23:24: Ambulance targeted by drone attack: Explosives dropped
An ambulance driver in Ukraine is injured, it's reported, when Russian forces used a drone to drop explosives on the emergency vehicle. This incident happened in the village of Biloserka in the country's south, as confirmed by the governor of the Oblast Kherson.
8:23 PM Prosecutor General Reveals Most Ukrainian Prisoners of War Tortured
The Ukrainian Prosecutor General, Andriy Kostin, says 90% of returning Ukrainian POWs were allegedly tortured by the Russian military. This information comes from conversations with these soldiers, reports the news site "Euromaidan Press." Kostin details that these soldiers were subjected to different forms of torture, including physical and sexual abuse, as well as psychological violence.
8:42 PM Zelensky Sees Russian Offensive in Kharkiv as Failed Attempt
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky believes the Russians have failed with their offensive in the Kharkiv region, citing their inability to implement their plan to carry out operations in Kharkiv itself. In a speech, Zelensky noted that he's spoken with Commander-in-Chief Oleksandr Syrskyi about the current situation along the front lines. He's also revealed that Ukrainian forces are successfully holding back the attackers while destroying their units. Despite this, the president notes that the Donetsk region remains the most challenging part of the ongoing conflict.
8:17 PM Kharkiv Prosecutor's Office Confirms Civilians Killed in Air Raid
The Kharkiv Prosecutor's Office reports one civilian killed and two women injured following a Russian air raid in the Kharkiv region. The attack damaged a school, residential, and commercial buildings, according to investigators.
8:43 PM Intelligence: Ukrainian Drone Attack on Russian Airfield in Caucasus
Sources believe a Ukrainian drone attack occurred on a military airfield in the Caucasus as a special operation by the Ukrainian intelligence service. The representation of the Ukrainian Military Intelligence Service, HUR, confirmed this suspicion. A few days ago, the regional president of the Russian part-republic of North Ossetia reported that the airfield had been targeted by drones, with several drones destroyed by air defense systems. The Defense Ministry in Moscow only admitted that they repelled a drone attack in the region. North Ossetia is over 700 kilometers away from the front line in Ukraine.
8:07 PM Charkiws Governor Reports Decrease in Russian Offensive Activities
The Russian forces launched their ground attack in the northeastern Ukraine a month ago, but it appears they have scaled back their activities in the Charkiw region. Charkiw Governor Oleh Syniehubov still cautions, however, that Russian troops are still regrouping while trying to push further into the area. He mentions there is ongoing fighting in several places, including Wowtschansk, Sinkivka, and Andriivka, which are experiencing constant shelling. Russian forces have reportedly seized several towns along the border with Russia, causing thousands of residents in the region to be evacuated.
7:26 PM Ex-Mayor in Critical Condition After Attack
The former mayor of the Ukrainian city of Kupiansk, Hennadii Matsehora, is in critical condition following an attack. The Ukrainian Military Intelligence Service (HUR) does not take responsibility for the incident, but accuses Matsehora of cooperating with the Russian military during their entry into Kupiansk in February 2022. After Kupiansk was liberated, he fled to Russia, according to Ukrainian officials.
7:16 PM Biden: Commitment to Support Ukraine, Russia "Will Not Hold Ground"
U.S. President Joe Biden has reaffirmed Washington's commitment to supporting Ukraine and its allies, emphasizing that Russia will not be allowed to maintain its positions in Ukraine. He's referring to the joint statement with French President Emmanuel Macron during his visit to France. Biden stresses that Ukraine's security and stability are crucial for European safety, and Moscow's attempts to take over Ukraine could influence the entire continent.
6:49 PM Macron-Biden Meeting: No German Soldiers in War Zone
Despite discussing sending military trainers to Ukraine with Biden, French President Emmanuel Macron affirms there will be no German soldiers in the war zone. The French government has issued a statement highlighting that any future decisions on military support for Ukraine will be made by the French parliament. This comes after both leaders pledged to stand by Ukraine and its allies, stressing that Russia's actions have threatened the security of the entire continent.
President Macron suggests sending military trainers to Ukraine, but Chancellor Scholz maintains his stance against sending German soldiers to the war zone. Macron says, "We will continue to prevent any escalation," echoing US President Biden's statement that "there will be no soldiers from our countries in Ukraine, and there will be no soldiers from NATO." For more information, click here.
Tragedy in Ukraine as a rescued woman dies from injuries sustained during a Russian attack. Filip Pronin, Governor of the Poltava region, announces on Telegram, "The doctors fought until the last minute for her life." Two civilians have been killed in Eastern Ukraine due to Russian aggression.
In Luhansk, the Moscow-appointed representative reports two more deaths after a Ukrainian rocket attack. The total number of victims is six, with sixty more people injured. No statement from Ukraine has been made.
A Swiss NGO is attempting to help their employee detained in Russia. The Center for Humanitarian Dialogue is searching for a lawyer and contacting Russian authorities. The employee has alleged to admit to his crimes in court and not know about the requirement to register as a foreign agent. Russia also accuses him of collecting information about Russia's "military and military-technical activities."
Ukraine loses 50% of its electricity generation capacity due to Russian rocket and drone attacks. Twenty hydropower plants are also out of service. Minister President Denys Schmyhal reveals this on Ukrainian television.
Two Russian soldiers have been identified for rapes committed during the Russian occupation of Ukraine. The Journalists from the news portal "Kyiv Independent" claim to have identified them. One soldiers is reported to be living in the occupied city of Horlivka, while the other is alleged to have murdered a civilian and committed other war crimes. A total of 292 cases of sexual violence by the Russian military have been registered by Ukrainian law enforcement.
Russia has placed eight boats on the south side of the Crimea Bridge to protect it and reduce the attack angle for Ukrainian drones. The British defense intelligence service detected this in satellite images. The Crimea Bridge is vital for supply routes to the front.
A rescued woman, previously trapped in a house bombarded by Russian rockets, has sadly passed away due to her injuries in the hospital. Another civilian was also reportedly killed in Eastern Ukraine due to Russian aggression. The Moscow-appointed representative in the partially occupied Luhansk region reports two more deaths after a Ukrainian rocket attack, resulting in a total of six victims. A Swiss NGO, the Center for Humanitarian Dialogue, is trying to help their detained employee in Russia. In an effort to find more information about the circumstances that led to his arrest and the charges against him, the organization is searching for a lawyer and contacting Russian authorities. Both the detainee and the lawyer, as reported by the Russian state-owned news agency Tass, admitted his guilt in court and denied knowing about the requirement to register as a foreign agent. Russia also accuses him of collecting information about Russia's "military and military-technical activities."
Ukraine has managed to shoot down 9 out of 13 Russian drones, with Ukrainian Air Force confirming this in regions such as Poltava, Zaporizhzhia, and Kharkiv. Governor Serhiy Lysak mentions that a drone damaged commercial and residential buildings in the city of Dnipropetrovsk. Russia previously stated that the Ukrainian army had attacked Russian targets with 25 drones, but no casualties were reported. The Ukrainian government has lost 50% of its electricity generation capacity, according to Minister President Denys Schmyhal, from rocket and drone attacks amounting to 9.2 gigawatts of power. Investigators uncover horrific cases of sexual violence against women by Russian soldiers, with documentaries like "He Came Back" shedding light on these issues.
Russia takes preventative measures, placing eight boats on the south side of the Crimea Bridge to protect the area and reduce the attack angle for Ukrainian drones. The boats were spotted on the bridge by the British defense intelligence service in satellite images. The Russian military has shot down 9 of 13 Ukrainian drones—located in Poltava, Zaporizhzhia, and Kharkiv—but failed to intercept four of them. Governor Serhiy Lysak claims that one of these drones damaged commercial and residential buildings in the city of Dnipropetrovsk. The Russian military also suffers losses of their own, as reported by the British defense intelligence service, who reveal that 60 more people were injured in the attack on Luhansk. Two Russian soldiers have been identified for their part in raping women during the occupation of Ukraine. The Swiss NGO, the Center for Humanitarian Dialogue, is working to help their detained employee in Russia, searching for a lawyer and communications with Russian authorities while trying to learn more about the reasons for his arrest and what charges are being brought against him.
Defense Minister Boris Pistorius affirms his previous statement that the German military, or Bundeswehr, must "prepare for war." This means having the ability to fight a defensive war if attacked, as he explained during the Bundeswehr Day event at Faßberg air base. Security analysts predict it would take Russia around five years to amass the military capabilities needed to attack a NATO country. The Kremlin's military budget allocation has increased from 5.9% of its economic output in 2023 to 7% today.
13:15: Russian aggression ongoing in southern Ukraine
Russian forces intensify their attacks in the southern region of Ukraine with continuous air reconnaissance. The region saw 240 drones during Friday, and they used artillery, rockets, and combat drones in addition to reconnaissance. Ukrainian forces managed to repel three attacks in the areas of Orichiv and Krynky.
12:29: Leveraging frozen Russian assets to aid Ukraine
Ukraine's Foreign Minister, Dmytro Kuleba, urges Ukraine's supporters to not only utilize the profits from frozen Russian assets but also the assets themselves. He acknowledges the potential concerns about the repercussions of this action, but asserts that Ukraine is following the rules of international law. The European Union froze assets worth more than 200 billion euros from Russia's central bank. The question of whether or not the money itself could be used is being discussed at the upcoming G7 summit in Italy.
11:55: Civilian suffering in Kharkiv as Russians attack farm animals
Kavita Sharma, an ntv reporter, shares the heartbreaking story of civilians in Kharkiv who have suffered great losses due to the Russian offensive. She encounters a family who lost everything - their loved ones, homes - and even domestic animals to the attacks. At a farm, the Russians shot at cows.
11:34: Scholz: Russia will not prevail in Ukraine
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz reiterates his stance regarding the Russian attack on Ukraine and West's support for the country. "Putin will not succeed with his imperialistic goals," he said in a video message. He expressed the importance of pursuing a peace policy that backs Ukraine in preserving its independence and sovereignty through defending it.
10:57: Ukrainian drone strikes airfield in the Caucasus
Reports from Moscow suggest that Ukrainian drones flew over North Ossetia in the Caucasus and targeted a military airfield. The regional head confirms the news and mentions that this is the first time since the beginning of the war a Ukrainian drone has reached North Ossetia, which is over 700 kilometers away from Ukraine's border. This airfield launches combat jets to attack Ukraine, like with guided bombs. The Ukrainian army is targeting infrastructure on Russian territory to disrupt logistics and supply chains.
10:20: Heavy battles in Pokrovsk as Ukrainian brigade resists multiple Russian groups
Ukrainian troops face fierce attacks on the eastern front, as three Russian combat brigades attempt to overtake the area of Pokrovsk. The fighting doesn't show any signs of stopping as the Russians keep replacing their casualties. The place of Pokrovsk is considered key, as it's where the Russians are trying to penetrate deep into Ukrainian territory.
09:48: Moscow: Ukrainian drones strike various regions
The Russian Ministry of Defense claims Ukrainian forces launched 25 drones overnight, hitting targets in Rostov, Bryansk, and Belgorod border regions, as well as in Crimea. Drones were intercepted in these regions.
09:12: Sharma: Russians trying to create a divide between Ukrainian forces
The situation in the Donetsk region remains unstable. The Russians seem to be trying to materialize a potential scenario experts have mentioned, reports Kavita Sharma from Ukraine.
08:55: Ukrainian General Staff: 1,210 Russian casualties in the past 24 hours
The Ukrainian General Staff reports that 1,210 Russian soldiers have been killed or injured in the past 24 hours. Based on their records, Russia's casualties total over 517,000 since the full-scale invasion in February 2022. Ukraine also claims to have destroyed nine Russian tanks, 36 armored vehicles, a multiple rocket launcher, and seven anti-aircraft defense systems.
08:31: Ukraine claims Russian forces are planning 15-million-euro propaganda campaign
Ukrainian military intelligence agency, HUR, claims Russia is planning a 15-million-euro propaganda campaign against the Ukrainian military. The funds would be used to produce articles and films depicting Ukrainian special units and military leadership in an unfavorable light. They have provided Russian troops with guidelines for spreading this information through Ukrainian and other Western media in an attempt to create rifts within Ukrainian society.
7:48 Ukraine's Role in the EM Poses Security Concerns: German Authorities
German security officials view the impending European Football Championship security situation as "tense." They fear potential severe cyber-attacks in light of Russia's ongoing aggression against Ukraine, whose national team is set to participate in the EM. The safeguarding of stadiums and other event venues from aerial drone assaults poses a distinctive challenge. Pasts incidents, including drone detections over German military facilities where Ukrainian soldiers underwent training, add to their concerns. Islamic terrorist incidents at one of the 51 matches or fan festival are also possible. In response, Interior Minister Nancy Faeser promised a heavy police presence at stadiums and fan zones, referring to it as a "powerful display."
7:27 Nighttime Explosions Heard in Crimea
Residents of Balaklava, a settlement within the occupied Crimean Peninsula's city of Sevastopol, reported hearing explosions in the previous night, as reported by the Kyiv Independent, citing Crimean Wind's Telegram channel. The first explosion supposedly occurred near a power plant, while the second explosion was said to have taken place near Sevastopol's port. Although the Kyiv Independent awaits verification, Crimean Wind asserts that large-caliber gunfire preceded the explosions, possibly signifying a drone assault. Kiev continues to target Russian war logistics and supply lines by disrupting their infrastructure.
6:54 Ukrainian Air Force Applauds Mirage Jets but Prioritizes F-16
The Ukrainian Air Force has commended the Mirage fighter jets France is donating to Ukraine as modern and versatile, indicating their ability to execute various combat tasks. However, Ukraine regards the F-16 fighter jets as a higher priority. Ukrainian officials are waiting for F-16 pilot training to complete, while Mirage training is estimated to take an additional 6 months. Securing Western jets amid persistent Russian air raids will also present a challenge. France spearheaded the Mirage's development in the 1970s and exported it to various nations.
6:30 Region Sumy Evacuates Additional Eight Communities
Eight more communities in the Ukrainian-Russian border region of Sumy Oblast face evacuation due to daily Russian artillery, mortar, and kamikaze drone assaults. A regional governor made this announcement on state television. In the past 24 hours, Sumy experienced over 50 explosions. Over the course of the week, three people were killed, and three more were injured by Russian shelling, raising the current death toll in this region to 50. These civilians lost their lives due to attacks utilizing artillery, mortars, and kamikaze drones.
6:05 Ukraine Purchases Second Air Defense System from France
French arms manufacturer Thales confirmed selling a second air defense system to Ukraine following their delivery of the first air defense system in 2023. The Ukrainian Defense Ministry did not disclose the purchase price. Air defense represents a significant problem currently plaguing Ukraine, a lack of defenses to protect the frontline troops and major cities in the country.
4:48 Germany Mulls Over Fourth Patriot System for Ukraine
A report from news agency Bloomberg suggests that Germany is contemplating furnishing Ukraine with a fourth Patriot missile defense system. If approved, this would become the fourth Patriot system supplied to Ukraine. This comes as Germany recently loosened regulations concerning using Patriots against Russian aircraft within Russian airspace. Armed with this loophole, Ukraine could potentially shoot down Russian combatants executing strikes on targets in the Kharkiv region's Kharkiv region using rockets or glide bombs, provided they fall outside the Russian airspace.
3:50 Zelensky Refutes Putin's Legitimacy Claims
In response to Russian President Vladimir Putin's assertion of Volodymyr Zelensky's "illegitimacy," the President of Ukraine maintains that public election choices grant Zelensky's presidency legitimacy. "The Ukrainian people are the only ones to recognize President Zelensky's legitimacy. Our people are free. In reality, we make this possible through our deeds," the Ukrainian president stated during a joint press conference with French President Macron. And candidly, Zelensky asserted, "Putin's legitimacy is acknowledged solely by Putin himself. Putin is the only one who elects Putin. The Russian people are simply a backdrop, with a single actor dominating the scene."
1:42 Focusing Beyond Military Aid at Berlin Conference
Germany intends to offer Ukraine more than military aid through the upcoming Ukraine Reconstruction Conference. A high-level German government official explained that this event seeks to offer prospects to Ukrainian civil society, economy, municipalities, and regions, in addition to addressing reforms and employment. On Tuesday and Wednesday, a Ukrainian delegation, along with several German ministers and high-ranking officials, is scheduled to attend the event in Berlin. This "is not a donation conference, but a networking opportunity."
0:45
The Russian-controlled authorities in Kherson, Ukraine, claim that 22 individuals died and more than 15 were wounded as a result of an artillery attack from Ukraine. Vladimir Saldo, the Russian-appointed administrator in the region, made the announcement via Telegram, alleging that a village store housing inhabitants got struck. He labelled it a "despicable murder of civilians" and attributed it to the delivery of Western weaponry to Ukraine. Photos were attached to support the claim, but they failed to give a clear picture of the destruction. There has been no independent verification of the incident yet.
At a joint meeting with the Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in Paris, French President Emmanuel Macron called for EU membership negotiations with Ukraine to begin "by the end of the month." Macron stated that "France supports Ukraine in every aspect, including at the European level, where we are working towards a genuine start of accession negotiations by the end of the month." Zelensky concurred, adding that "there are decisions concerning Ukraine's integration into the EU that are essentially made." The European Commission had previously stated that the conditions for beginning accession negotiations with Ukraine and Moldova had been met. Nevertheless, Hungary, set to take over the EU presidency in July, is preventing this move.
Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky's support has reached its lowest point since the Russian invasion, according to a survey conducted by the KIIS Institute, despite having the approval of more than half the population. This approval dropped below 60% for the first time, having been 90% in May 2022 - less than a month after the commencement of the Russian offensive. Since then, his support has been in decline. Zelensky's presidential tenure was scheduled to end in May but remained in power under martial law. There are no immediate plans for elections, according to Ukrainian authorities, because nearly 20% of the country is under Russian control and millions of Ukrainians have left their homes.
The United States government won't participate in French President Emmanuel Macron's proposal to send military trainers to Ukraine, as acknowledged by John Kirby, the communications director for the National Security Council. Kirby spoke to media during a visit by US President Joe Biden to France, indicating that Biden backs Macron's stance. However, Biden has been staunchly against deploying American troops in Ukraine, a position he's held from the start of the conflict. "This has been the case thus far, and it will remain the case moving forward," Kirby asserted. The degree of transparency and information about the matter that Biden leaves to Macron's discretion. Biden has clarified his stance on the conflict continuously, emphasizing that he wants to avoid another world war and war with Russia.
(Note: The content of the news has been concealed to avoid any potential legal issues.)
For more backstory, read through these previous updates. [https://www.tagesschau.de/inland/ukraine-schwiergesprache-101.html]
Read also:
- The drone attack on an ambulance in Ukraine was allegedly carried out by Russian forces, causing harm to the ambulance driver in the village of Biloserka.
- President Volodymyr Zelensky believes that the Russian offensive in the Kharkiv region has failed, citing the Ukrainian forces' success in holding back the attackers while destroying their units.
- Russian military intelligence is suspected of targeting a Ukrainian drone at a military airfield in the Caucasus, according to sources.
- Ukrainian Prosecutor General Andriy Kostin revealed that 90% of returning Ukrainian prisoners of war were allegedly tortured by the Russian military, including physical, sexual, and psychological abuse.
