Ukraine hits 100 Russian tankers in Sea of Azov & what Lindsey Graham’s death means for Kyiv

Day 1,599.

After a weekend that took the tally of oil exporting Russian ships hit by drones in the Sea of Azov to over 100, Dom reports how Ukraine has trialled an autonomous amphibious assault into Russian-held territory. Meanwhile Ukraine strikes another oil refinery, as fights break out over Russian fuel shortages. Adelie examines the first-ever joint EU-UK sanctions against the Russian cyber-war complex and asks what direction President Zelensky is heading in with his latest cabinet reshuffle. Dom looks at the latest United Nations response to the bombing of civilians and asks how they manage to condemn the killings in such strong terms, without once having to apportion blame. And later, he talks to US international affairs commentator Melinda Haring about the sudden death over the weekend of Senator Lindsay Graham and what the death of a leading Russia hawk means for Kyiv.

Contributors:

Dominic Nicholls (Host on Ukraine: The Latest). @DomNicholls on X.

Adelie Pojzman-Pontay (Host on Ukraine: The Latest). @Adeliepjz on X.

With thanks to Melinda Haring, nonresident senior fellow at the Atlantic Council’s Eurasia Center.

Producer: Rachel Porter

Senior Producer: Lilian Fawcett

Video Producer: Sophie O’Sullivan

Social Producer: Tom Steed

Studio Director: Meghan Searle

Executive Editor: Francis Dearnley

Created by David Knowles

NOW IN FULL VIDEO WITH MAPS & BATTLEFIELD FOOTAGE:

Every episode is now available on our YouTube channel shortly after the release of the audio version. You will find it here: https://www.youtube.com/@UkraineTheLatest

CONTENT REFERENCED:

Lindsey Graham, Republican Senator and Staunch Trump Ally, Dies at 71 (NYT)

https://www.nytimes.com/2026/07/12/us/politics/lindsey-graham-dead.html

Zelenskyy dismisses Ukraine’s prime minister in cabinet shake-up (FT)

https://www.ft.com/content/db48418a-f906-4afd-86a2-1ab08004bd13?syn-25a6b1a6=1

Beyond the Battlefield: Russia’s Information War Against Ukraine’s European Future

https://cpd.gov.ua/en/report/beyond-the-battlefield-russias-information-war-against-ukraines-european-future/

EMAIL US:

Contact the team on [email protected]. We continue to read every message, and seek to respond to as many as possible.

HIGHLIGHTS:

• Ukraine hits 100 Russian tankers in Sea of Azov
• What Lindsey Graham’s death means for Kyiv

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