19:14: Ex-American general speculates that Russia's advance may be a feint

Former US General Warns: Russia's Attack May Be a Misleading Tactic

The ongoing situation in the Kharkiv region of Ukraine remains hazy. Retired US Lieutenant General and former commander-in-chief of the US Army in Europe, Ben Hodges, speculates that Russia's advance could be a strategic deception. He explains to "Tagesspiegel" that it might be a distraction tactic to divert Ukraine's resources in one direction while Russia launches an attack elsewhere. But, he adds, such a maneuver would require exceptional flexibility and agility from the Russian side, which he hasn't observed. Hodges also considers the possibility of Russia aiming for a limited territorial gain, or simply attempting to tire out the Ukrainian forces.

Meanwhile, Germany's Foreign Office urges help for Ukraine's defense. In a tweet on their English-language Twitter account, the ministry states, "The people of Kharkiv bravely resist the relentless Russian bombardment. Their courage inspires us. Together with our partners, we stand with Ukraine and must ensure the necessary support for its defense."

Russiaologist Niko Karasek suggests that Putin's latest threats against the West are a move to portray Russia as the oppressor of the Western elite and link it to the Nazi era. He warns that Russian state television is contributing to this narrative by airing hate-filled programs.

In related news, the US is assembling a $400 million weapons package for Ukraine, including artillery, air defense, armor-piercing rounds, armored vehicles, and small arms suitable for combat. This military aid has been possible since Congress lifted the months-long ban on sending arms to Ukraine.

Ukraine is anticipated to receive its first F-16 fighter jets at some point in June or July. A high-ranking military source told Reuters that the aircraft would be sent to help Ukraine regain its air dominance against Russia. While the supplying country remains undisclosed, Denmark, the Netherlands, Norway, and Belgium have all agreed to send their F-16s.

Contrary to reports of Russia capturing four villages in the Kharkiv region, the governor of the region, Ihor Synyehubov, denies any territory loss. He insists that Ukrainian troops have not surrendered any ground and there are no imminent dangers to the city of Kharkiv.

In Leipzig, Russia has announced an official complaint following an attempted occupation of the former Russian consulate. According to the Russian Foreign Ministry, six anti-Russian protesters climbed over the fence and displayed banners condemning Russia. They also claimed to be occupying the building. Two Russian embassy staffers were present during the incident and alerted the police, leading to the arrest of the group.

Frank Umbach, a security expert, asserts that despite Russia's current advantage, the Russian forces face time constraints. He also emphasizes that the Western media is missing an aspect - the high losses of Russian troops.

German Development Minister Svenja Schulze inaugurated the largest prosthetics workshop for war-wounded people in Ukraine. Funded by Germany with €1.8 million, it is part of a center that trains and employs specialists in orthopedics. The facility is linked to a rehabilitation center and celebrated as a "place of hope" during the opening ceremony. Schulze pointed out how many people have lost limbs or even their lives due to mines, grenades, and collapsed buildings during the conflict.

14:48 President Zelensky verifies Russian military operationThe Ukrainian head of state, Zelensky, confirms that Russian troops have commenced a new offensive in the Kharkiv region. The Kyiv Independent reported that Russian forces are launching an assault against this region. In response, Ukraine has mobilized its troops, brigades, and artillery to counter this attack. Earlier, Ukrainian Defense Ministry officials mentioned that the Russian military attempted to breach their defensive lines in Kharkiv.

14:09 Ukrainian reconnaissance units scout enemy positions in BachmutThe remains of Bachmut are under the control of Russia, yet the Ukrainian fighters persist in striving for the town. If Russia captures the region, they fear that the enemy could venture inland. Thus, reconnaissance squads are constantly searching for chances to detonate targeted attacks. However, they operate in the risk of being exposed themselves.

13:47 Russian advance comes to a stop in Kharkiv oblastReuters, citing a high-level Ukrainian military source, claims that Russian troops have inched one kilometer into Kharkiv oblast in northeastern Ukraine, near Vovchansk. Their goal is to progress up to ten kilometers into the oblast to set up a buffer zone. The Ukrainian military works hard to block Moscow's advance.

13:28 Residents are evacuated from Vovchansk as Russian artillery shelling intensifiesThe situation surrounding a possible Russian ground offensive in the Kharkiv oblast in the eastern section of Ukraine remains ambiguous. Ukrainian forces have supposedly thwarted the Russian incursion so far. Due to stepped-up Russian shelling, Ukrainian civilians are being evacuated from Vovchansk city and its surrounding areas. The British newspaper "Guardian" quotes the head of the military administration of Vovchansk, Tamaz Gambarashvili, from an interview on the Ukrainian radio station Hromadske: "Most of them are leaving on their own means of transportation. However, together with the humanitarian center, we are organizing transportation for those who lack a vehicle."

13:11 Lange examines military parade: "Putin isn't as strong as he wants us to believe"Traditionally, Russia demonstrates a vast array of armored vehicles and other military hardware at the Victory Day military parade. However, there is significantly less equipment on display this year. Defense expert Nico Lange interprets these images from Moscow and debunks the myths Western nations should avoid falling for.

12:42 Ukraine sends reinforcements to bolster defenses in KharkivAs per its Ministry of Defense, Ukraine has dispatched military reinforcements to the border region in the northern part of Kharkiv. These deployments aim to give assistance to the troops in repelling Russian attacks. According to the ministry, Russian troops tried to breach the border with armored vehicles earlier today, but were thwarted. Yet, the fighting persists, "with varying intensity."

12:31 Governor: Russian troops attempt to invade KharkivThe governor of Kharkiv area in northeastern Ukraine, Oleh Synehubov, shares that Russian troops have attempted to cross into Ukraine. He stated on Telegram that their artillery shelling of Vovchansk city, situated close to the border with Russia, has increased. The attempted incursions were thwarted, and the Ukrainian military "confidently holds its positions, without losing any ground." Russia does not have the resources to attack the eponymous city of Kharkiv, reveals Synehubov. These Russian activities on the border were an act of provocation.

12:13 Woman perishes in Russian shelling in Sumy OblastA 64-year-old woman succumbed to injuries sustained from a Russian bombardment in Sumy Oblast. According to Ukraine's official news outlet Ukrinform, a 17-year-old girl was also hurt. The Sumy regional prosecutor's office declared in a Telegram statement that the incident took place in Esman community within the Shostkynskyi district. "Between 07:10 and 08:10 on May 10, 2024, the occupiers fired artillery at the civilian infrastructure of the Esman community in the Shostkynsky district for one hour," noted the report.

11:41 "Severe energy scarcity" leads to production cutbacks in UkraineThe upsurge in Russian strikes on Ukrainian infrastructure necessitates continuous cuts to energy supply: Ukrainian corporations and industry will undergo further strains on energy use due to a "substantial electricity shortage," as stated by Ukrainian energy provider Ukrenergo. Since the beginning of the year, five significant assaults on the energy infrastructure in the central and western Ukrainian regions have occurred, most recently on the night of May 8. Volodymyr Kudrytskyi, the head of Ukrenergo, highlighted that imports from Europe would not fully cover Ukraine's energy deficit due to the attack. Ukraine has appealed to neighboring countries such as Poland for energy aid.

11:23 FDP parliamentary group opposes removing defense spending from debt limitation
The FDP parliamentary group opposes the idea of exempting defense spending from Germany's debt brake. Parliamentary leader Christian Dürr declared in Berlin, "Spending on our security doesn't hinge on the debt brake but on political decisions." They plan to prioritize budget adjustments in the coming weeks. Previously, Defense Minister Boris Pistorius suggested excluding defense spending and part of crisis preparedness from the debt limit. Pistorius cited the Basic Law, which safeguards both the debt brake and the military capabilities of the armed forces. However, Finance Minister Christian Lindner from the FDP swiftly refuted this idea. Lindner suggested reallocating funds in Germany's large budget instead.

10:51 Mayor: Kharkiv targeted by Russian S-300 missile
Russian forces hit Kharkiv with an S-300 missile during the night, according to Mayor Ihor Terekhov. On Telegram, he detailed injuries to an 11-year-old child and a 72-year-old woman, as well as fires in three houses. Two were destroyed, and one was partly damaged. The attack damaged 26 buildings and more than 300 windows, he said.

10:13 Putin suggests Mikhail Mishustin as Russian Prime Minister
Russian President Vladimir Putin has proposed Mikhail Mishustin, the past Prime Minister, as his choice for leading the Russian government in his new term. The lower house of parliament's speaker made the announcement on Friday.

09:56 Ukrainian forces engaged in 95 skirmishes with Russian troops
Over the past 24 hours, 95 conflicts erupted between Ukrainian and Russian forces. The Ukrainian Armed Forces General Staff shared on Facebook. The Russian military unleashed six rocket strikes, 80 air raids, and 127 multiple rocket launcher attacks on Ukrainian military locations and civilian targets.

09:18 Munz: Putin's nuclear weapons threat "a political stunt"
During the military parade in Moscow commemorating Nazi Germany's defeat, Putin issued a threat about using Russia's nuclear force. ntv correspondent Rainer Munz discussed the reasons behind this, mentioning the possible role of Ukrainian drones.

08:36 ISW: Moscow claims "Nazi genocide" in Moldova - a prelude to invasion?
Moscow's claim of a "Nazi-like genocide" by Moldova's government is a remarkable escalation in Russian official rhetoric. According to a US think tank, the Institute for the Study of War (ISW), this could be a prelude to a Russian advance to secure control over the entirety of Moldova. After speaking with TASS Russian state news agency, Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova agreed with this assessment. The Kremlin has started amplifying narratives about Russian citizens being mistreated abroad and endangered by Moscow. Experts speculate an "existential geopolitical conflict with an allegedly modern Nazi movement."

08:12 Oil refinery burns in Russian Kaluga after drone attack
Russian state news agency RIA reported that an oil refinery in the Kaluga oblast was on fire due to a Ukrainian drone attack. Emergency services personnel described the fire at the Pervyi Zavod refinery as destroying three diesel fuel and one heating oil tank. Governor Vladislav Shapshah previously shared that the fire at a company was quickly extinguished without specifying the type.

7:51 AM Kiev: Nearly 1000 Russian soldiers eliminated in a single day

The Ukrainian government shared the up-to-date number of Russian losses in the ongoing war. In one day, 980 Russian soldiers either lost their lives or are unable to carry on with the fighting. Since the start of the war in February 2022, a total of 479,710 Russian soldiers have reportedly been eliminated. The Ukrainian Ministry of Defense provided daily updates on Russian losses, including the destruction of 5 tanks (7434) and other equipment. However, this information cannot be independently verified. The Russian government has been withholding information regarding its military losses in Ukraine.

7:29 AM Over 300 attacks by Russian troops in Sumy oblast

The military administration of Sumy oblast reported that Russian forces launched 302 attacks on their region yesterday, spread over 60 separate instances. The Russian military attacked 11 communities along the Ukrainian-Russian border with mortars, drones, rockets, and artillery attacks. Two communities were also targeted by drone bomb drops. Fortunately, there were no reported casualties or injuries. The town of Velyka Pysarivka, located near the border with a pre-war population of around 4,000, experienced the majority of these attacks, recording 67 explosions.

7:03 AM Spy arrested for sharing Ukrainian position details with Russian intelligence

The Ukrainian Security Service (SBU) arrested a 45-year-old man from Kharkiv who was allegedly spying on Ukrainian positions. According to reports, the man provided Russian intelligence with the coordinates of Ukrainian positions. He was taken into custody at his home in the Vovchansk district of Kharkiv, and his cellphone containing alleged correspondence with Russian intelligence officers was seized by the authorities.

6:34 AM Ukrainian military intercepts and destroys all ten Russian drones launched last night

The Ukrainian military claims to have successfully neutralized all ten combat drones that the Russian soldiers launched during the previous night. Additionally, Russia fired two anti-aircraft guided missiles, which the Ukrainian air forces noted on their official Telegram channel. The fate of these missiles is unknown.

6:09 AM Regional governor: Ukrainian drone attack causes minor fire at Russian company

The governor of the Russian region of Kaluga revealed a minor fire at a local company following a Ukrainian drone attack. He reported on Telegram that the fire was extinguished safe and sound, with no casualties. The company affected by the fire was not identified.

5:16 AM Kharkiv experiences Russian airstrike, one person injured

A Russian airstrike on the city of Kharkiv caused damage to several houses and started a fire. The mayor of Kharkiv, Ihor Terekhov, announced this via a Telegram update. One person sustained injuries in the attack. According to the Kyiv Independent, at least five explosions were heard in the city.

4:25 PM Pistorius highlights unity against "Russia's expansionist ambitions"

During his recent visit to Washington, Ukraine's Defense Minister Boris Pistorius emphasized the importance of Western unity in combating Russia's expansionist goals. "I'm certain that only through America and Europe working together can the West stay strong and safeguard itself against Russia's expansionist ambitions and the power-hungry aspirations of other countries," Pistorius said. He also called for solidarity during this transatlantic partnership, comparing it to significant historical moments such as the Berlin Airlift, the Marshall Plan, and Germany's reunification.

3:14 PM Russian drone intercepted near Moscow

Moscow's mayor, Sergei Sobyanin, shared on Telegram that Russian air defense units had intercepted a drone south of Moscow. There were no casualties or damages from falling debris. Unfortunately, the information cannot be independently substantiated.

1:20 AM President Zelensky advocates for Ukraine's EU accession

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky once again urged the European Union to admit Ukraine as a member. "Ukraine, our people, deserve this, and the European Union will benefit as well by taking this critical step," Zelensky said in a daily video address. He discussed the possible start of accession negotiations in June. The EU's strength is rooted in letting in those who believe in European values, adding that Ukraine could be a meaningful part of this.

11:22 Ammunition from Czech initiative to reach Ukraine in June

The initial supply of ammunition bought by EU allies as part of the Czech-driven initiative is set to reach Ukraine in June, reveals Czech President Petr Pavel in an interview with ARD. In February, Pavel had indicated that Prague had identified half a million 155-mm shells and three hundred thousand 122-mm shells outside Europe that could be procured and sent to Ukraine as soon as the required funds were secured for the initiative. Countries like Belgium, the Netherlands, Germany, Sweden, Canada, Poland, France, Denmark, and Slovenia have now pledged funding to the Czech endeavor, potentially leading to the transportation of 1.5 million shells to Kiev. The first batch of 180,000 rounds of ammunition is to be delivered in June, and according to Pavel, there are already contracts for an additional five to six-digit number of shells.

10:59 Kiev lowers nighttime street lighting

The Kiev city administration has made the decision to limit the amount of street lighting at night in response to Russian attacks on Ukraine's energy system resulting in widespread power shortages across the nation. Serhii Popko, the head of the Kiev military administration, announced this measure. The night of May 24th saw significant Russian attacks on the oblasts of Poltava, Kirovohrad, Zaporizhia, Lviv, Ivano-Frankivsk, Kiev, and Vinnytsia. The electricity infrastructure mainly suffered from these attacks. At least two hydroelectric power plants were forced to shut down due to the assault.

9:40 EU Ambassador to Ukraine: Ukraine's accession to the EU could be in 2030

The year 2030 is a feasible timeline for Ukraine to become a member of the European Union, asserts Katarina Mathernova, the EU Ambassador to Ukraine. Although she acknowledges that determining the exact year when Kiev would join the EU is "like trying to read the future in a crystal ball," she remarked that it seems like a possibility. In November 2023, the European Commission proposed the commencement of accession discussions with Kiev, but stated that four more reforms were necessary. The European Council gave the green light for accession talks with Ukraine in December 2023.

8:44 Zelensky dismisses head of his bodyguard after aborted assassination attempt

Following a foiled assassination attempt, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky relieves the head of his bodyguard, Serhiy Leonidovich Rud, from his post. On May 23rd, Zelensky issued an executive order outlining the dismissal of Rud as Head of the State Security Department of Ukraine. This week, two officers were detained for conspiring to carry out an assassination plot. The Ukrainian domestic intelligence service SBU disclosed on Tuesday that it had taken down a "network of agents" controlled by the Russian intelligence service FSB who were "preparing to kill Ukrainian president."

8:22 Ukrainian tycoon in custody for alleged murder of lawyer

On May 9th, a court in the Ukrainian capital of Kiev ordered the arrest of oligarch Ihor Kolomoisky in a murder case. He will be kept in custody until July 7th and is not eligible for release on bail. Kolomoisky, a well-known business magnate in Ukraine, was already in detention on charges of embezzlement and money laundering in connection with his oil and gas holdings. The Prosecutor General's Office disclosed on Wednesday that he is now suspected of arranging the murder of the head of a law firm in Crimea over two decades ago. Allegedly, Kolomoisky ordered hitmen to murder the lawyer after he denied the oligarch's demands to overturn a decision made at a shareholders' meeting.

6:42 Zelenskyi reappoints commander - and pulls him back after two months

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky reinstates Dmytro Hereha as commander of the Ukrainian support forces days after replacing him with Oleksandr Yakovets in March. After reshuffling several leadership positions within the Ukrainian military, including the dismissal of Ukraine's chief military commander Valery Salushnyi, Zelensky dismissed Hereha and named Yakovets as his successor. However, Yakovets only held the post for two months before being recalled by Zelensky. The Support Forces of the Ukrainian Armed Forces are among the most critical formations of the Ukrainian military, their main responsibility being to offer operational assistance to the troops.

6:11 Wanted notices for Zelenskyi and Poroshenko vanish from Russian Interior Ministry site

The wanted notices for Ukrainian Presidents Volodymyr Zelenskyi and Petro Poroshenko mysteriously disappeared from the website of Russia's Interior Ministry, according to Russian media outlet Mediazona. The profiles were removed shortly after they were inadvertently discovered by Russian news agency RIA Novosti on Saturday. Mediazona reports that the two Ukrainian presidents had been added to the wanted list by a Russian Interior Ministry bureau in the occupied section of the Ukrainian Donetsk Oblast. This likely occurred in late February or early March.

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