Execution of a Ukrainian soldier: Kiev pinpoints Russians implicated
Ukrainian authorities have identified potential Russian commanders implicated in the decapitation of a Ukrainian soldier, as per General Prosecutor Andriy Kostin. This information was reported by X. The deceased soldier has been tentatively identified and is currently under verification. This serves as further proof that Russia disregards international law and basic morality, Kostin asserted. "Any world leader shaking hands with Putin should realize they're shaking hands with someone who tolerates barbaric killings," Kostin stated. It was revealed on Monday that Russians in the Donetsk region had beheaded a Ukrainian soldier, and his head was discovered on a military vehicle during an aerial reconnaissance mission. A picture of the head was posted online.
In less than a week prior to Evan Gershkovich's trial on espionage charges in Russia, Moscow discussed a potential prisoner swap. "The ball is in the US court," Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Ryabkov told the state Russian news agency TASS. "We're waiting for their response to the proposals we've made," he added. The Russian proposals are known to the pertinent US authorities, Ryabkov further stated. "I understand that the Americans might not approve of certain aspects of these proposals. That's their problem," he added. In his view, Moscow's approach is "entirely justified, reasonable, and balanced." No specifics were provided about these proposals. Gershkovich was apprehended in March 2023 during a reporting assignment in Russia and has been detained at the Lefortovo Prison in Moscow ever since. The prosecutor accuses the Wall Street Journal reporter of working for the CIA and gathering secret information about the tank manufacturer Uralvagonzavod in the Sverdlovsk region. The trial against him is set to commence on June 26 in the city of Yekaterinburg, located east of the Ural Mountains. If found guilty, the 32-year-old faces up to 20 years in prison.
Russia is conducting military exercises using nuclear-powered submarines in the Barents Sea, according to their own reports. Ships from the Northern Fleet, equipped with nuclear propulsion, fired rockets at targets in the sea, as Russian news agencies reported. The exercise was successful. The Barents Sea borders the northern coasts of Norway and Russia.
US Senator Mark Warner warns of increasing Russian interference in upcoming UK elections. Warner, who chairs the Intelligence Committee of the Senate, states that Russia and its agents aim to sow discord or pit groups against each other to widen social divisions in the UK. "The US is closely monitoring the situation in the UK," says Warner, and adds that the US possesses evidence of Russia's large-scale attempts to interfere in elections globally. "It seems Russia is displeased that Britain has remained steadfast in its support of Ukraine," so Warner.
Russia is revising its Atomdoctrine, as reported by Rainer Munz, an NTV correspondent. The possible motivations behind the adjustment and Putin's first visit to North Korea in 24 years are discussed by Munz.
Putin thanks Kim for his support in Ukraine during his visit to North Korea, and Kim pledges "full support and solidarity." At the outset of their discussions, Putin announced the signing of an agreement intended to bolster ties between Moscow and Pyongyang. According to Russian state news agencies TASS and Ria Novosti, the agreement targets long-term relations between the two countries. Putin praised the "close friendship" between the two nations, which he said is rooted in "equality and respect for each other's interests."
Ukraine can now target Russia with Western weapons, as shown by Colonel Reisner of the Austrian Army. The pressure on Russian logistics is also evident at the front, and Ukrainian forces can regain the initiative in some combat zones.
Since Russia's military invasion of Ukraine on February 24th, an estimated over 529,750 Russian soldiers have been lost. This information was reported by the General Staff of the Ukrainian Armed Forces. In addition, Russia has reportedly lost 7984 tanks, 15,319 armored combat vehicles, 19,078 vehicles and fuel tanks, 14,007 artillery systems, 1104 multiple rocket launchers, 857 air defense systems, 359 aircraft, 326 helicopters, 11,221 drones, 28 ships and boats, and one submarine.
Russian Prez, Vladimir Putin, unveils fresh accord with North Korea chief Kim Jong Un in Pyongyang. Putin declared, as reported by Russian media in Pyongyang, "Currently, we've a new agreement in the works, set to establish the base for our long-term connections." Both nations have made significant progress in enhancing their bilateral relations, Putin added. Moreover, Putin, as per Russian media, extended an invitation to Kim for a visit to Moscow. "It's a pleasure to see you again," Putin expressed, having received Kim on two separate occasions in Far East Russia, the last time in Sept, and earlier in April 2019. "I anticipate our next rendezvous to take place in Russia, in Moscow," Putin emphasized, having visited North Korea the previous day.
Previously, the US administration exhibited concern over Putin's visit to North Korea. John Kirby, the US Defense Department's spokesperson in Washington, stated, "The growing collaboration between Russia and North Korea is something that should worry anyone aiming to preserve peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula, as well as backing the Ukrainian people, still battling Russian aggression."
07:06 A US soldier, Gordon Black, received a multi-year jail term from a Russian court in Vladivostok for threats and theft. Black was charged with assaulting Alexandra Vashchuk and stealing 10,000 rubles (approximately €109) from her. Black admitted to certain allegations but denied threatening Vashchuk with murder, according to media reports. The altercation took place when Vashchuk was intoxicated. The two had met in Oct 2022 through a dating app in South Korea and started a relationship. Vashchuk later invited him to Vladivostok, according to Black's statements. Black completed his service in South Korea on April 10 but chose to travel to Vladivostok "for personal reasons" instead of returning to the US.
06:31 A Kazakh Activist, Aydos Sadykow, was shot and injured near his apartment in Kiev, Ukraine. Sadykow was taken to a hospital and is reportedly in poor condition. Kiev announced an investigation into the attack. The attacker ran up to the car in which Sadykow and his wife were seated, fired at the man, and then fled, according to preliminary information. Sadykow was granted asylum in Ukraine in 2014. Alongside his wife, he manages a well-known online channel critical of Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev. Over a million users follow him on YouTube.
06:05 Moscow is discussing the deployment of long-range weapons with its closest partners, as per the state news agency TASS. According to Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov, Russia has "close partners" in Asia as well as in Latin America with whom "the security situation is substantially discussed, not just on the level of exchanging assessments." No further details were provided about the countries these negotiations are held with or the types of weapons under discussion.
05:43 Another journalist, Artem Krieger, has been detained in Russia on charges of supporting the organization of the deceased opposition leader Alexei Navalny. Krieger, who works for Navalny's labeled extremist anti-corruption organization FBK, will be held until August 18. Previously, independent media outlet Sotavision reported the arrest of one of its employees.
04:56 A Ukrainian man was given a 15-year prison term by a court in Donetsk, Ukraine, for providing military information to Russian troops. The resident of the city revealed the positions of Ukrainian troops and the movements of Ukrainian artillery in the region in May 2023 via the Telegram online service. By doing so, he committed high treason, the prosecutor's office stated. The Russian contact failed to fulfill the counter-offer promised.
03:51 EU and Ukraine set to establish shared mobile roaming areaAs Ukraine moves forward with its EU aspirations, a joint mobile roaming zone with EU nations is being established. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy signed the necessary legislation. "Our next step is to gain positive feedback from the EU on our legislative adjustments and initiate talks about joining the single roaming region with the EU," says Digital Minister Mykhailo Fedorov in a statement from his department. Ukraine is the first EU applicant country to take this step.
02:48 Lindner insists on clarifying Germany's Ukraine policy in East GermanyFinance Minister Christian Lindner demands a clear explanation of Germany's Ukraine policy in eastern Germany. "Let's be open about the Ukraine policy of the Federal Government with the people in Eastern Germany," Lindner tells the "Rheinische Post." "We're not just helping Ukraine in its defense struggle against Russia. Our arms deliveries, refugee aid, and economic aid also serve German interests," emphasizes Lindner. Lindner warns that if Russia is allowed to violate international law and engage in acts of war, NATO and the EU could fracture. "For instance, Poland and the Czech Republic might question if we would treat them the same way in an emergency," suggests Lindner. The FDP chairman puts forward this point.
01:48 City Council opposes cutting financial aid for Ukrainian refugeesThe German City Council warns against reducing financial aid for refugees from Ukraine. The move comes in response to demands from numerous interior ministers to reduce funding under the Asylseekers Benefits Act for Ukrainian refugees in the future. "Minister presidents shouldn't initiate debates with the Federal Chancellor regarding the citizens' pension for Ukrainian men and women," says City Council President Markus Lewe to Redaktionsnetzwerk Deutschland. The Social Code II provides the best methods for integrating Ukrainian refugees into the workforce by offering the citizens' pension. "If Ukrainian men and women were to switch to the asylum system instead, access to language courses, employment agencies, or qualification programs would be much more challenging. It would be much harder for them to find a job," asserts Lewe. Additionally, the administrative burden for cities would be substantial.
00:43 Swedish Parliament approves defense agreement with USAThe Swedish Parliament approved a disputed defense agreement with the United States with a significant majority. After five hours of deliberation, 266 parliamentarians voted in favor of the agreement, 37 against. Critics fear that the agreement could result in the stationing of atomic weapons in Sweden and permanent US military bases within the country. The agreement, signed by Stockholm and Washington in December, allows the USA access to 17 military support points and training areas in Sweden, as well as the storage of weapons, military equipment, and ammunition.
23:42 Error with EM Card displaying Crimea: Kerner apologizes for TV blunderA technical issue with an incorrect Europa Card caused TV moderator Johannes B. Kerner to apologize during the live broadcast of the Euro Cup from MagentaTV and RTL. An image displaying the Crimean peninsula of Ukraine as not belonging to the nation was shown prior to the match between Turkey and Georgia. "This is a genuine mistake, we deeply regret it, and we offer our sincerest apologies," Kerner said, describing the error as a grave one.
22:51 Zelenskyy deems Western weapons use on Russian territory effectiveUkrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy considers the use of Western weapons against Russian territory to be successful. The destruction of Russian fortifications and launchers near the border is reportedly of immense importance, according to Zelenskyy in his daily video address. "It's working. Precisely as we anticipated." The Ukrainian leader praised various units for their unnamed achievements.
22:12 Two fatalities from Russian border mine explosionTwo individuals were killed by a mine explosion in the Russian region of Bryansk near the Ukrainian border, as mentioned by local governor Alexander Bogomas on social media. "Local residents entered a prohibited border zone, despite warnings of mined areas," Bogomas explained on social media networks. "As a result of the mine explosion, two local residents tragically perished on the spot." Another individual was reportedly injured in this incident. The incident occurred in the Klimovsky district, bordering the northern Ukrainian region of Chernihiv. Bogomas implored residents to "remain vigilant and avoid visiting areas in border zones where warning signs indicate that mines have been laid". Russia has fortified its border regions during the two-year conflict in Ukraine. In the past month alone, there have been several mine accidents. In the past week, four individuals, including a state television journalist, were injured due to a mine explosion in the similarly border-adjacent region of Belgorod.
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The Ukrainian authorities have accused Russian commanders of involvement in the decapitation of a soldier, further proving Russia's disregard for international law and basic morality in the Attack on Ukraine. Volodymyr Selensky, the Ukrainian president, has stated that any world leader shaking hands with Putin should be aware of his tolerance for barbaric killings. Military operations between Ukraine and Russia have resulted in significant losses for the Russian side, with an estimated 529,750 soldiers lost and over 7,000 tanks damaged. Russia is also under scrutiny for its involvement in cyberwar against Ukraine, with reports of interference in upcoming UK elections and detention of journalists for supporting opposition leaders.
