Ukrainian drones are reported to have attacked a large Russian oil refinery in the city of Syzran in Samara oblast during the night. Read more at Kyiv Independent, watch a video here.
Russian losses
- 1320 KWIA
- 4 Tanks
- 6 AFVs
- 53 Artillery systems
- 4 MLRS
- 2034 UAVs
- 15 UGVs
- 428 vehicles & fuel tanks
- 5 Special equipment
- 2 Cruise missiles

Ukrainian General Staff report
- 260 combat clashes
- 88 aviation strikes
- 244 KAB/CAB
- 8,866 kamikaze drones
- 3,062 shelling (44 from MLRS)
SLAVA UKRAINI
Don't forget to donate, Ukraine's cause is ours! Support Ukraine!

** Syzyran, Samara Oblast, was attacked. The Syzyran Oil Refinery was the target. **
https://bsky.app/profile/babayagafella.bsky.social/post/3mqgbjtsdnc2a
Just returned from Ukraine.
https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2026/07/12/lindsey-graham-longtime-south-carolina-senator-dies-71/
He has been one of the Republicans who actually tried to support Ukraine.
** U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham said on July 10 that he had reached an agreement with the White House on a Russia sanctions bill, potentially clearing the way for the long-stalled measure to advance.
“We’ve reached an agreement with the White House on a version of the Russia sanctions bill that they will support,” Graham told reporters during a visit to Kyiv.
The sanctions package, spearheaded by Graham, a Republican, and Senator Richard Blumenthal, a Democrat, “would give tools to President (Donald) Trump to help end this war,” the lawmaker said. **
https://kyivindependent.com/us-senator-claims-white-house-backing-for-russia-sanctions-bill/
That sanctions package didn’t even amount to a thumbtack. It rather acted like a wet blanket over parliamentary initiatives.
** Lindsey Graham dies from illness after returning from Kyiv trip **
https://kyivindependent.com/lindsey-graham-dies-from-illness-after-returning-from-kyiv-trip/
What a coincidence……..
The Russian bastards have clearly developed poison that causes heart problems, so conspiracy theories are bound to thrive.
No, no. If he had fallen out of a window, it would have been more suspicious.
Do you need to be conspiratorially minded??? That is, how many will NOT at least consider the thought.
Next question, will it even be possible to refrain from investigating? Is it the FBI that will investigate the suspected murder of a statesman?
At least I immediately thought of the Russian bastards…
** “True champion of freedom:” Ukraine pays respects to late U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham **
https://kyivindependent.com/lindsey-graham-dies-from-illness-after-returning-from-kyiv-trip/
** ❗️Another 14 tankers of 🇷🇺Russia’s shadow fleet were attacked by 🇺🇦Ukraine’s Unmanned Systems Forces during the night. **
https://bsky.app/profile/militarynewsua.bsky.social/post/3mqgj7z4nl22w
As I understand it, it is smaller Russian shallow-draft feeder tankers that load and unload from larger tankers. And that can go up the Russian rivers for a bit. The shadow fleet is something else.
Correct. The riverboats are about 4,500 tons. Both tankers and dry cargo ships. Specially built to handle the locks in the Volga and other major rivers. Most have Russian flags, so no shadow ships.
Ah thanks for the clarification, that explains things. Anyway, brilliant indeed
** Ukraine Liberates Villages in the Orikhiv direction: Mala Tokmachka: The enemy was almost completely knocked out of the settlement. The Defense Forces of Ukraine have regained control over the center of the village, which was previously under massive shelling by enemy KABs. **
https://bsky.app/profile/slavaukraini033.bsky.social/post/3mqgg3nhdi22r
** ❗️In occupied Donetsk, after the explosions, something started burning heavily. **
https://bsky.app/profile/militarynewsua.bsky.social/post/3mqgm244my22w
** 🇺🇦Kharkiv Direction: The most concerning situation is in the Kozacha Lopan area. According to available information, the enemy is making tactical advances along Zaliznichna Street and Teatralny Lane. Further progress in this area could allow the occupiers to reach the railway station area directly, which would significantly complicate the defense of the settlement and create additional threats for our soldiers.
🇺🇦That is why this area requires special attention! If effective measures are not taken in the near future to restrain the enemy and stabilize the situation, the enemy’s tactical advance could escalate into a more serious problem, leading to further expansion of their control.
🇺🇦Muchnoy ✙ Jugend |**
https://bsky.app/profile/babayagafella.bsky.social/post/3mqgf4ied2s2a
** Putin needs Ukraine to be fake. ㅤ Richard Gere said Putin rewrites history by denying Ukraine’s language, culture and existence. ㅤ That is the imperial trick: deny a people’s past, then call conquest “history.” Support link is in our Bio. **
https://bsky.app/profile/meanwhileua.bsky.social/post/3mqfzqyfnvc2r
Usually around this time of year, the hotels are fully booked and the beaches packed on the Russian-occupied Crimean Peninsula. But this year, nothing is as usual. This summer, there is a shortage of tourists, fuel, and food supplies in Crimea following massive Ukrainian attacks during the spring, reports Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty.
At the beginning of the summer, Ukrainian forces attacked almost all the bridges connecting Crimea to the mainland, while drone attacks have intensified. Several tourists who traveled to the popular resorts by car had difficulty getting home due to fuel shortages. At the same time, Russian tourists are postponing booking trips because there is widespread fear of attacks.
A Crimea-based YouTuber posted a vlog earlier this week showing the empty beaches.
– It is completely empty. I would have liked to show you more people, but unfortunately, there aren’t that many, he says in the video.
https://omni.se/forsatt-kris-pa-krym-strander-och-hotell-ekar-tomma/a/6qW8mW
Russia manipulates official economic statistics, and inflation is at least twice as high as the country reports.
“Our assessment is that it is in very poor condition,” says Military Intelligence Chief Thomas Nilsson about Russia’s economy.
Read about:
✔ Russia’s change: “More aggressive”
✔ Putin’s wishful thinking
✔ The 10,000-kronor question: “I would hire you immediately”
✔ Corruption: “A big, big problem”
Updated: July 12, 2026, 09:22
Published: July 12, 2026, 09:12
Johan Wendel
Text
Jack Mikrut
Photo
If you are to believe the official Russian statistics agency Rosstat, Russia’s GDP has grown by an average of about 3 percent per year from 2023 to 2025. The head of the Military Intelligence and Security Service, Must, does not put much stock in those figures.
“You should believe official Russian financial statistics as little as you should believe official Russian election statistics,” says Lieutenant General Thomas Nilsson in an interview with Di.
“Our assessment is that it is in very poor condition. It is getting worse and worse,” he continues about Russia’s economy.
Must’s estimate is that the economy has actually shrunk by 3 percent per year on average since 2023. The Russian statistics agency Rosstat further claims that inflation in May amounted to 5.3 percent annually.
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According to Must’s assessment, the actual inflation in Russia is at least twice as high.
THIS IS MUST
The Military Intelligence and Security Service, Must, leads intelligence and security within the Armed Forces.
Must’s task is, among other things, to support the government and the Supreme Commander with knowledge and to warn if the threat picture has changed.
From January 1, 2027, certain parts of Must’s operations will move to the new civilian agency, the Swedish Foreign Intelligence Service, Und.
It is not a pretty picture that the Must chief paints when describing Russia’s economic situation.
“There is an imbalance in the entire financial system. Some parts, often strongly linked to the military-industrial complex, are running at full speed. There is a labor shortage that drives up wages and inflation.”
“And there are cost increases because they cannot access all raw materials due to sanctions. And then there are other parts of the business sector that are idling,” says Thomas Nilsson.
“It is not a good business idea to produce military equipment that is then destroyed and rusts away on the battlefield in Ukraine. They basically have no foreign investments. No one is eager to invest in the Russian business sector.”
One of Russia’s bad options is to start the printing presses, says Thomas Nilsson.
One of Russia’s bad options is to start the printing presses, says Thomas Nilsson. Photo: Janerik Henriksson/TT
Must’s operations are surrounded by secrecy, and the intelligence service bases its assessments on various types of sources, both open and secret. Thomas Nilsson mentions nighttime light activity as an example of a method that can be used to study Russia’s economy.
“Then you see that there is very low activity and that it is these military-industrial complexes that stand out, running at full speed.”
When will Russia’s economy reach a breaking point?
“That is the 10,000-kronor question. If you had a good answer to that, I would hire you immediately. It is very difficult to say,” says Thomas Nilsson and continues:
“What we have concluded is that Russia has no good options. There is only the plague or cholera. They can start the printing presses and print more money, but that comes with negative consequences like inflation. They can tax the population harder and confiscate savings. But that is not good for morale.”
“We see that the financial system in Russia is partly maintained with support from China. With the help of Chinese banks, they can circumvent sanctions and utilize income from their oil and gas exports.”
Russian cyberattacks are a threat to Sweden.
Russian cyberattacks are a threat to Sweden. Photo: Lev Dolgachov
How do you assess that corruption in Russia has developed since the full-scale invasion of Ukraine?
“Corruption is a big, big problem. My assessment is that Russian society and industry lose some efficiency due to corruption problems. Scandals are occasionally uncovered, linked among other things to the military-industrial complex. I believe it is deeply rooted in the Russian social fabric.”
The Must chief describes the Russian military capability that existed at the full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022 as “destroyed” – but that Russia has managed to rebuild, and even expand, its military forces.
“We must not forget that while we rightly praise and admire Ukraine’s innovations, Russia has also developed. They are not far behind Ukraine in terms of lessons learned. So they have not only increased their military forces’ scope, but also developed their warfare,” says Thomas Nilsson.
“But that means they have taken a lot, not least ground forces, and moved them from our part of Europe to Ukraine. However, there are naval and air forces and tactical nuclear forces in our vicinity.”
“They have their special forces that engage in intelligence gathering but also have the ability to carry out sabotage. And then they have their cyberattack resources that can also affect us.”
Russia has plotted to assassinate Armin Papperger, CEO of Rheinmetall.
Russia has plotted to assassinate Armin Papperger, CEO of Rheinmetall. Photo: Vadim Ghirda/AP
You mentioned special forces that have the ability to carry out sabotage. Is sabotage being carried out?
“It is in Russia’s interest to hide a bit who is doing what. But we have seen it, and other countries have also testified to it. We have seen incidents in the Baltics that the Baltic authorities link to Russian special forces. So we have definitely seen that,” says the Must chief and mentions cyberattacks as an example as well.
“But we also have assassination plans against German business representatives that German authorities have discovered,” says Thomas Nilsson.
CNN has reported that Russia planned to assassinate several top executives in the European defense industry, with the most advanced plan targeting the German defense giant Rheinmetall’s CEO Armin Papperger.
“I cannot confirm if that is the case, but I have seen the reporting and that he is an example pointed out,” says Thomas Nilsson.
“We do not believe that Russia wants a military confrontation with NATO,” says Thomas Nilsson. The picture shows NATO chief Mark Rutte during a meeting with Donald Trump.
“We do not believe that Russia wants a military confrontation with NATO,” says Thomas Nilsson. The picture shows NATO chief Mark Rutte during a meeting with Donald Trump. Photo: Jacquelyn Martin/AP
The Must chief states that Russia has for a long time considered itself to be in a “strategic conflict” with the West.
“We do not believe that Russia wants a military confrontation with NATO. A united NATO with its military strength, Russia cannot handle,” says Thomas Nilsson and continues:
“The Western world, with NATO and the EU, managed to be fairly united when Russia attacked Ukraine. I think that surprised Moscow somewhat. I think they had an image that we were much more divided.”
However, Russia could test, for example, NATO’s and the EU’s unity through its so-called hybrid warfare, notes Thomas Nilsson.
“That opens up more tools that Russia could use,” he says.
“I believe Putin’s wishful thinking is a divided Europe.”
“I believe Putin’s wishful thinking is a divided Europe.” Photo: Jack Mikrut (Di)
“We have seen a change in how Russia uses these tools during the past six months. They have chosen to both communicate and act more aggressively and riskily towards us and our allies in NATO and the EU. They adapt their methods based on what they want to achieve and what vulnerabilities they see in the one they want to influence.”
“The actions can be both low-intensity and high-intensity, from strategic communication and political influence to violence and sabotage. So far, Russia has mainly targeted the Baltics and Poland, but the same tools can be used against Sweden,” continues Thomas Nilsson.
Through their actions, Russia could sow doubt in Western countries about whether it is worth spending 3.5 percent of GDP on military defense.
“I believe Putin’s wishful thinking is a divided Europe where they can handle countries in small portions or individually,” concludes Thomas Nilsson.
https://www.di.se/mobil/nyheter/spionchefen-domer-ut-rysk-ekonomi/
👍 says that Russia is not far behind in development. As Johan has pointed out. However, says nothing about capability building around the Baltics / Finland. But more and more people have started talking about that.
Interesting reading! 👍
Even though I believe that hybrid warfare is the greatest threat, one would have wished that the military threat (against the Baltics) was taken more seriously as well. Now, it is not mentioned at all.
Maybe they wanted to keep it more focused on the threats specifically against Sweden, but if it hits the Baltics, we will be drawn in.
I completely agree with both of you (and Johan).
Reduced overall Russian pressure with lower pressure in several sectors, but up in Pokrovsk to a very high pressure. Kramatorsk, which otherwise has not made much noise, often around 0 to a few attacks in recent months, has increased in the last days and is now at a noticeable pressure. At the same time, the Ukrainian unlocalized pressure increased, which is therefore an offensive, not defensive behavior. Ratio close to 1 where the number of Ukrainian attacks is as many as the Russian ones. A stable pressure clearly above the support at 100 (or if it should be higher).
N Slobozhansky 3↗️, S Slobozhansky 8↘️, Kupyansk 4↗️, Lyman 11💥↘️, Slovyansk 23💥↘️, Kramatorsk 10💥↗️, Kostjantynivka 19💥, Pokrovsk 44💥💥💥↗️, Oleksandrivskij 3, Huliaipole 13💥↘️, Orikhivsk 0, Prydniprovskij 0,
Localized 138↘️, Unloc. 122↗️, Total 260, R. unloc./loc. 0.9↗️.
Thank you for the report!
👍
** Russia kills at least 5 people and injures 35 others in last 24 hours **
https://kyivindependent.com/russia-kills-at-least-5-and-injures-35-ukrainian-civilians-in-last-day/
The Russians have started to make fun of the fuel shortage, here is an example:
“😂😂😂😂⛽️”
https://bsky.app/profile/maks23.bsky.social/post/3mqgv5tcpe22t
Lindsay Graham was 71.
Feels like he was punished for his UA support?
He was probably the driving force behind opposing Trump and pushing through sanctions against RU?
Quite interesting in itself that RU dares.
Then again, a heart attack or stroke at home is never a Russian murder, and with Trump’s administration, there was certainly less willingness to point fingers.
So against Trump’s line in the UA issue where he has pushed for things that Trump had not intended.
Answer YES to all of your (rhetorical) questions above!
Now one wonders, can even US authorities refrain from investigating or alternatively stop an investigation in the circular file?
He has been one of the few Ukraine supporters close to the administration but at the same time a very loyal politician and has not wanted to hold the vote before securing the president’s blessing, which as is well known has been delayed. Now, however, it seemed that he had finally received it and then he happens to pass away.
Hate coincidence.
Doesn’t look like it’s dying directly.
The image looks familiar, wasn’t there an almost identical one where Trump gave a thumbs up with Zelenskyy? AI image?
https://www.president.gov.ua/en/news/sankciyi-proti-rosiyi-diplomatichna-robota-ta-pidtrimka-ukra-105381
Is this good enough?
Yes, I do not question that he has been and met Zelenskyy, only that the picture with the thumbs up was very Trump-like.
He seemed to be a true friend of Ukraine who unfortunately has passed away. I hope his legacy with sanctions can still be voted through.
Or is the bow shot frightening for those who are going to vote?
https://www.pbs.org/wgbh/frontline/article/journalist-christo-grozev-kremlin-putin-russia-bellingcat-antidote-documentary-excerpt/
I can’t find particularly much but I’m sitting and looking at the timeline and Graham met Zelensky on Friday during the day, after which he went straight home to Washington.
If we just guess – done with Zelensky around lunch, over to Rzeszow by train and then directly on the flight to the USA?
The trip to Rzeszow is 10-12 hours, then an hour or two in Rzeszow and what, 11-12 hours flight time to Washington?
He is on the flight to the USA before midnight Polish time and back in the USA 11-12 hours later which would then be Saturday morning in DC?
On “Saturday evening” he suddenly passes away, the call came in at 20:27.
12+14 = 28 hours at most from when he was in an environment where he theoretically could have been exposed to something.
When the meeting with Zelensky was finished is of course of interest and when he left Rzeszow, I’m just guessing the whole timeline except when he died.
Timewise it is well within the window for the different poisons that Russia actively uses, Novichok which is a bit of a modern classic has the time directly linked to the dose and the Russians use it whenever window throwing is not preferable.
Enough for reasonable suspicion to exist so that tests and investigation are followed up at least?
RU has more than just Novichok but if you test it should be possible to find?
We at least know that Ukraine or Israel did not want him gone and that he had just pushed through the sanctions from hell for Russia and actively tries to give them interceptors. Iran is probably the next candidate maybe but Russia has motive, tools and opportunity since they operate freely throughout Europe evidently.
Isn’t it extremely time-critical to find traces of novitjock and similar.
Another method is to interview everyone around him, did he manage to tell about anything different?
Yes, it is, and you have to look for special markers otherwise it looks like a natural heart attack.
It’s important that the FBI is quick on the ball 😀
FAFO 💥
😄
It will be interesting to see this week –
-will there be a Russian influence operation that proves Zelensky murdered him?
-will the FBI open a criminal investigation?
-did he die of natural causes (which cannot be ruled out without a lot of special tests that take time).
Haha, it was probably him who is in prison for blowing up the gas pipeline, it will probably turn out that he had leave yesterday.
Does the FBI make that public in that case? The boss had detention for 8 hours at the White House the other day where he had to write down “I will bully NYT 100k times.” IF a middle manager dares to start an investigation, isn’t it done quietly then!?
Special tests are probably extremely urgent, so if scared bosses at the FBI wait a few hours, they can avoid a lot of trouble.
Not really sure how it works in the USA but that Kash Patel is a big Russia hater we know is true.
Doesn’t really prevent the FBI from investigating and it would probably get out to the media if they weren’t allowed?
But when things are set in stone, things CANNOT happen by themselves. It’s enough, as I said, to wait that little extra time so that the novice thick doesn’t trigger on the test… easily happens while the middle manager is sitting and wondering what the uber boss wants.
Just so you know, that damn package for Russia was going to be voted through after Graham came back from Ukraine if I understand this correctly.
This is going to be interesting to follow, to say the least 😲
Agree, it will definitely be interesting to see if they follow up on it properly and what they might find in that case. His father passed away due to a heart attack at the age of 69, and in some places it is mentioned that he had chest pains before he passed away, possibly genetic.
Occam’s razor usually works well, and then the FBI (in this case, presumably) should investigate whether there is suspicion of a crime. The timeline, the questions he has raised, and the Russian modus operandi are enough to establish that. We all already know that Russia kills inconvenient people.
Now, of course, no one can say naturally – murder before it has been investigated, so therefore I remain silent, just trying to sort out the facts 😀
With EUROCLEAR, it quickly became clear why they delayed stealing the frozen Russian funds, and it happened in Poland, so there are many who could leak to the media. Then it is extremely embarrassing for Poland IF it was a murder, so they might try to cover it up?
—
There is one more aspect to this – the signal it sends to others in decision-making positions, so it will also be very interesting to see how the vote goes; at least one vote for the proposal is gone 😀
The problem is probably “relation to a foreign power” and especially certain gentlemen’s own gain.
BUT I see two advantages
1. I believe the package will be passed now
2. Even though I can hardly believe it myself… but what if… T starts to realize that Ukraine is the winner AND at the same time a scandal breaks out about someone suspected of murdering the biggest Russia-hater. THEN T can mobilize an external threat just in time for the elections
There are many ways this can go
Exciting
Saw in the media that he had no health problems before the flight to Ukraine.
It is of course an indication, but at the same time it is not uncommon for heart problems to arise suddenly, especially as one gets older.
Extreme heat, for example, increases the risk, but also jet lag/disrupted circadian rhythm, and in this case he traveled twice within a few days.
95% probability of natural death there as well?
Guessing something like that, at the same time it is of course also a bit too good a coincidence.. Hope it gets investigated regardless.
We who are a bit older understand perfectly.
Wasn’t it Navalny who became ill on a plane?
Yes. Poisoned underwear.
The ears look somewhat clenched. Maybe not so smart to say that everyone must hold out until the end? 😂
“Russian State Duma Speaker Volodin urged Russians to not panic and “move forward with confidence until the end.”
https://x.com/i/status/2076293434864701834
30+ something days left of 40.
Or (minus) 1500 days of the 3-day operation
Best 30 ever… can I get a restart please?
It is fun to see the entire German narrative play out now in 2026 as reality outruns Russia.
First, the maps have started to diverge from each other, formal Russian staff maps vs. our OSINT. The difference is enormous right now.
Then the constant threats, wunderwaffen, map warfare in the bunker, and the situation in Russia.
It is a joy to see.
Scott Lucas on Lindsey Graham’s passing.
https://youtube.com/shorts/n3oSskhXEk8?is=HC694Gizz4A6nPGS
He believes that Lindsey was part of the establishment Republicans in the fight against the Trump supporters, but that he increasingly leaned towards Trump.
Yep
Off-topic, Iran 🇮🇷
Hormuz is open again (according to the USA)
— dn
Putin cannot afford to end the war in Ukraine – then the people will turn against him.
That is the claim of financier Bill Browder.
– If a million people march on Red Square, he is finished, and he understands that, he says to The Independent.
https://www.expressen.se/nyheter/varlden/analys-putins-dilemma-kan-inte-avsluta-kriget-/
Wagner PMC has turned into a drug cartel after Prigozhin’s death
The new Wagner fighters have firmly established themselves in the Central African Republic, where no one can reach them. According to The Wall Street Journal, their base is located near the upper reaches of the Ubangi River.
Their main source of income has become the trade in tramadol — a powerful painkiller that is used in large doses as a cheap stimulant.
In addition, the mercenaries control gold mining and other resources in the CAR — one of the poorest and most unstable countries in the world.
Analysts estimate that illegal gold trading could bring Wagner fighters around $180 million a year.
After Prigozhin’s death, the Kremlin took control of many of the group’s operations, but in the Central African Republic this proved more difficult. Hundreds of former Wagner fighters retained their influence and became integrated into local security structures.
Offtopic
“The bicycle is a slow death for the planet.” It was with exactly that provocative statement that a certain banker once surprised economists. His words sounded sharp and ironic, but they forced reflection. “The cyclist is a real disaster for the country’s economy. He doesn’t buy a car and doesn’t take out loans to pay for it. He doesn’t take out insurance. He doesn’t buy fuel. He doesn’t pay for inspections, maintenance, or repairs. He doesn’t need paid parking. He rarely causes serious accidents. He doesn’t demand the construction of more highways. And worst of all — he helps people stay healthy and not gain weight. A healthy citizen is almost worthless to the economic system. He doesn’t buy medicine. He doesn’t fill hospitals or clinics. He doesn’t increase GDP with his illnesses. Economically, he is almost ‘invisible.’ Meanwhile, each new McDonald’s creates at least thirty jobs: ten cardiologists, ten dentists, ten dietitians and nutrition specialists… and of course employees at the restaurant itself. And then a sharp question arises: what do you choose — bicycle or McDonald’s? It’s worth thinking about. Because behind this paradox lies a bitter truth: in a world where health does not always drive the economy, being healthy is almost a revolutionary act. And by the way — walking is even worse. Pedestrians don’t even buy bicycles. 🚶♂️🚲 after Kawa z mlekiem
https://x.com/darekbrzoza/status/2076253521503002753?s=46
The Old Man buys a lot of alcohol but walks and stays healthy.
So true, I don’t know any living person who has died from alcohol 🧐
😂
Why are we always the last to act?
On Friday, China announced that it will step up cooperation with the southwestern African country Namibia, Reuters reports.
https://www.reuters.com/world/china/namibia-secures-china-deals-infrastructure-mining-energy-with-state-visit-2026-07-10/