At 22:22, Nikopol experiences unrelenting artillery fire.
Throughout the day, the Nikopol region has experienced continuous Russian attacks, as stated by Serhiy Lysak, the governor of the Dnipropetrovsk region. These attacks included 15 kamikaze drone strikes and artillery fire. Amazingly, there were no casualties or injuries reported. However, damage to various buildings and a power line was documented.
At 21:39, an NGO (Non-Governmental Organization) called Save Ukraine successfully returned a kidnapped 17-year-old girl named Ilona from Russia to her homeland. She will be reunited with her mother, as per the organization's update. Approximately 20,000 children and youths were abducted from Ukraine and taken to Russia or Russian-controlled areas, according to the Ukrainian government in Kiev.
In his evening video address, President Volodymyr Zelensky of Ukraine thanked the soldiers on the frontline in the Donetsk region, acknowledging their bravery in the midst of daily conflicts. He assured these soldiers that they and the entire army would receive more weapons, equipment, and modern systems. Zelensky also mentioned their preparation of new strategies.
The Ukrainian Supreme Commander Oleksandr Syrskyj made a visit to the 79th separate airborne brigade at the frontline in the Donbass region. Syrskyj bestowed medals on the paratroopers, expressing his pride in them. "Your unwavering determination continually thwarts the enemy's plans to seize our territory and creates the necessary conditions for its liberation," stated Syrskyj.
In a few weeks, the Ukrainian military will initiate tests for domestically produced guided bombs, announced Serhiy Golubtsov, a high-ranking Air Force officer, in an interview with Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty.
Two modern combat aircraft, possibly of the type Su-57, may have been struck during a Ukrainian attack on the Achtubinsk airfield in southern Russia, mentioned a spokesperson for the Ukrainian military intelligence service (HUR) on Ukrainian television. This information is yet to be confirmed. The Su-57 jet is of the latest generation and has been deployed by the Russian Air Force since the end of 2020.
The city of Kharkiv has been bombarded by Russian artillery again, as per Governor Oleg Sinegubov's reports. He is unsure of casualties but confirms that several buildings have been damaged. Mayor Igor Terekhov also speaks of damaged structures.
Jake Sullivan, US President Joe Biden's National Security Advisor, highlighted during his speech on CBS that the Russian military offensive in the northeastern Ukrainian region of Kharkiv has lost some momentum. Kharkiv remains under threat, but the Russians have not achieved any significant progress in this area in the recent days.
Kremlin is purportedly transferring some units from the southern Ukrainian region of Kherson to the northern area of Kharkiv, according to reports. But it is uncertain if these troops will be deployed immediately in combat or used as reinforcements for the military group Sever (North). US analysts from the Institute for the Study of War (ISW) have reported this information, citing a Chechen commander and Ukrainian military sources.
Russia is allegedly recruiting African migrants to fight in the Kharkiv region, causing fear among students and workers in the area. According to a report by Bloomberg, citing European diplomats, Russian authorities have threatened these individuals with the withholding of visa extensions unless they join the battle. Some were able to avoid this by paying off the officials.
Breaking News: Explosion Reported in Russian Area of Belgorod
Reports suggest an explosion has occurred in the Russian region of Belgorod. Citizens have shared videos of the incident on Telegram via the Russian-language channel Astra. It is alleged that a munitions depot in the Rakityansky district had caught fire in the afternoon. The regional governor had previously issued several warnings on Telegram about the potential dangers of rockets. Meanwhile, the Russian Defense Ministry reported that several Ukrainian drones had been shot down over the Belgorod region in the afternoon.
15:44 Update: Russian Troops Massing Near Chassiv Yar
According to Ukrainian news outlet "Ukrajinska Pravda", Russian soldiers are assembling their troops on the outskirts of Chassiv Yar, a city in Eastern Ukraine. This information comes from a military source. For the past week, there have been over 1,500 bombardments, the source claims. Ukrainian forces have destroyed many positions using multiple rocket launchers and guided air bombs to secure logistical supplies along a road from Bachmut to Chassiv Yar. "And they began advancing and [gathering troops] under the protection of first-person view drones," the source adds. "The city center is under our control," it further states.
14:57 Analysts: Ukrainian Pilots Visible in Russian Drone Footage
The Ukrainian armed forces have shared a video of pilots of a type Yak-52 aircraft, who are clearly visible in footage from a Russian reconnaissance drone. The pilots are witnessed through the drone's camera. The Ukrainian military says this was a plane used for air defense and was active in the Mykolajiw region.
13:58 Responsibility Claimed for Russian Fighter Jet Attack
Ukrainian intelligence service (HUR) has claimed responsibility for the drone attack on a modern Russian fighter jet stationed over 600 kilometers away from the border, within Russian territory. The HUR is part of the Ministry of Defense and is known for their daring operations on Russian ground and in Russian-occupied areas in Ukraine. A source from the HUR alleges that a drone made in Ukraine was used in the attack.
13:27 Kremlin Aims to Reorganize Occupied Territories
The Kremlin is reportedly planning to combine the occupied territories in four southeastern Oblasts and the Crimean peninsula into a federal district called "Novorossiya." This announcement comes from Luhansk's regional military administration head, Artem Lysohor, on Telegram. "The locals are not given the option to choose a name, as there is only one option - Novorossiya," Lysohor writes. He also notes that such territorial entities have no legal standing. After the holidays, schoolchildren will be taught local history based on Russian textbooks.
12:57 Permission to Target Russian Territory Impacts Conflict
In a radio interview, a Ukrainian brigade commander confirmed that permission to direct Western weapons at Russia has had an "immediate impact" on the overall course of hostilities. Commander Yuriy Fedorenko said, "We got the opportunity to shut down essential things like electronic reconnaissance, electronic warfare, air defense, and - what's very important - the S-300 and S-400 systems, which systematically attacked Kharkiv." It seems that this current permission from the West marks "Step One," with an expected expansion onto deeper Russian territory forming "Step Two."
12:35 Military Reports: 103 Russian Attacks on Settlements, 93 on Infrastructure
The Ukrainian military reports that 103 Russian attacks have been carried out on settlements in Ukraine as well as 93 on infrastructure since the previous day. The attacks have targeted ten regions, with fatalities reported in Kharkiv, Kherson, and Izium. Houses and a school have been damaged.
12:09 Female Participation in the Ukrainian Army Increases Significantly
Currently, more than 67,000 women serve in the Ukrainian army, primarily as soldiers. Although the mobilization of recruits after Russia's full-scale attack in 2022 didn't target women, the number of women in the army has increased by 40 percent. Women are now willing to engage in combat, operate artillery systems, and operate drones. The government is now considering career opportunities for these female soldiers.
11:31 Database to Register Mining-Affected Areas in Ukraine
The Ukrainian government plans to develop a registry to monitor the demining status of areas in nearly real-time. This is especially important for farmers to know if their lands are still hazardous or have been cleared. Security expert Gustav Gressel warns that, in the post-war situation in Ukraine, "We have North Korean ammunition from the 50s with a dud rate of over 30 percent." Consequently, the Ukrainian landscape will be filled with minefields.
10:55 Survey: Most Germans Support Conscription
A recent survey reveals that 60 percent of Germans support military conscription. Some believe this is due to the current Russian invasion of Ukraine and the dangerous nature of ongoing conflict, prompting the need for increased defense efforts.
Most Germans desire the reinstatement of a conscribed army, with 60% stating their approval, whether "completely" or "to some extent" (28% and 32%, respectively). However, 32% of the surveyed individuals opposed this notion, with 18% supporting it moderately and 14% wholeheartedly. Conscription was previously terminated in 2011. As a result of Russia's invasion of Ukraine, a debate has emerged regarding the expansion of the Bundeswehr.
10:32: In Ukraine, there has been a successful assault on Russia's most sophisticated aircraft, the Su-57. According to reports, an attack on an airfield in the Astrakhan region, situated approximately 600 kilometers from the border, damaged the Su-57. Imagery from satellites portrays the jet intact as of Friday, but damaged due to blasts on Saturday. Ukraine reported a drone attack on several regions, including Astrakhan, on Friday. The Su-57 is Russia's most modern fighter jet, which doubles as a carrier of missiles. Naturally, few examples of this aircraft have been engaged in actual conflict.
10:11: The United States Institute for the Study of War finds that Russian troops are insufficient to execute widespread offensives in the summer. Each month, Russia mobilizes 30,000 soldiers, some of which are deployed as reinforcements in the front. However, the ISW asserts that this reinforcement will not suffice to execute large-scale operations on various fronts during the summer. Consequently, the new reserves will not serve as either the first or second line forces crucial for conducting a large-scale offensive.
09:27: The United Nations reports a minimum of 174 Ukrainian civilians were slain and 690 were harmed in May. This marks the highest monthly civilian death toll in a year. The UN attributes this escalation in casualties to the intense attacks by Russian troops in the Kharkiv region. The majority of casualties originated from this region.
08:50: The Ukrainian military intelligence service claims that Russia intends to provide instruction in occupied territories for officers. The Kyiv Post revealed this, citing a report from the Ukrainian Special Forces. The educated officers will be provided with "alluring employment opportunities" within the parameters of a contract. The program will focus specifically on electronic warfare, which involves managing radar or radar jamming devices. The Russian military is currently utilizing jamming devices so extensively that Western precision munitions often fail to hit their targets.
08:19: The Ukrainian General Staff has documented 1,270 Russian personnel casualties within the past 24 hours. The number of casualties collectively through the entire invasion, as estimated by the Ukrainians, now stands at over 518,000. Failures of 26 Russian tanks, 26 armored vehicles, 60 artillery systems, and two air defense systems were reported during this span. In addition, 37 drones were destroyed.
07:40: Ukrainian forces managed to counter the Russian advances towards Kharkiv. For the past few weeks, Russia has been amassing troops along Ukraine's northeastern border. Wochtsansk, a town near Kharkiv, has undergone intense shelling and is presumed to be targeted for a significant offensive. However, current information indicates that Ukrainian troops have effectively stopped the Russian advance in this region.
07:27: NATO is contemplating employing a "permanent civilian representative" in Kyiv. This position would coordinate NATO support for Ukraine and facilitate military assistance from Western nations. This proposal resembles NATO's role during its two-decade tenure in Afghanistan. The impetus for these deliberations: It is improbable that NATO nations will endorse Ukraine's admittance to accession negotiations at the upcoming July summit in Washington. Therefore, NATO is seeking ways to advance their relationship with Kyiv without granting the commitment of potential membership.
06:55: The Ukrainian government is initiating a new strategy to collaborate with arms manufacturers. The goal is to establish more direct agreements with individual manufacturers. A contract was concluded with a Bulgarian company by Vice Defense Minister Dmytro Klimenkov, according to "Ukrinform." "This arrangement allows us to secure modern weaponry directly from the manufacturer, which facilitates a more rapid and efficient transformation of the Ukrainian army," Klimenkov stated.
06:19: The Austrian Defense Minister, Klaudia Tanner, declared that Germany, France, and the United States have "violated a red line" in permitting Kyiv to utilize Western weapons on Russian soil in an interview with "Die Presse." She is therefore overjoyed that NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg acknowledged that no troops would be sent to Ukraine. Tanner refused to address the necessity for Ukraine to defend itself against shelling from the Russian border. "As a militarily neutral nation, it is not within our authority to pass judgment."
05:38 German Military: Increasing Reserve Forces Substantially
In Germany's defense department, strategies are being formulated for an enhanced Bundeswehr reserve force. This force should be prepared and geared up like in the Cold War era, capable of supporting or replacing active troops in combat, states Lieutenant General Alexander Hoppe, the Deputy Inspector General and overseer of reservist affairs, at Berlin. The intention for military experts is to have around 60,000 individuals as reservists in what's known as the basic order, who are delegated a specific task and trained for it.
04:37 German Government Uneasy About Macron's Plan for European Soldiers in Ukraine
Amid security concerns, the German government opposes French President Emmanuel Macron's proposal to send European soldiers to Ukraine for training Ukrainian forces. "Training within the EU ensures security, yet the potential threat of training sites in Ukraine being targeted undermines the effectiveness of the training," quotes "Welt am Sonntag" an internal EU document they gained access to. The German government voiced serious security concerns during a meeting of European defense ministers on May 28.
03:20 Ukrainian Army Insists Russians Seeking Breakthrough
The Ukrainian General Staff reported a total of 76 combat incidents within the last 24 hours. The most alarming situation is at the Pokrovsk Front, where 27 Russian attacks were reported. The Ukrainian army command in Kiev indicates that the Russians are attempting to penetrate from Ocheretyne to Yevhenivka and Novooleksandrivka.
01:42 Paris' Graffiti: Three Moldovans in Pre-trial Detention
Following the appearance of graffiti depicting a coffin and the words "French soldier in Ukraine" on houses in Paris, three individuals from Moldova are in pre-trial detention. The investigation is investigating foreign influence, says a spokesperson for the prosecutor's office. On Friday, graffiti featuring a shovel and "French soldier in Ukraine" emerged on the walls of buildings in the French capital. On Saturday night, three Moldovans were apprehended near Paris with paint cans and stencils. Merely a few days earlier, coffins labeled "French soldiers in Ukraine" were positioned at the Eiffel Tower. Three individuals were detained, including a German.
00:39 United Nations: Over 170 Civilian Deaths in Ukraine in May
As per a United Nations declaration, at least 174 civilians were slain in Ukraine in May, making it the month with the highest number of deaths since June 2023. Ukraine has maintained that Russia deliberately bombs residential regions near the front in order to induce evacuations. Moscow refutes allegations of targeted assaults on civilians.
23:24 Ambulance Attack: Drone Drops Explosives
The driver of an ambulance suffered injuries due to Russian troops dropping explosives from a drone onto the ambulance, accusations made by Ukrainian officials. The assault occurred in Biloserka, a southern village.
22:23 Prosecutor General: Almost All Ukrainian Prisoners of War Were Tortured
Russian military is suspected of inflicting torture on prisoners of war or civilians, as per Ukrainian Prosecutor General Andriy Kostin. "During the first informal conversation with returning Ukrainian soldiers, up to 90% of them disclosed that they experienced various forms of torture, cruel treatment, physical, including sexual, and psychological violence," states the Prosecutor General.
21:42 Zelenskyy Sees Russian Charkiv Offensive as Unsuccessful
Ukrainian President Zelenskyy believes that Russian troops failed in their push in the Charkiv region. During his evening address, the president relayed his conversation with Commander-in-Chief Oleksandr Syrskyi about the overall status of the front. A significant accomplishment, he reported, is that the Russians did not execute their operation in Charkiv. "Our forces are sustaining them as much as possible and annihilating Russian detachments attempting to infiltrate our country and spread terror in the region of Charkiv," said Zelenskyy. The Charkiv Front is currently tense; reinforcements are needed to strengthen it. The Donestk district situation is exceptionally challenging.
For updates on earlier events, please check here.
Read also:
- The ongoing Ukraine conflict has escalated to include cyberwarfare, as reported by Ukrainian officials, who have stated that Russian-backed hackers have launched numerous cyberattacks against Ukraine's critical infrastructure.
- President Volodymyr Selensky has advocated for the strengthening of Ukraine's military, including the acquisition of more advanced weapons and equipment, in light of the increased threat from Russia and ongoing military operations in the Donetsk and Donbass regions.
- Amidst these challenges, NATO allies have vowed to support Ukraine in its defense against any attack from Russia, with the possibility of establishing a permanent civilian representative in Kyiv to coordinate and facilitate military assistance.
- In response to the escalating conflict, Russia has allegedly been recruiting foreign fighters, including Africans, to bolster its forces in the Kharkiv region, which has raised concerns among the local population in the area.
