13:36: Sweden allows arms deployment - Munz: "Lavrov believes Russia is already being assaulted"
Sweden authorizes the deployment of weapons against Russia. Russian media are now focusing on the responses of Western countries, says NTV reporter Rainer Munz. Meanwhile, Foreign Minister Lavrov contends that Russia is already being attacked with Western weapons.
13:07 Ukrainian drone reaches unprecedented rangeUkraine claims to have targeted a site 1500 kilometers behind enemy lines in the Russian hinterland, according to its intelligence services. This would be a record for the use of drones, states an employee of the intelligence services. The radar system "Woronesh M" near the city of Orsk, situated on the border with Kazakhstan, was the target. This radar type can detect aircraft and missiles from considerable distances. However, the informant provides no information on the condition of the radar following the Sunday assault.
12:36 "Shield East": Poland plans to boost its eastern border defenses with a billion-dollar project
In a bid to strengthen its eastern border and shield NATO's eastern flank, Poland is rolling out a $1.12 billion project dubbed "Shield East." As revealed by Defense Minister Wladyslaw Kosiniak-Kamysz in Warsaw, the program includes "fortifications, various types of barriers, and highly advanced air defense systems" at every parameter and altitude along the border, which is also an EU external border. The undertaking covers 700 kilometers of the border and will be completed by 2028.
12:05 Explosion in Kharkiv: Videos reveal carnage inside a hardware store after a Russian attack
The embattled city of Kharkiv is under attack again, with Russian forces dropping glide bombs onto a hardware store where around 200 civilians were present. Videos filmed inside the building show the aftermath of the explosion and the resulting chaos.
11:31 Judge on Ukraine's ammunition shortage: "The Eastern Front is faltering, Russians seize another village"
After Sweden eases the use of its weapons against Russian territory, Ukrainians anticipate similar moves by other countries. Meanwhile, NATO member Ukraine grimly confronts persistent ammunition shortages:
11:09 Russia sanctions: EU unveils framework for imposing sanctions on individuals and organizations
The foreign ministers of the 27 EU countries have agreed upon a new legal framework for imposing sanctions against Russia. The new measure aims at sanctioning individuals and entities responsible for suppressing the opposition, as disclosed by several diplomats.
10:41 Germany provides additional funding for humanitarian aid in Russian-occupied regions
The German government is dedicating more funds to humanitarian support for people in the Russian-occupied regions of eastern Ukraine. The initiative projects a total of 60 million euros toward aid, with most of the funds earmarked for areas in the province of Donetsk and Luhansk. In a Brussels gathering with European counterparts, German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock underscored the plight of those living under "Russian terror" occupation for over two and a half years. German authorities are pursuing a multilateral approach to deliver aid.
10:11 EU accused of impeding Western support for Ukraine against Russian aggression
Lithuania alleges that Hungary has been thwarting EU efforts to aid Ukraine in its fight against the Russian aggression war. In Brussels to address this issue, Lithuanian Foreign Minister Gabrielius Landsbergis underlined the need to circumvent this interference, declaring, "We must find a way to bypass this blockade." Hungarian conduct has been deemed "a systematic approach against any efforts by the EU to engage substantially in international affairs."
9:40 Major aid package from Spain: Ukraine may soon receive more Leopard tanks
Spain will reportedly provide Ukraine with a dozen rockets for the Patriot air defense system and 19 Leopard tanks as part of a $1.35 billion aid package announced last month. The assistance also includes counter-drone equipment and munitions. The weapons are set to be announced during a visit from Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, who will meet with Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez and King Felipe in Madrid. Sanchez's spokesman did not comment on the report."
9:10 Aid for Ukraine: Spain reportedly to provide tanks and air defense rockets
In preparation for Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's visit to Madrid, Spain prepares to deliver rockets for the Patriot air defense system alongside 19 tanks to Ukraine, according to El Pais citing sources. Rounding out the assistance is counter-drone equipment and ammunition. The package is in addition to the previously announced $1.35 billion in aid. However, a spokesman for Sanchez chose to stay silent about the report. Ukraine has already received a batch of 1A5 Leopard tanks from Germany.
Last night, Russian forces launched a drone attack on a gas station in the Russian region of Orjol near the border with Ukraine. The gas station is located in the city of Liwny. According to local governor Andrej Klychkov, a person was killed in the incident and three others were injured. Additionally, an administrative building was damaged. Klychkov revealed that a second drone attack occurred later on, resulting in the tragic death of the driver of a fire truck who had arrived on the scene to put out the fire caused by the first attack. The three injured individuals were also part of the emergency services. The Russian Defense Ministry reported that a dozen Ukrainian drones were neutralized overnight, including six in the Orjol region.
In other news, Lithuania's re-election of President Gitanas Nauseda has garnered praise and support from Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky. Zelensky took to the platform X to extend his heartfelt congratulations to Nauseda and express his appreciation for his unwavering support for Ukraine over the years. "I value your sincere support for Ukraine and am confident that together we will ensure freedom, peace, and security in Ukraine, the Baltic states, and throughout Europe," he said.
Military expert Nico Lange, on the same platform, accused Russia of committing war crimes in relation to their recent missile strikes on a printing house and a hardware store in Kharkiv. "If we limit ourselves to supporting Ukraine, we are encouraging Russia to commit more war crimes," he said. "We must take a stronger stance if we want to deter Russia from committing these types of atrocities."
Despite numerous rounds of negotiations between 2014 and 2022, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba expressed frustration at Russia's lack of good faith. "The main problem is that Russia never negotiated in good faith, unless it was forced to," he commented. Kuleba holds Russia responsible for sabotaging the peace process and starting a "total war against Ukraine." Kuleba is adamant that the international community must unite to work towards real peace in the region through a joint effort.
Satellite images have revealed an increase in Russian military activity near the Ukrainian border, particularly in the western region of Belgorod. The Institute for the Study of War has observed that Russian forces have been expanding their presence in depots and storage facilities in the area. However, the exact extent of the potential concentration of Russian troops remains unclear.
Ukrainian President Zelensky has appealed to Western countries with air defense systems, specifically alluding to the Patriot system, to provide them with the necessary weapons to defend against Russian aggression. "These Ukrainians died because of Russian bombs, because we didn't have enough air defense," he said. "We need to allow attacks on targets within Russia with Western weapons."
Finally, an air alarm was triggered in southern Ukraine, with the Ukrainian military reporting a Russian stealth bomber Su-57 flying over the Black Sea and warning of the potential launch of cruise missiles.
At dawn, Ukrainian President Zelensky demanded that the West provide Ukraine with the means to conduct preventive strikes against Russia. "We see every concentration point of Russian troops. We know all the areas from which Russian rockets and combat aircraft are launched," he stated. "It is a political decision to allow the preventive destruction of these forces before they attack Ukraine."
According to Ukraine's Prosecutor General's Office, three people have been killed due to shelling from Russia in the Donetsk region. Casualties among civilians have been reported in Sieversk, located in the north, as well as Krasnohorivka and Tschassiw Jar further south. Additionally, a civilian death was reported near the city of Tschuhujiw in the Kharkiv region.
At 00:47, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is scheduled to visit Spain, where he will be met by Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez at noon. Later, they will hold a press conference, as per the Spanish government's announcement. Initially, Zelenskyy planned to go to Spain on May 17th, but he cancelled the trip due to the situation in the Kharkiv region.
At 23:18, French President Emmanuel Macron was stern against the idea of giving up support for Ukraine in its battle against Russia. He believed that standing up for peace today implies upholding the law instead of surrendering. "Peace is not capitulation. Peace is not the responsibility of idealism," he declared in the midst of his three-day state visit to Germany. He went on to add that Germany and France would drive home this message in the bilateral Defense and Security Council meeting on Tuesday, stressing their commitment to support Ukraine "until the end" as it resists, "to wither, to come alongside, to train, and to prepare for all scenarios to build a lasting peace - a peace that respects international law."
At 22:22, Russia's former President Dmitry Medvedev targeted Poland with his threats. These came in response to comments from Polish Foreign Minister Radoslaw Sikorski on the potential American reaction to a nuclear attack by Russia on Ukraine. The Polish official, Sikorski, shared his thoughts on the British newspaper, "The Guardian." "If the Americans strike our targets, that means a world war, and a foreign minister, even of a country like Poland, should understand that," wrote Medvedev, Vice Chairman of the Russian Security Council. "Warsaw will not be spared; it will undoubtedly receive its share of radioactive ash. Is that what you want?" added Medvedev.
At 22:00, President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, has delivered his first interview to Central Asian media, focusing primarily on journalists from Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, and Kyrgyzstan, specifically. On the topic of a prospective ceasefire with Russia, Zelenskyy found no chances for any agreements.
At 21:40, Russian President Vladimir Putin is currently in Uzbekistan as part of a state visit. This was shared by Russian state media. Upon his visit, Shavkat Mirziyoyev, President of the Central Asian country with 37 million inhabitants since 2016, welcomed Putin at the airport in the Uzbek capital, Tashkent. The discussions between Putin and Mirziyoyev during this two-day visit will cover the advancement of Russian-Uzbek relations and issues pertaining to the region, according to Kremlin's plans.
At 21:20, the Ukrainian General Staff revealed that 83 skirmishes occurred with Russian forces on Sunday. Despite the Russians' "maximum effort," the Ukrainian troops are holding their positions and are working to destroy the offensive capabilities of the enemy, as stated in an update on the General Staff's social media. Furthermore, there have been no significant changes concerning Kharkiv, but the Russian troops continue to assault near Vovchansk and Lyptsi.
At 21:00, around 150 Ukrainians are protesting in front of the US Embassy in Kyiv against the restriction on targeting Russian territory with Western weaponry. They are demanding to lift this restriction.
At 20:40, a protest march took place in Tbilisi on the occasion of Georgian Independence Day. Estimates by Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (RFE/RL) place the crowd size at thousands. The group of demonstrators waved flags from Georgia and the European Union, and they were heard shouting phrases such as, "No to the Russian law!" and "No to the Russian regime!" Earlier, Georgian President Salome Zurabishvili had spoken about the "shadow of Russia looming over Georgia" during the swearing-in of recruits on the Freedom Square in Tbilisi.
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- There are calls for Sweden to follow Sweden's lead and allow their weapons to be used against Russian territory, as Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy anticipates similar actions from other countries.
- The Ukrainian conflict has led to an increase in military operations, with Ukraine reportedly targeting a site 1500 kilometers behind Russian lines using a drone, an unprecedented range for drone use.
- The escalation of the Ukraine conflict has prompted Russia to retaliate, with reports of an attack on a hardware store in Kharkiv, resulting in the death and injury of civilians, and accusations of war crimes from military experts.
- In response to the ongoing Ukraine conflict and Russian aggression, Nato has been working on cyberwarfare strategies, aiming to counteract Russian attacks and protect its member states from potential cyber threats.
Source: www.ntv.de
