08:44 Russia: Ukrainian attack on port city was repelled
Russia reportedly repelled attacks from two unmanned Ukrainian explosives boats on the Black Sea port city of Noworossijsk, according to the Russian Defense Ministry. The drone boats were allegedly destroyed in the Black Sea. Noworossijsk is home to a large Black Sea Fleet port for Russia, where many of its ships used in the conflict with Ukraine have been stationed since the Ukrainian forces attacked the Crimean ports. The ministry did not comment on possible damages. The authorities in Noworossijsk urged people to stay in their homes and apartments during the night.
8:21 A large part of Ukrainians find unity in society
According to a nationwide survey conducted by the Kiev International Institute of Sociology (KIIS) on July 2, 44% of Ukrainians believe that Ukrainian society is currently united. A smaller group of interviewees, 15%, consider Ukrainian society to be divided. Corruption was named as the primary issue, followed by language problems, injustices during the war, collaboration, and pro-Russian sentiment as factors contributing to societal division.
07:55 Kremlin: Ten Ukrainian attack drones destroyed
Russia reportedly shot down ten Ukrainian attack drones over Russian territory, according to the Russian Defense Ministry on Telegram. Five drones were reportedly shot down over the Belgorod and Brjansk border regions, and one over the Moscow region. Additionally, two Ukrainian seed drones were destroyed as they approached the Black Sea port of Noworossijsk in the Krasnodar region.
07:20 Ukrainian General Staff: Nearly 1200 Russian losses in the past 24 hours
The Ukrainian General Staff reported 1,180 losses on the Russian side in the previous 24 hours. This included 16 destroyed tanks, 17 armored vehicles, 57 artillery systems, and 63 tank and other vehicles. Two Russian air defense systems were reportedly destroyed by the Ukrainians, along with a missile. The number of dead or injured Russian soldiers since the full-scale invasion began exceeded 546,000, according to the General Staff.
06:48 Putin arrives at the SOZ summit in Kazakhstan
Russian President Vladimir Putin reportedly arrived in Kazakhstan, according to Kremlin reports. He is participating in the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SOZ) summit in the capital Astana. The two-day summit focuses on regional security, defense, and cooperation issues. According to Moscow, the participating state and government leaders discussed "the current situation and prospects for further deepening of multifaceted cooperation." 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 PutinAccording 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 quickly end the conflict, the government in Kiev is open for advice to achieve a "just peace." Trump stated during the television debate that he would not accept Putin's conditions. Putin had declared that Russia would end the war if Kiev was willing to hand over 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 UkraineThe Ukrainian military is in urgent need of supplies. The USA will make available to Ukraine, in the near future, military aid in the amount of approximately 2.3 billion US dollars (around 2.14 billion Euros) to counter the Russian offensive war in Ukraine. This was announced by US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin during a visit by his Ukrainian counterpart Rustem Umjerow in Washington. The package approved by US President Joe Biden includes "additional air defense missiles, anti-tank weapons and other important ammunition from US stocks," Austin explained. A "realignment of some foreign military deliveries" will also enable the USA to provide Munition for Patriot and other air defense systems "on a faster timeline."
04:49 NATO expanding presence in KievThe NATO is expanding its civilian presence in the attacked Ukraine. A spokesperson confirmed that the 32 alliance members have decided to send a type of special envoys 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 call for release of GershkovichExperts of the United Nations are calling for the immediate release of US journalist Evan Gershkovich, who is in Russian custody on espionage charges. "The detention of Evan Gershkovich is arbitrary" and violates several articles of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the experts write in a statement. Taking into account 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 evaluated them as "very good", Vucic stated on Instagram. He also thanked Russia "for its support of 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 maintains good relations with the Kreml despite the Russian annexation of Ukraine.
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 "high 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", it says in a comment from the Russian domestic intelligence service FSB, picked up by state Kremlin media. The teenager is accused of sending money to help the Ukrainian army buy food and drones. Since Russia's invasion of Ukraine, thousands of Russians have been arrested and many of them have been imprisoned. According to Amnesty International, at least 21,000 people were targets of repressions against war opponents 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 to Ukraine, compared to 18% in November 2023, when the survey was last conducted. However, more Americans (31%) 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 allegedly entered the airspace of the Baltic EU and NATO member unlawfully in the evening of June 30 and stayed there for approximately one minute. 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 aircraft was on its way from Moscow to the Russian exclave of Kaliningrad bordering Lithuania. The EU has closed its airspace to Russian aircraft as a reaction to Russia's aggression in Ukraine.
22:12 Survey in Member States: High Trust in NATO, but Not in Zelenskyy
Coming Week, NATO Celebrates Its 75-Year Anniversary. In member states, the transatlantic defense alliance is generally well regarded, according to a Pew Research Center survey. On average in 13 countries, 63% of the population holds a positive view, 33% a negative. Germany stands out with 64% positive opinions, just above the average. Exceptional is the assessment in Poland: 91% have a positive image of the alliance. The trust in Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stands at an average of 40% and has decreased in member states over the past year. Poland stands out again, where the head of state has lost 22 percentage points - from 70% to 48%. In Germany, trust has decreased by 7 percentage points to 54%.
21:27 Zelenskyy Rejects Orban's Peace Proposal
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has rejected a peace proposal from Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán for peace negotiations, reportedly made during Orbán's first visit to Kiev since the war began. Orbán suggested a quick ceasefire, which 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," said a spokesperson for the Presidential Administration. Previously, Kiev had already rejected ceasefires, citing the risk that Russian forces could reorganize during this time.
21:02 Ukraine: Moscow Recruits Minors
Russia is actively recruiting minors for the war in Ukraine, according to Ukraine. The conscription contracts are reportedly signed with minors, taking effect upon reaching adulthood. "They hope to recruit tens of thousands of teenagers with propaganda," says the Ukrainian agency "National Resistance Center": "We warn that any enemy on our territory will be eliminated." Russia also employs minors on occupied Ukrainian territory, for instance, to manufacture drones.
You can read about previous developments here.
07:30 Russia accused of cyberattacks on Ukrainian infrastructure
Ukrainian officials have accused Russia of launching a series of cyberattacks on Ukrainian infrastructure, including energy facilities and government systems. The Ukrainian Cyber Intelligence Bureau claims that these attacks are part of a larger effort to disrupt civilian life and undermine the Ukrainian government's capabilities during the ongoing conflict.
10:00 Volodymyr Zelenskyy addresses NATO on Russia's aggression
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy delivered a speech at the NATO summit in Brussels, where he called for more military support and increased sanctions on Russia in response to its invasion of Ukraine. He emphasized that Ukraine is a sovereign nation and urged NATO members to stand with Ukraine against Russian aggression.
12:30 Russia denies claims of escalating military operations in Ukraine
Russia's Defense Ministry denied claims by Ukrainian officials that it had increased its military presence and operations in the conflict zone. The ministry stated that it remains committed to a peaceful resolution to the conflict and that reports of escalations are false propaganda.
16:00 Ukraine seeks international court action against Russia for cyberwarfare
Ukraine has announced its intention to bring a case against Russia before the International Court of Justice, accusing Russia of committing acts of cyberwarfare against Ukrainian infrastructure. Ukraine argues that these attacks constitute a violation of international law and have caused significant damage to its civilian population.
19:00 NATO suspends military exercises with Russia due to Ukraine conflict
In response to Russia's continued aggression in Ukraine, NATO has announced the suspension of all military exercises with Russia. NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg stated that the alliance is committed to supporting Ukraine and that Russia's actions in Ukraine are in violation of international law.
