Newsletter 02/07/2025
A daily news digest covering important war, political, economic, and cultural topics in Ukraine
TOP
MoD turns to U.S. for clarifications on defense supplies
The Ministry of Defense of Ukraine has requested a phone call with U.S. counterparts to clarify the details of further defense supplies.
The Ukrainian side pointed to the reports of delays in the supply of certain elements of previously allocated defense assistance packages from the United States and is seeking to clarify the actual circumstances of supplies, the report says.
"Ukraine has not received official notifications of the suspension or revision of the schedules for the supply of previously agreed defense assistance, so we are proceeding from the actual data and verifying the details of each element in the supply," the Ministry of Defense noted, adding that they requested a phone call with colleagues from the U.S. to further clarify the details.
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Zelensky: Ukraine and US working out details of defense support
Ukraine and the United States are working out all the details regarding the supply of defense support, including air defense components.
“Today, there were reports from the ministers of defense and foreign affairs of Ukraine. In particular, on relations with the United States of America. Currently, at the working level, Ukraine and the United States are clarifying all the details regarding the supply of defense support, including air defense components. One way or another, we must ensure the protection of our people,” said President Volodymyr Zelensky.
Zelensky also reported that today there was a discussion of further steps in relations with the European Union, which is chaired by Denmark this semester.
Pentagon says it continues to provide Trump with options for Ukraine military aid
The US Department of Defense continues to provide President Donald Trump with “reliable” options for further military assistance to Ukraine that will lead to the end of the war.
“The Department of Defense continues to provide the President with robust options for continue military aid to Ukraine, consistent with his goal of bringing this tragic war to an end,” the US defense department said.
Meanwhile, the Pentagon added, they are “rigorously examining and adapting its approach to achieving this objective while also preserving U.S. forces’ readiness for Administration defense priorities.”
Russian forces executed 268 Ukrainian POWs as of early July – Lubinets
As of early July, Russian forces have executed 268 Ukrainian prisoners of war. The Ombudsman's Office believes these executions could be carried out under orders from Russia's top military leadership.
"According to our data, investigations are currently underway into the execution of 268 Ukrainian POWs by Russian soldiers. We've seen a sharp increase in this number over the past year," said Verkhovna Rada Human Rights Commissioner Dmytro Lubinets.
He emphasized that such actions are unlikely to occur without approval from Russia's top military command.
Zelensky revokes Ukrainian citizenship of Metropolitan Onufriy
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has signed a decree revoking the Ukrainian citizenship of Orest Berezovsky, better known as Metropolitan Onufriy, the head of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church (Moscow Patriarchate).
"Based on materials provided by the SBU, Ukrainian citizenship has been revoked for Orest Berezovsky, more widely known as a figure of the UOC-MP — Metropolitan Onufriy. The respective decree was signed by President Volodymyr Zelensky," the statement reads.
According to the SBU, Berezovsky voluntarily obtained Russian citizenship in 2002 and failed to notify Ukrainian authorities, as required by law. Despite this, he continued to use his Ukrainian citizenship status.
The SBU has information indicating that Berezovsky (Onufriy) maintains ties with the Moscow Patriarchate and has actively opposed the canonical independence of the Ukrainian Church from the Moscow Patriarchate — whose representatives openly support Russia's aggression against Ukraine. Even after the full-scale invasion, Berezovsky continues to support the Russian Orthodox Church and its leadership, including Patriarch Kirill (Gundyayev).
UAH 120M bail posted for Ukraine's Vice PM Chernyshov
UAH 120 million bail has been put up for Ukraine's Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for National Unity, Oleksiy Chernyshov.
Olesia Chemerys, spokesperson for the High Anti-Corruption Court (HACC), said this in a comment to Ukrinform.
"The full bail amount for the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for National Unity was paid today," she said.
On June 27, the HACC set bail for Chernyshov at UAH 120 million as a measure of restraint. In addition, the court imposed several restrictions on Chernyshov, including appearing at the request of investigators, prosecutors, or the court, notifying authorities of any change in place of residence or employment, and not leaving Ukraine without official permission.
These obligations will remain in effect until August 28.
Top spy: One of two Shahed CRPA antenna developers has died
One of the two Russian engineers responsible for developing CRPA antennas for Shahed-type drones has already been killed.
"What's new? They are improving the CRPA antennas, switching to 16 channels. These antennas are now manufactured in Russia, but this CRPA antenna was developed here in Ukraine by an engineer. No one needed it in the early 2000s, so he went to Russia. Now one of them [the development engineers] has died tragically in some way, and one is still alive. Well, probably not for long," said Kyrylo Budanov, head of the Main Intelligence Directorate of the Ministry of Defense.
War
Ukraine’s General Staff refutes Russian claims of capturing Dachne in Dnipropetrovsk region
Claims circulated by Russian propaganda regarding the capture of a bridgehead in the Dnipropetrovsk region are false. The village of Dachne remains under the control of the Defense Forces of Ukraine.
Ukrainian units continue to repel Russian attempts to cross the administrative border between the Donetsk and Dnipropetrovsk regions. Despite repeated so-called “meat assaults” by small infantry and reconnaissance groups, Russian troops have failed to achieve this demistrative objective.
The General Staff noted that a few days ago, a small Russian reconnaissance group briefly entered Dachne and managed to photograph themselves with a Russian flag. However, their incursion was swiftly countered by Ukrainian forces, who eliminated the group.
In a subsequent assault, two Russian soldiers survived and were taken prisoner by a marine brigade of the Ukrainian Navy. They are now part of Ukraine’s prisoner exchange fund.
Therefore, Russian claims about capturing a bridgehead in the Dnipropetrovsk region are false—Dachne remains under the control of the Defense Forces of Ukraine.
Russian night strike on Kramatorsk damages 41 apartment buildings, destroys art school
During the night of July 1-2, Russian forces launched a drone attack on the Kramatorsk urban community using five Shahed-type (Geran-2) kamikaze drones, resulting in widespread destruction.
Additionally, 41 apartment buildings suffered damage from blast waves and debris, with windows shattered and roofs impacted.
The strike also affected two municipal educational institutions and several non-residential infrastructure facilities. Fortunately, no civilian casualties were reported.
Ukraine returns bodies of two soldiers found with Russian army ID tags
In accordance with international humanitarian principles and existing repatriation agreements, Ukraine has returned the bodies of two deceased individuals bearing military identification tags of the Russian Armed Forces to the Russian side.
He stated that, during a recent repatriation operation, Ukrainian specialists identified two bodies bearing military identification tags numbered AB 846408 and AB 449638."
The remains underwent the required forensic examinations and identity verification procedures. Following official protocol, the Ukrainian side transferred the bodies back to Russia.
Klymenko noted that Ukraine has received no confirmation that Russian authorities have informed the victims’ families about the return of their remains.
Deep strikes into Russia to continue - Zelensky’s Office chief
"Russia's imperial policy has yielded exceptionally disastrous results in the geopolitical field. Loss of influence in the Middle East, Transcaucasia, across the post-Soviet space, isolation, millions killed on the battlefield. Strikes against Russian territory continue, and will continue. NATO has come very close to Russia’s borders. The war in Ukraine continues, but we will only continue to destroy Russians," said The head of the Presidential Office, Andriy Yermak.
Seven people wounded in shelling in Kherson region during day
Russian attack against Kherson hospital “war crime”, part of Russia’s deliberate campaign - top diplomat
Air defense destroys 79 of 114 Russian drones
Defense
Sweden slates UAH 590M for Ukraine cybersecurity
The Swedish International Development Agency, Sida, is allocating a new assistance package within the framework of the Tallinn Mechanism, an international initiative that coordinates assistance from 11 partner countries in strengthening cyber resilience.
Politics
Azerbaijan may strengthen cooperation with Ukraine amid tensions with Russia – expert
Serhii Danylov, deputy director at the Association of Middle East Studies, believes that the growing tensions between Azerbaijan and Russia are creating new opportunities for closer ties between Kyiv and Baku. However, due to the complex geopolitical landscape, it is unlikely that Azerbaijan will provide Ukraine with weapons.
President's Office confirms Macron spoke with Zelensky after Putin call
Following his conversation with Russian dictator Vladimir Putin, French President Emmanuel Macron held a phone call with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.
Xi not to attend BRICS summit, MFA China confirms
Chinese President Xi Jinping will not participate in the BRICS summit in Brazil’s Rio de Janeiro on July 6-7 as the country will be represented by Prime Minister Li Qiang.
Society
Ukraine launches unified platform to search for missing persons in war
The unified information platform on persons missing under special circumstances is an official portal created by the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Ukraine to coordinate the search for persons missing under special circumstances and to support their families.
"This site contains as much information as possible that may be useful to the relatives of missing persons. Our goal was to create an information bridge between the authorities searching for missing persons and the families who need information. Our primary task is to establish maximum contact with people so that they feel that they are not alone and that the relevant authorities are doing everything possible to find their relatives," said Mariana Reva, Director of the Communications Department of the Ministry of Internal Affairs.
The information portal contains instructions on how to start a search, file a report, submit DNA samples for identification, obtain an extract from the Unified Register of Persons Missing Under Special Circumstances, and learn about rights and social guarantees.
Crime
Russian agent detained in Kharkiv for assembling explosive devices for terrorist attacks
Following a special operation in Kharkiv, the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) detained a Russian FSB agent who had assembled three explosive devices intended for attacks on government institutions in the region, acting on orders from Russian handlers.
Investigators identified the suspect as a 48-year-old laboratory assistant at a university in Kharkiv. According to the SBU, he had been recruited by Russian intelligence via Telegram channels.
According to the SBU, acting on instructions from his Russian handler, the agent assembled remote-detonation explosive devices reinforced with metal fragments, including nuts, screws, and nails.
In an attempt to avoid detection, he prepared the devices inside the apartment of his neighbors—who had temporarily left the city and entrusted him with a key to watch over their home.
The suspect concealed two completed improvised explosive devices, each equipped with mobile phones for remote activation, in pre-designated caches.
He received the coordinates for these hiding spots from his supervisor. To mask their true nature, the devices were disguised as ordinary household items, including sports equipment.
SBU operatives identified the agent in advance, documented his activities, and apprehended him while he was placing a third explosive device near a residential building.
During the search, SBU operatives seized components for additional explosive devices and a mobile phone believed to have been used for communication with Russian intelligence.