20:51 Man detonates grenade in city center of Luzk

A resident of Chmelnyzkyj city sets off a grenade in Luzk city center and is arrested. No injuries reported. The Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) makes this known. The motive of the 23-year-old is still unclear.

20:04 Losses for Russia in KievAccording to the Ukrainian General Staff, the Russian military lost 1070 soldiers on Saturday through death or injury. In addition, they put 7 tanks, 25 other armored vehicles, and 57 artillery systems out of commission. Therefore, the Russian attackers have lost more than 540,000 soldiers since the beginning of their large-scale invasion. These figures are not independently verifiable.

19:39 Russian children go to North Korea for beach vacationAt the meeting between Russian President Vladimir Putin and North Korea's Dictator Kim Jong Un, they also agreed on a tourism cooperation. The first Russian children are expected to rest in North Korea at the end of July, reports the state Russian news agency RIA Novosti. The conditions were "good". Previously, the administration of the adjacent Russian region Primorye had announced travel programs for Russian tourists at North Korean beaches.

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

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

18:39 Ukraine plans privatization of system-relevant banksUkraine plans to sell the system-relevant Sens Bank and Ukrgasbank. In addition, an internationally recognized financial advisor should be appointed by September 2024, according to a memorandum with the International Monetary Fund. The procedure should be "transparent" and "consulted with international financial organizations". Ukraine commits itself not to increase the state share in the banking sector. The IMF pays Kiev an additional 2.2 billion dollars for its state budget.

17:58 Ukraine denies attack plans on BelarusKiev contradicts Belarusian statements about possible advances of Ukraine across the shared border. The Ukraine poses no threat but rather strengthens its defensive lines, Andrij Demtschenko, border guard spokesperson, informs. There are no provocations. "They are probably confused themselves", he is quoted by the Unian agency. "The real threat comes from Belarus, where enough Russian troops are stationed", says Andrij Kowalenko, head of the Ukrainian Center for Countering Disinformation. The Russian military is trying to tie down Ukrainian forces. A high-ranking Belarusian officer had claimed in an interview: "They are trying to drag our country into war." Belarus is Russia's closest ally.

17:19 Civilians meet in Kiev after years of captivityTen Ukrainian civilians released from Russian custody have returned to Kiev. The ex-detainees, wrapped in blue and yellow flags, are greeted by relatives in the capital. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy thanks all involved parties and explicitly the Vatican for its mediation. Some of the now-released had been detained by Russia before the start of its full-scale invasion of Ukraine, among them Nariman Dzheljal, deputy chairman of the Mejlis, a representative body of the Crimean Tatars. Dzheljal was abducted from Crimea, where he lived despite the annexation.

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

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

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

Export restrictions on goods and technologies for shipping, as well as luxury goods to Belarus
Extension of export ban for technology and goods contributing to increasing Belarusian industrial capacities
New export ban to Belarus for goods and technologies suitable for oil refining and gas liquefaction of natural gas
Import ban from Belarus for gold, diamonds, helium, coal, and mineral products, including crude oil
Comprehensive ban on services for Belarus
Ban on cargo transport in the EU for Belarusian trailers and semi-trailers

14:56 Ukraine's Foreign Minister aims to make war "impossible"Ukraine's Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba stated the goal for the post-war period during a podium discussion. "As we have learned from our own recent history and from the history of other regions, peace without justice leads to a new war," he said. "Therefore, the goal is not only to end the war, but to create a reality where peace is just and lasting, and impossible for a new war. This will be the victory."

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

13:52 Seehofer on No to Taurus deliveries for Ukraine: "Scholz's behavior is exactly right"The former Federal Interior Minister Horst Seehofer justifies the "No" of Federal Chancellor Olaf Scholz for the delivery of Taurus missile launchers to Ukraine. "In one point, I find Scholz's behavior exactly right - in the question of Taurus deliveries," said the CSU politician in an interview on the occasion of his 75th birthday in the "Augsburger Allgemeine." The Chancellor wanted to prevent escalation and work together with the Americans under all circumstances. "I have always considered that right, even if it is not seen that way in my party," so Seehofer on the stance of the SPD politician in the Taurus issue. "This stance does not use up the chance that the Ukrainians, when they consider it right, can try to end this horrible and brutal war of the Russians." said the CSU politician and former Bavarian Minister-President.

13:23 More Russia and China? Economists warn against new foreign political course of the AfD

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

12:58 Russia takes control of settlement in the Donezk region

According to reports from Russian state media, the Russian military has taken control of the Ukrainian settlement of Schumy in the Donezk region. The state Russian news agency Ria, citing the Russian Defense Ministry, reports that the army has taken over the settlement near the city of Torezk. In the announcement, it is stated that Ukrainian troops suffered 360 casualties. These claims cannot be independently verified.

12:38 Zelensky: Russian attacks have destroyed 80 percent of Ukraine's thermal energy and a third of its hydropower

According to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, Russian attacks have destroyed 80 percent of Ukraine's thermal energy and a third of its hydropower. The British newspaper "Guardian" reports this. Russian attacks reportedly often targeted energy facilities and other vital infrastructure. The attack in Dnipro yesterday shows, according to the Ukrainian head of state, that Ukraine needs more air defense systems. "Only sufficient quantities of high-quality air defense systems and sufficient determination from the whole world can stop Russian terror," said Zelensky.

12:25 Ukrainian Foreign Minister Kuleba visits Croatia

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

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

According to military economist Marcus Keupp, Russia may not be able to sustain the war against Ukraine for years to come. In an interview with the "Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung," he states that the Russian supply chain is expected to collapse as early as mid-2027, possibly even by the end of 2025. "That's the computational end, then the warehouses will be empty." Keupp bases his calculations on documented losses of the Russian army, which have averaged four tanks per day since the start of the war. With only 300 to 500 new tanks produced annually, Moscow cannot sustain this indefinitely, according to the military economist. Satellite images already show that old Soviet military bases are emptying out at a massive rate, Keupp notes. "Russia is living off its reserves. It's basically on the dead legs of the Soviet Union." Keupp's conclusion: "Time is running against Russia." He believes that Russia's method of warfare is unsustainable. "Putin has the same problem as Hitler. His resources are melting away, and he's stuck in the mud of the Soviet Union."

11:33 Draft evasion: Some Ukrainian men seek help from forgers

A new recruitment drive is underway in Ukraine to mobilize more soldiers for the fight against Russia. As a result, some Ukrainian men are turning to online dealers and forgers to avoid the horrors of military service, according to the British newspaper "Guardian." It is expected that attempts to flee the country will increase. Ukraine recently passed far-reaching mobilization measures that allow the military to call up more soldiers and impose stricter penalties for draft evasion. In April, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy signed a controversial law lowering the draft age from 27 to 25. Anyone who refuses military service can lose their driver's license and access to their bank accounts. Property can also be confiscated.

11:04 Zelenskyj releases video of prisoners of war reunited with their families

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyj has shared a video of the moment ten prisoners of war return home from Russian captivity and reunite with their families. He posted the recording on his social media channels.

10:36 Ukrainian police car in Sumy attacked by Russian drone

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

10:08 Kremlin declines comment on Trump's remarks about ending the war
The Kremlin declined to comment on Donald Trump's remarks that if he were re-elected in November, he would have ended the war against Ukraine. The British newspaper "Guardian" reported this. Trump made these remarks during the US presidential debate with incumbent Joe Biden on the previous Thursday. "As for Russia and Ukraine: If we had a real president, a president who respected Putin, he wouldn't have gone into the Ukraine," Trump said.

09:26 Zelenskyy thanks Coe at meeting for exclusion of Russian and Belarusian athletes
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy held a meeting with the President of World Athletics, Sebastian Coe. This was announced on Zelenskyy's Facebook page. "We welcome the decisions made by World Athletics at the beginning of March 2022 to ban representatives of Russia and Belarus from participating in international athletics competitions," Zelenskyy wrote. He also thanked the support for Ukrainian athletes.

09:01 Four dead, ten injured in Russian attacks in the Kherson region
Russian forces have shelled numerous cities and villages in the Kherson region, resulting in the deaths of four people and injuries to ten others. This was reported by Oleksandr Prokudin, head of the military administration of the region, on Telegram. "Four people were killed by Russian aggression in Sadove, Tiahynka, Novotiahynka, Olhivka, and Cherson," Prokudin said. According to him, Russian military attacked residential areas in the region and damaged some private houses. In addition, businesses and a gas pipeline were reportedly hit.

08:34 Governor of Kursk: Five dead in Ukrainian drone attack on border village
According to Russian reports, five people were killed in a Ukrainian drone attack on a border village. The governor of the western Russian region of Kursk, Alexei Smirnov, announced this on Telegram. "Two more family members are in serious condition," Smirnov added. The drone reportedly crashed into a house in the small village of Gorodischtsche. Since the start of the Russian offensive in Ukraine, both sides have been regularly attacking each other with drones, some of which have ranges of several hundred kilometers. The Ukrainian army has expanded its drone attacks on Russian territory this year. It targets not only Russian energy facilities but also border towns and villages.

08:02 Kiev: Over 1000 Russian soldiers "eliminated"

According to the Ukrainian Defense Ministry's daily reports, 1070 Russian soldiers have died or are unable to continue fighting in the war as of one day ago. Since the beginning of the conflict in February 2022, a total of 541,560 Russian soldiers have reportedly been "eliminated." The Defense Ministry announced in its daily reports that the enemy had also lost seven more tanks (8073). Since the start of the Russian invasion, Ukraine has counted over 15,500 armored vehicles and around 11,500 drones that are no longer in the possession of the Russian military or have been destroyed.

07:28 Russian attack: Fire department in Dnipro rescues man from buried car

Once again, Russian rockets have struck a Ukrainian residential area. The most recent attack on the city of Dnipro resulted in at least one fatality, with injured parties including a seven-month-old baby. A man was trapped under the rubble in his car.

07:06 Ukrainian military positions spied on: SBU arrests suspected Russian agent

The Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) has apprehended another Russian agent. The man is accused of preparing a Russian breakthrough in the Donetsk region and spying on Ukrainian defense forces. According to the SBU press office, the suspected Russian spy is a resident of Myrnohrad who works for a private security company. Russia reportedly took notice of the man as an active user of pro-Russian Telegram channels, where he allegedly published anti-Ukrainian comments.

06:34 Ukrainian Air Force: Ten Russian drones shot down at night

The Ukrainian air defense forces have shot down all ten Russian drones launched at night. According to the Ukrainian Air Force.

05:43 General Staff in Kiev: 102 battles at the front

The Ukrainian General Staff reports 102 battles at the front within the past 24 hours. The enemy has increased the tempo of its offensive actions since Friday morning, according to the General Staff's situation report on Facebook. The majority of the fighting is taking place near Pokrovsk. The Russian troops attempted to dislodge Ukrainian units from their positions 28 times. The Ukrainian army repelled 21 attacks. Seven battles are still ongoing, the announcement states.

04:59 Czech Republic preparing security accords with Kiev for EU summit

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

03:59 USA to deliver HAWK missiles to KievThe US government is set to provide weapons and ammunition worth $150 million to Ukraine, including HAWK air defense missiles and 155-millimeter artillery ammunition. Two unnamed US officials announced that the arms aid package is expected to be presented on Monday. The Biden administration is responding to Ukraine's desperate pleas for support in air defense, following Russian air raids on Ukrainian energy infrastructure in recent weeks.

02:58 Report: Russian agents in Vienna implicated in Kusminow's murderRussian agents based in Vienna are under suspicion for their involvement in the recruitment and financing of Russian operations, such as the assassination of the Russian military helicopter pilot Maxim Kusminow. He had defected to Ukraine and lived in Spain, where he was found by the hit squad. The "Wall Street Journal" reports this with references to Western security sources. The killers, who shot him five times and then ran him over with a SUV, were criminals paid in cash, which was provided by Russian officials in Vienna, the paper writes. "We are now becoming a burden to our neighbors, as Russia uses us as an operational base," a high-ranking Austrian intelligence officer told the newspaper. According to Austrian intelligence sources, the number of active Russian diplomats in Austria has increased from around 400 to over 500 in the past two years. About half of them are diplomats and managers, while the other half act as spies.

01:58 Russia captures town north of Bachmut - Ukraine deniesAccording to the Russian Defense Ministry, Russian forces have taken control of the town of Rosdoliwka in eastern Ukraine. However, the Ukrainian military denies this, stating that heavy fighting is taking place in the areas around the settlement. Rosdoliwka is located in the Donetsk region, the epicenter of Russia's advance in eastern Ukraine. It is located north of Bachmut and Soledar, two towns that were taken under Russian control last year.

00:58 US Army awards Lockheed Martin $4.5 billion contractIn the US, the US Army has awarded Lockheed Martin a multi-year contract worth $4.5 billion for the Patriot air defense system. The Pentagon announced this. The contract includes 870 PAC-3 MSE missiles and the associated hardware. Lockheed manufactures the latest version of the missile defense system, known as PAC-3 MSE, which equips the Patriot system. The Patriot system is part of a series of advanced air defense systems provided by the West to Ukraine.

23:58 More Olympic Starting Places for Russians - Judokas rejected
The International Olympic Committee continues to invite more athletes from Russia and Belarus to the Summer Games in Paris. According to the IOC's evening announcement, 50 athletes and athletes from the two countries have been invited so far to compete under a neutral flag at the Olympics. However, not all of these invitations have been accepted, some have already declined. Some Judokas were rejected due to their affiliation with Army sports clubs. Out of the twelve quotas for Russian Judokas, only two will be allocated to men and women each - whether the four accept the invitation is open.

22:59 Ten Ukrainians Returned from Russian Captivity
Ten Ukrainian civilians have returned home from Russian captivity, according to reports from Kiev. Among the released prisoners is Nariman Djeljal, a leader of the Crimean Tatars, writes Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in social media on Friday. He thanks the Vatican for its mediation in the release of the civilians. Djeljal was arrested in Crimea in 2021, before the large-scale Russian invasion of Ukraine, and later sentenced to 17 years in prison.

22:30 Lithuania's Foreign Minister: Kallas Nomination Honors Stance on Russia
Lithuania has welcomed the nomination of Estonian Prime Minister Kaja Kallas as the new EU Foreign Policy Chief. Foreign Minister Gabrielius Landsbergis speaks of recognition of the views of the Baltic States and other countries on the NATO eastern flank, who have taken a firm stance against Russia and supported Ukraine until its victory. "She has never hidden her position, she has clearly and openly expressed herself on issues that are important to us," Landsbergis told the BNS agency in Vilnius about Kallas. Kallas was appointed as the EU's representative for external and security policy at the EU summit in Brussels on Thursday. The 47-year-old Liberal has been Estonia's first female prime minister since 2021 and is known as a champion of a resolute Western stance towards Moscow.

22:00 Baerbock: Support for Ukraine is the Best Protection for Peaceful Sleeping
According to Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock's belief, the ongoing support for Ukraine in its fight against Russian invasion forces is also a prerequisite for peace and security in Germany. "If Ukraine can no longer defend our peace, our freedom because we no longer support it, then the question is how far Putin's troops will advance," Baerbock said during a talk by RedaktionsNetzwerk Deutschland (RND), NDR and "Hannoverscher Allgemeine Zeitung". "That's why the support efforts for Ukraine are the best protection for our own peace and our own security." Baerbock referred to Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Naturally, one can discuss whether the billions in aid for Ukraine should be used differently, Baerbock says. But in this case, she has to admit: "I don't know how long we can continue sleeping peacefully here in Brandenburg, right at the border with Poland." There are "light tests" everywhere along the EU border and the NATO outer border from Russia. "Every reasonable person in the world, in Europe and in Ukraine" wishes nothing more earnestly than peace in Ukraine. But that lies with Putin. "For that, Putin must withdraw his troops and finally put an end to this killing." Instead, his answer is "always more violence and terror."

You can read about previous developments here.

The Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) is investigating an attack on Ukraine, stating that Russian cyberwarfare tactics were used to disrupt military operations in the country.
Volodymyr Selensky, the President of Ukraine, emphasized the need for international support in the face of Russia's escalating military operations and cyber attacks.
NATO leaders held an emergency meeting to discuss the Ukraine conflict and agreed on strengthening military cooperation with Ukraine to counteract Russian attacks, including both traditional and cyber warfare.
In response to the increasing threat of Russian cyber warfare, Ukraine's Ministry of Digital Transformation announced plans to bolster the country's cyber defenses and invest in advanced cybersecurity technologies.
Russia denies any involvement in the cyber attacks against Ukraine, claiming that the accusations are part of a propaganda campaign to discredit the Russian government and justify NATO intervention.