Russian state corporation Rosatom has announced its intention to fully localize the production of lithium-ion batteries within Russia by the year 2030. This ambitious announcement followed Russia's capture of the Shevchenko settlement in Ukraine's Donetsk region, home to one of Ukraine's largest lithium deposits. Despite the ongoing conflict, Russia continues to import lithium from Chile.

Rosatom aims to achieve complete localization through two "gigafactories" situated in Russia: one in …

As of now, Russian troops may not possess the necessary strength and resources to bypass the Pokrovsk-Myrnohrad agglomeration from the east, said Viktor Tregubov, spokesperson for the "Khortytsia" operational-strategic troop grouping, in a comment to Novosti Donbassa".

However, according to him, the Russian forces do indeed have such plans. A significant concentration of forces is present—more than 100,000 personnel are currently operating in the Pokrovsk direction. The Russians are attacking …

In response to ongoing, large-scale Russian airstrikes on Ukraine, Germany is intensifying its efforts to bolster Ukraine's air defense systems. On Wednesday, July 9, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said in the Bundestag that he is optimistic about collaborating with the United States in this effort. Merz emphasized his intention to negotiate "arrangements" with the U.S. administration to provide Ukraine with additional air defense systems.

"Our aid to Ukraine won't falter due to financial …

Ukraine's Security Service (SBU) detained two Chinese nationals in Kyiv on charges of espionage. According to reports from the SBU and Ukraine's Prosecutor General's Office shared on July 9, the two individuals were reportedly attempting to transfer confidential documents related to Ukraine's RK-360MC "Neptune" missile system to Chinese security agencies.

The investigation reveals that one of the suspects is a 24-year-old former student from a Kyiv technical university. "He remained in Kyiv …

Ukrainian Forces have successfully driven Russian troops out of several positions at the border with the Dnipropetrovsk region. These counter-offensive actions, executed by specific units of the Ukrainian Defense Forces along the Donetsk and Dnipropetrovsk regions, have disrupted the Russians' offensive momentum, regaining several sites under Ukrainian control.

The Russian military, however, continues to exert pressure at the administrative boundary of the Dnipropetrovsk region, actively …

Russian President Vladimir Putin signed a decree on Tuesday, July 8, permitting foreign nationals to serve in the Russian Armed Forces during periods of mobilization. The decree, a notable shift in policy, also authorizes foreigners to serve under terms of emergency, martial law, wartime, and armed conflict conditions.

The decree outlines that citizens of foreign countries will now be able to participate in activities aimed at "maintaining or restoring international peace and security." …

Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, Oleksandr Syrskyi, has announced that Ukrainian forces are successfully repelling Russian advances on key fronts, preventing the Russian troops from breaking through defenses. According to Syrskyi's update on Facebook, during a meeting of the Supreme Commander’s Headquarters, he highlighted that one of the main tasks for the Ukrainian Forces is to prevent the Russians from reaching the administrative borders of the Dnipropetrovsk region. …

Russian Transport Minister Roman Starovoit, who was dismissed by President Vladimir Putin on July 7, 2025, was found dead that same day at his home. The 53-year-old's body was discovered in his personal vehicle in the affluent district of Odintsovo near Moscow, alongside a firearm, reports Telegram channel 112.

According to Telegram channel Operational ZSU, the gun alleged to have been used by Starovoit was an honorary award from the Russian Ministry of Defense. The channel also claimed that …