13:57 London: Russia enhances security measures at Crimean Bridge.
BBC News: UK Spy Agency Finds Eight Russian Navy Boats Near Kerch Bridge
A British intelligence agency has noticed eight Russian Navy vessels moored on the south side of the Kerch Bridge, which connects the Russian mainland to the Crimean Peninsula. These vessels are supposedly there to protect the bridge from Ukrainian drones and commercial ship traffic, according to a report. Previously, these vessels had been damaged by storms. The Kerch Bridge is an essential supply route for Russia's military operations in the region.
13:41 Pistorius Speaks about Bundeswehr's Preparedness: "Ready for the Worst"
Defense Minister Boris Pistorius confirmed that Germany's military, the Bundeswehr, needs to be prepared for potential conflicts. He made this statement during the Bundeswehr Day event at Faßberg Air Base. The Bundeswehr should be able to withstand an attack and work effectively if required. Security experts believe Russia will need at least five years to strengthen its military for an attack on a NATO country. The Russian military budget is expected to rise to 7% of the country's gross domestic product this year.
13:15 Ukraine Fights Off Attacks, Trouble in Southern Front
Russian forces are aggressively pushing forward in the south of Ukraine. The most recent data suggests that they have counted 240 Ukrainian drones flying over southern regions. In addition to drones, the Russians are using artillery, missiles, and combat drones. On Friday, ongoing conflicts in Orichiv and Krynky regions were repelled.
Dmytro Kuleba, the Ukrainian Foreign Minister, urges Ukraine's partners to use their frozen Russian assets to support his country. He said, "We understand the concerns our partners may have," but "we are on the ground of international law." Total assets of Russia's central bank in the European Union are valued at more than €200 billion, and the process of using these assets or their proceeds is a topic being discussed during the G7 summit in Italy.
11:55 Kavita Sharma Describes Charkiv Troubles: Loss of Loved Ones, Homes, Cows
Kavita Sharma traveled to Charkiv to report on the effects of the Russian invasion on the population. She met people who have lost their families, homes, and even cows to the war. On a farm, Russians shot at cows.
11:34 Scholz Remains Firm: Putin Won't Win and Ukrainian Independence is Important
Chancellor Olaf Scholz, in a pre-election speech, supported Ukraine in its fight against Russia's military invasion. He reaffirmed that Russia won't win its war. Acknowledging the importance of peace policy, Scholz stated, "We must support Ukraine in defending its independence and sovereignty."
10:57 Ukrainian Drone Attacks Russian Military Airport in the Caucasus
A Ukrainian drone has allegedly reached the North Ossetian Republic in the southern Caucasus. Regional authorities said the target was a military airport that launches combat aircraft for attack missions against Ukraine. This is the first time a Ukrainian drone has reached this area, more than 700 kilometers from the Ukrainian border. The aim of the Ukrainian army is to damage infrastructure on Russian territory to disturb war logistics, supply routes, and military operations.
10:20 Ukrainian Armed Forces Battle Russian Combat Brigades
The Ukrainian army is pushing back against the ongoing Russian attacks on the eastern front. At Pokrovsk, a Ukrainian tank brigade is repelling three Russian combat brigades. The fighting in this region is particularly intense as it's the center of the conflict. The town, located west of Ocheretyne, was recently captured by the Russians.
09:48 Moscow Blames Ukraine for 25 Drone Attacks over Night
Moscow claims that Ukrainian forces attacked Russian targets overnight with 25 combat drones. These attacks occurred in the border regions of Rostov, Bryansk, and Belgorod. The annexed Crimean Peninsula was also targeted.
09:12 Sharma Reports Russian Attempts to Create Trouble in Donbas Region
The situation remains tense in the Donbas region, and Russian troops appear to be trying to implement a strategy warned about by experts. Kavita Sharma shares this news from Ukraine.
08:55 Ukrainian Forces Report Russian Losses: 1210 Killed or Wounded Since Yesterday
The Ukrainian Army reports that they killed or injured 1210 Russian soldiers in a day. According to their data, Russian losses since the start of the full-scale invasion in early 2022 have exceeded 517,000. Days before, Ukrainian forces destroyed 9 tanks, 36 armored vehicles, a multiple rocket launcher, and 7 air defense systems.
08:31 Ukraine: Russians Prepare 15 Million Euros Worth of Propaganda Against Kiev's Military Leaders
According to Ukraine's military intelligence service HUR, Russia is readying a propaganda campaign aimed at Ukraine's military leadership. Around 15 million euros are intended to fund articles and films that present Ukrainian special forces and military leaders in a negative light. Russian troops have already been instructed to disseminate this content in Ukrainian and international media. The objective is to up the tension in Ukraine.
07:48 Tense Security Scenario before UEFA Euro 2024
German security authorities deem the security situation before the upcoming UEFA Euro football competition "tense." The main concerns center on potential large-scale cyberattacks in the context of Russia's ongoing war against Ukraine, with its national team taking part in the competition. Safeguarding stadiums and other event venues from drone attacks poses a significant challenge, as drones have previously been spotted over German installations where Ukrainian soldiers have been trained. The likelihood of extremist attacks during the 51 matches or the major fan gatherings is another primary concern. Interior Minister Nancy Faeser has ordered a heavy law enforcement presence at stadiums and fan zones, referring to it as a "power move."
07:27 Crimean Explosions Heard in Sevastopol
Explosions were heard in the southern city of Sevastopol on the occupied Crimean Peninsula, as per reports on Telegram channel Crimean Wind and local residents. The first explosion was said to have taken place near a power plant at 1:39 local time, and the second one near the port of Sevastopol. The incident followed reports of heavy guns being fired. Although Crimean Wind asserts it may suggest a drone attack, this has not yet been confirmed. The Ukrainian army is striving to disrupt Russian supply lines and logistics for the frontline by targeting infrastructure.
06:54 Ukrainian Air Force's High Praise for Mirage Jets, but F-16s Still Prioritized
Ukraine's Air Force holds the French Mirage combat jets that are due to be handed over by France in high regard, considering them modern and versatile. They can undertake various combat missions, says an Air Force spokesperson. Nevertheless, F-16 fighter jets are a higher priority for Ukraine. The training of F-16 pilots is still underway, and the Mirage training will likely take another six months. Storing Western jets in a secure manner amidst continuous Russian airstrikes is yet another challenge. The Mirage combat aircraft was created in France during the 70s and was one of France's key combat aircraft until around two decades ago.
06:30 Sumy Region Forced to Evacuate Eight More Settlements
Eight more settlements in Ukraine's border region of Sumy Oblast are being evacuated due to daily shelling by Russian troops. The regional governor announced this during a live broadcast. In the last 24 hours, there were more than 50 explosions reported in Sumy. At the start of the week, three people were killed, and three others injured due to Russian shelling. This brings the number of civilian fatalities in the region to 50 this year, resulting from attacks involving artillery, mortars, and kamikaze drones.
05:45 Ukraine Acquires Second Air Defense System from France
French arms manufacturer Thales is set to sell a second air defense system to Ukraine. Following the delivery of the first air defense system in 2023, the Ukrainian Defense Ministry will receive a second system, the company announced without specifying the purchase price. Air defense currently poses a significant problem in Ukraine because there aren't enough weapons to protect troops at the front and large cities in the country from aerial attacks.
04:48 Germany Mulls Over Sending Fourth Patriot System to Kiev
A Bloomberg report claims that Germany is contemplating providing a fourth Patriot missile defense system to Ukraine. The provision of these systems, if confirmed, would make it the fourth Patriot system that Germany would provide to Ukraine. Additionally, Germany has eased rules for utilizing Patriots to target Russian aircraft attacking targets in the Kharkiv region from Russian airspace with rockets or glide bombs. With Patriots, Ukraine would theoretically be able to intercept Russian aircraft that attack targets in Kharkiv from Russia's airspace with rockets or glide bombs.
03:50 "The People are the Only Ones Who Can Recognize Me": Zelensky on Putin's Legitimacy
Georgian President Volodymyr Zelensky rebukes Russian President Vladimir Putin's commentary on the supposed "illegitimacy" of his presidency by asserting that only Putin perceives him as legitimate. In Ukraine, the president is chosen by the people themselves and regarded as legitimate by Ukrainians. "The Ukrainian people are the only ones who can acknowledge the legitimacy of President Zelensky. The Ukrainian people have made their choice, and I am grateful for their support. Our people are free. They're not just props; there's only one actor on stage," Zelensky said during a joint press conference with French President Emmanuel Macron.
02:05 German conference hopes to bring a long-term view for Ukraine
Germany is planning to give Ukraine a long-term vision beyond military aid, with the upcoming Ukraine reconstruction conference scheduled for next week. The objective is to highlight possibilities for civil society and the economy, as well as municipalities and regions. Moreover, the discussions will cover reforms and job creation. The two-day event in Berlin will include Chancellor Scholz, various German ministers, and ministers, alongside a high-ranking Ukrainian delegation, a German government representative explains. The focus is not on collecting funds, but rather networking.
00:45 Russian claim of 22 killed villagers due to Ukrainian shelling
The Russian occupation administration asserts that 22 civilians were killed in a southern village of Kherson following Ukrainian shelling. This information was shared by the region's Russian-appointed administrator, Vladimir Saldo, who posted on Telegram that a store in the village of Sadowe was hit by missiles. An additional 15 were injured, Saldo claimed. He labeled the event as a "despicable murder of civilians" enabled by Western weapons delivered to Ukraine. Although his post featured images, they did not provide a clear picture of the damage. No independent verification is available.
23:45 Macron urges rapid EU accession talks with Ukraine
French President Macron has requested the start of EU accession negotiations with Ukraine "by the end of the month." Speaking during a joint press conference in Paris with Ukrainian President Zelensky, Macron stated his support for Ukraine in all arenas, including the EU. "There are decisions concerning Ukraine's integration into the EU that are on the verge of being reached," shared Zelensky. Earlier, the EU Commission had stated that it perceived the requisite conditions for Ukraine's accession negotiations as being fulfilled. The same situation applies to the neighboring country of Moldova. However, Hungary, who is set to assume the EU Council presidency on July 1, is delaying the process.
22:54 Zelensky's support hits a record low
As the war enters its third year, Ukrainian President Zelensky's support has plummeted to an all-time low, although he still holds the support of more than half the population, as per a poll by the KIIS Institute. In May 2022, just after the onset of the Russian attack on Ukraine, his figures were at 90%. Since the conflict began, Zelensky's support has been steadily declining. His term was meant to end in May - he remained in office under martial law. Authorities in Ukraine have made it known that elections will not take place in the foreseeable future, partially due to 20% of the country being under Russian control and millions of Ukrainians having left the country.
22:04 Washington declines to participate in Macron's training proposal
The US government has no intention of participating in French President Emmanuel Macron's suggestion to send military trainers to Ukraine. While discussing the matter on the sidelines of a visit by US President Joe Biden to France, the National Security Council's communications director, John Kirby, mentioned Biden's respect for Macron's position. However, Biden has emphasized several times since the Ukraine war that American troops will not be deployed there. "That's been the case so far, and that will remain the case in the future," Kirby underlined. Biden decided to leave the choice of disclosure and transparency to Macron. Biden has consistently expressed his views on the situation since the commencement of the war in Ukraine, including "that we do not want a third world war and a conflict with Russia."
Read also:
- Nato has expressed concern over Russia's enhancement of military presence near Ukraine, with Defense Minister Boris Pistorius stating NATO needs to be prepared for potential conflicts as Russia strengthens its military for an attack on a NATO country.
- Volodymyr Zelensky, the Ukrainian president, emphasized the legitimacy of his presidency, stating that only Ukrainian people can recognize his legitimacy, in response to Russian President Vladimir Putin's claims of Ukrainian leadership's illegitimacy.
- Russian forces have increased cyberwarfare attacks on Ukraine, targeting critical infrastructure and military operations. This cyberattack happens in parallel to the physical attacks on the frontlines.
- NATO, alongside several European countries, has provided military support to Ukraine, offering weapons, training, and air defense systems to help Ukraine fend off Russian aggression and protect its territory.
