Advance of Ukrainian Armed Forces, strike on Pervomayskyi, sealing of Lavra buildings: highlights

Advance of Defense Forces

The Ukrainian Defense Forces continue to advance on the Tavria axis. The largest advance into the depths of enemy defense - up to 2 kilometers - was recorded on the Berdyansk axis. Ukrainian troops are consolidating their positions and conducting aerial reconnaissance of the area.

The commander of the Tavria operational and strategic grouping of troops, Oleksandr Tarnavskyi, said that the Defense Forces had driven the Russians out of a number of positions on the Tavria axis. Missile and artillery units carried out 1,283 firing missions over the course of the day.

Strike on Pervomayskyi

Russian occupation forces attacked the town of Pervomayskyi in Kharkiv Oblast. There are already 43 known victims from the attack, including 12 children. The youngest victim is only 3 months old.

OSCE PA recognizes Russia as state sponsor of terrorism

The Parliamentary Assembly of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE PA) has recognized the Russian Federation as a state sponsor of terrorism and the private military company Wagner as a terrorist organization.

"This is the first time such wording has been enshrined in an official document of an international organization! I hope that this decision will become a catalyst for recognizing the aggressor state as a sponsor of terrorism not only in the United States but also around the world," said Yevheniya Kravchuk, a member of the Permanent Delegation of Ukraine to the PA.

Liberated buildings in Lavra are being sealed

On July 4, the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra National Reserve is inspecting and sealing the vacated buildings of the monastery, namely the five objects on the territory of the so-called Lower Lavra.

Meanwhile, the UOC-MP stated that the Ministry of Culture "sent a commission" to the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra to continue sealing the monastery buildings in an "illegal way (the courts are still in session)." Believers of the UOC-MP gathered near the buildings to be sealed.

Threat at ZNPP

In the early hours of July 4, the occupied Zaporizhzhya Nuclear Power Plant lost power from the main 750 kV high-voltage line. It is on this one line of communication with the Ukrainian power system that the plant has been "hanging" for the past four months. Fortunately, a few days ago, ZNPP restored one backup line, to which the plant is now connected.

However, the Armed Forces of Ukraine reported that the Russians may be preparing a provocation on the grounds of the occupied Zaporizhzhya NPP in the near future. According to the General Staff, the Russian occupiers have placed explosive-like objects on the roof of the third and fourth reactors of the plant.

Russian propagandists are already writing that on the night of July 5, "the Armed Forces will try to attack the plant."

NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg remains in office

NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg has announced that he will remain in office. Earlier, he said he did not want to extend his term.

New assistance from partners

The Netherlands is allocating another €118 million in aid to Ukraine. The largest part of the amount (€83 million) is earmarked for repairs and health care. Another €25 million is for medical equipment and support for mobile clinics, and another €10 million is for emergency aid after the Kakhovka dam was blown up.

Meanwhile, Bulgaria has begun preparing a new military aid package for Ukraine. The country would also like to contribute to the increase in European military aid to Ukraine by expanding its production capacity.

Diplomatic conflict with Georgia

The Georgian Foreign Ministry has expressed "deep concern" over the Ukrainian authorities' reaction to Mikheil Saakashvili's deteriorating condition, calling it "an extreme form of escalation of diplomatic relations."

"It is very regrettable that official Kyiv is taking such a step against a friendly state and people," the Georgian Foreign Ministry said, referring to Ukraine's decision to protest to the Georgian ambassador in Kyiv and invite him to go to its capital for consultations.

The Georgian parliament said that the decision of the Ukrainian authorities was "unfair and insulting" but that they did not want to spoil relations with Ukraine.

Other news:

• Russian Mig-31 crashes in Kamchatka during a training flight.
• 2,300 applications have been submitted for assistance due to the hydroelectric power plant explosion. Money will be paid in the coming days, says PM Shmyhal.
• Commander-in-Chief Valerii Zaluzhnyi appointed a combat officer as head of Odesa military enlistment office.
• Prosecutor's office appeals against the preventive measure for the head of Ternopil Oblast Council and other suspects.
• MP Aleksieiev, who is suspected of fraud, is released from custody on bail of over UAH 2.2 million ($59,500).
• An abducted mother and her young son were returned to Ukraine after being detained several times in Russia, the commissioner reports.
• In June, for the first time in 11 months, Ukrainians sold more foreign currency than they bought - the National Bank.