Pavlo Bashynskyi
The Ukrainian national volleyball team defeated the Netherlands with a score of 3:2, securing its place in the Nations League for the next season. This victory also allowed the team to continue fighting for a spot in the playoffs.
President Zelenskyy and Deputy Prime Minister Svyrydenko will present a list of part of the government at a meeting of the "Servant of the People" faction. Not all personnel decisions may be voted on this week; a meeting is possible on Tuesday, July 22.
The Verkhovna Rada adopted a bill that increases the total number of SBU personnel by 10,000 people, allocating 10,000 to the Special Operations Center "A". The grounds and procedure for the use of weapons and special means by the SBU have also been established.
On July 16, Ukraine celebrates Accountant and Auditor Day, and worldwide – PR Specialist Day, International Drag Culture Day, Hot Dog Day, and World Snake Day. Also on this day, the memory of the holy martyr Athenogenes is honored.
The Verkhovna Rada Committee recommended adopting a bill on the status of "Founder of State Independence of Ukraine" for MPs who contributed to the establishment of independence. This status will be granted for life, can be posthumous, and provides for a number of privileges and honors.
Head of the Presidential Office Andriy Yermak and special representative of US President Donald Trump, Keith Kellogg, held a meeting. They discussed the supply of weapons to Ukraine, sanctions against the Russian Federation, and the principle of peace through strength.
On July 15, the Cabinet of Ministers appointed Olena Ivanovska as the Commissioner for the Protection of the State Language. She will replace Taras Kremin, who held the position since July 8, 2020.
President Zelenskyy held a meeting with diplomats, discussing the acceleration of the Special Tribunal on Russian aggression and preparation for a meeting with ambassadors. Steps on international platforms were also discussed, particularly regarding UN General Assembly resolutions.
Oleksandr Usyk and Daniel Dubois held a face-off in London before their July 19 fight for the undisputed world championship. Dubois tried to exert psychological pressure, while Usyk remained calm.
Pechersk Court of Kyiv chose a preventive measure for the head of the "Anti-Corruption Action Center" Vitaliy Shabunin. He was assigned a personal obligation.
Judge Svitlana Hrechana rejected Vitaliy Shabunin's defense motion to postpone the consideration of the pre-trial restraint. Prosecutors are asking to choose a pre-trial restraint in the form of a personal obligation for 2 months.
Cyber specialists of the HUR of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine attacked the company "Gaskar Integratsiya", a supplier of drones for the Russian army. 47 TB of data were destroyed, the company's operations were paralyzed, and the doors were blocked.
The defense of Vitaliy Shabunin, head of the Anti-Corruption Action Center, requested the recusal of Judge Svitlana Hrechana due to bias, but the motion was rejected. Shabunin is accused of evading military service and fraud using Ukrainian Armed Forces transport.
President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy awarded the rank of brigadier general to Yuriy Andrienko and Anton Harbuz. Mykhailo Sydorenko received the rank of major general.
Law enforcement officers exposed 8 criminal groups that produced over 400 tons of counterfeit pesticides in 12 regions of Ukraine. The products were sold in Ukraine and the EU under the guise of international brands, and over 175 tons of counterfeit goods were seized.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced a conversation with French President Emmanuel Macron. This will happen after Zelenskyy's meeting with the Danish Minister of Defense, where joint steps were discussed.
The EU Council approved Ukraine's accession to the European Union roaming zone from January 1, 2026. Ukrainians will use their operator's tariffs in the 27 EU countries, and European subscribers will have the same conditions in Ukraine.
A fire broke out on the roof of a high-rise building in Zaporizhzhia as a result of an enemy attack. According to preliminary data, no one was injured.
Italian "Milan" announced the signing of a contract with Croatian midfielder Luka Modrić under a 1+1 formula. Modrić will play under number 14, which previously belonged to Tijjani Reijnders.
President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy hinted at Denys Shmyhal's appointment as Minister of Defense, noting that his experience would be useful in this position. Yulia Svyrydenko has been offered to head the government of Ukraine.
The US plans to sell weapons worth about $10 billion to NATO countries. These supplies, which include missiles, air defense systems, and artillery shells, are intended for further transfer to Ukraine.
The US can transfer short-range missiles, howitzers, and medium-range air-to-air missiles to Ukraine through NATO members. This decision by Trump has multifaceted justifications to avoid political criticism.
Donald Trump said that after his pleasant conversations with Vladimir Putin, Russia launched missiles at Ukrainian cities. Trump noted that Putin deceived many leaders, but not him, although he did not call him a murderer.
US President Donald Trump announced the preparation for the supply of 17 Patriot systems to Ukraine, which will begin arriving in the near future. NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte noted that the German Minister of Defense will meet with the US Secretary of Defense regarding Patriots for Ukraine.
The Verkhovna Rada plans to consider amendments to the state budget, the extension of martial law, and the creation of a Special Tribunal. The dismissal of the Cabinet of Ministers and the approval of a new government composition are also expected.
President Zelenskyy proposed Yulia Svyrydenko to head the government, which will lead to the resignation of Denys Shmyhal and the entire Cabinet of Ministers. Shmyhal may head the Ministry of Defense, and Umerov may become the ambassador to the USA.
A package of draft laws has been registered in the Verkhovna Rada, aiming to make the subsistence minimum a real social standard. This will allow separating it from the calculation of fines and officials' salaries, ensuring a gradual increase.
The US Senate Armed Services Committee approved the National Defense Authorization Act, which provides for $500 million in aid to Ukraine and extends the Security Assistance Initiative until 2028.
Retired British Army Colonel Hamish de Bretton-Gordon believes that Russia is seriously considering a scenario of a nuclear strike on Ukraine. He emphasizes that the creation of a Franco-British nuclear alliance could become a deterrent for the Kremlin.
Spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine, Heorhiy Tykhyi, stated that the ECHR decision on Russia's guilt in the downing of MH17 and crimes in Donbas is painful for the Russian Federation. Russians tried to evade responsibility for these crimes during negotiations in Istanbul.