12:58 Russia reports capture of village in Donetsk oblast
The Russian military has taken control of the Ukrainian village of Schumy in the Donezk region, according to reports from Russian state media. The state Russian news agency Ria, referring to the Russian Defense Ministry, reports that the army has taken the settlement near the city of Torezk. The statement says that Ukrainian troops suffered 360 casualties. These claims cannot be independently verified.
12:38 Zelenskyy: Russian attacks have destroyed 80% of Ukraine's thermal energy and a third of its hydropowerAccording to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, reported in the British newspaper "Guardian," Russian attacks have destroyed 80% of Ukraine's thermal energy and a third of its hydropower. In a statement, Zelenskyy said that Russian attacks often targeted energy facilities and other critical infrastructure. The attack in Dnipro shows, according to the Ukrainian leader, that Ukraine needs more air defense systems. "Only sufficient quantities of high-quality air defense systems, only sufficient determination from the entire world can stop Russian terror," Zelenskyy said.
12:25 Ukrainian Foreign Minister Kuleba in Croatia for a visitThe Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba is in Croatia for a visit. He is participating in the 17th Dubrovnik Forum. According to the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry, the focus of the meeting will be on restoring peace and security in Ukraine and Europe as well as the results of the first peace summit. Croatian Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic and EU Foreign Policy Chief Joseph Borrell are among those attending the meeting.
11:51 Military economist: The war could be over by the end of 2025 - "Time is running against Russia"According to military economist Marcus Keupp, Russia will not be able to sustain the war against Ukraine for years. In an interview with the "Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung," Keupp says that the Russian supply lines, according to estimates, will collapse no later than mid-2027, possibly even by the end of 2025. "That's the computational end, then the warehouses are empty." Keupp bases his calculations on losses of the Russian army, which are documented on open-source websites on the internet. According to his calculations, Russia has lost four tanks per day since the start of the war. Since only 300 to 500 new tanks can be built annually, Moscow cannot sustain this indefinitely, says the military economist. Satellite images already show that old Soviet military bases are emptying out at a rapid pace throughout Russia, according to Keupp. "Russia is living off its reserves. It is essentially on the dead legs of the Soviet Union." Keupp's conclusion: "Time is running against Russia." In his opinion, Russia's way of waging war is not sustainable. "Putin has the same problem as Hitler. His resources are melting away, he's stuck in the mud of the Soviet Union."
11:33 Flight from Military Service: Some Ukrainian Men Seek Help from Forgers
In Ukraine, a new recruitment offensive is underway to mobilize more soldiers for the fight against Russia. Therefore, some Ukrainian men are turning to online dealers and forgers to avoid military service, as reported by the British newspaper "Guardian." It is expected that attempts to flee the country will also increase. Ukraine recently passed far-reaching mobilization measures, allowing the military to call up more soldiers and impose stricter penalties for draft evasion. Volodymyr Zelenskyy signed a controversial law in the past April that lowers the draft age from 27 to 25. Anyone who refuses military service can lose their driver's license and access to their bank accounts. Property can also be seized.
11:04 Zelenskyy Releases Video of Reunions between Soldiers and Their Families
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy shared a video on his social media channels of the moment ten soldiers returned home from Russian captivity and reunited with their families.
10:36 Ukrainian Police Car in Sumy Attacked by Russian Drone
In the Sumy Oblast in northeastern Ukraine, a Ukrainian police car was attacked by a Russian drone. The Ukrainian newspaper "Kyiv Post" reported this based on information from the Ukrainian National Police. According to the report, the policemen were not in the vehicle at the time of the attack but were nearby when they heard the explosion.
10:08 Kremlin Remains Silent on Trump's Remarks about War Ending
The Kremlin declined to comment on Donald Trump's remarks that he would end the war against Ukraine if reelected in November. The British newspaper "Guardian" reported this. Trump made these comments during the US presidential debate with incumbent Joe Biden on the previous Thursday. "As for Russia and Ukraine: If we had a real president, a president who respected Putin, he wouldn't have gone into Ukraine," Trump said.
09:26 Zelenskyy Thanks Coe at Meeting for Exclusion of Russian and Belarusian Athletes
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy held a meeting with Sebastian Coe, President of the Leichtathletik-Weltmeisterschaft. Zelenskyy shared this information on his Facebook page. "We welcome the decisions made by World Athletics in early March 2022, banning representatives of Russia and Belarus from participating in international athletics competitions," Zelenskyy wrote. He also thanked Coe for supporting Ukrainian athletes.
09:01 Four People Dead and Ten Injured in Russian Attacks in the Oblast of ChernihivThe Russian military has shelled numerous cities and villages in the Chernihiv oblast, resulting in the deaths of four people and injuries to ten others. This was reported by Oleksandr Prokudin, head of the military administration of the region, via Ukrinform on Telegram. "Four people were killed by Russian aggression in Sadove, Tiahynka, Novotiahynka, Olhivka, and Chernihiv," Prokudin said. According to him, the Russian military attacked residential areas in the region and damaged some private houses. Additionally, businesses and a gas pipeline were reportedly hit.
08:34 Governor of Kursk: Five Dead in Ukrainian Drone Attack on Border VillageAccording to Russian reports, five people were killed in a Ukrainian drone attack on a border village. Two of the fatalities were young children, Governor of the western Russian region Kursk, Alexei Smirnov, announced on Telegram. "Two more family members are in critical condition," he added. The drone reportedly crashed into a house in the small village of Gorodische. Since the start of the Russian offensive in Ukraine, both sides have been regularly targeting each other with drones, some of which have ranges of several hundred kilometers. The Ukrainian army has expanded its drone attacks on Russian territory this year. It targets not only Russian energy facilities but also border towns and villages.
08:02 Kyiv: Over 1000 Russian Soldiers "Eliminated"According to the Ukrainian Defense Ministry, 1,070 Russian soldiers have died or are unable to continue fighting within a day. Since the start of the war in February 2022, a total of 541,560 Russian soldiers have reportedly been "eliminated." The Defense Ministry announced in its daily reports on Russian losses that the enemy had lost seven more tanks (8,073). Since the beginning of the Russian invasion, Ukraine has counted over 15,500 armored vehicles and approximately 11,500 drones that are no longer in the possession of the Russian military or have been destroyed. These figures cannot be independently verified. Moscow has remained silent on information regarding its own losses in Ukraine.
07:28 Fire Department in Dnipro rescues man from buried carOnce again, Russian rockets hit a Ukrainian residential area. The latest attack on the city of Dnipro resulted in at least one fatality, with injured persons including a seven-month-old baby. A man was buried under the rubble in his car.
07:06 Positions of Ukrainian military being surveilled: SBU arrests suspected Russian agentThe Ukrainian Security Service (SBU) of the Ukrainian domestic intelligence service has arrested another suspected Russian agent. The man is alleged to have prepared a Russian troop breakthrough in the Donetsk region and spied on Ukrainian defense forces. According to the SBU press service, he is a resident of Myrnohrad, who works as an employee of a private security company. Russia reportedly became aware of the man as an active user of pro-Russian Telegram channels, where he is said to have published anti-Ukrainian comments.
06:34 Ukrainian Air Force: Ten Russian drones shot down at nightThe Ukrainian air defense has shot down all ten drones launched by Russia at night. According to the Ukrainian Air Force.
05:43 General Staff in Kiev: 102 battles at the frontThe Ukrainian General Staff reports 102 battles at the front in the past 24 hours. The enemy has increased the tempo of its offensive actions since Friday morning, according to the situation report of the Ukrainian General Staff on Facebook. The most battles are reported near Pokrovsk. The Russian troops attempted to dislodge Ukrainian units from their positions 28 times. The Ukrainian army repelled 21 attacks. Seven battles are still ongoing, according to the statement.
04:59 Czech Republic preparing security accords with KievCzech Prime Minister Petr Fiala announced on X that the Czech Republic will sign a bilateral security accord with Ukraine during the EU summit in London on July 18. He announced on Facebook that he had agreed with President Zelenskyy the day before to "conclude the negotiations on the text of the Czech-Ukrainian security accord before the NATO summit in Washington." The next NATO summit is scheduled for July 9-11. The Czech Republic is thus joining 19 countries, including the USA, Great Britain, Germany, and France, as well as the European Union, which have already signed similar bilateral agreements.
03:59 USA to supply Kiev with Hawk missilesThe US government will supply weapons and ammunition worth $150 million to Ukraine, including Hawk air defense missiles and 155-millimeter artillery ammunition. Two unnamed US officials announced that the weapons aid package is expected to be presented on Monday. The US government is reacting to Ukraine's desperate pleas for support in air defense, as Russia has bombarded Ukrainian energy infrastructure with air raids in recent weeks.
02:58 Report: Russian Agents in Vienna hired hit on helicopter pilot Kusminow
In Vienna, Russian agents are under suspicion for their involvement in the recruitment and financing of Russian operations, such as the killing of the Russian military helicopter pilot Maxim Kusminow. He had defected to Ukraine and lived in Spain, where he was found by the hit squad. This is reported by the "Wall Street Journal" with reference to western security circles. The murderers, who shot the man five times and then ran him over with a SUV, were criminals who were paid with cash provided by Russian state officials from Vienna, according to the paper. "We are now becoming a burden for our neighbors, as Russia uses us as an operational base," says a high-ranking Austrian intelligence officer to the newspaper. According to Austrian intelligence sources, the number of active Russian diplomats in Austria in the last two years has increased from around 400 to over 500. About half of them are diplomats and managers, while the other half function as spies.
01:58 Russia: Position north of Bachmut taken - Ukraine denies
According to the Russian Defense Ministry, the Russian armed forces have taken control of the settlement of Rosdoliwka in eastern Ukraine. However, the Ukrainian military states that heavy fighting is taking place in the areas around the settlement. Rosdoliwka is located in the Donetsk region, the epicenter of the Russian advance in eastern Ukraine. It is located north of Bachmut and Soledar, two settlements that were taken under Russian control last year.
00:58 US Army awards Lockheed Martin contract worth $4.5 billion
In the USA, the US Army has awarded the defense contractor Lockheed Martin a multi-year contract worth $4.5 billion for the Patriot air defense system. This was announced by the Pentagon. The contract includes 870 PAC-3 MSE missiles and the associated hardware. Lockheed manufactures the latest version of the missile defense system, known as PAC-3 MSE, which equips the Patriot. The Patriot system is part of a series of highly developed air defense systems that the West has provided to Ukraine.
23:58 More Olympic starting places for Russians - Judokas rejected
The International Olympic Committee (IOC) continues to invite Russian and Belarusian athletes to the Summer Games in Paris. As the IOC announced in the evening, 50 athletes and athletes from the two countries have been invited so far to compete under a neutral flag at the Olympics. However, not all of these invitations have been accepted, some have already withdrawn. Some judokas were rejected because of their affiliation with military sports clubs. Of the twelve quota places for Russian judokas, only two will be allocated to each gender - whether the four will accept the invitation is open.
23:59 Ten Ukrainians returned from Russian captivity
According to reports from Kiev, ten Ukrainian civilians have returned from Russian captivity. Among the released prisoners is Nariman Djeljal, a leader of the Crimean Tatars, writes Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on social media on Friday. He thanks the Vatican for its mediation in the release of the civilians. Djeljal was arrested in 2021, before the large-scale Russian invasion of Ukraine in the annexed Crimea, and later sentenced to 17 years in prison.
23:30 Lithuanian Foreign Minister: Kallas nomination acknowledges stance on Russia
Lithuania has welcomed the nomination of Estonian Prime Minister Kaja Kallas as the new EU foreign policy chief. Foreign Minister Gabrielius Landsbergis speaks of recognition of the views of the Baltic states and other countries on the NATO eastern flank, which have taken a firm stance against Russia and supported Ukraine until its victory. "She has never hidden her position, she has clearly and openly expressed herself on issues that are important to us," Landsbergis told the BNS agency in Vilnius about Kallas. Kallas was appointed as the EU representative for external and security policy at the EU summit in Brussels on Thursday. The 47-year-old Liberal has been in power in Estonia since 2021 as the first woman in Estonian history at the helm of government - and is known as a champion of a resolute Western stance towards Moscow.
23:00 Baerbock: Support for Ukraine is the best protection for peaceful sleeping
According to Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock's belief, the ongoing support for Ukraine in its fight against Russian invasion forces is also a prerequisite for peace and security in Germany. "If Ukraine can no longer defend our peace, our freedom because we no longer support it, then the question is, how far will Putin's troops advance then?" Baerbock said in a talk with RedaktionsNetzwerk Deutschland (RND), NDR and "Hannoversche Allgemeine Zeitung". "That's why the support efforts for Ukraine are the best protection for our own peace and our own security." Baerbock referred to Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Of course, one could discuss whether the billions in aid for Ukraine should be used differently, Baerbock said. But in this case, she had to say: "I don't know how long we can continue to sleep peacefully here in Brandenburg, right on the border with Poland." Everywhere along the EU border and the NATO outer border, there are "light tests" from Russia. "Every reasonable person in the world, in Europe and in Ukraine" wishes nothing more ardently than peace in Ukraine. That depends on Putin. "For that, Putin must withdraw his troops and finally put an end to this murder." Instead, his answer is "always more violence and terror".
You can read about earlier developments here.
- The Russian military has reportedly taken control of the Ukrainian village of Schumy in the Donezk region, fueling concerns about the ongoing Ukraine conflict.
- Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy claimed that Russian attacks have destroyed 80% of Ukraine's thermal energy and a third of its hydropower, highlighting the cyberwar aspect of the conflict.
- In an effort to restore peace and security in Ukraine and Europe, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba attended the 17th Dubrovnik Forum in Croatia.
- According to a military economist, the war between Russia and Ukraine could end by the end of 2025 due to Russia's inability to sustain the conflict financially.
- Amidst the ongoing conflict, some Ukrainian men are seeking help from forgers to avoid military service, underscoring the impact of the conflict on everyday life in Ukraine.
