21:05 Moscow: Possible demotion of Sergei Shoigu during power reshuffle?

21:05 Moscow Power Reshuffle: Is Sergei Shoigu Being Demoted?

Russia's Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu, who's held the position since 2012, is stepping down as per the wishes of President Vladimir Putin. He will be replaced by Security Council Secretary Nikolai Patrushev, who'll be assigned a new role by the Kremlin. Predictions from the US-based Institute for the Study of War (ISW) suggested this move might happen with Shoigu's close associate, Deputy Defense Minister Timur Ivanov, being arrested in a corruption probe. Reporter Ina Ruck referred to it as a "quasi-promotion." Learn more about the changes in Moscow's leadership here.

5:42 pm: Who is Andrei Beloussov, Shoigu's successor?
Andrei Beloussov, Putin's choice for the new Defense Minister, is a 65-year-old who's been the First Deputy Prime Minister of the Russian government since 2020. He's also served as Putin's assistant on economic issues, Minister of Economic Development, and Head of the Department of Economy and Finance of the Government of the Russian Federation. Beloussov is on the European Union's sanctions list.

5:06 pm: Putin replaces Shoigu with Beloussov
Sergei Shoigu, Russia's Defense Minister, is set to leave the government according to parliament. Vladimir Putin wants to nominate Andrei Beloussov for the post of Defense Minister, the Russian upper house of parliament declared. Shoigu is supposed to become secretary of the Security Council, according to Russian news agencies.

5:06 pm: Death toll from Belgorod high-rise collapse climbs to eight
A ten-story apartment complex collapsed in the Russian city of Belgorod near the Ukrainian border, killing eight people and injuring 20 others. The Russian Ministry of Emergency Situations provided the update on the number of casualties in the evening. Reports indicate the building was targeted by Ukrainian Totschka-U missiles; the Russian Ministry of Defense even claimed they were targeted by two drones. Ukraine has not yet commented on the incident.

4:36 pm: Zelenskyi on the perilous scenario in Vovchansk
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyi addressed the growing crisis around the city of Vovchansk due to Russian aggression. "The fighting in eastern Ukraine caused by the Russian offensive near Kharkiv is escalating," he said in his daily video message. "When attempting to take over certain villages or use them as stepping stones, the occupying forces are creating an extremely difficult situation in Vovchansk." Vovchansk, home to around 18,600 inhabitants before the war, now has fewer than 500 remaining residents who are still resisting the barrage of enemy fired upon the city.

4:18 pm: Kharkiv border area experiences near-constant shelling
Ukrainian border regions around Kharkiv are enduring almost continuous shelling, according to authorities. The governor of the region, Oleh Synehubov, spoke in online outlets and reported constant firing across all areas of the border region. Reports claim Russian ground troops initiated an offensive in the Kharkiv region on Friday. Additionally, Russia claimed to have captured four more villages at the time.

3:55 pm: Mützenich strongly opposes NATO's involvement in Ukrainian airspace
German Social Democratic Party (SPD) parliamentary leader Rolf Mützenich strongly condemned proposals for NATO troops to block Russian air raids on Ukraine. "The idea of protecting Ukrainian airspace by deploying NATO troops is a step away from wanting to actively participate in the war," he told German newspaper, "Tagesspiegel." He considered the suggestion to be "irresponsible and very risky." The deployment of the Bundeswehr would make Germany a "direct war party," requiring Bundestag approval: "The SPD parliamentary group will not agree to this."

3:15 pm: Troops move closer to Vovchansk, under siege
As we speak, Russian troops are advancing on the city of Vovchansk during their ground offensive in northern Ukraine. The soldiers are now surrounding the city from three sides, as stated by the Kharkiv region's chief of police, Volodymyr Tymoshko. A Russian tank was spotted on an access road leading to Vovchansk, along with smoke billowing from the city as of 3 p.m. on a Sunday afternoon. Vovchansk, with its 17,000 remaining pre-war citizens (most of them elderly), is under heavy artillery fire

4:54 Pistorius views the Berlin Airlift as a source of unityFederal Defense Minister Boris Pistorius reflects on the Berlin Airlift as an illustration of global cooperation during the Soviet Union's blockade of Berlin. "We must not stand idly by as international laws, our order, and our values are trampled upon," stated SPD politician Pistorius at an event commemorating the 75th anniversary of the end of the Berlin Blockade. He emphasized that this applies "globally," but particularly in Ukraine.

4:10 Nearly half of Germans consider a Russian invasion of a NATO country improbableWhile Western security experts believe a potential Russian assault on NATO territory is a possibility in the near future, many Germans still view this as a farfetched notion. Recent findings from an opinion study conducted by YouGov on behalf of Deutsche Presse-Agentur indicate that only 36% of Germans believe it's probable or somewhat likely that the Russian military will attack a NATO member nation by 2030. Nearly half (48%) believe it's less probable or only somewhat likely. 15% of respondents were unaware of the likelihood of a Russian attack on a NATO country by 2030.

3:38 Navalny honored posthumously with the Dresden Peace PrizeThe late Russian government critic Alexei Navalny was honored posthumously with the Dresden Peace Prize. Navalny's wife, Julia Nawalnaja, accepted the honor at the Staatsschauspiel Dresden. The citation affirmed that the posthumous award commemorated Navalny's dedication to freedom, democracy, and peace.

2:56 Tower block collapses due to shelling - Moscow investigates as a "terrorist attack"After a large apartment building partially collapsed in the Russian border town of Belgorod following reported Ukrainian shelling, Russia's highest investigative body declared a "terrorist attack" probe. Officials reported fatalities and casualties, but provided minimal details. At least three deaths were reported, several injuries, and potentially approximately 20 people trapped under the wreckage.

2:35 Army chief Syrskyi characterizes the situation in Kharkiv as tenseUkrainian Commander-in-Chief Alexei Syrskyi described the situation in the Kharkiv region as challenging following Russian troops' advance into the Ukrainian border region of Kharkiv. "The circumstances in the Kharkiv region have significantly deteriorated this week," Syrskyi stated on Telegram. "Fighting is presently occurring in the border regions where Ukraine and the Russian Federation meet." He continued by noting that Ukrainian forces are struggling to maintain defensive lines and positions, but have had some success in fending off the assault. The Russian military has allegedly breached the border region near Kharkiv since Friday night.

2:07 ISW: New military group with tens of thousands of soldiers puts pressure on UkraineRussia's new military unit, dubbed Sever, has been established to generate additional pressure on Ukraine, according to a report by CNN. The Institute for the Study of War in Washington's George Barros elaborated on this new force, describing it as "operationally significant." "Russia planned to deploy between 60,000 and 100,000 troops for the Sever group's invasion of Kharkiv. We think it's closer to 50,000," Barros said, indicating sever has a sizeable combat capacity.

1:30 Evacuation measures underway for residents of Kharkiv regionGovernor Oleh Synyehubov of the Kharkiv region reported that around 4,000 residents have been evacuated from settlements in the region due to a heightened threat of a new Russian offensive. In addition, he informed that 70% of evacuees have found temporary lodging with relatives or friends.

The Ukrainian military chief, Syrskyj, updates on the front lines: "Our defense forces are fighting intensely, thwarting attempts by the Russian invaders to break through our defenses. Our intelligence, artillery, and drone units are all active. We're aware of the enemy's plans and responding flexibly to their actions." He shares concerns over the escalating situation in the Kharkiv region: "The situation has worsened considerably this week. It's challenging, yet the Ukrainian Defense Forces are working hard to maintain our defensive lines and deal blows to the enemy."

Regarding a recent offensive in Chassiv Yar, Syrskyi discloses that the Russians have unsuccessfully attempted to reclaim lost positions in the Klishchiivka area. "Despite the difficult situation on the front, we're rotating units to allow soldiers to rest and enhance the combat capability of the brigades," he explains.

In Russia, a high-rise building partially collapsed following Ukrainian shelling, with at least three fatalities and possibly up to 20 victims trapped under the rubble. Governor Vyacheslav Gladkov of Belgorod Oblast disclosed the incident: "The city and Oblast were bombarded heavily by the Ukrainian military." Gladkov attributes the collapse to a direct shell hit on an apartment building, leading to the collapse of the entrance area from the tenth to the second floor.

British estimates suggest that Russian energy giant Gazprom will suffer financially due to the ongoing war against Ukraine, as they're heavily dependent on the European market. A statement from the British Ministry of Defense predicts adverse financial consequences for Gazprom since 2022 following strained ties with their previous main customers in the West. Gazprom's first net loss since 1999 was recently reported, and taxes amounting to 25 billion euros, or 9% of Russian state revenue in 2023, were paid. The Russian government plans to further increase Gazprom's tax burden in 2024, potentially impacting investment by around 15% in 2024, reveals the report.

Ukraine claims to have conducted attacks on Russian infrastructure during the night, including a Volgograd oil refinery, a Kaluga oil depot, and a plant in Lipetsk. The United States also confirms the strikes. A military intelligence source informs Unian news agency that military targets were also targeted. The Volgograd oil refinery refinery saw several explosions and a fire resulting from a kamikaze drone attack. The Russian side denies significant damage, with only a small fire caused by falling debris. Yet, videos and pictures shared by Ukrainian media show a larger fireball.

Deepstate, with ties to the Ukrainian military, discusses complex fighting near Kharkiv: "The situation is increasingly complicated, with the enemy consistently bringing more forces into our area. Infantry troops are constantly infiltrating, moving into settlements, and seeking to establish a foothold and advance further." They stress the importance of giving more attention to the region or face more success, which could have "very negative consequences." Although Russia's primary objective is to divert attention from other areas, the situation may turn dangerous without the introduction of Ukrainian reserves.

In response to reports of Russian advances near Kharkiv, Russian army reporter Jürgen Weichert of ntv states that Russia wants to force Ukrainian troops to relocate. Russians have captured several villages, while Zelenskyi insists on stopping the enemy at any cost. Ukrainian forces are being mobilized in the region to prevent further progress.

9:25 Engineers in Kharkiv, Russia, are panicking - but the city appears to be normal in a new videoRussian propaganda claims that Kharkiv, a bustling city with millions of people, is in a state of panic, but a look at a video shared by Ukrainian security expert Maria Avdeeva contradicts that narrative. The video shows shoppers going about their regular routine at a busy market without any signs of distress. Kharkiv has experienced a series of airstrikes in the past, so its residents have become accustomed to Russian aggression. Experts believe that the Kremlin forces are unlikely to take control of Kharkiv. There's speculation that Moscow's real goal may be to create a mass exodus from the Ukrainian city.

08:40 ISW: Russians advance strategically in Kharkiv regionAccording to the Institute for the Study of War (ISW), Russian forces are engaging in limited offensive operations in the northern Kharkiv region. They have managed to make significant advances in areas that are less well-defended. ISW representatives believe that Moscow is not attempting a large-scale operation to encircle, surround, or capture the city of Kharkiv.

08:00 Ukrainian drone hits Russian oil refinery in VolgogradThe governor of the Volgograd region, Andrey Botsharov, has announced that a Ukrainian drone attack caused a fire at the oil refinery. The fire has since been extinguished, and there are no reported casualties. Neither the oil producer Lukoil nor the Ukrainian side have released a statement about the incident.

07:15 Ukraine anticipates receiving drones and radar defense systems from LatviaUkrainian Ambassador to Latvia, Anatoly Kutsevol, has revealed that Latvia will soon supply Ukraine with drones and radar defense systems. Ambassador Kutsevol also mentioned that the two countries are working together in the production of 155mm grenades. "We are cooperating in other areas as well," he told Ukrinform, "but we can't discuss them due to security reasons."

06:20 Ukrainian brigade claims to have downed Russian fighter jetThe 110th Mechanized Brigade of the Ukrainian Armed Forces reports the downing of a Su-25 fighter jet by Russian forces. "Our anti-aircraft gunners are once again doing a fantastic job. Today they managed to shoot down an SU-25," a post on Facebook reads. The brigade proceeds to taunt the Russian military, stating that it will persistently shoot down their aircraft. Ukrainian Major Oleksiy Hetman, speaking on the We-Ukraine channel, states that Russia still has about 190 Su-25 jets. "It's a decent aircraft for causing damage to our ground forces," he said. Su-25 jets are designed to provide close air support during combat missions.

05:45 One death reported after attack on BelgorodVyacheslav Gladkov, the governor of the Belgorod region, shared information that a large-scale Ukrainian attack on his region, which occurred on May 11th, led to casualties and damage. Ukraine typically doesn't comment on these types of attacks. Gladkov reported several alerts for missile attacks, and, shortly after, images of burned vehicles and rising smoke in Belgorod appeared on Russian Telegram channels. Officials say that one woman was killed, 29 people, including a child, were injured and taken to the hospital, and multiple buildings were damaged. A nearby village, Dubovoye, also suffered damage.

Rescue workers evacuate an elderly woman in the Kharkiv region.

04:00 Russian regime can easily prioritize arms industry over economic well-beingLieutenant General Steven Basham, deputy commander of US Air Forces in Europe, states that Russia, as an autocratic regime, can easily prioritize its arms industry expansion over the well-being of its citizens to sustain its military actions in Ukraine, with assistance from Iran and North Korea. Basham cited Ukraine's growing Western defense industrial base as a factor that will eventually outmatch Russia's capabilities. "Make no mistake," he said in a speech at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies event. "The time that Russia spends in Ukraine is also the time we have to build our industrial base to the level it needs to be."

12:15 Zelensky: Ukraine's forces launched counterattacks in Kharkiv areaIn a press conference, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky announced that Ukrainian troops are currently targeting Russian forces with counterattacks in northern Kharkiv. According to the head of state, this is an effort to disrupt Russia's offensive plans and regain the initiative.

11:00 ISW: Kremlin's military efforts in Ukraine are gaining tractionThe Institute for the Study of War reports that Russian forces had made limited offensive advances in the northern Kharkiv region as of 11 a.m. Reportedly, these advances are intended to less well-defended sectors, rather than Kharkiv itself.

10:30 Ukrainian drone strikes Russian oil refinery in VolgogradThe governor of the Volgograd region, Andrey Botsharov, informed the public that a fire occurred at a local oil refinery as a result of a Ukrainian drone attack. He verified that no casualties were reported. Neither the oil producer Lukoil nor the Ukrainian government has issued a statement about the incident.

10:00 Ukrainian ambassador to Latvia discusses potential aid from LatviaAnatoly Kutsevol, the Ukrainian ambassador to Latvia, spoke to Ukrinform about the prospect of receiving drones and radar defense systems from the neighboring country. He also mentioned a joint effort between the two nations to produce 155mm grenades.

09:45 Ukrainian brigade claims to have shot down Russian Su-25 fighter jetThe 110th Mechanized Brigade of the Ukrainian Armed Forces announced on Facebook that they had shot down an SU-25 fighter jet operated by Russian forces. They are mocking the Russian military and promising to keep shooting down their aircraft. Ukrainian Major Oleksiy Hetman further confirmed that Moscow has approximately 190 Su-25 jets, describing it as a valuable aircraft for causing damage on the battlefield.

02:46 Ukraine: Russian shelling in Sumy Oblast leaves one civilian deadThe Sumy Oblast's regional administration reports that Russian forces launched attacks on ten communities in the northeastern Ukrainian region. A total of 93 explosions have been recorded throughout the area in the past 24 hours. A 37-year-old woman was killed in a rocket strike on Sumy's outskirts. The attack specifically targeted local infrastructure, the administration states without delving into the details of the target or its aftermath.

22:49 Canada participates in Ukraine peace summitCanadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announces Canada's participation in a global peace conference for Ukraine. The event will take place in Switzerland on June 15 and 16 and will focus on achieving peace in Ukraine based on President Volodymyr Zelensky's 10-point peace plan, which calls for the complete withdrawal of Russian troops from occupied Ukrainian territories. "The first peace summit for Ukraine will occur in June - and Canada will be present," Trudeau says on X. "I'm excited to collaborate with other world leaders to achieve our common goal of fair and permanent peace for Ukraine."

21:06 Scholz warns of Russian meddling in European and national electionsFederal Chancellor Olaf Scholz warns against Russian involvement in forthcoming European and regional elections. Outside forces are attempting to interfere with the European and state elections, says the SPD politician at the "RND vor Ort" stage talk session hosted by the Redaktionsnetzwerk Deutschland. Scholz finds the news of money payments to AfD politicians troubling. These claims must now be investigated and verified by the appropriate authorities, Scholz adds. "There are, in fact, an alarming amount of Russian disinformation during election campaigns."

20:00 Scholz encourages Ukrainian refugees to seek employment in GermanyFederal Chancellor Olaf Scholz has urged Ukrainian war refugees in Germany to find employment as soon as possible. "We hope that those from Ukraine, who are able to work, will now also work," says the SPD politician at the "RND vor Ort" stage talk event organized by the Redaktionsnetzwerk Deutschland in Potsdam. "We have sponsored integration courses and language courses, so we are now encouraging many of them to find jobs with a big job boost," the Chancellor continues. "Many are already doing so, but there are still hundreds of thousands more who urgently need to join the labor market," Scholz says. "My recommendation to everyone is to follow suit."

Checkout all previous updates here. https://www.trtworld.com/asia/tag/Ukraine