Ukraine War Live Ticker +++ 23:28 Ukraine Demands International Measures Against Russia, Iran, and North Korea Axis
International community urged to take action against Russia, Iran, and North Korea, as per the request of the Kiev authorities.
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In a turning point, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is urging for coordinated actions against the growing Russia-Iran-North Korea alliance. "Now, Russia is trying to save the Iranian nuclear program - that's the only way to interpret the public signals and covert activities," Zelenskyy declares in Kyiv. Whenever a partner of Russia comes under pressure, Moscow feels the need to intervene. It's crucial to prevent these aggressive states from aligning further. "If Iranian Shahed drones - now significantly upgraded - and ballistic missiles from North Korea - also upgraded - kill our people in Ukraine, it's a clear sign that global solidarity and global pressure are not enough," Zelenskyy asserts in a powerful video message. "We must significantly tighten the sanctions."
22:16 Zelenskyy Appoints New Commander of Ground Forces
In a strategic personnel move, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has appointed Brigadier General Hennadii Shapovalov as the new commander of the ground forces. Shapovalov previously served as a liaison officer in the NATO headquarters in Wiesbaden, which coordinates military aid for Ukraine. The reshuffle in the army became necessary after the departure of the previous commander, Mychajlo Drapatyj, who requested dismissal in early June. He admitted responsibility for the death of 12 soldiers who were killed in a Russian rocket attack on a training ground in the Dnipropetrovsk region.
21:48 UN Security Council to Convene Over Ukraine War
The United Nations Security Council will convene a meeting tonight at the request of Ukraine to address the ongoing war. Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha addresses this meeting as a reaction to "Russia's latest wave of terror and brutal attacks on Ukraine." At least 28 people were killed and over 140 others injured in massive air strikes on Kyiv, as per official reports. Sybiha urges for clear signals that international pressure on the aggressor must be increased, and Ukraine must receive additional air defense capabilities.
21:00 Kyiv: Russia Also Returns Bodies of Its Own Soldiers
Among the thousands of bodies recently handed over to Ukraine by Russia, there are remains of Russian soldiers. The Ukrainian Interior Minister, Ihor Klymenko, accuses Russia of intentionally doing this to cause confusion and complicate identification. He calls it a borderline-cynical move as Russia manipulates the return of the deceased's remains. Photos of a Russian ID card and a dog tag discovered with the bodies are shared by the minister. The deceased Russian soldier's family has been looking for him since he went missing in late March in the Donetsk region. Ukraine has announced its intention to return the bodies of Russians to Russia.
20:11 Trump reportedly left G7 summit early due to Macron, Zelenskyy
US President Donald Trump cited the Middle East situation as the reason for his early departure from the G7 summit in Canada. However, a report by the "Financial Times" suggests that other factors may have played a part in Trump's decision to leave early. According to sources close to the discussions, Trump's decision was partly driven by his frustration with French President Emmanuel Macron, who made a detour in Greenland on his way to Canada and spoke out against Trump's threats to claim control of the island belonging to Denmark. A lack of interest in meeting Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Canada also reportedly contributed to Trump's decision.
Politics Macron: "He has no idea" Trump leaves G7 - No meeting with Zelenskyy
19:35 Latvia bans Russians and Belarusians from buying property Latvia has imposed a ban on Russian and Belarusian citizens from purchasing property in the country, citing security concerns. The parliament approved a law to this end. The ban is justified by the hybrid war that Russia is waging against supporters of Ukraine. One method of this hybrid warfare is the indirect acquisition of property in other countries. Russia has also used the presence of its citizens in Ukraine as a pretext for the war and justified it with the protection of its citizens, according to the parliamentary statement. Riga has already largely suspended the issuance of visas and residence permits to Russians. Latvia has a sizable Russian-speaking minority.
19:00 North Korea could send up to 25,000 workers to Russia for drone production
Pyongyang and Moscow could further strengthen their military cooperation, with North Korea considering sending up to 25,000 workers to a drone factory in Russia to boost production, according to Japan's public broadcaster NHK. The workers would increase drone assembly in exchange for training in operating drones. The factory is reportedly located in the Alabuga special economic zone in the central Russian republic of Tatarstan, where a factory for the assembly of Shahed drones developed in Iran is reputedly operated.
18:03 Spain rejects new NATO target
Spain is blocking NATO plans to raise defense spending to five percent of GDP by 2032. Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez told NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg in a letter, obtained by several media outlets, that a commitment of this magnitude would be "not only inappropriate but also counterproductive." Sanchez criticizes the new target proposed by the U.S., describing it as "incompatible with our social model and our worldview." The Spanish government argues that it only needs to spend 2.1 percent of its GDP to meet the estimated investment needs of its military. With an estimated military spending of around 1.3 percent, Spain is among the largest laggards in the alliance. However, in April, Madrid announced that it aims to reach the existing two percent target this year, instead of the planned 2029.
17:34 Kremlin says Putin-Trump meeting not useful at present
A meeting between the Presidents of Russia and the U.S. is not currently planned, according to Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov. In an interview with the Russian newspaper "Izvestia," Peskov stated that "until the necessary 'homework' to remove irritants in our relations with the United States is done, it makes no sense to organize a meeting." The process of removing these irritants has only just begun, according to the state news agency TASS. Peskov also said that a meeting between Putin and Trump could result from intense work, but no concrete preparations have been made yet.
16:51 Klingbeil: EU can hit Russia with energy and banking sanctions
German Finance Minister Lars Klingbeil has stated his displeasure with the rising oil prices. However, Klingbeil emphasizes the importance of the EU preparing their eighteenth package of sanctions against Russia effectively. The EU can target Russia in the energy and banking sectors. Russia has not shown any interest in serious peace talks with Ukraine.
16:10 Frozen Russian assets could generate more revenue for Ukraine
Frozen Russian assets could generate significantly more revenue to support Ukraine if they were invested differently. To this end, the EU executive is considering transferring almost 200 billion euros of frozen Russian state funds located in Belgium into a new, riskier investment fund that would pay higher interest rates. This is according to four officials familiar with the matter who spoke to the online magazine "Politico Europe." The goal is to generate more profits and keep the Ukraine's war-torn economy afloat, despite threats from US President Donald Trump to cut off financial aid. These considerations are also set to be discussed at an informal dinner of EU finance ministers on Thursday. Earlier Commission statements indicate that around 210 billion euros of the Russian central bank's assets are frozen in the EU, with most of them held by the Brussels-based financial institution Euroclear. The EU has been using the interest earnings to finance weapons and ammunition supplies to Ukraine since mid-2021.
15:40 Denmark to push for Ukrainian EU accession
Denmark, during its EU Council presidency from July 1st to December 31st, intends to speed up Ukraine's entry into the European Union. Danish Minister for European Affairs, Marie Bjerre, expresses that the government will exert "as much pressure as possible" on Hungary, which has so far hindered a swift accession process. The EU-27 have given Ukraine a general pledge for membership, but the process could take years.
15:07 Dnipro: Dead and injured in new Russian attacks
Russian drone and artillery strikes overnight have resulted in the death of a 59-year-old man in the Dnipro region, reports regional military governor Serhiy Lysak on Telegram. The governor also shares photos of damaged buildings following the attacks. Four others reportedly injured in the attacks include an 11-year-old boy.
14:29 Russia and Ukraine exchange prisoners again
Russia and Ukraine have completed another prisoner exchange. "Our people are returning from Russian captivity," declares Ukrainian President Zelenskyy. Those released reportedly include "severely ill and injured" soldiers. Neither side has revealed the number of exchanged prisoners. The Russian Ministry of Defense has confirmed the exchange and shares photos of soldiers waving and cheering with Russian flags. Zelenskyy also shares photos of Ukrainian soldiers smiling, crying, and calling their relatives, stating that "most of them had been in captivity since 2022."
14:00 Better than deserting: Russian soldiers opt for imprisonment
In an unusual tactic, some Russian deserters are purposely getting themselves arrested to avoid being sent back to the war in Ukraine. Their lawyers make sure their clients face charges that result in real prison sentences, as probation could mean being sent back to the frontline. Independent magazine iStories has found out about this method, reporting cases where soldiers cheer as the judge reads out their sentences, with one excited deserter shouting "Better this way than ending up somewhere in Ukraine under a bush." According to iStories, at least 49,000 Russian soldiers have deserted. Directly fleeing from the front is difficult, with deserters often being imprisoned or even executed.
13:09 Kyiv's Foreign Minister Rages: Accepted US Peace Proposal 100 Days Ago - Russia Continues to Bomb
Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha of Kyiv expresses frustration and anger, stating that Russia continues to choose war despite Ukraine accepting a U.S. proposal for a ceasefire exactly 100 days ago. He urges international pressure on Moscow to end the war. "Exactly 100 days have passed since Ukraine unconditionally accepted the U.S. proposal for a full ceasefire, to stop the killing and to advance a real peace process," says Sybiha. Ukraine supported the U.S. proposal for an unconditional 30-day ceasefire during talks in Jeddah on March 11. Russia rejected this offer and instead demanded maximum concessions while intensifying its attacks on Ukrainian cities. "One hundred days of Russian manipulations and missed opportunities to end the war. One hundred days in which Russia has escalated terror against Ukraine instead of ending it," Sybiha laments.
12:43 Anti-Personnel Mines Necessary Against Russian Threat: Finland Exits Treaty
After Latvia, Lithuania, and Estonia, Finland is also withdrawing from the Ottawa Convention on the prohibition of anti-personnel mines. The decision is based on security concerns arising from the threat posed by its eastern neighbor, Russia. Finland’s parliament votes overwhelmingly, 157 to 18, to exit the treaty, with the withdrawal set to take effect six months after Finland submits a corresponding notification to the United Nations. According to broadcaster Yle, this step is necessary for the Finnish military to defend the country. The convention prohibits the use, stockpiling, production, and transfer of anti-personnel mines and their destruction and has been in effect since March 1999. Finland signed the agreement in 2012. Important states such as the US, Russia, China, and India have not joined the treaty.
12:11 Rutte Wields Axe: NATO to be Streamlined
NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte is implementing a comprehensive restructuring, aimed at reducing bureaucracy and increasing efficiency. Rutte is reportedly planning to abolish two departments and cut dozens of positions at the Brussels headquarters, according to three current NATO officials and a former high-ranking official. "He's basically streamlining NATO," one official says. In recent months, Rutte has held two internal meetings with staff to announce a series of changes, including the reduction of the number of NATO's international departments from eight to six. The affected departments are the public diplomacy department, which serves as NATO's press service, and the executive management department, which is NATO's human resources department. Their responsibilities will largely be absorbed by other departments. Dozens of jobs will be cut as part of the restructuring, another official tells Politico, adding that the cuts are "not particularly high" and that staff will also be hired. NATO has its headquarters in Brussels and employs around 4,000 staff, including about 1,500 international staff for whom Rutte is responsible.
11:26 Argentina: Russian propaganda network dismantled
Argentina has uncovered a Russian intelligence operation aimed at spreading Kremlin-friendly disinformation and influencing public opinion. Argentine presidential spokesman Manuel Adorni revealed this, citing the country's intelligence services, according to Infobae. The network, La Compania, reportedly links to the Russian government and the Kremlin project Lakhta, and was led by Russian citizen Lev Konstantinovich Andriashev and his wife Irina Yakovenko, both residing in Argentina. Andriashev and Yakovenko are accused of receiving financial support to recruit local employees and conduct influence operations to promote Moscow's geopolitical interests. Their goal was to form a group loyal to Russian interests to develop disinformation campaigns against the Argentine state.
Updates Continue as Conflict Evolves
Stay tuned for more updates as the situation in Ukraine continues to unfold. Keep checking this live ticker for the latest developments in the conflict and related events.
Enrichment Data:
Overall:
This actively evolving crisis in Ukraine demands a comprehensive and concerted effort by the international community to maintain global peace and security. Tactics such as sanctions, military aid, and diplomatic efforts have been employed thus far, yet further measured actions may be required to address this complex and multi-faceted conflict.
Russia-Iran-North Korea Axis:
- Russia, Iran, and North Korea are increasingly collaborating, progressing towards a de facto alliance on military and strategic fronts. They may aim to influence global politics and threaten regional stability.
- This axis is not confined to one geographical region but spans various continents. It could destabilize the existing international order if left unchecked, particularly through the proliferation of advanced weapons and military technology.
Ukraine's Electronic Warfare and Cyber Defense:
- Ukraine has been investing in and improving its electronic warfare and cyber defense capabilities to counter Russian aggression and to reinforce its sovereignty in the digital domain.
- Ukrainian cybersecurity experts have been working to counteract Russian cyberattacks and disinformation campaigns aimed at destabilizing the country and influencing its population.
- Ukraine's electronic warfare and cyber defense efforts may also serve as a deterrent against further Russian aggression in other domains.
NATO and Its Role:
- NATO has been a majorstakeholder in the conflict, providing military aid, strengthening its eastern flank, and bolstering deterrence against Russian aggression.
- NATO's role has shifted from strictly defensive to offensive, with member states actively aiding Ukraine in its conflict with Russia.
- NATO's enhanced role in the conflict is a reflection of the shifting geopolitical landscape and the growing threat posed by Russia and its allies.
South China Sea and Axis of Upheaval:
- The conflict in Ukraine shares unintended implicit connections to other regional conflicts, particularly in the South China Sea. Both regions involve geopolitical tensions, territorial disputes, and contestations over natural resources.
- The China-Russia axis, which may be part of a broader "Axis of Upheaval," has significant implications for the regional and global balance of power.
Global Implications and Requirement for Diplomacy:
- The evolving Ukraine conflict has global implications, as it directly challenges the existing international order and the post-Cold War system.
- The conflict has shone a light on the importance of diplomacy, collaboration, and cooperation between nations to resolve international disputes peacefully and maintain global stability.
- Resolving the Ukraine conflict requires the concerted efforts of global leaders, as well as regional organizations, to work towards finding diplomatic solutions that appeal to both Ukraine and Russia.
The Ukrainian President is urging a unified global effort to sanction Russia, Iran, and North Korea due to their growing alliance. This alliance threatens global security and stability, as the partners' capacities in missile technology and military production are concerning. International sanctions would aim to limit their collaboration and deter further aggressive actions.
Political tensions between global powers continue to escalate, as demonstrated by the ongoing conflict in Ukraine and the potential alliance between Russia, Iran, and North Korea. This 'Axis of Upheaval' necessitates diplomacy and political negotiations to safeguard global security and maintain regional peace and stability.
