A French organization has filed a complaint with the International Criminal Court (ICC), alleging that Russia is conducting a systematic and organized looting of Ukrainian museums. The complaint claims this plundering, which includes the theft of over 1.7 million works of art and cultural properties, constitutes the largest looting of cultural heritage in Europe during an international armed conflict since World War II. The organization seeks arrest warrants for Vladimir Putin and eight high-ranking Russian officials, accusing them of planning and enabling the appropriation of Ukrainian cultural heritage. The stolen items, which include collections from the Kherson Regional Museum and others in occupied territories, are reportedly being used to rewrite history and assert a narrative of Russian ownership over the region.
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During a recent call, former U.S. President Donald Trump reportedly suggested to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky that he strike Moscow and St. Petersburg if provided with necessary weapons. According to sources cited by the Financial Times and The Washington Post, Trump aimed to intensify pressure on Russian President Vladimir Putin and force peace negotiations. This shift in strategy comes as Trump’s frustration with Putin grows, and he hardens his stance against Russia, seeking to broker peace amidst the ongoing war. Newsweek has reached out to the White House and Russian foreign ministry for comment.
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During a July 3rd phone call, Vladimir Putin informed Donald Trump of his plans to escalate the conflict in eastern Ukraine within the next two months, aiming to seize territory up to the administrative borders of regions he considers Russian. Trump subsequently relayed Putin’s intentions to French President Emmanuel Macron, noting Putin’s broader ambition to “take all of it.” In response to the anticipated escalation, Trump is preparing a new aid package for Ukraine, slated to include offensive weapons like long-range missiles, and is expected to announce the plan on July 14th. This move is part of a larger effort to support Ukraine’s defense against Russian aggression, with Senator Lindsey Graham anticipating a significant increase in weapon deliveries.
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According to the Defence Intelligence of Ukraine, a leader within the 155th Separate Marine Brigade of the Russian Armed Forces issued a disturbing order. This brigade, known for war crimes in multiple regions, is currently active in the Sumy region and has suffered significant losses. Ukrainian intelligence highlights that the 155th Brigade is a favored unit of Vladimir Putin, implicated in the torture and murder of Ukrainian soldiers and civilians, thus warranting priority targeting on the battlefield.
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According to a CNN report, former U.S. President Donald Trump claimed in a private fundraiser that he threatened Vladimir Putin with bombing Moscow if Russia attacked Ukraine. Trump allegedly stated Putin was skeptical but “believed me 10%,” and made similar threats to Xi Jinping regarding Taiwan. These claims come amidst Trump’s campaign assertions that he would have prevented the 2022 invasion, shifting blame to the current administration. Simultaneously, Trump has recently expressed more critical views of Putin, signaling support for sanctions and air defense supplies for Ukraine, contrasting with earlier hesitations to pressure Moscow.
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According to a CNN report, audio surfaced of Donald Trump claiming he told Vladimir Putin he would bomb Moscow if Ukraine was invaded. However, the Kremlin has denied the veracity of this claim, with spokesman Dmitry Peskov stating there were no phone conversations during the alleged timeframe when Trump was not president. Peskov’s comments come amidst growing criticism from Trump towards Putin, particularly concerning the war in Ukraine. The lack of confirmation from the Russian side adds to the existing diplomatic complexities and raises questions about the authenticity of Trump’s account.
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Newly released audio reveals that former President Donald Trump claimed to have threatened to bomb Moscow and Beijing during separate conversations with Vladimir Putin and Xi Jinping. The recordings, captured at a 2024 private fundraiser, show Trump recounting his warnings to the Russian and Chinese leaders about invading Ukraine and Taiwan, respectively. Trump stated both leaders seemed skeptical but that he believed a small amount of perceived threat would deter them. The audio’s release will likely be analyzed closely by both Russia and China, as it offers insight into Trump’s potential foreign policy strategies.
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Russia unleashed its largest single-day drone attack on Ukraine to date, launching 728 Shaheds and 13 missiles overnight. The Ukrainian Air Force reported that 718 objects were neutralized amid the assault, prompting Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to emphasize the need for peace efforts. As the attacks continue, and Russia makes advances, former U.S. President Donald Trump has expressed growing disappointment with Vladimir Putin and is now considering sending more Patriot missiles to Ukraine.
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Former Russian Transport Minister Roman Starovoit was found dead in his car with a gunshot wound, just hours after being dismissed from his position by President Vladimir Putin. Authorities are investigating the circumstances surrounding his death, with the primary theory being suicide. Starovoit’s death occurred after he had served as transport minister for just over a year, following nearly five years as governor of the Kursk region, which borders Ukraine. This event adds to a series of deaths of high-ranking Russian officials, some of which have been ruled as suicides, since the start of the war in Ukraine.
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Russian authorities reported the death of Roman Starovoyt, former transport minister, by apparent suicide, shortly after his dismissal by President Vladimir Putin. Starovoyt was found with a gunshot wound in his car outside Moscow on July 7th. His dismissal came amid scrutiny of his role in preparing border defenses in the Kursk region, which saw incursion from Ukraine, and the transportation industry’s struggles due to Western sanctions and Ukrainian attacks. The Kremlin did not give a reason for his firing, and the Moscow Times reported his deputy is implicated in a corruption scandal.
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John Q. Hosedrinker