At 21:27, Kharkiv residents are reeling from fatal rocket assaults.

At 21:27, Kharkiv residents are reeling from fatal rocket assaults.

Kharkiv, a city in Ukraine, has been bombarded continuously since the start of the war. Lately, there have even been airstrikes on recreational areas, causing immense fear among the population. People are taking care of the injured and the dead themselves, with talk of additional military aid lurking.

21:01 Drones for Ukraine: Latvian Foreign Minister Collects Donations at MarathonAt the Riga Marathon, Latvian Foreign Minister Baiba Braže ran 21 kilometers to collect funds for drones to aid Ukraine. She mentioned on social media that they raised nearly €10,000 and hopes they can raise more. Over 34,000 participants were in the marathon, and Braže ran with the number 815, representing the 815 days Ukraine has been defending itself against Russia.

20:15 Zelenskyj: Russian Military Misses TargetsAs per Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyi, Russian troops in north-eastern Ukraine have missed their objective. In a video address, Zelenskyi stated that Russia is not succeeding in spreading their forces thin and weakening Ukraine across regions from Kharkiv to the Donetsk area. The Ukrainian military leadership affirms that the Russian advance in Kharkiv has stagnated after initial territorial conquests. However, Kharkiv and other Ukrainian towns are still under Russian fire. "Brutal Russian shelling and daily rocket and glide bomb attacks carry on," reports Zelenskyi. The Ukrainian military cannot yet devise a strategy to counteract the glide bombs, which are guided from far distances to hit their targets by Russian fighter jets.

19:37 Governor: At Least 13 Injured by Ukrainian Attacks in BelgorodGovernor Vyacheslav Gladkov of the Russian region of Belgorod declares that at least 13 individuals have been injured and buildings have been damaged due to Ukrainian shelling. According to him, multiple rocket launchers targeted the town of Shchekino, injuring 11 people, including 3 children. Another two individuals were injured in Rzhevka.

19:04 Zelenskyj: Russia Terrorizes Towns and Villages, Kills "Normal People"Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyi denounces Russia for terrifying towns and villages and killing innocent civilians. Authorities report at least 11 civilians killed, with many more wounded. Police reports note that the same area was shelled again 20 minutes post the initial attack, increasing the likelihood of harming rescue workers. A paramedic and a policeman who came to aid the victims of the first strike were also injured.

18:22 Zelenskyj Asks for Two Patriot Air Defense Systems for KharkivIn response to the persistent Russian attacks on the city of Kharkiv in north-eastern Ukraine, President Volodymyr Zelenskyi appeals to the international community for two Patriot air defense systems to safeguard the citizens there. "The world can end Russian terror, yet the absent political will of leading politicians needs to be overcome," Zelenskyj writes on Telegram. He claims that two Patriot systems would significantly transform the situation. The Kharkiv region, situated near the border with Russia, has suffered under heavy shelling for weeks. Not too long ago, NATO vowed to strengthen Ukraine's air defenses. The alliance intended to provide the country with air defense systems or cover some of the procurement costs. Zelenskyi had initially estimated that Ukraine would need at least seven Patriot systems or equivalent weapons to protect the nation adequately from Russian attacks.

18:09 Russian Drone Injures Family in KhersonIn Beryslav, the Kherson region, a family was hurt by an explosive device dropped by a Russian drone. The local military administration shared this information via Telegram, mentioning that 3 injured individuals were hospitalized, a 21-year-old man and two elderly women aged 42 and 71. Their injuries are considered moderate by doctors. Two other residents in the city were also injured by a drone - a 59-year-old man and a 70-year-old man with injuries from mines and bruises. One of the victims sustained a back injury. The victims underwent medical treatment, the statement says.

17:28 Ukraine: Russian minesweeper allegedly sunk

The Ukrainian military claims they have successfully sunk a Russian warship, a minesweeper named "Kovrovets," from the Russian Black Sea Fleet. The Ukrainians publicly posted a photo on Telegram, symbolically showing a red cross across the mine sweeper, captioning it, "The Ukrainian navy, along with our allies, is steadily bringing us closer to victory." However, no further details have been provided as to how or where the minesweeper was sunk. The "Kovrovets" has a 70-person crew, but the authenticity of the sinking cannot be independently confirmed.

16:55 Increasing casualties in Kharkiv recreation area attack

According to the Ukrainian authorities, the death toll in a Russian missile assault in a recreational area near Kharkiv has risen to at least six, with 27 injured. Earlier reports mentioned five dead and 25 injured (refer to entry 15:00).

16:15 London views Kharkiv assault as an alarm bell, minister says

UK Defense Secretary Grant Shapps believes the Russian offensive on the Kharkiv region serves as a wake-up call, as stated in a post on Platform X. He urges other countries to speed up their assistance to Ukraine. The UK has already provided a million rounds of ammunition, drones, and air defense missiles. Shapps expressed concerns over the sustainability of Putin's war economy, questioning if Russia will be able to sustain these operations for another year. He reiterated the UK's resolve to support Ukraine without directly engaging in conflict with Russia, emphasizing their aim to provide weapons and training.

15:38 Applying supplied weapons in Crimea: UK minister appeals to Germany

In a conversation with the British broadcaster BBC, UK Defense Secretary Grant Shapps appealed to other countries to allow Ukraine to target Russian-occupied Crimea with weapons supplied by them. He argued that weapons can and should be used in their entirety, including the Crimean region, asserting that they would allow such usage for weapons supplied by Britain. When questioned if Ukraine should use the supplied weapons against targets in Russia, Shapps evaded the question, clarifying they were supplying Ukraine with weapons to defend itself. Regarding Crimea specifically, Shapps mentioned Germany, urging them to grant Ukraine the ability to target Crimea.

15:00 Kharkiv: "Terror against peaceful residents," laments mayor

In light of the Russian missile strikes on a recreation area near Kharkiv, the city's mayor, Ihor Terekhov, expressed dismay, accusing Russia of executing "terror against peaceful residents, against our right to life, against everything human and just." According to local authorities, at least ten civilians had been killed in Russian airstrikes in the Kharkiv region, including a pregnant woman. Twenty-five were injured. Later in the day, five more fatalities and nine injuries were reported in the Kupjansk district, where two villages were attacked. Initial reports had indicated five deaths and 16 injuries from the Kharkiv city proper (refer to entry at 13:23). Local media shared images of what seemed to be unidentifiable victims sprawled on the ground. Ukrainian authorities have notified of an increase in Russian attacks and have encouraged evacuations to safe locations. Mayor Terekhov urged caution amidst the escalated tensions.

14:38: Drone strikes between Ukraine and Russia leave each side claiming victory

Reports from both Ukraine and Russia indicate that multiple drones and missiles were shot down over each country's territory last night. The Russian Ministry of Defense claims to have shot down approximately 60 drones and several missiles, while Ukraine's air force states they successfully destroyed all 37 Russian drones fired at them.

In southern Russia's Krasnodar region, Moscow claims they shot down 57 Ukrainian drones. Locals report that debris from these drones caused a roof fire at a church in the city of Slavyansk-na-Kubani, but no one was injured.

Russian authorities also declared that they intercepted nine long-range missiles and one drone over the Russian-occupied Crimea. Along the Belgorod border, three drones were reportedly shot down and a church roof caught fire, leaving no injuries.

Meanwhile, in the partially occupied territory of Kherson, Russian-appointee Vladimir Saldo shares that one person was killed and 16 others injured when a Ukrainian drone struck a minibus. In the latest attacks on the city of Kharkiv, the regional governor, Oleh Synyehubov, reports four deaths and 15 injuries resulting from a Russian attack on the city's outskirts.

14:00: Zelensky pleads for air defense systems to combat Russian missile terror

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has expressed his condolences for the recent victims of Russian missile attacks, stating there are frequent reports of Russian terrorist attacks.

"The world can put an end to Russian terror," he wrote on social media. "To achieve this, the lack of political will among world leaders must be overcome. If we received two Patriot air defense systems for Kharkiv, the situation would be fundamentally different. These systems would ensure the defeat of Russian aggression, as would air defense systems in other cities and adequate support for our frontline fighters."

13:23: Multiple casualties reported in Kharkiv region due to Russian missile strikes

Technical Director of Kharkiv, Ihor Terekhov, has provided an update on the casualty figures following the Russian attacks. At least five people were killed during a Russian strike on a recreational park in a suburb of the city, with at least sixteen others injured. The second attack occurred approximately 20 minutes after the first.

The aim of this "double-tap tactic" is to target first responders and civilians. Among the injured was a paramedic. A local police statement confirms that a woman who was seven months pregnant lost her life, and at least two other people were killed by Russian fire in the villages of Novosynova and Kivsharivka, with three more injured.

13:07: Ukraine launches further attacks on Russian targets

Ukrainian news agency RBC has reported that more drone attacks on targets in Russia took place overnight. After the attack on a refinery in Krasnodar, Ukraine allegedly targeted Kushchevsk military airfield and an oil depot in the Leningrad region near St. Petersburg with drone forces.

In April, Ukraine reported an attack on Kushchevetsk.

12:41: Russia claims larger-scale attack by Ukraine: 103 drones, twelve ATACMS missiles

Russia's Ministry of Defense now claims that Ukraine's airstrike against Russia was more significant than initially reported. The Ministry states that the air defense shot down 103 Ukrainian drones and twelve ATACMS missiles provided by the USA in the past 24 hours. Previously, the Ministry only mentioned Ukraine's attacks on Crimea and regions with sixty drones.

11:57: Death toll in Kharkiv rises to four

Ukrainian news agency Ukrinform has updated the casualty figures, indicating that four people have now been killed as a result of the Russian airstrikes on the Kharkiv district.

11:35: Two killed, eight injured in Kharkiv

Since the last update, two civilians have been confirmed dead in a Russian attack in the Kharkiv district. Other casualties include eight individuals who sustained injuries, including an emergency paramedic.

11:06 Russian troops halt their progress toward Kharkiv

On Saturday, Russian ground forces stopped their advance toward Kharkiv, as reported by the Ukrainian General Staff on Telegram. In their message, they noted that the enemy was not actively operating in the direction of Kharkiv and that their troops were endeavoring to fortify their positions, replenish their reserves, perform reconnaissance work, and maintain control over enemy actions. Nonetheless, they continued with their airstrikes. According to the Ukrainian news agency Ukrinform, eight people sustained injuries.

10:47 Air raid warnings issued in eastern Ukraine

The entire eastern portion of Ukraine has activated an air alert. This development has been reported by several Ukrainian news outlets. Ukrajinska Pravda disclosed that a Russian missile was on its way to Kiev.

10:40 Ukrainian navy sinks Russian minesweeper

The Ukrainian navy has publicly announced the sinking of a minesweeper belonging to the Russian Black Sea Fleet during the night. In a Facebook post, the navy displayed an image of the "Kovrovets," a "Project 266M"-class vessel that was commissioned in 1974.

10:18 Larger drones used in targeted refinery attack

The six drones that struck the southern Russian refinery (as per the 06:09 entry) were carrying steel balls, according to Russian sources. These drones were reportedly larger and were packed with destructive elements in the form of steel balls, as confirmed by the refinery's head in the Krasnodar region as cited by Tass, the Russian state news agency. The plant experienced operational halt due to the drones' crash, with damage assessment underway. Per the Russian Ministry of Defense, 57 Ukrainian drones were downed in Krasnodar.

9:52 Mobilization law imposes new requirements

With the passed mobilization law, Ukrainian men who are fit for military service are now required to report. Besides combat drones, missiles and rockets are also being employed in another wave of attacks. Ntv correspondent Jürgen Weichert shares his perspective on the current state of affairs in Ukraine from Kiev.

9:35 The menace of glide bombs

Through an article on the increased usage of glide bombs by Russia, the BBC explains why it's challenging for Ukraine to intercept these bombs. Despite having numerous glide bombs in operation, it's nearly impossible to shoot them down, according to Justin Bronk from the Royal United Services Institute. The only feasible solution would be to shoot down the planes from which they are launched, yet Ukraine lacks the appropriate weaponry to achieve this. If it were to move one of its few Patriot systems close to the front, it might risk losing it.

Glide bombs are described as simple, self-propelled bombs capable of being fired from great distances, thus significantly reducing the danger faced by Russian aircraft. They are easily manufacturable and severely disruptive. "They enable Russia to attack Ukrainian defense lines without deploying troops," Ukrainian security expert Mariia Zolkina told the BBC. Furthermore, Russia is intensely targeting civilian infrastructure with glide bombs. Security Council member Andrey Kovalenko recounted on Telegram how the city of Vovchansk has "suffered a tragic loss at the hands of the enemy, who mercilessly shelled it with glide bombs."

08:46 Ukraine successfully repels Russian bombardment

Ukrainian military authorities have reported the repulsion of a major Russian air assault. The Ukrainian air force claims that Russia targeted the regions of Kiev, Odessa, Mykolaiv, Sumy, Vinnytsia, Zhytomy, Cherkasy, and Kherson with 37 attack drones during the night. All of the Iranian-type Shahed drones were downed by air defense.

08:26 Russia exploits Ukrainian military's exhausted resources

Despite the recently acquired U.S. military aid, Ukraine's military stockpiles in many frontline units are depleted. The troop numbers are diminished, and bringing in new soldiers has become a daunting task. Russia seizes this vulnerability and attacks several areas in Ukraine.

07:47 Russia claims to have downed nine U.S. missiles

The Russian Ministry of Defense has disclosed on Telegram that nine U.S. ATACMS missiles had been intercepted over the Russian-occupied Crimea during the night, alongside an enemy drone. Furthermore, the ministry allegedly destroyed three additional drones over the Belgorod region near the border and 57 over the Krasnodar region, according to their statement. The information could not be confirmed.

07:10 Ukraine reports 1210 Russian casualties

Each day, the Ukrainian military provides a public tally of the Russian losses as per their count. Yesterday, these losses were estimated to be 1210 Russian soldiers. This update boosted the total Russian losses in the conflict to 492,290 soldiers. The Ukrainian military added that 16 tanks and 35 armored vehicles were also reportedly damaged or destroyed. However, this information could not be independently verified.

6:34 AM ISW: Russia intensifies assault on Chassiv Yar

The Russian military has stepped up their attempts to take control of the pivotal city of Chassiv Yar in the Donetsk region, as per the Institute for the Study of War's most recent assessment. According to ISW's analysis, Russia's motive is to force Ukraine to withdraw its troops from the Chasiv Yar region with this new offensive in Kharkiv. The Russian army continues to advance in Kharkiv too.

ISW refers to a demand made by former Russian President Medvedev. He suggested that the proposed "buffer zone" in Ukraine should span the entire country. Medvedev is the Deputy Head of the Russian Security Council and a known hardliner in Putin's circle. This demand implies that the alleged "buffer zone" is nothing more than a thinly disguised pretext for Russia's long-standing goal of subjugating all of Ukraine.

6:09 AM Drone crashes into Russian oil refinery
In the southern Russian city of Slavyansk-na-Kubani, a drone has collided with an oil refinery, the Krasnodar region authorities have stated. The incident sparked a "local fire," and there were no casualties or damage. Ukraine has been targeting Russian refineries for some time now.

6:40 AM Danone wraps up Russia exit
French dairy giant Danone has concluded the sale of its Russian operations to a businessman with connections to Chechnya, after 30 years in the country. According to the Ukrainian news outlet Ukrinform, quoting the company, the Russian business with the dairy company Vamin Tatarstan, owned by businessman Mintimer Mingasov, paid 17.7 billion roubles (180 million euros) for control of Danone's Russian operations. Experts predict the actual cost to be around 80 billion roubles. In July last year, Yakub Zakriyev, a nephew of Chechen leader Ramzan Kadyrov, was installed as the new head of Danone's Russian subsidiary.

4:37 AM Explosions in Crimea: Air strike on Sevastopol
Several explosions have been reported on the Russian-occupied Crimean peninsula during the night. The air defense in Sevastopol has repelled a missile strike, said Crimean governor appointed by Moscow, Mikhail Rasvoshaev, on his Telegram channel. The rescue services in Sevastopol reported no damage to civilian infrastructure, added Razvozhayev.

3:33 AM Massive drone strikes in Ukraine
Russia is carrying out massive drone attacks in Ukraine again during the night. According to the Ukrainian air force, the regions affected include Kyiv, Sumy, Vinnytsia, Cherkasy, Mykolaiv, and Odessa. Reports indicate explosions in multiple areas. There is no information about casualties or damage yet. Previously, an air alert was in place for many parts of the country.

2:20 AM Russian artillery targets Kharkiv region civilians
Ukrainian sources report that civilians were shelled in two towns in the Kharkiv region during the night. The Ukrainian Prosecutor General's Office is investigating a possible war crime as a result of a Russian airstrike on a residential area in the regional capital Kharkiv. Six civilians, including three youths, were injured. Moscow denies intentionally targeting civilians. Since February 2022, Russia's invasion of Ukraine has led to the death and injury of thousands.

1:04 AM Pistorius asks for nearly $4 billion more for Kiev
The German government is considering significantly boosting its military aid to Ukraine this year, according to a media report. The Federal Ministry of Defense has thus announced an additional request of 3.8 billion euros for military support. So far, the coalition government has allocated 7.1 billion euros for military assistance. This extra-budgetary expenditure will need to be approved by parliament in June. The Ministry of Finance has signaled its assent.

0:05 AM Ukrainian General Staff logs 77 skirmishes
The Ukrainian General Staff reported 77 combat operations in a 24-hour period. Seven of these are still ongoing. "The Russian troops are trying to improve their tactical position," the General Staff's Telegram channel stated. The Ukrainian army has carried out four attacks to drive the Russians out of occupied positions, it continued.

11:25 PM Ukrainian air force hero dies during combat mission
Lieutenant Colonel Denys Vasyliuk, who received the "Order for Bravery" award was a recipient of an award for individual courage and heroism. Previously, he had undertaken "many combat missions," announced the 831st Tactical Aviation Brigade, where Vasyliuk served. He was the chief of staff of the brigade and the deputy commander of an aviation squadron. The unit announced that Vasyliuk was killed "recently" during a combat mission. No other details regarding his death are available. The Ukrainian air force has not issued a statement on Vasyliuk's passing.

Paraphrased text

9:57 PM Putin in Cannes: Polish Filmmaker Displays Biopic Featuring AI-Generated Character

In Cannes, filmmaker Patryk Vega presented his biopic about Russian President Vladimir Putin. However, the actual Putin was unreachable, so Vega created a deep fake version of the president using AI. Initially, he intended to weave real footage into his film, but the quality wasn't suitable for the big screen. AI, he discovered, requires high-resolution images to function effectively. Instead, he developed a groundbreaking technology whereby an AI would morph a real actor's facial features to resemble Putin's. "It's the first movie to use this technology," boasts Vega. His movie portrays Putin in various situations, including his infamous dictatorial postures, behind baroque desks, pianistically inclined, and even panicked in a hospital bed.

7:35 PM: Taiwan's Minister Wu: Taiwan's Fate Linked to the War in Ukraine

Taiwan's Foreign Minister, Joseph Wu, spoke out in an interview with the Kyiv Independent about the potential implications of the ongoing war in Ukraine. He asserts that if Russia can successfully invade Ukraine, then China may attempt to annex Taiwan using military force. The Chinese government, Wu alleges, may implement 'reunification' by forcing its 'sister state' into submission. The minister also highlights that the events of Ukraine's war serve as a sobering premonition for his country's future. Should Russia be triumphant in Ukraine, Taiwan could very well become the next battleground. This belief is shared by various Taiwanese officials, according to Wu.

Check out the complete timeline here.

Read also:

• Year of climate records: extreme is the new normal
• Precautionary arrests show Islamist terror threat
• UN vote urges Israel to ceasefire
• SPD rules out budget resolution before the end of the year

1. The ongoing conflict in Ukraine has led to frequent military operations, with President Volodymyr Zelensky calling for additional Nato military aid to protect cities like Kharkiv from Russian attacks.
2. In the wake of the conflict, there have been reports of cyberwarfare, with concerns growing about potential Russian cyberattacks against Ukraine's critical infrastructure.
3. The attack on Ukraine has not been limited to traditional military operations, as seen in the incident where a family in Beryslav, Kherson, was injured by a Russian drone.
4. As Nato discusses strengthening Ukraine's air defenses, there are calls for the alliance to allow Ukraine to utilize supplied weapons against Russian-occupied territories, such as Crimea, to fully combat Russian aggression.

Source: www.ntv.de