Fire at Diehl Group in Berlin: No signs of sabotage found by investigators

Fire at Diehl Group's Berlin Facility: Investigators Find No Signs of Arson

Fire at German metal company Diehl under investigation, no evidence of Russian sabotage yet:

German authorities are currently investigating the major fire at Diehl in Berlin, which occurred in May.
At this point, no evidence has been found to suggest that the fire was caused by Russian sabotage.
Both the Federal Prosecutor's Office in Karlsruhe and the Berlin Public Prosecutor's Office have stated that they have no indications of deliberate arson in the premises of the technology conglomerate.
Neither authority is currently conducting such an investigation.
The case is being further investigated by the Berlin Police, who view it as an accident.
Diehl Corporation has also reportedly refuted media reports of a Russian arson attack.

Four Civilians Injured in Russian Attack on Charkiw Oblast:

According to state Ukrainian news agency Ukrinform, Russian troops used aerial bombs to attack the village of Bobrivka in the Charkiw region, injuring four people.
The attack occurred on May 18:47.

Moldova's President Sandu welcomes start of EU accession talks:

Moldova's President Maia Sandu welcomed the start of EU accession talks with her country and emphasized that her country is part of the European family.
"Together we are stronger," she wrote at X.
The European Union opened symbolic accession talks with Ukraine and Moldova today.

Macron to discuss importance of Ukrainian aid with Orban:

French President Emmanuel Macron will emphasize the importance of supporting Ukraine during a meeting with Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban on the following Wednesday.
Orban, who is among the skeptics in the EU regarding Ukraine, is coming to Paris as part of the upcoming EU Council Presidency of Hungary.
The two politicians plan to prepare for the next EU summit on June 27 and 28.
Hungary assumes the EU Council Presidency from Belgium on July 1.

Zelenskyy welcomes arrest warrants against Russian ex-minister Shoigu and General Gerasimov:

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy welcomed the step of the International Criminal Court to issue arrest warrants for two key figures in the Russian military machine.
"Both are accused of committing heinous crimes against civilians in Ukraine during Russia's ruthless bombardment of critical civilian infrastructure," Zelenskyy wrote at X.

Zelenskyy meets with Manuela Schwesig and thanks Germany for support:

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy received Manuela Schwesig, in her function as Bundesrat President, in Kiev today.
In the conversation, the Chancellor expressed gratitude towards Germany for the support of Ukraine, aid packages, and protection of Ukrainian refugees.
During the meeting, Zelenskyy informed Schwesig about the situation at the front and the priority needs of Ukraine in the face of intensified Russian air raids.
He also emphasized the significance of the German initiative to strengthen the air defense of the country and the delivery of additional air defense systems.

Merz calls for more employment incentives for Ukrainian refugees in Germany:

The Union urges that refugees from Ukraine in Germany enter the labor market more quickly.
"We must make efforts to better integrate these refugees, who are here and will stay for a longer time, into the labor market," said Fraktionschef Friedrich Merz in Berlin.
"We need them, and the right incentives must be set for them."
This is a task for politics and not primarily for the refugees.
As with the labor market in general, the unemployment benefits do not provide the right incentives for them to focus on employment.
Therefore, a discussion about this should be held - one that treats the people who fled the war fairly.

Ukraine: Russia has fired 2,277 Schahed drones this year:

The Russian military has fired approximately 2,277 Schahed drones, according to Ukrainian reports, towards targets in Ukraine.
"The air defense has destroyed about 86% of them," the commander of the Ukrainian Air Force announced on Telegram.

Ukraine orders evacuation of children from five settlements in the Donetsk region:

Ukraine has ordered the evacuation of all children, along with their parents, from five settlements near the front in the eastern region of Donetsk.
The settlements mentioned are located in areas where Russian forces have recently advanced.
Due to the increased number of civilian casualties in recent combat engagements, Governor Filaschkin had already urged civilians to leave the Donetsk region in previous weeks.

3:42 A billionaire offers combat-ready patrol boats to Ukraine's naval forcesA wealthy Ukrainian figure is giving three Swedish patrol boats to his nation's naval fleet. These vessels can reach a speed of approximately 74 kilometers per hour and are armed with weapons such as machine guns and water bombs. Sweden itself is supplying Ukraine with an additional ten boats.

3:26 Russia restricts access to European media outletsIn response to the ban on broadcasting several Russian media outlets in Europe, Russia has blacklisted 81 European media companies. This means their programs will no longer be aired and access to their websites will be blocked, as announced by the Russian Foreign Ministry. German media such as "Der Spiegel," "Die Zeit," and the "Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung," as well as Austrian broadcaster ORF and media group ProSiebenSat.1 Media, are among those affected. The French-German broadcaster Arte is also on the list. France faces the most sanctions from Moscow among the EU countries. The EU nations decided in May to sanction the Russian state news agency RIA Novosti, the government newspaper "Rossiyskaya Gazeta," the platform "Voice of Europe," and the pro-Kremlin newspaper "Izvestia," which also includes a TV station.

3:11 Indian Prime Minister Modi might visit Russia shortlyAfter his re-election, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi may soon travel to Russia. Confirmation has been given by Yuri Ushakov, foreign policy advisor to Kremlin chief Vladimir Putin. However, the Indian government remains unmanned. India's Press Trust of India news agency reported, citing diplomatic sources, that a visit by the prime minister to Moscow is being considered for early July. The dates of July 8 and 9 are said to have already been set, according to the Russian news agency Tass.

3:52 Security advisors present Trumps plan for a Ukraine strategyFormer U.S. President Donald Trump has been presented with a proposal by two influential advisors to end the conflict in Ukraine. Their aim is to get both parties to agree to a truce and peace talks. To achieve this, Trump, should he win the U.S. presidential election, would inform Ukraine that they would only receive further weapons from the U.S. if they entered into peace talks. At the same time, Russia would be told that Ukraine would receive more support from the U.S. if Moscow refused to agree to negotiations. Moscow would be enticed with the offer of postponing Ukraine's NATO membership for a longer period. The strategy was developed by retired Lieutenant General Keith Kellogg and Fred Fleitz, who both served in the National Security Council during Trump's presidency.

3:38 Ukraine receives first delivery from Czech ammunition initiativeA Czech initiative to provide artillery shells to Ukraine is bearing fruit. "Some time ago, the first ammunition delivery through our initiative arrived in Ukraine," wrote Czech Prime Minister Petr Fiala on X. "We're doing what needs to be done," added the liberal-conservative politician. Ammunition shortage is a significant problem for Ukraine in its defense against Russia. The aim of the initiative is to acquire up to 800,000 artillery shells for Kiev in countries outside the EU. According to the latest reports from Prague, 18 partner countries have pledged financial support worth around 1.6 billion Euros for the project. Germany intends to contribute with a three-digit million amount, as per earlier statements by the German government. The Netherlands, Denmark, and Lithuania are among the other donor countries. The Czech Republic is one of Ukraine's staunch supporters in its defense against the Russian invasion.

3:20 Ukrainian Ambassador Makeiev criticizes CSU proposal as "very populist"The Ukrainian Ambassador to Germany, Oleksii Makeiev, is not pleased with the CSU proposal to expel unemployed Ukrainians. "That's something depersonalized and very populist," Makeiev told Phoenix. To help more Ukrainian asylum seekers find work in Germany, the Ambassador is in contact with Labor Minister Heil and Interior Minister Faeser, as well as with the federal states. The job centers are also involved. Makeiev believes that "Ukrainians integrate three times better into the labor market than representatives of other nations, they want to work." Compared to other countries, he notices that "Ukrainians integrate much faster" there. Unemployment among asylum seekers is therefore "not only about the Ukrainians, but about the Ukrainians and the German government," so the Ambassador. He thus demands "recognition of vocational qualifications" and "reducing language requirements."

3:01 Like the last "whore": Putin propagandist insults SerbiaSerbia has maintained close ties with Moscow for many years. However, they are now strained, as it was recently discovered that the country sold ammunition that ended up in Ukraine via intermediaries – and President Aleksandar Vucic defends the deal as important for the domestic arms industry. In Russia, TV moderator and Kremlin propagandist Sergei Mardan is seething with anger. The ammunition ended up on all fronts, Serbia has behaved like the last "whore," he rants. The Serbs are no longer brothers of the Russians, but enemies.

13:18 EU extends protection for Ukrainian war refugees: The EU extends its simplified protection for immigrants fleeing war from Ukraine for another year. The 27 European ministers vote in favor of extending the protective status in Luxembourg until March 4, 2026. The European interior ministers had agreed on this extension mid-June, based on the Commission's proposal. According to Brussels' assessment, the current Russian attacks on Ukraine's infrastructure continue to prevent the return of refugees to their home country. German Interior Minister Nancy Faeser welcomes the extension but also calls for a fairer distribution of refugees among EU countries. Germany has accepted close to 1.2 million refugees, which Faeser describes as an immense effort.

13:02 China speak up against new EU sanctions: China strongly criticizes the EU's latest round of Russia sanctions, which impact Chinese firms. A spokesperson from the Foreign Ministry states, "This one-sided sanction has no legal basis." "We urge the European side to lift the sanctions without delay and take appropriate measures to safeguard the legitimate rights and interests of Chinese companies." The West accuses China of supporting Russia in its war against Ukraine, a claim Beijing denies. In a new wave of sanctions against Russia, the EU added 61 more companies to its blacklist on Monday, including 19 Chinese entities. Two leading players in the Chinese satellite industry are affected by trade restrictions. These companies are charged with conducting multimillion-dollar businesses with the Russian mercenary group Wagner and selling them satellites.

12:58 International Criminal Court issues arrest warrant for Shoigu and Gerasimov: The International Criminal Court (ICC) issues an arrest warrant for former Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu and General Staff Chief Valeri Gerasimov. They are accused of attacking civilian targets in Ukraine, the ICC announces.

12:50 Zelenskyy receives Schwesig in Kiev: Mecklenburg-Vorpommern's Minister-President Manuela Schwesig is greeted by President Volodymyr Zelenskyy during her second day of her visit to Ukraine. The conversation, lasting about an hour, takes place in Kiev. Schwesig visits Ukraine in her capacity as Federal President of the Bundesrat, to reaffirm Kiev's solidarity among all 16 federal states. Schwesig stresses, "Ukraine must win this war," a contrast to her party friend, Federal Chancellor Olaf Scholz, who merely emphasizes that Russia should not win the war, and Ukraine should not lose it. Criticism in Ukraine against Schwesig arises due to her involvement in the Nord Stream 2 pipeline. The former Ukrainian ambassador, Andrij Melnyk, once stated he would never shake her hand. Schwesig has distanced herself from her role in the project and calls it a mistake since the Russian attack, almost two years ago.

12:28 European Court of Human Rights convicts Russia of human rights violations on Crimea: The European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR) rules that Russia has violated human rights on the Crimean Peninsula following its annexation. Judges in Strasbourg make this ruling, awarding Ukraine's lawsuit. Russia does not recognize the ECtHR's judgments.

11:52 Ukrainian "grenade shortage" alleviated - even with stream ammunition: Ukrainian soldiers have fought against the Russian army for a long time without ample ammunition. However, the $61 billion aid package has significantly improved the supply. Vasil, a Ukrainian commander, reports that the "grenade shortage" is now over.

11:25 100 Ukrainians arrested while attempting to escape to foreign lands: Ukrainian security forces prevent 100 men from illegally fleeing in the Odessa region in southern Ukraine. Last Friday, a group of 47 men were stopped in four minibuses on their way to the border, according to the state investigation bureau. Another 53 men were stopped at a "collection point." They were planning to circumvent checkpoints and cross the border on foot. The Odessa region borders Moldova, and the Danube River forms the border with Romania. All men over 25, who can be drafted for war, have been transferred to the local military conscription office. The human traffickers reportedly charged between 4600 and over 17,000 Euro from each man.

11:07 EU moves closer: Lührmann views "historic day" for the EU: EU membership negotiations with Ukraine and Moldova begin officially. European State Secretary Anna Lührmann refers to this day as a "historic day" for the EU. "This is a significant day because we honor the fact that both countries have made enormous reform efforts despite the extremely difficult circumstances," Lührmann said on the sidelines of an EU ministers' meeting before the official start of the membership negotiations in Luxembourg. "Both countries have made significant progress in the areas of the rule of law, corruption, and press freedom." However, it will take years until Ukraine and Moldova fulfill all the conditions for EU membership. As a prerequisite in the case of Ukraine, for example, there must be peace with Russia. No membership guarantee exists.

10:38 EU retaliation: Moscow's countermeasures "may impact us as well": Frozen Russian money in the EU is to be used for Ukraine's armament. The Kremlin considers these sanctions as being "against international law" and "illegitimate," according to NTV correspondent Rainer Munz. Russia now intends to retaliate against the EU and strengthen its relationships elsewhere.

Swiss Court Holds Four Bankers Accountable for Handling Funds Linked to Putin's Environmental Department

Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania's Prime Minister Manuela Schwesig together with the Ukrainian head of state Volodymyr Selenskyj.

A Swiss appeals court has condemned four bankers for their involvement in managing funds connected to Putin's environmental sector. Per the Zurich Appellate Court, insufficient efforts were made by the dissolved Swiss subsidiary of the Russian Gazprombank to confirm whether the funds within the accounts of Russian musician Sergey Roldugin genuinely belonged to him. The court imposes fines on the four bankers. In 2014, two accounts were opened at the Gazprombank in Zurich with Roldugin as the beneficiary owner. Various media reports suggest that the Russian cellist and conductor is the godfather of one of Putin's daughters. He was added to the Swiss sanctions list shortly following Russia's invasion of Ukraine. In circulation among Muscovites, Roldugin is recognized as "Putin's briefcase."

09:44 A Somalian Soldier Recounts: "Everywhere there were Drones, Artillery, Rockets. I just ran"In response to the vast troop losses during war, the Kremlin recruits migrants and foreign students to fill the ranks, as discussed in a dialogue with ntv by Somali soldier Adil. For approximately 1900 Euro per month, he enlists in the military - offering the possibility of Russian citizenship and the promise that he won't be deployed at the front. However, Adil is immediately deployed to Ukraine instead. After just four days, he fled, now imprisoned in Ukraine. "I didn't sign up to kill. I gave away my weapon. I had no idea how to operate it. Everywhere there were Drones, Artillery, Rockets. I just ran", Adil recounts in an interview with ntv. "I thought 2000 Dollars were an average wage for ordinary work. I thought my grand adventure had begun."

09:17 Trump Adviser Suggests Peace Plan for UkraineTwo essential advisors of former U.S. President Donald Trump propose a peace plan for Ukraine, as reported by Reuters. This strategy implies that Ukraine can receive additional U.S. weapons only if it engages in peace talks. Simultaneously, the U.S. would alert Russia that any reluctance to negotiate would result in increased U.S. support for Ukraine, as stated by General Lieutenant s.o. Keith Kellogg, one of Trump's national security advisors. This detailed plan, presented by Trump's associates, claims that they can bring an end to the Ukraine conflict in the shortest timeframe. If accepted, this proposal would signify a substantial shift in Washington's standpoint on this war and may encounter resistance from European allies and Trump's own Republican Party.

08:49 Russia: Numerous Drones Downed and Obliterated in Border ZoneRussia reports the downing of 30 Ukrainian drones in the border region between the two nations, according to its own reports. The Russian air defense supposedly intercepts and destroys 29 drones in the Belgorod border region and one drone in the adjacent Voronezh region, according to a statement on Telegram by the Russian Defense Ministry. In the Belgorod region, an elderly woman is claimed to have been killed by authorities.

08:18 Ukrainian Security Force Detains Alleged SpyUkrainian security forces are said to have detained a border guards soldier suspected of spying for the Russian Federal Security Service (FSB). According to the Ukrainian Security Service (SBU), the man gathered information about weapons and ammunition depots and Ukrainian troops in the border region with Belarus. The suspect is alleged to have been recruited remotely by an FSB agent stationed in the occupied Luhansk region, with whom he communicated through anonymous chats in messaging apps. The SBU threatens the man with a life sentence if found guilty of high treason.

07:46 ISW: Russia is seeking "tactical and operational significant advances" before US aid arrives at the front linesAccording to the U.S. think tank Institute for the Study of War, the impact of US weapon deliveries won't be evident on the front lines immediately. The ISW assumes that Russian forces are attempting to achieve tactical and operational major victories before US military aid reaches Ukrainian forces in considerable quantities. It's anticipated that these supplied weapons from the West will take time to become tactically and operationally productive on the front lines, as stated in an interview given by Military Intelligence Chief Kyrylo Budanow to the "Philadelphia Inquirer". Budanow also mentioned that weapons deliveries from the U.S. and Europe, including artillery ammunition, are expected to reach Ukraine faster than before, but that a significant amount of weapons is required, and it's a matter of scale. Additionally, Budanow stated that there won't be a catastrophic battle at the front, and the situation will remain challenging at least until mid-July.

07:12 Kyiv: Intelligence will persist with "Drone Sanctions" against Russian oil refinery complexUkrainian special forces identify more than 30 Russian oil refineries, terminals, and depots as prospective targets, according to President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, as reported in a military briefing by Ukrainian media. He specifically commends the Special Operations Center "A" of the Ukrainian Security Service for their impressive drone capabilities, which can cover distances of up to 1,500 kilometers. The most recent drone assaults have targeted facilities in Tatarstan and Bashkortostan - and the attacks continue: "The Ukrainian Security Service (SBU) plans to impose 'Drone Sanctions' on the Russian oil refinery complex and limit the economic capability of the adversary supplier of war resources to Ukraine," quotes "Kyiv Independent" a source.

Denmark Ceases Training of Ukrainian F-16 Pilots Due to Shift to F-35 Jets

Denmark has announced its decision to halt the training program for Ukrainian F-16 aviators. The revelation was made by Defense Minister Troels Lund Poulsen at a press conference. The move comes as a result of Denmark's transition to the F-35 aircraft, which is slated for completion by year's end. According to Poulsen, the focus of the military must shift to the F-35, making it impossible to continue training Ukrainian pilots past 2024. The coalition of Western F-16 nations will now have to find alternative locations for their operations. Training options are available in Romania and the United States.

Russian Governor Laments "Sizable" Drone Invasion on Belgorod

Belgorod, a Russian city, and neighboring settlements have experienced drone attacks, causing property damage, vehicle malfunctions, and the disruption of a gas supply line. Injuries have also been reported, with a total of four individuals affected. Similar reports were made by Belgorod's Governor Vyacheslav Gladkov, who described the attacks as "substantial." An administrative building in Shebekino sustained significant fire damage, according to Gladkov. The attacks have not received any official response from Kiev.

EU Fortifies Sanctions List with Dozens of Companies

In response to a new round of measures against Russia, the European Union (EU) has added 61 companies to its sanctions list. This updated 14th sanctions package includes restrictions for two significant players in the Chinese satellite industry. The companies are accused of facilitating business worth millions with the Wagner Russian mercenary group, as well as selling satellites to them.

European Court of Human Rights Set to Decide on Kiev's Lawsuit Against Moscow

The European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) in Strasbourg will issue a ruling today on Ukraine's lawsuit against Russia concerning the annexation of the Crimean Peninsula. Kiev has accused Moscow of numerous breaches of the European Convention on Human Rights between February 2014 and August 2015 on the Crimean Peninsula, claiming incidents such as "unlawful detentions," "media suppression," and "uncompensated expropriations."

Orban Skeptical of Kiev's EU Membership Bid

Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban has expressed skepticism towards EU membership negotiations with Ukraine, which are being held today in Luxembourg. Orban states that Hungary opposes this membership process but will not impede it. He considers the proceedings to be politically motivated and emphasizes the necessity of evaluating the potential consequences of accepting a war-torn country with unclear borders into the EU.

EU Initiates Membership Discussions with Ukraine

The EU has started membership negotiations with Ukraine today. Ihor Zhovka, foreign policy advisor to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, expressed his optimism for a future membership in an interview in Kiev, stating that the path to full EU membership for Ukraine is unchangeable. The initial discussions in Luxembourg will focus more on symbolic gestures rather than finer points of negotiation. Detailed negotiations will begin once the EU has assessed the reforms Ukraine must implement to meet EU standards.

US Reports Ukrainian Missile Strikes on Crimean Peninsula Miss Target

According to US reports, Ukrainian military forces did not intentionally target civilians during attacks on the Crimean Peninsula. A Russian defense official claims that a Ukrainian Atacms missile was intercepted during an attempt to disable a launch ramp. Debris from the missile is said to have landed on a beach, allegedly causing the deaths of four individuals, including two children, and resulting in 151 injuries. Russia allegedly holds the US responsible for the attacks, while the US government defends Ukraine's decision-making autonomy regarding military operations.

USA Prepares to Send Additional $150 Million in Ammunition to Ukraine

American officials have announced plans to provide additional ammunition worth $150 million to Ukraine. The assistance will likely be made official today, according to sources within the government. The delivery will reportedly include ammunition for Himars multiple rocket launchers supplied by the USA, which have the capability of launching Atacms missiles. Russia has accused the USA of becoming a participant in the war following Atacms attacks on the Crimean Peninsula.

Moscow Dismisses EU Sanctions as Ineffective

Russia has criticized the newest sanctions imposed by the EU against Russian businesses as ineffectual. The Russian Foreign Ministry declared this stance. Deputy Foreign Minister Alexander Gruschko indicates that Western countries overlook the economic consequences and the well-being of EU citizens in imposing these penalties. Russia anticipates an economic growth surpassing 3%, whereas Germany's growth is expected to be less than one-tenth of that. Gruschko contends that the purpose of the sanctions was to cripple the Russian economy and disrupt societal harmony, but the EU has inadvertently achieved the opposite.

Unemployed Ukrainians Risk Expulsion: Schwesig Counters Dobrindt

Mecklenburg-Vorpommern Minister President Manuela Schwesig has objected to a proposal by CSU regional leader Alexander Dobrindt to return displaced Ukrainians to their homes if they cannot find employment in Germany. Schwesig emphasizes that there are no viable safe zones in Ukraine as it continues to experience Russian attacks, adding that the proposal scandalously disregards the plight of numerous refugees, particularly women and families with children. Schwesig accuses Dobrindt of pandering to critical voices within the populace.

10:29 PM Ukrainian General Staff: Approximately 130 skirmishes with Russian troops

As per Ukrainian claims, approximately 128 skirmishes took place with Russian troops along the frontline since the break of dawn. The Ukrainian General Staff communicated this via a Facebook post, stating that Russian forces are concentrating their efforts around Pokrovsk currently. This area reportedly accounted for a third of the Russian offensives today, according to the update. The Ukrainian defense forces have apparently repelled these attacks successfully and managed to maintain their positions.

6:57 PM: "Glaring infringement" - Hungary slams EU's decision on Russian assets for Ukraine aid

The Hungarian government reacted with outrage to the decision of other EU countries to utilize the proceeds from frozen Russian assets to aid Ukraine. The Hungarian Foreign Minister, Péter Szijjártó, expressed his disappointment over this "blatant breach of shared European norms," via a Facebook post. The Hungarian government is presently exploring legal avenues to assert its rights. The government of Prime Minister Viktor Orbán is set to assume the EU presidency within a week. Orbán has maintained positive relationships with the Russian administration.

6:38 PM Ukrainian Navy: 120 Russian drones claimed to be destroyed in Krasnodar attack

Based on a Facebook post by the Ukrainian Navy, during an attack on the Russian Krasnodar region, it is claimed that 120 drones were annihilated. The Ukrainian Navy and Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) conducted this attack on June 21, as mentioned on the Navy's official website, according to Ukrainian news agency Ukrinform. They targeted objects on a training ground of the 726th Training Center of the Russian Air Defense in Yeysk, which supposedly trains drone pilots.