13:07 US reporter Kurmasheva's confinement extended by Russia
A Russian judge has prolonged the pre-trial custody of an American journalist, Alsu Kurmasheva, until early August. The lawyer's appeal for her to be placed under house arrest was declined by Kazan's district court, informed RFE/RL, a Prague-based broadcaster. Kurmasheva, a contributor to the Tatar program of RFE/RL, has been barred from leaving Russia for a year. She's been incarcerated since last October. The organization harshly criticized her imprisonment, claiming it was a reaction to her journalism.
Meanwhile, ex-Russian president Dmitry Medvedev cautioned the West that Russia might use nuclear weapons again in the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. Medvedev, a Putin confidante, warned the West about the potential use of tactical nuclear weapons, which are designed for battlefield use and not intended to obliterate the opponent. He forecast the conflict could escalate into a total war. A Russian parliamentarian also threaten the West with an asymmetrical war.
Medvedev's statement came after Western countries revised their stance on the usage of Ukrainian weapons in the conflict. It used to be presumed that they couldn't target Russian targets. However, recent reports suggest that the US has allowed Ukraine to use American weapons against Russian locations that support Russia's offensive in the Kharkiv area. Such targets could include aircraft that launch rockets on Kharkiv from Russian soil. The German government has also given Ukraine the freedom to defend itself.
NTV reporter Kavita Sharma covered the reactions of Ukrainians to the use of US weapons. She reported from Kharkiv.
Boris Pistorius, the German defense minister, justified the decision for Germany to allow Ukraine to use German weapons against military targets in Russia as a "strategic adaptation to shifts in the situation." He emphasized that this move aligns with Germany's actions since the beginning of the war in Ukraine. Pistorius assured that there would be no reopening of discussions regarding the delivery of Taurus missiles to Ukraine. He also noted that the border would remain the same, regardless of statements from Western countries.
Former chairman of the German parliament's defense committee, FDP politician Marie-Agnes Strack-Zimmermann, still harbored hopes for a reemergence of the debate on whether Germany should provide Ukraine with Taurus missiles. Yet, her optimism was reluctant considering the ever-changing circumstances, particularly after Russian attacks on Kharkiv. The ongoing support for Ukraine by the West is predictable, she observed, but "in these times, one cannot be predictable."
NTV correspondent Rainer Munz underlined that, despite Putin's threats against Europe and NATO, Western nations have continued to assist Ukraine. Munz concluded that Putin's one remaining option is not really an option since it would likely lead to war.
Finally, Zelenskyy, the Ukrainian president, stated in an interview with "The Guardian" that the delay in US President Joe Biden's decision to apply Western weapons against Russia has encouraged Russian aggressors to mock Ukrainians and "hunt" them. Zelenskyy expressed that the White House's wavering has cost lives and amplified the suffering for Ukrainians. "It's like they're going hunting. Hunting for people. They know we can see them, but we can't reach them."
The NATO is drawing closer to war each week, as per Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban's observation. The NATO's plan to get more involved in the Ukraine war resembles a firefighter attempting to extinguish a fire using a flamethrower, he states. It's absurd. Involving NATO in Ukraine threatens to start a world war instead of safeguarding the alliance's member nations, Orban adds. Prime Minister Orban maintains good relations with the Russian government and has been at loggerheads with Western countries since the advent of the Russian invasion in February 2022 due to their support for Ukraine. NATO's Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg stated yesterday at a gathering of the alliance's foreign ministers in Prague that it's time for member states to reconsider certain restrictions on the usage of weapons previously provided to Ukraine.
10:51 Berlin Concedes Permission for Ukraine to Use German Weapons Against Russian Targets
The German government has granted Ukraine the right to use German-supplied weapons against Russian military objectives. Spokesperson Steffen Hebestreit confirmed this in Berlin.
10:46 Insider: Zelensky to Attend Security Conference in Singapore over the Weekend
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is anticipated to take part in a security conference in Singapore this weekend. Reports state that Ukraine's support will be one of the primary discussions at the so-called Shangri-La Dialogue, the most significant yearly security conference in Asia. U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin and his Chinese counterpart Dong Jun are also slated to be present at the event. Ukraine presently seeks participation in its Switzerland-hosted international summit aimed at finding means to conclude the war. Zelensky claims that Russia is trying to obstruct other nations from partaking.
10:16 China Advocates for Peace Conference With Russia and Ukraine Attendance
China urges a peace conference involving both Russia and Ukraine participation. China's requests are fair and neutral, says Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning. They are not directed at any particular party. The Reuters reported that China won't be attending the Ukraine peace summit in mid-June held in Switzerland. This conference is being convened at Ukraine's request, with Russia deliberately not participating and not being invited. "China places great value on the fact that Switzerland is hosting the first Ukraine peace summit, and has been in communication with the Swiss side and all the involved parties since the beginning of the year," Mao added. Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov suggested that China can organize a peace conference.
10:04 Russian Defence Minister Belousov: Ukrainian Troops Retreat in Kharkiv Region
Ukrainian troops have retreated approximately 8-9 kilometers in key areas in the Kharkiv region in eastern Ukraine, according to Russian Defence Minister Andrei Belousov. In May, Russian forces seized control of more than 28 settlements in Ukraine, according to the state news agency Interfax, which cited the minister. This year, they have captured a total area of 880 square kilometers.
09:52 Energy Facilities in Ukrainian Capital Kyiv Struck by Russian Rocket Attack
Several energy facilities in Ukrainian capital Kyiv have been damaged by a Russian rocket attack. Energy provider DTEK reports that a power plant has been destroyed, and the power grid in the Holosiyivskyi district has been harmed. Various private residences are still without power. The Russian military attacked using drones and crude short-range missiles of the type Iskander, the Ukrainian Air Force reports.
09:28 Ukrainian General Staff: Oil Depot in Russian Black Sea Port of Kavkaz Assaulted
Ukrainian forces have assaulted an oil depot in the Russian Black Sea port of Kavkaz overnight. The Ukrainian General Staff reports this. Earlier, eyewitnesses reported explosions and a large fire in the port of Kavkaz, with multiple videos circulating on social media claiming to show the assault. The depot sustained damage from multiple Neptune missiles of Ukrainian origin, the assertion continues. No other information on the extent of the damage is currently available. Additionally, the Ukrainian forces also attacked two ferries in the region of the Kerch Strait Bridge. The port of Kavkaz is situated on the island of Tuzla, close to the city of Kerch on the Ukrainian Crimean Peninsula, which Russia has seized.
08:54 NATO Chief Stoltenberg: No Escalation Risks With US Allowing Ukraine to Attack Russian Targets
NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg considers there is no escalation risk due to the US decision to allow Ukraine to launch limited strikes on Russian targets. "Russia itself escalates by assaulting another country," and the same applies to the attacks in the Kharkiv region near the Russian border, Stoltenberg explained on the sideline of the NATO Foreign Ministers meeting in Prague. Concurrently, Stoltenberg increased pressure on Germany and other countries to also allow such attacks using weapons provided by them. "Ukraine has the right to self-defense, and that includes the right to strike legitimate military targets in Russia," the Secretary-General confirmed. This is particularly significant in view of the escalating battles in the Kharkiv region.
Ukrainian anti-aircraft units have shot down four Russian Shahed drones and a single Iskander-K cruise missile during last night's operations. The Ukrainian Air Force commander, Mykola Oleschtschuk, shared this news via Telegram. Consequently, Ukrainian defense missile systems and mobile fire groups successfully destroyed these four Shahed UAVs in the areas of Kyiv, Zaporizhzhia, and Dnipropetrovsk, in addition to an Iskander-K missile in the Kyiv region.
8:09 Kharkiv: After Rockets Strike Residential Building, Fourth Victim Found in the Debris
The current death toll from Russia's nighttime rocket attack on Kharkiv has risen to four individuals, with 25 others wounded. These stats were provided by Kharkiv's regional governor, Oleh Syniehubov, in a Telegram message, as reported by Ukrinform, a state news agency. "Tragically, another deceased individual has been found in the rubble," he stated. Presently, there are four casualties.
7:31 Kyiv: Over 1390 Russian Soldiers Killed or Disabled in a Single Day
As per Kyiv's official statistics, Russian troop casualties remain high: In the course of a day, 1390 Russian soldiers suffered fatalities or were rendered incapable of combat. The Ukrainian Defense Ministry has declared that, since the war began in February 2022, 507,650 Russian soldiers have been rendered ineffective. Furthermore, the Ministry's daily reports affirm that the Russians have lost 18 additional armor machines (7728). Since the invasion's onset, Ukraine has recorded nearly 15,000 armored vehicles, along with 10,500 drones held by the Russian military or destroyed.
7:14 Russia: Injuries Caused by Ukrainian Air Raid in Krasnodar
In an early morning Ukrainian air raid against an oil depot in the southern Russian region of Krasnodar, two people have received injuries, as claimed by regional authorities. Veniamin Kondratyev, governor of Krasnodar, informed the public of the situation via Telegram. A fire resulted from falling debris following the downing of drones, subsequently extinguished. The Russian Defense Ministry claims that the air defense managed to shoot down five rockets and 29 drones launched by Ukraine at Krasnodar. Additionally, drone attacks took place in Voronezh, Belgorod, and Tambov regions.
6:48 Reports of Explosions in Crimea Overnight
The Russian-occupied Crimea region is said to have experienced multiple explosions late last night, as reported by Crimean Wind, a Telegram channel, and cited by Ukrinform, a Ukrainian news agency. "Explosions are again happening in Port Kavkaz," wrote the channel. "Residents of Kerch have heard eight to ten explosions." A fire is suspected to break out at an oil depot in the port. Previously, a large fire was reported in the port. The Ukrainian Army's General Staff suggested that two ferries from Kerch were hit by ATACMS missiles.
6:17 United States: Russia Using North Korean Rockets in Ukraine
A debris examination by the US military found evidence that Russia employs North Korean missiles in Ukraine. "The investigation confirms that Russia has employed North Korean-made ballistic missiles during its war against Ukraine," asserted the Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA) in a statement.
4:34 United States: China's Support for Russia Threatens European Stability
The United States government views China's support for Russia as a potential menace to European security. The US, joined by its G7 allies, other EU and NATO nations, contends that China's backing of Russia "not only threatens Ukraine, but also endangers European security," stated Vedant Patel, Deputy Spokesperson for the US State Department, during a press conference. Yesterday, the US threatened more sanctions if China fails to restrict its assistance to the Russian arms industry. "The US is prepared to take additional measures if China does not curb its support for the Russian arms industry," Patel announced.
2:50 Rocket Strikes Residential Building in Kharkiv: Three Civilians Perish
Russia targeted Kharkiv at night with rockets from Belgorod, causing damage to multiple structures. A hit on a five-story residential building claimed the lives of three civilians, while injuring 16 others. One of those injured was also a child.
1:46 SPD Politician Advocates for Deploying Western Weapons to Attack Military Targets in Russia
Nils Schmid, an SPD foreign policy ambassador, supports the idea of permitting Ukraine to utilize Western-made weapons against military objectives in Russia. "It makes sense to eliminate the constraint on targets situated on Russian soil," remarked Schmid to Funke Media Group-affiliated newspapers. Nevertheless, "this must be decided upon by NATO allies collectively."
The German Chancellor, Olaf Scholz, has ruled out the sending of German soldiers to Ukraine and taking part in a no-fly zone. During a gathering with "Thuringian General" in Erfurt, Scholz voices his concerns, "We don't want to get our soldiers involved." This dogged stance also applies to the daring suggestion of a no-fly zone. Such a move would necessitate Germany's aircraft engaging and bringing down planes from another nation. "Then you're at war." He firmly states Germany's commitment to preventing war between NATO and Russia. This conviction is echoed by US President Joe Biden and French President Emmanuel Macron.
[22:25] Behind Closed Doors: Biden Gives Green Light to Use US Weapons in Russia - Imposing Limits
The United States may currently be permitting the use of US weapons in Russia - however, this is limited to the Kharkiv region. An American government official shares this revelation. Previously, US President Joe Biden denied the utilization of US military weapons for offensives on Russian soil. The American government's precondition, that Ukraine refrains from employing their own long-range missiles and additional ammunition for any attacks within Russia, remains unchanged, according to those close to the matter.
[22:06] Frontline: Ukrainian Assault Brigade Exhibits Street Fighting in Vovchansk
The Liut Brigade, a police division of the Ukrainian army, is cooperating with other forces to defend the city of Vovchansk in the Kharkiv border region. Recently, the unit publicized a video showcasing soldiers from the Tsunami Storm Regiment thwarting Russian soldiers' attempts to occupy a building. The Liut Brigade clarifies that the footage captures the battle taking place on roads within the city.
Read also:
- Russia has cautioned the West that it might use tactical nuclear weapons in the escalating Ukraine conflict.
- The U.S. has reportedly allowed Ukraine to use American weapons against Russian targets in the Kharkiv area, potentially including Russian aircraft launching rockets.
- Volodymyr Selensky, the President of Ukraine, has criticized the delay in Western weapon supplies, comparing it to Russian soldiers "hunting" Ukrainians.
- Recent reports suggest a cyberwarfare attack against Ukraine, with Russian-linked hackers targeting critical infrastructure, including energy facilities in Kyiv.
