Pawlak: "Russia's strategies for the Baltic Sea mimic those of the Second World War"
The widening front line between Ukraine and Russia presents a significant challenge, as stated by Julian Pawlak from a German military research institution. Russian strategies pertaining to the Baltic Sea emphasize the need to reinforce NATO borders.
Rheinmetall, a German company located in Dusseldorf, has received a substantial order. They'll produce gun barrels for the Panzerhaubitze 2000, which will be sold to a European customer. Rheinmetall plans on delivering these barrels from 2024 to 2029 and the value of this deal is estimated to be in the lower triple-digit million euro range.
The German government continues to oppose the establishment of a NATO defense shield against air raids from Russia that may target western Ukraine, posing a threat to NATO territory. Spokesman Steffen Hebestreit states, "This would be considered direct involvement in the conflict, and that's something we shouldn't aim for." He also mentions comments by Defense Minister Boris Pistorius and NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg. Calls for establishing a defense shield have become more frequent in both international and domestic circles.
NATO encourages its member states to grant Ukraine permission to use western weapons against Russian military targets. The Parliamentary Assembly of NATO (PV) proposed a resolution in support of this measure during their latest session in Bulgaria with the slogan "Stand with Ukraine until triumph". Jens Stoltenberg requests some restrictions on the utilization of these weapons to be lifted.
Russia sees nations like Sweden's authorization to use their weapons for attacks on its land as an alarming development. Munz, a journalist from NTV, claims Russian media have been focusing on the Western countries' positions. However, Russian Foreign Minister Lavrov implies that Russia is already being assaulted by Western weaponry.
Ukraine's intelligence service claims that it employed a drone to target a radar facility in the Russian mainland approximately 1,500 kilometers in the rear. An employee of the Ukrainian security service divulges this information. The facility is a "Woronesh M" early warning radar near the city of Orsk on the border with Kazakhstan, which can detect aircraft or rockets at extended distances. No details about damage to the radar caused by the drone attack on the previous day are shared.
Poland is orchestrating a billion-dollar project to protect its eastern border and safeguard NATO's eastern frontier. Defense Minister Wladyslaw Kosiniak-Kamysz discloses, "This is the most significant operation to secure the Polish eastern border and East NATO since World War II." This operation will involve fortifications, various obstructions, and modern air defense systems. The program encompasses investments of about 2.3 billion euros. Between 700 kilometers of border sections should be finished by 2028.
Kharkiv, a contentious city, is once more targeted by Russian forces. Glide bombs are dropped by the Russians on a hardware store with roughly 200 civilians present at the time. Videos released since reveal the inside devastation.
The shortage of weapons and ammunition is a pressing concern in Ukraine, as stated by Zelenskyy during a meeting with Spain. In the interim, Sweden has authorized the use of their weapons for strikes on Russian land. Ukraine fervently desires other countries to follow this example.
The EU has approved a framework for penalties against Russia as a response to the oppression of opposition forces. Several diplomats confirm this development.
The German government offers additional humanitarian assistance to people in Russian-occupied areas of eastern Ukraine, totaling 60 million euros. Anne Lambrecht, German Foreign Minister, emphasizes the necessity of aiding the people in these regions, which have been affected by Russian presence for over two and a half years. The German administration is attempting to deliver aid in collaboration with various global collaborators.
Lithuania accuses Hungary of systematically preventing aid for Ukraine in its struggle against Russian aggression.
Hungary is under fire from Lithuania for allegedly obstructing EU support for Ukraine in its battle against Russian aggression. Gabrielius Landsbergis, Lithuania's foreign minister, urges the EU to find a way to bypass this barricade as Hungary stands firm in its opposition to further European involvement in foreign policy. Annalena Baerbock, Germany's foreign minister, joins the plea, insisting that Hungary should step back from its blockade of additional military aid for Ukraine. Meanwhile, European Union foreign ministers convene in Brussels to discuss potential assistance for Ukraine. Dmytro Kuleba, Ukraine's foreign minister, appeals to allies for air defense systems and firearms.
9:40 Spain likely to supply Ukraine with Patriot missiles, 19 Leopard tanks, counter-drone defense equipment, and ammunition.
Spain may provide Ukraine with a dozen Patriot missiles, 19 Leopard tanks, counter-drone defense equipment, and ammunition as part of a $1.13 billion aid package announced last month. The military aid announcement will reportedly take place during a visit by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez and King Felipe in Madrid. However, a spokesperson for Sánchez declined to comment on the matter. Ukraine had recently obtained Leopard tanks from Germany.
9:09 A Ukrainian drone attack on a Russian gas station in the Orlov region kills one person and injures three more.
During a Ukrainian drone attack on a gas station in the Russian region of Orlov, one person died, while three others were injured. An administrative building was also damaged in the attack, approximately 160 kilometers behind the border with Ukraine. A second drone attack occurred as rescue teams arrived at the scene, which resulted in a firetruck driver being killed. The Russian Defense Ministry claims to have neutralized a dozen Ukrainian drones in the night, including six in the Orlov region.
8:35 Military expert Nico Lange identifies Russian cruise missile strikes on a printing house and a hardware store in Kharkiv as new war crimes.
Nico Lange, a military expert, identified the Russian cruise missile strikes on a printing house and a hardware store in Kharkiv as fresh war crimes, emphasizing that supporting Ukraine only encourages Russia to carry out more atrocities. He contends that deterring Russia is the key strategy rather than simply aiding Ukraine.
7:59 Lithuania's re-election of President Gitanas Nauseda elicits Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's congratulations.
Gitanas Nauseda's re-election as Lithuania's head of state is greeted fondly by Ukraine's Zelenskyy, who praised Nauseda's numerous efforts in support of Ukraine. The Ukrainian leader expressed his appreciation for Nauseda's sincere support and confidence in working together to achieve freedom, peace, and security in Ukraine and Europe.
7:19 Dmytro Kuleba contends that Russia sabotaged the peace process with hundreds of rounds of fruitless negotiations.
Kuleba, the Ukrainian foreign minister, argues that negotiation with Russia was unsuccessful due to their lack of good faith between 2014 and 2022. Kuleba views the looming peace summit in Switzerland as an essential opportunity for international cooperation. He implores the international community to assist in achieving true peace through united action.
6:36 Russian troops are allegedly assembling near the Ukrainian border, raising suspicions of offensive operations.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy alleges that Russian troops are amassing near the Ukrainian border, with the intention of drawing Ukrainian troops to their position and expanding Russian influence. The Institute for the Study of War (ISW) noted satellite images showing an expansion of activities on depots and storage facilities in settlements in the region throughout recent weeks. The scale of the Russian troop concentration remains unclear.
The impact of a Russian attack on a store in Kharkiv, resulting in numerous casualties, lingers on. Vitali Klitschko penned on X platform: "These Ukrainians lost their lives due to Russian bombs as we didn't have enough air defense. How long will nations with Patriot systems wait?" Simultaneously, he demands the ability to target locations within Russia with Western weapons. "Aircraft dropping bombs on our civilians take off from Russian airfields. We must wipe out these planes there."
5:16 Air alert in Southern Ukraine
In the southern area of Ukraine, yet another nighttime air alert is occurring. The Ukrainian army observes, among other items, a Russian stealth bomber Su-57 over the Black Sea and alerts concerning the launch of cruise missiles.
4:57 Zelensky: West should enable preemptive strikes against Russia
Ukrainian President Zelensky calls for the authorization to use Western weapons against Russian territory following deadly bombings on the Kharkiv border city. Several politicians and organizations from abroad have voiced their condolences and denounced Russia, Zelensky mentions in his video message. "Its crucial that this condemnation results in suitable repercussions." Ukraine requires not merely more air defense but also the authorization to fire their foreign weapons on Russian land. "We observe every Russian troop gathering. We understand all the regions from which Russian missiles and aircraft are launched," he says. It is a political choice to allow the preemptive obliteration of these forces before they attack Ukraine.
1:40 Four civilians killed by Russian shelling
As per Ukrainian prosecutor's office, three civilians were killed due to Russian artillery fire in the Donetsk region. Civilian casualties have been documented in Siversk in the Donetsk region's north and further south in Krasnohorivka and Chassiv Yar. The prosecutor's office in the Kharkiv region reports that a civilian was killed near the city of Chuhuiv.
12:47 Zelensky visits Spain
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky plans to visit Spain today. Zelensky will be greeted by Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez at noon, as per the Spanish government in Madrid. There will also be a press conference. Zelensky initially intended his visit to Spain for May 17th. Due to the situation in Kharkiv's region, the Ukrainian president canceled the trip abruptly.
23:18 Macron: "Peace is not compromise"
French President Emmanuel Macron cautioned against relinquishing support for Ukraine in its battle against Russia. "Today, adhering to peace signifies affirming the law. Peace is not capitulation. Peace is not abandoning ideologies," Macron remarked during his three-day state visit to Germany. "Peace entails giving a nation the ability to safeguard its borders and sovereignty," he added. Macron emphasized that France and Germany will reinforce this during the bilateral defense and security council meeting on Tuesday. They will underscore that they will help Ukraine "to the end" to resist, "to supply, train, and prepare for a sustainable peace - a peace that respects international law."
22:22 Medvedev threatens Poland with "radioactive ash"
Former Russian President Dmitry Medvedev menaced Poland with "radioactive ash" following remarks by Foreign Minister Radoslaw Sikorski regarding how the US might respond to a Russian nuclear strike on Ukraine. The vice-chairman of the Russian Security Council noted on his Telegram channel: "If the Americans target our assets, it will signify a world war, and a foreign minister, even of a nation like Poland, should comprehend this." Warsaw will not escape and will indeed receive "radioactive ash." Is that what you want?", Medvedev continued.
10:00PM: Zelenskyy Speaks with Central Asian Media for the First Time
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has given his first interview to Central Asian media, mainly journalists from Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, and Kyrgyzstan. The interview was broadcast by the Kazakh media outlet "Orda" on the YouTube platform. Concerning the potential for a truce with Russia, Zelenskyy says no potential for an accord exists.
9:40 PM: Putin Arrives in Uzbekistan for a State Visit
Russian President Vladimir Putin has arrived in Uzbekistan for a state visit. This was reported by Russian state media. Shavkat Mirziyoyev welcomed Putin at the airport in the Uzbek capital Tashkent. Since 2016, Mirziyoyev has been president of the Central Asian state with 37 million residents. Putin and Mirziyoyev will discuss the ongoing development of Russian-Uzbek relations and current issues in the area during the two-day trip. The Kremlin disclosed that a "comprehensive package of bilateral documents" would be signed after the visit.
The Ukrainian military reported 83 instances of clashes with Russian forces yesterday. The Russian troops are said to be putting in their best efforts to penetrate the Ukrainian defense barriers. According to the General Staff, Ukrainian soldiers are taking steps to maintain their positions and eliminate the enemy's offensive capability. Things remain unchanged in the direction of Kharkiv, but the Russian fighters continue assaults around Vovchansk and the village of Lyptsi.
Currently, there's a crowd of about 150 people demonstrating in front of the United States Embassy in Kiev. They're demanding the removal of the restriction on not engaging Russian territory with Western weaponry, as per NTV journalist Stephan Richter.
Meanwhile, in Georgia, thousands of demonstrators partook in a "Freedom March" through Tbilisi on May 26, which marked the country's Independence Day. Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (RFE/RL) documented the event. The protesters flaunted the Georgian and European Union flags, while chanting slogans against "foreign influence" legislation. They also switched on their mobile phones' flashlights and shouted expressions like, "No to the Russian law!" and "No to the Russian rule!" Earlier, during the oath-taking ceremony for new recruits at Freedom Square in Tbilisi, Georgian President Salome Zurabishvili spoke of the "shadow of Russia looming over Georgia."
(For more details about earlier events, click here.)
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- The conflict in Ukraine has led to concerns about cyberwar, with NATO urging its members to strengthen their cyberdefenses against potential Russian attacks.
- During a meeting with Volodymyr Selensky, the President of Ukraine, Spain discussed the possibility of providing Ukraine with Patriot missiles and Leopard tanks, as well as counter-drone defense equipment.
- Russian officials have criticized Western countries for providing weapons to Ukraine, accusing them of escalating the conflict and violating international law.
- In response to the conflict, Russia has reinforced its military presence along the Ukrainian border, raising concerns that it may be preparing for a wider armed conflict.
Source: www.ntv.de
