Russia reaffirms its ambitious war objectives, even with Trump's renewed call for peace
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov once again reaffirmed that Russia will continue its war against Ukraine until its territorial demands are fulfilled, signaling that Moscow remains unwilling to compromise despite renewed diplomatic efforts.
Speaking alongside Mozambique's Foreign Minister Maria Manuela Lucas, Lavrov said Russia would continue pursuing the objectives outlined by Russian President Vladimir Putin in June 2024. Those demands include Ukraine's withdrawal from the partially occupied Donetsk, Kherson, and Zaporizhzhia oblasts, as well as nearly all of Luhansk Oblast, and abandoning its bid to join NATO.
Lavrov also accused Western countries of only pretending to seek negotiations, saying Russia's "reserve of goodwill and hope has been completely exhausted." His remarks contrast with previous statements that Moscow was ready to resume peace talks at any time.
The comments also contradict recent remarks by U.S. President Donald Trump, who said Putin was prepared to end the war. Ukraine has rejected Russia's territorial demands, calling instead for a ceasefire along the current front line.
Polish PM urged people of Poland to restrain excessive emotions regarding Ukraine
Prime Minister of Poland Donald Tusk said he hopes Ukraine will reconsider its approach to the Volyn tragedy while urging people in Poland not to inflame tensions, according to PAP, as cited by European Pravda.
Ahead of the 11 July anniversary of the Volyn tragedy, Tusk said reconciliation between the two countries must be based on truth. He expressed hope that Ukraine would rethink its position on the issue while calling on Poles to avoid "excessive emotions."
Commenting on the recent meeting between Polish President Karol Nawrocki and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, Tusk said he viewed the talks positively. He added that Russia would benefit most from a serious crisis in Polish-Ukrainian relations and said public statements by both leaders suggest they recognize that recent tensions have gone too far and are damaging both countries.
Ukraine targeted a major Russian oil refinery, terminals, and 18 vessels
Ukraine struck several key Russian energy and military-linked facilities overnight on 10 July, including the Ilsky Oil Refinery in Krasnodar Krai, according to Ukraine's General Staff.
The operation also targeted the Kurgannefteprodukt oil terminal in Taganrog, the Azovnefteprodukt oil depot in Azov, the NOVATEK-Ust-Luga oil-processing complex in Leningrad Oblast, and a fuel depot near Rozivka in occupied Zaporizhzhia Oblast. Ukraine's military said 18 Russian vessels—including 13 tankers, three cargo ships, a ferry, and an auxiliary vessel—were also hit.
The General Staff reported explosions and a fire at the Ilsky refinery, one of southern Russia's largest fuel-processing facilities with an annual capacity of nearly 6.6 million tons. The refinery, located about 500 kilometers from Ukrainian-controlled territory, has now been targeted at least 17 times since the start of Ukraine's long-range strike campaign.
The attacks came as Ukraine continues to intensify strikes on Russia's oil infrastructure, which Kyiv considers a legitimate military target because it supplies fuel and revenue for the Kremlin's war effort. Recent strikes have worsened Russia's fuel shortages, prompting Moscow to ban diesel exports until at least the end of July.
Russia conducted seven airstrikes on Kramatorsk: four killed, including a 14-year-old
Russian forces carried out seven airstrikes on the city of Kramatorsk and the nearby village of Bilenke in Donetsk Oblast on 10 July, killing four civilians, including a 14-year-old boy and his 18-year-old sister, according to the Donetsk Oblast Prosecutor's Office.
The strikes, which took place between 3:01 p.m. and 3:20 p.m., hit apartment buildings and residential homes. Nine civilians between the ages of 35 and 75 were also injured. Authorities are still determining the exact type of weapon used and assessing the full extent of the damage.
Prosecutors have launched a pre-trial investigation into the attack as a suspected war crime under Article 438 of Ukraine's Criminal Code. Earlier in the day, Kramatorsk City Military Administration Head Oleksandr Honcharenko reported that Russian forces had struck the city for a second time, initially confirming damage to residential areas and civilian casualties.