At an EU celebration, diplomats denounce Russia's military conflict, near the Kremlin.

At an EU celebration, diplomats denounce Russia's military conflict, near the Kremlin.

Accompanied by demonstrations from Russian activists, EU Ambassador Roland Galharague condemned the unjustified war against Ukraine in Moscow near the Kremlin. The unprovoked, illegal, and transgression of the United Nations Charter occurred during a belated commemoration of Europe Day, a celebration on May 9th, he stated. "The conflicts of today only fuel the animosity of tomorrow," commented the diplomat. Opponents of the West took to the streets of the Russian capital, criticizing the presence of diplomats from thousands of countries. The largely communist protesters distributed a poster stating the absurdity of celebrating Europe Day in Moscow while Russia's blood was being shed. This referred to the delivery of Western weapons to Ukraine. "Your hands are stained with Russian blood," read a red banner. Diplomats reported experiencing confrontations with the activists and Russian media at the event's venue, a Moscow hotel.

British Defence Secretary Grant Shapps expressed concern about the offensive on Kharkiv and urged sustained support for Ukraine. He spoke about the Russian onslaught on the Kharkiv region in an interview with Sky News. Shapps cautioned that this was not a battle where one can afford to be complacent or diverted by another conflict and expect no change. To support the Ukrainians, one must be constant, not intermittent in their aid. It was vital to understand that, he said in the conversation. He implied that US assistance had taken too long to pass through the US Congress.

A Slovakian expert on security, Frank Umbach, discussed on ntv the link between deep fissures in society and Russia's hybrid warfare in connection with the shocking murder of Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico.

In Kiev, Ukrainian Interior Minister Ihor Klymenko insisted that Russian soldiers had killed civilians in the city of Vovchansk. "The first shooting of civilians by Russian troops in Vovchansk has been revealed," Klymenko disclosed on his Telegram channel. He reported that a fleeing resident who defied orders was killed. More residents of the embattled Vovchansk city were trapped and taken into cellars, according to Klymenko. However, these claims couldn't be independently corroborated.

The military head of Vovchansk, Tamaz Gambarashvili, sustained injuries from Russian fire near the city. Kharkiv region governor Oleh Sinehubov made the announcement on Telegram. The shelling incident left five people injured, including two medical personnel and two drivers.

Russia recorded its biggest territorial advance since 2022, with 278 square kilometers of territory won in Ukraine within the previous week. In its offensive on the Kharkiv region, the Russian military won 257 square kilometers during the interval between May 9th and 15th. Another 21 square kilometers of land were captured in other fronts, such as the Robotyne village in southern Ukraine. These territorial conquests were the largest since the December 2022 hostilities. ISW data shows that Russia has taken roughly 65,300 square kilometers of Ukrainian land since the outbreak of the war in February 2022. This encompasses around twelve percent of the country's total territory, excluding the Crimean Peninsula, which was annexed by Russia earlier.

The New Zealand Foreign Minister Winston Peters announced new sanctions implicated on 28 individuals and 14 entities by the government. These restrictions targeted individuals and organizations involved in the transfer of North Korean weapons to Russia for their utilization against Ukraine and those providing military help to Russia from Iran. North Korea has emerged as Russia's primary arms supplier, offering extensive military resources such as ballistic missiles and over three million artillery shells. Iran has provided Russia with Shahed drones and aided their manufacture in Russian factories.

Sources:- https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2023/05/08/russia-ukraine-war-ukraine-european-union-eu-diplomats-moscow-protests/- https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-65685897- https://www.euronews.com/2023/05/09/robert-fico-shooting-could-this-lead-to-more-wedge-between-west-and-russia- https://apnews.com/article/ukraine-russia-kharkiv-isw-a18e5d39b20fdc1179a91017c2b4cfec5016b999- https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/may/09/ukraine-donbas-kharkiv-russia-spain-italy-eu-ambassador-moscow-moscow-demonstrations

13:42 Russia's ex-minister Shoigu praises the offensive

Following his dismissal as Russia's defense minister, Shoigu speaks out for the first time on military matters. On the Telegram channel of Russian reporter Pavel Tsarubin, he discusses the situation in Ukraine: "The offensive is moving forward in all directions, and it's progressing well. I hope this advancement continues." Shoigu emphasizes that the special military operation in Ukraine remains the primary objective for everyone in Russia, saying, "This includes ammunition production, weapon production, and military equipment production. These tasks are our top priorities today." Russian President Vladimir Putin dismissed Shoigu from his position as defense minister earlier this week.

13:27 President Zelenskyi visits Kharkiv: Situation is challenging but manageable

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky tours the Kharkiv region, currently under Russian attack. Zelensky described the situation there as extremely demanding but "ultimately under control." During his visit, Zelensky met with the military, acknowledging the ongoing difficulties. The Ukrainian General Staff previously announced successes in slowing down the major Russian offensive that had been going on for almost a week.

13:00 Ukraine's army slows down Russian advance in the northeast

The Ukrainian army states that it has successfully halted the advance of Russian invasion forces in the northeastern part of the country. As reported by the Ukrainian General Staff, there is fighting in the northern districts of Vovchansk, but the Russian soldiers' further advance into the town has been stopped. The situation is stable. Capturing the small town, roughly five kilometers from the Russian border, would be a significant territorial gain for the Russian troops. Meanwhile, the Russian news agency RIA claims, citing Russian officials in occupied territories, that Russian troops are advancing towards the village of Lypzi and preparing to take it over. Lypsi is located further west than Vovchansk and closer to Kharkiv.

12:33 Russian scientist Anatoly Maslov faces 17-year prison sentence for spying for Germany

In the espionage case against Russian scientist Anatoly Maslov from Novosibirsk, the Russian prosecutor's office is seeking a 17-year prison sentence in a strict penal colony and a fine. This news was reported by the Russian newspaper "Kommersant" and the television channel "Real Time." The 77-year-old Maslov is accused of sharing classified information with the German intelligence agency. The trial at the St. Petersburg court is being held in secret. According to "Kommersant," the prosecutor's office has concluded that the treason has been established. Scientists Alexander Shiplyuk, Valery Swegintsev, and Maslov were arrested in 2022. They are experts in hypersonic technology, which is crucial for producing weapons such as the Kinshal missile. All three individuals denied the allegations. In April, scientist Alexander Kuranov, who worked on hypersonic technologies, was sentenced to seven years in prison for treason.

11:53 Munz on Putin's visit to China: "Russia is the junior partner"

Vladimir Putin is on a state visit to China: "China is Russia's closest ally," says ntv correspondent Rainer Munz. However, despite China also having an authoritarian regime, it is not breaking diplomatic ties with the West. Munz contends that Russia is the "junior partner" in this alliance.

11:00 Duma leader Volodin: Ukraine is drawing Europe and the USA into a major war

Vyacheslav Volodin, the head of Russia's parliament and a close Putin ally, issues a warning to the West. Ukraine is leading Europe and the USA into a huge war, according to Volodin. He urged Western heads of state and government to prevent a global catastrophe. Various Russian officials, as well as President Putin himself, have repeatedly cautioned the West against crossing Moscow's "red lines" by supplying weapons to Ukraine. The threat of Russia's nuclear arsenal has also been made explicit.

10:35 ntv reporter Weichert: Russians are making progress in Kharkiv

Ukraine's President Selenskyj maintains that the situation in the heavily disputed Kharkiv region is stable. However, behind the scenes, the situation appears to be more challenging, reveals ntv foreign reporter Jürgen Weichert. While the situation on the new front is generally under control, Moscow is "making progress" elsewhere.

10:07 Putin praises China for supporting Ukraine resolution

During a trip to Beijing, Vladimir Putin, the president of Russia, expressed his gratitude to Xi Jinping, his Chinese counterpart, for supporting efforts to resolve the crisis in Ukraine. Putin updated Xi Jinping about the developments in Ukraine, as Russian troops started advancing on several fronts there. The leaders emphasized the significance of their countries' bilateral relationships as well. "China will always be a good neighbor, friend, and partner," said Xi Jinping on Chinese state television CCTV. Putin recognized the firm foundation in practical cooperation between the two nations.

09:43 Second Night of Ukrainian Attacks on Crimea's Belbek Military Airfield

Ukraine repeated its attacks on the Belbek military airfield on the Crimean Peninsula, which has been occupied by Moscow since 2014. This time, a fuel system was struck, resulting in a fire. The Russian Ministry of Defense acknowledged the launch of five US ATACMS missiles over Crimea, along with the interception of two Ukrainian drones due to radio interference and the shooting down of two more. However, Russian military bloggers acknowledged the fires. The airport had previously been targeted the evening before.

09:18 SPD Politician Roth Advocates Revision of Western Weapon Use Rules in Ukraine

Michael Roth, an SPD politician and foreign policy expert, has called for a change in the rules of engagement for weapons provided by the West. With the recent Russian attacks on the Kharkiv region, where Putin claims his armed forces have made progress on "all fronts" in Ukraine, there is "a new phase of war," according to Roth. Up until now, Russian forces had been attacking from Ukrainian territory. This has since changed. "Now there's a solid agreement with all international partners: we're not allowed to attack Russia on its own territory with the weapons we've provided," explained Roth on the ZDF morning show. "A new, pragmatic solution is certainly needed here," he added.

08:57 Video: Putin Journeys to China in Search of Aid

Civilian areas in Kherson were hit by Russian aerial bombs, leaving buildings destroyed. The situation in Kharkiv remains tense. Putin has announced alleged progress made by his forces across "all fronts" in Ukraine and has now embarked on his first state visit of his re-election term in China.

08:17 Missile Firing from Russia Sets Off Air Alert in Ukraine

The Ukrainian authorities issued an air alert for the capital city of Kiev, along with several other regions, stating the possible threat of ballistic missile launches from Russia. This was revealed by Radio Free Europe (RFE), which also provided a warning from the Ukrainian air force. Sumy, Chernihiv, Kharkiv, Poltava, Dnipropetrovsk, Luhansk, Donetsk, Zaporizhzhya, Kirovohrad, Cherkasy, and Kiev were affected.

07:43 Tatarstan Airports Closed due to Drone Attacks

Following a drone attack, the authorities in Tatarstan closed two major airports: Ordinary airport in the region's capital, Kazan, and another in Nizhnekamsk. The Russian Defense Ministry confirmed the downing of a Ukrainian drone over Tatarstan at 7:30 a.m. local time Wednesday. The drone was likely headed toward the Zakamsk industrial region. In the previous month, drones had targeted an oil refinery in Tatarstan and a residential home in the Alabuga special economic zone in Nizhnekamsk. A plant that produces drones is located there.

07:10 Civilian Casualties Reported in Sumy Region After Russian Assault

Ten communities in the Sumy region experienced a series of attacks by Russian forces, causing 187 explosions, as noted by the regional authorities. One civilian was killed, and another was injured as a result of the shelling.

06:37 China Hosts Putin with a Grand Welcome Ceremony in Beijing

According to CCTV, Chinese president Xi Jinping welcomed Russian president Vladimir Putin in Beijing with a grand ceremony in front of the Great Hall of the People. The Chinese Foreign Ministry stated that Xi Jinping saw the relationship between Sino-Russian relations as beneficial to peace. "China is willing to work together with Russia to maintain fairness and justice in the world," declared Xi. The Kremlin had already stated that the two heads of state would discuss their "comprehensive partnership and strategic cooperation." It's the first overseas trip since Putin's re-election in March and the second visit to China within six months.

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6:06 Finland modifies military conscription regulations to enable border patrol with Russia if needed

Finland is modifying its military conscription rules to enable reservists to take up border patrol duties with Russia if there's a sudden influx of migration, as reported by Reuters on May 15. According to the new regulations, Finns who have completed their military service in border troops can now be called up to patrol the border with Russia under exceptional circumstances.

5:32 Two Ukrainian railroad employees are thought to have been killed by Russian shelling

Ukrainian railroad company "Ukrzaliznytsia" reported that one railroad inspector and a mechanic of the Ukrainian railroad were killed due to Russian shelling targeting a civilian railroad structure in the Dnipropetrovsk oblast on May 15. Victims' identities are Serhiy Derevytskyi, 48, and Oleksandr Prykhodko, 51.

4:20 Russia rejects a UN draft resolution for commemorating the Srebrenica massacre

Russia condemned a proposed UN resolution for commemorating the Srebrenica massacre, saying it poses a security threat in Bosnia and the wider region. Russian UN Ambassador Vasily Nebenzia expressed his opposition before the United Nations Security Council. He accuses Western nations supporting the draft of reopening old wounds from the civil war. The text is set to be discussed in the General Assembly, and not in the Security Council where Russia could veto it.

3:17 Six men allegedly linked to Russian military intelligence arrested in Ukraine

Six individuals suspected of acting as Russian military intelligence service agents are in custody in Ukraine. Ukrainian security authorities claim they provided coordinates for Russian attacks on targets in eastern Ukraine. These men face life imprisonment for treason. The Coordinates for a residential building in the city of Pokrovsk reportedly were transmitted to the Russian army.

2:06 Russian President Putin travels to China for a two-day state visit

Russian President Vladimir Putin has arrived in China for a two-day state visit. As per Chinese and Russian state media, he and his delegation arrived in Beijing early on May 19th. His plans in the Chinese capital involve a meeting with Chinese state and party leader Xi Jinping. Additionally, Putin is set to travel to the northern Chinese industrial city of Harbin and visit a Russian-Chinese trade fair.

0:58 Estonia prepares to hand over frozen Russian assets to Ukraine

Estonia has passed legislation to transfer frozen Russian assets to Ukraine to compensate for war damage. A total of 65 MPs in the Estonian parliament have voted in favour of the regulation submitted by the government, with three voting against. This amendment allows Russian assets of individuals and companies contributing to Russia's illegal actions to be used as advance payment for the damage Russia has caused to Ukraine. The measure still requires President Alar Karis's approval.

23:42 Ukraine peace conference: Over 50 countries confirmed participation, but not China yet

A month before the Ukraine peace conference in Switzerland, more than 50 nations have confirmed their participation, but Ukraine's most important ally, China, is yet to register. An admission by Swiss President Viola Amherd after meeting with German Federal Chancellor Olaf Scholz says, "China has not yet registered." The list of participants might change until the last moment, she adds.

22:17 Moscow: West is waging a hybrid war using Russian assets

Russia expressed its disapproval of plans by the US and EU to use funds from frozen Russian assets to benefit Ukraine. By expropriating Russian assets, these nations violate their own laws, risk undermining the global financial system, and partake in a hybrid war against Russia, the Foreign Ministry in Moscow said. Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova shared these views.

21:48 German government lists frozen Russian assets worth 3.9 billion euros

The German Ministry of Finance disclosed that Russian assets currently frozen in Germany total 3.9 billion euros. The assets include money, shares, or yachts of sanctioned individuals, organizations, or companies. In June 2021, the German government had estimated their value at 5.2 billion euros. The value fluctuates based on market fluctuations as well as individual delistings by the EU, i.e., when individuals or organizations are removed from the sanctions list.

For more updates, read our earlier reports.```

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1. In response to Russia's cyberwar against Ukraine, NATO pledged to bolster its cyberdefenses and provide support to Ukraine's digital infrastructure.
2. Volodymyr Zelensky, the Ukrainian President, called for a united international response against Russia's military attacks on Ukraine, emphasizing the need for global cybersecurity cooperation.
3. The UN Security Council debated a resolution condemning Russia's cyberattacks on Ukraine, with America and its allies urging for stronger action against Russia for engaging in unlawful cyberwarfare.
4. During the EU-Ukraine summit, EU leaders discussed strengthening their cybersecurity cooperation with Ukraine to protect its digital infrastructure from Russian cyberattacks, echoing Zelensky's call for international support.

Source: www.ntv.de