Key developments on July 3:
- Putin tells Trump Russia received't again down from its struggle goals in Ukraine
- Deputy commander of Russian Navy killed in Ukrainian strike in Kursk, Russian official confirms
- Ukraine indicators main drone co-production cope with US Swift Beat, Zelensky proclaims
- Russia targets Ukrainian conscription places of work to disrupt mobilization, navy spokesperson says after Poltava assault
- 'Considered one of Russia's most important targets' — Ukraine confirms strike on missile battery plant in Lipetsk
Throughout a telephone name with U.S. President Donald Trump on July 3, Russian President Vladimir Putin mentioned "Russia will proceed to pursue its objectives" within the struggle in opposition to Ukraine, Kremlin aide Yury Ushakov mentioned.
The hour-long dialog between the 2 presidents centered on Russia's struggle in Ukraine and the scenario within the Center East, in keeping with Ushakov.
"Trump as soon as once more emphasised the necessity to finish navy hostilities as quickly as attainable. Vladimir Putin famous that Russia continues to hunt a political negotiated resolution to the battle," Ushakov mentioned.
"Our president mentioned that Russia will pursue its objectives, particularly addressing the foundation causes that led to the present scenario, and won’t again down from these goals."
The Kremlin aide added that the 2 leaders mentioned cultural diplomacy, particularly the trade of movies selling what Ushakov described as "conventional values near Russia and the U.S. presidential administration."
Putin's message got here amid a surge of Russian drone and missile assaults throughout Ukraine which have killed and injured a whole lot of civilians in current weeks.
The strikes have destroyed quite a few infrastructure as Russia intensifies its assault regardless of repeated calls from Kyiv, Washington, and European leaders for an unconditional ceasefire.
The telephone name additionally got here only a day after the U.S. Protection Division paused shipments of key weapons methods to Ukraine, together with Patriot air protection missiles and precision-guided munitions. Ukraine's Overseas Ministry has warned that the delay undermines protection efforts and dangers emboldening Russia to escalate additional.
President Volodymyr Zelensky, talking from Denmark earlier within the day, mentioned that reaching peace would require direct talks between nationwide leaders.
The president described Trump and Putin as "fully totally different folks" however emphasised that solely Putin makes selections in Russia.
"In Russia, solely Putin makes selections, which is why we want a gathering on the management degree if we wish to have peace," Zelensky mentioned.
Based on Ushakov, the presidents didn’t focus on the opportunity of a gathering, however "the concept is within the air," they usually agreed to proceed communication.
Moscow and Kyiv have held two rounds of face-to-face talks in Istanbul this yr, first on Could 16 and once more on June 2, following greater than three years with no direct negotiations.
The conferences resulted in a number of prisoner exchanges, however no steps towards a ceasefire.
Whereas Trump has expressed frustration with Russia's continued aggression, his administration has not imposed new sanctions nor taken steps to strain the Kremlin immediately.
The Kyiv IndependentAndrea Januta
Deputy commander of Russian Navy killed in Ukrainian strike in Kursk, Russian official confirms
A deputy commander of Russia's navy has been killed in a Ukrainian strike in Kursk Oblast, a Russian official confirmed on July 3.
Main Normal Mikhail Gudkov was killed alongside his deputy and a number of other different Russian troopers, Oleg Kozhemyako, governor of Russia's Primorsky Krai, mentioned in a submit on social media.
Based on Russian milbloggers, 22 folks in complete had been killed on account of a Ukrainian HIMARS strike in Russia's Kursk Oblast bordering Ukraine. Kyiv has but to touch upon the assault.
Gudkov was appointed deputy commander of the Russian Navy in March 2025. Previous to that, he led the one hundred and fifty fifth Separate Marine Brigade, which was concerned in fight operations in opposition to Ukraine.
Ukraine has accused the one hundred and fifty fifth Separate Marine Brigade of committing quite a few struggle crimes. Based on the nation's Air Assault Forces, members of the brigade are chargeable for executing prisoners of struggle and humiliating captured Ukrainian troopers.
Gudkov held the titles of Hero of Russia and Hero of Primorye, Russia's far japanese area the place he beforehand served, Kozhemyako mentioned.
HIMARS, whose prowess grew to become a well-liked motif of web memes, was a game-changer for Ukraine when it first arrived in the summertime of 2022.
Initially equipped with GMLRS rockets with a spread of round 70 kilometers, they allowed Ukraine to focus on Russian forces on the opposite facet of the entrance line much more precisely than they’d beforehand.
Within the fall of 2023, the U.S. started supplying Kyiv with an older mannequin of ATACMS – fired from HIMARS launchers – with a spread of round 165 kilometers, significantly growing the vary that Ukraine may strike inside.
Russia's high-ranking navy officers have been killed frequently all through the full-scale invasion — a current report from BBC Russia recognized ten generals 10 generals and 524 lieutenant colonels and colonels.
Ukrainian forces launched a cross-border incursion into Russia's Kursk Oblast in August 2024, making it the primary large-scale invasion of Russian territory by overseas troops since World Struggle II. The transfer was meant to disrupt a deliberate Russian offensive focusing on Ukraine's Sumy Oblast and to alleviate strain on the Donetsk entrance.
Since then, Ukraine claims it has inflicted 63,402 Russian troop casualties within the oblast, together with 25,625 killed and 971 captured. Ukrainian forces additionally say they’ve destroyed or broken over 5,664 items of Russian navy gear within the space.
Russia retook many of the misplaced territory throughout a renewed offensive in March 2025, supported by North Korean troops.
The Kyiv IndependentTim Zadorozhnyy
Ukraine indicators main drone co-production cope with US Swift Beat, Zelensky proclaims
Ukraine signed a significant cope with U.S. firm Swift Beat to co-produce a whole lot of 1000’s of drones this yr, President Volodymyr Zelensky introduced on July 3 throughout his go to to Denmark.
The long-term strategic partnership settlement was signed by Ukraine's Protection Minister Rustem Umerov and Eric Schmidt, the CEO of Swift Beat, in Denmark on the identical day.
Below the deal, the corporate will produce numerous sorts of unmanned aerial autos for Ukraine, together with these designed to intercept Russian drones and missiles, reconnaissance, assault, and different drones, Zelensky mentioned in an announcement revealed on the web site of the President's Workplace.
"The important thing precedence is interceptor drones which have already confirmed efficient in Ukraine," Zelensky mentioned. "We've examined fashions from a number of firms, and now we're signing critical contracts."
Swift Beat will improve its manufacturing capability, aiming to supply a whole lot of 1000’s of drones for Ukraine this yr, with plans to scale up manufacturing in 2026, in keeping with Zelensky.
"Trendy drones shall be equipped to Ukraine as a precedence, on particular phrases and at value," Zelensky mentioned.
The announcement comes only a day after the U.S. Protection Division (DOD) halted shipments of some air protection missiles and different weapons beforehand promised to Kyiv. Ukraine has been attempting to barter shopping for U.S. weapons for months after U.S. President Donald Trump, who has opposed navy assist to Kyiv, took workplace in January.
Swift Beat has a big presence in Ukraine, in keeping with Zelensky's workplace. It focuses on autonomous AI-powered drones and cooperates with Ukrainian engineers and the navy, conducting drone testing on Ukrainian territory, the assertion reads.
Zelensky arrived in Denmark on July 3 to mark the nation's assumption of the rotating presidency of the Council of the European Union.
Zelensky additionally mentioned that in his go to, he plans to lift the problem of political blockages hindering Ukraine's path to becoming a member of the European Union.
"We're able to open three accession clusters and wish to begin with one now, within the very close to future. However political blockages stay, purely political," he mentioned.
Whereas EU member states agreed to consider the European Fee's evaluation that Ukraine is able to open the primary, Fundamentals cluster, the method stays stalled as a result of Hungary's refusal to grant unanimous assist.
Ukraine utilized for EU membership in 2022 and was granted candidate standing shortly thereafter, however full negotiations require the approval of all 27 EU member states.
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.
Zelensky mentioned he expects Denmark to broaden its monetary assist for Ukraine's drone and missile manufacturing initiatives.
"What we've simply signed requires vital funding. I'm relying on our relationship with Denmark," the president mentioned.
The Ukrainian president may also take part in official occasions commemorating Denmark's presidency of the Council. Based on Danish broadcaster DR, the occasions shall be attended by Denmark's royal household, authorities officers, and EU leaders.
The Kyiv IndependentAnna Fratsyvir
Russia targets Ukrainian conscription places of work to disrupt mobilization, navy spokesperson says after Poltava assault
A Russian strike on Poltava, central Ukraine, killed two folks and injured 47 others on the morning of July 3, native and navy officers mentioned.
The assault, which occurred round 9 a.m. native time, sparked fires and broken civilian infrastructure, in keeping with Governor Volodymyr Kohut and Ukraine's Floor Forces.
The State Emergency Service reported that 84 emergency staff, together with psychologists, pyrotechnicians, and medics, had been deployed on the web site of the assaults. Firefighters extinguished the fires, cleared the rubble, and rescued 10 folks from the broken buildings.
Based on the assertion of Ukraine's Floor Forces, one of many strikes prompted a fireplace on the Poltava conscription workplace, a neighborhood navy facility. A separate strike close to the Poltava conscription workplace set hearth to a personal residential property, authorities mentioned.
Talking on nationwide tv, Ukraine's Floor Forces spokesperson Vitalii Sarantsev mentioned that Russia was intentionally focusing on conscription places of work to disrupt Ukraine's mobilization efforts.
"We’ll proceed to strengthen our military, prepare our troops, and contain extra folks in protection to ship a robust response to the enemy," Sarantsev mentioned.
This wasn't the primary time Russia has been linked to such assaults. Again in February, Moscow recruited the person who carried out a lethal bombing at a navy enlistment workplace within the metropolis of Rivne in northwestern Ukraine.
The Kyiv IndependentKollen Post
'Considered one of Russia's most important targets' — Ukraine confirms strike on missile battery plant in Lipetsk
Ukraine confirmed strikes on the Energia manufacturing facility in Russia's Lipetsk Oblast in a single day on July 3, a facility that produces parts for missiles and drones, together with batteries for the Iskander missile system and cruise missiles.
The assault on the Energia plant within the metropolis of Yelets was first reported by Lipetsk Governor Igor Artamonov. Artamonov mentioned a fireplace broke out close to the ability after a drone strike, and residents reported a number of explosions.
Staff in close by workshops had been evacuated. No casualties have been reported. Residents of Yelets had been reporting a number of explosions, in keeping with the Russian Telegram information channel Astra.
Andrii Kovalenko, head of the Counter-Disinformation Middle at Ukraine's Nationwide Safety and Protection Council, confirmed the strike, calling Energia "probably the most crucial targets for Russia." Based on Kovalenko, the ability manufactures batteries for missile steering and glider modules, together with for the Iskander system and cruise missiles.
Ukraine's Normal Employees afterward July 3 launched an official assertion confirming the strike, saying the assault was carried out by the Ukrainian Armed Forces' Unmanned Programs Forces in coordination with different protection components.
The Normal Employees additionally acknowledged that explosions had been recorded on the manufacturing facility grounds and that manufacturing had been halted. "The Protection Forces proceed to take measures to undermine the navy and financial potential of the Russian (troops) and drive Russia to cease its armed aggression in opposition to Ukraine," the assertion mentioned.
The outcomes of the fireplace injury are nonetheless being clarified, in keeping with the navy.
The Energia plant produces elements for ballistic and cruise missiles, in addition to batteries for drones and glide bombs. The manufacturing facility was beforehand focused a number of occasions this previous Could.
Town of Yelets lies some 250 kilometers (150 miles) north of the Russia-Ukraine border.
Artamonov additionally claimed that drones prompted injury to different areas within the area. Wreckage from an intercepted drone allegedly crashed onto a residential constructing, killing a lady and injuring two different folks.
Explosions had been additionally reported in a single day within the Russian-occupied metropolis of Khartsyzk in Ukraine's Donetsk Oblast, with Russian Telegram channels citing eyewitnesses who declare a missile might have struck a Russian ammunition depot.
A number of rounds of secondary detonations adopted the preliminary blast, in keeping with the reviews.
The Kyiv Impartial couldn’t confirm these claims.
Russia's Protection Ministry claimed that its air defenses shot down a complete of 69 Ukrainian drones in a single day. The ministry mentioned 27 drones had been intercepted over Belgorod Oblast, 22 over Voronezh Oblast, 10 over Lipetsk Oblast, eight over Kursk Oblast, and two over Russian-occupied Crimea.
Ukraine frequently strikes navy targets deep inside Russian territory in an effort to decrease Moscow's combating energy.
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