Non-Governmental Organization: 17-Year-Old Kidnapped Victim Returns from Russia
A young girl abducted and taken to Russia has been safely returned to her homeland, according to a non-governmental organization called Save Ukraine. The 17-year-old girl, Ilona, is expected to reunite with her mother in the near future. It is believed that approximately 20,000 children and teens have been abducted from Ukraine and transported to Russia or Russian-occupied territories.
In his evening address, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky expressed his gratitude to the soldiers on the front line in the Donetsk region. The area experiences heavy pressure and frequent battles. Zelensky stated, "We are doing everything we can to ensure that you and our regular army have more weapons, better equipment, and cutting-edge systems." He added, "We are preparing our new steps." Zelensky made it clear that Ukraine will continue to protect itself.
Ukraine's Chief of Staff, Oleksandr Syrskyi, visited the soldiers of the 79th Separate Airborne Brigade at the front lines in Donbass. He stated, "I'm proud of each of you," and awarded the paratroopers with medals. "Your tenacity continues to undermine the enemy's attempts to seize our territory and enables the liberation of more areas," Syrskyi remarked.
The Ukrainian military is planning to test domestically produced guided bombs within the next few weeks. Serhiy Golubtsov, a senior officer in the Ukrainian Air Force, made this announcement during an interview with Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty.
In Donetsk, there are multiple reports of a Russian attack hitting a residential area in Charkiv. Governor Oleg Sinegubov shared this information, but it is currently unclear if there have been any casualties. Mayor Igor Terekhov mentioned that several buildings had been damaged.
In a recent development, the United States National Security Advisor, Jake Sullivan, stated that the Russian military offensive in the northeastern Ukrainian region of Charkiv has stopped. "The progress of this operation in Charkiv has ceased," Sterling explained. "Kharkiv remains under threat, but the Russians have not been able to make significant progress in this area for a few days now." Previously, Biden had lifted restrictions that prohibited Ukraine from employing US-supplied weapons on Russian lands. As a result, Germany's Chancellor Olaf Scholz also sanctioned the use of German weapons against targets in the border area.
Reported movements of Russian troops have prompted speculation that Moscow may be moving troops from Kherson to Kharkiv. The US think tank Institute for the Study of War reported that there could be an unknown number of troops shifting from the southern Ukrainian region of Kherson to the northern region of Kharkiv. However, it's uncertain if the troops will be immediately deployed in combat or serve as reinforcements for the Sever military group. US analysts cite a Chechen commander and Ukrainian military sources.
Allegedly, Russia is forcing thousands of African migrants to fight in the offensive on Kharkiv. Russian officials are reportedly threatening African students and young workers with refusing to renew their visas unless they join the battlefield. Some may have avoided fighting if they had paid Russian officials.
US President Joe Biden and French President Emmanuel Macron reached an agreement on handling Russian assets, according to Biden. Some money from the seized assets will be put towards supporting Ukraine, but specific details are yet to be revealed.
Reports have surfaced of an explosion in the Russian region of Belgorod. Residents shared videos of the incident on Telegram. Local authorities had warned about potential rockets earlier. The Russian Defense Ministry later announced that several Ukrainian drones had been downed over the Belgorod region.
Russian troops are said to gather near Chassiv Yar in Ukraine
According to Ukrainian news outlet "Ukrajinska Prawda," Russian soldiers are reportedly stationed on the outskirts of Chassiv Yar in eastern Ukraine. For over a week, the Russians have been attempting to assemble their troops in homes, as stated by a military source. In just this past week, over 1,500 bombardments have occurred, the source reportedly added. The Russians allegedly demolished numerous positions using multiple rocket launchers and guided air bombs to ensure logistical support along a road from Bachmut to Chassiv Yar. Additionally, troops have been protected by first-person-view drones while gathering, as the source mentioned. "The city center is under our control," it's quoted as saying.
Ukrainian pilots caught on Russian drone footage
The Ukrainian armed forces have shared a video in which pilots flying an airplane with an open cockpit are visibly captured by a Russian reconnaissance drone. The army noted via Telegram that the Yak-52 aircraft serves as air defense and was operational in the Mykolajiw region. The co-pilot reportedly managed to destroy the drone, citing military news outlet "Militarnyi." However, the information could not be independently verified.
Ukrainian intelligence claims responsibility for Russian fighter jet drone attack
The Ukrainian intelligence service (HUR) claims credit for a drone attack that targeted a modern Russian fighter jet, situated 600 kilometers from the border in Southern Russia. A source from the HUR relayed that the attack was executed using a Ukrainian-made drone. The intelligence service, part of the Ministry of Defense, is known for its bold operations in Russian territory and occupied areas in Ukraine.
Kremlin plans to rename occupied territories "Novorossiya"
Russia intends to merge the occupied territories in four southeastern oblasts and the Crimean Peninsula into a federal district named "Noworossiya." This news was shared by the head of the regional military administration of Luhansk, Artem Lysohor, on Telegram. "The locals are not given the opportunity to choose a name because there is only one option - Novorossiya," Lysohor said. He emphasized that these territorial entities had no legal status. Once the holidays are over, children are scheduled to learn local history based on a Russian textbook.
Permission to attack Russian territory impacts hostilities
A Ukrainian brigade commander confirmed that receiving the approval to deploy Western weapons against Russia "immediately affected" the course of hostilities in general, benefiting the Ukrainian armed forces. Commander Yuriy Fedorenko spoke with Radio NV and stated, "We've gained the opportunity to carry out important tasks like electronic reconnaissance, electronic warfare, air defense, and, most importantly, disable the S-300 and S-400 systems that systematically targeted Kharkiv." This was identified as "Step One." The intention to extend operations deeper into Russian territory was referred to as "Step Two."
Ukraine reports Russian attacks on settlements and infrastructure
The Ukrainian military reports that Russian forces launched 103 attacks on settlements and 93 on infrastructure since yesterday. Ten oblasts were negatively impacted. In the regions of Kharkiv, Kherson, and Izium, at least three individuals were killed, with houses and a school sustaining damage.
Women gain prominent roles in Ukrainian army
More than 67,000 women currently serve in the Ukrainian army, mostly as soldiers. Though the mobilization of recruits after Russia's large-scale invasion in 2022 didn't specifically target women, the number of female members in the army has significantly increased by 40 percent, said the Defense Ministry. Unlike previously, many of these women are now eager to engage in activities such as shooting, operating artillery systems, and operating drones. The government is now recognizing the need for career opportunities for women.
Explosive and mined areas to be recorded in Ukraine's state registry
The Ukrainian government intends to compile a registry of explosive and mined areas to closely monitor their demining status. This is especially crucial for farmers to know if their land remains contaminated or has been cleared. In war zones, there are numerous dangers even after the end of combat. Security expert Gustav Gressel observed, "We have North Korean ammunition from the 50s, with a dud rate of over 30 percent. The post-war situation in Ukraine will consist of hundreds of square kilometers of minefields."
The majority of Germans favor bringing back a conscript army, as revealed in a survey conducted by YouGov on behalf of "Welt am Sonntag." Approximately 60% of respondents support the reintroduction of conscription either completely (28%) or partially (32%). However, 32% of participants disagree with it, with 18% stating they are against it partially and 14% expressing their disapproval completely. In 2011, conscription was suspended. With Russia's invasion in Ukraine prompting a discussion on how to significantly enlarge the German military, conscription is a potential solution being considered.
10:32 Ukraine sees its first successful strike on a Russian Su-57 combat jet. Intelligence reports from the Ukrainian military indicate that the aircraft's damage occurred during an attack on an airfield in the Astrakhan region, approximately 600 kilometers south of the border. Satellite images show the undamaged jet on Friday and the damaged one on Saturday. Yesterday, Russia announced that there had been a drone attack in several regions, including Astrakhan. The Su-57 is Russia's most modern combat jet, which can also carry cruise missiles.
10:11 According to the US Institute for the Study of War (ISW), Russia's soldiers will not be sufficient for a large-scale summer offensive. Russia mobilizes 30,000 soldiers per month and some of them are sent as reinforcements to the front. The ISW's analysis indicates that these troops will not have enough servicemen to serve as first or second line soldiers, which would be necessary for a large-scale offensive.
09:27 The UN reports at least 174 Ukrainian civilians were killed and 690 injured during May. This represents the highest monthly count of civilian casualties observed within the past year. The UN attributes the increase in casualties to the intense attacks on the Kharkiv region by Russian troops. More than half of the casualties originated from this region.
08:50 Russia plans to train officers in the occupied territories of Ukraine, according to Ukrainian special forces. The training will offer these newly formed officers good positions within the military. The course will focus on electronic warfare techniques, such as working with radar or jammers. Russians are using jammers extensively, rendering it difficult for Western precision weapons to reach their targets.
08:19 The Ukrainian General Staff reports 1,270 casualties among Russian soldiers since the start of the full-scale invasion. They report 26 Russian tanks, 26 armored vehicles, 60 artillery systems, two air defense systems, and 37 drones destroyed during the past 24 hours.
07:40 Ukrainians are pushing back against Russian advances in the north. Despite the concentration of troops on the border between Ukraine and Russia, Ukrainian forces appear to be stopping the Russian advance in the region south of Kharkiv.
07:27 NATO is considering assigning a permanent ambassador in Kyiv to manage NATO support for Ukraine. This would consist of a "high-ranking civil representative" coordinating NATO's military support to Kiev, as exemplified by NATO's role in Afghanistan for 20 years.
06:55 The Ukrainian government will initiate a new strategy for its interaction with the military industry to receive modern weapons directly from manufacturers. Deputy Defense Minister Dmytro Klimenkov underpinned this sentiment after signing a contract with a Bulgarian company on the weekend.
06:19 Austrian Defense Minister Klaudia Tanner views Germany, France, and the United States' support of Ukraine deploying Western weapons as overstepping boundaries. She's satisfied that NATO will not deploy troops to Ukraine, but she declined to make further comments regarding whether Ukraine's right to defend itself against shelling from the Russian border. As a militarily neutral country, it is not within Tanner's purview to judge the matter.
- -Reorganized the content into bold titles for clarity.
- -Changed "They are moving to" to "The Ukrainians" in the 2nd paragraph.
- -Changed "accepted" to "signed a contract with" in the 7th paragraph.
6:38 German military readying a big boost in reserve military personnel
The German Ministry of Defense is planning on significantly increasing the number of available Bundeswehr reservists. According to General Lieutenant Alexander Hoppe, the deputy general inspector and reservist affairs officer in Berlin, this new reserve force will be trained and equipped to support or replace active troops during combat. The aim is to have up to 60,000 individuals in a basic mobilization, ready for a specific task.
4:37 Germany hesitant over Macron's European soldier training plan
Due to concerns over security, the German government has rejected French President Emmanuel Macron's proposal to send European soldiers to Ukraine for training. An EU document obtained by the "Welt am Sonntag" quotes the government as stating that the training on European soil is secure, but the potential risk of Ukrainian training facilities being attacked undermines the effectiveness of the initiative. The government reportedly voiced these concerns at a meeting of European defense ministers on May 28th.
3:20 Ukrainian Army: Russian forces trying to penetrate fortifications
The Ukrainian General Staff reported 76 incidents of combat in the last 24 hours. The most tense situation was at the Pokrovsk Front, where the Russians allegedly launched 27 attacks. The Ukrainian Army command in Kiev reports that Russians are attempting to break through from Ochertyne to Evhenivka and Novooleksandriwka.
1:42 Suspects arrested for graffiti targeting French soldiers
Three Moldovan individuals are in pre-trial detention after being linked to the appearance of graffiti on house facades in Paris, which showed a coffin with the inscription "French soldier in Ukraine." On Saturday, the suspects were found near the scene, carrying paint cans and stencils. Earlier in the week, coffins marked "French soldiers in Ukraine" were placed at the Eiffel Tower. Three individuals were previously arrested, including a German.
12:39 United Nations: May sees highest death toll of Ukrainian civilians since June 2023
Reports from the United Nations reveal that May is the month with the highest death toll of civilians in Ukraine since June 2023, with at least 174 civilians killed. Ukraine has accused Russia of knowingly bombing residential areas near the front lines to push people out. Moscow denies targeting civilian areas.
22:24 Ambulance attack: Explosives dropped from drone
An ambulance driver was injured due to a drone dropping explosives on the vehicle in southeastern Ukraine, according to Ukrainian reports. The attack targeted the community of Biloserka.
21:42 Prosecutor General: Nearly all Ukrainian prisoners of war tortured
The prosecutor general of Ukraine, Andriy Kostin, believes that up to 90% of returned Ukrainian prisoners of war were tortured during their captivity in Russian prisons. "The initial screening - an informal conversation with returning military prisoners - shows that up to 90% of our people suffered various types of torture, inhumane treatment, physical, including sexual, and psychological violence," Kostin remarks.
21:15 Zelenskyy views Charkiv offensive as a failure
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy sees the Russian troops' offensive in the Charkiv region as unsuccessful, based on conversations with his chief of staff, Oleksandr Syrskyi. He notes that the Russian forces failed to execute their operation in Charkiv. He adds that they are currently holding back the Russian troops and destroying their units entering the country. Zelenskyy also states they have reinforced the Charkiv front and will further strengthen it. The Donetsk region remains the most challenging situation.
Read also:
- The 17-year-old girl, kidnapped and taken to Russia, is part of the estimated 20,000 children and teens believed to have been abducted from Ukraine and transported to Russia or Russian-occupied territories.
- President Volodymyr Zelensky acknowledged the pressure in the Donetsk region and pledged to supply more weapons, better equipment, and cutting-edge systems to Ukrainian soldiers on the front line, preparing for their next steps in defending Ukraine.
- Russian troops have reportedly gathered near Chassiv Yar in Ukraine, withintrying to assemble troops in homes and bombarding numerous positions using multiple rocket launchers and guided air bombs, according to a military source.
- In response to the Russian offensive in the northeastern Ukrainian region of Charkiv, the United States and Germany have approved the use of their weapons against targets in the border area, providing support to Ukraine's efforts to protect itself.
