Poland allocates over two billion euros for fortifying its eastern frontier.

Poland allocates over 2 billion euros towards fortifying its eastern limits.

Poland is investing over 2.3 billion euros to strengthen its eastern border. The goal is to protect the nation from increasing threats coming from Russia and Belarus, as stated by Prime Minister Donald Tusk. "We're initiating a massive project to create a secure border," he explained. "This consists of a fortification system as well as land and environmental decisions to make this border inaccessible for a possible enemy." Tusk didn't provide details on the specific fortifications. Last week, Tusk mentioned that Poland was confronting a growing "hybrid war" fueled by illegal immigration from Belarus. The Polish border guard suggested approximately 300 attempts to cross the Polish-Belarusian border illegally take place daily.

16:25 Kharkiv Suffers from New Russian Attacks
The eastern Ukrainian city of Kharkiv and the nearby town of Vovchansk have endured renewed Russian assaults, according to the regional military administration. Mayor Ihor Terekhov shared on Telegram that Kharkiv had been hit by several shells in a residential neighborhood. Five individuals sustained injuries. Vovchansk, meanwhile, was yet again struck by Russian glide bombs and shells, causing serious damage. "Regrettably, the city of Vovchansk has been nearly annihilated by the enemy, who is savagely attacking using glide bombs," wrote Security Council member Andrey Kovalenko on Telegram. Yet, Vovchansk remains under Ukrainian control. Prior to the war, the city hosted about 19,000 residents.

15:52 Drones Fly with Russian Flag Near the Reichstag Building in Berlin
A man piloted a drone sporting a Russian flag alongside the Reichstag building in Berlin. The Bundestag press office verified that this incident occurred on May 9. Footage of the drone flight was shared across online platforms. The drone flew about 20 meters above Friedrich-Ebert-Platz, on the eastern side of the Reichstag building. The German police have filed a complaint under the Air Traffic Act as a result. The Bundestag chose not to comment on security-related aspects pertaining to drone flights close to the parliament building. Reports asserted that the drone operator is a fiery supporter of the Russian aggression against Ukraine. Law enforcement officers gathered the pilot's details at the scene. Online portal t-online.de added that the same individual had previously marked the "Z" symbol used by Russian troops in Ukraine on the tower of the former state parliament building in Potsdam and vandalized Ukrainian images.

15:24 Zelensky Fears Broadening of Russian Offensive
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy expressed concerns about a severe lack of weapons for Ukraine's air defense and apprehensions regarding the potential expansion of the Russian offensive in eastern Ukraine. Ukraine currently possesses a quarter of the air defense systems it requires. Zelenskyy in his first interview since the Russian ground operations commenced in the Kharkiv region on May 10. He shared, "We must realistically acknowledge that they've advanced deeper into our land." The Institute for the Study of War (ISW) reported that Russian troops seized 278 square kilometers of territory during their incursion - their largest territorial gain since the end of 2022. Currently, Ukraine only possesses "approximately 25% of the air defense resources necessary to safeguard Ukraine" in light of the situation. Moreover, the Ukrainian military requires around 120 to 130 contemporary fighter jets to attain parity with Russia's forces in the air.

15:00 Zelensky Discusses Possibilities for a New Counter-Offensive
Volodymyr Zelensky described possibilities for a fresh counter-offensive from Ukraine. However, he pointed out that the front lines must first be stabilized and the Russian assaults stopped, the Ukrainian president explained during his interview with the French news agency AFP. "There is potential, but the circumstance at the front line is fragile," said the President. "I am definite, though, that the Ukrainian forces will put a halt to the Russians." After holding off the Russians, "it's necessary to allocate brigades appropriately to be prepared for the subsequent stages of the counter-offensive," the head of state stated. Numerous brigades desperately need resupplying so that they can be redeployed, he added. The availability of replenishment supplies is essential for rotating troops. Zelensky, when queried about a potential Ukrainian counter-offensive in 2025, remarked, "I can't say."

2:36 Russians target Kharkiv, multiple explosions notedPer a message from Kharkiv Mayor Igor Terekhov on Telegram, there are a few booms heard in the city, and residents are advised to be cautious. Terekhov cited reports suggesting that the Russians are attempting an attack on Kharkiv, while Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyi had earlier warned that their forces may assault the region's capital.

2:06 Poland gearing up to fortify eastern bordersThe Polish government has revealed plans to invest two billion euros into reinforcing its eastern frontier to protect against possible Russian or Belarusian incursions. As per Prime Minister Donald Tusk's statement, the project called 'Eastern Shield' envisions constructing a system of fortifications on the border with Belarus and the Russian enclave of Kaliningrad. Tusk added, "This initiative will be an element of deterrence, a strategy to keep the war far from our borders."

1:37 Ukraine notes 22 instances of clashes across front linesThe Ukrainian armed forces have reported a total of 22 skirmishes occurring along the front lines since the previous evening, with eight remaining unresolved as of now. The General Staff also mentioned that the Russian invaders conducted a missile attack, launched 25 suicide drones, and executed 547 assaults targeting their troops' positions.

1:02 Russia strikes Odessa with ballistic missileUkrainian troops guarding the southern part of the country have disclosed that Russian forces deployed a ballistic missile (probably an Iskander-M) in an attack on Odessa.

12:53 Russian troops occupy another village in KharkivConsidering the advancing Russian forces, the Russian Ministry of Defense has declared the capture of the village of Staryzia in the Kharkiv region by its units.

12:42 Fightback: Ukraine's defensive efforts to repel Russians from Kharkiv regionUkrainian soldiers are pushing back the Russians towards the village of Hlyboke in the Kharkiv area, as per a statement from the Ukrainian army according to local news agency RBC.

12:10 Fourth casualty after Kharkiv missile attack reportedFollowing last Friday's attack on Kharkiv, a 33-year-old man who was injured from the Russian strike has been reported dead at a hospital, bringing the death count to four, according to Kharkiv Governor Oleh Synyehubov. Two of the wounded were listed as in critical condition, while a woman was hurt in the Russian air assault on the village of Kupiansk-Vuzlovyi. A multi-story building, a hospital, and a kindergarten were also damaged.

11:41 Jäger: Russia's presence in Germany significantWhile President Zelensky intends to deploy the arms provided by the West not just to safeguard Ukraine but also beyond its soil, Germany faces Russia's influence, as stated by political scientist Thomas Jäger.

11:22 Russia claims Ukrainian drone strike in Kursk kills one, injures anotherAs per Russian Governor Alexei Smirnov, the death toll from a Ukrainian drone assault in the Kursk region includes one person killed and another hurt. However, verifying this information is challenging.

11:09 London weighs in on weakened Russian air defenses, airspace surveillance in CrimeaAccording to the British Ministry of Defense, Russian air surveillance has likely been weakened by recent Ukrainian attacks, suggesting a need for Russia to spread its forces further to maintain coverage. The ministry also highlighted that the Russians had lost a Beriev A-50 aircraft in January, February, and March, which means they may now face increased maintenance issues.

Around 10,000 individuals have been rescued in the Kharkiv region as of now. The recent advancement in the eastern Ukrainian area of Kharkiv, which started about a week ago, has resulted in this total. Regional governor Oleh Synegubov revealed this information. The Russian troops have made around 5 to 10 kilometers of progress on the northeastern border since the commencement of their ground offensive last week.

In Russia, a significant portion of the population, approximately 75%, supports the Russian military forces. A survey conducted by the Russian Levada Institute indicated this result. However, if Putin decides to stop the ongoing conflict, only 30% of the respondents would favor this option if it included the return of the newly acquired territories.

Jürgen Weichert of ntv, a correspondent, discusses the reasons for the Russian attacks on Kharkiv and Odessa, including the size, beauty, and popularity of these cities. Additionally, the Ukrainian forces have their arsenal ready and can cause damage to Russia.

SPD members of the Bundestag are requesting NATO to provide air defense for Ukrainian airspace. Joe Weingarten, an SPD defense expert, proposed deploying German anti-aircraft missile troops on NATO territory near the Ukraine border. This would prevent the need for Western troops to be stationed in Ukraine. Air defense systems placed on the border between NATO countries and Ukraine could make a far-reaching impact on Ukrainian airspace.

Air defense is reportedly a substantial weakness in the Ukrainian army. The country lacks sufficient defense systems and missiles to protect its infrastructure and citizens. Therefore, Ukrainian leaders have suggested consulting their NATO allies for assistance in protecting Ukraine.

Ukraine has appealed to the US government to help identify targets in Russia that could be targeted by Ukrainian weapons. Additionally, Ukraine has requested that restrictions on the use of American weapons against military targets within Russia be lifted. US officials and Defense Department officials have corroborated these claims.

President Zelenskyi expressed concern in an interview with the French news agency AFP that the West is hesitant about a Russian defeat in the ongoing conflict. He emphasized that Ukraine values the same beliefs as its Western allies, but there are differences in their views, particularly regarding the resolution of the situation. Zelenskyi urged China and other Global South countries to participate in a peace summit in Switzerland in June. Likewise, Russia did not receive an invitation to the meeting, and they also stated they would not have attended it.

The Russian military is strengthening its naval base in Novorossiysk to safeguard it against Ukrainian naval drones, as reported by the Ukrainian news agency RBC. This Telegram channel from the partisan group "Atesh" supplied the information. The port city of Novorossiysk lies on the Black Sea and holds strategic importance for Russia due to its significant role in shipping oil and other exports. The Russian army has relocated multiple warships to this location after Ukraine took action against the Russian Black Sea Fleet's headquarters in Sevastopol, Crimea, in September 2023.

Ukraine has been sharing daily counts of Russian soldiers killed or wounded during the war on Facebook. On the day in question, 1,210 Russian soldiers were reportedly killed or wounded. This counts towards a grand total of 491,080 Russian casualties. The Ukrainian army also reported the destruction of 43 armored combat vehicles, two planes, and a helicopter during that time.

The Institute for the Study of War states that Western countries' limitations on using their weapons against military targets on Russian territory are hindering Ukraine's defensive capabilities. The think tank claims that this could threaten Ukraine's ability to defend itself against offensive operations in northern Kharkiv.

07:05: Ukrainian Air Defense Shoots Down 13 Iranian-type Russian Drones

Selensky needs more air defense and modern fighter jets against the Russians.

Ukraine's air defense unit claims to have successfully brought down all incoming Russian drones in the Iranian Shahed series during the night. This information was shared by the Ukrainian air force commander, Mykola Oleshchuk, who stated that these drones were launched from the Russian seaport of Primorsko-Akhtarsk near the Sea of Azov and the Russian province of Kursk.

06:49: Explosion in Belgorod Following Missile Alarm

Russian state news agency Tass reported an explosion in the Belgorod border region, after a missile warning was issued. Governor Vyacheslav Gladkov urged residents through his Telegram channel to seek shelter amid the continued Russian assault on Ukraine. Belgorod experiences frequent attacks due to the ongoing war, although the casualties and damages are disproportionate to the effects of the conflict in Ukraine.

06:43: Intensified Shelling of Krynky Bridgehead by Russian Forces

The Russian invasion forces have been intensifying their shelling of Ukrainian positions at the Krynky site. This was reported by the Institute for the Study of War (ISW) in its most recent update. Ukrainian troops have secured a bridgehead in Krynky, a region on the southern bank of the Dnipro River in the Kherson region. According to the ISW, these Russian bombardments have not resulted in any significant changes to the front lines. While the Russians have also stepped up their attack toward Kharkiv, the front lines there remain unaltered as well.

06:14: St. Petersburg Explosions—No Terrorism Involved

Authorities have determined that the explosions that occurred at the Budyonny Military Academy in St. Petersburg were due to an accidental detonation of World War II-era ammunition, as per the Russian army's statement. This news was reported by state media outlet Interfax. The incident happened while soldiers were inspecting underground areas at the academy, and Governor Alexander Beglov affirmed that it had nothing to do with terrorism.

06:02: SPD Leader Lays Hope on China's Participation in Swiss Ukraine Peace Conference

Lars Klingbeil, leader of the German Social Democratic Party (SPD), remains optimistic about China's potential involvement in the Swiss peace conference on Ukraine. Speaking to the German Press Agency, he stated that it would be critical for China to take part, as it would also be beneficial for India, Brazil, and South Africa. Klingbeil acknowledged that the conference would face a setback if these countries weren't present, but he emphasized that it would still not be a complete failure if they didn't attend. "It's never a failure when you sit around a table and discuss ways to achieve peace."

05:43: President Zelensky Frustrated with Restrictions on Using Western Weapons

Ukraine's leader, President Volodymyr Zelensky, expressed his discontent with the constraints on the use of Western weapons. He noted that while Russia can fire all its weapons into Ukraine from their territory, Ukraine cannot harm Russian weapons on Russian ground with Western armaments. The UK and the US have recently suggested these limitations could be lifted.

05:10: Ukrainian Army Commander-in-Chief: Russian Front near Kharkiv Stretches 70 Kilometers

Olexander Syrskyj, the Ukrainian army commander, claimed that Russian ground troops are broadening their offensive on the border area near Kharkiv, strengthening their frontline to around 70 kilometers. The Russians are deploying their air force, missiles, artillery, and tanks in their assaults. Despite their advance, Ukrainian forces have managed to keep their positions intact. Syrskyj believes the advantage lies with the Ukrainians in the use of drones and more precise artillery fire.

03:35: Zelensky: Kharkiv Offensive May Be First Russian Wave

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky believes the Russian offensive in the Kharkiv region of northeastern Ukraine could mark the beginning of a series of Russian attacks. When talking to the AFP news agency, Zelensky said, "They've launched their operation, it could consist of several waves. And this is their first wave."

02:17: Ukraine Needs 130 F16 Fighter Jets to Overcome Russia's Air Superiority, Zelensky Says

President Zelensky commented on the insufficient air defense systems in Ukraine, stating that they currently possess only a quarter of the required number. Zelensky further explained that his country needs 120 to 130 F16 fighter jets to overcome Russian air dominance. He also addressed the issue of a shortage of soldiers, which is negatively impacting the morale of the troops.

7:17 Ukraine asks citizens to save energy due to power grid damage
In light of the damage to Ukraine's power grid, President Zelensky asks the public to practice economical electricity consumption. He urged citizens to be sensible and mindful of their power usage during a speech in Kiev. Authorities should communicate why temporary power outages are necessary. Zelensky also mentioned that he discussed the challenging situation in Ukraine's energy infrastructure, which was attacked by Russia, with the government and the military. "Our energy sector has been significantly damaged by Russia's attacks," Zelensky stated. Efforts are being made to restructure the energy supply so that it can no longer be targeted by Russia. He didn't disclose further information.

23:59 Ukrainian conscripted males abroad can now use consulates again
As the new mobilization law goes into effect, Ukrainian conscripts abroad can again access consular services. They must provide proof of their registration with the military – either in paper or digital form. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Kiev issued this statement in the evening. The Ministry of Defense also introduced an app for online registration. Many men suitable for military service have left Ukraine because of Russia's warfare.

22:59 Unicredit's accounts and assets frozen in Russia
A court in St. Petersburg has frozen the bank accounts and assets of the Italian bank Unicredit in Russia, following a request from RusChimAllianz, a Gazprom subsidiary operating an LNG terminal on the Baltic Sea. This move is related to the abandonment of the terminal construction project due to Western sanctions, which Unicredit helped to guarantee. RusChimAllianz is claiming €444 million from Unicredit. Assets valued at €463 million are going to be frozen. Unicredit is still the largest foreign bank operating in Russia after Raiffeisenbank and is among the top 20 largest banks in the country in terms of assets.

21:55 New law would see some Ukrainian prisoners conscripted into the army
To bolster Ukrainian troops, a law has been signed that permits certain prisoners to be called up for military service on a temporary basis. President Volodymyr Zelensky approved this legislation. Not all convicts qualify. Those who were found guilty of serious crimes are ineligible.

21:36 Starlink devices of a Ukrainian military unit in Kharkiv reportedly failed at the beginning of the Russian offensive
A report from the Washington Post, based on unnamed sources from the 125th Territorial Defense Brigade, indicates that all Starlink devices of a Ukrainian military unit in the Kharkiv region malfunctioned as soon as the Russian offensive began. This resulted in rapid advances by Russian troops. The Post speculates that Russian electronic warfare systems were responsible for the disruption of the Starlink system. This is the first instance of widespread failure of the satellite communication system in Ukraine since Russia's invasion.

20:56 Explosion at a military academy in St. Petersburg
Russian media are reporting an explosion at the Budyonny military academy in St. Petersburg, with several injuring reported. Local officials cited by the RIA news agency said that an explosion had occurred at the academy. The Telegram channel Baza, linked to law enforcement, reports that seven people were injured.

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