20:40 Kiev: 15 Russian Air Defense Systems Demolished in Crimea (Equivalent Rrike)

15 Russian Air Defense Systems Demolished in Crimea, Confirmed at 20:40 in Kiev

Over the past one and a half months, the Ukrainian military claims to have substantially weakened Russian air defense systems on the occupied Crimean peninsula. Approximately 15 air defense systems have been reported destroyed, with numerous launchers or control systems of S-300, S-350, and S-400 systems being targeted. However, these claims have not been independently verified. With fresh supplies of ammunition, including from the USA, the Ukrainian military has repeatedly assaulted unspecified targets on Crimea using rockets and drones.

20:03 Zelensky deems peace conference a success Following an international Ukraine peace conference over the weekend in Switzerland, President Volodymyr Zelensky views the conference as a positive step. "We've made the first tangible move towards peace in a unity that has never existed before," he stated in a evening video address. However, more actions are necessary. Ukraine has already prepared a preliminary work plan for the summer months. "We won't backpedal, and we'll keep our communication with our partners as active as ever," Zelensky said.

19:42 Russia labels "German Historical Institute" an unwelcomed organization The Russian authorities have declared the German Historical Institute in Moscow (DHI) an unwelcomed organization. The institute was added to a list of foreign and international non-governmental organizations whose activities in Russia are deemed unwelcomed. The DHI suspended its operations in Russia in 2022 following the Russian invasion of Ukraine. The DHI's library will remain open but can only be used with prior written notice.

19:20 Kiev targets multiple Russian targets In Russia's Belgorod region, a warehouse is on fire, and in the Oblast Lipezk, a metal and a tractor factory are reportedly under attack. These attacks are believed to be another drone attack by the Ukrainian army. However, the regional governors deny the damage.

18:56 Stoltenberg decries China's role in heating up conflict NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg visited Washington to advocate for more weapons deliveries to Ukraine and criticized China's actions regarding the Russian aggression war. "Giving more weapons to Ukraine is the way to peace," Stoltenberg stated before a meeting with US President Joe Biden. Regarding China, Stoltenberg said, "China wants to avoid sanctions and keep trade flowing, but in reality, it is heating up the largest armed conflict in Europe since World War II." The West should not accept this, Stoltenberg warned.

18:52 Denmark evaluates countermeasures against Russian "shadow fleet" in the Baltic SeaDenmark is exploring methods to restrict the passage of older Russian oil tankers through the Baltic Sea. A group of allied states has been formed to test measures against this so-called "shadow fleet" of aging ships. "The shadow fleet is an international problem and requires international solutions," said Foreign Minister Lars Løkke Rasmussen in an email to Reuters news agency.

18:24 Rod Stewart condemns Putin and supports UkraineSinger Rod Stewart has spoken out against Russian President Vladimir Putin and expressed support for the people of Ukraine. He has provided supplies to the country, rented a house in the UK for a Ukrainian family, and hired two Ukrainians for his crew. "I support Zelenskyy and the Ukrainian people and will continue to do so," Stewart told the British Press Association. At one of his concerts in Leipzig, applause, boos, and hisses were heard when the Ukrainian flag and an image of Zelenskyy were displayed. Stewart commented, "Putin must be stopped. I'm having the time of my life performing for the German audience." Stewart is looking forward to playing his remaining concerts in Hamburg, Cologne, and Munich.

18:02 Expert assesses SIPRI figures: what is the risk of nuclear escalation?With a focus on the latest results of the Peace Research Institute SIPRI on global nuclear arms buildup, an expert argues for strengthening conventional deterrence in Germany and Europe. However, the expert urges caution.

17:39 NATO jets intercept Russian aircraft eleven times over the Baltic SeaNATO fighter jets have been mobilized several times, according to Lithuanian reports, to identify unmarked Russian military planes in the international airspace over the Baltic Sea. In total, eleven interception missions have been launched in the past week, the Defense Ministry in Vilnius reported. Approximately two dozen Russian fighter jets, bombers, reconnaissance and transport planes, as well as a passenger plane were intercepted and escorted. Most of them were flying without a previously filed flight plan, transponder signal, or radio contact.

Intensifying conflict: Russia allegedly boosting attacks vs Ukraine in prep for US fighter jet deliveries and other Western military aid. Ukrainian Army Chief Oleksandr Syrsky mentioned in online services that Moscow is "fully in the loop" and after the arrival of the first Russian-made F-16 fighter jets, Ukraine will have the upper hand.

16:42 Putin curries favor, appoints relative as deputy defense minister

Controversially, Russian President Vladimir Putin purged four deputy defense ministers and appointed a relative, Anna Zivileva, to one of the vacant positions. According to Reuters, dismissed were Nikolai Pankow, Ruslan Zalikow, Tatjana Schewzowa, and Pawel Popow in Kreml decrees. In their place, Putin brought in Zivileva, reportedly a daughter of one of Putin's cousins, as deputy defense minister.

16:22 Ukraine: thousands left in the dark after rocket attack on Poltawa

Russian rocket assault on the Ukrainian region of Poltawa left at least 9 civilians injured, damaged power lines, and left an estimated 55,000 households and 2,400 industrial customers without power. Several high-rise buildings were also damaged.

15:58 Ralph Thiele: "Ukraine is winning, but on a thin line"

Military analyst Ralph Thiele takes issue with the West's handling of Ukraine's situation. Broken promises and delayed delivery of weapons have left the spotlight on Soviet-era weapons being used, Thiele opines. Putin's ceasefire proposition, however, is seen as "provocative."

15:33 Joachim Rukwied:Warns against EU membership for Ukraine

Farmers Union President Joachim Rukwied argues that an immediate EU membership for Ukraine could lead to catastrophic consequences for European farmers. "Our family-owned agriculture will cease to exist," Rukwied told the "Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung." The addition of 32 million hectares of farmland to the EU would undermine the competitiveness of numerous EU farms. For instance, a 200-hectare farm in Germany cannot compete with a 50,000-hectare agricultural enterprise in Ukraine. To safeguard the domestic agricultural sector, Rukwied demands import restrictions against Ukrainian agricultural products. In addition, corruption and subsidy issues in Ukraine need to be addressed before considering EU membership. Rural areas could face political disaster in future elections if the situation is ignored.

15:14 Explosion at Ukrainian troop training site in Czech Republic - nine injured

A military explosion at a Czech training facility for Ukrainian troops resulted in nine injuries. Two of the soldiers were transported by helicopter to the nearby University Hospital in Olomouc, Czech Republic. Six were transported by ambulance to the military hospital in Olomouc and one was treated on site. Accidents involving "unknown ammunition" occurred without further details provided by the army.

Update 17:00 PM: One soldier reported dead in the explosion.

14:52 Ukraine reports first capture of Armored Tortoises

Since April, Ukrainian forces have been tracking the use of so-called "Armored Tortoises" by the Russian army. These destructive vehicles are notorious for causing carnage. Videos circulating online allegedly show the capture of the weapon and the arrest of the accompanying team.

14:23 Putin sets off for North Korea and Vietnam for several days

Russian President Vladimir Putin is embarking on a "friendly state visit" to North Korea and Vietnam, according to Kremlin announcements. Putin's visit to North Korea on Tuesday and Wednesday was prompted by an invitation from North Korean leader Kim Jong Un. The visit comes weeks after Kim Jong Un made a rare overseas visit to Russia in September 2023. Russia maintains close ties with North Korea, causing concern among Western nations. The isolated communist nation, known for its nuclear aspirations, allegedly supplied ammunition for Russia's attack on Ukraine, according to Western intelligence.

13:36 German gov refuses to lower benefits for Ukrainian refugeesThe German administration disregards calls for reducing state benefits for Ukrainian war refugees. Spokesperson for the government Steffen Hebestreit indicates there are no plans to replace the citizen's pension with benefits for asylum seekers in the future for those who have fled the Russian aggression war against Ukraine in Germany. A representative from the Federal Labor Ministry highlights that with Job Centers' responsibility for Ukrainian refugees' integration, faster steps can be taken for their integration into the workforce. FDP General Secretary Bijan Djir-Sarai demanded in the "Bild" newspaper that "newly arriving war refugees from Ukraine should no longer receive citizen's pension but fall under the Asylum Seekers Benefits Act."

13:09 Up to 12 hours a day without power in UkraineContinuous Russian attacks against Ukraine's energy infrastructure have led to additional power supply restrictions announced by the state energy supplier Ukrenergo. Volodymyr Kydrytsky, Ukrenergo's head, notes the situation will get worse in comparison to today over the upcoming weeks. Ukrainians may experience up to 12 hours without power daily. Power supply improvement won't take place before the end of July, added Kydrytsky. Apart from intentional Russian attacks on thermal and hydroelectric power plants, maintenance work on nuclear power plants and unfavorable weather conditions can contribute to the issue.

12:38 Kremlin criticizes Swiss Ukraine conferenceKremlin spokesman Peskov considers the Swiss Ukraine conference ineffective without Russian participation. According to him, the results are "nearly zero." Russia is open for dialogue with countries aiming for it and will convey its position to them. At the weekend conference in Switzerland, Western powers and allies criticized the Russian invasion of Ukraine, but couldn't persuade major neutral countries to endorse their final declaration. No country was willing to organize a follow-up conference, and Russia had already indicated it wouldn't participate.

12:12 Ukraine's payment default not yet avertedThe danger of Ukraine's payment default isn't averted as Ukraine failed to reach an agreement in negotiations with creditors. In discussions with a group of bondholders, a consensus couldn't be reached on restructuring international debts worth around 20 billion dollars. Time is pressing: A payment stoppage agreed upon with international bond buyers expires on August 1, a result of Ukraine's economic crisis caused by the Russian armed conflict. Ukrainian Finance Minister Sergei Marchenko expects the talks to continue and anticipates reaching an agreement by August. War-torn Ukraine has considered plans since late 2022 to restructure foreign debts with major investors, and formal talks with bondholders have been proceeding for nearly two weeks.

11:59 Weber: Start of accession talks "extremely important psychological signal"Manfred Weber, Chairman of the European People's Party (EPP), welcomes the start of accession talks with Ukraine. No nation would support "our values" as much as Ukraine, as it fights for freedom and democracy. Therefore, the accession talks starting now serve as an "exceptionally important psychological signal" for Ukraine, offering them the chance to live like EU citizens, namely in peace, freedom, and democracy. Weber also mentioned some progress Ukraine has made despite the war, but much more still requires attention. The struggle against corruption is a significant issue in Ukraine, but the will is present, and the course is correct, explained Weber.

11:31 Russian foreign intelligence service threatens harsher peace conditionsThe head of the Russian foreign intelligence service, Sergei Naryshkin, issues a warning about harsher peace conditions with Ukraine. If demands for a peace treaty presented by President Putin are rejected, then the forthcoming peace conditions will be even tougher, Naryshkin told the state news agency TASS. He didn't specify who would make the decisions on accepting or rejecting the proposals. Putin declared his peace conditions a few days ago, which, however, amounted to a capitulation by Kiev: the renunciation of NATO membership and the return of the four regions illegally annexed by Russia - Donetsk, Luhansk, Zaporizhzhia, and Kherson. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky dismissed Putin's statements as untrustworthy.

11:02 Denmark considers limiting Russian oil tanker fleet in Baltic SeaDenmark is considering measures to restrict the passage of older Russian oil tankers through the Baltic Sea. The country has formed a group of affiliated nations to evaluate actions against the so-called shadow fleet of aged vessels transporting Russian oil, says Danish Foreign Minister Lars Løkke Rasmussen. This move may lead to a confrontation with Moscow. Around one third of Russian oil exports pass through the Danish straits, which serve as a gateway to the Baltic Sea. This represents about 1.5 percent of global oil deliveries. Any endeavor to halt these deliveries would increase oil prices significantly and strain the Kremlin's finances.

22:06 Latvia reportedly readying up for additional drone shipmentsLatvia has already sent off the initial batch of drones to Ukraine and is gearing up for a second, as per "Kyiv Independent". Defense minister of the nation, Andris Spruds, made the announcement. Latvia and the United Kingdom lead an international coalition to supply Ukraine with drones, which have grown increasingly vital for the country in the war. Spruds declared in May that the Latvian government would invest around €40 million in the drone coalition and a similar amount in the development of Latvian drone capabilities this year.

05:32 ISW: Putin deemed uninterested in serious negotiationsThe Institute for the Study of War states that Russian President Vladimir Putin appears to be uninterested in serious negotiations. In its most recent analysis, the US think tank writes that Putin "misleadingly shows interest in negotiations in certain cases to provoke the West into making concessions that would undermine Ukraine's sovereignty". It is "doubtful" that Putin will exhibit genuine interest in talks in the near future. Lately, he explained a victory scenario in Ukraine that relied on the assumption that Russian forces could make ongoing infiltrations on the battlefield without limits. Putin demanded the complete withdrawal of Ukrainian troops from the regions of Kherson, Donetsk, Luhansk, and Zaporizhzhia as a prerequisite for negotiations.

05:01 The Left trusts in the Pope for peace effortsThe Left in the German Bundestag also relies on the Pope in peace efforts. According to the co-chair of the Left group in the Bundestag, Soren Pellmann, in ARD, the Pope, as the head of the Catholics, could take on a mediator role, especially since China and India are potential candidates. Pope Francis could assume the role of moderator, mediator due to his honesty. In fact, the Pope has not been welcomed there since his latest appeal to Ukraine to hoist the "white flag." Putin's recently suggested conditions for peace talks are seen by Left-wing politician Pellmann as indicators that he is open to discussions. "This, albeit poisoned offer, shows that he is obviously also growing weary of war," says Pellmann. At the same time, Putin has expressed his readiness for talks.

04:37 Court date for US reporter Evan Gershkovich setThe trial against the US reporter Evan Gershkovich, who is being charged with espionage in Russia, is scheduled to commence at the end of June. The trial will occur from the 26th of June in a closed courtroom in Yekaterinburg, according to the responsible court. The reporter for the "Wall Street Journal" was apprehended during a research trip to Russia in March 2023 and has been detained in the Lefortovo Prison in Moscow since then. The prosecutor's office accuses the 32-year-old of working for the CIA and collecting classified information about the tank manufacturer Uralvagonsawod in the Sverdlovsk region. If found guilty, Gershkovich faces up to 20 years in prison. He is the first Western journalist since the end of the Cold War to be arrested in Russia on espionage charges. Gershkovich contends the allegations.

04:05 Peace summit reveals Russia's political mightThe peace summit in Switzerland has ended and sends a message of discord, according to ntv correspondent Kavita Sharma. "Several countries have not inked the final declaration," she explains. Meanwhile, weapons deliveries to Ukraine are becoming conspicuous.

03:46 Ukraine estimates Russian casualtiesRussia loses, according to Ukrainian estimates, 1,080 soldiers in a day. The General Staff in Kiev reports that this raises the number of Russian losses since the beginning of the large-scale attack in February 2022 to roughly 527,000. Russia also lost within 24 hours two tanks, 18 armored personnel carriers, and 14 artillery systems.

03:15 Putin's confidant for "further military actions" and "reunification" with UkraineWhat may underlie Putin's offer of a weapons truce to Kiev may be explained by statements from his confidant Viktor Medvedchuk in TASS. "Russia's safety interests demand the necessity of further military actions to combat the Neo-Nazi regime, to achieve full demilitarization and denazification," Medvedchuk said. "The Ukrainians want peace, while Zelensky and his western puppeteers want war, even at the cost of annihilating the Ukrainian people. And this people should be freed from this criminal Nazi power," the Putin ally, who was imprisoned in Ukraine on high treason charges and handed over to Russia in September 2022 as part of a prisoner exchange, added. "I have repeatedly said that Ukraine is mostly located on historically Russian territory, so the reunification of the inhabitants of these territories with Russia is a justified historical process that has already been initiated and will continue."

02:43 Over 2,750 prisoners reportedly enlisted for Ukrainian armySince the new Ukrainian military conscription law took effect, according to the Washington Post, more than 2,750 prisoners have been released to join the Ukrainian military. "I can rehabilitate myself," the 24-year-old Senya Shcherbyna, who served six years for drug trafficking, is quoted by the paper as saying. He is reportedly waiting for a conversation with recruiters and hopes to be deployed as soon as possible "to be more useful to society" than if he were merely in prison. The Ukrainian parliament passed a law on May 8 that facilitates the voluntary mobilization of certain prisoners. The recruitment of criminals, including heavy criminals, is reported by the Washington Post to be "the latest sign that Kiev is fighting to replenish its forces, which have been nearly depleted and exhausted after more than two years of almost uninterrupted fighting." In Russia, the recruitment of criminals - among them also serious criminals - is a common practice.

NATO Discussions on Enhanced Nuclear Weapon Deployment
The NATO member nations are currently discussing the possibility of increasing their nuclear weapon deployment in response to the escalating threat from Russia and China. As reported by the Telegraph, this decision was suggested following an interview with NATO Chief Jens Stoltenberg. Stoltenberg highlighted the importance of demonstrating NATO's nuclear capabilities as a clear warning to its antagonists. He mentioned, "While I won't disclose operational details regarding the number of nuclear warheads or specific deployment locations, it's crucial that we discuss these matters."

Decreasing Transparency on Nuclear Weapons
The number of active atomic weapons has reportedly risen, according to the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) in their annual report. Despite the reduction in global nuclear weapons for several decades, SIPRI states that the number of operational warheads has increased. This upward trend has been noticed since the initiation of Russia's military action in Ukraine, leading to a decrease in transparency about nuclear weapons for both Russia and the USA. Wilfred Wan, head of SIPRI's WMD Programme, commented, "It's been a while since we've seen such a prominent role of nuclear weapons in international relations, reminiscent of the Cold War era."

FDP Proposes Ending Social Benefits for Ukrainian Refugees
In response to a proposal from the EU, the FDP party suggests terminating social benefits for refugees arriving from Ukraine. FDP General Secretary Bijan Djir-Sarai spoke with the "Bild" newspaper, stating, "Newly arriving war refugees from Ukraine should no longer receive social benefits but should be governed under the Asylum Seekers Benefits Act." This decision aims to motivate refugees to seek employment opportunities. Previously, Brandenburg's Interior Minister Michael Stübgen and Bavaria's Interior Minister Joachim Herrmann has expressed concerns about providing social benefits, particularly to Ukrainian refugees of military age.

Attack on Charkiw
Charkiw was allegedly hit by a KAB glide bomb in the evening, as reported by the city's Mayor, Ihor Terekhov. A children's recreational facility was the apparent target, and a building sustained damage. No information about possible casualties has been disclosed.

Baerbock Warns of NATO and Germany's Consequences
Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock cautions about the potential consequences for Germany and NATO if Ukraine doesn't receive further support. Baerbock expressed her concerns to the "Süddeutsche Zeitung," stating, "If we cease supporting Ukraine, Putin's troops may expand to border Poland. The war will then extend to EU and NATO territories, and new refugee movements could occur. If Ukraine is no longer able to defend itself - and I'm speaking to those who oppose support - then millions more will have to flee. Those who prefer voluntary torture and occupation?"

Ukraine's Electricity Problems
Ukrainians must prepare for worsening electricity supply issues due to Russia's systemic attacks on their energy infrastructure in the coming weeks. Mykola Kuleba, head of Ukrainian energy supplier Ukrenergo, warned on Ukrainian TV, "The situation will become significantly more difficult in the upcoming weeks compared to the current state. There will be more planned power outages and cuts." The situation is expected to improve once repair work on two nuclear reactors is completed.

Injuries in Charkiw Air Raid
According to local authorities in Charkiw, three people sustained injuries due to Russian air raids. A pregnant woman, a man, and a 13-year-old boy were hospitalized, as reported by the Charkiw Regional Prosecutor's Office. The village of Pisky-Radkiwski was attacked by Russian troops in the afternoon, causing damage to over ten residential houses and an ambulance.

Yellen Refutes Putin's Asset "Theft" Accusations
US Finance Minister Janet Yellen denied Russian President Vladimir Putin's claim that the freezing of Russian assets abroad and their use to support Ukraine amount to theft. In an interview on ABC's "This Week," Yellen clarified that the frozen Russian assets will remain where they are. Russia holds no claim to the revenue generated by these assets, she added. Following Russia's invasion of Ukraine, the US and its allies decided to freeze Russian state funds within their jurisdiction, as explained by Yellen. The total amount frozen is estimated at approximately 280 billion dollars. Yellen continued, "A large portion of that, about 200 billion dollars, is held in a Belgian financial institution, generating income that does not belong to Russia. The interest earnings from the frozen assets will be used to repay the loan given to Ukraine by the G7 countries, amounting to over 50 billion dollars."

Intensified Russian Attacks on Ukraine
In parallel with peace talks taking place in Switzerland, Russia has reportedly increased its attacks on Ukraine, according to updates from Kiev. "The enemy has significantly accelerated its offensive and assault operations today, attempting to either breach our defenses or force Ukrainian units out of their positions," announced the Ukrainian General Staff. The number of engagements is stated to have risen to 88. Most combat actions took place in the Pokrovsk area in eastern Donetsk, where 36 engagements occurred out of which 25 were repelled, and 11 were still ongoing. This has not been independently verified.

Ukrainian Navy Deploys New Overwater Drone "Stalker 5.0"
The Ukrainian Navy has reportedly deployed the latest overwater drone model "Stalker 5.0" for surveillance and reconnaissance purposes along their coastline. This deployment is part of their efforts to counter potential threats and defend their territorial waters from adversaries. The "Stalker 5.0" is equipped with advanced technology to collect data and provide real-time updates on the situation in their waters.

In the confrontation against the Russian advance, Ukraine is utilizing overwater drones. The Ukrainian military posted on social media that they now own the new overwater drone "Stalker 5.0." This drone was displayed in Odessa. It is said to have the ability to travel at a speed of up to 75 hours per kilometer and can carry a load of up to 150 kilograms, whether it's explosives or something else. Its maximum range is around 600 kilometers. The estimated cost is approximately 60,000 euros.

At 19:36, it's alleged that a Russian journalist was slain by a drone strike in Eastern Ukraine. According to Russian claims, News.Ru wrote on Telegram that their correspondent Nikita Zizagi was killed by drones from the Ukrainian army. The attack reportedly happened near a monastery close to Vugledar, a city that's recently experienced heavy combat. On Thursday, a journalist from Russian state television was killed, and another was injured in a Ukrainian drone attack in Golmiwsky, a village under Russian control near the frontline in the Donetsk region.