Ukraine, EU sign Drone Deal during von der Leyen's visit to Kyiv

The U.S. has begun the process of granting Ukraine licenses to produce Patriot missiles, moving the matter beyond political statements, a senior Ukrainian official familiar with the matter told the Kyiv Independent.

The strikes are part of Ukraine's ongoing effort to isolate occupied Crimea by disrupting the military and commercial infrastructure that sustains the peninsula.

Ukraine and the European Union have signed a new Defense Industrial Partnership, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen announced on July 15, calling Kyiv a "net security provider for Europe."

The meeting comes in a week when rumors and speculation that Fedorov could be replaced as defense minister have reached fever pitch.

Cases of drones taking out helicopters were unheard of just two years ago with the first ever recorded case happening on Aug. 6, 2024.

After a sold-out debut in New York, the Kyiv Independent is bringing its live event series to the UK — and we couldn't be more excited to meet our London community in person.

A missile strike on Odesa overnight on July 15 hit a multi-story apartment building, killing three residents and injuring at least six others, regional Governor Oleh Kiper reported.

“Koretskyi said the government's top priorities would be (social) support for the public, preparing for the upcoming heating season, strengthening the Defense Forces, and protecting critical infrastructure," David Arakhamia, head of President Volodymyr Zelensky's faction, said.

They also agreed that temporary protection would not be granted to new applicants who are not complying with their military obligations in Ukraine.

"The first round of the maritime battle is over. Now it's the Black Sea," Robert "Madyar" Brovdi, commander of Ukraine's Unmanned Systems Forces, said on July 15.

The bill would impose tariffs of up to 100% on the top five buyers of Russian oil or natural gas, while granting the U.S. president authority to waive the sanctions "upon a justification and certification to Congress."

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said she would announce new initiatives to integrate the Ukrainian and European defense industries.

The number includes 1,470 casualties that Russian forces suffered over the past day.

Two Ukrainian crew members were among those injured when Iranian missiles struck two vessels in the waterway on July 14.