Politics
The EU will fund Moldova’s purchase of drone detection systems
The Moldovan Ministry of Defence plans to procure modern air target detection systems, as well as equipment for intercepting drones. Funding will be provided by the European Union
A Russian vessel believed to be involved in spying on NATO has broken down off the coast of Sweden
The Russian research vessel *Akademik Nikolai Strakhov*, which is believed to be monitoring NATO’s military infrastructure, lost power off the coast of Sweden. Despite the breakdown, the crew declined the assistance offered by the Swedish military and coastguard.
GUR: Russia is sending African and Arab mercenaries to lead the assaults
The Russian command is using mercenaries from Africa and the Middle East during assault operations in the Donetsk region
Protests in support of Fedorov are continuing in Ukraine
On 18 July, demonstrations in support of former Defence Minister Mykhailo Fedorov continued in Kyiv and a number of other cities across Ukraine. Participants are calling for a review of the decision to dismiss him, whilst demands for the resignation of Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine Oleksandr Syrskyi are also being voiced during the rallies.
Zelenskyy is considering replacing Syrskyi
The President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, is considering replacing the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, Oleksandr Syrskyi, but does not intend to make any personnel decisions until he has identified a candidate who can lead the army without jeopardising the command of the troops
France has summoned a Russian diplomat over FSB cyberattacks on French institutions
On 17 July, the French Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs summoned the chargé d’affaires of the Embassy of the Russian Federation. This was in response to cyber-attacks which the French authorities link to the activities of the Russian security services
A proposal has been put forward in the US Senate to automatically impose sanctions on Putin
An amendment to the defence bill has been tabled in the US Senate, which would impose new restrictions on Russia should the peace process with Ukraine break down. It was tabled by Republican Senator Steve Daines
Kadyrov called on Russia to launch strikes against NATO countries
The head of Chechnya, Ramzan Kadyrov, has made further aggressive statements regarding Western countries that support Ukraine. In a post on social media, he called on Russia to take military action against those states supplying Kyiv with weapons and other military aid
The government has appointed Maksym Tsutsikiridze as acting head of the National Police of Ukraine
The Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine has temporarily appointed Maksym Tsutsikiridze to act as head of the National Police. The government adopted the relevant decision on 17 July
Zelenskyy will hold a separate meeting with Umerov following his dismissal from the National Security and Defence Council
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy plans to meet separately with Rustem Umerov following the decision to replace him as Secretary of the National Security and Defence Council. The former NSDC Secretary’s future role within the government has not yet been officially determined.
Blogger Ilya Remeslo has been detained in connection with a case involving ‘fake news’ about the Russian army
Ilya Remeslo, a blogger and lawyer, has been detained in Russia. Until recently, he was one of the Kremlin’s most prominent supporters, but this spring he publicly spoke out against Vladimir Putin and the war in Ukraine. He is suspected of spreading so-called ‘fake news’ about the Russian army.
Ihor Klymenko is to become Secretary of the National Security and Defence Council
Former Minister of the Interior Ihor Klymenko will continue to work in the security and defence sector. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has offered him the post of head of Ukraine’s National Security and Defence Council.
