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New Ukrainian PM Svyrydenko: Kyiv, Washington to launch joint drone deal under Trump-Zelenskyy mega pact

zelenskyy; major executive overhaul

The US plans to invest in the production of Ukrainian drones. New Prime Minister Yuliia Svyrydenko has announced that Ukraine intends to sign a drone agreement with American partners, Reuters reports.

Drone warfare has defined the Russo-Ukrainian war, with unmanned systems deployed across air, land, and sea. Ukraine and Russia remain locked in a fast-paced arms race, constantly advancing their drone technologies and testing new offensive and defensive systems.

“We plan to sign a ‘drone deal’ with the United States. We are discussing investments in the expansion of production of Ukrainian drones by the US,” says Svyrydenko.

The official has clarified that the deal involves the purchase of a large batch of Ukrainian unmanned aerial vehicles.

Svyrydenko added that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and US President Donald Trump made the political decision on the agreement earlier, and officials are now discussing its details.

Earlier, Euromaidan Press reported that both leaders were considering what’s being called a “mega deal.” Under the proposed agreement, Kyiv would sell its combat-hardened drone systems to Washington. In return, it would sell Ukraine a significant array of American weapons.

Zelenskyy emphasized that Ukraine is ready to share its knowledge gained from over three years of fighting against Russia’s full-scale invasion.

You could close this page. Or you could join our community and help us produce more materials like this. We keep our reporting open and accessible to everyone because we believe in the power of free information. This is why our small, cost-effective team depends on the support of readers like you to bring deliver timely news, quality analysis, and on-the-ground reports about Russia's war against Ukraine and Ukraine's struggle to build a democratic society. Become a patron or see other ways to support

À venir aux Terrasses Urbaines Rimouski Hyundai

Pour sa deuxième semaine d’activités en 2025, les Terrasses Urbaines Rimouski Hyundai proposent notamment de la musique, de l’animation et de la danse au menu de sa programmation.

Deuxième semaine – lundi 21 juillet au dimanche 27 juillet

  • Lundi 21 juillet 2025
  • Mardi 22 juillet 2025
  • Mercredi 23 juillet 2025
    • 17 h
      • Benoit Gauthier | Les 5 à l’Angélus (Place du 6-mai-1950)
    • Boîte musicale Méga Scène
      • 17 h 30 – Danse dans la rue (École de danse Quatre Temps)
  • Jeudi 24 juillet 2025
    • Boîte musicale Méga Scène
      • 15 h 30 – Danse dans la rue, troupe des 4 à 9 ans (École de danse Quatre Temps)
      • 19 h – Choeur Gospel de l’École de musique du Bas-Saint-Laurent, prestation musicale
      • 21 h – Karaoké (Présenté par les Bains Publics)
  • Vendredi 25 juillet 2025
    • 11 h à 20 h
      • Calie et Hoya Atelier
      • Halte Artisans Puribec
    • Boîte musicale Méga Scène
      • 16 h – Animation en direct avec Dany (Présenté par FLO 96,5 FM)
      • 20 h – Danse dans la rue (École de danse Quatre Temps)
  • Samedi 26 juillet 2025 (Fin de semaine de la famille, présentée par Desjardins)
    • 11 h à 20 h
      • Calie et Hoya Atelier
      • Halte Artisans Puribec
    • 13 h 30
      • La Fée Binette | Maquillage
      • Halte Urbaine Via Capitale Horizon
    • 13 h 30 à 16 h Party Mousse Hawaïenne (Au coin de la rue Belzile)
      • Glissade gonflable
      • Présence d’Abibeille, mascotte Desjardins
    • Boîte musicale Méga Scène
      • 13 h 30 – Mini-Cyclone – Initiation au vélo (Rimouski Ville Cyclable)
      • 16 h – CardioDanse | Thématique Familiale
      • 17 h 30 – CardioDanse | Thématique Latino
      • 20 h – Joelle Robichaud, autrice, compositrice, interprète, prestation musicale
  • Dimanche 27 juillet 2025 (Fin de semaine de la famille, présentée par Desjardins)
    • 11 h à 20 h
      • Calie et Hoya Atelier
      • Halte Artisans Puribec
    • 13 h 30 à 16 h 30
      • La Fée Binette | Maquillage
      • Halte Urbaine Via Capitale Horizon
    • 13 h 30 à 16 h 30 – Le Défi Interactif BUNKER IPS
    • 13 h 30
      • Atelier de dessin
      • Halte Via Capitale Horizon
    • Boîte musicale Méga Scène
      • 13 h 30 à 16 h 30 – Bingo familial gratuit (Présenté par FLO 96,5 FM)

Informations supplémentaires

La programmation des Terrasses Urbaines Rimouski Hyundai est en constante évolution et des événements peuvent y être ajoutés. Des changements peuvent aussi y être faits, sans préavis.

Il est recommandé de suivre l’organisation des Terrasses Urbaines Rimouski Hyundai sur les réseaux sociaux pour des mises à jour régulières.

Lithuania to Belarus: Stop letting Russian war drones cross into NATO skies

lithuania belarus stop letting russian war drones cross nato skies gerbera drone crashed after crossing 10 2025 lithuanian ministry defense delfi faef0490-f619-4a61-a806-80cb37fa8f94 uav’s illegal flight triggered diplomatic escalation vilnius ukraine

Lithuania protests to Belarus over a Russian drone that entered from its territory and crashed just inside NATO airspace. The Lithuanian Foreign Ministry called the incursion a serious violation in an official statement on Facebook and demanded urgent explanations from Minsk.

Lithuanian officials now consider the 10 July incursion part of a broader pattern of Russian UAV violations of NATO airspace. Russia launches hundreds of drones against Ukraine daily, and some of them either stray off course or are deliberately sent into neighboring countries.

Lithuania cites airspace violation in formal protest to Belarus

On 16 July, Lithuania summoned the acting chargé d’affaires of Belarus and handed over a diplomatic note of protest. The protest came after a Russian-made Gerbera drone illegally entered Lithuania and crashed roughly one kilometer from the border.

In a post published on its official Facebook page, the Lithuanian Foreign Ministry wrote that the drone had crossed from Belarusian territory into Lithuanian airspace on 10 July and demanded a prompt explanation from Minsk. It described the incident as an illegal intrusion by a Russian-made, multifunctional unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV).

The Ministry called on Belarus to take “all necessary measures” to ensure that similar incidents do not happen again.

lithuania belarus stop letting russian war drones cross nato skies gerbera drone crashed after crossing 10 2025 lithuanian ministry defense delfi faef0490-f619-4a61-a806-80cb37fa8f94 uav’s illegal flight triggered diplomatic escalation vilnius ukraine
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Lithuania tracks fake Russian Shahed from Belarus—NATO jets scrambled

Belarus held responsible for Russian drone’s NATO incursion

Lithuania’s Secretary of National Security Kęstutis Budrys, quoted by Delfi, said Belarus is fully responsible for allowing the drone to cross into Lithuania. “This is a serious violation,” Budrys stated. He noted that the object could have been part of a UAV group used in Ukraine.

“It’s likely this drone was used in the war,” he said, suggesting the Gerbera UAV might have been part of Russia’s combat operation before it reached NATO airspace.

The Lithuanian Foreign Ministry emphasized that Belarus must explain the incident immediately and prevent any future drone violations from its territory.

Defense Minister Dovilė Šakalienė told LRT that authorities are still investigating the intent behind the drone’s entry.

“We can confirm it was a Gerbera,” she said. “Its use could vary — we are trying to establish why it was flown here.”

You could close this page. Or you could join our community and help us produce more materials like this. We keep our reporting open and accessible to everyone because we believe in the power of free information. This is why our small, cost-effective team depends on the support of readers like you to bring deliver timely news, quality analysis, and on-the-ground reports about Russia's war against Ukraine and Ukraine's struggle to build a democratic society. Become a patron or see other ways to support

Republicans in Congress Shift to Backing Ukraine, Matching Trump’s Reversal

After years pressing to end U.S. aid to Ukraine, many Republicans have abandoned that position now that President Trump is supporting the country against Russian aggression.

© Eric Lee/The New York Times

Representative Derrick Van Orden, Republican of Wisconsin, previously opposed aid to Ukraine but has voiced support for the president’s latest plan to send it weapons.

Republicans in Congress Shift to Backing Ukraine, Matching Trump’s Reversal

After years pressing to end U.S. aid to Ukraine, many Republicans have abandoned that position now that President Trump is supporting the country against Russian aggression.

© Eric Lee/The New York Times

Representative Derrick Van Orden, Republican of Wisconsin, previously opposed aid to Ukraine but has voiced support for the president’s latest plan to send it weapons.

Ukraine plans massive minefields along 3,000-kilometer border with Russia and Belarus

tm-62 anti-vehicle state emergency service ukraine news ukrainian reports

Ukraine aims to strengthen the defense of over 3,000 kilometers of its border with Russia and Belarus. Roman Kostenko, Secretary of the Parliament Committee on National Security, says that to achieve this, Kyiv is seeking a temporary suspension of the Ottawa Convention on the prohibition of anti-personnel mines, UkrInform reports. 

Russia has never signed the Ottawa Convention, and has been laying mines across Ukrainian territory for over two years. Moscow troops have planted dense minefields along key routes where Ukrainian troops might advance. They have deployed mines via hand emplacement, rocket delivery, and have scattered them in rural and urban areas using drones.

The Ottawa Convention bans anti-personnel landmines worldwide. Since 1999, it has drawn 164 countries committed to destroying their mine stockpiles and clearing contaminated land, as mines can cause severe injuries and deaths among civilians. However, given that Ukraine has the right to protect itself, the government temporarily suspended its participation in the treaty.

“Considering the over 3,000 km border with Russia and Belarus, it is necessary to create a minefield at least several dozen kilometers wide, a preventive defense,” Kostenko explains.

Anti-personnel mines are effective, low-cost, and straightforward means of holding positions and creating denial zones for enemy infantry. They can demoralize the adversary and significantly complicate their movements and operations.

Kostenko emphasizes that fortifications without mine barriers are often ineffective.

“The enemy bypasses them. They are not always built in the right places. Fortifications must be guarded or be part of a combined system with mine barriers. One without the other does not work,” he says. 

According to him, the use of anti-personnel mines will allow Ukraine to rapidly defend positions and significantly enhance the country’s defensive capabilities.

Six months ago, Lithuania and Finland also withdrew from the Ottawa Convention. Now, they are preparing to start the domestic production of anti-personnel landmines to supply their militaries and Kyiv. This decision reflects growing European concerns that Russia’s military ambitions may extend beyond Ukraine. China and the US never signed the document.

You could close this page. Or you could join our community and help us produce more materials like this. We keep our reporting open and accessible to everyone because we believe in the power of free information. This is why our small, cost-effective team depends on the support of readers like you to bring deliver timely news, quality analysis, and on-the-ground reports about Russia's war against Ukraine and Ukraine's struggle to build a democratic society. Become a patron or see other ways to support

US to sell nearly $10 billion in weapons to NATO allies supplying Ukraine

Trump says NATO meeting was “nice.” Zelenskyy wore a suit. The war goes on

The American foreign policy takes an unexpected turn as the US ramps up arms supplies to NATO for Ukraine. President Donald Trump has announced a sharp increase in arms shipments to European allies, intended for eventual transfer to Ukraine, a dramatic reversal of his earlier stance on the war, Axios reports. 

On 14 July, the American president made several major statements about Russia’s war on Ukraine during a joint briefing with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte in Washington. Notably, he confirmed the delivery of 17 Patriot air defense systems to Ukraine, stating that most of them will be deployed soon. He also hinted that more weaponry may follow.

According to a well-informed source, the first wave of deliveries will see the US sell roughly $10 billion worth of weapons to NATO partners for Ukraine. 

“The supplies ultimately bound for Ukraine include missiles, air defense weaponry and artillery shells,” the report writes. 

This marks a fundamental shift in Trump’s stance towards Ukraine, as he initially refused to take sides and insisted on providing only defensive weapons to avoid escalating the war. 

In addition, he issued a stark ultimatum to Moscow: Russia has 50 days to agree to a peace deal, or face 100% tariffs. Journalists note that such a move could significantly impact global oil markets.

A White House official told Axios that Moscow must agree to a ceasefire during that time to avoid harsh sanctions and tariffs.

NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, for his part, reiterated that Ukraine seeks peace. He noted that the Alliance, which would pay for Kyiv’s weapons, would now assess what the country specifically needs. After that, NATO will properly structure military aid packages. The country will gain access to a wide array of weapons, including missile defense systems and ammunition.

You could close this page. Or you could join our community and help us produce more materials like this. We keep our reporting open and accessible to everyone because we believe in the power of free information. This is why our small, cost-effective team depends on the support of readers like you to bring deliver timely news, quality analysis, and on-the-ground reports about Russia's war against Ukraine and Ukraine's struggle to build a democratic society. Become a patron or see other ways to support

Trump says US to impose 100% tariffs on Russia if war doesn’t end in 50 days

The US is ready to hit the Kremlin with tariffs if peace isn’t reached soon. President Donald Trump has announced that he will impose strict secondary tariffs on Russia and its allies if a peace agreement on Ukraine is not reached within the next 50 days, UNIAN reports. 

The statements came amid escalated Russian attacks. In June alone, Moscow launched 330 missiles and 5,000 drones on Ukraine. 

He believes the proposed 100% tariff restrictions could serve as a decisive lever of pressure on Moscow.

In addition, Washington will supply Ukraine with 17 Patriot air defense systems, some of which are expected to arrive within days. The countries that agreed to transfer the systems will receive replacements from the US The coordination of deliveries will be overseen by Matthew Whitaker, the US representative to NATO, in cooperation with the Alliance.

Patriots, the only weapons Ukraine possesses that are capable of intercepting ballistic missiles, are essential for protecting its cities from Russian aerial assaults. Moscow uses such missiles mainly to terrorize civilians. 

Trump has also agreed with the EU on a joint program to supply weapons to Ukraine. Production will remain US-based, but the financial burden will fall largely on EU countries.

The US president has also recognized the bravery of the Ukrainians resisting Russia’s massive strikes on a daily basis. According to Trump, Russia continues targeting civilian infrastructure, not just military targets, destroying cities, power grids, and residential areas, posing a long-term humanitarian crisis for Ukraine’s population.

He has also voiced disappointment with Russian President Vladimir Putin, from whom he had expected a readiness for a ceasefire two months ago. However, the Kremlin has continued its aggressive course, prompting the US to prepare a powerful economic response.

Earlier, reports emerged that Trump was considering providing Ukraine with powerful air-launched JASSM cruise missiles.

With a range of up to 370 km, a 450 kg warhead, and high-precision targeting, the JASSM could change the dynamics of Ukraine’s defense capabilities, especially amid Russia’s summer offensive.

You could close this page. Or you could join our community and help us produce more materials like this. We keep our reporting open and accessible to everyone because we believe in the power of free information. This is why our small, cost-effective team depends on the support of readers like you to bring deliver timely news, quality analysis, and on-the-ground reports about Russia's war against Ukraine and Ukraine's struggle to build a democratic society. Become a patron or see other ways to support

Belarusian Mi-24 helicopter shoots down Russian drone flying to Ukraine

Mi-24 helicopters

A Belarusian Air Force Mi-24 helicopter attacked and destroyed a Russian “Gerbera” strike drone heading toward Ukraine on 12 July, a source in Ukraine’s Defense Ministry Main Intelligence Directorate told Hromadske.

The source indicated that at least three Russian drones were operating in Belarusian airspace at the time of the incident.

“The Belarusian air defense helicopter, while performing airspace control duties, reported the detection and destruction of the strike drone,” the intelligence source said, according to Hromadske.

Debris from the downed drone fell in the Gomel region of Belarus, the source confirmed.

The incident occurred during a massive Russian attack on Ukraine involving 339 Shahed strike drones, 258 other types of unmanned aircraft, and 26 Kh-101 cruise missiles. Russian forces targeted multiple Ukrainian oblasts, with Kharkiv, Lviv, Lutsk, and Chernivtsi coming under Russian fire.

In Lutsk, a private residence was destroyed. Lviv’s Zaliznychny district saw a fire on the roof of a non-residential building, with several buildings damaged, including residential structures and a kindergarten. Windows were blown out and dozens of vehicles were damaged. Nine people were injured, with no fatalities reported.

Chernivtsi suffered casualties from the Russian attack, with two people killed and ten injured.

You could close this page. Or you could join our community and help us produce more materials like this. We keep our reporting open and accessible to everyone because we believe in the power of free information. This is why our small, cost-effective team depends on the support of readers like you to bring deliver timely news, quality analysis, and on-the-ground reports about Russia's war against Ukraine and Ukraine's struggle to build a democratic society. Become a patron or see other ways to support

Belarus airspace exploited again as Russia unleashes deadly Shahed barrage—Ukraine hit with 3,000+ aerial weapons in a week

belarus airspace exploited again russia unleashes deadly shahed barrage—ukraine hit 3000+ aerial weapons week house burns dnipropetrovsk oblast following russian overnight attack 13 2025 telegram serhii lysak used during drone

Russia used Belarus airspace during a deadly drone assault that contributed to over 3,000 aerial weapons fired on Ukraine in the past week. The strikes killed at least seven civilians and injured 20 more over the past 24 hours. Russia targeted rear areas during the day and frontline cities overnight, Ukrainian official sources reported.

Russia carries out daily aerial assaults on Ukrainian cities, targeting almost exclusively residential areas to crush civilian morale. These strikes almost always involve hundreds of explosive drones, carrying up to 50 kg of payload each. Fewer launches, like last night, usually signal that Russia is preparing for a larger attack soon.

Russian bombs kill civilians in Sumy city and oblast

On 12 July around 13:00, Russian guided bombs hit the Sumy community, local authorities reported. A married couple, both 65 years old, died. The strike destroyed two homes and damaged at least 14 others.

That evening around 22:00, nine Russian Shahed drones and two guided bombs struck Shostka. The attack injured three civilians. A 53-year-old and a 57-year-old man are in serious condition. A 37-year-old woman received outpatient care.

The Sumy Oblast Military Administration confirmed damage to 12 homes and a school. A local business also sustained hits. Operational Command North reported nine Shahed drone strikes and two guided bomb impacts.

Air Force confirms 60 drones launched, 40 neutralized

Ukraine’s Air Force reported that from 14:00 on 12 July through the morning of 13 July, Russia launched 60 drones. These included Shahed explosive drones and decoy UAVs.

More than 40 Shaheds were reportedly part of the attack. Over 20 of them targeted rear oblasts during daylight hours. Overnight, Russia struck frontline cities in Donetsk, Sumy, and Dnipropetrovsk oblasts.

Ukraine’s air defenses intercepted 20 drones. Another 20 were either suppressed or lost radar contact due to electronic warfare.

Despite these defenses, 20 drones hit five confirmed locations across Ukraine, Air Force said.

Zelenskyy: Russia launches 3,000+ aerial weapons in a week, escalating air war to prolong conflict

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Russia launched more than 1,800 drones, 1,200 guided bombs, and 83 missiles in the past seven days. He warned that Moscow seeks to terrorize cities and delay peace.

Ukraine intercepted hundreds of Shaheds this week. Zelenskyy called for more support to expand air defense technology.

“We must neutralize this threat,” he said. “Then diplomacy can begin to work.”

isw russia’s true drone target ukrainian western morale—ukraine needs more patriots russian missile air attacks 2025 strikes ukraine 1 12 commenting russia's attack said continues assess ongoing large-scale assaults intended
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ISW: Russia’s true drone target is Ukrainian and Western morale—Ukraine needs more Patriots

Russian strikes kill and injure Kherson civilians

After midnight on 13 July, Russian forces shelled Kherson’s Korabelnyi district. A 75-year-old woman and a 44-year-old man suffered brain and blast injuries. Medics hospitalized both.

Earlier, a 72-year-old man sustained shrapnel wounds in another drone strike. In Bilozerka, Russian artillery fire injured a 40-year-old man at home. He received outpatient treatment.

On 12 July, Russia killed one woman and injured four more locals in Kherson Oblast, local authorities reported.

More civilians killed and wounded across Ukraine, local authorities say

In Donetsk oblast, Russian attacks killed three people on 12 July. The dead were from Sloviansk, Myrnohrad, and Bilozerske. Seven more civilians suffered injuries across the oblast.

In Novodanylivka, Zaporizhzhia oblast, rescuers found a 77-year-old woman’s body in a destroyed home. Shelling likely trapped one more local resident under the rubble. A 66-year-old man also suffered injuries in Polohy district.

In Synelnykove, Dnipropetrovsk oblast, a Russian guided bomb killed an 88-year-old woman. The Russian attacks also injured a 37-year-old man on the previous day. Fires damaged five houses. Emergency crews contained the blaze.

Kharkiv oblast reported new injuries over the past 24 hours. Russian strikes hit Kupiansk and Slobozhanske. The attacks injured three men, aged 72, 69, and 67.

Belarus again enables Russian air operations

Russia routed some Shahed drones through Belarusian airspace during the 12 July drone strike on Ukraine, Militarnyi reported. The outlet cited the Nikolaevsky Vanyok Telegram channel, linked to the Ukrainian air defenses, which reported that three Shaheds were approaching Ukraine’s Zhytomyr Oblast from Belarus.

Moscow has used this tactic before. In 2024, similar drone overflights were recorded, and Belarusian jets reportedly shot some down. 

You could close this page. Or you could join our community and help us produce more materials like this. We keep our reporting open and accessible to everyone because we believe in the power of free information. This is why our small, cost-effective team depends on the support of readers like you to bring deliver timely news, quality analysis, and on-the-ground reports about Russia's war against Ukraine and Ukraine's struggle to build a democratic society. Become a patron or see other ways to support

Coup d’envoi des Terrasses Urbaines Rimouski Hyundai

Pour sa première semaine d’activités en 2025, les Terrasses Urbaines Rimouski Hyundai proposent notamment de la musique, de la danse et de l’artisanat, au menu de sa programmation.

Voici la liste des activités à venir pour la fin de semaine d’ouverture des Terrasses :

  • Samedi 12 juillet 2025
    • 11 h à 20 h
      • Girl Crush | Vêtements
      • Halte Artisans Puribec
    • Boîte musicale Méga Scène
      • 17 h 30 – CardioDanse, thématique Disco
      • 19 h 30 – DJ Vente de garage, thématique disco, funk et soul
  • Dimanche 13 juillet 2025
    • 11 h à 20 h
      • Girl Crush | Vêtements
      • Halte Artisans Puribec
    • Boîte musicale Méga Scène
      • 13 h 30 – Danse en ligne, thématique Pop (École de danse Martine et Robin)

Première semaine – lundi 14 juillet au dimanche 20 juillet

  • Lundi 14 juillet 2025
    • À venir
  • Mardi 15 juillet 2025
    • À venir
  • Mercredi 16 juillet 2025
    • 11 h à 20 h
      • Perles en folies | Bijoux
      • Halte Artisans Puribec
    • 17 h
      • MLou | Les 5 à l’Angélus (Place du 6-mai-1950)
    • Boîte musicale Méga Scène
      • 17 h 30 – Danse dans la rue (École de danse Quatre Temps)
  • Jeudi 17 juillet 2025
    • 11 h à 20 h
      • Perles en folies | Bijoux
      • Halte Artisans Puribec
    • Boîte musicale Méga Scène
      • 15 h 30 – Danse dans la rue, troupe des 4 à 9 ans (École de danse Quatre Temps)
      • 17 h – Danse en ligne, thématique Pop (École de danse Martine et Robin)
      • 20 h – Karaoké (Présenté par les Bains Publics)
  • Vendredi 18 juillet 2025
    • 11 h à 20 h
      • Perles en folies | Bijoux
      • Halte Artisans Puribec
    • 11 h à 20 h
      • Réflexologie Claudia Bur
      • Halte Urbaine Via Capitale Horizon
    • Boîte musicale Méga Scène
      • 14 h 30 – Danse en ligne dans la rue (École de danse Thérèse Gagnon)
      • 16 h – Animation en direct avec Dany (Présenté par FLO 96,5 FM)
      • 17 h 30 – CardioDanse, thématique Country
      • 19 h 30 – Danse en ligne country-western, Carmain Laporte et Josiane Roussel (Présenté par le Festival Country Western de Saint-Gabriel de Rimouski)
      • 20 h 45 – Duo Harvey Stéphane & Michael, prestation musicale (Présenté par le Festival Country Western de Saint-Gabriel de Rimouski)
  • Samedi 19 juillet
    • 11 h à 20 h
      • BERGER | Artiste peintre
      • Halte Artisans Puribec
    • Boîte musicale Méga Scène
      • 15 h à 16 h – Atelier culinaire avec Chef John Mike (Présenté par Gordon Alimentation)
      • 17 h – Danse en ligne, thématique Country (École de danse Martine et Robin)
      • 20 h – Show country avec John Mike, prestation musicale
  • Dimanche 20 juillet
    • 11 h à 20 h
      • BERGER | Artiste peintre
      • Halte Artisans Puribec
    • Boîte musicale Méga Scène
      • 13 h 30 – Danse en ligne, thématique Country (École de danse Martine et Robin)

Informations supplémentaires

La programmation des Terrasses Urbaines Rimouski Hyundai est en constante évolution et des événements peuvent y être ajoutés. Des changements peuvent aussi y être faits, sans préavis.

(Photo courtoisie)

Il est recommandé de suivre l’organisation des Terrasses Urbaines Rimouski Hyundai sur les réseaux sociaux pour des mises à jour régulières.

Ben Jealous, Sierra Club’s Executive Director, on Leave After Rocky Tenure

Ben Jealous, who joined the environmental group in 2023, has clashed with some employees and the organization’s union.

© Craig Hudson for The New York Times

Ben Jealous, executive director of the Sierra Club, at a climate rally in Washington in 2023. He is now on leave.

David Gergen, Adviser to Presidents and Political Commentator, Dies at 83

He served under Nixon, Ford, Reagan and Clinton before becoming a top editor and a familiar TV pundit. “Centrism doesn’t mean splitting the difference,” he said.

© Paul Hosefros/The New York Times

David Gergen in 1997. A longtime Beltway insider, he helped set the agenda for four presidents, from Richard M. Nixon to Bill Clinton.

Top Kremlin mouthpiece says Putin treats Trump’s Kyiv arms shift with indifference, calls to seize more Ukrainian territories

isw russia tries hide weaknesses behind victory day parade russia's 9 moscow 2025 youtube/kremlin grate patriotic warr shitshow projecting power strength conceal significant limitations its capabilities while distracting battlefield failures

After US President Donald Trump announced new arms shipments to Ukraine, Moscow dismissed his stance on the war as “political swings.” This comment came from former Russian President Dmitry Medvedev.

In his post, Medvedev referred to Trump not by name, but simply as “the American.” Often called the Kremlin’s “mouthpiece” for his apocalyptic social media statements reflecting Moscow’s official position, Medvedev has frequently issued nuclear threats aimed at the West.

“The American is once again riding his favorite political swings: ‘I’m satisfied with the conversation with Putin.’ ‘I’m disappointed with the conversation with Putin.’ ‘We’re not supplying new weapons to Ukraine.’ ‘We will supply lots of weapons to Ukraine for defense.’ How should we respond? As always — not at all,” Medvedev wrote on social media.

He added that not only Russian soldiers, but also the “Supreme Commander-in-Chief,” referring to Russian President Vladimir Putin, treat Trump’s words the same way — with complete disregard.

At the same time, Medvedev called to “take back our land” and “work for victory,” without clarifying that these Ukrainian territories never belonged to Russia and therefore cannot be “taken back.” Under international law, Russia’s actions are considered armed aggression and occupation.

Earlier, Trump publicly criticized Medvedev over his hints about the possibility of other countries transferring nuclear weapons to Iran, reminding him of the risk of such words.

Later, Medvedev clarified that Russia would not transfer nuclear weapons to Iran, although, in his opinion, other countries might do so. Such statements showed Moscow adopted a cautious stance toward the US to avoid further economic damage and the reinforcement of Western support to Ukraine.

You could close this page. Or you could join our community and help us produce more materials like this. We keep our reporting open and accessible to everyone because we believe in the power of free information. This is why our small, cost-effective team depends on the support of readers like you to bring deliver timely news, quality analysis, and on-the-ground reports about Russia's war against Ukraine and Ukraine's struggle to build a democratic society. Become a patron or see other ways to support

Land Mines, a Cold War Horror, Could Return to Fortify Europe’s Borders

Five countries plan to revive the use of a weapon prohibited by treaty for more than a quarter of a century, hoping to strengthen their defenses against any Russian attack.

© Finbarr O'Reilly for The New York Times

A demining team clearing a field in 2023 in Makariv, Ukraine, an area near Kyiv that was occupied by Russian forces during the early months of the war.

Ukraine’s Defense Intelligence: Russia loots ancient treasures from Crimea’s UNESCO heritage site

Ruins of the 6th century Roman basilica built on the site of an earlier temple in the ancient city of Tauric Chersonesus (also Chersonese or Chersonesos) in Russia-occupied Sevastopol, Ukraine (Image: Wikimedia)

Russian occupiers have appropriated 110 cultural artifacts discovered during illegal archaeological excavations in occupied Crimea between 2014 and 2025, Ukraine’s Defense Intelligence reports.

This primarily concerns Chersonesus Taurica, inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List, an ancient city-state founded by Greek colonists in the 6th century BCE in what is now Sevastopol. The site preserves archaeological landmarks, including remnants of fortifications, temples, baths, a mint, and a city reservoir, spanning from antiquity to the medieval era.

Details about the stolen items have been published in the Stolen Heritage section of the War&Sanctions portal. The website was launched to expose and document individuals, companies, and entities that support or facilitate Russian aggression against Ukraine. 

The artifacts were uncovered by the occupiers during unauthorized digs at archaeological sites such as the Artezian Settlement, Genoese Fortress of Chembalo, and the Southern Suburb of Chersonesus Taurica,” the report states.

Among the stolen findings are cultural items from the Kadykivske settlement, the site of a Roman military camp where the occupation authorities in Sevastopol are planning to build a shopping mall. Additionally, some of the stolen artifacts were removed from the National Preserve of Chersonesus Taurica.

Interestingly, Chersonesus Taurica has unique urban planning based on the principles of ancient democracy, with equal land allotments forming the basis for citizenship rights and political participation. Years after its rise, the Russian annexation of Crimea had a devastating impact on the site. The occupation authorities destroyed large parts of the ancient archaeological remains, including a cemetery dating back to the Roman Empire. 

“The portal section has been updated with details on the locations of illegal digs, theft of cultural heritage, and other unlawful actions by the Russian occupation regime in Crimea,” Ukraine’s military intelligence adds.

The agency emphasizes that each war crime committed against the Ukrainian people will be justly punished.

You could close this page. Or you could join our community and help us produce more materials like this. We keep our reporting open and accessible to everyone because we believe in the power of free information. This is why our small, cost-effective team depends on the support of readers like you to bring deliver timely news, quality analysis, and on-the-ground reports about Russia's war against Ukraine and Ukraine's struggle to build a democratic society. Become a patron or see other ways to support

HUR publishes Russian military order, claims proof of Moscow increasing military footprint in Armenia

HUR publishes Russian military order, claims proof of Moscow increasing military footprint in Armenia

Ukraine's military intelligence (HUR) on July 7 published what it claimed was a Russian army order to increase its military presence at a base in Armenia, two days after HUR's warning of such a move was denied by Yerevan.

HUR first made the claim on July 5, saying Russia was increasing its forces at the Gyumri base to exert greater influence in the South Caucasus and "destabilize the global security situation."

Armenia's Foreign Ministry denied the claim on the same day.

In a post on social media on July 7, HUR published a document which it said was a "order from the commander of the troops of the Southern Military District of the Russian Armed Forces on the 'replenishment' of the Russian military base in Armenia."

"The telegram lists a list of measures for the urgent “replenishment” of the units of the Russian unit by selecting personnel from among the servicemen of the 8th, 18th, 49th and 58th combined arms armies of the Southern Military District of the Russian Armed Forces," HUR said.

The news comes amid a major deterioration in Russian-Azerbaijani relations after a deadly June 27 operation in Russia's Yekaterinburg, where Russian security forces killed two Azerbaijani nationals and injured several others in a raid linked to a 2001 murder case.

Armenia has had a historically close relationship with Russia but the relations between Yerevan and Moscow have recently deteriorated.

Russia's leverage over both Baku and Yerevan has diminished dramatically since Azerbaijani troops captured Nagorno-Karabakh, an Armenian-controlled region in Azerbaijan, in 2023.

Russian peacekeepers later withdraw from the region, and now Baku and Yerevan are negotiating a permanent peace deal.

Armenia, which has lambasted Moscow for failing to help it during the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, is drifting closer to the West.

Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan has suspended the country's membership in a Russian-led military alliance and announced plans to join the European Union. Recently there has also been a crackdown on the pro-Russian opposition in Armenia.

Arrests, raids, beaten and bloodied suspects — how Russia-Azerbaijan relations have unravelled
Deaths in custody, media offices raided, and beaten and bloodied suspects paraded in court — relations between Russia and Azerbaijan, once considered close, have sharply deteriorated in recent days amid a series of high-profile incidents. The latest tensions erupted over the weekend when Russian law enforcement officers detained over 50 Azerbaijani
HUR publishes Russian military order, claims proof of Moscow increasing military footprint in ArmeniaThe Kyiv IndependentTim Zadorozhnyy
HUR publishes Russian military order, claims proof of Moscow increasing military footprint in Armenia

Armenia denies Russian troop surge. Ukraine reveals orders proving buildup

armenia denies russian troop surge ukraine reveals orders proving buildup soldiers entrance russia’s 102nd military base gyumri archive ria novostiask 7 ukraine’s intelligence released general’s telegram ordering reinforcement troops armenia—directly

On 7 July, Ukraine’s military intelligence released a Russian general’s telegram ordering a reinforcement of troops at the Russian base in Gyumri, Armenia—directly contradicting Yerevan’s public denial of the Russian military buildup the day before.

Armenia, once a staunch Russian ally, began distancing itself from Moscow after Russia refused to intervene during Azerbaijan’s September 2023 offensive to reclaim its Nagorno–Karabakh, which Yerevan controlled since the 1990s. Feeling abandoned, Yerevan suspended its participation in the Moscow‑led CSTO NATO-like alliance and pivoted toward closer ties with the West.

Armenia says no troop increase—Ukraine shows otherwise

On 6 July, Armenian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Ani Badalyan dismissed Ukraine’s earlier claims of a Russian troop buildup, calling the information false.

The statement emphasized Armenia’s “principled position” against allowing third countries to use its territory for hostilities against neighbors. Yerevan insisted Russia was not increasing its military presence on Armenian soil.

Badalyan referred to the Ukrainian intelligence earlier statement as “certain fabricated reports.” 

Not so fabricated: Leaked Russian document reveals troop selection and deployment

Ukraine’s Main Directorate of Intelligence (HUR) responded on 7 July by publishing a telegram from Major General Serhii Zemskov, acting chief of staff of Russia’s Southern Military District. The document contains an explicit order from the district’s commander to “reinforce” the Russian military base in Gyumri via what is described as “additional staffing.”

The order directs commanders to urgently select personnel from four armies—namely, the 8th, 18th, 49th, and 58th general armies of the Southern Military District—for future deployment. The timeframe for selecting candidates was from 13 May to 11 June 2025. Those chosen would then sign their first contracts and be dispatched to the base in Armenia for service.

Strict screening and recruitment criteria set for candidates

The leaked telegram instructs commanders to facilitate the selection process. It outlines specific criteria for professional fitness, psychological resilience, and combat readiness. The order explicitly bans the recruitment of individuals involved in drug trafficking or the distribution of psychotropic substances.

HUR’s initial report

The Ukrainian intelligence’s original report, issued on 5 July, stated that Russia was rapidly staffing its Gyumri base to increase military-political pressure on the South Caucasus. According to HUR, the effort is part of a broader Kremlin strategy aimed at global destabilization. The initial report said that troops were being recruited from Rostov and Volgograd oblasts, as well as from occupied Crimea.

HUR spokesperson Andrii Yusov described the deployment as one piece of a broader plan:

The deployment of Russian troops in Armenia is part of a complex Kremlin strategy aimed at destabilizing the global security situation.”

Gyumri base

The Russian base in Gyumri, known as the 102nd military base, is the largest Russian military facility in the South Caucasus. As of now, it hosts around 5,000 personnel—approximately 2,500 Russians and 2,000 Armenians. The base includes MiG-29 fighter jets and S-300 air defense systems and was established in 1995 under an agreement between Moscow and Yerevan that runs until 2044.

 

You could close this page. Or you could join our community and help us produce more materials like this. We keep our reporting open and accessible to everyone because we believe in the power of free information. This is why our small, cost-effective team depends on the support of readers like you to bring deliver timely news, quality analysis, and on-the-ground reports about Russia's war against Ukraine and Ukraine's struggle to build a democratic society. Become a patron or see other ways to support

Marché public de Rimouski : soleil et produits frais

Pour sa sixième semaine d’activités en 2025, le Marché public de Rimouski accueillera 24 exposants, ce samedi 5 juillet, au parc de la Gare.

Voici les exposants prévus sur place, entre 10 h et 14 h :

À la recherche de bénévoles

Connaissez-vous l’incroyable et exceptionnel Café du marché? 🍹☕

Venez nous trouver tous les samedis de 10h à 14h pour savourer un café venant du Chapeau Moustache Atelier de Torréfaction. Nous avons également des jus, de l’eau pétillante et du kombucha des Chants du Fleuve Kombucha.

Le Café est tenu par les bénévoles du Marché ou des organismes communautaires et aide à financer nos activités.

Nous sommes présentement à la recherche de bénévoles qui voudraient bien prêter main forte à notre kiosque du café, les samedis de 9h30 à 14h.

(Photo courtoisie Marché public de Rimouski)

Si vous êtes intéressés, contactez-nous sur Messenger ou à animations@marchepublicrimouski.ca

Nous voulons remercier Unoria Coopérative et Chapeau Moustache Atelier de Torréfaction de nous fournir les boissons!

On se voit au marché !

These Republicans Savaged Their Party’s Bill, Then Voted for It

Many Republicans had harshly criticized President Trump’s marquee bill extending tax cuts and slashing social safety net programs — almost right up until the moment they voted for it.

© Tierney L. Cross/The New York Times

Senator Josh Hawley, Republican of Missouri, had been blunt about his concerns about the Medicaid cuts. Still, he voted yes.

Russian propaganda media Sputnik shuts down operations in Azerbaijan amid tensions

Russian propaganda media Sputnik shuts down operations in Azerbaijan amid tensions

Russian state-funded propaganda media outlet Sputnik will cease operations in Azerbaijan, Russia Today media group CEO Dmitry Kiselyov said on July 3, according to the Russian state news agency RIA Novosti.

"We regret to say that, as of today, the conditions for Sputnik Azerbaijan to continue its activities in this country are not in place," Kiselyov said.

The move comes amid a major deterioration in Russian-Azerbaijani relations.

Kiselyov's comments followed the detention of several Sputnik Azerbaijan employees by Azerbaijani police on June 30. Authorities said two of the detainees were operatives of Russia's Federal Security Service (FSB), prompting a formal protest from Moscow.

Kiselyov called the charges "far-fetched," saying the staff had worked to "develop cooperation between Azerbaijan and Russia." He added that legal action would be taken to defend them.

Sputnik, a key pillar of the Kremlin's global propaganda network, has long been accused by Western governments and media watchdogs of spreading disinformation and pro-Russian narratives.

These developments follow a deadly June 27 operation in Russia's Yekaterinburg, where Russian security forces killed two Azerbaijani nationals and injured several others in a raid linked to a 2001 murder case.

On June 28, Azerbaijan's Foreign Ministry issued a rare public rebuke, calling the operation "ethnically motivated" and part of a "systematic pattern" of unlawful treatment of Azerbaijani nationals in Russia.

The diplomatic rupture deepened further after Azerbaijani authorities arrested eight Russian citizens the next day, presenting them in court handcuffed and visibly injured. They were accused of participating in organized crime, cyberattacks, and drug smuggling from Iran.

The closure of Sputnik's bureau marks a new low in relations between the two former Soviet states, which have seen escalating tensions despite longstanding ties.

Arrests, raids, beaten and bloodied suspects — how Russia-Azerbaijan relations have unravelled
Deaths in custody, media offices raided, and beaten and bloodied suspects paraded in court — relations between Russia and Azerbaijan, once considered close, have sharply deteriorated in recent days amid a series of high-profile incidents. The latest tensions erupted over the weekend when Russian law enforcement officers detained over 50 Azerbaijani
Russian propaganda media Sputnik shuts down operations in Azerbaijan amid tensionsThe Kyiv IndependentTim Zadorozhnyy
Russian propaganda media Sputnik shuts down operations in Azerbaijan amid tensions

Inside Trump’s Charm Offensive as He Woos Holdout Republicans

President Trump worked the phones and welcomed Republicans to the White House to cajole them into supporting his megabill. They left with signed merchandise and photos of the Oval Office.

© Kent Nishimura for The New York Times

President Trump can be vindictive, but he also knows how to turn on the charm and make lowly lawmakers feel special.

Will House Conservatives Cave Again on Trump’s Big Bill?

Fiscal hawks have repeatedly threatened to bring down their party’s agenda out of debt fears, only to back down after pressure from party leaders and President Trump.

© Haiyun Jiang/The New York Times

Representative Chip Roy, Republican of Texas, has said the Senate failed to improve a House bill that he described as a “mediocre but passable product.”

With Trump’s Policy Bill Teetering, Johnson Is in a Familiar Pickle

The speaker’s struggle to bring his party’s sprawling domestic policy bill in for a landing was just the latest in his string of near-death legislative experiences.

© Eric Lee for The New York Times

Speaker Mike Johnson speaking at the Capitol on Wednesday. He has often had to lean on President Trump to seal the deal.

Trump Meets With House Republican Holdouts to Press for Policy Bill

President Trump met with Republican lawmakers in hopes of bridging deep divisions over the legislation that would enact his domestic agenda.

© Kent Nishimura for The New York Times

On Wednesday, President Trump met with some moderate Republicans as well as the House Freedom Caucus, whose members have assailed the Senate’s version of the bill for adding to the deficit.

US envoy Kellogg denies agreeing to help halt Ukraine's drone strikes on Russia

US envoy Kellogg denies agreeing to help halt Ukraine's drone strikes on Russia

U.S. Special Envoy for Ukraine Keith Kellogg denied on July 1 that he agreed to "work on" halting Ukraine's drone attacks on Russia, contradicting Belarusian dictator Alexander Lukashenko's claim.

Speaking at a state event on Belarus's Independence Day, Lukashenko said he relayed Russian President Vladimir Putin's position to Kellogg during their June 21 meeting in Minsk.

According to Lukashenko, the Russian president is willing to consider a ceasefire in Ukraine if Ukrainian forces stop conducting drone strikes on Russian territory.

"I conveyed this position to the Americans," Lukashenko said on July 1. "We will work on it, said (the U.S. special envoy), in this direction."

Kellogg pushed back on the claim, writing on X that the quote was "taken out of context" and misrepresented the substance of their talks.

"At no point did I make comments related to Ukraine's prosecution of the war outside of a total ceasefire," he said. "In my conversation with Lukashenko, we discussed a full and unconditional ceasefire."

The June meeting between Kellogg and Lukashenko marked the highest-level U.S. visit to Belarus since former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo's 2020 trip. Belarusian state media widely portrayed Kellogg's visit as a sign of thawing relations.

Shortly after the talks, Belarus released opposition leader and political prisoner Siarhei Tsikhanouski, who had been jailed since the 2020 presidential election.

Lukashenko has ruled Belarus since 1994 and remains a key ally of the Kremlin. His regime has allowed Russian troops and equipment to use Belarusian territory to attack Ukraine since the start of the full-scale invasion in February 2022.

Military aid delays will ‘encourage Russia to continue war,’ Ukraine tells US envoy
Ukraine warned that “any delay or hesitation in supporting Ukraine’s defense capabilities will only encourage Russia to continue war and terror, rather than pursue peace.”
US envoy Kellogg denies agreeing to help halt Ukraine's drone strikes on RussiaThe Kyiv IndependentMartin Fornusek
US envoy Kellogg denies agreeing to help halt Ukraine's drone strikes on Russia

Armenian parliament speaker urges ban on Russian TV broadcasting

Armenian parliament speaker urges ban on Russian TV broadcasting

Armenian authorities should "seriously" consider banning the broadcast of Russian television channels in Armenia, Armenian Parliament Speaker Alen Simonyan said on July 1, citing concerns over interference and deteriorating ties.

"We must very seriously discuss the suspension of the Russian television channel broadcast in the territory of Armenia," Simonyan told reporters, according to Armenpress. He criticized recent content aired by Russian state broadcasters, which the Armenian government has denounced as harmful to bilateral ties.

The remarks come as Armenia continues to pivot away from Moscow's sphere of influence and seeks to bolster ties with the West.

Simonyan suggested that individuals connected to Armenian-Russian oligarch Samvel Karapetyan may be financing efforts to meddle in Armenia's internal matters.

"If there are channels that allow themselves to interfere in Armenia’s domestic affairs, perhaps we ought to respond likewise, by at least banning their entry into the homes of our society," he said.

Tensions between Armenia and Russia have mounted since Moscow's failure to intervene during Azerbaijan's military operation in Nagorno-Karabakh in September 2023, which resulted in the mass displacement of ethnic Armenians.

In April, Armenian President Vahagn Khachaturyan signed a law initiating the country's formal accession process to the European Union.

Though symbolic, the legislation marks a significant political shift, embedding European integration into Armenian law. The bill, passed by parliament in March, was backed by 64 lawmakers and opposed by seven.

Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan has said that EU membership would require a referendum, while the Kremlin warned that joining both the EU and the Russian-led Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) is "simply impossible." The EAEU, established in 2015, includes Russia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Armenia, and Kyrgyzstan.

Why Norway is investing billions in Ukraine’s victory
The Kyiv Independent’s Oleksiy Sorokin sat down with Eivind Vad Petersson, state secretary to the Norwegian foreign minister and co-chair of the joint Norwegian-Ukrainian Working Group on Nuclear Safety and Security.
Armenian parliament speaker urges ban on Russian TV broadcastingThe Kyiv IndependentOleksiy Sorokin
Armenian parliament speaker urges ban on Russian TV broadcasting

Politico: US cuts critical air defense shipments to Ukraine needed to protect civilians from Russian terror

add new post patriot air defense system's launcher illustrative eastnewsua system

The Pentagon decided to halt shipments of certain air defense missiles and precision munitions to Ukraine right as Russia unleashes its heaviest bombardments on Ukrainian civilians in months.

Since February 2022, the US has provided $66.9 billion in military aid to Ukraine. The last package worth $500 million came in January. By March, Ukraine had received 90% of weapons the previous administration allocated. Once Trump returned to power in 2025, the country has not announced any new military aid packages for Ukraine in nearly five months, signaling a possible cutoff. This comes amid Trump’s “America first” policy and his expectation that European allies increase their own defense support, including purchasing US-made weapons for Ukraine.

The decision came from Pentagon policy chief Elbridge Colby after a stark internal review, Politico reports. Three sources familiar with the move say US arsenals of artillery rounds, air defense missiles, and precision munitions have dropped to concerning levels. The initial call was made in early June, but implementation waited until now.

Which weapons are affected? The list reads like Ukraine’s shopping list for survival:

  • Patriot interceptor missiles
  • 155mm artillery shells
  • HIMARS rockets
  • Stinger missiles
  • Hellfire missiles 

PBS correspondent Nick Schifrin reported the Pentagon also halted AIM-7 air-to-air missiles and GMLRS rockets for Ukraine’s most effective long-range systems.

BREAKING: White House confirms it has halted weapons that Ukraine was scheduled to receive, including PAC3 Patriots, 155mm artillery rounds, GMLRS, Stinger, AIM-7, and Hellfire missiles.@AnnaKelly47 tells me: “This decision was made to put America’s interests first following a…

— Nick Schifrin (@nickschifrin) July 1, 2025

The timing couldn’t be worse. Ukraine faces some of Russia’s largest missile and drone barrages targeting civilians in Kyiv and beyond. Each intercepted Russian missile requires an American-made interceptor that now won’t be replaced.

Why did this happen? A Pentagon insider reveals the agency has been sorting munitions by criticality since February, partly because of heavy weapons use in Yemen operations. An action memo sat on Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth’s desk for months during personnel turnover. The plan: redirect artillery shells, tank rounds, and air defense systems back to the US homeland or Israel.

But wasn’t Trump just promising more Patriots? He was. After meeting Zelenskyy at the NATO summit, Trump said Ukraine could get additional Patriot systems.

“They do want to have the anti-missile missiles, as they call them, and we’re going to see if we can make some available,” he told reporters. “They’re very hard to get.”

The White House defended the suspension through Deputy Press Secretary Anna Kelly.

“This decision was made to put America’s interests first following a DOD review of our nation’s military support and assistance to other countries across the globe. The strength of the United States Armed Forces remains unquestioned — just ask Iran,” Kelly said.

Congressional allies aren’t buying it. Rep. Marcy Kaptur, who co-chairs the Congressional Ukrainian Caucus, warned that halting shipments “will surely result in the imminent death of many Ukrainian military and civilians.” She called Patriot systems “the centerpiece of Ukraine’s defenses” that “save lives every day.”

Is this legal? The suspension echoes Trump’s 2019 freeze of $214 million in Ukraine aid. The Government Accountability Office ruled that move violated the Impoundment Control Act—policy disagreements aren’t grounds to block congressionally appropriated funds. If the current freeze follows the same pattern, it risks the same legal violations.

How critical are these weapons? Tom Karako from the Center for Strategic and International Studies put it simply: “Air defense won’t win a war for you—but the absence of it will lose one fast.”

The suspended weapons come from two funding streams established under Biden. Some represent drawdowns from current US stockpiles, with Congress providing money to replenish them. Others come through the Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative, where the US funds direct purchases from American defense firms.

Can Ukraine buy replacements? Zelenskyy says Ukraine stands ready to purchase a “large aid package” from the United States, estimated between $30 to $50 billion. Kyiv has submitted its wish list and awaits Washington’s response.

The question now: Will those interceptors arrive before Russia’s next barrage?

Patriot ukraine air defense
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Ukraine submits multibillion-dollar  weapons purchase list to US as Trump halts new aid for months

You could close this page. Or you could join our community and help us produce more materials like this. We keep our reporting open and accessible to everyone because we believe in the power of free information. This is why our small, cost-effective team depends on the support of readers like you to bring deliver timely news, quality analysis, and on-the-ground reports about Russia's war against Ukraine and Ukraine's struggle to build a democratic society. Become a patron or see other ways to support

'Oreshnik will be on Belarusian soil,' Lukashenko says of Russian missile deployment by year-end

'Oreshnik will be on Belarusian soil,' Lukashenko says of Russian missile deployment by year-end

Belarusian dictator Alexander Lukashenko announced on July 1 that the Russian-made Oreshnik missile system will be deployed in Belarus by the end of 2025. Speaking at a ceremony marking Independence Day, Lukashenko said the decision was made in coordination with Russian President Vladimir Putin during a meeting in Volgograd.

"The first Oreshnik positions will be in Belarus. You’ve seen how Oreshnik works: the same missiles, the same strikes — but without nuclear warheads, without radioactive contamination of the land and air. This weapon will be stationed in Belarus by the end of the year," Lukashenko said.

Lukashenko, who has ruled since 1994 and claimed victory in a seventh consecutive presidential election in January, argued that hosting such weaponry would not make Belarus a target, adding that such concerns are being "imposed from outside." He claimed that countries possessing nuclear weapons have historically avoided military aggression and said the presence of such systems in Belarus is intended solely as a deterrent.

He also said he had delivered a warning to U.S. officials, stating that while nuclear weapons in Belarus are securely stored in accordance with international standards, any unauthorized incursion into Belarusian territory would trigger a "swift and forceful response."

The Belarusian leader emphasized that any use of the Oreshnik system would not involve nuclear warheads and that maintaining modern military capabilities is critical for national defense.

Russia first launched the experimental Oreshnik missile during a strike on the Ukrainian city of Dnipro on Nov. 21. Putin claimed the attack was in retaliation for Ukraine's use of U.S. and British long-range missiles against Russian territory.

Although little is publicly known about the missile, defense experts believe Oreshnik is not a wholly new development but likely an upgraded version of Russia’s RS-26 missile, also known as the Rubezh, which was first produced in 2011.

Lukashenko reportedly thanked Moscow for supporting the deployment of advanced weapons systems to Belarus and said the introduction of Oreshnik would serve as a tool for domestic stability. "I’m confident that even those of our supporters who don’t yet understand this will come to realize it — without a war. That’s why Oreshnik will be on Belarusian soil. To prevent uprisings," he said.

Ukraine war latest: Ukrainian drones strike Russian plant 1,300km from border, SBU source says
Key developments on July 1: * ‘With surgical precision’ — Ukrainian drones strike Russian plant 1,300km away, SBU source says * Russian missile strike on Dnipropetrovsk Oblast kills brigade commander, injures 30 people, Zelensky says * Ukrainian forces hit Russian command post in occupied Donetsk Oblast, General Staff says * Zelensky signs ratification of
'Oreshnik will be on Belarusian soil,' Lukashenko says of Russian missile deployment by year-endThe Kyiv IndependentThe Kyiv Independent news desk
'Oreshnik will be on Belarusian soil,' Lukashenko says of Russian missile deployment by year-end

YLE: Dubai quietly powers Putin’s planes—with help from U.S. and European parts

Boeing parts still come into Russia

Western sanctions designed to paralyze Russian aviation have “failed miserably,” with aircraft parts worth at least €1 billion reaching Russia since February 2022, according to an extensive investigation by Finnish broadcaster YLE.

The investigation reveals that Russia has created a vast smuggling network spanning over 360 companies worldwide to acquire critical aircraft components from Boeing and Airbus, including engines, radar systems, and flight computers suitable for military use.

YLE’s analysis of Russian customs data shows Airbus parts worth almost €600 million and Boeing parts worth nearly €400 million have entered Russia through intermediary companies, primarily in Dubai, Türkiye, and China.

The scale of sanctions evasion

How extensive is Russia’s aircraft parts smuggling operation? YLE found approximately 4,000 shipments containing Boeing or Airbus components between February 2022 and September 2024.

The network involves companies from dozens of countries, with some individual firms making hundreds of deliveries to Russia. Nearly 100 companies operating from the United Arab Emirates alone have supplied aircraft parts to Russia, according to YLE’s investigation.

Dubai has emerged as the central hub for sanctions evasion, with almost one-third of all aircraft parts shipments to Russia originating from the UAE, typically through Dubai, YLE reported.

Russia’s desperate need drives the trade

Why does Russia go to such lengths to acquire these components? YLE found that Russia has approximately 500 Western-leased aircraft that it effectively “stole” when Western companies demanded their return after the invasion began.

Without access to original parts, these aircraft face severe maintenance challenges. YLE reported that Russia has been forced to manufacture cheaper copies of original components and purchase old aircraft for spare parts, significantly weakening aviation safety.

Professor Stephen Wright from Dublin Institute of Technology told YLE that Russia sees this elaborate smuggling operation as necessary because it lacks capabilities it once possessed.

“Russia was an aviation technology pioneer before the Soviet Union collapsed, but has since lost its expertise,” Wright explained to YLE. “The West has taken leadership in civilian aircraft while Russia focused on military aviation.”

Companies claim compliance while parts flow continues

How do major manufacturers respond to evidence that their parts reach Russia? Both Airbus and Boeing refused YLE’s interview requests, instead providing brief statements claiming full compliance with sanctions.

Airbus told YLE it “complies with all applicable laws and sanctions related to Russia” and can track genuine parts, but acknowledged having “no means to control the use of non-genuine parts.”

Boeing’s statement to YLE was even shorter, saying only that the company suspended spare parts and support for Russian customers in early 2022 and continues following US sanctions.

YLE noted that both companies failed to answer specific questions about how they prevent their parts from reaching Russia through intermediaries.

The Dubai connection

Dubai’s role in sanctions evasion extends far beyond aircraft parts, according to YLE’s findings. The investigation shows dozens of Dubai-based companies began supplying Russia only after February 2022, with one firm making at least 35 deliveries since the invasion began.

Before the war, this same company had zero shipments to Russia, YLE reported.

Many Dubai companies involved in the trade have been added to EU or US sanctions lists, but YLE found that when one company faces sanctions, multiple replacement firms are quickly established.

The UAE has not imposed sanctions against Russia, making the business legal under local laws, though YLE noted it’s possible that Russians themselves or their hired proxies control many of these operations.

finland says russian shadow fleet tanker crew planned more cable sabotage before arrest fleet's eagle s intercepted finnish after damaging estlink power positioned damage estlink1 balticconnector gas pipeline when authorities
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Military implications

YLE’s investigation found that Russia has acquired components suitable for military use, including radar systems and flight computers, alongside standard civilian aircraft parts.

However, Professor Wright told YLE that Russia likely doesn’t use foreign-acquired aviation technology for military purposes, as “Russian military technology is highly developed compared to civilian aircraft.”

The greater concern, Wright indicated to YLE, is the impact on aviation safety as Russia struggles to maintain its civilian fleet with smuggled and copied components.

Broader sanctions evasion patterns

The aircraft parts smuggling network represents just one facet of Russia’s systematic sanctions evasion efforts. Previous investigations have documented how foreign microchips reach Russian military equipment through similar intermediary schemes.

Russia has employed numerous methods to circumvent restrictions, including routing critical components through Chinese suppliers that continue providing dual-use technologies despite export controls.

The systematic nature of these evasion schemes has enabled Russia to maintain military production capabilities despite international restrictions designed to cripple its defense industry.

Kazan aviation plant
Bomber factory expansion

YLE: Russia expands factory producing bombers Ukraine just destroyed in Operation Spiderweb

You could close this page. Or you could join our community and help us produce more materials like this. We keep our reporting open and accessible to everyone because we believe in the power of free information. This is why our small, cost-effective team depends on the support of readers like you to bring deliver timely news, quality analysis, and on-the-ground reports about Russia's war against Ukraine and Ukraine's struggle to build a democratic society. Become a patron or see other ways to support

Bild: Germany’s Ukraine aid promise math doesn’t add up as € 900 million missing from actual budget

Leopard, Germany, Pistorious, Ukraine counteroffensive

A nearly one billion euro gap has emerged between German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius’s public promises of Ukraine military aid and the actual budget allocations approved by Chancellor Friedrich Merz’s cabinet, according to Bild.

The discrepancy has raised questions about whether the minister miscalculated or misrepresented Germany’s commitment to Ukrainian defense.

As of mid-2025, Germany’s total support for Ukraine stands at approximately €48 billion, with around €15.6 billion dedicated specifically to military assistance. This military aid includes advanced air defense systems (such as IRIS-T), artillery, Leopard 2 tanks, ammunition, self-propelled howitzers, and direct investments in Ukraine’s defense industry, including joint ventures for producing long-range weapon systems and drones inside Ukraine.
However, Germany recently refused to supply long-range Taurus cruise missiles to Ukraine, citing concerns over escalation and the risk of direct German involvement in the conflict

The controversy centers on a 900 million euro shortfall between promised aid of 9.2 billion euros and the 8.3 billion euros actually allocated in the government’s 2025 budget draft for states attacked in violation of international law, Bild reports.

The dispute began during Pistorius’s 12 June visit to Kyiv, where he met with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. The Federal Ministry of Defense subsequently announced that Pistorius had promised Ukraine an additional 1.9 billion euros, primarily for long-range missiles. The ministry stated that if approved by parliament, total Ukraine support would reach around 9 billion euros for the year.

Six days later, the Defense Ministry reinforced this message, explaining that Germany would provide 7.3 billion euros in already-approved military aid for 2025, with an additional 1.9 billion euros planned pending parliamentary approval, totaling up to 9.2 billion euros.

However, Bild reports that when the Federal Finance Ministry distributed its 2025 budget draft on 23 June, the document listed only 8.3 billion euros for aid to states attacked in violation of international law, which primarily benefits Ukraine.

Defense ministry denies miscalculation

When questioned by Bild about this discrepancy, the Defense Ministry denied any miscalculation. A ministry spokesperson stated that the government would support Ukraine with around 9 billion euros as promised, noting that Finance Minister Klingbeil and Pistorius had agreed on this figure during budget negotiations.

The spokesperson attempted to reconcile the numbers by claiming that “the 1.9 billion that we will use, among other things, to finance the Long Range Fires, is included in the 8.3 billion euros.” This explanation contradicts the ministry’s previous public communications, which had presented a simple calculation of 7.3 billion plus 1.9 billion equaling 9.2 billion euros.

According to government sources, the Defense Ministry had consistently registered only 8.3 billion euros for Ukraine aid during budget negotiations, not the 9.2 billion figure communicated publicly.

To bridge this gap, the Defense Ministry referenced “co-funding revenues and fund returns from the EPF (European Peace Facility)” that would theoretically bring the total to around 9 billion euros through these additional funding mechanisms.

This means the ministry hopes to secure an additional 900 million euros outside the federal budget, with the alternative being either additional tax funding or reduced aid to Ukraine.

Ukraine needs concrete support

Green Party budget politician Sebastian Schäfer expressed concern about the transparency of these calculations.

“From the budget draft, it’s not comprehensible how the Defense Ministry arrives at the sums it puts in the shop window,” Schäfer told Bild.

He called for the government to quickly submit a proposal to parliament for releasing additional funds, stating that “Ukraine doesn’t need announcements, but concrete support.”

 

You could close this page. Or you could join our community and help us produce more materials like this. We keep our reporting open and accessible to everyone because we believe in the power of free information. This is why our small, cost-effective team depends on the support of readers like you to bring deliver timely news, quality analysis, and on-the-ground reports about Russia's war against Ukraine and Ukraine's struggle to build a democratic society. Become a patron or see other ways to support

Son of Norway’s Crown Princess Is Charged With Rape and Sexual Assault

Marius Borg Hoiby, the stepson of Crown Prince Haakon, was charged with rape and sexual assault after a monthslong police investigation that has caused turmoil for the royal family.

© Hakon Mosvold Larsen/Agence France-Presse — Getty Images

The police in Oslo have questioned Marius Borg Hoiby, 28, several times since August, when he was first arrested.

Russia couldn’t win in close combat—so it set city ablaze with weapons that fuse to body and refuse to extinguish

Russia used overwhelming artillery superiority and white phosphorus munitions to seize control over Sievierodonetsk in Luhansk Oblast in 2022, said a Ukrainian 3rd Special Operations Forces Regiment soldier, known by the callsign Vorobey in the latest interview, ArmyInform reports. 

Under Protocol III of the Convention on Certain Conventional Weapons, the use of white phosphorus is prohibited against military targets located within concentrations of civilians. At the start of the war, Sievierodonetsk had a population on nearly 100,000 people. Russia wanted to seize the city because to disrupt Ukrainian logistics and enable further advances into Ukraine. 

White phosphorus ignites spontaneously upon contact with air. When released it burns fiercely at temperatures around 815°C. It sticks to skin and clothing, causing thermal and chemical burns that can penetrate down to the bone. Its extinguishing is extremely difficult because it continues to burn as long as it is exposed to oxygen.

“They knew that in close combat, they’re much weaker,” explained Vorobey, explaining the Russian tactics.

Instead, Russian forces relied on artillery and armored vehicles to level everything in their path.

Russia has repeatedly employed scorched earth tactics in its wars against other countries. It involves the deliberate destruction of infrastructure, settlements, and natural resources to stop its enemy force from advancing and to terrorize civilian populations.

“The first line of buildings, when it starts to collapse, you have to fall back a little. They just dumped phosphorus on us, burning everything,” he recalled. 

At the beginning of the battle, when the bridges were still intact, Ukrainian operators would “fly in” on light armored vehicles and clear the streets. Later, when the connections were destroyed, they had to cross the river on rafts and hold the industrial zone.

Vorobey is confident that Ukrainian defenders were capable of holding out longer. 

“We had everything. We had water, food, and ammo. We could have held ‘Sever’ for another month,” he said.

However, due to intense pressure on the flanks, Ukrainian forces had to withdraw to preserve their personnel.

Currently, Russia’s reliance on massed artillery has sharply declined due to Ukrainian countermeasures and Russia’s own shift toward drone warfare. Drones now play a central role in Russian tactics, with artillery use becoming more precise and less frequent.

Top Ukrainian drone commander warns ceasefire would only pause war with Russia
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At NATO summit allies flattered Trump and quietly built defense shield across Europe and Ukraine

bloomberg how nato leaders trying save ukraine — flattering trump ukrainian president volodymyr zelenskyy posing alongside netherlands' king willem-alexander queen máxima hague 24 2025 natoint nato-leaders-zelenskyy-meet-belgian-king-and-queen-trump summit 25 european chose

The summit in The Hague opens new opportunities for Ukraine. The real outcomes of the NATO summit demonstrate not decline, but a revival of the Alliance, ready for a long-term struggle against Russian aggression, says Mykhailo Samus, director of the New Geopolitics Research Network, in a comment for Espresso.

The entire summit revolved around not provoking Donald Trump. NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte praised Trump’s “decisive action” in Iran. Experts say that such an approach was driven by one objective: keeping US arms flowing to Ukraine.

“The organizers centered the meeting around the American president, and it worked. Riding the wave of success after the strike on Iran, Trump essentially agreed to all proposals from European colleagues,” the expert notes.

Samus emphasizes that this time, the US president, Donald Trump, was “unusually courteous towards Ukraine and Ukrainians,” which offers hope for more decisive actions on the Russia-Ukraine front.

One of the key achievements is the recognition of Russia as a “long-term threat,” which shifts NATO’s approach from a temporary response to strategic planning.

“The Russian threat is a systemic existential threat that requires rearmament and a shift in defense priorities,” Samus stresses.

The allies also agreed to invest up to 5% of GDP in security and defense. For the first time in the Alliance’s history, quantitative parameters were set not only for overall spending but also for its structural components: 3.5% for the armed forces and up to 1.5% for infrastructure, innovation, and defense industry.

“Including aid to Ukraine in the defense commitments of member states means institutional legitimization of military assistance to Ukraine as a component of NATO collective security,” the expert underlines.

Trump’s actual agreement with the core principles of this agenda shows that despite the threat of political fragmentation, the strategic security logic within the Alliance currently prevails.

He concludes that Ukraine’s integration into the Euro-Atlantic security system provides a new chance to form an effective deterrence mechanism against the “axis of evil.”

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Europe must be ready to build millions of drones as Russian threat grows, EU warns

europe ready build millions drones face russian threat eu warns european commissioner defense space andrius kubilius sky news skynews-robbins-drones_6950494 rapidly scale up drone production readiness prepare potential aggression warned comments

Europe must rapidly scale up drone production and readiness to prepare for potential Russian aggression, European Commissioner for Defense and Space Andrius Kubilius warned. His comments come amid rising concerns that Moscow could strike a NATO member within five years.

Amid the ongoing Russo-Ukrainian war, dominated by drones, the EU has recently approved a €150 billion loan scheme to support defense production across the bloc. Kubilius and other leaders see such efforts as essential to counter Russia’s growing drone capabilities. As he warned, the only battle-tested drone forces in Europe today are Russian and Ukrainian.

Kubilius told Sky News that Russia may be able to deploy as many as five million drones in the event of Russia’s attack against a NATO country. He emphasized that to successfully deter or defend against such an assault, Europe would need to exceed that capacity.

“We need to have capacities bigger than those in order to prevail,” he said.

Citing lessons learned from Ukraine’s battlefield experience, Kubilius highlighted the increasing dominance of drones in modern warfare.

“Nothing can move. Everything is controlled by drones,” he said, describing Ukraine’s drone-dominated front line, which spans 1,200 km.

According to him, traditional tanks in those zones last just six minutes.

Ukraine’s example shows scale of drone warfare

Ukraine is expected to produce more than four million drones this year. Drawing comparisons, Kubilius said his home country Lithuania, which borders Russia and Belarus over roughly 900 km, would need at least three million drones annually if conflict broke out.

Drone warfare innovations have become a defining feature of the Russo-Ukrainian war. Unmanned vehicles of various sizes, operating in the air, on land, and at sea, play a central role, with technology advancing rapidly. Meanwhile, anti-drone electronic warfare is rapidly evolving as well, as both sides advance their technologies. 

Rather than stockpile outdated technology, Kubilius urged European states to focus on training and readiness:

“We need to learn a lot from Ukraine… how to organize defenses against millions of drones, and also how to make your defense industry innovative.”

German companies rush to meet demand

Start-ups like Germany’s STARK and Alpine Eagle are already racing to supply Ukraine with cutting-edge drones. Josef Kranawetvogl, STARK’s senior vice president and a former soldier, said the fast-paced evolution of drone warfare demands constant innovation. 

Alpine Eagle CEO Jan-Hendrik Boelens showcased interceptor drones capable of engaging targets up to 5 km away. He warned that NATO members are vastly underprepared.

“We are absolutely not ready in my view,” he said, noting that while Ukraine consumed 1.3 million drones last year, NATO members may have purchased just a fraction of that. 

UK and Germany pivot toward drone warfare

According to Sky News, the UK’s new defense plan embraces a “20-40-40” strategy prioritizing drones. British Defense Secretary John Healey confirmed an additional £2 billion will be invested in army drones during this parliament. 

Germany and Denmark have also signed drone co-production deals with Ukraine. Berlin has pledged to rapidly increase procurement, with two attack drone contracts signed recently. 

NATO drone priorities

Sky News says NATO has made drone defense a priority. At the latest summit days ago, member states pledged to increase defense spending to 5% of GDP by 2035. NATO chief Mark Rutte said air defenses must be boosted fivefold, noting the devastating impact of Russian drone attacks on Ukraine. 

At the same summit, all the members of the alliance, including the US, recognized Russia as a long-term threat.

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Soviets drained Ukraine’s ancient swamps — now they’re coming back to swallow Russian tanks

In 2022, Russia launched a surprise assault on northern Ukraine, using Belarusian territory as a staging ground. This rapid advance toward Kyiv exposed a critical weakness: decades of Soviet-era drainage projects had eliminated much of the natural swamp terrain that once acted as a defensive barrier. What was once a maze of waterlogged wilderness had been transformed into dry, passable corridors for enemy vehicles.

Ukraine cannot allow history to repeat itself.

The strategic value of wetlands as defensive barriers is well-established. NATO’s newly acquired Finnish border with Russia runs largely through swampy terrain that has historically reduced the need for large troop deployments, forcing potential threats into predictable corridors.

While traditional military defenses remain necessary, an unconventional yet proven solution is gaining attention: swamp restoration. Reviving the peat bogs and wetlands of regions like Polissia could once again make large swaths of land impassable to tanks and armored vehicles. This strategy not only enhances national defense but also improves water regulation and creates economic opportunities for local communities.

This article was prepared by Texty in cooperation with the Succow Foundation—a German nonprofit, renowned for peatland conservation, ecological research, and wetland restoration projects across Eastern Europe—and summarized by Euromaidan Press.
Scientists have proposed restoring peatlands (green) along key European borders (orange) to guard against Russian aggression. Photo: aeco, GRID-Arendal Yale Environment 360

Chernobyl and the vanishing swamp barrier

During their 2022 invasion, Russian troops advanced through the Chernobyl Radiation and Ecological Biosphere Reserve. The wetlands in this area had been drained either before or shortly after the 1986 nuclear disaster. As a result, Russian military vehicles moved easily across the dry terrain, kicking up clouds of radioactive peat dust. Radiation levels near the Chernobyl power plant temporarily spiked by a factor of 20.

The Polissia region stretches across northern Ukraine, overlapping Zhytomyr, Rivne, Chernihiv, and Volyn oblasts. Historically, it was home to one of Europe’s most extensive systems of peat bogs and wetlands. These swampy landscapes were so dense and waterlogged that they were once considered impassable.

But that changed during the Soviet era.

From the 1950s through the 1980s, the USSR launched widespread melioration projects that drained over 1.2 million hectares of Ukraine’s estimated 2.2 million hectares of peatlands. Drainage systems and canals were constructed to convert wetlands into farmland or to extract peat and amber. The ecological cost was enormous, but it also removed one of Ukraine’s most effective natural defense systems.

“If the swamps had still been there, the tanks wouldn’t have gotten through,” said a resident of Makariv, northwest of Kyiv.

Russian soldiers inside the Chornobyl Exclusion Zone. Photo: Kostiantyn Kornosa

Why swamps beat tanks: Nature’s best border defense

Swamps may appear benign, but they can be a nightmare for modern armies. Wheeled and tracked vehicles, including tanks and armored personnel carriers, sink or stall in saturated peat soil. Roads become unreliable or nonexistent, and logistics chains break down.

Only a limited range of amphibious or hovercraft vehicles can navigate these terrains—equipment that most land armies, including Russia’s, do not typically deploy far from water.

In fact, during a 2024 NATO training exercise in Lithuania, a tragic accident highlighted this very issue. Four American soldiers drowned when their armored vehicle sank in a peat bog they mistakenly thought was firm ground.

“Swamps can act as a passive but highly effective barrier—requiring no fuel, no guard, and no concrete,” said German ecologist Dr. Thomas Ziegler, co-author of a study on wetland defense strategies in Eastern Europe.

Flooding along the Pripyat River in the Polisia region of Belarus. Photo: Viktar Malyshchyts

Belarus is paving the way—literally

The strategic value of Ukraine’s peatlands is also clear to Russia and Belarus. Since 2015, Belarus has constructed over 100 kilometers of roads through the Olmany-Perebrody peat bog system, which straddles the Belarus-Ukraine border. These roads now connect to existing Ukrainian infrastructure.

If Ukraine’s side still had intact swamps, the Belarusian effort would have been strategically futile. Instead, these roadways could become invasion routes, just as they were in 2022.

Many of these routes lead toward Zhytomyr and Novograd-Volynskyi, placing key logistical and population centers at risk. And while peacetime roads encourage trade and travel, in times of conflict, they can become liabilities.


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How Ukraine can bring back its swamp defense

In rebuilding Ukraine’s swamp defenses, simple and low-cost solutions can be surprisingly effective. One model comes straight from nature: beavers. Their dams, built with wood and mud, are low-tech yet capable of restoring water levels in peatlands. Humans can replicate these structures using locally available materials. While not permanent, such barriers work well if maintained—and once water levels rise, real beavers often return, further reinforcing the wetlands.

A beaver in the wild. Photo: Depositphotos

Rewetting, or restoring water levels in degraded peatlands, is not a new concept. But applying it for military and environmental goals is gaining traction.

The process involves:

  • Blocking drainage canals using clay, peat, or natural materials.
  • Constructing dams or barriers, sometimes mimicking beaver dams.
  • Redirecting water from nearby rivers or rainfall catchment areas.
  • Monitoring hydrology to ensure long-term saturation.

A pilot project in the Roztochchia Nature Reserve in Lviv Oblast, launched in 2021, used water pipes, overflow dams, and re-engineered canals to begin the rewetting process. The project proved that old drainage systems can be repurposed to retain water rather than remove it.

“We’re reversing decades of damage,” said Oleksandr Sokyrko, an ecologist involved in the project. “The moment water rises, nature begins to rebuild.”

Swamps begin to recover naturally once water levels rise, supporting biodiversity and reducing fire risks.

A human-made imitation of a beaver dam in Poland. Photo: Practical Guide to Rewetting

The price of protection: Swamps vs. concrete bunkers

Rewetting peatlands in Ukraine costs between €300 and €1,500 per hectare, with the variation depending on factors such as the size and location of the site, existing infrastructure, technical documentation, and accessibility. Full rewetting typically takes 2 to 4 years, as water levels must rise gradually and consistently. One year is rarely sufficient.

Even with these considerations, rewetting remains significantly more cost-effective than constructing and maintaining concrete bunkers or constantly repairing waterlogged trenches. Once restored, swamp-covered zones also require fewer personnel to defend.

Instead of building more expensive fortifications, Ukraine has the opportunity to create a natural, impassable barrier while replenishing critical water reserves. According to German ecologists, this strategy strengthens European security and helps restore hydrological systems, including vital flows to the Dnipro River. Concrete bunkers will still play a role, but fewer will be needed where nature itself serves as a front line.

Ukraine also holds a unique advantage: much of the northern border region is state- or communally-owned land, making it easier to launch swamp defense projects without complicated private property disputes, as often seen in the EU.

A section of the Zhytomyr border. Blue marks drainage canals; dark areas are peatlands they drain. Restoring them could block enemy advances. Photo: Texty

Legal and military framework

Since the full-scale invasion, Ukraine’s government has enacted emergency laws allowing the military to repurpose land within two kilometers of the border with Russia or Belarus for defense infrastructure. This includes converting farmland or forest into swamp restoration zones.

That legal authority, combined with public ownership and local expertise, makes wetland restoration a fast-track defense policy ready for implementation.


Rewetting vs. restoration

Restoring peatland ecosystems requires more than just raising the water level; it demands expertise Ukraine is still developing. However, rewetting—simply raising water levels—is a more straightforward process that can yield fast defensive and ecological benefits. Higher water levels can create new wetland zones or allow the cultivation of water-tolerant plants.

This approach is both more affordable and offers potential economic benefits, but ongoing water-level monitoring is essential to ensure that terrain remains impassable to enemy vehicles.

More than defense: Practical gains

There is also agricultural potential. Ukraine is among the world’s top 10 exporters of wild cranberries, a plant that only grows in peat bogs. With proper management, regenerated swamps could support sustainable cranberry harvesting and even export-certified organic berries at premium prices.

“We can turn our bogs into shields and farms at the same time,” said a representative from Ukraine’s Ministry of Agrarian Policy.

A woman with cranberries in Ukraine’s Chernihiv Oblast. Photo: Promin gazeta

Water for the enemy?

Most of Ukraine’s large-scale land drainage infrastructure was built during the peak of Soviet melioration in the 1960s–1980s. In some cases, these systems still redirect water from Ukrainian peatlands into Belarus. In a time when water is a strategic resource, Ukraine is effectively supplying its adversary for free.

Barriers and challenges

Despite its promise, swamp restoration faces several hurdles:

  • Amber mining continues in the north, involving drainage and excavation.
  • Peat extraction licenses are still being issued in some oblasts.
  • Technical expertise is limited, with few Ukrainian specialists in peatland hydrology.
  • Ongoing conflict complicates access to sensitive or dangerous areas.

However, international support is growing. The German Michael Succow Foundation, UNEP, and WWF-Poland have offered to provide technical guidance, free consultations, and in some cases funding.

Amber mining in northern Ukraine is poorly regulated and severely damages the environment. Photo: Slovo i dilo

Final word: Ukraine’s fortress of water and peat

Ukraine’s Soviet-era decision to drain Polissia’s wetlands may have served short-term agricultural goals, but it weakened the country’s strategic defenses. Now, with ongoing war and increasing water stress, the country has a chance to turn that mistake into strength.

By restoring the swamps, Ukraine can:

  • Build a natural, low-cost defensive line.
  • Improve regional water retention.
  • Reduce harmful peat fires.
  • Support rural economies.

As wetland defense experts have noted, restored peatlands can act as passive fortresses—impassable to tanks, low-cost to maintain, and capable of slowing and redirecting enemy movements.

Ukraine’s future defense may not lie only in steel and concrete—but also in moss, peat, and rising water.

You could close this page. Or you could join our community and help us produce more materials like this. We keep our reporting open and accessible to everyone because we believe in the power of free information. This is why our small, cost-effective team depends on the support of readers like you to bring deliver timely news, quality analysis, and on-the-ground reports about Russia's war against Ukraine and Ukraine's struggle to build a democratic society. Become a patron or see other ways to support

Trump could free all Belarus's political prisoners 'with a single word,' released oppositionist Tsikhanouski says

Trump could free all Belarus's political prisoners 'with a single word,' released oppositionist Tsikhanouski says

Siarhei Tsikhanouski, a Belarusian oppositionist recently released from prison, thanked the U.S. on June 22 for brokering his release and appealed to President Donald Trump to help free other political prisoners in Belarus.

"President Trump now has the power and opportunity to free all political prisoners in Belarus with a single word. And I ask him to do so, to say that word," Tsikhanouski said in Vilnius during his first press conference after the release.

Tsikhanouski, a popular blogger who planned to challenge Belarusian dictator Alexander Lukashenko in the 2020 presidential election, was arrested shortly before the vote and later sentenced to 18 years in prison on politically motivated charges.

The opposition leader and at least 13 other detainees were released from Belarusian prisons on June 21 after Lukashenko met U.S. Special Envoy for Ukraine, Keith Kellogg, in Minsk.

Speaking at the press conference alongside his wife and opposition leader, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya, Tsikhanouski affirmed that both of them "will continue to support Ukraine and call all of the perpetrators accountable."

Tsikhanouski confirmed that he used to do business both in Ukraine and in Russia but refuted allegations of pro-Russian sympathies, affirming his support for Ukraine and President Volodymyr Zelensky.

"I believe Crimea is Ukrainian. Zelensky has the hardest fate and a heavy load that no other president has. Zelensky is my hero," Tsikhanouski said.

He also said that Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya remains the leader of the Belarusian opposition, and he will not challenge that.

Tsikhanouskaya stepped in as the opposition candidate in 2020 after her husband's arrest, but was forced into exile after Lukashenko declared victory in what was broadly seen as massive election fraud.

"Do you think that anybody who serves in prison automatically becomes a leader? We have 1,200 such leaders," Tsikhanouski added, referring to the number of political prisoners who remain in prison under Lukashenko's regime.

"Belarus can't be free until the Putin regime collapses. If it wasn't for (Russian President Vladimir) Putin, we would not be sitting here; it would have been over (after the Belarus' popular protests against Lukashenko) in 2020-2021," Tsikhanouski said.

Lukashenko, in power since 1994, is a close ally of Putin and has allowed Russia to use Belarusian territory for military operations against Ukraine.

The Belarusian dictator has maintained a tight grip over his country by electoral fraud, surveillance, and brutal crackdown on free press, civil society, and political opposition, prompting Western countries to impose sanctions on Belarus.

Russia ‘afraid to admit’ scale of losses, trying to hide by dumping soldiers’ bodies on Ukraine, Zelensky says
Ukrainian authorities have confirmed that at least 20 of the bodies Russia returned as Ukrainian were actually Russian soldiers, President Volodymyr Zelensky said.
Trump could free all Belarus's political prisoners 'with a single word,' released oppositionist Tsikhanouski saysThe Kyiv IndependentTim Zadorozhnyy
Trump could free all Belarus's political prisoners 'with a single word,' released oppositionist Tsikhanouski says

'My husband is free' — Belarus opposition leader Siarhei Tsikhanouski freed after US envoy visits Minsk

'My husband is free' — Belarus opposition leader Siarhei Tsikhanouski freed after US envoy visits Minsk

Editor's note: This item has been expanded with additional details.

Belarusian opposition leader and political prisoner Siarhei Tsikhanouski was released on June 21, shortly after dictator Alexander Lukashenko met in Minsk with U.S. President Donald Trump's special envoy for Ukraine, Keith Kellogg.

Tsikhanouski , a popular blogger who planned to challenge Lukashenko in the 2020 presidential election, was arrested shortly before the vote and later sentenced to 18 years in prison on politically motivated charges. Amnesty International recognized Tsikhanouski as a prisoner of conscience.

His wife, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya, stepped in and became the main opposition candidate against Lukashenko.

At least 13 political detainees, including prominent blogger Ihar Losik, were also released on June 21, Belarusian independent outlet Nasha Niva reported.

The other released prisoners include three Polish citizens, two Latvian citizens, one Estonian citizen, a Swedish citizen, a U.S. citizen, and two Japanese citizens, according to Lukashenko's press secretary.

In a post on social media, Tsikhanouskaya welcomed the news but highlighted that "1,150 political prisoners remain behind bars."

My husband Siarhei is free! It’s hard to describe the joy in my heart.

Thank you, 🇺🇸 @POTUS, @SPE_Kellogg, @JohnPCoale, DAS Christopher W. Smith, @StateDept & our 🇪🇺 allies, for all your efforts.

We’re not done. 1150 political prisoners remain behind bars. All must be released. pic.twitter.com/MhngqBHFq3

— Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya (@Tsihanouskaya) June 21, 2025

Kellogg's deputy, John Coale, said the released political prisoners had been transferred to Vilnius and expressed gratitude to the Lithuanian government for facilitating their relocation.

"President Trump's strong leadership led to the release of 14 prisoners from Belarus today. Thanks to the Lithuanian government for its cooperation and assistance — they remain a true friend and ally," Coale wrote on X.

According to official results of the 2020 election, Lukashenko won with 80% of the vote, while Tsikhanouskaya received just 10%. Evidence indicates that the election was heavily rigged, and Tsikhanouskaya could have realistically won the vote.

As a result, hundreds of thousands took to the streets in Belarus in 2020 to demand a fair election. Thousands were arrested, and many were beaten and tortured. At least seven demonstrators were killed during the protests.

Minsk has faced repeated Western sanctions since the brutal crackdown on pro-democracy protests.

Lukashenko, in power since 1994, is a close ally of Russian President Vladimir Putin and has allowed Russia to use Belarusian territory for military operations against Ukraine.

"You have caused quite a stir in the world with your arrival," Lukashenko told Kellogg during their meeting at the Palace of Independence, according to state-run outlet Belta.

"But I wonder why. Can't we have a normal dialogue and talk about our affairs – about relations between Belarus and the United States of America?"

Kellogg is the highest-ranking U.S. official to visit Belarus in recent years, following former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo's 2020 trip under Trump's first term.

Since Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, Lukashenko's regime has played a key logistical role in supporting Moscow's campaign, offering its territory for troop deployments and weapons stockpiles.

Russia ‘afraid to admit’ scale of losses, trying to hide by dumping soldiers’ bodies on Ukraine, Zelensky says
Ukrainian authorities have confirmed that at least 20 of the bodies Russia returned as Ukrainian were actually Russian soldiers, President Volodymyr Zelensky said.
'My husband is free' — Belarus opposition leader Siarhei Tsikhanouski freed after US envoy visits MinskThe Kyiv IndependentTim Zadorozhnyy
'My husband is free' — Belarus opposition leader Siarhei Tsikhanouski freed after US envoy visits Minsk

Marché public de Rimouski : plaisir au parc de la Gare

Pour sa quatrième semaine d’activités en 2025, le Marché public de Rimouski accueillera 27 exposants, ce samedi 21 juin, au parc de la Gare.

Voici les exposants prévus sur place, entre 10 h et 14 h :

Venez en grand nombre pour profiter des belles notes du groupe de musique Pão de queijo. Il vous donnera toute une prestation de musique aux racines et couleurs brésiliennes à partir de 11 h 30.

Le petit repère – Pédiatrie sociale de Rimouski-Neigette sera également de la partie, pour vous servir les boissons au Café et échanger avec vous!

On se voit au marché!

Latvia prohibits Russian, Belarusian citizens from purchasing real estate

Latvia prohibits Russian, Belarusian citizens from purchasing real estate

Latvia's parliament adopted a bill on June 19 that prohibits citizens of Russia and Belarus from purchasing real estate in the country, Latvian media reported.

The bill — which carves out exceptions for EU and Latvian permanent residence holders, Belarusian refugees, and repatriates — establishes the new restrictions under the pretenses of protecting the country's national security.

In addition to citizens, the bill prohibits entities that are at least 25% owned by Russian or Belarusian nationals from purchasing property.

"This is a step to limit the influence and presence in Latvia of persons and companies that are adverse to the country,” said Agnese Krasta, an Estonian member of parliament and one of the authors of the initiative.

Latvia, which borders both Russia and Estonia, is widely viewed as one of the most likely targets for a future Russian attack on NATO or the European Union. As the war in Ukraine continues to rage on, Latvia has taken action to increase civil preparedness measures and has drafted plans to relocate a quarter of its population in the case of war.

EU intelligence and security agencies have warned of mounting Russian sabotage operations, including several arson attacks believed to have been coordinated by Moscow.

Latvia joins Finland in imposing a ban on Russians from buying, as Baltic and Nordic countries continue to impose restrictions on Russia over its aggression in the region.

In September 2022, Latvia imposed entry restrictions on Russian citizens as part of a joint agreement with Lithuania, Estonia, and Poland.

Since the start of Russia's full-scale invasion in 2022, Latvia has been one of Ukraine's most vocal backers.

The Baltic state ranks among Europe's top defense spenders, allocating over 3% of GDP to defense in 2025, according to NATO estimates.

Diplomacy in crisis: G7 letdowns reveal limits to Western solidarity on Ukraine
KANANASKIS, Canada — The Group of Seven (G7) Leaders’ Summit ended on June 17 with no joint statement in support of Ukraine, no commitments to provide desperately needed U.S. weapons, and no meeting between President Volodymyr Zelensky and U.S. President Donald Trump. The Ukrainian delegation headed into the summit,
Latvia prohibits Russian, Belarusian citizens from purchasing real estateThe Kyiv IndependentDmytro Basmat
Latvia prohibits Russian, Belarusian citizens from purchasing real estate


Kellogg to meet Lukashenko in highest-ranking US visit to Belarus in years, Reuters reports

Kellogg to meet Lukashenko in highest-ranking US visit to Belarus in years, Reuters reports

U.S. Special Envoy for Ukraine Keith Kellogg will meet Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko in the coming days, Reuters reported on June 17, citing four sources familiar with the matter.

Kellogg will meet Lukashenko in a visit to Belarus as peace talks to bring an end to Russia's war against Ukraine remain inconclusive, Reuters reported.

In February, U.S. Deputy Assistant State Secretary Christopher W. Smith visited Belarus alongside two other U.S. officials to conduct a prisoner swap in a similar unannounced visit.

Lukashenko has been in power since 1994 and has been accused of staging fraudulent elections in Belarus. The leader declared a seventh consecutive presidential election victory in January.

Kellogg has given the impression that the meeting could help reinitiate largely unsuccessful peace talks between Ukraine and Russia, two sources told Reuters.

Lukashenko is seen as a key ally of Russian President Vladimir Putin as Russia faces isolation in response to its full-scale war against Ukraine.

The White House has discussed ways to weaken Russia's influence on Minsk and bring Belarus closer to the United States, one of the sources said.

On Feb. 12, Smith drove to Belarus from Lithuania following a phone call with Lukashenko. The small U.S. delegation visited a border town where three political prisoners were transferred, including one U.S. citizen and two Belarusian citizens, the New York Times reported.

Lukashenko assured he was ready to decrease repression in Belarus, Smith said, adding that the U.S. wants Belarus to be less reliant on Russia.

Belarus has faced Western sanctions following a presidential election in 2020 that international observers condemned as fraudulent. The sham election garnered mass protests that rejected the results.

Minsk refused to invite a mission from the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) to observe the country's Jan. 26 presidential election.

Belarus further isolated itself from the West as it supports Russia in its ongoing war against Ukraine.

‘He said he wasn’t going anywhere’ — Survivors search for missing following Russia’s deadliest attack on Kyiv this year
Sitting a few meters from the rubble of what used to be a nondescript nine-story residential building in Kyiv, Lilia rises to her feet every time another pile of debris is cleared from the site targeted by Russia during a mass overnight attack on June 17. “We are waiting (as
Kellogg to meet Lukashenko in highest-ranking US visit to Belarus in years, Reuters reportsThe Kyiv IndependentKateryna Denisova
Kellogg to meet Lukashenko in highest-ranking US visit to Belarus in years, Reuters reports

Russia evading oil sanctions with illegal transfers near Greece, Cyprus, HUR says

Russia evading oil sanctions with illegal transfers near Greece, Cyprus, HUR says

An uninsured Russian Aframax-class tanker has been illegally conducting ship-to-ship oil transfers in international waters near Greece and Cyprus since July 2024, Ukraine's military intelligence (HUR) reported on June 16.

According to the agency, the vessel, operating without Western insurance, is part of Russia's expanding shadow fleet used to bypass G7 and EU sanctions on Russian oil exports.

HUR said such transfers "pose an environmental threat, allow the aggressor to conceal the origin of oil, evade international control, and ensure its supply to third countries in circumvention of sanctions."

Ukraine has identified the tanker as IMO 9247443 and listed it on the War&Sanctions platform, along with 159 other tankers allegedly belonging to Russia's shadow fleet and 55 captains involved in sanction-busting operations.

Despite price caps and Western restrictions, Russia continues to profit from oil and gas exports, which remain a vital revenue source. According to HUR estimates, roughly one-third of those profits are expected to fund Russia's war against Ukraine in 2025.

In May, the EU approved its 17th sanctions package, targeting nearly 200 shadow fleet vessels. The U.S. Treasury had earlier sanctioned over 180 tankers, which together accounted for nearly half of Russia's offshore oil shipments.

While the Biden administration ramped up pressure on Russia's oil trade early in 2024, U.S. President Donald Trump has since declined to impose new sanctions, despite Moscow's continued refusal to agree to a ceasefire.

EU leaders call for tougher sanctions on Russia at G7 summit
“To achieve peaceful strength we must put more pressure on Russia to secure a real ceasefire, to bring Russia to the negotiating table, and to end this war. Sanctions are critical to that end,” European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said.
Russia evading oil sanctions with illegal transfers near Greece, Cyprus, HUR saysThe Kyiv IndependentAbbey Fenbert
Russia evading oil sanctions with illegal transfers near Greece, Cyprus, HUR says

Europe must prepare for US scaling down support for Ukraine, Pistorius says

Europe must prepare for US scaling down support for Ukraine, Pistorius says

German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius said Europe must begin preparing for a gradual reduction in U.S. military support for both the continent and Ukraine, Tagesschau reported on June 13.

"Yes, that's right. That would be so, and we have to deal with that," Pistorius told journalists in response to a question about the U.S. potentially scaling down its support. He noted that the discussions focus on a reduction in U.S. backing rather than a full halt.

The comments come after U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announced that Washington would reduce the assistance allocated to Ukraine in the next year's federal budget.

"We now have to look at how much support drops and whether Europeans can compensate for it," Pistorius added.

While the U.S. has been Ukraine's leading military backer under former President Joe Biden, the Trump administration has yet to approve any aid packages and has become increasingly disengaged from peace talks.

Pistorius's comments come amid increasing uncertainty in transatlantic relations. U.S. Ambassador to NATO Matthew Whitaker confirmed on May 16 that the United States plans to begin discussions with European allies later this year about reducing its military presence on the continent.

Speaking at a security conference in Estonia, Whitaker said the talks would begin after the NATO summit in The Hague in June.

"Nothing has been determined," Whitaker said, according to Reuters. "But as soon as we do, we are going to have these conversations in the structure of NATO."

Whitaker emphasized that any drawdown would be closely coordinated to avoid creating security gaps. Still, he reiterated U.S. President Donald Trump's position that long-standing U.S. efforts to reduce its European military footprint must now be implemented.

"This is going to be orderly, but we are not going to have any more patience for foot-dragging in this situation," he said.

In February, Hegseth reportedly told NATO allies that "stark strategic realities" prevent the United States from being primarily focused on Europe's security. Leaks reported by the Atlantic in March revealed that both Hegseth and Vice President JD Vance privately criticized European defense spending, with Hegseth allegedly expressing his "loathing of European free-loading."

Trump called on NATO member states to increase defense spending up to 5% of GDP. Ahead of the upcoming NATO summit in The Hague on June 24–25, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said that member states will have agreed to a new goal of increasing defense spending.

"We are headed for a summit in six weeks in which virtually every member of NATO will be at or above 2%, but more importantly, many of them will be over 4%, and all will have agreed on a goal of reaching 5% over the next decade," Rubio told Fox News on May 15.

Such a move would mark a historic shift, with NATO partners collectively accounting for more than half of the alliance's military capacity, according to Rubio.

Since the beginning of Russia's full-scale war against Ukraine in 2022, NATO members have significantly increased their defense spending, with countries like Poland and the Baltic nations aiming to reach the 5% target in the coming years.

Ukraine bracing for ‘painful’ reduction in US military aid after Hegseth announces cuts
Editor’s note: For security reasons, the real names of the soldiers mentioned in this story have not been used. A reduction in U.S. military aid to Ukraine would be “painful” and could have potentially “dire consequences” for the global order, Ukrainian lawmakers and soldiers have told the Kyiv Independent.
Europe must prepare for US scaling down support for Ukraine, Pistorius saysThe Kyiv IndependentKateryna Hodunova
Europe must prepare for US scaling down support for Ukraine, Pistorius says

Au Kazakhstan, la mer Caspienne s'évapore à grande vitesse

La mer Caspienne, plus grande étendue d'eau enclavée au monde, est en train de s'assécher à une vitesse alarmante. Depuis les années 1990, son niveau a baissé de plus de trois mètres. Ports asséchés, pêche en déclin, bouleversement économique... Le Kazakhstan en subit de plein fouet les conséquences. Comme la mer d’Aral avant elle, la mer Caspienne pourrait bien s'assécher presque totalement si aucune action n’est prise. Une catastrophe écologique aux conséquences dramatiques pour tout un pays. Reportage de Lucie Berbey et Mathieu Beaudouin. 

Germany to supply new Iris-T air defense systems to Ukraine, rules out Taurus missiles

Germany to supply new Iris-T air defense systems to Ukraine, rules out Taurus missiles

Editor's note: This story has been updated to include Germany's announcement to supply Ukraine with $2.2 billion in additional military aid.

Germany will deliver new IRIS-T air defense systems to Ukraine under a three-year supply plan, President Volodymyr Zelensky said during a joint press conference with German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius, who added Berlin has no plans to provide Taurus long-range missiles.

The announcement comes amid escalating Russian aerial assaults, including a June 10 missile and drone strike on Kyiv, one of the largest since the start of the full-scale invasion.

"We are grateful for the supply of IRIS-T air defense systems," Zelensky said on June 12. "We understand that deliveries are currently being planned... for the next three years. This is very important assistance."

The IRIS-T is a German-made medium-range surface-to-air missile system capable of intercepting drones, aircraft, and cruise missiles.

Pistorius confirmed the delivery timeline but firmly ruled out the possibility of sending Taurus missiles — weapons Kyiv has repeatedly requested to strike deep into Russian territory.

"You asked me whether we are considering this, and my answer is no," Pistorius said.

Before taking office, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz signaled openness to lifting former Chancellor Olaf Scholz's ban on the missiles. That stance has not yet resulted in a policy shift.

Ukraine has already received long-range missiles — including ATACMS from the U.S. and Storm Shadow and SCALP from the U.K. and France. Initially restricted to use within Ukrainian territory, Western allies only began easing those limitations in late 2024.

Germany is Ukraine's largest military donor in Europe. Pistorius said that Berlin will provide 9 billion euros ($10.4 billion) in aid this year, with investments in defense production being considered. The total includes an additional commitment in military aid worth 1.9 billion euros ($2.2 billion).

"Today, we discussed that this aid will continue," he said. "We agreed on additional investments in production... both in Ukraine and in Germany."

Zelensky visited Berlin on May 28 for talks with Merz, part of an ongoing effort to bolster Ukraine's defense industry amid uncertainty over U.S. support under President Donald Trump.

Why can’t the West match Russia’s ammunition production?
The West is failing to catch up to Russia’s production of the most basic unit of war for the past half-millennium — gunpowder. The modern propellants and explosives that power war have largely been offshored. While Western manufacturers are churning out shell casings, they are short on the materials to fill
Germany to supply new Iris-T air defense systems to Ukraine, rules out Taurus missilesThe Kyiv IndependentKollen Post
Germany to supply new Iris-T air defense systems to Ukraine, rules out Taurus missiles

EU approves new tariffs on Russian, Belarusian agricultural goods

EU approves new tariffs on Russian, Belarusian agricultural goods

The Council of the EU on June 12 approved fresh tariffs on fertilizers and remaining agricultural goods from Russia and Belarus, aiming to reduce Russian export revenues.

The measures target those goods that have not yet been subject to additional customs duties and will enter into force on July 1. The tariffs on fertilizers will increase gradually over the next three years.

The step comes as the EU readies additional sanctions against Russia as it continues to wage its all-out war against Ukraine.

"Polish Presidency motto is 'Security, Europe!' and these measures increase our economic security by reducing dependencies from Russia," said Michal Baranowski, the trade undersecretary at the Polish Economy Ministry.

"We are further reducing Russia’s export revenues and therefore its ability to finance its brutal war. This is united Europe at its best," he said in a statement.

The new tariffs will apply to goods that made up around 15% of all agricultural imports from Russia in 2023. Fertilizer tariffs will focus on certain nitrogen-based products, the Council said in a statement.

Russian fertilizers accounted for more than a quarter of all of the EU's imports in this sector in 2023, worth almost $1.5 billion.

Apart from stifling Russia's trade revenue, the step also aims to reduce the EU's dependence on Russian and Belarusian goods, protect European farmers, and diversify the supply.

The EU adopted higher tariffs on cereals, oilseeds, and some other products from Russia and Belarus in May 2024. Earlier this year, the European Commission proposed imposing similar measures on all remaining agricultural products from the two countries.

Putin’s suspected daughter found working in anti-war galleries in Paris
Nastya Rodionova, a Russian writer and artist who has been based in Paris since 2022, had only met gallery manager Luiza Rozova in passing at events before she learned who the 22-year-old’s parents were. Described by a number of people as a “very nice and well-mannered girl,” Rozova is
EU approves new tariffs on Russian, Belarusian agricultural goodsThe Kyiv IndependentKate Tsurkan
EU approves new tariffs on Russian, Belarusian agricultural goods

Quels sont les risques de l'intelligence artificielle pour les enfants ?

Elle fait de plus en plus partie de nos vies. L'intelligence artificielle est utilisée dans notre quotidien, au travail... et même dans l'éducation de nos enfants. Une révolution fascinante, mais aussi une source d'inquiétude. Alors que les jeunes passent de plus en plus de temps devant les écrans, quels sont les risques de l'IA ? Reportage de Manon Martel et Emie Stervinou pour France 2. 

Maldives : un paradis menacé par l'inéluctable montée des eaux

Destination de rêve prisée par des touristes du monde entier, les Maldives sont en péril. Menacé par la montée des eaux liée au changement climatique, cet archipel paradisiaque pourrait venir à disparaître d'ici la fin du siècle, selon la communauté scientifique. Pour soutenir son économie, le pays construit des îles artificielles. Mais ces projets accélèrent l'érosion du littoral et mettent en danger les récifs, alertent les ONG. Résultat : des habitants doivent déjà fuir. Reportage de Léa Delfolie et Aminath Liuvina.

Au Kenya, l'inquiétude des pêcheurs locaux face à la menace des chalutiers étrangers

Alors que les dirigeants et experts du monde entier se réunissent au sommet des océans à Nice, les pêcheurs kényans, eux, luttent pour survivre. Sur les côtes, les filets reviennent souvent vides : le poisson se fait rare, notamment à cause des méthodes industrielles et destructrices de certains chalutiers étrangers – chinois, tanzaniens, italiens – qui pillent les fonds marins au mépris des règles. En réaction, les communautés locales s'organisent : pêche régulée, zones protégées, restauration des coraux... Reportage de notre correspondant Clément Di Roma.

Regarder vraiment le Bélarus

Il n’a jamais été simple de parler du Bélarus en France sans tomber dans le cliché. La formulation « dernière dictature d’Europe » a encore été reprise par les médias aujourd’hui pour évoquer le scrutin présidentiel qui s’est tenu dimanche, et j’en veux un peu aux journalistes pour cette paresse intellectuelle.
« Dernière dictature d’Europe » était une formule confortable pour se rassurer sur le processus de démocratisation qui aurait été en voie de généralisation sur le continent européen; certes, à des vitesses variables, mais quand-même quasiment certain. Le Bélarus faisait alors office d’épouvantail et de dernier bastion d’un monde en cours de disparition. Cela empêchait de voir les dynamiques réelles sur place (et de s’interroger par exemple sur la manière dont la stabilité, les politiques sociales et le progrès économique pouvaient atrophier la sensibilité politique). Cela faisait aussi du bien à l’égo européen.
Nous n’en sommes plus là aujourd’hui, bien évidemment, et dans un contexte de montée d’attractivité des autoritarismes, le Belarus est plutôt un cas d’école qui devrait attirer notre attention. Dire que l’élection présidentielle qui vient de s’écouler était un simulacre, c’est à la fois vrai et stérile, parce que c’est une manière de dire « point, à la ligne, on passe à autre chose » qui neutralise toute volonté de compréhension.
Malheureusement, la guerre conduite par la Russie contre l’Ukraine m’a empêché d’être suffisamment vigilante sur le Bélarus pour livrer une analyse approfondie. Ce que je dis est à prendre avec des pincettes; ce sont des pistes à creuser.
Un régime politique autoritaire fonctionne grâce à un certain dosage de coercition et d’adhésion; il doit non seulement mettre en place une répression suffisamment forte pour bloquer les oppositions, mais aussi distribuer suffisamment de bénéfices pour susciter l’adhésion. Plus le ratio est en faveur des bénéfices, plus le pouvoir est stable; plus il penche du côté répressif, plus le régime est fragile. Pendant longtemps, le régime politique du Belarus s’est attaché à distribuer beaucoup de bénéfices à la population, notamment à travers des politiques sociales, des politiques de développement et une promesse de stabilité et de prévisibilité. Les Bélarusses vivaient – économiquement – plutôt mieux que beaucoup de leurs voisins, et en avaient conscience. Le prix politique à payer apparaissait donc comme acceptable.
Evidemment, le soutien de la Russie était et reste l’exosquelette du régime bélarusse, aussi bien d’un point de vue politique qu’économique.
Les protestations massives de 2020 étaient intervenues dans le contexte d’une certaine fragilisation du modèle, et notamment d’une perception du régime comme moins protecteur, mais aussi en décalage avec les demandes de la société. Les répressions violentes qui ont suivi et qui se sont maintenues tout au long des années suivantes ont fait basculer le ratio répression/bénéfices en faveur de la répression. Cette période violente va compter dans l’histoire politique bélarusse: on ne le perçoit pas encore, mais elle a donné naissance à une expérience différente, moins marginale de l’opposition politique, de la répression et de la prison. Elle a aussi permis de structurer une opposition à l’étranger et de lui donner des canaux de prise de parole. Derrière les apparences de « il ne se passe rien », le Belarus est en réalité bien plus prêt qu’en 2020 à entamer une transition politique, avec une nouvelle génération de citoyens jetés avec violence dans la politique.
Cependant, et paradoxalement, c’est la guerre en Ukraine qui a redonné de la stabilité au régime bélarusse. En effet, dans un contexte où la Russie essaie de toutes ses forces de faire du Bélarus un cobelligérant, il y a des choses que Loukachenko a réussi à protéger. Certes, des unités armées russes et des complexes d’armement sont désormais basés au Belarus, qui sert de base aux attaques contre l’Ukraine. Cependant, aucune unité armée bélarusse ne combat aux côtés de la Russie contre l’Ukraine. Pensez au paradoxe: des soldats nord-coréens, mais pas de soldats bélarusses, alors que le pays se déclare être le plus proche allié de la Russie. Le territoire du Bélarus reste un territoire en paix. Cela, les citoyens savent qu’ils le doivent en partie à Loukachenko… mais aussi en partie aux Ukrainiens qui ne désespèrent pas de retourner les Bélarusses contre Moscou, et qui ne les perçoivent pas de la même manière que les Russes.
La politique menée par Loukachenko vis-à-vis de la Russie a été caractérisée par un de mes anciens collègues bélarusses par la formule suivante: « on dit oui à tout, puis on bureaucratise au maximum le processus pour finalement ne rien faire ». C’est aussi une stratégie que les Bélarusses appliquent au quotidien vis-à-vis de leur Etat. Il y a une certaine résilience stratégique de la société bélarusse qu’on ferait bien de souligner. Ne nous laissons pas tromper par cette apparence de calme plat: le Bélarus n’est pas la Russie et suivra une dynamique qui lui sera propre.

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