5:35 PM: Russian military progresses towards Vovchansk city.

5:35 PM: Russian forces push towards Vovchansk city

Russian soldiers have progressed towards the city of Vovchansk in their ground assault in northeastern Ukraine. The soldiers are currently outside the city and are approaching from multiple angles, reported the police chief in the Kharkiv region, Volodymyr Tymoshko. A Russian tank was also spotted on a road leading to Vovchansk. An AP news agency team could see plumes of smoke rising from Vovchansk from a different town on Sunday afternoon. The city was experiencing intense artillery bombardment. Volunteers were working to move the approximately 17,000 pre-war residents of Vovchansk to safety. Most of them were elderly individuals.

16:54 Pistorius views the Allied Berlin Airlift as an inspiration for today's Germany to demonstrate unity
German Minister of Defense Boris Pistorius views the Allied Berlin Airlift, which occurred during the Soviet Union's blockade of Berlin, as a call for contemporary Germany to exemplify global solidarity. Pistorius, a member of the SPD party, stated during a ceremony to commemorate the 75th anniversary of the end of the Berlin Blockade, "We cannot stand idly by while international law, our standards, and our values are being trampled upon." Such actions "apply everywhere," but "especially in Ukraine."

16:10 Almost 50% believe a Russian attack on a NATO nation is an improbable occurrence
Despite the warnings from Western security experts that a Russian invasion of a NATO nation could take place in the near future, a significant number of Germans view this as a highly improbable scenario. This is evidenced by a recent poll conducted by the opinion research institute YouGov on behalf of Deutsche Presse-Agentur. Only 36% of Germans believe that a Russian military assault on a NATO nation is plausible or somewhat plausible. Nearly half, or 48%, of adult Germans believe this scenario is highly improbable or somewhat improbable. 15% of participants in the survey were undecided about the likelihood of Russia attacking a NATO country by 2030.

15:38 Alexei Navalny is posthumously awarded the Dresden Peace Prize
The deceased Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny has been honored posthumously with the Dresden Peace Prize. His widow, Julia Navalnaya, accepted the honor at the Staatsschauspiel Dresden. The citation stated that the posthumous award recognized Navalny's commitment to liberty, democracy, and tranquility.

14:56 A high-rise apartment building collapses after shelling - Russia launches a terrorism investigation into Ukraine
After the partial collapse of a high-rise structure in the Russian border town of Belgorod, which was allegedly brought on by Ukrainian shelling, Russia's highest investigative body announced that a terrorist attack investigation had been initiated. A spokesperson said that those impacted included casualties and wounded individuals, but provided no additional details. Unconfirmed reports indicate that at least three people were killed, several injured, and approximately twenty individuals might still be trapped beneath the wreckage.

14:35 Commander-in-chief Syrskyi claims the situation in Kharkiv is substantially deteriorating
The Ukrainian commander-in-chief, Olexander Syrskyi, described the situation in the Kharkiv region as difficult after Russian troops advanced into the Ukrainian border area of Kharkiv. "Over the past few days, the condition in the Kharkiv region has grown increasingly challenging," Syrskyj stated on Telegram. "Combat is currently underway in the areas along Ukraine's border with the Russian Federation. The situation is difficult, but the Ukrainian armed forces are trying their hardest to hold back the Russian invasion and maintain their defensive positions." Syrskyi acknowledged that the Russian forces had made "modest victories" in certain regions. Based on consistent reports, Russian troops initiated an offensive in the border area of Kharkiv on Friday night.

14:07 ISW: The establishment of a new Russian military group of 50,000 soldiers threatens Ukraine
According to CNN, the continuous Russian assault in the Kharkiv region, which has been ongoing since Friday and is putting pressure on Ukraine, is due to the formation of a new Russian military group called Sever. George Barros, an analyst from the Institute for the Study of War in Washington, told the news outlet that Sever is an "operationally substantial group." "Russia sought to deploy 60,000 to 100,000 troops for its group's offensive in Kharkiv," Barros said, "but they likely have around 50,000."

13:30 Governor of the Kharkiv region: thousands of people have been evacuated due to the imminent threat
The governor of the Kharkiv region, Oleh Synyehubov, announced that over the last two days, 4,000 residents have been transported from settlements in the region due to the looming Russian offensive. "We are providing accommodations for anyone who requires it. More than 70% of those who evacuated have already found lodging, primarily with friends and relatives," Synyehubov informed the public on Telegram.

12:59: Russia declares capturing additional villages in Ukraine's Kharkiv region and destroys helicoptersThe Russian Ministry of Defense in Moscow has declared that their troops have captured four more villages in the northeastern part of Ukraine, known as the Kharkiv region. The seized villages are Hatyshche, Krasne, Morokhovets, and Oliyinykove. In addition to these captures, they reported the acquisition of five other villages previously. The Russian military initiated an offensive in Kharkiv on Friday following their invasion in 2022, but Ukrainian forces had previously pushed them back. To add to their claims, Russian troops in Southern Ukraine have allegedly destroyed four Ukrainian helicopters and damaged one, as per the Ministry of Defense.

12:24: Army Chief Syrskyj reassures fighters, addresses new offensiveUkraine's Army Chief, Syrskyj, emphasized the intensity of the ongoing battle in his statement. He mentions that the Russian invaders' attempts to break through their defenses have been thwarted. The reconnaissance, artillery, and drone units are actively participating in the fight, and they remain alert to respond to Russian actions. Syrskyj acknowledges the deteriorating situation in the region of Kharkiv, calling it "difficult." Although things are difficult, he reassures that the troops are trying their best to defend their positions. He further highlights that soldiers will alternate positions to rest and restore their brigades' combat abilities.

11:53: Partial building collapse in Belgorod, Russia, kills three, leaves over 20 people trappedAs per the Belgorod Oblast governor, Vyacheslav Gladkov, a high-rise residential building in the Russian city of Belgorod has partially collapsed due to Ukrainian shelling. He disclosed that at least three people had lost their lives and around 20 people might be trapped under the rubble. "Belgorod and the entire region faced significant shelling from the Ukrainian military," the governor stated. According to him, a direct shell hit on an apartment building caused the entrance area to crumble between the second and tenth floors. There was no initial comment from the Ukrainian side regarding the incident. The region has been the target of several attacks from Ukraine. In fact, Russian bombers have inadvertently targeted civilian infrastructure in this region.

11:19: Russian energy conglomerate Gazprom's profits expected to be impacted by the ongoing war with UkraineBritish government projections reveal that Russian energy giant Gazprom will likely feel the repercussions of the conflict with Ukraine for years due to the deteriorated relationships with previous key clients in the West since the 2022 invasion. This stems from the ongoing trade restrictions and economic sanctions. Their heavy reliance on the European market will persist and affect their long-term profits. Gazprom recently posted a net loss, their first since 1999. The Russian government seeks to raise tax burdens on Gazprom by 25 billion euros in 2024, potentially leading to a 15% reduction in investments next year.

10:44: Ukraine reports attacks on Russian oil refinery and military targetsUkrainian authorities claim to have launched strikes on Russian territory during the previous night, targeting an oil refinery in Volgograd in the Krasnoarmeysky district, an oil depot in Kaluga, and a plant in Lipetsk. A military intelligence source disclosed this information to the Unian news agency. The oil refinery in Volgodrad reported several explosions after a kamikaze drone attack, leading to a fire that engulfed the area. Governor Andrei Bocharov of the Volgograd region also confirmed the incident. The Russian defense claimed that the air defense had successfully repelled the attack, with only a small fire ensuing from the drone debris. However, Ukrainian media has published footage that suggests a larger explosion occurred. As one would expect, there are conflicting accounts in each narrative from either side.

10:06 "The situation is spiraling out of control" - calls for more reinforcements

A channel closely connected to the Ukrainian military, Deepstate, has published an analysis on the intense fighting near Kharkiv's borders. "The situation is spiraling out of control. The enemy is steadily increasing its presence in our area, constantly infiltrating, moving in groups to towns and attempting to establish a stronghold there and advance further," Deepstate reported. It is crucial to monitor the region closely, "otherwise the enemy will have even more success, which will have severe repercussions," Deepstate added. Although the main objective of the Russian forces is to divert attention from other areas, the situation could turn "very critical" without the deployment of Ukrainian reserves, according to them.

09:30 ntv Reporter Weichert: "Russia aims to force Ukrainian troops to retreat"

The Russian army is launching a large-scale attack near Kharkiv, with claims of capturing several villages. President Zelenskyi's motto is to halt the advance at all costs. Ukraine is dispatching troops to the region, and ntv reporter Jürgen Weichert states that this is precisely what Russia wants to achieve:

08:50 Russian propaganda creates panic in Kharkiv's metropolis as it claims mass evacuations

While the Russian military forces are advancing near the Ukrainian metropolis of millions, information about any major evacuation measures is scarce. "According to Russian propaganda, Kharkiv is in a state of panic and completely empty," says Ukrainian security expert Maria Avdeeva on X. In a video she shares, people can be seen shopping casually at a busy market during the day. The city has already experienced numerous airstrikes in the past, and the population is accustomed to Russian aggression. Experts do not believe that the Kremlin troops will succeed in taking Kharkiv. It is possible that Moscow intends to trigger a mass exodus from the Ukrainian city.

08:12 ISW: Russians make progress in the Kharkiv region, but not seeking to capture the city

Russian forces are conducting limited offensive operations along the Russian-Ukrainian border in the north of the Kharkiv region and "continue to make tactically significant gains in areas that are less well-defended," according to the Institute for the Study of War (ISW). The size of the units involved in the limited operations suggests that Russian forces are not currently planning a large-scale operation to encircle, surround, or capture the city of Kharkiv, the ISW said.

07:28 Ukrainian attack on oil refinery in Russia

A Ukrainian drone attack sparked a fire at the Volgograd oil refinery in southern Russia, as confirmed by the region's governor, Andrey Botsharov, on Telegram. "The fire was extinguished. There were no casualties," writes Bospharov. Neither the oil producer Lukoil nor the Ukrainian side has issued a statement regarding the incident.

Rescue workers evacuate an elderly woman in the Kharkiv region.

06:52 Ukraine can expect significant contributions from Latvia

The Ukrainian ambassador to Latvia, Anatoly Kutsevol, states in an interview with Ukrinform that Latvia will soon provide Ukraine with drones and radar defense systems. "I believe that in the future, we will receive more media reports about drones and radar defense systems from Latvia being delivered to Ukraine," Kutsevol said. There will also be cooperation in the production of crucial 155mm grenades. Additionally, there are other areas of cooperation, but for security reasons, they cannot be discussed at this time.

06:14 Ukrainian brigade claims downing of a Russian Su-25 fighter jet

The 110th Mechanized Brigade of the Ukrainian Armed Forces announces that a Su-25 Russian fighter jet has been shot down by Russian forces. "The anti-aircraft gunners of the 110th Brigade are once again performing admirably. Today they struck down another SU-25," the post on Facebook reads. "The occupants haven't realized yet that there's no point in flying into our skies. They'll keep on falling." According to Ukrainian Major Oleksiy Hetman on the We-Ukraine channel, Moscow currently possesses roughly 190 Su-25 jets. "This is a formidable aircraft when it comes to causing damage to our troops," said Hetman. The Su-25 is specifically designed to support combat missions directly on the battle line.

05:42 Appears that one person died after attack on Belgorod

A large-scale Ukrainian assault seemingly hit Belgorod and the surrounding region on the evening of May 11, resulting in damage and casualties, as reported by the governor of the region, Vyacheslav Gladkov. Ukraine typically does not comment on alleged attacks on Belgorod. Gladkov mentions a missile attack warning in the oblast. Shortly after, Russian Telegram channels published images of burning cars and rising smoke over Belgorod. According to Gladkov, one woman was killed in the attack, and 29 people, including a child, were injured and hospitalized. Several homes, businesses, cars, and medical and educational facilities were reportedly damaged. Damage was also reported in the nearby village of Dubovoye, Gladkov said on his Telegram channel.

5:35 AM: US Official: Russia Can Quickly Prioritize Arms Industry
Dictatorial nations like Russia can readily focus on expanding their arms industry over economic prosperity to sustain their military campaigns in Ukraine, along with assistance from Iran and North Korea, claims Lieutenant General Steven Basham, deputy commander of US Air Forces in Europe. While addressing the Foundation for Defense of Democracies event on "Transatlantic Security after 75 Years of NATO", Basham highlights that Western defense industrial growth is also accelerating: "Remember this fact. It's gaining momentum. It will keep outpacing Russia's capabilities. The more time Russia spends in Ukraine, the more we have to get our industrial base up to par."

12:07 PM: Zelenskyy: Ukrainian Forces Counter-Attack in Kharkiv Region
Following the Russian offensive in the northeastern Ukrainian region of Kharkiv, Ukrainian forces are retaliating, as per Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's statement. He affirmed in his evening video message that the troops' current mission is "to nullify the Russian attack plans". These forces must now "reclaim their initiatives."

10:41 AM: Ukraine: Russian Shellings in Sumy Oblast Kill One Civilian
Russian forces bombarded ten communities in the northeastern Ukrainian Sumy Oblast yesterday, according to the regional administration. Over 93 explosions have been recorded in Sumy Oblast in the last 24 hours. A woman of 37 was slain in a rocket attack on the outskirts of the northeastern city of Sumy, as per reports. The assault targeted local infrastructure, it was noted, though the target and consequences were not disclosed.

11:30 PM: Canada Joins Ukraine Peace Summit
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announces that Canada will participate in the upcoming global peace summit for Ukraine. The summit, set for June 15 and 16 in Switzerland, will focus on Ukrainian peace per President Volodymyr Zelensky's 10-point peace blueprint, which proposes the total withdrawal of Russian troops from the occupied Ukrainian regions. "The first peace summit for Ukraine will take place in June - and Canada will be there," Trudeau shares on X. "I eagerly await collaborating with other world leaders to pursue our mutual aim of a fair and durable peace for Ukraine."

11:06 PM: Scholz Alerts to Russian Influence on European, National Elections
Federal Chancellor Olaf Scholz warns about Russian interference in the upcoming European and regional elections. Scholz spoke on the Redaktionsnetzwerk Deutschland's "RND vor Ort" stage talk show. The SPD politician noted that reports of money payments to AfD politicians are "troublesome." These matters need to be investigated and proven by the respective authorities, Scholz said. "There is certainly a significant amount of Russian disinformation in electoral campaigns."

10:00 PM: Scholz Urges Ukrainian Refugees in Germany to Join Workforce
Federal Chancellor Olaf Scholz urged Ukrainian war refugees in Germany to swiftly rejoin the workforce. "We hope that those from Ukraine who are fit for work will now also work," declared the SPD politician at the "RND vor Ort" stage talk organized by the Redaktionsnetzwerk Deutschland in Potsdam. "We've set aside funding for integration courses and language training; as a result, we'd like to encourage many of them to promptly find jobs with a comprehensive employment initiative," the Chancellor added. "Many have indeed done so, and we must acknowledge this, but there are still hundreds of thousands more who are desperately needed in the job market," asserted Scholz. "And my advice to everyone is to do the same."