Ukraine
Russian propaganda, on orders from Moscow, is trying to shift the focus from the North to the fighting in Donetsk and Luhansk regions. This is a traditional enemy information strategy aimed at diverting attention from the situation in the Kursk region.
The Ukrainian state-owned enterprise Document signed a contract with a law firm whose co-founders have ties to Russia. One of them is a citizen of Russia and supports the Kremlin's policy on the war in Ukraine.
The Russian Defense Ministry announced the retreat of the Ukrainian Armed Forces from the Kursk region after a short battle. However, the acting governor of the region reports ongoing fighting in the border areas.
The 24-year-old boyfriend of one of the singers killed in the missile attack raised UAH 280,000, allegedly to support their families. He spent the donations on gambling and is charged with 10 counts of fraud.
The Russian attack on the center of Kharkiv injured 12 people, one person was killed. President Zelenskyy said that rescue operations are ongoing, and there may be people under the rubble.
President Zelenskiy reports that in July, the Ukrainian military used more drones than the Russian occupiers. Ukraine plans to increase production of its own missiles and has contracted one million drones for this year.
The Finnish Foreign Ministry has updated travel advisories, urging citizens to leave Lebanon due to the tense security situation. Several countries also urged their citizens to leave the country, and airlines canceled flights to the region.
The Foreign Ministers of Ukraine and Zambia held talks in Lusaka. They discussed bilateral relations, cooperation in international organizations and signed a memorandum of political consultations.
Penny Pritzker resigns as US Special Representative for Ukraine's Economic Recovery due to term limits. Her duties will be taken over by Deputy Secretary of State Richard Verma, who will continue to support Ukraine.
The Ministry of Finance is continuing its dialog with business on tax changes to fill the budget. Proposals for an advance payment of the corporate income tax and other measures to secure additional UAH 500 billion for defense are being discussed.
The President of Ukraine has signed a law regulating the work of courts in the absence of judges. The law establishes the procedure for appointing a temporary acting chief of staff of a court and will facilitate the effective functioning of the judicial system.
Over the last day, 85 combat engagements took place in various sectors of the frontline. Most attacks were registered in the Pokrovsk sector, while in the Toretsk sector occupants increased the number of assault operations to 13.
The expert explained that Poroshenko wants to see his sons in London and allow MPs and officials to travel. The bill will allow them to travel freely abroad during the war.
Ukrainian businesses and individuals increased their investments in government bonds by UAH 16 billion in July. The Ministry of Finance raised UAH 38 billion from the issue of domestic government bonds, of which UAH 35.5 billion were military bonds to finance the needs of the state.
Ukrenergo reports that there are no plans to cut off electricity in Ukraine on August 7. The company urges to use powerful electrical appliances from 11:00 to 15:00.
A 42-year-old Moldovan citizen crossed the Dniester River on a dispute and was detained by Ukrainian border guards. He was banned from entering Ukraine for 5 years for illegal border crossing.
Construction of the first line of fortifications on the NATO border with Russia and Belarus has begun in eastern Latvia. The 'Baltic Defense Line' project involves the creation of anti-tank ditches, fences and bunkers to strengthen border defense.
The Ministry of Education has canceled the requirement to provide a medical certificate for enrollment in distance learning. This will facilitate access to Ukrainian education for children in the occupied territories and abroad.
In July, the DobroDiy Charity Marketplace provided over UAH 960 thousand in aid. Since February 2022, the total amount of assistance has amounted to almost UAH 127 million, of which UAH 91.5 million was received by the Armed Forces.
The Deputy Minister of Energy reported that some capacities have been restored. The power grid is expected to cope better with the upcoming heat wave, but consumers are urged to save electricity during peak hours.
The suspect took part in the seizure of the village of Kozarovychi in Vyshgorod district. During the occupation of the settlement, Tamryan was involved in the so-called "mopping-up operations" aimed at identifying members of the resistance movement in the region.
The Cabinet of Ministers has approved a procedure for monitoring threats to chemical safety. The Ministry of Environment will create a register of threats, analyze data on chemicals, and prepare an annual report to strengthen security measures.
MP Fedir Venislavsky said that there are no initiatives in Ukraine to lower the conscription age below 25. This issue is periodically raised by Ukrainian partners, but there are no such proposals at the state level.
russian LNG supplies to France more than doubled in the first half of this year. French companies imported almost 4.4 bcm of russian LNG, making France the largest importer in the EU.
MP Fedir Venislavsky said that Russia has clear goals to increase the number of occupation troops in Ukraine. According to him, there is currently no draft law on demobilization and it should not be expected in the near future.
Economist Ihor Garbaruk believes that the Big Mac Index is not indicative of Ukraine. He suggests focusing on the Borsch Index, which better reflects the purchasing power of Ukrainians and the economic situation in the country.
The EU Council has confirmed that it has given the green light for the first disbursement of almost €4. 2 billion to Ukraine under the Ukraine Facility. Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal said that the payments are expected later this month.
President Zelenskyy announced the decision of the Cabinet to allocate additional funding for Ukraine's missile program. The meeting also discussed the situation at the front and the production of drones.
MP Fedir Venislavskyi said that electronic means will not be used to serve summonses. There are currently no legislative initiatives on electronic notification of persons liable for military service.
The President of Ukraine chaired a meeting of the Chiefs of Staff to review the situation at the front and the production of Ukraine's own drones and missiles. Additional funding has been allocated to the missile program, and they also discussed the provision of weapons to additional brigades.