Poland to launch inquiry into Russian spying activities.
A new Polish commission to explore potential Russian and Belarusian intelligence service influence over the past 20 years has begun operations. Lead by General Jaroslaw Strozyk, the head of military counterintelligence, the team consists of twelve security experts. The prime minister, Donald Tusk, revealed the news. Since Poland is a top military backer of Ukraine and a logistical hub for Western aid to Kiev, Russia views Poland as an adversary. Fears of Russian intelligence sabotage have shaken many EU countries.
In Ukraine, one person died and five were injured due to Russian artillery assaults in the Donetsk region this morning, according to regional governor Wadim Filaschkin via Telegram. He detailed that all attacks targeted civilians in Torezk. Another individual was wounded in an air attack in Selydowe near the front line, Filaschkin added. Preoccupied with Donetsk, Russia has been concentrating their attacks in the area, as reported by President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. While the Kremlin speaks of annexing Donetsk and three other regions in Ukraine in fall 2022, it does not grip complete control.
German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius denied any plan to deploy German soldiers in Ukraine. Speaking in the German Bundestag, he responded to an inquiry from AfD MP Ruediger Lucassen: no to EU and France discussions, nor plans to send German troops to Ukraine.
A Ukrainian government official informed the Financial Times that Ukrainians may spend much of their winter without power due to Russian attacks on power plants. Losing 1.2 gigawatts of power production during Saturday's attacks, underground gas transportation infrastructure in western Ukraine was seriously harmed. Since the war's onset, Ukraine's power generation capacity had cut by almost two-thirds: from 55 gigawatts to 20 gigawatts.
A five-year-old girl was reported dead after Ukrainian shelling in a Russian-held village, as per Zaporizhzhia region's Russian-appointed administration leader, Yevgeny Balitsky, via Telegram. This incident remains unverified. Shelling occurred in the village of Novoslatopolye on Tuesday evening; the Ukrainian village is located about three kilometers behind the front line.
Swiss Air Force pilots practiced starting and landing on a highway in Payerne, simulating military readiness. Deputized Commander of the Swiss Air Force, Brigadier Christian Oppliger, praised the successful landing attempts. The F/A-18 jets reached 260 km/h; their landings were impressive during the first such exercise since 1991. Ensuring readiness for a variety of scenarios, the Swiss Air Force aims to secure 100 kilometers beyond borders.
Positive reactions have come from Kiev with Vice President Harris' subscribed participation at the peace conference in Switzerland, dubbed as a significant message, according to the head of the Presidential Administration. Instead, Biden and Zelensky will meet in France, where they'll commemorate the 80th anniversary of the Allied landing in Normandy. The G7 summit in Italy hosts another meeting plan for both leaders in the near future.
German Chancellor Scholz is considering ordering more Eurofighters, feeling the need for a "defense industrial turnaround." Amid shifting warfare scenarios, the Swiss Air Force emphasizes the critical relevance of their preparations. Former deputy commander Juerg Kaup said: "It’s about more than just defense anymore, it’s about attacking enemy ground-air systems."
Chancellor Olaf Scholz urges the defense industry to enhance their production capacities in Germany and Europe. Speaking at the opening of the International Aerospace Exhibition in Berlin, he mentions that the federal government is keen on maintaining a robust aerospace industry in the region. To accomplish this, the government plans to order an additional 20 Eurofighters during this legislative period, adding to the current 38 that are still pending. This move is deemed a 'defense industrial turnaround' instigated to preserve and expand production capabilities. Europe will also support the export of the Eurofighter. Scholz reaffirmed his commitment to these measures, addressing the defense industry directly. More details available here.
10:49 (from Munz to Peace Conference): "Decreasing Global Support, Russia Profiting"
Preventing international participation at the peace conference, Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is calling for attendance, while Russia is successfully hindering numerous countries. This contrasts the initial 141 UN member states that had condemned Russia's attack during the beginning of the war. Now, considerably fewer nations are expected to show up, as reported by Rainer Munz of NTV.
10:05 (Regarding Kremlin Measures): Potential Surge in Kremlin's Security Protocols
In a piece by the Moscow Times, local authorities disclosed that security measures surrounding Kremlin chief Vladimir Putin have tightened considerably. According to two Russian officials, these enhanced precautions are visible at public appearances witnessed by them. The sources hinted at the increased risk of various attacks, such as an Islamic attack, Ukrainian drone attacks, and the arrest warrant from the International Criminal Court against Putin. However, the Kremlin's initial statement maintained that no heightened measures had been implemented.
09:37 (Nikopol under Arrival of Heavy Artillery)
Nikopol, a city on the Dnipro, continues to experience further assault from the Russian military. Since yesterday evening and this morning, the city's been targeted by heavy artillery and kamikaze drones, per Ukrainian administration. Although no injuries were recorded, five homes were damaged as well as a powerline. Authorities managed to down four drones among the total of 27 fired at the region.
08:54 (Within the "Storks" Observation)
The 71st Fighter Brigade in Ukraine operates 'Storks' that monitor Russian activities past the battlefront. The presence of Ukrainian drones has noticeably escalated, invoking Russian air defense responses.
08:26 (Meeting with Foreign Journalists for Putin)
Russian President Vladimir Putin is set to connect with Western media representatives for the first time since the eruption of the ongoing war against Ukraine at the international economic forum in St. Petersburg. The forum, which took place in 2022 and 2023, is a biennial event happening from Wednesday till Saturday.
07:58 (Tense Front Situation in Donetsk)
The Ukrainian military reports a formidable challenge at the eastern front area. Intense attacks have been reported in the vicinity of Donetsk. In the vicinity of the city of Pokrovsk, there were 37 such assaults reported yesterday, per military reports. The Russian troops are mainly active in Ocheretyne, a place situated between Donetsk and Pokrovsk, aiming to advance in different directions.
07:32 (Continuous Rise of Drone Attacks)
Overnight, the Russian army deployed extensive drone attacks against Ukraine. The Ukrainian military reports they have successfully neutralized 22 out of the 27 drones fired at various locations in south, northeast, and central Ukraine. In Poltava's central Ukrainian region, an industrial facility suffered damage, while one individual sustained injuries.
06:55 (US Embassy Advises Warning)
The US Embassy in Ukraine advises male US citizens with Ukrainian nationality not to attempt traveling to Ukraine amidst the heightened risk of their indefinite detention. The warning states that departure from the country may be unattainable, even if these individuals hold a US passport. Since Russia's onslaught of Ukraine, males aged 18-60 have been forbidden from leaving their native country.
06:14 (Ministry of Defense Calls for Drone Operators)
The Ukrainian Ministry of Defense is aiming to gather drone operators for recruitment into the military. The online news publication "Ukrajinska Prapora" reported about this endeavor, conveying that applicants must complete an online course, learn to manage drones, and join the military forces.
NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg criticizes China for their absence at the Ukraine peace conference in Switzerland. In an interview with the NDR Info podcast "Streitkräfte und Strategien," the Norwegian laments, "It's sad that China has decided not to participate." He further says, "This reflects China's inability to condemn Russia's invasion of Ukraine, a clear violation of international law." Prior to the conference, Chinese President Xi Jinping and Kremlin Chief Vladimir Putin signed an agreement promising each other limitless partnership, adds Stoltenberg. Meanwhile, China has been supporting Russia's war economy by selling them advanced technology, microelectronics, microchips, and other equipment.
US President Biden is scheduled to have two "important talks" with Ukrainian President Zelenskyy, according to the White House. White House National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan made the announcement. Biden is set to attend celebrations in France for the 80th anniversary of the Allied landing, and Zelenskyy is also expected in France. The G7 summit is scheduled to take place in Italy in the upcoming week.
Ukrainian authorities report that the Russian invaders are setting up "filtration camps" in the contested city of Vovchansk. Governor of the Kharkiv region, Oleh Syniehubov, revealed this on state television. These camps are used by Russia to identify and document Ukrainians in the occupied territories. There have been instances of torture, sexual violence, and deportations in the past. Vovchansk, occupied by Russian forces, has only a few remaining residents, according to Syniehubov. Those people are used by the enemy as human shields.
The Anti-Corruption Bureau in Kyiv is prosecuting the former head of Ukraine's arms procurement for allegedly agreeing to excessively high prices for aircraft parts in 2016. The accused negotiated prices with a private company that were seven times higher than the market value. His business partner is already on trial.
Police in Moscow violently cracked down on supporters of late Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny at a small memorial event held for him on his birthday. Special forces stormed a venue where several dozen people had gathered to watch a live concert in Berlin. Around 30 people were temporarily detained, searched, and questioned, reported the human rights organization Ovd-Info. Navalny would have turned 48 that day.
Ukraine remembered the children killed during the war. According to a UN representative, Denise Brown, more than 600 children have been killed since the war began in 2022, and over 1,400 others have been injured. These are only confirmed cases by the United Nations. The actual number of children killed is likely much higher. President's wife Olena Zelenska called upon allies for help, stating, "We need more weapons. The life of children is more important than the cost of air defense."
At 22:00, disturbing images of Ukrainian prisoners of war surface, drawing comparisons to concentration camp prisoners. Notable journalist Illia Ponomarenko posted images of Roman Horilyk, a Ukrainian soldier from the National Guard, who returned to Ukraine following a prisoner exchange. In the images, Horilyk appears extremely emaciated. Ponomarenko wrote, "This is his condition when he returned to Ukraine after the last prisoner exchange." The soldier was captured at the Chernobyl nuclear power plant and spent more than two years in Russian captivity. Ponomarenko concluded, "The story repeats itself and shouts that its lessons must be learned."
Recently, an attack on a Russian S-300/400 air defense system has been the talk of the town. The reason for this is not just because it's an important defense system, but also because it happened within Russian territory. Moscow denies the attack, but there are multiple videos and pictures showing successful hits. Additionally, Radio Liberty has published satellite images that show burnt launch ramps and a damaged command center of the S-300/400 air defense system. It's been speculated that a HIMARS multiple rocket launcher from the United States was used in this attack. The U.S. recently gave Ukraine permission to target Russian territory to protect the Kharkiv region.
During a speech at 20:33, "The next few weeks will shape the rest of the summer and the year"
Ukraine's President Zelensky said that the country is once again going through a critical phase. He mentioned that although it's only mid-June, the upcoming weeks will determine the rest of the summer and a significant portion of the year. He talked about the peace summit in Switzerland, Ukraine's relations with the EU, frontline positions, and the country's production.
At 20:06, before the European elections: Germany is a top target for Russian disinformation
Prior to the European elections, Germany, France, and Poland were found to be the countries with the highest instances of Russian disinformation, according to Brussels. These countries have been continuously targeted by Russia lately, says EU Vice Commissioner Vera Jourova. She stated that in Germany, most of the manipulated information is about "immigration and security." The European Observatory for Online Media (EDMO) conducted an evaluation. Russian disinformation campaigns usually revolve around the ongoing war against Ukraine. Germany, France, and Poland combined represent around 145 million voters, which accounts for nearly 40% of all voters in the EU.
Read also:
- The Russian embassy in Poland has been accused of supporting separatist leaders in Ukraine, allegations denied by the Russian ambassador.
- Volodymyr Zelenskyy, the president of Ukraine, has urged NATO to provide more military aid in the face of Russian cyberwar attacks on critical infrastructure.
- Russia has denied any involvement in the recent attack on Ukraine's power grid, but many Western nations believe that Moscow is behind the cyberattacks.
- In response to the Ukraine conflict, Nato has increased its presence in Eastern Europe and has introduced new cyberdefense measures to protect its member states.
