Ukraine war sees naval strikes, ammo depot tragedy and political shake‑up
Former Ukrainian armed forces commander Walerij Salužnyj warned that assuming Russia has lost the war is a dangerous misreading, stressing that the conflict now hinges on logistics, industrial capacity and air defence rather than front‑line battles.
Kyiv announced a major drone strike on Russia’s so‑called “shadow fleet” in the Azov Sea, reporting hits on 21 tankers and a total of 28 vessels, including tankers, tugs and cargo ships that transport oil to fund Moscow’s war effort. The Ukrainian General Staff also cited daily Russian losses of about 1,490 soldiers and significant equipment damage.
President Volodymyr Zelensky held senior managers of state arms firm Ukroboronprom accountable for an illegal ammunition depot in the Wyschneve suburb of Kyiv that exploded after a Russian attack, killing nine people, injuring 29 and forcing hundreds to evacuate.
On 12 July Zelensky announced a government reshuffle, removing Prime Minister Julia Swyrydenko and replacing heads of several law‑enforcement agencies, citing a strategic reorientation of Ukrainian policy.
In Lviv, anti‑mobilisation protesters clashed with recruitment officers, leading to arrests and allegations of forceful conscription tactics, highlighting growing domestic dissent over mandatory service.