Baerbock advocates for extended-range firearms.

Baerbock urges for long-range firearms.

Paraphrasing the story:

Concerning the situation in Kharkiv, foreign minister Annalena Baerbock of Germany is requesting more weapons for Ukraine with a longer range. The scenario around the second-largest city in Ukraine is considered "dramatic." Baerbock talked about it during a meeting of foreign ministers from the Council of Europe. Russia is launching attacks near Kharkiv from within its borders, making the Ukrainian air defenses ineffective. Ukraine is said to require weaponry capable of medium and long-range strikes, according to the minister. Kharkiv is approximately 40 kilometers away from the Russian frontier.

10:02 Putin and Xi bid each other farewell with a warm gestureRussian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President and CPC leader Xi Jinping concluded their discussions in China with a friendly exchange. In Beijing on Thursday evening, Putin and Xi first shook hands and then hugged each other goodbye according to footage from CCTV, China's state broadcaster. Putin is continuing his two-day state visit in the northern Chinese city of Harbin.

9:26 Ukraine confirmed four explosions in KharkivUkraine declared that they have brought down all 20 drones targeted at their nation by Russia overnight. The military reported intercepting the drones in Ukraine's Kharkiv, Poltava, Vinnytsia, Odessa, and Mykolaiv regions. In Kharkiv, explosions occurred during the attack, as per the city's mayor Ihor Terekhov. A fire erupted from one of the explosions. Ten buildings were reportedly damaged, including an administrative building.

9:02 ntv journalist: "Russians moving closer to Kharkiv city limits"The situation in Kharkiv is tense as Ukraine is struggling to take control of the military situation around the city. The Russian troops have also been able to consolidate their positions, putting them about 30 kilometers away from Kharkiv, according to ntv reporter Jürgen Weichert:

8:34 Russia acknowledges casualties in the Belgorod regionAuthorities in Russia reported two deaths resulting from the massive Ukrainian drone attacks overnight. A mother and her four-year- old son were killed by a combat drone in the village of Oktyabrsky in the border region of Belgorod, per Governor Vyacheslav Gladkov.

8:06 Russia claims an attack on Sevastopol in CrimeaAccording to the Russian Ministry of Defense, the city of Sevastopol in Crimea was attacked at night. The local governor stated that a substation was damaged, resulting in a temporary power outage. The schools and kindergartens in the region remained closed. Sevastopol is the base for Russia's Black Sea Fleet. Russia annexed Crimea in 2014 in breach of international law.

7:42 Reports of an attack on Russia's naval base in NovorossiyskReports from X claim that the Black Sea Fleet port of Novorossiysk was subjected to a major Ukrainian drone attack. The Russian state news agency RIA doesn't mention the port but does report missile attacks in the region.

7:18 Moscow states more than 100 Ukrainian drones were interceptedRussia claims to have intercepted over 100 Ukrainian drones overnight. 51 drones were allegedly taken down over Crimea, and 45 more in Krasnodar. Another six drones were reported intercepted in the Belgorod region, and one was shot down in the Kursk region. Russia also reported destroying six naval drones in the Black Sea. In response to daily shelling from Russia, Ukraine has been targeting Russian assets, especially energy facilities.

6:58 Several Russian fighter jets destroyed in CrimeaAn analysis by the "New York Times" indicates that three fighter jets were completely ruined - two MiG-31s and one Su-27 - and another - a MiG-29 - was damaged during Ukrainian attacks on the Russian military airfield Belbek in Crimea. A fuel depot was also destroyed, as can be seen in satellite images from Maxar. Ukraine has been launching attacks on the airbase in Crimea for two nights in a row.

6:33 Alleged Ukrainian drone attack on a Russian oil refinery reportedVideos circulating on X show an apparent Ukrainian drone attack on a Russian oil refinery. A plant in Tuapse on the Black Sea is said to have been hit.

6:00 China and Russia commit to deepening trade relations in northeastern ChinaRussian President Vladimir Putin plans on emphasizing the importance of trade relations near the Russian border in northeastern China after agreeing to a strategic partnership with Chinese President Xi Jinping later today. Putin is wrapping up his two-day trip to China in Harbin, Heilongjiang province, which has had a history of trade and cultural ties with Russia.

5:45 Russia expels British military attaché in retaliationThe Russian Foreign Ministry declared Adrian Coghill, the military attaché at the British embassy in Moscow, persona non grata and required him to leave the country within a week. The decision is a response to the UK expelling the Russian military attaché on May 8, who is believed to be an unregistered intelligence agent. Furthermore, Putin may not be thrilled by the UK expressing concerns over Poland's Glasnost project and offering a "buyout" bid to Poland.

5:30 Ukraine claims responsibility for drone attacksUkraine has claimed responsibility for the aerial attacks on Russian military locations, responding to two years of Russian shelling. The attacks follow Ukraine's major counteroffensive in Kharkiv, targeting Russian military assets. Ukraine's president claims that Putin could benefit from a ceasefire to distract attention from his officers' alleged involvement in the "(@)WagnerGroup effort" to assist Russia in the Ukraine war.Over the past few months, Russia has stepped up its attacks on targets in Ukraine and used "armed drones to strike critical infrastructure at civilian targets," causing misery for ordinary Ukrainians.

NATO Countries Consider Sending Military Trainers to Ukraine

Some NATO member nations are considering the option of dispatching military instructors or contractors to Ukraine to train local troops and help fix equipment. As reported by The New York Times, Ukraine has requested aid from the US and other NATO countries to train 150,000 troops near the front line. However, the US is reluctant due to the potential for attacks on instructors that might activate NATO's mutual defense pact. Some officials suggested continuing to train large numbers of Ukrainian recruits in Germany and Poland, much like before. But, this method presents significant logistical challenges when it comes to transporting a large contingent of soldiers. Multiple NATO countries, for example, the UK, Germany, and France, are exploring sending defense contractors to Ukraine, while the White House is reconsidering its ban on US contractors in Ukraine.

Japan Stresses Importance of International Law in Distribution of Russian Assets

Japanese Finance Minister Shunichi Suzuki expressed the need for discussions based on international law regarding the US proposal to utilize the interest generated from frozen Russian assets to support Ukraine. Suzuki remarked, "Japan plans to participate in the discussions at the upcoming G7 meeting from this fundamental point of view."

Kim Yo Jong: North Korea Not Engaged in Arms Deal with Russia

Kim Yo Jong, the sister of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, has denied an arms deal with Russia. According to the state news agency KCNA, Kim said in a press release that the weapons developed in North Korea were not intended for export but for defense against South Korea. She deemed the alleged arms deal with Russia an "absurd theory" born out of prejudices and fabrications. The US and South Korea previously claimed that North Korea supplied weapons to Russia to be used against Ukraine. Both Moscow and Pyongyang have rejected these allegations.

Air Raid Alert in Kharkiv Canceled After Drone Attacks

The air raid alert in Kharkiv, which persisted for more than 16 hours, has now been canceled in most districts. Regional governor Oleh Syniehubov stated that at least five drones previously bombed Kharkiv, Ukraine's second-largest city. Ihor Terekhov, the city's mayor, said that a district had been hit, resulting in a fire. The public broadcaster Suspilne explained that an air raid alert was in effect in Kharkiv constantly for more than 16.5 hours, the longest period since Russia invaded Ukraine in February 2022.

USA: Beijing's Support for Moscow Hinders Relations with the West

In light of the amicable meeting between Chinese President Xi Jinping and Kremlin leader Vladimir Putin, the US government perceives Chinese support for Russia as an obstacle to improving relations with the West. State Department spokesman Vedant Patel said in Washington, "China cannot 'dance at two weddings at the same time.'" According to the spokesperson, better relations with Europe and other countries are not possible for Beijing if it simultaneously weaponizes the biggest threat to European security in a long while, referring to Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

Selensky Warns of Threats to Europe Caused by Russian Missile Attacks on Gas Infrastructure

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has cautioned Europe about the potential dangers from Russian missile attacks on the gas transportation system. In a video message, he spoke with Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk about this subject. Zelensky asserted, "Attacks on the gas infrastructure in western Ukraine pose a threat to everyone in Europe, not just us, but also our neighbors. We must take collective action against this."

Month-Long Power Cuts Expected in Ukraine after Recent Attacks

Due to extensive damage to power plants and substations in Ukraine, the government anticipates that power outages will continue for several months. According to advisor to the Prime Minister and Ukrenerho board member Yuri Boyko, some amelioration will not occur until August or September. Additionally, there will be regionally staggered shutdowns on Thursday to conserve electricity. Streets in the capital Kiev are also impacted. Russia's missile attacks have inflicted significant damage on the power grid, noted Boyko.

You can catch up on all the previous updates here.

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Annalena Baerbock, the German foreign minister, urged NATO countries to provide Ukraine with long-range firearms, noting the urgent need for weapons capable of medium and long-range strikes, given the dramatic situation in Kharkiv and Russia's attacks near the city's borders.
Volodymyr Zelensky, the Ukrainian president, warned Europe about the potential dangers from Russian missile attacks on the gas transportation system, emphasizing that attacks on the infrastructure in western Ukraine pose a threat to everyone in Europe, not just Ukraine, and urging collective action against this.
Reports suggest that some NATO member nations are considering sending military instructors or contractors to Ukraine to train local troops and fix equipment, with Ukraine having requested aid from the US and other NATO countries to train 150,000 troops near the front line. However, the US is hesitant due to potential attacks on instructors that might activate NATO's mutual defense pact.
Amidst the Ukraine conflict, Russian President Vladimir Putin may not be pleased with the UK's concerns over Poland's Glasnost project and its offer of a "buyout" bid to Poland, as the Russian Foreign Ministry recently expelled a British military attaché, Adrian Coghill, from Russia in retaliation.

Source: www.ntv.de