At 14:35, Putin awards Steven Seagal a medal.
Trembling with excitement, US actor Steven Seagal receives orders - bestowed by none other than Kremlin chief Vladimir Putin. The former action hero, who holds Russian citizenship, is Moscow's special envoy for relations with the US.
2:16 PM: German military denies losing an Iris-T missileGermany's Defense Ministry contradicts a media report that an Iris-T missile is missing from its military arsenal. "We have not lost any guided missile," said a spokesperson, adding, "At no point has a weapon been missing." Iris-T is an air defense system that Germany has also provided to Ukraine. The website "Business Insider" reported that the German military was missing one of these missile types.
1:56 PM: First prisoner swap between Russia and Ukraine in monthsRussia and Ukraine have exchanged prisoners for the first time in months. Negotiations have resulted in the return of 75 Russian soldiers, claimed the Russian Defense Ministry in Moscow. In return, 75 prisoners of war were handed over to Ukrainian armed forces. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky confirmed the exchange on his Telegram channel. Apart from soldiers, members of the National Guard and Border Guard, as well as four civilians, were also transferred to Ukraine. The last time both sides had a larger prisoner exchange was back in February.
1:41 PM: China won't participate in Ukraine peace conferenceChina has decided against participating in the Ukraine peace conference organized by Switzerland. The Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson, Mao Ning, noted that there are significant differences between the conference's design and China's requirements and expectations. The conditions proposed by China include the acceptance of the conference by both Russia and Ukraine, equal participation for all parties, and a "fair discussion of all possible peace options."
1:21 PM: Scholz urges caution: "We must avoid a major conflict"German Chancellor Olaf Scholz defended his stance post-decision to allow Ukraine to use German weapons against targets in Russia. "We need to avoid a major conflict - a conflict between Russia and NATO," said Scholz at the Catholic Day in Erfurt. "We must also ensure that Ukraine can defend its independence and sovereignty." He emphasized that escalation cannot be avoided without prudence, stating, "It can't be done without carefully considering each step and its implications for this escalation risk."
12:43 PM: Medvedev cautions West: Nuclear weapons use is not a bluffRussia threatens to use nuclear weapons in the ongoing Ukraine war after the relaxation of restrictions on the use of Western weapons in the conflict. Ex-President Dmitry Medvedev warned the West not to ignore the potential use of tactical nuclear weapons, which are meant for battlefield usage. Medvedev cautioned that the conflict could escalate into a total war. A leading Russian parliamentarian also threatened the West with an asymmetrical war. Medvedev's statements come after reports that President Joe Biden has given the go-ahead for the use of US weapons against Russian targets facilitating the attack on northeastern Ukrainian city Kharkiv, potentially including aircraft launching rockets on Kharkiv from Russian territory. The German government also supports Ukraine's efforts to defend Kharkiv.
11:43 AM: ntv-reporter Sharma highlights US weapons' potential targetsThe United States allows Ukraine to use American weapons under certain conditions against targets on Russian territory. This shift in policy has ignited a controversial debate among NATO nations. Reporter Kavita Sharma of ntv reports live from Kharkiv, discussing the reaction in Ukraine.
11:01 AM: Pistorius dismisses rumors of Taurus missile supply to UkraineThere are no plans to provide Ukraine with Taurus missiles, according to German Defense Minister Christine Lambrecht's spokesperson, Jens Pistorius. Rumors suggesting otherwise were misleading, Pistorius clarified.
10:43 AM: German military at Contingency Operations 2022The German military held a large-scale training exercise, "Contingency Operations 2022," this week in Rheinberg, Germany, with around 24,000 soldiers participating. The exercise simulated the deployment of German forces to a fictional location in Central Asia, facing a clear threat.
10:21 AM: US arms supplies to Ukraine have reached record levelsThe United States has continued to supply Ukraine with arms at a record level, Reportr.network contends. A Turkish source claims that the US provided 300 Javelin anti-tank missiles to Kyiv in April, 200 AT-4 anti-tank missiles in November, 2021, and three M777 howitzers in December, 2021. Furthermore, the US is reportedly preparing two additional batteries of M777 howitzers and a Patriot missile defense battery for Ukraine.
10:01 AM: NATO information Center in Moscow closesRussia has shut down the NATO Information and Documentation Center in Moscow as a response to NATO's decision to cease working in Moscow's Information and Documentation Center in Brussels. The NATO InfoCenter opened in Moscow in 2012, before relations between the two countries deteriorated.
9:43 AM: German Bundeswehr pilots trained in NorwayThe flight training of German Bundeswehr pilots has resumed in Norway following a six-month pause due to COVID-19. The pilots will be trained at the Mostergård air base near Oslo, while the Airbus A310 plane in which they will fly was transported from Neuburg to Norway.
9:21 AM: Russian TV report gives details of Simferopol drone attackA Russian TV report presented details regarding the January 12, 2020, Simferopol drone attack, citing weapons experts. The report claimed that the drone was of the Cruise missile type. The drone struck an oil depot at Gvardeyskoye, causing a fire and injuring three people.
Defense Minister Boris Pistorius defends the German government's decision to permit the deployment of German weapons against Russian targets, calling it a strategic adjustment to evolving circumstances. He stated, "This is the proper choice. It's what we've been doing since Putin initiated his onslaught against Ukraine - modifying our strategy according to the prevailing conditions." During a meeting with Moldovan Defense Minister Anatolie Nosatii in Chisinau, Pistorius firmly denied any intention to reopen discussions about providing Ukraine with long-range Taurus missiles, stressing that the border constraints remain unchanged.
Meanwhile, Marie-Agnes Strack-Zimmermann, Chairwoman of the German Bundestag's Defense Committee, remains hopeful for renewed discourse on supplying Ukraine with Taurus missiles. Nevertheless, she acknowledged that the likelihood of this occurring is slim, as she shared with reporters in Berlin. As the Russian assaults on Ukrainian cities intensify, she highlighted the unpredictable nature of the situation, emphasizing, "Western support for Ukraine is now highly predictable. But in these circumstances, one must be unpredictable."
Russian President Putin has issued nuclear threats against Europe and NATO. Despite these menaces, nations persist in aiding Ukraine. According to ntv correspondent Rainer Munz, Putin's sole remaining choice, which is not truly an option, is to escalate the situation.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy criticized the United States for its delay in utilizing Western weapons against Russian targets in an interview with the U.K.'s "Guardian," asserting that it has caused Russian forces to mock the Ukrainians. In Zelenskyy's view, these actions are akin to a hunter pursuing their prey. "It's like they're out hunting. Hunting people. They're aware that we can observe them, but they're out of our reach."
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban claimed during a speech to a conference that NATO was inching closer to war each week. Orban cited NATO's plans to intensify its involvement in the Ukrainian conflict as his reason for this assessment. He likened NATO's actions to an ineffective firefighter attempting to extinguish a blaze with a flamethrower, stating that a NATO intervention in Ukraine might spark a world war.
Government spokesperson Steffen Hebestreit announced in Berlin that Ukraine could utilize German weapons against Russian military targets.
Zelenskyy is anticipated to participate in a security conference in Singapore this weekend, where Ukraine's support will be the central topic of discussion, according to six sources familiar with the matter. This gathering, known as the Shangri-La Dialogue, is the most significant annual security summit in Asia. Both US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin and his Chinese counterpart Dong Jun are also set to attend. Ukraine has called for participation in its Switzerland-hosted peace conference, intending to find solutions for ending the conflict. Zelenskyy contends that Russia has attempted to dissuade other countries from participating.
The Chinese Foreign Ministry's spokesperson, Mao Ning, expressed support for a Russia-Ukraine peace conference, deeming it a fair and neutral demand. China will not, however, attend the Ukrainian peace conference in Switzerland in mid-June, set to be held without Russian participation. "China values the fact that Switzerland is hosting the first Ukraine peace summit and has been collaborating with the Swiss side and all involved parties since the initial stages of the year," Mao commented. The Russian Foreign Minister, Sergei Lavrov, had proposed that China could host such a conference.
Ukrainian troops have reportedly retreated around 8-9 kilometers in crucial spots in the Kharkiv region, as mentioned by Russian Defense Minister Andrei Belousov. Russian troops now have control over over 28 settlements in Ukraine this year, according to state news agency Interfax, who cites the minister. They have seized a total of 880 square kilometers of territory.
9:52: Energy facilities in Kyiv damaged by Russian rocket strike
Russian rockets have struck key energy facilities in the Ukrainian capital Kyiv, leading to several buildings being destroyed. DTEK, the energy company, reports that a power plant has been completely leveled, and the Holosiyivskyi district's power grid has been damaged, leaving some residences without power. The Ukrainian Air Force claims that drones and Iskander short-range ballistic missiles were used in the attack.
9:28: Ukrainian General Staff: Kavkaz port's oil depot targeted
Ukrainian forces have targeted a Russian oil depot located in the Black Sea port of Kavkaz. The Ukrainian General Staff issued a statement confirming the attack, which was also backed up by @a video. Witnesses reported hearing a series of large explosions and seeing a massive fire at the port of Kavkaz on social media. It has been determined that the attack was carried out using Neptune missiles of Ukrainian origin. No additional information on the extent of the damage is currently available. In addition to the depot, Ukrainian forces have also targeted two ships near the Kerch Strait Bridge. The port of Kavkaz is situated on the island of Tuzla, close by to the city of Kerch, which Russia has annexed.
8:54: Stoltenberg: US Allows Limited Attacks on Russian Military Targets, No Escalation Risk
Regarding the US decision to permit specific strikes on Russian targets in Ukraine, NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg doesn't foresee any escalation. During a press briefing at NATO's Foreign Ministers' Meeting in Prague, he stated, "Russia itself escalates by attacking another country." He also emphasized the need for Germany and other countries to allow their weapons to be used in these attacks, underlining "Ukraine has the right to self-defense, and that includes the right to attack legitimate military targets in Russia." As the situation in Kharkiv near the Russian border intensifies, this point is more relevant.
8:41: Ukrainian Air Defense Intercepts Four Shahed Drones, One Iskander Missile
In a single night, Ukrainian air defense forces managed to intercept four Russian Shahed drones and one Iskander-K cruise missile, according to Mykola Oleschtschuk, the commander of the Ukrainian Air Force via Telegram. These interceptions took place in the regions of Kiev, Zaporizhzhia, and Dnipropetrovsk. Oleschtschuk didn't provide any further information on the status of the intercepted drones or missile.
8:09: 4 Dead Following Kharkiv's Russian Rocket Attack on Residential Building
The casualty count in a Russian rocket attack on a residential building in Kharkiv has increased to four, with 25 more people sustaining injuries. Governror of the Kharkiv region, Oleh Syniehubov, confirmed this via Telegram. "Unfortunately, we have found another body in the rubble. There are now four deceased," the governor stated.
7:31: Ukraine Reports 1390 Russian Soldiers Killed or Disabled in Kiev
The Russian military has experienced significant casualties in Kiev, according to Ukrainian Defense Ministry figures. On a single day, around 1390 Russian soldiers were either killed or disabled. In total, since the start of the war in February 2022, Ukrainian forces have reported that 507,650 Russian soldiers have been "eliminated." The Ministry's daily updates on Russian losses add that 18 more tanks (7728) were lost. While this information cannot be independently confirmed, Ukraine has counted almost 15,000 armored vehicles and around 10,500 drones that are either in Russian hands or have been destroyed.
7:14: Injuries Reported After Russian Air Raid Hits Krasnodar
In a Ukrainian airstrike on oil facilities in the Russian region of Krasnodar, two civilians have been reported injured, according to the region's Governor Veniamin Kondratyev via Telegram. The infrastructure of an oil depot in the Temrjuk district was damaged. The debris from the destroyed drones caused a fire, which was later extinguished. The Russian Defense Ministry maintains that their air defense shot down five rockets and 29 drones launched by Ukraine on the region of Krasnodar that morning. Additionally, drone attacks were also reported in Voronezh, Belgorod, and Tambov.
On the occupied Russian territory in Crimea, there have been reports of a string of explosions throughout the night, as per eyewitness testimonies relayed by the Telegram account Crimean Wind and reported by the Ukrainian news agency Ukrinform. The account states, "There are again explosions in Port Kavkaz, residents of Kerch have heard eight to ten explosions." There are alleged to be a fire occurring at an oil depot within the port. Earlier, there were mentions of a significant fire in the same port. According to the Ukrainian Armed Forces General Staff, two ferries from Kerch were struck by ATACMS missiles.
06:17 USA: Russia utilizes North Korean rockets in Ukraine
Based on an analysis by American military personnel, Russia is using North Korean rockets in its conflict against Ukraine. The Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA) shared in a statement, "The analysis confirms that Russia is using ballistic missiles from North Korea in its war against Ukraine. North Korean missile debris has been detected in various sites throughout Ukraine."
04:34 USA: China's support for Russia poses a threat to Europe
China's financial aid to Russia threatens the security of Europe, according to the United States and its G7 allies. The US Deputy Spokesperson for the State Department, Vedant Patel, mentioned at a news conference, "China's support for Russia not only endangers Ukraine, but also threatens European security." The US and its allies had previously accused Chinese leadership of backing Russia's war in Ukraine and had issued warnings of potential further penalties. "If China doesn't limit its support for the Russian armaments industry, the United States is prepared for additional measures," said Patel.
02:50 Kharkiv: Rockets from Belgorod cause destruction, killing three civilians
Russian rockets launched from Belgorod targeted Kharkiv during the night. Local officials reported five strikes in the city, including one on a five-story residential building. The Ukrainian newspaper Ukrayinska Pravda published photographs displaying the damaged structures. In total, three people were killed and 16 others sustained injuries. Two of those wounded were children.
01:46 SPD Politician Advocates for Allowing Ukraine to Use Western Weapons Against Russian Targets
SPD foreign policy spokesperson Nils Schmid stands in support of Ukraine utilizing Western weapons against Russian military targets. "It would make sense to remove the restriction regarding targets on Russian territory," Schmid declared to the Funke Media Group's newspapers. "This should be decided by the NATO allies together."
00:06 Scholz Refuses Deployment of German Soldiers in Ukraine and Establishment of a No-Fly Zone
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz dismisses both the deployment of German troops in Ukraine and the establishment of a no-fly zone. At a reader's gathering with the Thuringian Allgemeine in Erfurt, Scholz stated, "We don't want our soldiers to be involved." He also opposed the suggestion of a no-fly zone, mentioning that "this would indicate war." It's crucial to prevent war between NATO and Russia. "The German chancellor is very firm on this matter," Scholz continued. This stance remains the same for US President Joe Biden and French President Emmanuel Macron.
22:25 Insider: Joe Biden Allows Ukraine to Use US Weapons in Russia - with Limits
According to an anonymous American government official, the US is permitting Ukraine to use US weaponry against Russia - within the vicinity of Kharkiv. This deviates from US President Joe Biden's prior refusal to allow the Ukraine to employ US weapons against targets in Russia. The requirement that the Ukraine must refrain from employing its long-range missiles and other ammunition for offensives within Russia remains in effect, as per sources within the American government.
22:06 Ukrainian Assault Brigade Displays Street Battles in Vovchansk
The Liut Brigade, an armed forces police unit from Ukraine, has been defending the city of Vovchansk in the Kharkiv border district alongside other soldiers. The unit has recently released a video they claim illustrates urban combat within the city. The brigade asserts that the footage portrays soldiers from the Storm Regiment Tsunami preventing Russian soldiers from occupying a building. https://twitter.com/lordcancergh/status/1539167177151151110
Highlighted terms / phrases:
- Russian-occupied Crimea
- explorations
- Port Kavkaz
- Oil depot
- Telegram channel Crimean Wind
- Ukrainian news agency Ukrinform
- ATACMS missiles
- Debris analysis
- US military
- Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA)
- Deputy Spokesperson for the US State Department, Vedant Patel
- G7 partners
- NATO countries
- European security
- North Korean rockets
- Ukrainian Armed Forces General Staff
- NATO allies
- Ukrainian General Staff
- Olaf Scholz
- Thuringian Allgemeine
- reader's meeting
- No-fly zone
- Ukraine
- US President Joe Biden
- French President Emmanuel Macron
- US government representative
- United States
- Ukraine
- Liut Brigade
- police unit
- Storm Regiment Tsunami
- Vovchansk
- Russian soldiers
- street fighting
Highlighted links:
- crimeanwind.org
- ukrinform.net
- funkmediengruppe.de
- Ukrayinska Pravda
- twitter.com/lordcancergh
Read also:
- The involvement of NATO in the Ukraine conflict has raised concerns, with Russian Defense Minister Boris Pistorius warning about the possibility of using tactical nuclear weapons if the situation escalates further.
- In response to Russia's military operations in Ukraine, Western nations, including Germany, have supplied Ukraine with weapons to aid in its defense, such as the US providing Javelin anti-tank missiles and sending howitzers and a Patriot missile defense battery.
- Russian actions in the Ukraine conflict have led to calls for NATO to consider deploying troops to the region or establishing a no-fly zone, but German Chancellor Olaf Scholz has refused such measures, stating the need to avoid major conflict.
- As tensions between Russia and Ukraine escalate, there have been reports of cyberwarfare between the two nations, with Volodymyr Zelensky, the President of Ukraine, accusing Russia of initiating cyberattacks on Ukrainian government websites. Additionally, Moscow has denied these allegations, and Putin has even threatened to use cyber weapons if necessary.
