23:49 Stoltenberg presents NATO plan for armaments
NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg announced at the sidelines of the Washington summit a new agreement to strengthen the defense industry. The focus is on investing more, expanding production, and improving transatlantic cooperation, he told representatives of weapons manufacturers in Washington. The war in Ukraine has shown that weapons and ammunition stocks are too small and production capacities are insufficient, Stoltenberg stated. Furthermore, there are significant gaps in interoperability, or the ability of armed forces to work together multinationally.
22:52 Russia: Agitation towards US Election
Russia has, according to US intelligence sources, begun attempts to influence certain American voter groups. Additionally, certain politicians are in the spotlight, a source who wished to remain anonymous stated. The Russian preferences regarding the candidates have not noticeably shifted compared to previous elections, the source further explained without mentioning the Democrats Joe Biden or the Republicans Donald Trump by name. This suggests, according to US intelligence assessments, that the Russian government prefers a Trump victory.
22:08 New NATO Command for Ukraine coming to Germany
The NATO will reportedly announce in the coming days the establishment of a new command in Germany for Ukraine. It will be led by a Three-Star General and focus on the training and equipping of Ukrainian troops, National Security Advisor to the US Presidential Cabinet, Jake Sullivan, stated at a conference on the arms industry organized by the US Chamber of Commerce. Furthermore, a high-ranking NATO representative will be appointed to deepen the relationship between the Ukraine and the Alliance in Kiev.
21:34 Pistorius appeals to NATO: More Ukraine aid needed
Defense Minister Boris Pistorius called on NATO partners to provide stronger military support to Ukraine. According to the budget plans, "there is no gap in that sense," Pistorius said on the sidelines of the NATO summit in Washington. A common task is to "help Ukraine with what it needs, but also with what we can afford." However, this should also be understood as a call to action for all other European partners to help Ukraine "get through this year and the next one."
20:50 Russia's behavior "disgrace" for UN-Security Council – even China "concerned"
Members of the United Nations Security Council sharply condemned Moscow's actions following severe Russian attacks in Ukraine with victims at a children's clinic. "We are here today because Russia, a permanent member of the Security Council and currently the president of the Security Council, has attacked a children's hospital - and it chills me to my bones to even say that sentence," said the American UN Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield during an emergency session of the most powerful UN body in New York. Russia is scheduled to sit in the council in July on a rotating basis. The British Ambassador Barbara Woodward added that Russia's behavior was "a disgrace for the Security Council and in particular for the presidency." France's representative Nicolas de Rivière spoke of "another indictment and a list of war crimes" for which Russia must be held accountable. China's deputy ambassador Geng Shang expressed himself more cautiously and did not put Moscow on trial, but he also sent a signal to Russia: The fighting has unfortunately not calmed down but rather intensified, and there have been frequent brutal attacks that caused heavy casualties. China is deeply concerned about this.
20:05 Indians lured into Russian army to be discharged
A dispute between Moscow and New Delhi over allegedly false pretenses leading Indians into the Russian army appears to have been resolved. The Indian citizens were to be discharged, Indian Foreign Minister Vinay Kwatra announced in Moscow. Before that, Indian Prime Minister Modi and Kremlin chief Putin met in Moscow. In March, the Indian investigative agency reported the dismantling of a network that had lured people from the subcontinent with the promise of work in Russia. At least 35 Indian citizens were reportedly recruited in this way. The men were trained for battle and eventually sent to the war in Ukraine, where some of them were severely injured.
19:16 NATO circles: Russia can maintain war economy for another 3-4 years
According to a high-ranking NATO representative, Russia should be able to maintain its war economy for another three to four years. In addition, the Russian government could continue to sustain heavy losses on the battlefield, the source, who wished to remain anonymous, told the press. The reason for this is that about 30,000 soldiers are recruited each month. Putin continues to believe that "time is on his side" and is willing to accept losses at "truly alarming" levels. The source also accused Russia of undermining Ukraine's support in Europe through attacks, sabotage, and arson.
18:36 Retired Colonel estimates ceasefire in Ukraine by 2025
What would happen if Donald Trump won the election with Ukraine's support? And what role would NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg play in this? Military expert Ralph Thiele answers these and other questions.
17:58 Kreml: Air Strike on Kyiv Children's Clinic "Naturally a PR Action"
The Kreml denies responsibility for the air strike on the Ochmatdyt Children's Hospital in Kyiv. "This is naturally a PR action, in this case, a blood-based PR action," says Kreml spokesperson Dmitri Peskov in an interview with propaganda television. The Ukrainians were so clumsy in the use of their air defense that one of these rockets hit the hospital, he claims. Now, Kiev is trying to use this tragedy as a background for President Zelensky's participation in the NATO summit. In contrast, the UN Human Rights Office holds Russia accountable for the shelling. Russia often claims that the Ukrainian military caused the hits on civilian objects through the use of their air defense.
17:22 Naval Inspector: Russians are superior to us in many areas
The inspector of the German Navy, Vice Admiral Jan Christian Kaack, warns of a significant Russian build-up in the Baltic Sea region. "It's a misunderstanding that Russian military forces in the maritime sector have weakened from the Ukrainian conflict," he says at the Warnowwerft naval arsenal in Rostock. There have indeed been losses for Russia in the Black Sea. "But we also see that the construction rates, the delivery of ships with high-potential weapons in particular, have not decreased." In the past ten years, Russia has significantly invested in communication, navigation, and attack capabilities underwater. "They are superior to us in many areas," warns the Vice Admiral. Russian research vessels are also moving very openly near the critical maritime infrastructure in the Baltic Sea. The German Navy is therefore building an underwater command center in Rostock to counter potential threats. It should be operational by October 1.
16:48 NATO Membership Bid for Ukraine? "Putin would present success on a silver platter"
In Washington, NATO is discussing further support for Ukraine. The former head of the Munich Security Conference, Wolfgang Ischinger, warns against deviating from the course, as suggested by Viktor Orban. An attempt to grant NATO membership to Ukraine could also backfire.
16:12 Faeser: Russian Strike on Kyiv Children's Clinic is a War Crime
Federal Interior Minister Nancy Faeser condemns the Russian air strike on Kyiv, which damaged a children's clinic, sharply. "The rocket attack on a children's clinic is a heinous war crime, which once again shows how inhumane Putin is conducting his war against Ukraine," she explains in a statement. "When we see this cruelty of war, it becomes clear how important it is that over 1.18 million people from Ukraine have found shelter in Germany from Putin's rockets and tanks." The SPD politician adds, "We are protecting many lives." Among the refugees are over 350,000 children and adolescents. "We will continue to protect them in Germany."
15:44 Criticism of Putin? Modi in Moscow: "The heart aches when innocent children are murdered"
India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi calls for dialogue during his meeting with Kremlin Chief Vladimir Putin in Moscow to achieve peace. As a "friend," he told Putin that peace is of "paramount importance" for the future of our next generation, Modi said while sitting next to Putin. "War cannot solve problems," the Indian prime minister added. "We must find a way to peace through dialogue." "When innocent children are murdered, when one sees them die, the heart aches and this pain is unbearable," Modi said a day after devastating Russian air raids on Ukraine, which included the largest children's hospital in the country. Modi and Putin spoke about the war in Ukraine during his visit to Moscow. As is customary among "true friends," they sat together and discussed "a range of issues," the Indian prime minister said. He was "happy" that "we both were able to openly and in detail express our views" regarding Ukraine.
15:10 Expert: Russia's "barbarism is no collateral damage"
The two-day NATO summit of member states is getting underway in the US. Security expert Frank Umbach outlines the signals NATO should send to Putin, especially after the devastating air raid on a children's hospital in Ukraine.
14:37 Volkswagen ordered to pay millions in damages to GAZ in Russia
A Russian court has ordered Volkswagen to pay millions in damages to its former business partner GAZ. The judges set the compensation at 16.9 billion Rubles (approximately €180 million) according to the Interfax news agency. GAZ had initially demanded 28.4 billion Rubles in compensation for lost profits due to Volkswagen's exit from the Russian market. GAZ had been a contract manufacturer for Volkswagen and produced Volkswagen vehicles in its facility in Nizhny Novgorod. Volkswagen ended cooperation following Russia's invasion of Ukraine.
13:59 Modernest fighter jet allegedly damaged? Ukraine reports successful attacks on Russian targets
Ukraine responded to the Russian rocket attack on Kyiv and other places with attacks on targets in Russia. According to a report by "Kyiv Independent," the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) and the Military Intelligence (HUR) successfully attacked the military airfield in Achtubinsk, a power station near Rostov-on-Don, and an oil depot in the Volgograd region in the past night. In the 450-kilometer distant Achtubinsk, two models of Russia's most modern fighter jet, the SU-57, are alleged to have been damaged. Russia has not confirmed the damage, but Russian authorities reported the interception and shooting down of several Ukrainian drones.
13:26 Report: Germany's budget for weapons deliveries to Ukraine is exhausted for 2024
Federal Defense Minister Boris Pistorius, according to "Spiegel" sources, sees a additional need of 4 billion Euro for further weapons deliveries to Ukraine in 2024. The approximately 7 billion Euro, which are allocated in the current federal budget for the support of Kiev, are largely consumed or contractually bound. Only about 200,000 Euro are left for new deliveries in the second half of the year. Pistorius therefore requested additional funds of 4 billion Euro from Federal Finance Minister Christian Lindner. With the fresh money, Pistorius wants to supply more ammunition, urgently needed spare parts, and possibly also Leopard 1A-Tanks to Ukraine. "We are currently working on freeing up additional funds to be able to continue being active this year as well," said the SPD politician during a troop visit in Alaska.
13:07 US Correspondent: Doubts about further support for Ukraine grow
12:39 Intelligence service and UN: Kindergarten directly hit by Russian rocket - Moscow denies
After the impact of a projectile on a kindergarten in Kiev, Russia and Ukraine are arguing about the origin. The Ukrainian Security Service SBU claims, according to its own information, that the kindergarten was hit directly by a Russian rocket of the type Kh-101 Kalibr. The analysis of the flight path and the type of damage caused prove that it was a direct hit. The SBU presented images of a fragment of a rocket engine found at the impact site. The United Nations (UN) shares this assessment: "The analysis of the video material and an on-site assessment indicate a high probability that the kindergarten suffered a direct hit and was not damaged by an intercepted weapon system," explains the head of the UN Human Rights Monitoring Mission in Ukraine. At the time of the attack, there were around 670 children being treated in the clinic and about 1000 employees were employed, according to Bell. However, Moscow denies the Ukrainian allegations and claims that a Ukrainian ground-air missile defense system of the type NASAMS was responsible for the damage. This system was developed by the USA together with Norway. Even if the Russian allegation were true: The Ukrainians use these Western air defense systems to defend against permanent Russian air attacks on civilian targets.
11:50 "Friend of India": Modi courts Putin in Moscow
The Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi acknowledged the relationship between his country and Russia and praised President Vladimir Putin. The bilateral relationship is based on "mutual trust and mutual respect", Modi said during a visit to Moscow. He also highlighted Putin's leadership qualities. "Every Indian considers Russia as a friend of India in good and bad times." India imports oil, gas, and military hardware from Russia. Several western countries had urged Modi to distance India more from Russia. However, trade between the two countries continues to grow. On Monday, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky had stated regarding the Russian missile attacks on Kiev: "It's a great disappointment and a devastating blow for peace efforts that the leader of the largest democracy in the world embraces the bloodiest war criminal of the world on such a day in Moscow."
11:15 Ukraine could lose F16 fighter jets before first use
10:48 Moscow to closely watch NATO summit
Russia intends to closely monitor the NATO summit, according to Russian government spokesman Dmitry Peskov. He referred to the fact that NATO declared Russia an enemy and that it was necessary to defeat it. The Russian government considers NATO involved in the Ukraine conflict, Peskov told journalists. The heads of state and government of the 32 NATO countries are meeting for a three-day summit in Washington today. Supporting Ukraine in its defense against the Russian attack war is a key issue. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is also expected in the US capital.
10:39 Not enough military: Expert sees Europe unprepared for Trump re-election
10:05 Arming against Russia: Poland receives $2 billion loan for US weapons purchases
Poland, one of the most important political and military allies of Ukraine and a NATO frontline state, shares thousands of kilometers of border with the Russian exclave of Kaliningrad and the Russian vassal state of Belarus. According to US government information, Poland is receiving a $2 billion loan to support its modernization program. With this, the government in Warsaw plans to buy F-35 fighter jets, Patriot air defense systems, and Abrams combat tanks. The US government assumes responsibility for up to $60 million of the interest costs. In this way, the US government supports the large orders of the Polish defense industry.
08:42 Body of a boy recovered in Kiev rubble, number of killed children rising
Rescue workers have recovered the body of a boy in the ruins of a house in Kiev. The Ukrainian Interior Ministry reported this to "Kyiv Independent". With this, the number of people killed in Kiev on Monday by the Russian air attack rose to 27, including now four children. 117 more people were injured. According to Ministry information, rescue teams are still in action at three locations in the capital.
08:30 Ukrainian Partisans report successful sabotage of Russian railroad
The Ukrainian partisan group Atesh claims to have disrupted an important railway connection between Russia and the occupied Ukrainian territories. A switchboard was reportedly destroyed, according to the group's Telegram channel. A video is also visible, showing a burning box next to a railroad track. The sabotage action is said to have taken place near the Russian town of Schachty. The railways reportedly lead from Rostov am Don towards the occupied Mariupol. These railways are crucial for the supply of new equipment to the Russian troops. Both the Ukrainian army and Ukrainian partisans therefore regularly target railway lines. Atesh claims to be active not only in the Russian-occupied territories but also within Russia.
07:55 Ukraine reports over 1200 soldiers killed in a day
In his daily reports, the Ukrainian General Staff reports that the invaders suffered a loss of 1220 soldiers. Additionally, seven Russian tanks, 19 armored personnel carriers, 49 artillery pieces, 29 drones, and 36 missile launchers were reportedly destroyed from Russia. These figures cannot be verified. However, the number of 553,410 Russian military personnel killed, wounded, or otherwise incapacitated is significantly higher than the more cautious estimates of Western services and think tanks.
07:37 Russia reports four deaths after Ukrainian attacks
According to official reports, at least four people were killed in Ukrainian attacks on the Russian border region of Belgorod within 24 hours. Additionally, 20 people were injured, according to Governor Vyacheslav Gladkov on the Telegram online service. The past 24 hours were described as "restless" and "difficult." Of the injured, 17 were hospitalized, two were seriously injured, Gladkov further reported. Ukrainian attacks were also reported from other western Russian regions, such as Kursk and Volgograd.
07:22 Over 2000 children seek refuge from Russian attacks in Kiev's subway
During the massive rocket attacks on Kiev on Monday, according to city administration reports, 32,000 people sought shelter in the underground U-Bahn tunnels. Among them were reportedly almost 2200 children. The Ukrainian capital is regularly attacked by Russia. In the past few months, more and more rockets have penetrated, as Western air defense systems only have limited ammunition and are increasingly being bypassed.
06:50 "Dirty Bastards": At least two dead after attack on children's hospital in Kiev
The shelling of a children's hospital in Kiev during a Russian rocket attack reportedly resulted in 16 injuries, including seven children. Two of the injured reportedly died. According to Health Minister Viktor Lyashko, departments for dialysis, cancer treatment, operating rooms, and intensive care units were damaged in the hospital on Monday. Hundreds of residents helped rescue workers clear debris and search for victims. "Little cancer and dialysis patients are sitting on the sidewalk with their mothers," reported German Ambassador Martin Jäger on X from a visit to the hospital.
The Russian Defense Ministry confirmed missile attacks, targeting alleged military factories and airbases in Ukraine. Many video evidence from Kiev showed that the damages were caused by a Ukrainian surface-to-air missile, they claimed without proof. The Moscow Military dismissed the Ukrainian reaction to the attack as "hysteria of the Kiev regime." According to Ukrainian reports, another hospital in the capital was damaged on the other side of the Dnipro.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy rejected Russian claims that the attacks were due to a Ukrainian missile defense system error. "What cynicism the scoundrels in the Kremlin are showing, claiming that it was allegedly the Ukrainian missile defense and not a targeted missile strike that killed and injured many people," Zelenskyy said at a press conference with Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk in Warsaw. Zelenskyy thanked everyone who posted videos online, "on which it is clearly visible that it is not just a part of one or another missile, but a direct missile strike that killed and injured many people."
06:19 Germany provides Ukraine with more ammunition and air defense systems
The German government has made additional military supplies available to Ukraine for its defense against the Russian aggression. According to the updated list of delivered military goods, the promised third air defense system Patriot has arrived. New on the list are also additional ammunition for the 50 Leopard 1 tanks provided together with Denmark, 11,000 additional rounds of ammunition for the 52 Gepard anti-aircraft tanks, and two over-the-horizon radar systems of the TRML-4D type.
05:43 Attack on Russia: Fire at power plant in Rostov-on-Don
In the southern Russian region of Rostov, there was a fire at an power plant due to Ukrainian drone attacks, according to Russian reports. "Two transformers have caught fire," Rostov Governor Vasili Golubev reported on the Telegram messaging app. The Russian air defense shot down "numerous" Ukrainian drones. Golubev did not mention the exact number of drones used or intercepted. The border region with Ukraine has been a target of repeated attacks in the past.
04:31 FDP politician Faber defends the Defense Ministry
FDP politician and new chairman of the Defense Committee, Marcus Faber, defended the Defense Ministry against criticism of its only modest increase in the 2025 budget. "One should not forget that the Defense Ministry budget, unlike most other ministries, has actually increased," Faber told the Augsburger Allgemeine. If one includes the special fund of 100 billion euros and further investments in the troops, the total comes to 140 billion euros. "That's noticeable, even if one could wish for more."
03:25 UN Human Rights Commissioner condemns attack on hospital in KievUN Human Rights Commissioner Volker Turk condemns attacks on a children's clinic in the Ukrainian capital Kiev as "despicable." The attacks had "severely damaged" the Intensive Care, surgical, and oncological departments of the Ochmatdyt Children's Hospital, Turk stated. The Dialysis department of the clinic was "destroyed." "Among the victims were the sickest children of Ukraine," he added.
02:05 Biden announces support for Kiev at NATO summitUS President Joe Biden announces new measures to strengthen Ukraine's air defense following attacks with Russian rockets that killed 36 people. The US and its allies will announce this new support at a NATO summit in Washington this week, Biden stated. He described the rocket attacks on Ukraine as a "horrific reminder of Russia's brutality" in the war that began in February 2022.
01:05 Kiesewetter: Defense Ministry disappointed for soldiersIn the debate over defense budgets, CDU defense expert Roderich Kiesewetter calls for a new definition of prosperity. "It's bitter and a disappointment for the soldiers that the federal government can't prioritize the Bundeswehr in budget planning," Kiesewetter told newspapers in the Funke Mediengruppe. This shows that "the turning point in the Chancellor's mindset" has not yet arrived, and Olaf Scholz refuses to "pour pure wine in the face of the population in the face of the threat situation." "It's also necessary to redefine prosperity - away from an individual interpretation, towards social resilience and readiness to defend," Kiesewetter said earlier, when the defense budget was around five or six percent of the economy's output. "It's possible to prioritize if the political will is there," he added. A continuously increasing defense budget should aim for three percent of the gross national product.
00:01 Greens and FDP announce increase in Pistorius FundLooking ahead to budget negotiations in the German Parliament, Green budget politician Sebastian Schäfer, who is also Vice-Chief of the Bundestag Committee for the Special Fund for the Bundeswehr, announces corrections to defense spending. "The coalition leadership of the Traffic Light [coalition] provides a good basis for parliamentary budget negotiations," Schäfer told the Redaktionsnetzwerk Deutschland (RND). "There will be numerous and significant changes. In security and defense policy, there are great needs that we will take into account in the parliamentary procedure," the Green added. Defense policy spokesperson for the FDP, Alexander Müller, also shows readiness for further adjustments in favor of the defense budget.
22:16 Debris falls on clinic - seven deadA debris piece from a rocket fell on a hospital in Kiev and killed five doctors and two patients. It happened at the ADONIS Clinic in the Dniprowskyi district, reported "Ukrainska Pravda." A Russian rocket attack also shattered windows in a private maternity clinic in the same building.
22:10 Insider: Scholz to deliver clear message at NATO summit
According to German government sources, the NATO summit from Tuesday to Thursday will send "a very clear message" in support of Ukraine. Chancellor Olaf Scholz will make it clear in the circle of the 32 NATO state and government heads that Germany is a reliable partner in the transatlantic alliance and will remain so, said the government representative.
21:56 Schmyhal: Looking for alternative location for hospital
The Ukrainian government is looking for an alternative location for the attacked children's hospital. Premier Minister Denys Schmyhal shared this information. The attack will be a topic at the next cabinet meeting. "We hope our international partners will draw their own conclusions," he was quoted as saying by "Kyiv Independent". "We need effective responses to Russian terror."
You can read about previous developments here.
- Stoltenberg highlighted the need for NATO to strengthen its defense industry after seeing the insufficient weapons and ammunition stocks during the Ukraine conflict.
- The establishment of a new NATO command in Germany will focus on training and equipping Ukrainian troops as a response to the ongoing conflict.
- Pistorius called on NATO partners to provide stronger military support to Ukraine, pointing out the importance of helping Ukraine through this difficult time.
- The US Intelligence sources stated that Russia has begun attempts to influence certain voter groups in the US election, without mentioning the candidates by name.
- In a stark condemnation, Thomas-Greenfield stated that Russia's attacks on Ukraine were "a disgrace for the Security Council and in particular for the presidency."
