Russia: Primary electrical line from Zaporizhzhya nuclear power plant out of service
A major power line delivering electricity to the Russian-controlled Ukrainian nuclear plant in Zaporizhzhya has malfunctioned, Russian officials say. But there's no cause for alarm as the plant's facilities have a backup power supply, the authorities reassured the public via a Telegram post. The six nuclear reactors in Europe's largest nuclear plant must maintain a constant temperature to ensure safety, and they achieve this by either using external power sources or diesel generators. However, pre-war issues about power shortages at the power station have raised concerns among watchdogs like the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), who've warned repeatedly about latent risks endangering nuclear safety.
Here's an update from 16:31: The International Fund for Ukraine (IFU) has just announced a military package worth £150 million. This financial aid is targeted at fortifying Ukraine's air defense and bolstering specific naval capabilities, including radar systems, drone defense mechanisms, and small boats. Kiev proclaimed this valuable assistance "a must for the protection of its citizens and infrastructure from Russian terror." The IFU functions as a vehicle for international donors to provide crucial military equipment to Ukraine. The UK Ministry of Defence spearheads the management of this fund. Its key contributors include the UK, Norway, the Netherlands, Denmark, Sweden, and Lithuania.
Switching gears, a pressing matter at this moment (16:05) is the announcement by defense ministers from Lithuania, Latvia, and Estonia. They're urging NATO member countries to bolster their defense spending and surpass the current 2% of GDP target, which they consider necessary before the congregation for the upcoming NATO summit. 18 member states are aiming to attain this benchmark this year, including the three Baltic nations that have been staunch advocates for Ukraine's security efforts since the start of the conflict.
In an unusual incident (15:28), the Russian border guards reportedly took away some 24 buoys placed by Estonia in the Narva River to help with waterway navigation. The Narva River is part of the border between the two countries, and these markers demarcated shipping routes. According to Eerik Purgel, Estonia's Border Guard head, prior to the war, Russia and Estonia used to collaborate to install buoys every spring. However, this ceased in 2023 due to disagreements over their locations. Recently, Estonia managed to install 50 buoys only to find out that 24 of them were removed by the Russian border guards overnight. Purgel expressed his intention to interact with Russia's representatives to discuss this bizarre incident.
Syrskyj, the Ukrainian army commander, commented on the ongoing conflict in a statement (14:50). After an initial series of small successes on a new front line in the Kharkiv region, Russian forces are said to be intensively battling street fights around Vovchansk. The casualties suffered by Russians during these battles are substantial, claims Syrskyj. He also noted that the contest for Chassiv Yar remains extremely vital to Russia due to the recent advances by Ukraine's military. However, the Russian forces' modern T-90M, BMP-3, and BMD-4 main battle tanks as well as their infantry fighting vehicles are being targeted and destroyed by Ukrainian anti-tank weapons and drones, according to Syrsky.
Vladimir Putin is on his way to Belarus (14:26) for a two-day visit with his close ally, Alexander Lukashenko. Apart from touching upon bilateral cooperation aspects, the pair is expected to discuss important international politics during their private meetings. This is Putin's second diplomatic engagement after his inauguration—the first being a visit to China. The two leaders share a strong relationship, with Lukashenko reliant on Moscow economically, politically, and militarily. The most recent meeting between Putin and Lukashenko was on May 9 for a military parade in Moscow.
Lastly, Russia has issued another threat following the provocative comments made by British Foreign Secretary David Cameron (13:49). In the event Ukraine uses British-supplied artillery against Russian targets, Moscow can retaliate with lethal consequences. The Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson, Maria Zakharova, has underscored these possible consequences. These warnings arose following Cameron's declaration that "Ukraine has the right to use weapons supplied by London against targets in Russia." This statement earned Russia's fury, prompting a modified distributed simulation of tactical nuclear strike drills.
1:35 p.m. - Capture of a Devastated Andriyivka Reported by Russian Ministry of DefenseThe Russian Ministry of Defense has reported the capture of the village of Andriyivka in Donetsk. Ukraine has not yet issued a statement on the matter. In September 2023, Ukraine claimed that it had regained control of Andriyivka, which is close to Bakhmut. However, fighting resumed there in January 2024, and the village is now mainly in ruins.
12:52 p.m. - Yellen Specifies: Aid for Kiev Will ContinueAccording to the United States Treasury Secretary, Janet Yellen, financial assistance for Kiev will not cease. After 2025, this could be accomplished by utilizing the revenue generated from frozen Russian assets. Yellen spoke of this before the G7 finance ministers' meeting in Italy. Using these funds as collateral for issuing bonds or loans could become a crucial source of funding for Ukraine. The United States is urging the G7 nations to agree in principle to using these expected future earnings.
12:31 p.m. - Steinmeier says: "We Must Take Action for Our Safety"German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier described the Russian war in Ukraine as an "epochal turning point." "We must acknowledge that we are living in a drastically altered reality," Steinmeier stated. Both military security and social resilience are interconnected, he argued. He emphasized the significance of conducting a debate on alternative types of military service and other community-oriented tasks. He contended that we should not shy away from these topics and that we need to strengthen our defenses and our alliances. Steinmeier, who played a key role in shaping Germany's Russia policy before, stood out during his tenure as Foreign Minister in 2016, opposing a NATO wargame in Eastern Europe and claiming that "boisterous saber rattling and shouts of war" signaled escalation.
12:06 p.m. - Kharkiv Under Attack: At Least 6 DeadAccording to Ukrainian reports, at least six people have perished as a result of numerous Russian missile strikes on Kharkiv. Russian forces targeted the city at least 15 times during the morning hours, according to reports. The Kyiv Independent revealed that at least 16 people were hurt. Transportation infrastructure and a private firm were among the affected targets. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy described the "extraordinarily violent attack" as unacceptable. He also condemned Russia for taking advantage of Ukraine's inadequate air defense.
11:31 a.m. - Norway Tightens Entry Rules for RussiansNorway intends to tighten entry rules for Russian citizens. Tourists and those on non-essential journeys will be deported when they attempt to enter the nation through its external borders, according to a statement from Norway's government. This regulation will apply to Russian citizens even if they possess a visa issued by Norway or a different Schengen country. "This decision to increase entry regulations aligns with Norway's policy of standing with its allies and partners in their response to Russia's illegal military action against Ukraine," stated Justice Minister and Public Security Emilie Enger Mehl.
11:05 a.m. - Munz Explains: Russia Under the Possibility of Being Attacked with U.S. WeaponsIn light of recent Russian actions in Ukraine, the possibility of the United States allowing Kiev to target Russian territory with U.S. weapons is being considered openly. ntv Moscow correspondent Rainer Munz discusses the implications of such a move for Russia.
10:40 a.m. - Sweden fortifying itself: "We don't know how much time we have"Sweden has converted to the concept of "total defense" and is preparing its energy sector for potential warfall. Sweden is uniquely susceptible to attacks on its power grid because 16,000 miles of power lines cross through dense forests and are vulnerable. In wartime, these critical infrastructures are a major target. Due to the current conflict in Ukraine, power outages and frigid winters with no functioning heating are a possibility. Sweden plans to be prepared for this: "We don't know how much time we have," says the Minister for Civil Defense, Carl-Oskar Bohlin, in an interview with the magazine "Bloomberg."
09:54 "Inmates released to join the Ukrainian army"
The ongoing conflict in Ukraine requires both ammunition and soldiers. To address this need, Ukraine is employing innovative strategies to recruit new personnel. According to NTV correspondent Stephan Richter, these measures include using an app and even freeing prisoners to join the fight.
09:26 Possible change in policy regarding US weapons: Targets in Russia?
Until now, U.S. President Joe Biden has maintained that the weapons shipped to Ukraine must not be used against Russian soil. However, the intensifying situation in the war has led to a potential shift in policy. Reports from the New York Times suggest that Washington may now allow Ukraine to fire U.S. weapons at missile and artillery positions within Russia. Secretary of State Antony Blinken is said to be spearheading this proposal, but it is still in the early stages, with uncertainty about the level of support from Biden's inner circle.
09:01 Kremlin's increasing reliance on "compatriots abroad"
The Kremlin appears to be turning to Russian citizens living overseas, classifying them as "compatriots abroad." Yevgeny Primakov, the politician in charge of this group, mentioned that the "electronic map of compatriots" is almost complete. This map would enable these individuals to access various services, visit Russia, work there, and potentially apply for citizenship, with the first cards set to be issued by the end of 2024. Some foreign-based Russians may not have Russian citizenship and aren't enthusiastic about Moscow's policies, but Primakov believes this initiative will strengthen their connection to Russia and help them and their children. It is estimated that between 20 to 40 million people meet the criteria of "compatriots abroad," although the definition remains unclear. The Institute for the Study of War suggests that this recruitment could be intended to justify further aggression and hybrid operations.
08:34 38 targets targeted by Russian air defenses in Belgorod
The Belgorod border region was subjected to an attack from Ukraine overnight, prompting Russian air defenses to launch 38 missiles and three drones. Thankfully, there have been no casualties reported, according to the regional government.
08:05 Over 350 Russian soldiers and officials suspected of committing war crimes
The Ukrainian Prosecutor General, Andriy Kostin, has identified approximately 357 Russian soldiers and officials accused of committing war crimes. However, he emphasizes that the actual number of these offenses, including those committed in occupied territories and Russian detention centers, is significantly higher. These individuals face charges of deliberate killings, torture, and mistreatment of civilians and prisoners of war, with 83 already convicted. Kostin claims that since 2014, the Kremlin has systematically abducted, tortured, and killed Ukrainians, and this brutality has intensified since the start of the full-scale war.
07:34 Heavy Russian bombardments across various fronts
Ukraine has reported successes in defending Kharkiv's northern areas, but resources had to be reallocated from other parts of the front, resulting in some setbacks. Conversely, Russia continues its attacks across multiple regions.
06:37 Ukraine's defense around Kharkiv: Persevering under pressure
Battle-heavy areas in eastern Donbass are the focus of ongoing fighting between the Ukrainian General Staff and the Russians. In the vicinity of Avdiivka, 25 confrontations have been documented. Amid these skirmishes, the adversary is attempting to infiltrate military formations with assault groups and equipment. President Volodymyr Zelensky identified this region as a critical hotspot. Despite the difficult circumstances, Ukrainian forces have managed to maintain control of the front, particularly in the villages of Lipzy and Starytsya and the town of Vovchansk.
06:06 US response to Georgia's "Russian law"
After adopting the "foreign agents" law in Georgia, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken shares his concerns and promises to take action. Blinken tells the U.S. Congress, "We are very worried about the foreign agents bill that was passed. We are examining closely what response we can make to this, and I anticipate that we will act." The law, similar to Russia's, aims to limit foreign influence on non-governmental organizations.
6:13 European researchers predict no gas shortage with Russian imports banA report from the DIW economic research institute suggests that a European ban on Russian gas imports would not result in a gas supply emergency. The institute considers various scenarios and concludes that, without expanding infrastructure, pipeline imports from countries other than Russia and liquefied natural gas could meet Europe's gas demand. Cyprus, Austria, and Hungary, among others, could be supplied locally in this case. The authors speak of a secure gas supply, even in the context of potential sanctions against Russia.
5:50 Romanian government remains cautious on Patriot delivery to UkrainePresident Klaus Iohannis of Romania suggests private discussions about the possible delivery of a Patriot air defense system to Ukraine. He believes that the system's delivery should be approved by the Supreme Council for National Defense and must not compromise Romania's air defenses. Rome's role in the Ukrainian conflict is fraught with logistical and legal complexities, resulting in uncertainty. "Even if Romania finally consents, it should receive something in return," the president emphasizes.
5:22 Poland mulls over responding to hostile Russian missiles with air defensePoland could intervene more directly in Ukraine's defense by targeting Russian missiles. In reaction to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky's suggestion about having Western allies, including Poland, intercept Russian missiles, Pawel Wronski, the Polish Foreign Ministry spokesman, said the Polish government is considering the legal and technical aspects of this approach.
4:40 Ukraine apparently shoots down Russian fighter jetThe Ukrainian military claims to have shot down a Russian SU-25 fighter jet near Pokrovsk, in Donetsk. According to the General Staff, a Russian attack aircraft was destroyed. The Soviet-designed SU-25, referred to as the "Frog's Foot" by the NATO, is a heavily armored ground attack aircraft used to support Russian ground operations.
4:06 Sweden donates billions to aid UkraineSwedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson announces an additional $6.5 billion in military aid for Ukraine. Ukraine's president Volodymyr Selensky expressed his gratitude for the aid, stating that "it will strengthen not only us, but the entire European region from the Baltic Sea to the Black Sea."
3:40 Chechen leader offers Putin more troops for war in UkraineAt a meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin, Chechen ruler Ramzan Kadyrov offered additional troops for Russia's war in Ukraine. He mentioned that a "large number" of trained and equipped fighters are ready to join the Russian war effort if Putin orders it. Kadyrov's forces have already sent 43,500 soldiers, including 18,000 volunteers, to assist in the conflict in Ukraine.
1:54 Zelensky seeks more Western support for peace summitUkrainian President Volodymyr Selensky continues his efforts to rally support for a peace conference in Switzerland in mid-June. He recently consulted the heads of state and government of Chile, Albania, and Austria. While the meeting is taking place near Lucerne, it is unclear which other nations might participate. Zelensky emphasizes that the peace summit "will make peace possible again," but his previous efforts to organize a similar gathering in Turkey failed.
1:14 Zelensky requests Western assistance against Russian glide bombsUkrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is appealing to the West for help in countering Russian glide bombs, the most prevalent weapon used in Russian air strikes. Zelensky demands systems and tactics capable of protecting Ukrainian positions, cities, and communities from glide bomb attacks. Russia's alleged use of glide bombs, which are equipped with a control system for increased safety in dropping, is causing concern about their potential impact.
8:06 p.m., Ukraine sets free its first batch of prisoners to take part in the fighting
Ukraine frees its initial group of inmates who will be enlisted to fight in the ongoing war with Russia. A court sitting in the western city of Khmelnytsky has sanctioned the release of two prisoners, both previously convicted of theft, so they could fight for Ukraine's National Guard. By issuing a public statement, the court made known its decision to accept the prisoners' applications for parole. These releases are in line with a new regulation that allows prisoners deemed fit for combat to be released on parole. Since the law's enactment, more than 3,000 convicts have filled out applications to be released.
Read up on all prior developments here.
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Source: www.ntv.de
