08:02 Kiev: More than 1000 Russian soldiers "eliminated"
Within one day, according to the Ukrainian Defense Ministry's statements, 1070 Russian soldiers have died in the war or can no longer fight. Therefore, since the start 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 carOnce 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 also a seven-month-old baby. A man was buried under the rubble in his car.
07:06 Ukrainian military positions spied on: SBU arrests suspected Russian agentThe 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 service, 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 nightThe Ukrainian air defense 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 frontThe Ukrainian General Staff reports 102 battles at the front within 24 hours. The enemy has increased the tempo of its offensive actions since Friday morning, according to the report on the Ukrainian General Staff's Facebook page. 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 preparing security agreements with KievCzech 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. The next NATO summit is scheduled for July 9-11. The Czech Republic will join 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 military aid package is expected to be presented on Monday. The Biden administration is responding to Ukraine's desperate pleas for air defense support after Russia bombed Ukrainian energy facilities with air raids in recent weeks.
02:58 Report: Russian agents in Vienna implicated in Kusminow's murderRussian agents based 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 the 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 who were paid in cash provided by Russian officials in Vienna, according to the paper. "We are now becoming a burden to our neighbors because 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 has increased from around 400 to over 500 in the last two years. About half of them are diplomats and managers, while the other half function as spies.
01:58 Russia captures territory north of Bachmut - Ukraine deniesAccording to the Russian Defense Ministry, Russian forces have 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 that the West provides to Ukraine.
23:58 More Olympic 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 to compete at the Olympics under a neutral flag. However, not all of these invitations have been accepted, some have already declined. Some Judokas were rejected due to 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, as reported by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in social media on Friday. Among the released civilians is Nariman Dzhelyal, a leader of the Crimean Tatars. The Vatican is thanked for its mediation in the release of the civilians. Dzhelyal was arrested in Crimea in 2021, before the large-scale Russian invasion of Ukraine, and later sentenced to 17 years in prison.
22:30 Lithuania's Foreign Minister: Kallas Nomination Acknowledges 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 acknowledging the perspective of the Baltic States and other countries at NATO's eastern flank, which have taken a firm stance against Russia and supported 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's 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 supporter of a resolute Western stance towards Moscow. (See also entries at 15:36 and 13:38 hours).
22:00 Baerbock: Support for Ukraine is the Best Protection for Peaceful Sleeping
According to Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock's belief, ongoing support for Ukraine in its fight against Russian invasion forces is also crucial 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 reason, 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.
- In response to the ongoing 'Ukraine conflict', NATO has been considering increasing its military presence in Eastern Europe, with countries like the Czech Republic planning to sign a bilateral security agreement with Ukraine.
- The 'Attack on Ukraine' by Russian forces has resulted in severe losses for the Russian military, with 1070 soldiers reported dead within a day, according to Ukrainian Defense Ministry's statements.
- In the midst of the 'military operations', Ukrainian President Volodymyr Selensky has been actively seeking international support, with Germany's Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock stating that ongoing support for Ukraine is crucial for peace and security in Germany.
- The 'Ukraine conflict' has also seen a significant increase in 'cyberwar' activities, with the Ukrainian Cyber Police reporting an attack on the national electoral commission's website.
- Amidst the 'military operations', Ukraine's political leadership has been calling on international organizations and countries for stronger action against Russia, with Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba urging the United Nations Security Council to condemn Russia's actions in Ukraine.
