18:32 Russia's ambitions in the Baltic Sea: "The idea of confronting the entire world is being overstated"

18:32 Russia's ambitions in the Baltic Sea: "The idea of confronting the entire world is being overstated"

Military expert Ralph Thiele discusses potential Russian aspirations in the Baltic Sea region, with tensions heightened since the Second World War. He examines if Baltic countries have genuine reasons to worry:

3:54 Rewards for destroyed Russian equipment available for Ukrainian soldiersDaily videos surface online showcasing Ukrainian forces inflicting damage on Russian military vehicles - mainly from kamikaze drones. While not all drone attacks are successful, the ones that are, generate significant propaganda material for Ukraine, improving morale for their citizens. In addition, these drone strikes cause many Russian tanks to be destroyed. On the flip side, not all drone attacks are successful, with some being stopped by jammers or missing their targets. However, independent observers recognize that Ukrainian fighters have destroyed more equipment than they have lost themselves. In a new move, Ukraine's Cabinet has voted to create a procedure for awarding additional leave to soldiers whose targets have been destroyed. Military personnel have frequently voiced their concerns about not receiving adequate respite, potentially exacerbated by the shortage of soldiers.

3:29 Russian airstrike on Kharkiv leaves multiple injuredAs per local authorities, a Russian airstrike on Kharkiv has injured at least ten people, with some of them sustaining severe injuries. The attack targeted a café, a gas station, and a bus. The driver of the bus was reportedly forced to have both legs amputated. Three individuals are presently being treated at hospitals. Kharkiv is under constant Russian airstrikes, causing terror among the civilians.

3:03 Video allegedly depicts extensive Russian bombardment in unverified footageA video circulating on social media, which cannot be independently verified, visually depicts the horrors of war waged by Russia. The video shows numerous rockets fired by Russian troops seemingly endlessly and illuminating the sky with explosions.

2:25 Germany reluctant to proceed with plans to transfer Russian funds to UkraineThe German government is reluctant to adhere to the US plan of extracting funds from frozen Russian assets for Ukraine’s financial needs. Government spokesperson Steffen Hebestreit stated in Berlin, "Our stance is regarding the income from the frozen assets. It's not about the assets themselves." G7 finance ministers have scheduled a meeting on Friday and Saturday in Italy to explore ways of financially aiding Ukraine in the long term. The US advocates for the complete confiscation of the Russian assets or their utilization as backing for securities or loans, but other EU states harbour legal reservations. Since the Russian invasion, assets equivalent to $300 billion have been frozen, with most being held in Europe. Giving revenue obtained from the frozen assets to Ukraine is estimated to generate an insufficient sum each year, rendering the plan ineffective.

2:01 Technicians preparing for the deployment of F-16 fighter jets in Ukraine return from training abroadThe imminent deployment of F-16 fighter jets in Ukraine is progressing, with technicians returning after completing their training in other countries. These technicians will pass on their skills to their fellow Ukrainian troops. It is now projected that the first aircraft will be operational in June or July. Ukraine is anticipated to receive jets from the Netherlands, Denmark, and Norway. The Dutch Ministry of Defense confirmed yesterday that ten Ukrainian soldiers have already completed their F-16 maintenance training.

1:39 Klishchiivka village recaptured by Russian forces for the second timeRussia is claiming to have regained control of Klishchiivka, a village near Bakhmut in eastern Ukraine. The Ukrainian General Staff confirmed attacks on Klishchiivka but described the situation as "under control." With around 500 inhabitants prior to the conflict, the village has been targetted twice - first in February and now in early April.

1:15 Ukrainian authorities report civilians killed trying to escape fighting in VovchanskUkrainian officials have accused Russian forces of committing war crimes by shooting at citizens fleeing the conflict in Vovchansk, a newly established war front. Police chief Olexii Kharkivskyi revealed in an interview with Kyiv24 that multiple incidents of this nature have occurred. Approximately 100 civilians remain stuck in the city, which has been the site of intense fighting.

14:19 Poland's army volunteers show strong interest - no need for conscription, says Defense Minister
The Polish government is not contemplating a return to compulsory military service. Defense Minister Wladyslaw Kosiniak-Kamysz stated this in a parliament meeting in Warsaw, adding that there is no need for conscription due to a high level of interest from citizens to join the military voluntarily. "We have no plans to bring back mandatory conscription," he stated. "Volunteer basic military service is sufficient." Poland has an army of approximately 198,000 soldiers. The country is a key supporter of Ukraine and has been significantly increasing its own armaments as well. The Polish military is expected to reach 300,000 personnel in the near future. The country abandoned compulsory military service in 2009, but men of legal age must still register with the draft board in case of defense needs.

13:59 Ukrainian grain exports in April hit an unprecedented high during the conflict
British data reveals that Ukraine exported more grain and oilseeds in April than any other month since the onset of the Russian war in 2022. At 6.6 million tons, it demonstrated Ukraine's capability to use its shipping lanes in the Black Sea. The British Ministry of Defence made this announcement. Ukraine's Black Sea ports have seen greater levels of traffic than they did when the grain agreement was in place. Ukraine's sea corridor, providing safe passage for ships along its own coastline to the ports in the greater Odessa area since the summer of 2023, has so far enabled 1600 ship transits and 45 million tons of exported cargo.

13:32 Russian troops say they have seized a village in Donetsk region
Russian Defense Ministry sources report that their troops have captured the village of Klishchiivka in the eastern Ukrainian region of Donetsk. According to Russian state media, the Ukrainian military had previously claimed that Russian forces launched attacks near the village, but they were successfully repelled. The situation is now secure. The village, near the city of Bachmut, has experienced extensive damage after months of fighting.

13:05 UK Defense Secretary accuses China of sending lethal aid to Russia
British Defense Secretary Grant Shapps alleges that China is supplying Russia with goods that could be utilized in a lethal fashion in the conflict against Ukraine, or at the very least, readying to deliver such aid. Shapps stated this in London. While he provided no evidence, he stated, "This should concern us." The British and American intelligence hinted at "lethal aid flowing or set to flow from China to Russia and Ukraine." The Chinese embassy in London has not yet responded to a request for comment. The Chinese embassy in the US had declared in April that the People's Republic was not involved in the Ukraine crisis nor had it supplied any weapons.

12:37 Kremlin remains cryptic about potential border changes in the Baltic Sea
The Russian presidential office has responded warily to reports regarding proposed border shifts in the Baltic Sea. The Kremlin advises the Ministry of Defense for further details. According to the presidential office, there is no political context. The tensions in the Baltic Sea region are escalating.

12:06 Sweden plans to provide Ukraine with military aid worth billions
Sweden aims to provide Ukraine with military aid equivalent to 6.5 billion euros between now and 2026. The government in Stockholm decided on this three-year framework, allocating an equal amount of funding for 2024 and 2026. The goal is to enhance Sweden's support for Ukraine and improve its long-term prospects, they noted. This support includes both equipment delivery and financial assistance for its procurement. With the planned three-year package, Sweden's aid to Ukraine will allegedly increase to over 8.6 billion euros.

11:36 Moscow refutes reports of planned border shift in the Baltic Sea
Russia is denying reports of plans to alter maritime borders in the Baltic Sea. This information was shared by Interfax, citing a source from the military-diplomatic area. State news agencies TASS and RIA also reported the denial. Earlier, a draft law from the Ministry of Defense appeared to suggest that Russia wanted to modify maritime boundaries.

11:12 Naval drones in Ukraine reportedly upgraded to fire Grad missiles

The Ukrainian Security Service (SBU) is believed to have upgraded its Sea Baby naval drones. The Kyiv Independent cites a source from the agency who claims the drones can now fire missiles from the Grad system. These drones, which have previously been used as kamikaze drones, have already targeted Russian warships. In addition, the source states that the new weapon system has been used against Russian forces on the Kinburn Spit, a coastal area near Mykolaiv. They note, "This technological solution shows promising results." The SBU can reach almost any location in the Black Sea with the drones, the source adds.

10:49 Poland will deploy a US radar system for air defense

A $960 million agreement was signed between Poland and the US, allowing Poland to purchase a US radar system to monitor the north-eastern border. Polish Defense Minister Wladyslaw Kosiniak-Kamysz announced this development. Poland will receive four balloons to support air defense and coast-monitoring systems, according to the contract.

10:17 Russia's "aggressive act" in the Baltic Sea takes Baltic Sea countries by surprise

Sweden, with little military presence, has not had to worry much about the Russian-controlled Baltic Sea island of Gotland. However, it now appears that the situation is shifting. Moscow is making what Rainer Munz describes as an "aggressive move," which has caught the attention of countries surrounding the Baltic Sea.

09:53 Finland demands Russia follow international maritime laws

Finland's Foreign Minister Elina Valtonen has called on Russia to abide by United Nations conventions and international maritime laws. Previously, Russia expressed intentions to expand its borders in the Baltic Sea. It's unclear if other nations have been in discussions about this. Finland is a NATO member.

09:25 US wants complete control of frozen Russian funds

The finance ministers of the G7 (Group of Seven) will meet in Italy to discuss funding options for Ukraine in the long term. The US is urging them to go further than before and either confiscate all frozen Russian assets or use them as collateral for securities or loans. However, such decisions are drawing legal concerns, specifically in the EU.

08:56 Russia and Belarus accused of sending more migrants to Western Europe

media reports suggest that Russia and Belarus are once again working to send refugees to the EU, including Germany. The number of migrants entering the country through this route has increased constantly in recent months, with 412 arrests in March, 670 in April, and 416 at the end of May. Polish border police have also observed an uptick in those entering Poland from Belarus.

08:21 Undercover Ukrainian unit operates against Russia from the skies

In the cover of darkness, a small Ukrainian military squad approaches the front line. Armed with smartphones, Starlink, mines, and drones, they carry out their missions in the night sky. "Without a visa," they jokingly noted, they venture into Russian territory, planting explosives from the air.

07:37 Ukraine will receive its first payment from frozen Russian assets in July

Ukraine will receive its first payment from the seized Russian assets in July, the European Commission has announced. Vice-President Valdis Dombrovskis declared this priority, "The European Commission will make every effort to make the first payment as early as July."

Russia Craves Larger Territorial Waters in the Baltic Sea

According to the "Moscow Times," Russia aims for an expansion of its territorial waters in the Baltic Sea encompassing areas on the border with Lithuania and Finland. This report refers to a draft government decree, which allegedly comes from the Ministry of Defense. Russia intends to distend the water area in the eastern part of the Gulf of Finland and near the towns of Baltiysk and Zelenogradsk in the Kaliningrad region. Along the boundary with Finland, Moscow plans to tweak the coordinates of the islands of Jähi, Sommers, Holland, Rodsher, Maly Tyuters, and near the northern entrance cap of the Narva River. Concerning Lithuania, the Russian government will evaluate the regions of the Curonian Spit, Cape Taran, Cape South of Cape Taran, and the Baltic Spit.

Diverse Russian Network Employs Celebrity Quotes in Misleading Facts

The Federal Ministry of the Interior attributes a campaign circulating unrealistic statements from German celebrities to a Russian "doppelganger" network discovered in 2022. These new misleading strategies involve ascribing untrue statements to celebrities from the entertainment sphere. Recently, false quotations, rife with misleading information, have emerged across social media platforms, utilizing Til Schweiger as an example. These so-called "sharepics" were also presented as Facebook ads. They're cognizant that "Doppelganger" activity transcends its linguistic roots, utilizing more than just the initial tactic of forging websites of established quality media and public entities, expressed a ministry spokesman. In several EU Member States, this "Doppelganger" operation hatched deceitful websites mimicking media or institutions in 2022.

Russia Levels Accusation of 'Theft' by EU

Russia's delegation to the EU in Brussels has accused the EU of engaging in a form of theft. The fiscally punitive measures facing Moscow include future usage of billions in interest income derived from confiscated Russian central bank assets to strengthen Ukrainian military support. This maneuver of seizing resources designated for a sovereign state represents an unprecedented, merciless act. The EU, according to this narrative, exhibits a reckless disregard for the responsibility to preserve propriety, in favor of orchestrating and justifying its commonwealth. European ministers had convened in Brussels on the 25th of April, arranging decisions to permit the utilization of the interest income emanating from Russian bank assets to finance military aid for Ukraine. This year, they estimate an infusion ranging from 2.5 - 3 billion Euros. Russian news sources have revealed ongoing nationalization efforts regarding infrastructures in illegally occupied Ukrainian territories.

Council of Europe Encourages Georgia to Rescind Troubling Law

The Council of Europe's Venice Commission has urged Georgia to revoke a questionable law catering to "foreign influence." The law, the Commission asserts, infringes upon fundamental rights such as freedom of expression, freedom of association, and the right to privacy, compromising the tenets of the European Convention on Human Rights.

Swedish Armed Forces Chief Concerned over Putin's Pursuit of Baltic Sea Control

General Micael Byden, the Swedish armed forces commander-in-chief, has voiced concern regarding possible Russian aspirations to control the Baltic Sea. "I'm convinced that Putin has both eyes on Gotland in his sights," Byden disclosed to the Redaktionsnetzwerk Deutschland (RND) newspapers. "Putin's ultimate goal is to monopolize control over the Baltic Sea," he added. "To prevent this from occurring, we cannot let it happen," Byden said. "The Baltic Sea shouldn't become Putin's playground used to scare NATO members."

US Pentagon Reveals Russian Satellite in Orbit

Pentagon spokesperson Pat Ryder announced the presence of what's presumed to be a Russia satellite in a low-Earth orbit. "There's no doubt that the satellite is a Russian space defense weapon," said Ryder. Launched on May 16, the satellite is poised in the same orbit as a US government satellite, prompting apprehension of the potential threat it might pose to the American satellite. Such occurrences engendered precedence in 2019 and 2022, with the same venue conferring the possibility of an aggravated interference.

FDP Parliamentary Group Member Urges Reservists' Revival Amidst Army Conscription Disputes

In the contentious military conscription debate, FDP parliamentary group head Christian Dürr advises Defense Minister Boris Pistorius to enlist reservists. "The Bundeswehr's reserves must receive the backing they need. Combined with active units, we potentially possess a pool of over a million soldiers," implored Dürr.

01:45 EU Council Presidency indicates potential start of Ukraine-EU negotiations

The Belgian EU Council Presidency has suggested that Ukraine and Moldova could soon begin negotiations for EU accession. Following a ministerial conference in Brussels, it was revealed that efforts are being made to arrange a meeting between negotiating delegations before the end of June. "We're doing our best to reach an agreement," explained Belgian Foreign Minister Hadja Lahbib. It's possible that the talks could commence within the next 40 days. Although EU member states must unanimously approve the so-called negotiating frameworks - which outline guidelines and principles for accession discussions with candidate nations - before negotiations can officially begin.

00:39 Baerbock backs Pistorius' call for increased Ukraine aid

German Federal Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock voiced her support for Defense Minister Boris Pistorius' request for an additional 3.8 billion euros in aid for Ukraine this year. In an interview with the "Bild" newspaper in Kyiv, Baerbock said, "I completely agree with the Minister of Defense, and I'm not alone in this opinion. Even the Interior Minister shares it." Emphasizing the necessity of a higher security budget, Baerbock added, "Our European peace order, our European continent has never been challenged so immediately on our doorstep." She argued that it would be unjustifiable for anyone to say, "At the time, we weren't prepared to allocate billions more for peace. And that, in turn, led to this Russian war of aggression sweeping through Europe."

00:01 Economist warns Germany about Europe's security risks

The Kiel Institute for the World Economy (IfW) has implored the German government to allocate more funds for defense. In an interview with the "Süddeutsche Zeitung," IfW President Moritz Schularick expressed concern saying, "German budgetary policy is a security risk for Europe." To rectify the lack of resources in Germany's defense infrastructure, the Federal Republic would have to increase its defense spending from two to three percent of its economic output in the foreseeable future.

23:16 Baerbock condemns Russian nuclear exercise

Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock expressed criticism towards Russia's recent nuclear forces exercise. She contended that the Russian government was attempting to escalate tensions with Ukraine, saying, "The fact that they're holding exercises near the Ukrainian border acts as a signal that they want to employ every means, even the most provocative ones, in case of doubt." She further commented, "The Russian president is just trying to erode this society that, for two years, has been desperate for peace and freedom."

22:11 Zelensky discusses challenging circumstances in Donetsk

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky described the situation in the Donetsk region as highly difficult. Addressing the most intense battles in Kramatorsk, Kurakhove, and Pokrovsk, Zelensky stated this in a recorded message. Meanwhile, in the Kharkiv region, Ukrainian military forces have reportedly made advances, leading to the reduction of Russian occupying forces. "The results are real," Zelensky remarked after a meeting with the country's military leadership.

21:38 Ukraine declares stabilization in Kharkiv region

According to official reports, Ukrainian troops have managed to stabilize the situation in the Kharkiv region. Nazar Voloshyn, spokesperson for the Khortytsya operational grouping, made the announcement on Ukrainian television. Even though the operational environment in the Kharkiv region remains complex and volatile, according to Voloshyn, Ukrainian and allied units have managed to maintain the situation, particularly in the city of Vovchansk. Additionally, he reported that the Russian military is persisting in its efforts to break through around Vovchansk.

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1. The military expert Ralph Thiele discusses potential Russian aspirations in the Baltic Sea, a topic of concern since the Second World War, pointing out the tensions that persist.
2. Ukrainian soldiers are receiving rewards for successfully destroying Russian military equipment, including tanks, through the use of kamikaze drones. This is aimed at boosting Ukrainian morale and highlighting the disparity in losses between the two nations.
3. Volodymyr Selensky, the Ukrainian president, is overseeing a new policy that awards additional leave to soldiers whose targets have been successfully destroyed, addressing concerns about inadequate rest and potential burnout.
4. NATO countries are deliberating on the deployment of F-16 fighter jets to Ukraine, with technicians returning from training overseas and the first aircraft projected to be operational by June or July. This move aims to bolster Ukraine's air defense capabilities against ongoing Russian attacks.
5. The Russian ambassador downplays the idea of confronting the entire world, offering a more nuanced perspective on Russia's objectives through military operations in the Baltic Sea region.
6. The US advocates for extracting funds from frozen Russian assets to aid Ukraine financially, but legal reservations within the EU hinder the full implementation of this plan.
7. Russian airstrikes on civilian targets in Ukraine, such as Kharkiv and Vovchansk, continue to inflict terror and casualties, undermining the Russian government's claims of minimizing civilian harm.
8. Cyberwarfare between Ukraine and Russia extends beyond physical engagements, with Ukrainian authorities accusing Russian forces of shooting at civilians trying to escape the conflict.
9. German reluctance to adhere to the US plan of utilizing frozen Russian assets for Ukraine's financial needs brings up debates on how to effectively neutralize Russia's financial strength in the face of the conflict.
10. Russian denials of plans to alter maritime borders in the Baltic Sea and shifts in the region, including military drones upgrading to fire Grad missiles and potential border changes in Sweden and Finland, contribute to ongoing geopolitical tensions.

Source: www.ntv.de