20:43 Secret Service: Distance drone attack was a planned special operation.
Intelligence sources in Kiev confirm a Ukrainian drone attack on a military airfield in the Caucasus region. According to a military intelligence representative from HUR, this was a special operation by the Ukrainian spy agency. Previously, the governor of the Russian autonomous region of North Ossetia had reported that the airfield was the target of a drone attack, with three drones being shot down over the city of Mosdok. The attack resulted in "minor damage and fires." The Russian Defense Ministry confirmed that a drone attack was repelled in the region, but gave no further details. North Ossetia is located approximately 1,000 kilometers from the Ukrainian border, close to the border with Georgia.
7:07 PM: Charkiv Governor - Russian attacks are decreasing, but still ongoing
One month ago, Russian troops initiated their ground offensive in the northeastern Ukraine, and now they're reportedly scaling back their combat activities in the Charkiv region. However, the governor of Charkiv, Oleh Syniehubov, warns that the Russians are still regrouping and making attempts to advance deeper into the Charkiv region. There are ongoing skirmishes in Wowtschansk, Sinkivka, and Andriivka, with the latter two towns being under constant fire. Russian forces are employing the scorched earth tactic, intending to destroy parts of Wowtschansk and other settlements. Since the start of their offensive, the Russian military has captured several towns near the Russian border. Thousands of Ukrainian residents have been evacuated from the region.
6:26 PM: Intelligence - Collaborating former mayor in critical condition after attack
The former mayor of the Ukrainian city of Kupiansk, Hennadii Matsehora, is in a critical condition after an attack. The Ukrainian military intelligence HUR does not claim responsibility for the attack, which took place yesterday in the Russian city of Staryi Oskol in the Belgorod region. HUR accuses Matsehora of willingly and extensively cooperating with the Russian military when they invaded Kupiansk in February 2022. He subsequently fled to Russia, according to Ukrainian authorities.
6:16 PM: Biden reassures continued support for Ukraine and Europe - "Putin will not hold ground in Ukraine"
Despite disagreements over the deployment of military trainers to Ukraine, the United States and France have reiterated their commitment to supporting the besieged country. While on a state visit to France, US President Biden pledged continued support for Ukraine and its allies, asserting that "Putin will not hold ground in Ukraine." He emphasized that the consequences of allowing Putin to subdue Ukraine would extend far beyond Ukraine's borders, potentially threatening all of Europe. For more information, follow the link.
5:31 PM: Scholz refuses Macron's proposal - No German or NATO soldiers in Ukraine
Following French President Macron's announcement that he wanted to send military trainers to Ukraine, German Chancellor Scholz reiterated his stance against deploying German soldiers to the war zone. Speaking at an SPD election event in Duisburg, Scholz maintained that Germany and its allies would continue to deescalate the situation. This includes President Biden's commitment that "there will be no soldiers from our countries or from NATO in Ukraine."
4:31 PM: Governor - One of the rescued women has died in the hospital
Ukrainian reports indicate that two civilians have been killed due to Russian attacks. One rescuered woman died in the hospital after being pulled out of the rubble of a house that was hit by a Russian rocket on Friday. The governor of the Poltava region, FilipPronin, confirmed the death on Telegram. He stated that the doctors made every effort to save her life. In the region of Kherson, a 60-year-old woman was killed when Russian forces shelled the village of Dudchany.
4:09 PM: Moscow's representative in Luhansk - Number of victims after Ukrainian attack increased
The Moscow-appointed governor of the partially occupied Ukrainian region of Luhansk reports two additional deaths following a Ukrainian rocket attack. The bodies were recovered from the rubble, according to Leonid Pasechnik. The death toll has risen to six, while 60 more people were injured in the attack on the city of Luhansk. Pasechnik declared a day of mourning and canceled public events. The accuracy of the information cannot be confirmed. There has been no statement from the Ukrainian side as of yet.
3:57 PM: Swiss NGO seeking assistance for arrested employee in Russia
After the detention of one of their employees in Russia, the Geneva-based non-governmental organization Center for Humanitarian Dialogue is attempting to aid him. Their efforts include seeking out a lawyer and contacting Russian authorities. "While the proceedings are ongoing, we are still searching for information about the circumstances that led to his arrest and the charges against him," the organization stated. The Russian state-controlled news agency Tass reported that the employee's lawyer claimed he admitted guilt in court and simply didn't know he had to register as a foreign agent. The Russian government accuses him of gathering information about Russia's "military and military-technical activities."
Ukrainian air defense units have successfully intercepted 9 out of 13 Russian drones flying over the regions of Poltava, Zaporizhzhia, Dnipropetrovsk, and Kharkiv. According to the governor of Dnipropetrovsk, Serhiy Lysak, one of these drones damaged commercial and residential buildings in an area under attack during the night. Earlier, Russia claimed that Ukraine's army had attacked their targets using 25 drones. However, no casualties were reported.
Ukraine has endured serious damage to its power supply infrastructure from the repeated Russian attacks. Minister President Denys Schmyhal informed the public on Ukrainian television, as reported by "The New Voice of Ukraine," that 73% of large power plants are not functioning. Schmyhal added, "Russia has destroyed half of our electricity generation capacity (approximately 9.2 gigawatts). Twenty hydroelectric power plants have also been affected."
Journalists from the news portal, "Kyiv Independent," reported that they have identified two Russian soldiers responsible for raping two women in Ukraine back in 2022. These heinous acts took place during the Russian occupation of the regions Kiev and Kherson. The soldiers have yet to face justice for their crimes. The news portal "Kyiv Independent" noted that 292 cases of rape by the Russian military have been recorded since the start of the war.
The British defense intelligence service has discovered eight barges installed by the Russian military to defend the Crimea Bridge and the surrounding shipping lane in the Kerch Strait, according to a report. These new protective measures aim to reduce the angle of approach for Ukrainian drones. Previously, installations had been damaged by storms. The Kerch Bridge, connecting the Crimea Peninsula with the Russian mainland, is a significant supply route for the front.
Germany's Defense Minister, Boris Pistorius, confirmed that the German military must become fully prepared for a defensive war should the need arise. This stance emphasizes being prepared for the worst to avoid being caught off guard. Experts estimate that it will take Russia five years to develop the necessary military capabilities for an attack on a NATO country. Russia has increased its military spending from 5.9% of its economic output in 2023 to 7% in the current year.
In the South Front zone, the Russian military continues to bombard the Ukrainian defenses with increased intensity. The Ukrainian forces reportedly repelled three attacks in the areas of Orichiv and Krynky. On Friday, Ukraine counted 240 reconnaissance drones over the southern region. Apart from artillery, rockets, and combat drones, they used the drones as well.
Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba urged Ukraine's allies to not only use the proceeds from frozen Russian assets but also the assets themselves. Kuleba stressed, "We are on the ground of international law." The European Union currently has approximately €200 billion worth of assets belonging to the Russian Central Bank frozen. The upcoming meeting of the G7 Summit in Italy on Monday will discuss whether the money itself can be utilized.
A reporter from ntv visits Kharkiv and meets people who have lost their family members and homes due to the Russian attacks. In one instance, Russians even shot at cows on a farm.
Chancellor Olaf Scholz reiterated his support for Ukraine and their efforts to protect its independence and sovereignty. Scholz expressed his belief that "Russia will not succeed with its imperialist plans. Putin must understand that he cannot prevail in his brutal campaign of aggression."
Recent reports from Moscow suggest that a Ukrainian drone has made its way to North Ossetia in the Caucasus region. The governor of the area claims that the drone targeted a military airfield. This is a notable development as it's the first known instance of a Ukrainian drone reaching North Ossetia, over 700 kilometers away from the Ukrainian border. Combat jets are launched from this airfield for attacks on Ukraine, such as glide bomb attacks. The Ukrainian military has been focusing increasingly on damaging infrastructure in Russian territory to disrupt logistics and supply lines.
10:20 Front at Pokrovsk: One Ukrainian brigade holds off three Russian brigades
Ukrainian forces are reporting heavy fighting on the Eastern front with Russian troops continuing to attack. In Pokrovsk, a Ukrainian tank brigade is successfully defending against three Russian combat brigades. Pokrovsk is the heart of the conflict, situated west of Ocheretyne, which was recently captured by the Russians. "This is where the enemy is trying to penetrate deep into our territory," the report states. "With massive reinforcements, the Russians are constantly replacing their losses with new soldiers and refuse to stop their assaults."
09:48 Moscow Reports: 25 Ukrainian drones attack Russian targets overnight
Moscow alleges that Ukraine launched attacks on Russian targets with 25 combat drones throughout the night on Saturday. The Defense Ministry mentioned that drones were repelled in the border regions of Rostov, Bryansk, and Belgorod. Even the annexed Crimean Peninsula was targeted.
09:12 Sharma: Russians attempting to create wedge between Ukrainian positions in Donetsk region
The situation remains tense in the Donetsk region. Russian troops appear to be attempting to execute a long-warned-about scenario, Kavita Sharma reports from Ukraine.
08:55 Ukrainian General Staff Reports: 1,210 Russian losses since yesterday
The Ukrainian General Staff reports that 1,210 Russian soldiers were injured or killed in the past 24 hours. They also state that Russia's total losses now exceed 517,000 since the beginning of the full-scale invasion in February 2022. Additionally, Kiev's army destroyed nine tanks, 36 armored vehicles, a multiple rocket launcher, and seven air defense systems.
08:31 Ukrainian Military Intelligence: Russia planning anti-Ukraine propaganda campaign
The Ukrainian military intelligence service HUR claims that Russia is planning a large-scale propaganda campaign targeting Ukraine's military leadership. They claim that 15 million euros are being invested in articles and films that would portray Ukrainian special units and military leadership in a negative light. Russian forces have been instructed to disseminate this material in Ukrainian and Western media outlets to heighten tensions in Ukraine.
07:48 German Security Authorities: Risk of Cyber Attacks and Drone Attacks During EM
German security authorities consider the security situation leading up to the upcoming European Football Championship as tense. They identify Russia's war against Ukraine as a potential threat and are particularly concerned about the possibility of cyber attacks and drones targeting stadiums. The challenge of ensuring the safety of airspace above stadiums is a significant concern, as drones have been seen above German military installations where Ukrainian soldiers are trained. The risk of an Islamist attack on a match or fan festival is also considered a possibility. Interior Minister Nancy Faeser revealed a strong police presence at stadiums and fan zones to show their determination.
07:27 Explosions Reported in Sevastopol on Crimean Peninsula
Explosions were heard in Sevastopol on the occupied Crimean Peninsula last night, according to the Kyiv Independent and Telegram channel Crimean Wind. Residents in Balaklava, a settlement in the city, reported hearing an explosion around 1:39 local time. The first explosion reportedly occurred near a power plant, while a second happened near the port of Sevastopol. Crimean Wind suggests a possible drone attack as large-caliber weapons were heard beforehand. The Ukrainian army is working to disrupt Russian logistics and supply lines by targeting infrastructure.
06:54 Ukrainian Air Force Praises Mirage Jets but Prefers F-16s
The Ukrainian Air Force has expressed appreciation for the Mirage combat jets being provided by France as they are modern and versatile, capable of various combat tasks. However, they emphasize that the F-16 fighter jets hold a higher priority for Ukraine. Training for Ukrainian pilots on Mirage jets is expected to take another six months. The secure storage of Western jets will also be a hurdle given the persistent Russian air raids. The Mirage was developed in France in the 1970s and widely known as the most crucial combat aircraft of the French army until about 20 years ago.
06:30 Sumy Region Evacuates Eight More Settlements
The Sumy region reports eight additional settlements have been evacuated due to aggressive Russian actions. The exact number of civilians affected is not disclosed.
In the Ukrainian-Russian border region of Sumy, eight more settlements are being evacuated due to daily Russian attacks. This news was shared by the governor of the area on state television. Sumy has experienced over fifty explosions in the last twenty-four hours. This week, three people were killed and three more injured due to Russian shelling. The total civilian deaths in the region so far this year now stand at fifty, who have been killed by artillery, mortars, and kamikaze drones.
05:45 France Sells Second Air Defense System to Ukraine
The French defense company Thales is selling a second air defense system to Ukraine. The Ukrainian Defense Ministry has purchased this system, but the cost has not been disclosed yet. Ukraine's primary point of concern presently is its air defense, as they have a shortage of defense weapons to protect their troops and major cities from incoming attacks.
04:48 Germany Considering Fourth Patriot Delivery to Kyiv
A report by Bloomberg suggests that Germany is thinking about sending a fourth Patriot missile defense system to Kyiv. If this happens, it would be Germany's fourth donation of a Patriot system to Ukraine. Under new rules, the German government permits using Patriots against Russian aircraft in Russian airspace, which means Ukraine may theoretically shoot down Russian planes that use rockets and glide bombs from beyond Russian airspace to attack targets in the Kharkiv region.
03:50 Zelenskyy Discounts Putin's Legitimacy Claims
In reaction to Russian President Vladimir Putin's allegations about the illegitimacy of Volodymyr Zelenskyy's presidency, President Zelenskyy clarified in a press conference with French President Macron that the Ukrainian people are the only ones who can recognize Zelenskyy's legitimacy. "The Ukrainian people are the only ones who can recognize President Zelenskyy's legitimacy. The Ukrainian people made their choice, and I am grateful for their support. Our people are free. Honestly, we are fighting for this."
02:05 Germany's Ukraine Reconstruction Conference
The German government plans to offer Ukraine an outlook beyond military aid with the Ukraine Reconstruction Conference next week. The objective is to demonstrate opportunities in civil society, the economy, municipalities, and regions, as per a top German government official. The conference on Tuesday and Wednesday in Berlin will include German Chancellor Scholz and various German ministers and ministers, as well as a high-ranking Ukrainian delegation. The meeting is "not a fundraising conference, but a networking conference," explains a German government representative.
00:45 Russian Occupation Reports Killing of 22 Villagers
Russian occupation authorities reported that Ukrainian artillery attacked a Russian-controlled village in the southern Kherson region and killed 22 people. Vladimir Saldo, the Russian-appointed head of Kherson administration, shared this information on Telegram, indicating that the attack targeted a village store full of people. He also mentioned that fifteen people were injured in the incident. Saldo accused Western weapons deliveries to Ukraine for the "despicable murder of civilians." Confirmation of this incident's details is currently unavailable from independent sources.
23:45 Macron Calls for EU Accession Talks with Ukraine by End of Month
French President Emmanuel Macron has called for EU accession talks with Ukraine to begin by the end of the month. "France supports Ukraine in all areas, including at the European level, where we are trying to achieve a real start of accession negotiations by the end of the month," Macron said at a press conference with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. "There are decisions regarding Ukraine's integration into the EU that are nearly finalized," Zelenskyy added. However, Hungary, the next country to take over the EU Council presidency on July 1, is withholding approval for these talks.
22:54 Zelenskyy's Support Hits an All-Time Low in Recent Polls
After over two years of war, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's approval rating has dropped to an all-time low. The percentage of people in Ukraine approving of his leadership is now below 60% - though he still has the trust of more than half of the population. A survey by the KIIS Institute shows a consistent decline in his popularity, with his approval falling from a high of 90% shortly after the Russian offensive war began. Zelenskyy's term was slated to end in May, but under martial law, he remains president. Ukrainian authorities announced that elections would not take place for the moment, as one-fifth of the country is under Russian control and millions of Ukrainians are refugees.
22:04 Zelenskyy Witnesses a Setback in Popularity
Ukraine's President, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, experiences a slump in popularity despite having the trust of a majority of the population. Support for him has reached its lowest point after two years of war, according to findings by the KIIS Institute. However, he still enjoys widespread trust amongst Ukrainians. Authorities in Ukraine have indicated that there will be no elections for the time being because 20% of the country is under Russian occupation and millions of citizens have fled abroad.
John Kirby, the communications director of the National Security Council, shared that the US government will not participate in Emmanuel Macron's plan to deploy military trainers to Ukraine. This revelation came during a visit by US President Joe Biden to France. Kirby added that Biden respects Macron's stance but has consistently maintained since the war in Ukraine began that American soldiers will not be involved. Kirby reiterated this stance, saying, "This has always been the case and will continue to be so." On the matter of disclosing additional information, he added that the decision of how much clarity Macron provides was left to Macron's own discretion. Biden has also previously made it clear that he wants to avoid a third world war as well as any conflict with Russia. #FrenchPresident #EmmanuelMacron #USPresident #JoeBiden #Ukraine #military #UkraineWar #Russia #NationalSecurityCouncil #JohnKirby #Biden #ThirdWorldWar #Diplomacy
Read also:
- The military intelligence representative from HUR confirms that the drone attack on the Russian military airfield in the Caucasus region was a special Ukrainian operation, aimed at disrupting Russian logistics and supply lines.
- In response to French President Macron's proposal, German Chancellor Scholz reiterates his stance against deploying German or NATO soldiers to Ukraine, emphasizing the need for deescalation and continued support for Ukraine without direct military involvement.
- The governor of the Luhansk region reports an increase in casualties following a Ukrainian rocket attack, with two additional deaths and 60 injured people recovered from the rubble of a city in Luhansk.
- With ongoing Russian attacks damaging Ukraine's power supply infrastructure, the Ukrainian government is calling for international assistance and urging allies like France and Germany to utilize frozen Russian assets to provide aid and support in addressing the crisis.
