22:33: US Department Demands Russia to Cover Costs for Putin's Wrongdoings

22:33 US Department Demands Compensation for Putin's Damages from Russia

The US State Department plans to utilize the newly enacted law by the US Congress to confiscate Russian assets within the United States for the advantage of Ukraine. The Department states, "Congress has equipped us with the authority to seize Russian assets in the US, and we plan to use it." They also aim to collaborate with the G7 allies. The seized Russian government funds are to be utilized for repairing the damages "brought about by Putin in Ukraine," according to their statement.

21:27 - Following devastating rocket assaults on Kharkiv: citizens stunnedKharkiv is one of the cities that has suffered continual attack since the start of the Ukrainian war. Recent air raids on a designated recreation space have terrified the residents. Some are tending to the numerous injured and lifeless on their own. Additionally, discussions about potential military assistance are ongoing.

21:01 - Drones for Ukraine: Latvia's foreign minister collects donations during marathonThe Latvian Foreign Minister, Baiba Braže, took part in the Riga Marathon to gather funds for drones for Ukraine. Braže revealed on X that she ran the half-marathon distance, which was her first such event. "We've amassed nearly 10,000 euros so far. Let's raise a bit more," she expresses, thanking everyone for their support. She mentions that approximately 34,000 people participated in the race. She participated with the race number 815 in memory of the 815th day of Ukraine's self-defense against Russia's aggression, Braže adds.

20:15 - Selenskii: Russian military fails to achieve objectivesAs per Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyi, the recent offensive by the Russian army in northeastern Ukraine failed to achieve its goals. "Instead, the aggressor isn't attaining its objective of overextending our force and thus weakening Ukraine from Kharkiv to the Donetsk region," said Zelenskyi in his evening video address. The Ukrainian military leadership reports that the Russian offensive in the Kharkiv region has finally halted after initial territorial gains. Meanwhile, the intense attacks on Russian troops near Chasiv Yar in the Donetsk region have been repelled. However, Kharkiv and other Ukrainian cities continue to be targeted by Russian fire. "The merciless Russian shelling and the daily rocket and glide bomb attacks persist," says Selenskii. The Ukrainian military has yet to discover any means of defending against the glide bombs, which are dropped and directed from Russian fighter jets from a long distance towards their targets (see entry 09:35).

19:37 - Governor: At least 13 wounded by Ukrainian artillery in BelgorodMore than a dozen people have been harmed, and residential properties have been damaged due to the Ukrainian artillery attack in the southern Russian region of Belgorod, according to Governor Vyacheslav Gladkov. He spoke on Telegram that the town of Shchekino had been targeted with multiple rocket launchers. Eleven people, including three children, were among the injured. Meanwhile, another two individuals were injured in the nearby village of Rzhevka.

19:04 - Selenskii condemns Russia's terrorizing of towns and villages and killing of ordinary citizensIn light of the Russian attacks in the eastern Ukrainian region of Kharkiv (see instruction 16:55 and 15:00), Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyi decries Russia for "terrorizing" cities and villages and taking the lives of "ordinary people." Ukrainian officials report that at least eleven civilians have been slain, and many more have been injured. Since the same region was shelled again twenty minutes following the initial attack, according to the authorities, the chance of hitting rescue workers rises even more. According to the police, among the injured were an ambulance worker and a police officer providing aid to the casualties of the first attack.

18:22 - Zelenskii requests Patriot air defense systems for KharkivFacing continual Russian attacks on the city of Kharkiv in northeastern Ukraine, President Volodymyr Zelensky appeals to the international community for two Patriot air defense systems to safeguard the residents of the city. "The world can stop Russian terror, but overcoming the lack of political will among prominent politicians must be accomplished," Zelensky expresses on Telegram. "Two Patriots for Kharkiv would significantly alter the situation." The Kharkiv region, along the border with Russia, has been experiencing heavy shelling for weeks. Only a month ago, NATO declared its intention to enhance Ukraine's air defenses. NATO members planned either to provide Ukraine with air defense systems or contribute to procurement costs. At the time, Zelenskyi estimated that Ukraine would require at least seven Patriot systems or equivalent solutions to effectively shield the country from Russian aggression.

18:09 Family in Beryslav injured by Russian drone in Kherson region

Three family members, including a 21-year-old man and two women aged 42 and 71, are injured when an explosive dropped by a Russian drone explodes. The local military administration confirmed the news through a Telegram message, stating that their condition is moderate. The incident also affected two other residents of Beryslav – a man aged 59 and a 70-year-old man - who were diagnosed with injuries from an explosion and bruises. The 59-year-old man specifically sustained a back injury. The victims are currently being treated at hospitals, as per the update.

17:28 Ukrainian forces claim to have sunk Russian minesweeper

Ukrainian military reported through Telegram that they have sunk a Russian warship, the minesweeper "Kovrovets," from the Black Sea Fleet. They shared a photo with a red cross overlay on the vessel, expressing, "The Ukrainian navy, together with its sworn brothers, is bringing us ever closer to victory." While the Ukrainian forces remained tight-lipped on the details of its sinking, minesweepers of this type are known to have a crew of 70 members. This information, however, could not be independently verified.

16:55 Death toll rises in Kharkiv recreation area attack

The Ukrainian authorities have updated the death toll, confirming six fatalities and 27 injuries in a Russian missile attack that targeted a recreational area near Kharkiv. Earlier reports had mentioned five fatalities and 25 injured.

16:15 London sees Russian offensive in Kharkiv as a byproduct of Moscow's war-driven economy

British Defense Secretary Grant Shapps considers the Russian offensive on the Kharkiv region a wake-up call and urges countries to increase speed and aid supplied. In an article published on Platform X, Shapps writes that the UK, so far, has provided one million rounds of ammunition, drones, and air defense missiles to support the frontline, set to deter Putin's troops. He adds, "Ukraine has been defending itself against Russia's war of aggression." While Russia cannot sustain its war economy in the long term, Shapps tells the BBC. The minister also emphasizes the UK's commitment to providing weapons and training without engaging directly in the conflict with Russia.

15:38 Shapps: Supplied weapons can be used in Crimea

The UK Defense Secretary, Grant Shapps, urges other countries to allow Ukraine to utilize weapons supplied by them in Crimea, in addition to the war-torn areas. "These weapons can and should - and in our case will - be used throughout Ukraine, including Crimea," he told the BBC. He was prompted to clarify if supplying countries should also allow their weapons to be used against targets in Russia. However, Shapps remained vague, stating, "We are supplying Ukraine with our weapons so that they can defend their country." It is unclear whether he is implying that countries should permit the use of their weapons within the Russian-occupied territory of Crimea.

15:00 Kharkiv mayor responds to Russian airstrikes on recreational area

In response to the latest wave of Russian missile strikes on a recreational area near Kharkiv, Kharkiv's mayor, Igor Terekhov, condemned the attacks and described them as terror. The local authorities confirmed the presence of a pregnant woman amongst the fatalities, along with ten individuals killed in total. The same report stated that 25 people were injured in these hits. The governor of the Kharkiv region, Oleh Synyehubov, provided a more recent update that five people had lost their lives and nine had been injured in the Kupyansk district, where two villages saw assaults. Earlier, the city of Kharkiv recorded five deaths and 16 injuries. The Ukrainian General Staff reported an escalation of hostilities in the region, consistent with increased Russian attacks. The media highlighted mass evacuation efforts as thousands of residents were moved to safety. Mayor Terekhov urged the citizens to exercise caution.

6:00 pm: Ukraine and Russia share their drone strike reports
Russia reports shooting down about 60 drones and a few missiles over its territory on Sunday night. Meanwhile, Ukraine's air force claims to have destroyed all 37 Russian drones fired at the country. Russia's Ministry of Defense states that 57 Ukrainian drones were brought down over Krasnodar region in southern Russia. Debris from a downed drone hit an oil refinery in Slavyansk-na-Kubani, but no fire or damage was reported. Nine long-range missiles and one drone were shot down over Crimea, the Russian-occupied area. In Belgorod region, bordering Ukraine, three drones were blown away. No injuries or damage were reported. The governor of the Russian-controlled Kherson region, Vladimir Saldo, says a minibus passenger was killed and 16 others injured by a Ukrainian drone strike on Sunday morning. A resident was killed the day before in the Kharkiv region, with 11 others wounded due to artillery fire. Governor Oleh Synyehubov shares an update, stating four people perished and 15 were injured in a Russian attack near Kharkiv's main city.

4:00 pm: Zelensky advocates for air defense systems against Russia's missile terror
In a post on Telegram, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy expressed grief to families of victims in the Russian missile attacks. He emphasized the need to stop Russian aggression by countering their ability to terrorize entire cities and neighborhoods. "The world can end the Russian terror, but this requires overcoming the lack of political will from many state leaders and governments." Two Patriot air defense systems in Kharkiv would enhance Ukraine's defense capabilities significantly. "Adequate support for our frontline fighters and air defense in our other cities will ensure that Russia's terror is crushed."

3:00 pm: Several killed and injured in Kharkiv region due to Russian missile attacks
The mayor of Kharkiv, Ihor Terekhov, updates the casualty figures. A recreational park in the northern side of the city had a double strike, killing five and injuring sixteen. Among the deceased was a seven-month pregnant woman. The second attack happened 20 minutes after the initial one, with the intention of killing first responders. Vyacheslav Gladkov, the Belgorod region governor, reports two civilians dying and three injured in the Novosynove and Kivsharivka villages by Russian fire.

2:00 pm: Ukraine launched more attacks on Russian targets at night
Ukraine allegedly extends its attacks against Russia, according to RBC, a Ukrainian news agency. Besides the one at the Krasnodar refinery, other targets were attacked: the Kushchevski airfield and an oil depot in St. Petersburg's Leningrad region were targeted in these series of drone strikes. Ukraine's drone forces are involved in these attacks. In April, Ukraine had already attacked Kushchevsk airport.

1:00 pm: Russia encountered further attacks in the past 24 hours
As per Russian Ministry of Defense's statement, Ukraine launched more than the initially reported airstrikes against Russia. Their air defense successfully brought down 103 Ukrainian drones and 12 ATACMS missiles supplied by the US in the past 24 hours. Earlier, the ministry reported nine ATACMS missiles and at least 60 drones targeted the annexed Crimea.

11:50 am: The death toll rises to four in Kharkiv
According to Ukrinform, the count of fatalities from Russian airstrikes on the Kharkiv district has reached four.

11:00 am: Two killed, eight injured in Kharkiv
Governor Oleh Synyehubov reports that civilians lost their lives in a Russian attack in Kharkiv. Among the eight wounded was an emergency paramedic.

10:30 am: Russia reports additional attacks by Ukraine
Moscow's Ministry of Defense reports a larger Ukrainian airstrike than initially shared. They claim to have shot down 103 Ukrainian drones and 12 ATACMS missiles in the past day across Russia. Initially, they said Ukraine attacked Crimea with 9 ATACMS missiles and 60 drones. The military context changes as the figures elevate.

9:30 am: Four perished in Kharkiv
A death toll update reveals that the fatalities from Russian airstrikes in the Kharkiv region have increased to four.

9:00 am: Two killed, eight injured in Kharkiv
Chief of the regional military administration, Oleh Synyehubov, asserts that two civilians have perished and eight were injured in a Russian attack in the Kharkiv district. An emergency paramedic also suffered injuries during the attack.

6:30 am: Update: The death toll in Kharkiv rises to four
Ukrainian news agency Ukrinform announces an increase in casualty numbers from Russian airstrikes in the Kharkiv region.

8:00 pm: Double-strike on Kharkiv park kills five, injures sixteen
Mayor of Kharkiv, Ihor Terekhov, provides an update. Two Russian missiles struck a recreation center, killing five people and injuring sixteen others. A seven-month-pregnant woman was among the deceased, as per the local police. Two people were also slain in the Novosynove and Kivsharivka villages by Russian fire, with three citizens injured.

11:06 Russian forces halt their progress toward Kharkiv

Russian ground troops have paused their march toward Kharkiv, according to an update from the Ukrainian General Staff on Telegram. The statement notes that there was minimal enemy activity in the direction of Kharkiv, with defensive forces focusing on solidifying their positions, restocking supplies, conducting surveillance, and maintaining fire control. However, Russian air raids remain ongoing. Ukrinform reports that eight people were injured as a result.

10:47 Air defense alert in Ukraine's eastern regions

All eastern regions of Ukraine have issued an air alert. This has been reported by various Ukrainian news outlets. Ukrajinska Pravda states that a Russian missile is targeting Kiev.

10:40 Ukrainian navy claims sunk Russian minesweeper

The Ukrainian navy has announced that it sunk a minesweeper from the Russian Black Sea Fleet during the night. The navy posted a crossed-out image of the "Kovrovets," a "Project 266M"-class boat that was commissioned in 1974 on its Facebook page.

10:18 Larger Ukrainian drones carried steel balls, says Russian source

A Ukrainian police officer and a war crimes prosecutor inspect fragments of a glide bomb in front of a damaged house after a Russian airstrike on a residential neighborhood in the eastern Ukrainian city of Kharkiv.

The six drones that attacked a refinery in southern Russia (see entry at 06:09) were armed with steel balls, according to Russian sources. The drones were said to be larger, "carrying much larger loads and filled with destructive elements in the form of steel balls," claims Krasnodar refinery head as quoted by Tass news agency. The plant has ceased operations, and the damage is being assessed. The Russian Ministry of Defense claims 57 Ukrainian drones were shot down in Krasnodar.

09:52 Mobilization law and increased attacks in Ukraine

Ukraine's new mobilization law, which requires fit men to report their details, is in effect. Along with combat drones, missiles, and glide bombs, Ukraine is facing a renewed wave of attacks. In Kiev, ntv's Jürgen Weichert covers the current situation.

09:35 Glide bombs difficult to shoot down

BBC News analyzes Russia's increased use of glide bombs in its attacks on Ukraine. Glide bombs are easy to produce and cause significant damage while minimizing risk to the launching aircraft. Moreover, Ukraine struggles to counter them. There are too many glide bombs to shoot them all down, explains military expert Justin Bronk from the Royal United Services Institute. The only viable option is shooting down the planes that launch the glide bombs, but Ukraine lacks the necessary weapons with that range.

08:46 Ukraine claims to have downed 37 Iranian-made drones

The Ukrainian air force reports that it repelled a major Russian air attack overnight. The areas of Kiev, Odessa, Mykolaiv, Sumy, Vinnytsia, Zhytomy, Cherkasy, and Kherson were targeted by 37 Iranian-made drones, called Shahed. All of them were downed by air defense.

08:26 Russia capitalizing on Ukraine's diminishing forces

Despite financial support from the United States, Ukrainian units' arsenals are running low. Regiments have shrunk, and it is challenging to recruit new soldiers. Leveraging this, Russia is assailing several regions, exploiting Ukraine's weaknesses.

07:47 Russia purportedly intercepted nine US missiles

The Russian Ministry of Defense alleges that it intercepted nine US ATACMS missiles over Crimea during the night. Additionally, an enemy drone was reportedly destroyed there. Three more drones were intercepted and eliminated near Belgorod, while another 57 were downed in the Krasnodar region. The information hasn't been independently verified.

07:10 Ukraine claims 1210 Russian soldiers lost in the past day

As it does daily, the Ukrainian military published on Facebook the number of Russian soldiers lost or wounded, based on their data from the previous day. According to this count, Russia suffered 1210 casualties on Saturday, raising its total losses to 492,290 soldiers. Additionally, the Ukrainian military allegedly destroyed 16 tanks and 35 armored vehicles. The information can't be confirmed.

06:34 ISW: Russia ramps up efforts to conquer Chassiv Yar

Russian forces have stepped up their attempts to seize Chassiv Yar, a crucial city in the eastern part of Donetsk. This is mentioned in the latest report from the Institute for the Study of War (ISW). The ISW believes that, in addition to capturing Chassiv Yar, Russia is trying to force Ukraine to pull its troops away from the area surrounding it. Furthermore, Russian forces are edging closer in Kharkiv.

According to the ISW analysis, a demand was made by former Russian President Medvedev to create a "buffer zone" that would span the entirety of Ukraine. Medvedev is the Deputy Head of the Russian Security Council and a close ally of Putin. The request indicates that the so-called "buffer zone" is a thinly-veiled excuse for Russia's long-term objective to subdue Ukraine.

06:09 Drone strike sparks blaze at Russian refinery

A drone has crashed onto the grounds of an oil refinery in Slavyansk-na-Kubani, Russia, sparking a small fire. The Krasnodar region's authorities made the announcement. Nobody was harmed, nor was any significant damage caused. Ukraine has been targeting refineries in Russia for some time.

05:40 Danone completes exit from Russia

After 30 years in Russia, French dairy giant Danone has concluded the sale of its business there to a businessman with ties to Chechnya. According to Ukrinform, Danone's Russian business has been sold to Vamin Tatarstan, which is owned by businessman Mintimer Mingasov. A sum of 17.7 billion roubles (180 million euros) was agreed upon for the acquisition. Some experts predict a genuine value as high as 80 billion roubles. In July 2022, Yakub Zakriyev, a nephew of Chechen leader Ramzan Kadyrov, was named as the new CEO of Danone's Russian subsidiary.

04:37 Explosions in Crimea: air defense repels missile attack on Sevastopol

Reports of explosions on the Russian-annexed Crimean Peninsula in the Black Sea during the night have surfaced. The governor of Crimea, installed by Moscow, Mikhail Razvozhayev, announced in a Telegram message that the air defenses in Sevastopol had thwarted a missile attack. But, according to the Sevastopol rescue service, no damage to the civilian infrastructure was reported.

03:33 Air alert in most of Ukraine: massive drone attacks

Russia persists in conducting large-scale drone strikes in Ukraine during the night. According to the Ukrainian air force, areas affected include Kiev, Sumy, Vinnytsia, Cherkasy, Mykolaiv, and Odessa. Explosions have been reported in many different places. An air raid alert had previously been issued in many regions of the country. There are no reports of casualties or damage at this time.

02:20 Kharkiv region: Civilians under fire

According to Ukraine, civilians were fired upon during the night in two towns in the northeastern region of Kharkiv. The Public Prosecutor's Office of Ukraine is investigating a Russian airstrike on a residential district in Kharkiv as a possible war crime. Six civilians, including three youths, received injuries. Moscow denies purposely targeting civilians. Since February 2022, Russia's invasion of Ukraine has led to thousands of deaths and injuries.

01:04 Germany to provide almost four billion more to Kiev

The German government is planning to significantly increase military assistance for Ukraine, according to reports. The Federal Ministry of Defense has requested an additional 3.8 billion euros for military aid this year. To date, the ruling coalition has allocated €7.1 billion for military aid. The extra budgetary expenditure will be presented to parliament in June for approval. The Ministry of Finance headed by Christian Lindner has given its blessing.

00:05 Ukrainian General Staff logs 77 skirmishes

In its evening report, the Ukrainian General Staff reports 77 military encounters over the past 24 hours. Seven of them are still ongoing. "Russian forces are attempting to enhance their tactical position," the General Staff's Telegram channel explains. Ukrainian troops have staged four attacks to drive the Russians out of captured areas, they add.

00:02 Ukrainian air hero dies during combat mission

Lieutenant Colonel Denys Vasyliuk, a Kuivan Honor Laureate, died during a combat mission. The 831st Tactical Aviation Brigade, where he served, made the announcement on Facebook. He was the chief of staff of the brigade and the deputy commander of an aviation squadron, and had carried out "dozens of combat missions." The Ukrainian air force has not provided any additional information on Vasyliuk's death.

9:57 PM: Putin in Cannes - Polish Director Shows Biopic with Deepfake

The biopic of Russian President Vladimir Putin ends with his death. "Initially, we intended for it to have a positive finish," says Polish director Patryk Vega, who unveiled his film about Putin at the Cannes Film Festival. "I phoned Putin to ask if he wanted to participate... - but, I was joking," the filmmaker adds, his smile as broad as the Black Sea. Since Putin was unavailable, Vega opted to have him appear as a deep fake aided by artificial intelligence (AI).

Earlier, he envisaged using authentic footage of Putin in his film. He acknowledges its poor quality, stating, "AI craves data. It demands 20,000 images in high-definition to be functional." In lieu, he devised a cutting-edge technique that incorporates AI to formulate the visage of a real actor fitting the same stage as Putin. "It's the first movie to employ this technology," confesses Vega. The outcome is remarkable. The movie depicts Putin as we recognize him, adopting the stance of a despot, at baroque tables, and even playing the piano while soaking his bed in a hospital.

9:35 PM: Foreign Minister Wu: Taiwan's Fate Hinges on War in Ukraine

"If Russia can execute this in Ukraine, so could China with Taiwan," says Taiwan's Foreign Minister Joseph Wu during an interview with the Kyiv Independent. The Russian war of aggression against Ukraine was a salutary wake-up call for Taiwan, analysis by the island's top diplomat. If Kiev succumbs, Taiwan could be the subsequent theater of conflict. Wu asserts that Taiwan's future hinges on the war in Ukraine's endurance. If Russia triumphs, officials from every faction conjecture that Beijing will forcibly "reintegrate" the two Chinas, discloses Wu.