18:44 Kharkiv: Russia targets residential zone with bombs
Kharkiv, a city besieged once more by the Russian army, is in peril once more. An aerial bombardment has struck a residential area, as mentioned by Governor Oleg Sinegubov. The severity of the situation remains unclear at this time, while Mayor Igor Terekhov emphasizes the damage inflicted on several structures.
The stalemate in Kharkiv's military operation, led by the Russian forces, has been acknowledged by Jake Sullivan, President Joe Biden's National Security Advisor. CBS was the medium through which Sullivan shared this information. The offensive has slowed causing concerns for the safety of Kharkiv, although Russian progress has been minimal in the past few days.
Rumors have spread that Russian troops may be mobilizing from the southern Ukrainian region of Kherson to aid in the attack on Kharkiv's northern region. While there remains some doubt as to whether combat will immediately occur, or if this is a potential reinforcement for a military group located in the north, known as Sever (North). The US Institute for the Study of War notes this speculation but, as of now, the scenario is still unverified.
Russian officials allegedly have been forcing migrants from African countries to join their military forces in Kharkiv. The reports state that visa extensions were contingent on a forced enlistment status, according to European diplomats quoted by Bloomberg. Those unable to pay the officials could face consequences descript as visa denial.
Biden and French President, Emmanuel Macron have allegedly reached an agreement regarding the treatment of Russian assets. Earlier, Biden eased restrictions that previously prohibited Ukrainian defense against Russian territories, now, Scholz has done the same for Germany. Biden maintains that this implies utilizing these frozen assets to aid Ukraine's defense in the conflict.
Both Astra and the Ukrainian Truth news portal report an explosion in the Russian region of Belgorod. Posted by witnesses on Telegram, videos depict a munitions depot in Rakityansky district catching fire. The regional governor had addressed residents about potential attacks from rockets. The Russian Defense Ministry claims to have shot down multiple drones circling the Belgorod region.
Intense shelling has been taking place at Chassiv Yar, an eastern city in Ukraine. Ukrainian troops allege that Russian soldiers have been relocating to strategic locations in buildings over the past week. The Ukrainian source states that, in just seven days, there have been 1,500 strikes using multiple rocket launchers and guided bombs. Serving to provide protection for these forces are drones utilized to monitor the city.
Ukrainian military pilots are said to be observed by a Russian drone's lens, according to the Ukrainian Armed Forces. A Yak-52 aircraft with open cockpits had its pilots filmed, despite the fact it is used for air defense. A drone from Ukrainian manufacture is suspected of performing the act, and the pilots were able to destroy it, claims a military portal "Military.
The Ukrainian Inteligence Service (HUR) has claimed responsibility for the attack on a Russian fighter that occurred within 600 kilometers of the border. The drone responsible is said to be originally manufactured in Ukraine. This is in line with previous actions taken by the HUR that have seen them carrying out daring operations in Russian
The Kremlin holds intentions to rename regions under Russian tutelage, those currently being occupied in four southeastern oblasts and the Crimean Peninsula to Novorossiya, according to an official in the Luhansk regional military administration, Lysohor, as he mentioned on Telegram. The government will likely not permit local residents to contribute to this new name, as they've been presented with only one option. As part of a plan to spread Russian influence, schoolchildren will soon learn their history based on a Russian curriculum
Russian efforts to station troops on the outskirts of Chassiv Yar have intensified The Ukrainian military reports that they've destroyed powerful ordnances and guided bombs around the area over the past week, attempting to secure a major road that runs from Bachmut to Chassiv Yar. Despite the struggle, the Ukrainian source claims that the city center is currently under their control.
Ukrainian aviators are visible through the lens of a Russian monitoring drone, as revealed by a video released by the Ukrainian Armed Forces. The plane used in this instance is a Yak-52, a type frequently seen in air defense. The co-pilot managed to down the drone, as reported by the Kyiv Post, citing military portal Militarnyi.in the ongoing battle for control of the territory.
A modern Russian military aircraft experienced a drone attack based in Southern Russia, about 600 kilometers from the border. The Ukrainian intelligence service (HUR) now takes responsibility for this operation, addressing a drone originally made in Ukraine to perform this task. The HUR is known for their daring approaches against Russian interests.
The Kremlin intends to oversee the renamed regions of four southeastern oblasts and the Crimean Peninsula as the federal district, "Novorossiya", claims artem Lysohor, head of the regional military administration in Luhansk. However, Lysohor adds that these changes have no legal basis. Institutions will be introducing new history curricula for schoolchildren in the near future, henceforth based on Russian textbooks.
Intense artillery bombardment has been occurring around Chassiv Yar in Eastern Ukraine. Ukrainian troops inform that Russian soldiers have been occupying strategic points in civilian dwellings for almost a week. As many as 1,500 strikes have been carried out using multiple launch rocket systems and precision airstrikes to secure a major roadway from Bachmut to Chassiv Yar. Reportedly, the Russians are under the protection of first-person view drones while doing this, with the city center being controlled by Ukrainians.
Ukrainian pilots are spotted by a Russian reconnaissance drone, as per the observation of the Ukrainian Armed Forces. Shared on Telegram by the military, the Yak-52, an open-cockpit aircraft used for air defense, is visible with its crew. The attack was conducted by a local drone, with the co-pilot succeeding in shooting down the reconnaissance drone.
A Ukrainian commander has confirmed that the authorization to aim Western weapons at Russia has "immediately had a positive impact" on the direction of the conflict. This was shared by Commander Yuriy Fedorenko during a Radio NV interview. He stated that they successfully disabled crucial elements such as electronic intelligence gathering, electronic warfare, air defenses, and critically important - the S-300 and S-400 systems that repeatedly struck Kharkiv. From a military standpoint, the current authorization from Western states is referred to as "Step One." The expansion of this authorization further into Russian territory is labeled as "Step Two."
At 12:35 pm, the Ukrainian military reports that there have been 103 Russian attacks on villages and 93 on infrastructure since yesterday. Russia launched attacks on ten oblasts, resulting in at least three civilian deaths in Kharkiv, Kherson, and Izium. Houses, as well as a school, were also damaged in these regions.
At 12:09, the number of women serving in the Ukrainian army has significantly increased. More than 67,000 women are now a part of the military, many of them serving as soldiers. Despite the ongoing mobilization not targeting women, the number of female members of the army has increased by 40%. Unlike in the past, many of these women are now willing to take on roles that involve shooting, operating artillery, or operating drones. The government is contemplating providing career opportunities for women.
At 11:31, the Ukrainian government plans to establish a state register for mine-infested and mined areas. The objective is to monitor the demining status of these locations almost in real-time. The tracking of these areas is particularly relevant for farmers who need to determine if their land is still hazardous or has been cleared.
08:50 ISW (US Institute for the Study of War) states that Russia's mobilization of 30,000 soldiers per month is inadequate to carry out major summer offensives on multiple fronts. The additional reinforcements will not have the ability to function as first or second line forces, which are essential for a large-scale offensive.
In the past 24 hours, the General Staff of the Ukrainian Armed Forces has counted 1,270 casualties on the Russian side. The entirety of Russian losses since the full-scale invasion total around 518,000. During this time, 26 Russian tanks, 26 armored vehicles, 60 artillery systems, and two air defense systems were also destroyed. Thirty-seven drones were also reported to be destroyed.
A further development is Russia's intention to provide training for officers in the occupied territories of Ukraine. The Kyiv Post reported this information, citing a report from the Ukrainian Special Forces. The trained officers will be offered rewarding positions under contract. These courses will focus specifically on electronic warfare, which encompasses work with radars or jammers. Russia is using jammers so frequently that Western precision weapons often fail to reach their intended targets.
At 10:11, UN estimates that at least 174 Ukrainian civilians were killed and 690 injured in May. This is the highest monthly tally of civilian casualties in a year. This increased rate of casualties is primarily attributed to the intense attacks carried out by Russian forces in the Kharkiv region. More than half of the victims hail from this region of the country.
The latest reports from the military show that damage was inflicted on a Su-57 fighter jet piloted by Russia. The aircraft was struck during an attack on an airfield in the region of Astrakhan. This area is located approximately 600 kilometers from the border. Satellite images captured on Friday show the jet still intact, while they depict it damaged by explosions on Saturday.
At 09:27, the United Nations indicated that at least 174 Ukrainian civilians were killed and 690 were injured in May. This represents the highest number of civilian casualties seen in a single month over the past year. The escalation in casualties can be primarily attributed to the intense Russian attacks on the region of Kharkiv. Over half of these casualties occurred in this region of the country.
At 08:50, the Ukrainian military has uncovered evidence that Russia is planning to offer courses for training officers in the territories it has occupied. The Ukrainian Special Forces report that Russia plans to offer contracts to officers who successfully complete these courses. The training will consist of specialized instruction in electronic warfare, such as operating radars or jammers.
At 10:11, the Institute for the Study of War (ISW) believes that Russia's efforts to mobilize 30,000 soldiers each month are insufficient to execute large-scale offensive operations across numerous fronts during the summer. This new generation of conscripts will not be able to serve their roles as primary or secondary line forces, which are necessary to conduct significant offensive operations.
08:19, the Ukrainian General Staff has recorded 1,270 casualties on the Russian side in the past day. Over 518,000 Russian soldiers are estimated to have been lost since the onset of the full-scale invasion. In the previous 24 hours, Ukrainian forces have destroyed 26 Russian tanks, 26 armored vehicles, 60 artillery systems, and two air defense systems, as well as 37 drones.
07:40 Ukrainians Hold Back Russian Offensives in the North
For some time now, Russia has been gathering troops behind Ukraine's northeastern border. The town of Vovchansk near Kharkiv has been under heavy bombardment for weeks, with the expectation of a larger attack in the region. However, it appears that the Ukrainians are successfully stopping the Russian advance there.
07:27 NATO Contemplates Establishing a Permanent Representative in Kyiv and Enhancing Aid
NATO is considering establishing a position for a permanent representative in Kyiv. This high-ranking civilian representative would coordinate NATO support for Ukraine, including military aid from Western countries. This role would be similar to the one NATO had during its two-decade presence in Afghanistan. The background for these plans: At the NATO summit in July in Washington, it is improbable that the countries will agree to invite Ukraine to join membership talks. Therefore, the alliance is now seeking steps beneath such a commitment, with which they can nonetheless make a tangible move towards Kyiv and make support more binding.
06:55 Ukraine Intends to Enter into More Direct Agreements with Arms Manufacturers
The Ukrainian government is implementing a new strategy concerning cooperation with arms manufacturers, as per its own statement. The goal is to sign more direct agreements between Ukraine and the arms industry. Vice Defense Minister Dmytro Klimenkov inked a deal with a Bulgarian company over the weekend, as reported by the news portal "Ukrinform." "This allows us to receive modern weapons directly from the manufacturer, and contributes to a faster and more effective modernization of the Ukrainian army," Klimenkov said.
06:19 Austrian Minister: Germany Has "Crossed a Red Line"
The Austrian Defense Minister Klaudia Tanner commented on Germany's permission for Kyiv to use Western weapons on Russian territory during an interview with "Die Presse." She is pleased that NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg has announced that no troops will be sent to Ukraine. Regarding the necessity for Ukraine to defend itself against shelling from the Russian border, Tanner remained silent. As a militarily neutral state, it is not her place to judge.
05:38 Bundeswehr: Reinforce the Reserve Force Substantially
The German Defense Ministry is devising plans to significantly increase the Bundeswehr's reserve force. This should also, like in the Cold War, be trained and equipped in such a way that it can reinforce or replace active troops in combat, says General Lieutenant Alexander Hoppe, Deputy General Inspector and Reservist Affairs Coordinator, in Berlin. Military strategists aim to have approximately 60,000 men and women as reservists in a so-called basic order, who are planned and trained for a specific task.
04:37 German Government Views risks in Macron Plan
Due to security concerns, the German government rejects plans by French President Emmanuel Macron to deploy European soldiers to Ukraine to train Ukrainian forces in the future. "The training in the EU is secure, while the risk that training facilities in Ukraine could be attacked makes the training inefficient," says an internal EU document, which the "Welt am Sonntag" newspaper had access to. The German government expressed serious security concerns at the meeting of European defense ministers on May 28.
03:20 Ukrainian Army: Russians Attempt Breakthrough
The Ukrainian General Staff registered a total of 76 combat incidents in the past 24 hours. The most tense situation exists at the Pokrowsk Front. There, 27 Russian attacks took place. As per the military leadership in Kiev, the Russians are trying to break through from Ocheretyne to Yevhenivka and Novooleksandrivka.
01:42 Soldier's Coffin Graffiti in Paris: Three Moldovans in Pre-trial Detention
After the emergence of soldier's coffin graffiti in Paris, three suspects from Moldova are currently in pre-trial detention. Investigators are exploring the possibility of foreign influence, says a spokesperson for the prosecutor's office. On Friday, graffiti appeared on the facades of houses in the French capital with a stencil showing a coffin and the words "French soldier in Ukraine." In the night from Friday to Saturday, three Moldovans were apprehended nearby who had paint cans and stencils with them. Only a few days earlier, coffins with the inscription "French soldiers in Ukraine" had been placed on the Eiffel Tower. Three suspects were detained, including a German.
00:39 UN Reports 174 Civilian Deaths in Ukraine
The United Nations reported that at least 174 civilians died in Ukraine in May. Ukraine has repeatedly accused Russia of deliberately bombing residential areas near the front in an effort to force evacuations. Moscow denies targeting civilians.
23:24 Attack on Ambulance Recorded: Drone Drops Explosives
The driver of an ambulance was injured, according to Ukrainian reports, when Russian troops dropped explosives from a drone onto the ambulance. The incident occurred in the village of Biloserka in the south of the country, as reported by the governor of the Oblast Kherson.
22:23 Prosecutor General: Almost All Ukrainian Prisoners of War Were Tortured
The harsh treatment of war prisoners and civilians is allegedly commonplace in the Russian military, according to Ukrainian Prosecutor General Andriy Kostin. He estimates that up to 90% of the Ukrainian POWs coming back home suffered physical, sexual, and psychological abuse. This information comes from the news platform "Euromaidan Press." Kostin disclosed this during an interview, stating, "Our initial assessment after talking to returning military personnel suggests that nearly 90% of them were subjected to diverse forms of torture, inhumane treatment, and physical and mental violence."
21:42 Zelensky views Russian attack in Charkiv as a failure
In the eyes of Ukrainian President Zelensky, the Russians' offensive in the Charkiv region ended in failure. Addressing his nation in the evening, the president disclosed his conversation with Commander-in-Chief Oleksandr Syrskyi regarding the military situation. According to Zelensky, the Russians did not achieve their objective in Charkiv. "We're doing our best to hold them off and obliterate the advancing Russian soldiers who are inflicting terror in the Charkiv region," he said. Zelensky also added that the Charkiv Front has received reinforcements and will receive more. The conditions in the Donetsk region are most challenging at present.
Here's a recap of all prior events for you. [Link]
Read also:
- The conflict in Ukraine has escalated, with Russia targeting the city of Kharkiv with military operations once again, striking a residential area as per Governor Oleg Sinegubov's statements.
- NATO is reportedly considering establishing a permanent representative in Kyiv and enhancing aid, following the intense Russian attacks on various regions of Ukraine.
- Volodymyr Zelensky, the Ukrainian President, has accused Russia of forcing migrants from African countries to join their military forces in Kharkiv, as reported by European diplomats.
- Cyberwar is another front in the Ukraine conflict, with reports of Russian troops allegedly using cyberattacks against Ukrainian Critical Infrastructure, as mentioned by Ukrainian authorities.
