Belarus
On July 28, an unknown drone crossed Lithuanian airspace from Belarus, spotted at an altitude of about 200 meters near Vilnius. Lithuanian media suggest it could have been a Russian "Gerbera" drone, similar to "Shahed", or a smuggler's UAV.
The International Olympic Committee is considering admitting athletes from Russia and Belarus to the 2026 Winter Games only as "neutrals. " Participation criteria will be strict: no support for the war and no ties to the army or security forces.
Lithuanian intelligence records an active KGB of Belarus campaign on social networks aimed at recruiting Belarusian citizens abroad. KGB officers openly contact the diaspora, offering rewards and making threats.
Estonia has made sanctions against Belarus indefinite, extending the entry ban for 273 regime representatives, including Oleksandr Lukashenka. This decision is due to the unchanged human rights situation and Minsk's support for Russia's aggression against Ukraine.
Vladimir Putin signed a law allowing Belarusian citizens permanently residing in Russia to participate in local elections. Russians living in Belarus will receive a similar right.
After a weekend with intense rains, the cyclone over Belarus is receding, stabilizing the weather in Ukraine. Short-term precipitation is expected at the beginning of the week, followed by mostly dry weather and heat up to 35 degrees in the south.
Lithuanian border guards shot down an unmanned aerial vehicle that flew into the country's airspace from the territory of Belarus. The drone was detected 4 km from the border after it was intercepted using special equipment.
In Finland, as of July 15, a ban on real estate transactions for citizens of Russia and Belarus came into force. This decision, explained by the need to strengthen the country's security, applies to all types of transactions.
Tomorrow, a meeting of the Lublin Triangle will take place in Lublin with the participation of the foreign ministers of Ukraine, Lithuania, and Poland. The parties will discuss the security situation, Euro-Atlantic integration, and countering Russian threats.
EU Commissioner Andrius Kubilius calls on Lithuania and the Baltic states to create a drone shield and establish mass production of drones after a Russian "Gerbera" drone flew into Lithuanian territory. He emphasizes the need to train specialists for rapid drone production.
Satellite images from Planet Labs recorded large-scale construction at five Russian nuclear facilities, including Osipovichi, Gadzhiyevo, Kaliningrad, Kamchatka, and Novaya Zemlya. The modernization indicates Moscow's possible plans for nuclear forces amid tensions in Europe.
On July 10, three migrants from Afghanistan tried to cross the river on the Polish-Belarusian border. One of them attacked a border guard, which led to the use of a smoothbore weapon
A Mi-8 helicopter belonging to "Vzlet" airline disappeared during a flight from Okhotsk to Magadan. There were three crew members and two technicians on board. An An-26 aircraft and another Mi-8 helicopter have been deployed for the search.
On July 12, a Mi-24 helicopter of the Belarusian Air Defense destroyed a Russian attack UAV "Gerbera" that was heading to Ukraine. The drone's debris fell on the territory of the Gomel region.
Fugitive businessman Serhiy Kurchenko and a number of high-ranking Russian officials have been served with a notice of suspicion for appropriating Ukrainian enterprises in the occupied territories. From 2017 to 2021, they exported products worth over 55 billion hryvnias to Russia and other countries.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine has created a department for unfriendly countries to counter those who help Russia in the war. It will deal with diplomatic, sanction, and political measures against regimes such as Belarus and North Korea.
The former Minister of Infrastructure commented on the DBR searches in the case of MP Yevheniy Shevchenko, stating that he had no contact with him after February 2022. He emphasized his readiness to provide law enforcement agencies with all necessary information.
People's Deputy Yevhen Shevchenko has been served with a notice of suspicion for fraud. He embezzled UAH 14.5 million by fraudulently inducing a company to transfer funds for alleged legal services that were not provided.
Lithuania is investigating an incident with a Gerbera drone that flew in from Belarus on July 10. The military assures that the object did not pose a threat, but they are studying possible scenarios for its use.
President Zelenskyy signed decrees on synchronizing Ukrainian sanctions with the 15th, 16th, and 17th packages of anti-Russian restrictions from the European Union. The new sanctions also target companies from China that supply components for Russian weapons production, including "Shaheds."
Ukraine called on the IOC and international federations to reconsider the admission of Russians to the Universiade. Athletes participated in a propaganda tournament and are associated with military clubs.
Russia is involving North Korean military personnel in the war in Ukraine, which creates prerequisites for obtaining cheaper volunteers. Head of the Presidential Office Andriy Yermak emphasizes the risk of war between NATO and Russia due to the use of DPRK troops.
Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine Andriy Sybiha signed an order on reforming the structure of the agency. The changes include the creation of new departments and directorates that correspond to the realities of war and international diplomatic practices.
BRICS countries reacted to Donald Trump's threats to impose 10% tariffs on countries that join "anti-American policies. " South Africa and China deny anti-American sentiments, and Malaysia joins BRICS, emphasizing an independent foreign policy.
In Odesa region, a Moldovan citizen died during construction work due to a falling concrete support. The deceased and the injured man were not officially employed and were illegally staying in Ukraine.
Andriy Demchenko, spokesman for the State Border Guard Service, stated that the situation on the border with Belarus is different from that with Russia, and no unusual actions are being recorded. The threat remains, as Belarus supports Russia, although there is no group of troops that would pose a threat.
Volodymyr Zelenskyy signed three decrees, synchronizing EU sanctions against Russia and implementing packages of restrictions against Iran. The sanctions apply to individuals and legal entities from various countries, including the Russian Federation, Belarus, and Iran.
Ukraine calls for the removal of Russian sambo wrestlers from the XII World Games due to their involvement in military structures and support for aggression. Violations have been found among neutral participants that contradict the IOC's recommendations.
The Polish Sejm voted in favor of the country's withdrawal from the Ottawa Convention, allowing the use of anti-personnel mines. The Minister of Defense stated that the country cannot have restrictions in protecting itself from a Russian invasion.
Russia is preparing the public and military for a potential war with NATO. NATO Secretary General Rutte points to Russia as the biggest existential threat and warns of a possible attack within 3-7 years, while Ukrainian President Zelenskyy believes that Russia will be ready for war with NATO by 2030.