Ukraine wipes out seventh Wildberries warehouse and major oil refinery as US senate advances key Russia sanctions bill

Day 1,615.

After Russia sees another night of Ukrainian drone strikes on a Wildberries warehouse and oil refinery attacks, Francis examines Kyiv’s campaign to disrupt Putin’s logistics and wartime economy. He also looks at encouraging developments in Washington, where Presidents Zelensky and Trump met ahead of the funeral of Senator Lindsey Graham, before Graham’s landmark bipartisan sanctions bill took a significant step forward in Congress. Then James Kilner has his regular Russia roundup, as rumours of a fresh mobilisation continue to circulate, before we explore the dramatic downfall of the powerful head of Russia’s international chess federation.

Contributors:

Francis Dearnley (Host on Ukraine: The Latest). @FrancisDearnley on X.

James Kilner (Russia Analyst). @Jkjourno on X.

Malcolm Pein (Telegraph chess correspondent). @TelegraphChess on X.

Senior Producer: Lilian Fawcett

Video Producer: Sophie O’Sullivan

Social Producer: Anita Blay

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:

Russia explores support for Wildberries after Ukrainian drone attacks, sources say (Reuters)

https://www.reuters.com/business/finance/russia-explores-support-wildberries-after-ukrainian-drone-attacks-sources-say-2026-07-28/

Laura Loomer says she called Trump from Ukraine, plans to brief president on visit (Kyiv Independent)

https://kyivindependent.com/laura-loomer-says-she-called-trump-from-ukraine-plans-to-brief-president-on-visit/

Kremlin Gambit: German FIDE presidential candidate Vadim Rosenstein continues to earn millions in Russia (Ukrainian Independent Information Agency of News, in Russian)

https://sport.unian.net/othersports/kandidat-v-prezidenty-fide-vadim-rozenshteyn-prodolzhaet-vesti-biznes-v-rossii-13451784.html

Russians Form Street Patrol to Shield Men From Forced Recruitment (Kyiv Post)

https://www.kyivpost.com/post/81265

World chess chief faces endgame after EU announces Russia war sanctions (BBC)

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cewrk58k2k4o

No contact with political prisoner Andrei Trofimov since April (Memorial)

https://memopzk.org/en/news/no-contact-with-political-prisoner-andrei-trofimov-since-april/

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HIGHLIGHTS:

• Ukraine wipes out seventh Wildberries warehouse and major oil refinery • US senate advances key Russia sanctions bill

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