Russia provides comments regarding their significant assault in Kharkiv.
The Russian defense ministry declared that their military forces have taken control of five villages in the Ukrainian region of Kharkiv. These villages include Pletenivka, Ohirtseve, Borysivka, Pylna, and Strilechna, which all line the border with the Russian Belgorod Oblast. The recent assault on Kharkiv began on Friday as Russia targeted this eastern Ukrainian city. The Russian army claims to have killed numerous Ukrainian soldiers and destroyed their equipment, but there are no third-party confirmations on the matter. Military specialists believe that the Russian push isn't a direct attack on Kharkiv but rather an endeavor to tie up Ukrainian troops while pushing their artillery closer to the city to shell it.
Elsewhere, Russia is experiencing struggles with its bombs, which are causing harm to its own residents. A Russian plane accidentally released munitions on civilian land in mid-May, damaging over 30 homes and 10 cars. Five people were rushed to the hospital. The British Ministry of Defense disclosed that this wasn't an isolated incident and that a FAB-250 bomb had been released in the Belgorod region in February, resulting in 150 residents having to evacuate. The same region reported 20 instances of stray ammunition between March and April of this year. The London intel report maintained that Russia's inability to correctly aim its weapons leads to devastating and deadly consequences for their people.
A video supposedly shows an Iranian Shahed drone being shot down by a German Gepard anti-aircraft tank. German Cheetah tanks have been in use by Ukrainian forces since 2022. Prior to being discarded in Germany, these tanks were effectively utilized in Ukraine, particularly in defending against ongoing drone attacks. The Ukrainian ambassador to Germany, Oleksii Makeiev, mentioned that about five or six shots are needed to neutralize a Shahed drone. Makeiev also shared footage of the drone's destruction with the assistance of the Gepard.
The United States Department of Defense made a statement that Ukrainian troops have received weapons from the United States, with Washington making a push to supply them more swiftly given the dangerous circumstances. Spokesperson John Kirby informed Ukrinform, "Some parts of the initial defense aid package - announced as part of the supplemental funding bill on the same day the President signed it - are already in the battlefield and in the hands of the Ukrainian military." Additionally, the U.S. announced a new tranche of weapons and ammunition worth $400 million.
Political analyst Thomas Jäger identified three possible strategies for Russia's aggressive push in Kharkiv. While Ukraine struggles to keep up, their supporters are also experiencing hardships.
The Ukrainian army continues to fend off Russian offensives in the border area near the city of Kharkiv. The General Staff revealed nine skirmishes in this region today. Although they claim the Russian advances have been repelled, this data has not been independently verified. Ukrainian front lines confronted Russian troops gathering in massive numbers near the border since Friday, but foreign analysts surmise that Kharkiv isn't the current objective.
As part of his reporting on the offensive near Kharkiv, Jürgen Weichert discusses the extent of Russia's territorial gains and how Ukraine is responding. Weichert also talks about his emotional trip to a German-funded prosthetic center in Lviv. The center has assisted amputees following the war that began in 2014.
9:41 Top German lawmakers champion Western air defense for Ukrainian skiesNotable German parliamentarians from the CDU, FDP, and Greens are deliberating on fortifying a portion of the sky above Ukraine, with NATO jurisdiction, using Western air defense systems. In an interview with the Frankfurter Allgemeine Sonntagszeitung, they support a proposal championed by military specialist Nico Lange from the Munich Security Conference, among others. According to Lange, establishing a secure area 70 kilometers wide on Ukraine's borders with Poland, Slovakia, Hungary, and Romania is a possibility. Roderich Kiesewetter, representing the CDU/CSU parliamentary group, states that deploying such a system on NATO's eastern border would empower Western nations to shoot down "unpiloted Russian missiles" over Ukraine. "This would alleviate Ukrainian air defense, allowing it to concentrate on safeguarding the frontline," he added.
9:11 "Ridiculously expensive" - Ukraine discloses drastic losses among Russian troopsThe ongoing Russian attempts to advance in eastern Ukraine and their offensive near Kharkiv may also contribute to the staggering casualty numbers. Kiev reports that over a single day, they killed 1320 Russian soldiers, 15 tanks, 40 armored personnel carriers, and 55 artillery systems. Two rocket launchers, an anti-aircraft system, and 64 other military vehicles were also destroyed. These figures cannot be affordably proven. Security analyst Frank Umbach tells ntv.de, "Russian casualties in the war are extraordinarily high" and could escalate to 500,000 soldiers by year's end - even by NATO's estimations. Additionally, Russia is having difficulty with compulsory conscription.
8:34 Media gain access to resplendent Putin palace in GelendzhikAccording to the media, they have managed to capture footage of the interior of Russian President Vladimir Putin's palace in Gelendzhik. The palace is alleged to be fully finished and dripping with opulence, showcasing costly furniture, busts, enormous chandeliers, and a swimming pool.
8:03 Russian offensive near Kharkiv, a metropolis of millions, prompts concern - ISW analyzes the contextThe Institute for the Study of War (ISW) speculates that the large-scale Russian offensive along the eastern Russian-Ukrainian border near Kharkiv is utilized to draw Ukrainian forces and equipment away from other vital frontlines in eastern Ukraine. Furthermore, it is most likely that Russian troops have additional reserves prepared to augment their offensive operations in the imminent future. ISW states, "Nonetheless, the current limited initiatives by Russian forces do not suggest that they are immediately planning a vast-scale, comprehensive offensive operation to encircle and seize Kharkiv." The US think tank continues to conclude that overtaking Kharkiv would be challenging, as it would "probably necessitate them setting aside other crucial sections of the battlefield and requesting substantial manpower to the international boundary area, which is improbable given the Russian military's longstanding objective of seizing the remainder of the Luhansk and Donetsk regions."
7:34 The EU plans to use interest profits from Russian assets worth billions to fund weapons for Ukraine - Minister: "Barely anything"Approximately €210 billion in Russian assets are said to be frozen in the EU. Brussels intends to gather the interest from these assets to buy weapons for Ukraine. However, this would only lead to a modest single-digit billion sum. Ukrainian Justice Minister Denys Maliuska told Politico that the annual €3 billion euros from the profits of frozen Russian assets are "barely anything" compared to the country's demands. "We need hundreds of billions to win the war," Maliuska stated. "The Ukrainian government truly wants full confiscation and genuinely believes that this is legitimate and will be the decisive approach to ending the war," he added.
6:29 To address Ukraine's critical needs: US discloses $400 million armaments packageThe United States Department of Defense disclosed more aid "to address Ukraine's critical security and defense requirements." This is the fifty-seventh tranche of equipment from American stockpiles for Ukraine since August 2021. The bundle is valued at $400 million. Per a declaration from Washington, it encompasses ammunition for Patriot and NASAMS air defense systems, Stinger antiaircraft missiles, artillery shells, Bradley infantry fighting vehicles, additional HIMARS artillery rocket systems and ammo, and M113 armored personnel carriers.
5:55 Ukraine confirms several new robotic complexes in active serviceNine land-based robotic complexes have been deployed by the Ukrainian Ministry of Defense since the start of the year. These robots fulfill various functions on the battlefield, mitigating risks for Ukrainian troops. Their tasks include fighting with machine guns, clearing mines, and evacuating wounded soldiers. "Numerous domestic manufacturers are currently concentrating on the production of robotic systems to expand the capabilities of the Ukrainian Armed Forces and save the lives of our soldiers," asserts the representative of the Ministry of Defense, Colonel Volodymyr Rochniak.
05:34: Ukraine - Russian forces attack multiple settlements in Sumy region, resulting in civilian casualties. The regional military administration reports attacks on nine locations on May 10, resulting in the death of a 64-year-old woman and injuries to a 17-year-old girl and another villager. These were caused by artillery fire in the village of Esman.
04:45: Ukrainian official states that Russian forces are determined to destroy the town of Vovchansk. The head of the police patrol in Vovchansk claims that within 24 hours, the troops had fired several hundred projectiles, mines, and cluster bombs, and were actively trying to enter the area.
03:35: Three people have been killed by an explosion at an oil depot in the Russian-controlled region of Luhansk. Injuries were sustained by six people, including two with smoke inhalation. The governor, Leonid Passetschnik, suspects the use of US supplied Atacms missiles, however no official comment has been made from Ukraine.
02:20: Russia reports drone attacks by Ukraine on the Belgorod and Kursk oblasts. The Russian Ministry of Defense reports that 17 projectiles were fired from Vampire rocket launchers, 13 drones, and five guided aerial bombs over Belgorod oblast. Belgorod's governor, Vyacheslav Gladkov, reports damage to farms and equipment, and one drone caused damage to a facility. In Kursk, 12 settlements were attacked, with one drone causing destruction to an infrastructure site.
00:53: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky promises a strong response from Ukraine to oppose the latest Russian offensive. He highlights the intensity of the fighting taking place across the entire front and refers to the occupier's actions as unacceptable.
23:46: TASS, a Russian news agency, reports that an oil facility near Luhansk has come under attack, causing a fire. The facility in the village of Rowenky was apparently targeted.
22:14: The US government reacts with concern to the new major Russian offensive near Kharkiv. The National Security Council's Communications Director, John Kirby, says that they anticipated an attack and points out that Russia has tried previously to take Kharkiv, but failed.
21:51: Zelenskyi emphasizes the importance of timely foreign aid to support the Ukrainian armed forces. He believes that the provision of weapons to Ukraine is more effective than announcements, and notes that the Ukrainian troops, artillery, and drones are currently responding to the occupying forces.
Paraphrased text:
5:34 a.m.: Ukraine - Russian troops strike nine Sumy Oblast border villages on May 10. The military administration reveals one fatality and two injuries, in Esman, due to artillery fire. Seredyna-Buda's residents also suffered injuries from artillery shelling.
4:45 a.m.: Vovchansk's Ukrainian official asserts that the Russians aim to demolish the town. The police patrol chief describes the rapid destruction by Russian artillery, mines, and cluster bombs.
3:35 a.m.: On May 10, three people were killed at a Russian-controlled Luhansk oil depot, wounded by an explosion - one fatality, six injured, two with inhalation. The governor Leonid Passetschnik suspects Atacms from America, although no verification is given.
2:20 a.m.: According to Russia, drone strikes occur in Belgorod and Kursk Oblasts, inflicting damage upon agricultural structures. Defense forces respond with 17 rockets, 13 drones, and 5 guided bombs. Vyacheslav Gladkov, Belgorod's governor, notes damage to buildings, and Roman Starovoit, Kursk's governor, acknowledges 12 settlement targeted.
0:53 a.m.: President Zelensky vows Ukraine's response to the recent Russian advance. Zelenskyi asserts that the fighting is intense and against the occupier will be successful.
11:46 p.m.: A fire occurs following an attack on a Luhansk oil depot, receives reports from TASS news. Target is the Rowenky village's facility.
21:14 p.m.: US government reacts with apprehension to the new Kharkiv offensive. National Security Council Communication Head John Kirby claims Russia aimed for Kharkiv before, but failed, calling the present activity "fascinating and alarming."
20:51 p.m.: Zelensky says the Ukrainians will benefit from actual foreign aid, rather than just stated commitments. He acknowledges the Russian military's strength and their display of intent - response by Ukrainian troops, cannons, and flying vehicles follows.
Read also:
- Year of climate records: extreme is the new normal
- Precautionary arrests show Islamist terror threat
- UN vote urges Israel to ceasefire
- SPD rules out budget resolution before the end of the year
- The Ukrainian president, Volodymyr Selensky, addressed the international community, urging them to provide more substantial military aid in response to Russia's active cyberwar against Ukraine, including attacks on critical infrastructure.
- The NATO alliance has reported escalating tensions, with Russia employing cyberattacks on Ukraine's government entities and critical infrastructure, further heightening concerns surrounding the ongoing conflict.
- The British Ministry of Defense disclosed that Russia had been increasing its cyberwarfare activities against Ukraine, using such tactics to disrupt logistics and communications in an attempt to gain a strategic advantage in the conflict between Ukraine and Russia.
- In a joint statement, Secretary General Stoltenberg of NATO, and Volodymyr Zelensky, the Ukrainian President, highlighted the need for strengthening cyber defenses, both within Ukraine and among NATO allies, to counteract the rising cyber threats posed by Russian military operations in the Ukraine conflict.
Source: www.ntv.de