18:12: Vovchansk hit by rocket attack, resulting in one death and five injuries.

Rocket assault in Vovchansk: 1 casualty and 5 injured at 18:12.

A woman was killed and five other people were injured due to shelling in Vovchansk, a town in the Kharkiv region. The Kharkiv regional prosecutor's office announced this news through Telegram. The statement revealed that a 60-year-old woman died in the attack, two men aged 55 and 60, and two other 68-year-olds were also injured. Ukrainske, a village near Vovchanske, also faced enemy fire, causing a 59-year-old civilian to sustain injuries. Kharkiv's regional governor, Oleh Synegubov, mentioned that defensive positions were being reinforced around Vovchansk. The town had a population of around 18,000 prior to the war, but there were only about a hundred civilians left in the city.

At around 17:45, Georgian president Salome Zurabishvili vetoed the controversial law on "foreign influence," which she described as "Russian" and contrary to the Georgian constitution. Although the pro-government members in Tbilisi have enough votes to reject her veto, Zurabishvili deemed the law unacceptable. The law required media, non-profit organizations, and other non-governmental institutions receiving more than 20% of their funding from outside sources and pursuing the interests of a foreign power to register. She considered it a violation of the Georgian constitution and all European standards.

Volodymyr Zelensky, the Ukrainian president, confessed in an interview with the AFP news agency that the troops' morale was a significant problem. After two years of war, several brigades required replenishment, and the provision of supplies was necessary to facilitate troop rotations. There were also difficulties in recruiting new soldiers. Earlier, the age for conscription had been reduced from 27 to 25, and harsher penalties for draft-dodgers had been implemented.

In response to the growing threats from Russia and Belarus, Poland allocated more than 2.3 billion euros to fortify its eastern border. This project will include a complex fortification system and landscape adjustments to make the border impenetrable to potential enemies. The Polish Prime Minister, Donald Tusk, did not specify the type of fortifications. A week ago, Tusk had stated that Poland was dealing with a "hybrid war" due to unauthorized immigration from Belarus. According to the Polish border guard, nearly 300 illegal border crossings occurred between Poland and Belarus every day.

Vovchansk and Kharkiv, both located in eastern Ukraine, were again targeted by Russian attacks. Kharkiv's mayor, Ihor Terekhov, informed the public via Telegram that a residential area in the city was struck by several shells and five people were hurt. Additionally, Vovchansk experienced severe damage from Russian glide bombs and shells. Andrey Kovalenko, a member of the Security Council, remarked on Telegram that "Unfortunately, the city of Vovchansk has been practically completely destroyed by the enemy, which is mercilessly attacking it with glide bombs." Despite the relentless attacks, Vovchansk remains under Ukrainian control. The city, with its pre-war population of almost 19,000, still had some 100 residents left.

On May 9, a drone with a Russian flag attached to it flew near the Reichstag building in Berlin. The Bundestag confirmed that this incident occurred. Footage of the drone flight circulated on various online platforms. The Berlin state police have since filed a criminal complaint for violating the Air Traffic Act due to the drone's close approach to the parliament building. The Bundestag refrained from commenting on the security issues this drone caused at their premises. The man operating the drone was an avid supporter of Russia's war against Ukraine. Police officers collected his personal details at the scene. Reports also claimed that the same individual had previously defaced the former state parliament building in Potsdam with the "Z" symbol used by Russian troops in Ukraine and damaged Ukrainian images.

15:24 Zelensky is worried about the Russian offensive's expansion in eastern Ukraine

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has expressed concern about a significant shortage of weapons for Ukraine's air defense and the potential escalation of the Russian offensive in eastern Ukraine. The country currently possesses only a quarter of the air defense systems required for its defense, as mentioned by Zelensky in an exclusive interview with AFP. The Russians have advanced five to ten kilometers in the Kharkiv area since they launched the ground offensive about a week ago. More assaults are anticipated.

"It's a fact that they've progressed further into our territory," Zelensky said in an interview given on Friday and published Saturday. According to data from the Institute for the Study of War (ISW), the Russian forces captured at least 278 square kilometers of land during their advance, which is their most substantial territorial gain since the end of 2022. Ukraine's current air defense equipment provides just "about 25% of what we need to defend Ukraine," as stated by Zelenskyj in the interview. Additionally, his military requires roughly 120 to 130 modern fighter jets to achieve a balance of forces with Russia's aerial forces.

15:00 Zelensky considers a potential Ukrainian counter-offensive

President Volodymyr Zelensky of Ukraine believes that the country has the opportunity for a new counter-offensive, but stability must first be reestablished on the front lines and the Russian offensive halted. During an interview with the French news agency AFP, the Ukrainian president expresses optimism about the possibilities but acknowledges that the front line is unstable. Despite this uncertainty, Zelensky asserts that "Ukrainian forces will stop the Russians." Following this, "it is necessary to appropriate occupy the brigades to allow for going to the next steps of the counter-offensive," he stated. Numerous brigades lack resources, he added, and may need to be bolstered with necessary supplies for rotating troops. Zelensky declined to answer whether a Ukrainian counter-offensive would occur in 2025, though.

14:36 Kharkiv under attack, explosions reported

Zelensky warns that Kharkiv is under attack and many explosions are being heard in the city, as shared by Kharkiv mayor Igor Terekhov via Telegram. Furthermore, Zelensky stated on Friday that the Russian offensive in the Kharkiv region this month could be followed by multiple assaults, and that Russian forces may attempt to take the regional capital, Kharkiv.

14:06 Poland fortifies its border with Russia and Belarus

Poland plans to invest more than two billion euros in securing its eastern border. Known as the "Eastern Shield" project, this initiative includes fortifying the 400-kilometer-long border with Belarus and the Russian exclave of Kaliningrad. Concerning the border enhancement, Prime Minister Donald Tusk said it would be "an element of deterrence, a strategy to keep the war away from our borders."

13:37 22 military clashes reported, with 8 still ongoing

The Ukrainian military reported that 22 "military clashes" have occurred on the front lines since Friday night. Eight of these clashes remain active, according to a statement from the General Staff. "In addition, the Russian invaders launched a missile attack, utilized 25 kamikaze drones, and conducted 547 attacks on our forces' positions," the statement revealed.

13:02 Missile attack on Odessa

Ukrainian forces in Odessa region confirm that Russia has targeted the area with missiles. "Around 6 a.m., the Russian occupiers attacked Odessa again with a ballistic missile (probably Iskander-M)," the message stated.

12:53 Russia claims to have taken another village in Kharkiv

As reported by the Russian Ministry of Defense, Russia has "liberated" the village of Staryzia in the Kharkiv region. The units are continuing to advance, according to the ministry. The Russian invasion forces started a new offensive in the region about a week ago, adding a third front with eastern and southern fronts.

12:42 Ukrainian troops push back Russians in the Kharkiv region

Ukrainian troops aim to push the Russians back towards the village of Hlyboke in the Kharkiv region, as announced by the Ukrainian news agency RBC, citing the Ukrainian army. Located about 40 kilometers from Kharkiv and 10 kilometers from the Russian border, Hlyboke is the target of the troops' efforts. "Our defenders are trying to push the enemy back towards the village of Hlyboke," the Ukrainian General Staff reports.

11:50 Four people dead following Russian attack on KharkivThe death count from the Russian attack on the city of Kharkiv increased to four, with a 33-year-old man passing away in the hospital, as per Governor Oleh Synyehubov's statement. He added that two glide bombs were used to attack the Shevchenkiv district, resulting in 31 injuries, with serious conditions for two individuals. Additionally, a glide bomb hit the village of Kupiansk-Vuzlovyi, causing damage to multi-storey buildings, a hospital, and a kindergarten, leaving one woman injured.

11:15 Russia's influence on Germany perceivablePresident Zelensky is considering using the western-supplied weapons to defend Ukraine and potentially attack Russian soil. Political scientist Thomas Jäger points out that Russia is also exerting influence on Germany as well.

11:00 One killed, another injured in a Ukrainian drone attack in KurskRegional governor Alexei Smirnov reported that one person was killed and another was injured in a Ukrainian drone attack in the Kursk border region. However, information about casualties and assaults from Russian authorities cannot be independently verified.

11:00 Russian air defenses and airspace surveillance in Crimea facing challengesThe British Ministry of Defense has assessed that the Russian air defenses in Crimea have been weakened due to the recent Ukrainian attacks. It's likely that Russia will have to relocate its air forces to cover a broader area, increasing the possibility of losing more planes. The ministry also mentioned the loss of Beriev A-50 aircraft in January, February, and March as another challenge for Russia.

09:55 Close to 10,000 people saved from Kharkiv regionAround one week after the commencement of the Russian ground offensive in the eastern Ukrainian region of Kharkiv, authorities announced that approximately 10,000 people have been brought to safety from the vulnerable villages. The governor of the region, Oleh Synegubov, indicated that a total of 9,900+ individuals have been transported to safety. Russian forces started a ground offensive in the area on May 10 and have advanced between 5-10 kilometers towards the northeastern border.

09:25 Most Russians prefer fighting rather than returning occupied landRussian support for their armed forces remains high, with 75% backing them, according to a poll conducted by the Russian Levada Institute. However, if President Putin were to end the "military action" - as it's known in Russia - a majority of 71% would support the decision, but this drops to 30% when considering the return of their newly acquired territories.

09:00 Ukrainian drones pose a significant threat to RussiaThe cities of Kharkiv and Odessa have experienced attacks since the Russian invasion of Ukraine. NTV correspondent Jürgen Weichert discussed various reasons, including the size, beauty, and popularity of the cities. Nonetheless, Ukrainian forces also possess live ammunition and can cause considerable damage.

08:45 SPD representatives recommend NATO protection for Ukrainian airspaceFor the first time, SPD parliamentarians have called for NATO to deploy anti-aircraft missile troops on the NATO-Ukrainian border to secure airspace. SPD defense specialist Joe Weingarten stated that "In the current military situation, it's necessary and responsible to position German anti-aircraft missile units on NATO territory along the Ukrainian border to protect the airspace over western Ukraine - for instance with Patriot systems," which doesn't necessitate sending troops to Ukraine itself.

08:30 Ukraine calls for US assistance in identifying Russian targetsUkraine has appealed to the US government to assist them in determining targets in Russia that could be attacked by their weapons. Additionally, they requested the US to remove restrictions on the use of American weapons against military targets within Russia, according to US officials and Defense Department officials as reported by US news agencies Dow Jones and the Wall Street Journal.

09:04 Zelenskyi: The West is concerned about Russia's potential defeat - and doesn't want Ukraine to suffer the same fate

In an interview with French news agency AFP, President Zelenskyi expresses his belief that Ukraine and the West share common values, though there are often discrepancies in their perspectives, particularly regarding the ongoing conflict. "We're finding ourselves in a bizarre scenario where the West is fearful of a Russian defeat. And it doesn't want Ukraine to experience the same fate," Zelenskyj notes. He subsequently appeals to China and other countries from the Global South to join the peace summit in Switzerland in June. Russia was not invited to the meeting, nor would it have likely attended.

08:27 Russia bolsters Novorossiysk naval base against Ukrainian drones

The Russian military is reportedly beefing up the naval base in Novorossiysk, as relayed by the Ukrainian news agency RBC, citing the Telegram channel of the rebel group "Atesh." The Black Sea port city of Novorossiysk is strategically significant for Russia due to the vast majority of its oil and other exports flowing through it. Air defense and radar systems are also being increased. Less than 24 hours prior, Ukrainian drones had targeted the port of Novorossiysk. Novorossiysk gains prominence as a strategic location after Russia transports warships there following Ukraine's attack on the Russian Black Sea Fleet headquarters in Sevastopol, Crimea, in September 2023.

07:50 Ukraine claims Russia suffered 491,080 soldiers in the war

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

As it does every morning, the Ukrainian military discloses the number of Russian soldiers estimated to be killed or injured the day before, via Facebook. According to this information, losses on Friday attributed to Russia reached 1210 soldiers, bringing the total tally to 491,080. Additionally, Ukraine reportedly destroyed 43 armored combat vehicles, two aircraft, and a helicopter. This data, however, cannot be confirmed.

07:23 ISW: US conditions hinder Ukraine's defensive ability

The Institute for the Study of War states that Western allies impose constraints on Ukraine's military operations by forbidding it from utilizing Western weapons to strike Russian targets on Russian territory. This results in an invulnerable zone along the Russian-Ukrainian border, where the Russians can launch glide bombs and missiles at Ukrainian positions and towns without interference. "This US policy jeopardizes Ukraine's capacity to defend itself against Russian offensive operations in the northern Kharkiv oblast," the institute warns.

07:05 Ukraine claims to have shot down all Iranian-made Shahed drones

The Ukrainian air defense is said to have shot down all Shahed drones launched from the Russian port city of Primorsko-Akhtarsk on the Sea of Azov and from the Russian region of Kursk, according to Ukrainian media reports citing air force commander Mykola Oleshchuk. Ukrainian media provide no further details about the incident.

06:49 Explosion in Belgorod due to missile scare

The Russian state news agency Tass reveals that a missile alarm prompted an explosion in Russia's border region of Belgorod. Per the agency, Belgorod's governor Vyacheslav Gladkov urged residents to seek safety through his Telegram channel. The region has been under attack due to the Russian offensive against Ukraine. Despite the devastation inflicted on Ukraine, the impact of the war on Belgorod is relatively minor.

06:43 Russian offensive more intense in Krynky bridgehead

The Russian invasion force is intensifying its shelling on Ukrainian positions in Krynky, a Ukrainian bridgehead located on the southern bank of the Dnipro River in the Kherson region. The Institute for the Study of War reports the situation's escalation but there have been no confirmed shifts in the front line.

Russia has continued its advance towards Kharkiv. However, there have been no discernible changes to the front line there, as corroborated by the ISW. Despite Putin's assertions, Russian forces do not appear to be targeting Kharkiv city itself.

06:14 St. Petersburg explosions "not terrorism-related"

The Russian Army concludes that the blasts at St. Petersburg's Budyonny Military Academy were caused by an accidental detonation of World War II ammunition. Interfax reports that soldiers were conducting an inspection of the academy's underground areas when the incident occurred. The governor of St. Petersburg, Alexander Beglov, downplays the event's connection to "terrorism."

Lars Klingbeil Hopes China Will Attend Swiss Ukraine Peace Conference

SPD leader Lars Klingbeil remains hopeful that China will participate in the Swiss Ukraine peace conference. He emphasized the crucial role of China's presence at the table. This importance extends to other countries like India, Brazil, and South Africa too. Although Klingbeil acknowledges that it would be disappointing if these nations were absent, he believes that the conference would not fail if they did not attend. Klingbeil highlighted the significance of discussing peace around a common table rather than the failure to do so.

Ukraine President Zelensky Expresses Discontent with Weapons Restrictions

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky criticized the limitations on the use of Western weapons in his country. Notably, Russia can fire any weapon from its territory into Ukraine, a definite advantage. On the other hand, Ukraine cannot harm Russian weapons on Russian soil with Western weapons. Recently, the UK and the US have hinted at possible relaxations of these restrictions.

Ukrainian Army Commander-in-Chief Reports 70-kilometer Front Near Kharkiv

Russian ground troops have expanded their offensive near Kharkiv, extending the front to around 70 kilometers. This necessitated dispatching additional brigades from the Ukrainian Army's reserves. While Russian forces failed to break through Ukrainian defenses, they employed air force, missiles, artillery, and tanks in their assaults. Ukrainian army commander Olexander Syrskyj noted the importance of drones and more accurate artillery in the conflict.

Ukrainian President Suggests Russian Kharkiv Offensive May Be First of Several Waves

Ukrainian President Zelensky speculated that the Russian offensive in the Kharkiv region might be the first wave of a multi-wave attack. Although the first wave has been launched, Zelensky believes that more waves could follow.

Zelensky: Ukraine Needs 120-130 F16 Fighter Jets

President Zelensky stated that Ukraine requires 120 to 130 F16 fighter jets to nullify Russia's air superiority. He also mentioned the impact of the low number of soldiers on troop morale.

Zelensky Urges Citizens to Conserve Electricity as Power Grid Damaged

In response to the power grid damage sustained due to Russian attacks, President Zelensky urged citizens to conserve electricity. He requested relevant authorities to provide explanations for temporary power outages. Zelensky and the government have been working to restructure the energy supply system to make it safer from Russian harm.

Consular Services Restored for Conscripted Ukrainians Abroad

With Ukraine's new mobilization law in effect, Ukrainian conscripts abroad can access consular services again. However, they must provide evidence of registration with military authorities, either on paper or electronically. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Defense established an app to facilitate online registration.

Russia Freezes Unicredit's Bank Accounts and Assets

An arbitration court in St. Petersburg froze Unicredit's bank accounts and assets in Russia at the request of RusChimAllianz, a Gazprom subsidiary operating an LNG terminal on the Baltic Sea. The court's decision resulted from disputes over the failed construction of the terminal due to Western sanctions. Unicredit is the largest foreign bank still active in Russia after Raiffeisenbank and one of the top 20 banks in the country in terms of assets.

New Law to Allow Ukrainian Prisoners to Join Military

A new law allows certain prisoners to serve in the Ukrainian Army temporarily, which aims to boost the number of troops. However, prisoners with serious convictions are ineligible.

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Reports: Ukrainian Starlink Devices Failed During Russian Attacks in Kharkiv

On the 21st of this month, there was a disruption in all Ukrainian Starlink devices of a military unit stationed in Kharkiv region. The Washington Post, citing members of the 125th Territorial Defense Brigade, shared that these malfunctions occurred when the Russian offensive started. Moscow's troops began entering the border area on May 10th, and this failure in the satellite communication system is believed to have helped the Russian forces make swift territorial progress. The Post attributes the Starlink disruption to Russian electronic warfare systems, marking the first widespread malfunction of the satellite communication system in Ukraine since 2022's Russian invasion began.

Explosion in St. Petersburg's Military Academy

As per Russian media, there was an explosion at the Budyonny Military Academy in St. Petersburg. Multiple media outlets confirmed this news. RIA Novosti, a state news agency, says a local resident notified them about the explosion. According to Baza, a Telegram channel linked to law enforcement agencies, seven individuals sustained injuries during the blast.