The USA to resume military aid for Ukraine

On July 7, 2025, President Donald Trump announced the resumption of military aid to Ukraine, reversing a brief pause in weapons shipments that had caused alarm in Kyiv and among Western allies. The decision, prompted by intensified Russian drone and missile attacks on Ukrainian cities, focuses on supplying defensive weapons, including Patriot missile systems, to help Ukraine counter escalating aggression. Trump, expressing frustration with Russian President Vladimir Putin’s refusal to pursue a ceasefire, stated that Ukraine “has to be able to defend themselves” amid heavy bombardment. The Pentagon confirmed the move, with spokesperson Sean Parnell noting that the Department of Defense is acting under Trump’s direction to ensure Ukraine’s ability to protect itself while ceasefire negotiations continue. This shift follows a controversial halt last week, attributed to a review of U.S. military stockpiles, which had raised concerns about depleted reserves.

The resumption of aid comes after a tense period in U.S.-Ukraine relations, marked by a March 2025 freeze following a heated White House meeting between Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. Ukrainian officials, including Deputy Speaker Olena Kondratiuk, welcomed the decision, though Kyiv’s Defense Ministry emphasized the need for “stability, continuity, and predictability” in arms supplies, having not received official notification of the policy change. High-level meetings in Rome and Kyiv, involving Trump’s Special Envoy Keith Kellogg and Ukraine’s Defense Minister Rustem Umerov, are expected to clarify details of the renewed shipments, which may include engineering equipment and armored vehicles. While Trump’s announcement signals continued U.S. support, his earlier skepticism and the recent pause have left some Ukrainian officials cautiously optimistic, wary of potential future shifts in policy.

Moscow responds to Trump's decision to resume arms supplies to Ukraine

Russian presidential spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said that U.S. President Donald Trump's decision to resume weapons deliveries to Ukraine does not align with efforts for a "peaceful settlement."

Peskov, speaking via Russian state media, acknowledged that arms shipments to Ukraine are continuing and claimed that European countries are also actively “pumping Ukraine with weapons.”

He added that the Kremlin views both Trump’s actions and Europe’s approach as supporting the continuation of hostilities, rather than pursuing peace.

Russia's Black Sea Fleet shrinked its presence in the key Crimean bay

Striletska Bay near occupied Sevastopol, once a major hub for Russia's Black Sea Fleet, is now nearly empty, according to a July 8 report by the Atesh partisan movement.

The group said the bay is now mainly used for mooring tugboats and small patrol vessels, with most larger warships pulled from the area. The site is reportedly limited to maintenance tasks and occasional anti-sabotage drills.

"Recently, the bay has been practically empty," Atesh stated, calling it a clear sign of the "degradation" of the Russian fleet in Crimea. They added that remaining combat vessels are being rotated and redeployed to avoid Ukrainian detection.

Atesh also claimed that all vessel movements are being tracked and shared with Ukrainian forces: "Every object is under control — no ship will go unnoticed."

Sevastopol has long been the main base for Russia's Black Sea Fleet, but Ukrainian naval drone and missile strikes have inflicted serious damage since 2022. Russia has lost several key vessels, including the Caesar Kunikov, Sergei Kotov, and Ivanovets.

The shrinking naval presence in Sevastopol coincides with Ukraine's increasing attacks on other Russian fleet bases. On July 6, drones hit Russian naval facilities in Novorossiysk, across the Kerch Strait from Crimea.

Ukrainian soldier died weeks after being released from Russian captivity

Valery Zelensky, a 57-year-old Ukrainian soldier, died on June 16 — just 22 days after being released from Russian captivity, where he endured nearly 40 months of torture.

Zelensky was freed on May 25 as part of the landmark 1,000-for-1,000 prisoner exchange between Ukraine and Russia. According to his daughter, he had served in Mariupol at the start of Russia’s full-scale invasion and volunteered for a dangerous assault mission early in the war. Captured and presumed missing for years, he returned home severely ill and with extensive internal injuries.

"The torture was not just cruel, it was inhuman. But he endured it," said his daughter, Valeria Zelenka. A skilled practitioner of Kyokushin karate, he credited discipline and physical resilience for his survival.

Doctors initially believed he had pancreatic issues, but during surgery, they discovered irreparable organ damage. His medical report cited multiple organ failure and a disabled arm, likely from repeated abuse.

Zelensky’s death is part of a growing pattern of Ukrainian POWs dying soon after release due to injuries sustained in captivity. Others, including Serhii Dobrovolskyi, Oleh Mudrak, and Dmytro Shapovalov, have also died after returning from Russian prisons.

The U.N. and Ukrainian authorities have repeatedly documented the systematic torture and abuse of Ukrainian prisoners in Russian custody. Ukraine continues to call for a full-scale "all-for-all" prisoner swap, which Russia has so far rejected.