Kharkiv Governor Reports Lessening Russian Assaults at 20:07
In the past month, Russian troops have been advancing in the northeastern regions of Ukraine, namely Kharkiv. However, it seems they have reduced their combat activities in this area, according to reports. Despite this, the governor of Kharkiv, Oleh Syniehubov, has issued a warning. He said, "Although there has been a reduction in fighting at the front line, the Russians are still regrouping and attempting to advance deeper into the region." The locations of Vovchansk, Sinkivka, and Andriivka are still under heavy shelling, with no signs of stopping. Additionally, parts of Vovchansk and other settlements are being destroyed in a scorched earth strategy. The Russian forces have captured several border towns since the start of the offensive, prompting Ukrainian authorities to evacuate thousands of people from the region.
19:26 Update: The ex-mayor of Kupiansk, Hennadii Matsehora, is in critical condition after an attack. This information comes from the Ukrainian military intelligence service, HUR, who claim no involvement in the incident. Matsehora was targeted in the Russian city of Staryi Oskol in the Belgorod region. HUR accuses him of volunteering to work with the Russian military when they captured Kupiansk in February 2022. After the Ukrainians took back the city, he allegedly fled to Russia.
18:49 Biden Reiterates Support for Ukraine: "Putin Will Not Hold Ground"
Although there are disagreements over sending military trainers to Ukraine, the United States and France continue to support Ukraine. US President Biden did not rule out sending trainers but emphasized, "We stand firmly with Ukraine and our allies." While acknowledging that they disagree on certain strategies, Biden warned, "Putin will not hold ground in Ukraine." If Putin were to subjugate Ukraine, he argued, "The entirety of Europe will be threatened. We will not let that happen."
18:16 Scholz Again Rejects German Soldiers in Ukraine
Following a proposal from French President Macron to send military trainers to Ukraine, German Chancellor Scholz again reiterated that German soldiers will not be sent to the conflict zone. "We will continue to prevent escalation," he said at an SPD election campaign event in Duisburg. Scholz, like Biden, made it clear that no soldiers from their countries or NATO will be deployed in Ukraine.
17:31 Tragic News: Woman in Rubble Survives but Dies in Hospital, Another Woman Killed in Ukraine
Ukrainian reports state that two civilians have been killed by Russian attacks. In one instance, a woman who was rescued from the rubble of a house later passed away in the hospital. Governor Filip Pronin of the region of Poltava recounted this, saying she was brought in with severe injuries. Her house near the city of Poltava was struck by a Russian rocket on Friday. Additionally, a 60-year-old woman was killed in the village of Dudchany in the region of Kherson, according to official reports. Russian soldiers reportedly shelled the village.
16:58 Luhansk Governor: Two Dead and Many Injured in Russian Attack
The governor appointed by Moscow in the partially occupied Ukrainian region of Luhansk has reported two deaths and 60 injuries following a Ukrainian rocket attack on the city of Luhansk. He has declared a day of mourning in the region and canceled public events. However, there is no official statement from Ukraine regarding the incident.
16:29 Swiss NGO Tries to Support Detained Employee in Russia
The Swiss non-governmental organization Center for Humanitarian Dialogue is trying to help their employee who was arrested in Russia. Their efforts include searching for a lawyer and contacting the Russian authorities. "We are still searching for information about the circumstances that led to his arrest and the charges against him," the organization stated. A lawyer for the detained man claimed his client had admitted guilt in court and didn't know about the requirement to register as a foreign agent. Russian authorities also accused him of collecting information about Russia's "military and military-technical activities."
15:57 Ukrainian Air Defense Intercepts Some Russian Drones
Ukrainian air defenses report that they have intercepted nine of 13 Russian drones over the central region of Poltava, in the southern regions of Zaporizhzhia and Dnipropetrovsk, and in the region of Kharkiv. Governor Serhiy Lysak of Dnipropetrovsk stated, "A drone damaged commercial and residential buildings during the night." Russia claimed the Ukrainian army had attacked their targets with 25 drones, but there were no reported casualties.
15:25 Ukrainian Power Stations: Only 25% Left
The Ukrainian Air Force revealed that they have managed to intercept nine of 13 Russian drones that were hovering over the central region of Poltava, as well as southern regions Zaporizhzhia and Dnipropetrovsk. In the region of Kharkiv. Additionally, there has been heavy shelling in Vovchansk, Sinkivka, and Andriivka. The governor of Dnipropetrovsk, Serhiy Lysak, reported that a drone damaged commercial and residential buildings in the night. Earlier, Russia announced that the Ukrainian military had used 25 drones against their targets, with no casualties. In relation to Ukraine's limited resources, Ukrainian power stations are now only functioning at 25%.
The Russian army has significantly damaged a big portion of Ukraine's energy infrastructure due to its frequent attacks, as per Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal on Ukrainian television, as reported by the news portal "The New Voice of Ukraine." Prime Minister Shmyhal said, "Russia has severely harmed 73% of our large power plants. Russia has destroyed 50% of our electricity production capacity. In fact, we have lost 9.2 gigawatts of power through rocket and drone attacks, which is half of what we had last winter." Additionally, 20 hydroelectric power plants are not functional.
14:48 Report: Two Russian soldiers identified for rapes
The news portal "Kyiv Independent" claims they've found information about two Russian soldiers who sexually assaulted two women in Ukraine. These crimes are stated to have happened in 2022 during Russian control of the regions of Kiev and Kherson. As per the documentary "He Came Back," these soldiers have not faced any repercussions for their actions. One of the soldiers is said to live in the occupied Horlivka city in the Donetsk region. The other soldier is said to have committed other war crimes, including the murder of a civilian. The Kyiv Independent reports that there have been 292 cases of sexual violence by Russian military members recorded since the start of the war, which is likely just the tip of the iceberg.
13:57 London: Russia strengthens protection around Crimea Bridge
The British defense intelligence service has spotted eight boats anchored near the Crimea Bridge, as seen in satellite images. "These boats were installed by the Russian armed forces to defend the bridge and the shipping lane and to decrease the approach angle for Ukrainian drones," it is stated in the report. Previous installations were damaged by storms. The Crimea Bridge connects the Russian mainland to the Crimea region and serves as an important supply route.
13:41 Pistorius confirms: Bundeswehr must "prepare for war"
Defence Minister Boris Pistorius affirmed his statement that the Bundeswehr must "prepare for war." This is about being capable of defending during a war - "therefore being ready for the worst, so as not to be caught off-guard," said the minister today at the Bundeswehr Day at the Faßberg airfield. Security experts estimate that Russia will need roughly five years to build military capabilities for an attack on a NATO country. The Kremlin spent around 5.9% of its economic output on the military in 2023 and is now increasing it to 7%.
13:15 Ukraine: South front heavily shelled, attacks repelled
Russian forces maintain their efforts to progress on the southern front, and their bombardment remains ongoing. There were 240 reconnaissance drones spotted over the southern region alone throughout Friday. In addition to artillery, rockets, and combat drones, they're also using mortars and grenade launchers. Ukrainian armed forces successfully foiled three attacks in the areas of Orichiv and Krynky, according to their own statements.
12:29 Kuleba: Use frozen Russian assets for Ukraine!
Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba encourages Ukraine supporters to utilize both the profits from immobilized Russian assets and the assets themselves. "We understand the concerns of our partners about the repercussions of this step," says Kuleba, continuing by saying that it's justified under international law. The assets of the Russian central bank in the EU are worth more than 200 billion euros and already frozen. Authorities are currently discussing whether the money itself, not just the interest, could be used at the subsequent G7 summit in Italy.
11:55 Kharkiv: Russians even shoot at cows
ntv reporter Kavita Sharma travels to Kharkiv and meets people who have had their lives ruined by Russian attacks, including losing their families and homes. On a farm, the Russians even shot at cows.
11:34 Scholz: "Putin won't succeed"
Chancellor of Germany Olaf Scholz expressed his opinion on the Russian aggression towards Ukraine and his support for the country just before the European elections. "Putin will not succeed with his imperialistic ambitions," states Scholz in a video message. "Putin must understand that he cannot succeed in his barbaric campaign." Peacekeeping policy entails "assisting Ukraine in defending its independence and sovereignty."
10:57 Ukrainian drone attacks airfield in the Caucasus
Reports from Moscow claim a Ukrainian drone reached North Ossetia in the Caucasus region. The regional governor claims the attack targeted a military airfield. Media reports that this is the first known instance of a Ukrainian drone reaching North Ossetia, which is approximately 700 kilometers from the Ukrainian border. The airfield is used to launch combat aircraft for strikes on Ukraine, such as with glide bombs. The Ukrainian military is increasingly focusing on damaging infrastructure on Russian territory to impair war logistics and supply routes.
10:20 Front at Pokrovsk: A Ukrainian brigade repels three Russian brigades
As per the Ukrainian army's latest update, the ongoing attacks from Russian forces on the eastern front are severe. In particular, in the area of Pokrovsk, a Ukrainian tank brigade is battling against three Russian brigades. The intense fighting is happening near Pokrovsk, which is strategically significant as it's situated west of Ocheretyne, a place recently captured by the Russians. The report states, "Here, the enemy is attempting to breach our territory." The Russian soldiers are making quick efforts to compensate for their heavy losses by continuously sending more troops into the battlefield, ensuring that the combat doesn't cease.
9:48 AM Moscow alerts about Ukrainian drone assaults
Ukrainian fighter planes reportedly launched attacks on Russian targets using 25 combat drones throughout the night, according to Moscow's Defense Ministry's statement. The drones were targeted at border regions of Rostov, Bryansk, Belgorod, and the annexed Crimean Peninsula.
9:12 AM Sharma [a person] reports Russia's attempts to drive a wedge between Ukrainian fighting positions
The Donetsk region's tensions continue to escalate. It seems that Russian troops are attempting to execute a concerning scenario, as mentioned by Kavita Sharma, an on-site reporter from Ukraine.
8:55 AM Ukrainian General Staff: Russia has lost over 517,000 soldiers, with over 1,200 more in the past 24 hours
According to the Ukrainian Army's General Staff, over 1,200 Russian soldiers have been injured or killed, and the current Russian casualties since the invasion began in February 2022 are over 517,000. Furthermore, Kiev's army destroyed nine Russian tanks, 36 armored vehicles, a multiple rocket launcher, and seven anti-air defense systems in the previous day.
8:31 AM Russia plans to launch a 15 million euro propaganda campaign against Ukraine's military administration
Ukrainian military intelligence service, HUR, has revealed that Russia is planning to invest in a propaganda campaign against Ukraine's military leadership. This operation involves using articles and films that portray Ukrainian special units and military leadership negatively. Reports suggest that Russian soldiers have been instructed to disseminate this content in Ukrainian and other Western media to foster hostility amongst the people in Ukraine.
7:48 AM Germany evaluates security measures at the upcoming European Football Championship in light of Russia's ongoing war in Ukraine
German security agencies are keeping a cautious eye on the situation before the European Football Championship, which has been deemed as "tense." With the looming threat of severe cyberattacks amidst Russia's war against Ukraine, the Ukrainian national team's participation in the EM presents a unique challenge. The protection of stadiums and other corresponding event venues from attacks via drones is a significant concern. In the past, drones have been detected near Bundeswehr facilities where Ukrainian soldiers trained with German-issued equipment. The potential for terrorist attacks during one of the 51 matches or any major fan festivals cannot be ruled out. The Interiors Minister Nancy Faeser has confirmed increased police presence at all stadiums and fan zones, branding it a "display of power."
7:27 AM Explosions reported in Crimea
Residents of Balaklava, a location in Sewastopol, Crimean Peninsula, heard explosions around 1:39 local time the previous night, as suggested by the Kyiv Independent. Citing reports from the Telegram channel "Crimean Wind," the report shares that there was a noise of large-caliber weapons prior to the explosions. This suggests that there may be a drone attack, but no conclusive evidence is available yet. The Ukrainian military is determined to disrupt Russian logistics and impede the supply chain for the frontline by targeting infrastructure.
6:54 AM Ukrainian Air Force praises French Mirage jets but maintains high priority for F-16s
The Ukrainian Air Force has commended the Mirage fighter jets that France plans to deliver to Ukraine because they are modern and multitasking. The spokesperson for the Air Force was pleased with their capabilities, but, as it stands, the acquisition and training of F-16 combat aircraft remains the top priority for Kiev. The F-16 pilot training is expected to take an extra six months, while the training on Mirage jets is expected to take a further six months. Storing these aircraft securely amidst constant Russian air assaults will also be a challenge. France originally developed the Mirage in the 1970s, and it was previously the most important combat aircraft for the French army until around two decades ago.
6:30 AM Sumy region evacuates eight more settlements due to Russian shelling
The Sumy region's Ukrainian-Russian border areas are witnessing evacuations of eight more settlements because of daily attacks from Russian troops. The regional governor made this announcement on their national television. The previous 24 hours saw over 50 explosions in the Sumy region. Only a few days ago, three people lost their lives due to Russian shelling, bringing the total number of civilians killed in this region this year to 50. They died because of artillery, mortars, and fearsome kamikaze drones.
Thales, a French arms manufacturer, is selling a second air defense system to Ukraine. The Ukrainian Defense Ministry is acquiring this system, but the company hasn't revealed the purchase price. Ukrainian soil faces a significant issue with insufficient defense weapons to protect troops at the front and large cities in the country.
04:48 Germany ponders fourth Patriot delivery to Kiev
According to a Bloomberg report, Germany is considering providing a fourth Patriot missile defense system to Kiev. Currently, Ukraine has received three Patriot systems from Germany. This move coincides with Germany easing rules on using Patriots against Russian aircraft in Russian airspace. With Patriots, Ukraine could potentially shoot down Russian aircraft that target Kharkiv region from outside Russian airspace using rockets or glide bombs.
03:50 Zelensky undermines Putin's legitimacy claims
In response to Vladimir Putin's statements about Zelensky's illegitimacy, Volodymyr Zelensky, the President of Ukraine, affirmed that Ukrainians elect their president and that Putin is the only one who considers Russian President Putin legitimate. "Our people are free. Honestly, we are fighting for this," said Zelensky in a press conference with French President Macron.
02:05 Berlin Conference offers Ukraine long-term solutions beyond military aid
Germany plans to provide Ukraine with a long-term perspective beyond military aid through the Ukraine Reconstruction Conference next week. The aim is to present opportunities for civil society, the economy, and municipalities and regions. Reforms and employment are also on the agenda. The conference in Berlin will welcome Chancellor Scholz, various German ministers, and a high-ranking Ukrainian delegation.
00:45 Russian-occupied authorities in Kherson allege 22 villagers killed
The Russian-occupied administration in Kherson claims 22 people were killed in a Ukrainian artillery attack on one of their villages. Vladimir Saldo, the Russian-assigned administrator for the region, posted on Telegram that a village store filled with people was hit in Sadowe village, with 15 injured. Saldo condemned the attack as "vile murder of civilians" made possible by Western weapons deliveries to Ukraine. However, independent confirmation of the incident is unavailable.
23:45 Macron urges initiating EU accession talks with Ukraine "by the end of the month"
French President Macron called for the launch of EU accession negotiations with Ukraine "by the end of the month" at a joint press conference with Ukrainian President Zelensky in Paris. Both leaders emphasized France's support for Ukraine's integration in the EU. Zelensky added, "There are decisions regarding Ukraine's integration into the EU that are almost finalized." However, Hungary's EU presidency may hinder the process.
22:54 Zelensky's approval ratings hit an all-time low
Despite nearly two years of war, President Zelensky's approval ratings in Ukraine have reached a record low - although he still enjoys the trust of over half the population. The KIIS Institute survey showed Zelensky's approval rating dropped below 60%. This decline has been gradual since the beginning of the war. Zelensky's term was supposed to conclude in May, but due to martial law, the elections have been postponed.
22:04 US declines participation in Macron's proposal
The United States government doesn't have any plans to take part in French President Emmanuel Macron's project of sending military trainers to Ukraine. John Kirby, spokesperson for the National Security Council, mentioned this while accompanying U.S. President Joe Biden during his trip to France. Kirby reported that Biden holds Macron's stance in high regard. Still, Biden has repeatedly stated since the beginning of the Ukrainian conflict that American troops won't be sent there. "That's how things have been till now, and that will also stay the same in the future," Kirby stressed. Biden allows Macron to choose what information to disclose and how clear he wants to make it. Biden himself has made it plain since the war in Ukraine commenced: "We won't want a third world war, and we won't want a war with Russia."
Read also:
- Despite the reduction in direct combat activities, Ukrainian Governor Oleh Syniehubov warns that Russian forces are still regrouping and attempting to advance deeper into the Kharkiv region, utilizing a scorched earth strategy in Vovchansk and other settlements.
- The Russian military has escalated its cyber warfare against Ukraine, targeting the Ukrainian military intelligence service, HUR, and attempting to infiltrate the Swiss non-governmental organization Center for Humanitarian Dialogue, as accusations of collecting information about Russia's military activities ensue.
- Amid the Ukraine conflict, Russian troops have captured several border towns and continue to use heavy shelling in Vovchansk, Sinkivka, and Andriivka, forcing Ukrainian authorities to evacuate thousands of people from the region and prompting international disagreements over sending military trainers to Ukraine to support their efforts.
- In response to Russia's ongoing attack on Ukraine, both the United States and France have continued their support for Ukrainian sovereignty, with President Biden reiterating, "Putin will not hold ground in Ukraine," while condemning any attempts to subjugate the country and threatening that European security will be threatened if this occurs.
