Ukraine

Russia has stopped publishing monthly population statistics, making it difficult to assess the demographic situation. This is happening amid significant losses in the war against Ukraine and a decline in birth rates.

The SBU detained a former reserve lieutenant colonel of the Defense Forces, who was recruited by the FSB after being discharged from service in 2023. He collected information about Ukrainian Armed Forces units in the Sumy region and was supposed to create an enemy network.

According to the Foreign Intelligence Service, as of July 3, Russia has harvested 3. 8 million tons of grain, which is four times less than last year. The average yield decreased from 41 to 31 centners per hectare, and in the occupied territories of Ukraine, the harvest is almost half as much.

Strong winds, thunderstorms, hail, and heavy rains caused damage in 8 regions of Ukraine, felling trees, damaging roofs, and leaving people without electricity. Rescuers are eliminating the consequences of the bad weather, clearing trees and restoring traffic.

On July 9, anomalous heat up to +39 degrees Celsius is expected in most regions of Ukraine. In the west, Zhytomyr region, and Vinnytsia region, rains, thunderstorms, and hail are forecast.

Nazariy Hryntsevych, a defender of Mariupol with the call sign "Grinka", will be posthumously awarded the title of Hero of Ukraine. He died on May 6, 2024, as announced by the President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

The Ukrainian national team won 14 awards, including six gold medals, at the Junior and U23 European Rowing Championship in Romania. Ukrainians took second place in the overall medal standings.

Donald Trump told Volodymyr Zelensky that he did not stop arms supplies to Ukraine, but only ordered a review of the Pentagon's stockpiles. The US is ready to provide Ukraine with as much military assistance as it can allocate.

In the first half of 2025, 161 apartment buildings were damaged in Sumy, compared to 19 for the entire year of 2024. In total, from February 24, 2022, to June 24, 2025, 142 deaths and 1460 damaged buildings were recorded in Sumy.

Due to bad weather, border crossing operations have been temporarily suspended at the Dzvinkove-Lonya checkpoint on the Ukrainian-Hungarian border. For border crossing, it is recommended to use the nearest checkpoints Kosyno or Velyka Palad.

The European Commission is considering options to finance Ukraine's budget deficit for next year, which could reach $19 billion. Off-budget grants, advance loans, and the use of Russian assets are being discussed.

Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan stated that Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Donald Trump, and Vladimir Putin see no problems with a meeting at the leaders' level. Fidan recalled that the negotiations in Istanbul were the moment when Russia and Ukraine came closest to peace.

The European Union is considering further financial assistance to Ukraine after 2026. Danish Minister of Economy Stephanie Lose confirmed that this issue will be a priority during Denmark's presidency of the EU Council.

A 19-year-old Lviv resident was detained in Zakarpattia for the thirteenth time attempting to illegally cross the border. He was trying to get to Hungary, seeking better living conditions.

Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine Andriy Sybiha signed an order on reforming the structure of the agency. The changes include the creation of new departments and directorates that correspond to the realities of war and international diplomatic practices.

The Ministry of Health of Ukraine provides recommendations for safely enduring abnormally high temperatures exceeding +30°C. The advice includes rules for drinking, nutrition, behavior in the sun and indoors, as well as specifics for working outdoors.

French President Emmanuel Macron begins a three-day state visit to London, the first since 2008. He is expected to meet with King Charles III and discuss the migration agreement.

In the first half of 2025, 31,753 electric vehicles were registered in Ukraine, which is 30% more than last year. Among new cars, BYD Song Plus EV and Volkswagen ID. UNYX are leading, while among used cars, Tesla Model Y and Nissan Leaf are the leaders.

Chinese suppliers play a key role in providing Russia with components for the production of attack drones used against Ukraine. 92% of foreign components in Russian drones are of Chinese origin, with supplies made directly and through intermediaries.

Great Britain has imposed sanctions on two Russians and one legal entity for the development of chemical weapons. Among them are the deputy commander of the Russian Armed Forces' radiation, chemical, and biological protection troops and an institute that supplies grenades with chemical substances.

The National Bank of Ukraine set the official hryvnia exchange rate at UAH 41. 7975/USD, which means a devaluation of 6 kopecks. The euro exchange rate is UAH 49.02/EUR, and the zloty is UAH 11.54/PLN.

In Kharkiv, the number of victims of the Russian attack on July 7 in the Kholodnohirskyi district increased to 39, including 3 children. In total, 1 person died and 40 were injured in the Kharkiv region; the enemy used various types of weapons.

In Kyiv, police detained two foreigners, aged 25 and 27, for publicly displaying Nazi symbols. Clothing, a flag, and a chevron with prohibited images were seized from them.

The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine reported 188 combat engagements over the past day, half of which occurred in the Pokrovsk and Novopavlivka directions. The enemy launched 2 missile and 68 air strikes, using 3373 kamikaze drones.

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%.

On July 7, Russian troops lost 1070 soldiers and 41 artillery systems. The total combat losses of the enemy from 24.02.22 to 08.07.25 are estimated at 1,028,610 personnel.

On July 7, Zaporizhzhia Oblast suffered 503 strikes on 13 settlements, resulting in 64 reports of destruction. These included 5 airstrikes, 337 UAV attacks, 8 MLRS shellings, and 153 artillery strikes.

On July 8, hot weather is expected in Ukraine with temperatures up to +39° in most of the territory. In the western regions, short-term rains, thunderstorms, sometimes hail and squalls are forecast, and significant rains in Zakarpattia and Prykarpattia.

According to Barrot, the European Union is preparing a new package of sanctions against Russia, which will be the toughest in the last three years. The restrictions will be aimed at the financial and energy resources of the Kremlin, and may also affect foreign companies that help circumvent previous sanctions.

In the temporarily occupied territories of Ukraine, Russians are forcing schoolchildren to subscribe to propaganda publications, including "Journal of the Firsts". This publication, a product of the Kremlin youth movement, has become mandatory for high school students in Kherson region.