Selenskyj requests energy conservation after power grid gets damaged. [00:17]

At 17:01, Selenskyj urges energy conservation after power grid is damaged.

The Ukrainian president, Volodymyr Zelenskyi, has requested citizens to conserve electricity due to the damage inflicted on the country's power grid. He emphasized the need for citizens to consume electricity mindfully and considerately. The president mentioned that coordination with municipalities and energy suppliers is crucial to provide information on the necessity of temporary power cuts. Zelenskyi held a discussion with the government and military personnel about the energy crisis, caused by Russia's attack on the Ukrainian energy system. He added that major adjustments need to be made to the energy sector to prevent further destruction by Russia.

Late in the evening, consulates opened for Ukrainian conscripts residing abroad. These individuals must supply proof of registration with the military authorities, in either paper or digital format, to access these services. This was disclosed by the Ukrainian Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Additionally, the Ukrainian Ministry of Defense developed an app where conscripts can register online. The Russian invasion has resulted in many men fitting for military service to leave Ukraine.

An arbitration court in St. Petersburg has commanded the freezing of assets and bank accounts of the Italian bank Unicredit in Russia. This was done upon request from RusChimAllianz, a subsidiary of Gazprom that operates a Baltic Sea LNG terminal. The court's decision stems from the inability to construct the terminal owing to Western sanctions, for which Unicredit provided assurances. RusChimAllianz is suing Unicredit for 444 million euros. Assets worth 463 million euros will be frozen. Unicredit is the biggest foreign bank still operating in Russia after Raiffeisenbank and ranks among the 20 largest banks in the country regarding assets.

A new law authorizes certain imprisoned Ukrainians to register for military service. President Zelenskyi signed this legislation, permitting prisoners to be suspended from their sentences and enlisted for temporary military contracts. This scheme is restricted to specific convicts- those convicted of serious offenses cannot participate.

The Washington Post reported that all Starlink devices of a Ukrainian military unit stationed in Kharkiv failed during the initial stages of the Russian offensive in the region. According to the Post's sources from the 125th Territorial Defense Brigade, these malfunctions took place on May 10th, coinciding with the Russian troops infiltrating the border area. The failure of the satellite communication system aided the swift territorial progress by the Russian forces. The first widespread disruption of the Starlink system in Ukraine since the Russian intrusion began in the spring of 2022 happened due to Russian electronic warfare systems.

There was an explosion at the Budyonny military academy in St. Petersburg, as per Russian media reports. The incident injured seven people, as reported by the Baza Telegram channel associated with law enforcement agencies.

Following his visit to China, where he discussed peace endeavors in Ukraine and the enhancement of their relationship, President Putin is facing criticism from a political scientist called Frank Umbach. According to Umbach, "China has the upper hand".

Concurrent with the missile attack on Kharkiv, the port city of Odessa on the Black Sea also faced attack. Governor Oleh Kiper revealed that Russian forces had used missiles to attack the city, causing the death of one person and injuring eight.

A military expert, Ralph Thiele, critiqued the Ukrainian situation, saying that Ukraine faces a lack of ammunition and personnel. In contrast, Russia is thinning out the Ukrainian front lines, which he views as a "clever operational move by the Russians." However, he added that the primary focus is not on Kharkiv, but a different location.

At 18:53, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz reassures Germany's support for Moldova. This declaration was made in front of a media gathering alongside Moldovan President Maia Sandu in Berlin. Moldova has proven itself resilient against attempts to destabilize the country by Russia and pro-Russian actors, as Scholz noted. Sandu expressed her gratitude for Germany's assistance and considered Germany to be a key partner in maintaining stability, democracy, and prosperity for Moldova.

In another development, at 18:17, a CNN camera crew witnessed the horror of drones being used in artillery attacks in the city of Vovchansk. This region has been under constant Russian fire since the beginning of the conflict, with shells and drones being deployed against Ukrainian forces. A Ukrainian police unit came perilously close to being hit by the drones.

A Russian oil refinery, Tuapse, has reportedly shut down after a Ukrainian drone attack, according to two insiders who spoke with the media. The facility was damaged by fire, but operations should be restored soon. One source explained that it was the liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) production plant that was targeted by the drones, but the crude oil distillation unit remained unaffected. There was no "black smoke from the fire," indicating that only the gas was burning. Homeland News Agency Tass has reported that the fire has been extinguished. Further information from the refinery's operator Rosneft is yet to be obtained.

Volodymyr Zelenskyy finds the idea of a ceasefire during the Summer Olympics in Paris unrealistic. Zelenskyy explained in an interview with Ukrajinska Pravda that several issues remain ambiguous about the proposed ceasefire, such as how it would prevent Russia from moving military equipment during this period. "Russia could either hide their movements or use the truce to launch an attack," he stated. China, which has a key role in this situation due to its relationship with Russia, has called for a political solution to the conflict.

Putin's visit to China underscores the reliance of the Russian government on Chinese support. While China is providing weapons to aid Russia in its war against Ukraine, Xi has advocated for a political resolution to the war. However, there is uncertainty behind these statements, as they could simply be a means to appease Russia.

Another fatality has been reported in Kharkiv following Russian missile attacks. At least two people have been killed and 13 others injured.

Putin has slammed the planned peace summit in Switzerland, claiming that it aims to exert pressure on Russia. Putin noted that Russia had not been invited to the summit, while Ukraine and the West hope for a Chinese representative to give the meeting more significance. Earlier this month, Rosneft had turned down an invitation to attend the summit, but it is unknown whether they planned to withdraw altogether.

Bodycam recordings from the beleaguered city of Vovchansk show the severity of the conflict in the area. Ukraine has reported intense fighting and acknowledges that NATO believes Russia cannot make significant gains in the region.

The EU has moved to impose sanctions on pro-Russian platform Voice of Europe and three Russian media outlets. The measure, which was adopted by EU member states, will result in these outlets being blacklisted across the EU.

Putin rejected the Western sanctions as "absolutely stupid decisions" that are damaging the global economy. "These are not market-oriented, absolutely stupid decisions with no prospects," he told Russian state media. Putin argued that the sanctions weaken the USA dollar by "sawing off the branch they are sitting on." Putin denied any link between the sanctions and the war against Ukraine. Instead, he suggested that the sanctions were aimed at gaining a competitive advantage. Russia's foreign ministry also criticized the EU's sanctions.

2:41 Putin anticipates adding another gas pipeline to ChinaRussia and China plan to enhance their energy collaboration. Both countries have demonstrated their desire to construct the Power of Siberia 2 gas pipeline, whose purpose is to transfer Russian gas to China. As stated by Putin during his visit to China, the concerned businesses, like Gazprom, are expected to reach a consensus regarding the pipeline's route. A potential oil pipeline is also being considered in the same corridor.

2:21 Putin not considering capturing Kharkiv currentlyAs of now, Kharkiv won't be overtaken by Russian troops, mentioned Putin while speaking with Russian state media representatives in China. Kharkiv, which has been under siege from Russian forces for several weeks, was revisited the day before by President Zelensky who reported a stabilization in the situation. Putin stated that they are developing a buffer zone around the Russian region of Belgorod due to the intense shelling it has faced from Kharkiv. While many speculate that the Kremlin intends to annex Kharkiv, Putin claims it's to protect Belgorod.

2:01 Chinese speech to Putin might be more directChina's public diplomacy towards Russian leader Putin appears to be polite, but there may be a different story behind the scenes, according to political analyst Thomas Jäger. The importance of their association is apparent in Russia's dependence on its powerful neighbor.

1:45 Putin strives to deliver more energy to ChinaDuring his trip to China, Putin proposed increasing Russian-supplied energy to China. In an address at the start of a Russian-Chinese trade expo in Harbin, he remarked, "Russia is capable and willing to provide China with clean, eco-friendly energy, electricity, and heat continually and reliably." He expects the energy alliance to flourish further.

1:25 Satellite images reveal scorched Russia airbase BelbekFor two consecutive days, Ukrainian military forces shelled occupied Crimea and targeted the Belbek airbase. Russia claims that they have thwarted five ATACMS missiles. Aerial images show the remnants of blazes and bombarded fighter jets.

1:02 Munz notices divisions in Russian-Chinese connectionCiting a 30-page agreement with China, Russian journalist Rainer Munz sees signs of tension in the partnership between Russia and China, potentially including China's potential engagement in peace discussions in Switzerland or its unwillingness to become dependent on Russian raw materials.

12:25 Ukrainian army demolishes 70 km of Russian army territoryUkraine claims that Russian forces have expanded their active combat zone by about 70 kilometers with their offensive in the Kharkiv region. Their primary objective was to compel Ukraine to deploy additional reserve brigades. The anticipated clashes are predicted to intensify as the Kiev troops prepare for defense in the Sumy region.

11:58 Video details domestic consequences of relentless Russian attacksUkraine alleges that it has intercepted more than one hundred Russian drones in a series of successive operations. The documentary captures attacks on several Russian locations, including an oil refinery in Tuapse on the Krasnodar coast.

11:30 Baerbock requests weaponry with longer rangesAmidst the dire circumstances of Kharkiv, Federal Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock is calling for more long-range weaponry. Baerbock indicated on the margins of a Council of Europe foreign ministers' meeting that the situation in Ukraine's second-largest city Kharkiv is "extremely dramatic." She emphasized the necessity of Ukrainian forces receiving "weaponry that can launch medium and long-range attacks." This requirement emerges from the fact that Kharkiv is just 40 kilometers from the Russian border.

10:45 Putin and Xi depart with an embraceAs their conversation in China draws to a close, Putin and Xi Jinping, Chinese President and Dominant Party Leader, shared a friendly farewell moment. A video later showed them shaking hands, and in another instance, they exchanged a friendly hug as captured by State Broadcaster CCTV. Harbin in northern China is the location for Putin's two-day state visit on Thursday.

10:11 Ukraine records four explosions in KharkivUkraine reports the interception of all drones sent by Russia during the night. Military authorities documented launches in the regions of Kharkiv, Poltava, Vinnytsia, Odessa, and Mykolaiv. In Kharkiv, four explosions originated, per city mayor Igor Terekhov. A fire ignited during one of the detonations, and five buildings, including an administrative facility, sustained damage.

09:02: A ntv news reporter informs, "Russians are making their way towards the edges of Kharkiv."

In Kharkiv, tensions run high. The Ukrainian military has successfully secured the military perimeter, but the Russians have managed to establish a strong hold as well. They're currently around 30 kilometers away from Kharkiv, as per the report from ntv's Jürgen Weichert.

08:34: Tragic incident reported in the Belgorod regionThe authorities have confirmed the death of two people following night-time drone attacks by Ukraine. A mother and her four-year-old son were killed when a combat drone hit their village of Oktyabrsky in the Belgorod region. The governor, Vyacheslav Gladkov, shared this news.

08:06: The city of Sevastopol in Crimea under attackThere were reports of an attack on the city of Sevastopol in Crimea during the night. According to the Moscow Ministry of Defense, a substation has been damaged. The governor has stated, "There will be some power outages in isolated areas." Schools and kindergartens were closed as a precautionary measure. It's crucial to note that Sevastopol serves as the home port for the Russian Black Sea Fleet. Crimea was annexed by Russia in 2014, violating international law.

07:42: CLAIMS of a massive drone attack on the Black Sea Fleet port of NovorossiyskReports of an extensive drone attack on the Black Sea Fleet port of Novorossiysk are circulating. The Russian state news agency RIA reports missile attacks on the area, without naming the port.

07:18: Russia intercepts over a hundred Ukrainian dronesMore than 100 Ukrainian drones were reportedly intercepted by Russia during the night. The Russian Ministry of Defense provided this information. 51 drones were tackled over the occupied Crimean peninsula, 44 more in the Krasnodar region, six in the Belgorod region, and one in the Kursk region. Additionally, the navy thwarted six naval drones in the Black Sea. The constant shelling from Russia has prompted Ukraine to intensify its attacks, frequently targeting energy facilities.

06:58: Damaged military airfield in Belbek, CrimeaSatellite images from Maxar show that three Russian fighter jets were completely destroyed - two MiG-31s and one Su-27 - and another, a MiG-29, was damaged during the Ukrainian attacks on the Belbek military airfield in Crimea. The "New York Times" also indicates that a fuel depot at the airbase was destroyed. For two nights in a row, Ukraine has targeted the Belbek airbase.

06:33: Video of a possible drone attack on a Russian oil refineryVideos have surfaced on X, allegedly showing a Ukrainian drone attack on Russian oil refinery planted in Tuapse near the Black Sea. Local authorities have since confirmed the fire, which is reportedly under control.

06:14: Putin's mission in northeastern China to emphasize tradePutin intends to highlight the importance of trade in the northeastern part of China during his visit there. Following the signing of a strategic partnership with Chinese President Xi Jinping, Putin concludes his two-day visit to China in Harbin, Heilongjiang province. For years, there's been a bond between these regions in terms of trade and culture.

06:00: A British military attaché declared persona non grataThe Russian Foreign Ministry has deemed Adrian Coghill, a British military attaché stationed in Moscow, persona non grata, ordering him to leave the country within a week. This is an act of retaliation as the UK expelled Russia's military attaché on May 8, believed to be an undeclared intelligence agent.

05:30: NATO countries mull over sending military trainers or contractors to UkraineSome NATO member countries are deliberating on whether to station military trainers or contractors in Ukraine to aid the instruction of Ukrainian troops and repair equipment. Ukraine is requesting assistance to train 150,000 troops near the front lines; however, the U.S. hesitates as it's apprehensive of potential attacks on trainers, which might invoke NATO's collective defense clause. Other options discussed include training a large number of Ukrainian recruits in Germany and Poland, but the logistics of moving that many personnel present a challenge. Several NATO countries consider sending defense contractors to Ukraine, while the White House is reconsidering its ban on U.S. defense contractors in Ukraine.

04:42: Japan advocates for respectful handling of Russian assets' distributionJapanese Finance Minister Shunichi Suzuki comments on the proposal to use the interest from frozen Russian assets to support Ukraine. He underlines the significance of adhering to international law: "Japan will participate in the discussions at the upcoming G7 meeting, emphasizing this basic principle."

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03:11 Sister of Kim Jong Un denies arms trade with Russia

Kim Yo Jong, the sister of North Korea's leader Kim Jong Un, denies that North Korea is trading weapons with Russia. According to the state news agency KCNA, Kim explained in a press release that the weapons developed by North Korea are not meant for export, but for self-defense against South Korea. She called the alleged arms deal with Russia an "absurd theory" created by prejudices and lies. The U.S. and South Korea accuse North Korea of providing weapons to Russia to use against Ukraine. Both Moscow and Pyongyang reject these accusations.

02:04 Air raid alert in Kharkiv ends after drone attacks

The air raid alert in Kharkiv has been lifted in most parts of the region. Regional governor Oleh Synyehubov reported that at least five drones had attacked the city of Kharkiv, Ukraine's second-largest city, causing a fire in one district. The air raid alert in Kharkiv lasted for nearly 16.5 hours, longer than any other since the Russian invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.

00:51 U.S.: China's support for Russia hinders relations with the West

In light of the recent friendly meeting between Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin, the U.S. government has accused China of being an obstacle to better relations between China and the West. State Department spokesman Vedant Patel said in Washington that China can't "dance at two weddings at the same time." If Beijing wants to improve relations with Europe and other countries, it can't "fuel the greatest threat to European security in a long time" by supporting Russia's invasion of Ukraine, Patel emphasized.

23:34 Zelensky warns of gas infrastructure attacks

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky warns of potential dangers for Europe due to Russian missile attacks on Ukraine's gas transportation system. He spoke with Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk about this in a video message. Attacks on the gas infrastructure in western Ukraine pose a threat not only to Ukraine but also to its neighbors, Zelensky said. "We must take joint action against this," the president added.

22:06 Month-long power outages in Ukraine following attacks

Due to the severe damage caused to power plants and substations in Ukraine, the government expects power outages to last for months. Ukrenerho advisor and supervisory board member Yuri Boyko said there would be regionally staggered shutdowns on Thursday to conserve electricity. The capital Kiev and other parts of the country are also affected. Russia's missile attacks have caused significant damage to the power grid, Boyko said.