13:26 Report: Germany's budget for arms deliveries is exhausted for 2024
Bundesdefense Minister Boris Pistorius sees information from "Spiegel" that for 2024, there will be an additional requirement of 4 billion Euro for further weapon deliveries to Ukraine. According to this, the roughly 7 billion Euro that are planned in the current federal budget for supporting Kiev are largely consumed or contractually bound. For the second half of the year, only about 200,000 Euro are left for new deliveries. Pistorius therefore requested additional funds of 4 billion Euro from Federal Finance Minister Christian Lindner. With the fresh money, Pistorius wants to deliver more ammunition, urgently needed spare parts, and possibly also Leopard 1A-Tanks to Ukraine. "We are currently working on freeing up additional funds to be able to continue being active this year as well," said the SPD politician during a troop visit in Alaska.
13:07 USA Correspondent: Doubts about further support for Ukraine grow
12:39 Intelligence service and UN: Kindergarten directly hit by Russian rocket - Moscow denies
After the impact of a projectile on a kindergarten in Kiev, Russia and Ukraine are arguing about the ownership. The Ukrainian Security Service SBU claims, according to its own information, that the kindergarten was directly hit by a Russian rocket of the type Kh-101 Kalibr. The analysis of the flight path and the type of damage caused prove that it was a direct hit. The SBU presented images of a fragment of a rocket engine that was allegedly found at the impact site. The United Nations (UN) shares this assessment: "The analysis of the video material and an on-site assessment indicate a high probability that the kindergarten received a direct hit and was not damaged by a defensive weapon system," explains the leader of the UN Human Rights Observation Mission in Ukraine. At the time of the attack, there were approximately 670 children being treated in the clinic and about 1000 employees. However, Moscow claims that the Ukrainian-deployed ground-to-air missile defense system NASAMS was responsible. This system was developed by the USA and Norway. Even if the Russian statement were true: The Ukrainians use these Western air defense systems to defend against permanent Russian air attacks on civilian targets.
11:50 "Friend of India": Modi courts Putin in Moscow
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi acknowledged the relationship between his country and Russia and praised President Vladimir Putin during a visit to Moscow. Modi stated that the bilateral relationship was based on "mutual trust and mutual respect." He also highlighted Putin's leadership qualities. "Every Indian considers Russia as a friend of India, in good times and in bad," Modi said. India imports oil, gas, and military equipment from Russia. Several Western countries had urged Modi to distance India more from Russia. However, trade between the two countries continues to grow. On Monday, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky had stated regarding Russian missile attacks on Kiev: "It's a great disappointment and a devastating blow to peace efforts that the leader of the largest democracy in the world embraces the bloodiest war criminal of the world on such a day in Moscow."
11:15 Ukraine may lose F16 fighter jets before first use
10:48 Moscow to closely observe NATO summit
Russia intends to closely monitor the NATO summit, according to Russian government spokesman Dmitry Peskov. He referred to the fact that NATO declared Russia an enemy and that it was necessary to defeat it. The Russian government considers NATO involved in the Ukraine conflict, Peskow told journalists. The heads of state and government of the 32 NATO countries are gathering in Washington for a three-day summit today. Support for Ukraine in its defense against the Russian attack war is a primary focus. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is also expected in the US capital.
10:39 Not enough military: Expert sees Europe unprepared for Trump re-election
10:05 Poland receives $2 billion loan for US weapons purchases
Poland, one of the most important political and military allies of Ukraine and a NATO frontline state, shares thousands of kilometers of border with the Russian exclave of Kaliningrad and the Russian vassal state of Belarus. According to the US government, Poland is receiving a $2 billion loan to support its modernization program. The Polish government intends to purchase F-35 fighter jets, Patriot air defense systems, and Abrams combat tanks with this support. The US government assumes responsibility for up to $60 million in interest payments. The US government supports Polish large-scale purchases from its own defense industry.
08:42 Body of a boy recovered in Kiev rubble, number of killed children rising
Rescue workers have recovered the body of a boy in the ruins of a house in Kiev. The Ukrainian Interior Ministry reported this to "Kyiv Independent." With this, the number of people killed in Kiev on Monday due to the Russian air raid has risen to 27, including now four children. 117 more people were injured. According to ministry reports, rescue teams are still in action at three locations in the capital.
08:30 Ukrainian Partisans report successful sabotage of Russian railway
The Ukrainian partisan group Atesh claims to have disrupted an important railway connection between Russia and the occupied Ukrainian territories. A switchboard was reportedly destroyed, according to the group's Telegram channel. A video is also visible, showing a burning box next to a railroad track. The sabotage action is said to have taken place near the Russian town of Schachty. The railways reportedly lead from Rostov am Don towards the occupied Mariupol. These railways are essential for the supply of new equipment to the Russian troops. Both the Ukrainian army and Ukrainian partisans therefore regularly target railway lines. Atesh claims to be active not only in the Russian-occupied territories but also within Russia.
07:55 Ukraine reports over 1200 soldiers killed in a day
In his daily reports, the Ukrainian General Staff reports that the invaders suffered a loss of 1220 soldiers. Additionally, seven Russian tanks, 19 armored personnel carriers, 49 artillery pieces, 29 drones, and 36 missile systems were destroyed from Russia. The figures are not verifiable. The number of 553,410 Russian military personnel killed, wounded, or otherwise rendered ineffective, however, is significantly higher than the more cautious estimates of Western services and think tanks.
07:37 Russia reports four deaths after Ukrainian attacks
According to official reports, at least four people were killed in Ukrainian attacks on the Russian border region of Belgorod within 24 hours. Additionally, 20 people were injured, according to Governor Vyacheslav Gladkov on the Telegram online service. The past 24 hours were described as "restless" and "difficult". Of the injured, 17 were hospitalized, two were severely injured, Gladkov further reported. Ukrainian attacks were also reported from other western Russian regions, including Kursk and Volgograd.
07:22 Over 2000 children seek refuge from Russian attacks in Kiev's subway
During the massive rocket attacks on Kiev on Monday, according to city administration reports, 32,000 people sought shelter in the underground U-Bahn tunnels. Among them, according to the reports, were almost 2200 children. The Ukrainian capital is regularly attacked by Russia. In the past few months, more and more rockets have penetrated, as Western air defense systems only have limited ammunition and are increasingly being successfully bypassed.
06:50 "Dirty Bastards": At least two dead after attack on children's hospital in Kiev
The shelling of a children's hospital in Kiev during a Russian rocket attack reportedly resulted in 16 injuries, including seven children. Two of the injured died, according to Mayor Vitali Klitschko. Health Minister Viktor Lyashko reported damage to departments for dialysis, cancer treatment, operating rooms, and the intensive care unit at the hospital on Monday. Hundreds of residents helped rescue workers clear debris and search for victims. "Little cancer and dialysis patients are sitting on the sidewalk with their mothers," reported German Ambassador Martin Jäger on X from a visit to the hospital.
The Russian Defense Ministry confirmed rocket attacks, targeting alleged weapons factories and military airfields in Ukraine. Many videos from Kiev showed that the damages were caused by a Ukrainian surface-to-air missile, according to reports without evidence. The Moscow Military dismissed the Ukrainian reaction to the attack as "hysteria of the Kiev regime." Ukrainian reports stated that another hospital in the capital was damaged on the other side of the Dnipro.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy rejected Russian claims that the attacks were due to a Ukrainian missile defense system error. "What cynicism the scoundrels in the Kreml are showing, claiming that it was allegedly the Ukrainian missile defense and not a targeted missile strike that killed and injured many people," Zelenskyy said at a press conference with Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk in Warsaw. Zelenskyy thanked everyone who posted videos online, "on which it is clearly visible that it is not just a part of one or another missile, but a direct missile strike that killed and injured many people."
06:19 Germany provides Ukraine with additional ammunition and air defense system
The German government has made additional military supplies available to Ukraine for its defense against the Russian aggression. According to the updated list of delivered military goods, the promised third air defense system Patriot has arrived. In addition, there are extra ammunition for the 50 Leopard 1 tanks provided together with Denmark, 11,000 additional rounds of ammunition for the 52 Gepard anti-aircraft tanks, and two air surveillance radars of the type TRML-4D.
05:43 Attack on Russia: Fire in power plant in Rostov-on-Don
In the southern Russian region of Rostov, according to Russian reports, a fire broke out in a power plant due to a Ukrainian drone attack. "Two transformers have caught fire," Governor Vasili Golubev reported via the Telegram messaging service. The Russian air defense shot down "numerous" Ukrainian drones. Golubev did not mention the exact number of drones used or intercepted. The border region with Ukraine has been a target of repeated attacks in the past.
04:31 FDP politician Faber defends the Defense Ministry
FDP politician and new chairman of the Defense Committee, Marcus Faber, defended the modest increase in the defense budget for 2025 against criticism. "One should not forget that the budget of the Defense Ministry, unlike most other ministries, has actually increased," Faber told the Augsburger Allgemeine. If one includes the special fund of 100 billion euros and further investments in the troops, the total comes to 140 billion euros. "That can be seen, even if one can wish for more."
03:25 UN Human Rights Commissioner condemns attack on hospital in KievUN Human Rights Commissioner Volker Turk condemns attacks on a children's clinic in the Ukrainian capital Kiev as "despicable." The attacks had "severely damaged" the Intensive Care, surgical, and oncological departments of the Ochmatdyt Children's Hospital, Turk stated. The Dialysis department of the clinic was "destroyed." "Among the victims were the sickest children in Ukraine," he added.
02:05 Biden announces support for Kiev at NATO summitUS President Joe Biden announces new measures to strengthen Ukraine's air defense following attacks with Russian rockets that killed 36 people. The US and its allies will announce this new support at a NATO summit in Washington this week, Biden said. He described the rocket attacks on Ukraine as a "grim reminder of Russia's brutality" in the war that began in February 2022.
01:05 Kiesewetter: Defense Ministry disappointed for soldiersIn the debate over defense budgets, CDU defense expert Roderich Kiesewetter calls for a new definition of prosperity. "It's bitter and a disappointment for the soldiers that the federal government can't prioritize the Bundeswehr in the budget setting," Kiesewetter told Funke Media Group newspapers. This shows that "the Zeitgeist of the Chancellor" has not yet arrived, and Olaf Scholz refuses to "pour pure wine in the face of the population in the face of the threat situation." "It's also necessary to define prosperity anew - away from an individual interpretation, towards social resilience and readiness to defend." Previously, the defense budget accounted for five or six percent of the economic power. "It's possible to prioritize if the political will is there," Kiesewetter said. A continuous defense budget should amount to three percent of the Gross Domestic Product.
00:01 Greens and FDP announce increase in Pistorius FundLooking ahead to budget negotiations in the German parliament, Green budget politician Sebastian Schäfer, who is also the deputy chairman of the Bundestag committee for the Special Fund for the Bundeswehr, announced corrections to defense spending. "The coalition's leadership provides a good basis for parliamentary budget negotiations," Schäfer told the Redaktionsnetzwerk Deutschland (RND). "There will be numerous and significant changes. In security and defense policy, there are great needs that we will consider in the parliamentary procedure," the Green added. Defense policy spokesperson for the FDP, Alexander Müller, also shows readiness for further adjustments in favor of the defense budget.
22:16 Debris falls on clinic - seven deadDebris from a rocket fell on a hospital in Kiev and killed five doctors and two patients. According to "Ukrainska Pravda," it was the ADONIS Clinic in the Dniprowskyi district that was hit. A Russian rocket attack also shattered windows in a private maternity clinic in the same building.
22:10 Insider: Scholz to deliver clear message at NATO summit
According to German government sources, the NATO summit from Tuesday to Thursday will send "a very clear message" in support of Ukraine. Chancellor Olaf Scholz will make it clear in the circle of the 32 NATO state and government heads that Germany is a reliable partner in the transatlantic alliance and will remain so, said the government representative.
21:56 Schmyhal: Looking for alternate location for hospital
The Ukrainian government is looking for an alternate location for the attacked children's hospital. Premier Minister Denys Schmyhal shared this information. The attack will be a topic at the next cabinet meeting. "We hope our international partners will draw their own conclusions," he was quoted as saying by "Kyiv Independent." "We need effective responses to Russian terror."
You can read about previous developments here.
- Bundesdefense Minister Boris Pistorius requested additional funds of 4 billion Euro to continue delivering weapons to Ukraine, including ammunition, spare parts, and possibly Leopard 1A-Tanks, due to the 7 billion Euro in the current federal budget for Ukraine almost being depleted.
- The Ukrainian Security Service (SBU) claimed that a Russian rocket directly hit a kindergarten in Kiev, killing approximately 670 children being treated and about 1000 employees. The UN shared this assessment, stating the flight path and damage proved it was a direct hit.
- After a Russian rocket attack on Kiev, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky criticized the leader of the largest democracy in the world, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, for embracing the "bloodiest war criminal in the world" President Vladimir Putin in Moscow.
- The Russian Defense Ministry confirmed rocket attacks on alleged weapons factories and military airfields in Ukraine, despite videos showing damages being caused by a Ukrainian surface-to-air missile. Moscow dismissed the Ukrainian reaction as "hysteria of the Kiev regime."
- The German government provided Ukraine with additional ammunition and air defense systems, including a third air defense system Patriot, in response to attacks by Russia.
