Explosion reported in Belgorod region; Russia claims drone launches.
There have been reports of an explosion in the Russian region of Belgorod. Residents have shared videos of it on the Russian-language Telegram channel Astra. It's believed that in the afternoon, a munitions depot in the Rakityansky district was engulfed in flames. The governor of the region had warned about the danger from rockets several times on Telegram. The Russian Defense Ministry reported in the evening that several Ukrainian drones had been shot down over the Belgorod region.
15:44: Russian Troops Gathering at Chassiv Yar BorderRussian soldiers are said to be massing on the outskirts of Chassiv Yar, a town in eastern Ukraine. According to Ukrainian news portal "Ukrainska Pravda" and a military source cited by the portal, the Russians have been trying to consolidate troops in houses for nearly a week. The source claims there have been over 1,500 bombardments in the area. Russian troops have destroyed numerous positions using multiple rocket launchers and guided air bombs to secure the logistics along a road linking Bachmut to Chassiv Yar. "They started advancing and collecting troops under the protection of first-person view drones," the source adds. "We're in complete control of the city center," claims the Ukrainian source.
14:57: Ukranian Pilots Spotted in Russian Drone FootagePilots of Ukranian Yak-52 aircraft, with open canopies, are visibly seen in a video shared by the Ukranian armed forces on Telegram. The army states that the aircraft serves as air defense and was in use over the region of Mykolayiv. A Russian reconnaissance drone captured the pilots. The co-pilot reportedly shot down the drone, according to the "Kyiv Post," citing the military portal "Militarnyi." The information needs verification.
13:58: Ukrainian Intel Service Claims Drone Attack on Russian Fighter JetThe Ukrainian military intelligence service (HUR) claims to have attacked a modern Russian fighter jet, which was parked 600 kilometers from the Ukrainian border in southern Russia, using a drone built in Ukraine. A source from the HUR told media outlets that the operation was executed by one of the service's world-renowned operatives.
13:27: Kremlin Plans to Rename Occupied Territories as "Novorossiya"Russia wants to unite the occupied territories in four southern regions and on the Crimean peninsula into a federal district called "Novorossiya." This announcement comes from the head of the regional military administration of Luhansk, Artem Lysohor, who posted it on Telegram. "The locals are not given a chance to choose a name, as only one option is provided - Novorossiya," writes Lysohor. Lysohor also notes that territorial units of this kind hold no legal status. Following the long-awaited holidays, schoolchildren in the region will begin learning local history based on a Russian textbook.
12:57: Permission to Attack Russian Territory "Immediately" Benefits UkraineA Ukrainian brigade commander, Yuriy Fedorenko, confirmed during an interview with Radio NV that the authorization to harness Western weapons against Russia has significantly impacted the course of hostilities. "We now have the ability to disable critical systems like electronic reconnaissance, electronic warfare, air defense, and - most crucial - the S-300 and S-400 systems, which repeatedly bombarded Kharkiv," said Fedorenko. The present authorization is regarded as "Step One" by Ukraine; "Step Two" would entail targeting Russian territory extensively.
12:35: 103 Russian Attacks on Settlements, Infrastructure Since YesterdayThe Ukrainian military reported 103 Russian attacks on settlements and 93 on infrastructure since the previous day. The report noted that Russia struck ten oblasts. In the regions of Kharkiv, Kherson, and Izium, at least three people were killed and houses, including a school, were damaged.
12:09: Female Participation in the Ukrainian Army SoarsOver 67,000 women reportedly serve in the Ukrainian army, primarily as soldiers. The recruitment drive following Russia's full-scale invasion last year, which initially did not target women, has resulted in an increase in female members by 40%. Unlike previously, many women in the army are now satisfying combat roles like shooting, operating artillery systems, or pilots. Ukraine's government plans to provide them with career prospects.
11:31: Ukranian Government to Create State Register for Mine-Infested and Mined AreasThe Ukranian government aims to establish a state register for mine-infested and mined areas, enabling real-time monitoring of demine status. This initiative is crucial, particularly for farmers who need to check the safety of their land. In war-torn regions, there remain significant dangers even after the end of hostilities. "We have North Korean ammunition from the 50s that has a 30% dud rate," says security specialist Gustav Gressel. "The post-war scenario in Ukraine will encompass hundreds of square kilometers of minefields."
10:55: Majority of Germans Desire Mandatory Military ServiceA recent survey shows that 60% of Germans are in favor of military conscription. The issue is gaining importance considering the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.
Over 60% of Germans desire the return of mandatory military service. In a poll conducted by YouGov for "Welt am Sonntag", 28% expressed strong support and 32% shared moderate support for the reintroduction of draft conscription. In contrast, 32% were against it, with 18% expressing a preference for it and 14% showing firm opposition. Military conscription was suspended in 2011. The topic of increasing the size of the Bundeswehr arose after Russia's invasion of Ukraine, prompting a debate on how to significantly enhance the German army.
10:32: A Su-57, Russia's most sophisticated fighter jet, has been damaged by an attack on an airfield in Astrakhan, approximately 600 kilometers from the Ukrainian border. Satellite images show the aircraft on Friday, then shattered by explosions on Saturday. Moscow reported an assault on multiple areas, including Astrakhan yesterday. This advanced jet is equipped with cruise missiles and is one of a few in active duty.
10:11: The US Institute for the Study of War (ISW) asserts that the 30,000 soldiers Russia deploys monthly are insufficient for substantial summer offensives across various fronts. Although they're sending these reinforcements to bolster troops, ISW states that they cannot fill primary or secondary line positions, which are necessary for major assaults.
09:27: Since May, the United Nations has recorded 174 civilian deaths and 690 injuries in Ukraine. This represents the highest monthly casualty toll in a year. The UN attributes this uptick in fatalities to the intense shelling Russian troops have engaged in within the Kharkiv region. The region accounts for more than half of all civilian victims.
08:50: Russian forces plan to offer training to officers within currently occupied Ukrainian land. According to the Ukrainian Special Forces, these courses will cover electronic warfare, including operating radar or jamming devices. This tactic has been utilized by the Russians so frequently that Western precision weapons can't reach their targets.
08:19: Since the commencement of their invasion, the Ukrainian General Staff has documented 1,270 Russian casualties or injuries within the past 24 hours. According to their calculations, over 518,000 Russians have perished or sustained injuries since the war began. Furthermore, 26 tanks and 26 armored vehicles, 60 artillery systems, and two air defense systems were destroyed, in addition to 37 shot-down drones.
07:40: Ukrainian forces appear able to repel Russian advancements in the north, where the region of Kharkiv has been subject to extensive bombardment in recent weeks. Originally, estimates pointed to a potentially significant attack in the area, but Ukrainian forces now seem capable of interrupting the advance.
07:27: NATO is considering the appointment of a permanent representative in Kyiv. This civilian representative would manage coordination of NATO's support for Ukraine, including military aid from Western countries. This would mirror NATO's role in Afghanistan for two decades. The motivation: it is improbable that NATO nations will consent to start Ukraine's accession talks during the July summit in Washington. To make a more visible gesture towards Kyiv and make aid seem more irrevocable, NATO is exploring less demanding measures.
06:55: Ukraine seeks to negotiate more direct agreements with weapons manufacturers. This approach aims to simplify the process of Ukraine securing modern munitions directly from manufacturers, expediting the modernization of the Ukrainian military. Vice Defense Minister Dmytro Klimenkov partnered with a Bulgarian company in such an agreement. He explained, "This allows us to procure modern weapons directly from the manufacturer and contributes to a faster and more effective modernization of the Ukrainian military."
06:19: Austrian Defense Minister Klaudia Tanner shares her disapproval of Germany, France, and the United States granting Kyiv the approval to use Western arms within Russian territory, calling this action a "red line." She is, however, glad that North Atlantic Treaty Organization Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg has announced no NATO troops will be dispatched to Ukraine. Concerning the necessity of Ukraine defending against shelling from the Russian border, Tanner declines to comment. "As a militarily neutral country, it is not our place to pass judgment."
05:38 Bundeswehr: Reserve troops to receive major boost
The German Defense Ministry is planning to significantly increase the reserve for the Bundeswehr. This, much like during the Cold War, will involve training and equipping the reservists, to the point where they could potentially reinforce or replace active troops on the battlefield. General Lieutenant Alexander Hoppe, Deputy General Inspector and Reservist Affairs Officer, spoke on this matter in Berlin. The military's goal is to have up to 60,000 people as reservists in a basic order, who are prepared and trained for specific tasks.
04:37 German Government raises concerns over Macron’s plans
Due to security concerns, the German Government has rejected proposals by French President Emmanuel Macron to send European soldiers to Ukraine for training in the future. A confidential EU document quoted by the "Welt am Sonntag" highlighted the security risks of training EU soldiers in Ukraine. The German Government expressed such concerns at a meeting of European Defense Ministers on May 28.
03:20 Ukrainian Army: Russians attempting to breakthrough
The Ukrainian General Staff recorded 76 combat engagements in the past 24 hours. The most critical situation was at the Pokrovsk Front, where there were 27 Russian attacks. The Ukrainian army command in Kiev stated that the Russians were attempting to breakthrough from Ocheretyne to Yevhenivka and Novooleksandrivka.
01:42 Soldier's coffin graffiti in Paris: Three Moldovans remanded in custody
After the appearance of a soldier's coffin graffiti in Paris, three suspects from Moldova have been taken into pre-trial detention. The investigation is looking into foreign interference, says a spokesman for the prosecutor's office. On Friday, graffiti with a shovel and the words "French soldier in Ukraine" was seen on the facades of buildings in the French capital. In the night from Friday to Saturday, three Moldovans were arrested near Paris, who had paint cans and stencils with them. Only a few days earlier, coffins with the inscription "French soldiers in Ukraine" had been placed on the Eiffel Tower.
00:39 UN reports 174 civilian deaths in Ukraine
At least 174 civilians lost their lives in Ukraine in May, making it the month with the highest death toll since June 2023. Ukraine has repeatedly accused Russia of deliberately bombing residential areas near the front to force evacuations. Moscow denies allegations of targeting civilians.
23:24 Attack on ambulance reported: Drone drops explosives
A driver of an ambulance was injured, according to Ukrainian reports, following an attack in which Russian troops dropped explosives from a drone onto the ambulance. The incident occurred in the village of Biloserka in the south of the country, according to the governor of the Kherson region.
22:23 Prosecutor General: Almost all Ukrainian POWs report torture
Russian troops are accused of torturing prisoners of war or civilians, according to Ukrainian Prosecutor General Andriy Kostin, who assumes that up to 90% of the returning Ukrainian POWs were tortured. This information is reported by the news portal "Euromaidan Press". "The first informal conversation with returning military prisoners shows that up to 90% of our people suffered various forms of torture, inhuman treatment, physical, including sexual, and psychological violence."
21:42 Zelenskyy views Russian Charkiv offensive as a failure
According to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Russian troops experienced a failure with their offensive in the Charkiv region. In his evening address, Zelenskyy claimed he had spoken with Chief of Staff Oleksandr Syrskyi about the situation on the front. A very important outcome, he said, is that the Russians did not carry out their operations in Charkiv. "We are currently holding them back as much as possible and destroying Russian units that are entering our country and terrorizing the Charkiv region." Zelenskyy also asserted that the Charkiv Front had been reinforced and would continue to be reinforced. The situation in the Donetsk region is the most dire.
Read also:
- Following the reported explosion in Belgorod, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, the President of Ukraine, accused Russia of conducting a cyberwar alliance against Ukraine, claiming numerous attacks on Ukrainian critical infrastructure.
- Amidst the ongoing Ukraine conflict, Nato is considering establishing a permanent representative in Kyiv to manage and coordinate NATO's support for Ukraine, including military aid from its member states.
- The Russian Defense Ministry has condemned the Ukrainian military's use of drones in attacking Russian territories, citing military operations as the reason for shooting down Ukrainian drones over the Belgorod region.
- Underlying tensions between Ukraine and Russia persist, with reports of Russian troops gathering near the Ukrainian border, specifically at Chassiv Yar, allegedly consolidating troops in houses and using multiple rocket launchers for logistical support.
