On July 24, a Russian ballistic missile destroyed a drone factory in Kyiv owned by Terminal Autonomy, a US corporation registered in Delaware, marking the first known Russian strike on a US-owned military-related company in Ukraine. No casualties were reported. The factory produced AI-guided deep-strike drones designed to resist jamming. The strike occurred during a rare daytime attack involving approximately 12 missiles. The incident reflects escalating Russian strikes on US-linked facilities and comes amid shifting US rhetoric toward firmer support for Ukraine, including approval for domestic Patriot production.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky announced an upcoming National Security and Defense Council (NSDC) meeting to address implementation of regional resilience plans, noting many regions lag behind. He discussed railway challenges from Russian strikes and security in Odesa, and instructed the government to deploy resources for protective works in frontline areas. Zelensky also met with military leadership and emphasized intensifying long-range strikes to bring the war back to Russian territory.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky accepted letters of credence from newly appointed ambassadors of Oman, North Macedonia, the United Arab Emirates, the Netherlands, and France. During the ceremony, he briefed the diplomats on Russia's overnight missile attack on Ukraine, which involved a large number of ballistic missiles and caused numerous casualties. Zelensky emphasized that air defense remains an unwavering priority and called on partners to provide missile packages and anti-ballistic defense support. He also discussed bilateral relations with each ambassador.

During a Russian attack on Kyiv on the night of 29-30 July, more than 56,000 people sheltered in Kyiv metro stations, which operated as shelters. Kyiv Metro denied social media claims that access was restricted, clarifying that all stations were open and that reports may stem from safety-related restrictions on service premises. One person was killed and two injured in the attack. This highlights the ongoing use of metro infrastructure as civilian shelters amid Russian strikes.

Russia has added AI-assisted terminal guidance, called the 'Seeker' modification, to its inexpensive Gerbera drones, giving them machine vision similar to that on Geran strike drones. The upgrade, reported by the Hudson Institute, allows the $10,000 drones to autonomously lock onto targets like trucks and trains, potentially enabling Russia to strike Ukrainian supply lines more effectively. The Gerbera Seeker includes inertial navigation and jam-resistant satellite antennas. This development could escalate drone warfare on logistics, requiring Ukraine to adapt countermeasures.

Background: Russia has deployed the S8000 Banderol cruise missile, a hybrid kamikaze drone and cruise missile, in large-scale attacks on Ukrainian cities, using foreign components obtained via sanctions evasion. Today: Ukrainian intelligence reports that the missile is now in mass production, with factory output of at least ten per day, and production is likely to increase. The low-cost missile, with an estimated production cost of $150,000–300,000, has a 220–330 pound warhead and a speed of 300–375 mph, and is used as a decoy or against less-protected targets. Its components include parts from China, the US, South Korea, Japan, Switzerland, and Australia, some potentially violating sanctions. Recent strikes have targeted Odesa, Kharkiv, Sumy, Kryvyi Rih, and Mykolaiv, with almost nightly launches from the Black Sea. Launch platforms include Orion UAVs, Mi-28 helicopters, and a new ground-launch platform. A July 17 strike on Odesa involved 9–10 missiles per night, and a strike on Kharkiv killed one civilian and injured 16.

A Ukrainian court sentenced a former border guard, who defected to Russia, to 15 years in prison in absentia for high treason. The man, a 49-year-old native of Luhansk region, attempted to build an agent network among Ukrainian border guards, including personnel from the Volyn Border Guard Detachment, to cooperate with Russia's FSB for intelligence and sabotage. Ukrainian authorities detected and stopped his activities, preventing information leakage. The Lutsk City District Court also ordered confiscation of his property and stripped him of his military rank.

Polish police arrested a man in southern Poland for publicly inciting the murder of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and insulting him on social media. The suspect admitted guilt, citing emotional distress, and faces up to three years in prison. The arrest highlights ongoing security concerns for the Ukrainian leader, who has previously been the target of assassination plots. The investigation is supervised by the District Prosecutor's Office in Muszyna, southern Poland.

Russian forces struck the city of Zaporizhzhia, causing a fire and damaging buildings and non-residential premises. Regional authorities reported the attack, and emergency services were dispatched. An air raid alert was issued due to drone threats. No casualties have been reported so far.

Background: Russian forces infiltrated Kostiantynivka, turning it into a contested 'gray zone' with up to 145 troops inside, threatening the Kramatorsk-Sloviansk agglomeration. Today: A Western official reports that Russia now controls approximately 80% of Kostiantynivka's urban center, with Ukrainian defenses deteriorating. Russian forces continue infiltration attempts to secure the area between Illinivka and Novodmytrivka, potentially encircling Ukrainian defenders at Chasiv Yar. The Kostiantynivka-Druzhkivka agglomeration is under heavy shelling, with Druzhkivka and Oleksiievo-Druzhkivka being reduced to ruins. Sloviansk and Kramatorsk are increasingly isolated under constant bombardment from glide bombs, rockets, and drones, with Russian fire control extending up to 40 km beyond the contact line. Russia is also contesting Lyman and pushing toward Sloviansk and Dobropillia, with the latter seen as a potential platform to flank the fortress belt from the west. Ukrainian forces have made limited gains near Huliaipole in Zaporizhzhia Oblast.

Background: US-led peace negotiations on Ukraine have stalled, with the Trump administration's focus shifting to Iran. Ukrainian President Zelensky has called for greater European involvement and proposed direct talks with Putin. Today, Zelenskyy stated in a Fox News interview that the liberation of Russian-occupied Crimea is not currently under discussion in peace negotiations, though he reaffirmed Crimea as Ukrainian territory. He also disclosed that his recent White House meeting with President Trump covered Patriot missile production licenses and other strategic cooperation ideas, with the meeting held behind closed doors. In the same interview, he emphasized that the peninsula remains Ukrainian territory, and revealed that the closed-door White House meeting with Trump included discussions on licenses for the production of Patriot interceptor missiles and other strategic cooperation ideas. Neither president made public statements after the meeting, which was held without media representatives.

In a Fox News interview aired July 31, 2026, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky claimed that Russia wants the Middle East conflict to continue because it diverts US support away from Ukraine. He accused Moscow of supplying Iran with drones used in attacks across the region, including against Israel. Zelensky stated that Ukraine is 'not losing' the war, citing over 1.5 million Russian troops killed and about 50,000 Ukrainian soldiers killed, though he declined to provide detailed casualty figures. He also said Russia is losing 30,000 soldiers per month and that Putin no longer holds the initiative, while emphasizing the war as a race of innovation and highlighting Ukraine's growing mil-tech industry with 500 companies. The remarks come amid escalated US-Iran tensions following the collapse of the Islamabad memorandum ceasefire.

Russia's offensive to capture the last fortress cities of Donbas—Kostiantynivka, Druzhkivka, Kramatorsk, and Sloviansk—is backfiring, according to analysis. The campaign has consumed enormous manpower at Bakhmut and Pokrovsk without operational breakthroughs, leaving Russia with depleted troops, weak logistics, and fuel shortages. Ukrainian drones isolate assault groups, and the regime's internal filtering of reports hides failures. The offensive risks breaking Putin's army and potentially destabilizing his regime.

Background: Protests in Kyiv have continued for days demanding the return of former defense minister Mykhailo Fedorov. The political crisis escalated following the July 16 government changes, which included the dismissal of Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov and the failed nomination of the interior minister as his replacement. Protests on Ivan Franko Square continued, with hundreds participating, while nightly ballistic missile attacks on Kyiv forced residents to shelter in hallways. On July 22, a new chief of the Ukrainian army was appointed, bringing relief to Kyiv residents after a tense week. The protests and missile threats have become part of daily life, as described by a Kyiv resident. The situation remains tense as the government reshuffle continues.

Ukraine's newly appointed Commander-in-Chief Mykhailo Drapatyi has ordered assault regiments of the Ground Forces to suspend intake of additional personnel from 26 July, marking the first restriction on their replenishment. The move follows investigations into alleged torture, beatings, and killings in units such as the 425th Skelia and 225th regiments, which had enjoyed privileged access to personnel under former commander Syrskyi. The General Staff also announced a broader review of troop distribution to address imbalances, part of Drapatyi's manpower overhaul.

Ukraine's presidential sanctions commissioner Vladyslav Vlasiuk reported that a Russian Iskander missile used to strike Kyiv Oblast on 10 July contained over 140 foreign components, including 62 from the US, 8 from Switzerland, 5 from Germany, and others. At least 20 parts were made in 2025, indicating recent production despite sanctions. Vlasiuk highlighted Western European components as critical chokepoints, noting that removing them would make missile production impossible. The parts reportedly reach Russia through ordinary commercial channels via third-country intermediaries, highlighting an enforcement gap.