On July 19, thunderstorms are expected in Ukraine, mainly in the west and north. Forecasters have declared a Level I danger due to heavy rains, thunderstorms, hail, and squalls in a number of regions.
Minister of Foreign Affairs Andriy Sybiha declared Ukraine's full solidarity with the EU, Great Britain, and other partners who have been subjected to Russia's hybrid campaigns. Ukraine is ready to share its experience in countering cyber threats to strengthen collective security.
On July 19, around 4 AM, an air raid alert was declared in Ukraine due to a missile threat, which subsequently spread across the entire country. The Air Force reported missile movement towards Dnipropetrovsk, Kharkiv, Poltava, and Cherkasy regions.
The Center of National Resistance reports that the occupiers are actively recruiting Ukrainian youth in the temporarily occupied territories. 200 participants of Kremlin movements are undergoing "management courses" with subsequent internships in the occupation administrations.
The former head of the Main Directorate of the State Tax Service in Ternopil region will be prosecuted for concealing property worth over UAH 23. 4 million in declarations for 2022 and 2023. He did not declare two residential buildings and land plots that he actually used.
SBU cyber specialists detained an "IT specialist" from Ivano-Frankivsk who remotely worked for the Russian occupation administration in the Kherson region. He created fake "human rights" resources and websites to spread Kremlin propaganda.
On July 18, 138 combat engagements took place on the Russian-Ukrainian front. Russian invaders launched 61 air strikes, used 1221 kamikaze drones, and carried out 3949 shellings.
The ambassadors of the Group of Seven countries welcomed the new Ukrainian government led by Yulia Svyrydenko and called for continued reforms. Yulia Svyrydenko, appointed Prime Minister, outlined priorities: ensuring the army, increasing production, and optimizing the state apparatus.
Anna Kosach from the village of Naraivka died in the hospital from injuries sustained during the attack by Russian occupiers on June 29. The woman was hospitalized with numerous injuries, but it was not possible to save her.
Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine Oleksandr Syrskyi reported to President Zelenskyy on the operational situation at the front. An enemy sabotage and reconnaissance group was detected and destroyed by Ukrainian defenders while attempting to break through to Pokrovsk.
Vice Prime Minister Taras Kachka stated that blocking Ukraine's accession to the EU is a traditional situation for candidate countries. Ukraine's task is to reach a consensus so that all 27 member states are at least not against accession.
The Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor's Office and the National Anti-Corruption Bureau have completed the investigation into the case of illegal seizure of UAH 146 million from "Ukroboronprom". Five members of the criminal group, including former officials, have been notified of suspicion.
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz expressed doubt about Ukraine's accession to the European Union by 2034. He noted that Ukraine's reconstruction after the war would be linked to its EU accession process, but this would take several years.
The Foreign Intelligence Service of Ukraine reports on the Kremlin's nervous reaction to the bans on Russian state media in Europe. The restrictions, imposed by a number of European countries, have dealt a blow to Russia's foreign propaganda system.
The Ministry of Education canceled order No. 1112 and removed norms regarding the minimum occupancy of distance classes and requirements for IDP education. These changes were made at the request of people's deputies and frontline communities.
An explosion occurred in Poltava amid a large-scale air raid alert due to a ballistic threat. The Air Force reported a high-speed target moving from Kharkiv region towards Poltava region.
President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy heard the report of Commander-in-Chief Oleksandr Syrskyi regarding the situation at the front. The greatest efforts of the occupiers are concentrated in the Donetsk region, especially in the Pokrovsk direction. Ukrainian forces are destroying Russian sabotage groups that are trying to advance into Ukrainian cities and villages.
Ukraine welcomes the 18th package of EU sanctions against Russia, but considers it insufficient. Prime Minister Yulia Svyrydenko emphasized the need to strengthen sanction policy, particularly from the US, to limit Russia's ability to continue the war.
The presidents of Turkey and Russia discussed the war in Ukraine and the situation in Syria. Erdogan confirmed Turkey's readiness to host a third round of peace talks in Istanbul.
On July 3, the General Meeting of the IT Ukraine Association took place in Kyiv — a closed event for participants of the country's largest national IT business association. The event was attended by heads of leading member companies of the association, partners, founders, and experts.
Ukraine's aviation industry, which has preserved a full production cycle, has reoriented itself to defense needs but requires state support. The lack of benefits threatens the loss of competitiveness and personnel, despite successful operation, as exemplified by the ferry flight of An-124-100 "Ruslan" to Germany.
Denys Shmyhal held the first meeting with the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine Oleksandr Syrskyi and the Chief of the General Staff Andriy Hnatov. The situation at the front, defense self-sufficiency, and new arms supplies for the Armed Forces of Ukraine were discussed.
People's Deputy Dmytro Hurin stated that veterans should not have benefits, but only social assistance, which caused outrage among the military. After a wave of criticism, the MP apologized for his statements.
Ukraine is actively contracting interceptor drones as per the President's directive, engaging Ukrainian and international intellectual potential. Several companies are working on solutions to counter enemy drones, which has already yielded initial results in destroying UAVs.
Prime Minister Yulia Svyrydenko stated that the search for a new Minister of Culture is ongoing, hoping for a quick filling of the vacancy. She noted that this is one of the most difficult areas, which requires a good manager.
The court extended the pre-trial detention for the head of the Podilskyi district TCC and a soldier of the Shevchenkivskyi district TCC, who were involved in the beating of a mobilized person, which led to his death. Both defendants remain in custody.
The European Union has begun work on the 19th package of sanctions against Russia after approving the 18th.
As of July 18, 2025, Ukraine has threshed 2355. 3 thousand hectares, harvesting 7225.8 thousand tons of early grain and leguminous crops. The leaders are Odesa, Mykolaiv, and Kirovohrad regions.
Natural gas reserves in Ukrainian underground gas storage facilities exceeded 9 billion cubic meters on July 17, with a fill level of 29. 2%. To reach the target of 13 billion cubic meters by November 1, another 4 billion cubic meters need to be injected.
Gold prices rose 0. 4% to $3350.87 per ounce on Friday, while platinum reached its highest level since 2014. The US dollar weakened by 0.4%, and the EU approved the 18th package of sanctions against Russia.
