Putin expects no shift in Russia's stance following the US election.
Vladimir Putin remains unphased by the outcome of the US presidential election, expressing no expectations for major changes in Washington's stance towards Moscow. The Russian president believes his country will collaborate with whoever the American people choose. Prior to the election, Putin preferred the reelection of Joe Biden due to his predictability. Moreover, Putin criticized the ongoing legal proceedings against Donald Trump, who is facing off against Biden on November 5.
In a separate development, Putin disclosed that there are over 6,000 Ukrainian prisoners of war, surpassing the number of Russian soldiers and officers captured in Ukraine. He revealed this information during a meeting with representatives of major international news agencies in St. Petersburg. Ukraine currently holds 1,348 Russian captives, while Russia has 6,365 Ukrainian prisoners. These numbers are incomparable, as they cannot be independently verified. Putin then shared his perspective on Russian casualties in the conflict, but neither party provides specifics on this matter. Additionally, he claimed that Ukraine suffered greater losses in the war. Conversely, the Ukrainian side notes that a disproportionately higher number of Russian soldiers have fallen compared to their own.
During the same event, Putin warned against Ukrainian troops using German weapons to target Russian installations. Such attacks, according to him, would represent a catastrophic event for Russian-German relations. In 2021, the delivery of German tanks to Ukraine led to a major shock in Russia, increasing apprehension. If these weapons were utilized against Russian soil, Putin stressed that it would completely destroy the relationship between Russia and Germany. In addition, the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum marked the first international meeting since the beginning of Putin's war in Ukraine.
The day before, France shared its plans to provide Ukraine with 650 million euros in support of its infrastructure. The support includes a 400 million euro loan and a 50 million euro donation from the French development agency AFD. Further, a 200 million euro fund is being considered to mate French companies participating in the reconstruction of Ukraine's infrastructure. Zelenskyy's visit to France to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the Allied landing in Normandy facilitated this announcement.
Furthermore, EU finance ministers explored ways to utilize frozen Russian assets for Ukraine's benefit. The G7 finance ministers will delve into this matter at their June meeting following the G7 summit in Apulia. It's noteworthy that Western governments concur that these assets should be repurposed for Ukraine's aid. The EU is seeking to recuperate interest payments and a significant portion of it for arms purchases and the reconstruction of the war-torn country. The US government aims to employ these funds and the proceeds as security for a massive 50-billion-dollar loan for Ukraine. However, this concept remains debatable within the G7 and the EU.
To alleviate the shortage of manpower and ammunition in Ukraine, the production of kamikaze drones is being stepped up. Hundreds of volunteers are assembling these drones by hand, which will reportedly spy on and attack Russian military positions.
The Ukrainian Army used weapons provided by the US against Russian territory, a recent statement by a Western government official confirmed. This aligns with the new guidelines introduced by US President Joe Biden.
A Russian blogger, Anna Bashutova, was sentenced to five and a half years in prison for broadcasting testimonies on the Bucha massacre via the streaming platform, Twitch. The court found Bashutova guilty of disseminating "false" information about Russian mistreatment in Ukraine. Upon learning of the verdict, Bashutova described it as "disgusting and despicable" and declared the intention to appeal the sentence. She showcased Bucha residents' testimonies in July 2023 implicating the Russian army in massacres. Later, "patriotic" Russian bloggers targeting Ukraine's aggression exposed her. In November 2023, Russian police raided Bashutova's home and seized the video material. Simultaneously, her Twitch channel was blocked.
5:30 PM: Zelensky Meets with Qatar's Emir for Discussions
President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelensky, has arrived in Qatar to hold talks with Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, the Emir of Qatar. In an update posted on his social media account, Zelensky mentions plans to discuss Qatar's mediation in the recovery of kidnapped Ukrainian children. Other topics include economic issues and the approaching Swiss peace summit, where Qatar will also be present.
4:04 PM: Ukrainian Military Age Men Prohibited from Leaving Country after Visits
Ukrainian males living overseas who fall within the military age bracket may be unable to leave Ukraine after a trip and be required to serve in the army, according to Andrij Demtschenko, spokesperson for the Ukrainian border guard. This rule applies to male Ukrainian citizens aged 18 to 60. The rule is consequences of a new law that took effect on June 1st.
3:50 PM: Ukrainian Authorities Relocating Children from Solotschiw Border Area
The Ukrainian government is trying to evacuate all children from the Solotschiw area. Viktor Kovalenko, head of the military administration of Solotschiw, informed The Kyiv Independent about the evacuation plans in an interview with Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (RFE/RL). Solotschiw is part of the disputed region of Kharkiv and sits just a few kilometers from the Russian-Ukrainian border.
3:12 PM: St. George's Ribbon Condemned: Russian Court Sentences US-Russian Citizen to Prison
A Russian court has sentenced a 60-year-old man holding dual citizenship to three and a half years in prison and prohibited him from utilizing communication platforms for 1.5 years. Allegedly, the individual offended the Soviet army's symbol of victory against Nazi Germany, the orange-black St. George's ribbon, by posting defamatory comments on the Russian social network, Odnoklassniki. He confessed to his actions. The man lives in Brooklyn, New York, and operates as a security guard at a sports center. He was arrested during a visit to Russia in December 2023.
2:46 PM: Pistorius Plans to Make the Bundeswehr Combat-Ready by 2029
German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius wants to boost the Bundeswehr's preparedness due to the potential threat from Russia. "We must be combat-ready by 2029," he said while responding to questions in the German parliament. "We must deter and prevent the worst from occurring." He explains that finances, equipment, and personnel are crucial to achieving this goal. "We need fit young women and men to defend our nation," he adds. The minister recommends a "new form of military service" away from compulsory military service, which he intends to announce shortly.
2:17 PM: Poland Creates Commission to Uncover Russian and Belarusian Espionage
In Poland, a commission formed to explore the potential impact of Russian and Belarusian intelligence services over the last two decades has commenced its work. The commission, consisting of twelve security experts, was announced by Prime Minister Donald Tusk. It will be led by the head of military counterintelligence, General Jaroslaw Strozyk. Political figures are excluded from the committee. Russia views Poland as an enemy due to its support for Ukraine and its role as a hub for Western military aid to Kiev. Concerns over Russian intelligence sabotage persist among EU countries.
1:50 PM: Ukraine: One Fatality, Five Injuries in Donetsk due to Russian Attacks
Russian attacks on the eastern part of Ukraine resulted in one casualty and five injuries, as per Ukrainian reports. Using its Telegram channel, Wadim Filaschkin, the governor of Donetsk province, reported on a fatality and five injured individuals from a morning bombardment in Torezk. Another person was hurt in an air attack near the front line in Selydowe. President Volodymyr Zelensky emphasizes that Russian forces are currently focusing their assaults on the Donetsk area. Russia annexed Donetsk and three other regions in Ukraine but does not yet entirely control them.
1:22 PM: Pistorius Rules Out Deployment of German Soldiers in Ukraine
Germany's Defense Minister, Boris Pistorius, has declared that there will be no deployment of German soldiers in Ukraine. This statement came during Germany's parliamentary session.
German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius rules out the deployment of German soldiers in Ukraine. Pistorius emphasized this during a government hearing in the German Bundestag. In response to a question from AfD MP Ruediger Lucas about whether the federal government has considered deploying German soldiers in Ukraine, Pistorius responded with a clear "no."
13:53 Official: Ukraine may face a winter of blackouts
The recent Russian attacks on Ukrainian power plants could have long-term implications for the country. Ukrainian officials told The Financial Times that the country is likely to face a winter with minimal electricity. The damage to the energy infrastructure on Saturday was described as "devastating." As a result, 1.2 GW of electricity generation was lost due to the bombings, while the gas transport infrastructure in western Ukraine was severely damaged. Ukraine's electricity generation capacity has halved since the start of the war: from 55 GW to just 20 GW.
13:14 Russian Official: Girl dies after Ukrainian artillery strikes village
In a Russian-occupied village in southern Ukraine, eleven people were reportedly injured after being struck by Ukrainian artillery fire. A five-year-old girl died from her injuries, according to Yevgeny Balitsky, the head of the Russian-appointed administration for the Zaporizhzhia region, on Telegram. No independent confirmation of the incident is currently available. The village of Novoslatopol was shelled on Tuesday evening, and according to frontline map data, it is located about 3 km behind the front line.
12:25 Swiss Fighter Jets Perform Runway Landings on Highway
The Swiss Air Force is rehearsing its capabilities for potential conflict: fighter jet pilots practiced leaving and landing on a highway in Payerne. The pilots of the F/A-18s had perfect landings, says the Air Force's deputy commander, Brigadier Christian Oppliger. The planes landed at a speed of around 260 kilometers per hour. The last Swiss Air Force exercise of this kind took place in 1991. Now, with the situation changing significantly, the Air Force needs to be ready to defend and strike enemy ground-air systems. The goal of the exercise was also to test their readiness for action following a potential first strike on military airfields.
12:00 Ukraine Welcomes Harris' Commitment to the Peace Conference
Ukraine is pleased that US Vice President Kamala Harris is participating in the peace conference in Switzerland. The confirmation that Harris will attend the conference on June 15 and 16 is seen as "an important message," says the head of the Presidential Administration. Zelenskyy had initially hoped for the participation of US President Biden.
11:20 Scholz Urges Support for German Aerospace Industry
Chancellor Olaf Scholz has called for reliable orders from the defense industry to boost production capacity in Germany and Europe. "The federal government is committed to a strong aerospace industry in Germany and Europe," said Scholz at the opening of the International Aerospace Exhibition (ILA) in Berlin. He announced that the government will order an additional 20 Eurofighters, in addition to the 38 aircraft already in the works.
10:49 Construction of Two New Nuclear Reactors in Turkey "Adversely Affects Ukraine, Moldova"
While Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is pushing for international participation in the Switzerland peace conference, Russia is working to limit the attendance. According to NTV reporter Rainer Munz, the number of countries condemning Russia's invasion has dropped significantly since the start of the war, and many are choosing not to attend. This could indicate that Russia is successfully deterring countries from attending.
10:05 New Russian Security Measures Implemented for Putin?
There have been whispers of increased security measures around President Vladimir Putin following recent events. However, the Kremlin has not issued any official statements regarding this.
Based on the Moscow Times, there has been a considerable increase in the security measures for Russian leader Vladimir Putin. Two Russian officials mentioned to the paper that the security services have heightened the already strict security level to an unprecedented extent. It's been reported that Putin has been wearing a bulletproof vest at public events since the year 2023. Escalated incidents such as the recent assaults on the Slovak prime minister Robert Fico and the Japanese prime minister Shinzo Abe have ignited profound concern at the Kremlin, according to one of the officials. The Kremlin itself had previously stated that there had been no increase in Putin's security measures. Some of the identified risk factors mentioned by one of the officials are the arrest warrant issued by the International Criminal Court against Putin, the possibility of Ukrainian drone attacks or sabotage, and the threat of terrorist attacks.
9:37 Nikopol experiences artillery shelling
The Ukrainian administration has reported that Nikopol is being shelled with heavy artillery again. Yesterday evening and this morning, the city situated on the Dnipro River was attacked with heavy artillery and kamikaze drones, says the governor of the Dnipropetrovsk region. Although no injuries were reported, five houses and a power line were damaged. Four drones were shot down in the region, reveals the governor.
8:54 "Storks" observe Russian activities
The 71st Fighter Brigade's air defense units observe Russian activities far behind the front lines using "Storks." The unit has reported less and less hostile activity but has also witnessed Ukrainian drones penetrating deeper into Russian territory, necessitating a response from Russian air defense.
8:26 Putin agrees to answer questions from foreign journalists for the first time since the invasion of Ukraine began
For the first time since the onset of his two-year battle against Ukraine, Russian President Vladimir Putin will engage with Western media representatives at the international economic forum in St. Petersburg. This forum, also known as the "Economic Event," was held in 2022 and 2023. The economic event runs from Wednesday to Saturday.
7:58 Ukraine reports heightened activity by the Russian army near Donetsk
The Ukrainian army's general staff has warned of a critical situation at the front in eastern Ukraine. In the region northwest of Donetsk, there were 37 attacks documented yesterday, according to a military report. Russian forces are most aggressive in the Ocheretyne region. There, they are attempting to advance in multiple directions. The location is situated between Donetsk and Pokrovsk.
7:32 Ukraine continues to deal with drone attacks
During the last night, Russia deployed drone attacks on Ukraine once more. The Ukrainian armed forces disclosed that they had managed to shoot down 22 out of 27 drones. The drones were pursued and neutralized in southern, northeastern, and central Ukraine. In an attack on an industrial facility in the central region of Poltava, a person suffered injuries while the facility was also damaged, according to regional governor Filip Pronin.
6:55 US Embassy: US citizens of Ukrainian descent should not travel to Ukraine
The US Embassy in Ukraine cautions male US citizens who are also Ukrainian citizens not to visit the country, as they risk being unable to depart for an undetermined duration. "There is a high chance that your departure will be delayed, even if you possess a US passport," reads the embassy notice. Russia's invasion of Ukraine has led to a ban preventing Ukrainian men aged between 18 and 60 from departing the country.
6:14 Ukraine seeks to recruit drone operators for the military
The Ukrainian Ministry of Defense is launching a program to recruit drone operators for the army. This information is disclosed by the online newspaper "Ukrajinska Prawda". Anyone who is at least 18 years old can apply, it states. First, potential operators need to complete an online course. Then they learn how to operate drones and commit to enlisting in the army.
5:42 NATO Secretary General criticizes China
NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg condemns China for its boycott of the Ukraine peace conference in Switzerland. "It's unfortunate that China decided not to participate," Jens Stoltenberg states in an interview with NDR Info podcast "Streitkräfte und Strategien". The boycott reflects China's inability to condemn Russia's invasion of Ukraine, which is a breach of international law, the Norwegian official points out. Furthermore, China has been providing Russia with advanced technology, microelectronics, and other equipment, thereby supporting its war economy.
3:39 Biden to meet with Zelenskyy twice in the upcoming days
According to the White House, US President Biden will hold two significant gatherings with Ukrainian President Zelenskyy within the coming days. This information is revealed by the US National Security Advisor, Jake Sullivan. Biden is anticipated to take part in remembrances in France marking the 80th anniversary of the Allied landing. Zelenskyy is also expected in France. Additionally, the G7 summit is scheduled for the following week in Italy.
2:42 Rumors of Russian "Filtration Camps" in Vovchansk
Allegedly, there exist "Filtration Camps" in Vovchansk, where individuals suspected of supporting Ukraine are reportedly being held. The Ukrainian MP Andriy Derkach mentioned these computerized facilities in a recent statement to the RFE/RL. Forced disappearance and detention are believed to have taken place in the camps.
Russian invaders are setting up "filtration camps" in the disputed city of Vovchansk, according to Ukrainian officials. Governor of the Kharkiv region, Oleh Syniehubov, informed the "Kyiv Independent" on state television about the situation. These camps are set up by Russia to identify and document Ukrainians in occupied territories. There have been numerous reports of torture, sexual violence, and deportations in the past. The population of Vovchansk occupied by Russian troops is mainly comprised of residents who are being used as human shields by the adversary.
00:44 Corruption Trial: Former Leader of Ukraine's Weapons Acquisition Facing Charges
The former leader of Ukraine's weapons procurement must defend himself against corruption charges in court. He's accused of agreeing to overpriced deals for aircraft parts, the Anti-Corruption Bureau in Kyiv stated. The case originates from 2016 and is not connected to the current conflict involving the Ukrainian army and Russia's attacks. According to the bureau, the accused forged agreements with a private company regarding aircraft part prices that were seven times higher than the market value. His business partner is already on trial.
23:26 Police Break up Navalny Memorial Service in Moscow
The supporters of the deceased Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny faced a crackdown in Moscow today, as they gathered for a commemorative event. Special police forces overwhelmed a room where around 30 people had assembled to watch a live broadcast of a Navalny memorial concert in Berlin. The human rights organization Ovd-Info reports that about 30 people were arrested, searched, and questioned. Video footage published by the media outlet "Sota" depicts masked officers forcing their way into the room. Navalny would have turned 48 today. For more details, check this link.
22:56 Over 600 Kids Killed Since War Began
Today, Ukrainians remembered the children who lost their lives in the war. More than 600 children have been killed since the conflict began in February 2022, and more than 1,400 others have been injured, as stated by Denise Brown, a United Nations representative. This count only accounts for the verified cases by the United Nations. The actual number of children killed is most likely much higher. "Help us safeguard our children," stated President's wife Olena Zelenska at a remembrance ceremony in Kyiv, addressing the allies. Ukraine requires further weaponry. "The value of children's lives outweighs the cost of air defense."
At 22:00, horrifying images of Ukrainian POWs - Similarities to concentration camp inmates
Recently, photographs of Roman Horilyk, a Ukrainian soldier from the National Guard, have been circulating widely on social media. Horilyk looks significantly emaciated in these photographs. Journalist Illia Ponomarenko shares these images, stating, "This is how he looked when he returned to Ukraine following the most recent prisoner exchange." The soldier was taken prisoner at the Chernobyl nuclear power plant and spent more than two years in Russian captivity. "The story keeps repeating itself and shouts that its lessons must be learned." Many users on social media compare the appearance of Horilyk to that of prisoners from German concentration camps.
At 21:11, satellite imagery confirms spectacular Russian territory attack
The recent strike on a Russian S-300/400 air defense system has received significant attention. One aspect that has caught the attention of many is that it transpired on Russian soil. Moscow disputes the account, but there are several videos and images that indicate successful hits - and now, satellite images published by Radio Liberty provide further proof. They show burned launch ramps and a damaged command center of the S-300/400 air defense system. The attack is believed to have been carried out using a HIMARS multiple rocket launcher provided by the United States. Recently, the U.S. approved Ukraine's use of weapons on Russian territory to defend the region of Kharkiv.
At 20:33, "The next few weeks will shape the summer and the entire year"
Ukrainian President Zelenskyy claims the country is about to enter a crucial phase once again. In his evening video message, he states, "It's just early June, but the next few weeks will influence the entire summer and, in many aspects, the entire year." He goes on to mention the peace conference in Switzerland, efforts to unify the globe in support of Ukraine, EU relations, the state of front lines, and domestic economic production.
At 20:06, Germany: Russia's main target for disinformation campaigns before European elections
According to Brussels, Germany, France, and Poland have experienced a significant upsurge in Russian disinformation before the European elections. These three countries have been internally targeted by Russia as of late, states EU Vice Commissioner Vera Jourova in Brussels. In Germany, disinformation mostly revolved around "questions of immigration and security," she adds. Jourova presented the findings from the European Observatory for Online Media (EDMO'). Russian influence campaigns often pertain to the aggression against Ukraine. Together, Germany, France, and Poland have around 145 million eligible voters, representing about 40% of all voters in the EU.
Read also:
- In light of the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, NATO has expressed concerns over potential cyberwarfare attacks from Russia, and forces have been prepared to respond to such threats.
- Volodymyr Zelenskyy, the Ukrainian president, warned governments and international organizations about the likelihood of Russian military operations using cyberwarfare tactics.
- As the Ukraine conflict intensifies, NATO allies are working closely with Ukraine to bolster its cyberdefenses against potential cyberwarfare attacks from Russia.
- In the wake of the US presidential election, the threat of Russian cyberwarfare against Ukraine remains a major concern for NATO and its member countries.
