Category: War in Ukraine

Ukrainian International Minister Andrii Sybiha on June 30 rebuked Slovakia's overseas minister after he prompt the worldwide group may "maybe even forgive" Russia's actions and reengage in dialogue with Moscow to finish the warfare in Ukraine.

"Russia's sense of impunity is the foundation reason behind its crimes," Sybiha wrote in a submit on X. "It's naive to count on a prison to cease if their crime is forgiven as a substitute of punished. Russia will hit your different cheek as effectively. And those that have misplaced nobody on this warfare don’t have any proper to make such statements."

Sybiha's remarks got here in response to feedback made by Slovak International Minister Juraj Blanar throughout a home media interview on June 29. Blanar argued the warfare in Ukraine couldn’t be resolved militarily and referred to as for a return to diplomacy, suggesting Russia may very well be forgiven.

"Allow us to return to respect for worldwide legislation and search methods to speak with the Russian Federation," he stated. "And even perhaps forgive all the pieces that has occurred."

Slovakia just lately requested a delay in adopting the European Union's 18th sanctions bundle in opposition to Russia, citing the necessity for additional clarification on how it will impression member states, notably in gentle of the EU's RePowerEU initiative to finish dependence on Russian fossil fuels by 2030.

Fico's administration has distanced itself from the pro-Ukraine consensus inside the EU and NATO. Since taking workplace in 2023, he has halted Slovak navy assist to Ukraine and pursued diplomatic engagement with Russia. Earlier this yr, Fico attended Russia's Victory Day Parade in Moscow and met with President Vladimir Putin — a gesture most Western leaders prevented.

Fico has dismissed the concept of assembly with President Volodymyr Zelensky, telling Slovak broadcaster STVR that Zelensky "hates me" and that such a gathering "has no significance."

Ukraine has persistently emphasised that peace can solely come by way of justice and accountability for Russian warfare crimes and aggression, a place echoed by many Western governments.

More empty threats from Washington, more deadly bombs from RussiaThe ongoing and escalating slaughter of Ukrainian civilians depends on two preconditions: Moscow’s determination to erase Ukraine, and the tacit permission it receives from America and Europe. On Monday, a Russian missile tore through a residential building in Kyiv, leaving at least six civilians dead and over a dozenThe Kyiv IndependentAndrew Chakhoyan

Germany urged Europe to "search" itself for added air protection methods for Ukraine<p>Germany appealed to European companions with a request to overview their air protection shares and switch surplus methods to Ukraine. German Overseas Minister Johann Wadephul introduced a joint letter to European nations.</p>

German International Minister Johann Wadephul pledged on June 30 that Berlin is exploring "each attainable path" to supply Ukraine with further air protection programs, amid intensifying Russian missile and drone assaults, in line with RBK-Ukraine.

Talking at a press convention throughout his go to to Kyiv, Wadephul stated Germany is working with its protection trade, European allies, and the U.S. to urgently safe extra programs for Ukraine's air protect.

"We’re taking place each path obtainable," Wadephul stated. "The German protection trade is attempting to increase its capability. We're talking with our European companions, and I consider we should additionally transfer ahead with america."

He added that he stays in shut contact with German Protection Minister Boris Pistorius to evaluate whether or not present programs from Germany's personal stockpiles could be redirected to Ukraine.

Wadephul's go to got here only a day after Russia launched its largest aerial assault on Ukraine to this point, firing 477 drones and 60 missiles in a 24-hour interval. In a video message posted on social media earlier on June 30, the German minister described Ukraine as "a rustic as soon as once more haunted by struggle," and reaffirmed Germany's solidarity.

"Germany stands by Ukraine," Wadephul stated. "We should not enable freedom to be misplaced right here. We’ve got to assist this nation and be sure that a ceasefire is lastly achieved. (Russian President Vladimir) Putin should notice he can not proceed this struggle and should negotiate a peace resolution."

Ukrainian International Minister Andrii Sybiha welcomed Wadephul's go to in a put up on X, saying the 2 mentioned counter Russian aggression and deepen bilateral ties.

Sybiha stated additionally they spoke about Germany's function in Ukraine's growth of long-range capabilities and drones, calling it "win-win cooperation"— in addition to Berlin's assist for the 18th EU sanctions package deal and Ukraine's path to EU membership.

"I’m grateful to Minister Wadephul for his ethical readability and private contribution to Ukraine's resilience," Sybiha added.

Wadephul is predicted to fulfill with President Volodymyr Zelensky later throughout his go to.

The German overseas minister emphasised that witnessing the destruction firsthand is important to understanding Ukraine's struggling and the urgency of sustained worldwide assist.

"That is certainly a tough state of affairs," Wadephul stated. "And that’s the reason German solidarity is so necessary proper now."

Warfare in Ukraine has changed… againThe Kyiv Independent’s Francis Farrell explains a new modification of the standard first-person view (FPV) drone that already once transformed the way war is fought. Fiber optic cable now used to connect drone operators to FPVs ensures a perfect image and control experience all the way to the target — and cannot be spotted by enemy drone detectors.The Kyiv IndependentFrancis Farrell

Norway to deploy a few of its F-35s in Poland to reinforce NATO safety<p>Norway will ship a few of its F-35 fighter jets to Poland within the autumn to reinforce the safety of Polish airspace and defend the logistics hub close to Rzeszów. This measure will make sure the uninterrupted supply of worldwide navy help to Ukraine.</p>

NATO's elevated protection spending will result in the "collapse" of the alliance, Russian International Minister Sergei Lavrov stated on June 30, regardless of Russian officers lately warning that Moscow's personal army expenditure is driving the nation in direction of recession.

Lavrov's feedback come after NATO leaders final week permitted a brand new protection spending benchmark, committing members to spend a minimum of 5% of GDP on protection and security-related expenditures by 2035, a objective lengthy pushed by the U.S. and endorsed by NATO Secretary Basic Mark Rutte.

The week beforehand, and in a uncommon public signal that every one just isn’t properly in Russia, two high-ranking Moscow officers issued separate warnings concerning the state of the nation's economic system.

Russian Central Financial institution Governor Elvira Nabiullina and Economic system Minister Maxim Reshetnikov each highlighted that amid the Kremlin's full-scale conflict in opposition to Ukraine, the instruments Moscow as soon as relied on to keep up wartime development are almost exhausted.

Polish International Minister Radoslaw Sikorski on June 26 stated an arms race between Russia and NATO might result in Russian President Vladimir Putin's downfall.

"Since (Polish International Minister Radoslaw Sikorski) is such a predictor, he in all probability foresees {that a} catastrophic improve within the finances of NATO international locations, in response to my estimates, may even result in the collapse of this group," Lavrov reportedly stated.

Putin final week introduced that Moscow plans to chop its army expenditure starting subsequent yr, in a rebuke of NATO members' plans to extend protection spending to five% of GDP.

"We’re planning to cut back defence spending. For us, subsequent yr and the yr after, over the subsequent three-year interval, we’re planning for this," Putin stated, although he didn’t present concrete particulars.

"Europe is considering the right way to improve its spending, quite the opposite. So, who’s getting ready for some sort of aggressive actions? Us or them?"

Western officers and analysts level to Russia's surging army expenditures amid its ongoing full-scale invasion of Ukraine. In 2024, Russia's protection finances reportedly rose 42% in actual phrases, reaching $462 billion, surpassing the mixed spending of all European nations, in response to the Worldwide Institute for Strategic Research.

NATO allies have cited Russia's army buildup, sabotage campaigns, and continued aggression in opposition to Ukraine as causes to speed up protection investments. Rutte warned that Russia might rebuild its army capability to threaten NATO territory inside 5 years, urging members to behave with urgency.

As Ukraine bleeds, Western opera welcomes back pro-Putin Russian singer Anna NetrebkoMore than three years into Russia’s full-scale war against Ukraine, many Western cultural institutions that had distanced themselves from Russian artists as a gesture of solidarity with Ukraine are now reversing course. The U.K.’s Royal Ballet and Opera House announced on June 23 that its 2025-2026 cinemaThe Kyiv IndependentKate Tsurkan

Because the starting of this 12 months, there have been solely two days when Russia didn’t perform air terror towards Ukraine – Sybiha<p>Because the starting of the 12 months, Russia has been virtually day by day attacking Ukraine with missiles and drones, hanging civilian targets. Overseas Minister Andriy Sybiha emphasised the crucial must strengthen air protection programs and home arms manufacturing.</p>

Russian assaults throughout a number of Ukrainian areas over the previous 24 hours have killed no less than six folks and injured 26 others, in line with native officers. The strikes concerned drones, artillery, and guided bombs, hitting residential areas and important infrastructure.

In response to Ukraine's Air Pressure, Ukrainian air protection hit 74 out of 107 drones launched in a single day by Russia.

In Kharkiv Oblast, two folks have been killed and eight injured following assaults on six settlements, Governor Oleh Syniehubov mentioned. Injury was reported to homes, autos, and civilian infrastructure throughout Kharkiv, Kupiansk, and Chuhuiv districts.

In Kherson Oblast, Russian forces struck residential areas and civilian infrastructure in over two dozen localities, killing two folks and injuring eight others, in line with Governor Oleksandr Prokudin. Injury included homes, utility programs, and communications infrastructure.

In Zaporizhzhia Oblast, one individual was killed in Vasylivka district. Governor Ivan Fedorov mentioned Russian forces launched 375 strikes on 10 settlements, damaging homes and autos.

In Dnipropetrovsk Oblast, three folks have been injured in Kryvyi Rih following drone strikes and artillery assaults, Governor Serhii Lysak reported. Fires broke out, and injury was recorded at a farm and in residential areas.

In Donetsk Oblast, no less than one individual was killed and 4 others injured, Governor Vadym Filashkin mentioned. A number of residential buildings, a church, and a pharmacy have been broken throughout Pokrovsk, Kramatorsk, and Bakhmut districts.

In Sumy Oblast, Russian assaults injured three civilians, regional authorities mentioned. Almost 80 strikes focused 29 settlements, damaging homes, instructional establishments, and public buildings.

Russia reportedly closes Crimean Bridge amid explosions in KerchWitnesses reported hearing multiple blasts and observing Russian air defense systems in action.The Kyiv IndependentAnna Fratsyvir

"The Kremlin once more imitates openness to dialogue": the OP responded to Russia's assertion relating to negotiations<p>Head of the Workplace of the President Andriy Yermak states that Russia manipulates statements about negotiations whereas persevering with missile strikes. He emphasizes that Moscow is the initiator of the conflict and blocks peace initiatives.</p>

Russia has misplaced round 1,020,010 troops in Ukraine for the reason that starting of its full-scale invasion on Feb. 24, 2022, the Basic Employees of Ukraine's Armed Forces reported on June 30.

The quantity consists of 1,070 casualties that Russian forces suffered simply over the previous day.

In line with the report, Russia has additionally misplaced 10,980 tanks, 22,922 armored preventing autos, 53,593 autos and gas tanks, 29,718 artillery programs, 1,427 a number of launch rocket programs, 1,190 air protection programs, 420 airplanes, 340 helicopters, 42,796 drones, 28 ships and boats, and one submarine.

Ukrainian drone strike on Crimea air base destroys 3 Russian helicopters, SBU claimsThe attack destroyed Mi-8, Mi-26 and Mi-28 attack helicopters, and a Pantsyr-S1 self-propelled anti-aircraft missile and gun system, the Security Service of Ukraine told the Kyiv Independent.The Kyiv IndependentKateryna Denisova

Russia doesn’t have sufficient forces to create a buffer zone alongside the complete border with Ukraine – Demchenko<p>Russian occupiers should not have ample forces to create a buffer zone alongside the border with Sumy, Chernihiv, and Kharkiv areas; their true purpose is to grab the complete territory of Ukraine. The enemy is struggling important losses, utilizing solely infantry teams, with out armored autos, on this space.</p>