France to provide Ukraine with 650 million euros for infrastructure development.
Just before a meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, France has announced extra support for Ukraine worth 650 million euros. During a sit-down with Zelenskyy at the Elysee Palace on Friday, President Emmanuel Macron plans to sign two agreements. The French development agency AFD will receive 400 million euros in loans and 50 million euros in donations for its work in Ukraine. These funds are mainly for energy and transportation projects. An additional support fund of 200 million euros is being planned for French companies participating in Ukraine's infrastructure rebuild. Zelenskyy is visiting France to take part in festivities commemorating the 80th anniversary of the Allied landing in Normandy.
19:22: EU mulls using Russian assets for Ukraine loan
During a video conference between EU finance ministers in the G7 bloc, ideas for using income from frozen Russian assets towards a multibillion-dollar loan for Ukraine are being considered. "The finance ministers will assess the need for further discussions at their meeting in June after the G7 summit in Apulia," said Eurogroup chairman Paschal Donohoe. Western countries agree that these assets should help support Ukraine's economic recovery. The EU intends to use these funds largely on interest payments, weapons purchases, and partial reconstruction of the country attacked by Russia. The United States government would like to utilize the frozen funds and income for a massive $50 billion loan to Ukraine, though this is still contentious within the G7 and the EU.
18:56: 'Kamikaze' drone production quickened for Ukraine
Ukraine's need for both personnel and ammunition is being alleviated through the production of homemade kamikaze drones. Hundreds of volunteers are manually assembling these drones to conduct reconnaissance and target Russian military positions.
18:14: Ukraine uses US weapons against Russian territory
A senior official from a Western government reported to the Associated Press that Ukraine had used American-provided weapons to attack positions within Russia, following the new guidelines approved by US President Joe Biden.
18:00: Russian Blogger Gets Five and a Half Year Sentence for Broadcasting Testimonies on Butscha
The court in Moscow has sentenced Russian blogger Anna Bashutowa to five and a half years in prison for streaming testimonies about the Russian attack on the Ukrainian city of Bucha via the platform Twitch. She was found guilty of spreading fabricated information about human rights abuses committed by the Russian army in Ukraine. Upon hearing the sentence, Bashutowa said, "This is disgusting and repulsive. We will appeal." Her lawyer, Andry Nevrev, also disagreed with the court's decision. Bashutowa previously read out residents' testimonies on Twitch in July 2023, accusing the Russian military of committing atrocities. Following these broadcasts, "patriotic" Russian bloggers provoked backlash against the blogger, and her Twitch channel was suspended. Her video material was subsequently seized by police.
17:30: Zelenskyy Heads to Qatar for Talks on Kidnapped Children
Having arrived in Qatar, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is meeting with Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad Al Thani, the Emir of Qatar. On his social media, Zelenskyy underscored the potential outcomes of their discussions: Qatari mediation for the return of kidnapped Ukrainian children to Russia and talks on bilateral economic issues and the upcoming peace summit in Switzerland, scheduled for June 15-16.
17:04: Ukrainian Men of Military Age Could Face Military Duty Upon Returning Home
Ukrainian men of military age living abroad may find themselves ordered to serve in the military if they return to Ukraine. Andriy Demchenko, spokesperson for the Ukrainian Border Guard, shared with AFP that Ukrainian citizens who have been out of their country for more than three months will now fall under the requirement for military service and must present themselves to the army within 30 days. This new legislation affecting males aged 18-60 came into effect on June 1st.
16:50: Evacuation of Solotschiw Area's Children Underway
The Ukrainian government is working to evacuate all children from the disputed region of Kharkiv area of Solotschiw. Viktor Kovalenko, head of the military administration of Solotschiw, shared the progress with The Kyiv Independent in a conversation with Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (RFE/RL). These efforts are aimed at moving children out of the area, which is just a few kilometers from the Russian-Ukrainian border.
A court in St Petersburg has punished a 60-year-old man by giving him a prison term for disrespecting the memory of the Soviet army in World War II. This individual with both Russian and US citizenship must spend three and a half years in a detention facility. Additionally, he is prohibited from using the internet or any other communication platforms for one and a half years, as stated by the court's announcement on Telegram. The man is thought to have made negative comments in two posts on the Russian social network Odnoklassniki. Here, he allegedly attacked the popular Russian symbol of the Soviet army's triumph over Nazi Germany, the orange-black St. George's ribbon, in a crude manner. The defendant has admitted to being guilty. As per the court, this person resides in Brooklyn, New York, and is a security guard at a sports center. The arrest of this individual occurred when she visited Russia in December 2023.
15:46: Pistorius intends to render the Bundeswehr combat-efficient by 2029
The Defense Minister of Germany, Boris Pistorius, wants to increase the preparedness level of the Bundeswehr in response to the danger posed by Russia. "We have to be combat-efficient by 2029," he declared at the government questioning in the Bundestag. "We have to frighten away, to prevent the worse from becoming reality." Finances, resources, and labor are at the core of achieving this goal. "We must find physically fit young men and women who can defend this nation," Pistorius remarked. He considers a "new form of conscription" helpful, even though it would not be entirely obligation-free. Conscription was terminated in Germany in 2011. The potential plans for reintroducing conscription that Pistorius has frequently encouraged should surface soon.
15:17: Poland: Commission established to find Russian and Belarusian espionage activities in the past 20 years
In Poland, a new commission is examining any probable Russian and Belarusian intelligence service influence over the past two decades. Twelve specialists in security matters are working in this commission, as announced by Prime Minister Donald Tusk. The committee is headed by the head of military counterintelligence, General Jaroslaw Strzygowski. Politicians are not members of the commission. Poland regards Russia as an enemy as Poland is among the most crucial military allies of Ukraine and a logistical aid center for Western military help to Kiev. The country also worries about acts of sabotage from Russian intelligence agencies. Poland, similar to other EU nations, suspects Russian spying.
14:50 Ukraine: One Dead and Five Wounded in Donetske During Russian Attacks
In the Russian attacks in eastern Ukraine, reports have been circulating of one fatality and five injuries, as per the Ukrainian authorities. Wadym Filaschuk, the governor of the area, announced on Telegram that "as a result of today's bombardments in the Donetske region," one individual was killed, and five others were hurt. These attacks were thought to have targeted civilians in the city of Artemivsk. Another incident involved someone being injured in an airstrike at the city of Selidove near the front line, Filaschuk added.
14:22 Pistorius rules out sending German soldiers to Ukraine
Germany's Defense Minister, Boris Pistorius, is against deploying soldiers to Ukraine. He reiterated this in a government hearing in the German Bundestag. In response to AfD MP Rüdiger Lucassen's question on whether the German government had discussed this possibility in the context of the European Union and France and if it planned on deploying German troops to Ukraine, Pistorius said, "No and no."
13:53 Official: Ukraine faces days without electricity in winter due to Russian strikes on power plants
Russian attacks on Ukrainian power plants might have severe consequences in the upcoming months. A Ukrainian government official revealed to the Financial Times that Ukrainians are likely to spend most of the day without power during the winter. Another government representative, who preferred to stay anonymous, shared that the Saturday attacks on energy facilities were "catastrophic." There was a loss of 1.2 gigawatts of power generation due to the attacks on Saturday alone, while essential infrastructure for transporting gas from underground storage facilities in western Ukraine was significantly damaged. One of the officials stated that the power generation capacity in Ukraine has dropped significantly since the war began: from roughly 55 gigawatts to 20 gigawatts.
13:14: Russian governor: Girl dies after Ukrainian shelling in a village
In a village occupied by Russia in southeastern Ukraine, news has emerged of 11 people injured by Ukrainian artillery fire, according to the occupying administration. The head of the Russian-assigned administration for the region of Zaporizhzhia, Evgeniy Balitsky, reported on Telegram that a five-year-old girl had died due to her wounds. No independent confirmation of this event exists. The town of Novoslobodskoye is reported to have experienced shelling on Tuesday evening. Maps of the frontlines show that the Ukrainian village is approximately three kilometers from the frontline.
Swiss military jets touch down on a motorway at rates of up to 260 km/h during a training endeavor. The Swiss Air Force verified the incident, which unfolded on a Monday, and stated that the pilots had been practicing emergency landings. The jets managed to securely land on the motorway, which had been shut off for the operation. The Swiss Air Force announced that the pilots followed all safety rules and incurred no injuries. The specific site of the occurrence stayed unacknowledged.
The Swiss Air Force is examining its competencies in light of potential conflict: F/A-18 fighter jet pilots practiced commencing and landing on an autobahn in Payerne. The pilots achieved flawless touchdowns, per the deputy commander of the Air Force, Brigadier Christian Oppliger. The aircraft had touchdown speeds of roughly 260 kilometers per hour. The last such exercise by the Swiss Air Force dates back to 1991. Now the risk circumstances have shifted significantly, asserts Oppliger: "The Air Force requires to be prepared for anything." It's no longer only concerning defense, but also about hitting enemy ground-air systems. The Air Force intends to contain adversaries up to 100 kilometers beyond the borders. The goal of the exercise also explored how swiftly the Air Force would be ready for action after a probable initial strike on military airstrips elsewhere.
12:00 Kiev applauds Harris' "vital" conference participationUkraine is content with Vice President Harris' engagement in the peace conference in Switzerland. The verification of Harris' presence at the conference on June 15th and 16th constitutes a "crucial message," asserts the head of the Presidential Administration. Ukraine had at first wished for President Biden's participation. Biden and his Ukrainian counterpart Zelenskyy will encounter each other on Thursday in France, where festivities for the 80th anniversary of the Allied landing in Normandy are transpiring. A subsequent gathering is scheduled at the G7 summit in the upcoming week in Italy.
11:20 Scholz plans to order more Eurofighters - "defense industrial turnaround" necessaryChancellor Olaf Scholz insists upon trustworthy orders for the expansion of production capacities in Germany and Europe. "The federal government possesses a strong interest in a robust aerial and space industry in Germany and Europe," remarks Scholz at the opening of the International Aerospace Exhibition (ILA) in Berlin. "That's why we will command an additional 20 Eurofighters during this legislative period - aside from the 38 aircraft that are still in the works," adds the chancellor. He refers to a necessary "defense industrial reponding." The government will also lobby for further options, like the exportation of the Eurofighter. "I am 100% devout to the preservation and growth of production resources," declares Scholz while addressing the defense industry. Further details here.
10:49 Munz attends peace conference: "Global support is dwindling, Russia is triumphant"As Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelenskyy is mobilizing for participation in the peace conference in Switzerland, Russia is supposedly staving off as many countries as possible - with success. At the start of the conflict, 141 UN member states condemned Russia's incursion, currently fewer nations are assenting to the gathering, asserts ntv reporter Rainer Munz.
10:05 Has the Kremlin raised security measurements for Putin?
Based on a report in the "Moscow Times", safety measures for Kremlin head Vladimir Putin have purportedly been heightened. Two Russian officials, who often attended Putin's public appearances, claim that the Russian security services have leveled out already stringent security measures to unrivaled levels. The newspaper also cites a source near the Kremlin. Putin has supposedly been wearing a bulletproof vest during public appearances since at least 2023. Attacks on high-ranking officials, such as the Slovak prime minister Robert Fico three weeks ago or the Japanese prime minister Shinzo Abe almost two years ago, have provoked particularly heightened caution levels at the Kremlin, suggests one of the officials. The Kremlin had earlier disclosed that security measures for Putin hadn't increased. In the report, one of the officials also divulges these risk factors: the warrant for arrest given by the International Criminal Court against Putin, the risk of Ukrainian drone attacks or sabotage, and the risk of Islamic attacks.
09:37 Nikopol is peppered with heavy artillery
The Russian army is conducting bombardment on Nikopol again, according to the Ukrainian administration. Yesterday evening and this morning, the city on the Dnipro was bombarded with heavy artillery and kamikaze drones, declares the governor of the Dnipropetrovsk region. No one was harmed, but five homes and an electricity line were damaged. Four drones were brought down in the district, declares the governor.
08:54 Drone captures tense journey through Russia's air defense
The air defense teams of the 71st Fighter Brigade are keeping a close eye on Russian actions further behind the front lines with their "Storks". The unit perceives less and less hostile action. However, Ukrainian drones have been progressively advancing deeper into Russian territory, triggering Russian air defense reactions.
Vladimir Putin, the Russian President, plans to greet foreign press for the first time since beginning a two-year battle against Ukraine at the international financial forum in St. Petersburg. This event was held in 2022 and 2023. The gathering begins on Wednesday and ends on Saturday.
07:58 Ukraine: Russian military active around Donetsk
The Ukrainian Military General informed the public about a challenging scenario at the front in the eastern part of the nation. There were 37 assaults northwest of Donetsk yesterday. Russian troops were most active in the Otscheretyne area, where they attempted to advance in different directions. Otscheretyne is a village situated between Donetsk and Pokrowsk.
07:32 Ukraine encounters drone attacks through the night
Ukrainian armed forces informed the public that Russian forces targeted Ukraine with 27 drones during the night. Twenty-two of these drones were shot down, 22 in the southern, northeastern, and central Ukraine. An industrial facility in the central region of Poltava was damaged, and one individual sustained injuries as a result of a drone attack, according to Poltava Regional Governor Filip Pronin.
06:55 US Embassy: Male US citizens with Ukrainian citizenship cannot exit Ukraine anymore
The US Embassy in Ukraine cautions male U.S. citizens who also possess Ukrainian citizenship against traveling to Ukraine, as they may not be allowed to depart the country indefinitely. The embassy clarified that Ukrainian law does not acknowledge dual citizenship, meaning U.S.-Ukrainians will be classified as Ukrainian citizens. Since Russia's invasion of Ukraine, Ukrainian males aged 18 to 60 have been prohibited from leaving the country.
06:14 Ukraine recruits drone operators for its army
The Ukrainian Defense Ministry initiated a program to hire drone operators for the military. This information was shared by the online newspaper "Ukrajinska Pravda." Anyone over the age of 18 is permitted to apply. They must first complete an online course, followed by learning how to operate drones and joining the armed forces.
05:42 NATO Chief Stoltenberg criticizes China
NATO Secretary General Stoltenberg commented on China's decision not to participate in the Ukraine peace conference in Switzerland. "It's disappointing that China opted not to attend," Stoltenberg said in an interview with the NDR Info podcast "Kampfkräfte und Strategien." China's decision corresponds to past occurrences, as the country was unable to condemn Russia's invasion of Ukraine, which is a flagrant violation of international regulations. The Chinese failed to criticize the invasion and instead signed an agreement with Putin prior to the invasion promising unwavering partnership, explained Stoltenberg. Since the invasion, it has become evident that China assists Russia's war economy by selling them sophisticated technology, microchips, and other items.
03:39 Biden slated to meet Zelensky twice
U.S. President Biden will have two key discussions with Ukrainian President Zelensky, according to the White House. This information was shared by the U.S. National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan. Biden is expected to meet with Zelensky in France and in Italy in the upcoming days. Biden is heading to France to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the Allied landing, and Zelensky is also due to visit France. Next week, the G7 summit is scheduled to take place in Italy.
02:42 Rumors of Russian "Filtration Camps" in Vovchansk
Russian invaders are setting up 'filtration camps' in the disputed city of Vovchansk, reports the Ukrainian government. This was communicated by the Governor of Kharkiv region, Oleh Syniehubov, to the Kyiv Independent. Filtration camps are used by Russia to identify and keep records of Ukrainians in the invaded territories. Accounts of torture, sexual assault, and deportation have surfaced in the past. In the part of Vovchansk occupied by Russian forces, only a tiny population remains. These people serve as human shields for the opposing army.
00:44 Corruption Charges: Ex-Head of Ukraine's Weapons Procurement on Trial
The former head of Ukraine's weapons procurement will face corruption charges in court. He has been accused of getting involved in overpriced contracts for aircraft parts, according to the Kyiv Anti-Corruption Bureau. This case dates back to 2016 and is not related to the current conflict between the Ukrainian army and Russia's attacks. The accused has been connected to inflated rates for aircraft parts with a private company, seven times higher than the market worth, the agency revealed further. His business partner is already on trial.
23:26 Russian Special Forces raid Nawalny Memorial Gathering
In Moscow, police are taking a tough stance against supporters of the late Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny who assembled for a small memorial ceremony on his birthday. A group of officers from a special unit targeted a venue where approximately 30 individuals had gathered to watch a live transmission of Navalny's memorial concert in Berlin. As reported by the human rights organization, Ovd-Info, around 30 people were momentarily held, searched, and questioned. Navalny would have turned 48. For further details, click here.
Ukraine commemorated the children lost during the war today. More than 600 children have been slain since the conflict erupted in February 2022, and over 1,400 more have been injured, according to a UN representative, Denise Brown. The actual figure of child deaths is likely far higher. "Let us shield our children," stated President Zelensky's wife, Olena Zelenska, at a remembrance event in Kyiv. Ukraine needs more armaments. The life of children is worth more than "the costs of air defense."
Graphic depictions of emaciated Ukrainian soldiers captured by the Russians are spreading rapidly through social media. Notable journalist Illia Ponomarenko shared images showing a Ukrainian National Guard member named Roman Horilyk in an advanced state of malnutrition. "These are his condition when he returned to Ukraine after the last prisoner exchange," Ponomarenko wrote. Captured at the Chernobyl nuclear power plant, Horilyk underwent two years of captivity in Russian prisons. "The narrative repeats itself and asserts its lessons must be learned." Many social media users compared the appearance of Horilyk to those of inmates from German concentration camps.
Evidence from satellite imagery lends credence to a recent attack on a Russian S-300/400 air defense system. Despite Moscow's denial, numerous videos, pictures, and now corresponding satellite images from Radio Liberty expose the destruction of a burned launch ramp and a damaged command center of the S-300/400 air defense system. The assault is attributed to a HIMARS multiple rocket launcher from the United States. Recently, Washington allowed Ukraine to target Russian territory to safeguard the Kharkiv region.
Ukrainian President Zelensky believes his nation is entering a pivotal phase. "Although it is only early June, the next few weeks will determine the entire summer and, in many respects, the entire year," Zelensky stated in his evening video address. He referenced a peace summit in Switzerland, "the mobilization of the world for Ukraine, our relations with the EU, the military situation at the front, and also the national production in our country."
In the run-up to the European elections, German citizens are experiencing a high volume of Russian disinformation. In addition to Germany, France and Poland are also frequently targeted by Russian entities, according to EU Vice Commissioner Vera Jourova in Brussels. In Germany, disinformation is frequently related to "questions of immigration and security," Jourova indicated. The European Monitoring Centre for Online Media (EDMO) presented an appraisal of these Russian disinformation campaigns, which often revolve around the Ukrainian conflict. Together, Germany, France, and Poland account for approximately 145 million eligible voters – about 40% of all eligible voters in the EU.
Ukraine is undergoing a vital period, according to its President, Volodymyr Zelensky, as lives are being lost while they battle for their country. In just a few weeks’ time, Zelensky revealed, the fate of their summer, and the entire year, will be decided, during which they will be facing critical moments on several fronts. These moments include a peace summit in Switzerland, the mobilization of international support, the EU's stance on Ukraine, the state of military struggles, and domestic production. His words reflect a dire determination in Ukraine's fight for survival.
Read also:
- Following the announcement of additional support from France, Volodymyr Selenskyy, President of Ukraine, is visiting France to discuss the Ukraine conflict with President Emmanuel Macron and participate in Normandy festivities.
- As part of military operations against Russia, Ukraine is using US-provided weapons to conduct attacks on Russian territory, following new guidelines approved by US President Joe Biden.
- In response to the conflict in Ukraine and Russia's invasion, NATO and EU members are considering using frozen Russian assets for a multibillion-dollar loan to support Ukraine's economic recovery and reconstruction.
- The Ukraine conflict has resulted in increased Russian military activities, with attacks on Ukrainian power plants posing a threat to the country's energy infrastructure and leaving citizens without power during winter months.
