Novosti Donbassa: PrivatBank limiting temporarily limiting access to loans because of turbulent situation in Donetsk and Luhansk regions.
RFE's Yevhen Solonyna reports that the Verkhovna Rada has canceled its summer recess after a majority of lawmakers voted to remain in session because of fresh violence in the east. The parliament will now work continuously through September 2nd.
Serhiy Sobolev, the head of the Batkivshchyna parliament faction, said lawmakers -- with the exception of the Communists and the Party of Regions -- have approved the continuation of European integration and adopted a bill on military reforms that, among other things, changes the status of forces engaged in antiterrorist operations to that of formal combatants. The previous uncertainty on that issue had caused massive dissatisfaction among border guards, army soldiers, and members of the National Guard.
Political observer Oleksandr Paly said he approved of the decision to cancel summer recess. "It's a good thing the lawmakers will be at work. It gives them the possibility to support the antiterrorist operations, to introduce martial law if needed, or even to self-dissolve" to make way for fresh elections.
Unconfirmed reports of fighting outside Luhansk
Barring any major developments that ends our live blogging for today.