13:53 Russia reports capture of another village in Donetsk
Russian troops have taken control of another settlement in the Donezk region in eastern Ukraine, according to Moscow's statements. The troops reportedly "liberated" the village of Sokil, located about 30 kilometers northwest of the city of Donezk, the Russian Defense Ministry announced. The region of Donezk, along with Luhansk, Kherson, and Zaporizhzhia, is one of the Ukrainian regions that Moscow declared annexed in September 2022. According to Kiev's reports, the fiercest fighting along the entire frontline is taking place in the region.
13:40 Le Pen: No French long-range weapons to be used against Russian targetsMarine Le Pen, the leader of the right-wing Rassemblement National (RN) party in France, announced that, in the event of an RN election victory, French long-range weapons would not be allowed to be used against Russian targets. Le Pen made this statement during an interview with the US broadcaster CNN. Additionally, her party would not allow French troops to be stationed in Ukraine, a possibility not ruled out by French President Emmanuel Macron. "If Emmanuel Macron wants to send troops to Ukraine and the prime minister is against it, then there will be no troops in Ukraine," Le Pen stated. The only red line, according to her, is preventing France from becoming a warring party. The French are voting in a second round of parliamentary elections tomorrow.
12:49 Putin confirms goal to destroy Ukraine as a stateDuring a visit by Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán to the Kremlin, Russian President Vladimir Putin once again rejected the idea of a negotiated ceasefire. According to the US think tank Institute for the Study of War (ISW), Putin is instead aiming for an end to the war that erases Ukraine's sovereignty. Among the conditions for peace talks, Putin reportedly seeks the cession of significant Ukrainian territories to Russia and the complete surrender of the Ukrainian military.
12:30 Ukraine: More than 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, which was available before the full-scale Russian invasion. This information comes from a comparison of the current situation with the pre-war period, which the EU ambassador to the country presented in a Financial Times report in June. The hostile attacks of the past three months have reportedly reduced the country's electricity generation by nine gigawatts - roughly half of what was needed for the country's electricity supply during the previous winter. There is a risk that Ukraine will not have electricity, as well as heat and water, during the upcoming winter.
11:58 Ukrainian General Staff: 139 engagements yesterdayThe Ukrainian General Staff reported 139 engagements along the frontlines in their daily report. Most of these took place in the Pokrowsk sector in the Donetsk region, in the southeast of Ukraine. The army recorded six rocket attacks and 55 air raids with 72 bombs, as well as over 3,000 attacks using artillery shells. In the northern region, around Kharkiv, the Russian troops also used combat jets.
11:22 Ukraine demands ban of Russian athletes supporting the war at Olympics
The Ukraine demands that Russian athletes be excluded from participating in the Olympic Games in Paris if they are proven to have supported the Russian military. The International Olympic Committee has previously determined that Russian and Belarusian athletes can compete as "neutral athletes" if they fulfill "strict participation conditions." They are therefore not allowed to participate in teams, present flags, or anything else associated with their home country. The Ukrainian Olympic Committee now reports that some Russian athletes qualified for the Olympics have been supporting 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 attacks
The Russian army, according to Ukrainian reports, dropped 19 glide bombs on the Charkiw region in the last 24 hours. The head of the military administration of the Charkiw region reported this to the Ukrainian news agency Ukrinform. There, three people were reportedly killed and six others injured. In the Oblast Donezk, 11 civilians were reported killed and 43 injured.
10:08 Ukrainian General Staff: 1260 Russian losses since yesterday
The Ukrainian General Staff reports 1260 losses among Russian soldiers for the past 24 hours. According to Ukrainian sources, the total number of killed and wounded Russian soldiers since the beginning of the full-scale invasion in February 2022 is approximately 550,000. In addition, since yesterday, 11 tanks, 58 drones, 18 armored vehicles, and nine Russian missile systems were reportedly destroyed, as well as 66 artillery systems.
09:29 How it could unfold if Putin attacks the Baltic region
Security experts consider a Russian attack on the Baltic region in the coming years to be plausible to realistic. The NATO assures its members of support, but the alliance's collective defense clause leaves room for different reactions from other states. How could an attack on the Baltic flank of the defense alliance unfold?
09:11 NATO summit brings news about 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. This was announced by a high-ranking US government official during a briefing. The training of Ukrainian pilots on F-16s is reportedly making significant progress. The Ukrainian army is still waiting for the first jets to arrive. Deliveries have been promised by the Netherlands, Denmark, Norway, and Belgium.
08:30 One-third of Russians support atomic attack on Ukraine
According to a survey 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 themselves with Vladimir Solovyov, who constantly calls for the use of atomic weapons in the Ukrainian conflict. In the Russian nightlife, patriotism is on the rise. Russian artists are making clear patriotic appeals.
08:17 AfD welcomes Orban's Visit to Putin
The AfD welcomes the criticized Ukraine talks between Hungary's Prime Minister Viktor Orban and Russia's President Vladimir Putin. "Hungary is taking the lead and speaks with both direct conflict parties on the first day of its EU Council Presidency," explains the foreign policy spokesperson of the faction, Matthias Moosdorf. "The AfD fraction welcomes the fact that now, at the highest European level, the possibilities of a ceasefire with the goal of peace talks are being prioritized." The "EU and its personnel" are referred to as war instigators.
07:52 Ukraine: Invaders threaten to deport Ukrainians without Russian passports
In the occupied territories of Ukraine, Russians are reportedly threatening to deport residents without Russian passports according to Ukrainian reports. The Agency Ukrinform reports this based on a statement from the Center for National Resistance. "The occupiers have used this practice before. Locals are taken to checkpoints and expelled from their homeland," the Resistance Center shares. In some cases, people were reportedly forced to obtain passports. During the latest raids in the south, residents were allegedly threatened with expulsion and confiscation of their property.
07:19 SPD expert calls for more money for the military
Members of the government are concerned about the financing of the Bundeswehr following the agreement on the federal budget 2025. The army must procure weapons and ammunition, which it hands over to Ukraine, from its own budget. SPD budget expert Andreas Schwarz speaks of a "disappointing amount" in light of the meager increase in the defense budget by only 1.2 billion euros. "This does not meet what we need in the defense sector," Schwarz told the Tagesspiegel. The president of the Reservists' Association, Patrick Sensburg, also stated that Germany would not be "war ready" with this funding.
06:37 Russia: Ukrainian drones attacked Belgorod
At night, Ukrainian drones reportedly attacked several areas in the Russian region of Belgorod. This is reported by the Russian news agency RIA Novosti, among others. In Shebekino, debris from a shot-down drone damaged a mobile phone mast. In other places, several fuel tanks were reportedly set on fire. There are no reports of injuries.
06:10 Zelensky thanks new British prime minister
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky thanks the new British Prime Minister Keir Starmer for his support for Ukraine. "I am grateful to Keir Starmer for his assurance that the UK's support for Ukraine remains unchanged in principle," Zelensky writes on Telegram. He and Starmer reportedly 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 reports this, among other things. In Jeisk, debris from a shot-down drone damaged a mobile phone mast. In other places, several fuel tanks were reportedly set on fire. There are no reports of injuries.
02:07 Drone Attacks: Sumy without Water and Power
According to local authorities, Russian drone attacks have disrupted the power and water supply in the northern Ukrainian city of Sumy. The public broadcaster Suspilne 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
Eight people were killed and at least 28 were injured in Russian attacks in the eastern Ukrainian region of Donetsk, according to Ukrainian reports. "Every city and every village in the Donetsk region is constantly threatened by hostile attacks," Governor Wadym Filaschkin said on Telegram. Independent of this, Russian troops had dropped three guided bombs on the further southwestern village of Komar, resulting in the death of a 32-year-old woman. Twenty more people were injured. Thirteen private houses, four businesses, two residential buildings, and two infrastructure facilities were damaged in the attack.
23:16 Starmer confirms 'unlimited' UK support for Ukraine to Biden
In his first phone call with US President Joe Biden, new British Prime Minister Keir Starmer confirmed the UK's "unlimited" support for Ukraine in the war against Russia. The two leaders reaffirmed their "unwavering commitment to Ukraine" and Starmer emphasized that "the UK will support Ukraine without limit," according to a statement from Starmer's office a few hours after his swearing-in.
21:49 US cancels military exercises with Georgia
The US is canceling planned joint military exercises with Georgia due to tensions with the Georgian government. The US military's participation in the scheduled "Noble Partner" maneuvers, which were set to take place between July 25 and August 6, has been "suspended indefinitely," the US Defense Department announced. The background was "false accusations" from the Georgian government. The Pentagon refers to statements that the US had pressured Georgia to declare war on Russia and was involved in "two coup attempts" against the government.
20:35 Insider: Baerbock cancels planned trip to Budapest
The planned trip of Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock to Budapest for Monday is cancelled. The Hungarian side unexpectedly cancelled the appointment with Baerbock, according to the Foreign Office.
21:20 Zelensky thanks Germany for third Patriot system
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky thanks Germany for the delivery of the third Patriot air defense system. "This is great news," Zelensky said in his evening video message. He also thanked the US for further steps to strengthen Ukrainian air defense. He did not provide details, but said that Ukraine had already shown that it could shoot down Russian rockets. "The Ukraine is doing everything to ensure that Russian terror ends," Zelensky said.
20:48 NATO Expert: "We must bring down Russia"NATO expert Stefanie Babst calls for a more decisive approach from the alliance towards Russia. "We can only deal with this adversary by bringing down the Russian government. Not only pushing them out of Ukraine, but reducing their influence in their area of operation so they can no longer exert their toxic influence in Europe," Babst said in the t-online Tagesanbruch podcast. This should be addressed more decisively. "We look at Putin like Lord Voldemort and are afraid he will pull out his wand. We need to get over this notion," Babst appealed. The 60-year-old is a former leading staff member of the NATO International Staff.
20:15 Kremlin not "optimistic" after Labour victory in BritainThe Russian leadership does not expect any changes in the strained relations between Moscow and London following the Labour Party's victory in Britain. The Kremlin is "not optimistic," according to its spokesman Dmitri Peskov 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.
- There are concerns about Russian cyberwarfare targeting Ukraine's critical infrastructure, as mentioned by a senior NATO official during a briefing.
- Volodymyr Selensky, the President of Ukraine, has accused Russia of carrying out an "attack on Ukraine's energy infrastructure" using "loitering munitions."
- Reportedly, Russian troops have intruded into Ukraine's nuclear power plant in Zaporizhzhia, raising concerns about a possible escalation of the conflict.
- NATO allies have discussed the possibility of providing Ukraine with military equipment, with a focus on air defense capabilities, to bolster its defense against Russian aggression.
- The Ukrainian military has reported an increasing number of cyberattacks on their networks, attributed to Russia, with the aim of disrupting their operational capabilities and collecting intelligence.
