War in Ukraine – Latest update, key takeaways and map from the Institute for the Study of War on July 26, 2026
Key Takeaways from the ISW:
The Russian Navy is forming unmanned systems regiments, likely in part to protect Russian vessels from intensified Ukrainian strikes against Russian naval assets in the Black and Azov seas.
Russian President Vladimir Putin used Russia’s Navy Day to project strength while reinforcing expansive territorial claims beyond Ukraine.
A Romanian F-16 fighter jet intercepted an unidentified drone in Romanian airspace on July 26 for the third time in three days.
Russia launched one Kh-59/69 cruise missile, seven Iskander-M/S-400 ballistic missiles, and 136 drones against Ukraine overnight on July 25 to 26.
Neither Russian nor Ukrainian forces made confirmed advances on July 26.
