Newsletter 09/07/2025
A daily news digest covering important war, political, economic, and cultural topics in Ukraine
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Ukraine’s air defenses neutralize 718 Russian aerial threats, including seven missiles
From 20:00 on Tuesday, July 8, Russia launched an attack on Ukraine using 741 aerial threats, including:
728 Shahed-type strike UAVs and various drone decoys launched from Bryansk, Primorsko-Akhtarsk, Kursk, Oryol, and Millerovo;
Seven Kh-101/Iskander-K cruise missiles launched from Engels in Saratov region and from Kursk region;
Six Kh-47M2 Kinzhal aeroballistic missiles launched from the airspace over Lipetsk region.
The main target of the attack was the city of Lutsk.
As of 8:30 on Wednesday, July 9, preliminary data indicate that 718 aerial threats were neutralized:
303 were shot down by firepower;
415 were lost from radar or suppressed via electronic warfare.
Of those,
296 UAVs were shot down, and 415 were suppressed/lost due to EW measures;
seven Kh-101/Iskander-K cruise missiles were shot down.
Hits were confirmed in four locations, and debris from intercepted targets fell in 14 locations.
Around 50 Russian drones, five missiles detected over Volyn region overnight
"Last night, the region came under a massive attack once again. Almost everything was directed at Lutsk," said the head of the Volyn Regional State Administration, Ivan Rudnytskyi.
He said that around 50 UAVs and five missiles were detected over the Volyn. Information on the strikes and their impact is still being clarified.
Fires are currently being extinguished at warehouse facilities of a local enterprise in Lutsk, as well as in a garage cooperative.
Zelensky urges partners to impose ‘biting sanctions’ on Russia after record attack on Ukraine
President Volodymyr Zelensky stated that during the latest large-scale assault on Ukraine, Russia launched a record number of aerial targets in a single day — 741. He called on international partners to introduce “painful sanctions” against the aggressor state.
Trump considering sending additional Patriot system to Ukraine – WSJ
U.S. President Donald Trump is considering providing an additional Patriot air defense system to Ukraine, following his recent pledge to strengthen Kyiv against Russian attacks.
Pope Leo XIV receives Zelensky at his residence
On Wednesday, July 9, Pope Leo XIV received Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky for a private audience at his residence in Castel Gandolfo.
"During a sincere conversation, the importance of dialogue was reaffirmed as the best way to bring an end to the hostilities. The Holy Father expressed his sorrow over the suffering caused by the war and renewed his prayers and closeness to the Ukrainian people, while supporting all efforts aimed at the release of prisoners and the search for shared solutions," the official communique said.
Zelensky: Proposal for leaders' meeting at Vatican remains open
"I'm grateful for the meeting and a very substantive conversation with Pope Leo XIV. We value all the support and every prayer for peace in Ukraine. The proposal to hold meetings at the level of leaders at the Vatican remains open and entirely possible, with the goal of stopping Russian aggression and achieving a stable, lasting, and genuine peace. At present, only Moscow continues to reject this proposal, as it has turned down all other peace initiatives. We will continue to strengthen global solidarity so that diplomacy can still succeed," President Volodymyr Zelensky said this in a post on Telegram.
He also expressed his gratitude to the Pope for supporting Ukrainian children, particularly those returned from Russian captivity.
Zelensky also spoke to Pope Leo XIV about the deep respect that Ukrainian society holds for Andrey Sheptytsky — his actions, including the rescue of Jews during the Second World War and his defense of the Christian faith.
Zelensky meets with Kellogg in Rome
President Volodymyr Zelensky has commenced a meeting in Rome with Keith Kellogg, the U.S. Special Presidential Envoy for Ukraine.
Keith Kellogg is part of the U.S. delegation attending the Ukraine Recovery Conference, which is set to take place in the Italian capital on July 10–11.
European Parliament condemns Russia's brutal attacks on Ukrainian civilians
The European Parliament has adopted a resolution strongly condemning Russia's ongoing war crimes in Ukraine and expressing firm support for the investigations by the International Criminal Court (ICC).
EU considering EUR 100B fund for Ukraine – Bloomberg
The European Union is considering setting up a EUR 100 billion ($117 billion) fund to support Ukraine as its war with Russia following Moscow's full-scale invasion shows no signs of ending.
War
Russia preparing to resume active assaults in Zaporizhzhia, Kherson regions – Voloshyn
Russian occupation forces in the Zaporizhzhia region are regrouping their troops and resources in preparation for renewed offensive operations along the Orikhiv, Huliaipole, and Prydniprovske axes.
Vladyslav Voloshyn, spokesperson for the Southern Defense Forces, said that fewer assaults were recorded in the area of responsibility over the past day compared to previous days.
"The enemy is currently conducting certain regrouping of forces and assets, moving assault personnel to forward positions, and carrying out engineering preparations for assaults — including mine-clearing of passage routes. They are also bringing in reserves and logistical support in preparation for renewed offensive actions in two sectors in the Zaporizhzhia region: Orikhiv and Huliaipole," Voloshyn said.
Ukraine returns seven more children from occupied territories
“As part of President Volodymyr Zelensky’s Bring Kids Back UA initiative, we managed to return seven more Ukrainian children from the temporarily occupied territories. They are between 6 and 17 years old. Their families lived under constant pressure from the occupation authorities — they were forced to obtain Russian documents, banned from speaking Ukrainian, threatened with loss of parental rights, and denied access to medical care and freedom of movement. Now the children and their families are finally safe,” announced on Telegram by theHead of the Office of the President of Ukraine, Andrii Yermak.
Child killed, five injured in Russian attacks on Kherson Region
Two injured as Russian drone strikes humanitarian aid vehicle in Donetsk region
Russian drone attack kills one-year-old boy in Kherson region
Damage reported as Russia attacks Zhytomyr region
Defense
Ukrainian forces use ground robots to seize enemy position, capture Russian soldiers
In a groundbreaking operation in the Kharkiv region, soldiers of the 3rd Separate Assault Brigade of the Armed Forces of Ukraine carried out a successful assault and captured Russian invaders without deploying infantry, relying solely on drones and ground robotic systems.
Enemy fortifications were initially targeted by FPV drones and kamikaze ground robots. As another robot approached a destroyed bunker, a Russian soldier surrendered to avoid detonation. The surviving invaders were then guided to Ukrainian lines by drones and taken prisoner according to protocol.
Von der Leyen: Ukraine’s defense industry impressive but operating at only 60% capacity
The speed, cost-effectiveness and smartness of Ukraine’s defense production are impressive, but the country’s defense industry is only operating at 60% of capacity, said European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen.
Politics
Lithuania urges immediate adoption of EU's 18th sanctions package following Russia's aerial assault
Lithuanian Foreign Minister Kestutis Budrys has called for the immediate adoption of the European Union's 18th sanctions package against Russia following a massive overnight aerial assault by the Kremlin on Ukraine.
Ex-NZ defense chief Ron Mark makes third visit to Ukraine to show support
Ron Mark, former New Zealand Minister of Defense, has arrived in Ukraine for the third time, continuing his personal mission to support the Ukrainian people amid Russia’s full-scale aggression — despite New Zealand government travel restrictions.
Economy
Ukraine’s Prime Minister: Ukraine will require over $40 billion in external financing in 2026
Despite exceeding budgetary targets and experiencing economic growth, Ukraine continues to require substantial international support, with projected external financing needs exceeding $40 billion in 2026.
“A key priority for the Ukraine Donor Platform remains ensuring our country’s financial resilience. We launched URC-2025 with the 14th meeting of the Platform’s Steering Committee,” noted Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal.
The Prime Minister recalled that at the end of June, the government submitted amendments to the state budget law, which included an increase in defense expenditures by nearly $10 billion. He said that this will enable Ukraine to counter enemy aggression more effectively.
Crime
Chinese nationals caught spying on Ukraine’s Neptune missile system for Beijing’s intelligence services
Ukrainian law enforcement has exposed and detained Chinese citizens who attempted to transfer classified documents on Ukraine’s Neptune missile system to Chinese intelligence services.
On June 26, a citizen of the People’s Republic of China was formally charged with espionage.
The suspect is a 24-year-old former student of a Kyiv university who remained in Ukraine after being expelled in 2023 due to poor academic performance. He attempted to recruit a Ukrainian citizen with access to classified weapons development for Ukraine’s defense forces.
The investigation — conducted by the Security Service of Ukraine (SSU) — found that the Chinese national had collected and planned to transfer classified documentation about the Neptune missile system to his father, who maintains close ties with Chinese security services and the General Staff of China.
The suspect was detained while attempting to pass the information, and is now in pre-trial custody.
The second suspect, his father, resides permanently in China but regularly visited Ukraine to personally oversee his son’s espionage activities. He reentered Ukraine on July 7 and visited the Chinese embassy in Kyiv the next day. On July 9, he was detained as part of the ongoing investigation. The prosecutor’s office plans to charge him with espionage and will request his pre-trial detention in court.