19:14 "Just peace": Zelensky announces "comprehensive plan" to end the war
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announces work on a comprehensive plan to end the war against his country. It is "very important" for Kiev to present such a plan, "one that is supported by the majority of the world," Zelenskyy says during a visit by Slovenian President Natasa Pirc Musar in Kiev. This is "the diplomatic way" that Kiev is working, he adds. "We don't want to prolong this war and we must come to a just peace as quickly as possible," Zelenskyy continues. At the same time, he emphasizes the need to develop Ukraine's military production. Russia understands "only strength and respects only the strong," he says. "There are two things in parallel: being strong on the battlefield and developing a clear and detailed plan that will be ready this year," the Ukrainian prime minister says. Ukraine has repeatedly stated that Russia must withdraw its troops from Ukrainian territory before possible peace talks, including from the 2014 annexed Crimean Peninsula.
18:51 Putin announces strong growth for Russia's economyRussia's economy is growing significantly, according to President Vladimir Putin, despite Western sanctions against the country. "We will see what the first half of the year brings, but something around five percent growth for the country's Gross Domestic Product (GDP)," Putin told the Interfax news agency during a meeting with university graduates. In the previous year, the GDP grew by 3.6 percent. In fact, Western sanctions have not been able to slow down the Russian economy. According to the Russian Statistics Agency Rosstat, the GDP growth in the first quarter was 5.4 percent. Foreign experts attribute this to the significantly increased state expenditures for defense and military spending. Military salaries and compensation for injured or killed soldiers provide additional income for many Russian families. Due to a shortage of labor, wages are rising. However, economists cannot sustain this trend.
18:25 Ukraine: Russian units refuse to attack in the Charkiw regionRussian units refuse to engage in combat in the Charkiw region due to lost commanders, reports the Ukrainian news agency "Ukrinform," citing the spokesperson for the Ukrainian military unit "Chortyzja," Nasar Voloshyn, on Espreso.TV, a private television station in Ukraine. There have been six fights 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 combat, Voloshyn says, using the example of the assault battalion of the 153rd Tank Regiment of the 47th Tank Division of the Russian military.
17:49 US Drones over 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, according to the Russian Defense Ministry. "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," the ministry stated. The increased number of US drone flights shows "the growing involvement of the United States and NATO countries in the conflict in Ukraine," Moscow added. The US uses the flights to spy on Russian targets for precision weapons provided by Western partners of Ukraine, the ministry explained. Defense Minister Andrey Bolusov has ordered the General Staff to prepare "proposals for operational responses to provocations."
The regular US drone flights over the Black Sea, according to Washington, take place in neutral airspace and in accordance with international law.
17:22 Belarus reinforces troops on Ukrainian border
Belarus, according to its Defense Ministry, has reinforced its troops along the northern border with Ukraine. Multiple rocket launchers have been deployed at an unspecified section of the 1,084-kilometer-long border, it was reported. Authoritarian President Alexander Lukashenko maintains close ties with Russia and allowed Moscow to use his country as a staging ground for its invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.
17:05 Russians destroy vital western Ukrainian power plant completely
A vital power plant for heating in western Ukraine has been completely destroyed by Russian attacks, according to the governor of the Ivano-Frankivsk region, Switala Onyshchuk, in a local radio broadcast. "It's clear that the Burshtyn power plant cannot be rebuilt," she said. It is too damaged. The power plant, located about 130 kilometers from the Polish border, has suffered more than a dozen Russian attacks. The residents of the region will be supplied with heating from transported heating boilers and district heating. Since mid-March, Russian military has deliberately damaged heating and water power plants with drones and rockets. According to official reports, over 9,000 megawatts of power plant capacity have been destroyed. The Burshtyn power plant had a capacity of 2,400 megawatts.
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 is a valuable military component in the satellite communication and navigation system of the Russian troops, the ministry explained. On Monday, there were reports of explosions near the village of Vityazevo on the Crimean peninsula, where the center is located. These reports cannot be independently verified. Russia annexed the Crimean peninsula in 2014, an action not recognized internationally.
16:04 Injured civilians in Russian bombing raids in Donetsk region
At least four civilians have been killed and three more were injured in the settlement New York (New York) in eastern Ukraine due to Russian bombardments, as the Prosecutor's Office of the Donezk region reports. The attackers reportedly used a 250 kg glide bomb that damaged several residential buildings. Russian forces had intensified their attacks in the vicinity of the city Torezk in the past few days, resulting in smaller territorial gains. According to the regional administration, at least three people were killed and nearly 20 were injured by Russian shelling in Kurachowe and around Torezk the previous day. Over 30 residential buildings were damaged.
15:36 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 appoint the new leadership of the European Union. The designated new EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas has not distinguished herself through diplomatic skill, according to Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov, as reported by Russian news agencies. The Estonian prime minister is "well known to us for her 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. Peskov made similar comments regarding EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, who was nominated for a second term by the heads of state and government of the 27 EU countries with a large majority. "The prospects for the relationship between Moscow and Brussels are poor," Peskow said. Normalization of the relations is not to be expected.
15:13 Ukraine reports downing another Russian Su-25
Another Russian Su-25 fighter jet is said to have been shot down in the contested Donetsk region, according to a post by the Ukrainian National Guard on Telegram. The jet was hit by a "well-aimed shot" from a portable air defense 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. The exact location and time of the incident are not specified in the post.
14:35 Russia claims to have taken control of Rosdoliwka in eastern Ukraine
The Russian military has reportedly taken control of the eastern Ukrainian village of Rosdoliwka, according to the Russian Defense Ministry in Moscow. The Southern Military District reportedly drove out Ukrainian troops from Rosdoliwka and seized advantageous positions. The village is located in the Donetsk region in eastern Ukraine, where Russian forces 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 verify such claims about the fighting independently.
14:09 Kiev: Annual Military Statements Worth 60 Billion Dollars
The Ukraine can count on annual military aid of 60 billion dollars according to its own statements after the conclusion of 20 security agreements. These agreements are valid for the next four years, explained Minister President Denys Schmyhal. In its defense against Russia, Ukraine has signed a series of security agreements in recent times - among others, one on Thursday with the European Union.
13:38 "Poor for Relations": Kremlin Dissatisfied with EU-Leadership Nominations
The Kreml criticizes the EU summit decision to fill EU leadership positions. With Ursula von der Leyen as Commission President and Kaja Kallas as Foreign Minister, the prospects for relations between Moscow and Brussels are "poor," said Kreml spokesman Dmitri Peskow. It is not surprising that the decision for Kallas does not sit well with the Kreml: The Estonian fights for a hard line against Russian President Vladimir Putin in the EU and is one of the biggest supporters of Ukraine.
13:06 Poland to Quickly Sign Security Agreements with Ukraine
German Chancellor von der Leyen, who is standing for a second term, is not in favor of a "normalization of relations between the European Union and Russia," added he. The Latvian Kallas is known for her "russophobic" remarks. Polish Minister President Donald Tusk assumes that his country is very likely to sign a bilateral security agreement with Ukraine in the coming days. This document is almost finished, he said. Only a few details and formulations need to be clarified. The NATO summit begins on July 9 in Washington. The EU summit on Thursday had already concluded a security agreement with Ukraine. Bilateral agreements were also signed between Ukraine and the EU states Lithuania and Estonia. Many other EU states have already signed such an agreement with Ukraine.
12:34 Expert Mölling: Trump Gains Influence Before the Election
After the TV duel in the US, security expert Christian Mölling is certain: The influence of Donald Trump on international politics is already growing. The Research Director of the German Council on Foreign Relations considers it "plausible" that Trump adjusted his line on Ukraine here and there because he had already received a briefing from the security authorities "on what it's really about." So, there will probably be no selling out of Ukraine, as such a move would also have negative consequences for US interests, said Mölling in the "Stern" podcast "The Situation." Even if presidents make the important decisions, there is always a machine that needs to implement them. More on US politics and its influence on Ukraine policy can be found here: link
12:12 Belarus Announces Reinforcement of Border with UkraineBelarus will strengthen its border with Ukraine following an incident with a Ukrainian surveillance drone. The border guard and the Defense Ministry have announced this. The border guard also reported that a quadcopter was shot down on a Wednesday, allegedly flying illegally from Ukraine to Belarus to gather information about the infrastructure at the Belarusian border. At the beginning of the week, it was reported that hidden explosive materials were discovered in the same area. Additionally, it is known that a unit of pro-Ukrainian Russian fighters is stationed in a Ukrainian area near the border.
11:40 Spycraft in Full Bloom: Thousands of Russians Reportedly Ratting Out Their Fellow CitizensThe spy game has a long tradition in Russia – and it seems to be in full bloom. According to independent Russian-language media, at least 3,500 denunciations have been filed against Russian citizens between February 2022 and May 2024. Meduza reports that "the war and the subsequent repressive policies of Russian authorities against their own population led ... to an increase in denunciations that were not just about anti-war declarations, but also about LGBTQ+ content, 'Russophobia,' drugs, and other topics." As an example, the portal cites the case of Usman Baratov, a resident of Moscow who posted a picture of a hen with the caption "No eggs for you! Bring the roosters back from the front" last year when egg prices were particularly high. Within a month, calls appeared on social media to deprive Baratov of his Russian citizenship. A criminal case has been initiated against him for "incitement to hatred and enmity" since five months ago, he has been in pre-trial detention. He faces up to six years in prison.
11:03 "Provocations": Moscow Threatens Action Against Alleged US DronesRussia is threatening action against alleged US reconnaissance drones over the Black Sea. Defense Minister Andrei Belousov ordered the General Staff of the Army to prepare proposals to quickly respond to "provocations," according to his department. Russia has detected increased activity of US drones in the region. They are conducting military reconnaissance and collecting target information, which the Ukraine uses to attack Russian facilities with weapons supplied from the West, according to the ministry. This shows the increasing 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 emphasizes.
10:34 Trump vs. Putin's Plan: Scene from TV Debate Remains Hidden from RussiansThe US presidential election is also being followed in Russia, as is the TV debate between the candidates Joe Biden and Donald Trump. ntv correspondent Rainer Munz observes which topics the Russian media report on 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 in his hometown Belarus at the age of 48. The Belarus Foreign Ministry only confirmed his death after the reports, 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, which operate in exile abroad, report that Sidorenko, a father of a family, committed suicide by jumping out of a window of a high-rise building in Minsk on June 24. An official confirmation of the suicide is not available. Authorities in Belarus, led by 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 data on losses suffered by Russian troops in Ukraine. According to the data, Russia has lost approximately 540,500 soldiers in Ukraine since February 24, 2022. The loss count increased by 1,170 within 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 put the loss figures much lower, with the caveat that they are likely 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) considers a quick tactical victory for the Russians at Toretsk unlikely at present. The Russian military might be planning to conduct continuous offensive operations in this area to achieve incremental tactical gains, according to the US think tank. The limited forces available for this operation suggest that the Russians prefer a gradual advance through persistent attacks instead of a rapid, clear-cut victory, the latest ISW report states. Additionally, a brigade of the self-proclaimed Donetsk People's Republic and a regiment of Russian territorial troops were fighting in the region. These forces are 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 even more so, given the open terrain and large water bodies to the north and northwest," the think tank further notes.
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. The cause is reportedly a Ukrainian drone attack, according to Regional Governor Maxim Yegorov on Telegram. No casualties have been reported, and the fire department is on the scene. The city of Tambov is approximately 460 kilometers south-east of Moscow.
07:39 Selenskyj to come to Warsaw before NATO summit in Poland
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is expected to visit Warsaw before the NATO summit in Washington, according to Polish government statements. "President Zelenskyy and I have arranged a meeting in Warsaw before the NATO summit," writes Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk on Twitter. "The Union 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 Western military aid to Kiev. In addition, Poland has taken in nearly a million refugees from its neighboring country.
07:07 "Extremist": Duma prepares 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 refers to the Russian family as the "backbone" of Russia. Now, it seems that the family ideal may be propagated even more strongly. According to the Institute for the Study of War, Russian Deputy Justice Minister Vasily Vukolov has announced that Duma deputies are preparing a draft bill for the prohibition of the so-called "child-free ideology." This ideology allegedly promotes the "extremist" idea that women "do not have to give birth" and "can renounce children." A draft for a presidential decree is also being prepared, which will add the term "traditional values" to the official "normative dictionary" of the Russian language. The demographic situation in Russia is generally tense. According to the Konrad-Adenauer-Foundation, between January and April of the previous year, 3.1% fewer children were born than in the same period the previous year - a record low. The massive losses in the war are contributing to a 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 impact.
06:07 Kertsch Bridge apparently affected: Ukrainian intelligence service reports cyber attacks on Crimean servers
The military intelligence service of Ukraine (HUR) is carrying out a cyber attack on several institutions on the Russian-occupied Crimean peninsula. 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 engaged in heavy fighting on Thursday. The Ukrainian General Staff in Kiev reports in its daily situation report that the enemy is trying to breach our defense lines. Of the over 100 reported armed clashes of the day, more than half are said to be in the area around Pokrovsk in the Donezk region. The front line has remained unchanged everywhere. Ukrainian military personnel also report heavy fighting around the settlement of Mirnoje west of the city of Saporischschja. 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 inauguration if elected
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 Putin, this would never have happened in Ukraine, Trump says during the presidential debate in Atlanta. Biden even encouraged Putin, so Trump. He repeated his promise to end the war again. This would still happen before his inauguration in January, the 78-year-old further stated. However, he left open how he would accomplish this.
03:18 French right-wing politician Bardella speaks out in favor of Ukrainian support
During a TV debate three days before the first round of the French parliamentary elections, the French right-wing politician Jordan Bardella, who aspires to the position of 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 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 under Fire 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 European farmers. Instead, 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 land posed only a threat to EU farmers. Moreover, 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 Freight Traffic from Poland
The state railway company Ukrzaliznytsia has received a license from the Polish railway regulatory authority, allowing it to enter the European rail freight market, the company announced. The Ukrainian airspace has been closed since February 2022 due to the Russian invasion, making rail transport a crucial role in transporting goods and passengers to and from the country. Ukrzaliznytsia transported over two million passengers to Europe in the previous year and reported a record cargo volume of 14 million tons in November 2023.
22:17 Ukraine Increases Weapons Production by 25.4% in the First Quarter
The production of weapons 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. The increase was 29% in February and 18.8% in March.
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 an initiative led by Prague, according to the Czech Press Agency (CTK). Czech President Petr Pavel said in February that Prague had identified 500,000 155-mm grenades and 300,000 122-mm grenades outside Europe that could be bought and shipped to Ukraine once the necessary funds for the initiative were secured. 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 represent 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 beginning 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 Belgorod on the Kyivskyi-District of Kharkiv, says Filchakov. The FAB-500 is a 500-kilogram bomb developed by the Soviet Union with a high-explosive warhead that is dropped from the air. These inexpensive and widely used bombs are equipped with glide kits that improve their accuracy, but also enable their launch from greater distances, beyond the range of Ukrainian air defense systems.
20:21 Patriot systems to be delivered from Israel to Ukraine via the USAccording to the "Financial Times," the US, Israel, and Ukraine are in negotiations to deliver up to eight Patriot air defense systems to Kiev, in order to significantly improve Ukraine's ability to repel Russian air raids. The agreement is not yet finalized, but would likely mean that the Patriot systems would first be delivered from Israel to the US and then to Ukraine. The foundations of the deal, which would mark a turning point in Israel's relations with Moscow, were discussed between ministers and high-ranking officials of the three countries, according to five people familiar with the negotiations.
You can read about all previous developments here.
- President Volodymyr Zelenskyy emphasizes the importance of developing Ukraine's military production, stating, "There are two things in parallel: being strong on the battlefield and developing a clear and detailed plan that will be ready this year."
- Volodymyr Zelenskyy reiterates that Ukraine requires Russia to withdraw its troops from Ukrainian territory before any peace talks can commence, stating, "Ukraine has repeatedly stated that Russia must withdraw its troops from Ukrainian territory before possible peace talks, including from the 2014 annexed Crimean Peninsula."
- In response to the news about increased US drone flights over the Black Sea, Russia warns NATO countries about a potential "direct confrontation," stating, "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."
- Volodymyr Zelenskyy stresses the urgency of ending the war against Ukraine and finding a just peace, stating, "We don't want to prolong this war and we must come to a just peace as quickly as possible."
- In the context of discussing the need for developing Ukraine's military production, Volodymyr Zelenskyy asserts that Ukraine's strength is essential in dealing with Russia, stating, "Russia understands 'only strength' and respects 'only the strong.'"
