Kuleba states that Putin is fearful of the achievements at the Ukraine peace meeting.

Kuleba states that Putin is fearful of the achievements at the Ukraine peace meeting.

Russian President Vladimir Putin wants Ukraine's upcoming peace summit in Switzerland to fail, claims Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba in response to rumors of Putin's openness to peace negotiations. Kuleba states that Putin has no desire to end the war waged by Moscow in its entirety. "Putin is frantically trying to prevent the peace summit in Switzerland on June 15 and 16. He's scared of its success," the minister says via X.

21:40 "From Norway to Poland": NATO members plan a 'drone wall'According to Lithuania, six NATO member states neighboring Russia want to create a 'drone wall' to protect against provocations. This wall, stretching from Norway to Poland, aims to use drones and other technologies to patrol borders, Lithuanian Interior Minister Agne Bilotaite told the BNS news agency after talks with their counterparts from Estonia, Latvia, Finland, Norway, and Poland. Bilotaite notes that the project isn't only about deterring 'provocations from unfriendly countries,' but also combating smuggling. Beyond drones for border surveillance, anti-drone systems will be employed. Bilotaite calls it a "completely new thing," without providing a timeline for the project. The border reinforcement is due to security concerns resulting from the Russian war against Ukraine.

21:18 The USA pledges more military aid for UkraineThe USA is providing Ukraine with additional military aid to counter the Russian war of aggression. This new package, worth $275 million (approximately €253 million), includes ammunition for the Himars multiple rocket launchers as well as 155mm and 105mm caliber artillery ammunition, per the US State Department. This marks the fifth package authorized by US President Joe Biden since Congress allotted around $61 billion (€56.2 billion) for Kiev in late April. This aid has already arrived on the front lines, reports indicate. The upcoming support is slated to be delivered "as quickly as possible," for the Ukrainian military to safeguard its country and protect the people of Ukraine, the State Department claims. Since the start of the Russian war against Ukraine more than two years ago, the US has doled out over $50 billion in military aid to Kiev, according to the Pentagon.

20:30 Soviet-era model: Russia mandates teenage military trainingFrom this school year, children and teenagers in Russia are required to take an extra subject: the seemingly innocuous "Fundamentals of Life Safety," which imparts military basics like shooting and dressing wounds.

19:55 "Realities on the ground": Putin imposes terms for Ukraine negotiationsOver two years since the start of his war of aggression against Ukraine, Russian President Vladimir Putin has once again stressed his supposed eagerness to talk - albeit without the return of occupied regions that were annexed in violation of international law. "People are once more discussing the need to return to negotiations," Putin remarked during a visit to the fellow neighboring state of Belarus, as reported by Interfax agency. He then continued, "Let's go back to them. But not based on the demands of one side, but (...) on the basis of the current realities that have emerged on the ground" (see also entry at 12:22 p.m.). Russia has been publicly waging war against Ukraine since February 2022 and currently holds about a fifth of its territory. Ukraine maintains that the withdrawal of Russian troops from its land is a condition for lasting peace.

19:34 Mangott questions Putin's intent: "An attempt to undermine the Ukraine conference"Political scientist Gerhard Mangott casts doubt on Putin's apparent sincerity in engaging in negotiation. According to the expert, Putin not only seeks to achieve final control over the occupied territories, but also aims to undermine the Ukraine conference in Switzerland.

19:17 EU Commissioner envisions agreement on Russian assets: "G7 talks loom"EU Commissioner for Economics Paolo Gentiloni anticipates reaching a deal on frozen Russian assets at the G7 summit in Apulia next month. He explains that "positive progress has been made" at talks between the G7 finance ministers in Stresa, northern Italy. The EU's plan to siphon off the interest on Russian assets for Ukraine's aid has been viewed as an "intriguing direction" by Gentiloni. This week, the EU member states approved a scheme to extract around €3 billion in annual revenues from frozen Russian assets for Ukraine's aid. They are also considering a US proposal to create a $50 billion (€46 billion) loan facility funded by future interest from frozen Russian assets (see also entry at 15:42).

18:38 Insurgent explosions filmed: Video allegedly shows ATACMS strikes in CrimeaCrimea experiences another round of powerful explosions. Ukraine claims victory with a successful attack on a Russian communications facility. Video footage demonstrates several explosions and an air defense response. Russia confirms two fatalities.

Another German IRIS-T system lands in Ukraine

The German administration has delivered an extra IRIS-T-SLM missile defense system to Ukraine. The device is said to have shown up in Ukraine, as per "Der Spiegel" data. This means that the country being attacked by Russia now possesses four medium-range IRIS-T systems and one short-range IRIS-T system.

17:59 London: Russian African Corps join in battle at Kharkiv

The British authorities believe Russia has taken soldiers from its African Corps and moved them to the Ukrainian front. In the past few weeks, these units have been seen with regular Russian forces and punitive squads during the assault in Vovchansk in northern Kharkiv, as per information from UK's Ministry of Defense. The African Corps, a part of the Russian Ministry of Defense, was formed in December 2023, incorporating more than 2,000 regular personnel, officers, and seasoned mercenaries. Many had served in the Wagner Group in the past, the British stated. Troops from the African Corps might have previously operated in Syria, Libya, Burkina Faso, and Niger. The Russian Ministry of Defense likely dispatched units to the Ukrainian frontier in April to be prepared for the offensive, according to London. "It's highly likely that Russia is beefing up its war against Ukraine with resources that were destined for Africa," wrote the British.

17:31 Moscow Debating a Truce? Putin's Move May Split the West

Putin is thought to be suggesting readiness for a ceasefire, according to military expert Ralph Thiele. He mentioned the negotiations are not solely in Ukraine's hands and explained how the signal from Moscow holds the potential to divide the West.

17:07 Russians Chafe Ukrainian Long-Range Glide Bombs

Russian jammers are reportedly stopping many of Ukraine's relatively new long-range glide bombs from hitting their targets. Three sources informed Reuters about the issue. The glide bomb's range exceeds 100 miles (approximately 160 kilometers). The navigation system was said to evade obstacles such as mountains and identified air defense systems. Although the manufacturer Boeing declared that the system could withstand some jamming, one of the sources said that Boeing would take months to resolve the problem, as per the report.

16:46 Scholz Firmly Denies Taurus Delivery to Ukraine

Olaf Scholz restates his refusal to provide Taurus cruise missiles to Ukraine. The German Chancellor doesn't want to take any risks that might lead to a greater war between Russia and NATO. Germany has invested or promised 28 billion euros in arms for Ukraine and is its second-largest contributor behind the USA (refer to entry at 15:02). Germany has also supplied two Patriot systems to the country currently under Russian attack and will tender another one, which Scholz sees as a necessity for other countries to support Ukraine too. "We've pushed the envelope as far as we can," said Scholz at the democracy festival in Berlin. "The responsibility is: we're helping Ukraine in its fight for defense, but we will prevent the war from escalating into a Russia-NATO war," Scholz added. In his view, Taurus' delivery is problematic "because we can't define the targets in such a precise weapon if we don't want to participate in the battle ourselves."

16:24 Russia Hinders Elon Musk's Starlink in the Front Line

Russia messed up Elon Musk's Starlink signal shortly before launching an offensive in the Kharkiv area. This was reported by the New York Times, sourcing the Ukrainian military. Starlink is operated by SpaceX and has been of significant assistance to Ukraine ever since the war with Russia. The military uses the service extensively for communication, surveillance, and drone attacks. As per the report, the Ukrainians identified the interference with the Starlink signal just before the Russian troops crossed Ukraine's northern border. The disrupted communication prompted them to resort to text messages.

16:02 Sellering Steps Down as Chair of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern's Climate Protection Foundation
Erwin Sellering, ex-Minister President of Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania (SPD), has recently stepped down as the head of the state's climate foundation. This foundation has faced controversy due to its involvement in Nord Stream II. In a statement, the foundation mentioned that they had successfully defended the foundation against all attacks and attempts to dissolve it. Sellering expressed that no one would continue the attacks, making it a good time for him to retire early. The climate foundation came into being in early 2021 with the additional aim of supporting the completion of the Nord Stream 2 Baltic Sea pipeline through under-the-table deals because companies working on its construction were threatened by US sanctions. The Nord Stream 2 consortium financed the foundation with 20 million euros. After the start of the Russian-Ukraine war, the Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania state government, led by Prime Minister Manuela Schwesig, tried to dissolve the foundation with the help of the state parliament. The foundation fought it fiercely.

15:42 Discussing Russian Billions for Ukraine: Berlin Open to Authorized Measures
The leading democratic industrial nations continue struggling over ways to use the frozen assets of the Russian central bank to aid Ukraine. According to Finance Minister Christian Lindner, Germany would be ready to take more actions to utilize the interest income from frozen Russian assets for Ukraine. However, Lindner stressed at the gathering of G7 finance ministers in northern Italy that these steps would not entail any legally dangerous or economically risky consequences. There was a general openness among Europeans to carefully examine the American proposal. Nonetheless, negotiations are still far away as there are many unresolved issues. The European states agreed to utilize the interest income from the Russian central bank's frozen assets in the EU to finance military aid for Ukraine in the future. The US believes this plan is too hesitant. They have suggested that the G7 could offer Ukraine a large loan secured by the interest income. This could potentially generate substantially more than the three billion planned by the EU. Lindner clarified, nonetheless, that the uncertainties remain about who would provide what guarantees and bear what risks. There is still a long process before the situation is clarified. Possibly, an agreement might be achieved at the G7 leaders' meeting in Apulia in mid-June.

15:20 Ukraine Halts Moscow's Ground Assault in Kharkiv
Ukraine claims that it stopped a Russian ground offensive in the eastern Kharkiv region. "The Ukrainian defense forces have halted the Russian troops in the Kharkiv area and are conducting counter-offensives," the Ukrainian army stated on their online services. A spokesperson for the General Staff described the situation as "difficult," but "stable and under control." Army chief Oleksandr Syrskyj had earlier stated that the Russian army's advances in the region in north-eastern Ukraine had stalled. In street battles near the Russian border town of Vovchansk, the troops from Moscow had "entirely become bogged down and suffered extremely high losses among the attack units." Syrskyj further explained in online networks that Moscow was currently deploying "reserves from various locations" with the aim of capturing the city - but without success.

15:02 More Leopard Tanks and Equipment from Germany to Ukraine
Germany has dispatched additional Leopard tanks and other military equipment to Ukraine. According to a government update on military aid, 40 Leopard 1 A5 main battle tanks, 100 Marder infantry fighting vehicles with ammunition and replacements, and 18 Leopard 2 A6 main battle tanks with ammunition and replacements have been supplied. Besides, different Dingo transport vehicles, multifunction vehicles, and armored transporters have been provided. As per the report, Germany has supplied Ukraine with a total of around €28 billion in military aid or plans to do so in the upcoming years. Here is an overview of the new equipment in comparison to the previous week.

14:15 Border Dispute: Estonia Summons Russian Diplomat
Estonia has summoned the Russian chargé d'affaires of the embassy in Tallinn due to the removal of buoys indicating the fairway in the border river Narva. During the meeting, the diplomat was told that such steps were "provocative" and "unacceptable," as stated by Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna. Estonia wants an explanation for the removal of the border markings and their immediate return. Last Thursday night, the Russian border guards removed 24 buoys floating in the border river Narva, which had been used by Estonia to demarcate the shipping route. The Narva marks the borderline between the two neighboring countries and also denotes the eastern external border of the EU and NATO.

14:01 Ukranian Army Chief: Russian Forces Stalled Near VovchanskUkraine's army chief has claimed that Russian soldiers have hit a dead end in their push forward towards Vovchansk. Oleksandr Syrskyj stated that the troops have suffered heavy losses while engaging in street battles near the city. To make matters worse, Moscow is deploying reinforcements to reclaim the area, but to no avail. Vovchansk is a vital target for the Russian military as it resides near the five-kilometer mark of the border and is close to the country's heartland. The recent offensives have resulted in significant territorial gains for Russia since late 2022.

13:35 Baerbock Warns Russia Over Western Border ThreatsForeign Minister Annalena Baerbock has warned Russia of consequences if it continues its aggressive actions near Western borders. In a statement on Platform X, Baerbock stated, "We stand in solidarity with our allies in the Baltic States and the Baltic Sea. We will not tolerate Russia's attempts to set fire to the borders of the European Union." Reports have surfaced of missing navigation buoys along the Estonian-Russian border, which Baerbock mentioned as an example of Russian aggression.

12:27 Romanian Man Arrested on Suspicion of Spying for RussiaA Romanian citizen has been arrested for allegedly spying on military facilities and transporting military personnel and equipment for NATO countries. Over the past year, the man has made routine visits to the towns of Tulcea and Galati, capturing pictures of Romanian military facilities and sharing them with the Russian embassy in Bucharest. The domestic intelligence service, SRI, along with the Army's Intelligence Service, are investigating the individual.

11:52 Possible Ceasefire Discussions from Russian PresidentReports have surfaced that Russian president Vladimir Putin is open to recognizing the current front line and ceasing operations. According to four people close to the Kremlin, Putin has asserted that he is prepared to negotiate if necessary, but only if the terms are "realistic." Previously, Putin had declared his willingness to engage in talks, but later expressed his dislike for bargaining based on "drug-induced fantasies." The sources also suggested that top defense leader Sergei Shoigu may soon be replaced.

11:17 NATO ally makes sizable purchase from RheinmetallRheinmetall, a German arms manufacturer, has landed a massive deal with one of its NATO partners. The company has been tasked with providing ammunition worth nearly 300 million euros. The order will fulfill a sizable demand for artillery shells and propellant charge modules. The current conflict in Ukraine has driven this need for replacement in ammunition stockpiles across NATO countries.

10:42 ISW: Defence Ministry Purges are Forced Out by PutinThe Institute for the Study of War (ISW) is speculating that the collective resignations and arrests of Russian Ministry of Defense officials are the result of internal turmoil stemming from President Putin. ISW posits that the high-ranking personnel are resigning due to dissatisfaction with the dismissal of minister Sergei Shoigu. Russian military bloggers are also rallying against Shoigu's oust as a way to suggest the new defense minister, Andrei Belousov, is more diligent in holding individuals accountable. With uncertainty surrounding the reasons for the purge, the ISW is hoping for increased transparency from the Kremlin.

9:48 British Army Takes Part in Multinational Manoeuvres in DartmoorBritish forces have joined their counterparts to participate in a large-scale military exercise in Dartmoor. The joint training program, known as Exercise Torrent, aims to challenge participating nations' abilities to respond to various threats in a challenging environment. The United States, Canada, Norway, and Poland are also participating in the endeavour. The British Army's interest in the training exercise demonstrates their commitment to bolstering deterrence against Russia.

9:21 Defence Secretary Lands in Ankara to Meet with Top OfficialsDefence Secretary Ben Wallace arrived in the Turkish capital, Ankara, to discuss defense cooperation between Britain and Turkey. Wallace is meeting with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and his transport and defense ministers, Hulusi Akar and Fahrettin Altun, to explore avenues of military collaboration. Turkey has long been a critical NATO ally due to its strategic location and serves as a gateway between Europe and Asia.

8:55 Ukrainian Army Seizes Town East of DonetskUkrainian troops have taken over the village of Chonhar, located east of Donetsk. The capture of the settlement represents a significant gain for Kyiv in an ongoing struggle along the front line. It comes as part of a larger offensive to reclaim territory from the separatists. This strategic region is known to be rich in natural resources.

8:27 Egypt Starts Drilling for Natural Gas in Mediterranean SeaThe Egyptian Natural Gas Holding Company has begun drilling for natural gas in the Mediterranean Sea. The project is taking place roughly 100 kilometers east of the Nile Delta and can service the demands of several European nations. Egypt's President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi hopes this resource acquisition will help strengthen its economy and deepen its energy security.

8:01 NATO Shows Force at Polish-Ukrainian Border to Deter Russian ThreatsNATO convoys, including American howitzers, have crossed the Polish-Ukrainian border, demonstrating their commitment to Eastern European security. The movement of military equipment is designed to deter potential Russian threats to the region. This development showcases the strength of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization and its shared responsibility to defend its members.

Hungary's Prime Minister Viktor Orban believes that fears of a Russian attack on a NATO member state are unreasonable. He stated, "The Russian military is engaged in a significant and challenging war against the Ukrainians." If Russia were powerful enough to swiftly defeat the Ukrainians, they would have done so already. NATO's military capabilities are far advanced in comparison to Ukraine. Therefore, it is unlikely for Russia or any other country to attack NATO. He further expressed, "I don't believe it's rational for Russia, which is incapable of smashing the Ukrainians with one strike, to suddenly swallow the entire Western world. The chances of that occurring are quite low."

At 10:16, Russia accused the jihadist militia Islamic State (IS) of coordinating the deadly attack on a concert hall near Moscow for the first time. According to Russia's state news agency RIA Novosti, Alexander Bortnikov, director of the Russian domestic intelligence service FSB, stated during the course of the investigation, "It has been established that the preparations, financing, attack, and retreat of the terrorists were coordinated via the internet by members of the Khorasan Province group," the Afghan branch of IS. Since the attack on March 22, IS had repeatedly claimed responsibility for it. However, Moscow has frequently linked Ukraine to the attack, which Kiev vehemently denies. Bortnikov also mentioned, "The investigation is still underway, but we can now affirm with certainty that Ukrainian military intelligence is directly involved in the attack." He didn't clarify how this is connected to IS.

At 09:55, Kharqiv - a city frequently targeted by Russian attacks - has been enduring the brunt of it for several weeks. The city's sirens have been sounding due to the latest round of Russian attacks. According to ntv correspondent Stephan Richter, "There is no forward or backward in Vovchansk." The city is facing its darkest days.

Ukraine has presented new casualty figures attributed to Russia. Since its full-scale invasion on February 24, Russia has lost approximately 498,940 soldiers in Ukraine in 2022, as per the General Staff of the Ukrainian Armed Forces. Additionally, the report includes 1,240 losses incurred by the Russian armed forces within the past 24 hours. Russia has also lost a total of 7,635 tanks, 14,775 armored combat vehicles, 17,569 vehicles and fuel tanks, 12,902 artillery systems, 1,080 multiple launch rocket systems, 813 air defense systems, 356 aircraft, 326 helicopters, 10,401 drones, 27 ships and boats, and one submarine.

Kharkiv, which has been subjected to Russian air strikes for months, was hit by two glide bombs during the nighttime on 08:57. Fortunately, there were no casualties reported this time. Several residential buildings and an empty building sustained minor damage. The day prior, seven individuals were killed in Kharkiv due to Russian fire. Around 15 converted S-300 or S-400 anti-aircraft missiles rained down on Kharkiv and its vicinity. One of Ukraine's largest printing houses for literature was also impacted. Renowned Ukrainian author Serhij Zhadan commented on Facebook, "The Ukrainian book is the Ukrainian strength. That's why the enemy wants to destroy it."

SFBS head Alexander Bortnikov stated that Ukraine's military intelligence service is directly involved in the deadly attack on a concert hall near Moscow in March, a position he has held for some time. Despite the ongoing investigation, Bortnikov stated, "We can already conclude that Ukrainian military intelligence is inextricably linked to this attack." He also blamed NATO for enabling the transportation of "mercenaries and militant members of international terrorist organizations from the Middle East, North Africa, and Afghanistan to Ukraine" to fight against the Russian forces there. The IS militia had previously claimed responsibility for the attack that claimed more than 140 lives.

Finally, at 08:02, Ukraine reported significant damage to a Russian communications center in the Crimean city of Alushta. The center was apparently hit by at least six ATACMS missiles supplied by the United States. The missiles reportedly harmed the antenna and several buildings where "high-ranking military personnel ... were currently stationed." The news was reported by the Kyiv Independent based on information from pro-Ukrainian partisan group Atesh and the Crimean Wind telegram channel.

07:27 Russians condemned to live and die as idiots: Alexander Newsorov

Russian publicist Alexander Newsorov, a former Duma deputy, has some harsh words for his compatriots. He believes that people retain the skills they are taught until they die, just like pugs, chimpanzees, or any other circus animals. "All the war lust, decadence, patriotism, and other deviations instilled in them by Russian propaganda will not just vanish," he says. Newsorov is a critic of the Kremlin and has been sentenced to years in prison. Now holding a Ukrainian passport, he claims that even after Vladimir Putin's death, the Russians will continue to live and die as idiots for at least a few generations.

07:03 Olaf Scholz supports Emmanuel Macron's plans for EU defense enhancement

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz supports French President Emmanuel Macron's initiatives to fortify European defense capabilities, including nuclear weapons. In an article written for The Economist, Scholz emphasizes the need to formulate a balanced approach to defend Europe and deter possible attackers. This involves developing different capabilities, including nuclear deterrence, conventional armed forces, air and missile defense, cyber, space, and precision-strike capabilities. To accomplish this, he suggests investing in the European defense industry. "We must fortify the European pillar of our deterrence," states the SPD politician. However, he notes that there will be no "EU nuclear weapons," considering the plan as "unrealistic."

06:38 Anti-democratic law triggers US backlash against Georgia

Following the adoption of a controversial law on "foreign influence operations" in Georgia, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken reveals new travel restrictions and reevaluates relations with the country. These restrictions would apply to individuals "responsible for or involved in undermining democracy in Georgia, as well as their family members." Blinken also plans for a comprehensive review of US-Georgian cooperation, hoping that the Georgian leadership would reconsider the law and advance the country's "democratic and Euro-Atlantic aspirations."

06:29 Estonian aid to support Ukrainian education and children

The Estonian Ministry of Foreign Affairs will dispense over 650,000 euros in humanitarian aid to Ukraine. The primary focus is on enhancing the education system in frontline areas and supporting children affected by the war. In collaboration with the Estonian non-profit organization Eesti Pagulasabi, aid will be allocated to improving living conditions and aiding Ukrainian refugees in Georgia. Additionally, the non-profit organization Mondo will utilize a portion of the funds to organize summer camps and psychological assistance for children residing in Zaporizhzhya.

05:57 Vovchansk under Russian control

Russian forces are reportedly on track to control more than half of the territory of the border town of Vovchansk, located in Ukraine's Kharkiv region. According to TASS, this information stems from a statement made by Russian parliamentary deputy Viktor Vodolatsky. Russia's intended next objectives are Slavyansk, Kramatorsk, and Pokrovsk once they have captured Vovchansk, as per Vodolatsky's remarks.

05:29 Putin in Belarus for security discussions

According to Russian news agencies, President Vladimir Putin has visited Belarus and initiated initial informal talks with his Belarusian counterpart Alexander Lukashenko regarding security and military exercises involving tactical nuclear weapons. The exercises will involve simulating the preparations for launching small nuclear warheads, and Minsk will reportedly be participating in these exercises.

04:33 South Korea targets North Korean individuals and Russian vessels for sanctions

In response to the arms trade between Pyongyang and Moscow, South Korea has sanctioned seven North Korean individuals and two Russian ships. This announcement was made by the South Korean Foreign Ministry.

03:39 US arranging $275 million in aid for Ukraine

The US is preparing an additional $275 million in military aid for Ukraine. This funding will encompass various equipment, including artillery shells, precision-guided bombs, and vehicles. The aforementioned aid will be dispatched under the Presidential Drawdown Authority, which empowers President Joe Biden to enhance military assistance for emergencies without requiring approval from Congress.

02:34 Brazil and China avoid direct involvement in Ukrainian peace conference

Brazil and China are indirectly distancing themselves from the planned international peace conference on Ukraine, not inviting Russia to participate. In a signed document, Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva's advisor Celso Amorim and Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi urge both countries to engage in peace talks. They stress that an international peace conference is necessary, with equal participation from all parties, which is conditional on Russia and Ukraine's agreement.

1:15 Moscow Trial Sentences Kremlin Rival to 25 Years for Sabotage

In Moscow's army court, a 36-year-old man is given a 25-year prison sentence for sabotage and belonging to a squad aiming to protect Ukraine. The district attorney's office states that this rather brutal punishment was given to Vladimir Malina for terrorism, treason, and sabotage. Malina, a bartender from Moscow, was a member of the "Legion for the Liberation of Russia," a group of Russians dedicated to aiding Ukraine, according to the prosecutor's narrative.

In the previous year, they claim he torched a railway control panel and had sabotage activities planned. Malina was detained in June.

23:55 Poland and Greece Request Air Defense from the EU

Given the ongoing Russian conflict, Poland and Greece urge the EU to establish an air defense shield to protect European nations. Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk and his Greek counterpart Kyriakos Mitsotakis conveyed this message in a joint letter to the EU Commission President, Ursula von der Leyen. They insist that such an air defense system is a vital project to combat the "great vulnerability of our safety."

22:26 Possible Attack on Crimea? Presumed Explosions

There appear to be explosions in the Russian-occupied Crimea, with speculation that Ukraine is targeting Crimean locations with ATACMS missiles, which the US provided merely weeks ago. An exploded pipe near the Crimean coast in the village of Alushta may be captured on video, indicating at least one blast. However, no confirmation has been given. The Russian air defense system is also seen active, as indicated in the footage. Sergei Aksyonov, the appointed governor of Crimea by the Russian occupiers, acknowledged missile attacks on Simferopol and Alushta via a Telegram post. A few individuals were killed and an empty commercial building was hit; nonetheless, Russia typically dismisses Ukrainian attacks or claims to have downed all missiles and drones. Ukraine has recently intensified its targeting of Russian air defense systems and radars. Some sources assume this is also true at the moment.

22:00 Further Arrest? Putin's Military Purge May Proceed

Vladimir Verteletsky, head of the Russian Ministry of Defense's department for maintaining the state defense order, is said to be arrested. He is accused of widespread fraud, according to pro-Russian media. Shortly before this, Vadim Shamarin, the Deputy Chief of the General Staff of the Armed Forces, was taken into custody. Shamarin represents the fourth senior military officer to be arrested since April.

Here, you can find more information about past events. https://mercatornet.com/news/world/47597-europe-s-energy-wars

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1. Despite Russian President Vladimir Putin's claims of willingness to engage in peace negotiations regarding the conflict in Ukraine, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba believes Putin wants the upcoming peace summit in Switzerland to fail.
2. In response to security concerns stemming from the Russian war against Ukraine, NATO members including Norway, Poland, Estonia, Latvia, Finland, and Lithuania are planning to create a 'drone wall' along their borders, using drones and other technologies for surveillance and deterring provocations.
3. The US State Department has announced an additional $275 million in military aid for Ukraine, including ammunition for Himars multiple rocket launchers and 155mm and 105mm caliber artillery ammunition, to counter the Russian war of aggression.
4. After the start of the Russian war against Ukraine more than two years ago, the US has provided over $50 billion in military aid to Ukraine, according to the Pentagon, with President Joe Biden authorizing five such packages since late April 2022.

Source: www.ntv.de