Latest updates on the Russia-Ukraine war (July 19)

Ukrainian Armed Forces Commander-in-Chief: The frontline situation has stabilized According to a report by the Ukrainian National News Agency, on the evening of July 18, Ukrainian Armed Forces Commander-in-Chief Valerii Zaluzhnyi posted an update on his official social media account, stating that he had briefed U.S. Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman Mark Milley on the battlefield situation during a phone call. Zaluzhnyi said that although the frontline situation remains complex and tense, it is fully under control. A key factor enabling Ukrainian forces to hold their defensive lines and positions has been the timely delivery of weapons such as HIMARS. Additionally, ahead of the NATO multilateral military aid conference for Ukraine scheduled for July 20, Zaluzhnyi further clarified Ukraine’s specific weapon requirements to the U.S. side. 07-19 18:26 Federal Antimonopoly Service of Russia: To impose penalties on Apple Inc. On July 19, local time, Russia’s Federal Antimonopoly Service determined that Apple Inc.’s activities in the iOS app market violated antitrust law. The Service will determine a turnover-based fine against the company, potentially amounting to 1%–15% of Apple’s total revenue in the Russian market. 07-19 18:20 Ukraine to reduce winter crop sowing by 30%–60% this year Ukrainian media reported on July 19 that Mykola Solskyi, Ukraine’s Minister of Agrarian Policy and Food, stated that Ukrainian farmers would reduce sowing of winter grain crops by 30%–60% in 2022. Ukraine is currently negotiating the resumption of grain exports through its Black Sea ports. Solskyi noted that if Ukrainian ports remain blocked into next spring, farmers would significantly cut back on planting corn and other crops—due to declining yields and rising prices—and instead shift toward soybeans and sunflowers. 07-19 18:03 Russian cargo vessel detained in India, according to Russian media According to RIA Novosti’s report on July 19, citing Indian media, a Russian cargo ship delivering weapons to the Indian Navy was detained in Kerala, India. The detention resulted from a lawsuit filed by an Estonian port services company, which claimed the ship’s owner had failed to pay $24,000 in fuel charges. 07-19 17:52 Ukraine raising funds to import more natural gas for heating season According to CCTV News, Oleksiy Vitrenko, CEO of Naftogaz of Ukraine, stated on July 18 that the company is cooperating with the government to raise $8 billion to re-import 4 billion cubic meters of natural gas for the 2022–2023 heating season. 07-19 17:36 The statement indicates that Russia’s Federal Antimonopoly Service (FAS) will determine the amount of a turnover-based fine against U.S. tech giant Apple during its investigation. 07-19 17:20 Turkish President Erdogan holds talks with Iranian President Raisi On July 19, the Turkish Presidency issued a statement announcing that Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan held talks with Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi in Tehran, Iran. According to an earlier statement by the Turkish Presidency, Erdogan would attend the seventh meeting of the Turkish-Iranian High-Level Cooperation Council with Raisi on July 19 to assess all aspects of bilateral relations, discuss measures to enhance cooperation, and exchange views on regional and international issues. On the same day, Erdogan will also attend the Russia-Turkey-Iran trilateral summit in Tehran and hold a bilateral meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin on the sidelines.

August 21 — Day 910 of the Russia-Ukraine war: Kursk front reporting; Ukrainian drones strike Moscow; latest frontline developments; Russian drones strike Ukraine; Ministry of Finance issues 3.7-billion-hryvnia bonds

• West African military juntas write to UN condemning Ukraine’s alleged support for insurgents According to the Sahel States Alliance, the military juntas of Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger sent a letter to the UN Security Council condemning Ukraine’s alleged support for rebel groups in the Sahel region of West Africa. In their joint letter to the UN Security Council, the foreign ministers of Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso urged the Council to hold Ukraine accountable for its actions and prevent subversive activities threatening regional and continental stability. • Tax increases will boost donors’ willingness to support Ukraine The head of the International Monetary Fund’s mission to Ukraine stated that Ukraine’s international partners’ willingness to continue providing support will increase once the government’s announced tax package is approved. He believes that, given the massive medium-term expenditures, this will become an opportunity for Ukraine to become more self-sufficient and less dependent on foreign aid. International donor support, commercial debt restructuring, and increased taxation should be viewed as a single integrated package aimed at effectively eliminating the financing gap. • Bulgaria requests EU protection against surging Ukrainian egg imports Bulgaria’s Minister of Agriculture and Food requested that the European Commission activate protective mechanisms for Bulgarian egg producers facing excessive Ukrainian egg imports. A mechanism to trigger tariff quotas has already been launched jointly by several EU member states. If imports exceed this quota, tariffs will be imposed on Ukrainian eggs. The minister emphasized that Brussels must assess the state of the relevant product on the EU market—or within individual member states—within four months to implement protective measures. • Germany pledges continued support for Ukraine regardless of U.S. election outcome German Economy Minister and Deputy Chancellor Robert Habeck stated that Germany will continue supporting Ukraine irrespective of the outcome of the U.S. elections. Berlin also guaranteed that, even if the G7 countries fail to deliver the planned $1 billion in aid before year-end, Germany will provide Kyiv with everything it needs. He stressed that a Ukrainian defeat in this war would be extremely dangerous and threaten Europe’s freedom—making Ukraine’s resistance against Russian aggression squarely in Germany’s interest. • Naftogaz of Ukraine prepares for heating season The Chairman of the Board of Naftogaz of Ukraine stated that the company is actively preparing for the upcoming winter. He noted that Ukrainians will receive domestically produced natural gas this winter, as the group’s current gas production has increased by 7% compared to 2023. Gas storage accumulation is proceeding according to the approved plan and continues to rise. Furthermore, the company is adapting its infrastructure to cope with the full-scale invasion. 03 Livelihood & Economy Latest exchange rates: 1 USD = 41.32–41.43 hryvnias; 1 EUR = 45.73–45.95 hryvnias; 1 CNY = 5.65 hryvnias. • Ministry of Finance issues 3.7 billion hryvnias in government bonds The Ukrainian Ministry of Finance raised 3.695 billion hryvnias for the state budget through an auction for domestic national loan bonds. Notably, the Ministry offered investors hryvnia-denominated government bonds: 528 million hryvnias at an interest rate of 14.65%, repayable in 1.1 years; 5 million hryvnias at 15.41%, repayable in 2 years; and 3.162 billion hryvnias at 16.43%, repayable in 3.2 years.

Naftogaz Chief Says Ukraine's Gas Reserves Hit Six-Year High Ahead of Winter

19 hours ago

Naftogaz CEO Sergii Fedorenko announced Ukraine's natural gas reserves reached 16 billion cubic metres, a six-year high, despite intensified Russian attacks on energy infrastructure. Consumption is projected to drop to 20 bcm in 2026 as industrial shutdowns reduce demand.

reuters

2026-07-17

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Naftogaz Chief Says Ukraine's Gas Reserves Hit Six-Year High Ahead of Winter

Naftogaz Chief Says Ukraine's Gas Reserves Hit Six-Year High Ahead of Winter

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