Ukrainian intelligence sets FSB agents in Odessa in custody
The Ukrainian Security Service SBU has reportedly arrested six suspects in Odessa, who allegedly carried out sabotage activities on behalf of Russia. According to the SBU, these individuals set fire to 15 Ukrainian military vehicles on orders from the Russian Federal Security Service FSB in June and July. They were reportedly identified by the FSB through their Telegram activity, as they were trying to make easy money. The men were arrested almost simultaneously in different parts of the city. The SBU stated that these individuals are six residents of Odessa between the ages of 18 and 24, who worked as couriers for a popular food delivery service. They face up to eight years in prison if convicted.
11:30 Harmony everywhere: Lukashenko talks about talks with Putin
According to Belarusian leader Alexander Lukashenko, relations between Russia and his country are harmonious. As reported by the state Russian news agency RIA Novosti, Lukashenko stated that during their latest talks with Vladimir Putin on the island of Valaam in the Ladoga Lake, mutual agreement was reached on all issues: "In all matters, mutual agreement was reached. There is absolutely no rejection." During the talks with Putin, it is said that they discussed issues related to prices and advance payments for oil deliveries.
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10:59 It's in the hundreds of thousands - Kiev names Russian casualty figures
The Ukrainian General Staff has once again provided figures for Russian army losses. According to their data, over 1,300 soldiers were eliminated in one day. This brings the number of wounded and killed Russians, according to Ukrainian reports, to 576,000. Western observers have differing opinions. The NATO estimated the number of Russian casualties - dead and wounded - to be around 350,000 in mid-March. The US intelligence estimated the number to be 315,000 in December 2023. Federal Chancellor Olaf Scholz stated during a citizen dialogue at the end of May: "There is a figure that says the number of dead or seriously injured Russian soldiers per month - 24,000." According to this calculation, the casualty figures would be even higher than those provided by Kiev.
10:30 The Kremlin continues to pay soldiers' costs - Russians discuss rising airfare prices
Ukraine continues to target Russian infrastructure. The effects are noticeable, but the Kremlin remains militarily well-prepared, explains NTV reporter Rainer Munz. However, Moscow must invest increasingly higher sums for the recruitment of soldiers.
09:59 Putin plans meeting with new Iranian president
Russian President Vladimir Putin is reportedly preparing for an upcoming meeting with the newly elected Iranian President Massud Peseschkian, according to Russian media reports. "The Iranian side has already received a valid invitation, and we hope that the new president will attend the summit. We would be pleased to see him, and President Putin is preparing for the upcoming contact," Kremlin spokesman Dmitri Peskov told "Iswestija". The inauguration ceremony of the Iranian president takes place on July 30. A Russian delegation, led by the speaker of the State Duma, Vyacheslav Volodin, is expected to attend.
09:35 At least 23 Injured in Ukraine per Day
According to authorities' reports, at least 23 people were injured in Ukraine on a Sunday during Russian attacks. In the region of Cherson, Russian forces attacked 21 settlements, including the regional center of Cherson. Eleven people were injured there, among them three children, as reported by Governor Oleksandr Prokudin. In the region of Dnipropetrowsk, Russian forces attacked the city of Nikopol, which lies directly across from the Russian-occupied Enerhodar and the Saporischschja Nuclear Power Plant and is a regular target of Russian attacks. Eight people were injured there, including two girls aged one and ten, as reported by Governor Serhij Lyssak. Some adults also sustained shrapnel wounds. In Dnipropetrowsk and Zaporizhzhia, several people were injured as well.
08:59 Georgian Opposition Files Lawsuit against "Foreign Agent" Law
Georgia's largest opposition party, the United National Movement, filed a lawsuit at the Constitutional Court today against the controversial foreign agents law. According to "Kyiv Independent," the lawsuit was signed by 32 opposition parliamentarians. The law requires organizations that receive more than one-fifth of their financing from abroad to register as "agents of foreign influence." A similar law has been used by the Kremlin for years against opposition and civil society in Russia.
08:35 Kiev Honors the Dead of Oleniwka
Thousands gathered in Kiev on a Sunday to remember the explosion at a pro-Russian separatist-controlled prison in Oleniwka two years ago. Soldiers and civilians assembled at the Independence Square in Kiev to honor the more than 50 fatalities. They called on their government to take action to pressure Russia to release war prisoners. The explosion in Oleniwka, as reported by many Ukrainian soldiers, was one of the most painful chapters of Russia's armed conflict against Ukraine. Russia claims that the explosion in Oleniwka was caused by a Ukrainian rocket. However, investigations by the Associated Press suggest that Russian forces may have caused the detonation.
08:07 New Water Drone? Mysterious Jetski Washed up on Turkish Coast
Could Ukraine have a new water drone? According to "Kyiv Post," a heavily modified and weaponized Yamaha "Wave Runner"-Jetski was discovered near Istanbul's Turkish coast in the past week. A military expert believes that the previously unknown unmanned watercraft is another model of Ukrainian kamikaze-type sea drones that would be used against Russia in the Black Sea. The Jetski is reportedly equipped with two explosive charges in black-painted cylinders on either side of the vehicle. Other experts speculate that they might be additional fuel tanks to increase the range. The Jetski's seats have been replaced with various electronic control panels and a Starlink antenna, presumably for communication and guidance. Ukrainian military expert Ivan Kyrychevsky warns against hasty conclusions in "Kyiv Post." The vehicle "looks different from a functioning maritime drone." It could also be part of a disinformation campaign by Moscow. Turkish authorities are currently investigating the matter.
07:33 Ukraine intercepts most of the Russian drones
The Ukrainian Air Force intercepted, according to their own statements, nine out of ten Russian drones in the night. Additionally, a missile was intercepted and destroyed, the Air Force announced on Telegram. Russia, on the other hand, claims to have intercepted 39 drones launched from Ukraine. "Our air defense systems have intercepted and destroyed 19 drones in the Kursk region, nine over Belgorod, three over Voronezh, and five over Bryansk," the Russian Defense Ministry stated on Telegram. Three more drones were neutralized in the northwestern region of Leningrad near the city of Saint Petersburg.
07:04 No more happy singles in films: Duma deputy wants to punish "divorce propaganda"
Duma deputy Vitaly Milonov is planning an initiative to ban the screening of films featuring happy singles. According to "Novye Izvestia", a penalty for "divorce propaganda" in the country would be introduced, as well as a ban on showing "happy bachelors." "In general, any propaganda for divorce should be punishable. A divorce is a tragedy and a misfortune, and propagating it, especially for these unshaven feminists, is definitely not allowed," Milonov, who is the deputy chairman of the Duma Committee for Family, Fatherhood, Motherhood, and Childhood, said. He believes that public opinion towards single men should change and only those should be considered heroes who have many children. Russia has been promoting a increasingly traditional family image for several years. However, not all in political leadership share this view - for example, President Vladimir Putin is divorced and his relationship status is unclear.
06:33 Four TASS journalists apparently have accreditation revoked in Paris
The Olympic Organizing Committee revokes, according to TASS, the accreditation of four journalists from the Russian news agency in Paris. The Committee cites a decision by French authorities for this, but has given Moscow no further explanations, reports Reuters. Among the four journalists are two reporters, a photographer, and a France correspondent who wanted to report on the games. Paris had previously refused to accredit some Russian journalists for the games and justified it with possible espionage. Russia is traditionally one of the biggest medal winners at the Olympic Games, but the games in Paris will not be broadcast on Russian state television and only 15 Russians are participating this time. Russians and Belarusians can only compete as individuals without a flag and cannot publicly support the war or the military.
06:07 Zelenskyy: No ceasefire with further occupation
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy pushes back on all efforts to quickly end the war. He cannot agree to the demands for a ceasefire as long as Russia occupies Ukrainian territory, he said in an interview with the Japanese broadcaster NHK. He confirmed the previous stance of his government. For the way to a just peace, in his view, there are three essential prerequisites: "Patience, support (for Ukraine), and diplomatic pressure (on Moscow)." "If the United States and European countries remain united, they will exert additional pressure and show Moscow that it has no chance," he emphasized.
05:37 Russia: Drones debris causes fire in VoronezhA supply infrastructure facility in the Russian region of Voronezh has caught fire according to the local governor, due to drones debris. "The fire has been extinguished", Gorvernor Alexander Gussev shares on Telegram. "There are no casualties reported." The southwestern Russian region of Voronezh borders Ukraine.
03:07 Oil depot in Kursk apparently hit by Ukrainian droneRussian sources report multiple waves of drone attacks on the Russian border region of Kursk by Ukraine. "At least 13 drones launched from Ukraine were destroyed by our air defense systems", writes the governor Andrey Smirnov on Telegram. Previously, 19 drones had been shot down during the day. A oil depot was reportedly damaged. The governor reports minor damages to several residential buildings without providing further details. Drone attacks are also reported from other Russian border regions. In Orjol, a power plant was reportedly damaged (Live-entry from 00:55 am). In the border region of Bryansk, at least four drones were reportedly shot down.
02:02 Gabriel misses debate over US missile deployment in GermanyThe former foreign minister and current chairman of the Atlantic Bridge, Sigmar Gabriel, expresses concern that there was no public debate in Germany prior to the decision on the deployment of US long-range missiles. "I'm not bothered by the deployment itself, but by the fact that there's no public debate about it in Germany. It's just being decided", the SPD politician tells the "Rheinische Post".
00:55 Power plant in Russia damaged in Ukrainian drone attackA Ukrainian drone attack reportedly damages a power plant in the southwestern Russian region of Orjol, according to Russian sources. "There are no casualties", the governor of the region, Andrey Klitschko, reports on Telegram. Two drones were destroyed. The exact number of shot down drones is unclear.
22:17 "Anti-European": Polish Foreign Minister proposes Hungary's exit from EU and NATOThe Polish Foreign Ministry proposes that Hungary, following Viktor Orban's controversial statements about the EU, the US, and Poland, leaves the EU and NATO. "If you don't want to be a member of a club, you can leave anytime", says the deputy Polish Foreign Minister Władysław Bartoszewski, according to the Polish Press Agency (PAP). Orban reportedly accused Poland of hypocrisy, praised US presidential candidate Donald Trump, and defended Russia. Bartoszewski describes Orban's current politics as "anti-European, anti-Ukrainian, and anti-Polish". Poland does not do business with Russia "unlike Orban, who stands on the fringes of the international community", Bartoszewski adds.
21:31 Drone attack on Bomber: Zelensky thanks soldiers for "precision from 1800 kilometers distance"Ukrainian media reported yesterday about a successful drone attack on a military airfield in the north of Russia - 1800 kilometers from the Ukrainian border. According to "Ukrainska Pravda" quoting intelligence circles, a strategic bomber of the type TU-22M3 was hit. In the evening video address of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, his thanks to his soldiers can be understood as confirmation: Among other things, he thanks the 9th department of the Military Intelligence GUR. "Precision at a distance of almost 1800 kilometers from our border. Really important! Thank you", says Zelensky. Russia launches bombers from this airfield for rocket attacks on Ukraine.
20:46 Reports: Wagner-affiliated propagandist killed in fighting in MaliIn fighting in Mali with fighters of the separatist Tuareg people in the north, several dozen Malian soldiers and Russian mercenaries have been reported killed. A well-known Russian propagandist, who is close to the Wagner mercenary group, is said to have been among the dead according to media reports. The independent Russian news channels "The Insider" and "Mediazona" report that Nikita Fedjanin, administrator of the Telegram channel "Grey Zone" with around 500,000 subscribers, was killed in the fighting. A photo of his corpse is said to be circulating on the internet. On the Telegram channel, which Fedjanin referred to as a "soldier community", he published pictures of Wagner deployments at various locations in Africa and repeatedly expressed his support for Russia's war in Ukraine. The commander of the soldiers, Yevgeny Prigozhin, who was killed in a plane crash nearly a year ago, also regularly had videos and photos of Wagner fighters disseminated via "Grey Zone".
20:27 Zelensky: Ukraine will present "peace plan" by end of NovemberThe Ukraine will present a "peace plan" by the end of November, says President Volodymyr Zelensky in an interview with the Japanese broadcaster NHK. Ukraine organized the first global peace conference in Switzerland in June, at which 91 countries and 8 international organizations signed a communique. The Ukrainian leader says, Kiev will begin "detailed talks with relevant countries" about territorial integrity and other issues. Ukraine plans to organize a second peace conference before the US presidential elections in November with the participation of Russia. No official invitation has been sent yet. The Russian deputy foreign minister Mikhail Galuzin said, Russia would not participate.
04:58 Russia accuses Ukraine of cyberattacksIn response to the ongoing Ukraine-Conflict, Russia has accused Ukraine of launching cyberattacks against critical infrastructure in Russia. The Russian government has issued a stern warning, stating that such actions constitute an act of war.
04:27 Military deployments in Poland and RomaniaIn a show of solidarity with Ukraine, NATO has announced military deployments in Poland and Romania. These deployments are aimed at strengthening the alliance's eastern flank and deter possible aggression from Russia.
03:58 Russia threatens sanctions against Volodymyr ZelenskyFollowing the arrest of suspected Russian agents in Ukraine, Russia has threatened to impose sanctions against Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and Ukrainian officials involved in the case. Russia has also warned of retaliatory measures against Ukraine.
03:28 Politics and diplomacy in the Ukraine-ConflictThe Ukraine-Conflict continues to be a major topic in international politics. Leaders from around the world have been engaging in diplomatic efforts to find a peaceful resolution to the conflict. The UN, EU, and US have all called for an immediate end to hostilities and a return to the negotiating table.
02:58 Cyberwar in the Ukraine-ConflictIn addition to traditional military operations, the Ukraine-Conflict has also seen a significant increase in cyberwarfare. Both Ukraine and Russia have been accused of launching cyberattacks against each other. These attacks have targeted critical infrastructure, including power grids, banks, and government systems.
