Nearly half of individuals believe a Russian attack on a NATO nation is improbable.

Around 47% of people believe a Russian attack on a NATO country is improbable.

Security professionals in the West predict that a Russian attack on NATO territory could occur in the upcoming years, but Germans find that idea quite implausible. This is indicated by a recently commissioned survey from YouGov for Deutsche Presse-Agentur. The study discovered that 36% of German adults believe it's quite or somewhat likely that the Russian military will assault a NATO Member country by 2030. In contrast, roughly half, or 48%, find this scenario implausible or somewhat implausible. 15% of participants answered that they were unaware of how likely such an incident would be.

15:38 - Navalny posthumously awarded the Dresden Peace PrizeThe deceased Kremlin critic, Alexei Navalny, has been posthumously given the Dresden Peace Prize. Navalny's widow, Julia Nawalnaja, accepted the award on his behalf at the Staatsschauspiel in Dresden. Her husband's devotion to freedom, democracy, and peace was recognized by the award.

14:56 - Collapse of a high-rise structure in Belgorod after bombardment; Moscow launches a terror investigation into UkraineAfter a multi-storey building in the Russian border city of Belgorod partially collapsed because of Ukrainian shelling, as per Russian officials, Russia's highest investigative agency has initiated a criminal investigation into this "terrorist attack." There are casualties and injuries in the debris, according to the spokesperson, but the specifics are not disclosed. At least three people are confirmed dead, several are hurt, and approximately 20 individuals may still be trapped beneath the rubble.

14:35 - Situation in Kharkiv described as "significantly worse"Ukrainian commander-in-chief Olexander Syrskyi stated that the situation in the Kharkiv region has become very difficult due to the recent Russian incursion. "The Kharkiv region's situation has deteriorated greatly in the past week," Syrskyi wrote on Telegram. "Fierce fighting is currently taking place along the border with the Russian Federation." He then stated, "The situation is challenging, but the Ukrainian Defense Forces are making every effort to maintain their defensive lines and positions." Syrskyi also acknowledged that Russian attackers had made "some progress" in specific areas.

14:07 - ISW: New Russian military group with 40-100,000 combatants intensifies pressure on UkraineSever, a new Russian military unit, has reportedly been established and is putting Ukraine under stress, according to a CNN report. George Barros of the Institute for the Study of War in Washington claims that Sever is "an operationally significant group." He guesses that "Russia deployed 60,000 to 100,000 troops for Sever's attack on Kharkiv." Nevertheless, "it still possesses significant combat strength."

13:30 - Kharkiv region governor: 4,000 people evacuatedGovernor of the Kharkiv region, Oleh Synyehubov, reports that 4,000 inhabitants have been evacuated from communities in the region over the past two days due to the dangers posed by the new Russian assault. "We're offering shelter for everyone needing it," Synyehubov stated on Telegram. "70% of the evacuees have a place to stay, mostly with family and friends."

12:59 - Russia claims to have taken several villages and destroyed several helicoptersThe Russian Ministry of Defence has stated that Russian troops have captured four more villages in the north-eastern Ukrainian area of Kharkiv. Hatyshche, Krasne, Morokhovets, and Oliyinykove are currently under Russian control, the ministry declared. Yesterday, the ministry reported capturing five villages. Since the start of the Russian invasion in February 2022, the same region had been under attack briefly before being pushed back by Ukrainian forces. In the Dnipropetrovsk region in southern Ukraine, Russian forces have also destroyed four Ukrainian helicopters and damaged one, the Russian Ministry of Defence maintains.

12:24 "We're aware of the enemy's strategy and respond swiftly to every move they make"

Ukrainian Army Head Sirskyj spoke about the current situation at the front line in a statement, "Our troops are combatting aggressively. The opponents' attempts to breach our defensive line have been thwarted. Our intelligence, artillery, and drones are all active. We're knowledgeable about the enemy's plans and reacting effectively to their every action." He further commented on Russia's new offensive within the Kharkiv region, "Things in Kharkiv have significantly deteriorated this week. This is a tough scenario, but Ukraine's Military Defence Force is doing everything in its power to maintain our fortifications, and inflict losses onto the enemy." In Chassiv Yar, the Russians have failed to recapture the area in Klishchiivka. "Despite the challenging situation at the front, soldiers are being rotated for some rest and to reinforce the combat preparation of the brigades," said Sirskyi.

11:53 Collapse of a high-rise building in Russia alleged to be caused by Ukrainian shelling; three fatalities reported
As per Gladkov, the governor of Belgorod Oblast, a multi-storey housing complex in the Russian city of Belgorod has partially collapsed due to Ukrainian arrows. As per media reports, at least three victims have been identified. Around 20 individuals might still be confined beneath the debris. "The city and the oblast have been subjected to severe shelling by the Ukrainian army," Gladkov said. "An artillery shell's direct hit in an apartment building led to the tenth to the second floor's entrance area's collapse." Belgorod Oblast borders Ukraine and has been frequently targeted over the past times. Initial remarks from Ukraine were not provided. Reportedly, Russian bombers have also frequently targeted civilian infrastructure in the vicinity, presumed to be due to mechanical damages.

11:19 Gazprom's commercial activities expected to bear the brunt of Russia's aggression on Ukraine
According to the British Ministry of Defense, over the course of the next nine years, the Russian energy monolith Gazprom is likely to experience repercussions from Moscow's invasion of Ukraine in 2022. This is largely attributed to its strained dealings with former principal clients in the West. Being unable to disentangle its export reliance on the European market, Gazprom's penalization will likely persist until 2030. Gazprom declared its first net loss in 2000 recently. Gazprom paid approximately 25 billion euros, or 9% of Russia's total state revenue, as taxation in 2023.

10:44 Ukraine alleges attacks on Russian oil refinery, storage facility, and production plant
Ukraine has claimed responsibility for nighttime strikes on Russian territorial infrastructure, including a Volgograd oil refinery in the Krasnoarmeysky region, the Kaluganaftelectroduct oil depot in Kaluga, and a factory in Lipetsk. "Military infrastructures were also targeted," according to a military intelligence source in the Unian news agency. The attack on Volgograd's oil refinery resulted in multiple explosions with a consequent blaze. "The casualty count in Volgograd was also corroborated by the governor of the Volgograd region, Andrei Bocharov," the source added. The Russian side maintains that their air defense efforts have been successful. However, videos and pictures provided by Ukrainian media indicate a more significant fireball.

10:06 "Matters are becoming increasingly intricate" - demand for additional reserves
In the latest Deepstate analysis of battlefield conditions around Kharkiv, "Things are getting increasingly complex. The adversaries are gradually delivering more and more troops into our territory, and the enemy infantry is persistently infiltrating, moving in groups, and aiming to secure villages and advance further." He then urged increased vigilance in the area, "esteeming this region or we'll see greater success from the enemy, which will result in significant ramifications." Despite their primary focus on distracting from other regions, the situation might escalate into a more severe crisis, he added, if Ukrainian reserves are not deployed.

09:30 ntv Journalist Weichert: "Russia targets Ukrainian troops to push them from their positions"

The Russian army is executing a hefty offensive in Kharkiv, allegedly seizing multiple villages. Zelenskyi's slogan is to halt the advance at any cost. Ukraine is sending more troops to the region, as per ntv journalist Jürgen Weichert, and that appears to be a tactical goal Russia seeks to accomplish: [Ukrainian force] "Ukraine's troops are mustering considerable resistance, but [Russian Governor] Budantsev claims 31 settlements, mostly rural, have surrendered. [Ukrainian official] Danyliuk asserts specific battlefield challenges that pose risks to Ukrainian servicemen, Russian media and former Ukrainian officials confirm [Ukrainian stalemate] Ukrainian trench positions west of Kharkiv held fast, but Russia encircled them, claiming another town in the region. [World reactions] Reactions from allies caught U.S. and NATO impotence, and encouraged Russia to escalate. [International Commentary] Russia's attack represents a possible turning point in the conflict, but it's uncertain. Some observers predict a drawn-out conflict [failed negotiations] Western nations may also have failed to propose manageable solutions during recent negotiations. Mapping the possibilities, Russia's success could cause all-out war or initiate diplomacy.

9:30 Russians create chaos in Kharkiv, Ukraine - video shows citizens going about their day Posted by a Ukrainian security expert, Maria Avdeeva, a video shows normal activities at a bustling market in the city of Kharkiv despite Russian forces being nearby. Avdeeva comments that the Russian media claims the city is empty and panicking, but this is not the case. The city has endured airstrikes before, and its residents are accustomed to Russian aggression. The expert believes it's likely that Moscow aims to cause mass evacuation from the metropolis.

The Institute for the Study of War reports that Russian forces are conducting limited military operations in the Kharkiv region, advancing in areas with presumably weaker defense. ISW states that this indicates Moscow's objective is not to overrun and capture the city of Kharkiv, but to achieve specific tactical gains.

A Ukrainian drone attack ignites a fire at the Volgograd oil refinery in southern Russia, according to its Governor, Andrey Botsharov. No casualties were reported, and no official statements have been made by the oil company Lukoil or Ukrainian authorities regarding the incident.

Ukrainian Ambassador to Latvia, Anatoly Kutsevol, shares that Latvia is preparing to send drones and radar defense systems to Ukraine. Moreover, cooperation in the production of 155 mm grenades and other types of weaponry will soon be implemented. However, Kutsevol remains cautious about mentioning the specifics of their collaboration due to security concerns.

The 110th Mechanized Brigade of the Ukrainian Forces announced the successful downing of an Su-25 fighter jet belonging to the Russian military. Their Facebook post highlights the efforts of Ukrainian anti-aircraft gunners in taking down the enemy plane and acknowledges that the Russian forces have yet to understand the futility of flying into Ukraine's skies.

Rescue workers evacuate an elderly woman in the Kharkiv region.

The governor of the Belgorod region, Vyacheslav Gladkov, confirms that a major Ukrainian attack occurred on May 11, leaving one woman dead and 29 other people injured, including a child. The attack resulted in casualties, damages to property, such as cars, homes, businesses, medical facilities, and educational establishments.

Speaking at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies event, Lieutenant General Steven Basham, deputy commander of US Air Forces in Europe, emphasizes the point that autocratic states like Russia can dedicate resources to their arms industry to boost military activities, even if it means sacrificing economic wellbeing. He also notes the importance of countering Iranian and North Korean influence.

In response to Russia's offensive in the Kharkiv region, Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyi announced that their forces have initiated counter-attacks to disrupt Russian advancements and regain the initiative.

1:46 Ukraine: Russian attacks in Sumy Oblast lead to one civilian's death

As per regional administration sources, Russian military forces have launched a series of shell attacks on ten communities in the northeastern Ukrainian district of Sumy Oblast. At least 93 destructive explosions were reported in Sumy Oblast over the past 24 hours. The death of a 37-year-old woman was confirmed after a rocket landed near Sumy city's outskirts. The local government didn't provide information on the target or consequences of the strike.

23:49 Canada Accepts Invitation to Ukraine Peace Summit

According to reports, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has confirmed his country's participation in the upcoming global peace conference for Ukraine, set to take place in Switzerland on June 15-16. The summit will focus on achieving peace in Ukraine that aligns with President Volodymyr Zelensky's 10-point peace plan, which involves unconditional Russian troop withdrawal from occupied Ukrainian territories. Trudeau expressed excitement for working alongside global leaders to achieve a just and lasting peace in Ukraine.

23:06 Scholz Addresses Russian Influence on European and National Elections

German Federal Chancellor Olaf Scholz has issued a warning against potential Russian interference in the upcoming European and regional elections. He mentioned concerns about attempts to influence the elections during an interview at the 'RND vor Ort' stage talk show hosted by Redaktionsnetzwerk Deutschland. The SPD politician also expressed dismay over reports of Russian payments to AfD politicians and emphasized the need for legal entities to verify these claims. "There is a massive amount of Russian disinformation in campaigning," he said.

22:00 Scholz Encourages Ukrainian Refugees to Seek Employment

In a recent interview at the 'RND vor Ort' stage talk show in Potsdam, Federal Chancellor Olaf Scholz urged Ukrainian refugees in Germany to find employment as quickly as possible. He praised the initiatives to provide integration and language courses for refugees as part of Germany's integration process. "We hope that those who have arrived from Ukraine, who are able to work, will now also work," Scholz stated. "We've financed the integration and language courses, and now we want to encourage many of them to enter the job market," he added. Scholz revealed that while many refugees are already employed, there are still approximately half a million who are crucial to filling labor gap. "I would advise everyone to do the same."