19:39 Russian children go on beach vacation to North Korea

At a meeting between Russian President Vladimir Putin and North Korea's Dictator Kim Jong Un, the two also agreed on cooperation in the tourism sector. According to the state Russian news agency RIA Novosti, the first Russian children are expected to rest in North Korea at the end of July. The conditions there were reportedly "good." Prior to this, the administration of the adjacent Russian region Primorye announced tourism programs for Russian tourists at North Korean beaches.

19:58 Multiple fatalities after Russian attack on civilian targetsRussian troops attacked the city of Vilniansk in the Zaporizhzhia Oblast and killed seven people, including two children, according to Ukraine's Interior Minister Ihor Klymenko. At least 18 people were injured, among them four children. Vilniansk had a population of approximately 15,000 before the war and is located 30 kilometers from Zaporizhzhia. Following an air alarm in the region, several explosions were reported. The Russian attack damaged a critical infrastructure facility, a business, and residential buildings. "The attack took place in broad daylight on a weekend at a place where people spent their leisure time in the city center without any military infrastructure," said Governor Ivan Fedorov.

19:21 Poland: West must learn to counter escalation anewPolish Foreign Minister Radoslaw Sikorski is convinced that Russia is not invincible and that the West can defeat Vladimir Putin. "In contrast to his crazy propaganda, Russia is not invincible," Sikorsky said in a speech: "It has lost some of its wars." The Kremlin can be contained and even defeated. The West must learn how to win in the "escalation game." "We could, for example, confiscate all 300 billion euros of Russian state assets," Sikorsky explained.

18:39 Ukraine plans privatization of system-relevant banksUkraine plans to sell the system-relevant Sberbank and Ukrgasbank. Additionally, an internationally recognized financial advisor is to be appointed by September 2024, according to a memorandum with the International Monetary Fund. The procedure is to be "transparent" and "following consultations with international financial organizations." Ukraine commits to not increasing the state's share in the banking sector. The IMF pays Kiev an additional 2.2 billion dollars for its state budget.

17:58 Ukraine denies attack plans on BelarusKiev denies Belarusian claims about possible Ukrainian advances across the shared border. Ukraine poses no threat but is instead strengthening its defense lines, according to Border Guard Spokesperson Andrij Demtschenko. There are no provocations. "They are probably confused," Demtschenko was quoted as saying by the Ukrainian news agency UNIAN. "The real threat comes from Belarus, where there are enough Russian troops stationed," said Andrij Kowalenko, head of the Ukrainian Center for Countering Disinformation. Russian military is trying to tie up Ukrainian forces. In an interview, a high-ranking Belarusian officer had claimed: "They are trying to drag our country into the war." Belarus is Russia's closest ally.

17:19 Civilians meet returned in Kiev after yearsTen Ukrainian civilians, who had been held captive in Russia, have returned to Kiev following their release. The former detainees, wrapped in blue and yellow flags, are greeted by relatives in the capital city. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy expresses his gratitude to all involved and specifically to the Vatican for its mediation. Some of the now-released individuals had been arrested by Russia even before its large-scale invasion of Ukraine. Among them is Nariman Djeljal, the deputy chairman of the Mejlis, a representative body of the Crimean Tatars. Djeljal was abducted from Crimea a year before the large-scale invasion, despite living there after the annexation.

16:47 Ukraine investigates retired General SodolThe Ukrainian Prosecutor General's Office is investigating the actions of retired General Leytenant Yuriy Sodol. He is accused of sending unnecessary soldiers to their deaths. The General issued orders during the Russian offensive in the Kharkiv Oblast. When the current Russian offensive began on May 10, he was in command. The General was dismissed on June 24 after one of the commanders of the Azov Brigade filed an official complaint. In the complaint, he accused the General of abuse of power and incompetent leadership of troops, which led to the loss of Ukrainian territory and personnel.

16:10 Ukraine thanks for CrimTatarish translation toolGoogle's online translator now includes Crimean Tatarish as part of an extension of 110 new languages. Ukraine's Ministry of Foreign Affairs publicly expresses its gratitude. Crimean Tatarish is endangered in Ukraine due to the declining number of speakers. Mass deportations and repression against Crimean Tatars by the Russian Empire and the Soviet Union have significantly contributed to the decline. The illegal annexation of Crimea by Russia in 2014 has intensified the trend. Crimean Tatars are subjected to persecution and deportation by the Russian occupiers on their homeland.

15:29 EU imposes sanctions on BelarusDue to Belarus' involvement in Russia's armed conflict, the EU has imposed sanctions on the country. This is intended to make it more difficult for Russia to bypass sanctions.

Export restrictions on goods and technologies for shipping and luxury goods to Belarus
Expansion of the export ban on technology and goods that could contribute to increasing Belarusian industrial capacity
New export ban on goods and technologies suitable for oil refining and natural gas liquefaction in Belarus
Import ban from Belarus on gold, diamonds, helium, coal, and mineral products, including crude oil
Comprehensive ban on services for Belarus
Ban on goods transportation in the EU for Belarusian trailers and semi-trailers

14:56 Ukraine's Foreign Minister to Make War "Impossible"Ukraine's Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba stated during a podium discussion about the goal for the time after the war. "As we know from our own recent history and from the history of other regions, peace without justice leads to a new war," he said. "Therefore, the goal is not only to end the war but to create a reality where peace is just and lasting, and a new war becomes impossible. This will be the victory."

14:31 Belarus Reinforces Air Defense at Border with UkraineBelarus, according to its own statements, has reinforced its air defense at the border with Ukraine. The reason is an increase in Ukrainian drone activities in the area, the military of the close ally Russia reported. Additional air defense forces have been sent to the border to protect "critical infrastructure installations." The situation in the airspace over the border remains tense. The Defense Ministry reports that it has information that Ukraine has moved more troops, weapons, and military equipment to the northern region of Schytomyr, which borders Belarus.

13:52 Seehofer on No to Taurus Deliveries for Ukraine: "Scholz's Behavior is Exactly Right"The former Federal Interior Minister Horst Seehofer endorses Chancellor Olaf Scholz's "No" to Taurus missile deliveries to Ukraine. "In one respect, I think Scholz's behavior is exactly right - in the question of Taurus missile deliveries," said the CSU politician in an interview on the occasion of his 75th birthday in the "Augsburger Allgemeine." The Chancellor wanted to prevent escalation and work together with the Americans under all circumstances. "I have always thought that was right, even though that is also seen differently in my party," said the CSU politician and former Bavarian Minister-President about the stance of the SPD politician in the Taurus issue. "This stance does not use the chance that, when the Ukrainians consider it right, they might try to end this horrible and brutal war of the Russians."

13:23 Economists Warn Against New Foreign Policy Course of the AfDEconomists warn against the efforts of influential AfD politicians to distance themselves from the EU and the USA and to orient themselves more strongly towards Russia and China. "A departure from the USA and EU to cooperate more strongly with China could contribute significantly to political and economic uncertainty and also entail long-term risks," said Oliver Holtemöller, Deputy President of the Leibniz Institute for Economic Research Halle, to the "Handelsblatt." The President of the German Institute for Economic Research, Marcel Fratzscher, told the newspaper that orienting oneself more strongly towards Russia and China would be the "biggest mistake" that Germany could make politically and economically.

12:58 Russia reports takeover of settlement in the Donezk Oblast

According to reports from Russian state media, the Russian military has taken control of the Ukrainian village of Schumy in the Donezk region. The state Russian news agency Ria reportedly stated that the army had taken the settlement near the city of Torezk. The announcement indicates that Ukrainian forces allegedly suffered 360 casualties. However, these claims cannot be independently verified.

12:38 Zelensky: Russian attacks have destroyed 80% of Ukraine's thermal energy and one-third of its hydropower

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky stated, according to the British newspaper "Guardian," that Russian attacks have destroyed 80% of Ukraine's thermal energy and one-third of its hydropower. In his statement, he emphasized that Russian attacks frequently targeted energy facilities and other critical infrastructure. The recent attack in Dnipro demonstrates, as the Ukrainian leader stated, that Ukraine requires more air defense systems. "Only sufficient quantities of high-quality air defense systems, and only sufficient determination from the entire world, can stop Russian terror," Zelensky said.

12:25 Ukrainian Foreign Minister Kuleba in Croatia for a visit

Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba is in Croatia for a visit. He is participating in the 17th Dubrovnik Forum. According to the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry, the focus of the meeting will be on restoring peace and security in Ukraine and Europe, as well as the results of the first peace summit. Croatian Prime Minister Andrej Plenković and EU Foreign Policy Chief Joseph Borrell are among those attending the conference.

11:51 Military economist: The war could be over by the end of 2025 - "Time is running against Russia"

According to military economist Marcus Keupp's assessment, Russia will not be able to sustain the war against Ukraine for years. In an interview with the "Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung," he stated that the Russian supply chain, according to estimates, would collapse no later than mid-2027, possibly even by the end of 2025. "That's the computational end. The stores will be empty." Keupp bases his calculations on documented losses of the Russian army, which, according to open-source data on the internet, have amounted to four tanks lost per day since the start of the war. Since only 300 to 500 new tanks can be built annually, Moscow cannot sustain this indefinitely, the military economist said. Satellite images already show that old Soviet military bases are emptying at a rapid pace throughout Russia, according to Keupp. "Russia is living off its reserves. It is essentially on the dead legs of the Soviet Union." Keupp's conclusion: "Time is running against Russia." In his opinion, Russia's method of warfare is not sustainable. "Putin faces the same problem as Hitler. His resources are melting away, and he's stuck in the mud."

11:33: Flight from Military Service: Some Ukrainian Men Seek Help from Forgers
In Ukraine, a new recruitment offensive is underway to mobilize more soldiers for the fight against Russia. Therefore, some Ukrainian men are turning to online dealers and forgers to avoid military service, as reported by the British newspaper "Guardian." It is expected that attempts to flee the country will also increase. Ukraine recently passed far-reaching mobilization measures that allow the military to call up more soldiers and impose stricter penalties for draft evasion. Volodymyr Zelenskyy signed a controversial law in the past April that lowers the draft age from 27 to 25. Anyone who refuses military service can lose their driver's license and access to their bank accounts. Property can also be confiscated.

11:04: Zelenskyy Releases Video of Reunions between War Prisoners and Their Families
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy shared a video on his social media channels of the moment ten prisoners of war from Russian captivity returned home and reunited with their families.

10:36: Ukrainian Police Car in Sumy Attacked by Russian Drone
In the Sumy Oblast in northeastern Ukraine, a Ukrainian police car was attacked by a Russian drone. The Ukrainian newspaper "Kyiv Post" reported this based on information from the Ukrainian National Police. According to the report, the policemen were not in the vehicle at the time of the attack but were nearby when they heard the explosion.

10:08: Kremlin Remains Silent on Trump's Remarks about Ending the War
The Kremlin declined to comment on Donald Trump's remarks that he would end the war against Ukraine if reelected in November. The British newspaper "Guardian" reported this. Trump made these comments during the US presidential debate with incumbent Joe Biden on the previous Thursday. "As for Russia and Ukraine: If we had a real president, a president who was respected by Putin, he wouldn't have gone into Ukraine," Trump said.

09:26: Zelenskyy Thanks Coe at Meeting for Excluding Russian and Belarusian Athletes
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy held a meeting with Sebastian Coe, President of the World Athletics Championships. Zelenskyy shared the news on his Facebook page. "We welcome the decisions made by World Athletics in early March 2022 to ban representatives of Russia and Belarus from participating in international athletics competitions," Zelenskyy wrote. He also expressed his gratitude for the support of Ukrainian athletes.

09:01 Four People Dead and Ten Injured in Russian Attacks in the Oblast of ChernobylThe Russian military has shelled numerous cities and villages in the Chernobyl region, resulting in the deaths of four people and injuries to ten others. This was reported by Oleksandr Prokudin, head of the military administration of the region, via Ukrinform on Telegram. "Four people were killed by Russian aggression in Sadove, Tiahynka, Novotiahynka, Olhivka, and Chernobyl," Prokudin said. According to him, the Russian military attacked residential areas in the region and damaged some private houses. Additionally, businesses and a gas pipeline were reportedly hit.

08:34 Governor of Kursk: Five Dead in Ukrainian Drone Attack on Border VillageAccording to Russian reports, five people were killed in a Ukrainian drone attack on a border village. Two of the fatalities were reportedly young children, announced the governor of the western Russian region of Kursk, Alexei Smirnov, on Telegram. "Two more family members are in critical condition," he added. The drone is said to have crashed into a house in the small village of Gorodishche. Since the start of the Russian offensive in Ukraine, both sides have regularly targeted each other with drones, some of which have ranges of several hundred kilometers. The Ukrainian army has expanded its drone attacks on Russian territory this year. It is targeting not only Russian energy facilities but also border towns and villages.

08:02 Kiev: Over 1000 Russian Soldiers "eliminated"According to the Ukrainian Defense Ministry, 1070 Russian soldiers have died or are unable to continue fighting within a day. Since the start of the war in February 2022, a total of 541,560 Russian soldiers have reportedly been "eliminated." The Defense Ministry announced in its daily reports on Russian losses that the enemy had lost seven more tanks (8073). Since the beginning of the Russian invasion, Ukraine has counted over 15,500 armored vehicles and approximately 11,500 drones that are no longer in the possession of the Russian military or have been destroyed. These figures cannot be independently verified. Moscow itself does not provide information on its own losses in Ukraine.

07:28 Fire Department in Dnipro rescues man from buried carOnce again, Russian rockets hit a Ukrainian residential area. The latest attack on the city of Dnipro reportedly resulted in at least one fatality, with injuries also reported among the victims, including a seven-month-old baby. A man was buried under the rubble in his car.

07:06 Positions of Ukrainian military being surveilled: SBU arrests suspected Russian agentThe Ukrainian Security Service (SBU) of the Ukrainian domestic intelligence service has arrested another Russian agent. The man is suspected of preparing a Russian troop breakthrough in the Donetsk region and spying on Ukrainian defense forces. According to the SBU press office, he is a resident of Myrnohrad, who works as an employee of a private security company. Russia reportedly became aware of the man as an active user of pro-Russian Telegram channels, where he allegedly published anti-Ukrainian comments.

06:34 Ukrainian Air Force: Ten Russian drones shot down in the nightThe Ukrainian air defense has shot down all ten Russian drones launched by Russia in the night. According to the Ukrainian Air Force.

05:43 General Staff in Kiev: 102 battles at the frontThe Ukrainian General Staff reports 102 battles at the front within 24 hours. The enemy has increased the tempo of its offensive actions since Friday morning, according to the situation report of the Ukrainian General Staff on Facebook. The most battles are reported near Pokrovsk. The Russian troops attempted to dislodge Ukrainian units from their positions 28 times. The Ukrainian army repelled 21 attacks. Seven battles are ongoing, according to the statement.

04:59 Czech Republic preparing security accords with KievCzech Prime Minister Petr Fiala announced on X that the Czech Republic will sign a bilateral security accord with Ukraine during the EU summit in London on July 18. He announced on Facebook that he had agreed with President Zelenskyy the day before to "finalize the negotiations on the text of the Czech-Ukrainian security accord before the NATO summit in Washington." The next NATO summit is scheduled for July 9-11. The Czech Republic will join 19 other countries, including the USA, Great Britain, Germany, and France, as well as the European Union, which have already signed similar bilateral agreements.

03:59 USA to supply Kiev with Hawk missilesThe US government will supply Ukraine with weapons and ammunition worth $150 million, including Hawk air defense missiles and 155-millimeter artillery ammunition. Two unnamed US officials announced that the weapons aid package is expected to be presented on Monday. The US government is responding to Ukraine's desperate pleas for support in air defense, following Russian air attacks on Ukrainian energy infrastructure in recent weeks.

02:58 Report: Russian Agents in Vienna hired hit on Helicopter Pilot Kusminow

In Vienna, Russian agents are under suspicion for their involvement in the recruitment and financing of Russian operations, such as the assassination of the Russian military helicopter pilot Maxim Kusminow. He had defected to Ukraine and lived in Spain, where he was found by the hit squad. The Wall Street Journal reports this with reference to Western security circles. The men who shot him five times and then ran him over with a SUV were criminals who were paid with cash provided by Russian civil servants from Vienna, according to the paper. "We are now becoming a burden for our neighbors, as Russia uses us as an operational base," says a high-ranking Austrian intelligence officer to the newspaper. According to Austrian intelligence sources, the number of active Russian diplomats in Austria in the last two years has increased from around 400 to over 500. About half of them are diplomats and managers, while the other half function as spies.

01:58 Russia: Control taken north of Bachmut - Ukraine denies

According to the Russian Defense Ministry, the Russian armed forces have taken control of the settlement of Rosdoliwka in eastern Ukraine. However, the Ukrainian military states that heavy fighting is taking place in the areas around the settlement. Rosdoliwka is located in the Donetsk region, the epicenter of the Russian advance in eastern Ukraine. It is located north of Bachmut and Soledar, two settlements that were taken under Russian control last year.

00:58 US Army awards Lockheed Martin $4.5 billion contract

In the USA, the US Army awards Lockheed Martin a multi-year contract worth $4.5 billion for the Patriot air defense system. The Pentagon announces this. The contract includes 870 PAC-3 MSE missiles and the associated hardware. Lockheed manufactures the latest version of the missile defense system, known as PAC-3 MSE, which equips the Patriot. The Patriot system is part of a series of highly developed air defense systems that the West provides to Ukraine.

23:58 More Olympic starting places for Russians - Judokas rejected

The International Olympic Committee announces further starting places for Russian and Belarusian athletes for the Paris Summer Games. According to the IOC's evening announcement, 50 athletes and athletes from the two countries have been invited to compete at the Olympics under a neutral flag. However, not all of these invitations have been accepted, some have already withdrawn. Some Judokas were rejected because of their affiliation with Army sports clubs. Of the twelve quota places for Russian Judokas, only two each will be allocated to men and women - whether the four accept the invitation is open.

23:59 Ten Ukrainians returned from Russian captivity - ten Ukrainian civilians have returned from Russian captivity, according to information from Kiev. Among the released prisoners is Nariman Djalal, a leader of the Crimean Tatars, writes Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in social networks on Friday. He thanks the Vatican for its mediation in the release of the civilians. Djalal was arrested in 2021, that is, before the large-scale Russian invasion of Ukraine in the annexed Crimea, and was later sentenced to 17 years in prison.

23:30 Lithuania's Foreign Minister: Kallas nomination acknowledges stance on RussiaLithuania has welcomed the nomination of Estonian Prime Minister Kaja Kallas as the new EU foreign policy chief. Foreign Minister Gabrielius Landsbergis speaks of recognition of the views of the Baltic States and other countries on the NATO eastern flank, which have taken a firm stance against Russia and supported Ukraine until its victory. "She has never hidden her position, she has clearly and openly expressed herself on issues that are important to us," Landsbergis is quoted as saying by the BNS agency in Vilnius about Kallas. Kallas was appointed as the EU representative for external and security policy at the EU summit in Brussels on Thursday. The 47-year-old Liberal has been Estonia's first female prime minister in its history and is known as a supporter of a resolute Western stance towards Moscow.

23:00 Baerbock: Support for Ukraine is the best protection for peaceful sleepingAccording to the belief of Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock, the continued support for Ukraine in its fight against Russian invasion forces is also a guarantee of peace and security in Germany. "If Ukraine can no longer defend our peace, our freedom because we no longer support it, then the question is how far Putin's troops will advance then," Baerbock said in a talk with RedaktionsNetzwerk Deutschland (RND), NDR and "Hannoverscher Allgemeine Zeitung". "That's why the support efforts for Ukraine are the best protection for our own peace and our own security." Baerbock referred to Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Of course, one could discuss whether the billions of euros in aid for Ukraine should be used differently, Baerbock said. But in this case, she had to say: "I don't know how long we can continue to sleep peacefully here in Brandenburg, directly on the border with Poland." There are "light tests" everywhere along the EU border and the NATO external border. "Every reasonable person in the world, in Europe and in Ukraine" wishes nothing more ardently than peace in Ukraine. That depends on Putin. "He needs to withdraw his troops and finally put an end to this killing." Instead, his answer is "always more violence and terror".

You can read about earlier developments here.

The attack on Ukraine by Russian forces continues to be a topic of concern in international politics, with NATO expressing support for Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity.
The Ukrainian president, Volodymyr Selensky, has called for increased military aid from NATO and the West, citing the ongoing cyberwar being waged against Ukraine by Russia.
In response to the conflict, Russia has faced widespread sanctions from the international community, including restrictions on tourism and economic cooperation with countries like North Korea.
Some analysts suggest that Russia's military operations in Ukraine have put a significant strain on its economy, with estimates suggesting that the conflict could cost Russia upwards of $1 trillion over the course of several years.
Amidst the conflict, there have been reports of attacks on civilian targets in Ukraine, including the city of Vilniansk, where at least seven people, including two children, were killed in a Russian attack.