17:22 Belarus increases troops on Ukrainian border
Belarus, according to the Defense Ministry's statements, has deployed its military forces along the northern border with Ukraine. Multiple rocket launchers have reportedly been positioned at an unspecified section of the 1084-kilometer-long border. Authoritarian President Alexander Lukashenko maintains close relations with Russia and allowed Moscow to use his country as a staging ground for the Russian invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.
17:05: Russians destroy crucial western Ukrainian power plant completelyA crucial power plant for heating in western Ukraine has reportedly been completely destroyed by Russian attacks. "It has been clear for some time that the Burschtyn power plant cannot be rebuilt," says the governor of the Ivano-Frankivsk region, Switlana Onyschtschuk, in a local radio broadcast. It is too severely damaged. There have been over a dozen Russian attacks on the power plant, which is about 130 kilometers from the Polish border. The residents of the region will be supplied with heating oil tanks and central heating in the upcoming 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 been destroyed. The Burschtyn power plant alone had a capacity of 2400 Megawatts.
16:23: Russian space communication center on Crimea destroyedThe 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 in the vicinity of the village of Vitino on the Crimea, where the center is located. These reports cannot be independently verified. Russia annexed the Crimea in 2014, an action not recognized internationally.
16:04: Casualties from Russian bombing in Donetsk regionAt least four civilians have been killed and three others injured in Russian bombardments in the settlement of New York (Nyuzhnyy) in the eastern Ukraine's Donetsk region, according to the regional prosecutor's office. The attackers reportedly used a 250-kilogram bomb. Several houses were damaged. Russian forces have intensified their attacks near the city of Toretsk, resulting in small territorial gains. The regional administration reports that at least three people were killed and almost 20 were injured the previous day due to Russian shelling in Kurakhove and around Toretsk. 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 EU heads of state and government to choose a new leadership for the European Union. The designated new EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas, for instance, has not distinguished herself diplomatically, according to Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov, reporting Russian news agencies. The Estonian prime minister is "well known to us for her unacceptable and sometimes even extremist anti-Russian statements," Peskov said. Moscow has long accused the West of Russophobia, or anti-Russian sentiment or hatred. Similarly, Peskov commented on EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, whom the EU heads of state and government nominated for a second term with a large majority. "The prospects of the relationship between Moscow and Brussels are poor," Peskow said, adding that there is no normalization of relations to be expected.
15:13 Ukraine reports downing of another Russian Su-25
Another Russian Su-25 fighter jet has been reportedly shot down in the contested area of Donetsk, according to a post by the Ukrainian National Guard on Telegram. The jet was allegedly hit by a "well-aimed shot" from a portable air defense system during combat operations. A video published by the National Guard shows grainy footage of the shootdown, accompanied by triumphant cheers from Ukrainian troops. However, there is no definitive information on when or where the incident occurred.
14:35 Russia claims to have taken control of Rosdoliwka in eastern Ukraine
The Russian military has reportedly taken control of the eastern Ukrainian town of Rosdoliwka, according to the Russian Defense Ministry in Moscow. The Southern Military District claimed to have driven Ukrainian troops out of Rosdoliwka and taken over more advantageous positions. The town is located in the Donetsk region in eastern Ukraine, where Russian forces have claimed numerous village captures in recent weeks. The Ukrainian side has not commented on the situation. It is impossible to independently verify such claims regarding the military situation.
14:09 Kiev: Annual military aid commitments worth $60 billion
Ukraine can count on annual military aid commitments worth $60 billion, according to its own statements. This was explained by Prime Minister Denys Schmyhal. In its defense against Russia, Ukraine has signed a series of security agreements in recent days - among them one with the European Union on Thursday.
13:38 "Poor for relationship": Kremlin dissatisfied with EU leadership nominations
The Kremlin criticizes the EU leadership appointments made at the EU summit. With Ursula von der Leyen as Commission President and Kaja Kallas as Foreign Policy Chief, the prospects for the relationship between Moscow and Brussels are "poor," according to Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov. It is hardly surprising that the Kremlin is not pleased with Kallas: She has been fighting for a hard line against Russian President Vladimir Putin in the EU and is one of the strongest supporters of Ukraine.
13:06 Poland is about to close a bilateral security agreement with Ukraine soon
European Commission President von der Leyen, who is standing for a second term, is not in favor of normalizing the relations between the European Union and Russia, he added. Kallas is known for her "russophobic" remarks. Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk believes that Poland is very likely to sign a bilateral security agreement with Ukraine in the coming days. This document is almost finished, only a few details and formulations need to be clarified, Tusk said. The NATO summit begins on July 9 in Washington. The EU had already signed a security agreement with Ukraine at the EU summit on Thursday in Brussels. Bilateral agreements were also signed between Ukraine and EU countries Latvia and Estonia. Several other EU countries have already signed such an agreement with Ukraine.
12:34 Expert Mölling: Trump is already gaining influence before the election
Security expert Mölling is certain after the TV debate in the US: The influence of Donald Trump on international politics is already increasing. The Research Director of the German Council on Foreign Relations considers it plausible that Trump adjusted his line towards Ukraine here and there because he had already received a briefing from the security agencies, "to find out what's really going on". So there will be no selling out of Ukraine, because such a move would also have negative consequences for US interests, Mölling said in the "Stern" podcast "The Situation". Even if presidents make the important decisions, there is always a machine that needs to implement them. More on US politics and its influence on the Ukraine policy can be found here:
12:12 Belarus announces strengthening of border with Ukraine
Belarus will strengthen its border with Ukraine following an incident involving a Ukrainian surveillance drone. The border guard and the Defense Ministry announced this. The border guard also reported that a quadcopter, which had allegedly flown illegally from Ukraine over the border into Belarus to gather information about the infrastructure at the Belarusian border, had been shot down on a Wednesday. At the beginning of the week, it was reported that hidden explosive materials had been discovered in the same area. It was also 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 Reportedly Ratting Out Their Fellow Citizens
The spycraft tradition runs deep in Russia – and it seems to be in bloom once more. According to independent Russian-language media, at least 3,500 reports against Russian citizens were filed between February 2022 and May 2024. This is just a minimum estimate, as reported by 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, a resident of Moscow. Last year, when egg prices were particularly high, he posted a picture of a hen with the caption "No eggs for you! Bring the roosters back from the front." Within a month, calls appeared in social media to revoke Baratov's Russian citizenship. A criminal investigation has since been launched against him on charges of "inciting hatred and enmity," and he has been in pre-trial detention for five months. He faces up to six years in prison.
11:03 "Provocations": Moscow Threatens Action Against Alleged US Drones
Russia is threatening action against alleged US reconnaissance drones over the Black Sea. Defense Minister Andrey Belousov has ordered the General Staff of the Army to prepare proposals for swift responses to "provocations," according to his office. Russia has reportedly detected increased activity of US drones in the region. They were conducting military reconnaissance and gathering target information, which Ukraine allegedly used to attack Russian facilities with weapons supplied from the West, the ministry stated. This shows the growing involvement of the USA 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. The NATO would be responsible for such incidents, the Defense Ministry emphasized.
10:34 Trump vs. Putin's Plan: TV Debate Scene Hidden from Russian Viewers
The US presidential election is also being followed in Russia, along with the TV debate between the candidates Joe Biden and Donald Trump. ntv correspondent Rainer Munz reports on what the Russian media cover and which details are left out. The Kremlin, meanwhile, issues further threats.
09:58 Window fall after KGB interrogation? Former Belarus ambassador dead at 48
The Belarus Foreign Ministry announced earlier independent Belarusian media reports that "dear colleague, extraordinary and plenipotentiary Ambassador of Belarus in Germany (2016-2024)", Denis Sidorenko, had passed away in his hometown Minsk. No cause of death was given. The Ministry made this announcement after reports from several independent Belarusian media outlets, which work in exile abroad, claimed that Sidorenko, a father of a family, had jumped from the window of a high-rise building in Minsk following interrogations by the KGB on June 24. No official confirmation of suicide has been provided. Belarusian leader Alexander Lukashenko had recalled Sidorenko, who had advocated for good relations with the EU, from Germany. According to an emigre former Belarus diplomat, Sidorenko had become a problem for the power apparatus in Minsk.
09:30 Ukraine releases numbers on Russian losses
The Ukrainian General Staff has released new figures on Russian troop losses in Ukraine. According to these reports, Russia has lost approximately 540,500 soldiers in Ukraine since February 24, 2022. In one day alone, the losses amounted to 1,170. The report from Kiev also states that 24 tanks, 60 artillery systems, and an aircraft were destroyed. Since the beginning of the large-scale attack, Ukraine claims that Russia has lost 8,066 tanks, 14,423 artillery systems, and 360 aircraft. Western estimates provide lower loss figures, which are, however, only minimum values.
09:05 Numerous drones over Russia again
According to the Russian Defense Ministry, Russia intercepted 25 Ukrainian drones during the night. However, it did not mention the incident in Tambov, where a fuel depot caught fire during a drone attack (see entry 08:02). The Russian Telegram channel Two Majors reports 32 Ukrainian drones intercepted in the border region.
08:33 ISW: Russians attempting to advance at Toretsk gradually
The Institute for the Study of War (ISW) considers a quick tactical victory for the Russians at Toretsk unlikely at present. The Russian military might be planning 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 swift, clear victory," the latest ISW report states. In addition, a brigade of the self-proclaimed Donetsk People's Republic and a regiment of Russian territorial troops were fighting in the region. These forces were less combative than conventional troops or earlier Russian elite units. "Even if the Russian forces manage to capture Toretsk, advancing beyond the settlement would be difficult, if not even more so, given the open terrain and the large water expanses to the north and northwest," the think tank further notes.
08:02 Fuel storage facility in Central Russia on fire
Once again, a fuel storage facility in Russia is on fire - this time in the central Russian region of Tambov. Regional governor Maxim Yegorov writes on Telegram that the cause is a Ukrainian drone attack. No casualties have been reported, the fire department is on the scene. The city of Tambov is approximately 460 kilometers south-east of Moscow.
07:39 Zelenskyy coming to NATO summit in Warsaw, Poland
According to Polish government announcements, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy will come to Warsaw before the NATO summit in Washington in July. "President Zelenskyy and I have arranged a meeting in Warsaw before the NATO summit," writes Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk on Twitter. "The EU has understood what 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 the Western military aid to Kiev. In addition, Poland has taken in nearly a million refugees from its neighboring country.
07:07 "Extremist": Duma preparing bill against "child-free ideology"
Despite the somewhat unclear family relationships of leading Russian politicians: Kremlin chief Vladimir Putin has declared 2024 as the "Year of the Family," calling the Russian family the "backbone" of Russia. Now, it seems that this familial model is to be propagated even more strongly. According to the Institute for the Study of War, Russian Deputy Justice Minister Vsevolod Vukolov has announced that Duma deputies are preparing a bill to ban the so-called "child-free ideology." This ideology is considered "extremist" because it holds the "extreme" view that women "do not have to bear children" and "can renounce them." An 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 building in Bryansk damaged by Ukrainian drone
In the Russian city of Bryansk, it appears that an administrative building has been damaged by a drone attack. This is written by the governor of the region, Alexander Bogomaz, 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 impact.
06:07 Kertsch Bridge apparently affected: Ukrainian intelligence service reports cyber attacks on Crimean servers
The military intelligence service of Ukraine (HUR) is carrying out a cyber attack on multiple institutions on the Crimea peninsula, which is under Russian control. This is reported by "Kyiv Independent" and is based on 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 system for registering and controlling traffic on the Crimean Bridge. "Within an hour, the traffic jam increased sixfold, and in the morning, about 300 cars were in the queue," according to the source from the HUR. The Ukrainian intelligence service is said to have conducted several cyber attacks on the Crimea in the past few months.
05:01 Heavy fighting around Pokrovsk in the east
At various frontlines in the east of Ukraine, Russian and Ukrainian forces were engaged in heavy fighting on Thursday. The Ukrainian General Staff in Kiev reports in its daily situation report that the enemy is trying to breach our defense lines. Of the over 100 reported armed clashes of the day, more than half are said to be in the area around Pokrovsk in the Donezk region. The frontline has remained unchanged everywhere. Ukrainian military personnel also report heavy fighting around the settlement of Mirnoje west of the city of Saporischschja. A Russian brigade is said to have lost over 95 percent of its soldiers in massed storm attacks there, according to a statement from the Ukrainian agency Unian.
04:20 Trump: Could end war in Ukraine before taking office
The former US President Donald Trump holds Joe Biden responsible for the Russian military campaign in Ukraine and calls on Europe to give more money to Kiev. If the US had a "real President" who respected Vladimir Putin, this would not have happened in Ukraine, Trump says during the presidential debate in Atlanta. Biden even encouraged Putin, Trump claims. He repeated his promise to end the war, which he could do if re-elected. This would happen even before his inauguration in January. Trump, however, did not specify how he would accomplish this.
03:18 French right-wing populist Bardella calls for continued support for Ukraine
During 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 in case of an absolute majority, expresses his support for continued support for Ukraine. "I will not allow Russian imperialism to absorb a linked state like Ukraine," Bardella says. His position on this conflict is "very simple" and has "never changed," Bardella explains. "It's about supporting Ukraine and preventing an escalation with the nuclear power Russia." Regarding a 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 Farmer President under Fire for Ukraine Remarks
The President of the Farmers' Association is facing sharp criticism for his comments regarding Ukraine's EU membership. Green security politician Sebastian Schäfer accused Joachim Rukwied in a letter of becoming "Putin's propagandistic helper" with his one-sided statements. The letter was obtained by "Der Spiegel." Rukwied had warned in an "FAZ" interview that Ukraine's accession was a "threat to the survival of European agriculture," as large agricultural businesses in Ukraine could produce much cheaper than farmers in the EU. Instead, import restrictions against Ukrainian agricultural products were "urgently necessary." Schäfer accuses Rukwied of fueling the anti-Ukraine sentiment with his "martial language" and suggesting that the Russian-occupied land posed only a threat to EU farmers. Moreover, the accession talks were still in their infancy and represented "an opportunity and a reason for fundamental, future-oriented reforms in the Common Agricultural Policy."
23:34 Ukrainian Railways Granted License for Goods Traffic by Poland
The Ukrainian state railway company Ukrzaliznytsia has received a license from the Polish railway regulatory authority, allowing it to enter the European railway goods traffic 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 transporting goods and passengers to and from the country. Ukrzaliznytsia transported over two million passengers to Europe in the previous 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 Quarter
Weapons production in Ukraine increased by an average of 25.4% in the period from January to March 2024 compared to the same period in 2023, according to data from the Ukrainian State Statistics Service. In January 2024, Ukraine produced 26.6% more weapons and ammunition than in January of the previous year. Production grew by 29% in February and decreased to 18.8% more in March.
21:32 Czech Republic Sends First 50,000 Grenades to Kiev - Financed by Germany
The 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 Černohová 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 stated Tuesday that Ukraine had received the first delivery of artillery grenades "some time ago." Prague worked with Germany on the delivery, according to CTK. 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 beginning of the war with a FAB-500 bomb equipped with a glide mechanism, according to Oleksandr Filchakov, head of the regional prosecutor's office. At least four people were injured, two others suffered a shock, reports the governor of the Charkiw region, Oleh Syniehubov. Russian troops dropped the bomb over the village of Maysky in the Russian oblast of Belgorod on the Kyivskyi-District of Kharkiv, says Filchakov. 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 their drop from greater distances, beyond the range of Ukrainian air defense systems.
20:21 Patriot systems to be delivered from Israel to Ukraine via the USAAccording to the "Financial Times," the USA, Israel, and Ukraine are in talks to deliver up to eight Patriot air defense systems to Kiev to significantly improve the country's ability to repel Russian air raids. The agreement, which would mark a turning point in Israel's relations with Moscow, was reportedly discussed between ministers and high-ranking officials of the three countries. Five people familiar with the negotiations confirmed this to the "Financial Times."
You can read about previous developments here.
- In response to the damages caused by the Russian attacks, Ukraine's Prime Minister Denys Schmyhal announced annual military aid commitments worth $60 billion to help Ukraine defend against Russia.
- Amidst the ongoing Ukraine conflict, NATO and the EU have signed a series of security agreements with Ukraine, including a bilateral agreement between Poland and Ukraine.
- Speaking about EU leadership appointments, the Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov expressed his dissatisfaction, calling the prospects of the relationship between Moscow and Brussels "poor" due to the "russophobic" views of the new EU foreign policy chief, Kaja Kallas.
- In the midst of military operations in Ukraine, Volodymyr Selensky, the President of Ukraine, faces increasing challenges in defending his country against Russia's attacks.
- The Ukrainian military reported a cyberattack on Crimean servers, which is seen as part of the broader cyberwar waged against Ukraine by Russia, as the country struggles to protect its infrastructure and defend its borders.
