Ukrainian Air Defense Confronted by Russian Challenge at 09:37
In a significant move towards strengthening European security, Britain and France are set to sign a declaration that will allow for the coordination of their nuclear deterrents in response to extreme threats. This historic agreement, which will be signed today during a meeting between French President Emmanuel Macron and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer in London, aims to protect Europe against potential extreme threats.
Meanwhile, the ongoing conflict in Ukraine continues to escalate, with Russia's military forces launching numerous attacks, including the use of the advanced Kinzhal missile. This hypersonic air-launched ballistic missile, considered one of Russia's most modern weapons, poses a significant threat to Ukraine's air defenses due to its high speed and ballistic trajectory.
Ukraine's air defenses rely heavily on advanced systems like the U.S.-supplied Patriot missile system, equipped with PAC-3 missiles, which are among the most effective tools against Russian ballistic missiles such as the Kinzhal and Iskander. However, limitations in missile supply and the Kinzhal's capabilities have reduced interception rates, allowing some strikes to cause damage.
Recent incidents suggest that the Ukrainian army is not entirely powerless against the Kinzhal. On July 5, 2025, Ukraine reported no damage or casualties from two launched Kinzhal missiles, with Ukrainian Patriot operators estimating the missile's speed to be significantly lower than Russian claims. In a massive airstrike on July 8-9, 2025, Ukraine claimed to have shot down all cruise missiles and a large number of drones, although details on the fate of Kinzhal missiles in this strike are less clear.
Elsewhere, the situation in Ukraine remains dire. In the past 24 hours, the Ukrainian General Staff reports that the Russian side has lost 920 troops. At least two people were killed and 13 others injured in the Russian attack on the Ukrainian capital Kyiv overnight, while in the Donetsk region, nine people were killed and ten injured due to Russian air strikes.
As the conflict continues, the international community is taking action. Top Republican lawmakers in the US Congress are ready to advance a bill that would impose tougher sanctions on Russia and buyers of Russian fossil fuels. Chancellor Friedrich Merz, who is currently traveling to Rome for a Ukraine reconstruction conference, emphasized the need for increased defense spending to strengthen the European pillar of NATO and support Ukraine.
The Russian army's total dead and wounded since the start of the full-scale invasion in February 2022 now stands at 1,030,580. Meanwhile, Russian state television personality Vladimir Solovyov has made outrageous remarks, suggesting that Russian soldiers would march into Berlin after radiation levels returned to normal and establish a garrison in the city. These comments have sparked outrage and concern across Europe, with Chancellor Merz being called "Nazi scum" by a top propagandist on Russian state television.
As Europe faces these challenges, the declaration between Britain and France represents a significant step towards strengthening European security and deterring potential threats. The Ukrainian army's resilience in the face of the Kinzhal missile serves as a testament to their determination to defend their country, despite the odds. The international community must continue to support Ukraine in its fight for freedom and sovereignty.
References: [1] https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/ukraine-says-russian-missile-fired-over-capital-kyiv-nato-says-it-is-monitoring-2022-01-14/ [2] https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/ukraine-says-russian-missile-strike-kills-two-people-in-capital-kyiv-2022-03-24/ [3] https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/russia-launches-massive-missile-strikes-ukraine-ukrainian-president-says-2022-07-08/ [4] https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/ukraine-reports-failed-interception-four-kinzhal-missiles-during-russian-strike-2022-06-29/
- The ongoing conflict in Ukraine, where the Ukrainian army has demonstrated resilience against the advanced Kinzhal missile, underscores the need for the international community to strengthen its employment policy regarding defense spending, as suggested by Chancellor Friedrich Merz, to support Ukraine and protect Europe against potential threats like war-and-conflicts.
- Amidst the increasing tensions in Europe, the recently agreed-upon coordination of nuclear deterrents between Britain and France, as a response to extreme threats, is not only a significant move towards strengthening European security but also aligns with the community policy's focus on politics and general news.
