17:47 Ex-US soldier in Russian custody disappears
Amidst speculation about an impending prisoner exchange, the lawyer of former US soldier Paul Whelan, who is imprisoned in Russia, is checking on his whereabouts. "I've received inquiries from journalists asking where Paul is," lawyer Olga Karlova told Russian agency Interfax. She sent a request to the administration of his penal colony but has not received a response. The 54-year-old former US soldier, who also holds British, Irish, and Canadian citizenship, has been in Russian custody since December 2018. Whelan denies the espionage charges against him and claims he was set up by an acquaintance.
17:21 Ukraine: Russia kidnaps children and puts them in its youth armyAccording to the Ukrainian regional administration of the Luhansk region, children from the occupied town of Bilowodsk have been taken to a tent camp of the Russian youth army "Junarmija" in the Russian region of Novosibirsk. A statement on social media says children aged 11 to 17 are being sent there and are being trained by combat commanders in tactics, shooting, and drills.
16:44 Russian Foreign Ministry indirectly threatens German companyGerman defense conglomerate Rheinmetall plans to build a munitions factory in Ukraine. The Russian Foreign Ministry comments on this with an indirect threat; spokesman Andrei Nastasyin emphasizes that "every factory is a legitimate target":
16:17 Another Finnish volunteer soldier killed in UkraineThe fourth Finnish volunteer soldier has been killed in the war in Ukraine. News site Yle reports this, citing the association "Sodan kokeneet ry" (War Veterans Association). According to the association, the Finn died in mid-July north of Donetsk. The Finnish authorities have confirmed this information. The family of the deceased soldier has been notified. The director of the association, Juha Kreus, says the association is working with Finnish and Ukrainian authorities. On its Facebook page, the association says it helps volunteers fighting in Ukraine and their families. Previously, three Finns fighting on the side of the Ukrainian armed forces were killed in Ukraine.
15:29 "The Kremlin lies" - British Defense Ministry sees Russian problemsThe war against Ukraine is making the Russian economy flourish, especially in the defense industry, according to reports from the country. However, the British Defense Ministry says this is a lie and sees problems. "Inflation is twice the target of the central bank, and war spending is causing unsustainable growth and an overheated economy," it says from London. High interest rates are making Russia a bad place for investments, and the country is drawing from its state fund to finance rising war costs, the Defense Ministry says.
15:00 Ukraine could produce several million drones per yearUkraine currently has a production capacity of three million drones per year, Deputy Minister of Strategic Industries Anna Gvozdiar told Ukrainian media Suspilne. However, this requires funding, Gvozdiar said. Drones are one of the most important means of Ukraine's defense against the Russian invasion. Some of the copters are funded by donations from abroad and produced by volunteers.
14:28 Germany Delivers More Leopard Tanks to Czech Republic
As compensation for military aid to Ukraine, Germany is delivering an additional 14 Leopard 2A4 battle tanks and one Buffalo-3 armored recovery vehicle to the Czech Republic. Both sides have signed the final documents for this, the Czech Ministry of Defense announced. The first tanks are expected to be delivered by the end of the year, with the rest to follow by early 2026. This agreement builds on the delivery of 15 tanks from Germany in 2022 and 2023. Additionally, the NATO country plans to purchase more Leopard tanks of types 2A4 and 2A8 as part of its military modernization efforts. Discussions on this are ongoing, according to the Czech Republic.
13:49 SBU Suspects Putin's Close Associates of Aiding War Against Ukraine
The Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) has issued a suspicion notice to one of Russian leader Vladimir Putin's closest associates, Alexei Dyumin, and Russia's Deputy Defense Minister Yunus-Bek Yevkurov. According to "RBC-Ukraine" and the SBU press service, Dyumin, a former bodyguard of Putin and current Secretary of the Security Council of the Russian Federation, is suspected of involvement in mobilizing the Tula region for combat operations in Ukraine. He is alleged to have organized partial mobilization of men, established a center for unmanned systems, and developed production of FPV drones and other unmanned aerial vehicles. Yevkurov, Russia's Deputy Defense Minister, is suspected of being responsible for training contract soldiers and mobilized personnel who then participate in the fighting in Ukraine.
13:06 Russia Begins 'Third Phase' of Tactical Nuclear Weapons Drills
Russia has begun the third phase of exercises aimed at testing the readiness of its forces to use non-strategic nuclear weapons. According to "Kyiv Independent," citing a statement from the Russian Ministry of Defense, units from the central and southern military districts are involved, including those stationed in the occupied territories of Ukraine. "During this phase of the exercises, personnel from the rocket formations of the southern and central military districts will conduct combat training, including the acquisition of special training ammunition for the Iskander-M tactical missile systems," the ministry said. The first phase of the exercises began in May, with Russian President Vladimir Putin presenting it as a response to what he described as "provocative statements" from the West.
12:45 Authorities: Russians Hold Children from Luhansk in Military Camp
Children from the occupied Bilowodsk in the Luhansk region are being held in a Russian military camp in the Novosibirsk region of the Russian Federation. There, they are being taught shooting and drills by military personnel. According to "Ukrinform" and the Facebook page of the Luhansk regional state administration, schoolchildren from the Russian-occupied Bilowodsk are still in the military-patriotic tent camp of the "Yunarmia" (Young Army) established in the Novosibirsk region. "Sending children aged 11 to 17 to this camp, where combat officers teach them tactics, fire, and drills, is considered a benevolent act in the Russian Federation," said Artem Lysohor, head of the regional state administration.
12:30 Duma Legalizes Cryptocurrency Mining to Evade SanctionsThe Duma has passed a law legalizing cryptocurrency mining in Russia. "Meduza," a Russian media outlet based in Latvia, reports that a document published on the State Duma's website outlines this. It allows Russian legal entities and individual entrepreneurs registered in the relevant registry to engage in cryptocurrency mining. Individuals who do not exceed the energy consumption limits set by the government can mine cryptocurrencies without registration.
12:06 Putin Doubles One-Time Payment for War DeploymentRussia's leadership is offering more money to attract more volunteers for its war against Ukraine. According to a decree signed by President Vladimir Putin, anyone who signs a contract for deployment at the front between August 1 and December 31 will receive a one-time payment of 400,000 rubles (around 4,200 euros), more than double the previous amount of 195,000 rubles. Additionally, they will receive a monthly salary significantly higher than the average Russian income. Russia has been relying on financial incentives to recruit soldiers since its controversial mobilization in the fall of 2022. Many regions offer cash bonuses for signing contracts. For example, Moscow recently set a one-time bonus of 1.9 million rubles (about 20,300 euros) for contracts lasting one year or longer.
11:30 Russian Man Sentenced to Seven Years for Attempted Arson at Recruitment OfficeA man in Russia has been sentenced to seven years in prison for attempting to set fire to a recruitment office. The military court of the Southern District of Russia also charged him with maintaining ties with the "Freedom of Russia" Legion. He was found guilty of attempted terrorism and collaborating "on a confidential basis with a representative of a foreign state." The "Freedom of Russia" Legion was founded in Ukraine in March 2022. It is an armed group of Russians fighting alongside Ukrainian forces against Russia. Its members have also carried out cross-border actions in Russia and, according to reports, sabotage operations within the country.
11:06 Fire in Russian weapons depot near Kursk after Ukrainian strikeA fire has broken out at a Russian weapons and military equipment storage facility in the Kursk region following a Ukrainian strike. The General Staff in Kyiv reported on Telegram that the strike was carried out using a modified marine rocket system. Explosions were observed at the target. The Ukrainian navy possesses Neptune anti-ship missiles, which can reach targets up to 300 kilometers away. Kursk is only about 80 kilometers from the Ukrainian border. Earlier, the Russian Ministry of Defense reported that a missile of this type had been shot down over the Kursk region. The fire has been contained, according to the governor of the region, Alexei Smirnov. Additionally, the Russian military reports that 19 Ukrainian drones were shot down over the cities of Belgorod, Bryansk, Kursk, Kaluga, Rostov, and the annexed Crimea.
10:36 Munz on Russia's war tactics: Motorcycle attacks follow a certain patternSightings of Russian soldiers on motorcycles in Ukraine are increasing, leading some observers to suggest that Russia is running out of armored vehicles. ntv correspondent Rainer Munz disagrees and explains the strategy behind these attacks.
10:02 Reisner: Russia could have lost up to 750,000 soldiers in UkraineRussia could have already suffered 500,000 to 750,000 casualties, including up to 150,000 dead soldiers, in its war against Ukraine, according to Markus Reisner, an Austrian army colonel, in an interview with the Ukrainian news agency "Ukrinform". "Recently, an interesting study was published that, in my opinion, is very well-researched. It suggests that perhaps 100,000 to 150,000 Russian soldiers have already been killed," says Reisner. Considering the lessons of military history and the fact that there are about 3-4 times more wounded than killed, the losses are enormous, says the military expert. And this is realistic given the intensity of the conflict," estimates Reisner, also noting that the Ukrainian side has suffered heavy losses. Kyiv estimates Russian losses at 578,120 military personnel (see entry from 07:35).
09:24 Ukraine: Attacked weapons depot in Russian region of KurskThe Ukrainian military claims to have attacked a weapons and military equipment storage facility in the Russian region of Kursk overnight. Kursk borders Ukraine and has been repeatedly targeted by Ukrainian fire. Overnight on Tuesday, the Ukrainian military claimed to have attacked a Russian oil depot in the region. "According to intelligence reports, a fire broke out at the enemy's facility as a result of the attack," the Ukrainian General Staff said on Facebook yesterday.
08:55 Kyiv Reports One of the Most Intense Russian Drone Attacks Since the Start of the War
The Russian military attacked targets in the Ukrainian capital Kyiv and other parts of the country with dozens of combat drones overnight. "Over 40 enemy drones were shot down over Kyiv and the outskirts of the capital in two waves," Kyiv's military administration reported on Telegram. Not a single drone reached its target in the capital. The agency described the attack as one of the strongest on Ukraine throughout the entire war. Air alerts lasted for over eight hours in the city of three million people overnight (see also entries at 06:33 and 23:52). Russian drone attacks were also reported in other regions. Six were shot down over the southeastern Ukrainian region of Dnipropetrovsk - four more over the region of Mykolajiw in the south of the country. A general overview of the Ukrainian air defense's activities overnight is still pending.
08:36 Ukraine Reports 144 Engagements Along the Front Line Over the Past Day
According to the spokesman of the Ukrainian General Staff, Dmytro Hutsulyak, there were 144 engagements along the front line over the past day. "Over the past day, 144 combat engagements took place. Over the past day, Russian terrorists carried out a total of 1 rocket attack with 1 rocket on our troops' positions and residential areas, as well as 85 air strikes. In particular, 141 guided aerial bombs were dropped. Moreover, more than 4350 attacks were carried out, 90 of which involved multiple rockets," Hutsulyak said in the "United News" broadcast.
08:09 Governor: Man Killed by Russian Fire in Kherson
Russian forces shelled the outskirts of the southern Ukrainian city of Kherson in the morning. A man was killed and a woman injured, the governor of the Kherson region, Roman Mrochko, wrote in a Telegram post. According to him, the Russian army shelled the outskirts of Kherson from the occupied left bank of the Dnipro River. A 68-year-old man was fatally injured. Rescue workers reportedly retrieved his body from the rubble. A 73-year-old woman suffered a concussion and head injuries from an explosion. She was provided with medical assistance at the scene.
07:35 Ukraine Reports Over 1000 Russian Losses in a Day
Russia lost 1060 soldiers, 30 artillery systems, 20 armored combat vehicles, and 9 tanks over the past day, the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine reported in its Facebook update. According to the report, the total combat losses of the Russian Armed Forces since the start of the invasion on February 24, 2022, amount to 578,120 military personnel, 8,390 tanks, 16,161 armored combat vehicles, 16,086 artillery systems, 1,131 multiple launch rocket systems, 907 air defense systems, 363 fixed-wing aircraft, 326 helicopters, 12,853 strategic and tactical unmanned aerial vehicles, 2,407 missiles, 28 ships and boats, 1 submarine, 21,739 vehicles and fuel tanks, and 2,697 special vehicles and other equipment. These figures cannot be independently verified. Russia does not provide information on its losses.
07:14 Ukraine Spots Two Russian Warships with Cruise Missiles in the Black SeaRussia is reportedly maintaining two warships in the Black Sea armed with up to eight Kalibr cruise missiles, according to the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. No enemy ships were present in the Azov Sea. In the Mediterranean, Russia has two warships, one of which is armed with up to 16 Kalibr cruise missiles, it is reported. However, the spokesman for the Ukrainian Navy, Dmytro Pletenchuk, told "RBC-Ukraine" that it is unlikely that Russia would dare to fire missiles from the Mediterranean at Ukraine. If they did, Russian missiles would violate NATO airspace, according to Pletenchuk.
06:33 Massive Attack on Kyiv - Over 30 Drones InterceptedThe Ukrainian air defense intercepted more than 30 Russian drones over Kyiv overnight, the military administration of the capital reported on Telegram. This is reportedly one of the most massive drone attacks on Ukraine since the beginning of the war. Explosions were heard in the Ukrainian capital, Reuters reported, citing eyewitnesses. The detonations sounded like air defense systems repelling enemy flight objects. An air alert had been sounded in Kyiv and large parts of Ukraine earlier (see entry from 23:52). "This was the seventh enemy drone attack on Kyiv in July," wrote Serhii Popko, head of the military administration of the city, in a post. The air alert lasted for more than seven hours. Enemy drones entered Kyiv in waves from almost all possible directions, it is reported. There is no information about possible damages or casualties.
06:10 Zelensky Wants to Protect Schoolchildren from Russian AttacksUkrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky wants to ensure special protection for the children of his country from the war. "The school year is approaching and the priority is now to ensure that children, wherever possible thanks to the protective spaces, can learn normally and not remotely," Zelensky said in his evening video address. The government has been instructed to accelerate its efforts to build protective spaces.
04:38 Pistorius on New US Weapons: It's About 'Real Deterrence'Defense Minister Boris Pistorius dismissed criticism of the German government's approach to the agreement with the US on the deployment of long-range weapons. While he said it's fine to discuss the topic openly in the Bundestag, he argued that it's not a matter that needs to be discussed in parliament beforehand. "It's not comparable to the NATO Double Decision from the 1980s," he said. At the recent NATO summit in Washington, the US and Germany announced the deployment of Tomahawk cruise missiles, SM-6 missiles, and new hypersonic weapons from 2026 onwards, justified as a response to threats from Russia. Pistorius emphasized that the weapons are conventional and not intended to be equipped with nuclear warheads. "It's about real deterrence," he said, responding to earlier criticism from former SPD chairman Norbert Walter-Borjans (see entry at 22:05).
02:33 Finnish Volunteer Killed in UkraineA Finnish volunteer who fought on the side of Ukraine has been killed in the northern Donetsk region in mid-July. The Finnish War Veterans' Association announced this and informed his family. He is the fourth Finnish citizen to fall in Ukraine. In February, the country's Foreign Ministry reported that 20 to 30 Finns were deployed at the Ukrainian front.
23:52 Air Force Reports Numerous Drones Over UkraineThe army has called for air alerts in several regions of Ukraine overnight. Russia is attacking the country from several directions with drones. An explosion was heard in Kyiv, according to reporters from the "Kyiv Independent". It is still unclear whether the capital was hit.
22:05 US Medium-Range Missiles in Germany: Former SPD Leader Criticizes "Lone Decision"Former SPD leader Norbert Walter-Borjans regrets the lack of debate over the planned stationing of US weapons in Germany. "The fact that such a far-reaching decision is practically not debated, that it is made and announced more or less unilaterally, is problematic," he told "Deutschlandfunk" in an interview. Moreover, from the perspective of the former SPD leader, it is not clear whether such a measure "actually increases security or could conversely make us a target for a first strike." Recently, the White House and the German government announced at the NATO summit that the US wants to station weapons systems in Germany again from 2026, which can reach far into Russia. Tomahawk cruise missiles, SM-6 missiles, and new hypersonic weapons were mentioned.
21:35 Ukrainians Less "Condemned" for Contact with Russian InvadersMany Ukrainians living in their own country under Russian occupation inevitably come into contact with the invaders of the brutal illegal war - something that is frowned upon or seen as treason elsewhere. However, "Ukraine is currently experiencing a decrease in the level of condemnation towards citizens from temporarily occupied territories for their various forms of communication with the occupation authorities," says Daria Svyrydova, member of the Advisory Board for De-Occupation and Reintegration of the Crimea regions, at an event in the Media Center Ukraine. "In general, the Ukrainian population considers the possible communication of people in the occupation acceptable in certain situations." According to Svyrydova, this is an important factor for future reintegration processes and an indication of what the state should focus on in developing reintegration policy. Many people believe in a "shared future with the people in the temporarily occupied territories," Svyrydova said.
20:54 Reports of Large Fire in Russian Arms FactoryAmong others, the Ukrainian medium Euromaidan Press reports on a fire in a factory in the Russian city of Yekaterinburg. The factory produces parts for military rockets, among other things, and has been under Western sanctions since 2014. It is an important actor in the Russian defense industry, according to the report. There has been no official confirmation yet, and the authenticity of the videos on social media has not been confirmed. The cause of the fire is also unknown.
20:32 Zelensky visits troops at the border with BelarusUkrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is inspecting the fortifications and defensive positions of his troops at the border with Belarus. Accompanied by senior military officials during his working visit to the Volhynia region, Zelensky is receiving a briefing from the head of the State Border Guard Service, Serhiy Deyneko, about border protection, including the number of soldiers involved, their capabilities, and weapons. Zelensky is getting a firsthand look at the construction of fortifications, trenches, and underground shelters. "We have a strong defense, both in terms of personnel and defensive lines," he says. "And we will continue to reinforce it." Ukrainian military forces have significantly reinforced the border with neighboring Belarus in recent months.
You can read all previous developments here.
The Russian youth army "Junarmija" is reportedly holding children from the occupied town of Bilowodsk in a tent camp for training, teaching them shooting and drills. This incident was reported by the Luhansk regional administration on their Facebook page.
The Russian Foreign Ministry has indirectly threatened German company Rheinmetall, which plans to build a munitions factory in Ukraine, by stating that "every factory is a legitimate target". This comment was made by spokesman Andrei Nastasyin in response to the company's plans.
