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Russia’s war against Ukraine
A view of a destroyed market following recent shelling in occupied Donetsk, which local Russian-installed authorities described as a Ukrainian military strike, in Donetsk, Ukraine, on July 1, 2025. (Stringer/Anadolu via Getty Images)
‘With surgical precision‘ — Ukrainian drones strike Russian plant 1,300 km away, SBU source says. The SBU said its long-range drones targeted the Kupol plant in Russia’s Udmurt Republic on the morning of July 1, resulting in at least two confirmed strikes and a fire at the site.
‘Important facility hit‘ — Ukraine attacks Russian oil refinery in Saratov Oblast, military says. “The occupiers use the capacity of this refinery to supply fuel and lubricants to Russian military units involved in the armed aggression against Ukraine,” the General Staff reported on July 1.
Ukrainian forces hit Russian command post in occupied Donetsk Oblast, General Staff says. The attack has significantly hampered Russia’s ability to plan and conduct operations in the Pokrovsk and Toretsk areas of the front line, the General Staff’s statement read.
Ukraine shows footage of Bober drones hitting Russian air defenses, fighter jet in Crimea. The footage shows the combat use of UJ-26 drones, commonly known as Bobers (Beavers), targeting high-value Russian military systems.
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Ukraine’s army chief bans tent camps for troops in training after Russian strikes. “My categorical order is to ensure and increase the safety of service members at training centers and training grounds,” Commander-in-Chief Oleksandr Syrskyi said.
Zelensky signs ratification of Special Tribunal on Russian aggression. The tribunal, once established, would specifically target Russia’s top political and military leadership for the crime of aggression, defined as the illegal use of force by one state against another.
Ukraine to launch joint weapons production program with Ramstein summit countries. As part of a new joint production program, new factories and weapons manufacturing facilities will be built in Ukraine and abroad, Defense Minister Rustem Umerov announced on July 1.
Ukraine’s power exports surge 25 times, recovering to pre-Russian attack levels. Ukraine boosted electricity exports by 150% in June 2025 compared to the previous month, reaching over 237,000 megawatt-hours (MWh), according to consulting firm ExPro Electricity.
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Ukraine to exit mine ban treaty, citing war demands, realities on the ground
Ukraine is looking to withdraw from a major international treaty on anti-personnel landmines to bolster its defense on the battlefield, where its troops are trying to hold off Russia’s intensifying offensive.
Photo: Scott Peterson / Getty Images
Ukraine war latest: Ukrainian drones strike Russian plant 1,300km from border, SBU source says
Ukrainian drones struck a major Russian military plant in the city of Izhevsk, over 1,300 kilometers (800 miles) from Ukrainian-held territory, a source in the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) told the Kyiv Independent on July 1.
Photo: Astra / X
Ukraine’s new interceptor UAVs are starting to knock Russia’s long-range Shahed drones out of the sky
A fleet of nascent interceptor drones — which shoot other drones out of the sky — is filling a gap in more traditional anti-air defenses, as the U.S. cuts its weapons aid and Russia expands its drone fleet.
Photo: The Prytula Foundation/Facebook
Operation Spiderweb and Russia’s record drone assault – Ukraine in photos, June 2025
For Ukraine, June began with a celebration — not the one the whole country longs for, victory over Moscow — but a celebration of one of the most stunning drone attacks on Russia, known as Operation Spiderweb
Photo: Danylo Pavlov
Human cost of Russia’s war
Russian missile strike on Dnipropetrovsk Oblast kills brigade commander, injures 30 people, Zelensky says. A Russian missile attack killed the commander of the 110th Separate Mechanized Brigade, Serhii Zakharevych, and injured 30 people in Huliaipole in Dnipropetrovsk Oblast on July 1, President Volodymyr Zelensky said in his evening address.
Russia hits evacuation vehicle in Donetsk Oblast, killing civilian. According to the police, Russian forces attacked the evacuation vehicles provided by chaplains three times.
General Staff: Russia has lost 1,022,090 troops in Ukraine since Feb. 24, 2022. The number includes 1,110 casualties that Russian forces suffered just over the past day.
International response
Germany still weighing Taurus missile supply to Ukraine, Merz says. German Chancellor Friedrich Merz also cited the Taurus missile system’s complexity, saying it requires at least six months of training — something Germany has not yet agreed to begin.
As Russia ramps up missile attacks, US halts promised air defense shipments to Ukraine, Politico reports. Among the items being held back from Ukraine are Patriot air defense missiles, precision artillery rounds, Hellfire missiles, and drones, three sources told Politico.
After Trump cut support, US lawmakers press for action on Russian abductions of Ukrainian children. A bipartisan resolution condemns the abductions and calls for the repatriation of children even before a potential peace deal is finalized.
Putin, Macron hold first call since 2022, discuss wars in Ukraine, Middle East. The conversation between the two leaders took place as the Russian army continues to advance along the front line, trying to gain a foothold in Sumy Oblast and enter Dnipropetrovsk Oblast.
Why Norway is investing billions in Ukraine’s victory
In other news
Leading Ukrainian historian Plokhii steps down from top Harvard post after 12 years. “It has been a privilege and an honor to lead the Institute over the past twelve years,” Serhii Plokhii said in a farewell message.
Ukraine receives $500 million in IMF funding, maintaining growth forecasts. Ukraine received approximately $500 million from the International Monetary Fund (IMF), marking the ninth tranche under the country’s Extended Fund Facility program, the Ukrainian Ministry of Finance announced in a press release on July 1.
Ukrainian woman, baby daughter found murdered in Germany, 16-year-old arrested, police say. According to the police statement, the autopsy results confirmed that both victims died from violent causes. The bodies were discovered in the Holsterhausen district of Dorsten in Germany.
‘Oreshnik will be on Belarusian soil,’ Lukashenko says of Russian missile deployment by year-end. Lukashenko said the deployment of advanced weapons systems to Belarus would serve as a tool for maintaining domestic stability. “I’m confident that even those of our supporters who don’t yet understand this will come to realize it — without a war.”
North Korea already using Russian Pantsir missiles to defend Pyongyang, Ukraine’s intelligence chief says. North Korea is “currently significantly increasing its military power” through direct cooperation with Russia, Kyrylo Budanov, head of Ukraine’s military intelligence (HUR), said in an interview with Hromadske Radio on July 1.
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