Macron states, "Peace isn't about submission."

Peace does not equate to surrender, claims Macron.

French President Emmanuel Macron has cautioned against giving up support for Ukraine in its struggle against Russia. During his three-day state visit to Germany, Macron stated, "Standing on the side of peace today means upholding the law. Peace is not capitulation. Peace is not relinquishing principles." He continued, "Peace means giving a country the power to defend its borders and sovereignty." Both France and Germany will emphasize this at their bilateral Defense and Security Council meeting on Tuesday. They plan to help Ukraine "to the end" in resisting, "to exhaust, to accompany, to train, and prepare for all scenarios to establish a lasting peace, a peace that respects international law."

Medvedev Threatens Poland with "Radioactive Ash"

Former Russian President Dmitri Medvedev has threatened Poland with "radioactive ash" in response to a statement by Foreign Minister Radoslaw Sikorski about the potential repercussions of a Russian nuclear strike on Ukraine. Medvedev wrote, "If the Americans strike our targets, that means a world war, and a foreign minister, even of a country like Poland, should realize this." He added, "Warsaw will not be spared and will indeed receive its fair share of radioactive ash. Is that what you desire?"

Zelensky Speaks to Central Asian Media for the First Time

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has granted his first interview to Central Asian media, specifically journalists from Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, and Kyrgyzstan. The interview was published by the Kazakh media platform "Orda" as a video on YouTube. Zelensky stated that he saw no possibility for an agreement regarding a ceasefire with Russia.

Putin Arrives for a State Visit in Uzbekistan

Russian President Vladimir Putin has arrived in Uzbekistan on a state visit. Official Russian media reported the event. Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev welcomed Putin at the Tashkent airport. Since 2016, Mirziyoyev has been the President of the Central Asian state with 37 million inhabitants. Putin and Mirziyoyev are set to discuss the progression of Russian-Uzbek relations and regional issues during their two-day visit. The Kremlin mentioned that they intend to sign a "comprehensive package of bilateral documents" after the visit.

Ukrainian General Staff: Russians Make "Maximum Effort" But No Major Advancements

The Ukrainian General Staff reported 83 battles with Russian forces on Sunday. They are now exerting "maximum effort" to break through Ukrainian defense lines. "The Ukrainian troops are taking measures to maintain their positions and destroy the offensive potential of the enemy," the General Staff mentioned on social media. "There are no significant changes in Kharkiv's direction, but the Russian forces will continue to conduct offensives near Vovchansk and the village of Lyptsi."

Ukrainians Protest in Kiev Outside the US Embassy

The restriction on attacking Russian territory with Western weapons has left many people in Ukraine perplexed. Over 150 individuals are demonstrating in front of the U.S. Embassy in Kiev, demanding the lifting of this constraint.

Georgian Independence Day: Protest March Through Tbilisi

On May 26, Georgia celebrated Georgian Independence Day with a "Freedom March" through the capital Tbilisi. Netherlands' Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (RFE/RL) reported on this. The protesters carried Georgian and European Union flags and chanted slogans such as "No to Russian influence" and "No to the Russian regime!" The event took place near Freedom Square, where Georgian President Salome Zurabishvili had previously spoken about the "shadow of Russia looming over Georgia."

Military Expert: Ukraine Is Essentially Assembling Its Own Weapons

Ukraine is fighting with the first deliveries of U.S. weapons against Russia on its own land. Military expert Ralph Thiele explains, "Ukraine must consider those who supply it with weapons." In this scenario, the United States sets the tone, and Scholz follows Biden.

Sweden Allows Ukraine to Attack Targets in Russia with Swedish Weapons

Sweden differs from other European allies of Ukraine, including Germany, as it permits Ukraine to utilize Swedish weapons against targets in Russia. Swedish Defense Minister Pal Jonson confirmed this in the Swedish newspaper "Hallandsposten." The paper quoted a written response from Jonson: "Ukraine is under attack from an unjust and unlawful war of aggression by Russia. According to international law, Ukraine has the right to defend itself through strikes on the enemy's territory, as long as these strikes adhere to the laws of armed conflict." Sweden stands by international law and Ukraine's right to defend itself.

According to an informant, the United States plans to join the upcoming peace talks in Switzerland regarding Ukraine. The specific role they will play has not been specified yet. Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has urged his American counterpart, Joe Biden, to personally participate in the meeting.

18:27: Russia generates three times more artillery shells than Ukraine's allies

Russia produces artillery shells at three times the rate of Ukraine's allies and at a quarter of the cost. Sky News reports this information based on an analysis by Bain & Company. This highlights a significant challenge for Ukraine's military as they rely on weapons supplied by the United States and Europe. These countries have increased their production of artillery shells, but they wouldn't surpass Russia's output.

17:55: European foreign ministers plan to authorize new Russia sanctions

The foreign ministers of the EU's 27 member countries will discuss a new legal framework for imposing sanctions on Russia at a meeting in Brussels on Monday. This will permit penalties against individuals and organizations responsible for suppressing the opposition in Russia. The sanctions will target those implicated in Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny's death. The EU nations blame President Vladimir Putin and the Russian authorities for Navalny's demise. They had previously imposed sanctions on 33 people from justice and politics using an existing sanctions framework. Additionally, two penal colonies where Navalny was last detained were added to the EU's sanctions list.

17:10: US reconnaissance drone "Northrop Grumman RQ-4B Global Hawk" spotted near Sochi

Russian news agency RIA Novosti, citing Flightradar24's data, reported a U.S. high-altitude surveillance drone, "Northrop Grumman RQ-4B Global Hawk," was detected off the coast of Sochi on the Black Sea. The drone left from a NATO military base in Sicily, Italy. The drone flew over the Black Sea near Sochi at around 4:12 p.m. Previously, American reconnaissance drones have been noticed near the Black Sea coast and Crimea. Such drones have frequently been seen over the Black Sea.

16:32: Russia claims to have captured the settlement of Berestowe

The Russian Defense Ministry declared that Russian forces had "successfully concluded combat operations and freed the village of Berestowe in the Kharkiv area." Berestowe is a settlement on the eastern front line near the Luhansk region, which is virtually under Russian control.

16:09: Death toll in Charkiw market attack climbs to 16

At least 16 individuals perished in a Russian strike on a market in the city of Charkiw in northeastern Ukraine. "The number of dead has risen to 16," says Oleg Synegubov, the regional governor of Charkiw, on Telegram. Ukrainian Interior Minister Ihor Klymenko mentioned 43 injured and 16 missing. It took over 16 hours to extinguish the fire in the market, which was sparked by "targeted Russian air strikes," Klymenko said. He expressed gratitude to the emergency services.

15:38: Finland intends to return refugees from the East to Russia

Finnish Interior Minister Mari Rantanen expressed her opinion on the bill addressing stricter asylum processes at Finland's border with Russia in an interview with broadcaster Yle. She stated that those arriving without a justifiable reason would be returned to Russia. The Finnish Parliament has been deliberating on this legislation for a week. Currently, Finland is compelled to accept every asylum seeker before assessing their cases. Under the proposed law, Finnish border guards could send asylum seekers who arrive from the eastern border straight back to Russia. Finland shuttered its 1,340-kilometer border with Russia in November 2023 due to a dramatic increase in asylum seekers.

15:17: EU Council President: It's vital to advance in air defense for Ukraine

EU Council President Charles Michel has denounced the Russian airstrike on a building materials store in the Ukrainian city of Kharkiv, where at least 14 people died, as "despicable." He referred to terrorizing civilians during the war as "criminal" and emphasized the necessity to quickly enhance comprehensive air defense.

14:44: Energy Ministry: Explosive device discovered in power plant in Dnipropetrovsk

A bomb was discovered in a power plant in the Dnipropetrovsk region. Ukraine's Energy Ministry reported this. According to the ministry, the police and volunteers were summoned to remove the explosive device. The ministry did not provide further information about this occurrence. Additionally, it noted that a Russian rocket attack during the night resulted in more than 11,000 homes in the region of Khmelnytskyi being without power.

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz has accused Russian President Vladimir Putin of sacrificing a substantial number of Russian soldiers in his ongoing war against Ukraine. During a citizens' dialogue, he mentioned a figure of 24,000 dead or seriously injured Russian soldiers per month as a result of this conflict. Scholz characterized it as an "imperialist power grab" orchestrated by the Russian president. Additionally, Putin is responsible for the deaths of many Ukrainian civilians and soldiers.

Around the same time, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy addressed Russian troops gathered near the border, stating that Russia is the "only source of aggression" in the region. According to Zelenskyy, Russian forces have been attempting to expand the war while preparing for offensive operations. Notably, Zelenskyy urged US President Joe Biden and Chinese President Xi Jinping to attend a peace summit in Switzerland in June, emphasizing the need for peace.

However, Scholz was opposed to deploying Western weapons on Russian soil. He said that German arms deliveries have clear guidelines and are effective in their current state. His aim in terms of Ukraine policy is to avoid a major war. The British government has been less restrictive in this matter, while the US and Washington are debating allowing attacks with Western weapons on Russian territory due to current Russian attacks in the Kharkiv region.

Women are also being recruited in Ukraine to fill a labor shortage following the recent mobilization wave. In response to this shortfall, they are undergoing rapid training courses to become auto mechanics.

US experts from the Institute for the Study of War (ISW) estimate that the Russian offensive in the Kharkiv region may have been launched too early. Although Russian troops are trying to increase their ranks for the planned strength, they have faced resistance from Ukrainian defenders. The ISW also implies that the Russians might have the advantage of attacking the city of Kharkiv effectively from the safe Russian airspace.

In a tragic incident involving a shopping center in Kharkiv, the death toll has climbed to 14, with 16 likely victims still missing and presumed dead. The toxic smoke resulting from the fire has also raised health concerns.

Ukraine's Ministry of Justice has revealed that nearly 350 prisoners have been released to join the army, with more than 4,300 applications from convicts currently being considered. Almost 20,000 prisoners could potentially participate in military service in return for their release. Kiev's soldiers need reserves, as many have been serving at the front for over two years.

Stephan Richter, an ntv reporter, has investigative reports on claims by Russia that weapons were stored under the shopping complex that was targeted in the Russian air raid. The situation is being examined for any evidence backing up this assertion.

Despite the ongoing conflict and loss of lives, a peace summit is planned in Switzerland in June, and world leaders, such as US President Joe Biden and Chinese President Xi Jinping, have been encouraged to attend. Possible talks might involve easing the tensions and restoring the peace between Ukraine and Russia.

In summary, Russian forces are gathering near the Ukrainian border and facing resistance from Ukrainian defenders. The number of casualties is continually increasing, and there are discussions about allowing Western weapons to be used on Russian territory. Women are being trained as auto mechanics due to a labor shortage. US experts believe Russia may have launched its offensive in the Kharkiv region too early. And interviews are being conducted to determine whether Russia's justification for its attack on a Kharkiv shopping complex is supported by evidence. The US, China, and Ukraine are working together to find a peaceful solution to the ongoing crisis.

US security expert Phillips O'Brien states that a recent Ukrainian drone attack on a crucial radar facility for tracking ballistic missiles in Russia crossed several Russian red lines: It shows that no military target in Russia is safe; forces Russia to withdraw air defense from the battlefield and demonstrates to the US that Ukraine is more than willing to attack with its own weapons on Russian soil if it cannot secure Western support. He adds that the radar system also protected Crimea, a central target for the Ukrainians in the war. O'Brien also believes that this attack highlights how hollow Russian nuclear threats are, as Russia cannot afford to use atomic weapons against Ukraine, and the Ukrainians are well aware of this.

In other news, CDU politician Roderich Kiesewetter argues that Western countries should assume responsibility for air defense over Western Ukraine. He suggests creating a "corridor" of 70-100 kilometers into the western territory of Ukraine, which would relieve Ukrainian forces and allow them to focus on air defense further east in the country. This proposal could potentially involve Lithuania sending field hospitals, mine clearance units, or logistics and maintenance troops to Ukraine. Kiesewetter asserts that this move makes legal and security sense.

The Ukrainian General Staff reports that Russia has lost 1110 soldiers since the day before, bringing the total number of Russian soldiers killed in the conflict to 501,190. In addition, 12 tanks, 17 armored vehicles, 24 artillery systems, and 11 drones were destroyed.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, who survived a Russian airstrike on a printing house in his hometown of Kharkiv, appeals to US President Joe Biden and Chinese President Xi Jinping to support a forthcoming peace summit in Switzerland. He questions whether Russia truly wants dialogue and warns that Russia's attempts to negotiate while preparing for war have repeatedly failed in the past. The peace summit is set to begin on June 15.

Ukraine claims to have shot down 12 Russian rockets and 31 drones overnight. Attacks occurred over parts of the south, central Ukraine, the west, and the north of the country.

Russian forces carried out a large-scale airstrike on Ukraine last night, injuring at least three people and damaging many buildings. Poland responded by sending military jets to ensure the security of the Polish airspace. The western part of Ukraine, typically less affected by fighting, was particularly targeted in the Russian attacks.

The death toll in a Russian attack on a market in the city of Charkiw in northeastern Ukraine has risen to 11. The governor of the region announced this on Telegram. Previously, he had spoken of six dead and 40 injured. 15 people are still missing. The market was destroyed by two guided missiles yesterday, and toxic substances reportedly caught fire during the explosions.

Ukraine alleges that Russia used Kh-47 Kinzhal hypersonic missiles during the nighttime airstrikes on Ukraine. The Ukrainian Air Force says the targets were primarily in the west of the country, including the region of Lviv on the border with Poland. The public broadcaster Suspilne also reports an explosion near the capital city Kiev.

An air raid alert was issued for the entire Ukraine last night, with Russia attacking with drones and rockets. The Ukrainian Air Force claims to have shot down missiles launched from the Russian airbase Olenja.

A governor in southern Russia reports through Telegram that four residents have passed away after being targeted by Ukraine. In the village of Oktyabrsky, three individuals lost their lives during a missile assault, while another person later succumbed to their wounds in a hospital. A further twelve people endured injuries, including a child, in two mortar attacks. The Russian defense force's air defense successfully took out 29 targets.

11:51 Tragic incidents in Kharkiv

Following the Russian attack on a lumberyard in Kharkiv, authorities have provided updated casualty numbers. At least six residents lost their lives at the scene and 16 individuals are still missing, as per the governor of Kharkiv region, Oleh Synegubov on Telegram. In addition, 40 individuals are injured. It was initially reported that two people had died and 24 were injured. Ukrainian President Zelenskyy shared on Telegram that over 200 people were inside the lumberyard of Epizentr, located on the northeastern fringe of Kharkiv. The rescue teams are currently working to aid those in need and extinguish the fires.

10:50 Macron denounces "unacceptable" attack in Kharkiv

French President Emmanuel Macron has voiced his disapproval of the Russian attack on a lumberyard in Kharkiv via the online service X, describing it as "unacceptable". He expressed solidarity with the Ukrainian population, reiterating France's commitment to standing with them.

10:20 Kuleba urges more Patriot systems after "inhumane" attack on Kharkiv

Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba pleads with Ukraine's allies to furnish further air defense and support for Ukrainian strikes on Russian military targets, via a post on X, following a Russian attack on a lumberyard in Kharkiv (see entries 19:44, 19:04, 18:42 and 16:50). Air defense and the ability to shoot down Russian aircraft prior to their bombings are deemed essential for preventing "inhumane acts against civilians", according to Kuleba.

20:10 Gladkow announces another attack on the Belgorod region

The governor of Belgorod, Wjatscheslaw Gladkow, has once again relayed news of air attacks in their region via Telegram. Over 15 targets, including Kamikaze drones, were reportedly struck down. Gladkow relayed that a death transpired in the village of Dubovoje. Numerous houses and commercial establishments sustained damages due to impact. Four additional individuals were sent to a local hospital with severe injuries, and a house was ablaze.

19:44 Deaths from Ukrainian air attacks on Belgorod rise to three

The governor of Belgorod, Wjatscheslaw Gladkow, has updated on Telegram that at least three people have died in a Russian attack on their region. Additionally, 20 people sustained injuries. More specifically, Gladkow reported that an unnamed village had been targeted by air attacks.

19:04 Latest news on attacks on Belgorod

According to Governor Gladkow's post on Telegram, civilian areas in the Belgorod region have been targeted by air attacks. He specified that the missiles were destroyed by Russian air defense.

18:42 Attacks on Belgorod leave two dead, fifteen injured

Governor Wjatscheslaw Gladkow announced on Telegram that two residents have perished and fifteen others have been injured in a Russian air assault on civilian areas in the Belgorovsky district of the Belgorod region in Southern Russia.

16:50 Report of a Russian missile attack on Belgorod

Governor Wjatscheslaw Gladkow revealed on Telegram that missiles hit the Belgorod region in southern Russia and were intercepted and destroyed by Russian air defense.