Russians attacked a town in Donetsk Oblast with Smerch MLRS, killing one and injuring one

One person was killed and another injured in Russian attacks on the town of Ukrainsk in Donetsk Oblast, according to Vadym Filashkin, Head of the Donetsk Oblast Military Administration, via Telegram.

On the afternoon of July 5, Russian forces fired Smerch Multiple Launch Rocket Systems (MLRS) at the city, damaging a house, an infrastructure facility, and two businesses.

Filashkin emphasized the constant threat to the Selydove hromada, urging residents to evacuate due to the ongoing danger across Donetsk Oblast.

Orbán "feels" extent of disagreements between Russia and Ukraine after meeting with Putin

Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán has acknowledged that after his visits to both Moscow and Kyiv, he found the positions of both sides in the Russia-Ukraine conflict to be "very far apart."

Orbán highlighted the significance of his recent meeting with Putin, noting it was especially important as it "took place during the war." He emphasized that over the past two and a half years, Hungary has learned that peace cannot be achieved without dialogue and diplomatic channels.

He pointed out that Hungary is one of the few countries able to engage with both sides of the conflict, so he visited Kyiv and Moscow. Despite the substantial differences, Orbán believes that initiating dialogue is the first important step towards peace.

Orbán expressed his commitment to continuing his "peacekeeping" efforts.

Orban says Kyiv and Moscow's positions on peace are very far apart

Hungary's Prime Minister Viktor Orbán acknowledged on July 5 that Ukraine and Russia's positions on the war and peace prospects are "very far apart."

Orbán shared this insight after visiting Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow, following a meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in Kyiv. At a press conference with Putin, Orbán stressed that peace cannot be achieved without dialogue and diplomatic channels. He believes the first step towards dialogue has already been taken, despite the significant differences.

During his meeting with Putin, Orbán asked three key questions: Putin's thoughts on existing peace initiatives, the possibility of a ceasefire and peace talks, and his opinion on post-war European security architecture. Orbán did not disclose Putin's responses.

Putin welcomed Orbán in Moscow, expressing a desire to discuss bilateral relations and the situation in Ukraine. Throughout the full-scale war, Hungary has opposed Ukraine's NATO and EU membership, sanctions on Russia, undermined Western aid for Ukraine, and maintained close ties with Moscow.

Orbán's visit to Russia, especially after Hungary assumed the rotating presidency of the Council of the European Union, angered many in the EU. Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson called the trip "an insult to the Ukrainian people’s fight for their freedom." European Council President Charles Michel emphasized that Hungary "has no mandate to engage with Russia on behalf of the EU," and the EU clarified that Orbán's visit did not represent the EU in any form. Josep Borrell, the EU's top diplomat, noted that the trip was purely a bilateral matter between Hungary and Russia.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen stated that appeasement will not stop Putin and emphasized that only unity and determination will lead to a just and lasting peace in Ukraine. Ukraine's Foreign Ministry echoed this sentiment, criticizing Hungary for making the trip without coordinating with Ukraine.

Death toll of Russia's July 3 attack on Dnipro rises to 8

The death toll from Russia's drone and missile attack on Dnipro on July 3 has risen to eight, following the death of a 72-year-old woman in the hospital, as reported by Governor Serhii Lysak. A 58-year-old woman also succumbed to her injuries on the evening of July 4.

The attack injured over 50 people and damaged a shopping center, schools, kindergartens, and medical institutions. Dnipro, Ukraine's fourth-largest city, has been a crucial logistics and humanitarian hub during the full-scale war.

Since 2022, Russian forces have conducted multiple deadly attacks on the city and its surrounding region. On June 28, a Russian missile struck a nine-story building in Dnipro, killing three people and injuring at least 12.