Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev stated that a secret meeting between former high-ranking officials from Germany and Russia took place this month in the country’s capital, Baku, during which they may have discussed ways to end Russia’s war against Ukraine.

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced that a special meeting of the Supreme Commander-in-Chief’s Headquarters would be held to address the supply of the Ukrainian military and the improvement of the defense strategy.

Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine Oleksandr Syrskyi has publicly commented for the first time on rumors of a conflict with Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov. He stated that he is not involved in politics, does not seek to build his own image, and decided to speak out only because his silence had begun to be interpreted as agreement with the widespread accusations.

The new Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, Andy Burnham, stated that one of his first phone calls after taking office will be with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. He emphasized that he wants to personally reaffirm the United Kingdom’s unwavering support for Ukraine.

The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine has denied reports of the alleged existence of orders prohibiting military personnel from speaking publicly, giving interviews, or making statements.

Ukrainian Prime Minister Serhiy Koretsky announced that the Cabinet of Ministers, in consultation with the president, has appointed acting ministers of defense and foreign affairs.

Ukrainian defense forces struck two tankers, the patrol ship “Svetlyak,” an oil terminal, the “Slavneft-Yanos” oil refinery, and a number of other Russian military targets. The operation was carried out on July 16 and during the night of July 17 as part of efforts to reduce the aggressor country’s military and economic capabilities.

Large-scale deforestation has been observed in Russia’s border regions near Finland. In the cleared areas, the Russian military is actively building new hangars for equipment, weapons depots, and barracks.

Ukraine is calling for an emergency meeting of the UN Security Council in response to the latest massive Russian strikes. Kyiv has also urged the presidency of the Democratic Republic of the Congo and the Council members to support this request.

The names of the crew members killed aboard the Mi-8, which was on a combat mission to intercept Russian drones, have been released.