Ukraine returns 20 soldiers from Russian captivity

9:11 PM  (Updated:  July 4, 2025 8:49 pm)

'Nothing but terror and murder' — Russia pounds Kyiv with record overnight drone, missile attack, 1 dead, 26 injured.

Fires broke out across the city as Russia attacked the capital overnight on July 4. At least 23 people have been injured, with 14 of the victims hospitalized.

7:26 PM

Ukraine, Denmark sign deal to launch Ukrainian military production on Danish soil.

"This is a unique case of international cooperation for the Ukrainian defense industry," Strategic Industries Minister Herman Smetanin said.

4:47 PM  (Updated:  July 4, 2025 7:24 pm)

Zelensky, Trump hold phone call after Putin pledges to continue war in Ukraine

"Today we discussed the situation: Russian air strikes and, more broadly, the situation on the front lines. President Trump is very well informed," President Volodymyr Zelensky said.

7:15 PM

Video

Ukraine's artillery braces for shell shortage as US halts aid.

The Kyiv Independent's Francis Farrell and Olena Zashko spent a day with an artillery crew from the 28th Mechanized Brigade in the front-line city of Kostiantynivka. Following the recent decision by the Pentagon to halt shipments of certain weapons to Ukraine, a looming shell shortage is once again on the horizon for Ukrainian forces.

6:37 PM

Russia damages Chinese consulate in Odesa as Chinese drone parts found in Kyiv following similar attack.

China has not publicly acknowledged the incident or reported any damage to its diplomatic premises in Odesa.

3:51 PM

'Disingenuous' Hegseth paused Ukraine weapons despite Pentagon finding aid wouldn't hurt US readiness, NBC reports.

A senior military review had concluded that while some munitions stockpiles, including precision weapons, were low, they had not fallen below critical thresholds, according to NBC. Still, U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth opted to stop the shipment. This is reportedly his third such move since February.

2:05 PM

Russia intensifying use of chemical weapons in Ukraine, Dutch intelligence reports.

Dutch intelligence services, together with German intelligence, have found that Russia is systematically escalating the use of chemical weapons against Ukrainian forces, the Netherlands Military Intelligence (MIVD) reported on July 4.

1:39 PM

Ukraine, Russia conduct new POW exchange.

"Our people are home. Most of them had been in Russian captivity since 2022," President Volodymyr Zelensky announced in a statement.

12:26 PM  (Updated:  July 4, 2025 1:17 pm)

'I'm very disappointed,' Trump says after phone call with Putin.

"I'm speaking to President Zelensky tomorrow in the morning, and I'm very disappointed with the conversation I had today with President Putin," U.S. President Donald Trump told journalists.

9:17 AM  (Updated:  July 4, 2025 1:09 pm)

'There is also good news' — Ukrainian drones hit key military optics plant in Russia, General Staff confirms.

Andrii Kovalenko, head of Ukraine's counter-disinformation center, said a drone hit the Azov Optical and Mechanical Plant in the town of Azov, Rostov Oblast. The facility reportedly manufactures critical components for the Russian military, including sights, rangefinders, thermal imaging systems, and fire control equipment for tanks, infantry fighting vehicles, ships, and aircraft.

1:07 PM

Trump envoy Steve Witkoff pushing to lift energy sanctions on Russia, Politico reports.

While Special Envoy Steve Witkoff is reportedly advocating for the easing of energy sanctions, others in the administration disagree. Interior Secretary Doug Burgum favors reducing U.S. reliance on Russian imports rather than expanding trade, according to Politico.

12:42 PM

Number of Ukrainian children killed and injured amid Russian full-scale invasion jumps threefold in recent months.

The latest U.N. figures show a threefold jump in the number of deaths and injuries for children over the three months ending in May.

10:40 AM  (Updated:  July 4, 2025 11:19 am)

'Deliberately massive and cynical' — Russian attack on Ukraine began as Trump and Putin spoke, Zelensky says.

"Patriots and their missiles are real defenders of life," President Volodymyr Zelensky said. "It is very important to maintain the support of partners in ballistic missile defense."

8:15 AM

General Staff: Russia has lost 1,024,210 troops in Ukraine since Feb. 24, 2022.

The number includes 1,120 casualties that Russian forces suffered over the past day.

6:27 AM

Trump's pause on Russia sanctions under investigation by Senate Democrats.

"Americans should be asking why a president who says he wants to end a major war is instead letting the aggressor run rampant."

4:35 AM

'We haven't' — Trump denies US pausing weapons to Ukraine, despite Pentagon decision to halt shipments.

"You know, Biden emptied out our whole country giving them weapons and we have to make sure that we have enough for ourselves," Trump added after his initial denial.

2:03 AM

China's foreign minister tells EU that Beijing cannot afford Russia to lose in Ukraine, media reports.

China's Foreign Minister Wang Yi reportedly told the EU's top diplomat Kaja Kallas on July 3 that the country cannot afford for Russia to lose the war in Ukraine amid fears the U.S. would shift focus towards Beijing, the South China Morning Post (SCMP) reported, citing sources familiar with the conversation.

1:04 AM

Trump says he 'didn't make any progress' with Putin following phone call.

When asked if he had made any progress with Putin on the call, Trump responded: "No, I didn't make any progress with him today at all."

11:22 PM

Russia becomes first country to recognize Afghanistan's Taliban government.

"We believe that the act of official recognition of the government of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan will give impetus to the development of productive bilateral cooperation between our countries in various fields," Russia's Foreign Ministry said in a statement.

10:03 PM

War update

Ukraine war latest: Putin tells Trump Russia won't back down from its war aims in Ukraine.

9:59 PM

Culture

‘Not many events like this left’ — A Ukrainian literary festival in a city falsely claimed by Russia

9:47 PM

Russian propaganda media Sputnik shuts down operations in Azerbaijan amid tensions.

"The conditions for Sputnik Azerbaijan to continue its activities in this country are not in place," Russia Today media group CEO Dmitry Kiselyov said.

8:56 PM

In landmark ruling, same-sex couple recognized as family by Ukrainian court.

Ukraine does not currently recognize same-sex marriages or partnerships, and this court ruling may serve as a critical legal milestone in expanding rights for LGBTQ families.

8:35 PM

Ukrainian bank wins $1.5 billion appeal against Russia over lost Crimea assets.

The ruling orders Russia to pay more than $1.5 billion in damages and an additional 300,000 euros ($330,000) in legal costs to Ukraine's largest state-owned bank, according to a press release.

7:40 PM  (Updated:  July 3, 2025 8:24 pm)

Putin tells Trump Russia won't back down from its war aims in Ukraine.

The hour-long conversation between the two presidents focused on Russia's war in Ukraine and the situation in the Middle East, according to Kremlin aide Yury Ushakov.