Ukraine

Today, European Union ambassadors will consider the 18th package of sanctions against Russia. Journalist Rikard Jozwiak notes that there will be no "white smoke" (decision) today.

Ukraine and Denmark have signed an agreement on the establishment of Ukrainian defense production facilities in Denmark. Denmark has become the first country to which Ukraine exports its own defense technologies for production and supply to the Ukrainian army.

Germany is holding "intensive discussions" on providing Ukraine with Patriot air defense systems. This comes amid intensified Russian attacks and a halt in arms supplies from the US.

Ukrainian military destroyed a Russian flag installed by the occupiers near the Hremyach checkpoint on the border with Chernihiv region. This provocation was aimed at creating the appearance of Russian troops' presence on the territory of Ukraine.

A Chinese component was found in a Russian drone in Kyiv after a night attack. The same night, the building of the Chinese Consulate General in Odesa suffered minor damage from Russian strikes.

Expert Valentyn Hladkykh pointed out that Petro Poroshenko did not fulfill his promise to restore the destroyed Shukhevych museum. On the ruins of the estate, damaged by a "Shahed" in January 2024, weeds are flourishing instead of reconstruction.

The Kremlin commented on Donald Trump's statement about disappointment with the results of his conversation with Vladimir Putin, stating that Russia will continue its "special operation" due to the lack of diplomatic channels. At the same time, Putin's spokesman Dmitry Peskov noted that Russia is also interested in achieving its goals through "political-diplomatic" means.

Poland's Chargé d'Affaires in Ukraine, Piotr Łukasiewicz, reaffirmed Poland's support for Ukraine after the night attack on Kyiv, during which the building of the consular section of the Polish embassy was damaged. The spokesman for the Polish Ministry of Foreign Affairs emphasized the lack of air defense systems in Ukraine.

On July 4, Ukraine and Russia conducted a prisoner exchange, as a result of which servicemen of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, including defenders of Mariupol, as well as civilians, returned home. Among those released are both soldiers and officers, aged 20 to 59.

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.

French President Emmanuel Macron held a telephone conversation with US President Donald Trump, discussing the situation in Ukraine. This happened on the same day that Trump spoke with Vladimir Putin.

A study by Info Sapiens found that 63% of Ukrainians are knowledgeable about currency, but less than 50% understand banking services, taxes, and loans. Only 31% can convert a monthly loan rate into an annual one.

The Russian Ministry of Defense claims that a prisoner exchange with Ukraine took place on July 4, within the framework of agreements reached on June 2 in Istanbul. Russian servicemen have been returned, while a group of Ukrainian Armed Forces prisoners of war has been handed over.

From July 5, 2025, the mandatory submission of state statistical reporting will be restored in Ukraine. This decision will allow assessing the state of enterprises, tracking the labor market, and making effective decisions for the country's recovery.

Due to reduced international supplies, Ukraine increased its own arms purchases and production expenditures. The military needs additional expenditures for the second half of the year, which will be covered by domestic loan bonds and overfulfillment of budget revenues.

Israel will provide Ukraine with additional humanitarian aid, including modern water supply systems for hundreds of thousands of citizens in areas destroyed by shelling. The decision was made by Israeli Foreign Minister Gidon Sa'ar, and the aid will be transferred by the National Agency for International Cooperation.

On July 4, the AFU struck JSC "FNPC "Research Institute of Applied Chemistry" in Sergiyev Posad, Moscow Oblast. The enterprise produces thermobaric warheads for "Shahed"-type UAVs; a fire and heavy smoke were recorded.

During the shelling of Kyiv on July 4, the building of the consular section of the Polish embassy was damaged. Polish Foreign Minister Radosław Sikorski called on the US to resume ammunition supplies to Ukraine and impose new sanctions against Russia.

On July 5, an atmospheric front is expected in Ukraine, bringing rains and a temperature drop to +24+28 degrees across most of the territory. In the south and southeast, the heat will persist up to +34 degrees.

Intelligence services of the Netherlands and Germany have collected evidence of Russia's widespread use of prohibited chemical weapons in Ukraine, including the dropping of a suffocating substance from drones. The Dutch Minister of Defense called for increased sanctions against Moscow, as at least three Ukrainian deaths are linked to the use of chemical weapons.

The number of self-employed professionals in Ukraine has increased by 4% since the start of the full-scale war, reaching 28. 3 thousand. In the first five months of 2025, they paid 292.29 million hryvnias in taxes, which is a third more than last year.

US President Donald Trump confirmed a planned phone call with Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelensky. This comes after Trump stated there was no progress in negotiations with Putin regarding a ceasefire.

Electricity consumption in Ukraine increased by 5. 4% due to active use of air conditioners. NPC "Ukrenergo" calls for shifting the use of powerful electrical appliances to daytime, from 10:00 to 18:00.

Kyiv suffered one of the largest combined attacks, with over 20 damages recorded in 6 districts, Solomianskyi being the most affected. Over 20 people were injured, 14 hospitalized, including a 10-year-old girl.

Yurii Ihnat reported that Ukrainian interceptor drones destroyed dozens of enemy UAVs during the night attack. Mobile fire groups and other air defense assets are also working effectively.

US President Donald Trump stated there was no progress in talks with Vladimir Putin regarding a ceasefire in Ukraine. The conversation took place amidst Russia's night attacks on Ukraine, which resulted in casualties in Kyiv.

The night attack by Russia on Kyiv, one of the worst, occurred immediately after Putin's conversation with Trump. Minister of Foreign Affairs Andriy Sybiha called it a deliberate act, calling for tough sanctions against Moscow and providing Ukraine with means of self-defense.

As of July 4, 2025, Ukraine has harvested 331. 9 thousand hectares of early grain and leguminous crops, yielding 865.7 thousand tons. The harvest is ongoing in nine regions, with Odesa region being the leader.

The Ukrainian market for new trucks and special vehicles has shrunk by 10% since the beginning of the year, reaching 5,629 units. In June, demand fell by 29% compared to last year, with 856 vehicles sold.

Candidate of Medical Sciences Valentyna Korneyeva explained that drinking ice water in the heat can cause serious diseases of the throat and nervous system. She recommends drinking room temperature water or warm tea to effectively quench thirst.