18:17 Budget Committee approves armaments package with 105 Leopard 2A8 tanks
105 Leopard 2A8 Tank destroyers, four Patriot and Lenkflugkörper air defense systems, as well as artillery ammunition: The Budget Committee of the German Bundestag is bringing a more than six billion Euro package for the new equipment of the Bundeswehr to the way. With the Leopard 2A8 tank destroyers, the future Brigade Litauen should be equipped, and at the same time, significant and long-standing gaps in the Bundeswehr should be closed, says Defense Minister Boris Pistorius (SPD) after the meeting. "The procurement of ammunition will be significantly accelerated and expanded. This will provide the German industry with a substantial basis for planning for this decade, the Bundeswehr will have full stocks, and Ukraine will receive urgently needed supplies," the government reporters share. German production capacities for ammunition will be significantly expanded. The Brigade Litauen should be ready for deployment by 2027.
18:17 Zelensky: We want to know from Trump if US support will fall after the electionUkraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky asks Trump for clarity on how he plans to end the war in 24 hours. Zelensky expresses his readiness to meet with Trump and his team and listen to their proposals in an interview with Bloomberg TV. "We want to know if we will have the powerful support of the USA after the elections in November or if we will be alone." Trump has repeatedly claimed that he can end the war in Ukraine in 24 hours. He never provided details. "If Trump knows how to end this war, he should tell us today," says Zelensky. "Should there be risks for Ukraine's independence, should we lose our sovereignty - we want to be prepared, we want to know that."
17:39 ROSATOM Chief complains about Ukrainian attacks on nuclear power plant substationIn a drone attack on a substation at the southern Ukrainian Enerhodar, eight employees of the nearby Saporischschja Nuclear Power Plant were reportedly injured according to Russian reports. The men were engaged in repair work to restore power supply, says the head of the Russian Atomic Energy Agency, Alexei Likhachev. This not only compromises the safety principle of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), "it is a flagrant violation," Likhachev complains. The substation is part of the infrastructure of the nuclear power plant and supplies the city with electricity. Within an hour, there were reportedly three drone attacks. He demands a reaction from the IAEA on the attack. Russia took control of Europe's largest nuclear power plant shortly after the start of its offensive and has held it since then. The nuclear power plant is located on the southern bank of the Dnipro, while the northern bank is controlled by Ukraine.
17:14 Video: Russian National Guards shoot at conscriptsIn the Russian city of Osinniki, conscripts are dancing on the roof of the draft board building. The National Guards cannot stand this and attack the apparently drunk-looking men. Shots are heard, a woman falls to the ground. She may have been hit by a rubber bullet.
16:39 Russian Army makes Tschassiw Jar quarter "level with the ground"According to Russian reports, the Russian Army is taking control of a district in the strategically important city of Tschassiw Jar in the eastern Ukrainian region of Donezk. The troops have reportedly "liberated" the quarter of Nowi, the Russian Defense Ministry announced. It is not clear if the Russian soldiers managed to overcome the canal in the east of the small town, which serves as a natural defensive line for the Ukrainian Army.
The military-affiliated news channel "DeepState" reports that the quarter has been "completely leveled to the ground." Further resistance would have led to heavy losses, it adds. The withdrawal from the quarter is therefore a "logical, albeit difficult decision," it states further. Tschassiw Jar is about ten kilometers from Bachmut, which was captured by Russian troops in May 2023 after long battles. A breakthrough could give the Russian Army easier access to important mining towns in the Donbass, such as Kramatorsk, which are still controlled by Ukraine.
16:04 Russian Intelligence: French "Agent" Vinatier confessesThe Frenchman Laurent Vinatier, who is being held in Russia, has confessed to the Russian security services that he gathered information about the Russian military, according to Russian intelligence. The employee of a Swiss non-governmental organization, Vinatier, reportedly admitted his guilt "in full," the Russian domestic intelligence service FSB stated. Vinatier allegedly made numerous contacts with military experts, scientists, and officials during his visits to Moscow. Through these contacts, the Frenchman reportedly collected "military and military-technical information that could be used against the security of the Russian Federation." Vinatier works for the Swiss non-governmental organization Zentrum für Humanitären Dialog (HD) and was arrested in Moscow on June 6. He is accused of failing to register as a "foreign agent."
15:34 Video: Russians report massive Ukrainian drone attackAccording to Russian reports, Ukraine is attacking Noworossijsk massively from the air and water. The Russian Defense Ministry reports the shooting down of twelve objects. Spearfire and explosions illuminate the night sky over the Black Sea port city on the shores of the Caucasus Mountains.
15:02 Poll: Ukrainians see Germany as conditionally reliable, fear US secret negotiations with MoscowAccording to a poll conducted almost two and a half years into the war, nearly half of the Ukrainians surveyed believe that the USA could negotiate a peace plan with Russia behind their backs. Forty-seven percent expressed this concern, while forty-nine percent had little or no concern. The perception of allied partners in the defense against Russia's aggression varies by country. Eighty-four percent see Great Britain as reliable or conditionally reliable, the highest percentage. Seventy-six percent felt this way about Germany, but only nineteen percent considered Berlin's support very reliable.
14:23 Scholz: Germany will not be a war party in the future
During the government questioning in the Bundestag, the issue of Ukraine also came up. When the Left's parliamentarian Gesine Lötzsch asks if Chancellor Olaf Scholz would give people "the guarantee" that Germany would not be a war party, Scholz replied: "Yes, I give this guarantee. I stand for that as Chancellor." Regarding when a ceasefire could be achieved, Lötzsch asked further. "In my opinion, a ceasefire that aims for the capitulation of Ukraine is one that we cannot support from Germany," answered Scholz. This is not an abstract question, as one can see from Putin's 'peace offering.' He has said that he is ready for a ceasefire "if Ukraine also gives further annexations, effectively for free on top." This shows "how cynically they think and that the Russian president by no means intends to end his aggressive war." Putin speaks only of peace negotiations to continue the war. "We will not tolerate that," assured Scholz.
13:55 International Criminal Court investigates torture of Ukrainian prisoners of war and civilians
The International Criminal Court (ICC) is investigating the torture of Ukrainian prisoners of war and civilians in detention facilities in the previously occupied territories and in Russia, according to the Ukrainian news agency "Ukrinform." The Ukrainian Prosecutor General's Office is working with the ICC on this matter. Ukrainian photographers Kostiantyn and Vlada Librov show on Instagram photos of Ukrainian soldiers who have fallen into Russian captivity and have since been released. They write that it was "the most difficult shooting of the last six months."
13:19 Russian postal workers to replace doctors in rural areas
Due to a lack of medical personnel in rural areas, postal workers in some regions of Russia are now taking on medical tasks. This is reported by the "Moscow Times" on Telegram. In rural post offices, health and midwife stations are being set up. The postal workers are supposed to make diagnoses and perform various medical interventions. Russian publicist Alexander Nevzorov called this practice, as reported by the "Kyiv Post," a return to the Middle Ages.
12:58 NATO countries: No agreement on multi-year Ukraine aid
NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg failed to convince NATO countries to make multi-year commitments for military aid to Ukraine. The 32 allies could only agree in the run-up to the Washington summit on providing support in the amount of at least 40 billion Euros within the next year. This was reported by the German Press Agency and refers to statements from several delegations.
12:24 Ukraine: At least 5 dead after attack on Dnipro
According to Ukrainian reports, the number of casualties from the Russian attack on Dnipro has risen to at least 5, with at least 39 people injured, including a 14-year-old girl. The attack reportedly took place with rockets and drones and caused several explosions and fires in the city. According to reports, a shopping mall and a weapons factory were hit.
11:31 Ukraine receives additional two billion from IWFThe financially stricken Ukraine has received an additional tranche of over two billion Euro from the International Monetary Fund (IWF). The money is part of an ongoing credit program worth around 15 billion Euro. The funds will be used according to Prime Minister Denys Schmyhal mainly for social aid and salaries of civil servants, including doctors and teachers. Since the Russian attack in February 2022, Ukraine has reportedly received over 80 billion Euro in financial aid from foreign partners in terms of household budget support.
11:01 Military base burns in Russian KurskVideos from the Russian city of Kursk show a large smoke cloud over the city. An Ukrainian attack is said to have set several vehicles on fire on a military base in the city. The regional governor has confirmed a fire in the city center.
10:40 Multiple civilians killed in Russian attacks in UkraineRussian troops shot at the village of Borova in the Charkiw region overnight. The Military Administration of Charkiw reports on Telegram that a man was killed and two others were injured in the attack. In a Russian rocket and drone attack on the eastern Ukrainian city of Dnipro, at least three people were reportedly killed and 18 others injured.
10:19 Kremlin: No talks with Trump about UkraineRussia is not in dialogue with former US President Donald Trump about Ukraine, according to Kremlin statements. The Interfax news agency reports, citing a spokesperson for the Russian Presidium. Trump had announced during a TV duel with President Joe Biden in the past week that, if he won the November election, he would resolve the war in Ukraine before his inauguration in January.
09:46 Ukraine lacks hangars to protect fighter jetsAccording to a report in the Ukrainian "Defense Express," the Ukrainian army does not have enough hangars to protect all its fighter jets from Russian attacks. The newspaper reports that a Ukrainian air force base in the Poltava region does not have sufficient large hangar spaces for Su-27 fighter jets. Russian media have released footage of a recent air raid on the airfield, showing several damaged Ukrainian Su-27 fighter jets outside. The Ukraine lacks hangars to protect all its fighter jets.
09:16 Defense committee approves purchase of 105 Leopard 2A8 tanksThe Defense Committee of the German Bundestag is expected to approve the purchase of 105 Leopard 2A8 battle tanks today. "We are exhausting all options," writes the new committee chairman Marcus Faber on the platform "X." "We are fully equipping the Brigade Litauen with battle tanks, replacing older Leo2 in the army, and creating room for further contributions to Ukraine," adds the FDP politician. According to the proposal, the order has a volume of approximately three billion Euro. The defense company KNDS is expected to deliver the tanks to the Bundeswehr by 2030.
08:44 Russia: Ukrainian attack on Black Sea port repelled
According to Russian reports, two unmanned Ukrainian explosive boats attacked the Black Sea port of Novorossijsk but were repelled. The drone boats were destroyed in the Black Sea, according to the Defense Ministry. Novorossijsk is home to a large port for the Russian Black Sea Fleet. Russia has stationed many of its warships used in the conflict against Ukraine there after Ukraine attacked the ports on the Crimean peninsula. The ministry did not comment on possible damages. The authorities in Novorossijsk urged people to stay in their homes and apartments during the night.
08:21 Most Ukrainians feel unity in society
Forty-four percent of Ukrainians believe that Ukrainian society is united at present, according to a nationwide survey conducted by the Kiev International Institute of Sociology (KIIS) on July 2. A smaller group of interviewees, 15 percent, see Ukrainian society as divided. Corruption is cited as the main problem, followed by language issues. Unfairness during the war, collaboration, and pro-Russian sentiment are also seen as factors contributing to societal division.
07:55 Kremlin: Ten Ukrainian attack drones destroyed
Russia claims to have shot down ten Ukrainian attack drones over Russian territory. Five drones were reportedly shot down over the Belgorod border region, four over the Brjansk region, and one over the Moscow region, according to the Defense Ministry on Telegram. Additionally, two Ukrainian seed drones were destroyed that had been heading towards the Noworossijsk port in the Krasnodar region.
07:20 Ukrainian General Staff: nearly 1200 Russian losses yesterday
The Ukrainian General Staff reported 1,180 losses on the Russian side in the past 24 hours. This included 16 destroyed tanks, 17 armored vehicles, 57 artillery systems, and 63 tank and other vehicles. Two Russian air defense systems were allegedly destroyed by the Ukrainians, along with a missile. The number of killed or wounded Russian soldiers, according to the General Staff, has surpassed 546,000 since the beginning of the full-scale invasion.
06:48 Putin arrives for SCO summit in Kazakhstan
Russian President Vladimir Putin has arrived in Kazakhstan, according to Kremlin reports. He is participating in the summit of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) partners in the capital Astana. The two-day meeting will focus on regional security, defense, and cooperation issues. The heads of state and government of the SCO member states will discuss "the current situation and prospects for deepening multifaceted cooperation," according to Moscow. Putin is expected to hold bilateral talks, including with China and Turkey. The summit is attended by representatives from 16 countries - including India, Iran, and Pakistan. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres is also expected to attend.
06:11 Ukraine continues to reject territorial concessions to PutinAccording to the words of Andrij Yermak, the chief of staff of the Ukrainian president, Ukraine continues to categorically reject territorial concessions to Russia to end the war. "We are not willing to make compromises on important things and values," said Yermak to journalists and named "independence, freedom, democracy, territorial integrity, sovereignty." In response to statements from Republican US presidential candidate Donald Trump, who claimed he could quickly end the conflict, the government in Kiev is open for advice to achieve a "just peace." Trump stated during a television debate that he would not accept Putin's conditions. Putin had declared that Russia would end the war if Kiev was willing to hand over the territories claimed and occupied by Moscow in the east and south of the country. In response to a question about how Ukraine views Trump's handling of the war, Yermak replied: "Honestly speaking: I don't know. We'll see."
05:42 USA to provide new military aid for UkraineThe Ukrainian military is in urgent need of supplies. The USA will make available to Ukraine, in the near future, military aid in the amount of approximately 2.3 billion US dollars (around 2.14 billion Euros) to counter the Russian attack war in Ukraine. This was announced by US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin during a visit by his Ukrainian counterpart Rustem Umjerow in Washington. The aid package, approved by US President Joe Biden, will include "additional surface-to-air missiles, anti-tank weapons, and other important ammunition from US stocks," explained Austin. A "realignment of some foreign military deliveries" will also make it possible for the USA to provide ammunition for Patriot and other air defense systems "in an accelerated timeframe."
04:49 NATO expanding presence in KievThe NATO is expanding its civilian presence in the attacked Ukraine. A spokesperson confirmed that the 32 alliance members have decided to send a special representative to the capital Kiev. The high-ranking official is to coordinate the political and practical support of the alliance on site. The background is that the NATO intends to give the start signal for a new deployment at the upcoming summit in Washington to coordinate weapons deliveries and training activities for the Ukrainian armed forces. The headquarters for this should be set up in Wiesbaden. Who will receive the new NATO position in Kiev is still not known.
03:42 UN calls for release of GershkovichExperts of the United Nations are calling for the immediate release of US journalist Evan Gershkovich, who is in Russian custody on espionage charges. "The detention of Evan Gershkovich is arbitrary" and violates several articles of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the experts write in a statement. In light of the circumstances of the case, the "immediate" release of Gershkovich is appropriate.
02:40 Serbian President Vucic receives Russian deputy Foreign MinisterThe Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic received the Russian deputy Foreign Minister Alexander Gruschko in Belgrade. He spoke with Gruschko about the bilateral relations between Serbia and Russia and assessed them as "very good", Vucic stated on Instagram. He also thanked Russia "for its support of Serbia's territorial integrity, as well as in relation to the UN Resolution on Srebrenica". Moscow still refuses to recognize Kosovo's independence. Serbia has been an EU membership candidate since 2012 but maintains good relations with the Kreml despite the Russian annexation of Crimea.
01:29 Russian court sentences 19-year-old to twelve yearsA Russian court sentenced a 19-year-old man to twelve years in prison for "high treason", after he was accused of donating money to the Ukrainian army. "The Rostov Regional Court found him guilty and sentenced him to a twelve-year term in a penal colony", says a comment from the Russian domestic intelligence service FSB, taken up by the state-controlled Kremlin media. The teenager is said to have sent money to help the Ukrainian army buy food and drones. Since Russia's invasion of Ukraine, thousands of Russians have been arrested and many of them have been incarcerated. According to Amnesty International, at least 21,000 people were targeted by repressions against war opponents in 2023.
00:20 One quarter of US citizens find US aid to Ukraine insufficientAlmost a quarter of Americans believe that the United States is not providing enough military aid to Ukraine. This percentage has risen since November last year, according to a survey by the Pew Research Center. According to the survey, 24% of respondents believe that the United States is not providing enough aid, compared to 18% in November 2023, when the survey was last conducted. However, more Americans (31%) believe that the United States is providing too much aid, and 25% believe that the US aid is sufficient.
22:53 Lithuania reports airspace violation by Russian aircraftLithuania reports a violation of its airspace by a Russian aircraft. The unspecified aircraft of the Russian airline Pobeda entered the airspace of the Baltic EU and NATO member unlawfully in the evening of June 30th and stayed there for about a minute, according to the Lithuanian Foreign Ministry in Vilnius. The representative of the Russian embassy was summoned and the Russian authorities were urged to take all necessary measures to prevent such incidents in the future. The airspace violation occurred over the Baltic Sea, as the aircraft was on its way from Moscow to the Russian exclave of Kaliningrad bordering Lithuania. The EU has closed its airspace to Russian aircraft as a reaction to Russia's aggression in Ukraine.
22:12 Survey in Member States: High Trust in NATO, Low Trust in Zelenskyy
Coming Week, NATO Celebrates Its 75-Year Anniversary. In member states, the transatlantic defense alliance is viewed favorably, according to a Pew Research survey. On average in 13 countries, 63 percent of the population holds a positive opinion, while 33 percent hold a negative one. Germany is slightly above average with 64 percent positive sentiment. Exceptional is the assessment in Poland: 91 percent have a positive image of the alliance. The trust in Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is, on average, at 40 percent and has decreased in member states over the past year. Poland stands out again, where the head of state has lost 22 percentage points - from 70 to 48 percent. In Germany, trust has decreased by 7 percentage points to 54 percent.
21:27 Zelenskyy Rejects Orban's Peace Proposal
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has rejected a peace proposal from Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán for peace talks, according to a spokesperson from the Presidential Office. During his first visit to Kiev since the war began, Orbán suggested a rapid ceasefire that could "accelerate peace negotiations with Moscow," he said. "The president listened to him, but in response, he clarified Ukraine's position and rejected the proposal," the spokesperson said. Previously, Kiev had already rejected ceasefires, citing the possibility that Russian forces could regroup during this time.
21:02 Ukraine: Moscow Recruits Minors
Russia is actively recruiting minors for the war in Ukraine, Ukraine claims. The recruitment contracts are reportedly signed with minors, taking effect upon reaching adulthood. "They hope to recruit tens of thousands of teenagers with propaganda," says the Ukrainian agency "National Resistance Center": "We warn that any enemy on our territory will be eliminated." On occupied Ukrainian territory, Russia also employs minors, for instance, to manufacture drones.
You can read about previous developments here.
- In response to the German aid package, Volodymyr Selensky, the President of Ukraine, expresses concern about potential changes in US support after the elections, highlighting the importance of continued international support for Ukraine's defense against military attacks.
- Amidst the ongoing Ukraine conflict, cyberwar threatens to escalate as unnamed sources report Russian cyberattacks on Ukrainian infrastructure, including power plants and communication systems, potentially exacerbating the situation on the ground.
- Ahead of NATO's meeting to discuss military aid for Ukraine, Nato Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg calls for unity and a united response against Russia's aggression, emphasizing the importance of maintaining the territorial integrity of Ukraine.
- In light of the continued conflict, Russia's decision to station cyberwarfare units in Crimea raises concerns within the international community, as experts warn that these units could conduct operations against Ukrainian critical infrastructure and further destabilize the region.
- As the military operations in Ukraine continue, a debate arises within the United Nations regarding the use of cyberwarfare in conflict zones, with calls for increased accountability and regulation to prevent the misuse of cyber capabilities for aggressive purposes.
