Russia steps up assaults on Ukrainian forces prior to the anticipated arrival of F-16 fighter jets.
Russia escalates attacks on Ukraine, aligning with forthcoming deliveries of combat aircraft and other Western military aid for Kiev. Moscow understands that upon arrival of the initial US F-16 fighter jets, "time will favor us," as stated by Ukrainian Army Chief Oleksandr Syrsky on online platforms. Therefore, Russia is making every effort to broaden the conflict.
16:42 Putin appoints relative as deputy defense minister: Russian President Vladimir Putin dismissed four deputy defense ministers and appointed a relative, Anna Zivileva, to fill one of the vacated positions. According to Reuters, Putin dismissed Nikolai Pankow, Ruslan Zalikow, Tatjana Schewzowa, and Pavel Popov, utilizing Kremlin decrees. Zivileva, who is reported to be the daughter of one of Putin's cousins, was appointed as the new deputy defense minister by Putin.
16:22 Ukraine: power outages after rocket attack on Poltava: A Russian rocket attack on the Ukrainian region of Poltava resulted in nine injuries and damaged power lines, affecting approximately 53,000 private and 2,400 industrial consumers due to power outages, as reported by Governor Filip Pronin. Several high-rise buildings were also damaged.
15:58 Thiele: "Ukraine perseveres but teeters on the edge": Military expert Ralph Thiele criticizes the Western approach to Ukraine. Thiele, a retired colonel, asserts that promises are not being kept, and weapons deliveries are always tardy. Such supposed success reports fail to mask this, Thiele stated. Putin's ceasefire proposal is viewed as provocative.
15:33 Farm president warns against EU membership for Ukraine: Farm President Joachim Rukwied expresses concern about immediate EU membership for Ukraine, stating that it could have devastating consequences for European farmers. "If Ukraine immediately joins the EU, our family-owned agriculture will die," Rukwied stated in an interview. Integration of an additional 32 million hectares of farmland would significantly undermine the competitiveness of many EU farms, making domestic agriculture imperative. Import restrictions against Ukrainian agricultural products are urgently demanded to secure the survival of domestic agriculture, and issues such as subsidies and corruption in Ukraine must be addressed before an EU membership is considered.
15:14: Explosion at a Ukrainian troops' training site in the Czech Republic leaves nine injured: An explosion at a military installation in the Czech Republic used for the training of Ukrainian troops has left nine soldiers injured. The Czech army has reportedly confirmed an unspecified type of ammunition explosion, but further details remain unavailable.
Update 17:00 hours: The Czech army reports that one soldier has died in the explosion.
14:52: Ukraine reports first capture of Schiltkrutenpanzer: Ukrainian forces have allegedly seized a "Schiltkrutenpanzer" used by the Russian army since April. These combat vehicles are known for their brutality and destructiveness. Videos reportedly show the capture of the weapon and the apprehension of its accompanying crew.
14:23: Putin to visit North Korea and Vietnam for several days: Russian President Vladimir Putin is visiting North Korea and Vietnam, following an invitation from North Korean leader Kim Jong Un. The visit is described as a "friendly state visit." Afterward, Putin will reportedly stay in Vietnam for two days, maintaining close ties with North Korea that are viewed with skepticism from the West. The isolated communist country with nuclear ambitions is believed to have supplied munitions for Russia's attack on Ukraine according to Western intelligence. Kim Jong Un paid a rare foreign visit to Russia in September 2023.
13:58: "Further escalation": Peskov criticizes Stoltenberg's remarks on nuclear weapons: Russia considers NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg's statements about the possible deployment of additional nuclear weapons as a provocation, stating it as "another escalation of tensions." Press Secretary Dmitry Peskov explained this view, citing Stoltenberg's statements that suggest the need for discussions about the deployment and readiness of additional nuclear weapons, as contradicting the communique of the Ukraine conference, which declares any threat or use of nuclear weapons in relation to Ukraine to be unacceptable.
Federal Government Refuses to Lower Refugee Aid for Ukrainian War Refugees:
The Federal Government has dismissed demands to decrease state benefits for Ukrainian conflict refugees. A representative of the Federal Government, Steffen Hebestreit, revealed that there are no plans in the works to replace citizen's pensions for individuals who have fled from Russia's assault on Ukraine in Germany with benefits for asylum seekers in the future. A representative from the Federal Labor Ministry emphasizes that, with Jobcenters responsible for refugees from Ukraine's integration, quicker measures for their integration into the labor market can be enacted. FDP General Secretary Bijan Djir-Sarai had advocated in the "Bild" newspaper that "newly arriving war refugees from Ukraine should no longer receive citizen's pension but fall under the Asylum Seekers Benefits Act."
Long Power Outages Expected for Ukrainians:
In light of ongoing Russian attacks on Ukraine's energy infrastructure, the state energy supplier has announced more drastic power cuts. "The situation is expected to worsen significantly over the next few weeks in comparison to today," says the head of the Ukrainian energy supplier Ukrenergo, Volodymyr Kydrytsky. Ukrainians should expect to be without power for up to twelve hours a day. Improvements in the power supply situation may not be seen before the end of July, Kydrytsky added. On top of persistent Russian attacks on thermal and hydroelectric power plants, maintenance work on nuclear power plants and unfavorable weather conditions may also contribute to the issue.
Swiss Conference: Talks without Russian Participation Meaningless:
Kremlin spokesman Peskov criticizes the Swiss Ukraine conference, stating that negotiations without Russian participation are devoid of meaning. The results of this meeting were "close to zero," Peskov declared. Russia remains open for dialogue with all nations that seek it and will continue to express its views to them. At the weekend conference in Switzerland, Western powers and their allies denounced Russia's invasion of Ukraine. However, they failed to persuade major neutral countries to join their final declaration. No country expressed interest in organizing a continuation of the conference. Russia was not invited, but had already communicated in the early stages of planning that it would not participate.
Ukraine's Payment Default Still a Possibility:
The risk of Ukraine's payment default remains unaddressed: Kiev has failed to reach an agreement in negotiations with creditors. Negotiations with a group of bondholders yielded no consensus on restructuring international debts amounting to around 20 billion Dollars, according to reports. Time is running out: On August 1, a two-year payment halt previously agreed upon with international bond buyers will expire. This arrangement was due to Ukraine's economic instability caused by the Russian armed conflict. Ukrainian Finance Minister Sergei Marchenko is optimistic that an agreement will be reached by August. He anticipates that the government will reach an agreement before then. War-torn Ukraine has been considering plans to restructure its foreign debts with major investors since late 2023. Formal discussions with bondholders have been underway for nearly two weeks.
Start of Accession Talks Signals Peace and Freedom for Ukraine:
The Chairman of the European People's Party (EPP), Manfred Weber, welcomed the initiation of accession talks with Ukraine. Weber expressed that no country admires "our values" as much as Ukraine, as the country fights for freedom and democracy. "Therefore, the accession talks, now about to commence, are an extremely important psychological signal to Ukraine. You can coexist with us in peace, freedom, and democracy in the European Union," Weber stated in an early-morning interview with ntv. In addition, Ukraine has made progress despite the war. However, there is still much to be accomplished. "The battle against corruption is a primary issue in Ukraine. But the will is there, and the direction is correct," so Weber.
Russian Peace Terms Could Become Even Harsher:
The head of the Russian foreign intelligence service, Sergei Naryshkin, threatens harsher peace terms for a peace treaty with Ukraine. If the demands for a peace treaty put forth by President Vladimir Putin are refused, then the following peace conditions will be even harsher, Naryshkin reportedly told the state news agency TASS. He did not specify who would make the decisions on accepting or rejecting the proposals. Putin stated a few days ago that his conditions for peace would be akin to a capitulation by Kiev: the renunciation of NATO membership and the return of the four regions of Donetsk, Luhansk, Zaporizhzhia, and Kherson, which Russia illegally annexed. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky dismissed Putin's statements as not credible.
Denmark May Limit the Passage of Russian Oil Tankers:
Denmark is exploring possibilities to restrict the passage of older Russian oil tankers through the Baltic Sea. The country has formed a group of affiliated nations to evaluate potential measures against the so-called shadow fleet of aging vessels transporting Russian oil, Danish Foreign Minister Lars Løkke Rasmussen reveals. Such a move could result in confrontation with the Moscow leadership. Approximately one-third of Russian oil exports pass through the Danish straits, which serve as the gateway to the Baltic Sea. This amounts to about 1.5% of global oil deliveries. Any attempt to halt these deliveries would increase oil prices and necessitate additional strain on the Kremlin's finances.
Moscow Finds Peace Conference "Absurd Event," Now Pleasantly Surprised:
Before the peace conference in Switzerland, the Kremlin saw it as an "absurd event." After the conference's conclusion, Russian media assessed the results with nearly relief. NTV correspondent Rainer Munz summarizes the almost relieved mood in the country.
10:06 Latvia reportedly gearing up to dispatch additional dronesLatvia has already dispatched the initial batch of drones to Ukraine and is now readying a second one, as reported by "Kyiv Independent". Sources indicate statements from Latvian Defense Minister Andris Spruds. Latvia, along with the United Kingdom, heads an international coalition aiding Ukraine with drones, which have growing significance in the war. Spruds stated in May that the Latvian government plans to invest around €40 million in the drone coalition and an equivalent sum in the development of Latvian drone capabilities this year.
09:32 ISW: Putin not keen on serious dialoguesThe Institute for the Study of War suggests that Russian President Vladimir Putin has little interest in genuine dialogues. In its latest report, the US think tank contends that Putin only pretends to show keenness for negotiations in certain instances, in order to coax the West into favorable concessions that could potentially undermine Ukraine's sovereignty. It is "highly unlikely" that Putin will show genuine interest in discussions in the near future. Recently, he delineated a victory scenario in Ukraine built upon the assumption that Russian forces could achieve unlimited incremental gains on the battlefield. Putin demands the complete removal of Ukrainian troops from the areas of Kherson, Donetsk, Luhansk, and Zaporizhzhia as a condition for negotiations.
09:01 The Left vests its hopes in the PopeThe Left in the German parliament, too, is banking on the Pope as part of its peace efforts. According to Soren Pellmann, co-chairman of the Left group in the parliament, the Pope could potentially mediate, similar to the roles played by China and India. Pope Francis might assume the role of moderator, mediator due to his unwavering integrity. In fact, the Pope has not had a warm reception since his recent appeal to Ukraine to hoist the "white flag". The conditions Putin recently posed for peace negotiations are viewed by Left-politician Pellmann as indications that he is open to talks. "This offer, despite its toxic nature, shows that he appears to be growing weary of war," says Pellmann. Meanwhile, Putin has indirectly signaled an openness to dialogues.
08:37 Court date set for US journalist Evan GershkovichThe trial for the US journalist Evan Gershkovich, who stands accused of espionage in Russia, is scheduled to commence at the end of June. The trial will transpire from the 26th of June in secret at Yekaterinburg, as per the responsible court. The reporter for the "Wall Street Journal" was apprehended during a research expedition to Russia in March 2023 and has been confined in the Lefortovo Prison in Moscow since then. The prosecutor's office alleges that the 32-year-old worked for the CIA and gathered classified intelligence about tank manufacturer Uralvagonzavod in the Sverdlovsk region. If convicted, Gershkovich faces a possible sentence of up to 20 years in prison. He is the first Western journalist since the conclusion of the Cold War to be detained in Russia on espionage charges. Gershkovich refutes the accusations.
08:05 Peace summit reveals Russia's political cloutThe peace summit in Switzerland has concluded, signaling discord, as per ntv correspondent Kavita Sharma. "Several countries have declined to sign the final declaration." Meanwhile, arms deliveries to Ukraine are becoming increasingly evident.
07:46 Ukraine calculates Russian lossesUkraine estimates that Russia is losing approximately 1080 soldiers daily. The General Staff in Kiev estimates these losses, dating back to the commencement of the large-scale attack in February 2022, to be around 527,000. Russia also lost 2 tanks, 18 armored personnel carriers, and 14 artillery systems within 24 hours.
07:15 Putin's confidant eyes "further military actions" and "reunification" with UkraineWhat drives Putin's proposed weapons truce with Kiev, can potentially be clarified by comments from Putin's confidant Viktor Medvedchuk in TASS. "Russia's security concerns necessitate additional military actions to counter the neo-Nazi regime, with the aim of achieving complete demilitarization and de-Nazification," Medvedchuk explained. "The Ukrainians desire peace, while Zelensky and his western puppets crave war, even at the cost of annihilating the Ukrainian people. This people must be liberated from this criminal Nazi regime," Medvedchuk, a Putin ally who was jailed in Ukraine on treason charges and was exchanged for prisoners in September 2022, added. "I have frequently stated that Ukraine is primarily located on historically Russian territory, so the reunification of the inhabitants of these territories with Russia is an justified historical process that has already started and will persist."
06:33 More than 2,750 prisoners allegedly enlisted for Ukrainian armySince the implementation of the new Ukrainian military conscription law, over 2,750 prisoners have reportedly been released to join the Ukrainian military, according to the Washington Post. "I think I can redeem myself," the 24-year-old Senya Shcherbyna, who served six years for drug trafficking, is quoted as saying. He is purportedly awaiting a discussion with recruiters and hopes to be deployed as soon as possible, to "contribute more positively to society" than if he remained in prison. The Ukrainian parliament passed a law on May 8 enabling the voluntary mobilization of certain prisoners. The recruitment of criminals, including serious offenders, is reported by the Washington Post to be "the latest move by Kiev to replenish its forces, which have consistently been engaged in combat for more than two years." In Russia, the recruitment of criminals, including serious criminals, is a common practice.
06:05 "Newspaper Telegraph": NATO discusses boosting nuclear weapon presence
NATO nations are reportedly deliberating on strengthening their nuclear weapon presence in response to the expanding threat from Russia and China. As stated by the Telegraph, speaking in an interview with NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg, Stoltenberg highlighted the importance of exhibiting NATO's nuclear capability as a clear message to potential rivals. "I won't go into specific operational details like how many nuclear warheads should be ready for deployment and which should be stored, but we need to discuss these matters. And that's exactly what we're doing," Stoltenberg declared.
05:00 Peace Scholars: Operational atomic weapons continue to rise
According to the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) in its yearly report, the quantity of operational atomic weapons has once more increased. Despite nuclear warheads being decommissioned and the overall number of nuclear weapons observing a decrease for many decades, more and more nuclear warheads are being kept active. Since the outset of Russia's aggression in Ukraine, openness about nuclear weapons has decreased for both Russia and the United States. "We haven't experienced such a prominent role for nuclear weapons in international relations since the Cold War," remarks Wilfred Wan, head of SIPRI's WMD Programme.
03:08 FDP: New Ukrainian refugees need to cease receiving welfare benefits
Following a recommendation from the EU, the FDP is also advocating for the termination of welfare benefits for refugees from Ukraine. "Newly arriving refugees from Ukraine no longer should receive welfare benefits and fall under the Asylum Seekers Welfare Act," states FDP General Secretary Bijan Djir-Sarai in an interview with the "Bild" newspaper. This would encourage people to seek employment. Previously, Brandenburg's Interior Minister Michael Stübgen and Bavaria's Interior Minister Joachim Herrmann had already expressed opposition to providing welfare benefits, specifically to Ukrainian refugees of working age.
01:20 Charkiv struck by glide bomb
Charkiv was allegedly hit by a KAB glide bomb during the late evening hours, as per Mayor Ihor Terekhov. A children's recreational facility was supposedly targeted, with a facility being destroyed. There is no information about potential injuries.
00:09 Baerbock: Ukraine support minimizes NATO involvement in war
Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock forewarns about serious consequences for Germany and NATO if Ukraine is not further supported. "If we don't continuously support Ukraine, there is the risk that Putin's troops will be stationed at Poland's border. The war would then be on EU and NATO territory," expresses the Green politician to the "Süddeutsche Zeitung." New refugee movements would also result. "If Ukraine can no longer defend itself - and I'm addressing those who oppose support - then millions more people will have to flee. Who wants to voluntarily endure torture and occupation?"
22:20 Ukrainians face even more electricity issues
Ukrainians will reportedly face even greater electricity supply problems in the coming weeks due to consistent Russian shelling of their power facilities. "The situation will become significantly more challenging in the next and subsequent weeks than it is today," warns the head of the energy supplier Ukrenerho, Volodymyr Kudrytskyi on Ukrainian television. There will be more scheduled power outages and power cuts. The situation will not improve until urgent repairs on two nuclear reactors are completed, Kudrytskyi says. People are already experiencing power outages.
21:55 Charkiv Region: Pregnant Woman Among Three Injured in Air RaidAccording to local authorities in Charkiv, three individuals sustained injuries during Russian air raids. A pregnant woman, a man, and a 13-year-old boy were taken to the hospital, reveals the Regional Prosecutor's Office Charkiv. Russian forces reportedly targeted the village of Pisky-Radkiwski in the afternoon. Over ten residential buildings and an ambulance were damaged during the attack.
21:14 Yellen Rejects Putin's "Theft" ClaimUS Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen goes against Vladimir Putin, who referred to the freezing of Russian assets abroad and their utilization to support Ukraine on Friday as "theft." Yellen, in an interview on ABC's "This Week," said that the frozen Russian assets will remain in their current location. Russia has no claim to earnings generated from these frozen assets, she added. Following Russia's invasion of Ukraine, the US and its partners decided to freeze Russian state funds within their jurisdiction, Yellen explained. The total sum is about 280 billion dollars. "And a large portion of it, about 200 billion dollars, is in a Belgian financial institution where it generates income that does not belong to Russia and that has flowed to this institution." The G7 countries have agreed to lend Ukraine more than 50 billion dollars, which will be sourced from the interest on the frozen funds. Russia's conflict in Ukraine - aside from all human casualties - has wrecked entire regions and obliterated assets worth billions.
20:40 Russians intensify attacks, according to Ukrainian MilitaryDespite ongoing peace talks in Switzerland, Russia has allegedly escalated its attacks on Ukraine as per information from Kiev. "The enemy has greatly increased the tempo of its offensive and defensive actions today and seeks to either penetrate our defenses or drive Ukrainian units away from their positions," the Ukrainian General Staff reported. The number of battles has reportedly increased to 88. Most fighting occurred near Pokrovsk in the eastern Ukrainian Donetsk region. There, over 36 engagements took place - 25 of which were repelled, while 11 were still ongoing. This cannot be independently verified.
11:36 Ukrainian Navy Unveils Cutting-edge Overwater Drone "Stalker 5.0"In the ongoing conflict against Russia, Ukraine is adopting advanced overwater drones. The Ukrainian military declared on social media that they have acquired the latest overwater drone "Stalker 5.0." The drone was revealed in Odessa. It is said to reach speeds of up to 75 nautical hours and can carry up to 150 kilograms of payload, be it explosives or other cargo. Its operational range is approximately 600 kilometers. Estimates put its cost at around 60,000 euros.
10:07 Russian Journalist Allegedly Killed in Drone StrikeAs per Russian media accounts, a Russian journalist was killed in a drone strike in Eastern Ukraine. News.Ru's Telegram post claims that their correspondent Nikita Zizagi was killed in an attack by the Ukrainian military's drones. The attack is reported to have occurred near a monastery close to the city of Vugledar, where recent fighting has been intense. On Thursday, a journalist from Russian state television was killed and another injured in a Ukrainian drone strike in Golmiwsky, a village under Russian control near the frontline in the Donetsk region.
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Read also:
- Russia accelerates its military attacks on Ukraine, anticipating the arrival of Western-supplied F-16 fighter jets, with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky warning of a potential broadening of the conflict.
- In the wake of Russian rocket attacks on Ukraine, Defense Minister Oleksandr Syrsky emphasizes the importance of strengthening military operations, hinting at the strategic advantage that will come with the arrival of the initial US F-16 fighter jets.
- Amidst the escalating conflict, tensions between Russia and the NATO alliance heighten, with NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg suggesting the possibility of deploying additional nuclear weapons as a deterrent against Russian aggression.
- In response to Stoltenberg's statement, Russia considers this a provocation and an escalation of tensions, as Russian President Vladimir Putin's relative, Anna Zivileva, takes up a position as deputy defense minister, further solidifying Moscow's military stance.
