18:30 Germany increases taxes for war financing (in German: Russland erhoht Steuern zur Finanzierung des Krieges)
Russian President Vladimir Putin is making legislative amendments in an attempt to secure additional revenues for war financing. These changes include income tax increases for top earners and corporate tax increases for corporations. The estimated revenue gain from these measures, according to the Finance Ministry, is approximately 27 billion Euros per year. Since the deployment of Russian troops in Ukraine in February 2022, state expenditures have significantly surpassed revenues. Russia recorded a budget deficit of approximately 33 billion Euros in 2023, which is roughly two percent of its Gross Domestic Product. For the current year, a deficit of around 1.1 percent is anticipated.
17:56 US Historian Snyder: Putin would humiliate TrumpUS Historian Timothy Snyder considers the chances of a potential peace deal between US President Donald Trump and Kreml chief Vladimir Putin to be very low. "If Trump wins the US election and there is a peace deal, Putin would immediately break it to humiliate Trump. Russia cannot do otherwise; that's how politics works in this country," the Eastern Europe expert stated in an interview with the Austrian daily "Standard." To end the war, one must understand that the Russians have lost. As long as that is not done, the war will continue.
17:18 Strack-Zimmermann: "Rockets in Kaliningrad threaten Germany"For a long time, FDP Defense Expert Marie-Agnes Strack-Zimmermann has demanded the delivery of "Taurus" to Ukraine. Now, the US is deploying Tomahawks in Germany. According to the politician, Europe is closing a massive security gap with this move. "Who resists lives safer," she warns.
16:39 Danish Prime Minister: West is too polite towards RussiaThe Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen characterizes the reaction of Western countries to Russia's hybrid warfare as "too polite" according to a media report. "I think we need to take it much more seriously," Frederiksen told Ukrainska Prawda during an expert discussion on the sidelines of the NATO summit in Washington. "And I think we (NATO) must consider it as an attack on us, instead of just saying: 'It's happened again and again and again'." According to Frederiksen, the "hybrid war" with Moscow is already underway. However, many Western powers seem unwilling to acknowledge the reality.
15:45 Russia warns of dangerous escalation due to Western weaponsRussia views the permission given by some NATO countries for Ukraine to attack Russian territory with supplied weapons as a dangerous escalation. We have taken note of certain Western countries' statements at the NATO summit in Washington, Press Secretary Dmitry Peskov said. Some countries made no restrictions in this regard, and others tried to maintain the balance and said they would be against such a relaxation of conditions for the use of missiles with longer ranges. Such missiles would already be used for attacks on Russia. This is pure provocation and "a new, very dangerous escalation of tensions."
15:06 Finland closes border to Russia for migrants and asylum seekersThe Finnish Parliament passes a law with a large majority against the entry of migrants over Russia. Border guards can therefore turn back asylum seekers at the Finnish-Russian border, according to the passed law. The Helsinki government accuses Russia of encouraging migrants from Somalia or Syria to enter Finland. Russia denies this. Approximately 1300 people had already come to Finland. The government sees this as a reaction from Russia to Finland's NATO membership. The law is not only supported by government parties but also by opposition MPs.
14:34 Alleged Russian spies arrested in AustraliaThe Australian Federal Police announce the arrest of two Australian citizens of Russian descent, who are accused of espionage. "Two Russian-born Australian citizens, who are accused of obtaining material from the Australian military to give to Russian authorities, must answer before the Brisbane Magistrates Court today, following charges of espionage against them," the joint statement from the Federal Police and the Australian Secret Intelligence Service reads. The suspects are a 40-year-old soldier in the Australian military and her 62-year-old husband.
13:56 IAEA governing body condemns Russian attack on Kiev children's clinicThe International Atom Energy Agency (IAEA) governing board condemns the Russian attack on a children's clinic in Kiev. In a resolution, the body points out that the hospital operates a unit for cancer diagnosis and radiation therapy, financed by the IAEA. On Monday, a rocket hit a building on the grounds of the "Ochmatdyt" children's hospital. Two adults, including a doctor, were killed. Over 30 people, among them at least 8 children, were injured. According to Ukrainian authorities, no radioactive radiation was released during the attack.
13:30 Mölling: Attack on NATO territory becomes "riskier" for RussiaThe planned stationing of US intermediate-range missiles in Germany will change Moscow's military calculation, according to security expert Christian Mölling - "and that with a big minus sign for Moscow. It will simply become more expensive or riskier to attack NATO territory," says the research director of the German Institute for Foreign and Security Policy in the "Stern" podcast "The Situation". Although it had been clear since 2023 that we needed these weapons, everyone had fallen asleep again, and once again the Americans had to come to the Europeans' aid. Mölling also comments on reports of attack plans against the Rheinmetall CEO and speaks of "state terrorism" against Germany.
13:14 Bund plans to deploy massive troop movements in case of war
According to "Spiegel," in the event of a possible escalation at the NATO eastern front, Germany and the Bundeswehr are planning to relocate hundreds of thousands of soldiers from alliance member states through Germany. The plans involve moving around 800,000 soldiers with approximately 200,000 vehicles from North Sea ports in the Netherlands, Belgium, and Germany to the east within three to six months. The columns would reportedly be around 13,000 kilometers long. Preparations are part of the secretly designated Operationsplan Deutschland that the Bundeswehr has developed to make Germany war-ready.
12:21 Kremlin dismisses murder plot allegations as "fake news"
Russia dismisses the report of a planned assassination attempt on Rheinmetall CEO Armin Papperger as false. The Presidium in Moscow stated that such reports were based on anonymous sources and should not be taken seriously. The US news network CNN reported on Thursday that the US and Germany had thwarted a planned early-year assassination attempt by Russia on Papperger. FDP Bundestag member Reinhard Houben is now calling for a special session of the BundesSicherheitsrat. If the CNN report is true, the German government must draw clear consequences, Houben says. Planned attacks on German citizens in Germany would represent "a new level of escalation."
12:05 "For the new era": China holds military exercises with Russia
China is reportedly holding joint military exercises with Russia, according to its own statements. The exercises, named "Joint Sea-2024," began at the beginning of July and are expected to last until mid-month, according to the Chinese Defense Ministry. The exercises are taking place in the sea and airspace near the city of Zhanjiang in the southern province of Guangdong. The ministry explains that the joint exercises aim to "demonstrate the determination and ability of both sides to respond to threats to maritime security and maintain global and regional peace and stability." They should also "deepen the comprehensive strategic partnership between China and Russia for the new era."
11:47 Kiev intends to bring artillery shelling of children's clinic to International Criminal Court
Ukrainian Prosecutor General Andrij Kostin intends to bring the alleged Russian artillery shelling of a children's hospital in Kiev to the International Criminal Court (ICC). "Cases like an intentional attack on the largest children's hospital in Kiev should go to the ICC," Kostin says. Russia denies responsibility for the shelling and blames it on a Ukrainian air defense missile. Experts dispute this. They argue that a surface-to-air missile would have caused numerous small craters or depressions at the impact site, rather than a half-collapsed building like in Kiev.
11:14 Ukrainian Jagdbrigade: "Wonderwork of Technology" captured
The Ukrainian 68. Separate Jagdbrigade reports in social media about the capture of a modern T90-Proryv-Tank. This refers to the most advanced version from the T90 series and the most advanced combat tank of the Russian armed forces, along with the T-14. The Ukrainian brigade refers to it as "Wonderwork of Technology". The captured model is reported to be in a nearly functional condition. The soldiers have published various photos to support their claims. The soldiers also report the capture of a T-80 combat tank and a BMP-2 infantry fighting vehicle. Their plans are to use the three vehicles against the Russian invaders.
10:52 Interior Ministry sees "significantly increased threat from Russian aggression"
Against the background of reports about attack plans against Rheinmetall CEO Armin Papperger, German Interior Minister Nancy Faeser emphasizes the determination of German security authorities. "We do not comment on individual threat situations," said the SPD politician. "We take the significantly increased threat from Russian aggression very seriously." Russian President Vladimir Putin wants to undermine support for Ukraine, according to Faeser. "But we will not be intimidated." Security measures have been significantly increased in response to Russian threats in the past two years. "The threats range from espionage, sabotage, and cyberattacks to state terrorism."
10:27 "US Election is the greatest risk factor for Ukraine"
The NATO announces that Ukraine will join the military alliance - after the war ends. This seems to neither bring euphoria nor hope in Ukraine. The NATO's rhetoric repeats itself, the promises have become familiar to the Ukrainians, according to journalist Denis Trubetskoy.
10:03 HUR: Russian deep-sea vessel damaged
A modernized Russian deep-sea vessel is reportedly damaged in Ukrainian reports during tests in the European North Sea. According to the Ukrainian military intelligence HUR, the crew lost control during the launch of AS-36 on July 1. "As a result of the incident, the Russian deep-sea vessel suffered damage that prevented further testing," it says on Telegram. Russia is currently assessing the damage and the time required for repair of the vessel.
09:32 Russian "troll army" spread propaganda for the AfD before EU election
Unknown individuals are reported to have attempted to influence the EU election through covert social media campaigns, according to a report by "Spiegel". An analysis by the private research institute Trollrensics, which evaluated the activities of so-called troll armies in Europe on behalf of the Dutch Social Democrats, shows that in Germany, the AfD profited most from covert support. According to the analysis, a huge amount of posts, which called for the AfD before the EU election on the platform X, were spread by a small group of people who used thousands of accounts. The analysts believe that the network was controlled from Russia.
09:04 Increase in GPS Disturbances - ISW Reports Intensifying Hybrid Campaign from Moscow
Finnish authorities report an increase in GPS disturbances in the past week. Most of the disturbances are believed to have originated from GPS and radar in the air and maritime traffic from Russia, according to the Institute for the Study of War. A Finnish lighthouse keeper reported on X that he experienced severe GPS and radar disturbances while guiding boats near Kotka and Hamina on the Finnish south coast. The GPS was unavailable for approximately 90 percent of the stretch between the Orrengrund Lighthouse Station and Hamina Harbor. This aligns with reports of Russian GPS disturbances in the Baltic states and other European regions, according to the ISW. It is likely that the Russians from the Kaliningrad region also disrupted the GPS of a British Defense Minister's aircraft, forcing Finnair to cancel several flights from Finland. The ISW's assessment: "Russia's apparent GPS disturbances are likely part of an intensifying hybrid campaign by Russia, directly targeting NATO countries, to undermine support for Ukraine and NATO unity."
08:37 Kiev: Five Russian Cruise Missiles Intercepted - Russians Seem to be Overloading Air Defense
The Ukrainian Air Force reports intercepting all five Kalibr cruise missiles of the Kh-101 type fired by the Russian military towards Ukraine. Eleven out of 19 drones were also destroyed. The primary target of the Russian attack was the city of Starokostyantyniv, which hosts a significant military airport. The city is located in the Oblast of Khmelnytskyi in western central Ukraine. The eleven drones were intercepted over six regions, including Sumy, Kiev, Khmelnytskyi, and Mykolajiw. The Ukrainian Air Force does not provide information on the fate of the remaining drones. "It is likely that the enemy is imitating attack drones to overload air defense. There is no information about casualties or damages."
08:22 Greens Defend Stationing Plan: It's About Protection
Greens Fraktion Deputy Agnieszka Brugger defends the planned deployment of long-range US weapons in Germany. She understands that many people associate this with the Cold War, says the defense expert in Deutschlandfunk. These measures are not a contribution to arms race but serve defensive purposes. In the 80s, two power blocs faced each other, neither wanting maximum escalation, explained Brugger. However, there were many dangerous situations back then. Today, there is a brutal aggressor who is breaking international law, has shifted to a war economy, and is waging the most brutal war against Ukraine. The stationing plan is therefore about solidarity and protection, not aggression.
07:53 Shocked over Attack on Children's Clinic: Russian Pilot Leaked Apparent Data of Commanders
A Russian pilot is reportedly suspected of leaking confidential information to the Ukrainian Military Intelligence Service (HUR), contributing to the identification of 30 commanders of the Russian heavy bomber aviation division. According to "Kyiv Independent", this information was obtained from a confidential source within the intelligence service. The Russian pilot, who is said to serve in the 22nd heavy bomber aviation division, reportedly contacted the HUR on July 8 following the devastating Russian attack on the children's hospital in Kiev. This attack allegedly shocked him so much that he decided to take this step. The pilot is said to have provided personal information, including photos and other confidential documents, about over 30 Russian commanders.
07:28 Rheinmetall CEO: Russian Wear-Out War Could Last Forever
Rheinmetall AG Chairman of the Board Armin Papperger believes that the war in Ukraine could last a long time. Although the current wear-out war harms the Russians as well, Papperger believes it could last forever. "Russia has completely reoriented its industry towards war economy," the manager said in an interview with the "Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung". Papperger also anticipates sustained growth for the Düsseldorf-based defense conglomerate. This year, the revenue is projected to increase by 40 percent.
07:05 Threats Against Rheinmetall CEO? Alleged Russian Agents Were Reportedly in the EU
The threat to Rheinmetall AG Chairman of the Board Armin Papperger from alleged assassination plans may have been more concrete than previously known. According to information from the "Spiegel" citing security sources, intelligence agencies observed suspicious travels of suspected agents in the past few months. These men were reportedly from countries of the former Soviet Union, at least one from Russia. Some had already been in the Schengen Area, while others had planned entries. Suspicious individuals were reportedly detected both near the Rheinmetall headquarters and at Papperger's travel destinations abroad. Senior officials suspect that these could have been "proxies" of Russian intelligence services – hired hands from Moscow.
06:49 Heusgen: Berlin Underestimates the Situation
The head of the Munich Security Conference, Christoph Heusgen, criticizes the majority of the German government for their communication regarding the Ukraine war. "In Germany, the Defense Minister speaks openly about the need to prepare for war. But most of his cabinet colleagues still underestimate the seriousness of the situation," Heusgen lamented. Putin reportedly aims to restore the old Soviet Union. "We're still downplaying it all a bit here," Heusgen stated. "People need to be given a clear and honest account of what Russia has broken in treaties, how Russia is rearming, and that Russia has nuclear-capable missiles stationed in Kaliningrad that can reach Germany."
06:22 Spionage for Russia: Australian Couple ArrestedTwo Australian citizens of Russian descent have been arrested in Australia on espionage charges. The 40 and 62-year-old couple are accused of obtaining material from the Australian military to give to Russian authorities, according to the Australian Federal Police. One of them is a soldier in the Australian military. The Australian authorities accuse the couple of planning a spy offense, which carries a maximum sentence of 15 years in prison.
05:55 Alarm over Report of Murder Plans: "Putin Regime now targets German citizens"A CNN report on alleged Russian assassination plans against Rheinmetall CEO Armin Papperger has caused alarm in Germany. "It once again shows that Russia is bringing its war and terror to Europe," says the chairman of the Defense Committee, Marcus Faber of the FDP, in an interview with the "Bild" newspaper. "The Putin regime now targets not only a war of annihilation against Ukraine, but also against its supporters and our values." The chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee, Michael Roth of the SPD, tells the paper that Putin is leading "not only a war of annihilation against Ukraine, but also against its supporters and our values." US intelligence services, according to CNN, discovered plans of the Russian government to assassinate Papperger at the beginning of the year. The German side was then informed, and the 61-year-old was reportedly given increased protection.
05:18 Hungary accuses NATO partners of hypocrisy and failureThe Hungarian government accuses NATO partners of hypocrisy and failure regarding the conclusion of the NATO summit in Washington. "We will continue to advocate for dialogue and diplomatic channels, as the current strategy of the last two and a half years has been a total failure," says Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto, according to a spokesperson, in a meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. Szijjarto represented Prime Minister Viktor Orban, who left the summit early to meet with former US President Donald Trump in Florida.
04:35 Britain calls on NATO allies to increase defense effortsBritish Prime Minister Keir Starmer announces a plan by his government at the NATO summit in Washington to increase defense spending to 2.5% of Gross Domestic Product. At the same time, he calls on other allies to also increase their defense spending. 23 of the 32 members of the alliance currently spend less than 2% of their GDP on defense, and given the serious threats to security, more needs to be done, Starmer says.
03:30 Biden: I would talk to Putin if he were open to changeUS President Joe Biden currently sees no point in talking to Kremlin chief Putin. In general, he is willing to talk to any state or government leader - including Chinese State and Party Chief Xi Jinping, Biden emphasizes in a press conference following the NATO summit. That also applies if Putin calls him, Biden says. "I want to make it clear that I am willing to talk to anyone, but I don't see a willingness on his part," Biden says. Putin must be willing to change his behavior.
02:32 Building of new NATO-Ukraine Command in Wiesbaden beginsIn Wiesbaden, the building of the new NATO-Ukraine Command for coordinating weapons deliveries and training activities for Ukrainian forces starts today. However, the supreme allied commander Europe is expected to still need several months to set up the command so that it can take on all planned tasks, NATO representatives stated at the sidelines of the NATO summit in Washington. In the meantime, US military will continue to take on the coordination tasks. The deployment is also a precaution for the possible return of Donald Trump as US President in January 2025.
01:58 Scholz rejects unrestricted weapons use against RussiaGerman Chancellor Olaf Scholz rejects Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's call for lifting all restrictions on the use of western weapons against Russian territory. "Nobody intends to change the existing guidelines and regulations - for good reasons", says the SPD politician at the end of the NATO summit. We want to support Ukraine as much as possible, but prevent the war from escalating into a war between Russia and NATO, Scholz added. Zelenskyy is mainly concerned about military bases in the Russian hinterland from which rocket attacks on Ukraine originate. More than 40 civilians, including children, were killed in attacks on Ukrainian cities on Monday.
01:25 Scholz on attack report: Aware of Russian threatsIn connection with a media report about Russian plotting against Rheinmetall CEO Armin Papperger, Chancellor Olaf Scholz referred to Russian threats. "I won't say anything about that in detail", Scholz said at the NATO summit in Washington. "But I'd be happy to tell you that we are already very well aware that we are exposed to various threats from Russian activities."
00:40 UN demands Russia withdraws from Zaporizhzhia NPPThe United Nations General Assembly calls on Russia to withdraw its military and other unauthorized personnel from the Ukrainian Zaporizhzhia NPP. Russia should restore the facility to full control of Ukrainian authorities, according to a UN resolution passed with 99 yes votes, nine no votes, and 60 abstentions. The Zaporizhzhia NPP, Europe's largest, was seized by Russia shortly after its invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. Although it has been shut down, it still requires external energy to keep the nuclear material cool and prevent a nuclear meltdown.
23:36 Pistorius expects budget correction in 2025Federal Defense Minister Boris Pistorius is convinced that there will be corrections in favor of the defense budget in the 2025 budget draft. "I assume that further talks will still lead to changes", says the SPD politician in the ARD. He will not stop advocating for the Bundeswehr to be equipped so that it can fulfill its mission.
22:46 Kremlin: "On the best way to a Cold War"The Kremlin criticizes the planned stationing of US long-range weapons in Germany as a return to the Cold War. "We are on the best way to a Cold War. All of this has happened before", says Kremlin spokesperson Dmitri Peskov to Russian state television. Peskow accuses Germany, the USA, France, and Great Britain of directly involvement in the conflict over Ukraine. "And all the features of the Cold War are returning - with confrontation, with direct confrontation between adversaries", he says. "All of this is being done to undermine our country. All of this is being done to ensure our strategic defeat on the battlefield", emphasizes Peskow. During the Cold War, however, there was peace in Europe. Russia began its war against Ukraine in 2014, which it expanded massively in 2022.
21:34 Zelenskyy: Demands for western weapons restrictions to endUkrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy demands again at the NATO summit in Washington the lifting of all restrictions on the use of western weapons against Russian territory. "If we want to win and save our country, then all these restrictions must be lifted", emphasizes the Ukrainian head of state. It primarily concerns military bases in the Russian hinterland from which rocket attacks originate. "If they attack us and kill our children, it's crazy to ask why we can't attack this military base", so Zelenskyy.
20:58 USA announces further aid package with Patriot systemUS President Joe Biden announces another aid package for Ukraine worth $225 million. Part of the package is a Patriot system, which is intended to strengthen the Ukrainian air defense against Russian air raids. In addition, the package includes NASAMS missile defense systems, multiple rocket launchers of the HIMARS type, as well as artillery ammunition with calibers 155 and 105 millimeters, according to the US government. The weapons come from US military stocks.
20:19 Stoltenberg accuses Russia of intimidation campaignNATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg reports on a Russian campaign of hostile actions against the Alliance. It aims to intimidate NATO members and prevent them from supporting Ukraine. However, this approach has had the opposite effect, says Stoltenberg at the NATO summit in Washington.
- In response to the Russian attack on Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelensky, the President of Ukraine, has called for increased military missions from NATO allies to aid in the conflict.
- The alleged leak of confidential information by a Russian pilot to the Ukrainian Military Intelligence Service has led to the identification of over 30 commanders of the Russian heavy bomber aviation division.
- The Russian President Vladimir Putin's efforts to secure additional revenues for war financing through legislative amendments have led to an estimated revenue gain of approximately 27 billion Euros per year, according to the Finance Ministry.
- The attack on a children's clinic in Kiev by Russian forces has been condemned by the International Atom Energy Agency (IAEA) governing board as a violation of international law.
- The Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen has criticized the Western response to Russia's hybrid warfare as "too polite" and has urged NATO to consider it as an attack on their collective security.
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