Russo-Ukrainian war, day 1588: Ukraine have knocked out nearly 200 Russian air defense systems since start of year

Exclusives

EU sends Ukraine $3.9 bn for drones — and explains the holdup. Contract vetting delayed the defense portion of the loan

Polish-Ukrainian diplomatic spat hasn’t touched its memorial work in Lviv. A journalist is still tracking down the families of Ukraine’s Polish-descent dead, with consulate help.

1.7 million tons in reserve, queues at the pump—Russia’s fuel math doesn’t close. Russia says it still holds 1.7 million tons of gasoline. Queues, rationing, and import deals show why that number does not put fuel in the tank.

Military

Russia weighs three routes into Ukraine. Ukrainian Commander-in-Chief says Chernihiv is the real one. Syrskyi ranks the Bryansk axis above a Belarus-based attack

Ukraine burned half of Russia’s oil refining, made Moscow’s diesel ban for three days, Ukrainian analyst says. Moscow weighs a diesel export ban next, then backs off

Ukraine’s drone force wrecked almost 200 Russian air defense assets since year-start—31 in June alone. A late-June sweep added a Pantsir gun-missile system and two radars in occupied Crimea.

“Three-day war,” now in year five: Russia has missed 15 of its own deadlines to seize Donetsk Oblast since the 2022, Zelenskyy says. Moscow still holds short of the region after more than four years of the all-out war, even as it demands all of it at the negotiating table.

Intelligence and technology

Sweden’s first 16 Gripens to reach Ukraine in early 2027. They come with weapons. Zelenskyy and Swedish officials reaffirmed plans to deliver 16 Gripen C/D jets to Ukraine in early 2027, a month after the deal was first announced.

1,400 kilometers of range, six configurations, one armed with missiles. Ukraine’s Mobidik covers entire Black Sea. Ukraine's Avarid presented the Mobidik naval drone in six versions at DIH Naval Forge 2026.

Nine in ten Russian missiles and drones carry Japanese parts. Ukraine wants Tokyo to close gap. Japanese-made components appear in 90% of Russian missile and drone types, Ukraine's sanctions chief said.

International

Germany spent years weaning itself off Russian energy. AfD’s Weidel wants to turn back after more than decade of Russia killing Ukrainians. AfD leader Alice Weidel told journalists that Germany should end its boycott of Russian oil.

EU borrowed Danish model and supersized it. Now, €3.9 billion flows into Ukrainian drone production. Ukraine received €3.9bn from the EU, all of which was restricted to Ukrainian weapons production.

Role reversal: Britain trained Ukraine in 2022—now Ukraine’s tactics are rewriting UK defense plans. UK drops new warship funding, redirects £5 billion to drones modeled on Ukraine

Humanitarian and social impact

Russia is returning Ukraine’s war dead with explosives hidden inside. Police now check every body first. "Such cases have been repeated."

Not burden: Ukrainian refugees in Moldova opened 200 businesses and paid $90 million in taxes since 2022. This comes amid language barriers, difficulties with recognition of qualifications, and adaptation to local labor market requirements, which limit refugees' ability to fully realize their professional potential.

Political and legal developments

Russia wants future doctors to study abortion through “Christian worldview”. Its birth rate is reason. The Russian Orthodox Church is pushing to make anti-abortion ideology part of mandatory university education.

A Ukraine-sanctioned tycoon was bombed at his own door in Monaco. Kyiv blacklisted him in 2023 over alcohol assets that kept paying taxes to Russia from occupied Crimea.

New developments

Russia shuts seven rail crossings on its NATO borders. It won’t say why. Move comes weeks after Moscow doubled freight tariffs to the same neighbors

Read our earlier daily review here.