Restoration work continues near Korosten after a locomotive was hit by an enemy UAV. A number of passenger trains are running on a bypass route with delays of up to 7 hours.
In the Zhytomyr region, a freight train derailed, damaging the track and causing an emergency situation with passenger train No. 45/46 Kharkiv – Uzhhorod. The driver and assistant driver of the freight train, as well as one female passenger, were injured.
In Odesa region, bus traffic is being launched through two checkpoints on the Ukrainian-Moldovan border, which previously operated only for passenger cars. This will allow for quick adjustment of passenger routes and reduction of the load on individual directions, and the number of buses that can be processed at the Mohyliv-Podilskyi – Otaci checkpoint has also been increased.
For the first time since 2022, the Odesa-Chisinau railway connection has been restored. Demand for tickets was extremely high, with 60% sold in the first 3 hours.
The Parliament of Moldova has denounced the agreement with Russia on cultural centers, which will lead to the closure of the "Russian House" in Chisinau. The decision was supported by 57 deputies due to violations of Moldovan airspace by Russian drones.
The Russian company Lukoil transferred the fuel terminal at Chisinau Airport for free use due to US sanctions. This will ensure a stable supply of petroleum products for aircraft.
The Moldovan government has decided to close the Russian Cultural Center in Chisinau, known as the "Russian House. " The Minister of Culture stated that under the guise of cultural events, Russians were undermining the country's sovereignty.
Moldova is delaying the accreditation of the Russian ambassador in Chisinau due to his behavior, which does not comply with diplomatic norms. Moldova's acting Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mihai Popșoi, stated that the ambassador acts as if he is already accredited, but his actions do not always conform to diplomatic customs.
Former MP Iryna Kormyshkina, her husband, and son were removed from a plane at Chisinau airport after her husband reacted inappropriately to a flight attendant's remark. Kormyshkina's husband had previously been notified of suspicion of money laundering and a pre-trial restraint measure had been chosen.
Former MP Iryna Kormyshkina was detained at Chisinau airport along with her son while attempting to fly to Vienna. The reasons for the detention and arrest are currently unknown.
Moldovan Prime Minister Dorin Recean announced his resignation, stating that his mandate ends simultaneously with the mandate of the current government. This decision was made after his party's victory in the recent parliamentary elections.
Moldovan President Maia Sandu stated that Russia has launched a hybrid attack on Chisinau to use Moldova in its war against Ukraine. She emphasized that the Kremlin will seek new methods of influencing the country to destabilize the situation.
Pro-Russian oligarch Plahotniuc, extradited to Moldova, may testify about joint schemes with Poroshenko, including scrap metal smuggling to Transnistria.
Ukraine evacuated 48 citizens, including women and children, as well as 9 Palestinians from Gaza. Two evacuees were injured and received medical assistance.
The European Union is preparing to begin technical work on the accession of Ukraine and Moldova, despite Hungary's ongoing blocking of accession negotiations. The European Commission has proposed adjusting the rules to circumvent Hungary's veto, by starting technical work in several "clusters" even without an official decision.
The party of Moldovan President Maia Sandu, PAS, received 50. 20% of the votes in the parliamentary elections. The total voter turnout was 52%, and the results were announced after 100% of the protocols were counted.
Moldova's Central Election Commission has processed 98. 94% of protocols, with the PAS party leading with 49.84% of the votes. The police warned against unrest and detained three individuals for preparing destabilization.
Moldovan police detained three individuals, including two brothers, who coordinated groups from the left bank of the Dniester, for preparing mass riots after the elections. Pyrotechnic and flammable materials, which were planned to be used to provoke panic, were seized from the detainees.
Over half of the votes in Moldova's parliamentary elections have been counted. The PAS party is leading with over 42% of the vote, followed by the "Blocul Patriotic" in second place, and the "Alternativa" bloc in third. Final results will be announced after all protocols have been processed.
The National Police of Moldova stated that they would not allow violations of law and public order during the announced protests in Chisinau. Law enforcement warned of a harsh suppression of any attempts at destabilization or threats to citizens and national security.
Moldovan police discovered a warehouse of pre-election materials containing offensive statements and calls for hatred in a church. Law enforcement officers seized 11 packages of leaflets that were intended to be distributed to parishioners.
The Ministry of Defense of Moldova and the Center for Countering Disinformation of the National Security and Defense Council of Ukraine denied information about alleged mass distribution of conscription notices in Chisinau. These reports were called fake, aimed at destabilizing the situation and manipulating public opinion on the eve of elections.
Former leader of the Democratic Party of Moldova, Vladimir Plahotniuc, has been extradited from Greece to Chisinau. He will be placed under arrest in a solitary cell on charges of stealing a billion dollars.
Moldova is restricting access to the Chisinau airport terminal from September 25 to 30. This is due to the parliamentary elections, the increase in passenger traffic due to the pilgrimage of Hasidim to Uman, and to ensure public order.
Romanian Railways is testing a new direct train route between Bucharest and Kyiv. The four-car train will run once a week via Chisinau.
A court in Chisinau sentenced the Bashkan of Gagauzia, Evghenia Guțul, to 7 years of semi-closed imprisonment. She was accused of financial fraud and illegal financing of the Șor party in 2019-2022.
As of the morning of July 8, Ukrzaliznytsia updated the list of trains delayed due to bad weather, including train No. 749/750 Vienna-Kyiv, which will be delayed by eight hours. Stormy weather conditions in Zakarpattia, Slovakia, and Hungary caused changes in passenger train schedules.
Romanian President Nicușor Dan announced that the European Union will open the first cluster of accession talks with Moldova on July 4. This event will take place during the "EU – Moldova" summit in Chisinau, starting with the "Fundamental Values" cluster.
Ukraine has completed the evacuation of 164 citizens from Iran and Israel, returning them by bus to Kyiv. The operation included a land crossing and air transit through Azerbaijan and Moldova.
Zelensky said that Ukraine will help Moldova avoid energy blackmail by the Russian Federation, which is using the occupied Transnistria. Ukraine will also help reduce the risks for Chisinau.
