Newly appointed Minister of Defense Denys Shmyhal held his first meeting, outlining key tasks. Among them are increasing Ukrainian production, providing quality support to soldiers, and strengthening interaction with international partners.
Hungary has banned the entry of three Ukrainian military officials due to the death of an ethnic Hungarian in Zakarpattia. The Ukrainian side states that the cause of death was pulmonary embolism, not beating.
The Brave1 cluster launched the Test in Ukraine platform, which allows international defence tech companies to test their technologies on the real battlefield in Ukraine. This will enable foreign companies to create precise solutions and receive feedback from the military.
Most UAVs are not subject to mandatory registration, and personnel will not undergo flight medical examination.
A modernized helicopter for the Ukrainian Air Force, equipped with modern weapons and a secure communication system, has successfully passed tests. However, despite being ready for service, it remains unused due to criminal proceedings and bureaucratic obstacles.
President Zelenskyy counts on the support of the Verkhovna Rada in the matter of appointing a new government, where Denys Shmyhal will head the Ministry of Defense, and Rustem Umerov will assist on the international track. Changes are also being prepared in some diplomatic areas.
Former Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal has been appointed Minister of Defense, and Herman Smetanin will head "Ukroboronprom". The Ministry of Defense will be merged with the Ministry of Strategic Industries to increase the production of Ukrainian weapons.
The former deputy director of the Ministry of Defense department has been served with a notice of suspicion of official negligence. His actions led to losses of over UAH 275 million due to the unlawful inclusion of VAT in contracts.
Minister of Internal Affairs Ihor Klymenko refused to replace Rustem Umerov as Minister of Defense. MP Oleksiy Honcharenko reported that after Klymenko's refusal, Denys Shmyhal's candidacy is being considered.
A package of bills on the creation of a special legal regime for Defence City was discussed with representatives of G7 and NATO countries. The initiative provides for information protection, tax benefits, and simplification of customs procedures for arms manufacturers.
US Presidential Special Envoy for Ukraine Keith Kellogg, during his visit to Kyiv, heard reports from the head of the Main Intelligence Directorate Kyrylo Budanov and the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine Oleksandr Syrskyi. Joint projects on localizing weapons production, sanctions against the Russian energy sector, and the operational situation were discussed.
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.
The Main Directorate of Intelligence of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine reports that Russian special services continue an information operation in Syria, offering capsules with allegedly dangerous chemicals on the “black arms market. ” This is part of a campaign to discredit Ukraine and destabilize the situation in the Middle East.
US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth has issued new directives to accelerate the production and deployment of drones in the US army. This will allow commanders to independently purchase and test drones, removing bureaucratic restrictions.
The Ministry of Defense of Ukraine has for the first time announced tenders for the procurement of FPV-drones worth over UAH 3. 3 billion through Prozorro. The procurements will be carried out based on tactical and technical characteristics, rather than model names, which will allow for a wider range of manufacturers to be involved.
Experts emphasize that without the adoption of the "Defence City" bills, the Ukrainian defense-industrial complex will not be able to fully develop, compete, and attract investments. The bills provide for tax, customs, and budget changes, as well as amendments to the Criminal Code.
The "Reserve+" application now allows users to pay fines for not updating their data by July 16, 2024. The service will be available to all users within a few days, and will later allow payment for other types of violations.
Prosecutors have filed an indictment against the godfather of Lviv businessman Hrynkevych, who organized the supply of substandard military equipment for the Ministry of Defense, causing damages of over UAH 1. 16 billion. The accused, declared internationally wanted, is hiding in Vienna.
The Main Intelligence Directorate of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine reports significant losses among Russian convicts fighting in Ukraine. From July 2024 to April 2025, 14,560 people were enlisted in the Southern Military District of the Russian Armed Forces, of whom at least 4,212 were killed or went missing.
Yuriy Hudymenko, head of the public anti-corruption council at the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine, stated that the Defence City draft laws unfairly exclude aircraft manufacturing enterprises.
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced his intention to replace Ukraine's ambassador to the USA, Oksana Markarova, considering Defense Minister Rustem Umerov as a possible successor. This decision could lead to significant reshuffles in the Ukrainian government.
In Ukraine, automatic military registration is in effect, which saves time. However, in case of inaccuracies, it is necessary to contact the TCC to correct the data.
The Ukrainian aviation industry, which possesses unique competencies, may not be included in the Defence City program due to strict criteria. This threatens the loss of a strategically important industry that produces components for military and civil aviation.
Ukraine is implementing a digitized bonus system for the military, which will allow exchanging e-points for confirmed combat hits for drones and EW equipment. This process, from order to delivery, will take several weeks, significantly accelerating the receipt of necessary technologies.
The appointment of Ruslan Kravchenko as Prosecutor General became a catalyst for a wave of anti-corruption investigations. Law enforcement agencies show high activity, while NABU and SAP remain in the background.
Ihor Fomenko refuted accusations regarding draft law No. 13423 on the legal regime of Defense City, emphasizing that it does not provide for full amnesty and takes into account public concerns. The document does not apply to civil servants and does not weaken control over enterprises, and investigations of abuses remain possible.
A former Ministry of Defense official is suspected of negligent attitude towards military service, which caused millions in damages.
The Ministry of Defense of Ukraine has codified and approved for operation the domestically produced UF training kit. It allows for full-fledged dynamic training without the use of ammunition, has IP65 protection, and a 'shot' range of over 1 km.
The former head of the housing and communal services department of Dnipro will be prosecuted for negligent attitude to military service. Due to his inaction, the lands of the Ministry of Defense, including part of the tank training ground, were illegally used for sowing, causing more than 8 million UAH in damages to the state.
President Zelenskyy instructed Defense Minister Umerov and Commander-in-Chief Syrskyi to intensify contacts with the USA, primarily regarding air defense. This concerns all elements of supplies from America for the protection of Ukrainian positions and people.
