14:26 Federal Prosecutor's Office in Bern investigates suspected Russian agent
Swiss authorities suspect a Russian diplomat of attempting to procure weapons and dangerous substances, according to a media report. The Swiss Federal Prosecutor's Office in Bern confirmed that they have requested permission from the government to pursue a political crime in this matter. The Federal Prosecutor's Office and police have already conducted searches as part of "preventive measures," the department announced. Previously, the "Tages-Anzeiger" reported that a diplomat was under investigation who was accredited at the Russian embassy in Bern. The suspected agent surfaced a few weeks before the Ukraine summit, which took place in Switzerland without Russian participation over the past weekend. For his procurement attempts, the man reportedly built contacts in Switzerland. The Federal Prosecutor's Office also requested the revocation of immunity in this case.
13:47 Italy reportedly plans to supply Ukraine with Storm Shadow missiles
According to a report in "Il Fatto Quotidiano," Italy intends to supply Ukraine, in another military package, among other things, Storm Shadow cruise missiles. The state Ukrainian news agency Ukrinform reports this, citing the Italian daily. The Italian Defense Ministry is said to present the ninth military package to parliament at the end of June, according to the report, which does not mention the number.
13:02 Professor in Estonia convicted of spying for Russia
The Russian political scientist Viacheslav Morozov has been sentenced to six years and three months in prison in Estonia for spying for Russia. This was reported by the Russian-language opposition medium Meduza, citing the Estonian public broadcaster. Morozov worked at the University in Tartu, Estonia, until his arrest in January, and shared his knowledge about the political situation in Estonia and its relations with the EU with Russian intelligence services.
12:19 NATO General calls for response to modern hypersonic weapons
NATO General Christian Badia considers efforts to defend against modern hypersonic weapons necessary. For a credible deterrence, both defense and the ability to attack must be established, Badia said in Berlin at a conference. Russia is already using these weapon systems against Ukraine. The warning time could shrink to only about two minutes, it was reported at the meeting. Markus Ziegler from the German Aerospace Industries Association said: "Distance Moscow-Berlin: If you're fast, five minutes from there to here. Even Beijing-Berlin, where they say Beijing is infinitely far away, only 20 minutes."
11:57 Arson at Russian fuel depot likely work of domestic intelligence
The nighttime attack on a fuel depot in the Russian town of Asow is likely the work of the Ukrainian domestic intelligence service, a source in the authority told the Kyiv Independent. According to the Russian Emergency Situations Ministry, the fire covered approximately 3200 square meters. Over 200 firefighters were involved in extinguishing the fire.
11:30 London: Russia reportedly takes control of village near Avdiivka
British intelligence assesses that Russian troops have likely taken control of the village of Novooleksandrivka, about 20 kilometers north of Avdiivka. This would bring the Russian army closer to the T0504 highway, one of Ukraine's main supply lines.
10:48 Putin and Kim Jong Un plan extensive cooperation
Russia and North Korea are planning to sign a comprehensive cooperation agreement during Putin's visit to Pyongyang. Putin has approved the draft of the agreement from the Foreign Ministry, according to the Kremlin. The document is expected to be signed at the highest level, that is, by Putin and the North Korean leader Kim Jong Un. No statements have been made regarding the content of the agreement.
10:20 China rebuffs Stoltenberg's sharp criticism
The Chinese government has refuted NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg's criticism of China's stance on the Ukraine war. "We advise (NATO) to cease the attribution of blame to others, not to sow discord, and not to pour oil on the fire," said Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Lin Jian. Instead, NATO should take concrete steps "for the political settlement of the crisis." Stoltenberg had criticized China's actions regarding the Russian aggression in Ukraine during a visit to Washington the previous day. China pretends to be neutral, according to Stoltenberg, in order to "avoid sanctions and keep trade going." However, "the reality is that China is heating up the largest armed conflict in Europe since World War II and at the same time maintaining good relations with the West."
09:36 Twelve years in prison for anti-war symbols in Russia
A Moscow Military Court has sentenced a Ukrainian woman to twelve years in prison because she played an anti-war declaration and the Ukrainian national anthem from the window of her apartment in Moscow. This is reported by Ukrainska Pravda, citing the Russian opposition media outlet Mediazona. The 35-year-old woman also released white-blue-white balloons, a protest symbol against Russia's aggression against Ukraine.
09:00 Russian Navy trains for combat against submarines
The Russian Navy has started exercises in the Pacific Ocean just before Putin's state visit to North Korea. According to the Russian Defense Ministry in Moscow, about 40 ships and boats, as well as approximately 20 aircraft and helicopters, are participating in the maneuvers. The exercises are expected to take place until June 28 in the waters of the Pacific Ocean, the Japanese Sea, and the Sea of Okhotsk. During the exercise, the fight against submarines and the defense against air attacks are to be trained.
08:28 Putin's face lines Pyongyang's streets
Putin's visit to North Korea is noticeable in the capital Pyongyang: The streets are not only lined with numerous Russian flags but also with Putin's portrait. This can be seen in videos - among others, from the Russian state news agency TASS - on social media.
08:01 Munz: At Putin's North Korea visit, it's all about weapons
Russian President Putin is visiting North Korea today and tomorrow. Munz, NTV Russia correspondent, believes that Putin likely has weapons in tow. But diplomatic support is also important.
07:48 Rwanda withdraws signature from Peace Summit Declaration in Switzerland
Rwanda has withdrawn its signature from the closing declaration of the Ukraine Peace Summit in Switzerland, according to Ukrainian media reports. The website of the Swiss government no longer lists Rwanda among the signatories as of Monday. Currently, 77 countries and 5 organizations support the declaration.
07:22 Ukrainian military analyst confirms Russia's problems with artillery production
According to Ukrainian military analyst Petro Chernyk, Russia is experiencing shortages of explosives for artillery shells, as reported by the US think tank Institute for the Study of War (ISW). Moreover, Russia is reportedly transitioning from self-propelled to towed artillery systems, but is also facing issues with these, without further clarification. The production of more self-propelled systems is not possible for Russia, as it only has five to six such machines.
06:54 Ukraine reports destruction of all Russian drones in the night
The Ukrainian Air Force claims to have destroyed all ten Russian drones deployed in the night over the regions of Zaporizhzhia and Dnipropetrovsk. The Air Force announced this via Telegram.
06:28 Russia confirms destruction of rare Russian reconnaissance aircraft
Russian authorities have confirmed that the Ukrainian Air Force shot down a rare Russian Early Warning and Control Aircraft of the type A-50 over the Azov Sea in February, resulting in the deaths of ten crew members. The Kyiv Independent reports this. The Ukrainian Military Intelligence and the Ukrainian Air Force had claimed responsibility for the shootdown at the time. The aircraft was reportedly crucial for detecting air defense systems and missiles, as well as coordinating targets for Russian fighter jets. Russia is believed to have fewer than ten of these aircraft, with an estimated cost of around 350 million dollars.
06:02 Oil refineries in Russian Asov burn
According to the governor of the Russian city of Asov in the Rostov region near the Ukrainian border, oil refineries in Asov have caught fire following a Ukrainian drone attack. "There are no casualties reported so far," the governor of the southern region, Vasili Golubev, announced via Telegram. The investigations are ongoing, and the local fire department is working to bring the fires under control.
05:40 Kreml: Leading talks with USA over potential prisoner exchange of Gershkovich
According to statements from Kremlin spokesperson Dmitri Peskov, Russia has confirmed contacts with the USA regarding a possible prisoner exchange of inmate Evan Gershkovich, a 32-year-old reporter for the "Wall Street Journal." Peskov referred to comments from President Vladimir Putin, who expressed support for such contacts at the beginning of June. "They are continuing, but they must continue in complete silence," Peskov emphasized. "Therefore, no announcements, statements, or information can be given about this matter." Gershkovich was arrested by the Russian domestic security service FSB in Yekaterinburg, in the Ural region, on March 29, 2023, and is accused of espionage.
04:50 Detained US soldier pleads partial guilt
The US soldier detained in Russia, Gordon Black, has partially confessed to the charges against him, according to the Russian news agency Interfax. Black made the statement in court in Vladivostok, acknowledging that he was "partially responsible" for the theft but denying that he had committed it intentionally. He also denied threatening to kill his girlfriend. Several other US citizens are currently detained in Russia, including journalist Evan Gershkovich and former soldier Paul Whelan, both of whom are also accused of espionage.
03:50 Regulatory agency fines Nord Stream 2 operator for incorrect values
The German Federal Network Agency has imposed a fine of €75,000 on the pipeline operator Gascade for publishing incorrect values regarding the controversial German-Russian gas pipeline Nord Stream 2. The agency in Bonn reports that Gascade published incorrect data in 2021 due to IT issues, which suggested that the pipeline's commissioning was imminent. The market reacted to the false report and assumed that the pipeline's commissioning was imminent, resulting in significantly lower prices.
02:58 Putin thanks North Korea for military support in Ukraine
In the lead-up to his visit to North Korea, Russian President Vladimir Putin expressed gratitude to Pyongyang for its military support in Ukraine in an article published by the state North Korean news agency KCNA. "We greatly appreciate the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (North Korea) for its resolute support of the Russian military operation in Ukraine," Putin wrote in the article published on Tuesday. The article also stated that both countries were working to "actively develop the multifaceted partnership."
01:57 Russia reports heavy Ukrainian attacks in Kharkiv
In parts of the northeastern Ukrainian region of Kharkiv, Russian sources report intense fighting has broken out. "The enemy is sending reserves and attempting to launch a counter-offensive, but is encountering heavy resistance from our troops," says the pro-Russian governor of the Russian-controlled territories in the Kharkiv region, Vitali Ganchev. Russian forces have reportedly repelled the latest Ukrainian counter-attacks near Vovchansk, five kilometers behind the border. Russian troops had entered parts of the Kharkiv region a month ago and had taken control of around a dozen villages according to official statements. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy states that the Ukrainian forces will gradually drive out the Russian troops from the contested area.
00:55 DIW President: Ukrainian social benefits cut for refugees is populist
Marcel Fratzscher, economist at the German Institute for Economic Research (DIW), criticizes demands for a reduction of social benefits for Ukrainian refugees as "blank populism." "Nobody will be better off, and nobody will even have an extra Euro if Germany treats refugees poorly and cuts their benefits," says the DIW president to the Redaktionsnetzwerk Deutschland (RND). "The German state should not spend less money on refugees, but rather more efforts for a faster and better integration of refugees into the labor market and society," Fratzscher demands.
23:55 Most Ukrainians see Zelenskyy as legitimate president
A large majority of Ukrainians view President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, despite the extended term in office during wartime, as a legitimate president. According to a survey by the International Sociological Institute in Kiev, 70% of the 2011 interviewees believe that Zelenskyy should remain in office until the end of the conflict. Only 22% are against this. The Ukrainians contradict the Russian-propagated view that Zelenskyy's term has long expired and that he is no longer the legitimate president of Ukraine.
22:55 European Parliament concerned over Finland's deportation plans
The European Parliament expresses concern over the Finnish government's plans to return migrants from Russia, who, according to Helsinki's statements, have been deliberately sent across the shared border by Moscow. The draft law must be rejected, urges the European Human Rights Commissioner, Michael O'Flaherty, in a letter to Finland's Parliament President Jussi Halla-aho. The currently ruling Finnish center-right government intends to significantly tighten immigration law. Among other things, they submitted a bill at the end of May that would allow their border guards to turn back asylum seekers.
23:15 Peskov: Results of the "zero-draft" Peace Conference "striving towards zero"
The Kreml continues to speak poorly of the Swiss Peace Conference's results for Ukraine in Moscow. Without Russian participation, the summit could not have produced results, said Dmitri Peskov, spokesperson for President Vladimir Putin. "When speaking about the results of this meeting, they of course strive towards zero," he said. The fact that a number of Russia-friendly countries such as Serbia, Turkey, or Hungary supported the final declaration does not bother Moscow. "We will certainly take into account the stance of these countries. It is important for us. We will continue to explain our position to them," said Peskov. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Moscow labeled the conference a "complete failure," as quoted by Tass news agency from a statement by Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova.
You can read about previous developments here.
- The Italian Defense Ministry is reportedly planning to supply Ukraine with Storm Shadow missiles as part of a ninth military package, according to "Il Fatto Quotidiano."
- The Russian political scientist Viacheslav Morozov has been sentenced to six years and three months in prison in Estonia for spying for Russia, as reported by Russian-language opposition medium Meduza and the Estonian public broadcaster.
- NATO General Christian Badia is calling for a response to modern hypersonic weapons, considering efforts to defend against these weapons necessary. He made these remarks at a conference in Berlin.
- The arson attack on a fuel depot in the Russian town of Asow is likely the work of the Ukrainian domestic intelligence service, according to a source in the authority, as reported by the Kyiv Independent.
- On the occasion of his visit to North Korea, Russian President Putin is rumored to have weapons in tow, and diplomatic support is also expected, according to NTV Russia correspondent Munz. Meanwhile, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, the President of Ukraine, is stating that Ukrainian forces will gradually drive out the Russian troops from the contested area in Kharkiv, as reported by various sources.
