Ukraine
Lithuanian Defense Minister Robertas Kaunas stated that the Kremlin may consider the Baltic countries and Poland as the next target for escalation. Experts consider Estonia the most vulnerable due to military resources and geography.
Deputy Director of the STS Department Victoria Kasyan reported that only one audit of airlines revealed a reclassification of lease payments into royalties. The BES is investigating criminal cases against five air carriers for non-payment of 15% royalties.
People's Deputy Heorhiy Mazurashu has submitted bills that prohibit the sale of unhealthy food within a 400-meter radius of educational institutions. Violators face fines of up to 51,000 hryvnias.
Due to failures in the war against Ukraine, the Kremlin may resort to new escalation. According to the minister, the Baltic region and Poland are the nearest targets.
The head of the European Commission held a conversation with the new Prime Minister of Ukraine, discussing reforms for EU accession and defense equipment. Also discussed were preparations for winter and energy infrastructure.
ECHR issued a decision in the case Bazhenov and Others v. Russia and Ukraine, confirming that the decisions of the occupation authorities of the Russian Federation to deprive Ukrainian citizens of property rights to land plots in Crimea have no legal consequences.
Volunteer and public activist Maria Berlinska stated that citizens can protest, but cannot choose the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine with cardboard signs. She warned against criticism of the military command, which plays into Russia's hands.
GUR reports that the population of occupied Donbas has decreased by almost a third over ten years. Russia is purposefully changing the ethnic composition of the territories by resettling Russians.
In July 2026, Russia used up to two-thirds of the annual production of Zircon missiles and launched 107 ballistic missiles. At the same time, the number of drones launched decreased from 5,749 in June to 2,955 in July.
The Ukrainian team won 7 out of 12 matches and finished in seventh place. In the final match of the first stage, they defeated Germany with a score of 3:1.
In Brody, a 24-year-old Mercedes driver under the influence of alcohol caused an accident that killed three girls aged 15 and 16. The driver fled but was tracked down by the police.
As a result of shelling of energy facilities, consumers in four regions temporarily remain without electricity supply. In Kharkiv region, a drone attacked an energy workers' vehicle, one employee was injured.
The Ukrainian defense industry has created innovations based on flexibility and rapid adaptation to the challenges of war, changing the balance of power against a numerically superior army.
Russia attacked a merchant vessel flying the flag of Guinea-Bissau near Odesa. 10 people died, including a Ukrainian pilot.
Over the past day, 235 combat engagements occurred on the front line. The most attacks were recorded in the Pokrovsk, Sloviansk, and Lyman directions.
In Ukraine on July 20, moderate rains with thunderstorms are expected, locally heavy precipitation, hail and squalls. Daytime temperatures range from 22° in the west to 33° in the south and east.
On the night of July 20, russia launched two missiles and 94 drones at Ukraine. Air defense forces shot down or suppressed 81 UAVs, one missile did not reach its target.
The partisan movement "ATESH" conducted reconnaissance of the "Rosneft" oil depot in the Smolensk region, establishing supply schedules and the location of military personnel. The collected information was handed over to the Ukrainian military.
July 20 marks International Chess Day, founded by FIDE in 1924, and International Moon Day in honor of the Apollo 11 astronauts' landing in 1969. In Ukraine, according to the new calendar, the day of remembrance of the prophet Elijah is celebrated.
Greece, France, Italy, Germany, Austria and Portugal are blocking or demanding exemptions from the 21st EU sanctions package. Diplomats warn that national economic interests are weakening sanctions policy.
Satellite images from Planet Labs dated July 19 show a likely destroyed Tu-95 bomber at the Engels-2 airbase. Analysts at AviVector recorded catastrophic damage to the tail section of the aircraft.
Andy Burnham will officially become the new Prime Minister of the United Kingdom on Monday, replacing Keir Starmer. In his first address, he promises to improve the lives of Britons and calls for unity.
Romania's Defense Minister stated that the country has not held negotiations on localizing the production of PAC-3 missiles. Romania supports strengthening Ukrainian air defense within the framework of the "Coalition of the Willing".
As a result of the Russian attack on a merchant vessel flying the flag of Guinea-Bissau, 6 sailors were killed, 4 are missing. 8 crew members have been rescued, the search and rescue operation is ongoing.
Acting Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine Andrii Sybiha stated that Russia deliberately attacks civilian vessels. A Ukrainian pilot and four crew members were killed, eight were evacuated.
Near Odesa, Russian troops attacked a merchant vessel flying the flag of Guinea-Bissau with 18 crew members. Eight sailors were rescued, bodies of five deceased were found, the fate of another five is unknown.
Antoine Lecouana covered 2200 km in 26 days, dedicating the journey to the Ukrainian people. He delivered letters of support from the mayors of Cannes and Grasse to the mayor of Lviv.
As a result of the night terrorist attack by Russia on July 19, the warehouse of the publishing house "Knyholav" was destroyed. Almost 250 thousand books were lost, but none of the employees were injured.
Over the next three days, Ukraine expects rain, thunderstorms, and hail in some places. Daytime temperatures will reach 30-33°, and on July 22, a slight cooling is forecast.
The New Yorker predicts that the war could enter a phase of massive strikes on cities, similar to the Iran-Iraq conflict. Ukraine has intensified strikes on Russian oil refineries, while Russia continues to attack Ukrainian cities.