President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has announced an ambitious goal for Ukraine to achieve concrete results in the production of an indigenous anti-ballistic missile defense system by the end of the year, as the country marks day 1,626 of the conflict. During a meeting with senior officials, the president emphasized the need to move quickly, noting that Ukraine intends to manufacture its own missiles and launchers while relying on international partners to supply critical components such as sensors and radars. This initiative is part of the broader Freyja programme, which aims to develop a European anti-ballistic system as an alternative to the Patriot defense network. Zelenskyy also confirmed that Ukraine is making progress in developing its own ballistic missiles, citing strong potential shown in recent tests.
The push for self-sufficiency comes as Ukraine faces a devastating increase in Russian aerial aggression. The Kyiv region recently observed an official day of mourning following a missile and drone blitz that claimed 17 lives. According to the UN office in Kyiv, 1,396 civilians were killed and 7,978 injured during the first half of this year, marking a 37% increase compared to the same period in 2025 and a 114% rise over 2024 figures. In the Black Sea, the conflict remains perilous for shipping; a recent Russian attack damaged a foreign-flagged vessel loaded with wheat, resulting in one crew member's death. In response, Zelenskyy promised that the government would implement subsidized credits and financial assistance for farmers impacted by strikes on port facilities.
Security concerns have extended to Europe, following a report that an explosive-laden drone was discovered at Leipzig airport near a Ukrainian cargo plane. German Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt noted that the device failed to detonate only because of a damaged component. Meanwhile, Ukraine continues to target Russian infrastructure, with Zelenskyy claiming successful strikes against oil refineries in the Bashkortostan and Yaroslavl regions, as well as hits on Russian military patrol boats and vessels from Moscow's shadow fleet. Conversely, the Russian defence ministry reported shooting down 605 Ukrainian drones, while 11 of their own assets were reportedly neutralized in the last 6 days.
On the diplomatic front, Zelenskyy is scheduled to visit Serbia on Saturday, marking his first trip to the country since the invasion began. The visit is intended to distance Belgrade from its historical ties to Moscow, though Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić’s office indicated that despite the meeting, Serbia’s policy toward Russia will remain unchanged for now. Additionally, Sweden’s supreme court on 4 August dismissed an appeal by Caffa Shipping Ltd, clearing the way for the transfer of a seized Russian cargo ship to Ukraine. The vessel, the 96-metre (315-foot) Caffa, was intercepted by Swedish police while transporting grain allegedly stolen from occupied Ukrainian territory, and will be handed over to Kyiv following the court's decision.
A drone carrying explosives that was found at Leipzig airport had come down near a Ukrainian aircraft loaded with military ammunition, according to a classified police report quoted by the German public broadcasters WDR and NDR and the Süddeutsche newspaper. Deborah Cole reports from Berlin that the German interior minister, Alexander Dobrindt, said only an apparently “ripped” detonator had prevented the device going off near Ukrainian cargo planes on the tarmac at the shipping and military hub.
Ukraine hit more oil facilities deep inside Russia, Zelenskyy said on Thursday. Targets included a refinery in Russia’s Bashkortostan region, more than 1,300km (800 miles) from the frontline, as well as a refinery in the Yaroslavl region, almost 700km into Russia. The Yaroslavl governor, Mikhail Yevrayev, confirmed an attack on a refinery, saying oil reservoirs were set on fire. Ukrainian forces hit two Russian military patrol boats in the Black Sea, Zelenskyy said, along with vessels belonging to Moscow’s so-called shadow fleet, which Russia uses to evade western restrictions on its oil exports. He did not give any details. The Russian defence ministry said its air defences shot down 605 Ukrainian drones over its territory.
