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European Union

Ukraine's European Allies Unite Against Russia Amid Intensifying Drone Attacks

Strategic Insights

— 2 min read

As Russia continues to pound Ukraine with an unprecedented number of drones, its European allies have marshaled resources to provide air defenses against the attacks. This week, the European Union announced an 18th round of sanctions on Russia, designed to sever all remaining energy imports, and proposed a fivefold increase in the common defense budget to boost EU defense research and procurement. The UK and Germany pledged to jointly provide Ukraine with missiles to defend its skies, and the US agreed to rejoin the Ukraine Defense Contact Group, although not as a donor.

Key Takeaways:

  • The European Union has announced an 18th round of sanctions on Russia, banning remaining energy imports and lowering the price cap on oil carried to third parties.
  • The EU has proposed a fivefold increase in the common defense budget to boost defense research and procurement.
  • The UK and Germany have pledged to jointly provide Ukraine with missiles to defend its skies.
  • The US has agreed to rejoin the Ukraine Defense Contact Group, although not as a donor.
  • Russia has intensified drone attacks on Ukraine, with over 833 drones shot down or electronically suppressed between July 17 and 22.
  • Ukraine has used a variety of methods to down or disable drones, including man-portable air defense kits, heavy machine guns, and electronic warfare.
  • Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has made domestically produced weapons a top priority, aiming for 50% of weapons to be made in Ukraine within six months.
  • The EU has established a European Competitiveness Fund for defense research and innovation, and doubled the Ukraine Assistance Fund to 100 billion euros.
  • The UK and EU have coordinated to impose a price cap on oil carried to third parties, set 15% below market prices every six months.
  • Ukraine has no domestic solution for countering Russia's deadliest long-range weapons, other than the US-made Patriot surface-to-air missile system.

Statistics:

  • 833 drones shot down or electronically suppressed between July 17 and 22.
  • 426 drones launched by Russia on July 21, along with five Kh-47 M2 Kinzhal ballistic missiles, four Kalibr cruise missiles, one Iskander-K cruise missile, and 14 Kh-101 cruise missiles.
  • 728 drones used in the largest attack of the war on July 9.
  • 2,000 drones planned to be launched by Russia in a single overnight strike package.
  • 50% of weapons to be made in Ukraine within six months, according to President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
  • 1.816 billion euros budget proposed by the EU for defense and space.
  • 131 billion euros budget proposed for defense and space, a fivefold increase on the 2021-27 budget.
  • 100 billion euros allocated for the Ukraine Assistance Fund.
  • 444 vessels banned from entering EU ports or receiving services.
  • 23 billion euros worth of Russian energy purchases banned by the EU.
  • 45 Russian banks banned from transacting with the EU financial sector.

Sources:

  • Al Jazeera, "Europe assumes financial burden of Ukraine war, alarming Russia" (July 17, 2025)
  • Al Jazeera, "EU hits Russian oil shadow fleet with new sanctions over Ukraine war" (July 18, 2025)
  • Al Jazeera, "Russia launches major aerial attacks on Kyiv" (July 21, 2025)
  • Al Jazeera, "Ukraine's allies meet in Ramstein format to discuss defense aid" (July 22, 2025)
  • Bild, "EU and US only have 18 months to prepare for global military conflict with China and Russia" (July 18, 2025)

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