Moscow shifts focus from Islamic extremism within Russia through accusation of Ukraine.
From the Russian Parliament, unsubstantiated claims suggest Ukraine's involvement in the terrorist incident in Dagestan, as reported by NTV correspondent Rainer Munz. The Kremlin allegedly aims to divert focus from the threatening Islamic terror within Russia:
08:23 Reports indicate an attack on OdessaReports suggest a fire outbreak in Odessa in the morning. Belarusian opposition media Nexta report a powerful explosion, while "Kyiv Post" states an attack on civilian infrastructure.
07:51 Schwesig arrives in Kiev - "Ukraine should triumph"As the first Bundesrat President, Mecklenburg-Vorpommern's Governor Manuela Schwesig visits Ukraine. The SPD politician arrives in Kiev by train, intending for political discussions. She states, "This is a show of solidarity from all 16 federal states with Ukraine," on her journey. "Ukraine should win this war, and it should not be that Russia gets away with this aggression." Such statements do not sit well with all politicians. Chancellor Olaf Scholz instead prefers to state that Russia should not win the war, and Ukraine should not lose it.
07:36 Nowooleksandriwka remains fiercely contestedReports of the seizure of the village of Nowooleksandriwka in the Donezk region highlight that Russian troops have not occupied the village completely. The Ukrainian military reports intense fighting on-site.
06:52 Russian military unit allegedly keeps its wounded prisoners captiveA Russian military blogger reports that commanders from assorted units of the so-called Donetsk People's Republic mistreat their injured soldiers. It is claimed that one brigade is keeping its wounded in the city of Donezk under harsh conditions instead of treating them, according to the US think tank Institute for the Study of War (ISW), which cites the blogger.
06:21 A third Estonian volunteer loses life at the front in Luhansk regionAn Estonian volunteer serving in the Ukrainian army has died in combat in the Luhansk region. The Kyiv Independent reports this, citing the Estonian newspaper "Postimees". Martin Jaager, a 42-year-old professional soldier, was killed on Saturday and is the third Estonian to die while safeguarding Ukraine. After serving in an elite unit in Estonia, he enlisted in the Ukrainian army over a year ago.
05:44 EU Foreign Ministers Meeting: Pressure on Hungary intensifiesThe EU Foreign Ministers are meeting in Luxembourg today to discuss the Russian attack on Ukraine. They plan to engage in a debate with the Ukrainian Chief Diplomat Dmytro Kuleba, connected via video. The pressure on Hungary is expected to increase to abandon its blockade of military aid worth 6.5 billion Euros. There was a heated argument about this at the Foreign Ministers' Meeting at the end of May.
04:45 Moscow accuses the USA of responsibility for the attack on Crimea against civilians in SewastopolAccording to the Ministry, Moscow implicates the USA for the premeditated rocket attack on Sewastopol's civilian population in the annexed Crimean Peninsula. "The primary responsibility for the provocative assault on the civilian population of Sewastopol lies with Washington, which supplied the weapons to Ukraine, and the Kiev regime, whose territory was the launch site for this attack," the ministry statement reads. US specialists are said to have determined the rocket launch coordinates using data from US spy satellite, implying that the US government is directly responsible. Four people, including two children, reportedly died, and 151 others were hurt, according to the Defense Ministry.
03:42 IAEA condemns attacks around Saporischschja Nuclear Power PlantThe International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) calls for an immediate stop to attacks on the Ukrainian city of Enerhodar near the Saporischschja Nuclear Power Plant. "Those responsible must cease their activities. Drone attacks on the power plant and its surroundings are becoming increasingly frequent," IAEA Chief Rafael Grossi stated. "This is unacceptable and goes against the universally accepted security principles and specific practices." In the past week, drone attacks targeted two power substations. The power supply to residents was disrupted occasionally. According to Grossi, the previous incidents had no impact on the operation of the Saporischschja Nuclear Power Plant.
02:45 Stoltenberg to speak with Macron in Paris about additional Ukraine aidNATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg is traveling to Paris on Monday for discussions with French President Emmanuel Macron. Topics may include further assistance for Ukraine in its war against Russia. Macron declared earlier in the month that he was planning to form a coalition for the deployment of Western military training in Ukraine.
01:43 Orban calls for an immediate ceasefire in UkrainePrior to the beginning of the Hungarian EU Council Presidency, Prime Minister Viktor Orban has proposed an initiative for an immediate ceasefire in the Ukraine conflict. "It's evident that Russia's invasion of Ukraine is completely objectionable and goes against the fundamental principles of international relations," Orban explained to the Funke Media Group newspapers. "Now, it's about stopping the killing at the front." Orban emphasized that ending the war in Ukraine is one of the essential points of the Hungarian EU Council Presidency, starting on July 1.
12:37 Ukraine Attacks Crimea Once MoreUkraine reportedly launched rockets on targets within the annexed Crimean Peninsula late at night, as reported by Ukrinform. In the city of Jewpatorija, multiple explosions were reported. The local authorities, differently from past attacks during the day, issued an air alert. The aftermath of the attacks remains unclear. Various media outlets shared videos and pictures of fires. Reports of allegedly hit military targets have not been confirmed by either the Ukrainian or Russian forces.
21:09 Zelenskyy Seeks Approval for Strikes into Russian HeartlandIn response to continuous shelling of Kharkiv city, Ukrainian President Zelenskyy is calling for more advanced weaponry and authorization to initiate strikes deep in Russian territory from the West. Zelenskyy, in his daily video message, asserted, "The Russian air force must be eliminated wherever it's found, with every possible tool." Kiev is collaborating with its western partners on this matter.
20:09 Prien on Refugee Aid: "Federal Government is Negligent"
In light of Alexander Dobrindt's push for social benefits for Ukrainian refugees, CDU deputy chairwoman Karin Prien pointed towards the reason behind their flight. "Ukrainians are fleeing Putin's terror and Putin's war. Naturally, they deserve our protection and hospitality," tweeted the Minister of Education in Schleswig-Holstein. "Most refugees from Ukraine aim to get a swift start here, work, and prepare for rebuilding their homeland. Our goal should be to help them integrate into the workforce." She also accused the federal government of neglect in this matter.
20:00 EU Commission Warns of Russian Interference in 2025 Bundestag ElectionLooking ahead to the Bundestag election next year, EU Commission Vice President Vera Jourova issued a warning about potential influence operations by Russia. "We're living in a new era of hostile influence," said the EU Commissioner for Transparency and Values and the Protection of Democracy to the "Süddeutsche Zeitung." "I'm concerned that Voice of Europe might serve as a blueprint for further operations - also in the run-up to the Bundestag election next year. This supposed medium is just the tip of the iceberg." It could be a precedent. The EU had prohibited Voice of Europe and three other Russian media organizations from broadcasting within the EU in May. According to the EU, they were all controlled by the Russian government and aimed to sway parties in Europe, particularly during election periods. Voice of Europe, based in Prague, is suspected of disseminating pro-Russian propaganda in the EU and providing funds to European politicians.
19:30 Ukrainian Power Supplier Declares Nationwide Power OutagesFollowing Russian attacks on Ukraine's energy infrastructure, the national power supplier has announced power outages for the coming days. This information was shared by Ukrenergo on Telegram. The cuts are necessary because energy usage at the beginning of the week is raising and the power grid is weakened by "heavy Russian attacks." Since May, Ukraine has faced random power outages due to damaged energy infrastructure. On Monday, the largest power cuts are expected to occur between 19 and 23 hours, as Ukrenergo announced.
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Read also:
- The attack on Odessa in the morning has sparked concerns, with reports suggesting a fire outbreak and allegations of an attack on civilian infrastructure, elevating tensions in the ongoing Ukraine conflict.
- Volodymyr Zelenskyy, the President of Ukraine, has called for more advanced weaponry and authorization to initiate strikes deep in Russian territory, in response to continuous shelling and escalating tensions.
- NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg is expected to discuss potential additional aid for Ukraine during his meeting with French President Emmanuel Macron, as Russia continues its military operations in Ukraine.
- Cyberwar concerns have also arisen in the context of the Ukraine conflict, with NATO and Ukraine both reportedly experiencing cyberattacks, underscoring the complexity and multifaceted nature of the conflict.
