At 21:48, Zelenskyy concludes a security agreement with Norway and Iceland.

At 21:48, Selenskyj finalizes a security accord with Norway and Iceland.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has successfully completed a series of talks in Sweden, signing long-term security agreements with both Norway and Iceland. The President finalized a decade-long deal with Norway, which commits Oslo to focusing its efforts on meeting Ukrainian requirements for sea and air defense. There is also the potential for the Norwegian defense industry to set up production facilities in Ukraine as part of this agreement. Iceland has also entered into a 10-year pact.

At 21:16, Swiss volunteer sustained injuries during a Russian assault on Vovchansk in the Kharkiv region. Vovchansk, along with the neighboring village of Schestakovo, were targeted, resulting in two fatalities and three more people being wounded. Among the casualties was a Swiss national who had arrived in Ukraine to aid in the evacuation of civilians and animals from conflict zones.

China has confirmed that it will not participate in a Swiss peace conference on Ukraine scheduled for next month. This comes as a response to the assembly's non-inclusion of both Russia and Ukraine, as per China's demands stipulated by the Chinese Foreign Ministry.

Deputy US Treasury Secretary Wally Adeyemo has issued a warning to China, urging it not to collaborate with Russia amidst the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. This follows previous accusations by the United States that China has been quietly lending support to Russia's war efforts in Ukraine, leading to instability in Europe. Adeyemo's recent visit to Kiev has prompted him to issue this stern warning, urging China to choose between maintaining ties with the West or aligning with Russia. "Chinese companies must either conduct business in our economies or supply Russia's war machines. They cannot do both," Adeyemo stated.

Ukraine's Foreign Ministry expressed their displeasure over remarks by Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobachidze, which they deemed "anti-Ukrainian." Speaking at the opening of a new bridge in Tbilisi on May 30, Kobachidse voiced doubts over the popular unrest known as EuroMaidan, which led to the overthrow of then-President, Viktor Yanukovych, in 2014. He also insinuated that subsequent Ukrainian governments were imposed from outside sources. However, international bodies such as the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) have found that Ukraine's 2014 and 2019 presidential elections were "competitive" and that fundamental freedoms were generally respected.

In response to the series of Russian attacks on Ukraine's power plants, the country has boosted its electricity tariffs by over 60%. The move comes as an attempt to prevent total disruption to the national electricity supply due to continuing shelling of energy infrastructure. Deputy Energy Minister Herman Haluschtschenko explained that funding was required for repair works to damaged power plants, substations, and high-voltage lines.

Ukraine's President, Volodymyr Zelensky, announced an increase in conscripted soldiers since the passage of the updated mobilization law on May 31. The updated law simplified the identification of conscription candidates and introduced increased penalties for draft dodgers. In conjunction with this, a separate law that took effect before the mobilization law lowered the minimum conscription age from 27 to 25 years.

Russian Defense Minister Andrei Boussoff has asserted that Russia captured 28 Ukrainian settlements as of May 28. During a meeting with the Moscow-led Military Alliance Organization for Collective Security (OVCS) in Almaty, Kazakhstan, Boussoff stated that Russian troops had retreated enemy positions by eight to nine kilometers in several critical areas of the Kharkiv region. These gains give an estimated area of around 880 km^2, roughly equivalent to the size of Berlin. However, the accuracy of these claims is uncertain.

NATO's leader, Jens Stoltenberg, has rebuked China for their support of Russia during the war in Ukraine. "If it wasn't for China's assistance, Russia couldn't wage war against Ukraine," he declared after conferring with the foreign ministers of NATO's 32 member countries. China is delivering large quantities of equipment, including advanced technology and semiconductors, to Russia, capable of both civilian and military use. "Without these high-end products, Russia wouldn't have produced the missiles, bombs, and aircraft they've sent to attack Ukraine," Stoltenberg added. 90% of the microelectronics that Russia imported last year were from China.

17:11 Habeck: Ukraine needs to repel attacks from Russia

In the opinion of German Vice Chancellor Robert Habeck, Ukraine must have the ability to repel attacks from Russia. This is in response to Germany's decision to permit the use of German-supplied weapons against Russian military targets. Kharkiv is being shelled from Russian territory, and Ukraine does not have sufficient defensive weapons to protect its citizens. "It's only logical that Ukraine defends itself by preventing attacks from Russia. If we forbid this, there would be more casualties," Habeck stated.

16:45 Polish security service probes false report on part-mobilization

After a false report of a partial mobilization in Poland emerged, the domestic security service is investigating whether the state news agency PAP was targeted in a Russian cyberattack. "It seems we're dealing with a cyberattack that was orchestrated from the Russian side," said Digitalization Minister Krzysztof Gawkowski. The attack was allegedly intended to disseminate disinformation before the European elections. In the fabricated and subsequently retracted report, it claimed that Prime Minister Donald Tusk had ordered a partial mobilization for July 1st. 200,000 Poles, including former soldiers and civilians, were supposed to deploy to Ukraine, according to the report.

16:22 Blinken: Recent military aid for Ukraine is effective

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken believes that recent military assistance to Ukraine has had an impact. "Thousands of artillery shells, thousands of anti-tank mines, and air defense capabilities are already making a difference," expressed the politician during a meeting with NATO foreign ministers. Other NATO partners will speed up their deliveries as well, he mentioned. Germany and the Netherlands have agreed to provide additional air defense systems, he added. "The eastern and northeastern front in Ukraine is stabilizing, and Ukraine has made significant inroads in the Black Sea by pushing back the Russian fleet," Blinken said.

15:53 Russia and Ukraine exchange 75 prisoners each

Russia and Ukraine have exchanged 150 prisoners. Each side reportedly handed over 75 prisoners. "75 more of our people have returned to Ukraine," expressed Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on social media. "75 Russian soldiers were returned from territory controlled by the Kyiv regime," stated the Russian Defense Ministry.

15:29 Greens' leader emphasizes Ukraine's right to self-defense

The leader of the Green party, Britta Haßelmann, underscored Ukraine's right to self-defense in light of Russia's attack war. She referred to Germany's decision to allow the use of German-supplied weapons against military targets in Russia: "Ukraine has fought for self-defense against a brutal, illegal attack by Russia for two years. It has the right to defend itself and repel attacks from Russia."

15:02 Zelenskyy: Attack on Russia with Western weapons imminent

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy thinks that Ukraine will soon attack Russia with Western weapons. "I think that the use of any weapons, even Western ones on Russian soil, is inevitable," he said at a press conference in Stockholm.

14:35 Seagal, Special Envy of Putin

US actor Steven Seagal receives an order, granted by none other than Vladimir Putin himself. The former action star, who holds Russian citizenship, serves as Moscow's envoy for relations with the United States.

14:16 German Defence Ministry denies missing IRIS-T missile

The German Defense Ministry refutes a media report of a missing Bundeswehr IRIS-T missile. "We're not missing any missile," confirmed a ministry spokesperson. "At no point was a weapon missing." IRIS-T is an air defense system that Germany has also provided to Ukraine. The portal "Business Insider" had reported that a missile of this type was missing from the Bundeswehr.

1:56 PM: Russia and Ukraine exchange 150 prisoners

After months of stagnation, Russia and Ukraine have exchanged prisoners for the first time. The Russian Ministry of Defense in Moscow reported that 75 Russian soldiers had been returned, "their lives now in grave danger." In exchange, 75 prisoners of war were given to the Ukrainian armed forces. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky confirmed the prisoner exchange on his Telegram channel. According to his statements, in addition to regular soldiers, members of the National Guard and the Border Guard, as well as four civilians, were handed over to Ukraine. The last time both sides had a larger exchange of prisoners was in February.

1:31 PM: China opts out of Ukraine peace conference

China refuses to participate in the Ukraine peace conference organized by Switzerland. There is a significant disparity between the conference's design and China's requirements and the general expectations of the international community, preventing China from participating, said Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning in Beijing. The concerns have been conveyed to the relevant parties. Diplomatic circles have confirmed that they have heard of a withdrawal. Mao explained that "judging from the statements of all parties and the announced setup of the meeting, it appears that the three issues proposed by China are difficult to implement." China refers to the acceptance of the conference by both Russia and Ukraine, equal participation of all parties, and "fair discussion of all peace options."

1:07 PM: Scholz urges caution: "We must avoid a major war"

Federal Chancellor Olaf Scholz defended his stance on allowing Ukraine to use German weapons against Russian targets. "We must avoid a major war - a war between Russia and NATO," Scholz said during a Catholic Day event in Erfurt. "We must also ensure that Ukraine can defend its independence and sovereignty." Scholz emphasized that "escalation cannot be avoided without caution." It is also essential "to coordinate with the allies."

12:43 PM: Russia warns the West: "Use of nuclear weapons not a bluff"

Russia is considering using nuclear weapons again in the Ukraine war following the relaxation of restrictions on Western weapons in the conflict. Dmitry Medvedev, a Putin ally and former president, warned the West, hinting at the use of tactical nuclear weapons, designed for battlefield use and not intended to completely destroy the enemy. The conflict could escalate into a total war, he warned. A prominent Russian parliamentarian also threatened the West with an asymmetric war. Medvedev's remarks follow a shift in Western states regarding the conditions for supplying weapons to Ukraine. Until now, it was widely assumed that they could not be used against targets in Russia. Reports from the US indicate that President Joe Biden has now allowed the use of US weapons against targets in Russia supporting the Russian offensive against the northeastern Ukrainian city of Kharkiv. These could include airplanes launching rockets on Kharkiv from Russian territory. The German government is also allowing Ukraine to employ German weapons freely in the defense of Kharkiv.

12:18 PM: ntv-journalist Sharma on US weapons: "Provides legitimate military targets in Russian territory"

The United States is permitting Ukraine to use American weapons in specific situations against targets in Russian territory. This policy change is generating debate amongst the NATO countries. NTV reporter Kavita Sharma covers the reaction in Ukraine from Kharkiv.

12:01 PM: Pistorius: "No new debate on Taurus missiles for Ukraine"

Defense Minister Boris Pistorius defends the decision of the German government to allow the use of German weapons against military targets in Russia as "a strategic adjustment to evolving circumstances." "This decision has been right. It is what we have been doing since the beginning of the war Putin is waging against Ukraine. We have always adapted our strategy to the situation," said the SPD politician during a meeting with his Moldovan counterpart Anatolie Nosatii in Chisinau. The debate on equipping Ukraine with longer-range German Taurus missiles will not be resumed by the government, according to Pistorius. In response to a question from a journalist, he clarified that the debate was about missiles with a range of several hundred kilometers. "And the border remains unchanged, even after the statements of our partners and ourselves."

11:46 AM: -Strack-Zimmermann still holds hopes for Taurus

Defense Minister Boris Pistorius justifies the German government's decision to allow the use of German weapons against Russian targets as a "strategic shift in response to evolving situations." "This is a correct decision," he said during a meeting with his Moldovan counterpart Anatolie Nosatii in Chisinau. "It reflects our consistent approach since the start of the war Putin is waging against Ukraine." Pistorius explicitly dismissed any new discussion about supplying Ukraine with Taurus missiles. He believes the current border remains unchanged, despite recent claims by the media and other nations.

The departing chairwoman of Germany's Bundestag Defense Committee, FDP member Marie-Agnes Strack-Zimmermann, remains hopeful regarding Germany's potential provision of Taurus missiles to Ukraine. However, she acknowledges that her optimism is limited, as FDP's European election candidate in Berlin points out. Strack-Zimmermann discusses the evolving situation in light of Russia's attacks on Kharkiv. She highlights the shifting nature of Russia's actions, implying that their behaviors are unpredictable.

11:32 Munz: Moscow's Atomic Threat - Kremlin in a Dilemma

Vladimir Putin has made numerous threats against Europe and NATO since the onset of the war. In the context of the debate surrounding Western weapon use, the Russian leader warns. Regardless of these warnings, nations continue to supply aid to Ukraine. Munz, an NTV correspondent, suggests that Putin's sole remaining option may be less harmful than the existing ones, but it's uncertain if that's even a feasible option.

11:19 Zelenskyy: Russian Troops Mock Ukrainians, "Hunt" Them

President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, stated in an interview with the British newspaper "Guardian" that the delay in US President Joe Biden's sanction on using Western weapons has led Russian troops to ridicule Ukraine and prey upon its citizens. Zelenskyy criticized the White House's justifications, claiming that lives have been lost due to the inaction. "It's like they're hunting people. They know we can see them but we can't reach them."

11:08 Orban: NATO Nears Danger of War

Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban firmly believes that NATO is nearing war every week. NATO's plans to engage more in the Ukraine conflict mimics the actions of a firefighter attempting to put out a fire with a flamethrower, according to Orban, who has cordial relations with the Russian government. He believes a NATO intervention could escalate the situation to a global war instead of shielding NATO member states.

10:51 Germany Permits Ukraine to Use German Weapons Against Russian Targets

An official German government spokesman has confirmed that Ukraine may employ weapons provided by Germany against military targets in Russia.

10:46 Inside Scoop: Zelenskyy to Attend Security Conference in Singapore This Weekend

Notable sources confirm that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy will attend a security conference in Singapore this weekend. This major annual security gathering will discuss Ukraine's support among its significant topics. Attendees include US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin and his Chinese counterpart Dong Jun. Zelenskyy has campaigned for Ukraine's participation in a Switzerland-hosted meetup, aiming to end the war.

10:16 China - Fair Requests for Peace Conference Involving Russia & Ukraine

China advocates a conference with both Russia and Ukraine's participation. Spokesperson for the Chinese Foreign Ministry, Mao Ning, maintains that these demands are equitable and impartial. She insists that they do not target any party specifically. Reuters reported that China would not participate in the Ukraine peace conference in June slated in Switzerland. This conference was initiated by Ukraine, while Russia has not been invited or confirmed its attendance.

10:04 Russian Defense Minister Beloussov: Ukrainian Troops Retreat in Kharkiv Region

Ukrainian troops have retreated approximately eight to nine kilometers in key regions of Kharkiv, according to Russian Defense Minister Andrei Beloussov. The Russian military secured control over more than 28 settlements in Ukraine since May. In total, they've claimed around 880 square kilometers.

09:52 Energy Facilities in Kyiv Damaged by Russian Rocket Attack

Several energy facilities in the Ukrainian capital Kyiv were damaged in a Russian rocket assault. DTEK, the energy company, disclosed that a power plant was destroyed and the power grid in the Holosiyivskyi district was damaged. Certain residential establishments have been left without power. The Russian military members targeted with drones and ballistic short-range missiles, namely the Iskander type, according to the Ukrainian Air Force.

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09:32 Ukrainian Military Attacks Russian Oil Depot in Black Sea Port of Kavkaz

Ukrainian forces have attacked a Russian oil depot in the Black Sea port of Kavkaz, according to the Ukrainian General Staff. The depot was damaged by several Neptune missiles, allegedly of Ukrainian origin. The attack resulted in a large fire and explosions, as reported by eyewitnesses and social media posts. There are no reports on the extent of the damage yet. Additionally, two ferries near the Kerch Strait Bridge were also targeted by Ukrainian forces. The oil depot is located on the island of Tuzla, near the city of Kerch on the Ukrainian Crimean Peninsula, which is under Russian occupation.

08:54 NATO Chief Jens Stoltenberg on US Allowing Ukraine to Strike Russian Targets

NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg does not see any risk of escalation due to the United States allowing limited attacks on Russian targets by Ukraine. Stoltenberg said this during a meeting of NATO Foreign Ministers in Prague. He added that Russia itself escalates by attacking Ukraine and that the attacks in the Kharkiv region near the Russian border are a threat. Stoltenberg also urged Germany and other countries to authorize their weapons to be used for Ukrainian attacks on legitimate military targets in Russia.

08:38 Ukrainian Air Defense Intercepts Four Shahed Drones and One Iskander-K Missile

Ukrainian air defense units intercepted four Russian Shahed attack drones and one Iskander-K cruise missile in the past night. According to the commander of the Ukrainian Air Force, Mykola Oleschtschuk, air defense missile batteries and mobile artillery units downed the drones in the regions of Kyiv, Zaporizhzhia, and Dnipropetrovsk, as well as the missile in the region of Kyiv.

08:09 Residential Building Attack in Kharkiv: Fourth Victim Pulled from the Rubble

The death toll from a Russian rocket attack on Kharkiv has risen to four, with 25 others injured. Governor of the Kharkiv region, Oleh Syniehubov, announced via Telegram that another body was found in the wreckage of the targeted residential building.

07:30 Ukrainian Defense: Russian Military Casualties Reach Nearly 1400 in a Day

Ukrainian officials report that Russian military casualties have reached nearly 1400 in one day. According to the Ukrainian Defense Ministry, since the start of the war in February 2022, about 507,650 Russian soldiers have been "eliminated", as well as 18 more tanks (7728). 15,000 armored vehicles and 10,500 drones have also been counted that are no longer in the possession of the Russian military or have been destroyed.

06:51 Two People Injured in Ukrainian Air Raid in Krasnodar

In an air raid on oil facilities in the Russian region of Krasnodar, two people have been injured, according to local authorities. Governor of Krasnodar region, Veniamin Kondratyev, reported via Telegram that the infrastructure of an oil depot in the Temrjuk district was damaged, causing a fire. The Russian Defense Ministry reported that the air defense had destroyed five rockets and 29 drones fired by Ukraine at the region of Krasnodar. Drones were also shot down in the regions of Voronezh, Belgorod, and Tambov.

06:16 Explosions and Fires in Russian-Occupied Crimea

Eyewitnesses have reported a series of explosions overnight on the Russian-occupied Crimea. The Crimean Wind Telegram channel reported that there were eight to ten explosions in Port Kavkaz, and a fire could be seen at an oil depot. The Ukrainian General Staff has not yet confirmed these reports. Previously, there was a large fire at the port. According to the Ukrainian General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, two ferries from Kerch were hit by ATACMS missiles.

Per a military analysis conducted by the U.S. Department of Defense, it has been confirmed that North Korean-made ballistic missiles are being used by Russia during their conflict with Ukraine. Debris from these missiles has been discovered throughout the country, the Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA) announced in a public statement.

04:34 AM – USA: China providing support to Russia jeopardizes Europe's security

The United States and its G7 allies, along with other EU and NATO countries, believe that China's backing of Russia not only endangers Ukraine but also puts European security at risk. This statement was made by Vedant Patel, the deputy spokesperson for the U.S. State Department, during a press conference. Yesterday, Washington expressed concern over China's support for Russia's actions in Ukraine and threatened further sanctions if Beijing fails to curb its support for Russia's arms industry. "If China doesn't limit its assistance to the Russian arms sector," Patel stated, "the U.S. is willing to implement additional measures."

02:50 AM – Rocket strikes residential building in Kharkiv; Three civilians perish

Russian forces fired rockets from Belgorod towards Kharkiv during the night, according to local authorities. Five explosions were reported in the area, with one hitting a five-story residential building. A total of twenty residential buildings sustained damage, as confirmed by Ukrayinska Pravda, a Ukrainian newspaper that published photos of the aftermath. Tragically, three people lost their lives in the attack, while sixteen others were injured. Two children were among the casualties.

01:46 AM – SPD Foreign Policy Spokesperson Supports Deployment of Western Weapons Against Targets in Russia

Nils Schmid, a spokesperson for the SPD's parliamentary group in Germany, suggests allowing Ukraine to employ Western weapons against military targets within Russia. He states, "It makes sense to lift the restriction on targets located in Russian territory." However, such a decision must be made by the NATO allies in unison.

00:06 AM – German Chancellor Scholz Rules Out Deployment of German Soldiers in Ukraine, No-Fly Zone Participation

Olaf Scholz, the German Chancellor, has made it clear that he does not support the deployment of German soldiers in Ukraine or their participation in a no-fly zone. He adds that the proposal of establishing a no-fly zone would involve shooting down aircraft from another nation using one's own aircraft, leading to a war. "The German chancellor is unequivocal on this matter," he emphasizes. This stance is shared by both U.S. President Joe Biden and French President Emmanuel Macron.

22:25 AM – Source Reveals: Biden Allows Use of US Weapons in Russia Against Ukraine, but With Limits

Apparently, the United States has agreed to allow Ukraine to use American-made weapons against Russia, specifically in the Kharkiv region. However, this development is a shift from President Joe Biden's earlier statement that Ukraine should not use American weapons for attacks within Russia. Despite this change, the restriction that Ukraine should not use weapons provided by the U.S. for offensives within Russia remains in place, as reported by U.S. government insiders.

22:06 AM – Ukrainian Storm Brigade Video Shows Street Combat in Vovchansk

The Liut Brigade, a police unit of the Ukrainian military, is defending the city of Vovchansk in the Kharkiv border region alongside other troops. Recently, the unit released footage that is alleged to display street fights within the city. This footage shows Storm Regiment Tsunami soldiers obstructing Russian soldiers from taking control of a building, according to the brigade.