Moscow's governor speaks about rising casualties in Luhansk following Ukrainian attack.
The Russian-appointed official in the partially-held Ukrainian region of Luhansk reports two more fatalities following a Ukrainian rocket attack. The corpses were found amidst the debris, states Leonid Pasitschnik. This brings the death tally to six. Over sixty people were wounded in the assault on the city of Luhansk. Pasitschnik decrees a day of mourning in the area and cancels public gatherings. The details cannot be authenticated. Radio silence from Ukraine.
16:29 Swiss non-profit strives to assist apprehended employee in RussiaFollowing the apprehension of one of his employees in Russia, the Geneva-based non-profit organization Center for Humanitarian Dialogue is striving to assist him. This includes locating a lawyer and communicating with Russian authorities. "During this process, we are still seeking details about the circumstances surrounding his arrest and the accusations against him," shares the organization. The state-owned Russian news agency Tass mentions the attorney for Vinatier, indicating his client conceded guilt in court and was unaware of the necessity to register as a foreign agent. Russian authorities additionally accuse him of gathering information on Russia's "military and military-technical activities." He risks imprisonment for up to five years.
15:57 Ukrainian defenses: Not all drones dispatchedThe Ukrainian Air Force claims to have intercepted nine of the thirteen Russian drones over the central region of Poltava, the southern areas of Zaporizhzhia and Dnipropetrovsk, and the region of Kharkiv in the north-east. Zaporizhzhia Governor Serhiy Lysak divulges a drone razed commercial and residential buildings in the city at night. Earlier, Russia posited the Ukrainian military assaulted Russian targets using 25 drones. No casualties were cited.
15:25 Ukrainians maintain less than a quarter of their power plants functionalThe Russian military has significantly dismantled a significant portion of Ukraine's energy infrastructure with its constant onslaughts. Seventy-three percent of the massive power plants are halted, says Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal on Ukrainian television, as per website "The New Voice of Ukraine." "Russia has destroyed 50 percent of our electricity generation capacity. In reality, we have lost 9.2 gigawatts of power through rocket and drone strikes, which accounts for half our capacity, such as the previous winter." Twelve hydropower plants are also out of action.
Report: Two Russian soldiers identified following rapes
Journalists from the news portal "Kyiv Independent" declare to have identified two Russian soldiers who assaulted two women in Ukraine. The atrocities are claimed to have taken place in 2022 during the Russian occupation of the regions of Kiev and Kherson. As per the documentary "He Came Back," addressing sexual violence by Russian soldiers shortly after the commencement of the war, both soldiers have yet to suffer punishment for their transgressions. One of them is reportedly dwelling in the occupied town of Horlivka in the Donetsk region. The other soldier allegedly committed other war crimes, including the murder of a civilian. As the "Kyiv Independent" recounts, Ukrainian law enforcement agencies have uncovered 292 cases of sexual violence by the Russian military since the inception of the war. It's likely this figure is just the tip of the iceberg.
13:57 London: Russia bolsters security for Crimea Bridge
The British defense intelligence service has spotted eight boats positioned on the south side of the Crimea Bridge in satellite images. "These boats have been set up by the Russian armed forces to safeguard the bridge and the shipping lane and minimize the approach angle for Ukrainian drones," the report asserts. Earlier deployments were damaged by storms. The Crimea Bridge connects the Russian mainland to Crimea and is a crucial supply route for the front.
13:41 Pistorius verifies: Bundeswehr must "prepare for war"
Defense Minister Boris Pistorius verifies his statement that the Bundeswehr must "prepare for war." It involves capability to wage a defense war if attacked - "hence, being prepared for the worst, so as not to encounter it," the defense minister said today at the Bundeswehr Day in the airfield Faßberg. The majority of security professionals predict Russia will need approximately five years to build military capacities for an attack on a NATO country. The Kremlin invested about 5.9% of its economic output in the military in the year 2023 and is now increasing it to 7%.
13:15 Ukraine: South Front bombarded, repelled attacks
Russian troops persist in their efforts to advance on the South Front with unrelenting fervor. Over the course of Friday, Ukraine reported 240 reconnaissance drones in the southern region alone. Apart from artillery, rockets, and combat drones, they are utilized. The Ukrainian armed forces successfully quelled three attacks in the area of Orichiv and Krynky, as per their verbal declaration.
Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba urges Ukraine's allies to consider not only the profits from frozen Russian assets, but also the assets themselves. "We understand the concerns of our partners regarding the potential repercussions," explains Kuleba, "but we stand firm on international law." The European Union currently holds assets of the Russian Central Bank worth more than 200 billion euros. This issue will also be addressed in discussions amongst the G7 during their upcoming summit in Italy.
11:55 Kharkiv: Russians fire on cows
Ntv reporter Kavita Sharma visits Kharkiv and encounters individuals who have endured significant losses as a result of Russian aggression, including their families and houses. On a farm, the Russians even fired upon cows.
11:34 Scholz: "Putin will not succeed"
Shortly before the European elections, Chancellor Olaf Scholz reiterates his stance on Russia's invasion of Ukraine and expresses his support for the country. "Putin will not achieve his imperialistic goals," declares Scholz in a video message. "Putin must realize that he cannot win his violent campaign." Ukraine's peace policy encompasses supporting the nation as it defends its independence and sovereignty.
10:57 Ukrainian drone attack on military airfield in Caucasus
Moscow reports that a Ukrainian drone has reached the autonomous republic of North Ossetia in the Caucasus, targeting a military airfield there. This marks the first time a Ukrainian drone has entered North Ossetia, which is over 700 kilometers away from the Ukrainian border. Combat jets are launched from this runway to carry out attacks on Ukraine, including glide bombs. The Ukrainian military is now targeting infrastructure within Russian territory to disrupt war logistics and supply routes.
10:20 Front at Pokrovsk: A Ukrainian brigade defends against three Russian brigades
Ukraine's army reports that Russian troops continue intense assaults on the eastern front. In the vicinity of Pokrovsk, a Ukrainian tank brigade is struggling to hold back three Russian brigades. The focal point of the battle is Pokrovsk, a location west of Ocheretyne that was recently captured by the Russians. "Russian forces are trying to penetrate deep into our territory," the announcement states. "With large reserves of troops, the Russians are quickly compensating for their significant casualties and continuously sending more soldiers into combat. No respite is provided in these hostilities."
09:48 Moscow: Ukrainian drones hit Russian targets
The Ukrainians have assaulted Russian objectives with 25 combat drones over the course of Saturday night, according to Russian Defense Ministry reports. These drones were thwarted in several border regions, including Rostov, Bryansk, and Belgorod. The annexed Crimean Peninsula also experienced drone attacks.
09:12 Sharma: Russians aim to create divisions amongst Ukrainian combat positions
Having visited Ukraine, Kavita Sharma reports that Russian forces seem to be following a scenario experts feared. They are attempting to pit Ukrainian combat positions against one another.
08:55 Ukrainian General Staff: 1,210 Russian soldiers dead or injured since yesterday
The Ukrainian General Staff discloses 1,210 Russian soldiers killed or wounded within the past day. The cumulative Russian loss of life is now estimated to exceed 517,000 since the inception of their full-scale invasion in February 2022. Ukrainian forces also destroyed nine Russian tanks, 36 armored vehicles, one multiple launch rocket system, and seven air defense systems during this period.
08:31 Russian Intelligence: Sponsoring a 15 million euro propaganda campaign against Ukraine's military leadership
Ukrainian intelligence service HUR discloses that Russia is planning to invest 15 million euros in a propaganda campaign aimed at tarnishing Ukraine's military leadership. This initiative will involve creating articles and films that cast Ukrainian special units in a negative light. Instruction has been given to Russian troops to disseminate this propaganda in Ukrainian and Western media. The objective is to promote social tension within Ukraine.
07:48 Behavior around the upcoming European Championship - Security situation deemed "tense"
German security agencies consider the security situation prior to the European Championship to be "tense." They anticipate the possibility of catastrophic cyberattacks in connection with Russia's invasion of Ukraine, as Ukraine's national team is competing in the tournament. The protection of stadiums and other event sites against drone attacks from the air is considered a major obstacle. In the past, drones have been spotted over Bundeswehr facilities where Ukrainian soldiers receive training with German equipment. The threat of extremist attacks on one of the 51 contests or a major fan festival also looms. Interior Minister Nancy Faeser promises a robust police presence at the venues, characterizing it as a "display of strength."
07:27 International Monetary Fund's involvement in Ukraine's participation in the EM
The International Monetary Fund is considering participating in Ukraine's financial support during the European Championship. The situation will be re-examined in light of the ongoing war with Russia and the potential impact on the event. The IMF has initiated talks with the Ukrainian government on this matter.
Last night, sound explosions were audible in Crimea's occupied Sevastopol, according to reports from the Kyiv Independent and by Crimean Wind Telegram channel. At 1:39 local time, people residing in the town of Balaklava, which is situated within Sevastopol, claimed they heard blasts. A potential source of these detonations was assumed to be close to a power station. Crimean Wind shared that just before the first explosion, there were reports of large-caliber weapon noises, possibly pointing to a drone assault. A second explosion was also recorded in proximity to Sevastopol's port. While the Kyiv Independent is awaiting further verification, the Ukrainian military is making efforts to disrupt the Russian supply lines and logistics by conducting targeted strikes on infrastructure.
06:45 French Mirage Jets Praised by Ukrainian Air Force, Despite Prioritizing F-16s
The Ukrainian Air Force has extolled the capabilities of the French Mirage jets, which France plans to donate to Ukraine. The aircraft have been commended for their modernity and versatility in fulfilling various mission tasks. Nonetheless, the Air Force still consequently prioritizes the F-16 jet fighters. Ukrainian authorities are presently waiting for F-16 pilot training to be finished. They anticipate training on the Mirage fighter jets to need an additional six months. The protection of these Western jets during the ongoing Russian air raids, however, could provide a significant challenge. Created in France during the 1970s, the Mirage fighter jet served as the primary combat aircraft in the French army for approximately two decades.
06:05 Sumy Region Announces Evacuations of 8 Settlements
Due to persisting daily Russian attacks in Sumy, a border area in Northeast Ukraine, the administration in the region has decided to evacuate eight more communities. Following the 24-hour period, more than fifty explosions were reported in Sumy. These attacks from the beginning of the week led to the death of three people and left another three seriously injured. This raises the total number of civilians slain in this zone since the year's commencement to fifty. These fatalities were inflicted through artillery, mortars, and drones carrying suicide explosives.
05:40 Ukraine Acquires Air Defense System from French Manufacturer, Thales
The French arms corporation Thales has sold the Ukrainian Defense Ministry an additional air defense system. Thales had previously supplied Ukraine with an air defense system in 2023. This purchase comes when air defense is regarded a major issue in Ukraine, as there is an inadequate number of defensive weaponry to safeguard troops stationed at the front lines and significant cities in the country.
04:30 Germany Mulls Fourth Patriot Missile Delivery to Kiev
Bloomberg News has reported that Germany is examining whether to provide a fourth Patriot missile defense system to Kiev. This would mark the fourth Patriot system that Germany would donate to Ukraine. This occurrence coincides with loosened German guidelines for utilizing Patriots against Russian aircraft within Russian airspace. By equipping Ukraine with Patriots, it could theoretically shoot down aircraft from Russia that assault objectives in the Kharkiv region using rockets or glide bombs beyond Russian airspace.
03:45 Zelensky Challenges Putin's Legitimacy: "Only Ukrainians Can Bestow Legitimacy"
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has challenged Vladimir Putin's self-declared legitimacy as Russian President. While Putin maintains that Zelensky was unlawfully elected as Ukraine's leader, Zelensky declared that only Ukrainian citizens can recognize him as a legitimate figure. "The Ukrainian people are the only ones capable of conferring legitimacy upon President Zelensky. Our citizens have chosen their president, and I am grateful for their support. Our people are free," said Zelensky. "Quite simply, the legitimacy of Comrade Putin is acknowledged solely by Comrade Putin himself. Nobody else," he added.
02:20 Germany Focuses on Long-Term Aid for Ukraine Beyond Military Support
The goal of the forthcoming Ukraine Reconstruction Conference in Berlin is to provide Ukraine with a long-term perspective beyond military aid. The German government wants to demonstrate opportunities for civil society, the economy, and municipalities and regions, as claimed by a top German official. Additional topics will include reform, job creation, and networking. The conference, scheduled for Tuesday and Wednesday, is expected to host a high-ranking Ukrainian delegation in addition to Chancellor Scholz, several German ministers, and ministers. It's "not a donation conference, but a networking conference," the German government representative stated.
00:50 "Innocent Civilians Loss": Russia Claims 22 Civilians killed in Ukrainian Artillery Strike
As per the Russian military administration, twenty-two residents were killed by a Ukrainian artillery hit on the Russian-controlled village in the Kherson region. Vladimir Saldo, the appointed head of the region, reported on Telegram that a store, crowded with residents, was targeted. His post additionally mentioned fifteen corpses and wounded individuals. He labeled the Ukrainian attack as "a despicable murder." Images provided in the post are inconclusive in displaying the true extent of the damage. There is no independent verification of the incident.
French President Macron advocates for engaging in EU talks with Ukraine before month's end. Macron stated during a press conference with Ukrainian President Zelensky in Paris, "France stands behind Ukraine in all aspects - even at the European level, where we're trying hard to initiate genuine negotiations for membership by the end of the month." Zelensky concurred, disclosing that decisions pertaining to Ukraine's integration into the EU are nearly finalized. However, the EU Commission, while acknowledging that Ukraine and its neighbor Moldova have satisfied prerequisites, has faced deliberate slowing from Hungary, set to assume the EU presidency in July.
22:54 Zelenskyy's popularity continues its decline
After over two years of conflict, support for Ukrainian President Zelenskyyy has sunk to an all-time low - albeit, he retains the trust of more than 50% of the populace. The Institute of Sociology's survey showcases a decrease in Zelenskyyy's approval rating to less than 60% for the first time - a significant drop from his initial 90% approval in May 2022, shortly following the onset of the Russian offensive. His support has gradually decreased since the start of the war in Ukraine. Since martial law has been enforced, Zelenskyyy's term was set to cease in May. Nevertheless, there are no plans for elections presently, as approximately 20% of the nation is under Russian control, and millions of Ukrainians have relocated abroad due to the ongoing conflict.
22:04 US opting out of Macron's idea
The United States government expressed no intention to join Macron's proposal to dispatch military trainers to Ukraine. John Kirby, the National Security Council's communications director, expressed Biden's acceptance of Macron's stance during Biden's visit to France. Kirby reiterated that Biden had been steadfast in his refusal to deploy American soldiers to Ukraine since the conflict's commencement. "It's been the case thus far, and it will also be the case moving forward," Kirby affirmed. Biden entrusts Macron with the decision whether or not to divulge further details about the matter and the clarity required. Biden's sentiments since the start of the war in Ukraine include, "we're trying to avoid a third world war and are not seeking a conflict with Russia."
All prior developments can be found here.
Read also:
- The military operations in Ukraine continue with escalating tensions, as Volodymyr Selensky accuses Russia of cyberwar attacks on Ukraine's critical infrastructure.
- Amidst the ongoing Ukraine conflict, NATO allies are considering providing military support to Ukraine, in response to Russia's attack on Ukraine's energy infrastructure.
- The Russian military's offensive in Ukraine has resulted in heavy casualties, with reports indicating that 1,210 Russian soldiers have been killed or wounded since yesterday, according to Ukrainian military sources.
- In response to the increasing intensity of the Ukraine conflict, Western nations are stepping up their efforts to assist Ukraine, with France announcing its intention to donate Mirage fighter jets to help bolster Ukraine's defenses against Russia.
