20:09: Adeyemo, U.S. Deputy Treasury Secretary, issues a warning to China over potential support for Russia.

Adeyemo, US Deputy Treasury Secretary, cautions China about financing Russia.

Deputy US Treasury Secretary Wally Adeyemo has warned China about the repercussions of backing Russia. China has denied offering military aid to Russia during its massive assault on Ukraine. Meanwhile, the US has accused China of providing secret support to Russia in its Ukraine conflict, describing the actions as "destabilizing in the heart of Europe." Upon his visit to Kyiv two days earlier, Adeyemo stressed that China must pick between keeping economic relationships with the West and standing with Russia. "Chinese enterprises can either do business in our economies or furnish Russia's war machines with dual-use items. They can't accomplish both," Adeyemo said.

19:37 Ukrainian Foreign Ministry Refutes "Anti-Ukrainian" Remarks by Georgian Prime Minister

The Ukrainian Foreign Ministry repudiates the "anti-Ukrainian" comments rendered by Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobachidze. "The comments from the Georgian Prime Minister regarding our state (Euromaidan), the courage and the fight of the Ukrainian people for freedom and sovereignty are unacceptable and disturbing," stated the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry. In the midst of a new bridge's inauguration in Tbilisi on May 30th, Kobachidze asserted that the Georgian dream wouldn't permit a "Maidan" to occur in Georgia. Kobachidze alluded to the Euromaidan Revolution in Ukraine in 2014, which culminated in more than 100 protestors killed by security forces and saw the flight of pro-Russian President Viktor Yanukovych from the nation. Various international organizations, including the Organization for Security and Co-Operation in Europe (OSCE), have determined that Ukraine's presidential elections in 2014 and 2019 were fair and that fundamental rights were, for the most part, observed.

19:00 Soaring Electricity Tariffs due to Russian Assaults in Ukraine

Ukraine has substantially increased electricity tariffs due to Russian attacks on its power plants. "The aim is to ensure we don't run out of power and maintain the system," explained Energy Minister Herman Haluschtschenko the measure. Significant resources are demanded for repairs to damaged power plants, transformer stations, and high-voltage lines. "Unfortunately, it's plain that the enemy will continue its assault on energy facilities, and we must utilize all available resources," stated the minister.

18:31 Zelenskyy Discusses Increase in Drafted Soldiers

Volodymyr Zelenskyy, President of Ukraine, talked about the increase in conscripted soldiers after the enactment of a new mobilization law in Ukraine at the end of May. The Ukrainian parliament enacted an updated mobilization law in mid-April to expedite the conscription process during the ongoing war against Russia. This law simplifies the way to identify suitable draftees and incorporates added sanctions for draftees who fail to enlist. Before the passage of the mobilization law, another regulation was signed by the president, reducing the minimal age for conscription from 27 to 25 years.

18:02 Russia Claims to have Occupied 28 Ukrainian Settlements in May

Russia's military maintains it is making inroads into its campaign against Ukraine. As per statements from Russian Defense Minister Andrei Belousov during a gathering of the Moscow-led Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) in Almaty, Kazakhstan, they have acquired 28 settlements this month. "Through our active actions, we've pushed back the adversary by around eight to nine kilometers at several key points in the Kharkiv region." Since the start of the year, Russia has claimed to have taken control of 880 square kilometers of territory.

17:36 NATO Secretary General Faults China for Supporting Russia

NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg has lambasted China in connection with Russia's aggression against Ukraine. "Without China's backing, Russia wouldn't be capable of initiating war against Ukraine," Stoltenberg said after talks with the foreign ministers of the thirty-two NATO member states. China has been furnishing Russia with a considerable amount of equipment that can be used civilly and militarily. This includes cutting-edge technology and semiconductors. "Without these advanced high-end products, Russia wouldn't have been able to create the rockets, bombs, and jets it has manufactured for the attack on Ukraine," Stoltenberg disclosed.

17:11 Habeck: Ukraine Must Be Able to Thwart Attacks from Russia

According to Vice Chancellor Robert Habeck, Ukraine must be capable of preventing attacks from Russia. In response to Germany's decision to allow the use of its arms against military objectives in Russia, the shelling of Kharkiv originates from Russian territory. "Ukraine doesn't have sufficient defensive weaponry to shield its population." This is also due to the lack of assistance provided by those in support of Ukraine. "It's only logical that Ukraine defends itself and impedes attacks from Russia. Banning this would mean more casualties."

After a report of a possible cyberattack on Poland's state news agency PAP, the country's domestic intelligence service is investigating if it was a targeted Russian effort to spread misinformation before the European elections. Digitalization Minister Krzysztof Gawkowski stated that there are strong indications that this was indeed a Russian-orchestrated cyberattack. In the now-retracted false report, it was widely circulated that Prime Minister Donald Tusk had called for a partial mobilization of 200,000 Poles, comprised of former soldiers and civilians, to be sent to Ukraine.

16:22 Blinken: The situation at the Ukraine front is stabilizing

Antony Blinken, US Secretary of State, claimed that the recent military aid for Ukraine had made a difference. Blinken stated, during a NATO foreign ministers' meeting, that countries like the Netherlands and Germany had promised additional air defense systems to aid Ukraine. He further mentioned that the front in the east and northeast of Ukraine was stabilizing, with Ukraine making significant gains in the Black Sea by pushing back the Russian fleet.

15:53 75 prisoners exchanged between Russia and Ukraine

Both Russia and Ukraine have exchanged a total of 150 prisoners. According to their respective statements, each side handed over 75 prisoners. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy confirmed this on his online networks, mentioning that 75 more Ukrainians had returned home. The Russian Defense Ministry also shared the news, stating that 75 Russian soldiers were brought back from the Kiev-controlled area.

15:29 Green Faction Leader supports Ukraine's right to self-defense

The leader of the Green Faction, Britta Haßelmann, highlighted that Ukraine had the right to defend itself against the ongoing Russian aggression. She referred to the decision of the German government to allow the use of weapons supplied from Germany against military targets in Russia.

15:02 Selenskyj: Ukraine may use Western weapons on Russian territory soon

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Selenskyj expressed his belief that a Ukrainian attack on Russia using Western weapons was only a matter of time. He said this during a press conference in Stockholm.

14:35 Steven Seagal receives an award from Vladimir Putin

Steven Seagal, the American actor, received an award from none other than Russian President Vladimir Putin. Seagal, who holds Russian citizenship, serves as Moscow's special envoy for relations with the United States.

14:16 The German military has all its IRIS-T missiles

The German Defense Ministry denied a media report that a Bundeswehr IRIS-T missile was missing. "No guided missile is missing," the spokesperson responded, affirming that none of the systems had gone astray. The IRIS-T is an air defense system that Germany has provided to Ukraine. The portal "Business Insider" reported that there was a missing IRIS-T missile of this type, but the Defense Ministry refuted this claim.

13:56 Russia and Ukraine exchange 150 prisoners

After a prolonged hesitation, Russia and Ukraine have exchanged prisoners. The Russian Defense Ministry stated that 75 Russian soldiers, whose lives were in danger, were handed over. In return, the Ukrainian armed forces surrendered 75 prisoners. Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky confirmed the exchange on his Telegram channel, mentioning that regular soldiers, members of the National Guard and Border Guard, as well as four civilians, had been returned. The last time both sides had a larger prisoner exchange was in February.

13:41 China declines participation in Ukraine peace conference

China has declined to participate in the Ukraine peace conference planned by Switzerland. According to the Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman, Mao Ning, the conditions for China's participation are not met. The Chinese government sees a clear gap between the conference plans and their expectations, making it difficult for them to attend. The Chinese concerns have been relayed to the involved parties. Diplomatic sources confirmed that China had refused to join the upcoming meeting. Mao noted that the three elements China desires - acceptance by both Russia and Ukraine, equal participation of all parties, and a fair discussion of all peace options - seemed unrealistic based on the current setup.

13:21 Scholz urges caution: "Avoiding a massive war should be our priority"

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz urged everyone to be cautious and emphasized the need to "avoid a major war". He said this during a memorial service for German soldiers who lost their lives while serving in peacekeeping missions.

Chancellor Olaf Scholz defended his policy after Germany allowed Ukraine to use their weapons against Russian targets, stating his intention to prevent a major war between Russia and NATO. Scholz asserted that it was crucial to ensure Ukraine's ability to defend its independence and sovereignty while avoiding escalation. He explained that caution is vital in every move to avoid worsening the situation. Coordination with allies is equally important.

13:07: Court extends detention for US journalist Kurmasheva

A court in Russia has extended the pre-trial detention of American journalist Alsu Kurmasheva until early August. Despite her lawyers' appeal for house arrest, the decision was denied. Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (RFE/RL) based in Prague condemned the detention and claimed it was retaliation for Kurmasheva's journalistic work. Kurmasheva has been prevented from leaving Russia for over a year and has been imprisoned since October.

12:43: Medvedev warns West: Nuclear weapons not a bluff

Russia threatens to use nuclear weapons in the ongoing Ukraine war after relaxing the restrictions on the use of Western weapons in the conflict. Dmitry Medvedev, a former president and Putin ally, warned that Russia was not bluffing about the use of tactical nuclear weapons, which are intended for use on the battlefield, not intended to completely destroy the enemy. He warned the West that the conflict could escalate into a total war.

12:18 ntv-reporter Sharma on US weapons: Legitimate military targets in Russian depth

The United States permits Ukraine to use American weapons under certain conditions against targets in Russian territory. This policy is under debate among NATO countries. Reporter Kavita Sharma of ntv reports from Kharkiv on the reactions in Ukraine.

12:01 Pistorius: No new debate on Taurus missiles for Ukraine

Minister of Defense Boris Pistorius justifies the German government's decision to allow the use of German weapons against military targets in Russia as a "strategic adaptation to the changing situation." Pistorius, an SPD politician, stated that the decision is appropriate and consistent with their approach since the beginning of the war in Ukraine. He confirmed that the debate on delivering long-range German missiles of the Taurus type to Ukraine will not be reopened by the government.

11:46: Strack-Zimmermann hopes for renewal of Taurus missile discussion for Ukraine

The outgoing chairwoman of the Bundestag's Defense Committee, FDP politician Marie-Agnes Strack-Zimmermann, hopes that the discussion on whether Germany should provide Ukraine with Taurus missiles will be reignited. While expressing cautious optimism given the rapidly changing situation, she refers to the Russian attacks on the city of Kharkiv and notes that unpredictability is crucial in these times.

11:32 Munz: Kremlin in a dilemma over nuclear threats

Putin has issued threats against Europe and NATO since the start of the war. Despite these warnings, countries continue to provide aid to Ukraine. Munz, an ntv correspondent, suggests that Putin's only remaining option, despite not being a genuine choice, is to use nuclear weapons.

11:19 Zelenskyy: Russian troops mock Ukrainians and "hunt" them

Zelenskyy emphasizes the cruelty of Russian troops, who make fun of Ukrainians and "hunt" them. This highlights the need for further support and solidarity from the West.

The Ukrainian President, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, stated in an interview with the British paper "Guardian" that the delay in President Joe Biden's decision to deploy Western weapons against Russian targets has resulted in Russian troops ridiculing the Ukrainians and "hunting" them. According to Zelenskyy, the White House's hesitance has cost lives.

"I think it's completely illogical that we have weapons and the killers, the terrorists who kill us, on the Russian side. I believe that sometimes they just laugh at this situation," said Zelenskyy. "It's like they're going hunting. Hunting for people. They know we can see them, but we can't reach them."

As for the Hungarian Prime Minister, Viktor Orban, he views that NATO is getting closer to war every week. He perceives NATO's plans to increase involvement in the Ukrainian conflict as irrational and absurd. A NATO operation in Ukraine could potentially trigger a global war, argues Orban. He maintains good relations with the Russian government and has disagreed with Western nations since the onset of the Russian invasion in February 2022. NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg announced to NATO's foreign ministers in a Prague meeting that it's time for member states to reconsider weapon restrictions provided to Ukraine.

Germany has granted Ukraine authorization to use previously supplied weapons against military targets in Russia. A statement from Berlin's spokesperson, Steffen Hebestreit, confirmed this.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is likely to join a security conference in Singapore over the weekend. Authorities told Reuters that Ukraine's support would be a focal point of the Shangri-La Dialogue, the most significant security conference in Asia. Other attendees include the United States' Defense Secretary, Lloyd Austin, and his Chinese counterpart, Dong Jun. Zelenskyy plans to seek involvement in their Switzerland-sponsored international conference focused on ending the war. Zelenskyy accuses Russia of obstructing other countries' participation.

China is advocating for a peace conference with both Russia and Ukraine participating. Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning considers these demands reasonable and neutral, assuring no specific target is involved. Reports indicate that China will not be present at the mid-June Ukraine peace conference in Switzerland. The conference was organized upon Ukraine's invitation, and while Russia was not invited, it has stated that it will not participate.

Russian Defense Minister Andrei Belousov reports that Ukrainian troops have retreated 8-9 kilometers in crucial areas in the Kharkiv region, northeastern Ukraine. The Russian military has seized more than 28 settlements in Ukraine this year, expanding this year a total area of 880 square kilometers.

Energy facilities in the Ukrainian capital, Kyiv, were hit by a Russian rocket attack. DTEK, the energy company, confirmed the destruction of a power plant and damage to the grid in the Holosiyivskyi district. Some private residences remain without power. The Russian military attacked with drones and ballistic short-range missiles of the type Iskander, according to the Ukrainian Air Force.

The General Staff of the Ukrainian Armed Forces reports that Ukrainian forces targeted an oil depot in the Russian Black Sea port of Kavkaz. The depot was damaged by multiple Neptune missiles of Ukrainian origin. Further details on the extent of the damage are unavailable at this time. Additionally, Ukrainian forces attacked two ships near the Kerch Bridge. The port of Kavkaz is situated on Tuzla Island, near the city of Kerch on the Ukrainian Crimean peninsula, which Russia has occupied.

NATO's Jens Stoltenberg believes the US's decision to permit limited assaults on Russian targets by Ukraine does not amplify the risk of escalation. He remarked at the sidelines of the NATO Foreign Ministers Meeting in Prague, "Russia itself escalates by attacking another country," adding that the same holds true for the Kharkiv area attack. Stoltenberg applied more pressure on Germany and other countries to grant attacks using weapons they supplied. "Ukraine has the right to self-defense, and that includes the right to attack legitimate military targets in Russia," he affirmed. This is especially significant given the recent conflicts in the Kharkiv region near the Russian border.

Ukraine successfully intercepted four Russian Shahed attack drones and one Iskander-K cruise missile during the night. According to the commander of the Ukrainian Air Force, Mykola Oleschtschuk, air defense missile units and mobile artillery destroyed the drones in regions like Kyiv, Zaporizhzhia, and Dnipropetrovsk.

The civilian casualties in Kharkiv due to a Russian rocket attack rose to four, with 25 additional injuries reported. Oleh Syniehubov, the governor of the Kharkiv region, confirmed this on Telegram. He added, "Unfortunately, another body was found in the wreckage. The death toll is currently at four."

As per the Ukrainian Defense Ministry, they've inflicted 1390 casualties on the Russian side, with 18 more tanks (7728) lost. Since the war's start, Ukraine claims nearly 507,650 Russian soldiers have been incapacitated. Additionally, Ukrainian forces count 15,000 armored vehicles and about 10,500 drones taken or destroyed from the Russian military.

Following a Ukrainian air raid on oil facilities in the southern Russian region of Krasnodar, two people sustained injuries. Krasnodar's Governor Veniamin Kondratyev shared this news on Telegram. The depot suffered damage from debris, which caused a fire. The Russian Defense Ministry confirmed their air defense systems downed five rockets and 29 drones fired by Ukraine at the area. More drone attacks were reported in Voronezh, Belgorod, and Tambov regions.

Reports from the Russian-held Crimea suggest explosions overnight. The Crimean Wind Telegram channel shared the news along with the Ukrainian news agency Ukrinform. The post claimed, "There are again explosions in Port Kavkaz, residents of Kerch have heard eight to ten explosions," as well as mentioning a fire at an oil depot in the port. Earlier, reports of a massive fire in the port surfaced. According to the Ukrainian General Staff, two ferries from Kerch were struck by ATACMS missiles.

Debris analysis conducted by the US military revealed Russia's usage of North Korean rockets in Ukraine. The Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA) released a statement, "The analysis confirms that Russia is using North Korean-made ballistic missiles in its war against Ukraine. North Korean missile remnants were found throughout Ukraine."

Utilizing Chinese assistance is viewed as a threat to European security by the US government. Patel, the US State Department's deputy spokesperson, said at a press conference, "China's support for Russia not only threatens Ukraine but also European security." On the previous day, the US accused the Chinese leadership of assisting Russia's invasion and threatened more sanctions. "If China does not restrict its support for the Russian arms industry, the US is prepared to institute further measures," concluded Patel.

At night, Russia launches rockets from Belgorod towards Kharkiv. Local authorities report five hits in the city, one of which caused damage to a five-story residential building. Ukrayinska Pravda, a Ukrainian news outlet, claims that 20 residential buildings were damaged. Tragically, three people lost their lives, while 16 others were injured. The injured list includes two children.

01:46 SPD politician advocates for Western weapons against Russian targets

SPD foreign policy spokesperson Nils Schmid suggests removing the restriction on targets on Russian territory, allowing Ukraine to utilize Western weapons against Russian military targets. He emphasizes the need for NATO allies to make this decision collectively.

00:06 Scholz rejects deployment of German soldiers, no-fly zone

Chancellor Olaf Scholz firmly declines the proposal to send German soldiers to Ukraine or establish a no-fly zone. In an interaction with the "Thuringian General" at a reader's meeting in Erfurt, he expressed his stance: "We don't want our soldiers there." He additionally dismissed the suggestion of a no-fly zone, remarking that "this would mean that you'd have to shoot down planes of another nation with your own planes. Then you're at war." It is crucial to prevent conflict between NATO and Russia. This stance aligns with both US President Joe Biden and French President Emmanuel Macron.

22:25 Reports: Biden approves use of US weapons in Russia, within limits

It seems that the United States is now permitting Ukraine to use US weapons against Russia, although only within the vicinity of Kharkiv. This information comes courtesy of a US government representative. It represents a shift in stance from President Biden, who had previously refused to allow the use of US weapons for operations within Russia. The US still requires that Ukraine refrains from employing land-based long-range missiles and other ammunition for offensives within Russia, according to US government sources.

22:06 Ukrainian Liut Brigade showcases street combat in Vovchansk

The Liut Brigade, a police unit within the Ukrainian armed forces, is presently defending the city of Vovchansk, situated in Kharkiv's border region, in conjunction with other troops. The brigade has published a video it claims shows street battles within the city. According to the Liut Brigade, the footage features soldiers from the Storm Regiment Tsunami impeding Russian soldiers' attempts to seize a building.