10:48 Collusion Proposal: Putin and Kim Jong Un Agree on Extensive Partnership
Russian and North Korean leadership plan to seal a comprehensive partnership pact during Putin's trip to Pyongyang. Putin has given the green light to this proposal from the Foreign Ministry, as announced by the Kremlin. This agreement will allegedly be signed at the top level, meaning Putin and Kim Jong Un will be the ones putting their signatures on it. No information has been disclosed regarding the details of the agreement.
At 10:20, China fires back at NATO's Stoltenberg. The Chinese government has refuted NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg's criticism regarding China's stance on the Ukraine conflict. Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Lin Jian stated, "We advise (NATO) to cease blaming others, avoid causing discord, and refrain from fueling the fire." Instead, NATO should act upon taking tangible steps "towards resolving the crisis." Yesterday, Stoltenberg criticized China's actions concerning the Russian aggression in Washington. He suggested that China is portraying itself as impartial. However, in reality, China is stoking the largest armed conflict in Europe since World War II while maintaining amicable relations with the West.
In Moscow, a Ukrainian woman has been sentenced to 12 years in prison due to her anti-war demonstrations from her apartment window. The Military Court reported that she played an anti-war declaration and the Ukrainian national anthem, released white-blue-white balloons, which is a symbol of protest against Russia's war against Ukraine.
The Russian Navy has commenced exercises in the Pacific Ocean ahead of Putin's state visit to North Korea. The Russian Defense Ministry in Moscow revealed that around 40 ships and naval vessels, along with about 20 aircraft and helicopters, are participating in the maneuvers. These joint activities will span until June 28, taking place in the waters of the Pacific Ocean, the Japanese Sea, and the Sea of Okhotsk. The training objectives include preparing for combat against submarines and protective measures against air threats.
Pyongyang's streets display Putin's portrait, in addition to being lined with Russian flags, in anticipation of Putin's visit to North Korea.
Putin's visit to North Korea is primarily focused on weapons and diplomatic support, according to NTV Russia correspondent Munz.
Rwanda has revoked its signature from the Ukraine Peace Summit closing declaration. Rwanda's name no longer appears on the list of signatories on the Swiss government's website. There are now 77 states and 5 organizations that support the declaration.
Ukrainian military analyst Petro Chernyk believes Russia is facing challenges with the production of artillery shells and is gradually shifting from self-propelled to towed artillery systems, but allegedly encountering issues with these as well. Russia only has five to six self-propelled machines, according to his assessment.
The Ukrainian Air Force claims to have destroyed all ten Russian drones used in a nighttime operation over the regions of Zaporizhzhia and Dnipropetrovsk, as per their statements on Telegram.
Russian authorities have confirmed that a rare Russian Early Warning and Control Aircraft was shot down over the Azov Sea in February. This aircraft, an A-50, was crucial for detecting air defense systems and coordinating targets for Russian fighter jets. The incident resulted in the death of ten crew members. Russia has fewer than ten of these aircraft, each valued at roughly 350 million dollars.
An oil depot in the Russian city of Asov by the Ukrainian border was set ablaze following a Ukrainian drone attack, as announced by the governor of the region. No casualties have been reported thus far, and the investigations are ongoing. The local fire department is making efforts to control the blaze.
Russia is in discussion with the USA regarding a potential prisoner exchange for detained US reporter Evan Gershkovich. The 32-year-old journalist for "The Wall Street Journal" was apprehended by the Russian domestic security service FSB in Yekaterinburg on March 29, 2023. He stands accused of espionage. The ongoing talks are being shrouded in secrecy, according to Kremlin officials.
04:50 Detained US Soldier Gordon Black partially admits to involvement
The US soldier Gordon Black, currently imprisoned in Russia on suspicion of theft and other charges, partially admitted to his involvement in the theft case during a court hearing in Vladivostok. As stated by the Russian news agency Interfax, Black acknowledged that he played a role in the theft but denied the act was intentional. He also denied allegations of threatening his girlfriend with death. Besides Black, other US citizens, like journalist Evan Gershkovich and former soldier Paul Whelan, are currently imprisoned in Russia for espionage charges.
03:50 Inaccurate information regarding Nord Stream 2 results in fine
The German Federal Network Agency has fined pipeline operator Gascade 75,000 Euros due to incorrect data published in 2021 associated with the controversial German-Russian gas pipeline Nord Stream 2. The agency revealed that Gascade released inaccurate values because of IT issues, which misled people into thinking that Nord Stream 2's commissioning was imminent. This led to the market significantly lowering prices upon false assumptions.
02:58 Putin praises North Korea for military support in Ukraine
Before his visit to North Korea, Russian President Vladimir Putin acknowledged North Korea's military support in Ukraine in a KCNA article, the country's state news agency. "We're grateful to the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (North Korea) for their steadfast backing of Russia's military actions in Ukraine," Putin wrote in the article. He also stated that both countries are working closely together to enhance their multi-faceted partnership.
01:57 Hefty Ukrainian attacks reported in Kharkiv region
Russian reports indicate intense battles in several areas across the Kharkiv region in eastern Ukraine. The pro-Russian governor of occupied territories in Kharkiv, Vitali Ganchev, reported that Ukrainian forces were sending reinforcements and attempting a counterattack, but were facing heavy resistance from Russian troops. Russian forces have reportedly repelled the latest Ukrainian counterattacks near Vovchansk, located around 5 kilometers from the border. Russian troops had recently taken control of over a dozen villages in the Kharkiv region. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy emphasized that Ukrainian forces are intent on ousting Russian troops from the disputed territory.
00:55 DIW President: Curtailing refugee benefits is mere populism
Economist Marcel Fratzscher criticized proposals to reduce benefits for Ukrainian refugees as "empty populism." "No one will benefit financially, and no one will have an additional euro if Germany treats refugees unfavorably and cuts off their benefits," Fratzscher, president of the German Institute for Economic Research (DIW), stated to Redaktionsnetzwerk Deutschland (RND). "The German state does not have to spend less on refugees, but it should put in more effort towards a more swift and effective integration of refugees into the job market and society," Fratzscher demanded.
23:55 Majority of Ukrainians view Zelenskyy as legitimate president despite extending term during wartime, according to a survey by the International Sociological Institute in Kiev. Approximately 70% of the 2,011 surveyed Ukrainians believe that Zelenskyy should remain in office until the end of the conflict, while only 22% oppose this. This contradicts the Russian stance, which considers Zelenskyy's term to have expired and him no longer a legitimate president of Ukraine.
22:55 European Parliament expresses concern over Finland's deportation plans for Russian migrants
The European Parliament conveyed worry over Finland's proposed return of migrants from Russia, which Moscow apparently instigated and sent across the common border. The European Parliament's Human Rights Commissioner, Michael O'Flaherty, urged Finland's Parliament President Jussi Halla-aho to reject the draft law in a letter. The center-right Finnish government plans to implement tougher migration laws, including a bill presented in late May that would permit border guards to reject asylum seekers.
22:15 Peskov: Swiss peace conference outcomes "strive for zero"
The Kremlin continues to criticize the outcomes of the Swiss peace conference for Ukraine. Dmitry Peskov, spokesperson for President Vladimir Putin, stated in Moscow that when discussing the results of this meeting, they "naturally strive for zero." The Kremlin is unperturbed by the support of Russia-friendly countries like Serbia, Turkey, or Hungary for the final declaration. "We'll take their position into account. It's important to us. We'll continue to inform them about our viewpoint," Peskov added. The Russian Foreign Ministry deemed the conference a "complete failure," as suggested in Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova's statement by the state news agency Tass.
You can read about past developments here.
Read also:
- There have been concerns raised about potential cyber attacks from Russia, targeting Ukraine's critical infrastructure, amidst the ongoing Ukraine conflict.
- Despite the confrontational stance of NATO and China over the Ukraine conflict, NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg has emphasized the importance of maintaining open lines of communication with Russia, especially considering the risks of cyberwarfare.
- Volodymyr Selensky, President of Ukraine, has repeatedly called for international support and sanctions against Russia, highlighting the need for collective action against cyber attacks and military operations.
- Russia, with its advanced cyberwar capabilities, has been accused of conducting attacks on Ukraine's energy grid and other critical infrastructure, aiming to destabilize the country and weaken its resistance to military operations.
