Ukraine and Allies Coalition Tackles Russia Ballistic Missile Threat

Ukraine and key Western allies on 7/13/2026, announced an air-defence coalition that would include jointly developing a new anti-ballistic missile system as an alternative and cheaper solution to the U.S. Patriot system. With Ukraine increasingly exposed to Russian ballistic missiles, leaders gathered in Paris for a summit, where 10 countries, along with about a dozen firms from the defence sector, met to press on with what they called the Integrated Anti-Ballistic Missile Coalition.

"We believe that the protection of Europe requires a global solution of integrated missile defence architecture to deter and defeat future missile threats," the Leaders of: Britain, Denmark, France, Germany, Italy, Netherlands, Norway, Spain, Sweden, and Ukraine, and said in a Statement. "It will complement existing ballistic missile defence systems, including sovereign European solutions already acquired, or to be acquired by participating countries."

Ukraine is Critically Low on munitions for its systems and has been largely unable to down ballistic missiles, which travel at several times the speed of sound, over the past month. It has pleaded with Allies for more supplies and has also pushed Europe to work with it on its own anti-ballistic air defence system.

As Russia's strikes have increased, Kyiv has intensified drone attacks inside Russia, targeting oil facilities and weapons production as it has shifted the battlefield momentum in the war. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiyy joined some 25 Leaders for a broader Summit of the Coalition of the Willing, part of efforts that include putting together a common position that could be taken to Russia, and Security Guarantees to Support any eventual Peace Deal.

Monday's meetings come days after a NATO summit that aimed to show transatlantic unity and long-term support for Ukraine. Russia has stepped up strikes on Kyiv and the surrounding region in recent weeks, killing dozens. Officials said Russian missile and drone attacks across Ukraine on Saturday left eight dead and many more wounded. Moscow says it only attacks targets of military relevance and denies targeting civilians.

Zelenskiyy says a New Joint Project To Be Developed. The Ballistic Ccoalition's efforts will centre around the Freyja Project, Ukraine's attempt to build a European-backed, Lower Cost Alternative to the Patriot system. "The more means Ukraine has to shoot down Russian ballistic missiles, the greater the chance that Putin will come to the negotiating table, as his last argument in this war will no longer work," Zelenskiyy said after Monday's Announcement.

About 12 Companies from across Europe, including the SAMP-T Manufacturer Eurosam, Leonardo, Thales, Saab, as well as Ukraine's Fire Point, were among those attending. "It will also help our defence industries in Europe work even more closely together and learn from one another," German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said.

France Licences Missile Proection: The Meeting also addressed how more U.S. Patriot Interceptors could be Sourced, but also Advanced the Deployment of the Franco-Italian SAMP-T Air Defence System. Speaking alongside Zelenskiyy, France's President Emmanuel Macron said Ukraine had Ordered the Delivery of Next Generation SAMP-T, which would follow Deliveries of the Older Version and a Batch of Missiles. In the meantime, France was also allowing Ukraine to Produce the Interceptor Missile for the System, which it already Operates, Precision Guided Bombs and the Long-Range SCALP Cruise Missile, a Move that Marked the First Time Paris was Licencing Capabilities to Ukraine.

Ukraine would also receive Sixteen Rafale Warplanes by 2028-2029, Macron said. The Coalition also Announced Joint Military Exercises in Countries Bordering Ukraine as it sought to make the Concept of a Future Multinational Force in Ukraine (MNFU) more of a Practical Reality, Macron said.










NYC Wins When Everyone Can Vote! Michael H. Drucker

Judge Accuses Trump of Manipulating Courts

A Federal Judge held 7/13/2026, that Trump’s (R) $10 BVillion Lawsuit, against the IRS was Manufactured simply to Justify its Settlement, including a Multi Billion- “anti-weaponization” Fund for Political Allies and a Shield from IRS Scrutiny.

"This lawsuit was not brought to vindicate rights; it was brought to manipulate the judicial process,” U.S. District Judge Kathleen Williams wrote in a Blistering 54-page Ruling. “This was an attempt to use the Court to provide some legitimacy to an agreement to confer immunity to people and entities affiliated with the President and to earmark billions of dollars from American taxpayers to redress grievances not defined in the law.”

"The fact that the federal government did not ever counteraArguments that the arrangement was uunconstitutional, and that acting attorney general Todd Blanche (R) unilaterally canceled plans for the anti-weaponization fund, were glaring signals that the lawsuit was not genuine", Williams said.

Williams suggested that Blanche and Associate Attorney General Stan Woodward (R) may be Subject to Investigative or Disciplinary Action by State Bar Associations.

She also Sanctioned Two of Trump’s Personal Attorneys who Signed the Initial Complaint against the Internal Revenue Service, referring Alejandro Brito to the Florida Bar for Potential Discipline, and Banning Daniel Epstein from Practicing in the Southern District of Florida for at least a year. The Plaintiffs, including Trump, and certain Agencies are also Barred from Citing the Agreement in Official Proceedings as Evidence of a Formal Settlement.










NYC Wins When Everyone Can Vote! Michael H. Drucker

Ukrainian Drone Swarms Are Overwhelming Moscow’s Air Defenses

Ukraine fired more than 350 drones at the Russian capital, starting on Sunday night, most of which were shot down by air defenses. This was the second consecutive night of massive drone swarms against Moscow. Russia’s defense ministry claims to have shot down 926 drones in just the past day, as the Ukrainian military has brought increasing pressure on the air defenses of Moscow and other large cities, overwhelming them with sheer numbers.

Moscow mayor Sergei Sobyanin said most of the 350 drones targeting the capital were shot down. He added that another 300 drones were sent the night before. Governor Andrei Vorobyov said that three people in the Moscow region were killed and five more were injured during the attack. Flights at Moscow’s four major airports were affected, with several-hour delays reported at each.

The drone swarms targeted several key Russian military and logistical facilities, including Syzran oil refinery in Russia’s Samara region. Ukraine's Security Service, the SBU, said on Monday that drones had struck an oil depot in Russia's Stavropol region overnight, as well as three storage tanks at an oil-loading site in the port of Kavkaz in the southern Russian region of Krasnodar.

Ukraine has launched massive swarms of hundreds of drones to overwhelm and map out Moscow’s air defense networks. This is part of President Zelenskyy’s 40-day influence operation, an aggressive campaign which aims to exhaust Russia's expensive missile stockpiles, expose gaps in radar coverage, and force Russian President Putin to stop the war and sign a peace deal. Ukraine's drone swarm strategy relies on overloading Russian defenses rather than relying on single, stealthy strikes. Ukrainian Unmanned Forces launch large numbers of drones—frequently exceeding 300 to 500 in a single wave—to flood Russian radar screens.

In a tactic to fool Russian air defenses, inexpensive, unarmed decoy drones are mixed in with actual strike weapons. Russian defenses can’t differentiate between targets and decoys and frequently target decoys, allowing some armed drones to get through By repeating the attacks several days in a row, Ukrainian drone operators learn how Russian defenses are deployed, exposing gaps in air defense coverage.

Ukrainian drones also hit 15 Russian vessels, including seven tankers and four ferries in the Sea of Azov, according to the Ukrainian General Staff. Ukrainian Unmanned Forces Commander Robert Brovdi said that in the past eight days, Ukraine has hit 105 Russian vessels. Brovdi said Russia’s “transshipment infrastructure is taking hits every night, traffic through the [Kerch] Strait has been halted, and unloading has been reduced to a minimum.” Other targets included two Russian patrol boats in the Black Sea and car ferries in Kerch.

Russia uses the Kerch Strait in the Sea of Azov to move 25 percent of its grain exports. Reuters reported that shipping through the trade route was suspended last week due to Ukrainian attacks, and sources said transit remained restricted on Monday. Other drones targeted nine energy hubs and substations that provide electricity from Russia to the occupied Crimea.

Ukraine’s increased attacks on Russian energy facilities in recent months, part of Ukrainian President Zelenskyy’s 40-day influence operation to pressure Moscow to end the war, have also kept Moscow from reaping the benefits of surging gas and oil prices earlier this spring due to the conflict in the Middle East. Numerous Russian oblasts, or regions, have implemented gas rationing, including Moscow, a huge blow to the Russian economy. CNN reported that stated that nearly all of Russia’s 83 regions are experiencing gas shortages. Mediazona reported that rationing was taking place in 56 of them.

Eighteen Russian oblasts and Crimea have begun various rationing measures at local gas stations. However, the full scale of the shortages remains unclear, with some local restrictions limiting residents to purchasing only 30 liters of gasoline and prohibiting the filling of extra gas cans, prompting panic buying and hoarding.

Moscow is implementing a comprehensive ban on gas and diesel exports until July 31 and on aviation fuel exports until November 30 following a devastating wave of Ukrainian long-range drone strikes that have knocked out a sizable portion of the nation’s total oil refining capacity, effectively paralyzing critical energy infrastructure across central Russia.

Due to these shortages, Russia has been forced to import gas and oil from India. Al Jazeera reported that an Indian oil firm, Nayara Energy, has reportedly sold 60,000 metric tons of gas that had been dispatched from India to Russia to help combat the shortages.










NYC Wins When Everyone Can Vote! Michael H. Drucker

Russia Economy an Illusion Built on Debt

An energy crisis is already ravaging Russia’s economy, and a banking crisis may soon erupt, as a mountain of debt weighs on consumers and businesses. The Kremlin has relied on banks to pump up the economy with massive liquidity, as its own budget comes under growing strain from Vladimir Putin’s war on Ukraine.

State programs even encouraged millions of Russians to take out three or more loans simultaneously. But lenders are now vulnerable amid the soaring indebtedness and deteriorating loans, while consumers buckle under high inflation. The June report, which was prepared as the European Union eyes another round of Russia sanctions, estimated that 10% of corporate ⁠loans may not be repaid, up sharply from 2024, while 15% of retail loans at some top banks may be non-performing.

In addition, the number of Russians who declared bankruptcy last year jumped by almost a third to more than 500,000. But state-backed credit programs, loan restructurings, and government aid,are obscuring how bad conditions are. “The situation creates the illusion of a dynamic economy ⁠that, in reality, conceals an explosive situation which an economic shock, such as an ambitious package of sanctions against banks, could trigger,” the report said, according to Reuters.

The worsening state of Russia’s financial sector mirrors its performance on the battlefield. New Ukrainian tactics and drones have halted Russia’s advance, pushed casualties above the replacement rate, and decimated the country’s oil infrastructure Damage to Russian refineries has created dire fuel shortages across the countries. Meanwhile, lower oil prices and Ukrainian attacks on exports have slashed the Kremlin’s energy revenue.

As a result, Russia’s federal budget deficit ballooned to 6 trillion rubles ($83 billion) by the end of May, more than double 2025’s level, blowing past the 3.8 trillion rubles that was projected for all of this year. The government has been drawing down reserves in its sovereign wealth fund to close the gap, but that well is almost dry.

With few other sources to tap to pay for the Ukraine war, the Kremlin could set its sights on the general population’s nest eggs. The finance ministry is preparing legislation that could let it gain access to $40 billion in pension savings held in privately managed funds. Similarly, the leader of Russia’s Communist Party told parliament recently that 130 trillion rubles held in bank accounts should be “mobilized” to address the country’s economic and budget woes.

Such talk has sparked panic in Russia’s business community, which is already grappling with onerous interest rates and expansive Western sanctions. “The government could try to take money by any means,” a Moscow executive told the Washington Post. “Everyone is thinking about how to get their money out and leave.” Warnings about Russia’s finances have been building for months. Last June, Russian banks raised red flags on a potential debt crisis as high interest rates weighed on borrowers’ ability to pay off loans. Also that month, the head of the Russian Union of Industrialists and Entrepreneurs warned many companies were in “a pre-default situation.”

The Center for Macroeconomic Analysis and Short-Term Forecasting, a state-backed Russian think tank, said in December, the country could face a banking crisis by October, if loan troubles worsen and depositors pull out their funds. Earlier this year, Russian officials told Putin that a financial crisis could hit by the summer amid spiraling inflation. In fact, Russian statistics show that nonpayments of commercial bills hit $109 billion in January.

And in May, sources told the Russian newspaper Izvestia that nearly 25% of the bond market is now at risk of default as businesses that borrowed at low rates must refinance at much higher ones. The volume of debt that needs to be rolled over this year is about double from last year, adding pressure on cash flows and raising competition for liquidity, according to the report, which cited a source that called the default problem a systemic trend.










NYC Wins When Everyone Can Vote! Michael H. Drucker

Trump Legal Setback on Green Card Applications

A Federal Judge in Ohio, has Ordered the Trump (R) Administration to Resume Processing certain Immigration Benefit Aapplications, Ddelivering another Legal Setback to Efforts by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) to Freeze or Ddelay Immigration Cases.

U.S. District Judge Algenon L. Marbley of the Southern District of Ohio, Granted a Preliminary Injunction 7/6/2026 in a Lawsuit Filed by 25 Foreign Nationals who said their Applications for Work Authorization, Green Cards and other Immigration Benefits had been Stalled under USCIS and Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Policies Affecting Nationals from Countries covered by Trump‘s (R) Travel Restrictions.

The Ruling adds to a Growing Number of Court Ddecisions Questioning whether the Administration has the Authority to Impose Broad, Nationality-based Freezes on Iimmigration Applications. It could affect Thousands of Immigrants already Living and Working in the U.S. The Pplaintiffs came from Burma, Canada, Iran, Nigeria, Syria, Tanzania, and Venezuela.

Judge Marbley said they included a Hospital Pharmacist, a Registered Nurse, a Federally Funded Cancer Researcher, Ccollege Graduates with Pending Science and Engineering Job Offers, a University Professor, and Young Families raising Children in the U.S.. Marbley Emphasized that None of the Plaintiffs were seeking Entry from Abroad. They were already Lawfully Present in the Country, many for years, and several had Previously been Authorized to Work.

He Questioned how Withholding Decisions on Applications from People already Living under U.S. Jurisdiction Advanced Public Safety and Rejected the Government’s attempt to Shield the Policies from Judicial Review by Invoking National Security. In His Opinion, Marbley also cited Public Comments by Trump and Vice President J.D. Vance (R) saying they Reflected Hostility toward Immigrants, particularly those from: Africa, South America, Asia, Caribbean, and Before and After the 2024 Election.

The Injunction does Not Guarantee Green Cards, Work Permits, or other Immigration Benefits. Instead, it Requires USCIS to Review Pending Applications and Issue Decisions under Existing Immigration Law rather than Leaving them Indefinitely Unresolved. Marbley Ordered USCIS and DHS to Resume Processing the Plaintiffs’ Pending Form I-485 Applications for Permanent Residency, and Form I-131 Travel Document Requests. He also Ordered the Government to Adjudicate All Pending Form I-765 Employment Authorization Applications within 30 days.

The Judge further Barred USCIS Director Joseph B. Edlow (R) and Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin (R) from Applying the Challenged Policy Guidance to the Plaintiffs’ Pending Cases and Ordered the Government to Submit a Compliance Report within 30 days. Marbley Concluded the Plaintiffs were being Harmed by Remaining in what He Described as an “indefinite limbo” and said the Government Failed to Sshow how Delaying Applications for People already inside the Country Addressed Legitimate Security Concerns.

The Ohio Ruling follows another Decision issued a Month Earlier by Chief Judge John J. McConnell Jr. of the U.S. District Court for the District of Rhode Island. In Dorcas International Institute of Rhode Island v. USCIS, McConnell Struck Down four Related USCIS Policies that Paused Green Card, Work Permit, Citizenship and Asylum Applications forNnationals from Countries covered by the Travel Restrictions. USCIS said it Disagreed with that Ruling, but would Comply. Agency Officials later told the Court that Employees had been Instructed to Stop applying the Challenged Policies while Litigation Continues.

Together, the Rhode Island and Ohio Decisions suggest Federal Courts Increasingly believe USCIS likely Eexceeded its Authority by Imposing Nationality-based, Indefinite Processing Freezes instead of Evaluating Applications Individually under Federal Law. The Trump Administration is expected to Appeal and Higher Courts will likely determine whether USCIS had the Legal Authority to Implement the Freezes.

Any Appeal could also Address Marbley’s Findings Regarding the Administration’s Motives and whether those Findings should Factor into the Legal Aanalysis. For now, the Ruling stands as another Setback for Trump's Immigration Agenda, while the Outcome for Green Card Applicants, AsylumSseekers, and Others Affected by the Disputed Policies remains Closely Watched by Immigration Attorneys, Advocates and Eemployers.










NYC Wins When Everyone Can Vote! Michael H. Drucker

Ukrainian Announces Government Reshuffle

Ukrainian Prime Minister Yulia Svyrydenko has Stepped Down, as President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced New Changes to Ukraine’s Government.

In a Statement on Social Media, Ms Svyrydenko said She was “proud to have had the honour of leading the government during one of the most difficult periods in Ukraine’s modern history”.

She also said She had discussed “Next Steps” with Zelenskyy. “I remain ready to serve the Ukrainian state and carry out every task aimed at strengthening Ukraine’s position, defending our national interests and bringing a just peace closer,” She said.

Ms Svyrydenko, Ukraine’s former Economy Minister, was named Prime Minister in 7/2025 at 39, after Pplaying a Lead Role in Securing a Mmineral Agreement between Ukraine and the U.S., seen as an Important way of tying U.S. Interests to Ukraine’s Security.

Zelensky Announced Her Rresignation in a Post saying that Ukraine was “changing its political strategy”.

He also said He had Offered Ms Svyrydenko the Opportunity to Lead “a new, important area” in Ukraine’s Relations with a Key International Partner.

“Each priority area of foreign policy will be assigned to a specific person with substantial experience who is capable of implementing what we agree on at the leaders’ level and what the Ukrainian people expect,” Zelenskyy said, describing the Impending Reshuffle.

The Ukrainian Leader also said there would be Changes among the Top Ranks of Ukraine’s Law Enforcement Agencies.

Zelenskyy met with a Series of Senior Officials following the Announcement, including Energy Minister Denys Shmyhal, Interior Minister Ihor Klymenko and Defence Minister Mykhailo Fedorov.

The Overhaul, which Zelenskyy has yet to Explain in Detail, would be the Fourth Major Reorganisation of His Government, since the Start of Russia’s Full-Scale Invasion.

Zelenskyy, who has Remained in Office under Martial law because Wartime Elections are Prohibited, has Periodically Reshuffled His Government in an Effort to bring Fresh Momentum to His Administration.










NYC Wins When Everyone Can Vote! Michael H. Drucker

Hegseth Purge Pushing US Army to Breaking Point

Joseph Stalin conducted Two Enormous Purges of Red Army Officers that Decimated its Leadership. During the First in 1937-38, Three Marshals were Executed; 13 Army Commanders were Removed, and 50 Corps Commanders, some Exiled, many Kkilled. All were Accused of being Ideological Traitors. Stalin was No Fool; He understood after Cutting Off the Head of His Military that it wasn’t Ready to Fight Nazi Germany. Many Historians view Stalin’s Non-Agression Pact with Hitler, which Allowed Hitler to Ffight on a Single Front and Conquer Western Europe, as Motivated by His Knowledge that Unravelling His Own Army Threatened National Security.

Now the U.S. is going through our Own Military Purge of what had been Acclaimed as the World’s Best-Led, Best-Equipped, and Best-Trained Military. At the End of His First Term, Trump (R) Accused His Joint Chiefs Chairman, General Mark Milley, of Treason for making Two Calls to Hhis Chinese Counterpart, and said that, in earlier Times, “the punishment would have been DEATH.” In the Second Administration, Trump has Appointed a Secretary of Defence (“War”) whose Military Experience consisted only of Sserving in the National Guard, Achieving the Rank of Major. Nevertheless, Pete Hegseth has Strong Views on Proper Qualifications for Promotion. The Two Principal Requirements appear to be Whiteness and Maleness.

Hegseth Blames any Problem on Race, Gender, and Political Belief. That He is Factually Wrong on Every Count has Not Pprevented Him from making Policies that Dishonour the traditions of the American military. He has called for and ordered what are widely believed to be war crimes. And, as with Stalin in World War II, the military and the country continue to pay the price. Hegseth seems obsessed with the conviction that the military is being taken over by unqualified Black officers. Approximately 19 per cent of members of the military are Black, somewhat above the percentage in the general population. Only around 9 per cent of officers are Black, and only 6.5 per cent of generals and admirals (flag officers). Black officers just don’t become generals as often as their white counterparts. Even fewer attain three- or four-star rank where real power is exercised. How “woke” is military leadership when the percentage of Black officers is less than half the overall percentage of Black people in the military? It is not that Hegseth is opposed to Black soldiers; he just doesn’t want to see them promoted.

As Daniel Patrick Moynihan said, “You are entitled to your own opinions, but not your own facts.” But in this administration, facts don’t matter; only opinions driven by fantasy. Hegseth wrote in his 2024 book The War on Warriors that “America’s white sons and daughters” are walking away from the military because of “woke” ideology that is too “effeminate” and promotes diversity, equity and inclusion to the country’s detriment. When talking about race, he includes white daughters; when he talks about women in the military, not so much. “I’m straight up just saying we shouldn’t have women in combat roles,” he wrote.

Women, of course, comprise more than 50 per cent of the US population but between 17 and 18 per cent of the military. Here again, the number of women in command plummets. Of a total of 900 flag officers, about 8.3 per cent are women, less than half their overall strength in the armed forces generally. “When I think about my career in uniform,” he reflected, “in almost every instance where there has been poor leadership or people in positions they’re not qualified for, it was based on either the reality or the perception of a ‘diversity hire.’” Immune to irony, Hegseth, of course, does not see his own appointment as the ultimate Maga diversity hire.

Hegseth has acted on his prejudices by systematically overriding long-established multi-step and multi-factor merit board procedures. And he has fired some of the most respected senior officers in the military for similar reasons: that they are Black or women, or that they support the promotion of Black people and women.

This year alone, Hegseth has blocked the promotions of 40 people who have been through rigorous, systematic vetting at every stage. As former Four-Star Admiral William McRaven wrote, “President Trump, upon advice from Secretary of Defence Pete Hegseth, has relieved or forced the retirement of some of the finest officers that have ever served this nation." Half of the officers cashiered by Hegseth are minorities or women.

Last year, Hegseth dismissed General CQ Brown, the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs, who had been appointed Air Force Chief of Staff by Trump in his first term, before being named JCS Chair by President Biden. What was Brown’s great failing? “Any general that was involved, general, admiral, or whatever, that was involved in any of that DEI woke shit has got to go,” Hegseth offered and in a masterpiece of reverse-reverse racism, speculated: “Was it because of his skin colour? Or his skill?”

General Brown was the second Black Chair of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. Colin Powell was the first. He was an inspirational leader to his troops, to African-Americans and to all Americans. He was a thoughtful strategist who coined the Powell doctrine, which called for using military force only when there was a vital national interest, a clear objective, a commitment to overwhelming force, public support and a clear exit strategy.

Powell also supported affirmative action and racial healing. He wrote that the military was an “integrated society” where no one cared about the colour of his skin, only what kind of soldier he could become.” “The Army was living the democratic ideal ahead of the rest of America,” he said. Pete Hegseth is killing that ideal, with the full permission of Trump.

If Powell lived today, he would not have met the Pete Hegseth test. Today’s national security policy is driven by impulse and narcissism, aided by a Secretary of Defence (or War) who lacks the knowledge or courage to see the experience in the remarkable organisation he leads. And just as on the eve of World War II, the world is watching.










NYC Wins When Everyone Can Vote! Michael H. Drucker