Newsletter 22/07/2025
A daily news digest covering important war, political, economic, and cultural topics in Ukraine
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Verkhovna Rada passes controversial law reducing NABU and SAP powers
The Verkhovna Rada passed in the second reading a law on the specifics of pre-trial investigation of criminal offenses related to the disappearance of persons under special circumstances in conditions of martial law, which, according to people's deputies, “effectively liquidates NABU and SAP.”
The legislative initiative was supported by 263 votes of members of parliament.
246 parliamentarians supported the urgent signing of the legislative initiative.
Stefanchuk signs law curtailing NABU and SAPO powers
Verkhovna Rada Chairman Ruslan Stefanchuk has signed a law concerning the specifics of pre-trial investigations into criminal offenses related to the disappearance of persons under exceptional circumstances during martial law.
EU concerned over Ukraine's actions toward anti-corruption institutions – European Commission
The European Union has expressed concern over Ukraine's recent steps affecting the independence of its key anti-corruption bodies, the National Anti-Corruption Bureau (NABU) and the Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor's Office (SAPO), according to European Commission Spokesperson Guillaume Mercier.
European Commission: Dismantling key guarantees of NABU's independence serious step back
The European Commission has expressed serious concern over the decision by the Verkhovna Rada (Ukrainian Parliament) to eliminate safeguards protecting the independence of the National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine (NABU) and the Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor’s Office (SAPO).
Protests are taking place in Kyiv, Dnipro, Odessa, and Lviv against the adopted law on NABU and SAP.
Odesa attacked by Russian drones overnight, civilian injured
Overnight on July 22, Russian forces attacked Odesa with strike drones, causing fires and damage. One person has been reported injured.
Fire station, dormitory damaged in Odesa overnight drone attack
Petrochemical giant producing components for explosives hit in Russia’s Samara region
In Russia’s Samara region, the Novokuibyshevsk Petrochemical Company, one of the country's largest gas processing and petrochemical plants, was attacked.
The facility produces raw materials used in explosives: benzene, phenol, acetone, alpha-methylstyrene, synthetic ethyl alcohol, and para-tert-butylphenol. These components are used in the production of TNT, RDX, tetryl, and other types of explosives. They are specifically used to equip artillery shells, aerial bombs, cluster munitions, and missiles.
Russia attempting breakthrough between Pokrovsk and Kostiantynivka, Ukraine holding line
On the eastern front, Russian occupation forces are trying to push through to the area between the towns of Pokrovsk and Kostiantynivka to gain operational space for further offensive actions. However, Ukraine’s Defense Forces are successfully holding them back.
“The enemy marked Pokrovsk as one of its key objectives as far back as last year and made a major effort to reach it this winter. That effort ended badly for them. Now, during this summer campaign, they’ve amassed significant forces — over 10,000 personnel and a large amount of equipment — with the goal of gaining operational space between Pokrovsk and Kostiantynivka to launch further aggressive actions,” explained Viktor Trehubov, Spokesperson for the Khortytsia Operational strategic Group of Troops.
He added that Russian forces are trying to advance from the east of Myrnohrad, near Pokrovsk, but pressure is also coming from other directions.
“The Armed Forces of Ukraine are doing everything to eliminate as many enemy troops as possible there — to bleed out the large corps the Russians have gathered and prevent them from continuing their aggressive operations,” Trehubov emphasized.
War
Zelensky announces next stages of prisoner exchange
"I have heard reports on the stages of prisoner exchanges that have been carried out and those that are being prepared. We expect several stages of exchanges to be carried out in accordance with the agreements reached at the second meeting in Istanbul, and we are continuing our other activities to secure the release of our people, both military and civilian. This work is being coordinated by the Secretary of the National Security and Defense Council of Ukraine, with all the necessary forces and institutions involved," said President Volodymyr Zelensky.
He noted that during the spring and summer of this year, it was possible to significantly intensify the exchanges.
"Among those freed from captivity are people who were classified as missing, as well as people who had been held in Russian prisons and camps since the start of the full-scale war. That is why our team is checking the information on each surname. We are looking for all of our people. Separately, today we reported on measures to rehabilitate those returned from captivity, as well as the work being done to investigate crimes against Ukrainian prisoners,“ the head of state said, adding that it is necessary to ”restore justice, and for this we are working at all levels — legal, political, and special operations.»
Russians drop bomb on Kramatorsk: child killed, five others injured
Russian forces struck the town of Kramatorsk in Donetsk region overnight with a guided aerial bomb, the impact hit a multi-story residential building, causing a fire.
Russia bombs residential areas in Sloviansk early morning, four civilians injured
Russian double strike on Sumy region leaves 24 injured
Russian army kills three, injures 12 civilians in Donetsk region over past day
Russians attack Sumy community with drones, damage civilian infrastructure
Ukrainian forces regroup on flanks, maintain fire control over Kamianske – military spox
Ukrainian forces continue a mobile defensive operation near the village of Kamianske in the Zaporizhzhia sector, where the situation remains dynamic.
SBU uncovers Luhansk entrepreneur supplying equipment to Russian scientific center
The Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) has charged the head of a Luhansk-based enterprise with collaboration for supplying specialized equipment to a scientific center in Russia.
"The individual in question is the head of the 'Donets Central Design Bureau for Mechanical Engineering' of the so-called 'LPR', who collaborates with the Kola Science Center of the Russian Academy of Sciences," the statement reads.
According to investigators, the 53-year-old native of Luhansk supported the Russian invasion and continued working in a senior role at the design bureau under occupation authorities.
It has been established that he signed multimillion-ruble contracts with the Russian scientific center to supply specialized equipment used for growing synthetic crystals.
The enterprise not only provides paid services to the aggressor state and helps fund the "LPR" occupation budget, but also contributes to the advancement of Russian science.
Ukraine’s air defenses down 33 out of 42 Russian drones overnight
Frontline sees 75 battles since morning, fiercest fighting in Pokrovsk sector
Russian forces sustain 1,090 casualties in Ukraine over past 24 hours
Russia strikes Ukrainian gas infrastructure overnight, causing damage
Blackouts, infrastructure damage reported in Sumy region following Russian strike
Defense
Ukrainian fiber-optic drones reach strike range of over 40 kilometers – Fedorov
Ukrainian developers have created fiber-optic drones capable of striking enemy targets at distances of over 40 kilometers.
"Three months ago, we were testing fiber-optic drones with a range of up to 20 km. Today, these systems are already capable of hitting enemy targets at distances beyond 40 km," said Mykhailo Fedorov, First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Digital Transformation of Ukraine.
He explained that fiber-optic FPV drones offer a critical advantage in situations where traditional solutions fail. In electronic warfare conditions, they remain connected because the signal is transmitted via cable — a channel that cannot be jammed or intercepted.
Ukrainian, Romanian defense ministers discuss joint defense production development
Ukrainian Defense Minister Denys Shmyhal and Romania's Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Defense Liviu-Ionuț Moșteanu discussed the current state of and prospects for bilateral defense cooperation, including the development of joint production facilities.
Politics
Putin wants to continue war, EU Commissioner Kubilius says
Russian leader Vladimir Putin may believe he’s winning the war under current conditions, which is why he shows no interest in ending hostilities.
Economy
Ukraine strengthens logistics ties with Azerbaijan – Ambassador Husyev
Ferry connections between Ukraine and the South Caucasus are gradually being restored, enhancing the capacity of the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route.