Background: Ukraine had previously announced plans for a Special Tribunal for the Crime of Aggression against Russia, expected to launch in 2027 in The Hague. The Netherlands has formally agreed to host the fully-fledged operational phase of the Special Tribunal for the Crime of Aggression against Ukraine, moving the institution from a skeleton phase (Phase 1) to full operations (Phase 2). The decision was announced by Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha on July 5 and confirmed by President Zelensky after a phone call with Dutch Prime Minister Dick Schoof on July 3. The tribunal, backed by 36 countries and the EU, will now proceed to select 15 judges, approve procedural rules, and establish administrative and security infrastructure before beginning active investigations, indictments, and trials for the crime of aggression. Zelensky called the move a 'historic decision' that enables holding Russia's top political and military leadership accountable for the initial decision to launch the war, a jurisdiction not covered by the ICC.

Background: Zelensky previously warned that Russia may prolong the war beyond WWII duration and called for stronger international pressure. Today, after a Russian guided bomb killed at least four in Sumy, including a child, and injured dozens, Zelensky specifically urged the US, G7, and G20 to tighten sanctions on Russia's shadow oil tanker fleet, energy sector, and financial system, while reiterating the need for enhanced Ukrainian air defenses.

UN High Commissioner Volker Türk reported a 40% increase in civilian casualties in Ukraine from December 2025 to May 2026, with at least 1,270 killed and 6,850 injured, 96% in government-controlled areas. The increase is attributed to Russia's expanded use of long-range weapons and drones. The report also details torture of POWs, attacks on energy infrastructure, and forced transfers of Ukrainian children.

An Ukrainska Pravda investigation claims former commander Valerii Zaluzhny informed President Zelensky he would run in a presidential election if held this autumn. The unverified report suggests Zelensky leads in the first round but Zaluzhny would win a runoff. Senior officials tried to dissuade Zaluzhny and considered offering him the prime minister post. The story has shaken Kyiv's political landscape, though an autumn election remains legally and logistically difficult.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky announced after a Supreme Commander-in-Chief’s Staff meeting on July 3 that Ukraine's defense production capacity has reached a level that could exceed Russia's in high-tech weapons over the long term, focusing on drones, robotic systems, missiles, and electronic warfare. He ordered intensified efforts to secure international financing for the defense industry and confirmed continued long-range strikes to raise the cost of occupation for Russia. Zelensky also reviewed Ukraine's missile program, including work on domestically produced ballistic missiles and anti-ballistic defense systems, and identified air defense as the top diplomatic priority.

Russia is importing 200,000 barrels of jet fuel from Japan's Chiba via South Korea, the first such shipment since 2022, amid a severe fuel crisis caused by Ukrainian strikes on Russian oil infrastructure. Russia is also importing gasoline from India, Kazakhstan, and Belarus. Ukraine has discussed potential EU sanctions on countries exporting gasoline to Russia.

Ukrainian defense company Contra Drone showcased an integrated counter-drone architecture during a closed Demo Day, featuring the Mini Air Defense System (MADS) for autonomous interception of FPV drones, the Peace Duck AI-powered interceptor drone for targeting Russian reconnaissance UAVs, and over 20 other counter-UAV technologies including radar, electronic warfare systems, and strike drones. The systems are designed to protect troops, vehicles, and critical infrastructure as both sides increasingly rely on unmanned systems in the war.

Ukraine is discussing with the European Commission a new sanctions mechanism to discourage countries from exporting gasoline and other petroleum products to Russia, as Russian fuel shortages worsen due to Ukrainian strikes on refineries. Ukraine's sanctions commissioner Vladyslav Vlasiuk said the EU's 22nd sanctions package is being prepared. Russia has begun importing gasoline from India, Kazakhstan, and Belarus to ease shortages. This development highlights a new vulnerability in Russia's energy supply chain and Ukraine's strategy to target it through diplomatic and economic pressure.