On day 1231 of the war, Russia launched fewer drones than usual in the early hours. Four missiles and 54 drones headed towards northern and central Ukraine during the night, and the air defense destroyed most of the targets.
However, five strikes were recorded. In Nikolaiev and Herson, four people were injured in drone attacks.
In Russia, the mystery remains surrounding the death of Roman Starovoit, the former Minister of Transport. The Russian press writes that at the time Putin signed the order to dismiss Starovoit on Monday, he was already dead.
A military court sentenced the former deputy chief of the Russian General Staff, Lieutenant General Khalil Arslanov, to 17 years in prison for embezzling over $12.7 million from contracts between the Ministry of Defense and Voentelecom. The court ordered the confiscation of the general's huge wealth.
And the Pentagon has started sending additional defensive weapons to Ukraine after U.S. President Donald Trump announced that Washington would resume arms supplies.
Frontline Situation
- Russia took it easy - The usual aerial attack that Russia launches every night had reduced intensity. Russian forces launched four surface-to-air guided missiles S-300/400 and 54 drones. The air defense shot down 34 drones in northern and central Ukraine. Five strikes were recorded, announced the Ukrainian Air Forces.
- Attacks in Nikolaiev and Herson - A man was injured, and two dacha-style buildings caught fire last night in a Russian drone attack on the Nikolaiev region, announced Vitalii Kim, head of the regional military administration. A dacha is a seasonal secondary residence, usually with a small plot of land where people grow vegetables, fruit trees, and berries or maintain a garden, notes Ukrainska Pravda. The fires were extinguished by firefighters. In the morning, two men and a woman were injured in the Herson region, where Russian troops attacked the civilian population with drones, announced the regional military administration.
What's Happening in Russia
- The Mystery of a Minister's Death - Former Russian Minister of Transport Roman Starovoit died before Putin signed his dismissal, sources cited by the Russian press claim. Forbes Russia, citing "a source close to investigative authorities," reported that Roman Starovoit died more than a day before, possibly on the night of July 5-6. RBC, citing a source within law enforcement, reported that Starovoit's body was discovered on Saturday. "The source stated that ballistic and medical examinations will be conducted in the case of Starovoit's death to help determine the cause. One of the main versions being considered is suicide," RBC wrote. In contrast, the Ministry of Transport stated that a meeting involving Starovoit took place on Sunday. On Monday, the Russian press reported that Starovoit was found dead after Putin dismissed him on Sunday morning.
- General Sentenced to Prison - A former deputy chief of the Russian General Staff, Lieutenant General Khalil Arslanov, was sentenced on Monday by a military court to 17 years in prison for embezzling $12.7 million from contracts between the Ministry of Defense and Voentelecom, a company that provides telecommunication services to the Russian army, reports Reuters. Arslanov was also convicted of soliciting a $152,000 bribe from the head of a military communications company. Arslanov, former head of the army's communications unit, held the position of deputy chief of the General Staff from 2013 until his dismissal in 2020 and was promoted to lieutenant general in 2017. The court stripped him of all state honors and ordered the confiscation of properties, vehicles, and money worth 2.5 billion rubles, including a luxury apartment in central Moscow, a three-story English-style villa, and a collection of luxury cars with brands like Bentley and Aston Martin.
Other Relevant Information
- Pentagon Sends Arms Again - The U.S. Department of Defense has begun providing additional defensive weapons to Ukraine. "At the direction of President Trump, the Department of Defense is sending additional defensive arms to Ukraine to ensure that Ukrainians can defend themselves while we work to secure a lasting peace and ensure that the massacres cease," the Pentagon's statement reads. The American leader announced on Monday that the U.S. will send new weapons to Ukraine after the White House announced last week that it was suspending some deliveries, AFP reports. "We will need to send more weapons, mainly defensive weapons. Too many people are dying in this disaster," Trump said. He told Zelenski that he did not order the suspension of arms deliveries to Ukraine, according to WSJ. Details HERE.
- Kyiv Wants to Expand Drone Production with Allies - Zelenski announced plans on Monday to expand drone production together with allies, even for the post-war period, according to dpa. "We are working with partners to ensure that production in their countries operates at full capacity - both for our common defense today and for the arsenals of our partners after the war. Step by step, we are covering the funding gap for drone and interception drone production," Zelenski said in an evening speech. Cooperation would involve all countries that can assist with investments, individual parts, and production facilities, he added.