning of its consequences amid Russia’s ongoing strikes.

“As Americans begin to enjoy the sounds of fireworks in celebration of our Nation’s Independence, war criminal (Russian President Vladimir) Putin, who is losing his pathetic war, resorts to scorched earth tactics across Ukrainian cities that predate Moscow’s existence,” Wilson wrote.

Wilson said he is “confident the Department of Defense will advance President Trump’s objectives stated at The Hague to send additional air defense and approved weapons to help stop this absolute depravity, as allies have and must continue doing at a rapid pace.”

Trump has denied that the U.S. paused shipments on July 3, contradicting both Pentagon confirmation and reporting.

“We haven’t,” Trump told a reporter. “We’re giving weapons.” He also claimed the Biden administration had “emptied out our whole country” and insisted Washington must prioritize its own defense.

War for Ukraine Day 1,225: Another Long Night of Russian Ballistic Missile and Drone Strikes on Ukrainian Civilian Targets

by Adam L Silverman| July 3, 202510:14 pm| 26 Comments

This post is in: China, Foreign Affairs, Foreign Policy, Military, Open Threads, Russia, Silverman on Security, War, War in Ukraine

(Image by NEIVANMADE)

The cost:

Our dear Plast friend, Roman “Orlyk” Oryshchenko, officer, commander of a company in the 72nd Separate Mechanized Brigade “Chorni Zaporozhtsi” has fallen in action. He was always so positive, bright and determined, ready to share his experience and mentor others. This is such a tragic loss.

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— Olena Halushka (@halushka.bsky.social) July 3, 2025 at 6:36 AM

At 3;50 AM local time in Ukraine/8:50 PM EDT, about 2/3rds of Ukraine is under air raid alert for ballistic missile and drone strikes.

Kyiv right now ‼️

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— Kate from Kharkiv (@kateinkharkiv.bsky.social) July 3, 2025 at 9:11 PM

Families with small children are hiding in basements and metro stations. Russia is trying to get them even there

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— Kate from Kharkiv (@kateinkharkiv.bsky.social) July 3, 2025 at 9:32 PM

Kyiv right now.

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— Kate from Kharkiv (@kateinkharkiv.bsky.social) July 3, 2025 at 9:32 PM

It’s only 1am and it’s already easily top 5 of the worst nighttime air attacks

— Mira of Kyiv 🇺🇦 (@reshetz.bsky.social) July 3, 2025 at 6:20 PM

Explosions just don’t stop and the sky is red and my heart starts skipping beats and I don’t fucking know anymore

— Mira of Kyiv 🇺🇦 (@reshetz.bsky.social) July 3, 2025 at 6:22 PM

This has been going on for at least the past seven hours:

As more Russian Shaheds make it to Kyiv and air defense shakes the night ahead of a possible missile attack, I can’t stop thinking: there was a choice. Give Ukraine what it needs to stop this. Instead, they’re twisting Ukraine’s arm and emboldening Russia.

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— Maria Avdeeva (@mariainkharkiv.bsky.social) July 3, 2025 at 2:58 PM

President Zelenskyy surprised a young Danish man today:

President #Zelenskyy awarded Jens Fogh Thomsen, an 11-year-old from #Denmark, the Future of #Ukraine Award for his volunteer efforts.

Jens raised over 34,000 Danish kroner by selling handmade Easter decorations to buy school supplies for Ukrainian children affected by the war.

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— Eugene McParland 🇺🇦 (@eugenemcparland.bsky.social) July 3, 2025 at 11:41 AM

Volodymyr Zelenskyy Presents “Future of Ukraine” Award to 11-Year-Old Danish Volunteer Jens Fogh Thomsen

3 July 2025 – 18:12

In Denmark, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy presented the “Future of Ukraine” award to 11-year-old volunteer Jens Fogh Thomsen for supporting Ukrainian children.

“I am deeply grateful to you on behalf of all our people – especially the children of Ukraine. You know that they are now under Russian attacks and trying to survive. After all, they love Ukraine, and they have friends like you. You are a great friend of Ukraine. Thank you for the backpacks, for raising funds to help Ukrainian children. All our children are proud to have such friends from Denmark. We would be happy to welcome you and your parents to Ukraine,” the Head of State said.

Jens began helping Ukraine last year after seeing news reports about Ukrainian children who had lost their homes due to Russian aggression. Since then, he has been handcrafting Easter decorations – blue and yellow beaded chicks. Through their sale, Jens has raised over 34,000 Danish kroner, which he used to purchase school backpacks and supplies for Ukrainian children affected by the war.

The “Future of Ukraine” award is a new presidential distinction established by President Zelenskyy by decree on May 29 of this year. The very next day, he issued the first decree awarding 24 children. Jens Fogh Thomsen became the first foreigner to receive this award.

Here is President Zelenskyy’s address to the gala dinner of the EU Council from earlier today. Video below, English transcript after the jump.

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President’s Address to the Participants of the Gala Dinner Marking the Start of Denmark’s Presidency of the EU Council

3 July 2025 – 22:36

Thank you very much!

Your Majesties, thank you so much!

And dear Mette, my friend, thank you so much for the invitation to such a beautiful city!

Such a strong people – thank you for your support! Thanks!

And, of course, dear Ursula, dear António, all our friends, colleagues!

Once again, congratulations to Denmark – our close friend – and to you personally, Mette, along with your team, as Denmark begins its Presidency of the EU Council. We can be confident – this will be a time of strong and principled decisions. And that means – a time of predictability. Predictability has become a rare thing these days. But Denmark is the country that leaves no room for doubt. It’s a country, and a people, we can rely on. Denmark brings a sense of predictability. You keep your promises, and together we achieve meaningful results. Thank you for that. And I also want to thank our friends leading the EU institutions – António and Ursula. Even on such symbolic days like the start of the Presidency, we don’t stop at symbolism – we make real decisions. It’s important. We talked about how important it is to close the gaps in defense funding. We’re working to get real results from our joint defense programs. And we’re getting things ready so the EU can keep its promises. Ukraine is ready – ready to open the accession clusters, ready to move forward with the negotiations, and ready for decisions that benefit both sides. Thank you for your support.

Ladies and gentlemen,

We in Ukraine created a special national award – for children. I told this story today to Mette. It’s for boys and girls who have shown bravery during Russian attacks, or helped in other dangerous situations, volunteered, or shown civic leadership. The award is called “The Future of Ukraine,” and truly our future depends on whether we can raise children who care, who are not indifferent to others, who are willing to help. As this visit began, I had the honor of presenting this award to a boy who lives here in Denmark. He’s a Danish citizen. His name is Jens, and he’s just 11 years old – like my son. He’s 11, but his kindness and care have already made a difference – and inspired many adults. Jens made Easter crafts in blue and yellow – Ukraine’s national colors – sold them, and bought backpacks to send to Ukrainian children who need – really need – help. It was deeply moving. But if you think about it, this was also deeply political: wanting to help, to support others, to not stay on the sidelines in a time of war – that’s a powerful message in itself. And this is exactly the kind of message that lies at the heart of the European Union, at the heart of our unity.

We are united. And we work together. And our Europe needs the EU – for mutual support, for shared protection, and for the very values shown by Jens, by you, and by millions of Europeans every day: compassion, sincerity, and the will to help someone in need – even if that person is far from your home. And we must not forget this. All our European institutions, all our agreements, all our cooperation and joint work for security – it’s all built around this idea – that Europeans care for one another and act like human beings in the fullest sense of the word.

This is why we need the European Union.

And this is why we must defend Europe – not only from outside enemies, but also from those inside who try to replace solidarity with division, and compassion with a cold disregard for anyone but themselves.

Dear friends,

The next 6 months of Denmark’s EU Presidency will go by fast – time always flies. The most important thing is that we achieve what we all truly want.

First, we need to protect the EU from those who are trying to break it apart – often for personal and corrupt reasons. The EU must stay strong, because it gives strength to every European nation in global competition. And the EU must keep its promises – especially when it comes to enlargement. And I hope that during Denmark’s Presidency, the EU accession negotiations with Ukraine will move forward, and the clusters will finally be opened.

Second, we all understand that Russia is not just some dangerous neighbor, that much is obvious. It’s something more deliberate – an anti-European project. Everyone in Europe can clearly see this – Russia invests in everything that goes against our European way of life. That’s why we must not let them win – not in this war, and not in any part of our future. We need biting sanctions against Russia. We need steady defense support for Ukraine. We need to build up Europe’s own defense industry – so that Russia cannot outmatch us in any area. All of this is vital for keeping Europe safe. And we have to keep putting pressure on Russia – to make them stop the war, respect their neighbors, and choose peace. As long as Russia gets a high price for its oil – it keeps fighting. That’s why we need a strict price cap. As long as Russia finds ways to buy parts and equipment for weapons – it keeps killing. That’s why we need a full stop to all supplies to Russia of anything that is – or could be – used for making weapons. It is high time we established an efficient international platform to control dual-use exports – and it could be one of achievements of the Danish Presidency, we can work on it together. And we need to cut off Putin and his buddies from money. As long as Russian banks can still operate in Europe and other key parts of the world – Russia keeps ignoring diplomacy. We must push it back toward diplomacy.

Third – even if it’s not easy – we must do everything we can to keep cooperation between Europe and the United States strong. Yes, Europe should rely more on itself – especially when it comes to defense and protecting our people. But it’s always better to be in an alliance than in disagreement. So the next 6 months should bring real progress – to protect our partnerships and make our cooperation stronger.

No matter what anyone says, Europe is and will stay one of the world’s strongest players and a leader in human rights. Europe must also become a global leader in technology – especially in defense technologies. That’s a key goal. And most importantly, Europe must be a continent of peace. Let’s use the next 6 months to make the right decisions – especially for that.

Thank you!

Glory to Ukraine!

Here’s his joint presser with a bunch of EU officials:

And remarks about a joint venture with the US to produce drones:

Georgia:

Marching through Tbilisi streets on day 218 of daily, nationwide protests in Georgia. 🇬🇪

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— Rusudan Djakeli (@rusudandjakeli.bsky.social) July 3, 2025 at 11:10 AM

This potentially very important development is happening at the moment in Tbilisi👇🏻

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— Marika Mikiashvili 🇬🇪🇺🇦🇪🇺 (@marikamikiashvili.bsky.social) July 3, 2025 at 11:43 AM

🔴 21-year-old Giorgi Mindadze has been sentenced to 5 years in prison by Judge Nino Galustashvili.

⭕️He was convicted of “attacking a police officer”.

#GeorgiaProtests
#RepressionInGeorgia

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— Batumelebi&Netgazeti (@netgazeti.org) July 3, 2025 at 8:52 AM

Nani Tsulaia, the mother of 21-year-old regime prisoner Giorgi Mindadze who was sentenced to 5 years today.

She calmed people and call for resourcefulness, believing in our victory.

A true Georgian lady, the one we learn in school from history and legends.

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— Marika Mikiashvili 🇬🇪🇺🇦🇪🇺 (@marikamikiashvili.bsky.social) July 3, 2025 at 10:37 AM

‪And it’s her birthday too… ‬

— Marika Mikiashvili 🇬🇪🇺🇦🇪🇺 (@marikamikiashvili.bsky.social) July 3, 2025 at 1:10 PM

The Georgian Dream’s Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze reiterates that the democratic leaders are in jail for not recognizing the legitimacy of the Parliament.

— Marika Mikiashvili 🇬🇪🇺🇦🇪🇺 (@marikamikiashvili.bsky.social) July 3, 2025 at 4:36 PM

The PRC:

China’s foreign minister tells EU that Beijing cannot afford Russia to lose in Ukraine, media reports #Ukraine

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— AmplifyUkraine 🔱🇺🇦 (@amplifyukraine.eu) July 3, 2025 at 7:09 PM

From The Kyiv Independent:

China’s Foreign Minister Wang Yi reportedly told the EU’s top diplomat Kaja Kallas on July 3 that the country cannot afford for Russia to lose the war in Ukraine amid fears the U.S. would shift focus towards Beijing, the South China Morning Post (SCMP) reported, citing sources familiar with the conversation.

As the war in Ukraine drags on, Wang’s reported comments suggest that Russia’s war in Ukraine may serve China’s strategic needs as focus is deviated away from Beijing’s mounting preparation to launch its own eventual invasion into Taiwan.

China has been a key ally to Russia during its full-scale war, helping Moscow evade Western sanctions and becoming the leading source of dual-use goods fueling the Russian defense industry.

U.S. President Donald Trump, who has not managed to broker a promised ceasefire between Moscow and Kyiv, has long viewed China as the United States’ main adversary and is predominantly focused on relations between the two nations.

In June, Bloomberg reportedTrump is pulling back from pressuring China over its support for Russia’s war effort, instead prioritizing other aspects of the U.S.-China relationship. The publication reported that the administration lowered the issue of Russia’s war against Ukraine on its list of foreign policy priorities and is focusing on bilateral issues with Beijing, though they noted Trump could still shift course.

The frankness of Wang’s reported admission was greeted with surprise by EU official, according to Hong Kong-based SCMP, amid China’s past public statements in favor of a peace deal. Two sources familiar with the meeting told SCMP that they believed Wang was providing Kallas with a lesson in realpolitik during the four-hour encounter.

Wang on July 3 again reportedly rejected Western accusations that it was providing funding and weaponry to support Moscow’s war effort in Ukraine.

Wang’s comments come amid waning support from Kyiv’s main military backer, the United States. On July 1, the U.S. Defense Department paused shipments of key weapons systems to Ukraine, including Patriot air defense missiles and precision-guided munitions.

I’m really not sure what to make of this. At one level, sure it makes some strategic sense from the PRC’s perspective, but at the same time it clearly misreads Trump who could care less what happens to Ukraine and the Ukrainians. Frankly, I’m not completely unconvinced that Trump doesn’t want to see Putin win because he’s a AA authoritarian. Which is an authoritarian that punches down on those weaker than him while sucking up to those more powerful like Putin and Xi.

This type of statement also goes against everything I know about how Chinese officials communicate. Senior Chinese officials DO NOT make direct statements like this. Some of this is cultural as China is a high context communication culture, but some of it is also how PRC officials strategically communicate. If direct statements need to be made, they’re made by junior personnel, which makes them very easy to disavow or ignore.

The US:

“We had a call [with Putin]… we spoke about Ukraine, and im not happy about that… we didn’t make any progress…”

So?? Push! Make him listen, for goddess’s sake, you have all the cards!

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— Kate from Kharkiv (@kateinkharkiv.bsky.social) July 3, 2025 at 5:49 PM

Who could’ve ever imagined such a thing?

From France24 republished by Yahoo News:

Russian President Vladimir Putin on Thursday told his US counterpart Donald Trump that Moscow would not give up on its war aims in Ukraine during a lengthy phone call – their sixth publicly disclosed chat this year – that also touched on Iran and the Middle East.

Russian President Vladimir Putin told US President Donald Trump in a phone call on Thursday that Moscow wants a negotiated end to the Ukraine war but will not step back from its original goals, a Kremlin aide said.

In a wide-ranging conversation that also covered Iran and the Middle East, Trump “again raised the issue of an early end to military action” in Ukraine, the aide, Yuri Ushakov, told reporters.

“Vladimir Putin, for his part, noted that we continue to seek a political and negotiated solution to the conflict,” Ushakov said.

Putin briefed Trump on the implementation of agreements reached between Russia and Ukraine last month to exchange prisoners-of-war and dead soldiers, Ushakov said, and told him that Moscow was ready to continue negotiations with Kyiv.

(FRANCE 24 with Reuters)

Here’s the confirmation of the US cutting Ukraine off:

Per reporting by my colleague @olliecarroll.bsky.social, US has cancelled 8,000-ish 155mm shells for Ukraine. That is 20% of current MONTHLY production. How that would have materially affected US readiness is hard to see. That’s before getting onto 25 Stingers & 92 AIM-7, which are being phased out

— Shashank Joshi (@shashj.bsky.social) July 3, 2025 at 6:17 AM

President Zelenskyy is going to talk to Trump about this tomorrow:

Donald Trump and Volodymyr Zelenskyy are expected to discuss the abrupt halt in some key US weapons deliveries to Kyiv in a call on Friday, according to people familiar with the planning, who said the Ukrainian president will also raise potential future arms sales.
www.ft.com/content/edac…

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— Christopher Miller (@christopherjm.ft.com) July 3, 2025 at 6:36 AM

I would not expect a reversal of the US decision.

Germany:

BILD reports, citing government circles, that the German government is currently trying to obtain approval from the US government for the procurement of two MIM-104 Patriot fire units, which Germany would finance for #Ukraine.

1/2

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— German Aid to Ukraine (@deaidua.org) July 3, 2025 at 1:14 PM

According to BILD information, the Ukrainian government had approached the German government with the request because they could not make any progress in the US themselves.

2/2

— German Aid to Ukraine (@deaidua.org) July 3, 2025 at 1:14 PM

Via X (Twitter), one of the co-authors also makes it clear that the deal proposed by the German government also involves hundreds of missiles, which are also to be purchased at the German government’s expense for Ukraine.

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— German Aid to Ukraine (@deaidua.org) July 3, 2025 at 5:41 PM

I am neither surprised by this, nor am I surprised that the Trump administration put the breaks on once it sussed out this purchase was by Germany on behalf of Ukraine. Again, my professional assessment is that Trump falls somewhere between not caring what happens to Ukraine to actively wanting Putin to win.

Sweden:

Sweden to provide Ukraine with over 10 new Archer artillery guns, long-range strike weapons #Ukraine

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— AmplifyUkraine 🔱🇺🇦 (@amplifyukraine.eu) July 3, 2025 at 8:54 AM

Back to Ukraine.

Ukraine has developed a multifunctional UAV called “POP Fly,” which serves as an analogue to the Switchblade.

The reconnaissance version has a range of 100–120 km, while the strike version ranges from 50–100 km depending on the warhead (2.5–5 kg).
militarnyi.com/uk/news/ukra…

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— WarTranslated (Dmitri) (@wartranslated.bsky.social) July 3, 2025 at 10:27 AM

Kyiv:

Russia’s air attack is ongoing. It’s been hours of air defense fire, explosions and the whirring of Russian drones in the Ukrainian capital of Kyiv. Trump said he “didn’t make any progress with [Putin] today at all” — and that is apparent as much as ever now.

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— Christopher Miller (@christopherjm.ft.com) July 3, 2025 at 7:03 PM

At least six huge, building-shaking explosions in Kyiv just after the Ukrainian Air Force warned of incoming Russian ballistic missiles. Hell here tonight. Putin must absolutely feel he can attack with impunity. He just spoke to Trump by phone hours ago.

— Christopher Miller (@christopherjm.ft.com) July 3, 2025 at 8:18 PM

And the Trump admin halted air defense missiles this week. No threat of new sanctions because, to paraphrase Secretary of State Rubio, it would close the door to negotiations. Well, Putin reiterated earlier he wasn’t negotiating; he said he would continue to wage his war. He is proving that tonight.

— Christopher Miller (@christopherjm.ft.com) July 3, 2025 at 8:18 PM

Reports that eight ballistic missiles were just fired by Russia at Kyiv – I heard six airbursts, which were probably interceptions. Threat now of more ballistic missile launches from Russia’s Voronezh Oblast.

— Euan MacDonald (@euanmacdonald.bsky.social) July 3, 2025 at 7:40 PM

Another big bang in Kyiv, and another. Blast waves set off car alarms and even wafted my dressing gown…

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— Euan MacDonald (@euanmacdonald.bsky.social) July 3, 2025 at 8:02 PM

Russian/Iranian drones swarming around Kyiv just now – never known it so bad. They seem to be circling around the city and then coming in to attack.

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— Euan MacDonald (@euanmacdonald.bsky.social) July 3, 2025 at 6:06 PM

Just heard a drone come in for a dive, then an explosion – not too close but it doesn’t seem it was shot down.

— Euan MacDonald (@euanmacdonald.bsky.social) July 3, 2025 at 6:08 PM

Another sound of a diving drone – the Russians have attached sirens to them to instill terror like Stuka dive bombers – and an explosion. Not close, but not far enough! More anti-aircraft gunfire – Kyiv’s defenders hard at work. Another siren, and another blast.

— Euan MacDonald (@euanmacdonald.bsky.social) July 3, 2025 at 6:20 PM

Hearing this sound VERY regularly here in Kyiv tonight.

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— Euan MacDonald (@euanmacdonald.bsky.social) July 3, 2025 at 6:33 PM

Hearing so many of these dive-bomb attacks I’ve lost count. What I’m not hearing so much of is anti-aircraft fire, unfortunately.

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— Euan MacDonald (@euanmacdonald.bsky.social) July 3, 2025 at 7:03 PM

Poltava:

Two people reported dead and at least 11 injured in russian drone attack on Poltava this morning.

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— Iryna Voichuk (@irynavoichuk.bsky.social) July 3, 2025 at 6:41 AM

Poltava: Emergency teams have concluded rescue efforts at the sites of this morning’s Russian attack.

The enemy strike killed 2, injured 47, while emergency workers successfully rescued 10 people.

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— Kate from Kharkiv (@kateinkharkiv.bsky.social) July 3, 2025 at 10:04 AM

Poltava earlier this morning. Three russian drones strike one after another.

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— Iryna Voichuk (@irynavoichuk.bsky.social) July 3, 2025 at 3:05 AM

Donetsk:

Over the past 24 hours, six people were killed and 12 injured in russian attacks across Donetsk Oblast. 82 civilian sites were damaged, including 24 homes.

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

Russian occupied Luhansk:

Russian sources write that the mayor of Lugansk appointed by the Russians was blown up. The explosion occurred on Tarasa Shevchenko Street in Luhansk.

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— 🦋Special Kherson Cat🐈🇺🇦 (@specialkhersoncat.bsky.social) July 3, 2025 at 8:26 AM

/2. Video from the place where the Russian-appointed mayor of Lugansk was reportedly blown up.

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— 🦋Special Kherson Cat🐈🇺🇦 (@specialkhersoncat.bsky.social) July 3, 2025 at 8:28 AM

/3. Manolis Vasilyevich Pilavov Luhansk mayor from 2014 to 2023. He was charged by the SBU Investigation Department in the Luhansk region under Article 258 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine for participation in an illegal armed formation.

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— 🦋Special Kherson Cat🐈🇺🇦 (@specialkhersoncat.bsky.social) July 3, 2025 at 8:48 AM

Russian occupied Crimea:

Launched from uncrewed surface vehicles, FPV drones and copters with payload drop capabilities destroyed three Russian radar stations in Crimea, as stated by Ukraine’s Southern Defense Forces.

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— Kate from Kharkiv (@kateinkharkiv.bsky.social) July 3, 2025 at 9:55 AM

💥Ukrainian heavy drones launched from the marine drones bombard Russian radar systems in Crimea!

Strikes were carried out on the components of the Russian “Nebo-M” radar system:
• RLM-M 55Zh6M “Nebo-M”
• RLM-D 55Zh6M “Nebo-M”
• Radar Command Post (KU RLS) 55Zh6M “Nebo-M”

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— 🦋Special Kherson Cat🐈🇺🇦 (@specialkhersoncat.bsky.social) July 3, 2025 at 9:38 AM

/2. One of the heavy drones launched from an unmanned marine platform found by Russians in Crimea. After takeoff, the drones go on a one-way mission and do not return. According to Russians, drones also self-destruct approximately 15 minutes after falling.

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— 🦋Special Kherson Cat🐈🇺🇦 (@specialkhersoncat.bsky.social) July 3, 2025 at 9:46 AM

/3. Location in Crimea where components of the Russian Nebo-M radar system were targeted (45.3474031, 32.4985225)

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— 🦋Special Kherson Cat🐈🇺🇦 (@specialkhersoncat.bsky.social) July 3, 2025 at 9:53 AM

The Kursk cross border offensive:

Russian media confirm the death of Guard Major General, Deputy Commander-in-Chief of the Russian Navy, former commander of the 155th Brigade of the Russian Armed Forces Mikhail Gudkov, as well as his close comrade, Russian Navy officer Lieutenant Colonel Nariman Shikhaliyev.

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— 🦋Special Kherson Cat🐈🇺🇦 (@specialkhersoncat.bsky.social) July 3, 2025 at 5:55 AM

/2. As its now claimed by Russian sources, 4 HIMARS missiles were fired at the Russian base in Korenevo, Kursk Region. Various Russian sources report from 10 to more than 20 Russians killed in the attack, many of whom were officers.

— 🦋Special Kherson Cat🐈🇺🇦 (@specialkhersoncat.bsky.social) July 3, 2025 at 5:55 AM

Yelets, Russia:

Ukraine’s General Staff confirmed a successful strike on JSC “Energia” in Yelets, Russia. The facility produces batteries and modules for Iskander-M missiles, Kh-35U cruise missiles, and other specialized systems.

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— WarTranslated (Dmitri) (@wartranslated.bsky.social) July 3, 2025 at 9:34 AM

That’s enough for tonight.

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War for Ukraine Day 1,225: Another Long Night of Russian Ballistic Missile and Drone Strikes on Ukrainian Civilian TargetsPost + Comments (26)

War for Ukraine Day 1,224: Make It Hot!

by Adam L Silverman| July 2, 202510:44 pm| 23 Comments

This post is in: Foreign Affairs, Foreign Policy, Military, Open Threads, Russia, Silverman on Security, War, War in Ukraine

The Ukrainians have fired for effect!

Ammunition depot in Russian-occupied Khartsyzsk in Donetsk Oblast reported to have been struck. Huge explosion with visible shock wave caught on video, along with colorful Russian swearing. Fire and many secondary explosions reported. There was a missile alert before the strike.

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— Euan MacDonald (@euanmacdonald.bsky.social) July 2, 2025 at 4:26 PM

More from Khartsyzk

It’s the most beautiful thing I’ve seen all day 😍

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— Kate from Kharkiv (@kateinkharkiv.bsky.social) July 2, 2025 at 5:55 PM

Russians are a bit panicking👀

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— Kate from Kharkiv (@kateinkharkiv.bsky.social) July 2, 2025 at 6:13 PM

Nope not a low(er) yield nuke used for tactical effect, just a great example of what happens when you get the right weaponeering for the target you want to blow up real good.

Last night Old School asked:

The first, as I’ve hammered over and over and over again for the past three years is that the US defense industrial base has not been put on a war footing.

Forgive my ignorance, but I’m not sure what that involves. I guess I’ve assumed that a defense contractor knows they’ll get millions of dollars more by producing more weapons then the business would make arrangements for that to happen.

Do contractors really not generate as much profits as possible unless asked? (Ordered?). (Again, I’m unclear as to what the government would actually be doing.)

It would have meant the Biden administration seeking and getting a significant increase in defense budgeting and appropriations to rapidly increase the production of weapons systems, weapons, munitions, ammunitions, and other defense material like armored vehicles. Some of this would’ve been done by Biden invoking the Defense Production Act and authorize activities under it. Which lots of us were doing everything from asking to begging to screaming for him and his natsec team to do. While companies that work in the defense and intelligence sector, like all other companies, seek to maximize profit and shareholder returns, they can’t just do things, such as hire more personnel to make munitions, expand production lines, buy raw materials, etc unless they are contracted to do so. The government, which is the client, has to provide the company with the requirement and the requirement also has to be funded. Just because Raytheon, Lockheed Martin, Northrup Grumman, etc have an existing contract to make Patriots or Strykers or Bradleys or M4s or M2s (MA DUECE!!!!) or 155 mm shells or NATO spec 5.56 ammo or to source any of this stuff, does not mean they can just start hiring, buying, building, and/or producing. When you combine this with the fact that Congress works on an annual budget and appropriations cycle and much of what I’ve just described needs year on year certainty and you get another complication. Remember since, 2013 or so, the US government has been working under the one of the stupidest budgetary agreements every made – the Sequester/Budget Control Act – combined with how Trump and the GOP do budgeting and appropriations with a detour through COVID and the Biden administration with two years of Democratic control of the House and Senate. Which is why I kept insisting in post after post during the first two years of the Biden administration that he and his natsec team leveraging those Democratic majorities to expand production, ship everything that wasn’t nailed down up to the threshold that would leave us unable to fight if we had to, and just go with full on militarized Keynesianism.

He and his team didn’t. One of the major players in that decision was this guy:

Please just sh**t me already

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— Kate from Kharkiv (@kateinkharkiv.bsky.social) July 2, 2025 at 5:35 PM

The reason we’re at the point where a transactional, mercurial, vindictive Trump and the genteel isolationist senior nat-sec professionals his personnel people put into place can turn off the supply pipeline is that even when Biden was still president and Sullivan was his National Security Advisor, the Biden administration didn’t actually send everything Congress had authorized before they ran out of time on 20 January 2025. Sullivan should be driven from both polite and impolite society. He’s a galactic failure as a national security professional. He doesn’t deserve the sinecures he’s got. Frankly, he should be airdropped into southern Sudan or Gaza or Saada or Russian occupied Luhansk without a passport or money and told to figure out how to get home safely. If he survives he might actually learn something.

I’ll stop now before I say something intemperate.

Right now, no one actually seems to really know what has and has not been paused. Which just creates more fog and friction for the Ukrainians.

From The New Voice of Ukraine:

“Deliveries are ongoing. It would look very strange, it would look inhumane — let’s put it this way — to stop supplying anti-missiles, especially for the Patriot systems, which very clearly and massively protect the civilian population in Ukraine,” Podolyak said.

On July 1, Politico reported that the Pentagon had temporarily halted the supply of certain air defense missiles and other precision-guided munitions to Ukraine due to concerns over depleting U.S. stockpiles. According to the outlet, the decision was made in early June but only recently went into effect.

Later, White House Deputy Press Secretary Anna Kelly confirmed that the U.S. had paused some weapons shipments to Ukraine following a Defense Department review and increased support from other partner nations.

On July 2, Ukraine’s Defense Ministry said it had not received any official notice of suspended or revised schedules for previously agreed U.S. military aid and was currently seeking clarification.

The ministry requested a phone call with its American counterparts to clarify the matter and said it would report on the results of the discussion once available.

The Defense Ministry also stressed that individuals making public claims about weapons transfers to Ukraine may not have access to complete information.

It’s also demoralizing:

“Although it is unclear how many weapons were included and how soon the pause will be felt on the battlefield, the signal seems clear: Washington is disengaging from the war.”

Put it in the dictionary next to the word “betrayal.”

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— Iryna Voichuk (@irynavoichuk.bsky.social) July 2, 2025 at 8:50 AM

And it encourages the Russians:

Completely expected. The Kremlin welcomed the US decision to cut weapons shipments to Ukriane. “The less weaponry is supplied to Ukraine, the sooner the [invasion] will end,” spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters, according to Interfax.
www.ft.com/content/b69e…

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— Christopher Miller (@christopherjm.ft.com) July 2, 2025 at 8:50 AM

Here is President Zelenskyy’s address from earlier today. Video below, English transcript after the jump.

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Currently, at the Working Level, Ukraine and the U.S. Are Clarifying All the Details of the Defense Support – Address by the President

2 July 2025 – 19:33

I wish you good health, fellow Ukrainians.

A few important updates from today. I have just met with entrepreneurs – members of the American Chamber of Commerce. These are significant businesses. I thanked them for their work in Ukraine and with Ukraine – these are companies that pay taxes in our country and preserve job opportunities. But they are also companies and people with significant influence. It is important for all of us in Ukraine that everyone now uses their personal influence to achieve a collective outcome. Continued U.S. support for Ukraine, for our defense, for our people, is in our shared interest, held by everyone in our country. Air defense for Ukraine is protection for every company operating in our state, holding assets here, and developing their production. Ukraine’s message is absolutely clear: together, we can achieve more. I thank all the companies and entrepreneurs who support Ukrainian defense, who support Ukrainian resilience. Today, we discussed how meaningful it is when companies withdraw from the Russian market and choose to work right here, in Ukraine. We are also establishing a new network of cooperation with the United States and many other countries, based on shared opportunities for developing industry and technological sectors.

But of course, security, of course, protection from Russian strikes is the cornerstone. And we expect greater engagement from businesses in promoting this security agenda of ours.

Also today, Ukraine’s Minister of Defense and Minister of Foreign Affairs gave their reports, in particular on our relations with the United States. Currently, at the working level, Ukraine and the U.S. are clarifying all the details of the defense support, including the air defense component. One way or another, we must ensure protection for our people. There were also discussions today about the next steps in our relations with the European Union, during this period of Denmark’s six-month Presidency. There was a meeting today with our Government officials and the Office team – we are also working with Denmark and other partners on new agreements for arms production, including joint manufacturing, and we’re also preparing updates on our interceptor drones.

I spoke today with the President of Egypt – it was a very important conversation about our bilateral relations and, of course, ways to bring the war closer to an end. Egypt is ready to help. We agreed to activate the work of the Ukraine–Egypt intergovernmental commission and our entire bilateral cooperation.

And one more thing.

We are also continuing our entirely justified efforts targeting various individuals who have aligned themselves with Russia. Figures with political influence and Russian passports, individuals who work against Ukraine’s independence in all its dimensions, including spiritual independence, anyone who supports or justifies aggression: all these people have no place in Ukraine, and never will. We are adopting the respective decisions. And we are preparing new Ukrainian sanctions – resolutions of the National Security and Defense Council will follow.

Glory to Ukraine!

President Zelenskyy also met with representatives of companies that are part of the US Chamber of Commerce today.

Volodymyr Zelenskyy Meets with Representatives of American Business in Ukraine

2 July 2025 – 22:44

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy held a meeting with representatives of companies – members of the American Chamber of Commerce in Ukraine.

The meeting was attended by representatives from Horizon Capital, Cisco Systems, Unilever, Carlsberg, Avrora Multimarket, Microsoft, KPMG, Winner Imports, Coca-Cola, Cargill, CHS, Citibank, AON, CBRE, OTIS, KBR, Pfizer, Google, Baker Hughes, WTW, Wooden Horse, Parsons Corporation, Visa, AGCO, McDonald’s, Honeywell, ADM, Raytheon, MasterCard, Auterion, CRH, TechMet, Argentem Creek, Boeing, D&M Holding, IBM, Shield AI, and the President of the American Chamber of Commerce, Andy Hunder.

“I want to thank the American business community present in Ukraine for creating and, perhaps most importantly, preserving jobs. Your presence sends signals and speaks to stability in Ukraine,” said the Head of State.

Volodymyr Zelenskyy emphasized that Ukraine values all the assistance provided by the United States and the bipartisan support. Stable relations with the U.S. are important for our country.

“Signals about risks of reduction or slowing down of assistance from the U.S. – I believe none of us are interested in that. Neither American nor Ukrainian business, because Patriot systems do not choose whom to protect in Ukraine from the Russian aggressor. Air defense systems and other protection save lives, opportunities, and production capacities for absolutely everyone,” the President stated.

Andy Hunder highlighted Ukraine’s resilience during the war and noted that 88 chamber members have relatives or loved ones serving in the Armed Forces of Ukraine. He also reported that 53% of companies suffered damage to their facilities and offices as a result of Russian shelling.

“One of the things we always ask from the U.S. Government is to provide protection for American businesses operating here, including supplying missiles for the Patriot systems,” he said.

Meeting participants stressed the importance of continuing support and strengthening Ukraine’s air defense.

The President noted Ukraine’s interest in developing cooperation with the United States in the defense-industrial complex and economic partnership.

According to the Deputy Chief of Mission at the U.S. Embassy in Ukraine, John Ginkel, the creation of the United States-Ukraine Reconstruction Investment Fund is a long-term investment in Ukraine’s independence and future.

“We know the road ahead will not be easy, but it is also full of opportunities. With bold leadership, a resilient private sector, and strong Ukrainian-American cooperation, Ukraine will emerge not just restored but as a thriving, independent state of growth and stability in the region,” he emphasized.

TechMet representative Volodymyr Ignashchenko emphasized that, if his company wins the relevant tender, it is ready not only to explore and extract lithium in Ukraine but also to build processing facilities.

Leonid Polupan, CEO of Microsoft Ukraine, noted that the company had a high level of cooperation with the Government even before the full-scale war began and is committed to close collaboration going forward in cybersecurity and the latest developments in artificial intelligence.

Joao Moura, COO of CRH, which operates three cement plants in Ukraine, said that, during the war, the company is investing in creating a modern terminal in Kyiv and a technical laboratory. He also noted the support from foreign investors by the Government.

Arthur Lesnikovskyi, CEO of Boeing Ukraine, stressed that the company’s office was recently damaged due to Russian shelling, but despite this, all employees continue working on projects. In particular, leaders of the defense division cooperate with Government representatives regarding opportunities to deepen technical cooperation.

Representatives of KBR and Shield AI shared their vision of developing cooperation with Ukraine in the defense sector.

Co-founder and CEO of Horizon Capital, Lenna Koszarny, on her part, highlighted the importance of improving the pension system and creating domestic capital markets. She also thanked for the adoption of the law on multiple citizenship.

Volodymyr Zelenskyy noted that the state will cooperate with American businesses to discuss and resolve all problematic issues.

Georgia:

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— Marika Mikiashvili 🇬🇪🇺🇦🇪🇺 (@marikamikiashvili.bsky.social) July 2, 2025 at 2:12 PM

For the 117th day, Rustaveli Avenue is blocked in Georgia. 🇬🇪

Seven months of uninterrupted protests across 8+ cities. Georgia’s not giving up.

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— Rusudan Djakeli (@rusudandjakeli.bsky.social) July 2, 2025 at 1:52 PM

Renowned Georgian opera singer Paata Burchuladze says he’s received 34 fines for blocking roads during protests—totaling GEL 170,000 (~USD 60,000).

For context: The median monthly salary in Georgia is just USD 440.

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— Rusudan Djakeli (@rusudandjakeli.bsky.social) July 2, 2025 at 6:14 AM

🇮🇷 According to Iran’s embassy, Georgian Dream’s Deputy FM Alexander Khvtisiashvili visited the embassy in Tbilisi to express solidarity after the Israeli strike.

💬 He signed a condolence book honoring Iran’s “martyrs” and expressed sympathy, the embassy says.

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— Rusudan Djakeli (@rusudandjakeli.bsky.social) July 2, 2025 at 8:54 AM

Dear friends, fellas, we at Droa party are having a very tough time financially. Due to the current circumstances in Georgia, we have neither domestic, nor international funding.

Yet our unwavering team is instrumental in Georgia’s fight for liberation. 1/

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— Marika Mikiashvili 🇬🇪🇺🇦🇪🇺 (@marikamikiashvili.bsky.social) July 2, 2025 at 3:57 PM

We hope in your support 🙏🏻

Thank you very much and hope I’ll be able to repay each and every single one of you with the same kindness.

PayPal:

paypal.me/tsetkhliolig…
2/2.

— Marika Mikiashvili 🇬🇪🇺🇦🇪🇺 (@marikamikiashvili.bsky.social) July 2, 2025 at 3:57 PM

NATO:

“Ukraine cannot manage without full support,” Rutte said, commenting on the halt in deliveries of critically important weapons to Ukraine from the United States.

At the same time, the NATO Secretary General emphasized that Europe intends to strengthen its support for Ukraine.
t.me/c/1377735387…

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— WarTranslated (Dmitri) (@wartranslated.bsky.social) July 2, 2025 at 11:37 AM

Rutte dismissed Lavrov’s claim that boosting NATO budgets would collapse the alliance, joking on Fox News that Lavrov’s been Russia’s FM “since the time of Jesus Christ” and hasn’t said “a single useful word” since, urging not to give him “too much attention.”
www.foxnews.com/video/637517…

— WarTranslated (Dmitri) (@wartranslated.bsky.social) July 2, 2025 at 1:11 PM

Latvia:

Latvia is sending a new batch of military aid to Ukraine.

It will include 42 Patria 6×6 armored personnel carriers, spare parts, weapons, and ammunition.

www.overtdefense.com/2025/02/06/l…

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— WarTranslated (Dmitri) (@wartranslated.bsky.social) July 2, 2025 at 9:17 AM

Germany:

“The supply of long-range Taurus missiles to Ukraine “has been and remains an option”: Ukrainian troops must undergo training, and this has not yet been discussed.” – German Chancellor Friedrich Merz.

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— WarTranslated (Dmitri) (@wartranslated.bsky.social) July 2, 2025 at 4:35 AM

Yesterday was the best day to begin that discussion. Today was the next best day. Or you can continue to do your Hamlet impersonation on Germany news shows.

Back to Ukraine.

“Russian terrorists can launch up to 500 attack UAVs at once, but not on a daily basis.” – Kyrylo Budanov.

In a comment to Ukrainian media, the head of the Defense Intelligence of Ukraine also confirmed that the Russians are continuously improving their drones.

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— WarTranslated (Dmitri) (@wartranslated.bsky.social) July 2, 2025 at 7:35 AM

In 2024, Frontelligence Insight, after long debates, talks with other analysts, and a detailed review of Russian documents, economic data, production, and payments, concluded that Russia will likely pursue a ceasefire by late 2025 or early 2026. Yet Trump’s policies have encouraged Putin to continue

— Tatarigami (@tatarigami.bsky.social) July 2, 2025 at 7:47 PM

This isn’t an excuse for a potentially incorrect analysis, but the Trump administration’s signals are undeniably encouraging for the Kremlin, which sees Ukraine’s survival as entirely dependent on US support, and believes it can “finish the job” once the US is out of the picture.

— Tatarigami (@tatarigami.bsky.social) July 2, 2025 at 7:49 PM

Fog and friction.

5,438 drones. 230 missiles.
Just in June.

russia’s war isn’t slowing down — it’s escalating dramatically.

And we’re now hearing “peace through strength” buzzing over our heads every single night.

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— Olena Halushka (@halushka.bsky.social) July 2, 2025 at 1:47 PM

A new geopolitical reality in which Ukraine and Europe need to survive.

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— Olena Halushka (@halushka.bsky.social) July 2, 2025 at 12:53 PM

Just hours apart, we got the news that the U.S. will withhold air defense missiles and shells it had previously promised Ukraine. And the news that we’re expecting 30,000 North Korean troops to assist Russia on the battlefield.

Ukraine’s support is fading. Russia is getting more of it.

1/3

— Kate from Kharkiv (@kateinkharkiv.bsky.social) July 2, 2025 at 12:25 PM

I’m expected to be polite. Nice. Tamed. Because technically, my anger won’t help us. It won’t convince more people or governments to support Ukraine.

But know this: war comes when you least expect it. We didn’t believe it would come for us. There was no point in it, but it came.

2/3

— Kate from Kharkiv (@kateinkharkiv.bsky.social) July 2, 2025 at 12:25 PM

And at this rate, it will come for you too. Unexpected and surrially cruel. And you’ll know you could have prevented it by supporting us
when it mattered.

3/3

— Kate from Kharkiv (@kateinkharkiv.bsky.social) July 2, 2025 at 12:25 PM

This is the only formal summoning of the top U.S. diplomat in Ukraine by the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry that I know of or can recall.

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— Euan MacDonald (@euanmacdonald.bsky.social) July 2, 2025 at 7:39 AM

The Trump administration, by cutting supplies of air defense ammunition to democratic Ukraine at the very time fascist Russia is increasing air attacks on Ukrainian civilians, gives every appearance of working in tandem with the Kremlin.

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— Euan MacDonald (@euanmacdonald.bsky.social) July 2, 2025 at 4:08 AM

The media reports that the US withheld badly needed ballistic interceptors meant for Ukraine. If Ukraine is left w/o air defences, russia will wipe out entire big cities w/ ballistics. Tens of millions will flee to Europe by winter. It’s in Europe’s best interest to provide SkyShield for Ukraine.

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— Olena Halushka (@halushka.bsky.social) July 2, 2025 at 3:53 AM

Same day

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— Mira of Kyiv 🇺🇦 (@reshetz.bsky.social) July 2, 2025 at 2:39 AM

Switchblade 600 strikes on Russian armored vehicles

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— 🦋Special Kherson Cat🐈🇺🇦 (@specialkhersoncat.bsky.social) July 2, 2025 at 11:50 AM

GBU39 air strike on Russian underground positions by MiG-29. t.me/soniah_hub/1…

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— 🦋Special Kherson Cat🐈🇺🇦 (@specialkhersoncat.bsky.social) July 2, 2025 at 10:06 AM

Odesa:

Odesa right now, following yet another Russian strike on residential building ‼️

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— Kate from Kharkiv (@kateinkharkiv.bsky.social) July 2, 2025 at 9:51 PM

🇺🇦🎾 Wow! Dayana Yastremska caused a sensation at Wimbledon!
The Ukrainian tennis player from Odesa defeated the world’s second-ranked player, Coco Gauff, in two sets, 7:6, 6:1.
For Dayana, this is one of the most notable victories of her career. Bravo! 🔥

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— Vitalis Viva (@vitalisviva.bsky.social) July 2, 2025 at 2:56 PM

🇺🇦⚡️ Boom! Dayana Yastremska knocks out Coco Gauff in the first round of Wimbledon.
The Ukrainian (#42 WTA) sensationally defeated the world’s second-ranked player in two sets — 7:6(7:3), 6:1 — and will now face Russia’s Zakharova (#95).

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— Vitalis Viva (@vitalisviva.bsky.social) July 2, 2025 at 2:56 PM

Kherson:

Kherson. A hospital. Russia shelled it with artillery today.

5 patients and 3 nurses were injured.

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— Kate from Kharkiv (@kateinkharkiv.bsky.social) July 2, 2025 at 9:09 AM

Kharkiv:

Kharkiv endured a record number of attacks in June since the start of the russian full-scale invasion, with 142 shelling incidents, according to Mayor Terekhov.

The city was hit by missiles, drones, and aerial bombs.

These attacks resulted in 15 deaths and over 150 injuries, including 25 children.

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— Kate from Kharkiv (@kateinkharkiv.bsky.social) July 2, 2025 at 7:30 AM

Kyiv:

FUCKING EXPLOSIONS IN KYIV

— Mira of Kyiv 🇺🇦 (@reshetz.bsky.social) July 2, 2025 at 4:02 PM

AND WE DONT HAVE AIR DEFENSE MISSILES

THANK YOU USA

— Mira of Kyiv 🇺🇦 (@reshetz.bsky.social) July 2, 2025 at 4:03 PM

Russian occupied Crimea:

🛰️Satelite imagery of the Russian Kirovskiy military airbase in Crimea. After the Ukrainian strikes on Russian helicopters on 26.06.2025.

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— 🦋Special Kherson Cat🐈🇺🇦 (@specialkhersoncat.bsky.social) July 2, 2025 at 3:21 AM

There are also reports that the Ukrainians were able to successfully target – read that as killed/eliminate – the commander of Russia’s Black Sea fleet in a strike on Russian occupied Crimea. I still haven’t seen official confirmation yet.

Nikopol:

The Russians have brought their human safari tactic to Nikopol. I’ve seen the videos, I’m not posting them. Four were injured, including a sixty-five year old man who is in serious condition.

Izhevsk:

Satellite image from Izhevsk 🤩💥

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— MAKS 25 👀🇺🇦 (@maks23.bsky.social) July 2, 2025 at 9:55 AM

Satellite images showing the aftermath of the attack on the Izhevsk Electromechanical Plant “Kupol” have appeared online. Part of the roof of one of the military factory buildings has been completely destroyed.

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— WarTranslated (Dmitri) (@wartranslated.bsky.social) July 2, 2025 at 2:08 PM

Russian media report that as a result of the attack on the “Kupol” plant in Izhevsk, four drone production workshops were damaged at once. These workshops operated around the clock, assembling finished drones, processing metals, and soldering microchips. A fire and roof collapse were recorded.

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— WarTranslated (Dmitri) (@wartranslated.bsky.social) July 2, 2025 at 11:03 AM

Moscow:

In Moscow, a car carrying an 80-year-old veteran of the Soviet KGB was blown up, according to Russian media.

The explosion destroyed two vehicles, one of which the veteran was in. He was pulled from the burning car by his daughter, who also served in Russia’s security services.

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— SAINT JAVELIN (@saintjavelin.bsky.social) July 2, 2025 at 11:37 AM

That’s enough for tonight.

Your daily Patron!

There are no new Patron skeets or videos today. Here is some adjacent material.

Ukrainian badass.

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— The Spirit of Lorenzo the Cat (@lorenzothecat.bsky.social) June 26, 2025 at 7:20 AM

Open thread!

War for Ukraine Day 1,224: Make It Hot!Post + Comments (23)

War for Ukraine Day 1,223: Genteel Isolationism

by Adam L Silverman| July 1, 20258:33 pm| 12 Comments

This post is in: Foreign Affairs, Foreign Policy, Military, Open Threads, Russia, Silverman on Security, War, War in Ukraine

I’ve written several times in updates over the past six months that there’s a disconnect between the hyper-aggression of Hegseth and the genteel isolationism of the people chosen to staff the senior positions at the Pentagon, as well as the people chosen for those senior positions.

The Pentagon has halted shipments of some air defense missiles and other precision munitions to Ukraine- Politico

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— Kate from Kharkiv (@kateinkharkiv.bsky.social) July 1, 2025 at 5:04 PM

While three of these folks are gone, including the person who ran the DOD transition, because of what appears to be a made up scandal orchestrated by an incompetent staffer and the SecDef’s personal attorney who the former directly commissioned as a Navy commander, those who have been confirmed for the senior positions or who are in acting senior positions come from the Koch funded portion of the natsec world and are genteel isolationists. What is surprising is that Hegseth came from that world too.

A vastly reduced U.S. presence in the Middle East has been quietly involved in the transition process at the Defense Department, according to four people familiar with the matter, underscoring a distinct ideological shift in the Pentagon as President Donald Trump builds his new administration.

Dan Caldwell, an Iraq War veteran and defense policy advisor with deep ties to the Koch network, has been working behind the scenes to help shape personnel decisions at the Defense Department, sources told Jewish Insider on Wednesday, speaking on the condition of anonymity to address a sensitive topic.

Recent hiring announcements for key positions have reflected Caldwell’s preference for a more restrained foreign policy approach that would have the U.S. scale back its long-standing focus on the Middle East and regional adversaries such as Iran, while expressing a largely skeptical attitude toward Israel, among other views espoused by a growing isolationist wing of the GOP.

In addition to DiMino, another ally of Caldwell’s, Elbridge Colby, has been tapped as undersecretary of defense for policy — even as his sanguine view of Iran and its nuclear ambitions, which he sees as a less urgent threat to American interests than China, has long been a source of contention in Republican foreign policy circles.

More at the link, though it’s all Israel focused.

Here’s what’s not being sent:

Trump behaving exactly like a Russian agent again. This decision aids fascist Russia and will result in more dead civilians in democratic Ukraine. The Trump administration and its supporters will have more Ukrainian blood on their hands.

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— Euan MacDonald (@euanmacdonald.bsky.social) July 1, 2025 at 7:02 PM

There’s two related dynamics here. The first, as I’ve hammered over and over and over again for the past three years is that the US defense industrial base has not been put on a war footing. Meaning that everything that we send to Ukraine, Israel, Taiwan, or anyone else or that we’ve used in Yemen or Iran or parts of Africa is being replaced at a business as usual pace. Which means stocks have dwindled and replacements are not being produced fast enough. This combines with the second dynamic: the genteel isolationism of Colby. The Undersecretary of Defense has immense power within the building. The unwillingness and inability of the Biden administration to put the Defense Industrial Base on a war footing has given Colby the opening and the excuse to do what he’s doing.

Here is President Zelenskyy’s address from earlier today. Video below, English transcript after the jump.

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We Have Clear Evidence – Confirmed by Partners – That Sanctions Are Truly Painful for Russia – Address by the President

1 July 2025 – 21:05

Dear Ukrainians!

Today, the entire day was spent clearing the rubble after the strike on Huliaipole. Tragically, there are casualties – both military and civilian. Colonel Zakharevych, the commander of the 110th Separate Mechanized Brigade, as well as other men from the brigade were killed. My condolences to all their families and loved ones. A full investigation into the circumstances of this strike is ongoing – I am awaiting a report. Everyone who was wounded – and this was a missile strike – is receiving the necessary assistance. More than 30 people were wounded. We will definitely retaliate against the Russians for this strike.

Many different meetings took place today – mainly preparatory meetings. We are getting ready for upcoming meetings in Europe, particularly in Denmark, as well as meetings with other partners of ours. One of the key topics will be weapons production – our joint investments, our joint projects. Today marks the beginning of a new Presidency of the Council of the EU – the Danish Presidency. It is important for us that this period – the next six months – be truly productive in terms of security issues, including for the defense industry, and in terms of sanctions – so that all pressure on Russia truly works, and does so in a way that brings this war to an end and genuinely limits Russia’s potential for aggression. We have clear evidence – confirmed by our partners – that sanctions are truly painful for Russia. And if pressure keeps growing, it will push Russia to think beyond the front and hatred of its neighbors.

Today, I spoke with President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev. I thanked him for supporting Ukraine, our independence and territorial integrity. I also expressed our full support and solidarity with Azerbaijan. Right now, Russia is fomenting a new campaign of hostility against its neighbors, and after the brutal killing of two people from the Azerbaijani community in Russia, it is even threatening the Azerbaijani state. All our partners must view this in the same way – not as a threat to one country, but as a threat to everyone – to all those neighboring Russia. By killing some and humiliating others, Russia is trying to intimidate and subjugate everyone. This must be stopped. There must be sufficient protection for the lives of every nation, and absolute respect for human dignity.

And a few more things.

Ukraine continues to fight for justice – for the just punishment of Russia for its crime of aggression against our state and our people. And for fair accountability for all those who have personally chosen Russia over a peaceful and normal life. Today, I signed the documents to submit our agreement with the Council of Europe on the establishment of the Special Tribunal for the Crime of Aggression for ratification. And we must clearly define the timeline – the specific deadlines – for when all procedural steps required to launch the Tribunal will be completed, and when the Tribunal will actually begin its work. I expect a report on this from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine and the legal team of the Presidential Office immediately after the agreement on the Tribunal is ratified.

We are also continuing our work on the Ukrainian sanctions track – new decisions of the National Security and Defense Council on sanctions will be made soon. The relevant materials are already being prepared.

Today, I also signed a decree to honor our warriors with state awards – such decrees are issued almost daily, and this time it’s a rather large one. It includes 414 defenders, the majority of whom – 354 warriors – are from the National Guard of Ukraine. Among them are Azov fighters, defenders of Mariupol, and men we brought back from Russian captivity. We continue working to secure the release of all our people – every warrior, every civilian, every adult and child still held in Russian captivity. I thank everyone who is helping us! I thank all our people!

Glory to Ukraine!

Georgia:

Day 216 of #GeorgiaProtests

📷 MOSE

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— Marika Mikiashvili 🇬🇪🇺🇦🇪🇺 (@marikamikiashvili.bsky.social) July 1, 2025 at 3:06 PM

For the 216th consecutive day, Rustaveli Avenue is blocked. ✅

Protests continue in 8+ cities in Georgia.

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— Rusudan Djakeli (@rusudandjakeli.bsky.social) July 1, 2025 at 2:12 PM

If we have any chance at all (and I believe in our victory) non-compliance and non-cooperation is the only way.

They cannot imprison us all, they just hope to intimidate us into inaction sooner than they crack.

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— Marika Mikiashvili 🇬🇪🇺🇦🇪🇺 (@marikamikiashvili.bsky.social) July 1, 2025 at 2:34 AM

JUST IN: the regime court sentences democratic leader Nika Gvaramia of Coalition for Change to 8 months in jail. He is already in a pre-trial detention.

It is noteworthy that he has more cases to be launched against him, prolonging his sentence. Just like in case of others.

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— Marika Mikiashvili 🇬🇪🇺🇦🇪🇺 (@marikamikiashvili.bsky.social) July 1, 2025 at 3:17 AM

Georgia’s Western partners should realize that we are currently in the process of building a civic nation, and that it might not always be a straightforward process within the resistance.

We are shedding centuries of enslavement. 1/

— Marika Mikiashvili 🇬🇪🇺🇦🇪🇺 (@marikamikiashvili.bsky.social) July 1, 2025 at 4:59 AM

But we are all united in our requests from the West – most importantly, calls for new, free & fair elections & targeted sanctions which are already working.

And all their timely, targeted actions help us avoid whatever costs can be avoided in this fight, including the cost of human suffering. 2/2.

— Marika Mikiashvili 🇬🇪🇺🇦🇪🇺 (@marikamikiashvili.bsky.social) July 1, 2025 at 4:59 AM

Terrorizing everyone with fines worth 4x national median monthly income over a single act of protest didn’t stop people, so the regime’s new “law” implies administrative imprisonment for a repeated “offense.”

Which basically means you’ll be jailed if you protest twice.

— Marika Mikiashvili 🇬🇪🇺🇦🇪🇺 (@marikamikiashvili.bsky.social) July 1, 2025 at 5:25 AM

Georgians gather to express gratitude to Vano Nadiradze at his funeral. Vano fought in Ukraine for our common freedom for more than 10 years and succumbed to a heart attack.

The Russian regime refused to bury him with military honours.

📷 Lado Nafetvaridze

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— Marika Mikiashvili 🇬🇪🇺🇦🇪🇺 (@marikamikiashvili.bsky.social) July 1, 2025 at 6:27 AM

👇🏻

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— Marika Mikiashvili 🇬🇪🇺🇦🇪🇺 (@marikamikiashvili.bsky.social) July 1, 2025 at 7:00 AM

The US:

Of course Lukashenko lied. Who would have thought?

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— Kate from Kharkiv (@kateinkharkiv.bsky.social) July 1, 2025 at 4:32 PM

France:

Ukrainian media report Macron called Zelensky after speaking with Putin.

Their conversation was constructive, and Macron shared details of his talk with the Russian leader.

However, the Kremlin’s stance remains unchanged – Putin still shows no intention of ending the war.

— WarTranslated (Dmitri) (@wartranslated.bsky.social) July 1, 2025 at 3:34 PM

Canada:

Today is Canada Day!

Ah, for just one time I would take the Northwest Passage…

Back to Ukraine.

The russians executed a Ukrainian soldier by tying him to a motorcycle and dragging him along the road.

There’s a video of it circulating online, which I will not share.

There are hundreds of such cases. Happen over and over again because russians never face consequences for their actions

— Kate from Kharkiv (@kateinkharkiv.bsky.social) July 1, 2025 at 8:24 AM

“I told my fellows: I’ll believe I’m truly back in Ukraine… when I get a pack of cigarettes that says ‘Smoking kills’ in Ukrainian,” former POW Volodymyr Zhylenko, 44, told Hromadske.

Two weeks have passed since his release. He’s gained 5 kg (having lost over 30 in captivity).

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— Olena Halushka (@halushka.bsky.social) July 1, 2025 at 8:34 AM

Now Volodymyr savors every single moment of freedom. He spent 808 days in russian captivity and now doctors fight to save his right hand.

The photos portray Volodymyr before and after russian captivity.

Be the voice of Ukrainian prisoners of war!
Be the voice of justice.

— Olena Halushka (@halushka.bsky.social) July 1, 2025 at 8:36 AM

Ukrainian drone strikes in Izhevsk: Russia’s arms heart, and Luhansk using rocket-drone “Peklo” demonstrates Kyiv’s growing technological abilities. The message to Putin is clear: Ukraine’s strike range and warhead size will only continue to expand as the war continues:

— Tatarigami (@tatarigami.bsky.social) July 1, 2025 at 5:42 AM

2/ Air defense drones are emerging as a promising counter to Russia’s expanding Shahed (Geran) drone output – no longer just a concept, but an increasingly likely solution that could help offset Moscow’s production surge with scalable and relatively cheap response

— Tatarigami (@tatarigami.bsky.social) July 1, 2025 at 5:42 AM

3/ Russia’s consistent failure to break Ukrainian front, despite a manpower edge, and mounting economic issues, admitted even by Putin, nullify their bravado shown during the latest Istanbul. Achieving Moscow’s stated goals would require far more resources than it’s deploying

— Tatarigami (@tatarigami.bsky.social) July 1, 2025 at 5:42 AM

Interception of the Russian FPV by a drone with an installed net launcher t.me/wunderfpv/486

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— 🦋Special Kherson Cat🐈🇺🇦 (@specialkhersoncat.bsky.social) July 1, 2025 at 6:19 PM

According to Russian sources, no fewer than eight Russian regions were attacked last night, with at least several dozen drones used in the strikes.

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— WarTranslated (Dmitri) (@wartranslated.bsky.social) July 1, 2025 at 4:55 AM

Kharkiv:

Explosion in Kharkiv ‼️ the city is under russian drone attack right now ‼️

— Kate from Kharkiv (@kateinkharkiv.bsky.social) July 1, 2025 at 8:05 PM

Zaporizhzhia Oblast:

HUR blew up railway tracks in the Zaporizhia region and stopped a Russian train.

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— 🦋Special Kherson Cat🐈🇺🇦 (@specialkhersoncat.bsky.social) July 1, 2025 at 5:59 AM

Russian occupied Crimea:

HUR attacks valuable Russian military equipment in Crimea.

The video shows strikes on a Pantsir-S1 air defense system, a 9S19 “Imbir” radar, a Niobium-SV radar, a Pechora-3 coastal radar, a Protivnik-GE radar, as well as a Russian military airbase in Saky.

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— 🦋Special Kherson Cat🐈🇺🇦 (@specialkhersoncat.bsky.social) July 1, 2025 at 2:48 AM

Somewhere in southern Ukraine:

Aviation continues to operate in all directions. A MiG-29, using a GBU-39 bomb, destroyed an enemy UAV crew position in the south.

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— WarTranslated (Dmitri) (@wartranslated.bsky.social) July 1, 2025 at 4:09 PM

Izhevsk, Russia:

Izhevsk, russia. Morning buzz.

When you start a war, war comes to you.

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— Kate from Kharkiv (@kateinkharkiv.bsky.social) July 1, 2025 at 8:30 AM

Nizhny Novgorod, Russia:

🚨 Important Update: A Russian Su-34, not a Su-27, military jet has crashed in the Nizhny Novgorod region, as reported by the Russian Defense Ministry. This marks up to six Russian Su-34 losses over the past week.

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— 🦋Special Kherson Cat🐈🇺🇦 (@specialkhersoncat.bsky.social) July 1, 2025 at 9:16 AM

/2. One of the pilots of the Russian Su-34 that crashed this morning has died from his injuries.

— 🦋Special Kherson Cat🐈🇺🇦 (@specialkhersoncat.bsky.social) July 1, 2025 at 11:05 AM

That’s enough for tonight.

Your daily Patron!

There are no new Patron skeets or videos today. Here is some adjacent material.

” I still can’t believe it. And I think she can’t either.”

#Ukrainian border guard Denys recently returned from Russian captivity. He was reunited with his dog Jilly, who was rescued from occupation. They hadn’t seen each other for more than three years.

📹: Radio Liberty

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— Anton Gerashchenko (@antongerashchenko.bsky.social) June 30, 2025 at 2:14 PM

Open thread!

War for Ukraine Day 1,223: Genteel IsolationismPost + Comments (12)

War for Ukraine Day 1,222: Russia Continues to Bombard Civilian Ukrainian Targets; Ukraine Counterattacks Into Russian Occupied Luhansk & Donetsk

by Adam L Silverman| June 30, 20258:34 pm| 10 Comments

This post is in: Foreign Affairs, Foreign Policy, Military, Open Threads, Russia, Silverman on Security, War, War in Ukraine

(Image by NEIVANMADE)

Russia has not slowed the pace of its attacks on Ukrainian civilian targets:

Russia’s war crimes don’t pause between massive attacks.

Over the past 24 hours, russian forces attacked six settlements in Kharkiv Oblast, launching missiles, aerial bombs and drones. The attacks killed two civilians and wounded ten others, including a child.

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— Iryna Voichuk (@irynavoichuk.bsky.social) June 30, 2025 at 3:45 AM

Ukraine is (partially) responding by counterattacking Russian targets in Russian occupied Luhansk and Donetsk:

Precision strike on Russian targets in temporarily occupied Donetsk — “a very juicy hit,” says Center for Countering Disinformation head Andriy Kovalenko. Local media report that the headquarters of Russia’s 8th Combined Arms Army is on fire.

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— NOELREPORTS (@noelreports.com) June 30, 2025 at 4:43 PM

Occupied Yasynuvata 👀

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— Kate from Kharkiv (@kateinkharkiv.bsky.social) June 30, 2025 at 3:12 PM

More from occupied Luhansk. Im not an expert but that fire looks gigantic 👀

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— Kate from Kharkiv (@kateinkharkiv.bsky.social) June 30, 2025 at 4:58 PM

Last night spoot asked:

I have no idea whether Russia or Ukraine is winning, I cannot tell if the posters I read are objectively reporting the news on the Frontline or on the casualty figures or on the hideous bombing of Ukraine civilians and cities. I pray daily that Trump will finally admit that he cannot prop up Putin anymore but I suspect that day will never come, and that Trump admires and look up to the dictators of the world. wants the absolute power that they enjoy, and wants to join their company in a New World Order.

Can Ukraine prevail without the US? Can Ukraine and the European Union actually produce enough weaponry and arms to hold off the Russians Until their economy starts to crumble? Are all these narratives I read mostly just social media copium?

As Jay wrote in response, in the areas where Russia is accumulating territory it is doing so in such small amounts it would take Russia over 700 years to militarily conquer Ukraine going from east to west. And while this is definitely correct, the real answer to your question is that it is complicated. While a lot of the conflict looks frozen with the lines of contact appearing static, theres a lot of other things going on. And they have to do with the different strategic objectives of Putin/Russia and Ukraine.

Putin’s, and therefore Russia’s, overarching strategic objective is to take Ukraine. Not the nation-state. Not the Ukrainians themselves. Not actual Ukrainian culture. What Putin wants is the territory. If he can get it with the Ukrainians and they could be subjugated to his/Russian rule and dominance, that would work, but if he has to kill every last Ukrainian to get the territory, he’s willing (to try) to do so. He’s already misappropriated Ukraine’s actual social, cultural, and religious history to prop up his inaccurate and inauthentic Russian history. Putin has other strategic objectives tied to his primary one. These include bringing the Baltic states, Finland, Moldova, and Romania back under Russian control, fragmenting the EU, and destroying NATO.

None of these objectives are actually achievable by Russia.

Ukraine’s overarching strategic objective is to survive by defeating Russia. Every day that the vast majority of Ukraine remains free from Russian domination and subjugation and that the Ukrainians are defending themselves are small tactical victories that nest within the overall strategic objective.

What Ukraine needs, as Jay wrote in his reply to you last night, is more support from the EU and NATO since little will be coming from the US going forward. Ukraine also needs, and, quite frankly, the EU and its member states need, the EU to get its act together. The days of being a common economic market and a sort of, kind of, might be if you squint correctly political confederation of states are done. I am not suggesting that the EU member states have to surrender their national sovereignty, but they have to recognize that the threats that they’re facing means they can all hang together or they can continue to be prepared to all hang apart.

Russia CAN BE defeated in Ukraine. The Ukrainians have demonstrated that they have the resilience, resolve, and ingenuity to stymie Putin and Russia. What they need is proper support to ensure that Putin and Russia can be stopped and broken in eastern Ukraine. The Ukrainians have made it clear that they are willing to pay the price in blood. What they need is for others to help them play the price in treasure.

Here is President Zelenskyy’s address from earlier today. Video below, English transcript after the jump.

show full post on front page

Russia Is Investing in Its Unmanned Capabilities and Plans to Increase the Number of Drones Used in Strikes Against Our State; We Are Preparing Our Countermeasures – Address by the President

30 June 2025 – 20:38

Dear Ukrainians!

A few points for today. First, we are preparing very thoroughly for the new round of talks in Europe. Today, I held a meeting with our military and the Minister of Defense. As for drones – our domestic production will be ramped up. Today, we discussed everything related to orders, contracts, and the full capacity of our production. I will talk with our partners about new investments in Ukraine – in our weapons. The priority is drones, interceptor drones and long-range strike drones. And of course, the front – everything our warriors on the front lines need, everything that truly holds back Russian assaults. I am grateful to all Ukrainian drone manufacturers – every developer, everyone who is currently working hard to actively advance interceptor drones. This is extremely important. Russia is investing in its unmanned capabilities, Russia is planning to increase the number of drones used in strikes against our state. We are preparing our countermeasures.

We will also continue working with partners on sanctions. This is very important. Putin has already stolen practically half a year from diplomacy – another half a year – on top of the entire duration of this war. Pressure is essential. Work on new sanctions is ongoing. I thank everyone in the United States, everyone in Europe, and in the G7 countries who are preparing new sanctions measures. There will also be decisions on synchronizing all sanctions – Ukrainian sanctions in other jurisdictions and partner sanctions in the decisions of the National Security and Defense Council. A proper pace is needed, and today, specific tasks were defined regarding the sanctions agenda.

I held a meeting with the Minister of Energy and the head of Naftogaz to discuss our preparations for the upcoming heating season – electricity generation and gas-related issues. We must ensure that Ukraine has everything it needs. And this, by the way, concerns not only securing the resources – the energy itself – but also the work of all our energy professionals, the many men and women in the sector. Hundreds of thousands of our people do everything they can every day to ensure that Ukraine can keep going – and that there are no blackouts. We have already endured three winters of full-scale war. This is an enormous effort to preserve the resilience of the entire country. I thank all of you for whom this is truly a personal achievement, a personal accomplishment. And one more thing.

Today, I met with the German Foreign Minister and representatives of German defense companies. We deeply appreciate all the assistance Germany has provided – especially in the area of air defense and in supporting our country’s budgetary stability. Germany is among the global leaders. It is important that we are establishing production here in Ukraine – our joint production of advanced weaponry. One of the goals is to launch systematic production of air defense systems, and this is a strategic objective. We are now also hearing a truly strong political position from Germany regarding NATO membership for Ukraine. Together with nearly all Alliance member states, Germany views Ukraine’s path to NATO as irreversible. One way or another, we will all have to ensure security in Europe through a strong and truly effective security architecture – one that will provide Europe with reliable protection under any scenario. Russia is not changing its plans and is not looking for a way out of this war. On the contrary, they are preparing for new operations, including on the territory of European countries. That’s their principle, the Russians look for where to exploit a weakness. And they must see that there is the wherewithal to stop them everywhere. Therefore, more of our joint production, more resilience, more coordination and efficiency of our common security architecture in Europe.

Thank you to everyone who is helping! Thank you to every one of our warriors, and to all who are truly strengthening our state.

Glory to Ukraine!

First Lady Zelenska commemorated the third anniversary of the Ukrainian Center in Lithuania today.

The Ukrainian Centre in Lithuania Hosted Over 4,300 Events During Its Three Years of Operation – Olena Zelenska

30 June 2025 – 10:55

The Ukrainian Centre in Lithuania has hosted over 4,300 events for adults and children. First Lady of Ukraine Olena Zelenska shared this in a video address marking the third anniversary of the Centre’s establishment.

The President’s wife thanked everyone involved in launching and running the Centre.

“It’s quite easy to help once. It’s much harder to keep helping over time, without asking how much longer it will take. It’s easy enough to show hospitality once. But it’s far more difficult – and more mature – to open your heart for the long haul, without asking when it will end. That is exactly how Lithuania is acting: consistently, selflessly, systematically, and reliably – from the first day of Russia’s invasion to this day,” the First Lady noted.

The Ukrainian Centre is the first cultural and educational space in an EU country created at the initiative of the First Ladies of Ukraine and Lithuania in June 2022. It daily hosts language courses, informal learning, cultural and sports activities. Each summer, it also runs a children’s camp. More than two-thirds of all activities are organized by Ukrainians themselves.

“There is no other Centre like it – one patronized at the state level by both countries. There is no other Centre that offers so many opportunities to Ukrainians – with no expiration date, no conditions, and no limitations,” said Olena Zelenska.

The Centre also showcases Ukrainian projects and creative groups at fairs, festivals, concerts, and art events. It regularly hosts international events as well.

Georgia:

For the 215th day, Rustaveli Avenue is blocked. ✊

Protests continue in 8 cities. 24-hour protests continue for almost three months.

60+ political prisoners are in jail, including most opposition leaders.

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— Rusudan Djakeli (@rusudandjakeli.bsky.social) June 30, 2025 at 2:05 PM

🇬🇪 This is Georgia after:

✅ 7 months of uninterrupted protests.
✅ 60+ political prisoners.
✅ Six out of nine opposition leaders in jail.
✅ Daily protests in 8+ cities.

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— Rusudan Djakeli (@rusudandjakeli.bsky.social) June 29, 2025 at 1:22 PM

Yesterday’s big rally demonstrated some shifts in the Georgian society, and I don’t mean just the first stage mentioning of a revolution. 1/

— Marika Mikiashvili 🇬🇪🇺🇦🇪🇺 (@marikamikiashvili.bsky.social) June 30, 2025 at 10:21 AM

It was the least advertised and the most short-notice large rally in these months, yet the attendance was good, and perhaps most importantly, this time, no one had any expectations or hopes in a specific recipe of victory to be communicated to them; 2/

— Marika Mikiashvili 🇬🇪🇺🇦🇪🇺 (@marikamikiashvili.bsky.social) June 30, 2025 at 10:21 AM

There was no “so if I come today, then what of it?” from some people, as it used to be the case before.

Everyone went there to mark that they are still there, fully understanding that there’s no magic formula expect for pushing through the hell. 3/

— Marika Mikiashvili 🇬🇪🇺🇦🇪🇺 (@marikamikiashvili.bsky.social) June 30, 2025 at 10:21 AM

A sufficient portion of the society will simply back whoever is in a non-cooperation & fighting mode, and not care about others. 4/4.

— Marika Mikiashvili 🇬🇪🇺🇦🇪🇺 (@marikamikiashvili.bsky.social) June 30, 2025 at 10:21 AM

There is a lesson to be learned in this shift.

Malkhaz Amaghlobeli, the brother of detained journalist and founder of “Batumelebi”, Mzia Amaglobeli, is holding Mzia’s poster at yesterday’s protest rally.

#GeorgiaProtests
#TerrorinGeorgia

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— Publika.ge (@publikage.bsky.social) June 30, 2025 at 2:19 PM

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— Marika Mikiashvili 🇬🇪🇺🇦🇪🇺 (@marikamikiashvili.bsky.social) June 30, 2025 at 3:05 PM

The parties include: Droa, Girchi-More Freedom, Ahali, UNM, Strategy Aghmashenebeli, the Federalists, Freedom Square, and European Georgia. 2/2.

— Marika Mikiashvili 🇬🇪🇺🇦🇪🇺 (@marikamikiashvili.bsky.social) June 30, 2025 at 1:20 PM

🧵1/ “I am ending the hunger strike in order to move into an active phase of the fight,” said Elene Khoshtaria outside Parliament, where a statement by eight pro-Western opposition parties was presented.

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— Publika.ge (@publikage.bsky.social) June 30, 2025 at 1:58 PM

2/ “We, the pro-Western political parties and groups of Georgia, whose goal is the complete dismantling of Ivanishvili’s Russian regime, the defence of Georgia’s independence and sovereignty…”

— Publika.ge (@publikage.bsky.social) June 30, 2025 at 1:58 PM

3/ “… the establishment of European-style democratic governance, the creation of a safe environment and dignified living conditions for our citizens, and the country’s integration into the European Union and NATO, jointly declare:”

— Publika.ge (@publikage.bsky.social) June 30, 2025 at 1:58 PM

4/ “We refuse to participate in the so-called local self-government elections, as we believe that in the current reality, participation in this process will not serve the interests of our citizens and will only provide a façade of legitimacy to the illegal Russian regime”.

— Publika.ge (@publikage.bsky.social) June 30, 2025 at 1:58 PM

5/ “Together with the citizens of Georgia, we continue the nationwide resistance” reads the statement signed by Freedom Square, European Georgia, UNM, Strategy Agmashenebeli, Ahali, Girchi More Freedom, Droa and The Federalists.

— Publika.ge (@publikage.bsky.social) June 30, 2025 at 1:58 PM

6/ The statement is not signed by Lelo for Georgia and Giorgi Gakharia’s For Georgia party, both of which say they are considering participating in the local self-government elections.

— Publika.ge (@publikage.bsky.social) June 30, 2025 at 1:58 PM

JUST IN: Jailed democratic leaders Giorgi Vashadze, Nika Gvaramia & Mamuka Khazaradze refused to cooperate with the second summoning by the Stalin-era “Parliamentary Commission” and the Commission Head Thea Tsulukiani addressed the Prosecutor’s Office.

Longer sentences to come.

— Marika Mikiashvili 🇬🇪🇺🇦🇪🇺 (@marikamikiashvili.bsky.social) June 30, 2025 at 6:13 AM

The US:

“Urging” ceasefire wouldn’t make it happen. Russia doesn’t want peace and won’t comply with urges unless you make it comply.

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— Kate from Kharkiv (@kateinkharkiv.bsky.social) June 30, 2025 at 2:57 PM

Moscow’s response to 🇺🇸 diplomatic efforts: visualized by @thestudyofwar.bsky.social
🚨More russian-Iranian drones hitting Ukrainian homes
🚨More missiles targeting schools, hospitals and shopping malls
🚨More war crimes, while the West offers empty threats and carrots instead of sticks

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— Andrew Chakhoyan 🇺🇦 (@andrewchak.bsky.social) June 30, 2025 at 2:47 AM

I honestly don’t know if Kellogg is an ignoramus, self-deluding, afraid to actually speak the truth because it’ll upset his boss, or some combination of all three. I can honestly say you cannot make effective policy or develop effective strategies to achieve them if you are not grounded in reality.

DPRK:

North Korean “heroes” returned home from Kursk operation. Mostly in the boxes.

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— Kate from Kharkiv (@kateinkharkiv.bsky.social) June 30, 2025 at 2:03 PM

Too bad, so sad.

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— Kate from Kharkiv (@kateinkharkiv.bsky.social) June 30, 2025 at 2:03 PM

Libya:

The tanker Vilamoura exploded off the coast of Libya while transporting about 1 million barrels of oil, according to the vessel’s management company. Prior to the incident, the ship had called at the Russian port of Ust-Luga, Bloomberg reported.

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— 🦋Special Kherson Cat🐈🇺🇦 (@specialkhersoncat.bsky.social) June 30, 2025 at 8:07 AM

Norway and Poland:

Norway will deploy F-35 fighter jets to Poland to protect the hub in Rzeszów — a key logistical center for delivering aid to Ukraine, according to the country’s Ministry of Defense.

Well, they’re definitely needed there more.

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— WarTranslated (Dmitri) (@wartranslated.bsky.social) June 30, 2025 at 6:46 AM

Back to Ukraine.

Sanctions make Russia stronger.
The West is collapsing.
The war is going well.

Am I missing something here?

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— Maria Avdeeva (@mariainkharkiv.bsky.social) June 30, 2025 at 4:15 PM

Kharkiv:

Russia bombed food warehouse in Kharkiv region last night. and they’ll try to spin it as a military object. It was food.

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— Kate from Kharkiv (@kateinkharkiv.bsky.social) June 30, 2025 at 6:36 AM

Aftermath of the russian drone strike on food and beverages warehouse in Kharkiv region last night.

You bastards will be punished for spoiling our beer🗿

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— Kate from Kharkiv (@kateinkharkiv.bsky.social) June 30, 2025 at 11:38 AM

❗️For the first time, a new type of russian drone – Chernika – has been used to strike Kharkiv.

According to Mayor Terekhov, its warhead is similar in power to the Molniya, but the design is different. Several vehicles in a local garage complex were damaged in the attack.

— Iryna Voichuk (@irynavoichuk.bsky.social) June 30, 2025 at 4:48 AM

S-300s, artillery, Iskanders, guided bombs, North Korean missiles, Shaheds, Geraniums, Molniyas — the list of weapons russia has used to attack Kharkiv is long. Now, add Chernika drones — reportedly resistant to electronic warfare. The terror only evolves.

en.defence-ua.com/weapon_and_t…

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— Iryna Voichuk (@irynavoichuk.bsky.social) June 30, 2025 at 5:10 PM

From Defense Express Ukraine:

First case of a Chernika (rus. for Blueberry) one-way attack drone strike has been recorded since the beginning of the invasion. The reports were confirmed by Ihor Terekhov, the mayor of Kharkiv, a heavily populated city in northeastern Ukraine. Drones of this series are manufactured in two versions, the light Chernika-1 and the heavier Chernika-2, Defense Express notes.

The russian invasion forces have been using these unmanned aerial vehicles for quite some time: in March 2024, reports stated that more than 7,500 Chernika-1s had been manufactured by then and the total production of Chernika-2s stood at 4,000 in April 2024.

Design-wise, the Chernika-1 is a “flying wing” type of aircraft made of foam plastic. The declared maximum flight range is 80 km, cruising speed: 75 km/h, altitude ceiling: 1.5 km.

Launch can be done by hand or facilitated by a catapult. The warhead weighs 0.7 kg, probably of the high-explosive type. This drone is mainly used against non-armored vehicles and infantry.

The Chernika-2 is more dangerous compared to its smaller counterpart. The warhead weight increases to 3.5 kg, allowing it to destroy dugouts and heavy equipment. The operating range also grows to 100 km.

However, most importantly, some russian sources report the presence of a target homing function, making it effectively invulnerable to electronic warfare during an attack. Chernika-2 is also equipped with an autopilot function to a specific target area, so the operator doesn’t need to constantly control it, only at the terminal stage of the one-way sortie, right before the strike.

This, in combination with the usage of low-cost materials, makes the Chernika family a very dangerous weapon, both in operational capability and scale of manufacture. Conceptually, they resemble another russian drone, Molniya, which also relies on easily obtainable and cheap materials.

Worth noting, between such a ramped-up production, impressive range, and the fact these drones have been used on the frontline for over a year already, it is surprising to see the first strike on Kharkiv to only happen now, because the nearers districts of this city are mere 25 km from the russian border.

War for Ukraine Day 1,221: FAS

by Adam L Silverman| June 29, 20259:22 pm| 13 Comments

This post is in: Foreign Affairs, Foreign Policy, Military, Open Threads, Russia, Silverman on Security, War, War in Ukraine

Last night pieceofpeace asked:

Adam, for some time now, my choices are made with the results of questioning “Is it appropriate,” which is similar to suitable, yet causes more self-inquiry in my way of thinking (works well for me, but mostly in non-urgent situations). To me, the implication involves personal responsibility? Is the FAS test purposely more “just the facts, ma’am!”?

Here’s my default translation from doctrine of what feasible, accessible, suitable (FAS) means:

FAS is the default evaluatory criteria for whether a policy or a strategy may be effective. Feasible, in regard to policy and strategy, refers to the ability to accomplish the policy or strategy within established time, space, and resource constraints. The acceptable metric balances costs to be paid, including human and physical resources and potential risks, with the advantages or benefits that will be accrued by adopting a given policy or implementing a given strategy. For a policy or strategy to be suitable, it must be achievable while also conforming with the law, norms, and customs. In short feasibility asks if a proposed policy or strategy is affordable, acceptability deals with risks, costs, and benefits. Suitability asks if the proposed policy or strategy will actually achieve the objectives and do so in a legal manner.

The cost:

In the early hours of this morning, during a large-scale enemy aerial attack, Maksym Ustymenko, a First Class pilot born in 1993, tragically died in his F-16.

The pilot skillfully deployed all his onboard weaponry, successfully shooting down seven airborne targets.

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— Kate from Kharkiv (@kateinkharkiv.bsky.social) June 29, 2025 at 7:20 AM

While engaging the final target, his aircraft was hit and began to lose altitude.

Maksym bravely managed to steer the damaged plane away from a residential area, but he was unable to eject in time. He died a hero.

The fallen pilot was an alumnus of Kharkiv Air Force University.

— Kate from Kharkiv (@kateinkharkiv.bsky.social) June 29, 2025 at 7:20 AM

He leaves behind a four-year-old son.

RIP hero.

— Kate from Kharkiv (@kateinkharkiv.bsky.social) June 29, 2025 at 7:20 AM

Here is President Zelenskyy’s address from earlier today. Video below, English transcript after the jump.

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I Have Signed a Decree Awarding the Title of Hero of Ukraine to Maksym Ustymenko, One of Our Best Pilots – Address by the President

29 June 2025 – 19:49

Dear Ukrainians!

I have just signed a decree awarding the title of Hero of Ukraine to Maksym Ustymenko – a Ukrainian pilot and one of our very best. Sadly, the award is posthumous. Today, he was killed while defending our skies, defending our people from yet another massive Russian attack – more than 500 strike drones and missiles were launched just last night alone, most of which were shot down. Maksym Ustymenko had been fighting since the ATO period. He mastered four types of aircraft, and his record includes truly significant achievements for Ukraine. Losing people like him is deeply painful. My condolences to his family, loved ones, friends, and brothers-in-arms. May his memory be eternal!

Today, I also signed a decree enacting the decision of Ukraine’s National Security and Defense Council regarding the Ottawa Convention – the convention banning anti-personnel mines. Russia has never been a party to this convention and uses anti-personnel mines with extreme cynicism. And not just now, in its war against Ukraine – this has long been a trademark of Russian killers: to destroy life by every means available. They use chemical and ballistic weapons, including medium-range missiles, and various types of mines, including anti-personnel ones. Unfortunately, that is the reality. Of course, we see how our neighbors in Europe are reacting to this threat. We are also aware of the complexities involved in withdrawing from such a convention, especially during wartime. But we are taking this political step and sending a signal by it to all our partners – this is where attention must be focused. This concerns all countries along Russia’s borders. It is anti-personnel mines that very often have no alternative as a tool for defense.

And one more thing.

Our institutions have begun implementing the decision of the National Security and Defense Council on synchronizing European and Ukrainian sanctions. The 13th and 14th EU sanctions packages are now fully synchronized – and are also one hundred percent Ukrainian sanctions. I have formalized this today. We are also fully aligning the European sanctions package targeting the regime in Iran, which includes numerous entities and numerous companies, not only involved in military production and external terror schemes against neighboring countries in the region, but also in internal repression within Iran itself. It is one of the most brutal regimes in the world. No surprise that Putin found common ground with it. We will continue all these synchronization efforts, and I expect every one of our state institutions to act quickly. Sanctions must now be one of the top priorities – global sanctions against Russia. They are a real tool for limiting Russia’s strategic development capabilities and potential, and they must, day by day, increasingly and painfully restrict Russia’s ability to continue this war – the war against our independence. Next week, we are preparing new joint decisions with our partners on our defense and our resilience. I thank everyone who is helping us. I thank everyone who cares for Ukraine as they would for themselves.

Glory to Ukraine!

Georgia:

“Stand with your people! Stand for Georgia!”

#GeorgiaProtests
Day 214

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— Publika.ge (@publikage.bsky.social) June 29, 2025 at 12:54 PM

Today, students at the stage of the big Tbilisi rally mentioned a revolution and that the public immediately cheered for it.

Lately, the big R is increasingly used openly.

— Marika Mikiashvili 🇬🇪🇺🇦🇪🇺 (@marikamikiashvili.bsky.social) June 29, 2025 at 3:43 PM

Two years ago, the stereotype that Georgians don’t have endurance span to protest beyond a couple of days was almost a scientific fact for most people.

This is tonight, after exactly 7 months of daily #GeorgiaProtests

📷 Bachana Sajaia

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— Marika Mikiashvili 🇬🇪🇺🇦🇪🇺 (@marikamikiashvili.bsky.social) June 29, 2025 at 3:20 PM

Day 214 of uninterrupted #GeorgiaProtests. A large rally again.

For 7 months, we haven’t stopped. It might plateau and spike again, but we will not surrender our country to a Russian takeover.

Friends can help us avoid costs through tangible steps such as targeted sanctions.

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— Marika Mikiashvili 🇬🇪🇺🇦🇪🇺 (@marikamikiashvili.bsky.social) June 29, 2025 at 12:47 PM

JUST IN: Elene Khoshtaria responds positively to the question whether she’d stop the hunger strike if the democratic forces stand united and refuse to participate in the local elections.

Essentially, she’s sacrificing herself to prevent the formation of “systemic opposition.”

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— Marika Mikiashvili 🇬🇪🇺🇦🇪🇺 (@marikamikiashvili.bsky.social) June 29, 2025 at 10:06 AM

It’s day 3 of Elene Khoshtaria’s hunger strike and she already fell unwell yesterday. She has fragile health as it is.

— Marika Mikiashvili 🇬🇪🇺🇦🇪🇺 (@marikamikiashvili.bsky.social) June 29, 2025 at 10:18 AM

Elene Khoshtaria’s statement on her hunger strike👇🏻

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— Marika Mikiashvili 🇬🇪🇺🇦🇪🇺 (@marikamikiashvili.bsky.social) June 29, 2025 at 12:04 PM

These days, it’s a very important milestone for democratic forces in Georgia.

I see two outcomes from here: 1/

— Marika Mikiashvili 🇬🇪🇺🇦🇪🇺 (@marikamikiashvili.bsky.social) June 29, 2025 at 2:05 PM

Either we all stand united, not cooperate with the regime and put all resources into demolishing the regime, or the democratic forces will, in domestic politics, demonstrate a huge discrepancy in actual contribution in demolishing the regime. 2/

— Marika Mikiashvili 🇬🇪🇺🇦🇪🇺 (@marikamikiashvili.bsky.social) June 29, 2025 at 2:05 PM

We will, however, all still be united around our key requests and demands from our Western partners.

I’m not just a party member, I’m a commentator on the social processes and dynamics in Georgia. 3/

— Marika Mikiashvili 🇬🇪🇺🇦🇪🇺 (@marikamikiashvili.bsky.social) June 29, 2025 at 2:05 PM

I try to refrain from commenting about internal political struggles, but there are times when you can no longer ignore this because then you just leave the audience uninformed. 4/

— Marika Mikiashvili 🇬🇪🇺🇦🇪🇺 (@marikamikiashvili.bsky.social) June 29, 2025 at 2:05 PM

I am more than sure that those who invest fully in demolishing the regime will be the victors over those who take a more passive stance, because, unlike 🇷🇺, it’s not only about democracy – it’s also about our national identity & national liberation, which gives us an inexhaustible fuel to persist. 5/

— Marika Mikiashvili 🇬🇪🇺🇦🇪🇺 (@marikamikiashvili.bsky.social) June 29, 2025 at 2:05 PM

Lack of clarity which comes from the inability or unwillingness of some to communicate what we do domestically and how we do it frustrates the public the most.

There must be clarity and then we will be able to proceed with what we’ve got. 6/

— Marika Mikiashvili 🇬🇪🇺🇦🇪🇺 (@marikamikiashvili.bsky.social) June 29, 2025 at 2:05 PM

This is also what democratic leader Elene Khoshtaria asks for with her hunger strike. 7/7.

— Marika Mikiashvili 🇬🇪🇺🇦🇪🇺 (@marikamikiashvili.bsky.social) June 29, 2025 at 2:05 PM

The US:

Hours later, Putin unleashed his largest air attack on democratic Ukraine yet. No, Putin does not respect Trump.

He knows exactly how to play him, however.

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— Euan MacDonald (@euanmacdonald.bsky.social) June 29, 2025 at 4:46 AM

Hungary says the U.S. has lifted sanctions blocking the Russian-backed Paks II nuclear plant project. The deal with Rosatom dates back to 2014. FM Szijjártó thanked the Trump team and called the project crucial for Hungary’s energy security.

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— WarTranslated (Dmitri) (@wartranslated.bsky.social) June 29, 2025 at 11:39 AM

Back to Ukraine.

Over 450 drones, cruise missiles, ballistic missiles, and hypersonic aeroballistic missiles russia launched at Ukraine tonight.

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— Kate from Kharkiv (@kateinkharkiv.bsky.social) June 28, 2025 at 11:22 PM

The massive Russian strike overnight hit multiple regions across Ukraine: injuries in Cherkasy and Ivano-Frankivsk, civilian infrastructure damaged in Sumy, Dnipro, Poltava, Zaporizhzhia, Mykolaiv and Lviv. Targets included homes, colleges, churches, and critical infrastructure.

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— NOELREPORTS (@noelreports.com) June 29, 2025 at 2:40 AM

One single night out of a thousand

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— Mira of Kyiv 🇺🇦 (@reshetz.bsky.social) June 29, 2025 at 1:42 PM

537 aerial weapons fired at Ukraine, biggest attack yet.

Time for my mantra again – intone along with me:

“The war will continue to rise in intensity and expand geographically until the West gives democratic Ukraine enough military and economic support to defeat fascist Russia.”

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— Euan MacDonald (@euanmacdonald.bsky.social) June 29, 2025 at 4:50 AM

🕸️🐝 Ukrainian FPV drones with a pneumatic nets from Ptashka Systems are hunting Russian FPV drones.

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— MAKS 25 👀🇺🇦 (@maks23.bsky.social) June 29, 2025 at 2:51 PM

The first confirmed debris of Russia’s Geran-3 jet-powered kamikaze drone has been found. The drone is believed to be based on the Iranian Shahed-238, with production recently launched at Russian domestic facilities.

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— WarTranslated (Dmitri) (@wartranslated.bsky.social) June 29, 2025 at 1:14 PM

Ukraine has initiated its withdrawal from the Ottawa Treaty banning anti-personnel mines. A presidential decree has appeared on the official website. Although it takes immediate effect, the exit will become official six months after the UN is formally notified, according to media reports.

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— WarTranslated (Dmitri) (@wartranslated.bsky.social) June 29, 2025 at 8:32 AM

Kyiv:

People shelter in the Kyiv Metro as fascist Russia launches its biggest air attack on democratic Ukraine yet (537 weapons). With Kyiv having suffered two murderous attacks by Russia in the last two weeks alone, many were taking no chances.

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— Euan MacDonald (@euanmacdonald.bsky.social) June 29, 2025 at 3:33 AM

Kupyansk, Kharkiv Oblast:

Russia shelled Kupyansk again. 54-year-old man has died, and a 32-year-old man was injured. The injured man was hospitalized and is in serious condition.

Russia kills people in Kharkiv region every single day.

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— Kate from Kharkiv (@kateinkharkiv.bsky.social) June 29, 2025 at 10:50 AM

Smila, Cherkasy Oblast:

Cherkasy region, Ukraine. Today.

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— Kate from Kharkiv (@kateinkharkiv.bsky.social) June 29, 2025 at 6:30 AM

The number of people injured in the attack on Smila in Cherkasy region has risen to 11, including two children, according to local authorities.

Preliminary data indicates that three missiles and eight drones impacted within the city. The enemy deliberately targeted civilian infrastructure.

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— Kate from Kharkiv (@kateinkharkiv.bsky.social) June 29, 2025 at 8:33 AM

Stepnohirsk, Zaporizhzhia Oblast:

The Russian military struck an apartment building in Stepnohirsk, Zaporizhzhia Region, this morning, according to the Regional Military Administration.

Occupying forces reportedly used guided aerial bombs, MLRS, artillery, and drones. Information regarding casualties is still being clarified

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— Kate from Kharkiv (@kateinkharkiv.bsky.social) June 29, 2025 at 8:26 AM

Kherson Oblast:

An unexpected turn in the development of precision artillery shells.

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— 🦋Special Kherson Cat🐈🇺🇦 (@specialkhersoncat.bsky.social) June 29, 2025 at 2:34 PM

Marynivka, Russian occupied Donetsk Oblast:

🛰️The first satellite image of the aftermath of the drone strike on the Russian military airfield in Marynivka, which reportedly destroyed or damaged four Su-34s. The satellite image was taken two days after the attack.

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— 🦋Special Kherson Cat🐈🇺🇦 (@specialkhersoncat.bsky.social) June 29, 2025 at 7:54 AM

/2.Because two days had passed since the strike and weather conditions allowed satellite images to be taken, the Russians were able to slowly evacuate most of the debris. But a huge black spot and even damage to the runway from the detonation are still visible where Russian Su-34 are usually located

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— 🦋Special Kherson Cat🐈🇺🇦 (@specialkhersoncat.bsky.social) June 29, 2025 at 7:54 AM

The Pokrovsk front:

On the Pokrovsk front, Ukraine’s Defense Forces destroyed a Russian UAV command post. All documentation, cash, FPV and reconnaissance drones were destroyed. Ammunition and technical equipment used by drone operators were also wiped out.

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— WarTranslated (Dmitri) (@wartranslated.bsky.social) June 29, 2025 at 6:19 AM

Astrakhan Oblast, Russia:

Russia has begun building reinforced concrete shelters at Akhtubinsk airbase in the Astrakhan region. A year ago, the base was hit by Ukrainian drones in a strike that damaged Su-57 jets. At the time, the aircraft were parked in the open next to painted decoy silhouettes.

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— WarTranslated (Dmitri) (@wartranslated.bsky.social) June 29, 2025 at 5:40 AM

Krasnodar Oblast, Russia:

Ukrainian drones attacked the Kushchyovskaya military airfield in Russia’s Krasnodar region overnight on June 25. An electrical substation on the base was damaged, according to ASTRA, citing its sources.

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— WarTranslated (Dmitri) (@wartranslated.bsky.social) June 29, 2025 at 2:50 AM

That’s enough for tonight.

Your daily Patron!

There are no new Patron skeets or videos today.

Here are some puppies being rescued in Poltava:

Rescued from the rubble puppies in Poltava region.

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— Kate from Kharkiv (@kateinkharkiv.bsky.social) June 29, 2025 at 6:43 AM

Open thread!

War for Ukraine Day 1,221: FASPost + Comments (13)

War for Ukraine Day 1,220: Russia Once Again Shatters the Small Hours of Ukraine’s Night

by Adam L Silverman| June 28, 20258:09 pm| 22 Comments

This post is in: Foreign Affairs, Foreign Policy, Military, Open Threads, Russia, Silverman on Security, War, War in Ukraine

(Image by NEIVANMADE)

The cost:

Kateryna Borsynska, a teacher and social pedagogue at Mykhailivskyi Lyceum, was murdered by Russian attack on Odesa together with her husband, Valentyn, according to Mayor Trukhanov.

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— Kate from Kharkiv (@kateinkharkiv.bsky.social) June 28, 2025 at 8:39 AM

❗️Currently, several oblasts of Ukraine are under attack by russian Shahed drones. Moreover, monitoring channels are reporting the takeoff of the russian bombers, meaning that tonight Ukraine is likely to be under yet another massive combined attack.

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— Iryna Voichuk (@irynavoichuk.bsky.social) June 28, 2025 at 4:09 PM

Russia sortied its MiG-31Ks at 2:10 AM local time in Ukraine/7:20 PM EDT. The air raid alert maps, which indicate the time – 2:10 AM – that they were first identified by Ukrainian air defense, have them inbound from western Russia and from the Black Sea. Air raid alerts are currently up – at 2:25 AM local/7:25 PM EDT – for all of Ukraine with Russian drone swarms moving from east to west across Ukraine.

Ukrainian air raid has alerted that Khinzals are inbound!

Ukraine is under massive russian missile and drone attack right now ‼️

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— Kate from Kharkiv (@kateinkharkiv.bsky.social) June 28, 2025 at 7:24 PM

There are also reports that Russia has sortied its surviving Tu bombers.

Signs a big Russian air raid may be coming tonight: Dozens of Russian/Iranian Shahed flying bomb drones already in Ukraine’s airspace, five Tu-95 bombers out of Olenya air base in northern Russia airborne, Tu-160s might fly too. Follow-up ballistic missile attack likely too.

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— Euan MacDonald (@euanmacdonald.bsky.social) June 28, 2025 at 3:16 PM

Russia’s air tactics are to use the drone swarms to overwhelm Ukrainian air defense in order to make it easier for the missiles to hit their targets. And as we’ve seen over and over and over again, those Ukrainian targets will be civilian targets.

Drone situation: many heading west.

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— Euan MacDonald (@euanmacdonald.bsky.social) June 28, 2025 at 5:51 PM

Another sleepless night ahead.
russian drones have penetrated our airspace, russian bombers — airborne, & ballistic missiles are likely coming too.
Life flies by the same unchanging route: home -> work -> sleeping in the metro -> work -> home -> metro shelter again.
russia is a terrorist state.

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— Olena Halushka (@halushka.bsky.social) June 28, 2025 at 4:31 PM

This follows a Saturday of just the intermittent drone attacks that Russia launches at all hours.

Now we wait and keep the faith with the Ukrainians.

President Zelenskyy made an address today for Ukraine’s Constitution Day. Video below, English transcript after the jump.

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Address by President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Constitution Day

28 June 2025 – 14:20

Dear attendees, ladies and gentlemen, our dear warriors, representatives of the Ukrainian authorities, members of the diplomatic corps, dear Andrzej – Mr. President of Poland, dear people of Ukraine!

Today, we are marking Constitution Day of Ukraine – the Constitution of our state, our nation. The first word of its first article is “Ukraine.”

And this reflects our ultimate goal, our mission. Ukraine is – and will be – on earth. Ukrainians are – and will be – on earth. This is both our goal and our shared duty. It is the mission of everyone for whom Ukraine truly comes first – of those who cannot imagine their lives without Ukraine, and without whom Ukraine can no longer be imagined.

We are a state of millions. But for us, millions have never been – and will never be – just a mass of people. This is a nation made up of citizens who have the strength to stand up for what they believe in and what they strive for. And that is precisely why Ukraine stands.

Ukraine is millions of names we are proud of. Ukraine is the choice our people make every day. It is millions of actions and feats that, together, are Ukraine. And the social contract among all of us is this: Ukraine comes first. Ukrainians – our independence, our rights, our dreams – of an entire people – come first.

And when we say this, the words carry power. Because these are not words about something abstract – they are about real people, real deeds, and a real path that has been endured. About all of us. About the citizens who breathe life into Ukraine – everything from its Constitution to each of its days. It is these people who write the pages of history and fill the pages of the Constitution with life. With their example, their deeds, and their heroism.

One of these stories is that of Junior Sergeant Oleksandr Ivantsov. At the beginning of the war, he volunteered for an extremely difficult operation carried out by the Defense Intelligence of Ukraine. After flying over 100 kilometers by helicopter as part of an air assault group, he landed at Azovstal. Later, destroying enemy forces, he broke out of encirclement on his own, crossed more than a hundred kilometers through occupied territory, reached Ukraine, and continued to defend it. Today, his wife and his mother are here with him. I am certain they are proud of their husband, son, and, as of today, Hero of Ukraine.

Among those our nation is proud of is Volodymyr Zakhliupanyi. For 30 years, Volodymyr Mykolaiovych has been bringing the light of knowledge to children at the lyceum in Hostomel. He lost his son, who was killed by the invaders during the occupation, yet he did not break. He continues to dedicate his life to hundreds of other children – to his students, those he mentors, the next generations of Ukrainians. They will surely hear and know the stories of those who preserve Ukraine, who defend its Constitution, its independence, and human life.

As does Olena Stavytska from the Sumy region. As part of the “White Angels” group, she helps those affected by shelling, provides medical aid, and carries out evacuations of our people. Just this year alone, that’s over 1,000 Ukrainians – including 370 children. The youngest among them was only 6 days old.

Live to help. Give all your strength so that Ukraine may stand strong. This is the principle followed by millions of our citizens. And many of them have given their lives so that Ukraine may live.

Among such heroes is Colonel of the Air Force Viktor Polyvianyi. During the course of combat operations under his command in the southern direction, nearly 700 aerial targets were destroyed: aircraft, cruise missiles, Iskanders, nearly 500 Shaheds, and much more evil that was flying toward our land, toward our people. Officers like him are our pride. The loss of such true officers is our pain. The memory of Hero of Ukraine Colonel Polyvianyi will remain with us forever – just like the memory of all those who have fallen for Ukraine’s freedom. We will carry their memory in our daily work, in our struggle, in the hundreds of other deeds, triumphs, and stories.

I now ask everyone to honor the memory of all fallen heroes with a moment of silence.

Ladies and gentlemen!

Today, on Ukraine’s Constitution Day, we express our gratitude to everyone who contributes to what truly matters every single day.

Those who have been on the front line since 2014. Those who deliver everything that’s needed. Those who brave fire and darkness so that life can go on in our cities and villages. Those who held their position alone for days on end. Those who suffered severe injuries but never lost their spirit – and completed a series of six world marathons. Those who perform the most complex surgeries 24/7, because in the work of saving lives, there is no eight-hour workday – only a round-the-clock need to fight for life. Our warriors, our volunteers, medics, teachers, artists, our athletes, and millions of Ukrainian citizens – all of them are people whose spirit and resilience match the challenges of our time. People whom the war has deprived of sleep and rest, whose lives it has changed, whose rights it has restricted – and yet they do more than what is required by constitutional duty. More. They act not out of obligation to the law, but out of the call of the heart.

And there are not just hundreds or even thousands of such stories. There is no square in the world large enough to hold all the Ukrainian men and women who deserve our gratitude, respect, and applause. Thank you!

Ladies and gentlemen! Our Constitution states that the defense of Ukraine is the most important function of the state and the duty of the entire Ukrainian people. But how important and precious it is to feel that in this duty, the Ukrainian people are not alone. Standing with us are true friends. Brothers-in-arms. Allied states and entire nations. The Walk of the Brave, located on Constitution Square, is dedicated to their solidarity and commitment to us. The Walk of the Brave that bears the names of those who stood with Ukraine from the beginning and who continue to stand with it now.

Among such people is Andrzej Duda – the President of Poland, one of the first to be honored on the Walk of the Brave. He continues to stand with us, and he is here with us today – and I am truly glad that you are here today, my dear friend. In the first month of the war, we were in constant contact – every day, every night, 24/7. When the Polish people were helping so many of our Ukrainians, when you and I were working together, when we opened the first hub in Rzeszów – I remember it very well – from there, such vital weapons were delivered – such a lifeline, such essential aid for our army, for our entire people. So that we could endure. So that we would not fall. So that we could live. And stand here today.

Thank you for the unity – the unity that the Ukrainian and Polish nations have not lost. Thank you!

And we also thank all the nations of the civilized world for their unity around Ukraine. Unity with Europe. Unity with America. The unity of a world that understands what it means to fight for the greatest constitutional right of any nation: the inalienable right to life. The inalienable right to independence. The inalienable right to live in peace – to live in safety, in progress, in a free Ukraine. This is all Ukraine strives for. And no one can say that Ukraine is asking for too much. That is why Ukraine will undoubtedly achieve it. All of us will – all those for whom Ukraine truly comes first. All those for whom Ukraine truly stands above all.

Happy Constitution Day of Ukraine, dear citizens!

Glory to Ukraine!

President Zelenskyy also hosted Polish President Duda today.

Polish President Andrzej Duda arrived in Kyiv today, where Constitution Day is being celebrated. This is his final visit to Ukraine as president.

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— WarTranslated (Dmitri) (@wartranslated.bsky.social) June 28, 2025 at 3:19 AM

Ukraine and Poland Have Achieved a Lot Together Since the Start of the Full-Scale War, and It Is Essential to Preserve This Kind of Relations – Volodymyr Zelenskyy

28 June 2025 – 17:29

In Kyiv, President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy met with President of Poland Andrzej Duda, who arrived in Ukraine ahead of the conclusion of his presidential term.

The Head of State noted that Andrzej Duda is a special guest who has stood with Ukraine since the very first moments of the full-scale war.

“I want to thank you once again personally for everything we have achieved together, with you and with Poland. For your support, for our timely and important joint decisions, for every one of your visits. Today is effectively your farewell visit as the sitting President of Poland, but we will always be glad to welcome you to Ukraine as a friend and a very courageous person,” said Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

He recalled that from the very start of Russia’s invasion on February 24, 2022, Ukraine and Poland swiftly established a key logistics hub in Rzeszów. Poland provided significant defense support to Ukraine and consistently stood by Ukraine on all international platforms – in the EU, NATO, and in dialogue with other partners.

“It is extremely important for us to preserve this kind of relations, this support, this mutual understanding between our nations. The principle of good neighborliness, the principle of ‘For our freedom and yours,’ the principle of resolving any issue through respectful dialogue – all of this must be preserved,” Volodymyr Zelenskyy emphasized.

During the meeting, the two presidents discussed the future development of bilateral relations, the security situation in the region and the world, the state of diplomacy, relations and potential decisions at the EU level and in coordination with NATO partners following the summit in The Hague. Also, important Ukrainian-Polish defense cooperation agreements are being implemented over the course of these months.

The President of Poland highlighted the interest of Polish companies in the reconstruction of Ukraine and in expanding their presence in the country. He also emphasized the importance of increasing trade turnover between the two countries.

Andrzej Duda stated that it was an honor to receive the Order of Freedom from Volodymyr Zelenskyy, adding that the award held deep personal significance for him.

“As President of the Republic of Poland, I never had any doubt that standing side by side with Ukraine, represented by President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, was crucial for Poland’s own security,” he stressed.

The President of Poland expressed hope that the ties formed in recent years between many Poles and Ukrainians would serve as a foundation for new relations between the two nations.

“And thanks to our strong cooperation, we will be able to resolve all the historical issues that remain so painful between our nations,” he added.

Andrzej Duda also thanked the Ukrainian side for their understanding and the decisions that enabled the exhumation of deceased Poles.

Here’s the video of their joint press conference:

Georgia:

For the 213th day, Rustaveli Avenue is blocked in Tbilisi. Protests continue in 8+ cities across the country. 🇬🇪✊

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— Rusudan Djakeli (@rusudandjakeli.bsky.social) June 28, 2025 at 2:22 PM

A crowd has gathered on Rustaveli Avenue to read aloud the poetry of imprisoned Georgian writer Zviad Ratiani.

Today, Georgia’s 60+ political prisoners come from all walks of life—teachers, actors, doctors, students, farmers, and more.

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— Rusudan Djakeli (@rusudandjakeli.bsky.social) June 28, 2025 at 2:22 PM

Elene Khoshtaria, who’s on a hunger strike to consolidate all stakeholders around the concept of non-cooperation with the regime, will present her vision on the resistance to the protesters on Rustaveli this evening. #GeorgiaProtests

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— Marika Mikiashvili 🇬🇪🇺🇦🇪🇺 (@marikamikiashvili.bsky.social) June 28, 2025 at 8:31 AM

BREAKING: Elene Khoshtaria’s hunger strike is to set everyone’s focus straight among democratic forces, essentially.

Khoshtaria stated that this form of protest aims to achieve the following objectives: 1/

📷 MOSE

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— Marika Mikiashvili 🇬🇪🇺🇦🇪🇺 (@marikamikiashvili.bsky.social) June 28, 2025 at 5:32 AM

1. Absolute non-cooperation with the regime;
2. Rejection of the sham local elections;
3. Creating a unified entity to serve as the legitimate political alternative for our foreign partners to communicate with;
4. To rally all resources in diversifying and intensifying our non-violent protest. 2/

— Marika Mikiashvili 🇬🇪🇺🇦🇪🇺 (@marikamikiashvili.bsky.social) June 28, 2025 at 5:32 AM

She underlined that the lack of clarity on the modus operandi from the democratic forces keeps the population in limbo and forces many to disengage from protests. This includes, but is not limited to, the question of participation in the October local elections. 3/

— Marika Mikiashvili 🇬🇪🇺🇦🇪🇺 (@marikamikiashvili.bsky.social) June 28, 2025 at 5:32 AM

According to her, President Zourabichvili should also publicly side with either the local elections or non-cooperation with the regime. 4/4.

— Marika Mikiashvili 🇬🇪🇺🇦🇪🇺 (@marikamikiashvili.bsky.social) June 28, 2025 at 5:32 AM

There is a lesson here for elected and appointed officials in the Democratic Party. I do not expect them to even recognize it, let alone learn it or act on it.

🔴 Hunger strike as the last resort of political protest – following the arrests of opposition leaders and the continued repression on June 27, Elene Khoshtaria, one of the opposition leaders, announced a hunger strike and set up a tent in front of the parliament building.

#RepressionInGeorgia

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— Batumelebi&Netgazeti (@netgazeti.org) June 28, 2025 at 9:55 AM

On June 28, former Georgian Dream politician Gedevan Popkhadze joined the protest on Rustaveli Avenue with a hunger strike. So far, four citizens have also announced about joining this extreme form of protest.
#GeorgiaProtests
#RepressionInGeorgia
#TerrorInGeorgia

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— Batumelebi&Netgazeti (@netgazeti.org) June 28, 2025 at 9:55 AM

Politician Gedevan Popkhadze, activists: Vasil Eliava, Giorgi Stepanov, Bacho Kutsia have joined Elene Khoshtaria in hunger strike this morning, @publikage.bsky.social reports reports.

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— Katie Shoshiashvili (@kshoshiashvili.bsky.social) June 28, 2025 at 3:06 PM

Back to Ukraine:

Crimea is Ukraine.
Donetsk is Ukraine.
Luhansk is Ukraine.
Every Ukrainian town is Ukraine.
On the Constitution Day, activists of the Yellow Ribbon resistance held a large-scale campaign in occupied territories, distributing hundreds of leaflets & stickers w/ quotes from Ukraine’s Constitution.

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— Olena Halushka (@halushka.bsky.social) June 28, 2025 at 1:43 PM

Key players predict that the face of the war will rapidly change this summer, likening the proliferation of UGVs to the explosion in aerial-drone manufacturing in 2023. “We don’t have the men to counteract Russia’s meat-wave,” says one manufacturer. “So we’ll send our zombies against theirs.”

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— Björn Müller (@bjoernm.bsky.social) June 28, 2025 at 12:16 PM

From The Economist:

A BRUTALIST COMPLEX somewhere in Kyiv, strewn with rubbish and weeds, offers a vision for Ukraine’s survival on the future battlefield. At one end is a recruitment office, where lines of 20-somethings are receiving their first orders. At another sit trenches, obstacle courses, and the 3rd Assault Brigade’s “Kill House”, a training ground for military robots. This is where the elite brigade is stress-testing the unmanned ground vehicles (UGVs) Ukraine hopes will soon begin to carry the burden of war in place of men.

UGVs are already rolling around the front lines, with the 3rd Assault Brigade among the pioneers. They have not yet appeared in large numbers, though that moment may be near. In spring Ukraine announced plans to deploy 15,000 ground robots. Some key players predict that the face of the battlefield will rapidly change this summer, likening the proliferation of UGVs to the explosion in aerial-drone manufacturing in 2023. “We don’t have the men to counteract Russia’s meat-wave,” says one manufacturer. “So we’ll send our own zombies against theirs.”

There are currently about 40 mostly private Ukrainian firms producing some 200 UGV models. They fall into three tribes: logistics (petrol, water, evacuation); engineering support (mine-laying, mine-sweeping, communications); and, to a lesser extent, combat-support roles (platforms with grenade launchers, drone-hunting turrets). Most UGVs are beefed up before being deployed to front-line roles, with brigades typically adding cameras, extra comms or electronic-warfare protection. The war’s widening “grey zone”—10km of ground either side of the contact line, watched and punished by drones—is spurring demand for the most robust robots that let men stay underground.

“Stark”, who runs the Kill House’s “UGV Academy”—a university for ground robots—says machines are already substituting for squads of soldiers in particular scenarios. Mule drones can transport tonnes of materiel to the lines. New evacuation drones like the Ardal can spare stretcher teams from becoming sitting ducks under drone-heavy skies. The latest mine-layers can lay dozens of anti-tank mines in a single run, a task that once required sappers to be sent out, over and over again. The Hyzhak (“Predator”) uses artificial intelligence to identify and shoot drones out of the sky from 200 metres away. Its brother, the Liut (“Fury” ), a 7.62mm machine-gun platform, first bared its teeth in an ambush operation during Ukraine’s incursion into Kursk last August. Vasyl, the founder of UGV Robotics, which produces the Liut, says the Russians were so surprised by the novelty that they immediately gave their positions away, letting other Ukrainian units target them.

In the early days the UGV operators needed to be close to their prototypes to stay in range, often no more than a kilometre away. “Shadow” and “Shura”, members of another brigade using UGVs, the 92nd, recall a time when they had to accompany their vehicle by foot to the front, a task that would be suicidal today because of Russian drones. Today, they can connect to them via Starlink from swivel chairs in command posts far from the front-line positions in the Kharkiv region. “We can control the vehicle with the full situation mapped out on screens in front of us,” says Shadow. “One of us can be piloting, the other drinking Coca-cola or on a smoke break.” But the operators do not foresee an era of robot-on-robot warfare just yet. Ground robots are some way from replacing infantry, they say. “I think they will obviously support logistics, to help here and there, yes,” says Shura. “But never to replace infantry.”

The most immediate brake on mass deployment is communications. Starlink fails in difficult terrain or beneath trees. Mesh networks, where drones connect to each other to give data multiple paths to travel, can collapse if crucial nodes are lost. Viktor, an engineer of the Burevii design-and-production bureau, which makes UGVs used for logistics and kamikaze attacks, says the current technology probably needs an AI or machine-vision upgrade before mass use in active combat becomes realistic. That could be a year away. Another factor limiting a UGV revolution will be the availability of skilled operators, he says. “We have very few who have completed enough missions and are still alive.”

Ukraine is winning in the UGV race at the moment—largely because it has to. The Kremlin, whose army is increasing by 8,000-9,000 men per month, probably does not feel anything like the same imperative. Equally, there is nothing to say that Russian UGV drone development will not go the same way as the first-person-view drone market before it. That is to say, Ukraine’s innovation ecosystem opens up the technology, before Russia’s industrial system copies, standardises and scales up on the best of it. But even though Ukraine’s UGV developers acknowledge that the best of their creations will eventually be copied, they say even a modest shift can have real meaning. “It will be a success if we replace 1% of our manpower needs on the front,” says Vasyl. “And I think right now we can do quite a bit better than 1%.” ■

Ukrainian soldiers from the 25th Airborne Brigade are showing how ground drones are being used by the Ukrainian army.

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— WarTranslated (Dmitri) (@wartranslated.bsky.social) June 28, 2025 at 4:36 AM

Kharkiv:

Russian drones approaching Kharkiv again ‼️ i can hear air defense working in the distance.

— Kate from Kharkiv (@kateinkharkiv.bsky.social) June 28, 2025 at 5:17 PM

One drone down! More ate in the air over our city!

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— Kate from Kharkiv (@kateinkharkiv.bsky.social) June 28, 2025 at 12:48 PM

Kupyansk, Kharkiv Oblast:

“No gas, no electricity, soon no food. PS USA (?)” This is the message Russians are writing on the drones they’re using to attack the Kupyansk district of Kharkiv region.

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— Kate from Kharkiv (@kateinkharkiv.bsky.social) June 28, 2025 at 10:55 AM

Russian occupied Crimea:

🚁SBU claims destruction of Russian Pantsir-S1 air defence system and three helicopters (Mi-8, Mi-26, and Mi-28) in strike on occupied Crimea airfield. Also FIRMS data shows fire traces at the location of the Russian Kirovskiy military airfield in Crimea.

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— 🦋Special Kherson Cat🐈🇺🇦 (@specialkhersoncat.bsky.social) June 28, 2025 at 8:15 AM

SBU says it destroyed aircraft in a special operation last night at Kirovskoye airfield in Ukraine’s Russian-occupied Crimea.

Mi-8, Mi-26 and Mi-28 helicopters were destroyed, as well as a Pantsir-S1 self-propelled anti-aircraft system.

Some video from the operation:

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— Euan MacDonald (@euanmacdonald.bsky.social) June 28, 2025 at 8:56 AM

NASA FIRMS records fires at the airfield, including at the site where the Pantsir was previously seen to be located.

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— Euan MacDonald (@euanmacdonald.bsky.social) June 28, 2025 at 9:07 AM

Odesa:

Another night. Another russian bombing.
More civilians hurt in their sleep — this time in Odesa.

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— Olena Halushka (@halushka.bsky.social) June 28, 2025 at 2:49 AM

A Ukrainian rescuer carries a 3yo child injured by smoke out of his burning home in Odesa. Kids deserve a safe and carefree childhood. Not evacuation from their home set on fire by russian terrorists.

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— Olena Halushka (@halushka.bsky.social) June 28, 2025 at 10:54 AM

The Toretsk front:

Ukrainian FPV drones using fiber-optic control destroyed a group of Russian soldiers hiding in a culvert on the Toretsk front.

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— WarTranslated (Dmitri) (@wartranslated.bsky.social) June 28, 2025 at 9:28 AM

Dnipro:

Reportedly, a Russian guided bomb nearly reached Dnipro today — possibly for the first time. These bombs are usually used near the front lines. If confirmed, it may signal Russia is using extended-range KABs or shifting tactics to hit deeper into Ukraine.

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— WarTranslated (Dmitri) (@wartranslated.bsky.social) June 28, 2025 at 4:57 AM

Belgorod Oblast, Russia:

Belgorod region 🤩

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— MAKS 25 👀🇺🇦 (@maks23.bsky.social) June 28, 2025 at 6:01 AM

FPV drone footage shows the moment a drone strikes a local power substation in Russia’s Belgorod region this morning.

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— WarTranslated (Dmitri) (@wartranslated.bsky.social) June 28, 2025 at 1:10 PM

Kazan, Tatarstan, Russia:

Russia is expanding its Kazan aircraft plant, the only facility capable of replacing lost strategic bombers, Yle reports. Several new buildings have appeared, with €1B invested. Completion expected by end of 2025.
yle.fi/a/74-20168353

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— WarTranslated (Dmitri) (@wartranslated.bsky.social) June 28, 2025 at 11:32 AM

Bryansk Oblast, Russia:

Smoke is coming from the 120th Arsenal of the Main Missile and Artillery Directorate in Bryansk, according to reports.

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— WarTranslated (Dmitri) (@wartranslated.bsky.social) June 28, 2025 at 2:40 AM

That’s enough for tonight.

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Here is some adjacent material.

🙏 Seeing animals suffer is a particular pain of war.
There is a volunteer from Italy named Andrea Cisternino. Together with his family, he has been helping animals in Ukraine for many years. In February 2022, he said: “I will die here with the animals… They deserve protection at any cost.”

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— Vitalis Viva (@vitalisviva.bsky.social) June 27, 2025 at 8:23 AM

Andrea’s cause has now gained the support of international organizations, his shelter has been rebuilt, and he is actively helping. This is an example of support not in words, but in deeds!

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— Vitalis Viva (@vitalisviva.bsky.social) June 27, 2025 at 8:23 AM

Open thread!

War for Ukraine Day 1,220: Russia Once Again Shatters the Small Hours of Ukraine’s NightPost + Comments (22)

Dangerman on Saturday Night Open Thread (Jul 12, 2025 @ 6:39pm)

MattF on Saturday Night Open Thread (Jul 12, 2025 @ 6:36pm)

NotMax on Readership Capture Open Thread: Alexandra Petri (Jul 12, 2025 @ 6:36pm)

NotMax on Years and Years (Open Thread) (Jul 12, 2025 @ 6:32pm)

bjacques on Readership Capture Open Thread: Alexandra Petri (Jul 12, 2025 @ 6:26pm)

Military

Dozens of Shaheds Were Taken Down Specifically by Interceptor Drones Today; We Are Scaling This Up to the Hilt – Address by the President

President of Ukraine Holds Phone Call with President of the United States

Volodymyr Zelenskyy Presents “Future of Ukraine” Award to 11-Year-Old Danish Volunteer Jens Fogh Thomsen

President’s Address to the Participants of the Gala Dinner Marking the Start of Denmark’s Presidency of the EU Council

Currently, at the Working Level, Ukraine and the U.S. Are Clarifying All the Details of the Defense Support – Address by the President

Volodymyr Zelenskyy Meets with Representatives of American Business in Ukraine

We Have Clear Evidence – Confirmed by Partners – That Sanctions Are Truly Painful for Russia – Address by the President

Russia Is Investing in Its Unmanned Capabilities and Plans to Increase the Number of Drones Used in Strikes Against Our State; We Are Preparing Our Countermeasures – Address by the President

The Ukrainian Centre in Lithuania Hosted Over 4,300 Events During Its Three Years of Operation – Olena Zelenska

I Have Signed a Decree Awarding the Title of Hero of Ukraine to Maksym Ustymenko, One of Our Best Pilots – Address by the President

Address by President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Constitution Day

Ukraine and Poland Have Achieved a Lot Together Since the Start of the Full-Scale War, and It Is Essential to Preserve This Kind of Relations – Volodymyr Zelenskyy