They say many Western volunteers and contractors from the US, UK, Germany, Canada and elsewhere left after late 2025 and were replaced by lower-cost recruits from Latin America, especially Colombia.
Other sources confirmed that there were recruits from some African countries too.
They say many Western volunteers and contractors from the US, UK, Germany, Canada and elsewhere left after late 2025 and were replaced by lower-cost recruits from Latin America, especially Colombia.
Other sources confirmed that there were recruits from some African countries too.
' The assets in the crosshairs include Russia’s oil refineries, depots, and plants of the military-industrial complex, FT admits.
The new Western plot is to try attacking the facilities in such a way so as to keep them damaged for as long as possible, in hopes to make the conflict "more costly" for Russia.
The campaign reportedly has two objectives: limit Russia’s oil trade and reduce its ability to supply troops with weapons.
Another new aspect pointed out by the outlet is that Ukrainian drone units get advice from energy Ukraine’s specialists "on which components are indispensable to refinery operations and which would take the longest to replace" — using the fact both Russia and Ukraine have similar Soviet-designed energy systems.
On June 5, 2024, Russian President Vladimir Putin said that deep strikes against Russian facilities are impossible for Ukraine to conduct on its own. Thus, such attacks transform the West into direct belligerents in the conflict.
"If we see that these countries are being drawn into a war against us, and this is precisely their direct participation in the war against the Russian Federation, then we reserve the right to act in a similar manner," Putin said.
The war against Russia in Ukraine hg as long been sustained by NATO and EU.
Russian response:
Russia Strikes on Ukraine’s military-industrial facilities to severely degrading the Ukrainian military’s ability to carry out deep strikes inside Russia, military experts tell Sputnik.
It is quite possible that the strikes were deliberately aimed at dismantling the production chain behind Ukraine's missile programs – Flamingo, Neptune, FP and Grom-2, notes retired Russian Navy Captain First Rank Vasily Dandykin
Degrading Ukraine’s production infrastructure has become a primary objective, as it cripples Ukraine's ability to target Russia's rear areas, military-political observer Mikhail Onufrienko says
The strikes will continue — and the heavier they become, the greater the Russian gains along the front line
Source: Sputnik
' The assets in the crosshairs include Russia’s oil refineries, depots, and plants of the military-industrial complex, FT admits.
The new Western plot is to try attacking the facilities in such a way so as to keep them damaged for as long as possible, in hopes to make the conflict "more costly" for Russia.
The campaign reportedly has two objectives: limit Russia’s oil trade and reduce its ability to supply troops with weapons.
Another new aspect pointed out by the outlet is that Ukrainian drone units get advice from energy Ukraine’s specialists "on which components are indispensable to refinery operations and which would take the longest to replace" — using the fact both Russia and Ukraine have similar Soviet-designed energy systems.
On June 5, 2024, Russian President Vladimir Putin said that deep strikes against Russian facilities are impossible for Ukraine to conduct on its own. Thus, such attacks transform the West into direct belligerents in the conflict.
"If we see that these countries are being drawn into a war against us, and this is precisely their direct participation in the war against the Russian Federation, then we reserve the right to act in a similar manner," Putin said.
The war against Russia in Ukraine hg as long been sustained by NATO and EU.
Russian response:
Russia Strikes on Ukraine’s military-industrial facilities to severely degrading the Ukrainian military’s ability to carry out deep strikes inside Russia, military experts tell Sputnik.
It is quite possible that the strikes were deliberately aimed at dismantling the production chain behind Ukraine's missile programs – Flamingo, Neptune, FP and Grom-2, notes retired Russian Navy Captain First Rank Vasily Dandykin
Degrading Ukraine’s production infrastructure has become a primary objective, as it cripples Ukraine's ability to target Russia's rear areas, military-political observer Mikhail Onufrienko says
The strikes will continue — and the heavier they become, the greater the Russian gains along the front line
Source: Sputnik
The statement comes amid reports of Ukraine planning longer-range ballistic missile strikes on Russian major cities soon.
Ukraine is developing FP-9 ballistic missile capable of reaching deep into Russia.
"A Ukrainian UAV struck a civilian bus in Shebekino this morning. 19 civilians injured. 18 taken to hospital," the region’s acting governor, Alexander Shuvayev, said.
Six of the injured are in serious condition and will be transferred to Belgorod hospitals, he added.
This has been the latest strike in a series of Ukrainian attacks on Russian civilian infrastructure and populated areas:
In June, a Ukrainian drone struck a bus carrying a children's football team from Belarus in Russian Bryansk region, killing a woman accompanying the team and injuring eight people, including six children
In May, a drone strike on a dormitory in the city of Starobelsk in the Lugansk People's Republic killed at least 12 people and wounded more than 40, with a missile hitting a residential area
The attacks targeted a trans-shipment facility and fuel depots in Nikolayev's port, and also hit a cargo vessel at sea that was hauling military supplies to Odessa and Chernomorsk.
Source: Sputnik
The statement comes amid reports of Ukraine planning longer-range ballistic missile strikes on Russian major cities soon.
Ukraine is developing FP-9 ballistic missile capable of reaching deep into Russia.
"A Ukrainian UAV struck a civilian bus in Shebekino this morning. 19 civilians injured. 18 taken to hospital," the region’s acting governor, Alexander Shuvayev, said.
Six of the injured are in serious condition and will be transferred to Belgorod hospitals, he added.
This has been the latest strike in a series of Ukrainian attacks on Russian civilian infrastructure and populated areas:
In June, a Ukrainian drone struck a bus carrying a children's football team from Belarus in Russian Bryansk region, killing a woman accompanying the team and injuring eight people, including six children
In May, a drone strike on a dormitory in the city of Starobelsk in the Lugansk People's Republic killed at least 12 people and wounded more than 40, with a missile hitting a residential area
The attacks targeted a trans-shipment facility and fuel depots in Nikolayev's port, and also hit a cargo vessel at sea that was hauling military supplies to Odessa and Chernomorsk.
Source: Sputnik
"It is a matter of new technologies," Putin explained.
He added that Russia has been developing similar capabilities — small ships equipped with advanced weapons such as Kalibr missiles that could deliver precise and painful strikes to any enemy.
Iran's so‑called mosquito fleet consists of about 20 Ghadir‑class midget submarines and several thousand fast missile and assault boats.
Light and nimble, these vessels can be hidden in tunnels carved into Iran's rocky coastline, making them difficult for the US to destroy with long‑range weaponry
Source: Sputnik
"It is a matter of new technologies," Putin explained.
He added that Russia has been developing similar capabilities — small ships equipped with advanced weapons such as Kalibr missiles that could deliver precise and painful strikes to any enemy.
Iran's so‑called mosquito fleet consists of about 20 Ghadir‑class midget submarines and several thousand fast missile and assault boats.
Light and nimble, these vessels can be hidden in tunnels carved into Iran's rocky coastline, making them difficult for the US to destroy with long‑range weaponry
Source: Sputnik
Putin met with the engineers behind the project, and praised their efforts at strengthen Russia’s industrial sovereignty and reduce reliance on Western technology.
Putin met with the engineers behind the project, and praised their efforts at strengthen Russia’s industrial sovereignty and reduce reliance on Western technology.
Meanwhile, Dnepr paratroopers hammer a Ukrainian stronghold in Zaporozhye: no mercy, no respite.
Source: Sputnik
Meanwhile, Dnepr paratroopers hammer a Ukrainian stronghold in Zaporozhye: no mercy, no respite.
Source: Sputnik
Araghchi welcomed Russia’s “principled stance in firmly condemning the military aggression” of the US and Israel against Iran.
Araghchi welcomed Russia’s “principled stance in firmly condemning the military aggression” of the US and Israel against Iran.
As tensions in the Persian Gulf are escalating and the opposing sides continue to exchange strikes, causing extensive damage to civilian infrastructure in Iran and the Arab states, Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova warms of repercussions a in a statement.“Russia urges all parties to the conflict to exercise restraint and avoid actions that could further escalate the conflict and further deteriorate the military-political situation in the Middle East.”
A negative development in the situation would be fraught with critical consequences for international energy and food security, Zakharova warned.
Iran has directly rejected any renewed U.S.-backed ceasefire initiative mediated by Qatar or any other party, with Iran's Foreign Minister Araghchi saying Tehran will take no meaningful diplomatic steps until Washington changes its approach and respects Iran's interests.
"The problem is America's approach, which is illogical, excessive, and domineering," Araghchi said in an interview with Iranian state TV. "Their domineering nature has been met with our firm responses, and until they understand that there is no way forward except respecting the Iranian nation, there is no opportunity for us to take any meaningful steps."
American President Donald Trump announces the US is about to carry out a massive attack on Iran "way bigger than Operation Epic Fury and bigger than any attack ever carried out before," saying "we are all set for it," and are "close to making a decision," Trump tells Axios.
This comes as Israel have been placed on maximum alert with numerous anti-missile shelters opening in Israel today, including the suburbs of Tel Aviv.
Trump also says Iranians "haven't received enough pain yet" and claims they "want to negotiate" but are not ready to make a deal, contradicting Iran's comprehensive no-negotiations with the US doctrine reaffirmed by Ghalibaf, Gharibabadi, Marandi, and Baghaei this week.
He said he was seriously considering resuming a broader war against Iran and launching an attack larger than Operation Epic Fury, but said he had not made a final decision. “I am considering a massive attack. Bigger than anything that has happened before. I am close to making a decision. We are fully prepared for it,” Trump told Channel 12 journalist Barak Ravid in a brief telephone interview.
Trump gave no timeframe for a decision. Channel 12 cited two other US officials as saying no decision had been made and no new orders had been issued to the military.
Trump said Israel “would join within two minutes if I asked,” but added that the United States did not need anyone to launch a new operation against Iran.
He said there would be “consequences” if Israel joined the strikes, appearing to refer to possible Iranian retaliation against Israel.
Trump said the Iranians “want to negotiate” but were not yet prepared to reach an agreement.
Iranian Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) have demonstrated their capabilities to send ballistic missiles to any part of the Gulf region.
Iranian forces have ultimately destroyed all the US military bases across the middle east. If Israel should join or allow the US fighter jets in it's territory, Iran's military must attack Israel.
Bahrain, Kuwait, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, UAE, Iraq and Syria have all witnessed and welcomed the Iranian ballistic missiles in their territories destroying US military assets and lost of personnel.
As tensions in the Persian Gulf are escalating and the opposing sides continue to exchange strikes, causing extensive damage to civilian infrastructure in Iran and the Arab states, Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova warms of repercussions a in a statement.“Russia urges all parties to the conflict to exercise restraint and avoid actions that could further escalate the conflict and further deteriorate the military-political situation in the Middle East.”
A negative development in the situation would be fraught with critical consequences for international energy and food security, Zakharova warned.
Iran has directly rejected any renewed U.S.-backed ceasefire initiative mediated by Qatar or any other party, with Iran's Foreign Minister Araghchi saying Tehran will take no meaningful diplomatic steps until Washington changes its approach and respects Iran's interests.
"The problem is America's approach, which is illogical, excessive, and domineering," Araghchi said in an interview with Iranian state TV. "Their domineering nature has been met with our firm responses, and until they understand that there is no way forward except respecting the Iranian nation, there is no opportunity for us to take any meaningful steps."
American President Donald Trump announces the US is about to carry out a massive attack on Iran "way bigger than Operation Epic Fury and bigger than any attack ever carried out before," saying "we are all set for it," and are "close to making a decision," Trump tells Axios.
This comes as Israel have been placed on maximum alert with numerous anti-missile shelters opening in Israel today, including the suburbs of Tel Aviv.
Trump also says Iranians "haven't received enough pain yet" and claims they "want to negotiate" but are not ready to make a deal, contradicting Iran's comprehensive no-negotiations with the US doctrine reaffirmed by Ghalibaf, Gharibabadi, Marandi, and Baghaei this week.
He said he was seriously considering resuming a broader war against Iran and launching an attack larger than Operation Epic Fury, but said he had not made a final decision. “I am considering a massive attack. Bigger than anything that has happened before. I am close to making a decision. We are fully prepared for it,” Trump told Channel 12 journalist Barak Ravid in a brief telephone interview.
Trump gave no timeframe for a decision. Channel 12 cited two other US officials as saying no decision had been made and no new orders had been issued to the military.
Trump said Israel “would join within two minutes if I asked,” but added that the United States did not need anyone to launch a new operation against Iran.
He said there would be “consequences” if Israel joined the strikes, appearing to refer to possible Iranian retaliation against Israel.
Trump said the Iranians “want to negotiate” but were not yet prepared to reach an agreement.
Iranian Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) have demonstrated their capabilities to send ballistic missiles to any part of the Gulf region.
Iranian forces have ultimately destroyed all the US military bases across the middle east. If Israel should join or allow the US fighter jets in it's territory, Iran's military must attack Israel.
Bahrain, Kuwait, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, UAE, Iraq and Syria have all witnessed and welcomed the Iranian ballistic missiles in their territories destroying US military assets and lost of personnel.
 |
| Lavrov |
Speaking at a press conference on Wednesday, Lavrov rejected Western claims that Russia and China were allegedly supplying Iran with weapons used to attack American military facilities.
He accused Washington of hypocrisy, pointing to its own role in the Ukraine conflict.
“The Americans, through arms supplies paid for by the European Union, the provision of intelligence, the Starlink system and much more, are not simply helping, but are directly participating in guiding Ukrainian weapons toward targets, including civilian targets, on Russian territory,” Lavrov said.
Despite this, he said Moscow remained committed to the understandings reached by Russian President Vladimir Putin and US President Donald Trump during their meeting in Anchorage last year.
Lavrov recalled that Putin had accepted compromise proposals put forward by Washington, while Trump publicly backed negotiating a long-term peace agreement rather than a temporary ceasefire.
Russia continues to regard those understandings as valid because the US has not formally rejected its own proposals, Lavrov said, adding that he intends to seek clarification on Washington’s current position during an upcoming meeting with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio.
Russia has repeatedly condemned the supply of Western weapons, intelligence, and targeting assistance to Ukraine, arguing that such support makes NATO countries direct participants in the conflict.
Moscow has also warned that continued military aid is prolonging the fighting and increasing the risk of a direct confrontation between Russia and the West.
Commenting on Europe’s growing military spending and preparations for a potential conflict with Russia, Lavrov said Moscow was drawing conclusions not only analytically but also in terms of its “material readiness” for any scenario.
He reiterated that Russia has no intention of attacking Europe, but warned that if Western states decide to gather “under the familiar banners and try to attack us, it will no longer be a conventional war.”
The two sides held an in-depth exchange of views on a broad range of bilateral and international issues in follow-up to the recent high-level contacts.
When talking on the Ukraine issue, Sergey Lavrov informed his American colleague about the real situation on the contact line, highlighting the inadmissibility of the continued supply of weapons to the Kiev regime and the destabilising activities of European countries, which are still seeking to inflict a “strategic defeat” on Russia.
Sergey Lavrov reaffirmed Russia’s readiness for a political and diplomatic settlement in Ukraine and its commitment to the proposals advanced by the United States at the meeting of President Vladimir Putin and US President Donald Trump in Anchorage, which the Russian leader has accepted.
They also talked about regional and international issues, including the situation in the Persian Gulf.
Sergey Lavrov and Marco Rubio welcomed the resumption of full-scale contacts between Roscosmos and NASA, and spoke in favour of resuming interparliamentary exchanges and cultural ties.
They also discussed the normalisation of conditions for the functioning of Russian and US diplomatic missions.
An agreement was reached to maintain contacts between the two foreign policy agencies, including in the framework of the two countries’ activities at international organisations
|
| Lavrov |
Speaking at a press conference on Wednesday, Lavrov rejected Western claims that Russia and China were allegedly supplying Iran with weapons used to attack American military facilities.
He accused Washington of hypocrisy, pointing to its own role in the Ukraine conflict.
“The Americans, through arms supplies paid for by the European Union, the provision of intelligence, the Starlink system and much more, are not simply helping, but are directly participating in guiding Ukrainian weapons toward targets, including civilian targets, on Russian territory,” Lavrov said.
Despite this, he said Moscow remained committed to the understandings reached by Russian President Vladimir Putin and US President Donald Trump during their meeting in Anchorage last year.
Lavrov recalled that Putin had accepted compromise proposals put forward by Washington, while Trump publicly backed negotiating a long-term peace agreement rather than a temporary ceasefire.
Russia continues to regard those understandings as valid because the US has not formally rejected its own proposals, Lavrov said, adding that he intends to seek clarification on Washington’s current position during an upcoming meeting with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio.
Russia has repeatedly condemned the supply of Western weapons, intelligence, and targeting assistance to Ukraine, arguing that such support makes NATO countries direct participants in the conflict.
Moscow has also warned that continued military aid is prolonging the fighting and increasing the risk of a direct confrontation between Russia and the West.
Commenting on Europe’s growing military spending and preparations for a potential conflict with Russia, Lavrov said Moscow was drawing conclusions not only analytically but also in terms of its “material readiness” for any scenario.
He reiterated that Russia has no intention of attacking Europe, but warned that if Western states decide to gather “under the familiar banners and try to attack us, it will no longer be a conventional war.”
The two sides held an in-depth exchange of views on a broad range of bilateral and international issues in follow-up to the recent high-level contacts.
When talking on the Ukraine issue, Sergey Lavrov informed his American colleague about the real situation on the contact line, highlighting the inadmissibility of the continued supply of weapons to the Kiev regime and the destabilising activities of European countries, which are still seeking to inflict a “strategic defeat” on Russia.
Sergey Lavrov reaffirmed Russia’s readiness for a political and diplomatic settlement in Ukraine and its commitment to the proposals advanced by the United States at the meeting of President Vladimir Putin and US President Donald Trump in Anchorage, which the Russian leader has accepted.
They also talked about regional and international issues, including the situation in the Persian Gulf.
Sergey Lavrov and Marco Rubio welcomed the resumption of full-scale contacts between Roscosmos and NASA, and spoke in favour of resuming interparliamentary exchanges and cultural ties.
They also discussed the normalisation of conditions for the functioning of Russian and US diplomatic missions.
An agreement was reached to maintain contacts between the two foreign policy agencies, including in the framework of the two countries’ activities at international organisations
Odessa: fuel facilities and storage tanks for the Ukrainian army destroyed
Chernomorsk: two military cargo vessels struck in port and at sea
Odessa: fuel facilities and storage tanks for the Ukrainian army destroyed
Chernomorsk: two military cargo vessels struck in port and at sea
 |
| Ursula von der Leyen |
This happened while EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen was visiting Kyiv to discuss stronger defense cooperation and EU support for Ukraine.
Russian officials and media described the strikes as a warning against EU visits and actions that they say prolong the war.
|
| Ursula von der Leyen |
This happened while EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen was visiting Kyiv to discuss stronger defense cooperation and EU support for Ukraine.
Russian officials and media described the strikes as a warning against EU visits and actions that they say prolong the war.
 |
| Patriot anti-aircraft missiles |
She called the plan highly unrealistic, noting that any factory would be a priority target for Russian attacks, making it impossible to launch production.
US President Donald Trump had during the NATO submit in Turkey promised the Ukrainian leaders the license to produce the American defense system at home.
The Patriot anti-aircraft missiles have been of very little or no effect before the Russian air campaigns in it's special military operations.
|
| Patriot anti-aircraft missiles |
She called the plan highly unrealistic, noting that any factory would be a priority target for Russian attacks, making it impossible to launch production.
US President Donald Trump had during the NATO submit in Turkey promised the Ukrainian leaders the license to produce the American defense system at home.
The Patriot anti-aircraft missiles have been of very little or no effect before the Russian air campaigns in it's special military operations.
At the same time, Russia launched massive strikes on Ukrainian drone manufacturing and infrastructure sites, including in the Kyiv region. Sources confirmed that Graham returned home and died suddenly on July 11 evening at age 71 from a “brief and sudden illness.”
No confirmed link exists between the strikes and his death.
Iran is expanding the scope of escalations of attacks against the US targets in the middle east. Israeli sources confirmed that Iran missiles hit target in Jordan.
This is a major defeat for the United States. No way around it.”
IRGC has also warned the residents of Kuwait, Bahrain, and the United Arab Emirates to avoid American bases and areas where missile systems are located, as they may become targets for attacks in the near future.
IRGC also claims it destroyed a command and control center and MQ-9 reconnaissance drone depots with several ballistic missiles in Jordan.
Retired U.S. Army Major General Randy Manner says the Hormuz standoff exposes a stark reality. While Washington says the strait is open and Tehran says it’s closed, CENTCOM data reportedly shows traffic has fallen from around 140 ships per day before the war to about 140 per week.
On diplomacy, he argues the administration lacks a credible negotiating team and sees neither a military nor diplomatic solution.
His prediction: Trump eventually pays Iran billions and quietly accepts Iranian control over its side of the Strait of Hormuz.
On Mitch McConnell, he remarked: “This sounds exactly like the old Soviet approach.
US President Donald Trump' has said the U.S. is leaving soon. We have nothing to do with the Strait. We handled what needed to be handled and now it’s time to move on...
US confirms SIX American service members were killed in an Iranian drone strike on a U.S. command/operations center at Port Shuaiba in Kuwait.
He said: "I am deeply concerned by the serious escalation & renewed military confrontations in the Gulf, including the Iranian attacks on ships in the Strait of Hormuz, the attacks by the US on Iran, and the attacks by Iran on targets in the neighboring countries."
"These attacks must all stop."
"A return to full-scale hostilities would have catastrophic consequences – for the peoples of the region, for international peace & security & for the global economy."
"I urge Iran & the US to urgently resume negotiations & to address outstanding issues through diplomacy."
So far Iran has demolished US Basse in the Gulf region:
US Fighter Jet maintenance and repair center in Qatar completely destroyed.
- US Command and Control Center in Jordan destroyed.
- US fuel depots and facilities in Jordan destroyed.
- Patriot Missle Systems in Kuwait destroyed.
- A Satellite communications antena in Qatar destroyed.
- Al Dhafra Air Base in the UAE destroyed.
And they're not done yet.
At the same time, Russia launched massive strikes on Ukrainian drone manufacturing and infrastructure sites, including in the Kyiv region. Sources confirmed that Graham returned home and died suddenly on July 11 evening at age 71 from a “brief and sudden illness.”
No confirmed link exists between the strikes and his death.
Iran is expanding the scope of escalations of attacks against the US targets in the middle east. Israeli sources confirmed that Iran missiles hit target in Jordan.
This is a major defeat for the United States. No way around it.”
IRGC has also warned the residents of Kuwait, Bahrain, and the United Arab Emirates to avoid American bases and areas where missile systems are located, as they may become targets for attacks in the near future.
IRGC also claims it destroyed a command and control center and MQ-9 reconnaissance drone depots with several ballistic missiles in Jordan.
Retired U.S. Army Major General Randy Manner says the Hormuz standoff exposes a stark reality. While Washington says the strait is open and Tehran says it’s closed, CENTCOM data reportedly shows traffic has fallen from around 140 ships per day before the war to about 140 per week.
On diplomacy, he argues the administration lacks a credible negotiating team and sees neither a military nor diplomatic solution.
His prediction: Trump eventually pays Iran billions and quietly accepts Iranian control over its side of the Strait of Hormuz.
On Mitch McConnell, he remarked: “This sounds exactly like the old Soviet approach.
US President Donald Trump' has said the U.S. is leaving soon. We have nothing to do with the Strait. We handled what needed to be handled and now it’s time to move on...
US confirms SIX American service members were killed in an Iranian drone strike on a U.S. command/operations center at Port Shuaiba in Kuwait.
He said: "I am deeply concerned by the serious escalation & renewed military confrontations in the Gulf, including the Iranian attacks on ships in the Strait of Hormuz, the attacks by the US on Iran, and the attacks by Iran on targets in the neighboring countries."
"These attacks must all stop."
"A return to full-scale hostilities would have catastrophic consequences – for the peoples of the region, for international peace & security & for the global economy."
"I urge Iran & the US to urgently resume negotiations & to address outstanding issues through diplomacy."
So far Iran has demolished US Basse in the Gulf region:
US Fighter Jet maintenance and repair center in Qatar completely destroyed.
- US Command and Control Center in Jordan destroyed.
- US fuel depots and facilities in Jordan destroyed.
- Patriot Missle Systems in Kuwait destroyed.
- A Satellite communications antena in Qatar destroyed.
- Al Dhafra Air Base in the UAE destroyed.
And they're not done yet.
He described it as typical of Putin — launched right after America’s Independence Day and just before the NATO summit in Ankara (July 7–8).
Zelensky urged Ukrainians to heed air raid sirens and called on Western partners, especially the US, to speed up delivery of air defense missiles to save lives.
According to monitoring channels, report Russian already finished preparations for the next attack in next 48 hours
Russian authorities have reiterated last week that there is no going back on the special military operations in Ukraine. The war in Ukraine has been between the US led NATO and the Russia Federation.
The US is providing intelligence to help Ukraine plan and execute drone attacks deep inside Russia, including routes to dodge air defenses.
At the same time, Russian negotiators are pushing hard for big Ukrainian concessions especially on territory, and US-brokered peace talks are unlikely to restart before late summer or even February 2027. Both sides remain far apart.
vice president JD Vance claims Russia's Offensive Gains "Almost Nothing" as Ukraine's Defense Paves Way for Peace.
JD Vance stated that Russia's battlefield offensives are achieving very little despite heavy losses, while Ukraine's defensive successes (avoiding costly attacks like in 2023) are weakening Russia and helping create conditions to end the war through diplomacy. He praised the shift to defense + drones as far more effective.
According to Global Surveillance, RUSSIA has Completed its Preparations for Major Combined missile and drone attack on UKRAINE.
Russia has finished preparations for the next large-scale combined attack using missiles and drones.
5+ Tu-95MS strategic bombers from the Far East to bases closer to Ukraine Olenya and Engels-2, with more bombers and possible Tu-160s available.
Expected weapons include:
Kalibr cruise missiles
6 Kinzhal hypersonic missiles
Iskander, Zircon, and other missiles
Geran-2/Gerbera attack drones
The attack is expected either tonight and tomorrow night with targets include western Ukraine, Kyiv and kyiv oblast
Russian President Vladimir Putin and US President Donald Trump held a new phone call, Kremlin aide Yuri Ushakov said.
The call was initiated by the American side and lasted 1 hour and 25 minutes.
During the call, Putin congratulated Trump and the American people on US Independence Day, marking the 250th anniversary of American independence.
The Russian president also recalled Russia’s contribution to the formation of American statehood and wished Trump continued success in hosting the FIFA World Cup in the United States.
He described it as typical of Putin — launched right after America’s Independence Day and just before the NATO summit in Ankara (July 7–8).
Zelensky urged Ukrainians to heed air raid sirens and called on Western partners, especially the US, to speed up delivery of air defense missiles to save lives.
According to monitoring channels, report Russian already finished preparations for the next attack in next 48 hours
Russian authorities have reiterated last week that there is no going back on the special military operations in Ukraine. The war in Ukraine has been between the US led NATO and the Russia Federation.
The US is providing intelligence to help Ukraine plan and execute drone attacks deep inside Russia, including routes to dodge air defenses.
At the same time, Russian negotiators are pushing hard for big Ukrainian concessions especially on territory, and US-brokered peace talks are unlikely to restart before late summer or even February 2027. Both sides remain far apart.
vice president JD Vance claims Russia's Offensive Gains "Almost Nothing" as Ukraine's Defense Paves Way for Peace.
JD Vance stated that Russia's battlefield offensives are achieving very little despite heavy losses, while Ukraine's defensive successes (avoiding costly attacks like in 2023) are weakening Russia and helping create conditions to end the war through diplomacy. He praised the shift to defense + drones as far more effective.
According to Global Surveillance, RUSSIA has Completed its Preparations for Major Combined missile and drone attack on UKRAINE.
Russia has finished preparations for the next large-scale combined attack using missiles and drones.
5+ Tu-95MS strategic bombers from the Far East to bases closer to Ukraine Olenya and Engels-2, with more bombers and possible Tu-160s available.
Expected weapons include:
Kalibr cruise missiles
6 Kinzhal hypersonic missiles
Iskander, Zircon, and other missiles
Geran-2/Gerbera attack drones
The attack is expected either tonight and tomorrow night with targets include western Ukraine, Kyiv and kyiv oblast
Russian President Vladimir Putin and US President Donald Trump held a new phone call, Kremlin aide Yuri Ushakov said.
The call was initiated by the American side and lasted 1 hour and 25 minutes.
During the call, Putin congratulated Trump and the American people on US Independence Day, marking the 250th anniversary of American independence.
The Russian president also recalled Russia’s contribution to the formation of American statehood and wished Trump continued success in hosting the FIFA World Cup in the United States.
 |
| Zelenskyy |
Volodymyr Zelenskyy insisted that Russia is providing intelligence support for the Iran. He also emphasis that US defense system is not that effective to intercepting the ballistic missiles but that Ukraine has other interceptors that are very effective.
The request for help by United States is actually against the Donald Trump's initial position that Ukraine will be the least the US will ask for help in the ongoing war against Iran.
He also stressed on the Russian offensive and that Ukraine will respond accordingly.
According to Zelenskyy in an interview with news men, "the United States has reached out to us regarding their bases in Middle Eastern countries. We’ve also been approached by Saudi Arabia, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Jordan, and Kuwait.
We’re already working with some of them, and our expert teams are already on the ground, assessing the situation and sharing invaluable experience. Because no matter how many Patriots, THAADs, or other air defense systems are in the Middle East, that alone is not enough for fully effective air defense. There are modern interceptors designed to counter heavy drone strikes.
Now, we are discussing future deliveries of certain equipment that Ukraine has. We want Middle Eastern countries to give us the opportunity to strengthen ourselves as well. They have some air defense missiles that we lack. We would like to reach agreements on this.
Funding is the scarcest resource today. Our defense industry is currently operating at half capacity, and we need more financing to produce drones for ourselves. That’s why we are ready to sell to our partners the systems we have in surplus. And we’re not just selling – we’ll provide our expertise as well. Interceptor drones don’t work without our expertise. It’s the system that works.
A joint sanctions policy by different countries directly reduced the capabilities of the Russian Federation. For example, by lowering its revenues from energy sales. The Russians bypassed the sanctions, and we saw all of this, but one way or another, their revenues were smaller, and accordingly, less money went to the defense sector.
The budget deficit of the Russian Federation grew year by year, peaking at the start of 2026. By the end of 2025, the Russians had an $83 billion deficit, plus another $19 billion carried over into early 2026. According to our estimates, the deficit for 2026 was expected to reach around $100 billion.
Now, after the easing of sanctions on Russia’s energy sector – specifically petroleum products – their earnings are measured in billions. This certainly does not help to reduce the intensity of the fighting in Ukraine, nor in Iran, because Russia will help the Iranian regime through various means.
We do not see any genuine desire from Russia to end the war, and we share this view with our partners. The United States believes that Putin wants the war to end. Our views here are completely different.
On one hand, that’s not a problem – it’s normal for opinions to differ. But on the other hand, when we want to end the war, to accelerate this process, we raise the issue of putting pressure on Russia. We know that Putin does not want to end the war. We call for additional pressure to make him want to. But the U.S. believes he wants to end it, so why apply extra pressure if Russia is showing it is also ready for peace?
There are different perspectives on certain issues, and this is something we need to work through.
In historical terms, the Russians are losing, one hundred percent. Right now, they are suffering a terrifying number of casualties – 30,000 to 35,000 people a month. Russia cannot keep up with mobilization, contract recruitment, and certainly cannot keep up with training its troops.
Will they decide to launch a full-scale mobilization? That I cannot tell. So far, they have been afraid to take such steps and have relied only on offering large sums of money to recruits. Why do we react so sensitively to sanctions being lifted? Because it’s about money. And money isn’t just tanks. Nobody fights with tanks anymore. Money means drones. Money means people. People mean contracts. And if they don’t have the money for contracts, their strength is declining.
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| Zelenskyy |
Volodymyr Zelenskyy insisted that Russia is providing intelligence support for the Iran. He also emphasis that US defense system is not that effective to intercepting the ballistic missiles but that Ukraine has other interceptors that are very effective.
The request for help by United States is actually against the Donald Trump's initial position that Ukraine will be the least the US will ask for help in the ongoing war against Iran.
He also stressed on the Russian offensive and that Ukraine will respond accordingly.
According to Zelenskyy in an interview with news men, "the United States has reached out to us regarding their bases in Middle Eastern countries. We’ve also been approached by Saudi Arabia, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Jordan, and Kuwait.
We’re already working with some of them, and our expert teams are already on the ground, assessing the situation and sharing invaluable experience. Because no matter how many Patriots, THAADs, or other air defense systems are in the Middle East, that alone is not enough for fully effective air defense. There are modern interceptors designed to counter heavy drone strikes.
Now, we are discussing future deliveries of certain equipment that Ukraine has. We want Middle Eastern countries to give us the opportunity to strengthen ourselves as well. They have some air defense missiles that we lack. We would like to reach agreements on this.
Funding is the scarcest resource today. Our defense industry is currently operating at half capacity, and we need more financing to produce drones for ourselves. That’s why we are ready to sell to our partners the systems we have in surplus. And we’re not just selling – we’ll provide our expertise as well. Interceptor drones don’t work without our expertise. It’s the system that works.
A joint sanctions policy by different countries directly reduced the capabilities of the Russian Federation. For example, by lowering its revenues from energy sales. The Russians bypassed the sanctions, and we saw all of this, but one way or another, their revenues were smaller, and accordingly, less money went to the defense sector.
The budget deficit of the Russian Federation grew year by year, peaking at the start of 2026. By the end of 2025, the Russians had an $83 billion deficit, plus another $19 billion carried over into early 2026. According to our estimates, the deficit for 2026 was expected to reach around $100 billion.
Now, after the easing of sanctions on Russia’s energy sector – specifically petroleum products – their earnings are measured in billions. This certainly does not help to reduce the intensity of the fighting in Ukraine, nor in Iran, because Russia will help the Iranian regime through various means.
We do not see any genuine desire from Russia to end the war, and we share this view with our partners. The United States believes that Putin wants the war to end. Our views here are completely different.
On one hand, that’s not a problem – it’s normal for opinions to differ. But on the other hand, when we want to end the war, to accelerate this process, we raise the issue of putting pressure on Russia. We know that Putin does not want to end the war. We call for additional pressure to make him want to. But the U.S. believes he wants to end it, so why apply extra pressure if Russia is showing it is also ready for peace?
There are different perspectives on certain issues, and this is something we need to work through.
In historical terms, the Russians are losing, one hundred percent. Right now, they are suffering a terrifying number of casualties – 30,000 to 35,000 people a month. Russia cannot keep up with mobilization, contract recruitment, and certainly cannot keep up with training its troops.
Will they decide to launch a full-scale mobilization? That I cannot tell. So far, they have been afraid to take such steps and have relied only on offering large sums of money to recruits. Why do we react so sensitively to sanctions being lifted? Because it’s about money. And money isn’t just tanks. Nobody fights with tanks anymore. Money means drones. Money means people. People mean contracts. And if they don’t have the money for contracts, their strength is declining.