Russia and Ukraine swap 150 prisoners at 13:56.
After months of deadlock, Russia and Ukraine have swapped prisoners for the first time. The Russian Defense Ministry in Moscow revealed that 75 of their soldiers, whose lives were in imminent danger, have been returned. In exchange, 75 POWs were handed over to the Ukrainian military. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky confirmed the swap on his Telegram channel, revealing that both regular soldiers and members of the National Guard and Border Guard were among the returned prisoners, along with four civilians. The two sides had last carried out a larger prisoner exchange in February.
13:41 - China Refuses to Partake in Ukraine Peace Conference
China has said it won't be participating in the Ukraine peace conference organized by Switzerland, claiming the conditions aren't right. Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning in Beijing explained that China's requirements, based on the conference's design, are difficult to align with the conference's setup. She added that China is unable to take part in the peace conference, as the three elements - the acceptance of the conference by Ukraine and Russia, equal participation of all parties, and a fair discussion of all potential peace options - can't be met.
13:21 - Scholz Urges Caution: "We Must Prevent Major War"
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz defended the decision to allow Ukraine to use German weapons against Russian targets. "We must avoid major war - a war between Russia and NATO," he told the Catholic Day in Erfurt. "We must also ensure that Ukraine can defend its independence and sovereignty." Escalation can't be averted without caution, he added, stressing the importance of coordinating with allies.
13:07 - Russian Court Prolongs Detention for US Journalist Kurmasheva
A Russian court has extended the pre-trial detention for American journalist Alsu Kurmasheva until early August. Her defense lawyers' application for house arrest was denied by the district court in Kazan. Kurmasheva, a Tatar program worker for US broadcaster Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, has been barred from leaving Russia for over a year. Since October, she's been incarcerated. The broadcaster condemned her imprisonment, deeming it a form of retaliation for her journalistic work.
12:43 - Medvedev Threatens West: Nuclear Weapons Use Not a Bluff
Russia may use nuclear weapons in the ongoing Ukraine war following the recent loosening of restrictions on Western weapon use. Former President Dmitry Medvedev warned the West with a reference to tactical nuclear weapons, which are designed for battlefield use and not meant to entirely destroy the enemy. The conflict could turn into a total war, Medvedev, a Putin ally, cautioned. A leading Russian lawmaker also threatened the West with an asymmetrical war. This comes after Western powers eased restrictions on the use of Western weapons in Ukraine.
12:18 - ntv Reporter Sharma on the Use of US Weapons: "Providing Legitimate Military Targets in Russian Interior"
The United States allows Ukraine to use American weapons against military targets in Russia under specific conditions. However, this decision is causing controversy among NATO members.
12:01 - Pistorius: No New Discussion About Taurus Missiles for Ukraine
German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius defends the German government's decision to authorize the use of German weapons against Russian targets as "a strategic response to evolving situation developments." The SPD politician stated that the decision was necessary and aligned with their strategy since the beginning of Putin's war against Ukraine. He also ruled out any new discussions about supplying Ukraine with the long-range German Taurus missiles. A debate about long-range weapons would center on missiles with a range of more than 300 kilometers, he added. "The line remains the same, even after the statements from our partners and ourselves."
Former Bundestag Defense Committee chairwoman, FDP politician Marie-Agnes Strack-Zimmermann, hopes for renewed discussion on sending Ukraine Taurus missiles. However, her optimism is limited, as she discusses the constantly changing situation amid Russian attacks in Kharkiv. The West's support for Ukraine remains predictable, she notes, but in such times, predictability isn't ideal.
Munz on "Atomic Threat" - Putin's fiery threats against Europe and NATO persist, even while the Kremlin continues to receive Western aid for Ukraine. Despite warnings, support continues. It seems to be a losing battle for Putin - his only remaining option is risking a world war.
Zelenskyy on Russian Forces: Making Light of the SituationUkraine's President Zelenskyy revealed in an interview with the Guardian that the delay in US President Biden's decision to use Western weapons in Russia has allowed Kremlin forces to mock Ukrainians, engaging in what he described as a "hunt" for them. Several lives lost due to the White House's hesitation, the Ukrainian leader believes.
Orban on Avoiding WarHungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban insists that NATO's involvement in Ukraine's war is the equivalent of a firefighter trying to put out a fire with a flamethrower, and could lead to a world war instead of protecting NATO's member states.
Berlin's Green Light for Weapon Use Against RussiaGermany allows Ukraine to use German-supplied weapons against Russian military targets.
Zelenskyy's Plans for a Security Conference in SingaporeSome insider sources claim that the Ukrainian President will be attending the Shangri-La Dialogue, an annual security conference in Asia. Despite Russia and Ukraine not showing up, Ukraine is attempting to join a separate peace conference in Switzerland, but Russia is trying to prevent other countries from participating.
Fair & Impartial Peace Talks?China's Foreign Ministry spokesperson, Mao Ning, declares that their demands for a peace conference with both Russia and Ukraine present is fair and impartial, and not directed against any party. China will not be participating in the Switzerland peace conference.
Beloussov on Kharkiv's Troops RetreatUkrainian forces have retreated up to 9 kilometers in strategic locations in the Kharkiv region.
Energy Facilities Targeted in KyivSeveral energy buildings in Kyiv have been damaged in a Russian rocket attack, with the DTEK energy company reporting that one power plant has been wrecked and the power grid in Holosiyivskyi shut down. Power outages also occurred in private homes. The Russian forces utilized drones and short-range ballistic missiles like Iskander to perpetrate the attacks.
"Time is ticking" for Western leaders to act decisively in the Ukrainian war. Despite Russia's constant threats and attacks, promises of aid and support by Western nations have remained consistent. But will this predictability lead to desired outcomes for Ukraine or merely lay the groundwork for a larger-scale conflict? The future is uncertain, as Orban observes the potential dangers of NATO's increasing involvement in the war. Strategies and allegiances shift daily, making the situation more complex.
2023: Repetition yet RetentionIn 2023, Germany continued to allow Ukraine to use German-supplied weapons against Russian military targets. Zelenskyy was reportedly expected to attend a security conference in Singapore, with Ukraine attempting to join a separate peace conference in Switzerland despite Russia's efforts to prevent participation by other nations. Rejecting violence and warfare, China aimed to facilitate fair and impartial negotiations between Russia and Ukraine, even if unilaterally. In Ukraine, Russian forces retook 8 to 9 kilometers in Kharkiv, while energy facilities in Kyiv were targeted in a Russian rocket attack
Despite the constant threats from Putin, the harsh reality of the war in Ukraine, the involvement of Western nations, or China's demands for fair negotiations, the conflict remains unresolved. The potential of a larger-scale conflict looms over the situation, putting the West in a tough spot. Germany's decision to allow Ukraine to use German-supplied weapons against Russian targets, Zelenskyy's attendance of a security conference in Singapore, Ukraine's bid to join a peace conference in Switzerland, and China's call for impartial talks will shape the course of the conflict. Will this complex web of actions lead to real change in the situation, or perpetuate the stalemate? Only time will tell.
The Ukrainian military had strikes on Russian targets in the Russian Black Sea port of Kavkaz during the night. The Ukrainian Armed Forces' General Staff reported this. Eyewitnesses had earlier reported explosions and a huge fire in the port of Kavkaz on social media platforms, along with several videos purportedly showing the attack. The depot sustained damage due to several Ukrainian-made Neptune missiles. The degree of destruction is unknown at this time. The port of Kavkaz is located on the island of Tuzla, near the Ukrainian city of Kerch on Crimea, which is illegally occupied by Russia.
NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg does not see any escalation risk due to the US decision to allow Ukraine to strike Russian targets. “Russia itself is the one escalating by attacking another country,” as he said at a NATO Foreign Ministers' Meeting in Prague. Stoltenberg also urged Germany and other nations to authorise similar attacks with weapons provided by them. “Ukraine has the right to self-defense, and that includes the right to attack legitimate military targets in Russia,” he affirmed. He underlined this urgency in light of the ongoing confrontations in and around the regions of Kharkiv.
Ukrainian air defense units have taken down four Russian Shahed drones and one Iskander-K cruise missile in the past night. The commander of the Ukrainian Air Force, Mykola Oleschtschuk, stated this via Telegram. The Ukrainian air defense missile systems and mobile artillery units brought down four Shahed drones in the regions of Kyiv, Zaporizhzhia, and Dnipropetrovsk, and one Iskander-K missile in the region of Kyiv.
Following a rocket attack on an apartment building in Kharkiv, the toll of civilian casualties has risen to four with 25 more people injured. According to the governor of the Kharkiv region, Oleh Syniehubov, via Telegram, citing state news agency Ukrinform. The bodies of four victims were found in the collapsed building.
In a 24-hour period, 1390 Russian soldiers have been reportedly killed or incapacitated, according to official figures from the Ukrainian defense ministry. A total of 507,650 Russian soldiers have been “eliminated” since the beginning of the conflict in February 2022. The Ukrainian defense ministry also reported that the enemy had lost 18 more tanks (7728) since their daily summary of Russian casualties. Since the start of the Russian offensive, Ukraine states that the country has destroyed almost 15,000 armoured vehicles and nearly 10,500 drones no longer owned by the Russian military.
In the southern region of Russia’s Krasnodar, two people were wounded in a Ukrainian air raid on oil facilities. Governor Veniamin Kondratyev reported this via Telegram, stating that the infrastructure of an oil depot in Temrjuk was damaged. Debris from shot-down drones ignited a fire which was later extinguished. According to the Russian Defense Ministry, the air defense managed to shoot down five rockets and 29 drones fired by Ukraine at the region of Krasnodar in the early hours. Drone attacks were also reported in Voronezh, Belgorod, and Tambov.
There were reports of a series of explosions overnight in the Russian-occupied Crimea. According to the Telegram channel Crimean Wind, quoted by Ukrainian news agency Ukrinform, there were eight to ten explosions heard in Port Kavkaz. Residents from Kerch claimed that an oil depot in the port was on flame. Previously, there were also reports of a large fire in the port. According to the Ukrainian General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, two ferries in Kerch were targeted by ATACMS missiles.
4:34 AM USA: China's backing for Russia viewed as a threat to European safety
According to the United States government, China's support for Russia is perceived as a threat to Europe's security. This viewpoint is also shared by the G7 partners, as well as other EU and NATO countries. During a press conference, the deputy spokesman of the US State Department, Vedant Patel, emphasized the potential dangers, stating, "China's support for Russia not only endangers Ukraine but also European security." Previously, Washington had reproached the Chinese leadership for aiding Russia's involvement in the Ukrainian conflict, and the consequences could involve even harsher measures. Patel commented, "If China refrains from supporting Russian arms manufacturing, the US is prepared to take additional measures."
2:50 AM: Rocket strikes residential area in Kharkiv; three citizens perish
In the evening, Russia launched rockets from Belgorod toward Kharkiv. Local authorities reported five impacts on the city, including one in a five-story residential building. Ukrayinska Pravda, a Ukrainian newspaper, mentioned that approximately 20 residential buildings were damaged. The rocket attack resulted in the deaths of three civilians and left 16 others injured. Two children were among the casualties.
1:46 AM: German SPD politician recommends utilizing Western weapons against targets in Russia
Nils Schmid, the SPD's foreign policy spokesperson, advocates for lifting restrictions on using Western weapons against Russian military targets. Schmid stated to Funke Media Group newspapers, "It seems sensible to suspend these restrictions for targets on Russian territory. This decision must be made collectively by the NATO allies."
Midnight: Scholz rejects sending German soldiers to aid in Ukraine and refrains from establishing a no-fly zone
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz is against deploying German soldiers to Ukraine and participating in the formation of a no-fly zone. Scholz, during a meeting with the "Thuringer Allgemeine" in Erfurt, remarked, "We aim to avoid involving our soldiers." Similar to this stance, Scholz initially disapproved of establishing a no-fly zone, which would necessitate engaging in battles with the aircraft of another country. "This would lead to war," he stressed. His position is also endorsed by US President Joe Biden and French President Emmanuel Macron.
10:25 PM: US allows Ukraine to use American weapons against Russia, with certain conditions
Source: Insider information reveals that the US is allowing Ukraine to utilize American weapons against Russia, specifically in the Kharkiv region. This represents a shift in US policy, as previously, President Joe Biden had denied providing US-made weapons for attacks within Russia. However, the United States' stipulation that Ukraine refrain from employing its own long-range rockets and other ammunition for offensives within Russia remains unaltered, according to US government sources.
10:06 PM: Ukrainian assault battalion shares footage of street battles in Vovchansk
The Liut Brigade, a police unit within the Ukrainian military, fights alongside other forces to safeguard Vovchansk in the Kharkiv border region. The unit published a video showcasing urban combat, allegedly demonstrating soldiers from the Tsunami Storm Regiment obstructing Russian troops from capturing a building. The Liut Brigade's statement claims the footage displays how its members prevented Russian soldiers from occupying a structure.
Read also:
- The prisoner swap between Russia and Ukraine occurred amidst ongoing military operations in the Ukraine conflict, with both sides releasing their captives after months of deadlock.
- In light of the ongoing Ukraine conflict, some Western nations are considering relaxing restrictions on using military equipment against Russian targets, with the aim of helping Ukraine defend its sovereignty.
- Amidst the ongoing cyberwar in the Ukraine conflict, concerns have been raised about the potential use of nuclear weapons, as some Russian officials have hinted at this possibility in response to Western aid for Ukraine.
- Ukrainian President Volodymyr Selensky has condemned the Russian attack on Ukraine, urging the international community to strengthen their support for Ukraine's defense and to apply pressure on Russia to cease hostilities.
