22:33 US Department: Compensation Required for Putin's Impact in Ukraine - Russia

22:33 US Department: Compensation Required for Putin's Impact in Ukraine - Russia

The U.S. State Department plans to utilize a newly passed law from Congress to seize Russian assets within the U.S. for Ukraine's benefit. It declares, "Congress has given us the power to take possession of Russian assets in the U.S., and we plan toact on that." Simultaneously, the department intends to collaborate with G7 allies in executing this plan. The confiscated Russian state funds would aid in repairing the damage inflicted by "Putin" in Ukraine, according to the statement.

21:27 After lethal attacks on Kharkiv: inhabitants in disarrayKharkiv, a city currently experiencing incessant bombing, was again targeted in a recent airstrike, targeting a recreation area. The disconcerted populace is caring for the injured and deceased, while discussions regarding additional military aid emerge.

21:01 Drones for Ukraine: Latvian foreign minister raises funds during marathonLatvian Foreign Minister Baiba Braže participated in the Riga Marathon to collect funds for drones for Ukraine. She ran the 21 km distance, sharing on X that "we raised nearly 10,000 euros. Let's aim for slightly more," thanking everyone for their generosity. Approximately 34,000 individuals participated in the race. Braže ran with the number 815 due to the 815 days Ukraine has been defending against Russia's war of aggression, she revealed.

20:15 Zelenskyj: Russian military misses targetsUkrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyi reports that the latest Russian troops' offensive in northeastern Ukraine has failed to achieve their objective. He claims, "In reality, the invader is not meeting its aim of exhausting our forces and, by so doing, weakening Ukraine across a wide front, from Kharkiv to the Donetsk region." According to Ukraine's military, the Kharkiv region's advancement by Russia has ceased after initial land gains. Concurrently, heavy attacks by Russian soldiers have been averted near Chasiv Yar in the Donetsk region. Nonetheless, Kharkiv and other Ukrainian towns remain targeted by Russian fire. "The ruthless Russian artillery and daily rocket and glide bomb bombardments persist," Zelenskyi confirms. The Ukrainian military has yet to devise a defense method against the glide bombs, which are dropped and guided by Russian fighter jets from a distance.

19:37 Governor: At least 13 injured by Ukrainian strikes in BelgorodGovernor Vyacheslav Gladkov discloses that at least 13 people have been injured and buildings destroyed due to Ukrainian shelling in Belgorod. The town of Shchekino was targeted with multiple rocket launchers, causing eleven injuries, including three children, and two more injuries in the neighboring Rzhevka village.

19:04 Zelenskyj: Russia terrorizes communities and kills ordinary peopleUkrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyi retaliates against the repeated Russian attacks in eastern Ukraine's Kharkiv region (see entries 16:55 and 15:00) by asserting Russia's role in "terrorizing" towns and villages and murdering "ordinary people." Authorities report at least eleven civilians killed and many more wounded. The police report that these Russian attacks came in successive waves, with a 20-minute interval between the initial explosions, raising the possibility of harming rescue workers. According to law enforcement, the victims of both assaults included a paramedic and a police officer who had arrived to provide assistance.

18:22 Zelenskyj requests two Patriot air defense systems for KharkivIn response to the continuous Russian attacks on the Kharkiv city in northeastern Ukraine, Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyj appeals to the international community for two Patriot missile defense systems to protect the local population. "The world has the power to stop Russian terror, but we need to overcome the frailty of leading politicians' political will." The Kharkiv region, bordering Russia, has been under relentless shelling for several weeks. Just a month ago, NATO disclosed its intentions to bolster Ukraine's air defenses. The alliance members were set to either directly provide air defense systems to Ukraine or contribute to the procurement expenses. Back then, Zelenskyj estimated that Ukraine requireda minimum of seven Patriotsystems or comparable weapons to effectively safeguard the nation against Russian attacks.

18:09 Family injured by Russian drone in Kherson

In the Beryslav area of Kherson region, a family suffers injuries due to an explosive dropped by a Russian drone. The local military administration reported on Telegram that a 21-year-old man and two women aged 42 and 71 were rushed to the hospital, with their injuries being categorized as moderate. Two other residents, aged 59 and 70, were also affected by a drone, sustaining mine impact injuries and bruises. One victim experienced a back injury. The injured individuals are undergoing medical treatment, as stated in the announcement.

17:28 Ukrainian Navy allegedly sinks Russian minesweeper

The Ukrainian military claims to have sunk a Russian warship in the Black Sea. The Navy shared a photo on Telegram depicting the minesweeper "Kovrovets" of the Russian Black Sea Fleet, accompanied by a red cross. The caption reads, "The Ukrainian navy, along with its dear compatriots, is guiding us toward victory." No details have been provided on how and where the "Kovrovets" was sunk. These ships carry a crew of 70. The authenticity of the sinking news could not be independently verified.

16:55 Recreational area bombing victim count rises

According to Ukrainian authorities, at least six people have died and 27 suffered injuries as a result of a Russian missile strike in a recreational area outside the eastern city of Kharkiv. Earlier reports stated 5 dead and 25 injured (see entry at 15:00).

16:15 Polish Defense Minister sees Kharkiv assault as a call to action

Russian aggression against the Kharkiv region should serve as a warning, suggests UK Defense Secretary Ben Wallace to Platform X. Nations must swiftly provide aid. The UK has given Ukraine a million rounds of ammunition, drones, and air defense missiles to help thwart Russian troops, Wallace writes. Ukraine is currently defending itself against Russia's three-year war. Russian President Vladimir Putin is "bluffing in many ways in this war by reallocating his entire economy to war, which is actually unsustainable for their economy for the years he'd have to continue this," the British minister elaborates to the BBC. The West should maintain its support. Wallace also emphasizes that the UK has no intention of engaging in direct conflict with Russia, but they are resolute in their supply of weapons and support for training.

15:38 Pressure on Germany to allow Crimea attacks with supplied weapons

UK Defense Secretary Ben Wallace urges countries with the potential to supply long-range weapons to allow their use against targets in the Russian-occupied Crimean peninsula by Ukraine. He made this proposal during his interview with the British broadcaster BBC, in response to the question of whether Ukraine should also be able to use British weapons against Russia. However, he declined to discuss specifics about what types of weapons they would permit to be employed. "But we're supplying Ukraine with our weapons so that they can protect their country," the minister notes. Shapps signals out Germany as one of the countries whose support is crucial to this matter.

15:00 Kharkiv mayor denounces Russian 'terror'

Ihor Terekhov, the mayor of the eastern city of Kharkiv, commenting on the Russian missile attacks on a recreational area near the city, calls the incidents "terror against peaceful citizens, against our right to life, against all that is human and just." Reportedly, ten people were killed in Russian air strikes in the Kharkiv region, including a pregnant woman. 25 people were injured. In the afternoon, five civilians lost their lives and nine were hurt in the Kupyansk district, according to Governor Oleh Synyehubov via Telegram. The Russian forces launched air strikes against two villages in the district. Initially, five dead and 16 injured were reported from Kharkiv city itself (see entry at 13:23). Ukrainian media shared images of deceased victims lying on the ground. The victims had been resting there on Sunday when the missiles hit. The Ukrainian General Staff reported an escalated level of hostilities in the area. They indicated a significant increase in Russian attacks. Thousands of people were reportedly evacuated to safety. Mayor Terekhov urged vigilance.

14:38 Ukraine and Russia assess damage from last night's drone attacks

As per Russia, they took down roughly 60 drones and multiple missiles that flew over their land on Sunday night. Simultaneously, the Ukrainian air force affirmed destroying all 37 Russian drones targeted at their country during the same period. The Russian Ministry of Defense specified that about 57 Ukrainian drones were shot down in the southern Russian region of Krasnodar. It appears that drone debris hit a Slavyansk-na-Kubani oil refinery though no fire or damage occurred. Krasnodar also witnessed nine long-range missiles and a drone being destroyed. In the Crimea region, Russian-held land, a few additional drones were shot down. There were also three drones downed in Belgorod, a region on the border with Ukraine. A church's rooftop caught fire in Belgorod, and fortunately, no one experienced any injury. In the partially occupied Ukrainian region of Kherson, the Russian-appointed leader Vladimir Saldo mentioned one casualty and 16 people hurt after a Ukrainian drone targeted a minibus. In the Kharkiv region's north-eastern part, where Moscow recently commenced a new offensive, one death and 11 injuries were reported from a prior day's bombardment. Subsequently, he rued in a later message that four individuals had passed away and 15 were injured due to a Russian attack near the regional capital.

14:00 Zelensky advocates for air defense systems against Russian missile strikes

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy sent his condolences to the families of those injured in the Russian missile strikes on Sunday. He penned on Telegram: "News of Russian terrorist attacks appear to emerge almost every hour. They hurl missiles, bombs, and artillery." Without Russia's prowess to instill fear into Ukrainian cities and communities and kill common individuals, their attacks might halt. Moreover, he emphasized that global leaders can put a stop to Russian terror if they "overcome the lack of political will." He added, "If we had two Patriot air defense systems in Kharkiv, it would alter the situation significantly. City-wide air defense systems and adequate support for our soldiers on the frontlines would lead to the repulsion of Russian terrorism."

13:23 Multiple people injured in Kharkiv from Russian missile attacks

The mayor of Kharkiv, Ihor Terekhov, delivered fresh data on the scale of Russian missile strikes. Around five people lost their lives in a leisure park, situated in the city's suburbs. Not less than sixteen individuals sustained injuries. "Two missiles from Russia hit a leisure facility where people were relaxing. This took the life of five people and injured sixteen others." The second strike, occurring approximately twenty minutes later, is believed to be a "double-tap tactic" to annihilate rescue workers. The governor of Kharkiv, Oleh Sinihubov, informed that an ambulance worker was amongst the injured. Local police revealed the demise of two civilians due to Russian fire in Novosynove and Kivsharivka, two villages in the Kharkiv region's east. Three individuals got hurt there.

13:07 Ukraine reports additional attacks on Russian targets

The Ukrainian outlet RBC mentioned further offensive actions by Ukraine towards targets in Russia. Succeeding the refinery in Krasnodar, two facilities - the Kushchevsk military airfield and an oil depot around the city of St. Petersburg - were targeted during the night. The Ukrainian army's drone force was responsible for this operation. RBC mentioned that there was a dense collection of jets at the airfield. Ukraine had earlier reported an attack at Kushchevsk in April.

12:41 Russia confirms intensive Ukrainian airstrike on Russia

As per Moscow, the Ukrainian airstrike on Russia was more extensive than initially divulged. The Ministry of Defense of Russia affirmed that their defensive systems downed 103 Ukrainian drones and 12 ATACMS missiles, supplied by the US, in the past twenty-four hours. Earlier they had reported that Ukraine had launched an attack on the annexed Crimean peninsula with nine ATACMS missiles and targeted Russian regions with over 60 drones.

11:57 Update: Death toll raises to four in Kharkiv

The death total in Russian airstrikes on the Kharkiv district lies at four, as per Ukraine's news agency, Ukrinform. The horrific double-hit stratagem, which claimed five lives in a Kharkiv recreational park, was specifically mentioned.

11:35 Two killed, eight harmed in the Kharkiv district

Two civilians perished in a Russian assault in the Kharkiv district. Confirmed by the district's military administration. The region's head, Oleh Sinihubov, mentioned an emergency paramedic was counted in the eight individuals hurt.

At 11:06, Russian troops halted their push toward Kharkiv, Ukraine's second-largest city. This information was shared by the Ukrainian General Staff on Telegram. The statement went on to say, "The adversary didn't engage in active operations in the direction of Kharkiv. Our troops are actively reinforcing their positions, restocking supplies, conducting reconnaissance, and keeping tabs on the enemy's actions." Although Russian airstrikes persist, eight people were reported injured by Ukrinform, a Ukrainian news agency.

At 10:47, air sirens blared in Ukraine's eastern regions, alerting residents to a potential impending aerial attack. Multiple Ukrainian news outlets reported this development. One online publication, Ukrajinska Pravda, claimed a missile was targeting Kiev.

The Ukrainian navy announced at 10:40 that it sank a Russian minesweeper from the Black Sea Fleet. A photo of the "Kovrovets," a Project 266M-class boats launched in 1974, was shared on Facebook by the navy with the crosshatch marks over it.

A Russian official, speaking to the state news agency Tass, stated that the six drones that struck a refinery in southwestern Russia on Friday had been carrying steel balls. He added, "The drones were larger, carrying much bigger loads, and were filled with aggressive elements in the form of steel balls." The refinery has halted operations, and the extent of the damage is being determined. The Russian Ministry of Defense said it had shot down 57 Ukrainian drones in Krasnodar.

Jürgen Weichert, an ntv reporter based in Kiev, noted at 09:52 that a law requiring Ukrainian men fit for military service to report their whereabouts had recently been enacted. In addition to combat drones, missiles, and glide bombs were being used in a new offensive.

BBC published an article on 09:35 discussing the challenges of shooting down glide bombs, which Russia has been employing in the attacks. According to a Russiaministry of Defense representative, the country has only been firing one missile per 30 minutes. Jürgen Bronk, a military expert from the Royal United Services Institute, commented in the article, "All available air defense missiles would be used up too quickly." He proposed that Ukraine's best bet would be to target the planes launching the glide bombs, but cautioned that they risk losing their few Patriot systems if they move them too close to the front lines.

Glide bombs are cheap, self-propelled bombs that can be fired at significant distances, making them highly destructive and difficult to counter. They allow the Russians to weaken Ukrainian defenses without deploying infantry. Ukrainian security expert Mariia Zolkina noted in the BBC article, "The city of Vovchansk has been practically destroyed by the Russians, who mercilessly attack with glide bombs." Security Council member Andrey Kovalenko shared similar sentiments on Telegram in a post from Friday.

The Ukrainian air force reported earlier on Saturday, at 08:46, that it had successfully thwarted a major Russian air attack. They claim that Russia launched 37 attack drones—all of the Iranian-made Shahed type—at Kiev, Odessa, Mykolaiv, Sumy, Vinnytsia, Zhytomy, Cherkasy, and Kherson during the night, every one of which was shot down by the air defense system.

Despite a recent US military aid package, Ukraine's front line units are struggling to maintain their stockpiles. They've seen their manpower dwindle, and recruiting new soldiers has become increasingly difficult. Russia is taking advantage of these disadvantages by attacking key regions.

Russia claimed at 07:47 to have intercepted nine US ATACMS missiles over Crimea overnight. They also shot down three enemy drones near Belgorod and 57 more in Krasnodar. The information, however, could not be corroborated.

At 07:10, Ukraine's military revealed that Russia had lost 1,210 soldiers, as calculated by Ukrainian estimates, raising the overall death toll of the conflict to 492,290. According to the statement, the Ukrainian forces also destroyed 16 tanks and 35 armored vehicles. The information is unverified.

Russian troops have ceased their advance towards Kharkiv as announced by the Ukrainian General Staff, causing the military to focus on defending and reinforcing positions, replenishing supplies, conducting reconnaissance, and monitoring enemy actions. Ukrainian civilians continue to suffer from airstrikes, with eight individuals injured and an air alert issued for the eastern half of the country. Additionally, the Ukrainian navy successfuly sank a minesweeper from the Russian fleet.

Twenty-four hours of combat brought drastic changes: drones carrying steel balls were employed by Russia in a refinery attack, while the Ukrainian military enforces mobilization law and faces challenges in shooting down glide bombs. With diminishing resources, Ukraine struggles to respond to Russia's escalation of attacks and civilians suffer under the unmerciful bombings.

6:34 AM: Russia intensifies attacks on Chassiv YarRussia is stepping up its attempts to take control of the strategic city of Chassiv Yar in eastern Ukraine's Donetsk region, says the Institute for the Study of War (ISW). According to the ISW's analysis, Russia aims to pressure Ukraine into withdrawing troops from the area surrounding Chassiv Yar by launching a new offensive in the Kharkiv region. Additionally, the Russian army is progressing further into Kharkiv.

ISW also brings up the demand made by former Russian President Medvedev, who wants the "buffer zone" in Ukraine to span across the entire country. This statement from Medvedev, who's considered a hardliner in Putin's inner circle and currently Deputy Head of the Russian Security Council, suggests that this "buffer zone" is simply a pretext for Russia's longstanding desire to subjugate Ukraine.

6:09 AM: Drone incident at Russian refinery triggers fireIn the southern Russian city of Slavyansk-na-Kubani, a drone has crashed onto a refinery site, according to officials in the Krasnodar region. Authorities reported a "local fire" with no reports of casualties or damages. Ukraine has been carrying out attacks on refineries in Russia for quite some time.

5:40 AM: Danone sells Russian businessFrench dairy giant Danone has completed the sale of its Russian business to a businessman with ties to Chechnya after three decades in the country. The news comes from Ukrainian news agency Ukrinform, which cites the company. The Russian businessman, Mintimer Mingasov, has agreed to pay 17.7 billion roubles (180 million euros) to take over Danone's Russian operations. Experts believe the actual value could be up to 80 billion roubles. In July 2022, Yakub Zakriyev, a nephew of Chechen leader Ramzan Kadyrov, became the new head of Danone's Russian subsidiary.

4:37 AM: Crimea: Explosions in Sevastopol during missile attackNighttime explosions have been reported in the Russian-controlled Black Sea peninsula of Crimea. The governor of Crimea appointed by Moscow, Mikhail Razvozhaev, announced on Telegram that the air defenses in Sevastopol had thwarted a missile strike. However, the Sevastopol Rescue Service stated no civilian infrastructure was harmed, according to Razvozhaev.

3:33 AM: Widespread drone attacks in UkraineRussia is carrying out a barrage of drone attacks across Ukraine during the night. Targeted areas include Kiev, Sumy, Vinnytsia, Cherkasy, Mykolaiv, and Odessa. Explosions have been heard in various locations, but there's currently no information about damages or casualties. An air raid alert had previously been issued for much of the country.

2:20 AM: Civilians shelled in Kharkiv region, possible war crimeUkrainian authorities report that civilians were shelled in two towns in the Kharkiv region during the night. A Russian airstrike on a residential area of the regional capital, Kharkiv, is being probed as a potential war crime. At least six civilians, including three youths, were injured in the attack. Moscow continues denying intentionally targeting civilians. Since its invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, thousands have been killed or injured.

1:04 AM: Germany looks to triple military aid for UkraineGermany plans on significantly ramping up its military aid for Ukraine this year, with the Federal Ministry of Defense calling for an additional €3.8 billion euros, as per Bild am Sonntag. Prior to this, the coalition government had allocated €7.1 billion euros for such aid. The extra-budgetary expenditure will tentatively be tabled before parliament in June. Christian Lindner's Ministry of Finance has signaled approval.

12:04 AM: Ukrainian General Staff reports 77 engagementsThe Ukrainian General Staff reports 77 engagements in the past 24 hours, of which seven are still underway. "The Russian forces are attempting to enhance their tactical position," the General Staff announced on their Telegram channel. The Ukrainian military has carried out four counterattacks to drive Russians out of their held positions.

11:25 PM: Daring Ukrainian airman presents valor awardLieutenant Colonel Denys Vasyliuk, celebrated as a courageous soldier and recipient of the Order of Valor, was killed "recently" during a military mission, the 831st Tactical Aviation Brigade announced on Facebook. As chief of staff and deputy commander of an aviation squadron, Vasyliuk had been involved in "dozens of combat missions." His unit hasn't disclosed further information about his death, and the Ukrainian air force is yet to offer a statement.

9:57 PM: Putin in Cannes: Polish Filmmaker Reveals a Biopic With an AI Depiction

Filmmaker Patryk Vega showcased his biopic about Russian President Vladimir Putin at the Cannes Film Festival. The movie, however, has an unexpected ending: Putin's death. When asked about inviting Putin to participate in the film, Vega joked, "I called Putin and asked if he wanted to take part... oh, I was joking," he added with a wide grin. As the real Putin was unavailable, Vega used a deep fake generated by artificial intelligence (AI) to portray the Russian leader.

Initially, Vega had planned to use real footage of Putin for his character. Unfortunately, the footage's quality wasn't good enough for the big screen. "AI needs to be fed. It requires 20,000 high-resolution images to function properly," he explains. Instead, he developed a new technology that uses AI to create the face of an actor resembling Putin. "This is the first movie to use this technology," Vega proudly declares. The AI-generated Putin is breathtakingly realistic, appearing as the Russian leader we're familiar with - in dictator poses, seated at ornate desks, playing the piano, and even wetting his pants in his hospital bed.

5:35 PM: Taiwan's Foreign Minister: The Island's Fate Rests on Ukraine's Struggle

In an interview with the Kyiv Independent, Taiwan's Foreign Minister Joseph Wu voiced his concerns about the potential consequences of the current Russian invasion of Ukraine. "If Russia can do this with Ukraine, China could do the same with Taiwan," Wu stated. The invasion awakened Taiwan to the reality that it could become the next battleground. Even after two years, Wu asserts that Taiwan's future hinges on the outcome of the war in Ukraine. If Russia were to win in Ukraine, officials across the spectrum believe that Beijing would attempt "reunification" of the two Chinas by force.

For further updates, visit our archives.

Read also:

• Year of climate records: extreme is the new normal
• Precautionary arrests show Islamist terror threat
• UN vote urges Israel to ceasefire
• SPD rules out budget resolution before the end of the year

1. The U.S. State Department is planning to seize Russian assets within the U.S. and use the funds to repair damage caused by Putin in Ukraine, as a part of their response to Russia's involvement in the Ukraine conflict.
2. President Volodymyr Zelensky of Ukraine reported that the latest Russian troops' offensive in northeastern Ukraine has failed, citing their inability to exhaust Ukraine's forces and weaken the country across a wide front.
3. The Russian government accused Ukraine of launching an intensive airstrike on Russia, with their defensive systems allegedly downing 103 Ukrainian drones and 12 ATACMS missiles in the past 24 hours.
4. The conflict between Ukraine and Russia has spilled over into the cyber realm, with reports of cyberwarfare incidents affecting both countries, and NATO urging its members to strengthen their cyber defenses against potential Russian attacks.

Source: www.ntv.de