15:13 Hungary eases visa rules for Russians <unk> EU sees "possible security threat"
16:37 Easing of Visa Rules for Russians and Belarusians in Hungary "Potential Security Threat" to EU
EU Internal Affairs Commissioner Ylva Johansson has assessed that the relaxation of visa rules for Russians and Belarusians in Hungary could pose a "possible security threat" to the Union. She has sent a letter with questions to the government in Budapest, Johansson announced. "Given the potential security threat to the Schengen area from these unilateral measures," Johansson has demanded that Budapest answer a series of questions by mid-August. "Granting potential Russian spies and saboteurs easy access to the EU would undermine the security of us all," the Internal Affairs Commissioner explained. The eased visa procedures for Russian and Belarusian citizens in Hungary could lead to a "de facto circumvention of the restrictions imposed by the EU," Johansson said. Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban had signed a decree at the beginning of July, expanding the fast-track procedure for issuing visas in Hungary to Russia and Belarus, as well as six other countries. Citizens of these countries can now apply for so-called national cards to work in Hungary.
14:37 Polish Government Criticized After Prisoner Exchange
The Polish government is facing criticism for its involvement in a prisoner exchange with Russia, as a Belarusian journalist detained in Belarus was not released. Former Polish Interior Minister Mariusz Kamiński of the right-wing nationalist PiS party accused the cabinet of Prime Minister Donald Tusk on Twitter of having released a Russian-Spanish journalist accused of spying for Russia - but "got nothing in return." Journalist Andrzej Poczobut, arrested in Belarus in 2021 and sentenced in 2023, was not released. However, Poland had released Pablo González, who had been posing as a Spanish journalist in Europe and was imprisoned in Poland since February 2022 on suspicion of spying for Russia.
13:56 Civilians Killed or Injured in Multiple Attacks
Several Ukrainian cities have reported civilian casualties and injuries due to Russian attacks, according to local authorities. A woman died and another woman was injured in an attack on the city of Kupjansk, the governor of the Kharkiv region reported. In Derhachi, a bus carrying construction workers was attacked by a drone, with seven injured reported. In Kherson, a drone attack on pedestrians resulted in one death and one injury, authorities said.
13:34 ISW: Russians Slowly but Steadily Advancing in the East
In the eastern Ukrainian region of Donetsk, Russian forces appear to be making progress. West of Avdiivka, they continue to advance slowly but steadily towards Pokrovsk, according to an analysis by the U.S. think tank "Institute for the Study of War." This is likely due to personnel shortages in the Ukrainian army and the terrain. If Russian forces advance into areas with larger settlements, the advances are likely to slow further.
13:12 Russia Hands Over 250 Ukrainian Soldiers' BodiesUkraine has received the bodies of 250 of its soldiers from Russia. Among them are remains of fallen soldiers from the Donetsk region, including Bachmut, Marjinka, and Avdiivka, as well as from the port city of Mariupol, according to the Coordination Staff for War Prisoners' Issues on Telegram. The handover was facilitated by international organizations. Images show staff from the International Red Cross. The bodies will be identified and handed over to their families for burial.
12:48 CDU Foreign Policy Expert Hardt: All Germans in Russia or Belarus Could Become VictimsCDU foreign policy expert Jürgen Hardt sees the release of the so-called Tiergarten murderer as part of the prisoner exchange as ambiguous. He fears that "the propaganda effect for Putin is enormous," Hardt told ARD's "Morning Magazine." The Russian president could now tell any hired killer, "You see, I get you out." The policy must be clear that "we have come onto a slippery slope," Hardt said. All Germans currently in Russia or Belarus should be warned that they could become victims, and "we must protect those who are with us." At the same time, he welcomes the release of the 16 people imprisoned in Russia and Belarus.
12:13 Kremlin Confirms Tiergarten Murderer Was Russian SpyThe Kremlin has confirmed that Vadim Krasikov, released by Germany as part of a prisoner exchange, was a member of the Russian FSB intelligence service. "Krasikov is a member of the FSB," Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said. Krasikov, who was sentenced to life imprisonment in Berlin in 2021 for murder, had belonged to an elite unit of the intelligence service.
11:55 Security Expert Umbach: Exchange Strengthens Putin's Image of Weak WestThe prisoner exchange strengthens Putin's course against the West, says security expert Frank Umbach. Russia had the upper hand in the deal and made the West look weak. For Russia's president, this is a win on multiple levels, the expert explains.
11:22 Gershkovich Proposes Interview with PutinThe released US journalist Gershkovich reportedly asked Russian President Putin for an interview just before the prisoner exchange. He had to fill out an official pardon request form in prison, the "Wall Street Journal" reported. The form also had a blank field for personal remarks. Instead of leaving it blank, Gershkovich filled it out in "formal Russian he had acquired in 16 months in detention." In the last line, he proposed to Putin: Would he be ready to sit down for an interview after his release? No response from the Russian president is known. Read more here.
11:00 Russian Contract Soldier Numbers May Be ExaggeratedRussia is trying to recruit volunteers for the war against Ukraine with cash bonuses. However, the number of new recruits could be significantly lower than claimed by the Russian Ministry of Defense, according to the independent Russian-language online media outlet "Important Stories" based in Riga. An analysis by "Important Stories" and the "Conflict Intelligence Team," which specializes in open-source information, suggests that around 426,000 Russians received a lump sum for signing contracts between fall 2022 and April 2024. This is based on data from the federal budget. Meanwhile, the ministry has spoken of 640,000 contract soldiers by the same time.
10:30 Baerbock Sees Dilemma in Tiergarten Murderer ExchangeForeign Minister Annalena Baerbock is relieved about the release of those imprisoned in Russia and Belarus. However, in an interview with Bayerischer Rundfunk, she acknowledges that the exchange is a "highly sensitive dilemma," as Germany had to release a "hitman" from Russia as well. The decision to make the exchange "was not easy for anyone in the federal government," Baerbock says, adding that it "rightly also leads to much discussion."
10:04 Jäger: "We're Back in a Time When Russia Takes Hostages"In the largest prisoner exchange between Russia and the West since the Cold War, Moscow releases a convicted murderer. Critics see this deal as an incentive for the Kremlin to make more arbitrary arrests, which the West must accept, says political scientist Thomas Jäger.
09:36 Röttgen Has Mixed Feelings About Deal: Huge Sacrifice for Rule of LawCDU foreign policy expert Norbert Röttgen views the deal between Russia and the West with mixed feelings. "In the end, I support the decision," he says in Deutschlandfunk. "This is a huge sacrifice that the German state, the rule of law, is accepting for a higher good, that of humanity, freedom, health, and liberation from torture for 16 people." He understands those who found it very difficult to accept this.
09:00 Munz Evaluates Prisoner Exchange: "Everyone Has Seen: Germany is Blackmailable"ntv Russia correspondent Rainer Munz sees a fatal signal for Germans living abroad in the prisoner exchange between Moscow and Berlin. The Kremlin is also increasing pressure on dissidents at home and abroad, he says.
08:33 Biden Praises "Remarkable" ScholzAccording to US President Biden, the prisoner exchange was a "tough one" for the US allies. Germany and Slovenia had to make decisions that went against their immediate interests, he says. He praises German Chancellor Scholz as "remarkable." A plane with released US citizens landed in the US overnight (local time). Another 13 people, including several Germans, landed in Cologne. In exchange for the release of political prisoners and Kremlin critics, Germany, the US, and partner countries released a convicted murderer and prisoners from Russia suspected of espionage. Read more about this here.
08:04 US Analyst Believes Putin Got What He WantedAnalyst Tom Nichols believes that Russian President Vladimir Putin has obtained what he wanted regarding the prisoner exchange. Speaking on CNN, the US political scientist says that the Kremlin has sent a clear warning to people in the West that those who set foot in Russia could become the next bargaining chip in another deal. Putin's government is treating people like "meat on a scale until they get the kind of deal they want," Nichols believes. The Russia expert also thinks that Putin wanted to send a message to his supporters that he would rescue them if they were caught and that they are valuable to him.
07:26 Stationing of Long-Range Missiles Can Proceed Without Bundestag DecisionCriticism from the SPD and others has been raised about the planned relocation of far-reaching US weapons to Germany without the Bundestag's approval. However, this is not required, according to the Scientific Service of the Bundestag. The planned deployment is expected to take place "within the framework of the NATO alliance," according to a recent information note. The legal basis for this would be the NATO treaty and the Status of Forces Agreement, which regulates the legal status of foreign military forces in Germany. In July, the US and German governments announced that the US would again station weapon systems in Germany that reach far into Russia from 2026. Chancellor Olaf Scholz dismissed fears that this could lead to escalation with Russia. However, former SPD chairman Norbert Walter-Borjans and Union parliamentary vice-president Johann Wadephul called for a debate on such a decision in the Bundestag.
06:36 Biden Visibly Moved: "It's a Wonderful Feeling"US President Joe Biden appears visibly moved upon the arrival of freed prisoners from Russia on US soil. "It's a wonderful feeling," he says after welcoming his fellow Americans. "I was absolutely convinced that we could do this." Vice President Kamala Harris describes it as an "incredible day," evident in the joyful tears of family members. The prisoner exchange is an "extraordinary testament to the power of diplomacy," she says.
06:00 Harris Praises Courage of Freed AmericansUS Vice President Kamala Harris praises the courage of the Americans released from Russian detention as part of a prisoner exchange. Paul Whelan, Alsu Kurmasheva, Evan Gershkovich, and US green card holder Vladimir Kara-Murza have shown "incredible courage" after being unlawfully imprisoned in Russia.
05:55 Biden, Harris, and Families Welcome Freed AmericansThree Americans freed as part of a prisoner exchange were welcomed by their families, President Joe Biden, and Vice President Kamala Harris upon their arrival at a US air force base. Journalist Evan Gershkovich, his colleague Alsu Kurmasheva, and former US soldier Paul Whelan had spent years in Russian captivity. Read more about this here.
05:50 Three freed Americans landed in the USAThree Americans released as part of a prisoner exchange between Russia, Belarus, and several Western countries have reportedly arrived in the USA. The plane suspected of carrying journalist Evan Gershkovich, his colleague Alsu Kurmasheva, and former US soldier Paul Whelan landed at a US Air Force base early Friday morning (local time) after more than nine hours of flight, according to US media reports.
04:41 US advisor: Prisoner deal has no impact on Ukraine warUS National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan said the large-scale prisoner exchange between Russia and several Western countries has no impact on the situation in Ukraine. He sees no connection between the negotiations over the detainees and possible diplomatic efforts to end the war in the country attacked by Russia. "From our perspective, these are running on separate tracks," Sullivan said in Washington when asked if the successful negotiations could also promote talks with the Ukrainians about the war situation.
03:05 Russian-appointed governor: Drone fragments hit CrimeaThe Russian-appointed governor of the occupied Crimea, Mikhail Razvozhayev, reported that fragments of at least four drones hit areas of the port of Sevastopol early Friday morning. The drones were previously shot down by Russian air defense. Razvozhayev wrote on the Telegram platform that there were no injuries. "The shot-down targets were equipped with destructive metal elements, according to our information," the governor said.
01:45 YouTube functioning in Russia is now limitedComplaints are mounting in Russia that the video platform YouTube is now functioning only in a limited capacity. Several media outlets reported outages and referred to the service "Sboj.RF," which tracks disruptions on websites. According to this service, complaints were mainly reported in Moscow and St. Petersburg, but also from other parts of the country. Russia had already blocked large social networks like X and Facebook, which can only be accessed via protected connections (VPN).
00:32 Scholz: Exchanged prisoners arrived safelyGerman Chancellor Olaf Scholz welcomed a large portion of the German and Russian citizens released in a prisoner exchange between Russia and the West at Cologne-Bonn Airport. "All have arrived safely," the SPD politician said shortly after midnight at the airport. He had extensive conversations with the arrivals. "That was very moving," Scholz said. "Many did not expect this to happen now. Many feared for their health and even their lives." Two planes from Ankara landed in Cologne-Bonn late in the evening, carrying about a dozen of the 16 people released in Russia and Belarus.
23:59 Kremlin Spokesman: Putin Daily Involved in Ukraine WarRussian President Vladimir Putin spends many hours daily in contact with his military to monitor the progress of the war in Ukraine. "This is work that is not seen on camera every day, work that is not written about in newspapers," his spokesman Dmitry Peskov said in a radio interview cited by the state agency TASS. Putin reportedly devotes time every day of the week to monitor the special operation, as the attack on Ukraine is referred to in Kremlin terminology. He also frequently calls front commanders and ordinary soldiers at the front. This is "a constant practice."
23:38 Freed German Prisoners Arrive in CologneFollowing a prisoner exchange between Russia, Belarus, and Western countries, two planes carrying freed prisoners have landed at Cologne Bonn Airport, according to dpa information. German Chancellor Olaf Scholz had announced that he would meet with the former prisoners late in the evening. The SPD politician had also interrupted his vacation and landed at Cologne Bonn Airport. Among those released are five Germans.
22:44 Federal Justice Minister on Prisoner Deal: "In Doubt, for Freedom"Federal Justice Minister Marco Buschmann described the release of convicted Russian murderer Vadim Krasikov from German custody as a bitter concession in the context of the prisoner exchange. This was done to enable 16 people to start a new life in freedom, the FDP politician explained. "They faced a similar fate as Alexei Navalny, who died in inhumane arbitrariness." Buschmann was referring to the Russian opposition politician who died in Russian custody in mid-February. As justice minister, he said the principle of "in doubt, for freedom" was crucial for him. Read more about this here.
22:13 Putin Personally Welcomes Freed RussiansVladimir Putin personally welcomed Russians freed from the West at Moscow's Vnukovo Airport. The Kremlin leader embraced at least one of the men on the tarmac where the presidential guard was standing, as shown in Kremlin-published television footage. Russian intelligence chiefs Alexander Bortnikov of the FSB and Sergei Naryshkin, as well as Defense Minister Andrei Belousov, were also part of the welcoming committee. "You are home, you are in your homeland," Putin greeted the freed prisoners and announced that they would be nominated for state awards. Tears of joy were visible on the faces of the freed prisoners. Among those released was the so-called Tiergarten murderer Vadim K., who was released early from German custody as part of the deal.
21:59 Kamala Harris Calls Nawalny's WidowAfter the historic prisoner exchange between the West and Russia, US Vice President Kamala Harris called the widow of Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny. Harris spoke with Julia Navalnaya about the prisoner exchange and expressed her support, according to Navalnaya's spokeswoman, Kira Yarmish, on X. Harris highlighted the efforts of Navalnaya and her husband, who died in a Russian penal colony in February, for a "democratic Russia," the spokeswoman explained. Navalnaya described the release of Russian opposition figures on X as a "great joy." Each liberation of a political prisoner is "a huge victory and a reason to celebrate," she said. No one should be "hostage" to Putin and suffer and die from torture in "Putin's prisons."
21:40 Report: Ukraine Already Deploying F-16sThe Ukrainian air force is said to have already conducted its first combat missions with F-16 fighter jets, according to the "Telegraph." However, it is believed that these were only used for air defense. A representative of the air force did not deny this. Ukraine has remained silent about the arrival of F-16 fighter jets - a common practice to avoid helping the enemy.
You can read all previous developmentshere.**
The EU is expressing concern over Hungary's decision to ease visa rules for Russians and Belarusians, as it could pose a potential security threat to the Schengen area and the EU.
In a separate incident, the Polish government is facing criticism for its involvement in a prisoner exchange with Russia, as a Belarusian journalist was not released despite the release of a Russian-Spanish journalist accused of spying.
