Skip next section What you need to knowWhat you need to know Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced that Ukraine has secured three US-made Patriot air defense systems Kyiv is seeking funding for seven more Patriot systems Kremlin pushes back on possible meeting between Vladimir Putin and Volodymyr Zelenskyy Below, you can read updates from Russia’s war in UkrainefromFriday, July 25:
Skip next section Russian parliament approves bill punishing ‘extremist’ online searchesJuly 25, 2025
Russian parliament approves bill punishing ‘extremist’ online searchesThe upper house of the Russian parliament approved a bill that penalizes online searches for information officially labeled “extremist.”
It is the latest in a series of moves by authorities to tighten control of the internet.
The legislation makes what it describes as “deliberately searching for and accessing extremist materials” online punishable by a fine of up to the equivalent of $64 (€54).
The bill, which was endorsed by the lower house earlier this week, is now set to be signed into law by President Vladimir Putin.
In Russia, the official definition of extremist activity is extremely broad and includes opposition groups such as the Anti-Corruption Foundation, which was created by the late opposition leader Alexei Navalny, as well as the “international LGBT movement.”
It is unclear how the authorities will track down violators. According to officials and lawmakers, only those who methodically seek outlawed content will be targeted, and ordinary internet users won’t be affected.
However, no explanation was offered as to how authorities would differentiate between them. Many Russians use VPN services to access banned content. However, authorities have sought to tighten restrictions and close loopholes.
Russian authorities have ramped up their multipronged crackdown on dissent after sending troops into Ukraine in February 2022, with online censorship and prosecutions for social media posts and comments havingsoared since then.
Multiple independent news outlets and rights groups have been shut down, labeled as “foreign agents,” or outlawed as “undesirable.” Additionally, hundreds of activists and Kremlin critics have faced criminal charges.
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Skip next section Kremlin pushes back on possible meeting between Putin and ZelenskyyJuly 25, 2025
Kremlin pushes back on possible meeting between Putin and ZelenskyyThe Kremlin saidthat it was “obviously” unlikely the RussianPresident Vladimir Putin and his Ukrainian counterpartVolodymyr Zelenskyywould meet within 30 days, after Kyiv suggested a leaders summit before the end of August.
“A high-level meeting can and must put a definitive end to the settlement … Is it possible to go through such a complex process in 30 days? Well, that is obviously unlikely,” Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters.
US President Donald Trump earlier in Julygave Russia 50 days to strike a peace deal with Ukraine or face sweeping sanctions, with the deadline coming at the end of August.
Ukrainian analyst: Trump disiilusioned with RussiaTo view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video
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Skip next section Starlink satellite system suffers brief outage overnightJuly 25, 2025
Starlink satellite system suffers brief outage overnightThe Starlink systems used by Ukrainian military units were down for two and a half hours overnight, a senior commander said, part of a global issue that disrupted the satellite internet provider.
Starlink experienced one of its biggest international outages when an internal software failure knocked tens of thousands of users offline.
Ukrainian forces heavily rely on SpaceX’s Starlink terminals for battlefield communications and drone operations because they have proven resistant to espionage and signal jamming throughout the war against Russia.
“Starlink is down across the entire front,” Robert Brovdi, the commander of Ukraine’s drone forces, wrote on Telegram at 10:41 p.m.(1941 GMT) on Thursday.
He updated his post later to say that by about 01:05on Friday morning the issue had been resolved. Brovdi said the incident highlighted the risks of relying on these systems and called for more diverse communication and connectivity methods.
“Combat missions were performed without a (video) feed, battlefield reconnaissance was done with strike (drones),” Brovdi wrote.
While Starlink does not operate in Russia, Ukrainian officials saythat Moscow’s troops are also widely using the systems on the frontlines in Ukraine.
Starlink satellite system shaping modern warfareTo view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video
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Skip next section Possible meeting between Zelenskyy and Putin under discussionJuly 25, 2025
Possible meeting between Zelenskyy and Putin under discussionDuring their meeting in Istanbul earlier this week, negotiators from Moscow and Kyiv discussed the possibility of a direct meeting between Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin .
Ukraine has been pushing for a meeting between the two leaders and has expressed hope that US President Donald Trump could also take part. Trump has been pressing the warring parties to strike a deal.
Putin has said he would only meet Zelenskyyduring a “final phase” of negotiations on ending the war.
“We need an end to the war, which probably begins with a meeting of leaders,” Zelenskyy told journalists. “In talks with us, they have begun to discuss it. This is already progress toward some kind of meeting format.”
Russia, Ukraine conclude brief peace talks in IstanbulTo view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video
At a fresh round of talks in Istanbul on Wednesday, Ukrainian lead negotiator Rustem Umerov proposed to hold the talks before the end of Augustwhichwould roughly align with a deadline set by US President Trump, who earlier this month gave Russia 50 days to strike a peace deal with Ukraine or face sweeping sanctions.
However, Russian negotiator Vladimir Medinskydownplayed the likelihood of an imminent meeting.
“The meeting must be properly prepared. Only then will it make sense,” Medinsky was quoted as saying by Russian state news agency TASS.
Talks to end the conflict have so far yielded few results as the two sides have radically different positions.
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Skip next section Ukraine seeking 10 new Patriot air defense systemsJuly 25, 2025
Ukraine seeking 10 new Patriot air defense systemsUkrainianPresidentVolodymyr Zelenskyy is working to secure funding for 10 Patriot air defence systems, following a deal that allows European states to buy US weaponry and give it to Kyiv.
“The President of the United States will be transferring, selling these systems to us,”Zelenskyy said in comments that were released to journalists on Friday.”Our task is to find funding for all 10 systems.”
He added that Ukraine had already secured funds for three systems — two from Germany and one from Norway, but is seeking funding for seven more.
“I have officially received confirmation from Germany fortwo systems, and from Norway for one. We are currently workingwith Dutch partners,” he told reporters.
Ukraine’s NATO allies scramble to deliver US weaponsTo view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video
Since taking office in January, US President Donald Trump has criticized the tens of billions of dollars in aid provided to Kyiv under the Biden administration, and instead has approved the sale of weapons for Ukraine via NATO member states.
Zelenskyy said that Washington and Kyiv had agreed to a deal worth between $10 billion and $30 billion (€8.5 billion to €25.5 billion), under which Ukraine would provide the United States with drones.
“With America and President Trump, we agreed that they will purchase drones from us. This agreement is in place,” Zelenskyy said.
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Skip next section Welcome to our coverageJuly 25, 2025
Welcome to our coverageWelcome to DW’s coverage of the latest developments in the Russian war on Ukraine.
As the weekend approaches, we’ll keep you updated on stories, including Ukraine’s planned purchase of Patriot air defense systems through European countries.
Stay tuned for the latest news and analysis from the ongoing war.
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