18:25 Ukraine: Russian units refuse to attack in Kharkiv region
Russian units in the Charkiw region refuse to engage in combat due to lost commanders, reported Ukrainian military spokesperson Nasar Woloschyn on Espreso.TV, a private television station in Ukraine. According to Woloschyn, there have been six engagements in the Charkiw region, during which Ukrainian forces killed approximately 120 Russians. There is information about numerous cases where Russian forces refused to engage in fighting, Woloschyn added, citing as an example the assault unit of the 153rd Tank Regiment of the 47th Tank Division of the Russian forces.
17:49 US Drones over the Black Sea: Russia warns NATO of "Confrontation"
Russia has warned NATO countries of a "direct confrontation" due to increased US drone flights over the Black Sea. "These flights increase the likelihood of encounters between Russian air and space forces, raising the risk of a direct confrontation between the alliance and Russia," explained the Russian Defense Ministry. The increased number of US drone flights shows "the growing involvement of the United States and NATO countries in the conflict in Ukraine," according to Moscow. Washington uses the flights to spy on Russian targets for the precision weapons provided by their western partners to Ukraine, the Russian Defense Ministry added. Defense Minister Andrey Belousov has ordered the General Staff to prepare "proposals for operational responses to provocations." The regular US drone flights over the Black Sea take place in neutral airspace and in accordance with international law, according to Washington.
17:22 Belarus reinforces troops along Ukrainian border
Belarus, according to its Defense Ministry, has reinforced its troops along its northern border with Ukraine. At an unspecified section of the 1084-kilometer-long border, multiple rocket launchers have been deployed, it was reported. 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 important heating power plant completely in western Ukraine
In Russian attacks in western Ukraine, a crucial heating power plant for supply has been completely destroyed. "It has been clear for some time that the Burschtyn heating power plant cannot be rebuilt," says the governor of the Ivano-Frankivsk region, Switlana Onyshchuk, in a local radio broadcast. It is too severely damaged. There have been more than a dozen Russian attacks on the power plant, which is about 130 kilometers from the Polish border. The residents of the region are expected to be supplied with portable heating boilers with central heating in the coming winter. Since mid-March, the Russian military has deliberately damaged heating and water power plants with drones and rockets. According to official reports, more than 9000 Megawatt of power plant capacity has been destroyed. Alone, the Burschtyn heating power plant had a capacity of 2400 Megawatt.
16:23 Russian space communication center on Crimea destroyed
The Ukrainian military, according to the Defense Ministry in Kiev, has destroyed the Russian space communication center on the annexed Crimean Peninsula. This concerns 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 Vito-Pilne on the Crimea, where the center is located, in local Social Media chats. These reports cannot be independently verified. Russia annexed the Crimea in 2014, this is not internationally recognized.
16:04 Casualties in Russian bombing raids in Donetsk region
At least four civilians have been killed and three others injured in Russian bombing raids in the settlement of New York (New York) in eastern Ukraine. The prosecutor's office of the Donesk region reports this. The attackers used, among other things, a bomb with a mass of 250 kilograms, which damaged several residential buildings. In the frontline area near the city of Torezk, Russian troops had recently intensified their attacks and made small territorial gains. The regional administration reports that at least three people were killed and almost 20 injured by Russian shelling in Kurachowe and around Torezk the previous day. More than 30 residential buildings were damaged.
15:36 The 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 select a new European Union leadership. 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 utterly unacceptable and sometimes even extreme anti-Russian statements," Peskov said. Moscow accuses the West of Russophobia, or anti-Russian sentiment or hatred towards Russians, time and again. 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 for the relationship between Moscow and Brussels are poor," Peskow said. No normalization of relations is expected.
15:13 Ukraine reports shooting down another Russian Su-25
A Russian Su-25 fighter jet is reported to have been shot down in the contested area of Donetsk. The Ukrainian National Guard announced this in a post on Telegram. According to their report, the plane was hit by a "well-aimed shot" from a portable anti-aircraft missile system during its combat mission. A video published by the National Guard shows grainy footage of the shootdown, accompanied by triumphant cheers from the Ukrainian troops. However, there is no precise information available about when or where the incident occurred.
14:35 Russia claims to have taken control of Rosdoliwka in eastern Ukraine
According to reports from the Russian Defense Ministry in Moscow, Russian forces have taken control of the eastern Ukrainian settlement of Rosdoliwka. The military group South reportedly drove out Ukrainian troops from Rosdoliwka and has now taken advantage of more favorable positions. The settlement is located in the Donetsk region in eastern Ukraine, where Russian troops have reportedly taken control of several villages in recent weeks. The Ukrainian side has not issued a statement on the matter. It is impossible to independently verify such reports 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. Minister President Denys Schmyhal explained that these commitments cover the next four years. In its defense against Russia, Ukraine has recently signed a series of security agreements - among them one on Thursday with the European Union.
13:38 "Poor for the 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 most vocal supporters of Ukraine.
13:06 Poland is about to sign a security agreement with Ukraine soon
Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk believes that his country is very likely to sign a bilateral security agreement with Ukraine in the coming days. This document is expected to be signed nearly 100% before the NATO Summit, which begins on July 9 in Washington. The document is almost completed, only a few details and formulations need to be clarified. The EU Summit took place on Thursday in Brussels, and the EU had already signed a security agreement with Ukraine. Bilateral agreements were also signed between the Ukraine and EU countries Lithuania and Estonia. Many 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 Christian Mölling is certain after the TV duel in the USA: 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 may adjust his stance on Ukraine here and there, as he has received a briefing from the security agencies "about what's really going on." So, there will probably be no sell-out of Ukraine, as such a move would also have negative consequences for US interests, Mölling says in the "Stern" podcast "Die Lage." Although presidents make the important decisions, there is always a machine that implements 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 further 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 was allegedly flying illegally from Ukraine over the border to Belarus to collect information about the infrastructure at the Belarusian border, was shot down on a Wednesday. At the beginning of the week, it was reported that hidden explosive materials for bomb making 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 again. According to independent Russian-language media, at least 3,500 denunciations against Russian citizens were filed between February 2022 and May 2024. This is just the tip of the iceberg, as Meduza reports. "The war and the subsequent repressive policies of Russian authorities against their own population led ... to an increase in denunciations that were not only related to anti-war declarations, but also to LGBTQ+ content, 'Russophobia‘' Drugs and other topics." As an example, Meduza cites the case of Usman Baratov, a Moscow resident. 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 to revoke Baratov's Russian citizenship were circulating on social media. A criminal investigation was launched against him for "incitement to 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 military general staff to develop proposals for quick responses to "provocations," according to his department. Russia has detected increased activity of US drones in the region. They were reportedly conducting military reconnaissance and gathering target information, which Ukraine allegedly used to attack Russian facilities with weapons supplied from the West. 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 stressed.
10:34 Trump vs. Putin's Plan: Scene from TV Debate Remains Hidden in Russia
The US presidential election is being closely followed in Russia, as is the TV debate between the candidates Joe Biden and Donald Trump. NTV correspondent Rainer Munz reports on what 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
According to reports from independent Belarusian media, the former Belarusian ambassador to Germany, Denis Sidorenko, has died at the age of 48 in his hometown of Minsk. The Belarusian Foreign Ministry only confirmed his death hours later, stating that the "beloved colleague, extraordinary and plenipotentiary ambassador of Belarus in Germany (2016-2024)", had passed away. No cause of death was given. Multiple independent Belarusian media outlets, operating in exile abroad, report that Sidorenko, a family man, committed suicide by jumping out of a window of a high-rise building in Minsk following interrogations by the KGB on June 24. An official confirmation of suicide is not available. Belarusian leader Alexander Lukashenko had recalled Sidorenko, who had advocated for good relations with the EU, from Germany. According to an exiled former Belarusian 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 losses sustained by the Russian troops in Ukraine. According to these figures, Russia has lost approximately 540,500 soldiers in Ukraine since February 24, 2022. The loss count increased by 1,170 during a 24-hour period. 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 suggest 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) deems a quick tactical victory for the Russians at Toretsk unlikely at present. The Russian military may, however, be planning to conduct continuous offensive operations in this area to achieve incremental tactical gains, according to the US think tank. The ISW report states, "The limited forces available for this operation suggest that the Russians prefer to make gradual progress through persistent attacks rather than a rapid, clear-cut victory." Additionally, a brigade of the so-called Donetsk People's Republic and a regiment of Russian territorial troops were fighting in the region. These forces were less combat-effective than conventional troops or earlier Russian elite units. "Even if the Russian forces manage to capture Toretsk, advancing beyond the settlement would be challenging, if not more so, due to the open terrain and large bodies of water in the north and northwest," the think tank concludes.
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 was a Ukrainian drone attack. No casualties have been reported, and the fire department is in action. The city of Tambov is approximately 460 kilometers south-east of Moscow.
07:39 Zelenskyy coming to NATO summit in Warsaw, Poland
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy will come to Warsaw, Poland, according to Polish government announcements, 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 the Poles have known since the start 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 unclear family relationships of leading Russian politicians: Kremlin chief Vladimir Putin declared 2024 as the "Year of the Family," and he calls the Russian family the "backbone" of Russia. Now, it seems that the family image will be propagated even more forcefully. According to the Institute for the Study of War, the deputy Russian Justice Minister Vsevolod Vukolov announced that Duma deputies are preparing a draft law for the prohibition of the so-called "child-free ideology." This ideology is considered "extremist" as it advocates that "women do not have to bear children" and "can renounce them." In addition, a draft for a presidential decree is 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. The massive losses in the war contribute 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 following a drone attack. This was reported by the region's governor, Alexander Bogomaz, on Telegram. "The city of Bryansk was attacked by Ukrainian terrorists using drones. There are no casualties." The drone was reportedly repelled, and the administrative building was damaged upon its crash.
06:07 Kertsch Bridge apparently affected: Ukrainian intelligence service speaks of cyber attacks on Crimean servers
The military intelligence service of Ukraine (HUR) is conducting a cyber attack on several institutions on the Crimean peninsula, which is under Russian control. This is reported by "Kyiv Independent" and refers to a source within 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. "The traffic jam increased sixfold within an hour, and in the morning there were approximately 300 cars 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 seeking ways to breach our defense lines. Of the over 100 reported armed clashes of the day, more than half are said to have taken place in the area around Pokrovsk in the Donezk region. The frontline has remained unchanged elsewhere. Ukrainian military personnel also report heavy fighting around the settlement of Mirnoje west of the city of Zaporizhzhia. 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, he would not have marched into Ukraine, Trump says during the presidential debate in Atlanta. Biden even encouraged Putin, Trump claims. He renewed his promise to end the war, which he could do if re-elected. This would happen even before his inauguration in January, the 78-year-old continued. However, he left open how he would accomplish this.
03:18 French right-wing populist Bardella speaks out in favor of Ukraine support
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 become Prime Minister for his party Rassemblement National (RN), speaks out in favor of 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 Criticized for Ukraine Statement
The President of the Farmers' Association is facing sharp criticism for his comments on Ukraine's EU membership. Green security politician Sebastian Schäfer accused Joachim Rukwied in a letter of becoming "Putin's propaganda helper" with his one-sided statements. The letter was obtained by "Der Spiegel". Rukwied had warned in an "FAZ" interview that Ukraine's membership was a "threat to the survival of European agriculture", as large agricultural businesses there could produce much cheaper than farmers in the EU. Instead of membership, 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 country poses only a threat to EU farmers. In addition, the accession talks were still in their infancy and represented "an opportunity and a chance for fundamental, future-oriented reforms in the Common Agricultural Policy".
23:34 Ukrainian Railways Receives License for Cargo Transport from Poland
The state railway company Ukrzaliznytsia has received a license from the Polish railway regulatory authority, allowing it to enter the European railway cargo market, the company announced. The Ukrainian airspace has been closed since February 2022 due to the Russian invasion, making rail transport a decisive role in the transportation of goods and people in and out of 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 first quarter of 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. In February, production increased by 29%, and in March, it declined; Ukraine produced 18.8% more weapons than in 2023.
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 as soon as the necessary funds for the initiative were available. Czech Prime Minister Petr Fiala announced Tuesday that Ukraine had received the first delivery of artillery grenades "some time ago". Prague worked with Germany on the delivery, CTK reported. According to the Defense Ministry, the 50,000 grenades were 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 start 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-Bezirk of Kharkiv, Filchakov says. The FAB-500 is a 500-kilogramme bomb developed by the Soviet Union with a high-explosive warhead that is dropped from the air. These cheap and widely used bombs are equipped with glide kits that improve their accuracy, but also allow for a launch from greater distance, 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 negotiations 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. "Sources familiar with the negotiations" told the Financial Times.
All previous developments can be read here.
- In response to the increasing US drone flights over the Black Sea, Russia has accused NATO of provoking a direct confrontation, citing these flights as raising the risk of encounters between Russian and NATO forces.
- During the Ukrainian conflict, there have been numerous instances of Russian forces refusing to engage in combat, such as the assault unit of the 153rd Tank Regiment of the 47th Tank Division.
- The attack on Ukraine has resulted in significant damage to critical infrastructure, including the complete destruction of a crucial heating power plant in western Ukraine, impacting the region's heating supply during the winter.
- Volodymyr Selensky, the Ukrainian President, has warned about the threat of a cyberwar from Russia, urging his country to be prepared to defend against such attacks.
- International organizations and countries, including NATO, have pledged significant military aid and support to Ukraine in its conflict with Russia, recognizing the importance of Ukraine's defense in maintaining European security.
