The British and French-led "coalition of the prepared" is ready to satisfy within the U.Ok. subsequent week, Politico reported on July 4.
"On the agenda, there's the way to preserve Ukraine in a capability to struggle, the way to enhance strain on Russia, and the way to proceed the work on the subsequent steps," an unnamed French official instructed Politico.
As Washington's intensified efforts to dealer a ceasefire in Russia's struggle in opposition to Ukraine failed, two rounds of largely inconclusive peace talks between Kyiv and Moscow came about in Turkey.
Following varied failed makes an attempt to acquire a ceasefire or peace deal, the coalition will meet once more on July 10.
The French official instructed Politico that the priorities of the "coalition of the prepared" haven’t modified, and can proceed to give attention to Ukraine's navy wants.
The assembly might be led by U.Ok. Prime Minister Keir Starmer and French President Emmanuel Macron, with President Volodymyr Zelensky and varied leaders becoming a member of nearly, the official stated.
The "coalition of the prepared" has met repeatedly to find out potential safety ensures and a peacekeeping drive for Ukraine. Leaders of 31 nations met in Paris on March 27 at a summit for the coalition.
A number of international locations, together with France and the U.Ok., which lead the coalition, have pledged to ship troops on the bottom to implement a possible ceasefire.
Occupiers educate youth to determine "disloyal residents" within the briefly occupied territories<p>Within the briefly occupied territories, Russian instructors are conducting programs for younger folks, educating them to determine "disloyal residents" and write denunciations. Particular emphasis is positioned on youngsters to increase the repressive equipment.</p>
Germany is weighing a large protection procurement plan price as much as 25 billion euros ($29.4 billion) to produce hundreds of fight autos for NATO's increasing pressure construction, Bloomberg reported on July 4, citing unnamed sources acquainted with the matter.
The proposed purchases are a part of a broader pan-European effort to spice up deterrence in opposition to Russia, as Western leaders warn of the rising threat of a large-scale warfare inside 5 years.
Berlin is reportedly contemplating buying as much as 2,500 GTK Boxer armored autos and as much as 1,000 Leopard 2 battle tanks. The acquisition would equip as much as seven new brigades that Germany has pledged to type below NATO's pressure technology plans for the subsequent decade.
The Leopard 2 tanks are produced by KNDS Deutschland and Rheinmetall, whereas the Boxer is made by ARTEC, a three way partnership of the identical corporations. Leopard 2 tanks have been equipped to Ukraine and examined in fight.
Last pricing and portions are nonetheless below negotiation, and the projected value may fall under 25 billion euros ($29.4 billion) relying on procurement timelines and contract phrases.
German Protection Minister Boris Pistorius and prime Bundeswehr officers are reviewing the plans, with legislative approval anticipated by the tip of the 12 months, Bloomberg reported.
Germany has confronted stress from NATO and Washington to satisfy its alliance commitments, together with the newly adopted pledge to spend no less than 5% of GDP on protection by 2035.
The initiative, endorsed on June 25 on the NATO summit, displays concern over Russia's wartime economic system, navy buildup, and destabilization efforts throughout Europe.
Austrian International Minister on evening assault on Ukraine: Stress on Russia have to be elevated<p>The Austrian International Minister condemned the Russian shelling of Ukraine on July 4, 2025, throughout which the Polish consulate in Kyiv was broken. She known as for elevated strain on Russia to attain peace.</p>
'Nothing however terror and homicide' — Russia kilos Kyiv with file in a single day drone, missile assault, 1 lifeless, 26 injured
Zelensky, Trump talk about air protection, joint drone manufacturing amid Russian strikes
'There’s additionally excellent news' — Ukrainian drones hit key navy optics plant in Russia, Normal Employees confirms
Russia intensifying use of chemical weapons in Ukraine, Dutch intelligence studies
Ukraine, Denmark signal deal to launch Ukrainian navy manufacturing on Danish soil
Ukraine, Russia conduct new POW trade
Explosions rocked the town of Kyiv for greater than seven hours in a single day on July 4, as Russia launched a file missile and drone assault concentrating on the capital and different cities throughout Ukraine.
At the least one individual was killed, and 26 others have been injured in Kyiv, the State Emergency Service reported.
Mayor Vitali Klitschko stated 14 folks had been hospitalized, whereas Tymur Tkachenko, head of the Kyiv Metropolis Navy Administration, within the afternoon confirmed a physique had been discovered throughout rescue operations.
President Volodymyr Zelensky stated Russia launched a file 550 drones and missiles in the course of the seven-hour barrage. Kyiv Impartial journalists on the bottom heard a number of rounds of explosions within the metropolis starting round 8 p.m. native time on July 3 and persevering with into the early hours of July 4
The assault broken condominium buildings, companies, a faculty, a medical facility, railway strains, and different civilian infrastructure in a number of districts. Fires blazed throughout the town, making the air harmful to breathe.
"Russia, a terrorist nation, has wreaked havoc," Tkachenko wrote on Telegram. "The Russians carry nothing however terror and homicide. That could be a truth."
Smoke rises from a fireplace after a mass Russian drone and missile assault in Kyiv, Ukraine, on July 4, 2025. (Kostiantyn Liberov / Libkos / Getty Photographs)
Ukraine's Air Power reported that Russia had launched a ballistic missile in direction of Kyiv at round 12:30 a.m., after which extra missiles round 2:30 a.m.
As officers reported real-time updates on injury and casualties amid the continued assault, Kyiv Impartial reporters within the metropolis stated that smoke from explosions clogged the air even in neighborhoods removed from the assault websites.
"The primary air raids in our cities and areas started yesterday, virtually concurrently with the beginning of media discussions of President Trump's cellphone name with Putin," Zelensky stated in a put up on social media on July 4.
"This was one of many largest-scale air assaults — intentionally huge and cynical… Russia is as soon as once more demonstrating that it isn’t going to finish the struggle and terror."
Destroyed constructing and burned automobiles after a large drone and missile assault in Kyiv, Ukraine, on July 4, 2025 (Elena Kalinichenko/The Kyiv Impartial).
Polish International Minister Radoslaw Sikorski stated that the consular part of Poland's embassy in Kyiv was brokenthroughout Russia's assault on Kyiv. "I simply spoke with Ambassador (Piotr) Lukasiewicz; everyone seems to be protected and unhurt," Sikorski stated.
He added that Ukraine urgently wants air protection programs.
Russia additionally focused different areas of Ukraine with in a single day assaults. Downed drones struck property and a automobile within the metropolis of Poltava, regional Governor Volodymyr Kohut reported. The strike injured two folks.
Kyiv and different main Ukrainian cities have confronted intensified drone and missile strikes in current weeks, with Russia deploying Iranian-designed Shahed drones in file numbers.
Zelensky, Trump talk about air protection, joint drone manufacturing amid Russian strikes
President Volodymyr Zelensky and U.S. President Donald Trump held a cellphone dialog on July 4, agreeing to strengthen Ukraine's air defenses, Zelensky introduced on Telegram.
The decision got here as Russia escalated its aerial marketing campaign throughout Ukraine.
"At present we mentioned the scenario: Russian air strikes and, extra broadly, the scenario on the entrance strains. President Trump may be very effectively knowledgeable," Zelensky stated.
"We mentioned air protection choices and agreed to work on rising airspace safety. We agreed on a gathering between our groups."
Zelensky stated the 2 leaders additionally mentioned Ukraine's protection trade potential and explored prospects for direct cooperation with U.S. companions.
"We’re prepared for direct tasks with America and imagine that that is extraordinarily needed for safety, particularly with regard to drones and associated applied sciences," he added.
Trump advised Zelensky that the U.S. is prepared to help Ukraine with air protection amid intensified Russian strikes, Axios reported, citing unnamed sources. The decision between the 2 presidents reportedly lasted about 40 minutes.
This dialog adopted a cellphone name between Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin on July 3, throughout which the Kremlin stated Putin reaffirmed that "Russia will proceed to pursue its targets" in its struggle towards Ukraine regardless of U.S. requires a ceasefire.
Trump advised reporters on July 3 that he was "very upset" by the dialog with Putin.
"I don't suppose he's there… I don't suppose he's trying to cease this preventing."
The decision additionally adopted the U.S. Protection Division's resolution to pause shipments of key weapons programs to Ukraine, together with Patriot missiles and precision-guided artillery rounds. Kyiv has warned that the delay threatens to weaken its air defenses and emboldens Moscow.
Regardless of repeated expressions of frustration about Russia's continued aggression, Trump's administration has but to impose new sanctions or approve extra support for Ukraine since taking workplace in January.
Whereas Russia and Ukraine resumed direct talks in Istanbul this yr, the 2 rounds of negotiations — on Might 16 and June 2 — have yielded solely prisoner exchanges and no progress towards a ceasefire.
'There's additionally excellent news' — Ukrainian drones hit key navy optics plant in Russia, Normal Employees confirms
Drones struck a number of targets in Russia in a single day on July 4, together with a high-value protection facility within the southern Rostov Oblast, based on Andrii Kovalenko, head of the counter-disinformation middle at Ukraine's Nationwide Safety and Protection Council.
Kovalenko stated a drone hit the Azov Optical and Mechanical Plant within the city of Azov, Rostov Oblast. The power reportedly manufactures essential elements for the Russian navy, together with sights, rangefinders, thermal imaging programs, and fireplace management tools for tanks, infantry preventing automobiles, ships, and plane.
"Regardless of the tough evening, there’s additionally excellent news. There have been assaults on services in Russia, notably in Moscow and Rostov oblasts," Kovalenko wrote. "That is the place the 'eyes' for Russian armored automobiles are assembled."
In a single day on July 4, Russia launched a large drone and missile assault on a number of Ukrainian cities, with Kyiv as the first goal. At the least 23 folks have been injured within the capital amid widespread destruction and excessive ranges of air air pollution.
Ukraine's Normal Employees later confirmed that its drone models struck the Scientific Analysis Institute of Utilized Chemistry (FNTs NIIPKh) in Sergiyev Posad, Moscow Oblast.
The navy stated the power is concerned within the manufacturing of thermobaric warheads for Shahed-type drones and performs a essential function in Russia's airstrike capabilities.
Russia's Protection Ministry later claimed that air protection programs had intercepted or destroyed 48 Ukrainian drones in a single day. In response to the ministry, 26 have been downed over Rostov Oblast, 12 over Kursk Oblast, six over Belgorod Oblast, three over Oryol Oblast, and one over Lipetsk Oblast.
The Kyiv Impartial couldn’t independently confirm these claims.
Russia intensifying use of chemical weapons in Ukraine, Dutch intelligence studies
Russia is escalating using chemical weapons towards Ukrainian forces, the Netherlands Navy Intelligence (MIVD) reported on July 4.
Russian troops use banned chemical brokers as psychological warfare to panic Ukrainian forces, forcing troopers from dugouts and trenches with fuel grenades dropped by drones, making them straightforward targets for subsequent drone or artillery assaults.
In response to MIVD report, it was beforehand recognized that Russia used tear fuel, however now intelligence has confirmed using chloropicrin — a substance that may kill in excessive concentrations in enclosed areas.
Use of of chloropicrin, banned beneath worldwide regulation, was found by the Netherlands Navy Intelligence and Safety Service (MIVD) and Normal Intelligence and Safety Service (AIVD) along with the German overseas intelligence service BND.
The Kyiv Impartial beforehand reported rising chemical assaults, however Ukraine couldn’t precisely determine the chemical substances resulting from lack of apparatus.
The U.S. State Division had already reported in Might that Russian forces have used the chemical agent chloropicrin in Ukraine. The Might 1 announcement was half of a bigger assertion concerning the introduction of recent U.S. sanctions towards greater than 280 people and entities.
For now, the unique assertion has been faraway from the U.S. State Division web site.
Russia is utilizing one of these weapon extra often and "with ease," says MIVD Director Vice Admiral Peter Reesink.
Dutch Protection Minister Ruben Brekelmans, who introduced the information to the Dutch parliament, known as the scenario "completely unacceptable," calling for "extra sanctions, isolation of Russia and unwavering navy help for Ukraine."
"We’re making this public now as a result of Russia's use ofchemical weapons should not develop into normalized," Brekelmans stated. "If the brink for utilizing one of these weapon is lowered, it’s harmful not just for Ukraine but additionally for the remainder of Europe and the world."
For the reason that begin of the full-scale invasion in 2022, Russia has performed over 9,000 chemical assaults. At the least three Ukrainian troopers have died straight from publicity to poisonous substances, based on Ukraine's Protection Ministry.
Dutch intelligence has established that Russian navy management actively facilitates chemical assaults, and using banned substances has develop into customary follow for Russian forces.
Moscow can be rising investments in chemical weapons packages, increasing analysis, and recruiting new scientists, MIVD and AIVD observe.
The U.S. has accused Russia of deploying chloropicrin, typically utilized in agriculture and extensively weaponized as a "vomiting agent" throughout World Warfare I.
Ukraine, Denmark signal deal to launch Ukrainian navy manufacturing on Danish soil
Kyiv and Copenhagen signed a landmark settlement on July 4 that permits Ukrainian protection corporations to open manufacturing services in Denmark, Strategic Industries Minister Herman Smetanin introduced.
"This can be a distinctive case of worldwide cooperation for the Ukrainian protection trade," Smetanin wrote on Fb, following the signing ceremony in Copenhagen alongside Danish Trade Minister Morten Bodskov.
The deal marks the primary time Ukrainian protection applied sciences will likely be exported overseas particularly for provide to Ukraine's personal Armed Forces, he stated.
A yr in the past, Denmark turned the primary nation to fund weapons manufacturing by Ukrainian producers. Now, it has develop into the primary to host Ukrainian arms manufacturing strains on its territory, Smetanin added.
"At present, it has develop into the primary nation to which Ukraine exports its personal protection applied sciences for manufacturing, scaling, and provide to the Ukrainian military," he stated.
The settlement is a part of Ukraine's broader effort to internationalize its protection manufacturing. President Volodymyr Zelensky introduced on June 21 that Kyiv would quickly start exporting protection applied sciences and opening weapons manufacturing strains in companion international locations.
To scale up home and worldwide manufacturing, Zelensky has known as on overseas companions to finance new tasks and match Ukraine's quickly rising manufacturing capability.
Denmark has been a key backer of Ukraine for the reason that begin of Russia's full-scale invasion in 2022. In February 2024, Copenhagen signed a 10-year bilateral safety settlement with Kyiv, pledging long-term protection cooperation till Ukraine secures NATO membership.
A brand new prisoner of struggle (POW) trade with Russia has taken place, bringing house one other group of Ukrainian troopers held in Russian captivity, many since 2022, President Volodymyr Zelensky confirmed on July 4.
"Our individuals are house. Most of them had been in Russian captivity since 2022," Zelensky stated in a press release.
In response to Ukraine's Land Forces, the group contains prisoners categorized as "wounded and significantly sick," these "beneath the age of 25," and civilians.
The trade follows 5 swaps that occurred in June beneath the Istanbul deal reached between Ukraine and Russia on June 2. The settlement supplied for the common launch of severely sick and wounded POWs from either side, in addition to the repatriation of the our bodies of fallen troopers.
Earlier swaps have introduced house service members from the Armed Forces, Nationwide Guard, and State Border Guard Service, lots of whom have been captured in 2022 in the course of the begin of Russia's full-scale invasion.
Not too long ago launched Ukrainian prisoners of struggle returned house following a POW trade with Russia on July 4, 2025. (The Coordination Headquarters for Prisoners of Warfare / Telegram)
"Exchanges should proceed, and I thank everybody who makes this doable," Zelensky stated. "Ukraine's purpose is to free all our folks from Russian captivity. I thank everybody who helps make that occur."
Russia'sDefense Ministry confirmed the trade on July 4, with out disclosing the variety of troopers returned.
Earlier exchanges have centered on people with critical medical wants ensuing from accidents and harsh situations in captivity. Some beforehand launched prisoners had defended Mariupol in the course of the 2022 siege, whereas others fought in areas together with Donetsk, Luhansk, Kherson, and Kyiv oblasts.
The Istanbul settlement adopted months of stalled negotiations and was hailed as a humanitarian breakthrough regardless of the dearth of broader political progress.
Ukraine continues to advocate for a full-scale "all-for-all" trade, a proposal that Russia has up to now rejected. Nonetheless, either side have carried out smaller, phased swaps, generally a number of in a single week.
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Russian drone attacked a resident of Komyshany: man sustained a mine-explosive damage<p>On July 4, the Russian military attacked a 53-year-old resident of Komyshany close to Kherson with a drone. The person was hospitalized with a mine-explosive damage.</p>
U.S. Protection Secretary Pete Hegseth unilaterally halted a weapons cargo to Ukraine on July 2 regardless of inside army assessments exhibiting the help wouldn’t compromise American army readiness, NBC Information reported on July 4, citing three U.S. officers.
The pause in assist, which included vital air protection methods and ammunition, reportedly caught the State Division, members of Congress, Ukraine, and key European allies off guard.
Ukraine suffered one of many largest assaults on July 4, with President Volodymyr Zelensky calling for extra air protection to guard civilians within the cities. The assault on Kyiv killed one particular person and injured 23 extra.
A senior U.S. army evaluate had concluded that whereas some munitions stockpiles, together with precision weapons, have been low, they’d not fallen beneath vital thresholds, in response to NBC. Regardless of this, Hegseth opted to cease the cargo. That is reportedly his third such transfer since February.
"We aren’t at any decrease level, stockpile-wise, than we’ve been within the three-and-a-half years of the Ukraine battle," Congressman Adam Smith the highest Democrat on the Home Armed Providers Committee, stated. Smith, who stated his workers reviewed the Pentagon's figures, known as the justification "disingenuous."
The cargo reportedly included dozens of Patriot interceptors, 155 mm artillery rounds, Hellfire missiles, guided missile methods (GMLRS), Stinger and AIM air-to-air missiles, and grenade launchers.
Two sources advised NBC that a number of the weapons had already been loaded onto vans in Poland when the halt was ordered.
Zelensky lately known as Patriot methods "actual defenders of life," since Patriot missile methods are the very best air protection in Ukraine's arsenal. They’re thought of to be the simplest measure in opposition to Russian ballistic missiles like Iskander and Kinzhal.
Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell described earlier the choice as a part of a broader "functionality evaluate" to make sure U.S. forces stay outfitted.
The halt has initiated debate over the way forward for U.S. assist for Ukraine.
Lawmakers from each events, together with Republican Congressman Michael McCaul, expressed frustration on the lack of advance discover. "Now could be the time to indicate Putin we imply enterprise," McCaul wrote on X.
Republican Congressman Joe Wilson additionally reacted to the halt, warning of its penalties amid Russia's ongoing strikes.
"As People start to benefit from the sounds of fireworks in celebration of our Nation's Independence, warfare felony (Russian President Vladimir) Putin, who’s dropping his pathetic warfare, resorts to scorched earth ways throughout Ukrainian cities that predate Moscow's existence," Wilson wrote.
Wilson stated he’s "assured the Division of Protection will advance President Trump’s targets said at The Hague to ship further air protection and accepted weapons to assist cease this absolute depravity, as allies have and should proceed doing at a speedy tempo."
Republican Congressman Brian Fitzpatrick has requested an emergency White Home briefing, warning the choice might value lives.
Trump has denied that the U.S. paused shipments on July 3, contradicting each Pentagon affirmation and reporting.
"We haven't," Trump advised a reporter. "We're giving weapons." He additionally claimed the Biden administration had "emptied out our complete nation" and insisted Washington should prioritize its personal protection.
Protection Forces hit the command put up of the eighth Mixed Arms Military of the Russian Federation for the second time in every week – Common Workers<p>The Ukrainian Protection Forces efficiently struck the command put up of the eighth Mixed Arms Military of the Russian Federation for the second time in every week. The command put up of the twentieth Motorized Rifle Division in Donetsk area was additionally hit.</p>
A Russian missile and drone strike on Odesa on July 3 broken the constructing of the Chinese language Consulate Common, International Minister Andrii Sybiha stated on July 4.
"Following tonight's huge Russian air assault on Ukraine, we found in Kyiv a element of a Russian-Iranian Shahed-136/Geran-2 fight drone, which was made in China and provided only recently," Sybiha wrote on X.
"And proper on the eve, the Chinese language Consulate Common's constructing in Odesa suffered minor harm."
The July 3 assault on Odesa killed two folks and injured six others. China has not publicly acknowledged the incident or reported any harm to its diplomatic premises within the metropolis.
The Shahed-136 drone, a loitering munition utilized by Russia in its assaults on Ukrainian cities, has been assembled in massive numbers in Russia with elements sourced globally.
Ukraine has beforehand documented that Chinese language firms have contributed electronics and supplies used within the manufacturing of those drones.
Beijing stays one in every of Russia's key wartime companions, serving to Moscow evade Western sanctions and rising because the main provider of dual-use items utilized by the Russian protection trade.
China's International Minister Wang Yi reportedly advised EU overseas coverage chief Kaja Kallas on July 3 that Beijing can’t afford for Russia to lose the conflict in Ukraine, in accordance with the South China Morning Put up, which cited unnamed sources acquainted with the dialog.
The reported assertion provides to rising considerations in Kyiv over China's increasing function in supporting Russia's conflict effort. President Volodymyr Zelensky has repeatedly accused China of siding with Moscow.
As Russian-Chinese language relations deepen, Russian President Vladimir Putin is predicted to go to China in September for the Shanghai Cooperation Group summit, the place he’s scheduled to satisfy with Chinese language chief Xi Jinping.
The variety of victims of the assault on Kupyansk has elevated to 3: the prosecutor's workplace has launched an investigation<p>On July 4, round 2:00 PM, the Russian military shelled a residential space of Kupyansk. A 55-year-old girl was killed, and three folks have been injured.</p>
The Kyiv IndependentKateryna Hodunova
The Kyiv IndependentThe Kyiv Independent news desk
