20:03 Zelenskyy deems Peace Conference as a triumph
Following the worldwide Ukraine peace summit in Switzerland over the weekend, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy expressed optimism. "We've made the initial concrete stride towards peace - a unity unlike anything the world has ever witnessed," he remarked in his evening video address. Yet, it's just a beginning, and "additional steps" are imperative. Ukraine even has a rough blueprint for the summer months ahead. "We won't retreat, we'll keep our interaction with our partners as enthusiastic as ever," Zelenskyy said.
At 19:42, Moscow deemed the "German Historical Institute" an unwelcome entity. The Russian government added the Institute to the list of foreign organizations whose activities in Russia are deemed unwelcome, following a statement on Monday. The Institute had already halted its operations in Russia in 2022 after Russia's invasion of Ukraine. On its website, the Institute announced that its library would remain accessible, but could only be utilized with prior written notice.
At 19:20, Kiev launched attacks on multiple targets in Russia. A warehouse in the Russian Belgorod region was engulfed in flames, and a metal factory and a tractor factory in the Oblast Lipezk were hit. These are thought to be renewed drone attacks by the Ukrainian military. The regional governors deny the damage.
At 18:56, NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg, during a visit to Washington, advocated for more weapons deliveries to Ukraine and criticized China's actions regarding the Russian aggression war. "It may seem contradictory, but the path to peace lies in providing more weapons to Ukraine," Stoltenberg said before meeting with US President Joe Biden. The Ukrainian government must be "reliable and sustainable" in its support, Stoltenberg added. Regarding China's role, he stated, "China pretends to be neutral. It seeks to avoid sanctions and maintain trade." However, Stoltenberg cautioned, "The truth is that China is fueling the largest armed conflict in Europe since World War II and aims to preserve good relations with the West simultaneously." The West should not stand for this, he urged.
At 18:52, Denmark is testing ways to restrict the passage of older Russian oil tankers through the Baltic Sea. Its government has formed an alliance of partner states to explore measures against this alleged "shadow fleet" of aging ships, according to an email from Foreign Minister Lars Løkke Rasmussen to the Reuters news agency. "There's broad consensus that the shadow fleet is an international issue and requires international solutions." Denmark is concerned about the environmental hazards posed by these aged tankers.
At 18:24, singer Rod Stewart has spoken against Russian President Vladimir Putin and expressed sympathy for the Ukrainian people. Members of his family have supplied items to the country, he has rented a house in Britain for a Ukrainian family, and he has employed two Ukrainians on his crew, according to the British Press Association. "Yes, I support Zelenskyy and the people of Ukraine and I will continue to do so," the 79-year-old told the British Press Association. During one of his concerts in Leipzig, there were reportedly applause, as well as boos and hisses, when the Ukrainian flag and a picture of Zelenskyy were displayed, according to several media outlets. "Putin must be stopped. I'm having the time of my life performing for the German audience," the British musician reportedly said. He's looking forward to performing his remaining concerts. Concerts are still planned in Hamburg, Cologne, and Munich. Stewart is known for hits like "Sailing," "Baby Jane," and "Have You Ever Seen The Rain." He dedicated his song "Rhythm Of My Heart" to Ukraine, according to the Press Association.
At 18:02, an expert from the Peace Research Institute SIPRI commented on the latest figures involving global nuclear armament, urging the bolstering of "conventional deterrence" for Germany and Europe, while urging caution.
At 17:39, NATO jets were scrambled eleven times to identify unmarked Russian military planes over the Baltic Sea. According to Lithuanian reports, eleven alarm starts were carried out in the past week. The Defense Ministry in Vilnius reported that a total of about two dozen Russian fighter jets, bombers, reconnaissance and transport planes, as well as a passenger plane were intercepted and escorted. Most of them were reportedly flying without a previously filed flight plan, transponder signal, or radio contact.
At 17:10, the Ukrainian army chief stated that Russia is escalating attacks in anticipation of announced deliveries of combat aircraft and other Western military aid to Kiev. Moscow is reportedly aware that "time is on our side" after the arrival of the first US F-16 fighter jets, Ukrainian Army Chief Oleksandr Syrskyi said in online services. Therefore, Russia is reportedly making every effort to "extend the fighting."
16:42 Putin Promotes Family to Defense PostVladimir Putin, the Russian President, has reportedly terminated four deputy defense ministers and endorsed Anna Zivileva, a family relative, to one of the vacant roles. As per Reuters, Anna, who supposedly is the daughter of a cousin of Putin's, is now the deputy defense minister. The dismissals were made as per Kremlin decree, including the ousting of Nikolai Pankov, Ruslan Zalikov, Tatjana Shevtsova, and Pavel Popov.
16:22 Power Outage Chaos in Poltawa, UkraineA Russian missile strike hit the Ukrainian region of Poltawa, causing injuries to nine individuals and damaging power lines. Over 53,000 private consumers and 2,400 industrial consumers experienced power outages, according to Governor Filip Pronin. Several high-rise buildings were also impacted.
15:58 Thiele Slams Western Ukraine ApproachRetired Colonel Ralph Thiele criticizes Western policies towards Ukraine. He believes promises are not being kept, and weapon deliveries are delayed. These positive reports mask the fact that, according to Thiele, Putin's ceasefire proposal is "provocative."
15:33 Farmers Warn against EU Membership for UkraineFarmer President Joachim Rukwied argues that immediate EU membership for Ukraine could lead to devastating consequences for European farmers. Rukwied claimed that EU agriculture would crumble if Ukraine joined immediately,integrating an additional 32 million hectares of farmland, which would significantly undermine the competitiveness of many EU farms. A competitive 200-hectare farm in Germany cannot compare to a large-scale 50,000-hectare agricultural enterprise in Ukraine. To safeguard domestic agriculture, Rukwied advocated for restricting imports of Ukrainian agricultural products as well as addressing corruption and subsidy issues in Ukraine before EU membership. He warned that neglecting these issues could result in rural disaster in future elections.
15:14 Explosion at Czech Military Training Facility for Ukrainian TroopsAn explosion occurred at a Czech military training facility used for the education of Ukrainian soldiers, injuring nine soldiers. Two critically injured soldiers were transported by helicopter to a hospital in Olomouc, approximately 200 kilometers east of Prague, according to AFP spokesperson Adam Fritscher. The injured were not foreigners, according to Military Police spokeswoman Katerina Mlynkova. An unspecified munition exploded in the incident, and further information was not provided by the army.
Update 17:00 Hr: The Czech army reports that one soldier has passed away in the explosion.
14:52 Russia Captures First Mine-resistant Armored Vehicles in UkraineSince April, the Ukrainian forces have observed the use of mine-resistant armored vehicles by Russian troops. These vehicles are known for their destructive nature. Videos are circulating online that reportedly show the seizure of the weapon and the arrest of its accompanying crew.
14:23 Putin to Visit North Korea and VietnamVladimir Putin, the Russian President, is planning a visit to North Korea and Vietnam, according to Kremlin sources. Putin will accept an invitation from Chairman Kim Jong Un during his two-day stay in North Korea, slated for Tuesday and Wednesday. The visit is described as a "friendly state visit." Following his departure from North Korea, Putin will travel to Vietnam. Russia maintains strong ties with North Korea, which are often viewed with suspicion from the West. The communist nation with nuclear aspirations is believed to provide weapons for Russia's military campaign in Ukraine based on Western intelligence. Kim Jong Un made a rare overseas visit to Russia in September 2023.
13:58 Russia Views Stoltenberg's Nuclear Weapons Comments as ProvocativeRussia perceives NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg's remarks regarding the potential deployment of additional nuclear weapons as an escalation of tensions. Press Secretary Dmitry Peskov opinionated that Stoltenberg's statements are just "another escalation of tensions." Stoltenberg told the "Telegraph" that NATO was deliberating the readiness and deployment of additional nuclear weapons. While he refrained from providing operational details, he mentioned discussing issues like the number of nuclear warheads and storage locations. These statements contradict the communique of the Ukraine conference, according to Peskov. The communique clearly states that any nuclear threat or use in connection with Ukraine is unacceptable.
13:36 Germany Rejects Cuts to Social Assistance for Ukrainian RefugeesThe German government denies calls for reduced social assistance for Ukrainian war refugees. The government has no plans to replace the social benefits that Ukrainian refugees receive in Ukraine with benefits for asylum seekers in the future, as per Government Spokesperson Steffen Hebestreit. A spokesperson for the Federal Labor Ministry highlighted that the responsibility for integrating Ukrainian refugees into the labor market lies with the Job Centers, which can expedite their integration process. FDP General Secretary Bijan Djir-Sarai earlier called for Ukrainian refugees arriving in Germany to forgo social benefits and instead fall under the Asylum Seekers Benefits Act in the "Bild" newspaper.
13:09 Kyiv: Power Outages Could Last Up to 12 Hours DailyIn the wake of ongoing Russian attacks on Ukraine's energy infrastructure, the nation's energy supplier is announcing severe cuts to power supply. Volodymyr Kydrytsky, head of Ukrenergo, stated that the situation will worsen significantly in the coming weeks compared to today. Ukrainians should brace for power outages lasting up to 12 hours per day. The power supply situation will not improve before the end of July, Kydrytsky added, citing Russian attacks on thermal and hydroelectric power plants, potential maintenance work on nuclear power plants, and unfavorable weather conditions.
12:38 Swiss-Ukraine Conference Ignored by KremlKremlin spokesperson Peskov declared the Swiss Ukraine Conference pointless without Russian participation. The results of this meeting would be "nearly zero", Peskov stated, adding that Russia remains open for dialogue with any willing partners and will continue to convey its position to them. At the conference in Switzerland, Western powers and their allies condemned the Russian invasion of Ukraine, but failed to convince major neutral countries to join their final declaration. No country was willing to organize a continuation of the conference, and Russia was purposely not invited due to its stated intent to reject participation since the early planning stages.
12:12 Ukrainian Payment Default LoomsNegotiations to avert a Ukrainian default have failed: Kiev was unable to reach an agreement with creditors on the restructuring of international debts worth around 20 billion dollars. Time is running out-on August 1, a two-year payment stop agreed upon with international bondholders will expire. This was arranged due to Ukraine's economic situation caused by Russian aggression. Ukrainian Finance Minister Sergei Marchenko expects negotiations to continue and anticipates that the government will reach an agreement by August. War-torn Ukraine has been exploring plans to restructure its foreign debts with major investors since the end of 2023. Formal negotiations with bondholders have been ongoing for nearly two weeks.
11:59 Weber: Ukrainian Accession Talks Signal HopeManfred Weber, Chairman of the European People's Party (EVP), welcomed the start of accession talks with Ukraine. He considers Ukraine a beacon for "our values" because the country is fighting for freedom and democracy. "The accession talks, which are now about to begin, are an extremely important psychological signal to Ukraine," Weber said. "You deserve to live like us in the European Union, namely in peace, freedom, and democracy." Weber also highlighted Ukraine's progress despite the war, although there is still much work to be done, particularly in the fight against corruption.
11:31 Russian Foreign Intelligence Service Warns of Tougher Peace ConditionsThe head of the Russian Foreign Intelligence Service, Sergei Naryshkin, threatened tougher conditions for a peace deal with Ukraine. If the demands for a peace treaty proposed by President Vladimir Putin are rejected, then the next peace conditions will be even harsher, Naryshkin told the state news agency TASS. He did not specify who could accept or reject these proposals. Putin's stated conditions for peace, including the renunciation of NATO membership and the return of the four regions of Donetsk, Luhansk, Zaporizhia, and Kherson, would amount to a significant concession by Ukraine. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky dismissed Putin's statements as untrustworthy.
11:02 Denmark Considering Baltic Sea Oil Tanker RestrictionsDenmark is evaluating possibilities to limit the passage of older Russian oil tankers through the Baltic Sea. This move could lead to a confrontation with Moscow's leadership, as approximately one-third of Russian oil exports pass through Danish straits, accounting for about 1.5 percent of global oil deliveries. Any attempt to halt these deliveries would likely drive up oil prices significantly and strain the Kremlin's finances.
10:30 Moscow Calls Peace Conference "Absurd Event," Now Praises ResultsThe Kremlin initially dismissed the peace conference in Switzerland as an "absurd event," but Russian media now seem to view the results more positively. NTV correspondent Rainer Munz summarizes the surprisingly relaxed mood in the country.
10:06 Latvia Reportedly Planning to Deliver More DronesLatvia has already sent the first batch of drones to Ukraine and is reportedly preparing a second one. Defence Minister Andris Spruds mentioned these plans in a statement, as Latvia and Great Britain lead an international coalition to supply Ukraine with drones, which have become increasingly important for the country in the war. Spruds stated that the Latvian government would invest around €20 million in the drone coalition and a similar amount in the development of Latvian drone capabilities this year.
Institute for the Study of War: Putin unwilling to engage in sincere discussions- According to the Institute for the Study of War, Putin appears disinterested in genuine negotiations as he only pretends interest to coerce concessions from the West that could compromise Ukraine's autonomy. It is improbable that Putin will be open for serious talks in the near future. Currently, he outlines victory in Ukraine based on the assumption that Russian forces can consistently advance unlimited on the battlefield. Putin sets as a precondition for negotiations the complete withdrawal of Ukrainian troops from Kherson, Donetsk, Luhansk, and Zaporizhzhia.
Left turns to Pope: Left-wing group seeks Pope's mediation- The Left-wing group in the German Bundestag is relying on Pope Francis as a mediator as he is perceived to have integrity and was recently appealed for peace in Ukraine. The Left-wing politician Sven Pellmann, co-chairman of the Left-wing group in the Bundestag, believes Putin's conditions for peace talks are indications that he is willing to negotiate. The Pope's role as a moderator is evaluated favorably, and his latest appeal for peace in Ukraine, hoisting the "white flag," has been received positively.
Trial date for American Reporter Evan Gershkovich set: Gershkovich to stand trial in Russia- The trial of US reporter Evan Gershkovich, who is charged with espionage in Russia, has been scheduled for the end of June. The trial is set to take place in secret in Yekaterinburg. Gershkovich, a Wall Street Journal reporter, was arrested during a research trip to Russia in March 2023 and has been in detention since then. The prosecutor's office asserts that Gershkovich is a CIA agent who gathered confidential information on the tank manufacturer Uralvagonzavod in the Sverdlovsk region. If found guilty, he faces imprisonment for up to 20 years. This makes Gershkovich the first Western journalist since the end of the Cold War to be arrested in Russia for espionage.
Peace summit in Switzerland: summit results convey conflicting messages- The peace summit in Switzerland ended with ambiguous outcomes. Several countries declined to sign the final declaration. The increased delivery of weapons in Ukraine has also been observed.
Ukrainian estimates of Russian losses: Ukraine estimates 1,000+ Russian soldiers lost daily- According to Ukrainian estimations, over 1,000 Russian soldiers are being lost daily, accelerating the total number of Russian casualties since the beginning of the large-scale attack in February 2022 to approximately 527,000. In addition, Russia lost two tanks, 18 armored personnel carriers, and 14 artillery systems within the past 24 hours.
Putin's confidant for "further military actions" and "reunification" with Ukraine: Putin's motives behind peace talks unveiled- Putin's confidant Viktor Medvedchuk clarified that the motivation behind Putin's proposal for a ceasefire with Ukraine is to further military actions to combat the Neo-Nazi regime, aimed at complete demilitarization and denazification. Medvedchuk also expressed that Ukraine, being a historical part of Russian territory, should reunite with Russia as a justified historical process that has already been initiated and will continue.
Over 2,750 prisoners recruited for Ukrainian army: Ukrainian military utilizes convicts- Since the implementation of the new Ukrainian military conscription law, more than 2,750 prisoners have been released to join the Ukrainian military. A convicted drug trafficker Senya Shcherbyna, who served six years, expressed the hope to make amends by joining the military. The practice of recruiting criminals, including serious offenders, is alleged to be common in Russia.
NATO talks on deploying additional nuclear weapons: NATO considers bolstering nuclear arsenal- NATO countries are discussing the deployment of additional nuclear weapons to counter the growing threats from Russia and China. NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg emphasized the importance of highlighting NATO's nuclear capabilities to deter potential adversaries. Although operational details are yet to be determined, Stoltenberg confirmed that discussions are underway to address these issues.
The count of functioning nuclear weapons has reportedly increased, as per the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) in their annual report. Despite the decommissioning of nuclear warheads and the decreasing global stockpile of nuclear weapons for years, an increase in operational ones is observed. Since the initiation of Russia's military conflict in Ukraine, the disclosure about nuclear weapons has decreased for both Russia and the United States, as stated by Wilfred Wan, head of SIPRI's WMD Programme.
03:08 FDP: fresh Ukrainian refugees should no longer get social aid
Following the EU's proposal, the FDP also backs the elimination of social aid for refugees from Ukraine. As per FDP General Secretary Bijan Djir-Sarai in an interview with the "Bild" newspaper, newly arriving war refugees from Ukraine should no longer receive social aid, but should fall under the provisions of the Asylum Seekers Benefits Act. This would incentivize people to find work. Earlier, Brandenburg's Interior Minister Michael Stübgen and Bavaria's Interior Minister Joachim Herrmann had expressed concerns against paying social benefits, particularly for Ukrainian refugees of military age.
01:20 Glide bomb hits Charkiw
According to Mayor Ihor Terekhov, Charkiw was hit by a KAB glide bomb in the late evening. A children's recreation facility was allegedly targeted, leading to a building's destruction. There is currently no information about potential injuries.
00:09 Baerbock: Ukraine's support keeps war away from NATO
Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock warns of severe consequences for Germany and NATO if Ukraine is not further supported. "If we continue not to support Ukraine, there's a risk that Putin's troops will be at Poland's border. The war will then extend to EU and NATO territory," says the Green politician to the "Süddeutsche Zeitung". New refugee movements would also be the result. "If Ukraine cannot defend itself - and I'm addressing those who oppose support - then millions more people will have to flee. Who wants to live voluntarily under torture and occupation?"
22:20 Ukrainians will face even more power shortages
Due to systematic Russian shelling of their energy infrastructure, Ukrainians will reportedly experience greater problems with their power supply in the forthcoming weeks. "The situation will become significantly more difficult during the next and following weeks than it is today," warns Ukrenergo's head Volodymyr Kudrytskyi on Ukrainian television. With the ongoing power outages and blackouts, people will have to deal with more planned interruptions in power supply. The situation will improve only when urgent repair work on two nuclear reactors is completed, Kudrytskyi states.
21:55 Charkiw Region: Pregnant Woman Among Three Injured in Air Raids
As per local authorities in Charkiw, three people have been injured in Russian air raids on the village of Pisky-Radkiwski. A pregnant woman, a man, and a 13-year-old boy were admitted to the hospital, reported the Regional Prosecutor's Office Charkiw. Russian troops reportedly attacked the village in the afternoon. Over ten residential houses and an ambulance were damaged in the attack.
21:14 Yellen Rejects Putin's "Theft" Accusations
US Finance Minister Janet Yellen contradicts Vladimir Putin, who labelled the freezing of Russian assets abroad and their use to support Ukraine on Friday as "theft." Yellen, in a conversation on ABC's "This Week," states that the frozen Russian assets remain where they are. Russia has no right to the revenues generated by these frozen assets, she adds. After Russia's invasion of Ukraine, the U.S. and its allies decided to freeze Russian state funds within their jurisdiction, Yellen explains. This sums up to approximately 280 billion dollars. "And a huge part of it, about 200 billion dollars, is held in a Belgian financial institution, where they generate income that does not belong to Russia and that has flowed to this institution." The G7 countries have agreed to lend Ukraine over 50 billion dollars, which will be repaid using the interest from the frozen funds. Russia's war in Ukraine - in addition to human casualties - has devastated entire regions and destroyed assets worth billions.
20:40 Russians Increase Attacks, According to Ukrainian Officials
Despite the peace conference in Switzerland, Russia has apparently escalated its attacks on Ukraine, according to information from Kiev. "The enemy has significantly increased the tempo of its offensive and assault operations today and is seeking ways to either penetrate our defenses or drive Ukrainian units from their positions," the Ukrainian General Staff shares. The number of engagements has supposedly risen to 88. The most significant clashes took place in the Pokrowsk area in eastern Ukraine's Donetsk region, where 36 clashes occurred - 25 of which were repelled, while 11 were still ongoing.
20:07 Ukrainian Navy Uses Overwater Drone "Stalker 5.0"
In the defense against the Russian invasion, Ukraine is employing overwater drones. The Ukrainian armed forces have announced the deployment of the new overwater drone "Stalker 5.0" via social media. The drone was unveiled in Odessa. It can purportedly travel at a speed of up to 75 nautical miles per hour and carry up to 150 kilograms of explosives or other payload. Its range stretches approximately 600 kilometers. The estimated value is around 60,000 euros.
As per Russian publications, a Russian journalist met an unfortunate demise in a drone assault in Eastern Ukraine. The News.Ru website on Telegram reportedly stated, "Our reporter Nikita Zizagi was slain in an attack by the Ukrainian army's drones." This assault is said to have occurred close to a monastery near the city of Vugledar, a location that has witnessed significant combat recently. On a recent Thursday, a state-owned Russian TV journalist was reportedly murdered, and another was injured in a Ukrainian drone attack in Golmівsky, a village under Russian control near the Donetsk region frontline.
- Earlier events can be found here.
Read also:
- In response to NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg's calls for more weapons deliveries to Ukraine, Russian officials have labeled such actions as an escalation of the cyberwar against Ukraine.
- Volodymyr Selensky, the Ukrainian president, has expressed his commitment to continue military operations alongside their partners whilst maintaining peace negotiations, amidst concerns about an attack on Ukraine by Russia's military.
- The Ukrainian conflict with Russia has led to a polarizing effect on the international community, with some countries, like Denmark, considering restricting the passage of Russian oil tankers through the Baltic Sea in an attempt to hinder Moscow's military operations.
- The G7 summit in Germany saw various world leaders discuss their stance on the Ukraine conflict, with some, such as German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, advocating for the importance of maintaining dialogue with Russia as a way to prevent a full-blown cyberwar against Ukraine.
