I think you summed it up well hills
Just to relink the very long report (the story of our guests is mostly in the 45 mins)
I think the thing to do now for residents is to do the best they can to store water, food and medicine and to find (or make a makeshift) bomb shelter.
The stress everyone is under is appalling. Life goes on, they go to the market, they pet their cats but the underlying stress is huge. These are not people who will ever take safety for granted again.
ISW
Russian forces continued to launch unsuccessful assaults northwest of Slovyansk and conducted offensive operations east of Siversk from the Lysychansk area.
Russian forces continued localized attacks northwest of Kharkiv City, likely in an effort to defend Russian ground lines of communication (GLOCs) in the area.
Russian forces continue to face personnel and equipment shortages, relying on old armored personnel carriers and launching new recruitment campaigns.
Russian forces continued to set conditions for the annexation of Donbas, Kharkiv Oblast, and southern Ukraine.
The Kremlin has likely used a leaked letter from mothers demanding the ban of journalist activity on the frontlines to promote self-censorship among pro-Russian milbloggers and war correspondents
The Kremlin faces challenges directly censoring pro-Russian milbloggers and war correspondents but will likely continue to look for opportunities to promote self-censorship.
Russian-backed occupation authorities in Kharkiv Oblast stated that Kharkiv Oblast is an “inalienable part of Russian land,” indicating that the Kremlin likely intends to annex part or all of Kharkiv Oblast.[1]
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Kyiv Indep.
⚡️ UK Defense Ministry: Training programme for Ukrainian soldiers begins in UK.
The U.K.-led military programme will reportedly train up to 10,000 Ukrainian soldiers over the next few months.
[GOOD! tho an open acknowledgement of how long this is going to drag on :( ]
⚡️Liberation of Snake Island eases navigation from Danube River to Black Sea.
According to the Ukrainian Sea Ports Authority, ships are now allowed to use the Danube-Black Sea Canal in the Danube Delta
⚡️Minister Ukraine may be admitted to Council of Europe Development Bank under shortened procedure.
According to the Minister for Communities and Territories Development Oleksiy Chernyshov, the Council of Europe Development Bank decided that Ukraine may acquire its membership under special conditions. The Bank also decided to provide 465 million euros in loans to support Ukrainian refugees in Europe.
⚡️Congresswoman Spartz says Zelensky 'must address the Yermak issue.'
U.S. Representative Victoria Spartz, who is originally from Ukraine, published on July 9 several “serious allegations” against President Volodymyr Zelensky's chief of staff Andriy Yermak.
Investigators destroy case files linked to pro-Kremlin politicians amid Russian invasion (kyivindependent.com/national/state-investigation-bureau-destroys-case-files-linked-to-pro-kremlin-politicians)
Ukraine’s State Investigation Bureau destroyed secret materials in several major criminal investigations immediately after Russia launched its all-out invasion on Feb. 24, the Prosecutor General’s Office said.
The case files are linked to several pro-Kremlin politicians, and their destruction prompted speculation that treason or corruption is involved.
"There are two versions. Either they went crazy because they were scared, or there was a plot to take advantage of the situation," Sergii Gorbatuk, a former top investigator, told the Kyiv Independent in a reference to the Russian invasion. "I favor the second version."
[Recently there have been a lot of murmurings of treason and selling out to the Russians. Corruption is a big problem in Ukraine, as elsewhere, and with such close links to Russia (ive seen 40% Ukrainians have relatives in Russia quoted) there will be some who believe in what they are doing too. I wonder if this has anything to do with the changes of Ambassadors yesterday]
⚡️ Russia continues covert mobilization campaign.
According to Ukraine’s Center for Countering Disinformation, over 22,000 vacancies have been advertised in Russia calling for military personnel, including snipers, gunners, drivers, medical instructors, and other experts
⚡️ Der Spiegel: New ammunition supplier for Germany may solve issues with arms delivery to Ukraine.
The German government has reportedly sourced an ammunition manufacturer in Norway for Gepard anti-aircraft systems, Der Spiegel reports, citing German government sources. As a result, the provision of such systems to Ukraine should not be an issue going forward. [Switzerland refused permission for the ammo to go to Ukraine. I do mildly wish that Switzerland itself could be invaded and find out what it's like to fight for your country's survival]
⚡️ Canada intends to impose additional sanctions on Russia’s energy sector.
⚡️ Defense Minister: Ukraine needs to develop its air defense system. [calls recently have been for air def. systems]
⚡️ Canada to release Nord Stream 1 turbine to Germany.
Canadian Natural Resources Minister Jonathan Wilkinson announced on July 9 that Canada will return a repaired Russian turbine to Germany that Russia considers necessary for the supply of natural gas to Europe.
⚡️ Delfi: Russia, Belarus want to recruit Latvian officials. Russia reportedly wants to obtain key intelligence that would be of use should the war in Ukraine escalate into a wider military conflict.
RFE/RL: Russian forces ‘blackmail’ parents to send children to pro-Russian schools. (this was previously reported - send your kids to Russian school or we will take them away from you)
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UkraineNOW
The Armed Forces of Ukraine in Luhansk region has defeated a Russian convoy, which included a dozen of tanks and infantry fighting vehicles
⚡️ Ukrainians have collected 400 million UAH (nearly $136,000) in a week for the Drone Army from the UNITED24 project
📸 Moldy bread and shovels were delivered to the temporarily occupied Mariupol as humanitarian aid from the Tula region of the Russian Federation
🇩🇪 Germany has approved the largest renewable energy expansion plan in history
In an effort to reduce the dependence on fossil fuels and meet climate goals, Germany has approved a legislative package that is considered the largest expansion of renewable energy in the country's history.
The new goal is 80% of renewable energy by 2030.
📣 The United States is discussing the possible integration of its air defense systems with the systems of the countries of the Middle East
Iran's Foreign Ministry said plans by the US and Israel for a joint defense deal with Arab states to counter the threat posed by Iranian drones and missiles would only increase regional tensions.
📌 US President Joe Biden said his trip to Saudi Arabia plays an important role in Washington's confrontation with Moscow and Beijing against the backdrop of the war in Ukraine. It is reported by The Washington Post. The Middle East tour of the head of the White House will take place July 13-16.
⚡️ EU builds bunker for secret talks without Russian spies – EUobserver
Such premises will cost 8 million euros. This safe place will be in Brussels, where the meetings will take place without Russian spies. The room will be disconnected from the internet.
☑️ The Polish Parliament voted to ratify the accession of Sweden and Finland to NATO