22:58 Ukraine counts the majority of its conflicts along the Donetsk front line.
The Russian military has conducted 62 attacks as of the evening, mainly targeting the city of Pokrovsk in the Donetsk region, with 23 battles occurring in the area. In the Nikopol region, there have been continuous shelling throughout the day, injuring no one but causing damage to several buildings and a power line.
In the evening, Governor Serhiy Lysak of the Dnipropetrowsk region reported that a 17-year-old girl, who was previously abducted to Russia, has been returned to Ukraine. Save Ukraine, a non-governmental organization, facilitated this repatriation. The Ukrainian government in Kiev reported that about 20,000 children and young people have been taken from Ukraine to Russia or Russian-controlled territories.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky appreciated the soldiers on the front lines in the Donetsk region, declaring, "We're working hard to provide you and the whole army with more ammunition, equipment, and modern systems."
Ukrainian Chief of Staff Oleksandr Syrskyj visited the soldiers of the 79th separate airborne brigade in the Donbas. Encouraging the troops, he said, "I'm proud of each of you." He then awarded the paratroopers medals for their unwavering resilience, which disrupted the enemy's plans to seize Ukrainian territory.
There are plans to test domestically produced guided bombs soon, as informed by Serhiy Golubtsov, a senior officer of the Ukrainian Air Force.
During a Ukrainian attack on Achtubinsk, a Russian airfield in Southern Russia, it is possible that a second modern combat aircraft was damaged, according to the Ukrainian military intelligence service (HUR). If this information is accurate, two Su-57 aircraft of the latest generation, in use by the Russian Air Force since the end of 2020, may have been hit simultaneously.
Kharkiv is under attack again, with a guided bomb hitting a residential area, injuring no one according to Governor Oleg Sinegubov. However, several buildings were damaged.
Jake Sullivan, National Security Advisor to US President Joe Biden, claims that the Russian military offensive in Kharkiv has stalled, noting, "The momentum of this operation in Kharkiv has come to a halt."
Reports suggest that Russia is moving troops from the southern Ukrainian region of Kherson to the northern region of Kharkiv. It is unclear whether these forces will be immediately deployed or simply positioned as reinforcements for the Northern Group (Russian: Sever).
Allegations have surfaced that Russia is forcibly enlisting African migrants to fight in Kharkiv. Russian officials are said to have told African students and workers that their visas would not be extended unless they join the Russian troops. Some migrants avoided fighting by paying off the officials.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky praised the soldiers on the front lines in the Donetsk region, stating, "We're taking all necessary steps to ensure that you and our entire army have more weapons, equipment, and modern systems."
Oleksandr Syrskyj, the Ukrainian Chief of Staff, visited the soldiers stationed in the 79th separate airborne brigade on the front lines in the Donbas. Concerned about their safety, he told the paratroopers, "I'm proud of each of you." He then presented them with medals, thanking them for their unwavering bravery.
Serhiy Golubtsov, a senior officer of the Ukrainian Air Force, revealed that the military was planning to test domestically manufactured guided bombs in a few weeks.
The Ukrainian intelligence service HUR reported that a second modern Russian combat aircraft was possibly damaged during a Ukrainian attack on Achtubinsk, a Russian airfield in Southern Russia. The Su-57, introduced to the Russian Air Force at the end of 2020, may have been hit simultaneously.
The northern Ukrainian city of Kharkiv is once again under attack by the Russian army. A guided bomb struck a residential area, resulting in building damage but no casualties.
Citing a Chechen commander and Ukrainian military sources, US analysts at the Institute for the Study of War (ISW) reported that Russia had relocated certain units from the southern Ukrainian region of Kherson to Kharkiv and may be planning to redeploy them.
European diplomats reported that Russia was forcing African students and workers to fight in Kharkiv, with officials asserting that their visas would not be extended unless they joined the Russian troops. Some migrants managed to avoid going to the front by bribing the officials.
Joe Biden's National Security Advisor, Jake Sullivan, declared in an interview with CBS that the Russian offensive in the northeastern Ukrainian region of Kharkiv had stalled. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky commended the soldiers fighting in the Donetsk region, declaring that Ukraine would continue defending itself.
According to Russian media outlets, Ukraine is planning to test guided bombs produced domestically in the near future.
US analysts at the Institute for the Study of War released a situation report that claimed Russia was allegedly moving forces from Kherson to Kharkiv, although it is unknown if they will be immediately deployed or if they are being stationed as reinforcements for the Northern Group (Russian: Sever).
Rumors suggest that Russia is conscripting African migrants in Kharkiv to fight alongside the Russian troops. Some students and workers were warned that they would not have their visas renewed unless they enlisted. A few managed to avoid military service by paying bribes to officials.
Jake Sullivan, the US National Security Advisor, said on CBS that the Russian offensive in Kharkiv had slowed down. "The momentum of this operation in Kharkiv has stalled," he said. However, Kharkiv was still under threat.
Russian forces appear to be relocating from Kherson towards Kharkiv, according to combined reports from a Chechen commander and Ukrainian military sources. The exact purpose of this move is unclear.
Russia has allegedly persisted in using coercion to enlist African migrants to join their fighting forces in Kharkiv. Ukrainian officials are believed to have intimidated African students and workers, threatening that their visas would not be renewed if they did not enlist. Those who could not afford to pay bribes were forced to join the Russian army.
United States President Joe Biden recently reached an agreement with French President Emmanuel Macron regarding the handling of seized Russian assets. According to Biden, the proceeds generated from frozen Russian funds will be used to support Ukraine. The specifics of this arrangement remain undisclosed.
There have been reports of an explosion in the Russian region of Belgorod, with residents sharing footage of the incident on Telegram. The explosion allegedly occurred at a munitions depot in the Rakityansky district in the afternoon. Locals had been warned of potential danger from rockets via the governor's Telegram account. Additionally, the Russian Defense Ministry claimed that several Ukrainian drones were shot down over Belgorod.
In the eastern Ukrainian town of Chassiv Yar, Russian troops seem to be amassing their forces. According to a source from the Ukrainian military, the Russians have been trying to gather troops in nearby homes for the past week. The source suggests that over 1,500 bombardments have taken place in this region during this time. The Russians are allegedly destroying positions with multiple rocket launchers and guided air bombs to secure their logistics along a road between Bachmut and Chassiv Yar. The Ukrainian source claims, "The city center is under our control."
Quite significantly, a video shared by the Ukrainian armed forces on Telegram reveals the pilots of an open-cockpit aircraft sitting in their seats during a Russian drone attack. The Yak-52 airplane was reportedly utilized for air defense in the Mykolayiv region. In the video, the aircraft can be seen through the lens of a Russian reconnaissance drone. There are unverified claims that the co-pilot managed to shoot down the drone.
The Ukrainian intelligence service (HUR) has apparently claimed responsibility for an attack on a modern Russian fighter jet, which was located 600 kilometers away from the border in southern Russia. A HUR source says that the drone attack was carried out using a Ukrainian-made drone. The attack on the fighter plane adds to the HUR's reputation for audacious operations on Russian and Russian-occupied territory in Ukraine.
Russia's Kremlin is said to be considering renaming the occupied territories in the Donetsk, Luhansk, Zaporizhzhia, and Kherson oblasts as "Novorossiya." Regional military administration of Luhansk's head, Artem Lysohor, announced this on Telegram. "The locals are not given the opportunity to choose a name, as there is only one - Novorossiya," writes Lysohor. Lysohor also alerts the public to the fact that these territorial entities have no legal status. Post-holiday, schoolchildren will supposedly learn the local history based on a Russian textbook.
Ukrainian Brig. Gen. Yuriy Fedorenko, a brigade commander, shared that permission to use Western weapons against Russia has "immediately affected" the overall course of the conflict. "We were granted the ability to disable electronic reconnaissance, electronic warfare, air defense, and - what is crucial - the S-300 and S-400 systems that have been consistently targeting Kharkiv," Fedorenko said in an interview with Radio NV. This permission from Western states is considered the first step in their strategy. The extension of these weapons' reach into Russian territory will be considered the second step.
The Ukrainian military estimates that there have been 103 Russian attacks on settlements and 93 on infrastructure since yesterday. The attacks have targeted ten oblasts in Ukraine. In the regions of Kharkiv, Kherson, and Izium, at least three people have been reported killed, while houses and a school sustained damage.
It's worth noting that women's participation in the Ukrainian army has significantly increased. With over 67,000 women currently serving in the Ukrainian armed forces, the majority of them hold roles as soldiers. Although women weren't specifically targeted during the mobilization waves after Russia's 2022 full-scale attack, the number of female members of the army has increased by 40%. Due to their newfound willingness to engage in combat, women are now armed to fight, operate artillery systems, or operate drones. The government is responding by creating employment opportunities for women in the military.
Ukrainian officials are planning to create a register of explosive-laden and mined areas to monitor the demining status of different regions in real time. This initiative is crucial, especially for farmers who need to know if their land is still contaminated or has been cleared. In the aftermath of the war, Ukraine faces a daunting task of clearing thousands of square kilometers of mines. As per security expert Gustav Gressel, there are North Korean ammunition from the 1950s with a dud rate exceeding 30%.
In another development, a new survey by YouGov reveals that 60% of Germans support the reintroduction of compulsory military service. Results indicate that 28% are in favor of a complete return of conscription, while 32% support it more moderately. Germany has not considered this option since 2011 amidst a debate about extending the German army.
Ukrainian military intelligence has reported the first successful strike on a Su-57, Russian's most advanced combat jet, which was damaged during an attack on an airfield in the Astrakhan region. Although the jet was undamaged on Friday according to satellite images, it was severely affected by explosions on Saturday. Russia announced a drone attack on several regions, including Astrakhan. The Su-57 is capable of carrying cruise missiles, and there are only a few in combat.
The US Institute for the Study of War (ISW) suggests that Russia's troops mobilize 30,000 soldiers each month, some of whom are deployed as reinforcements. However, these military reserves will not be sufficient to carry out large-scale offensive operations on multiple fronts this summer. These reinforcements won't act as the primary or secondary offensive force required for a sizable offensive.
In May, the UN reported that at least 174 Ukrainian civilians were killed and 690 wounded. This monthly tally represents the highest number of civilian casualties in a year, with the majority originating from the Kharkiv region due to the intense attacks from Russian troops.
Russia intends to train military officers in the currently occupied regions of Ukraine. These courses will focus on electronic warfare, which encompasses the use of radar or jammers. Jammers are currently disrupting Western precision weapons, rendering them ineffective.
The Ukrainian General Staff announced 1,270 casualties on the Russian side in the past 24 hours, increasing the total number of Russian losses since the beginning of the invasion to over 518,000. Moreover, 26 Russian tanks have been destroyed, along with 26 armored vehicles, 60 artillery systems, and two missile defense systems. The Ukrainians have also claimed to shoot down 37 drones.
Ukrainian forces have managed to resist Russian advances in the northeast, particularly around Wozhansk near Kharkiv. The Russian army was believed to be preparing for a larger attack in the region, but the Ukrainians are now stopping them.
The NATO is contemplating the establishment of a permanent representation in Kyiv to facilitate support for Ukraine. A high-ranking civilian representative will be in charge of coordinating military aid from Western countries to Ukraine, resembling NATO's role in Afghanistan. The need for a permanent representative comes after NATO leaders are unlikely to agree on inviting Ukraine to join accession talks during their meeting in Washington in July. Instead, they are exploring ways to provide more tangible support to Ukraine without officially committing to accession talks.
Ukrainian officials are reportedly adopting a new strategy when it comes to collaborating with weapons manufacturers. The focus is on directly negotiating agreements between Ukraine and the arms industry. This past weekend, Ukraine's Vice Defense Minister, Dmytro Klimenkov, signed a deal with a Bulgarian company, as per reports from news portal "Ukrinform." He stated that this arrangement allows Ukraine to directly receive modern weapons from the manufacturers, ultimately aiding in the faster and more efficient modernization of the Ukrainian army.
06:19 Austrian Defense Minister: Germany has "crossed a red line"
In an interview with "Die Presse," Austrian Defense Minister Klaudia Tanner slammed Germany, France, and the United States for granting Ukraine permission to use Western weapons on Russian land. She's delighted that NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg announced there would be no troop deployment to Ukraine. When asked about Ukraine's obligation to defend itself against artillery fire from the Russian border, Tanner declined comment. "As a militarily neutral state, it isn't our decision to make."
05:38 Bundeswehr: Reserve troops are being significantly strengthened
Plans are underway in the German Ministry of Defense to bolster the Bundeswehr's reserve force. Like during the Cold War, these reservists would be trained and geared up so they could either reinforce or replace active troops in combat. General Lieutenant Alexander Hoppe, Deputy General Inspector and Reservist Affairs Officer, confirmed that plans aim to have roughly 60,000 reservists in what's called a "basic order," each with a distinct mission.
04:37 German government apprehensive about Macron's Ukraine plan
Considering security concerns, the German government isn't in favor of French President Emmanuel Macron's proposal to dispatch European soldiers to the Ukraine to train Ukrainian troops in person. The German government supposedly raised concerns during a gathering of European defense ministers on May 28, as revealed by a "Welt am Sonntag" internal EU document. They argue that training sites in Ukraine could come under attack, thereby rendering the training ineffective.
03:20 Ukrainian Army: Russians aim for a breakthrough
The Ukrainian General Staff recorded 76 instances of combat over the last 24 hours. The most critical area is at the Pokrovsk Front, where the Russians attempted to break through from Ocheretyne to Yevhenivka and Novooleksandrivka.
01:42 Paris Coffin Graffiti: Three Moldovans Under Arrest
After the appearance of coffin graffiti in Paris, authorities have detained three Moldovans for investigation. The inquiry is exploring the scope of foreign involvement, as per a prosecutor's office representative. On Friday, coffins with the inscription "French soldiers in Ukraine" surfaced in Paris, and on Saturday, three suspects were detained near the Eiffel Tower while in possession of paint cans and stencils. A few days prior, similar coffins with the "French soldiers in Ukraine" message appeared on the Eiffel Tower itself. Three suspects, including a German, were previously arrested.
00:39 UN: 174 Ukrainian Civilians Killed in May
The UN reported that May was the month with the most civilian fatalities in Ukraine since June 2023, with at least 174 civilians killed. Ukraine often accuses Russia of intentionally shelling residential regions by the front line to instigate evacuations. Moscow, however, denies targeting civilians.
23:24 Ambulance Attacked: Drone Drops Explosives
In an attack on an ambulance, Ukrainian officials claim Russian forces used a drone to drop explosives. This transpired in the village of Biloserka in southern Ukraine. The Kherson region's governor relayed the news.
22:23 Ukrainian Prosecutor General: Nearly all Ukrainian POWs Tortured
Torture of prisoners of war or civilians is allegedly prevalent in the Russian military. According to Ukrainian Prosecutor General Andriy Kostin, 90% of returning Ukrainian prisoners of war have suffered various forms of torture, mistreatment, physical harm, and even sexual violence. This information was shared in a report from "Euromaidan Press."
21:42 Zelenskyy Views Charkiv Offensive as Failure
Zelenskyy, the Ukrainian president, believes that the Russians have failed in their offensive against Charkiv. In his nightly speech, he shared that he had conversed with Chief of Staff Oleksandr Syrskyi about the overall situation at the front line. He highlighted a significant accomplishment: the Russians didn't perform their mission in Charkiv. "Right now, we're resisting as much as possible and annihilating Russian troops trying to invade our country and frighten the population of Charkiv." Additionally, he mentioned that the forces guarding Charkiv's perimeters have already been boosted and will be reinforced further. The circumstances in the Donetsk region present the greatest challenges, he added.
(See historical context.)
Read also:
- The Ukrainian President, Volodymyr Zelensky, called on NATO to increase its support for Ukraine in the face of continued military operations by Russia, specifically mentioning the need for more advanced weapons and gear.
- In response to the ongoing attack on Ukraine, NATO has discussed the possibility of establishing a permanent representation in Kyiv to assist Ukraine with military aid, similar to its role in Afghanistan.
- Russia has been accused of engaging in cyberwarfare against Ukraine, with reports of hijacked websites and disrupted internet connectivity in various parts of the country.
- The Ukrainian military has reported a significant increase in the participation of women in its ranks, with over 67,000 women now serving as soldiers, operators, and drone pilots, contributing to Ukraine's defense efforts against the Russian advance.
