8:00 PM Ukraine: Russia employs hostages in Vovchansk for protection purposes

20:00 Ukraine: Russia employs hostages as human barriers in Vovchansk.

Russia allegedly detains 35-40 civilians in Vovchansk and uses them as human shields near its command center. Kharkiv's criminal investigation head, Serhiy Bolvinov, confirms these accusations, revealing some hostages are elderly citizens. Resentfully, Bolvinov notes that they even shot an elderly man who was attempting to flee to Ukrainian-held territory.

In other related news, surveillance cameras unveil Russians' chaotic actions in Vovchansk, as Moscow faces accusations of shooting civilians there. Meanwhile, the border town's hospital was targeted for potential occupation by Russian mercenaries.

Two suspected Russian spies were arrested in Latvia on charges of spying and disclosing confidential information to Russian special services. These individuals were responsible for revealing details about other people possibly involved in espionage in Latvia, thus their detention. One of the detainees had been accused of spying for Russia before.

During a trip to China, President Vladimir Putin seeks deeper cooperation with the Chinese government against the West. According to political scientist Gerhard Mangott, the common objective is to form an alliance against the West.

In Moscow's vicinity, EU Ambassador Roland Galharague criticized Russia's unprovoked war against Ukraine, occurring on Europe Day. "The wars of today only fuel the hatred of tomorrow," he claimed. Meanwhile, anti-Western demonstrators protested against the diplomats' attendance, trying to link the bloodshed in Ukraine to foreign aid.

UK Defense Secretary Grant Shapps notices the Russian offensive on Kharkiv, stressing that supporting Ukraine is essential non-stop rather than just amidst some conflicts. He observed, "This is not a war where you can afford to be inattentive or be distracted by another conflict and then expect nothing to change on the ground", suggesting increased efforts are required.

Security expert Frank Umbach, in an interview with ntv, explains the increasing conflict friction in Slovakia's society. Ongoing political turmoil is linked to Russia's hybrid warfare, as seen in the assassination of Prime Minister Robert Fico.

Finally, the Ukrainian Interior Minister, Ihor Klymenko, discloses the first confirmed shootings of civilians by Russian troops in Vovchansk. Under these accusations, a Vovchansk local was reportedly killed for attempting to escape and defying Russian commands. Extra civilians were allegedly prevented from evacuating, and instead, were abducted and forced into cellars.

Surveillance camera films chaotic action by Russians in Vovchansk
Two suspected Russian spies arrested in Latvia
Mangott: "Ukraine war has two advantages for China"
Diplomats criticize Russia's war at EU celebration near Kremlin
British Defence Secretary: Offensive on Kharkiv must be a wake-up call
Expert explains: What does the Fico assassination have to do with Russia?
Kiev: First shootings of civilians in Vovchansk become known
High-ranking military official injured in Russian attack near Vovchansk
Expert explains: What does the Fico assassination have to do with Russia?

14:40 Russia secures its largest territorial gains since 2022

Russia's military forces have conquered an area of 278 square kilometers in Ukraine in just a week, as per estimations by the AFP news agency. Russia's offensive in the Kharkiv region seized 257 square kilometers of land constantly from May 9 to 15, based on the data provided by the US-based Institute for the Study of War (ISW). Furthermore, 21 square kilometers of land were taken in other places, for instance, obtaining the village of Robotyne in southern Ukraine. These wins mark the greatest territorial gain by Russia since December 2022. The ISW data highlights that Moscow has seized around 65,300 square kilometers of Ukrainian territory since the onset of the war in February 2022. This is approximately 12% of the whole country's land area. The Crimean peninsula, previously annexed by Russia, is not counted within these figures.

14:04 New Zealand pledges more sanctions

New Zealand's Foreign Minister Winston Peters proclaimed additional sanctions against 28 individuals and 14 entities. He declared this in an official government statement and a post on social media [X]. The penalties are geared towards individuals and organizations liable for transferring North Korean weaponry to Russia for use against Ukraine or for supplying military support to Moscow from Iran. These countries have turned into Russia's most noteworthy arm suppliers, with North Korea delivering Moscow encompassing military supplies, including ballistic missiles and over 3 million artillery shells. Iran reportedly provides Russia with Shahed drones and is aiding them in manufacturing these in Russian factories.

13:42 Shoigu commends Russia's offensive

A few days following his dismissal as Russian Defense Minister, Shoigu comments on defense matters for the initial time. In a post on Telegram, Russian reporter Pavel Tsarubin shared his remarks on the scenario on Ukraine's front: "The offensive is advancing in every direction, and it's going quite well. I hope that this progress will continue." Shoigu reiterates the importance of the special military operation in Ukraine as the fundamental undertaking for all Russians. "Certainly, this entails producing ammunition. This also encompasses the production of weapons and military equipment, and I trust that this is the key, significant task for us all at present," he adds. Earlier, Russian President Vladimir Putin relieved Shoigu from his responsibility as Russian defense minister.

13:27 Zelensky in Kharkiv: The situation is dire yet manageable.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky tours the Kharkiv region, currently under attack from Russia. Zelensky portrays the situation in this locale as very tough but "for the most part manageable." He held a meeting with the military, the Ukrainian president included, acknowledging the present struggles. Zelenskyi announced that reinforcements would be despatched to the Kharkiv region on account of the ongoing complicated situation. As per the Ukrainian General Staff's situation report, they have reported positive outcomes in slowing down the major Russian offensive, which had been underway for nearly a week.

13:00 Ukrainian army curbs Russian advance in northeastern region

The Ukrainian military reported slowing down Russian invasion forces' advance in the northeastern part of the country. As per the Ukrainian General Staff, there are skirmishes occurring in the northern districts of Vovchansk; however, an advance by Russian troops in the town is thwarted. The situation is stable currently. The capture of the small town, which is approximately 5 kilometers from the Russian border, would be a significant territorial gain for the Russian soldiers. Meanwhile, the Russian news agency RIA stated, based on Russian officials in the occupied lands, that Russian soldiers were abiding at the village of Lypzi preparatory to taking it. Lyptsi is situated further west than Vovchansk and closer to Kharkiv.

12:33 A Russian scientist is accused of spying for Germany

During the espionage trial against the scientist Anatoly Maslov from Novosibirsk, the Russian Prosecutor's Office demands a sentence of 17 years in a severe penal colony and a hefty fine. This was their announcement made in the Russian newspaper "Kommersant" and television broadcast "Real Time". The 77-year-old Maslov is accused of disclosing confidential information to the German secret service. The trial is being conducted secretly in Saint Petersburg. As per "Kommersant", the Prosecutor's Office considers the crime of treason established. The researchers Alexander Shiplyuk, Valery Swegintsev, and Maslov were arrested in 2022. They are specialists in hypersonic technology. This expertise is crucial for the development of weapons such as the Kinshal missile. The accused deny the allegations. In April, scientist Alexander Kuranov was also jailed for seven years for treason.

11:53 Munz on Putin's journey to China: "Russia has only one choice remaining"

Vladimir Putin is on a state visit in China. As stated by ntv correspondent Rainer Munz, "China is Russia's most robust ally". However, China is not severing diplomatic relations with the West. According to Munz, Russia is the "junior ally" in this relationship.

11:00 Parliamentary leader Volodin warns of a major war: Ukraine is pushing the USA and Europe towards it
The head of Russia's Duma, Vyacheslav Volodin, raises a red flag for the West. Ukraine is drawing the United States and Europe into a massive war, says Volodin. Head of state and government should make every effort to avoid a global catastrophe. Russian political figures close to Putin and the president himself have repeatedly urged the West not to cross Moscow's red lines by providing weapons to Ukraine. Russia's nuclear stockpile has been threatened numerous times.

10:35 Weichert, ntv reporter in Kharkiv: "Russians making progress"
Ukrainian President Zelenskyy claims stability in the contested region of Kharkiv despite the tense situation. However, behind the scenes of this front, things are less optimistic, says Jürgen Weichert, ntv foreign reporter. Even though the situation is largely under control, Russia is making headway elsewhere.

10:07 Putin thanks China for help resolving the "Ukraine crisis"
During a visit to Beijing, Russian President Putin thanks his Chinese counterpart, Xi Jinping, for China's involvement in resolving the "Ukraine crisis". Putin informs Xi Jinping about the state of the conflict in Ukraine. Russian troops are advancing in various areas of the country. At his Beijing visit, both leaders emphasize the significance of the relationship between their countries (see Key Points at 08:57, 06:37, and 02:06). China will continue to be a trustworthy neighbor, friend, and ally to Russia, Xi says, according to Chinese state television CCTV. Per Chinese news agencies, Putin describes the solid foundation of practical cooperation between the two nations.

09:43 Ukraine fires at a Russian military airfield in Crimea again
Ukraine targets the Belbek military airfield in Crimea, which Russia annexed in 2014, with missiles for the second night in a row. A fuel system is hit, and a fire breaks out, according to the independent internet portal Astra. Meanwhile, the Russian Ministry of Defense acknowledges only the launch of five US ATACMS missiles over Crimea. In addition, four Ukrainian drones were shot down, and two more intercepted due to radio interference. Contrary to official statements, Russian military bloggers confirm the fires. The airport was targeted by Ukrainian attacks the previous day.

09:18 SPD politician Roth advocates for changes to the use of Western weapons in Ukraine
SPD foreign policy expert Michael Roth calls for a reassessment of the rules of engagement for weapons provided by the West to Ukraine. Following recent Russian attacks on the Kharkiv region, there is a "new stage of war" in Ukraine, says Roth on ZDF morningshow. The reason: these attacks were carried out directly from Russian territory. "So far, the Russians have attacked from Ukrainian territory," states the Chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee in the Bundestag. This situation has changed. "A new, pragmatic solution is certainly necessary here," says Roth.

08:57 Video: Putin visits China in search of assistance
Russian air strikes on Kherson annihilate a residential area. Meanwhile, the situation in Kharkiv remains volatile. Putin praises Russian troops for their advancement in "all sectors" of the conflict in Ukraine, and departs for China for his first state visit since assuming office.

08:17 Missile fire from Russia: Kiev brings the air alert back
In the early hours of the day, Ukrainian authorities declared an air alert in the capital Kiev and several other regions. This was reported by Radio Free Europe (RFE). The Ukrainian air force issued a warning about the possibility of ballistic missile fire from Russia. The alert is valid for the regions of Sumy, Chernihiv, Kharkiv, Poltava, Dnipropetrovsk, Luhansk, Donetsk, Zaporizhzhya, Kirovohrad, and Cherkasy.

07:43 Airports closed for hours after drone attack in Tatarstan
Two major airports in the Russian region of Tatarstan - the region's capital, Kazan, and the city of Nizhnekamsk - are closed for multiple hours "for security reasons" due to a drone attack. This was reported by Radio Free Europe (RFE). The Russian Defense Ministry reports that a "Ukrainian drone of one type of airship" was downed over Tatarstan around 7:30 a.m. local time on Wednesday morning. According to RFE, the drone was likely heading towards the Zakamsk industrial zone. Last month, drones struck an oil refinery in Tatarstan and a residential home in Nizhnekamsk. The latter is believed to house a plant for manufacturing drones.

07:10 At Least One Civilian Killed in Russian Retaliation Against Sumy Region:A civilian has been reported dead following attacks by Russian forces on ten communities in the Sumy region. According to the Sumy Military Administration, 37 different incidents took place in the area, involving the use of mortars, multiple rocket launchers, and artillery. These assaults resulted in 187 explosions. The local authorities identified one casualty and one injury among civilians as a result of the hostilities.

06:37 Xi and Putin Meet amid Festivities in Beijing:As per Chinese state television broadcast, President Xi Jinping welcomed President Vladimir Putin in a grand ceremony held at the Great Hall of the People, located in Beijing. The Russian leader was reportedly received by President Xi with a grand-scale event. Xi referred to the Sino-Russian relationship as having a positive impact on global peace. China, he stated, is prepared to collaborate with Russia to protect fairness and justice across the globe. China serving his first international visit since his re-election in March, this is also his second trip to the nation within the time span of six months.

06:06 Finland Alters Rules in Preparation of Russian Border Defense:Finland is implementing modifications to its conscription rules, enabling reservists to safeguard the country's borders against a potential large-scale migrational influx. Finns who have concluded their military service with border troops could be summoned to guard the frontier with Russia provided the situation escalates around the border areas.

05:32 Ukrainian Railroad Officials Killed in Russian Grenades Attack:Ukrainian railroad company, Ukrzaliznytsia, has confirmed the demise of two of their employees, a railroad inspector called Serhiy Derevytskyi and a mechanic named Oleksandr Prykhodko, who lost their lives as a consequence of Russian attacks on a civilian railroad structure in the Dnipropetrovsk region.

04:20 Russia Denounces UN Draft Resolution commemorating Srebrenica Massacre:Russia has issued sharp criticism against a UN draft resolution honoring the commemoration of the Srebrenica massacre. Russian ambassador to the UN, Vasily Nebenzia, considered the phraseology of the resolution to constitute a threat to peace and security not only in Bosnia, but throughout the region. Nebenzia accused the Western countries, which backed the resolution, of rekindling the wounds of the Civil War. The draft resolution is set for discussion in the General Assembly, rather than the Security Council, where Russia could potentially veto the document.

03:17 Six People Nabbed Over Allegations Linked to Russian Secret Service:The security authorities have detained six individuals residing in Ukraine, who they suspect work for the Russian military intelligence service, GRU. These individuals are being held accountable for assisting Russia in attacks targeting spots in eastern Ukraine. Their actions included sharing the coordinates of the residential building in the city of Pokrovsk with Russian troops. Facing charges of treason, their life imprisonment appears imminent.

02:06 Putin Makes his Way to China for a State Visit:President Vladimir Putin has made his way to China to partake in a two-day state visit. As per Russian and Chinese media sources, the trip included an early arrival in Beijing and meetings with state and party leader Xi Jinping planned on the itinerary. He was also slated to visit the Russian-Chinese trade fair set in the northern Chinese industrial city of Harbin.

00:58 Estonia Authorizes Transfer of Frozen Russian Funds to Ukraine:In the aftermath of Russia's assault on Ukraine, Estonia has legalized the process of delivering Russian assets frozen as part of sanctions against Russia for Ukraine's economic reparation. The regulation enacted by the parliament in Tallinn permits the transfer of assets belonging to individuals and organizations involved in Moscow's illegal operations to be used for compensatory measures against war damage. The law requires President Alar Karis's approval.

23:42 Ukraine Conference: 50 Countries Commit, Except China:With the one-month countdown beginning before the Ukraine peace conference in Switzerland, a little over 50 countries have authorized their participation, though yet to secure China's commitments. Swiss President Viola Amherd met with Federal Chancellor Olaf Scholz in Berlin, expressing hopes for China to participate in the conference. She confirmed that changes may take place in the list of participants before the concluding event.

22:17 Moscow Presumes West Attacking Russia Financially, be it Hybrid War:Russia has voiced stern criticism against the ambitious plans of the US and EU to seize Russian assets and redirect them to Ukraine. This action, according to the Moscow Foreign Ministry, is a violation of national sovereignty. Spokeswoman, Maria Zakharova declares that the Western nations are instigating a "hybrid war" against Russia. These financial interventions, she furthered, pose a threat to the global economy.

9:48pm - Frozen Russian assets in Germany amount to 3.9 billion euros, says finance ministry

The German Federal Ministry of Finance has revealed that Russian assets accounting for a total of 3.9 billion euros are currently frozen in the country. These assets comprise funds, stocks, and luxury items like yachts belonging to individuals, groups, and companies under sanctions. Last June, the government had estimated the value of the frozen assets to be 5.2 billion euros in response to an inquiry from the CDU/CSU parliamentary group.

One of the ministry's spokeswomen addressed the media yesterday, stating that the current figure is contingent upon market changes and the EU's periodic delisting of individuals or organizations from the sanctions list.

For more updates, check here.

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