Russia Alters Names of Kidnapped Minors: Activist's Statement at 23:23
Activists in Ukraine accuse Russia of kidnapping children from their homeland and brainwashing them, a claim that the Russian authorities deny. The head of the charity group Save Ukraine, Mykola Kuleba, claims these children are forbidden to speak Ukrainian or display any Ukrainian symbols. They are punished if they refuse to sing the Russian national anthem. Their identities, including birthdates, have been altered by Russian authorities. As of now, Save Ukraine has managed to recover 373 children, many of whom show signs of trauma. The Ukrainian government alleges over 20,000 children have been abducted to Russia or Russian-controlled territories since the conflict began.
Meanwhile, Ukrainian investigators claim civilians have been killed and injured due to Russian shrapnel in the eastern region of the country. The Russian military reportedly targeted the village of Ulakly in the Wolnowacha district with shrapnel-laced shells, striking a residential area. Two men and a woman were confirmed dead, and five more civilians were injured, according to the investigators.
British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak criticized Russia's supporters and allies, accusing them of standing besides an aggressor and on the wrong side of history. Addressing a peace summit in Switzerland, Sunak suggested supporters of Russia who supply weapons or weapon components to reconsider their actions, alluding to the alleged atrocities committed by Russian forces in Ukraine.
Saudi Arabia recognizes the need for Russian participation in any credible peace talks aimed at reaching a peace agreement. The country's foreign minister, Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al-Saud, made this statement during the Ukraine conference in Switzerland. He emphasized the need for "difficult compromises" to achieve peace, with Saudi Arabia considered a likely candidate to host a follow-up conference.
The Ukrainian armed forces reported successes in battles on the Eastern Front in the areas of Klischtschijiwka and Serebrjansker Forst, pushing back Russian troops. The deputy commander of the 12th Special Brigade Asow, Sviatoslav Palamar, announced on Facebook that Russian forces had lost their positions in the Serebrjansker Forst area.
Ukraine reported renewed attacks at the town of Wotschansk, despite efforts from the international community for peace. Russian units in the east of the country attacked again in the area of Wotschansk, with one-third of the day's 74 attacks occurring in the region of Pokrovsk in the southeast of Ukraine. All attacks were repelled, according to the General Staff in Kiev.
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz advocated for Russia's inclusion in a peace process for Ukraine, but only under the condition of a complete withdrawal of Russian forces from the partially occupied parts of the country. He stated at the peace conference in Switzerland that if Russia stopped its attacks and withdrew its troops from Ukraine, the war could end that very day.
US Vice President Kamala Harris dismissed Russian President Vladimir Putin's proposed peace negotiations with Ukraine as absurd, claiming Putin was really asking for Ukraine's surrender. Harris assured Ukraine of continued US support in its defense against Russia. Putin reportedly demanded the complete renunciation of territories in Donetsk, Luhansk, Kherson, Zaporizhzhia, and the Crimean peninsula as a precondition for ending hostilities.
Swiss Federal President Viola Amherd called on all conference participants to take a coordinated political action to make the first steps towards achieving peace in Ukraine. She highlighted the need for international relations to be based on respect for rules, international law, and human rights for the sake of everyone's shared existential interest. Basic principles for future peace negotiations were set to be determined until Sunday at the conference.
18:56 Kremlin on Peace Talks: "We Got Nothin' to Say"Russia won't forward any messages to the attendees of the Swiss peace conference on Ukraine, as stated by Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov to the state news agency Tass. "Got nothing to say," Peskov is quoted as saying. We ain't interested in a productive and positive event next time. The Russian Foreign Ministry views the conference in Switzerland as a "ticket to nowhere." Moscow don't see no evidence that the West is willing to engage in fair negotiations. Russia wasn't invited to the peace conference, but Moscow also shown no interest in attending.
18:48 Scholz is "100% Sure" that Ukraine will get the 50-billion-dollar aidGerman Chancellor Olaf Scholz is certain that the 50 billion dollar credit for Ukraine, agreed upon at the G7 summit, will come through. "Now I'm 100% certain it'll work out," Scholz said to ZDF. "It's clear as daylight for Ukraine that it will receive the support."
18:20 Russia reports pipeline fireA fire has occurred at a gas pipeline in the Russian region of Saratov. According to the region's governor, Roman Busargin, the incident took place near the city of Saratov, which is around 470 kilometers from the Ukrainian border. The pipeline has been shut down, Busargin said. He described it as an accident. High temperatures are believed to have caused a pressure drop, leading to the fire, Busargin posted on Telegram. No one was harmed. Locals claim to have witnessed multiple explosions and a large fire.
17:35 Stockholm: Russian jet intrudes into Swedish airspaceA Russian military aircraft has breached Swedish airspace, reports from Stockholm suggest. The fighter jet of the type Su-24 was intercepted by a Swedish Jas-39 Gripen, the Swedish Defense Ministry reported. The incident, which happened in the afternoon on Friday, lasted only a few minutes, SVT reported. Foreign Minister Tobias Billstrom called the Russian behavior unacceptable and announced that he would summon the Russian ambassador. According to the Swedish Defense Ministry, there has been no such intrusion by Russian military jets since 2022. Sweden recently became a member of NATO and announced this week that it would participate in airspace surveillance under NATO command.
17:08 Meloni calls Putin's demands "BS"Italian Prime Minister Georgia Meloni dismissed the conditions put forward by Russian President Vladimir Putin for peace talks with Ukraine as "bullshit." "Seems to me that this proposal for negotiations with Ukraine, telling them to withdraw from Ukraine, isn't that effective," Meloni said at a press conference at the end of the G7 summit in Italy. Putin demanded that Ukrainian troops withdraw from four regions of Ukraine occupied by Russia as a condition for a ceasefire and peace talks. Kiev was also asked to renounce NATO membership. More on this here.
16:48 Nehammer: West won't leave Russia hangingThe Ukraine conference in Switzerland is seen by Austrian Chancellor Karl Nehammer as a possible way out of a deadlock. "We're stuck in a Western echo chamber. We're all in agreement, but that's not enough," the Austrian chancellor said. The EU and the US are working to find more allies to apply pressure on Moscow in the Ukraine conflict. "Without parts of Asia, Africa, and South America, it won't be possible for us to persuade the Russian Federation to change its stance." The presence of India and Brazil - although not at ministerial level - at the meeting is a "ray of hope," Nehammer added.
16:30 Zelenskyy anticipates historic peace summitThe Ukrainian President Zelenskyy is optimistic about the notable conference in Switzerland. According to Zelenskyy, "history will be made" at the summit. This is expected to be the first step towards peace in Ukraine. Experts and critics believe that there will be little progress, as Russia is not present at the summit. The organizers of the summit have planned three thematic focal points: nuclear security, food security, and humanitarian issues. The list of topics to be discussed is significantly shorter than the contents of a Ten-Point Plan that Zelenskyy presented. He demanded, among other things, the withdrawal of Russian soldiers from occupied territories and the cessation of hostilities.
16:03 Weichert on peace conference: "Presence of Russia's allies catches people off guard"A peace conference for Ukraine in Switzerland aims to help end the Russian military campaign against the country. What can be expected from the summit without Russian representation? Weichert, a reporter from NTV, believes that the presence of Moscow's allies might make Russia listen.
15:27 Zelenskyy sees pressure on Moscow escalatingUkrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy sees the pressure on Moscow increasing due to the peace conference in Switzerland. The two-day meeting of 92 countries and eight international organizations will rekindle the idea that collective efforts can stop a war and establish trust and peace, says Zelenskyy just before the commencement of the delegation meetings. "We gave diplomacy a shot." Meanwhile, the host is downplaying expectations for the conference. "Our goals are humble," says Swiss Federal President Viola Amherd. It's about inspiring a process for a sustainable and just peace. Central to this is the importance of international law as the foundation of the international order. "Russia's attack grossly violates this," Amherd says.
2:59 PM - US VP Harris Arrives in Switzerland for Ukraine Peace TalksThe Vice President of the United States, Kamala Harris, was flown into Switzerland yesterday afternoon for a peace summit regarding Ukraine. The Swiss news agency Keystone-sda reported this, stating that Harris arrived via helicopter from Zurich Airport to the meeting location at Bürgenstock. President Joe Biden is representing her in California at a campaign event. It is as yet unclear if there will be a joint declaration issued. There are still a number of contentious issues among the delegations, and it's possible that a declaration may be made without consensus.
2:34 PM - Russian Ships Head to CubaFour Russian Navy ships are being sent to Cuba, including a submarine with an atomic propulsion system and the cruiser "Admiral Gorshkov." Despite inviting tourists for ship tours, the cruiser has become a point of interest for onlookers due to Russian activities.
2:01 PM - Scholz Denies Blocking New Russia Sanctions in the EUGerman Chancellor Olaf Scholz denies allegations that Germany is hindering new Russia sanctions within the EU. According to Scholz, discussions are ongoing to determine the best way for the German economy to continue operating without goods intended for South America, Asia, or Africa being diverted to Russia. He remains optimistic that an agreement will be reached soon, noting that this is a practical matter and not a fundamental issue. The new sanctions package includes measures against sanctions evasion, as well as planned restrictions on Russian liquid gas, though there is no import ban as the European Parliament demands.
1:38 PM - Additional Aid Packages Announced for UkraineUS Vice President Kamala Harris announced a new aid package worth over $1.5 billion to support Ukraine's energy sector. The funds will help rebuild the war-damaged energy infrastructure, and an additional $379 million will be allocated for humanitarian aid within Ukraine.
1:18 PM - Questions About the Summit: Will there be a conference with Putin after Switzerland?Following the G7 summit, supporter states of Ukraine will gather for a peace conference in Switzerland. It is unclear what to expect from this conference and what further steps a peace plan for Ukraine entails.
12:43 PM - Swedish Fighter Jets Intercept Russian Military AircraftA Russian military aircraft reportedly breached the Swedish airspace east of the Baltic Sea island of Gotland on Friday, ignoring warnings. Two Swedish fighter jets were then dispatched to intercept the SU-24. Previously, the Finnish border guard had suspected that as many as four Russian military aircraft had entered Finnish airspace the previous Monday.
12:07 PM - Ukraine's 47th Mechanized Brigade Shares Maintenance ChallengesThe 47th Mechanized Brigade of the Ukrainian Armed Forces often faces intense combat and uses US Bradley Combat Tanks of the M1A1 type. The brigade notes that the heavily demanded military equipment from abroad is extremely maintenance-intensive. Despite its high weight and great maneuverability, the Bradley's accuracy and excellent stability make it suitable for combat during the day and at night, thanks to its effective thermal imaging cameras.
11:35 AM - Several Fatalities Reported in Russian Border City After Ukrainian AttacksAccording to Russian reports, several people have been killed and injured in Ukrainian attacks on the Russian border city of Schebekino. Five bodies were found in the debris of a house, a woman reportedly died in the hospital, and six civilians were injured during the late Friday evening attack.
10:56 AM - Ukrainian Intelligence Reports Drone Swarm Attack on Russian AirfieldThe head of Ukrainian military intelligence, Kirillo Budanov, confirms that a drone swarm attack took place on the Morosovsk airfield in Russia. At least 70 drones were reportedly used in the attack, though the number of downed jets and Russian losses are currently unknown. Satellite images show signs of the alleged attack.
Recent weeks have seen Ukrainian forces focusing their attacks on Russian air defense systems. Military analyst Nico Lange suggests this signals an escalation in the use of Ukrainian Su-24 fighter jets, as well as British and French cruise missiles, and the deployment of F-16 fighter jets. Lange comments to Bild, "Ukraine is meticulously and systematically getting ready to use its own Su-24 along with British and French cruise missiles, and the deployment of F-16." Ukraine had previously stated its aim was to achieve air dominance to repel Russian forces. The first F-16 operations are anticipated this summer, signaling a new stage. However, initial deployments may be limited due to a shortage of pilots. The hope is that the F-16s can shoot down planes originating from Russian territory bombing Ukraine.
09:33 German Chancellor Olaf Scholz responds to Putin's peace initiatives.
Scholz indicated during ZDF broadcasts that Putin's proposed peace talks were not discussed at the G7 summit, and he said these peace initiatives were seen as insincere, connected to the Switzerland conference. Putin outlined peace terms for discussions with the Ukrainian government on Friday. Cessation of hostilities would occur if Ukraine abandoned its NATO membership aspirations, Putin asserted. Furthermore, Putin demanded that Ukrainian forces withdraw from the four regions Russia declared annexed. For further insights, refer to this link.
09:01 ntv-Reporter Schmidt-Denker: "G7 Summit Overview"
The G7 summit in Italy has concluded, paving the way for the peace conference in Switzerland. Not all G7 delegates will travel further. Ntv-Reporter Holger Schmidt-Denker elaborates on the summit's success and arrangements being made for Ukraine:
08:35 Heusgen expects minimal political progress from the Switzerland peace conference.
Head of the Munich Security Conference Christoph Heusgen expects little political progress at the Switzerland peace conference this weekend. "Discussions are about expressions of solidarity and a powerful concluding statement. Central is that delegates from Asian, Latin American, and African countries participate," Heusgen informed t-online. "This will be noticed in other parts of the world. Russia has challenged the international rule-based order, which cannot be ignored by countries in the global south." According to former Foreign Policy advisor to ex-Chancellor Angela Merkel, the two-day summit will offer insights into the current level of restraint within the international community, specifically from Russia and China.
07:47 Military analyst: Switzerland conference might initiate a process, eventually including Russia.
According to military expert Nico Lange, the Switzerland conference could set a process in motion that could potentially involve Russia. "Meeting is worthwhile. No obstructing food supplies, no nuclear weapons, prisoner exchange – these are generally acceptable principles," Lange told X. Russia may only engage in serious disarmament talks in Ukraine when it faces military pressure there. "Putin still believes he can achieve his objectives, even with the hope that the Americans and Europeans may waver."
07:03 Defense contractor: Augsburg can still defend, but not Berlin.
The CEO of defense contractor KNDS maintains that the current German government has not shown signs of enhancing Germany's defense capabilities through contracts. "The majority of our 2023 order intake did not come from Germany but from other NATO countries," Frank Haun, whose company produces the Leopard 2 battle tank, stated to FAZ. "We only have around 300 combat-ready battle tanks in Germany. Therefore, I frequently say: Augsburg can still defend, but Munich and Berlin cannot."
06:30 EU Commissioner discusses 2.5 million artillery shells for the EU by year's end:
EU Commissioner Thierry Breton predicts the European Union will achieve a production capacity of 1.7 million essential 155mm artillery shells by year's end, with an expectation of over 2 million in the subsequent year. "The goal is to attain 2.5 million. I think we should reach that by the end of 2025," Breton told "La Tribune" in an interview. The EU has sanctioned a program of 500 million Euros to fund factories producing munitions. The Ukraine has faced a significant shell shortage compared to the Russian side for some time.
05:54 EU accession talks with Ukraine and Moldova to begin shortly:
EU member states have agreed, in principle, on the initiation of accession negotiations with Ukraine and Moldova. According to the Belgian EU Council Presidency, the first government conferences are expected to be called on June 25. The decision is subject to confirmation at an EU Council meeting on June 21, as well as the approval of the Dutch parliament. EU Council President Charles Michel announced via the X online service that the EU will uphold its commitments and support Ukraine and Moldova "on the path to membership." In June, the European Commission had already certified that both Ukraine and Moldova had met the prerequisites for the commencement of accession talks.
04:54 Russia and Ukraine witnesses casualties in recent attacksIn the Russian region of Belgorod, six people were fatally injured as per Russian authorities in incidents that occurred the previous day. Four of the deceased were discovered in the remnants of a multi-story building in the city of Schebekino. A man was struck by a Ukrainian drone while in his vehicle, and a woman was killed in the further west situated settlement of Oktjabrski due to rocket fire, as reported by the governor of the region, Wjateslaw Gladkow. On the Ukrainian side, one person was fatally injured in Schostka, located in the Sumy region, according to Ukrainian military reports. Residents in the Sumy region have been frequent targets of Russian attacks.
02:26 Russia gearing up for potential evacuation of cultural artifacts from CrimeaRussia is apparently planning to transport cultural artifacts and historical relics from the annexed Crimea. Reportedly, the Ukrainian news portal Ukrajinska Prawda cited a letter from the Russian-controlled "Culture Ministry" of Crimea to museum directors, mentioning potential "evacuations". The Russians are allegedly racing to classify and evaluate exhibits using electronic registers in an effort to expedite the process. The Ukrainian Center for National Resistance fears that valuable artifacts from Crimea could be transported to internationally recognized Russian territory.
00:39 Twelve Ukrainian children, previously in Russian-controlled zones, have returned to Ukrainian controlAccording to Ukrainian authorities, twelve children, consisting of three boys and nine girls aged between 2 and 17, have been brought back to areas under Ukrainian control from the southern region of Kherson. This announcement was made by the region's governor, Oleksandr Prokudin, via Telegram. Ukraine alleges that nearly 20,000 Ukrainian children have been abducted from eastern and southern regions of the country since the invasion began in February 2022 and forcibly kept under Russian control. The return of these children is a diplomatic priority for the Ukrainian government.
23:07 Allegations of Russian attack on gas transshipment terminal in KurskAccording to Russian reports, Ukraine has targeted a gas transshipment terminal for Russian gas exports in Russia. The governor of the region of Kursk, Alexei Smirnov, announced on Telegram that several settlements, including the city of Sudja, were attacked by Ukraine. This is the last functioning distribution center for Russian gas exports to Europe via Ukraine. Smirnov mentions no damage to the gas infrastructure, but two people were injured, and one house was destroyed during the shelling. The responsible Ukrainian utility company denies that the Russian gas transport was affected by the attacks.
22:13 USA's Lloyd Austin says Putin cannot dictate terms for peace to UkraineAccording to US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin, Russian President Vladimir Putin cannot dictate terms for peace to Ukraine. "Putin has illegally seized sovereign Ukrainian territory," Austin said after a NATO defense ministers meeting in Brussels. "We don't want a leader of a country to wake up one day and decide to erase the borders of his neighbor and annex its territory. That's not the world we all want to live in."
21:45 Germany halts new sanctions package against RussiaPlans for a 14th sanctions package against Russia were initially scheduled for discussion during the EU countries' regular meeting of permanent representatives. However, Germany had raised concerns about the plans that have not been remedied. The start of accession talks with Ukraine and Moldova is an important signal - particularly towards Kiev. The Ukraine peace conference will take place on Saturday in Switzerland.
21:34 EU-States agree on entry talks with Ukraine and MoldovaThe EU-States have essentially agreed on the commencement of entry talks with Ukraine and Moldova. This was announced by the Belgian EU presidency in Brussels.
21:07 Finland suspects violation of airspace by Russian military jetsThe Finnish border guard, in its own words, suspects that approximately four Russian military jets violated the airspace of the northern European country on the previous Monday. The Defense Ministry initially only suspected one aircraft. However, as the investigation into the incident progressed, more evidence emerged to suggest that three additional aircraft also breached the border. It is believed that it was likely two bombers and two fighter jets.
20:36 Putin envisions a new global security system - with room for NATO participationAccording to Russian President Vladimir Putin, the "Western model" for global security has failed, as per his words. The world is currently witnessing the collapse of the European-transatlantic system, Putin said at a meeting with representatives of the Russian Foreign Ministry. The world has reached a point where there is no turning back. He accuses the USA in particular of undermining global security by withdrawing from arms control agreements. Putin calls for the construction of a new global security system that will be open to everyone, including NATO.
Per Putin's declaration, approximately 700,000 Russian troops are engaged in fighting within Ukraine. This figure, he said, represents an increase of about 83,000 soldiers since December. However, based on data from the British intelligence service, around half a million Russian soldiers are believed to have been either killed or injured since the invasion initiation in February. Sources like "Mediazona" and the Russian arm of the BBC claim that over 136,500 Russian soldiers have perished in combat in Ukraine. According to information that is publicly accessible, an estimated 50,000 Russian soldiers have been confirmed dead, while the Kremlin has only acknowledged the loss of around 6,000 soldiers officially, as of September 2022.
Read also:
- The ongoing 'Attack on Ukraine' has seen a significant increase in 'military operations', with Ukraine reporting successes against Russian forces in the Eastern Front, specifically in Klischtschijiwka and Serebrjansker Forst.
- The 'Ukraine conflict' has led to increased cyberwarfare attempts, with Ukrainian officials reporting multiple incursions into their digital infrastructure by Russian hackers.
- In response to the 'Ukraine conflict', Volodymyr Zelensky, the President of Ukraine, has called for unity and international support, emphasizing the need for NATO to play a role in ensuring Ukraine's security and sovereignty.
- The Russian Federation, amidst the 'Ukraine conflict', has been criticized by several world leaders for its actions, with British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak accusing Russia of being on the 'wrong side of history' and Saudi Arabia calling for 'difficult compromises' to achieve peace.
