{{dayPoint.date | date : 'd MMMM yyyy'}}

{{newsPoint.title}}

{{newsPoint.title+ ' '}}

{{newsPoint.subtitle}}

German defense minister says Ukraine conflict enters 'decisive phase'

Boris Pistorius stressed that Ukraine "needs funding"

BERLIN, July 2. /TASS/. German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius said the Ukraine conflict "has entered a decisive phase," according to an interview with Der Spiegel magazine.

"The war in Ukraine may have entered a decisive phase. We should seize this moment because Ukraine needs funding," Pistorius said.

Germany remains Ukraine's largest donor. The German government previously reported that Berlin has provided Kiev with about €39 billion in humanitarian aid and €55 billion in military assistance since February 24, 2022.

The Russian side has repeatedly stated that arms deliveries to Kiev only extend the conflict.

Tags

Most Europeans say EU cannot defend itself in event of attack — poll

Respondents identified the Baltic states, Romania, Bulgaria, Denmark, Portugal, Italy, and Ireland as the countries least prepared to wage a war on their own

Sberbank revises forecast for key rate — CFO

Taras Skvortsov added that the bank will adjust its macroeconomic forecast at the end of July

Russia calls for practical steps to ensure non-use of force between Transcaucasia nations

Such an approach would make a significant contribution to strengthening stability in the region, the Russian Foreign Ministry said in a statement

US Navy helicopter makes emergency landing in Arabian Sea, one person missing

There is no indication that the emergency was caused by hostile action, the military said

Liberation of Ukrainskoye in Kharkov Region creates conditions for Russian advance

Assault units from the 82nd and 83rd mechanized infantry regiments of the Battlegroup North overcame persistent Ukrainian resistance, repelling the last remnants of a separate motorized infantry brigade

Iran's Security Council vows punishment for those responsible for Ali Khamenei's death

Secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council Mohammad Bagher Zolghadr said "the file of revenge for the pure blood of Khamenei and the innocent martyrs of Iran remains open"

Russia succeeds in creating strike UAV industry comparable to nuclear industry — expert

Dmitry Kuzyakin underscored that the integration of drones into modern warfare marks a fundamental shift from previous conflicts

Russia, Ukraine negotiate another round of POWs exchange — ombudswoman

Yana Lantratova added that she could not disclose dates and details in advance

Europe should bear financial burden of Ukraine war — US envoy to NATO

The United States will continue to do what it does, Matthew Whitaker noted

Moscow conveys to US Russian businesses’ interest in participating in G20 events — sherpa

There is a well-established ‘Business 20’ (B20) format, Denis Agafonov recalled

France’s National Assembly approves hike in military budget

Total defense spending under the 2024-2030 program will now increase from 400 to 436 billion euros

Kiev not seeking peace, Zelensky tasked with escalating conflict — MFA

Russian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova emphasized that the Kiev regime is not independent

Envoy says Zelensky informed of presidential bid intention

The media outlet reported that Zelensky was prepared to offer Zaluzhny positions in the government if he agreed not to run, but the former commander-in-chief said he could not do so because many Ukrainians had placed their hopes in him

Four drones destroyed on approach to Moscow — mayor

Sergey Sobyanin also reported that emergency responders are working at the crash sites

Kiev engulfed in acrid cloud from Chernobyl, fresh air is gone — journalist

Levels of harmful particles are exceeding safe limits

Foreign national detained in Monaco over investigation into attack on businessman

The individual was later released, and no charges have been announced

Vance says US may resume military action against Iran

If the Iranians try to rebuild their nuclear program, if they try to start shooting at commercial vessels again, that's going to change our calculus, US Vice President said

IN BRIEF: US’ stance on Ukraine, Kiev's plans to fan conflict: Foreign Ministry comment

Russian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova highlighted that Kiev does not seek peace

NATO to announce long-term commitments to support Ukraine at Ankara summit — US envoy

Matthew Whitaker also stressed that the United States would continue working toward a peaceful settlement in Ukraine

Annual inflation in Russia reach 6% from June 23 to 29

Consumer price growth rates slowed down to 0.22% over the week from June 23 to 29, the Ministry of Economic Development noted

Bulgaria, Romania, Turkey agree to protect underwater infrastructure in Black Sea

The Bulgarian government has approved amendments to a memorandum on the establishment of a joint naval mine countermeasure group

Moscow says Chisinau prevents withdrawal of Russian troops from Transnistria

The Moldovan authorities are trying to shift the blame from their sick head to the healthy one, Maria Zakharova said

Belgium edges out Senegal with 3-2 comeback win at 2026 FIFA World Cup

Belgium is set to play its Round of 16 match against either the US or Bosnia and Herzegovina

Kiev loses 10,000 troops, mercenaries over week — military expert

According to Andrey Marochko, the trend towards the growth of losses among the Ukrainian military personnel has been observed for the sixth consecutive week

Transfer of Kiev’s military firms to West turns inhabitants into 'human shield' — diplomat

Yulia Zhdanova added that the international program Build with Ukraine, which forms a shared Ukrainian-NATO production network, is one of the most cynical and dangerous adventures related to the participation of NATO countries in the conflict

US stance regarding Ukraine limited by shifts in rhetoric so far — Russian senator

Konstantin Kosachev noted that the current US presidential administration does not support Kiev to the extent that former American leader Joe Biden did

US society approaches 250th anniversary deeply divided — expert

Alexandra Voitolovskaya, a senior researcher at the Primakov National Research Institute of World Economy and International Relations, says Americans are dissatisfied with US President Donald Trump's desire to expand domestic political powers to the detriment of the legislative and judicial branches of government, as well as with US foreign policy

Russia says Kiev, at West’s behest, tries to draw its closest allies into conflict

Maria Zakharova noted that Ukraine does not seek peace, and the West has set Vladimir Zelensky the task of continuing the escalation

Russia calls for international attention to Kiev’s crimes — Kremlin

Dmitry Peskov stressed that such crimes are conducted against civilian population

Russian forces deliver retaliatory massive strike on Ukraine — top brass

Military-industrial sites, energy infrastructure, and military airfields’ infrastructure were damaged in the Dnepropetrovsk, Poltava, Cherkassy, Chernigov, and Kiev regions

Russian troops liberate two communities in Ukraine operation over past day — top brass

Russia’s Battlegroup East inflicted roughly 460 casualties on Ukrainian troops and destroyed four enemy armored combat vehicles in its area of responsibility over the past day, the Defense Ministry reported

Russian Cabinet closes border crossings with Baltic States, Finland

The Russian Foreign Ministry was instructed to notify Riga, Tallinn and Helsinki about the decision made by Moscow and effective from July 1

'Get-together' in Gdansk to force Kiev to 'auction off' remnants of Ukraine — Russian MFA

Maria Zakharova recalled that the so-called Ukraine Recovery Conference took place on June 25-26

Ukrainian parliament approves creation of 'national pantheon'

287 lawmakers voted in favor of the bill

Russia to open diplomatic missions in Gambia, Liberia, Togo, Union of Comoros — Lavrov

The Russian foreign minister added that a new department for partnership with Africa was established

Russia to take response measures over deployment of US missile systems in Japan — MFA

Russian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova stressed that Moscow is coordinating with its partners on maintaining peace in the Asia-Pacific region

US Air Force B-52 Stratofortress bombers leave Royal Air Force base in UK — TWZ

The event marked the end of the deployment to support the war against Iran

Russia to have decent representation at upcoming G20 summit in US — sherpa

Denis Agafonov confirmed that Moscow is aware of public statements from US officials regarding plans to invite Russian President Vladimir Putin to the G20 meeting

Kiev’s atrocities surpass terror violence in various world regions — Russian MFA

Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova drew attention to the atrocities against civilians who fell into the hands of Ukrainian soldiers

Qatari diplomat notes progress at US-Iranian indirect talks in Doha

Majed bin Mohammed al-Ansari added that the parties would try to schedule the next meeting as soon as possible following the funeral procession for the former Iranian supreme leader

Board of Peace rules out future UNRWA activities in Gaza

According to the Board of Peace, the organization "turns the page on the complex of perpetual aid dependency and conflict"

Air defenses down 327 Ukrainian drones over Russia overnight — top brass

UAVs were intercepted over the Astrakhan, Belgorod, Bryansk, Volgograd, Voronezh, Kaluga, Kursk, Kaluga, Nizhny Novgorod, Veliky Novgorod, Oryol, Pskov, Rostov, Saratov, Tambov, Tula, Moscow and Krasnodar Regions

Russian army increases advance pace in DPR in June — military expert

Andrey Marochko specified that in June Russian forces had liberated 20 settlements, including ten in the DPR

Russia to comply with international humanitarian law no matter what — top diplomat

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov met with International Red Cross Committee President Mirjana Spoljaric in Moscow

Investment growth not yet translated into labor productivity — Central Bank

The regulator chief Elvira Nabiullina also raised the issue of the availability of long-term financing in the context of a high key rate

Talks on Strait of Hormuz based on Oman-proposed plan — TV

According to the channel's sources, Tehran is linking "any progress in the talks on the strait to the receipt of $3 billion, which had been agreed upon in principle"

Russia reports downing 72 Ukrainian drones over its regions, Sea of Azov during 12 hours

Alert air defense capabilities intercepted and destroyed drones over the Belgorod, Bryansk, Kaluga, Krasnodar, Kursk, Moscow, Oryol, Smolensk, and Tver Regions as well as the Republic of Crimea

Venezuela declares seven-day national mourning for earthquake victims

According to official figures, 1,943 people were killed and 10,571 were injured in the two earthquakes measuring magnitudes 7.2 and 7.5 that struck Venezuela on June 24

Euroclear files lawsuit against Bank of Russia to block 18.2 trln ruble recovery — Echo

On May 26, the Moscow Arbitration Court granted the central bank's motion to enforce the ruling in its lawsuit against Euroclear

Lavrov, Red Cross head sum up work on verifying data on crimes in Kiev — MFA

Both sides emphasized the importance of "strictly observing international humanitarian law and depoliticized cooperation in this area," the Russian Foreign Ministry said

Death toll from devastating Venezuela earthquake surpasses 2,000

Speaker of the National Assembly Jorge Rodriguez says the number of fatalities has reached 2,295

Closure of railway border crossings with EU not affecting national economy — lawmaker

Leonid Liminchuk, Chairman of the Committee on Economic and Industrial Policy, Energy, Housing and Utilities of the Legislative Assembly of the Republic of Karelia, called this a technical issue

Ratification of amendments to regulate electronic commerce continues

The postponement is related to the preparation of domestic legislation and information systems in individual member states of the Eurasian Economic Union

Ukraine loses over 38,000 servicemen, mercenaries in June — military expert

According to Andrey Marochko, this is 7,180 more than in May

West effectively at war with Russia now — Slovak PM

Robert Fico called for peace, which, in his view, can only be achieved through dialogue and negotiations

Protection against UAV attacks, AI use: statements by Russia’s defense chief

Andrey Belousov said that Russia is actively introducing artificial intelligence systems in its air defenses and the results will be seen by November

US advances to Round of 16 at 2026 World Cup after 2-0 win over Bosnia and Herzegovina

The US is set to face Belgium

Russian forces strike Ukrainian army positions by FAB bombs in Zaporozhye, Sumy areas

The ministry uploaded video footage of Su-34 bombers destroying the designated targets

NATO does not care Kiev uses its technologies for terrorist purposes — expert

Andrey Marochko emphasized that Ukrainian military drones employed in these attacks are increasingly utilizing artificial intelligence capable of making autonomous decisions

Press review: US-Iran truce strains and EU struggles on new Russia sanctions

Top stories from the Russian press on Wednesday, July 1st

Von der Leyen "excellent liar" saying Russia cut off gas supplies to Europe — Zakharova

The Foreign Ministry spokeswoman added that any EU citizen can sue the European Commission president for this statement and win the case

China to accelerate development of world-class armed forces — Xi Jinping

The Chinese leader emphasized that "a strong country must have a strong military" and that national security is impossible without powerful armed forces

NATO chief says US flew 5,000 sorties from bases in Europe during operation against Iran

This confirms that Europe remains a key military ally of Washington, Mark Rutte said

NATO chief admits to sleepless nights over Russia

According to Mark Rutte, Russia is the main threat for the alliance at present and in the longer term

BP transfers Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan oil export pipeline management to SOCAR

SMO will take control of all activities of the BTC oil pipeline, as well as the general operations related to both the BTC system and the South Caucasus Gas Pipeline currently performed by BP

German defense minister says Ukraine conflict enters 'decisive phase'

Boris Pistorius stressed that Ukraine "needs funding"

Asset grab, Kiev trail: who tried to kill Ukrainian oligarch Yermolayev

The Kiev regime could have organized an attempt on Yermolayev because of the "redistribution of financial flows," Yevgeny Brykov, head of the information policy department of the Kherson Region, believes

Senior Russian senator calls Israel 'only clear loser in war with Iran'

According to Konstantin Kosachev, this situation is evident, in particular, in the fact that Israel should not continue its military operations against Lebanon, but it does so because "anything else would look like a defeat"

Estonian presidential adviser admits Tallin assists Kiev forces’ attacks on St. Petersburg

Madis Roll clarified Estonia's stance regarding drone incidents that have fallen on Estonian territory, emphasizing that Tallinn does not blame Ukraine

Russia views G20 as possible platform for formulating new global economic rules — sherpa

Denis Agafonov emphasized that those rules should be universal in nature

Brent falls below $71 per barrel, first time since February 27

As of 3:04 a.m. Moscow time, Brent crude reached $70.90 per barrel

Demand for Rosatom charging station services surge by 40% — CEO

Alexey Likhachev noted that owners of hybrid cars, seeking to reduce dependence on gasoline, began to use the stations more actively

Russian diplomat reveals what EU can do to bring relations back on good track

Brussels and other European capitals must end all unfriendly actions against Russia, Maria Zakharova said

Germany accuses suspect in Nord Streams bombings of war crime — TV

According to the German investigation, the Ukrainian was the leader of a sabotage group

Lavrov rules out Russia joining forces with anyone against China

When asked about the possibility of a trilateral agreement on strategic stability, the foreign minister pointed out that China has its own position

Kiev announces mechanism of controlled weapons export

"As many as 20% of revenues from the export of finished goods and technologies, and 30% of revenues from component exports will be transferred to a special state budget fund for the development of the Ukrainian defense industry," Ukrainian Prime Minister Yulia Sviridenko said

Amur Shipyard sets afloat small missile ship Shtorm

The launch was executed using the Amurets launching pontoon, produced by the shipbuilders as part of the United Shipbuilding Corporation’s dock program

Kazakhstan probes medical insurance scheme where men billed for female operations

Investigators believe the scheme allowed the clinics to bill services at prices ten times higher than those actually provided

Kiev escalates conflict with Poland with decision on pantheon of heroes — Nawrocki office

On July 1, Ukraine's Verkhovna Rada adopted a law on the creation of a "national pantheon," where Nazi accomplices from the UPA can be reburied

Press review: Peace in Lebanon under threat and Germany readies military draft return

Top stories from the Russian press on Tuesday, June 30th

Russian troops in Krasny Liman come across Colombian mercenaries fighting for Ukraine

The commander of a motorized rifle battalion reported that Ukrainian forces in Krasny Liman are not attempting any counterattacks but are putting up sporadic resistance while hiding in basements

Moscow, Washington maintain close contact on G20 issues, Russian sherpa says

According to Denis Agafonov, Russia is discussing with the United States measures to promote economic growth and prioritize emerging technological solutions, including AI

Top Russian security official to attend late Khamenei's farewell service in Iran — envoy

The farewell ceremony for the deceased Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei will begin in Tehran on July 3

Ukraine must withdraw troops from Donbass for conflict to end — Russian MFA

Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said the Ukrainian authorities should "stop making unrealistic demands"

Crisis in the Middle East will not change mood for North-South Corridor start

The North-South Corridor is designed to connect the north of Eurasia with major logistics hubs on the coast of the Persian Gulf and the Indian Ocean, Maria Zakharova said

Russia 80% adapted to external challenges — Novak

According to the official, gasoline and diesel fuel volumes are sufficient in the domestic market, despite the turnarounds underway at some oil refineries

Kiev’s 40-day operation shows its terrorist nature — Russian Foreign Ministry

Maria Zakharova added that Ukraine uses all possible terrorist practices, creates new hybrid formulas of terrorism, including attacks on civilians and information terrorism

Germany seeks to make NATO 'more European' — chancellor

Friedrich Merz recalled that Germany plans to raise its defense spending to 3.5% of national GDP by 2029

Kiev troops bombard Donetsk People’s Republic eight times over past day

Three civilians were wounded

Russian Federation Council considers Zelensky’s threats against Belarus serious

According to Konstantin Kosachev, Zelensky's words should be taken seriously because he is "an irrational and unpredictable man", obsessed with a thirst for power

Ukrainian drone with explosives crashes in Turkey’s Trabzon Province — newspaper

No injuries were reported in the incident

No plans to withdraw from security zones in Lebanon, Syria, Gaza — Israeli minister

Israel Katz said the troops would remain there for an indefinite period

Oil shipments through Strait of Hormuz rise to 10 mln barrels per day — media

According to the report, another 5 million barrels of oil per day are being transported via alternative routes

IN BRIEF: Novak’s key statements on Russia’s gasoline supply and fuel prices

The Russian deputy PM stressed that the fuel situation is monitored and adjusted on a daily basis

Russian specialists create micro helicopter to overcome minefields and water obstacles

The new technologies made it possible to combine the maneuverability of an ATV and a helicopter

Russia’s Battlegroup Center deploys latest BM-70 drones with 100 km strike range

The BM-70 drone is outfitted with a powerful payload capable of penetrating reinforced concrete shelters and taking facilities out of service

Europe at hard times finding suitable negotiator for talks with Russia — senator

According to Konstantin Kosachev, this person should possess sufficient authority in Europe, and he or she must have sufficient credibility in Russia

Drone attack on Russia’s Nizhny Novgorod kills one, injures four others — governor

According to Gleb Nikitin, several houses and an industrial facility were damaged from falling drone debris

NATO’s 2027 summit in Albania could be nixed over defense, Trump worries — Reuters

According to the agency's sources, there is no mention of the date and venue of the 2027 summit in the documents pertaining to the Ankara meeting

ICAO chooses to simply rubber-stamp MH17 crash investigation — Russian diplomat

"The Council misused its mandate, particularly demanding that Russia hold talks with Australia and the Netherlands on paying the so-called reparations for the crash," Maria Zakharova said

Newly formed Russian mobile units assume combat duty to protect energy sites from drones

During several weeks of training, the mobile fire groups honed the skills of protecting strategic facilities from aerial threats