Kyiv Post

The US approved the sale of Tomahawk long-range cruise missiles to Germany, reversing earlier reluctance. German Chancellor Friedrich Merz confirmed the agreement aims to address a strategic defense gap against Belarus and Russia’s Kaliningrad region.

Poland’s defense minister announced preparations to produce Patriot PAC-3 interceptor missiles in Ukraine could begin within weeks. Warsaw will transfer necessary technology for the production.

Vladimir Putin rejected advisers' proposal to freeze the war along the current front line and is preparing for further escalation, while Czech President Petr Pavel warned Russia could announce mobilization after September's parliamentary elections.

Donald Trump is considering increasing military aid to Ukraine to assist its forces in achieving a battlefield breakthrough. European officials view this potential move as a significant shift in Washington’s approach toward Kyiv.

The Kremlin criticized Trump's remarks that Ukrainian strikes on Russian oil were necessary to end the war, labeling them 'misconceptions' and warning Russia would respond by attempting to seize more Ukrainian territory.

Vitaly Zhikovich, a former law enforcement officer, and Vladyslav Reut, an employee of Ukraine’s Military Intelligence (HUR), are suspects in the murder of a woman wanted in Europe for the June 29 Monaco bombing against a Ukrainian tycoon. Court hearings revealed conflicting accounts about who shot the woman in the head after she returned to Ukraine.

NATO leaders pledged €70 billion in military aid for Ukraine in 2026 and 2027, along with over $50 billion in new defense procurements and enhanced transatlantic military cooperation as outlined in the Ankara declaration.

Russia’s Su-57 stealth fighters attempted to intercept Ukrainian drones during an attack on an oil refinery in Omsk. Military outlets noted the jets' limited numbers and their use for anti-drone duties.

A violent clash occurred in Lviv between military recruitment officers and residents after a man was detained for violating military registration rules. Authorities have launched investigations into both the officers and the residents, while the Presidential Office and defense ministry condemned the attack on servicemen and demanded accountability.

Ukraine reported striking 14 Russian vessels in the Sea of Azov overnight, including 12 tankers linked to Russia’s sanctioned 'shadow fleet.' Ukrainian forces claimed 35 ships were targeted over 96 hours and 45 military sites were attacked in occupied Crimea and southern Ukraine.

EU foreign ministers are expected to approve new sanctions against Russia on July 13 in response to recent attacks on Ukraine. The sanctions will target companies and a person involved in supplying components for Russian attack drones.

The Ankara NATO summit highlights a shift in alliance priorities, with Europe taking greater defense responsibility and Ukraine recognized as a strategic security partner. Analysts emphasize the need for accelerated missile defense, defense production, and military investment amid ongoing Russian threats.

Russia is employing electronic warfare and disguised logistics, including Starlink-jamming systems and civilian-vehicle fuel shipments, to counter Ukraine's drone strikes. Ukrainian forces report targeting these new jammers as part of Russia's evolving tactics.

Polish and Ukrainian presidents met at the NATO summit but failed to resolve their dispute over the UPA legacy, which continues to strain relations. Both emphasized Russia as a shared security threat and agreed to maintain dialogue.

Russian officials reported two tankers damaged in a drone attack overnight in Taganrog Bay, resulting in fires and crew evacuations. Rostov Governor stated over two dozen drones were intercepted by Russian air defenses during the incident.

The Institute for the Study of War (ISW) released an assessment on the Russian offensive campaign as of July 8, 2026. The report highlights the latest updates on the military operations.

Drone attacks struck oil storage facilities in Russia’s Tver Oblast and Stavropol Krai overnight, causing fires at both sites. Stavropol’s governor confirmed a fire at an industrial facility, which monitoring channels identified as a Lukoil-linked oil depot.

The US and Iran exchanged strikes for a second consecutive day as tensions escalated over control of the Strait of Hormuz. Washington reported hitting 90 Iranian military targets linked to threats against commercial shipping, while Iran's Revolutionary Guards claimed strikes on US bases in Bahrain and Kuwait.

Russian-appointed Crimean governor Sergei Aksyonov warned of prolonged fuel shortages in Crimea, with public sales unavailable on some days. The crisis stems from Ukrainian strikes targeting Russia’s energy infrastructure and supply routes, exposing Crimea’s reliance on vulnerable logistics and positioning the peninsula as a liability for Moscow.

Ukraine’s Ambassador to the US, Olha Stefanishyna, stated that the Ankara meeting highlighted growing momentum in US-Ukraine defense cooperation, including discussions on Patriot missile capabilities, a drone deal, and joint production and licensing.