July 2, 2025 Ukraine and the World – Against russia’s Aggression. Sanctions in Action

Ukraine has received the ninth tranche from the IMF – USD 500 million – to cover priority budgetary needs.

Canada has transferred about USD 1.7 billion in proceeds from russia’s frozen assets to Ukraine as part of the G7 initiative. Since the beginning of the year, Ukraine has already received about USD 17.6 billion from the rf’s assets frozen in the West.

After reviewing the structure of economic aid provided to other countries, the Government of Sweden intends to allocate to Ukraine additional SEK 1.67 billion (about EUR 150 million) in aid and other humanitarian measures.

“russia’s claims that it is the USA and Ukraine stalling peace talks are unfounded,” said US Special Envoy for Ukraine Keith Kellogg.

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Minister of Defence of the FRG Boris Pistorius has announced that against the background of the rf’s threats, by the end of the year a warship will be sent to patrol the Arctic.

European Union’s Ambassador to Azerbaijan Peter Michalko has condemned the recent forced detention of ethnic Azerbaijanis in russia.

In russia, the PMI index, which reflects the business activity of manufacturing industries, declined from 50.2 to 47.5 points in June. Not only did it fall into a recession, but it also showed a sharp decline since March 2022. Business activity has been slowing down in three of the last four months. The PMI already dropped below 50 points in April, and new orders continued to decrease in June, so the decline has already been called “sustainable” and the fastest since March, particularly in exports – since March 2022. Production has been declining for the fourth consecutive month, and in June – at the fastest pace since March. Companies attribute this to weak demand and a decline in customer purchasing power.

In June 2025, the load on the networks of “russian railways” amounted to 89.3 million tons, which is by 9.2 % less than in June 2024. Freight turnover in June 2025 decreased by 2.1 % year-on-year, taking into account the mileage of empty wagons, which decreased by 1.8 % over the same period. In January-June 2025, the load was by 7.6 % less than in the same period in 2024. In the first half of 2025 railways loaded: coal – less by 3.6 % compared to January-June 2024; coke – less by 14.5 %; oil and oil products – less by 5 %; iron and manganese ore – less by 17.2 %; ferrous scrap – less by 32.2 %; cement – less by 15.2 %; timber – less by 36.4 %; construction cargo – less by 19.5 %; chemicals and soda – less by 3.2 %; industrial raw materials and molding materials – less by 13.5 million tons, or minus 7.8 %. In annual terms, cargo turnover has decreased by 1 % since the beginning of 2025, and taking into account the mileage of empty wagons, cargo turnover has decreased by 0.8 % over this period.

Since July, the tariff of power grids in russia has increased by 11.6 %, and that of the unified energy grid – by 11.5 %. The electricity tariff for households increased by 12.6 %. According to the macroeconomic forecast of the ministry of economic development of the rf, next year the total grid tariff may rise by 9.8 %, and the tariff on transmission through the unified energy system – by 12.1 %. In 2027, the grid tariffs may increase by 6.3 %, and the tariff on transmission through the unified energy system – by 9.3 %. In 2028, we can expect an increase by 4.2 % and 4.3 %, respectively. For households, on average, tariffs will rise by 9.3 % in 2026, by 6.9 % in 2027, and by 4.9 % in 2028.

russian agricultural machine building companies are forced to switch to a shorter working week, announce unscheduled corporate vacations, and go into downtime after a sharp decline in sales. The Chelyabinsk-based “Tractor” plant has announced that it will switch to a part-time work week, while “Rostselmash” has announced a reduction in its production program and the postponement of its annual vacation from September to June. The demand situation continues to deteriorate due to overstocking in the agricultural machinery market. At this, the sales of russian agricultural machinery in the domestic market in January-May decreased by 32.8 % year-on-year to RUB 62.7 billion.

In an attempt to cope with drone attacks and deprive citizens of free access to information, russian authorities have set a new anti-record for Internet shutdowns. In June of this year alone, the country recorded 655 network blockages (shutdowns) of varying degrees of severity. This is more than twice as many as the total number of Internet outages worldwide in 2024. Financial losses for one day of blocking across the country are estimated by the Internet Protection Society at tens of billions of rubles.

Starting March 1, 2026, a unified state electronic patient register will be launched in russia, which will include data on citizens registered for mental and behavioral disorders. In addition to doctors, police officers will also have access to the register.

Foreigners who fail to pass biometrics will have their mobile phones disconnected starting July 1, – said the rf’s ministry of digital development, communications and mass media. Those who already have a SIM card need to come to the operator’s office and register it, confirming their identity in accordance with the new rules. Otherwise, international and long-distance calls will be blocked and Internet speeds will be reduced, and after 30 days, the service will be completely terminated.

russia has started testing the blocking of Telegram and WhatsApp. On the night of July 1, the first test to restrict access to these platforms was conducted.

Shareholders of russian PJSC “Softline” have decided not to pay dividends for 2024.

This summer, the tourist dynamics in the rf has declined significantly. The occupancy rate of Anapa’s all-inclusive hotels is only 30 %.

Since the beginning of the year, russia has been short of rabies vaccines for cats and dogs. In some clinics, there are up to 300 animals on the waiting list for vaccination, while only 10-20 doses are delivered.

The all-russian public opinion research center has recognized that russia’s population is going through a stage of degradation amid technological progress. Despite the vast opportunities offered by the Internet and artificial intelligence, millions of russians are massively fond of astrology, fortune-telling and other pseudo-scientific practices.

Prime Minister of Poland Donald Tusk has threatened belarusian authorities with “unpleasant and tough steps” because of the ongoing migration crisis. According to the Polish Prime Minister, Europe should show greater toughness and determination in its sanctions policy.

Lithuania is sending its border guards and police to Latvia to help fight illegal migration on the border with the rb.

belarusian exports of goods in January-May decreased by 3.4 % to $15.65 billion, while imports increased by 2.4 % to $18.26 billion. The deficit of foreign trade in goods amounted to $2.6 billion, which is by 59 % more than in the same period last year.

belarus’ foreign debt has grown significantly. As of April 1 of this year, the gross foreign debt of belarus amounted to $37.4 billion (it was $35.165 billion at the beginning of the year). Thus, each belarusian has more than $4 thousand of foreign debt.