Ukraine utilizes drones to strike a Russian radar facility.

9:24 Ukraine attack Russian radar facility using drones.

Ukrainian drones have allegedly hit a radar station in Russia's Krasnodar region. This facility is part of Russia's early warning system for ballistic missile launches and nuclear-armed missile launches, and is believed to have a range of up to 6000 kilometers.

8:42 - US Warns Against CeasefireRussian President Putin seems open to a ceasefire, but only based on the current territorial gains. However, the US think tank, Institute for the Study of War (ISW), warns that this could be risky for Ukraine. Russia might use the ceasefire to gather more forces for future offensives, aiming to change the regime, demilitarize Ukraine, and conquer the country. Additionally, the Kremlin might think that a frozen front would lessen the urgency and importance of Western support for Ukraine.

7:53 - Ukrainian General Staff: Russia Loses 500,000 FightersThe Ukrainian General Staff estimates that Russia has lost 500,800 soldiers since the full-scale invasion of February 24, 2022, with another 1140 casualties in the last 24 hours. Russia is heavily attacking Ukrainian defenders, causing many casualties on their own side. The Ukrainians have also destroyed 15 tanks, 27 artillery systems, an air defense system, and two multiple rocket launchers.

7:07 - First Ukrainian F16 pilots ready for combat in EuropeThe first group of Ukrainian F-16 pilots have completed their training in the US and are heading to Europe for additional training. US, UK, Romania, France, Netherlands, and Bulgarian forces are helping train the Ukrainians to fly and maintain the fighter jets. The Ukrainian air force is expected to receive over 60 F-16s from Norway, Denmark, the Netherlands, and Belgium.

6:33 - US Excalibur shells rendered ineffective by Russian jammersUkraine is no longer using certain types of American weapons because their accuracy has significantly decreased. The "Washington Post" reports that this affects GPS-controlled weapons, particularly Excalibur artillery shells and HIMARS systems, both of which are affected by Russian jammers. According to the article, the Excalibur shells' accuracy has dropped to less than 10% since the invasion began. Consequently, the US has stopped supplying Excalibur shells altogether. To counter the Russian jammers for HIMARS attacks, it's advised to disable them as much as possible beforehand by targeting with cluster munitions.

4:34 - Stoltenberg: Chinese support for Russia crucial in the Ukraine warNATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg considers China's support for Russia in the Russian war of aggression as "essential". Stoltenberg told Welt am Sonntag that China claims it wants to maintain good relations with the West while simultaneously fueling the war in Europe. He stated that China is selling machine parts, microelectronics, and other technologies that Russia is using to produce missiles, tanks, and aircraft against Ukraine.

3:06 - Hofreiter: Ukraine should be entitled to use Western weapons on Russian territoryGreen Party foreign policy expert Anton Hofreiter supports allowing Ukraine to use Western weapons against Russian targets, as it's about protecting the Ukrainian population. "We should therefore not prevent Ukraine from using the supplied weapons to ward off Russian fighter planes in Russian airspace," said the chairman of the Bundestag's Europe Committee. "International law permits an attacked state to attack military targets in the aggressor's country."

12:01 - Russia targets Kupiansk, Ukraine reports "partial successes"The Ukrainian General Staff reports that the Russian army has again attacked Vovchansk from the air, with eight guided bombs hitting the city. They have repelled ten Russian attacks on the city and its surroundings. Russia has made "partial successes" near Kupiansk in the Kharkiv region and in the Pokrovsk sector of the Donetsk region.

1:30 - Evacuations planned in the Kharkiv region123 children are to be evacuated from the northeast of the Kharkiv region. Local authorities plan to first take them to Kharkiv and then to the Volhynia region in the northwest. Over 11,000 civilians have been evacuated since the beginning of the new Russian offensive.

11:23pm: Zelenskyj announces "combat control" reclaimed in Kharkiv region

President Volodymyr Zelenskyi stated that the Ukrainian military has regained control of the border area in the eastern Kharkiv region where Russian invaders had infiltrated. During his evening video address, he informed that their troops have now successfully seized "combat control" of the border region. Zelenskyi had recently visited Kharkiv. Russia conducted an offensive in this border area two weeks prior and captured several Ukrainian villages.

10:22pm: Over 400 Ukrainian women held captive by Russia

There are currently 403 Ukrainian women being held captive by Russia, with many of them being unlawfully detained civilians. This information was released by "Ukrinform," citing a report from the Ukrainian Coordination Center for POW Treatment. The report also mentioned women who have been missing since 2014 and the whereabouts of whom are unknown. It has been reported that the Russian side has disregarded several petitions requesting the release of these captured women.

10:02pm: Kuleba believes Putin wants Ukraine summit to fail

Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba believes that Russian President Vladimir Putin is determined to ensure the failure of the upcoming Ukraine peace summit in Switzerland. In response to rumors of Putin's alleged readiness for peace negotiations (see entries 7:55pm and 12:22pm), Kuleba stated that Putin has no interest in ending the war imposed by Moscow completely. "Putin is trying his best to undermine the success of the Switzerland summit on June 15 and 16. He is in fear of it," the minister conveyed on Twitter.

9:40pm: Lithuania proposes "drone wall" to protect NATO members' borders

Lithuania suggested that the six NATO member states adjoining Russia want to build a "drone wall" to shield themselves against provocative activities. The purpose of this network stretching from Norway to Poland is to leverage drones and other technology to safeguard their borders. The Lithuanian Interior Minister, Agne Bilotaite, made these comments after discussions with counterparts from Estonia, Latvia, Finland, Norway, and Poland. Bilotaite stated that the mission goes beyond preventing disruptions by adverse nations and also entails combating smuggling. In addition to drones for border security, anti-drone systems would be utilized. She didn't provide a timeline for the initiative. This border reinforcement was motivated by apprehensions resulting from Russia's aggression against Ukraine.

9:18pm: US authorizes additional military support for Ukraine

The United States is allocating more military aid for Ukraine to thwart the Russian invasion. As per the US State Department, a new package worth $275 million (approximately €253 million) includes ammunition for the Himars multiple rocket launchers as well as 155 and 105 millimeter caliber artillery ammunition. This represents the fifth batch of aid endorsed by President Joe Biden, following the release of approximately $61 billion (€56.2 billion) from the US Congress for Kiev in April. The aids provided from past batches have already arrived at the frontline, according to reports. The fresh assistance will be delivered "as swiftly as possible" to enable the Ukrainian military to safeguard their nation and safeguard the Ukrainian people. Since the beginning of Russia's aggression against Ukraine more than two years ago, the US has extended more than $50 billion in military aid to Kiev, according to the Pentagon.

8:30pm: Soviet-era practice: Russia compels teenagers to undergo basic military training

Starting from this school year, minors in Russia would be required to take an additional course: "Basic Skills of Life Safety." This seemingly harmless subject prepares them for Russian military training. They learn abilities such as shootings and dressing wounds.

8:05pm: "Ground realities": Putin sets terms for Ukraine talks

Almost two and a half years following the beginning of Russia's aggression against Ukraine, Russian President Vladimir Putin has once more expressed his intent for negotiations – but not based on the return of occupied territories that were annexed illegally according to international law. During a Belarusian visit, Putin acknowledged the need to revert to negotiations, adding, "Not on terms desired by one side, but (...) on the basis of today's realities that have transpired on the ground" (see also entry from 12:22pm). Russia publicly waged war on Ukraine in February 2022 and currently holds roughly 1/5th of this neighboring country. Ukraine persistently mentions the withdrawal of Russian troops as a prerequisite for long-lasting peace. You can read about all previous developments here.