Zelensky emphasized the American 'Patriots' in the USA Independence Day message
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy marked the 250th anniversary of U.S. Independence Day by thanking the United States for its military support and expressing hope for continued cooperation between the two countries.
Zelensky drew parallels between America's fight for independence and Ukraine's ongoing struggle against Russia, saying Ukrainians are defending their freedom with the same determination that shaped the American Dream. He thanked the U.S. for providing military assistance, from Javelin anti-tank missiles approved during President Donald Trump's administration to Patriot air defense systems that protect Ukrainian cities from Russian missile attacks.
The Ukrainian president again stressed the urgent need for additional Patriot systems and missiles, calling them the country's top defense priority as Russia continues large-scale ballistic missile strikes. He said Ukraine's requests for Patriots reflect the same values of freedom and the protection of human life that inspired the United States 250 years ago.
Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha also congratulated the United States, saying Ukraine's fight proves that the ideals of liberty and independence remain as relevant today as they were at the founding of America.
Earlier in the day, Zelensky accused Russian leader Vladimir Putin of misleading both the international community and President Trump about the battlefield situation near Kostiantynivka, again emphasizing Ukraine's urgent need for additional Patriot air defense systems.
Polish PM wants "clear signals" from Ukraine over Ukrainian Insurgent Army heroes row
The Prime Minister of Poland, Donald Tusk said he has received "positive signals" from current and former Ukrainian officials but believes Kyiv should take the first step toward easing tensions between the two countries.
Tusk revealed that former Ukrainian President Viktor Yushchenko sent him a letter urging both sides to work through historical disputes without allowing the past to determine the future of Polish-Ukrainian relations.
At the same time, Tusk said he expects a "clear and confident" signal from Kyiv regarding President Volodymyr Zelensky's decision to name a Ukrainian military unit after the Ukrainian Insurgent Army. He described the move as unfortunate and said Poland is waiting for Ukraine to address the issue.
The dispute stems from differing historical views of the UPA. Ukraine honors the organization for its fight for independence during and after World War II, while Poland associates it with the Volyn massacres, in which tens of thousands of Polish civilians were killed, making it one of the most sensitive issues in relations between the two countries.
Russian glide bomb strike on Sumy, 3 killed and 27 injured
A Russian glide bomb strike on the center of Sumy killed three people, including a child, and injured 27 others, among them seven children, according to Ukraine's State Emergency Service.
The bomb struck one of the city's central streets, damaging residential buildings and trapping people inside. Emergency crews evacuated residents, helped transport the wounded to hospitals, and rescued five people from damaged homes while clearing debris and fallen trees. Psychologists from the State Emergency Service also assisted victims at the scene.
The attack is the latest in Russia's continued strikes on civilian areas across Ukraine, which have repeatedly resulted in casualties and damage to residential infrastructure.
Putin ordered continued large-scale strikes on Ukraine
Russian leader Vladimir Putin said Russia must continue carrying out large-scale coordinated strikes on Ukraine's defense industry and supporting infrastructure during a visit to a Russian military command post.
Putin also said Russia would expand its self-declared "security zone," claiming the move was a response to Ukrainian strikes on Russian civilian infrastructure.
In his remarks, Putin again claimed that Russian forces had fully captured Luhansk Oblast and the city of Kostiantynivka. However, Russian authorities provided no evidence to support the claim regarding Kostiantynivka, and Russia has repeatedly declared full control of Luhansk Oblast since the start of the full-scale invasion despite previous reports proving premature.
Putin also repeated claims that Russian troops are advancing toward Sumy and Kupiansk, asserting they are only a few kilometers from the cities.
Three killed and 30 injured in Russian attacks on Dnipropetrovsk and Kherson oblasts
Russian attacks on 3 July killed three civilians and injured 30 others in the Dnipropetrovsk Oblast and Kherson Oblast, according to regional authorities.
In Dnipropetrovsk Oblast, two people were killed and 17 injured as Russian forces used drones and guided aerial bombs to strike four districts. One person was killed in the Synelnykove district, while five others were wounded. Authorities also confirmed that a 75-year-old man died from injuries sustained in the previous day's attack on the Vasylkivka hromada, where 11 people were injured. One woman remains in critical condition.
In Kherson Oblast, one person was killed and 13 injured during Russian attacks that damaged an invincibility center, a gas pipeline, an agricultural facility, and civilian vehicles.
Russian drones attackув postal branch in Zaporizhzhia
A Russian drone attack on Zaporizhzhia on the evening of 3 July damaged a branch of the Nova Poshta shipping company and killed one employee, a driver of the company.
Nova Poshta said it is supporting their driver's family and will cover the funeral arrangements. The company also confirmed that it has adjusted its logistics network, meaning customers should not experience delivery delays. All parcels remained undamaged and can be tracked through the Nova Poshta app.
The strike came during a broader overnight Russian attack on Ukraine, in which Russia launched an Iskander-M ballistic missile, a Kh-59/69 air-launched missile, and 86 drones, according to Ukraine's Air Force.
Kremlin мows to сontinue “Special Military Operation” in Ukraine
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov has reaffirmed that Russia will continue its so-called “Special Military Operation” (SVO) in Ukraine, using the official Russian euphemism for its full-scale invasion.
In his latest statement, Peskov emphasized that Moscow remains committed to pursuing the goals it set at the beginning of the war. The declaration comes amid ongoing Russian missile and drone attacks on Ukrainian cities, including a recent massive assault on Kyiv that killed at least 20 people and caused widespread destruction.
The Kremlin’s position signals no shift toward peace negotiations on terms acceptable to Ukraine or the West. Peskov’s comments underscore Russia’s determination to press forward with its military campaign despite international condemnation and battlefield challenges. T
This latest statement is consistent with the Kremlin’s long-standing narrative that the war will only end when Russia achieves its objectives — a stance that has repeatedly complicated diplomatic efforts to end the conflict.