17:36: NATO's head criticizes China over deliveries to Russia

17:36 NATO's leader criticizes China for sending goods to Russia.

NATO's Secretary-General, Jens Stoltenberg, is critical of China's involvement in supplying Russia with equipment for its war against Ukraine. "China's support is essential for Russia's aggressive war against Ukraine," he said after consultations with the foreign ministers of NATO's 32 member states. China supplies Russia with a variety of equipment that can be used both for civilian and military purposes, including advanced technology and semiconductors. Stoltenberg mentioned that nearly all of Russia's microelectronics come from China, accounting for about 90% of its imports last year.

Germany's Vice Chancellor, Robert Habeck, also believes that Ukraine needs more offensive weapons to prevent attacks from Russia. He stated that current military aid has failed to protect Ukraine sufficiently, especially after Russia targeted the city of Kharkiv from its territory. Habeck pointed out that Ukraine's allies have not done enough to support the country's defense efforts, so it's only natural that Ukraine defends itself by striking Russia.

Poland's domestic intelligence service is investigating a false report of a partial mobilization, which they suspect to be a Russian cyber attack. The state news agency PAP reported that Prime Minister Donald Tusk had ordered a partial mobilization for July 1, with 200,000 Poles set to be deployed to Ukraine. However, the story was later retracted, leading the Digitalization Minister Krzysztof Gawkowski to claim that the attack was orchestrated from Russia.

US Foreign Minister Antony Blinken asserted that recent military aid for Ukraine has led to stabilization in the frontlines in both the east and north of the country. This has allowed Ukraine to make significant gains, including pushing back Russian forces in the Black Sea. Germany and the Netherlands have agreed to provide additional air defense systems in support of Ukraine as part of a wider NATO effort.

Russia and Ukraine reportedly exchanged 150 prisoners between them, with each country releasing 75 people. The Ukrainian President, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, confirmed this on social media, while the Russian Defense Ministry also acknowledged the exchange.

The leader of the German Green faction, Britta Haßelmann, stressed the importance of Ukraine's right to self-defense in light of the Russian attack. She referenced the German government's decision to allow the use of its supplied weapons against Russian targets as evidence of Ukraine's right to protect its own people.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy expressed his belief that an attack on Russia using Western weapons was inevitable. He made this statement at a press conference in Stockholm while emphasizing that Ukraine has been defending itself against Russia's unlawful aggression for two years.

Russian President Vladimir Putin awarded US actor Steven Seagal, who holds Russian citizenship, with an order for his work on improving Moscow's relations with the United States. Seagal, a former action star, was happy to receive the recognition from Putin and was seen grinning into the camera during the presentation.

Finally, the German Defense Ministry refuted a report that one of its IRIS-T missiles was missing. A spokesperson for the ministry asserted that all guided missiles are accounted for and no weapon is missing from the Bundeswehr's stockpile. The "Business Insider" had earlier reported that a German IRIS-T missile was unaccounted for.

Summary:

NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg expressed his concern over China's support for Russia's war against Ukraine through equipment supply, highlighting how critical Chinese contributions were to Russia's military efforts. German Vice Chancellor, Robert Habeck, emphasized Ukraine's right to self-defense, advocating for providing more offensive weapons to help Ukraine prevent further attacks from Russia. Poland's intelligence service is probing a potential cyber attack from Russia after a false report about a partial mobilization. US Foreign Minister Antony Blinken stated that recent military aid for Ukraine has resulted in stabilization in the eastern and northern fronts, bolstering Ukraine's offense and allowing it to push back Russian forces. Russia and Ukraine have exchanged 150 prisoners, though details of the exchange have been confirmed. The leader of the Green faction in Germany, Britta Haßelmann, advocated for Ukraine's right to self-defense, referencing the use of German weapons against Russian military targets. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy asserted that using any weapons against Russia is inevitable. US actor Steven Seagal received an award from Russian President Vladimir Putin for his work on Russia-US relations. Finally, the German Defense Ministry rejected a report about a missing German-supplied IRIS-T missile.

After a period of inactivity, Russia and Ukraine have swapped prisoners again. The Defense Ministry in Moscow reported that 75 Russian soldiers, whose lives were at risk, were returned. Ukraine received 75 prisoners from the armed forces in exchange. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy confirmed the exchange via his Telegram channel. According to him, aside from soldiers, members of the National Guard, Border Guard, and four civilians were handed over to Ukraine. The last significant prisoner exchange happened in February.

13:41 China refuses to join Ukraine peace conference

China won't take part in the Switzerland-organized Ukraine peace conference because the conditions haven't been met. There's a significant gap between the conference's design and China's demands and the international community's expectations, making it hard for China to participate, according to Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning. Concerns about the matter have been shared with the concerned parties. It's been said that China is pulling out. "Based on the reports of all parties and the announced framework of the meeting, it appears that the three elements proposed by China are hard to implement," Mao explained. These three elements are: a conference accepted by both Russia and Ukraine, equal participation of all parties, and an unbiased discussion of all peace alternatives.

13:21 Scholz calls for caution: "We must prevent a major war"

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz defended his policy after making the decision to let Ukraine use German weapons against Russian targets. "We must prevent a significant war - a war between Russia and NATO," Scholz said at the Catholic Day in Erfurt. "We must also ensure that Ukraine can protect its independence and sovereignty." An escalation can't be averted "without caution," Scholz stated. "It can't be done without carefully considering each step and what it entails for this escalation risk." Closer alignment with our allied nations is also essential.

13:07 Russia holds US journalist Kurmasheva longer

A court in Russia has prolonged the detention of US journalist Alsu Kurmasheva until early August. The district court in Kazan rejected a petition for her release on house arrest, according to Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (RFE/RL), a US-based radio station based in Prague. Kurmasheva, a correspondent for RFE/RL's Tatar program, has been unable to leave Russia for a year. She's been in prison since October, and RFE/RL criticized the imprisonment as retaliation for her journalistic work.

12:43 Medvedev cautions the West: "The possibility of using nuclear weapons isn't a bluff"

Russia might use nuclear weapons again in the Ukraine war after the loosening of restrictions on the use of Western weapons in the conflict. Former President Dmitry Medvedev warned the West, referring to tactical nuclear weapons, which are designed for use on the battlefield and aren't intended to destroy the opponent entirely. The conflict could transform into a total war, as warned by Putin's confidant. A prominent Russian parliamentarian also threatened the West with an asymmetrical war. Medvedev's comments come after a shift in Western countries' stance on using Western weapons in Ukraine. Previously, these weapons weren't supposed to be used against targets in Russia. However, reports suggest that US President Joe Biden allowed the use of US weapons against targets in Russia that support the Russian offensive on Kharkiv, a northeastern Ukrainian city. These targets could include aircraft launching rockets on Kharkiv from Russian territory. Germany is also giving Ukraine free reign to defend Kharkiv.

12:18 ntv-reporter Sharma on US weapons: "They can strike legitimate military targets in the Russian hinterland"

The United States is allowing Ukraine to use American weapons subject to certain conditions against targets on Russian territory. The changing stance is being debated among NATO countries. NTV journalist Kavita Sharma reports from Kharkiv.

12:01 Pistorius: No renewed debate over Taurus rockets for Ukraine

German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius justifies the German government's decision to allow the use of German weapons against military targets in Russia as a "strategic adjustment to evolving situations." "This decision is right. It's what we've been doing since the beginning of Putin's war against Ukraine. We've always adapted to the situation and our strategy," said the SPD politician at a meeting with his Moldovan counterpart Anatolie Nosatii in the capital Chisinau. The debate over the supply of long-range German Taurus missiles to Ukraine won't be renewed by the government, said Pistorius in response to a journalist's question. They're discussing missiles with a range of several hundred kilometers. "And the boundary is still the same, even after the statements of our partners and ourselves."

The FDP politician, Marie-Agnes Strack-Zimmermann, who used to be the chairwoman of the Bundestag's Defense Committee, remains hopeful about the possibility of Germany supplying Ukraine with Taurus missiles. However, she admits her optimism is limited for now. She believes the situation is fluid, referring to the recent Russian attacks on Kharkiv. She emphasizes how the Western support for Ukraine is predictable and that being unpredictable in these times is critical.

11:32 Munz: "Atomic Threat" - Kremlin in Dilemma

Ever since the start of the war, Putin has been issuing threats against Europe and NATO. He also cautions against using Western weapons. However, different countries are still providing aid to Ukraine. The only option Putin has left, according to NTV correspondent Rainer Munz, is not really an option at all.

11:19 Zelenskyy: "Hunting" Russians

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated in an interview with the British newspaper "Guardian" that the delay in U.S. President Joe Biden's decision to use Western weapons against Russian targets has caused Ukrainians to be mocked and hunted by Russian forces. In Zelenskyy's opinion, the White House's excuses have cost lives. "I find it crazy that we have weapons and the terrorists who kill us are on the Russian side," Zelenskyy says. "They're laughing at this situation, it's like they're out hunting. Hunting for people. They know we can see them, but we can't reach them."

11:08 Orban: NATO Heading Towards War

According to Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban, NATO is inching closer to war every week. Orban thinks the plans of NATO to get more involved in the war in Ukraine are reminiscent of a firefighter trying to put out a fire with a flamethrower. It's ridiculous. A NATO intervention in Ukraine could lead to a world war instead of shielding NATO member states from danger, Orban believes. Orban has a cordial relationship with the Russian government and is against the West's support for Ukraine since the beginning of the Russian invasion in February 2022. At the Prague meeting of NATO's foreign ministers yesterday, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg stated that it's time for members to reconsider restrictions on the use of the weapons they've given to Ukraine.

10:51 Berlin Allows Ukraine to Use German Weapons Against Russian Targets

The German government allowed Ukraine to use the weapons supplied by Germany against Russian military targets. German spokesman Steffen Hebestreit confirmed this in Berlin.

10:46 Insider: Zelenskyy to be at Singapore Security Conference this Weekend

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is anticipated to attend a security conference in Singapore this weekend. Six sources informed Reuters about this and stated that Ukraine's support will be one of the main topics in the Shangri-La Dialogue, the most critical security conference in Asia. US Defense Minister Lloyd Austin and Dong Jun, his Chinese counterpart, are also expected to be there. Ukraine is attempting to secure participation in an international conference to find solutions to end the war and is accusing Russia of trying to prevent other countries from attending.

10:16 China: Fair and Impartial Peace Conference Demands

China has called for a peace conference involving both Russia and Ukraine. The Chinese Foreign Ministry's spokesperson, Mao Ning, calls these demands just, unbiased, and not directed against any party. China will not be attending the Ukraine peace conference in mid-June in Switzerland. This conference is organized by Ukraine, with Russia refusing to participate and not invited. "China attaches great importance to Switzerland hosting the first Ukraine peace summit and has been collaborating with the Swiss side and all the stakeholders since the start of this year," Mao notes.

10:04 Russian Defense Minister Belousov: Ukrainian Troops Retreat 8-9km in Some Areas of Kharkiv

Having taken control over more than 28 settlements in Ukraine, Russian military forces have pushed Ukrainian troops 8 to 9 kilometers back in a few important regions of Kharkiv. According to Interfax, citing Russian Defense Minister Andrei Belousov. Russia has seized roughly 880 square kilometers this year using drones and ballistic short-range missiles like Iskander.

09:52 Kiev Energy Plants Damaged by Russian Rocket Attack

Power plants in the Ukrainian capital Kiev have been damaged following a Russian rocket strike. DTEK reports that a power plant has been destroyed and the power grid in the Holosiyivskyi district has been wrecked. Private homes remain without electricity. The Ukrainian Air Force stated that Russian forces used drones and short-range ballistic missiles like Iskander in the attack.

09:28 Kharkiv Oil Depot Attacked in Russian Black Sea Port of Kavkaz

Russian attacks have damaged an oil depot in the Russian Black Sea port of Kavkaz. This port lies on the western coast of the Sea of Azov. The Ukrainian Air Force noted that Russian forces used drones and ballistic short-range missiles like Iskander in this attack.

Moreover, the global conflict between Ukraine and Russian forces is still ongoing, with significant developments every day. Both sides are making gains and facing setbacks. NATO countries like the U.S., U.K., Germany, France, and others have ramped up their support for Ukraine. In contrast, China has called for a fair, impartial peace conference, and Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban has warned that NATO is heading towards a possible war with Russia. A significant shift can occur anytime, so it's essential to keep following the news for updates.

Ukrainian soldiers targeted a Russian oil depot in the Black Sea port of Kavkaz during the night, as confirmed by the Ukrainian General Staff. This information was also corroborated by eyewitness accounts and videos circulating on social media. The depot's damage was apparently caused by several Neptune missiles of Ukrainian origin, but the extent of the damage remains unknown so far. The port of Kavkaz, where the attack took place, is located on the Tuzla Island near the city of Kerch on the Ukrainian Crimean Peninsula, which has been occupied by Russia.

The NATO Secretary-General, Jens Stoltenberg, dismissed any concerns of escalating conflict due to the U.S. allowing limited strikes on Russian targets. He stated that the escalation risk lies with Russia, who is attacking another country. Stoltenberg urged European countries like Germany to permit similar attacks using their supplied weapons, especially in light of the ongoing fighting in the Kharkiv region near the Russian border.

Ukraine's air defense forces have claimed to have intercepted four Russian Shahed drones and one Iskander-K cruise missile during the night. The Ukrainian Air Force commander, Mykola Oleschtschuk, shared this information through Telegram. A total of four Shahed drones were destroyed in the regions of Kiev, Zaporizhzhia, and Dnipropetrovsk, as well as an Iskander-K missile in Kiev.

The death toll from a Russian missile attack on Kharkiv increased to four with 25 more people injured. The city's regional governor, Oleh Syniehubov, shared this news on Telegram, stating that one more body was found in the debris.

The Ukrainian Defense Ministry reports that 1390 Russian soldiers have died or become unable to fight within a day, with a total of 507,650 Russian soldiers having been "eliminated" since the start of the war in February 2022. Additionally, 18 more tanks and 7728 Russian tanks have been destroyed.

Two people were injured and an oil depot in the southern Russian region of Krasnodar was damaged in a Ukraine air strike. The Governor of the region, Veniamin Kondratyev, shared this information on Telegram. The fire caused by falling debris from shot-down drones was later extinguished. The Russian Defense Ministry claimed that they had destroyed five rockets and 29 drones fired by Ukraine at Krasnodar. Drones were also reportedly shot down in the Voronezh, Belgorod, and Tambov regions.

On the Russian-occupied Crimea, sources reported several explosions overnight in the ports of Kavkaz. The Crimean Wind Telegram channel said that residents of Kerch heard eight to ten explosions with mentions of a burning oil depot. The Ukrainian General Staff reported that two ferries from Kerch were attacked by ATACMS missiles.

Finally, a U.S. military analysis revealed that Russia has been using North Korean-made ballistic missiles in Ukraine. North Korean missile debris has been found throughout Ukraine, according to a DIA statement.

Killed or incapacitated Russian soldiers: 1390 within a day (507,650 since the start of the war in February 2022)Russian tanks destroyed: 18 (7728 since the start of the war in February 2022)Russian drones destroyed: 29 (10,500 since the start of the war in February 2022)

Ukrainian forces targeted a Russian oil depot in Kavkaz overnight, as confirmed by the Ukrainian General Staff. Reports of this attack were also circulating on social media. The depot's damage was caused by several Neptune missiles, originating from Ukraine, but the extent of the damage remains unknown.

NATO's leader, Jens Stoltenberg, dismissed concerns of escalating conflict, claiming that Russia's actions were primarily responsible for any recent tensions. Stoltenberg called on Germany and other European countries to allow Ukrainian forces to strike Russian military targets, especially near their border with Ukraine.

Ukraine's air defense units intercepted four Shahed drones and one Iskander-K cruise missile during the night. According to the Ukrainian Air Force commander Mykola Oleschtschuk, these attacks took place in Kiev, Zaporizhzhia, and Dnipropetrovsk regions.

The death toll in a Russian missile strike on Kharkiv rose to four, with 25 more people injured. The regional governor, Oleh Syniehubov, added one more casualty through a post on Telegram.

The number of dead and incapacitated Russian soldiers rose to 1390 within a day, with 507,650 Russian soldiers having been "eliminated" since the beginning of the war. The Ukrainian Defense Ministry also reported that 18 more tanks and 7728 Russian tanks have been destroyed.

In a separate incident, two people were injured by a missile attack on an oil depot in Krasnodar. The depot's infrastructure was damaged, causing a fire which was later extinguished.

Reports of several explosions in the Crimea surfaced overnight, with the number of casualties and damage still unknown. The Ukrainian General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine reported two ferries from Kerch were hit by ATACMS missiles.

The latest military intelligence suggests that Russia is using North Korean-made ballistic missiles in the Ukraine conflict. Debris from these missiles have been discovered across Ukraine, according to the Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA).

In summary:

Ukrainian soldiers attacked a Russian oil depot in Kavkaz overnight.
NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg sees no major escalation risk as a result of the U.S. allowing limited attacks on Russian targets.
Ukraine intercepted four Russian Shahed drones and one Iskander-K cruise missile.
The number of casualties on the Russian side is high: 1390 killed or incapacitated within 24 hours, 507,650 since the start of the war.
Two people were injured in a missile attack on an oil depot in Krasnodar.
Explosions were reported on Russian-occupied Crimea.
The DIA has found North Korean missile debris in Ukraine, indicating Russia's use of these weapons.

The backing China gives to Russia is viewed as a threat to Europe's safety by the US administration. Officials from the US, G7 countries, and other European Union and NATO member states assert that China's endorsement of Russia 'isn't just a threat to Ukraine, but also to European security,' as stated by Vedant Patel, the US State Department's deputy spokesperson during a press conference. The US declared China's backing for Russia's conflict in Ukraine the day before and even went as far as to announce potential additional sanctions if Beijing doesn't reduce their support for the Russian arms sector. As per Patel, "The US is prepared to take additional steps if China fails to limit its assistance to the Russian arms industry."

02:50: A rocket attack on a residential building in Kharkiv claimed three lives

At night, Russia launched rockets from Belgorod at Kharkiv. Local authorities reported five instances of impact throughout the city, one of which was on a five-story residential building. As per the news outlet Ukrajinska Pravda, over 20 residential buildings were damaged. The assault on the residential building killed three civilians and injured 16 others, two of whom were children.

01:46: An SPD politician advocates for the use of Western weapons against Russian targets

Nils Schmid, an SPD foreign policy spokesman, recommends that Ukraine be permitted to employ Western weapons against Russian military objectives. "It's logical to lift any restrictions on targets on Russian territory," says Schmid in an interview with the Funke Media Group newspapers. "This must be decided by the NATO members together."

00:06: Scholz dismisses the likelihood of German soldiers in Ukraine and a no-fly zone

Merkel's successor, Olaf Scholz, spoke out against the deployment of German soldiers in Ukraine and participating in a no-fly zone during a reader's meeting with the Thuringian Allgemeine in Erfurt. He said, "We don't want our soldiers there." The "rash" proposal of a no-fly zone would involve taking down aircraft from other nations with your own, Scholz added. He also underscored that avoiding a war between NATO and Russia is a priority. The stance was endorsed by both US President Joe Biden and French President Emmanuel Macron.

22:25: A US insider confirms the use of US weapons in Russia by Ukraine, but with conditions

The United States are granting Ukraine the permission to utilize US weapons against Russia, but only in the Kharkiv area, according to an insider. This contradicts a previous statement from US President Joe Biden, who had stated that the Ukraine couldn't utilize US-provided long-distance missiles and other ammunition for attacks in Russia. The American administration's demand that Ukraine not use its own long-range missiles and ammunition for offensives within Russia remains unchanged, according to US government sources.

22:06: The Liut Brigade in Ukraine publishes a video showcasing street combat in Vovchansk

The Liut Brigade, a Ukrainian police force, is teaming up with other troops to guard Vovchansk, a city close to Kharkiv's border. The unit has now shared a video that showcases fighting in the streets. The Liut Brigade claims the footage depicts soldiers from the Tsunami Storm Regiment preventing Russian soldiers from occupying a building.