20:45 Ukraine: Dead and injured after rocket hits high-rise building
A Russian rocket hit a high-rise building in the Ukrainian industrial city of Dnipro, resulting in at least one death and nine injuries. Among the injured was a seven-month-old baby, according to Serhij Lyssak, the military governor of the Dnipropetrovsk region, in a Telegram post. Three of the injured, two women aged 27 and 30, and a 29-year-old, were in critical condition. Two more people were believed to be trapped under the rubble. Images show a heavily damaged entrance of a nine-story building in a densely populated residential area. The upper four floors are completely destroyed. Dnipro has been hit by Russian rockets multiple times since the beginning of the Russian offensive war. In one of the most devastating attacks on civilian objects during the conflict, over 45 people were killed and approximately 80 were injured when a rocket hit a residential building in the city in early 2023. In response to the latest rocket attack, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy once again called for the strengthening of air defense. Only the determination of the world can put a stop to Russian terror, he wrote in social media.
20:24 Zelenskyy awards posthum Bravery Medal to nurse Iryna Tsybukh
The Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy awards the nurse Iryna Tsybukh posthum the Order of Bravery of the IIIrd Class. According to the Presidential Administration of Ukraine's website, Tsybukh was born in Lviv, Ukraine, in June 1998. She was a public figure in Ukraine, a journalist, and the head of the regional broadcasting department of the National Public Broadcasting Company of Ukraine. During Russia's attacks on Ukraine, she joined the volunteer medical battalion Hospitaliers as a nurse. She died on May 29 during a rotation towards Kharkiv.
With the same decree, journalist Andriy Topchiy was posthum awarded the Order of Bravery of the IIIrd Class. He too was a nurse in an infantry battalion. Topchiy died on April 20 near Robotyno in the Saporizhzhia region.
19:54 Putin initiates production of formerly prohibited rockets
Russian President Vladimir Putin has ordered the production of short- and medium-range rockets, which were prohibited from production under the previously valid INF-Disarmament Treaty with the USA. "It looks like we need to start producing these attack systems," Putin said, referring to rockets with a range of 500 to 5500 kilometers. After the production of the rockets, Moscow must then "make decisions based on the real situation about where we will station them for our security," Putin added. Putin justifies his statement by saying that the USA has begun using such rockets in exercises in Denmark. Russia must "respond." Under the INF-Treaty, the production of rockets with a range of 500 to 5500 kilometers was forbidden for the treaty parties USA and the Soviet Union. The USA withdrew from the INF-Treaty in 2019 and justified this by stating that Russia was not fulfilling its obligations. Moscow declared at the time that it would continue to abstain from producing new rockets as long as the USA did not set up rockets in the range of Russian territory.
19:14 "Just Peace": Zelenskyy announces "comprehensive plan" to end the war
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced that he is working on a "comprehensive plan" to end the war against his country. It is "very important" for Kiev to present such a plan, "which will be supported by the majority of the world", Zelenskyy said during a visit of Slovenian President Natasa Pirc Musar in Kiev. This is "the diplomatic way", Ukraine is working, he added. "We don't want to prolong this war and we must come to a just peace as soon as possible", Zelenskyy also noted. At the same time, he emphasized the development of Ukrainian military production. Russia understands "only strength and respects only the strong". "There are two things in parallel: to be strong on the battlefield and to develop a clear and detailed plan that will be ready this year", said the Ukrainian prime minister. Ukraine has repeatedly stated that Russia must withdraw its troops from Ukrainian territory before possible peace talks, including the 2014 annexed Crimean Peninsula.
18:51 Putin announces strong growth for Russia's economy
According to Russian President Vladimir Putin, Russia's economy is growing despite western sanctions against the country significantly. "We will see what the first half of the year brings, but something around five percent growth for the GDP (Gross Domestic Product) of the country", Putin told the Interfax news agency during a meeting with university graduates. In the previous year, the GDP grew by 3.6 percent. In reality, western sanctions have not been able to slow down the Russian economy. According to the statistics agency Rosstat, the GDP growth in the first quarter was 5.4 percent. Foreign experts attribute this mainly to the significantly increased state expenditures for defense and military. Soldiers' salaries and compensation for injured or killed soldiers provide many Russian families with more money. Due to the labor shortage, wages are rising. However, economists cannot sustain this trend in their opinion.
18:25 Ukraine: Russian units refuse to attack in the area of Charkiw
Because they have lost their commanders, Russian units in the Charkiw area refuse to carry out offensive operations. This was reported by the Ukrainian news agency "Ukrinform" according to the spokesperson of the Ukrainian military unit "Chortyzja", Nasar Voloshyn, on Espreso.TV, a private television station in Ukraine. There have been six battles in the Charkiw area, in which the Ukrainian forces killed approximately 120 Russians. There is information about numerous cases where Russian forces refused to engage in combat, Voloshyn said, naming as an example the assault unit of the 153. Tank Regiment of the 47. Tank Division of the Russian armed forces.
17:49 US Drones over Black Sea: Russia warns NATO of "confrontation"
The Russian Defense Ministry has warned NATO countries of a "direct confrontation" due to increased US drone flights over the Black Sea. "These flights increase the likelihood of encounters between Russian air and space forces, raising the risk of a direct confrontation between the alliance and Russia," the ministry stated. The increased number of US drone flights demonstrates "the growing involvement of the United States and NATO countries in the conflict in Ukraine," according to Moscow. The US uses these flights to spy on Russian targets for precision weapons provided by Western partners of Ukraine, the ministry added. Defense Minister Andrey Bolusov has ordered the General Staff to prepare "proposals for operational responses to provocations."
The regular US drone flights over the Black Sea, according to Washington, take place in neutral airspace and in accordance with international law.
17:22 Belarus reinforces troops along Ukrainian border
Belarus, according to its Defense Ministry, has reinforced its troops along its northern border with Ukraine. Multiple rocket launchers have been deployed at an unspecified section of the 1,084-kilometer-long border. Authoritarian President Alexander Lukashenko maintains close ties with Russia and allowed Moscow to use his country as a staging ground for its invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.
17:05 Russians destroy crucial western Ukrainian power plant completely
A crucial power plant for heating in western Ukraine has been completely destroyed by Russian attacks. "It has been clear for some time that the Burschtyn power plant cannot be rebuilt," says the governor of the Ivano-Frankivsk region, Switalana Onyshchuk, in a local radio broadcast. The plant is beyond repair. It has suffered over a dozen Russian attacks. Residents of the region will be supplied with heating oil tanks and central heating systems for the upcoming winter. Since mid-March, the Russian military has deliberately targeted heating and water power plants with drones and rockets. According to official reports, over 9,000 megawatts of power plant capacity have been destroyed. The Burschtyn power plant alone had a capacity of 2,400 megawatts.
16:23 Russian space communication center on Crimea destroyed
The Ukrainian military, according to the Defense Ministry in Kiev, has destroyed the Russian space communication center on the annexed Crimean peninsula. This is a valuable military component of the Russian satellite communication and navigation system, the ministry explained. On Monday, there were reports of explosions near the village of Vityazevo on the Crimean peninsula, where the center is located. These reports cannot be independently verified. Russia annexed the Crimea in 2014, an action not recognized internationally.
16:04 Injured civilians in Russian bombing raids in Donetsk region
At least four civilians have been killed and three more injured in the settlement of New York (New York) in eastern Ukraine due to Russian bombardments, as the Donezk region prosecutor's office reports. The attackers reportedly used a 250-kilogramme glide bomb that damaged several residential buildings. Russian forces have intensified their attacks near the city of Torezk in the past few days and reportedly gained small territorial gains. According to the local administration, at least three people were killed and almost 20 were injured through Russian shelling in Kurachowe and around Torezk the previous day. Over 30 residential buildings were damaged.
15:36 Kremlin accuses new EU leadership of Russophobia
The Kremlin sees poor prospects for the relationship between Moscow and Brussels following the decision of EU heads of state and government to appoint a new EU foreign policy chief. Kremlin spokesman Dmitri Peskov reportedly stated, according to Russian news agencies, that Estonian Prime Minister Kaja Kallas, the designated new EU foreign policy chief, has not distinguished herself diplomatically in the past. Peskow described Kallas as "well known to us for her unacceptable and sometimes even extreme anti-Russian statements." Moscow frequently accuses the West of Russophobia, or anti-Russian sentiment or hatred. Peskov made similar remarks regarding EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, who was nominated for a second term by the heads of state and government of the 27 EU countries with a large majority. "The prospects of the relationship between Moscow and Brussels are poor," Peskow said. No normalization of relations is expected.
15:13 Ukraine reports downing of another Russian Su-25
Another Russian Su-25 fighter jet is reported to have been shot down in the contested Donetsk region, according to a post by the Ukrainian National Guard on Telegram. The jet was allegedly hit by a "well-aimed shot" from a portable air defense system. A video published by the National Guard shows grainy footage of the shootdown, accompanied by triumphant cheers from Ukrainian troops. No precise information is available about when or where the incident occurred.
14:35 Russia claims to have taken control of Rosdoliwka in eastern Ukraine
According to information from the Russian Defense Ministry in Moscow, the Russian military has taken control of the eastern Ukrainian settlement of Rosdoliwka. The Southern Military District reportedly drove out Ukrainian troops from Rosdoliwka and took advantage of more favorable positions. The settlement is located in the Donetsk region in eastern Ukraine, where Russian forces have reportedly taken control of several villages in recent weeks. The Ukrainian side has not issued a statement on the matter. It is impossible to verify such reports independently.
14:09 Kiev: Annual Military Statements worth 60 Billion Dollars
The Ukraine can count on annual military aid in the amount of 60 Billion Dollars according to its own statements after the conclusion of 20 security agreements. These agreements are valid for the next four years, explained Minister President Denys Schmyhal. In its defense against Russia, Ukraine has recently signed a series of security agreements - among others, one on Thursday with the European Union.
13:38 "Poor for Relations": Kremlin dissatisfied with EU-top job nominations
The Kreml criticizes the EU summit decision to fill EU top jobs. With Ursula von der Leyen as Commission President and Kaja Kallas as Foreign Minister, the prospects for relations between Moscow and Brussels are "poor," said Kreml spokesman Dmitri Peskow. It is not surprising that the decision for Kallas does not sit well with the Kreml: The Estonian has been fighting for a hard line against Russian President Vladimir Putin in the EU and is one of the biggest supporters of Ukraine.
13:06 Poland to soon sign security agreements with Ukraine
German Chancellor von der Leyen, who is standing for a second term, is not in favor of a "normalization of relations between the European Union and Russia," added he. The Latvian Kallas is known for her "russophobic" statements. Polish Minister President Donald Tusk believes that his country is very likely to sign a bilateral security agreement with Ukraine in the coming days. This document is almost finished, he said. Only a few details and formulations need to be clarified. The NATO summit begins on July 9 in Washington. The EU summit on Thursday had already signed a security agreement with Ukraine. Bilateral agreements were also signed between Ukraine and EU countries Latvia and Estonia. Many other EU countries have already signed such an agreement with Ukraine.
12:34 Expert Mölling: Trump gains influence before the election
After the TV duel in the US, security expert Christian Mölling is certain: The influence of Donald Trump on international politics is already growing. The Research Director of the German Council on Foreign Relations considers it "plausible" that Trump may adjust his line on Ukraine here and there, as he has already received a briefing from the security agencies "about what's really going on." So there will probably be no sell-out of Ukraine, as such a move would also have negative consequences for US interests, says Mölling in the "Stern" podcast "The Situation." Even if presidents make the important decisions, there is always a machine that needs to implement them. More on US politics and its influence on the Ukraine policy can be found here: link
12:12 Belarus Announces Reinforcement of Border with UkraineBelarus intends to further strengthen its border with Ukraine following an incident involving a Ukrainian surveillance drone. The border guard and the Defense Ministry have announced this. The border guard also reported that a quadcopter was shot down on a Wednesday, allegedly flying illegally from Ukraine to Belarus to gather information about the infrastructure at the Belarusian border. At the beginning of the week, it was reported that hidden explosive materials were discovered in the same area. Furthermore, it is known that a pro-Ukrainian Russian militia unit is stationed in a Ukrainian area near the border.
11:40 Spy Business Blooms: Thousands of Russians Reportedly Ratting Out Their Fellow CitizensThe spy business has a long tradition in Russia – and it seems to be blooming anew. According to independent Russian-language media, at least 3,500 reports were filed against Russian citizens between February 2022 and May 2024. Meduza reports that "the war and the subsequent repressive policies of Russian authorities against their own population led ... to an increase in denunciations that were not only related to anti-war declarations, but also to LGBTQ+ content, 'Russophobia', drugs, and other topics." As an example, the portal cites the case of Usman Baratov, a resident of Moscow, who last year posted a picture of a hen with the caption "No eggs for you! Bring the hens back from the front". Within a month, calls appeared on social media to deprive Baratov of his Russian citizenship. A criminal investigation was launched against him in early June on charges of "incitement to hatred and enmity". He has been in pre-trial detention for five months, and faces up to six years in prison.
11:03 "Provocations": Moscow Threatens Action Against Alleged US DronesRussia is threatening action against alleged US reconnaissance drones over the Black Sea. Defense Minister Andrei Belousov has instructed the General Staff of the Army to prepare proposals for responding quickly to "provocations", according to his office. Russia has detected increased activity of US drones in the region. They are reportedly conducting military reconnaissance and gathering target information, which Ukraine could use to attack Russian facilities with weapons supplied from the West, the ministry said. This shows the growing involvement of the USA and NATO countries in the conflict in Ukraine. Such drone flights increase the likelihood of incidents in the airspace with Russian aircraft, which in turn increases the risk of a direct confrontation between NATO and Russia. The NATO would be responsible for such incidents, the Defense Ministry emphasized.
10:34 Trump vs. Putin's Plan: Scene from TV Debate Remains Hidden in RussiaThe US presidential election is also being followed in Russia, as is the TV debate between the candidates Joe Biden and Donald Trump. ntv correspondent Rainer Munz observes which details Russian media report and which are left out. The Kremlin, meanwhile, issues further threats.
09:58 Window fall after KGB interrogation? Former Belarus ambassador dead at 48
According to independent Belarusian media reports, the former Belarusian ambassador to Germany, Denis Sidorenko, has died at the age of 48 in his hometown of Minsk. The Belarusian Foreign Ministry only confirmed his death hours later, stating that the "beloved colleague, extraordinary and plenipotentiary ambassador of Belarus in Germany (2016-2024)" had passed away. No cause of death was given. Multiple independent Belarusian media outlets, operating in exile abroad, report that Sidorenko, a father of a family, committed suicide by jumping out of a window of a high-rise building in Minsk following interrogations by the KGB on June 24. No official confirmation of the suicide has been given. Belarusian leader Alexander Lukashenko had recalled Sidorenko, who had advocated for good relations with the EU, from Germany. According to an exiled former Belarusian diplomat, Sidorenko had become a problem for the power apparatus in Minsk.
09:30 Ukraine releases numbers on Russian losses
The Ukrainian General Staff has released new figures on Russian troop losses in Ukraine. According to these figures, Russia has lost approximately 540,500 soldiers in Ukraine since February 24, 2022. In a single day, the number of losses was reported to be 1,170. The report from Kiev also states that 24 tanks, 60 artillery systems, and an aircraft were destroyed. Since the beginning of the large-scale attack, Ukraine claims that Russia has lost 8,066 tanks, 14,423 artillery systems, and 360 aircraft. Western estimates put the Russian losses at lower numbers, but these are only minimum figures.
09:05 Numerous drones over Russia again
According to the Russian Defense Ministry, Russia intercepts 25 Ukrainian drones during the night. However, it does not mention the incident in Tambov, where a fuel depot caught fire during a drone attack (see entry 08:02). The Russian Telegram channel Two Majors reports 32 Ukrainian drones intercepted in the border region.
08:33 ISW: Russians attempting to advance at Toretsk gradually
The Institute for the Study of War (ISW) considers a quick tactical victory for the Russians at Toretsk unlikely at present. The Russian military forces may, however, intend to carry out continuous offensive operations in this area to achieve creeping tactical gains, according to the US think tank. "The limited forces available for this operation suggest that the Russians prefer to make gradual progress through persistent attacks rather than a rapid, clear-cut victory," the latest ISW report states. In addition, a brigade of the so-called Donetsk People's Republic and a regiment of Russian territorial troops were fighting in the region. These were less combat-effective than conventional troops or earlier Russian elite units. "Even if the Russian forces manage to capture Toretsk, advancing beyond the settlement would be challenging, if not even more so, given the open terrain and the large bodies of water to the north and northwest," the Thinktank further states.
08:02 Fuel storage facility in Central Russia on fire
Once again, a fuel storage facility in Russia is on fire - this time in the central Russian region of Tambov. Regional governor Maxim Yegorov writes on Telegram that the cause is a Ukrainian drone attack. No casualties have been reported, and the fire department is on the scene. The city of Tambov is approximately 460 kilometers south-east of Moscow.
07:39 Zelenskyy coming to NATO summit in Warsaw, Poland
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is expected to attend the NATO summit in Washington in July, according to Polish government announcements. "President Zelenskyy and I have arranged a meeting in Warsaw before the NATO summit," Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk writes on Twitter. "The EU has understood what the Poles have known since the start of the war: The defense of Ukraine is the defense of Europe." Poland is one of the most active political and military supporters of Ukraine. It also plays an important role as a hub for Western military aid to Kiev. In addition, Poland has taken in nearly a million refugees from its neighboring country.
07:07 "Extremist": Duma preparing legislation for "child-free ideology"
Despite the unclear family relationships of leading Russian politicians: Kremlin chief Vladimir Putin has declared 2024 as the "Year of the Family," and he refers to the Russian family as the "backbone" of Russia. Now, it seems that the family ideal is to be propagated even more strongly. According to the Institute for the Study of War, Deputy Russian Justice Minister Vasily Vukolov announced that Duma deputies are preparing a legislative proposal to ban the so-called "child-free ideology." This ideology is considered "extremist" because it holds that "women don't have to bear children" and "can renounce them." A draft for a presidential decree is also being prepared, which will add the term "traditional values" to the official "normative dictionary" of the Russian language. The demographic situation in Russia is overall tense. According to the Konrad-Adenauer-Foundation, between January and April of the previous year, 3.1 percent fewer children were born than in the same period of the previous year - a record low. The massive losses in the war contribute to further deterioration of the demographic situation.
06:42 Governor: Administrative building in Bryansk damaged by Ukrainian drone
In the Russian city of Bryansk, it appears that an administrative building has been damaged following a drone attack. This is reported by the governor of the region, Alexander Bogomaz, on Telegram. "The city of Bryansk was attacked by Ukrainian terrorists with drones. There are no casualties." The drone was reportedly repelled, and the administrative building was damaged upon its impact.
06:07 Kertsch Bridge apparently affected: Ukrainian intelligence service reports cyber attacks on Crimean servers
The military intelligence service of Ukraine (HUR) is carrying out a cyber attack on multiple institutions on the Crimean peninsula, which is under Russian control. This is reported by "Kyiv Independent" and is based on a source within the service. The targets of the attacks on Thursday are reportedly the largest Russian internet providers on the peninsula, the servers of propaganda media, and the traffic registration and control system on the Crimean Bridge. "Within an hour, the traffic jam increased sixfold, and in the morning, about 300 cars were in the queue," according to the source from the HUR. The Ukrainian intelligence service is said to have conducted several cyber attacks on the Crimea in the past few months.
05:01 Heavy fighting around Pokrovsk in the east
At various frontlines in the east of Ukraine, Russian and Ukrainian forces are engaging in heavy fighting on Thursday. The Ukrainian General Staff in Kiev reports in its daily situation report that the enemy is seeking ways to break through our defense lines. Of the over 100 reported armed clashes of the day, more than half are said to be in the area around Pokrovsk in the Donezk region. The frontline has remained unchanged everywhere. Ukrainian military personnel also report heavy fighting around the settlement of Mirnoje west of the city of Saporischschja. A Russian brigade is said to have lost over 95 percent of its soldiers in massed storming attacks there, according to a statement from the Ukrainian agency Unian.
04:20 Trump: Could end war in Ukraine before inauguration if elected
The former US President Donald Trump holds Joe Biden responsible for the Russian attack war in Ukraine and calls on Europe to give more money to Kiev. If the US had a "real president" who respected Putin, this would never have happened in Ukraine, Trump said during the presidential debate in Atlanta. Biden even encouraged Putin, Trump added. He repeated his promise to end the war again, which would happen even before his inauguration in January. He did not, however, clarify how he planned to do this.
03:18 French right-wing populist Bardella calls for continued support for Ukraine
During a TV debate three days before the first round of the French parliamentary elections, the French right-wing populist Jordan Bardella, who aspires to become the prime minister of his party Rassemblement National (RN), calls for continued support for Ukraine. "I will not allow Russian imperialism to absorb a linked state like Ukraine," Bardella says. His position on this conflict is "very simple" and has "never changed," Bardella explains. "It's about supporting Ukraine and preventing escalation" with the nuclear power Russia. Regarding the possible deployment of French troops to Ukraine, Bardella says: "If I am prime minister tomorrow, no French soldiers will be sent to Ukraine." He is also against sending medium-range missiles to Ukraine that could hit Russian territory.
01:30 Farmer President under Fire for Ukraine Remarks
The President of the Farmers' Association is facing sharp criticism for his statements regarding Ukraine's EU membership. Green security politician Sebastian Schäfer accused Joachim Rukwied in a letter of becoming "Putin's propaganda helper" with his one-sided remarks. The letter was obtained by "Der Spiegel." Rukwied had warned in an "FAZ" interview that Ukraine's membership was a "threat to the survival of European agriculture," as large agricultural businesses there could produce much cheaper than European farmers. Instead, import restrictions against Ukrainian agricultural products were "urgently necessary." Schäfer accuses Rukwied of fueling the anti-Ukraine sentiment with his "martial language" and suggesting that Russia's invasion was a threat only to EU farmers. Furthermore, the accession talks were still in their infancy and represented "an opportunity and a reason for fundamental, future-oriented reforms in the Common Agricultural Policy."
23:34 Ukrainian Railways Granted License for Freight Traffic by Poland
The Ukrainian state railway company Ukrzaliznytsia has received a license from the Polish railway regulatory authority, allowing it to enter the European railway freight market, the company announced. With Ukraine's airspace closed since February 2022 due to the Russian invasion, rail transport plays a crucial role in transporting goods and passengers to and from the country. Ukrzaliznytsia transported over two million passengers to Europe in the previous year and reported a record cargo volume of 14 million tons in November 2023.
22:17 Ukraine Increases Weapons Production by 25.4% in First Quarter
The weapons production in Ukraine increased by an average of 25.4% in the first quarter of 2024 compared to the same period in 2023, according to data from the Ukrainian State Statistics Service. In January 2024, Ukraine produced 26.6% more weapons and ammunition than in January of the previous year. The increase was 29% in February and 18.8% in March.
21:32 Czech Republic Sends First 50,000 Grenades to Kiev - Financed by Germany
The Czech Republic has sent the first 50,000 grenades to Ukraine as part of a Prague-led initiative, according to the Czech Press Agency (CTK). Czech Defense Minister Jana Černohová announced the delivery. In February, Czech President Petr Pavel stated that Prague had identified 500,000 155-mm grenades and 300,000 122-mm grenades outside Europe that could be bought and sent to Ukraine once the necessary funds for the initiative were secured. Czech Prime Minister Petr Fiala announced Tuesday that Ukraine had received the first delivery of artillery grenades "some time ago." Prague worked with Germany on the delivery, according to CTK. According to the Defense Ministry, the 50,000 grenades represent the first batch of 180,000 rounds of ammunition financed by Germany.
20:53 Russia attacks Charkiw for the first time with FAB-500 bomb - four injuredRussian troops have attacked the city of Charkiw for the first time since the beginning of the war, using a FAB-500 bomb equipped with a glide mechanism, according to Oleksandr Filchakov, head of the regional prosecutor's office. At least four people were injured, two more suffered a shock, reports the governor of the Charkiw region, Oleh Syniehubov. Russian troops dropped the bomb over the village of Maysky in the Russian oblast Belgorod on the Kyivskyi-District of Kharkiv, says Filchakov. The FAB-500 is a 500-kilogram bomb developed by the Soviet Union with a high-explosive warhead that is dropped from the air. These inexpensive and widely used bombs are equipped with glide kits that improve their accuracy and allow for a launch from greater distance, beyond the range of Ukrainian air defense systems.
20:21 Patriot-Systems to be delivered from Israel to Ukraine via the USAAccording to the "Financial Times," the USA, Israel, and Ukraine are in negotiations to deliver up to eight Patriot air defense systems to Kiev, in order to significantly improve Ukraine's ability to repel Russian air raids. The agreement is not yet finalized, but it is likely to mean that the Patriot systems will first be delivered from Israel to the USA and then to Ukraine. The basic outlines of the agreement, which would mark a significant shift in Israel's relations with Moscow, were discussed between ministers and high-ranking officials of the three countries, according to five people familiar with the negotiations.
You can read about all previous developments here.
- The latest rocket attack on Dnipro, Ukraine, has resulted in calls for strengthened air defense by President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, in response to the ongoing attack on Ukraine by Russia.
- NATO has been urged to increase its support for Ukraine, as military operations by Russia continue to result in civilian casualties, with one death and nine injuries reported in Dnipro following a Russian rocket attack.
- In a cyberwarfare development, reports suggest that Russia is producing prohibited rockets, defying the previously valid INF-Disarmament Treaty with the USA, further escalating tensions in the Ukraine conflict.
- Ukrainian President Zelenskyy has announced a comprehensive plan to end the war, emphasizing the importance of diplomatic efforts while also prioritizing military production to maintain strength against Russian aggression.
- In a blow to Ukraine's energy infrastructure, Russian attacks have completely destroyed a crucial power plant in western Ukraine, leaving residents without heating options for the upcoming winter.
