War in Europe

Kremlin aide Yuri Ushakov said he did not yet know where the meeting would take place or how long it would last, but emphasized its importance, saying, “We are beginning concrete preparations.”

IAEA team witnesses attacks on auxiliary buildings as safety concerns escalate at Europe's largest atomic power plant.

Although Israel has refused so far to transfer weapons to Kyiv, it agreed to launch a "strategic dialogue on the Iranian threat" – a move that could lead to intelligence and technological collaboration in the future.

During a July 4 phone call with Ukraine's Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Trump reportedly signaled support for Ukrainian deep strikes on Russian territory as a strategy to "make them feel the pain" and force Moscow to negotiating table, according to officials briefed on the conversation.

Following North Korea's involvement, Moscow has reportedly reached an agreement with the government of Laos to send combat engineers to assist Russian forces with mine clearance. Ukrainian intelligence believes the Kremlin is trying to lure the impoverished Southeast Asian nation into a deeper role in the war.

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy confirmed that a residential structure in Smila city, located near the central Cherkasy, suffered damage, resulting in injuries to one child. Zelenskyy declared his intention to investigate Ustymenko's death while stating, "Ukrainian aircrews defend our skies with valor. Gratitude to all who protect Ukraine."

Zvi-Hirsh (Grisha) Zovergzde, 32-year-old Jewish chef from Odessa, was killed Thursday while fighting Russian forces on the Kherson front, marking the third Jewish soldier death in Ukrainian forces within approximately two weeks.

Trump threatened, "If the ceasefire is not respected, the US and its partners will impose further sanctions."

Residents of Kyiv and eastern Ukraine awoke to air raid alerts following the end of a one-day Easter ceasefire declared by President Vladimir Putin. Both Russia and Ukraine traded accusations, each blaming the other for violating the ceasefire, particularly along the front lines.