Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky will meet UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham in London before traveling to Washington DC to meet US President Donald Trump, according to reports.
Sanctions Challenges in EU Courts
Tatiana Navka, wife of Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov and a former Olympic ice‑skating champion, has launched a legal challenge to overturn European Union sanctions imposed on her in June 2022. The sanctions include a travel ban and financial restrictions for actions undermining Ukraine's territorial integrity. Navka argues that the reasons were not properly set out, that there were errors of law and factual assessment, and that the EU failed to prove a sufficient link between her and the sanctions' aim. She is seeking damages totaling just over €2 million (£1.71 million) from the Council of the European Union. Separately, Yekaterina Ignatova, wife of Rostec head Sergei Chemezov, is also challenging EU sanctions at the European Court of Justice.
Military Strikes Escalate
Ukraine struck a Russian export terminal in the Rostov region and oil facilities in the Yaroslavl and Udmurtia regions overnight, President Zelensky confirmed. “We are carrying out our plan of long‑range sanctions and reducing Russia's ability to finance the war,” he wrote on X. Russian forces struck two vessels carrying military cargo in the southern Ukrainian port of Mykolaiv, according to Russia's Defence Ministry. drone attacks on the Mykolaiv region killed one person and damaged three civilian vessels, acting regional governor Heorhii Reshetilov said. Port infrastructure was hit, and ships stranded since the 2022 invasion were damaged. Ukraine's seaports authority reported other injuries but did not provide a number. In Russia's Rostov region, a large Ukrainian drone attack killed two people in Rostov‑on‑Don and injured eight others, according to regional governor Yuri Slyusar. Around 50 drones were reportedly shot down, but strikes damaged apartment buildings, warehouses, a homeless shelter and an industrial facility in Taganrog, Reuters reported.
The civilian cargo ship Golden Leo, carrying grain, sank in the Black Sea near Odesa on 26 July, a week after being hit by Russian cruise missiles. Ukrainian authorities stated the ship sustained significant damage leading to its sinking. No crew were on board when it sank; survivors had been evacuated after the attack.
Russia Cancels Navy Day Parade
Russia cancelled its annual Navy Day parade in St Petersburg for the second year in a row, citing security concerns. The Kyiv Independent reported that the cancellation was due to Ukraine's long‑range drone attacks threatening major Russian cities. Instead, President Vladimir Putin addressed sailors at navy headquarters. The cancellation came amid reports of widespread internet outages in St Petersburg. Since 2017, Navy Day celebrations have featured large displays of Russian naval power, including a review of warships from the Baltic, Black Sea, Northern and Pacific fleets. Navy Day is a national holiday in Russia, celebrated on the last Sunday of July.
UK to Transfer Electronic Warfare Technology
Britain is expected to announce it will hand over the intellectual property behind its new “Stone Cloak” electronic warfare system to Ukraine, enabling Ukraine to produce the technology at scale. The system is a tablet‑sized device designed to block Russian detection of drones. The UK Ministry of Defence has already given thousands of the jammers to Ukrainian forces. Following its deployment in Ukraine, the technology is expected to be incorporated into the UK's next generation of long‑range strike weapons, including Project Brakestop, a Government initiative to develop low‑cost cruise missiles.
Aerial Ceasefire Proposal Discussed
A Ukrainian source told Reuters that Ukrainian and US officials had discussed a proposal for an air ceasefire to present to Russia. The source said Ukraine had previously approached President Putin with ceasefire offers, which were turned down. Some officials believe pressure on Russia's economy from ongoing Ukrainian drone and missile strikes may soften Putin's stance. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said Russia considers it premature to comment on the reports. Peskov stated that Moscow's response would depend on whether any new initiative aligns with Russian interests, and reiterated that channels of dialogue with US negotiators remain open.