21:24 Seehofer: Don't grant young Ukrainians residency

Approximately 1.2 million Ukrainians have found refuge in Germany from the war in their homeland. CSU-Regional Chairman Alexander Dobrindt recently called for the expulsion of Ukrainians who do not work. "The proposal can be misunderstood," says CSU Honorary Chairman Horst Seehofer to the "Augsburger Allgemeine." Mothers and children from the war-torn land found it difficult to work; be it due to lacking language skills or a lack of daycare. "It is part of a humanitarian state to provide protection." However, young men who evade military service in Germany should not be granted asylum, he thinks.

20:51 A man lights a grenade in Luzk city centerA resident of the city of Chmelnyzkyj lights a grenade in the city center of Luzk and is arrested. There are no reported injuries. The Ukrainian Domestic Intelligence Service SBU reports this. The motive of the 23-year-old is unclear.

20:04 Kiev registers Russian lossesAccording to the Ukrainian General Staff, the Russian military lost 1,070 soldiers on Saturday due to death or injury. In addition, they put 7 tanks, 25 other armored vehicles, and 57 artillery systems out of commission, they report. Since the beginning of their large-scale invasion, the Russian attackers have lost more than 540,000 soldiers. These figures are not independently verifiable.

19:39 Russian children go on vacation in North KoreaAt the meeting between Russian President Vladimir Putin and North Korea's Dictator Kim Jong Un, they also agreed on a cooperation in tourism. At the end of July, the first Russian children will recover in North Korea, reports the state Russian news agency RIA Novosti. The conditions were "good." Previously, the administration of the neighboring Russian region Primorye had announced tourism 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 Ukrainian Interior Minister Ihor Klymenko. Thirty-one people were injured. Vilniansk had about 15,000 residents before the war and is located 30 kilometers from the city of 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 Iwan Fedorov.

19:21 Poland: The West must learn to escalate anewPolish Foreign Minister Radoslaw Sikorski is convinced that Russia is not invincible and that the West can defeat Vladimir Putin. "Russia is not invincible, contrary to its insane propaganda," 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 "escalation games." "For example, we could confiscate all 300 billion euros of Russian state assets," Sikorsky explained.

18:39 Ukraine's Privatization System-Relevant Banks Selling Off

The Ukraine plans to sell system-relevant banks Sens Bank and Ukrgasbank. In addition, an internationally recognized financial advisor is to be appointed by September 2024, according to a memorandum with the International Monetary Fund. The procedure is to be "transparent" and "follow consultations with international financial organizations." Ukraine commits not to increase the state's stake 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 Belarus

Kiev contradicts Belarusian statements about possible attacks of the Ukraine over the common border. The Ukraine poses no threat but is strengthening its defense lines instead, according to Border Guard Spokesperson Andrij Demtschenko. There are no provocations. "They are probably confused," he is quoted by the UNIAN agency. "The real threat comes from Belarus, where there are enough Russian troops stationed," says Andrij Kowalenko, head of the Ukrainian Center for Countering Disinformation. The Russian military is trying to tie up 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 Reunited with Families in Kiev after Years

Ten Ukrainian civilians released from detention in Russia have returned to Kiev. The former detainees, dressed in blue and yellow flags, were greeted by their relatives in the capital. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy expressed his gratitude to all involved and specifically to the Vatican for its mediation. Some of the now-released persons had been held in Russia before its large-scale invasion of Ukraine, among them Nariman Dzheljal, deputy chairman of the Mejlis, a representation of the Crimean Tatars. Dzheljal was abducted from Crimea a year before the large-scale invasion, where he lived despite the annexation.

16:47 Ukraine Investigates Former General Sodol

The Ukrainian Prosecutor General's Office is investigating the actions of dismissed General-Leutenant Yurii Sodol. He is accused of sending unnecessary soldiers to their deaths. The General gave orders to Ukrainian troops during the Russian offensive in the Kharkiv Oblast. 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 the troops, which led to the loss of Ukrainian territory and personnel.

16:10 Ukraine thanks for CrimTatarish translation tool in English The Google Online Translator now contains CrimTatarish as part of an extension of 110 new languages. Ukraine's Ministry of Foreign Affairs publicly thanks for the initiative. CrimTatarish is endangered in Ukraine due to the decreasing 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 are subjected to persecution and deportation by the Russian occupiers on their homeland.

15:29 EU imposes sanctions on Belarus The EU imposes sanctions on Belarus due to its involvement in Russia's armed conflict. This aims to make it harder for Russia to bypass sanctions.

Export restrictions on goods and technologies for shipping as well as luxury goods to Belarus
Extension of the export ban on technology and goods that could contribute to increasing Belarusian industrial capacity
New export ban to Belarus for goods and technologies suitable for oil refining and natural gas liquefaction
Import ban from Belarus on gold, diamonds, helium, coal, and mineral products, including natural gas
Comprehensive ban on services for Belarus
Ban on goods 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 a new war is impossible. This will be the victory."

14:31 Belarus strengthens air defense at the Ukrainian border Belarus, according to its own statements, strengthens 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 reports. 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 it has information that Ukraine has moved more troops, weapons, and military equipment to the northern region of Schytomyr, which borders Belarus.

13:52 Seehofer on Scholz's "No" to Taurus Deliveries for Ukraine: "Scholz's Behavior is Spot On"

Former Federal Interior Minister Horst Seehofer endorses Chancellor Olaf Scholz's "No" to the delivery of Taurus missile systems to Ukraine. In an interview on the occasion of his 75th birthday in the "Augsburger Allgemeine," Seehofer, a CSU politician and former Bavarian Minister-President, stated, "I find Scholz's behavior exactly right - in the question of Taurus deliveries." The Chancellor aimed to prevent escalation and work together with the Americans under all circumstances. "I have always considered that right, even though that is also seen differently in my party," said Seehofer regarding Scholz's stance on the Taurus issue. "This stance does not build the chance that, when the Ukrainians consider it right, they might try to end this horrible and brutal war of the Russians," said the CSU politician.

13:23 More Russia and China? Economists Warn Against New Foreign Policy Course of the AfD

Economists warn against the efforts of influential AfD politicians to distance themselves from the EU and the US and to orient more strongly towards Russia and China. "A departure from the US and EU to cooperate more closely 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 more strongly towards Russia and China would be the "greatest mistake" that Germany could make politically and economically.

12:58 Russia Claims Capture of Village in the Donezk Oblast

According to reports from Russian state media, the Russian military has taken control of the Ukrainian village of Schumy in the Donezk region. The state-owned Russian news agency Ria, citing the Russian Defense Ministry, reports that the army has seized the settlement near the city of Torezk. The announcement states that Ukrainian troops suffered 360 casualties. The claims cannot be independently verified.

12:38 Zelensky: Russian Attacks Have Destroyed 80 Percent of Ukraine's Thermal Energy and One-Third of Its Hydroelectric Power

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

12:25 Ukrainian Foreign Minister Kuleba in Croatia for a Visit
The Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba is in Croatia for a visit. He is participating in the 17. Dubrovnik Forum. According to the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry, the focus of the meeting will be on restoring peace and security in Ukraine and Europe, as well as the results of the first peace summit. Croatian Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic 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 by mid-2027 at the latest, and 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 been reported on open-source websites on the internet. According to his calculations, Russia has lost an average of four tanks per day since the start of the war. However, only 300 to 500 new tanks can be built each year, and Moscow cannot sustain this indefinitely, says the military economist. Satellite images already show that old Soviet military bases are emptying out at a rapid pace throughout Russia, according to Keupp. "Russia is living off its reserves. It is essentially on the dead legs of the Soviet Union." Keupp's conclusion: "Time is running against Russia." In his opinion, Russia's method of waging war is not sustainable. "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 Dodgers: Some Ukrainian Men Seek Help from Forgers
In Ukraine, a new recruitment drive is underway 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 also increase. Ukraine recently passed far-reaching mobilization measures that allow the military to call up more soldiers and impose stricter penalties for military service evasion. Volodymyr Zelensky signed a controversial law in April that lowers 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 Zelensky Releases Video of Reunions between Ukrainian POWs and Their Families
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has released a video showing the moment when ten Ukrainian prisoners of war return home and reunite with their families. He shared the recording on his social media channels.

10:36 Ukrainian police car in Sumy attacked by Russian droneIn the Sumy Oblast in northeastern Ukraine, a Ukrainian police car was attacked by a Russian drone. This was reported by the Ukrainian newspaper "Kyiv Post" citing the Ukrainian National Police. 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 warThe Kremlin declined to comment on Donald Trump's remarks that if he were re-elected in November, he would end the war against Ukraine. This was reported by the British newspaper "Guardian." 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 Ukraine," Trump said.

09:26 Zelenskyy thanks Coe at meeting for exclusion of Russian and Belarusian athletesUkrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy held a meeting with the President of the World Athletics Championships, Sebastian Coe. This was announced by the Ukrainian leader on his 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 Coe for supporting Ukrainian athletes.

09:01 Four dead, ten injured in Russian attacks in the Kherson regionRussian forces have shelled numerous towns and villages in the Kherson region, resulting in four deaths and ten injuries. 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. He added that Russian military forces attacked residential areas in the region and damaged several private houses. Businesses and a gas pipeline were also reportedly hit.

08:34 Governor of Kursk: Five dead in Ukrainian drone attack on border villageAccording 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, made the announcement on Telegram. "Two children under the age of seven were among the dead," Smirnov said. He added that two other family members were in critical condition. 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 targeting 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, targeting not only Russian energy infrastructure 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 recorded 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 latest 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 suspected Russian agent. The man is alleged to have prepared a Russian breakthrough in the Donetsk region and to have spied on Ukrainian defense forces. According to the SBU press office, the man is a resident of Myrnohrad who works for a private security company. Russia reportedly became aware of the man due to his activity on pro-Russian Telegram channels, where he is said to have published anti-Ukrainian comments.

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

The Ukrainian air defense forces reportedly shot down all ten Russian drones launched at night.

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

The Ukrainian General Staff reported 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 most intense fighting is reported near Pokrovsk, where the Russian troops attempted to dislodge Ukrainian units from their positions 28 times. The Ukrainian army repelled 21 attacks and is currently engaged in seven battles.

04:59 Czech Republic prepares security agreements with Kiev

Czech Prime Minister Petr Fiala announced on X that the Czech Republic would sign a bilateral security agreement with Ukraine during the EU summit in London on July 18. Fiala stated that he had agreed with President Zelenskyy the previous day to finalize the negotiations on the text of the Czech-Ukrainian security agreement before the NATO summit in Washington, which is scheduled for July 9-11. The Czech Republic will join 19 other countries, including the United States, Great Britain, Germany, France, and the European Union, that 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 weapons 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 facilities 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 recruiting and financing Russian operations, such as the assassination of the Russian military helicopter pilot Maxim Kusminow. He had defected to Ukraine and was living in Spain when 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 by Russian officials from Vienna, according to the paper. "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 last two years. About half of them are diplomats and managers, while the other half act as spies.

01:58 Russia takes control of 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 claims that heavy fighting is taking place in the areas around the settlement. Rosdoliwka is located in the Donetsk region, the epicenter of Russian advances 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 that the West provides to Ukraine.

23:58 More Olympic Starting Places for Russians - Judokas rejected

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) continues to invite more athletes from Russia and Belarus to the Summer Games in Paris. According to the IOC's announcement in the evening, 50 athletes from these 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 quota places 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 Return from Russian Captivity

Ten Ukrainian civilians have returned home from Russian captivity, according to reports from Kiev. Among the released individuals is Nariman Djeljal, a leader of the Crimean Tatars. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced this on social media on Friday. He thanks the Vatican for its role in the civilians' release. 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, which 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 her views on issues that are important to us," Landsbergis told the BNS agency in Vilnius about Kallas. Kallas was appointed as the EU 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 supporter of a resolute Western stance against Moscow (also see entries at 15:36 and 13:38 hours).

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 crucial 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 external border by Russia. "Every reasonable person in the world, in Europe and in Ukraine" wishes nothing more ardently 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 all previous developments here.

The Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has criticized the proposal by some German politicians to expel Ukrainian refugees who do not work, stating that it is inconsistent with Ukraine's conflict and the need for humanitarian protection.
Russia's military operation in Ukraine has been met with strong condemnation from NATO, with the alliance imposing sanctions on Belarus due to its involvement in the conflict.
The Ukrainian government has accused Russia of launching a cyberwar on Ukraine, with several attacks on critical infrastructure and government institutions reported since the beginning of the military operation.
The attack on Ukraine has sparked a political crisis in Germany, with some politicians calling for a tougher stance against Russia and others defending the country's close economic ties with Moscow.
Volodymyr Selenskyy has called for international support in the fight against Russia's military operation in Ukraine, highlighting the importance of the conflict for the stability of Europe and NATO.