In the temporarily occupied territories of Ukraine, Russians are using Ukrainian children to assemble FPV drones. Training takes place in children's camps, where schoolchildren are prepared for technical work for the occupier's army.
The Russian army continues attempts to break through the defense of the Ukrainian Armed Forces in several directions, but Ukrainian defenders are holding back the enemy. According to ISW, the Ukrainian Armed Forces advanced in Sumy Oblast, while the Russians advanced in the Kupyansk and Toretsk directions.
In the temporarily occupied territories, Russian military personnel are massively seizing smoothbore weapons from civilians. More than 240 units have already been handed over to the invaders for use against Ukrainian Armed Forces drones.
Russian President Vladimir Putin intends to continue the war in Ukraine, ignoring Donald Trump's threats of sanctions.
A large-scale fire has been raging in Mariupol for several hours, starting with grass ignition in the AS-2 area. The fire spread to garages and approached the occupiers' new buildings, with smoke covering the Prymorskyi and Central districts.
Occupiers in Luhansk region are forcing students of vocational schools to intern at a local prosthetic factory. This is due to the need for prosthetics for Russian soldiers returning from the war without limbs.
The American publication The New York Times published a report about life in the Kursk region, where the author describes "devastation and deaths" after the actions of the Ukrainian military. The Center for Countering Disinformation states that the publication retransmits Russian narratives, as it does not mention the beginning of the war in 2014 and the full-scale invasion.
Andriy Kovalenko, head of the NSDC's Center for Countering Disinformation, refuted Bild's publication about the Kremlin's plans for a broad offensive in Ukraine by the end of summer. He noted that the Russians have not stopped their offensive since last year, and their actions are a continuation of pressure, not a new offensive.
Russia plans a new offensive in Ukraine by the end of summer, ignoring calls for peace. The occupiers intend to expand hostilities beyond the occupied territories.
On July 13, cloudy weather with clearings is expected in Ukraine. The air temperature will range from +24°C to +29°C, in Donetsk and Luhansk regions up to +38°C.
Fugitive businessman Serhiy Kurchenko and a number of high-ranking Russian officials have been served with a notice of suspicion for appropriating Ukrainian enterprises in the occupied territories. From 2017 to 2021, they exported products worth over 55 billion hryvnias to Russia and other countries.
Over the weekend, July 12 and 13, contrasting weather is expected in Ukraine: up to +38 degrees in the east, and +21 to +25 degrees in the west. Localized rain with thunderstorms is expected, particularly in Kyiv on Saturday evening.
More than 500 foreigners from 28 countries have died at the front in Russia's war against Ukraine. Among them, the majority are citizens of Tajikistan and Uzbekistan, many of whom ended up at the front from Russian penal colonies.
Dmitry Patrushev, Deputy Head of the Russian Government, has been served with a notice of suspicion for war crimes. He is accused of misappropriating agro-industrial assets in the occupied territories and illegally exporting Ukrainian grain.
The European Court of Human Rights found Russia guilty of systemic human rights violations in the occupied territories of Ukraine since 2014, including executions, torture, and deportations. The decision covers four major proceedings, including the Netherlands' claim regarding the downing of MH17 and the full-scale invasion.
The European Court of Human Rights will announce its decision on July 9 in the case "Ukraine and the Netherlands v. the Russian Federation". The case concerns systemic human rights violations in the occupied territories of Donetsk and Luhansk regions and the downing of flight MH17.
The Center of National Resistance published a report on the situation in the temporarily occupied territories of Ukraine in the first half of 2025. Russia is militarizing the TOT, creating new military bases and depleting Ukrainian resources, which leads to a humanitarian catastrophe.
The occupation administration in Luhansk region increased bus fares, explaining it by improved service quality and driver shortage. Since the beginning of the year, the cost of travel has increased by 60%.
In Melitopol, the arrival of Russian Armed Forces personnel, equipment, and weaponry has been recorded. The units are reinforced with contract soldiers and mobilized personnel from the temporarily occupied territories of Donetsk, Luhansk, and Kherson regions.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov announced conditions for ending the war, including recognition of annexed territories and demilitarization of Ukraine. He also demands the lifting of sanctions, the return of assets, and Ukraine's neutral status.
President Zelenskyy reported on eight stages of a major exchange, as a result of which hundreds of Ukrainians have returned since June. Among them are defenders of Mariupol, military personnel, and civilians who had been in captivity since 2022.
Ukrainian partisans of the "ATESH" movement destroyed a relay cabinet near Debaltseve in Donetsk region. This disrupted logistics and delayed supplies for Russian troops in the Donetsk direction.
In the temporarily occupied territories, Russian instructors are conducting courses for young people, teaching them to identify "disloyal residents" and write denunciations. Special emphasis is placed on teenagers to expand the repressive apparatus.
On July 4, Ukraine conducted a prisoner exchange, bringing back military personnel, including those from Mariupol, and civilians, most of whom had been in captivity since 2022. Among those released are seriously wounded, seriously ill, and those under 25 years old.
Ukraine has returned its defenders and civilians, most of whom had been in Russian captivity since 2022. Among those released are servicemen of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, National Guard, State Border Guard Service, State Special Communications Service, who defended Ukraine in various regions.
DeepState analysts reported the occupation of Milove and Stroivka in Kharkiv Oblast. The enemy also advanced near Topoli, Fedorivka, and in Piddubne.
Russian invaders will conduct testing for employees of occupation administrations on their knowledge of Russian history and the so-called "SVO". Collaborators previously attended lectures by Russian propagandists.
The head of the "LPR" Leonid Pasichnyk announced the full occupation of Luhansk region, but the Ukrainian side refutes this. Fighting continues near Bilohorivka, Hrekivka, Nadiia, and Novoiehorivka, as well as in Serebryansky forest.
In the temporarily occupied territories of Luhansk region, more than 20 children took part in the "All-Russian Drone Piloting Championship," where they are taught to assemble, program, and operate drones used for military purposes. For "success," participation in the final in Sochi is promised, where loyal youth from the TOT will be selected.
ISW analysts indicate that the Russian Federation has larger territorial ambitions in Ukraine than Crimea and the four annexed regions. Putin and his inner circle use narratives about "Donbas", "Novorossiya" and "one people" to justify their encroachments.
