Russian court sentences American man in Georgsband to 3.5 years in prison after reviling.
In St. Petersburg, a 60-year-old man, with both Russian and American citizenship, has been sentenced to three and a half years in prison for disrespecting the Soviet Army's memory in World War II. He has also been banned from posting online for one and a half years. The court's press service on Telegram claimed that he insulted the St. George's ribbon, a symbol of the Soviet Army's victory over Germany. The man, a security guard in Brooklyn, New York, was arrested during a visit to Russia in December 2023.
In other news, Germany's Defense Minister Boris Pistorius intends to boost the readiness of the Bundeswehr due to the threat from Russia. According to a government question session in the Bundestag, he wants Germany to be combat-ready by 2029. Finances, materials, and personnel will be central to this. Pistorius considers a new form of conscription necessary, but it won't be completely obligation-free. Conscription was suspended in Germany in 2011.
Poland has initiated a commission to investigate any past influence of Russian or Belarusian intelligence services. The team, led by the head of military counterintelligence General Jaroslaw Strozyk, consists of twelve security experts. The move comes as Poland fears potential Russian sabotage operations. Poland is one of Ukraine's main military supporters and serves as a logistical hub for Western military aid, leading to tension with Russia.
Ukraine reports one dead and five injured as a result of Russian attacks in the Donetsk region. Four attacks targeted civilian areas in Torezk, while another injury occurred in Selydowe near the front line. The Kremlin declared Donetsk and three other regions in Ukraine annexed in 2022, but does not fully control them.
German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius has concluded that the deployment of German soldiers in Ukraine is not an option. He made this declaration during a questioning session in the German Bundestag regarding the European Union and France's potential involvement in Ukraine.
Ukrainian officials believe that increased Russian attacks on power plants could cause severe consequences this winter. A Ukrainian government official stated that Ukrainians would probably spend most of the day without power during winter. The same official added that there has been a drop from around 55 gigawatts to just 20 gigawatts in terms of Ukraine's power generation capacity since the start of the war.
A Russian-appointed official reported that a five-year-old girl died from her injuries after Ukrainian artillery fire hit Novoslobodskaya, a Russian-occupied village in southern Ukraine. There is currently no independent confirmation of the incident. The village is approximately three kilometers behind the front line.
15:46 Pistorius wants the Bundeswehr ready for action by 2029 to counter potential Russian threat.
15:17 Poland creates a special commission to investigate possible Russian and Belarusian influence in the country over the past twenty years.
14:50 One death and five injuries reported in Donetsk, Ukraine, following Russian attacks.
14:22 Pistorius denies any plans to send German soldiers to Ukraine.
13:53 Ukraine may face areas without power for entire days in winter due to Russian attacks on its power plants. 1.2 gigawatts of power generation were lost on Saturday.
13:14 A five-year-old girl died after Russian-occupied Novoslobodskaya in southern Ukraine was shelled, while eleven others were injured; no independent confirmation.
12:25 A St. Petersburg court sentences a man with dual nationality to prison for defaming the Soviet Army in WWII, while banning him from the internet for one and a half years. He targeted the orange-black St. George's ribbon, Russia's symbol of victory over Nazi Germany.
15:46 Pistorius pushes for enhanced Bundeswehr readiness in light of potential Russian threats; wants Germany to be combat-ready by 2029.
15:17 Poland evaluates potential Russian espionage in past two decades; a commission led by military counterintelligence includes twelve security experts.
14:50 One fatality and five injuries are reported in the eastern Ukraine city of Torezk following Russian attacks.
14:22 Pistorius dismisses sending German troops to Ukraine; government questioning in the Bundestag reveals no plans for deployments to the country.
13:53 Ukraine anticipates facing power shortages due to Russian attacks on its energy infrastructure. 1.2 gigawatts of power generation lost on Saturday, with severe damage to key gas transportation facilities in western Ukraine.
13:14 A child dies and eleven are injured in Novoslobodskaya, a Russian-occupied village in southern Ukraine, from Ukrainian artillery fire; no independent verification.
12:25 A 60-year-old dual citizen of Russia and the USA receives a three-and-a-half-year prison sentence and an internet ban for mocking the Soviet Army's victory in WWII; offenses include attacks on the St. George's ribbon.
The Swiss Air Force is testing its war readiness by practicing fighter jet landings on a motorway. The pilots of the F/A-18s made flawless landings, according to Brigadier Christian Oppliger, the deputy commander of the Swiss Air Force. The planes had a landing speed of approximately 260 kilometers per hour. The last such exercise by the Swiss Air Force was conducted in 1991. Oppliger stated that the threat landscape has changed considerably, and the Air Force must be prepared for every possibility. It is not just about defense anymore; they also need to be able to attack enemy ground-air systems. The Air Force aims to keep enemies at bay up to 100 kilometers beyond the border. The primary objective of the exercise was to assess the Air Force's operational capabilities after a potential first strike on military airfields elsewhere.
12:00 Kiev celebrates Harris' confirmation to attend the peace conference
Ukraine is delighted by the participation of US Vice President Harris in the peace conference in Switzerland. The confirmation of her attendance at the meeting on June 15 and 16 is a "significant message," according to the head of the Presidium. Ukraine had initially hoped for the presence of US President Biden, but he will meet Ukrainian President Zelensky in France during celebrations for the 80th anniversary of the Allied landing in Normandy. Another meeting is scheduled at the G7 summit in Italy in the coming week.
11:20 Scholz wants to order more Eurofighters - defense industrial expansion needed
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz is urging the defense industry to increase production capacities by committing to reliable orders. During the opening of the International Aerospace Exhibition (ILA) in Berlin, Scholz announced that the federal government will order 20 additional Eurofighters in the current legislative term. Scholz stressed the importance of a strong air and space industry in Germany and Europe, referring to a needed "defense industrial reversal." Additionally, the government will push for opportunities like exporting the Eurofighter. Scholz expressed his determination to preserving and expanding production capabilities.
10:49 Munz to the Peace Conference: Global support is dwindling, Russia is successful
As Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky pushes for participation in the peace conference in Switzerland, Russia is trying to prevent a large number of countries from attending the summit. At the beginning of the war, 141 UN member states condemned Russia's attack. However, many are now stating that they will not attend the summit, according to reporter Rainer Munz.
10:05 Has Putin increased security measures?
The report by the "Moscow Times" suggests that security measures for Russian President Vladimir Putin have been intensified. Two Russian officials present at many public appearances of the President claim that the security measures reached unparalleled levels. One official cites the arrest warrant issued by the International Criminal Court against Putin, Ukrainian drone attacks, and sabotage acts as the main risk factors that prompted the Kremlin to increase security. The Kremlin previously denied any increase in security measures.
09:37 Nikopol comes under heavy artillery fire
https://www.ntv.de/politik/Russland-Putin-Sicherheitsvorkehrungen-erhoeht-100.html
The Russian army is shelling Nikopol, as reported by the Ukrainian administration. Yesterday and this morning, the Dnipropetrovsk region city on the Dnipro was attacked with heavy artillery and kamikaze drones. No one was hurt, but five homes and a power line were damaged. Four drones were shot down in the area.
08:54 Drones reveal Russian air defense response
The air scouts of the 71st Fighter Brigade are closely observing Russian activities beyond the front lines using their "Storks." The unit has observed less hostile actions. Conversely, Ukrainian drones are infiltrating deeper and deeper into Russian territory, causing the Russian air defense to respond accordingly.
08:26 Putin to answer questions from foreign journalists
In an unprecedented move, Russian President Vladimir Putin will meet with Western media representatives for the first time since the onset of the two-year-long attack on Ukraine at the International Economic Forum in St. Petersburg. The event ran from 2022-2023. The economic forum commences on Wednesday and ends on Saturday.
7:58 Ukraine: Russian forces intensify assault in Donetsk region
The Ukrainian military reports high levels of hostility on the eastern front. Moscow's troops are reportedly waging heavy strikes northwest of Donetsk. Yesterday, military sources logged 37 artillery attacks directed toward the city of Pokrovsk. Meanwhile, the Russian army is said to be most active in the area of Otscheretyne, where it attempts to make territorial gains from various directions. This location is situated midway between Donetsk and Pokrovsk.
7:32 Ukraine reports 22 drone attacks in the past 24 hours
The Ukrainian army once again experienced an onslaught of drone strikes originating from Russian forces. According to military authorities, they managed to shoot down 22 of the 27 intruding drones across the nation. The downings occurred in the southern, northeastern, and central regions of Ukraine. In Poltava, a central Ukrainian area, a person was injured at an industrial facility, and the facility itself was damaged, as confirmed by regional governor Filip Pronin.
6:14 Ukraine plans to recruit drone operators for the armed forces
In a bid to boost its drone capabilities, the Ukrainian Defense Ministry has initiated a program to enlist civilians as drone operators. Anyone aged 18 or above can apply for the training, which involves an online course, drone handling instruction, and finally, a commitment to join the army.
5:42 NATO's Stoltenberg slams China's role in Ukraine peace process
In an interview with NDR Info's "Streitkräfte und Strategien," NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg criticized China for abstaining from participation in a Switzerland-hosted peace conference on Ukraine. Stoltenberg lamented, "It's unfortunate that China has decided not to participate." He reasoned that China's absence reflects its inability to admonish Russia for its aggression against Ukraine, a glaring violation of international norms. China not only failed to condemn the invasion, but Presidents Xi Jinping and Vladimir Putin allegedly conspired through a pact that promised an unlimited partnership prior to the invasion, revealed Stoltenberg. Since the invasion, China has been aiding Russia's war efforts by supplying advanced technology, microelectronics, microchips, and other resources.
3:39 Biden plans to meet Zelensky twice in the coming weeks
The White House revealed that US President Biden will share candid conversations with Ukrainian President Zelensky on two occasions. National Security Advisor of the United States, Jake Sullivan, confirmed the plans. Biden is expected to participate in celebrations commemorating the 80th anniversary of the Allied landing in France, and Zelensky is also slated to attend. Upcoming, the G7 summit is scheduled to take place in Italy.
2:42 "Filtration camps" reportedly established in Vovchansk
According to Ukrainian authorities, Russian forces have allegedly constructed so-called "filtration camps" in Vovchansk, a city claimed by both sides. Governor of the Kharkiv region Oleh Syniehubov disclosed the information on state television, citing"Kyiv Independent," a Ukrainian media outlet. Serving as detention centers, these camps are used to identify and process Ukrainian civilians within occupied areas. Previous reports documented cases of torture, sexual assault, and deportations. Syniehubov also noted that the remaining residents of Vovchansk's occupied region are being held captive by the Russians as human shields.
12:44 Weapons procurement official faces corruption trial
In a corruption trial taking place in Kiev, the former head of Ukraine's weapons procurement is accused of striking excessive price deals for aircraft parts. The country's anti-corruption agency provided a report detailing this case, dating back to 2016 and unrelated to the ongoing conflict between Ukrainian forces and Russian attacks. The defendant allegedly negotiated lavish prices for aircraft parts with a private enterprise that was seven times higher than market value. His business partner is already on trial.
22:26 Moscow police disrupt Nawalny's memorial event
Russian law enforcement disrupted a birthday memorial event for the late Kremlin critic Alexei Nawalny. The event had drawn dozens of his supporters to a venue in Moscow to watch a live broadcast of a memorial concert in Berlin. Local media outlet Ovd-Info reported that approximately 30 people were arrested, searched, and interrogated by a specialist police unit. Authorities targeted the gathering shortly after a submarine explosion in the Black Sea raised suspicions surrounding Nawalny's death.
21:56 Over 600 children killed since the beginning of the conflict
During a memorial ceremony, the Ukrainians commemorated the children who have lost their lives to the ongoing war. The death toll has surpassed 600 since the fighting began in February 2022, and 1,400 others have suffered injuries, as confirmed by UN representative Denise Brown. She stressed the significance of shielding innocent lives, urging foreign allies to send additional air defense weaponry to Ukraine. "The price of life is more valuable than the cost of air defense," asserted Zelenska, wife of the Ukrainian head of state, during the remembrance.
9:00: Troubling snaps purportedly display Ukrainian inmates - Concentration camp prisoner comparisons
Photos of Roman Horilyk, a Ukrainian soldier of the National Guard, have gone viral on social media. Among others, renowned media figure Illia Ponomarenko shares the documents, depicting Horilyk looking severely depleted. "This is his condition after coming back to Ukraine after the most recent prisoner exchange," Ponomarenko comments. The soldier had been detained at the Chernobyl nuclear plant and spent more than two years in Russian custody. "The pattern repeats itself and screams for lessons to be learned." Numerous social media users compare the soldier's appearance to those of concentration camp prisoners.
18:00: Stunning satellite snaps reveal incredible strike on Russian soil
The recent attack on a Russian S-300/400 air defense system has gained considerable traction. Interest is piqued not merely due to the significance of the system, but also because the act took place on Russian soil. Moscow continues to deny the attack, but plentiful videos and pictures support the idea of successful hits - and now, satellite images provided by Radio Liberty. Displayed are scorched launch pads and a harmed S-300/400 command center. The strike was allegedly conducted with a HIMARS rocket launcher from the United States. Western powers recently permitted Ukraine to target Russian territory to defend the Kharkiv area.
17:30: "The following weeks will make or break the summer and the year"
Ukrainian President Zelensky claims the nation is, once more, confronting a crucial phase. "It's true, it's just the beginning of June, but the forthcoming weeks will define the summer and, in many aspects, the entire year," Zelensky remarks in his daily video message. He highlights the peace summit in Switzerland, "the mobilization of the globe for Ukraine, our EU relations, frontline conditions, and our domestic output."
17:00: Before European Elections: Germany Tops List of Russian Disinformation Targets
Just before the European elections, there have been especially many instances of Russian disinformation in Germany, France, and Poland, based on Brussels reports. These three countries have been "consistently" targeted by Russia, says EU Vice-President Vera Jourova in Brussels. In Germany, manipulation mostly focuses on "issues of immigration and security," she explains. Jourova presented an evaluation by the European Observatory for Online Media (EDMO). According to this, Russian disinformation efforts frequently concentrate around themes associated with the conflict in Ukraine. Combined, Germany, France, and Poland represent roughly 145 million eligible voters. This corresponds to almost 40% of all EU voters.
Read also:
Volodymyr Zelensky, the Ukrainian President, expressed concern about increased Russian attacks on Ukraine's power plants, which could lead to severe power outages this winter.
Nato Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg criticized China for abstaining from participation in a Switzerland-hosted peace conference on Ukraine, stating that China's absence reflected its inability to admonish Russia's aggression against Ukraine.
Ukrainian officials believe that these increased attacks on power plants are part of a Russian cyberwar against Ukraine.
German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius has declared that Germany will not deploy its soldiers in Ukraine, despite fears of increased Russian aggression in the region.
