Exclusive
 | Ukraine’s anti-corruption architect to Zelenskyy: “You just gave Putin his best argument”. Zelenskyy must reverse course on the legislation targeting corruption prosecutors, or risk proving Putin right about Ukrainian democracy, warns the architect of the system being destroyed. |
 | Ukraine just got 49 new Abrams tanks. The war told them to stay indoors. The first of up to 49 fresh M-1 Abrams tanks have arrived in Ukraine. What will the Ukrainian military do with the 69-ton, four-person vehicles with their thick armor and 120-mm guns? |
 | Ukraine’s parliament votes to gut anti-corruption agencies amid Russian spy scandal (UPDATED). Ukraine’s parliament passed a bill to weaken its top anti-corruption bodies, citing a Russian spy scandal. It now awaits President Zelenskyy’s signature. |
 | Russian “Doctor Evil” posts about loving family and medical pride online, while he degrades and tortures Ukrainian POWs in reality. Investigators identified a Russian doctor who shocked Ukrainian prisoners of war with stun guns, forced them to bark like dogs and crawl on floors, made them recite degrading slurs, and denied them medical care. |
Military
Ukraine hits Russian S-300P launcher, Nebo-M radar, and Big Bird node in Belgorod Oblast (video). The Ukrainian forces used long-range precision fire to degrade Russia’s ability to monitor and defend Belgorod’s airspace.
Ukraine hits Russian explosives production chain plant—fire erupts at Samara refinery. The petrochemical facility tied to bomb precursors and jet fuel caught fire after drone strikes overnight on 22 July.
With single FPV drone strike, Ukraine is blowing up North Korea’s outdated rocket launchers before they ever get chance to fire. Ukrainian drone operators are turning the battlefield into a scrapyard.
ISW: No real peace talks with Putin unless West helps Ukraine crush Russia. A major shift in battlefield momentum is the only lever that could move the Kremlin
Moscow resurrects Leningrad and Moscow military districts, builds new divisions as part of its largest rearmament since Soviet collapse. Russia is transitioning into a wartime state to reshape th global order.
Intelligence and technology
Russia’s new decoy drone is all Chinese parts—and still carries a bomb. Flight controller, ignition system, data link, servos, and battery all trace back to Chinese hobby gear suppliers, Militarnyi says.
Dutch pledge new Patriot air defense for Ukraine — but US delay blocks German shipment. Chancellor Merz said Germany cannot transfer systems until the US confirms its delivery.
French drones to be built in Ukraine—Barrot calls it “strategic trust”. Paris becomes the latest NATO ally to transfer defense manufacturing inside Ukraine.
FT: Russia triples drone strike success—Ukraine’s air defenses didn’t get worse, Moscow’s tactics did. Russia’s Shahed drones now dive at 800 km/h, flying too high for Ukraine’s mobile gunners to reach.
International
Poland warns dual citizens at risk of forced mobilization in Russia. Polish-Russian civilians risk forced enlistment under wartime mobilization.
“Putin fears only Trump,” Ukrainian foreign minister says after Kellogg’s visit to Kyiv. Foreign Minister Sybiha says the calm during Kellogg’s visit was calculated.
Humanitarian and social impact
Russia’s bombs hit apartment block in Kramatorsk, kill 9-year-old boy as Moscow keeps targeting civilians. Russia’s latest attacks left at least three civilians dead and 25 injured across Ukraine, with strikes reported in Donetsk, Kherson, Sumy, Odesa, and Kharkiv oblasts.
Political and legal developments
Zelenskyy signs controversial law undermining Ukraine’s anti-corruption agencies. The law hands sweeping powers to the Prosecutor General’s Office, a move critics warn could derail Ukraine’s democratic progress and EU aspirations.
Kyiv court arrests suspected Russian spy embedded in anti-graft bureau. The suspect allegedly sent law enforcement data to Russian intelligence via a known traitor tied to Yanukovych.
Security service officials took $300,000 bribes as Ukraine guts corruption oversight. The agency that conducted over 70 raids against anti-corruption investigators was itself harboring officials who helped draft dodgers avoid military service for cash.
From Lviv to Odesa: Ukrainians take to streets to save anti-corruption agencies. Thousands rally against bill No. 12414, warning Zelenskyy that signing the law would unravel years of hard-fought reforms and threaten Ukraine’s European future.
Alleged FSB infiltration investigation used to smash Ukraine’s anti-corruption system, says watchdog. FSB-related arrests serve as cover for political moves that undermine key anti-graft bodies and centralize power.
Abuse of power: Ukraine’s Civil Anti-Corruption Council urges Zelenskyy to veto new law undermining anti-corruption system. The law allows the Prosecutor General to seize cases, issue directives to anti-corruption bodies in Ukraine.
Western trust under threat as Zelenskyy nears signing controversial law that crashes Ukraine’s anti-corruption system. Born from Western pressure in 2015, NABU’s future now hangs in the balance.
New developments
From thieves to heroes: 100 Ukrainian women with criminal records now serve in army. A legal loophole gives imprisoned women like Halyna and Alvina a way out of prison bars.
Read our earlier daily review here.