Victorious news on 860th day of war: Ukrainian pilots target ammo depot in Crimea, military base burn in Kursk, Russia

Netherlands authorizes export of F-16 to Ukraine

Dutch Defense Minister Kajsa Ollongren informed the House of Representatives in a letter on the last working day of the Cabinet of Ministers, Ukrinform reports.

"On December 22, 2023 and February 5, 2024, your House was informed about developments regarding the preparation and delivery of 24 Dutch F-16s to Ukraine. In addition to the previous update on deliveries of military goods to Ukraine of June 13, I inform you, also on behalf of the Minister of Foreign Affairs and the Minister for Foreign Trade and Development Cooperation, that the delivery of the first aircraft will take place soon. Your House is hereby informed that the required permit for the export of military equipment to Ukraine has been issued," Ollongren wrote.

The F-16s will be delivered "soon," the letter says. The House of Representatives will be informed confidentially.

Russia reports drone attacks on two regions and Crimea

On Tuesday, 2 July, the Russian Ministry of Defense reported that during the night, its air defense forces allegedly destroyed a number of drones over the territories of two regions of the Russian Federation and occupied Crimea.

This is stated in the report of the Russian ministry.

It is noted that over the past night, 11 drones were allegedly intercepted and destroyed by regular air defence systems on the territory of the Russian Federation.

Thus, 4 drones were allegedly shot down over the territories of the Belgorod and Bryansk regions and three more - over Crimea.

The Russians traditionally blame the Ukrainian side for the attack.

Ukrainian poet Slyvynsky's selection is shortlisted for US Walcott Prize

The English translation of the Winter King selection by Ukrainian poet and translator Ostap Slyvynsky has been shortlisted for the Derek Walcott Prize for Poetry 2024. Chytomo reported the information.

The poetry selection Winter King by Ukrainian author Ostap Slyvynsky was published in English by Lost Horse Press and translated by Vitaly Chernetsky and Iryna Shuvalova. The selection has now been shortlisted for the Derek Walcott Prize for Poetry.

World Bank defines Ukraine as upper-middle-income country

This is stated in the World Bank's country classification.

"The World Bank Group assigns the world's economies to four income groups: low, lower-middle, upper-middle, and high. The classifications are updated each year on July 1, based on the GNI per capita of the previous calendar year," the statement reads.

According to the World Bank, the upgrade of Ukraine's classification was the result of the resumption of economic growth in 2023. Thus, in 2023, Ukraine's real GDP grew by 5.3% after falling by 28.8% in 2022. Ukraine's upgrade was also influenced by a decline in population, which has decreased by more than 15% since the beginning of the Russian invasion. 

Ukrainian pilots hit Russian ammunition depot in Crimea

The Commander of Ukraine's Air Force, Mykola Oleshchuk, reported the information.

According to him, on 1 July 2024, Ukrainian pilots conducted a devastating strike on a Russian ammunition depot in Crimea.

"Once again, Ukrainian aircraft, 'destroyed' by enemy propaganda, successfully perform combat missions, launch missile and bomb strikes on the positions of the occupiers and eliminate important military facilities in the deep rear of the enemy," Oleshchuk wrote.

Military base in Russia’s Kursk on fire

A large-scale fire has broken out in the centre of the Russian city of Kursk. The network reports that the central aviation technical base is allegedly on fire.

The fire was reported by the acting governor of the Kursk region, Alexei Smirnov. He said that 60 employees of the Russian Ministry of Emergency Situations and ten units of special equipment were involved in extinguishing the fire.e. 

According to OSINT researchers, the 3754th Central Aviation Technical Base, military unit 13830, is on fire in Kursk.

Ukrainian army likely most developed in Europe – MEP Hübner

Member of the European Parliament Danuta Hübner stated that despite ongoing conflict, Ukraine continues to enhance its industrial and technological capabilities, possibly boasting one of Europe's most advanced military forces

She said this in an interview with Espreso. 

She stressed the EU's requirement for an alliance with the USA, labeling NATO as a "security recipe."

"Europe must bolster its industrial prowess. Ukraine serves as an exemplary case by advancing its production and technological capabilities amid conflict. You likely possess the most advanced military in Europe," remarked the MEP.

Russia lost about 60 boats in southern Ukraine in a month - Ukrainian Navy

The spokesman for the Ukrainian Navy, Captain 3rd Rank Dmytro Pletenchuk, said that Russian occupation forces had lost almost 60 boats in the southern Ukraine

He said this on Espreso TV.

"Last month, according to the initial count, and I'm not sure if they counted the whole month, the Russian forces lost 62 boats. These are usually some kind of speedboats or boats for several people, which are needed to move along the left bank of the Dnipro River. There are many places where you can actually move only by boat. It's like Venice, you could say. They were used in the same way to try to cross the Dnipro, to get to some islands. This is an assumption, but it is true that they lost 62 boats. It's true that these are assault actions on the river, but at sea it's a different picture. Such options simply do not work there. The coast is protected," he said.

United States will soon announce new arms package for Ukraine

The United States will soon announce a new arms package for Ukraine worth more than $2.3 billion

US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin said this at a meeting with Ukrainian Defense Minister Rustem Umerov in Washington, Voice of America reports.

As President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy noted in his evening address on July 2, he also instructed the Minister of Defense of Ukraine, who is currently on a visit to the United States, "to get specific dates: when those additional Patriot systems will be delivered, which we have agreed with our partners."