Kharkiv experiences glide bomb strikes: Footage inside a construction market reveals sudden commotion.

Kharkiv hit by glide bombs: Inside the construction market shows sudden chaos on video

The intense city of Kharkiv is being bombarded once more. Russian forces are launching missiles at a hardware store where nearly 200 civilians were at the time. Footage from security cameras now exhibits the blast and devastation inside the establishment.

11:31 Ammunition deficiency in Ukraine: "Eastern front stands still, Russians reclaim yet another village" Sweden is consenting to use its weaponry to assault Russian territory. In Ukraine, they hope that "even more countries will join in," says NTV correspondent Stephan Richter. Meanwhile, Zelensky is in Spain, with the scarcity in ammunition and weapon systems still the principal subject:

11:10 Human rights abusers in the crosshairs: EU adopts framework for Russia sanctionsThe foreign ministers of the 27 EU countries have decided on a new legal framework for sanctions against human rights abuses in Russia. This will allow for sanctions against people and organizations responsible for subduing opposition, according to several diplomats.

10:41 Germany contributes more millions to regions under "Russian terror rule"The German government is issuing extra humanitarian support to the Russian-occupied parts of eastern Ukraine. In total, Germany is contributing 60 million euros, mainly for the east of Ukraine, notes Federal Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock prior to EU ministerial conferences in Brussels. "There is a lack of everything," says the minister, referring to the occupied territories. "The people have suffered under Russian terror rule for more than two and a half years." The German government is trying to send aid to the region alongside international actors.

10:13 Lithuania accuses Hungary of systematically thwarting EU efforts to aid UkraineLithuania accuses Hungary of systematically impeding all attempts by the European Union to assist Ukraine in its battle against the Russian invasion. The EU must "discover a way to bypass this blockade," says Lithuanian Foreign Minister Gabrielius Landsbergis before a meeting with his EU counterparts in Brussels. Hungary has done so extensively in this context. "We must view this as a systematic process intended against any effort by the EU to assert itself prominently in foreign policy," says Landsbergis. Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock also calls on Hungary to abandon the blockade of further EU military assistance for Ukraine. She urges "urgently for Hungary to finally make it possible to support Ukraine for peacemaking again." The foreign ministers of the European Union will deliberate over further aid for Ukraine in Brussels. Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba once again demanded more anti-aircraft systems and other weapons in a video message.

09:40: Spain to Provide Ukraine with Added Leopard Tanks Spain is reportedly going to supply Ukraine with a dozen rockets for the Patriot air defense system and 19 Leopard tanks, according to sources citing insiders. These weapons are part of the aid package announced last month for the Russia-attacked nation worth 1.13 billion euros, says the newspaper "El Pais." Moreover, equipment for drone protection and ammunition will be provided. The new military aid is expected to be announced during a visit by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, who is scheduled to meet with Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez and King Felipe in Madrid. A spokesperson for Sanchez declined to remark on the newspaper report. Ukraine has lately obtained more Leopard tanks from Germany - of the 1A5 variety.

09:09: Ukraine Attacks Russian Territory with DronesDuring a Ukrainian drone offensive on a gas station in the Russian region of Orjol, one person was killed, reports Russian sources. Governor Andrey Klechkov mentioned on Telegram, "A drone struck the grounds of a gas station in the city of Livny this morning." Three individuals were harmed, including rescue workers, roughly 160 kilometers beyond the border with Ukraine. A government building was also damaged. A second drone assault followed after the arrival of mercy workers, Klechkov explained. "As per preliminary info, the driver of a fire vehicle was killed." The three injured were also rescue workers, he added. The Russian Defense Ministry reports that a dozen Ukrainian drones were neutralized overnight, including six in the Orjol region.

08:35: Lange: "We Encourage Russia to Commit Further War Crimes, Rather Than Deter Them"
The Russian missile assaults on a printing house and a hardware store in Kharkiv are new war crimes, according to military expert Nico Lange. "In the event that we limit our support for Ukraine, we are inciting Russia to commit more war crimes rather than deterring them," he states on the platform X.

07:59: Lithuanian President's Re-Election Brings Joy to Ukraine
The re-election of Gitanas Nauseda as President of Lithuania is welcomed in Kiev. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy writes in a message: "Dear Gitanas Nauseda, congratulations on your re-election! You have been by our side day and night during these difficult years. I value your genuine support for Ukraine and am certain that we'll jointly ensure liberty, peace, and safety in Ukraine, the Baltic states, and across Europe." Lithuania is aiding Ukraine to the greatest extent possible.

Kuleba points out that Russia has openly sabotaged the peace process during over 200 rounds of negotiations with Ukraine, engaging in "total war" against the country instead. He believes that it's only through the collective efforts of the international community that a genuine peace can be achieved. In light of this, the upcoming peace summit in Switzerland is of paramount importance, and it's essential that as many countries as possible participate.

In other news, Russian troops appear to be assembling near Ukraine's border, approximately 90 kilometers from Kharkiv, according to Ukrainian President Zelensky. The Institute for the Study of War (ISW) suggests that this could be a strategy to lure Ukrainian troops and prepare for a broader military operation aiming to strengthen Russia's presence in the border region. Satellite images from the area around Graiworon-Borissowka-Proletarski in Belgorod have supported this theory, showing an increase in Russian military activities at depots and storage facilities over the past few weeks. The extent of this possible troop build-up remains uncertain.

Klitschko draws attention to the horrific attack on a hardware store in Kharkiv, in which many lives were lost. This tragedy highlights the need for better air defense systems, he argues, insisting that Western partners should provide these weapons. He also advocates for the capability to strike Russian targets in Russia with said weapons, as the planes responsible for dropping bombs on Ukrainian civilians take off from Russian airfields.

Active military alerts continue in the south of Ukraine, with the Ukrainian military noticing a Russian stealth bomber Su-57 over the Black Sea and warning of impending cruise missile launches.

Zelenskyy reiterates his demand for the right to use Western weapons against Russian territory after the fatal bombings in Kharkiv. Although condolences and condemnation from foreign politicians and organizations have poured in, he asserts that these declarations must translate into tangible results, such as more air defense systems and the permission to strike Russian targets. Zelenskyy claims to have clear insight into Russian troop positions and aircraft launch sites but needs the political green light to launch preemptive strikes.

Four civilians have reportedly been killed by Russian shelling in the Donetsk and Kharkiv regions, with numerous casualties in cities like Svitlodarsk, Krasnohorivka, and Chassiv Yar.

After a postponement due to circumstances in the Kharkiv region, Ukrainian President Zelenskyy is scheduled to visit Spain today. Zelenskyy will hold talks with Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez, with both leaders expressing their support for Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity.

Finally, French President Emmanuel Macron has spoken out against conceding support for Ukraine in the face of Russia's aggression. He maintains that supporting peace is not tantamount to surrendering or abandoning principles, but rather upholding the rule of law. Macron indicates that France and Germany will support Ukraine "to the end" in maintaining its independence and borders, especially during Tuesday's joint defense and security council meeting.

Dmitry Medvedev, Russia's former president, has issued threats against Poland following remarks by Polish Foreign Minister Radoslaw Sikorski about the potential American response to a Russian nuclear strike on Ukraine. In a post on Twitter, Medvedev mentioned, "If the Americans hit our targets, it implies a world war, and a foreign minister, even of a country like Poland, should comprehend this." Medvedev added, "Warsaw will not be exempted and will undoubtedly receive its share of radioactive ash. Is that what you desire?"

At 10 p.m., Zelensky, the President of Ukraine, engaged with Central Asian media for the first time. He shared his thoughts on the prospect of a truce with Russia through video conversations with journalists from Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, and Kyrgyzstan, as covered by the Kazakh media outlet "Orda." Zelensky claimed that an agreement was impossible.

Vladimir Putin, the Russian President, arrived on a state visit to Uzbekistan during the evening hours. Reports from Russian state media disclosed this information. Upon his arrival in Tashkent, the capital of Uzbekistan, he was greeted by Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev. Mirziyoyev has served as the President of the Central Asian nation with 37 million inhabitants since 2016. During their two-day meeting, Putin and Mirziyoyev are expected to discuss the future of Russian-Uzbek relations and address current regional issues. It has been revealed that there will be a "comprehensive package of bilateral documents" signed after the visit concludes.

The Ukrainian General Staff announced that there were 83 skirmishes with Russian forces on Sunday. They are stated to be launching "maximum effort" to breach the Ukrainian defensive lines. "Ukrainian forces are taking steps to maintain their positions and destroy the opposition's offensive potential," reported the General Staff in a social media update. No significant changes have been reported near Kharkiv, but Russian forces are continuing their offensives in Vovchansk and Lyptsi.

Several protesters amassed in front of the US Embassy in Kyiv because of the restriction that Ukrainian forces are forbidden from targeting Russian territory with Western weapons. Around 150 people participated in the demonstration, as reported by NTV's Stephan Richter. They demanded the removal of the regulation.

In honor of Georgia's Independence Day on May 26, a Freedom March was staged in the Georgian capital of Tbilisi, with thousands of individuals participating. Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (RFE/RL) provided the details. Protesters paraded by carrying flags for both Georgia and the European Union and chanted slogans denouncing a controversial foreign influence law and the Russian regime. Prior to the protest, Georgian President Salome Zurabishvili had spoken at a ceremony for the swearing-in of recruits on Freedom Square in Tbilisi, commenting on the "controversy of Russia's shadow over Georgia."

All previous developments can be found here.