A snapshot of recent news from sources around the world on the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war.

Political Developments
Nations planning to contribute troops to a post-ceasefire force in Ukraine have agreed to establish a headquarters in Paris for rapid deployment once hostilities cease. This decision was made at a recent meeting in Rome, which notably included a U.S. delegation for the first time, and saw participation from high-profile political figures from various countries.
A U.S. Army general warns that NATO requires more long-range missiles to deter Russia, as Moscow is expanding its production of such weapons, proven effective in the Ukraine war. Europe’s current dependence on the U.S. for long-range strike capabilities highlights a critical vulnerability, prompting European NATO members to increase defense spending and pursue their own long-range missile development programs.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov traveled to North Korea this week for bilateral dialogue, further cementing ties between the two. As much as 40 percent of Russia’s ammunition supply is North Korean in origin, Ukrainian HUR chief Kyrylo Budanov estimated in an interview with Bloomberg this week.
A member of the Ukrainian SBU was shot dead on the streets of Kyiv on Thursday. Ukrainian media outlets identified the victim as Colonel Ivan Voronych, who served with the SBU’s Alpha special forces unit. The SBU launched an investigation following the killing.
The former head of a Belarusian aerospace company was killed fighting for Russia in 2023, a Belarusian investigative report revealed this week. Vladimir Troitsky was CEO of the Orsha Aircraft Repair Plant from 2007 to 2015, and later was sentenced to prison from 2018 to 2022 for corruption related to an airfield construction. Troitsky signed a contract with the Russian Ministry of Defense in September 2023 and was killed two months later, according to Belarusian newspaper Nasha Niva.
Military Assistance to Ukraine
Washington has resumed some military assistance to Ukraine after a sudden pause was announced last week. Two officials told the Associated Press that the U.S. is once again delivering 155mm ammunition and GMLRS rockets. Those weapons — and other equipment, including air-defense missiles — were frozen following a Pentagon review that warned about American weapons stockpiles. The pause, however, was reportedly not coordinated with the White House.
Building off of the weapon’s performance in the war in Ukraine, Britain and France are to order more Storm Shadow cruise missiles, while stepping up work on its replacement. The U.K. and France committed to launch the next phase of their joint project for both deep strike and anti-ship missiles. The U.K. and France also agreed to deepen their nuclear cooperation and work more closely on nuclear deterrence.
On Thursday, the U.K. announced that it will be providing over 5,000 Thales-made air-defense missiles to Ukraine, to aid the embattled country as it defends against Russian air raids.
Battlefield Updates
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated this week that, since January, over 100,000 Russian soldiers have been killed on combat duty in Ukraine. He added that Ukraine’s killed in action “numbers are less but still very significant.”
Kyiv residents, hardened by over three years of conflict, are now facing unprecedented, massive waves of coordinated drone and missile attacks that are more frequent and devastating than ever before. These new onslaughts, often targeting a single city with hundreds of projectiles, are forcing even the most resilient civilians back to shelters, reminiscent of the war’s early days.
Russia is firing hundreds of drones and missiles per day at Ukraine. Over 500 missiles and drones were launched by Russia in attacks on July 4 and July 5-6.
Russia has again attacked Kyiv, the Ukrainian capital, with missiles and drones. The strike took place on July 10 with Moscow firing around 400 drones and 18 missiles. Ukrainian officials said its air defenses intercepted all but a few dozen of the drones.
Amid the barrage, U.S. President Donald Trump criticized Russia’s war and President Putin, stating, “I’m not happy with him, I can tell you that much right now. This is killing a lot of people.”
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