France Abandons Mirage-2000 Fighter Planes for Ukraine's Use

20:36 France withdraws its Mirage-2000 fighter aircraft from Ukraine

France is transporting Mirage-2000 fighter jets to Ukraine. French President Emmanuel Macron announced this during a TV interview, according to AFP news agency.

20:01 Zelensky Commemorates Anniversary of Dam Collapse in Southern UkraineUkrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky remembered the anniversary of the dam collapse in southern Ukraine, "One year ago, Russian occupiers destroyed the dam and the buildings of the Kakhovka hydroelectric power plant," said the head of state on social networks. He deemed the act one of the most significant environmental crimes of the Russian invaders since their invasion. Zelensky stated that tens of thousands of people were affected by the flood wave caused by the dam burst. Water supplies were disrupted for hundreds of thousands of people. "The consequences of this crime were even felt in neighboring countries of our Black Sea region," Zelensky said.

19:32 Sabotage: Russian Court Imposes Harsh Sentences on Three IndividualsA court in the Russian republic of Tatarstan has handed down severe prison terms for two teenagers and a young man accused of sabotage. According to local media, the three aimed, for the benefit of Ukraine, to undermine Russia's defense capability and economic security. A 20-year-old was sentenced to 17 years in prison, the oldest one. The two minors received five-year sentences each in a juvenile detention center. They were accused of burning out a railway switchgear. Switchgears are used to control train traffic. The indictment claimed the defendants received about 80 euros for setting fire to the switchgear from unknown Ukrainian contractors. Due to the sabotage, trains had to travel more slowly in the affected area for safety reasons. The incident allegedly occurred in March 2023. At that time, the two defendants were 15 and 16 years old.

19:07 Macron at D-Day Commemoration: "We Will Not Back Down"French President Emmanuel Macron called for the defense of freedom in the world during the D-Day commemoration in Normandy. "In response to the resurgence of war on our continent, to those who question what you fought for, to those who seek to rewrite history with violence, we must prove ourselves worthy of those who landed here," Macron said at an international memorial service for veterans and numerous heads of state and government. "Your presence here today, Mr. President of Ukraine, speaks for itself," Macron told Volodymyr Zelensky. "We will not back down," reiterated French President Macron, "without fear, that's why we're here." And he continued, "We know that freedom must be defended every morning. For all those who yearn for freedom, equality, and fraternity around the world, June 6 is an endless day. June 6 is a dawn that begins anew."

18:36 Biden: Ukrainian Attacks on Moscow and Kremlin with US Weapons Prohibited

US President Joe Biden confirmed that weapons supplied by his country to Ukraine cannot be used for attacks on Moscow or other Russian targets. These weapons can only be used for attacks "across the border" if Russian border areas are attacked, Biden said in an interview with the US broadcaster ABC News, excerpts of which were released. Attacks with US weapons on targets "200 miles (approximately 320 kilometers) inside Russia" or on Moscow "or the Kremlin" are not allowed, Biden emphasized.

18:09 Casualty: One Dead, Four Injured in Russian Shelling at the Front in Donetsk

The Russian military shelled the village of Pivnichne in the Donetsk region. One person was killed, and four others were injured, the Emergency Services reported on Facebook. Pivnichne belongs to the Bakhmut district and is only a few kilometers from the front line, it said. Two of the injured were taken to a hospital for first aid.

17:37 Ex-Soldier Sentenced to Five Years in Prison for Passing Information to RussiaIn Ukraine, a former soldier received a five-year prison sentence for allegedly passing military information to Russia. The prosecutor's office in Kharkiv did not identify the former soldier in a statement. He established contact with an FSB representative via the Signal messaging service, it said. The man shared information about soldiers and military equipment in the Kharkiv region in the northeast and the Mykolaiv region in the south. Russian forces used the information to carry out targeted air strikes on Ukrainian defenses, the prosecutor's office said. The man was arrested near the frontline city of Kupyansk. He admitted his guilt fully and completely, the prosecutor's office added.

17:14 Intense Fighting: Ukrainian Authorities Order Evacuation of Parts of Several Cities and Towns

In the midst of escalating hostilities in the eastern Ukrainian region of Donetsk, Ukrainian officials have issued an evacuation order for kids and their guardians in several locations. Donetsk Governor Vadym Frolov revealed this information on social media, stating that evacuations are being conducted across several settlements, including Lyman town, Prohres village, and others close to the battlefront lines. "The situation in the region is worsening continuously, and the intensity of shelling is on the rise," Frolov explained. The evacuation, he said, is "a vital decision meant to safeguard the lives of our children." On the previous day, 217 people were evacuated, which included 61 children.

16:52 Air Force Scandal Concludes with Discplinary Action

German Air Force Inspector Ingo Gerhartz will be subjected to a minor disciplinary measure for the intercepted discussion about the Taurus missile with Russia. According to regulations, additional disciplinary actions are not permitted. The news was revealed by the German Press Agency in Berlin. The Air Force's top brass were implicated in a Russian intelligence intercept of a Webex call discussing Taurus missile scenarios for the Ukrainian government.

16:21 Orban Conditions Backing for Rutte's NATO Secretary General Nomination

Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban will only endorse former Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte's nomination for the NATO Secretary General position if he fulfills certain requirements. In an interview with the government-funded website "Mandiner," Orban stated that Rutte must apologize for offending remarks he made against Hungary during his tenure as prime minister. Additionally, anyone who wants to lead NATO must sign an agreement with Hungary, ensuring that it will not participate in any anti-Russian military operations in Ukraine. It's important to note that NATO has yet to plan, organize, or initiate any anti-Russian military operations in Ukraine. Military operations launched by individual NATO member states in areas not under the alliance's jurisdiction are not obligatory for all members.

15:58 Scholz Sees D-Day as a Warning for Increased Defense Efforts

Chancellor Olaf Scholz urged decisive steps toward stronger European defenses when commenting on the 80th anniversary of the D-Day landings. In an article for the French newspaper "Ouest-France," Scholz emphasized the need to maintain peace in the face of Russian destructive imperialism. "With the D-Day, we've demonstrated how crucial alliances are," he mentioned. He also stated that it's clear that "Russian imperialistic aggression must not prevail," and that Germany and its partners will continue to back Ukraine's resistance.

15:46 Biden: Democracy Feeling More Threatened than Post-World War II

During a ceremony in France commemorating the 80th anniversary of D-Day, US President Joe Biden warned about the ongoing threat to democracy worldwide. "Presently, democracy is more imperiled worldwide than at any other time since World War II's conclusion," Biden stated in Colleville-sur-Mer. Attending the event to commemorate fallen US soldiers in the Allied landing, Biden acknowledged the D-Day's contribution in driving back Nazi Germany. "Here we demonstrated that the forces of freedom outpower the forces of conquest," he said, hinting at the importance of NATO.

15:17 Stoltenberg: NATO Has "No Plans" to Deploy Troops in Ukraine

NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg confirmed that the defense alliance would not deploy any troops to Ukrainian soil. "NATO does not have plans to send troops to Ukraine" as there's no "immediate military threat" to any NATO member state, Stoltenberg affirmed during his visit to the Finnish capital, Helsinki.

14:46 Biden: USA and NATO will not Shy Away from Ukraine Crisis

American President Joe Biden insisted that the USA and NATO will not shy away from the Ukraine crisis. During a visit to Normandy, commemorating the 80th anniversary of World War II's D-Day landings, Biden characterized Russia's leader as an obsessed tyrant who seeks power. "We will not relent, we will not surrender, and that's simply beyond the pale," Biden said in Colleville-sur-Mer. Referring to the dire global democratic situation, Biden added, "If we succumb, freedom will be suppressed, and all of Europe will be at risk."

14:21 Frenchman Remanded in Russia for Collecting Military Data

A French citizen has been detained in Russia for allegedly gathering information on Russian military activities. The Russian authorities' Serious Crimes Investigation Committee disclosed this information. He had made multiple excursions to Russia and had meet with Russian citizens, the committee claimed.

14:01 Lavrov Announces More Military Aid for Sahel Nations

Russia plans to expand its military presence in West and Central Africa. Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov wrapped up a four-day tour of the region, announcing that Russia will continue to assist countries in the region to enhance their military capabilities and train their military personnel and law enforcement officers. This support will cover not only Chad, but also other countries in the region.

13:30 Casualties Mount Following Russian Attacks

Ukrainian officials reported two deaths and 22 injuries from Russian attacks the previous day. The casualties were reported in the regions of Donetsk, Kharkiv, Kherson, and Dnipro. In Nikopol, a bus was struck by a drone, causing it to catch fire and injuring four passengers.

12:57 Scholz Finds Putin's Praise for AfD "Embarrassing"

In response to Russian President Vladimir Putin's positive comments about the AfD (Alternative for Germany), Chancellor Olaf Scholz expressed his disapproval during a government statement. "It's already embarrassing that you've received such great praise from the Russian president today," Scholz said. The AfD, a partly right-wing extremist party in Germany, has faced criticism for its links with Russia.

12:31 Stoltenberg: Ensure No More Supply Gaps for Ukraine

NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg urged Western allies to ensure more predictability in supplying Ukraine with military aid. Noting that some past deliveries had hit delays and gaps, Stoltenberg emphasized the importance of reliability in supporting the war-torn nation.

11:59 Ukraine Needs More F-16 Pilot Training Slots

Ukraine has requested that the US and other Western countries increase the number of slots available for their pilots training on F-16 fighter jets. According to Ukrainian officials, the current supply of training positions is inadequate, hindering their ability to fill the jets with pilots once delivered.

11:28 ISW: Ukraine Fights Back in Vovchansk Counteroffensive

The battle around the city of Vovchansk near the Russian-Ukrainian border is ongoing. Ukrainian forces are seeking to inflict maximum losses on the Russian troops, prevent gains, and regain lost positions. Russian military bloggers claim Ukrainian forces have intensified their counterattacks in and around Vovchansk, while the leader of the military administration for the city reported increased Ukrainian forces' gains.

10:52 Ukrainian Military Intelligence Sinks Russian Tugboat

The Ukrainian Military Intelligence (HUR) claimed to have destroyed a Russian tugboat in the Black Sea, according to Yusov, HUR spokesperson. The vessel was reportedly located near the Russian-occupied Crimea. "Another enemy ship was destroyed in the Black Sea last night," reports Yusov.

10:23 Serhiy Zhadan, Prominent Ukrainian Writer, Enters Military Service

Serhiy Zhadan, a well-known Ukrainian writer and recipient of the Peace Prize of the German Book Trade, has enlisted in the Ukrainian military. "I have joined the 13th Brigade of the National Guard of Ukraine, Chartia. I am in training. I serve the people of Ukraine," Zhadan wrote on social media, sharing a photo of himself in camouflage uniform and holding an automatic rifle.

09:57 Scholz Defends Weapon Supplies for Ukrainian Attacks on Russia

German Leader Olaf Scholz highlights that Ukraine can exploit the furnished weapons to assail Russian sites even within Russia. He made this remark in a government statement at the Bundestag, indicating Ukraine reserves the right to shield itself against strikes on its territory, metropolises, and occupants. He added, "This also encompasses offensives like in the area of Kharkiv, which Russia conducts from spots in the unequivocally neighboring Russian frontier region." To retaliate against such attacks, Ukraine may also employ the armaments contributed by us and our partners—remaining consistent with global legal commitments. We have assessed the hazards mutually with our allies.

9:26 Munz: "Putin applies duress on Germany"

Russian President Putin steers his initial comments on Russia's engagement in Ukraine towards menaces against the West. He specifically focuses on Germany. ntv correspondent Rainer Munz evaluates Putin's statements.

8:56 Russia: 13 Ukrainian drones nullified over Crimea

Russia asserts that it has terminated 13 Ukrainian drones above the annexed Crimean Peninsula overnight. Additionally, six additional targets were negated above the Belgorod region and an anti-ship missile was obliterated over the Rostov region, per the Russian Department of Defense. These claims cannot be substantiated independently. Ukraine too asserts to have humiliated Russian drones (refer to entry at 6:54).

8:23 Ukraine: Russian losses ascend to 515,000 soldiers

Ukrainian forces assert that the invading Russians have now lost 515,000 troops amid their conquest. In the past day, Russian losses heightened by 1,300 soldiers, as per the Ukrainian General Staff. In addition, 22 tanks and 48 siege weapons were demolished. Among the invaders' casualties are also an anti-aircraft system and 40 APCs. These figures cannot be independently authenticated.

7:55 Ukraine restrains activities at Russian refinery with a drone strike

Reports from Russia coax that work at a refinery in southern Russia has been suspended after a Ukrainian drone attack. According to the governor of the afflicted region of Rostov, Vasily Golubev, a fire erupted at the refinery in Nowoschachtinsk owing to a drone attack. Production has ceased, but there are no fatalities. The refinery Nowoschachtinsk is reported to be one of the chief oil refineries in southern Russia. It is sprawled approximately ten kilometers east of the border and frequently targets Ukrainian assaults.

7:22 KNDS: Securing alternate components for Ukraine proves complex

The chief of defense apparatus manufacturer KNDS, Ralf Ketzel, acknowledges having a hard time replacing parts for Ukraine's damaged tanks. "We weren't able to foresee that Ukraine would require multiple years to maintain its tanks," he informs the German news portal, web.de. "Over eighty to ninety percent of the repairs won't be done by us, but at the front. It's not just regular to obtain spare parts for intricate military equipment." He maintains, "This is additionally a matter we ought to contemplate if the government claims: We aspire to be prepared for war."

6:54 Ukraine stalls 17 Russian combat drones

Ukrainian defenders repulse a Russian drone ambush. Seventeen of the eighteen Shahed drones were ousted in the metropolises of Mykolaiv, Kherson, Saporischschja, and Khmelnytskyi, as per the Ukrainian General Staff. Moreover, the district of Dnipro was ostensibly sullied with two Iskander missiles. The specifics of whether the missiles were also mistaken are obscure.

6:25 Russia mulls deploying high-tech long-range missiles

Putin menaces the transmission of high-tech long-range missiles if Ukraine grants permission to utilize long-range armaments in Russia. If Ukraine consents to apply specific missiles within Russian boundaries, similar high-tech long-range missiles may be dispatched near the countries that allow Ukraine to use such missiles on Russian land, states Putin to foreign journalists in St. Petersburg. The precise locale where Russian missiles will be housed is still under review.

5:52 Weapons manufacturer: Expeditious deliveries of arms to Ukraine impracticable

The managing director of the German weapon maker KNDS, Ralf Ketzel, acknowledges his company's incapability to allocate Ukraine with additional deliveries speedily. "The potential to dispatch something speedily at this stage is scrubbed," he informs the German online news site, web.de. "Two years ago, we should have made the institutional decision: This will be a long war. Had we done that, we could have supplied contemporary apparatus today?" However, that could not be foreseen back then.

4:22 Russia urges intensifying relationships with the Taliban

Russian President Putin advocates for augmenting Russia's relationships with the Taliban in Afghanistan. "We have always favored grappling with realism," he geometrically declares at a gathering with international reporters at the borderlines of the International Economic Forum in St. Petersburg, where a Taliban delegation also congregates. Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov precedingly asserted that Moscow intends to abrogate the Taliban from the list of outlawed terrorist conglomerations, under which they've been since 2003.

Julia Nawalnaya and the foundation of the late Kremlin critic Alexei Nawalny have been honored with the Freedom Award from German broadcaster Deutsche Welle. Tragically, Nawalny passed away unexpectedly in a Siberian prison on February 16th. Nawalnaya expressed her intention to continue her late husband's work during her acceptance speech. She highlighted, "Putin took my husband Alexei Nawalny's life, but he couldn't squelch his ideas." Furthermore, Nawalnaya cautioned against Russian misinformation and false experts in the European Union prior to the European elections. Putin is trying to force his agenda upon the world. "And he sometimes succeeds," added Nawalnaya. She closed with "We will keep fighting." Consequently, the power of free speech will triumph over propaganda's poison.

21:51: Lavrov seeks to form new alliances in Africa

The Russian Foreign Minister, Sergei Lavrov, has announced during his visit to Burkina Faso that Moscow will provide additional military equipment and trainers to Burkina Faso to enhance the defense capabilities of this West African nation. Little has changed between Russia and Burkina Faso since their initial interactions shortly after the 2022 coup. Moscow is using this political offensive to forge new relationships. According to Russian news agency TASS, Russia and Burkina Faso have been closely collaborating in all aspects, including military and military-technical relations. By finding a partner in military support, Russia isn't criticizing the war while simultaneously not supporting it.

21:25: Putin anticipates no major alterations in US-Russia relationships post-elections

Russian President Vladimir Putin expects no significant shift in Russian-American relationships after the upcoming US Presidential Elections. "The outcome doesn't matter much for us," said Putin at a media gathering in St. Petersburg. Russia will engage with the new president installed by the American public. Previously, Putin expressed his preference for a Biden victory, citing the predictability. Putin also criticized the legal proceedings against Donald Trump, another candidate challenging Biden on November 5th.

20:58: Putin discards Western concerns over potential Russian incursion into NATO territory

Putin sternly dismissed Western concerns of a Russian invasion of NATO territory. "Are you crazy? Are you as dumb as a table? Why would Russia want to invade NATO?" Putin exclaimed. Putin also rebuffed claims that he uttered threats of "some sort of atomic bomb." "Forgive me, did I mention the possibility of a nuclear strike? You did," he retorted.

02:44: Fire reported at Russian oil refinery in Novocherkassk

As per Russian media reports, a blaze erupted at a Russian oil refinery in Novocherkassk. This incident follows several explosions. The governor of the bordering region, Rostov, reports a drone attack. Rescue teams arrived on the scene. The refinery has been the target of Ukrainian drone strikes previously.

01:24: Americans predict intense Russian military workouts near the U.S. this summer

According to an American government spokesperson, the U.S. anticipates Russia to conduct more intensive naval and air forces exercises in the Caribbean this summer. These activities will be regarded as part of usual naval operations and will not pose a direct threat to the U.S. "It's about Russia showcasing its global power projection capabilities," explained the spokesperson. Nonetheless, the U.S. Navy will monitor the maneuvers.

00:04: Putin defends Russia's cooperation with AfD

Russian President Vladimir Putin maintains support for Russian communion with AfD politicians. "We'll work with anyone eager to cooperate with Russia," said Putin during a meeting with international journalists in St. Petersburg. "No signs of neo-Nazism are evident in their actions," said Putin regarding the right-wing extremist German party. While there are no "systematic relations" between the two, if the AfD supports normal relations with Russia, Moscow will respond in kind.

22:20: Putin expresses readiness to probe Arman Soldin's death

Vladimir Putin has expressed readiness to unravel the mystery behind the death of AFP journalist Arman Soldin. "We'll try our best," Putin reported at a meeting with journalists from major international news agencies in St. Petersburg. "We can investigate this, but it's challenging since he lost his life in a war zone." Arman Soldin, age 32, died on May 9, 2023, due to a rocket assault. During this time, he was documenting Ukrainian soldiers in close proximity to the frontlines.

7:58pm Putin: Over 6,000 Ukrainians Held CaptiveRussian President Vladimir Putin has shared that there are over 6,000 Ukrainian prisoners of war being held in Russian custody. This figure surpasses the estimated number of Russian soldiers and officers in Ukrainian captivity. In a conversation with representatives from major international news agencies in St. Petersburg, Putin revealed this information.

The number of Ukrainian detainees is 1,348, while the number of Russians in captivity in Ukraine counts at 6,365. Although these figures cannot be verified immediately, Putin stated that both parties remain reluctant to disclose the actual losses in the war.

Additionally, Putin mentioned that Ukraine has suffered more losses in the conflict than Russia. However, the Ukrainian side argues that their own soldiers have comparatively higher casualties than Russians in the war.

7:18pm Putin Warns: No German Weapons Against RussiaRussian President Vladimir Putin has cautioned against Ukrainian troops using German weapons against any targets on Russian soil. It was during a meeting with representatives of several international news agencies in St. Petersburg that Putin conveyed this warning. Attacking Russian facilities with such weapons, according to the president, could severely damage Russian-German relations.

Delivering German tanks to Ukraine last year came as a surprise for many in Russia. At a media event at Lakhta Center of the gas giant Gazprom, which is part of the 27th St. Petersburg International Economic Forum, Putin expressed his concerns. Initially, this forum served as a platform for the first international gathering since the start of Putin's war against Ukraine.