Russia and Belarus conclude joint aerial force training.

17:07: Russia and Belarus conclude joint air force drills

Two nations, Russia and Belarus, are commencing a collaborative air force maneuver. This joint event encompasses air and air defense exercises, lasting from the 27th to the 31st of May, as declared by the Belarusian Defense Ministry.

Poland has decided to curtail the mobility of Russian diplomatic personnel within its borders. The restrictions are in retaliation for Russia's aggression against the European Union and Poland. The limitation applies to all diplomats from the Russian embassy and consulates, except for the ambassador. They will only be granted permission to traverse within the regions specified in their respective workplace.

A high-ranking German military advisor, Julian Pawlak, sheds light on the challenge Ukraine faces given the escalating conflict with Russia. Additionally, Pawlak discusses the importance of fortifying NATO's borders, citing Russia's territorial claims in the Baltic Sea as evidence.

Rheinmetall, a German company, has secured a significant contract, providing 100s of Panzerhaubitze 2000 gun barrels to a European client. The deal involves a monetary value in the millions of euros and deliveries scheduled between 2024 and 2029.

Germany remains steadfastly resistant to deploying a NATO defensive shield for Ukraine, citing their opposition to direct involvement in the current conflict. The German government's spokesperson, Steffen Hebestreit, iterated this stance while referencing Defense Minister Boris Pistorius and NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg's previous statements.

In a recent declaration, the NATO Parliamentary Assembly urged alliance members to enable Ukraine to utilize Western weapons against Russian targets. This call came as the spring session took place in Sofia under the theme of "Standing with Ukraine until victory." NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg urged member countries to allow Ukraine to employ weapons against Russian military sites.

While Sweden upholds their position of allowing Swedish weapons to be used against Russian territory, others in Ukraine hope that additional countries will also adopt this stance.

Ukraine claims to have launched an attack on a target situated 1500 kilometers away from Russian front lines in its hinterland using a drone. This hardware store in Orsk, near the Russian-Kazakhstan border, plays host to an early warning radar 'Woronesh M' which can detect aircraft or missiles at significant distances. No information pertaining to possible damage to the radar has been disclosed.

Poland, aiming to protect its eastern border and the NATO's eastern front in a significant project dubbed 'Shield East,' plans to construct "fortifications," various "barriers," coupled with "highly modern air defense systems." This endeavor holds an estimated budget of €2.3 billion, with the completion of 700 kilometers of sections anticipated by 2028.

In Kharkiv, the much-disputed city, Russian forces launched a strike on a hardware store where over 200 civilians were present. Videos from within the establishment depict the aftermath of the attack.

As a result of the ongoing conflict, judges at the EU are focusing on Ukraine's ammunition shortages. "Shield East," a program to secure Poland's eastern border, will cover extensive border areas with "fortifications," "barriers," and "highly modern air defense systems" to strengthen NATO's eastern flank. The €2.3 billion scheme is planned to be completed from 2024 through 2029.

Sweden accepts the employment of their weapons against Russian territory. The subject of ammunition and weaponry shortages plagues discussions between Zelensky and European leaders.

10:41 Germany offers more aid to regions occupied by Russian forces

The German government is giving extra humanitarian aid to the regions in eastern Ukraine being targeted by Russian forces. A total of 60 million euros will be provided, says Federal Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock. She spoke about the plan in Brussels at a EU ministers' conference. Baerbock says the areas are experiencing a shortage of everything, as citizens have endured Russian occupation for over 2.5 years. The German government is working with international partners to bring in this aid.

10:13 Lithuania asserts that Hungary hinders EU assistance to Ukraine in its stand against Russian aggression

Lithuania accuses Hungary of frequently obstructing any EU attempts to help Ukraine stand up against the Russian invasion. Lithuanian Foreign Minister Gabrielius Landsbergis makes the claim before meeting with his EU counterparts in Brussels. He stresses that this behavior is a clear obstruction against any significant role the EU can play in foreign policy. Even German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock calls on Hungary to remove the hindrance to providing more military aid for peacekeeping in Ukraine. Baerbock states, "We need to urgently persuade Hungary to enable us to support Ukraine for peacekeeping again." The EU ministers will discuss helping Ukraine further during their meeting in Brussels. Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba communicated his requests for extra air defense systems and other weapons.

09:40 Spain might offer additional Leopard tanks and missiles to Ukraine

Spain is reported to provide Ukraine with a dozen Patriot missiles for the air defense system and 19 Leopard tanks, according to "El Pais" newspaper. These weapons are part of the 1.13 billion euros aid package declared last month. Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez and King Felipe are expected to greet Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, who will be in Madrid. A representative for Sanchez refused to comment on this report. Ukraine has previously received Leopard tanks from Germany, of the 1A5 type.

09:09 Ukrainian strikes on Russian territory with drones

One person was killed, and another three were injured when Ukrainian drones targeted a Russian gas station in the Orjol region. This drone attack happened near the Ukrainian border, around 160 km away. A government building was also damaged during the attack, we're told by Governor Andrej Klytschkow through his Telegram message. A second drone attack took place after the rescue crews arrived at the scene, causing the death of a fire truck driver. Initially, three more injured were rescue workers. The Russian Defense Ministry notes that a dozen Ukrainian drones were thwarted overnight, including in the Orjol region.

08:35 Expert claims that Ukraine's aid encourages Russian terror

Military expert Nico Lange thinks that by aiding Ukraine, we're actually encouraging Russian forces to commit more attacks. He expressed this on the platform X. Lange highlights that Russian missile strikes on businesses in Kharkiv are war crimes.

07:59 Lithuania's election garners support in Ukraine

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy expressed his appreciation to Gitanas Nauseda, who just won a second term as Lithuanian President, saying "I value your sincere support for Ukraine." He mentioned that Lithuania is a key ally during these difficult times.

07:19 Kuleba: Russia sabotages peace process, requires unified global effort

Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba said that Russia has deterred peace talks between Ukraine and itself since 2014. He believes that this has resulted in "total war against Ukraine." According to him, there is a need for a unified global effort to push forward peace, which is why the upcoming summit in Switzerland on June 15 and 16 is highly significant. International participation is crucial.

06:36 Details about Russian border actions remain unclear

According to reports, Russian troops are assembling near the Ukrainian border, as stated by Ukrainian President Zelenskyy. The intention of this Russian maneuver is thought to be pinning down Ukrainian forces and luring them, as well as preparing for subsequent offensives to increase Russia's impact in the bordering area. The Institute for the Study of War (ISW) discovered satellite images that show the Russian military's activities have recently expanded to storage facilities and settlements in the region around Graiworon-Borissowka-Proletarski in Belgorod's western region. The exact extent of the probable Russian troop gathering remains unclear, according to the US think tank.

05:59 Klitschko seeks hope from Western allies following the destruction of civilians in Kharkiv

The impact of the attack on a hardware store in Kharkiv, which resulted in significant casualties, remains profound. Vitali Klitschko, who posted his thoughts on the X platform, stated, "These Ukrainians were killed by Russian bombs because we didn't have adequate air defense. When will the countries that possess Patriot systems end their waiting?" To attack targets inside Russia, Klitschko argues that it is essential to own Western armaments. "The planes that release bombs on our citizens take off from Russian airfields. We must destroy these planes there."

05:16 Another night air alert in southern Ukraine

In southern Ukraine, an additional air alert is in effect at night. The Ukrainian military is keeping tabs on a Russian stealth bomber Su-57 over the Black Sea as well as warning of cruise missile launches.

04:57 Zelensky: The West should allow preventive strikes against Russia

The Ukrainian president Zelensky urges the West to let Ukraine attack targets within Russia with foreign weapons following the devastating bombings in the border city of Kharkiv. Zelensky declared in his video address that many foreign politicians and organizations have voiced their sympathies and denounced Russia. "This condemnation should lead to appropriate actions." Ukraine needs more air defense as well as the ability to attack Russian territory with foreign armaments, he added. "We can see every Russian troop concentration. We know the locations where Russian rockets and combat aircraft are launched," he stressed. It is a political decision to allow the preventive destruction of these forces prior to their attacking Ukraine.

01:40 Four civilians killed by Russian artillery fire

The Ukrainian prosecutor's office reported that three individuals lost their lives due to Russian artillery fire in the Donetsk region. Civilians were wounded in Siversk, in the north of the region, as well as in Krasnohorivka and Chassiv Yar, further south. The prosecutor's office of the Kharkiv region reported one more death near the city of Chuhuiv.

00:47 Zelensky travels to Spain

UIkrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is due to pay a visit to Spain today. Zelensky will be welcomed by the Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez in the afternoon, the Spanish government in Madrid declared. Then, a press conference will commence. Zelensky initially intended to visit Spain on May 17. Owing to the situation in the Kharkiv region, he canceled his trip hastily.

23:18 Macron insists on ongoing Western support for Ukraine's defense against Russia

French President Emmanuel Macron warned against backing off in support of Ukraine's resistance to Russia. "Supporting peace today means strengthening the law. Peace is not surrendering. Peace is not abandoning norms," Macron said during his state trip to Germany. "Peace signifies granting a country the opportunity to defend its borders and sovereignty," he continued. Macron emphasized that both Germany and France would stress in their Defense and Security Council meeting on Tuesday that they would assist Ukraine "till the end" in its endeavor to withstand, "to exhaust, train, and prepare for an enduring peace - a peace that conforms to international law."

22:22 Medvedev threatens Poland with "radioactive dust"

Following comments made by Polish Foreign Minister Radoslaw Sikorski on how the US might retaliate to a Russian nuclear attack on Ukraine, Russia's former president, Dmitry Medvedev, issued a warning to Poland. Medvedev posted on his Telegram channel: "If the Americans target our facilities, it would imply a world war, and a foreign minister, even from a nation like Poland, should understand that." Warsaw will undoubtedly suffer aspects of "radioactive ash," he added.

10:00 PM: Zelenskyy speaks to the media from Central Asia for the first time

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy conducted his first interview with Central Asian media, particularly those from Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, and Kyrgyzstan. The interview was publicized by the Kazakh media outlet "Orda" on YouTube. Regarding a potential ceasefire with Russia, Zelenskyy said he saw no conceivable possibility for an agreement.

Vladimir Putin, the Russian President, has entered Uzbekistan for a state visit, according to reports from Russian state media outlets. His reception at Tashkent's airport was carried out by Shavkat Mirziyoyev, the President of the Central Asian country with a population of 37 million. During their two-day stay, Putin and Mirziyoyev are expected to discuss the future of their countries' bilateral relations and current regional issues. The Kremlin has announced plans to sign a "comprehensive package of bilateral documents" by the end of their visit.

9:20 PM: Ukrainian Command Reports Ongoing Battles with Russian Forces

The Ukrainian military has reported 83 battles with Russian troops on Sunday, while the Russians are reportedly working hard to break through Ukraine's defense lines. In a statement on social media, the Ukrainian General Staff mentioned that Ukrainian troops are taking steps to fortify their positions and eliminate the enemy's offensive capabilities. The situation near Kharkiv has remained static, while the Russian forces are advancing towards Vovchansk and Lyptsi.

9:00 PM: Ukrainian Demonstrators Gather in Front of the US Embassy in Kyiv

In Ukraine, there is a growing sense of confusion among the public regarding the ban on Ukrainian forces using Western-supplied weapons to attack Russian territory. Approximately 150 people gathered outside the US Embassy in Kyiv to demand an end to the restriction. Journalist Stephan Richter, reporting for NTV, was present at the scene.

9:00 PM: Continuous Protests in Tbilisi on Georgian Independence Day

Thousands of demonstrators participated in a "Freedom March" through Tbilisi, Georgia's capital city, to celebrate Georgian Independence Day. Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (RFE/RL) reported that the participants waved the flags of Georgia and the European Union while chanting slogans criticizing the controversial law on "foreign influence." They activated their mobile phones' flashlights and called out, "No to the Russian law!" and "No to the Russian regime!" Georgian President Salome Zurabishvili had previously addressed a recruiting ceremony at Freedom Square in Tbilisi, decrying the "shadow of Russia" hanging over Georgia.

Please find the initial report here.