Residents stunned following lethal missile assaults on Kharkiv city.

9:27 Following lethal rocket strikes on Kharkiv: locals stunned

One of the cities experiencing nonstop bombing since the start of the Ukraine war is Kharkiv. The latest air raids on what should be a recreational spot have got the population frightened. Some residents are even taking care of the injured and deceased by themselves. And there's news about fresh military assistance.

21:01 Latvian Foreign Minister Runs Half-Marathon for Ukraine Drones: Baiba Braže, the Latvian Foreign Minister, participated in Riga Marathon to collect donations towards drones for Ukraine. She finished the half-marathon of 21 kilometers and shared the news on Twitter. Braže's first-time half-marathon attempt raised nearly 10,000 euros. She expressed gratitude to everyone for their support and mentioned that around 34,000 people participated in the event. Braže ran with the number 815, representing the 815 days Ukraine has been defending itself against Russia's offensive.

20:15 Zelenskyj: Russian Military Misses Targets: Per Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyj, the recent Russian military assault in northeastern Ukraine missed its objective. He claimed in his evening speech that the enemy is not succeeding in overstretching Ukraine's forces, thereby weakening it on a broader scale from Kharkiv to the Donetsk region. The Ukrainian military leadership indicates that the Russian offensive in the Kharkiv area has now pulled to a halt. The intense Russian attacks in the southern Donetsk region near Chasiv Yar are also being held back by the Ukrainian troops. However, Kharkiv and other Ukrainian cities continue to come under Russian fire. "The brutal Russian shelling and daily rocket and glide bomb attacks are still going on," Zelenskyj stated. The Ukrainian military, so far, has been unsuccessful in defending against the glide bombs, which are dropped and guided by Russian fighter jets from a distance onto their targets (see entry 09:35).

19:37 Governor: At Least 13 Injured by Ukrainian Attacks in Belgorod: At least 13 people were hurt, and residential buildings damaged by Ukrainian shelling in the southern Russian region of Belgorod, according to Governor Vyacheslav Gladkov. He stated on Telegram that Shchekino was hit by multiple rocket launchers. Ten individuals suffered injuries, consisting of three children, and another two people were hurt in the nearby village of Rzhevka.

19:04 Zelenskyj: Russia Terrors Towns and Villages; Kills Ordinary People: In response to the Russian attacks on the eastern Ukrainian region of Kharkiv (see entries 16:55 and 15:00), Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyj accuses Russia of terrorizing towns, villages, and killing ordinary people. As per the reports, at least 11 civilians were killed, and many more were injured. Police reports suggest that the pattern of Russian troops shelling the same area 20 minutes after an initial attack puts rescue workers at risk as well. It is stated that the injured included a paramedic and a policeman who had arrived to assist the victims of the initial attack.

18:22 Zelenskyj Requests Patriots for Kharkiv: As the city of Kharkiv in eastern Ukraine continues to suffer Russian attacks, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyj has requested the international community for help. He needs two Patriot air defense systems to provide protection to the city's residents. Zelenskyj appeals, "The world can stop Russian terror, but the lack of political will by prominent politicians must be overcome." Two patriot systems, he believes, would considerably alter the situation. The Kharkiv area, a neighboring region of Russia, has been subjected to heavy shelling for weeks. A month ago, NATO declared its intentions to reinforce Ukraine's air defenses. According to their plan, they would either support Ukraine with air defense systems or contribute to the cost of purchasing them. At that time, Zelenskyj had deemed Ukraine would require at least seven Patriot systems or comparable weapons to adequately shield the country from further Russian attacks.

18:09 Russian Drone Injures Family in Kherson: In Beryslav, the Kherson region, a family received injuries from an explosive dropped by a Russian drone. The local military administration released a report via Telegram that stated three injured individuals were hospitalized, a 21-year-old man and two women aged 42 and 71. Their medical condition was assessed as moderate. In addition, two other residents sustained injuries due to mine impacts and bruises caused by the drone. Listed among the victims was a 59-year-old man who had suffered a back injury. All victims are getting the necessary medical treatment, the statement reported.

5:28 pm Ukraine: Russian minesweeper sunk

The Ukrainian military claims to have sunk a Russian warship. They shared a picture on Telegram illustrating the sinking of the minesweeper "Kovrovets" of the Russian Black Sea Fleet with a red cross over the image. The caption reads, "The Ukrainian navy, together with its brothers in arms, is marching us closer to victory." The Ukrainians failed to specify the details of how and where the "Kovrovets" was sunk. Ships of this type have a crew of 70. The claim about the sinking could not be independently verified.

4:55 pm Attack in recreational area: number of victims updated

According to the Ukrainian administration, at least 6 individuals were killed and 27 more were injured in a Russian missile attack on a leisure area near the eastern Ukrainian city of Kharkiv. Earlier, it was reported that 5 people were slain with 25 injuries (see entry at 3:00 pm) .

4:15 pm London sees Moscow's offensive on Kharkiv as a wake-up call

Russia's offensive on the Kharkiv region should be a wake-up call, the UK's Defense Secretary Ben Wallace mentioned in his Platform X article.

Wallace wrote that nations should accelerate their aid. The UK provided a million rounds of ammunition, drones, and air defense missiles to aid the conflict zone's front line. Ukraine has been combating Russian aggression for the third consecutive year. President Vladimir Putin is "bluffing in many ways during this war by converting the entire economy to a war footing, which is not sustainable for Russia over the years it could maintain it," Wallace told the British broadcaster BBC. The Western world should not relent. Additionally, Wallace stressed that the British government has no desire for a direct confrontation with Russia but is committed to providing weapons and training.

3:38 pm Use of provided weapons in Crimea: British minister pressures Germany

UK Defense Secretary Ben Wallace is urging other countries to allow Ukraine to target Russian-occupied Crimean Peninsula locations with the weapons they supply. "These weapons can be and should be utilized in the whole of Ukraine, including Crimea," Wallace expressed to the British broadcaster BBC. He was asked about whether Ukraine should also be allowed to use British weapons to target Russia itself. "But we are providing Ukraine with our weapons so they can protect their nation," Wallace replied ambiguously. "However, we are providing Ukraine with our weapons, so they can defend themselves." The question beforehand was whether nations would permit their weapons to be deployed in Crimea. Wallace called on all partners capable of providing equipment with a longer range to allow it to be utilised in Crimea, specifically naming Germany during an interview with Sky News.

3:00 pm Kharkiv mayor: "Terror against peaceful residents"

Mayor of the eastern Ukrainian city of Kharkiv, Ihor Terekhov, describes the Russian missile attacks on a recreational area near to the city as "terror against innocent civilians, against our right to life, against everything human and just". According to local authorities, 10 people were slain in recent Russian airstrikes in the Kharkiv region – including a pregnant woman. 25 people were injured. In the afternoon, 5 civilians were killed and 9 injured in the Kupjansk district, outlined Governor Oleh Synjehubow through Telegram. The Russian forces assaulted two villages in the area. Before, 5 fatalities and 16 injuries were reported from Kharkiv city itself (see entry at 1:23 pm) . Ukrainian media published images of unidentifiable bodies on the ground. The reported Israeli citizens were resting there on Sunday when the missiles hit. The Ukrainian General Staff reported an escalation of hostilities in the region. According to the statement, Russia substantially increased its attacks. Media sources indicated that thousands of people were evacuated to safety. Techerov called on individuals to exercise caution.

14:38 Ukraine and Russia share details of their drone clashes last night

Russia claims to have taken down close to 60 drones and various missiles within their borders on Sunday evening. Meanwhile, the Ukrainian air force reports the successful elimination of 37 Russian drones that targeted their country. The Russian Defense Ministry details that 57 Ukrainian-operated drones were shot down in Krasnodar, a southern Russian area. Objects from the drones hit a Slavyansk-na-Kubani oil refinery, but no fire or damage occurred. A further nine missiles and another drone were destroyed over the occupied Crimea. Three drones were downed in the Belgorod region, one of which was adjacent to Ukraine. Roughly 10 people were harmed in the Belgorod region when a church roof caught fire, although no casualties were recorded. Vladimir Saldo, the Russiain-appointed leader of partially-occupied Ukrainian Kherson, alerts the public to the death of an individual and injury of sixteen others when a Ukrainian drone hit a minibus that morning. In neighboring Kharkiv, which has undergone a recent Russian offensive, one person was killed and six more were injured from while shelling the day prior. Later in the day, Saldo informs the public of four fatalities and fifteen hurt in a Russian assault on Kharkiv's outskirts.

14:00 Zelensky urges acquisition of air defense systems

Ukraine's president, Zelensky, has generalized his sympathy to the loved ones of those who lost their lives due to the Russian missile strikes that commenced Sunday. "Russian terror continues relentlessly. Rockets, bombs, and shelling were reported from practically every hour. The only thing that gives Russia license to carry out its aggression is their ability to instill fear and kill regular citizens," Zelensky explained. The leader believes the global community can quell the Russian terrorcrime. "All that is needed is to overcome the indifference and ineffectiveness of global leaders," he stated, summarizing his thoughts. "The timely installment of two Patriot air defense systems in Kharkiv would profoundly alter the situation. Distributing more air defense systems to other cities and providing extra support for those on the frontlines will facilitate the ultimate demise of Russian terror."

13:23 Casualties from Kharkiv region's Russian missile attacks revealed

The Kharkiv region's mayor, Ihor Terekhov, has referenced updates regarding the individuals killed or injured as a consequence of Russian assaults. Since the second strike occurred approximately twenty minutes after the first impact, it is theorized that this is a 'double-tap tactic', intended to eliminate rescue workers during the aftermath of the first strike. "Another two fatalities and minus eighteen injuries were reported after the second strike on the recreation center." As per local police, a girl, who was seven months pregnant, was also among the murdered. Terekhov also stated that an emergency paramedic was part of the wounded population, and that two more individuals were killed by Russian aggression in the Kharkiv region at the villages of Novosynove and Kivsharivka, where three more people experienced wounds.

13:07 Additional attacks by Ukraine revealed, as reported by Ukraine

Ukraine's national news agency, RBC, divulged an overnight attack that targeted Kushchevsk, a Ukrainian military airbase, as well as an oil depot in the Leningrad area, close to St. Petersburg. The Ukrainian Air Force allegedly led these attacks. According to this information, the military installation had between 100-200 figures on site. Ukraine had previously shared that it had attempted an attack on Kushchevsk in April.

12:41 Moscow offers new figures on Ukraine's attacks

The Russian Ministry of Defense relayed more precise statistics than their previous communications, indicating that Ukraine's airstrike against Russia in the previous day was far more extensive than originally disclosed. The Russian air defense net shot down 103 Ukrainian drones and twelve ATACMS missiles, which were given to Ukraine by the US in the prior 24 hours. This is a larger figure than previously acknowledged-- initially, Moscow mentioned that Ukraine had dispatched nine ATACMS missiles to the annexed Crimean Peninsula, and had targeted Russian regions with around 60 drones.

11:57 Death toll rises to four in Kharkiv

A Ukrainian police officer and a war crimes prosecutor inspect fragments of a glide bomb in front of a damaged house after a Russian airstrike on a residential neighborhood in the eastern Ukrainian city of Kharkiv.

The death toll associated with Russian airstrikes on Kharkiv has increased, with Ukrinform issuing a fresh report of four people deceased. The "double-tap" assault on a leisure park is a commonly employed tactic to fatally wound personnel who rush in to provide aid after initial strikes.

10:57 Russian troops halt their Kharkiv advanceThe Russian military paused its progress toward Kharkiv as per a statement released by the Ukrainian General Staff on Saturday. According to the statement, the Russian military had not executed active operations toward Kharkiv. Instead, their actions were focused on bolstering their defenses, replacing reserves, monitoring enemy actions, and maintaining fire control.

10:33 Aerial alert declared in eastern Ukraine regionsTelegram messages from several Ukrainian media sources declared an aerial alert across the east of the country. Ukrajinska Pravda reported a flying Russian missile approaching Kyiv.

10:10 Sunken minesweeper: Ukraine reportsAccording to a report by the Ukrainian Navy's press service, a Russian minesweeper was sunk during the night. The "Kovrovets," a "Project 266M" vessel built in 1974, was targeted, as stated in a Facebook post accompanied by an image of a marked-out version of the vessel.

10:05 Taller drones and more ammunitionThe six drones discovered at a southern Russian refinery were loaded with steel balls, as stated in a Tass quote of the refinery's head in Krasnodar. These drones were larger in size and carried heavier payloads than previous ones, compared to the steel balls found at the scene. They had been specially designed with steel balls for destruction. The refinery had ceased operations while damage assessments were conducted, and the Russian Ministry of Defense confirmed the loss of 57 Ukrainian drones.

09:17 Mobilization: Every fit man is required to reportUkraine's recently enacted law mandates that every suitable male soldier report. While drones, missiles, and glide bombs are being employed in the latest round of attacks, justifying the mobilization law, Ukrainian authorities are grappling with newly assumed responsibilities. Jürgen Weichert, a reporter from ntv, is observing the situation from Kyiv.

08:54 Glide bombs at the forefront of Russian aggressionThe Russian military is utilizing glide bombs in significant numbers, complicating defensive efforts. It's almost impossible for Ukraine to shoot them down, according to Justin Bronk from the Royal United Services Institute. Unless they can down the launching aircraft, which they lack the necessary weaponry for, the Russian military can continue to strike Ukrainian installations.

08:15 Ukraine downs 37 Shahed dronesUkrainian forces successfully defended against a major Russian air assault overnight. The Ukrainian Air Force claimed forty-seven attacking drones from Russia targeted regions including Kiev, Odessa, Mykolaiv, Sumy, Vinnytsia, Zhytomy, Cherkasy, and Kherson. All drones with Shahed (an Iranian-developed type) designations had been eliminated.

07:40 Russia crippling Ukraine on all frontsDespite American military aid, many Ukrainian front-line units are lacking in ammunition. The Russian military is taking advantage of low troop counts and scant resources to shell several regions.

07:10 Unconfirmed: Russia intercepts nine US missiles in CrimeaThe Russian Ministry of Defense claims to have captured nine US ATACMS missiles over occupied Crimea during the night. Additionally, Russia's Ministry of Defense announced the interception of three drones near the Belgorod region and fifty-seven drones over Krasnodar. These reports have yet to be verified.

06:35 Reported: 1210 Russian casualties on SaturdayThe daily statement released by the Ukrainian Army claimed that the Russian military sustained 1210 casualties on Saturday. The Ukrainian Army additionally claimed that enemy vehicles and tanks had been destroyed, but the accuracy of these claims cannot be independently confirmed.

06:34 Russia intensifies its pursuit of Chassiv Yar takeover
The Russian military has stepped up its efforts to seize the strategic city of Chassiv Yar in the Donetsk region, situated in eastern Ukraine. An analysis by the Institute for the Study of War (ISW) has revealed this. Additionally, ISW asserts that Russia intends to compel Ukraine to withdraw troops near Chassiv Yar through its recent offensive in the Kharkiv region. The Russian army is also persisting in its advancement in Kharkiv.

ISW alludes to a demand put forth by a former Russian president, Medvedev. The ex-president called for a "buffer zone" that would cover the entirety of Ukraine. Medvedev serve as Deputy Head of the Russian Security Council and is a part of Putin's inner circle. ISW interprets his demand as veiled justification for Russia's long-standing desire to subjugate Ukraine.

06:09 Drone crashes into southeastern Russian refinery
The authorities of the Krasnodar region, located in southern Russia, reported that a drone had crashed onto an oil refinery in Slavyansk-na-Kubani. The incident sparked a minor fire. There were no injuries or damages. Ukraine has been attacking Russian refineries for some time.

05:40 Danone completes divestiture from Russia
French dairy corporation Danone concluded the sale of its Russian business to a businessman with ties to Chechnya. This revelation came from the Ukrainian news agency Ukrinform, which also sourced the information from Danone. Danone accepted 17.7 billion roubles (180 million euros) from businessman Mintimer Mingasov's Vamin Tatarstan to oversee the Russian operations.

Insiders hypothesize the true worth to be around 80 billion roubles. In July of last year, Yakub Zakriyev, nephew of Chechen leader Ramzan Kadyrov, was appointed as the new leader of Danone's Russian branch.

04:37 Alleged explosions in Crimea: Heavily defended Sevastopol withstands aerial attack
Explosions have been reported on the Crimean peninsula, which is under Russian control. Sevastopol's air defenses reportedly intercepted a missile bombardment during the night, according to Mikhail Razvozhayev, the Crimean governor appointed by Moscow. The rescue service in Sevastopol noted that there was no damage to civilian infrastructure, a relief shared by Razvozhayev.

03:33 Air defense alerts in almost all parts of Ukraine: Massive drone offensive
Russia is once more perpetrating large-scale drone attacks on Ukraine throughout the night. The Ukrainian Air Force reported that Kiev, Sumy, Vinnytsia, Cherkasy, Mykolaiv, and Odessa endured the drone barrages. Social media users claim to have heard multiple explosions. The news is forthcoming on damage and casualties.

02:20 Kharkiv area: Civilians shot at amid heightened fears
Ukrainian sources suggest that civilians were targeted in two towns in the Kharkiv region during the night. The Ukrainian Prosecutor General's Office is probing the Russian air raid on a residential quarter in the regional capital of Kharkiv as a possible violation of the laws of war. Two civilians sustained injuries, three of whom were adolescents. Moscow continues to maintain that its forces do not deliberately target civilians. Since Russia invaded Ukraine in February 2022, countless deaths and injuries have been inflicted.

01:04 German government seeks substantial military aid increase for Ukraine
Reports suggest that Germany plans to significantly escalate its military assistance to Ukraine this year. The German Ministry of Defense has made clear its need for an additional 3.8 billion euros for supporting Ukraine's military activities, according to "Bild am Sonntag." Over the course of this year, the government has allocated 7.1 billion euros for armed support. This supplemental expenditure is slated for parliamentary examination in June. Christian Lindner's Ministry of Finance has voiced support.

00:05 Ukrainian State: 77 conflicts in 24 hours
The evening report by the Ukrainian General Staff discloses 77 confrontations. Seven of these engagements remain unresolved. The General Staff conveyed its notion that Russian troops are attempting to enhance their tactical situations. The Ukrainian armed forces launched 4 offensives to expel the Russians from positions they hold.

22:25 Ukrainian hero and highly decorated pilot dies in combat
Lieutenant Colonel Denys Vasyliuk, a recipient of the "Order of Valor," was killed during a combat mission, as disclosed on the 831st Tactical Aviation Brigade's Facebook. The decorated pilot, also serving as Chief of Staff of the brigade and deputy commander of an aviation squadron, lost his life "recently" on a mission.

7:57 PM Putin in Cannes: Polish Director Unveils Putin Biopic With AI

Putin's death marks the closing scene of the movie. Filmmaker Patryk Vega, who premiered his Putin biopic at the Cannes Film Festival, discusses his creative process. He reveals that he called Putin asking for his participation in the movie, but admits his statement was made in jest. Vega mostly directs gangster films and shared his amusement with a wide grin. Since the real Putin was unavailable, he opted to create a deep fake rendition of the president using AI.

At first, Vega intended to use authentic footage of Putin, but the resolution was insufficient for a blockbuster presentation. "AI requires high-resolution images to function effectively," he explains. Instead, he invented a technology that integrates AI into the face of a real actor with Putin's stature. "This is the first movie to incorporate this groundbreaking technique," claims Vega. The result is striking, showcasing Putin in his typical posture, seated at opulent desks, and even performing musically while in a hospital bed wetting himself.

7:35 PM: Foreign Affairs Minister Wu: Taiwan's Destiny Connected to the Ukraine War

Taiwan's Foreign Minister Joseph Wu, in an interview with Kyiv Independent, shared how the war between Russia and Ukraine has impacted his country's prospects. He posits the question: "If Russia can assert its control over Ukraine, what's to stop China from attempting to unify Taiwan by force?" He states that Ukraine's conflict acted as a wake-up call for Taiwan and predicts that Taiwan's fate hinges on the outcome of the Ukrainian war. Following the two-year anniversary of the conflict, Wu still believes the future of Taiwan depends on the ongoing war in Ukraine. If Russia successfully invades and conquers Ukraine, all factions agree that China stands a strong possibility of attempting to merge the two Chinas through military might.

You can review all the developments here.