Yuri Zoria

Ukraine's defense intelligence says maritime drones, particularly Magura V5, provide a strategic advantage in the Black Sea against Russia's larger fleet. With an 800 km range, these drones can reach well into the Azov Sea, yet the agency is cautious about their deployment.

Swedish retailer IKEA has decided to return to Ukraine, inspired by the successful reopening of H&M and Inditex stores, media sources report. The decision was made in May, with technical preparations underway. The exact reopening date remains undetermined.

Last night, Russia launched a coordinated missile and drone strike on Ukraine, which caused no damage to energy infrastructures but led to multiple air raid alerts and some power outages in frontline areas.

"Mark Rutte will make an excellent Secretary General," White House advisor Kirby says, welcoming the appointment of the Dutch PM as NATO chief. Rutte will assume office this fall.

Serbian Prime Minister Miloš Vučević defends ammunition sales to Western buyers, potentially supplying Ukraine, saying this doesn't make Serbia a belligerent in the Russo-Ukrainian war.

Ukrainian military intelligence struck an army ammunition depot in Russia's Voronezh Oblast, resulting in extensive fire, long-lasting secondary ammunition detonations.

Putin's ally, Hungarian PM Orbán, promises not to block Ukraine's EU accession talks despite criticizing the process and claiming that Ukrainian borders "have not been clarified in practice."

Russia reports a large-scale drone attack on its Belgorod Oblast, allegedly intercepting 30 UAVs, with one civilian ostensibly killed, 15 injured.

Ukraine starts EU accession talks, marking a historic milestone. Foreign Minister Kuleba outlines three remaining steps to full membership after the talks: European Commission conclusion, accession agreement signing, and ratification by EU member states.

One year after Prigozhin's rebellion, Russia's Wagner Group operates under new leadership with altered deployments, while Russian military adopts Wagner's prisoner recruitment tactics for Ukraine, leading to decreased prison population, per UK intelligence.

Russian forces launched two Iskander-K cruise missiles at Odesa. Air defenses reportedly intercepted one, but the other hit a supermarket chain warehouse, injuring four people.

Ukraine's EU accession negotiations begin tomorrow in Luxembourg, featuring a Ukrainian delegation comprised of representatives from the Cabinet, the President's Office, Parliament, and various state agencies.

The EU proposes a legal workaround to use profits from Russia's frozen assets for Ukraine support, circumventing Hungary's opposition, after Budapest abstained from earlier agreement. This could facilitate a $50 billion G7 loan and EU weapons purchases for Ukraine.

Ukrainian military refutes claims of complete Russian control over Novooleksandrivka, Donetsk Oblast. The 110th Brigade confirms ongoing intense battles, with Russian forces occupying significant parts but not the entire village.