A snapshot of recent news from sources around the world on the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war.
Political Developments
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban visited Kyiv for the first time in over ten years and appealed to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to contemplate a ceasefire to expedite the resolution of the conflict with Russia. Despite this, Ukraine maintained that it views its own strategy as the way forward towards peace.
The Security Service of Ukraine (SBU), Kyiv’s internal security organization, arrested individuals that were reportedly planning a riot with the intent of storming Ukraine’s parliament building. It was unclear if the individuals were connected to Moscow.
Tension has risen between Ukraine and Belarus over the past week. Pavel Muraveiko, the Chief of the General Staff of the Belarusian military, said that Belarus was reinforcing its border with additional units and artillery in response to what he characterized as aggressive Ukrainian steps. He added that Belarus is prepared to use the tactical nuclear weapons Russia deployed to Belarusian territory if necessary.
Military Assistance to Ukraine
Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin revealed that the United States will soon announce a new $2.3 billion security assistance package for Ukraine. This comes as part of ongoing support, with the U.S. having provided more than $50 billion in military assistance to Kyiv since Russia’s invasion in February 2022, marking the United States as Kyiv’s foremost supporter.
The latest batch of American aid will include artillery ammunition, anti-aircraft interceptors, and anti-tank missiles, among other support.
Berlin said on Friday that Germany has completed the delivery of the third Patriot air-defense system to Ukraine.
Dutch Defense Minister Ollongren briefed parliament on the approval of an export license for 24 F-16 fighters and 7 engines destined for Ukraine, with the first delivery anticipated shortly and specific details remaining undisclosed. Ukraine has pursued US-made F-16 fighter jets for more than two years to bolster its air defenses against Russia’s dominant air capabilities.
NATO countries have pledge to provide Ukraine with military aid worth 40 billion euros ($43 billion) in 2025, according to a European diplomat. The news comes one week before NATO leaders meet in Washington. NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg asked alliance members to sustain military aid at the same rate as previous years, which would add up to around 40 billion euros annually.
A U.S. State Department official said that Kyiv will receive “good news” on air-defense at the NATO summit.
Ukraine’s Main Directorate of Intelligence took delivery of three CB90 combat boats this week, which will be used for surveillance and intelligence-gathering.
Battlefield Updates
Russia reported that it used Iskander-M missiles to destroy five Ukrainian SU-27 fighter jets and damage two others at the Myrhorod Air Base in Ukraine’s central Poltava region. This attack coincides with Ukraine’s preparations for the arrival of long-awaited F-16 fighters.
The Russian military has also continued striking Ukraine’s energy grid. Private energy company DTEK said on July 2 that Russian strikes have destroyed 90 percent of the firm’s power generation capacity.
Russian troops on the ground captured several villages this week, including Novopokrovske in Donetsk and Stepova Novoselivka in Kharkiv.
Ukraine’s Ministry of Defense announced the destruction of a critical Russian space surveillance and communications center. The facility, located in occupied Crimea, played a key role in Moscow’s satellite communications and navigation system.
Researchers say they have found irrefutable proof of North Korean ballistic missile components in Ukraine. Conflict Armament Research analyzed remnants of a missile that struck Kharkiv and determined it was either a KN-23 or KN-24 manufactured in North Korea in 2023. Russian and North Korean officials dismissed the claim.
Ukrainian President Zelenskyy continues to urge Western nations to relax restrictions on using donated weapons to strike targets inside Russia. The request comes at a time when Russia has increased the use of glide bombs against Ukrainian infrastructure. Zelenskyy said Russia dropped more than 800 glide bombs in Ukraine in the past week alone. Having more flexibility to attack targets inside Russia would enable Ukraine to strike bases where bomber aircraft are located.
Meanwhile, Herman Smetanin, the General Director of Ukroboronprom, said that the state company is producing long-range strike drones that carry ranges over 1,000 kilometers. Former President Petro Poroshenko announced another donation of drones to the Ukrainian Armed Forces, delivering 4,000 FPV drones.
Manufacturer Ukrainian Armor LLC delivered a batch of Novator-2 armored personnel carriers to the National Guard of Ukraine this week, the company said.
The head of Russia’s Ak Bars Shipbuilding Corp. told state media that the company plans to restore Askold, a Pr.22800 missile boat that was severely damaged by a Ukrainian missile strike in November 2023. The vessel had been in testing ahead of an expected commissioning in 2024.
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