Return of defenders from captivity and EU approval of almost €4.2 billion for Ukraine: highlights for July 17

New prisoner exchange

Ukraine and Russia conducted another prisoner of war exchange, during which 95 Ukrainian soldiers were returned. The returnees include soldiers of the Armed Forces, the National Guard, and border guards. According to Zelenskyy, the exchange was mediated by the United Arab Emirates.

After that, Viktor (Leleka) Lakhno, a former prisoner and participant in the airborne assault on Mariupol, said that on July 17, a military man who allegedly collaborated with Russians in the colony where Ukrainians were held was exchanged. The 35th Separate Marine Brigade said they were checking the information.

Defense forces are still in the area of Krynky in Kherson region

Ukrainian troops are continuing their defense operation on the left bank of the Dnipro River in the Kherson region, a source told hromadske.

The units from Krynky have moved to other positions, but are still in the area of the village. The defensive operation also continues on some other bridgeheads on the left bank of the Dnipro River.

European Commission supports almost €4.2 billion for Ukraine

The European Commission has supported the disbursement of almost €4.2 billion to Ukraine under the Ukraine Facility macro-financial assistance program. The disbursement will bring the total amount of EU funding under the program to €12 billion.

Chervinskyi released from pre-trial detention center

Ex-intelligence officer Roman Chervinskyi has been released from the pre-trial detention center and is officially free. The day before, Petro Poroshenko's Charitable Foundation paid UAH 9 million bail for Chervinskyi.

NABU launches proceedings against SBI official in hromadske investigation

The National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine has opened criminal proceedings against Oleksandr Udovychenko, the first deputy director of the State Bureau of Investigation, who is a subject of the hromadske investigation. Earlier, our investigative journalists found out that Udovychenko lives in an apartment in one of the most elite housing estates in Kyiv, but there is no mention of this property in the official's declaration.

Belgium to allocate €150 million for Ukraine's reconstruction

Belgium will allocate €150 million for reconstruction projects in Ukraine. The heads of the governments of Belgium and Ukraine signed the agreement. The funds will be used to restore energy and social infrastructure in Kyiv and Chernihiv regions.

Bezuhla resigns from the Servant of the People faction

MP Mariana Bezuhla has announced that she has resigned from the Servant of the People parliamentary faction. She previously did so in February.

Deputy Speaker of the Verkhovna Rada Oleksandr Korniienko has already read out her letter of resignation at the meeting.

Military outraged by draft laws on economic reservation

Military officers Masi Nayem and Yaryna Chornohuz have spoken out against the idea of economic reservation proposed by MPs in several bills. The initiator of these bills, MP Dmytro Natalukha, suggested that the “emotions” of the military were being used by a “third party”.

Other important news

• Germany plans to halve spending on military aid to Ukraine in 2025.
• “I am aware of all the risks”: Paramedic Ptashka says the commission is already checking the 59th Brigade.
• Lubinets appeals to the Red Cross to allow families to bury the teenagers from Berdiansk tortured by Russians.
• Syrskyi introduces a program to save the lives of soldiers in the Armed Forces.
• NATO appointed a senior representative in Ukraine: it was a decision of the summit.