00:45 Inspector General calls for billions for the Bundeswehr
The Inspector-General of the Federal Armed Forces of Germany, Carsten Breuer, supports Defense Minister Boris Pistorius in the dispute over the Bundeswehr budget. In order to meet the security policy challenges, the defense budget must continue to grow, Breuer told the Redaktionsnetzwerk Deutschland (RND). "The parliament has given us a significant amount of money through the special fund, and thus, if you want, the order to make the Bundeswehr battle-ready." Breuer stands shoulder to shoulder with SPD politician Pistorius, who demanded an additional 6.7 billion Euros for the coming year. Pistorius had demanded an additional 6.7 billion Euros for the coming year.
23:45 Moscow Court Convicts Three Brothers to Long Prison Terms for High Treason A Moscow court convicted three brothers to lengthy prison terms for high treason because they wanted to join a pro-Ukrainian unit. The three men, aged between 19 and 24, were sentenced to prison according to a court statement in Moscow. The eldest of the three brothers, the 24-year-old Joann Aschtscheulow, was sentenced to 17 years and six months in prison, while his brothers Timofej and Alexej must serve 17 years in prison. According to the prosecution, the brothers attempted to cross the border to Ukraine on foot in July 2023 to join the "Legion of Free Russia." They were reportedly caught one and a half kilometers before the border.
22:41 Due to Sanctions: Russia Allows Cryptocurrency Payments for International Transactions The Russian Central Bank encourages domestic companies to use alternative payment methods like cryptocurrencies for transactions with foreign partners in the face of Western sanctions. For international transactions, cryptocurrencies are now allowed, Central Bank Chair Elwira Nabiullina stated in St. Petersburg. The head of the second largest Russian bank VTB, Andrey Kostin, urges the government to classify these new payment methods as state secrets. "I can easily imagine that right now, in this moment, there is an undersecretary in the US embassy jotting down all our public statements." Whatever Russia does, the reaction of Western countries will be "very quick," warns Kostin.
22:16 Erdogan Offers "Basis" for War End, Moscow Denies Mediator Role First, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan declared after a meeting with President Vladimir Putin in Kazakhstan that Turkey could help establish the foundation for ending the war. However, the Russian government spokesman Dmitri Peskov stated, according to Russian news agencies, that Turkey would not take on a mediator role. Russian news agencies quote Peskov with the response: "No, that's not possible." No statement from the Turkish government is available.
21:41 Ukraine imports over 858,000 Megawatt-hours (MWh) of electricity in June 2024, which is 91% more than the amount imported in May and more than the total consumption in 2023. According to statistics from July 3rd. The largest electricity imports of Ukraine came from Hungary (42%). Slovakia and Romania each provided 17%, Poland 16%, and Moldavia 8%. Russia intensified attacks on Ukraine's critical infrastructure in the spring, bringing the power grid to the brink of collapse. Since mid-May, electricity has been strictly rationed. The largest private energy company in Ukraine, DTEK, produced 90% less electricity.
20:49 "Equilibrium disrupted": Lithuania plans to allow cluster munitions
Lithuania, considering Russia's war against Ukraine, intends to withdraw from the international Convention on Cluster Munitions. The government of the Baltic EU and NATO country is approving a corresponding bill from the Defense Ministry. Parliament still needs to approve it. Cluster munitions are munitions that explode in mid-air and scatter numerous sub-munitions. Lithuania's government sees them as an effective defensive weapon.
Russia and Belarus could use cluster munitions in case of armed conflict, thereby gaining a military advantage. "Even if allies were to use this tool on our territory, they couldn't do it, not even to transport it through Lithuania," says Lithuania's Defense Minister: "This throws the entire Eastern Front completely out of balance and must be addressed." Estonia, Latvia, Finland, and Poland have not signed the agreement.
20:12 White House: Russian offensive on Kharkiv likely failed
The US government announces another security package for Ukraine, the seventh since its passage in April. It includes rockets, artillery ammunition, additional rocket systems, and other military equipment from US military stocks. More systems are reportedly being ordered with the provided funds. Additionally, the White House spokesperson commented on the situation in Ukraine. According to her, it is "clearer than ever" that the Russian offensive on Kharkiv "has failed."
19:26 Ukraine's 47th Brigade: Russians use massive infantry, "massive cemeteries" of vehicles
The area around the eastern Ukrainian city of Pokrovsk in the Donetsk region is currently a hotspot of military activity. According to the 47th mechanized brigade of the Ukrainian armed forces deployed there, Russian troops are attempting to breach the Ukrainian defense lines with massive infantry attacks, supported by drones, explained Brigadier Anastasija Blischtschik. "The fact that we have hardly seen armored vehicles on the battlefield for a month is at least unique, as their weapons have run out," Blischtschik said. Reconnaissance drones showed "massive cemeteries" of destroyed armored vehicles. As a result, the Russian side is trying to dominate the combat situation with strong infantry forces. According to the General Staff in Kiev, the Russian military is attempting to increase the number of attacks in the Pokrowsk region.
18:49 House committee approves armament package with 105 Leopard 2A8 Tanks105 Battle tanks, four Patriot and Lenkflugkörper air defense systems, as well as artillery ammunition: The House committee of the German Bundestag brings a more than six billion Euro package for the new equipment of the German military on its way. With the Leopard 2A8 tanks, the future Brigade Litauen should be equipped, and at the same time, significant and long-standing gaps in the German military should be filled, says Defense Minister Boris Pistorius (SPD) after the meeting. "The procurement of ammunition will be significantly accelerated and expanded. This provides the German industry with a substantial basis for planning for this decade, the Bundeswehr will have full stocks, and Ukraine will receive urgently needed supplies," share the government spokespersons of the parties. German production capacities for ammunition will be significantly expanded. The Brigade Litauen is expected to be ready for deployment by 2027.
18:17 Zelensky: We want to know from Trump if US support will end after the electionUkrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky asks Trump for clarity on how he intends to end the war in 24 hours. Zelensky expresses his readiness to meet with Trump and his team and listen to their proposals in an interview with Bloomberg TV. "We want to know if we will have the powerful support of the USA after the elections or if we will be alone." The former US President and designated candidate for the upcoming presidential elections has repeatedly claimed that he can end the war in Ukraine in 24 hours. He never provided details. "If Trump knows how to end this war, he should tell us today," says Zelensky: "Should there be risks for Ukraine's independence, should we lose our statehood - we want to be prepared, we want to know that."
17:39 ROSATOM Chief complains about Ukrainian attacks on nuclear power plant substationIn a drone attack on a substation near the southern Ukrainian city of Enerhodar, eight workers of the nearby Saporischschja Nuclear Power Plant were injured, according to Russian reports. The men were engaged in repair work to restore power supply, says the head of the Russian Atomic Energy Agency, Alexei Likhachev. This not only compromises the safety principle of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), "it is a flagrant violation," complains Likhachev. The substation is part of the infrastructure of the nuclear power plant and supplies the city with electricity. There were reportedly three drone attacks within an hour. He demands a reaction from the IAEA regarding the attack. Russia took control of Europe's largest nuclear power plant shortly after the start of its military campaign and has held it since then. The power plant is located on the southern bank of the Dnipro, while the northern bank is controlled by Ukraine.
17:14 Video: Russian National Guards shoot at conscriptsIn the Russian city of Osinniki, conscripts are dancing on the roof of the draft board. This does not please the National Guards, and they attack the apparently drunk-looking men. Shots are heard, and a woman falls to the ground. It is unclear whether she was hit by a crossfire.
16:39 Russian Army makes Tschassiw Jar quarter "level with the ground"
According to Russian reports, the Russian Army is taking control of a district in the strategically important city of Tschassiw Jar in the eastern Ukrainian region of Donezk. The troops have reportedly "liberated" the neighborhood of Nowi, the Russian Defense Ministry announced. It is unclear if the Russian soldiers managed to overcome the canal in the east of the small town, which serves as a natural defense line for the Ukrainian Army.
The military-affiliated news channel "DeepState" reports that the neighborhood has been "completely leveled." Further resistance would have resulted in heavy losses, it adds. The withdrawal from the neighborhood is therefore a "logical, if difficult decision," it continues. Tschassiw Jar is about ten kilometers from Bachmut, which was captured by Russian troops in May 2023 after long battles. A breakthrough could give the Russian Army easier access to important mining towns in the Donbass region, such as Kramatorsk, which are still controlled by Ukraine.
16:04 Russian Intelligence: French "Agent" Vinatier confesses
According to Russian intelligence, the Frenchman Laurent Vinatier, who is being held in Russia, has confessed to gathering information on the Russian military. The employee of a Swiss non-governmental organization, Vinatier, has reportedly admitted to his guilt "in full," the Russian domestic intelligence service FSB reported. Vinatier allegedly established numerous contacts with military experts, scientists, and officials during his visits to Moscow. Through these contacts, the Frenchman reportedly collected "military and military-technical information that could be used against the security of the Russian Federation." Vinatier works for the Swiss non-governmental organization Zentrum für Humanitären Dialog (HD) and was arrested in Moscow on June 6. He is accused of failing to register as a "foreign agent."
15:34 Video: Russians report massive Ukrainian drone attack
According to Russian reports, Ukraine is attacking Noworossijsk massively from the air and water. The Russian Defense Ministry reports the shooting down of twelve objects. Sniper fire and explosions illuminate the night sky over the Black Sea port city on the shores of the Caucasus Mountains.
15:02 Poll: Ukrainians see Germany as conditionally reliable, fear US secret negotiations with Moscow
According to a survey conducted nearly two and a half years into the war, almost half of the Ukrainians in the survey expressed concern that the USA could negotiate a peace plan with Russia behind their backs. Forty-seven percent held this view, while forty-nine percent had little or no concern. The perception of allied partners in the defense war against Russia varies by country. Eighty-four percent see Great Britain as reliable or conditionally reliable, the highest percentage. Seventy-six percent felt the same way about Germany, but only nineteen percent considered German support to be very reliable.
14:23 Scholz: Germany will not be a war party in the future
During the government questioning in the Bundestag, the topic of Ukraine also came up. When the Left parliamentarian Gesine Lötzsch asks if Chancellor Olaf Scholz would give people "the guarantee" that Germany would not be a war party, Scholz replied: "Yes, I give this guarantee. I stand for that as Chancellor." When a ceasefire can be achieved, Lötzsch asked further. "In my opinion, a ceasefire that aims at the capitulation of Ukraine is one that we cannot support from Germany," answered Scholz. This is not an abstract question, as one can see from Putin's "strange peace offering," he said. Putin had stated that he was ready for a ceasefire "if Ukraine also gives further annexations, in a way, for free on top." This shows "how cynically they think and that the Russian president does not at all intend to end his aggressive war." Putin speaks only of peace negotiations to continue the war. "We will not tolerate that," Scholz assured.
13:55 International Criminal Court investigates torture of Ukrainian prisoners of war and civilians
The International Criminal Court (ICC) is investigating the torture of Ukrainian prisoners of war and civilians in detention facilities in the formerly occupied territories and in Russia, according to the Ukrainian agency "Ukrinform." The Ukrainian Prosecutor General's Office is working with the ICC on this matter. Ukrainian photographers Kostiantyn and Vlada Librov show on Instagram photos of Ukrainian soldiers who had fallen into Russian captivity and have since been freed. "This was the most difficult shooting of the last six months," the photographers wrote afterwards.
13:19 Russian postal workers to replace doctors in rural areas
Due to a lack of medical personnel in rural areas, postal workers in some regions of Russia are now taking on medical tasks. This was reported by the "Moscow Times" on Telegram. In rural post offices, health stations and midwife stations are being set up. The postal workers are to diagnose and perform various medical interventions. Russian publicist Alexander Nevzorov called this practice, as reported by the "Kyiv Post," a return to the Middle Ages.
12:58 No agreement among NATO countries on multi-year Ukraine aid
NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg failed to convince NATO countries to make multi-year commitments for military aid to Ukraine. The 32 allies could only agree in the run-up to the summit in Washington on providing support in the amount of at least 40 billion Euros within the next year. This was reported by the German Press Agency and refers to statements by several delegations.
12:24 Ukraine: 5 Dead after Attack on Dnipro
The number of casualties from the Russian attack on Dnipro has risen to at least 5, according to Ukrainian reports, with at least 39 people injured, including a 14-year-old girl. The attack allegedly occurred with rockets and drones and caused several explosions and fires in the city. Reports indicate that a shopping mall and a weapons factory were hit.
11:31 Ukraine receives additional two billion euros from the IWF
Financially stricken Ukraine has received an additional tranche of over two billion Euros from the International Monetary Fund (IWF). The money is part of an ongoing credit program worth around 15 billion Euros. According to Prime Minister Denys Schmyhal, the funds will mainly be used for social aid and salaries of civil servants, including doctors and teachers. Since the Russian attack in February 2022, Ukraine has reportedly received over 80 billion Euros in aid from foreign partners in the form of household budget support.
11:01 Military base in Russian Kursk on fire
Videos from the Russian city of Kursk show a large smoke cloud over the city. An Ukrainian attack is reported to have set several vehicles on fire on a military base in the city. The regional governor has confirmed a fire in the city center.
10:40 Multiple civilians killed in Russian attacks in Ukraine
Russian troops reportedly shot at the village of Borova in the Charkiw region overnight. The military administration of Charkiw announced on Telegram that one man was killed and two others were injured. In a Russian rocket and drone attack on the eastern Ukrainian city of Dnipro, at least three people were reportedly killed and 18 others injured.
10:19 Kremlin: No talks with Trump over Ukraine
According to Kremlin statements, Russia is not in dialogue with former US President Donald Trump over Ukraine. The Interfax news agency reported this, citing a spokesperson for the Russian Presidium. Trump had stated during a recent TV duel with President Joe Biden that if he won the November election, he would resolve the war in Ukraine before his inauguration in January.
09:46 Ukraine lacks hangars to protect fighter jets
According to a report in the Ukrainian "Defense Express" newspaper, the Ukrainian army does not have enough hangars to protect all its fighter jets from Russian attacks. The newspaper reports that a military airbase in the Poltawa region does not have large enough hangar spaces for Su-27 fighter jets. Russian media has released footage of a recent air raid on the airfield, showing several Ukrainian Su-27 fighter jets damaged in the open. The Ukraine is short on hangars to protect all its fighter jets.
09:16 Defense committee approves purchase of 105 Leopard 2A8 tanks
The Defense Committee of the German Bundestag is expected to approve the purchase of 105 Leopard 2A8 combat tanks today. "We are exhausting all options," writes the new committee chairman Marcus Faber on the platform "X". "We are fully equipping the Brigade Litauen with combat tanks, replacing older Leo2 tanks in the army, and creating room for further commitments to Ukraine," adds the FDP politician. According to the proposal, the order has a volume of approximately three billion Euros. The defense company KNDS is expected to deliver the tanks to the Bundeswehr by 2030.
08:44 Russia: Ukrainian attack on Black Sea port repelled
According to Russian reports, two unmanned Ukrainian explosive boats attacked the Black Sea port of Novorossiysk, but the attack was repelled. The drone boats were destroyed in the Black Sea, according to the Defense Ministry. Novorossiysk has a large port for the Russian Black Sea Fleet, where Russia has stationed many of its warships used in the conflict with Ukraine after Ukraine attacked the Crimean ports. The ministry did not comment on possible damages. The authorities in Novorossiysk urged people to stay in their homes and apartments during the night.
08:21 Most Ukrainians feel unity in society
Forty-four percent of Ukrainians believe that Ukrainian society is united at present, according to a nationwide survey conducted by the Kiev International Institute of Sociology (KIIS) on July 2. A smaller portion of respondents, 15 percent, consider Ukrainian society to be divided. Corruption was cited as the main problem, followed by language issues. Unfairness during the war, collaboration, and pro-Russian sentiment were also identified as factors contributing to division within society.
07:55 Kremlin: Ten Ukrainian attack drones destroyed
Russia claims to have shot down ten Ukrainian attack drones over Russian territory. Five drones were shot down over the Belgorod border region, four over the Brjansk border region, and one over the Moscow region, according to the Defense Ministry on Telegram. Additionally, two Ukrainian seed drones were destroyed that were heading towards the Noworossijsk Black Sea port in the Krasnodar region.
07:20 Ukrainian General Staff: almost 1200 Russian losses yesterday
The Ukrainian General Staff reported 1,180 losses on the Russian side in the past 24 hours. This includes 16 destroyed tanks, 17 armored vehicles, 57 artillery systems, and 63 tank and other vehicles. Two Russian air defense systems were allegedly destroyed by the Ukrainians, as well as a missile. The number of dead or wounded soldiers on the Russian side, according to the General Staff, has surpassed 546,000 since the beginning of the full-scale invasion.
06:48 Putin arrives at SOZ summit in Kazakhstan
Russian President Vladimir Putin has arrived in Kazakhstan, according to Kremlin reports. He is participating in the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) summit in Astana. The two-day summit focuses on issues of regional security, defense, and cooperation. The heads of state and government of the SCO member states discussed "the current situation and prospects for further deepening of multifaceted cooperation," according to Moscow. Putin plans to hold bilateral talks, including with China and Turkey. The summit is attended by representatives from 16 countries - including India, Iran, and Pakistan. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres is also expected to attend.
06:11 Ukraine continues to reject territorial concessions to Putin
According to the words of Andrij Yermak, the chief of staff of the Ukrainian president, Ukraine continues to categorically reject territorial concessions to Russia to end the war. "We are not willing to make compromises on important things and values," Yermak said to journalists and named "independence, freedom, democracy, territorial integrity, sovereignty." In response to statements from Republican US presidential candidate Donald Trump, who claimed he could end the conflict quickly, the government in Kiev is open to advice to achieve a "just peace." Trump said during the television debate that he would not accept Putin's conditions. Putin had declared that Russia would end the war if Kiev was ready to surrender the territories claimed and occupied by Moscow in the east and south of the country. In response to a question about how Ukraine views Trump's handling of the war, Yermak replied: "Honestly speaking: I don't know. We'll see."
05:42 USA to provide new military aid for Ukraine
The Ukrainian military is in urgent need of supplies. The USA will make available to Ukraine in the near future additional military aid in the amount of around 2.3 billion US dollars (around 2.14 billion Euros) for the defense against the Russian attack war in Ukraine. This was announced by US Defense Minister Lloyd Austin during a visit by his Ukrainian colleague Rustem Umjerow in Washington. The package approved by US President Joe Biden includes "additional surface-to-air missiles, anti-tank weapons, and other important ammunition from US stocks," explained Austin. A "realignment of some foreign military deliveries" will also make it possible for the USA to provide Munition for Patriot and other air defense systems "in an accelerated timeframe."
04:49 NATO expanding presence in Kiev
The NATO is expanding its civilian presence in the attacked Ukraine. As a spokesperson confirmed, the 32 alliance members have decided to send a special representative to the capital Kiev. The high-ranking official is to coordinate the political and practical support of the alliance on site. The background is that the NATO intends to give the start signal for a new deployment at the upcoming summit in Washington for the coordination of weapons deliveries and training activities for the Ukrainian armed forces. The headquarters for this should be built in Wiesbaden. Who will receive the new NATO post in Kiev is still not known.
03:42 UN calls for release of Gershkovich
Experts of the United Nations are calling for the immediate release of US journalist Evan Gershkovich, who is in Russian custody on espionage charges. "The deprivation of liberty of Evan Gershkovich is arbitrary" and violates several articles of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the experts write in a statement. In light of the circumstances of the case, the "immediate" release of Gershkovich is appropriate.
02:40 Serbian President Vucic receives Russian deputy foreign ministerThe Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic received the Russian deputy foreign minister Alexander Gruschko in Belgrade. He spoke with Gruschko about the bilateral relations between Serbia and Russia and assessed them as "very good", Vucic stated on Instagram. He also thanked Russia "for its support for Serbia's territorial integrity, as well as in relation to the UN Resolution on Srebrenica". Moscow still refuses to recognize Kosovo's independence. Serbia has been an EU membership candidate since 2012, but continues to maintain good relations with the Kreml despite the Russian annexation of Crimea.
01:29 Russian court sentences 19-year-old to twelve yearsA Russian court sentenced a 19-year-old man to twelve years in prison for "treason," after he was accused of donating money to the Ukrainian army. "The Rostov Regional Court found him guilty and sentenced him to a twelve-year term in a penal colony," says a comment from the Russian domestic intelligence service FSB, which was picked up by the state-controlled Kremlin media. The teenager is alleged to have sent money to help the Ukrainian army buy food and drones. Thousands of Russians have been arrested and many of them have been imprisoned since the Russian invasion of Ukraine. According to Amnesty International, at least 21,000 people were targeted by repressions against anti-war activists in 2023.
00:20 One quarter of US citizens find US aid to Ukraine insufficientAlmost a quarter of Americans believe that the United States is not providing enough military aid to Ukraine. This percentage has risen since November last year, according to a survey by the Pew Research Center. According to the survey, 24% of respondents believe that the United States is not providing enough aid, compared to 18% in November 2023, when the survey was last conducted. However, 31% of Americans believe that the United States is providing too much aid, and 25% believe that the US aid is sufficient.
22:53 Lithuania reports airspace violation by Russian aircraftLithuania reports a violation of its airspace by a Russian aircraft. The unspecified aircraft of the Russian airline Pobeda entered the airspace of the Baltic EU and NATO member illegally in the evening of June 30th and stayed there for approximately one minute, according to the Lithuanian Foreign Ministry in Vilnius. The representative of the Russian embassy was summoned and the Russian authorities were asked to take all necessary measures to prevent such incidents in the future. The airspace violation occurred over the Baltic Sea, as the plane was on its way from Moscow to the Russian exclave of Kaliningrad bordering Lithuania. The EU has closed its airspace to Russian planes as a reaction to Russia's aggression in Ukraine.
22:12 Survey in Member States: High Trust in NATO, Low Trust in Zelenskyy
Coming Week, NATO Celebrates Its 75-year Anniversary. In member states, the transatlantic defense alliance is viewed favorably, according to a Pew Research survey. On average in 13 countries, 63 percent of the population holds a positive opinion, while 33 percent hold a negative one. Germany is above average with 64 percent positive sentiment. Poland stands out with 91 percent having a positive image of the alliance. The trust in Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stands at an average of 40 percent and has decreased in member states over the past year. Poland is also notable, where the head of state has lost 22 percentage points - from 70 to 48 percent. In Germany, trust has decreased by 7 percentage points to 54 percent.
21:27 Zelenskyy Rejects Orban's Peace Proposal
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has rejected Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban's proposal for peace talks, according to the Presidential Office. During his first visit to Kiev since the war began, Orban proposed a rapid ceasefire that could "accelerate peace negotiations with Moscow," he said. "The president listened to him, but in response, he clarified Ukraine's stance and rejected the proposal," a spokesperson for the Presidential Office said. Previously, Kiev had already rejected ceasefires, citing the risk that Russian forces could regroup during this time.
21:02 Ukraine: Moscow Recruits Minors
Russia is actively recruiting minors for the war in Ukraine, Ukraine claims. The recruitment contracts are reportedly signed with minors, taking effect upon their reaching adulthood. "They hope to recruit tens of thousands of teenagers with propaganda," the National Resistance Center warns: "We warn that any enemy on our territory will be eliminated." Russia is also reportedly employing minors on occupied Ukrainian territory, for instance, to manufacture drones.
You can read about previous developments here.
- In response to the ongoing Ukraine conflict, NATO is considering strengthening its cyberdefenses to protect against potential cyberwar attacks from Russia.
- During a press conference, Volodymyr Zelensky, the President of Ukraine, expressed concern over the possibility of a cyberattack on Ukraine's critical infrastructure, potentially initiated by Russia.
- Carsten Breuer, the Inspector-General of the Federal Armed Forces of Germany, emphasized the importance of modernizing the German military's cyberwar capabilities to counteract any Russian cyber threats.
- The Ukrainian armed forces have reported an increase in cyberattacks on their communication systems, which are believed to originate from Russia.
- In a move to counteract Russian cyberwarfare, the German government is providing additional funding to improve the cyberdefenses of the Bundeswehr and support Ukrainian cybersecurity efforts.
