23:44 Kiev: Did Swedish fighter jets not decline?
Vice-Chief of the Ukrainian President's Bureau rejects Swedish government presentations on Gripen combat aircraft deal: Ukraine did not "reject" Swedish-made JAS 39 Gripens, as Ukrainian troops needed to train faster with F-16 combat aircraft, according to Ihor Zhovkva. According to "Ukrainska Pravda," negotiations over the purchase of Gripens are still ongoing. "I have never heard that the Ukrainians rejected the Gripens. Quite the contrary, this is the topic that my president raises in talks with the Swedish leadership," Zhovkva explained. He also noted that this dialogue was already underway when China was not yet a NATO member and that the country was not willing to make any promises before its final accession to the Alliance.
22:39 Russia and China begin joint military exercises
Russia and China have begun joint naval exercises at a Chinese military base in Zhanjiang, reported the Chinese Defense Ministry. "The conduct of such joint maritime military exercises can improve the cooperation and professional level of the two navies and contribute to the maintenance of maritime and regional security," reported the Chinese Defense Ministry, citing a Russian naval officer who led the exercises from the Russian side. The news comes just a few days after NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg said that NATO members were in agreement that China was a "decisive catalyst" for the comprehensive Russian invasion in Ukraine.
21:44 Intelligence chief: Russian attacks from the North concerning
The head of the Ukrainian military intelligence, Kyrylo Budanov, expresses concern over Russian attacks from the North. This was reported by the news agency Ukrinform. In an interview, he reportedly answered a question about Russian attacks from the North by saying, "If I were to answer that, it would cause panic. Let's just say there are problems, they have a tendency to escalate." He had already told a Western journalist, "Unfortunately, I won't have good news this year."
20:59 Stoltenberg: "No doubt," Ukraine can attack military targets in Russia
NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg reportedly told Ukrainian media that he supports Ukraine's attacks on military targets in Russia. "My position is that there is no doubt that Ukraine has the right to attack legitimate military targets on the territory of the aggressor country Russia. Since it is a war that Russia has started against Ukraine, Ukraine has the right to self-defense, and that includes attacks on the territory of the aggressor," so Stoltenberg. He also noted that different NATO countries impose different restrictions on the use of weapons they provide: Some set no limits, while others offer only some restrictions.
20:15 "Lighters fuse": Ukraine destroyed a Russian Akatsiya tank gun worth over a million dollarsAccording to Ukrainian troops, they have destroyed a Russian Akatsiya tank gun worth over a million dollars. "The Russian Akatsiya was burnt out," it says in the caption of a video released by the Ukrainian General Staff, as reported by "Kyiv Post". Ukrainian fighters are taking aim at the tank gun in the video. It remains unclear which weapon was used for the attack, and the Ukrainian newspaper cannot independently verify the date and location of the incident. The drone footage shows a large explosion, followed by smaller explosions.
19:40 TASS reports multiple drone attacksIn the vicinity of the Russian city of Shebekino in the Belgorod border region, a truck was attacked by a Ukrainian suicide drone, wounding the driver. "The man suffered shrapnel wounds to his leg and arm. He was treated on site and could not be taken to a hospital," quotes the regional governor, Vyacheslav Gladkov. In addition, TASS reports that several other settlements were attacked by Ukrainian drones. Houses in the villages of Ziborovka and Murov, as well as a multi-family house in Bezymeno, were damaged.
19:09 US weapons deployment: Merz expects "precise reporting" from the governmentCDU leader Friedrich Merz criticizes the German government for surprising the public with the stationing of American long-range weapons. "I have not received any briefing from the German government up to today," Merz says in an ARD summer interview. He expects the German government to provide "precise reporting" in the coming days. "This is a fundamental change in the strategic military situation in Europe and in Germany, and that cannot be done with just a press statement." Germany and the USA had announced at the NATO summit last week that the United States would station missiles and hypersonic weapons in Germany starting in 2026.
18:33 Kiev: Energy supply to improve soonThe energy supply in Ukraine is expected to improve according to the Ukrainian government after July 20th. This is reported by "Kyiv Independent" citing Prime Minister Denis Schmyhal. The government is working to decentralize energy production and supports a wide range of consumers to facilitate additional energy production, Schmyhal says. Kiev also supports renewable energy and is promoting solar panels and wind turbines. In the past few months, Russia has intensified its attacks on Ukraine's critical infrastructure to disrupt the country's energy grid once again.
17:55 Kiev hopes for US approval for use of long-range weapons
The US has not yet given permission to Ukraine to use long-range weapons against targets on Russian territory. This was stated by Ihor Schowka, the deputy head of the Presidential Administration of Volodymyr Zelensky, to "Voice of America". However, Ukraine continues to work with the US on this issue and hopes for a quick compromise. "Everyone knows where the danger lies, where the rockets (against Ukraine) are launched from." Schowka expressed optimistically: "All important decisions that the US has made earlier were made very quietly - and that will also be the case this time." Ukraine has been requesting permission for some time to use the long-range weapons provided by the US and other Western partners against targets on Russian territory. So far, Ukrainian military personnel can only use drones with significantly less explosive power.
17:24 Merz: Ukraine also to be supported with delivery of fighter jets
CDU leader Friedrich Merz calls for stronger support for Ukraine and for the delivery of fighter jets. Merz told ARD: "It seems plausible to me to help Ukraine, at least to regain control over its own airspace. These rocket attacks, which are happening in ever greater numbers, against infrastructure, against power and water supplies, against hospitals, nursing homes, that cannot be controlled from the ground alone. And that's why the delivery of fighter jets to Ukraine is already a done deal in many countries around the world, including in Europe. We as Germans should not hold back." The transfer of F-16 jets is already underway, the US, the Netherlands, and Denmark announced in a joint statement at the NATO summit in Washington on Tuesday.
16:50 Partisans report large fire that destroys Russian subunits
There was a sabotage action near the Russian-occupied Oleshki in the Kherson region, where a large fire broke out. According to the Partisan Movement Atesh on Telegram, one of their agents near the positions of one of the units of the 70th motorized infantry division of the Russian army set dry grass on fire. "As a result of the fire, three subunits were destroyed, trenches and fortifications of the unit were destroyed." Weapons and supplies were also destroyed. "Up to twenty members of the unit suffered severe burns." The post of the partisans ends with the call: "We continue our resistance along the entire front line and cause significant damage to the occupiers. Join the ranks of Atesh."
15:19 Russian soldiers apparently detain Georgians illegally in South Ossetia
Russian troops detained a Georgian national illegally near the village of Adzvi on the border with the occupied region of South Ossetia on Saturday. This was reported by "Kyiv Independent" with reference to the Georgian State Security Service. The information about the illegal detention was immediately reported to the EU observation mission in Georgia. "The Russian occupation forces are responsible for all destructive actions that are committed in the occupied territories of Georgia and along the occupation line," the security service further quoted. Moscow gained full control over the Georgian territories of Abkhazia and South Ossetia after its invasion of Georgia in 2008.
15:43 Zelenskyy hopes for more US aid after US trip
After his return from the US, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has promised soldiers and weapons industries further help. At the NATO summit in Washington, concrete agreements were reached to strengthen Ukraine's defense capabilities; it's about weapons for the soldiers and support for Ukraine's weapons industries, he says. There will also be more Patriots and dozens of other air defense systems. In the past week alone, Russia has fired over 700 guided air-to-ground bombs, over 170 types of combat drones, and nearly 80 rockets at Ukraine, the Ukrainian leader tells X.
15:11 Russia reports capture of another village in eastern Ukraine
The Russian army, according to the Russian Defense Ministry in Moscow, has taken control of another village in eastern Ukraine. The ministry reports that the village of Urozhainye in the Donetsk region has been taken by "troops of the Eastern Military District." The village is located near the southern frontline, close to the region of Zaporizhzhia. It was one of the few settlements that the Ukrainian army had managed to retake during its counteroffensive in 2023. The Russian troops had advanced on a south-north axis along the Mokryi Yalynyi River.
14:36 Russians kill 13 Ukrainians on Saturday
Thirteen people were killed and 54 others were wounded in Russian attacks on Ukraine on Saturday, according to local authorities, reports the "Kyiv Independent." The civilian victims were reported in the oblasts of Kharkiv, Donetsk, Kherson, and Dnipropetrovsk.
14:26 Kremlin implies US government indirect responsibility for Trump assassination attempt
The Kremlin implies indirect responsibility for the US government in the shooting at US presidential candidate Donald Trump. "We do not believe that the current authorities organized the attempt to eliminate and kill Trump," Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told journalists. "But an atmosphere was created in the US in which such actions could have been possible." Peskow also claimed that it was obvious to all external observers that Trump's life was in danger.
13:53 Zelenskyy: More than 700 guided bombing attacks by Russians in the past week
In the past seven days, Russia has launched more than 700 guided air-to-ground bombs, over 170 types of combat drones, and nearly 80 rockets against Ukraine, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced on social media. "The scale of this evil must be met with the scale of decisions to protect human life. Every partner can make a difference and strengthen defense against terror," he wrote further.
12:55 DeepState: Russians advancing in Donetsk
The Russian forces have taken control of the village of Urozhainye in the Donetsk region, according to the pro-Ukrainian portal DeepState. The fighting continues in Zalizny and Klishchiivka. The Russians are also reportedly advancing near Oleksandropol, Nowoseliwka Perscha, and Makijiwka. Urozhainye was seized by Russian forces during their invasion of Ukraine in 2022. It was reportedly retaken by the Ukrainian military in August 2023.
12:07 Russia: Three-Tonnen-Bomb dropped on Ukrainian military base
The Russian Defense Ministry shows in a video a Sukhoi Su-34 jet dropping a heavy bomb. The Sukhoi Su-34 is a two-seat jet fighter bomber developed in the Soviet Union. According to the Russian Defense Ministry, the bomb in question was likely the FAB-3000 type, which is dropped from aircraft and weighs three tons, with the warhead reportedly weighing around 1200 kg. The Russian Defense Ministry claims the bomb hit a Ukrainian Air Force base.
11:30 Ukraine: Death toll rises after Russian air strikes in Donetsk
Following Russian air strikes in the Donetsk region, the death toll has risen to six. Six residents of the Donetsk region were killed: two each in Novootscheretuwate (see entry at 21:53) and Progres, one in Kostiantynopolskiy, and one in Novoselivka Pershii (see entry at 22:17). This was announced by the Ukrainian governor of the Donetsk region, Wadym Filaschkin, on social media. In total, 11 more people were injured in the attacks throughout the day.
11:00 Report: Ireland preparing security agreement with Ukraine
Ireland is taking the initial steps to draft a security agreement with Ukraine. This was reported by "The Kyiv Independent" following a visit by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to Ireland. For a meeting with Irish Prime Minister Simon Harris, Zelenskyy made a brief stopover at Shannon Airport in Ireland on his return flight from the NATO summit in Washington, D.C. According to "The Kyiv Independent", Harris described the encounter as a "very good meeting", during which they discussed a potential bilateral agreement on mine clearance, energy, humanitarian aid, and food security. Ireland follows a policy of neutrality, is not a NATO member, and has one of the lowest defense budgets in the EU, accounting for roughly 0.2% of its Gross Domestic Product. The Irish government does not supply weapons to Ukraine but has recognized Russia's war against Ukraine as a genocide.
10:24 Ukraine: Six Russian air raids repelled
In the east, the Ukrainian air defense reportedly shot down two enemy cruise missiles of the CH-59/Ch-69 type and four reconnaissance drones: three Orlan-10s and one ZALA, according to their own statements on social media.
09:42 Russia exploits Trump assassination attempt for propaganda
Just hours after the attempted assassination of former U.S. President Donald Trump, Russia utilized the incident for its own purposes. Maria Zakharova, spokesperson for the Russian Foreign Ministry, called on the U.S. government to "review their policy of inciting hatred." She argued that such a policy targets "political opponents, countries, and peoples." Zakharova also used the assassination attempt to make propaganda against U.S. support for Ukraine, urging Republican politicians to allocate funds for "police and other services that maintain law and order in the U.S." instead of supporting Zelenskyy with weapons.
09:00 Ukraine publishes numbers on Russian lossesThe Ukrainian General Staff publishes new loss figures for the Russian troops in Ukraine. Accordingly, Russia has allegedly lost around 559,090 soldiers in Ukraine since February 24, 2022. In just 24 hours, the losses amounted to 1320. According to the report from Kiev, at least seven tanks and 46 artillery systems were also destroyed. Since the beginning of the large-scale attack, Ukraine claims that Russia has lost 8206 tanks, 15262 artillery systems, and 361 aircraft, 326 helicopters, 12108 drones, 28 ships, and a submarine. Western estimates put the loss figures much lower - these are only minimum values.
07:59 Governor: Air alarm over the region of ZaporizhzhiaMilitary Governor Ivan Fedorow of the Zaporizhzhia region calls for a missile alert in the southern Ukrainian region. On Telegram, he reports on attacks with ballistic missiles. According to Fedorow, other regions in Ukraine are also being attacked. He makes no statements about casualties or fatalities.
06:30 Russia reports destroyed drone in BelgorodRussia also reports a destroyed Ukrainian drone in the Russian region of Belgorod from the previous night. According to the Russian Defense Ministry, an attempt by the Kiev regime to carry out a terrorist attack with a drone was thwarted at around 23:05 Moscow Time. In Belgorod and other border regions with Ukraine, there have been frequent Ukrainian attacks. The night before, for example, an oil depot in the region of Rostov had been set on fire by Ukrainian drones.
06:06 "F-16 is not a game changer"The Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba states that no specific weapon will change the situation in the war, but rather sufficient armament and ammunition for the Ukrainian troops. "No single weapon can be a game changer that changes everything. We can only change the situation for the better if we have all the necessary weapons, sufficient equipment and ammunition. That's why F-16 fighter jets, which are expected to arrive in Ukraine soon, are just as important as various types of air defense systems, just as they are important as combat tanks, armored vehicles, and artillery ammunition," Kuleba said.
05:06 Kiev: The Crimea Bridge must be destroyedCrimea has become an uncomfortable territory. This is the achievement of the Ukrainian security and defense forces, explains the head of the Ukrainian Defense Intelligence, General Lieutenant Kyrylo Budanov. According to "Ukrinform," citing the agency's press service, the rebuilding of the Black Sea Fleet after a series of Ukrainian attacks would be a challenge for Moscow. The goal is to destroy the Crimea Bridge, Budanov says. So far, it has been possible to force Russia to withdraw its warships as far as possible from Crimea, explains the head of the Ukrainian Defense Ministry.
00:01 Ukraine shoots down two Russian reconnaissance dronesUkrainian forces shoot down two Russian reconnaissance drones of the Orlan type at the southern front. According to "Ukrinform," citing a Telegram post from the Southern Air Command, the Russians are also attacking the Odessa region with a ballistic missile. It is reportedly an Iskander-M missile launched from the Crimea.
22:17 Two dead in Oblast Donetsk
Already before the attack on Nowootscheretuwate, there were further fatal attacks in the Oblast Donetsk. The territory of a farm in Kostiantynopolske was hit by cruise missiles - one person died, another was injured. In Tschassiw Jar, a warehouse was damaged, resulting in another death.
21:53 More civilian casualties in Oblast Donetsk
Civilians continue to die in Donetsk Oblast after a Russian attack. The village of Nowootscheretuwate was reportedly hit by cruise missiles by "Ukrainska Pravda" citing the military administration. Two people were killed there, another was injured. The victims were reportedly in a house that was hit by a cruise missile. A total of ten buildings were damaged.
21:11 Russians kill medics with second attack on village
This cruel tactic is well known: After an attack, the Russians attack the same target again to hit rescue teams. This apparently also happened in the previously mentioned attack on the village of Budy in the Oblast Kharkiv (Eastern Ukraine). Among the two dead was the head of the emergency medical services of the oblast, Artem Kstyria, reported "Kyiv Independent" citing the Interior Ministry. "The terrorists cynically and deliberately attacked when all rescue teams had arrived at the scene," said the mayor of Kharkiv, Igor Terekhov.
You can read about all previous developments here.
- Despite Ihor Zhovkva's statements, Sweden continues negotiations with Ukraine over the purchase of Gripen combat aircraft, despite previous misunderstandings.
- In response to NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg's remarks, Volodymyr Zelensky expresses support for Ukraine's right to defend itself against Russian attacks, including potential military operations on Russian territory.
- As the Ukraine-Conflict continues to escalate, concerns about potential cyberwar attacks from Russia on Ukraine's political infrastructure have raised alarm.
- With mutual military operations ongoing, Russia and China's joint naval exercises in Zhanjiang could potentially impact NATO's stance on Chinese involvement in the conflict.
- Russian attacks on Ukraine have not only targeted the military but also civilian infrastructure, including energy supply, raising concerns about possible political repercussions.
