In a significant development on the Eastern Front, Ukrainian forces have reportedly advanced near the border village of Alekseevka, pushing Russian troops further away from the city of Sumy, reported Ukraine's General Staff. The Ukrainian Command also confirmed the liberation of the village of Andriivka.

Ukrainian officials noted that along the Sumy region's frontline — from Yunakivka to Yablunivka, Novomykolyivka, Oleksiivka, and Kondrativka — Russian forces have been halted, thus stabilizing …

On Monday, June 30, the Russian Foreign Ministry declared that Moscow will block access to websites of 15 European media outlets. This move comes as a response to the European Union's 16th sanctions package, which targeted eight Russian publications and broadcasting channels, including Eurasia Daily, Lenta, and "Krasnaya Zvezda".

Moscow accused European entities of "escalating the sanctions spiral," while refraining from specifying which European media outlets would be affected by the blockade. …

Germany and Ukraine are planning to bolster their cooperation in the defense sector, according to Johann Wadephul, Germany's Foreign Minister, during a meeting with his Ukrainian counterpart Andriy Sybiha in Kyiv on Monday, June 30. This marks a "logical continuation" of Germany’s military assistance to Kyiv. According to Wadephul, both countries can benefit from defense cooperation. Germany stands to gain from a wide array of ideas and expertise from the Ukrainians in defense matters.

As part …

In a recent news broadcast, Viktor Trehubov, a representative of the Ukrainian Khortytsia operational-strategic military grouping, highlighted that intense battles continue across all front lines, with Russian forces attempting to advance in multiple directions.

According to Trehubov, the Russian summer offensive hit a stalemate in the Sumy region, yet fierce battles persist on numerous fronts.

Trehubov remarked that this could pertain to the Sumy area, where Russians, despite extensive …

In a stark address at Sberbank's annual shareholders meeting on June 30, German Gref, the head of Russia's largest bank, painted a bleak picture of the Russian economy's future. The country is grappling with a rapid surge in military spending, inflation spikes, and a significant hike in the central bank's key rate, hindering quick economic fixes. The forecast for 2026 doesn't offer much solace either, with expectations of continued challenges.

"The situation heavily hinges on geopolitics, GDP …