At 2 PM, Zelensky urges for air defense systems to counter Russian missile attacks.

At 2 pm, Zelensky urges for air defense systems to combat Russian missile attacks.

President Zelenskyi of Ukraine has offered his condolences to the bereaved families of those who lost their lives in the Russian missile strikes that occurred on Sunday. He explained in a tweet on X, "Russia is launching attacks nearly every hour - rockets, bombs, and artillery. What's keeping Russia's aggression going is their ability to induce fear in our cities and communities, causing everyday people to die."

He implored the world to halt Russian terror and called for the necessary political will from global leaders to be demonstrated. In his words, "To end this, we must overcome the political indecisiveness among heads of state and government." He argued that the installation of two Patriot air defense systems in Kharkiv could significantly alter the situation. "More air defense systems in our other cities and ample support for our frontline soldiers will guarantee the victory against Russian aggression."

The deaths and injuries from the missile strikes in Kharkiv were updated by Ihor Terekhov, the mayor of Kharkiv. The latest report indicates that five people perished and at least sixteen others were injured after two Russian missiles hit a recreational park in a suburb of the city. One of the deceased was a pregnant woman near her due date, as confirmed by the local police. Terekhov added that the second attack targeted the area roughly 20 minutes after the first one, potentially killing aid workers who would have been at the scene. An injured paramedic was also among the casualties.

The Ukrainian police reported that two people lost their lives due to Russian fire in the towns of Novosynove and Kivsharivka in the east of Kharkiv region. Three others received injuries.

According to the Ukrainian news outlet RBC, extra attacks on Russian targets were carried out by Ukraine the previous night. Apart from the earlier strike on the Krasnodar refinery, other targets, such as the Kushchevsk military airfield and an oil deposit in the Leningrad region near St. Petersburg, were reportedly targeted. The drone army of the Ukrainian military was active in these attacks. A number of Ukrainian airplanes were parked at the airfield. This wasn't the first strike on Kushchevsk by Ukraine – it had already occurred in April.

In response, Russia revealed that they had downed a hundred and three Ukrainian drones and twelve ATACMS missiles given by the US over the previous 24 hours. This was a larger count than their earlier claim of Ukrainian attacks on the annexed Crimean Peninsula with nine ATACMS missiles and Russian regions with at least sixty drones.

The death count from the Russian airstrikes in the Kharkiv district rose to four, with reports revealing that the attack on a municipal park was a particularly dastardly double strike.

Two people were killed during a Russian assault on a region in Kharkiv. This was confirmed by the district's military administration. One of the victims was a female emergency medical technician who was tending to the victims of the initial attack.

The Russians called a stop to their advance towards Kharkiv on Saturday, as stated by the Ukrainian General Staff on Telegram. "The enemy did not mount wide-ranging efforts towards Kharkiv. The defense forces are making every attempt to bolster their positions, replenish reserves, conduct reconnaissance, and keep track of the opponent's movements under fire control," the announcement reads.

Ongoing Russian airstrikes, though, did not cease. A minimum of eighty individuals sustained injuries, as per reports from the Ukrainian news agency Ukrinform.

An air alert was called for in the eastern sections of Ukraine by all the regions. A Russian missile was heading toward Kiev, per the online publication Ukrajinska Pravda.

The Ukrainian navy announced that they sank a minesweeper belonging to the Russian Black Sea Fleet the previous night. This was shown through a crossed-out image of the "Kovrovets," a boat built in 1974 that belonged to the "Project 266M" class and entered service.

Another Ukrainian official claimed that the drones that destroyed the southern Russian refinery (as per the entry at 06:09) were carrying steel balls. The head of the refinery in the Krasnodar region was quoted by the Russian state news agency Tass as saying, "The drones were larger and they were packed with a heavier payload and contained steel balls that were laden with destructive elements." The refinery has ceased operations due to the damage caused by the crashes of the drones. The Russian Ministry of Defense revealed that fifty-seven Ukrainian drones were shot down in Krasnodar.

10:17:34 "The focus of the assaults persisted to be Chasiv Yar" - Keeping with the recent enforcement of the mobilization law, Ukrainian men suitable for military service are obligated to report. Notably, Russia is employing combat drones, missiles, and glide bombs in a successive wave of strikes. Jürgen Weichert, a Reporter for ntv, discusses the existing predicament in Ukraine while based in Kiev.

10:02:51 "Is there an explanation for the peril of glide bombs?" - In an article on Russia's escalated use of glide bombs, BBC sheds light on the difficulty for Ukraine to shoot them down. Explained is that with the quantity of glide bombs being used, all available air defense ammunition would be utilized too fast. One possible solution would be to shoot down the aircraft launching them. Nevertheless, Ukraine disposes of insufficient weapons with the requisite range to execute this task. If they were to position their few Patriot systems that near the front, they could lose them.

Glide bombs imply minimal self-propelled weapons that can be launched at large distances, allowing for planes to escape dangers. They are economical, have a formidable impact, and enable Russia to bypass Ukrainian defense lines using infantry. Ukrainian security specialist Mariia Zolkina asserts this to the BBC, "Glide bombs allow Russia to obliterate the Ukrainian defense systems without deploying infantry." Additionally, the Russians are aggressing hard targets with glide bombs. Security Council member Andrey Kovalenko narrated in a Telegram post on Friday, "The city of Vovchansk has tragically been almost fully destroyed by the enemies via the use of glide bombs."

09:18:47 "Ukraine overpowers 37 Shahed drones" - Ukraine recognized their successful defensive response to a significant Russian aeronautical endeavor. As per Ukrainian air force, Russia opted to bomb the regions of Kiev, Odessa, Mykolaiv, Sumy, Vinnytsia, Zhytomy, Cherkasy, and Kherson, launching 37 attack drones overnight. All these Shahed drones were neutralized by the air defense.

09:00:00 "Russia is gradually wearing Ukraine out across the board" - Although the US has accepted to provide Ukraine with military support, the inventories of several Ukrainian units at the front appear stark. Forces have been broadly reduced, and further conscripts are arduous to recruit. Leveraging this lack of resources, Russia is shelling several regions with their military capabilities.

08:38:02 "Russia claims to have intercepted 9 ATACMS in Crimea" - As per Russian Ministry of Defense on Telegram, overnight they seized 9 US-propelled ATACMS missiles over the Russian-annexed Crimea. Russia also claimed to have hit and eliminated an enemy drone in Crimea. Additional drones were intercepted and demolished above the regions of Belgorod and Krasnodar, but information couldn't be verified.

07:58:39 "Ukraine: Russia registers 1,210 more soldiers killed or injured" - Each morning, the Ukrainian army details the tally of Russian soldiers presumed eliminated or wounded the preceding day based on their approximations. On Saturday, they reported losing 1,210 Russian soldiers, increasing the total Russian casualties in the war to (492,480) soldiers. Ukrainian army also eradicated 16 tanks and 35 armored vehicles, yet data could not be confirmed.

07:03:13 "ISW: Russia pressurizes Chassiv Yar" - The research institute Institute for the Study of War disclosed that the Russian occupation force has amplified attempts to seize control of Chassiv Yar, a crucial city in eastern Donetsk. The ISW further recognizes that Russia desires to compel Ukraine to withdraw their forces from the area surrounding Chassiv Yar, incidentally, a component of the newly instigated offensive in the Kharkiv region. The Russian army maintains its march in Kharkiv.

The Institute for the Study of War also alludes to a demand made by ex-Russian President Medvedev. Medvedev, who serves as Deputy Head of the Russian Security Council, suggested that the intended "buffer zone" in Ukraine encompass the entire nation. The ISW interprets the demand, "The statement demonstrates that the 'buffer zone' is only a veiled justification for Russia's long-existing aim to subdue the whole of Ukraine."

06:42:42 "Drone ignites a minor blaze at a refinery in southern Russia" - In the Russian city of Slavyansk-na-Kubani, a drone collided with the site of an oil refinery, as declared by the authorities in the Krasnodar region. There was a "localized fire," and fortunately, no casualties or significant damage appeared. Ukraine has been carrying out operations at Russian refineries off and on.

Danone wraps up Russian departureAfter 30 years in Russia, Danone, the renowned French dairy company, has finalized its departure from the nation, according to Ukrinform. The organization cited Danone as their primary source. The Russian firm Vamin Tatarstan, owned by businessman Mintimer Mingasov, purchased Danone's Russian operations for 17.7 billion roubles (180 million euros). Analysts assess the real value to be up to 80 billion roubles. In July of last year, Yakub Zakriyev, who is the nephew of Chechen leader Ramzan Kadyrov, was appointed as the new Danone Russia leader.

Russian Crimea: Nighttime Explosions in SevastopolReports of nighttime explosions in the Russian-occupied Crimean Black Sea peninsula have surfaced. Sevastopol's air defense systems successfully thwarted a missile attack, announced crimean governor Mikhail Razvoshaev on his Telegram channel. Sevastopol's rescue service reported no damage to civilian infrastructure, according to Razvoshaev.

Widespread Air Attacks on Ukraine during the nightRussia is once again conducting intense drone bombardments in Ukraine. The impacted areas include Kiev, Sumy, Vinnytsia, Cherkasy, Mykolaiv, and Odessa. According to Ukrainian air force, explosions have been heard in various locations. No reported damages or casualties as of yet.

Nighttime shelling of Kharkiv civiliansUkraine's reports suggest civilians were targeted in two towns in the Kharkiv region's north-east during the night. The Ukrainian public prosecutor's office is evaluating the alleged Russian airstrike on a residential area in the regional capital Kharkiv as a potential war crime. Six civilians, including teenagers, were injured. Russia denies intentionally targeting civilians. Since Russia's Ukrainian invasion in February 2022, thousands have been killed and injured.

German military aid for Ukraine being significantly increasedGermany plans to substantially augment military aid to Ukraine by another 3.8 billion euros in 2023, as announced by the German Defense Ministry. This funding addition follows an allotment of 7.1 billion euros already designated for military assistance this year. The extra-budgetary allocation is set to be presented to parliament for approval in June. Christian Lindner's Finance Ministry has granted approval.

Ukrainian General Staff: 77 skirmishes in the past 24 hoursThe Ukrainian General Staff has reported 77 fights within a one-day timespan. 7 of these incidents are still active. "The Russian forces are striving to enhance their tactical situation," notes the General Staff's Telegram channel. The Ukrainian military has carried out 4 counterattacks to expel Russian soldiers from occupied territories.

Lieutenant Colonel Denys Vasyliuk, an Ukrainian aviation hero, dies in combatThe Ukrainian 831st Tactical Aviation Brigade announced the passing of Lieutenant Colonel Denys Vasyliuk on Facebook. As recipient of the "Order of Valor," Vasyliuk displayed exemplary courage and bravery in the line of duty. Vasyliuk oversaw the brigade as its chief of staff, as well as commanded an aviation squadron. Unfortunately, the exact circumstances of his death during a combat mission are still undisclosed. The Ukrainian air force has yet to issue a statement regarding Vasyliuk's passing.

Cannes Film Festival: Putin's biopic presented in AI formPolish director Patryk Vega, renowned for his gangster films, showcased his biopic on Russia's President Vladimir Putin at the Cannes Film Festival. The biopic details Putin's life and career, including his ascent to power, with a dramatic twist - Putin dies at the end. When asked if Putin could participate in the film, Vega joked that he had tried to reach out, but received no response. Unable to secure the genuine Putin image, Vega employed AI to create a facsimile of the Russian leader. "It's the first movie to use this technology. What a cast!" Vega quipped. The film showcases Putin in various scenarios, from dictatorial poses to more relaxed moments, such as playing the piano and experiencing a medical scare in a hospital.

05:40 French dairy giant, Danone, completes its pullout from Russia after 30 years.04:37 Reports of explosions in Crimea with Sevastopol under a missile attack.03:33 Ukraine experiences a wave of drone strikes from Russia hitting regions such as Kiev, Sumy, Vinnytsia, Cherkasy, Mykolaiv, and Odessa.02:20 Civilians targeted in Kharkiv region with Russian airstrikes, Ukainian Prosecutor's office investigating as a potential war crime.01:04 Germany seeks to allocate extra 3.8 billion euros for military support to Ukraine.00:05 Ukrainian military reports 77 battles within 24 hours, seven still active.22:25 Lt. Col. Denys Vasyliuk, Ukrainian air defense hero, dies during a combat mission.21:57 Patryk Vega, Polish filmmaker, portrays Putin as an AI deepfake in biopic showcased at Cannes Film Festival.

9:35 PM Taiwan Foreign Minister Wu: Taiwan's fate hinges on the Ukraine war

Joseph Wu, Taiwan's Foreign Minister, shared his views on the connection between the Ukraine war and Taiwan's future in an interview with the Kyiv Independent. Wu emphasized that the Ukraine conflict has been a stark reminder of the potential threats facing Taiwan. If Russia manages to win in Ukraine, China could use a similar strategy to take control of Taiwan.

Wu pointed out that the Russian war in Ukraine was a wake-up call for Taiwan. In the event of Kiev's defeat, Taiwan could be the next battleground. Two years later, he still considers the outcome of the Ukraine war crucial for Taiwan's future. If Russia triumphs in Ukraine, officials from various camps predict that Beijing might resort to force to "reunify" the two Chinas.