17:33 Selensky calls new British Prime Minister Starmer
President Zelenskyy congratulates new British Prime Minister Keir Starmer over the phone and thanks him. Starmer praised Ukraine for continuing to support it in its defense campaign against Russia. Zelenskyy shared that they had coordinated positions before the NATO summit coming next week.
17:17 Ukraine to receive help in landmine removalJapan and Cambodia plan to help Ukraine in landmine removal. Japanese Foreign Minister Yoko Kamikawa announced this during a visit to Phnom Penh. Japan will provide Ukraine with a powerful mine-clearing machine in the coming week. Ukrainian specialists are expected to be trained in Cambodia, a leading country in this field, in mine removal and machine operation in August.
16:36 Biden to meet Selenskyy next weekUS President Joe Biden may meet his Ukrainian counterpart Zelenskyy at the White House next week. During the NATO summit coming July 9-11 in Washington, there is a possibility of this happening, according to a press briefing at the President's residence. Several bilateral meetings with other leaders are being prepared, including one with Zelenskyy.
16:01 Armenia holds military drills with US troopsArmenia, an eastern neighbor of Turkey and a former Soviet republic, is moving closer to the US. From July 15 to 25, the country plans to hold joint military exercises with the US. The focus will be on peacekeeping. Armenia's relations with Moscow have deteriorated recently. The government in Yerevan is disappointed with Russia's behavior during the war with Azerbaijan over the region of Nagorno-Karabakh. It did not come to Armenia's aid. Previously, Armenia had distanced itself from Russia after it attacked Ukraine.
15:20 Estonia delivers several Mistral systemsUkraine is receiving a new air defense system, this time from Estonia. The attacked country has already received several short-range anti-aircraft missile systems with ammunition from Estonia, according to the Estonian Defense Ministry. It is a French-made system with a range of six kilometers. It is intended to provide protection against low-flying helicopters and aircraft.
14:44 Turkey proposes "Peace Platform"Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu makes a new proposal for peace in Ukraine. According to a Turkish newspaper, a "Peace Platform" could expand peace efforts. "A Peace Platform that prevents deepening polarization, has a broad participant and representative base, and prioritizes diplomacy should be established," he reportedly said. He provided no details. Previously, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan had offered to help mediate an end to the war at an international leaders' meeting in Kazakhstan. Russia had already rejected this.
13:53 Russia reports capture of additional settlement in DonetskRussian troops, according to Moscow's reports, have taken control of another settlement in the Donetsk region in eastern Ukraine. The troops are said to have "liberated" the approximately 30 km northwest of Donetsk located village of Sokil, the Russian Defense Ministry announced. The Donetsk region, 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 on Russian targets if RN winsMarine Le Pen, leader of the right-wing Rassemblement National (RN), announced that, in the event of an RN election victory, she would prohibit French long-range weapons from being used against Russian targets. Le Pen made this statement in an interview with the US broadcaster CNN. Her party would also not allow French troops to be stationed in Ukraine, a possibility that French President Emmanuel Macron has not ruled out. "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 said. The only red line, according to her, is to prevent France from becoming a warring party. The French are voting in a second round of parliamentary elections tomorrow.
12:49 ISW: Putin confirms goal of destroying Ukraine as a stateDuring a visit by Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán to the Kremlin, Russian President Vladimir Putin again rejected the idea of a negotiated ceasefire. According to the US think tank Institute for the Study of War (ISW), Putin instead seeks an end to the war that erases Ukraine's sovereignty. Among the conditions Putin sets for peace talks are the cession of significant Ukrainian territories to Russia and the complete surrender of the Ukrainian military.
12:30 Ukraine: Half of electricity generation capacity lost due to Russian attacksThrough 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 began. This is evident from a comparison of the current situation with the pre-war period, which the EU ambassador to the country reported in a Financial Times article in June. The hostile attacks of the past three months have reportedly reduced the country's electricity generation by about nine gigawatts - approximately half of what was needed for the state's electricity supply during the previous winter. There is a risk that Ukraine will not have electricity, let alone heat and water, during the upcoming winter.
11:58 Ukrainian General Staff: 139 engagements yesterdayThe Ukrainian General Staff reported in its daily report that there were 139 engagements along the frontlines in the past 24 hours. Most of these took place in the Pokrovsk sector in the Donetsk region in eastern Ukraine. The army recorded six rocket attacks and 55 air raids with 72 air-dropped bombs and over 3,000 attacks using artillery shells. In the northern region, around Kharkiv, the Russian troops also used fighter jets.
11:22 Ukraine calls for exclusion of Russian athletes supporting the war from the Paris Olympics
The Ukraine calls for the exclusion of Russian athletes from participating in the Olympic Games in Paris if they are proven to have supported the Russian military. The International Olympic Committee had decided in December that Russian and Belarusian athletes could compete as "neutral athletes" if they met "strict participation conditions." They are therefore not allowed to form teams, present flags, or anything else associated with their homeland. 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 12 civilians killed by Russian attacks in Ukraine
The Russian army, according to Ukrainian reports, dropped 19 glide bombs on the Charkiw region in the last 24 hours. The head of the regional military administration of Charkiw 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 dead 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, eleven tanks, 58 drones, 18 armored vehicles, and nine Russian missile systems have been 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 of 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 has reportedly made significant progress. The Ukrainian army is still waiting for the first jets to arrive. The Netherlands, Denmark, Norway, and Belgium have pledged deliveries.
08:30 One-third of Russians support atomic bombing of Ukraine
According to a survey presented by the Russian propagandist Sergey Mardan on Russian state television, one-third of the Russian population is in favor of attacking Ukraine with atomic weapons. They are in line 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 Russian 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 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, citing a message from the Center for National Resistance. "The occupiers have used this practice before. Locals are taken to a checkpoint and expelled from their homeland," the Resistance Center reports. In some cases, people were reportedly forced to apply for 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 view of the meager increase in the defense budget of 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, according to various reports, including the Russian news agency RIA Novosti. 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 reported injuries.
06:10 Zelensky thanks new British prime minister
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky thanks the new British Prime Minister Keir Starmer for his support of 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 summit 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, according to various reports, including the Russian news agency RIA Novosti. 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 reported 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 by Russian attacks in Eastern Ukraine
Eight people were killed and at least 28 were wounded 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," regional governor Wadym Filaschkin said on Telegram. Independent of this, Russian troops had dropped three guided bombs on the further southwestern village of Komar, killing a 32-year-old woman and injuring twenty more people. 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 just 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 against the backdrop of tensions with the Georgian government. The participation of the US Army in the exercises, originally scheduled for July 25 to August 6 under the name "Noble Partner," is "suspended indefinitely," the US Defense Department announced. The background is "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 canceled. The Hungarian side unexpectedly canceled 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 the partners of the country had fulfilled their commitments. "Ukraine has already shown that it has no Russian rockets that we cannot shoot down," Zelensky said. The country is doing everything to ensure that Russian terror ends.
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 just pushing them out of Ukraine, but reducing their influence in their area of action so they can no longer exert their toxic influence in Europe," Babst said in the t-online Tagesanbruch podcast. For this, a more determined action is required. "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 International Staff of NATO.
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 seem inclined towards any flexibility or creativity to normalize the bilateral Russian-British relations."
You can read about previous developments here.
- President Zelenskyy discusses coordinated positions with the new British Prime Minister Starmer, ahead of the NATO summit, expressing gratitude for the UK's continued support for Ukraine's defense against Russia.
- As part of Ukraine's defense campaign, the US President Biden plans to meet with Zelenskyy at the White House during the NATO summit, where various bilateral meetings, including one with Zelenskyy, are scheduled.
- In response to its perceived lack of support during the conflict with Azerbaijan, Armenia is moving closer to the US and plans to hold joint military exercises with US troops, focusing on peacekeeping operations.
- Ukraine receives new air defense systems from Estonia to protect against low-flying helicopters and aircraft, as part of Russia's ongoing attack on Ukraine, which has resulted in significant damage to Ukraine's electricity generation capacity.
- Russian Foreign Minister Cavusoglu proposes a "Peace Platform" in an effort to expand peace efforts in Ukraine, aiming to prevent deepening polarization and prioritize diplomacy, following Turkey's rejection of Russia's earlier offer to mediate the conflict.
