12:41 Congratulations from Moscow: Putin tells Maduro 'always welcome on Russian soil'
After the controversial Presidential election in Venezuela, Russian President Vladimir Putin congratulates Nicolas Maduro on his victory. Putin is ready to continue the "constructive cooperation" with the South American country, as the Kremlin reports. Maduro is "always welcome on Russian soil", Putin added further. He is "confident", that Maduro "will continue to contribute to the progressive development in all areas" of the relations between the two countries. Russia is one of the most important partners of the Venezuelan president. Moscow supported Maduro when Western states imposed sanctions on him after his controversial re-election in 2018. The elections in Russia in recent years have also been controversial.
12:06 Ukrainian Security Service arrests FSB agents in OdessaThe Ukrainian Security Service SBU reports that it has arrested six suspects in Odessa who allegedly carried out sabotage on behalf of the Russian Federal Security Service FSB. In June and July, they reportedly set fire to 15 Ukrainian military vehicles on instructions from the Russian security service. They were apparently detected by the FSB on Telegram, as they were trying to make easy money. They were arrested almost simultaneously in different parts of the city. According to the SBU, they are six residents of Odessa between the ages of 18 and 24 who worked as couriers for a popular food delivery service. They face up to eight years in prison if convicted.
11:30 Harmony everywhere: Lukashenko reports on talks with PutinAccording to Belarusian strongman Alexander Lukashenko, relations between Russia and his country are harmonious. As the state Russian news agency RIA Novosti reports, Lukashenko says that during the latest talks with Vladimir Putin on the island of Valaam in Lake Ladoga, mutual agreement was reached on all issues: "There was mutual agreement on all issues. There is absolutely no rejection." During the talks with Putin, it is said that issues such as prices and advance payments for oil deliveries were discussed.
10:59 It goes into the hundreds of thousands - Kiev names Russian casualty figuresThe Ukrainian General Staff estimates the Russian army losses again. They claim that more than 1,300 soldiers are eliminated in one day. This raises the number of wounded and killed Russians, according to Ukrainian figures, to 576,000. Western observer numbers differ. The NATO estimated the number of Russian casualties - killed and wounded - in mid-March at 350,000. The US intelligence service put the figure at 315,000 in December 2023. Federal Chancellor Olaf Scholz stated during a citizen dialogue at the end of May: "There is a figure that says how many dead or seriously injured Russian soldiers per month - 24,000." According to this, the casualty figures would be even higher than those of Kiev.
10:30 Kremlin continues to pay soldiers' costs - Russians discuss heatedly about rising airfaresUkraine continues to target Russian infrastructure. The attacks have an effect, but the Kremlin remains militarily well-equipped, explains NTV reporter Rainer Munz. However, Moscow must invest increasingly higher sums for the recruitment of soldiers.
09:59 Putin to meet new Iranian president
Russian President Vladimir Putin is reportedly preparing for an upcoming meeting with the newly elected Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi. "Iswestija" reports that the Iranian side has already received a valid invitation, and we hope that the new president will attend the summit. We would be pleased to see him, and President Putin is preparing for the upcoming contact," Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said. The inauguration ceremony of the Iranian president takes place on July 30. A Russian delegation, led by the speaker of the State Duma, Vyacheslav Volodin, is expected to attend the ceremony.
09:35 At least 23 injured in Ukraine in one day
At least 23 people were injured in Ukraine according to official reports on Sunday in Russian attacks. In the region of Chernihiv, Russian forces attacked 21 settlements, including the regional center of Chernihiv. Eleven people were injured there, among them three children, as reported by Governor Oleksandr Prokudin. In the Dnipropetrovsk region, Russian forces attacked the city of Nikopol, which is located directly across from the Russian-occupied Enerhodar and the Saporischschja Nuclear Power Plant and is a regular target of Russian attacks. Eight people were injured there, including two girls aged one and ten, as reported by Governor Serhii Haisyk. Some adults also sustained shrapnel wounds. Several people were injured in Donetsk and Zaporizhzhia as well.
08:59 Georgian opposition files lawsuit against "foreign agent law"
Georgia's largest opposition party, the United National Movement, filed a lawsuit at the Constitutional Court today against the controversial foreign agents law. "Kyiv Independent" reports that the lawsuit was signed by 32 opposition MPs. The law requires organizations that receive more than one-fifth of their funding from abroad to register as "agents of foreign influence." A similar law has been used by the Kremlin for years against opposition and civil society in Russia.
08:35 Kiev remembers victims of Olenivka explosion
Thousands gathered in Kiev on Sunday to commemorate the victims of an explosion at a pro-Russian separatist-controlled prison in Olenivka two years ago. Soldiers and civilians came together at the Independence Square in Kiev to honor the more than 50 people who lost their lives. They called on their government to do more to pressure Russia to release prisoners of war. The explosion in Olenivka was one of the most painful chapters of Russia's armed conflict with Ukraine for many Ukrainian soldiers. Russia claims that the explosion in Olenivka was caused by a Ukrainian rocket. However, investigations by the Associated Press suggest that Russian forces may have been responsible for the detonation.
08:07 New Water Drone? Mysterious Jetski Washed Up on Turkish Coast
Has Ukraine acquired a new water drone? According to "Kyiv Post", a strongly modified and armed Yamaha "Wave Runner"-Jetski was discovered near Istanbul, Turkey's coast in the Black Sea. A military expert stated that the unknown unmanned vehicle could be another model of Ukrainian Kamikaze-sea Drones used against Russia. Reportedly, the Jetski was equipped with two explosive charges in black lacquered cylinders on either side of the vehicle. Other experts speculated that it could be additional fuel tanks to increase the range. The Jetski's seats appeared to have been replaced with various electronic control panels and a Starlink Antenna, presumably used for communication and guidance. Ukrainian military expert Ivan Kyrychevsky warned, however, that hasty conclusions should not be drawn. The vehicle "looks like something else than a functioning maritime Drone." It could also be part of Moscow's disinformation campaign. Turkish authorities are reportedly investigating the matter.
07:33 Ukraine intercepts majority of Russian Drones
The Ukrainian Air Force intercepted nine out of ten Russian Drones, according to their own statements. Additionally, a missile was intercepted and destroyed, the Air Force announced on Telegram. Russia, on the other hand, claimed to have intercepted 39 drones launched by Ukraine. "Our air defense systems have intercepted and destroyed 19 Drones in the Kursk region, nine over Belgorod, three over Voronezh, and five over Bryansk," explained the Russian Defense Ministry on Telegram. Three more Drones were neutralized in the northwestern region of Leningrad near the city of St. Petersburg.
07:04 No more happy singles in films: Duma Deputy wants to punish "Divorce Propaganda"
Duma Deputy Vitaly Milonov plans to introduce an initiative to ban the screening of films featuring happy singles. "Nowije Iswestija" reported this. According to the report, a penalty for "divorce propaganda" in the country should be introduced, as well as a ban on depicting "happy bachelors." "In general, any propaganda for divorce should be punishable. A divorce is a tragedy and a misfortune, and propagating it, especially for these unshaven feminists, is definitely not allowed," Milonov, deputy chairman of the Duma Committee for Family, Fatherhood, Motherhood, and Childhood, stated. He believes that public opinion towards single men should change, and only those should be considered heroes who have many children. Russia has been promoting an increasingly traditional family image in recent years. However, this ideal is not universally accepted - even within the political leadership. For instance, President Vladimir Putin is divorced, and his relationship status is unclear.
06:33 TASS Journalists' Accreditation Revoked in Paris
The Olympic Organizing Committee is reportedly revoking the accreditation of four TASS journalists in Paris, according to the committee's statements. The committee is attributing this decision to a decision by French authorities, but Moscow has given no further explanations, reports Reuters. The four journalists in question are two reporters, a photographer, and a France correspondent who intended to cover the games. Previously, Paris had refused to accredit some Russian journalists for the games, citing possible espionage. Russia is traditionally one of the biggest medal winners at the Olympic Games, but the Paris Games will not be broadcast on Russian state television and only 15 Russians are participating this time. Russians and Belarusians can only compete as individuals without a flag and cannot publicly support the war or the military.
06:07 Zelenskyy: No Ceasefire with Further Occupation
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is blocking all efforts to quickly end the war. He cannot agree to the demands for a ceasefire as long as Russia continues to occupy Ukrainian territory, he said in an interview with the Japanese broadcaster NHK. For the way to a just peace, he sees three essential prerequisites: "Patience, support (for Ukraine), and diplomatic pressure (on Moscow)." "If the United States and European countries remain united, they will exert additional pressure and show that Moscow has no chance," he emphasized.
05:37 Drone Debris Starts Fire in Voronezh
A supply infrastructure facility in the Russian region of Voronezh has caught fire due to drone debris, according to the regional governor's Telegram messages. "The fire has been put out," he reported. "There are no reported injuries." The southwestern Russian region of Voronezh borders Ukraine.
03:07 Oil Depot in Kursk Reportedly Hit by Ukrainian Drone
Russia has reported multiple waves of drone attacks on its border region of Kursk from Ukraine. "At least 13 drones launched from Ukraine were destroyed by our air defense systems on late Sunday evening," wrote the governor, Andrey Smirnov, on Telegram. Earlier in the day, 19 drones had been shot down. An oil depot was damaged in the attacks. The governor reported minor damages to several residential buildings without providing further details. Drone attacks are also reported from other Russian border regions. In Orjol, a power plant was reportedly damaged (Live entry at 00:55 am), and in the border region of Bryansk, at least four drones were shot down.
02:02 Gabriel Misses Debate on US Rocket Stationing in Germany
The former foreign minister and current chairman of the Atlantic Bridge, Sigmar Gabriel, is concerned that there has been no public debate in Germany prior to the decision on the stationing of US long-range missiles. "I'm not bothered by the deployment intention itself, but by the fact that there's no public debate about it in Germany. It's just decided," the SPD politician told the Rheinische Post.
00:55 Kraftwerk in Russia Damaged by Ukrainian Drone AttackAccording to Russian reports, a power plant in the southwestern Russian region of Orjol has been damaged by a Ukrainian drone attack. "There are no casualties," the region's governor, Andrej Klitschkow, announced on Telegram. Two drones were reportedly destroyed. The exact number of drones shot down is unclear.
22:17 "Anti-European": Polish Foreign Minister Proposes Hungary's Exit from EU and NATOThe Polish Foreign Ministry has proposed that Hungary leave the EU and NATO following Viktor Orban's controversial remarks about the EU, the US, and Poland. "If you don't want to be a member of a club, you can always leave," the Polish deputy foreign minister, Wladyslaw Bartoszewski, reportedly stated according to the Polish Press Agency (PAP). Orban was accused of calling Poland deceitful, praising US presidential candidate Donald Trump, and defending Russia. He also blamed the US for the Nord Stream pipeline attack. Bartoszewski described Orban's current politics as "anti-European, anti-Ukrainian, and anti-Polish." Poland does not conduct business with Russia "in contrast to Orban, who stands on the fringes of the international community," Bartoszewski added.
21:31 Drone Strike on Bomber: Zelensky Thanks Soldiers for "Accuracy from 1800 Kilometers Away"Ukrainian media reported yesterday about a successful drone attack on a military airfield in northern Russia, which is 1800 kilometers from the Ukrainian border. According to "Ukrainska Pravda," citing intelligence sources, a strategic bomber of the type TU-22M3 was hit. In an evening video address, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky thanked his soldiers, including the 9th Department of the Military Intelligence Service GUR. "Accuracy from almost 1800 kilometers from our border. Really important! Thank you," Zelensky said. Russia launches bombers from this airfield for missile strikes on Ukraine.
20:46 Reports: Wagner-affiliated Propagandist Killed in Mali FightingFighting between Malian soldiers and separatist Tuareg fighters in the northern part of Mali resulted in the deaths of several dozen Malian soldiers and Russian mercenaries. A well-known Russian propagandist, who is close to the Wagner mercenary group, was reportedly among the dead according to independent Russian news channels "The Insider" and "Mediazona." Nikita Fedjanin, administrator of the Telegram channel "Grey Zone" with approximately 500,000 subscribers, was killed in the fighting, the media outlets reported. A photo of his alleged corpse circulating on the internet. On the Telegram channel, which Fedjanin referred to as a "soldier community," he published images of Wagner deployments in various African locations and repeatedly expressed his support for Russia's war in Ukraine. The Wagner group commander, Yevgeny Prigozhin, who was killed in a plane crash last year, also used "Grey Zone" to distribute videos and photos of Wagner fighters.
20:27 Zelensky: Ukraine will "Peace Plan" by End of November
President Volodymyr Zelensky of Ukraine will present a "Peace Plan for Peace" by the end of November, he told Japanese broadcaster NHK in an interview. Ukraine organized the first global peace conference in Switzerland in June, where 91 countries and 8 international organizations signed a communique. The Ukrainian leader said that detailed talks with relevant countries will begin on territorial integrity and other issues. Ukraine plans to organize the second peace conference involving Russia before the US presidential elections in November. No official invitation has been sent out yet. Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Galuzin said Russia would not participate.
You can read about previous developments here.**
1. The Ukrainian Security Service (SBU) has accused Russia of instigating attacks on Ukraine, as six suspected agents were arrested in Odessa for setting fire to Ukrainian military vehicles.
2. The NATO alliance has been closely monitoring the conflict in Ukraine, with concerns rising over potential Russian military deployments and the possibility of escalating into a cyberwar.
3. President Volodymyr Zelensky of Ukraine has been vocal about the need for international support to counter Russian aggression, appealing to NATO and other international organizations to boost their support in the Ukraine-Conflict.
4. On the international stage, Volodymyr Zelensky met with Western leaders to discuss the Ukraine-Conflict, emphasizing the importance of joint efforts to restore peace and territorial integrity in Ukraine.
5. Amidst the ongoing Ukraine-Conflict, the international community has been rallying behind Ukraine, signaling a tough stance against Russian military actions and offering assistance to Ukraine's defense efforts.
