The Ukrainian army announced it had withdrawn the last of its forces from Lysychansk to avoid being encircled. Unfortunately, steel will and patriotism are not enough for success — material and technical resources are needed, the Ukrainian command said, as quoted by UNIAN. The Russian army has crossed Seversky Donetsk river and is advancing inside Donetsk region, where it is controlling 45% of the territory. President Volodymyr Zelensky on his part vowed that Ukrainian forces would return to Lysychansk. From Lysychanks, the Russian fire power is now directed to Slovyansk and Kramatorsk. The leaders of dozens of countries and leaders of international organizations are meeting in Lugano, Switzerland, on 4 and 5 July to discuss the recovery and reconstruction of Ukraine. The aim is to draw up a “Marshall plan” to be put in place even as Russian shelling continues.

“Germany is discussing security guarantees for Ukraine with its allies in preparation for a time after the war,” German Chancellor Scholz said for the German broadcaster ARD, and added that Germany was one of the countries that is doing the most to provide military aid to Ukraine. He said the delays in deliveries were due to the need to train Ukrainian troops in Germany.