00:58 US Army awards Lockheed Martin contract worth 4.5 billion dollars
In the USA, the US Army has given Lockheed Martin a multi-year contract worth 4.5 billion Dollars for the Patriot air defense system from the Pentagon. According to the Pentagon, the contract includes 870 PAC-3 MSE missiles and the corresponding hardware. Lockheed produces the latest version of the missile defense system that equips Patriot, known as PAC-3 MSE. The Patriot system belongs to a series of advanced air defense systems that the West provides to Ukraine.
11:58 PM: Additional Olympic Starting Places for Russians - Judokas RejectedThe International Olympic Committee (IOC) has announced that further athletes from Russia and Belarus have been invited to the Summer Games in Paris. According to the IOC's evening statement, 50 athletes from the two countries have been invited to compete at the Olympics under a neutral flag. However, not all these invitations have been accepted, some have already withdrawn. Some Judokas were rejected due to their affiliation with military sports clubs. Out of the twelve quota places for Russian Judokas, only two will be allocated to men and women each - whether the four will accept the invitation is open.
11:59 PM: Ten Ukrainians Return from Russian CaptivityAccording to reports from Kiev, ten Ukrainian civilians have returned from Russian captivity. Among the returnees is Nariman Djeljal, a leader of the Crimean Tatars, writes Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in social media on Friday. He thanks the Vatican for its mediation in the release of the civilians. Djeljal was arrested in 2021, before the large-scale Russian invasion of Ukraine in the Crimea, and later sentenced to 17 years in prison.
10:30 PM: Lithuania's Foreign Minister: Kallas Nomination Honors Attitude Towards RussiaLithuania has welcomed the nomination of Estonian Prime Minister Kaja Kallas as the new EU Foreign Policy Chief. Foreign Minister Gabrielius Landsbergis speaks of a recognition of the views of the Baltic States and other countries at the NATO Eastern Flank, which have consistently taken a firm stance against Russia and supported Ukraine until its victory. "She has never hidden her position, she has clearly and openly expressed herself on issues that are important to us," Landsbergis told the BNS agency in Vilnius about Kallas. Kallas was appointed as the EU representative for external and security policy at the EU summit in Brussels on Thursday. The 47-year-old liberal has been in power in Estonia since 2021 as the first woman in Estonian history to lead the government - and is known as a supporter of a resolute Western stance towards Moscow. (Also see entries at 3:36 and 1:38 PM.)
22:00 Baerbock: Support for Ukraine is the best protection for peaceful sleeping
According to Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock's belief, the ongoing support for Ukraine in its fight against Russian invasion troops is also connected to peace and security in Germany. "If Ukraine can no longer defend our peace, our freedom, because we no longer support it, then the question is how far Putin's troops will advance then," Baerbock said during a talk by RedaktionsNetzwerk Deutschland (RND), NDR, and "Hannoverscher Allgemeine Zeitung". "That's why the support services for Ukraine are the best protection for our own peace and our own security." Baerbock referred to Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Of course, one can discuss whether the billions in aid for Ukraine should be used differently, Baerbock said. But in this case, she had to say: "I don't know how long we can continue to sleep peacefully here in Brandenburg, directly on the border with Poland." There are "light tests" along the entire EU border and the NATO outer border. "Every reasonable person in the world, in Europe and in Ukraine" wishes nothing more ardently than peace in Ukraine. That depends on Putin. "For that, Putin must withdraw his troops and finally end this killing." Instead, his answer is "always more violence and terror."
21:20 Putin gifts Kim a luxury car with parts from South Korea
During his state visit to North Korea, Russian leader Vladimir Putin presented North Korean dictator Kim Jong Un with an Aurus limousine and drove him laughing through a park in Pyongyang eight days ago. Photos of the joyride in a fake idyll in Pyongyang have circulated around the world. This is the second Aurus limousine Putin has given Kim. However, Russian luxury cars are said to have been produced by a company that imported South Korean components worth millions of dollars, according to Reuters, citing customs data. Aurus is reported to have imported South Korean parts worth at least $34 million between 2018 and 2023. An employee of the South Korean industrial association Kyungki Industrial Co. confirmed that the company had supplied parts to Aurus and would continue to do so. The company is "not concerned about possible sanctions," the employee added. Kim considers South Korea to be the "main enemy" of his country.
20:45 Ukraine: Dead and injured after rocket hit on apartment building
The impact of a Russian rocket on an apartment building in the Ukrainian industrial city of Dnipro resulted in at least one death and nine injuries. Among the injured were a 27-year-old and a 30-year-old woman and a 29-year-old man. Three of the injured were in critical condition. Two more people were suspected to be under the rubble. Images show a heavily damaged stairwell of a nine-story building in a densely populated residential area. The upper four floors were completely destroyed.
Dnipro has been hit by Russian missile attacks since the beginning of the war. During one of the most devastating attacks on civilian objects during the conflict, over 45 people were killed and approximately 80 were injured when a missile struck a residential building in the city in early 2023. In the face of the latest missile attack, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy once again called for the strengthening of air defense. Only the determination of the world can put a stop to Russian terror, he wrote in social media.
20:24 Zelenskyy awards posthum Courage Medal to nurse Iryna Tsybukh
The Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy awards the nurse Iryna Tsybukh posthum the Order of Courage of the IIIrd Class. This is announced on the website of the Ukrainian Presidential Administration. Tsybukh was born in Lviv, Ukraine, in June 1998. She was a public figure in Ukraine, a journalist, and the head of the department for regional broadcasts of the National Public Television and Radio Company of Ukraine. During Russia's attacks on Ukraine, she joined the volunteer medical battalion Hospitaliers as a nurse. She was killed during a rotation towards Kharkiv on May 29th.
With the same decree, journalist Andriy Topchiy was posthum awarded the Order of Courage of the IIIrd Class. He too was a nurse in an infantry battalion. Topchiy died on April 20th near Robotyno in the Zaporizhia region.
19:54 Putin calls for production of formerly banned missiles
Russian President Vladimir Putin has called for the production of short- and medium-range missiles, which were banned under the INF (Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces) Disarmament Treaty with the USA until 2019. "It looks like we need to start producing these attack systems," Putin said, referring to missiles with a range between 500 and 5500 kilometers. After the production of the missiles, Moscow must "decide, based on the actual situation, where we will station them for our security." Putin justifies his statement by saying that the USA has begun using such missiles in exercises in Denmark. Russia must "respond." Under the INF Treaty, the production of missiles with a range between 500 and 5500 kilometers was prohibited for the contracting parties USA and Soviet Union. The USA withdrew from the INF Treaty in 2019, justifying this by stating that Russia was not fulfilling its obligations. Moscow declared at the time that it would continue to abstain from producing new missiles as long as the USA did not deploy such missiles within range of Russian territory.
19:14 "Just Peace": Zelenskyy announces "comprehensive plan" to end the war
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced that he is working on a "comprehensive plan" to end the war against his country. It is "very important" for Kiev to present such a plan, "which will be supported by the majority of the world", Zelenskyy said during a visit of Slovenian President Natasa Pirc Musar in Kiev. This is "the diplomatic way", Ukraine is working, Zelenskyy added. "We don't want to prolong this war and we must come to a just peace as soon as possible", he continued. At the same time, he emphasized the development of Ukrainian military production. Russia understands "only strength and respects only the strong". "There are two things in parallel: being strong on the battlefield and developing a clear and detailed plan that will be completed this year", said the Ukrainian prime minister. Ukraine has repeatedly stated that Russia must withdraw its troops from Ukrainian territory before possible peace talks, including the 2014 annexed Crimean Peninsula.
18:51 Putin announces strong growth for Russia's economy
According to Russian President Vladimir Putin, Russia's economy is growing despite Western sanctions against the country significantly. "We will see what the first half of the year brings, but something around five percent growth for the GDP (Gross Domestic Product) of the country", Putin told the news agency Interfax during a meeting with graduates. In the previous year, the GDP had grown by 3.6 percent. In reality, the Western sanctions have not been able to slow down the Russian economy. According to the statistics agency Rosstat, the GDP growth in the first quarter was 5.4 percent. Foreign experts attribute this to the significantly increased state expenditures for defense and military spending. The soldiers' salaries and compensation for injured or killed soldiers provide many Russian families with more money. Due to the labor shortage, wages are rising. However, economic experts cannot sustain this trend.
18:25 Ukraine: Russian units refuse to attack in the area of Charkiw
Due to the loss of their commanders, Russian units in the area of Charkiw refuse to engage in combat operations. This was reported by the Ukrainian news agency "Ukrinform" according to the spokesperson of the Ukrainian military unit "Chortyzja", Nasar Voloshyn, on Espreso.TV, a private television station in Ukraine. There have been six battles in the area of Charkiw, during which the Ukrainian forces killed approximately 120 Russians. There is information about numerous cases where Russian forces refused to engage in combat, Voloshyn said, naming as an example the assault unit of the 153. Tank Regiment of the 47. Tank Division of the Russian armed forces.
17:49 US Drones over Black Sea: Russia warns NATO of "confrontation"
Russia has warned NATO countries of a "direct confrontation" due to increased US drone flights over the Black Sea, according to the Russian Defense Ministry. "These flights increase the likelihood of encounters between Russian aircraft from the air and space forces, raising the risk of a direct confrontation between the alliance and Russia," the ministry stated. The increased number of US drone flights demonstrates "the growing involvement of the United States and NATO countries in the conflict in Ukraine," Moscow added. The US drone flights over the Black Sea take place in neutral airspace and in accordance with international law, Washington claims.
17:22 Belarus reinforces troops along Ukrainian border
Belarus has reinforced its troops along its northern border with Ukraine, according to the Defense Ministry. Multiple rocket launchers have been deployed at an unspecified section of the 1,084-kilometer-long border. Authoritarian President Alexander Lukashenko maintains close ties with Russia and allowed Moscow to use his country as a staging ground for its invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.
17:05 Russians destroy crucial western Ukrainian power plant completely
A crucial power plant for heating in western Ukraine has been completely destroyed by Russian attacks, according to the governor of the Ivano-Frankivsk region, Switlana Onyshchuk, in a local radio broadcast. "It's clear that the Burshtyn power plant cannot be rebuilt," she said. The plant, located about 130 kilometers from the Polish border, has suffered more than a dozen Russian attacks. Residents of the region will be supplied with heating from transported heat exchangers and central heating systems. Since mid-March, Russian military forces have deliberately targeted heating and water power plants with drones and rockets. According to official reports, over 9,000 megawatts of power plant capacity have been destroyed. The Burshtyn plant had a capacity of 2,400 megawatts.
16:23 Russian space communication center on Crimea destroyed
The Ukrainian military, according to the Defense Ministry in Kiev, has destroyed the Russian space communication center on the annexed Crimean peninsula. This is a valuable military component in the satellite communication and navigation system of the Russian troops, the ministry explained. On Monday, there were reports of explosions near the village of Vityazevo on the Crimean peninsula, where the center is located, in local social media chats. These reports cannot be independently verified. Russia annexed the Crimean peninsula in 2014, an action not recognized internationally.
16:04 Injured civilians in Russian bombing raids in Donetsk region
At least four civilians have been killed and three others injured in the settlement of New York (New York) in eastern Ukraine due to Russian bombardments, according to the Donezk region prosecutor's office. The attackers reportedly used a 250-kilogramme glide bomb that damaged several residential buildings. Russian forces have intensified their attacks near the city of Torezk in the past few days and reportedly gained small territorial gains. The regional administration also reports that at least three people were killed and almost 20 were injured due to Russian shelling in Kurachowe and around Torezk the previous day. More than 30 residential buildings were damaged.
15:36 Kremlin accuses new EU leadership of Russophobia
The Kremlin sees poor prospects for the relationship between Moscow and Brussels following the decision of EU heads of state and government to appoint a new European Union leadership. The designated new EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas has not shown diplomatic skill in the past, according to Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov, reporting Russian news agencies. The Estonian prime minister is "well known to us for her unacceptable and sometimes even extreme anti-Russian statements," Peskov said. Moscow accuses the West of Russophobia, or anti-Russian sentiment or hatred towards Russians. Similarly, Peskov commented on EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, who was nominated for a second term by the heads of state and government of the 27 EU countries with a large majority. "The prospects for the relationship between Moscow and Brussels are poor," Peskow said. Normalization of relations is not to be expected.
15:13 Ukraine reports shooting down another Russian Su-25
Another Russian Su-25 fighter jet is reported to have been shot down in the contested Donetsk region, according to a post by the Ukrainian National Guard on Telegram. The jet was hit by a "well-aimed shot" from a portable air defense system during its combat mission. A video released by the National Guard shows grainy footage of the shootdown, accompanied by triumphant cheers from Ukrainian troops. The exact location and time of the incident are not specified in the post.
14:35 Russia claims to have taken control of Rosdoliwka in eastern Ukraine
According to the Russian Defense Ministry in Moscow, Russian forces have taken control of the eastern Ukrainian village of Rosdoliwka. The Southern Military District reportedly drove out Ukrainian troops from Rosdoliwka and took advantage of more favorable positions. The village is located in the Donetsk region in eastern Ukraine, where Russian forces have reportedly taken control of several villages in recent weeks. The Ukrainian side has not issued a statement on the matter. It is impossible to independently verify such reports on the fighting.
14:09 Kiev: Annual Military Statements Worth 60 Billion Dollars
The Ukraine can count on annual military aid in the amount of 60 billion dollars according to its own statements after the conclusion of 20 security agreements. These agreements are valid for the next four years, explained Minister President Denys Schmyhal. In its defense against Russia, Ukraine has signed a series of security agreements in recent times - among others, one on Thursday with the European Union.
13:38 "Poor for Relations": Kremlin dissatisfied with EU-Leadership nominations
The Kreml criticizes the EU summit decision to fill EU leadership positions. With Ursula von der Leyen as Commission President and Kaja Kallas as Foreign Affairs Commissioner, the prospects for relations between Moscow and Brussels are "poor," said Kreml spokesman Dmitri Peskow. It is hardly surprising that the Kreml is not pleased with Kallas' nomination: The Estonian has been fighting for a hard line against Russian President Vladimir Putin in the EU and is one of the biggest supporters of Ukraine.
13:06 Poland to soon sign security agreements with Ukraine
German Chancellor von der Leyen, who is standing for a second term, is not in favor of "normalizing relations between the European Union and Russia," added he. The Latvian Kallas is known for her "russophobic" statements. Polish Minister President Donald Tusk believes that his country is very likely to sign a bilateral security agreement with Ukraine in the coming days. This document is almost finished, he said. Only a few details and formulations need to be clarified. The NATO summit begins on July 9 in Washington. The EU summit on Thursday already signed a security agreement with Ukraine. Bilateral agreements were also signed between Ukraine and the EU states Latvia and Estonia. Many other EU states have already signed such an agreement with Ukraine.
12:34 Expert Mölling: Trump gaining influence before the election
After the TV duel in the USA, security expert Christian Mölling is certain: The influence of Donald Trump on international politics is already increasing. The Research Director of the German Council on Foreign Relations considers it plausible that Trump may adjust his line on the Ukraine issue here and there, because he has already received a briefing from the security agencies "on what it's really about." So there will be no sell-out of Ukraine, because such a move would also have negative consequences for US interests, Mölling said in the "Stern" podcast "The Situation." Even if presidents make the important decisions, there is always a machine that has to implement them. More on US politics and its influence on the Ukraine policy can be found here: link
12:12 Belarus Announces Reinforcement of Border with UkraineBelarus will strengthen its border with Ukraine following an incident with a Ukrainian surveillance drone. The border guard and the Defense Ministry made the announcement. The border guard also reported that a quadcopter was shot down on a Wednesday, allegedly flying illegally from Ukraine into Belarus to gather information about the infrastructure at the Belarusian border. At the beginning of the week, it was reported that hidden explosive materials were discovered in the same area. Additionally, it is known that a pro-Ukrainian Russian militia unit is stationed in a Ukrainian area near the border.
11:40 Surveillance: Thousands of Russians Reportedly Betraying Their Fellow CitizensThe surveillance apparatus has deep roots in Russia – and it seems to be blooming anew. According to independent Russian-language media, at least 3,500 reports were filed against Russian citizens between February 2022 and May 2024. This is just a minimum estimate, as Meduza reports. "The war and the subsequent repressive policies of Russian authorities against their own population led ... to an increase in denunciations that were not only related to anti-war declarations, but also to LGBTQ+ content, 'Russophobia,' drugs, and other topics." As an example, the portal cites the case of Usman Baratov, who lives in Moscow. Last year, when egg prices were particularly high, he posted a picture of a hen with the caption "No eggs for you! Bring the hens back from the front." Within a month, calls appeared on social media to revoke Baratov's Russian citizenship. A criminal case has been opened against him for "incitement to hatred and enmity," and he has been in pre-trial detention for five months. He faces up to six years in prison.
11:03 "Provocations": Moscow Threatens Action Against Alleged US DronesRussia is threatening action against alleged US reconnaissance drones over the Black Sea. Defense Minister Andrei Belousov ordered the General Staff of the Army to prepare proposals for responding quickly to "provocations," according to his office. Russia has detected increased activity from US drones in the region. They are conducting military reconnaissance and collecting target information, which Ukraine uses to attack Russian facilities with weapons supplied from the West, the ministry said. This shows the growing involvement of the USA and NATO countries in the conflict in Ukraine. Such drone flights increase the likelihood of incidents in the airspace with Russian aircraft, raising the risk of a direct confrontation between NATO and Russia. For such incidents, the NATO would be responsible, the ministry stressed.
10:34 Trump vs. Putin's Plan: Scene from TV Debate Remains Hidden in RussiaThe US presidential election is also being followed in Russia, along with the TV debate between the candidates Joe Biden and Donald Trump. NTV correspondent Rainer Munz observes which details Russian media report and which are left out. The Kremlin, meanwhile, issues new threats.
09:58 Window fall after KGB interrogation? Former Belarus ambassador dead at 48
According to reports from independent Belarusian media, the former Belarusian ambassador to Germany, Denis Sidorenko, has died at the age of 48 in his hometown of Minsk. The Belarusian Foreign Ministry only confirmed his death after reports from these media outlets, stating that the "beloved colleague, extraordinary and plenipotentiary ambassador of Belarus in Germany (2016-2024)" had passed away. No cause of death was given. Multiple independent Belarusian media outlets, operating in exile abroad, report that Sidorenko, a father of a family, committed suicide by jumping out of a window of a high-rise building in Minsk on June 24, following interrogations by the KGB. No official confirmation of the suicide has been given. Belarusian leader Alexander Lukashenko had recalled Sidorenko, who had advocated for good relations with the EU, from Germany. According to an exiled former Belarusian diplomat, Sidorenko had become a problem for the power apparatus in Minsk.
09:30 Ukraine releases numbers on Russian losses
The Ukrainian General Staff has released new figures on losses suffered by the Russian military in Ukraine. According to these figures, Russia has lost approximately 540,500 soldiers in Ukraine since February 24, 2022. In a 24-hour period alone, the reported losses amounted to 1,170. The report from Kiev also states that 24 tanks, 60 artillery systems, and an aircraft were destroyed. Since the beginning of the large-scale attack, Ukraine claims that Russia has lost 8,066 tanks, 14,423 artillery systems, and 360 aircraft. Western estimates put the Russian losses at lower figures, with these being only minimum values.
09:05 Numerous drones over Russia again
According to the Russian Defense Ministry, Russia intercepted 25 Ukrainian drones during the night. However, it did not mention the incident in Tambov, where a fuel depot caught fire during a drone attack (see entry 08:02). The Russian Telegram channel Two Majors reports 32 Ukrainian drones intercepted in the border region.
08:33 ISW: Russians trying to advance at Toretsk gradually
The Institute for the Study of War (ISW) considers a quick tactical victory by the Russians at Toretsk unlikely at present. The Russian military forces could, however, be planning to conduct continuous offensive operations in this area to achieve creeping tactical gains, according to the US think tank. "The limited forces available for this operation suggest that the Russians prefer to make gradual progress through persistent attacks rather than a quick, decisive victory," the latest ISW report states. Additionally, a brigade of the so-called Donetsk People's Republic and a regiment of Russian territorial troops were fighting in the region. These forces were less combat-effective than conventional troops or earlier Russian elite units. "Even if the Russian forces manage to capture Toretsk, advancing beyond the settlement would be difficult, if not even more so, given the open terrain and the large water expanses to the north and northwest," the think tank further notes.
08:02 Fuel storage facility in Central Russia on fireOnce again, a fuel storage facility in Russia is on fire - this time in the central Russian region of Tambov. Regional governor Maxim Yegorov wrote on Telegram that the cause was a Ukrainian drone attack. No casualties have been reported, and the fire department is on the scene. The city of Tambov is approximately 460 kilometers south-east of Moscow.
07:39 Zelenskyy coming to NATO summit in Warsaw, PolandAccording to Polish government announcements, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy will come to Warsaw before the NATO summit in July in Washington. "President Zelenskyy and I have arranged a meeting in Warsaw before the NATO summit," Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk wrote on Twitter. "The EU has understood what the Poles have known since the start of the war: The defense of Ukraine is the defense of Europe." Poland is one of the most politically and militarily engaged supporters of Ukraine. It also plays an important role as a hub for Western military aid to Kiev. In addition, Poland has taken in nearly a million refugees from its neighboring country.
07:07 "Extremist": Russian Duma preparing bill against "child-free ideology"Despite the unclear family relationships of leading Russian politicians: Kremlin chief Vladimir Putin declared 2024 as the "Year of the Family," and he refers to the Russian family as the "backbone" of Russia. Now, it seems that this family ideal will be propagated even more strongly. According to the Institute for the Study of War, Russian Deputy Justice Minister Vasily Vukolov announced that Duma deputies are preparing a draft law to ban the so-called "child-free ideology." This ideology is considered "extremist" and holds the view that women "do not have to bear children" and "can renounce them." In addition, a draft presidential decree is being prepared to add the term "traditional values" to the official "normative dictionary" of the Russian language. The demographic situation in Russia is overall tense. According to the Konrad-Adenauer Foundation, between January and April of last year, 3.1 percent fewer children were born than in the previous yearly period - a record low. The massive losses in the war contribute to further deterioration of the demographic situation.
06:42 Governor: Administrative building in Bryansk damaged by Ukrainian droneIn the Russian city of Bryansk, it appears that an administrative building has been damaged following a drone attack. This was reported by the governor of the region, Alexander Bogomas, on Telegram. "The city of Bryansk was attacked by Ukrainian terrorists using drones. There are no casualties." The drone was reportedly repelled, and the administrative building was damaged upon its crash.
06:07 Kertsch Bridge apparently affected: Ukrainian intelligence service speaks of cyber attacks on Crimean servers
The military intelligence service of Ukraine (HUR) is conducting a cyber attack on multiple institutions on the Crimea peninsula, which is under Russian control. This is reported by "Kyiv Independent" and refers to a source within the service. The targets of the attacks on Thursday are reportedly the largest Russian internet providers on the peninsula, the servers of propaganda media, and the system for registering and controlling traffic on the Crimean Bridge. "Within an hour, the traffic jam increased sixfold, and in the morning, approximately 300 cars were in the queue," according to the source from the HUR. The Ukrainian intelligence service is said to have conducted several cyber attacks on the Crimea in the past few months.
05:01 Heavy fighting around Pokrovsk in the east
At various frontlines in the east of Ukraine, Russian and Ukrainian forces engaged in heavy fighting on Thursday. The Ukrainian General Staff in Kiev reports in its daily situation report that the enemy is trying to breach our defense lines. Of the over 100 reported armed clashes of the day, more than half are said to be in the area around Pokrovsk in the Donezk region. The front line has remained unchanged everywhere. Ukrainian military personnel also report heavy fighting around the settlement of Mirnoje west of the city of Saporischschja. A Russian brigade is said to have lost over 95 percent of its soldiers in massed storm attacks there, according to a statement from the Ukrainian agency Unian.
04:20 Trump: Could end war in Ukraine before inauguration if elected
The former US President Donald Trump holds Joe Biden responsible for the Russian military campaign in Ukraine and calls on Europe to give more money to Kiev. If the US had a "real President" who respected Vladimir Putin, this would never have happened in Ukraine, Trump says during the presidential debate in Atlanta. Biden even encouraged Putin, Trump claims. He again threatened to end the war if re-elected. This would still happen before his inauguration in January, the 78-year-old continued. However, he left open how he would accomplish this.
03:18 French right-wing populist Bardella calls for continued support for Ukraine
During a TV debate three days before the first round of the French parliamentary elections, the French right-wing populist Jordan Bardella, who aspires to the position of Prime Minister for his party Rassemblement National (RN), expresses his support for continued support for Ukraine. "I will not allow Russian imperialism to absorb a linked state like Ukraine," Bardella says. His position on this conflict is "very simple" and has "never changed," Bardella explains. "It's about supporting Ukraine and preventing an escalation" with the nuclear power Russia. Regarding a possible deployment of French troops to Ukraine, Bardella says: "If I am prime minister tomorrow, no French soldiers will be sent to Ukraine." He is also against sending medium-range missiles to Ukraine that could hit Russian territory.
01:30 Farmer President under Fire for Ukraine Remarks
The President of the Farmers' Association is facing sharp criticism for his statements regarding Ukraine's EU membership. Green security politician Sebastian Schäfer accused Joachim Rukwied in a letter of becoming "Putin's propaganda helper" with his one-sided remarks. The letter was obtained by "Der Spiegel." Rukwied had warned in an "FAZ" interview that Ukraine's accession was a "threat to the survival of European agriculture," as large agricultural businesses there could produce much cheaper than European farmers. Instead, he advocated for import restrictions against Ukrainian agricultural products "urgently necessary." Schäfer accuses Rukwied of fueling the anti-Ukraine sentiment with his "martial language" and suggesting that the Russian-occupied land poses only a threat to EU farmers. Moreover, the accession talks are still in their infancy and represent "an opportunity and a reason for fundamental, future-oriented reforms in the Common Agricultural Policy."
23:34 Ukrainian Railways Granted License for Freight Traffic by Poland
The Ukrainian state railway company Ukrzaliznytsia has received a license from the Polish railway regulatory authority, allowing it to enter the European railway freight market, the company announced. The Ukrainian airspace has been closed since February 2022 due to the Russian invasion, making rail transport a crucial role in transporting goods and passengers to and from the country. Ukrzaliznytsia transported over two million passengers to Europe in the previous year and reported a record cargo turnover of 14 million tons in November 2023.
22:17 Ukraine Increases Weapons Production by 25.4% in the First Quarter
The weapons production in Ukraine increased by an average of 25.4% in the first quarter of 2024 compared to the same period in 2023. This is according to data from the Ukrainian State Statistics Service. In January 2024, Ukraine produced 26.6% more weapons and ammunition than in January of the previous year. The production growth was 29% in February and 18.8% in March.
21:32 Czech Republic Sends First 50,000 Grenades to Kiev - Financed by Germany
The Czech Republic has delivered the first 50,000 grenades to Ukraine as part of a Prague-led initiative, according to the Czech Press Agency (CTK). Czech Defense Minister Jana Černohovová stated that Prague had identified 500,000 155-mm grenades and 300,000 122-mm grenades outside Europe that could be bought and sent to Ukraine once the necessary funds for the initiative were secured. Czech Prime Minister Petr Fiala announced Tuesday that Ukraine had received the first delivery of artillery grenades "some time ago." Prague worked with Germany on the delivery, CTK reported. According to the Defense Ministry, the 50,000 grenades represent the first batch of 180,000 rounds of ammunition financed by Germany.
20:53 Russia attacks Charkiw for the first time with FAB-500 bomb - four injuredRussian troops have attacked the city of Charkiw for the first time since the beginning of the war, using a FAB-500 bomb equipped with a glide mechanism, according to Oleksandr Filchakov, head of the regional prosecutor's office. At least four people were injured, two more suffered a shock, reports the governor of the Charkiw region, Oleh Syniehubov. Russian troops dropped the bomb over the village of Maysky in the Russian oblast Belgorod on the Kyivskyi-District of Kharkiv, says Filchakov. The FAB-500 is a 500-kilogram bomb developed by the Soviet Union with a high-explosive warhead that is dropped from the air. These inexpensive and widely used bombs are equipped with glide kits that improve their accuracy, but also allow for a launch from greater distances, beyond the range of Ukrainian air defense systems.
20:21 Patriot systems to be delivered from Israel to Ukraine via the USAccording to the "Financial Times," the US, Israel, and Ukraine are in negotiations to supply up to eight Patriot air defense systems to Kiev, in order to significantly improve the country's ability to repel Russian air raids. The agreement, which would mark a turning point in Israel's relations with Moscow, was reportedly discussed between ministers and high-ranking officials of the three countries. "Sources familiar with the negotiations" told the Financial Times.
You can read about previous developments here.
- The Pentagon has provided Ukraine with a Patriot air defense system, a part of the advanced air defense systems given by the West, to aid in its defense against Russian aggression.
- President Volodymyr Selenskyy thanked the Vatican for its role in the release of ten Ukrainian civilians who returned from Russian captivity, emphasizing the importance of international support in the Ukraine conflict.
- Lithuania's Foreign Minister Gabrielius Landsbergis praised Estonian Prime Minister Kaja Kallas' nomination as the EU's new Foreign Policy Chief, stating that her strong stance against Russia and support for Ukraine aligns with the attitudes of the Baltic States and other NATO Eastern Flank countries.
- The Ukrainian military is engaged in ongoing military operations in various regions, including Dnipro, which has been subjected to Russian missile attacks since the beginning of the war.
- In response to the West's deployment of military equipment and provision of aid to Ukraine, Russia has threatened direct confrontation with NATO allies and announced its intention to produce formerly banned intermediate-range missiles.
