July 4 (Reuters) – Russia says it has established full control of the Lugansk region after Ukrainian forces withdrew from the bombed city of Lysychansk. Governor Serhiy Gaidai said the loss hurt “but it’s not losing the war.” Read more
FIGHT
* During a brief televised meeting with his defense minister, President Vladimir Putin congratulated Russian forces on their “victories in the direction of Luhansk.” Those involved in the fighting should “rest absolutely and regain their military readiness,” while other units continue to fight in other areas, he said.
* Luhansk Governor Gaidai said he expected the city of Sloviansk and the city of Bakhmut to be attacked while Russia tries to take full control of the Donbas in eastern Ukraine.
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* Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy promised to regain lost territory with the help of long-range Western weapons. He later said in an address to Japanese university students and professors, “We cannot lay down our arms, but we will disappear as a state, as a people.”
* Zelenskiy’s office said that in the Donetsk region, Russian forces had increased the intensity of their bombing. During the last day, nine people died, including one child, and 25 were injured, he said.
* Russia’s Defense Ministry said it had carried out attacks on Ukrainian command posts and ammunition depots at various sites in the self-proclaimed Donetsk People’s Republic.
* The Ukrainian flag has been hoisted again on the island of snakes in the Black Sea, said the Ukrainian army, after Russian forces withdrew from the strategic location last week. Read more
* Reuters was unable to independently verify battlefield accounts.
DIPLOMATICS AND ECONOMICS
* Russian gas producer Gazprom (GAZP.MM) has proposed expanding its ruble scheme for gas pipelines to include liquefied natural gas, Interfax news agency said on Monday, citing a senior executive. Read more
* Ukraine needs $ 750 billion for a recovery plan, Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal told a Ukrainian Recovery Conference hosted by Switzerland. Read more
* Putin will not congratulate his US counterpart Joe Biden on Independence Day on Monday because of Washington’s “antipathetic” actions toward Moscow, the Kremlin said. Read more
* French Schneider Electric SE (SCHN.PA) has agreed to sell its Russian unit to the local leadership team, it said Monday, joining a wave of companies divesting their Russian businesses. Read more
* Turkey has stopped a Russian-flagged cargo ship on the Black Sea coast and is investigating a complaint from Ukraine carrying stolen grain, a senior Turkish official said on Monday. Read more
* Pope Francis said in a Reuters interview that he hoped he could go to Moscow and Kyiv as part of efforts to end the war. Read more
CITES
* “The loss of the Luhansk region is painful because it is the territory of Ukraine. For me personally, this is special. This is the homeland where I was born and I am also the head of the region,” said the governor of Luhansk. Luhansk Gaidai. Read more
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Compiled by Catherine Evans, Simon Cameron-Moore and Alison Williams
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