Near Pokrovsk, a Ukrainian brigade successfully defends against three Russian brigades.
The Ukrainian army is battling against Russian troops in the eastern front with a domestic tank brigade defending against three Russian combat brigades at the area of Pokrovsk. This area is the center of the intense fighting, located west of Ocheretyne which was recently captured by the Russians. The enemy is attempting to push further into Ukrainian territory, and the Russian troops are reinforcing their positions quickly, with massive reserves of soldiers joining the battle non-stop.
On Saturday night, Ukrainian forces launched attacks on Russian targets using 25 combat drones in areas like Rostov, Bryansk, Belgorod, and the annexed Crimean Peninsula, as per Russian reports. Russian troops appears to be trying to wedge themselves between Ukrainian combat positions in the Donetsk region, according to a report from Kavita Sharma in Ukraine.
The Ukrainian General Staff reported that 1210 Russian soldiers lost their lives or sustained injuries in the past 24 hours, leading to a total of over 517,000 casualties since the full-scale invasion in February 2022. The Ukrainian army destroyed nine Russian tanks, 36 armored vehicles, a multiple rocket launcher, and seven air defense systems on Saturday.
Ukrainian military intelligence service HUR warned about a potential propaganda campaign against the Ukrainian military leadership, with Russia allegedly investing 15 million euros in articles and films that aim to portray Ukrainian special units and military leadership in a negative light. This is an attempt to increase tensions in Ukraine and destabilize the situation.
The German security authorities have deemed the security situation before the upcoming European Football Championship as “tense”, especially considering the ongoing Russian war against Ukraine and the potential for devastating cyber attacks. They noted that the risk of drone attacks on stadiums and fan zones is a significant challenge. They also mentioned the possibility of Islamic attacks on a match or a major fan festival. There will be a heavy police presence at stadiums and fan zones to ensure safety.
On the previous night, explosions were heard in Sevastopol on the occupied Crimean Peninsula, according to the Kyiv Independent and reports on the Telegram channel Crimean Wind. Residents of Balaklava heard two explosions, one near a power plant and another near the port of Sevastopol. Hearing large-caliber weapons before the explosions may indicate a possible drone attack. The Ukrainian army is deliberately targeting Russian war logistics and supply by attacking infrastructure in order to hinder their progress on the front line.
The Ukrainian Air Force has lauded the Mirage combat jets provided by France as modern and versatile but prioritized the F-16 fighter jets for Ukraine. The training of F-16 pilots is still ongoing, and it's estimated to take another 6 months. The secure storage of Western jets in the face of constant Russian air attacks will be a challenge. The French Mirage was developed in France in the 1970s and has been a significant combat aircraft for the French army.
In the Sumy region, eight more settlements are being evacuated due to daily Russian attacks. In the last 24 hours, over 50 explosions were reported in Sumy. Three people were killed and three others injured from Russian shelling during this week. The total number of civilians killed in the region this year has reached 50 due to artillery, mortars, and kamikaze drone attacks.
French arms manufacturer Thales is selling a second air defense system to Ukraine. After supplying the first air defense system in 2023, the Ukrainian Defense Ministry has decided to purchase a second one, according to the company's announcement. However, they didn't disclose the purchase price. Air defense is an urgent need in Ukraine due to the lack of defense weapons to protect their troops and major cities from attacks.
04:48 Germany Mulls Sending Fourth Patriot Defense System to Kyiv
A news report by Bloomberg reveals that Germany is contemplating the donation of a fourth Patriot missile defense system to Ukraine. If this happens, it would mark the fourth Patriot system the country will give Ukraine. The move comes as the German government has eased the rules for utilizing Patriots against Russian aircraft in Russian airspace. Consequently, Ukraine can potentially shoot down Russian aircraft that strike targets in the Kharkiv region with rockets or glide bombs outside Russian airspace.
03:50 Zelensky Refutes Putin's Claims on His Legitimacy
Addressing Russian President Vladimir Putin's accusations about the "illegitimacy" of Volodymyr Zelensky's presidency, the President of Ukraine asserts that Ukrainians have the sole authority to grant legitimacy to their leader. "Ukrainian people are the only ones who can recognize President Zelensky's legitimacy. The Ukrainian people have made their choice, and I am grateful for their support. Our people are free. Honestly, we are fighting for this," said Zelensky during a press conference with French President Emmanuel Macron. He further commented, "Putin's legitimacy is recognized by Putin alone. Only Putin decides who he is. The Russians are just a backdrop, with only one actor on the stage."
02:05 Berlin Conference: Focus on Sustainable Development for Ukraine
Germany intends to offer Ukraine long-term prospects beyond military aid with the upcoming Ukraine Reconstruction Conference in the coming week. The focus will be on civil society, economy, municipalities, and regions, according to a senior German government official. Additional topics like reforms and employment will also be discussed. With German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, various German ministers and ministers, and a highly-ranking Ukrainian delegation set to attend the conference from July 5-6 in Berlin, it's not a fundraising event but a networking conference, says a German representative.
00:45 Russian Occupation Claims 22 Killed Villagers in Kherson
The Russian occupation administration alleges that 22 people were killed in a Ukrainian shelling of a captured village in the southern region of Kherson. Vladimir Saldo, the Russian-appointed administrator for the region, mentioned on Telegram that a village store filled with people was hit in the village of Sadowe, and 15 more were injured. Saldo condemned this incident as a "base and murder of civilians" facilitated by "Western weapons supplied to Ukraine." However, there are no independent confirmations of the incident.
23:45 Macron Advocates for Ukraine's EU Membership "By the End of the Month"
French President Emmanuel Macron urges for EU accession negotiations with Ukraine "by the end of the month." He said, "France supports Ukraine in all aspects, including at the European level, where we are trying to initiate a meaningful start of accession negotiations by the end of the month." Additionally, Zelensky echoed this sentiment, claiming, "There are EU decisions concerning Ukraine's integration that are almost made." However, Hungary, which is set to assume the EU Council Presidency on July 1, has been delaying the process.
22:54 Zelensky's Approval Ratings Hit Rock Bottom
Post-war, President Zelensky's approval ratings in Ukraine have plummeted to an all-time low, but he still holds the trust of more than half the population. According to the KIIS Institute survey, Zelensky's approval rating fell under 60% for the first time. In May 2022, when the Russian offensive started, the number was 90%. The president's popularity has been declining continuously throughout the war. Despite his term being scheduled to end in May, he has remained in power due to martial law. Authorities in Ukraine plan to abstain from holding elections for the time being, among other reasons being that 20% of the country lies under Russian control and millions of Ukrainians have fled abroad.
22:04 US Backs OUT of Macron's Proposal for Ukraine
The United States will not participate in Macron's proposal for Ukraine. The decision comes as France plans to organize a Ukraine Reconstruction Conference next week, focusing on civil society, economy, and other areas. Although the conference aims to promote reconstruction and development opportunities, it is not solely dedicated to providing military aid.
The American government doesn't intend to join French President Emmanuel Macron's project to send troops to Ukraine for training. John Kirby, who works for the National Security Council, mentioned this during a trip by US President Joe Biden to France. Despite this, Biden acknowledges Macron's stance. Yet, Biden has consistently maintained since the fighting started in Ukraine that US soldiers won't be deployed to the area. "This has been the situation until now, and it will continue to be in the future," Kirby reiterated. Biden is leaving the call on what information Macron shares regarding this matter and how transparent he plans to be up to Macron himself. Additionally, Biden has been open about his standpoint since the start of the Ukraine conflict: "We don't want a third world war, and we don't want a war with Russia."
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The conflict between Russia and Ukraine continues to escalate, with Cyberwar becoming a significant component. Russian forces have launched attacks on Ukrainian targets using drones in various locations, including Rostov, Bryansk, Belgorod, and the annexed Crimean Peninsula. However, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Selensky has condemned these attacks and urged for international support. The situation has led to talks about NATO's involvement and potential military operations. Meanwhile, Russia accused Selensky of illegitimacy, a claim the Ukrainian leader refuted. On the other hand, NATO member Germany is considering sending a fourth Patriot missile defense system to Ukraine, aiming to protect Ukrainian cities from Russian attacks and potential cyber warfare.
