16:21 Orban imposes requirements on Rutte's backing for NATO leadership position
Hungary's Prime Minister Viktor Orban requests apology from former Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte for his offensive remarks about Hungary before supporting his candidacy for the position of NATO Secretary-General. However, Rutte must also sign an agreement with Hungary promising not to involve Hungary in any NATO military operations against Russia in Ukraine. However, there are no plans for such operations currently being discussed. Military actions by individual NATO countries outside the territory of the alliance are not binding for all members.
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz encourages increased European defense efforts in honor of the 80th anniversary of D-Day, stating that a strong Europe is necessary to maintain peace. Biden emphasizes the importance of democracy and alliances in his address at the D-Day commemoration ceremony. NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg confirms NATO's stance of no plans to deploy troops in Ukraine, asserting that there is no immediate military threat to any NATO members. Biden reiterates the American and NATO commitment to standing up to tyrants and protecting freedom, referencing the crisis in Ukraine.
A French citizen has been arrested in Russia for allegedly collecting military intelligence. Following a four-day tour of West and Central African countries, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov states Russia's intention to continue aiding these nations in military and training efforts. According to Ukrainian reports, two people lost their lives and 22 were injured in Russian attacks the day before. The attacks included drone strikes on a bus and other civilian targets.
15:58 Scholz sees D-Day as a reminder for increased European defense efforts
Chancellor Olaf Scholz calls for enhanced European defense in preparation for the D-Day commemorations, emphasizing the importance of a strong Europe economically, militarily, and socially and its role in upholding peace. Scholz reiterates Germany’s dedication to supporting Ukraine in its defense against Russian aggression.
15:46 Biden: Democracy is More Threatened Than Ever Since the End of World War II
President Joe Biden addresses the increased threat to democracy worldwide since the end of World War II during the D-Day commemorations, stressing the need to continue to support Ukraine in its efforts against Russian imperialism. Biden emphasizes the significance of historical alliances in securing global freedom and emphasizes the importance of NATO.
15:17 Stoltenberg: NATO Has "No Plans" to Deploy Troops in Ukraine
NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg affirms NATO's commitment to not sending troops to Ukraine, stating there is no immediate military threat to any NATO members.
14:46 Biden: US and NATO Will Not Avoid Ukraine Crisis
President Joe Biden reaffirms that the US and NATO will not ignore the crisis in Ukraine, with President Biden denouncing the actions of Russia's President Putin and the threat he poses to the freedom of Europe.
14:21 French Citizen Arrested in Russia for Collecting Military Data
A French man has been detained in Russia over suspicions of collecting information on Russia's military activities.
14:01 Lavrov: Russia to Provide Further Military Support to Sahel Countries
Russia aims to expand its military presence in West and Central Africa, committing to further aiding regional countries in the stabilization of the Sahel-Sahara zone, according to Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov.
13:30 Two Killed and Several Injured in Russian Attacks
Ukrainian reports indicate two fatalities and twenty-two injuries from Russian attacks in various regions of Ukraine. Attacks included a bus being struck by a drone.
12:57 Scholz: Putin's Sympathy for AfD "Embarrassing"
Chancellor Olaf Scholz criticizes Russian President Putin's alleged sympathy for Germany's right-wing party, the Alternative for Germany, as an embarrassment.
In a recent government statement, Federal Chancellor Olaf Scholz reacted to the positive words from Russian President Vladimir Putin towards the Alternative for Germany (AfD) party. He stated, "It's embarrassing how highly you've been praised by the Russian president today." Before this remark, there had been jeers from the AfD party members. Scholz replied, "You must have worked hard to deserve that praise, and the citizens will judge it well." Putin had spoken the previous evening at a meeting with representatives of foreign media, defending the cooperation between Russian officials and the AfD, which is considered right-wing extremist in some parts. He said, "We'll work with whoever wants to cooperate with Russia. We haven't seen any signs of neo-Nazism in the actions of the AfD."
Meanwhile, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg highlighted the importance of filling the supply gaps for military assistance to Ukraine. "In the past few months, we've encountered some gaps and delays in providing military assistance to Ukraine," he said during a joint press conference with Finnish President Alexander Stubb in Helsinki. The attacked country needs predictability and reliability from its NATO allies.
Ukraine is also demanding more training slots for its pilots learning to operate F-16 fighter jets, but the United States and other Western countries have reportedly limited the number of training spots available. Currently, there are 30 Ukrainian pilots ready to start training in the United States, but only 12 slots are available in the Arizona training program, according to unnamed sources in Kiev. Similar issues are reported in training countries like Denmark and Romania.
The Institute for the Study of War (ISW) reports that the fighting around the city of Vovchansk, near the Russian-Ukrainian border, continues. Ukrainian forces are aiming for maximum losses on the Russian side while preventing gains and gradually regaining territory. According to Russian military bloggers cited in the report, Ukrainian forces have intensified their counter-attacks in and around Vovchansk. The leader of the military administration in the city, Tamaz Gambarasvili, announced that Ukrainian forces have recently recaptured positions within the city.
Ukrainian military intelligence has also reportedly sunk a Russian tugboat in the Black Sea. Spokesman Andriy Yusov stated on Ukrainian television, "Another enemy ship was destroyed tonight in the Black Sea. The sea raid by the Main Intelligence Directorate (HUR) was successful and resulted in 'minus one' enemy ship."
Ukrainian writer Serhij Schadan, who received the Peace Prize of the German Book Trade, has joined the military service in his country. He wrote online, "I have joined the 13th Brigade of the National Guard of Ukraine, Chartia. I am undergoing training. I serve the people of Ukraine," accompanied by a photo of himself in camouflage clothing with an automatic rifle.
Scholz defended the supply of weapons to Ukraine for self-defense purposes, stating that the country has the legal right to defend itself against attacks, even if they come from positions within Russia. He added, "This also applies to attacks like in the Kharkiv area, which Russia carries out from Russian territory bordering Ukraine." The chancellor and his allies have carefully considered the risks, according to Scholz.
NTV correspondent Rainer Munz shed light on Putin's press conference where he focused on his threats towards the West, especially Germany. Russian President Putin spoke to representatives of international media for the first time since the Russian invasion of Ukraine, and he utilised the opportunity to issue threatening statements.
08:23: Russia Losses in Ukraine Tops 515,000 Soldiers
As per Ukrainian sources, the Russian invasion army has encountered a heavy toll, with a massive loss of 515,000 soldiers. As per the latest update by the Ukrainian General Staff, there was an increase of 1,300 more casualties in the past 24 hours. They also reported that 22 tanks, 48 artillery systems, a missile defense system, and 40 armored vehicles were destroyed. However, these figures can't be confirmed independently.
07:55: Ukrainian Drone Attack Halts Work at Russian Refinery
Reports from Russia suggest that a refinery's work has been halted due to a Ukrainian drone attack in the southern region of Novoshakhtinsk. Governor Vasily Golubev informed the media about the incident, stating that a fire ensued because of the drone attack. There are no casualties, but the refinery is one of the most significant in the southern region and lies around 10 kilometers east of the border. The area was previously targeted by Ukrainian attacks.
07:22: KNDS: Procuring Spare Parts to Assist Ukraine's Tanks Not Easy
Regarding the damaged military vehicles in the Russian advance against Ukraine, the CEO of the defense company KNDS, Ralf Ketzel, observed that it was unexpected to know it'd be about extensive maintenance in the region. "We don't have full information about the maintenance issue on the ground. Nearly eightty to ninetieth percentage of the repairs aren't handled by us, but rather at the front lines," he expressed to the website web.de. Procuring spare parts for heavy military equipment could be challenging. "This is also a consideration to make if the government accepts, 'We want to be combat-ready,'" Ketzel added.
06:54: Ukrainian Forces Repulse 17 Russian Combat Drone Attacks
Ukrainian troops resisted a Russian drone assault. The Ukrainian General Staff reported that they shot down 17 out of 18 Shahed drones in the Mykolaiv, Kherson, Zaporizhzhia, and Khmelnytskyi areas, and two Iskander missiles were targeted at the Dnipro region, although it's unclear whether any were destroyed.
06:25: Putin Warns of Stationing High-Tech Long-Range Missiles if Western Countries Allow Ukraine to Use Them
Putin cautions of potentially stationing high-tech long-range missiles on Russian soil in reprisal to Western nations enabling Ukraine to deploy some specific weapons on Russian land. He disclosed this to foreign journalists at the International Economic Forum in St. Petersburg, and mentioned specific weapons like American ATACMS, British, and French rocket systems as potential candidates. The exact location for the Russian missiles isn't revealed, and he didn't indicate where they would likely be set up.
05:52: German defense company KNDS Can't Expedite Delivery of Materials to Ukraine
The Managing Director of the German defense company KNDS, Ralf Ketzel, admitted that they cannot speedily provide Ukraine with the necessary materials. "Our capacity to deliver something rapidly is already exhausted," he stated to the German online portal web.de. "Two years ago, we'd have needed to make a strategic decision: This will be a long-term war. Then we could manufacture and deliver new material today." However, this couldn't have been foreseen accurately at that point in time.
04:22: Putin Endorses Closer Russia-Taliban Relationships
Putin advocates improving relations between Russia and the Taliban, currently in power in Afghanistan. "We've always believed we need to face reality," commented Putin at a gathering of foreign journalists at the International Economic Forum in St. Petersburg. Earlier, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov had shared that Moscow intends to remove the Taliban from the terrorist-designation list, which they'd been listed under since 2003.
03:32: Nawalny's Widow: Speech Freedom to Overcome Propaganda
The wife of the late Kremlin critic Alexei Nawalny received the Freedom Prize from Deutsche Welle. Nawalnaya, accepting the prize, assured that she and her husband's foundation would carry on his work. She also warned the European Union against disinformation and false experts from Russia, hinting that Putin is attempting to push his agenda. "My husband Alexei Nawalny was murdered by Putin, but he didn't silence his ideas," she said, and concluded with, "We'll continue to fight. In the end, freedom of expression will overcome the 'poison of propaganda.'"
02:44: Fire Occurs at Russian Oil Refinery
According to Russian media, a fire has broken out at an oil refinery in Novotsysharsk, following some previous explosions. Governor of the nearby region of Rostov reported a drone attack. Emergency personnel have arrived at the scene. The refinery was formerly targeted in a Ukrainian drone attack in March.
The USA anticipates Russia to carry out military drills in the Caribbean. "A U.S. government official mentioned to reporters that according to Russia's typical military exercises, we anticipate Russia to execute more complex naval and air force drills in the vicinity of the United States this summer," states an official from the U.S. government. These exercises would be viewed as part of Russia's regular military activities and would not constitute a direct threat to the United States. "It's about Russia demonstrating its ability to project global power." Despite this, the U.S. Navy will keep an eye on the exercises.
00:04 Putin endorses Russian connections with AfD
Russian President Putin asserts that there's nothing dubious about Russian representatives meeting with AfD politicians in Germany. "We'll collaborate with anyone who wants to work with Russia," Putin tells a gathering of major international news organizations in St. Petersburg. "[Russian] officials see no indications of neo-Nazism in the actions of the AfD." There's no formal connection to the German opposition party, but if someone favours positive ties with Russia, Moscow will back that person.
23:29 Putin: Claims of Russian invasion of NATO territory are 'Nonsense'
During a chat with journalists from worldwide news agencies, Russian leader Putin branded fears of a Russian incursion into NATO territory as "silliness." "Have you all gone insane? Are you as foolish as this table? Who even has come up with this idea that Russia will assault NATO? It's idiotic, comprehend me. Rubbish," Putin said. He also mocks the notion that he threatened to use "some form of atomic bomb." "But have I proposed the possible use of nuclear weapons? You wrote that, not me."
22:20 Putin offers to scrutinize the death of AFP journalist Arman Soldin
Russian President Vladimir Putin has expressed his preparedness to analyze the circumstances surrounding the death of AFP journalist Arman Soldin. "We'll do everything we can," Putin remarked during a meeting with journalists from international news agencies in St. Petersburg (see entry 21:25, 20:58, and 20:18). "I'm willing, but I don’t know how it will work out in practice, since he perished in a war zone." Just recently, the Kremlin had claimed it could not scrutinize Soldin's death since he was in Ukrainian-controlled territory. Soldin, who was 32 years old, passed away on May 9, 2023, during a rocket assault close to the contested Ukrainian city of Bachmut. He was reporting at Chassiv Yar in the east of the country on Ukrainian soldiers near the front line.
21:51 Lavrov seeks to establish fresh alliances in Africa
Russian state media report that Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov declared, while visiting Burkina Faso, that Moscow intends to send more military equipment and trainers to strengthen Burkina Faso's defense capacities. Since the Russian invasion of Ukraine, Lavrov has gone on his ninth visit to Africa. This trip is part of a diplomatic offensive by the Kremlin: Russia wants to form new connections. "Ever since our first communication with your nation immediately after the military coup in 2022, Russia and Burkina Faso have been working very closely in all areas, including the development of military and military-technical ties," TASS, a Russian news agency, quotes Lavrov.
21:25 Putin believes no significant change will occur in U.S. policy towards Russia following the election
Russian President Vladimir Putin anticipates no major shift in Washington's policy towards Moscow following the U.S. presidential election. "This is not significant for us," Putin told press at a media gathering in St. Petersburg (see entries 20:58 and 20:18). Russia will collaborate with the president selected by the American people. Putin formerly expressed a preference for an electoral victory by incumbent Joe Biden because he is more predictable. Putin also denounced the legal procedures against former President Donald Trump, who is running against Biden in the election on November 5.
20:58 Putin estimates over 6,000 Ukrainians are held captive in Russia
Vladimir Putin has assumed that the total number of Ukrainian POWs in Russia, after nearly three years of invasion, exceeds 6,000. The number is significantly higher than the number of Russian soldiers and officers held captive by Ukraine. Putin mentioned this information during a meeting with representatives of major international news agencies in St. Petersburg (see entry 20:18).
The Ukraine is holding 1,348 Russians in captivity while Russia is captive 6,365 Ukrainians. The accuracy of these numbers cannot be validated. Putin, in response to a question about Russia's war casualty totals, asserted that neither combatant makes official statements about them. However, the number of prisoners appears to be roughly balanced when compared.
20:18 Putin alerts against the utilization of German weapons against Russian targets
Russian President Vladimir Putin cautions against deploying German weaponry against Russian sites. "It's not worth it to use German weapons against targets in Russia," says Putin during a gathering of representatives from global news agencies in St. Petersburg (check entries 21:25, 20:58, and 20:18). "It's pretty risky and inappropriate behaviour." In response to a question about Germany providing weapons to Ukraine, Putin emphasizes that the weaponry used by the Ukrainians could potentially be used against Russia.
Vladimir Putin, Russia's president, has spoken out against German weapons being used by Ukrainian troops on Russian soil. He expressed concern at the potential consequences of such actions, stating that it would seriously harm Russian-German relations. This warning came during a meeting with representatives from major international news agencies in St. Petersburg. The delivery of tanks from Germany to Ukraine last year raised eyebrows in Russia, and Putin warned that if Ukraine were to use these weapons to strike Russian targets, it would be a major setback for the two countries' relationship. The gathering took place at the Lachta Center of Gazprom, as part of the 27th St. Petersburg International Economic Forum - the first international event of this nature since the beginning of Putin's conflict with Ukraine.
Read also:
- Amidst the ongoing Ukraine conflict, NATO leaders discuss the role of cyberwarfare and Russia's potential involvement.
- In light of the escalating military operations in Ukraine, calls for Europe to bolster its defense capabilities grow louder.
- Volodymyr Zelensky, the Ukrainian President, urges NATO to provide more military assistance and training to counter Russian aggression.
- As the Russia-Ukraine conflict continues, concerns over a potential cyberattack on NATO member countries arise, sparking a need for increased cybersecurity measures.
