Russia says Moscow now occupies all of Ukraine's Luhansk region, illegally annexed in 2022
If confirmed, that would make Luhansk the first Ukrainian region fully occupied by Russia after more than three years of war and as recent U.S.-led international peace efforts have failed to make progress on halting the fighting.
Russian President Vladimir Putin has effectively rejected a ceasefire and hasn't budged from his demands, which include Moscow's control over the four illegally annexed regions.
There was no immediate comment from Kyiv on the claim made by the Moscow-installed leader of the occupied region, Leonid Pasechnik. In remarks to Russia's state TV Channel One that aired Monday evening, Mr. Pasechnik said he received a report 'literally two days ago' saying that '100%' of the region was now under the control of Russian forces.
The development came just hours after the top German diplomat said that Germany aims to help Ukraine manufacture more weapons more quickly as Kyiv looks to strengthen its negotiating position in peace talks with Russia.
'We see our task as helping Ukraine so that it can negotiate more strongly,' Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul said during a visit to the Ukrainian capital, Kyiv, accompanied by German defense industry representatives.
'When Putin speaks of peace today, it is pure mockery," Mr. Wadephul told a news conference with Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha. "His apparent readiness to negotiate is only a facade so far.'
Russia's invasion shows no sign of letting up. Its grinding war of attrition along the roughly 1,000-kilometer (620-mile) front line and long-range strikes on civilian areas of Ukraine have killed thousands of troops and civilians.
Ukraine is outgunned and shorthanded on the front line and international aid has been vital for Ukraine's resistance against its neighbor's bigger army and economy. Germany has been Ukraine's second-largest military backer after the United States, whose continuing support is in doubt.
'We want to build new joint ventures so that Ukraine itself can produce faster and more for its own defense, because your needs are enormous,' Wadephul said while standing next to Sybiha.
'Our arms cooperation is a real trump card — it is a logical continuation of our delivery of material,' Wadephul said. 'And we can even benefit mutually from it — with your wealth of ideas and your experience, we will become better.'
Mr. Wadephul was also due to meet with Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
The top German diplomat's trip to Kyiv came less than 48 hours after Russia launched its biggest combined aerial attack against Ukraine over the weekend, Ukrainian officials said, in an escalating bombing campaign that has further dashed hopes for a breakthrough in peace efforts.
Ukraine's air force said Monday it detected 107 Russian Shahed and decoy drones in the country's air space overnight.
Strikes in Ukraine's northeastern Kharkiv region left two civilians dead and eight injured, including a 6-year-old child, regional Gov. Oleh Syniehubov said Monday.
The aerial onslaughts are calculated by Russia to squeeze Ukraine into submission, according to the Institute for the Study of War.
'Russia is continuing to use increasingly large numbers of drones in its overnight strike packages in order to overwhelm Ukrainian air defenses and enable subsequent cruise and ballistic missile strikes,' the Washington-based think tank said late Sunday.
'The increases in Russia's strike packages in recent weeks are largely due to Russia's efforts to scale up its defense industrial production, particularly of Shahed and decoy drones and ballistic missiles,' the institute added.
Sybiha thanked Germany for its contribution to Ukraine's air defense and urged Berlin to send more antimissile systems.
The Russians 'are attacking civilian targets in order to create panic, to influence the mood of our population,' he said. 'The key is the air defense system.'
Berlin has balked at granting Zelenskyy's request to provide Ukraine with powerful German- and Swedish-made Taurus long-range missiles, which could potentially hit targets inside Russia. That is due to fears such a move could enrage the Kremlin and draw NATO into Europe's biggest conflict since World War II.
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz pledged in May to help Ukraine develop its own long-range missile systems that would be free of any Western-imposed limitations on their use and targets.
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India Gazette
2 hours ago
- India Gazette
Indian Navy's latest warship INS Tamal commissioned in Russia
New Delhi [India], July 1 (ANI): The Indian Navy on Tuesday commissioned its latest stealth frigate, INS Tamal, in Russia, the last warship to have been built outside the country. According to an official release, the Indian Navy commissioned INS Tamal (F71) on July 1 at Yantar Shipyard in Kaliningrad, Russia, in a ceremony. The signing of the Delivery Act was done by the Commanding Officer Designate and Sergey Kupriynav, Director General of the Russian Naval Department, formalising the transfer of the ship to the Indian Navy. The event was attended by Vice Admiral Sanjay Jasjit Singh, Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Western Naval Command. Also present were Vice Admiral Rajaram Swaminathan, Controller Warship Production and Acquisition, and Vice Admiral Sergie Lipin, Commander of the Baltic Fleet of the Russian Navy, along with senior officials from the Indian and Russian governments, navies, and defence industries. INS Tamal is the eighth multi-role stealth frigate in the series of Project 1135.6 and the second of the additional follow-on Tushil class of ships. The first ship of the Tushil class (INS Tushil) was commissioned on December 9, 2024, in the presence of the Defence Minister Rajnath Singh. All seven ships inducted thus far are part of the Western Fleet - 'The Sword Arm' of the Indian Navy under the Western Naval Command. This ceremony marks the formal induction of INS Tamal into the Indian Navy. Captain Sridhar Tata, a gunnery and missile warfare specialist, commands the ship. The ceremony kicked off with an impressive joint Guard of Honour comprising personnel from the ship's crew and Russia's Baltic Naval Fleet. The ceremony was declared open by Andrey Sergeyvich Puchkov - Director General United Shipbuilding Corporation. In his inaugural speech, Mikhaeeilv Babich, Deputy Director General of the Federal Service for Military Technical Cooperation of the Russian Federation, spoke about the maritime technological cooperation between the Indian and Russian navies and its growing future trajectory. This was followed by addresses of senior Russian government dignitaries and Vice Admiral R Swaminathan, CWP&A, who highlighted the commissioning of Tamal as symbolic of the strategic partnership between India and Russia. It also exemplifies the collaborative strength and the ability to dovetail the technologies of both nations into one combat platform. He commented that the Indo-Russian strategic partnership has stood the test of time, with Tamal being the 51st ship being produced under this collaborative effort in the past 65 years . 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The pennant will remain aflutter till the time the ship remains in commission. In his address, the Chief Guest, Vice Admiral Sanjay Jasjit Singh, noted that the commissioning of Tamal into the Indian Navy marked a significant milestone in the country's maritime defence capabilities and Indo-Russian Cooperation. He commented that INS Tamal joins the illustrious list of Talwar, Teg, and Tushil class of ships, renowned for their dependability and prowess. The CinC congratulated the crew and Yantar Shipyard for their efforts in making the commissioning ceremony impressive and memorable. He extended his appreciation to the Russian Ministry of Defence, FSMTC, Rosoboronexport, United Shipping Corporation, Yantar Shipyard, and the Warship Overseeing Team for their relentless efforts in building the warship. 'The commissioning of versatile platforms like INS Tamal enhances the Indian Navy's reach, responsiveness, and resilience,' he said. 'I am confident that the ship will prove its mettle as a force multiplier in our operational architecture, towards safeguarding national maritime interests and promoting maritime security,' he said. The Chief guest also acknowledged the Russian Navy and Baltic Fleet for their role in bringing Tamal to its full combat capability and appreciated the commissioning crew for their dedication and professionalism. He remarked that, though being built in Russia, the ship has 26 per cent indigenous components, including the BrahMos long-range cruise missile and HUMSA-NG Sonar system. The construction of the next two ships of the class in India further enhances the scope, potential and wide horizon in harnessing and synergising mutual strengths and joint capabilities. He concluded his address by emphasising that the Indian Navy stands as a credible, capable, cohesive, and future-ready force ready to meet any challenges anytime, anywhere. The Chief Guest was shown around the ship by the Commanding Officer and explained the various upgrades made by the ship in addressing the challenges faced by her sister ships and advancements as compared to the previous classes of ships. This was followed by souvenir exchange before signing the visitors' book. He then proceeded to interact with the guests and dignitaries at High Tea. INS Tamal is a formidable moving fortress at sea and is designed for blue water operations across the spectrum of naval warfare in all four dimensions ie. air, surface, underwater and electromagnetic. The ship was launched on 24 February 2022. She sailed for her maiden sea trials in November 2024. She completed an exhaustive schedule of Factory Trials, State Committee Trials and the Delivery Acceptance Trials, both in harbour and at sea, by Jun 2025. The ship has successfully carried out trial firing of all her Russian weapon systems, including the vertically launched surface-to-air missile Shtil-1, artillery weapons and torpedoes. Tamal punches well above her weight with dual-role BrahMos supersonic cruise missiles, vertically launched surface-to-air missiles with extended ranges, the standard 30 MM Close-in Weapon System, the 100 MM Main gun and very potent ASW rockets and heavyweight torpedoes. Tamal is an amalgamation of Indian and Russian technologies with a host of state-of-the-art communication and network-centric operational capabilities. The complement of advanced electronic warfare suite and advanced EO/IR systems adds ears and eyes to this potent platform. The highly versatile combat management system fuses all weapons and sensors into an effective fighting machine. 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The ship will soon embark on her maiden passage back to her homeport of Karwar in Karnataka. Tamal will touch various ports enroute and showcase her combat prowess. It would reach India in combat-ready condition, set to dominate the maritime space. (ANI)
Indian Express
2 hours ago
- Indian Express
Putin and Macron hold first call in nearly three years, discuss Ukraine war and Iran tension
Russian President Vladimir Putin and French President Emmanuel Macron spoke on the phone for the first time in almost three years, discussing the wars in Ukraine and the Middle East, according to Reuters. The Kremlin said the conversation was 'substantial' and included topics like Iran's nuclear programme and the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine. In Paris, Macron's office said the call lasted two hours. According to the French statement, Macron called for a ceasefire in Ukraine and for negotiations to begin. 'The president emphasised France's unwavering support for Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity,' the statement said. On the situation with Iran, Putin told Macron that Iran has a right to develop nuclear energy for peaceful purposes and should be allowed to do so under the nuclear non-proliferation treaty. Macron, however, said Iran must cooperate fully with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), the UN's nuclear watchdog. He said he was committed to a diplomatic solution that addresses not only the nuclear issue but also Iran's missiles and its role in the region. 'The president expressed his determination to seek a diplomatic solution that would lead to a lasting and rigorous resolution of the nuclear issue, the question of Iran's missiles, and its role in the region,' Macron's office said. The two leaders agreed to coordinate their efforts. Both France and Russia are permanent members of the United Nations Security Council. On Ukraine, the Kremlin repeated its view that the war is the result of what it called 'Western policies' that had ignored Russia's security concerns. Putin told Macron that any future peace deal must reflect 'new territorial realities,' according to the Kremlin. This refers to Russia's control over parts of Ukrainian territory. Putin has said before that Ukraine must accept Russia's annexation of these areas as part of any agreement. Macron has a different view. His office said Ukraine alone should decide whether it accepts any territorial concessions. Despite their differences, both leaders agreed to keep talking. 'The two presidents decided to continue their discussions on Ukraine and Iran,' Macron's office said. Macron and Putin had held regular talks early in 2022 around the time Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Macron even visited Moscow that February. But contact between the two leaders had since stopped until now.
NDTV
2 hours ago
- NDTV
Putin To Macron: Iran Has 'Right' To Develop 'Peaceful' Nuclear Programme
Russian President Vladimir Putin told his French counterpart Emmanuel Macron in a phone call Tuesday that Moscow's ally Iran has a "right" to develop a peaceful nuclear programme, the Kremlin said. Putin emphasised "the lawful right of Tehran in developing a peaceful nuclear (programme)", according to the Kremlin transcript of the call. It said both presidents agreed that the conflict over Iran's nuclear programme and other Middle Eastern conflicts should be solved "exclusively" by diplomatic means and that the two leaders would "continue contacts" on this.
