At 14:18, President Selensky initiates an examination of his personal security team.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy commands an investigation into the State Guard after accusations of attempted assassinations within the security services surface. At the unveiling of the new head of the Presidential Guard, Olexij Morosow, Zelenskyy declares his primary objective is to attract individuals who envision their future with Ukraine to join the Guard. He adds that anyone within the Guard who chooses a different path than Ukraine or sullies the Guard's reputation is to be removed. The Ukrainian Security Service SBU revealed in May that they apprehended two senior Guard officers for plotting Zelenskyy and other Ukrainian officials' assassinations.
In the eastern Ukrainian city of Pokrovsk, casualties have been reported due to a Russian rocket assault. Local authorities state that at least four individuals have been killed, including two children, and 34 more have been injured from a Russian rocket attack on the city, struck by two rockets. A private residence was obliterated, and 16 others were harmed.
The European Union is hastily disbursing military aid for Ukraine, against Hungary's wishes, to the tune of about 1.4 billion Euros. The decision was made at a Foreign Ministers meeting in Luxembourg, according to several diplomats of the German Press Agency.
In Lypzi, the Kharkiv region, two individuals have been killed due to a Russian mine explosion. The regional military administration's head reported this on Telegram, according to the Ukrainian state news agency Ukrinform. An automobile carrying two occupants is said to have detonated a Russian mine in the morning. One man died at the scene, a woman en route to the hospital.
The German government refutes the expulsion of unwilling Ukrainian citizens. A Foreign Office spokesperson in Berlin states that it's noticeable how Russia targets locations throughout Ukraine and tries to destroy the nation's infrastructure in the western part. "I wouldn't know where a secure spot in Ukraine should be," he stresses in response to a CSU Landesgruppenchef Alexander Dobrindt's demand for "safe areas in western Ukraine."
Russia threatens retaliation against the United States following a reported Ukrainian rocket attack on the annexed Crimean Peninsula, which reportedly killed at least 4 individuals and injured more than 150. Presidential spokesperson Dmitri Peskov stated, "This will have consequences." The extent - time will tell. Russia will respond to US involvement in this attack. Peskov refers to the Russian threat to station rockets near US and their European allies. According to Russian reports, Ukraine attacked the Crimea with five US-supplied ATACMS rockets, armed with cluster munitions. Four rockets were intercepted by air defense, the warhead of a fifth rocket detonated in mid-air. Rocket debris fell near a beach. Among the deceased were two children.
Additional details are available here.
Following a Ukrainian rocket attack on the annexed Crimean Peninsula, numerous casualties have been reported, including at a beach. "The debris landed randomly among the tourists," says Russia expert Niko Karasek:
After a devastating Ukrainian rocket attack, the authorities in the port city of Sewastopol on the annexed Crimea have declared a state of emergency. According to official reports, 4 people were killed and 151 injured in the attack, 79 of whom are still in the hospital. Most of the victims had been sunbathing at a city beach in Sewastopol when rocket debris fell and exploded. Initially, the Russian military claimed responsibility for the missile launch, but later retracted the statement and accused the Ukrainian forces of deliberately targeting civilians. Even on Russian military blogs, this claim is being questioned. Nearby, there are several military installations.
Germany is facing criticism following the official adoption of new sanctions against Russia. From the Baltic states, Lithuania's Foreign Minister Gabrielius Landsbergis laments the "regrettably weaker" sanctions than planned. His Estonian counterpart Margus Tsahkna states, "It's becoming increasingly difficult in the European Union to reach a consensus on new sanctions." Until now, this was mainly due to Hungary, but now the German government is barring stricter rules against circumventing sanctions through third countries. The EU Commission wanted to hold European companies accountable if prohibited goods reached Russia through daughter companies, for example, in Kazakhstan. Berlin objected, arguing that the measures would harm Germany, the EU's largest export nation, more than Russia. Now, the companies are only required to make "best efforts" against sanctions violations.
More details are available here.
According to the mayor's report, two individuals were injured in the morning attack on Odessa. This was reported by the state Ukrainian news agency Ukrinform. Russian troops allegedly targeted civilian infrastructure with rockets.
10:25 EU Seeks to Prevent Member State Blockade of Frozen Russian Funds for UkraineThe European Union's Foreign Policy Chief, Josep Borrell, is looking to implement measures that ensure EU member states do not impede the use of funds from frozen Russian financial resources intended for supporting Ukraine. Borrell plans to introduce a proposal during a meeting of the EU Foreign Ministers in Luxembourg, stating, "We have the legal means to prevent any form of embargo."
09:58 Russia Diverts Attention from Internal Issues, Claims Ukraine Involvement in Terrorist Act in DagestanThe Russian Parliament has made unfounded allegations that Ukraine is responsible for the recent terrorist attack in Dagestan, as reported by NTV correspondent Rainer Munz. The Kremlin is suspected of attempting to "divert attention from the growing threat of Islamic terrorism within Russia."
09:23 Reports of Explosion in OdessaAccording to media outlets, there was a fire in Odessa in the morning, with some sources claiming a strong explosion occurred. Belarusian opposition medium Nexta reported on a significant blast, while "Kyiv Post" stated that civilian infrastructure was targeted.
08:51 Solidarity Visit by Manuela Schwesig to Ukraine - "Ukraine Must Prevail"The former President of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, Manuela Schwesig, visits Ukraine and arrives in Kiev by train for political discussions. Schwesig highlighted, "This is a symbol of solidarity with all the federal states standing by Ukraine," and added emphatically, "Ukraine must win this war and Russia should not be allowed to succeed with this aggression."
08:36 Prolonged Dispute for Control over NowooleksandriwkaReports suggest that the town of Nowooleksandriwka in the Donetsk region remains contested, with Russian troops yet to take full control. The Ukrainian military reports ongoing fighting in the area.
07:52 Allegations of mistreatment of wounded prisoners by Russian forcesA Russian military blogger reports that commanders of various units within the so-called Donetsk People's Republic are mishandling their wounded subordinates. It is said that a brigade is holding its wounded in the city of Donetsk instead of treating them, as supported by information from the US think tank Institute for the Study of War (ISW).
07:36 Estonian Volunteer Killed Fighting in Luhansk RegionAn Estonian volunteer who served in the Ukrainian army has died in a skirmish in the Luhansk region, as reported by the Kyiv Independent, citing Estonian newspaper "Postimees." Martin Jaager, a 42-year-old professional soldier, allegedly passed away on Saturday, making him the third Estonian fatality while defending Ukraine. After serving in an elite unit in Estonia, he joined the Ukrainian military over a year ago.
06:44 EU Foreign Ministers Meeting under Pressure to Lift Hungary's Blockade of Military Aid for UkraineThe EU Foreign Ministers and Ministers have gathered for a meeting in Luxembourg on Monday, where the topic of discussion is the Russian aggression against Ukraine. They are scheduled to debate with the Ukrainian Chief Diplomat Dmytro Kuleba via video, and there is expected pressure on Hungary to lift its blockade of military aid worth €6.5 billion under mounting criticism.
05:45 Russia Blames US for Attack on CrimeaFollowing a rocket attack on the annexed Crimean Peninsula, Moscow has accused the US. A statement issued by the Ministry declared, "The primary responsibility for the provocative rocket attack on the civilian population of Sevastopol lies with Washington, which has provided these weapons to Ukraine, and the Kiev regime, from whose territory this attack was launched." US specialists are said to have used information from US spy satellites to determine the rocket launch coordinates, implicating the US government in the attack. As reported by the Defense Ministry, four people, including two children, were killed, and 151 others were injured.
04:42 IAEA Holds Those Behind Attacks Near Saporischschja Nuclear Power Plant AccountableThe International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) is urging an end to attacks on the Ukrainian city of Enerhodar near the Saporischschja Nuclear Power Plant. "Those responsible for the growing number of drone attacks on the power plant and its surroundings must cease immediately," said IAEA Chief Rafael Grossi. "Such activities are wholly unacceptable and run counter to the internationally accepted security principles and guidelines." In recent weeks, drone attacks have struck two transformer stations, resulting in temporary power outages for the residents. However, according to Grossi, these incidents did not affect the operation of the Saporischschja Nuclear Power Plant.
03:42 Stoltenberg to Discuss Additional Aid for Ukraine with Macron in ParisNATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg is traveling to Paris on Monday to discuss further support for Ukraine in its conflict with Russia with French President Emmanuel Macron. Macron had previously announced plans to form a coalition to send western military training to Ukraine.
02:43 Orban Advocates for Immediate Ceasefire in Ukraine before Hungarian EU Council PresidencyBefore the start of the Hungarian EU Council Presidency, Prime Minister Viktor Orban called for an initiative promoting an immediate ceasefire in the Ukraine conflict. Orban acknowledged, "Russia's invasion of Ukraine is completely unacceptable and violates fundamental principles of international relations," but emphasized, "it is critical to end the bloodshed at the front." Orban indicated that the resolution of the conflict in Ukraine is a priority during the Hungarian EU Council Presidency, set to begin on July 1.
00:53 Ukraine Attacks Crimea for Second Time
Once again, Ukraine strikes targets in the Crimean peninsula, which was annexed by Russia. There have been reports of numerous explosions in the port city of Evpatoria, as per Ukraine's news agency Ukrinform. The city of Sevastopol, however, declared an air alert due to these night-time attacks, unlike the daytime ones. The extent of the damage remains unclear. Various media outlets have shared videos and images of fires, but confirmations of hit military installations from either the Ukrainian or Russian authorities are still pending.
23:49 Zelenskyy Seeks Fundamental Support to Attack Russian Territory
In response to the persistent shelling of Kharkiv, Ukraine's President, Zelenskyy, has made a plea for advanced weapons from the West and approval to launch attacks deep into Russian territory. In his daily video address, Zelenskyy said, "The Russian air force must be annihilated wherever it resides, with all available strategies." Kiev is currently collaborating with their Western allies to finalize such a decision.
22:49 Prien Criticizes Federal Government's Response to Refugee Aid
Following a proposal by CSU regional leader Alexander Dobrindt for social benefits for Ukrainian refugees, CDU deputy chairwoman Karin Prien expressed concerns about the cause of the exodus. "Ukrainians are escaping Putin's tyranny and Putin's war," wrote Schleswig-Holstein's Education Minister Prien on social media. "Of course, they deserve our protection and compassion." However, she criticizes the Federal Government for not doing enough in facilitating their integration into the labor market.
22:17 EU Commission Warns of Potential Manipulation in 2025 Bundestag Election
With the Bundestag election approaching next year, EU Commission Vice President Vera Jourova has expressed fears of potential manipulation attempts by Russia. "We find ourselves in a new era of covert influence," says the EU Commissioner for Integrity and Protection of Democracy to the "Süddeutsche Zeitung." "I am worried that Voice of Europe could serve as a blueprint for further operations, even in relation to the Bundestag election in the coming year. This fabricated medium might just be the tip of the iceberg." The EU had banned Voice of Europe and three other Russian media organizations from broadcasting within the EU in May, stating that all were controlled by the Russian government and aimed at influencing political parties within Europe, especially during election periods. Voice of Europe, headquartered in Prague, is accused of spreading pro-Russian propaganda within the EU and offering payments to European politicians.
Ukraine's National Grid Announces Nationwide Power Outages
Given the ongoing Russian attacks on Ukraine's energy infrastructure, the national energy supplier has forewarned of widespread power outages for the near future. Ukrenergo made this announcement on Telegram. In light of increased energy consumption at the start of the week and the power grid allegedly being weakened by "massive Russian attacks," these measures are deemed necessary. Since May, Ukraine has imposed rotating power cuts due to damaged energy infrastructure. According to Ukrenergo, the largest power cuts are expected between 19 and 23 hours on Monday.
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Read also:
- In response to Russia's attack on Ukraine, NATO considers strengthening its cyber defense capabilities to protect member states from potential cyberwar threats.
- The Russian government denies responsibility for an attack on Ukraine's military infrastructure in the Kharkiv region, claiming that Ukrainian forces are fabricating accusations to distract from internal issues.
- During a press conference, President Zelenskyy of Ukraine expresses his concern about Russian military operations in Eastern Ukraine, calling for international support to maintain peace and stability in the region.
- The Ukrainian government announces a review of its diplomatic ties with Russia, citing the ongoing conflict and Russia's support for separatist forces in Eastern Ukraine as the reasons for the review.
