23:58 More Olympic starting places for Russians - judokas rejected
The International Olympic Committee continues to invite Russian and Belarusian athletes to the Summer Games in Paris. According to the IOC's evening announcement, 50 athletes from the two countries have been invited so far to compete under a neutral flag at the Olympics. Not all of these invitations have been accepted, some have already withdrawn. Some Judokas were rejected due to their affiliation with Army sports clubs. Therefore, out of the twelve quotas for Russian Judokas, only two will be allocated to each gender - whether the four accept the invitation is open.
22:59 Ten Ukrainian civilians returned from Russian captivityAccording to reports from Kiev, ten Ukrainian civilians have returned from Russian captivity. Among the freed prisoners is Nariman Djeljal, the leader of the Crimean Tatars, writes Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in social media on Friday. He thanks the Vatican for its mediation in the release of the civilians. Djeljal was arrested in 2021, that is, before the large-scale Russian invasion of Ukraine in the annexed Crimea, and later sentenced to 17 years in prison.
22:30 Lithuania's Foreign Minister: Kallas nomination acknowledges stance on RussiaLithuania has welcomed the nomination of Estonian Prime Minister Kaja Kallas as the new EU Foreign Policy Chief. Foreign Minister Gabrielius Landsbergis speaks of an acknowledgment of the views of the Baltic States and other countries on the NATO eastern flank, which have taken a firm stance against Russia and supported Ukraine until its victory. "She has never hidden her position, she has clearly and openly expressed herself on issues that are important to us," Landsbergis told the BNS agency in Vilnius about Kallas. Kallas was appointed as the EU representative for external and security policy at the EU summit in Brussels on Thursday. The 47-year-old Liberal has been Estonia's first female prime minister in its history since 2021 and is known as a supporter of a resolute Western stance towards Moscow.
22:00 Baerbock: Support for Ukraine is the best protection for peaceful sleepAccording to the belief of Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock, the ongoing support for Ukraine in its fight against Russian invasion troops is also a guarantee of peace and security in Germany. "If Ukraine can no longer defend our peace, our freedom, because we no longer support it, then the question is how far Putin's troops will advance then," Baerbock said during a talk by RedaktionsNetzwerk Deutschland (RND), NDR and "Hannoverscher Allgemeine Zeitung". "That's why the support efforts for Ukraine are the best protection for our own peace and our own security." Baerbock referred to Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Naturally, one can discuss whether the billions in aid for Ukraine should be used differently, Baerbock says. But in this case, she has to admit: "I don't know how long we can continue sleeping safely here in Brandenburg, right at the border with Poland." There are "light tests" along the EU border and NATO external border from Russia. "Every reasonable person in the world, in Europe and in Ukraine" wishes nothing more ardently than peace in Ukraine. But that depends on Putin. "He must withdraw his troops and finally put an end to this murder." Instead, his response is "always more violence and terror."
21:20 Putin gifts Kim a Luxury Car with South Korean Parts
During his state visit to North Korea, Russian leader Vladimir Putin gifted North Korean dictator Kim Jong Un an Aurus-Limousine and drove him laughing through a park. Photos of Kim's joyride in a fake idyll in Pyongyang eight days ago circulated around the world. This is the second Aurus limousine Putin has given to Kim. However, Russian luxury cars were reportedly made by a company that imported South Korean components worth millions of dollars, according to Reuters, citing customs data. Aurus imported South Korean parts worth at least 34 million dollars between 2018 and 2023. A representative of the South Korean industrial association Kyungki Industrial Co confirmed that the company supplied parts to Aurus and would continue to do so. The representative added, "we are not concerned about possible sanctions." Kim refers to South Korea as the "main enemy" of his country.
20:45 Ukraine: Dead and Injured after Rocket Strike on Apartment Building
The strike of a Russian rocket on an apartment building in the Ukrainian industrial city of Dnipro kills at least one person and injures nine. Among the injured are a 27-year-old and a 30-year-old woman, and a 29-year-old man. Three of the injured are in critical condition. Two more people are believed to be under the rubble. Images show a severely damaged stairwell of a nine-story building in a densely populated residential area. The upper four floors are completely destroyed.
Dnipro has been hit by Russian rockets several times since the beginning of the Russian attack war. In one of the most devastating attacks on civilian targets during the war, 45 people were killed and about 80 were injured when a rocket hit a house in the city in early 2023. In response to the latest rocket attack, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy called for the strengthening of air defense once again. Only the determination of the world can put a stop to Russian terror, he wrote in social media.
20:24 Zelensky grants posthum Courage Medal to nurse Iryna Tsybukh
The Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy awards the Courage Medal of the third class posthum to nurse Iryna Tsybukh. The Presidential Administration of Ukraine announces this on its website. Tsybukh was born in Lviv, Ukraine, in June 1998. She was a Ukrainian public figure, journalist, and head of the regional broadcasting department of the National Public Television and Radio Company of Ukraine. During Russia's attacks on Ukraine, she joined the volunteer hospital battalion as a nurse. She died on May 29 during a rotation towards Kharkiv.
With the same decree, journalist Andriy Topchiy was posthum awarded the Courage Order III. Class. He also served as a medic in an infantry battalion. Toptschiy died on April 20 near Robotyno in the Zaporizhzhia region.
19:54 Putin initiates production of formerly prohibited rockets
Russian President Vladimir Putin has announced the initiation of the production of short- and medium-range rockets, which were prohibited under the INF (Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces) Treaty with the US until 2019. "It looks like we need to start producing these attack systems," Putin said, referring to rockets with a range between 500 and 5500 kilometers. After the production of the rockets, Moscow must "decide, based on the actual situation, where we will station them for our security," Putin added. Putin justified his statement by pointing out that the US had started using such rockets in Denmark during exercises. Russia must "respond," he said. Under the INF Treaty, the production of rockets with a range between 500 and 5500 kilometers was forbidden for the treaty parties, the US and the Soviet Union. The US withdrew from the INF Treaty in 2019, citing Russian non-compliance. Moscow declared at the time that it would continue to refrain from producing new rockets as long as the US did not deploy such rockets within range of Russian territory.
19:14 "Just Peace": Zelenskyy announces "comprehensive plan" for ending the war
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announces a "comprehensive plan" for ending the war against his country. It is "very important" for Kiev to present such a plan, "which is supported by the majority of the world," Zelenskyy said during a visit by Slovenian President Natasa Pirc Musar in Kiev. This is "the diplomatic way," Kiev is working, he added. "We don't want to prolong this war and we must come to a just peace as quickly as possible," Zelenskyy also emphasized. At the same time, he called for the development of Ukrainian military production. "Russia understands only strength and respects only the strong," he said. "There are two things in parallel: being strong on the battlefield and developing a clear and detailed plan that will be ready this year," the Ukrainian head of state said. Ukraine has repeatedly stated that Russia must withdraw its troops from Ukrainian territory before possible peace talks, including from the 2014 annexed Crimean Peninsula.
18:51 Putin announces strong growth for Russia's economy
Despite western sanctions against the country, Russia's economy, according to President Vladimir Putin, is growing significantly. "We will see what the first half of the year brings, but something around five percent GDP (Gross Domestic Product) growth for the country," Putin is quoted as saying by the Interfax news agency during a meeting with graduates. Last year, the GDP grew by 3.6 percent. In reality, the western sanctions have not been able to slow down the Russian economy. According to the Rosstat statistics agency, the GDP growth in the first quarter was 5.4 percent. Foreign experts attribute this mainly to the significantly increased state spending on defense and military. Military salaries and compensation for injured or killed soldiers provide many Russian families with more money. Due to the labor shortage, wages are rising. According to economic experts, this trend cannot be continued.
18:25 Ukraine: Russian units refuse to attack in the Charkiw region
Russian units refuse to engage in combat in the Charkiw region due to lost commanders, reports the Ukrainian news agency "Ukrinform", citing the spokesman for the Ukrainian military unit "Chortyzja", Nasar Voloschyn, on Espreso.TV, a private television station in Ukraine. There have been six engagements in the Charkiw region, during which Ukrainian forces killed approximately 120 Russians. There is information about numerous cases where Russian forces refused to engage in combat, Voloschyn says, naming as an example the assault battalion of the 153rd Tank Regiment of the 47th Tank Division of the Russian military.
17:49 US Drones over the Black Sea: Russia warns NATO of "confrontation"
Russia has warned NATO countries of a "direct confrontation" due to increased US drone flights over the Black Sea. "These flights increase the likelihood of encounters between Russian air and space defense forces and NATO countries' aircraft, raising the risk of a direct confrontation between the alliance and Russia," the Russian Defense Ministry explained. The increased number of US drone flights demonstrate "the growing involvement of the United States and NATO countries in the conflict in Ukraine," the ministry added from Moscow. Washington uses the flights to spy on Russian targets for the precision weapons provided by its western partners to the Ukraine, the Russian Defense Ministry claimed. Defense Minister Andrey Borisov has ordered the General Staff to "prepare proposals for operational responses to provocations." The regular US drone flights over the Black Sea take place in neutral airspace and in accordance with international law, according to Washington.
17:22 Belarus reinforces troops on Ukrainian border
According to the Belarus Defense Ministry, Belarus has reinforced its troops along the northern border with Ukraine. Multiple rocket launchers have reportedly been deployed at an unspecified section of the 1084-kilometer-long border. Authoritarian President Alexander Lukashenko maintains close relations with Russia and allowed Moscow to use his country as a staging ground for the Russian invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.
17:05 Russian destruction of crucial western Ukrainian power plant complete
A crucial power plant for heating in western Ukraine has reportedly been completely destroyed by Russian attacks. "It has been clear for some time that the Burschtyn power plant cannot be rebuilt," says the governor of the Ivano-Frankivsk region, Switlana Onyschtschuk, in a local radio broadcast. The damage is too extensive. More than twelve Russian attacks have targeted the power plant, which is about 130 kilometers from the Polish border. The residents of the region will be supplied with portable heating boilers and central heating through piped heat in the coming winter. Since mid-March, the Russian military has deliberately targeted heating and water power plants with drones and rockets. According to official reports, over 9000 Megawatts of power plant capacity have been destroyed. The Burschtyn power plant alone had a capacity of 2400 Megawatts.
16:23 Russian space communication center on Crimea destroyed
The Ukrainian military, according to the Defense Ministry in Kiev, has destroyed the Russian space communication center on the annexed Crimean peninsula. This is a valuable military component in the satellite communication and navigation system of the Russian troops, explains the ministry. On Monday, there were reports of explosions near the village of Vitino on the Crimean peninsula, where the center is located, in local social media chats. These reports cannot be independently verified. Russia annexed the Crimea in 2014, an action not recognized internationally.
16:04 Casualties in Russian bombing raids in Donetsk region
At least four civilians have been killed and three others injured in Russian bombing raids in the settlement of New York (Nyzhne) in the eastern Ukraine region of Donetsk, according to the regional prosecutor's office. The attackers used a bomb with a mass of 250 kilograms, which damaged several residential buildings. Russian forces have intensified their attacks near the city of Torezk in this area, making small territorial gains. The regional administration reports that at least three people were killed and nearly 20 were injured by Russian shelling in Kurachowe and around Torezk the previous day. Over 30 residential buildings were damaged.
15:36 The Kremlin accuses new EU leadership of Russophobia
The Kremlin sees poor prospects for the relationship between Moscow and Brussels following the decision of EU heads of state and government to choose a new leadership for the European Union. The designated new EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas, for instance, has not distinguished herself diplomatically, according to Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov, reporting Russian news agencies. The Estonian prime minister is "well known to us for her unacceptable and sometimes even extremist anti-Russian statements," Peskov said. Moscow accuses the West of Russophobia, or anti-Russian sentiment. Similarly, he commented on EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, who was nominated for a second term by the heads of state and government of the 27 EU countries with a large majority. "The prospects for the relationship between Moscow and Brussels are poor," Peskov said. No normalization of relations is expected.
15:13 Ukraine reports shooting down another Russian Su-25
Another Russian Su-25 fighter jet is reported to have been shot down in the contested area of Donetsk. The Ukrainian National Guard announced this in a post on Telegram. According to the post, the aircraft was hit by a "well-aimed shot" from a portable air defense system during its combat mission. A video published by the National Guard shows grainy footage of the shootdown, accompanied by triumphant cheers from Ukrainian troops. However, there is no precise information about when or where the incident occurred.
14:35 Russia claims to have taken control of Rosdoliwka in eastern Ukraine
The Russian military reportedly took control of the eastern Ukrainian village of Rosdoliwka, according to information from the Russian Defense Ministry in Moscow. The Southern Military District reportedly drove out Ukrainian troops from Rosdoliwka and took advantage of more favorable positions. The village is located in the Donetsk region in eastern Ukraine, where Russian forces have reportedly taken control of several villages in recent weeks. There is no comment from Ukraine on this matter. It is impossible to verify such reports independently.
14:09 Kiev: Annual military aid commitments worth $60 billion
Ukraine can count on annual military aid commitments worth $60 billion, according to its own statements. Minister President Denys Schmyhal explained that these commitments are valid for the next four years. In its defense against Russia, Ukraine has signed a series of security agreements in recent weeks - among others, one on Thursday with the European Union.
13:38 "Poor for relationship": Kremlin dissatisfied with EU leadership nominations
The Kremlin criticizes the EU leadership appointments made at the EU summit. With Ursula von der Leyen as Commission President and Kaja Kallas as Foreign Policy Chief, the prospects for the relationship between Moscow and Brussels are "poor," according to Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov. It is hardly surprising that the Kremlin is not pleased with Kallas: She has been fighting for a hard line against Russian President Vladimir Putin in the EU and is one of the strongest supporters of Ukraine.
13:06 Poland is about to sign a security agreement with Ukraine soon
Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk believes that his country is very likely to sign a bilateral security agreement with Ukraine in the coming days. This document is expected to be signed almost 100% before the NATO summit, Tusk added. The document is almost finished, only a few details and formulations need to be clarified. The NATO summit begins on July 9 in Washington. The EU summit on Thursday in Brussels had already signed a security agreement with Ukraine. Bilateral agreements were also signed between Ukraine and EU countries Latvia and Estonia. Many other EU countries have already signed such an agreement with Ukraine.
12:34 Expert Mölling: Trump is already gaining influence before the election
Security expert Christian Mölling is certain after the TV duel in the USA: The influence of Donald Trump on international politics is already increasing. The Research Director of the German Council on Foreign Relations considers it plausible that Trump may adjust his line on Ukraine here and there, as he has already received a briefing from the security agencies "about what's really going on". So there will be no selling out of Ukraine, as such a move would also have negative consequences for US interests, Mölling says in the "Stern" podcast "The Situation". Even if presidents make the important decisions, there is always a machine that needs to implement them. More on US politics and its influence on the Ukraine policy can be found here:
12:12 Belarus announces strengthening of border with Ukraine
Belarus will further strengthen its border with Ukraine following an incident involving a Ukrainian surveillance drone. The border guard and the Defense Ministry announced this. The border guard also reported that a quadcopter, which was allegedly flying illegally from Ukraine over the border to Belarus to collect information about the infrastructure at the Belarusian border, was shot down on a Wednesday. At the beginning of the week, it was reported that hidden explosive materials for bomb making were discovered in the same area. It was also known that a unit of pro-Ukrainian Russian fighters was stationed in a Ukrainian area near the border.
11:40 Spycraft in Bloom: Thousands of Russians Reportedly Ratting Out Their Fellow Citizens
The spycraft tradition runs deep in Russia – and it seems to be in bloom once more. According to independent Russian-language media, at least 3,500 reports against Russian citizens were filed between February 2022 and May 2024. This is just the minimum estimation, as reported by the portal Meduza. "The war and the subsequent repressive policies of Russian authorities against their own population led ... to an increase in denunciations, which were not only related to anti-war declarations but also to LGBTQ+ content, 'Russophobia‘' Drugs and other topics." As an example, the portal cites the case of Usman Baratov, a resident of Moscow. Last year, when egg prices were particularly high, he posted a picture of a hen with the caption "No eggs for you! Bring the roosters back from the front." Within a month, calls to revoke Baratov's Russian citizenship began appearing in social media. A criminal investigation has since been launched against him on charges of "incitement to hatred and enmity." He has been in pre-trial detention for five months, and faces up to six years in prison.
11:03 "Provocations": Moscow Threatens Action Against Alleged US Drones
Russia is threatening action against alleged US reconnaissance drones over the Black Sea. Defense Minister Andrey Belousov has ordered the General Staff of the Army to prepare proposals for responding quickly to "provocations," according to his office. Russia has detected increased activity of US drones in the region. They were reportedly conducting military reconnaissance and gathering target information, which Ukraine allegedly used to attack Russian facilities with weapons supplied from the West. This illustrates the growing involvement of the USA and NATO countries in the conflict in Ukraine. Such drone flights increase the likelihood of incidents in the airspace with Russian aircraft, raising the risk of a direct confrontation between NATO and Russia. The NATO would be responsible for such incidents, the Defense Ministry stressed.
10:34 Trump vs. Putin: Scene from TV Debate Hidden from Russian Viewers
The US presidential election is being closely followed in Russia, along with the TV debate between the candidates Joe Biden and Donald Trump. ntv correspondent Rainer Munz reports on what Russian media cover and which details are left out. Meanwhile, the Kremlin issues further threats.
09:58 Window fall after KGB interrogation? Former Belarus ambassador dead at 48
According to reports from independent Belarusian media, the former Belarusian ambassador to Germany, Denis Sidorenko, has died at the age of 48 in his hometown of Minsk. The Belarus Foreign Ministry only confirmed his death hours later, stating that the "beloved colleague, extraordinary and plenipotentiary ambassador of Belarus in Germany (2016-2024)", had passed away. No cause of death was given. Multiple independent Belarusian media outlets, which operate in exile abroad, report that Sidorenko, a father of a family, committed suicide by jumping out of a window of a high-rise building in Minsk on June 24. An official confirmation of the suicide is not available. Alexander Lukashenko, who had recalled Sidorenko for his efforts to build good relations with the EU, had been a problem for the power apparatus in Minsk, according to an emigre former Belarusian diplomat.
09:30 Ukraine releases figures on Russian losses
The Ukrainian General Staff has released new figures on Russian troop losses in Ukraine. According to these figures, Russia has lost approximately 540,500 soldiers in Ukraine since February 24, 2022. In a 24-hour period alone, the losses amounted to 1,170. The report from Kiev also states that 24 tanks, 60 artillery systems, and an aircraft were destroyed. Since the beginning of the large-scale attack, Russia has reportedly lost 8,066 tanks, 14,423 artillery systems, and 360 aircraft according to Ukraine. Western estimates put the Russian losses at lower numbers, though these are only minimum values.
09:05 Numerous drones over Russia again
According to the Russian Defense Ministry, Russia intercepted 25 Ukrainian drones during the night. However, it did not mention the incident in Tambov, where an oil depot caught fire during a drone attack (see entry 08:02). The Russian Telegram channel Two Majors reports 32 Ukrainian drones that were intercepted in the border region.
08:33 ISW: Russians attempting to advance at Toretsk gradually
The Institute for the Study of War (ISW) deems a quick tactical victory for the Russians at Toretsk unlikely at present. The Russian military may, however, be planning to conduct continuous offensive operations in this area to achieve incremental tactical gains, according to the US think tank. "The limited forces available for this operation suggest that the Russians prefer to make gradual progress through persistent attacks," the latest ISW report states. In addition, a brigade of the self-proclaimed Donetsk People's Republic and a regiment of Russian territorial troops were fighting in the region. These forces were less combat-effective than conventional troops or earlier Russian elite units. "Even if the Russian forces manage to capture Toretsk, advancing beyond the settlement would be difficult, if not even more so, given the open terrain and the large bodies of water to the north and northwest," the think tank further notes.
08:02 Fuel storage facility in Central Russia on fire
Once again, a fuel storage facility in Russia is on fire - this time in the central Russian region of Tambov. The cause is reportedly a Ukrainian drone attack, according to Regional Governor Maxim Yegorov on Telegram. No casualties have been reported, and the fire department is on the scene. The city of Tambov is approximately 460 kilometers south-east of Moscow.
07:39 Selenskyj to come to Warsaw before NATO summit
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is set to visit Warsaw before the NATO summit in Washington, according to Polish government statements. "President Zelenskyy and I have arranged a meeting in Warsaw before the NATO summit," writes Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk on Twitter. "The EU has understood what Poles have known since the start of the war: The defense of Ukraine is the defense of Europe." Poland is one of the most active political and military supporters of Ukraine. It also plays a key role as a hub for Western military aid to Kiev. In addition, Poland has taken in nearly a million refugees from its neighboring country.
07:07 "Extremist": Duma prepares bill against "child-free ideology"
Despite the unclear family situations of leading Russian politicians: Kremlin chief Vladimir Putin has declared 2024 as the "Year of the Family," and he refers to the Russian family as the "backbone" of Russia. Now, it seems that the family ideal will be propagated even more strongly. According to the Institute for the Study of War, the deputy Russian Justice Minister Vasily Vukolov has announced that Duma deputies are preparing a bill to ban the so-called "child-free ideology." This ideology is considered "extremist" because it holds the view that "women do not have to bear children" and "can renounce them." In addition, a draft for a presidential decree is being prepared to add the term "traditional values" to the official "normative dictionary" of the Russian language. The demographic situation in Russia is overall tense. According to the Konrad-Adenauer Foundation, between January and April of the previous year, 3.1 percent fewer children were born than in the same period the previous year - a record low. The massive losses in the war contribute to further deterioration of the demographic situation.
06:42 Governor: Administrative building in Bryansk damaged by Ukrainian drone
In the Russian city of Bryansk, it appears that an administrative building has been damaged after a drone attack. This was reported by the governor of the region, Alexander Bogomaz, on Telegram. "The city of Bryansk was attacked by Ukrainian terrorists with drones. There are no casualties." The drone was reportedly repelled, and the administrative building was damaged upon its impact.
06:07 Kertsch Bridge apparently affected: Ukrainian intelligence service speaks of cyber attacks on Crimean servers
The military intelligence service of Ukraine (HUR) is conducting a cyber attack on multiple institutions on the Russian-occupied Crimean peninsula. This is reported by "Kyiv Independent" and refers to a service employee. The targets of the attacks on Thursday are reportedly the largest Russian internet providers on the peninsula, the servers of propaganda media, and the system for registering and controlling traffic on the Crimean Bridge. "Within an hour, the traffic jam increased sixfold, and in the morning, about 300 cars were in the queue," according to the source from the HUR. The Ukrainian intelligence service is said to have conducted several cyber attacks on the Crimea in the past few months.
05:01 Heavy fighting around Pokrovsk in the east
At various frontlines in the east of Ukraine, Russian and Ukrainian forces engaged in heavy fighting on Thursday. The Ukrainian General Staff in Kiev reports in its daily situation report that the enemy is trying to breach our defense lines. Of the over 100 reported armed clashes of the day, more than half are said to be in the area around Pokrovsk in the Donezk region. The frontline has remained unchanged everywhere. Ukrainian military personnel also report heavy fighting around the settlement of Mirnoje west of the city of Saporischschja. A Russian brigade is said to have lost over 95 percent of its soldiers in massed storm attacks there, according to a statement from the Ukrainian agency Unian.
04:20 Trump: Could end war in Ukraine before inauguration if elected
The former US President Donald Trump holds Joe Biden responsible for the Russian military campaign in Ukraine and calls on Europe to give more money to Kiev. If the US had a "real president" who respected Putin, this would never have happened in Ukraine, Trump said during the presidential debate in Atlanta. Biden even encouraged Putin, Trump added. He repeated his promise to end the war, which would happen even before his inauguration in January. He did not specify, however, how he would accomplish this.
03:18 French right-wing politician Bardella calls for continued support for Ukraine
During a TV debate three days before the first round of the French parliamentary elections, the French right-wing politician Jordan Bardella, who aspires to be the prime minister of his party Rassemblement National (RN) in case of an absolute majority, expresses his support for continued support for Ukraine. "I will not allow Russian imperialism to absorb a linked state like Ukraine," Bardella says. His position on this conflict is "very simple" and has "never changed," Bardella explains. "It's about supporting Ukraine and preventing an escalation with the nuclear power Russia." Regarding a possible deployment of French soldiers to Ukraine, Bardella says: "If I am prime minister tomorrow, no French soldiers will be sent to Ukraine." He is also against sending medium-range missiles to Ukraine, which could hit Russian territory.
01:30 Farmers' President under Fire for Ukraine Remarks
The President of the Farmers' Association is facing sharp criticism for his statements regarding Ukraine's EU membership. Green security politician Sebastian Schäfer accused Joachim Rukwied in a letter of becoming "Putin's propagandistic helper" with his one-sided remarks. The letter was obtained by "Der Spiegel." Rukwied had warned in an "FAZ" interview that Ukraine's accession was a "threat to the survival of European agriculture," as large agricultural businesses there could produce much cheaper than European farmers. Instead, import restrictions against Ukrainian agricultural products were "urgently necessary." Schäfer accuses Rukwied of fueling the anti-Ukraine sentiment with his "martial language" and suggesting that the Russian-occupied land poses only a threat to EU farmers. Furthermore, the accession talks were still in their infancy and represented "an opportunity and a reason for fundamental, future-oriented reforms in the Common Agricultural Policy."
23:34 Ukrainian Railways Granted License for Goods Traffic by Poland
The state railway company Ukrzaliznytsia has received a license from the Polish railway regulatory authority, allowing it to enter the European railway goods traffic market, the company announced. The Ukrainian airspace has been closed since February 2022 due to the Russian invasion, making rail transport a crucial role in transporting goods and passengers to and from the country. Ukrzaliznytsia transported over two million passengers to Europe in the previous year and reported a record cargo turnover of 14 million tons in November 2023.
22:17 Ukraine Increases Weapons Production by a Quarter in the First Quarter
The weapons production in Ukraine increased by an average of 25.4% in the period from January to March 2024 compared to the same period in 2023, according to data from the Ukrainian State Statistics Service. In January 2024, Ukraine produced 26.6% more weapons and ammunition than in January of the previous year. In February, production grew by 29%, and in March, it decreased; Ukraine produced 18.8% more weapons than in 2023.
21:32 Czech Republic Sends First 50,000 Grenades to Kiev - Financed by Germany
The Czech Republic has delivered the first 50,000 grenades to Ukraine as part of the Czech-led initiative, according to the Czech Press Agency (CTK). Czech Defense Minister Jana Černohová stated that Prague had identified 500,000 155-mm grenades and 300,000 122-mm grenades outside Europe that could be bought and shipped to Ukraine once the necessary funds for the initiative were secured. Czech Prime Minister Petr Fiala announced Tuesday that Ukraine had received the first delivery of artillery grenades "some time ago." Prague worked with Germany on the delivery, CTK reported. According to the Defense Ministry, the 50,000 grenades represent the first consignment of 180,000 rounds of ammunition financed by Germany.
20:53 Russia attacks Charkiw for the first time with FAB-500 bomb - four injuredRussian troops have attacked the city of Charkiw for the first time since the beginning of the war with a FAB-500 bomb equipped with a glide mechanism, according to Oleksandr Filchakov, head of the regional prosecutor's office. At least four people were injured, two others suffered a shock, reports the governor of the Charkiw region, Oleh Syniehubov. Russian troops dropped the bomb over the village of Maysky in the Russian oblast Belgorod on the Kyivskyi-District of Kharkiv, says Filchakov. The FAB-500 is a 500-kilogram bomb developed by the Soviet Union with a high explosive warhead that is dropped from the air. These inexpensive and widely used bombs are equipped with glide kits that improve their accuracy and enable their launch from greater distances, beyond the range of Ukrainian air defense systems.
20:21 Patriot systems to be delivered from Israel to Ukraine via the USAAccording to the "Financial Times," the USA, Israel, and Ukraine are in negotiations to deliver up to eight Patriot air defense systems to Kiev to significantly improve the country's ability to counter Russian air raids. The agreement is not yet finalized but would likely mean that the Patriot systems would first be delivered from Israel to the USA and then to Ukraine. The fundamental aspects of the deal, which would mark a turning point in Israel's relations with Moscow, were discussed between ministers and high-ranking officials of the three countries, according to five people familiar with the negotiations.
You can read about all previous developments here.
- Despite the IOC inviting Russian and Belarusian athletes to the Summer Games in Paris, some Judokas were rejected due to their affiliation with Army sports clubs, limiting the number of Russian Judokas that can participate.
- The Ukraine conflict continues to be a topic in international politics, with Lithuania's Foreign Minister expressing recognition of the stance taken by the Baltic States and others on the NATO eastern flank against Russia.
- The attack on Ukraine has led to Military operations between Ukrainian forces and Russian troops, resulting in the death and injury of civilians and soldiers on both sides.
- In an attempt to gain an advantage in the Ukraine conflict, Russia has initiated the production of prohibited rockets, violating former international agreements.
- In response to the attacks on Ukraine, Volodymyr Selensky, the President of Ukraine, has announced a comprehensive plan for ending the war, calling for a just peace and the strengthening of Ukraine's military capabilities. Additionally, there have been reports of Russian cyberwar attacks on Ukraine, further complicating the situation.
