Ukrainian Hunting Brigade: 'Wonderwork of Technology' captured
The Ukrainian 68. Separate Jagdbrigade reports in social media about the capture of a modern T-90 Proryv tank. This refers to the most advanced version from the T-90 series and, along with the T-14, is the most modern combat tank of the Russian armed forces. The Ukrainian brigade describes it as a "wonder of technology." The captured model is said to be in almost fully functional condition. The soldiers have also reported the capture of a T-80 combat tank and a BMP-2 infantry fighting vehicle. Their plans include using the three vehicles against the Russian invaders.
10:52 Interior Ministry sees "significantly increased threat from Russian aggression"
Against the background of reports of attack plans against Rheinmetall CEO Armin Papperger, German Interior Minister Nancy Faeser emphasizes the determination of German security agencies. "We do not comment on individual threat situations," said the SPD politician. "We take the significantly increased threat from Russian aggression very seriously." Russian President Vladimir Putin wants to undermine support for Ukraine, according to Faeser. "But we will not be intimidated." Security measures have been significantly increased in response to Russian threats over the past two years. "The threats range from espionage, sabotage, and cyberattacks to state terrorism."
10:27 "US election is the greatest risk factor for Ukraine"
NATO announces that Ukraine will join the military alliance - after the end of the war. This does not seem to cause euphoria or hope in Ukraine. The NATO rhetoric repeats itself, and the promises are known to the Ukrainians, according to journalist Denis Trubetskoy.
10:03 HUR: Russian deep-sea vessel damaged
A modernized Russian deep-sea vessel is reportedly damaged, according to Ukrainian reports, during tests in the European North Sea. The Ukrainian military intelligence service HUR reports that the crew lost control during the launch of the AS-36 on July 1. "As a result of the incident, the Russian deep-sea vessel suffered damage that prevented it from continuing the tests," it says on Telegram. Russia is currently assessing the damage and the time required for repairs.
09:32 Russian "troll army" spread propaganda for the AfD before EU election
Anonymous sources are said to have attempted to influence the European election through covert social media campaigns, according to a report by "Der Spiegel." An analysis by the private research institute Trollrense shows that a group of people spread a large amount of posts advocating for the AfD on the X platform before the EU election. The analysts believe that this network was likely controlled from Russia.
09:04 Increase in GPS disturbances - ISW reports increasingly intense hybrid campaign from Moscow
Finnish authorities report an increase in GPS disturbances in the past week. Most of the disturbances are believed to be from GPS and radar in the air and maritime traffic from Russia, according to the Institute for the Study of War. A Finnish lighthouse keeper reported on X that he experienced severe GPS and radar disturbances while guiding boats near Kotka and Hamina on the Finnish south coast. The GPS was unavailable for about 90 percent of the stretch between the Orrengrund Lighthouse Station and Hamina Port. This is consistent with reports of Russian GPS disturbances in the Baltic states and other European regions, according to the ISW. It is likely that the Russians from the Kaliningrad region also disrupted the GPS of a British Defense Minister's aircraft, forcing Finnair to cancel several flights from Finland. The ISW's conclusion: "Russia's apparent GPS disturbances are likely part of an intensifying hybrid campaign by Russia, directly targeting NATO countries, to undermine support for Ukraine and NATO unity."
08:37 Kiev: Five Russian cruise missiles intercepted - Russians apparently aim to overload air defense
The Ukrainian Air Force reports intercepting all five Kalibr cruise missiles of the Kh-101 type fired by the Russian armed forces towards Ukraine. Eleven of the 19 drones were also destroyed. The main target of the Russian attack was the city of Starokostyantyniv, where there is an important military airport. The city is located in the Oblast of Chernihiv in western central Ukraine. The eleven drones were intercepted over a total of six regions, including Sumy, Kiev, Chernihiv, and Mykolaiv. The Ukrainian Air Force does not make any statements about the fate of the remaining drones. "It is likely that the enemy is imitating attack drones to overload air defense. There is no information about casualties or damages."
08:22 Green defends stationing plan: It's about protection
Greens' deputy Agnieszka Brugger defends the planned deployment of long-range US weapons in Germany in the German public broadcaster. She understands that many people associate this with the Cold War, says the defense expert. However, these measures are not a contribution to arms race but serve defense purposes. In the 80s, two power blocs faced each other, both of which did not want maximum escalation, explained Brugger. Nevertheless, there were many dangerous situations back then. Today, there is a brutal aggressor who is breaking international law, has switched to a war economy, and is waging the most brutal war against Ukraine. It's about solidarity and protection, not aggression.
07:53 Shocked over Attack on Children's Clinic: Russian Pilot Leaked Apparent Data of Commanders
A Russian pilot is reportedly suspected of leaking confidential information to the Ukrainian Military Intelligence Service (HUR), contributing to the identification of 30 commanders of the Russian heavy bomber aircraft division. According to "Kyiv Independent", this information was obtained from a confidential source within the intelligence service. The Russian pilot, who is said to serve in the 22nd heavy bomber aircraft division, contacted HUR on July 8 following the devastating Russian attack on the children's hospital in Kiev. He was reportedly so shocked by the attack that he decided to take this step. The pilot is believed to have provided personal information, including photos and other confidential documents, on over 30 Russian commanders.
07:28 Rheinmetall-CEO: Russian Wear-and-Tear War Could Last Forever
Rheinmetall AG Chairman of the Board Armin Papperger believes that the war in Ukraine could continue for a long time. The ongoing war is damaging the Russians, but it can still last forever, he stated in an interview with the "Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung". Papperger expects sustained growth for the Düsseldorf-based defense conglomerate as a result. The sales are projected to increase by 40% in this year.
07:05 Threats against Rheinmetall-CEO? Alleged Russian Agents Were Reportedly Already in the EU
The threat to Rheinmetall AG Chairman of the Board Armin Papperger from alleged assassination plans may have been more concrete than previously known. According to information from the "Spiegel" citing security sources, suspicious travels of suspected agents were observed in the past few months. These men were believed to be from countries of the former Soviet Union, at least one from Russia. Some had already been in the Schengen Area, while others had planned to enter. Suspicious individuals were reportedly detected near the Rheinmetall headquarters as well as at Papperger's travel destinations abroad. Senior officials suspect they could have been "proxies" of Russian intelligence services – hired hands from Moscow.
06:49 Heusgen: Berlin Underestimates the Situation
The head of the Munich Security Conference, Christoph Heusgen, criticizes the majority of the German government for their communication regarding the Ukraine war. "In Germany, the Defense Minister speaks openly about the need to prepare for war. But most of his cabinet colleagues still underestimate the seriousness of the situation," he lamented. Putin reportedly aims to restore the old Soviet Union. "We are still downplaying it all a bit here," Heusgen stated. "People need a clear explanation of what Russia has broken in treaties, how Russia is rearming, and that Russia has nuclear-capable missiles stationed in Kaliningrad that can reach Germany."
06:22 Spionage for Russia: Australian Couple ArrestedTwo Australian citizens of Russian descent have been arrested in Australia on espionage charges. The 40 and 62-year-old couple are accused of obtaining material from the Australian military to give to Russian authorities, according to the Australian Federal Police. One of them is a soldier in the Australian military. The Australian authorities accuse the couple of preparing a spy offense, which carries a maximum penalty of 15 years in prison.
05:55 Outrage after Report of Murder Plans: "Putin Regime now targets German citizens as well"A CNN report on alleged Russian assassination plans against Rheinmetall CEO Armin Papperger has caused outrage in Germany. "It once again shows that Russia is bringing its war and terror to Europe," says the chairman of the Defense Committee, Marcus Faber of the FDP, in an interview with the "Bild" newspaper. "The Putin regime now targets not only Ukrainians but also German citizens and our values." The chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee, Michael Roth of the SPD, tells the paper that Putin is not only waging a war of annihilation against Ukraine but also against its supporters and our values. US intelligence services, according to CNN, discovered plans of the Russian government to assassinate Papperger at the beginning of the year. The German side was informed, and the 61-year-old was subsequently given special protection.
05:18 Hungary Accuses NATO Allies of Hypocrisy and FailureThe Hungarian government accuses its NATO partners of hypocrisy and failure in dealing with Russia's aggression against Ukraine at the conclusion of the NATO summit in Washington. "We will continue to advocate for dialogue and diplomatic channels, as the current strategy of the past two and a half years has been a total failure," says Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto in a meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, according to a spokesperson. Szijjarto represented Prime Minister Viktor Orban, who left the summit early to meet with former US President Donald Trump in Florida.
04:35 Britain Calls on NATO Allies to Increase Defense EffortsBritish Prime Minister Keir Starmer announces a plan by his government to increase defense spending to 2.5% of Gross Domestic Product at the NATO summit in Washington. Simultaneously, he calls on other allies to increase their defense spending as well. 23 of the 32 alliance members currently spend only 2% of their GDP on defense, and more needs to be done in light of the serious threats to security, Starmer says.
03:30 Biden: I would speak with Putin if he were open to changeUS President Joe Biden currently sees no point in talking to Kremlin Chief Putin. In general, he is willing to speak with any state or government leader - including Chinese State and Party Chief Xi Jinping, Biden emphasizes in a press conference following the NATO summit. This also applies if Putin calls him. "I'm saying I'm willing to speak with anyone, but I don't see a willingness on his part," Biden says. Putin must be willing to change his behavior.
02:32 Building of new NATO-Ukraine Command in Wiesbaden begins todayIn Wiesbaden, the construction of the new NATO-Ukraine Command for coordinating weapons deliveries and training activities for the Ukrainian armed forces starts today. However, the supreme allied commander Europe is expected to still need several months to set up the command in a way that it can take on all planned tasks, NATO representatives announced at the sidelines of the NATO summit in Washington. Until then, US military forces will continue to take on the coordination tasks. The deployment is also seen as a precaution for the possible return of Donald Trump to the US Presidency in January 2025.
01:58 Scholz rejects unlimited weapons engagement against RussiaGerman Chancellor Olaf Scholz has rejected Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's call for lifting all restrictions on the use of Western weapons against Russian territory. "Nobody intends to change the existing guidelines and regulations - for good reasons", says the SPD politician at the end of the NATO summit. We want to support Ukraine as much as possible, but prevent the war from escalating into a war between Russia and NATO, Scholz added. Zelenskyy is particularly concerned about military bases in Russian territory from which rocket attacks on Ukraine originate. More than 40 civilians, including children, were killed in Monday's attacks on Ukrainian cities.
01:25 Scholz on attack report: Aware of Russian threatsIn connection with a media report about Russian threats against Rheinmetall CEO Armin Papperger, Chancellor Olaf Scholz has referred to Russian threats. "I won't say anything about that in detail", Scholz said at the NATO summit in Washington. "But I'd be happy to tell you that we are already very well aware that we are exposed to various threats from Russian activities."
00:40 UN calls on Russia to withdraw from Zaporizhzhia NPPThe UN General Assembly calls on Russia to withdraw its military and other non-authorized personnel from the Ukrainian Zaporizhzhia NPP. Russia should restore the facility under the full control of Ukrainian authorities, according to a UN resolution passed with 99 Yes votes, nine No votes, and 60 abstentions. The Zaporizhzhia NPP, the largest in Europe, was taken over by Russia shortly after its invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. Although it has been shut down, it requires external energy to keep the nuclear material cool and prevent a nuclear meltdown.
23:36 Pistorius expects correction in budget 2025Federal Defense Minister Boris Pistorius is convinced that there will be adjustments in favor of the defense budget in the draft budget 2025. "I assume that further talks will lead to changes", says the SPD politician in the ARD. He will not stop advocating for the Bundeswehr to be adequately equipped to fulfill its tasks.
22:46 Kremlin: "On the best way to a Cold War"The Kremlin criticizes the planned stationing of US long-range weapons in Germany as a return to the Cold War. "We are on the best way to a Cold War. All of this has happened before", says Kremlin spokesperson Dmitri Peskov to Russian state television. Peskow accuses Germany, the USA, France, and Britain of directly intervening in the conflict over Ukraine. "And all the features of the Cold War return - with confrontation, with direct confrontation between adversaries", he says. "All of this is being done to undermine our country. All of this is being done to ensure our strategic defeat on the battlefield", emphasizes Peskow. During the Cold War, however, there was peace in Europe. Russia began its war against Ukraine in 2014, which it expanded massively again in 2022.
21:34 Zelenskyy: Demands for western weapons restrictions to endUkrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy demands the lifting of all restrictions on the use of western weapons against Russian territory at the NATO summit in Washington. "If we want to win and save our country, then all these restrictions must be lifted", emphasizes the Ukrainian leader. The main issue is military bases in the Russian hinterland from which rocket attacks are launched. "If they attack us and kill our children, it's crazy to ask why we can't attack this military base", so Zelenskyy.
20:58 USA announces further aid package with Patriot systemUS President Joe Biden announces another aid package for Ukraine worth $225 million. Part of the package includes a Patriot system, which is intended to strengthen the air defense of the country against Russian air raids. The package also includes NASAMS missile defense systems, multiple rocket launchers of the HIMARS type, as well as artillery ammunition with calibers of 155 and 105 millimeters, according to the US government. The weapons come from US military stocks.
20:19 Stoltenberg accuses Russia of intimidation campaignNATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg reports on a Russian campaign of hostile actions against the Alliance. It is intended to intimidate NATO members and prevent them from supporting Ukraine. However, this approach has had the opposite effect, says Stoltenberg at the NATO summit in Washington.
- The Ukrainian military intelligence service HUR reported a damaged Russian deep-sea vessel during tests in the European North Sea, suggesting possible Russian military vulnerabilities.
- Interior Minister Nancy Faeser of Germany emphasized the increased threat from Russian aggression, warning of various forms of attacks ranging from espionage to state terrorism.
- The NATO summit discussed the possibility of Ukraine joining the alliance post-conflict, but this prospect did not evoke much enthusiasm or hope among Ukrainians, according to journalist Denis Trubetskoy.
- There have been reports of Russian cyberwar tactics against Ukraine, with the Institute for the Study of War citing incidents of GPS disturbances to overload Ukrainian air defense.
- Volodymyr Zelenskyy, the President of Ukraine, has called for the lifting of restrictions on the use of western weapons against Russian territories to effectively respond to attacks on Ukrainian cities.
