A Russian captain was sentenced to 12 years in prison for cruel treatment of civilians in Yahidne, Chernihiv region. He held 369 people, including 69 minors, as a "human shield" in a school basement, which led to the death of 10 people.
Another tornado has been recorded in Kherson Oblast, as reported by the head of the Kherson Oblast Military Administration, Oleksandr Prokudin. Meteorologists warn of a possible increase in such phenomena in Ukraine due to climate change.
President Zelenskyy and Deputy Prime Minister Svyrydenko will present a list of part of the government at a meeting of the "Servant of the People" faction. Not all personnel decisions may be voted on this week; a meeting is possible on Tuesday, July 22.
Andriy Demchenko, spokesman for the State Border Guard Service of Ukraine (SBGS), reported that on weekdays, 120-125 thousand people cross Ukraine's border, and on weekends, this figure increases to 140-150 thousand. The last weekend recorded a record 141 thousand on Saturday and almost 150 thousand on Sunday.
US President Donald Trump announced an agreement with NATO on arming Ukraine. Germany, Sweden, Denmark, Norway, Finland, the Baltic states, the Netherlands, Canada, and Great Britain supported the initiative, while the Czech Republic, Hungary, and Slovakia refused.
The SBU detained two FSB agents who were preparing a missile strike on a saltpeter storage facility in one of Odesa region's seaports. One of the agents got a job as a handyman at the port to track cargo, and his accomplice helped with movement and setting fire to relay cabinets.
The Verkhovna Rada adopted a bill that increases the total number of SBU personnel by 10,000 people, allocating 10,000 to the Special Operations Center "A". The grounds and procedure for the use of weapons and special means by the SBU have also been established.
As of July 1, 2025, Ukrainian youth aged 18 purchased books worth over 91. 5 million hryvnias under the state program "eBook". Most of the funds were spent in online bookstores, and women predominate among the recipients of assistance.
A scheme to declare unfitness for service for money has been exposed in Dnipro. An official of the military medical commission (VLC) and a local resident have been notified of suspicion, and about 70,000 US dollars have been seized.
The Verkhovna Rada supported the resignation of Denys Shmyhal from the post of Prime Minister of Ukraine. President Zelenskyy offered the position of Prime Minister to Yulia Svyrydenko.
US President's Special Representative Keith Kellogg visited the memorial to fallen Ukrainian children in Kyiv. He emphasized the need to stop the killing of civilians, especially children.
On July 16, the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine adopted in the first reading three draft laws on the creation of a special legal regime for Defence City. The documents provide for tax benefits for residents until 2036, but the aircraft manufacturing industry does not fall under the criteria.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated that Joe Biden failed to stop Russia's war against Ukraine, but expressed confidence that his successor Donald Trump would be able to do so. Zelenskyy also believes that Trump understands Putin's lies and that a show of force will compel Russia to negotiate.
The mayor of the Latvian city of Ogre, Egils Helmanis, was wounded in Ukraine as a result of Russian shelling. He was on a business trip delivering aid to the Ukrainian Armed Forces, and his condition is currently stable.
President Zelenskyy stated that a demonstration of force would compel the Russian dictator to sit down at the negotiating table, possibly without its direct application. He emphasized that Russians only understand force, which is why Ukraine needs strong sanctions and weapons.
President Zelenskyy stated that the absence of shelling during the visit of Trump's special envoy, Keith Kellogg, indicates the Kremlin's fear of the American president. Kellogg arrived in Ukraine on July 14, 2025, to discuss defense and security issues.
The Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine adopted a draft law on industrial pollution control, to which an amendment on export duties for soybeans was added. This decision caused a scandal and a verbal altercation between people's deputies due to an attempt to introduce a 10% duty on the export of soybeans and rapeseed.
Ukrainian company Frontline and German-Ukrainian drone manufacturer Quantum Systems have concluded a strategic agreement. The partnership envisages scaling up production in Ukraine and integration into the European defense industry.
Honcharenko called out Hetmantsev during the Rada's consideration of the issue of introducing duties on soybean and rapeseed exports.
A 26-year-old resident of Chernivtsi region tried to import a batch of elite goods worth over 6 million hryvnias from Romania through the Porubne – Siret checkpoint. The man chose the "green corridor", but undeclared branded items were found during the inspection.
On July 17, hot weather up to +36 degrees is expected in Ukraine, with short-term rains in some places. On July 18, the temperature will drop to +20-26 degrees, and heavy rains will cover the west, north, Vinnytsia, and Cherkasy regions.
Russian drones attacked the Barlinek Group plant in Vinnytsia, causing injuries, including two people with severe burns. Polish Foreign Minister Radosław Sikorski commented on the incident, noting that the attack was deliberate.
In Kharkiv region on July 16, around 09:00, an enemy FPV drone hit an emergency medical vehicle at a crossing. Two medics, aged 53 and 59, were injured but refused hospitalization.
President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy held a meeting with government officials on the defense sector, discussing weapons production and supplies for the army. Denys Shmyhal, Herman Smetanin, and Rustem Umerov were present at the meeting.
Deputy Minister of Education Nadiia Kuzmychova announced the development of a concept for nine educational fields. The goal is to form competencies that will allow graduates to effectively realize themselves as individuals and professionals.
Countries owning Patriot missiles and Ukrainian donors may meet next week under the chairmanship of the NATO commander. The purpose of the meeting is to find additional Patriot air defense batteries for Ukraine.
The Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine adopted in the first reading bills No. 13273 on the principles of state policy of national memory and No. 6493 on the status of a people's deputy – founder of state independence of Ukraine. 301 and 292 deputies voted for them, respectively.
Over the past day, 265 natural fires were recorded in Ukraine, destroying over 403 hectares. In Kherson Oblast, an enemy strike caused a wheat field to catch fire, and also damaged residential buildings and infrastructure.
The Verkhovna Rada adopted a draft law on housing policy, which launches a large-scale reform. This will allow Ukraine to receive 300 million euros within the framework of the Ukraine Facility program.
The European Commission plans to increase the EU budget to €1. 717 trillion for the next 7 years, of which €88 billion could be allocated to support Ukraine. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen will present this budget plan for 2028-2035.
