Rustem Umerov
Ukraine is preparing to launch the Defence City joint arms production program with international partners by September. The program includes 21 initiatives for localizing production in Ukraine and up to 10 projects abroad, particularly in Denmark and the United Kingdom.
Ukrainian manufacturers have reached the capacity to produce over 4 million drones annually. As of June, 1.5 million drones have already been delivered to the front.
Ukraine has developed a plan for long-range operations and contracted tens of thousands of drones for high-precision strikes on targets in Russia. An increase in the number of operations and the contracting of new drones are planned to intensify the strikes.
Ukraine is actively improving its fortifications to effectively counter the tactics of Russian assault groups. According to Defense Minister Rustem Umerov, 50% of the work planned for 2025 has already been completed.
Ukraine plans to consider a meeting of leaders after humanitarian issues are resolved. Minister of Defense Rustem Umerov announced additional clarifications regarding the course of negotiations.
Minister of Defence Rustem Umerov stated that contract servicemen aged 18-24 demonstrated high professionalism. The Ministry of Defence is ready to improve the motivational package to attract new fighters.
The Minister of Defense of Ukraine stated about the participation of 11,000 DPRK fighters in the war and the probable dispatch of additional forces. These units have already suffered significant losses, indicating the depletion of the DPRK's elite reserve.
Ukraine is working with allies, particularly the United States, to organize a meeting of leaders. The Ministry of Defense is also focusing on obtaining additional air defense systems and producing millions of drones.
Great Britain will provide Ukraine with 350 missiles for air defense systems, which will be paid for from the income from frozen Russian assets. These missiles will be used by specially designed anti-aircraft missile systems, five of which will also be delivered in the near future.
Ukraine's prospects of joining NATO are diminishing, but the Alliance is considering increasing investment in the arms industry. So far, the US has not committed to providing further weapons, but European countries are financing the production of Ukrainian combat drones.
Denmark has allocated almost 3. 3 billion hryvnias for launching Ukrainian defense production on its territory. This project is the first step of the Build with Ukraine initiative, agreed upon during the Ramstein format meeting in Brussels, and will strengthen cooperation in the defense sector.
Ukraine and Great Britain have agreed on joint drone production, with the British side providing funding for the first three years. The drones produced will be directed to the needs of the Ukrainian Defense Forces during the war, and after its end, they will be distributed between the countries.
An office of the Norwegian defense company Kongsberg Defence and Aerospace, known for its NASAMS systems, has been opened in Ukraine. Preparations are underway to strengthen the protection of the population and critical infrastructure from Russian shelling.
Norway's Minister of Defense, Tore Onshuus Sandvik, visited Kyiv, where he met with Rustem Umerov and Oleksandr Syrskyi. Norway will allocate an additional $400 million for the procurement of Ukrainian weaponry.
Oleksiy Reznikov emphasized that conventional weapons from the US are no longer a decisive factor, as Ukraine's European partners have increased arms supplies for defense. He added that the war is changing, and drones are coming to the fore, effectively destroying enemy equipment at a low cost.
President Zelenskyy, HUR Chief Budanov, and other officials showed new footage of Ukrainian defenders released from Russian captivity. Minister of Defense Umerov noted that this is part of the agreements reached in Istanbul, and the work on their return continues.
Defense Minister Rustem Umerov announced the appointment of Brigadier General Hennadii Shapovalov as Commander of the Ground Forces. Hennadii Shapovalov has combat experience and experience working with NATO partners.
The Verkhovna Rada now has 398 people's representatives after Oles Dovgyi was stripped of his mandate. The reduction in staff is due to the ban of OPZZh and the refusal of mandates.
Minister of Energy Herman Halushchenko and Minister of Defense Rustem Umerov did not appear in the Verkhovna Rada at the summons of MPs.
The Ministers of Energy and Defense will speak in Parliament. Galushchenko will talk about preparations for the heating season, and Umerov about fortifications in the frontline regions.
The Ombudsman warns about fraudsters who exploit prisoner exchange schemes and extort money from families. They impersonate government officials and demand money for inclusion in exchange lists.
Ukraine has returned from Russian captivity a group of wounded and seriously ill defenders, most of whom are officers, and some are under 25 years old. This became possible thanks to agreements in Istanbul.
Volodymyr Zelenskyy heard a report from Defense Minister Rustem Umierov regarding negotiations and financing of defense production. The President emphasized the importance of ensuring Ukraine's defense.
Ukraine and Lithuania will develop joint projects in the fields of air defense, long-range systems, armored vehicles and ammunition production. Lithuania has already joined the financing of Ukrainian long-range capabilities.
Kęstutis Budrys arrived in Kyiv, despite the intensification of Russian shelling of civilian infrastructure. He will discuss support for Ukraine and pressure on Russia.
French automaker Renault will cooperate with a defense company to produce drones in Ukraine. The drones will be intended for the needs of Ukraine and the French army.
Ukrainian military destroyed Russian positions from which Ukraine was being shelled. They also shot down a Russian Su-35 aircraft and damaged military helicopters.
The Coordination Headquarters stated that the Russian Federation's statements about the start of the exchange of bodies of the dead within the framework of the agreements in Istanbul are not true. Preparations are underway for the exchange of seriously ill people and the bodies of the dead.
The Russian side reports receiving 42 bodies of dead soldiers and transferring 503 bodies to Ukraine. There is currently no information from official Kyiv regarding this exchange.
The Ministers of Defense of Ukraine and France discussed the participation of French companies in the production of drones and air defense systems for the Armed Forces of Ukraine. In addition, Umerov discussed joint projects in the field of defense with the Minister of Defense of Spain.