Putin expresses dissatisfaction with impending peace conference in Switzerland.

Putin speaks out against proposed peace conference in Switzerland.

Russian leader Putin decries the proposed peace summit in Switzerland as a means of pressuring Russia. This summit set to take place on June 15 and 16 near Lucerne aims to demand terms from Russia to end the conflict. Putin commented on this matter upon returning from a two-day trip to China in Harbin. Ukraine and the West anticipate a Chinese representative being present at the meeting in Switzerland to further overwhelmingly support the gathering. Putin expressed discontent with the ongoing scolding of Russia, while Moscow remains uninvited. As the Kremlin has been adamant in avoiding the conference over recent months, this lack of inclusion only fuels Putin's skepticism.

Latest developments:

14:54 Captured footage reveals combat scenes in Kharkiv area - Ukrainian forces report bearing the brunt of intense battles in Vovchansk. NATO considers Russia incapable of a substantial advance.
14:25 The EU issues sanctions against pro-Russian platform 'Voice of Europe' and three Russian media outlets, which have been blocked within the EU.
13:53 Putin dismisses Western sanctions as "detrimental to the entire global economy." He considers these sanctions a harmful distortion of competition and labels them "stupid decisions with no future prospects" during a meeting with Russian media representatives in China.
13:41 Putin communicates his hopes for a supplemental gas pipeline to China - the 'Power of Siberia 2' project aims to convey Russian gas to the Asian superpower. Seeking to work out the route and iron out details, Putin conveys confidence that Russia, Gazprom, and other involved companies will reach an understanding regarding this project. He also mentions considering building an oil pipeline in the same corridor.
13:21 Putin reveals nonexistent intentions to take Kharkiv - the city that has been receiving Russian fire for several weeks will not be acquired per Putin. He asserts that Russian troops are currently constructing a defensive buffer zone in the region despite Zelensky reporting stabilized conditions there and claims that the Russian region of Belgorod faces constant barrages from Kharkiv.
12:58 Political expert Thomas Jäger claims China openly speaks with "crystal clarity" in private with Putin - concerning economic relations with Russia, Beijing holds significant leverage over the Russian president.
12:28 Putin offers to supply China with more energy - emphasizing "Russia's unending capacity to provide China with environmentally friendly, affordable, and reasonable energy, electricity, and heat," the leader promises to maintain and reinforce the strategic energy partnership between the two nations.
12:14 Satellite images unveil consequences of attacks on Crimean military base 'Belbek' - downloaded twice in the past two days, the Ukrainian army claimed to have disabled approximately five MGM-140 ATACMS. Aerial pictures now display the demolition of fighter planes.
11:57 Munz points out cracks in the alignment between China and Russia - notwithstanding an anticipated 30-page agreement, transpiring issues surfaced such as China possibly joining the Swiss peace negotiations or avoiding dependence on Russian natural resources.
11:34 Ukrainian General Oleksandr Syrskyi informs that Russian forces have widened their active combat region to potentially aprox. 70 kilometers with their drive on Kharkiv district. Expecting escalating clashes, he indicates additional Kiev deployment is underway.
11:15 Video displays ramifications of major assaults on Russia - Ukraine acknowledges multiple attacks on Russian territory, including a drone strike on the Tuapse oil refinery. Russia reports intercepting over one hundred drones during the nightly operations.

Amid escalated tensions and rhetoric, international relations continue to undergo a complex transformation. With Europe and Ukraine pushing for China's participation in the Swiss peace summit as part of a defensive measure, conflicting perspectives and conflicting interests heighten in the Asia-Pacific region.

10:31 Baerbock advocates for extended-range weaponsFollowing the situation near Kharkiv, Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock urges for weapons with a greater reach. The atmosphere surrounding Ukraine's second-largest city is considered dramatic, according to Baerbock, who spoke on the sidelines of a meeting with Europe's foreign ministers. Kharkiv is just 40 kilometers from the Russian border, and due to Russian attacks originating within their territory, Ukrainian air defense is ineffective. Baerbock also emphasized the need for weapons capable of mid- to long-range strikes.

10:02 Putin and Xi's amicable goodbyeFollowing their discussions in China, Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping parted ways with a heartfelt embrace. Putin's visit to Beijing on Thursday evening featured a handshake followed by a hug, as illustrated in a clip from state-run CCTV. During his stay in Harbin, Putin will continue his two-day excursion.

09:26 Ukraine announces four explosions in KharkivUkraine claims it fended off all 20 drones targeted at the nation by Russia overnight. The military reported the incidents in Kharkiv, Poltava, Vinnytsia, Odessa, and Mykolaiv. In the city of Kharkiv, four explosions resulted from the onslaught, according to Mayor Ihor Terekhov. A fire advanced during one of the blasts. The regional governor revealed five buildings sustained damages, including an administrative structure.

09:02 ntv journalist: "Russians approaching Kharkiv city limits"The conflict in Kharkiv is incredibly strained. Although Ukraine can now secure its military stance at the city's perimeter, "Russians have also managed to stabilize their position," reported Jürgen Weichert, an ntv correspondent:

08:34 Russia acknowledges casualties in Belgorod regionPer the authorities, two casualties were reported in Russia as a result of Ukrainian drone assaults during the night. A mother and her four-year-old son succumbed to a combat drone explosion in the village of Oktyabrsky in the Belgorod border area.

08:06 Moscow admits attack on Sevastopol in CrimeaThe Russian Ministry of Defense acknowledged an attack on the city of Sevastopol in Crimea. A substation has been compromised, resulting in intermittent power outages. Due to the current conditions, educational facilities remained shuttered. Sevastopol is the base for the Russian Black Sea Fleet. Crimea was annexed by Russia in 2014, violating international law.

07:42 Possible attack on Novorossiysk port reportedWidespread Ukrainian drone attacks on the Black Sea Fleet port of Novorossiysk are the subject of circulation. The Russian state news association RIA reports on strikes in the region, but omits any mention of the port.

07:18 Moscow acknowledges over 100 Ukrainian drones deflectedAs declared by the Russian Ministry of Defense, more than 100 drones were countered during the night. A total of 51 drones were thwarted in Crimea, 44 more in the Krasnodar region, six in the Belgorod region, and another in the Kursk region. The Russians have also targeted multiple naval drones in the Black Sea.

06:58 Several Russian fighter jets annihilated in CrimeaSatellite photos provided by Maxar show three discrete fighter jets being obliterated - two MiG-31s and one Su-27 - and another MiG-29 compromised in the Ukrainian airstrike on the Russian military airport Belbek in Crimea. The New York Times identifies a fuel storage facility as a secondary target. Ukraine targeted the airfield for the second successive night on Thursday night.

06:33 Reports surface of new attack on Russian refineryVideos have surfaced of an alleged Ukrainian drone attack on a Russian petroleum refinery. Authorities in Tuapse on the Black Sea claim the plant was targeted. [Update at 7 a.m.: Local officials confirm the blaze. It has been successfully subdued.]

06:14 Putin highlights the importance of trade with China's northRussian President Vladimir Putin intends to emphasize the significance of trade close to the Russian boundary in Heilongjiang province's northeastern China once he solidifies a strategic partnership with Chinese President Xi Jinping. During his time in Harbin, Putin concludes his two-day journey to China. This region has maintained commercial and cultural ties with Russia.

06:00 Russia expels British military attaché in response to mutual expulsion of attachés

The Russian Foreign Ministry has expelled British military attaché Adrian Coghill, stationed at the UK embassy in Moscow, designating him a non-persona grata and asking him to leave the country within a week. This move comes in response to the UK's expulsion of the Russian military attaché on May 8, suspected to be an undeclared intelligence agent.

05:30 Possible deployment of NATO trainers to Ukraine

Some NATO member countries are debating the potential of sending military trainers or private contractors to Ukraine to train their troops and mend equipment. Ukraine has requested assistance from the US and other NATO countries in training 150,000 troops near the front line, but the US remains hesitant due to the possible risk of attacks on the trainers that may activate NATO's collective defense clause. Instead, the idea has been floated to continue training large numbers of Ukrainian recruits in Germany and Poland as previously done. Although, this method may cause substantial logistical difficulties when considering the transportation of a vast quantity of soldiers. NATO countries like the UK, Germany, and France are pondering the possibility of sending defense contractors to Ukraine, whereas the White House is contemplating rescinding its ban on US defense contractors in Ukraine.

04:42 Relevant laws should be adhered to in handling frozen Russian assets

Japanese Finance Minister Shunichi Suzuki expressed his perspective on the American proposal to utilize the interest generated from frozen Russian assets towards supporting Ukraine. Suzuki stressed the importance of aligning the discussions with international law and added, "Japan plans to join the discussions at the upcoming G7 conference from this fundamental viewpoint."

03:11 Kim Yo Jong denies arms deal with Russia

North Korean ruler Kim Jong Un's sister, Kim Yo Jong, denies any arms trade with Russia. As stated by the state news agency KCNA, according to a press statement by Kim, she clarified that the armaments fashioned by North Korea were intended for self-defense against South Korea. She dismissed the alleged arms deal with Russia as a "bizarre concept" concocted by preconceived notions and fabrications. The United States and South Korea believe that North Korea is selling weapons to Russia, which may be used against Ukraine. Both Moscow and Pyongyang have denied these claims.

02:04 Air raid alert lifted in Kharkiv following drone attacks

The air raid alert that had persisted for more than 16 hours in most parts of Kharkiv has been lifted. Regional governor Oleh Synyehubov revealed that at least five drones had previously targeted Kharkiv, Ukraine's second-largest city. Mayor Ihor Terekhov announced that one district had been hit and a fire had ensued. The air raid alert present in Kharkiv lasted for over 16.5 hours, marking the longest such alert since Russia's invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.

00:51 Chinese support for Moscow hampers reunification with the West, says US

Following the friendly encounter between Chinese President Xi Jinping and Moscow's leader Vladimir Putin, the US Government claims Chinese assistance for Russia has become an impediment to reconciliation with the West. United States State Department Spokesman Vedant Patel, speaking in Washington, remarked, "China can't dance at two weddings at the same time." He emphasized that enhanced ties with Europe and other nations would not be feasible for Beijing, considering that it's simultaneously "fueling the biggest threat to European security in a long time," referring to the ongoing Russian military siege in Ukraine.

00:27 Zelensky warns of potential dangers for Europe stemming from Russian missile attacks on Ukraine

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky issued a warning about the dangers Europe faces due to Russian missile attacks on the gas transportation system. He discussed his concerns during a conversation with Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk. Zelensky stated that the missile strikes on the gas infrastructure in western Ukraine entail hazards not only for Ukraine, but also for its neighbors. "We must act together to counter this," Zelensky highlighted.

00:05 Prolonged power cuts in Ukraine due to extensive damage from Russian attacks

Yuri Boyko, an advisor to the Ukranian Prime Minister and member of the utility Ukrenerho supervisory board, anticipates power outages in Ukraine to persist for several months. He shared this acknowledgement following the mounting damage to power plants and substations. He expects an improvement to surface sometime in August or September, he said. The capital, Kiev, will also be affected by these power cuts. Russian missile strikes have significantly damages the Ukrainian power grid, highlighted Boyko.

(You can read about all earlier updates here.)