21:49 Ukraine: Russia fooled by dummies during airstrike
In a air raid on the previous Wednesday, Russia attempted to destroy a Mig-29 jet and two Patriot missile batteries according to Russian sources - but as Ukrainian Air Force Commander Mikola Oeschtschuk states, the Russians fell for a ruse. They had only destroyed mockups instead. The attack targeted a military airfield in the Dnipropetrovsk Oblast and a supposed Patriot battery in the Odessa Oblast.
21:11 Chinese soldiers in Belarus for joint maneuversChinese soldiers have arrived in Belarus (formerly White Russia) for a joint anti-terror exercise. The maneuvers will be held from the 8th to the 19th of July, according to the Belarusian Defense Ministry's Telegram channel. "This joint training allows for experience sharing, improving cooperation between Belarusian and Chinese units, and laying the groundwork for further development of Belarusian-Chinese relations in the field of joint military training." No details about the planned exercises have been released yet.
20:28 Zelenskyy: Russia will never dominate the Black Sea againPresident Zelenskyy announced a new maritime strategy in his daily video address, which will be presented to the Ukrainian Security and Defense Council shortly. The war has changed the power balance in the Black Sea, he said. The Russian fleet will never dominate the region again.
19:41 Drone alarm - Romania scrambles F16sThe Romanian government has scrambled two F16 fighter jets after Russian drones approached Ukrainian territory - near the border. They did not have to engage, however. No damage from drone wreckage has been reported, according to the Romanian Defense Ministry in Bucharest.
19:13 Hodges sees Ukraine on the winning sideRetired US Army Lieutenant General Ben Hodges believes that Ukraine will defeat Russia. It is now crucial to continue supplying weapons to the attacked country. He wishes for clearer support from the US government.
18:24 Russian airstrike kills two in village - two fatalitiesTwo people, a woman and a man, have been killed in the village of Chreschtscheniwka in the Kherson Oblast by a Russian air raid. Russian bombs destroyed a residential building. Emergency services are currently attempting to recover the bodies of the two victims.
17:49 Heavy accident: 14 fatalities in the northwestFourteen people, including a six-year-old child, have been killed in a severe traffic accident in the northwest of Ukraine. Ukrainian Interior Minister Ihor Klymenko announced the news on his Telegram channel. A fuel tanker collided with a collection taxi in the Rivne region. Emergency services and police are on site. The doctors are reportedly still fighting for the life of the sole survivor, a severely injured woman. The bus was almost completely destroyed, as photos from the disaster response team showed.
17:33 Zelenskyy calls new British Prime Minister StarmerPresident Zelenskyy congratulated the new British Prime Minister Keir Starmer by phone - and thanked him. He praised Starmer for his commitment to supporting Ukraine in its defense against Russia. Zelenskyy shared that he had coordinated positions with Starmer ahead of the upcoming NATO summit.
17:17 Japan and Cambodia to aid Ukraine in landmine clearanceJapan and Cambodia intend to help Ukraine in landmine clearance. This was announced by Japan's Foreign Minister Yoko Kamikawa during a visit to Phnom Penh. Her country will provide Ukraine with a powerful mine-clearing machine in the coming week. Ukrainian specialists are expected to be trained in Cambodia, a leading country in this field, in mine clearance and machine operation in August.
16:36 Biden to receive Zelenskyy next weekUS President Joe Biden is expected to receive his Ukrainian counterpart Zelenskyy at the White House next week. During the NATO summit coming week (9th to 11th July) in Washington, it is possible that this meeting will take place, according to a press briefing at the White House. Several bilateral meetings with other leaders are being prepared, including one with Zelenskyy.
16:01 Armenia holds military drills with US troopsArmenia, a neighboring country of Turkey and a former Soviet republic, is moving closer to the US. From 15th to 25th July, the country plans to hold joint military exercises with the US. The focus will be on peacekeeping. The relations between Armenia and Moscow have deteriorated lately. The government in Yerevan is disappointed with Russia's behavior during the war with Azerbaijan over the region Nagorno-Karabakh. They did not come to Armenia's aid. Previously, Armenia had already distanced itself from Russia after it attacked Ukraine.
15:20 Estonia delivers several Mistral systemsThe Ukraine is receiving a new air defense system, this time from Estonia. The attacked country has already received several short-range anti-aircraft missile systems along with ammunition, according to the Estonian Defense Ministry. It concerns a French-made system that has a range of six kilometers. It is intended to provide protection against low-flying helicopters and aircraft.
14:44 Turkey proposes "Peace Platform"Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan makes a new proposal for peace in Ukraine. According to a Turkish newspaper, a "Peace Platform" could expand efforts to end the war. "A Peace Platform that prevents deepening polarization, has a broad participation and representation, and prioritizes diplomacy should be established," he reportedly said. He did not provide details. Previously, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan had offered to help mediate an end to the war at an international summit in Kazakhstan. Russia had already rejected this.
13:53 Russia reports capture of additional settlement in DonetskRussian troops, according to Russian statements, have taken control of another settlement in the eastern Ukrainian region of Donetsk. The approximately 30 kilometers northwest of Donezk located village of Sokil was "liberated," the Russian Defense Ministry reported. The region of Donetsk, along with Luhansk, Kherson, and Zaporizhzhia, is one of the Ukrainian regions that Moscow declared annexed in September 2022. According to Ukrainian reports, the fiercest fighting along the entire front line is currently taking place in the region.
13:40 Le Pen: In case of RN victory, no French long-range weapons to be used against RussiaMarine Le Pen, leader of the right-wing Rassemblement National (RN), announced that in the event of an RN election win, French long-range weapons would not be allowed for use against Russia as targets. She made this statement during an interview with the US broadcaster CNN. Similarly, her party would not permit French troops to be stationed in Ukraine, a possibility that French President Emmanuel Macron has not ruled out. "If Emmanuel Macron wants to send troops to Ukraine and the prime minister is against it, then there will be no troops in Ukraine," Le Pen stated. The only red line, according to her, is to prevent France from becoming a warring party. The French are voting for their parliament tomorrow.
12:49 ISW: Putin confirms goal, to destroy Ukraine as a stateDuring his recent visit to the Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán in the Kremlin, Russian President Vladimir Putin once again rejected the idea of a negotiated ceasefire. According to the US think tank Institute for the Study of War (ISW), Putin instead seeks an end to the war that erases Ukraine's sovereignty. Among the conditions for peace talks, Putin demands the cession of significant Ukrainian territories to Russia and the complete surrender of the Ukrainian military.
12:30 Ukraine: Half of electricity generation capacity lost due to Russian attacksThrough Russian attacks on critical infrastructure, Ukraine has lost more than half of its capacity for electricity generation, which was available before the full-scale Russian invasion. This information comes from a comparison of the current situation with the pre-war period, which the EU ambassador to the country reported in a Financial Times article in June. The hostile attacks of the past three months have reportedly reduced the country's electricity generation by nine gigawatts - approximately half of what was required for the country's electricity supply during the previous winter. There is a risk that Ukraine will not have electricity, let alone heat and water, during the upcoming winter.
11:58 Ukrainian General Staff: 139 battles yesterdayThe Ukrainian General Staff reported in its daily report 139 battles at the front lines for the past 24 hours. Most of these engagements took place in the Pokrowsk sector, in the Donetsk oblast, in the southeastern Ukraine. The army recorded six rocket attacks and 55 air raids involving 72 bombs, as well as over 3,000 attacks using grenades. In the northern region, around Kharkiv, the Russian troops also used combat jets.
11:22 Ukraine calls for ban of Russian athletes supporting the war at Paris Olympics
The Ukraine calls for the exclusion of Russian athletes from the Olympics in Paris if they are proven to have supported the Russian military. The International Olympic Committee decided in December that Russian and Belarusian athletes can participate as "neutral athletes" if they fulfill "strict participation conditions." They are therefore not allowed to form teams, present flags, or anything else associated with their homeland. The Ukrainian Olympic Committee now reports that some Russian athletes qualified for the Olympics have been supporting the Ukrainian war and Putin's politics on the internet. Some athletes have also participated in propaganda tournaments.
10:52 Ukraine: 12 civilians killed by Russian attacks
The Russian army, according to Ukrainian reports, dropped 19 glide bombs on the Charkiw region in the last 24 hours. The head of the military administration of the Charkiw region reported this to the Ukrainian news agency Ukrinform. There, three people were reportedly killed and six others injured. In the Oblast Donezk, 11 civilians were reported killed and 43 injured.
10:08 Ukrainian General Staff: 1260 Russian losses since yesterday
The Ukrainian General Staff reports 1260 losses among Russian soldiers for the past 24 hours. According to Ukrainian sources, the total number of killed and wounded soldiers on the Russian side since the beginning of the full-scale invasion in February 2022 is approximately 549,000. In addition, since yesterday, 11 tanks, 58 drones, 18 armored vehicles, and nine Russian missile systems were reportedly destroyed, as well as 66 artillery systems.
09:29 How it could unfold: If Putin attacks the Baltic states
Security experts consider a Russian attack on the Baltic states in the coming years to be plausible to realistic. The NATO assures its members of support, but the alliance's collective defense clause leaves room for different reactions from other states. How could an attack on the Baltic flank of the defense alliance unfold?
09:11 NATO summit brings news of F-16 jets for Ukraine
During the upcoming NATO summit in Washington, Ukraine can expect new statements regarding the delivery of F-16 fighter jets. This was announced by a high-ranking US government official during a briefing. The training of Ukrainian pilots on F-16s reportedly makes significant progress. The Ukrainian army is still waiting for the first jets to arrive. The Netherlands, Denmark, Norway, and Belgium have pledged deliveries.
08:30 One-third of Russians support atomic attack on Ukraine
According to a survey presented by Russian propagandist Sergei Mardan on Russian state television, one-third of the Russian population is in favor of attacking Ukraine with atomic weapons. They align themselves with Vladimir Solovyov, who consistently calls for the use of atomic weapons in the Ukrainian conflict. In the Russian nightlife, patriotism is on the rise. Russian artists are making clear patriotic appeals.
08:17 AfD welcomes Orban's Visit to Putin
The AfD welcomes the criticized Ukraine talks between Hungary's Prime Minister Viktor Orban and Russia's President Vladimir Putin. "Hungary is leading and speaking with both direct conflict parties from the first day of its EU Council Presidency," explains the foreign policy spokesperson of the faction, Matthias Moosdorf. "The AfD faction welcomes the fact that now, at the highest European level, the possibilities of a ceasefire with the goal of peace talks are being prioritized." The "EU and its personnel" are referred to as "war instigators."
07:52 Ukraine: Invaders threaten to deport Ukrainians without Russian passports
In the occupied territories of Ukraine, the Russians are reportedly threatening to deport residents without Russian passports, according to Ukrainian reports. The Information Center for National Resistance reports this based on a statement from the center. "The occupiers have used this practice before. Locals are taken to a checkpoint and expelled from their homeland," the resistance center shares. In some cases, people were reportedly forced to apply for passports. During the latest raids in the south, residents were allegedly threatened with expulsion and confiscation of their property.
07:19 SPD expert calls for more money for the military
Members of the government are concerned about the financing of the Bundeswehr following the agreement on the federal budget 2025. The army must procure weapons and ammunition that it supplies to Ukraine from its own budget. SPD budget expert Andreas Schwarz speaks of a "disappointing amount" in light of the meager increase in the defense budget of only 1.2 billion euros. "This does not meet what we need in the defense sector," Schwarz told the "Tagesspiegel." The president of the Reservists' Association, Patrick Sensburg, also noted that Germany would not be "war ready" with this financing.
06:37 Russia: Ukrainian drones attacked Belgorod
At night, Ukrainian drones reportedly attacked several areas in the Russian region of Belgorod. This is reported by, among others, the Russian news agency RIA Novosti. In Shebekino, debris from a shot-down drone damaged a mobile phone mast. In other places, several fuel tanks were reported to have caught fire. There are no reported injuries.
06:10 Zelensky thanks new British prime minister
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky thanks the new British Prime Minister Keir Starmer for his support for Ukraine. "I am grateful to Keir Starmer for his assurance that the UK's support for Ukraine remains unchanged in principle," Zelensky writes on Telegram. He and Starmer reportedly aligned their positions ahead of the NATO summit in the coming week. According to a high-ranking US official, NATO will present a "bridge to membership" for Ukraine at the summit in Washington.
03:45 Burning oil depots after drone attack in Russia
Ukrainian drones are reported to have attacked several areas in the Russian region of Krasnodar at night. The Russian news agency RIA Novosti reports this, among other things. In Jeisk, debris from a shot-down drone damaged a mobile phone mast. In other places, several fuel tanks were reported to have caught fire. There are no reported injuries.
02:07 Drone Attacks: Sumy without Water and Power
According to local authorities, Russian drone attacks have disrupted the power and water supply in the northern Ukrainian city of Sumy. The public broadcaster Suspilne reported a series of explosions in the city. The Sumy region is almost daily targeted by Russian positions across the border.
00:28 Eight people killed in Russian attacks in Eastern Ukraine
Eight people were killed and at least 28 were injured in Russian attacks in the eastern Ukrainian region of Donetsk, according to Ukrainian sources. "Every city and every village in the Donetsk region is constantly threatened by hostile attacks," Governor Wadym Filaschkin said on Telegram. Independent of this, Russian troops had dropped three guided bombs on the further southwestern village of Komar, killing a 32-year-old woman and injuring twenty more people. Thirteen private houses, four businesses, two residential buildings, and two infrastructure facilities were damaged in the attack.
23:16 Starmer confirms unequivocal UK support for Ukraine
In his first phone call with US President Joe Biden, new British Prime Minister Keir Starmer confirmed the UK's "unlimited" support for Ukraine in the war against Russia. The two leaders reaffirmed their "unwavering commitment to Ukraine," according to a statement from Starmer's office just a few hours after his swearing-in.
21:49 USA suspend military exercises with Georgia
The USA are suspending planned joint military exercises with Georgia against the backdrop of tensions with the Georgian government. The participation of the US Army in the scheduled "Noble Partner" maneuvers, originally set for July 25 to August 6, is "suspended indefinitely," the US Defense Department announced. The background was "false accusations" from the Georgian government. The Pentagon refers to allegations that the USA had pressured Georgia to declare war on Russia and had been involved in "two coup attempts" against the government.
20:35 Insider: Hungary cancels planned meeting with Baerbock
The planned Monday trip of Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock to Budapest does not take place. The Hungarian side suddenly canceled the appointment with Baerbock, according to the Foreign Office.
21:20 Zelenskyy thanks Germany for third Patriot system
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy thanks Germany for the delivery of the third Patriot air defense system. "This is great news," Zelenskyy said in his evening video message. He also thanked the USA for further steps to strengthen Ukrainian air defense. He did not provide details, but said that the partners of the country had fulfilled their obligations. "Ukraine has already shown that it has no Russian rockets that we cannot shoot down," Zelenskyy said. The country is doing everything to ensure that the Russian terror ends.
20:48 NATO Expert: "We must bring down Russia"NATO expert Stefanie Babst calls for a more decisive approach from the alliance towards Russia. "We can only deal with this adversary by bringing down the Russian government. Not only pushing them out of Ukraine, but reducing their influence in their area of operation so they can no longer exert their toxic influence in Europe," Babst said in the t-online Tagesanbruch podcast. For this, a more decisive action is required. "We look at Putin like Lord Voldemort and are afraid he will pull out his wand. We must get over this notion," Babst appealed. The 60-year-old is a former leading staff member of the NATO International Staff.
20:15 Kremlin not optimistic about Labour victory in BritainThe Russian leadership does not expect any changes in the strained relations between Moscow and London following the Labour Party's victory in Britain. The Kremlin is "not optimistic" about it, according to its spokesman Dmitri Peskov in Moscow. "Based on their previous statements, they do not seem inclined towards any flexibility or creativity to normalize the bilateral Russian-British relations."
You can read about previous developments here.
- Following the failed Russian air raid on Ukrainian military installations, President Zelenskyy expressed his belief that Russia will never dominate the Black Sea again, as part of his new maritime strategy.
- Japan and Cambodia have announced plans to aid Ukraine in landmine clearance, with Japan providing a powerful mine-clearing machine to Ukrainian specialists for training in August.
- Russian cyberwar tactics have been a concern, with reports of Russian drones approaching Ukrainian territory, prompting Romania to scramble F-16 fighter jets for defense.
- Volodymyr Selenskyy has repeatedly called for NATO's support in Ukraine's defense against Russia, and recent instances of failed Russian military operations have highlighted the need for stronger international cooperation.
- In the wake of the conflict in Ukraine, some politicians in Western democracies, such as Marine Le Pen in France, have pushed for a reduction of ties with or even military non-involvement against Russia, raising concerns about the impact on NATO's unity and the alliance's commitment to its member states.
