Ukraine
At the meeting of the "Servant of the People" faction, no candidate for the position of Minister of Culture was named; consultations are still ongoing. The Verkhovna Rada will consider the mentioned candidacies at the next meeting.
Denys Shmyhal, after resigning as prime minister, met with Donald Trump's special representative, Keith Kellogg. They discussed further strengthening Ukraine's air defense and new sanctions against the Russian Federation.
In June 2025, 1306 cases of tuberculosis were registered in Ukraine, of which 962 are new diseases. During the same period, 901 people successfully recovered from the disease.
Former Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal has been appointed Minister of Defense, and Herman Smetanin will head "Ukroboronprom". The Ministry of Defense will be merged with the Ministry of Strategic Industries to increase the production of Ukrainian weapons.
A Russian aerial bomb hit the center of Dobropillia, Donetsk region, near the "Avrora" store during rush hour. People were killed and injured; the local hospital cannot cope with the influx of wounded.
The Ministry of Digital Transformation appealed to Upwork's management regarding the mass blocking of Ukrainian freelancers' accounts. Problems arise due to registration in occupied territories, geolocation failures, and blocking without explanation.
Minister of Defense Rustem Umerov reported on the results of his two years of work, highlighting six key areas and achievements in stabilizing the front, developing the defense industry, and digitalization. He also emphasized the increase in international aid and successes in returning prisoners of war.
The Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor's Office has opened proceedings based on facts reported in the media regarding alleged unlawful actions by Deputy Prime Minister Olha Stefanishyna. The investigation concerns possible abuses by ARMA officials, in which Stefanishyna is involved, particularly regarding the management of the Trade Unions Building.
Over the last day, 12 people died on Ukraine's water bodies, including an 8-year-old child in Kharkiv. Since the beginning of last year, water has claimed the lives of 463 people, including 41 children.
Polish Foreign Minister Radosław Sikorski expressed optimism about the swift adoption of the 18th EU sanctions package against Russia. This will happen despite public opposition from Slovakia, which blocked it the day before.
The foreign ministers of Ukraine, Poland, and Lithuania met in Lublin, reaffirming their support for Ukraine on its path to the EU and NATO. They called for increased sanctions pressure on Russia and an immediate ceasefire.
Head of the Presidential Office Andriy Yermak and US President's Special Representative Keith Kellogg discussed the deportation of Ukrainian children and the detention of civilians. Ukraine handed over a list of children to the Russian Federation and expects their return.
Hungary has initiated the inclusion of three Ukrainian military commanders in the EU sanctions list. This is related to the alleged violent death of a Hungarian in Zakarpattia due to the actions of the TCC.
The Ukrainian national volleyball team defeated the Netherlands with a score of 3:2, securing its place in the Nations League for the next season. This victory also allowed the team to continue fighting for a spot in the playoffs.
The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine reported 63 combat engagements over the past day, most of which occurred in the Pokrovsk and Lyman directions. The enemy also launched air strikes and shelled border settlements in Sumy Oblast.
Minister of Foreign Affairs Andriy Sybiha confirmed Ukraine's readiness for peace talks in any format and geographical zone. He refuted Russia's statements about delaying negotiations, calling them manipulation.
A man was detained in Dnipro who last year threatened terrorist attacks in schools in the Czech Republic and Slovakia. His activities were financed by Russians, and the detention took place with the participation of Ukrainian, Czech, and Slovak special services.
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.