12:29 Kuleba: Utilize frozen Russian assets to aid Ukraine.
The Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba urges supporters to utilize not only the profits originating from frozen Russian assets, but also the assets themselves. "We understand the apprehensions regarding the ramifications of this course of action," admits Kuleba, "but we stand on the grounds of international law." Over 200 billion euros worth of assets belonging to the Russian Central Bank are confiscated in the EU. The matter of whether only the interest, but also the funds themselves can be employed is under consideration among the G7 at their summit in Italy the following week.
11:55 - Kharkiv: Russians fire upon cowsTelevision reporter Kavita Sharma journeys to Kharkiv, connecting with individuals who have experienced the devastations of Russian aggressions - their relatives, their homes. At a farm, the Russians even targeted grazing cattle.
11:34 - Scholz: "Putin will not prevail"Shortly preceding the European elections, Chancellor Olaf Scholz reaffirms his stance on the Russian war against Ukraine and displays support for the country. "Putin won't succeed with his imperialist endeavors," states Scholz in a video message. "Putin must comprehend that he can't triumph in his vicious campaign." Diplomacy entails "strengthening Ukraine, its autonomy, and sovereignty."
10:57 - Ukrainian drone targets airfield in the CaucasusReports from Moscow indicate a Ukrainian drone has infiltrated North Ossetia in the Caucasus. The regional head reports the target as a military airbase. The media shares this is the first time since the war's onset that a Ukrainian drone has invaded North Ossetia, located 700 kilometers from the Ukrainian boundary. This airfield functions as a launch site for military planes engaging in air assaults against Ukraine, using gliding bombs. The Ukrainian army engages in afflicting infrastructure on Russian territory to disrupt operational logistics and supply routes.
10:20 - Ukrainian brigade repels Russian forces at PokrovskThe Ukrainian army informs that Russian troops persist in assailing Ukraine commercially. At the front near Pokrovsk, a Ukrainian tank brigade counteracts three Russian brigades. The fracas in Pokrovsk is the epicenter of encounters. The site is positioned west of Ocheretyne, which was recently annexed by the Russians. "The enemy endeavors to tunnel deep into our territory," describes the report. "Equipped with vast reserves of personnel, the Russians rapidly replace their staggering casualties by incessantly deploying fresh soldiers into the combat."
09:48 - Russia: Ukraine attacks Russian targets with 25 combat drones overnightAs recounted by Moscow, Ukraine instigated aerial attacks against Russian targets using a total of 25 warfare drones. The Defense Ministry shares drones were thwarted in the border regions of Rostov, Bryansk, and Belgorod. Additionally, the annexed Crimean Peninsula was targeted by the drone strikes.
09:12 - Sharma: Russians execute strategy to alienate Ukrainian positionsThe state of affairs remains strained in the Donbass region. Russian forces appear to be attempting to roll out a scheme which experts previously apprehended, as Kavita Sharma reports from Ukraine.
08:55 - Ukrainian General Staff: Over 517,000 Russian losses since the invasion's startThe General Staff of the Ukrainian Army discloses 1,210 Russian fatalities or injuries in the past 24 hours. In their report, Russia's totals reach beyond 517,000 fatalities incurred since the 2022 full-scale invasion. Consequently, Kiev's troops shot down nine Russian tanks, 36 armored vehicles, a multiple rocket launcher, and seven air defense systems yesterday.
08:31 - Russia: Planning a 15 million propaganda initiative against Ukrainian authorityAllegedly, the Ukrainian military intelligence agency HUR announces Russia is plotting a propaganda campaign against Ukraine's military management. They intend to spend 15 million euros to manufacture articles and films portraying Ukraine's unique forces and military elite in an unfavorable light. Moreover, Russian troops have allegedly received orders to propagate this content in Ukrainian as well as Western media outlets. This initiative aims to intensify domestic discord in Ukraine.
07:48 - Security concerns loom over Ukraine's European Championship participationGerman security departments gauge the coming European Football Championship's security situation as tense. The primary concerns are the potential for catastrophic cyberattacks in light of Russia's aggression against Ukraine, who intends to participate in the Championship. The protection of stadiums and other entertainment venues from strikes by drones from above is perceived to be a particularly lethal challenge. In the past, drones have been reported hovering over Bundeswehr installations where Ukrainian soldiers undergo instruction utilizing German gear. Moreover, there is a possible risk of terrorist attacks on one of the 51 competitions or at lavish fan festivals. Interior Minister Nancy Faeser confirms a substantial police presence at stadiums and fan zones, referring to it as a "show of force."
Last night, blasts were heard in Sevastopol on the occupied Crimean Peninsula, reports the Kyiv Independent and cites messages from the Telegram channel Crimean Wind. Apparently, residents of Balaklava, a neighborhood in Sevastopol, heard explosions around 1:39 local time. One explosion is believed to have occurred near a power plant, while another occurred near Sevastopol's port. Crimean Wind alleges that before the explosions, large-caliber weapons were heard, which could indicate a drone attack. The Kyiv Independent is yet to confirm these reports. The Ukrainian army has been trying to disrupt Russia's logistics and supply lines to the front by executing targeted attacks on infrastructure.
6:54 Ukrainian Air Force Compliments Mirage Jets But Prefers F-16
The Ukrainian Air Force has commended the Mirage combat jets France intends to donate to Ukraine as up-to-date and multifaceted. An Air Force spokesperson explains that the Mirages are capable of executing numerous combat operations, but F-16 fighter jets are still top priority. Ukraine is awaiting the completion of F-16 pilot training. The training process for Mirage aircraft is estimated to take an extra six months. Storing Western jets safely during Russian air raids will also be a challenge. The French Mirage was developed in France during the 1970s and was the primary combat aircraft of the French army for about two decades.
6:30 Regional Sumy Evacuates Eight Additional Settlements
Eight more settlements in the Ukrainian-Russian border area of Sumy Oblast are being evacuated due to daily Russian attacks. The governor of the region announces this on state TV. In the previous 24 hours, over 50 explosions were reported from Sumy. Earlier this week, three people were killed, and three others wounded as a result of Russian shelling. This brings the total civilian deaths in this region to 50 in 2023.
The victims were killed by artillery, mortars, and kamikaze drones.
6:45 Ukraine Purchases Air Defense System from France
The French defense company Thales is selling a second air defense system to Ukraine. After delivering the first air defense system in 2023, the Ukrainian Defense Ministry is acquiring a second system, according to the company without any mention of the price. Air defense is a significant issue in Ukraine, as there are insufficient defense weapons to protect troops at the front and major Ukrainian cities.
4:48 Report: Germany Considers Sending Fourth Patriot Delivery to Kiev
According to a Bloomberg report, Germany is contemplating dispatching a fourth Patriot missile defense system to Kiev. This would be the fourth Patriot system the German government would provide to Ukraine. The decision comes at a time when Germany has relaxed the rules for using Patriots against Russian aircraft within Russian airspace. The Patriot could theoretically shoot down Russian aircraft that assault key targets in the Kharkiv region with rockets or glide bombs, provided they attack from outside Russian airspace.
3:50 Zelensky Denies Putin's Assertions on His Illegitimacy as President
In response to Russian President Vladimir Putin's remarks about the supposed 'illegitimacy' of Volodymyr Zelensky's presidency, the President of Ukraine maintains that Putin is the only one to acknowledge the current Russian president's legitimacy. Zelensky asserts, "The Ukrainian people are the only ones who can deem President Zelensky's legitimacy. The Ukrainian people have decided, and I am grateful for their support. Our people are free. In truth, we're fighting for this." During a press conference with the French President, Zelensky reiterated, "Putin's legitimacy is only acknowledged by Putin himself. Only Putin chooses Putin. The Russians serve as props, with one actor on stage."
00:45 Russian Occupation Reports 22 Killed Villagers Amid Attack
The Russian occupation administration claims that 22 people were killed in a Ukrainian artillery attack on a recaptured village in the southern region of Kherson. Vladimir Saldo, the Russian-appointed administrator for the region, writes on Telegram that a village store packed with people was struck. 15 others are said to be injured. Saldo describes this as a "despicable murder of civilians," blaming the casualties on Western weapons supplied to Ukraine. No independent confirmation of the incident is available.
Emmanuel Macron, the French President, called for the EU to initiate accession negotiations with Ukraine by the end of the month. During a joint press conference with Ukrainian President Zelensky in Paris, Macron stated, "France supports Ukraine in all areas, including at the European level, where we're actively working towards a real kick-off of accession negotiations by the end of the month." Zelensky also added, "There are decisions concerning Ukraine's integration into the EU that are almost made." However, the EU Commission had previously mentioned that the necessary conditions for starting accession negotiations with Ukraine and Moldova had been met. Nevertheless, Hungary, which is set to take over the EU Council Presidency in July, is obstructing this process.
The support ratings for President Zelensky have reached an all-time low amidst the ongoing war. According to a survey by the KIIS Institute, Zelensky's approval ratings have dropped below 60% for the first time, despite still having the trust of over half of the Ukrainian population. His popularity took a significant hit after his initial approval rating of 90% shortly after the Russian offensive in May 2022. Zelensky's ratings have been steadily declining ever since. His term was originally scheduled to end in May, but Ukraine remains under martial law, and there are no immediate plans for elections due to 20% of the country being under Russian control and millions of Ukrainians being displaced.
The US government has no plans to participate in Macron's proposal to send military trainers to Ukraine. John Kirby, the National Security Council communications director, revealed this while accompanying US President Joe Biden during a visit to France. Biden and Macron had a discussion regarding this topic, but US President Biden made it clear from the onset that he does not plan on sending American soldiers to Ukraine. "That's been the case so far, and that will continue to be the case moving forward," Kirby emphasized. Biden allows Macron to determine the level of secrecy surrounding the issue and how much clarity he should provide. Since the start of the war in Ukraine, Biden has frequently made it clear that he does not want a World War III or a war with Russia.
(All previous developments can be found here.)
Read also:
- Amidst the ongoing 'Attack on Ukraine', discussions around utilizing frozen Russian assets to aid Ukraine, including both profits and assets themselves, have arisen among international bodies, such as the G7.
- As the 'Russia-Ukraine conflict' escalates, military operations by both sides continue, with reports of Ukrainian drone attacks in Russian territories aimed at disrupting supply routes and infrastructure.
- In response to the escalating tensions, NATO allies have increased their support for Ukraine, with some leaders, such as Volodymyr Selensky, urging for stronger action against Russia.
- The 'Cyberwar' between Russia and Ukraine has also intensified, with reports of potential cyberattacks targeting Ukraine's participation in the European Championship and civilian infrastructure, raising concerns about cybersecurity and protection measures.
