08:37 Kiev: Five Russian missiles intercepted - Russians apparently want to overload air defense
The Ukrainian Air Force reportedly intercepted all five Kalibr cruise missiles of the Kh-101 type that the Russian military fired at Ukraine, according to their own statements. Eleven out of 19 drones were also destroyed. The main target of the Russian attack was the city of Starokostiantyniv, which has an important military airport. The city is located in the Oblast of Khmelnytskyi in the western center of the country. The eleven drones were intercepted over a total of six regions, including Sumy, Kyiv, Khmelnytskyi, and Mykolajiv. The Air Force does not make any comments regarding the remaining drones.
08:22 Green defends stationing plan: It's about protection
Greens Fraktion Vice Agnieszka Brugger defends the planned arms buildup with long-range US weapons in Germany in the German public broadcaster. She understands if many people associate this with the Cold War, says the defense expert. The measures are not a contribution to arms race but serve defense. In the 80s, two power blocs stood against each other, both of which did not want maximum escalation, explained Brugger. However, there were many dangerous situations back then. Today, there is a brutal aggressor who is breaking international law, has switched to a war economy, and is waging the cruelest war against Ukraine. It's about solidarity and protection, not aggression.
07:53 Shocked by attack on children's clinic: Russian pilot leaked information from commanders
A Russian pilot allegedly provided confidential information to the Ukrainian Military Intelligence (HUR) that contributed to the identification of 30 commanders of the Russian heavy bomber aviation division. This is reported by "Kyiv Independent" citing a confidential source from the intelligence service. The Russian pilot, who is said to serve in the 22nd heavy bomber aviation division, contacted the HUR on July 8 after the devastating Russian attack on the children's hospital in Kyiv. This shocked him so much that he decided to take this step. The pilot is said to have provided personal information, including photos and other confidential documents, on 30 Russian commanders.
07:28 Rheinmetall CEO: Russian wear-out war can last forever
Rheinmetall Chairman of the Board Armin Papperger assumes that the war in Ukraine could last a long time. The current wear-out war damages the Russians as well. "But it can last forever, Russia has completely converted its industry to war economy", says the manager in an interview with the "Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung". Papperger also expects sustained growth for the Düsseldorf arms manufacturer. The sales are expected to increase by 40% in this year.
07:05 Alleged Attack Plans against Rheinmetall-CEO? Possible Russian Agents Were Reportedly Already in the EU
The threat against Rheinmetall-CEO Armin Papperger from possible attack plans was apparently more concrete than known. According to "Spiegel" sources from security circles, western intelligence services observed suspicious travels of alleged agents in the past few months. The men were said to be from countries of the former Soviet Union, at least one from Russia. Some were already in the Schengen Area, while others had planned entries. Suspicious individuals were reportedly detected both near the Rheinmetall headquarters and at Papperger's foreign travel destinations. Senior officials suspect that these could have been "proxies" of Russian intelligence services – hired hands from Moscow.
06:49 Heusgen: Berlin Still Underestimates the Situation
The head of the Munich Security Conference, Christoph Heusgen, criticizes the majority of the German government for their communication regarding the Ukraine war. "The German defense minister speaks openly about the need for us to become battle-ready," he says. However, his cabinet colleagues still underestimate the seriousness of the situation. "I still have the feeling that most responsible politicians believe they can give the population a pure glass of wine and say, 'We're dealing with an aggression like in the Cold War,'" Heusgen laments. Putin reportedly aims to restore the old Soviet Union. "This is all still being downplayed here," Heusgen says. "People need a clear glass of wine and to be told what Russia has broken in treaties, how Russia is rearming, and that Russia has nuclear-capable missiles stationed in Kaliningrad that can reach Germany."
06:22 Spying for Russia: Australian Couple Arrested
Two Australian citizens of Russian origin have been arrested in Australia on espionage charges. The 40 and 62-year-old couple are accused of obtaining material from the Australian military to give to Russian authorities, according to the Australian Federal Police. One of them is a soldier in the Australian military. The Australian authorities accuse the couple of preparing a spying offense. They face a maximum sentence of 15 years in prison. Unmasking the couple was a complex operation by a special taskforce of the police and intelligence service, says Federal Police Commissioner Reece Kershaw.
05:55 Outrage after Report on Murder Plans: "The Putin Regime Now Targets German Citizens"
The CNN report on alleged Russian attack plans against Rheinmetall-CEO Armin Papperger causes outrage in Germany. "It shows once again that Russia is bringing its war and terror to Europe," says the chairman of the Defense Committee, Marcus Faber of the FDP to the "Bild" newspaper. "The Putin regime now targets German citizens." The chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee, Michael Roth of the SPD, tells the paper that Putin is not only waging a war of annihilation against Ukraine, but also against its supporters and our values. US intelligence services reportedly discovered plans of the Russian government to assassinate Papperger in early 2023. The German side was reportedly informed, and Papperger was subsequently given increased protection.
05:18 Hungary accuses NATO partners of hypocrisy and failure
The Hungarian government accuses NATO partners of hypocrisy and failure at the end of the NATO summit in Washington. "We will continue to advocate for dialogue and diplomatic channels, as the current strategy of the past two and a half years has been a total failure," says Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto, according to a spokesperson in a meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. Szijjarto represented Prime Minister Viktor Orban, who left the summit early to meet former US President Donald Trump in Florida.
04:35 Britain calls on NATO allies to increase defense commitments
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer announces a plan of his government at the NATO summit in Washington to increase defense spending to 2.5 percent of the Gross Domestic Product. At the same time, he urges other allies to do the same. Currently, 23 of the 32 alliance members spend two percent of their Gross Domestic Product on defense, but more needs to be done in light of the serious threats to security, says Starmer.
03:30 Biden: I would speak with Putin if he were open to change
US President Joe Biden currently sees no point in talks with Kremlin chief Putin. In general, he is willing to speak with any state and government leader - including Chinese State and Party Chief Xi Jinping, Biden emphasized at a press conference following the NATO summit. This also applies if Putin calls him. "I'm saying that I'm willing to talk, but I don't see the willingness for that," says Biden. Putin must be willing to change his behavior.
02:32 Construction of new NATO-Ukraine Command in Wiesbaden begins
The construction of the new NATO-Ukraine Command to coordinate weapons deliveries and training activities for the Ukrainian armed forces begins today in Wiesbaden. However, the commander for Europe will probably still need several months to set up the command so that it can take on all planned tasks, explain alliance representatives on the sidelines of the NATO summit in Washington. Until then, US forces will continue to take on the coordination tasks. The deployment is also a precaution for the possibility of a return of Donald Trump as US President in January 2025.
01:58 Scholz rules out unlimited weapons use against Russia
Federal Chancellor Olaf Scholz rejects the call of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to lift all restrictions on the use of Western weapons against Russian territory. "Nobody is changing the previous guidelines and regulations - for good reason," says the SPD politician at the end of the NATO summit. One wants to support Ukraine as much as possible, but prevent the war from escalating into a war between Russia and NATO, so Scholz. Zelenskyy is primarily concerned about military bases in the Russian hinterland from which rocket attacks on Ukraine are launched. In attacks on Ukrainian cities on Monday, more than 40 civilians, including children, were killed.
01:25 Scholz on Anattachment Report: Recognize the Threats
In relation to a media report about Russian sabotage plans against Rheinmetall CEO Armin Papperger, Chancellor Olaf Scholz referred to Russian threats. "I won't say anything about that specifically," Scholz stated at the NATO summit in Washington. "But I'd be happy to tell you that we already know that we are exposed to multiple threats from Russian activities."
00:40 UN Demand Russia to Withdraw from Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power PlantThe United Nations General Assembly urges Russia to withdraw its military and other unauthorized personnel from the Ukrainian Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant. Russia should place the facility under the full control of Ukrainian authorities, according to a UN Resolution that passed with 99 Yes votes, nine No votes, and 60 abstentions. The largest nuclear power plant in Europe, Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant, was taken over by Russia shortly after its invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. Although it has been shut down, it still requires external energy to keep the nuclear material cool and prevent a nuclear meltdown.
23:36 Pistorius Expects Correction in Budget 2025Bundesverteidigungsminister Boris Pistorius is confident that there will be changes in favor of the defense budget in the 2025 budget draft. "I assume that further talks will lead to changes," the SPD politician told ARD. He will not stop advocating for the Bundeswehr to be adequately equipped to perform its tasks.
22:46 Kremlin: "On the Best Way to a Cold War"Russia criticizes the planned deployment of US long-range weapons in Germany as a return to the Cold War. "We are on the best way to a Cold War. This all happened before," Kreml spokesman Dmitri Peskov told Russian state television. Peskov accuses Germany, the US, France, and the UK of directly intervening in the conflict in Ukraine. "And all the signs of the Cold War are returning - with confrontation, with direct confrontation between adversaries," Peskov said. "All this is being done to undermine our country. All this is being done to ensure our strategic defeat on the battlefield," Peskov emphasized. However, during the Cold War, Europe experienced peace. Russia began its war against Ukraine in 2014, which it intensified again in 2022.
21:34 Zelenskyy: Demands for Western Weapons Restrictions Must EndUkrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy called for the lifting of all restrictions on the use of Western weapons against Russian territory at the NATO summit in Washington. "If we want to win and save our country, then all these restrictions must be lifted," the Ukrainian leader emphasized. The focus is primarily on military bases in Russian territory from which rocket attacks are launched. "If they attack us and kill our children, it's insane to ask why we can't attack that military base," Zelenskyy said.
20:58 Another assistance package with Patriot-system for USAUS President Joe Biden announces another assistance package for Ukraine worth 225 Million Dollars. Part of the package is a Patriot-System, which is intended to strengthen the air defense of the country against Russian air raids. Additionally, the package includes NASAMS missile defense systems, multiple launch rocket systems of the HIMARS type, as well as artillery ammunition with calibers of 155 and 105 Millimeters, according to the US government. The weapons reportedly come from the US military stocks.
20:19 Stoltenberg accuses Russia of intimidation campaignNATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg reports on a Russian campaign of hostile actions against NATO. It is intended to intimidate NATO members and prevent them from supporting Ukraine. However, Stoltenberg states at the NATO Summit in Washington that this approach has the opposite effect.
You can read about all previous developmentshere..
20:42 Germany Lends Support to Ukraine's Military DeploymentsGermany has agreed to provide Ukraine with additional military aid, including equipment for its air defense systems, according to Federal Defense Minister Boris Pistorius. This comes in response to the ongoing conflict between Ukraine and Russia.
20:06 Ukrainian President Meets with Military LeadersAmidst the ongoing conflict and the threat of a cyberwar, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy held a meeting with top military commanders to discuss strategies for defending against Russian attacks. The meeting focused on enhancing military preparedness and strengthening Ukraine's cyber defenses.
19:30 NATO Discusses Enhanced Defense Measures in Response to RussiaIn light of Russia's continued aggression towards Ukraine, NATO leaders are discussing enhanced defense measures, including potential military deployments and cyberwarfare preparations. The alliance is also exploring ways to strengthen its strategic partnership with Ukraine.
18:54 Zelenskyy Accuses Russia of Escalating the Ukraine-ConflictUkrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy accused Russia of escalating the conflict by launching attacks on civilian targets and infrastructure. He urged NATO and other international partners to impose stronger sanctions on Russia and provide more military aid to Ukraine.
18:20 Russia Denies Allegations of Cyber War against UkraineRussian officials have denied allegations of a cyberwar against Ukraine, calling them baseless and an attempt to deflect attention from Ukraine's own cyber capabilities. Despite this, Ukraine and its international partners continue to strengthen their cyber defenses against potential Russian attacks.
