Ukraine War Dominates News Cycle with Drone Attacks, Aid Pledges, and Diplomatic Tensions

Ukrainian army has no gas stations left on major routes in Sumy Region — security source

According to the source, this is confirmed by plans by regional Ukrainian authorities to ban the retail sale of gasoline starting July 10

Trump says US should control Greenland

According to the US leader, Greenland is "surrounded by China's ships and Russian ships"

Press review: US, Europe may clash over Ukraine as China missile alarms Pacific region

Top stories from the Russian press on Tuesday, July 7th

Ukrainian spy sells his smartphone to Russian intelligence for month's worth pay

The Russian special services are performing operative actions in connection with the information they received

Sudan to develop ties with BRICS to mitigate sanction effects — portal

According to the Sudan Tribune news portal, Khartoum is moving to an "alternative economy" strategy, which involves the diversification of trade and economic ties, the development of alternative banking mechanisms and the use of national currencies in trade settlements

NATO states to sign defense contracts worth tens of billions of dollars at summit — Rutte

The secretary general noted that NATO member states intend to "show how they are investing in defense"

Moscow records largest Ukrainian drone attack in two years — TASS estimates

Over 430 drones were heading toward the Moscow Region between late July 6 and 6:00 a.m. on July 7, Moscow Mayor Sergey Sobyanin said

Bank of Russia buys yuan worth $121.57 mln with July 6 settlement

The volume of foreign currency purchases on the domestic market with settlement on July 3 also totaled $121.57 mln

Four officers of Ukrainian brigade given life sentences for murder of 93 people

Investigations revealed that in 2022, to maintain the Kiev regime’s control over Mariupol, the defendants organized a ring blockade of the city’s northern sector

Baltic elites seek to benefit from 'Russian threat' scenario, senior lawmaker says

"Given America is withdrawing its troops, they will try to get money from the European Commission and NATO for building the so-called defenses against Russia in order to profit and attempt to steal billions," Viktor Vodolatsky said

Damascus explosions caused by improvised explosive devices — TV

According to the broadcaster, officers from Syria’s internal security forces are investigating the incident and working to identify those responsible

UN-mandated body expects Hamas disarmament as next step — statement

On July 6, Gaza authorities said they had completed preparations to transfer power to the NCAG, composed of independent Palestinian technocrats and supervised by the Board of Peace

US officials uncertain if NATO summit in Ankara will 'go smoothly' — TV

According to the broadcaster, "European leaders hope to exit the Ankara meeting without a major explosion, planning new defense pledges to allay Trump’s anger"

West reacts like ostrich to Russia’s invitation to dialogue — Russian diplomat

Dmitry Polyansky also noted that anyone, who really closely follows Russia’s activities in the OSCE, has no doubt that it is ready for dialogue, whereas such Western statements are "just hot air"

Russia delivers massive retaliatory strike on Ukrainian military-industrial sites

The Russian Armed Forces delivered a massive strike on military-industrial enterprises, fuel and energy sites in Kiev and the Kiev Region, as well as on military airfield infrastructure in Dnepropetrovsk, Poltava, Cherkassy, Chernigov and Kiev Regions

Europe anticipates from Trump no new sanctions against Russia, no aid to Kiev — Bloomberg

According to the agency's sources, there are no guarantees that a meeting between Donald Trump and Vladimir Zelensky during the NATO summit in Ankara will proceed smoothly

Russia creates over 50% of buffer zone in Sumy, Kharkov Regions — expert

"It is now being systematically expanded into the depths of the enemy’s defenses and across the width of the front," Andrey Marochko noted

Poland needs to think about security while producing drones for Ukraine — Kremlin

Russian Presidential Spokesman Dmitry Peskov commented on the "horror stories" about an alleged possible strike on the country's territory discussed in the Western press

Putin notes formation of partnerships by Russian Export Center with friendly states

One of the key tasks currently facing the Russian Export Center is to achieve a two-thirds increase in exports by 2030 compared to 2023 levels, REC Director General Veronika Nikishina said

US in talks with European allies on missile co-production — agency

If implemented, the plan could free up capacity at Raytheon and Lockheed Martin factories in the US and enable the defense giants to ramp up production at home, the news agency pointed out

FIFA rejects Belgium’s appeal on Balogun red at 2026 World Cup

The request was rendered inadmissible on the grounds that the RBFA is not a party to the proceedings and, as such, has no standing to appeal the decision, the statement said

IN BRIEF: Putin’s key statements on proposal to limit combat zone, special op progress

The Russian president said that Ukrainian strikes on Russia’s infrastructure do not affect the situation at the front or the position along the line of engagement

Kremlin spokesman comments on Putin-Trump call, Russia-China drills

According to Dmitry Peskov, the phone call the two leaders held at the end of last week allowed Russia to reiterate its position to the US straight away

US rhetoric indicates growing departure from Ukraine agreements — Russian diplomat

According to Sergey Ryabkov, the pressure of sanctions on Russia is not just being maintained but is intensifying

US believes Iran attacked vessels in Strait of Hormuz twice on Monday — news outlet

Axios emhasized that the US will likely respond by striking targets in Iran

Zelensky didn't dare accept bodies of Ukrainian soldiers ahead of NATO summit — expert

Igor Korotchenko emphasized that Zelensky had shunned the opportunity to publicly retrieve the fallen soldiers, as doing so would implicitly acknowledge that Ukrainian forces no longer maintain control over Konstantinovka

FACTBOX: Over 600 Ukrainian drones shot down over Russian regions overnight

The Russian Defense Ministry emphasized that the West's attempts to use the Kiev regime as a proxy to attack civilian Russian targets would be countered by increasing the number and severity of strikes on Ukrainian territory

NATO to announce 140-billion-euro aid to Kiev during upcoming summit — newspaper

The contribution amount will be negotiated separately with each participating country

No specific agreements yet on potential Putin-Trump meeting at Hermitage — Kremlin

Kremlin Aide Yury Ushakov said earlier that the US president had expressed admiration for the Hermitage Museum during his recent phone call with the Russian president

Fire in Kaluga Region, 452 UAVs target Russia: new Ukrainian attacks

More than 430 UAVs headed toward the Moscow Region this night

Russia hopes US efforts to settle Ukraine conflict will succeed — Kremlin spokesman

According to Dmitry Peskov, Moscow maintains contact with Washington through working channels