Newsletter 13/07/2026
Ukraine and 9 European nations launch Anti-Ballistic Coalition. Unmanned Systems Forces strike 15 more vessels of Russia’s shadow fleet. Ukraine’s USF strike Kuban-Crimea power link, nine substations.
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Ukraine and nine European nations launch Anti-Ballistic Coalition
Ukraine and nine European countries have announced the creation of an Integrated Anti-Ballistic Missile Coalition.
The founding members of the Coalition are Denmark, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Norway, Spain, Sweden, Ukraine, and the United Kingdom.
The declaration emphasizes that the new structure will be strictly defensive in nature and will focus on developing an integrated missile defense system to deter and defeat future ballistic threats to Europe.
The participating countries plan to combine industrial capabilities, scientific expertise, and operational experience to develop joint missile defense capabilities and support related research and industrial projects.
The declaration’s signatories separately highlighted Ukraine’s unique experience, “ gained in defense against Russia’s war of aggression
At the level of heads of state and government, the meeting was attended by representatives of France, Ukraine, Denmark, Spain, Sweden, Norway, and the Netherlands.
The European Union was represented by European Council President António Costa and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, while NATO was represented by Secretary General Mark Rutte.
Leading European and Ukrainian defense companies specializing in air and missile defense also took part in the discussions, including MBDA, Thales, Safran, Leonardo, Saab, Diehl Defence, Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace, Hensoldt, Eurosam, as well as Ukrainian companies Destinus and Fire Point.
Coalition members agreed to develop common operational requirements, establish technical working groups and project management mechanisms, and prepare a roadmap toward achieving the first operational capabilities of the new system.
Zelensky: FREYJA anti-ballistic system could be operational within year
The growing threat posed by ballistic missiles already exceeds existing defensive capabilities, prompting Ukraine and its European partners to work on a joint anti-ballistic defense system, FREYJA, which could become operational within a year.
Battalion commander: Sooner or later, weapon capable of neutralizing all electronic systems to appear
The introduction of a weapon capable of neutralizing all electronic systems into the Ukrainian Armed Forces will make the use of drones impossible and force troops to return to tactics involving intense small-arms firefights.
Unmanned Systems Forces strike 15 more vessels of Russia’s shadow fleet
On the night of July 13, the Unmanned Systems Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine struck 15 vessels of Russia’s shadow fleet.
On the night of July 13, the Unmanned Systems Forces struck 15 vessels of the Russian shadow fleet. These include seven tankers, five dry cargo ships, one ferry, and two tugboats.
In total, between July 6 and 13, effective strikes were carried out against 105 vessels.
According to Brovdi, on July 12–13, in the temporarily occupied Crimea and other Russian-occupied territories of Ukraine, nine power substations of various capacities were struck, as well as the “Crimea” strategic power transmission point of the Kuban–Crimea power bridge from Russia, for the second time in 48 hours.
Strikes were also carried out against four air defense elements. An S-400 Triumph surface-to-air missile system, a Tor air defense system, and two radar complexes were destroyed.
Zelensky: Today, Russians “vanquish” buses, residential buildings, and hospital
Amid Russian shelling, President Volodymyr Zelensky announced meetings and negotiations aimed at strengthening Ukraine’s defenses.
“Today, the Russians once again ‘vanquished’ purely civilian sites – ordinary passenger buses in Odesa, ordinary apartment buildings in Zaporizhzhia, and an ordinary hospital in the Kharkiv region. Every single day of this war that Russia is waging against life only proves that supporting Ukraine is the right thing to do from every perspective – defense, political, and simply human,” Zelensky emphasized.
He emphasized the need to strengthen Ukraine’s air defense to protect lives.
“And everyone around the world sees it. They see that Ukraine needs more air defense, more protection for people’s lives, and that the Russian authorities have gone insane over this war and are completely irrational in refusing to end it,” the president stated.
The president stressed that pressure on Russia must yield results.
“New sanctions against the aggressor, new support packages for Ukraine, new projects – like our European anti-ballistic initiative, FREYJA – all of this must work. Thank you to everyone who is helping. In the near future, there will be meetings and negotiations that must strengthen our defenses,” Zelensky said.
War
Ukraine’s most combat-capable units with offensive experience to form new rapid reaction joint forces – General Staff
Ukraine’s Joint Rapid Reaction Forces (JRRF) are being established to respond swiftly to emerging threats, and will be composed of the country’s most combat-capable units with proven offensive experience.
Ukrainian Defense Forces strike Russian Nebo-U radar station and S-400 SAM system in Crimea
On the night of July 13, units of the Ukrainian Defense Forces struck a Nebo-U radar station and an S-400 surface-to-air missile system belonging to the Russians in Crimea.
Defense Forces showcase new strikes on Russian military equipment as part of “Logistical Lockdown”
The Ukrainian Defense Forces have shown how they continue to destroy Russian military equipment as part of the “logistical lockdown.”
Ukraine’s USF strike Kuban-Crimea power link, nine substations in occupied territories
Ukraine’s Unmanned Systems Forces (USF) struck nine electrical substations, a strategic electricity transfer point of the Kuban-Crimea power bridge, a gas pumping station, and five air defense systems in Russian-occupied territories on July 12–13.
In particular, the following targets were hit in temporarily occupied Crimea:
the electricity transfer point of the Kuban-Crimea power bridge in Hlazivka;
the 110 kV Kovylnе substation and the 110 kV Zymyne substation in the settlements of the same names;
the 330 kV Zoria substation in Afyny;
the 220 kV Komysh-Burun substation, an S-400 Triumf surface-to-air missile system launcher, and a Nebo-U radar station in Kerch;
a Pantsir-S1 air defense system in Osovyny;
a Nebo-U radar station in Melek-Chesme.
Air Defense Forces shoot down three Russian guided bombs and 123 drones
War update: 257 clashes on front lines; fiercest battles in Pokrovsk sector
Shellings
Two people killed and 11 wounded in Zaporizhzhia due to Russian nighttime attack
In Zaporizhzhia, the bodies of two victims were recovered from the rubble of a building destroyed by a Russian drone; the number of people wounded in the nighttime attack has reached eleven.
Death toll rises to five after Russian drone strike on vessel in Odesa, 10 injured
The bodies of two more sailors were discovered while firefighters were extinguishing a blaze on a vessel attacked by Russian forces in Odesa earlier on Monday.
Injury toll in Russian attack on Zaporizhzhia rises to seven, including child
Russian attack on Kherson hits gas station and school, leaving one dead, several injured
Russian attacks wound 18 people in Kherson region over past 24 hours
Economy
UK to join EU’s €90B Ukraine Support Loan
The United Kingdom has agreed to contribute to the European Union’s loan program supporting Ukraine in 2026–2027, with its contribution corresponding to the value of contracts signed with UK defence manufacturers.
Security
Zelensky: Ten detained, including ex-commander of 155th Brigade in Kalynivka double murder case
Ten people have been detained in connection with the murders of two residents of the village of Kalynivka in the Kyiv region, including the former commander of Ukraine’s 155th Separate Mechanized Brigade.
Society
Exhumation work in former villages of Ostrivky and Volia Ostrovetska in Volyn region to take place at three locations
Starting tomorrow, July 14, exhumation work will begin at three locations in the former villages of Ostrivky and Volia Ostrovetska in the Volyn region.
ECHR to hold hearing in September on disappearance of children from Crimean care institutions in 2014
The European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) will hold a hearing on September 22 in a case concerning ten Ukrainian children from childcare institutions in Crimea whose whereabouts have been unknown since 2014.
Thank you for bringing us the news to people throughout the world. I live in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. I subscribe to the Kyiv Independent. As you probably know, we have a lot of people here who are of a Ukrainian descent. In the early 1900s our head of immigration Sir Victor Sifton, if I remember correctly went to Europe and asked for men in sheepskin clothing to come to Canada with stout women to build up Western Canada. They did and were the hard working people that built Western Canadian far. Ukrainians are very valued citizens of Canada. Slava Ukraine.