Ukraine
Ukraine returned a teenager who was forcibly taken from Mariupol to Russia in 2022. The boy, separated from his mother for over three years, was bullied in a Russian school because of his Ukrainian origin.
President Zelenskyy stated that Ukraine will not join NATO now, but can receive additional funding from the Alliance for its army and military motivation. He emphasized the need to focus on obtaining funds for drones and for the military, leveraging the readiness of the US and key European leaders to strengthen Ukraine within the framework of 5% defense spending.
President Zelenskyy stated that Ukraine seeks to discuss the return of prisoners, children, and a meeting of leaders at a new meeting with Russia in Turkey. Secretary of the National Security and Defense Council Rustem Umerov proposed to the Russian side to hold this meeting.
The Ministry of Culture and Strategic Communications of Ukraine welcomes the decision of the Italian palace Reggia di Caserta to cancel the concert of Russian conductor Valery Gergiev. The decision was supported by the Minister of Culture of Italy, Alessandro Giuli, calling it logical and moral.
In the first half of 2025, FAVBET transferred UAH 4. 37 billion in taxes to the state budget, which is 40% more than in the same period of 2024. The company also actively supports the Ukrainian army and social responsibility initiatives.
Rescuers are eliminating the consequences of bad weather in the western, Zhytomyr, and Vinnytsia regions, where a level I danger has been declared. In Vinnytsia, roads are being cleared and help is being provided with fallen trees, while in Bukovyna, mountain roads are washed out.
Minister of Foreign Affairs Andriy Sybiha announced the creation of a new format of cooperation Ukraine – Benelux, which will unite Ukraine with Belgium, the Netherlands, and Luxembourg. The first ministerial meeting will take place in the near future, and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has also initiated a strategy regarding the Arctic, Antarctic, and the World Ocean.
Commander of the Third Army Corps Andriy Biletsky stated that Russian agents cannot have immunity in any structure, including NABU.
The operation of Mi-8 helicopters is complicated by the unresolved issue of technical documentation. This creates risks for major repairs and further operation, which can lead to a decrease in combat effectiveness.
Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal emphasized the importance of including Ukraine in the SAFE loan program for financing in 2026. The "Building with Ukraine" initiative is also being developed to expand joint defense-industrial projects.
Ukraine and France will create a €200 million fund to support Ukraine's critical infrastructure and economy starting in 2026. Issues of weapons, finance, reconstruction, and sanctions against Russia were also discussed.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine plans to open over 10 new consular offices by the end of the year, including in Romania, Iraq, Italy, Germany, Slovakia, France, and Poland. Consulates in Antalya and Gdansk will receive general consulate status.
People's deputies submitted amendments to the draft laws on the creation of Defence City so that aircraft manufacturing enterprises receive the same preferences as other participants in the defense-industrial complex. This will allow preserving human potential and developing Ukraine's aviation capabilities.
Denys Shmyhal stated that Ukraine needs $6 billion to close the gap in defense procurement this year. These funds will allow for increased drone production, strengthened air defense, and strikes against Russia.
President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy met with the heads of Ukrainian embassies, outlining five key priorities for diplomacy. These include weapons, Russian assets, integration with the EU and NATO, negotiations to end the war, and connecting Ukrainians abroad with Ukraine.
The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine reported 101 combat engagements on the front as of 4:00 PM on July 21. Almost half of the battles took place in the Pokrovsk and Lyman directions, where intense clashes continue.
Germany will provide Ukraine with two additional Patriot systems, which will be deployed in the coming days. The purchase of long-range Ukrainian-made drones will also be financed.
Law enforcement conducted over 70 searches of NABU employees, detaining Ruslan Magamedrasulov, head of the territorial detective department, on suspicion of aiding Russia. Lawyers and experts consider such actions legal, especially in cases of treason.
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy discussed with French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot defense assistance to Ukraine, particularly strengthening air defense. The parties also discussed joint defense production, including the manufacturing of drones in Ukraine.
Kyiv's "Dynamo", Donetsk's "Shakhtar", Zhytomyr's "Polissya" and "Oleksandriya" learned their potential opponents in the third qualifying round for European competitions. The draw took place on July 21 at UEFA headquarters in Nyon.
On Wednesday, the KBU Business Club will be held, dedicated to the analysis of the Ukrainian real estate market for the first half of 2025.
An international driver's license can be obtained offline at the Ministry of Internal Affairs service centers. The procedure takes up to five working days, and the document is valid for three years.
In Ukraine, up to 30,000 people are mobilized monthly according to the plans of the General Staff and the Command of the Armed Forces. MP Fedir Venislavsky noted that recruitment is significantly increasing, exceeding 10% of the total number of citizens entering military service.
Brigadier General Hennadiy Shapovalov, the newly appointed commander of the Ground Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, outlined key tasks, including troop generation and the implementation of modern training methods. He emphasized the importance of forming, training, and manning combat units, as well as developing all components of the Ground Forces.
Rostec CEO Sergey Chemezov and oligarch Yevgeny Giner were notified of suspicion for aiding the occupation of Crimea and producing ammunition for the Russian army. They are accused of complicity in changing the borders of Ukraine's territory and justifying armed aggression.
People's Deputy Fedir Venislavskyi confirmed the possibility of TCRs operating in a mobile-relocatable format, seeing no legislative obstacles. This decision can be adopted by the Cabinet of Ministers or the Command of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, taking into account Russian strikes and the digitalization of processes.
Press Secretary of the President of the Russian Federation, Dmitry Peskov, stated that he does not rule out the possibility of a meeting between Vladimir Putin and Donald Trump in Beijing, although Trump's visit to China has not been officially confirmed. Putin is preparing for a trip to Beijing, which is on his schedule.
Russia's "swarm" drone tactic breaches Ukraine's defenses, tripling the number of Shahed hits. From April to June, 15% of drones penetrated defenses, compared to 5% in the previous three months.
In the first half of 2025, the volume of cash in circulation in Ukraine increased by 4. 6%, reaching UAH 859.9 billion. The largest increase was recorded among 1000-hryvnia banknotes and 10-hryvnia coins.
People's Deputy Fedir Venislavsky stated that Ukraine has a chance to receive a certain number of air defense systems in a short time, although not all of the announced 15-17 complexes. The US has allowed European partners to purchase and transfer air defense systems to Ukraine, which will speed up the process.