17:46 Scholz affirms: Ukrainian rebuilding effort largely relies upon German enterprises
Federal Chancellor Olaf Scholz praises German businesses for their backing of Ukraine, particularly its reconstruction. This was reported by the SPD politician during a speech at the "Industry Day" conference in Berlin, as per a Ukrinform correspondent. "German business leaders are crucial in aiding and rebuilding Ukraine and the broader European region" today, the Chancellor supposedly stated.
17:18 Zelenskyy anticipates signing of security treaties in Brussels
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy will reportedly hold political discussions in Brussels later in the week. EU officials told the German Press Agency that a security agreement between Ukraine and the EU is expected to be signed. The text has been under development for months. Zelenskyy might also attend the summit of the EU heads of state and government of the 27 countries on Thursday, but confirmation for this exists so far. The security treaties stem from an initiative of G7 member countries. They agreed during the NATO summit in Vilnius, Lithuania last year, that individual nations should conclude bilateral agreements with Ukraine to ensure its long-term security. The EU is on board with this. The treaties guarantee weapons shipments, financial aid, and political cooperation for Ukraine. They are designed to bridge the time until the aspired NATO membership for the country.
16:55 Foreign Ministry spokesperson on Dobrindt's proposal: No safe zones in Ukraine
The suggestion made by CSU state group leader Alexander Dobrindt to send jobless refugees from Ukraine back to safe areas in their home country has met with rejection from the Foreign Ministry. The spokesperson noted that Russia is targeting both eastern and western Ukraine, and Moscow is waging an unlawful war of aggression against all of Ukraine. "I wouldn't know where a safe place in Ukraine would be now," the spokesperson said to Bild am Sonntag. Dobrindt called for jobs as a condition for a residence permit for Ukrainian refugees over the weekend. "Either employment in Germany or return to safe zones in western Ukraine," he said. The coalition parties of the SPD, Greens, and FDP criticized the proposal and accused Dobrindt of pandering to the populace.
16:36 Russia threatens retaliation for new EU sanctions
Russia threatens repercussions for the new EU sanctions. The Foreign Ministry in Moscow stated that it plans to respond with the "necessary countermeasures" to any negative actions from the West. The sanctions are unlawful, it said in a statement. The list of persons banned from entering Russia has been significantly expanded, it continued. No further information was provided. Beforehand, the EU nations had passed the 14th sanctions package against Russia. Among other things, investments in Russian liquefied natural gas projects are to be barred.
16:20 Zelenskyy: Ukraine strikes more than 30 Russian oil sector targets
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated that Ukraine attacked more than 30 targets in Russia's oil industry, including refineries, terminals, and storage facilities. He did not specify a date range for the strikes or any additional details. As of yet, Russia has not released a statement on the matter. Ukraine has been intensifying its attacks on Russian oil infrastructure this year. Russia earns significant revenue from these oil exports.
16:01 Retired general cautions against optimism: Kiev's negotiating position is "significantly weakened"
Despite recent Ukrainian successes in the Black Sea, retired German military officer Wolfgang Richter from the Geneva Center for Security Policy advises against excessive optimism. Russia might respond with "substantial resources," Richter pointed out. In addition to military backing, he noted, it would need an exit strategy.
15:34 Eight killed, dozens injured in Russian assaults in Ukraine
According to Ukrainian reports, at least eight people have died and numerous others have been wounded in Russian attacks on targets in eastern Ukraine and the southern port city of Odessa. In Donetsk's eastern region, Governor Wadym Filaschkin reported that at least four people perished and 34 others were injured, including two children, from rocket strikes on the city of Pokrovsk. Filaschkin stated that the Russian troops fired two Iskander-M missiles at the city and destroyed several buildings. The attacks on civilians have been among the largest recent instances, Filaschkin added. A man was also reportedly killed by a Russian attack on the city of Kurachowe further south. "The Russians assaulted the city with a guided missile and caused damage to an infrastructure facility," the governor said, without providing additional details.
15:11 Germany, France, and Poland plan coalition to develop long-range weapons
Germany, France, and Poland intend to form a coalition of European nations for the development of long-range weaponry. "Long-range weaponry represents a significant capability gap in Europe," explained German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius of the SPD in Paris. Several countries should make known their intentions to close this gap mid to long-term before the NATO summit in July, Pistorius stated. A corresponding statement could then be signed at the NATO summit in Washington. "We will demonstrate in Washington how powerful and dependable the Europeans are," Pistorius said during a meeting with his French and Polish colleagues, Sébastien Lecornu and Wladyslaw Kosiniak-Kamysz. "We will show in Washington how effectively the Europeans can contribute," Pistorius added. He referred to the fact that 23 European allies, including Germany, had already reached or surpassed the two-percent NATO spending target for defense.
Following the devastating Ukrainian rocket blast over a beach on the annexed Crimean Peninsula,tickets for "peaceful vacations" on Crimea are rebranded as "civilian occupancy" by Kiev authorities. Gregarious aide to the president, Mychajlo Podoljak, expresses his disdain aptly over Telegram, mocking the notion of tranquility on Crimea which unabashedly houses hundreds of Russian military targets, with ongoing skirmishes. Two days ago, a Ukrainian rocket detonated at a public beach near the naval base Sevastopol, claiming the lives of at least four individuals and injuring over a hundred.
14:18: Zelenskyy orders inquiry into Presidential Guard
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy demands an investigation into the Presidential Guard after reports of assassination plots within the Security Services emerged. During the introduction of the new head of the Presidential Guard, Olexij Morosow, Zelenskyy emphasized that only those loyal to Ukraine should join the Guard. He pledged to sever ties with anyone who disavows Ukraine or discredits the Guard. In early May, the Security Service SBU claimed they had arrested two high-ranking members of the Guard, suspected of planning the president's elimination and that of other Ukrainian officials.
13:52: Deaths and injuries in attack on Pokrovsk
At least four individuals meet their end and 34 others are injured in a Russian rocket barrage in the eastern Ukrainian city of Pokrovsk, as per regional figures, with two children among the wounded.
13:32: EU forces unwilling Hungarian military aid for Ukraine
The EU is compelling Hungary to donate military aid for Ukraine, with an estimated 1.4 billion Euros set aside for military assistance. The plan was approved at a meeting of foreign ministers in Luxembourg, according to diplomats from the German Press Agency.
13:16: Ukraine reports casualties from Russian mine
In the region of Kharkiv, two individuals lose their lives from an explosion of a Russian landmine. The head of the regional military administration shared this update via Telegram, as reported by Ukrainian state news agency Ukrinform. It is said that a car carrying two passengers drove over the mine in the morning. One man expired at the scene, while a woman succumbed to her wounds en route to the hospital.
12:52: German government denies expulsion of unwilling Ukrainians
The German government stands firm against the expulsion of Ukrainian immigrants who are apathetic towards their stay in Germany. A Foreign Office representative in Berlin cited the continuous barrage of Russian attacks throughout Ukraine, coupled with efforts to decimate infrastructure in western areas, to justify his stance. Alexander Dobrindt, a member of the CSU, had proposed "safe sanctuaries" in western Ukraine, to which the German government responded negatively.
12:21: Russia threatens repercussions after Crimea rocket attack
In retaliation for the Ukrainian rocket strike on the annexed Crimean Peninsula, which claimed at least 4 lives and injured over a hundred, Russia warns of repercussions. Presidential spokesperson Dmitri Peskov hinted at potential consequences without disclosing details. Russia is expected to retaliate against any US involvement in this conflict, citing previous threats to deploy rockets within striking distance of the US and its allies in Europe. According to Russian sources, five US-supplied Ukrainian rockets, allegedly armed with cluster munitions, were fired towards the Crimea, with four being shot down by air defense, and the fifth detonating in mid-air. Debris from the explosion fell near a beach.
For more updates, click here.
11:58:Russia expert: Crimea rocket not aimed at tourists
According to Russian expert Niko Karasek, debris from the Ukrainian rocket blast on the annexed Crimean Peninsula that left casualties, including at the beach, didn't intentionally target tourists. He attributed the accident to the random scattering of debris on beachgoers.
11:35:Sewastopol declares state of emergency
A day after the catastrophic Ukrainian rocket attack, the authorities in Sewastopol, the port city on the annexed Crimea, have imposed a state of emergency. According to official reports, the attack resulted in the deaths of four individuals and 151 injuries, with 79 victims still hospitalized. Most of the victims were sunbathing at a city beach in Sewastopol when rocket debris fell and detonated. Initially, the Russian military took responsibility for the missile launch, but later retracted their statement and asserted that the Ukrainian assailants targeted civilians. Even the Russian military websites harbor mixed views over this claim. Surrounding the city, military targets are rife.
11:01:Germany criticized for lenient new Russia sanctions package
After the decision to enforce new sanctions against Russia, criticism is pouring in from the Baltic states towards Germany. Gabrielius Landsbergis, Lithuania's Foreign Minister, laments the sanctions as "regrettably weaker" than anticipated. His counterpart from Estonia, Margus Tsahkna, expresses concerns over the formation of a consensus on additional sanctions within the European Union. Previously, this resistance was primarily due to Hungary, but now, the German government seems to be hindering stricter measures against circumventing sanctions through third countries. The EU Commission intends to impose liability on European companies should banned items reach Russia via subsidiaries in countries like Kazakhstan. However, Berlin objected, arguing that these measures would harm Germany, Europe's leading exporting nation, more than Russia. Now, companies are expected to strive for "maximum compliance" with sanctions.
10:24 Wounded in Odessa following morning attack - Ukraine
As per the mayor's account, two individuals sustained injuries during the early-morning attack on Odessa. This information was shared by the Ukrainian state news agency Ukrinform, stating that Russian troops allegedly targeted civilian structures with rockets.
09:44 Over 110 new names added to EU's sanction list
EU countries are enforcing their 14th sanctions package against Russia. With a statement, 116 individuals and entities will face sanctions, as well as stricter measures against efforts to bypass existing sanctions. Moreover, investments in Russian liquefied gas projects will be prohibited.
09:25 EU insists on using frozen Russian funds to support Ukraine
The EU Foreign Policy Chief, Josep Borrell, seeks to prevent any EU member state from obstructing the usage of funds from frozen Russian financial assets to aid Ukraine. Borrell will present a proposal at the EU Foreign Ministers' meeting in Luxembourg, stating, "We have a legal procedure to prevent any kind of blockade."
08:58 Russia shifts blame for Dagestan terror attack to Ukraine
From the Russian Parliament, allegations are being made without evidence that Ukraine is responsible for the terror attack in Dagestan as reported by NTV correspondent Rainer Munz. The Kremlin is attempting to divert attention from Islamic terror's threats in Russia.
08:23 Fire reported in Odessa
According to media reports, a fire broke out in Odessa in the morning. Belarusian opposition medium Nexta reports of a powerful explosion, while "Kyiv Post" reports of an attack on civilian infrastructure.
07:51 Governor Schwesig arrives in Kiev - "Ukraine must win"
As the first Bundesrat President, Mecklenburg-Vorpommern's Governor Manuela Schwesig is visiting Ukraine. Arriving in Kiev by train, she plans to discuss politics during the day. "It's a show of solidarity from all 16 federal states with Ukraine," she stated during her journey. "Ukraine must win this war and it's unacceptable that Russia takes victory through aggression." This statement is challenging for many politicians to assert. Chancellor Olaf Scholz instead consistently states that Russia should not win the war and Ukraine should not lose it.
07:36 Nowooleksandriwka continues to be a battleground
According to reports detailing the capture of the village Nowooleksandriwka in the Donezk region, Ukrainian sources highlight that Russian troops have not taken full control of the village. The Ukrainian army reports intense combat at the location.
06:52 Russian unit allegedly holds captured soldiers as prisoners
A Russian military blogger claims that commanders of various units in the so-called Donetsk People's Republic are mistreating their wounded subordinates. A brigade is said to be detaining its wounded in the city of Donetsk under harsh conditions instead of treating them, as cited by the US think tank Institute for the Study of War (ISW).
06:21 Third Estonian volunteer killed at the front
An Estonian volunteer serving in the Ukrainian army has died in combat in the Luhansk region. This news was reported by Kyiv Independent, referencing the Estonian newspaper "Postimees". Martin Jaager, a 42-year-old professional soldier, was killed on Saturday and marks the third Estonian fatality defending Ukraine, having joined the Ukrainian army over a year ago.
05:44 EU foreign ministers meeting: Pressure mounts against Hungary
The EU foreign ministers are meeting in Luxembourg today to discuss the Russian offensive against Ukraine. Planned is a debate with the Ukrainian chief diplomat Dmytro Kuleba, who will participate via video. Hungary is under pressure to lift its blockade of military aid valued at 6.5 billion Euros. A heated discussion about this occurred at the foreign ministers' meeting at the end of May.
04:45 Moscow accuses US of responsibility for Crimea attack
Following a rocket attack on the annexed Crimean peninsula, Moscow implicates the US. "The primary blame for the provocative rocket attack on the civilian population of Sevastopol lies with Washington, which has provided these weapons to Ukraine, and with the Kiev regime from whose territory this attack was launched," says the Foreign Affairs Ministry. US experts are said to have determined the launch coordinates of the rockets using information from US spy satellites, implying that the US government is directly involved. Four fatalities, including two children, and 151 injuries were reported, according to the Defense Ministry.
03:42 IAEA condemns attacks around Zaporizhzhia NPP
The International Atomic Energy Agency IAEA demands an immediate cessation of attacks on the Ukrainian city of Enerhodar near the Zaporizhzhia NPP. "Whoever is responsible for it must stop. Drone attacks on the power plant and its surroundings have become increasingly frequent," says IAEA chief Rafael Grossi. "This is completely unacceptable and violates universally agreed security principles and practices." In the past week, drone attacks have disrupted power supply to the residents on several occasions. According to Grossi, these incidents did not impact the Zaporizhzhia NPP's operations.
02:45 Stoltenberg to discuss further Ukraine aid with Macron in Paris
NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg will travel to Paris for discussions with French President Emmanuel Macron on Monday. The central topic is expected to be additional support for Ukraine in its conflict against Russia. Macron had previously declared intentions to form a coalition for Western military training to be sent to Ukraine.
Prime Time: Orban pleas for an Instant Armistice in Ukraine- Hungary's Prime Minister, Viktor Orban, has issued a call for an initiative seeking an immediate truce in the Ukraine conflict. Orban, in his conversation with Funke Media Group newspapers, denounced Russia's aggression towards Ukraine as morally unjustifiable and in violation of global norms. Yet, he underscored the necessity of halting the bloodshed at the frontlines. Orban highlighted that halting the Ukraine war is a top priority during Hungary's EU presidency, scheduled to commence on July 1.
Midnight Marauding: Ukraine Assails Targets in Annexed Crimean Peninsula- Per reports by Ukrinform, Ukraine undertook another nighttime barrage of the annexed Crimean Peninsula, with rockets. Multiple blasts were reported in the port city of Evpatoria. Unlike previous incidents during daytime, the city's administration activated an air alert. However, the repercussions of these assaults remain unclear. Several outlets posted videos and photographs of conflagrations. Yet, claims of struck military installations have not been verified by either the Ukrainian or Russian authorities.
Presidential Push: Zelenskyy Clamors for Authorization to Bomb Deeper into Russian Territory- In reaction to continual shellings of Kharkiv, Ukrainian President Zelenskyy is urging for more effective weaponry and approval to launch strikes farther into Russian soil. "The Russian air force must be decimated wherever it exists," Zelenskyy stated in his daily video message. Kiev is collaborating with its Western counterparts to facilitate this strategy.
Political Mumbo-Jumbo: Prien on Social Allowances for Ukrainian Refugees: "Government Falls Flat"- Following a proposition by CSU state group leader Alexander Dobrindt for social assistance to Ukrainian refugees, CDU deputy chairwoman Karin Prien referenced the refugees' plight. "Ukrainians are escaping Putin's brutality and Putin's war," wrote Schleswig-Holstein's Education Minister on the X platform. "Undoubtedly, they bask in our shield and hospitality," Prien continued. "A majority of refugees from Ukraine are eager to find a swift foothold here, work, and get ready for their homeland's reconstruction," Prien emphasized. She also critiqued the federal government for not addressing this demand effectively.
European Commission Warns of Russian Interference in 2025 Bundestag Election- As the Bundestag election approaches next year, EU Commission Vice-President Vera Jourova warned about probable manipulation attempts by Russia. "We inhabit a new era of covert influence," said the EU Commissioner for Transparency, Values, and Democracy Protection. "I apprehend that Voice of Europe serves as a blueprint for future operations - also for the Bundestag election in 2025. This supposed media outlet might merely be the edge of the iceberg." In May, the EU prohibited the broadcast of Voice of Europe and three other Russian media entities within the EU, with the reason being that they were connected to the Russian government and targeted European parties, particularly during election periods. Voice of Europe, based in Prague, is suspected of promoting pro-Russian propaganda in the EU and offering money to European politicians.
Energy Crunch: Ukrainian Energy Provider Announces Nationwide Power Shortages- Given Russian attacks on Ukraine's energy infrastructure, the national energy provider has declared forthcoming power deficiencies for the approaching days. This information was shared by Ukrenergo on Telegram. The rationing is inevitable due to an increase in energy usage at the beginning of the week and the power grid's weakened state following "massive Russian assaults." Since May, Ukraine has been imposing temporary power outages due to damaged energy infrastructure. According to Ukrenergo, the most extensive power blackouts are expected to occur between 19 and 23 hours on Monday.
You can catch up on prior happenings here.
Read also:
- Despite the ongoing Ukraine conflict and military operations, Chancellor Scholz emphasizes the crucial role of German businesses in aiding Ukraine's reconstruction, particularly in the rebuilding effort.
- As a response to the increased military tensions and attacks, Nato members, including Ukraine, have been considering bilateral agreements to ensure long-term security, which includes guarantees for weapons shipments, financial aid, and political cooperation.
- Russian authorities threaten retaliation after the EU imposes new sanctions, accusing the West of unwarranted actions and planning to enforce "necessary countermeasures."
- Amidst ongoing Russian cyberwar and military operations, President Zelenskyy has ordered an inquiry into the Presidential Guard following reports of assassination plots within the Security Services, emphasizing the need for loyalty and integrity from its members.
