Ukraine War News Today - Top Stories and Breaking Updates from Kyiv Post

The announcement came following a visit by the French and UK defense ministers to MBDA’s UK factory, where the Anglo-French missiles are made, on Wednesday.

France’s Defense Minister Sébastien Lecornu announced that production of the Anglo-French Storm Shadow / SCALP EG cruise missiles was about to resume on X on Wednesday, July 9. The post came after he had visited the MBDA factory in the UK’s Stevenage with the British Defence Secretary John Healey.

Lecornu said in his post “Supplied to Ukraine, the Franco-British SCALP/Storm Shadow missile has demonstrated its effectiveness in modern high-intensity combat, in decisive situations.”

Putin ‘says all the right things during talks, and then does the opposite’ Louisiana’s Senator Kennedy says, adding that the time ‘has come to put Russia on its knees.’

US Republican Senator John N. Kennedy (R-LA) lashed out at Russian leader Vladimir Putin on Thursday, urging the Trump administration to change its posture toward Russia’s war in Ukraine.

“Putin has disrespected America, and I think he has disrespected President Trump,” Kennedy said. 

The Ukrainian president said it is crucial to maintain ties with the US and named Defense Minister Rustem Umerov, who led the Ukrainian delegation in talks with Russia, as a potential candidate.

President Volodmyr Zelensky confirmed he would soon replace the Ukrainian ambassador to the US and named Defense Minister Rustem Umerov as a potential replacement on Thursday.

Zelensky reportedly discussed ambassador Oksana Markarova’s replacement during his recent call with US President Donald Trump.  

The plan, unveiled at Rome’s Ukraine Recovery Conference, comprises six partnerships aimed at attracting investments into the Ukrainian economy.

Belgium announced six “new strategic partnerships” to support Ukraine’s reconstruction during Thursday’s Ukraine Recovery Conference in Rome. 

The partnerships include “five Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) with Ukrainian ministries” to boost social services, according to a press release issued by the Belgian Embassy in Ukraine.

The coalition leaders announced further military and political support for Ukraine, but provided no immediate plans on peacekeeping forces in Ukraine until after a “cessation of hostilities.”

French President Emmanuel Macron and British Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer unveiled more details for a planned peacekeeping force in Ukraine following a three-day state visit by Macron to the UK on Thursday.

The plans included a headquarters in Paris, securing Ukrainian airspace, and naval demining in the Black Sea to help Ukraine rebuild its military – but only after the “cessation of hostilities.” 

Daily updates from the General Staff of the Ukrainian Armed Forces (AFU) regarding frontline developments and casualty figures amidst Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

As of July 10, Russia has lost 1,030,580 troops after launching its full-scale invasion of Ukraine on Feb. 24, 2022 – including 920 troops over the past day, according to the General Staff of the Ukrainian Armed Forces (AFU). 

Russian casualties in Ukraine surpassed one million on June 16.

Ukraine has launched a bold new phase of war, striking inside Russia with drones, sabotage, and airbase attacks – crippling Moscow’s war machine from within.

The German Chancellor repeated his offer today to purchase the American air defense system for Ukraine, as Kyiv and other cities face record drone and missile attacks.

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, speaking at the Ukraine Recovery Conference today, repeated his offer for Germany to purchase US-made Patriot air defense systems for Ukraine.

Merz had reportedly asked US President Donald Trump last week for Patriot systems for Ukraine, after the Pentagon unexpectedly announced a freeze in the shipment of Patriot and other essential ammo for Ukraine on July 1, citing low stockpiles.

The US state secretary said the new proposal from Moscow – after it rejected calls for a ceasefire and escalating attacks on Ukraine – might not result in peace but the US will see where it leads.

US State Secretary Marco Rubio hinted at a “new and different approach” on peace settlements in Ukraine from Moscow after his Thursday closed-door meeting with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov.

The two talked on the sidelines of a meeting of foreign ministers from the Association of Southeast Asian Nations in Kuala Lumpur.

The unit cleared Russian trenches and took enemy soldiers prisoner using FPV drones and ground-based robotic systems.

Ukrainian troops carried out a rare combat operation using only drones and robotic systems to storm and capture Russian positions in the Kharkiv region, according to Ukraine’s 3rd Assault Brigade.

In a statement on its Telegram channel, the brigade said the attack was completed “without infantry and without losses.”

EU Chief Ursula von der Leyen said the new €2.3 billion funding – partly loans and partly grants – could bring the total funding to €10 billion to help rebuild Ukraine.

EU Chief Ursula von der Leyen has unveiled billions of euros in funding and a new equity fund to help rebuild Ukraine ahead of Thursday’s Ukraine Recovery Conference in Rome.

The funding consists of €2.3 billion ($2.7 billion), comprising €1.8 billion ($2.1 billion) in loan guarantees and €580 million ($677 million) in grants, mainly from private investments, she said.

Ukraine will use the sixth disbursement from the EU under ERA initiative for priority expenses in the social and defense sectors.

Ukraine received the next €1 billion (almost $1.2 billion) tranche from the European Union under the G7-backed Extraordinary Revenue Acceleration (ERA) initiative, the Ukrainian Ministry of Finance reported on July 10.

According to the Ministry, Ukraine will use the disbursement for priority State Budget expenses in the social and defense sectors.

If Russia’s war in Ukraine prolongs into 2026, Kyiv’s defense funds may be $18B short. Economists expected the war to end in 2025 and policy makers have no new financing plans. The clock is ticking.

Despite a pretense of negotiations, Russia’s repeated strikes on civilians across Ukraine seem to signal it will continue the war until the end of 2025, and likely beyond, creating a funding shortfall in 2026 not accounted for by Kyiv officials and others, according to an in-depth economic handbook released this month.

Although the head of the Central Bank of Russia, Elvira Nabiullina, has claimed that Russia is running out of resources for its economic growth, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov continues to claim that Russia has the “strategic advantage” on the battlefield in Ukraine – and plans to continue the war under this assumption.

The interpreter, who had been translating from French into Ukrainian, was reported to security officials, removed from the room, and had her notes confiscated.

The European Commission (EC) has revoked the accreditation of a Ukrainian-language interpreter after she was caught secretly recording a closed-door meeting involving Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, raising concerns over a potential security breach.

The meeting took place on Dec. 19, 2024, just weeks after US President Donald Trump was re-elected. During the summit, EU leaders reaffirmed their commitment to support Ukraine, pledging continued military and financial assistance, including funding to protect Ukraine’s energy infrastructure.

Merz was speaking at the Ukraine Recovery Conference, a two-day gathering intended to mobilise political and private sector support for Ukraine’s reconstruction, even as the war with Russia rages.

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz urged US President Donald Trump Thursday to “stay with us” Europeans in maintaining support for Ukraine -- while calling out Slovakia for holding up new EU sanctions on Russia.

At an international conference in Rome, Merz offered a message “to Washington DC and to President Donald Trump: stay with us and stay with the Europeans, we are on the same page and we are looking for a stable political order in this world”.

Local media published a video and photos showing the booster from a Pantsir-S1 missile lodged on the wall of the apartment building after an alleged Ukrainian drone strike.

A missile booster reportedly bacame embedded in the wall of an apartment in Russia’s Belgorod following an alleged Ukrainian drone strike on Thursday.

Military facilities inside Russia’s Belgorod region, bordering Ukraine’s northeastern Kharkiv region, have been a frequent target of Ukrainian attacks due to their proximity to Ukraine.

Discussions on budget financing for Ukraine began at the Ukraine Recovery Conference, as the country braces for another year of war.

Ukraine will need more than $40 billion in external financing in 2026, Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal told the Ukraine Recovery Conference 2025 in Rome, Italy.

“The year 2026 is a challenge,” he said, speaking at the opening, “Our external financing needs will remain at over $40 billion. The key task should be to develop mechanisms and instruments that will allow us to raise these funds.” 

Images and video posted by Russia’s defense ministry and military analysts show Moscow’s railway and logistic troops preparing the modified trolley to deliver ammunition, water, and food.

Russians are making preparations to use a modified rail “push trolley” to deliver logistic support to troops in the occupied Donetsk region, according to images posted on social media by Russia’s Ministry of Defense (MOD) and John Hardie, the deputy director of the US-based Foundation for Defense of Democracy’s (FDD) Russia Program.

The system was put into place by 37th Railway Brigade troops, responsible for inspecting, maintaining, and repairing tracks in the Pokrovsk area of the Donetsk region, and the 51st Guards Combined Army’s logistics unit, according to the reports.

Last week, the Pentagon pulled the plug on sending weapons to Ukraine. Now, Donald Trump has overturned the decision. Europe’s press analyses the latest mood swing in the White House.

Last week the Pentagon pulled the plug on sending weapons to Ukraine. Now, Donald Trump has overturned the decision – and is reportedly looking into whether the US can deliver an additional Patriot missile defence system. He also condemned Vladimir Putin for throwing “a lot of bullshit” while “killing a lot of people.” Europe’s press analyses the latest mood swing in the White House.

Course correction, under pressure

An SBU officer was shot and killed in Kyiv’s Holosiivskyi district on July 10. Authorities have launched a criminal investigation, while Ukrainian media report the victim was a colonel.

A Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) officer was shot and killed in Kyiv’s Holosiivskyi district on Thursday, July 10, according to the SBU press service, which confirmed the incident to Kyiv Post.

Ukrainian media outlets are reporting that the victim was a colonel, though officials have not yet confirmed this detail.

Business and government leaders from all over the world are gathering in Rome to discuss how war-torn Ukraine can live up to its huge potential as it rebuilds.

ROME – On the eve of the Ukraine Recovery Conference, hosted this year in Rome, the spotlight did not fall on Italian business elites or international institutions. Instead, it was the Ukrainian entrepreneurs – and the institutions that support them – who took center stage. Led by the European Business Association (EBA), Ukraine’s most dynamic and organized business body, this cohort brought both realism and resolve to the conversation around reconstruction.

Zelensky condemned Russia’s latest 10-hour strike involving nearly 400 drones and 20 missiles, calling for urgent Western support and harsh retaliation: “Russia must feel the consequences.”

President Volodymyr Zelensky has responded to Russia’s latest massive overnight assault, which involved nearly 20 missiles and around 400 strike drones, including almost 200 Shaheds.

“Unfortunately, two people have died in Kyiv. My condolences to their families and loved ones. As of now, 16 people have been injured,” the president said.

Ukraine’s SBU security service said Wednesday that a Chinese father and son were detained for allegedly trying to smuggle navy missile technology out of the war-torn country.

Beijing said Thursday it was still “verifying” the case of a Chinese father and son detained by Ukraine for allegedly trying to smuggle navy missile technology out of the war-torn country.

“If Chinese citizens are involved, we will... safeguard Chinese citizens’ legitimate rights and interests in accordance with the law,” foreign ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning said.

Kyiv is again receiving 155mm artillery rounds and high-precision GMLRS guided rockets – although it’s unclear when the shipments restarted or how many munitions have so far been delivered.

The administration of US President Donald Trump has resumed sending some weapons to Ukraine after a one-week pause, sources told Reuters and the Associated Press.

Kyiv is again receiving 155mm artillery ammunition and high-precision GMLRS guided rockets. It’s unclear when the shipments restarted or how many munitions have so far been delivered.

We are closer than ever to a kinetic World War III. It is high time the West recognize the situation for what it is and be more decisive in helping Ukraine’s defense.

Six months after President Trump’s return to the White House, hopes for a ceasefire in Ukraine are growing weaker. Not only has the promised resolution failed to materialize in 24 hours – or even 24 weeks – this period has marked some of the heaviest losses for Ukrainian civilians since the full-scale Russian invasion began.

In an attempt to project dominance before the new US administration, Vladimir Putin has intensified missile and drone strikes across Ukrainian cities and towns – many of which I have visited and grown deeply attached to. While the frontline remains largely static, exposing Russia’s continued inability to advance militarily, the civilian toll has risen sharply.

The attack followed a record-setting drone barrage the night before, when Russia launched 728 drones of various types across Ukraine — the highest number since the start of the full-scale invasion.

Russia launched a massive drone and missile attack on Kyiv overnight, killing two people, injuring at least 16, and sparking fires across five districts of the capital, city officials said Thursday, July 10.

Kyiv Post reporters across the capital were jolted awake shortly after midnight by a new wave of explosions. From different districts of the city, they reported hearing dozens of drones buzzing overhead and detonating in multiple locations, followed by the thunderous blasts of ballistic missile strikes.

Latest from the Institute for the Study of War.

Key Takeaways from the ISW:

• Russian forces conducted the largest combined drone and missile strike of the war so far on the night of July 8 to 9 with 741 total drones and missiles — an about 34 percent increase from the previous record high of 550 Russian drones and missiles launched on the night of July 3 to 4.
• The continued increase in the size of strike packages is likely intended to support Russian efforts to degrade Ukrainian morale in the face of constant Russian aggression.
• The European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) found that Russian forces and pro-Russian separatists engaged in illegal military activity in Ukraine between 2014 and 2022.
• Ukrainian forces recently advanced near Borova and Toretsk, and Russian forces recently advanced near Toretsk, Novopavlivka, and Velyka Novosilka.

City officials warn of incoming ballistic missiles as Russia follows up the largest airstrike in the history of the war with another barrage.

Kyiv Post reporters in the capital were jarred awake by yet another round of explosions early Thursday morning, about 24 hours after what was described as the largest air strike on Ukraine in the history of the three-year-plus invasion.

As of 5:20 a.m. local time, 12 civilians were reported injured in Kyiv, Mayor Vitali Klitschko reported on Telegram. He said in earlier dispatches that multiple residential buildings had been hit.

Rubio and Lavrov last met in person in February in Saudi Arabia, following a rapprochement between Trump and Putin. After Malaysia, Lavrov will visit North Korea this weekend.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio will meet with his Russian counterpart in Malaysia on Thursday, as Moscow unleashed its second major attack on Ukraine in as many days. 

Rubio’s first visit to Asia as secretary of state also comes as US President Donald Trump ramps up his trade war, threatening more than 20 countries with punitive tariffs.

Sen. Jerry Moran: “We need to make certain Ukraine has the equipment necessary to win a just and lasting peace.”

US Senator Jerry Moran (R-KS) on Wednesday urged the Trump administration to follow through its commitments to ensure that “Ukraine has the equipment necessary to win a just and lasting peace,” as he put it.

“I was pleased to see President Trump say that his administration will resume sending weapons to Ukraine. It is my understanding that they signed an order to do so,” Sen. Moran, the Republican chair of the Senate Veterans Affairs Committee, said in remarks on the Senate floor.