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Donald Trump has said that US weapons are already “being shipped” to Ukraine as Washington ramps up its military support for Kyiv.
A number of Kyiv’s European allies will purchase Patriot air defence missile systems from the US to assist Ukraine’s defence. Mr Trump is also set to send a batch of offensive weapons to assist Ukraine’s war effort, although the exact makeup of this package is currently unknown.
“They are already being shipped,” Mr Trump said of the Patriots on Monday, adding that they are arriving from Germany.
Just hours later, dozens were injured in Ukraine after Russia launched a 400 drones in a mass air attack across the country. A total of 57 drones and one ballistic missile were reported to have struck 12 locations across the war torn country, according to the Ukrainian air force.
“Unfortunately, 15 people were injured, including one child. All are receiving the necessary medical care,” Volodymyr Zelensky said on X.
“We need to systematically strengthen our defenses: more air defense systems, more interceptors, and more determination — so that Russia feels our response.”
It comes after the US president told Volodymyr Zelensky he should not target Moscow after reportedly privately discussing strikes on the Russian capital with the Ukrainian leader.
Patriot-owning nations could meet next week – report
A meeting of Patriot owner nations and Ukraine donors, who want to help bring new Patriot air defence systems to Ukraine could take place Wednesday next week, a source told Reuters.
It comes after Donald Trump said on Monday that Washington will supply Patriot air defence systems, missiles and other weaponry to Ukraine and that the arms would be paid for by other Nato countries.
Germany, Finland, Denmark, Sweden, Norway, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands and Canada all want to be part of the initiative to fund the Patriot systems, Nato chief Mark Rutte said on Monday.
France has ruled itself out, according to a report in Politico.
Soldiers stand during Volodymyr Zelensky’s visit to a military training area to find out about the training of Ukrainian soldiers on the Patriot anti-aircraft missile system, at an undisclosed location, in Germany (via REUTERS)
Alex Croft16 July 2025 16:21
Putin unfazed by Trump threats, claim Kremlin sources
Vladimir Putin will continue fighting in Ukraine and is unfazed by Donald Trump’s threat of further sanctions, three sources close to the Kremlin have told Reuters news agency.
Moscow’s territorial demands may widen as Russian troops advance in the war-torn country, the sources added.
They said the Russian president believes Russia’s economy and military are strong enough to weather additional Western measures
Mr Trump on Monday expressed frustration with Putin’s refusal to agree a ceasefire and announced a wave of weapons supplies to Ukraine, including Patriot surface-to-air missile systems. He also threatened further sanctions on Russia unless a peace deal was reached within 50 days.
“Putin thinks no one has seriously engaged with him on the details of peace in Ukraine – including the Americans – so he will continue until he gets what he wants,” one of the sources told Reuters on condition of anonymity.
“Putin values the relationship with Trump and had good discussions with Witkoff, but the interests of Russia come above all else,” the person added.
(AP)
Alex Croft16 July 2025 16:01
Trump tells Zelensky to ‘not target Moscow’ after asking about strikes on Kremlin – ICYMI
Trump tells Zelensky to ‘not target Moscow’ after asking about strikes on Kremlin
Donald Trump has clarified that he does not want Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky to target Moscow, and repeated that Russian president Vladimir Putin should agree to a ceasefire deal by a 50-day deadline or sanctions will kick in.
His comments came after The Financial Times, citing people briefed on discussions, reported on Tuesday that Trump had privately encouraged Ukraine to step up deep strikes on Russia.
The newspaper said that Mr Trump asked Mr Zelensky whether he could strike Moscow if the US provided long-range weapons.
“No, he shouldn’t target Moscow,” Mr Trump told reporters on the South Lawn of the White House when asked if Mr Zelensky should attack the Russian capital.
Mr Trump on Monday announced a toughened stance against Russia for its three-year-old war in Ukraine, promising a fresh wave of missiles and other weaponry for Ukraine. He gave Moscow 50 days to reach a ceasefire or face sanctions.
Alex Croft16 July 2025 15:41
In pictures: Ukrainian firefighters battle blaze after mass Russian drone attack
Firefighters extinguish a fire on civilian object after Russian strike in Vinnytsya region, amid Russian invasion in Ukraine (Ukrainian State Emergency Servic)
Russia launched 400 drones overnight, Kyiv’s air force said (Ukrainian State Emergency Service)
Firefighters extinguishing a fire on industrial object after Russian strike in Vinnytsya region, amid Russian invasion in Ukraine. Russia fired hundreds of drones, artillery and a ballistic missile at Ukraine between late July 15 and early July 16, Ukraine said, defying calls by Donald Trump to reach a peace deal. (Ukrainian State Emergency Servic)
Alex Croft16 July 2025 15:15
Kyiv ready for peace talks with Russia, says foreign minister
Ukraine is ready for more peace talks with Russia, Ukrainian foreign minister Andrii Sybiha said on Wednesday, but gave no specific date.
Mr Sybiha reiterated Kyiv’s call for a meeting between Russian and Ukrainian leaders, saying it would be the most effective step to help agree a ceasefire.
“We are ready for such negotiations in any format, in any geography,” he said during a visit to Lublin, in Poland.
Alex Croft16 July 2025 14:53
Ukrainian parliament votes to dismiss PM Denys Shmyhal
The Ukrainian parliament voted to dismiss prime minister Denys Shmyhal on Wednesday, lawmakers said, part of a government overhaul aimed at strengthening wartime economic and military management.
The move effectively dissolves the cabinet, and lawmakers are expected to approve new members on Thursday.
First deputy prime minister Yulia Svyrydenko, tapped by president Volodymyr Zelenskiy this week, is the only candidate to chair the new government.
Mr Shmyhal has been in the role since 2020 (Hans Lucas/AFP via Getty Images)
Alex Croft16 July 2025 14:36
Ukrainian man arrested after allegedly sending bomb threats to schools with Russian support
A Ukrainian man accused of sending bomb threats to schools in the Czech Republic and Slovakia – and suspected of being financed by a Russian man – has been arrested, officials said.
“A special team yesterday detained a young man in Ukraine suspected of sending threatening emails to hundreds of schools in the Czech Republic last year,” the Czech Security Information Service (BIS) said on X.
BIS said that according to initial information, the detained person attacked “a number of” other European states.
“The activities of the detainee were most likely financed by an actor from Russia,” BIS said.
Western countries have increasingly been on alert for hybrid campaigns by Russia using disruption, sabotage or espionage – accusations that Moscow has denied.
The threatening emails disrupted the start of the school year for tens of thousands of children in the Czech Republic and Slovakia from September 2024.
Alex Croft16 July 2025 14:18
Russia lost more than 1,000 troops in past day, claims Ukraine
The Ukrainian military has claimed that Russia has lost 1,170 troops in just one day, bringing the wartime casualty total of Russia’s war to more than 1,030,000 people.
Dozens of artillery systems and a handful of tanks, combat vehicles and tankers were also lost over the past day, Ukraine’s General Staff said.
The Independent could not independently verify the numbers.
Alex Croft16 July 2025 13:55
Two medics injured after Russian drone strike on ambulance in Kharkiv, say authorities
Two medics were injured after a Russian drone strike on an ambulance in the Kupiansk district of the Kharkiv region, the regional police said on Facebook.
“On 16 July at around 09:00, Kupiansk District Police Department received a report that an enemy first-person view (FPV) drone had struck an ambulance at a crossing,” police said.
“Two medics aged 53 and 59 have sustained injuries in the attack.”
The injured medics refused to be taken to hospital, police added.
Alex Croft16 July 2025 13:36
Pictured: Ukrainian firefighters put out blaze in VinnytsyaFirefighters extinguishing a fire on industrial object after Russian strike in Vinnytsya region, amid Russian invasion in Ukraine. Russia fired hundreds of drones, artillery and a ballistic missile at Ukraine between late July 15 and early July 16, Ukraine said, defying calls by Donald Trump to reach a peace deal. (Ukrainian State Emergency Servic)
Alex Croft16 July 2025 13:20