Russo-Ukrainian war, day 1236: Ukraine’s shadow war mastermind killed in Kyiv — assassins shot dead

Exclusives

Russia thought motorbikes would save its war. Ukraine sent tire spikes. Some of the best defenses against Russia’s new motorcycle regiments are also some of the simplest. Metal spikes, concertina wire, small mines—and even trenches.

No sleep til Kyiv—and no rest until Putin’s empire falls, says Florida man delivering trucks, drones and Belgian chocolates to Ukraine. Peter Duke has spent the past two years helping Ukraine in ways few civilians ever would. In this interview, he explains why he joined a volunteer convoy, how the war changed him, and what led to the grassroots documentary No Sleep Til Kyiv, now streaming online.

“Obvious revenge”: Ukraine prosecutes the activist who created its anti-corruption system. Vitaliy Shabunin has many critics. But today, even they agree that it's about political persecution.

The brain behind Ukraine’s shadow war successes—Motorola and Kursk—gunned down in Kyiv parking lot. Five silenced shots in a Kyiv parking lot ended the career of the colonel who eliminated Motorola and masterminded Ukraine's Kursk offensive

Military

Belarus airspace exploited again as Russia unleashes deadly Shahed barrage—Ukraine hit with 3,000+ aerial weapons in a week. A couple in Sumy, a woman in Zaporizhzhia, and others in Kherson and Dnipropetrovsk oblasts are among the dead. Russia killed at least seven more Ukrainians, injured 20 others. Frontline report: Russia built a drone empire—Ukraine is unbuilding It. Ukrainian drones have struck warhead labs, antenna plants, and control system factories deep inside Russia—crippling key pieces of its drone infrastructure.

Intelligence and technology

Trump to announce “aggressive” Ukraine weapons plan, reportedly including Patriots. President Donald Trump to announce a new weapons package for Ukraine that could include long-range missiles capable of reaching Moscow, sources tell Axios, marking a dramatic escalation after Vladimir Putin told Trump he planned a 60-day offensive to capture more Ukrainian territory. Rheinmetall’s Skynex guns now used to wipe out Russian Shaheds from Ukrainian skies—video shows flawless kills. The non-mobile cannons are now guarding critical infrastructure from daily drone strikes. Ukraine’s new bullets are blasting drones at 50 meters — without new weapons. The Defense Ministry has approved the new 5.56 mm bullet for NATO rifles, and a government-linked group hints at upcoming mass production. Forbes: Ukraine’s drone swarms beat Russia—now the US needs satellite swarms before China does. While the US builds billion-dollar satellites, Ukraine is winning with swarms of drones that cost less than a used car. Ukraine’s sabotage-ready river drone Ursula now deploys UAVs mid-mission (video). The news Ukrainian Ursula river drone can strike surface targets as kamikaze boat or deploy a UAV for recon in contested river zones. Ukrainian intelligence: Russia’s advanced ballistic missile arsenal shrinks by nearly 50% since May. The drastic depletion includes hundreds of Iskander-M and North Korean-supplied KN-23 missiles.

International

Putin tells Trump Russia will escalate Ukraine offensive within 60 days as US president calls Kremlin leader disappointing. Vladimir Putin informed Donald Trump during their 3 July phone call that Russia intends to continue offensive operations until securing full administrative borders of occupied Ukrainian oblasts. ISW: Russia’s true drone target is Ukrainian and Western morale—Ukraine needs more Patriots. By exhausting air defenses and terrorizing cities, Moscow aims to break Ukraine and her allies. CBS: Trump mulls arming Ukraine after record Russian strikes, $ 3.85 bn sits ready for immediate use. Sources say the unused Biden-era fund is under consideration as attacks on Kyiv escalate.

Political and legal developments

Russia’s foreign hit squad eliminated in Kyiv shootout after assassination of SBU colonel. Colonel Ivan Voronych’s killers — a foreign couple under FSB orders — didn’t get far. The assassins resisted arrest and died in a firefight with security operatives.

New developments

Giant Ukrainian plane flies over Kyiv for first time since 2022 — Russian war bloggers rage. Kyiv residents looked up in disbelief as an An-124 cargo plane crossed the sky — the first sight of any aircraft over the city since Russia’s full-scale invasion began. Read our earlier daily review here.