19:13 Hodges sees Ukraine on the road to victory
American General Lieutenant Retired Ben Hodges believes that Ukraine will defeat Russia. It is therefore crucial to consistently provide weapons to the attacked country. The US government desires clearer support from him.
18:24 Russian Air Strike on Village - Two Dead
Two people, a woman and a man, have died in the oblast of Cherson due to a Russian attack. In the village of Chreschtscheniwka, Russian bombs destroy a residential house. Emergency services are currently attempting to recover the bodies of the two victims.
17:49 Severe Accident: 14 Dead in the Northwest
Fourteen people, including a six-year-old child, have died in a severe traffic accident in the northwest of Ukraine. Ukrainian Interior Minister Ihor Klymenko announced this on his Telegram channel. A fuel tanker collided with a collection taxi in the Rivne region. Emergency services and police are on site. The doctors are reportedly still fighting for the life of the only survivor, a severely injured woman. The bus was almost completely destroyed in the collision, as photos from the disaster response team show.
17:33 Zelenskyy Calls New British Prime Minister Starmer
President Zelenskyy congratulated the new British Prime Minister Keir Starmer by phone - and thanked him. For Starmer's statement that he would continue to support Ukraine in its defense against Russia. Zelenskyy shared that he had coordinated positions with Starmer ahead of the NATO summit coming week (9th to 11th July) in Washington.
17:17 Ukraine to Receive Help with Landmine Clearance
Japan and Cambodia will help Ukraine with landmine clearance. This was announced by Japan's Foreign Minister Yoko Kamikawa during a visit to Phnom Penh. Japan will make a powerful mine-clearing machine available to Ukraine in the coming week. Ukrainian specialists are to be trained in Cambodia, which is a leading country in this field, in mine clearance and operation of the machine in August.
16:36 Biden Could Receive Selenskyj at the White House Next Week
US President Joe Biden could receive his Ukrainian counterpart Selenskyj at the White House next week. During the NATO summit coming week (9th to 11th July) in Washington, it could happen, it was reported at a press briefing at the White House. Several bilateral meetings with other government leaders are being prepared, including one with Selenskyj.
16:01 Armenia Holds Military Exercises with US Troops
Armenia, the eastern neighbor of Turkey and a former Soviet republic, is moving closer to the US. From July 15th to 25th, the country plans to conduct joint military exercises with the US. The focus is on peacekeeping. Armenia's relations with Moscow had deteriorated recently. The government in Yerevan is disappointed with Russia's behavior during the war with Azerbaijan over the region of Berg-Karabach. They did not come to Armenia's aid. Previously, Armenia had already distanced itself from Russia, after it attacked Ukraine.
15:20 Estonia delivers several Mistral-Systems
The Ukraine is getting a new air defense system, this time from Estonia. The attacked country has already received several short-range anti-aircraft missile systems along with ammunition from Estonia, according to the Estonian Defense Ministry. This is a French-made product with a range of six kilometers that is supposed to provide protection against low-flying helicopters and aircraft.
14:44 Turkey calls for "Peace Platform"
The Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan proposed a new peace initiative for Ukraine in a Turkish newspaper. A "Peace Platform" could expand efforts to end the war, he said. "A Peace Platform that prevents deepening polarization, has broad participation and representation, and prioritizes diplomacy should be established," he reportedly added. He did not provide details. Previously, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan had also offered to help mediate an end to the war at an international summit in Kazakhstan, which Russia rejected.
13:53 Russia reports capture of further settlement in Donetsk
Russian troops, according to Moscow's statements, have taken control of another settlement in the eastern Ukrainian region of Donetsk. The approximately 30 kilometers northwest of the city of Donetsk located village of Sokil was "liberated," the Russian Defense Ministry reported. The region of Donetsk, along with Luhansk, Kherson, and Zaporizhzhia, is one of the Ukrainian regions that Russia claimed to have annexed in September 2022. According to Ukrainian reports, the fiercest fighting along the entire front line is currently taking place in the region.
13:40 Le Pen: No French long-range weapons on targets in Russia
Marine Le Pen, leader of the right-wing National Rally (RN), announced that in the event of an RN election victory, French long-range weapons would not be allowed to be used for an attack on Russia. Le Pen made this statement in an interview with the US broadcaster CNN. Her party would also not allow French troops to be stationed in Ukraine, which French President Emmanuel Macron has not ruled out. "If Emmanuel Macron wants to send troops to Ukraine and the prime minister is against it, then there are no troops in Ukraine," Le Pen said. The only red line, according to her, is to prevent France from becoming a warring party. The French are voting for their parliament tomorrow.
12:49 ISW: Putin confirms goal of destroying Ukraine as a state
During a visit by Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban to the Kremlin, Russian President Vladimir Putin again rejected the idea of a negotiated ceasefire. According to the US think tank Institute for the Study of War (ISW), Putin instead aims for an end to the war that erases Ukraine's sovereignty. Among the conditions for peace talks are the cession of significant Ukrainian territories to Russia and the complete surrender of the Ukrainian military.
12:30 Ukraine: Half of electricity generation capacity lost due to Russian attacks
The Ukraine has lost more than half of its electricity generation capacity, as reported by the EU Ambassador of the country in a Financial Times report in June. This is due to Russian attacks on critical infrastructure. The hostile attacks of the past three months have reportedly reduced the country's electricity generation by nine Gigawatts - approximately half of what was needed for the country's electricity supply during the previous winter. There is a risk that Ukraine may not have electricity, and possibly also no heat and no water, during the upcoming winter.
11:58 Ukrainian General Staff: 139 engagements yesterday
The Ukrainian General Staff reported 139 engagements along the frontlines in their daily report. Most of these took place in the Pokrowsk sector, in the Donezk Oblast, in the southeast of Ukraine. The army reported six rocket attacks and 55 air raids with 72 air-dropped bombs, as well as over 3000 attacks using grenades. In the northern region, around Kharkiv, Russian troops also used fighter jets.
11:22 Ukraine calls for exclusion of Russian athletes who support the war
The Ukraine is calling for the exclusion of Russian athletes from the Olympics in Paris if they are found to be supporting the military. The International Olympic Committee decided in December that Russian and Belarusian athletes could participate as "neutral athletes" if they met strict participation conditions. They would not be allowed to compete in teams, present flags, or anything else associated with their home country. The Ukrainian Olympic Committee now reports that some Russian athletes who have qualified for the Olympics have been found to support the Ukrainian war and Putin's politics on the internet. Some athletes have also participated in propaganda tournaments.
10:52 Ukraine: 12 civilians killed by Russian attacks
The Russian army, according to Ukrainian reports, dropped 19 bombs on the Charkiw region in the past 24 hours. The head of the military administration of the Charkiw region reported this to the Ukrainian news agency Ukrinform. There were reportedly three deaths and six injuries among the civilian population. Eleven civilians were reported killed and 43 injured in the Donetsk Oblast.
10:08 Ukrainian General Staff: 1260 Russian losses since yesterday
The Ukrainian General Staff reported 1260 losses among Russian soldiers in the past 24 hours. According to Ukrainian sources, this brings the total number of killed and injured Russian soldiers since the full-scale invasion in February 2022 to approximately 547,000. In addition, since yesterday, eleven tanks, 58 drones, 18 armored vehicles, and nine Russian missile systems were reportedly destroyed, as well as 66 artillery systems.
09:29 It could happen that Putin attacks the Baltic regionSecurity experts consider a Russian attack on the Baltic region in the next few years to be possible to realistic. NATO assures its members of support, but the alliance's solidarity leaves room for different reactions from other countries. How could an attack on NATO's northern flank unfold?
09:11 NATO summit brings news of F-16 jets for UkraineAt the upcoming NATO summit in Washington, Ukraine can expect new statements regarding the delivery of F-16 fighter jets. This was announced by a high-ranking US government official during a briefing, according to the Ukrainian news agency Ukrinform. The training of Ukrainian pilots on F-16s has reportedly made significant progress. The Ukrainian army is still waiting for the first jets to arrive. The Netherlands, Denmark, Norway, and Belgium have pledged to provide them.
08:30 One-third of Russians support atomic strike against UkraineAccording to an opinion poll presented by Russian propagandist Sergey Mardan on Russian state television, one-third of the Russian population is in favor of attacking Ukraine with atomic weapons. They align themselves with Vladimir Solovyov, who consistently calls for the use of atomic weapons in the Ukrainian conflict. In the Russian nightlife, patriotism is on the rise. Russian artists are making clear patriotic appeals.
08:17 AfD welcomes Orban's visit to PutinThe AfD welcomes the criticized Ukraine talks between Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban and Russian President Vladimir Putin. "Hungary is taking the lead and speaking with both direct conflict parties from the first day of its EU Council presidency," explains the foreign policy spokesperson of the faction, Matthias Moosdorf. "The AfD-faction welcomes the fact that, at the highest European level, the possibilities of a ceasefire with the goal of peace talks are being prioritized." He refers to the "EU and its personnel" as warmongers.
07:52 Ukraine: Invaders threaten to deport Ukrainians without Russian passportsIn the occupied territories of Ukraine, the Russians are reportedly threatening to deport residents without Russian passports, according to Ukrainian reports. The National Resistance Center reports this, citing a communication from the center. "The occupiers have used this practice before. Locals are taken to a checkpoint and expelled from their homeland," the resistance center states. In some of the latest raids in the south, residents were reportedly threatened with expulsion and seizure of their property.
07:19 SPD expert calls for more money for defense
Members of the German government are expressing concerns over the financing of the Bundeswehr in light of the agreement on the 2025 federal budget. The military must procure weapons and ammunition it gives to Ukraine from its own budget. SPD budget expert Andreas Schwarz spoke of a "disappointing figure" in response to the defense budget's meager increase of only 1.2 billion euros. This does not meet "what we need in the defense sector," Schwarz told the "Tagesspiegel." The president of the reservists' association, Patrick Sensburg, also noted that this would make Germany "not war-ready."
06:37 Ukraine: Drones attacked Belgorod, Russia
Multiple buildings, vehicles, and an industrial plant were damaged, and one person was injured during drone attacks on the Russian city of Shebekino in the Belgorod region overnight, according to the local governor. The attacks reportedly damaged around 11 houses and power lines in the community, as well as social infrastructure.
06:10 Zelensky thanks new British prime minister
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky expressed gratitude to the new British Prime Minister Keir Starmer for his support of Ukraine. "I am grateful to Keir Starmer for his assurance that the United Kingdom's support for Ukraine remains unchanged," Zelensky wrote on Telegram. He and Starmer had aligned their positions ahead of the upcoming NATO summit next week. According to a high-ranking US official, NATO will present a "bridge to membership" for Ukraine at the Washington meeting.
03:45 Burning oil depots after drone attack in Russia
Ukrainian drones reportedly attacked several areas in the Russian region of Krasnodar. According to the Russian news agency RIA Novosti, debris from a downed drone damaged a mobile phone mast in Jeisk. In other locations, several fuel tanks were reportedly set on fire. There were no reported injuries.
02:07 Sumy without water and power due to drone attacks
According to local authorities, Russian drone attacks have disrupted the water and power supply in the northern Ukrainian city of Sumy. Suspilne, the public broadcaster, reported a series of explosions in the city. The Sumy region is almost daily targeted by Russian fire from positions across the border.
00:28 Eight people killed, 28 injured in Russian attacks in eastern Ukraine
According to Ukrainian reports, eight people were killed and at least 28 were injured in Russian attacks in the eastern Ukrainian region of Donetsk. "Every city and every village in the Donetsk region is constantly threatened by enemy attacks," Governor Wadym Filaschkin wrote on Telegram. Separately, Russian forces reportedly launched three guided bombs on the further southwestern village of Komar, killing a 32-year-old woman and injuring 20 other people. Thirteen private houses, four businesses, two residential buildings, and two infrastructure facilities were damaged in the attack.
23:16 Starmer confirms "unwavering" support for Biden on UkraineBritain's new Prime Minister Keir Starmer has confirmed Britain's "unlimited" support for Ukraine in its war against Russia during his first phone call with US President Joe Biden. The two leaders reaffirmed their "unwavering commitment" to Ukraine, with Starmer emphasizing that "the UK fully supports Ukraine," according to a statement from Starmer's office just hours after his swearing-in.
21:49 US cancels military drills with GeorgiaThe US is canceling planned joint military drills with Georgia amid tensions with the Georgian government. The US military's participation in the "Noble Partner" exercises, originally scheduled for late July to early August, is "suspended indefinitely," the US Defense Department announced. The background is "baseless accusations" from the Georgian government. The Pentagon refers to statements that the US pressured Georgia to go to war with Russia and was involved in "two coup attempts" against the government.
20:35 Insider: Hungary cancels planned meeting with BaerbockThe planned Monday trip of Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock to Budapest is not taking place. The Hungarian side unexpectedly canceled the meeting with Baerbock, according to the Foreign Office.
21:20 Zelensky thanks Germany for third Patriot systemUkrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky thanks Germany for the delivery of the third Patriot air defense system. "This is great news," Zelensky says in his evening video message. He also thanks the US for further steps to strengthen Ukrainian air defense. He does not provide details but says that Ukraine has already shown that it can shoot down Russian rockets. "The Ukraine has proven that there are no Russian rockets that we cannot shoot down," Zelensky says. The country is doing everything to ensure that Russian terror ends.
20:48 NATO expert: "We must bring down Russia"NATO expert Stefanie Babst calls for a more decisive approach from the alliance against Russia. "We can only keep up with this adversary by bringing down the Russian regime. And not only from Ukraine but also in its sphere of influence, so that it no longer exerts its toxic influence in Europe," Babst said in the t-online Tagesanbruch podcast. For this, more decisive action is needed. "We look at Putin like Lord Voldemort and are afraid that he will pull out his wand," Babst appeals. The 60-year-old is a former leading staff member of the International Staff of NATO.
20:15 Kreml not optimistic after Labour victory in Britain
The Russian leadership does not expect any changes in the strained relations between Moscow and London following the Labour Party's victory in Britain. The Kreml is "not optimistic" according to its spokesperson Dmitri Peskov in Moscow. "As we can see from their previous statements, they do not lean towards any flexibility or creativity to normalize the bilateral Russian-British relations."
You can read about previous developments here.
- General Hodges' belief in Ukraine's victory against Russia emphasizes the importance of continued weapons supply to Ukraine, as urged by the US government.
- Russia is accused of launching an air strike in the Cherson oblast, resulting in the death of two civilians in the village of Chreschtscheniwka.
- Keir Starmer, the new British Prime Minister, has pledged his support for Ukraine, which President Zelenskyy appreciates ahead of the NATO summit.
- The US government is considering inviting Volodymyr Zelenskyy to the White House during the NATO summit, where several bilateral meetings are anticipated.
- Russia continues its military operations in Ukraine, with reports of capture of settlements in Donetsk and severe damage to critical infrastructure, resulting in power and water supply disruptions.
