Russia and Ukraine again exchanged a series of major overnight drone strikes as the two sides maneuvered ahead of a possible resumption of ceasefire talks.

The move to curb anti-corruption agencies risked "endangering the values of freedom, democracy in our country and the future of our children," one Ukrainian told NBC News.

Moscow has been steadily shifting from cruise missile attacks to mass drone assaults. On the night of July 9, Russia launched a record 728 drones in a single wave, including Shahed kamikaze drones and decoys.

Ukraine has already signed four contracts worth over 3 billion hryvnias for the supply of interceptor drones capable of countering Russian unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) of the Shahed type, according to the head of the Ministry of Defense,

Ukraine's Brave1 hopes all of its infantry will eventually carry its new anti-drone rifle rounds, designed to fire from NATO-issued rifles.

The US and Ukraine are discussing a “mega deal” for Washington to purchase battle-tested drones from eastern Europe in exchange for American heavy weaponry.