At 12:50, Selesnyk meets Schwesig in Kyiv

At 12:50, Schwesig met with Selenskyj in Kiev

Germany's Minister President Manuela Schwesig meets with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Kiev during her visit to Ukraine. The meeting is expected to last about an hour. Schwesig is in Ukraine as the Federal President of the Bundesrat, to reassure Kiev of the solidarity of all 16 federal states. She previously stated during her train journey to the Ukrainian capital that "The Ukraine must win this war," contrasting her stance with her party ally, Federal Chancellor Olaf Scholz, who only emphasized that Russia should not win the war and Ukraine should not lose. Schwesig has faced criticism for her involvement in the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline in Ukraine. The former Ukrainian ambassador Andrij Melnyk once stated he would never shake her hand. After the Russian attack nearly two years ago, Schwesig distanced herself from her engagement for the project and called it a mistake.

12:28: Russia found guilty of human rights violations in CrimeaThe European Court of Human Rights in Strasbourg rules against Russia for violating human rights in Crimea following the annexation of the Crimean Peninsula. The decision is based on a Ukrainian complaint. Russia disregards the court's judgments.

11:52: Ammunition stock for Ukrainian soldiers expanded - including artillery shellsUkrainian soldiers have been fighting the Russian army for a long time without sufficient ammunition. With the $61 billion aid package, the ammunition supply is improved. Vasil, a Ukrainian commander, reports that the ammunition shortage has been resolved.

11:25: 100 Ukrainian men trying to flee to neighboring countries arrestedUkrainian security forces prevent 100 men from illegally fleeing in the Odessa region in southern Ukraine. Last Friday, a group of 47 men in four minibuses was stopped on their way to the border. Another 53 men were stopped on their way to a "collection point." They were attempting to avoid checkpoints and cross the border on foot. The Odessa region shares a border with the Republic of Moldova. The neighboring country Romania is bordered by the Danube river. All men aged 25 or older who are eligible for military service have been transferred to the local military replacement office. Human traffickers reportedly demanded between €4600 and over €17,000 from each man.

11:07: Ukraine moving closer: Lührmann sees "historic day" for the EUThe official start of EU accession negotiations with Ukraine and Moldova marks a "historic day" for the EU, according to European State Secretary Anna Lührmann. "This is a good day because we are acknowledging the fact that both countries have made tremendous reform efforts despite the very difficult circumstances," Lührmann says on the sidelines of a meeting of EU foreign ministers before the official start of the accession negotiations in Luxembourg. "Both countries have made significant progress in terms of the rule of law, anti-corruption, and press freedom." However, it will take several years until Ukraine and Moldova fulfill all the requirements for EU membership. As a prerequisite in the case of Ukraine, there needs to be peace with Russia. There is no guarantee of EU membership.

10:38: Retaliatory sanctions from EU: Russia's Measures "could also affect us"Frozen EU funds from Russia are intended to be used for Ukraine's armament. The Kremlin considers these sanctions as "against international law" and "illegitimate," according to NTV correspondent Rainer Munz. Russia now plans to sanction the EU and strengthen ties even more.

10:09: Court Convicts Banker in Switzerland for Handling "Putin's Money"Four bankers are found guilty by a Swiss appellate court for managing funds connected to Russian President Vladimir Putin's inner circle. The Zurich Appellate Court rules that employees of the liquidated Swiss subsidiary of the Russian Gazprombank failed to properly verify whether the money on accounts labeled as belonging to Russian musician Sergey Roldugin actually belonged to him. The court imposes fines on the four bankers. In 2014, two accounts were opened at the Gazprombank in Zurich, with Roldugin listed as the beneficial owner. According to media reports, the Russian cellist and conductor is the godfather of one of Putin's daughters. He was added to the Swiss sanctions list shortly after Russia's attack on Ukraine. According to the list, Roldugin is known in Moscow as "Putin's Briefcase."

09:44: Somali Soldier Recounts: "Everywhere were drones, artillery, rockets. I just ran"To replace the immense number of soldiers lost in the war, the Kremlin is pressuring migrants and foreign students to the front. The brutal experiences of these individuals are recounted by the young Somalian Adil in a conversation with NTV. For nearly €1900 a month, Adil enlists in the military - including the prospect of Russian citizenship and the promise that he will not have to fight at the front. However, Adil is immediately sent to the Ukraine front. Instead of fighting, he has escaped after four days and is now in a Ukrainian prison. "I didn't come to kill. I lost my weapon. I didn't know how to use it. Everywhere there were drones, artillery, rockets. I just ran," Adil narrates in an interview with NTV. "I thought €2000 a month was a normal wage for regular work. I thought a great dream had begun for me."

21:07 Proposed strategy by ex-US President Trump's advisors to end Ukraine conflictReports suggest that two key advisors of former US President Donald Trump have suggested a strategy to put an end to the conflict in Ukraine. As per the plan, Ukraine would only receive additional US weaponry if it engages in peace talks. Simultaneously, the US would caution Moscow that failure to negotiate would result in increased US support for Ukraine, according to retired General Keith Kellogg, a former national security advisor of Trump. This strategy, being the most detailed proposal yet from Trump's associates, claims they can expedite the resolution of the Ukraine conflict. If implemented, the strategy could significantly change the political stance of Washington towards this war and may face opposition from Europe and Trump's own Republican Party.

05:23 Russian claims of downed Ukrainian drones in border regionRussia asserts it has successfully intercepted and destroyed 30 Ukrainian drones in the border area between the two countries. The Russian air defense reportedly took down 29 drones in the Belgorod region and one drone in the adjacent Voronezh region, according to the Russian Defense Ministry via Telegram. Tragically, an elderly woman lost her life in the Belgorod region, as reported by local authorities.

04:48 Ukrainian authorities arrest suspected Russian spyA soldier from the Ukrainian border guards has been arrested on suspicion of spying for the Russian Federal Security Service (FSB), as per Ukrainian reports. The man is alleged to have been gathering information about weapons and ammunition depots, Ukrainian troops in the Belarus border region for the FSB. The suspect reportedly was recruited remotely by an FSB agent based in the occupied Luhansk region and communicated with them through anonymous chats on online messengers. If found guilty of high treason, the man faces a life sentence, according to the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU).

04:14 ISW expects no immediate impact from US aid on the front linesAccording to the US think tank Institute for the Study of War (ISW), US aid deliveries will not yield significant results on the front lines immediately. The ISW believes the Russian military is striving to achieve significant tactical and operational gains before US military aid reaches Ukrainian forces in substantial quantities, and it may take some time for the weapons provided by the West, such as artillery ammunition, to become effective on the battlefield. The Ukrainian forces are said to require a significant number of weapons, and it is considered a matter of scale. In an interview with the Philadelphia Inquirer, Military Intelligence Chief Kyrylo Budanov stated that weapons deliveries from the US and Europe, including artillery ammunition, will reach Ukraine quicker than before. However, the Ukrainian forces require a significant number of weapons, and the situation on the front will likely remain challenging at least until mid-July.

03:46 Ukrainian Special Forces to continue drone attacks on Russian oil refinery complexUkrainian Special Forces have placed more than 30 Russian oil refineries, terminals, and depots under surveillance, as announced by President Volodymyr Zelenskyy during a military briefing. He particularly commended the Special Operations Center "A" of the Ukrainian Security Service and highlighted the long-range capabilities of the drones, which can now cover distances up to 1,500 kilometers. The latest drone attacks have targeted areas as far as Tatarstan and Bashkortostan, and the Ukrainian Security Service (SBU) has declared that they will continue to conduct "drone sanctions" against the Russian oil refinery complex and hinder the economic potential of the adversary, which supports the aggression against Ukraine.

03:12 Denmark ceases training of Ukrainian F-16 pilotsDenmark is ending its training program for Ukrainian F-16 pilots as it transitions to F-35 aircraft, according to Defense Minister Troels Lund Poulsen. The politician announced this during a press conference. "Since we are transitioning to the F-35, we need to concentrate our resources on that and cannot continue training Ukrainian pilots after 2024," the minister said. The western F-16 coalition must locate alternative training locations as Denmark relinquishes its duties. Alternative training programs are available in Romania and the United States.

02:39 Governor of Belgorod laments "severe" drone attack on the regionDuring drone attacks on the Russian city of Belgorod and surrounding settlements, several buildings, vehicles, and a gas supply pipeline sustained damage, and four people were injured. This was reported by "Kyiv independent," citing statements from Governor Vyacheslav Gladkov, who described the attacks as "severe." A public building in the city of Shebekino was allegedly destroyed by fire as a result of the attacks. Kiev has not commented on the attacks.

23:57 European Court of Human Rights Ponders on Kiev's Complaint against MoscowThe European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) in Strasbourg is weighing their decision today on Ukraine's complaint against Russia concerning the annexation of the Crimean peninsula. Kiev alleges that Moscow has breached multiple articles of the European Convention on Human Rights between February 2014 and August 2015 in the Crimean peninsula, including "illegal detentions," "suppression of non-Russian media," and "compensation-free seizures."

22:29 Orban on Ukraine's EU Membership: "Hungary Isn't On Board"Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban criticizes the EU's Accession Talks with Ukraine, which are slated to commence in Luxembourg this Tuesday. Orban shares his sentiments to Funke Mediengruppe newspapers, saying, "Hungary isn't aligned with this accession process, but we're not obstructing it, and we support its initiation." He further describes the talks as a "politically motivated process." It's not about a Yes or No to EU membership, he adds. Instead, Hungary is concerned about the potential implications of admitting a country engaged in war with undefined borders.

21:57 EU Begins Accession Talks with UkraineThe EU initiates accession talks with Ukraine this Tuesday. Ihor Zhovka, foreign policy advisor to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, shares his optimism in Kiev, saying, "The path to full membership, which Ukraine truly deserves, is unalterable." The first round of discussions will focus more on symbolism than the details of the negotiations, which will begin after the EU assesses the reforms Ukraine needs to carry out to meet EU standards.

20:25 US: Missile Intercepted by Russia Kills Civilians on the CrimeaPer US reports, Ukraine did not intentionally target civilians during the weekend's attack on the Crimea. Apparently, Russia intercepted an Atacms missile meant to disable a launchpad. The debris from the missile reportedly struck a beach, resulting in the deaths of at least four civilians, including two children, and the injury of 151 others. Russia accuses the US of being complicit in the attack. The US government denies any involvement, stating that Ukraine maintains autonomy in deciding its attack targets and military actions.

19:20 US to Provide Kiev with Additional Ammunition Worth $150 MillionThe US plans to supply Ukraine with an additional $150 million worth of ammunition, according to government sources preferring to remain anonymous. The decision is expected to be made public this Tuesday. The upcoming delivery is anticipated to include ammunition for the Himars multiple rocket launchers provided by the US, which can launch Atacms rockets. Russia condemns Ukrainian attacks on the Crimea, accusing the US of waging war.

18:15 Moscow Disregards the EU's 14th Sanctions Package Against Russia as IneffectiveMoscow dismisses the latest EU sanctions imposed on Russia in its 14th sanctions package as ineffective. The Russian Foreign Ministry in Moscow voices this opinion. The West is causing self-harm, the ministry adds. The West disregards the consequences for its own economy and the well-being of EU citizens, claims Deputy Foreign Minister Alexander Gruschko in Moscow. Russia anticipates an economic growth rate of over 3%, significantly higher than in Germany, this year. "The purpose of the sanctions was to throttle the Russian economy and disintegrate societal unity. The EU has ached the opposite," says Gruschko.

17:04 Unemployed Ukrainians: Schwesig Faults DobrindtMecklenburg-Vorpommern's Minister-President Manuela Schwesig reprimands CSU-Regional Group Leader Alexander Dobrindt's proposal to send displaced persons from certain areas of Ukraine back if they refuse to work in Germany. "There are no safe zones as Russia is attacking the entire Ukraine," the SPD politician shares in the ZDF "heute journal update." She decries Dobrindt's stance as "extremely populist" amidst numerous refugees, including numerous women with children. She accuses Dobrindt of catering to divisive voices within the population.

16:03 Ukrainian General Staff: Nearly 130 Encounter with Russian TroopsThe Ukrainian General Staff reports 128 encounters with Russian troops since dawn on their Facebook page. Russian forces are reportedly concentrating on the area near Pokrovsk, accounting for one-third of the Russian attacks today, according to the announcement. The Ukrainian defense forces are said to have repelled the attacks and sustained the front lines.

9:38 PM Ukrainian Naval Forces: 120 Russian drones wrecked in Krasnodar Oblast assault In accordance with reports from the Ukrainian Navy, 120 drones have been obliterated during an attack in the Russian region of Krasnodar, on June 21. As confirmed on the Navy's Facebook page, this operation was executed in collaboration with the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU). The Ukrainian media outlet Ukrinform reports this. The targeted objects were on a Russian Air Defense training ground located at the 726th Training Center in Jeisk, where drone pilots are said to be trained as per the report.