Russia has launched asjor offensive on Toretsk, which is arguably the most fortified point along the entire front. The Siverskyi Donets-Donbas canal terminates northeast of Toretsk, but its presence still complicates things for Russia. Toretsk and its surroundings are some of the most forward positions that Ukraine still holds in Donetsk oblast, and it is situated due south of Chasiv Yar. A frontal assault on Toretsk is highly risky for Russia, but I'd successful, it could lead to a massive breakthrough in the oblast as Russia would then have a clear shot at Kostyantynivka, which sits behind Chasiv Yar. Capturing Toretsk is also crucial for widening the buffer that Russia has established around the city of Donetsk. So far, Russia has captured the tiny village of Shumy, situated between the Russian held city of Horlivka and Toretsk. This was a pretty outlying area, and was not part of the vast system of defenses that Ukraine has erected in and around Toretsk to the best of my knowledge.
Elsewhere in the oblast, Russia is on the offensive as well. Particularly west of the city of Donetsk, where Russian forces are pushing into the center of the town of Karlivka. Russia is maintaining high levels of pressure everywhere else in the oblast as well. In Kharkiv oblast, Ukraine is the one applying the most pressure, but they seem to be unable to deliver a decisive blow. Russia is reportedly cycling out their troops, to give the ones who partook in the initial operation a much needed break.
Two more countries shave signed the communique that was the result of the Swiss peace summit. The two countries are Barbados and the Marshall Islands, both island nations but from different corners of the globe. This means that the total number of signatories has now overall risen, despite having dipped during the first couple of days.
Serbia at the highest levels officially admitted that they have indirectly supplied Ukraine with armaments. When asked if the reported figure of around $850 million worth of munitions sold since the start of Russia's full scale invasion was accurate, Serbian president Vucic agreed that it was approximately the right amount. He stated that Serbia had ties to both Ukraine and Russia, as they are all Slavic countries, and expressed hopes for peace. This is all quite notable as Serbia is Russia's oldest ally. Serbia previously was known to have transferred some weaponry which found its way to Ukraine, but this is the first time that Serbia has openly stated that they have done so, and it's the first time that there's a relatively precise figure to go off of. Reporting has stated that Serbia was able to effectively cover up the massive amount of funds involved, in order to reflect suspicion. Serbia is likely one of the primary suppliers of the "Czech initiative", which saw Czechia organize the raising of funds to acquire shells from unnamed third parties, to them transfer to Ukraine. The fact thst Serbia now is willing to go public is rather interesting, and suggests that a possible fracture between Russia and Serbia may be looming.
On that note, multiple parties in Armenia today called for there to be a referendum on aiming to join the EU, similar to Moldova's planned referendum this autumn. One political leader in Armenia cautioned that the EU route should not replace efforts to improve relations with neighboring Turkey and Azerbaijan, both of whom are generally hostile towards Armenia. However, Turkey recently issued a very begrudging statement acknowledging that Armenia recognized Palestine (and also partially taking credit); recognition of Palestine has been a significant Turkish foreign policy goal.