19:26 Ukraine's 47th Brigade: Russians rely heavily on infantry, "huge graveyards" of vehicles
The environment of the eastern Ukrainian city of Pokrowsk in the Donezk region is currently the focus of the frontline action. According to the 47th mechanized brigade of the Ukrainian armed forces stationed there, Russian troops are attempting to breach the Ukrainian defense lines: with massive infantry attacks supported by combat drones, brigade spokeswoman Anastasia Blischtschik stated. "The fact that we have barely seen armored vehicles on the battlefield for a month is at least unique, as they have run out of these weapons," Blischtschik added. Reconnaissance drones showed "huge cemeteries" of destroyed armored vehicles. Therefore, the Russian side is trying to dominate the combat situation with strong infantry forces. According to the General Staff in Kiev, the Russian military is attempting to increase the firepower in the Pokrowsk region.
18:49 Budget committee approves armament package with 105 Leopard 2A8 Tanks105 battle tanks, four Patriot and Lenkflugkörper air defense systems, as well as artillery ammunition: The budget committee of the German Bundestag is bringing a more than six billion Euro package for the new equipment of the Bundeswehr onto the way. With the Leopard 2A8 battle tanks, the future brigade for Lithuania should be equipped, and significant and long-standing gaps in the Bundeswehr should be closed, Defense Minister Boris Pistorius (SPD) stated after the meeting. "The procurement of ammunition will be significantly accelerated and expanded. This will provide the German industry with a substantial basis for its planning for this decade, the Bundeswehr with full stocks, and Ukraine with urgently needed supplies," the government party reporters shared. German production capacities for ammunition would be significantly expanded. The brigade for Lithuania should be ready for deployment by 2027.
18:17 Zelenskyy: We want to know from Trump if US support will fall after the electionUkraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy asked Trump for clarity on how he intends to end the war in 24 hours. Zelenskyy stated in an interview with "Bloomberg TV" that he is ready to meet with Trump and his team and listen to their proposals. "We want to know if we will have the powerful support of the USA after the elections in November or if we will be alone then." The former US president and designated candidate for the upcoming presidential elections has repeatedly claimed that he can end the war in Ukraine in 24 hours. He never provided details. "If Trump knows how to end this war, he should tell us that today," Selenskyy said: "If there are risks for the independence of Ukraine and we could lose our statehood - we want to be prepared, we want to know that."
17:39 ROSATOM-Chief laments Ukrainian attacks on NPP power station
At eight Russian employees of the Saporischja Nuclear Power Plant in southern Ukraine were injured in a drone attack on an adjacent power station in Enerhodar, according to Russian statements. The men were reportedly engaged in repair work to restore power supply, as stated by Alexei Lichatschow, head of the Russian Atomic Energy Agency. This not only compromises the safety principles of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), "it's a demonstrative violation," Lichatschow complained. The power station supplies the city with electricity. There were reportedly three drone attacks within an hour. He demands a reaction from the IAEA regarding the attack. Russia took control of Europe's largest nuclear power plant shortly after the start of its offensive and has held it since. The NPP is located on the southern bank of the Dnipro, with the northern bank controlled by Ukraine.
17:14 Video: Russian National Guards shoot at conscripts
Conscripts are seen dancing on the roof of the draft board building in the Russian city of Osinniki. The National Guards do not appreciate this behavior and attack the apparently drunken men. Shots are heard, a woman falls to the ground. It is unclear whether she was hit by a stray bullet.
16:39 Russian army levels neighborhood of Chassow Jar
According to Russian statements, the Russian army has taken control of a district in the strategically important city of Chassow Jar in the eastern Ukrainian region of Donetsk. The troops reportedly "liberated" the neighborhood of Nowi, according to the Russian Defense Ministry. It is unknown if the Russian soldiers were able to overcome the canal in the east of the small town, which the Ukrainian army uses as a natural defensive line.
The pro-Ukrainian news channel "DeepState" reports that the neighborhood has been "completely leveled to the ground." Further resistance would have resulted in heavy losses. "The withdrawal from the neighborhood is therefore a logical, if difficult, decision," it continues. Chassow Jar is about ten kilometers from Bachmut, which was taken by Russian troops in May 2023 after long battles. A breakthrough could give the Russian army access to important mining towns in the Donbass, such as Kramatorsk, which are still controlled by Ukraine.
16:04 Russian Intelligence: French "Agent" Vinatier confesses guiltAccording to Russian intelligence, the Frenchman Laurent Vinatier has confessed to gathering information about the Russian military. A worker for a Swiss non-governmental organization has admitted to his guilt, the Russian domestic intelligence service FSB reports. Vinatier allegedly established numerous contacts with military experts, scientists, and officials during his visits to Moscow. Through these contacts, the Frenchman reportedly collected "military and military-technical information that could be used against the security of the Russian Federation." Vinatier works for the Swiss non-governmental organization Centre for Humanitarian Dialogue (HD) and was arrested in Moscow on June 6. He is accused of failing to register as a "foreign agent."
15:34 Video: Russians report massive Ukrainian drone attackAccording to Russian reports, Ukraine is attacking Novorossiysk with drones from the air and water. The Russian Defense Ministry reports the shooting down of twelve objects. Spearfire and explosions illuminate the night sky over the Black Sea port city on the shores of the Caucasus Mountains.
15:02 Poll: Ukrainians see Germany as conditionally reliable, fear US-negotiations with MoscowAccording to a poll conducted nearly two and a half years into the war, almost half of the Ukrainians surveyed believe that the USA could negotiate a peace plan with Russia behind their backs. Forty-seven percent expressed this concern, while forty-nine percent had little or no concern. The views of Ukrainians on their allies in the defense against Russia vary by country. Eighty-four percent view Britain as reliable or conditionally reliable, the highest percentage. Seventy-six percent felt this way about Germany, but only nineteen percent considered Berlin's support very reliable.
14:23 Scholz: Germany will not be a war party in the futureDuring the Bundestag government questioning, the issue of Ukraine was also raised. When the Left party deputy Gesine Lötzsch asks if Chancellor Olaf Scholz would give the people "the guarantee" that Germany would not become a war party, Scholz replied: "Yes, I give that guarantee. I am the Chancellor." When asked when a ceasefire could be reached, Scholz replied: "From my perspective, a ceasefire that aims for Ukraine's capitulation is one that we cannot support from Germany." This is not an abstract question, as one can see from Putin's 'peace offer.' Putin has stated that he is ready for a ceasefire 'if Ukraine also gives away additional annexations, more or less for free on top.' This shows 'how cynically they think and that the Russian president does not at all intend to end his aggressive war.' Putin speaks only of peace negotiations to continue the war. "We will not tolerate that," Scholz assured.
13:55 International Criminal Court investigates torture of Ukrainian prisoners of war and civiliansThe International Criminal Court (ICC) is investigating the torture of Ukrainian prisoners of war and civilians in detention facilities in the formerly occupied territories and in Russia, according to the Ukrainian agency "Ukrinform". The Ukrainian Prosecutor General's Office is working with the ICC on this matter. Ukrainian photographers Kostiantyn and Vlada Librov show on Instagram photos of Ukrainian soldiers who had fallen into Russian captivity and have since been released. They write that it was "the most difficult shooting of the last six months".
13:19 Russian postal workers to replace doctors in rural areasDue to a lack of medical personnel in rural areas of Russia, postal workers are now taking on medical tasks in some regions. This is reported by the "Moscow Times" on Telegram. In rural post offices, health and midwife stations are being set up. The postal workers are to diagnose and perform various medical procedures. Russian publicist Alexander Nevzorov described the practice as a return to the Middle Ages.
12:58 No agreement among NATO countries on long-term Ukraine aidNATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg failed to convince NATO countries to make long-term commitments for military aid to Ukraine. The 32 allies could only agree in the run-up to the summit in Washington on providing support in the amount of at least 40 billion Euros within the next year. This is reported by the German Press Agency and refers to statements by several delegations.
12:24 Five dead, at least 39 injured in Dnipro attack, according to Ukrainian authoritiesThe number of casualties from the Russian attack on Dnipro has risen to at least five, according to Ukrainian authorities, with at least 39 people injured, including a 14-year-old girl. The attack reportedly used rockets and drones, causing several explosions and fires in the city. Reports indicate that a shopping mall and a weapons factory were hit.
11:31 Ukraine receives additional 2 billion Euros from the IMFFinancially stricken Ukraine has received an additional 2 billion Euros from the International Monetary Fund (IMF). The money is part of an ongoing credit program worth around 15 billion Euros. The money will be used by the government, according to Prime Minister Denys Schmyhal, mainly for social welfare and salaries of civil servants, including doctors and teachers. Since the Russian invasion in February 2022, Ukraine has reportedly received a total of over 80 billion Euros in foreign aid for budget support.
11:01 Fire at military base in Russian city of KurskVideos from the Russian city of Kursk show a large smoke cloud over the city. An Ukrainian attack is said to have set several vehicles on fire at a military base. The governor of the region has confirmed a fire in the city center.
10:40 Ukraine: Multiple civilians killed in Russian attacks
Russian troops shot at the village of Borova in the Charkiw region during the past night, according to the Charkiw Military Administration's Telegram message. They report that one man was killed and two others were injured during the attack. At least three people were reportedly killed and 18 more were injured in a Russian rocket and drone attack on the eastern Ukrainian city of Dnipro, according to local authorities.
10:19 Kremlin: No talks with Trump over Ukraine
Russia is not in dialogue with former US President Donald Trump over Ukraine, according to the Interfax news agency, citing a spokesperson for the Russian Presidential Administration. Trump, during a recent TV duel with President Joe Biden, stated that if he won the November election, he would resolve the war in Ukraine before his inauguration in January.
09:46 Ukraine lacks hangars to protect jet fighters
According to the Ukrainian Defense Express report, the Ukrainian army does not have enough hangars to protect all its fighter jets from Russian attacks. The newspaper reports that a military airfield in the Poltawa Oblast does not have sufficient large hangar spaces for Su-27 fighter jets. Russian media has released footage of a recent airfield attack on the base, showing several damaged Ukrainian Su-27 aircraft in the open. The Ukraine lacks hangars to protect all its fighters.
09:16 Defense committee approves purchase of 105 Leopard-2A8 tanks
The German Defense Committee is set to approve the purchase of 105 Leopard-2A8 combat tanks today. "We are exhausting all options," writes the new committee chairman Marcus Faber on the platform "X." "We are fully equipping the Brigade Litauen with combat tanks, replacing older Leo2 in the army, and creating room for further expenditures to Ukraine," adds the FDP politician. According to the proposal, the order has a volume of approximately three billion Euros. The defense conglomerate KNDS is expected to deliver the tanks to the Bundeswehr by 2030.
08:44 Russia: Ukrainian attack on Black Sea port repelled
Russia claims to have repelled attacks by two unarmed Ukrainian explosive boats on the Black Sea port of Novorossiysk. The Defense Ministry reports that the drone boats were destroyed in the Black Sea. Novorossiysk is home to a large port for the Russian Black Sea Fleet. Many of the Russian warships used in the conflict against Ukraine are stationed there after Ukrainian forces attacked their ports on the Crimean peninsula. The Ministry does not comment on possible damages. The authorities in Novorossiysk urged residents to stay in their homes and buildings during the night.
08:21 A large part of Ukrainians feel unity in society
According to a nationwide survey conducted by the Kiev International Institute of Sociology (KIIS) on July 2, 44% of Ukrainians believe that Ukrainian society is united at present. A smaller portion of interviewees, 15%, view Ukrainian society as divided. Corruption is cited as the primary concern, followed by language issues. Inequalities during the war, collaboration, and Russophilism are also considered factors contributing to societal division.
07:55 Kremlin: Ten Ukrainian attack drones destroyed
According to Russian reports, ten Ukrainian attack drones were shot down over Russian territory. Five drones were destroyed over the Belgorod border region, four over the Brjansk border region, and one over the Moscow region. Additionally, two Ukrainian seed drones were reportedly destroyed that had been headed for the Noworossijsk Black Sea port in the Krasnodar region.
07:20 Ukrainian General Staff: nearly 1,200 Russian losses yesterday
The Ukrainian General Staff reported 1,180 losses on the Russian side in the past 24 hours. This included 16 destroyed tanks, 17 armored vehicles, 57 artillery systems, and 63 tank and other vehicles. Two Russian air defense systems were allegedly destroyed by the Ukrainians, along with a missile. The number of dead or wounded Russian soldiers, according to the General Staff, has surpassed 546,000 since the full-scale invasion began.
06:48 Putin arrives at SOZ summit in Kazakhstan
According to Russian reports, Russian President Vladimir Putin has arrived in Kazakhstan. He is participating in the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SOZ) summit in Astana. The two-day event focuses on regional security, defense, and cooperation issues. The heads of state and government of the SOZ member states are discussing "the current situation and prospects for further deepening of multifaceted cooperation," according to Moscow. Putin is scheduled to hold bilateral talks, including with China and Turkey. Representatives from 16 countries are attending the summit - among them India, Iran, and Pakistan. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres is also expected to be present.
06:11 Ukraine continues to reject territorial concessions to PutinAccording to the words of Andrij Yermak, the chief of staff of the Ukrainian president, Ukraine continues to categorically reject territorial concessions to Russia to end the war. "We are not willing to make compromises on important things and values," said Yermak to journalists and named "independence, freedom, democracy, territorial integrity, sovereignty." In response to statements from Republican US presidential candidate Donald Trump, who claimed he could quickly end the conflict, the government in Kiev is open for advice to achieve a "just peace." Trump said during the television debate that he would not accept Putin's conditions. Putin had declared that Russia would end the war if Kiev was ready to hand over the territories claimed and occupied by Moscow in the east and south of the country. Regarding the Ukrainian government's assessment of Trump's handling of the war, Yermak replied: "Honestly, I don't know. We'll see."
05:42 USA to provide new military aid for UkraineThe Ukrainian military is in urgent need of supplies. The USA will make available to Ukraine, in the near future, military aid in the amount of approximately 2.3 billion US dollars (around 2.14 billion Euros) to counter the Russian offensive war in Ukraine. This was announced by US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin during a visit by his Ukrainian counterpart Rustem Umjerow in Washington. The package approved by US President Joe Biden includes "additional surface-to-air missiles, anti-tank weapons, and other important ammunition from US stocks," explained Austin. A "realignment of some foreign military deliveries" will also enable the USA to make available Munition for Patriot and other air defense systems "in an accelerated time frame."
04:49 NATO expanding presence in KievThe NATO is expanding its civilian presence in the attacked Ukraine. A spokesperson confirmed that the 32 alliance members have decided to send a type of special envoys to the capital Kiev. The high-ranking official is to steer the political and practical support of the alliance on site. The background is, in particular, that the NATO intends to give the start signal for a new deployment at the upcoming summit in Washington for the coordination of weapons deliveries and training activities for the Ukrainian armed forces. The headquarters for this should be built in Wiesbaden. Who will receive the new NATO position in Kiev is still unknown.
03:42 UN call for Gershkovich's releaseExperts of the United Nations are calling for the immediate release of US journalist Evan Gershkovich, who is in Russian custody on espionage charges. "The deprivation of freedom of Evan Gershkovich is arbitrary" and violates several articles of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the experts write in a statement. Considering the circumstances of the case, the "immediate" release of Gershkovich is appropriate.
02:40 Serbian President Vucic receives Russian deputy foreign ministerThe Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic received the Russian deputy foreign minister Alexander Gruschko in Belgrade. He spoke with Gruschko about the bilateral relations between Serbia and Russia and evaluated them as "very good", Vucic stated on Instagram. He also thanked Russia "for its support of Serbia's territorial integrity, as well as in relation to the UN Resolution on Srebrenica". Moscow still refuses to recognize Kosovo's independence. Serbia has been an EU membership candidate since 2012, but maintains good relations with the Kreml despite the Russian annexation of Crimea.
01:29 Russian court sentences 19-year-old to twelve yearsA Russian court sentenced a 19-year-old man to twelve years in prison for "treason," after he was accused of donating money to the Ukrainian army. "The Rostov Regional Court found him guilty and sentenced him to a twelve-year term in a penal colony," says a comment from the Russian domestic intelligence service FSB, picked up by the state-controlled Kremlin media. The teenager is said to have sent money to help the Ukrainian army buy food and drones. Since Russia's invasion of Ukraine, thousands of Russians have been arrested and many of them have been imprisoned. According to Amnesty International, at least 21,000 people were targets of repressions against war opponents in 2023.
00:20 One quarter of US citizens find US aid to Ukraine insufficientAlmost a quarter of Americans believe that the United States is not providing enough military aid to Ukraine. This percentage has risen since November last year, according to a Pew Research Center survey. According to the survey, 24 percent of respondents believe that the United States is not providing enough aid, compared to 18 percent in November 2023, when the survey was last conducted. However, more Americans (31 percent) believe that the United States is providing too much aid, and 25 percent believe that the US aid is sufficient.
22:53 Lithuania reports airspace violation by Russian aircraftLithuania reports a violation of its airspace by a Russian aircraft. The unspecified aircraft of the Russian airline Pobeda allegedly entered the airspace of the Baltic EU and NATO member unlawfully in the evening of June 30th and stayed there for approximately one minute. The representative of the Russian embassy was summoned and the Russian authorities were asked to take all necessary measures to prevent such incidents in the future. The airspace violation took place over the Baltic Sea, as the aircraft was on its way from Moscow to the Russian exclave of Kaliningrad bordering Lithuania. The EU has closed its airspace to Russian aircraft as a reaction to Russia's aggression in Ukraine.
22:12 Survey in Member States: High Trust in NATO, Low Trust in Zelenskyy
Coming Week, NATO Celebrates Its 75-Year Anniversary. In member states, the transatlantic defense alliance is viewed favorably, according to a Pew Research survey. On average in 13 countries, 63 percent of the population holds a positive opinion, while 33 percent hold a negative one. Germany is among the countries with the highest positive rating, at 64 percent. Notable is the assessment in Poland, where 91 percent hold a positive image of the alliance. The trust in Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stands at an average of 40 percent in member states and has decreased in the past year. Poland is an exception, where Zelenskyy has lost 22 percentage points - from 70 to 48 percent. In Germany, trust has decreased by 7 percentage points to 54 percent.
21:27 Zelenskyy Rejects Orban's Peace Proposal
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has rejected a peace proposal from Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban for peace talks with Moscow, according to a spokesperson from the Presidential Administration. During his first visit to Kiev since the war began, Orban suggested a rapid ceasefire that could "accelerate peace negotiations with Moscow." However, Zelenskyy listened to him but clarified Ukraine's stance and rejected the proposal. Previously, Kiev had already rejected ceasefires, citing the concern that Russian forces could regroup during this time.
21:02 Ukraine: Moscow Recruits Minors
Russia is actively recruiting minors for the war in Ukraine, according to Ukraine. The recruitment contracts are reportedly signed with minors, taking effect upon their reaching adulthood. "They hope to recruit tens of thousands of teenagers with propaganda," says the Ukrainian agency "National Resistance Center": "We warn that any enemy on our territory will be eliminated." Russia is also reportedly employing minors on occupied Ukrainian territory, for instance, to manufacture drones.
You can read about earlier developments here.
- The General Staff in Kiev accused Russia of attempting to increase its firepower in the Pokrowsk region of Ukraine, allegedly in an effort to dominate the combat situation.
- In response to Russian attacks on critical infrastructure in Ukraine, German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius announced plans to send 105 Leopard 2A8 tanks, four Patriot and Lenkflugkörper air defense systems, and artillery ammunition to Ukraine as part of a new armament package.
- During an interview with Bloomberg TV, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy expressed concern about potential changes in US support for Ukraine following the November elections in the United States.
- A drone attack on a power station in Enerhodar, adjacent to the Saporischja Nuclear Power Plant in southern Ukraine, injured eight Russian employees on repair duty, according to Russian statements.
- Ukrainian troops reportedly repelled a massive infantry attack led by Russian forces in the eastern Ukrainian city of Pokrowsk, using combat drones to support their defense lines.
