As the war continues, Russian Ministry of Defence claimed to have destroyed 115 Ukrainian drones. This was within the context of a nighttime, surprise attack. During a time of increasingly dangerous escalation, this announcement comes as a welcome development. In response, the Ministry has accused Kyiv of violating a 30-day moratorium on energy strikes by making six attacks on Kremlin energy infrastructure in only the last 24 hours.
The situation escalated further when Ukraine’s military confirmed a successful strike on a base belonging to a Russian rocket brigade responsible for a recent missile attack in Sumy city that resulted in the deaths of 35 individuals. The Ukrainian armed forces have been effective and precise in targeting positions they see as threatening their national security.
In Russia’s border region of Kursk, a Ukrainian drone strike killed one person and wounded seven more, regional officials said. It was local health officers that really brought this message home. So far, four of those injured have been hospitalized, with at least one in serious condition. The drone strike led to extensive collateral damage, demolishing two apartment blocks and damaging fifteen cars.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy recently introduced two draft bills to the Rada. These bills would continue military mobilization and martial law for an additional 90 days, raising the new end date to August 6. This legislative action highlights Ukraine’s ongoing determination to strengthen its military capacity, even as hostilities intensify.
Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov stated that there exists political will within Russia to explore a possible agreement with the United States regarding Ukraine. He noted, “We pay attention to her very, very harsh statements. We do not consider them correct,” reflecting the Kremlin’s position on diplomatic discussions amidst ongoing tensions.
To start the day on the battlefield, Russia’s new Ministry of Defence showed that Moscow aggressively attacked Ukraine with 52 drones and one missile just overnight. They asserted that Ukrainian forces shot down 26 of those drones. According to these reports, nineteen civilian-targeted drones failed to achieve their stated targets. Yet they probably failed due to the electronic warfare countermeasures employed by Ukrainian forces.
Following a meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin, United States President Donald Trump’s special envoy, Steve Witkoff, remarked that Putin expressed openness to a “permanent peace” deal with Ukraine. This simple yet bold move has created unprecedented waves in international diplomatic circles.
Sergey Naryshkin, head of Russia’s foreign intelligence service, emphasized that Ukraine must abandon its aspirations to join NATO and relinquish territories annexed by Russia as prerequisites for any peace negotiations.
Ukrainian President Zelenskyy told NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte in no uncertain terms that air defense systems and missiles were urgently needed. He noted Ukraine’s desperate need for military assistance from its allies as the fighting continues.
Neither country has taken a crystal clear path in a mixed military and arduous diplomatic reality. Meanwhile, international observers are keeping their eyes peeled for new breakthroughs—or new escalations—in the fighting.
