Judge on Ukraine's missing weaponry: "Eastern front disintegrates, Russians seize another village"
Sweden supports the use of its weapons to target Russian territory. In Ukraine, there's hopes that more countries might follow suit, as reported by ntv correspondent Stephan Richter. Ukraine's president Zelensky is currently in Spain, where they're focused on dealing with a shortage of ammunition and weapons systems.
11:10: Submarines in the crosshairs: EU adopts framework for Russia sanctions
The foreign ministers of the 27 EU countries have created a legal framework to impose sanctions on Russia for human rights violations, three and a half months after the death of Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny. Sources claim that this new framework will enable sanctions against individuals and organizations that suppress the opposition.
10:41: Germany offers more aid to areas held by "Russian terror occupation"
The German government is providing additional humanitarian aid to the Russian-occupied parts of eastern Ukraine, amounting to 60 million euros, with a focus on the east of the country. Bundesaußenministerin Annalena Baerbock explained during EU ministerial meetings in Brussels how there's a severe shortage of essentials in these areas, which have been under "Russian terror occupation" for over two and a half years. Germany is working with international actors to bring aid to the area.
10:13: Lithuania accuses Hungary of persistent hindrance of EU support for Ukraine
Lithuania alleges that Hungary has been systematically blocking all EU efforts to help Ukraine in its conflict against Russian aggression. Lithuanian Foreign Minister Gabrielius Landsbergis pleaded with his EU colleagues in Brussels to find a solution to this blockade. He believes this constitutes a systemic attempt to hinder all EU involvement in foreign policy. Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock also urged Hungary to remove barriers to additional EU military aid for Ukraine.
09:40: Substantial aid package from Spain: Ukraine expected to receive more Leopard tanks
Spain is reportedly set to deliver 12 rockets for the Patriot air defense system, 19 Leopard tanks, equipment for drone defense, and ammunition to Ukraine. This military aid is part of the 1.13 billion euro aid package announced last month for Ukraine. The delivery will coincide with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky's visit to Spain, where he's scheduled to meet with Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez and King Felipe in Madrid. A spokesperson for Sánchez declined to comment on this report from El Pais.
09:09: Ukraine attacks Russian territory with drones
In a Ukrainian drone attack on a gas station in the Russian region of Orjol, one person was killed and three people were injured, as per Russian reports. Liwny's governor, Andrej Klychkov, stated on Telegram that a drone crashed on the gas station premises. A nearby administrative building was also damaged. After rescue teams arrived, a second drone attack occurred, resulting in the death of a fire truck driver and injuries to three rescue workers. The Russian Defense Ministry reported that 12 Ukrainian drones were downed overnight, with six in the Orjol region.
08:35: Lange: "We push Russia towards committing more war crimes, instead of deterring it"
Russian missile strikes on a printing house and a hardware store in Kharkiv are viewed as new war crimes by military expert Nico Lange. He stated on X that if they limit their support for Ukraine, they're inviting Russia to cause more harm instead of stopping it.
07:59: Election in Lithuania brings much happiness in Ukraine
The re-election of Gitanas Nauseda as Lithuania's president is celebrated in Kyiv. Zelensky congratulated Nauseda in a message, highlighting his unwavering support for Ukraine and expressing confidence that together, they can ensure freedom, peace, and security in Ukraine, the Baltic states, and across Europe. Lithuania has been an invaluable ally to Ukraine during these difficult years.
Dmytro Kuleba, the Ukrainian Foreign Minister, has a history of failed negotiations with Russia. In an interview on platform X, Kuleba said, "Russia has never negotiated in good faith unless it's forced to." Moscow has sabotaged the peace process with over 200 rounds of negotiations between 2014 and 2022 and declared "total war on Ukraine." Kuleba believes that the only hope for genuine peace is through the collaborative effort of the international community. That's why the peace conference in Switzerland on June 15th and 16th is crucial. He underlines the importance of involving as many nations as feasible.
What's happening on Russian territory near the Ukrainian border?
Reports circulate that Russian troops have amassed near the border, only 90 kilometers from Kharkiv. The objective is likely to draw in and instigate Ukrainian troops, as well as get ready for further assault operations to increase Russia's influence in the border region. According to the Institute for the Study of War (ISW), Russian forces have recently expanded their activities to storehouses and depots in nearby settlements in the region of Graiworon-Borissowka-Proletarski in western Belgorod. The exact number of troops gathered is not yet clear, as stated by the US think tank.
Vitali Klitschko, Mayor of Kharkiv, is seeking help from Western partners after an attack on a hardware store in the city led to many casualties. He states on platform X, "These Ukrainians were also killed by Russian bombs because we didn't have enough air defense. When will countries with Patriot systems finally act?" He also advocates for deploying attacks on Russian targets within Russia using Western weapons. "The planes that drop bombs on our civilians take off from Russian airfields. We need to destroy these planes there."
There's an air alert active in the south of Ukraine. The Ukrainian military has observed a stealth bomber Su-57 over the Black Sea and is alerting for the potential launch of cruise missiles.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is demanding the right to use Western weapons against Russian territory after the fatal bombings in Kharkiv. While many foreign politicians and organizations have expressed their condemnation of Russia, he calls for action. "We need not only more air defense but also the right to shoot at Russian targets with our foreign weapons. We see every gathering of Russian troops. We know all the areas from which Russian rockets and combat aircraft are launched. It's a political decision to allow the preventive destruction of these forces before they attack Ukraine."
The Ukrainian prosecutor's office has reported the killing of four civilians due to Russian shelling. Three of them were killed in the Donetsk region - in Sieversk in the northern part of the region and further south in Krasnohorivka and Tschassiw Jar. A civilian was also killed near the town of Tschuhujiw.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is set to visit Spain today. He'll be received by the Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez at noon, and there will be a press conference afterward. The visit, which was originally planned for May 17th, was postponed due to the events in Kharkiv.
French President Emmanuel Macron has stressed the importance of not relinquishing support for Ukraine in its attempts to stand against Russia. "Standing on the side of peace today means giving strength to the law. Peace is not capitulation. Peace is not the task of principles. Peace means giving a county the ability to defend its borders and sovereignty," Macron stated during his three-day state visit to Germany. He further emphasized that Germany and France would emphasize this point during their bilateral Defense and Security Council meeting on Tuesday. They will confirm their aid to Ukraine, stating they'll assist "until the end" to resist, "to exhaust, accompany, train, and prepare for all scenarios to build a lasting peace - a peace that respects international law."
The Russian Deputy Prime Minister, Dmitry Medvedev, has threatened Poland with "radioactive ash," according to Ukrainian media.
Dmitry Medvedev, ex-president of Russia, warns Poland of "radioactive dust" after remarks from Foreign Minister Radoslaw Sikorski on how the U.S. might react to a Russian strike on Ukraine. In an interview with "The Guardian," Sikorski expressed his thoughts on how the U.S. might handle a Russian atomic weapons attack on Ukraine. "If the Americans strike our targets, this implies a global war, and a foreign minister, even from a country like Poland, should comprehend this," Medvedev expressed on his Telegram channel. "Warsaw won't be spared and will surely get its fair share of radioactive fallout. Is that what you desire?"
22:00 Zelenskyy Addresses Media from Central Asia: No Ceasefire Prospects
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has given his first interview to journalists from Central Asia, particularly Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, and Kyrgyzstan. Published by the Kazakh media outlet "Orda" as a video on YouTube, the interview covered a potential ceasefire with Russia. Zelenskyy stated he couldn't see any prospects for such an agreement.
21:40 Putin Visits Uzbekistan for State Trip
Vladimir Putin, Russian President, has arrived in Uzbekistan for a state visit. This was shared by Russian state media. Shavkat Mirziyoyev greeted Putin at the airport in the Uzbek capital Tashkent. Since 2016, Mirziyoyev has been President of the Central Asian nation with a population of 37 million. Putin and Mirziyoyev will talk about the advancement of Russian-Uzbek relations and current issues in the region during the two-day visit. The Kremlin states that they intend to sign a "comprehensive package of bilateral documents" following the visit.
21:20 Ukrainian General Staff: No Breakthrough for Russian Forces
According to the Ukrainian military authorities, there were 83 skirmishes with Russian troops on Sunday. Russian forces are reportedly making "maximum effort" to penetrate the Ukrainian defense lines. The General Staff shared this information on social media, mentioning that "Ukrainian forces are taking steps to keep their positions and destroy the enemy's offensive potential." Regarding Kharkiv, there is no noticeable change, but the Russian forces are maintaining offensives near the city of Vovchansk and the village of Lyptsi.
21:00 Ukrainians Demonstrate in Kyiv in front of the U.S. Embassy
The restriction on not using Western weapons against Russian land is causing uncertainty among the Ukrainian people. Around 150 people are protesting against this in front of the U.S. Embassy in Kyiv, states ntv correspondent Stephan Richter. They want the restriction lifted.
20:40 Georgian Independence Day: Protest Rally in Tbilisi
During the Georgian Independence Day on May 26, thousands participated in a "Freedom March" through the capital Tbilisi, reports Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (RFE/RL). They carried the flags of Georgia and the European Union and shouted slogans, including against the controversial "foreign influence" law. The demonstrators also turned on their phone flashlights. They chanted: "No to the Russian law!", and "No to the Russian regime!" Earlier, Georgian President Salome Zurabishvili addressed a ceremonial swearing-in of recruits on the Freedom Square in Tbilisi on the subject of the "shadow of Russia hovering over Georgia."
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- Germany, along with other countries, is considering providing military assistance to Ukraine, as reported by ntv correspondent Stephan Richter, to help combat the ongoing Ukraine conflict.
- The Ukrainian president, Volodymyr Selensky, is currently in discussions with European leaders to secure additional military equipment and ammunition, which is crucial in the face of the Russia-Ukraine conflict.
- Following the Russia-Ukraine conflict, there have been concerns about potential cyberwar attacks, with many experts warning of the increasing use of cyber weapons in modern military operations.
- In response to the Russia-Ukraine conflict, NATO has increased its focus on strengthening its cyberdefense capabilities, recognizing the potential threat of cyberwarfare in future military operations.
Source: www.ntv.de
