The loss of life toll from Russia’s worst airstrike of the yr on Ukraine’s capital rose to 31 on Friday after rescuers recovered greater than a dozen extra our bodies from the rubble of a collapsed condominium block in Kyiv in a single day. A two-year-old was among the many 5 youngsters discovered useless after Thursday’s Russian drone and missile assault, the Ukrainian president, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, stated on Friday, saying the top of the rescue operation. A complete of 159 folks have been wounded within the strikes, which noticed Russia launch greater than 300 drones and eight missiles early on Thursday.
The EU overseas coverage chief, Kaja Kallas, described Thursday’s assaults as “wicked” and posted an image of the bloc’s flag at half mast. “Extra weapons for Ukraine and more durable sanctions on Russia are the quickest approach to finish the conflict. Getting extra air defences to Ukraine quick is our precedence,” she added in a put up. Zelenskyy has been interesting to allies for extra air defence programs and on Friday, Germany stated it could quickly begin delivering two extra US-made Patriot launchers to Ukraine. Germany has already delivered three Patriot programs to Ukraine for the reason that begin of Russia’s full-scale invasion in February 2022.
Russia’s navy advance in Ukraine accelerated for a fourth straight month in July, in response to AFP’s evaluation of knowledge from the US-based Institute for the Research of Struggle. From August 2024 to July 2025, the Russian military captured practically 5,900 sq km, in contrast with 1,360 sq km within the earlier 12 months. In July, the Russian military took 713 sq km of Ukrainian territory, whereas Ukraine reclaimed 79 sq km. Practically three-quarters of Russian advances in July have been within the jap Donetsk area. Moscow absolutely or partially managed 78% of the area on the finish of July, in contrast with 62% a yr in the past. About 31% of this area was already underneath the management of pro-Russian separatists earlier than the beginning of Russia’s full-scale invasion.
Donald Trump has stated that he deployed nuclear-capable submarines to the “acceptable areas” in response to a threatening tweet by Russia’s former president Dmitry Medvedev. In a put up on Reality Social on Friday, Trump wrote that he had determined to reposition the nuclear submarines due to “extremely provocative statements” by Medvedev, who had earlier stated Trump’s threats to sanction Russia and a current ultimatum have been “a risk and a step in the direction of conflict”.
Vladimir Putin has stated he wants a “lasting and stable peace” in Ukraine however gave no indication that he’s prepared to make any concessions to attain it. The Russian president instructed journalists on Friday {that a} peace would must be constructed on “stable foundations that may fulfill each Russia and Ukraine, and would make sure the safety of each nations”. Seemingly referencing Trump’s feedback that he was “upset” with Putin, the Russian chief added: “All disappointments come up from inflated expectations.”
Europe should begin seeing the Ukrainian navy as a European military, the distinguished Russian opposition activist Ilya Yashin instructed a whole bunch of Russian exiles in Serbia on Friday. “The Ukrainian military is just not solely defending Ukraine, it’s defending Europe from Russian aggression,” he stated in a speech at a Belgrade live performance corridor. Yashin was imprisoned in 2022 for criticising Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and launched final yr. Between February 2022 and 2024, greater than 74,000 Russians registered for momentary residence in Serbia, in response to the most recent inside ministry knowledge.
