22:18 Russians are said to have lost thousands of soldiers at Chassiv Yar
Russian troops suffered heavy losses in the battle for Chassiw Yar - according to a Ukrainian military spokesperson, over 5000 men were reportedly wounded or killed. The determined Ukrainian forces had withdrawn from part of the town earlier. The village has been a focal point of fighting for months.
21:49 Ukraine: Russia fell for a decoy in air raid
During a Russian air raid on the previous Wednesday, Russia claimed to have destroyed a Mig-29 jet and two Patriot missile batteries - but, as Ukrainian Air Force Commander Mikola Oeschtschuk stated, the Russians had fallen for a decoy. They had only destroyed mockups, he said. The raid targeted a military airfield in the Dnipropetrovsk Oblast and a supposed Patriot battery in the Odessa Oblast.
21:11 Chinese soldiers arrive for joint maneuvers in Belarus
Chinese 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. "The joint training will help exchange experiences, improve cooperation between Belarusian and Chinese units, and lay the foundation 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 rule the Black Sea again
President Zelenskyy announced in his daily video address a new maritime strategy. This will be presented to the Security and Defense Council of Ukraine in the near future. The war has changed the power balance in the Black Sea, he said. The Russian fleet will never rule the area again.
19:41 Drone alarm - Romania scrambles F16s
The Romanian government has scrambled two F16 fighter jets after Russian drones approached Ukrainian territory - near the border. They did not need to engage, however. No damages have been reported from drone wreckage, according to the Romanian Defense Ministry in Bucharest.
19:13 Hodges sees Ukraine on the winning side
Retired US Army Lieutenant General Ben Hodges believes that Ukraine will defeat Russia. It is now crucial to consistently provide military aid to the attacked country. He wishes for clearer support from the US government.
18:24 Russian airstrike kills two in village
Two people, a woman and a man, were killed by a Russian air strike in the Cherson Oblast. Russian bombs destroyed a house in the village of Chreschtscheniwka. Emergency services are currently attempting to recover the bodies of the two victims.
17:49 Heavy traffic accident leaves 14 dead in northwest Ukraine
Fourteen people, including a six-year-old child, were killed in a severe traffic accident in northwest 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 the scene. The doctors are reportedly still fighting to save the life of the only survivor, a seriously injured woman. The bus was almost completely destroyed, as photos from the disaster response team showed.
17:33 Zelenskyy calls new British Prime Minister Starmer
President Zelenskyy congratulated the new British Prime Minister Keir Starmer over the phone and thanked him for his support for Ukraine in its defense against Russia. Zelenskyy mentioned that they had coordinated positions before the NATO summit coming next week.
17:17 Ukraine to receive help with landmine removal
Japan and Cambodia plan to help Ukraine in landmine removal. Japanese Foreign Minister Yoko Kamikawa announced this during a visit to Phnom Penh. Japan will provide Ukraine with a powerful mine-clearing machine in the coming week. Ukrainian specialists are scheduled to be trained in Cambodja, a leading country in this field, in mine removal and machine operation in August.
16:36 Biden to meet Selenskyy next week
US President Joe Biden is expected to meet his Ukrainian counterpart Zelenskyy at the White House next week during the NATO summit in Washington (July 9-11). Several bilateral meetings with other leaders are being prepared, including one with Zelenskyy.
16:01 Armenia holds military drills with US troops
Armenia, a neighboring country of Turkey and a former Soviet republic, is moving closer to the US. From July 15 to 25, the country will conduct joint military exercises with the US. The focus will be on peacekeeping. Armenia's relations with 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 receive help from Russia. Previously, Armenia had already distanced itself from Russia after attacking Ukraine.
15:20 Estonia delivers several Mistral systems
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 with ammunition from Estonia, according to the Estonian Defense Ministry. It is 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 Mevlut Cavusoglu proposed a new peace initiative for Ukraine. According to a Turkish newspaper, a "Peace Platform" could expand peace efforts. "A Peace Platform that prevents deepening polarization, has a broad participant and representative base, and prioritizes diplomacy should be established," he reportedly said. He did not provide details. Recently, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan also offered to help mediate an end to the war at an international summit in Kazakhstan. Russia rejected this offer.
13:53 Russia reports capture of additional settlement in DonetskRussian troops, according to Moscow's statements, have taken control of another settlement in the Donetsk region in eastern Ukraine. The troops reportedly "liberated" the approximately 30 km northwest of the city of Donetsk located village of Sokil, the Russian Defense Ministry announced. 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 Kiev, the fiercest fighting along the entire frontline is currently taking place in the region.
13:40 Le Pen: No French long-range weapons on targets in RussiaMarine Le Pen, leader of the right-wing National Rally (RN), announced that, in the event of an RN election victory, she would prohibit the use of French long-range weapons for attacks on Russia. Le Pen made this statement in an interview with the US broadcaster CNN. Her party would also not allow French troops to be stationed in Ukraine, a possibility 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 said. The only red line, according to her, is preventing France from becoming a warring party. The French are voting for a second round of their parliamentary elections tomorrow.
12:49 ISW: Putin confirms goal, to destroy Ukraine as a stateDuring Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán's visit to the Kremlin, Russian President Vladimir Putin again rejected the idea of a negotiated ceasefire. According to the US think tank Institute for the Study of War (ISW), Putin instead aims for an end to the war that erases Ukraine's sovereignty. Among the conditions for peace talks are the cession of significant Ukrainian territories to Russia and the complete surrender of the Ukrainian military.
12:30 Ukraine: More than half of electricity generation capacity lost due to Russian attacksThrough Russian attacks on critical infrastructure, Ukraine has lost more than half of its electricity generation capacity, which was available before the full-scale Russian invasion began. This is evident 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 about nine gigawatts - roughly half of what was needed for the country's electricity supply during the previous winter. There is a risk that Ukraine will not have electricity, and possibly also heat and water, during the coming winter.
11:58 Ukrainian General Staff: 139 engagements yesterdayIn its daily report, the Ukrainian General Staff reported 139 engagements along the frontlines. Most of these reportedly took place in the Pokrovsk sector, in the Donetsk oblast, in the southeast of Ukraine. The army recorded six rocket attacks and 55 air attacks with 72 air-dropped bombs, as well as over 3,000 attacks with artillery shells. 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 Russian athletes to be excluded from the Olympics in Paris if they can be proven to be supporting the Russian military. The International Olympic Committee decided in December that Russian and Belarusian athletes can compete 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 home country. The Ukrainian Olympic Committee now reports that some Russian athletes qualified for the Olympics have been supporting the Ukrainian war and Putin's politics online. 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 Russian soldiers 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 region
Security experts consider a Russian attack on the Baltic region in the coming years to be likely to realistic. The NATO assures its members of support, but the alliance's commitment 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 about 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-16 has reportedly made significant progress. The Ukrainian army is still waiting for the first jets to arrive. The Netherlands, Denmark, Norway, and Belgium have pledged to provide them.
08:30 One-third of Russians support atomic attack on Ukraine
According to a survey presented by Russian propagandist Sergey 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 taking the lead and speaks with both direct conflict parties on 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, citing a message from the National Resistance Center. "The occupiers have used this practice before. Locals are taken to the checkpoint and expelled from their homeland," the resistance center reports. In some cases, people were reportedly forced to obtain 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, which it hands over to Ukraine, from its own budget. SPD budget expert Andreas Schwarz speaks of a "disappointing amount" in view 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 stated 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, according to various reports, including the Russian news agency RIA Novosti. In Shebekino, debris from a downed drone damaged a mobile phone mast. In other places, several fuel tanks were reportedly set on fire. There are no reports of 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 United Kingdom's support for Ukraine remains unchanged in principle," Zelensky writes on Telegram. He and Starmer reportedly aligned their positions ahead of the NATO summit coming up in the next week. According to a high-ranking US official, NATO is expected to 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 during the night, according to various reports, including the Russian news agency RIA Novosti. In Jeisk, debris from a shot-down drone damaged a mobile phone mast. In other places, several fuel tanks were reportedly set on fire. There are no reports of injuries.
02:07 Drone Attacks: Sumy without Water and PowerAccording 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, 28 injured in Russian attacks in Eastern UkraineAccording to Ukrainian reports, eight people were killed and at least 28 were injured in Russian attacks in the eastern Ukrainian region of Donetsk. "Every city and every village in the Donetsk region is constantly threatened by hostile attacks," Governor Wadym Filaschkin wrote on Telegram. Independently, Russian troops had dropped three guided bombs on the further southwestern village of Komar, resulting in the death of a 32-year-old woman. Twenty more people were injured. Thirteen private houses, four businesses, two residential buildings, and two infrastructure facilities were damaged in the attack.
23:16 Starmer confirms "unlimited" UK support for Ukraine against RussiaIn his first phone call with US President Joe Biden, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer confirmed the "unlimited" UK support for Ukraine in the war against Russia. The two leaders reaffirmed their "unwavering commitment" to Ukraine and Starmer emphasized that "the UK will support Ukraine without limit," according to a statement from Starmer's office a few hours after his swearing-in.
21:49 US cancels military exercises with GeorgiaThe US is canceling planned joint military exercises with Georgia against the backdrop of tensions with the Georgian government. The participation of the US Army in the exercises, originally scheduled for July 25 to August 6 under the name "Noble Partner," is "suspended indefinitely," the US Defense Department announced. The background are "false accusations" from the Georgian government. The Pentagon refers to statements that the US had pressured Georgia to declare war on Russia and was involved in "two coup attempts" against the government.
20:35 Insider: Baerbock cancels planned trip to BudapestThe planned trip of Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock to Budapest on Monday is cancelled. The Hungarian side had suddenly cancelled the appointment with Baerbock, according to the Foreign Office.
21:20 Zelenskyy thanks Germany for third Patriot systemUkrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy thanks Germany for the delivery of the third Patriot air defense system. "This is great news," Zelenskyy says in his evening video message. He also thanks the USA for further steps to strengthen Ukrainian air defense. He does not provide details, but says that the partners of the country have fulfilled their obligations. "Ukraine has already shown that it has no Russian rockets that we cannot shoot down," Zelenskyy says. 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 against Russia. "We can only deal with this adversary by bringing down the Russian government. Not just pushing them out of Ukraine, but reducing their influence in their area of action so they can no longer exert their toxic influence in Europe," Babst said in the t-online Tagesanbruch podcast. For this, a more determined approach is needed. "We look at Putin like Lord Voldemort and are afraid he will pull out his wand. We need to get over this notion," Babst appeals. 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 Dmitry 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.
- Despite heavy losses, Russian troops continue their military operations in Ukraine, with Ukrainian forces retaliating in various regions.
- The Ukrainian President, Volodymyr Selensky, has called for international support in the ongoing conflict, with NATO and other allies providing aid.
- The conflict has also spilled over into the cyberwar arena, with reports of Russian cyberattacks against Ukrainian infrastructure and critical infrastructure.
- The attack on Ukraine has also had significant political implications, with European leaders such as British Prime Minister Keir Starmer reaffirming their support for Ukraine against Russia.
- Russian aggression in Ukraine has also led to tensions with other nations, including China, which has sent troops for joint maneuvers in Belarus, a move that is seen as provocative by Ukraine and its allies.
