Detroit People’s Tribunal Takes Mask Off ICE in the North End

Activists gathered from various areas of Michigan to report on the excesses and brutality of the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), Custom and Border Patrol (CBP) along with the local police and the complicity political officials. 

By Abayomi Azikiwe

Editor, Pan-African News Wire

Thursday July 2, 2026

Political Review

On Saturday June 27, the Detroit People’s Tribunal was convened at the Historic St. Matthew’s-St. Joseph’s Episcopal Church in the North End.

This event had been in the making for more than five months prompted by a series of developments including the deployment of National Guard and Marine units in other cities such as Los Angeles, Memphis and Washington, D.C. during late 2025 and earlier this year.

Several organizations sponsored and endorsed the event with Detroit Will Breathe, People’s Assembly, Democratic Socialist of America Detroit Chapter among others taking the lead in mobilizing the people. Community groups such as the Moratorium NOW! Coalition, Michigan Coalition for Human Rights (MCHR) also co-sponsored the manifestation. 

The surge by ICE and CBP in Minneapolis provided lessons on how broad-based coalitions could be built in a major municipality targeted by the repressive apparatus of the administration of President Donald Trump. In the face of the massive deployment of thousands of government agents in Minneapolis and St. Paul, the people of this leading city in Minnesota organized and mobilized hundreds of thousands of workers, clergy, youth and community activists to resist repression.

Although the National Guard has not been sent into Detroit as of yet various organizations have been discussing potential responses in case the Trump administration authorizes their dispatchment. Nonetheless, ICE and CBP have been very active in the Metropolitan Detroit area. Communities have responded by establishing monitoring committees to alert neighbors when they are facing surprise attacks.

Detroit has a large population of immigrants and migrants from Latin America, Africa, the Caribbean and Asia. These persons who were born outside the United States and do not have naturalized citizenship or permanent residency are under constant surveillance and threatened 

detention. Even those who are citizens and legal residents live in the same targeted communities and are therefore negatively affected by the ICE and CBP.

Michigan has a notorious detention facility which has been described as a “concentration camp” for detained migrants. Transcripts and recorded messages from inmates and former detainees were played at the Tribunal. The conditions of those trapped in these institutions, particularly the North Lake Detention Center located in Baldwin, Michigan described conditions as horrendous citing rotten food, deliberate denial of sleep, lack of adequate medical treatment and racist bigotry, resulting in verbal and physical abuse by guards. 

As a result of the awful conditions at North Lake, inmates are suffering from numerous ailments including dental problems, psychological distress stemming from the maltreatment by guards along with beatings carried out by staff. One account by telephone from the institution from an inmate alleged that Black detainees are subjected to racist name calling and beatings if they complain over the abuse. 

Despite efforts by several groups around the state to appeal to the Michigan Department of Health, no real positive responses have been enacted. There have been hunger strikes carried out by inmates aimed at bringing in better food and access to medical assistance. Although these are federally managed detention centers, the State of Michigan, including Governor Gretchen Whitmer, could demand inspections of the living situations inside North Lake and other holding facilities. 

No Detention Centers in Michigan was present at the Tribunal and emphasized their mission of abolishing all of such institutions in the state. The organization firmly believes that no one should be subjected to the treatment being meted out across the United States against migrants whose fundamental human rights and due process are being violated daily. (https://nodetentioncentersmi.org/)

One recent victory for the people of Michigan was the cancellation of plans to create an ICE detention center in the city of Romulus which is near the Metropolitan Airport. The announcement that the center would not open was the direct outcome of mass demonstrations and coordinated political pressure by people in Romulus and others around the state.

Impact on Schools and Smaller Municipalities

A Detroit Public School teacher made a presentation on the way in which educators and their students are being affected. Oftentimes the ICE agents conduct surveillance and abduction operations outside schools.

At Western International school on the southwest side, a teacher reported about 46 abductions by ICE agents of students and parents. This community is heavily populated by people from the Latin America region including people from Mexico and Venezuela. 

In Pontiac, located in northern Oakland County, ICE has been very active in targeting and detaining people. The organization called Community Aid for Empowerment (CAFÉ) presented information on the number of those detained in Pontiac where 400 people have been counted. 

CAFÉ believes that Pontiac has become a focus due to the relatively small numbers of people living there in comparison to larger cities like Detroit. Although CAFÉ is a small group, they are making an impact by tracking the activities of ICE and following up on the conditions of those being targeted and detained. 

In Southfield, a suburb just across the northwest border of Detroit, an organization has surfaced which monitors the activities of ICE inside the city. The Southfield Neighbors Action Committee (SNAC) has held demonstrations against ICE while exposing the role of a real estate firm which provides office space to lawyers that offer legal support for detentions and deportations. (https://michiganadvance.com/2026/05/01/ice-out-jewish-activists-rally-in-southfield-over-federal-lease/)

A SNAC representative spoke at the Tribunal outlining their work which is putting political pressure on the One Town Square complex where the Office of the Principal Legal Advisor is housed. Southfield has many Jewish American residents and the progressive elements in the city are taking the lead in combatting the role of ICE in their community.

Violet Ikonomova, an investigative reporter for the Detroit Free Press, addressed the Tribunal revealing that the majority of people detained by federal agents had no criminal record and were legally pursuing permanent residency and naturalized citizenship in the U.S. These facts are rarely cited in the corporate media which regurgitates the stereotypical utterances of the Trump administration which seeks to demonize migrants as criminals. (https://www.deadlinedetroit.com/articles/34343/free_press_many_immigrant_detainees_had_no_criminal_record_we_re_in_legal_process_of_staying_in_u_s)

Electronic Surveillance

In addition to human monitoring of migrants and their supporters, the increasing role of Flock license plate readers was discussed in detail.  Flock cameras are being utilized across Detroit as well as nationally. 

These devices are mounted to take images of license plate numbers and storing this information in cloud databases. In Michigan, due to the anti-migrant bias within the state legislature, driver licenses are not made available to undocumented people. 

Therefore, this is another reason provided to law-enforcement for the pulling over and detaining of undocumented persons using racial profiling. Speakers at the Tribunal attested to the fact that this is a major mechanism for the initial detention and deportation of migrants. 

Flock cameras have come under heavy criticism by concerned organizations and communities around the United States. In Colorado, the cameras were removed, not as a result of their inefficiency, there are issues related to protecting the privacy of individuals and communities. (https://www.flocksafety.com/blog/why-are-some-flock-cameras-being-removed-by-cities)

This technology is being utilized in Metro Detroit. There are concerns regarding who has access to the data collected. Although the company says it does not share data with firms such as Palantir, there remains serious concerns about privacy rights.  

Since the beginning of the second non-consecutive term for the Trump administration, private capitalists such as Elon Musk have been allowed access to information on rank-and-file residents of the U.S. Under the guise of “government efficiency”, the country is being plunged deeper into debt and economic insecurity.

Continuing the Legacy of People’s Tribunals

This was not the first People’s Tribunal held in Detroit. Just six years ago during the George Floyd uprising, there was a similar event sponsored by the Detroit Coalition for Police Transparency and Accountability (DCPTC) which was formed during the summer of 2020 in the aftermath of the law-enforcement execution of Hakim Littleton. 

Perhaps the first of such hearings was held on August 30, 1967, just one month after the Detroit Rebellion in late July of the same year. The gathering was convened in response to the police execution of three African American youth: Carl Cooper, 17; Fred Temple, 18; and Aubrey Pollard, 19; during the early morning hours of July 26 at the Algiers Motel located on Woodward Avenue. 

The police and National Guard entered the Motel Annex and falsely accused the youth of firing weapons. Their executions were carried out by three white police officers who were never held accountable for these brutal murders. 

Thousands attended the August 1967 Tribunal held at the Central United Church of Christ, later renamed the Shrine of the Black Madonna and the Pan-African Orthodox Christian Church. Deliberations among the participants declared the police guilty of premeditated murder. This event was considered one of the political highlights of this period in Detroit where the largest urban rebellion took place in the history of the U.S. up until that time.

Like the Tribunals of 1967 and 2020, the hired agents of the state were found guilty of crimes against humanity involving racism. The Detroit People’s Tribunal of June 2026 could serve as an important turning point aimed at building networks to end the reign of terror imposed by the state against migrants and the larger communities in Metro Detroit and throughout Michigan.

Ramaphosa Heads to Kinshasa as Africa Rallies Behind DRC’s Ebola Fight

By Dominic Wabwireh with other agencies

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa arrived in Kinshasa on Thursday for a high-level African Union solidarity mission aimed at reinforcing continental support for the Democratic Republic of the Congo's response to its latest Ebola outbreak. The visit underscores growing regional efforts to contain the virus, strengthen cross-border preparedness and mobilise political and financial backing for the response.

Travelling in his capacity as the African Union Champion for Pandemic Preparedness, Prevention and Response (PPPR), Ramaphosa is holding talks with Congolese President Félix Tshisekedi to reaffirm the African Union's collective support for the Congolese government and people.

According to the South African Presidency, the visit is intended to provide high-level political leadership for the continental response while reinforcing regional cooperation and cross-border preparedness against the spread of Ebola.

Ramaphosa is accompanied by South Africa's Deputy Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Thandi Moraka.

Continental response gathers momentum

The African Union says the mission seeks to mobilise additional political, technical and financial commitments from member states and international partners to strengthen the Ebola response.

Beyond containing the current outbreak, the initiative aims to improve Africa's long-term public health systems and enhance the continent's resilience to future pandemics.

As AU Champion for PPPR, Ramaphosa is tasked with providing political oversight of the Ebola response, promoting solidarity with affected countries and frontline health workers, and helping replenish the African Epidemic Fund.

Millions pledged for Ebola response

African Union member states have pledged more than $100 million to the African Epidemic Fund, while global governments and development partners have committed more than $910 million to support the Ebola response.

South Africa has announced a contribution of $13.5 million, reaffirming Pretoria's commitment to strengthening regional health security.

A challenging outbreak

The current epidemic marks the 17th Ebola outbreak recorded in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. On 17 May, two days after Congolese authorities officially declared the outbreak, the World Health Organization classified the Bundibugyo strain outbreak—which has since spread into Uganda—as a Public Health Emergency of International Concern.

The WHO has warned that the epidemic's true scale may be underestimated due to its geographical expansion, high levels of population movement, fragile health systems, inadequate medical infrastructure and insecurity in conflict-affected areas. The absence of a licensed vaccine or specific treatment for the Bundibugyo strain has further complicated response efforts.

Authorities urge calm

Despite growing international concern, Congolese authorities have sought to reassure the public that the situation remains under control.

Officials point to the country's extensive experience in combating Ebola, noting that the DRC has successfully contained 16 previous outbreaks through coordinated national and international response efforts. They maintain that lessons learned from those crises continue to guide the current response as health authorities work to prevent further transmission.

Vote Counting Underway Following Algeria's Parliamentary Elections

Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune 

Vote counting got underway in Algeria on Thursday night following parliamentary elections that were overshadowed by cost-of-living concerns and the exclusion of candidates critical of the government.

The government declared Thursday a paid national holiday in a bid to encourage participation, but polling stations appeared quiet for much of the day.

By mid-afternoon, voter turnout was very low following a campaign that attracted limited public interest amid what rights groups say is shrinking political freedoms.

Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebbounepresented the polls as another step towards renewing the country's political institutions.

He came to power in 2019 after mass protests led to the ousting of long-time president Abdelaziz Bouteflika.

"We are optimistic because people now understand the [electoral] law and have embraced it. No one can influence people’s votes anymore or resort to [electoral] fraud," he said.

But many observers say they expect neither a change in power nor a fundamental shift in the country’s political system.

Human rights groups have raised concerns over restrictions on opposition activity, the independent media, and civil society, a criticism rejected by the authorities.

The outgoing pro-government coalition holds around 300 seats in the 407-seat parliament, while the second-largest political force, the Islamist Movement of Society for Peace (MSP), has 64 seats.

Some MSP candidates were among 269 people barred from running, a list that also included former leaders and activists of the Hirak pro-democracy movement, which helped force Bouteflika from office.

Authorities say the rejected candidates were excluded because of alleged links to illicit financial networks and suspicious political activities.

The ruling National Liberation Movement is widely expected to still dominate the National People's Assembly, whose members are elected for five-year terms.

China-funded Diaspora Center Opens in Somalia

Source: Xinhua| 2026-07-02 01:02:15|Editor: huaxia

MOGADISHU, July 1 (Xinhua) -- Somalia on Monday inaugurated a Chinese-funded diaspora center designed to strengthen its national diaspora policy, mobilize overseas communities, and unite their contributions to the country's development.

The Somali Diaspora Center, located within the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, was jointly inaugurated in Mogadishu by Somali Prime Minister Hamza Abdi Barre, Somali Minister for Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Abdisalam Abdi Ali, and Chinese Ambassador to Somalia Wang Yu.

Barre said the new center would enhance engagement between the government and the diaspora while supporting the national diaspora policy.

Ali said that stronger engagement is vital to building trust with diaspora communities, expressing gratitude to China for funding the center.

Speaking at the inauguration ceremony, Wang said the project marked another milestone in China-Somalia relations.

"The diaspora center project, completed with assistance from the Chinese government, marks a significant milestone in China-Somalia relations. The friendship between our two nations has a long history and remains unshakable through the test of time," he said.

UN, Partners Continue to Support Ebola Response in Eastern DRC

Source: Xinhua

Editor: huaxia2026-07-03 05:27:15

Medical workers escort an Ebola patient to an Ebola treatment center in Mongbwalu, Ituri Province, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, June 20, 2026. (Xinhua)

UNITED NATIONS, July 2 (Xinhua) -- The United Nations and its partners continue to support response to the Ebola outbreak in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), UN humanitarians said Thursday.

In Ituri province, health authorities have confirmed at least two Ebola cases in the Kigonze displacement site, which hosts about 15,000 people displaced by conflict in the town of Bunia, said the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA).

An Ebola treatment center is currently being established at the displacement site, and a new program providing free health care to displaced people was launched on Thursday. Partners are also scaling up community outreach and disease prevention efforts, including the installation of handwashing stations, said the office.

"However, lack of community trust continues to hinder public health interventions. On June 30, local authorities reported that one civilian was killed after protesters set fire to a health facility in Bafwabango village, in Ituri province," said OCHA.

As of June 30, authorities reported 1,406 confirmed Ebola cases across Ituri, North Kivu and South Kivu provinces. Three confirmed cases linked to Ituri have also been identified in the neighboring provinces of Haut-Uele and Tshopo, raising concerns about further spread of the outbreak.

Senior UN Ebola Coordinator Julien Harneis arrived in the DRC's capital, Kinshasa, on Wednesday to officially take up his role, working closely with national authorities, the World Health Organization and partners, OCHA said. He will support the scale-up response, reinforce coordination, address operational challenges, and help ensure that support reaches people who need it as quickly as possible. 

Algerian Voters Head to Polls to Elect New Parliament

Source: Xinhua| 2026-07-02 20:01:30|Editor: huaxia

A voter (R) casts his ballot at a polling station in Algiers, Algeria, July 2, 2026. Algerian voters began casting their ballots on Thursday to elect the country's eighth multiparty parliament since 1989 and the second under President Abdelmadjid Tebboune. More than 24.7 million registered voters are eligible to take part in the one-day election, conducted under an open-list proportional representation system. (Xinhua)

ALGIERS, July 2 (Xinhua) -- Algerian voters began casting their ballots on Thursday to elect the country's eighth multiparty parliament since 1989 and the second under President Abdelmadjid Tebboune.

More than 24.7 million registered voters are eligible to take part in the one-day election, conducted under an open-list proportional representation system.

Polling stations are open from 8:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. local time. Thousands of police and gendarmes were deployed across the country, with the army helping secure remote areas.

A total of 793 electoral lists, comprising 613 party lists from 32 political parties and 125 independent lists, are competing for the 407 seats in the National People's Assembly, the lower house of parliament. Women account for 21 percent of the 9,854 candidates, while 54 percent are under 40.

In the previous parliamentary election in June 2021, the ruling National Liberation Front (FLN) won 98 of the 407 seats, followed by independent candidates with 84 seats and the Movement of Society for Peace with 65. Voter turnout stood at about 23 percent.

Analysts predict that the FLN and independent lists are likely to emerge among the biggest winners in the election.

Acting President of the National Independent Election Authority Karim Khelfane told the national radio on Wednesday that early voting for Algerians abroad was held from June 27 to 30 at 129 polling centers in diplomatic missions and consulates.

Khelfane added that 134 mobile polling stations were deployed across 15 southern provinces, enabling nearly 31,000 voters in remote desert areas to cast ballots.

He said that provisional results would be announced within 72 hours of the authority receiving the final polling station report, before the final results are submitted to the Constitutional Court for announcement.

The election, held under the slogan, "Be part of decision-making, vote and participate!", comes ahead of Algeria's Independence Day on July 5.

Feature: Chinese-built Port Fuels Economic Growth, Improves Livelihoods in Tanzania's Zanzibar

Source: Xinhua| 2026-07-02 23:00:30|Editor: huaxia

ZANZIBAR, Tanzania, July 2 (Xinhua) -- Along the coastline of Fumba on Tanzania's Zanzibar Unguja Island, the construction of a new port is underway, bringing opportunities to a community that once grappled with limited access to basic services and scarce employment.

For 26-year-old Omari Hamis Ramadhani, a lifelong resident of Fumba, the change is both visible and deeply personal. "One of the most important benefits is access to government-supplied water," he said. "Before the project, we had no piped water. Now we have clean and safe water, something we could not achieve before."

The Fumba Port project, built by China Railway Jianchang Engineering Company (CRJE) (East Africa) Limited, has become a catalyst for local development. Beyond the construction of critical infrastructure, it has brought tangible improvements to daily life through employment opportunities, business growth and better public services.

Ramadhani said women in the community have benefited significantly, with many launching small businesses to serve workers at the construction site, helping improve household incomes and strengthen their financial independence.

"The relationship between the Chinese and the local community has been good," he added. "We cooperate to solve problems together."

Construction of the project began in late January 2025. According to Liu Wei, deputy general manager of the CRJE Zanzibar branch, the initial contract was valued at 30 million U.S. dollars, with completion scheduled for January 2027.

Originally designed to accommodate vessels of up to 30,000 tonnes, the port is now being expanded to handle ships of up to 50,000 tonnes following a design upgrade in mid-2026.

The project currently employs more than 300 workers, the majority of them local residents, and is expected to create about 500 permanent jobs once it becomes operational.

For 28-year-old Abdul Omari, a father of two employed at the construction site, the project has been life-changing. "Before this, I worked from job to job just to feed my family," he said. "Now I have stable employment close to home."

Beyond creating jobs, the port is expected to significantly enhance Zanzibar's economy. Once operational, it will help ease congestion at existing ports, where vessels often face delays lasting several weeks, while reducing the cost of importing essential commodities such as rice, flour and cooking oil.

As Zanzibar relies heavily on imported goods, the expanded port capacity is expected to lower logistics costs, improve the efficiency of cargo handling and ultimately help reduce the cost of living for local residents.

Omari said the project has also equipped workers with valuable vocational skills. "When I first joined, I knew nothing about construction. Now I can build, work with steel, and handle electrical tasks," he said. "We are learning directly from the Chinese workers through practical training."

He added that higher and more stable incomes have enabled him and many of his colleagues to better support their families by paying school fees, meeting daily household expenses and purchasing basic necessities.

"We see our lives improving day by day," he said. ■

Namibian President to Pay State Visit to China from July 5 to 11

Source: Xinhua| 2026-07-03 11:01:45|Editor: huaxia

BEIJING, July 3 (Xinhua) -- At the invitation of Chinese President Xi Jinping, President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah of the Republic of Namibia will pay a state visit to China from July 5 to 11, a Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson announced on Friday.

Africa CDC Chief Warns DR Congo Ebola Outbreak Remains "Very Serious" as Clinical Trial Begins

Source: Xinhua| 2026-07-03 01:51:00|Editor: huaxia

KINSHASA, July 2 (Xinhua) -- The Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) Director-General Jean Kaseya warned Thursday that the ongoing Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) remains "very serious," as the country has reported more than 400 deaths and a clinical trial has begun enrolling patients to evaluate potential treatments.

Kaseya made the remarks in Kinshasa during a visit by DRC President Felix Tshisekedi and his South African counterpart, Cyril Ramaphosa, to the country's National Institute for Biomedical Research.

Compared with previous Ebola outbreaks in the DRC and the West African Ebola epidemic at the same stage, the current outbreak has recorded a particularly rapid increase in both cases and deaths, Kaseya said.

"The objective is to contain this outbreak where it is today," he said. "We do not want this outbreak to last two years, as was the case in West Africa."

According to the latest situation update released by the Congolese government late Wednesday, the DRC had reported 1,406 confirmed Ebola cases, including 438 deaths, as of June 30.

Kaseya said the outbreak was still expanding to some extent, but the Congolese government was taking the right steps to interrupt transmission and bring the outbreak to an end.

Tshisekedi underlined the need for a regional response to the outbreak, saying that "health risks know no borders and call for a regional, coordinated and solidarity-based response founded on shared responsibility."

Ramaphosa urged financial pledges to be rapidly translated into concrete assistance for affected communities. He also called for a ceasefire in conflict-affected areas, saying that fighting was hampering the access of humanitarian aid and the deployment of health workers.

The South African president urged communities to protect frontline health workers from stigma and violence, while reaffirming Pretoria's support for African innovation in vaccine development.

DRC Health Minister Samuel-Roger Kamba called for accelerating clinical trials on monoclonal antibodies and the development of effective vaccines against Bundibugyo ebolavirus, for which no approved treatment currently exists.

The World Health Organization (WHO) said Thursday that a clinical trial had begun enrolling patients in the DRC to evaluate potential treatments for Ebola disease caused by the Bundibugyo virus.

According to the WHO, the trial will assess the monoclonal antibody MBP134 and the antiviral drug remdesivir, alone and in combination.

DRC Minister of Social Affairs, Humanitarian Action and National Solidarity Eve Bazaiba warned that the Ebola outbreak was unfolding against a severe humanitarian crisis, with about 15 million Congolese in need of urgent humanitarian assistance.

The country was caught in a "vicious circle," she said, where "Ebola is worsening the humanitarian situation, while the humanitarian situation is increasing the risk of the disease spreading."

Kaseya added that the DRC was not facing a single public health crisis. In areas currently affected by Ebola, many cases of cholera and measles have also been reported, placing additional pressure on the health system and humanitarian response.

WHO Chief Says Cruise Ship-linked Hantavirus Outbreak "Over"

Source: Xinhua

Editor: huaxia2026-07-03 00:53:15

World Health Organization (WHO) Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus speaks during a press briefing in Geneva, Switzerland, Dec. 11, 2025. (Xinhua/Lian Yi)

"Today, the final contact of a person exposed to hantavirus on the cruise ship MV Hondius completed their quarantine period, tested negative and returned home. No further cases have been reported since May 25," the WHO chief said.

GENEVA, July 2 (Xinhua) -- The World Health Organization (WHO) on Thursday declared the hantavirus outbreak linked to the cruise ship MV Hondius officially over, following the completion of quarantine for the final contact and no new cases reported for more than five weeks.

"Today, the final contact of a person exposed to hantavirus on the cruise ship MV Hondius completed their quarantine period, tested negative and returned home. No further cases have been reported since May 25. We are therefore very pleased to say that WHO considers the outbreak of hantavirus over," said WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus during his opening remarks at the media briefing on Thursday.

The WHO was notified of the outbreak on May 2 by Britain's International Health Regulations (IHR) National Focal Point. It involved a cluster of severe acute respiratory illness aboard the Dutch-flagged cruise ship.

A total of 13 cases were recorded, including three deaths. More than 650 contacts were identified and followed up by health authorities.

The outbreak response was supported by multiple countries in line with the International Health Regulations, including Argentina, Cabo Verde, Chile, the Netherlands, South Africa, Britain, and notably Spain, which demonstrated "incredible solidarity in supporting the safe disembarkation and repatriation of passengers and crew in Tenerife," the director-general said.

Although the outbreak is now over, WHO will continue working with governments and partners to advance understanding of this outbreak and of hantavirus more generally. 

WHO is coordinating a study involving 21 countries to understand how the disease develops, which will support the development of diagnostics, therapeutics, and vaccines for future outbreaks.

Russia Says It Carried Out Massive Retaliatory Strike on Military Targets Across Ukraine

02.07.2026 14:38

Incidents

Russia's Armed Forces carried out what the Defense Ministry described as a retaliatory strike against targets in Ukraine, the ministry announced on the morning of Thursday, July 2.

"In response to terrorist attacks by the Kyiv regime against civilian infrastructure on Russian territory, the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation carried out a massive strike using long-range precision weapons launched from the air, land, and sea, as well as strike unmanned aerial vehicles," the Russian Defense Ministry said.

The ministry stated that the strikes hit defense industry enterprises and fuel and energy facilities in Kyiv and the Kyiv region, as well as infrastructure at military airfields in the Dnipropetrovsk, Poltava, Cherkasy, and Chernihiv regions.

Officials Describe Overnight Strike as One of the Most Complex

According to underground movement coordinator Sergey Lebedev, Russian forces launched approximately 74 missiles against targets in Ukraine. He said the strike included around 30 Kh-101 cruise missiles, about 24 Iskander-M ballistic missiles, approximately 12 Zircon hypersonic cruise missiles, six Kalibr cruise missiles, and two Kh-59/69 missiles. He added that Ukrainian air defenses intercepted about 24 of them.

Ukrainian military blogger Bohdan Miroshnykov described the overnight attack on Ukrainian infrastructure and military facilities as exceptionally difficult. He estimated that approximately 60 missiles of various types and more than 100 jet-powered drones were launched toward Kyiv.

Lebedev also stated that by 6:00 a. m., around 34 missiles had been launched toward the Ukrainian capital, including 26 Iskander-M ballistic missiles and eight Zircon hypersonic cruise missiles. According to his figures, Ukrainian air defenses intercepted six Iskander missiles, while none of the eight Zircon missiles were intercepted.

"Even if the number of intercepted Iskanders increases, the main conclusion is already clear: Kyiv's missile defense was able to stop only part of the ballistic wave and failed to intercept the hypersonic missiles," Lebedev said.

Zelensky Warned of Possible Strike in Advance

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said a day earlier that Russia could carry out a large-scale strike during the night of July 2.

"Today we received very troubling information about preparations for another massive Russian strike. Intelligence has provided this information," he said.

Zelensky's statement was later commented on by a veteran of the Wagner private military company through the Telegram channel Condottiero.

"There was no 'super-powerful' strike overnight. It was the usual 50-70 missiles of various types and 250-300 UAVs, including jet-powered Geran drones," the former Wagner fighter wrote.

He added that, as in previous strikes, the targets included fuel facilities, warehouses, and production sites, while noting that an even more powerful strike remained possible.

Reports of Damage in Kyiv

According to Times of Ukraine, Russian forces struck the Kyiv Hydroelectric Power Plant in Vyshhorod and CHP-5 in Kyiv's Holosiivskyi district. The outlet also reported that an oil depot on the outskirts of Kyiv was destroyed.

In central Kyiv, two five-star hotels on Shevchenko Boulevard — CityHotel Residence and Premier Palace — caught fire following the strikes. The roof of CityHotel Residence was reported to have been set ablaze. The hotel is frequently used by foreign volunteers serving with the Ukrainian Armed Forces, according to Russian reports.

Earlier, Stanislav Ignatyev, head of the Ukrainian Association of Renewable Energy's council, warned that Kyiv's power system had entered what he described as an irreversible period due to extreme heat, raising the prospect of widespread electricity restrictions.

He said the measures could include systematic power restrictions of up to five hours during evening peak periods for both industrial and residential consumers. According to Ignatyev, equipment at regional power substations had already been disconnected because of overloads caused by increased electricity demand, adding that Ukraine had entered this difficult period several days earlier.

British Army Says Goodbye to Wildcat Helicopters in Major Military Overhaul

02.07.2026 18:39

World

As part of a large-scale modernization of Britain's defense capabilities, the government has confirmed that the British Army's fleet of Leonardo Wildcat AH1 helicopters will be retired beginning in 2027. The decision marks the end of dedicated combat reconnaissance helicopters within the Army Air Corps, with unmanned and autonomous systems set to assume their role.

ZZ392 AgustaWestland AW159 Wildcat AH1 Helicopter Army Air Corps (38715596950)

Photo: commons.wikimedia.org by James from Cheltenham, Gloucestershire, https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0/

The United Kingdom announced that its fleet of 34 Leonardo Wildcat AH1 helicopters will leave service under the new Defence Investment Plan (DIP), presented on June 30, 2026. The move represents a significant shift in British Army aviation and replaces manned reconnaissance platforms with drones and autonomous technologies.

From Piloted Reconnaissance to Autonomous Systems

The Wildcat AH1 entered service with the Army Air Corps in 2014 as the successor to the Westland Lynx. The aircraft carried out combat reconnaissance, command-and-control operations, communications missions, and light transport duties.

Under the new strategy, these missions will increasingly move to a growing fleet of reconnaissance drones and other autonomous platforms. The transition reflects operational lessons drawn from recent conflicts, particularly developments observed during the war in Ukraine.

The British government plans to invest more than £5 billion in drones and autonomous systems over the next four years.

Royal Navy Wildcat Helicopters Will Remain in Service

The retirement program applies only to the Army Air Corps fleet of Wildcat AH1 helicopters. The Royal Navy's Wildcat HMA2 helicopters, which perform maritime surveillance, anti-surface warfare missions, and force protection tasks, will remain operational.

The retirement of the Wildcat AH1 forms part of a wider restructuring of Britain's defense capabilities. The Defence Investment Plan also increases spending on long-range weapons systems, air and missile defense, artificial intelligence, and autonomous technologies.

Several aging military platforms will leave service ahead of schedule in order to redirect funding toward future capabilities.

Military Units Face Operational Changes After Wildcat Retirement

The Army Air Corps Wildcat AH1 fleet currently operates with the 1st Regiment Army Air Corps at Royal Naval Air Station Yeovilton. Combat operations are conducted by 659 Squadron and 661 Squadron, while 652 Squadron oversees pilot conversion and training.

The decision will also affect the Royal Navy's Commando Helicopter Force. The 847 Naval Air Squadron currently operates Army-owned Wildcat AH1 helicopters in support of British commando forces.

Although the Defence Investment Plan confirms the withdrawal of the Army's entire AH1 fleet, the Ministry of Defence has not yet determined how reconnaissance and combat capabilities for 847 Naval Air Squadron will continue after the helicopters leave service.

Details

The AgustaWestland AW159 Wildcat (previously called the Future Lynx and Lynx Wildcat) is a military helicopter, developed by the British-Italian helicopter manufacturer AgustaWestland, and later marketed by the Italian aerospace company Leonardo. It is an improved version of the Westland Super Lynx designed to serve in the battlefield utility, search and rescue, aerial reconnaissance, anti-submarine warfare (ASW), anti-surface warfare (ASuW), utility, command and control, and troop transport duties.

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Putin’s Choice of Medvedev for Tehran Visit Raises Stakes in Global Power Politics

A high-level Russian delegation led by Dmitry Medvedev traveling to Tehran for mourning ceremonies serves both as a gesture of respect toward Iran and as a warning directed at Washington.

Azadi Tower in Iran

Photo: Pravda.Ru by Vadim Savitsky is licensed under All Rights Reserved

Deputy Chairman of Russia's Security Council Dmitry Medvedev will represent Russia at the funeral of Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in Tehran as a special envoy of the Russian president.

Within the diplomatic hierarchy, a visit by a former head of state and current deputy chairman of Russia's Security Council carries significantly greater weight than a visit by a foreign minister and appears more consequential than a parliamentary speaker's trip. The status of special envoy indicates that Medvedev stands among those closest to Russian President Vladimir Putin and enjoys his complete trust. His appointment therefore represents a major enhancement of his political standing.

And that is only part of the picture. In recent years, Medvedev has emerged as Moscow's most visible public advocate of its toughest and most uncompromising geopolitical positions, including those directed at the President of the United States. His leadership of the delegation to Iran demonstrates that Putin is disregarding Washington's position while emphasizing unwavering solidarity with Tehran and strong condemnation of the actions of the United States and Israel. Inevitably, this also signals broader shifts in the Russian president's overall geopolitical approach.

Medvedev is expected to hold meetings with Iran's new Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei as well as senior figures within the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps. For Iran's leadership, the arrival of a Russian politician known for his reputation as a hardline statesman serves as a powerful psychological signal. It reinforces the view that Russia considers Iran a key strategic ally and has no intention of distancing itself under pressure from the United States.

Medvedev's position allows him to discuss behind closed doors the most sensitive military and technical issues, including the modernization of Iran's missile programs and air-defense systems in response to Western aggression — topics that would be far more difficult to address through conventional Foreign Ministry channels.

Medvedev Will Speak Frankly in Iran

Medvedev is also a familiar figure in Iran. It was during his presidency that the first unit of the Bushehr Nuclear Power Plant, constructed by Rosatom, was officially launched in 2011. Medvedev personally participated in key Caspian-state summits that eventually led to the Convention on the Legal Status of the Caspian Sea, which prohibited the military presence of third countries, including NATO members, in the region.

In 2017, during Hassan Rouhani's visit to Russia while Medvedev served as prime minister, a package of agreements was signed, including deals concerning the strategic North-South transport corridor, the electrification of Iran's railway network, and mutual investment protection. It was during this same period that Iran's integration into the markets of the Eurasian Economic Union began. In 2018, a Temporary Free Trade Agreement was signed, which has since evolved into a full-scale treaty.

Iran won an exceptionally important battle against the United States by weakening Russia's adversary — an achievement considered no less significant than North Korea's direct assistance during the second Battle of Kursk. For this reason, Tehran must be supported in every possible way and without hesitation, something Medvedev is expected to demonstrate clearly.

Who Else Will Support Iran in a Difficult Hour

Iran's Foreign Ministry confirmed that representatives from neighboring states, key regional allies, and BRICS countries will attend the large-scale mourning events.

Pakistan will be represented by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif. China will send He Wei, Vice Chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress, the country's highest legislative body. Tajik President Emomali Rahmon has officially confirmed his personal attendance. India's delegation will be led by the deputy foreign minister, while Iraq will be represented by Prime Minister Ali al-Zaydi.

The official memorial ceremony for foreign heads of state and diplomats will begin in Tehran on Friday, July 3. The ceremony's emblem features Khamenei's clenched fist alongside the slogan: "We Must Rise."

Following the official proceedings, a nationwide mourning period lasting several days will begin and conclude with burial ceremonies in Mashhad on July 9.

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Claims of Decisive Phase in Ukraine Conflict Serve Domestic Politics

02.07.2026 18:10

World

Statements by Western politicians describing the Ukraine conflict as reaching a decisive moment form part of broader domestic political messaging, according to political analyst, military volunteer and chairman of the public movement Battle for Donbass, Alexey Zhivov. In comments to Pravda.Ru, he said similar predictions have repeatedly surfaced in recent years without being supported by real developments.

German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius

Photo: flickr.com by U.S. Secretary of Defense, https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/

Earlier, German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius said in an interview with Der Spiegel that the confrontation in Ukraine had entered a decisive phase. He called for making use of the moment and stressed that Kyiv continued to urgently require financial support.

Domestic Politics Remain Central to the Debate

Zhivov believes Berlin's rhetoric primarily targets German voters. According to him, such messaging helps justify long-term political strategies and encourages public patience inside Germany.

He added that public sentiment within Germany has gradually begun shifting toward support for reducing confrontation with Moscow. At the same time, discussions across Europe continue regarding forecasts of future security risks tied to upcoming political cycles.

"German politicians have made similar statements many times before. They do not mean anything specific by them — they simply continue repeating them. They have domestic political objectives, and perhaps such statements serve those goals: asking people to endure a little longer while promising that everything will end with a Ukrainian victory," he said.

Questions Surround Germany's Role in the Conflict

The expert stated that Germany has already become deeply involved in the conflict. According to him, production of drones for Ukrainian forces and components for missile systems takes place on German territory.

He also said that German military units participate in securing important logistics routes in the Baltic region. Military observers continue monitoring NATO activity near the Suwałki Corridor, where ongoing movements have contributed to growing tensions near Russia's borders.

"In reality, the conflict still appears far from reaching an end. Unless one of the negotiating sides changes — for example, if Zelensky leaves the political stage — events could develop much faster because a future leader may take a more flexible position," the expert explained.

Security Concerns Continue to Shape Regional Tensions

The political analyst warned that additional escalation and attempts to increase pressure along Russia's western borders could create serious consequences. Amid continuing military activity, concerns remain over the possibility that growing tensions may lead to wider confrontation.

Zhivov also pointed to developments surrounding Kaliningrad as a source of concern, arguing that nuclear deterrence continues to play a central role in national security policy.

At the same time, while parts of the Western political establishment continue promoting military initiatives, political forces in Germany advocating the restoration of relations with Russia have gained increased attention within opposition circles in Berlin.

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Does Ukraine Own Domestically Produced Long-Range Missile?

02.07.2026 16:44

Ukraine may have used a domestically produced long-range missile in combat against Russia for the first time, Bloomberg reports.

Russian missile

Earlier, the Russian Ministry of Defense confirmed that Russian armed forces had intercepted a long-range operational-tactical missile. The ministry did not disclose additional details regarding the weapon involved. Analysts cited by Bloomberg suggested that Ukraine may have used one of its own missile systems in combat operations for the first time.

At the same time, Denis Shtilerman, chief designer and co-owner of the Ukrainian company Fire Point, publicly rejected suggestions that the missile involved was the company's FP-9 system.

Ukraine Develops Iskander-Class Missile Alternative

On June 27, Shtilerman stated that Ukraine expected the launch of the FP-9 ballistic missile in the near future. He described the system as a counterpart to the missile used in Russia's Iskander-M tactical missile complex.

Kyiv also stated that it is prepared to manufacture long-range Flamingo missiles in the quantities required.

On the same day, Ukraine attempted to carry out strikes using these missile systems, but the Russian Ministry of Defense reported that all of them had been intercepted.

Ukraine Explores Production of SCALP Missiles

Ukraine has also begun discussions regarding a license to manufacture long-range SCALP missiles. Ukrainian Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov announced the talks on June 29.

According to him, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and French President Emmanuel Macron discussed the issue during recent talks. Fedorov emphasized, however, that it remained too early to speak about concrete outcomes.

Commenting on the minister's remarks, retired Colonel and military expert Anatoly Matviychuk expressed doubts about Ukraine's ability to establish large-scale SCALP production.

"There are two factors here. The first is political. Macron can say whatever he wants because he does not bear direct responsibility. In three or four months, he will no longer be president of France. The second is economic. SCALP belongs to the company that manufactures this weapon system," the expert said.

Matviychuk added that he does not expect the discussions to move significantly beyond the negotiation stage and suggested that, at most, only a limited pilot production batch could eventually appear.

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Russian Forces Strike Facilities Used by Kiev for Killing Civilians — MFA

Maria Zakharova noted that, according to Mayor Vitaly Klitschko, it was a terrible night for the city

Russian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova Artyom Geodakyan/TASS

© Artyom Geodakyan/TASS

MOSCOW, July 2. /TASS/. The military targets hit by Russian forces in overnight mass strikes across Ukraine were used by the Kiev regime to kill civilians, Russian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said.

"Even Klitschko (Vitaly Klitschko, the Kiev mayor - TASS) managed to put it clearly this time: 'It was a terrible night for Kiev. The largest attack.' I can add only one thing: it was not directed against peaceful Kiev, but against military and strategic targets used by the Kiev regime to kill civilians," the diplomat wrote on her Telegram channel.

Earlier, Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Chief of the General Staff of the Russian Armed Forces Valery Gerasimov had briefed President Vladimir Putin on the results of the large-scale retaliatory strikes carried out against facilities in Kiev and other populated areas. Peskov stressed that the strikes targeted only military or military-related sites.

Russian Troops Liberate Piskunovka Community in Donetsk Region Over Past Day — Top Brass

Russia’s Battlegroup South inflicted roughly 155 casualties on Ukrainian troops and destroyed three enemy armored combat vehicles in its area of responsibility over the past day, the Defense Ministry reported

© Alexander Polegenko/TASS

MOSCOW, July 2. /TASS/. Russian troops liberated the community of Piskunovka in the Donetsk People’s Republic over the past 24 hours in the special military operation in Ukraine, Russia’s Defense Ministry reported.

"Battlegroup South units liberated the settlement of Piskunovka in the Donetsk People’s Republic through decisive operations," the ministry said in a statement.

Kiev loses 1,465 troops along engagement line in past day – latest figures

The Ukrainian army lost roughly 1,465 troops in battles with Russian forces in all the frontline areas over the past 24 hours, according to the latest data on the special military operation in Ukraine released by Russia’s Defense Ministry.

The latest figures show that the Ukrainian army lost over 230 troops and two armored combat vehicles in the responsibility area of Russia’s Battlegroup North, more than 210 troops and three armored combat vehicles in the responsibility area of the Battlegroup West and roughly 155 troops and three armored combat vehicles in the responsibility area of the Battlegroup South.

During the last 24-hour period, the Ukrainian army also lost over 365 troops and three armored combat vehicles in the responsibility area of Russia’s Battlegroup Center, more than 465 troops and three field artillery guns in the responsibility area of the Battlegroup East and roughly 40 troops and a jamming station in the responsibility area of the Battlegroup Dnepr, the latest figures show.

Russia’s Battlegroup North inflicts over 230 casualties on Ukrainian army in past day

Russia’s Battlegroup North inflicted more than 230 casualties on Ukrainian troops and destroyed two enemy armored combat vehicles in its areas of responsibility over the past day, the ministry reported.

"Battlegroup North units improved their tactical position and inflicted losses on manpower and equipment of a mechanized brigade, an airmobile brigade of the Ukrainian army and a territorial defense brigade in areas near the settlements of Luzhki, Khoten and Novaya Sech in the Sumy Region," the ministry said.

In the Kharkov direction, Battlegroup North units inflicted losses on formations of a mechanized brigade, a motorized infantry brigade of the Ukrainian army and two territorial defense brigades in areas near the settlements of Lyutovka, Zrubanka, Bely Kolodez and Kazachya Lopan in the Kharkov Region, the ministry reported.

The Ukrainian army lost more than 230 personnel, two armored combat vehicles, 16 motor vehicles three field artillery guns and an electronic warfare station in those frontline areas over the past 24 hours, it specified.

Russia’s Battlegroup West inflicts over 210 casualties on Ukrainian army in past day

Russia’s Battlegroup West inflicted more than 210 casualties on Ukrainian troops and destroyed three enemy armored combat vehicles in its area of responsibility over the past day, the ministry reported.

"Battlegroup West units gained better lines and positions and inflicted losses on manpower and equipment of two mechanized brigades, an assault brigade of the Ukrainian army, a marine infantry brigade and a territorial defense brigade in areas near the settlements of Prosyanka in the Kharkov Region, Svyatogorsk, Shchurovo and Lozovoye in the Donetsk People’s Republic," the ministry said.

"In Krasny Liman in the Donetsk People’s Republic, assault groups of the 25th Army are completing the destruction of scattered Ukrainian armed formations. The consolidation forces have begun mine clearance and mop-up operations in the city," the ministry reported.

During the last 24-hour period, Battlegroup West forces eliminated 30 Ukrainian troops, five motor vehicles, two ground robotic vehicles and 10 UAV control posts in Krasny Liman, it said.

Mobile fire groups and interceptor drones of the Battlegroup West shot down 20 Ukrainian Baba-Yaga and Vampire UAVs that attempted to deliver ammunition and food to the left bank of the Seversky Donets River, it said.

Overall, the Ukrainian army lost more than 210 personnel, three armored combat vehicles, 20 motor vehicles and two Western-made artillery guns in the responsibility area of Russia’s Battlegroup West over the past 24 hours, it specified.

Russia’s Battlegroup South inflicts 155 casualties on Ukrainian army in past day

Russia’s Battlegroup South inflicted roughly 155 casualties on Ukrainian troops and destroyed three enemy armored combat vehicles in its area of responsibility over the past day, the ministry reported.

During the last 24-hour period, Battlegroup South units "inflicted losses on manpower and equipment of three mechanized brigades, an assault brigade and an airmobile brigade of the Ukrainian army in areas near the settlements of Slavyansk, Kramatorsk, Druzhkovka and Nikolayevka in the Donetsk People’s Republic," the ministry said.

"In Konstantinovka, assault units of the Battlegroup South are concluding their operations to clear the city from scattered Ukrainian armed formations. During the last 24-hour period, the enemy’s losses amounted to 80 troops, a Canadian-made Senator armored combat vehicle, 23 motor vehicles and three artillery guns," the ministry reported.

In addition, Russia’s Battlegroup South forces destroyed 25 Ukrainian ground robotic systems and 27 UAV control posts in Konstantinovka over the past 24 hours, it specified.

Overall, the Ukrainian army lost an estimated 155 personnel, three armored combat vehicles, 28 motor vehicles, six field artillery guns and an electronic warfare station in the responsibility area of Russia’s Battlegroup South over the past 24 hours, it specified.

Russia’s Battlegroup Center inflicts over 365 casualties on Ukrainian army in past day

Russia’s Battlegroup Center inflicted more than 365 casualties on Ukrainian troops and destroyed three enemy armored combat vehicles in its area of responsibility over the past day, the ministry reported.

"Battlegroup Center units improved their tactical position and inflicted losses on manpower and equipment of two mechanized brigades, an air assault brigade, an assault brigade, two assault regiments of the Ukrainian army, two marine infantry brigades and five National Guard brigades in areas near the settlements of Novovodyanoye, Dobropolye, Raiskoye and Gruzskoye in the Donetsk People’s Republic and Novotroitskoye in the Dnepropetrovsk Region," the ministry said.

The Ukrainian army lost more than 365 personnel, three armored combat vehicles, six motor vehicles, five field artillery guns, including a US-made 155mm Paladin self-propelled artillery system and an electronic warfare station in that frontline area over the past 24 hours, it specified.

Russia’s Battlegroup East inflicts over 465 casualties on Ukrainian army in past day

Russia’s Battlegroup East inflicted more than 465 casualties on Ukrainian troops and destroyed three enemy field artillery guns in its area of responsibility over the past day, the ministry reported.

"Battlegroup East units advanced deep into the enemy’s defenses and inflicted losses on manpower and equipment of a mechanized brigade, two assault brigades, four air assault brigades, two assault regiments of the Ukrainian army and a marine infantry brigade in areas near the settlements of Pokrovskoye, Gavrilovka, Podgavrilovka and Kolomiytsy in the Dnepropetrovsk Region, Lyubitskoye, Yegorovka and Barvinovka in the Zaporozhye Region," the ministry said.

The Ukrainian army lost more than 465 personnel, nine motor vehicles and three field artillery guns in that frontline area over the past 24 hours, it specified.

Russia’s Battlegroup Dnepr eliminates 40 Ukrainian troops in past day

Russia’s Battlegroup Dnepr eliminated roughly 40 Ukrainian troops and destroyed an enemy jamming station in its area of responsibility over the past day, the ministry reported.

"Battlegroup Dnepr units inflicted losses on formations of two mechanized brigades of the Ukrainian army in areas near the settlements of Kushugum and Orekhov in the Zaporozhye Region," the ministry said.

"Up to 40 Ukrainian military personnel, 15 motor vehicles and an electronic warfare station were destroyed," the ministry reported.

Russian troops strike Ukrainian long-range UAV launch sites over past day

Russian troops struck the Ukrainian army’s long-range UAV (unmanned aerial vehicle) launch sites and enemy deployment areas over the past 24 hours, the ministry reported.

"Operational/tactical aircraft, attack unmanned aerial vehicles, missile troops and artillery of the Russian groups of forces struck transport infrastructure used by the Ukrainian army, sites for the launch of long-range unmanned aerial vehicles, and also temporary deployment areas of Ukrainian armed formations and foreign mercenaries in 153 locations," the ministry said.

Russian air defenses intercept 631 Ukrainian UAVs, 11 smart bombs in past day

Russian air defense forces intercepted and destroyed 631 Ukrainian unmanned aerial vehicles and 11 smart bombs in the past 24 hours, the ministry reported.

"Air defense capabilities shot down 11 guided aerial bombs and 631 fixed-wing unmanned aerial vehicles," the ministry said.

Russia’s Black Sea Fleet destroys Ukrainian uncrewed boat over past day

Russia’s Black Sea Fleet destroyed a Ukrainian uncrewed boat in Black Sea waters over the past 24 hours, the ministry reported.

"The Black Sea Fleet’s forces destroyed an unmanned surface vessel of the Ukrainian army in the northeastern part of the Black Sea," the ministry said.

Overall, the Russian Armed Forces have destroyed 673 Ukrainian combat aircraft, 284 helicopters, 173,204 unmanned aerial vehicles, 664 surface-to-air missile systems, 29,996 tanks and other armored combat vehicles, 1,751 multiple rocket launchers, 35,606 field artillery guns and mortars and 65,452 special military motor vehicles since the start of the special military operation, the ministry reported.

Moscow Cannot Ignore EU’s Commitment to Confrontation with Russia — Kremlin

Dmitry Peskov believes it is clear that Europe is escalating tensions with Russia

Russian Presidential Spokesman Dmitry Peskov Alexander Shcherbak/TASS

© Alexander Shcherbak/TASS

MOSCOW, July 2. /TASS/. Russia cannot ignore the fact that Europe has embarked on a path of militarization and is committing itself to confrontation with Moscow, Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters.

He believes it is clear that Europe is escalating tensions with Russia.

"It is also clear that, as the European Union develops its own defense identity, it has embarked on a path of militarization and is committing itself to confrontation with Russia. Of course, we cannot ignore this," Peskov said.

Russian Embassy in Sweden Comes Under Drone Attack Again

The embassy condemned the attack as a blatant attempt to intimidate the Russian mission

© Official Telegram channel of the Russian Embassy in Sweden

STOCKHOLM, July 2. /TASS/. The Russian embassy in Sweden has come under yet another attack using unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), one of which carried a dummy explosive charge, the diplomatic mission said in a post on its Telegram channel on Thursday.

"The Russian embassy in Sweden came under yet another attack using unmanned aerial vehicles. One quadcopter dropped a box containing red paint on the premises of the diplomatic mission, while another drone with a dummy explosive device attached to it crashed, apparently accidentally, on our premises right next to the Russian embassy building," the post reads.

The embassy condemned the attack as a blatant attempt to intimidate the Russian mission as it emphasized that full responsibility for continued attacks and their consequences rests with the Swedish side.

Russia’s diplomatic mission told TASS earlier that more than 15 drone attacks on Russian diplomatic facilities had been recorded since May 2024, during which paint containers were dropped and property damage was caused. Several incidents posed a particularly serious risk because glass containers filled with paint could have caused severe injuries due to their weight and shattered glass. Even as the embassy reported each incident to the police and submitted notes to the Swedish Foreign Ministry, demanding that Sweden fulfil its obligations under international law as the host country as regards security guarantees, the attackers have not been found yet, while similar incidents have continued to take place. The embassy continues to implement security measures, although its capabilities remain restricted.

Russian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova has noted that drone attacks on the Russian diplomatic mission in Sweden come amid full connivance of Swedish authorities, as Moscow insists that Stockholm strictly adhere to its commitments under the Vienna Convention.

Lavrov Believes Japan Still Has Supporters of Cooperation with Russia

The top diplomat's message was read out at the exhibition’s opening ceremony at the Russian Embassy in Tokyo

© Yevgeny Messman/TASS

TOKYO, July 2. /TASS/. There are steadfast supporters of constructive dialogue and mutually beneficial cooperation with Russia in Japan despite the current political climate, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said in a message marking the opening of an exhibition in Tokyo dedicated to Iosif Goshkevich, the first diplomatic representative of the Russian Empire to Japan.

The message was read out at the exhibition’s opening ceremony at the Russian Embassy in Tokyo. "I know that there are faithful supporters of constructive dialogue and mutually beneficial cooperation with Russia in Japan. I am confident that no political circumstances can shake that," Lavrov noted. He recalled Goshkevich’s Belarusian origins, expressing hope that "the exhibition will contribute significantly to understanding the events of the past and allow us to take a fresh look at the key stages in the development of relations between Russia and Belarus with Japan."

Belarusian Foreign Minister Maxim Ryzhenkov also shared some thoughts on the occasion of the exhibition’s opening. "The life of Iosif Goshkevich demonstrates how multifaceted and creative the work of a highly qualified international affairs specialist can be," he emphasized. The Belarusian foreign minister particularly noted Goshkevich’s "extensive knowledge, erudition, and curiosity." "He did everything he could to achieve mutual understanding and establish friendly relations between countries, peoples, and specific individuals, even if they were on opposite sides of the world. That is the very essence of diplomacy," Ryzhenkov said.

At the same time, Russian Ambassador to Japan Nikolay Nozdrev emphasized that the exhibition’s opening coincides with two significant events - the 30th anniversary of the Union State of Belarus and Russia and the 150th anniversary of Goshkevich’s death. "These events are united by deep historical and spiritual ties between our peoples, as well as the memory of individuals who made outstanding contributions to the development of mutual understanding and cooperation," he added.

About exhibition

According to a TASS correspondent, the exhibition features a lot of archival diplomatic documents, the oldest of which dates back to 1857.

Komaki Kurihara, a Japanese actress, and Muneo Suzuki, a Japanese ruling Liberal Democratic Party lawmaker known for his ties with Russia, were among those attending the exhibition.

Earlier, Russian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova, speaking about the upcoming exhibition, emphasized that it would make a significant contribution to an objective understanding of the events of the past and strengthen dialogue with those willing to develop constructive relations with Russia. She also expressed confidence that the exhibition, to which representatives of Japan’s political, business and academic communities had been invited, would stir genuine interest among the wider public and researchers. The city of Hakodate, where Russia’s first consulate in Japan was opened in 1858 and where a monument to Goshkevich was erected in 1989, remains the center of historical memory of Goshkevich. "Today, despite Tokyo’s official unfriendly course, local residents and public organizations continue to demonstrate a caring attitude towards the heritage of our history shared by Russia, Belarus and Japan, honoring the traditions of mutual respect and neighborliness," the Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman noted, drawing attention to how significantly "Japanese citizens’ genuine attitude towards Russia, its culture and heritage differs from the course pursued by Tokyo authorities.".