16:07: Missile strike on Kharkiv leaves casualties

16:07 Kharkiv experiences rocket strike resulting in casualties.

Russia is once again bombarding the Ukrainian city of Kharkiv, resulting in the death of at least two civilians and injuring thirteen others. Governor Oleh Sinehubov made this announcement on Telegram.

15:27 Putin bashes Switzerland's planned peace summit

Putin has bashed the peace summit planned in Switzerland, claiming it's an attempt to apply pressure on Russia. The conference, slated to take place on June 15 and 16 near Lucerne, aims to impose conditions to end the conflict. Putin expressed his thoughts at the conclusion of a two-day trip to China in Harbin. Both Ukraine and Western nations hope that China would send a representative to the summit to add more weight. Putin feels irked because Russia is consistently criticized, yet not invited to the meeting. The Kremlin has repeatedly expressed its unwillingness to participate in the conference.

14:54 Bodycam recordings depict intense street battles in Kharkiv region

Ukrainian troops shared footage from the embattled city of Vovchansk. The fighting is fierce, but the defense remains firm, as per Ukrainian reports. NATO believes that Russia has currently failed to make any significant breakthrough.

14:25 EU establishes punishment for pro-Russian platform Voice of Europe and three Russian media outlets

The EU countries imposed sanctions against the pro-Russian platform Voice of Europe and three Russian media outlets. The entities will be blocked across the EU.

13:53 Putin regards Western sanctions as market distortions

Putin views the Western sanctions as part of an economic disruption damaging the global economy as a whole. He said this when addressing representatives of Russian state media during his visit to China. He deems these sanctions "absolutely stupid decisions with no prospects." He also claimed that the USA jeopardized their own economy by weakening the dollar with the sanctions. Putin refuses to link the sanctions to the aggression he ordered against Ukraine. He believes the West desired a competitive advantage.

13:41 Putin isn't looking to seize Kharkiv now

As per Putin, the Ukrainian city of Kharkiv, which has been subjected to attacks from Russian forces for weeks, will not be seized at present. There are no plans to take Kharkiv, Putin told representatives of Russian media in China. This statement was prompted by Zelensky's visit to the heavily bombarded Kharkiv region the previous day, where he reported a stabilization of the situation. Putin claims Russia is currently establishing a defensive buffer zone in the region since the Russian region of Belgorod is being heavily shelled from Kharkiv. However, many experts suspect the Kremlin aims to annex the Kharkiv region.

12:58 Political analyst: Private talks between Putin and China may not be so friendly

China publicly maintains a seemingly polite attitude towards Russian President Putin. Behind the scenes, their conversations could be far more direct, claims political analyst Thomas Jäger. Russia is excessively dependent on its strong neighbor.

12:28 Putin seeks to supply China with extra energy

During his China visit, Putin offers to enhance energy supplies to their neighboring country. He stated that Russia could continue to consistently and reliably provide clean, affordable energy, electricity, and heat to China. He expressed confidence that the strategic partnership in the energy sector would be further reinforced.

12:14 Satellite images show destruction at Russian Belbek Airbase

Ukrainian forces shelled the occupied Crimea for two consecutive days, specifically targeting the Belbek airbase. According to Russia, they intercepted five ATACMS missiles. Aerial photographs now show the wreckage of fires and shrapnel damage to fighter jets.

11:57 Munz observes fissures within partnership between Russia and China

Russian media report a 30-page agreement signed with China. Still, there are apparent cracks in their relationship, as described by ntv correspondent Rainer Munz. For one, China's potential participation in the Swiss peace negotiations might be a point of contention. Additionally, China would want to stay free from excessive reliance on Russian raw materials.

11:34 Ukraine announces expansion of Russian combat area by 70 kilometers

Ukrainian army chief Oleksandr Syrskyi reports that Russian troops have expanded their active war zone by almost 70 kilometers due to their offensive in the Kharkiv region. This aggression aimed to force Ukraine to mobilize additional reserve brigades. Syrskyi expects the conflict to escalate as troops in Kiev fortify their defenses in the Sumy region.

11:15 Video reveals results of extensive strikes on Russia

Ukraine has allegedly assaulted various locations on Russian land, including utilizing a drone strike on an oil refinery in Tuapse on the Krasnodar coast. Russia states that they have thwarted over 100 Ukrainian drones throughout the night:

10:31 Baerbock addresses the requirement for longer-range armaments

In light of the Kharkiv city situation, German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock is advocating for more weapons with increased range. The circumstances surrounding Ukraine's second largest city are described as "extremely grave" by Baerbock at the Council of Europe Foreign Ministers' meeting. The city of Kharkiv is being attacked from Russian territory, consequently, Ukraine's air defenses are ineffective. Moreover, Ukraine necessitates "firearms that are capable of medium and long-range strikes," according to the minister. Kharkiv is about 40 kilometers from the Russian border.

10:02 Putin and Xi bid farewell with a harmonious gesture

Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President and Party Leader Xi Jinping concluded their talks in China with a friendly gesture. In Berlin on Thursday evening, Putin and Xi initially shook hands and shortly afterward hugged each other goodbye, as seen in a video from state broadcaster CCTV. Putin's current stay in the northern Chinese city of Harbin spans two days.

09:26 Ukraine confirms four detonations in Kharkiv

Ukraine indicates that it has successfully thwarted all 20 Russian drones targeted towards the nation during the night. The military reported the shootdowns across the regions of Kharkiv, Poltava, Vinnytsia, Odessa, and Mykolaiv. Kharkiv's mayor, Ihor Terekhov, announced that four explosions transpired throughout the assault. One detonation ignited a fire. The regional governor stated that five buildings were harmed, including an administrative building.

09:02 ntv reporter: "Russians are drawing nearer to Kharkiv's city limits"

The war situation in Kharkiv is highly tense. Despite Ukraine's capability to secure the military situation at the city limits, "Russians have managed to stabilize their position" near Kharkiv and are approximately 30 kilometers away, according to ntv reporter Jürgen Weichert:

08:34 Russia acknowledges fatalities in the Belgorod region

Russia discloses that two individuals have been killed in Russia due to the intense Ukrainian drone attacks at night. A mother and her four-year-old son were killed in the village of Oktyabrsky within the Belgorod border region, as affirmed by Governor Vyacheslav Gladkov.

08:06 Sevastopol in Crimea targeted, according to Moscow Ministry of Defense

As per the Moscow Ministry of Defense, the city of Sevastopol in Crimea was attacked during the night. The local governor asserts that a substation has incurred damage. "There will be temporary power interruptions," he stated. In response to the recurrent shelling from Russia, Ukraine has boosted its strikes on Russian territory, regularly targeting energy facilities.

07:42 Alleged assault on the Black Sea Fleet port

Reports detail a presumed multifaceted Ukrainian drone assault on the Black Sea Fleet port of Novorossiysk. The Russian state news agency RIA discusses missile strikes in the region, yet neglects to specify the port.

07:18 Russia reveals over 100 intercepted Ukrainian drones

According to Russia, they successfully impeded more than 100 Ukrainian drones during the night. 51 drones were obstructed over the annexed Crimean peninsula, 44 more in the Krasnodar region, six in the Russian border region of Belgorod, and one in the Kursk region, according to the Russian Ministry of Defense. The navy destroyed six naval drones within the Black Sea. Since the unceasing shelling from Russia, Ukraine has escalated its strikes on Russian territory, frequently focusing on energy establishments.

06:58 Three fighter planes damaged in Crimea

As analyzed by The New York Times, three fighter aircraft - two MiG-31s and a Su-27 - were wholly destroyed, and another - a MiG-29 - was damaged in the Ukrainian attacks on the Russian military airport Belbek in Crimea. The "New York Times" also points out that a fuel depot was annihilated. On Thursday night, Ukraine attacked the airbase for the second consecutive evening.

06:33 Additional reports of a drone attack on a Russian refinery

Videos circulate about a purported additional Ukrainian drone strike on a Russian oil refinery. A plant in Tuapse near the Black Sea is claimed to have been targeted. Update at 7 a.m.: Local authorities confirm the fire. The blaze has been effectively contained.

06:14 Putin emphasizes trade with the northeastern China locale

Russian President Vladimir Putin intends to emphasize the vitality of trade close to the Russian border in northeastern China after cementing a strategic partnership with Chinese President Xi Jinping later this day. Putin ends his two-day journey to China in Harbin, Heilongjiang province, which has long sustained trade and cultural ties with Russia.

6:00 Russia Kicks Out British Military Attaché

The Russian Foreign Ministry has declared Adrian Coghill, the British military attaché at the Russian embassy in Moscow, "unwelcome" and given him the boot, ordering him to leave the country within a week. This move is a retaliation after the UK expelled the Russian military attaché on May 8, who was suspected of being an undeclared intelligence agent.

5:30 NYT: Select NATO Countries Ponder Sending Military Trainers to Ukraine

Some NATO member nations are mulling the idea of sending military trainers or contractors to Ukraine to train their troops and help service their equipment, according to The New York Times. Ukraine has asked the US and other NATO countries for assistance in training 150,000 troops near the front lines. However, the US is hesitant over the risk of attacks on the trainers that could potentially cause NATO's collective defense clause to kick in. Some officials propose continuing to train large numbers of Ukrainian recruits in Germany and Poland, similar to previous practice. But, this raises logistical challenges as it involves transporting a big group of soldiers. UK, Germany, and France are among the NATO countries considering sending defense contractors to Ukraine. The White House is also reassessing its ban on US defense contractors in Ukraine.

4:42 Japan: International Law Should Direct Distribution of Frozen Russian Assets

Japanese Finance Minister Shunichi Suzuki comments on the US proposal to use the interest from frozen Russian assets to help Ukraine. It's crucial that international law guides this discussion, says Suzuki, adding, "Japan plans to participate in the upcoming G7 meeting from this fundamental perspective."

3:11 Kim Yo Jong Denies Rumors of Arms Deal with Russia

Kim Yo Jong, the sister of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, denies any connection between North Korea and Russia over arms deals. According to the North Korean state news agency KCNA, Kim says weapons developed by North Korea were for defense purposes against South Korea. The alleged arms deal with Russia is labeled as an "absurd theory," made up of biases and exaggerations. USA and South Korea allege that North Korea is trading weapons with Russia for use in the Ukraine conflict. Both Moscow and Pyongyang refute these claims.

2:04 Air Alert in Kharkiv Ends After Drone Attacks

The air alert in Kharkiv has been lifted in most areas of the region. At least five drones attacked Kharkiv, Ukraine's second-largest city, as per regional governor Oleh Synyehubov. Mayor Ihor Terekhov reported a district hit by the drones. However, an air raid alert has been active in Kharkiv since Wednesday and lasted roughly 16.5 hours, the highest since Russia invaded Ukraine in February 2022.

00:51 US: China's Support of Russia Deters West

In light of President Xi Jinping's friendly meeting with Kremlin leader Vladimir Putin, the US government characterizes Chinese support for Russia as an impediment to their relationship with the West. US State Department spokesperson Vedant Patel states, "China can't dance at two weddings at the same time." Better relations with the European Union and other countries are deemed impossible if China simultaneously "fuels the biggest security threat to Europe in a long time," referring to Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

23:34 President Zelensky Warns About Dangers to Europe's Gas Infrastructure

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky warns of the risks for Europe because of Russian missile attacks on its gas pipeline system. He discussed this with Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk in a video message. Zelensky shared, "This puts everyone in Europe in danger, it's not just for us but our neighbors. We must act jointly against this."

22:06 Month-Long Power Cuts in Ukraine After Attacks

Ukraine's government anticipates power outages to carry on for months due to severe damage to power plants and substations. Yuri Boyko, advisor to the Prime Minister and member of the supervisory board of Ukraine's electric company Ukrenerho, reports that no significant improvement can be expected until August or September. Electricity conservation measures are planned for regions in Ukraine on Thursday, including Kiev's streets. The power grid has been gravely damaged by Russian missile strikes.

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Source: CBC News