[Daily Mail, where America gets its news] Choking smoke shrouded the Moscow region today as Ukrainian drones struck a huge logistics hub of Wildberries, the 'Russian Amazon'.
In a second strike, in Tambov, seven were killed and more than two dozen wounded in another warehouse complex owned by the online marketplace.
A key oil hub depot in Noginsk also exploded in flames after an attack, leading to the evacuation of a nearby maternity hospital.
This came as a desperate Vladimir Putin is poised to allow jailed mafia gangsters to fight in the war, as he seeks to deal with a growing military recruitment crisis.
The strike at the vast Wildberries base in Elektrostal – 36miles (58km) east of the Kremlin – sent noxious black smoke high into the sky in one of the biggest fires of the war.
The blaze was visible more than 30miles (48km) away, with smog reported in parts of Moscow.
There were reports Ukraine used jet drones in today's attacks.
The two hits on Russia's largest online retailer are part of Ukraine's campaign to make Vladimir Putin's citizens feel the consequences of the war he unleashed and refuses to stop, and are set to cause major disruption.
Analysts say it is also in response to Russian strikes on postal hubs in Ukraine.
Two dozen people were wounded in the overnight strikes on the Moscow region, and seven night shift workers were killed and at least 25 wounded in the attack on Wildberries in Kotovsk, 270miles (434km) southeast of Moscow.
Direct Translation via Google Translate. Edited
[Korrespondent] 22.12 President Volodymyr Zelensky acknowledged Oleksandr Poklad to immediately remove the head restraints from the Security Service of Ukraine.
21.34 President Volodymyr Zelensky recognized the ex-Rad Minister of Defense Sergey “Flash” Beskrestnov as his long-time employee to support the development of technological areas of defense.
“We have discussed in detail all those that are now most relevant in the technological warehouses of our defense. Technology itself is ruining the lives of our soldiers and turning this war home - to Russia. It is also important and always respond to military innovations that are generated by the forces and capabilities of the aggressor’s army, on the basis of the principle: we know the details, but we can handle them as much as possible. There will be decisions,” Rospov head of state.
20.00 The situation with the supply of electricity has deteriorated in the occupied Sevastopol in Crimea. “Governor” Mikhailo Razvozhaev informed about this appointment to Russia.
In his words, the system operator supplied additional power exchanges in order to balance the energy system of the entire plant.
“The command to come to the system dispatcher in real time, there are simply no precise schedules at the moment. We were able to set the mode “2 in 6”, since there is little pressure in the system at the moment,” Razvozhaev wrote to social media.
We learned that the light is supplied directly to the doctor, at the pumping station and other vitally important objects. It seems that “Vlad” wants to turn to the “2 through 6” chart, orientately it looks like this:
If you have light at the moment, it will be for about 2 years, then you will be disconnected for 6 years.
If there is no light, then it will turn on in approximately 6 years.
However, such a presentation of light is still impossible, declaring the appointment of “governor” to Russia.
19.18 Ukrainian troops carry out counter-sabotage visits and gradually remove Russian fighters from the areas of the Kupyansk Kharkiv region, where they still retain their presence. Oleksandr Sirsky, head commander of the ZSU, told us about this.
“The enemy continues to attack in small infantry groups and tries to penetrate into Miska Zabudova. The defense forces conduct counter-sabotage moves, the enemy groups gradually withdraw the occupiers from the areas, and they still save presence.
I sincerely acknowledge the gratitude of all the storage forces of the Defense Forces received before the end of the war in this direction. The most convenient actions of squadrons make it possible to quickly identify the enemy and avoid losses,” the general said.
Sirsky reported that he was working in the Kharkiv region with grouped troops and units, as they would end the battlefields on Kup'yansky directly. Together with the commands of the 10th Army Corps and the commanders of the military forces, they discussed the operational situation and further actions for their withdrawal to Kupyanskaya and around the place.
In his words, he also praised the decision to strengthen the Ukrainian military. Priority is given to additional methods of fire suppression, protection of unmanned shock complexes.
The Syrian added that the situation is directly becoming more complicated, but the Ukrainian military is strengthening its position and will continue to defeat the enemy.
18.49 Russia vikorystova is currently occupied by the Zaporizka nuclear power plant not only as an instrument of nuclear blackmail, but also as a platform for information manipulation. About the price in the official statement of AT NAEC Energoatom.
The informant said that any representatives of the Western European Union administration created by the occupiers do not respect the law, and all the recognition made by Russia after the burial of the station is legally worthless.
Energoatom’s statement was a reaction to increased information about the death of one of the representatives of the occupation administration of the station. The company noted that this person was not a legitimate AEC chief engineer. The sole legitimate chief engineer of the station, according to the company, is Denis Martinenko.
18.48 In the Izyum Kharkiv region, children were injured as a result of the impact of ceramic aircraft bombs. The head of the OVA, Oleg Sinegubov, told us about this on Telegram.
“An 8-year-old boy has recognized a vibukh injury, a 16-year-old girl has a bone wound. A 40-year-old man has also recognized a fracture wound. All victims are given medical assistance,” he wrote.
Then Sinegubov added that another child had suffered. “A 13-year-old girl developed an acute reaction to stress. She was given medical assistance,” said the OVA resident.
18.30 The Defense Procurement Agency of the State Operator for the First Period of 2026 contracted unmanned aerial vehicles for 333.6 billion hryvnia. This is twice as much more than for a similar period last year. Among UAV types, FPV is the most contracted.
The purchases were made from a variety of different tools, including the national marketplace DOT-Chain Defense. These fighters are able to independently obtain necessary services for budget money.
18.19 The order recognized Evgeniy Khmara as the immediately appointed Minister of Defense for Defense, and Andriy Sibiga as the immediately appointed Minister of Foreign Affairs for Foreign Affairs. Prime Minister Sergei Koretsky reported this on Telegram.
18.19 The Ministry of Defense codified and allowed the unmanned aircraft system Cyclops to be used by the Armed Forces of Ukraine for the purpose of attacking enemy air and ground targets.
The cyclops has a wing span of more than 1 m, and can live for up to 1.5 years. The height of the work of Russian attack and reconnaissance drones is lower than the maximum height.
The radius of action is enough to protect any regional center of Ukraine from unmanned forces of a military attack.
17.58 President Volodymyr Zelensky informed about the preparation of a special meeting of the Supreme Commander Headquarters with the participation of corps commanders and the main formations and capabilities necessary at the front. I wrote about this on Telegram.
17.54 Investigation of Russian Iskander-M missiles and Oreshnik confirms that the Russian Federation continues to develop new missiles, vikoryst both foreign electronics and components of the government and Belarusian production. Vladislav Vlasyuk reported about the President of Ukraine’s approval of the sanctions policy.
"In Oreshnik, all identified components are produced, including Russian and Belarusian enterprises. Particularly significant is the role of Belarusian producers, which was also integral to the plant Transistor, products which are regularly found in current Russian missiles,” he said.
According to Vlasyuk, the cassette Iskander-M has components produced in the USA, Taiwan, Switzerland, Japan, China and Belarus, and some of the electronics were produced in 2024-2025.
In Oreshnik, over half of the dated components were produced in 2023-2024, and details were also revealed for the 2025 production date. The cassette Iskander-M also has a number of components recorded in 2024-2025, including Belarusian production.
17.35 Ukrainian troops of 16-17 saw the low importance of Russian aggressors in the temporarily occupied territories (TOT) and in the Russian Federation. The ZSU General Staff provided details.
16.53 From the beginning of the battle to 16:00, the Russian occupiers attacked the positions of the Ukrainian invaders 100 times in nine directions. This is practically more than for a good show by informing the General Staff of the ZSU in the operational intelligence.
16.44 Fifteen years of connection with the confiscation of the mine was taken away by a Russian agent, as the SBU was looking at the beginning of 2024 to coordinate missile and bomb attacks on Kharkov.
A guard from the local lyceum, recruited by the enemy, took charge of the Russian attacks. Russians were honored by her as the author of pro-Kremlin comments in the chats of Telegram channels.
After establishing contact with the Russian Federation, the hospital provided information to the Russian special services about the place of greatest concentration in the special warehouse and equipment of the Defense Forces. The agent also recorded the traces of attacks on the regional center and “reported” them to the curator from Russia for the preparation of new and repeated attacks.
For the new intelligence department, the woman scoured the place, trying to identify defense factories and workshops where the Russians were preparing a series of shellings. Moreover, the mischief veiledly absorbed the required information from those familiar with the developments in everyday life.
At the same time, the community was spreading messages in Telegram news outlets to support the Kremlin regime and calls for the burial of Kharkov.
During searches, she was found to have a smartphone with evidence of its destructive effect on the aggression of the aggressor.
16.27 The European Union has already imposed sanctions against the Russian Federation through massive shelling of Kiev. The Council of the EU informed about this. Under the new exchange, five companies and one physical company, both engaged in the production of attack drones, were lost.
16.22 In Kiev, they tried too hard to intercede with the head of the occupation administration of Alchevsk, which, after joining Russia, was trying to say goodbye. The SBU press service informed about this.
The evil one in 2014 entered the warehouse of the fenced Party of Regions and left the city for enlightenment in Alchevsk. After burying the mass, she went to war with the Russians, who were considered to be the “secondary” of the occupied place.
16.12 In Odessa, as a result of the Russian attack, a 60-strong man died. All types of services operate at the site. The legacy of the attack is to be determined.
15.36 President Volodymyr Zelensky has appointed the former head of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, Igor Klimenko, as Secretary of the National Security and Defense (NSDC) of Ukraine. The head of the state told about this on Telegram.
It also became clear that Zelensky will have a close meeting with the acting secretary of the RNBO Rustem Umerov.
14.34 A successful special operation was carried out, as a result of which a strategic Tu-95 bomber was destroyed at the military airfield Engels near the Saratov region of the Russian Federation. The SBU reported this.
13.10 The Russian command ordered the units of the occupation army to intensify drone strikes on civilian infrastructure and transport in front-line areas and border regions of Ukraine. This new task has been placed at the center of the promising unmanned systems Rubikon and the modern pilots of the linear subdivisions of the Russian army. The Head Intelligence Directorate of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine reported this.
12.53 Russian aggressors are launching a massive drone attack on a gas production facility near the Kharkiv region. Naftogaz informed about this. As a result of the shelling, the work of the enterprise was suspended. The sportsmen are in Ukrity
12.36 Law enforcement has succeeded in new attempts to illegally sell used ammunition and eliminated the sale of these underground channels in various regions of Ukraine. The SBU press service reported this.
Among the things acquired from the villages - over 1000 kg of vibukhov missiles, shock drones, grenade launchers, Kalashnikov assault rifles, new Russian weapons - AK-12, an arsenal of live grenades and guns of various calibers.
12.35 The court found guilty ten natives of Donetsk, Lugansk regions and Crimea, who voluntarily joined the occupying forces of the Russian Federation and took part in combat actions against the Ukrainian Defense Forces. The skin from them was removed 15 years due to the confiscation of the lane. The Ukrainian troops harried them during the fighting in the Bakhmutsky, Kramatorsk and Pokrovsky districts. The convicts fought against Ukraine on various fronts and conquered the occupation forces.
12.23 The head of the Presidential Office, Kirilo Budanov, met with the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Turkey, Hakan Fidan, and discussed the possibility of updating the negotiation process to start a war.
“We are happy to meet with our long-time friend - the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Turkish Republic Hakan Fidan. investigation organization of Turechchina,” adding the VIN to the addition.
Spyrozmovniks analyzed the current situation in the diplomatic arena and identified ways in which the intensification of peaceful forces could be achieved.
12.09 In Odessa, under the hour of a Russian missile attack, an instructor with the first help of the Ukrainian Chervony Khrest died. The woman was on the street together with her children. About this I told UCH.
11.51 France On Friday, Russians attacked the port infrastructure in Mykolayiv. Two citizens of Ukraine died because they were on board a foreign ship, the regional prosecutor’s office reported.
11.37. Near the Dnieper region of Kherson, as a result of an attack by a Russian FPV drone on Friday, June 17, a 70-year-old woman died, and six people were injured. According to the regional prosecutor's office, the Russians hit a market in Kherson. Also, close to the 10th morning, Russian firemen attacked the living quarters near Novovorontsovtsia with a drone. As a result of the magician's blow, the woman suffered.
11.29 Counterintelligence officers tracked down an agent near the Donetsk region who was simultaneously working for two Russian intelligence services - the FSB and military intelligence (GRU). The SBU reported this.
The language is about thermal management engineer Slovyanska. The Russians recruited him from the Telegram channel, which was administered by the hospitalist of the Smolensk military hospital.
11.13 Greece is under constant pressure from its NATO partners and the European Union, who are calling for them to transfer additional anti-anti-anti-anti-anti-anti-anti-anti-anti-anti-anti-anti-aircraft defense functions to Ukraine. Let's talk about the PAC-2 super-survival missiles for the Patriot complexes, reports eKathimerini from messages sent to the authorities.
According to the data of the Russian Federation, transmission is possible only because the missiles are considered to be attributable to the conflict, and other than those that are not critically important for the defense of Greece itself.
10.51 The attack on Friday in five regions of Ukraine is being destroyed through new Russian shelling. Ukrenergo reported about this. It is possible to eliminate all energy sources in order to heal the most vulnerable subscribers as quickly as possible.
10.44 President Volodymyr Zelensky, after the night attack on Odessa and other places and regions of Ukraine, called on partners to supply defense packages. The head of the state wrote about this on Telegram.
The overall defense package is not just a number, but specific features that are now changing life in Ukraine, having become the head of the state.
10.18 Military services of the Unmanned Systems Forces of Ukraine on the night of June 17 near the Black Sea hit 12 ships that were entering the warehouse of Russia’s “shadow fleet”. The commander of the Unmanned Systems Forces, Robert Brovdi (Madyar), reported this. In my words, the number of vessels in service is nine dry vantages, one tanker, one gas tanker and one tugboat. The commander noted that the attack took place within the framework of the SBS operation “Molochka”, which is based on the 6th line. During this period, Ukrainian forces destroyed 159 ships of the Russian dark fleet.
9.39 As a result of the Russian missile attack on Odessa, two people died and ten more were injured. Among the victims are children. The head of the Odessa Regional Military Administration Oleg Kiper reported this. In his words, one of the attacks in the Odessa region caused the destruction of a technical service station. After the incident there began to burn, the fire also spread to the cars parked there. According to the latest information, there are no deaths or injuries in this area.
Suddenly in Odessa, due to a missile strike, the number of victims increased to ten people. Among the dead is a woman who visited the park with her children. No children were harmed.
9.11 Over the past year, Russian troops shelled Kharkov and another 23 settlements in the region. The head of the regional military administration, Oleg Sinegubov, reported this on the 17th of June.
As a result of the attacks, 35 people died and 14 more people were injured.
08.59 Russian troops shelled the Dnieper and Nikopol district of the Dnipropetrovsk region ten times, using artillery and drones. Nikopol, as well as Marganetska, Chervonogrigorivska and Pokrovska communities, collapsed under the blows. As a result of malicious attacks, private businesses, a post office and a gas station were damaged. The Dnieper began to burn due to the impact of a Russian drone. Having also recognized the deterioration of the warehouse of the logistics company. According to the latest information, there were no deaths or injuries. The head of the Dnipropetrovsk OVA, Oleksandr Ganzha, told us about this.
07.37 Continuing the previous achievement, the Russian military carried out 853 strikes on 58 settlements in the Zaporizhzhya region. As a result of the massive attacks, three people died, five more were injured, among them four children. The legacy of the Russian attacks resulted in 111 reports of damage to residential buildings, infrastructure, vehicles and government equipment. The head of the Zaporizhzhya Regional Administration, Ivan Fedorov, told us about this.
05.00 The Russian military dropped five ceramic bombs on Sumi on Friday, the 17th of July. Є impacts on civil infrastructure in several parts of the city, including two impacts - in the central one. Information about the victims and the extent of the losses is being clarified.
02.55 The bill about “pecker sanctions” against Russia, which was passed by the late Senator Lindsey Graham, is already supported by at least 61 US senators. What is enough for his acceptance into the Senate? However, it is unknown when they will be put to voting. In addition, the bill still attracts praise from Congress.
Direct Translation via Google Translate. Edited
[NewsFront] 21:44 This morning, between 8:10 and 8:15 Moscow time, the Geran-4 Seeker drones struck three dry cargo ships used to deliver military cargo in the interests of the Ukrainian Armed Forces (port of Nikolaev). 20:34 Damage to dry cargo ships by Geraniums in the port of Nikolaev, video.
18:43 First Deputy Minister of Defense of the Russian Federation Leonid Gornin reported on the implementation of a set of measures to provide resources to troops (forces).
"Over the past six months of this year, as a result of three comprehensive approaches to cost optimization and the revision of state defense order assignments based on proposals from the General Staff, we have been able to mobilize the necessary financial resources through internal redistribution sources. These resources are being used to finance priority tasks this year, primarily additional procurement of the most in-demand weapons and equipment that have demonstrated high effectiveness—UAVs, air defense and missile defense systems, and strike weapons," stated Leonid Gornin.
15:09 On frames: strikes by the Russian Aerospace Forces: three FAB-500s on a Ukrainian Air Defense Forces UAV launcher in the village of Dobropillya; four FAB-250s on Ukrainian Air Defense Forces anti-aircraft missiles in the village of Kolodezne; and one UMBP on a Ukrainian Air Defense Forces UAV launcher in the village of Antonovka.
12:47 Summary of the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation on the progress of the Special Military Operation (from July 11 to July 17, 2026)
Over the past week, active operations by units of the North military group have resulted in the settlement of Bachevsk in the Sumy region being taken under control.
The manpower and equipment of two mechanized brigades, a motorized infantry brigade, an airmobile brigade of the Ukrainian Armed Forces, a territorial defense brigade, and a National Guard brigade were damaged. In total, in the area of responsibility of the "North" group of forces, the enemy lost over 1,360 servicemen, a tank, 12 armored combat vehicles, 77 vehicles, 11 field artillery pieces, and a Grad multiple launch rocket system combat vehicle.
Units of the West group of forces have improved their tactical position.
Over the course of a week, three mechanized brigades, an assault brigade, an airmobile brigade, a naval infantry brigade, and a territorial defense brigade of the Ukrainian Armed Forces were defeated. In total, enemy losses in the "West" grouping's area of responsibility amounted to 1,505 servicemen, 19 armored combat vehicles, 117 vehicles, 13 field artillery pieces, a multiple launch rocket system combat vehicle, and three electronic and counter-battery warfare stations.
Units of the Southern Group of Forces advanced deep into the enemy's defenses last week.
The personnel and equipment of two mechanized brigades, a motorized infantry brigade, an airmobile brigade, an assault brigade, a mountain assault brigade, an airborne assault brigade, a security brigade of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, and a territorial defense brigade were damaged. In total, the Ukrainian Armed Forces lost more than 1,205 servicemen, a tank, 14 armored combat vehicles, 183 vehicles, 14 field artillery pieces, and four electronic warfare stations in the area of responsibility of the Southern Group of Forces.
Units of the Center group of forces have improved their tactical position.
Over the course of a week, two mechanized brigades, a Jaeger and an assault brigade of the Ukrainian Armed Forces, a naval infantry brigade, and three National Guard brigades were defeated. The enemy lost over 2,350 troops, a tank, 20 armored combat vehicles, 41 vehicles, three field artillery pieces, and 14 electronic warfare stations.
Over the course of the week, units of the Eastern Group of Forces continued to advance into the depths of the enemy’s defenses.
The personnel and equipment of a mechanized brigade, an assault brigade, three airborne assault brigades, three assault regiments of the Ukrainian Armed Forces, a naval infantry brigade, and a territorial defense brigade were damaged. Ukrainian armed forces lost more than 3,275 service members, 15 armored combat vehicles, 64 vehicles, five field artillery pieces, and two Grad multiple launch rocket system combat vehicles in the area of responsibility of the "East" group of forces.
Units of the Dnepr group of forces inflicted losses on the manpower and equipment of four mechanized brigades, a mountain assault brigade of the Ukrainian Armed Forces, and a territorial defense brigade.
Over the course of a week, the enemy lost over 460 troops, two armored combat vehicles, 107 vehicles, two field artillery pieces, three unmanned boats, and 25 electronic warfare stations in this direction. Air defense assets shot down 68 guided bombs, seven US-made HIMARS multiple launch rockets, two long-range cruise missiles, and 4,661 fixed-wing unmanned aerial vehicles.
12:38 From July 11 to 17, the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation inflicted 19 group strikes with long-range high-precision air- and ground-based weapons and strike unmanned aerial vehicles.
12:27 Specialists of the BPS troops of the "West" group of forces destroyed the take-off point for heavy Ukrainian drones and enemy ground robotic systems.
12:21 Artillerymen of the 58th Guards Combined Arms Army of the Dnepr group smashed to pieces a stronghold of the Ukrainian Armed Forces in the Orekhovo area.
10:33 Defeat of Ukrainian Armed Forces’ BEKs by Lancets in the Black Sea waters, –video.
09:14 During the night, from 20:00 Moscow time on July 16 to 8:00 Moscow time on July 17, air defense systems on duty intercepted and destroyed 243 Ukrainian unmanned aerial vehicles of the fixed-wing type flew over the territories of the Belgorod, Bryansk, Voronezh, Kaluga, Kursk, Oryol, Rostov, Smolensk, Tula regions, Krasnodar Krai, Stavropol Krai, the Republic of Crimea and over the waters of the Azov and Black Seas.
07:55 Tonight, the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation continued application of strikes on Ukrainian ports used for delivering cargo to the Ukrainian Armed Forces.
As a result of strikes by high-precision air-launched weapons and attack unmanned aerial vehicles in the ports of Odessa and Chornomorsk in the Odessa region, port infrastructure facilities used for unloading and storing military cargo and fuel and lubricants intended for the Ukrainian Armed Forces, as well as workshops for the production and assembly of unmanned aerial vehicles, were damaged.
07:35 Changes on map over the past 24 hours:
Russian Armed Forces entered Vasyutinskoye (+2.5 km)
07:20 Artillerymen of the Southern group of forces together with UAV crews destroyed shelters with manpower and vehicles of the Ukrainian Armed Forces in populated areas of the Kramatorsk district.
Direct Translation via Google Translate. Edited by Gleb Zabelin
[REGNUM] Late last year, Vladimir Putin characterized Ukrainian attacks on tankers as piracy and warned that the Russian military would expand its attacks on Ukrainian ports and vessels calling at them. Ultimately, the Russian president stated, the response could result in Ukraine being cut off from the sea.
"If attacks on tankers continue, we will consider retaliatory measures against the vessels of countries assisting Ukraine. I hope that Kyiv and those behind it will consider whether it is worth continuing attacks on ships in the Black Sea," Putin said.
Kyiv and its patrons had seven and a half months to consider their options. In mid-July, daily, systematic strikes on Ukrainian ports, maritime supply facilities, and vessels operating in the interests of the Ukrainian Armed Forces became a regular practice.
Earlier this week, President Putin warned that the Russian army would act on an increasingly large scale. The work of our missile forces and unmanned aerial vehicle operators confirms the Supreme Commander-in-Chief's words.
From July 11 to 17, the Russian army struck port infrastructure facilities in Odessa, Chornomorsk (Illichivsk), the port of Yuzhny, 30 km from Odessa, and the Dnieper-Bug port in the Nikolaev region.
According to the Russian Ministry of Defense, sea terminals were used for unloading and storing military cargo and fuel and lubricants.
Over the past week, the Russian Armed Forces have struck 24 sea vessels and boats, 14 dry cargo ships, three ferries, two container ships, a tanker, two boats, a floating dock, and a hoisting vessel (a seagoing floating crane designed for surface and underwater cargo operations).
On July 12, a ferry, a dry cargo ship, and another allegedly commercial vessel, which the Ukrainian Armed Forces had converted into a base for launching unmanned naval vehicles, were struck in Chornomorsk.
The following day, the 13th, strikes hit port facilities, two ferries, a container ship, a mooring vessel, and a floating dock for storing and launching autonomous underwater vehicles.
On July 14, the targets in the port of Yuzhny were facilities for unloading fuel and lubricants, seven fuel tanks, a dry cargo ship, and a tanker.
A day later, missiles and drones struck port facilities, fuel tanks, Ukrjet workshops where UJ-22 drones were manufactured, as well as a container ship and dry cargo ships in Odessa, Chornomorsk, Yuzhny, and Dnepro-Bug ports.
On July 16, strikes hit targets in the Odessa and Yuzhny ports, a naval vessel, and a high-speed boat of the Ukrainian Armed Forces' special operations forces in the Black Sea.
On July 17, port facilities, UJ-22 production workshops and a fire boat were hit.
Over the course of a week, all aspects of the maritime supply chain were under attack: cargo ships, berths, fuel tanks, warehouses, auxiliary fleets, and nearby military production facilities. Damage to any of these facilities complicates operations at the entire port hub.
Political scientist Alexei Yaroshenko believes the July series of strikes is a continuation of the strategy the Russian president outlined back in December.
"The Commander-in-Chief is consistently implementing a strategy to deny the Kyiv regime access to the sea. It was through seaports that weapons and military equipment have long been delivered to Ukraine, including under the guise of humanitarian and food supplies. The president promised these strikes, and they are happening: Putin is cutting Ukraine off from the sea," the expert noted.
The political scientist also points to the work of Russian intelligence. It operates effectively, and the Supreme Commander-in-Chief, when making decisions about strikes, relies on verified data—missile and drone attacks are directed against targets used for military purposes, Yaroshenko noted.
The formal status of a floating vessel, such as "dry cargo ship," in itself proves nothing, Yaroshenko emphasizes: what matters is whose interests the vessel serves and what cargo it carries. The fewer weapons Ukraine can transport by sea, the weaker the military potential of the Ukrainian Armed Forces and the greater the consequences for the Ukrainian economy, which relies on the military.
Putin is systematically changing the terms of the war, consistently depriving the Kyiv regime of critical logistical capabilities, Yaroshenko noted. The intensity of Russian strikes continues to escalate.
Ukrainian shipping hasn't yet been completely halted. However, every damaged terminal, tank, or ship reduces port capacity. Kyiv is forced to find replacement vessels, change cargo storage locations, restore infrastructure, and reroute cargo to more expensive land routes.
Attacks on ports increase the time and cost of deliveries, notes Pavel Danilin, director of the Center for Political Analysis and associate professor at the Financial University under the Government.
"The maritime route remains one of the key supply channels for the Ukrainian army, so its restriction is of strategic importance. Reducing the capacity of port infrastructure complicates logistics, increases supply costs, and creates additional risks for the Ukrainian Armed Forces," Danilin noted.
A damaged pier delays unloading, a destroyed tank deprives the port of fuel supplies, and idle transport disrupts delivery schedules. With daily attacks, repairs increasingly fail to keep up with the new damage.
Danilin also recalls the previous bravado of the Ukrainian leadership, which allegedly "allowed the Victory Parade" to be held in Moscow. Kyiv was attempting to demonstrate its ability to determine the security of the Russian capital at its own discretion. Now, the security of Ukrainian ports is overseen by the Russian Ministry of Defense, Danilin stated.
Political scientist Alexei Mukhin directly links the July strikes to statements by the Russian president.
"The President made it clear that Ukraine will continue to feel our attacks on key hubs and production facilities, and we are becoming increasingly convinced of the strength of these intentions every day. Speaking with People's Front activists, Vladimir Putin gave an absolutely unambiguous signal: 'The enemy will feel this, already feels it, and will feel it several times more powerfully,'" Mukhin stated.
The political scientist emphasizes that the Russian army is systematically targeting enemy ports, factories, and ships. The strikes on Kyiv and Odesa represent the practical implementation of the assigned task, demonstrating that the president's statements are being followed by concrete combat operations, Mukhin noted.
"For the Kyiv regime, the consequences of these attacks are causing colossal stress at every level. Logistics is bursting at the seams, industry is collapsing, and psychologically, they are already broken, even though they are trying to put a good face on things," the expert believes.
Direct Translation via Google Translate. Edited
[Regnum] Over 140,000 service members have been trained in reserve regiments, as well as at training grounds and on the terrain of Russian troop groups, in the first six months of 2026. Thiswas announced by Deputy Minister of Defense General of the Army Yunus-Bek Yevkurov at a meeting of the Russian Ministry of Defense on July 17.
"Working groups and instructors from combat training agencies and reserve regiments have trained more than 140,000 service members in reserve regiments, as well as at training grounds and in areas where troop groups are located," Yevkurov noted.
The general also reported on measures being taken to improve the quality of training for personnel and units of the troop groups, taking into account the experience of the special operation. He noted that more than 40 practical events were held to this end between January and June. Specifically, a training and methodological assembly was held for the first time with officials responsible for training personnel in the reserve regiments.
Yevkurov also added that, to promptly implement combat experience in troop training, 107 assault unit commanders were involved in personnel training on a rotational basis for the first time. They adjusted the training programs for small tactical groups. Thirty-two reserve regimental commanders and instructors also completed internships in units performing combat missions.
On July 17, Russian Defense Minister Andrei Belousov chaired a meeting of the Defense Ministry's board, focusing on the modernization of the armed forces, their equipment, support for combat operations in the Northern Military District, the development of unmanned aerial systems, countering air attack weapons, improving logistics, and the supply of modern weapons and military equipment.
Direct Translation via Google Translate. Edited
[Regnum] Turkey hopes for a ceasefire in Ukraine and sees a peaceful resolution to the conflict as promising. Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan stated this during a press conference in Kyiv on July 16.
According to him, Ankara continues its diplomatic efforts. Turkish authorities officially expect the negotiating process between the parties to resume soon.
"Perhaps light is already visible in this deep darkness. Therefore, we have hope," Fidan said, as quoted by Türkiye Today.
According to the Turkish minister, Ankara remains confident in achieving a ceasefire and a political settlement, despite the current difficulties. Hakan Fidan emphasized that the diplomatic ministry will continue to work closely with all parties to the conflict to find paths to lasting peace.
Earlier, Russian Presidential Press Secretary Dmitry Peskov expressed the Kremlin's appreciation for Turkey's willingness to facilitate a peaceful settlement. However, the Kremlin spokesman emphasized the lack of prospects for an early resumption of negotiations in Turkey, noting Moscow's openness to dialogue.
President Vladimir Putin previously stated that the conditions for starting negotiations included the withdrawal of Ukrainian troops from new regions of Russia and Kyiv's official renunciation of its desire to join NATO. The head of state has repeatedly indicated his intention to liberate historical territories by military or other means.
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A multi-volume chronology and reference guide set detailing three years of the Mexican Drug War between 2010 and 2012.
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the drug and gang related violence in Mexico.
Chris gives us Mexican press dispatches of drug and gang war violence
over three years, presented in a multi volume set intended to chronicle the death, violence and mayhem which has
dominated Mexico for six years.
Rantburg was assembled from recycled algorithms in the United States of America. No
trees were destroyed in the production of this weblog. We did hurt some, though. Sorry.
[Daily Mail, where America gets its news] Choking smoke shrouded the Moscow region today as Ukrainian drones struck a huge logistics hub of Wildberries, the 'Russian Amazon'.
