Ukraine experiences prolonged power outages due to attacks.

22:06: Ukraine experiences prolonged power outages due to assaults

Because of the extensive damage to power plants and substations in Ukraine, the government anticipates power outages to continue for several months. There's a possible improvement in August or September, according to Yuri Boyko, advisor to the Prime Minister and a member of the supervisory board of utility Ukrenerho. Additionally, there will be regional power cuts today, Thursday, to conserve electricity. The capital Kiev has also experienced power cuts. Russia's missile attacks have inflicted major damage on the power grid, says Boyko.

In response to the expulsion of its representative in the UK, Russia has expelled the British military attaché. Moscow's Foreign Ministry declared the British diplomat as an undesirable person and asked him to leave Russia within a week. This was retaliation against London's previous expulsion of a Moscow representative under suspicion of espionage. The Russian side also lodged a protest note with the British representative, decrying the expulsion of the military attaché as baseless. It was a politically motivated action with a "clearly anti-Russian character", the Foreign Ministry added. Russia reserved the right to take more action. British Home Secretary James Cleverly had claimed that the employee of the Russian embassy had actually been working for a Moscow secret service.

The commander-in-chief of NATO forces in Europe, Christopher Cavoli, expressed confidence that Ukraine would maintain its positions in the Kharkiv region. According to him, Russia lacks sufficient soldiers for a strategic breakthrough in this area. During a NATO meeting in Brussels, Cavoli stated that they anticipated significant improvement in the supply of ammunition to Ukrainian troops shortly due to upcoming deliveries.

Thousands of internally displaced people are seeking refuge in the city of Kharkiv as the Russian forces intensify their shelling of the region. Ukrainian media spoke to affected individuals and aid organizations on the ground.

An unspecified number of civilians, possibly between 35 and 40, are being held captive by Russian forces in the eastern town of Vovchansk, according to the head of the criminal investigation department of the Kharkiv regional police, Serhiy Bolvinov. "The Russians are using them as human shields," he said, as their command center was nearby. Most of these hostages were elderly people, he added. Earlier, Ukrainian Interior Minister Ihor Klymenko had claimed that Russia had captured and killed civilians in the border town of Vovchansk.

Surveillance cameras captured chaotic scenes in the beleaguered town of Vovchansk. Ukrainian Interior Minister Ihor Klymenko accused Russia of shooting civilians in the area. Reports also suggested that Russian mercenaries attempted to occupy a hospital.

Latvian security authorities have apprehended two individuals on suspicion of spying for Russia. They are under investigation for gathering and passing on confidential information to Russian special services, the European Union and NATO's security police in Riga said. One of the detainees is said to be an individual previously accused of spying in Latvia.

Russian President Vladimir Putin is advocating for closer cooperation with China during his first trip to China since being re-elected. Political scientist Gerhard Mangott believes shared hostility toward the West is the main driving force behind the alliance.

At a European Union celebration near the Kremlin, EU Ambassador Roland Galharague denounced the invasion of Ukraine as an unprovoked, illegal, and a violation of the United Nations Charter. Russian forces had used force against civilians and occupied schools, hospitals, and civilian infrastructure, he said at the event. Anti-Western protesters disrupted the ceremony, accusing the diplomats gathered there of contributing to the crisis by supplying weapons to Ukraine. A banner constructed by the protesters read: "Russian blood is on your hands."

5:22 PM: UK Defense Chief Urges Caution After Kharkiv Offensive

According to UK Defense Secretary Grant Shapps, the ongoing assault on the Kharkiv region should serve as a reminder that backing Ukraine requires constant vigilance and commitment. In a chat with Sky News, he expressed his hope that this recent escalation will show the significance of sustained support for Ukraine.

He emphasized, "We've been trying to send a message that this isn't a war where you can switch off and then assume nothing will change." Instead, he urged, the assistance should be ongoing rather than intermittent. Shapps cautioned, "I think that's the main lesson from Kharkiv."

When asked about specific countries, Shapps referred to the delay in the US aid package passing through Congress.

1:55 PM: Security Expert weighs in on Fico Assassination and Russia's Influence

Slovakia's populist prime minister Robert Fico was killed in an apparent shooting. Security expert Frank Umbach explored the connection between the deep divide in Slovakian society and Russia's hybrid warfare in an interview with ntv.

3:31 PM: First Reports of Civilians Being Killed in Vovchansk Emerges

Ukrainian Interior Minister Ihor Klymenko revealed on his Telegram channel that Russian troops had apparently killed civilians in the embattled city of Vovchansk in the Kharkiv region. While attempting to escape, a local resident was fired upon after ignoring an order by Russian forces. Other inhabitants were allegedly detained and taken to cellars, with no means of escape. Presently, the reports remain unverified.

3:15 PM: High-ranking Military Official Wounded in Attack

The head of the Vovchansk military administration, Tamaz Gambarashvili, sustained injuries during a Russian shelling on a nearby village. The Governor of the Kharkiv region, Oleh Sinehubov, announced this on Telegram. Notably, five people were affected by the shelling, including two medical workers and two drivers.

2:40 PM: Russia Reports Most Significant Gains Since 2022 in Ukraine

In a week-long offensive, Russian forces captured a total of 278 square kilometers of territory in Ukraine, based on estimates by AFP. Reports indicate that this includes 257 square kilometers in the Kharkiv region and 21 square kilometers in southern Ukraine. These numbers mark the most significant territorial gains for Russia since December 2022. The US-based Institute for the Study of War suggests Russia has taken around 65,300 square kilometers of territory since the conflict started in February 2022, equivalent to about twelve percent of Ukraine's landmass, excluding the annexed Crimean peninsula.

2:04 PM: New Zealand Imposes Sanctions on Individuals, Entities

New Zealand's Foreign Minister Winston Peters revealed that they're imposing more sanctions on 28 individuals and 14 entities involved in providing North Korean weapons to Russia for use against Ukraine and supporting Russia militarily from Iran. North Korea, Russia's primary arms supplier, allegedly provides Moscow with an array of weapons, including ballistic missiles and over three million artillery shells. Iran has reportedly aided Russia with Shahed drones and helped them manufacture these drones in Russian factories.

1:42 PM: Former Russian Defense Minister Shoigu Praises Offensive

Anatoly Shoigu, Russia's ex-defense minister, has weighed in on the offensive in Ukraine. He posted a message on the Telegram channel of Russian correspondent Pavel Tsarubin, declaring, "The offensive is making progress in all directions, and it's going quite well." Shoigu lauded the special military operation in Ukraine as a primary task for the nation, emphasizing, "This means producing ammunition, weapons, and military equipment production."

Earlier in the week, Russian President Vladimir Putin unexpectedly dismissed Shoigu from his role as Russian defense minister.

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Zelensky visits Kharkiv as tough battles continueUkrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has visited the region of Kharkiv, currently under attack by Russia. Despite the challenging situation, the president declared it was "fairly under control." Zelensky met with the military during his visit and acknowledged the difficulties they're facing. He also announced that reinforcements would be sent to the area.

Meanwhile, Ukrainian forces have managed to slow down the advance of invading Russian troops in the northeastern part of the country. Intense fighting is occurring in the northern districts of Vovchansk, with Russian soldiers attempting to capture the town of Vovchansk. The situation is stable, about 5 km from the Russian border. However, Russian-occupied officials report that their troops are advancing towards the village of Lypzi, west of Vovchansk and closer to Kharkiv.

A scientist named Anatoly Maslov, aged 77, is facing 17 years in a strict penal colony and a fine for spying for Germany. His trial is being held in secrecy at the St. Petersburg court. The Russian Prosecutor's Office alleges that Maslov gave secret information to the German secret service. Three scientists – Alexander Shiplyuk, Valery Swegintsev, and Maslov – were arrested in 2022. They are experts in hypersonic technology, crucial for weapons production like the Kinshal missile. Maslov remains adamant about his innocence.

Vladimir Putin is currently on a state visit to China, where he hailed the nations as the "strongest partners." China has not cut ties with the West, and Putin has noted that despite sharing an authoritarian regime, they still uphold diplomatic relations. Putin, China's "junior partner," says that despite Russia's need for help, it won't come at the expense of undermining bilateral relations.

Russian parliamentary leader and Putin ally, Vyacheslav Volodin, warned the West that Ukraine is leading them into a catastrophic global war. Volodin urged Western leaders to prevent such a scenario from happening. Russian officials have frequently cautioned the West not to cross unspoken boundaries by arming the Ukrainians, with the implicit threat of Russia's nuclear arsenal always lingering.

The regional situation in Kharkiv seems stable, but ntv foreign correspondent Jürgen Weichert paints a different picture. The situation is under control in the new front, but Russia is reportedly gaining more ground in other regions.

Putin thanks Xi Jinping for China's efforts to address the "Ukraine crisis"Russian President Vladimir Putin is in Beijing on a state visit, where he expressed gratitude to his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping for his assistance in resolving the "Ukraine crisis." Putin disclosed details of the situation in Ukraine to his Chinese colleague during their meeting. Russia is actively engaged in conflict on several fronts in Ukraine. Xi applauded the two nations' collaborative relationship, highlighting the strength of their joint endeavors.

At the recently concluded China Development Forum, both leaders emphasized the significance of their countries' shared future. Xi reaffirmed China's commitment to Russia as a neighbor, friend, and partner, stressing trust between the two nations.

In closing, ntv foreign reporter Rainer Munz sees the relationship between China and Russia as one of Russia being the "junior partner." He notes that while China maintains ties with the West, China has not disrupted diplomatic relations, despite Moscow's ongoing clash with Ukrainian forces.

Volodin maintains that Ukraine is dragging the West into a large-scale war. The Russian legislative leader cautions Western leaders to prioritize preventing a huge global catastrophe. Volodin has urged the West to steer clear of involving Russia's intimate partner in a war-like confrontation. Various Russian figures have repeatedly emphasized that their country's nuclear stockpile may be used if certain boundaries are crossed.

ntv's Jürgen Weichert provides a grimmer outlook on the state of affairs in Kharkiv, localized in the volatile and ongoing conflict. While Zelensky presents a stable image, Weichert determines that the Russians are making significant progress elsewhere.

09:43: Once more, Ukraine assaults a Russian military airbase in CrimeaUkraine has been attacking the Belbek military airfield in Crimea for two successive nights. This base was annexed by Russia in 2014. As per reports from the independent internet platform Astra, a fuel system was struck and a fire broke out. For its part, the Russian Ministry of Defense stated that only five US ATACMS missiles were launched over Crimea. Additionally, four Ukrainian drones were shot down and two more were intercepted due to radio interference. However, Russian military bloggers confirmed the ongoing fires at the airport which had been targeted the previous day as well.

09:18: SPD Politician Roth Advocates Revision of Rules on Utilization of Western Weapons in UkraineMichael Roth, an SPD expert in foreign policy, has voiced his support for altering the engagement rules of weapons provided by Western nations. Citing the recent Russian strikes on the Kharkiv region, Roth claimed that "we're entering a new phase of conflict in Ukraine" - this, because the attacks originated from Russian territory. Previously, Russian forces had operated from Ukrainian territory. According to Roth, the existing "agreement among all international partners is not to attack Russia on Russian land with the weapons we've provided." He expressed the need for a "pragmatic solution" under these changing circumstances.

08:57: Video: Putin Commences Visit to China in Seek of AidIn the wake of Russian bombardment on Kherson, a residential area is left in ruins. Tensions in Kharkiv are heightened as well. Meanwhile, Putin praises his military's advancements on "all fronts" in Ukraine and embarks on his first state visit during his new term in office to China.

08:17: Missile Fire from Russia Triggers Air Alert for KievIn the early hours of the day, Ukraine's authorities declared a comprehensive air raid alert for Kiev and multiple other regions. This news came from Radio Free Europe (RFE). The Ukrainian air force had warned of the potential danger of ballistic missile launches from Russia. The danger was noted in the regions of Sumy, Chernihiv, Kharkiv, Poltava, Dnipropetrovsk, Luhansk, Donetsk, Zaporizhzhya, Kirovohrad, and Kiev.

07:43: Post Drone Attack: Tatarstan Closes Airports for SafetyAfter a drone attack, the authorities in the Russian region of Tatarstan temporarily closed two major airports - one in Kazan, the regional capital, and another in Nizhnekamsk. RFE reported that authorities took this action "for security reasons." The Russian Defense Ministry revealed that a "Ukrainian drone of one aircraft type" was shot down over Tatarstan at 7:30 a.m. local time on Wednesday. The drone possibly had its sights set on the Zakamsk industrial area.

07:10: At Least One Civilian Killed in Russian Attacks on Sumy RegionRussian forces targeted ten communities in the Sumy region, as per reports from the military administration in Sumy. This assault included the use of mortars, multiple rocket launchers, or artillery. The result was 187 explosions. The regional authorities recorded one civilian casualty and another injured.

06:37: State TV: Xi Officialy Welcomes Putin in Beijing with Majestic CeremonyAs per reports from the Chinese state television CCTV, Chinese President Xi Jinping greeted Russian President Vladimir Putin in Beijing with a grand ceremony at the Great Hall of the People. The Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs described Sino-Russian relations as "beneficial for peace." Xi vowed to collaborate with Russia towards "upholding fairness and justice in the world" and praised the "comprehensive partnership and strategic cooperation" between the two countries. It was Putin's first trip abroad following his re-election, and his second visit to China within six months.

06:06: Finland Amends Conscription Rules for Border PatrolThe Finnish government intends to update its military service regulations to permit reservists to patrol the border with Russia if a sudden influx of migrants occurs. As reported by Reuters on May 15th, those who have fulfilled their conscription duties within the border troops could now be recalled for border patrols.

05:32: Railroad Workers Reportedly Killed by Russian ShellingAccording to the Ukrainian railway company Ukrzaliznytsia, at least two workers - a rail inspector named Serhiy Derevytskyi (48 years) and a mechanic named Oleksandr Prykhodko (51 years) - have been killed due to Russian shelling of the civilian railroad structure in the Dnipropetrovsk oblast.

04:20 UN Draft Resolution on Srebrenica Massacre Irks Russia

Russia has taken issue with the UN's proposed resolution for a remembrance day honoring the Srebrenica massacre. The Russian Ambassador to the UN, Vasily Nebenzia, has referred to the document as "provocative," claiming it could potentially threaten peace and security in Bosnia and the entire region. He alleges that Western supporters of the resolution are only trying to stir up old wounds from the Bosnian conflict. The resolution will be tabled in the General Assembly, where Russia cannot vote to veto it.

03:17 GRU Agents Arrested in Ukraine; Facing Treason Charges

Six individuals believed to be Russian intelligence agents have been detained in Ukraine for allegedly supporting Russian attacks in eastern Ukraine. These suspects, working for the Russian military intelligence service GRU, reportedly provided coordinates for Russian military attacks in the Donbass region. If found guilty of treason, they may be sentenced to life imprisonment.

02:06 Putin Begins State Visit to China

The Russian President, Vladimir Putin, has arrived in China for a two-day state visit. The itinerary includes a meeting with Chinese President and General Secretary of the Chinese Communist Party Xi Jinping, along with a trip to Harbin to attend a Russia-China trade fair.

00:58 Estonia Enacts Law to Transfer Frozen Russian Assets to Ukraine

Estonia has enacted legislation permitting the transfer of frozen Russian funds to Ukraine. The law was passed by the parliament in Tallinn, allowing Russian asset frozen as a result of the sanctions placed upon Russia for its invasion of Ukraine to be used as compensation for the damages caused by Russia's aggression. It remains to be seen whether President Alar Karis will sign this into law.

23:42 Ukraine Conference: Over 50 Nations Committed, Except China

Swiss President Viola Amherd acknowledged that China has yet to register for an upcoming peace conference concerning Ukraine, despite over 50 other nations having confirmed their attendance. Though optimistic that the situation could change before the conference begins, she adds that the list of participants may continue to evolve close to the event.

22:17 Moscow: West using Russian Assets to Launch Hybrid War

The Russian Foreign Ministry has spoken out against the plans of the US and EU to utilize frozen Russian assets to aid Ukraine. This, they argue, is a violation of international law and a move that could potentially destabilize the international financial system. Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova asserts that this approach represents a "hybrid war" being waged against Russia.

21:48 3.9 Billion Euros in Russian Assets Blocked in Germany

The German Federal Ministry of Finance has disclosed that over €3.9 billion worth of Russian assets are currently frozen in Germany. This sum, which includes money, shares, or yachts owned by sanctioned individuals, companies, or organizations, is subject to market shifts and may also change due to the EU's removal of specific individuals or organizations from the sanctions list.

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