10:52 Interior Ministry sees "significantly increased threat through Russian aggression"
Before the backdrop of reports about attack plans against Rheinmetall-CEO Armin Papperger, German Interior Minister Nancy Faeser emphasized the determination of German security agencies. "We do not comment on individual threatening incidents," the SPD politician said. "We take the significantly increased threat from Russian aggression very seriously." Russian President Vladimir Putin wants to undermine support for Ukraine, Faeser added. "But we will not be intimidated." Security measures have been significantly increased in response to Russian threats over the past two years. "The threats range from espionage, sabotage, and cyberattacks to state terrorism."
10:27 "Ukraine joining NATO is the greatest risk factor for Ukraine"
NATO announced that Ukraine will join the military alliance - after the end of the war. This seems to neither bring euphoria nor hope in Ukraine. The NATO rhetoric repeats itself, the promises have become known to the Ukrainians, so journalist Denis Trubetskoy reports.
10:03 HUR: Russian deep-sea vessel damaged
A modernized Russian deep-sea vessel is reportedly damaged, according to Ukrainian reports, during tests in the European North Sea. The Ukrainian military intelligence service HUR reports that the crew lost control during the launch of the AS-36 on July 1. "As a result of the incident, the Russian deep-sea vessel suffered damages that prevent it from continuing the tests," it says on Telegram. Russia is currently assessing the damage and the time required for repairs.
09:32 Russian "troll army" spread pro-AfD advertising for EU election
Anonymous actors are reportedly attempting to influence the European election through covert social media campaigns, according to a report by "Der Spiegel." An analysis by the private research institute Trollrensics, which evaluated the activities of so-called troll armies in Europe on behalf of the Dutch Social Democrats, reveals that in Germany, the AfD profited most from covert support. According to the analysis, a large volume of posts advocating for the AfD during the EU election were spread by a small group that used thousands of accounts. The analysts believe that the network is likely Russian-controlled.
09:04 Increase in GPS Disturbances - ISW Reports Intensifying Hybrid Campaign from Moscow
Finnish authorities report an increase in GPS disturbances in the past week. Most of the disturbances are believed to have originated from GPS and radar in the air and maritime traffic from Russia, according to the Institute for the Study of War. A Finnish lighthouse keeper reported on X that he experienced severe GPS and radar disturbances while guiding boats near Kotka and Hamina on the Finnish south coast. The GPS was unavailable for approximately 90 percent of the stretch between the Orrengrund lighthouse station and Hamina port. This aligns with reports of Russian GPS disturbances in the Baltic states and other European regions, according to the ISW. It is likely that the Russians from the Kaliningrad region also disrupted the GPS of a British Defense Minister's aircraft, forcing Finnair to cancel several flights from Finland. The ISW's assessment: "Russia's apparent GPS disturbances are likely part of an intensifying hybrid campaign by Russia, directly targeting NATO countries, aimed at undermining support for Ukraine and NATO unity."
08:37 Kiev: Five Russian Cruise Missiles Intercepted - Russians Seem to be Overloading Air Defense
The Ukrainian Air Force reports intercepting all five Kalibr-type cruise missiles launched by the Russian military towards Ukraine. Eleven of the 19 drones were also destroyed. The primary target of the Russian attack was the city of Starokostiantyniv, which has a significant military airport. The city is located in the Oblast of Khmelnytskyi in western central Ukraine. The eleven drones were intercepted over six regions, including Sumy, Kiev, Khmelnytskyi, and Mykolajiv. The Ukrainian Air Force does not provide information on the fate of the remaining drones. "It is likely that the enemy is imitating attack drones to overload air defense. There is no information about casualties or damages."
08:22 Greens Defend Stationing Plan: It's About Protection
Greens Fraktion Vice President Agnieszka Brugger defends the planned deployment of long-range US weapons in Germany in the German public broadcaster. She understands that many people may associate this with the Cold War, says the defense expert. However, these measures are not a contribution to arms race but serve defense purposes. In the 80s, two power blocs faced each other, neither of which wanted maximum escalation, explained Brugger. Nevertheless, 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 most brutal war against Ukraine. The stationing plan is therefore about solidarity and protection, not aggression.
07:53 Shocked over Attack on Children's Clinic: Russian Pilot Leaked Apparent Data of Commanders
A Russian pilot is reportedly suspected of leaking confidential information to the Ukrainian Military Intelligence Service (HUR), contributing to the identification of 30 commanders of the Russian heavy bomber aircraft 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 aircraft division, contacted HUR on July 8 after the devastating Russian attack on the children's hospital in Kiev. He was reportedly so shocked that he decided to take this step. The pilot is said to have provided personal information, including photos and other confidential documents, on over 30 Russian commanders.
07:28 Rheinmetall-CEO: Russian Wear-Out War Could Last Forever
Rheinmetall Chairman of the Board Armin Papperger believes that the war in Ukraine could continue for a long time. The ongoing wear-out war damages the Russians, but it can last forever, he said in an interview with the "Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung". Papperger also anticipates sustained growth for the Düsseldorf arms manufacturer. The sales are projected to increase by 40% this year.
07:05 An Alleged Assassination Plot against Rheinmetall-CEO? Suspected Russian Agents Were Reportedly Already in the EU
The threat to Rheinmetall-CEO Armin Papperger from alleged assassination plans may have been more concrete than previously known. According to information from the "Spiegel" from security circles, western intelligence services observed suspicious travels of suspected agents in the past months. These men were reportedly 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 travel destinations abroad. Senior officials suspect that these could have been "proxies" of Russian intelligence services – hired hands from Moscow.
06:49 Heusgen: Berlin Still Underestimates the Gravity of 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. But most of his cabinet colleagues still underestimate the gravity of the situation," he lamented. Putin reportedly aims to restore the old Soviet Union. "We are still downplaying it all a bit here," Heusgen said. "People need to be given a clear and honest account of what Russia has broken in treaties, how Russia is rearming, and that Russia has stationed nuclear-capable missiles in Kaliningrad that can reach Germany."
06:22 Spionage for Russia: Australian Couple ArrestedTwo Australian citizens of Russian descent 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 planning a spy offense. They face a maximum sentence of 15 years in prison. The operation to unmask them was a complex one by a special taskforce of the Police and Intelligence Services, according to Federal Police Commissioner Reece Kershaw.
05:55 Alarm after Report on Murder Plans: "The Putin Regime Now Targets German Citizens"A CNN report on alleged Russian assassination plans against Rheinmetall CEO Armin Papperger has caused alarm in Germany. "It shows once again that Russia is carrying 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 not only Ukrainians but also 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, according to CNN, discovered plans of the Russian government to assassinate Papperger at the beginning of the year. The German side was informed, and the 61-year-old was subsequently given special protection.
05:18 Hungary Accuses NATO Allies of HypocrisyThe Hungarian government accuses its NATO partners of hypocrisy and failure in dealing with Russia's aggression against Ukraine at the conclusion of the NATO summit in Washington. "We will continue to advocate for dialogue and diplomatic channels, as the current strategy of the last two and a half years has been a total failure," says Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto, according to a spokesman 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 EffortsBritish Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced a plan for his government at the NATO summit in Washington to increase defense spending to 2.5% of GDP. Simultaneously, he called on other allies to do the same. 23 of the 32 members of the Alliance currently spend two percent of their GDP on defense, but given the serious threats to security, more needs to be done, Starmer said.
03:30 Biden: I Would Talk to Putin if He Was Open to ChangeUS President Joe Biden currently sees no point in talking to Kremlin chief Putin. In general, he is willing to talk to any state or government leader - including Chinese State and Party Chief Xi Jinping, Biden stressed at a press conference following the NATO summit. That also applies if Putin calls him. "I'm saying I'm willing to talk to anyone, but I don't see a willingness on his part," Biden said. Putin must be willing to change his behavior.
02:32 Building of new NATO-Ukraine Command in Wiesbaden beginsIn Wiesbaden, the construction of the new NATO-Ukraine Command for coordinating weapons deliveries and training activities for the Ukrainian armed forces starts today. However, the supreme allied commander Europe is expected to still need several months to set up the command so that it can take on all planned tasks, NATO representatives stated on the sidelines of the NATO summit in Washington. In the meantime, US military forces will continue to handle the coordination duties. The deployment is also intended to be a precaution for the possible return of Donald Trump as US President from January 2025.
01:58 Scholz rejects unrestricted weapons deployment against RussiaGerman Chancellor Olaf Scholz rejects Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's call for lifting all restrictions on the deployment of Western weapons against Russian territory. "Nobody intends to change the existing guidelines and regulations - for good reasons", says the SPD politician at the end of the NATO summit. We want to support Ukraine as much as possible, but prevent the war from escalating into a war between Russia and NATO, Scholz added. Zelenskyy is particularly concerned about military bases in Russian territory from which rocket attacks on Ukraine originate. More than 40 civilians, including children, were killed in attacks on Ukrainian cities on Monday.
01:25 Scholz on attack report: Aware of Russian threatsIn connection with a media report about Russian threats against Rheinmetall CEO Armin Papperger, Chancellor Olaf Scholz referred to Russian threats. "I won't say anything about that in detail", Scholz said at the NATO summit in Washington. "But I would also be happy to tell you that we are already very well aware that we are exposed to various threats from Russian activities."
00:40 UN calls on Russia to withdraw from Zaporizhzhia NPPThe United Nations General Assembly calls on Russia to withdraw its military and other unauthorized personnel from the Ukrainian Zaporizhzhia NPP. Russia should restore the facility to full control of Ukrainian authorities, according to a UN resolution passed with 99 Yes votes, nine No votes, and 60 abstentions. The Zaporizhzhia NPP, the largest in Europe, 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 2025Federal Defense Minister Boris Pistorius is convinced that there will be corrections in favor of the defense budget in the draft budget 2025. "I assume that further talks will lead to changes", says the SPD politician in ARD. He will not stop advocating for the Bundeswehr to be adequately equipped to fulfill its mission.
22:46 Kremlin: "We are on the path to a Cold War"The Kremlin criticizes the planned stationing of US long-range weapons in Germany as a return to the Cold War. "We are on the path to a Cold War. It all happened before," says Kremlin spokesperson Dmitri Peskov to Russian state television. Peskow accuses Germany, the US, France, and Britain of directly involving themselves in the conflict over Ukraine. "And all the features of the Cold War are returning - with confrontation, with direct confrontation between adversaries," he says. "All this is being done to undermine our country. All this is being done to ensure our strategic defeat on the battlefield," emphasizes Peskow. During the Cold War, however, there was peace in Europe. Russia began its war against Ukraine in 2014, which it expanded massively in 2022.
21:34 Zelenskyy: Limitations on Western Weapons Must EndUkrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy demands 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," emphasizes the Ukrainian leader. The main issue is military bases in the Russian hinterland from which rocket attacks are launched. "If they attack us and kill our children, it's crazy to ask why we can't attack that military base," says Zelenskyy.
20:58 US Announces Additional Aid Package with Patriot SystemUS President Joe Biden announces another aid package for Ukraine worth $225 million. Part of the package includes a Patriot system, which is intended to strengthen the Ukrainian air defense against Russian air attacks. The package also includes NASAMS missile defense systems, multiple rocket launchers of the HIMARS type, as well as artillery ammunition with calibers of 155 and 105 millimeters, according to the US government. The weapons come from US military stocks.
20:19 Stoltenberg Accuses Russia of Intimidation CampaignNATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg reports on a Russian campaign of hostile actions against the Alliance. It is intended to intimidate NATO members and prevent them from supporting Ukraine. However, this approach has had the opposite effect, says Stoltenberg at the NATO summit in Washington.
You can read about all previous developmentshere..
06:34 Cyberattacks Allegedly Targeting Ukraine's InfrastructureFollowing the escalation of the Ukraine-Conflict, reports have surfaced of multiple cyberattacks targeted at Ukraine's critical infrastructure. Security experts suggest these attacks could be linked to Russia's military deployments, aiming to weaken Ukraine's defenses and create chaos.
05:58 Nato-Ukraine Command: Strengthening Support Against Russian AttacksIn face of increased Russian aggression and attacks, Nato announced plans to establish a new command center in Wiesbaden for coordinating weapons deliveries and military training for Ukraine's forces, adding another layer of support against Putin's military.
04:43 Putin's Propaganda Efforts: Moscow Influencing Western PoliticsRussian propaganda has reportedly penetrated Western politics, causing concerns within Nato and its member states. Officials and researchers have discovered attempts to manipulate public opinion and sow discord through disinformation campaigns towards Western support for Ukraine.
03:28 Zelenskyy Meets with Western Leaders: Seeking Strengthened Military SupportIn a continual effort to bolster military support, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy met with Western leaders, including President Biden, discussing the escalating conflict, the need for increased weapons deliveries, and broader support for Ukraine.
02:15 Cyberwar Threat: Russia Targeting Key Infrastructure WorldwideWith the use of cyberentities and advanced technology, Russia has reportedly expanded its military strategy to include cyber warfare attacks on critical infrastructure globally, most notably targeting Nato and its partners to undermine their support for Ukraine.
