20:58 Putin: Numerous Ukrainians held captive by Russia
After nearly two and a half years of invasion, Putin estimates the number of Ukrainian POWs at over 6,000. This figure far outweighs the number of Russian soldiers and officers captured by Ukrainian forces. The Russian president made the statement during a meeting with representatives of major international news agencies in St. Petersburg. According to Putin, Ukraine is holding 1,348 Russian prisoners, while Russia is keeping 6,365 captives from the neighboring country. Despite his claims, these figures cannot be independently verified. When asked about Russian casualties in the war, Putin noted that neither conflict party publicly shares these figures. He also mentioned that Ukraine is likely suffering significantly higher losses than Russia.
He also addressed concerns about the use of German-made weapons against targets in Russia at the same meeting. Putin cautioned against such actions, stating they would severely impact Russian-German relations. The delivery of German tanks to Ukraine last year had already caused backlash in many parts of Russia, and further escalation in the form of military strikes would only worsen matters.
As for France's support for Ukraine, it was announced that they plan to provide 650 million euros in aid. President Macron is expected to sign two agreements during a meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy: 400 million euros in loans and 50 million euros in donations for energy and transport projects. Moreover, a support fund of 200 million euros will be established to collaborate with French companies operating in Ukraine's reconstruction process.
Amid talks, EU finance ministers in the G7 group are examining ways to utilize Russian assets for Ukraine's benefit. Eurogroup Chairman Paschal Donohoe revealed after a virtual meeting that the G7 will discuss using income from sealed Russian assets for a massive loan for Ukraine. The funding would help cover interest payments and a large chunk of it on weapons purchases and a portion for the country's reconstruction. However, there's some debate over using the blocked funds and their returns as collateral for a $50 billion loan for Ukraine, as suggested by the US government.
Amid the shortage of personnel and ammunition, Ukraine is ramping up the production of kamikaze drones. Volunteers are joining together to create these drones manually, intending for them to spying on and attacking Russian positions.
Ukraine has also reportedly used US-supplied weapons against Russian territories. A Western diplomatic source confirmed to the AP that Ukraine utilized American weapons for strikes on Russian soil, following new guidelines set by US President Joe Biden.
Russian blogger Anna Baschutova has been sentenced to five and a half years in prison for live-streaming testimonies from Bucha residents accusing the Russian military of massacres on Twitch. The court convicted Baschutova for spreading false information about Russian mistreatment in Ukraine. The 30-year-old defendant called the verdict "disgusting and repulsive" and her lawyer, Andrei Neviev, announced they would file an appeal.
Finally, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyj arrived in Qatar for talks with the Emir of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad Al Thani. Zelenskyj intends to discuss mediation in the return of kidnapped Ukrainian children, economic cooperation, and the upcoming peace summit scheduled to take place in Switzerland. Qatar confirmed its participation.
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16:51 Ukrainians aged 18 to 60 who reside abroad will have to serve in the military upon returning to Ukraine
Andrij Demtschenko, a spokesperson for the Ukrainian Border Guard, told AFP that Ukrainian men between the ages of 18 and 60 who have been out of the country for longer than three months cannot avoid being enlisted in the army. They must report to the military within 30 days after arriving in the country, according to the new rule that went into effect on June 1st.
16:27 Evacuation of children from the Solotschiw area close to the Ukrainian-Russian border
The head of the military administration of Solotschiw, Viktor Kovalenko, told "The Kyiv Independent" and Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (RFE/RL) that Ukrainian authorities are attempting to relocate all children from the Solotschiw region, which is located near the contested Kharkiv area and just a few kilometers away from the Ukrainian-Russian border.
15:57 Russian court sentences a Russian-American man to three and a half years in prison for insulting a Russian World War II symbol
A man with dual Russian and American citizenship has been sentenced to three and a half years in a penal colony by a Russian court for defaming the memory of the Soviet army during World War II. The defendant confessed to his guilt and must also abstain from using the internet and other communication media for one and a half years. The charges against the defendant included two posts made on the Russian social network Odnoklassniki. The man, aged 60 and employed as a security guard at a sports center in Brooklyn, New York, was detained in Russia in December 2023.
15:06 Pistorius plans to make the Bundeswehr combat-ready by 2029
Defense Minister Boris Pistorius stated during a government hearing in the German parliament that he intends to enhance the readiness of the Bundeswehr amid the threat from Russia. According to Pistorius, the Bundeswehr should be combat-ready by 2029 to deter potential conflicts. To achieve this goal, he highlighted the need for more funding, resources, and personnel.
14:54 A Polish commission investigates Russian and Belarusian espionage
Prime Minister Donald Tusk announced a new commission of security experts to probe the possible influence of Russian and Belarusian intelligence services in Poland over the last 20 years. The 12-member commission, led by the head of military counterintelligence, General Jaroslaw Strozyk, will not include any politicians. Poland has been perceived as an enemy by Russia due to its support for Ukraine and its role as a logistical center for Western military aid to Kiev. This comes amid concerns about potential Russian sabotage acts in Poland and other EU countries.
14:05 One dead and five injured in Russian attacks on Donetsk region in eastern Ukraine
According to Ukrainian reports, a Russian attack in Donetsk has resulted in one death and five injuries. State Governor Vadim Filaschkin shared the news on Telegram, stating that a civilian was killed and five others were injured during morning bombardments in Torezk. Another person sustaining injuries occurred in an air attack near the front line in Selydowe.
13:50 No German soldiers to be deployed in Ukraine, says Defense Minister Pistorius
A response from German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius during a government hearing in the German Bundestag indicated that there are no plans to deploy German soldiers in Ukraine. The AfD MP Ruediger Lucassen inquired about ongoing discussions on the topic in the European Union and France with the German government and the possibility of sending German troops to Ukraine, to which Pistorius replied with a negative answer.
13:15 Non-refoulement: The European Court of Human Rights makes a decision
Russian assaults on Ukrainian power plants could lead to severe effects in the upcoming months. A Ukrainian government representative disclosed to the "Financial Times" that people in Ukraine are likely to spend their winter with no power. An anonymous government official said the recent attacks on energy facilities on Saturday were "devastating." They mentioned that 1.2 gigawatts of power production were lost due to Saturday's attacks alone, while the infrastructure for transporting gas from underground storage facilities in western Ukraine, a critical component, was severely harmed. The "Financial Times" states that Ukraine's power generation capacity has more than halved since the onset of the conflict, falling from approximately 55 gigawatts to 20 gigawatts.
13:14: Russian Governor: Little Girl Meets Fatal Fate from Ukrainian Shelling in Village
According to the Russian-established administration in southern Ukraine, over eleven individuals received injuries due to Ukrainian artillery fire. A five-year-old girl passed away as a result of her injuries, as per the head of the Russian-elected governance for the region of Zaporizhzhia, Yevgeny Balitsky, through Telegram. Yet, no independent confirmation of the occurrence has been obtained. On Tuesday night, Novoslatopil village was shelled. Based on frontline map indications, the Ukrainian village is roughly three kilometers behind the front line.
12:25: Swiss Jet Fighters Land at 260 km/h on Highway
The Swiss Air Force was testing its capabilities in the event of war: fighter jet pilots are practicing starting and landing on a roadway in Payerne. The pilots of the F/A-18 managed perfect landings, according to the Air Force deputy commander, Brigadier Christian Oppliger. The planes attained a landing speed of around 260 kilometers per hour. The previous exercise of this kind by the Swiss Air Force took place in 1991. Oppliger remarked, "The Air Force must be prepared for anything," as it's not only about self-defense but also about targeting enemy ground-air systems. The Air Force aims to keep enemies at bay up to 100 kilometers beyond the borders. The exercise aimed also to test the readiness of the Air Force for action after a potential initial attack on military airfields elsewhere.
12:00: Kiev Welcomes Harris' Commitment to the Conference
Ukraine is happy with Vice President Harris' involvement in the peace conference in Switzerland. The announcement of Harris' presence at the event on June 15 and 16 is a "significant message," according to the Ukrainian President's Administration head. Ukraine had sought President Biden's participation initially. A meeting between Biden and Zelensky will occur instead on Thursday in France, where the 80th anniversary of the Allied landing in Normandy is being commemorated. Another meeting is planned during the upcoming week's G7 summit in Italy.
11:20: Scholz to Purchase Extra Eurofighters - "Defense Industrial Makeover" Necessary
Chancellor Olaf Scholz stressed "reliable orders" to enable the enhancement of production capabilities in Germany and Europe. "The federal government has a great stake in a strong air and space industry in Germany and Europe," Scholz remarked at the launch of the International Aerospace Exhibition (ILA) in Berlin. "That's why we will order an additional 20 Eurofighters during this legislative period - in addition to the 38 airplanes already in the pipeline," Scholz added. He mentioned the necessity of a "defense industrial shift." The government intends to advocate for more prospects, for instance, in exporting the Eurofighter. "I'm dedicated to the preservation and expansion of production capacities," Scholz concluded, referencing the defense industry.
10:49: Munz on Peace Conference: "Global Support Erodes, Russia Thrives"
While Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy pushes for Ukrainian attendance in the peace conference in Switzerland, Russia is attempting to hinder attendance by as many countries as possible - successfully. At the war's beginning, 141 UN member nations condemned Russia's assault, and far significantly fewer expressed intentions to attend the meeting. NTV journalist Rainer Munz offers this assessment.
Per a report from "Moscow Times," the safety precautions for Russian leader Vladimir Putin have been substantially heightened. Two Russian officials who attended several of Putin's public appearances confirmed this to the paper, with a source close to the Kremlin also corroborating this occurrence. Since 2023, Putin has been wearing a bulletproof vest at these gatherings. Incidents like the Slovakian prime minister Robert Fico's assault three weeks ago or the Japanese prime minister Shinzo Abe's near attack almost two years ago have led to an increased watchfulness at the Kremlin. Among the hazards mentioned by one of the officials are the arrest warrant issued by the International Criminal Court against Putin, the potential for Ukrainian drone attacks, and the fear of Islamic terrorism. Interestingly, the Kremlin has previously claimed that the security measures for Putin have not been augmented. The same dangerous risks have been brought up by the second official.
9:37 Nikopol sustained artillery bombardment
The Russian military is attacking Nikopol anew, according to the Ukrainian government. Yesterday evening and this morning, the Dnipro River city was targeted with heavy artillery and kamikaze drones, states the governor of the Dnipropetrovsk region. No harm was sustained, but five houses and a power line were harmed. Four drones were taken down in the area, the governor reports.
9:26 "Storks" of the 71st Fighter Brigade monitor Russian activities
The air defense squadrons of the 71st Fighter Brigade track Russian activities deep within enemy lines with their "Storks." The unit perceives less and less hostile action. However, Ukrainian drones are infiltrating deeper and deeper into Russian territory, necessitating the Russian air defense to react.
9:06 Putin to respond to inquiries from international media for the first time since the start of the war
Russian President Vladimir Putin will engage with foreign journalists for the first time since his invasion of Ukraine in 2021 at the international economic forum in St. Petersburg. This international gathering transpired in 2022 and 2023. The economic forum runs from Wednesday to Saturday.
8:58 Donetsk region witnesses intense fighting
The Ukrainian General Staff shared updates on the tricky conditions at the frontlines in the east of the nation. There are reports of persistent attacks northwest of Donetsk. There were 37 attacks reported yesterday. The Russian military is most aggressive in the Ocheretyne area. They are trying to make progress in various directions. Ocheretyne is situated between Donetsk and Pokrovsk.
8:32 Another night of drone assaults in Ukraine
The Russian army targeted Ukraine once more with drone attacks during the night. Ukrainian military forces report shooting down 22 of 27 drones. The drones were apparently observed and taken down in the southern, northeastern, and central portions of Ukraine. During an assault in the Poltava region's central Ukrainian area, an industrial facility suffered damage and a person was injured, as Poltava's regional governor Filip Pronin shared.
7:57 US Embassy: American citizens of Ukrainian heritage cannot depart Ukraine
The US Embassy in Ukraine has issued a caution to male US citizens who also hold Ukrainian citizenship, advising them not to travel to the country as they might be unable to leave indefinitely. "It's extremely likely that your departure will be denied, even if you possess a US passport," the statement reads. Ukraine has barred men between 18 and 60 years from exiting since Russia's initial invasion.
7:28 Ukraine introduces drone operator recruitment drive
The Ukrainian Defense Ministry is launching a program to enlist drone operators for military service. "Ukrajinska Pravda," an online publication, covered this development. Anyone over eighteen can participate. The process entails enrolling in an online course, training to operate drones, and signing up to join the military.
7:02 NATO Secretary General denounces China for shunning Ukraine peace conference
NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg criticizes China for failing to participate in the Ukraine peace conference in Switzerland. "It's regrettable that China opted not to join," Stoltenberg expressed in an interview with the NDR Info podcast "Streitkräfte und Strategien." He further elaborates that this decision aligns with previous behavior where China was unable to criticize Russia for their illegal invasion of Ukraine. Instead, the Chinese government recently signed a partnership agreement with Russia, promising each other unwavering cooperation. Since the invasion, China has been sustaining Russia's war economy by furnishing it with advanced technology, microelectronics, microchips, and other essential equipment.
Reports coming in about Russian "filtration camps" established in the conflicted Vovchansk region, as claimed by Ukrainian officials. These camps serve to identify and document citizens of the occupied territories - a routine practice by Russian forces with a history of torture, violations of sexual nature, and forced deportations - notes Governor of the Kharkiv region, Oleh Syniehubov, on state TV. He stated that most of the city is now deserted, with a few citizens remaining; these individuals are utilized by the invaders as live shields.
Former head of Ukraine's arms procurement is facing charges in court, accused of entering into overpriced agreements with a private company concerning aircraft parts. The allegation dates back to 2016, and is unrelated to the current conflict between the Ukrainian armed forces and Russian assaults, uncovered by the Kyiv anti-corruption agency. The accused previously agreed to a deal with the said company, arranging unreasonably high prices for aircraft components, half a million times the market value, details the agency. His accomplice has already been on trial.
Authorities smashed a memorial gathering for the late Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny on the eve of his 48th birthday at a Moscow venue. A group of his supporters met to watch a live broadcast of a Navlany-centered concert in Berlin when a special police unit stormed in, arresting and questioning around 30 individuals. Ovd-Info, a human rights organization, reported these events.
Over 600 children have lost their lives during the ongoing war, and more than 1,400 have sustained injuries, according to a statement from Denise Brown, United Nations representative, at a commemoration event. This count only encompasses the confirmed cases; the numbers likely are even higher. First Lady Olena Zelenska urged allies for further participation, lamenting, "We need more weapons. The life of a child is more valuable than 'the cost of air defense.'"
Deprived soldier Roman Horilyk, an ex-National Guardsman, captured during the occupation of Chernobyl nuclear plant, recently surfaced in shocking images, mass-shared on social media. The pictures portray him in a highly malnourished state following his return to Ukraine after two and a half years of Russian captivity. Critics continued to draw parallels between his appearance and that of inmates from German concentration camps. Controversial journalist Illia Ponomarenko posted these photos on Twitter.
Satellite images have surfaced, verifying the assault on a Russian S-300/400 air defense system. The attack garnered interest because of its assault on a significant weapon and its execution on Russian soil. Moscow denied the attack, yet abundant video and photographic documentation shows evidence supporting successful strikes - satellite images of burn-out launch ramps, damage to a command center reported by Radio Liberty. The attack has been attributed to a US HIMARS multiple rocket launcher.
Amid the spiraling conflict, President Zelensky eye's a pivotal period, surmising that the following weeks could significantly impact the course of the summer and, consequently, the entire year. Talks of a Swiss peace summit, the mobilization of world powers to support Ukraine, EU relations, frontline developments, and domestic production were mentioned by Zelensky in a recent video address.
Russia emerges as a prevalent offender in spreading misinformation in Germany, France, and Poland, in the run-up to the European elections, observes EU Vice-Commissioner, Vera Jourova. Manipulation of information takes place frequently on the topics of immigration and personal security in Germany. The European Observatory for Online Media (EDMO) released a comprehensive analysis on this subject. Russian disinformation campaigns often focus on issues related to the Ukraine War. The trio of Germany, France, and Poland, representing approximately 40% of all EU voters, shelter approximately 145 million eligible voters.
The above text presents paraphrased versions of the original information, without altering the length or spirit of the given story.
Read also:
- Russian President Vladimir Putin mentioned that Nato could potentially increase its military presence near Ukraine's borders, which he sees as an attack on Russia's security.
- Following the Russian attack on Ukraine, Nato is considering providing Ukraine with air defense systems to strengthen its military capabilities.
- The attack on Ukraine by Russia has sparked concerns about a cyberwar, with reports of Russian hackers targeting Ukraine's critical infrastructure and government networks.
- Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has called for international assistance in the face of Russian aggression, appealing to Nato and its members to provide military aid and strengthen Ukraine's defenses against a potential attack from Russia.
