12:49 ISW: Putin reaffirms goal of destroying Ukraine as a state
At the recent visit of Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban to the Kremlin, Russian President Vladimir Putin once again decisively rejected the idea of a negotiated ceasefire, as reported by the US think tank Institute for the Study of War (ISW). Instead, Putin aims for a peace that erases Ukraine's sovereignty. The conditions for peace talks, according to Putin, include the surrender of significant Ukrainian territories to Russia and the complete capitulation of the Ukrainian military.
12:30 Ukraine: Half of electricity generation capacity lost due to Russian attacksDue to Russian attacks on critical infrastructure, Ukraine has lost more than half of its electricity generation capacity that was available before the full-scale Russian invasion, according to a comparison of the current situation with the pre-war period reported by the EU Ambassador of the country in a Financial Times report in June. The hostile attacks of the past three months have reportedly reduced the country's electricity generation by about nine Gigawatts - approximately half of what was required for the state's electricity needs during the previous winter. There is a risk that Ukraine may not have electricity, and possibly also heating and water, during the upcoming winter.
11:58 Ukrainian General Staff: 139 battles yesterdayThe Ukrainian General Staff reported in its situation report that there were 139 battles at the frontlines over the past 24 hours. Most of these took place in the Pokrowsk sector in the Donetsk Oblast in the southeastern Ukraine. The army recorded six rocket attacks and 55 air raids with 72 air-dropped bombs and over 3000 attacks using artillery shells. In the northern region, around Kharkiv, the Russian troops also used combat jets.
11:22 Ukraine calls for Olympic ban for Russian athletes who support the warUkraine is calling for Russian athletes to be excluded from the Olympics in Paris if they are found to be supporting the Russian military. The International Olympic Committee decided in December that Russian and Belarusian athletes could participate as "neutral athletes" if they met "strict participation conditions." They were not allowed to participate in teams, present flags, or anything else associated with their homeland. The Ukrainian Olympic Committee reports that some Russian athletes who qualified for the Olympics have been found to support the Ukrainian war and Putin's politics on the internet. Some athletes have also participated in propaganda tournaments.
10:52 Ukraine: 12 civilians killed by Russian attacksThe Russian army, according to Ukrainian reports, dropped 19 bombs on the Charkiw region. The head of the military administration of the Charkiw region reported this to the Ukrainian news agency Ukrinform. In Charkiw, three people were reportedly killed and six others injured. Eleven civilians were reported killed and 43 injured in the Donetsk Oblast.
Ukrainian General Staff: 1260 Russian casualties since yesterday
The Ukrainian General Staff reports 1260 casualties among Russian soldiers for the past 24 hours. According to the Ukrainian source, the total number of killed and wounded Russian soldiers since the full-scale invasion in February 2022 is approximately 550,000. Moreover, since yesterday, eleven tanks, 58 drones, 18 armored vehicles, and nine Russian missile systems have been destroyed, along with 66 artillery systems.
09:29 How it might unfold if Putin attacks the Baltic region
Security experts consider a Russian attack on the Baltic region in the coming years as plausible to realistic. NATO assures its members of support, but the alliance's collective defense clause leaves room for various reactions from other states. How could an attack on NATO's northern flank unfold?
09:11 NATO summit brings news of F-16 jets for Ukraine
During the upcoming NATO summit in Washington, Ukraine can expect new announcements regarding the delivery of F-16 fighter jets. A high-ranking US government official made this known during a briefing. The training of Ukrainian pilots on F-16s has reportedly made significant progress. The Ukrainian army is still waiting for the first jets to arrive. The Netherlands, Denmark, Norway, and Belgium have pledged deliveries.
08:30 One-third of Russians support atomic attack on Ukraine
According to an opinion poll presented by Russian propagandist Sergey Mardan on Russian state television, one-third of the Russian population is in favor of attacking Ukraine with atomic weapons. They align with Vladimir Solovyov, who consistently advocates for the use of atomic weapons in the Ukrainian conflict. Meanwhile, Russian artists are making a clear patriotic appeal in the nightlife scene.
08:17 AfD welcomes Orban's visit to Putin
The AfD welcomes the criticized Ukraine talks between Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban and Russian President Vladimir Putin. "Hungary is taking the lead and speaking with both direct conflict parties from the first day of its EU Council presidency," explains the foreign policy spokesperson of the faction, Matthias Moosdorf. "The AfD-faction welcomes the fact that, at the highest European level, the possibilities of a ceasefire with the goal of peace talks are being prioritized." The "EU and its personnel" he labels as warmongers.
07:52 Ukraine: Invaders threaten to deport Ukrainians without Russian passports
In the occupied territories of Ukraine, the Russians are reportedly threatening to deport residents without Russian passports, according to Ukrainian reports. The National Resistance Center reports that the occupiers have employed this practice before. "The occupiers have taken people to the checkpoint and forcibly deported them from their homeland," the resistance center states. In some recent raids in the south, residents were threatened with deportation and confiscation of their property.
07:19 SPD expert calls for more money for defense
Members of the German government are expressing concerns over the financing of the Bundeswehr in the context of the agreement on the federal budget 2025. The military must procure weapons and ammunition, which it hands over to Ukraine, from its own budget. SPD budget expert Andreas Schwarz spoke of a "disappointing figure" in response to the meager increase in defense spending of only 1.2 billion euros. This does not correspond to "what we need in the defense sector," Schwarz told "Tagesspiegel." The president of the Reservists' Association, Patrick Sensburg, also noted that this would make Germany "not war-ready."
06:37 Ukraine: Drones attacked Belgorod, Russia
In drone attacks on the Russian city of Shebekino in the Belgorod region, several buildings, vehicles, and an industrial plant were damaged, and one person was injured, according to the local governor. A total of 11 houses were damaged, power lines in the community were damaged, and social infrastructure was affected.
06:10 Zelensky thanks new British prime minister
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky thanked the new British Prime Minister Keir Starmer for his support of Ukraine. "I am grateful to Keir Starmer for his assurance that the United Kingdom's support for Ukraine remains unchanged in principle," Zelensky wrote on Telegram. He and Starmer had aligned their positions ahead of the NATO summit coming up in the next week. According to a high-ranking US official, NATO will present a "bridge to membership" for Ukraine at the meeting in Washington.
03:45 Burning oil depots after drone attack in Russia
Ukrainian drones reportedly attacked several areas in the Russian region of Krasnodar during the night. The Russian news agency RIA Novosti reported that debris from a downed drone damaged a mobile phone mast in Jeisk. In other places, several fuel tanks were said to have caught fire. There were no reported injuries.
02:07 Sumy without water and power due to drone attacks
According to local authorities, Russian drone attacks have disrupted the water and power supply in the northern Ukrainian city of Sumy. Suspilne, the public broadcaster, reported a series of explosions in the city. The Sumy region is almost daily targeted by Russian positions across the border.
00:28 Eight people killed, 28 injured in Russian attacks in eastern Ukraine
According to Ukrainian reports, eight people were killed and at least 28 were injured in Russian attacks in the eastern Ukrainian region of Donetsk. "Every city and every village in the Donetsk region is constantly threatened by enemy attacks," Governor Wadym Filaschkin wrote on Telegram. Independent of this, Russian troops had dropped three guided bombs on the further southwestern village of Komar, killing a 32-year-old woman and injuring 20 other people. Thirteen private houses, four businesses, two residential buildings, and two infrastructure facilities were damaged in the attack.
23:16 Starmer confirms "unwavering" support for Biden on UkraineBritain's new Prime Minister Keir Starmer has confirmed Britain's "unlimited" support for Ukraine in its war against Russia during his first phone call with US President Joe Biden. The two leaders reaffirmed their "unwavering commitment to Ukraine" and Starmer emphasized that "the United Kingdom fully supports Ukraine," according to a statement from Starmer's office just hours after his swearing-in.
21:49 US military drills with Georgia postponedThe US is postponing planned joint military drills with Georgia amid tensions with the Georgian government. The US military participation in the "Noble Partner" exercises, originally scheduled for late July to early August, is "suspended indefinitely," the US Defense Department announced. The background is "baseless accusations" from the Georgian government. The Pentagon refers to statements that the US pressured Georgia to go to war with Russia and was involved in "two coup attempts" against the government.
20:35 Insider: Hungary cancels planned meeting with BaerbockThe planned Monday trip of Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock to Budapest is canceled. The Hungarian side abruptly canceled the appointment with Baerbock, according to the Foreign Office.
21:20 Zelensky thanks Germany for third Patriot systemUkrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky thanks Germany for the delivery of the third Patriot air defense system. "This is great news," Zelensky says in his evening video message. He also thanks the US for further steps to strengthen Ukrainian air defense. He does not provide details, but says that the country's partners have fulfilled their commitments. "Ukraine has already shown that it has no Russian rockets that we cannot shoot down," Zelensky says. The country is doing everything to ensure that Russian terror ends.
20:48 NATO expert: "We must bring down Russia"NATO expert Stefanie Babst calls for a more decisive approach by the alliance against Russia. "We can only keep up with this adversary by bringing down the Russian regime. And not just drive it out of Ukraine, but reduce its influence in its area of influence so that it no longer exerts its toxic influence in Europe," Babst said in the T-Online morning show podcast. For this, more decisive action must be taken. "We look at Putin like Lord Voldemort and are afraid that he will pull out his wand," Babst appeals. The 60-year-old is a former leading staff member of the International NATO Staff.
20:15 Kreml not optimistic after Labour victory in Britain
The Russian leadership does not expect any changes in the strained relations between Moscow and London following the Labour Party's victory in Britain. The Kreml is "completely not optimistic," Dmitry Peskov, the Kreml spokesperson, said in Moscow. "Based on their previous statements, they do not lean towards any flexibility or creativity to normalize the bilateral Russian-British relations."
You can read about previous developments here.
- In response to the ongoing Ukraine conflict, NATO is considering providing F-16 fighter jets to Ukraine during their upcoming summit in Washington, as reported by a high-ranking US government official.
- Volodymyr Selensky, the Ukrainian President, expressed his gratitude towards the new British Prime Minister, Keir Starmer, for the UK's continuous support for Ukraine in its struggle against Russia.
- Putin's rejection of a negotiated ceasefire and his insistence on conditions like Ukraine's surrender of territories and the capitulation of its military has only escalated tensions in the Ukraine conflict, as reported by the US think tank ISW.
- Amidst the intense military operations, Ukraine has faced multiple attacks from the Russian side, including a cyberwar, which has resulted in the loss of half of its electricity generation capacity, as reported by the EU Ambassador of Ukraine.
- The conflict in Ukraine has sparked political debates worldwide, with some politicians like Matthias Moosdorf of the AfD welcoming the Ukraine talks between Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban and Russian President Vladimir Putin, labeling the "EU and its personnel" as warmongers.
