00:32 Rescue workers in Vilniansk work their way through the rubble
Emergency services are clearing the debris of a Russian attack on the city of Vilniansk in the Saporischja Oblast. After the search and rescue operations are completed, it is determined: Seven people were killed, among them two children, and 31 people were injured, among them eight children. "The fire was extinguished at two locations: in a two-story building and near parked cars on a 300 square meter area, as well as in two one-story buildings on a 150 square meter area. The search and rescue operations are completed," the Ukrainian state emergency service reports.
21:24 Seehofer: No shelter for young Ukrainian men
Approximately 1.2 million Ukrainians have found refuge in Germany from the war in their homeland. CSU regional group leader Alexander Dobrindt recently called for Ukrainians to be deported if they did not work. "The proposal can be misunderstood," says CSU honorary chairman Horst Seehofer to the "Augsburger Allgemeine." Mothers and children from the war-torn land found it difficult to work; be it due to lacking language skills or a lack of kindergarten places. "It belongs to a humane state to provide protection." However, young men who evade military service in Germany should not be granted asylum, he thinks.
20:51 Man lights grenade in Luzk city center
A resident of the city of Chmelnyzkyj lights a grenade in the city center of Luzk and is arrested. There are no injured reported. The Ukrainian Security Service SBU reports this. The motive of the 23-year-old is still unclear.
20:04 Kiev registers Russian losses
According to the Ukrainian General Staff, the Russian armed forces lost 1070 soldiers on Saturday through death or injury. They put 7 tanks, 25 other armored vehicles, and 57 artillery systems out of commission. The Russian attackers have lost more than 540,000 soldiers since the beginning of their large-scale invasion. The information is not independently verifiable.
19:39 Russian children go on vacation in North Korea
At the meeting of Russian President Vladimir Putin and North Korean Dictator Kim Jong Un, they also agreed on a cooperation in tourism. At the end of July, the first Russian children are expected to relax in North Korea, reports the state Russian news agency RIA Novosti. "The conditions are good." Beforehand, the administration of the neighboring Russian region Primorye announced tourism programs for Russian tourists at North Korean beaches.
19:58 Multiple deaths after Russian attack on civilian targets
Russian troops attacked the city of Vilniansk in the Saporischja Oblast and killed seven people, among them two children, Ukrainian Interior Minister Ihor Klymenko reports. 31 people were injured. Vilniansk had a population of around 15,000 before the war and is located 30 kilometers from the city of Saporischschja. After a air raid alarm in the region, several explosions were reported. The Russian attack damaged a critical infrastructure facility, a business, and residential buildings. "The attack took place in broad daylight on a weekend at a place where people spent their leisure time in the city center, without any military infrastructure," said Governor Ivan Fedorov.
19:21 Poland: The West must learn to escalate anew
Poland's Foreign Minister Radoslaw Sikorski is convinced that Russia is not invincible and that the West can defeat Vladimir Putin. "In contrast to its delusional propaganda, Russia is not invincible," Sikorsky said during a speech: "It has lost some of its wars." The Kremlin can be contained and even defeated. The West must learn how to win in the "escalation game." "We could, for example, confiscate all 300 billion euros of Russian state assets," Sikorsky explained.
18:39 Ukraine plans privatization of system-relevant banks
Ukraine plans to sell the system-relevant Savings Bank and Ukrgasbank. In addition, an internationally recognized financial advisor should be appointed by September 2024, according to a memorandum with the International Monetary Fund. The procedure is supposed to be "transparent" and "following consultations with international financial organizations." Ukraine commits itself not to increase the state share in the banking sector. The IMF pays Kiev an additional 2.2 billion dollars for its state budget.
17:58 Ukraine denies attack plans on Belarus
Kiev contradicts Belarusian statements about possible attacks from Ukraine across the common border. Ukraine poses no threat but is strengthening its defense lines, according to Border Guard Spokesman Andrij Demtschenko. There are no provocations. "They are probably confused," he is quoted as saying by the Ukrainian news agency UNIAN. "The real threat comes from Belarus, where there are enough Russian troops stationed," says Andrij Kowalenko, head of the Ukrainian Center for Countering Disinformation. The Russian military is trying to tie up Ukrainian forces. In an interview, a high-ranking Belarusian officer had claimed: "They are trying to drag our country into war." Belarus is Russia's closest ally.
17:19 After years, civilians meet in Kiev
Ten Ukrainian civilians who were held captive in Russia have returned to Kiev. The blue and yellow flag-draped ex-detainees are greeted by their relatives in the capital. President Volodymyr Zelensky thanks all those involved and specifically the Vatican for its mediation. Some of the now-released individuals had been held in Russia before the start of its large-scale invasion of Ukraine, among them Nariman Dzheljal, deputy chairman of the Mejlis, a representative body of the Crimean Tatars. Dzheljal was kidnapped from Crimea a year before the large-scale invasion, where he lived despite the annexation.
16:47 Ukraine investigates dismissed General Sodol
The Ukrainian Prosecutor General's Office is investigating the actions of dismissed General Lieutenant Yuriy Sodol. He is accused of sending unnecessary soldiers to their deaths. The general gave orders during the Russian offensive in the Kharkiv region. When the current Russian offensive began on May 10, he was in command. The general was dismissed on June 24 after one of the commanders of the Azov Brigade filed an official complaint. In it, he accused the general of abuse of power and incompetent leadership of troops, which led to the loss of Ukrainian territory and personnel.
16:10 Ukraine thanks for CrimTatarish translation tool in English The Google Online Translator now contains CrimTatarish as part of an extension of 110 new languages. Ukraine's Ministry of Foreign Affairs publicly thanks for the initiative. CrimTatarish is endangered in Ukraine due to the decreasing number of speakers. Mass deportations and repression waves against Crimean Tatars by the Russian Empire and the Soviet Union have significantly contributed to the decline. The illegal annexation of Crimea by Russia in 2014 intensified the trend. Crimean Tatars are exposed to persecution and deportation by the Russian occupiers on their homeland.
15:29 EU imposes sanctions on Belarus Due to Belarus' involvement in Russia's armed conflict, the EU imposes sanctions on the country. This aims to also hinder Russia's sanction evasion.
- Export restrictions on goods and technologies for maritime transport as well as luxury goods to Belarus
- Extension of export ban for technology and goods contributing to the expansion of Belarusian industrial capacities
- New export ban to Belarus for goods and technologies suitable for oil refining and gas liquefaction
- Import ban from Belarus of gold, diamonds, helium, coal, and mineral products, including oil
- Comprehensive ban on services for Belarus
- Goods transport ban in the EU for Belarusian trailers and semi-trailers
14:56 Ukraine's Foreign Minister aims to make war "impossible" Ukraine's Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba speaks about the goal for the post-war period during a podium discussion. "As we know from our own recent history and from the history of other regions, peace without justice leads to a new war," he said. "The goal is not just to end the war, but to create a reality where peace is just and lasting and a new war is impossible. This will be the victory."
14:31 Belarus strengthens air defense at Ukrainian border Belarus, according to its own statements, strengthens its air defense at the border with Ukraine. The reason is an increase in Ukrainian drone activities in the area, the military of the close ally Russia reports. Additional air defense forces have been sent to the border to protect "critical infrastructure installations." The situation in the airspace over the border remains tense. The Defense Ministry reports that it has information that Ukraine has moved more troops, weapons, and military equipment to the northern region of Schytomyr, which borders Belarus.
13:52 Seehofer on Scholz's "No" to Taurus Deliveries for Ukraine: "Scholz's Behavior is Exactly Right"
Former Federal Interior Minister Horst Seehofer justifies Chancellor Olaf Scholz's "No" to Taurus Missile Deliveries to Ukraine. In an interview on the occasion of his 75th birthday in the "Augsburger Allgemeine," Seehofer, a CSU politician and former Bavarian Minister-President, said, "I find Scholz's behavior exactly right - in the question of Taurus Deliveries." The Chancellor aimed to prevent escalation and work together with the Americans under all circumstances. "I have always considered that right, even though that is also seen differently in my party," said Seehofer regarding Scholz's stance on the Taurus issue. "This stance does not build the chance that, when the Ukrainians consider it right, they can try to end this horrible and brutal war of the Russians," said the CSU politician.
13:23 More Russia and China? Economists Warn Against New Foreign Policy Course of the AfD
Economists warn against the intentions of influential AfD politicians to distance themselves from the EU and the US and to orient more towards Russia and China. "A departure from the US and EU, in order to cooperate more strongly with China, could contribute significantly to political and economic uncertainty and also carry long-term risks," said Oliver Holtemöller, Vice-President of the Leibniz Institute for Economic Research Halle, to "Handelsblatt." The President of the German Institute for Economic Research, Marcel Fratzscher, told the newspaper that orienting more towards Russia and China would be the "biggest mistake" that Germany could make politically and economically.
12:58 Russia Claims Capture of a Village in the Donezk Oblast
According to reports from Russian state media, the Russian military has taken control of the Ukrainian village of Schumy in the Donezk region. The state Russian news agency Ria, citing the Russian Defense Ministry, announced that the army had taken the settlement near the city of Torezk. The statement says that Ukrainian troops suffered 360 casualties. The claims cannot be independently verified.
12:38 Zelensky: Russian Attacks Have Destroyed 80% of Ukraine's Thermal Energy and One-Third of Its Hydroelectric Power
According to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky's statement to the British newspaper "Guardian," Russian attacks have destroyed 80% of Ukraine's thermal energy and one-third of its hydroelectric power. The report indicates that Russian attacks often targeted energy facilities and other essential infrastructure. The recent attack in Dnipro demonstrates, according to the Ukrainian head of state, that Ukraine requires more air defense systems. "Only sufficient quantities of high-quality air defense systems, only sufficient determination from the entire world can stop Russian terror," said Zelensky.
12:25 Ukrainian Foreign Minister Kuleba in Croatia for a Visit
The Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba is in Croatia for a visit. He is participating in the 17. Dubrovnik Forum. According to the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry, the topics of the meeting will primarily include the restoration of peace and security in Ukraine and Europe, as well as the results of the first peace summit. Croatian Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic and EU Foreign Policy Chief Joseph Borrell are among those attending the meeting.
11:51 Military Economist: The War Could Be Over by the End of 2025 - "Time is Running Against Russia"
According to military economist Marcus Keupp, Russia may not be able to sustain the war against Ukraine for years to come. In an interview with the "Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung," he says that the Russian supply chain is expected to collapse by mid-2027 at the latest, and possibly even by the end of 2025. "That's the computational end, then the warehouses will be empty." Keupp bases his calculations on documented losses of the Russian army, which have been reported on open-source websites on the internet. According to his calculations, Russia has lost an average of four tanks per day since the start of the war. Since only 300 to 500 new tanks can be built per year, Moscow cannot sustain this indefinitely, says the military economist. Satellite images already show that old Soviet military bases are emptying out at a rapid pace throughout Russia, according to Keupp. "Russia is living off its reserves. It's basically on the dead legs of the Soviet Union." Keupp's conclusion: "Time is running against Russia." He believes that Russia's method of waging war is not sustainable. "Putin has the same problem as Hitler. His resources are melting away, and he's stuck in the mud of the Soviet Union."
11:33 Draft Dodgers: Some Ukrainian Men Seek Help from Forgers
A new recruitment drive is underway in Ukraine to mobilize more soldiers for the fight against Russia. Therefore, some Ukrainian men are turning to online dealers and forgers to avoid the horrors of military service, according to the British newspaper "Guardian." It is expected that attempts to flee the country will also increase. Ukraine recently passed far-reaching mobilization measures that allow the military to call up more soldiers and impose stricter penalties for draft evasion. In the past April, President Volodymyr Zelensky signed a controversial law lowering the draft age from 27 to 25. Anyone who refuses military service can lose their driver's license and access to their bank accounts. Property can also be confiscated.
11:04 Zelensky Releases Video of Reunions of War Prisoners with Their Families
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has released a video showing the moment when ten prisoners of war returned home from Russian captivity and were reunited with their families. He shared the recording on his social media channels.
10:36 Ukrainian police car in Sumy attacked by Russian droneIn the Sumy Oblast in northeastern Ukraine, a Ukrainian police car was attacked by a Russian drone. This was reported by the Ukrainian newspaper "Kyiv Post" citing the Ukrainian National Police. The policemen were not in the vehicle at the time of the attack, but were nearby when they heard the explosion.
10:08 Kremlin declines comment on Trump's remarks about ending the warThe Kremlin declined to comment on Donald Trump's remarks that if he were re-elected in November, he would end the war against Ukraine. This was reported by the British newspaper "Guardian." Trump made these remarks during the US presidential debate with incumbent Joe Biden on the previous Thursday. "As for Russia and Ukraine: If we had a real president, a president who respected Putin, he wouldn't have gone into Ukraine," Trump said.
09:26 Zelenskyy thanks Coe at meeting for exclusion of Russian and Belarusian athletesUkrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy held a meeting with the President of the World Athletics Championships, Sebastian Coe. This was announced by the Ukrainian leader on his Facebook page. "We welcome the decisions made by World Athletics at the beginning of March 2022 to ban representatives of Russia and Belarus from participating in international athletics competitions," Zelenskyy wrote. He also thanked Coe for supporting Ukrainian athletes.
09:01 Four dead, ten injured in Russian attacks in the Kherson regionRussian forces have shelled numerous cities and villages in the Kherson region, resulting in four deaths and ten injuries. This was reported by Oleksandr Prokudin, head of the military administration of the region, on Telegram. "Four people were killed by Russian aggression in Sadove, Tiahynka, Novotiahynka, Olhivka, and Cherson," Prokudin said. He added that Russian military forces attacked residential areas in the region and damaged several private homes. Businesses and a gas pipeline were also reportedly hit.
08:34 Governor of Kursk: Five dead in Ukrainian drone attack on border villageAccording to Russian reports, five people were killed in a Ukrainian drone attack on a border village. The governor of the western Russian region of Kursk, Alexei Smirnov, made the announcement on Telegram. "Two small children are among the dead," Smirnov said. He added that two other family members were in critical condition. The drone reportedly crashed into a house in the small village of Gorodishche. Since the start of the Russian offensive in Ukraine, both sides have been regularly targeting each other with drones, some of which have ranges of several hundred kilometers. The Ukrainian army has expanded its drone attacks on Russian territory this year, targeting both Russian energy infrastructure and border towns and villages.
08:02 Kiev: Over 1000 Russian soldiers "eliminated"
According to the Ukrainian Defense Ministry's daily reports, within one day, there have been 1070 Russian soldiers killed or unable to continue fighting. Therefore, since the beginning of the war in February 2022, a total of 541,560 Russian soldiers have been "eliminated." The Defense Ministry, in its daily reports on Russian losses, announced that the enemy had lost seven more tanks (8073). Since the beginning of the Russian invasion, Ukraine has counted more than 15,500 armored vehicles and around 11,500 drones that are no longer in the possession of the Russian military or have been destroyed.
07:28 After Russian attack: Fire department in Dnipro rescues man from buried car
Once again, Russian rockets hit a Ukrainian residential area. The latest attack on the city of Dnipro resulted in at least one fatality, among the injured was a seven-month-old baby. A man was buried under the rubble in his car.
07:06 Ukrainian military positions spied on: SBU arrests alleged Russian agent
The Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) has arrested another Russian agent. The man is accused of preparing a Russian breakthrough in the Donetsk region and spying on Ukrainian defense forces. According to the SBU press office, the man is a resident of Myrnohrad, who works as an employee of a private security company. Russia reportedly became interested in the man as an active user of pro-Russian Telegram channels, where he allegedly published anti-Ukrainian comments.
06:34 Ukrainian Air Force: Ten Russian drones shot down at night
The Ukrainian air defense has shot down all ten Russian drones launched by Russia at night. According to the Ukrainian Air Force.
05:43 General Staff in Kiev: 102 battles at the front
The Ukrainian General Staff reports 102 battles at the front within 24 hours. Since Friday morning, the enemy has increased the tempo of its offensive actions, according to the situation report of the Ukrainian General Staff on Facebook. The most fighting is reported near Pokrovsk. The Russian troops attempted to dislodge Ukrainian units from their positions 28 times. The Ukrainian army repelled 21 attacks. Seven battles are still ongoing, according to the announcement.
04:59 Czech Republic prepares security agreements with Kiev
Czech Prime Minister Petr Fiala announced on X that the Czech Republic would sign a bilateral security agreement with Ukraine during the EU summit in London on July 18. He had agreed with President Zelenskyy the day before to finalize the negotiations on the text of the Czech-Ukrainian security agreement before the NATO summit in Washington, which is scheduled for July 9-11. The Czech Republic thus joins 19 other countries, including the United States, Great Britain, Germany, and France, as well as the European Union, which have already signed similar bilateral agreements.
03:59 USA to deliver HAWK missiles to KievThe US government is set to provide weapons and ammunition worth $150 million to Ukraine, including HAWK air defense missiles and 155-millimeter artillery ammunition. Two unnamed US officials announced that the weapons aid package is expected to be presented on Monday. The Biden administration is responding to Ukraine's desperate pleas for support in air defense, following Russian air raids on Ukrainian energy infrastructure in recent weeks.
02:58 Report: Russian agents in Vienna implicated in Kusminow's murderRussian agents stationed in Vienna are under suspicion for their involvement in the recruitment and financing of Russian operations, such as the assassination of the Russian military helicopter pilot Maxim Kusminow. He had defected to Ukraine and lived in Spain, where he was found by the hit squad. The "Wall Street Journal" reports this with references to Western security circles. The killers, who shot him five times and then ran him over with a SUV, were criminals paid in cash, which was provided by Russian officials in Vienna, according to the paper. "We are now becoming a burden to our neighbors, as Russia uses us as an operational base," a high-ranking Austrian intelligence officer told the newspaper. According to Austrian intelligence sources, the number of active Russian diplomats in Austria in the last two years has risen from around 400 to over 500. About half of them are diplomats and managers, while the other half act as spies.
01:58 Russia captures territory north of Bachmut - Ukraine deniesAccording to the Russian Defense Ministry, the Russian military has taken control of the settlement of Rosdoliwka in eastern Ukraine. However, the Ukrainian military claims that heavy fighting is taking place in the areas around the settlement. Rosdoliwka is located in the Donetsk region, the epicenter of Russia's advance in eastern Ukraine. It is located north of Bachmut and Soledar, two towns that Russia captured last year.
00:58 US Army awards Lockheed Martin $4.5 billion contractIn the US, the US Army has awarded Lockheed Martin a multi-year contract worth $4.5 billion for the Patriot air defense system. The Pentagon announced this. The contract includes 870 PAC-3 MSE missiles and the associated hardware. Lockheed manufactures the latest version of the missile defense system, known as PAC-3 MSE, which equips the Patriot. The Patriot system is part of a series of advanced air defense systems provided by the West to Ukraine.
23:58 More Olympia Starting Places for Russians - Judokas rejected
The International Olympic Committee (IOC) continues to invite more athletes from Russia and Belarus to the Summer Games in Paris. According to the IOC's evening announcement, 50 athletes from these two countries have been invited so far to compete under a neutral flag at the Olympics. However, not all of these invitations have been accepted, some have already declined. Some Judokas were rejected because of their affiliation with Army sports clubs. Out of the twelve quota places for Russian Judokas, only two will be allocated to men and women each - whether the four accept the invitation is open.
22:59 Ten Ukrainians Return from Russian Captivity
Ten Ukrainian civilians have returned home from Russian captivity, according to reports from Kiev. Among the released prisoners is Nariman Djeljal, a leader of the Crimean Tatars. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced this on social media on Friday. He thanks the Vatican for its mediation in the release of the civilians. Djeljal was arrested in 2021, before the large-scale Russian invasion of Ukraine, on the Crimean Peninsula, which has been under Russian control since 2014. He was later sentenced to 17 years in prison.
22:30 Lithuania's Foreign Minister: Kallas Nomination Honors Stance on Russia
Lithuania has welcomed the nomination of Estonian Prime Minister Kaja Kallas as the new EU Foreign Policy Chief. Foreign Minister Gabrielius Landsbergis speaks of recognition of the views of the Baltic States and other countries on the NATO eastern flank, which have consistently advocated for a firm stance against Russia and support for Ukraine until its victory. "She has never hidden her position, she has clearly and openly expressed her views on issues that are important to us," Landsbergis told the BNS agency in Vilnius about Kallas. Kallas was appointed as the EU representative for external and security policy at the EU summit in Brussels on Thursday. The 47-year-old liberal has been Estonia's first female prime minister since 2021 and is known as a champion of a resolute Western stance towards Moscow.
22:00 Baerbock: Support for Ukraine is the Best Protection for Peaceful Sleeping
According to the belief of Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock, the ongoing support for Ukraine in its fight against Russian invasion forces is also essential for peace and security in Germany. "If Ukraine can no longer defend our peace, our freedom because we no longer support it, then the question is how far Putin's troops will advance," Baerbock said during a talk by RedaktionsNetzwerk Deutschland (RND), NDR and "Hannoverscher Allgemeine Zeitung". "That's why the support efforts for Ukraine are the best protection for our own peace and our own security." Baerbock referred to Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Naturally, one can discuss whether the billions in aid for Ukraine should be used differently, Baerbock says. But in this case, she has to admit: "I don't know how long we can continue sleeping peacefully here in Brandenburg, right at the border with Poland." There are "light tests" everywhere along the EU border and the NATO outer border by Russia. "Every reasonable person in the world, in Europe and in Ukraine" wishes nothing more ardently than peace in Ukraine. But that lies with Putin. "For that, Putin must withdraw his troops and finally put an end to this killing." Instead, his answer is "always more violence and terror."
You can read about all previous developments here.
- The Ukrainian Interior Minister Ihor Klymenko condemns the Russian attack on Vilniansk, resulting in multiple deaths and injuries, including two children.
- Horst Seehofer, the CSU honorary chairman, suggests that asylum should not be granted to young Ukrainian men evading military service in Germany, citing the need to "learn how to win in the 'escalation game'."
- The Russian Security Service (FSB) reveals that a man in the city of Luzk lit a grenade, but fortunately, no one was injured.
- Following a one-year absence, ten Ukrainian civilians held captive in Russia have returned home and were warmly welcomed by their families in Kiev.
- In response to Russia's large-scale invasion of Ukraine, the EU imposes sanctions on Belarus to hinder Russia's sanction evasion and hindrance of peace efforts.
