Daily Briefing

Key Takeaways

• Zelensky dismissed Army Commander Syrskyi and Defence Minister Fedorov (6 sources corroborated), citing a months-long breakdown between the General Staff and Ministry of Defence and the need to prepare for a severe winter.
• Russia launched 147 drones overnight on 26–27 July; Ukraine intercepted 123, but 21 struck 10 locations — Dnipro residents reported ammonia odour after a hit on an industrial facility, and Kyiv sustained ballistic missile strikes causing fires in three districts.
• Ukraine's deep-strike campaign reached deep into Russia: Rostov-on-Don port struck (2 killed, 5 injured), Belgorod hit (12 civilians wounded including 2 children), and a Crimea-based S-400 launcher and radar destroyed by GUR drones overnight 25–26 July.
• Ukraine struck an Iranian cargo vessel in the Caspian Sea (1 killed, 1 wounded); Tehran threatened retaliation and Iran's FM alleged the attack was ordered by Israel — a claim without evidence that risks opening a new diplomatic front for Kyiv.
• Ukraine and the US are discussing an air-ceasefire proposal to present to Russia (6 sources corroborated), even as Zelensky chairs deep-strike planning meetings and updates a target list now covering ranges exceeding 3,000 km.