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 debris. 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 attack on Ukraine. In one of the deadliest attacks on civilian objects during the war, over 45 people were killed and approximately 80 were injured when a rocket hit a residential building in the city in early 2023. President Zelenskyy called for the strengthening of air defense once again in response to the latest rocket attack. "The only thing that can stop Russian terror is the resolve of the world," he wrote in social media.
20:24 Zelenskyy awards posthum Bravery Medal to Nurse Iryna Tsybukh
The Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy awards the Bravery Medal of the IIIrd Class posthum to Nurse Iryna Tsybukh. 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. When Russia attacked Ukraine, she joined the volunteer medical battalion Hospitaliers as a nurse. She died on May 29, 2022, during a rotation towards Kharkiv.
With the same decree, Journalist Andriy Topchiy was posthum awarded the Bravery Medal IIIrd Class. He, too, was a nurse in an infantry battalion. Topchiy died on April 20, 2022, near Robotyno in the Zaporizhzhia region.
19:54 Putin initiates production of formerly banned rockets
Russian President Vladimir Putin has ordered the production of short- and medium-range rockets, which were previously prohibited under the INF 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 "decide, based on the real situation, where we will station them for our security." Putin justifies his statement by pointing out that the USA has started 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, the USA and the Soviet Union. The USA withdrew from the INF Treaty in 2019, citing Russian non-compliance. Moscow declared then that it would continue to refrain from producing new rockets as long as the USA did not deploy them within 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", Kiev is working, Zelenskyy added. "We don't want to prolong this war and we must come to a just peace as soon as possible", he continued. At the same time, he emphasized the development of Ukrainian military production. "Russia understands only strength and respects only the strong", Zelenskyy said. "There are two things in parallel: being strong on the battlefield and developing a clear and detailed plan that will be completed this year", the Ukrainian prime minister stated. 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 country's GDP (Gross Domestic Product)", Putin told the news agency Interfax during a meeting with university graduates. In the previous year, the GDP had grown by 3.6 percent. In fact, 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 to the significantly increased state expenditures for defense and military spending. 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, economic experts cannot sustain this trend.
18:25 Ukraine: Russian units refuse to attack in the area of Charkiw
Due to the loss of their commanders, Russian units in the Charkiw area refuse to engage in combat operations. This was reported by the Ukrainian news agency "Ukrinform" according to the spokesperson of the Ukrainian military unit "Chortyzja", Nasar Voloschyn, 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, Voloschyn said, naming the assault unit of the 153rd Tank Regiment of the 47th Tank Division of the Russian armed forces as an example.
17:49 US Drones over Black Sea: Russia warns NATO of "confrontation"
Russia has warned NATO countries of a "direct confrontation" due to increased US drone flights over the Black Sea, according to the Russian Defense Ministry. "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 is seen as a sign of growing US and NATO involvement in the conflict in Ukraine from Moscow's perspective.
Washington uses these flights to spy on Russian targets for precision weapons provided by their western partners to Ukraine, the Russian Defense Ministry added. Defense Minister Andrey Bolusov has ordered the General Staff to prepare proposals for operational responses to these 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 has reportedly reinforced its troops along its northern border with Ukraine, according to the Defense Ministry. 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 in Russian attacks, according to the governor of the Ivano-Frankivsk region, Switlana Onyshchuk, in a local radio broadcast. "It's clear that the Burshtyn power plant cannot be rebuilt," she said. The plant, located about 130 kilometers from the Polish border, has suffered more than a dozen Russian attacks. The residents of the region will be supplied with heating from transported heating boilers and central heating systems. Since mid-March, 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 Burshtyn power plant had a capacity of 2,400 megawatts alone.
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 center is a valuable military component of the Russian satellite communication and navigation system, the ministry explained. On Monday, local social media chats reported explosions near the village of Vytino, where the center is located. These reports cannot be independently verified. Russia annexed Crimea in 2014, a move 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 New York (New York) in eastern Ukraine due to Russian bombardments, according to the Prosecutor's Office of the Donetsk region. The attackers reportedly used a 250 kg glide bomb that damaged several residential buildings. Russian forces had intensified their attacks near the city of Torezk in the previous days and reportedly gained small territorial gains. Additionally, at least three people were reportedly killed and almost 20 were injured through Russian shelling in Kurachowe and around Torezk the day before. 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 European Union leadership. The designated new EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas, for instance, has not distinguished herself diplomatically, according to Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov, reporting Russian news agencies. The Estonian prime minister is "well known to us for her unacceptable and sometimes even extreme anti-Russian statements," Peskov said. Moscow accuses the West of Russophobia, or anti-Russian sentiment or hatred, frequently. 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 for the relationship between Moscow and Brussels are poor," Peskov said, adding that there would be no normalization of relations to expect.
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 anti-aircraft missile system. A video published by the National Guard shows grainy footage of the missile launch, accompanied by triumphant cheers from Ukrainian troops. The exact location and time of the incident are not specified in the post.
14:35 Russia claims to have taken control of Rosdoliwka in eastern Ukraine
The Russian military has reportedly taken control of the eastern Ukrainian village of Rosdoliwka, according to the Russian Defense Ministry in Moscow. The Southern Military District reportedly drove out Ukrainian troops from Rosdoliwka and seized more advantageous positions. The village is located in the Donetsk region in eastern Ukraine, where Russian forces have claimed several village captures in recent weeks. The Ukrainian side has not issued a statement on the matter. It is impossible to independently verify such reports regarding the combat situation.
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-Leadership Nominations
The Kreml criticizes the EU summit decision to fill EU leadership positions. With Ursula von der Leyen as Commission President and Kaja Kallas as Foreign Affairs Representative, the prospects for relations between Moscow and Brussels are "poor," said Kreml spokesman Dmitri Peskow. The fact that the decision for Kallas does not sit well with the Kreml is not surprising: The Estonian has been campaigning in the EU for a hard line against Russian President Vladimir Putin and is one of the biggest supporters of Ukraine.
13:06 Poland to Quickly 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 states Lithuania and Estonia. Several other EU states have already signed such an agreement with Ukraine.
12:34 Expert Mölling: Trump Gains Influence Before the Election
After the TV debate in the US, security expert Christian Mölling is certain: The influence of Donald Trump on international politics is already increasing. The Research Director of the German Council on Foreign Relations considers it plausible that Trump may adjust his line on Ukraine here and there because he has already received a briefing from the security agencies "on what it's really about." 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 guards and the Defense Ministry made the announcement. The border guards also reported that a quadcopter was shot down on a Wednesday, allegedly flying illegally from Ukraine into 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 Spycraft in Bloom: Thousands of Russians Reportedly Ratting Out Their Fellow CitizensThe spy game has a long tradition in Russia – and it seems to be in bloom once again. According to independent Russian-language media, at least 3,500 reports have been 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 roosters back from the front." Within a month, calls appeared on social media to revoke Baratov's Russian citizenship. A criminal investigation was launched against him for "incitement to hatred and enmity" five months ago, and he has been in pre-trial detention since then. He 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 ordered the General Staff of the Army to prepare proposals for responding quickly to "provocations," according to his office. Russia has detected increased activity from US drones in the region. They are conducting military reconnaissance and gathering target information, which Ukraine uses 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, raising 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, along with the TV debate between the candidates Joe Biden and Donald Trump. NTV correspondent Rainer Munz reports on what Russian media cover and which details 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, which operate in exile outside the country, report that Sidorenko, a father of a family, committed suicide by jumping out of a window of a high-rise building in Minsk on June 24th. No official confirmation of the suicide has been provided. Alexander Lukashenko, the ruling authority, 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 24-hour period alone, the number of casualties was reportedly 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, Russia is said to have lost 8,066 tanks, 14,423 artillery systems, and 360 aircraft according to Ukraine. Western estimates give lower loss figures, which are only minimum values.
09:05 Numerous drones over Russia again
According to the Russian Defense Ministry, Russia intercepted 25 Ukrainian drones during the night. However, it did 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 that were intercepted in the border region.
08:33 ISW: Russians trying to advance slowly at Toretsk
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 area. 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 difficult, if not even more so, given the open terrain and the large water surfaces in the north and northwest," the think tank 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 wrote on Telegram that the cause was 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 southeast of Moscow.
07:39 Selenskyj to come to NATO summit in Warsaw before going to Washington
According to Polish government announcements, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy will come to Warsaw before the NATO summit in Washington in July. "President Zelenskyy and I have arranged a meeting in Warsaw before the NATO summit," Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk wrote 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 bill against "child-free ideology"
Despite the unclear family relationships of leading Russian politicians: Kremlin chief Vladimir Putin declared 2024 as the "Year of the Family," and he calls the Russian family the "backbone" of Russia. Now, it seems that this familial ideal will be propagated even more strongly. According to the Institute for the Study of War, Deputy Russian Justice Minister Vsevolod Vukolov announced that Duma deputies are preparing a draft bill for the prohibition of the so-called "child-free ideology." This ideology is considered "extremist," as it holds the view that women "do not 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 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 was reported by the governor of the region, Alexander Bogomaz, on Telegram. "The city of Bryansk was attacked by Ukrainian terrorists using 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 speaks of cyber attacks on Crimean servers
The military intelligence service of Ukraine (HUR) is carrying out a cyber attack on several institutions on the Crimea peninsula, which is under Russian control. This is reported by "Kyiv Independent" and refers to 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 system for registering and controlling traffic 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 trying to breach our defensive 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 Zaporizhzhia. A Russian brigade is said to have lost over 95 percent of its soldiers in massed storm 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 military campaign in Ukraine and calls on Europe to give more money to Kiev. If the US had a "real President" who respected Vladimir Putin, this would never have happened in Ukraine, Trump says during the presidential debate in Atlanta. Biden even encouraged Putin, Trump claims. He renewed his promise to end the war, which he could do if re-elected. This would still happen before his inauguration in January, the 78-year-old continued. He didn't elaborate on how he would do it.
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, French right-wing populist Jordan Bardella, who aspires to become Prime Minister for his Rassemblement National (RN) party in case of an absolute majority, expresses his support 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 a possible deployment of French soldiers 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 Criticized for Ukraine Statement
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 statements. 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 farmers in the EU. Instead of membership, 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 the Russian-occupied land posed only a threat to EU farmers. Moreover, the accession talks were still at the very beginning and represented "an opportunity and a reason for fundamental, future-oriented reforms in the Common Agricultural Policy."
23:34 Ukrainian Railways Receives License for Goods Transport from Poland
The state railway company Ukrzaliznytsia has received a license from the Polish railway regulatory authority, allowing it to enter the European railway goods market, the company announced. The Ukrainian airspace has been closed since February 2022 due to the Russian invasion, making rail transport a crucial role in transporting goods and passengers to and from the country. Ukrzaliznytsia transported over two million passengers to Europe in the past year and reported a record cargo turnover of 14 million tons in November 2023.
22:17 Ukraine Increases Weapons Production by a Quarter in the First Quarter
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 delivered the first 50,000 grenades to Ukraine as part of a Prague-led initiative, according to the Czech Press Agency (CTK). Czech President Petr Pavel said in February 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 available. 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, CTK reports. According to the Defense Ministry, the 50,000 grenades represent the first consignment of 180,000 rounds of ammunition financed by Germany.
20:53 Russia attacks Charkiw for the first time with FAB-500 bomb - at least 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 others suffered a shock, reports Oleh Syniehubov, governor of the Charkiw region. Russian troops dropped the bomb over the village of Maysky in the Russian oblast of Belgorod on the Kyivskyi-District of Kharkiv, Filchakov said. The FAB-500 is a 500-kilogram bomb developed by the Soviet Union with a high-explosive warhead that can be dropped from the air. These inexpensive and widely used bombs are equipped with glide kits that improve their accuracy, but also allow for a launch from greater distances, beyond the range of Ukrainian air defense systems.
20:21 Patriot systems to be delivered from Israel to Ukraine via the USAccording to the "Financial Times," the US, Israel, and Ukraine are in talks to supply up to eight Patriot air defense systems to Kiev, in order to significantly improve the country's ability to repel Russian air raids. The agreement, which would mark a turning point in Israel's relations with Moscow, was reportedly discussed between ministers and high-ranking officials from the three countries. "Sources familiar with the matter" told the Financial Times.
Previously reported developments can be read here.
- The latest Russian rocket attack on Ukraine, hitting a building in Dnipro, has once again highlighted the need for NATO and its member countries to strengthen their support for Ukrainian military operations against Russian aggression.
- In response to the Russian cyberwar against Ukraine, Volodymyr Selensky, the President of Ukraine, is calling for the enhancement of Ukraine's cyberdefense capabilities to protect critical infrastructure from attacks.
- The conflict between Russia and Ukraine has been deeply entwined in international politics, with world leaders such as President Zelenskyy condemning Russian military actions and advocating for a just peace based on respect for Ukraine's sovereignty.
- The attack on Ukraine has also led to increased international scrutiny of Russia's military capabilities, with concerns being raised about Russia's production of formerly banned rockets and its strategic intentions for their deployment.
- The Ukrainian military has reportedly managed to repel Russian military operations in certain areas, including the refusal of Russian units to engage in combat near Charkiw, demonstrating Ukraine's resilience and determination to defend its territory.
