At least 2 people killed in drone attack on northeastern Ukrainian city, military says
From CNN's Mariya Knight and Olga Voitovych
At least two people were killed in a Russian drone attack on the northeastern Ukrainian city of Sumy, the regional military administration reported in an update on Monday.
“As a result of the attack of the Shahed drones in Sumy, 2 people were killed and 19 wounded,” the administration said in a Telegram post.
“There are 4 injured people who remain in healthcare facilities, 2 of them are in intensive care, and the other 2 are in condition of moderate severity,” the administration added.
There was a five-year-old child among the injured, according to the administration.
10:36 a.m. ET, July 3, 2023
Ukraine charges former head of Crimean security service with treason for spying for Russia
From CNN's Olga Voitovych
Ukraine has charged Oleh Kulinich, the former head of the Crimean Department of the country's security service (SBU), with five offenses related to spying for Russia.
The SBU said Monday it has submitted an indictment for Kulinich on the charges of high treason, weapons charges, theft, leadership of a criminal enterprise and unauthorized leaving of a military unit.
He was arrested a year ago after a special operation by the SBU and the State Bureau of Investigation and has been in custody since.
"We did our best not only to detain a high-level traitor, but also to collect a strong evidence base on which the court will be able to pass a fair verdict. This is a clear signal to all those who work for the enemy: The SBU will definitely find you and make you accountable for your actions, no matter where you are hiding. We will drag every 'mole' into the light," Head of SBU Vasyl Maliuk said in a statement.
Kulinich is suspected of collaborating with the Russian security services and received the operational nickname "Kotyhoroshko."
9:59 a.m. ET, July 3, 2023
At least 1 killed after 4 drones hit Ukrainian city of Sumy, officials say
From CNN's Lindsay Isaac
An administrative building and 2 multi-apartment residential buildings were damaged as a result of Shahed 136 drone attacks over Sumy, Ukraine, on July 3. Sumy Regional Military Administration
Four Russian attack drones hit the centre of the northeastern city of Sumy, hitting two residential apartment blocks and an administrative building, according to the Sumy Regional Military authority.
At least one person was killed and at least 16 people were injured in the attack. Rescue and firefighting operations are ongoing, the authority said on telegram.
8:46 a.m. ET, July 3, 2023
Russia will hold local elections in 4 annexed regions in September, authorities say
From CNN’s Anna Chernova
Russian President Vladimir Putin meets with the country's Central Election Commission head Ella Pamfilova at the Kremlin in Moscow, Russia, on July 3. Kremlin Press Office/Anadolu Agency/Getty Images
Russia is set to hold local elections in the four Ukrainian regions controlled by Moscow, the head of the Central Election Commission (CEC) said Monday.
Voters will elect local governors and other officials in September, Ella Pamfilova told Russian President Vladimir Putin during a meeting.
The date for those elections is set for September 10, the CEC said on Telegram.
Russia-appointed governors of the four annexed regions, that the West regards as illegal, had put forth an initiative to hold local elections, according to Pamfilova, who added that the initiative was approved after consideration together with the Federal Security Service (FSB) and the Russian defense ministry.
“The leaders of all four new subjects — the Donetsk and Luhansk People's Republics, and the Zaporizhzhia and Kherson regions — came to us with an initiative [suggesting] that the need to hold these elections has emerged,” she said.
In September, 41 other regional elections will take place to elect governors, members of legislative assemblies or both across Russia, Pamfilova said.
8:48 a.m. ET, July 3, 2023
Ukraine hopes for international tribunal into Russia’s crimes of aggression
From CNN’s Niamh Kennedy in Dublin, Ireland
Ladislav Hamran, left, President of Eurojust, Andriy Kostin, center, Prosecutor General of the Ukraine, and Kenneth A. Polite Jr., Assistant Attorney General, of the U.S., attend a joint press conference in The Hague, Netherlands, on July 3. Peter Dejong/AP
Ukraine hopes an international tribunal into alleged Russia’s crimes of aggression can be held based on the work of a new evidence-gathering centre launched Monday.
Speaking during a news conference marking the centre’s launch in the Hague on Monday, Ukraine’s Prosecutor General, Andriy Kostin, said he anticipated prosecutors working at the centre will not only gather evidence but also begin building a “prosecutorial strategy” which could be used by a future tribunal.
“I hope that this tribunal to prosecute the crime of aggression would be international because the crime of aggression committed by Russia against Ukraine is the crime against global peace and security. And to fill in the gaps in international law we need an international response,” Kostin stressed.
Ukraine has already launched criminal proceedings in domestic courts for Russian crimes of aggression, according to Kostin, adding that 312 indictments have already been issued.
The EU also expressed support for an international tribunal despite the bloc’s Justice Commissioner, Didier Reynders, telling journalists that the first preference remains to amend existing treaty, the Rome Statute so that Russia’s crimes of aggression in Ukraine could be tried before the International Criminal Court.
“We are open to work on all the possible solutions to have a dedicated tribunal to organize a trial by the crime of aggression…We want to be sure that we will have a very large, very broad support from the international community,” Reynders added.
United States Assistant Attorney General, Kenneth A Polite Jr., told the news conference that the US “supports an international tribunal,” stressing its commitment to finding a “proper forum to ensure justice and accountability” for Russian crimes of aggression.
Key context: As it stands, the newly launched International Centre for the Prosecution of the Crime of Aggression against Ukraine (ICPA) will not have direct investigative powers, EU criminal justice agency chief, Ladislav Harman told the news conference. Although unable to issue arrest warrants and indictments, the centre will focus on centralizing evidence of Russian crimes of aggression in Ukraine in one database with a view towards identifying evidentiary gaps “as early as possible.”
10:02 a.m. ET, July 3, 2023
Ukraine says it has retaken more than 14 square miles of territory from Russia in the past week
From CNN's Lindsay Isaac and Haley Britzky
Ukrainian servicemen of the 3rd Assault Brigade fire a 122mm mortar towards Russian positions at the front line in Donetsk region, Ukraine, on July 2. Alex Babenko/AP
Ukraine claims to have taken back 9 square kilometers of territory in the east of the country and 28.4 square kilometers in the south in the past week, totalling about 14 square miles, according to Hanna Maliar, the deputy defense minister of Ukraine.
Heavy fighting is ongoing in the east with Ukrainian forces advancing in the Bakhmut direction, and Russia attacking the Lyman, Avdiivka and Maryinka directions, she said in her latest update Monday.
"The enemy is trying to force our troops out of their positions, but is receiving a worthy rebuff," said Maliar.
Russia has stepped up attacks in the east, she added, while Ukraine continues to push its offensive in the south, in the Melitopol and Berdiansk sectors.
According to Maliar, "they conducted offensive operations in the areas of Novodarivka, Pryiutne; Novodanylivka, Robotyne; Novosilka, Staromayorske, and were successful."
The total area liberated in the south is 158.4 square kilometers, she said.
What the US is saying: On Friday, Chairman of the US Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Mark Milley said that while Ukraine’s counteroffensive is “going slower than people had predicted,” this is “part of the nature of war.”
"It's going to be very difficult. It's going to be very long, and it's going to be very, very bloody," Milley said at the National Press Club in Washington, DC on Friday. "And no one should have any illusions about any of that.”
8:02 a.m. ET, July 3, 2023
It's mid-afternoon in Kyiv. Here's what you need to know
From CNN staff
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has told CNN in an exclusive interview that he thinks Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin is losing control of his own people.
Zelensky has also claimed that Ukrainian forces are "making progress" in reclaiming territory from Russia. Meanwhile, at least one person has been killed in a Russian drone strike in Sumy, northeastern Ukraine.
Zelensky claims Ukraine "making progress": The Ukrainian president has acknowledged the fierce battles being fought by his armed forces against Russia, but also had some encouraging words. "Last week was difficult on the front line. But we are making progress," he said.
Ukraine claims to have retaken territory: Ukraine has taken back 9 square kilometers of territory in the east of the country and 28.4 square kilometers in the south in the past week, totaling about 14 square miles.
Well-known Ukrainian writer dead: Celebrated Ukrainian writer Victoria Amelina has died after being injured in a Russian missile strike on a restaurant in the eastern Ukrainian city of Kramatorsk last Tuesday. Amelina, 37, was known for her research into war crimes.
Russia claims it thwarted assassination attempt: Russia said it has intercepted an assassination attempt by Ukraine on the Russian-backed leader of occupied Crimea, state media reported, citing the FSB. The Russian security agency said it had arrested a suspect who was allegedly hired by the Ukrainian security services to kill Sergey Aksyonov.
Putin to return to world stage: Putin is scheduled Tuesday to attend a virtual summit of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO). It will be his first meeting with other world leaders since the insurrection by the Wagner mercenary group in late June.
One dead in Sumy drone strike: At least one person has been killed in a Russian drone attack on a residential building in the northeastern Ukrainian city of Sumy, officials said Monday. Earlier Monday, the Ukrainian air force said it had shot down 13 of 17 drones fired by Russia that morning.
Russian officials praise security forces: Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu has commended the "loyalty" of the Russian Armed Forces for helping to stop the attempted rebellion by private mercenary group Wagner, as the Kremlin praised the security services for their role.
Investigators working to hold Russia accountable for invasion: A pioneering investigative center launched on Monday will ensure Russia is held accountable for crimes of aggression in Ukraine, the European Commissioner for Justice said. The International Centre for the Prosecution of the Crime of Aggression against Ukraine in the Hague will comprise a joint investigation team of prosecutors from Ukraine, Lithuania, Poland, Estonia, Latvia, Slovakia, and Romania.
Competing claims over Ukrainian children: Russia has taken 700,000 Ukrainian children into custody under a program to protect orphans and those abandoned during the fighting, a Russian lawmaker has claimed. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has said the total number of children deported to Russia is at least 19,505.
10:47 a.m. ET, July 3, 2023
"Tense" situation in Zaporizhzhia as Ukraine pushes counteroffensive, Russian-backed official says
From CNN's Svitlana Vlasova
A Ukrainian military vehicle moves along a road near the recently retaken village of Novodarivka in Zaporizhzhia region, Ukraine, on July 2. Serhii Nuzhnenko/Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty/Reuters
The Russian-appointed governor of the Zaporizhzhia region in southeastern Ukraine has said the situation at the front lines is "tense" as Ukraine continues to push its counteroffensive, slowly gaining back territory.
Ukrainians are making "daily attacks" on Russian positions, Yevgeny Balitsky said on his official Telegram channel.
"The enemy is active, but they do not spare their soldiers," he said, claiming that "based on rough estimates" Ukraine has "already lost more than 20,000 personnel."
Ukraine has not commented on military casualties. CNN cannot independently verify Balitsky's claims.
Balitsky urged for people to "remain calm" and reassured them that Russia's defense is "very strong."
7:59 a.m. ET, July 3, 2023
German defense minister calls on Turkey to allow Sweden to join NATO
From CNN's Inke Kappeler and Luke McGee
Defense Minister Boris Pistorius makes a statement after talks with the Polish defense minister in Zamosc, Poland, on July 3. Soeren Stache/picture-alliance/dpa/AP
German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius called on Turkey to admit Sweden to NATO “soon,” during a joint news statement Monday with his Polish counterpart Mariusz Blaszczak.
“With regard to the war in Ukraine, the new situation that we are experiencing, the security situation, forces us to talk about deterrence and defense capability again, and it is important that Sweden becomes a NATO member soon, that Turkey gives up its resistance,“ Pistorius said ahead of a visit to a base in Zamosc, Eastern Poland, where Patriot air defense systems are stationed.
Both Sweden and its neighbor Finland stated their intent to join NATO through its open-door policy in May last year, just weeks after Russia launched its unprovoked invasion of Ukraine.
Finland was finally accepted in April of this year, doubling the defensive alliance’s border with Russia, but Sweden’s accession is currently blocked.
It is generally accepted that Sweden’s armed forces are compatible with NATO. Sweden has a permanent delegation at NATO and is considered a close partner to the alliance, meaning joining should be relatively straightforward.
But Turkey -- a strategically important NATO member due to its geographical location in both the Middle East and Europe, and the alliance’s second-largest military power – has been blocking Sweden’s accession for a number of reasons.
Among them is the claim that Sweden allows members of recognized Kurdish terror groups to operate in the country, most notably the militant Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK).
Sweden changed its terrorism laws earlier this year, making it a crime to be part of these groups, but it is not clear whether this will convince Turkey to allow the country to join NATO.
