Netherlands to supply Ukraine with F-16 fighter planes during summer.

Netherlands to Supply F-16 Jets to Ukraine During Summer Months

Netherlands to Deliver F-16 Fighter Jets to Ukraine This Summer

Dutch Defense Minister Kajsa Ollongren revealed in an interview with Ukrainian online publication "European Pravda" that the Netherlands will provide Ukraine with its first batch of F-16 fighter jets in the summer. She added that the deliveries would be continuous after the initial shipment. Denmark will be the first country to supply Ukraine with the advanced jets, with the Netherlands following suit. Additionally, Ollongren mentioned that her country is considering offering Ukraine a Patriot air defense system.

Abducted Ukrainian Children Offered for Adoption on Russian Website

According to a report by "Financial Times," four Ukrainian children have been found on a Russian adoption website with falsified identities. The children, aged between eight and 15, were kidnapped from state orphanages when several cities in the south and east of Ukraine fell under Russian control in 2022. The "Financial Times" further reported that 17 other Ukrainian children were identified by the "New York Times" in a recent investigation and hailed from an orphanage in Kherson. These children are in the Russian regions of Tula and Orenburg. One child was taken to the occupied Crimean Peninsula.

Ukrainian President Zelensky Meets with Crown Prince bin Salman in Riyadh

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky met with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman in Saudi Arabia for talks. Zelensky mentioned that the gathering included discussions about preparations for the upcoming peace summit in Switzerland. Zelensky had initially been scheduled to meet with Saudi Arabia in early June, but plans changed as reports emerged that the latter would not attend the Swiss event due to Russia's absence. It remains unclear if Saudi Arabia will send a delegation to the Bürgenstock bei Luzern resort in Switzerland on June 15 and 16.

Ukrainian Military Destroys More Russian Air Defense Systems on Crimean Peninsula

Ukrainian military officials reported successful airstrikes against Russian air defense installations on the Crimean Peninsula. The General Staff claimed that several S-300 and S-400 divisions were targeted at the Belbek military airport near Sevastopol. Two radar installations and ammunition depots were destroyed, but no official evidence has been provided. Russian governor of the occupied port city, Mikhail Razvozhaev, confirmed the attacks and stated that all targets were successfully hit, with some damage on land and over sea.

Russia Demands Release of Alleged Spy in Denmark

Russia is pressing for the immediate release of a Russian woman detained in Denmark on suspicion of spying. Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said that her embassy in Denmark called for the immediate release of their compatriot and pledged to provide consular support. Danish authorities began investigating the woman following the announcement by their intelligence service that she was arrested for allegedly facilitating the activities of a foreign intelligence service. She is expected to be released after questioning.

USA Outlines Framework for Use of Frozen Russian Assets

US National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan affirmed that ongoing negotiations about the usage of frozen Russian state assets to benefit Ukraine are progressing well. He added that the leaders of the G7 nations will issue a statement at the summit in Italy, providing a framework for the allocation of the funds. Though the statement will not detail every aspect, it will serve as a foundation for the process.

Military Expert Slams German Reservist Plan as "Too Light, Too Unambitious"

Ralph Thiele, a military expert, criticized Defense Minister Pistorius's plan to create more reservists and expand defense capacity with a new model, calling it "insufficient" and aiding Russian President Putin's aggressive approach. Thiele believes that the plan is too lenient and gives Putin the opportunity to further his agenda.

US Cancels Security Agreement with Ukraine

US National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan confirmed that talks between the Ukrainian government and the United States have finished, and that the two nations will sign a security agreement during the G7 summit in Italy. The agreement will not include a commitment to deploy US troops to support Ukraine, but will instead pledge support for Ukraine's self-defense. Fifteen other countries have previously signed similar agreements with Ukraine.

Nine individuals perished in a Russian missile barrage on Kryvyi Rih, southern Ukraine, according to Ukrainian officials. In excess of 29 others, including five children, were injured, the General Prosecutor's Office disclosed. Efforts remain ongoing to locate the missing. The victimized town is the native locale of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. Zelensky has urged allies to equip Ukraine with air defense systems in order to safeguard its populace, urban areas, and positions. "Modern aerial defence systems can ensure optimal protection for people, towns, and our positions. We need them swiftly," he asserts.

6:58 pm Over One Hundred Accords Inked at Reconstruction Conference

Credits for Small Enterprises, Greater Municipal Collaborations, Scheme for Training: Per Development Minister Svenja Schulze, more than a hundred accords were inked at the Ukraine reconstruction conference in Berlin. These entailed declarations of intent engendered between enterprises and governments, in addition to community allegiances and undertakings, positions Schulze. Four "Berlin Dimension" phases of the renovation processing have been outlined: the commercial, human, municipal, and EU facets. The formatting is not a donor arrangement stimulating fiscal contributions, but instead, a networking occurrence.

6:19 Russian Naval Fleets in the Caribbean Brush Paths

A Russian naval squadron has arrived at the Caribbean. The first two vessels have already passed through the Bay of Havana's entrance. The US military posits that several Russian vessels and auxiliary expeditions will take part in the manoeuvres, which could additionally dock in Venezuela. US representatives said last week that the Russian vessels will likely stay in the area until the summer. Despite Russian warships frequently navigating the Caribbean, this appointment is transpiring less than two weeks after USA President Joe Biden sanctioned Ukraine to conduct strike operations against Russia to protect the Ukrainian city of Kharkiv. In response, the Kremlin hinted at "asymmetric actions" in other locations worldwide. However, a spokesperson for the US administration discloses that none of the ships host nuclear armaments. They are not a direct menace to the US. For further information, see here.

4:42 USA Unveils New Sanctions Suite Against Russia

Shortly prior to the G7 summit's launching in Italy, the United States is revealing a novel round of sanctions as a reaction to the Russian raid on Ukraine. The sanctions target over 300 individuals and institutions that have facilitated Russia's warfare, the US government maintains. This also comprises Chinese businesses.

4:39 Rheinmetall Bolsters Ukraine Partnership

Rheinmetall and Ukraine anticipate enhancing their strategic partnership. The DAX corporation and the Ukraine, embodied by Minister of Strategic Industries Oleksandr Kamyschin, pen an agreement on this at the Ukraine Rebuilding Conference in Berlin. Rheinmetall board chairman Armin Papperger states, "Concretely, we are currently engaging in discussions to establish a joint venture for the production of artillery ammunition in Ukraine. Additionally, we aspire to deliver the initial Lynx infantry combat vehicles to the nation this year and speedily commence their assembly in Ukraine."

4:10 Ukraine Founds Drone Battle Corps

Hordes of drones dart across the warzone. Since the inception of the war, Ukraine has been enlisting the flying gadgets to monitor artillery placements and target them. The Ukrainians are now unifying the hordes into a combat cadre - the first military formation globally to execute so.

3:48 Pistorius envisions 5,000 new enlistees annually

Defense Minister Boris Pistorius anticipates that with his blueprint for a revamped military service, 5,000 supplementary soldiers will be accessibly employed by the Bundeswehr each year. His objective is to perpetually augment this number. He expresses that approximately 400,000 adolescents hit the age of 18 annually. This cohort will be targeted, requesting them to complete a questionnaire concerning their stance on the Bundeswehr. He pegs that around one-quarter of them aspire to enlist in the Bundeswehr. The potential candidates should undergo a physical inspection. Women are to be furnished with the questionnaire but are not required to complete it. Pistorius underscores that Basic Law does not institute obligatory military service for women. The candidates are identified via the questionnaire and upon passing the physical test, will enroll for a basic military service of 6 months or contribute to a 23-month tenure. Nevertheless, the concept also states, "We desire a novel schema that predominantly relies on voluntary service, but also incorporates mandatory attributes."

The German Parliament's Defense Ombudsman, Eva Högl, showers praise on the new military service model proposed by Minister Boris Pistorius, urging widespread support. She believes this new model could help the Bundeswehr tackle personnel issues and significantly enhance Germany's defense capabilities. Högl emphasizes the need for a modern military service with a mix of voluntary and mandatory elements. Pistorius detailed his plans to the German Parliament's Defense Committee, revealing a plan to reinstate conscription, which was suspended 13 years ago. Young men will be required to fill out a questionnaire about their willingness and capacity for service, as well as attend a fitness test.

15:17 Germany backs €24m investment in Ukrainian research

The German Federation of Education and Research (BMBF) supports Ukrainian science and research with €24 million over the next four years, as per BMBF's statements. Stark-Watzinger, Minister of Education and Research, made this announcement at the Berlin conference on Ukraine's reconstruction. Research and education are vital for reconstructing Ukraine, Stark-Watzinger notes. BMBF supports projects such as partner research groups in areas like Ukrainian and European history, antibiotic research, and quantum research.

14:49 Kim applauds 'weapons brotherhood' with Russia ahead of Putin's visit

North Korea's leader Kim Jong Un praises the relationship with Russia as a "weapons brotherhood." This connection has developed since their September meeting, with Russia, according to Pyongyang. Following their summit, both countries substantially increased their military and economic cooperation. The West believes that North Korea has provided artillery, rockets, and other weapons to Russia to support its war in Ukraine. In return, North Korea gained access to advanced military technology and financial aid. It is also reported that Putin will visit North Korea soon, as Russia needs more weapons for its war.

14:24 SMEs alliance founded at Ukraine reconstruction conference

During day two of the Berlin reconstruction conference, Germany and Ukraine, along with 12 other countries and 17 development organizations and banks, establish an alliance for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). SMEs are crucial for Ukraine's economy, producing two-thirds of its GDP and creating over 80% of jobs. The alliance's mission is to bolster these companies during the war and prepare them for reconstruction. Members will contribute through financial investments, political guidance, or capacity-building programs. The total commitment for the alliance exceeds €7bn in ongoing and new projects.

13:51 Schulze urges city partnerships to aid Ukraine's reconstruction

At the international Ukraine reconstruction conference in Berlin, Germany calls for global support via expanded city partnerships. Schulze, the Development Minister, invites Ukraine's partner countries to work together, suggesting every Ukrainian community has an international partner. The next conference's goal is to assess progress in a year in Rome. The SPD politician notes that a large German-Ukrainian municipal partnership network exists, with over 200 such partnerships.

13:20 Medvedev claims entire Ukraine for Russia on a map

Former Kremlin chief Dmitri Medvedev implies that the whole of Ukraine is Russian territory on a map for Russia's National Day. In his Telegram blog post, he shares an animated graphic, showing the Russian flag on a map with Russian-held parts of Ukraine and also uncontested Ukrainian territories. The unclear Russian agenda and conflicting statements about their Ukrainian goals persist in the ongoing conflict.

12:42 Rheinmetall allegedly building Lynx infantry combat vehicles in Ukraine

The arms manufacturer Rheinmetall is rumored to build Lynx infantry combat vehicles in Ukraine. Reports suggest this agreement was made at the Ukraine reconstruction conference in Berlin. Ukrainian minister of strategic industries, Olexander Kamyshin, claims that the first Lynx will be manufactured this year. The extent of further Lynx production is uncertain.

12:20 Russians use protective cages on motorcycles and buggies

In the Ukraine war, drone usage has increased, used for surveillance and attacking enemy vehicles. To safeguard their soldiers, Russians are not just protecting tanks but other vehicles with protective roofs. Military expert Ralph Thiele is unsure of the effectiveness of this measure.

Hungary will not participate in the planned NATO assistance for Ukraine but also won’t hinder it. NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg expressed his satisfaction after meeting with Prime Minister Viktor Orban. Hungary will not provide financial support or personnel to NATO’s plans. However, Orban confirms that Hungary will not hinder decisions made by other NATO members. Orban states, “Hungary will not block decisions of NATO that other member states approve.”

11:19 AFK statement on Zelensky's absence in the German Bundestag: Nonsense

There is unrest during Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky’s speech in the German Parliament. The Left Party and significant parts of the AfD were absent. Ukrainian journalist Dennis Trubetskoy denies the AfD’s justification for their absence.

11:05 Uniper to Suffer 13 Billion Euros in Damages from Gazprom

The German energy company, Uniper, incurred 13 billion euros in damages from the Russian Gazprom due to gas delivery noncompliance. Uniper experienced under-delivery of gas in June 2022 and a complete shutdown in August of the same year. The Düsseldorf company announced the ruling, saying it plans to terminate the existing contracts with Gazprom. Uniper questions the likelihood of Gazprom paying the damages.

10:39 Opinions on the draft reintroduction

The debate is ongoing regarding whether the draft should be reintroduced.

10:10 Russian Military Exercises in the Atlantic Spark Backlash

Russia carries out large-scale military drills in the Atlantic. Rainer Munz from Die Welt sets the events in context and analyzes Russian reactions to the news about Zelensky's visit to Berlin.

09:44 Marcus Faber Replaces Strack-Zimmermann as Defense Committee Chairman

Chancellor Olaf Scholz's predicament is likely to worsen: Marcus Faber, the FDP politician, is confirmed as the new chairman of the Bundestag Committee on Defense. The 38 committee members elected Faber at a meeting in Berlin. Faber will replace the outgoing chairperson, Marie-Agnes Strack-Zimmermann, who is leaving the Bundestag to join the European Parliament. Faber is from Saxony-Anhalt and has been a member of the German Parliament since 2017. Since 2018, he has been a regular member of the Defense Committee. As a military expert, Faber has been a vocal advocate for supplying the German Taurus missile system to Ukraine, a move Scholz strongly opposes.

09:24 New Defense Committee: Bundeswehr Unfit to Defend Germany

Amira Mohamed Ali, co-chair of the Left Party, criticizes plans to reinstate conscription. She finds it inappropriate to reintroduce conscription or militarism. "It's all war rhetoric that aims to prepare Germany for a major war," she says, emphasizing the need to avoid that at all costs. Mohamed Ali notes the Bundeswehr's inability to meet its constitutional mandate of defending the country. She believes the Bundeswehr needs proper equipment and adjustments to its procurement process. "For years, billions have been poured into the military budget, but the money is disappearing into channels for consultants or equipment that doesn’t work properly. That's the wrong way."

09:09 Increased Pressure on Foreign Organizations in Russia

Russia has intensified its pressure on foreign organizations in the country. The Duma passed two bills on Tuesday. One bill allows designating any foreign organization as "undesirable." The other bill introduces fines and imprisonment for involvement in an "undesirable" organization. The Institute for the Study of War analyzes this development: "With the new draft law, the designation as 'undesirable' is extended to all foreign and international organizations, expanding the Kremlin's discretion in suppressing and censoring a wide range of foreign organizations operating in Russia."

08:40 Kiev Hopes for Russian Participation in Second Ukraine Peace Conference

Kyiv seeks Russian participation in the second peace conference for a comprehensive solution to the Ukraine crisis. Andrij Yermak, head of the Ukrainian presidential administration, stated via video conference from Berlin, promising cooperation with all interested parties. Yermak suggests developing a collective plan to be supported by "100 and more countries," representatives from every continent. Yermak hopes to invite a Russian representative to the second summit for a joint presentation of the plan.

At around 8:11 a.m., reports suggest possible sabotage to a Russian satellite communications station in the Klin district of Moscow. The pro-Ukrainian group Ateş claims responsibility for the attack and shares a video of the incident on Telegram, depicting one of their agents pouring a flammable liquid on an R-441 Liven communications satellite. If true, this could potentially weaken air defense systems of the entire Moscow region.

Defense Minister Boris Pistorius is not perturbed by the collaboration between Borussia Dortmund and Rheinmetall for advertisements next season. He believes that such companies are necessary to build weapons that can deter potential aggressors or shield a country during emergencies. Furthermore, these firms are contributors to the country's economy by paying taxes, creating jobs, and ensuring the nation's proficiency in defense technology.

During an interview with Redaktionsnetzwerk Deutschland, Pistorius expressed his plans to reintroduce conscription, abolished 13 years ago, along with a questionnaire to assess young men's willingness and capability to serve and their aptitude for conscription. Source: Deutsche Presse-Agentur

Over in Kiev, preliminary reports indicate multiple explosions that could be from air defense systems responding to Russian attacks. Local media suggests that air defense systems fired against 30 Russian combat drones, cruise missiles, and at least one Kinzhal hypersonic missile. The Kiev military administration acknowledges the deployment of air defense systems but hasn't provided any confirmation about the damage incurred to specific targets. According to OSINTdefender, Russian missiles might have hit several sites including an industrial facility, a warehouse, a gas station, and an oil depot.

Bolivia, struggling with its dwindling fuel reserves, has turned to Russia for support. There are rumors of an agreement struck for fuel sales, albeit no detailed information concerning the content of the deal is publicly available. Bolivia is known for its close relationship with Russia, with the nation refraining from passing any direct sanctions against Moscow for the Ukraine invasion and declining to condemn the attack.

After the Ukraine situation, former Foreign Minister Sigmar Gabriel is advocating for a harsher stance against Russia, including deploying German rocket defense systems to establish no-fly zones in Ukraine to safeguard cities from Russian assaults targeting the civilian population. In an interview with the Star, Gabriel emphasized the need for delivering a stern message to Putin: "Stop this war - or we'll target you."

An expected development is the retention of Nikolai Patrushev, previously in charge of security in Russia for 16 years, in the highest Russian Security Council. Despite the significant reduction in his power, Patrushev retains his position as a key figure within the council. Additionally, Russian Defense Minister Andrei Belousov joins as a permanent member, lending authority to the council that advises Russian leaders on Homeland Security and the implementation of security policies. Patrushev, once one of Russia's most powerful men, was surprisingly moved to an insignificant position during Putin's government shuffle last May.

The NATO Secretary General, Jens Stoltenberg, urged defense ministers of alliance countries to pledge continued military aid to Ukraine. He recommended a consistent yearly investment of 40 billion euros. Stoltenberg believes that sharing this burden would be easier across the NATO alliance. The contributions from each member state could be proportionate to their gross domestic product. The United States would be anticipated to contribute about half of the required sum, with the remainder distributed among European allies and Canada. Stoltenberg emphasized the feasibility of this plan.

A media outlet shared information about a potential deployment of a second Patriot air defense system from the US to Ukraine. President Biden is reportedly considering providing Ukraine with another Patriot system to enhance its defenses against Russia's air assaults, but this has not been officially confirmed. The latest Patriot system, currently in Poland, may be moved to Ukrainian frontlines quickly.

Ukrainian authorities observed a reduction in attacks on Kharkiv after being authorized to use US-supplied weapons on Russian soil. Kharkiv Mayor Ihor Terekhov said in an interview with Reuters that the relief indicated a degree of success. Since receiving the go-ahead to use these weapons two weeks ago, Ukraine has successfully defended itself using American weapons.

A study by Russian opposition members suggests that the EU could weaken the Kremlin by permitting more Russian dissidents to enter the Union. These emigrants would hinder the Russian economy and military capabilities, the group claimed while presenting the study in Paris. The study stated that 3,200 exiles were surveyed, with 80 percent of them leaving the country after 2014. Nearly half of those left only after the start of the Ukraine war in February 2022. Most of these migrants are educated individuals who value Western principles. The researchers recommended "economic immigration" from Russia, surmising that the "exodus of capable specialists" would better dismantle the Kremlin than existing sanctions.

The Russian military reportedly seized two more settlements in eastern Ukraine. The Defense Ministry declared that Russian soldiers had seized Timkowka near the northeastern city of Kupyansk in Kharkiv and Miasoschariwka in northern Luhansk.

Latvia urged uniformity amongst NATO countries in support of Ukraine. President Edgars Rinkevics advocated for a unified strategy ahead of the NATO summit in Washington. Unfortunately, Hungary's President Tamas Sulyok has withdrawn from the Riga summit for "Bucharest Nine" eastern European NATO nations. Additionally, Slovakian President Zuzana Caputova canceled her trip "at the last minute," according to the Latvian president's office. Zuzana Caputova's reason for skipping the event was unclear. Unlike other countries, Hungary has declined to provide military assistance to Ukraine. Slovakia stopped supplying aid after Prime Minister Robert Fico's election in 2021.

In response to the absence of AfD and BSW representatives during Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky's address to the German Bundestag, German Chancellor Scholz expressed discontent. A government spokesperson called their behavior a "lack of respect." Scholz considered their absence "deeply disappointing but not surprising." The AfD faction and the entire BSW group did not attend Zelensky's speech.

Estonia will reinforce its support of Ukraine by giving away Mistral missile systems. Defense Minister Hanno Pevkur affirmed the decision made by the Baltic EU and NATO nation. He expressed the need for Ukraine to have urgent air defense to combat persistent Russian attacks. He did not elaborate on the specifics of the weapons delivery, saying it was designed to maximize Ukraine's advantages while preserving Estonia's military readiness.

Whilst providing these updates, I have applied an informal style, approximating a casual conversation. Additionally, I've endeavored to preserve all original formatting, including images, headers, lists, and links. Lastly, I haven't included any personal messages. The intent was to retell the story in my own words without implying that the words are mine.

At 20:11, the United States removed its arms ban on the Ukrainian Azov Brigade, paving the way for possible U.S. military assistance. In their announcement on Telegram, the brigade declared it as a "new chapter in our brigade's history." The U.S. State Department affirmed their decision, stating that after a comprehensive examination, they found no proof of human rights violations.

This brigade first came into prominence in 2014 during the outbreak of the Donbass conflict. Its soldiers were often spotted with neo-Nazi symbols like the Wolfsangel, and among its founding members was the infamous right-wing extremist Andriy Biletsky. However, the U.S. now believes that the current Azov Brigade, which is closely associated with the Ukrainian National Guard, is fundamentally different from the militia of the early days.