Ukrainska Pravda

Russian forces have occupied the settlements of Zelenyi Kut and Novoukrainka near the administrative border between Dnipropetrovsk Oblast and Donetsk Oblast and are trying to advance further.

Source: DeepState

Details: The villages are located near Dachne, where the Russians are actively trying to break through the Ukrainian defences.

Quote: "The situation in the vicinity of Dachne is dynamic and tense.

In order to prevent advances to Dnipropetrovsk Oblast and the occupation of the village, the Ukrainian Armed Forces attracted additional resources, but due to the numerical superiority and continuous assaults by small groups of infantry, the enemy advances through the defensive units of Ukrainian fighters, which has not been a novelty for a long time now."

Details: Analysts note that Russia has a "big PR rationale to launch a propaganda machine" with its advance into Dnipropetrovsk Oblast. But even for Ukraine, this is an "important and principled position" to prevent the Russians from crossing the administrative border.

Quote: "The situation is difficult, and the conditions on the line of combat, existing problems and the ‘infinite’ number of the Russians complicate this situation even more.

On this front, we will still see many similar discussions, because the Russians have made rapid advances near Yalta, which is also located on the administrative border, as well as neat Zirka, Piddubne, Tolstoi, Shevchenko, Voskresenka and other settlements".

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Ukraine's Kramatorsk Heavy Machine Tool Building Plant (KZVV) has registered an international patent for the 2S22 Bohdana self-propelled howitzer. The design has been patented as a standalone artillery module, suitable for mounting on different chassis types, or as a complete artillery system in its full configuration.

Source: Militarnyi, a Ukrainian military themed online portal, citing armoured vehicle expert BTVT

Details: The patent was filed under the Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT), a mechanism that enables Ukrainian manufacturers to obtain patent protection for their inventions in multiple countries simultaneously.

This treaty will allow the Kramatorsk-based plant to better manage its intellectual property rights in European countries, clearly outlining the rights and obligations of both the signatory states and the company.

The patent documentation presents the Bohdana self-propelled howitzer mounted on a new wheeled chassis and in its complete system configuration.

The active effort to secure intellectual property rights for the artillery system suggests that Kramatorsk Heavy Machine Tool Building Plant may be preparing to launch production of the Bohdana howitzer in European countries.

Notably, Denmark recently announced a US$47 million investment in the development of Ukrainian weapons production on its territory. Given the country’s previous financial support for the production of Bohdana self-propelled howitzers for Ukraine’s defence forces, as well as its own need for artillery systems, Copenhagen may be interested in establishing production of Ukrainian howitzers on Danish soil.

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A total of 48 combat clashes have occurred on the battlefield on 1 July 2025, with Ukrainian forces repelling 12 Russian assaults on the Pokrovsk front. The Russians also tried to advance on the North Slobozhansk front and in Russia’s Kursk Oblast but were largely repelled.

Source: General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine on Facebook, information as of 16:00 on 1 July

Details: Ukraine’s defence forces are holding back Russian offensives. By 16:00, 48 combat clashes were recorded. Russian forces conducted 8 airstrikes, dropping 19 guided aerial bombs, and carried out 156 attacks, including one from multiple rocket launchers.

On the North Slobozhansk front and in Russia’s Kursk Oblast, Ukrainian defenders have repelled seven out of eight Russian assaults, with one clash still ongoing.

On the South Slobozhansk front, Russian forces attacked Ukrainian positions near Vovchansk, Zelenyi and Mylove five times. Two clashes continue, with Russian airstrikes targeting Vilkhuvatka.

On the Kupiansk front, Russian forces launched six attacks near Radkivka, Stepova Novoselivka and Novoosynove. One battle is ongoing.

On the Lyman front, Russian forces conducted six attacks near Kopanka, Novyi Myr, Serednie, Zelena Dolyna, Kolodiazi and Myrne. Two clashes continue, with Ukrainian forces inflicting losses.

On the Siversk front, Russian forces launched assaults towards Hryhorivka and Vyimka. Ukrainian defenders repelled two attacks, and one battle is ongoing.

On the Kramatorsk front, Russian forces attacked near Chasiv Yar. Ukrainian defenders halted the offensive.

On the Toretsk front, one clash occurred near Leonidivka.

On the Pokrovsk front, Russian forces made 12 attempts to dislodge Ukrainian defenders near Myrne, Popiv Yar, Koptyve, Lysivka, Novoserhiivka and Oleksiivka. Eight attacks were repelled, with four clashes ongoing. Russian airstrikes with unguided missiles targeted Sukhyi Yar.

On the Novopavlivka front, Russian forces attacked five times near Piddubne, Vesele, Maliivka, and Shevchenko. One clash continues. Russian aircraft fired unguided missiles on Olhivskyi, and Filia was hit by guided aerial bombs.

On the Orikhiv front, Ukrainian forces are repelling an attack near Kamianske. Russian airstrikes targeted Novodanilivka.

On the Dnipro front, Russian forces launched an airstrike on Olhivka.

No significant changes were reported on other fronts.

Background: On 1 July, for the first time since February, the General Staff's operational maps of the front line showed Russian advances in Sumy Oblast (North Slobozhanshchyna front).

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Ukrainian border guard Denys, who spent three years in Russian captivity, has been reunited with his service dog Dzhyli. All this time, the dog remained in the occupied territory.

Source: Radio Liberty; the charity organisation Humanity, whose volunteers help residents of Kherson Oblast evacuate from occupation

Details: Denys said that Dzhyli had served with him at the administrative border with Crimea.

"On 24 February [2022], we came under fire; the full-scale invasion began. While we were hiding from the attack, we were surrounded. Then we were taken captive, and they told us to leave Dzhyli," Denys recalls.

Dzhyli did not want to be separated from its owner and tried to jump into the KAMAZ truck until the very last moment but was not allowed to do so. Denys says that at the time, he never thought he would ever see his dog again.

Dzhyli stayed in Kherson Oblast and was cared for by Denys’s parents. They eventually managed to leave the occupied territory but could not take the dog with them due to the lack of required documents.

"Three years in captivity, and for three years he kept thinking about his dog – whether she was alive, what condition she was in – the dog he served with until the moment of his capture," Humanity said. "The military shepherd named Dzhyli remained in the temporarily occupied territory. She fell into Russian hands. And she survived."

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Допис, поширений Ester VRATAROVA (@vratarova)

In February this year, Denys was released from captivity, and volunteers arranged transport to return Dzhyli to Ukrainian-controlled territory.

"Her reaction wasn’t what I expected. But I considered that possibility too, because a lot of time has passed. I’ve changed – my scent, my appearance. But now I can already feel that she’s behaving just like she used to. As if nothing happened," Denys says.

Denys is currently undergoing medical treatment and rehabilitation. He said that in the future, together with Dzhyli, he dreams of helping other soldiers with post-traumatic stress disorder.

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Russian ruler Vladimir Putin has stated that the Kremlin plans to reduce defence spending, the share of which in the national budget has reached record levels not seen since the Soviet era.

Source: The Moscow Times, an independent Amsterdam-based news outlet

Details: Putin said current military expenditures amount to RUB 13.5 trillion (US$150 billion), with Russia’s GDP standing at RUB 223 trillion (US$2.5 trillion), which equals 6.3% of GDP.

Quote from Putin: "We are planning to reduce defence spending. For next year, and the year after that and so on – for the next three years – we are planning, although there is not yet a final agreement between the Ministry of Defence, the Ministry of Finance and the Ministry of Economic Development, but overall everyone is thinking in that direction."

Details: He stressed that the increase in military spending has led to inflation, which the government continues to battle. Putin said that Russia’s GDP growth this year will slow compared to previous years, when the economy was growing by more than 4% annually.

Putin stated that the slowdown is a deliberate measure to fight inflation. Meanwhile, he mentioned NATO’s plans to raise defence spending to 5% of GDP by 2035.

Other top officials have also pointed to problems in the Russian economy. Russia’s Minister of Economic Development Maxim Reshetnikov stated that the country is already "on the brink" of economic recession. Elvira Nabiullina, Governor of the Central Bank of Russia, warned of depleted resources that had previously supported growth amid warfare and sanctions. She said Russia has run out of spare labour, idle industrial capacity and reserves from the National Wealth Fund, two-thirds of whose liquid assets have already been spent.

Alexander Shokhin, Chairman of the Russian Union of Industrialists and Entrepreneurs, said that many companies are on the verge of default. Alexey Mordashov, the main shareholder of Severstal, which is one of Russia’s largest steel and mining companies, warned of a risk of large-scale bankruptcies due to high interest rates and falling demand. Businessman Arkady Rotenberg noted that businesses are struggling to survive under expensive loans, calling the current situation "not a very good factor for business".

Background:

Russia is gradually exhausting its macroeconomic reserves, in particular the Russian National Wealth Fund (NWF), but its potential to further finance the war remains.Earlier, Russian analysts predicted that the liquid part of the National Wealth Fund could be completely exhausted by early 2026. These estimates were made against the backdrop of falling oil and gas prices.

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EU leaders have reached a political agreement to extend existing sanctions against Russia for another six months, but they did not approve the new, 18th package of restrictive measures.

Source: Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty editor Rikard Jozwiak on X (Twitter), as reported by European Pravda

Details: Jozwiak’s sources said that the leaders had agreed to extend all current sanctions against Russia for another six months.

"No agreement among EU leaders on the latest sanctions package – 18th. Slovakia is still not giving green light. Discussions likely resume among EU ambassadors in the coming days", the journalist wrote.

Jozwiak did not mention Hungary, which had also previously threatened to block the sanctions.

Background:

Earlier, Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico stated that Slovakia would demand a postponement of the vote on the 18th sanctions package against Russia until its concerns over gas supply after 2027 are addressed.Slovak Foreign Minister Juraj Blanár said that Slovakia was ready to support the sanctions package. However, he added that Slovakia would demand "guarantees" and EU support to mitigate the impact of a potential halt in Russian energy supplies.Latvian Prime Minister Evika Siliņa stated that although she was not sure the 18th sanctions package would be approved on 26 June, her country would continue to push for additional sanctions against Russia.

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President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has met with Norway’s Defence Minister Torge O. Sandvik, who arrived in Ukraine for his first visit since taking office in February.

Source: President’s Office, as reported by European Pravda

Details: Zelenskyy thanked the Norwegian government for its substantial military aid, which has been increased to US$7 billion this year. He expressed hope that this level of support would be maintained in 2025.

Zelenskyy and Sandvik discussed investments in the production of Ukrainian-made weapons, including long-range missiles and drones, as well as scaling up joint defence manufacturing.

Other key topics included strengthening Ukraine’s air defences and improving combat aircraft capabilities. The president thanked Norway for providing F-16 fighter jets.

Zelenskyy also highlighted the importance of supplying NASAMS air defence systems and missiles to protect critical civilian infrastructure from Russian attacks.

He expressed gratitude to Norway for its energy assistance during the winter and for allocating funds for the purchase of imported gas.

The Norwegian defence minister reaffirmed continued support for Ukraine and stressed the importance of developing defence capabilities in both countries.

Background:

Norway and Ukraine are jointly training drone operators in Trøndelag as part of Operation Gungne.Since April 2025, Norway has officially joined the drone coalition for Ukraine.

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President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has enacted a decision by Ukraine’s National Security and Defence Council to impose sanctions on individuals and legal entities involved in the development and production of drones in Russia, as well as in schemes to circumvent international sanctions.

Source: a decree published on the President’s Office website

Details: Decree No. 415/2025, signed on 20 June, lists 56 individuals and 55 legal entities.

The President’s Office reports that the sanctions target persons involved in the creation and manufacture of Russian drones, including Geran, Orlan-10, SuperCam and FPV drones. The list also includes suppliers of Alabuga Machinery LLC and companies importing components for the Russian UAV manufacturer Kronstadt Joint Stock Company, particularly for the production of Banderol weapons.

The annexes to the decree state that all the individuals are citizens of the Russian Federation. Among the legal entities, six are registered in China, one in Belarus and the rest are Russian companies associated with the aggressor state’s defence industry.

Sanctions include the freezing of assets, suspension of financial transactions, prohibition of capital withdrawal, cancellation of licences and imposition of other restrictions. They will be implemented by the Cabinet of Ministers, the Security Service of Ukraine, the National Bank of Ukraine and other competent authorities.

Background:

Ukraine is set to fully align its anti-Russian sanctions with those imposed by the European Union and other international partners.Zelenskyy has repeatedly emphasised the need to step up sanctions against Russia and disrupt sanctions circumvention schemes in view of Russia’s ongoing attacks on Ukraine.In June, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy enacted sanctions by Ukraine’s National Security and Defence Council (NSDC) against Russian entities and individuals.

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The G7 ambassadors to Ukraine have welcomed the adoption of a law reforming the National Agency of Ukraine for Finding, Tracing and Management of Assets Derived from Corruption and Other Crimes (ARMA).

Source: G7 Ambassadors’ statement on X (Twitter), as reported by European Pravda

Details: The G7 diplomats stated that implementing the ARMA reform law is "key for an independent asset recovery system to enhance Ukraine’s anti-corruption efforts and generate revenue".

Quote: "Sustained progress on reforms remains essential for Ukraine’s Euro-Atlantic integration."

More details: On 18 June 2025, the Verkhovna Rada adopted the law, introducing new requirements for ARMA’s head, a selection process involving international experts, a transparent asset management mechanism and oversight of asset transfers.

The bill passed its first reading on 12 February 2025. The government had emphasised its urgency to meet European Union requirements.

Background:

As part of the Ukraine Facility plan, Ukraine committed to approving the ARMA reform law to enhance its institutional capacity.The law’s adoption was a condition for unlocking €16 million in EU financial assistance.

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A warehouse and office belonging to the Ukrainskyi Priorytet (Ukrainian Priority) publishing house were completely destroyed in the Russian attack that took place on the night of 16-17 June.

Source: Volodymyr Shovkoshytnyi, director of the publishing house, on Facebook

Quote: "Today I have been clearing away the ashes of 14 years of my life with my own hands, but I’m a firm believer in the Phoenix. So I am certain – Ukraine will prevail! And Ukrainskyi Priorytet will definitely rise from the ashes!"

*The publishing house has launched a fundraising campaign called Bring Back Ukrainian History.*Photo: Volodymyr Shovkoshytnyi on Facebook

Details: Shovkoshytnyi said tens of thousands of books and over 130 titles had been burned, including works about Ukrainian history from the Scythian period to the present day. Around 50 publications on the history of Ukraine from the Scythians to modern times have been destroyed.

The publishers have launched a fundraising campaign called Bring Back Ukrainian History.

For reference: Ukrainskyi Priorytet, founded by Volodymyr Shovkoshytnyi in 2011, specialises in publishing historical novels and popular non-fiction works that dismantle Russian myths and narratives. Since its foundation, it has published works by over 100 authors who have garnered various awards, including nine Shevchenko Prize winners.

Background:

On 23 May 2024, the Russians hit the Faktor-Druk printing house in Kharkiv. Fifty thousand books were burned, seven people were killed and 22 printing house employees were injured.The printing house reopened in 2025.

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The Council of the European Union has extended sanctions imposed in response to Russia’s illegal annexation of Crimea and the city of Sevastopol until 23 June 2026.

Source: an official statement by the Council of the EU on Monday 16 June, as reported by European Pravda

Details: The EU first introduced these sanctions in June 2014. They include a ban on imports of goods from illegally annexed Crimea and Sevastopol into the European Union, as well as prohibitions on infrastructure and financial investments and the provision of tourism services in these regions.

In addition, the export of certain goods and technologies to Crimean companies or for use in Crimea is banned, particularly in the areas of transport, telecommunications and energy. Restrictions also apply to the supply of equipment used for oil, gas and mineral exploration and extraction.

The European Union has once again confirmed that it does not recognise the illegal annexation of Crimea and Sevastopol and strongly condemns it as a violation of international law. Brussels emphasised that the annexation contradicts the fundamental principles of the international community.

The EU statement highlights that since 2022, Russia has violated Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity further by launching an unprovoked and unjustified war.

Background:

The EU is currently preparing its 18th package of sanctions against Russia in response to its full-scale invasion of Ukraine. The draft includes a proposal to lower the price cap on Russian oil from US$60 to US$45 per barrel.However, it was reported that the European Union will not unilaterally reduce the price cap on Russian oil from US$60 to US$45 per barrel, as this initiative is unlikely to be supported by the Group of Seven (G7).The European Commission has proposed that the sanctions package should include additional measures against Belarus and sanctions targeting software used by Russian banks.

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