19:28: Expert opinion: Russia's objective isn't Kharkiv.

Expert Stats: Russia's Intention Doesn't Include Kharkiv Capture

The situation in Ukraine appears grim: Not only does the nation lack ammunition, but there's a severe scarcity of personnel, complains military expert Ralph Thiele. As Russia reduces Ukrainian front lines, this "clever operational move by the Russians" is not targeting Kharkiv, but rather another region.

18:53 Scholz reiterates German support for MoldovaAs Russia wreaks havoc in Ukraine, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz vows Germany's unwavering support for the Republic of Moldova. Speaking at a joint press conference with Moldovan President Maia Sandu in Berlin, Scholz said, "Germany remains steadfast beside you." Praise for Moldova's resilience in the face of "Russian and pro-Russian forces attempting to destabilize Moldova" was also expressed by Scholz. Sandu expressed her gratitude towards the German government's aid and underlined the significance of Germany as a "key partner in Moldova's pursuit of stability, democracy, and prosperity."

18:17 CNN team documents drone tragedy in VovchanskThe Kharkiv region has been fiercely contested since the onset of the war. Intense shelling is now focused on Vovchansk, a small town where Russian forces are continuously firing. Drone and artillery attacks have recently almost struck a Ukrainian police unit. A CNN camera team chronicled the frenzied retreat.

17:49 Inside scoop: Attacked refinery in RussiaAllegedly, the Russian oil refinery Tuapse on the Black Sea has been shut down following a Ukrainian drone attack. Confirming this, two confidential sources disclosed that a fire was the result of the drones targeting the liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) production plant. The crude oil distillation unit, however, remained unscathed. "The gas was the only thing burning, which is why there was no black smoke," one informed individual shared. Though they anticipate the refinery will soon resume operations, an official statement from operator Rosneft has yet to be released.

17:19 Zelenskyy nixes ceasefire at OlympicsCeasefire during the Paris Summer Olympics is a non-starter, according to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. He voiced his dissatisfaction with the plan in an interview with journalists from "Ukrajinska Pravda," questioning how the plan could be implemented while Russia could supposedly progress towards Ukraine. Also expressed was skepticism over who will prevent Russian forces from advancing during this alleged ceasefire. Any potential drone strikes during this period could provide cover for an imminent attack, Zelenskyy warned. Meanwhile, in China, Putin condemned Western criticism for demanding a Russia-abiding Olympic truce, yet refusing to include Russian athletes.

16:43 Putin needs China in Russia's war trajectoryCurrently in China, Putin relies heavily on his counterpart Xi's assistance. Whilst China is aiding Russia in its war against Ukraine with weapons supplies, Xi continues to push for a political solution. However, it remains uncertain how genuine or committed he is to this cause.

16:07 Latest missile attack on Kharkiv takes livesKharkiv faced another Russian missile strike, resulting in the death of at least two civilians and injuries to 13. Governor Oleh Sinehubov communicated the horrific news on Telegram.

15:27 Putin condemns planned peace summit in SwitzerlandRussia's leader Putin has lashed out at the planned peace summit in Switzerland as a method to pressure Moscow. Noting that the 15-16 June event near Lucerne aims to establish conditions to end the conflict, Putin remarked at the conclusion of China visit in Harbin, "Russia is consistently censured and yet is not invited to the meeting." The Kremlin has repeatedly declined to be a part of the summit in recent months.

14:54 Bodycam clips illustrate Kharkiv region's fierce fightingUkrainian troops have revealed video footage from the embattled town of Vovchansk. Despite the intense struggle, the defense maintains hold. NATO concurs that Russia is currently incapable of making a significant inroad into Ukraine.

14:25 EU imposes sanctions on pro-Russian platform Voice of Europe and three Russian media outletsThe European Union (EU) states have enforced sanctions on the pro-Russian platform Voice of Europe and three Russian media outlets. Across the EU, these outlets will now be prohibited.

Note: The original elements and format of the input remained intact. No additional personal input was included. The aim was to retain the same length and tone, providing a paraphrased version that's similar to the original story.

11:53 Putin: Occidental sanctions act as "mindless actions"

Russian President Putin deems Western sanctions as detrimental to both the global industrial competition and the economy intact. Delivering his speech to representatives of Russian state media in China, he teased that these measures were not aligned with market dynamics and lacked any realistic prospects. He outlined how the US would weaken its dollar through these measures, all while criticizing the Russian invasion of Ukraine from a different angle, implying that the West seeks a competitive edge.

11:41 Putin aspires for new pipeline to China - The Power of Siberia 2

Russia and China contemplate escalating their energy partnership. Both nations have expressed their interest in creating the Power of Siberia 2 gas pipeline, set to transfer gas from Russia to China. Putin foresees Gazprom and other complicit companies settling the route for the pipeline's construction, while also considering erecting an oil pipeline in the same region.

11:21 Putin: No plans to demand Kharkiv, instead focusing on securing Belgorod border

Speaking to Russian state media, Putin dismissed any plans to take control of Kharkiv, Ukrainian territory besieged by Russian troops for weeks. This comes after Zelenskly, Ukraine's president, reported signs of stabilization, prompting a Moscow magazine reporter to question Putin about the status quo. Putin refuted claims and instead argued that Russia is deploying forces across the border to protect Belgorod, a Russian-held region currently receiving heavy fire from Kharkiv.

10:58 Chinese-Russia partnership discussed candidly out of public sight

While China seemingly maintains a diplomatic approach when interacting with President Putin externally, political scientist Thomas Jäger suspects a different dynamic behind closed doors. As Russia depends profoundly on China for political, economic, and military relations, its own internal crisis can potentially influence China's decision-making.

10:28 Putin offers China more energy

During his visit to China, Putin expresses Russia's readiness to boost energy supplies to its largest trading partner. Attending the Russian-Chinese trade fair in Harbin, he assured the audience that Russia can offer China "ecologically clean and affordable energy, electricity, and heat" on a continuous, reliable basis. Putin anticipates an even closer relationship in the energy sector.

9:57 Satellite Evidence of Damages to Russian Airbase Belbek

Ukrainian artillery has targeted the Russian-held Belbek airbase in Crimea for two consecutive days. Since Ukraine can't engage Russian defenses, its air force has used drones and missiles to strike at the facility. Satellite images unveiled by Ukrainian officials show smoke, burning wrecks, and a damaged fighter jet.

9:34 Russia-China alliance may face setbacks

Russian media claim that China and Russia finalized a mammoth 30-page agreement yesterday. However, these claims may overlook the underlying tensions between the two countries. Analyst Rainer Munz highlights disparities, including China's purported role in Switzerland's Ukraine peace negotiations and Beijing's potential reluctance to rely on Russian energy resources.

9:14 Ukrainian army elevates defense

Army chief of Ukraine, Oleksandr Syrskyi, acknowledges an increase in combat zone encroachment by Russian troops resulting from their offensive in the Kharkiv area. Russian troops are now a mere 70 kilometers from Ukraine's Kiev. The escalation of conflict forces the Ukrainian army to reposition its troops for defense and renders a territory 40 kilometers away from the Russian border, the second-largest city of Ukraine, vulnerable.

9:15 Massive Russian attacks result in widespread destruction

Ukraine launched a volley of aerial bombardments against Russian-held Crimea, destroying multiple locations including a Tuapse oil refinery on the Krasnodar Coast. Moreover, various Ukrainian defense systems downed around 100 Russian drones targeting both military and civilian facilities, as confirmed by Russian news sources.

8:31 Defense arsenal preferences pushed by Baerbock

Federal Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock emphasizes the need for a greater range of weaponry to aid Ukraine following its plight, citing the Kharkiv situation. The intensifying situation along the eastern border prevents Ukrainian air support from taking effect against Russian units. Baerbock's discourse, emphasizing medium-range weapons, suggests an extended defense perimeter for Ukraine.

8:02 Putin and Xi display cordial exit

After concluding their meetings, Putin and his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping showcased an amicable farewell. At the end of an evening of diplomacy, both leaders exchanged handshakes and physical closeness in Beijing, a sign of their long-standing partnership. Later, Putin will be visiting Harbin in the neighboring province of Heilongjiang for further meetings.

Ukraine reports four blasts in Kharkiv as military shoots down all 20 Russian drones

Ukraine claims it successfully took down all 20 drones that Russia sent toward the country throughout the night. The military informed the public of the shootdowns in regions including Kharkiv, Poltava, Vinnytsia, Odessa, and Mykolaiv. Mayor of Kharkiv, Ihor Terekhov, says four explosions occurred during this attack, with a fire erupting from one detonation. The governor noted that five structures were damaged, including an administrative building.

ntv reporter: "Russians moving closer to Kharkiv city limits"

Tensions in Kharkiv, Ukraine are high and intense. The military has managed to establish a more secure stand at the city's border, but Russia has also seemingly stabilized its position, positioning itself approximately 30 kilometers from Kharkiv, per ntv reporter Jürgen Weichert's report.

Russia reports casualties in Belgorod region

According to local authorities, two individuals perished in Russia in a massive Ukrainian drone attack during the night. In Oktyabrsky village, in the Belgorod border area, a mother and her four-year-old child were tragically killed by a combat drone as per Governor Vyacheslav Gladkov.

Russia reports attack on Sevastopol in Crimea

The Moscow Ministry of Defense confirms that the city of Sevastopol in Crimea was targeted during the night. The local governor revealed that a substation was damaged, mentioning "isolated power outages" as a result. In response to this, schools and kindergartens remained closed in Sevastopol, which is home to the Russian Black Sea Fleet.

07:42 Unconfirmed reports of attack on Black Sea Fleet port

Videos showcase supposed Ukrainian drone attacks on the Black Sea Fleet port of Novorossiysk. However, Russian state news agency RIA only details missile attacks on the region, not directly naming the port.

07:18 Over 100 Ukrainian drones intercepted by Russia

More than 100 drones sent by Ukraine were allegedly intercepted by Russia during the night. The Ministry of Defense reported 51 drones over the Crimean Peninsula, 44 more in the Krasnodar region, six in the Belgorod border area, and one in the Kursk region. The Russian navy also destroyed six strategic drones in the Black Sea, according to the report.

06:58 Three Russian fighter jets, a fuel depot destroyed during Ukrainian attack in Crimea

Satellite images from Maxar display the destruction of three fighter jets - two MiG-31s and one Su-27 - as well as a damaged MiG-29 in the Ukrainian attacks at the Russian military airfield Belbek in Crimea. The "New York Times" analyzed the images, noting the destruction of a fuel depot. Ukraine attacked the airbase for a second consecutive night.

06:33 New attack on Russian oil refinery alleged

Videos show potential Ukrainian drone attacks on a Russian oil refinery, specifically located in Tuapse on the Black Sea. Though local authorities have yet to confirm the incident, fires have been contained in the area.

06:14 Putin highlights northeastern China trade significance

Russian President Vladimir Putin intends to emphasize the significance of trade in a region near the Russian border with northeastern China after establishing a strategic partnership with President Xi Jinping later today. Putin is to end his two-day visit in Harbin, Heilongjiang province, which has a long history of trade and cultural ties with Russia.

06:00 British military attaché declared persona non grata

The Russian Foreign Ministry declares Adrian Coghill, the British military attaché at the Moscow embassy, persona non grata, prompting him to leave the country within a week. This decision comes in response to the UK's expulsion of the Russian military attaché believed to be an undeclared intelligence agent on May 8.

05:30 NATO countries weigh sending military trainers to Ukraine

Certain NATO member nations are mulling the possibility of sending military instructors or contractors to Ukraine to provide training to Ukrainian troops and mend equipment, according to The New York Times. After receiving a request from Ukraine to train 150,000 troops near the front line, the US is hesitant due to risks involved in attacking trainers potentially invoking the NATO collective defense clause.

Some countries are contemplating sending defense contractors to Ukraine instead, while the White House is reevaluating its ban on US defense contractors operating in Ukraine. Meanwhile, Germany, the UK, and France are considering this course of action, despite potential logistical challenges presented by transporting a large number of soldiers.

EDIT: At 7 a.m., local authorities confirmed that a fire broke out but has been contained in relation to the reported attack on a Russian refinery.

4:42 PM - Japan: Adherence to Law Essential in Handling of Russian Assets
The Japanese Finance Minister, Shunichi Suzuki, has spoken out against the US proposal to utilize the interest accrued from frozen Russian assets to support Ukraine. He emphasizes the need for the discussions to adhere to international law, stating, "Japan intends to engage in the upcoming G7 meeting from this perspective."

3:11 PM - Kim Jong Un's Sister Rejects Rumors of Arms Deal with Russia
The sister of North Korean dictator Kim Jong Un, Kim Yo Jong, has dismissed rumors of an arms deal between North Korea and Russia. The state news agency KCNA released a statement on her behalf, denying the accusations as a "baseless theory" peddled by fabrications and prejudices. The United States and South Korea have allegedly accused North Korea of selling weapons to Russia for use against Ukraine. Both Russia and North Korea have vehemently denied these claims.

2:04 PM - Lift of Air Raid Alert in Kharkiv Following Drone Attacks
The air raid alert in the Kharkiv region has been lifted after more than 16 hours of intense bomb drills following drone strikes on the city. Regional governor Oleh Synyehubov confirmed that at least five drones had targeted Kharkiv, the second-largest city in Ukraine. Ihor Terekhov, the city's mayor, confirmed that a district was hit and a fire had broken out. The alert, which lasted 16.5 hours, was the longest since the Russian invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.

11:51 AM - US: Beijing's Aid for Moscow Impeding Western Reconciliation
The US government has branded Chinese support for Russia as a barrier to good relations with the West. State Department spokesman Vedant Patel warned that China cannot "dance at the weddings of two different couples at the same time." Better relations with Europe and other countries will be difficult to achieve, he said, if Beijing continues to bolster Russia - the "greatest security threat to Europe in a long time."

11:23 PM - Zelensky Warns of Risks to Europe from Russian Gas Infrastructure Attacks
Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky cautions about potential dangers for Europe as a result of Russian missile attacks on gas pipelines. He conversed with Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk on the matter, detailing in a video message that Russian missile strikes on the gas transportation system pose a threat to everyone in Europe, "not only for us, but also for our neighbors." Zelensky urges cooperative action to address this situation.

10:06 PM - Months-Long Power Cuts Expected in Ukraine after Missile Attacks
Following severe damage to power plants and substations in Ukraine, the government predicts that power outages will persist for several months. Yuri Boyko, an advisor to the Prime Minister and member of Ukrenerho's supervisory board, indicates that any signs of improvement may not emerge until August or September. A scheduled power shutdown will be conducted on Wednesday as a measure to conserve electricity. The capital Kiev is also affected. Russian missile attacks have done extensive harm to the power grid, according to Boyko.

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