18:17 Selenskyj: Would like to know from Trump whether US support will cease after election
Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy asks for clarity from Donald Trump on how he plans to end the war in 24 hours. In an interview with "Bloomberg TV," Zelenskyy expresses his readiness to meet with Trump and his team and listen to their proposals. "We want to know if we will have the powerful support of the USA in November (after the US elections) or if we will be left alone," Zelenskyy says. Trump has repeatedly claimed he can end the war in Ukraine in 24 hours but has never provided details. "If Trump knows how to end this war, he should tell us today," Zelenskyy adds: "If it poses risks for Ukraine's independence and we lose our sovereignty - we want to be prepared, we want to know that."
17:39 ROSATOM Chief Complains of Ukrainian Attacks on Nuclear Power Plant Substation
According to Russian reports, eight employees of the nuclear power plant Saporischschja in southern Ukraine were injured in a drone attack on a substation near the plant. The men were reportedly engaged in repair work to restore power supply when the attack occurred, says the head of the Russian Atomic Energy Agency, Alexei Likhachov. This not only compromises the safety principles of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), "it's a flagrant violation," Likhachov 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 response from the IAEA regarding the attack. Russia took control of Europe's largest nuclear power plant shortly after the start of its offensive and has held it since. The 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 Conscripts
Wehrpflichtige in the Russian city of Osinniki dance on the roof of the draft board building. The National Guards do not appreciate this and attack the apparently drunken men. Shots are heard, a woman falls to the ground. She may have been hit by a stray bullet.
16:39 Russian Army Flattens Neighborhood in Tschassiw Jar
The Russian army reportedly takes control of a district in the strategically important city of Tschassiw Jar in eastern Ukraine's Donetsk region. The troops have reportedly "liberated" the district of Nowi, according to the Russian Defense Ministry. It is unclear if the Russian soldiers managed to overcome the canal in the east of the small town, which serves as a natural defense line for the Ukrainian army. The pro-Ukrainian news channel "DeepState" reports that the district has been "completely leveled." Further resistance would have resulted in heavy losses. "The withdrawal from the district is therefore a logical, if difficult, decision," it continues. Tschassiw Jar is about ten kilometers from Bachmut, which was captured by the Russian troops in May 2023 after long battles. A breakthrough could give the Russian army access to important mining towns in the Donbass still controlled by Ukraine, such as Kramatorsk.
16:04 Russian Intelligence: French "Agent" Vinatier confesses guiltAccording to Russian intelligence, the Frenchman Laurent Vinatier has confessed to gathering information about the Russian military. A worker for a Swiss non-governmental organization has reportedly admitted his guilt, the Russian domestic intelligence service FSB states. Vinatier allegedly established 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 Centre for Humanitarian Dialogue (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 attackThe Ukraine is reportedly attacking Novorossiysk, according to the Russians, with drones from the air and water. The Russian Defense Ministry reports the downing 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-negotiations with MoscowNearly half of the Ukrainians in a survey conducted by the European Council on Foreign Relations express concern that the USA might negotiate a peace plan with Russia behind their backs. Forty-seven percent share this concern, while forty-nine percent have little or no concern. The views of Ukrainians on their allies in the defense war against Russia vary by country. Eighty-four percent view Britain as reliable or conditionally reliable, the highest percentage. Seventy-six percent felt the same 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 futureDuring the Bundestag government questioning, the issue of Ukraine also came up. When Left party deputy Gesine Lötzsch asks if Chancellor Olaf Scholz would give the people "the guarantee" that Germany would not become a war party, Scholz replied: "Yes, I give that guarantee. As Chancellor." When asked when a ceasefire could be reached, Scholz replied: "From my perspective, a ceasefire that aims for Ukraine's capitulation is one that we cannot support from Germany." This is not an abstract question, Scholz continued, regarding Putin's 'peace offer.' Putin had stated that he was ready for a ceasefire "if Ukraine also gives away further annexations, more or less for free on top." This shows "how cynically they think and that the Russian president does not at all intend to end his aggressive war." Putin speaks only of peace negotiations to continue the war. "We will not tolerate that," Scholz assured.
13:55 International Criminal Court investigates torture of Ukrainian prisoners of war and civiliansThe 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 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 had fallen into Russian captivity and have since been released. The photographers write that it was "the most difficult shooting of the last six months".
13:19 Russian postal workers to replace doctors in rural areasDue to a lack of medical personnel in rural areas of Russia, postal workers are now taking on medical duties in some regions. This was reported by the "Moscow Times" on Telegram. Sanitation and midwife stations are being set up in rural post offices. The postal workers are to diagnose and perform various medical interventions. Russian publicist Alexander Nevzorov called this practice a "return to the Middle Ages" in the "Kyiv Post".
12:58 No agreement among NATO countries on long-term Ukraine aidNATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg failed to convince NATO countries to make long-term commitments for military aid to Ukraine. The 32 allies could only agree in the run-up to the summit in Washington 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 quoted several delegations.
12:24 Five dead after attack on DniproThe number of casualties from the Russian attack on Dnipro has risen to at least five, according to Ukrainian reports. At least 39 people were injured, including a 14-year-old girl. The attack reportedly used rockets and drones and caused several explosions and fires in the city. Reports indicate that a shopping mall and a weapons factory were hit.
11:31 Ukraine receives additional 2 billion Euros from the IMFThe financially stricken Ukraine has received an additional 2 billion Euros from the International Monetary Fund (IMF). The money is part of an ongoing credit program worth about 15 billion Euros. The money will be used by the government, according to Prime Minister Denys Schmyhal, mainly for social welfare and salaries of civil servants, including doctors and teachers. Since the Russian invasion in February 2022, Ukraine has reportedly received over 80 billion Euros in aid from foreign partners in the form of budgetary support.
11:01 Fire at military base 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 at a military base. The governor of the region confirmed a fire in the city center.
10:40 Ukraine: Multiple civilians killed in Russian attacks
Russian troops shot at the village of Borova in the Charkiw region during the past night, according to the Charkiw Military Administration's Telegram message. At least one man was reportedly killed, and two others were injured. In a Russian rocket and drone attack on the eastern Ukrainian city of Dnipro, authorities claim that at least three people were killed and 18 others were injured.
10:19 Kremlin: No talks with Trump over Ukraine
According to Interfax news agency, quoting a spokesperson for the Russian Presidential Administration, Russia is not engaged in dialogue with former US President Donald Trump over Ukraine. Trump, during a recent TV duel with President Joe Biden, stated 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 jet fighters
The Ukrainian "Defense Express" reports that the Ukrainian army does not have enough hangars to protect all its fighter jets from Russian attacks. The newspaper states that a military airbase in the Poltawa Oblast lacks sufficient large hangar spaces for Su-27 fighter jets. According to reports, Russia has released footage of a recent air raid on the airfield, showing several Ukrainian Su-27 aircraft damaged in the open. The Ukraine lacked hangars to protect all its fighters.
09:16 Defense committee approves purchase of 105 Leopard-2A8 tanks
The German Defense Committee 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 appropriations to Ukraine," adds the FDP politician. According to the proposal, the order has a volume of approximately three billion Euros. 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
Russia claims to have repelled attacks by two unarmed Ukrainian explosive boats on the Black Sea port of Novorossiysk. The Defense Ministry reports that the drone boats were destroyed in the Black Sea. Novorossiysk 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 the Ukrainian forces attacked the Crimean ports. The Ministry did not comment on potential damages. The authorities in Novorossiysk urged residents to stay in their homes and buildings during the night.
08:21 A large part of Ukrainians feel unity in society
According to a nationwide survey conducted by the Kiev International Institute of Sociology (KIIS) on July 2, 44% of Ukrainians believe that Ukrainian society is united at present. A smaller portion, 15%, view Ukrainian society as divided. Corruption is cited as the main issue, followed by language problems, injustices during the war, collaboration, and Russophilism 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 destroyed over the Belgorod border region, four over the Brjansk border region, and one over the Moscow region, according to the Russian Defense Ministry's Telegram post. Additionally, two Ukrainian reconnaissance drones were destroyed, which had allegedly been headed towards the Noworossijsk Black Sea port in the Krasnodar region.
07:20 Ukrainian General Staff: nearly 1200 Russian losses yesterday
The Ukrainian General Staff reports 1,180 losses on the Russian side in the past 24 hours. This includes 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 dead or wounded Russian soldiers, according to the General Staff, has surpassed 546,000 since the full-scale invasion began.
06:48 Putin arrives at SOZ summit in Kazakhstan
Russian President Vladimir Putin has arrived in Kazakhstan, according to Kremlin reports. He is participating in the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SOZ) summit in Astana. The two-day summit focuses on regional security, defense, and cooperation issues. The heads of state and government of the SOZ member states will discuss "the current situation and prospects for deepening multifaceted cooperation," according to Moscow. Putin is scheduled 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," Yermak said 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 the 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 additional military aid to Ukraine available in the near future in the amount of approximately 2.3 billion US dollars (around 2.14 billion Euro). This was announced by US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin during a visit by his Ukrainian counterpart Rustem Umjerow in Washington. The package approved by US President Joe Biden includes "additional surface-to-air missiles, anti-tank weapons, and other important ammunition from US stocks," Austin explained. A "realignment of some foreign military deliveries" will also enable the USA to make munition for Patriot and other air defense systems "available 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 type of special envoys to the capital Kiev. The high-ranking official is to coordinate political and practical support from 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 for the coordination of weapons deliveries and training activities for the Ukrainian armed forces. The headquarters for this should be built in Wiesbaden. Who will receive the new NATO post in Kiev is still not known.
03:42 UN calls for release of GershkovichExperts from the United Nations are calling for the immediate release of US journalist Evan Gershkovich, who is in custody in Russia 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. Taking into account 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 for 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 "treason," after he was accused of donating money to the Ukrainian army for the purchase of food and drones. "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 security service FSB, taken up by the state Kremlin media. The teenager is alleged to have sent money to help the Ukrainian army buy supplies. Thousands of Russians have been arrested and many of them imprisoned since Russia's invasion of Ukraine. 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 poll by the Pew Research Center. According to the poll, 24% of respondents believe that the United States is not providing enough aid to Ukraine, compared to 18% in November 2023 when the poll 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 illegally in the evening of June 30 and stayed there for approximately one 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 generally well-regarded, according to a Pew Research survey. On average in 13 countries, 63 percent of the population holds a positive view, 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 stands at an average of 40 percent and has decreased in member states in the past year. Notably, Poland stands out, 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 the Zelenskyy administration. During his first visit to Kiev since the conflict began, Orbán proposed a rapid ceasefire, which 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," a presidential 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 contracts are reportedly signed with minors, taking effect upon reaching adulthood. "They hope to recruit thousands of teenagers with propaganda," the Ukrainian National Resistance Center states: "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.
- President Volodymyr Zelenskyy expresses concern about the potential lack of support from the USA in November, after the US elections, and the risk of being left alone in dealing with the Ukraine conflict.
- In an attack on a substation near the Saporischschja nuclear power plant in southern Ukraine, eight employees were injured by drones. Russia's Atomic Energy Agency chief, Alexei Likhachov, claims this is a violation of safety principles set by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).
- US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin announces a new military aid package for Ukraine worth approximately 2.3 billion US dollars, including surface-to-air missiles, anti-tank weapons, and other important ammunition from US stocks.
- Russia's military takes control of the district of Nowi in the strategically important city of Tschassiw Jar in eastern Ukraine, in what the Russian Defense Ministry calls a "liberation."
- Ukrainian authorities accuse Russia of launching a massive drone attack on Novorossiysk, allegedly causing twelve objects to be downed, according to Russian Defense Ministry reports. The city is on the shores of the Black Sea and is home to a large port for the Russian Black Sea Fleet.
