Herman Smetanin has resigned as CEO of Ukroboronprom, Ukraine’s largest defense manufacturer, after a Russian strike detonated one of the company’s ammunition depots in Vyshneve, killing nine people, and evacuating more than 600. www.kyivpost.com/post/80266

Poland will host the first “Coalition of the Willing” military exercises this fall, with British and French forces joining Polish troops, Prime Minister Donald Tusk announced. He warned that Russia is likely to prolong the war until at least winter. www.kyivpost.com/post/80269

Ukraine has escalated its Crimea campaign from fuel targets to the power grid, striking power plants, substations and air defenses with FP-2 drones. Widespread blackouts now affect tens of thousands as Russia struggles to restore electricity. www.kyivpost.com/post/80265

Russia is falling behind on its plan to recruit 409,000 troops in 2026. Only 195,000 contracts have been signed by July, while battlefield losses continue to outpace recruitment and Moscow targets poorer regions, migrants and students to replenish its ranks. www.kyivpost.com/post/80261

France will provide Ukraine with two SAMP/T air defense systems this year and accelerate Aster 30 missile deliveries by October, Zelensky said. Kyiv will also receive licenses to produce SCALP missiles, AASM bombs and Aster 30 interceptors, while training for 16 Rafale fighters begins this year.

The EU and UK have jointly sanctioned nine Russians and four companies linked to cyberattacks targeting Ukraine, European governments and critical infrastructure. www.kyivpost.com/post/80252

Ukraine’s parliament has voted to dismiss Prime Minister Yuliia Svyrydenko, triggering the resignation of the entire government. The motion was backed by 258 lawmakers. Parliament is expected to vote on a new prime minister on Thursday. www.kyivpost.com/post/80250

Ukraine has opened Cluster 6 in its EU accession talks, covering external relations, security and defense policy. Ukraine has already achieved 99% alignment with EU foreign policy, FM Andrii Sybiha said, as Kyiv moves another step closer to membership. www.kyivpost.com/post/80226

Ukrainian forces struck oil refineries in Russia’s Bashkortostan and Krasnodar regions, as well as a Russian patrol ship and four tankers belonging to Moscow’s shadow fleet, President Volodymyr Zelensky said. Video: Volodymyr Zelensky / Telegram

Ukraine is expected to sign a sweeping defense partnership with the European Commission that would provide up to €2 billion for joint drone and missile production and deepen Kyiv’s integration into the EU defense industry. www.kyivpost.com/post/80223

Ukraine struck 11 more Russian vessels in the Sea of Azov overnight, bringing the total to 116 ships hit in just nine days. The campaign targets Russia’s feeder fleet used to move oil, support the shadow fleet and deliver fuel to occupied Crimea. www.kyivpost.com/post/80219

Ukraine intercepted five ballistic missiles after Russia launched 145 aerial weapons overnight, including 135 drones. The attacks damaged homes and critical infrastructure. www.kyivpost.com/post/80215

Ukraine hit two major Russian oil facilities overnight — including a petrochemical giant around 1,500 km from Ukraine. Fires erupted at the Afipsky Oil Refinery and Gazprom Neftekhim Salavat complex. www.kyivpost.com/post/80209

US Senator Chuck Grassley called for Congress to advance the bipartisan Russia sanctions bill Lindsey Graham championed during his final visit to Kyiv. www.kyivpost.com/post/80198

Ukraine and nine EU partners launched the FREYJA program to develop a new anti-ballistic shield. The initiative seeks to address interceptor shortages by combining Ukraine’s combat experience and emerging missile technology with EU radars, and manufacturing capacity. www.kyivpost.com/post/80199

The EU is preparing its biggest overhaul of temporary protection rules for Ukrainians since 2022. Future applicants — both men and women — may be required to prove they are not subject to mobilization. www.kyivpost.com/post/80181

Zelensky arrived in Paris with anti-ballistic defense at the top of the agenda. Ukraine will present its program to leaders, national security advisers and defense companies capable of helping build a new anti-ballistic system. www.kyivpost.com/post/80183

Russia struck a civilian cargo ship flying the flag of Togo at a Ukrainian port, killing three crew members and injuring five others. The vessel was unloading fertilizer when the strike hit its superstructure, sparking a fire and damaging nearby port infrastructure. www.kyivpost.com/post/80170

Bulgaria has vetoed EU sanctions on Russian Orthodox Patriarch Kirill, forcing the bloc to drop the pro-war church leader from its upcoming sanctions package. www.kyivpost.com/post/80178

Ukraine’s Unmanned Systems Forces say they struck 1,725 Russian military targets in just 24 hours, killing or wounding 418 Russian troops. Since the start of July, drone units have reportedly hit nearly 20,000 targets and inflicted more than 4,100 Russian casualties. www.kyivpost.com/post/80161

Germany has financed 50,000 Ukrainian FPV strike drones in a €90 million ($103 million) deal. The drones made by Ukrainian drone firm SkyFall and equipped with autonomous targeting software by US firm Auterion, with some already delivered. www.kyivpost.com/post/80164

Ukraine hit 105 vessels linked to Russia’s shadow fleet in just eight days,including 15 overnight. Seven tankers, five cargo ships, a ferry and two tugboats were among the latest targets as Kyiv intensifies its campaign against Russia’s oil logistics in occupied Crimea. www.kyivpost.com/post/80156

Russia may NOT have the military power to attack Poland — but it could still try to test NATO, Polish FM Radosław Sikorski warned. “We used to think Putin had the second strongest army in the world. Today, he has the second strongest army in Ukraine.” www.kyivpost.com/post/80142

Zelensky blasted Russia’s leadership as having “gone crazy over war” after another night of attacks on Ukrainian cities. He urged allies to boost air defenses, impose tougher sanctions and accelerate joint defense projects. www.kyivpost.com/post/80145

Russia launched overnight drone attacks across Ukraine, hitting Odesa, Zaporizhzhia and the Chernihiv region. The strikes damaged transport infrastructure, injured civilians and left nearly 69,000 consumers without power. www.kyivpost.com/post/80135

Drones struck multiple targets across Russia and occupied Crimea overnight, including the Mikhailovskaya oil depot in Russia’s Stavropol region, which was reportedly hit for the second time in a week. Air defenses were also activated in the Moscow region. Video: Telegram channels

Authorities in Russia's Krasnodar region have ordered school teachers to monitor gas station queues during their summer break – under threat of dismissal. Fuel rationing and odd/even day sales systems are rolling out across multiple regions. www.kyivpost.com/post/80123

The Australian Army has tested the German-made Vector AI reconnaissance drone during military exercises. The platform's advanced AI software and electronic warfare resistance were directly refined through thousands of combat flight hours in Ukraine. www.kyivpost.com/post/80113

Russian drone strikes targeted emergency workers and transit in Kharkiv & Kherson regions. A "Molniya" drone hit a fire station in Bohodukhiv, injuring 3 rescuers, while separate strikes in Kherson hit public transportation, wounding 6 civilians. www.kyivpost.com/post/80125

Poland is ready to assist Ukraine in modernizing MiG-29 fighter jets, provided Kyiv or allied nations cover all financial costs. The offer is part of talks to exchange the jets for access to Ukrainian drone tech. www.kyivpost.com/post/80117