Russia declares control over 28 Ukrainian settlements in May.

Russia boasts of having captured 28 Ukrainian settlements in May.

The Russian army, as per their own declarations, is gaining ground in its assault against Ukraine. Within the current month, 28 settlements have been seized, claims Russian Defence Minister Andrei Boussoy to the Moscow-led Military Alliance Organization for Collective Security (OVCS) in Almaty, Kazakhstan. "By our active measures, the enemy has pulled back by about eight to nine kilometers at some crucial Kharkiv regions." For the past year, Russia has claimed ownership of 880 square kilometres of land. This would approximately equal the size of Berlin, though this cannot be independently authenticated.

17:36 NATO Secretary-General Condemns China for Aiding Russia's War in UkraineNATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg has firmly criticized China for their role in Russia's attacks against Ukraine. "Without China's assistance, Russia would lack the resources needed for waging its offensive war against Ukraine," proclaims Stoltenberg following discussions with the foreign ministers from the 32 NATO nations. China furnishes Russia with vast quantities of commodities suitable for both civilian and military purposes. Such offerings include state-of-the-art technology and semiconductors. "Russia could not possibly have devised the rockets, bombs, and aircraft weaponry they've used against Ukraine without China's deliverance of these advanced, high-tech goods," Stoltenberg said. 90% of the microelectronics Russia procured last year originated in China.

17:11 Habeck: Ukraine Needs to Repel Assaults from RussiaUkraine must have the means to ward off attacks from Russia asserts Vice Chancellor Robert Habeck.Commending the decision of the German government to allow the use of German-supplied weaponry against military targets in Russia, he cited the shelling of Kharkiv originating from Russian soil. "Ukraine does not possess the necessary defensive weapons to secure its people's lives," he stated. "This scarcity is due in part to inadequate aid from external parties." Habeck emphasized that it is reasonable for Ukraine to prevent strikes from Russia as prohibiting this would imply greater fatality.

16:45 Polish Intelligence Agency Investigating Potential Cyber Assault on State News AgencyThe Polish intelligence agency is delving into the likelihood of a Russian cyberattack on their State News Agency PAP. "All signs indicate an incursion orchestrated from the Russian side," Digitalization Minister Krzysztof Gawkowski revealed. The intent of the hack was to disseminate disinformation prior to the European elections. In the spurious and subsequently annulled false report, Prime Minister Donald Tusk was said to have ordered a partial mobilization for July 1st. As a result, 200,000 Poles, both former soldiers and non-combatants, were supposedly slated for deployment in Ukraine.

16:22 Blinken: Improved Situation at the front in Northeastern UkraineBluntly stating the effectiveness of recent military support to Ukraine, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken asserts that, "Thousands of artillery shells, thousands of anti-tank mines, and anti-aircraft capabilities are making a significant difference." Germany and the Netherlands have agreed to furnish additional air defense systems. Speaking at a NATO foreign ministers gathering, Blinken revealed, "The eastern and northeastern front lines in Ukraine are stablising, and Ukraine has indeed made considerable gains in the Black Sea by quelling the Russian naval fleet."

15:53 Russia and Ukraine Simultaneously Release 150 Prisoner ExchangeRussia and Ukraine have exchanged a total of 150 prisoners, according to their respective statements. Each side relinquished 75 prisoners. "Our country has reclaimed 75 more citizens," Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy shared publicly. "75 Russian soldiers were withdrawn from territories controlled by the Kiev administration," affirmed the Russian Defence Ministry.

15:29 Green party leader: Ukraine Has Right to Self-DefenseGreen faction leader Britta Haßelmann highlighted Ukraine's justified right to self-defense in light of Russia's ongoing assault. She aligned her stance with the German government's choice to permit the use of supplied weapons against military objectives in Russia: "Ukraine has vigorously defended itself against an excessively violent, illegal invasion by Russia for nearly two years. It has a right to protect itself."

15:02 Zelenskyj: Ukrainian Assault on Russia with Western Armaments InevitableUkrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyj prophesised that a Ukrainian strike using Western armament on Russian soil is inevitable. "I believe that any Western weapon's use against Russian territory is an inexorable event," Zelenskyj reiterated at a press conference in Stockholm.

14:35 Steven Seagal Honoured with Putin OrderThe actor Steven Seagal, erstwhile American film star, received an order - delivered personally by Kremlin's head Vladimir Putin. Seagal, a Russian citizen, serves as Moscow's representative for relationships with the United States. [Camera flashes, handshaking, smiling faces.]

14:16 The Bundeswehr does not misplace any IRIS-T missiles
The German Defense Ministry has denied a media report stating that one of their IRIS-T missiles is missing. "We do not have any missing guided missiles," said a spokesperson. "At no time in history has one been lost." IRIS-T is a German air defense system which was also provided to Ukraine. The news platform "Business Insider" claimed that a missile of this type was missing from the Bundeswehr.

13:56 Russia and Ukraine exchange 150 prisoners
After a long period of inactivity, Russia and Ukraine have once again exchanged prisoners. According to the Russian Defense Ministry in Moscow, 75 Russian soldiers have been returned, "whose lives were in critical condition." In exchange, 75 prisoners of war have been handed over by Ukraine's military. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky confirmed the exchange on his Telegram channel. Along with regular soldiers, members of the National Guard and Border Guard, along with four civilians were returned to Ukraine. The last time there was a large exchange between both countries was in February.

13:41 China declines to participate in Ukraine peace conference
China doesn't see the necessary conditions to take part in the Switzerland-organized Ukraine peace conference. Beijing says there's a significant gap between the conference's setup and China's requirements, as well as the general expectations of the international community. This makes it difficult for China to partake, as stated by Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning in Beijing. The concerns have been conveyed to the involved parties. It's been reported that China has decided to pull out. "Based on the announced design of the conference and the requirements of all parties, it seems that the three conditions proposed by China won't be met," Mao said. These conditions involve accepting the conference by both Russia and Ukraine, equal involvement of all parties, and a fair discussion of all peace options.

13:21 Scholz emphasizes the need for caution: "We must avoid a major war"
Federal Chancellor Olaf Scholz defended his policy following the decision to allow Ukraine to use German weapons against targets in Russia. "We must avoid a major war - the conflict between Russia and NATO," he said at the Catholic Day in Erfurt. "We must also ensure that Ukraine can maintain its independence and sovereignty." An escalation cannot be averted "without caution," Scholz said. "This cannot be achieved without carefully considering each step and what it entails for the risk of escalating." It's also crucial to coordinate closely with "those we are allies with."

13:07 Russia expands detention for US journalist Kurmasheva
A Russian court has prolonged the detention of US reporter Alsu Kurmasheva until early August. A plea by her legal team to have her released on house arrest has been denied by the Kazan District Court. Kurmasheva, who works for the Tatar program of the broadcaster, has been restricted from leaving Russia for a year. Since October, she's been imprisoned. Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (RFE/RL), a US-based radio station, accused Russia of imprisoning her as a retaliation for her journalistic work.

12:43 Medvedev warns the West: Possible nuclear weapon use is no bluff
Russia is threatening to use nuclear weapons once more in the Ukraine war after the lifting of restrictions on the usage of Western weapons in the conflict. Former President Dmitry Medvedev cautioned the West, discussing tactical nuclear weapons, which are designed to be utilized on the battlefield and are not intended to fully erase the enemy. The confrontation may escalate into a total war, warned Medvedev, a close confidant of President Vladimir Putin. A leading Russian parliamentarian also threatened the West with an asymmetrical war. Medvedev's statements follow a shift in policies by Western states regarding the terms for the use of Western weapons in Ukraine. Until now, it was generally presumed that they could not be used against targets in Russia itself. According to sources within the American government, President Joe Biden has now permitted Russia to use US weapons against targets in Russia which play a role in the Russian offensive against the eastern Ukrainian city of Kharkiv, such as planes that fire rockets on Kharkiv from Russian territory. Germany has also given Ukraine the freedom to defend Kharkiv.

12:18 NTV reporter Sharma discusses US weapons: "Provides legitimate military targets in the Russian hinterland"
The United States is allowing Ukraine to use American weapons subject to certain conditions against targets on Russian territory. The development is being debated contentiously among NATO nations. NTV journalist Kavita Sharma reviews the reactions in Ukraine.

The German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius justified the government's decision to permit the employment of German armaments against military targets in Russia as a "strategic modification to altering situations." He stated this during a meeting with his Moldavian counterpart, Anatolie Nosatii, in the capital, Chisinau. Pistorius assured that the discussion about the provision of long-range Taurus missiles to Ukraine would not be reopened, responding to a journalist's inquiry. He added that the focus would revolve around missiles with a range of numerous hundred kilometers, and the line will stay the same, despite statements from both parties.

11:46 - Strack-Zimmermann awaits Taurus rebirth

Marie-Agnes Strack-Zimmermann, the departing chairperson of the Bundestag Defense Committee, still yearns for the reopening of the debate on whether Germany should share Taurus missiles with Ukraine. While her optimism on this matter is mild, Strack-Zimmermann, now an FDP candidate, acknowledges the rapidly evolving circumstances, alluding to the Russian attacks on the Ukrainian city of Kharkiv. She stresses that in these times, one shouldn't be "calculable."

11:32 Munz: Kremlin in Dilemma

Since the beginning of the war, Putin has made threats against Europe and NATO. Ironically, during the debate on the use of Western armaments, the Kremlin repeated these threats. However, despite all the warnings, nations are still providing aid to Ukraine. The only option left for Putin is not a real choice, as per NTV correspondent Rainer Munz.

11:19 Zelenskyy: Russian troops mock Ukrainians, "hunt" them

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy revealed in an interview with the British newspaper "Guardian" that the delay in US President Joe Biden's decision to use Western weapons against Russian targets has led to Russian forces deriding Ukrainians and "hunting" them. Zelenskyy claimed that the White House's hesitations have resulted in casualties. "I find it logically absurd that we have weapons and the Russians who kill us are on the other side," Zelenskyy remarked. "Sometimes they chuckle at the situation. It's as if they're hunting people. They know we can observe them, but we can't reach them."

11:08 Orban: NATO getting closer to war each week

According to Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban's assessment, NATO is progressively edge closer to war every week. Concerning NATO's plans to deepen its involvement in the Ukrainian war, he likened the military alliance to a firefighter attempting to extinguish a fire with a blowtorch. It's absurd, states Orban. An intervention in Ukraine by NATO could incite a global conflict instead of safeguarding the alliance's member states, asserts the Hungarian prime minister. Orban has a friendly relationship with Russia's administration and has often disagreed with Western states over their bolstering of Ukraine since Russia sporadically invaded in February of 2022.

10:51- Berlin permits Ukraine to employ German armaments against targets in Russia

The German government approved Ukraine's employment of German armaments against military targets in Russia, verified by Berlin’s spokesman, Steffen Hebestreit.

10:46 Insider: Zelenskyy to visit security conference in Singapore this weekend

It is anticipated that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy will attend a security conference in Singapore this weekend. Based on the statements of six individuals privy to the matter, Reuters disclosed that support for Ukraine would be a critical issue at the so-called Shangri-La Dialogue, considered the most significant annual security gathering in Asia. US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin and his Chinese counterpart, Dong Jun, will also be partaking. Ukraine is presently aiming to join a Switzerland-organized international conference to find solutions to break free from the war. Zelenskyy contends that Russia is impeding the participation of other countries in the Ukraine peace conference planned for mid-June in Switzerland.

10:16 China: Our demands for a peace conference are equitable

China has urged a peace conference encompassing both Russia and Ukraine. The spokeswoman for the Chinese Foreign Ministry, Mao Ning, declared that China's demands are equitable and impartial. Mao emphasized that these demands are not targeted against anyone. Reuters disclosed that China would not take part in the Ukraine peace conference in June in Switzerland. Previously, Ukraine and Switzerland hosted discussions about finding means to halt the war. Both Russia and Ukraine rejected invitations to the conference. "China attaches important significance to Switzerland's hosting of Ukraine's first peace summit," Mao highlighted. Russian Foreign Minister, Sergei Lavrov, also suggested that China could serve as the host nation for a peace conference.

Ukrainian forces have advanced up to 9 kilometers in certain areas of Kharkiv region in eastern Ukraine, as stated by Russian Defense Minister Andrei Belousov. In the previous month, Russian troops had captured control over more than 28 settlements and occupied an area of 880 square kilometers, according to the news agency Interfax.

At 09:52, energy facilities in Kyiv, the capital city of Ukraine, have been affected by a Russian rocket attack. DTEK, the energy company, confirmed the incident stating that a power plant in Holosiyivskyi district has sustained damages, and there are a few houses left without electricity supply. The Ukrainian Air Force mentioned that Russian forces had used drones and short-range ballistic missiles like Iskander to conduct this attack.

The Ukrainian General Staff reports that Ukrainian forces have targeted an oil depot in the Russian Black Sea port of Kavkaz overnight. Eyewitnesses shared videos on social media of an explosion and a massive fire at the port, which are said to be a proof of the strike. The General Staff of the Ukrainian Armed Forces asserted that the depot was damaged by Neptune missiles, developed in Ukraine. The extent of the damage is yet to be confirmed. In addition, Ukrainian forces also targeted two ships near the Kerch Strait Bridge. The port of Kavkaz is situated on the island of Tuzla, close to the Ukrainian organised Crimean Peninsula, which has been seized by Russia.

At 08:54, NATO Chief Stoltenberg considers that the US decision to permit limited strikes on Russian targets by Ukraine doesn't pose any escalation risk. He expressed this during NATO Foreign Ministers' Meeting in Prague, saying, "Russia itself escalates by attacking another country." Stoltenberg additionally called on Germany and other countries to also allow similar attacks using weapons provided by them.

Ukrainian Air Force Commander, Mykola Oleschtschuk, announced on Telegram that air defense units have successfully intercepted four Russian Shahed drones and one Iskander-K cruise missile in the previous night. The missile systems and mobile artillery units of the Ukrainian Air Force engaged in shooting down these projectiles in the regions of Kiev, Zaporizhzhia, and Dnipropetrovsk.

After a rocket attack on a residential building in Kharkiv, the number of civilian casualties has increased to four, with 25 more injured. The governor of the Kharkiv region, Oleh Syniehubov, confirmed this news on Telegram. He declared, "Unfortunately, another body was found in the destroyed building. There are now four dead."

The Ukrainian Defense Ministry shared that there were 1390 Russian soldiers killed or incapacitated in one day. Since the commencement of the war in February 2022, the total number of Russian soldiers killed or incapacitated is 507,650. The Ministry also noted that the Russian side has lost 18 tanks (7728) after the beginning of the conflict. Moreover, Kiev claims to have destroyed nearly 15,000 armored vehicles and around 10,500 drones belonging to the Russian military.

Two people have been injured due to a Ukrainian air raid on the southern Russian region of Krasnodar, as revealed by regional authorities. Russian Governor Veniamin Kondratyev declared that the infrastructure of an oil depot in the Temryuk district faced damages. The debris from shot-down drones created a fire which has since been extinguished. Russian Defense Ministry informed that the air defenses had brought down 5 rockets and 29 drones fired by Ukraine in Eastern Russia. Further drone attacks were recorded in Voronezh, Belgorod, and Tambov.

In Crimea, under Russian occupation, there were reports of several explosions overnight, as told by eyewitnesses. The Crimean Wind Telegram channel, referenced by the Ukrainian news agency Ukrinform, stated, "Explosions are happening again in Port Kavkaz. Residents of Kerch heard eight to ten explosions." Here, an oil depot at the port is said to be burning. Earlier, fires in the port had been reported. The Ukrainian General Staff of the Armed Forces reported that two merchant ships from Kerch were hit by ATACMS missiles.

06:17 (USA): Russia employs North Korean rockets in Ukraine

The US military has assessed through a debris analysis that Russia is using North Korean rockets in its battle against Ukraine. The Defense Intelligence Agency stated, "The analysis confirms that Russia is using North Korean-manufactured ballistic missiles in their war against Ukraine. North Korean missile debris has been discovered in various regions of Ukraine."

04:34 (USA): China's support for Russia poses a danger to Europe

The US government perceives China's support for Russia as a threat to Europe. The US, along with its G7 partners and other EU and NATO countries, believe that China's involvement in Russia's war in Ukraine "not only endangers Ukraine but also European security," said the State Department's deputy spokesman, Vedant Patel, during a news conference. The US had accused the Chinese leadership of supporting Russia's war in Ukraine the day before and threatened more sanctions. Patel stated, "If China refrains from limiting its support for Russia's arms industry, the US is prepared to take additional measures."

02:50 (Rocket strike on residential building in Kharkiv claims lives of three civilians)

Russia fired rockets from Belgorod at Kharkiv at night. According to local officials, five hits were detected within the city region, including one in a five-story residential building. According to the Ukrainian newspaper Ukrayinska Pravda, which published images, twenty residential buildings were damaged. Three individuals perished, and sixteen others were injured in the rocket assault. Among the injured were also two children.

01:46 (German SPD politician advocates for the use of Western weapons against Russian targets)

SPD foreign policy spokesperson Nils Schmid supports the idea of allowing Ukraine to utilize Western weapons against military targets in Russia. "It makes sense to lift this restriction for targets on Russian territory," the SPD parliamentary group's foreign policy spokesperson remarked in an interview with Funke Media Group newspapers. "This must be decided by the NATO allies jointly."

00:06 (Scholz rules out German deployment of soldiers in Ukraine or imposition of no-fly zone)

Chancellor Olaf Scholz rejects sending German soldiers to Ukraine and participating in a no-fly zone. "We don't want our soldiers there," he said at a reader's meeting with the Thuringian Allgemeine in Erfurt. "This also applies to the dangerous idea of imposing a no-fly zone. This would mean that one would have to shoot down aircraft from other nations with one's own aircraft. 'Then you're at war.' We must prevent a war between NATO and Russia." The same view was shared by US President Joe Biden and French President Emmanuel Macron.

22:25 (US official: Biden permits use of US weapons in Russia - with conditions)

According to a US government source, the United States is said to allow Ukraine to use US weapons against Russia - but only in the area of Kharkiv. The shift in position by US President Joe Biden, who had previously denied Ukraine the use of US weapons for internal operations within Russia, represents a change in course. The restriction that Ukraine should not use its own long-range rockets and other ammunition for offensives within Russia has not been changed, according to US government sources.

22:06 (Ukrainian assault brigade captures street combat in Vovchansk)

The Liut Brigade, a police unit of the Ukrainian armed forces, is defending the city of Vovchansk near the border of Kharkiv alongside other troops. The unit has released a video that is meant to show street fighting within the city. The brigade claims that the clip shows soldiers from the Tsunami Storm Regiment obstructing Russian troops from occupying a building.