Ukrainian prisoners now allowed to undertake military service under new legislation.

9:55 p.m.: Ukrainian inmates granted permission to serve in the military

To boost the number of Ukrainian soldiers, certain prisoners will be enlisted in the armed forces. President Volodymyr Zelensky signed a law that permits individuals to have their sentences suspended and join the army on a temporary contract. Not all prisoners will be allowed to join, however; those convicted of serious offenses are ineligible.

News: Starlink Failure Marked Russian Gains in Kharkiv

Reports indicate that all Starlink devices of a Ukrainian military unit in Kharkiv stopped functioning at the onset of the Russian offensive on May 10th. As revealed by the Washington Post, citing members of the 125th Territorial Defense Brigade, the malfunction unfolded at the same moment that Russian units penetrated the border region. According to these sources, the absence of a satellite communication system hastened the progress of the Russian troops. The Post alleges that Russian electronic jamming systems account for the disruption of Starlink. It's the initial widespread failure of the satellite communications system in Ukraine since the Russian invasion earlier this year.

Explosion at St. Petersburg's Budyonny Military Academy

Per Russian media, an explosion occurred at the Budyonny Military Academy in St. Petersburg. Several outlets, including RIA, have confirmed the incident. Local authorities are reported to have confirmed the blast's occurrence. The Telegram channel Baza claims seven individuals were injured.

Putin's Visit Enforces Extensive Russian-Chinese Military Cooperation

Russian President Vladimir Putin is currently in China, discussing peace efforts in the war against Ukraine and enhancing the relationship between the two powers. Meanwhile, China profits from this alliance. Political scientist Frank Umbach is skeptical: "China has the upper hand."

Dual Bombardment of Kharkiv and Odessa

As Russian missiles targeted Kharkiv today, southern Ukrainian city Odessa also underwent a missile attack. Kharkiv Governor Oleh Kiper reported that the Russian military shelled the city, resulting in one fatality and eight casualties.

Expert: Russia's Objective isn't Kharkiv

Concerns mount as Ukraine struggles with limited ammunition and personnel. Military expert Ralph Thiele warns that the Russians are depleting the Ukrainian front lines. The Russian maneuver, however, does not appear to be focused on Kharkiv but another location.

Germany's Continued Support of Moldova

Despite the ongoing Russian war of aggression in Ukraine, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz has pledged Germany's support for Moldova. Addressing a joint conference with Moldovan President Maia Sandu in Berlin, Scholz emphasized Germany's long-lasting friendship with the republic. He emphasized Moldova's strength in battling Russian attempts to destabilize the country. Sandu commended the German government for its commitment and described it as a "key partner on Moldova's path to stability, democracy, and prosperity."

CNN Crew Witnesses Drones' Deadly Impact in Vovchansk

The sleepy town of Vovchansk in the Kharkiv region has seen constant Russian shelling since the war's outset. CNN documented a scenario wherein drones almost hit a Ukrainian police unit.

Russian Oil Refinery Shuts Down Following Drone Attack

According to two insiders, the Russian oil refinery Tuapse on the Black Sea has ceased operation due to a Ukrainian drone strike. The stoppage followed an incident involving a fire, one individual claimed, adding that the drone attack targeted the liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) production plant but left the crude oil distillation unit unscathed. "No black smoke emerged from the fire. This suggests that only the gas was burning," one of them said. The refinery is expected to resume production soon, the source added. Tass recently announced that the fire has been extinguished, but Rosneft has not yet issued a statement.

5:14 PM Zelensky: Ceasefire at the Olympics is not a feasible plan

Volodymyr Zelensky rules out the possibility of a ceasefire during the Summer Olympics in Paris. He expresses skepticism about the proposal due to uncertainties surrounding its implementation and potential exploitation by Russia to advance its military equipment closer to Ukraine. In an interview with "Ukrajinska Pravda," Zelensky reiterates that a previous ceasefire attempt failed against the Russian adversary and raises questions about who would ensure that their forces don't approach Ukraine during a ceasefire. He cautions that equipment could be moved during this period and subsequently used for an attack. "So I don't understand how this would work," he said.

Meanwhile, in China, Putin criticizes the West for demanding Russia adhere to an Olympic truce despite their own non-compliance with the Olympic spirit by excluding Russian athletes.

1:19 PM "Russia cannot wage war without China's support"

During his state visit to China, Putin shows dependence on China, which has been supplying weapons for Russia's war against Ukraine. However, despite this support, Chinese President Xi Jinping has advocated for a political solution to the conflict. It remains uncertain how committed China is to finding a peaceful resolution.

1:00 PM Missile attack in Kharkiv kills and injures civilians

Russian forces target the city of Kharkiv with a barrage of missiles, resulting in the deaths of two civilians and injuries to thirteen others. Kharkiv Governor Oleh Sinehubov confirmed these figures via a Telegram post.

12:30 PM Putin condemns proposed Swiss peace summit

Criticizing the Swiss-organized peace summit planned for June 15 and 16, Putin views the conference as a tool for exerting pressure on Russia to end the conflict. After concluding his two-day visit to China, Putin claims that this meeting demands Russia adhere to specific conditions and that Russia is ignored at the summit despite its requests to participate.

12:00 PM Bodycam videos reveal intense fighting in Kharkiv region

Ukrainian soldiers release footage from Vovchansk, a city experiencing heavy battles, indicating the defense is holding. NATO also believes Russia is currently unable to achieve significant gains in this region.

11:30 AM EU sanctions pro-Russian outlet Voice of Europe, three Russian media stations

The European Union imposes sanctions against the pro-Russian platform Voice of Europe and three Russian media outlets. These measures restrict their availability across the EU.

11:00 AM Putin labels Western sanctions "stupid, illogical decisions"

At a meeting with Russian state media in China, Putin rebukes the Western sanctions as market disruptions that damage the global economy. He stated, "These decisions are not market-oriented, absolutely stupid and have no prospects," also mentioning that the United States is weakening the dollar by imposing these penalties. Putin contradicted claims linking the sanctions to Russian aggression in Ukraine, stating that the goal was competitive advantage rather than resolving the conflict.

10:45 AM Putin seeks additional energy pipeline to China

Russia and China aim to expand their energy partnership. Both nations expressed interest in constructing the Power of Siberia 2 gas pipeline, which will transport Russian gas to China. Putin anticipates that an agreement on the pipeline's route will be reached by involved companies. Additionally, they are considering building an oil pipeline "in the same corridor."

10:20 AM Putin: No immediate plans to take over Kharkiv

According to Putin, there are no immediate intentions of taking over the city of Kharkiv which has faced relentless attacks from Russian forces. He explains that Russia is establishing a buffer zone in this area due to heavy shelling on the Russian region of Belgorod. Some experts suspect this is merely a cover for annexing the Kharkiv region.

10:00 AM Beijing's stance on Putin "largely diplomatic"

Though China presents a polite façade towards Putin publicly, political scientist Thomas Jäger speculates that China's approach may be more forceful in private conversations. He believes Russia's reliance on China complicates matters, and the situation may be different behind closed doors.

12:28 Putin intends to give China more energy

During his trip to China, Putin suggests increasing Russia's energy supply to its neighboring country. "Russia is prepared and capable of continuously and dependably providing China with environmentally friendly, affordable energy, electricity, and heat," said the Russian leader at the start of a Russian-Chinese trade event in the enormous city of Harbin. He believed that the strategic partnership in the energy sector would be enhanced even more.

12:14 Satellite images reveal damage to Russian airbase Belbek

For two consecutive days, the Ukrainian army bombarded occupied Crimea and targeted the Belbek airbase. Moscow claims that five ATACMS were intercepted totally. Aerial shots now show traces of fire and damaged fighter jets:

11:57 Munz identifies cracks in the partnership between Russia and China

Russian media mention a 30-page agreement with China. Still, some cracks exist, claims ntv journalist Rainer Munz, for example due to Beijing's possible involvement in the Swiss peace talks - or because China doesn't want to become reliant on Russian raw materials:

11:34 Ukraine states Russia has extended its combat area by 70 kilometers

According to Ukrainian army leader Oleksandr Syrskyi, Russian troops have expanded their active combat area by almost 70 kilometers with their assault on the Kharkiv region. Russia had initiated the offensive to force Ukraine to deploy additional reserve brigades. He predicts the fighting will intensify as the troops in Kiev get ready to defend in the Sumy region.

11:15 Video shows aftermath of intense Russian attacks

Ukraine reports several attacks on Russian territory, including a drone strike on an oil refinery in Tuapse along the Krasnodar coast. In total, Russia claims to have thwarted over 100 Ukrainian drones during the night:

10:31 Baerbock demands weapons for longer-range attacks

In light of the situation in Kharkiv, Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock is calling for more weapons that can reach greater distances. The situation in Kharkiv is "extremely dramatic," Baerbock said on the sidelines of a meeting of the Council of Europe's foreign ministers. Since Russia is attacking the city from its own territory, Ukrainian air defense can't take effect. Ukraine also requires "weaponry capable of medium and long-range attacks," the minister emphasized. Kharkiv is about 40 kilometers from the Russian border.

10:02 Putin and Xi embrace farewell

Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President and Party Chief Xi Jinping concluded their talks in China with a friendly gesture. In Beijing on Thursday evening, Putin and Xi first shook hands, and shortly afterward, they embraced each other goodbye, as seen on a video from state broadcaster CCTV. Today, Putin continues his two-day state visit to the northern Chinese city of Harbin.

09:26 Ukraine reports four explosions in Kharkiv

Ukraine reports having shot down all 20 drones targeted at the country by Russia throughout the night. The military reported the shootings in the regions of Kharkiv, Poltava, Vinnytsia, Odessa, and Mykolaiv. In Kharkiv, four explosions took place during the incident, writes the city's mayor, Ihor Terekhov. A fire erupted during one of the explosions. Five buildings were damaged, according to the regional governor, including an administrative building.

09:02 ntv reporter: "Russians are getting closer to the city limits of Kharkiv"

The situation in Kharkiv is highly tense. Ukraine can now maintain the military situation at the city limits, but the "Russians have also managed to stabilize their position" and are roughly 30 kilometers away from Kharkiv, reports ntv reporter Jürgen Weichert:

08:34 Russia confirms two casualties in Belgorod region

According to the officials, two individuals were killed in Russia during the night's heavy Ukrainian drone assault. A mother and her four-year-old kid were killed by a combat drone in the village of Oktyabrsky in the border region of Belgorod, according to Governor Vyacheslav Gladkov.

08:06 Russia discloses attack on Sevastopol in Crimea

In accordance with the Russian Ministry of Defense, the city of Sevastopol in Crimea was under attack during the night. According to the local governor, a substation was damaged. "Temporary power outages will occur." In view of the situation, schools and kindergartens remained closed. Sevastopol is the port of the Russian Black Sea Fleet. Russia annexed Crimea in 2014 in violation of international law.

07:42 Rumors of an attack on the Black Sea Fleet port

Videos of an alleged massive Ukrainian drone attack on the Black Sea Fleet port of Novorossiysk are circulating. The Russian state news agency RIA reports missile assaults in the area, but it doesn't mention the port.

In Moscow, 100+ Ukrainian drones were intercepted during the night. The Russian Ministry of Defense reported that 51 drones were caught over the annexed Crimean peninsula, 44 in the Krasnodar region, six in the Belgorod region, and one more in the Kursk region. In the Black Sea, six naval drones were also destroyed. The nightly shelling from Russia has prompted Ukraine to increase attacks on Russian territory, regularly targeting energy facilities.

In Crimea, three fighter jets - two MiG-31s and one Su-27 - were completely destroyed, and a MiG-29 sustained damage in the Ukrainian attacks on the Russian military airfield Belbek. After analyzing satellite images from Maxar, the "New York Times" revealed these attacks occurred at the Belbek airbase for the second night in a row. It was also revealed that a fuel depot was destroyed during the attacks.

Reports are emerging of a new drone attack on a Russian oil refinery. Videos circulate suggesting an attack on a plant in Tuapse on the Black Sea. Local authorities later confirmed the fire and stated that it had been successfully contained.

President Vladimir Putin will emphasize trade near the Russian border in northeastern China after signing a strategic partnership with Chinese President Xi Jinping. Putin ends his visit to China in Harbin, Heilongjiang province, where there have been long-standing trade and cultural ties with Russia.

The Russian Foreign Ministry has declared British military attaché Adrian Coghill persona non grata and ordered him to leave the country within a week. This decision comes in retaliation after the UK expelled the Russian military attaché, who was believed to be an undeclared intelligence agent, on May 8.

NATO members are discussing sending military trainers to Ukraine to help train troops and repair equipment. Ukraine is asking the United States and other NATO countries for assistance in training 150,000 troops near the front line. However, the US is hesitant due to concerns about putting trainers at risk, which could potentially spark the NATO collective defense clause. Other NATO countries like the UK, Germany, and France are considering sending defense contractors instead.

Japan's Finance Minister, Shunichi Suzuki, commented on the US proposal to use the interest from frozen Russian assets for Ukraine. He emphasized the need for discussions to be adhering to international law. The Japanese government plans to participate in the G7 meeting with this perspective in mind.

Kim Yo Jong, Kim Jong Un's sister, denied any arms deal with Russia. According to the state news agency KCNA, Kim stated that North Korean weapons were not intended for export, but rather for defense purposes against South Korea. The alleged arms deal with Russia was labeled as an "absurd theory" of prejudice and fabrication. North Korea and Russia both deny the accusations.

The air raid alert in Kharkiv, Ukraine's second-largest city, has been lifted in most areas. At least five drones had attacked Kharkiv, causing the alert to last more than 16 hours - the longest since the Russian invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. Regional governor Oleh Synyehubov announced that multiple drones had targeted Kharkiv, resulting in a fire. Despite the ongoing conflict in the region, a district in the city was left unharmed.

The US government considers Beijing's support for Moscow as an obstacle in any attempts to improve relations with the West. State Department spokesman Vedant Patel stated that "China cannot dance at two weddings at the same time," referring to letting the Russian war of aggression against Ukraine hinders better relations with Europe and other countries.

But, the "New York Times" reports that NATO members are contemplating sending military trainers or contractors to Ukraine to train troops and repair equipment. Ukraine has solicited help from the US and other NATO countries to train 150,000 soldiers. As a precautionary measure, some officials suggest continuing to train Ukrainian recruits in Germany and Poland. Logistical challenges in transporting a high number of soldiers pose a problem. The UK, Germany, and France are considering sending defense contractors instead.

Japan's Finance Minister, Shunichi Suzuki, commented on the US proposal to utilize the interest from frozen Russian assets to assist Ukraine. Focusing on the importance of international law, Suzuki stated that Japan would participate in the upcoming G7 meeting with this perspective in mind.

In stark contrast, Kim Yo Jong, Kim Jong Un's sister, dismissed the idea of any arms deal with Russia. Denying that North Korean firearms were made for export, she argued they were intended for self-defense against South Korea. Kim condemned the rumored trade as an "absurd theory" full of prejudice and fabrication. The US and South Korea charged North Korea with facilitating the supply of arms to Russia for use against Ukraine. Both Russia and North Korea maintained their innocence.

Air raid alerts in Kharkiv, Ukraine's second-largest city, were lifted in most regions. A drone attack on the city had sparked the alert, which lasted for over 16 hours - the longest such alert since the Russian invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. Regional governor Oleh Synyehubov revealed that multiple drones had targeted the city, which caused a fire in one district.

While diplomatic discussions continue on various fronts, tensions and conflicts remain a fact of life between Russia and Ukraine. Significant actions are being taken by all parties involved, each seemingly prompted by the other, further straining relations between them. Nonetheless, initiatives from NATO countries show a concerted effort to provide aid to Ukraine during these tumultuous times.

As international affairs continue to evolve, countries worldwide are grappling with the consequences of these actions. Stay informed on the latest developments and up-to-date information as events unfold on the global stage.

Update at 7 a.m.: Local authorities in Kharkiv's Tuapse plant confirmed that a fire had broken out at the facility. Thankfully, the situation was brought under control.

Following the sealing of a strategic partnership between Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping, the United States pointed to Chinese support for Russia as an impediment to improved relations between China and the West. According to State Department spokesman Vedant Patel, Beijing cannot maintain both good relations with Europe and other countries, as well as support Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine.

Some NATO member countries are considering sending military trainers or contractors to Ukraine, in the hopes of assisting with training their 150,000 troops. However, the US remains cautious due to the potential risks involving foreign military in the conflict. Officials from the UK, Germany, and France are weighing the possibility of deploying defense contractors to Ukraine instead, while the White House reconsiders previous bans on US defense contractors operating in Ukraine.

President Volodymyr Zelensky of Ukraine sounds the alarm over potential threats to Europe due to Russian missile assaults on his country's gas distribution network. Zelensky shared his concerns in a video message with Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk. He emphasized that these attacks could endanger not only Ukraine but also its neighbors. Zelensky urged joint efforts to address this issue.

In a separate instance, Yuri Boyko, who serves as advisor to the Ukrainian Prime Minister and a member of the supervisory board at Ukrenerho, predicts that power outages in Ukraine could persist for months. This is mainly because of the extensive damage inflicted on power plants and substations throughout the country. While power restorations might not occur until August or September, regional power shutdowns are scheduled for Thursday to conserve electricity. Kiev's streets also experience blackouts. Boyko attributes the power grid's severe damage to Russia's missile attacks.

To review all previous developments, check this out