Press review: Zelensky gives army chief the heave-ho and US, Saudi Arabia tie nuclear knot

Press review: Zelensky gives army chief the heave-ho and US, Saudi Arabia tie nuclear knot Top stories from the Russian press on Thursday, July 23rdUS President Donald Trump© Kevin Dietsch/Getty ImagesMOSCOW, July 23. /TASS/. Vladimir Zelensky continues Ukraine's leadership overhaul by axing the army chief, and US President Donald Trump signs a 30-year nuclear deal with Saudi Arabia. Meanwhile, London gives the United States access to its military bases for strikes on Iran. These stories topped Thursday's newspaper headlines across Russia. Izvestia: Zelensky dismisses Ukraine’s commander-in-chief Syrsky The ground under Ukraine became a little less stable this week as Vladimir Zelensky announced a move to dismiss loyal disciple Alexander Syrsky, commander-in-chief of the Ukrainian armed forces, thus giving in to demands from street protests instigated by pro-Western activists. Zelensky’s control of the army is now in question, experts say. Read alsoIN BRIEF: Ukrainian military reshuffle with new commander-in-chief, General Staff head Major General Mikhail Drapaty, 43, former commander of the Joint Forces Command of Ukraine’s army, will be the country’s new commander-in-chief. He has been in the military service since 2004 and took part in hostilities in Donbass in 2014. Drapaty supported fired Defense Minister Mikhail Fyodorov, who had clashed with Syrsky. The move came amid a political crisis in Ukraine. A little more than a week ago, Zelensky dismissed Prime Minister Yulia Sviridenko, replacing her with former Naftogaz CEO Sergey Koretsky. Protests erupted following the Ukrainian government reshuffle, as activists marched with homemade signs and banners. More than 10,000 protesters took to the streets in central Kiev, Odessa, Kharkov, Lvov and other cities during the height of rallies. Fedorov himself made it known that he wasn't pleased with his dismissal. He criticized Zelensky for what he called an unfounded decision while also letting the cat out of the bag that he and Syrsky were not on good terms. The largest Western media outlets, EU officials and part of Ukraine’s top brass backed Fyodorov. Against this background, Zelensky moved to appease his critics by removing Syrsky. Leading expert at the Russian Institute for Strategic Studies Oleg Nemensky told Izvestia that he doesn't see Zelensky facing any issues due to the move. "The decision to replace the commander-in-chief looks like a concession, but it may not actually be so. Zelensky himself sought to dismiss Syrsky, and he had good reason to do so. We’ll see if this satisfies Zelensky’s opponents. If it does, everyone will be happy. And if it doesn't, he will have to come up with new workarounds to smooth things out," the expert emphasized. Former Ukrainian lawmaker Spiridon Kilinkarov argued that Zelensky took a hit to his credibility by giving Syrsky the ax. "Zelensky succumbed to pressure. His opponents, including Ukrainian oligarchs who enjoy the support of globalists and the so-called Soros-sponsored activists, now feel emboldened and they will put more pressure on him. Their agenda includes not only replacing Syrsky but also reinstating Fyodorov as defense chief. Therefore, we can expect a new escalation in Ukraine in mid-August when the Verkhovna Rada convenes after its summer recess to discuss the issue. We’ll see how the world turns and whether there will be new street protests," he explained. Vedomosti: What we know about US-Saudi nuclear deal US President Donald Trump signed off on a 30-year civilian nuclear deal with Saudi Arabia, The Wall Street Journal (WSJ) reported on Wednesday, citing sources. The US leader approved the agreement at the end of last week, the newspaper emphasized. Read alsoUS Department of Energy announces signing of nuclear program deal with Saudi Arabia According to information obtained by journalists, the deal will provide the kingdom with a civilian nuclear program as it will work in direct cooperation with US companies under the supervision of Washington itself. Reporters stressed that Trump should expect major pushback on the deal from both the left and the right at Congress, where it will now go for review. It's important to note, though, that Congress doesn't have the right to veto. The main goal pursued by Saudi Arabia is not to possess nuclear weapons but to develop a peaceful nuclear program, Ivan Bocharov, program manager at the Russian International Affairs Council, told Vedomosti. The kingdom is seeking to diversify its economy, reduce reliance on oil, and source out for more electricity supplies, the expert explained. Riyadh has more than enough money to do that, while the technological aspect can be outsourced to international partners, like the UAE (South Korea is building a nuclear power plant for it), Egypt, Iran, Turkey (Rosatom is building NPPS for them) and other regional players do. The agreement would strengthen US-Saudi relations that have been seriously shaken by both the Gaza war and the impact from the surrounding conflict between the United States, Israel and Iran, Andrey Yevseyenko, deputy director for research at the Russian Academy of Sciences’ Institute for US and Canadian Studies, explained to Vedomosti. Besides, he noted, the agreement will provide Washington with an additional lever of pressure on Tehran. Saudi recognition of Israel remains a key topic on the agenda of US-Saudi talks, the expert added as he doubted Riyadh will join the Abraham Accords amid the ongoing conflict in Gaza. As regards Congress, it could complicate things around the transfer of specific components by either passing separate bills or reducing appropriations, he concluded. Izvestia: Experts weigh in on whether London could make foray into US-Iran conflict As the conflict around Iran escalates, US allies continue to support the White House. A unified military camp is taking shape in the West that may threaten the international system of relations, Grigory Karasin, chairman of the Federation Council Committee on International Affairs, told Izvestia. New British Prime Minister Andy Burnham has reportedly allowed the United States to use the kingdom's bases for strikes against Iran. Meanwhile, Donald Trump said Washington is currently not interested in pursuing negotiations with the Islamic Republic. Burnham has approved the use of British military bases for US strikes on Iran, Bloomberg reported, citing sources. Therefore, the Pentagon will have access to two strategic facilities - Diego Garcia, a remote atoll in the Indian Ocean, and Royal Air Force (RAF) Fairford in England. "What is happening there, I mean in relations between NATO’s European members and, in particular, countries such as Great Britain and the United States, represents an extremely dangerous trend, because the idea is actually to create a unified military camp, and not in word, or NATO summit resolutions, but in deed. And this poses a potential risk to the entire international system of relations," Karasin argued. Giving the US access to its military bases actually transforms Britain into a party to the conflict, with British facilities becoming legitimate targets for Tehran. According to Yelena Suponina, a political scientist who specializes in international affairs, this fully fits into the logic of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC): any country that helps Washington is automatically considered Iran's enemy. This is why most European NATO allies have refused to provide military assistance to the Americans. Spain has banned the use of its bases for strikes, Italy has withdrawn its fleet from American command to independently protect merchant ships, while French leader Emmanuel Macron has condemned the actions of the United States and Israel. Military expert Dmitry Kornev argued that Burnham’s move to authorize access to British airfields for the US Air Force reaffirmed the strategic status quo. For nothing has actually changed for Washington in practical terms as the Pentagon will continue to use British infrastructure in its operations in the Middle East, the expert said. However, it is too early to say that the kingdom will now fully participate in the conflict. The British contingent in the Middle East is too small, so the Royal Air Force can only support the Americans symbolically. The UK may confine itself to intercepting Iranian drones or covering the United States’ support base. London does not have enough resources for any larger-scale operations due to protracted budget cuts and the size of its own army, military expert Yury Lyamin told Izvestia. Nezavisimaya Gazeta: Hungary puts brakes on Ukraine, Moldova’s EU integration At a meeting on July 22, the Council of the EU Working Party on Enlargement (COELA) decided to postpone opening EU accession negotiation clusters for Ukraine and Moldova to September 1. As in the era of Viktor Orban, Hungary blocked EU expansion. Its new government led by Prime Minister Peter Magyar is planning to resolve its dispute with Ukraine first, a scenario that will hardly materialize in the next few weeks as Magyar has no time for Kiev right now. COELA held its last meeting before the summer recess for most European institutions on Wednesday when Brussels hosted a meeting of EU ambassadors authorized to make decisions on negotiation clusters. Had the group reached agreement, clusters No. 2 and 3 would have been opened for Ukraine, and a long, months-or even years-long process of finalizing reform parameters would have been launched on July 22. But Hungary intervened. Budapest only approved a cluster for Moldova. This collided with the position of some in the EU, including Estonia and Lithuania. The two Baltic governments insist that Ukraine and Moldova’s integration into the European Union be synchronized. As a result, the move to open clusters for the two countries has been postponed to after the recess, or to September 1. On the surface, Magyar appears to be continuing the policy course of his predecessor and staunch opponent. Orban opposed Ukraine’s integration into the EU, doing everything he could to stall the opening of clusters for it. The previous government also opposed supplying Hungarian weapons to Kiev. And nothing has changed in that regard as Magyar has come to power: he stated at the NATO summit in Ankara that Hungary will not arm Ukraine even as it supports the former Soviet republic. "Firstly, the current Hungarian government has prioritized economic stabilization, which does not envisage an increase in military spending. Secondly, the country lacks the capacity to supply Kiev with weapons. And both these things matter to the new prime minister. In many ways, Magyar's approach is similar to Orban's, but a little less extreme. The new prime minister expects to smooth things out in the Hungarian-Ukrainian relationship, particularly regarding the Hungarian diaspora," Mikhail Vedernikov, leading researcher with the Russian Academy of Sciences’ Institute of Europe, explained to Nezavisimaya Gazeta. According to him, Ukraine, too, is satisfied with this approach. "Kiev does not view Hungary as an obstacle to receiving funding from abroad or joining NATO," the expert said. Kommersant: Brent rises to $95 per barrel For the first time in the past month and a half, Brent traded above $95 per barrel. The nearly 5% rise came amid reports about the potential closure of the Bab el-Mandeb Strait by the Houthis, falling oil shipments through the Strait of Hormuz, and a halt to oil loading by the Caspian Pipeline Consortium. Market players say prices may revisit the $120 level if conflicts in the Middle East escalate further. The latest price increase comes amid another bout of tensions between Washington and Tehran which quickly escalated from trading accusations of violating the memorandum to hostilities. "In the wake of new US strikes on Iran and the absence of negotiations, investors have actually taken a quick diplomatic solution off the table," Alyona Nikolayeva, an independent portfolio manager for global markets, told Kommersant. The Houthis announcing a naval blockade of Saudi Arabia added a new wrinkle to the crisis. According to Vladimir Chernov, an analyst at Freedom Global, at least three tankers with Saudi oil have reversed course in the Red Sea. The market reacted harshly to the situation in the Hormuz Strait, and now the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, another key logistics hub in global trade, is under threat. "The market is penciling in quite a different scope of potential shock, hence a wider geopolitical premium," Nikolayeva explained. Oil prices will remain highly sensitive to news about talks, new strikes, or tanker movement in the next few days. According to Chernov, Brent may hover between $92 to $98 per barrel in the absence of active diplomacy. In the event of additional strikes on tankers, reduced passage through the Hormuz, or a sustained blockade of the Red Sea, oil could quickly reach $100-105. If infrastructure in the Middle East comes under pressure or "if commercial stocks drop, the market could easily switch to a real physical deficit mode," Nikolayeva warns. In this case, she argues, prices could soar to $110-120 per barrel. Or prices could fall back to $85 in the event of de-escalation, Chernov believes. TASS is not responsible for the material quoted in these press reviews Press review: Houthis add new wrinkle to Mideast tailspin as UN stuck in bystander roleTop stories from the Russian press on Wednesday, July 22ndRead moreEU ambassadors fail to agree on 21st package of anti-Russian sanctions — sourceThe European commission earlier proposed to ambassadors a draft version of its sanctions package with softer restrictions on Russian LNG transportation to third countries by European tankersRead moreRussia cuts supply route serving Ukrainian troops near Pisarevka in Sumy Region — expertAccording to Andrey Marochko, the Krovnoye-Khoten road has come under the near-total control of the Russian militaryRead moreNumber of injured in chairlift collapse in Russia’s Nalchik climbs to eightIt was clarified that two of those injured had been discharged following a medical checkupRead moreRussia to be represented at high level at G20 summit in US — KremlinDmitry Peskov added that Russian participations will be proactiveRead moreZelensky reluctant to hand over real control over armed forces to Drapaty — portalThe sources believe that Vladimir Zelensky may resort to the work-to-rule tactics, also known as "Italian strike", relying on a loyal defense minister and direct communication with the General StaffRead moreUS administration refuses to transfer military aid worth $400 million to Kiev — senatorDick Durbin says the funds are unavailable until the next president is in officeRead moreUS rejects Iran’s claim of control over Strait of HormuzCommercial vessels continue to use the strait with US military support, CENTCOM saidRead moreKiev-based Rapid factory struck by Russian forces assembled Lyuty UAVs — expertDmitry Barov specified that the strike on the enterprise dealt a heavy blow to the Ukrainian defense industry sectorRead moreTotalEnergies boosts 1H 2026 LNG sales by 9%LNG sales totaled 23.1 mln metric tons, up from 21.2 mln metric tons a year earlierRead moreSerbia’s deputy premier thanks Russia for supporting his country’s territorial integrityIvica Dacic emphasized that both countries maintain an active political dialogue, based on longtime friendship and successful cooperation both on bilateral and multilateral levelsRead moreWhat Solzhenitsyn said about Putin, and vice versaThe prominent writer and historian, who was exiled to GULAG camp, was born on December 11, 1918Read moreEU aims to sanction 90 banks, 215 individuals under new package — ReutersThe agency noted that the approval of these restrictions is complicated by "serious disagreements"Read moreEU forces board oil tanker on suspicion of 'sailing under false flag'EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas said the move was aimed at increasing pressure on what she described as "Russia’s shadow fleet"Read moreRussian stock market closes higher as major indices post gainsThe yuan edged down 5 kopecks to 11.54 rublesRead moreConflict to go beyond regional borders if Trump delivers on his threats — Iranian militaryThe Iranian armed forces emphasized that Washington’s continuous threats will only make the conflict to expand in the region and even to go beyond its bordersRead moreRussian forces carry out more strikes on Ukrainian ports, infrastructure facilitiesStrikes on the port of Odessa hit infrastructure facilities used to unload and store military cargoRead moreFACTBOX: Key takeaways from the Lavrov-Rubio meetingThe Russian foreign minister reaffirmed Russia's readiness to settle the conflict in Ukraine and its commitment to the agreements reached in AnchorageRead moreUS deploying forces to Middle East preparing to expand operations against Iran — WSJSources cited by the newspaper say that special operations forces have been deployed to the Middle East from bases in the US over the past weekRead moreIN BRIEF: What is known about Wildberries operations after drone attacksWildberries warehouse operations in Krasnodar and Nevinnomyssk have been suspended, according to the WB Partners Telegram channelRead moreUkraine’s attack being repelled in Sevastopol, four drones shot downGovernor Mikhail Razvozhayev says air defense systems and mobile fire groups are in actionRead moreUS masking unsavory actions with myth of Russian threat in Mexico — Russian embassyThey are blatantly speculative in nature and serve narrow political endsRead moreRussian troops liberate two communities in Ukraine operation over past day — top brassThe Ukrainian army lost roughly 1,270 troops in battles with Russian forces in all the frontline areas over the past 24 hoursRead moreZelensky reports holding 'important' conversation with US envoys Witkoff, KushnerVladimir Zelensky said the teams remain in close contactRead moreLavrov reaffirms Russia’s commitment to Alaska agreements at meeting with RubioIn addition, the top Russian diplomat emphasized that further weapons supplies to Kiev were unacceptable, the Russian foreign minister said Read moreOne civilian killed, nine injured in Ukrainian attack on Belgorod Region over past dayThe Ukrainian armed forces 157 times attacked the regionRead moreRussia not to concede to West in confrontation in Ukraine — expertHanna Notte added that since the beginning of the Ukrainian crisis, Moscow has gained support from non-Western countries that have refused to make "a binary choice between Russia and the West"Read moreHamas extends hand to all Palestinian factions, calls for dialogue — Politburo headKhalil al-Hayya emphasized the need to "immediately begin a national dialogue" and identify mechanisms for rebuilding Palestinian national institutionsRead moreAftermath of Ukrainian drone attack on Russian regions, boy killed in Voronezh RegionOne person was killed and four others, including two children, were injured in a Ukrainian attack on CrimeaRead moreGlobal trade up 12.5% amid Strait of Hormuz shipping disruptions — UNCTADThe organization said that "a significant share of the increase reflects higher prices rather than stronger trade volumes"Read moreRussian forces strike over two dozen vessels carrying cargoes for Ukraine since July 11Four dry-cargo ships and two sea bulkers carrying military cargoes for the Ukrainian armed forces to the ports of Odessa and Chernomorsk were struck overnight to July 22, and also during the dayRead moreAttack on Kuban caused by Ukraine’s failure on line of engagement — Russian lawmakerSergey Altukhov expressed condolences over the death of a person in Ukraine’s attack on ArmavirRead moreUS Department of Energy announces signing of nuclear program deal with Saudi ArabiaThe authority reports that the agreement is designed for several decades and is intended to provide "great access for American companies in the Saudi nuclear energy program"Read moreTwo people killed, 11 wounded following strike on checkpoint at Iran-Iraq border — TVLocal authorities say that the border crossing continues to operateRead moreMoscow refuses to recognize G20 decisions made without it — Russian diplomatMarat Berdyev commented on the Group of Twenty’s move to bar Russian officials from G20 eventsRead moreUp to 18% of Amur tigers die from natural causes — expertSergey Aramilev, director of the Amur Tiger center, says there are currently about 750 Amur tigers in RussiaRead moreFACTBOX: Putin outlines state of economy, fuel market, regional supportThe key sectors of the Russian economy remain resilient, the Russian president saidRead moreRussian diplomat warns of rising risks to shipping in Strait of Hormuz, Red SeaMaria Zakharova says tensions in the Persian Gulf area are escalatingRead moreIN BRIEF: Ukrainian military reshuffle with new commander-in-chief, General Staff headUnder Ukraine’s national security law, Zelensky may appoint a new commander-in-chief only upon the recommendation of a serving defense minister, a position that is currently vacantRead moreDrapaty's appointment highlights Zelensky's desperation — expertAccording to Alexey Muratov, the reasons for the replacement were not officially named, but Western media linked it to the critical situation at the front for UkraineRead moreRussian drones strike five ships transporting cargo for Ukrainian militaryThe ministry published what it described "objective control footage of the July 22 strikes involving Geran-4 Seeker drones on four vessels of the dry cargo carrier type and one bulk-carrier-type ship in the waters of the Black Sea and in the port of ChernomorskRead moreOutgoing military chief Syrsky says leaves capable Ukrainian army to successorHowever, Alexander Syrsky's statement conflicted with data from the Russian Defense Ministry showing that Ukraine loses roughly 1,500 troops daily as a result of actions of Russian battlegroups in the special military operation zoneRead moreUS may hit terrorist group in Mali — Washington PostSenior US officials, however, disagree over whether to proceed with attacking the militant groupRead moreMeeting with Rubio, nuclear arms, US involvement in Kiev's attacks: Lavrov's statementsRussia is prepared for any development in the context of the EU militarization, the Russian foreign minister notedRead moreMaersk suspends operations at one of Ukraine's largest portsThe company indicated that the vessel MEDKON MIRA V.629S with import cargo scheduled for discharge at Chernomorsk has been diverted to the Romanian port of ConstantaRead moreEU may allow Greece to continue transporting Russian LNG — FTAccording to sources cited by the newspaper, the agreement will allow companies to continue transporting Russian LNG to third countries for 12 months with the possibility of extension, while volumes will be capped at 2025 levelsRead moreWest makes no secret that it needs Ukraine for resources — Russia’s UN missionDeputy Permanent Representative Dmitry Chumakov separately said that during the military interventions in Iraq, Libya, and Syria "the battle for political clout was accompanied by a struggle for natural resources"Read moreRussia observing positive momentum in special military operation — KremlinDmitry Peskov said that Moscow is open to negotiationsRead moreTrump doing everything he can to secure peace in Ukraine — US envoy to UNMike Waltz acknowledged that the US president had underestimated the complexity of the task when he previously suggested that he could resolve the Ukrainian conflict in as little as a dayRead moreEU ambassadors fail to agree on 21st package of anti-Russian sanctions — sourceAccording to earlier reports by Politico and Bloomberg, the proposed LNG transportation ban is being blocked by Greece, which fears that its shipping companies may suffer serious losses as a resultRead moreVenezuelan president Maduro’s trial in New York to begin on June 1, 2027Lawyers on both sides earlier requested New York District Judge Alvin Hellerstein to set the trial for June 2027, but gave no exact datesRead moreIRGC warns shipping companies southern Strait of Hormuz route minedIn response, Tehran began striking US facilities in the Middle East located in Bahrain, Jordan, Qatar, Kuwait, the United Arab Emirates and OmanRead moreUAVs attack energy facility in Ulyanovsk Region — governorAlexey Russkikh says that emergency services are working at the sceneRead moreUkrainian forces under Syrsky lost control of 11,500 square kilometersDespite mounting evidence, the Ukrainian military leadership stubbornly denied the deteriorating situationRead moreTrump believes Iran will soon be ready to strike deal with USThe US president says that at this point, every time Iran makes a deal "they want to change it"Read moreEpstein case reveals real face of Western elites seeking to rule world — Lavrov"It is unnecessary to explain to any normal person that this is pure Satanism and is beyond human comprehension," the Russian Foreign Minister addedRead moreUS to use another ceasefire with Iran to plan ground operation — expertRuhollah Modabber believes that the ten-day ceasefire period will enable the US to arrange logistical routes and redeploy troops without worrying about a potential Iranian attack against its targetsRead moreRussian Armed Forces liberate Belitskoye in DPR: what's knownThe Russian Armed Forces are conducting measures to search for and eliminate Ukrainian soldiers still hiding in the basementsRead moreIranian military sees possibility of allowing some ships to cross Strait of HormuzVessels are allowed to pass "in accordance with the established route and in line with the previously announced rules," the statement readRead moreYemeni Houthis attack two Saudi Arabian oil tankers — statementThe Houthis emphasized that they also succeeded in forcing about ten vessels to turn backRead morePutin highlightes external attempts to destabilize Russia's energy sectorThe Russian leader said that the condition of key sectors of the domestic economy remains stableRead moreUkrainian army retreating from Pisarevka in Sumy Region to Khoten as Russia advancesAccording to Andrey Marochko, Russian troops regularly strike Khoten with fireRead moreKiev has no military commanders who can defeat Russia — Zaporozhye officialOleg Murachev said that one of Mikhail Drapaty’s possible options to prove his mettle after the appointment is to rely on drones and strikes on civilians and civilian infrastructureRead morePress review: Truce on deck in Iran and EU to dry-run Ukraine deployment in Poland drillsTop stories from the Russian press on Tuesday, July 21stRead moreUkraine faces its toughest winter in five years due to vulnerable power gridWork to protect Kiev’s critical infrastructure only began in May 2026 and is 49% completeRead moreRussia, Iran reaffirm commitment to Strategic Partnership Treaty — Russian MFAAn assistant to the Iranian Foreign Minister and Director General for Eurasian Affairs at the Iranian Foreign Ministry, Manouchehr Moradi, was received by Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail GaluzinRead moreRussian troops control greater part of Pisarevka in Sumy Region — expertAndrey Marochko says a portion of the settlement remains in the so-called gray zoneRead moreZelensky effectively launches Fedorov’s presidential campaign himself — Rada memberMaryana Bezuglaya recalled that Vladimir Zelensky and Mikhail Fedorov had worked together for yearsRead moreZelensky sacks military chief under pressure from Europe — mediaVladimir Zelensky reportedly had no plans to replace the military chief despite nationwide protestsRead moreRussian forces hit 200 railway engines hauling Western arms to Ukraine — diplomatAccording to Rodion Miroshnik, "90% of military cargoes arrive from European countries"Read moreNobody in region to be allowed to sell oil if Iran denied this opportunity — speakerMohammad Bagher Ghalibaf added that security in the strait is possible only if no American forces are present thereRead moreUkrainian troops shell DPR settlements 28 times in 24 hours firing 30 rounds of ammunitionTwo civilians were killed and ten injuredRead moreIran’s defense doctrine follows ‘eye for an eye’ principle — foreign ministerUS President Donald Trump earlier said that for every strike on a vessel in the Strait of Hormuz, the US armed forces would destroy an Iranian bridge or power plantRead morePress review: Houthis add new wrinkle to Mideast tailspin as UN stuck in bystander roleTop stories from the Russian press on Wednesday, July 22ndRead moreIran continues to produce missiles at facilities unknown to US — IRNAThe production of drones and missiles in Iran did not stop during the war or during the ceasefireRead morePutin to hold meeting with lawmakers on July 27 — KremlinAccording to Spokesman Dmitry Peskov, the discussion is expected to focus on results of the work of the current convocationRead moreTrump seeks to soften Russia sanctions bill, secure broad waiver authority — expertDr. Mark Episkopos said that instead of holding up a sanctions bill that might secure a veto-proof level of support in the Senate next year, the White House opted to negotiate its contentsRead moreUkrainian army flees Zakharovka in Kharkov region amid pressure from Russia — expertAndrey Marochko says Ukrainian militants have abandoned some of their forward positions in the settlement as several strategic heights have come under Russia’s controlRead moreUS air campaign against Iran running out of steam — PoliticoAccording to the report, the conflict is unlikely to shift decisively without a major escalation, including the deployment of ground forcesRead moreRussia ready for any developments as EU militarizes — LavrovRussia reiterates that it does not seek to attack anyone, the Russian foreign minister said Read moreUkraine loses 6 Starlink communication stations due to Battlegroup East’s actions over day56 fixed-wing unmanned aerial vehicles and 35 unmanned aviation control points were also destroyedRead moreUS forces launching another series of strikes against Iran — Central CommandThe authority asserts that it is attacking military targetsRead moreUS completes strikes on Iran — Central CommandAccording to the statement, US forces struck maritime capabilities, missile and drone storage facilities, coastal surveillance sites, and air defense assetsRead moreBank of Russia buys $61.4 mln worth of yuan with July 22 settlementThe volume of foreign currency purchases on the domestic market with settlement on July 21 also totaled $61.4 mlnRead moreEx-French president spills beans, tells Russian pranksters EU is party to Ukraine conflictThe ex-president of France reiterated that the sole objective of the Minsk agreements was to buy time to strengthen Ukraine’s combat capabilitiesRead moreTalks between Lavrov, Rubio have concluded, lasting more than half hourDuring the conversation, the parties planned to focus particular attention on the settlement of the conflict in UkraineRead moreEU waging proxy war against Russia but unable to change course of conflict — politicianArmando Mema, a member of Finland’s Freedom Alliance, specified that the EU finances Ukraine "to fight a war it cannot win"Read moreUkraine’s attack on Voronezh Region causes casualties, serious consequencesGovernor Alexander Gusev says air defense forces spent the night repelling the attack on civilian targets, it is too early to provide full detailsRead moreFACTBOX: Latest update on Russia's strikes on Ukrainian portsThe Russian Armed Forces continued to strike Ukrainian ports used in the interests of supplying cargoes for the Ukrainian military, and military facilities in the Odessa RegionRead moreIN BRIEF: Kremlin addresses Ukrainian military chief’s dismissal, sanctions on RussiaDmitry Peskov said the Russian Armed Forces continue offensive operations along the entire frontlineRead moreUS may expand Iran operation within days — mediaAccording to the report, Donald Trump is still considering returning to major combat operations against IranRead moreTanker damaged by projectile off Saudi Arabian coast — UK Maritime Trade OperationsThere have been no reports of casualtiesRead moreRussian forces pound Ukrainian ports, vessels, logistics centers used for military goalsRussian ground-based and air-launched precision-guided weapons and attack UAVs hit a dry cargo ship at the Chernomorsk port as it was unloading supplies intended for the Ukrainian armed forcesRead moreMeeting between Rubio, Lavrov on sidelines of ASEAN events scheduled for 06:50 Moscow timeThe schedule is subject to change, the US State Department warned without elaboratingRead moreRussian AI-assisted Geran UAV swarms manage to overload Ukrainian air defenses by 400%In February 2026, cases were registered when a swarm of 20-30 UAVs overloaded Ukrainian air defenses by 300-400%Read moreLavrov to ask Rubio for clarification about Trump's comments on UkraineThe Russian foreign minister recalled that Marco Rubio also commented on the Anchorage outcome in a rather ambiguous wayRead moreUS initiates meeting between Rubio, Lavrov — diplomatic sourceJournalists were allowed into the room briefly to film the opening of the meetingRead moreLavrov, Rubio have begun talks in ManilaThe negotiations are taking place on the sidelines of ASEAN-related eventsRead moreThree tankers attempt to traverse Strait of Hormuz, explosion occurs on one of them — IRGCAccording to the statement, the other two turned around at full speed and retreatedRead moreRomania faces fuel crisis due to Ukrainian attacks on CPC tankers in Black Sea — expertAdrian Negrescu said that crude oil supplies via the Caspian Pipeline Consortium system to the Novorossiysk terminal were cut off Read moreFACTBOX: What is known about flight altitude restrictions in Moscow air hub areaTransit flights through the Moscow aviation hub are prohibitedRead more