Russian armed forces

8:00 AM

New NATO commander takes helm as alliance lauds outgoing chief for modernizing defense.

NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte presided over the handover, commending outgoing U.S. Army General Christopher G. Cavoli for his contributions to modernizing NATO's collective defense and bolstering support for Ukraine.

7:44 AM

Ukraine strikes deep into Russia with drones, targets airfields after record Kyiv barrage.

The Russian Defense Ministry reported a total of 42 drones destroyed, with 37 of them intercepted in three regions bordering Ukraine: Belgorod, Bryansk, and Kursk.

5:47 AM

Moldova's EU future rests on September election, President Sandu says.

Moldovan President Maia Sandu hopes her pro-European Party of Action and Solidarity (PAS) will retain its parliamentary majority in the September 28 elections.

4:41 AM

NATO chief urges US 'flexibility' on Ukraine aid as Washington halts deliveries.

"The US has to make sure that the stockpiles are at the level we need for the U.S. to have, because they are crucial for our collective defense," Rutte told reporters on July 4. "At the same time, of course, we hope for the flexibility, we have to make sure also that Ukraine can move forward."

2:59 AM

'Coalition of the willing' for Ukraine to meet in UK on July 10, Politico reports.

"On the agenda, there's how to maintain Ukraine in a capacity to fight, how to increase pressure on Russia, and how to continue the work on the next steps," an unnamed French official told Politico.

12:44 AM

US did not halt weapons shipments to Ukraine, Meloni says.

The U.S. has "reviewed" the components it is supplying Ukraine, but did not halt assistance, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni said.

11:23 PM

'There will be 1,000 units per day' — Ukrainian commander warns of increased Russian Shahed drone attacks.

Robert "Magyar" Brovdi, commander of the elite drone unit "Birds of Magyar," warned on July 4 that Russian Shahed drone strikes could increase to 1,000 per day, prompting Ukraine to consider relocating drone production.

10:33 PM

Russia

Death of top Russian oil executive fuels fresh scrutiny of elite's 'window falls'

10:22 PM

War update

Ukraine war latest: Russia pounds Kyiv with record overnight drone, missile attack, 1 dead, 26 injured

9:24 PM

Germany reportedly mulls $29 billion tank, vehicle order to deter Russia.

Berlin is reportedly considering purchasing up to 2,500 GTK Boxer armored vehicles and up to 1,000 Leopard 2 battle tanks.

9:20 PM

Field report

Russia launches another horrific attack on Kyiv moments after Trump-Putin talks call

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.