The daily brief — no spin, just signal
Drawing the five most important stories from this morning's reporting across military, diplomacy, doctrine, and diaspora.
Today's takeaway: Ukraine's deep-strike campaign is hitting Russian refineries faster than Moscow can repair them. The ISW recently flagged the first month of net Ukrainian territorial gains since 2024.
Today's takeaway: The EU is moving toward using frozen Russian assets to fund Ukraine's defence; Washington's peace plans remain stuck on Moscow's territorial demands. Truces are being announced; few are being signed.
Today's takeaway: NATO is openly modelling its drone production and doctrine on Ukraine's. The UK and Romania are building drones jointly with Ukrainian firms; Latvia and Estonia have integrated Ukrainian operators into exercises. Ukraine produces ~10m drones a year — more than the rest of the alliance combined.
Today's takeaway: About 1.4m Ukrainian Canadians and roughly 1m Ukrainian Americans are pressing their governments — for permanent residency in Canada (~298k CUAET arrivals in legal limbo), for sustained USAI funding in the US.
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Reading the news isn't the only way to help. Ukraine's official export marketplace, Made With Bravery, was launched by the Ministries of Digital Transformation and Foreign Affairs with Visa and EVO. Every purchase routes 5% to United24's reconstruction programmes (10% on Visa). Worldwide delivery via Ukrposhta. Below: nine vetted Ukrainian businesses worth your money.
Ukraine's official multi-brand marketplace. Clothing, ceramics, food and homeware from vetted Ukrainian SMEs. 5–10% to United24's rebuild fund.
Toronto-founded apparel brand created days after the invasion. More than $3M raised for Ukrainian aid. Ships from Canada, US and Europe.
Modern vyshyvanky — Ukrainian embroidered shirts rooted in regional patterns. Manufactured in Ukraine, ships globally.
Europe's largest wireless security manufacturer, headquartered in Kyiv. Sells in 187 countries. Direct money into Ukrainian tech.
Founded by Ukrainians Max Lytvyn and Alex Shevchenko. Maintains major Kyiv operations. A subscription is recurring transfer to Ukrainian tech.
Kyiv's most respected wine retailer. Stocks Ukrainian wines from Beykush, Stakhovsky, Shabo and Biologist. Ships within Europe.
Newsroom-run merch from one of Ukraine's most respected English-language outlets. Every purchase funds war reporting on the ground.
Specialty Ukrainian roastery. Many Ukrainian coffee houses now direct profits to military and humanitarian causes.
Tens of thousands of Ukrainian craftspeople — ceramics, embroidery, prints, jewellery. Filter "ships from Ukraine" to support makers directly.
All listings are editorially chosen · No payment received for inclusion · Disclosure: this section may contain affiliate links
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