Zelensky fires ambassadors to Georgia, Slovakia and Portugal

6:04 AM  (Updated:  July 3, 2025 2:59 pm)

'One of Russia's most critical targets' — Ukraine confirms strike on missile battery plant in Lipetsk.

The Energia plant in Yelets produces parts for ballistic and cruise missiles, as well as batteries for drones and glide bombs. The factory was previously targeted multiple times this past May.

12:54 PM  (Updated:  July 3, 2025 2:56 pm)

BREAKING: Deputy commander of Russian Navy killed in Ukrainian strike in Kursk, Russian official confirms.

Major General Mikhail Gudkov also led a brigade involved in combat operations against Ukraine. His death reportedly occurred during a Ukrainian attack on a Russian command post.

7:04 PM  (Updated:  July 3, 2025 2:38 pm)

Iran reportedly preparing to mine Strait of Hormuz, a possible boon for Russia's Ukraine war coffers.

If the Strait were mined, Iran could block one-fifth of global oil demand and spike world energy prices — a boon for Russia's oil-dependent economy.

1:26 PM

'A powerful secondary explosion' — Ukrainian drones destroy Russian ammunition depot in Donetsk Oblast, SBU says.

Unconfirmed videos posted to social media show a fire already burning followed by a large explosion and shockwave.

7:20 PM  (Updated:  July 3, 2025 12:56 pm)

Business

As US aid to Ukraine dries up, new platform connects American investors with Ukrainian startups

12:03 PM

Russia's attacks kill 3, injure 34 across Ukraine over past day.

Ukraine's Air Force reported that Russia used 52 drones launched from several directions, including Oryol, Millerovo, and Primorsko-Akhtarsk. Air defenses destroyed 40 of them, including 22 shot down and 18 jammed electronically.

11:00 AM

Russian strike on Poltava kills 2, injures 11, Ukrainian officials say, conscription office set on fire.

According to Ukraine's Land Forces, the attack occurred around 9 a.m. local time. One of the strikes caused a fire at the Poltava conscription office, a local military facility.

10:46 AM

US halts Ukraine-bound weapons already staged in Poland, WSJ reports.

The shipment includes over two dozen PAC-3 Patriot missiles, more than two dozen Stinger air-defense systems, Hellfire air-to-ground missiles, and over 90 AIM air-to-air missiles intended for use with Ukraine's F-16 fighter jets, according to U.S. administration and congressional officials cited by the Wall Street Journal.

10:05 AM

Poland establishes July 11 as National Day of Remembrance for Volyn massacre victims.

The law passed both houses of Poland's parliament with reportedly near-unanimous support. Lawmakers emphasized that the victims of the massacres deserve a permanent place in the nation's collective memory.

7:47 AM  (Updated:  July 3, 2025 9:55 am)

Raybird drones to be built in UK in new joint venture with Ukraine.

Skyeton Prevail Solutions, a joint venture between Ukrainian drone manufacturer Skyeton and U.K.-based defense company Prevail Solutions, will supply the British Army with Raybird drones, the two companies announced on July 2.

8:16 AM

General Staff: Russia has lost 1,023,090 troops in Ukraine since Feb. 24, 2022.

The number includes 1,000 casualties that Russian forces suffered just over the past day.

4:39 AM

Pentagon confirms pause in aid deliveries to Ukraine amid 'capability review.'

Pentagon spokesperson Sean Parnell confirmed on July 2 that some military assistance to Ukraine has been halted as the U.S. Defense Department conducts a review of foreign aid deliveries.

1:47 AM

'They're going to lose more lives' — US lawmakers voice opposition to Trump administration halting air defense shipments to Ukraine.

In a letter to U.S. President Donald Trump about the reported halt of air defense deliveries, Republican Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick, the co-chair of the Congressional Ukraine Caucus, requested an emergency briefing from the White House and Pentagon on the shipments.

10:54 PM  (Updated:  July 3, 2025 12:25 am)

2 people killed, 80 injured in Zhytomyr amid explosions.

The cause of the explosions was not immediately clear and is under investigation, Ukraine's National Police said.

12:07 AM

Ukraine reportedly strikes ammunition depot in occupied Donetsk Oblast.

Videos posted on social media purportedly show massive explosions near the reported ammunition depot, located just east of the Russian-occupied city of Donetsk.

10:58 PM

Opinion

Ukraine's Constitutional Court appointments: A test of EU commitment

10:05 PM

Ukraine war latest: As Russia ramps up missile attacks, US halts promised air defense shipments to Ukraine

9:13 PM

Over 210,000 Russians sign contracts for war in Ukraine in first half of 2025, Moscow says.

"The pace is quite decent, good," Dmitry Medvedev, the deputy chairman of Russia's Security Council and former president, said.

9:00 PM

Azerbaijan

Arrests, raids, beaten and bloodied suspects — how Russia-Azerbaijan relations have unravelled

8:17 PM

European partners reportedly caught off guard as US halts arms shipments to Ukraine.

According to Bloomberg, some European allies hope the Trump administration will soften or reverse the decision.

8:09 PM

War analysis

Russia increasingly targets Ukraine's cities with cluster munitions, raising civilian toll

8:06 PM

Trump & Ukraine

'Major casualties among civilians' — US freeze on air defense missiles is terrible news for Ukraine

7:56 PM

Russia's Kupol military plant reportedly halts operations after Ukrainian drone strike.

The plant produces Tor and Osa air defense systems, as well as Harpy-type attack drones.

7:51 PM

Porn decriminalization petition in Ukraine reaches 25,000 signatures, forcing Zelensky response.

Pornography production and distribution are illegal in Ukraine, with broad interpretations meaning even sharing nude photos can result in jail time.

6:58 PM

NATO chief urges continued US support for Ukraine as Pentagon halts arms shipments.

"When it comes to Ukraine, in the short term, Ukraine cannot do without all the support it can get," NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte said.