Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky submitted draft laws to the Verkhovna Rada to extend martial law and general mobilization for another 90 days, until October 31, 2026. The current extension was set to expire on August 2, 2026. The texts of the bills approving the presidential decrees have not yet been published on the parliament's website. Martial law and general mobilization have been in effect since February 24, 2022, reflecting the ongoing state of war with Russia.

Background: Ukrainian President Zelensky has been urging European partners to strengthen air defenses amid a global shortage of anti-ballistic systems. In a new statement, Zelensky said that sufficient anti-ballistic capabilities are essential to ending Russia's war, as they would remove Putin's last argument. He thanked France for hosting the first meeting of the European Anti-Ballistic Coalition and highlighted the FREYJA joint system as a supplement to existing defenses.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has offered the position of Prime Minister to Naftogaz CEO Serhii Koretskyi, who accepted. The move is part of a broader government reshuffle, with current Prime Minister Yuliia Svyrydenko stepping down. Svyrydenko was considered one of the few uncorrupt officials in Zelenskyy's team. The reshuffle was kept secret even from close presidential aides, surprising the political establishment. Zelenskyy outlined priorities for the new government, including winter preparation, energy infrastructure protection, economic stabilization, and international aid management. Other candidates considered include Denys Shmyhal, Defence Minister Mykhailo Fedorov, and Kharkiv Mayor Ihor Terekhov, who declined the offer. The reshuffle aims to strengthen government autonomy and operational efficiency amid ongoing war and energy challenges, and comes amid Kyiv's mounting frustration that Western weapons pledges turn into deliveries far slower than Russia's missiles keep arriving. The President also promised changes among the heads of law enforcement agencies.

Ukraine's General Staff announced the creation of a new Joint Rapid Reaction Forces (JRRF) branch within the Ground Forces, composed of the most combat-capable units with offensive experience. The JRRF will be tasked with rapid response, offensive operations, and stabilizing critical front-line sectors, integrating assault troops, unmanned systems, artillery, and ground robotics under a unified command led by Hero of Ukraine Dmytro Voloshyn. This restructuring aims to enhance Ukraine's offensive potential and operational flexibility amid the ongoing war with Russia.

On July 13, 2026, Ukraine launched drone strikes targeting Russia's Moscow, Belgorod, and Stavropol regions, killing at least four people and wounding seven. In the Moscow region, three people were killed and three wounded in the settlement of Pionersky, with two additional wounded elsewhere. Russian air defenses shot down 81 drones over the Moscow region. In Belgorod, a woman was killed in Berezovka and two men wounded in Krinichnoye. In Stavropol, drones sparked a fire in an industrial zone in Vyazniki, with no casualties reported. The attacks come as Ukraine escalates retaliation for Russian barrages, and as allies meet in Paris to pressure Russia to end the war.

Background: An analysis warned that Europe must urgently scale up drone production to counter Russia's massive drone arsenal. Today, Italian Defense Minister Guido Crosetto proposed a continental defense architecture extending beyond EU borders to include Ukraine, Britain, Norway, Switzerland, Moldova, the Western Balkans, and Türkiye. He argued that European governments must shorten capability development timelines due to the rapidly changing security environment and prepare for a gradual US military drawdown from Europe. The proposal follows a NATO summit in Ankara that pledged €140 billion in military aid to Ukraine for 2026-2027. Crosetto cited an Italian Defense Ministry strategic document prioritizing satellite communications, undersea infrastructure protection, cybersecurity, and countering hybrid warfare. The article notes that Ukraine produced 4 million drones in 2025, exceeding all NATO members combined, and has signed drone agreements with Estonia, the Netherlands, and Denmark.

On July 11, 2026, Russia launched a combined attack of Iskander ballistic missiles, cruise missiles, and 121 drones against Kyiv, hitting four districts. At least 10 people were injured, including an 11-year-old boy, with four hospitalized. Ukrainian air defenses intercepted most projectiles, but the attack underscores an intensifying Russian campaign against the capital following a deadly strike on 8 July.

Background: The International Olympic Committee (IOC) provisionally lifted the suspension of the Russian Olympic Committee, allowing Russian athletes to compete in Olympic qualifying events and the 2028 Los Angeles Games under strict conditions, though the use of the Russian flag, colors, and anthem remains undecided. Today: The IOC voted to provisionally lift the 2023 suspension of the Russian Olympic Committee, which was imposed for incorporating sports organizations from occupied Ukrainian territory. The decision was announced as Russian missile strikes killed dozens of Ukrainians and destroyed over 800 sports facilities, including 20 Olympic training centers. IOC President Kirsty Coventry stated the move was to ensure all athletes could compete, but critics argue it undermines the Olympic Charter's principles of peace and human dignity. Ukrainian officials noted that 660 Ukrainian athletes and coaches have been killed since the full-scale invasion began.

Russian-installed authorities in occupied Crimea and Sevastopol declared a regional state of emergency on June 26, 2026, due to fuel shortages and power outages from Ukrainian strikes. Now, Russian President Vladimir Putin has announced that Russia is developing a new fuel supply system for Crimea that he claims will be 'very difficult for the enemy to reach'. The statement was made during the All for Victory! forum, where Putin inspected an exhibition of new developments for Russian troops. This comes as Ukrainian strikes on the Kuban-Crimea energy bridge and 11 energy nodes on 12-13 July 2026 have worsened the energy crisis, and a fuel crisis has spread to mainland Russia following attacks on oil refineries.

In a joint statement after the EU Foreign Affairs Council, the European Union and Ukraine condemned Russia's systematic violations of international humanitarian law, including arbitrary detention, torture, enforced disappearances, and unlawful deportation of Ukrainian civilians. They called for the immediate and unconditional return of all detainees, including children, and demanded ICRC access to all detention sites. The statement also reaffirmed commitment to establishing a Special Tribunal for the Crime of Aggression and an International Claims Commission for Ukraine.

Background: Russia has been using Japan as a base for technology procurement and espionage in its war against Ukraine, with Russian spies operating under diplomatic cover in Tokyo. A New York Times investigation reveals that the GRU's 20th Directorate runs the operation, with key figure Maksim Vladimirovich Filchenkov, a 49-year-old GRU veteran who arrived in Tokyo in February 2024 under Aeroflot cover. The network uses logistics companies like Proco Air to route sensitive goods through third countries. Ukraine reports Japanese parts in 90% of Russian missiles and drones. Ukraine's presidential sanctions commissioner Vladyslav Vlasiuk has named 13 Japanese companies whose products were found in Russian weapons, and Kyiv is pressing Tokyo to tighten export controls on dual-use goods.

Background: Ukrainian drone strikes in May 2026 forced six major Russian refineries to halt operations, including Syzran, which was hit on May 21. On July 12, a Ukrainian drone strike caused extensive damage to the Syzran Oil Refinery in Samara region. Satellite imagery analyzed by OSINT analysts confirms severe damage to the ELOU-AVT-5 and ELOU-AVT-6 primary refining units, which provide 30% and 70% of the plant's total primary processing capacity, respectively. The attack also damaged the LCh-35/11-600 catalytic reforming unit and the PGI-DIG/280 low-temperature isomerisation unit, and caused an oil spill near a damaged rack. Three repair cranes were observed near the impact site.

The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine reported 70 combat engagements as of 16:00 on July 13, 2026, with the most intense fighting in the Pokrovsk sector (21 attacks) and Sloviansk sector (17 attacks). Russian forces shelled border areas in Sumy and Chernihiv regions and conducted airstrikes in Sumy region. Ukrainian forces repelled most attacks, with ongoing engagements in the Southern Slobozhanshchyna, Lyman, Oleksandrivka, and Pokrovsk sectors. No significant changes were reported in other sectors.

On the night of July 12-13, Russia launched 134 Shahed-type drones and decoys, along with three Kh-59/69 guided missiles, targeting northern, southern, and eastern Ukraine. Ukrainian air defense forces intercepted 123 drones and all three missiles. Six drones struck five locations, and debris caused damage in four areas. A second strike hit Odesa, damaging a transport company and injuring three people.

Ukraine's Ministry of Defence has approved 413 unmanned aerial systems (UAS) for use by its defence forces since the beginning of 2026, surpassing the totals for both 2025 and 2024. Almost all are domestically produced. The codified systems include reconnaissance drones, loitering munitions, FPV drones, bomber UAS, interceptors, relay drones, fiber-optic systems, and front-strike and deep-strike drones. Multirotor strike drones and fiber-optic UAS account for the largest share. This milestone reflects Ukraine's rapid scaling of drone production and integration into military operations.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has publicly commented on the abduction and murder of two civilian brothers, Maksym and Roman Moseychuk, in the village of Kalynivka, Kyiv region. Ten suspects have been detained, including former 155th Separate Mechanized Brigade commander Stanislav Luchanov, who is charged with kidnapping and murder. The crime, possibly motivated by a dispute over motorcycle noise, has sparked public outrage and raised concerns about accountability within the military. Zelensky stated that all responsible, including military personnel, will face justice.

A Russian strike on a bus depot in Odesa destroyed 15 buses, damaged 11 additional buses and six passenger cars, and injured two drivers, one seriously. The attack also damaged a sanatorium building and a civilian cargo vessel unloading fertilizer at the port. The resulting fire forced the cancellation of some intercity and international bus services. Subsequent reports updated the casualty count to four injured: two at the depot and two at the health resort. Six buses caught fire, and the health resort building was also hit. Oleh Kiper reported the incident on Telegram, noting that all relevant services are working at the sites.

Ukrainian investigators suspect former 155th Separate Mechanized Brigade commander Stanislav Luchanov of ordering the abduction and murder of two civilian brothers, Maksym and Roman Moseichuk, in Kyiv Oblast in late June 2026. The brothers were taken from their home in Kalynivka, driven to Poltava or Dnipropetrovsk Oblast, and killed. Nine soldiers have been detained, and Luchanov was arrested in Kyiv on 13 July after going absent without leave. The case tests Ukraine's promise of accountability regardless of rank, following a recent scandal involving non-combat deaths at the 425th Separate Assault Regiment Skelia.

Background: Russia has deployed additional Pantsir air defense systems near the Kerch Bridge and other strategic sites, while Ukraine has struck oil facilities and air defense targets in Crimea and Russia. On July 13, satellite imagery detected fires near a Russian Pantsir-S1 air defense system deployment site in Kerch, Crimea. Explosions and gunfire were heard overnight. Two fires also broke out on the highway from the Crimean side of the Chonhar Bridge, likely involving fuel tankers and trucks. In Sevastopol, a strike possibly hit near a railway bridge, and a fire at sea was reported in the Kerch Strait near an unidentified vessel. Ukrainian drones struck more than 360 Russian fuel tankers and trucks en route to Crimea over the course of a week.

According to a New York Times report, Russia has been using Japan as a base for technology procurement and espionage in its war against Ukraine. Russian spies, expelled from Western countries, have relocated to Japan, exploiting weak espionage laws and the high-tech industry. Ukrainian estimates indicate 90% of Russian missiles and drones contain Japanese parts. A Russian military intelligence unit, the 20th Directorate, operates in Tokyo under diplomatic cover. Separately, US senators announced agreement with the White House on a Russia sanctions bill.

On July 13, Russian shelling targeted civilian energy infrastructure in Kharkiv, Sumy, and Zaporizhzhia regions, causing new power outages. Emergency repairs are underway where security permits. Adverse weather also caused outages in 29 settlements in Sumy and Chernihiv regions. Electricity consumption dropped 2.4% due to cooler temperatures. Ukrenergo urged consumers to shift usage to peak solar hours (11:00-15:00). No scheduled rolling blackouts are planned for July 13.

Polish Defence Minister Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz stated on 13 July that all young Ukrainians fit for military service should be in Ukraine defending against Russian aggression, criticizing those who remain abroad. He also condemned far-right anti-Ukrainian rhetoric in Poland. The EU is considering extending temporary protection for Ukrainian refugees until 2028, with an exception for those evading military service.

Lithuanian Foreign Minister Kęstutis Budrys called on EU member states to ramp up energy assistance to Ukraine before winter, as Russia continues to target Ukraine's critical infrastructure. Speaking at the EU Foreign Affairs Council in Brussels, he emphasized that providing transformers, power generators, and other equipment is a collective duty. Lithuania is already contributing. The appeal highlights the urgency of protecting Ukraine's energy grid amid ongoing attacks. Separately, Lithuania urged EU states not to host sporting events involving Russian and Belarusian athletes.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is reportedly considering removing Mykhailo Fedorov as Defence Minister and offering the post to Interior Minister Ihor Klymenko, according to government sources. Fedorov declined an offer to become Prime Minister. The potential reshuffle reflects ongoing government changes amid the war, with no final decision yet on the next prime minister.

Ukraine's Brave1 defense innovation cluster announced 53 new technological priorities with grants from $12,000 to $192,000, including exoskeletons to help infantry carry heavy loads in drone-threatened areas, anti-dugout munitions to defeat reinforced Russian field shelters, and future competitions for humanoid robots, laser air defense, and anti-glide bomb systems. Brave1 has processed over $235 million in procurement and registered 3,600 developments since its inception.

Background: Russia has been renegotiating its military basing rights in Syria after the fall of Bashar al-Assad, with recent satellite imagery showing the cargo ship SPARTA delivering military equipment to Tartus under naval escort. Today: Russia is now developing a commercial logistics hub at the same Tartus naval base to export grain and other cargo, aiming to sustain economic ties and fund its war in Ukraine. The plan involves a regular shipping line from Novorossiysk to Tartus, with goods distributed to Iraq, Jordan, and Gulf states. Syrian port authorities deny the project exists. The hub would leverage grain grown in occupied Ukrainian territory and Russian oil, extending Moscow's economic influence in the region despite losing its key ally Bashar al-Assad.

On July 13, 2026, Russian forces used a drone to attack a petrol station in the Dniprovskyi district of Kherson, injuring three employees: two men aged 44 and 32, and a 45-year-old woman. All three sustained blast injuries and barotrauma and received outpatient treatment. The attack is part of ongoing Russian strikes on civilian infrastructure in the Kherson region. Separately, a woman was killed in a Russian airstrike on Kherson the same day.

Background: Researchers in Odesa Oblast previously documented 22 dead cetaceans in a single day, attributing the mass die-off to Russia's war. Today: Ukrainian marine biologist Ivan Rusev estimates that more than 100,000 dolphins have died in the Black Sea since the full-scale invasion, with 20,000 deaths in the first half of 2026 alone. Causes include underwater explosions, naval sonar, mines, chemical pollution, and stress. Roughly 95% of carcasses sink before reaching shore, so documented tolls are a fraction of true deaths. Researchers at Tuzly Lagoons National Nature Park found 63 dead harbor porpoises along Ukraine's coast since late May. Evidence is being gathered for Ukraine's ecocide investigation against Russia.

On July 12, Russian forces wounded three civilians in Kramatorsk, Donetsk region, as part of a broader bombardment that included 1,259 strikes across the region, damaging 71 civilian facilities including 59 residential buildings. Seven settlements were attacked, with Kramatorsk hit by nine KAB-250 aerial bombs, damaging apartment buildings, private houses, a shopping center, and infrastructure. Sloviansk was struck by a KAB-250 bomb and drones, damaging homes, a store, a gas station, and cars. The total recorded casualties in Donetsk region stand at 4,162 dead and 9,866 injured, excluding Mariupol and Volnovakha.

Russian forces shelled the village of Novovorontsovka in Ukraine's Kherson region on July 13, killing a 68-year-old woman. The attack was reported by the head of the Kherson Regional Military Administration, Oleksandr Prokudin. Over the previous 24 hours, 18 people were wounded in the region due to Russian aggression.

Background: Hungary and Ukraine have been engaged in technical-level talks on minority rights reforms to unlock Ukraine's EU accession path. Today: Ukrainian Ombudsman Dmytro Lubinets and Hungarian Commissioner for Fundamental Rights Dr. Juhász Imre met in person at the Ukrainian-Hungarian border in Zakarpattia to discuss equal rights, national minority protections, and European integration. Lubinets announced the meeting on Telegram, stating that talks focused on protecting equal rights and freedoms, the rights of national minorities, European integration, and deepening cooperation between their institutions. The ombudsmen laid flowers at the Kalvaria Historical Memorial Complex in honor of Ukraine's defenders and at a memorial to heroes of Hungary's 1956 uprising and victims of communist dictatorships. This meeting follows the reported comprehensive agreement on expanding Hungarian minority rights in Ukraine.

Ruslan Puptaiev, a Russian national who lived in Ukraine for over a decade under the false identity Aslan Khakimov, faces deportation after his forged documents were cancelled. He contributed to Ukraine's military through donations, equipment development, and training. Russia wants him for alleged terrorism links. The European Court of Human Rights has temporarily blocked his deportation to Russia due to torture risk. Ukraine is exploring deportation to Kyrgyzstan or Turkey.

Background: On May 21, a Russian FPV drone struck a civilian cargo truck on the M-03 highway near Kharkiv, killing the driver. In response, Kharkiv authorities installed anti-drone nets on a section of the ring road and restored traffic, while warning civilians to avoid the northern part of the city due to ongoing danger.

Poland's chargé d'affaires in Ukraine, Piotr Łukasiewicz, faced backlash in Poland after mentioning Ukrainian victims of Polish state actions during a Volhynia massacre commemoration, drawing accusations of false equivalence. The incident highlights ongoing tensions in Polish-Ukrainian relations over historical memory, with Polish officials emphasizing dignified commemoration without undermining bilateral cooperation against Russia.

Ukrainian and Polish anthropologists have started exhumation at three sites in the former villages of Ostrivky and Volia Ostrovetska in Volyn region, uncovering two mass graves and a single burial. The joint operation, involving Volyn Antiquities, the Polish Institute of National Remembrance, and the Medical University of Wroclaw, is scheduled to continue until August 7, marking a step in historical reconciliation and investigation of past atrocities.