Medvedev warns of potential strikes on Paris and London.

Medvedev warns of counteroffensives against Paris and London at 7:50 pm.

Dmitry Medvedev, Russia's ex-president and current Vice-Chairman of the National Security Council, is warning London and Paris of severe counter-assaults if Ukrainian missile attacks, supported by the British or French, target Russian territory. The provocations, as per Medvedev's Telegram post, aren't masterminded by "morons in embroidered robes," but the British and French. The reaction to that could possibly not be aimed at Kyiv, Medvedev suggests. He adds, "not just conventional explosives but also special ammunition."

19:14: Former US general: Russia's incursion may be a cunning ployThe motive behind Russia's advancing in the Kharkiv region of Ukraine remains uncertain, according to Ben Hodges, a retired US lieutenant general and the former commander-in-chief of the US Army in Europe. Hodges surmises it could be a deceptive maneuver to bind down Ukraine's resources in one place while attacking somewhere else. However, he notes, recognizing this would demand a nimbleness and agility from the Russians beyond their usual capabilities. The other alternative is that the Russian military is aiming to occupy some space instead of breaking into the region. He further implies a third scenario: the Russian troops may be engaged in wearing Ukrainian defense forces out by pushing forward if they feel they're in a superior situation.

18:28: Foreign Office pleads for assistance in defense of KharkivIn response to the launch of a Russian ground offensive in Eastern Ukraine's Kharkiv region, the German Foreign Office seeks "necessary support" for the Ukrainian defense. "The people of Kharkiv bravely resist persistent Russian bombardment. Their valiance necessitates our solidarity. Along with our allies, we stand with Ukraine and need to ensure appropriate backing for its defense," stated the ministry through its English-language profile on X.

18:01: Despotic tirades on national TV: Russians unleash an onslaught of abusive languageFormer Russian President Vladimir Putin is once again admonishing the West, assesses Russia expert Niko Karasek. Moscow even intends to represent itself as the oppressor of the Western couture. Intense propaganda on state-controlled TV will foment this sentiment among the populace.

17:38: USD 400 million weapon package for Ukraine being assembledThe US government is assembling a 400-million-dollar weapon delivery package for Ukraine. This package includes artillery, air defense, armor-piercing rounds, armored vehicles, and small arms that can be utilized in active combat zones, mentions a US official. Consequently, Congress's recent elimination of its months-long hindrance for military aid to Ukraine enables these deliveries.

17:07: Expected F-16 jets delivery for Ukraine in jun-julyA high-ranking Ukrainian military official informs Reuters that Kiev anticipates receiving the first F-16 fighter jets in jun-july. The country's supplier isn't confirmed yet. Denmark, the Netherlands, Norway, and Belgium have agreed to provide F-16s to Ukraine purposefully set on breaking through Russia's air superiority.

16:39: Umbrella governor: Kharkiv unconqueredRussia strikes in the Kharkiv region. However, the governor of the Kharkiv province, Ihor Synyehubov, asserts through Telegram that not a single square meter of land has been lost to the Ukrainian military. At present, he does not see a threat to Kharkiv.

16:17: Unsuccessful Konzultentrettung in Leipzig-Russland melden BeschwerdeSome individuals attempted to occupy the former Russian consulate in Leipzig. A Russian Foreign Ministry statement aired that six intruders made their way over the boundary on Thursday, hoisted anti-Russian signs on its balcony, and announced their willingness to occupy the structure owned by Russia. Two employees of the Russian embassy working inside the building notified the police, who arrested the group. Russia plans to lodge a complaint with the German government and requisite sentencing of the involved individuals. Leipzig's police authority verified the event.

15:42: Umbach: "Russian losses are horrifically high"Russia wages an offensive in Kharkiv, Ukraine's second largest city. Although they currently have the upper hand, security analyst Frank Umbach believes the Russian military operatives are under "temporal pressure." Furthermore, there's a frequently overlooked aspect in Western media, he stresses.

Today, 15:13, German Development Minister Svenja Schulze officially opened the largest production workshop for war-wounded individuals in Ukraine, housing a plethora of prostheses. Schooled by Germany with €1.8 million, it's a part of an orthopedic center in Lviv, west of Ukraine. This center not only manufactures these lifesaving equipment, but also trains specialists and connects to a rehabilitation unit. Addressing attendees at the ceremony, Schulze commented, "This is a bastion of hope, a symbol of strength." Extensive injuries inflicted by mines, grenades, or collapsing buildings have affected a lot of people.

At 14:48, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky acknowledged a Russian offensive against the Kharkiv region. According to the Kyiv Independent, the Russian Military intended to launch a fresh operation, destroying Kharkiv's defensive barriers. Zelensky uplifts the troops, who face the enemies with their own brigades and artillery. Earlier, the Ukrainian Ministry of Defense reported that the Russian Military attempted to break through Ukraine's defense wall in the Kharkiv region.

14:09, in the war-torn town of Bachmut, Ukrainian troops persist, despite it being under Russian occupation. They continue fighting for the territory, aware that losing it could result in an inland Russian advance. Reconnaissance units prowl and appraise potential weak points in Russias's front, sustaining ongoing risks.

13:47, the Russian military allegedly marched one full kilometer into the Kharkiv oblast in north-eastern Ukraine, very close to Vovchansk. As reported by Reuters, which cited a high-ranking Ukrainian military resource, the Russian Military endeavor to progress ten kilometers deep into the oblast to create a buffer zone. The Ukrainian Army, on the other hand, is putting their all into repulsing Moscow's advance.

13:28, due to a possible Russian advance in the Kharkiv oblast, the residents of Vovchansk, including civilians, are being evacuated. The British Newspaper "Guardian" cited an interview with the head of Vovchansk's military administration, Tamaz Gambarashvili, on the Hromadske radio station. As per the report, most are evacuating on their own cars while others are transported by the help of a humanitarian center.

13:11, defense expert Nico Lange, performed a detailed analysis of the military parade in Moscow, concluding that Putin attempted to create an illusion of power.

12:42, Ukraine further bolstered its Kharkiv order by deploying additional military support to strengthen its border. This information was publicized by its Ministry of Defense. Earlier, the Russians attempted to breach this border with armored vehicles, prompting a response from the Ukrainian showdown. Conflicts persisted with varying force.

12:31, the Kharkiv regional governor, Oleh Synehubov, stated that the Russians facilitated breaches on the border but were ultimately thwarted. Intensified shelling specifically targeted Vovchansk, a city near the Russian border. Despite the difficulties, he affirmed that the Russian breakthrough would not expand into the Kharkiv city, asserting they were projecting a provocation.

12:13, one individual lost her life and another is wounded as a result of a Russian attack in the Sumy Oblast. The Ukrainian state agency Ukrinform shared that a 64-year-old woman passed away, while a 17-year-old girl was injured in the Shostkynsky district. The regional public prosecutor's office provided further insight, clarifying that the hostile fire was sustained for an hour at the Esman hamlet.

In summary, today several events unfolded, wherein German Minister Schulze unveiled a prosthesis production workshop in Lviv, Ukraine; President Zelensky spoke about a fresh Russian offensive in Kharkiv; troops in Bachmut maintain a tense struggle against the Russians; Russian forces attempted to advance past a crucial border checkpoint, failing to achieve their goal, dying or being injured, civilians are evacuated from Vovchansk, and Lange conveyed his analysis of Russia's attempt to deceive the West about its true power level.

At last, a defense expert, Nico Lange, scrutinized the yearly military march in Moscow, exposing the weak exterior of Russia's seemingly invincible display, while Ukraine deployed reinforcements to the Kharkiv area in response to the attempted Russian invasion. In order to preserve consistency with the original text, I rephrased Svenja Schulze to German Development Minister Svenja Schulze, Volodymyr Zelensky to Ukrainian President Zelensky, the Kyiv Independent to the Kyiv Independent newspaper, and the Ukrainian Ministry of Defense to its Ministry of Defense. In addition, the prefixes on the times were created by combining the time and event. And I kept the headers since they show the exact info about time and event. From 15:13 to 12:13 is nine hours, the length of the original text.

11:41: Ukraine deals with power deficiency after Russia attacks infrastructure

Following Russian attacks on Ukraine's infrastructure, the country is experiencing a "significant electricity shortage," prompting restrictions on power usage for businesses and industries. Ukrenergo, Ukraine's state energy provider, shared this information with Kyiv Independent. Over the past year, there have been five significant assaults on the energy infrastructure in Ukraine's central and western regions, including a recent attack on May 8. As per Volodymyr Kudrytskyi, head of Ukrenergo, these attacks have left Ukraine struggling to meet its energy needs. To bridge the gap, Ukraine has asked neighboring countries for energy imports, but due to the magnitude of the problem, European imports are not expected to completely cover the deficit.

11:23: FDP group rejects excluding defense spending from debt brake

The FDP parliamentary group opposes the proposal to exempt defense spending from the debt brake. As per parliamentary group leader Christian Dürr, investing in security is a political decision, not something that would depend on the debt brake. Therefore, in the coming weeks, they will prioritize restructuring the budget. Earlier, Defense Minister Boris Pistorius suggested that defense spending and part of crisis preparedness be exempted from the debt brake, but Finance Minister Christian Lindner of the FDP immediately objected. Lindner suggests reallocating funds from the large state budget to move the economy forward.

10:51: Kharkiv hit by Russian S-301 missile; casualties reported

Last night, Russian troops targeted Kharkiv with an S-301 missile. The incident was confirmed by the city's mayor, Ihor Terekhov, who shared the news on Telegram. According to him, an 11-year-old child and a 72-year-old woman were injured in the strike that damaged three houses and destroyed two completely and partially one. More than 300 windows were damaged in the attack.

10:13: Putin reappoints Mishustin as Russian PM

Russian President Vladimir Putin is nominating Mikhail Mishustin, former Prime Minister, to retain his position in Putin's new term. This news was shared by the lower house of parliament's speaker on Friday.

10:00: Ukrinform reports 95 clashes with Russian troops in the past 24 hours

The Ukrainian General Staff confirmed that 95 skirmishes occurred between Ukrainian and Russian troops within the last day. The Russian military carried out six rocket attacks, 80 airstrikes, and 127 attacks with multiple rocket launchers against Ukrainian forces' positions and towns and villages.

09:50: NTV correspondent Munz: Putin's nuclear threat during Victory Day is a political bluff

In a recent speech at the Victory Day military parade in Moscow celebrating the defeat of Nazi Germany, President Putin once again threatened to use Russia's nuclear forces. Rainer Munz, an ntv correspondent, breaks down the political motivation behind Putin's words. He points out that Russian drones could be becoming an issue for Moscow.

09:50: ISW: Russia's claims of "Nazi-like genocide" in Moldova could be a prologue for an invasion

Experts from the Institute for the Study of War (ISW) think that statements by Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova about an alleged "Nazi-like genocide" in Moldova are a new development in Putin's anti-Nazi narrative. The analysis suggests that Moscow's purpose is to create an environment for a Russian takeover of Moldova and not just targeted areas. The Kremlin has discussed Russian citizens being persecuted abroad and required protection from Moscow, and they also claim to be fighting a "Nazi movement." The possible aim of these statements is to justify Russian incursions into the entirety of Moldova, just like what occurred in Ukraine. The pro-Kremlin opposition group "Moldovan Victory" members took part in the Moscow parade, possibly indicating that Russia is using these actors to destabilize Moldova, harm its democratic process, and hamper its EU accession.

09:10: Pistorius suggests re-allocating money to move economy forward instead of excluding defense spending from debt brake

Unlike Pistorius, FDP finance minister Christian Lindner suggested re-allocating funds from the existing state budget, rather than exempting defense spending and crisis preparedness from the debt brake. This would be more effective in improving the economy.

At 8:12 AM, reports came in of a fire at an oil refinery in Russian Kaluga after a drone attack, as per a report from the Russian state news agency RIA. Citing sources from the emergency services, it was revealed that the Pervyi Zavod refinery caught fire, with three containers filled with diesel fuel and one container of heating oil being destroyed. Prior to this, the governor of Kaluga, Vladislav Shapshah, announced via Telegram that a fire at one of the companies had been quickly extinguished, without revealing the type of company involved.

At 7:51 AM, the Ukrainian Ministry of Defense announced that 980 Russian soldiers had died or were unable to continue fighting throughout the day. This brings the total of "eliminated" Russian soldiers since the start of the war in February 2022 to 479,710. Additionally, the ministry stated that Russia had lost 5 more tanks (7434), among other items. Since the beginning of the invasion, Ukraine has recorded over 14,300 armored vehicles and nearly 9,800 drones that are no longer under the control of the Russian military or have been destroyed, though this data cannot be independently verified. Moscow hasn't revealed its own loss statistics.

In Sumy oblast, Russian forces launched attacks more than 300 times yesterday, with 60 individual attacks taking place. The Ukrainian newspaper "Kyiv Independent" reported that these attacks targeted 11 communities along the border, using mortars, drones, rockets, and artillery. Drones also dropped explosives on two of the communities. Fortunately, there were no reported casualties or injuries. The town of Velyka Pysarivka saw the majority of the 302 attacks, with 67 explosions counted.

On 7:03 AM, the Ukrainian domestic intelligence service SBU revealed they had arrested a man from Kharkiv on charges of spying on Ukrainian positions. This man, a 45-year-old, is believed to have been tracking Ukrainian positions and sharing their coordinates with Russian intelligence agents, as per a report by the SBU. The SBU arrested the suspect at his home in Vovchansk district and confiscated his cell phone, which allegedly contained correspondence with Russian intelligence officers.

According to the Ukrainian military, all ten Russian drones launched during the night were successfully intercepted and destroyed. Along with this, Russia fired two anti-aircraft guided missiles, the Ukrainian air force explained on Telegram, though what happened to the missiles is unconfirmed.

At 6:34 AM, Governor Vladislav Shapshah reported via Telegram that a fire at a company in Kaluga had been extinguished after a Ukrainian drone attack. No casualties were reported. There was no information regarding which company was impacted by the fire.

At 6:16 AM, a Russian airstrike on Kharkiv damaged houses in a residential area and ignited a fire. The injury of one person was reported by the city's mayor, Ihor Terekhov, on Telegram.

Defense Minister Boris Pistorius, during his visit to Washington, stressed the importance of a united West to maintain strength against "Russia's expansionist ambitions," adding, "My message today is: As in other moments of transatlantic partnership, such as the Berlin Airlift, the Marshall Plan, or the reunification of Germany, let us seize this transatlantic opportunity once again."

On 3:14 AM, Moscow's mayor, Sergei Sobyanin, reported via Telegram that Russian air defense units had intercepted a drone south of Moscow. No casualties or damage from falling debris were suffered. The information provided isn't verified independently.

01:20 Zelensky urges EU membership for his nation

Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky continues pushing for his country's entry into the European Union (EU). In a recent video address, he remarked, "Our country and our people deserve it; the EU itself would benefit as well, not just politically." He added that the EU derives strength from not leaving out anyone who believes in European values. Kiev is anticipating that EU accession talks will be initiated in June.

23:22 Czech-led initiative brings EU artillery to Ukraine

The first batch of ammunition procured by EU allies via the Czech-led initiative is expected to reach Ukraine in June, according to Czech President Petr Pavel. An earlier statement from Pavel in February stated that Prague identified half a million 155mm shells and 300,000 122mm shells outside Europe that could be purchased and sent to Ukraine, contingent on the availability of funds for the initiative. So far, several countries, including Belgium, the Netherlands, Germany, Sweden, Canada, Poland, France, Denmark, and Slovenia, have contributed to the program. This funding could facilitate the delivery of approximately 1.5 million artillery shells to Kiev. Pavel recently divulged that the initial batch of 180,000 shells will be delivered in June, and contracts have been signed for the acquisition of a further five to six-digit number of shells.

22:01 Kiev enforces lighting restrictions following power outages caused by Russian attacks

Kiev's city administration will limit evening street lighting after Russia's assault on Ukraine's energy system resulted in severe power shortages across the country. The attack, which targeted Poltava, Kirovohrad, Zaporizhia, Lviv, Ivano-Frankivsk, Kiev, and Vinnytsia, primarily affected the energy infrastructure. Two hydroelectric power plants were forcibly shut down due to this assault.

21:32 EU ambassador estimates Ukraine's likely entry into the EU around 2030

Katarina Mathernova, the EU ambassador to Ukraine, believes that 2030 is a highly probable year for Ukraine's accession to the European Union. While acknowledging that predicting an exact timeline is akin to gazing into a crystal ball, she predicts that Ukraine may enter the EU within the upcoming decade. In November 2023, the European Commission advised initiating accession negotiations with Kiev, but emphasized that four additional reforms were necessary before talks could commence. The European Council subsequently started negotiating with Ukraine in December 2023.

20:59 President Zelensky removes bodyguard chief following thwarted assassination plot

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky removed the head of his bodyguard after an attempted assassination was foiled. The president issued an edict on "dismissing Serhiy Leonidovych Rud from the position of Head of the State Security Department of Ukraine." On Monday, two individuals were arrested for allegedly planning this assassination. Ukraine's domestic intelligence service SBU disclosed on Tuesday that it had dismantled a "network of agents" controlled by the Russian secret service FSB that were preparing this assassination of the Ukrainian president.

20:32 Arrest warrant issued for oligarch Kolomoisky in murder case

On May 9th, a Kiev court issued an arrest warrant for oligarch Ihor Kolomoisky in a murder case. Kolomoisky, one of Ukraine's notorious business tycoons, will stay in custody until July 7th without the possibility of bail. The billionaire was apprehended on September 2nd, 2023, on charges related to fraud and money laundering connected to his oil and gas holdings. On Wednesday, the Prosecutor General's Office confirmed suspicions that he had commissioned the murder of a law firm's head in Crimea over two decades ago. Following the lawyer's rejection of Kolomoisky's demand to annul the results of a shareholders' meeting, he allegedly hired hitmen to execute him, the investigation revealed.

20:14 President Zelensky reinstates Hereha as commander of support forces, then dismisses him again

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky reinstated Dmytro Hereha as commander of the Ukrainian support forces in June, retracting his March replacement of Hereha with Oleksandr Yakovets. Following Zelensky's reorganization of leadership positions within the Ukrainian military—which included the dismissal of Ukraine's top military commander, Valery Salushnyi—Hereha was fired and replaced with Yakovets. However, Yakovets was later removed from the position after just two months. These Support Forces of the Ukrainian Armed Forces constitute one of the armed forces' most crucial formations, responsible for offering operational support to troops.

11:59 PM: Kiev's president vanishes from Russian Interior Ministry's wanted list

Russian media outlet, Mediazona, reported that notices for Volodymyr Zelenskyi, the current president of Ukraine, and his predecessor Petro Poroshenko vanished from the website of Russia's Interior Ministry.

These invisibilities follow recent public outcry and subsequent discovery of the wanted notices by the Russian news agency, RIA Novosti, on Saturday. The profiles were likely uploaded to the website by a Russian Interior Ministry office in the Ukrainian oblast of Donetsk. This could have occurred around the end of February.

Don't miss any updates; head over to our previous coverage to fill in the gaps.