Ukrainska Pravda

The Italian capital Rome is hosting a photo exhibition entitled "Behind the Lens: Culture Under Attack", featuring images of the Transfiguration Cathedral of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the Moscow Patriarchate in Odesa, which was destroyed by the Russians.

Source: Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Details: The exhibition is part of the international conference on Ukraine's reconstruction (Ukraine Recovery Conference 2025, URC2025), which will take place in Rome from 10 to 11 July.

The Italian ministry noted that "Behind the Lens: Culture Under Attack" shows not only the scale of the destruction caused by the war in Ukraine but also the power of culture, which remains strong "despite the conflict".

The photographs show the Transfiguration Cathedral in Odesa, which was destroyed by the Russians on 23 July 2023. The House of Scientists, Zhvanetskyi Boulevard, residential buildings and port infrastructure were also damaged in that attack.

A Russian missile hit the central altar, partially destroying the cathedral building. The ceilings of the three lower floors were also destroyed, the interior decoration and icons were significantly damaged, and the service premises in the lower part of the cathedral were completely destroyed.

"The exhibition documents the loss of cultural heritage – the Odesa Cathedral, which was reconstructed by the Italian Agency for Development Cooperation, which will continue its work on the cultural heritage of the historic city centre," the ministry wrote.

The photos were selected from 6,000 photographs taken by Ukrainian photojournalists.

In addition to the Transfiguration Cathedral, the photo shows:

the building of Lviv National University of Natural Resources in Dubliany, which was damaged by the Russians on 1 January 2024. Photo by Roman Baluk,the Church of Archangel Michael, built in 1906, which was destroyed on 16 April 2023. Photo by Dmytro Smolenko.the Chernihiv Drama Theatre, which was hit by the Russians on 19 August 2023. Photo by Stas Kozliuk.

The ministry noted that this project honours the contribution of journalists who continue to document the war and protect collective memory.

The photo project was implemented in 2024 by the Institute of Mass Information, with financial support from the UNESCO Heritage Emergency Fund and the Japanese people.

What is known about the Transfiguration Cathedral

The Transfiguration Cathedral on Soborna Square is the biggest Orthodox church in Odesa. According to the Ukrainian Orthodox Church diocese, its construction began 228 years ago to celebrate Saint Nicholas the Wonderworker.

Architect and military engineer Vincent Vanresant was chosen to design the building. The construction began in 1803, after the Duke de Richelieu became the mayor of Odesa.

The church was consecrated on 25 May 1809.

In 1825, the plans for a new bell tower, designed by the Italian Giovanni Frapolli, were approved. In 1841, the architect Deolaus-Heinrich Heidenreich designed the refectory, which combined the bell tower and the old church.

In the late 19th century, parts of the cathedral were renovated, and in 1894 the entire building underwent an extensive renovation.

The Transfiguration Cathedral is a Classicist architectural monument.

It was not the first time Russian occupation forces attempted to lay waste to the Odesa cathedral; they had already done it once nearly 90 years ago.

On 2 March 1932, the Bolsheviks locked the church up. In 1936, they detonated explosives in the cathedral’s bell tower and its main building – but only after looting it.

When the Soviet occupation of Ukraine ended, Ukrainian experts found the church’s original foundation during archaeological excavation. In 1999, the Cabinet of Ministers (the Ukrainian government – ed.) included the Odesa cathedral in the Programme for the Restoration of Outstanding Lost Monuments of History and Culture of Ukraine.

The Transfiguration Church was rebuilt during 2000-2005, and on 6 January 2005, the lower church was consecrated in honour of St Innocent of Odesa.

In 2023, the Transfiguration Cathedral and the rest of Odesa’s historic city centre were included in the UNESCO World Heritage List.

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EU ambassadors were unable to agree on the 18th package of sanctions against Russia due to Slovakia’s veto during a meeting of the Committee of Permanent Representatives (Coreper) on 9 July.

Source: European Pravda correspondent, citing three anonymous EU diplomats who hold high positions and are familiar with the course of negotiations

Details: Slovakia continues to block the 18th package of sanctions against Russia, and the issue will next be considered at a meeting of EU ambassadors on Friday 11 July.

"There is still no agreement on the 18th package of sanctions, as Slovakia is blocking its adoption," one EU diplomat stressed.

He added that this is happening despite the fact that negotiations with the European Commission in Bratislava on 3 July were described as "good and productive".

Another source asserted that "among the representatives of the EU states, indignation is actually growing. We are simply wasting time but should have given a decisive response to the recent shameful Russian attacks".

"The issue of maintaining the oil price ceiling also remains unresolved; three member states do not want to apply it," noted the third source to European Pravda.

EU ambassadors will return to consideration of the 18th package of sanctions against Russia on Friday 11 July .

Sources report that it is currently planned that agreement on the sanctions package will be reached this week, and it will be approved by the EU Foreign Affairs Council on Tuesday 15 July.

Background:

Ukrainian Deputy Prime Minister Olha Stefanishyna said that EU countries are expected to reach an agreement on the 18th sanctions package this week.The 18th EU sanctions package against Russia was previously discussed and ultimately not adopted during a meeting of the EU Committee of Permanent Representatives (Coreper) in Brussels on 4 July due to Slovakia’s opposition.Slovakia is blocking the sanctions to obtain guarantees from the European Commission on the consequences of a complete rejection of Russian gas from 2028.Earlier, Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty editor Rikard Jozwiak predicted that Slovakia would lift its block on the 18th sanctions package following successful negotiations with the European Commission in Bratislava on 3 July.

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The Russians have attacked the settlements of Rodynske and Kostiantynivka in Donetsk Oblast using an FPV drone and aerial bombs, killing eight civilians.

Source: Donetsk Oblast Prosecutor’s Office

Quote: "At 10:00 today, Russian forces shelled Rodynske once again. This time, they targeted civilian cars using an FPV drone. One vehicle carrying two people caught fire. Both died on the spot. Another car was hit, killing the driver and two passengers."

The scene of the attack**Photo: Donetsk Oblast Prosecutor’s OfficeThe scene of the attack**Photo: Donetsk Oblast Prosecutor’s Office

Details: Ten minutes later, the Russians dropped two FAB-250 aerial bombs equipped with a Unified Gliding and Correction Module (UMPK) on Kostiantynivka. Three men aged 42, 53, and 71, were killed on the street. A 59-year-old local resident sustained a mine-blast injury and shrapnel wounds. Doctors assess his condition as moderate. At least 20 houses have been damaged in the affected areas.

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The European Court of Human Rights has found the Russian Federation responsible for large-scale and systematic human rights violations in the occupied territories of Ukraine before and after 24 February 2022, as well as for the downing of Malaysian Boeing flight MH17 over Donetsk Oblast in 2014.

Source: European Pravda, citing the court's decision

Details: The Russian side was absent during the announcement of the decision, as it had been during previous hearings.

This case combines four interstate complaints against Russia filed with the ECHR by Ukraine and the Netherlands:

Ukraine v. Russia (No. 8019/16) – violations during the armed conflict in Donbas, in particular the downing of MH17, torture, forced labour, etc.;Ukraine v. Russia (No. 43800/14) – abduction and illegal transfer of Ukrainian children to the Russian Federation in 2014;The Netherlands v. Russia (No. 28525/20) – circumstances and consequences of the downing of flight MH17;Ukraine v. Russia (No. 11055/22) – gross human rights violations during the full-scale invasion since 24 February 2022.

The Court unanimously held that it had jurisdiction over the complaints concerning events that took place before 16 September 2022, when Russia's membership of the Council of Europe was suspended.

The Court found the Russian Federation guilty of numerous human rights violations that took place in the occupied territories before and after 24 February 2022, and of their large-scale and systematic nature.

These include arbitrary killings of civilians and prisoners of war, deprivation of liberty, inhuman treatment, use of torture, disregard for the consequences of strikes on the civilian population, systematic suppression of Ukrainian identity, including through the education system, the invasive and abusive security checks, deportation of Ukrainian children and adult civilians deep into the occupied territories or to the territory of the Russian Federation, etc.

The court also established that flight MH17 was shot down over Donbas by a Russian Buk air defence system and that Russia is responsible for it.

Background:

Ukrainian judge at the ECHR Mykola Hnatovskyi noted that this is probably the largest and most important case in the history of the ECHR.This case is unprecedented: 26 states and one international organisation have joined it as third parties.

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The number of property confiscations in Russia is growing rapidly, further complicating the prospects of an already sluggish economy, although it does help to temporarily replenish the depleted state treasury.

Source: Bloomberg

Details: Experts report that the total value of confiscated property since 2022 was approximately US$49.5 billion. In the last year alone, the number of such seizures has tripled.

Of this amount, almost half of those seized are strategically important companies over which the Kremlin seeks to tighten control. The rest are assets in various industries, which are often sold to new owners, with the proceeds going to the budget. In total, lawyers have counted 102 such cases.

Although this allows the government to temporarily replenish the budget and strengthen control over the economy, such practices weaken its stability and effectively destroy the private sector, the very sector that helped Russia withstand sanctions and economic blows after its invasion of Ukraine in 2022.

The authorities use various grounds for confiscation – from violations during privatisation in the past, as well as accusations of corruption or extremism to "protecting public interests", lawyers say.

"The Kremlin is solving two problems at once," explains economist Andrei Yakovlev of Harvard University. "Confiscating property that’s later re-sold creates a new revenue stream for the budget and ‘reshapes the business elite so their fate is tied to the regime’s survival’."

Last year, the federal budget received 132 billion roubles (US$1.6 billion) from the sale of confiscated property, many times more than the planned 1 billion (US$12.7 million). Most of the funds came from assets seized by the Prosecutor General's Office, including the car dealer Rolf and companies in the chemical and agricultural sectors.

Finance Minister Anton Siluanov said in March that he wants to maintain this pace in 2025.

However, Yakovlev says that replacing experienced private owners with people whose success depends solely on state support inevitably reduces the efficiency of the economy.

Background: The Russian government has effectively supported a bill that allows the seizure of property belonging to Russians who have left the country and criticise the authorities: in May, the document was already approved by the State Duma after its first reading.

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Mykola Hnatovskyi, Ukrainian judge at the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR), has described the Court's ruling in the case of Ukraine and the Netherlands v. Russia as historic, noting that it is likely the largest and most important case in the Court's history.

Source: Hnatovskyi on Facebook, as reported by European Pravda

Details: Hnatovskyi stated that the case of Ukraine and the Netherlands v. Russia, which spans about 500 pages not including appendices, is likely to be the most large-scale and significant in ECHR history.

Quote: "The true importance of this ruling will be determined by history. There will be many comments. Today, I only want to thank fate for the opportunity to be part of this Court and draw attention to the logic the Court followed when assessing specific complaints and interpreting the Convention."

Details: Hnatovskyi pointed out that the Court had emphasised the unprecedented nature of Russia's actions in Ukraine throughout the history of the Council of Europe. He added that the character and scale of the violence, as well as the ominous statements by the Russian leadership regarding Ukraine’s statehood, independence, and even its right to exist, pose a threat to peaceful coexistence in Europe. Thus, Russia aims to undermine the foundations of democracy upon which the Council of Europe is built.

The Court noted that in none of the previous conflicts it had reviewed was there such unanimous condemnation from the international community of the respondent state's flagrant disregard for the international legal order established after World War II, nor such clear measures taken by the Council of Europe to sanction this state's contempt for the fundamental values of the organisation.

Quote: "The Court also noted that its task is limited to assessing the compliance of the respondent state’s actions with the fundamental safeguards enshrined in the Convention and its Protocols, which are interpreted with regard to their purpose – to realise the aims and ideals of the Council of Europe by establishing peace based on justice and international cooperation."

Background: On 9 July, the ECHR found Russia guilty of violating multiple articles of the European Convention on Human Rights in a major inter-state case that combined complaints by Ukraine and the Netherlands regarding numerous human rights violations before and after 24 February 2022 and the downing of flight MH17.

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The Kyiv Metropolis of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church continues to show signs of affiliation with the Russian Orthodox Church, even as it tries to distance itself from the Moscow Patriarchate.

Source: results of a study by the State Service of Ukraine for Ethnic Policy and Freedom of Conscience

Details: The research group found that the scope of "independence and autonomy in management" granted by the Russian Orthodox Church to the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the Moscow Patriarchate (UOC-MP) does not mean complete independence in the sense granted to autocephalous churches.

The study points out that the charter of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the Moscow Patriarchate contains signs of its membership in the structure of the Russian Orthodox Church. In addition, the charter of the Russian Orthodox Church stipulates that the bishops of the UOC-MP are members of the Local and Bishops' Councils of the Russian Orthodox Church and participate in their work.

Among other signs, experts did not find in the official documents and decisions of the UOC's governing bodies and the Kyiv Metropolis that the provision of Chapter X of the Statute of the Russian Orthodox Church had lost its validity for the UOC. That is, decisions made by the Bishops' Council of the Russian Church are binding for the UOC.

Background:

On 9 May, the Cabinet of Ministers (Ukrainian government) approved the procedure for investigating religious organisations' involvement in the Russian Federation and the procedure for considering the issue of confirming the facts of a religious organisation's use to propagate the ideology of the Russian world, a general idea of the superiority of Russian Orthodoxy, culture, language, etc., widely promoted by pro-Kremlin figures.The UOC-MP challenged this resolution in court.On 20 May, the State Service of Ukraine for Ethnic Policy and Freedom of Conscience began an investigation into signs of affiliation between the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the Moscow Patriarchate and a banned foreign religious organisation.On 2 July, Volodymyr Zelenskyy revoked the Ukrainian citizenship of Metropolitan Onufriy, the head of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church. According to the Security Service of Ukraine, he has a Russian passport.On 20 August 2024, the Verkhovna Rada passed a law banning religious organisations associated with the Russian Federation in Ukraine. It stipulates that if signs of affiliation of a religious organisation with the Russian Federation are detected, the State Service of Ukraine for Ethnic Policy and Freedom of Conscience must issue an order for the organisation to eliminate them within nine months.

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Valerii Zaluzhnyi, current Ambassador of Ukraine to the United Kingdom, and President Volodymyr Zelenskyy enjoy the highest levels of public trust among Ukrainians, followed closely by Kyrylo Budanov, Head of Defence Intelligence of Ukraine.

Source: a poll conducted by the Rating sociological group on 4-5 July

Details: The sociologists asked respondents whether they trusted five top officials. The results are based on the combined share of those who answered "fully trust" or "rather trust".

Valerii Zaluzhnyi received the highest level of trust (73%), followed by Volodymyr Zelenskyy (67%) and Kyrylo Budanov (56%).

Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine Oleksandr Syrskyi is trusted by 41% of respondents and Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal by one quarter.

The poll was conducted among 1,000 respondents in Ukrainian government-controlled territory. The margin of error with a 0.95 confidence level does not exceed 3.1%.

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The results of a July poll have shown that most Ukrainians (64%) expect the United States to continue supporting Ukraine with weapons, either fully or partially.

Source: results of the Rating sociological survey

Details: The survey results indicate that most Ukrainians expect the US to continue supplying weapons.

Meanwhile, only 11% of respondents expect the US to supply Ukraine with weapons in full, while 8% do not expect any American military aid.

In addition, 25% expect that the aid will be minimal, and the majority (53%) expect it to be partial, meaning it will continue.

The survey was conducted among 1,000 respondents on 4-5 July 2025 using the CATI method (computer-assisted telephone interviews).

Sample format: random sample of mobile phone numbers (Ukrainian population aged 18 and older in all regions, except for the temporarily occupied territories of Crimea and Donbas, as well as territories where Ukrainian mobile communications were unavailable at the time of the survey).

The sample is representative in terms of age, gender and type of settlement (margin of error – no more than 3.1% with a confidence level of 0.95).

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German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has stated that the "diplomatic means" for resolving the Russian-Ukrainian war have been exhausted and promised further aid to Ukraine on Wednesday 9 July.

Source: Merz during budget debates in the Bundestag, as reported by European Pravda

Details: Merz pledged continued German support for Ukraine during the debates.

He asserted that it was necessary to assess the current threatening situation with a clear head and make important decisions. Merz added that Germany would continue to support Ukraine, even despite resistance from the pro-Russian far-right force in the parliament and that this support would be maintained.

The German chancellor then stressed that the means and resources of diplomacy had been exhausted when a criminal regime openly questioned the right of an entire country to exist, used military force, and sought to destroy the political order of freedom across the European continent. He stated that the federal government, under his leadership, would do everything in its power to prevent this.

Background:

In June, German Defence Minister Boris Pistorius stated that Germany would provide Ukraine with an additional military aid package worth €1.9 billion.Germany is also engaged in "intensive negotiations" with the United States regarding the provision of Patriot air defence systems to Ukraine.

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Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal held an online meeting on 8 July with his Romanian counterpart Ilie Bolojan, who was recently appointed.

Source: Shmyhal on Facebook, as reported by European Pravda

Details: The Ukrainian prime minister said he thanked Bolojan for actively supporting Ukraine, "in particular for including a section in the new government’s programme focused on strengthening cooperation with Ukraine".

"During the conversation, we discussed current security challenges in the region caused by Russia’s war against Ukraine. I proposed holding a trilateral meeting in the near future involving the prime minister of Moldova," Shmyhal said.

Other topics included strengthening sanctions against Russia and using its frozen assets to compensate for the damage it has caused.

Shmyhal also noted the opening of the Dyakivtsi–Racovăț border checkpoint for large passenger buses and emphasised the importance of border infrastructure development.

"I proposed holding the second joint meeting of the governments of Ukraine and Romania. I look forward to close personal dialogue with Prime Minister Bolojan to further develop the Ukrainian-Romanian partnership," the prime minister concluded.

Background:

The new coalition government in Romania, led by former acting president and National Liberal Party leader Ilie Bolojan, was approved on 23 June.That same month, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Moldovan President Maia Sandu, and Romanian President Nicușor Dan held their first trilateral meeting.

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Lithuania and Finland intend to start producing anti-personnel mines next year for their own needs as well as for Ukraine due to the military threat from Russia.

Source: Reuters citing representatives of the two countries, as reported by European Pravda

Details: The two countries bordering Russia – Finland and Lithuania – have announced their intention to withdraw from the Ottawa Convention, which prohibits the use of such mines, and, as government officials report, production can begin after the completion of a six-month withdrawal process.

"We are going to spend hundreds of millions of euros on anti-tank mines, but also on anti-personnel mines. It will be a significant amount," said Lithuanian Deputy Defence Minister Karolis Aleksa.

He said that tens of thousands of anti-personnel mines, or even more, will be ordered.

"Our national industry will be one of the sources. Our industry can make these," Aleksa said.

Vincas Jurgutis, head of the Lithuanian Defence Industry Association, said that once production is up and running, Lithuania will be able to supply mines to other countries, including Ukraine.

Heikki Autto, chairman of the Finnish Parliament's Defence Committee, said that his country should have its own production of anti-personnel mines.

"They are a highly effective and very cost-efficient weapons system," he said.

He also said that Finland could supply anti-personnel mines to Ukraine.

"It is not only right and our duty to support Ukraine, it is also important for Finland's own security," Autto said.

He stated that before joining the Ottawa Treaty in 2011, Helsinki had over a million anti-personnel mines.

Finnish defence companies Nammo Lapua, Insta and Raikka have informed the parliamentary defence committee that they are interested in producing mines. Another company, Forcit Explosives, has stated that it is ready to discuss opportunities with the military.

When asked whether Latvia would start producing anti-personnel mines, the country's Ministry of Defence did not give a clear answer, but noted that the Latvian defence industry "has the necessary capabilities and the metalworking sector is highly advanced".

Estonian Defence Minister Hanno Pevkur said his country had no immediate plans to purchase anti-personnel mines.

Background:

The 1997 Ottawa Convention has come under increased pressure due to Russia's war against Ukraine, especially in Russia's neighbouring countries, which fear an expansion of Moscow's aggression.In March, Poland, Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia announced their intention to withdraw from the international convention due to the threat to NATO member states bordering Russia and Belarus.Finland's recent decision to withdraw from the treaty left Norway as the only European country bordering Russia that does not plan to follow its allies.Norway has criticised this decision.

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Maja Riniker, speaker of the lower house of Switzerland’s parliament, has visited Ukraine on a multi-day trip during which she visited Kyiv and Kharkiv.

Source: Swiss Parliament on X (Twitter), as reported by European Pravda

Details: The speaker of Switzerland’s National Council visited Ukraine on 7-8 July, travelling to both Kyiv and Kharkiv.

"In my role as President of the National Council, it is important for me to gain a detailed picture and first-hand information about the situation in Ukraine and the status of Swiss-supported projects," she said.

🇨🇭🤝🇺🇦 Nach den gestrigen Treffen in Kyjiw mit dem Vorsitzenden der Werchowna Rada, Ruslan Stefantschuk, und Präsident Wolodymyr Selenski, hat Nationalratspräsidentin @MajaRiniker heute Schweizer Projekte in Charkiw, sowie Vertreter lokaler Behörden besucht: «Diese Treffen sind… pic.twitter.com/Kjeaw0hxn6

— Parl CH (@ParlCH) July 8, 2025

In Kyiv, Riniker met with her Ukrainian counterpart Ruslan Stefanchuk and President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. On the second day, she travelled to Kharkiv, where she spoke with local officials and visited Swiss-funded projects.

Switzerland supports various initiatives in Kharkiv Oblast, including humanitarian aid, demining and vocational training programmes.

Background:

In June, Switzerland joined a number of measures under the EU’s 17th package of sanctions against Russia.The country also plans to begin talks with the EU on defence procurement cooperation.

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One person was injured as a result of a Russian FPV drone attack on Chernihiv Oblast.

Source: Viacheslav Chaus, Head of Chernihiv Oblast Military Administration, on Telegram

Quote: "An FPV drone hit a 54-year-old woman who was riding a moped in the Snovsk hromada." [A hromada is an administrative unit designating a village, several villages, or a town, and their adjacent territories – ed.]

Details: The woman sustained shrapnel wounds and burns and was taken to hospital.

Background: The Russians have been attacking civilians in Kherson Oblast with FPV drones almost daily for several years. On the morning of 9 July alone, the Russians wounded two Kherson residents.

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CNN journalists have obtained an audio recording of one of Donald Trump's private meetings with campaign donors last year, in which he talks about how, during his first presidential term, he threatened the leaders of Russia and China over their potential plans to attack Ukraine and Taiwan.

Source: European Pravda with reference to CNN

Details: CNN published the recording on 8 July.

The news website says it's an audio recording from last year's meeting between Trump and his campaign donors. In it, he talks about how he supposedly threatened the leaders of Russia and China with the toughest response possible if they dared to invade Ukraine and Taiwan.

"With Putin I said, ‘If you go into Ukraine, I’m going to bomb the sh*t out of Moscow. I’m telling you I have no choice’," Trump said.

He continued that Putin reacted with doubt. "But he believed me 10%," Trump added.

Trump shared that he also issued a warning in his communication with Chinese leader Xi Jinping regarding possible plans to capture Taiwan and threatened to "bomb Beijing". "He thought I was crazy," Trump added.

Background: In recent days, the US president has significantly changed his position on military aid to Ukraine and his rhetoric regarding the Kremlin leader. In particular, Trump expressed doubt for the first time that the Russian ruler wanted peace and said that Putin talks a bunch of nonsense.

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A large fire has broken out at an industrial facility after a Russian attack on Kyiv Oblast, with the flames spreading across 8,000 square metres.

Source: State Emergency Service of Ukraine; Viktoria Ruban, spokesperson of the State Emergency Service of Ukraine in Kyiv Oblast, in a comment to Ukrainska Pravda

Quote from the State Emergency Service: "Efforts are ongoing to extinguish a fire that broke out in Kyiv Oblast as a result of the nighttime enemy attack. The fire started at a factory. It covers an area of 8,000 sq m."

Firefighter extinguishing the fire**Photo: State Emergency Service of Ukraine

Details: Ruban noted that the fire had broken out at a wood pallet processing plant in the village of Trebukhiv in the Brovary district.

Firefighter extinguishing the fire**Photo: State Emergency Service of Ukraine

"The fire has been contained. Extinguishing efforts are ongoing. Early reports indicate that there were no casualties," she added.

Firefighter trying to extinguish the fire in the buildingPhoto: State Emergency Service of Ukraine*Firefighters extinguishing the fire.*Photo: State Emergency Service of Ukraine

Background:

On the night of 8-9 July, Russian forces conducted another large-scale attack on Ukraine using missiles and drones. Air defence was responding in many oblasts, including the capital.A woman was injured and hospitalised as a result of the attack on the Brovary district.

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The General Prosecutor's Office of the Russian Federation added Yale University, one of the most prestigious universities in the world, to its list of undesirable organisations on 8 July.

Source: Politico

Details: The prosecutor's office claimed that Yale University's activities threaten the Russian Federation's national security and sovereignty. The department also said that the universityʼs "activities are directed at the violation of the territorial integrity of the Russian Federation, the international blockade of the country and the undermining of its economic foundations".

Inclusion in the list of undesirable organisations means a complete ban on the activities of an institution in the Russian Federation, following Russian law. Individuals who cooperate with Yale University or participate in its projects risk up to six years in prison.

The prosecutor's office paid special attention to the School of Global Affairs, which, as stated by the Russians, conducts "training opposition leaders of foreign countries".

The statement claims that some Russian graduates of this programme joined the Anti-Corruption Foundation, an organisation created by Alexei Navalny, who died in a Russian colony in 2024. The prosecutor's office said that these graduates "used the knowledge and technologies they acquired at the school to escalate protest activity in the Russian Federation".

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Russia conducted an attack using 741 aerial assets on the night of 8-9 July. Ukraine's air defence has managed to down 718 drones and missiles, but 4 hits have been recorded and debris have fallen in 14 locations.

Source: Ukraine's Air Force

Details: Starting from 20:00 on 8 July, the Russians used:

728 Shahed loitering munitions and decoy drones of various types launched from the Russian cities of Bryansk, Primorsko-Akhtarsk, Kursk, Oryol and Millerovo;seven Kh-101/Iskander-K cruise missiles launched from Engels in Saratov Oblast and from Kursk Oblast;six Kh-47M2 Kinzhal aeroballistic missiles launched from the airspace over Lipetsk Oblast.

The city of Lutsk in Volyn Oblast was the main target.

Early reports indicate that as of 08:00, air defence has downed 718 aerial assets, namely 303 were shot down by firepower and 415 disappeared from radar:

296 Russian Shahed UAVs (and other types of drones) were shot down by firepower, while 415 disappeared from radar or were suppressed by electronic warfare;all seven Kh-101/Iskander-K cruise missiles were downed.

Russian strikes hit four locations and debris from downed aerial assets fell in 14 others.

Aircraft, anti-aircraft missile units, electronic warfare units, unmanned systems units and mobile fire groups from Ukraine's defence forces were involved in repelling the attack

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A total of 183 combat clashes have occurred on the battlefield over the past day, with the Russians conducting 67 attacks on the Pokrovsk front.

Source: General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine on Facebook, information as of 08:00 on 9 July

Details: In total, 183 combat clashes were recorded over the past day.

On the North Slobozhanshchyna front and in Russia's Kursk Oblast, 16 combat clashes were recorded. The Russians conducted 12 airstrikes, dropping 21 guided bombs, and fired 326 times, including six times from multiple-launch rocket systems.

On the South Slobozhanshchyna front, 11 combat clashes occurred near the settlements of Vovchansk, Zelene, Ambarne and Kamianka.

On the Kupiansk front, four Russian attacks occurred. Ukraine's defence forces repelled Russian assaults near the settlements of Zahryzove, Stepova Novoselivka and Holubivka.

On the Lyman front, the Russians conducted 19 attacks. They tried to advance near the settlements of Novyi Myr, Karpivka, Zelena Dolyna, Torske, Ridkodub and Hryhorivka and towards Shandryholove and Serednie.

On the Siversk front, four Russian attacks targeted Ukrainian positions near the village of Ivano-Darivka and towards Serebrianka and Vyimka.

On the Kramatorsk front, three combat clashes occurred, with the Russians trying to advance towards the settlements of Stupochky and Bila Hora.

On the Toretsk front, Russian forces conducted 10 attacks near the settlements of Dyliivka, Toretsk, Yablunivka and Rusyn Yar and towards Katerynivka and Oleksandro-Kalynove.

On the Pokrovsk front, Ukrainian defenders repelled 67 Russian attacks near the settlements of Popiv Yar, Poltavka, Myrne, Malynivka, Myroliubivka, Razine, Lysivka, Shevchenko, Zvirove, Udachne, Promin, Novoserhiivka, Muravka, Oleksiivka, Zelenyi Kut and Horikhove and towards Pokrovsk, Volodymyrivka, Molodetske and Novopavlivka.

On the Novopavlivka front, Ukraine's defence forces repelled 36 Russian assaults near the settlements of Zaporizhzhia, Piddubne, Myrne, Komar, Voskresenka, Shevchenko, Zelene Pole, Vilne Pole and Novopil.

On the Huliaipole front, the Russians attacked Ukrainian positions near the village of Malynivka once.

On the Prydniprovske front, the Russians conducted one unsuccessful attempt to approach Ukrainian defence positions.

Ukraine's Air Force and units of Rocket Forces and Artillery struck two Russian artillery systems, 10 areas where Russian manpower, weapons and equipment were concentrated and one Russian command post.

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Polish fighter jets were scrambled for patrolling during a large-scale Russian aerial attack targeting Lutsk and Zhytomyr on the night of 8-9 July.

Source: European Pravda; Operational Command of the Polish Armed Forces on X (Twitter)

Details: The command's website reported at about 3:00 that Polish and allied fighter jets had launched an operation in Polish airspace in response to the Russian air attack against Ukraine.

"All available forces and means at the disposal of the chief of the General Staff have been put on alert, another pair of fighter jets has been scrambled, and ground-based air defence and radar systems have been put on high alert," the post reads.

An update that the operation was halted due to a reduced threat was published at around 6:00.

"The Polish Armed Forces are constantly monitoring the situation in Ukraine and remain on high alert to ensure the safety of Polish airspace," the post added.

Background:

Poland also scrambled its fighter jets during Russia's combined air attack against Ukraine on the night of 28-29 June. The procedure has become standard after a series of incidents in which missiles landed on Polish territory during large-scale aerial attacks against Ukraine.UAVs and missiles of various types targeted Lutsk and Zhytomyr during the combined Russian attack on the night of 8-9 July. The mayor of Lutsk has already called it the largest attack on the city since the beginning of the full-scale invasion. The attack caused fires and destruction. There is no information on casualties as of now.

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US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth did not inform the White House of his decision to halt arms supplies to Ukraine before it happened.

Source: CNN, citing its sources, as reported by European Pravda

Details: Five sources familiar with the situation surrounding the supply of American weapons to Ukraine said that Hegseth did not inform the White House that he had decided to pause arms deliveries to Ukraine.

Keith Kellogg, Trump's Special Envoy for Russia and Ukraine, and Secretary of State Marco Rubio also knew nothing about it and first heard about the situation from the press, according to one senior administration official and two other sources.

The sources said that this was the second time in a year that Hegseth had made a unilateral decision on weapons for Ukraine, which then baffled other national security officials. The three sources said that the first time this happened was in February, and the decision was quickly reversed.

When asked on Tuesday who made the decision, President Trump evaded the question with the phrase, "I don't know. Why don't you tell me?"

White House spokeswoman Karoline Leavitt also avoided confirming or denying that it was Hegseth’s unilateral decision. She noted that the Pentagon had reviewed its stocks to ensure that all support going to foreign countries was in line with American interests and that Trump had decided to continue military aid to Ukraine. She also added that the president has complete confidence in the defence secretary.

Background:

Last week, it became known that the Pentagon had suspended the transfer of some artillery ammunition and air defence equipment to Ukraine, citing the need to preserve weapons to defend against other threats.However, on 7 July, Trump announced that the United States should send Ukraine defensive weapons. According to media reports, he told Zelenskyy in a phone conversation that he was not personally involved in the decision to halt supplies.Axios reported that Trump has ordered 10 Patriot air defence missiles to be sent to Ukraine and is also pressuring Germany to sell one of its Patriot batteries to Ukraine.

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The European Union plans to create a new €100 billion fund for long-term support to Ukraine, as Europe sees no signs of the war ending.

Source: Bloomberg, citing informed sources

Details: Bloomberg reported that these funds could be part of the EU's proposal for its next seven-year budget, which is to be presented in July. If agreed by member states, funding will begin in 2028, providing stable assistance to Ukraine.

It is noted that since the start of Russia's full-scale invasion three and a half years ago, the EU has already provided Ukraine with nearly €160 billion. This includes a €50 billion package of grants and loans, estimated until 2027. In addition, together with the G7 countries, the EU has created a separate US$50 billion credit facility using revenues from frozen Russian assets.

The new fund is planned to be implemented using a similar model: the European Commission will provide funding in the form of grants and cheap loans. Most of the payments will be linked to reforms necessary for Ukraine's integration into the EU.

The proposal is expected to be discussed before the publication of the next EU Multiannual Financial Framework, scheduled for 16 July. However, according to Bloomberg sources, some details may be disclosed later.

EU Economy Commissioner Valdis Dombrovskis told reporters on Tuesday 8 July that the EU is currently examining various options to secure funding for next year.

"The bloc is ready to provide all necessary support for Ukraine for as long as it’s needed," Dombrovskis said.

He also noted that the European Commission is considering options to increase aid not only from the EU budget, but also from revenues from frozen Russian sovereign assets after the International Monetary Fund assesses Ukraine's potential financing gap.

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President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy has announced a meeting of all Ukrainian ambassadors on 21 July.

Source: Zelenskyy's evening address on 8 July

Quote from Zelenskyy: "There was also a report from the Minister of Foreign Affairs [Andrii Sybiha] on the upcoming meeting of all Ukrainian ambassadors, scheduled for 21 July. Clear tasks have been set for the diplomats, as well as several Reform steps within the Ministry of Foreign Affairs system – these will be presented by the Minister. We are preparing to significantly expand the capabilities of Ukrainian diplomacy."

Background:

Foreign Minister of Ukraine Andrii Sybiha said that Volodymyr Zelenskyy intends to replace ambassadors to the Group of Seven countries, including the United States.Volodymyr Zelenskyy said that Ukraine would hold a meeting with ambassadors in July to discuss their work to counter Russian aggression.

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Three people have been killed and another 11 injured in Russian attacks on Donetsk Oblast over the past day.

Source: Vadym Filashkin, Head of Donetsk Oblast Military Administration, on Telegram

Quote: "The Russians killed three residents of Donetsk Oblast on 8 July: two in Bilytske and one in Novyi Donbas. Another 11 people in the oblast were injured over the day."

Details: In total, the Russians have killed at least 3,327 and injured at least 7,491 civilians in Donetsk Oblast since the beginning of the full-scale invasion.

Filashkin emphasises that these figures do not take into account the casualties caused by the Russians in Mariupol and Volnovakha.

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