Key developments on July 4:
- 'Nothing however terror and homicide' — Russia kilos Kyiv with report in a single day drone, missile assault, 1 lifeless, 26 injured
- Zelensky, Trump focus on air protection, joint drone manufacturing amid Russian strikes
- 'There’s additionally excellent news' — Ukrainian drones hit key navy optics plant in Russia, Basic Employees confirms
- Russia intensifying use of chemical weapons in Ukraine, Dutch intelligence reviews
- Ukraine, Denmark signal deal to launch Ukrainian navy manufacturing on Danish soil
- Ukraine, Russia conduct new POW trade
Explosions rocked the town of Kyiv for greater than seven hours in a single day on July 4, as Russia launched a report missile and drone assault concentrating on the capital and different cities throughout Ukraine.
A minimum of one individual was killed, and 26 others have been injured in Kyiv, the State Emergency Service reported.
Mayor Vitali Klitschko stated 14 folks had been hospitalized, whereas Tymur Tkachenko, head of the Kyiv Metropolis Army Administration, within the afternoon confirmed a physique had been discovered throughout rescue operations.
President Volodymyr Zelensky stated Russia launched a report 550 drones and missiles throughout the seven-hour barrage. Kyiv Unbiased journalists on the bottom heard a number of rounds of explosions within the metropolis starting round 8 p.m. native time on July 3 and persevering with into the early hours of July 4
The assault broken house buildings, companies, a college, a medical facility, railway strains, and different civilian infrastructure in a number of districts. Fires blazed throughout the town, making the air harmful to breathe.
"Russia, a terrorist nation, has wreaked havoc," Tkachenko wrote on Telegram. "The Russians carry nothing however terror and homicide. That could be a reality."
Ukraine's Air Pressure reported that Russia had launched a ballistic missile in direction of Kyiv at round 12:30 a.m., after which further missiles round 2:30 a.m.
As officers reported real-time updates on harm and casualties amid the continued assault, Kyiv Unbiased reporters within the metropolis stated that smoke from explosions clogged the air even in neighborhoods removed from the assault websites.
"The primary air raids in our cities and areas started yesterday, virtually concurrently with the beginning of media discussions of President Trump's cellphone name with Putin," Zelensky stated in a submit on social media on July 4.
"This was one of many largest-scale air assaults — intentionally large and cynical… Russia is as soon as once more demonstrating that it isn’t going to finish the conflict and terror."
Polish International Minister Radoslaw Sikorski stated that the consular part of Poland's embassy in Kyiv was broken throughout Russia's assault on Kyiv. "I simply spoke with Ambassador (Piotr) Lukasiewicz; everyone seems to be protected and unhurt," Sikorski stated.
He added that Ukraine urgently wants air protection techniques.
Russia additionally focused different areas of Ukraine with in a single day assaults. Downed drones struck property and a car within the metropolis of Poltava, regional Governor Volodymyr Kohut reported. The strike injured two folks.
Kyiv and different main Ukrainian cities have confronted intensified drone and missile strikes in current weeks, with Russia deploying Iranian-designed Shahed drones in report numbers.
The Kyiv IndependentKateryna HodunovaZelensky, Trump focus on air protection, joint drone manufacturing amid Russian strikes
President Volodymyr Zelensky and U.S. President Donald Trump held a cellphone dialog on July 4, agreeing to strengthen Ukraine's air defenses, Zelensky introduced on Telegram.
The decision got here as Russia escalated its aerial marketing campaign throughout Ukraine.
"Right now we mentioned the scenario: Russian air strikes and, extra broadly, the scenario on the entrance strains. President Trump could be very nicely knowledgeable," Zelensky stated.
"We mentioned air protection choices and agreed to work on growing airspace safety. We agreed on a gathering between our groups."
Zelensky stated the 2 leaders additionally mentioned Ukraine's protection trade potential and explored prospects for direct cooperation with U.S. companions.
"We’re prepared for direct initiatives with America and imagine that that is extraordinarily mandatory for safety, particularly with regard to drones and associated applied sciences," he added.
Trump instructed Zelensky that the U.S. is prepared to help Ukraine with air protection amid intensified Russian strikes, Axios reported, citing unnamed sources. The decision between the 2 presidents reportedly lasted about 40 minutes.
This dialog adopted a cellphone name between Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin on July 3, throughout which the Kremlin stated Putin reaffirmed that "Russia will proceed to pursue its objectives" in its conflict in opposition to Ukraine regardless of U.S. requires a ceasefire.
Trump instructed reporters on July 3 that he was "very disenchanted" by the dialog with Putin.
"I don't assume he's there… I don't assume he's seeking to cease this preventing."
The decision additionally adopted the U.S. Protection Division's determination to pause shipments of key weapons techniques to Ukraine, together with Patriot missiles and precision-guided artillery rounds. Kyiv has warned that the delay threatens to weaken its air defenses and emboldens Moscow.
Regardless of repeated expressions of frustration about Russia's continued aggression, Trump's administration has but to impose new sanctions or approve further assist for Ukraine since taking workplace in January.
Whereas Russia and Ukraine resumed direct talks in Istanbul this yr, the 2 rounds of negotiations — on Might 16 and June 2 — have yielded solely prisoner exchanges and no progress towards a ceasefire.
The Kyiv IndependentTim Zadorozhnyy
'There's additionally excellent news' — Ukrainian drones hit key navy optics plant in Russia, Basic Employees confirms
Drones struck a number of targets in Russia in a single day on July 4, together with a high-value protection facility within the southern Rostov Oblast, in keeping with Andrii Kovalenko, head of the counter-disinformation middle at Ukraine's Nationwide Safety and Protection Council.
Kovalenko stated a drone hit the Azov Optical and Mechanical Plant within the city of Azov, Rostov Oblast. The ability reportedly manufactures important elements for the Russian navy, together with sights, rangefinders, thermal imaging techniques, and hearth management gear for tanks, infantry preventing autos, ships, and plane.
"Regardless of the troublesome evening, there may be additionally excellent news. There have been assaults on services in Russia, notably in Moscow and Rostov oblasts," Kovalenko wrote. "That is the place the 'eyes' for Russian armored autos are assembled."
In a single day on July 4, Russia launched an enormous drone and missile assault on a number of Ukrainian cities, with Kyiv as the first goal. A minimum of 23 folks have been injured within the capital amid widespread destruction and excessive ranges of air air pollution.
Ukraine's Basic Employees later confirmed that its drone items struck the Scientific Analysis Institute of Utilized Chemistry (FNTs NIIPKh) in Sergiyev Posad, Moscow Oblast.
The navy stated the power is concerned within the manufacturing of thermobaric warheads for Shahed-type drones and performs a important function in Russia's airstrike capabilities.
Russia's Protection Ministry later claimed that air protection techniques had intercepted or destroyed 48 Ukrainian drones in a single day. In accordance with the ministry, 26 have been downed over Rostov Oblast, 12 over Kursk Oblast, six over Belgorod Oblast, three over Oryol Oblast, and one over Lipetsk Oblast.
The Kyiv Unbiased couldn’t independently confirm these claims.
The Kyiv IndependentDmytro Basmat
Russia intensifying use of chemical weapons in Ukraine, Dutch intelligence reviews
Russia is escalating the usage of chemical weapons in opposition to Ukrainian forces, the Netherlands Army Intelligence (MIVD) reported on July 4.
Russian troops use banned chemical brokers as psychological warfare to panic Ukrainian forces, forcing troopers from dugouts and trenches with fuel grenades dropped by drones, making them simple targets for subsequent drone or artillery assaults.
In accordance with MIVD report, it was beforehand identified that Russia used tear fuel, however now intelligence has confirmed the usage of chloropicrin — a substance that may kill in excessive concentrations in enclosed areas.
Use of of chloropicrin, banned below worldwide regulation, was found by the Netherlands Army Intelligence and Safety Service (MIVD) and Basic Intelligence and Safety Service (AIVD) along with the German overseas intelligence service BND.
The Kyiv Unbiased beforehand reported rising chemical assaults, however Ukraine couldn’t precisely establish the chemical substances resulting from lack of kit.
The U.S. State Division had already reported in Might that Russian forces have used the chemical agent chloropicrin in Ukraine. The Might 1 announcement was half of a bigger assertion concerning the introduction of recent U.S. sanctions in opposition to greater than 280 people and entities.
For now, the unique assertion has been faraway from the U.S. State Division web site.
Russia is utilizing any such weapon extra ceaselessly and "with ease," says MIVD Director Vice Admiral Peter Reesink.
Dutch Protection Minister Ruben Brekelmans, who introduced the information to the Dutch parliament, known as the scenario "completely unacceptable," calling for "extra sanctions, isolation of Russia and unwavering navy assist for Ukraine."
"We’re making this public now as a result of Russia's use of chemical weapons should not grow to be normalized," Brekelmans stated. "If the brink for utilizing any such weapon is lowered, it’s harmful not just for Ukraine but in addition for the remainder of Europe and the world."
For the reason that begin of the full-scale invasion in 2022, Russia has carried out over 9,000 chemical assaults. A minimum of three Ukrainian troopers have died instantly from publicity to poisonous substances, in keeping with Ukraine's Protection Ministry.
Dutch intelligence has established that Russian navy management actively facilitates chemical assaults, and the usage of banned substances has grow to be normal apply for Russian forces.
Moscow can be growing investments in chemical weapons packages, increasing analysis, and recruiting new scientists, MIVD and AIVD observe.
The U.S. has accused Russia of deploying chloropicrin, typically utilized in agriculture and broadly weaponized as a "vomiting agent" throughout World Struggle I.
The Kyiv IndependentThe Kyiv Independent news desk
Ukraine, Denmark signal deal to launch Ukrainian navy manufacturing on Danish soil
Kyiv and Copenhagen signed a landmark settlement on July 4 that permits Ukrainian protection corporations to open manufacturing services in Denmark, Strategic Industries Minister Herman Smetanin introduced.
"This can be a distinctive case of worldwide cooperation for the Ukrainian protection trade," Smetanin wrote on Fb, following the signing ceremony in Copenhagen alongside Danish Trade Minister Morten Bodskov.
The deal marks the primary time Ukrainian protection applied sciences shall be exported overseas particularly for provide to Ukraine's personal Armed Forces, he stated.
A yr in the past, Denmark turned the primary nation to fund weapons manufacturing by Ukrainian producers. Now, it has grow to be the primary to host Ukrainian arms manufacturing strains on its territory, Smetanin added.
"Right now, it has grow to be the primary nation to which Ukraine exports its personal protection applied sciences for manufacturing, scaling, and provide to the Ukrainian military," he stated.
The settlement is a part of Ukraine's broader effort to internationalize its protection manufacturing. President Volodymyr Zelensky introduced on June 21 that Kyiv would quickly start exporting protection applied sciences and opening weapons manufacturing strains in associate international locations.
To scale up home and worldwide manufacturing, Zelensky has known as on overseas companions to finance new initiatives and match Ukraine's quickly rising manufacturing capability.
Denmark has been a key backer of Ukraine for the reason that begin of Russia's full-scale invasion in 2022. In February 2024, Copenhagen signed a 10-year bilateral safety settlement with Kyiv, pledging long-term protection cooperation till Ukraine secures NATO membership.
The Kyiv IndependentAnna Fratsyvir
Ukraine, Russia conduct new POW trade
A brand new prisoner of conflict (POW) trade with Russia has taken place, bringing residence one other group of Ukrainian troopers held in Russian captivity, many since 2022, President Volodymyr Zelensky confirmed on July 4.
"Our individuals are residence. Most of them had been in Russian captivity since 2022," Zelensky stated in an announcement.
In accordance with Ukraine's Land Forces, the group consists of prisoners categorized as "wounded and severely sick," these "below the age of 25," and civilians.
The trade follows 5 swaps that occurred in June below the Istanbul deal reached between Ukraine and Russia on June 2. The settlement supplied for the common launch of severely sick and wounded POWs from each side, in addition to the repatriation of the our bodies of fallen troopers.
Earlier swaps have introduced residence service members from the Armed Forces, Nationwide Guard, and State Border Guard Service, lots of whom have been captured in 2022 throughout the begin of Russia's full-scale invasion.
"Exchanges should proceed, and I thank everybody who makes this attainable," Zelensky stated. "Ukraine's aim is to free all our folks from Russian captivity. I thank everybody who helps make that occur."
Russia'sDefense Ministry confirmed the trade on July 4, with out disclosing the variety of troopers returned.
Earlier exchanges have centered on people with critical medical wants ensuing from accidents and harsh circumstances in captivity. Some beforehand launched prisoners had defended Mariupol throughout the 2022 siege, whereas others fought in areas together with Donetsk, Luhansk, Kherson, and Kyiv oblasts.
The Istanbul settlement adopted months of stalled negotiations and was hailed as a humanitarian breakthrough regardless of the dearth of broader political progress.
Ukraine continues to advocate for a full-scale "all-for-all" trade, a proposal that Russia has to this point rejected. Nonetheless, each side have carried out smaller, phased swaps, typically a number of in a single week.
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