17:05 Russians completely destroy important western Ukrainian thermal power plant
In Russian attacks in Western Ukraine, a power plant important for heating has been completely destroyed. "It has been clear for some time that the Burschtyn Heating Power Plant cannot be rebuilt," says the governor of the Ivano-Frankivsk region, Switlana Onyshchuk, in a local radio broadcast. It is too severely damaged. There have been over a dozen Russian attacks on the plant, which is about 130 kilometers from the Polish border. The residents of the region should be supplied with portable heating boilers with central heating in the coming winter. Since mid-March, the Russian military has deliberately targeted heating and water power plants with drones and rockets. According to official reports, over 9000 Megawatts of power plant capacity have already been destroyed. The Burschtyn Heating Power Plant alone had a capacity of 2400 Megawatts.
16:23 Russian Space Communication Center on Crimea destroyed
The Ukrainian military, according to the Defense Ministry in Kiev, has destroyed the Russian Space Communication Center on the annexed Crimean Peninsula. This is a valuable military component in the satellite communication and navigation system of the Russian troops, explains the ministry. On Monday, there were reports of explosions near the village of Vityino on the Crimea where the center is located in local Social Media chats. These reports cannot be independently verified. Russia annexed the Crimea in 2014, it is not internationally recognized.
16:04 Casualties in Russian bombing in Donetsk region
At least four civilians have been killed and three more injured in Russian bombardments in the settlement of New York (Nyzhne) in the eastern Ukraine. The Prosecutor's Office of the Donetsk region reports. The attackers used a 250-kilogramme bomb, which damaged several houses. In the area near the city of Toretsk, Russian troops had intensified their attacks and made small territorial gains. The regional administration reports that at least three people were killed and almost 20 injured by Russian shelling in Kurakhove and the area around Toretsk the previous day. Over 30 residential buildings were damaged.
15:36 Kremlin accuses new EU leadership of Russophobia
The Kremlin sees poor prospects for the relationship between Moscow and Brussels following the decision of the EU heads of state and government to appoint a new EU leadership. The designated new EU foreign policy chief, Kaja Kallas, for example, has not distinguished herself diplomatically so far, says Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov, according to reports by Russian news agencies. (see also entry at 13:38 p.m.). The Estonian prime minister is "well known to us for her absolutely unacceptable and sometimes even extreme Russophobic statements," says Peskov. Moscow accuses the West of Russophobia, i.e. Russian hostility or hatred, time and again. Similarly, he spoke of EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, whom the heads of state and government of the 27 EU countries nominated for a second term with a large majority. "The prospects for the relationship between Moscow and Brussels are poor," said Peskov. There is no normalization of relations to be expected.
15:13 Ukraine reports shooting down another Russian Su-25
In the contested area of Donetsk, another Russian Su-25 combat jet is reportedly shot down by the Ukrainian National Guard. According to a post on Telegram, the aircraft was hit by a "well-aimed shot" from a portable air defense system during its combat mission. A video published by the National Guard shows grainy footage of the shoot-down, accompanied by triumphant cheers from the Ukrainian troops. However, there is no precise information available about when and where the incident occurred.
14:35 Russia attempts to take control of Rosdoliwka in Eastern Ukraine
According to the Russian Defense Ministry in Moscow, Russian forces have reportedly taken control of the eastern Ukrainian village of Rosdoliwka. The military group South allegedly drove out Ukrainian troops from Rosdoliwka and seized more advantageous positions. The village is located in the Donetsk region in eastern Ukraine, where Russian forces have claimed numerous village captures in recent weeks. No comment from Ukraine is available. Independent verification of such reports on the military situation is not possible.
14:09 Kyiv: Annual military aid commitments worth $60 billion
Ukraine, according to its own statements, can count on military aid totaling $60 billion annually. These commitments are valid for the next four years, explained Prime Minister Denys Schmyhal. In its defense against Russia, Ukraine has recently signed a series of security agreements - among them one on Thursday with the European Union.
13:38 "Poor for relations": Kremlin unhappy with EU-top job nominations
The Kreml criticizes the EU summit decision to fill EU top posts with Ursula von der Leyen as Commission President and Kaja Kallas as Foreign Policy Chief. According to Kreml spokesman Dmitri Peskov, the prospects for relations between Moscow and Brussels are "poor." The fact that Kallas was not to the Kreml's liking is not surprising: The Estonian has been advocating a hard line against Russian President Vladimir Putin in the EU and is a strong supporter of Ukraine.
13:06 Poland to soon sign security agreements with Ukraine
According to German Chancellor Angela Merkel, who is standing for a second term, she is not in favor of a "normalization of relations between the European Union and Russia." She added that Kallas is known for her "anti-Russian" statements. Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk believes that his country is very likely to sign a bilateral security agreement with Ukraine in the coming days. Tusk: "This document is almost finished, only a few details and formulations need to be clarified." The NATO summit begins on July 9 in Washington. The EU summit on Thursday already signed a security agreement with Ukraine. Bilateral agreements were also signed between the Ukraine and EU member states Lithuania and Estonia. Many other EU countries have already signed such an agreement with Ukraine.
12:34 Expert Moelling: Trump gains influence before the election
According to security expert Christian Moelling, the influence of Donald Trump on international politics is already growing. Moelling, research director at the German Council on Foreign Relations, considers it "plausible" that Trump may have adjusted his stance on Ukraine here and there, as he had received a briefing from security agencies "about what's really going on." Therefore, there will probably be no sell-out of Ukraine, as such a move would also have negative consequences for US interests, Moelling stated in the "Stern" podcast "Die Lage." Although presidents make the crucial decisions, there is always a machine that implements them. More on US politics and its impact on the Ukraine policy can be found here:
12:12 Belarus strengthens border with Ukraine
Belarus intends to further strengthen its border with Ukraine following an incident involving a Ukrainian surveillance drone. The border guard and the defense ministry made the announcement. The border guard also reported that a quadcopter had been shot down on a Wednesday, allegedly having flown illegally from Ukraine into Belarus to gather information about infrastructure at the Belarusian border. Earlier in the week, it was reported that hidden explosive materials for bomb-making had been discovered in the same area. Additionally, it was known that a unit of pro-Ukrainian Russian fighters was stationed in a Ukrainian area near the border.
11:40 Spycraft in bloom: Thousands of Russians report their fellow citizens
The spy game has a long tradition in Russia – and it seems to be in full bloom. Between February 2022 and May 2024, independent Russian-language media report that at least 3,500 denunciations were filed against Russian citizens – and that's just a minimum, according to the portal Meduza. "The war and the subsequent repressive policies of Russian authorities against their own population led ... to an increase in denunciations, which were not only related to anti-war declarations, but also to LGBTQ+ content, 'Russophobia,' drugs, and other topics." As an example, the portal cites the case of Usman Baratov, who lives in Moscow. He had posted a picture of a hen with the caption "No eggs for you! Bring the roosters back from the front" last year when egg prices were particularly high. Within a month, calls for Baratov to have his Russian citizenship revoked appeared in social media. A criminal investigation was initiated against him for "incitement to hatred and enmity" in May, and he has been in pretrial detention since then. He faces up to six years in prison.
11:03 "Provocations": Moscow Threatens Action Against Alleged US Drone Activities
Russia threatens action against alleged US reconnaissance drones over the Black Sea. Defense Minister Andrey Belousov has ordered the military general staff to prepare proposals to quickly respond to "provocations," according to his ministry. Russia has detected increased activity of US drones in the region. They are conducting military reconnaissance and collecting target information, which Ukraine uses to attack Russian facilities with weapons supplied from the West, the ministry said. This shows the growing involvement of the US and NATO countries in the conflict in Ukraine. Such drone flights increase the likelihood of incidents in the airspace with Russian aircraft, raising the risk of a direct confrontation between NATO and Russia. For such incidents, the NATO would be responsible, the defense ministry stressed.
10:34 Trump vs. Putin's Plan: Scene from TV Debate Hidden in Russia
The US presidential election is also being followed in Russia, as well as the TV debate between the candidates Joe Biden and Donald Trump. ntv correspondent Rainer Munz observes what the Russian media report and which details are left out. The Kreml meanwhile issues further threats.
09:58 Window Fall after KGB Interrogation? Former Belarus Ambassador to Germany is Dead
After being recalled as ambassador to Germany, the diplomat Denis Sidorenko died in his hometown Belarus at the age of 48. The Foreign Ministry in Minsk only confirmed his death after reports from independent Belarusian media. The "beloved colleague, extraordinary and plenipotentiary ambassador of Belarus in Germany (2016-2024)" had passed away. No cause of death was given. Several independent Belarusian media, which operate in exile abroad, report that Sidorenko, who had advocated for good relations with the EU, committed suicide by jumping out of a window of a high-rise building in Minsk on June 24. No official confirmation of the suicide exists. Machthaber Alexander Lukashenko had recalled Sidorenko, who was a problem for the power apparatus, according to an emigre former diplomat from Belarus.
09:30 Ukraine Publishes Numbers on Russian Casualties
The Ukrainian General Staff publishes new casualty figures for Russian troops in Ukraine. According to this, Russia has lost approximately 540,500 soldiers in Ukraine since February 24, 2022. Alone within 24 hours, the number of losses amounted to 1,170. According to the report from Kiev, 24 tanks, 60 artillery systems, and an aircraft were also destroyed. In total, Russia has allegedly lost 8,066 tanks, 14,423 artillery systems, and 360 aircraft since the beginning of the large-scale attack. Western estimates put the loss figures much lower - although they are only minimum values.
09:05 Once again, numerous drones over Russia
According to the Russian Defense Ministry, Russia intercepted 25 Ukrainian drones at night. However, it did not mention the incident in Tambov, where an oil depot caught fire during a drone attack (see entry 08:02). The Russian Telegram channel Two Majors reports on its own that 32 Ukrainian drones were intercepted in the border region.
08:33 ISW: Russians attempting to advance at Toretsk gradually
The Institute for the Study of War (ISW) deems a quick tactical victory for the Russians at Toretsk unlikely at present. The Russian military may, however, intend to carry out continuous offensive operations in this area to achieve creeping tactical gains, according to the US think tank. "The limited forces available for this operation suggest that the Russians prefer to make gradual progress through persistent attacks rather than a quick, clear-cut victory," the latest ISW report states. In addition, there is a brigade of the so-called Donetsk People's Republic and a regiment of Russian territorial troops fighting in the region. These are less combat-effective than conventional troops or earlier Russian elite units. "Even if the Russian forces manage to take Toretsk, advancing beyond the settlement would be difficult, if not even more so, given the open terrain and the large water areas to the north and northwest," the think tank further notes.
08:02 Oil depot in Central Russia on fire
Another oil depot in Russia is on fire - this time in the central Russian region of Tambov. The cause was a Ukrainian drone attack, according to Regional Governor Maxim Yegorov on Telegram. There were no casualties, and the fire department was on the scene. The city of Tambov is about 460 kilometers southeast of Moscow.
07:39 Poland: Zelenskyy comes to NATO summit in Warsaw before Washington
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy will come to Warsaw before the NATO summit in Washington, according to Polish government statements. "President Zelenskyy and I have arranged a meeting in Warsaw before the NATO summit," writes Poland's Prime Minister Donald Tusk on Twitter. "The Union has understood what the Poles have known since the beginning of the war: The defense of Ukraine is the defense of Europe." Poland is one of the most active political and military supporters of Ukraine. It also plays an important role as a hub for Western military aid to Kiev. In addition, Poland has taken in nearly a million refugees from its neighboring country.
07:07 "Extremistical": Duma preparing bill against so-called "child-free ideology"Despite the unclear family relationships of leading Russian politicians: Kremlin chief Vladimir Putin declared the year 2024 as the "Year of the Family," referring to the Russian family as the "backbone" of Russia. Now, it seems, this familial image is to be propagated even more strongly. According to the Institute for the Study of War, Russian Deputy Justice Minister Vsevolod Vukolov announced that Duma deputies are preparing a draft law for the prohibition of the so-called "child-free ideology." This ideology allegedly holds the "extremist" belief that women "do not have to bear children" and "can renounce them." A draft for a presidential decree is also being prepared, which will add the term "traditional values" to the official "normative dictionary" of the Russian language. The demographic situation in Russia is overall tense. According to the Konrad-Adenauer Foundation, between January and April of the previous year, 3.1 percent fewer children were born than in the same period of the previous year - a record low. Massive losses in the war are contributing to further deterioration of the demographic situation.
06:42 Governor: Administrative buildings in Bryansk damaged by Ukrainian droneIn the Russian Bryansk region, it appears that an administrative building was damaged following a drone attack. This was reported by the region's governor, Alexander Bogomas, on Telegram. "The city of Bryansk was attacked by Ukrainian terrorists with drones. There are no casualties." The drone was reportedly repelled, and the administrative building was damaged upon its crash.
06:07 Kercch Bridge apparently affected: Ukrainian intelligence speaks of cyberattacks on Crimea serversThe military intelligence service of Ukraine (HUR) is reportedly carrying out cyberattacks on multiple institutions in the Crimea, which is under Russian control. This is reported by "Kyiv Independent" and cites a source from the service. The targets of the attacks on Thursday are reportedly the largest Russian internet providers on the peninsula, the servers of propaganda media, and the traffic control system on the Crimean Bridge. "Within an hour, the traffic jam increased sixfold, and in the morning, approximately 300 cars were in the queue," according to the source from the HUR. It is reported that the Ukrainian intelligence service has carried out several cyberattacks on the Crimea in the past few months.
05:01 Heavy fighting around Pokrovsk in the eastAt various frontlines in the east of Ukraine, Russian and Ukrainian forces engaged in heavy fighting on Thursday. The Ukrainian General Staff in Kiev reported in its daily situation report that "the enemy is seeking ways to breach our defense lines." Of the over 100 reported armed clashes of the day, more than half were in the vicinity of Pokrovsk in the Donetsk region. The frontline remained unchanged. Ukrainian military personnel also reported heavy fighting around the settlement of Mirnoje west of the city of Zaporizhzhia. A Russian brigade reportedly lost over 95 percent of its soldiers in massed assaults in this area, according to a statement from the Ukrainian agency Unian.
04:20 Trump: Could have ended the war in Ukraine before inauguration if electedThe former US President Donald Trump holds Joe Biden responsible for the Russian aggression war in Ukraine and urges Europe to give more money to Kiev. If the US had a "real President" respected by Vladimir Putin, this would never have happened in Ukraine, says the Republican during the presidential debate in Atlanta. Biden even encouraged Putin, according to Trump. He repeated his promise to end the war if re-elected. This would still happen before his inauguration in January. However, he left open how he would accomplish this.
03:18 French right-wing populist Bardella calls for Ukraine supportDuring a TV debate three days before the first round of the French parliamentary elections, the French right-wing populist Jordan Bardella, who aspires to be the prime minister of his National Rally (RN) party, speaks out in favor of continued support for Ukraine. "I will not allow Russian imperialism to absorb a linked state like Ukraine," says Bardella. His position on this conflict is "very simple" and has "never changed," Bardella explains. "It's about supporting Ukraine and preventing escalation" with the nuclear power Russia. Regarding the possible deployment of French troops to Ukraine, Bardella says: "If I am prime minister tomorrow, no French soldiers will be sent to Ukraine." He is also against sending medium-range missiles to Ukraine that could hit Russian territory.
01:30 Farm President under fire for Ukraine statementThe president of the farmers' association is facing sharp criticism for his statements on Ukraine's EU membership. Green security politician Sebastian Schäfer accuses Joachim Rukwied in a letter of becoming "Putin's propaganda helper" with his one-sided statements. The letter was obtained by "Der Spiegel." Rukwied warned in an interview with FAZ that Ukraine's EU membership is a "threat to the survival of European agriculture," as large agricultural businesses in Ukraine can produce much cheaper than farmers in the EU. Instead of membership, import restrictions against Ukrainian agricultural products are "urgently necessary." Schäfer accuses Rukwied of fanning the mood against Ukraine with his "martial language" and suggesting that the Russia-attacked country only poses a threat to EU farmers. Furthermore, the accession talks are still at the very beginning and offer "an opportunity and a chance for fundamental, future-oriented reforms in the Common Agricultural Policy."
23:34 Poland grants license to Ukrainian railways for freight trafficThe state railway company Ukrzaliznytsia has received a license from the Polish railway regulatory body, allowing it to enter the European railway freight market, the company announced. The Ukrainian airspace has been closed since February 2022 due to the Russian invasion, making rail transport a crucial role in the transportation of goods and people in and out of the country. Ukrzaliznytsia transported over two million passengers to Europe last year and reported a record cargo turnover of 14 million tons in November 2023.
22:17 Ukraine increases weapons production by a quarter in the first quarterIn the period from January to March 2024, weapons production in Ukraine increased by an average of 25.4% compared to the same period in 2023. According to the Ukrainian State Statistics Service, Ukraine produced 26.6% more weapons and ammunition in January 2024 than in January of the previous year. The increase was 29% in February and 18.8% in March.
21:32 Czech Republic sends first 50,000 grenades to Kiev - financed by GermanyThe Czech Republic has delivered the first 50,000 grenades to Ukraine as part of a Prague-led initiative, according to the Czech Press Agency (CTK). Czech Defense Minister Jana Cernohová announced that Prague had identified 500,000 155-mm grenades and 300,000 122-mm grenades outside Europe that could be bought and sent to Ukraine once the necessary funds for the initiative were secured. Czech Prime Minister Petr Fiala announced Tuesday that Ukraine had received the first delivery of artillery grenades "some time ago." Prague worked with Germany on the delivery, CTK reported. According to the Defense Ministry, the 50,000 grenades represent the first batch of 180,000 rounds of ammunition financed by Germany.
20:53 Russia attacks Charkiw for the first time with FAB-500 bomb - four injuredRussian troops have attacked the city of Charkiw for the first time since the start of the war with a FAB-500 bomb equipped with a glide kit, says Oleksandr Filchakov, head of the regional prosecutor's office. At least four people were injured, and two others suffered shock, reports Oleh Syniehubov, governor of the Charkiw region. Moscow troops dropped the bomb over the village of Maysky in the Russian oblast of Belgorod on the Kyivskyi-District of Kharkiv, Filchakov says. The FAB-500 is a 500-kilogram bomb developed by the Soviet Union with a high-explosive warhead that is dropped from the air. These inexpensive and widely used bombs are equipped with glide kits that improve their accuracy and enable them to be dropped from greater distances, beyond the reach of Ukrainian air defense systems.
20:21 Patriot-Systems are supposed to be delivered from Israel to Ukraine via the USA
According to the "Financial Times," the USA, Israel, and Ukraine are reportedly negotiating over the delivery of up to eight Patriot air defense systems to Kiev, in order to significantly enhance the country's ability to counter Russian air attacks. The agreement, which would mark a turning point in Israel's relations with Moscow, was discussed between ministers and high-ranking officials from the three countries, according to five people familiar with the negotiations.
You can read about previous developments here.
- The governor of the Ivano-Frankivsk region, Switlana Onyshchuk, has stated that Russian attacks on the Burschtyn Heating Power Plant in Western Ukraine have made it impossible to rebuild the facility.
- The Ukrainian military is reported to have destroyed the Russian Space Communication Center on Crimea, which is a crucial component of Russia's satellite communication and navigation system for its troops.
- Ukrainian authorities report that Russian bombardments in the eastern Ukraine settlement of New York (Nyzhne) have resulted in at least four civilian deaths and three injuries.
- The Kremlin has expressed dissatisfaction with the EU's decision to appoint a new EU leadership, with Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov accusing the newly appointed EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas of Russophobia.
- The Ukrainian National Guard has reportedly shot down another Russian Su-25 combat jet in the contested area of Donetsk.
