13:32 Russia attacks Ukrainian National Guard base
Russian troops are reportedly attacking a checkpoint of the Ukrainian National Guard in Vyschgorod, in the Kiev region. This is according to Russian news agency RIA Novosti, who cited the coordinator of the pro-Russian underground, Sergei Lebedev. The Ukrainian National Guard is a paramilitary organization that, unlike the Army, Air Force, and Navy, does not report to the Defense Ministry but to the Interior Ministry. RIA Novosti reports that there have been two attacks on the military base on General Kulchitsky Street, resulting in explosions.
13:07 Russian Court: Detained Frenchman to Remain in Pre-Trial DetentionA Russian court has ruled that a French state citizen must remain in pre-trial detention until August. The court in Moscow has rejected the habeas corpus petition of the 47-year-old political expert Laurent Vinatier. He is accused of collecting information about "military and military-technical activities" of Russia. This offense is punishable by up to five years in prison. Vinatier was arrested in Switzerland at the end of June at the large international Ukraine peace conference in Geneva. He works for the Humanitarian Dialogue Centre (HD Centre). The Geneva-based non-governmental organization announced on June 7 that it would also contact the Russian authorities for clarification of the charges against its employee.
12:30 Lettland Reports 160 Illegal Crossings from BelarusLettland has recorded more attempted illegal crossings of its border with Belarus this week. Border Guard Chief Guntis Pujats reports on television that there have been 160 such attempts since Monday. This year, a total of 2,770 migrants have been prevented from illegally crossing the EU green border from Belarus.
Lettland borders Belarus for approximately 172 kilometers in the east, making it one of Russia's closest allies. Lettland, Poland, and Lithuania accuse Belarusian leader Alexander Lukashenko of orchestrating the organized transfer of migrants to the EU external border to put pressure on the EU.
12:00 Baerbock: Russia Remains Greatest Threat to EuropeGerman Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock calls for further support for Ukraine from NATO. "Russia will remain the greatest threat to our security and freedom in Europe for the foreseeable future," Baerbock says in a Bundestag debate on the upcoming NATO summit coming week in Washington. The West must act to defend freedom and democracy. "We did not choose this," Baerbock says. "We did not want this." Germany has a special responsibility and has regained lost trust in its Russia policy. "We cannot afford to lose sight of this in the budget negotiations," the minister warns, looking at the ongoing dispute in the traffic light coalition over the budget for 2025.
11:23 Kiev: Russian spy "couple" apprehended by Ukrainian SBU
The Ukrainian Security Service SBU has detained two alleged members of the Russian Federal Security Service FSB. The SBU announced this. A 23-year-old man from Odessa and his 18-year-old "wife" are suspected of spying on military infrastructure in the Ukrainian regions of Odessa and Dnipro for the Russian security service. According to the SBU, the two were spotted in the area as a "freshly married couple" and took photos of "necessary" objects. Together with additional information, the two alleged FSB agents are said to have passed on the photos to the Russian security service. The SBU reports that the "couple" was caught "in the act".
10:50 Ukraine: 21 of 22 Russian drones shot down
Ukraine claims to have largely thwarted a Russian drone attack at night. The air defense shot down 21 of 22 attack drones, the Air Force reports. They were destroyed over six regions in northern and central Ukraine. According to the Air Force, they were Schahed drones of Iranian production.
10:33 SCO Summit in Kazakhstan: Putin and Xi want to demonstrate alliance strength
Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese State Council Chairman Xi Jinping are participating in the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) summit in Astana, Kazakhstan. The regional security alliance was founded in 2001 by China, Russia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan. Later, India, Pakistan, and Iran joined.
Besides Putin and Xi, the summit is attended by the presidents of Kazakhstan, Pakistan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, and Belarus. For China, the Iranian Supreme Leader Mohammed Mochber was to participate. Belarus, which is ruled authoritarly, has officially joined the SCO as a new member since this summit. Among the observer states and dialogue partners are Turkey, Saudi Arabia, and Egypt. For Putin, the summit offers another opportunity to illustrate the failure of Western efforts to isolate his country due to the attack on Ukraine.
10:02 Ukraine publishes numbers on Russian losses
The Ukrainian General Staff has published new figures on Russian troop losses in Ukraine. According to this, Russia has lost approximately 547,470 soldiers in Ukraine since February 24, 2022. In just 24 hours, the losses amounted to 1,200. Russia is said to have lost 8,132 tanks, 15,600 artillery systems, and 360 planes, 326 helicopters, 11,694 drones, 28 ships, and one submarine since the beginning of the large-scale attack. Western estimates give lower loss figures - but these are also only minimum values.
09:30 Report: Ukrainian Forces withdraw from Tschassiw Jar
The Ukrainian Army has withdrawn from a part of the strategically important Ukrainian city Tschassiw Jar, according to their own statements. "It was no longer possible to hold the Canal Quarter, after the enemy had infiltrated," says a Ukrainian military spokesperson. The defensive positions had been destroyed and the lives of their own soldiers were at risk. The military command had decided on a retreat to better fortified positions. However, even there, the enemy continued their combat operations. Tschassiw Jar is located in the eastern Ukrainian region of Donezk, approximately 20 kilometers west of Bachmut, which was taken by Russian troops a year ago and reduced to rubble after months of intense fighting.
09:07 Governor: 391 Russian attacks on Saporischschja within 24 hours
The Russians attacked the region of Saporischschja 391 times within the last 24 hours, according to the governor of the southeastern Ukrainian region, Iwan Fjodorow, in a morning report on Telegram. In this regard, a man was killed in Vasylivka and a woman in Polohiv, and a man in the city of Saporischschja was wounded. Fjodorow reports on two air raids on Nowoandriiwka, 177 drone attacks on Tscherwonodniprowka, Gulyaypole, Levadne, Robotyno, Mala Tokmachka, Malynivka, Novoandriivka, Uspenivka and Novopavlivka. Twelve MLRS attacks hit Robotyne and Nowoandriiwka. Additionally, the Russians fired 200 artillery shells on the areas of Gulyaypol, Mala Tokmachka, Novoandriivka, Robotyne, Levadne, Malynivka and Plavni.
08:33 Russia: Attack on Ukrainian base destroys jet
Russian forces are said to have attacked the Ukrainian military base Dolgintsevo in the Dnipropetrowsk region with a ground-to-air missile system Iskander, according to the Russian Defense Ministry. A MiG-29 fighter jet, air defense equipment and aviation technical vehicles of the Ukrainian Air Force were destroyed. On Telegram, the Russian Defense Ministry posted a video that is said to show the destruction. This video is spreading in social media.
07:47 Video: "Vampire" of Ukraine forces Russians to pay "Price in Blood"
Dozens of Russians are reportedly falling victims every day to what is called the "Vampire," a multiple rocket launcher from Czech production. The Ukrainians use it to defend the front lines - "We will not give up our land for free," they say. They have enough ammunition for the beast, but they lack soldiers.
07:22 Crypto as a loophole: Russian Central Bank wants to bypass sanctions with crypto
The Russian Central Bank encourages Russian businesses in the face of Western sanctions to fall back on alternative payment methods such as cryptocurrencies for transactions with foreign partners. Central Bank Governor Elvira Nabiullina admitted at a conference in St. Petersburg that such payments pose one of the central challenges for the Russian economy. However, these new financial technologies also offer new opportunities. "Therefore, we have softened our stance towards the use of cryptocurrencies in international transactions and now allow the use of digital assets in such transactions."
06:52 At least five civilians killed and 47 injured in Russian attack on Dnipro
According to Ukrainian authorities, at least five civilians were killed and 47 others injured in a Russian rocket and drone attack on the eastern Ukrainian city of Dnipro on Wednesday. The force of the explosions shattered the windows of a shopping mall. Debris fell onto the street, as photos showed, provided by local officials. Mayor Borys Filatow stated that the windows of two schools and three kindergartens were destroyed, as well as debris hitting the intensive care unit of a children's hospital. In another hospital, a fire broke out. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy posted a video of a rocket attack on Dnipro on social media.
06:18 France sends 41 power generators to Ukraine
France is sending 41 power generators to Kharkiv and Chernihiv. The French Foreign Ministry announced this in a statement. Russian attacks had severely damaged the local energy infrastructure. As a result, Ukraine began "blackouts" in May. In this process, the power grid is deliberately disconnected. International partners (see entry 21:41) are providing financial, technical, and material assistance to help Ukraine repair its energy facilities and ensure the power supply to the population.
05:44 Kiev's General Staff: Russians increasing intensity at Pokrovsk
According to the General Staff in Kiev, the Russian military is trying to "increase the intensity" at Pokrovsk in the Donetsk region. Correspondingly, defensive lines are being reinforced, and more ammunition is being brought to this frontline sector. According to the 47th mechanized brigade of the Ukrainian Armed Forces, Russian troops are attempting to breach the Ukrainian defenders' lines. Reconnaissance drones showed "massive cemeteries" of destroyed armored vehicles. Therefore, the Russian side is trying to dominate the combat situation with strong infantry forces.
04:47 Report: Zelenskyy considering dismissing his prime minister
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is considering dismissing Prime Minister Denys Schmyhal, according to the newspaper "Ukrainska Pravda." Insiders told the paper that Zelenskyy is frustrated with Schmyhal. It's more of an emotional issue. Zelenskyy is always looking for creative solutions and proposals, which Schmyhal is not providing. According to the sources, Schmyhal could be replaced by Julia Swyrydenko, the first deputy prime minister and economy minister.
03:59 Kyiv denies Russian successes in Chassiv Yar
The Ukraine refutes Russian reports that Russian forces have brought a district of the important Ukrainian city Chassiv Yar under their control. "We see no let-up in artillery attacks. The enemy is using artillery and multiple rocket launchers," says the spokesperson for the 24th Brigade of the Ukrainian Armed Forces, which is defending the city, to the state broadcaster Suspilne. The situation is "extremely difficult," there are fights for the canal. "The situation remains tense. But the 24th Brigade is holding its positions." The Russian Defense Ministry had previously announced that its forces had brought a district of the city under their control. Chassiv Yar is approximately 20 kilometers west of Bachmut, which was taken by Russian troops a year ago and reduced to rubble after months of fierce fighting. Both sides consider Chassiv Yar a strategic location.
02:45 Casualties after air raids: Zelenskyy appeals to allies
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy continues to call for more air defense systems for the protection of his country. He refers to the latest Russian missile attack on the major city of Dnipro, which killed five people and injured over 50 others. Damaged were also residential buildings and a hospital. Currently, there are four Patriot air defense systems in operation in Ukraine, two of which were provided by Germany. Zelenskyy has recently estimated the further needs of his country to be at least six more Patriot systems.
01:43 Bundeswehr: Many applicants for NATO brigade in Lithuania
For the planned permanent Bundeswehr brigade in Lithuania, there apparently are enough soldiers. "We had to fill about 120 staff positions for the Litauen-Brigade's headquarters. Of these, 115 were filled within a week. And we had 900 applications," says General Inspector of the Bundeswehr, Carsten Breuer, to the Redaktionsnetzwerk Deutschland (RND). "I meet soldiers and soldiers again and again during inspections who say: Yes, we want to participate. There is certainly a great willingness to establish the brigade in Lithuania. Many soldiers and soldiers have already collected positive experiences in Lithuania: the gratitude of the people and the warm welcome. They say, I can imagine a stationing there with my family."
00:45 General Inspector demands billions for Bundeswehr
The General Inspector of the Bundeswehr, Carsten Breuer, supports Defense Minister Boris Pistorius in the budget dispute over the Bundeswehr. In order to meet the security policy challenges, the defense budget must continue to grow, Breuer told the Redaktionsnetzwerk Deutschland (RND). "The parliament has given us a significant amount of money with the special fund and thus, if you will, the order, to make the Bundeswehr combat-ready." He stands shoulder to shoulder with SPD politician Pistorius, who has demanded an additional 6.7 billion Euros for the coming year. Pistorius had demanded an additional 6.7 billion Euros for the coming year.
23:45 A court in Moscow sentences three brothers to 17 years in prison in Russia for treason
According to a court announcement in Russia, three brothers were sentenced to lengthy prison terms by a court in Moscow because they wanted to join a pro-Ukrainian unit. The three men, aged between 19 and 24, were reportedly sentenced in Moscow for treason, participation in a terrorist organization, and illegal border crossing. The eldest of the three brothers, the 24-year-old Joann Aschtscheulow, received a sentence of 17 years and six months, while his brothers Timofej and Alexej must serve 17 years in prison. According to the prosecution, the brothers attempted to cross the border to Ukraine on foot in July 2023 to join the "Legion of Free Russia." They were reportedly arrested about 1.5 kilometers from the border.
22:41 Due to sanctions: Russia allows corporations to use cryptocurrencies for international transactions
The Russian Central Bank encourages domestic corporations to use alternative payment methods such as cryptocurrencies for transactions with foreign partners in light of Western sanctions. For international transactions, cryptocurrencies are now permitted, according to Central Bank Governor Elvira Nabiullina in St. Petersburg. The head of Russia's second-largest bank, VTB, Andrei Kostin, called for these new payment methods to be classified as state secrets. "I can easily imagine that right now, in the US embassy, there is an undersecretary recording all of our public statements," Kostin said. Whatever Russia does, the reaction from Western countries will be "very quick," warned Kostin.
22:16 Erdogan offers "basis" for war end, Moscow denies intermediary role
First, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan declared after a meeting with President Vladimir Putin in Kazakhstan that Turkey could help establish the foundation for an end to the war. However, according to Russian government spokesman Dmitry Peskov, Turkey will not take on a mediator role, as reported by Russian news agencies. Peskov was quoted by Russian news agencies as saying, "No, that's not possible." No statement from the Turkish government is available.
21:41 Ukraine imports more electricity in June than in the entire year 2023, rationing strictly
Ukraine imported over 858,000 Megawatt-hours (MWh) of electricity in June 2024, which is 91% more than the amount imported in May and more than the total amount imported in 2023. According to statistics from July 3. The largest electricity imports to Ukraine came from Hungary (42%). Slovakia and Romania each provided 17%, Poland 16%, and Moldova 8%. Russia intensified its attacks on Ukraine's critical infrastructure in the spring and brought the power grid to the brink of collapse. Since mid-May, electricity has been strictly rationed. The largest private energy company in Ukraine, DTEK, produces 90% less electricity.
- The attack on the Ukrainian checkpoint in Vyschgorod is a concerning escalation in the ongoing Ukraine conflict, raising concerns about a potential expansion of the cyberwar between Ukraine and Russia.
- The French political expert Laurent Vinatier, arrested for allegedly collecting information about Russian military activities, is facing charges that could indicate cyber espionage activities in relation to Russia's military operations.
- In light of Russia's attacks on Ukraine, including the use of drones and cyberwarfare tactics, the call from German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock for further support from NATO underscores the importance of cyber defense and military cooperation in countering Russian military operations.
- Reports of a Russian spy "couple" being apprehended by the Ukrainian SBU highlight the ongoing battle between Ukraine and Russia in the realm of traditional military operations and cyberwarfare.
- Volodymyr Selensky, the President of Ukraine, continues to appeal for more air defense systems from allies in the face of Russian attacks, including the use of drones and cyberwarfare tactics, demonstrating the urgent need for international cooperation in this cyber conflict.
