The Latvian government seeks to reinforce and bolster its border with Russia.

Latvian administration aims to bolster security at the border with Russia.

Latvia boosts border security with Russia, installing Panzer barriers: The Latvian administration has set aside an extra €300 million for border fortification over the next five years. This announcement was made during a visit by President Edgars Rinkevics to monitor the construction of a border defense. Rinkevics emphasized that the enhancements would mainly involve Panzer barriers, saying, "Not a single inch of Latvian territory will remain exposed." Ever since Russia's 2022 invasion of Ukraine, all border guards now carry assault rifles in addition to their handguns, as stated by the head of the Latvian Border Guard, Guntis Pujats. They're now armed with body armor and helmets for potential confrontations with Russia and Belarus.

Putin greeted by Kim Jong Un at North Korea airport: Russian President Vladimir Putin visited North Korea for a two-day state trip. Upon arrival at Pyongyang airport, Kim Jong Un welcomed Putin. During this visit, it's rumored that there will be further arms deliveries from Pyongyang to aid Russia in its conflict against Ukraine.

Blinken urges China to discontinue support for Russia's defense industry: US Secretary of State Antony Blinken pressured China to halt its backing of Russia's defense sector. China plays a vital role in maintaining Russia's defense machinery operational and keeping its military industry afloat, Blinken stated. He added that China must cease its aid, stating this during a joint appearance with NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg. Approximately 70% of Russia's tooling machines and 90% of its microelectronics are imported from China, Blinken pointed out, giving China significant influence over Russia's defense sector.

Russian oil depot ablaze after Ukrainian drone attack: An oil depot in the Rostov oblast has been set on fire by a drone attack from Ukraine. Fortunately, there have been no reported casualties. Russia released footage of firefighter efforts, while Ukraine considers the attack a victory.

Moscow bits shifts in nuclear doctrine: As per Foreign Ministry information, Russia plans to revise its nuclear policy in response to its attack on Ukraine. The behavior of the West and the lessons gained from the "military special operation" have indicated the need to readjust some military doctrine parameters, including nuclear deterrence policy, as stated by Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov. He did not offer more details.

Sweden summons Russian ambassador over aircraft incident: After an alleged violation of Swedish airspace by a Russian military plane, Sweden has called for the Russian ambassador. The Swedish Foreign Ministry stated that this infraction occurred on June 14th. Swedish sources claim that the Russian SU-24 Bomber flew over the Eastern Sea island of Gotland, approximately 350 kilometers east of the Russian exclave of Kaliningrad. The Swedish Air Force Command issued a warning to the aircraft before the overflight, but it remained on its course, resulting in it being intercepted and expelled from Swedish airspace by two JAS-39 Gripen fighter jets.

Ukrainian drone hunters patrol with 141st Brigade: In the Ukraine conflict, drones are being extensively used to detect and attack enemy positions. A television team is accompanying Ukrainian soldiers as they catch Russian drones out of the sky, primarily during nighttime when they swarm.

Kiev accuses Russian troops of beheading a Ukrainian soldier: Kiev accuses the Russian military of beheading a Ukrainian soldier near the frontline in the east of Ukraine. The Ukrainian Prosecutor General's Office announced on Telegram that Russian commanders in the Wolnowacha region of the Donetsk region instructed their troops not to take prisoners among the Ukrainian soldiers. During an aerial reconnaissance mission, the decapitated head of a Ukrainian soldier was found in a military vehicle. Prosecutor General Andriy Kostin labeled this action a Geneva Conventions violation, stating that the incident would not go unpunished and calling for the "civilized world" to punish Russia. There was no reaction from Moscow regarding the allegations. The news agency AFP could not independently verify the Ukrainian claims.

Orban scheduling Ukraine concessions, slams Rutte as NATO chief instead of Otani: Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban has dropped his resistance against Mark Rutte becoming the new Secretary General of NATO. Orban revealed that Hungary would support Rutte's candidacy, paving the way for Rutte as a potential Stoltenberg successor. The only barrier left is the obstinate candidacy of the Romanian President Klaus Iohannis for the NATO top job. Iohannis, however, lacks significant supporters. Orban attributed his change of sentiment in the personnel matter to a letter from Rutte, which addressed Hungary's demands. These demands include Hungary's desire to avoid pressure to participate in a future NATO operation for coordinating weapons deliveries to Ukraine.

Putin praises North Korea for state visit in support of Russia's offensive in Ukraine: Putin expressed gratitude to North Korea for its hospitality during his state visit, which supports Russia's ongoing conflict in Ukraine.

Russian President Vladimir Putin publicly appreciates North Korea's backing of Moscow's military action in Ukraine via state news agency KCNA and Rodong Sinmun. In a guest article, Putin praises North Korea's resolute support of the Russian military operation in Ukraine. meanwhile, South Korea reports a brief border crossing by North Korean soldiers.

15:43 Denial of Access to Soviet archives by Russia: European Court of Human Rights slams Russia

The European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) criticizes Russia for its unwillingness to grant access to archives to human rights organizations like Memorial regarding Soviet-era repressions. The ECHR asserts that historical truth is an integral component of freedom of expression. Russia's refusal interferes with the right to information, violating the European Convention on Human Rights.

15:03 Slovakia supports Mark Rutte as new NATO head

Slovakia has shown readiness to back Mark Rutte of the Netherlands as the next NATO Secretary-General. Slovak President Peter Pellegrini postulates that Slovakia can envision Mark Rutte as the head of the military alliance following consultations with their government. Nevertheless, official support from Hungary and Romania, whose President Klaus Iohannis announced his intention to run for the top position in March, is yet obtainable.

14:26 Swiss authorities suspect Russian diplomat of attempting to acquire weapons and hazardous substances

Swiss authorities suspect a Russian diplomat of trying to acquire weapons and dangerous substances, according to a media report. The Federal Prosecutor's Office in Bern confirms having requested authorization from the government to probe a political offense. The Federal Prosecutor's Office and police already took preventive measures, the authority states. Previously, the Tages-Anzeiger reported that a diplomat at the Russian embassy in Bern was under investigation.

13:47 Italy allegedly intends to supply Ukraine with Storm Shadow missiles in next military package

Italy is said to provide Ukraine with Storm-Shadow missiles in the next military package, according to "Il Fatto Quotidiano." The state Ukrainian news agency Ukrinform reported this, citing the Italian daily. The Italian Defense Ministry is expected to present the ninth military package to parliament at the end of June, without specifying the number.

13:02 Russian professor gets six years and three months in prison in Estonia for espionage

The Russian political scientist Viacheslav Morozov has been sentenced to six years and three months in prison in Estonia for espionage, according to reports by the Russian opposition medium Meduza and Estonian public broadcaster. Morozov had been working at the University in Tartu, Estonia, until his arrest in January, and allegedly shared his knowledge of the political situation in Estonia and its relations with the EU with Russian intelligence services.

12:19 NATO General emphasizes the need for response to modern hypersonic weapons

NATO General Christian Badia insists on addressing efforts to defend against modern hypersonic weapons. According to Badia, both defense and the ability to assault must be tackled for a credible deterrence. Russia already uses these weapons systems against Ukraine. The warning time might shrink to approximately two minutes, it was reported at the meeting.

11:57 Fire at Russian fuel depot possibly caused by Ukrainian Security Service

The nighttime attack on a fuel depot in the Russian city of Asow is suspected to be the work of the Ukrainian Security Service, a source in the agency told The Kyiv Independent. The Russian Emergency Situations Ministry reports that the fire spanned about 3200 square meters. Over 200 firefighters worked to put out the fire.

11:30 London: Russia reportedly takes dominion over village near Avdiivka

British intelligence believes that Russian troops have seized control of the village of Novooleksandrivka, roughly 20 kilometers north of Avdiivka, according to a report by The Times. This would bring the Russian army closer to the T0504 highway, one of Ukraine's key supply lines.

10:48 Putin and Kim Jong Un plan expansive cooperation

Russia and North Korea contemplate signing a treaty on comprehensive cooperation during Putin's visit to Pyongyang, the Kremlin announced. Putin has approved the draft treaty from the Foreign Ministry, according to the statement. The document is expected to be inked at the highest level, that is, by Putin and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un. No details about the treaty's content were provided.

22:20 China counters NATO Chief Stoltenberg's sharp criticismThe Chinese government has rejected NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg's criticism of its position on the Ukraine war. Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Lin Jian stated that NATO should avoid blaming others, creating discord, and pouring fuel on the fire. Instead, they should take constructive measures towards resolving the crisis. Stoltenberg criticized China's actions in regards to the Russian aggression war yesterday during his visit to Washington. He suggested that China is exacerbating the largest armed conflict in Europe since World War II while maintaining good relations with the West.

07:36 Twelve-year prison sentence for anti-war symbols in RussiaA Military Court in Moscow has convicted a Ukrainian woman to twelve years in prison for playing an anti-war statement and the Ukrainian national anthem from her apartment window in Moscow. This was reported by Ukrainska Pravda, citing the Russian opposition media Mediazona. The 35-year-old woman was also accused of releasing white-blue-white balloons, a symbol of protest against Russia's aggression against Ukraine.

06:45 Russian Navy conducts submarine combat exercisesThe Russian Navy has commenced exercises in the Pacific Ocean prior to Putin's state visit to North Korea. According to the Russian Defense Ministry in Moscow, approximately 40 ships and boats, as well as roughly 20 planes and helicopters, are participating in the maneuvers. The exercises are being held until June 28 in the waters of the Pacific Ocean, the Japanese Sea, and the Sea of Okhotsk. These exercises aim to train combat against submarines and defenses against air attacks.

07:16 Putin's portrait lines Pyongyang's streetsPutin's visit to North Korea is apparent in the capital Pyongyang: The streets are not only adorned with numerous Russian flags but also with Putin's portrait. This can be seen in videos, for instance, on the Russian state news agency TASS, on social media networks.

07:05 Munz: At Putin's North Korea visit, it's all about weaponsRussian President Putin is visiting North Korea today and tomorrow. According to NTV-Russia correspondent Rainer Munz, Putin is likely bringing weapons with him. However, diplomatic support is also crucial:

06:40 Rwanda withdraws signature from Peace Summit declarationRwanda has withdrawn its signature from the final declaration of the Ukraine Peace Summit in Switzerland, according to Ukrainian media. Rwanda's name is no longer listed among the signatories on the Swiss government's website. Now, 77 states and 5 organizations support the declaration.

06:18 Ukrainian military analyst testifies Russia faces issues with artillery productionUkrainian military analyst Petro Chernyk asserts that Russia is experiencing shortages of explosives for artillery shells, as reported by the US think tank Institute for the Study of War (ISW). In addition, Russia is allegedly transitioning from self-propelled to towed artillery systems, but faces challenges with these, without further elaboration. However, Russia is unable to produce more self-propelled systems as it only has five to six corresponding machines.

05:51 Ukraine reports downing all ten Russian drones in the nightThe Ukrainian Air Force claims to have destroyed all ten Russian drones deployed in the night over the regions of Zaporizhzhia and Dnipropetrovsk, according to a statement on Telegram.

05:32 Russia confirms downing of rare Russian reconnaissance aircraftRussian authorities have confirmed that the Ukrainian Air Force brought down a rare Russian Early Warning and Control Aircraft of the type A-50 over the Azov Sea in February, resulting in the deaths of ten crew members. The Kyiv Independent reports this. The Ukrainian Military Intelligence and the Ukrainian Air Force had claimed responsibility for the shootdown at the time. The aircraft was reportedly critical for detecting air defense systems and missile guidance, as well as guiding targets for Russian fighter jets. Russia supposedly has fewer than ten of these aircraft, with an estimated cost of around 350 million dollars.

05:11 Oil refinery in Russian Asov on fireAccording to the statements of the responsible governor, an oil refinery in the Russian city of Asov in the Rostov region near the Ukrainian border has caught fire following a Ukrainian drone attack. "No casualties have been reported so far," the governor of the southern region, Vasili Golubev, announced on Telegram. The investigations are ongoing, and the local fire department is working to extinguish the fires.

04:47 Kremlin: Holding talks with the USA over exchange of GershkovichRussia confirms, according to Press Secretary Dmitry Peskov, discussions with the USA over a possible prisoner exchange for the detained US reporter Evan Gershkovich. He referred to statements by President Vladimir Putin, who expressed his intention to continue such discussions in early June. "They are ongoing, but they should continue in complete silence," Peskov emphasized. "Therefore, no announcements, statements, or information can be given about this matter." The 32-year-old reporter for the "Wall Street Journal" was arrested by the Russian domestic intelligence service FSB in Yekaterinburg in the Urals on March 29, 2023, and is accused of espionage.

04:50 Incarcerated US Solider Gordon Black Partially Admits to Theft in CourtThe detained US serviceman Gordon Black, currently in Russia for suspected theft and other offenses, partially confessed during a court hearing in Vladivostok as reported by the Russian news agency Interfax. He reportedly acknowledged his involvement in the theft but denied any intentional actions. He also denied threatening his girlfriend with death. Several other US citizens are currently imprisoned in Russia, including journalist Evan Gershkovich and former soldier Paul Whelan, both accused of espionage.

03:50 Incorrect Values Regarding Nord Stream 2 Lead to Fine by NetzagenturThe German Federal Network Agency has fined pipeline operator Gascade 75,000 Euros due to inaccurate values regarding the controversial German-Russian gas pipeline Nord Stream 2. The agency in Bonn stated that Gascade published incorrect information in 2021 due to IT issues, which suggested the pipeline's commissioning was imminent. The market reacted to the false information, believing the pipeline's opening was on the horizon, causing significant price drops.

02:58 Putin Praises North Korea for Military Support in UkraineBefore his visit to North Korea, Russian President Vladimir Putin thanked Pyongyang for its military support in Ukraine in an article published by the North Korean state news agency KCNA. "We greatly appreciate the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (North Korea) for its resolute support of Russia's military operation in Ukraine," Putin wrote in the article. The text further stated that both countries were working to actively develop their multifaceted partnership.

01:57 Heavy Attacks Reported in Kharkiv by RussiaAccording to Russian reports, intense fighting has erupted in certain regions of the northeastern Ukrainian region of Kharkiv. "The enemy is sending reinforcements and attempting to launch a counterattack but is encountering tough resistance from our troops," said the pro-Russian governor of the occupied territories in the Kharkiv region, Vitali Ganchev. Russian forces have reportedly repelled the latest Ukrainian counterattacks near Vovchansk, five kilometers behind the border. Russian forces entered parts of the Kharkiv region last month and took control of around a dozen villages. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated that Kiev's forces would gradually drive out the Russian troops from the disputed territory.

00:55 DIW President Criticizes Reducing Social Benefits for Ukrainian RefugeesMarcel Fratzscher, the economist, criticizes requests to decrease social benefits for Ukrainian refugees as "bare-knuckle populism." "Nobody will be better off, and no one will even have an extra Euro if Germany treats refugees poorly and reduces their benefits," the President of the German Institute for Economic Research (DIW) told the Redaktionsnetzwerk Deutschland (RND). "The German state does not need to spend less money on refugees but more efforts for a faster and better integration of refugees into the labor market and society," Fratzscher demanded.

23:55 Majority of Ukrainians Consider Zelenskyy Legitimate President During WartimeAccording to a survey by the International Sociological Institute in Kiev, 70 percent of the 2011 interviewed Ukrainians believe Zelenskyy should remain in office until the end of the conflict. Only 22 percent disagree. This contradicts the Russian view, that Zelenskyy's term has long expired and he is no longer the legitimate president of Ukraine.

22:55 European Parliament Expresses Concern over Finland's Deportation PlansThe European Parliament raises concerns over Finland's plans to return migrants from Russia, allegedly orchestrated by Moscow and sent across the common border. The European Parliament's Human Rights Commissioner Michael O'Flaherty urges the Finnish Parliament President Jussi Halla-aho in a letter to reject the draft law. The current Finnish Centre-Right Government intends to significantly tighten immigration laws, passing a bill at the end of May that would allow border guards to turn back asylum seekers.

22:15 Peskov: Peace Conference Results Aim for ZeroThe Kremlin continues to criticize the results of the Swiss peace conference for Ukraine. According to Dmitri Peskov, spokesperson for President Vladimir Putin, in Moscow, the conference could not produce results without Russian participation. "If one speaks about the results of this meeting, they naturally aim for zero," Peskov said. The fact that several Russia-friendly countries like Serbia, Turkey, or Hungary supported the final declaration does not bother Moscow. "We will certainly take into account their stance. It is important for us. We will continue to explain our position to them," Peskov added. The Russian Foreign Ministry deemed the conference a "complete failure," as reported by the TASS news agency from a statement by Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova.You can read more about previous developments here.