UNITED24 Media Telegram Highlights
John Kirby, the White House National Security Council's Coordinator for Strategic Communications, announced in an interview with MSNBC that the U.S. will provide new military aid packages to Ukraine in the coming days.
The Russian Ministry of Defense reported that Crimea was targeted by multiple unmanned boats and aircraft-type drones during a night attack.
Politico: Biden Administration 'Open' to Sending Long-Range F-16 Missiles to Ukraine
According to Politico, the White House is considering supplying Ukraine with air-to-surface missiles for F-16 jets. This discussion comes as Russian ground operations in the Kursk region continue into their second week.
At least 219 Ukrainian civilians were killed and 1,018 were injured in July, marking the highest civilian casualty count since October 2022, according to a report from the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights.
The Russian Ministry of Defense reported that Crimea was targeted by multiple unmanned boats and aircraft-type drones during a night attack.
Italian journalists have arrived in Sudzha, where the Armed Forces conducted a tour for them.
Budanov outlined the principles for negotiations on the release of prisoners: Ukraine will prioritize the return of the seriously ill, severely injured, and women. Special focus will also be given to those who have been held in captivity the longest.
🤺 Ukrainian fencer Olga Kharlan's saber was sold at a charity auction for 10 million hryvnias (approx. $230000). The proceeds will be used to purchase ShaBlya ("Saber" in Ukrainian) automated turrets for the Ukrainian army.
Former UK Defense Minister Ben Wallace stated that permission from Great Britain alone is not sufficient for Ukraine to use Storm Shadow missiles on Russian territory.
He explained that missile operations, including those involving Storm Shadow, often depend on a variety of external resources such as data, GPS, intelligence, and guidance systems. These resources may be shared among several countries, meaning that Ukraine cannot unilaterally use the missiles if other nations involved do not grant their consent. Wallace clarified that while one country might authorize the use, the cooperation of other countries is still necessary.
Russia to Push Anti-Ukrainian Politicians Ahead of US Elections, — Politico
Russia is expected to ramp up its online influence campaigns ahead of the upcoming US elections, according to a report by Meta. These efforts will likely focus on promoting Western politicians who oppose support for Ukraine.
... It includes amplifying the voices of politicians in countries like France and Canada, who argue that money being sent to Ukraine would be better spent domestically.
Ahead of the November US elections, where some Republican figures like J.D. Vance have questioned Washington's financial support for Ukraine, Meta believes Russian agents will leverage these internal debates for political gain. The campaigns are expected to emphasize topics such as the allocation of Western resources to Ukraine rather than focusing on any specific political party.
As Western tech companies, politicians, and civil society groups have become more adept at exposing these campaigns, Russian-linked groups have shifted tactics. Instead of creating controversial posts themselves, they now promote content created by local politicians and influencers. For example, during the Paris Olympics and far-right riots in the UK, Russian-affiliated accounts amplified voices that suggested Western democracy is failing.
Meta has shut down four underground Russian influence operations targeting social media users in Europe, the US, and countries like Azerbaijan and Mali. These campaigns primarily focused on criticizing Ukraine and questioning why the West continues to fund the war.
Additionally, with less than three months until the US election, Meta dismantled a domestic influence operation targeting "true conservatives" in key swing states like Pennsylvania and Michigan. Though the origin of this campaign remains unclear, it borrowed heavily from known Russian tactics, including using AI-generated fake social media accounts to spread political disinformation. [at least Meta is facing this and acknowledging it, instead of being pro-Russia like Musk's Twitter and his anti-Ukraine algorithm changes]
SLB Expands Operations in Russia Despite Sanctions and Western Competitors' Exit
Houston-based SLB (formerly Schlumberger), the world's largest oil services company, is expanding its operations in Russia, even as its Western competitors withdrew following Russia's invasion of Ukraine, according to The Financial Times.
Most of SLB’s imports—worth $13 million—came from China, with another $3 million from India. The company supplies equipment to major Russian oil companies, including Lukoil.
In 2023, the profit of SLB’s main Russian division rose by 527 million rubles to 27.3 billion rubles ($307 million), according to reports using Russian accounting standards.
Global Witness documents revealed that in December, SLB’s Russian business signed a contract with the All-Russian Research Geological Petroleum Institute (VNDGNI) to help develop oil and gas field models for future projects
Industry experts suggest that SLB's technology and expertise are crucial in helping Russian operators develop oil and gas projects with reduced costs and risks.