20:12 White House: Russian offensive on Kharkiv probably failed
The U.S. government announces another security package for Ukraine, the seventh since its approval in April. It includes rockets, artillery ammunition, additional rocket systems, and other military equipment from the US military's stockpiles. The White House spokesperson also commented on the situation in Ukraine. She stated that the Russian offensive on Kharkiv has been "a failure."
19:26 Ukraine's 47th Brigade: Russians are massively using infantry, "huge cemeteries" of vehiclesThe focus of the fighting is currently on the eastern Ukrainian city of Pokrovsk in the Donetsk region. According to the 47th mechanized brigade of the Ukrainian armed forces deployed there, Russian troops are attempting to breach the Ukrainian defense lines: with massive infantry attacks supported by combat drones, explained Brigade spokeswoman Anastasia Blishchik. "The fact that we have hardly seen armored vehicles on the battlefield for a month is at least unique, as they have run out of these weapons," Blishchik said. 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 trying to increase its firepower in the Pokrowsk region.
18:49 Budget committee approves arms package with 105 Leopard 2A8 tanks105 Leopard 2A8 tanks, four Patriot and Lenkflugkörper air defense systems, and 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 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) said 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, and the Bundeswehr will have full stocks and the Ukraine urgently needed supplies," the government's parliamentary reporters shared. German production capacities for ammunition will 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18:17 Zelenskyy: We want to know from Trump if US support will be withdrawn after the election
Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy asks Trump for clarity on how he plans to end the war in 24 hours. In an interview with "Bloomberg TV," Zelenskyy expresses his readiness to meet with Trump and his team and listen to their proposals. "We want to understand if we will have the powerful support of the USA in November (after the US elections) or if we will be alone," the former US president and Republican nominee for the upcoming presidential elections has repeatedly claimed 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 today," says Zelenskyy. "Should there be risks for Ukraine's independence, should we lose our sovereignty - we want to be prepared, we want to know."
17:39 ROSATOM Chief complains of Ukrainian attacks on nuclear power plant substation
In a drone attack on a substation at the southern Ukrainian city of Enerhodar, eight workers at the nearby Saporischja Nuclear Power Plant were reportedly injured, according to Russian statements. The men were engaged in repair work to restore power, says the head of the Russian Atomic Energy Agency, Alexei Likhachev. This not only compromises the safety principles of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), "it's a flagrant violation," Likhachev complains. The substation is part of the infrastructure of the nuclear power plant and 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 seized control of Europe's largest nuclear power plant shortly after the start of its offensive and has held it since. The nuclear power plant is located on the southern bank of the Dnipro, while the northern bank is controlled by Ukraine.
17:14 Video: Russian National Guards shoot at conscripts
In the Russian city of Osinniki, conscripts are seen dancing on the roof of the draft board building. The National Guards do not appreciate this and attack the apparently drunken men. Shots are heard, a woman falls to the ground. It is unclear if she was hit by a stray bullet.
16:39 Russian army makes Tschassiw Jar neighborhood "level with the ground"
The Russian army reportedly takes control of a district of the strategically important city of Tschassiw Jar in the eastern Ukrainian region of Donetsk, according to Russian statements. The troops reportedly "liberated" the neighborhood of Nowi, the Russian Defense Ministry reports. It is not clear 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.
Ukrainian military-affiliated news channel "DeepState" reports that the quarter was "completely leveled" and further resistance would have resulted in high losses. The withdrawal from the quarter is therefore a logical, albeit difficult decision, it is stated there further. Tschassiw Jar is approximately ten kilometers from Bachmut, which was taken by Russian troops in May 2023 after long battles. A breakthrough could make important mining towns in the Donbass, such as Kramatorsk, which are still controlled by Ukraine, accessible to the Russian army.
16:04 Russian Intelligence: French "Agent" Vinatier confesses guiltAccording to Russian intelligence, the Frenchman Laurent Vinatier confessed to gathering information about the Russian military. The employee of a Swiss non-governmental organization, Vinatier, admitted 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, the FSB states. 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 Zentrum für Humanitären Dialog (HD) and was arrested in Moscow on June 6. The 47-year-old is accused of not registering as a "foreign agent."
15:34 Video: Russians report massive Ukrainian drone attackAccording to Russian reports, Ukraine is attacking Novorossijsk massively from the air and water. The Russian Defense Ministry reports the downing 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 secret negotiations with MoscowAccording to a survey conducted by the European Council on Foreign Relations after nearly two and a half years of war, almost half of the Ukrainians fear that the USA could negotiate a peace plan with Russia behind their backs. 47 percent expressed this concern, while 49 percent had little or no fear. The view of Ukrainian allies in the defense war against Russia varies depending on the country. 84 percent see Great Britain as reliable or conditionally reliable, the highest percentage. 76 percent felt this way about Germany, but only 19 percent considered Berlin's support very reliable.
14:23 Scholz: Germany will not be a war party in the future
During the government questioning in the Bundestag, the topic of Ukraine also came up. When the Left faction's representative Gesine Lötzsch asks if Chancellor Olaf Scholz would give people "the guarantee" that Germany would not be a war party, Scholz replied: "Yes, I give this guarantee. I will stand for that as Chancellor." When a ceasefire can be achieved, Lötzsch asked further. "In my opinion, a ceasefire that aims for Ukraine's capitulation is one that we cannot support from Germany," answered Scholz. This is not an abstract question, as one can see from Putin's "strange peace offering," he said. Putin had stated that he was ready for a ceasefire "if Ukraine also gives further annexations, effectively for free." 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 civilians
The International Criminal Court (ICC) is investigating the torture of Ukrainian prisoners of war and civilians in detention facilities in the previously 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. "This was the most difficult shooting of the last six months," the photographers write afterwards.
13:19 Russian postal workers to replace doctors in rural areas
Because there is not enough medical personnel in rural areas of Russia, postal workers are now taking on medical tasks in some regions. This was reported by the "Moscow Times" on Telegram. In rural post offices, health and midwifery stations are being set up. The postal workers are to diagnose and perform various medical interventions. Russian publicist Alexander Nevzorov called this practice, as reported by the "Kyiv Post," a return to the Middle Ages.
12:58 NATO countries: No agreement on multi-year Ukraine aid
NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg failed to convince NATO countries to make multi-year 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 was reported by the German Press Agency and refers to statements from several delegations.
12:24 Ukraine: 5 dead after attack on Dnipro
According to Ukrainian reports, the number of casualties in the Russian attack on Dnipro has risen to at least 5, with at least 39 people injured, including a 14-year-old girl. The attack reportedly took place with rockets and drones and caused several explosions and fires in the city. According to reports, a shopping mall and a weapons factory were hit.
11:31 Ukraine receives additional two billion from the IWFThe financially stricken Ukraine has received an additional tranche of over two billion Euro from the International Monetary Fund (IWF). The money is part of an ongoing credit program worth around 15 billion Euro. The money will be used according to Prime Minister Denys Schmyhal mainly for social aid and salaries of civil servants, including doctors and teachers. Since the Russian invasion in February 2022, Ukraine has received over 80 billion Euro in household aid from foreign partners, according to its own statements.
11:01 Military base in Russian Kursk on fireVideos from the Russian city of Kursk show a large smoke cloud over the city. An Ukrainian attack is reported to have set several vehicles on fire on a military base in the city. The governor of the region confirms a fire in the city center.
10:40 Multiple civilians killed in Russian attacks in UkraineRussian troops shot at the village of Borova in the Charkiw region overnight. The Military Administration of Charkiw reports on Telegram that a man was killed and two others were injured. In a Russian rocket and drone attack on the eastern Ukrainian city of Dnipro, at least three people were reportedly killed and 18 others injured.
10:19 Kremlin: No talks with Trump about UkraineRussia is not in dialogue with former US President Donald Trump about Ukraine, according to Kremlin statements. The news agency Interfax reports this based on a spokesperson for the Russian Presidium. Trump had announced during a TV duel with President Joe Biden in the past week that he would resolve the war in Ukraine before his inauguration in January if he won the November election.
09:46 Ukraine lacks hangars to protect fighter jetsAccording to a report in the Ukrainian "Defense Express" newspaper, the Ukrainian army does not have enough hangars to protect all its fighter jets from Russian attacks. The newspaper reports that a Ukrainian air force base in the Poltawa region does not have large enough hangar spaces for Su-27 fighter jets. Russian media recently published images of a recent air raid on the airfield, showing several Ukrainian Su-27 fighter jets damaged in the open. The Ukraine lacked hangars to protect all its fighter jets.
09:16 Defense Committee approves purchase of 105 Leopard tanksThe Defense Committee of the German Bundestag will 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 donations to Ukraine," adds the FDP politician. According to the proposal, the order has a volume of approximately three billion Euro. The defense company KNDS is to deliver the tanks to the Bundeswehr by 2030.
08:44 Russia: Ukrainian attack on Black Sea port repelled
According to Russian reports, two unmanned Ukrainian explosive boats attacked the Black Sea port of Novorossijsk but were repelled. The drone boats were destroyed in the Black Sea, according to the Defense Ministry. Novorossijsk is home to a large port for the Russian Black Sea Fleet. Russia has stationed many of its warships used in the conflict against Ukraine there after the Ukrainian attack on the Crimean ports. The ministry did not comment on possible damages. The authorities in Novorossijsk urged people to stay at home in the night.
08:21 Most Ukrainians feel unity in society
Forty-four percent of Ukrainians believe that Ukrainian society is united at present, according to the results of a nationwide survey conducted on July 2 by the Kiev International Institute of Sociology (KIIS). A smaller percentage, 15 percent, consider Ukrainian society to be split. Corruption is cited as the main problem, followed by language issues. Unfairness during the war, collaboration, and Russia-friendliness are also seen as factors contributing to division within society.
07:55 Kremlin: Ten Ukrainian attack drones destroyed
Russia claims to have shot down ten Ukrainian attack drones over Russian territory. Five drones were shot down over the Belgorod border region, four over the Brjansk border region, and one over the Moscow region, according to the Defense Ministry on Telegram. Additionally, two Ukrainian seed drones were destroyed that were heading for the Noworossijsk Black Sea port in the Krasnodar region.
07:20 Ukrainian General Staff: almost 1200 Russian losses yesterday
The Ukrainian General Staff reports 1,180 losses on the Russian side in the past 24 hours. This includes 16 destroyed tanks, 17 armored vehicles, 57 artillery systems, and 63 tank and other vehicles. Two Russian air defense systems were also reportedly destroyed by the Ukrainians, along with a missile. The number of dead or wounded Russian soldiers since the start of the full-scale invasion is over 546,000.
06:48 Putin arrives at SOZ summit in Kazakhstan
Russian President Vladimir Putin has arrived in Kazakhstan, according to Kremlin reports. He is participating in the summit of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SOZ) partners in the capital Astana. The two-day meeting will focus on issues of regional security, defense, and cooperation. The heads of state and government of the SOZ member states will discuss "the current situation and prospects for further deepening of multifaceted cooperation," according to Moscow. Putin is reportedly planning to hold bilateral talks, including with China and Turkey. The summit is attended by representatives from 16 countries - including India, Iran, and Pakistan. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres is also expected.
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," Yermak said to journalists and named "independence, freedom, democracy, territorial integrity, sovereignty." The chief of staff reacted to this during a visit to Washington regarding statements from Republican US presidential candidate Donald Trump, who claimed he could end the conflict quickly. The government in Kiev is, however, open for advice to achieve a "just peace." Trump stated during the television debate that he would not accept Putin's conditions. Putin had declared that Russia would end the war if Kiev was willing to hand over the territories claimed and occupied by Moscow in the east and south of the country. In response to a question about how the Ukraine views Trump's handling of the war, Yermak replied: "Honestly speaking: 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 attack 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 air defense missiles, anti-tank weapons, and other important ammunition from US stocks," Austin explained. A "realignment of some foreign military deliveries" will also allow the USA to make munition for Patriot and other air defense systems "available in a expedited timeline."
04:49 NATO expanding presence in KievThe NATO is expanding its civilian presence in the attacked-by-Russia Ukraine. As a spokesperson confirmed, the 32 alliance members have decided to send a type of special envoys to the capital Kiev. The high-ranking official is supposed 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 get the new NATO position in Kiev is still not known.
03:42 UN call for release of GershkovichExperts of the United Nations are calling for the immediate release of US journalist Evan Gershkovich, who is in custody in Russia on espionage charges. "The deprivation of liberty of Evan Gershkovich is arbitrary" and violates several articles of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the experts write in a statement. Taking into account 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 assessed them as "very good", Vucic stated on Instagram. He also thanked Russia "for its support for 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, taken up by the state-controlled Kremlin media. The teenager is accused of sending 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 targeted by repressions against opponents of the war 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 sufficient military aid to Ukraine. This percentage has risen since November last year, according to a survey by the Pew Research Center. According to the survey, 24 percent of respondents believe that the United States is not providing sufficient 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 entered the airspace of the Baltic EU and NATO member unlawfully in the evening of June 30 and stayed there for about a minute, according to the Lithuanian Foreign Ministry in Vilnius. The representative of the Russian embassy was summoned and the Russian authorities were urged to take all necessary measures to prevent such incidents in the future. The airspace violation occurred 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 generally viewed favorably, according to a Pew Research survey. On average in 13 countries, 63% of the population holds a positive opinion, while 33% hold a negative one. Germany is slightly above average with 64% positive views. Exceptional is the assessment in Poland, where 91% have a positive image of the alliance. The trust in Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy averages 40% and has decreased in member states over the past year. Notably, Poland stands out, where the president has lost 22 percentage points - from 70% to 48%. In Germany, trust has decreased by 7 percentage points to 54%.
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 negotiations, according to a spokesperson from the Presidential Office. During his first visit to Kiev since the conflict began, Orban suggested a rapid ceasefire that could "accelerate peace negotiations with Moscow," he said. "The president listened to him, but in response, he clarified Ukraine's stance and rejected the proposal," the spokesperson said. Previously, Kiev had already rejected ceasefires, citing the possibility that Russian forces could regroup during this time.
21:02 Ukraine: Moscow recruits minors
Russia is actively recruiting minors for the war in Ukraine, Ukraine claims. The recruitment contracts are reportedly signed with minors, taking effect upon 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." On occupied Ukrainian territory, Russia also employs minors, for instance, to manufacture drones.
You can read about previous developments here.
- The U.S. government announces another security package for Ukraine, this time including military equipment from its stockpiles, in response to the 'Attack on Ukraine' by Russia.
- The German budget committee approves a military aid package worth over six billion Euro, including 105 Leopard 2A8 tanks, in support of Ukraine's conflict with Russia.
- Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy expresses his concern about potential withdrawal of US support after the elections, asking for clarity from former US President Trump on his plans to end the 'Ukraine conflict'.
- A drone attack on a substation at the Saporischja Nuclear Power Plant in Ukraine reportedly injures eight workers and causes a disruption in power supply, with Russia's Rosatom Chief complaining of the violation of international atomic energy agency principles.
- There are reports of Russian military operations and cyberwarfare in Ukraine, including the use of infantry attacks, combat drones, and cyber-attacks on critical infrastructure, as the conflict continues to impact Ukraine's politics and military operations.
