United 24 Media:
🇬🇧 The West must make a “50-day leap” in arming Ukraine — UK Defense Minister
At a meeting of the Ukraine Defense Contact Group, John Healy is expected to urge the West to ramp up military aid, The Telegraph reports. He will emphasize that Britain “will play its full role in achieving success to support Ukraine in its struggle.”
The U.S. has begun a 50-day countdown for Putin to agree to peace or face severe economic sanctions. “As members of the Ukraine Defense Contact Group, we must, in turn, make a ‘50-day leap’ to arm Ukraine on the battlefield and force Putin to the negotiating table,” Healy’s draft statement reads.
🔹 The Rammstein meeting has started in Kyiv, with 52 countries taking part, — Radio Liberty reports.
Talks are being held at the level of defense ministers or their deputies. The U.S. is represented by NATO Ambassador Matthew Whitaker. Pete Hegseth, as expected, did not attend.
The meeting was convened and is being co-chaired by the UK and Germany. Ukraine is represented by newly appointed Defense Minister Denys Shmyhal and National Security and Defense Council Secretary Rustem Umerov.
The first statements have already been made:
British Defense Secretary Gilley confirmed support for Trump’s proposed large-scale NATO arms supply plan for Ukraine. He noted that the UK has already allocated over £4.5 billion this year, including nearly 50,000 drones and new air defense systems in cooperation with Germany.
🔸 Ukraine has invested over $20 billion in its defense industry over the past two years, said National Security and Defense Council Secretary Rustem Umerov during the Ramstein meeting.
“Thanks to the Danish model, our partners have, for the first time, invested directly in Ukrainian defense companies—over $4 billion. Together with our allies, we’ve already launched more than 20 joint projects. Many others are underway and will soon deliver results,” Umerov noted.
🔹 As mentioned by Mb76: Gergiev’s “Putin’s Friend” Concert in Caserta Cancelled — ANSA
The Regia di Caserta Palace has cancelled a concert by Russian conductor Valery Gergiev, a close associate of Vladimir Putin, that was set for July 27 as part of the Un’Estate da Re festival.
The planned event triggered strong backlash from Italy’s central government, Russian dissidents, and Ukrainian groups. Gergiev, 72, invited by the Campania regional government, has never condemned Russia’s war against Ukraine.
His performance at the historic palace near Naples would have marked the end of his unofficial ban from European stages following the 2022 invasion.
🔸 The U.S. has deployed tactical nuclear weapons to the UK for the first time since 2008, according to the UK Defence Journal.
Several B61-12 thermonuclear bombs have been delivered to the Lakenheath military base.
🔹 Since March, the UK has supplied Ukraine with nearly 50,000 drones, UK Defence Secretary John Healy said at the Ramstein meeting.
He noted that Britain has provided over £4.5 billion in military aid to Ukraine this year—its highest ever. The UK continues to deliver on this commitment, including £700 million in artillery shells, long-range missiles, and air defense systems, with £150 million allocated in the past two months alone.
“In terms of air defense, Boris [Pistorius] and I have agreed to jointly supply Ukraine with critically needed anti-aircraft missiles,” Healy added.
🔸 The oldest civilian prisoner from Enerhodar, Oleksandr Markov, has died in Russia.
In March 2025, his family learned that an occupation court had sentenced him to 14 years in a maximum-security colony on charges of “high treason,” followed by one year of restricted freedom.
He died on June 26, 2025, during a transfer. The circumstances and exact cause of death remain unknown.
🔹 Russian forces shelled Kherson’s oldest church, destroying wooden cells by fire.
On July 19, the Greek-Sophia Church in Kherson came under Russian shelling, suffering severe damage. The wooden cells burned down, the roof was destroyed, windows shattered, and the walls were scorched.
The church, over 450 years old and built in the basilica style, is a key part of Kherson’s cultural heritage.
🔸 U.S. Treasury Secretary Bessent has urged European countries to join potential U.S. tariffs against Russia.
“I call on our European allies—who have previously voiced strong intentions—to follow our lead if we impose these secondary tariffs,” he said.
🔹 Germany and the U.S. may soon finalize a deal to supply Ukraine with two Patriot batteries, — Bloomberg reports.
Under the agreement, Berlin would send two Patriot systems to Kyiv, while the U.S. would replenish Germany’s stock from its own reserves.
Bloomberg sources say the deal could be officially announced this week.
Earlier, German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius stated that Berlin and Washington had agreed to provide Ukraine with five Patriot systems in total.
🔸 Ukraine will hold preliminary talks on multiple citizenship with countries where large Ukrainian communities live, President Zelenskyy said.
Priority will be given to Germany, Poland, the Czech Republic, and the Baltic states.
Talks are also planned with Canada and other countries that provide strong support to Ukraine.
🔹 Russia has sharply increased its espionage activity in Germany, according to the German military counterintelligence service (MAD), as reported by Deutsche Welle.
The agency has recorded a significant rise in attempts at espionage and sabotage by Russian intelligence services.
“We are seeing a sharp increase in espionage and hybrid operations. The actions have become more aggressive,” said MAD President Martina Rosenberg.
She noted that Russian intelligence is operating based on Cold War tactics. Alarming incidents include surveillance of military sites and critical infrastructure, sabotage of supply routes, cyberattacks, and the use of high-tech, jamming-resistant drones. Targeted disinformation is also frequently employed.
According to dpa, the number of suspicious cases has nearly doubled over the past year. Russian agents are increasingly entering Germany via third countries. At particular risk of recruitment are individuals of Russian descent, recent immigrants, dual citizens, and those with ties to Russia. Many are recruited during trips to Russia or its allied states.
🔸 Slovakia plans to increase its purchases of Russian gas, taking advantage of an EU exemption, — Bloomberg reports.
The state-owned energy company Slovenský plynárenský priemysel (SPP) aims to meet up to 100% of its gas needs from Russia by 2025, despite the EU’s upcoming ban on spot purchases, which takes effect in January.
The ban will free up pipeline capacity for Gazprom’s remaining long-term clients, including Slovakia and Hungary, which have been granted a transition period.
Although all EU countries have committed to phasing out Russian energy by the end of 2027, Bratislava and Budapest will be allowed to maintain long-term contracts with Gazprom.
“Russian gas is the most cost-effective for us, which is why we prioritize it. We can buy 100% of the volume—around 8 million cubic meters per day,” said Michal Lalik, SPP’s trading director.
🔹 The Russian-linked company that once supplied components for the F-35 will now help Ukraine develop a “smart” weapon against drones, — Defense Express reports.
Terma will provide sensor technologies and situational awareness systems, while Ukrainian company Odd Systems will contribute its own combat platforms, including the Gorska-12 FPV interceptors.
This is not just a standalone device but an integrated system designed to detect and eliminate targets. It will be capable of identifying, tracking, and destroying drones—from Mavic models to larger reconnaissance and strike UAVs.
🔸 Germany is calling for women and pensioners to be trained as truck drivers in case of war with Russia, — Bild reports.
Amid growing concerns about a potential conflict, Germany faces a severe shortage of truck drivers. The country is currently lacking around 100,000 drivers, and in wartime, the deficit could rise to 400,000, warned Dirk Engelhardt, head of the drivers' union.
He proposed urgently recruiting women and pensioners. For women, he suggested ensuring safe parking and equipping trucks with showers, toilets, and kitchens.
For pensioners, Engelhardt called for scrapping the rule requiring qualification renewal every five years, arguing that it imposes unnecessary costs despite their extensive experience.