War in Ukraine – Latest update, key takeaways and map from the Institute for the Study of War on July 24, 2026
Key Takeaways from the ISW:
- Russian President Vladimir Putin likely used a meeting with Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev to justify his refusal to freeze the frontline in Ukraine and his decision to continue waging the war.
- Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky warned that Russia continues to prepare for involuntary reserve call-ups and is preparing to receive about 30,000 new North Korean troops amid staggeringly high battlefield casualties.
- Russia is expanding its gasoline export ban until the end of 2026.
- A Romanian F-16 fighter jet intercepted an unidentified drone in Romanian airspace for the second time in two days on July 25.
- Ukrainian forces struck Russian energy, logistics, and military assets on July 24 and 25. Russia launched 157 drones and two Kh-59/69 cruise missiles overnight on July 24 and 25.
- Neither Ukrainian nor Russian forces made confirmed advances on July 25.
