22:41 Due to sanctions: Russia allows companies to use cryptocurrencies for international payments
The Russian Central Bank encourages domestic companies to use alternative payment methods such as cryptocurrencies for transactions with foreign partners in response to western sanctions. For international transactions, such currencies are now permitted, Central Bank Chair Elvira Nabiullina stated in Saint Petersburg. VTB Bank's CEO Andrey Kostin calls for these new payment channels to be classified as state secrets. "I can easily imagine that right now in the US embassy, an undersecretary is jotting down all our public statements," Kostin warned.
22:16 Erdogan offers "foundation" for peace, Moscow denies intermediary role
Firstly, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, after a meeting with President Vladimir Putin in Kazakhstan, declared that Turkey could help establish the foundation for ending the conflict. However, the Russian government spokesman Dmitry Peskov stated that Turkey would not assume an intermediary role, as reported by Russian news agencies. Peskov was quoted as saying: "No, that's not possible." No statement from the Turkish government is available.
21:41 Ukraine imports more electricity in June than in entire year 2023, rations strictly
Ukraine imported over 858,000 Megawatt-hours (MWh) of electricity in June 2024, which is 91% more than the May import volume and more than the total import volume in 2023. According to statistics from July 3rd. The largest electricity imports for Ukraine came from Hungary (42%). Slovakia and Romania each contributed 17%, Poland 16%, and Moldavia 8%. Russia intensified attacks on Ukraine's critical infrastructure in the spring and brought the power grid to the brink of collapse. Since mid-May, electricity has been strictly rationed. The largest private energy company in Ukraine, DTEK, produces 90% less electricity.
20:49 "Eastern flank out of balance": Lithuania plans to allow stream ammunition
Lithuania, in response to Russia's military aggression against Ukraine, is considering withdrawing from the international agreement on air-dropped munitions. The Lithuanian government has approved a corresponding bill from the Defense Ministry. The parliament still needs to approve it. Air-dropped munitions, such as rockets and bombs that explode in mid-air and scatter numerous smaller explosives, are seen as an effective defense weapon by the Lithuanian government.
Russia and Belarus could potentially use stream ammunition in the event of a military conflict, gaining a military advantage. "Even if allies were to use this tool on our territory, they couldn't do it, not even to transport it through Lithuania," Lithuania's Defense Minister said: "This completely throws the entire Eastern flank out of balance and must undoubtedly be addressed." Estonia, Latvia, Finland, and Poland have not signed the agreement, along with the United States.
20:12 White House: Russian offensive on Charkiw likely failed
The US government announces another security package for Ukraine, the seventh since the aid was passed in April. Contained in this package are rockets, artillery ammunition, additional rocket systems, and other military equipment from US military stocks. More systems will reportedly be ordered with the funds. 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 Charkiw has "failed."
19:26 Ukraine's 47th Brigade: Russians using massive infantry, "huge cemeteries" of vehicles
The environment around the eastern Ukrainian city of Pokrowsk in the Donezk region is currently the focus of the frontline activity. According to the account of the 47th mechanized brigade of the Ukrainian armed forces deployed there, Russian troops are attempting to breach the Ukrainian defenses: with massive infantry attacks supported by combat drones, explained Brigadier Anastasia Blishchyk. "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," said Blishchyk. 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 Pokrowsk region.
18:49 Budget committee approves armament package with 105 Leopard 2A8 tanks
105 battle tanks, four Patriot and Lenkflugkörper air defense systems, and artillery ammunition: The budget committee of the German Bundestag brings a more than six billion Euro package for the new equipment of the Bundeswehr into motion. With the Leopard 2A8 tanks, the future brigade in Lithuania will be equipped, and significant and long-standing gaps in the Bundeswehr will be closed, says Defense Minister Boris Pistorius (SPD) 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, the Bundeswehr with full stocks, and the Ukraine with urgently needed supplies," the government report authors share. 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 be withdrawn after the election
Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy asks Trump for clarity on how he plans to end the war in 24 hours. Zelenskyy expresses his readiness to meet with Trump and his team and listen to their proposals in an interview with "Bloomberg TV." "We want to understand if we will have the powerful support of the USA in November (after the US elections) or if we will be alone," the former US President and Republican nominee for the upcoming presidential elections has repeatedly claimed 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 that today," says Zelenskyy: "Should there be risks for Ukraine's independence, should we lose our sovereignty - we want to be prepared, we want to know that."
17:39 ROSATOM Chief complains about Ukrainian attacks on nuclear power plant substation
In a drone attack on a substation at the southern Ukrainian city of Enerhodar, eight workers at the nearby Saporischja Nuclear Power Plant were reportedly injured according to Russian statements. The men were engaged in repair work to restore power supply, says the head of the Russian Atomic Energy Agency, Alexei Likhachov. This not only compromises the safety principles of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), "it is a flagrant violation," Likhachov complains. The substation is part of the infrastructure of the nuclear power plant and supplies the city with electricity. There were reportedly three drone attacks within an hour. He demands a reaction from the IAEA regarding the attack. Russia took control of Europe's largest nuclear power plant shortly after the start of its offensive and has held it since. The power plant is located on the southern bank of the Dnipro, while the northern bank is controlled by Ukraine.
17:14 Video: Russian National Guards shoot at conscripts
In the Russian city of Osinniki, conscripts are seen dancing on the roof of the draft board building. The National Guards do not take kindly to this and attack the apparently drunk-looking men. Shots are heard, a woman falls to the ground. It is unclear if she was hit by a stray bullet.
16:39 Russian army makes Tschassiw Jar neighborhood "level with the ground"
The Russian army reportedly takes control of a district of the strategically important city of Tschassiw Jar in the eastern Ukrainian region of Donetsk according to their own statements. The troops have "liberated" the neighborhood of Nowi, the Russian Defense Ministry reports. It is not known if the Russian soldiers managed to overcome the canal in the east of the small town, which the Ukrainian army uses as a natural defensive line.
Ukrainian military-affiliated news channel "DeepState" reports that the quarter was "completely leveled" and further resistance would have resulted in heavy losses. The retreat from the quarter is therefore a logical, albeit difficult decision, it says there further. Tschassiw Jar is approximately ten kilometers from Bachmut, which was taken by Russian troops in May 2023 after long battles. A breakthrough could make important mining towns in the Donbass, such as Kramatorsk, accessible to the Russian army, which are still controlled by Ukraine.
16:04 Russian Intelligence: French "Agent" Vinatier confesses to guiltThe Russian Federal Security Service (FSB) reports that the Frenchman Laurent Vinatier, who is in custody in Russia, has confessed to gathering information about the Russian military. A worker for a Swiss non-governmental organization, Vinatier has reportedly fully admitted to his guilt. The Russian domestic intelligence service FSB states that Vinatier had established numerous contacts with military experts, scientists, and officials during his visits to Moscow. As a result, the Frenchman 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. The 47-year-old is accused of failing to register as a "foreign agent."
15:34 Video: Russians report massive Ukrainian drone attackAccording to Russian reports, Ukraine is attacking Novorossiysk massively with drones from the air and water. The Russian Defense Ministry reports the downing of twelve objects. Sperrfire and explosions illuminate the night sky over the Black Sea port city on the shores of the Caucasus Mountains.
15:02 Poll: Ukrainians see Germany as conditionally reliable, fear US secret negotiations with MoscowAccording to a survey conducted by the European Council on Foreign Relations after nearly two and a half years of war, almost half of the Ukrainians surveyed believe that the USA could negotiate a peace plan with Russia behind their backs. 47% expressed this concern, while 49% had little or no concern. The views of Ukrainians on their allies in the defense war against Russia vary by country. 84% see Britain as reliable or conditionally reliable, the highest percentage. 76% felt the same way about Germany, but only 19% considered German support very reliable.
14:23 Scholz: Germany will not be a war party in the future
During the government questioning in the Bundestag, the topic of Ukraine also came up. When the Left's parliamentarian Gesine Lötzsch asks if Chancellor Olaf Scholz would give people "the guarantee" that Germany would not be a war party, Scholz replied: "Yes, I give this guarantee. I stand for that as Chancellor." As for when a ceasefire can be achieved, Lötzsch asked further. "In my opinion, a ceasefire that aims for Ukraine's capitulation is one that we cannot support from Germany," answered Scholz. This is not an abstract question, as one can see from Putin's "strange peace offering," he said. Putin had stated that he was ready for a ceasefire "if Ukraine also gives further annexations, essentially for free." This shows "how cynically they think and that the Russian president does not at all intend to end his aggressive war." Putin speaks 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 civilians
The International Criminal Court (ICC) is investigating the torture of Ukrainian prisoners of war and civilians in detention facilities in the formerly occupied territories and in Russia, reports the Ukrainian news 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. "This was the most difficult shooting of the last six months," the photographers write afterward.
13:19 Russian postal workers to replace doctors in rural areas
Because there is not enough medical personnel in rural areas, postal workers in some regions of Russia are now taking on medical tasks. This is reported by the "Moscow Times" on Telegram. In rural post offices, health and midwife stations are being set up. The postal workers are to diagnose and perform various medical interventions. Russian publicist Alexander Nevzorov called this practice, as reported by the "Kyiv Post," a return to the Middle Ages.
12:58 NATO countries: No agreement on multi-year Ukraine aid
NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg failed to convince NATO countries to make multi-year commitments for military aid to Ukraine. The 32 allies could only agree in the run-up to the Washington summit on providing support in the amount of at least 40 billion euros within the next year. This is reported by the German Press Agency and refers to statements by several delegations.
12:24 Ukraine: 5 dead after attack on Dnipro
The number of casualties from the Russian attack on Dnipro has risen to at least 5, according to Ukrainian reports, with at least 39 people injured, including a 14-year-old girl. The attack reportedly used rockets and drones and caused several explosions and fires in the city. Reports indicate that a shopping mall and a weapons factory were hit.
11:31 Ukraine receives additional two billion from IWFThe financially stricken Ukraine has received an additional tranche of over two billion Euro from the International Monetary Fund (IWF). The money is part of an ongoing credit program worth around 15 billion Euro. According to Prime Minister Denys Schmyhal, the funds will mainly be used for social aid and salaries of public servants, including doctors and teachers. Since the Russian attack in February 2022, Ukraine has reportedly received over 80 billion Euro in foreign aid in the form of budget support.
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 in the city. The regional governor has confirmed a fire in the city center.
10:40 Multiple civilians killed in Russian attacks in UkraineRussian troops reportedly fired on the village of Borova in the Charkiw region overnight. The Military Administration of Charkiw reports that one man was killed and two others were injured. In a Russian rocket and drone attack on the eastern Ukrainian city of Dnipro, at least three people were reportedly killed and 18 others injured.
10:19 Kremlin: No talks with Trump over UkraineAccording to Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov, Russia is not in dialogue with former US President Donald Trump over Ukraine. Interfax news agency reported the information, citing Peskov. Trump had stated during a recent TV debate with President Joe Biden 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 fighter jetsAccording to a report in the Ukrainian Defense Express, the Ukrainian military does not have enough hangars to protect all its fighter jets from Russian attacks. The newspaper reports that a military airfield in the Poltava Oblast does not have sufficient large hangar spaces for Su-27 fighter jets. Russian media has released footage of a recent air raid on the airfield, showing several Ukrainian Su-27 jets damaged on the ground. The Ukrainian military lacks hangars to protect all its fighter jets.
09:16 Defense committee approves purchase of 105 Leopard 2A8 tanksThe Defense Committee of the German Bundestag is expected to approve the purchase of 105 Leopard 2A8 battle tanks today. "We are exhausting all options," writes the new committee chairman Marcus Faber on the platform "X." "We are fully equipping the Brigade Litauen with combat tanks, replacing older Leo2 models in the army, and creating room for further budget contributions to Ukraine," adds the FDP politician. According to the proposal, the order has a volume of approximately three billion Euro. The defense company KNDS is expected to deliver the tanks to the Bundeswehr by 2030.
08:44 Russia: Ukrainian attack on Black Sea port repelled
According to Russian reports, two unmanned Ukrainian explosive boats attacked the Black Sea port of Novorossijsk but were repelled. The drone boats were destroyed in the Black Sea, according to the Defense Ministry. Novorossijsk is home to a large port of the Russian Black Sea Fleet, where Russia has stationed many of its warships used in the conflict against Ukraine after the Ukrainian forces attacked the Crimean ports. The ministry did not comment on possible damages. The authorities in Novorossijsk urged people to stay in their homes and apartments during the night.
08:21 Most Ukrainians find unity in society
Forty-four percent of Ukrainians believe that Ukrainian society is currently united, according to a nationwide survey conducted by the Kiev International Institute of Sociology (KIIS) on July 2. A smaller group of interviewees, 15 percent, consider Ukrainian society to be divided. Corruption is named as the main problem, followed by language issues. Unfairness during the war, collaboration, and pro-Russian sentiments are also seen as factors contributing to the societal split.
07:55 Russia: Ten Ukrainian attack drones destroyed
Russia claims to have shot down ten Ukrainian attack drones over Russian territory. Five drones were shot down over the Belgorod border region, four over the Brjansk border region, and one over the Moscow region, according to the Defense Ministry on Telegram. Additionally, two Ukrainian seed drones were destroyed that had been heading towards the Black Sea port of Noworossijsk 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. Among them, there were reportedly 16 destroyed tanks, 17 armored vehicles, 57 artillery systems, and 63 tank and other vehicles. Two Russian air defense systems were also reportedly destroyed by the Ukrainians, along with a missile. The number of dead or wounded Russian soldiers since the beginning of the full-scale invasion surpassed 546,000.
06:48 Putin arrives at SOZ summit in Kazakhstan
Russian President Vladimir Putin has arrived in Kazakhstan, according to Kremlin reports. He is participating in the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) summit in the capital Astana. During the two-day meeting, issues of regional security, defense, and cooperation will be discussed. The leaders of the SCO member states will reportedly discuss "the current state 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 - among them 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 ready 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 counter the Russian offensive war in Ukraine. This was announced by US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin during a visit by his Ukrainian counterpart Rustem Umjerow in Washington. The aid package, approved by US President Joe Biden, includes "additional surface-to-air missiles, anti-tank weapons, and other important ammunition from US stocks," explained Austin. A "realignment of some foreign military deliveries" will also make it possible for the USA to provide Munition for Patriot and other air defense systems "in an accelerated timeframe."
04:49 NATO expanding presence in KievThe 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 Kiev. The high-ranking official is to steer the political and practical support of the alliance on site. The background is, in particular, that the NATO intends to give the start signal for a new deployment at the upcoming summit in Washington for the coordination of weapons deliveries and training activities for the Ukrainian armed forces. The headquarters for this should be built in Wiesbaden. Who will receive the new NATO post in Kiev 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 custody in Russia 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. Taking into account 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 evaluated 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 Crimea.
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 by the Russian domestic security service FSB, which was picked up by state Kremlin media. The teenager is said to have sent money to help the Ukrainian army buy food and drones. Thousands of Russians have been arrested and many of them have been imprisoned since the Russian invasion of Ukraine. According to Amnesty International, at least 21,000 people were targets of repressions 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. According to the survey, 24 percent of respondents believe that the United States is not providing enough aid to Ukraine, compared to 18 percent in November 2023, when the survey was last conducted. However, more Americans (31 percent) believe that the United States is providing too much aid, and 25 percent believe that the US aid is sufficient.
22:53 Lithuania reports airspace violation by Russian aircraftLithuania reports a violation of its airspace by a Russian aircraft. The unspecified aircraft of the Russian airline Pobeda allegedly entered the airspace of the Baltic EU and NATO member unlawfully in the evening of June 30th 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 from happening in the future. The airspace violation occurred over the Baltic Sea, as the aircraft was on its way from Moscow to the Russian exclave of Kaliningrad bordering Lithuania. The EU has closed its airspace to Russian aircraft 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 percent of the population holds a positive view, while 33 percent hold a negative one. Germany is slightly above average with 64 percent positive sentiment. Exceptional is the assessment in Poland, where 91 percent hold a positive image of the alliance. The trust in Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy averages 40 percent and has decreased in member states over the past year. Poland stands out, where the head of state has lost 22 percentage points - from 70 to 48 percent. In Germany, trust has decreased by 7 percentage points to 54 percent.
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 a spokesperson from the Presidential Office. During his first visit to Kiev since the start of the war, Orban suggested a quick ceasefire that could "speed up peace negotiations with Moscow," he said. "The president listened to him, but in response clarified Ukraine's position and rejected the proposal," the spokesperson said. Previously, Kiev had rejected ceasefires, citing the risk that Russian forces could reorganize 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, taking effect upon reaching adulthood. "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 instance, to manufacture drones.
You can read about previous developments here.
- President Zelenskyy expresses concern over potential withdrawal of US support after elections, highlighting the importance of clarity from former President Trump.
- Russia intensifies attacks on Ukraine's critical infrastructure, leading to a collapse of the power grid and the need for strict electricity rations.
- In response to Russian aggression, Lithuania is considering withdrawing from an international agreement on air-dropped munitions, citing a desire to maintain balance on the Eastern flank.
- Ukraine imports a record amount of electricity in June, primarily from neighboring countries, as a result of Russian attacks on its critical infrastructure.
- Volodymyr Zelenskyy meets with NATO leaders, emphasizing Ukraine's need for continued military and political support in the face of ongoing Russian cyberwar and military operations.
