22:16 Erdoğan offers "basis" for end of war, Moscow denies mediating role
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan stated after a meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Kazakhstan that Turkey could help in establishing the groundwork for an end to the war. However, according to Russian government spokesperson Dmitri Peskov, Turkey will not take on a mediator role as reported. Russian news agencies quote Peskov with the response: "No, that's not possible." No statement from the Turkish government is available.
At 21:41, Ukraine imported more electricity in June than in the entire year 2023, strictly rationed
Ukraine imported over 858,000 Megawatt-hours (MWh) of electricity in June, which is 91% more than the amount imported in May and more than the total amount imported in 2023. According to statistics from July 3rd. The largest electricity imports of Ukraine in June came from Hungary (42%). Slovakia and Romania each provided 17%, Poland 16%, and Moldavia 8%. Russia intensified attacks on Ukraine's critical infrastructure in the spring and brought the energy grid of the country to the brink of collapse. Since mid-May, electricity has been strictly rationed. The largest private energy company in Ukraine, DTEK, produced 90% less electricity.
At 20:49, "Eastern flank out of balance": Lithuania plans to allow the use of cluster munitions
Lithuania, considering Russia's war against Ukraine, is planning to withdraw from the international Convention on Cluster Munitions. The government of the Baltic EU and NATO country is approving a corresponding bill from the Defense Ministry. The parliament still needs to approve it. Cluster munitions are referred to as rockets and bombs that explode in the air above the target and scatter numerous small explosive sub-munitions. The Lithuanian government sees them as an effective defense weapon.
Russia and Belarus could use cluster munitions in case of a military conflict, thus gaining a military advantage. "Even if allies were to use this weapon on our territory, they couldn't do it, not even to transport it through Lithuania," says Lithuania's Defense Minister: "This completely upsets the balance of the entire Eastern flank and must be addressed." Estonia, Latvia, Finland, and Poland have not signed the agreement, along with the USA.
At 20:12, White House: Russian offensive on Kharkiv likely failed
The US government announces another security package for Ukraine, the seventh since its approval in April. It includes rockets, artillery ammunition, additional rocket systems, and other military equipment from US military stocks. More systems are reportedly being ordered with the financial resources. Additionally, the White House Press Secretary commented on the situation in Ukraine. According to her, it is "clearer than ever" that the Russian offensive on Kharkiv "has failed."
19:26 Ukraine's 47th Brigade: Russians are setting up massive infantry formations, "huge cemeteries" of vehiclesThe surroundings of the eastern Ukrainian city of Pokrovsk in the Donetsk region are currently the focus of the frontline action. According to the 47th mechanized brigade of the Ukrainian armed forces deployed there, Russian troops are attempting to breach the Ukrainian defense lines: with massive infantry attacks supported by combat drones, brigade spokeswoman Anastasia Blishchik said. "The fact that we have barely seen armored vehicles on the battlefield for a month is at least unique, as they have run out of these weapons," Blishchik added. Reconnaissance drones showed "huge cemeteries" of destroyed armored vehicles. Therefore, the Russian side is trying to dominate the combat situation with strong infantry forces. According to the General Staff in Kiev, the Russian military is trying to increase the firepower in the Pokrovsk region.
18:49 Budget committee approves armament package with 105 Leopard 2A8 tanks105 battle tanks, four Patriot and Lenkflugkörper air defense systems, as well as artillery ammunition: The budget committee of the German Bundestag is bringing a more than six billion Euro package for the new equipment of the Bundeswehr onto the way. With the Leopard 2A8 battle tanks, the future brigade in Lithuania should be equipped, and significant and long-standing gaps in the Bundeswehr should be closed, Defense Minister Boris Pistorius (SPD) said after the meeting. "The procurement of ammunition will be significantly accelerated and expanded. This will provide the German industry with a substantial basis for its planning for this decade, the Bundeswehr full magazines, and the Ukraine urgently needed supplies," the government party reporters shared. German production capacities for ammunition will be significantly expanded. The brigade in Lithuania is expected to be ready for deployment by 2027.
18:17 Zelenskyy: We want to know from Trump if US support will fall after the electionUkraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy asks Trump for clarity on how he intends to end the war in 24 hours. Zelenskyy stated in an interview with "Bloomberg TV" that he is ready to meet with Trump and his team and listen to their proposals. "We want to know if we will have the powerful support of the USA after the elections in November or if we will be alone." The former US president and designated candidate for the upcoming presidential elections has repeatedly claimed that he can end the war in Ukraine in 24 hours. He never provided details. "If Trump knows how to end this war, he should tell us today," Zelenskyy said: "If there are risks for Ukraine's independence and we lose our sovereignty - we want to be prepared, we want to know that."
17:39 ROSATOM-Chief laments Ukrainian attacks on NPP power station
At eight Russian employees of the Saporischja Nuclear Power Plant in southern Ukraine were injured in a drone attack on a power station in Enerhodar, according to Russian statements. The men were reportedly engaged in repair work to restore power supply, says Alexei Lichatschow, head of the Russian Atomic Energy Agency. This not only compromises the safety principles of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), "it's a flagrant violation," Lichatschow complains. The power station supplies the city with electricity. There were reportedly three drone attacks within an hour. He demands a response from the IAEA regarding the attack. Russia seized control of Europe's largest nuclear power plant at the start of its offensive and has held it since. The power plant is located on the southern bank of the Dnipro, the northern bank of which is controlled by Ukraine.
17:14 Video: Russian National Guard shoots at conscripts
Wehrpflichtige are dancing on the roof of the draft board in the Russian city of Osinniki. The National Guard cannot tolerate this and attack the apparently drunken men. Shots are heard, a woman falls to the ground. It is unclear whether she was hit by a stray bullet.
16:39 Russian army levels residential area of Chassow Jar
The Russian army reportedly takes control of a district of the strategically important city of Chassow Jar in the eastern Ukrainian region of Donetsk, according to Russian statements. The troops have "liberated" the district of Nowi, the Russian Defense Ministry reports. It is not known if the Russian soldiers were able to overcome a canal in the eastern part of the small town that serves as a natural defensive line for the Ukrainian army.
The pro-Ukrainian news channel "DeepState" reports that the district has been "completely leveled to the ground." Further resistance would have resulted in heavy losses. "The retreat from the district is therefore a logical, if difficult, decision," it continues. Chassow Jar is about ten kilometers from Bachmut, which was taken by Russian troops after long battles in May 2023. A breakthrough could give the Russian army access to important mining towns in the Donbass still controlled by Ukraine, such as Kramatorsk.
16:04 Russian Intelligence: French "Agent" Vinatier confesses guiltAccording to Russian intelligence, the Frenchman Laurent Vinatier has confessed to gathering information about the Russian military. A worker for a Swiss non-governmental organization, Vinatier has reportedly admitted to his guilt, according to the Russian domestic intelligence service FSB. Vinatier allegedly established numerous contacts with military experts, scientists, and officials during his visits to Moscow. Through these contacts, the Frenchman reportedly collected "military and military-technical information that could be used against the security of the Russian Federation." Vinatier works for the Swiss non-governmental organization Centre for Humanitarian Dialogue (HD) and was arrested in Moscow on June 6. He is accused of failing to register as a "foreign agent."
15:34 Video: Russians report massive Ukrainian drone attackThe Ukraine is attacking Novorossiysk, according to Russian reports, with drones from the air and the water. The Russian Defense Ministry reports the shooting down of twelve objects. Sputnik and other Russian media outlets have published footage of the night sky over the Black Sea port city on the shores of the Caucasus Mountains illuminated by suppressive fire and explosions.
15:02 Poll: Ukrainians see Germany as conditionally reliable, fear US-Russia negotiationsAccording to a survey conducted by the European Council on Foreign Relations, nearly half of Ukrainians believe that the United States could negotiate a peace plan with Russia behind their backs. Forty-seven percent expressed this concern, while forty-nine percent had little or no concern. The views of Ukrainians towards their allies in the defense against Russia vary depending on the country. Eighty-four percent see Britain as reliable or conditionally reliable, the highest percentage. Seventy-six percent felt the same about Germany, but only nineteen percent considered Berlin's support very reliable.
14:23 Scholz: Germany will not be a war party in the futureDuring a Bundestag government questioning session, the issue of Ukraine was also raised. When the Left party deputy Gesine Lötzsch asks if Chancellor Olaf Scholz would give the people "the guarantee" that Germany would not become a war party, Scholz replied: "Yes, I give that guarantee. I am the Chancellor." Lötzsch then asked when a ceasefire could be reached. "In my view, a ceasefire that aims for Ukraine's capitulation is one that we cannot support from Germany," Scholz replied. This is not an abstract question, as one can see from Putin's "peculiar peace proposal." Putin has said he is open to a ceasefire "if Ukraine also gives away some freebies on top." This shows "how cynically they think and that the Russian president does not at all intend to end his aggressive war." Putin talks only of peace negotiations to continue the war. "We will not tolerate that," Scholz assured.
13:55 International Criminal Court investigates torture of Ukrainian prisoners of war and civiliansThe International Criminal Court (ICC) is investigating the torture of Ukrainian prisoners of war and civilians in detention facilities in the previously occupied territories and in Russia, according to the Ukrainian agency "Ukrinform". The Ukrainian Prosecutor General's Office is working with the ICC on this matter. Ukrainian photographers Kostiantyn and Vlada Librov show on Instagram photos of Ukrainian soldiers who had fallen into Russian captivity and have since been released. They write that it was "the most difficult shooting of the last six months".
13:19 Russian postal workers to replace doctors in rural areasDue to a lack of medical personnel in rural areas of Russia, postal workers are now taking on medical tasks in some regions. This was reported by the "Moscow Times" on Telegram. Sanitary and midwife stations are being set up in rural post offices. The postal workers are to diagnose and perform various medical procedures. Russian publicist Alexander Nevzorov called this practice "a return to the Middle Ages" in the "Kyiv Post".
12:58 No agreement among NATO countries on long-term Ukraine aidNATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg failed to convince NATO countries to make long-term commitments for military aid to Ukraine. The 32 allies could only agree in the run-up to the summit in Washington on providing support in the amount of at least 40 billion Euros within the next year. This was reported by the German Press Agency and quoted several delegations.
12:24 Five dead after attack on DniproThe number of casualties from the Russian attack on Dnipro has risen to at least five, according to Ukrainian reports. At least 39 people were injured, including a 14-year-old girl. The attack reportedly used rockets and drones and caused several explosions and fires in the city. Reports suggest that a shopping mall and a weapons factory were hit.
11:31 Ukraine receives another 2 billion Euros from the IMFFinancially stricken Ukraine has received another 2 billion Euros from the International Monetary Fund (IMF). The money is part of an ongoing credit program worth about 15 billion Euros. The money will be used by the government, according to Prime Minister Denys Schmyhal, mainly for social welfare and salaries of civil servants, including doctors and teachers. Since the Russian invasion in February 2022, Ukraine has received over 80 billion Euros in aid from foreign partners, according to its own figures.
11:01 Fire at military base in Russian KurskVideos from the Russian city of Kursk show a large smoke cloud over the city. An Ukrainian attack is said to have set several vehicles on fire at a military base. The governor of the region confirmed a fire in the city center.
10:40 Ukraine: Several civilians killed in Russian attacks
Russian troops shot at the village of Borova in the Charkiw region during the past night, according to the Charkiw Military Administration on Telegram. They report that one man was killed and two others were wounded. In a Russian rocket and drone attack on the eastern Ukrainian city of Dnipro, at least three people were reportedly killed and 18 more were injured.
10:19 Kremlin: No talks with Trump about Ukraine
Russia is not in dialogue with former US President Donald Trump about Ukraine, according to the Interfax news agency, citing a spokesperson for the Russian Presidium. Trump had stated during a TV duel with President Joe Biden last week that if he won the November election, he would resolve the war in Ukraine before his inauguration in January.
09:46 Ukraine lacks hangars to protect jet fighters
According to a report in the Ukrainian "Defense Express" newspaper, the Ukrainian army does not have enough hangars to protect all its fighter jets from Russian attacks. The newspaper reports that a Ukrainian airbase in the Poltawa Oblast does not have sufficient large hangar spaces for Su-27 fighter jets. Russian media have released footage of a recent air raid on the airfield, showing several Ukrainian Su-27 aircraft damaged in the open. The Ukrainian army lacked hangars to protect all its fighter jets.
09:16 Defense committee approves purchase of 105 Leopard tanks
The German Defense Committee is set to approve the purchase of 105 Leopard 2A8 combat tanks today. "We are exhausting all options," writes the new committee chairman Marcus Faber on the platform "X". "We are fully equipping the brigade of Litauen with combat tanks, replacing older Leo2 in the army, and creating room for further appropriations to Ukraine," adds the FDP politician. According to the proposal, the order has a volume of approximately three billion Euros. The defense consortium KNDS is expected to deliver the tanks to the Bundeswehr by 2030.
08:44 Russia: Ukrainian attack on Black Sea port repelled
Russia reportedly repelled attacks by two unarmed Ukrainian explosive boats on the Black Sea port of Noworossijsk. The Defense Ministry reports that the drone boats were destroyed in the Black Sea. Noworossijsk is home to a large port of the Russian Black Sea Fleet. Russia has stationed many of its warships used in the conflict against Ukraine there after the Ukrainian forces attacked Häfen on the Crimean peninsula. The Ministry did not comment on possible damages. The authorities in Noworossijsk urged people to stay in their homes and buildings during the night.
08:21 A large part of Ukrainians feel unity in society
According to a nationwide survey conducted by the Kiev International Institute of Sociology (KIIS) on July 2, 44% of Ukrainians believe that Ukrainian society is united at present. A smaller portion of interviewees, 15%, view Ukrainian society as divided. Corruption is cited as the main issue, followed by language problems. Unfairness during the war, collaboration, and Russia-friendliness are also considered factors contributing to societal division.
07:55 Kremlin: Ten Ukrainian attack drones destroyed
Russia claims to have shot down ten Ukrainian attack drones over Russian territory. Five drones were reportedly destroyed over the Belgorod border region, four over the Brjansk border region, and one over the Moscow region, according to the Russian Defense Ministry's Telegram statement. Additionally, two Ukrainian seed drones were destroyed at the Noworossijsk Black Sea port in the Krasnodar region.
07:20 Ukrainian General Staff: almost 1200 Russian losses yesterday
The Ukrainian General Staff reports 1,180 losses on the Russian side in the past 24 hours. This includes 16 destroyed tanks, 17 armored vehicles, 57 artillery systems, and 63 tank and other vehicles. Two Russian air defense systems were allegedly destroyed by the Ukrainians, along with a missile. The number of dead or wounded Russian soldiers, according to the General Staff, has surpassed 546,000 since the full-scale invasion began.
06:48 Putin arrives at SOZ summit in Kazakhstan
Russian President Vladimir Putin has reportedly arrived in Kazakhstan, according to Kremlin sources. He is participating in the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SOZ) summit in Astana. The two-day event focuses on regional security, defense, and cooperation issues. The heads of state and government of the SOZ member states will discuss "the current situation and prospects for further deepening of multifaceted cooperation," according to Moscow. Putin is scheduled to hold bilateral talks, including with China and Turkey. The summit is attended by representatives from 16 countries - including India, Iran, and Pakistan. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres is also expected to attend.
06:11 Ukraine continues to reject territorial concessions to PutinAccording to the words of Andrij Yermak, the chief of staff of the Ukrainian president, Ukraine continues to categorically reject territorial concessions to Russia to end the war. "We are not willing to make compromises on important things and values," Yermak said to journalists and named "independence, freedom, democracy, territorial integrity, sovereignty." In response to statements from republican US presidential candidate Donald Trump, who claimed he could quickly end the conflict, the government in Kiev is open for advice to achieve a "just peace." Trump stated during a television debate that he would not accept Putin's conditions. Putin had declared that Russia would end the war if Kiev was willing to surrender the territories claimed and occupied by Moscow in the east and south of the country. In response to a question about how Ukraine views Trump's handling of the war, Yermak replied: "Honestly speaking: I don't know. We'll see."
05:42 USA to provide new military aid for UkraineThe Ukrainian military is in urgent need of supplies. The USA will make available to Ukraine, in the near future, additional military aid in the amount of approximately 2.3 billion US dollars (around 2.14 billion Euros) to help Ukraine defend against the Russian attack war. US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin made this announcement during a visit by his Ukrainian counterpart Rustem Umjerow in Washington. The package, which has been approved by US President Joe Biden, includes "additional air defense systems, anti-tank weapons, and other important ammunition from US stocks," Austin explained. The "realignment of some foreign military deliveries" will also allow the USA to make available Munition for Patriot and other air defense systems "in an accelerated timeframe."
04:49 NATO expanding presence in KyivThe NATO is expanding its civilian presence in the attacked Ukraine. A spokesperson confirmed that the 32 alliance members have decided to send a type of special envoys to the capital Kyiv. The high-ranking official is to steer the political and practical support of the alliance on site. The background is that the NATO intends to give the start signal for a new deployment at the upcoming summit in Washington to coordinate weapons deliveries and training activities for the Ukrainian armed forces. The headquarters for this should be built in Wiesbaden. Who will get the new NATO post in Kyiv is still not known.
03:42 UN call for release of GershkovichExperts of the United Nations are calling for the immediate release of US journalist Evan Gershkovich, who is in Russian custody on espionage charges. "The deprivation of liberty of Evan Gershkovich is arbitrary" and violates several articles of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the experts write in a statement. Considering the circumstances of the case, the "immediate" release of Gershkovich is appropriate.
02:40 Serbian President Vucic receives Russian deputy foreign ministerThe Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic received the Russian deputy foreign minister Alexander Gruschko in Belgrade. He spoke with Gruschko about the bilateral relations between Serbia and Russia and assessed them as "very good", Vucic stated on Instagram. He also thanked Russia "for its support of Serbia's territorial integrity, as well as in relation to the UN Resolution on Srebrenica". Moscow still refuses to recognize Kosovo's independence. Serbia has been an EU membership candidate since 2012, but maintains good relations with the Kreml despite the Russian annexation of Ukraine.
01:29 Russian court sentences 19-year-old to twelve yearsA Russian court sentenced a 19-year-old man to twelve years in prison for "treason," after he was accused of donating money to the Ukrainian army. "The Rostov Regional Court found him guilty and sentenced him to a twelve-year term in a penal colony," it says in a comment from the Russian domestic intelligence service FSB, which was picked up by the state-controlled Kremlin media. The teenager is accused of sending money to help the Ukrainian army buy food and drones. Since Russia's invasion of Ukraine, thousands of Russians have been arrested and many of them have been incarcerated. According to Amnesty International, at least 21,000 people were targets of repression against war opponents in 2023.
00:20 One quarter of US citizens find US aid to Ukraine insufficientAlmost a quarter of Americans believe that the United States is not providing enough military aid to Ukraine. This percentage has risen since November last year, according to a poll by the Pew Research Center. Twenty-four percent of the respondents believe that the United States is not providing enough aid, compared to 18 percent in November 2023, when the poll was last conducted. However, more Americans (31 percent) believe that the United States is providing too much aid, and 25 percent think that the US aid is sufficient.
22:53 Lithuania reports airspace violation by Russian planeLithuania reports a violation of its airspace by a Russian plane. The unspecified aircraft of the Russian airline Pobeda allegedly entered the airspace of the Baltic EU and NATO member without permission on the evening of June 30 and stayed there for approximately one minute. The representative of the Russian embassy was summoned and the Russian authorities were asked to take all necessary measures to prevent such incidents in the future. The airspace violation occurred over the Baltic Sea, as the plane was on its way from Moscow to the Russian exclave of Kaliningrad bordering Lithuania. The EU has closed its airspace to Russian planes as a reaction to Russia's aggression in Ukraine.
22:12 Survey in Member States: High Trust in NATO, Low Trust in Zelenskyy
Coming Week, NATO Celebrates Its 75-Year Anniversary. In member states, the transatlantic defense alliance is generally well regarded, according to a Pew Research survey. On average in 13 countries, 63% of the population holds a positive opinion, while 33% hold a negative one. Germany is above average with 64% positive views. Exceptionally high is the evaluation in Poland, where 91% have a positive image of the alliance. The trust in Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stands at an average of 40% and has decreased in member states in the past year. Poland stands out, where the head of state has lost 22 percentage points - from 70 to 48%. In Germany, trust has decreased by 7 percentage points to 54%.
21:27 Zelenskyy Rejects Orban's Peace Proposal
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has rejected a peace proposal from Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban for peace talks, according to the Zelenskyy administration. During his first visit to Kiev since the war began, Orban proposed a quick ceasefire that could "accelerate peace negotiations with Moscow," he said. "The president listened to him, but in response, he clarified Ukraine's position and rejected the proposal," said a spokesperson for the Presidential Administration. Previously, Kiev had already rejected ceasefires, citing the risk that Russian forces could regroup during this time.
21:02 Ukraine: Moscow Recruits Minors
Russia is actively recruiting minors for the war in Ukraine, Ukraine claims. The recruitment contracts are reportedly signed with minors, and they take effect when they reach legal age. "They hope to recruit tens of thousands of teenagers with propaganda," says the Ukrainian agency "National Resistance Center": "We warn that any enemy on our territory will be eliminated." On occupied Ukrainian territory, Russia also employs minors, for example, to produce drones.
You can read about earlier developments here.
- Despite Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan suggesting potential mediation in the Ukraine conflict with Russia, Russian government spokesperson Dmitri Peskov clarified that Turkey will not take on a mediator role.
- The ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine has led to heightened tensions, with Lithuania considering withdrawing from the international Convention on Cluster Munitions due to Russia's activities.
- The White House announced another security package for Ukraine, including rockets, artillery ammunition, additional rocket systems, and other military equipment, in response to the failed Russian offensive on Kharkiv.
- In light of the military operations in the Ukraine conflict, Volodymyr Selensky, the President of Ukraine, expressed his concern over potential changes in US support after the November elections.
- Russia has intensified attacks on Ukraine's critical infrastructure, particularly its energy grid, resulting in strict electricity rationing and significant production decreases for the largest private energy company in Ukraine, DTEK.
