Ukraine and Russia: What you need to know right now

Rescue workers work at the scene of a missile strike at a location given as Bilhorod-Dnistrovskyi, Odesa region, Ukraine, in this handout image released 1 July, 2022.

Russia claimed that its forces took control of Ukraine's eastern Luhansk after capturing Lysychansk, the last Ukrainian holdout. However, Ukraine has not confirmed the claim.

FIGHTING

Russia's Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu informed President Vladimir Putin about the "liberation of the Luhansk area by Moscow and its allies," the ministry stated.

The Russian claim was not confirmed by Ukraine immediately. This would be a significant milestone in the war for Moscow at 130 days.

Local officials stated that six people were killed in Sloviansk by the powerful shelling of Russian multiple rocket launchers.

After reports of multiple blasts in the Russian city Belgorod, Vyacheslav Gladkov, the regional governor, stated that at least three people were killed and many residential buildings were damaged.

The exiled mayor of Melitopol said that Ukrainian forces struck a Russian military logistic base in the occupied south city of Melitopol with more than 30 strikes. The city was struck by strikes, a Russian-installed official said.

Russia claimed that it had struck the army command posts at Mykolaiv, near Odesa on the Black Sea, but this was far from eastern fighting. The mayor had reported strong explosions.

Chancellor Olaf Scholz stated that Germany was discussing security measures for Ukraine with its allies in preparation for a period after the war. These will not be the same for NATO members, he said to broadcaster ARD.

A Russian cargo ship carrying grain from Russia was detained by Turkish customs authorities, Ukraine's ambassador to Turkey said on Ukrainian national TV.

Robert Habeck, German Economy Minister, stated that Russia could continue to suspend gas flow through Nord Stream 1 pipeline after a planned maintenance shut down this month.

A significant number of Russian companies, executives, and investors who are the backbone of Russia's defense sector are not yet affected by Western sanctions.